South Africa: Forty-two military veterans get bail

Forty-two of the 53 members of the military veterans accused of kidnapping two Cabinet Ministers and a Deputy Minister have been released on R500 bail.

The 42 received bail at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility in Tshwane on Tuesday.

In a statement, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said the hearing was conducted with the 13 of the 52, who are first offenders and their addresses have been verified.

The group were arrested after allegedly holding Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise and her Deputy Thabang Makwetla hostage at St Georges Hotel in Irene, Centurion, last week. They were rescued by members of the Special Task Force team.

Bail was set at R500 for them and the case postponed to the 1 February 2022 at Pretoria Central Magistrates Court, said the SAPS.

The 13 are: Sizwe Maphumulo (50), Joseph Mthembu(50), Aaron Magooa(55), Abel Sekele(61), Johannes Modise(47), Nontyatyambo Samuel (female) (54), Thabiso Mashiya (47), Sibusiso Mazibuko (51), Kleinbooi Madontsela(51), Joseph Simelane(49), Dumisani Thwayo (49) and Alfred Seatlakgame (47).

After the court came back from recess, bail of R500 was also granted for the 27 accused who have previous convictions outstanding on minor cases but their addresses have not been verified. They also will appear in the Pretoria Magistrates Court on 1 February 2022.

The remaining 11 accused have relevant previous convictions on serious offences, which include murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and rape. These accused were remanded in custody and will appear again on Friday in the same court.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-10-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Hong Kong: Taiwan urged to permit suspect's entry

Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung today urged Taiwan to allow homicide case suspect Chan Tong-kai's entry, saying he learnt that Chan very much hopes to surrender to Taiwan.

Mr Tang spoke to the media about the case after attending a Legislative Council meeting today.

He noted that Chan had already served his sentence for the offence he committed in Hong Kong, but Taiwan has refused his entry due to political reasons.

"I think for anyone who has served their sentence regarding the offence they have committed, they are as free as anyone else in the city. They are free people. They can do whatever they want within the law, of course.

"But I think the whole issue is that Taiwan does not allow Chan to go to Taiwan to face his responsibility.

"Here I would like to reiterate that no matter what Taiwan does, it will not change the fact that Taiwan is part of China."

This story has been published on: 2021-10-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Hong Kong: HK's arbitration strengths to thrive

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng

COVID-19 has changed the world, forcing global economies to rethink their mode of operation, in particular in the area of supply chain and logistics. Technology is an inevitable part of the equation in this rethinking given the new normal that the world may well have to adapt to.

There is a clear shift of maritime and trading activities to the East, meaning a larger demand for maritime-related financial and legal services. This trend is inevitable when, out of the world's top 10 container ports, China accounts for seven of them, and three of which are cities of the Greater Bay Area, namely Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

As reported by the Baltic & International Maritime Council (BIMCO), the volume of container shipping in the first quarter of this year hit 42.9 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units, representing an increase of 10.7% from the first quarter of 2020. China's export alone has increased by 33.7% from January to August this year, and generated an increase in shipping activities outbound. However with little or no inbound shipment back, shipping costs have more or less doubled.

Hong Kong prides itself as a centre for the provision of services for the maritime industry. It is the policy of Hong Kong to develop high value-added maritime business services, including ship registration, ship finance and management, marine insurance and marine legal and arbitration services. More tax concessions will also be introduced to attract the commercial principals of the maritime and trading industry to establish a business presence in Hong Kong.

In addition, the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the bay area development plan explicitly support Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its status as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. With our unique position under these two national policies, Hong Kong's maritime industry and related services have been given new impetus for growth.

Hong Kong is now home to nearly 900 maritime-related local and foreign companies, in ship owning and management; ship broking and agency; maritime-related financial, insurance and legal services; and classification societies. These form a quality and full-fledged service cluster appealing to the international maritime community. Hong Kong's ship finance business is flourishing. In the past decade, shipping loans and advances here in Hong Kong have surged by an average of 8.6% per year, amounting to about $129.1 billion by the end of 2020. In fact, eight of the world's top 10 book runners have offices in Hong Kong. Eighty-five local and foreign insurance companies operate in Hong Kong and they underwrote total gross premiums of about HK$2.76 billion for insurance on ships in 2020, with a growth rate of 14.6%. Twelve out of the 13 principal member clubs (which underwrite 90% of the world's ocean-going tonnage) under the International Group of P&I Clubs have established their offices in Hong Kong, making our city the largest P&I (protection and indemnity) cluster outside London.

The advantages of Hong Kong in legal and dispute resolution services are plentiful. I will first focus on areas that are unique to Hong Kong. Hong Kong has entered into various reciprocal arrangements with the Mainland. In 2019, Hong Kong signed a reciprocal arrangement with the Mainland to allow parties arbitrating in Hong Kong to seek interim measures before the Mainland courts. Such measures include freezing injunctions, preservation of evidence, etc. Hong Kong is the only jurisdiction in the world outside of the Mainland that has this arrangement with the Mainland, thanks to the "one country, two systems" policy.

Apart from arbitration-related arrangements, in 2019 Hong Kong and the Mainland have also concluded an arrangement for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of court judgments in civil and commercial matters. Legislation will soon be introduced in Hong Kong to implement the arrangement.

Since last year, Hong Kong was one of the four designated arbitration venues in the BIMCO Law & Arbitration Clause 2020, which provides for arbitration to be conducted in accordance with the Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group (HKMAG) Terms. To embrace the technology trend, the HKMAG Terms have been updated to allow the use of electronic signature of the award, expediting the publication of award and thus saving time and costs for parties.

With these unique and other core advantages, the question arises as to how one is to capitalise on them and ensure Hong Kong's strengths as an international shipping law centre and maritime arbitration centre continue to thrive. I propose to approach the matter in three aspects.

First, consider choosing Hong Kong law as the applicable law in the relevant transactions. It is not in dispute that English law has been the most chosen law to govern transactions in maritime matters. However with the shift of the maritime and trade activities to the East, the increasing number of shipowners and shipping companies that are established in China, and the businesses' desire to use common law as the legal system, there is a lot to be said about choosing Hong Kong law as the applicable law. First, under "one country, two systems", Hong Kong practises common law. Hong Kong law is premised on the English law and has a lot of common roots in its approach to legal, in particular commercial, questions. Secondly, Hong Kong law is the only bilingual common law in the world where English and Chinese can be used. Our legislations are all bilingual and available online at Hong Kong e-Legislation. Judgments set out the reasons for the decisions and can be made in English or Chinese, and they are all available publicly online.

Hong Kong law provides a feasible and viable alternative in the new normal.

Secondly, it is the choice of methods of dispute resolution, be they litigation arbitration or mediation. Hong Kong provides a very good venue. Hong Kong provides a comprehensive choice of methods of dispute resolution.

First, the independent judiciary in Hong Kong provides a solid foundation for the rule of law. The Basic Law provides that Hong Kong is vested with independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication. Furthermore, the courts shall exercise the judicial power independently, free from any interference. The security of tenure and the immunity given to judges as well as the judicial oath afford them the right and duty to adjudicate cases impartially and independently, in accordance only with the law and the evidence. This ensures that our rule of law is well protected.

The most common form of method to resolve shipping disputes however is actually by way of arbitration. It provides for a speedy, final and binding award, made in accordance with the applicable law chosen by the parties and the relevant procedural rules governed primarily by the arbitration laws of the seat of arbitration and the rules of the administering body.

The more modern trend is to provide for mediation in shipping disputes. This has the benefit of preserving working relationships, finding a creative solution to the conflict with a view to addressing and achieving a common goal and thereby creating a win-win situation. In Hong Kong we embrace the concept of mediation and have provided lots of opportunities and training that will promote the use of mediation in international, investment and commercial disputes, including those of maritime disputes.

Thirdly, given that arbitration is the most commonly chosen method in shipping disputes, we must continue to promote the use of Hong Kong as the seat of arbitration. Hong Kong recognises ad hoc arbitration as well as institutional arbitration. Hong Kong has a mature arbitration community with experienced practitioners from around the world. We have the most up-to-date arbitration laws (based on the latest version of UNCITRAL (United Nations Commission on International Trade Law) Model Law) and a pro-arbitration and arbitration friendly judiciary ensuring that party autonomy is respected in line with procedural propriety.

Importantly, the HKMAG set up in 2019 (originally formed as a division of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre since 2000) provides specialised arbitration services in maritime disputes. The list of arbitrators includes both lawyers as well as commercial men in the industry who are experienced in this field.

The unique attraction of choosing Hong Kong as the arbitral seat includes the ability for parties to arbitration in Hong Kong, if administered by a designated body such as the HKMAG, to seek interim measures from the courts in the Mainland as explained above. Furthermore awards are enforceable under the New York Convention in over 160 jurisdictions as well as in other parts of China by reason of the mutual legal assistance arrangements that have been in place.

The current environment, whilst challenging, provides for unique opportunities for Hong Kong to consolidate and capitalise on its inherent strengths and the national policies to be an international shipping law and maritime arbitration centre. This is the direction that Hong Kong will continue to move towards.

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng gave this speech at the World Maritime Merchants Forum on October 20.

This story has been published on: 2021-10-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
South Africa: Social Development receives donations from embassy

This story has been published on: 2021-10-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.

A man suspected to be involved in the murder of Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa has been convicted for a reign of terror that claimed the lives of six people in 2016. The Esikhaleni Regional Court, in KwaZulu-Natal, on Monday found Fisokuhle Ntuli guilty of the murders of Councillor Thami Goodwill Nyembe, Butiza Sandisa Mahlobo,... See more
RTHK: Parkland high school shooter pleads guilty

A former student pleaded guilty on Wednesday to killing 17 people in a shooting rampage at a high school in Parkland, Florida, and apologised in court to relatives of the victims.

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, on Valentine's Day in 2018 and killed 17 students and staff members.

Cruz pleaded guilty to 17 counts of first-degree murder and 17 counts of attempted murder for those wounded during the attack, which sparked a student-led movement for tighter gun control laws.

Cruz, who was dressed in a blue collared shirt and sweater vest and wearing large glasses and a face mask, responded "guilty" as Judge Elizabeth Scherer read off each of the charges in a Fort Lauderdale courthouse.

He told the judge he was suffering from a "little anxiety" but understood the charges against him and was pleading guilty of his own volition.

Cruz will now go before a jury for the penalty phase of the trial. He faces a minimum of life in prison without parole but prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty.

The judge set January 4, 2022 for the start of jury selection for the penalty phase.

Following his guilty pleas, Cruz, who is now 23, apologised to the relatives of his victims.

"I am very sorry for what I did and I have to live with it every day," he said, reading from a prepared statement. "It brings me nightmares."

"If I were to get a second chance I would do everything in my power to try to help others," he said.

Addressing relatives of the victims, Cruz said: "I believe it's your decision to decide where I go, whether I live or die, not the jury's."

Relatives of some of the victims were among the spectators in the courtroom and wiped away tears as a prosecutor recounted the attack in chilling detail.

The shooting 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.

The Florida shooting stunned the country and sparked new efforts, led by students from the school itself, for tougher gun control - although the polarised US Congress has yet to enact meaningful gun reform.

A rally organised by Stoneman Douglas students, "March for Our Lives," drew hundreds of thousands to the nation's capital in March 2018.

President Joe Biden marked the third anniversary of the Parkland shooting in February with a call on Congress to enact "commonsense" gun law reforms.

"This administration will not wait for the next mass shooting to heed that call," Biden said. "We will take action to end our epidemic of gun violence and make our schools and communities safer."

Biden said he wants Congress to pass laws that would require background checks on all gun sales and ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

"The time to act is now," he said,

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 on firearms - and had reportedly been identified as a potential threat to his classmates.

The FBI confirmed it was alerted several months before the attack 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 Cruz arrived at the school in an Uber, began shooting indiscriminately at students and staff, and fled nine minutes later, leaving behind a scene of carnage.

He was arrested nearby shortly afterwards.

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."

Cruz told a detective after his arrest that he heard demons ordering him to "buy weapons, kill animals and destroy everything." (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2021-10-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
RTHK: Kremlin critic Navalny wins EU's Sakharov award

The European Parliament on Wednesday gave its Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought - the EU's top human rights award - to jailed Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.

The anti-corruption campaigner, who last year survived a poisoning attack he blames on the Kremlin, is Russian President Vladimir Putin's best-known domestic opponent.

After returning to Russia in January from Germany, where he was treated for the attack, he was convicted on old embezzlement charges and is now imprisoned in a penal colony outside Moscow, but continues to needle Putin.

His winning the Sakharov Prize, backed by parliament's main political groups, will further embitter ties between the European Union and Russia that have been at a low since the annexation of Crimea by Moscow in 2014.

Navalny "has shown great courage in his attempts to restore the freedom of choice to the Russian people," said European Parliament vice president Heidi Hautala, announcing the prize.

"For many years he has fought for human rights and fundamental freedom in his country. This is costing his freedom and nearly his life," she added in a plenary session in the French city of Strasbourg.

Navalny, 45, was nominated but passed over for this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

His movement in Russia has been banned as "extremist" by the Kremlin and some of his allies have been forced to leave Russia under pressure from authorities.

The group, called the Anti Corruption Foundation, called the prize a victory for all supporters of "truth".

"The Sakharov Price is, of course, an award for you all. To all the people who are not indifferent, who even in the darkest of times are not afraid to speak the truth," it said on Twitter.

The European Parliament's biggest grouping, the conservative EPP group, called on Putin "to free Alexei Navalny. Europe calls for his - and all other political prisoners' - freedom".

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg hailed the award and said it was recognition of Navalny's "important role... in supporting democratic values and being a strong voice in Russia".

He also called for Navalny's unconditional release from prison and for an international investigation of his poisoning.

Navalny, a father-of-two, has remained upbeat and still communicates with supporters from behind bars via social media accounts.

"Don't worry, I'll be released no later than spring 2051," he wrote on Instagram last month.

In winter 2011-2012, Navalny led the first mass protests against Putin's rule that attracted tens of thousands and were sparked by widespread claims of vote-rigging in parliamentary elections.

He upped the ante in 2013 by running for Moscow mayor, finishing second to a Putin ally.

The following year, he was found guilty on fraud charges in a case Europe's rights court deemed "arbitrary" and Navalny said was contrived to bar him from future elections.

In 2018, he was barred from the vote that handed Putin his fourth presidential term.

The Sakharov Prize, set up in 1988 and named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded every year to those fighting for human rights or democracy.

Last year, the 50,000-euro (US $58,000) prize went to the movement opposing President Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus, a close ally of Putin.

This year, the prize will be handed out in a ceremony in a plenary session of the European Parliament on December 15 in Strasbourg.

The other finalists for the 2021 prize were a group of Afghan women who fought for women's rights in now Taliban-run Afghanistan, and Jeanine Anez, a former head of state in Bolivia who is jailed on charges of leading a coup in 2019. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2021-10-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

0108263 License for publishing multimedia online



Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
Status and Relations of Iraqi Ethnic-Religious Groups

Iraq has been home to various ethnic and religious groups since the ancient times. The situation in Iraq and the circumstances of the past few decades have also changed the population of Iraqi ethnic religious groups.

The complexity and diversity of Iraq's demographic composition and structure have created dense and overlapping gaps in ethnic and religious dimensions. Iraq is now made up of three ethnic-religious blocs. Cultural-ethnic characteristics of Iraq are composed of three different geographical areas. Its central area is occupied by Sunni Arabs, the south by Shiites and the Kurds are in north.

In terms of ethnic-racial diversity, there are Kurds, Arabs and Turkmen in Iraq. There are also religious groups of Shiite and Sunni, Assyrian, Christian and Yazidi, etc. in Iraq. Arabic and Kurdish are the two official languages in Iraq, and in addition to these two languages, Azerbaijani Turkish is spoken by the Turkomans of Iraq and Aramaic is spoken by the Assyrians.

According to reliable estimates, 99 per cent of Iraqis are Muslim, of which 60-65 per cent are Shi'a and 32-37 per cent are Sunni. The remaining population is composed of various religious minorities. Before the rise of ISIS, there were an estimated 350,000 Christians in Iraq, 500,000 Yezidis, 200,000 Kaka'i, less than 5,000 Sabean-Mandaeans and a small number of Baha'i. In terms of ethnicity, Arabs make up between 75 -- 80 per cent of the population and Kurds a further 15-20 per cent. Ethnic minorities include Turkmen, Shabak, Chaldeans, Assyrians, Armenians, black Iraqis and Roma.

During Saddam's tenure, most non-Sunni groups did not participate much in the country's political structure. But after that, the ground was prepared for the participation of all ethnic and religious groups in the political arena. In this regard, in addition to the presence of Shiite and Kurdish groups in the power structure of the Turkmen, Christian and Assyrian minorities, etc., they were able to play a role in the power structure.

Large ethnic-religious groups

The Iraqi Shiites are the largest political and religious group in the country. However, they are not united, and some Iraqi Shiites are secular and some follow different religious leaders. Shiites are also divided according to their region, class, tribal affiliation and ethnicity. Most Shiites are Arabs, but some Kurds, Turkmen, and others are Shiites. Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Al-Sistani is a high-ranking Iraqi Shiite leader and cleric. Political groups and parties such as the Sadr Movement, State of Law Coalition, Fatah Coalition are among the largest Shiite political groups. They have played a major role in establishing governments in Iraq over the past two decades.

Kurds live in mountainous regions in northern Iraq with separate languages, cultures and ethnic tendencies. The Kurds have their own local government in the Kurdistan Region. They live in four provinces under the rule of Kurdistan: Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Dohuk and Halabja, as well as parts of Kirkuk, northern Mosul, Diyala and parts of Saleh Al-Din. The Democratic Party, the Patriotic Union, the New Generation, and the Islamic Union are among the most important Kurdish political groups in Iraq.

From the beginning of the work of the Iraqi government in 1920 until the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, the ruling elite consisted mainly of the Sunni Arab minority. Most Sunni Arabs follow the Hanafi method. The Sunni Arabs in different parts of Iraq have some discrepancy with each other. Some urban dwellers are secular and highly nationalistic, while others in other areas are religious and have tribal and even extremist motives. Following the defeat of ISIS, Sunni elites have split and some have been allied with Shiite groups. ISIS is also a long way from its peak of power in 2014 and has little to offer to Sunni Arabs. Seventy Sunni Arabs won parliamentary seats in the 2018 elections. The Sunni Arabs have also achieved success in the parliamentary elections.

Small ethnic-religious minorities

The Turkmen are the third largest ethnic group in Iraq after the Arabs and Kurds. Turkmens include a wide range of Shiites, leftists and Sunnis. Christianity is the second largest religion in Iraq after Islam, which includes: Chaldean, Assyrian, Syriac Orthodox, Anglican, Protestant, and Armenian Christians. Most of the Christians are concentrated in Baghdad, Mosul, Basra, Kirkuk and the Iraqi Kurdistan region. Most Assyrians speak Aramaic. The Iraqi Christian population has shrunk to less than 300,000 from more than 1.2 million.

Yazidis live in both Ninawa and Dohuk provinces. Yazidis have been influenced by Zoroastrian elements, Christianity and Islam with their unique religious composition. Sabean-Mandaeans are also in Baghdad and the southern provinces. Shabak Kurds are another small minority. Most of the Shabaks are Sunnis and some of the Shabak Shiites live in Ninawa. There are also some Baha'is and Jews.

Ethnic-religious groups' relations

Iraq should be considered one of the countries with religious and ethnic pluralism. After 2003, and due to the emergence of insecurity, kidnappings, attacks on churches, and numerous threats from fundamentalists, many minorities began to emigrate. The sudden rise and power of ISIS in Iraq also led to internal migration, the departure and migration of small Iraqi ethnic religious minorities. As if, Yazidis, Christians and Shiite Turkmen were sometimes considered as apostates, the fifth pillar of the West, etc.

At the same time, the danger of a possible revival of ISIS and other extremist groups, the approaches of Iraqi minority groups and parties to encourage migration, the relationship between the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, the dispute over Nineveh as a province, etc. have led to the desire of minorities to migrate.

In addition, Yazidi, Turkmen, Christian, and Shabak politicians are trying to establish new provinces like Sinjar, Tal Afar, and Tuz with their population is made up of minorities. Relations between communities in Iraq are also tense. In northern Iraq, Kurds, Turkmen, and Arabs are embroiled in controversy over geographical sovereignty. The mass displacement of Christians (nearly 60%) and the genocide of Yazidis, etc. by ISIS are among the realities.

In fact, sectarianism, the ISIS attack and the recent changes in Iraqi society, have forced 25-30% of people to leave their homes. The percentage of minority refugees is higher, and approximately 1.2 million people are internally displaced, mostly in the provinces of Ninawa, Dohuk, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Kirkuk. In the meantime, while Turkmen and Shabak Shiites want to stay in Iraq, Christians and Yazidis are increasingly willing to emigrate. Iraq has a large immigrant community and almost 2 million people have been displaced in the country.

Vision

The Iraqi constitution protects the 'Islamic identity' of the Iraqi people and recognizes the participation of ethnic and religious groups in the political and social life of the country. Different groups are recognized and, apart from the three main groups of Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds, 9 seats have been dedicated to the country's minorities. After the suppression of ISIS, the Iraqi government has significantly focused on stability, reconstruction and immediate recovery. However, the need for cultural transformation is much deeper.

Security is still improving in many parts of the country, but some scattered violence continues. Under these circumstances, the government can also support the right of participation of all ethnic and religious groups in Iraq by pursuing reconstruction, economic development, support for pluralism, stability and national security, and so on.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Assigned to the See of Vladikavkaz and Alanja in the North Caucasus. The number of Orthodox dioceses has doubled in the last decade: from 159 to 318, of which 199 in the country; the others in the rest of the world. Kirill: Russia's survival is "a miracle of Mary". The evangelizing passion of the Russian Church.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - Orthodox Patriarch Kirill (Gundjaev) celebrated the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God in the Cathedral of the Most Holy Saviour in Moscow, emerging from isolation to protect against the coronavirus, which in Russia continues to claim thousands of victims among the population and also among the Orthodox clergy.

During the ceremony, the Patriarch consecrated Archimandrite Gerasim (Sevtsov) as bishop, assigning him the see of Vladikavkaz and Alanja in the North Caucasus. The Oct. 14 ordination is the 200th episcopal ordination of Kirill, who has sat on the patriarchal throne since January 2009.

The head of the Russian Orthodox proudly illustrated the growth of the national Church in the last decade, in which the number of dioceses has doubled from 159 to 318, 199 of which are in Russia and the rest throughout the world, beginning with the former Soviet countries where the presence of inhabitants of Russian origin is still very significant.

On October 15, the Patriarchal Synod established a new diocese in Armenia, the territory of the local Apostolic Church, with the consent of which the Russians are now gathered in the eparchy of Yerevan and Armenia. The decision had been agreed by Kirill with the katolikos Karekin II, who in recent days had gone to Moscow for an ecumenical prayer in favor of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The Russian patriarch explained that "I do not speak of these successes to exalt my role, but to emphasize that the new dioceses refelct the real need among our people for the development of ecclesiastical life, there would be no new dioceses". Congratulating the faithful present, Kirill praised the perseverance in the faith of the Orthodox people despite all trials and difficulties, which allows them to "cherish the roots that give us life, connect us to our history and ancestors, to the holy martyrs, ascetics and pastors, and the depth of these roots nourishes us with its powerful spiritual energy. May the Russian Orthodox Church grow from spiritual strength!"

In the homily dedicated to the feast, the Protection of Mary was illustrated as "intercession, defense and maternal love" for the Russian Church, the only one to celebrate this particular liturgical memory. In fact, it deals with a paradoxical historical event: the vision of Mary spreading her mantle over the city of Constantinople, threatened by the invasion of the still pagan Russians at the beginning of the 9th century. The Byzantines, however, did not preserve this recurrence, which subsists only in the calendar of the Russian Church, celebrating the transfiguration from pagan assailants to faithful defenders of the true faith.

In this sense, the Patriarch recalled the renewal of such a miracle in the 20th century, when Russians had again turned into enemies of the faith after the Bolshevik revolution: "The Russian people have been threatened many times by enemies, both from outside and inside, in the internal struggles of ancient Rus' and modern Russia." According to Kirill, history teaches that Russians must never betray their faith, "despite all temptations, weaknesses, pseudo-scientific demonstrations or tribunes' proclamations, and with our prayers we preserve the Protection of the Heavenly Queen on our land."

The patriarch stressed that Russia's survival is "a miracle of Mary," because "according to all logic we should not even exist anymore," after revolutions, civil wars and assaults of the most terrible enemies, such as Hitler's Nazis. Kirill recalled the self-sacrificing capacity of the Russians and its military commanders, but "on our own we could not have done it."

The continued growth of the Moscow Patriarchate is linked to the exceptional multiplication of episcopal sees by Patriarch Kirill, for which he is often criticized, choosing candidates from among the younger monks who are more attached to his person. Not infrequently, they cause scandals due to their inevitable frailties, and are often shifted seats according to changes in the mood of the supreme guide. Nevertheless, Mary's protection allows the Russian Church to renew itself and to bear great witness to its faith and evangelizing passion throughout the world.
Vietnam targets 6-6.5 GDP growth in 2022

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has presented to the National Assembly a draft socio-economic development plan for 2022 which aims for a GDP growth of at about 6-6.5 percent in 2022.













Vietnam targets 6-6.5 GDP growth in 2022 (Photo: VNA)

The PM delivered the plan at the second session of the 15th National Assembly which opened on October 20.



The Governments socio-economic development plan for next year sets forth 16 key targets regarding economy, social affairs and the environment, including keeping the consumer price index (CPI) growth at around 4 percent and State budget overspending over GDP at 4 percent.



To realise those goals, the Government has outlined major tasks and solutions, focusing on implementing the master strategy on pandemic prevention and control, with a roadmap on safe, flexible adaptation to and effective control of COVID-19.



According to the PM, 2022 is a significant year as it creates a foundation for the implementation of the 2021-2025 plan.



The PM also reported to the NA the implementation of the 2021 socio-economic development plan. He stressed that the Government has focused efforts on fighting the pandemic in the spirit of giving first and foremost priority to protecting the health and life of the people, while drawing up a roadmap on safe, flexible adaptation to and effective control of the pandemic to deal with its consequences and boost socio-economic recovery and development.



The Government has adjusted fiscal and monetary policies and others in a flexible fashion to maintain macro-economic stability, ensure major economic balances and spur production and businesses, Chinh said.



He added that the Government has also worked to accelerate public investment disbursement, boost export and prioritise the implementation of mechanisms and policies supporting businesses and people.



President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Do Van Chien proposed the Party and the State adjust and increase pensions for those who retired before 1995.



The Government should instruct ministries and agencies to quickly complete administrative procedures so as to early start the implementation of three national target programmes./
Belgian authorities piece together trail of suicide bombers

A picture emerged Wednesday of the men who bombed the Brussels airport and a central subway line killing scores, with prosecutors and media naming two brothers and a Belgian with links to Paris as the search continued for a fourth attacker.

GALLERY

This screengrab, released by the federal police on demand of the Federal prosecutor shows three suspects of the attacks at Brussels Airport, in Zaventem, Tuesday 22 March 2016. The men on both the left and right are yet unidentified, the man at center has been the identified by the Federal Prosecutors office on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 as Ibrahim El Bakraoui.

Brussels (dpa) - Brothers Khalid and Ibrahim El Bakraoui were known to police and had extensive criminal records that were not linked to terrorism, federal prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw said. The third man, reported by state broadcaster RTBF to be Najim Laachraoui, was already sought as a suspected bomb maker in Novembers terrorist attacks in Paris.Ibrahim, 29, was one of two suicide bombers who died at Brussels Airport. Khalid, 27, died in the attack at the Maelbeek subway station, where an explosion tore through the second wagon of a train that was headed away from the neighbourhood housing EU institutions.A fourth suspect is on the run after having dropped off at the airport a bag containing "the most significant" explosive charge that had been prepared for the attacks, Van Leeuw said. But the bomb only went off later, once a bomb squad was on the scene.The two attacks in the Belgian capital, which happened about one hour apart on Tuesday, left 31 people dead and 300 injured. The Belgian Health Ministry said that 150 people were still hospitalized and 61 were in intensive care.Most of the injured, representing 40 nationalities including three European Commission staff members, suffered burns that in some cases were accompanied by "war injures like lesions related to a powerful blast," the ministry said.The Islamic State jihadist group claimed responsibility for the attacks.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said one of the suspects had been detained in his country near the border with Syria, which has long served as a a gateway for fighters, including Islamic extremists, to join armed groups participating in the Syrian civil war.The man, identified as Ibrahim El Bakraoui by broadcaster CNN Turk, was deported by Turkish officials. Belgian Justice Minister Koen Geens told local media that the man had been deported to the Netherlands.European officials held a minute of silence to commemorate the victims, as French Prime Minister Manual Valls met with his Belgian counterpart, and US Secretary of State John Kerrys office said he would travel to Brussels on Friday to reiterate US support for the investigation and international efforts to counter violent extremism.In Brussels, many gathered around an impromptu memorial in front of the former stock exchange wondered how the Belgian-born attackers could have turned on their home."I think a whole lot of questions about our society will take place," one of the citys deputy mayors, Ans Persoons, told dpa.Movement in the city has been limited since the attacks, and the airport will remain closed to passenger flights through Friday. The Maelbeek subway station could remain closed for weeks; some roads in the centre were blocked by police.Details on the attackers provide potential insight into a complex network reaching across Europe. Laachraoui had been sought for months by his alias Soufiane Kayal in connection to the November 13 attacks at bars, cafes, national stadium and a concert hall in Paris that left 130 people dead.Laachraouis false identity was recorded by Hungarian authorities when he travelled to Budapest with the key suspect in the Paris attacks, Salah Abdeslam. Abdeslam was arrested in Brussels last after months on the lam.Traces of Laachraouis DNA were also found in a house and an apartment in Belgium that are thought to have been used by the Paris terrorists before their attacks. He travelled to Syria in 2013.Khalid used a false identity to rent an apartment in the Brussels neighbourhood of Forest where a shootout with police occurred during a terrorism raid last week, the broadcaster RTBF said. He is also thought to have rented a hideout in the southern city of Charleroi that was used to prepare the Paris attacks.The three airport bombing suspects, including one who is still unidentified, had been picked up by a taxi driver in the Brussels neighbourhood of Schaerbeek before the attack.While searching the building where the three men had come from, police found 15 kilogrammes of explosives, 150 litres of acetone, 30 litres of hydrogen peroxide, detonators, a suitcase filled with nails and screws and other bomb-making material, prosecutor Van Leeuw said.In a trash bin in the same street, investigators found a computer that contained Ibrahims will.He wrote that "he was in haste, not knowing what to do, being sought everywhere, not being secure anymore and that if he drags this out he risks to end up ... in a [prison] cell," Van Leeuw said.
The three men and a woman battling to be president of France

France is heading for an unprecedented four-way contest in the first round of its presidential vote on April 23, according to opinion polls.

GALLERY

Leader of the French right-wing party Front National (FN), Marine Le Pen delivers her speech during a meeting in the run-up to the 2014 Municipal elections in Sete, Southern France, 17 January 2014.

An instinctive conservative, Fillon calls for a harsher justice system and would also like to impose school uniforms. He has called for strategic ties with Russia.

The 65-year-old leftist firebrand has been another surprise of this campaign. Lagging in fifth place until mid-March, his lively performance in two televised debates has seen him rise in the polls and some now show him catching up with Fillon.

Paris (dpa) - Far-right leader Marine Le Pen and centrist Emmanuel Macron are out in front, the polls suggest, but conservative Francois Fillon and radical leftist Jean-Luc Melenchon are not far behind.Here is a quick look at the four top contestants.If no candidate wins an outright majority in the first round, the top two go through to a run-off vote on May 7.The 48-year-old daughter of far-right National Front founder Jean-Marie Le Pen has been hard at work polishing and moderating her partys image since she took over from her father in 2011. Her "de-demonization" operation has even involved expelling the elder Le Pen for his repeated remarks downplaying the Holocaust.Her efforts have born fruit. No polls so far have shown her winning in the second round, but they say she could get more than 40 per cent of the run-off vote, far ahead of the 18 per cent her father won after shocking France by making it to the second round in the 2002 election.Le Pen pushes a strong law and order line and wants to pull France out of the euro single currency. She says that, unless she can restore Frances sovereignty over its territory, economy, currency and laws, she will seek to take the country out of the EU outright. Her party constantly inveighs against immigration and any signs of Muslim identity in France. But on economic issues, she is more centrist, seeking to appeal to working class voters.The 39-year-old former economy minister is the surprise story of the election campaign. He casts himself as a mould-breaker despite an elite CV. Macron studied at the Ecole Nationale dAdministration which trains Frances top bureaucrats, then worked as a tax inspector before joining the Rothschild merchant bank.In 2012 he joined socialist President Francois Hollands team, and was economy minister from 2014 until last year. He is also well known for having married his high-school French teacher, 24 years his senior.Macron combines economic and social liberalism, the polar opposite of Le Pen. He calls for spending cuts of 60 billion euros (64.5 billion dollars), mainly through adjusting health and unemployment insurance programmes. They would be countered by investments of 50 billion euros focused mainly on workforce training and green energy. His programme couples a "zero tolerance" approach to crime with incentives for employers who hire young people from the countrys suburban trouble spots.Fillon, 63, should have been the elder statesman in the race.He served as prime minister under right-wing president Nicolas Sarkozy from 2007 to 2012, and speaks with authority when debates turn to topics such as foreign policy and Frances place in the EU.But his campaign foundered in January when satirical newspaper Le Canard Enchaine alleged that his wife had earned hundreds of thousands of euros serving as his parliamentary assistant for years without actually working.Fillon vehemently denies the allegations, but he and his wife have both been formally placed under investigation by magistrates.Fillons policy proposals left him particularly vulnerable to such allegations: he wants to cut half a million public sector jobs, slash public spending by 100 billion euros, raise the retirement age to 65 and abolish the legally defined 35-hour working week.An instinctive conservative, Fillon calls for a harsher justice system and would also like to impose school uniforms. He has called for strategic ties with Russia.The 65-year-old leftist firebrand has been another surprise of this campaign. Lagging in fifth place until mid-March, his lively performance in two televised debates has seen him rise in the polls and some now show him catching up with Fillon.Although coming from the opposite end of the political spectrum from Le Pen, Melenchon too appeals to disenchanted voters.He proposes raising the minimum wage, imposing a maximum salary of 20 times the lowest salary paid in any business, and hiking taxes on the wealthy.A Melenchon presidency could pose almost as many problems for the EU as a win for Le Pen: the leftist veteran says France should pull out of EU treaties that cement economically liberal policies.But it might not last long, because Melenchon has also vowed to end Frances presidential system. He promises that once elected he will convene a citizens assembly to write a new constitution, and step down once it comes into force.
Xi stresses sound development of digital economy

Xinhua) 08:04, October 20, 2021

A man experiences a smart driving assistance system at the China International Digital Economy Expo 2021 in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, Sept. 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)

BEIJING, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has called for grasping the trend and law of digital economic development and pushing forward the sound development of the digital economy in the country.

Xi made the remarks on Monday when presiding over a study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

He called for taking into account domestic and international dynamics and the two major tasks of development and security, to strengthen and expand China's digital economy.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee has paid high attention to digital economic development and implemented the national cyber development strategy and the national big data strategy, Xi said, noting that China's digital economy has witnessed relatively fast growth and made remarkable achievements.

Developing a digital economy is a strategic choice for grasping the new opportunities in the new round of revolution in science and technology and industrial transformation, as it can help foster a new development paradigm, a modern economic system, and new national competitive strengths, Xi stressed.

China needs to work hard on key and core technologies, achieve high-level self-reliance and self-improvement as soon as possible, and keep the autonomy of developing the digital economy firmly in its own hands, said Xi.

Xi stressed further efforts in building a high-speed, ubiquitous, intelligent, and comprehensive digital information infrastructure that integrates space and ground, and the cloud and the internet. It should also be green, low-carbon, secure and controllable, he noted, calling for significant breakthroughs in key software.

Efforts should be made to push forward integrated development of the digital economy and the real economy, said Xi.

Calling for building a multi-tiered and three-dimensional supervision system that covers all directions, Xi stressed efforts to correct and standardize behaviors and practices that harm people's interests and impede fair competition in the course of development, and prevent platform monopolies and disorderly expansion of capital.

Xi urged efforts to improve the governance system of the digital economy as well as related laws, rules, and policies. He also called for further participation in global cooperation on the digital economy and engagement in the digital economy agenda set by international organizations, to contribute China solutions and make the country's voice heard.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Chinese premier stresses importance of entrepreneurship, innovation to drive growth

Xinhua) 08:05, October 20, 2021

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, addresses the opening ceremony of the 2021 National Mass Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday called for efforts to promote mass entrepreneurship and innovation to pool strength for economic growth.

Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when addressing the opening ceremony of the 2021 National Mass Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week in Beijing.

Facing challenges including slowing economic growth, China will further deepen its reform and opening-up, enhance innovation-driven development, and promote mass entrepreneurship and innovation through market means, Li said.

Efforts should be made to beef up support for mass entrepreneurship and innovation, and favorable policies including preferential taxes and inclusive finance should be well implemented, he said.

The premier also underscored the importance of consolidating basic research and advancing the breakthroughs of key and core technologies to improve the quality of mass entrepreneurship and innovation.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
China's development of armaments solely for own legitimate security interests: FM spokesperson

Xinhua) 08:07, October 20, 2021

BEIJING, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday said the sole aim of China's development of necessary military capabilities is to safeguard its legitimate security interests, refuting U.S. accusations that China's development of armaments would intensify the arms race.

The claim made by the United States purely aims to shift blames on the others and divert the attention, spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a daily press briefing.

Wang pointed out that the United States not only owns the world's largest and most advanced nuclear stockpile, but also is investing trillions of dollars in upgrading its "nuclear triad".

Everyone knows that the United States withdrew from the Treaty on the Limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, and constantly advances the deployment of a global anti-ballistic missile system, he said.

For a long time, the United States has been the only country obstructing the negotiations on the Biological Weapons Convention verification protocol. In addition, it stonewalls the efforts to negotiate outer-space arms control, and transfers nuclear submarines to non-nuclear weapon states, which will increase the risk of nuclear proliferation, Wang added.

"By hyping up the 'China threat', what the United States is really up to is searching for excuses to build up its military capabilities and seek the advantage of absolute security," he said.

"The U.S. side should stop hyping up 'China threat' and making issues of China, demonstrate a responsible attitude, play its due role as a major country, to work with the international community to uphold global strategic balance and stability, and achieve common security for all countries," Wang said.

Wang said that China has always kept its nuclear forces at the minimum level required to safeguard national security, and will never be engaged in a nuclear arms race with any country.

He said no country will be threatened by China's national defense capability as long as it does not intend to threaten or undermine China's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

"China always works to safeguard world peace, contribute to global development, uphold international order and provide public good," said the spokesperson.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
China's military urges U.S. to clarify nuclear submarine incident

Xinhua) 08:14, October 20, 2021

BEIJING, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Tuesday urged the United States to clarify an incident involving a U.S. nuclear submarine, and to cease conducting the so-called "freedom of navigation" operations in the South China Sea.

Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks when responding to an inquiry about a U.S. nuclear submarine that had recently collided with an unknown object in the South China Sea, causing some damages and injuries.

"We notice that the U.S. military has deliberately delayed and concealed the details of the incident," Tan said, adding that such an irresponsible and secretive approach makes China and the countries surrounding the South China Sea have no choice but to question the truth of the incident and the intentions of the U.S. side.

The root cause of the incident is that the United States has for a long time frequently dispatched aircraft carriers, strategic bombers, nuclear submarines and other advanced weapon systems into these waters, Tan noted, adding that such a show of force has heightened tensions and undermined peace and stability in the region.

Tan also mentioned that recently, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia have established a trilateral security partnership to carry out cooperation on nuclear-powered submarine, giving the non-nuclear-weapon state Australia access to nuclear materials that can be used to make nuclear weapons, posing a huge risk of nuclear proliferation and a grave challenge to regional peace and security.

"China urges the United States to take seriously the concerns of all parties, take a responsible attitude and give a detailed account of the incident as soon as possible, so as to give a satisfactory explanation to the international community and regional countries," he said.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
US hypes nuclear threat from China, Russia to legitimize absolute security and arms race

Global Times) 08:23, October 20, 2021

China US(Photo/GT)

Senior US officials and Western media have spared no efforts to hype the so-called "nuclear threat" from China, even after China clarified an inaccurate report about a "hypersonic missile test in August," as the test was about a reusable spacecraft, with the Chinese Foreign Ministry saying on Tuesday that the US is hyping the "China threat theory" to pursue absolute security and expand military power. Experts stressed that Washington is the one that should be held accountable for intensifying the arms race between major nuclear powers.

The US has a clear advantage over China and Russia in nuclear weapons, and it has militarized space and exerted huge security pressure on other countries to further break the balance between major nuclear powers, said analysts. They added that Washington has openly shown its hostility toward Beijing and Moscow by treating them as "competitors." China and Russia are justified in taking action and strengthening the development of relevant capabilities not only for self-defense but also to stabilize international security.

Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a routine press conference on Tuesday that China firmly opposes the US' act of hyping the "China threat theory" and China has always insisted on a defensive nuclear strategy and will not start an arms race with any country.

"China's military development is meant to safeguard its legitimate national security interests, and the growth of China's strength equals the growth of strength for peace," Wang said, stressing that any country, as long as it has no intention to threaten and harm China's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity will not be threatened by China's national defense power.

Wang made the remarks after senior US officials commented on China's latest military development. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Monday at a press conference that Washington was closely watching "China's development of advanced weapons systems" but declined to comment on a Financial Times report which claimed China has conducted "a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile," Reuters reported.

Before Austin's press conference, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday that China had tested a reusable space vehicle in July, not a hypersonic missile as reported by the Financial Times. Robert Wood, the US envoy to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, also disregarded the clarification made by the Chinese Foreign Ministry and said Washington is concerned about "hypersonic missile technology and its potential military applications by China and Russia."

A Beijing-based senior military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Tuesday that the recent comments of the US defense chief and other senior officials and diplomats show that they want to make excuses to legitimize their military expansion and seek an increase in the defense budget. "It seems like the US is shocked by the development of China's technology, even if we have stressed that it's for the peaceful use of space."

"The US is seeking an unfair and unreasonable absolute security, which means the US' security is more important than others', and they will not allow other countries' mutual deterrence with the US, and elites in Washington don't care about China and Russia's intention, because for the absolute security of the US, China and Russia are not supposed to have such strength and technology," the expert said.

This kind of view on security is truly dangerous and unrealistic, which reflects the US' hegemonic and arrogant mindset. Analysts noted that no matter what the US says, China and Russia won't stop their development and research to boost their strength, and only by doing so will the balance between major nuclear powers and stability of international nuclear security be ensured, analysts said.

This is not the first time that the US has tried to hype China's nuclear threat. In July, the New York Times quoted nuclear weapons experts from the Federation of American Scientists as saying that China has built a new silo for launching nuclear missiles in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. But some people in China have suggested that those silos claimed by the US might be foundations of wind power plants, though this claim has also not been confirmed by official sources.

Disarmament and balance of power

China and Russia are facing a real threat from US nuclear weapons, as the US has both the technological advantage and hostility against them. So Beijing and Moscow have the right to strengthen their capability, and the cutting-edge technology for peaceful use of space would also be turned to military use if the US continues to intensify the arms race, said analysts.

Wang said on Tuesday that the US has the biggest and most advanced nuclear arsenal in the world, and it has invested more than $1 trillion to upgrade its nuclear triad. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson also listed many US wrongdoings that endanger the international nuclear security situation - the US has withdrawn from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty; the US resists negotiations on arms control in space, and even exports nuclear submarine technology to a non-nuclear country which risks nuclear proliferation.

As the only superpower in the world, the US has held a Cold War mentality to comprehensively strengthen its military might and deepen its military alliance system, which seriously damages regional peace and security, as well as global strategic stability, Wang noted, stressing that the US' claim that "China intensifies the arms race" is meant to divert attention from its own wrongdoings.

Li Haidong, a professor at the Institute of International Relations of the China Foreign Affairs University, said that the world order is facing a crucial change and US wrongdoings will bring huge uncertainties to the current world order. This will have a serious impact on the stability of the international community and the recovery of the world economy.

Lu Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the US wants to maintain an unequal or unfair military advantage over other countries forever, and once it finds any country likely to reach its level, it will try everything to interrupt it, like expressing concerns, condemning it, demanding negotiations or even imposing sanctions and launching investigations.

"Blaming China and Russia will make the US look more like a good guy." But just like what Wang listed at the press conference, "the US is the one that should be blamed for intensifying the arms race as it agreed to export nuclear submarine technology to Australia, a non-nuclear country, and this is totally unforgivable and violates the non-proliferation treaty," he said.

The anonymous military expert said the US will continue to pressure China on the nuclear disarmament issue, but China won't submit to it because China's nuclear arsenal is far smaller and less advanced than the US', and the two sides have no equal base for such talks.

"The US will respect reality and strength eventually, so China should speed up its military research and development, especially high-tech and strategic military might." Otherwise, China won't be able to protect itself and maintain a peaceful international situation, Li said.

The recent US moves are also intended to divide China and Russia on the disarmament issue as Russia has refused to help the US pressure China to participate in the nuclear disarmament talks, said experts.

The US might want to tell Russia that if China doesn't join the disarmament talks soon, Russia will be surpassed by China, but China and Russia share high-level strategic mutual trust and both sides face the same pressure and threat from the US, that's why Russia refused to do what the US wants on this issue, said the anonymous expert. He added that it's possible for the US to threaten Russia and China, and if China stays away from the negotiations, the US will launch an all-out arms race as it believes that the disarmament issue has constrained the US in further maximizing its unfair nuclear advantage and makes China easier to reach the US level in terms of nuclear weapons.

"This would be dangerous for the world peace," he said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
U.S. remains prepared to engage with DPRK after missile test: White House

Xinhua) 08:24, October 20, 2021

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on June 8, 2021. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

"Our offer remains to meet anywhere, any time without preconditions. We're also closely consulting with allies in this," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said. "We remain prepared to engage in diplomacy with the DPRK."

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The White House said on Tuesday that the United States remains prepared to engage with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) after its latest missile test.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Tuesday that the DPRK had fired a short-range ballistic missile into the eastern waters. DPRK's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported early Wednesday local time that the country test-fired a new-type submarine-launched ballistic missile on Tuesday.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters during a daily briefing that the United States condemns the missile launch while noting "these launches also underscore the urgent need for dialogue and diplomacy."

"Our offer remains to meet anywhere, any time without preconditions. We're also closely consulting with allies in this," she added. "We remain prepared to engage in diplomacy with the DPRK."

Also on Tuesday, U.S. Special Representative for the DPRK Sung Kim held a trilateral meeting with his counterparts from South Korea and Japan over the current situation on the Korean Peninsula, according to a statement issued by the State Department.

"Kim emphasized U.S. condemnation of the DPRK's October 19 ballistic missile launch, which violates multiple UN Security Council resolutions, and called on the DPRK to refrain from further provocations and engage in sustained and substantive dialogue," said the statement.

Photo provided by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Oct. 12, 2021 shows a defense development exhibition held to mark the 76th founding anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party in Pyongyang, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Oct. 11, 2021. (KCNA via Xinhua)

The U.S. Joe Biden administration has repeatedly suggested that it seeks to engage with Pyongyang over the denuclearization issue but has showed no willingness to ease sanctions.

DPRK top leader Kim Jong Un said last week that there has been "no behavioral ground" to believe the recent U.S. signaling that Washington is not hostile to Pyongyang, slamming South Korea for its "double standards" to continue to boost military capabilities.

Kim, however, noted that the DPRK's enemy is a "war itself, not a certain country or forces like South Korea and the United States."

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Ethiopia's Addis Ababa University to commence maiden master's degree in Chinese language

Xinhua) 09:13, October 20, 2021

A student enters an office building at Addis Ababa University in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Oct. 14, 2021. Ethiopia's Addis Ababa University (AAU) announced that it has finalized preparations to launch its first-ever Master of Arts (MA) program in the Chinese language in Ethiopia. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia's Addis Ababa University (AAU) announced that it has finalized preparations to launch its first-ever Master of Arts (MA) program in the Chinese language in Ethiopia.

The Master of Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (MTCSOL), also the first MA program in the Chinese language in the East African country, will be offered by the AAU with the help of the Confucius Institute at the AAU.

Emebet Mulugeta, Academic Vice President of AAU, said that commencing the MTCSOL would inject much-needed momentum in promoting the Chinese language in Ethiopia and boost the people-to-people ties among the two countries.

"We really appreciated and supported the program, and it was in a very short period of time that the evaluation assessment was done and approved by the senate, which is the highest decision-making body of the university," Mulugeta told Xinhua in a recent interview.

"The Chinese language department of our school has been offering Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree for quite some time, and those graduates need to have more capacity and more skill in the language. It was important to start this MA program so that we can upgrade those students who have already graduated from the department," she said.

According to the academic vice president, the program would help substitute the current trend of bringing Chinese teachers all the way from China due to the lack of qualified Chinese language teachers locally.

Mulugeta stressed that the newly announced program also offers a rare opportunity for graduates from other higher education institutions in the country to further upgrade their education.

"Chinese-Ethiopian relation, both diplomatically and politically, is growing; and this program contributes a lot from the academic perspective to training our own graduates at Master level and training teachers for other universities," Mulugeta said.

"It (Chinese language) would definitely expand, and that expansion would support social interaction, economic exchange, and businesses and may also encourage Ethiopians to travel to China and Chinese to come to Ethiopia so that the relationship grows," she said.

According to Mulugeta, the university and the Confucius Institute at the AAU should exert concerted efforts to bring about the desired outcome from the program.

"Now we are about to start the MA program and I really believe it will grow. A lot of efforts need to be made by the Confucius Institute as well as by the university so that we would have more students, and we have to promote the program," she stressed.

As part of its aspirations to promote the Chinese language, the AAU stressed that it would provide more space for Confucius Institute at the university to carry out its activities, while also availing more opportunities and initiatives such as cultural exchanges and exhibitions so as to promote the Chinese language across the country.

The Confucius Institute in AAU, which started operation in Ethiopia back in 2012, has so far registered over 10,000 students who passed through various levels of Chinese language studies. Among them, more than 100 were able to get their Bachelor's degrees in the Chinese language, according to figures from the institute.

Amenuael Alemayehu, Dean of College of Humanities, Language Studies, Journalism and Communications at the AAU, on his part stressed that the newly announced MA program was initiated due to the strong demand among students in the country.

"The Confucius Institute is one of the most vibrant institutes in our college. The way they teach their students, their relationship with their students, and the job market for students are other major reasons that initiated and forced us to start the MA program," Alemayehu told Xinhua.

Alemayehu further called on strong cooperation and partnership among the AAU and higher education institutes in China to bridge the gap in the shortage of skilled local manpower in the Chinese language teaching.

According to the Confucius Institute at the AAU, the MTCSOL is a two-year full-time program, in which students study core lessons based at the AAU in the first year, and qualified students will receive further education in Chinese language teaching in Tianjin University of Technology and Education in China.

"This program aims to cultivate the high-level and versatile Ethiopian talents who can teach Chinese language as foreign language," Gao Lili, Director of the Confucius Institute at the AUU, told Xinhua.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
AUKUS nuclear submarine deal threatens global stability

09:30, October 20, 2021 By Zhong Sheng ( People's Daily

Not long ago, the U.S., UK, and Australia established a trilateral security partnership dubbed AUKUS, under which the U.S. and the UK will help Australia build nuclear-powered submarines. It is generally believed by the international community that by making the move, the three countries are risking the stability of the entire world to pursue their own interests.

Representatives of many governments expressed opposition to the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal and deep concerns over its consequences at the recent General Debate of the First Committee of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The U.S., UK and Australia have gone against global non-proliferation efforts by carrying out the nuclear submarine deal, which involves the transfer of huge amounts of extremely sensitive and weapons-grade highly enriched uranium and poses a serious risk of nuclear proliferation.

The current non-proliferation architecture can hardly supervise such deal effectively. If other countries should follow suit, the international non-proliferation regime would face more severe challenges and the fruits of years of global non-proliferation efforts could be wiped out.

The AUKUS trilateral security partnership will not contribute to strengthening the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), said Vladimir Ermakov, head of the Delegation of the Russian Federation and director of the Department for Nonproliferation and Arms Control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, at the General Debate of the First Committee of the 76th session of the UNGA.

There is a potential risk that another non-nuclear-weapon State will be used to deploy nuclear-weapon States military nuclear infrastructure. This leads to greater international instability and runs counter to the efforts to reduce nuclear weapon arsenals, said Ermakov.

As a non-nuclear-weapon State party to the NPT and a party to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (the Treaty of Rarotonga), Australia could set a very negative precedent for the implementation of IAEA safeguards by building nuclear submarines, according to Ermakov.

Just like the quadrilateral mechanism involving the U.S., Japan, India and Australia, the so-called trilateral security partnership was also designed to serve the Indo-Pacific strategy dominated by the U.S. as well as provoke confrontation between regional countries and escalate geopolitical competition.

Such a dangerous move, which resulted from the Cold War mentality and narrow-minded group politics, is open provocation against multilateralism.

By conducting the nuclear submarine deal, carrying out joint military drills, and expanding arms trade with Australia, the U.S. and UK have cast the shadow of a new Cold War upon the Asia-Pacific region and posed serious threats to the peace and tranquility of the region.

The AUKUS highlights geopolitical ambitions of great powers and signals a resurgence of the Cold War mentality, noted representatives of countries including North Korea, Mexico, Sri Lanka, and Venezuela at the General Debate of the First Committee of the 76th session of the UNGA.

The recent introduction of the AUKUS trilateral strategic partnership that includes strategic delivery systems with nuclear technology could trigger further an arms race, said Syed Mohamad Hasrin Aidid, permanent representative of Malaysia to the UN, at the meeting.

In addition to assisting Australia in building nuclear submarines, the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal will also strengthen U.S. military presence in Australia and even the entire Asia-Pacific region, according to an American scholar.

While trying hard to prevent other countries from acquiring sensitive materials and technologies, including highly enriched uranium, on the grounds of non-proliferation in recent years, the U.S. and UK now conduct nuclear submarine cooperation with Australia, which has fully exposed their double standard on the issue.

In the face of criticism and doubts from the international community, a representative of Australia talked eloquently about the countrys good non-proliferation record and claimed that the decision to build nuclear submarines is in the best interests of national security and peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region at the General Debate of the First Committee of the 76th session of the UNGA, showing a total disregard for the NPT.

The UK remains committed to the long-term goal of a world without nuclear weapons, said Aidan Liddle, UK permanent representative to the Conference on Disarmament. The statement seems rather absurd as the country announced in March this year that it would raise the ceiling for its nuclear arsenal.

The AUKUS nuclear submarine deal among the three countries has revealed the hypocrisy of their so-called commitment and contribution to the global non-proliferation regime.

Its worth mentioning that the U.S. hasnt ratified the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty to this day. According to open resources, the U.S. conducted 67 nuclear weapon tests on the Marshall Islands between 1946 and 1958.

From 1946 to 1982, the U.S., UK and other countries dumped a large amount of radioactive waste into the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, and the U.S. even shipped 130 tons of nuclear contaminated soil from nuclear testing grounds in Nevada all the way to the Marshall Islands.

Australia hasnt been innocent either. It allowed the UK to conduct many nuclear tests on the Montebello Islands off Western Australia, and Emu Field and Maralinga in South Australia between 1952 and 1963.

These nuclear tests and waste have gravely damaged local ecological environment, harmed the safety and health of local residents, and inflicted huge suffering on countries and people in the region.

The AUKUS nuclear submarine deal will not only increase the risk of nuclear pollution in the South Pacific region, but also seriously undermine the status of the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, which is undoubtedly worse news to people of Pacific Island countries.

The Australian government is blindly following the U.S. by insisting on establishing the trilateral security partnership regardless of domestic opposition voices, pointed out former Australian politicians including Malcolm Turnbull and Paul Keating.

Voicing opposition to the so-called trilateral security partnership, the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), Friends of the Earth, the international campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and many other organizations believe relevant moves of Australia run counter to the trend toward nuclear non-proliferation and the will of local people, and will elevate the risks of nuclear proliferation, nuclear accidents, and radioactive pollution.

The Australian government is pursuing secrete military deal when it should focus its efforts on ensuring the supply of COVID-19 vaccines and helping people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is in no conformity with the fundamental demands of the Australian people and puts the country in a dangerous position from many aspects, according to major trade unions in Australia.

In order to pursue absolute military superiority, the U.S., UK, and Australia have sought the nuclear submarine deal in defiance of universal condemnation, which is both vile and dangerous.

The three countries had better terminate the deal before its too late. Otherwise, they will have to swallow the bitter fruit of opening the Pandoras box.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by Peoples Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
China, UK have "enormous potential" for cooperation in environmental protection: ambassador

Xinhua) 09:58, October 20, 2021

LONDON, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- China and Britain enjoy enormous potential for practical cooperation in the area of environmental protection, said Tuesday Chinese Ambassador to Britain Zheng Zeguang.

Zheng made the remarks during an online Joint Press Conference by China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the Chinese Embassy in Britain on the issues of biodiversity and climate response, ahead of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland.

He said the two countries' cooperation in environmental protection can be carried out in two areas: policy coordination and practical cooperation.

In terms of policy coordination, the first priority for the two sides at the moment is to make sure the second part of COP15 and the upcoming COP26 are real successes, he said, adding that China is sincere in stepping up its communication and cooperation with Britain and other signatory parties for that purpose.

The first part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) was held from Oct. 11 to 15 in Kunming, capital of China's Yunnan Province, to be followed by the second part next year.

In terms of practical cooperation, business communities from both China and Britain can work in many fields, including green technology, green finance, renewable energy, nuclear energy and electric vehicles, the ambassador said.

Some progress has already been made in the area of electric vehicles, he said, noting that there are BYD electric buses and Geely cabs on the streets of London now. Some Chinese businesses have taken part in the development of vehicle battery, wind power plants and other relevant projects in Britain, he added.

The ambassador said it is very important for the investment environment in Britain to be continuously improved so that Chinese investors are encouraged to come and invest.

"It is our hope that Britain will work closely with China toward the same direction to create a favorable, enabling environment for businesses of our two countries to cooperate more productively," he said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Premier Li encourages Chinese, German entrepreneurs to enhance cooperation, promote peoples' friendship

Xinhua) 10:22, October 20, 2021

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attends a meeting of the China-Germany economic advisory committee with German Chancellor Angela Merkel via video link, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 18, 2021. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday called on Chinese and German entrepreneurs to strengthen communication and cooperation, and promote the friendship between peoples of the two countries.

Li made the remarks when attending a meeting of the China-Germany economic advisory committee with German Chancellor Angela Merkel via video link.

Listening to the opinions of the heads of Chinese and German companies at the meeting, Li said complementary advantages are the foundation of China-German cooperation, which is mutually beneficial in essence and directly benefits the two peoples.

Both parties should insist on two-way opening up, the premier said, pledging that China will continue to deepen reforms and expand opening-up.

China's market will become ever more open and China is willing to expand imports of advanced foreign technology and products, he said.

Li said China will continue to create a market-oriented and law-based international business environment, and treat all types of market players equally, including foreign-funded enterprises.

China will also actively participate in the formulation of international standards and improve the consistency of Chinese standards and international standards. China welcomes German companies to invest and start businesses in China, and hopes that Germany will expand its opening to Chinese companies, Li said.

As major economies in the world, China and Germany should deepen cooperation in the fields of digital economy, smart manufacturing, new energy, finance, and life insurance. The two countries should facilitate personnel exchanges under the premise of preventing and controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, Li said.

Speaking highly of the tremendous development of German-Chinese economic and trade relations in the past 16 years, Merkel said Germany is willing to continue to strengthen dialogue and communication with China to coordinate the formulation of standards, provide a fair market environment for companies from both sides, and inject strong impetus to deepen bilateral cooperation in information and communication, digital economy, renewable energy and other fields.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Chinese foreign ministry extends condolences over passing of former U.S. State Secretary Powell

Xinhua) 10:26, October 20, 2021

BEIJING, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Tuesday expressed condolences over the passing of former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

"Powell was a veteran diplomat. We express deep condolences over his passing and extend sincere sympathy to his family," Wang told a press briefing.

Powell died Monday morning at 84 of COVID-19 complications.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
U.S. lies about Wuhan lab motivated by geopolitics: Pakistani paper

Xinhua) 10:27, October 20, 2021

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. lies about China's Wuhan lab are motivated not by science but geopolitics, with a clear purpose to demonize China and the Chinese people, said Pakistan's English-language daily The Express Tribune.

The U.S. lies have a clear motive to scapegoat the Chinese people for the COVID-19 pandemic, the paper quoted an article published by the World Socialist Web Site on Saturday as saying.

The article, titled "The Wuhan lab libel: The Washington Post teaches America to hate," criticized The Washington Post's new editorial, which revived the discredited claim that COVID-19 is a biologically engineered virus created in China by the world's leading coronavirus researchers, the Pakistani paper said.

Every single word and claim that was published by The Washington Post has been repeatedly disproven by scientists, international bodies and even the U.S. government itself, the paper added.

Earlier this year, an inquiry into the COVID-19 origins conducted by the World Health Organization declared the lab leak narrative was "highly unlikely" but The Washington Post deliberately ignored this conclusion, said the article.

What appears on the pages of The Washington Post is carefully reviewed and in coordination with U.S. intelligence agencies, if not directly written by them, said the article, calling The Washington Post an organ of American imperialism.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
High-end fruits add appeal to Hainan

China Daily) 10:44, October 20, 2021

A file photo of Wang Qiao. (Photo provided to China Daily)

Filled with caviar-sized juice vesicles that can be yellow, red, purple or green, finger limes are regarded as the apex of the lemon family thanks to their unique aroma and taste.

It is native to Australia, but more of the thumb-like fruits are now being grown in Hainan province, improving the lives of local farmers.

Wang Qiao, who introduced the fruit to his hometown in 2016, was born into a family with a long history of growing tropical fruit in the town of Dalu in Qionghai, eastern Hainan. His passion for growing fruit kept drawing him back to his hometown from a promising career in a leading city.

With support from the local government, Wang leased about 66 hectares of rubber plantation and turned it into an orchard where he devoted himself to the research and introduction of tropical fruit trees from all over the world.

By building a "kingdom of exotic flowers and fruits", he hopes to enrich local villagers and help upgrade the varieties and quality of tropical fruits in Hainan.

"We have introduced more than 400 varieties from domestic universities, scientific research institutions and fruit seedling companies," Wang said, his sun-baked skin as red as the local selenium-rich soil. "We spent three years finding the finger lime breeds that are suitable for growing in Hainan from among 1,000 finger lime varieties."

He added that in the past two years, more than 4.5 million tropical fruit seedlings have been cultivated and promoted on 1,300 hectares of land across the tropical island.

"About 150 breeds, such as the yellow dragon fruit and finger lime have been successfully cultivated," Wang said, adding that demand for Hainan's tropical fruits, especially its finger limes, is high in leading markets such as Beijing and Shanghai, thanks to their high nutritional value, appealing colors and unique fragrance and taste, even though they sell for premium prices.

Popularly known as the "Window of the World's Tropical Fruits", Wang's orchard has become the rare fruit tree branch of China's National Tropical Plant Germplasm Resources Bank.

Hainan has become the largest finger lime producer in Asia. Wang said his company signed a procurement agreement worth 20 million yuan ($3.1 million) with European buyers in late 2019. Early this year, the base attained good agricultural practice certification, a milestone on Wang's path to cultivating high-end tropical fruits.

An official from the city's agricultural and rural affairs bureau said: "Europe has extremely high requirements for food safety. Being able to obtain the certification shows that finger limes planted in Qionghai have passed rigorous tests and are absolutely healthy and safe food."

Negotiations have also been held with companies from Japan, Australia and the United States eager to order finger limes from Hainan, the official added.

"I was employed two years ago to take care of the fruit trees at the orchard, earning 3,000 yuan a month," said Chen Xueying, a middle-aged woman who led a poverty-stricken life with an annual income less than 4,000 yuan several years ago.

"Working here is a great time, learning how to take care of the rare fruit trees, seeing them grow strong and tall and feasting my eyes on the rare and colorful fruits in close clusters."

Chen is one of 97 local workers at the orchard.

With support and guidance from the city and township governments, rural cooperatives have been established, with 106 poor households actively taking shares. Wang's company provides technical guidance and takes charge of sales while the rural cooperatives organize planting and harvesting of the fruit.

Wang said that in the next five years he plans to introduce more than 200 tropical fruit breeds from Central and North America, South America, Southeast Asia, Africa and South Pacific island countries, and upgrade the tropical fruit growing base into a leisure-tourism destination that immerses people in new experiences, a center that provides popular agricultural science demonstrations and talent-training, and a base for exploring fruit processing.

To expand further, the local blueprint includes across-the-board cooperation and exchanges with domestic and international organizations in breed classification and identification, research and development and gene modification of new breeds, seedling technologies and quality improvement, the standardization of supporting plantation technologies, transformation of technical achievements and the building of a cluster of demonstration bases.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Commentary: Economic resilience proves China's ability in handling compounding crises

Xinhua) 11:10, October 20, 2021

Aerial photo taken on May 26, 2021 shows the Yangpu international container port at Yangpu economic development zone in south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

BEIJING, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- China's economic growth notched 9.8 percent year on year in the first three quarters, which indicates that, despite global downward pressure, the Chinese economy has maintained the recovery momentum and continues to play a stabilizing role for the world economy.

While some overseas observers noted that China's growth rate slowed down in the third quarter compared with previous ones, they admitted that the Chinese economy is expected to return to its pre-coronavirus trajectory.

Facing multiple risks, the Chinese economy does not lack bright spots: domestic consumption is coming back; the high-tech manufacturing sector has posted a strong performance; and the service sector's input for the overall economic growth continues to go up.

Workers are seen at a workshop of XD-EGEMAC High Voltage Electric Equipment Co., Ltd. at China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in Ain Sokhna, Egypt, Jan. 14, 2021. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

In the meantime, China's foreign trade is showing strong resilience despite disruptions in global supply chains. China's exports to major world economies, including the European Union, the United States, Japan and South Korea, all maintained a double-digit growth in the first three quarters.

"For months, economists have made the same prediction: the fast growth of China's exports cannot last. The economists were wrong," The New York Times said in a recent report, which highlights China's ability to navigate its economy in times of compounding tests and challenges.

The Chinese authorities always take into account both cyclical and structural elements of the economy, and give targeted policy support to weak economic spots, while avoiding flooding the economy with liquidity and keeping on optimizing China's economic structure. Beijing has also paid close attention to striking a balance between stimulating short-term recovery and fostering long-term growth like boosting green development.

Visitors tour the booth of Chinese drone maker DJI during an exhibition on BRICS New Industrial Revolution held in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 8, 2021. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Moreover, China has carried on with deep reforms to expand market access for foreign investments, upgrade its business environment and promote multilateral trade cooperation.

The Chinese authorities have also stayed wary of the headwinds facing the economy, cautioning against "rising uncertainties in the international environment and uneven recovery in the domestic economy," according to National Bureau of Statistics spokesperson Fu Linghui. He pledged that China will continue to "take various measures to keep the economy running within a reasonable range."

In March, the Chinese government set its annual GDP target for 2021 at over 6 percent although many had expected the growth to reach 8 percent or more. This would give Beijing "more room to deal with long-festering issues in the economy," said The Wall Street Journal.

Looking ahead, the Chinese economy is expected to continue to perform well. Latest forecasts on China's yearly GDP in 2021 by the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Development Bank and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development all posted a rate of 8 percent or more.

Staff members work at a workshop of a new energy company in Xingtai, north China's Hebei Province, July 21, 2021. (Xinhua/Luo Xuefeng)

As reporters of The Economist dug into stories of high-tech innovators in Hangzhou, nimble exporters in Wuxi and ambitious entrepreneurs in Wenzhou, all cities in east China, they found that "two of the fundamental underpinnings of China's economic dynamism remain intact: red-blooded competition in the private sector and the restless quest of millions upon millions of ordinary people to improve their lot in life."

Given China's determination to push forward reforms as well as its flexibility in policy, the Chinese economy is buoying confidence in the global recovery and will bring more development opportunities to other economies.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Explore wooden arch bridge building techniques of southeast China's Fujian

People's Daily Online) 13:18, October 20, 2021

A carpenter produces wood components for a bridge. (Photo/Gong Jian)

After the 44th Session of the World Heritage Committee dropped its curtain in Fuzhou, capital city of southeast Chinas Fujian province, the general office of Chinas State Council and the general office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) issued guidelines that required further efforts to protect intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in China.

As an important part of the excellence of Chinese culture, ICH embody the inheritance of the Chinese civilization and provides an important foundation for strengthening the bonds of solidarity. Starting today, Peoples Daily Online will lead you to Fuzhou to show you some of the excellent crafts that have been carried forward by inheritors of intangible cultural heritage from generation to generation in a bid to raise awareness towards preserving, inheriting, and making good use of these valuable cultural assets.

The wooden arch bridge is an exclusive architectural style found in east Chinas Zhejiang province and southeast Chinas Fujian province. Instead of using building materials such as nails, the bridges were built using the mortise and tenon joint process, a concavo-convex connection method used to combine two pieces of wood. Bridges built with the application of such techniques are able to withstand the hazards of flooding and are able to stand strong even after 100 years of service. In 2008, the traditional design of the wooden arch bridge was inscribed into the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List.

Huang Chuncai, a man in his 80s, is a national inheritor of the wooden arch bridge building techniques based in Pingnan county, Fujian. Huang started to learn the techniques from his father when he was a child. Huang Minhui, one of Huang Chuncais two sons who together took over most of the responsibilities related to bridge building from their father, disclosed that as the wooden arch bridges have been replaced by modern bridges nowadays, they no longer build the wooden arch bridges but instead repair the ancient bridges in most cases.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Uganda receives second batch of COVID-19 vaccines donated by China

Xinhua) 15:05, October 20, 2021

KAMPALA, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Uganda on Tuesday received a second batch of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines donated by the Chinese government.

Margaret Muhanga, the minister of state for primary health care, received the vaccines at the National Medical Stores in Entebbe, 40 km south of the capital Kampala.

She hailed the donation as her country is scaling up its vaccination campaign to save lives and open up the economy.

"It is really an exciting day for us because we are receiving more doses of Sinovac, which will help us vaccinate a bigger population, so that we can open our economy fully," the minister said.

Zhang Lizhong, Chinese ambassador to Uganda, said the donation came at a time when the two countries marked the 59th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between them and is part of China's commitment to build a global community of health for all.

In addition to donating 100 million U.S. dollars to the global COVID-19 vaccine program COVAX, China has pledged to donate 100 million additional vaccine doses to other developing countries this year.

Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, the World Health Organization (WHO) country representative to Uganda, also hailed the donation, saying, "Every dose coming to Africa saves life and if we save life and we vaccinate as many people as we can and ensure vaccine equity, we can defeat the pandemic."

Uganda received the first batch of the Sinovac vaccines at the end of July this year.

As of Sunday, about 2.6 million doses have been administered in the country, according to figures from the ministry of health.

Since March last year, Uganda has reported a total of 125,283 COVID-19 cases with 96,397 recoveries and 3,187 deaths.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Indonesia, China begin feasibility study on 560 mln USD coal-to-methanol plant

Xinhua) 15:15, October 20, 2021

JAKARTA, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia and China have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to conduct a feasibility study of a 560-million-U.S. dollar coal-to-methanol plant, according to a recent press release from Indonesia's Industry Ministry.

Held in Indonesia's capital Jakarta on Monday, the signing ceremony was attended by Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita and representatives from PT Powerindo Cipta Energy (PT PCE) and China National Chemical Engineering Corporation (CNCEC).

"The cooperation to build a coal-to-methanol plant is very important for the industrial sector. The Industry Ministry really appreciates companies with a vision to initiate coal gasification projects and support this pioneering industrial investment plan," Kartasasmita said on Monday.

According to the press release, the plant was expected to be built in Meulaboh city situated in the country's westernmost province of Aceh.

With an investment value of 560 million U.S. dollars, the plant will process 1.1 million tons of coal into 600,000 tons of methanol per year.

"This project will absorb 600 to 700 workers. Based on the plan, the project will enter the construction stage in mid-2022," the minister said.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Mogao Grottoes world heritage site closed for epidemic control

Xinhua) 15:16, October 20, 2021

People visit the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, May 10, 2020. (Photo by Sun Zhijun/Xinhua)

LANZHOU, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Three popular grottoes including a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Mogao Grottoes, in northwest China's Gansu Province, were temporarily closed to visitors on Wednesday as local authorities beefed up epidemic control measures.

The reopening dates for the Mogao Grottoes, the Yulin Grottoes and the Western Thousand-Buddha Caves located in the city of Jiuquan are subject to further notice, the Dunhuang Academy said.

The closure came after confirmed COVID-19 cases from other provinces had earlier traveled to the cities of Jiuquan, Jiayuguan and Zhangye.

Photo taken on July 27, 2020 shows a view of the Danxia landform at Zhangye Geopark in Zhangye, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Xinhua/Fan Peishen)

As of Tuesday, Gansu Province had four locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases and two asymptomatic cases, all in the provincial capital of Lanzhou, according to the provincial health commission.

The new infections have prompted authorities to temporarily close more than 40 tourist destinations in Lanzhou, Jiayuguan and Zhangye starting Monday.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Slaty-backed gull spotted in SW China's Guizhou for the first time

People's Daily Online) 16:08, October 20, 2021

Images of the slaty-backed gull, one of the largest gulls in the family Laridae, have recently been captured for the first time in southwest China's Guizhou province.

(Photo/Song Ming)

The photographs, which were confirmed later by experts to be that of a slaty-backed gull, were taken by Song Ming, deputy secretary general of the Guizhou ecological photography association at the Minghu National Wetland Park in Liupanshui city, Guizhou.

It has been reported that due to its small population, the slaty-backed gull (or Larus schistisagus) was listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as well as the List of Terrestrial Wildlife under State Protection that are Beneficial or of Important Economic or Scientific Value.

(Photo/Song Ming)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Chinese border province posts robust foreign trade growth in first three quarters

Xinhua) 16:26, October 20, 2021

KUNMING, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Southwest China's Yunnan Province saw its foreign trade volume reach 224.11 billion yuan (about 34.85 billion U.S. dollars) in the first three quarters of 2021, up 37.7 percent year on year, according to local customs.

Its exports increased 52.4 percent year on year to 117.93 billion yuan while imports climbed 24.4 percent to 106.18 billion yuan during the period, according to customs authorities in the provincial capital Kunming.

ASEAN remains the largest trade partner of the province. Its imports and exports with ASEAN countries grew 16.7 percent year on year to 91.46 billion yuan, accounting for 40.8 percent of Yunnan's total foreign trade volume from January to September. Among these countries, the province saw its foreign trade with Thailand and Laos surge by 44.1 percent and 58.7 percent year on year to 10.65 billion yuan and 6.98 billion yuan, respectively.

Notably, the private sector contributed 121.18 billion yuan to foreign trade, up 49.9 percent year on year, accounting for 54.1 percent of the province's total.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Arrival of migratory birds turns China's Hainan into "bird paradise"

People's Daily Online) 17:11, October 20, 2021

Photo shows a cattle egret foraging on the back of a bull. (People's Daily Online/Zheng Meihua)

Since the arrival of autumn this year, south China's Hainan province has welcomed flocks of migratory birds.

Thanks to its improved ecological environment, Hainan is currently home to a rising number of trees and wetlands, as well as birds.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
Some 400 scholars and experts from around the world gathered in Huangshan, East Chinas Anhui province, on Tuesday for the Second Conference on Huizhou Studies.



The conference was dedicated to explaining the theoretical value of Huizhou studies,exploring and making full use of its cultural value, and presenting it globally. It aimed to generate more innovative and significant research results, extend the influence of Hui culture, and make greater contributions to the inheritance and development of excellent traditional Chinese culture.

Before the opening ceremony of the conference, an exhibition featuring intangible cultural heritage of Huangshan was held. The city, home to the world-renowned Huangshan Mountain, will set up a state-level zone to protect the culture and ecology of Huizhou and a national Huizhou research institute, according to Ling Yun, Party chief of Huangshan.




SEOUL, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired a short-range ballistic missile into the eastern waters, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Tuesday.

The JCS said in a statement that the South Korean military detected one unidentified short-range ballistic missile, which the DPRK launched at about 10:17 a.m. local time (0117 GMT) toward the East Sea from the eastern coast of Sinpo, South Hamgyong province in the eastern DPRK.

It noted that the missile was estimated to be a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), saying the intelligence authorities of South Korea and the United States were analyzing further details on the missile.

The JCS added that the South Korean military was closely monitoring the relevant situations and maintaining its readiness posture under close cooperation with the United States to prepare for possible further launches.

According to Yonhap News Agency, it was known that the missile flew eastward 430-450 km at an altitude of 60 km.

If confirmed it would mark the first SLBM test launch by the DPRK in about two years. In October 2019, the DPRK said it succeeded in test-firing a new type of SLBM, known as Pukguksong-3.

Under the UN Security Council resolution, Pyongyang is banned from testing any ballistic missile technology.

In response to the DPRK's missile launch, the South Korean presidential Blue House convened the National Security Council (NSC) emergency meeting.

The NSC expressed deep regret over the missile launch as it was conducted when South Korea's active consultations are underway with the United States, China, Japan, Russia and other major countries to advance the Korean Peninsula peace process.

The council urged the DPRK to rapidly come forward for dialogue, emphasizing that the peninsula's stable situation is currently more necessary than ever.

During his speech at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly last month, South Korean President Moon Jae-in proposed a political declaration to terminate the 1950-53 Korean War.

The two Koreas remain technically in a state of war as the fratricidal war ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty.

The DPRK staged several missile tests in September amid deadlocked denuclearization talks with the United States.

Top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un said last week that there has been "no behavioral ground" to believe the recent U.S. signaling that Washington is not hostile to Pyongyang, slamming South Korea for its "double standards" to continue to boost military capabilities.

Kim, however, noted that the DPRK's enemy is a "war itself, not a certain country or forces like South Korea and the United States."

On Sept. 15, South Korea said it successfully test-fired a homegrown SLBM which was launched underwater from a domestically-developed 3,000-ton submarine.

Tuesday's missile launch marked the eighth saber-rattling by the DPRK this year.

The DPRK said it tested its newly-developed hypersonic missile Hwasong-8 on Sept. 28, after launching two ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Sept. 15. It also tested its newly-developed anti-aircraft missile on Sept. 30.

Pyongyang test-fired cruise missiles into the western waters on Jan. 22 and March 21, before testing ballistic missiles into the eastern waters on March 25. It also test-launched long-range cruise missiles on Sept. 11-12.
On October 14, 2021, the Chinese Government Representative and Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao and the Bhutanese Government Representative and Foreign Minister TandiDorji sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a Three-Step Roadmap for Expediting the China-Bhutan Boundary Negotiation in Beijing and Thimphu via video link. (Photo/MFA)

By Chen Yang

On October 14, 2021, the Chinese Government Representative and Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao and the Bhutanese Government Representative and Foreign Minister TandiDorji signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a Three-Step Roadmap for Expediting the China-Bhutan Boundary Negotiation in Beijing and Thimphu via video link.Wu Jianghao said the MoU signed today will make a meaningful contribution to speeding up the negotiation on demarcation and promoting the process of establishing diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The signing of the MoU indicates that the two countries both wish to further normalize bilateral relations. Bhutan is the only neighbor that hasnt established diplomatic ties with China yet, but the two countries have always maintained friendly exchanges. Bhutan voted for restoring Chinas legitimate seat in the UN in 1971; leaders of the two countries have sent National Day congratulations to each other every year since 1979; every Chinese ambassador to India has paid a working visit to Bhutan and exchanged views with Bhutans kings and foreign ministers on bilateral relations since 1994. Besides, China and Bhutan have kept sound cooperation on international occasions. For instance, Bhutan has supported China in foiling anti-China and Taiwan-related draftresolutions at the UN Human Rights Council and World Health Assembly.

Qian Feng, director of the Research Department of the National Strategy Institute, Tsinghua University, held that China and Bhutan had established a sound relationship in recent years on both the government and public levels. Although they havent formed diplomatic ties yet, signing the MoU on boundary negotiation is just a matter of course, given their friendly interactions in recent years on multiple levels. The signing reflects their wish to further deepen bilateral cooperation and forge diplomatic ties when circumstances permit.

The signing of the China-Bhutan MoU demonstrates the two countries commitment to resolving the boundary issue peacefully through negotiation and consultation. China and Bhutan have a boundary of more than 500km thats never officially demarcated, but the two sides have been holding boundary talks alternately in Beijing and Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, since 1984. Altogether 24rounds of ministerial-level boundary talks and 10 Expert Group Meetings(EGMs) on the China-Bhutan Boundary have been held by July 2021, as part of the mutual efforts to solve the issue at an early date.

The MoU signed also proves again that China remains a reliable friend for its neighbors. According to Qian Feng, as neighbors, China and Bhutan are different in their size of territory and scale of economy, but China has neither changed the status quo by force nor adopted hegemonistic actions on the boundary issue. Instead, it has engaged in active negotiations with Bhutan in the principle of mutual equality and respect, which serves as a vivid illustration of Chinas consistent diplomatic philosophy  it treats all countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, as equals, and it is always a reliable friend for surrounding countries.

Signing the MoU marks a significant step on the way toward the final solution of China-Bhutan boundary demarcation. We look forward to both countries implementing the MoU well, continuously advancing the demarcation negotiations, and jointly preserving peace and serenity in the border areas, so as to create more favorable conditions for the final solution of the issue.
By Kong Jun

The US, the UK and Australia recently announced to forge a trilateral security partnership under which the US and the UK will help Australia build at least eight nuclear submarines. This has raised widespread doubts and concerns in the international community. But the military cooperation between Washington and Canberra doesnt stop there. It is reported that Canberra intends to allow the US to deploy strategic bombers on its soil in exchange for its help for Australia to develop long-range precision attack weapons. As the first step, Washington will sell the Tomahawk cruise missile to Canberra.

The Tomahawk cruise missile is an offensive weapon of strategic significance developed by the US. It was first used during the Gulf War when the US fired more than 200 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Iraq and caused a humanistic disaster. The Tomahawk also haunted Yugoslavia, Kosovo, Libya and Syria, where it was the chief culprit for overthrowing foreign regimes.

The international community still hasnt reached a universally applicable law on the non-proliferation of missiles. Under such circumstances, countries should be restrained, prudent and responsible regarding the transfer of missiles and take actions to preserve international peace and stability, but the Tomahawk missile deal between the US and Australia is against all of that.

Located in South Pacific with a favorable geographical environment, Australia has never faced any major security threats. The recent introduction of Tomahawk missile on a large scale, which is far beyond its defense needs, is bound to court vigilance and objection from its neighbors.

The deal also reveals to the international community the hypocrisy of the so-called non-proliferation rules clamored by the US. America has created a small circle that specifically demands that missile systems of more than 300km shooting range and 500kg load shall be subjected to the maximal transfer limit. The US and Australia have imposed numerous restrictions on countries outside of the small circle, but feel no qualms about transferring advanced missiles inside it  nothing is more double standards than this.

The Tomahawk missile trade between the US and Australia thats made known to the public may be just the tip of the iceberg. According to the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and the 2020 Force Structure Plan released last year, Australia plans to reinforce its military forces comprehensively and invest one billion Australian dollars to build a missile and national defense industry system. In recent years, the US and Australia have kept strengthening their military cooperation in such areas as missile defense, outer space and cyberspace, and have jointly developed hypersonic missiles, which will unavoidably open Pandoras box of regional arms race.

Claiming itself as the guardian of world peace, the US has formed a gigantic weapons sales industry chain through constant armed interference in other countries and extracted tremendous profits from it. In the past five years, its total weapons export volume has steadily topped the world with a 37% share. The Asia Pacific imported the largest number of weapons, and American allies, such as Australia, are among the worlds top ten weapon importers. We can well imagine the recent arms deal between the US and Australia will spur Asian-Pacific countries to import more weapons, which is exactly what American military enterprises and arms manufacturers are waiting for.

The US keeps emphasizing that it doesnt seek a new Cold War, but what it has done since the end of the Cold War seems to aim at starting a new one, and Washington is internationally recognized as the biggest destroyer of world stability. Peace and development are the common aspiration of Asian-Pacific countries and people. Yet, Washington and Canberra are blatantly trading in nuclear submarines and missiles, which goes against the trend of historical development. Their hideous act of pursuing their own interests regardless of international security will be condemned by the international community. Canberra should think twice and understand that what its taking over is nothing but a hot potato. It would also serve it well to read a history book and find out how many countries have been first befriended and then abandoned by the US.

(The author is an observer of international issues.)

Editor's note: This article is originally published on huanqiu.com, and is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.
Royal Australian Navy submarine HMAS Rankin is seen during AUSINDEX 21, a biennial maritime exercise between the Royal Australian Navy and the Indian Navy in Darwin, Australia, September 5, 2021. [Photo/Agencies]

By Zhong Sheng

Not long ago, the US, UK, and Australia established a trilateral security partnership dubbed AUKUS, under which the US and the UK will help Australia build nuclear-powered submarines. It is generally believed by the international community that by making the move, the three countries are risking the stability of the entire world to pursue their own interests.

Representatives of many governments expressed opposition to the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal and deep concerns over its consequences at the recent General Debate of the First Committee of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The US, UK and Australia have gone against global non-proliferation efforts by carrying out the nuclear submarine deal, which involves the transfer of huge amounts of extremely sensitive and weapons-grade highly enriched uranium and poses a serious risk of nuclear proliferation.

The current non-proliferation architecture can hardly supervise such deal effectively. If other countries should follow suit, the international non-proliferation regime would face more severe challenges and the fruits of years of global non-proliferation efforts could be wiped out.

The AUKUS trilateral security partnership will not contribute to strengthening the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), said Vladimir Ermakov, head of the Delegation of the Russian Federation and director of the Department for Nonproliferation and Arms Control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, at the General Debate of the First Committee of the 76th session of the UNGA.

"There is a potential risk that another non-nuclear-weapon State will be used to deploy nuclear-weapon States' military nuclear infrastructure. This leads to greater international instability and runs counter to the efforts to reduce nuclear weapon arsenals," said Ermakov.

As a non-nuclear-weapon State party to the NPT and a party to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (the Treaty of Rarotonga), Australia could set a very negative precedent for the implementation of IAEA safeguards by building nuclear submarines, according to Ermakov.

Just like the quadrilateral mechanism involving the US, Japan, India and Australia, the so-called trilateral security partnership was also designed to serve the Indo-Pacific strategy dominated by the US as well as provoke confrontation between regional countries and escalate geopolitical competition.

Such a dangerous move, which resulted from the Cold War mentality and narrow-minded "group politics", is open provocation against multilateralism.

By conducting the nuclear submarine deal, carrying out joint military drills, and expanding arms trade with Australia, the US and UK have cast the shadow of a new Cold War upon the Asia-Pacific region and posed serious threats to the peace and tranquility of the region.

The AUKUS highlights geopolitical ambitions of great powers and signals a resurgence of the Cold War mentality, noted representatives of countries including North Korea, Mexico, Sri Lanka, and Venezuela at the General Debate of the First Committee of the 76th session of the UNGA.

The recent introduction of the AUKUS trilateral strategic partnership that includes strategic delivery systems with nuclear technology could trigger further an arms race, said Syed Mohamad Hasrin Aidid, permanent representative of Malaysia to the UN, at the meeting.

In addition to assisting Australia in building nuclear submarines, the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal will also strengthen US military presence in Australia and even the entire Asia-Pacific region, according to an American scholar.

While trying hard to prevent other countries from acquiring sensitive materials and technologies, including highly enriched uranium, on the grounds of non-proliferation in recent years, the US and UK now conduct nuclear submarine cooperation with Australia, which has fully exposed their double standard on the issue.

In the face of criticism and doubts from the international community, a representative of Australia talked eloquently about the country's good non-proliferation record and claimed that the decision to build nuclear submarines is in the best interests of national security and peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region at the General Debate of the First Committee of the 76th session of the UNGA, showing a total disregard for the NPT.

"The UK remains committed to the long-term goal of a world without nuclear weapons," said Aidan Liddle, UK permanent representative to the Conference on Disarmament. The statement seems rather absurd as the country announced in March this year that it would raise the ceiling for its nuclear arsenal.

The AUKUS nuclear submarine deal among the three countries has revealed the hypocrisy of their so-called commitment and contribution to the global non-proliferation regime.

It's worth mentioning that the US hasn't ratified the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty to this day. According to open resources, the US conducted 67 nuclear weapon tests on the Marshall Islands between 1946 and 1958.

From 1946 to 1982, the US, UK and other countries dumped a large amount of radioactive waste into the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, and the US even shipped 130 tons of nuclear contaminated soil from nuclear testing grounds in Nevada all the way to the Marshall Islands.

Australia hasn't been innocent either. It allowed the UK to conduct many nuclear tests on the Montebello Islands off Western Australia, and Emu Field and Maralinga in South Australia between 1952 and 1963.

These nuclear tests and waste have gravely damaged local ecological environment, harmed the safety and health of local residents, and inflicted huge suffering on countries and people in the region.

The AUKUS nuclear submarine deal will not only increase the risk of nuclear pollution in the South Pacific region, but also seriously undermine the status of the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, which is undoubtedly worse news to people of Pacific Island countries.

The Australian government is blindly following the US by insisting on establishing the trilateral security partnership regardless of domestic opposition voices, pointed out former Australian politicians including Malcolm Turnbull and Paul Keating.

Voicing opposition to the so-called trilateral security partnership, the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), Friends of the Earth, the international campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and many other organizations believe relevant moves of Australia run counter to the trend toward nuclear non-proliferation and the will of local people, and will elevate the risks of nuclear proliferation, nuclear accidents, and radioactive pollution.

The Australian government is pursuing secrete military deal when it should focus its efforts on ensuring the supply of COVID-19 vaccines and helping people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is in no conformity with the fundamental demands of the Australian people and puts the country in a dangerous position from many aspects, according to major trade unions in Australia.

In order to pursue absolute military superiority, the US, UK, and Australia have sought the nuclear submarine deal in defiance of universal condemnation, which is both vile and dangerous.

The three countries had better terminate the deal before it's too late. Otherwise, they will have to swallow the bitter fruit of opening the "Pandora's box".

Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.
The Nanchang large destroyer sails in the Sea of Japan during the China-Russia Naval Interaction-2021 joint drill in October. Photo: Courtesy of Li Tang

By Wei Dongxu

The China-Russia joint naval drill that kicked off on Thursday in the Sea of Japan can counter AUKUS, the newly formed trilateral security partnership between the US, the UK and Australia. It will further help Beijing and Moscow break through the US-led security containment.

AUKUS will bring more unstable factors to the Western Pacific since the trio may have more provocative actions. The US is trying to rope in more countries into the Western Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions to contain its strategic competitors. This may have a negative impact on China's maritime security.

Against this backdrop, the China-Russia joint naval drill includes new subjects and displays high levels of mutual trust. China has a strong and reliable partner in the Western Pacific: Russia. This time, China has sent its most advanced 10,000-ton-class Type 055 large destroyer, while Russia dispatched the main force of its Pacific Fleet. This demonstrates that China and Russia attach great importance to defense cooperation.

In addition, the joint anti-submarine operations between China and Russia are also worth people's attention. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy have sent multiple types of main battle equipment to the drills, including the fixed-wing anti-submarine patrol aircraft. This year, the US has increased spy ship activities in the South China Sea. By demonstrating joint anti-submarine capabilities, China and Russia have sent a warning to the US: The US nuclear submarines should not act rashly at the doorsteps of China and Russia, especially in the Western Pacific.

In other words, if the US wants to conduct a strategic blockade and siege, China and Russia will be likely to coordinate their stances or integrate the power of both countries. This way, they aim to break the US strategic blockade and military encirclement, as well as to completely crash its attempt to use AUKUS for a strategic containment. What Washington wants is to stir up trouble in China's neighboring countries. In this context, Moscow can coordinate with Beijing to counter AUKUS. Both China and Russia take a responsible approach to affairs in the Western Pacific region. They can coordinate their positions to speak out together in the face of US military hegemony on the sea.

For example, in August, the Type 055 destroyer reportedly sailed in international waters near Alaska. Some analysts believe this time, there is a possibility of the destroyer approaching the US again. In any case, the PLA Navy's activities will always be reasonable and legal. The Pacific is not the sphere of influence exclusive to the US. To maintain its strategic interests, the PLA Navy needs to enter the deep ocean, such as in-depth areas, to exercise and practice its combat capability. It should make response plans to prevent the US military from disturbing its normal exercises.

AUKUS keeps challenging strategic competitors such as China and Russia. But it is not capable of counterbalancing China and Russia at the same time. UK's defense expenditures determine that it cannot afford to deploy a major marine force in Asia for a long time. In fact, the main objective of the UK is still in the Atlantic. The US wants to set up a benchmark in its alliance system by taking advantage of AUKUS. More precisely, it wants to create a small clique within its broader military alliance system.

Under such circumstances, China and Russia will boost their own national strength and military capabilities in the first place and then engage in active strategic deterrence. Besides, they can coordinate more on international occasions. They can also reveal Washington's plots when the US woos allies to create military alliances and coerce other countries.

In defense, China and Russia can cooperate more and display their strength and determination to maintain stability in the Asia-Pacific. That China and Russia, with considerable military strengths, join hands to show their stance serves as a counterbalance to AUKUS.

The author is a Beijing-based military analyst.
Submariners standing on top of the Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine USS Connecticut in the water at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Washington, May 7, 2018. /Getty

Editor's note: Andrew Korybko is a Moscow-based American political analyst. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

The U.S. Navy revealed that one of its nuclear submarines recently collided with an unknown object while secretly traveling through the South China Sea (SCS). This accident is significant since it speaks to the regional dangers of the U.S.' saber-rattling in the region, in light of its newfound trilateral military alliance with Australia and the UK, (AUKUS). That surprise pact will see the U.S. and the UK outfit Australia with a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines that will predictably contribute to more of such Western provocations against China.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian reacted to the incident, on October 8, by saying that "We are gravely concerned about the incident. As the party involved, the U.S. should clarify in specific details what happened, including the exact location of the incident, the U.S. side's navigation intention, the details of the incident, the object the submarine struck, whether the collision caused a nuclear leak or damaged local marine environment, etc." He's absolutely right too since the world deserves to urgently know exactly what happened last weekend.

The U.S.' provocative employment of nuclear submarines to secretly infringe on China's maritime territory in the SCS not only runs the risk of triggering a war between these two major powers by miscalculation, but also of causing an ecological catastrophe.

Quite clearly, the U.S. Navy isn't professional enough to operate these vessels, let alone in another country's waters where it doesn't have enough information to safely transit. It's frightening to imagine what might have happened had this accident been worse than it reportedly was.

These fears are heightened by the fact that AUKUS will likely result in those three countries sending more nuclear submarines to the region in the future. Now is the time to prevent that from happening in the interests of the region's military and especially ecological security.

Nobody should violate China's maritime territory, let alone those who are located in the other corner of Asia like Australia, the other side of Eurasia like the UK, or the other side of the planet like the U.S. More accidents will happen if these provocations aren't stopped.

A Chinese H-6K bomber patrolling islands and reefs in the South China Sea. /Xinhua

It's important to point out that last week's incident still occurred despite the U.S. Navy's decades-long experience of operating such vessels, which makes one wonder how much more often this will happen when Australia finally takes command of its own fleet and is pushed by its AUKUS allies to immediately dispatch it to the SCS. That would be an ecological disaster in the making. If the U.S. can't even avoid such unnecessary and irresponsible accidents, then Australia is bound to have them too, if not repeatedly.

Asia can only remain stable and fulfill its destiny as one of the world's leading economic centers so long as foreign powers stop militarily meddling in this region. Nuclear submarines should never be used as a form of pressure against any country. That's very dangerous as can now be seen, mostly considering the risk of an accident. Even those who might have previously thought very highly of the U.S. Navy's professionalism are likely to question their prior perceptions after what happened. This was truly a shock for the whole world.

America's regional allies must understand the risks that they run by supporting their partner's provocative use of nuclear submarines as instruments of anti-China pressure in their region. These nations depend on the high seas for feeding their people and conducting trade. They cannot afford to have a U.S. nuclear submarine suffer an accident in or near their maritime territory. That would devastate their countries by poisoning a significant portion of their food supply and possibly interfering with freedom of navigation.

The solution is for the U.S. to second guess the wisdom of its dangerous military provocations against China. These don't just threaten China, but also America's regional allies and even its own sailors as last weekend's accident proves.

The progress that was made on correcting the course of China-U.S. relations after this week's meeting between their representatives in Switzerland should be built upon stabilizing the SCS and remove the risk of any ecological threats caused by the U.S.' nuclear submarines within that area.
China US Photo:GT

By Yang Sheng

Senior US officials and Western media have spared no efforts to hype the so-called "nuclear threat" from China, even after China clarified an inaccurate report about a "hypersonic missile test in August," as the test was about a reusable spacecraft, with the Chinese Foreign Ministry saying on Tuesday that the US is hyping the "China threat theory" to pursue absolute security and expand military power. Experts stressed that Washington is the one that should be held accountable for intensifying the arms race between major nuclear powers.

The US has a clear advantage over China and Russia in nuclear weapons, and it has militarized space and exerted huge security pressure on other countries to further break the balance between major nuclear powers, said analysts. They added that Washington has openly shown its hostility toward Beijing and Moscow by treating them as "competitors." China and Russia are justified in taking action and strengthening the development of relevant capabilities not only for self-defense but also to stabilize international security.

Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a routine press conference on Tuesday that China firmly opposes the US' act of hyping the "China threat theory" and China has always insisted on a defensive nuclear strategy and will not start an arms race with any country.

"China's military development is meant to safeguard its legitimate national security interests, and the growth of China's strength equals the growth of strength for peace," Wang said, stressing that any country, as long as it has no intention to threaten and harm China's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity will not be threatened by China's national defense power.

Wang made the remarks after senior US officials commented on China's latest military development. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Monday at a press conference that Washington was closely watching "China's development of advanced weapons systems" but declined to comment on a Financial Times report which claimed China has conducted "a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile," Reuters reported.

Before Austin's press conference, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday that China had tested a reusable space vehicle in July, not a hypersonic missile as reported by the Financial Times. Robert Wood, the US envoy to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, also disregarded the clarification made by the Chinese Foreign Ministry and said Washington is concerned about "hypersonic missile technology and its potential military applications by China and Russia."

A Beijing-based senior military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Tuesday that the recent comments of the US defense chief and other senior officials and diplomats show that they want to make excuses to legitimize their military expansion and seek an increase in the defense budget. "It seems like the US is shocked by the development of China's technology, even if we have stressed that it's for the peaceful use of space."

"The US is seeking an unfair and unreasonable absolute security, which means the US' security is more important than others', and they will not allow other countries' mutual deterrence with the US, and elites in Washington don't care about China and Russia's intention, because for the absolute security of the US, China and Russia are not supposed to have such strength and technology," the expert said.

This kind of view on security is truly dangerous and unrealistic, which reflects the US' hegemonic and arrogant mindset. Analysts noted that no matter what the US says, China and Russia won't stop their development and research to boost their strength, and only by doing so will the balance between major nuclear powers and stability of international nuclear security be ensured, analysts said.

This is not the first time that the US has tried to hype China's nuclear threat. In July, the New York Times quoted nuclear weapons experts from the Federation of American Scientists as saying that China has built a new silo for launching nuclear missiles in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. But some people in China have suggested that those silos claimed by the US might be foundations of wind power plants, though this claim has also not been confirmed by official sources.

Disarmament and balance of power

China and Russia are facing a real threat from US nuclear weapons, as the US has both the technological advantage and hostility against them. So Beijing and Moscow have the right to strengthen their capability, and the cutting-edge technology for peaceful use of space would also be turned to military use if the US continues to intensify the arms race, said analysts.

Wang said on Tuesday that the US has the biggest and most advanced nuclear arsenal in the world, and it has invested more than $1 trillion to upgrade its nuclear triad. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson also listed many US wrongdoings that endanger the international nuclear security situation - the US has withdrawn from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty; the US resists negotiations on arms control in space, and even exports nuclear submarine technology to a non-nuclear country which risks nuclear proliferation.

As the only superpower in the world, the US has held a Cold War mentality to comprehensively strengthen its military might and deepen its military alliance system, which seriously damages regional peace and security, as well as global strategic stability, Wang noted, stressing that the US' claim that "China intensifies the arms race" is meant to divert attention from its own wrongdoings.

Li Haidong, a professor at the Institute of International Relations of the China Foreign Affairs University, said that the world order is facing a crucial change and US wrongdoings will bring huge uncertainties to the current world order. This will have a serious impact on the stability of the international community and the recovery of the world economy.

Lu Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the US wants to maintain an unequal or unfair military advantage over other countries forever, and once it finds any country likely to reach its level, it will try everything to interrupt it, like expressing concerns, condemning it, demanding negotiations or even imposing sanctions and launching investigations.

"Blaming China and Russia will make the US look more like a good guy." But just like what Wang listed at the press conference, "the US is the one that should be blamed for intensifying the arms race as it agreed to export nuclear submarine technology to Australia, a non-nuclear country, and this is totally unforgivable and violates the non-proliferation treaty," he said.

The anonymous military expert said the US will continue to pressure China on the nuclear disarmament issue, but China won't submit to it because China's nuclear arsenal is far smaller and less advanced than the US', and the two sides have no equal base for such talks.

"The US will respect reality and strength eventually, so China should speed up its military research and development, especially high-tech and strategic military might." Otherwise, China won't be able to protect itself and maintain a peaceful international situation, Li said.

The recent US moves are also intended to divide China and Russia on the disarmament issue as Russia has refused to help the US pressure China to participate in the nuclear disarmament talks, said experts.

The US might want to tell Russia that if China doesn't join the disarmament talks soon, Russia will be surpassed by China, but China and Russia share high-level strategic mutual trust and both sides face the same pressure and threat from the US, that's why Russia refused to do what the US wants on this issue, said the anonymous expert. He added that it's possible for the US to threaten Russia and China, and if China stays away from the negotiations, the US will launch an all-out arms race as it believes that the disarmament issue has constrained the US in further maximizing its unfair nuclear advantage and makes China easier to reach the US level in terms of nuclear weapons.

"This would be dangerous for the world peace," he said.
Multinational pharmaceutical giants have launched a massive assault on the Korean growth market with its growing scientific reputation. Their CEOs visit Korea themselves and hand-pick Korean doctors to lead international clinical tests. The pharma firms are also increasing investment in Korea.

Pfizer's president for worldwide development, Joseph Feczko, came here Wednesday with some 20 top executives to take a look around research facilities and find partners in developing new drugs. The first drugs heavyweight to visit Korea was Novartis CEO Daniel Vasella in 2005.

AstraZeneca CEO David Brennan followed suit this April, with Bristol-Myers Squibb president Lamberto Andreotti in hot pursuit. The firms send key executives or leading managers from headquarters to Korea. Their investment here has risen -- because their Korean operations carry out an increasing number of multinational clinical tests, and because they are partnering with Korean biotech ventures.

Novartis is conducting 45 tests here, Pfizer 43 and Sanofi Aventis 33, twice as many as last year. Novartis promises to invest W50 billion (US $1=W957) in Korea to help Korean operations make it to the top 10 in the world in terms of R&D over five years. AstraZeneca plans to invest W26 billion over three years and Pfizer W19 billion this year alone here. Korean doctors are at the helm of testing.

Sanofi Aventis selected Prof. Bang Yung-jue, a Seoul National University internist, and Pfizer Prof. Rha Sun-young, of Yonsei University's cancer research institute.
Actor Ma Dong-seok attended the premiere of his Hollywood debut film "Eternals" with his girlfriend Ye Jung-hwa in Los Angeles on Monday. His co-stars Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden and Salma Hayek also attended the event.



Ma Dong-seok poses at the premiere of "Eternals" in Los Angeles on Monday. /AFP-Yonhap

Ma has been seeing Ye since 2016. "It is something of a tradition at Marvel Studios that cast members bring their close ones to premiere events and gather together. Ye was invited to the event," Ma's management agency said. Ma has American citizenship and is better known as Don Lee in Hollywood.

These captured images show Ye Jung-hwa hugging Angelina Jolie and standing with Ma Dong-seok (in the red circles at right) at the premiere of "Eternals" in Los Angeles on Monday.

"Eternals" is about immortal alien heroes who have lived on Earth without revealing their identities for thousands of years and reunite to fight their evil counterparts, the Deviants. Ma plays Gilgamesh, the strongest Eternal, with a deep connection to Thena, played by Jolie. "Eternals" will hit screens here on Nov. 3.
Health authorities mentioned the possibility of taking them off. "If 85 percent of the population are fully vaccinated, theoretically we can be safe from coronavirus without masks." But the government soon backpedaled, saying the key word was "theoretically" and masks must continue to be worn.

Since Monday, up to eight people can gather in Seoul and 10 in other parts of the country, but masks remain mandatory even for fully vaccinated people.

Korea is set to start a phased return to normal next month, but mixed messages are being sent about whether people will still have to keep wearing masks even outdoors.

In July, health authorities waived mandatory masks outdoors for people who had at least one vaccine shot, but they soon tightened the rules again as infections surged less than a week after the announcement. As infections rose over 1,000 a day, health officials made masks mandatory both indoors and outdoors regardless of vaccination.

They have never relaxed a regulation that made masks mandatory in outdoor spaces where it is difficult to keep a 2-m distance from others. Those caught not wearing a mask in places where that is mandatory can be fined up to W3 million (US$1=W1,179).

Medical experts are divided over the wisdom of forcing people to wear masks outdoors, although there are no disagreements over indoor use. After the U.K. lifted all regulations on social distancing in July, it saw a sharp resurgence in infections.

Jung Ki-suck at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital said, "If you maintain a distance of more than 2 m outdoors, there is no threat of infection whether you're vaccinated or not. If the vaccination rate is as high as 80 percent, I think not wearing a mask outdoors will be no problem."

But Eom Joong-sik at Gachon University Gil Medical Center said, "Considering the population density of Korea, there aren't many places even outdoors where it is possible to maintain more than a 2-m distance with other people. Huge crowds of hikers enjoying the autumn foliage can be seen at this time of year, so we should keep wearing masks outdoors for the time being."
Korean IT start-ups are making headway in the Japanese market, which has proved virtually impenetrable for big Korean conglomerates like Samsung and Hyundai.

The start-ups operate smartphone apps offering anything from plastic surgery to education that have risen to the top in the Japanese market by adapting to the needs of consumers there.

Gangnamunni provides information on plastic surgery clinics and has attracted 500 registered clinics in the year since it started services in Japan. It is now the leader in its field with 300,000 monthly users.

The company kept its Korean name to take advantage of the reputation of Seoul's Gangnam as a mecca for plastic surgery. "We acquired a Japanese app that provided information about plastic surgery clinics and hired an entire marketing team from a large Japanese company to pursue the local market aggressively," Gangnamunni chief Hong Seung-il said.

The company has also developed its own booking and patient-management software that will be marketed to hospitals in Japan.

Qanda, a math app, focused on Japanese students' fear of asking their teachers questions face to face. Users photograph a math problem with their phone and upload it onto the app for an expert to solve.

Qanda topped educational apps in both Google and Apple stores just four months after it was launched there in November 2018 and remains popular.
Chang'e 5 samples help rewrite moon's history

From:ChinaDaily | 2021-10-20 07:57

Chinese scientists discover evidence of far more recent lunar volcanism

Chinese scientists have discovered that lunar volcanism was still occurring about 800 million to 900 million years later than previously thought after analyzing lunar samples returned by the Chang'e 5 mission, suggesting the moon cooled down much more slowly.

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Geology and Geophysics presented their results in three papers published in Nature on Tuesday.

Their analysis of basalts, a type of rock formed during volcanic eruptions, not only indicated that the lunar samples were the youngest to be dated, but also provided new data on the composition and water content of the moon's interior, offering new insights on the moon's thermal evolution.

The Chang'e 5 lunar mission returned with 1,731 grams of lunar samples on Dec 17, more than 40 years after the US Apollo and Soviet Union Luna missions retrieved their samples. The samples were then distributed to 13 research institutes on July 12, with the research team at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics receiving about 5 grams.

Volcanism is a sign that a celestial body is still dynamic, and studying planetary volcanism can reveal a planet's deep composition and thermal evolution. Lunar volcanism was most active on the near side of the moon, covering about 17 percent of the lunar surface.

Geochemist Li Xianhua, an academician at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, said scientists have always been interested in figuring out exactly when the lunar volcanism started and ended, as well as the mechanism of formation of the most recent volcanism.

Previous radioisotope dating of lunar samples brought back by the Apollo and Luna missions suggested that most lunar volcanic activities ceased by around 2.9 billion or 2.8 billion years ago. Those samples were collected within 30 degrees of the moon's equator and could not represent the large lunar surface.

Chang'e 5 landed in the Oceanus Procellarum region, far from the Apollo and Luna sampling sites and believed to be one of the youngest mare basalt sites on the moon. Scientists had used crater-counting chronology, another dating method based on the number of craters, to predict that it might have seen lava flows between 3 billion and 1 billion years ago.

"But 3 to 1 billion years is a very long gap with many uncertainties, and because of the lack of young samples, the age and formation mechanism could not be determined," Li said.

After studying the isotopes of the rocks, Li and his colleagues confirmed that the Chang'e 5 basalts came from the same eruption lava, which occurred around 2 billion years ago, delaying the end of the Moon's volcanic activity by 800 million to 900 million years. Their finding also helps create a benchmark to better calibrate crater-counting chronology models.

Meanwhile, the cause of the moon's most recent volcanic activity remained a puzzle. Li said the scientific community had proposed two possible explanations: a lunar mantle rich in radioactive elements to provide a heat source; or one rich in water to lower the melting point.

Scientists discovered previously that the volcanically active region on the moon was rich in some specific heat-producing elementspotassium, rare earths and phosphorus. The elements were believed to be associated with the near side's volcanism by providing a heat source.

But researcher Yang Wei and his team members found that the high content of those elements in the samples did not originate in the moon's mantle, where lava would ordinarily have been formed. Yang said the previous studies used remote sensing techniques without returned samples, meaning the deeper composition could not be detected.

Their finding rules out the hypothesis that the heat source came from radioactive heat-generating elements and "indicates that we need to rethink and explore new models to understand the thermal evolution of the moon", he said.

A third paper looked into the water content of the samples. The moon is widely believed to be very dry, while earlier studies confirmed the existence of water molecules on the moon.

The recent analysis of the water composition shows that the deep lunar mantle of the sampling area was much drier 2 billion years ago than that of older regions with volcanism.

"This means the moon was still dynamic 2 billion years ago," Li said. "But this was not caused by the rich content of water in the lunar mantle, which would have made it easier to melt."

He said the water in question was not liquid or ice, but was indicated by the presence of hydroxyl found in minerals.

"The above results raise new questions on the study of the thermal evolution of the moon," Li said. "It is still unclear why the moon cooled down so slowly, and it will require a new theoretical framework and evolutionary model to provide new directions for future lunar exploration and research."

Yin Qingzhu, a cosmochemistry professor from University of California, Davis, in the US, called the findings a "major achievement" that has been long-awaited worldwide.

"How the moon was able to maintain magmatic activity to 2 billion years ago under these very unfavorable conditions will be a new research topic in the future," he said. "It will lead to the next extensive discussion and in-depth research in the global planetary science community."
Zoon Ahmed Khan: shared experiences and candid images help bridge countries

By:Wu Qiong | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-10-20 12:14

Six years ago, with an aim of finding a better solution for global governance, Zoon Ahmed Khan, a Pakistani researcher and journalist, came to China. What she has seen and witnessed here has deepened her understanding of the ties between China and Pakistan and in particular, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Zoon is now working as a research fellow of the Belt & Road Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University. She was duly invited to make a speech at the Ninth World Forum on China Studies.

(Zoon Ahmed Khan [middle] at the Ninth World Forum on China Studies)

For me, the Belt and Road is a vision. It is a vision that is away from competitive and negative competition and fosters more connectivity and more mutual cooperation, said Zoon.

In her eyes, the BRI is different from the Marshall Plan. It is not fixed, because even if you look at Chinas domestic development and achievements, it has been about constant correction, constant improvement, and constant observation. And under the BRI as well, countries have bilateral mechanisms to begin with that are constantly reflecting on the success of the project, and how to progress it. So this is kind of a development, she added. It is away from zero-sum thinking when you think of the BRI.

Zoon has conducted fieldwork on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, the flagship project of the BRI. In her opinion, at the heart of the success of the BRI is how much it can impact people. As she said, many people in Pakistan have benefited from the investments under the BRI framework.

On August 10, Chinese President Xi Jinping responded to foreign representatives of the Global Young Leaders Dialogue (GYLD), commending their efforts to visit various provinces of China and deepen their understanding of the country. Zoon is one of the representatives.

As a young journalist, Zoon also stressed the important role of youth in promoting the mutual understanding between different countries through shared experiences. For example, she mentioned the GYLD. After that experience, we learnt and we saw what success Chinas experience looks like, lets say, 800 million people out of poverty. In her opinion, shared experiences help people create another layer of identity.

Young people also need to think about multilateral ways to get friendship, said Zoon. Through the Belt and Road, we have mechanisms for students and young professional exchanges. This is the approach: investing in shared experiences, and there are multiple others. Another is showing the humane, and the candid, without any editing, that is so impactful, added the young scholar.

As such, her suggestion for journalists is that showing candid images of normal people is going to really build bridges. It is going to make people relatable to each other.

While mentioning China, Zoon uses dynamic to describe Chinese youth. At Tsinghua University, she has seen that young people are very quick, alert and receptive. And Chinese young people are very concerned about the world in a positive way. From people from different parts of China, I see an increasing desire to build the world together with other countries, noted Zoon.
Vlogger Ryan Nolton: travel brings people closer

By:Wu Qiong | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-10-20 12:13

A US teacher living in Beijing became famous on the Internet last year after his vlogs of how China and its people were doing during the COVID-19 outbreak went viral. He is James Ryan Nolton.

(A screenshot of Ryans vlog Viral Videos with Ryan)

I kind of just made those videos because I thought it would be something fun to do while my family appreciated them, said Ryan, who was also overwhelmed from the support he got from the local Chinese audience. He added, So many people would just comment on my videos that its so great for us to be able to see a natural foreigners perspective on the subject and hear your opinion on things related to our country, which I didnt expect.

(James Ryan Nolton)

Having found people are curious about what foreigners think about China, Ryan came to the realization that there is a demand for that.

After becoming famous as an internet celebrity, Ryan said he has been provided with more wonderful opportunities. For the past months, he has been invited by some media partners to travel across China to make documentaries. Being able to travel and get to know more about the country has made him happy. But he prefers doing vlogs to documentaries, as the former are simpler, more personal and he can have more control. According to him, he is now doing a new series of vlogs called Down the Rabbit Hole.

Having lived in China for nearly four years, Ryan has witnessed more Chinese dreams come true in China. China for him is vast, welcoming and rapidly developing. I am grateful that I made the decision to come here.

Not only a person who loves speaking, Ryan also loves travel. Before moving to Beijing, he was a teacher at Changsha University in Hunan Province. When he was with his students, he always encouraged them to travel and explore the world more.

As a kid, Ryan travelled a lot with his father. In his opinion, travel brings people closer. By travelling, people understand more about the host country and can get more insight into their home country as well.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
Democrat Justin Calhoun and Republicans Barron Casteel and Carrie Isaac last week joined GOP hopeful George Green in announcing for Texas Hous
Videos

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.
Press Release

October 20, 2021 Drilon urges gov't to blacklist Xuzhou, other companies that did not pay income tax after bagging billions of contracts from PS-DBM Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon said Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group should be banned from doing business in the country over its non-payment of income and other taxes and for clear violations of the country's National Internal Revenue Code. Drilon made the call after it was revealed during yesterday's inquiry of the Blue Ribbon that the company that bagged around P2.23 billion worth of contract from the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) did not pay the mandated income taxes. Drilon's call is consistent with the pronouncement of the President early this year that he would prevent any company from operating until they have fully settled their tax obligations to the government. Drilon also said the government should immediately ban Xuzhou and withhold any of its pending collectibles in PS-DBM. "It is clear Mr. Han that you did not pay a single peso of income taxes in the Philippines, notwithstanding the fact that you were awarded with contracts worth P1.67 billion for the supply of medical supplies at PS-DBM," Drilon told Xuzhou during the inquiry. The official record of the PS-DBM, as of September 21, 2021, revealed that Xuzhou bagged the fourth highest amount of PS-DBM contract in the amount of P2.23 billion out of the P41.46 billion illegal and anomalous fund transfers to PS-DBM that is being investigated by the Blue Ribbon, according to Drilon. "You sold goods here and you made profits from commercial transactions. You are liable for income taxes. I now call on the BIR commissioner to take a look at this company, how you can collect taxes on the sales they made in the country," Drilon underscored during the hearing. He cited Section 23 (General Principles of Income Taxation in the Philippines) of the NIRC. The provision states that "(F) A foreign corporation, whether engaged or not in trade or business in the Philippines, is taxable only on income derived from sources within the Philippines." Drilon cited Section 22, (H) of NIRC that clearly states that the term "resident foreign corporation" applies to a foreign corporation engaged in trade or business within the Philippines. Xuzhou is a resident foreign corporation. Its country representative, Robin Han, said he has been representing the company since 2012. He admitted they did not pay income taxes in the Philippines. He added that they paid taxes in China. But Drilon said the country's tax laws mandated that foreign corporations should pay income taxes: "You entered into a transaction in the Philippines where you made income, and therefore under Philippines laws, you are liable for income taxes." A certified public accountant Mon Abrea, who was present at the hearing, concurred with Drilon, saying that Xuzhou should have paid 25% income tax. Drilon said Xuzhou's admission "necessitates a deeper inquiry into tax liabilities of several foreign companies engaged by the PS-DBM in the supply of allegedly overpriced face masks and other medical supplies." "Did the other companies engaged by PS-DBM pay their dues? We will look into it and make sure they pay," Drilon vowed. Xuzhou also admitted that it is not registered under the country's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and it is not registered with the Bureau of Customs. The BIR issued a "Certificate of No Records Available of Income Tax Return" on the corporation. The Bureau of Customs (BOC) also certified that it is not an accredited importer. Prior to 2020, Xuzhou admitted that it was never engaged in the transaction of medical supplies, Drilon noted.
Press Release

October 20, 2021 Gordon's website still down after repeated cyber-attacks Senator Richard J. Gordon's official website has been hit again by a coordinated online attack for two consecutive days now. Myke Cruz, information technology officer of Gordon's office, reported the latest attack as the Senate resumed its probe into alleged anomalous procurement contracts the government has entered with Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation. "In our opinion, the timing of the outage was purposely made just as the Blue Ribbon panel was set to resume its public hearing on the anomalous contracts with Pharmally Pharmaceutical, the first attack being last Oct. 4," he said. According to him, it was another case of a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, usually requested through the dark web by malicious parties, causing the shutdown of web services from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m on Oct. 19. Moreover, another attack commenced at 8 a.m. today, and is still down as of press time. The website, dickgordon.ph, started to have around four million requests per second at 8 a.m., and peaked at noon, when about 72 million requests pounded the site. Number of unique visitors also increased exponentially to a total of 78 million when the attack ceased at 3 p.m. Majority of the bots requesting access to the website in last Tuesday's attack came from the United States, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Germany, and TOR browsers. However, today's attack was of local origin, with IP addresses of the perpetrators located in Metro Manila, Taguig, Rizal, Paranaque, Nueva Ecija, as well as the cities of General Santos, Cotabato, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Dumaguete, and Magugpo town in Davao del Norte. The botnet owner, the brains behind the attack, usually develops malware distributed through email or website attachments. Millions of computer owners unknowingly host the malware, which the attacker adds to the botnet to simultaneously make requests to the website. Due to the number of high simultaneous requests per second, it may cause the server to reach its computing resource, creating a bottleneck. In his opening speech at the resumption of the Senate investigation last Oct. 19, Gordon has called out "trolls" for trooping his social media pages, leaving choreographed remarks against him. "Shout-out na rin po sa mga 'trolls' na nanonood at nagre-review ng mga script nila. Alam po naming hanapbuhay ninyo iyan at ginagawa nyo po iyan para kumita para [sa] inyong mga mahal sa buhay, pero sana po ay magbagong buhay na po kayo," he said. The trolls have parroted Mr. Duterte's unfounded accusations against Gordon through similar comments and videos taken out of context regarding previously settled issues in the Philippine Red Cross and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. Numerous sectors, mostly from the medical, academe, and business sectors, called on Mr. Duterte to revoke its outstanding directive barring his officials and employees to attend and cooperate with the ongoing Senate inquiry. Over 300 doctors, including five former Health secretaries signed a manifesto of support calling for transparency and accountability on the issue of alleged government misuse of COVID-19 pandemic funds. "We thank the overwhelming support to our investigation that has led to discovery of more irregularities. No website attack will deter our efforts to run after those who engineered and perpetrated this scam," said Gordon.
Zubiri Inspects, Turns Over Infra Projects in Cam Norte, Naga

On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri visited Camarines Norte and Naga City to inspect and turn over infrastructure projects funded through his legislative amendments in the national budget.

In Camarines Norte, Zubiri turned over a school building in Talisay City to the province. Situated at San Isidro Elementary School, the building was realized through the combined efforts of Zubiri and Gov. Edgar "Egay" Tallado. It is one of three projects that Zubiri helped spearhead for Camarines Norte back in 2020, with the other two projects also being school buildings for Maulawin Elementary School in the Municipality of Sta. Elena, and for Gumaus National High School in the Municipality of Paracale.

"We were very glad to work with Gov. Tallado in putting up these school buildings for Camarines Norte," Zubiri said. "Advocacy ko po talaga ang education, kasi iyan ang nakikita kong sagot sa kahirapan. Kaya nag-commit tayo na makapagtayo ng school buildings dito, para may maayos po na school buildings na sasalubong sa mga estudyante natin dito once face-to-face classes begin again."

Zubiri also stopped by Naga City to inspect the ongoing construction of a multi-purpose building in Barangay Cararayan with Mayor Nelson Legacion. It is one of five projects Zubiri helped realize across Camarines Sur this year, including another school building for Baao Community College.

He also visited a vaccination site in Camarines Sur. Zubiri authored the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021, which paved the way for the vaccination roll-out in the country through the provision of an indemnification fund.
Egypt Petroleum Show (EGYPS) 2021, a major conference and exhibition for the sector in the region, will be staged Feb. 14-16 next year in Cairo.

The 5th edition of the event was previously scheduled in June this year but has been postponed to next year owing to the pandemic.

The show is expected to attract global industry leaders, over 300 exhibiting companies and over 20,000 attendees, Trade Arabia reports.

EGYPS ability to bring together ministers, CEOs, policy makers and industry leaders from across the world signifies the show remains critical in connecting the global oil, gas and energy industry and shaping the future energy agenda, said Tarek El Molla, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

We are confident, with the collective support of our key stakeholders and partners, our sponsors, exhibitors and speakers of delivering a truly celebratory 5th Anniversary Egypt Petroleum Show in February 2022 and we look forward to announcing our global line-up of keynote speakers and panelists shortly, he added.

Egypt has emerged as a key player in the global energy space. It is hosting the most recently established Gas Forum in East Med region (EMGF) which is creating opportunities for further cooperation and collaboration in the gas scene for the benefit of the whole region.

Egypt will also host the 8th edition of the Ministerial Gas Forum co-organized by the International Energy Forum (IEF) and the International Gas Union (IGU) in 2022.
Thirteen people, likely military personnel, have been killed after a bomb attack on a bus of the Syrian army, in capital Damascus, reports say.

The blast occurred Wednesday according to the state-run news agency SANA.

A terrorist bombing using two explosive devices targeted a passing bus on a key bridge in the capital, the agency said.

The agency also released images of a burning bus and what it said was a bomb squad defusing a third device that had been planted in the same area.

The attack killed 13 people and wounded three others. The attack is the bloodiest in the Syrian capital that has been spared by years of war between the regime of President Bashar al Assad and rebels backed by foreign countries.

Russia, Iran-backed and Hezbollah-backed fighters have helped the army troop to recoup territories lost to the rebels.
The Saudi General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) hosted a workshop with South Korean investors on the sidelines of the 2021 Seoul International Aerospace Defense Exhibition (ADEX 2021), in the presence of representatives from the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and the Saudi Ministry of Investment.

According to Tactical Report, there is talk that this comes as part of the Kingdoms plans to diversify its Asian arms suppliers, especially since the Saudi-South Korean defense relations do not pose a negative impact on Saudi Arabias strategic partnership with the United States.

The 2021 Seoul International Aerospace Defense Exhibition is held this October 19-21.
According to information published by Daily News Egypt on October 20, 2021, the Egyptian Naval Forces carried out naval drills with their US, Greek, and Spanish counterparts.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Elli-class frigate HS Kanaris (Picture source: Egypt Independant)

The Egyptian frigate Alexandria carried out a fleeting naval training with the Greek Elli-class frigate HS Kanaris, within the range of the Northern Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea.

While the Egyptian Southern Fleet carried out transit naval training with the US Navy in the Red Sea, with the participation of the Egyptian frigate Taba and the American ship USS Okane.

The Egyptian forces have also executed a transit naval training with the Spanish Navy with the participation of the Egyptian frigate Al-Zafer with the Spanish frigate ESPS Victoria.

The Elli-class frigates are a series of frigates operated by the Hellenic Navy. The ships are of Dutch origin and are also known as Kortenaer-class or Standard-class or S-class frigates. The first two ships (Elli and Limnos), which have lengthened hangars and different armaments were built specifically for the Hellenic Navy.

The remaining ships are ex-Royal Netherlands Navy S-frigates of the Kortenaer class transferred to the Hellenic Navy in the 1990s and early 2000s. These robust and reliable ships constitute the backbone of the Greek Navy. Elli, for which the class is named, is itself named after two famous Greek cruisers, one of which was sunk during World War II.
According to information published by Tass on October 18, 2021, the crews of over 40 warships and vessels of the Black Sea Fleet comprising the cruiser Moskva, the frigate Admiral Grigorovich, the missile corvette Ingushetia, the Project 1241 (Tarantul-III) missile ships Naberezhniye Chelny and R-60 took part in massive force-on-force maneuvers of Russias Southern Military District at the Opuk training ground in Crimea.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Project 12411 corvette Naberezhniye Chelny (Picture source: Liveuamap)

Concurrently, the crews of the Black Sea Fleets operational-tactical and naval aviation aircraft practiced operations while approaching the landing site to suppress anti-amphibious assault defense, delivering strikes against enemy positions.

Following this, the Black Sea Fleets large amphibious assault ships Saratov, Novocherkassk and Tsezar Kunikov landed marines with materiel onto the unequipped shore. Forpost and Orlan-10 drones exercised control of target destruction and artillery fire adjustment, the press office specified.

The massive command and staff drills kicked off at practice ranges in the Southern Military District on October 13. The maneuvers will also involve units of the Southern Military Districts military bases stationed in Abkhazia, Armenia and South Ossetia, and also forces of the Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Flotilla that will practice assignments in the Black and Caspian Seas.

The drills are running under a general scenario and as part of a final inspection of the Districts troops for the 2021 training year under the direction of Southern Military District Commander Army General Alexander Dvornikov.

Project 1241 is a class of Soviet missile corvettes. They have the NATO reporting name Tarantul. These ships were designed to replace the Project 205 Tsunami (Osa) missile boats.

The Tarantul-III had a new type of propulsiona CODAG (Combined Diesel And Gas) system. Two M-70 gas turbines (rated at 12000 hp each) and two M510 (rated at 4000 hp each) diesel engines were used.

The associated radar system is the L-band "Band Stand" radar, with a 120 km active and 500 km passive range and the capability to track 15 different targets.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
With an eye on Emorys bicentennial, 2O36 focuses on investing in people for the benefit of people and aims to spearhead a movement to radically rethink and reshape the future.

A little over a year into his term as president of Emory University, Gregory L. Fenves is ready to write Emorys next chapter with the announcement of the boldest fundraising campaign in university history: 2O36.

With an eye on Emorys bicentennial, 2O36 focuses on investing in people for the benefit of people and aims to spearhead a movement to radically rethink and reshape the future.

The entire Emory University community is invited to get a glimpse of that future at the 2O36 celebration on Friday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on the Quad. At the event, Fenves and other campus leaders will detail their visions for the university. The immersive experience will also feature interactive stations under five futuristic domes. The main stage presentation begins at 12:30 p.m. View the full event schedule.

The 2O36 campaign is about forging partnerships with great purpose and bold ambition, to invest in our people, who will shape our destiny, while broadcasting the Emory story with pride, Fenves says.

Too often I have heard Emory referred to as a hidden gem, but there is nothing hidden about our impact. We will write a new chapter for our university that leaves no doubt about our dedication to serving humanity.

The campaign includes priorities across Emory, including all nine schools, multiple centers and institutes, as well as Emory Healthcare. Additionally, there are three core areas where the campaign will place special emphasis:

1. Student Flourishing: Seeing students realize their potential; preparing them for a lifetime of accomplishment beyond graduation; providing an inclusive environment; valuing each student and enabling them to excel in academics and all aspects of their lives.

2. Faculty Eminence: Recruiting and retaining a diverse, top-tier faculty; investing in our facultys big ideas and scholarship and creating a campus where all faculty have the resources and infrastructure to thrive in their research, teaching, and service.

3. Research Excellence: Launching the next era of Emory excellence in research and discovery to answer the most pressing questions and address the crucial needs of the nation and communities Emory serves.

Bob Goddard, chair of Emorys Board of Trustees, shared that the board approved a $4 billion fundraising goal for the campaign. Deeply committed to focusing this campaign on people, there are aggressive goals in this area, including $750 million for student support and $900 million in support of faculty.

President Fenves hit the ground running, and its obvious that he is driven, fearless and single-minded about taking Emory from excellence to eminence, Goddard says. But let me be clear, this campaign is not about a number. 2O36 is about investing in people  our students, faculty and researchers  and how they will transform the world.

At the Friday launch event, faculty, staff and students are encouraged to learn more by exploring the activities inside the domes.

Under the large dome, deans and other administrators will share their priorities for the future of Emory. In two of the smaller domes, attendees can see examples of faculty and student research as art installations. Guests are also encouraged to share their visions for Emorys future in the stories dome.

In the afternoon, Fenves and other guests will record live episodes in the podcast dome. Professor Cassandra Quave will explain ethnobotany and the development of plant-based antibiotics; and 1915 Scholars will discuss the impact of the program on first-generation college students. Fenves will conclude by conversing with professors George Painter and Dennis Liotta about Drug Innovation Ventures at Emory (DRIVE), through which the new oral antiviral drug molnupiravir was invented and developed to treat COVID-19.

The 2O36 event leads into Homecoming weekend. As a part of the student-run Swoops Streets celebration, themed around famous U.S. city streets, there will be a Peachtree Street area featuring giveaways and Atlanta-themed food (Varsity hot dogs, Coca-Cola beverages and custom 2O36 King of Pops popsicles). Food will be available beginning at noon.
With 20 vendors selling everything from produce to baked goods, the Emory Farmers Market supports local growers and reduces energy use caused by food transportation.

On a breezy afternoon, long lines spill out from McDonough Plaza. The smell of fresh food wafts through the air, tempting the palates of passersby. The Emory Farmers Market is in full swing, offering everyone the chance to taste dishes from Cuba to Syria  all while supporting local businesses.

Emory Farmers Market is a program co-managed by the Office of Sustainability Initiatives and Emory Dining. In 2008, they started the market as an effort to provide the Emory community with the chance to buy local food. This aligns with the component of the Emory Sustainability Vision and Strategic Plan to achieve the universitys goal of purchasing 75% locally or sustainably grown foods by 2025.

Emorys sustainability initiatives are holistic and require us to navigate what is needed to address the climate crisis, pandemic and racial inequities simultaneously, says Taylor Spicer, the Emory Farmers Market co-manager and assistant director of the Office of Sustainability Initiatives. Sustainability solutions, therefore, have to be intersectional, informed by history, informed by place and shaped by current challenges and opportunities. We strive to do this through the Emory Farmers Market.

Today, Emory Dining has made it possible for students to use their Dooley Dollars to make purchases. With 20 vendors selling everything from honey and produce to baked goods, the market addresses the goals of supporting local growers and reducing energy use caused by food transportation.

Support for local entrepreneurs

Some of the food vendors at the Emory Farmers Market developed in the Start:ME Accelerator, a program in the Goizueta Business Schools Roberto C. Goizueta Business & Society Institute, serving local businesses with five or fewer employees. In the three-month program, business owners gain hands-on business education, such as how to craft an actionable business plan; access to a supportive network of entrepreneurs; and funds to help grow their businesses.

Since its founding in 2013, Start:ME has served more than 300 microbusinesses, which have created more than 500 jobs and generated more than $11 million in annual revenue.

Its so amazing to not only meet but watch these entrepreneurs grow personally and professionally while completing the Start:ME program, says Alina Bills, the Start:ME program manager. These entrepreneurs are providing for themselves, for their families, and for the needs of their local community; and its an honor to support them throughout their journey.

Start:ME grew out of professor Peter W. Roberts work on microbusiness development and how to make markets work for more people in more places. He wanted to recognize and close the knowledge, network and capital gaps facing microbusinesses run by people in underserved communities. To that end, the program is now focused on three different communities in Metro Atlanta: Clarkston, East Lake and South Atlanta.

When we launched the Start:ME program, we knew that cultivating market connections is critical to the success of entrepreneurs, says Roberts, who teaches organization and management and is also the academic director of Transparent Trade Coffee and Grounds for Empowerment. Connecting our alumni to Emory Farmers Market is another way that we forge connections to potential customers.

Unbelievably beneficial

Josh Westover reimagined his company, Bake-N-Jam, with the help of Start:ME. This particular day at Emory Farmers Market, he wears a green t-shirt with the words biscuits & gravy on the front. On the menu he has a variety of fresh breads, cinnamon rolls, bagel sandwiches and sweet and savory scones.

After several years as a baker at some of Atlantas most lauded restaurants, including Empire State South and Eugene Kitchen, the COVID-19 pandemic left him grappling with uncertainty. With restaurants shut down and his passion for baking still strong, he had to figure out a way to continue to support his wife and two children.

"Without Start:ME and being in the program, I would not be nearly as far as I am, says Westover. The thing that helped me the most was the push to really know who our ideal customer base is and really fleshing out our vision and mission. Those were things we had thoughts about, but never really wrote it down. There was also an additional outpouring of support with Goizueta and Start:ME, placing bulk orders and advertising for us on social media without being asked. It has been unbelievably beneficial.

Start:ME also offered Khadijah Muhammad an opportunity to try something new. She already has a successful baking business called Kays Cookies, but after her father Habeeb passed she wanted to find a way to honor him. In 2018 she started Habeebs Gourmet Sauces, which currently includes honey mustard, lemon pepper and hot wing sauces as well as spicy and mild versions of the farmers market favorite, honey braised sauce.

She prides herself on using natural ingredients and grows the ginger and garlic for the sauces herself. Her goals are to expand the line to include salad dressings and to see her sauces on the shelves at local stores.

The networking has been so valuable, Muhammad says of the Start:ME program. After youre done with the program, there are a lot of alumni activities. The program mentors and other business owners have been great about connecting us with resources, which is even more beneficial than getting the grant.

Student-led Sustainable Food Fair

In addition to Emory Farmers Market, the community can also engage with local vendors at the upcoming Sustainable Food Fair on Oct. 26 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in Asbury Circle.

At this annual event, students in the one-credit Sustainable Food Fair course, co-taught by Spicer and faculty member Simona Muratore, educate their peers on sustainable and just food production. They also invite some of the Start:ME businesses, campus and community restaurants, farmers, food advocates and student groups to participate in the fair.

Both the Emory Farmers Market and the Start:ME program seek to connect the Emory community and our collective resources to local farmers, entrepreneurs, small business owners and artisans we can support and with whom we can build relationships, says Spicer.
Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size

Notice body

SK Innovation, a SK Groups holding company in the field of energy, and the Office of International Programs Korea Center-King Sejong Institute, or KC-KSI, hosted a job fair on Oct. 14. Five representatives from SK Innovation gave a company presentation and had student meetings throughout the day. A total of 50 Auburn University undergraduate and graduate students attended, with several leaving with job offers. Faculty from Auburns Samuel Ginn College of Engineering joined the event as well.

SK Innovation is actively recruiting students for employment at their Georgia plant, as well as possible international opportunities in Europe. Students who could not attend the job fair but wish to explore employment with SK Innovation can visit their website.

The collaboration with SK Innovation will provide Auburn students with post-graduation employment opportunities and scholarships for students pursuing their graduate degree at Auburn, said Ellie Lee, director of academic programs, Korea Center-King Sejong Institute. Furthermore, Auburn faculty will receive opportunities to collaborate with SK Innovations research labs across the U.S. and in South Korea.

The KC-KSI and SK Innovation partnership highlights just one of the many internationalization efforts across Auburns campus. Departments and colleges continue to collaborate with international companies and institutions to provide students with global education and employment opportunities.
Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size

Notice body

Join Emerge at Auburn for Leadership Lunch & Learn with Tiffany Sippial on Tuesday, Oct. 26, at 11:15 a.m. in 2222 Melton Student Center. Sippial is the director of the Honors College and a professor in the Department of History.

Sippial published an award-winning book on Cuba in 2013 with the University of North Carolina Press and published a second book on Cuban revolutionary leader Celia Sanchez Manduley with that press in January 2020. Sippial will draw on almost three decades of research in Cuba to reflect on the lessons todays leaders can learn from the islands ongoing struggle to define the parameters of popular sovereignty.

Emerge at Auburn is Auburn's student-run leadership program, which aims to give all students the tools they need to lead on campus, in their communities and in their future career fields. Once a month, Emerge hosts Lunch and Learns where students can attend workshops and enjoy a provided lunch. Students may also attend on behalf of their student organizations to receive credit towards permanent or provisional organizations status.
Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size

Article body

In an effort that further increases access to Auburn University among students from underrepresented areas of Alabama, Auburn and Tuskegee University signed an agreement Wednesday that adjoins the two institutions' communications programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The memorandum of understanding, signed by Auburn President Jay Gogue and Tuskegee President Charlotte Morris, sets in place a program through which students can earn a bachelors degree in Communication from Tuskegee and then a masters degree in Communication from Auburn.

Auburn enjoys a strong collaborative relationship with Tuskegee University, Gogue said. This partnership is yet another way in which we can strengthen that bond while living out our land-grant mission of bettering our community and providing greater access to educational and professional opportunities.

The agreement allows Tuskegee students pursuing a Communication degree, who maintain a 3.0 GPA, to complete their senior year at Auburn being able to enroll in a wide variety of courses in Auburns four undergraduate majors within the School of Communication and Journalism: communication, journalism, media studies and public relations. Tuskegee students could arrive to Auburns campus as early as spring 2022, but the first cohort of about five students is expected to arrive in fall 2022.

Tuskegee students will benefit from increased access to industry-standard equipment and software. They also will have networking opportunities with Auburn faculty and professional adjunct instructors along with access to Auburn libraries and career services.

This partnership will open an array of programming opportunities for our students, thus increasing their career prospects, Morris said. Auburn University has excellent infrastructure and faculty expertise in these frontier areas, and we are delighted that the opportunity for expanded studies has been extended to our Tuskegee University students. We look forward to this partnership and other ways of collaboration in opening new doors of access for our students.

Early in the fall semester of their senior year at Auburn, Tuskegee students would then be eligible to apply for admission to Auburns Graduate School and would need to meet normal entrance requirements. After admission to the Graduate school, Tuskegee students would work with a graduate program officer who serves as the advisor for all graduate students in Auburns School of Communication and Journalism. Upon completion of all graduate degree requirements, the student would then receive a masters degree in Communication from Auburn.

Wednesdays agreement is not the first partnership between the neighboring schools. In 2018, Auburn and Tuskegees veterinary colleges signed an agreement furthering the relationship between the two schools and increasing the number of under-represented, board-certified specialists and diversity in the veterinary profession. In August of this year, the two schools partnered again to provide Tuskegee students opportunities to explore new educational and career paths through STEM research mentorships with Auburn graduate students and faculty.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
Cassation instance upholds seizure of $4 billion assets of ex-Promsvyazbank owner

 RAPSI, Maria Petrova

12:08 20/10/2021

MOSCOW, October 20 (RAPSI)  The Moscow District Commercial Court has dismissed a cassation appeal of the financial manager of assets belonging to the former owner of Promsvyazbank Dmitry Ananyev against the seizure of property worth 282.2 billion rubles ($4 billion), according to the court records.

Yet on May 29, 2019, the Moscow Commercial Court granted a motion of Promsvyazbank seeking to seize the property of the former owners of the bank, Alexey and Dmitry Ananyevs, in the amount of 282.2 billion rubles ($4 billion at the current exchange rate) in the framework of a claim to recover losses in the amount of 282.2 billion rubles from twelve former top managers of the bank.

The manager of Ananyev's property, Sergey Druzhinin, appealed against the ruling on the seizure of property in a higher instance.

The Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals declared Ananyev bankrupt on June 15, 2020 at the request of Nastyusha Grain Company, and a debt restructuring procedure was introduced with respect of that person. The board of appeals canceled the determination of a first instance court of November 25, 2019, by which the proceedings on the banker's insolvency sought by the company were terminated.

Earlier, in June 2019, the Moscow Commercial Court dismissed a request to seize Ananyevs property worth 2.8 billion rubles ($38 million at the current exchange rate) when examining his bankruptcy case.

On December 15, 2017, the Central Bank of Russia introduced a temporary administration for the management of Promsvyazbank. The functions of the provisional administration were entrusted to the Management Company of the Banking Sector Consolidation Fund.

On August 25, Moscows Tverskoy District Court issued an arrest warrant for ex-owner of Promsvyazbank Dmitry Ananyev in absentia as part of a new fraud case opened against him and his brother Alexey, the court's press service told RAPSI. Ananyev, was detained for 2 months after his actual arrest or extradition to Russia, the agency's interlocutor said.

A similar petition for the arrest in absentia of another co-owner of the bank, Alexey Ananyev, was granted on 27 August.

The brothers have been charged with large-scale fraud. According to investigators, they were involved in the illegal siphoning off assets worth nearly 6.7 billion rubles (over $90 million) from the bank.

In September 2019, Moscows Basmanny District Court arrested the men in absentia on embezzlement charges.
Moscow court to hear appeal against house arrest of Shaninka rector in embezzlement case

 AGN Moskva

17:55 20/10/2021

MOSCOW, October 20 (RAPSI) - The Moscow City Court will hear a prosecutor's appeal against house arrest of the rector of the Moscow School of Social and Economic Sciences (Shaninka) Sergey Zuyev in a 21-million-ruble (about $300,000) embezzlement case on October 27, RAPSI has learnt from the court's press service.

Charges have been brought against Zuyev.

In late September, during the investigation, ex-employees of the Fund for New Forms of Education Development Maxim Inkin and Eugeny Zak as well as executive director of Shaninka Christina Kryuchkova were detained for two months in this case.

Former Deputy Education Minister and Sberbank vice-president Marina Rakova initially escaped but was arrested and put in detention on October 6 as well as her partner Artur Stetsenko, the common-law husband of Rakova and CEO of the Federal State Autonomous Institution "The Fund for New Forms of Education Development.

According to investigators, in 2019, Rakova, then Deputy Minister of Education, Stetsenko and other defendants were involved in large-scale embezzlement from the Fund during the execution of education state contracts.
If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE).
[October 19, 2021]

Navistar, Global Truck Manufacturer, Deploys Bright Pattern Contact Center Software for Digital CX Across Latin America

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bright Pattern , a leading provider of AI-powered cloud contact center software , has been deployed by a global truck manufacturer, Navistar. Navistar needed an omnichannel contact center solution that would enhance their customer experience with additional digital channels, innovative features, remote workforce capabilities and compliance, and effortless customer experience surveys.

"Our main goal was to optimize SLAs and human resources available. Initially we had an 85% SLA. After having real-time monitoring, statistics of service level specific by service, and the ability to route calls based on real-time statistics with Bright Pattern, we were able to improve SLA to 95% with 50% less human resource," said Kevin Ramirez, Navistar Team Leader.

Navistar has deployed traditional and digital channels using the Bright Pattern Contact Center Solution including voice, webchat, a mobile app, and customer satisfaction surveys. With the innovative solution, Navistar was able to redesign the customer experience and integrate the solution to their existing CRM, ERP, and Collections solutions. Navistar was also able to keep all agents remote throughout the deployment of Bright Pattern Contact Center with full compliance prevention of PLD, CNBV, GAFI and 100% of interactions recorded and saved.

"LATAM is a fast growing market in the contact center space, and Bright Pattern is proud to support the digital channels and integrations necessary to power effortless customer experience in LATAM. Our partner, CallItOnce, started in Mexico in 1994 and is now a leader in one of the largest international markets outside of the U.S, and Canada. Navistar is just one of the many customers of CallItOnce and Bright Pattern that is revolutionizing customer communications using innovative channels," stated Michael McCloskey, CEO of Bright Pattern.

Companies of all sizes select Bright Pattern to power their customer experience because of its easy-to-use yet powerful omnichannel platform, offering traditional channels and emerging channels like Facebook Messenger, in-app customer support, enterprise functionality, and cloud-first architecture. Bright Pattern was recently recognized by Ovumas a Market Challenger , by Omdia for best platform functionality , by Frost & Sullivan as a top-performing vendor, and as a leader by Gartner and G2 Crowd as a CCaaS leader.





Bright Pattern provides the simplest and most powerful AI-powered omnichannel contact center software and service management solutions for innovative midsize and enterprise companies. To make customer service brighter, easier, and faster than ever before, Bright Pattern offers the only true omnichannel cloud platform with embedded AI that can be deployed quickly and nimbly by business userswithout costly professional services. Bright Pattern allows companies to offer an effortless and personal customer experience across channels like voice, text, chat, email, video, messengers, and bots. Bright Pattern also allows companies to measure and act on every interaction on every channel with embedded AI omnichannel quality management . The company was founded by a team of industry veterans who pioneered the leading contact center solutions and are now delivering an architecture for the future with an advanced cloud-first approach . Bright Pattern's cloud contact center solution is used globally in over 26 countries.

Navistar Corporate is a company with more than 180 years of experience in the production of trucks, buses and engines; innovating and creating solutions for all types of markets. Its brand, International, has a presence in more than 45 countries. In 1996 Navistar began operations in Mexico, offering commercial programs and the highest range of offers for the acquisition of trucks, tractors, buses and equipment, allied with Navistar Financial.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/navistar-global-truck-manufacturer-deploys-bright-pattern-contact-center-software-for-digital-cx-across-latin-america-301403856.html

SOURCE Bright Pattern
Time series images of a cyanobacteria bloom in Utah Lake captured by OLCI on the Sentinel-3A satellite in summer of 2017, with true color images from the beginning and end of the bloom (left and right, with green shades indicating high algae concentrations) and weekly composites of CyAN data. Credits: NASA images with ESAs Sentinel-3A data

Lakes provide drinking water for people, habitat for plants and wildlife, and a place to fish, boat and swim.

But the water can become harmful to humans, animals and the ecosystem when toxic algae called cyanobacteria reach abnormally high levels due to warm, nutrient-rich water conditions.

A now publicly available NASA dataset allows citizens and policymakers to get near-real time updates on the cyanobacteria in over 2,300 lakes in the contiguous United States and more than 5,000 in Alaska. The new study, published in the journal Remote Sensing of Environment, introduces this extensive inland waters dataset that includes a time series of standardized satellite measurements starting in 2002.

Scientists and state officials have already used the data to monitor and respond to early-stage algal blooms - a rapid increase in the population of algae in freshwater or marine water systems - but the dataset is now available to the general public and research community in the form of raw data, maps, and an index of cyanobacteria risk to human health. Having the raw data, in addition to cyanobacteria maps, will allow researchers, managers and community members to create and assess remote sensing tools for water quality. The data and products have been made available by the Cyanobacteria Assessment Network (CyAN), a joint project between NASA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

"This dataset allows us to transition from being reactive to proactive in managing water quality," said Blake Schaeffer, one of the CyAN project leads and a research scientist at the EPA.

The inter-agency team created a standardized way to assess cyanobacteria concentration using satellite data and computer algorithms. Their Cyanobacteria Index is based on satellite data collected by the Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) instrument on the European Space Agency's (ESA) Envisat satellite and the Ocean and Land Color Instrument (OLCI) on ESA's Sentinel-3a and Sentinel-3b satellites, which measure at wavelengths suited to detect the pigments in cyanobacteria.

"What we measure with the satellites is different wavelengths - essentially color. The cyanobacteria that we're measuring has a specific coloring that is a slightly different shade of green that distinguishes it from other algae" explained Bridget Seegers, one of the project leads for CyAN and a water quality researcher at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The team built and tested an algorithm that gives an assessment of cyanobacteria concentration based on the wavelength measurements from the satellites. The data is now publicly available in the form of Cyanobacteria Index maps and raw satellite data.

"This dataset is incredibly useful and right away we're seeing the utility of it," said Seegers.

The satellite data helps state, tribal, and federal environmental officials know where to prioritize their sampling efforts. If the satellite data indicates an abundance of cyanobacteria in a particular lake, scientists can collect water samples from boats, kayaks or docks to verify that the bloom poses a threat to humans, wildlife and the environment.

"The satellite data allows people to monitor larger lakes and reservoirs in a way that we weren't previously able to do. CyAN allows people to have a more systematic analysis of potential hotspots rather than relying on public notification," said Keith Loftin, one of the CyAN leads and a United States Geological Survey (USGS) research chemist based in Kansas.

In 2017, Utah public health and environmental officials quickly responded to a budding bloom by putting up warning signs after satellite data showed high concentrations of cyanobacteria. Detecting the bloom early saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in healthcare, a study later estimated. Since then, several other states have adopted the Cyanobacteria Index to help monitor the status of their lakes as well.

The CyAN science team is excited that this standardized way of assessing cyanobacteria will enable scientists to compare blooms across the country and over time, said Schaeffer.

"We can provide information for specific lakes and now, for the first time, we can scale that out to a state or national level and start answering questions about the big picture of how harmful algal blooms are changing on a large scale," said Schaeffer.

Header image caption: Comparing true color images of central eastern Wisconsin (left) and CyAN's Cyanobacteria Index product (right) allows scientists to estimate the concentration of cyanobacteria in bodies of water, with yellows indicating high levels. Credit: NASA / Data from the OLCI instrument on the European Space Agency's Sentinel-3 satellite.



Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.
NASA seeks young engineers to help design a new robot concept for an excavation mission on the Moon.

The Lunabotics Junior Contest is open to K-12 students in U.S. public and private schools, as well as home-schoolers.

The competition, which is a collaboration between NASA and Future Engineers, asks students to design a robot that digs and moves lunar soil, called regolith, from an area of the lunar South Pole to a holding container near where Artemis astronauts may explore in the future.

As part of the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon and establish long-term lunar science and exploration capabilities that will serve as a springboard for future exploration of Mars. Lunar regolith is instrumental in this development and could be used to create lunar concrete, reducing the amount and cost of materials that need to be transported from Earth.

To enter the contest, students must submit entries, which must include an image of the robot design and a written summary explaining how the design is intended to operate on the Moon, by Jan. 25, 2022.

"Extracting resources in deep space will require innovation and creativity, and students are some of the most creative thinkers," said Mike Kincaid, NASA's associate administrator for the Office of STEM Engagement. "The next generation always brings new perspectives, inventive ideas, and a sense of optimism to the challenges NASA puts in front of them. I'm really looking forward to seeing the designs they submit to Lunabotics Junior."

While students are not tasked to build a robot, they are asked to envision a robot design that is no larger than 3.5 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet and that addresses three main design features: how the physical design of the robot will enable it to scoop/dig and move the lunar regolith; whether the robot will operate by moving large amounts of dirt per trip or by transporting less dirt over more trips; and how the design and operation of the robot will meet the big challenge of lunar dust that is stirred up and can "stick" to surfaces when lunar regolith is moved.

Students can sign up individually or teachers can register their entire class. Entries will be split into two categories - grades K-5 and grades 6-12. Ten semifinalists will receive a Lunabotics Junior prize pack and four finalists from each category will win a virtual session with a NASA subject matter expert. The winner from each category will be announced March 29, 2022, and will be awarded a virtual chat for their class with Janet Petro, director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA and Future Engineers also are seeking volunteers to help judge the entries from around the country. U.S. residents interested in offering approximately five hours of their time over a 10-day period can register to be a judge at:

https://www.futureengineers.org/registration/judge/lunaboticsjunior

Artemis Student Challenges create unique opportunities for a diverse group of students to contribute to NASA's work in exploration and discovery while celebrating their creativity and innovation.

Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.
The solar system is encased in a bubble called the heliosphere, which separates us from the vast galaxy beyond  and some of its harsh space radiation.

Our corner of the universe, the solar system, is nestled inside the Milky Way galaxy, home to more than 100 billion stars.

We're protected from that radiation by the heliosphere, which itself is created by another source of radiation: the Sun. The Sun constantly spews charged particles, called the solar wind, from its surface. The solar wind flings out to about four times the distance of Neptune, carrying with it the magnetic field from the Sun.

"Magnetic fields tend to push up against each other, but not mix," said Eric Christian, a lead heliosphere research scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "Inside the bubble of the heliosphere are pretty much all particles and magnetic fields from the Sun. Outside are those from the galaxy."

To understand the heliosphere, start by breaking apart the word, suggests David McComas, professor of astrophysical sciences at Princeton University in New Jersey. "Heliosphere" is the combination of two words: "Helios," the Greek word for the Sun, and "sphere," a broad region of influence (though, to be clear, scientists aren't sure of the heliosphere's exact shape).

The heliosphere was discovered in the late 1950s, and many questions about it remain. As scientists study the heliosphere, they learn more about how it reduces astronauts' and spacecrafts' exposure to radiation and more generally, how stars can influence their nearby planets.

A balloon in space

Some radiation surrounds us every day. When we sunbathe, we're basking in radiation from the Sun. We use radiation to warm leftovers in our kitchen microwaves and rely on it for medical imaging.

Space radiation, however, is more similar to the radiation released by radioactive elements like uranium. The space radiation that comes at us from other stars is called galactic cosmic radiation (GCR). Active areas in the galaxy - like supernovae, black holes, and neutron stars - can strip the electrons from atoms and accelerate the nuclei to almost the speed of light, producing GCR.

The heliosphere changes in size throughout the solar cycle.

Credits: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Scientific Visualization Studio/Tom Bridgman

On Earth, we have three layers of protection from space radiation. The first is the heliosphere, which helps block GCR from reaching the major planets in the solar system. Additionally, Earth's magnetic field produces a shield called the magnetosphere, which keeps GCR out away from Earth and low-orbiting satellites like the International Space Station. Finally, the gases of Earth's atmosphere absorb radiation.

When astronauts head to the Moon or to Mars, they won't have the same protection we have on Earth. They'll only have the protection of the heliosphere, which fluctuates in size throughout the Sun's 11-year cycle.

In each solar cycle, the Sun goes through periods of intense activity and powerful solar winds, and quieter periods. Like a balloon, when the wind calms down, the heliosphere deflates. When it picks up, the heliosphere expands.

"The effect the heliosphere has on cosmic rays allows for human exploration missions with longer duration. In a way, it allows humans to reach Mars," said Arik Posner, a heliophysicist at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. "The challenge for us is to better understand the interaction of cosmic rays with the heliosphere and its boundaries."

Anatomy of the heliosphere

There is some debate about the precise shape of the heliosphere. However, scientists agree that it has several layers. Let's look at the layers from inside outward:

Termination shock: All of the major planets in our solar system are located in the heliosphere's innermost layer. Here, the solar wind emanates out from the Sun at full speed, about a million miles per hour, for billions of miles, unaffected by the pressure from the galaxy. The outer boundary of this core layer is called the termination shock.



Heliosheath: Beyond the termination shock is the heliosheath. Here, the solar wind moves more slowly and deflects as it faces the pressure of the interstellar medium outside.



Heliopause: The heliopause marks the sharp, final plasma boundary between the Sun and the rest of the galaxy. Here, the magnetic fields of the solar and interstellar winds push up against each other, and the inside and outside pressures are in balance.



Outer Heliosheath: The region just beyond the heliopause, which is still influenced by the presence of the heliosphere, is called the outer heliosheath.

How we study the heliosphere's outer reaches

Many NASA missions study the Sun and the innermost parts of the heliosphere. But only two human-made objects have crossed the boundary of the solar system and entered interstellar space.

In 1977, NASA launched Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. Each spacecraft is equipped with tools to measure the magnetic fields and the particles it is directly passing through. After swinging past the outer planets on a grand tour, they exited the heliopause in 2012 and 2018 respectively and are currently in the outer heliosheath. They discovered that cosmic rays are about three times more intense outside the heliopause than deep inside the heliosphere.

However, the picture the Voyagers paint is incomplete.

"Trying to figure out the entire heliosphere from two points, Voyager 1 and 2, is like trying to determine the weather in the entire Pacific Ocean using two weather stations," Christian said.

The Voyagers work with the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) to study the heliosphere. IBEX is a 176-pound, suitcase-sized satellite launched by NASA in 2008. Since then, IBEX has orbited Earth, equipped with telescopes observing the outer boundary of the heliosphere. IBEX captures and analyzes a class of particle called energetic neutral atoms, or ENAs, that cross its path. ENAs form where the interstellar medium and the solar wind meet. Some ENAs stream back toward the center of the solar system - and IBEX.

"Every time you collect one of those ENAs, you know what direction it came from," said McComas, IBEX's principal investigator. "By collecting a lot of those individual atoms, you're able to make this inside out image of our heliosphere."

In 2025, NASA will launch the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP). IMAP's ENA cameras are higher resolution and more sensitive than IBEX's.

Mysteries abound

In 2009, IBEX returned a finding so shocking that researchers initially wondered if the instrument may have malfunctioned. That discovery became known as the IBEX Ribbon - a band across the sky where ENA emissions are two or three times brighter than the rest of the sky.

"The Ribbon was totally unexpected and not anticipated by any theories before we flew the mission," McComas said. It's still not entirely clear what causes it, but it is a clear example of the mysteries of the heliosphere that remain to be discovered.

"Our Sun is a star like billions of other stars in the universe. Some of those stars also have astrospheres, like the heliosphere, but this is the only astrosphere we are actually inside of and can study closely," said Justyna Sokol, a research scientist at Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. "We need to start from our neighborhood to learn so much more about the rest of the universe."



Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.
Sharjah Islamic Bank has announced that its board of directors agreed to raise the percentage of foreign ownership in the banks shares to 40 percent.



This comes in preparation for submitting it to the banks general assembly to discuss and take the appropriate decision, reported Emirates News Agency WAM.



Such an important step comes in response to strong demand from investors, which indicates the extent and depth of their confidence in the bank and its ambitions, including the banks expansion and growth strategy.



Mohamed Abdalla, CEO of Sharjah Islamic Bank, said: "The UAE dealt with the Corona pandemic with both precision and speed, which has contributed to achieving advanced levels of recovery from a pandemic that has swept the world."



The state's financial policy is characterized by vitality and effectiveness, as the UAE has adopted effective financial policies. These policies have been supported and reinforced by pioneering vaccination campaigns, in addition to reliance on various precautionary and preventive measures aimed at achieving the highest levels of safety and wellness for all.



Mohamed Abdalla added: "Investors from all over the world have shown strong confidence in the UAEs financial markets and in particular the Sharjah Islamic Bank, which has witnessed a remarkable improvement in the performance of the share price since the beginning of this year. The increase in foreign ownership to 40% represents a new additional incentive to enhance the bank's performance, as it also continues to keep pace with the accelerated recovery witnessed in the current economic environment."



Mohamed Abdalla also pointed out that the results of the first half of this year showed the banks resilience in these challenging times. There has been a positive trend across all major metrics in terms of profitability, growth, capital and liquidity. The bank is also continuing the process of development and growth that qualifies it to become stronger and generate significant value for all stakeholders. This work is underpinned by the banks strategy to enhance a customer-centric corporate culture.



The CEO of Sharjah Islamic Bank noted that this step will contribute to enhancing the bank's international classification, as it recently ranked 92nd in the region in the annual Forbes magazine list of the 100 most powerful companies in the Middle East for the year 2021. This revered list includes the largest and most prominent companies in the region, and is based on specific criteria including market value, sales volume, net profits, and total assets.



In addition, Sharjah Islamic Bank announced an increase in its net profit by 29.6%, amounting to AED458 million ($124.6 million) for the nine months period ended September 30, 2021 and compares to AED353.4 million for the same period in the previous year. Operating profits also increased by 29.3%, amounting to AED652.9 million for the first nine months, compared to AED504.8 million for the same period last year.
DP World has created an investment platform in partnership with the UK's development finance institution and impact investor CDC Group (CDC) to invest in ports and logistics across Africa.

The platform covers a long-term investment period. DP World is contributing its stakes in three existing ports initially and expects to invest a further $1 billion through the platform over the next several years. CDC is committing approximately $320 million initially and expects to invest up to a further $400 million over the next several years. The transaction is subject to certain final regulatory approvals.

The platform will invest in origin and destination ports, inland container depots, economic zones and other logistics across Africa to increase trade, create new job opportunities and broaden access to essential goods. It will initially be seeded with minority stakes in existing DP World assets with significant capacity expansion plans, including Dakar (Senegal), Sokhna (Egypt) and Berbera (Somaliland).

Trade enabled through the ongoing expansions is expected to create an additional 138,000 employment opportunities in the wider economy. By 2035, the ports are expected to support stable employment for around 5 million people indirectly.

DP World has more than 20 years of experience developing and operating ports and infrastructure and providing logistics solutions in Africa and globally. This transaction is aligned with DP World's strategy of partnering with organisations that offer complementary expertise and have a shared vision for enabling trade and driving economic and social development.

CDC is the UK's development finance institution and impact investor with over 70 years of experience successfully supporting the sustainable, long-term growth of business in Africa and South Asia. CDC is owned by the UK Government and has a dual objective to deliver development impact by supporting business growth that lifts people out of poverty and makes a financial return.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, DP World, said: "The partnership with CDC Group will enable increased investment in ports and logistics infrastructure across Africa, driving efficiency and trade growth. The partnership will create transformational opportunities for tens of millions of people over the next decade.

"In CDC, we have found a partner with whom we share the common goal to invest in the long term and help build responsible and sustainable infrastructure in Africa, which is key to unlocking the trade potential of the continent.

"DP World is committed to Africa for the long-term and sees significant opportunity for future growth across the continent. The partnership with CDC offers the flexibility to accelerate and capitalise on these opportunities.

"By combining our in-depth knowledge of ports and logistics and CDC's expertise in infrastructure investment in Africa, we can drive greater supply chain efficiencies, provide improved trade connectivity and ultimately enhance value for all stakeholders."

Nick O'Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer, CDC, added: "Stable and flourishing economies are built on reliable access to global and intra-continental trade. Africa's full potential is limited by inadequate ports and trade bottlenecks, putting the brakes on economic growth in some of the world's fastest-growing economies and undermining social resilience in the least developed parts of the world. This platform will help entrepreneurs and businesses accelerate growth with access to reliable trade routes, and it will help African consumers benefit from the improved reliability and reduced cost of vital goods and food staples.

"We are proud to support DP World to do even more in Africa, charting a stronger course for African trade around the world."-- TradeArabia News Service
Saudi Arabia aims to enhance the contribution of its transport and logistics services sector to the GDP to more than 10% by 2030, said Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Eng Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser.

The minister, speaking during the opening session of the 34th session of the Council of Arab Transport Ministers, which kicked off in Cairo yesterday, stressed that Saudi Arabia attached great attention to the sector, adding that it has recenlty adopted the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services, said a Saudi Press Agency report.

He said this strategy aspires to consolidate the status of the kingdom as a global logistic hub and a model for comprehensive transport, targeting to be among the top 10 nations in terms of the logistic services indicators.

Eng Al-Jasser pointed out that the strategy has focused on developing the infrastructure through planning a set of major projects in all transport patterns so as to increase their capacities and enhance regional integration and connection, which includes the land bridge connecting the Red Sea with the Arabian Gulf. The strategy also seeks to launch several logistic platforms across the kingdom.
DHL Express, the worlds leading express and logistics provider, has cemented its presence in the UAE with the construction of a standalone logistics hub, at the Abu Dhabi International Airport (ADIA).

The 15,000-sq-m facility, on a 30,000-sq-m airside/landside plot, located in ADIAs Future Cargo Area, is being developed in partnership with Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone Authority (ADAFZ) - a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Airports - and Middle East General Enterprises (MGE).

DHLs new airport facility constitutes the companys latest investment in strengthening the global trade links of the UAEs capital and acts as a consolidated hub inclusive of an Import & Export Gateway, Service Center, Logistics Center & Road Network, with an initial head count of 210 employees.

DHL Express UAE Country Manager Geoff Walsh said: By establishing our presence at the Abu Dhabi International Airport, we reiterate our commitment to supporting UAE capitals growth plans and aligning to its 2050 economic vision, while providing a primary location to facilitate DHLs Middle East Road Network operations, connecting the UAE seamlessly across the GCC & Levant countries.

The new facility features a 10,800-sq-m built-up area, with future expansion potential to increase capacity by an additional 50%. The facility will be equipped to handle up to 3,600 inbound and outbound/ transit shipments per hour, amounting to 86,400 shipments a day, with the ability to service customers in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, as well as supporting other countries of DHL network, a statement from the company said.

Abu Dhabi Airports CEO Shareef Al Hashmi said: DHL Express new logistics hub is a welcome addition to Abu Dhabi International Airports Future Cargo offering which strengthens our presence as a facilitator of global trade and bolsters Abu Dhabis position as an important regional and international hub for air freight.

As a leading logistics provider and one of our valued strategic partners, DHL Express new hub is sure to further augment value-added logistics and supply chain services in the emirate and accelerate trade flows moving in and out of the UAE.

MGE Vice Chairman Saeed Abdulrahman Ghanim said: As the world relies more heavily on e-commerce and smarter supply chains, Abu Dhabi is becoming a key destination and redistribution hub in the region. DHLs new facility has been established to cater to this growing trend, helping the UAE to become a connecting point to the entire region and the world.-TradeArabia News Service
FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp and the worlds largest express transportation company, has announced its transition to a direct-serve presence in Jordan, to support the countrys growing export and import demands.



FedEx Express has been facilitating trade in Jordan since 1994, offering international solutions and connectivity through local service providers. This strategic expansion will provide customers and businesses in Jordan with direct access to a wider portfolio of export and import shipping solutions.



Jack Muhs, Regional President of FedEx Express Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa said: Micro, small, and medium businesses make up approximately 99% of Jordans economy , and FedEx will play an important role in helping to enable these businesses to trade with ease, explore new markets, and expand their reach.



Direct access to our comprehensive solutions, digital tools, well-established air network, and an extensive Middle East Road Network that connects Jordan directly to the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, connects businesses to more than 220 countries and territories, and achieve their global ambitions.



The announcement by FedEx Express supports Jordans coordinated efforts under Vision 2025 to strengthen the countrys economic position and improve its transport and logistics infrastructure. Under Jordans Vision 2025, the transport and logistics sector is essential to support trade connectivity locally, regionally, and globally, in addition to generating employment.



The transport and logistics sector contributes more than 8% towards Jordans GDP. With nearly 50 years experience, specialized services, and advanced technology solutions, FedEx will support the trade requirements of the healthcare, e-commerce, technology, energy, aerospace, and petrochemical industries.  TradeArabia News Service
Bain & Company Middle East will host a panel discussion that examines current trends in the Mena consumer culture and, how companies and retailers can better serve the needs of these new Mena consumers.

At the 5th Anniversary of the Future Investment Initiative (FII), a three-day programme to be held in Riyadh from October 26 to 28, Bain will dive into global retail trends while identifying the ones which are most relevant to the Mena region in the short or long term.

Moderated by Anne-Laure Malauzat, Partner at Bain & Company Middle East, the session will take place on the first day of the event from 15:45 to 17:00 (KSA time). Malauzat will be hosting C-level executives of leading retail companies in the Mena region. The discussion will focus on how todays consumer is evolving into a more informed purchaser, demanding more personalised and digitalised services, with a growing interest in newer insurgent brands and sustainability.

Differences between consumers in North Africa, Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries will also be discussed. In addition, the session will examine how companies and retailers can adapt to the emerging needs of Mena consumers in order to serve them better.

While they are clearly impacted by the global trends, consumers in Mena also have their own specificities. They care about health and wellness just like their global counterparts, but they are also increasingly diverse and fast changing in their demands, thus creating many new challenges and opportunities for consumer products companies and retailers, said Cyrille Fabre, Partner at Bain & Company Middle East.

In the previous edition of the FII programme, the theme revolved around Neo-renaissance. The theme for the 5th Anniversary of the initiative will be Invest in Humanity.

Equality, ingenuity, and scalability are the three pillars that are shaping the future of global business and investment. For the past five years, the FII community has shaped the future of global investment through an interactive programme featuring conversations with global leaders, executive roundtables, and networking among CEOs and policymakers.-- TradeArabia News Service
An ICT delegation of Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC) has called on the Deputy CEO of Dubai Exports to discuss the opportunities and areas of further cooperation in the Electronics and IT sector.

Led by ESC Chairman, Sandeep Narula, the delegation met Mohammad Al Kamali keeping in view the fact that Dubai is fast emerging as the Gateway for Indian ICT products to Middle East and Africa region.

Kamal Vachani, Regional Director and Gurmeet Singh, Executive Director of ESC had also accompanied the Chairman to meet Al Kamali. The ESC delegation impressed on Al Kamali the faster pace of progress made by India in the ICT sector, thanks to some of the proactive schemes followed by the present dispensation in India.

He was very receptive to various suggestions made by us to further strengthen positioning of Dubai as the Gateway for Indian ICT products exports to the Middle East and Africa since Indian ICT products have cost and quality advantages as compared to products being imported from other regions. Also, we could explain how the Indian ICT segment was fast getting integrated to the global supply chains and the increased pace of relocations of global ICT giants to take advantage of the various incentives and facilities being extended by the Government of India, said Narula.

The delegation also visited Dubai Expo, where India is a keen participant marking the 75th Anniversary of Indian Independence. The India Pavilion at Dubai Expo is likely to observe Technology Week during January 2022 and the Council is exploring the possibilities of sponsoring the visit of Indian companies to Dubai Expo during this period.

The other important meeting of the ESC delegation was with Omar Khan, Director of International Offices, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry. It was conveyed to him the swift policy changes that are taking place in India to attract more investments and to empower the Indian ICT segment.

We have explained to Khan, how the ICT sector was insulated from the impact of the pandemic in India and the impressive strides being made by the sector, particularly in the segments of e-retailing, financial services, net-banking etc, thanks to the high voltage digitisation programmes being pursued by the government, Singh said.

According to Indias Niti Aayog, the top policy making apparatus, Indian ICT sector is poised to reach $500 billion by 2025, and a considerable part of this volume will be exported. Indias software exports including IT enabled services have surged to $150 billion.

According to ESC, given proper policy support and by creating a conducive ecosystem, Indias electronics and computer hardware can make considerable headway in the coming years and the cooperation between Indian and UAE shall witness newer heights, said Vachani.-- TradeArabia News Service
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is allowing firms to manage the oil and gas sector in a sustainable way and has the potential to reinvent the industry, allowing companies to discover more, recover more, while keeping the environment cleaner.

It is often said that data is the new oil, the most important resource of the 21st century. At Saudi Aramco, we could not agree more. Data and AI are central to our digital transformation strategy, and we have invested and continue to invest heavily in the latest digital applications, said Nabil Al-Nuaim, Vice President, Digital Transformation, Saudi Aramco, at the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Virtual Symposium on Artificial IntelligenceTowards a Resilient and Efficient Energy Industry.

Hosted by Saudi Aramco, this two-day symposium provided a platform for industry professionals to discuss the various capabilities and potential applications of AI as one of the main enablers for digital transformation.

The event commenced with opening remarks by the symposium chairman, Abdulaziz Al Sufayan, Assistant to Vice President, Petroleum Engineering and Development, Saudi Aramco, who welcomed everyone to the event and said: Our industry is well-established with data infrastructure containing over 100 years of information. The power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) unleashes unlimited opportunities for harnessing knowledge, driving decision-making, and revealing unexploited resources. This symposium aims to support our industry to get ahead of the curve and reap the benefits of applying AI.

2022 SPE President, Kamel Ben-Naceur, CEO, Nomadia Energy Consulting, said: Artificial Intelligence is everywherewe also see it in all cycles of the commercialisation chain and going to the production, to the transportation, to the refining chainall is part of the artificial intelligence. I see a lot of dynamism and I think with putting together our efforts and organising this type of symposium, we should be better prepared in the future for the extraordinary growth of artificial intelligence applications.

The Executive Plenary Session focused on the role of AI in digital transformation, and long-term resiliency and efficiency, in the energy industry. The speaker panel featured high-level executives and experts from the Ministry of Energy, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Aramco, C3 AI, and Schlumberger.

Aiman Mufti, Consultant, Digital Transformation Office, Ministry of Energy, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, shared his views on AI in the energy ecosystem, highlighting: AI is a big topic and if you dont have the right focus with the right partners, you might get lost in different technologies and different dimensions.

In his presentation on operationalising AI at industrial scale, Edward Abbo, President and Chief Technology Officer, C3 AI, said: The opportunity ahead of us, is to harness a number of technology vectors, including big data, elastic cloud computing, cheap computation, and sensors being applied across the energy value chain, and also AI/ML to make predictions and improve the efficiency and resiliency of the energy value chain.

Talking about accelerating digital transformation with domain-guided AI, Lyndsey Lomas, Vice President, Digital, Eastern Hemisphere, Schlumberger said: Domain knowledge and expertise remain key to solving the challenges of our industry. As industry professionals, we need to adapt to that challenge and leverage AI alongside domain in our day-to-day work. This is a very exciting time for both technology and our industrythe global imperative to achieve net zero goals is clear and AI will play a major part in that achievement.

Technical Sessions, ePoster Sessions, and the Virtual Exhibition gave attendees multiple opportunities to engage with and hear from experts on topics like Democratised AI, Augmented Intelligence, Drilling Operations, Operations and Maintenance, and much more.

This Symposium was supported by Saudi Aramco (Exclusive Host), Microsoft and Taqa (Principal Sponsors), Schlumberger (Gold Sponsor) and SAS (Analytics and Insights Sponsor).-- TradeArabia News Service
The advances in communications technology and sustainability and their applications in intelligent buildings were discussed at the PowerWise Technology Forum on October 19, at Fairmont Dubai.

Superior Essex Communications, a leading manufacturer and supplier of communications cable in North America, and AEM, a global leader in test and handling solutions, hosted the forum.

The event was a joint effort to bring awareness to information communications and extra-low voltage technologies. Speakers and panelists included:

Brian Ensign, Vice President of Marketing for Superior Essex Communications;

Steve Cowles, Manager of Technical Services for AEM;

Paul Weintraub, International Sales for Superior Essex Communications;

Farukh Aslam, CEO of Sinclair Digital; and

Luis Suau, Chief Business officer for Sinclair Digital.

Superior Essex and AEM organised this event to run concurrent to the Gitex Global conference and exhibition, giving those attendees an opportunity to learn about advances in communications technology and sustainability.

This forum allows us the unique opportunity to bring together different perspectives to discuss the future of sustainable, intelligent buildings, said Ensign. Superior Essex is leading the way toward sustainable buildings with our sustainably made cables, and we are proud to partner with other companies who want to reduce their environmental impacts as well.

AEM has a strong focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) operating principles. Even as we focus on innovation to truly transform our company as a global leader in semiconductor and electronics test solutions, our sustainability strategy focuses on the three key pillars: Saving our Planet, Investing and Caring for our People, and Growing Sustainable Profit, stated Cowles. I am pleased to have the opportunity to discuss our Smart Building infrastructure test solutions, with leading Power over Ethernet testing capabilities.

This forum builds on a commitment by the host companies to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These goals are calls to action to countries to examine current practices and adopt sustainable development. However, Superior Essex, AEM and Sinclair have adopted these goals for their own business practices.

For Superior Essex, sustainable manufacturing - such as eliminating waste - has been an important goal.

PowerWise is an industry-leading power-over-ethernet cable and earlier this year, the 1G 4PPoE and 10G 4PPoE extended distance cables received Sustainable Intelligent Building (SIB) 1G and SIB 10G UL Verification and certification up to 160 metres. This objective, science-based assessment verifies that these products deliver performance beyond 100 metres. PowerWise cables provide optimized performance for power-over-ethernet applications and contribute two credits to LEED certification. These cables create better built environments for people who use them.

AEM collaborates with its suppliers to ensure their sustainability processes and verifies those processes through their testing. All the companys key fabrications suppliers are in line with AEM sustainability requirements.

We have a lower energy consumption rate per monetary unit of sales and emission intensity ration by 12.7%. We continue to engage with the community and develop more partnerships with charity organisations to improve our communitys welfare, Cowles said.

More than 60 people attended the event in person. This forum was the first of two events that Superior Essex Communications will attend in the Middle East. The company will attend Intelligent Cities Exhibition & Conference 2021, in Cairo, from October 27 to 28, 2021.

Superior Essex Communications and AEM continue to work together to provide and ensure sustainable products for the global smart building market.-- TradeArabia News Service
Abu Dhabi Government Services Ecosystem Tamm has unveiled the new Tamm OS tools aimed at enhancing the efficiency and quality of government services in Abu Dhabi, in cooperation with various government entities.

Tamm OS provides key benefits that contribute to further enhancing the services of all government entities in Abu Dhabi.

It has also helped entities to smoothly launch their digital government services through Tamm based on features that can be readily applied by entities to their platform such as digital payment, chat maps and robots, calendars, and other tools available to use by any government entity.

Tamm continues to strengthen the cooperation among various stakeholders in terms of integrating all government services in Abu Dhabi under a comprehensive and unified platform.

The new initiative was launched in the presence of Major General Maktoum Ali Al Sharifi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Police, Mohammad Juma Bin Jarsh Al Falasi, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, DoE, Engineer Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Department of Community Development, Fahad Salem Al-Kiyumi, Undersecretary of the Governmental Support, Dr Hilal Humaid Al Kaabi, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Council for Quality and Conformity, Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Director-General of the Zoo and Aquarium Public Institution in Al Ain, and Dr Mohamed Al Askar, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority , and representatives of various government entities during its participation at Gitex 2021, which will run till October 21, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Tamm has joined the global technology event as part of the Abu Dhabi Government Pavilion comprising 31 government and academic entities.

Four government entities which include the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters, the Department of Municipalities and Transport, the Department of Economic Development - Abu Dhabi, and the Department of Culture and Tourism, have joined in pilot testing the Tamm OS to enhance their digital services and deliver the highest levels of experience in customer satisfaction.

Tamm urges all government entities in Abu Dhabi to benefit from the Tamm OS digital tools that were designed to enhance and develop government services according to unified standards to provide seamless customer experience.

Aisha Al Marzooqi, Executive Director of Government Services Sector at Abu Dhabi Digital Authority said: Tamm continues to work with all government entities in Abu Dhabi to provide them with the latest technologies and digital solutions aimed at delivering seamless services to customers. It also seeks to ensure that all residents and citizens in the emirate benefit from an integrated and secure digital platform which provides high quality and efficient digital government services. We are confident that Tamm OS will further increase the operational integration of services provided by government entities and provide a unified access for customers in various digital services. The new tools also aim to reduce costs in the development of digital services and websites using data analytics while ensuring faster completion of services.

Through Tamm OS, Tamm aims to support Abu Dhabi government entities in developing services that follow the highest standards while meeting the needs of customers for a faster, easier, and more convenient services which is delivered in a more efficient and less costly manner.

The Tamm OS has been developed by a committee led by Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Executive Director of Corporate Services Sector, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), along with other member representatives from four government entities. The committee is tasked to develop the software workbench tools for developing services and journeys by all government entities towards enhancing their digital services.

Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Executive Director of Corporate Services Sector, ADAFSA said: The Tamm OS aims to enable service developers and designers in various government entities to improve the level of their services using the advanced programming system of Tamm which rely on ready-to-use tools and available resources to enable entities take full control of their platform while following a unified design language. This will help improve the services provided through the Tamm App as well as continuously support the designated teams.

Brigadier Tariq Matar Al Hassani, Deputy Director of the Information and Communication Systems Centre at the General Headquarters of Abu Dhabi Police said: Tamm OS has contributed to our efforts to offer innovative digital services to the Abu Dhabi community. During the pilot phase of Tamm OS, we were able to provide a seamless experience to the users of our services because of its unified design. New services have been introduced including applying for a vehicle renewal and some of the services which were enhanced include applying for To Whom It May Concern certification regarding their detention periods. We are optimistic of the outcome of adopting Tamm OS digital tools in our efforts to provide digital solutions and offer easy and secure experiences.

Ibrahim Abdullatif Al-Mousa, Executive Director of the Support Services Sector, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development commended the effectiveness of the pilot testing of the Tamm OS which has greatly enhanced the procedure of Real Beneficial services. The DED is committed to employing the latest technologies available to provide innovative economic services. This will help improve and further simplify procedures that cater to the needs of the business community in Abu Dhabi and save time for investors and business owners, Al Zaabi added.

The Acting Executive Director of the Information Technology Affairs Sector at the Department of Municipalities and Transport, Dr Omar Mubarak Al Shaiba stated: We have succeeded in the implementation of Tamm OS during the pilot phase and has seen how it helped create our new New Warehouse Project and Drawing Approval services. It now enables us to provide licenses to businesses seeking to build a new warehouse and obtain initial approval of their site selection and construction graphics through Tamm. We are also using the new development tools in enhancing our Ranch New Allocation services (New Ezba Allotment). We are confident that this operational integration will help achieve efficiency in digital services provided to the Abu Dhabi community.

Saeed Ali Al Fazari, Executive Director, Support Services Sector, the Department of Culture and Tourism, remarked: During the pilot phase, we employed the digital and technological tools in developing our government services for the public. We were able to achieve the targets of our new Venue Finder service which allowed for better management of public halls and spaces of the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism. By tapping on the latest technologies provided by Tamm in accordance with the highest standards, we are confident that this joint initiative will yield more success in the future.

Tamm is set to organise workshops for government entities to guide users on how to implement the innovative development tools as well as get their feedback regarding the operating procedures and how they have attained the desired results which led to the customers quick and easy access to the services through the Tamm.-- TradeArabia News Service
The Thai restaurant Silk & Spice at Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche, which melds French elegance with Arabian culture and style, is re-opening its doors.

A favourite among lovers of Thai cuisine in the UAE capital, Silk & Spice takes guests on a journey bursting with vibrant flavors.

Inspired by the Lotus flower, a symbol of beauty, purity, majesty and grace, the restaurant's offerings are crafted to not only serve pure Thai tastes but to also showcase true craftmanship through the sophisticated art of plating.

Expect bold flavours with an artful take on classic dishes such as Thai Green Curry, Phad Thai, Green Papaya Salad and Mango Sago in Coconut Milk.

Complementing the diverse flavours is the 'Siam' Bar featuring signature creative mixes with Thai inspiration and carefully curated grape choices.

With views of the Corniche and Arabian Gulf, Silk & Spice combines the sights and sounds of Thailand with timeless elegance.-TradeArabia News Service
Hyundai Motor Company has announced the launch of the Hyundai Women Drive an online community that provides engaging experiences for women in Saudi Arabia.

The exclusive online community aims to celebrate and connect women, empowering them to be their best by inspiring confidence, creativity, and collaboration.

Hyundaiwomendrive.com is a one-stop digital communication hub for Saudi women containing various engaging content and features.

Bang Sun Jeong, Head of Hyundai Motor Company Middle East & Africa HQs, said: Hyundai Motors has always been at the forefront of supporting women-focused initiatives in KSA. Right from encouraging women to be behind the wheel following the historical lift of the ban of female drivers.

Through this initiative, we are celebrating women, who are the strongest driving force in our lives. We want to provide continuous support for the empowerment of Saudi women as sometimes all it takes is a little encouragement, and we hope Hyundai Women Drive will go a long way.

It will also provide Saudi women the opportunity to meet up with like-minded women to talk about their passion for driving, and their lives in general which will create new connections and true bonding.

The platform will host women-focused events and engage with members through exclusive initiatives that champion them and support their journey.

To celebrate the launch, Hyundai has kicked off the first ever Hyundai Women festival. The exclusive virtual festival, spread across eight weeks, brings audiences distinct types of content in collaboration with four influencers and provides them with chances to win amazing rewards.

The celebrity influencers will host four exciting programmes throughout the festival where members can learn something new through these programmes that help them in their everyday lives or even just enjoy a conversation with their peers.

Chef Hadeel Bokhari, Lifestyle and beauty influencers Mashael Al Turki and Asrar Aref, along with fashion expert Nirvana Abdul, will host a programme covering culinary, lifestyle, styling and mom hacks.

Jeong added: We are pleased to host the Hyundai Women festival to celebrate the phenomenal women across Saudi Arabia.

The festival will bring together extraordinary and enthusiastic women across the country for a fun-filled experience with Hyundai.

Audiences can participate in the competitions in each of the programmes to win several prizes and stand a chance to win a Meet & Greet session on Zoom with the influencers hosting each of the programmes.

The Hyundai Women Drive platform will feature articles covering a variety of subjects such as new car launches, special offers, financial offerings, automotive lifestyle, driving-related tips, among others. It will also have an interactive space called TalkTok for women to view Hyundais social feed, discover the hot topics of discussion and share their thoughts within the community by leaving their comments on articles.-- TradeArabia News Service
The Egypt Petroleum Show, a major conference and exhibition for the sector in the region, will be held in Cairo in Febraury 2022.

The 5th edition of the Egypt Petroleum Show (EGYPS) will take place on its original dates of February 14 to 16, 2022.

The 2021 show, planned to be held in June this year was cancelled by the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources after extensive consultation with key stakeholders and closely monitoring the Covid-19 global situation.

Tarek El Molla, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Egypt, said: EGYPS ability to convene global ministers, CEOs, policy makers and industry leaders in Cairo signifies the show remains critical in connecting the global oil, gas and energy industry and shaping the future energy agenda.

We are confident, with the collective support of our key stakeholders and partners, our sponsors, exhibitors and speakers of delivering a truly celebratory 5th Anniversary Egypt Petroleum Show in February 2022 and we look forward to announcing our global line-up of keynote speakers and panelists shortly, he said.

Christopher Hudson, President, dmg events, said: As the official international marketing arm and voice of the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, our strategy is to ensure the EGYPS remains at the very heart of the North African and Mediterranean oil, gas and energy landscape, driving the opportunities that lead to international partnerships and connectedness to do business.

Held annually under the patronage of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and with the full support of the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, EGYPS 2022 will take place at the Egypt International Exhibition Center, Cairo.

The annual in-person show will be attended by global industry leaders, over 300 exhibiting companies and 20,000+ attendees, who will drive and set the regional industry agenda as Egypt, North Africa and the Mediterranean continue to strengthen their presence on the international oil, gas and energy map. - TradeArabia News Service
Help India!



The purpose of these bogus conspiracy theories is to target the livelihood of Muslims and weaken them economically.

Md Asif Khan | TwoCircles.net

Support TwoCircles



The term economic jihad, was coined by Hindutva groups to target Muslims. The right-wing Hindu leaders often use such hateful terminology to construct and weave an anti-Muslim narrative in India. One feature of this anti-Muslim narrative is manufacturing conspiracy theories. One such conspiracy theory being floated is that Muslims are hijacking jobs of Hindus in formal and informal sectors and that Muslims sell their goods at a cheaper rate and Muslims are using Hindu identity to attract customers in Hindu majority areas.

The pertinent question is that what is the purpose of such bogus conspiracy theories? Certainly, the purpose is to target the livelihood of Muslims and weaken them economically.

The Hindutva effort, however, is not limited to mere conspiracy theories. Indian Muslims have been facing violence from Hindutva forces for a long time, and Muslim properties are often targeted by Hindu extremist mobs during communal violence.

It is quite evident from the past that how Muslims properties were targeted during various anti-Muslim pogroms in India. A recent example of this was seen during the Delhi violence as well. The situation, however, has become worse since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India. Multiple reports and accounts suggest that anti-Muslim hatred has become a part of mainstream Indian politics. The right-wing forces dont now need the excuse of communal riots to target the properties of Muslims. These forces are using various methods to target the Muslim community and weaken them economically.

Under the present BJP regime at the centre, the Hindu extremist forces enjoy impunity. These forces spread conspiracy theories like Economic Jihad and instigate Hindutva mobs to target Muslims businesses. Even during the pandemic, the right-wing forces spread anti-Muslim propaganda to target poor Muslims livelihood. In March-April 2020, when India was badly hit by the first wave of coronavirus pandemic, the Modi govt suddenly announced a nationwide lockdown which made a common mans life more difficult. During that time, the Hindutva ecosystem was busy spreading anti-Muslim propaganda and they were blaming Muslims for the pandemic. They started targeting the livelihood of poor Muslim vendors by spreading obnoxious lies that Muslims are mixing their saliva in food/fruits/vegetables to infect Hindus with the virus. This hateful propaganda had serious consequences on the ground, and many poor Muslim vendors were attacked and were not allowed to enter the Hindu majority areas. Their shops and carts were forcibly shut down by Hindu extremists.

The Hindutva trolls and certain Hindu leaders ran a campaign to boycott Muslims economically. Last year, the BJP lawmaker Suresh Tiwari was caught on camera warning people against buying vegetables from Muslims amid the nationwide coronavirus lockdown. Suresh Chavhanke who is editor-in-chief of Sudarshan TV and very close to top BJP leadership ran many hate campaigns against Muslims. Last year, he had called for the economic boycott of the Muslims. In June this year, the Hindutva groups targeted poor Muslim vendors in Uttam Nagar, New Delhi. They accused Muslim vendors of Rehdi Jihad (Street vendor Jihad) and called for their economic boycott. A Muslim vendor named Rizwan was also attacked by unidentified Hindutva goons during that time.

What is important to highlight about these extremist Hindutva forces is that they want to target every Muslim, whether that Muslim is a beggar or a daily wage worker or a successful businessman. A few months ago, a video of the hate-monger Narsinghanand Saraswati went viral on social media. In the video, he was seen saying that all those plumbers, electricians, washermen etc who come to Hindu households for work and jobs are Muslim. He further said that these Muslim workers take advantage of the situation and lure Hindu women. The purpose of such a hateful mission is to deprive Muslims of their livelihood.

A few weeks ago, iD Fresh Food, a Bangalore based company, which is best known for selling idli and dosa batter, became the targets of an incendiary and communal hateful campaign. The company is owned by Muslims and the Hindutva trolls spread misinformation on social media claiming (falsely) that the company used cow bones in its batter.

In August, a poor Muslim beggar and a boy were attacked by Hindutva goons in Ajmer. Hindu extremists objected because he was begging in the Hindu majority area and was playing Qawwali. They asked him to go to Pakistan.

These are not isolated incidents. These incidents are well organized and part of anti-Muslim hateful propaganda currently in sway across India. Recently, many such incidents happened in Madhya Pradesh. A Muslim bangle seller was attacked by a Hindu extremist mob in Indore. Following this, a Muslim hawker was attacked because he failed to show his identity card in Dewas. A Muslim scrap dealer was forced to chant Jai Sri Ram near Ujjain.

What needs to be highlighted here is that the Hindu extremists just need an opportunity to harass the Muslim community. For example, festivals are the occasion for celebrations and spreading joy, but it is an opportunity for Hindu extremists to target Muslims. At present, the Hindu festival of Navratri is being celebrated in India which lasts for 10 days. Many Hindus fast during these days and abstain from consuming meat products. However, the Hindu extremists are busy targeting Muslims businesses during the festivals. These forces target Muslim meat sellers and hotels, forcing them to shut down their shops during the Navratri festival. These meat sellers and shops are poor Muslims and their livelihood depends on their daily business, yet the Hindu extremists want these poor Muslims to shut their shops for 10 days.

The truth is that there is no such thing as economic jihad perpetrated by the Muslim community. The Hindutva right-wing forces, however, are certainly running a fascist agenda for an organized economic boycott of Muslims.

Md Asif Khan is a social activist.
Members of the 9th Chinese peacekeeping engineering contingent to Mali assist the Burkinabe peacekeeping police force in hoisting the communications antennas.

MALI, Oct. 19 -- At the request of the Engineering Department under the Sector East of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), the 9th Chinese peacekeeping engineering contingent to Mali sent a crane operation team to assist the Burkinabe peacekeeping police force in hoisting the communications antennas.

The communication antenna is more than 23 meters long and weighs about 200 kilograms. The Chinese peacekeepers overcame the difficulties of narrow operating space, poor lifting balance and high technical requirements, and installed the communication antenna precisely in the designated position.
By Zhao Yang and Du Jiangfan

Ships assigned to the 39th Chinese naval escort taskforce sail in formation. (Photo by Zhao Yang)

GUIDED-MISSILE DESTROYER URUMQI, Oct. 19 -- The guided-missile destroyer Urumqi (Hull 118), guided-missile frigate Yantai (Hull 538), and comprehensive supply ship Taihu (Hull 889) of the 39th Chinese naval escort taskforce carried out a great deal of targeted training such as rescue by force, ship-and-aircraft coordinated anti-piracy training, and training with authorized weapons and equipment, while en route to the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somali.

Since its departure, the 39th Chinese naval escort taskforce has successively carried out realistic combat training in multiple subjects including anti-terrorism and anti-piracy, temporary inspection, visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations, joint search and rescue, and cordon and patrol, to further enhance the fleet's capability to perform escort missions.

Guided-missile destroyer Urumqi (Photo by Zhao Yang)

The ship-borne helicopter takes off for reconnaissance task in the key sea area. (Photo by Zhao Yang)

Special operations team members conduct shooting training. (Photo by Zhao Yang)
BEIJING, Oct. 20 -- According to three notices released by the maritime safety administrations in China's Hainan and Liaoning provinces on October 19, the Chinese Peoples liberation Army (PLA) will carry out live-fire drills in several sea areas of China in recent days. Ships are banned from entering during respective time limits.

According to the notice released by China's Qinglan Maritime Safety Administration in Hainan Province, live-fire training will be held in waters of the South China Sea on October 20, Beijing Time.

Screenshot of the notice released by the Qinglan Maritime Safety Administration on the website of China's Maritime Safety Administration on Oct. 19, 2021

According to the two notices released by Chinas Dalian Maritime Safety Administration in North-east Chinas Liaoning Province, live-fire training will be held in the northern Yellow Sea from October 20 to 25, Beijing Time.

Screenshot of the notice released by the Dalian Maritime Safety Administration on the website of China's Maritime Safety Administration on Oct. 19, 2021

Screenshot of the notice released by the Dalian Maritime Safety Administration on the website of China's Maritime Safety Administration on Oct. 19, 2021
Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

By Chen Hong

Media outlets and think tanks in today's Australia have been prevalently misled with a Cold War mentality in viewing the world, in particular with regard to China. Misconceptions and misjudgments have resulted from such confrontational mind-sets, preventing the Australian public from comprehensively and accurately understanding China. However, there are still some clear-minded visionary people from Down Under, who, in spite of the predominant outdated ideological prejudices, are able to look at China with sensibility and objectivity.

Tony Walker, a vice-chancellor's fellow at Australia's La Trobe University, recently published an article at one of Australia's leading media portals, The Conversation, with the title, "China's global diplomatic approach is shifting, and Australia would do well to pay attention to it." In the article, Walker made the keen observation that China "has been engaging in some creative diplomacy to lessen risks of geopolitical isolation."

He suggested that "it would be a mistake for countries like Australia to assume China will continue to alienate a wider international community if it believes its actions are proving inimical to its own interests." He went on further to call on Australia's "policymaking circles, dominated by a national security establishment wedded to seeing China as a threat," to weigh the recent "creative diplomacy" of China.

For over four years, the Morrison administration has positioned China in a strategically adversarial frame, based on its misjudgments of China and China's development. Australia has been deliberately turning a blind eye to China's significant role to ensure peace and prosperity regionally and globally, while pumping out the "China threat theory" in coordination with Washington's anti-China campaign. Australia's foreign policy has been featured with a series of errors and failures. It is not an exaggeration to say that Morrison's China policy has been a complete fiasco. Canberra has been headstrong going down an anti-China path, serving Washington's agenda to maintain the US' hegemony while hurting Australia's own national interests.

Acting as the US' deputy sheriff in the Asia-Pacific region, the Morrison administration has been senselessly provoking China and harming China's interest. The constructive partnership between the two countries built and nurtured over almost 50 years is being callously sabotaged.

The Morrison administration is now stuck in an embarrassing and awkward stalemate. Characteristically for his immature and irrational diplomacy, with regard to the current anti-China frenzy, there is simply no exit plan. To continue to pursue the current antagonistic tactics would only further jeopardize Australia's own interest, but Canberra simply does not know how to back out its leaking boat with surety.

The bilateral relationship is now in the most critical juncture, and Australia's political interest and economic well-being could suffer even more severe losses.

As a matter of fact, further deterioration of the China-Australia ties could cast a more ominous shadow over next year's general parliament election. Both the incumbent Liberal-National Coalition Party and the opposition Labor Party have to take the China factor into their electoral considerations.

The year 2022 coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the formal diplomatic relations between China and Australia. Anniversaries are often occasions for celebration, but given the present deadlock it is more necessary for us to reflect on the difficulties and seek out possible solutions. It took the two countries five decades to assiduously build the bilateral ties into the mutually beneficial comprehensive strategic partnership, but it is apparently much easier to break than to make. Canberra needs to come back to its senses and regain the political wisdom of its previous political leaders, and make judicious decisions to remedy and rectify the missteps which have brought cataclysmic damages to the mutual interest of the two countries.

Walker's article reveals a fact that there are rationality and sagacity among scholars of Australia's think tanks. There are also eminent political figures such as the former prime minister Paul Keating, businesspeople, and academics who have been continuously making appeals to the government in Canberra to steer Australia's relationship with China out of the geopolitical and geo-economic maelstrom.

However, to date, such whistle-blowing voices have either been deliberately ignored or viciously attacked. No government of political wisdom and maturity would forsake its long-term interest by shooting the messenger. To be a country of true independence worth of international respect entails strategic resilience and a sense of responsibility.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has admonished Australian leaders to learn to live with China. In June, Lee advised Canberra that "this is a big world, in which there are different countries and work with others who are not completely like-minded, but with whom you have many issues where your interests do align and where your mutual cooperation is necessary." On such a basis, China and Singapore have been working well together despite various differences. Even China and Japan have been able to find pragmatic paths to cooperate.

There are no fundamental differences or historical dispute between Australia and China. It makes no sense for Canberra to pick fights with Beijing, self-deceivingly regarding China as a strategic adversary. During the past four or five years, Australia has been acting as the most ferocious and dedicated pioneer in Washington's anti-China crusade.

However, there is one brutal truth that Canberra has found hard to swallow: Australia's so-called like-minded allies have wasted no time to take over the lion's share in the China market left with the exit of the Australian products after Canberra has recklessly ruined its business ties with China.

Recently, some positive signs have emerged in China-US relations. Washington has been adjusting its attitude and policies toward Beijing. It would be very embarrassing if Australia would be stuck in the anti-China cul-de-sac while the rest of the world are adapting themselves to new changes and rise to new opportunities.

The author is president of the Chinese Association of Australian Studies, and professor and director of Australian Studies Centre, East China Normal University.
Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

By Kong Jun

The US, the UK and Australia recently announced the establishment of a security partnership called AUKUS. But the military cooperation between the US and Australia did not stop there. Under their Cold War mentality, the two countries further discussed their missile business. Canberra intends to allow Washington to deploy strategic bombers, in exchange for Washington to help it develop long-range precision-strike weapons. As the first step, Australia will purchase the US' Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Tomahawk cruise missiles are strategic offensive weapons developed by the US. In the Gulf War in 1990-91, the US used Tomahawk for the first time, with more than 200 bombarding targets in Iraq, resulting in humanitarian disaster. In the following wars in Yugoslavia, Kosovo, Libya and Syria, Tomahawk became the chief tool for subverting other countries. Tomahawk has greatly contributed to US' use of military overseas, becoming synonymous with the new interventionism of the US and West.

Tomahawk is a big stick to invade in and intimidate other countries, and the US is not willing to sell it to other countries except the UK, a hard-core US ally. But this time, to militarily contain China, the US did not hesitate to use Tomahawk to show favor to Australia. In recent years, Australia has repeatedly played its anti-China card to seek recognition from the US. However, Australia is tying the bomb to its own belt by doing this. Canberra itself will suffer in the end.

As for missile nonproliferation, the international community has not reached a universally applicable international law yet. Under this circumstance, all countries should have adopted a restrained, cautious and responsible attitude in the transfer of missiles. They should take concrete actions to maintain international peace and stability. But the US-Australia deal of Tomahawk runs counter to this. Australia is located in the South Pacific and has a superior geographic environment. It has not received any major security threats. But the introduction of Tomahawk far exceeds its defense needs and is bound to arouse vigilance and opposition of neighboring countries.

This move has also let the international community see the hypocrisy of US' "nonproliferation rules." The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) is a small circle of export controls established under the US lead. The MTCR stipulates that missile systems with a range of more than 300 kilometers and payload of 500 kilograms should be subject to transfer restrictions. The US and Australia have imposed numerous restrictions on countries outside their small clique, but they have unscrupulously transferred advanced missiles within their circle. This is undoubtedly double standards.

We need to be vigilant that Tomahawk may actually be an extremely dangerous nuclear cruise missile. In recent years, the US military has been seeking to develop space-based and low-yield, submarine-launched nuclear weapons.

The Tomahawk missile deal may be the tip of the iceberg. Australia announced in March that it will move to produce its own guided missiles under a A$1-billion plan to establish a new weapons facility with a global arms manufacturer. In recent years, the US and Australia have been strengthening military cooperation in areas such as anti-missile, outer space and cyberspace. The two countries have also jointly developed hypersonic missiles. These acts will inevitably open the Pandora's Box of regional arms race.

The US has always regarded itself as a guard of world peace, frequently interfering in other countries with force. The US has formed a huge arms sales chain and has gained huge profits from it. Over the past five years, the total amount of US arms exports has ranked first in the world, accounting for 37 percent of the world's total sales. The Asia-Pacific is the region with the most arms imports, and Australia and other US allies are among the top 10 arms importers internationally. It is conceivable that under the stimulation of US-Australia arms sales, Asia-Pacific countries will further increase their arms imports, and this is exactly what the US military companies and arms dealers want.

The US has stated that it does not seek a new cold war. Yet it has always been provoking one. This is why the country has been recognized as the biggest destroyer of global stability. The US and Australia have gone against the historical tide of peace and development. For this, they will be generally despised by the international community. The two countries should not go too far on the nuclear and missile issue. Australia also needs to think twice. It needs to understand that it has received nothing but a hot potato, and that how many countries in history have eventually been abandoned by the US.

The author is an observer on international affairs.
Faith and Resilience in Middle East's Imperiled Christian Communities

Janine di Giovanni was reporting from Iraq in the months before the U.S. invasion in 2003 when she traveled to the northern city of Mosul. There, she discovered an ancient community of Christians who prayed in Aramaic, the language of Jesus.

The people she met were frightened by the prospect of the coming war, but also committed to staying in their homeland despite the hardships to come.

"I was so touched by their resilience and how they had clung to their faith and their land for 2,000 years despite periods of repression," di Giovanni said.

Over her 35 years as a war correspondent, including several years as senior foreign correspondent for the Times of London, di Giovanni has covered disastrous conflicts in Africa, the Balkans, and the Middle East. She has seen how faith can guide people, herself included, through violence and chaos.

Her latest book, "The Vanishing: Faith, Loss, and the Twilight of Christianity in the Land of the Prophets" (PublicAffairs), examines the plight and potential disappearance of Christian communities across Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and Palestine. She documents the experiences of individuals determined to practice their faith and preserve their ancient traditions while constantly under threat.

Di Giovanni, a senior fellow at Yale's Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, recently spoke to YaleNews about the dangers faced by Christian communities in the Middle East, the meaning of faith, and how her own faith has sustained her during difficult times. The interview has been edited and condensed.

What sort of peril are the Christian communities you write about encountering?

Many Christians in the region have encountered violent extremist groups that want to exterminate them. In Iraq and Syria, the Islamic State wanted to wipe Christians off the face of the Earth. They subjugated them and forced them to convert to Islam or be killed. They enslaved women. They burnt their farms and villages. They reduced their churches to rubble.

In Egypt, laws prevent Coptic Orthodox Christians from building churches. It's not like in the United States where a decline in Christianity is simply a matter of young people not going to church. It's a direct and often violent assault on an ancient people who have inhabited that land for 2,000 years. They're like the martyrs in the Roman times.

Climate change also is a factor. According to the United Nations, Iraq is facing rising temperatures, declining rainfall, and more frequent sandstorms. Most of the Christians there are farmers, so their livelihoods are under threat from the changing climate. They're leaving as a result. This is true across the Middle East. If current trends continue, there will be no Christians in the region within 100 years.

You interviewed hundreds of people from Christian communities across the Middle East. Do any stories or experiences stand out to you?

There are so many. There was a young man in Cairo who belongs to a Christian Copt community in which people make their living picking garbage. He told me how while growing up, he always felt like "the other."

I also think of the Christians in Gaza who are caught between the Israeli siege and the rule of Hamas. Due to the severe travel restrictions placed on Palestinians, they can't leave Gaza to visit Bethlehem at Christmas.

And I think of an ancient monastery in Iraq that I visited one evening. It was about six o'clock, maybe later, and the sun was setting. I heard this ethereal singing. I entered the monastery and found a room where a Chaldean monk was chanting in Aramaic. It was the evensong, which is the evening prayer. He sat with me and spoke to me about faith and about being rooted to this land and how vital it was that Christian people remain there. I recall the Christians who told me about how they fled ISIS, taking nothing and leaving their homes in the middle of the night. I have many, many striking memories of the people I met.

What would be lost if Christian communities were to entirely disappear from Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and Gaza -- the places you cover in the book?

They will lose a crucial part of their cultural and social mosaic. Christians are important minorities groups in these places -- ones with roots tracing back 2,000 years. The Jewish community has disappeared in Iraq, leaving a deep hole in the country's social fabric. The people I wrote about are facing the same bleak future, but they form a rich part of their countries' cultural heritage. One Iraqi politician told me that an Iraq without the Christians is no longer Iraq.

In the book, you reflect on the meaning of faith. What can non-believers draw from those reflections?

The book is about faith, not religion, and I wrote it for believers and non-believers. I think it will appeal to anyone searching for meaning in these difficult times. I have many friends who don't believe in God or aren't religious, but during the pandemic, they desperately wanted to believe in something. The world was spiraling into uncertainty.

I remember many years ago I had a dear friend who was a Serb and she was Orthodox, and I went to Mass with her. I'd never been to an Eastern Orthodox service.

"Why is there a curtain before the altar?" I asked.

"Because you're not meant to see God, you're meant to feel him," she said.

Building on that idea, I think some people feel God in nature. Some people feel God in everyday miracles that they might encounter. Some might feel God in the kindness of strangers. This isn't a book about judging people's beliefs. Rather, it's about where human beings turn for comfort and strength in times of great crisis.

What does your religious faith mean to you?

I've been a war reporter for 35 years. My father once reminded me that there are no atheists in foxholes. You discover this is true if you've ever faced extreme danger. I've had guns pointed at my head. I've been caught in bombing raids that killed people around me. There were moments that I thought might be my last on Earth in which I prayed for protection.

I'm not a good Catholic like my parents were. They didn't eat meat on Fridays and attended the long masses on Good Friday, and things like that. I don't, I'm ashamed to say. All the same, faith in God sustains and enriches me. It is the moral compass by which I live my life.

The Jackson Institute is in the process of transitioning into the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs. You've been a senior fellow at Jackson since 2018. How do you enjoy teaching there?

I absolutely love it. I'm teaching a graduate-level course this semester called "Four Conflicts through a Human Rights Lens," and my students are just extraordinary. They inspire me. Every year, I learn as much from them as they learn from me.

Jackson is an amazing hybrid of experienced practitioners and top-flight academics working together to train the next generation of leaders. That's a heady thing. I've been in the field as a journalist covering and studying war, conflict, and post-conflict reconstruction for 35 years. There will come a time when I can't travel to warzones. I'm very happy to have the opportunity to help train a new generation to do that vital work.
Since last Friday, torrential rains have raged in the Himalayan region, causing huge damage. As environmental disasters steadily increase in India, experts predict a 20 per cent rise in extreme rainfall due to climate change.

Uttarakhand (AsiaNews)  At least 46 people have been killed by floods and landslides caused by violent rains in Uttarakhand, a state in northern India, at the foot of the Himalayas.

The effects of bad weather, which has not let up since last Friday, have also affected Kerala, a state much further to south, causing the death of 26 people.

During the monsoon season, India regularly experiences the effects of torrential rains that cause hardships and catastrophes across the country.

However, in recent years, the rain has fallen with unprecedented force. Some districts in Uttarakhand have recorded more than 400mm of rain in 24 hours.

This has produced Incalculable damage to homes and infrastructures; bridges have been swept away by raging rivers, cars have been submerged by floods, and roads have been covered by fast moving waters.

In Uttarakhand, rescue teams have been working relentlessly for days. It is estimated that the 16 teams deployed by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have saved at least 300 people so far.

The current situation is expected to continue for a few more days.

Meanwhile, the effects of climate change in the Indian subcontinent are already devastating with catastrophe following each other during each monsoon season.

Measuring the duration and intensity of rainfall has become increasingly difficult. A report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)[*] warned in August that weather events will get worse in coming years.

Indian sub-continent will have a 20 per cent surge in extreme rainfall events, said Abinash Mohanty, a Programme Lead in the Risks and Adaptation team at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, a think-tank working on environmental issues.

The projections, he added, suggest that rainfall will become incessant and erratic leading to floods, depressions will intensify into deep depressions, and cyclonic events will become more frequent across eastern and western coasts,

It is not only the floods and torrential rains that are frightening. The steady rise in temperatures is leading to a progressive melting and retreat of glaciers which, in the northern regions of India, could cause unpredictable avalanches.

Like the one that overwhelmed a group of climbers on Mount Trishul, right in Uttarakhand, three weeks ago.

The experts also note that melting glaciers in the Himalayan region will significantly increase water levels in its rivers, which will, in turn, overflow downstream, causing huge damage to riverine villages.

All this is happening at a time when India pursues a plan to build dams to meet rising energy demands.

[*] A group of climate experts mandated by the UN to study human-induced climate change.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The Chinese are reportedly redeveloping an old Soviet outpost near the Wakhan Corridor. The goal is to block terrorist infiltration into Chinese territory. The Afghan Taliban have promised to drive out Uyghur extremists, Beijing's enemies. Russia observes China's moves in the region.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - China is building military bases and observation points on the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Beijing wants to control the threat of the more extremist Afghan guerrillas. In an unspecified location, not far from the Wakhan Corridor in Badakhshan province, the Chinese are showing ambitions to control the region, also by training Tajik forces.

The Chinese military is most likely positioned near an old Soviet outpost (see photo 2), where they have actually been present for a few years now, to monitor this strategic mountainous area. Observation towers and other defensive structures have been elevated. The Chinese and Tajik governments deny the presence of the Beijing contingent, but local correspondents of Radio Azattyk have taken some photos of the heavily developed complex in recent months.

From conversations with several past and present members of the power structures in Tajikistan and Afghanistan, as well as local residents, Azattyk's journalists and analysts made an estimate of Chinese military strength. Beijing's total number of soldiers is growing by leaps and bounds with the justification of ensuring security in the region. China developed the military project based on the contentious relations between the Tajik government and the Taliban.

Beijing's primary concern remains the control of Uyghur fighters in Afghanistan, who are accused of attempted attacks in Xinjiang. Interviewed by Azattyk, Haiyun Ma, a professor at the US University of Frostburg, notes that "the situation in Afghanistan is rather slippery for the Chinese, given the relations between the Taliban and Uyghur terrorists, yet Beijing must try to cooperate with the Kabul regime."

Residents on the Tajik side of the Wakhan Corridor tell of military drones constantly flying over the area, and various other surveillance technologies scattered throughout the territory. Two anonymous interviewees said that they had visited the military facility several times before the Taliban takeover, and had seen Chinese personnel working together with Tajiks and Afghans: they exchanged information on both sides of the border. Now this balance has been broken, as another anonymous source in the Dushanbe government confirms.

The Afghans (Taliban) are no longer part of the negotiations with the Chinese and Tajik military, which used to take place on average every two months. Relying on Afghan and Tajik military sources, Azattyk wrote in early October that the Taliban had driven Uyghur extremists out of Afghanistan, which shares a 76-kilometer border with China.

These would be the extremists of the "Islamic Party of Turkestan," sworn enemies of Beijing. They were already active in Taliban Afghanistan in the 1990s, and relations have never been interrupted since. Removing them from the hottest areas does not, after all, entail handing them over to the Chinese, and too much pressure in this direction could have disastrous consequences, leading the Uyghurs to weld with the remnants of Isis scattered throughout the region.

The Wakhan corridor, squeezed between Tajikistan and Pakistan up to the Chinese borders, is the real nerve center of all possible military and economic developments, and China is interested in reclaiming it as a transit point for the new Silk Road (Belt and Road Initiative).

The Russians ceded control of the area to the Chinese years ago, but they remain vigilant with their active forces in Tajikistan: about 7,000 men around the capital Dushanbe. Not only is control of Afghanistan at stake, but of the whole of Asia, in the confrontation between the great world powers.
Last week violence broke out again in Bangladesh after Muslims attacked Hindu homes and temples. Local newspapers criticise the government for "Islamising the country. Indian editorials back Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and point the finger at radical Islamist groups.

Dhaka (AsiaNews/Agencies)  It all started with a picture of a Quran placed at the foot of a statue of an Indian deity.

Posted on social media, the image sparked violence between Hindus and Muslims, which went on for days during the Durga Puja holiday.

Muslims accused Hindus of "offending Islam and so attacked Hindu temples and set fire to dozens of Hindu houses.

Many observers immediately thought that the picture had been circulated by groups of radical Islamists to increase the sectarian divisions of the country, which for decades have remained latent.

An investigation in Bangladesh by Daily Star seems to endorse this version by describing the first attack as premeditated, highlighting the shortcomings of the Bangladeshi government and its security forces in managing the unrest.

That attack, which took place in Cumilla on 13 October, sparked violence that spread to surrounding areas and lasted at least until 17 October. So far six people have been confirmed dead with hundreds of homes destroyed and at least 450 people arrested.

In response to the violence, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday took part in a four-kilometre march in the capital together with protesters demanding an end to the violence.

Backed by her party, the Awami League, she asked the Home Affairs minister to take action against those responsible for starting the attacks.

Yet, despite the increasing number of sectarian clashes in recent years, the Bangladeshi government has never arrested any suspect.

On the contrary, Two people charged with vandalising and attacking Hindu houses and temples in 2016 in Nasirnagar were even nominated by the Awami League to contest in the upcoming elections, writes the Daily Star.

The Awami League, which prides itself on being a secular party that defends the rights of minorities,[*] is actually not immune to the progressive "Islamisation of the nation," the paper noted.

It may not be an overstatement to say we have institutionalised hate and intolerance for other ideas and beliefs, and have created micro-fascists who feel entitled to not only tell others how to live their lives, but take increasingly violent means to impose their views on others.

The Dhaka Tribune agrees. The truth is, the secular sovereign state of Bangladesh has become the country of people who are Bangali (Bengali) by ethnicity and Muslim by religion. People of all other ethnic groups and religious persuasions live in this land at our indulgence.

The issue is no longer simply a domestic political problem but has become regional in scope since in neighbouring India, Hindus are being mobilised by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, the nationalist party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In their editorials, Indian newspapers support Hasina, although they say that Islamist radicalism has penetrated deep into Bangladeshi society.

In fact, the Times of India writes that were radicals to take over, the country would risk losing the progress and economic gains obtained so far by the government.

Hasina, perhaps aware of the delicate balance between minorities in India and Bangladesh, has been more cautious in her comments.

Speaking via videoconference to Hindu religious officials at the Dhakeshwari temple in Dhaka, she said that what happens in India must not influence what happens in Bangladesh.

For the Indian Express, the spread of violence in South Asia reflects an Islamist strand. This leftover from the subcontinents pre-partition time is now influenced by groups such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, and threatens not only Bangladesh, but the entire region.

[*] Hindus make up 10 per cent of Bangladesh's 170 million people.
The victim is 66-year-old intellectual Musa al-Qarni, who died as a result of serious injuries. He received beatings to the face and head with sharp objects, which resulted in fractures to the skull. He had suffered a heart attack in 2018, but had not received adequate treatment. Prison authorities had branded him mentally ill.

Riyadh (AsiaNews) - Musa al-Qarni, a dissident scholar and Saudi religious leader, has died as a result of serious injuries sustained during torture in prison. A group of human rights associations report he suffered beatings, violence and heavy mistreatment in the country's prisons. The death of the 66-year-old dates back to October 12, while he was in the cell despite progressively deteriorating health conditions for the 15-year sentence imposed by the authorities.

According to reports by Alqst, an independent NGO that promotes human rights in the Wahhabi kingdom, Qarni suffered violent beatings to the face and head with sharp objects, which caused numerous injuries including fractures to the skull that caused his death. The report cites numerous testimonies from people who, on condition of anonymity, confirm that they saw the religious leader being tortured in his cell.

We call for an urgent independent investigation into this crime, both to ensure that those responsible are punished and to protect other prisoners of conscience from any repetition of this tragedy, the organisation said. According to Alqst, Qarni (pictured) had suffered a heart attack in May 2018 and received the wrong treatment from the prison's medical staff, only to be transferred to a psychiatric hospital in an attempt to paint him as mentally ill.

The dissident scholar had been arrested in 2007 and sentenced to 15 years in jail in 2011 during a maxi-trial against the "Jeddah Reformists." The group, dissolved in 2007 at the hands of the judiciary with arrests and judicial sentences, had been accused of wanting to overthrow the Saudi government.

In 2012 the members had received conditional freedom or a royal pardon, after signing a letter in which they apologized and thanked for the act of clemency. However, six elements of the group declined the proposal, while the prosecutor revived the request for a death sentence for the offenders.

In spite of the reforms promoted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (Mbs) who through the economy tries to erase a past - still current - of extremism, sharia and death penalty, the Saudi kingdom is still at the top of the list of nations that violate human rights.

Riyadh continues to imprison activists, pacifists, intellectuals and uses the death penalty with beheading for crimes ranging from drug dealing to homosexuality. Bin Salman himself, while advocating greater openings to the economy and tourism, has stepped up his crackdown on domestic political dissent and peaceful activism.
Back from a mission to the Mideast country, the UNICEF spokesman speaks out, warning that these official figures do not include unrecorded deaths and injuries. At least 11 million children are in need of humanitarian assistance, their right to an education and childhood denied. The country remains the most difficult place in the world in which to grow up.

Geneva (AsiaNews)  The Yemen conflict has just hit another shameful milestone, said James Elder, UNICEF spokesman.

Some 10,00 children have been killed or maimed since the Saudi-led Arab coalition intervened in the conflict in March 2015, Elder said at a press briefing at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva. Thats the equivalent of four children every day, he lamented.

The UNICEF spokesman, who is back from a diplomatic mission to the Mideast country, stressed that, that these are official figures that do not take into account unrecorded child deaths and injuries.

In addition, four out of five children  about 11 million  are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, while another 400,000 suffer from severe malnutrition according to official statistics.

Two million of them are denied any right to education and cannot attend schools, half of which have been destroyed or damaged by bombs. Another four million are likely to be deprived of it in the near future.

I returned yesterday from a mission that took me to both the north and south of Yemen, Elder explained. I met scores of children, many inspiring; all suffering. I met pediatricians, teachers, nurses  all shared personal stories that mirror those of their country: they are on the brink of total collapse.

The war in Yemen broke out in 2014 pitting the pro-Saudi government and Iran-backed Shia Houthi rebels.

In March 2015, the conflict got worse with the direct Saudi intervention, resulting in over 130,000 deaths and the world worst humanitarian crisis according to the United Nations.

The latter has been aggravated by the devastating effects of COVID-19 with millions of people on the verge of hunger and children set to suffer the consequences for the next 20 years.

Factories, schools, hospitals and public and private companies have been destroyed, sinking the economy, while ceasefire talks between Saudi and Houthi representatives are still at an impasse.

In recent weeks, fighting has centred around Marib, the last government stronghold in the north, which is controlled by the rebels. The violence in a strategic region rich in natural gas has displaced more than 10,000 people in a short time.

For Elder, "Yemens humanitarian crisis  the worlds worst - represents a tragic convergence of four threats: (1) A violent and protracted conflict, (2) economic devastation, (3) shattered services for every support system - that is, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, protection and education, (4) & a critically under-funded UN response.

For example, two thirds of teachers (at least 170,000) have not been paid a regular salary for four years and 15 million people, more than half of whom are children (8.5 million) do not have access to drinking water, sanitation or hygiene.

Ultimately, children in Yemen are not starving because of a lack of food  they are starving because their families cannot afford food, the UNICEF envoy explained.

They are starving because adults continue to wage a war in which children are the biggest losers. At present, "Yemen is the most difficult place in the world to be a child. And, unbelievably, it is getting worse."
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
Senior BJP leader Anirban Ganguly on Tuesday slammed the recent attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh and said that the country is celebrating its 50th independence year. Even after 50 years, Hindus in Bangladesh are not feeling safe, he alleged.

"Bangladesh is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its formation, even in these 50 years, the Hindu community is not feeling safe. This cycle of violence is happening continuously," said the BJP's National Executive Committee member.

On being asked about Trinamool Congress not protesting against the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, Ganguly said, "TMC has nothing to do with where Bengali Hindus died or where they were alive, they only have to gain 30 to 33 per cent votes in West Bengal. That is their interest and they will keep doing the same," he said.

"There is a conspiracy behind the attacks and demolition of the mandaps organised on the occasion of Durga Puja in Bangladesh," he alleged.

"There was a Holy Quran kept in the mandap. The authorities must conduct an investigation into the matter about who kept it in mandap. A wrong message was made viral in the entire area that led to the violence. It is clear that it was well planned," he alleged.

"The administration was supposed to be extremely careful and alert while the Pooja was being performed. However, this was not the case. It is sad, that the Awami League after being so many years in power cannot control such elements of the 'jamaat'," he further alleged.

"Awami League should understand that India is standing with them, they should take more action against the perpetrators of such incidents, it has been 10 days, but till now no action has been taken," he further stated.

Earlier on Tuesday, at least 71 cases have been filed in different parts of the country in connection with the attacks on Hindus and around 450 were arrested for spreading rumours on social media.

450 people have been arrested in the past five days over the attacks on puja venues, temples, Hindu homes and businesses, and for spreading rumours on social media amid the Durga Puja, reported Dhaka Tribune.

At least 71 cases have been started in different parts of the country, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Md Kamruzzaman of the police headquarters said in a statement on Monday.

Communal tensions have gripped Bangladesh over the past few days following allegations of the Quran being dishonoured at a puja pavilion in Cumilla on October 13, triggering violence in several districts across the country.

At least four people were killed in police shootings during the attack on Puja locations in Chandpur's Hajiganj on October 13 and in Noakhali's Choumuhani, attacks on Hindu temples left two people dead on October 15, reported Dhaka Tribune.

(ANI)

Also Read: JMM MLA accuses ex-JMM treasurer of trying to topple Jharkhand govt, FIR lodged
Often looking straight at Ortega, she said shes suffered from depression and anxiety since the incident, and is no longer the type of wife and mother she used to be. She said that Ortega may not remember her, but she will always remember him.
Delta Air Lines Inc. has a less stringent policy. Even though it is a federal contractor, Delta says it will let workers undergo regular testing if they dont want to be vaccinated, but they face a $200 monthly surcharge on their health insurance. CEO Ed Bastian said last week that 90% of Delta employees are vaccinated and he expects that figure to reach 95% in November.
So maybe its just as well that Powell didnt run. I didnt used to think that. But the continuing political polarization that was only beginning in the 1990s has persuaded me. Republicans have gone further to the right since then and Democrats to the left. What we need is leadership that can rebuild that sensible center. It wasnt Powell, but he helped to prepare the way.
Brown isnt worried the process will lead to a shortage in officers, and said besides the 21 officers on no-pay status, everyone else has continued to work and there has been no officer shortage so far. A call that went out for possible help from suburban law-enforcement agencies was merely contingency planning, he said.
But about 440 workers at Advocate Aurora Health in Illinois and Wisconsin have parted ways with the system because they werent vaccinated by Advocates Friday deadline and they didnt have approved medical or religious exemptions, spokesman Mike Riopell said. Many of those individuals were not full-time employees. Overall, about 99% of the systems 75,000 employees are vaccinated or have approved exemptions, or are in the process of doing so.
Actually, you still have to drive a long way from Chicago anyway to see these  about seven hours. But if foliage fireworks are what youre looking for, you wont be disappointed.
5. Submitted Content: The Content must not have previously been published. The Photo must not depict any recognizable individuals. By submitting Content, each entrant represents and warrants that: (a) the Content is original to and was created solely by the entrant and has not been copied, in whole or in part, from a copyrighted or proprietary work belonging to someone else, (b) entrant has all rights necessary to submit the Content in this Contest and grant the rights provided for herein; (c) the Content does not violate any copyright or trademark laws, and does not plagiarize, libel, slander, defame, disparage, or otherwise infringe on or violate the rights of any third parties; (d) the Content does not contain illegal, indecent, obscene, pornographic, or sexually explicit content, or otherwise offensive material or inappropriate content such as aberrational behavior, graphic violence, drug abuse, or nudity; (e) the Content does not promote bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, or age; (f) the distribution, reproduction, display and any other uses of any part of the Content by Chicago Tribune or any of its affiliated companies as permitted herein will not infringe any third party rights; and (g) the Content complies in all respects with these Official Rules, including the submission requirements and the Chicago Tribune Terms of Service at https://www.tribpub.com/central-terms-of-service/. Any entry that is determined by Chicago Tribune in its sole discretion at any time during the Contest to violate the submission requirements or these Official Rules or the Terms of Service, or to otherwise be unsuitable, offensive or in poor taste, may be rejected and the accompanying entry disqualified and, if applicable, removed from the voting website. Chicago Tribune retains sole discretion as to whether any entry satisfies the submission requirements, and its decisions are final. Each entrant further agrees to hold Chicago Tribune and its subsidiaries, affiliates, distributors, retailers, advertising and promotional agencies, franchisees, and promoters, and all of their representatives, employees, contractors, officers, directors, agents and related persons (collectively, the Released Parties), harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, damages, costs, liabilities and causes of action of whatsoever nature that are based upon or arise out of any breach by such entrants of such warranties or representations made by entrant or of these Official Rules.
As I rediscovered when I rebuilt my reading habits after my early-pandemic lull, reading is a practice, a combination of skills, attitudes, knowledge, and habits of mind that add up to a whole. This ideally starts when were young, but its never a bad time to consider the nature of your reading practice and see if theres areas for improvement. The pandemic had disrupted my practice. I was fortunate to have years of training to fall back on to rebuild it.
Even if you have dabbled in the extensive library of books on this matter, I doubt you will have seen so extensive a collection of assassination sourcing (once an investigative reporter, always an investigative reporter). And yet the show is never dry or dull  the director, Kevin Christopher Fox, and his cast of male actors of a certain age and type all ratchet up the stakes. The laudably rapid-fire show is quite serious, of course, although there are a few hints of self-awareness (I'd suggest adding a few more) and some useful discussion of how Levin's theory intersects with that of movie director Oliver Stone, whose 1991 movie "JFK" had a lot bigger marketing budget than does Assassination Theater. I found Levin's arguments far more plausible than those of Stone, some similarities notwithstanding. Unlike Stone, Levin does not see New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison as a hero. Au contraire. It should also be noted that Stone already had made his movie before some of Levin's research came to be.
Their contact in China is a young woman named Liu Hao. Shes a Beijing-based genealogist who is their liaison, working to help find their biological parents. Its a painstaking process that includes posting photos on social media in the hopes that someone might see the year of birth and the images and notice a family resemblance; then she travels to the village or city where the potential parents live and procures a saliva sample to test their DNA. Generations of families have been left quietly devastated by the emotional fallout of the one-child policy and shes wonderfully sensitive to this: A lot of my relatives, they just gave up their children, their girls, she says. And my parents, they almost gave up me because they didnt want to pay the penalty. Her mothers side of the family insisted they keep her, but says she always felt estranged and unwanted by her father. So even though she grew up with her biological family in China, she has some sense of the dynamics at play. Thats why I feel so connected with the girls, she says of the three teens, and shes able to locate the nannies who took care of them as babies.
Because of procedural questions involved in consolidating the cases, Jacobius delayed the WAH case until Oct. 28, but the cases are likely to take much longer to resolve. In the meantime, all the applicants have been burning money to maintain properties or employees, while not being able to open their businesses.
Officers in an unmarked car tried to stop a man on the street who was standing with two other men after they said they saw a bulge protruding from his jacket.
Carla Kaehler, 72, said her main problem was finding drinking water. She does not have a car and is unable to drive to the village hall or the grocery store to get water, and leg and back problems prohibit her from walking. She is relying on her brother to bring her a case of water.
The next morning, after finding her boyfriend unresponsive in her Crystal Lake home, Kubiak gave him CPR and Narcan, the overdose-reversing medication, according to the investigators report. She also advised her mother of what was going on and then her sister called 911 from her phone and they were all on the phone, on speakerphone.
It doesnt matter about your criminal history or your familys criminal history, it doesnt matter what ZIP code you live in, it doesnt even matter what your GPA is, Kadens said. Students and families have had to face a share of barriers over the course of their lives; were not about to put more barriers in front of them.
Jay Doherty, the former head of the City Club of Chicago who is under indictment in the Commonwealth Edison bribery case, has been slapped with a $75,000 fine by the city for failing to register as a lobbyist for three companies.
The message from local Fraternal Order of Police First Vice President Michael Mette, in a video posted on social media, came as the Police Department slowly works through the process of dealing with the thousands of employees who did not report their vaccine status by Fridays deadline. The city has been giving those employees counseling and a final chance to comply before placing those who refuse on no-pay status.
I keep going above and beyond to find my sister, she said. And if its not my sister, thats fine, its still somebodys loved one in there. They need the closure. Their loved one needs to come home.
In 2019, 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 leading pumpkin producer in the United States, Illinois harvested 15,900 acres last year, more than twice as many acres as any other state, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. About 80% of the pumpkins grown in Illinois are processing pumpkins, whose destinies are more likely to land them in pie tins than on a front porch.
One of the things that weve been talking about a lot during COVID has been recognizing, because so many of our students are struggling with other life issues that normally wouldnt be brought into a classroom, this idea of seeing each other as full human beings, he said. I think seeing each other as human beings is part of the experience of being a faculty member.
How can you have the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act on one hand and then on the other hand nominate someone who is the face of a police cover-up and murder? It is just unbelievable to me, longtime Chicago political consultant Delmarie Cobb said at Tuesdays news conference. Rahm Emanuels nomination is the epitome of hypocrisy and insult. We are here to say, Reject Rahm Emanuel. He should never hold another office of public trust.
Seven years ago, a young man had his life taken on the street in the city of Chicago. He had all the promise ahead of him and a police officer took his life, killed him, Emanuel said. I said then, Im the mayor and Im responsible and accountable for fixing this so this never happens again. And to be honest, there is not a day or week that has gone by in the last seven years I havent thought about this and the what-ifs and the changes and what could have been.
Weve done beer with the museum before, many years ago actually, called Cabinet of Curiosities because that was the original name for museums as they used to pull them around on carts thousands of years ago, Ebel said. Weve had a relationship with them for about 12 years and now were doing this coffee release in partnership with the Field Museum. For us, it was a no-brainer.
Residents in the area of the search were notified through the automated CodeRed phone system of the significant police presence and told to remain inside, although police said that more than 800 calls made by the alert system were rejected. Police said that the blocked calls could have been the result of invalid phone numbers or other technology issues and encouraged residents to ensure the village has updated contact information.
Although investigations of officer-involved shootings can often take months to be resolved, the Stinnette case remains open a year later. The Illinois State Police, along with the FBI, investigated the shooting and turned over its report to the Lake County states attorneys office to decide whether the shooting was justified, or if charges are warranted
But with Mondays threat, the company that provided the platform on which it was posted was less cooperative, he said. Police will file subpoenas that could take up to a month to returned in order to determine which subscriber was responsible, Arres said.
A relative of Cardwell discovered her body during a weekly visit, police said. At the time, investigators believed Cardwell had been killed the previous night or earlier that morning, and noted that there was no sign of forced entry to her room and nothing appeared to be stolen, according to the Tribune. Police said residents of the building did not report hearing anything unusual.
Depending on what the pattern is and what we know at the time, he said. Everything is a case by case basis. Theres no set rules on this stuff. We try to do our best to maintain public safety and making the arrest is the ultimate goal. We want to try to do that.
After last year's digital-only edition due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Frankfurt Book Fair will once again welcome visitors on site from Wednesday to Sunday, the organizers announced on Tuesday.



"The desire for in-person interactions is once again bringing the international book and publishing industry together in Frankfurt," said Juergen Boos, director of the book fair, at a press conference opening the event.

"Back to business, however, does not mean things are now back to normal," Boos said, adding that in addition to face-to-face events, the fair would also present a "compelling digital trade program."

Under the slogan "Re:connect - Welcome back to Frankfurt," around 2,000 companies from 80 countries will exhibit their products, featuring more than 300 international authors.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) will start the eighth trade policy review of China on Wednesday, the Ministry of Commerce said Tuesday.

The review would last three days until Friday and will be attended by Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen in Beijing via video link, and China's Ambassador to the WTO Li Chenggang in Geneva, the ministry said.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the WTO. Over the past 20 years, China has fully fulfilled its accession commitments, actively participated in the work of the WTO, and made great contributions to upholding the multilateral trading system, the ministry said.

The country had undergone seven trade policy reviews by the WTO previously. The last review was conducted in 2018.

The ministry will elaborate on China's new development philosophy during the eighth review, expound on the country's new reform and opening-up measures, and respond to the concerns raised by the WTO members.

"China welcomes all countries to share development opportunities with it and is willing to work with all parties to jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system with WTO as the core," the ministry said.
You are here: Business

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday called for efforts to promote mass entrepreneurship and innovation to pool strength for economic growth.



Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when addressing the opening ceremony of the 2021 National Mass Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week in Beijing.

Facing challenges including slowing economic growth, China will further deepen its reform and opening-up, enhance innovation-driven development, and promote mass entrepreneurship and innovation through market means, Li said.

Efforts should be made to beef up support for mass entrepreneurship and innovation, and favorable policies including preferential taxes and inclusive finance should be well implemented, he said.

The premier also underscored the importance of consolidating basic research and advancing the breakthroughs of key and core technologies to improve the quality of mass entrepreneurship and innovation.
The 7th Ultra-Broadband Forum (UBBF 2021) opened in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Oct. 19.

The 7th Ultra-Broadband Forum (UBBF 2021) opens in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oct. 19, 2021. [Photo courtesy of Huawei]

The two-day event focused on the theme of "Extend Connectivity, Drive Growth," and was co-hosted by the UN Broadband Commission and China's tech giant Huawei. It brought together leading global operators and industry partners throughout the industry chain to discuss building a sustainable ecosystem for the ultra-broadband industry.

At the world's largest summit in the fixed network field, Huawei executives shared insights on the role of connectivity, how to extend connectivity boundaries, as well as opening up new spaces for the industry to achieve new business growth.

Ryan Ding, Huawei's executive director of the board and president of the Carrier Business Group, noted that connectivity is changing people's lives, accelerating the development of industries, and changing the future.

"More than 170 years ago, the world's first submarine cable was laid, sending the first communication signals across the ocean. About 20 years ago, connection speeds exceeded 32 Kbps, and video began to surpass text as the major form of traffic, allowing us to communicate like never before," said Ding. "When the pandemic hit the world in 2020, connectivity once again reshaped how we live and work."

Moreover, connectivity is driving industrial development, Ding noted. He cited examples on manufacturers and coal mines using connectivity to increase productivity and enhance safety, adding that "where there is connectivity, there is innovation."

"Connectivity is changing the future, and presents unlimited possibilities," he said.

"2021 opens a new chapter for connectivity. Despite the challenges caused by the pandemic, we are still moving forward." Ding called for all industry partners to work together, discuss how to create a connected world and make the world a better place.

At the forum, Peng Song, Huawei's president of Global Carrier Marketing & Solution Sales, delivered a speech titled "Extend Connectivity, Drive Growth." He explained Huawei's C.A.F. (Coverage-Architecture-Fusion) model, and called for operators to build network competitiveness based on the C.A.F. model.

"The past year has been full of both challenges and opportunities," Peng said, noting that the demands for connectivity are undergoing tremendous changes for both homes and enterprises.

Homes have become centers for education, work, and trade, whereas enterprises no longer just focus on bandwidth for connectivity, but are also changing from a communication technology (CT) to an operational technology (OT).

Digitalization is the biggest opportunity for the ICT industry. Undoubtedly, the cloud is at the core of digitalization, but connectivity also plays a key role. According to Peng, enterprises must quickly migrate to multiple clouds, so connectivity needs to be cloud-centric and converge with cloud.

Peng emphasized that Huawei's continuous efforts in exploring new technologies have strengthened the foundation of network architecture.

Peng highlighted that there are huge opportunities for connectivity and that the C.A.F. model is the key for operators to help accelerate the digitalization of industries, maximize the value of connectivity, and achieve new growth.

"Actions are fruits, while words are but leaves." Peng said when explaining the company is continuing to focus on innovation in connectivity technologies and support customers to achieve business success both now and in the future.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has called for grasping the trend and law of digital economic development and pushing forward the sound development of the digital economy in the country.

Xi made the remarks on Monday when presiding over a study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

He called for taking into account domestic and international dynamics and the two major tasks of development and security, to strengthen and expand China's digital economy.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee has paid high attention to digital economic development and implemented the national cyber development strategy and the national big data strategy, Xi said, noting that China's digital economy has witnessed relatively fast growth and made remarkable achievements.

Developing a digital economy is a strategic choice for grasping the new opportunities in the new round of revolution in science and technology and industrial transformation, as it can help foster a new development paradigm, a modern economic system, and new national competitive strengths, Xi stressed.

China needs to work hard on key and core technologies, achieve high-level self-reliance and self-improvement as soon as possible, and keep the autonomy of developing the digital economy firmly in its own hands, said Xi.

Xi stressed further efforts in building a high-speed, ubiquitous, intelligent, and comprehensive digital information infrastructure that integrates space and ground, and the cloud and the internet. It should also be green, low-carbon, secure and controllable, he noted, calling for significant breakthroughs in key software.

Efforts should be made to push forward integrated development of the digital economy and the real economy, said Xi.

Calling for building a multi-tiered and three-dimensional supervision system that covers all directions, Xi stressed efforts to correct and standardize behaviors and practices that harm people's interests and impede fair competition in the course of development, and prevent platform monopolies and disorderly expansion of capital.

Xi urged efforts to improve the governance system of the digital economy as well as related laws, rules, and policies. He also called for further participation in global cooperation on the digital economy and engagement in the digital economy agenda set by international organizations, to contribute China solutions and make the country's voice heard.
Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has launched a campaign with aims to effectively solve prominent problems in the operation of internet user accounts.

User accounts for instant messaging, news and information, live streaming, online gaming, e-commerce and other types of online platforms will be the focus of the campaign, said the CAC on Tuesday.

Malpractice such as renting or selling online game accounts to minors, the malicious marketing of internet user accounts and using illegal information in the names of user accounts will be punished.

Regulation of the registration and management of user accounts will be strengthened to ban the re-registration of accounts, which were closed in accordance with laws and regulations, with the same or similar names.

The CAC called on website platforms to shoulder their responsibilities, and guide account operators to regulate their behaviors, thus contributing to creating a healthy cyberspace.
You are here: China

A draft amendment to the Anti-monopoly Law was submitted on Tuesday to the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, for the first reading.

The draft amendment clarifies the basic position of competition policy and the legal status of the fair-competition review system.

Fair-competition review shall be conducted when rules involving the economic activities of market entities are made, according to the draft amendment.

It stipulates that business operators shall not exclude or limit competition by abusing data, algorithms, technology, capital advantages as well as platform rules, among others.

It also stipulates that the anti-monopoly law enforcement departments of the State Council shall strengthen the review of business operators in fields including people's livelihood, finance, science, technology and media.

The draft amendment further strengthens the support for anti-monopoly law enforcement, stipulating that law enforcement departments can hold talks with business operators or organizations suspected of illegal acts and demand overhaul.

It also substantially raises the amount of fines for relevant illegal acts and increases provisions on punishment of people responsible for monopoly.
The attempts by Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority to create a false narrative of "international support" for its "Taiwan independence" agenda are doomed to failure, Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said Tuesday.

Taiwan's participation in the activities of any international organization must be handled in line with the one-China principle, and this is also a long-standing position of the World Health Organization (WHO), Ma said.

He made the remarks while commenting on the recent move of the DPP authority in expressing gratitude to an international non-governmental organization that had expressed support for Taiwan's participation in WHO-related activities.

Such support, which runs counter to the one-China principle and the WHO's Taiwan-related arrangements, is wrong and invalid, Ma said.

The stunts of the DPP authority to create a false narrative of "international support" are nothing but bragging and self-deception, and they are doomed to failure, he said.
Residents who had relocated to make way for the construction of the Xiong'an New Area in north China's Hebei Province are ready to move into their new homes.

The first resident group attended on Tuesday a lucky-draw allocation of the newly-built apartments in Rongdong area, a 13-square-km area that will likely become home to 170,000 people.

More than 400 residential buildings are ready for delivery to more than 30,000 people from 54 villages in Rongcheng and Anxin counties, said the administrative committee of the Xiong'an New Area.

The buildings have supermarkets, restaurants, and recreational venues, and schools, hospitals and clinics, as well as social welfare service facilities will also be constructed.

On April 1, 2017, China announced plans to establish the Xiong'an New Area, located about 100 km southwest of Beijing, aiming to build the 1,770-square-km area into a green city featuring innovation and a national model of high-quality development.
You are here: China

Law-enforcement authorities from China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand joined forces on Tuesday for the 110th Mekong River joint patrol.

Two Chinese vessels departed Tuesday morning from Jingha Port in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, for the patrol, said the Yunnan provincial public security department.

Before the operation, the law-enforcement authorities held video conferences to jointly analyze the current situations of the COVID-19 pandemic and public security in the river basin.

The Mekong River, known as the Lancang River in China, is a vital waterway for cross-border shipping.

China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand have been carrying out joint patrols in the river since December 2011.
The sixth China-Africa Youth Festival kicks off in Beijing, on Oct. 19. [Photo courtesy of CSCLF]

The sixth China-Africa Youth Festival kicked off in Beijing on October 19.

The five-day event has brought together 45 African youth delegates currently studying or working in Beijing to participate in a series of exchange activities such as roundtable talks, cultural activities and exhibition visits.

This year marks the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said Wang Jiarui, chairman of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF), during the opening ceremony, adding that he hopes through visits, dialogues and sharing, the African youth delegates will gain a deeper understanding of China, the CPC and the Chinese people.

Wang Jiarui, chairman of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF), delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the sixth China-Africa Youth Festival, on Oct. 19, 2021. [Photo courtesy of CSCLF]

Deng Li, assistant foreign minister, said that inspired by the theme of "reflecting on the 100-year history of the CPC, pooling wisdom from the youth and creating a new chapter for China-Africa common development," the event encourages young people from China and Africa to learn from history and seize the opportunity to advance China-Africa relations in the new era.

Deng revealed that a new session dubbed the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Senegal at the end of this year, noting that China and Africa will collaborate on new initiatives and provide more platforms for Chinese and African youths to display their talents.

Deng Li, assistant foreign minister, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the sixth China-Africa Youth Festival, on Oct. 19, 2021. [Photo courtesy of CSCLF]

Nigerian Ambassador to China Baba Ahmad Jidda delivered a speech via video link, calling for young people from Africa and China to shoulder the responsibilities of shared prosperity and work together.

Nigerian Ambassador to China, Baba Ahmad Jidda, delivers a speech via video link at the opening ceremony of the sixth China-Africa Youth Festival, on Oct. 19, 2021. [Photo courtesy of CSCLF]

On the opening day, nearly 100 Chinese and African youths also participated in roundtable talks about "the role of political parties in promoting the development of the country" and "the role of youth in promoting a closer China-Africa community with a shared future."

In addition, they experienced a number of traditional Chinese cultural activities such as Peking opera, a tea ceremony, craft dyeing and traditional Chinese musical instruments at China Soong Ching Ling Science and Culture Center for Young People.

Over the next few days, African youth delegates will visit the Museum of the Communist Party of China, venues for the 2022 Winter Games and high-tech companies, providing a comprehensive look at the past, present and future of China.

This year's festival is sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and hosted by the CSCLF.

African and Chinese youth delegates learn about Peking opera on the first day of the sixth China-Africa Youth Festival in Beijing, on Oct. 19, 2021. [Photo courtesy of CSCLF]
The 8th congress of the Luohu District Communist Party of China (CPC) was convened on Oct 19.

On behalf of the CPC Luohu District Committee, Luohu Party Chief Liu Sheng delivered a report on the district's high-quality development during the meeting.

Fan Defan, deputy secretary of the CPC Luohu District Committee and acting district mayor of the Luohu District People's Government, presided over the meeting.

In addition to summarizing the district's development over the past few years, the meeting provided an opportunity to identify goals and key tasks over the next five years for Luohu, solidifying the district's role as a pilot zone for Shenzhen's development.

The report Liu delivered indicated that the district has fulfilled all of the major objectives set during the previous Party Congress.

Specifically, all of the 26 low-income villages in Xilin and Longlin counties of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, as well as Lufeng city of Guangdong province have been lifted out of poverty thanks to Luohu's aid.

The Luohu pilot zone of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Port Economic Belt was included in the key work of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Luohu was the first to introduce policies that support Hong Kong and Macao residents looking for jobs and entrepreneurs starting their own businesses in the region. Likewise, the emerging Dawutong industrial belt has become an important node along the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao science and technology corridor.

Luohu has also promoted urban renovation across Hubei, Caiwuwei, Shuibei-Buxin and Sungang-Qingshuihe, making the regions more modernized.

In 2020, the district's gross domestic product reached 237.5 billion yuan ($37.12 billion), with the tertiary industry accounting for 93.8% of its GDP, ranking first among all districts in the city. Luohu's GDP output per square kilometer exceeded 3 billion yuan, 2.2 times that of the whole city. The comprehensive energy consumption per 10,000 yuan of GDP stood at the lowest level in the city, and the average per capita GDP exceeded $30,000, making it one of the highest-income areas.

Meanwhile, Luohu built the first 5G industrial park in the city and its number of national new and high-tech enterprises increased by 135%.

Luohu has prioritized improving its business environment, ecological conservation, government efficiency and public services, such as health care, housing and education.

Between now and 2025, Luohu will continue to foster innovation as its growth driver, enhance its sustainable development, further modernize the grassroots governance systems, cultivate more civilized communities, and improve residents' livelihoods, according to the meeting.

In addition, Luohu's GDP is expected to exceed 330 billion yuan by 2025, when the added value of strategic emerging industries will account for more than 10% of its GDP, and the per capita disposable income will grow at an average annual rate of 6%, laying a solid foundation for the district's continuous high-quality growth.
Data for China's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was released on Monday. It shows that China's GDP grew 9.8% year on year in the first three quarters, reaching 82.31 trillion yuan (about $12.8 trillion). Industrial output missed expectations, but retail sales and exports grew higher than forecasted.



China's economy is still on course to meet growth forecasts of around 8%, putting it on par to be one of the world's fastest growing major economies this year. Despite several disruptions, lower growth numbers are partially attributed to China's recovery having peaked earlier than other economies, now returning to normal levels of growth. The government has also relied less on stimulus to rebuild the economy in contrast to others. As a result, once these various challenges are mitigated, the picture is fairly optimistic.

Numbers are sometimes deceiving, and GDP numbers are comparative and relative. China's economy is recovering from the pandemic, as a result, the starting base for comparison becomes higher and higher, giving the impression that growth has slowed down.

However, that's not what's happening. By the third quarter of last year, China's recovery was hastily underway, resetting the average base of comparison.

There have been circumstantial disruptions. For example, China has seen a recent COVID-19 resurgence caused by the Delta variant, which has disrupted regular economic operations. In addition, the recent power shortages in the country have also posed challenges to economic development.

However, their impact is exaggerated. China's exports and retail sales, two key indicators of growth, have bucked the trend of a "recovery surge" and illustrated that the underlying stability brought to China by its pandemic prevention and control approach is paying off. Moreover, China is sparing no efforts to cope with the power difficulties and adopted measures to boost electricity supply.

Given China's improving fiscal strength and its ample room for monetary policies, it is expected that the country will introduce more policies and measures to deal with uncertainties and challenges so as to ensure stable economic operations.

Given all of the aforementioned aspects, China's economy is in a healthy position. It is facing some headwinds, but one should not misrepresent the fact it is coming to the end of a robust recovery as a "slow down." This is a misleading talking point. Compensating for the COVID-19 pandemic, it is returning to a normal trajectory.

Tom Fowdy is a British political and international relations analyst and a graduate of Durham and Oxford universities. He writes on topics pertaining to China, the DPRK, Britain and the U.S. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/TomFowdy.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

If you would like to contribute, please contact us at opinion@china.org.cn.
 Flash

A Chinese military spokesperson on Tuesday urged the United States to clarify an incident involving a U.S. nuclear submarine, and to cease conducting the so-called "freedom of navigation" operations in the South China Sea.

Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks when responding to an inquiry about a U.S. nuclear submarine that had recently collided with an unknown object in the South China Sea, causing some damages and injuries.

"We notice that the U.S. military has deliberately delayed and concealed the details of the incident," Tan said, adding that such an irresponsible and secretive approach makes China and the countries surrounding the South China Sea have no choice but to question the truth of the incident and the intentions of the U.S. side.

The root cause of the incident is that the United States has for a long time frequently dispatched aircraft carriers, strategic bombers, nuclear submarines and other advanced weapon systems into these waters, Tan noted, adding that such a show of force has heightened tensions and undermined peace and stability in the region.

Tan also mentioned that recently, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia have established a trilateral security partnership to carry out cooperation on nuclear-powered submarine, giving the non-nuclear-weapon state Australia access to nuclear materials that can be used to make nuclear weapons, posing a huge risk of nuclear proliferation and a grave challenge to regional peace and security.

"China urges the United States to take seriously the concerns of all parties, take a responsible attitude and give a detailed account of the incident as soon as possible, so as to give a satisfactory explanation to the international community and regional countries," he said.
 Flash

Nabil Shaath, an aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, on Tuesday affirmed that Israel has been preventing the reopening of the U.S. consulate in East Jerusalem.

Several days ago, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid during a meeting in Washington that his country is continuing with special procedures to reopen the consulate for the Palestinians in East Jerusalem.

Lapid explained to Blinken that reopening the U.S. consulate in East Jerusalem at the current time would lead to the downfall of the Israeli government, according to Israeli media reports.

"Washington is reluctant to fulfill its promises to the Palestinians because of the Israeli position that the government is fragile and may collapse at any moment if steps are taken regarding the Palestinian issue," Shaath said.

Shaath accused the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett of evading its commitments with the Palestinians by intensifying settlements, confiscating land, demolishing homes, and increasing settler attacks in Palestine.

He called on the international community, including the United States, to compel Israel to implement the signed agreements in accordance with the international resolutions by ending settlement and halting the assaults on the Palestinians.

"Israel's denial of implementing the signed agreements will lead to an escalation of popular resistance against the Israeli measures and a continuation of the Palestinian diplomatic action at various levels to stop these violations," Shaath said.

The Palestinian Authority severed its diplomatic ties with the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump after he declared Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2017.
 Flash

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and visiting U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met here on Tuesday to discuss ways to deepen practical cooperation between Kiev and Washington in the field of security and defense, the Ukrainian presidential press service said.

The two sides exchanged their views on the security situation in eastern Ukraine, the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, as well as on the topical issues of Ukraine's cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Zelensky stressed the importance of Washington's role in enhancing the capabilities of his country's armed forces, saying that the United States remains Ukraine's "key partner" in security and defense.

The Ukrainian leader talked about the progress made in reforming the country's security and defense sector, including the domestic defense industry, to bring it closer to NATO standards.

For his part, the Pentagon chief pledged that the U.S. support for Ukraine will continue.

Austin arrived in Kiev earlier in the day for a working visit. He also held talks with Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Taran on the two countries' partnership in the defense sector.
 Flash

The death toll in India's flood-hit state Uttarakhand rose to 34, the state's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Tuesday after taking an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas.

The chief minister announced a monetary compensation of 400,000 Indian rupees (around 5,329 U.S. dollars) to the families of each of the deceased.

Dhami told the media that five people were missing in the flood-affected areas.

"Those who lost their houses will be given 109,000 Indian rupees (around 1,452 U.S. dollars). Possible help to be extended to those who lost their livestock," he added.

Nainital is one of the worst affected places in the northern state. A cloudburst was also reported in Ramgarh area of Nainital, resulting in the district being cut off from the rest of the state.

Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) were pressed into action to rescue people stuck in flood-affected areas.
 Flash

Somalia and the United Nations on Tuesday called for local action to improve the systems that produce and distribute the food in the country.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation said Somalia has, in the past few years, faced a range of recurrent and devastating shocks ranging from the ongoing desert locust invasion to severe floods and droughts, affecting the country's production system and individual livelihoods

Said Hussein Iid, minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, said the government is committed at the highest levels to creating an enabling environment for equitable and sustainable food systems in Somalia.

"We believe this is the key to the country's human, economic and social development," Iid said in a joint statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, after a virtual event to mark this year's World Food Day.

The event explored how food systems champions are transforming the agrifood systems in Somalia to support this year's theme "Our actions are our future - Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life," with participants from across government, UN agencies, civil society, academia and the private sector, in attendance.

FAO Somalia Country Representative Etienne Peterschmitt said the effects of climate change are being felt the world over amid an ever-growing population.

"We need to nurture the planet so that we can continue to meet the food production needs of the population in years to come. This requires us to build long-term resilience and change the way we produce and consume food," Peterschmitt said.

WFP said its food systems interventions in Somalia interlock with its broader work to enable vulnerable communities to be more resilient in the face of natural shocks.

Luca Pagliara, EU resilience program coordinator, said agrifood sectors sustain the livelihoods of the majority of the people in Somalia, which are increasingly under stress due to climate change, environmental degradation, conflict and displacement.
 Flash

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Wednesday announced that the first China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting will be held on Thursday via video link.

The meeting will be chaired by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and attended by foreign ministers of Pacific Island countries that have diplomatic ties with China, according to the spokesperson.

Parties at the meeting will have an in-depth exchange of views on the relationship between China and Pacific Island countries, the fight against COVID-19, exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and international and regional cooperation, among other things, the spokesperson said.
Ligonier Ministries Partners with the Rosemary Jensen Bible Foundation to Send 100,000 Reformation Study Bibles to Christians in Africa by 2028



NEWS PROVIDED BY

Ligonier Ministries

Oct. 20, 2021



ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 20, 2021 /Christian Newswire/ -- Ligonier Ministries is expanding its campaign to distribute free copies of the Reformation Study Bible to pastors, teachers, and students in ten African countries. Having originally planned to deliver 36,000 study Bibles by 2028, this outreach has considerably outpaced its initial target, with a total of 30,000 expected to be distributed by the end of October 2021. This great success has encouraged the partnership to pursue a new distribution goal of 100,000 study Bibles by 2028.



Study Bibles for Africa was the final ministry campaign launched by Dr. R.C. Sproul, Ligonier's founder, before he went to be with the Lord in 2017. Looking to the future, Dr. Sproul noted that while people often overestimate what they are able to accomplish in one year, they often underestimate what they can achieve in five years. In God's providence, this campaign presents a fitting illustration of that fact, as Ligonier has developed capabilities to distribute study Bibles more efficiently than anticipated, fueled by the generosity of supporters who believe in this work.



The study Bibles are distributed to a multi-country network of African villages, schools, seminaries, and churches through the Rafiki Foundation established by Rosemary Jensen, along with other distribution partners. Commenting on the significance of this outreach, Mrs. Jensen said: "There is nothing more important for anybody to have than the Bible. And I love the Reformation Study Bible. More than a Bible, it's a whole library in one volume." Its theological notes, trusted commentary, and historic creeds and confessions make the Reformation Study Bible an exceptional resource for church leaders in regions where sound discipleship materials are scarce. Even if pastors in these areas could manage to find such a resource in a bookstore, the cost would equal at least one month's stipend. Placing the Reformation Study Bible in the hands of an African minister provides him access to the obtainable and impacts hundreds of others as he goes on to teach and disciple others.



Chris Larson, president and CEO of Ligonier Ministries, said: "Some demographers think that in the next ten to fifteen years, more than a billion souls will be added to Africa's population. Today, the average age on the continent is under twenty years. We're presented with a critical opportunity to equip pastors and leaders who can disciple the next generation. As we hear of the church's expansive growth in the Global South, it appears that Africa's future is Christian. The question is, what kind of Christianity will it be? We pray and strive in obedience to our Lord's Great Commission so that the church may not be storm-tossed by doctrinal winds but steadfastly committed to the truth once for all delivered to the saints. By God's grace, the Reformation Study Bible is capable of playing a pivotal role in this work, and this distribution partnership has galvanized our efforts to translate the study Bible into even more languages." This significant endeavor is aided by visionary donors who want to help advance the teachings of Scripture and Reformed theology throughout the world. To support the Study Bibles for Africa campaign and to help distribute 100,000 copies of the Reformation Study Bible to African Christians by 2028, donations can be made today on Ligonier's website.



About Ligonier Ministries

Ligonier Ministries exists to proclaim, teach, and defend the holiness of God in all its fullness to as many people as possible. To that end, Ligonier's outreach today is manifold and worldwide. Founded by Dr. R.C. Sproul in 1971, Ligonier's teaching fellowship consists of theologians, pastors, and scholars. Ligonier publishes Renewing Your Mind broadcasts, the Reformation Study Bible, Tabletalk magazine, books, and hundreds of teaching series. The ministry also offers an undergraduate degree program through Reformation Bible College. In addition, Ligonier hosts national and regional conferences, provides an online learning community through Ligonier Connect, streams 24-hour Christian Internet radio through RefNet, answers biblical and theological questions with Ask Ligonier, pursues numerous translation efforts in other countries, and makes available thousands of unique educational resources online at Ligonier.org.



SOURCE Ligonier Ministries



CONTACT: Deborah Finnamore, Publicity Manager, 407-333-4244, definnamore@ligonier.org



Share Tweet
NEWS PROVIDED BY

The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights

Oct. 20, 2021



NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2021 /Christian Newswire/ -- Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on another victim of the cancel culture:

On October 18, New York City officials voted unanimously to remove a 7-foot-tall statue of Thomas Jefferson from the chambers of the New York City Council in City Hall. Perversely, the person most responsible for declaring Jefferson a racist is himself a racist, New York State Assemblyman Charles Barron. What should they do with the Jefferson statue? "I think it should be put in storage or destroyed or whatever," he said.

Barron started his activist career as a member of the Black Panthers, a racist organization. The ADL, which tracks anti-Semitism, says he "has associated with anti-Semitic hate groups and promoted extreme anti-Israel positions intended to demonize the Jewish state since his election [to the City Council] in 2001."

The ADL does not exaggerate. Barron said in 2009, "Gaza is a virtual death camp, the same kind of conditions the Nazis imposed on the Jews." He also defended Louis Farrakhan, the vicious anti-Semite, claiming he is not a racist.

Barron's loathing of white people once provoked him to do more than just get in their face. "You know some days I get so frustrated I just want to go up to the closest white person and say, 'You can't understand this, it's a black thing,' and then slap him, just for my mental health."

Though Barron argues that Jefferson oppressed people, he himself has embraced some of the most notorious oppressors on earth. At a ceremony honoring Libyan President Muammar Qaddafi, a known terrorist, he called him his "hero" and an "African freedom fighter." Similarly, he supported Robert Mugabe, the Zimbabwean president who was accused of atrocities in his home country.

Barron has also worked against his own people by opposing charter public schools for blacks. His opposition to raising academic standards at the City University of New York also belied a conviction that blacks could not compete with whites. Worse, in 2011, when 12 failing public schools were slated to close, he showed up at a hearing not to protest the schools, but the decision to shut them down.

As to be expected, Barron refuses to salute the American flag and is opposed to the Pledge of Allegiance.

If Barron knew anything about history, he would know that when Jefferson owned slaves, slavery was commonplace all over the world. While slavery was made illegal in the U.S. in 1865, it was not made illegal in Africa until 1981, and it still exists there in some countries.

No one put in motion the end to slavery in the United States more than Jefferson. He wrote the Declaration of Independence, detailing the principles by which the cause for civil rights could proceed.

When the Declaration and the Constitution were written, there would have been no union had there not been a compromise with the slave states. Most students today do not know that it was written into the Constitution that the international slave trade would end on January 1, 1808. The president who made good on that pledge was Thomas Jefferson.

Indeed, two years earlier, in his annual address to Congress, our third president called for the "criminalization of international slave trade" on the first possible date. The following year he signed into law the provision that no new slaves were permitted to be imported into the U.S.

It is said that Jefferson fathered slave children with Sally Hemings. The fact is there is no existing DNA of Jefferson available. The DNA that was used in tests to settle this controversy came from descendants of Field Jefferson, his uncle. Any one of two dozen Jeffersons could have been the father of Hemings' 5th child.

Perhaps the most insulting aspect of this assault on Jefferson is the fact that had it not been for him, Martin Luther King would have gotten nowhere. King called the Declaration a "promissory note," one that black folks could use to leverage their rights. No, all men in the late 18th century were not treated as equals, but thanks to Jefferson, they knew they were "created" equal, and could therefore pursue their rights.

Nowhere in the world at that time had any country had anything like the Declaration, which is why slavery was considered unobjectionable. Not to acknowledge this is pure ignorance.

In his "Letter from Birmingham Jail," King quotes Jefferson's phrase, "all men are created equal." That was his inspiration. He called on blacks to continue "standing up for what is best in the American dream and for the most sacred values in our Judaeo-Christian heritage, thereby bringing our nation back to those great wells of democracy which were dug by the founding fathers in their formulation of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence."

King succeeded because he had a mature understanding of history. He also knew how to mobilize his people to achieve freedom, leaning on the principles of liberty encoded in the Declaration.

Jefferson had his failings. But without his contribution, the progress that has been made in realizing freedom for everyone would not have been made. That is his true legacy. Shame on those too myopic, and too saddled with their own bigoted lens, not to see it.
Do you ever have that feeling that we must be missing something when it comes to following God and finding out what it means to truly be a follower of Jesus?

We look at our world and its in desperate need of Jesus, yet the change agent in the world, His Church seems to be struggling in the mission. We seem to struggle to take up the fight, stand firm, and be driven by the fearless leader that is Jesus.

Instead, we fall into fear, anxiety and stress and even worse just get consumed in the world ways, values and emotions. Thats is what I see every day in recent times in our Church. We have fallen to the ways of the world, we are being coerced into a river with a under current that is more world than God.

We have compromised His ways and more to the point lost the way to His ancient paths. There was a reason that God said the things he said in the Bible.

A few months ago while in a tough spot mentally, emotionally and spiritually I was challenged with the question.

what are you feeding on?

This was an appropriate question given that our social media walls are called feeds. We are constantly distracted by another type of feed which often doesnt really give us life. Instead it just wastes time and fill us our heads with mis-information based on algorithms that drive fear, and our own agendas. I believe that there is something significant about this and if we were, to be honest with ourselves we have been answering my above question with I have been feeding on its usually Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and so on.

What should we be feeding on

That question came from the person that I consider to be Jesus with skin on in my life currently. He is one that demonstrates what I consider to be Jesus like in this day and this age. He, with who I have had a relationship for nearly 20 years has always pointed me back to God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit and His Word.

What we find in Gods three-pronged remedy to a chaotic world are the things that remind us of who He is, who we are and what we are called to do.

Who He is

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

Revelation Chapter 22 verse 13

This is God that has the Universe in his hand. This is the God that no one, no fear, no problem is bigger than Him. Whether you believe in the creator of the world in 6 days or not He is the one that gives breath to your lungs and He is in charge. As the Word of God says He is the First and the Last and ultimately all is in His hands. We need to remember despite the chaos that He is still in charge and we need to trust Him.

Who We are

He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Ephesians 1:5

One of the things that my brother in Christ always reminds me about in the turmoil of life is who am I in God?

This is the sonship or daughtership question and Paul talks about this in the book of Ephesians and he says that we are predestined into Gods love as his Sons and daughters. We find our identity in the love of God through Jesus which is not based on performance, is not based on achievements, is not based on works, but is instead on Him loving you as a true father. One that accepts you, cares for you and does have good things in store for your life despite the situation or circumstance.

We need to feed on these truths in our current world because if we do we then become the change agent that our dark and depraved world needs. When these truths of who He is and who we are become the foundations of our life we then realise that we are equipped with every good gift that is needed for the adventure of life and whatever mountains and valleys we or others may face.

What we are called to do

Our confidence in Him gives us the God-fidence in this call that does not come from our own merits, our own achievements, but it comes from remembering that He, the one we spoke of is the one that lives inside us.

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

1 John Chapter 4 verse 4

Greater is the Spirit of God that lives in you and what the word says is that its greater than the one who lives in the world. When I feed on this truth and not the social media feeds I then am able to rise above the chaos and see from a different perspective. I am reminded that even though there is chaos ensuing around us we can still apply the truth that God is the First and the Last, that He is and has called you to be his sons and daughters and with this, you can fulfil our greatest call in life and that is to love.

I leave you with one last bit of Gods word that you can feed on that is the remedy to our current worlds dilemma and its this.

Jesus declared,  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.e 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.f 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
Report Description

A recent market intelligence report that is published by Data Insights Partner on the global Online Dating Services Market makes an offering of in-depth analysis of segments and sub-segments in the regional and international Online Dating Services Market. The research also emphasizes on the impact of restraints, drivers, and macro indicators on the regional and global Online Dating Services Market over the short as well as long period of time. A detailed presentation of forecast, trends, and dollar values of global Online Dating Services Market is offered. In accordance with the report, the global Online Dating Services Market is projected to expand by healthy CAGR over the period of forecast.

Market Insight, Drivers, Restraints, Opportunity & Trends of the Market:

Definition

Online dating services are computer and smartphone based and web-based applications for dating. Such services make use of mobile wallet applications, digital photo-gallery accessibility and location tracking features to improve the delivery of services. These services simplify and hastens the flirting process, chatting process, meeting process and the process of romantic involvement relative to the traditional process of matchmaking. This helps in connecting people possessing almost similar traits with the help of algorithm.

Market Drivers

Technological advancement and its implementation in matching activities is primarily driving this market. The increasing development of algorithm and its deployment is driving the growth of the online dating services market.

Request for Sample with Complete TOC and Figures & Graphs @ https://datainsightspartner.com/request-for-sample?ref=957

Internet penetration and the development of social media coupled with the availability of smart phones are fueling this market. Smartphones and internet connectivity has witnessed tremendous penetration in the recent years across less developed, developing and developed regions which is thriving this market.

The transitioning lifestyle patterns of the population are bolstering the growth of this market. Humanity has always driven positive energy from meaningful connections. Owing to changing habits of the people in general, the initiation of connections was lost which can be restored by these online services. Through these online services, the user can search for partners beyond the traditional circle, social ties. Partners can be chosen on a global basis breaking all national and racial boundaries. Further, the user can choose accordingly by matching their hobbies, tastes, likings and disliking.

Changing communication patterns and the spurring proportion of time spent on smartphones, laptops and tablets are accelerating the growth of this market. Users are increasingly trying to detach themselves from monogamous relationships and becoming absolutely uncompromising with regard to their desired satisfaction level which is tending them explore further. Communication between partners have taken new folds in the digitization era which is augmenting the online dating services market.

Market Restraints

Fraudulent practices and the vulnerability to romantic scams is hindering the growth of this market. Women safety norms has been possibly violated according to some users. Scammers attack, abuse, publish intimate photos and many others which is impeding the growth of this market.

The number of fake profiles in online dating services application in on a rise which is lowering consumer confidence on these services and hindering its market.

Further, although with the development of technology these services are gaining importance, there exists no alternative to person-to-person communication which is likely to help in a long run. In a short run, these services can be used to spent time and events. But choosing a partner with whom relationship will last a lifetime requires more that online dating services which is taking a toll on this market.

Opportunities

The implementation of advanced technology complementary to rapidly developing technology and the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence and Algorithm is likely to open up new avenues for the online dating services market.

The hectic daily schedules of the individuals parallel to the changing living patterns of the population is bringing evolution in the online dating services which is likely to thrive in the years to come.

Trends

In terms of age group, the 15-24 years segment dominates the market for online dating services. However, the 55-64 years age group is expected to gain traction in the forecast period. In terms of services, the relationship services hold a significant share of the market. But the Social/Event networking sites is expected to emerge as the fastest growing segment in the forecast period. In terms of product, the websites are dominating the online dating services at present. But the application product is estimated to witness burgeoning growth in the forecast period. In terms of subscription, the paid online services are estimated to witness significant growth. The North America market dominates the market for online dating services owing to the large share of singles in the US population. Globally, the online dating services market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.26% in the forecast period.

Segment Covered:

This market intelligence report on the global Online Dating Services Market encompasses market segments based on services, age group, product, subscription, and country.

By Services the global Online Dating Services Market has been divided into:

q Social/Event Networking Sites

q Relationship Services

q Niche Online Dating Services

q Merging Online Dating Services

q General Online Dating Services

By Age Group the global Online Dating Services Market has been divided into:

q 18-24 years

q 25-34 years

q 35-44 years

q 45-54 years

q 55-64 years

By Product the global Online Dating Services Market has been divided into:

q Apps

q Websites

By Subscription the global Online Dating Services Market has been divided into:

q Paid Online Dating Services

q Non-Paid Online Dating Services

By country/region, the global Online Dating Services Market has been divided into:

q North America (the U.S., Canada),

q Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and other countries),

q Europe (Germany, France, the U.K., Spain, Italy, Russia, and other countries),

q Asia Pacific (India, Japan, China, Australia and New Zealand and other countries),

q Middle East and Africa (GCC, South Africa, Israel and Other countries).

Profiling of Market Players:

This business intelligence report offers profiling of reputed companies that are operating in the market. Companies such as:

q Zoosk

q eHarmony

q Badoo

q Tinder Inc

q Plenty of Fish

q OKCupid

q Match.Com

q Elite Singles

q BlackPeopleMeet

q Bumble

others have been profiled into detail so as to offer a glimpse of the market leaders. Moreover, parameters such as Online Dating Services Market related investment & spending and developments by major players of the market are tracked in this global report.

Report Highlights:

In-depth analysis of the micro and macro indicators, market trends, and forecasts of demand is offered by this business intelligence report. Furthermore, the report offers a vivid picture of the factors that are steering and restraining the growth of this market across all geographical segments. In addition to that, IGR-Growth Matrix analysis is also provided in the report so as to share insight of the investment areas that new or existing market players can take into consideration. Various analytical tools such as DRO analysis, Porter's five forces analysis has been used in this report to present a clear picture of the market. The study focuses on the present market trends and provides market forecast from the year 2020-2028. Emerging trends that would shape the market demand in the years to come have been highlighted in this report. A competitive analysis in each of the geographical segments gives an insight into market share of the global players.

Few Recent Developments

Zoosk

In July 2019, the closure of the acquisition of Zoosk was announced by Sparks Network SE, a leader in the global dating company market. This acquisition was expected to make Sparks the second largest dating company located in North America.

Badoo

In May 2018, an announcement with regard to the incorporation of live video chat and face-to-face discussion among users in its application.

eHarmony

In November 2018, the launch of AI-based functions that provides suggestions to nudgers to meet personally after a consistent period of conversation was announced by eHarmony.

Salient Features:

 This study offers comprehensive yet detailed analysis of the Online Dating Services Market, size of the market (US$ Mn), and Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR (%)) for the period of forecast: 2020-2028, taking into account 2019 as the base year

 It explains upcoming revenue opportunities across various market segments and attractive matrix of investment proposition for the said market

 This market intelligence report also offers pivotal insights about various market opportunities, restraints, drivers, competitive market strategies of leading market players, emerging market trends, and regional outlook

 Profiling of key market players in the world Online Dating Services Market is done by taking into account various parameters such as company strategies, distribution strategies, product portfolio, financial performance, key developments, geographical presence, and company overview

 The data of this report would allow management authorities and marketers of companies alike to take informed decision when it comes to launch of Type of models, government initiatives, marketing tactics and expansion, and technical up gradation

 The world market for Online Dating Services caters to the needs of various stakeholders pertaining to this industry, namely suppliers, manufacturers, investors, and distributors for Online Dating Services Market. The research also caters to the rising needs of consulting and research firms, financial analysts, and new market entrants

 Research methodologies that have been adopted for the purpose of this study have been clearly elaborated so as to facilitate better understanding of the reports

 Reports have been made based on the guidelines as mandated by General Data Protection Regulation

 Ample number of examples and case studies have been taken into consideration before coming to a conclusion

Reasons to buy:

v Identify opportunities and plan strategies by having a strong understanding of the investment opportunities in the Online Dating Services Market

v Identification of key factors driving investment opportunities in the Online Dating Services Market

v Facilitate decision-making based on strong historic and forecast data

v Position yourself to gain the maximum advantage of the industrys growth potential

v Develop strategies based on the latest regulatory events

v Identify key partners and business development avenues

v Respond to your competitors business structure, strategy and prospects

v Identify key strengths and weaknesses of important market participants
The lateral flow immunoassay based rapid test industry was estimated at $4.72 billion in 2018 and is expected to reach $8.49 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 7.6% from 2019 to 2026. The report provides an extensive analysis of the market dynamics including drivers & restraints, major winning strategies, market size & projections, competitive landscape, and major segments.

Advantages of LFIA based rapid tests over laboratory testing, increase in initiatives of government and nonprofit organizations toward health awareness, and surge in healthcare expenditure all over the world drive the growth of the global lateral flow immunoassay based rapid test market. On the other hand, inadequate reimbursement policies for LFIA based rapid test diagnostics restraint the growth to some extent. However, growth prospects in the developing markets, and rise in prevalence of various chronic and infectious diseases worldwide are estimated to offer a number of opportunities for the key players.



The global rapid tests market is segmented into application, technique, end user, and region. Based on application, the market is segmented into infectious disease, pregnancy & fertility, toxicology, and others. The infectious disease segment accounted for more than four-fifths of the global lateral flow immunoassay based rapid test market share in 2018, and is estimated to rule the roost throughout the forecast period. In addition, the same segment would also manifest the fastest CAGR of 7.8% by the end of 2026.



Based on technique type, the market is classified into competitive assay, sandwich assay, and multiplex detection assay. The competitive assay segment contributed the major share in 2018, generating nearly three-fifths of the global lateral flow immunoassay based rapid test market. On the other hand, the multiplex detection assay segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 9.0% during the estimated period.



Based on geography, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and LAMEA. The region across North America contributed to more than two-fifths of the global lateral flow immunoassay based rapid test market revenue in 2018, and is predicted to dominate till 2026. Contrarily, the region across Asia-Pacific would portray the fastest CAGR of 9.2% in between 2019 to 2026.



Key market players analyzed in the research include Becton, Danaher Corporation (Cepheid, Inc.), Hologic, Inc., Bio-rad Laboratories, Inc., Quidel Corporation, Abbott Laboratories (Alere Inc.), F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (Roche Diagnostics), Biomerieux SA, Qiagen N.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Dickinson and Company
Global Cervical Dysplasia Diagnostics Market  Scope of the Report

The cervical dysplasia diagnostics market research report offers in-depth market insights for segmentation including Product Type, End User and Region. Addition to this, this report offers analysis of several vital insights such as growth driving factors, industry trends, market opportunities, and restrains which are negatively impacting the growth of market. The study also provides a separate analysis of recent developments, and competitive landscape, market share of major players, among others.

Global cervical dysplasia diagnostics report also provides detailed analysis of companies engaged in cervical dysplasia diagnostics market. Key points included in company profiles include company overview, business strategy, financial analysis, SWOT analysis, recent news and developments, and product portfolio analysis.

Global Cervical Dysplasia Diagnostics Market Segmentation

In addition to coverage of major growth driving and restraining factors, this market research report also offers in-depth analysis of the Product Type, which includes Diagnostic Devices & Diagnostic Tests. Furthermore, the End User segment is further sub-segmented into Diagnostic Centers, Hospitals, Research Institutes and Ambulatory Surgical Centers. Market data such as market size and year-on-year growth analysis is provided for each sub-segment.

Request for Sample with Complete TOC and Figures & Graphs @ https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/sample/13683

Market size of countries and cervical dysplasia diagnostics market growth potential in leading countries is provided in the report. Moreover, the report also offers coverage of five regions across the world:

North America (U.S. & Canada)

Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, and Rest of Europe)

Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, and Rest of Asia Pacific)

Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America)

Middle East & Africa (GCC (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman), North Africa, South Africa, and Rest of Middle East & Africa)

By Product Type:

 Diagnostic Devices

 Diagnostic Tests

By End User:

 Diagnostic Centers

 Hospitals

 Research Institutes

 Ambulatory Surgical Centers

 Others

Cumulative Impact of COVID-19:

The report covers the impact of COVID-19 on cervical dysplasia diagnostics market and analysis is performed from supply side and demand side. Major changes during COVID-19 such as consumer behaviour, government regulatory changes, impact on procurement of raw materials are considered to provide latest update of the market. This updated research report provides market size and forecast, including the COVID-19 impact on the market.

Direct Purchase this Market Research Report Now @ https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/checkout/13683/Single

Key Companies in the Global Cervical Dysplasia Diagnostics Industry

The report identifies key players engaged in market and provides FPNV Positioning Matrix analysis on the basis of business strategy and product satisfaction. Also, competitive strategic window is covered in study which helps buyers to strategically align their product portfolio in line with market opportunities.

This market research report also covers Porters Five Force Analysis, value chain analysis, PEST analysis, SWOT analysis of the cervical dysplasia diagnostics market. This aids readers to understand competitive landscape in a better way.

Some of the Key Companies covered in the report:

 F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd

 Becton Dickinson & Company

 QIAGEN GmbH

 Cooper Surgical

 Hologic Inc.

 Karl Kaps GmbH & Co. KG

 Quest Diagnostics Inc.

 Micromedic Technologies Ltd.

 Other Major & Niche Key Players

Get Discount On The Purchase Of This Report @ https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/discount/13683

Key Questions Answered in this Report:
San Francisco, 20 Oct 2021: The Report Automotive Infotainment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product Type (Heads-up Display, Navigation Unit, Display Unit), By Fit Type, By Vehicle Type, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028

The global automotive infotainment market size is expected to reach USD 12.57 billion by 2028, registering a CAGR of 8.7% from 2021 to 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The increasing demand for autonomous vehicle technology, automotive cockpit electronics, and advanced safety features such as advanced driver assistance systems is anticipated to drive the growth. The growing demand for enhanced in-vehicle experience and shifting consumer buying behavior and the worldwide expansion of the luxury and premium car segments are also likely to fuel the growth of the market.

The growing number of millennials opting for small and medium-sized cars is expected to boost the growth of the market growth. Furthermore, consumers are inclined to buy these cars, compared to premium cars, owing to their cost-effectiveness. In addition to this, the introduction of medium-sized SUVs has further encouraged the market growth as consumers can buy a bigger-sized vehicle at a lower cost.

Automotive infotainment technology is expected to gain significant demand as major automotive components and solution providers are engaging in developing complete automotive infotainment solutions. For instance, in May 2021, BMW AG announced iDrive 8, the latest infotainment system for its vehicles. The new iDrive 8 provides enhanced voice-recognition software and a massive touchscreen with multiple new features. It will be initially debuted on the new electric i4 sedan and iX SUV.

The introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based infotainment systems is also expected to contribute to the market growth. However, the market is characterized by a negligible regulatory framework regarding product manufacturing, resulting in counterfeit and low-quality products. Such negative trends are expected to hinder the market growth.

Emerging economies such as China and India are expected to contribute significantly to the growth of the market for automotive infotainment. The development is characterized by the increase in the adoption of mid-sized cars, which enables automotive companies to offer infotainment products for this car segment.

Access Research Report of Automotive Infotainment Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/automotive-infotainment-systems-market

Automotive Infotainment Market Report Highlights

The head-up display segment is expected to expand at the highest CAGR of around 10% over the forecast period owing to the integration of augmented reality for enhanced safety and driving experience

The OF fitted segment dominated the market in 2020 and is anticipated to generate over USD 9.6 billion by 2028 owing to the benefits such as easier servicing and maintenance

The passenger car segment accounted for the largest revenue share of around 80% of the overall market in 2020. The increasing demand for connected car features in passenger vehicles and the onset of autonomous vehicles are expected to drive the growth of this segment

Asia Pacific accounted for the largest market share in 2020. The regional market growth can be attributed to the increased production and sales of passenger vehicles in the region

List of Key Players in the Automotive Infotainment Market

Alpine Electronics

Clarion Co., Ltd.

Continental AG

Delphi Automotive PLC

Denso Corporation

Harman International

JVC KENWOOD Corporation

Panasonic Corporation

Pioneer Corporation

Visteon Corporation

Access Press Release of Automotive Infotainment Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-automotive-infotainment-systems-market
The Global Copper Fungicides Market Report, in its latest update, highlights the significant impacts and the recent strategically changes under the present socio-economic scenario. The Copper Fungicides industry growth avenues are deeply supported by exhaustive research by the top analysts of the industry. The report starts with the executive summary, followed by a value chain and Marketing channels study. The report then estimates the CAGR and Market revenue of the global and regional segments.

Base Year: 2020

Estimated Year: 2021

Forecast Till: 2027

The report classifies the market into different segments based on type and product. These segments are studied in detail, incorporating the market estimates and forecasts at regional and country levels. The segment analysis is helpful in understanding the growth areas and potential opportunities of the market.

Get | Download FREE Sample Report of Global Copper Fungicides Market @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/download-sample-2145

A special section is dedicated to the analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the growth of the Copper Fungicides market. The impact is closely studied in terms of production, import, export, and supply.

The report covers the complete competitive landscape of the Worldwide Copper Fungicides market with company profiles of key players such as:

IQV Agro

Albaugh

Nufarm

Spiess-Urania Chemicals

Isagro

ADAMA

Certis USA

UPL

Bayer

Zhejiang Hisun

Jiangxi Heyi

Synthos Agro

Want to add more Company Profiles to the Report? Write your Customized Requirements to us @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/get-custom-research-2145

Copper Fungicides Market Analysis by Type:

Inorganic Copper Fungicides

Organic Copper Fungicides

Copper Fungicides Market Analysis by Application:

Grains

Fruits

Vegetables

Copper Fungicides Market Analysis by Geography:

North America (USA, Canada, and Mexico)

(USA, Canada, and Mexico) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Europe)

(Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Europe) Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, South-East Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

(China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, South-East Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Rest of Latin America)

(Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Rest of Latin America) The Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, South Africa, Rest of the Middle East and Africa)

Key questions answered in the report:

What is the expected growth of the Copper Fungicides market between 2022 to 2027?

Which application and type segment holds the maximum share in the Global Copper Fungicides market?

Which regional Copper Fungicides market shows the highest growth CAGR between 2022 to 2027?

What are the opportunities and challenges currently faced by the Copper Fungicides market?

Who are the leading market players and what are their Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT)?

What business strategies are the competitors considering to stay in the Copper Fungicides market?

Purchase the Complete Global Copper Fungicides Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/buy-now-2145

About Us:

DecisionDatabases.com is a global business research report provider, enriching decision-makers, and strategists with qualitative statistics. DecisionDatabases.com is proficient in providing syndicated research reports, customized research reports, company profiles, and industry databases across multiple domains. Our expert research analysts have been trained to map clients research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise, and meaningful data at a lightning speed.

For more details:

DecisionDatabases.com

E-Mail: sales@decisiondatabases.com

Phone: +91 90 28 057900

Web: https://www.decisiondatabases.com/
The Global Hospital Beds Market Report, in its latest update, highlights the significant impacts and the recent strategically changes under the present socio-economic scenario. The Hospital Beds industry growth avenues are deeply supported by exhaustive research by the top analysts of the industry. The report starts with the executive summary, followed by a value chain and Marketing channels study. The report then estimates the CAGR and Market revenue of the global and regional segments.

Base Year: 2020

Estimated Year: 2021

Forecast Till: 2027

The report classifies the market into different segments based on type and product. These segments are studied in detail, incorporating the market estimates and forecasts at regional and country levels. The segment analysis is helpful in understanding the growth areas and potential opportunities of the market.

Get | Download FREE Sample Report of Global Hospital Beds Market @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/download-sample-2147

A special section is dedicated to the analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the growth of the Hospital Beds market. The impact is closely studied in terms of production, import, export, and supply.

The report covers the complete competitive landscape of the Worldwide Hospital Beds market with company profiles of key players such as:

Paramount Bed

Hill-Rom

Stryker

Linet Group

Stiegelmeyer

Joerns

ArjoHuntleigh

France Bed

Pardo

Guldmann

Merivaara

Med-Mizer

Bazhou Greatwall

SjzManyou

HbYangguang

BjKangtuo

Haohan

Want to add more Company Profiles to the Report? Write your Customized Requirements to us @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/get-custom-research-2147

Hospital Beds Market Analysis by Type:

ABS Beds

Stainless Steel Beds

Alloy Bed

Other

Hospital Beds Market Analysis by Application:

Manual Hospital Beds

Electric Hospital Beds

Semi Electric Hospital Beds

Hospital Beds Market Analysis by Geography:

North America (USA, Canada, and Mexico)

(USA, Canada, and Mexico) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Europe)

(Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Europe) Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, South-East Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

(China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, South-East Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Rest of Latin America)

(Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Rest of Latin America) The Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, South Africa, Rest of the Middle East and Africa)

Key questions answered in the report:

What is the expected growth of the Hospital Beds market between 2022 to 2027?

Which application and type segment holds the maximum share in the Global Hospital Beds market?

Which regional Hospital Beds market shows the highest growth CAGR between 2022 to 2027?

What are the opportunities and challenges currently faced by the Hospital Beds market?

Who are the leading market players and what are their Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT)?

What business strategies are the competitors considering to stay in the Hospital Beds market?

Purchase the Complete Global Hospital Beds Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/buy-now-2147

About Us:

DecisionDatabases.com is a global business research report provider, enriching decision-makers, and strategists with qualitative statistics. DecisionDatabases.com is proficient in providing syndicated research reports, customized research reports, company profiles, and industry databases across multiple domains. Our expert research analysts have been trained to map clients research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise, and meaningful data at a lightning speed.

For more details:

DecisionDatabases.com

E-Mail: sales@decisiondatabases.com

Phone: +91 90 28 057900

Web: https://www.decisiondatabases.com/
The Global Self-Adhesive Labels Market Report, in its latest update, highlights the significant impacts and the recent strategically changes under the present socio-economic scenario. The Self-Adhesive Labels industry growth avenues are deeply supported by exhaustive research by the top analysts of the industry. The report starts with the executive summary, followed by a value chain and Marketing channels study. The report then estimates the CAGR and Market revenue of the global and regional segments.

Base Year: 2020

Estimated Year: 2021

Forecast Till: 2027

The report classifies the market into different segments based on type and product. These segments are studied in detail, incorporating the market estimates and forecasts at regional and country levels. The segment analysis is helpful in understanding the growth areas and potential opportunities of the market.

Get | Download FREE Sample Report of Global Self-Adhesive Labels Market @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/download-sample-2154

A special section is dedicated to the analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the growth of the Self-Adhesive Labels market. The impact is closely studied in terms of production, import, export, and supply.

The report covers the complete competitive landscape of the Worldwide Self-Adhesive Labels market with company profiles of key players such as:

Avery Dennison

Coveris

CCL Industries

Adestor

UPM Raflatac

Schades

Constantia Flexibles

Lintec Corporation

Fuji Seal International

PMC Label Materials

Thai KK

Guangdong Guanhao High-Tech

Shanghai Jinda Plastic

Zhongshan Fuzhou Adhesive Products

Zhulin Weiye

Zhengwei Printing

Suzhou Jiangtian Packaging & Printing

Want to add more Company Profiles to the Report? Write your Customized Requirements to us @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/get-custom-research-2154

Self-Adhesive Labels Market Analysis by Type:

Flexographic Printing

Letterpress Printing

Self-Adhesive Labels Market Analysis by Application:

Food & Beverages

Pharmaceuticals

Personal Care

Retailers and Supermarkets

Logistics

Industrial Labels

Self-Adhesive Labels Market Analysis by Geography:

North America (USA, Canada, and Mexico)

(USA, Canada, and Mexico) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Europe)

(Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Europe) Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, South-East Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

(China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, South-East Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Rest of Latin America)

(Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Rest of Latin America) The Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, South Africa, Rest of the Middle East and Africa)

Key questions answered in the report:

What is the expected growth of the Self-Adhesive Labels market between 2022 to 2027?

Which application and type segment holds the maximum share in the Global Self-Adhesive Labels market?

Which regional Self-Adhesive Labels market shows the highest growth CAGR between 2022 to 2027?

What are the opportunities and challenges currently faced by the Self-Adhesive Labels market?

Who are the leading market players and what are their Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT)?

What business strategies are the competitors considering to stay in the Self-Adhesive Labels market?

Purchase the Complete Global Self-Adhesive Labels Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/buy-now-2154

About Us:

DecisionDatabases.com is a global business research report provider, enriching decision-makers, and strategists with qualitative statistics. DecisionDatabases.com is proficient in providing syndicated research reports, customized research reports, company profiles, and industry databases across multiple domains. Our expert research analysts have been trained to map clients research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise, and meaningful data at a lightning speed.

For more details:

DecisionDatabases.com

E-Mail: sales@decisiondatabases.com

Phone: +91 90 28 057900

Web: https://www.decisiondatabases.com/
The Global Shavers Market Report, in its latest update, highlights the significant impacts and the recent strategically changes under the present socio-economic scenario. The Shavers industry growth avenues are deeply supported by exhaustive research by the top analysts of the industry. The report starts with the executive summary, followed by a value chain and Marketing channels study. The report then estimates the CAGR and Market revenue of the global and regional segments.

Base Year: 2020

Estimated Year: 2021

Forecast Till: 2027

The report classifies the market into different segments based on type and product. These segments are studied in detail, incorporating the market estimates and forecasts at regional and country levels. The segment analysis is helpful in understanding the growth areas and potential opportunities of the market.

Get | Download FREE Sample Report of Global Shavers Market @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/download-sample-2157

A special section is dedicated to the analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the growth of the Shavers market. The impact is closely studied in terms of production, import, export, and supply.

The report covers the complete competitive landscape of the Worldwide Shavers market with company profiles of key players such as:

DeSoutter Medical

Nouvag

IMECO

Dr MEDICAL

Vimex Endoscopy

Arthrex

Stryker

Richard Wolf

Vomed

Ackermann Instrumente

Eberle

Contact

Maxer Endoscopy

Rudolf Medical

Want to add more Company Profiles to the Report? Write your Customized Requirements to us @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/get-custom-research-2157

Shavers Market Analysis by Product

Anthroscopy Shaver

ENT Surgery Shaver

Interventional Bronchoscopy Shaver

Others

Shavers Market Analysis by End User

Hospitals

Clinics

Others

Shavers Market Analysis by Geography:

North America (USA, Canada, and Mexico)

(USA, Canada, and Mexico) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Europe)

(Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Europe) Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, South-East Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

(China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, South-East Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Rest of Latin America)

(Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Rest of Latin America) The Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, South Africa, Rest of the Middle East and Africa)

Key questions answered in the report:

What is the expected growth of the Shavers market between 2022 to 2027?

Which application and type segment holds the maximum share in the Global Shavers market?

Which regional Shavers market shows the highest growth CAGR between 2022 to 2027?

What are the opportunities and challenges currently faced by the Shavers market?

Who are the leading market players and what are their Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT)?

What business strategies are the competitors considering to stay in the Shavers market?

Purchase the Complete Global Shavers Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/buy-now-2157

About Us:

DecisionDatabases.com is a global business research report provider, enriching decision-makers, and strategists with qualitative statistics. DecisionDatabases.com is proficient in providing syndicated research reports, customized research reports, company profiles, and industry databases across multiple domains. Our expert research analysts have been trained to map clients research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise, and meaningful data at a lightning speed.

For more details:

DecisionDatabases.com

E-Mail: sales@decisiondatabases.com

Phone: +91 90 28 057900

Web: https://www.decisiondatabases.com/
The Global Precious Metals Market Report, in its latest update, highlights the significant impacts and the recent strategically changes under the present socio-economic scenario. The Precious Metals industry growth avenues are deeply supported by exhaustive research by the top analysts of the industry. The report starts with the executive summary, followed by a value chain and Marketing channels study. The report then estimates the CAGR and Market revenue of the global and regional segments.

Base Year: 2020

Estimated Year: 2021

Forecast Till: 2027

The report classifies the market into different segments based on type and product. These segments are studied in detail, incorporating the market estimates and forecasts at regional and country levels. The segment analysis is helpful in understanding the growth areas and potential opportunities of the market.

Get | Download FREE Sample Report of Global Precious Metals Market @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/download-sample-2160

A special section is dedicated to the analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the growth of the Precious Metals market. The impact is closely studied in terms of production, import, export, and supply.

The report covers the complete competitive landscape of the Worldwide Precious Metals market with company profiles of key players such as:

Anglo American

Barrick Gold

Impala Platinum

Lonmin

Newmont Mining

Johnson Matthey

Goldcorp

Norilsk Nickel

Northam Platinum

North American Palladium

Want to add more Company Profiles to the Report? Write your Customized Requirements to us @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/get-custom-research-2160

Precious Metals Market Analysis by Type:

Silver

Gold

Palladium

Platinum

Precious Metals Market Analysis by Application:

Chemical

Metallurgical

Space

Other

Precious Metals Market Analysis by Geography:

North America (USA, Canada, and Mexico)

(USA, Canada, and Mexico) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Europe)

(Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Europe) Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, South-East Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

(China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, South-East Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Rest of Latin America)

(Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Rest of Latin America) The Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, South Africa, Rest of the Middle East and Africa)

Key questions answered in the report:

What is the expected growth of the Precious Metals market between 2022 to 2027?

Which application and type segment holds the maximum share in the Global Precious Metals market?

Which regional Precious Metals market shows the highest growth CAGR between 2022 to 2027?

What are the opportunities and challenges currently faced by the Precious Metals market?

Who are the leading market players and what are their Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT)?

What business strategies are the competitors considering to stay in the Precious Metals market?

Purchase the Complete Global Precious Metals Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/buy-now-2160

About Us:

DecisionDatabases.com is a global business research report provider, enriching decision-makers, and strategists with qualitative statistics. DecisionDatabases.com is proficient in providing syndicated research reports, customized research reports, company profiles, and industry databases across multiple domains. Our expert research analysts have been trained to map clients research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise, and meaningful data at a lightning speed.

For more details:

DecisionDatabases.com

E-Mail: sales@decisiondatabases.com

Phone: +91 90 28 057900

Web: https://www.decisiondatabases.com/
The Global Burglar Alarms Market Report, in its latest update, highlights the significant impacts and the recent strategically changes under the present socio-economic scenario. The Burglar Alarms industry growth avenues are deeply supported by exhaustive research by the top analysts of the industry. The report starts with the executive summary, followed by a value chain and Marketing channels study. The report then estimates the CAGR and Market revenue of the global and regional segments.

Base Year: 2020

Estimated Year: 2021

Forecast Till: 2027

The report classifies the market into different segments based on type and product. These segments are studied in detail, incorporating the market estimates and forecasts at regional and country levels. The segment analysis is helpful in understanding the growth areas and potential opportunities of the market.

Get | Download FREE Sample Report of Global Burglar Alarms Market @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/download-sample-2164

A special section is dedicated to the analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the growth of the Burglar Alarms market. The impact is closely studied in terms of production, import, export, and supply.

The report covers the complete competitive landscape of the Worldwide Burglar Alarms market with company profiles of key players such as:

Digital Security Controls

Chubb

ABB

Ave

Honeywell

ELTAKO

KBLUE

SOMFY

Urmet

Want to add more Company Profiles to the Report? Write your Customized Requirements to us @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/get-custom-research-2164

Burglar Alarms Market Analysis by Type:

Hermetically Sealed Reed Switches

Passive Infrared Detectors

Ultrasonic Detectors

Microwave Detectors

Compact Surveillance Radar

Photo-electric Beams

Other

Burglar Alarms Market Analysis by Application:

Residential

Commercial

Industrial

Military

Burglar Alarms Market Analysis by Geography:

North America (USA, Canada, and Mexico)

(USA, Canada, and Mexico) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Europe)

(Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Europe) Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, South-East Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

(China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, South-East Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Rest of Latin America)

(Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Rest of Latin America) The Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, South Africa, Rest of the Middle East and Africa)

Key questions answered in the report:

What is the expected growth of the Burglar Alarms market between 2022 to 2027?

Which application and type segment holds the maximum share in the Global Burglar Alarms market?

Which regional Burglar Alarms market shows the highest growth CAGR between 2022 to 2027?

What are the opportunities and challenges currently faced by the Burglar Alarms market?

Who are the leading market players and what are their Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT)?

What business strategies are the competitors considering to stay in the Burglar Alarms market?

Purchase the Complete Global Burglar Alarms Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/buy-now-2164

About Us:

DecisionDatabases.com is a global business research report provider, enriching decision-makers, and strategists with qualitative statistics. DecisionDatabases.com is proficient in providing syndicated research reports, customized research reports, company profiles, and industry databases across multiple domains. Our expert research analysts have been trained to map clients research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise, and meaningful data at a lightning speed.

For more details:

DecisionDatabases.com

E-Mail: sales@decisiondatabases.com

Phone: +91 90 28 057900

Web: https://www.decisiondatabases.com/
Blood Testing Market Research Report: By Test Type (Complete Blood Count, Blood Chemistry Tests, Enzyme Tests), Disease (Anemia, Infection, Leukemia,), Method (Manual, Automated), End-User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Center)- Forecast till 2027

Get a FREE Sample with Complete TOC By Considering the COVID-19 impact on Global Market @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5797

Blood Testing Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 11.25% from 2019 to 2027. Also, the recent COVID 19 pandemic is creating huge market demand. Tests such as immune biomarker test used in the treatment of COVID 19 to quantify and identify the human immune systems response to the virus are expected to influence the growth of the market. Also, increasing numbers of blood donating camps is a significant growth driver of the market. Also, the recent COVID 19 pandemic is creating huge market demand. Tests such as immune biomarker test used in the treatment of COVID 19 to quantify and identify the human immune systems response to the virus are expected to influence the growth of the market. Also, increasing numbers of blood donating camps is a significant growth driver of the market.

Global Blood Testing Market  Segments

The report is segmented into five dynamics;

By Test Type: Direct LDL Testing, Glucose Testing, Lipid Panel Testing, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Testing, A1C Testing, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Testing, High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) Testing, Alt Testing, Vitamin D Testing, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Testing, Serum Nicotine/Cotinine Testing, Creatinine Testing, AST Testing, Testosterone Testing, Cortisol Testing, and others.

By Disease : Infection, Anemia, Leukemia, Kidney Disorders, Hypokalemia, Coronary Heart Disease, Heart Attack, and other diseases.

By Method : Automated Blood Culture Testing, Manual Blood Culture Testing, and others.

By End-User : Hospitals, Clinics, Diagnostic Centers, Research Labs, and others.

By Regions : Europe, Americas, Asia Pacific, and the Rest-of-the-World (RoW).

Global Blood Testing Market  Regional Analysis

North America dominates the global blood testing market Market growth attributes to the rising prevalence of kidney disorders, bloodstream infections, other infections, and demand for rapid diagnostic tests. Besides, factors such as early adoption of advanced medical technologies and continuous development by industry players impact the market growth positively.

Moreover, the presence of large numbers of industry players and well-developed healthcare sectors in the region boost market growth. The North American blood testing market is projected to retain its dominance over the global market throughout the assessment period.

Europe stands second in the global blood testing market. The market is propelled by the rise in research expenses and technological advances. Also, the increasing awareness for chronic infection diseases and initiatives undertaken by public and private sectors boost the market growth. Moreover, factors such as accelerating health concerns and demand for innovative and effective therapies boost the regional market growth.

Also, the growing prevalence of various chronic diseases and hematological disorders push regional market growth. Furthermore, the presence of prominent market players in the region impacts market growth positively. The European blood testing market is estimated to create a substantial revenue pocket during the forecast period.

The Asia Pacific blood testing market is growing rapidly. Factors such as the increasing awareness of the importance of diagnostics in personalized medicines and government initiatives to promote the use of personalized medicines drive market growth. Furthermore, the increase in the number of government schemes to curb the skyrocketing healthcare expenditures influence market growth.

Moreover, the rising adoption rate of blood testing tests and increasing healthcare expenditure of demographics foster the growth of the market. China and India are hotspots for investment opportunities due to the growing numbers of diagnoses, treatments, research activities, healthcare modernization, and quality improvisations.

Global Blood Testing Market  Competitive Analysis

Fiercely competitive, the blood testing market appears fragmented due to the presence of several well-established players. Through the strategic initiatives such as mergers & acquisitions, collaboration, expansion, and product & technology launch, these players try to gain a larger competitive share in the market.

Blood Testing Market Major Players:

Players leading the global blood testing market are Baxter International (US), Abbott Laboratories Inc. (US), Gen-Probe, Inc. (US), Becton Dickinson & Company (US), Novartis Diagnostics (US), Biomerica, Inc. (US), Meridian Bioscience, Inc. (US), Cepheid Corporation (US), Trinity Biotech (US), Siemens Healthcare (Germany), Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. (US), Grifols (Spain), bioMerieux (France) , Nanosphere Inc. (US), Roche Diagnostics (Switzerland), Bruker Corporation (US), Alere Inc. (US), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (US) Cardinal Health (US), Beckman Coulter (US), Danaher Corporation ( US), and Trividia Health (US), among others.

Blood Testing Industry, Innovation & Related News

July 9, 2020 - American company SomaLogic Inc. and Japanese electronics conglomerate NEC Corp. launched a joint venture (JV) to bring the Boulder company's blood-testing platform to the Japanese market. The JV - FonesLife Corp. will sell the SomaSignal line of tests for broader use in Japan. The testing platform analyzes proteins in a patient's blood that may signal current health and risk of future diseases, such as heart attacks or stroke. SomaLogic is a privately owned American protein biomarker discovery and clinical diagnostics company. NEC Corp. is a multinational information technology and electronics company.

Obtain Premium Research Report Details, Considering the impact of COVID-19 @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/blood-testing-market-5797

About Market Research Future:

At Market Research Future (MRFR) , we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR) ), and Market Research & Consulting Services.
Hemodynamic Monitoring Systems Market Research Report by Product (Disposables, Monitors, Minimally Invasive, Others), Type (Invasive, Non-invasive, Others), End-user (Hospitals, Clinics, Ambulatory Care Centers, Home Care Settings, Others), and Region, forecast till 2027

Request Sample Copy:

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6678

Hemodynamic Monitoring Systems Market - Segmentations

The global hemodynamic monitoring systems market has been segmented on the basis of product, type, end-use, and region.

By product, the market is segmented into disposables, monitors, minimally invasive, and others. Among these, the segment - monitors accounts for the largest segment.

By type, the market is segmented into invasive, non-invasive, and others. Out of these, the Invasive accounts for the major segment.

By end-user, the market is segmented into hospitals, clinics, ambulatory care centers, home care settings, and others. The segment hospitals and clinics is the largest segment.

By region, the market is segmented into the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Out of these, the Americas region dominates the market, whereas the Asia Pacific region accounts for the fastest growing region.

Hemodynamic Monitoring Systems Market - Geographical Analysis

North America accounts for the leading share in the market for the hemodynamic monitoring systems. Factors positively impacting the market growth in the region include the high per capita health care expenditures and rapid uptake of advanced technologies in the growing healthcare sector.

The Europe hemodynamic monitoring systems market accounts for the second-largest market, globally. Attributing to the increasing healthcare expenditure, availability of advanced treatment facilities, and government initiatives, the market is estimated to register a remarkable CAGR during the forecast period (2017-2023). Increasing cardiovascular issues in the region are becoming paramount concerns which, in turn, are contributing to the market growth.

The hemodynamic monitoring systems market in the Asia Pacific region is rapidly emerging as a promising market. Growing number of aging populaces alongside the prevalence of cardiac disorders growing at an alarming rate are driving the market in the region. Also, some of the other dominant factors such as the faster adoption of healthcare technology, government initiatives to improve the quality of healthcare, favorable insurance, and reimbursement policies are fostering the growth of the APAC market.

Hemodynamic Monitoring Systems Market - Key Players

Some of the market leaders profiled in the report are Argon Medica, Teleflex Incorporated, Osypka Medical, Edwards Lifesciences Corporation; PULSION Medical Systems SE, LiDCO Group plc, Cheetah Medical, Deltex Medical Group Plc., ICU Medical, Osypka Medical GmbH, CareTaker Medical, CNSystems, NI Medical, and Uscom.

Innovation, mergers & acquisitions, product launch, and regional expansion remain the key strategies for these players to maintain their market positions.

Access Report Details @

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/hemodynamic-monitoring-systems-market-6678

About Market Research Future:

At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR) ), and Market Research & Consulting Services.
According to the report, the global body contouring devices market garnered $933 million in 2017 and is expected to reach $3,446 million, registering a CAGR of 17.7% from 2018 to 2025.

Increase in obesity worldwide, rise in aesthetic consciousness, and advancements in the field of body contouring facilitate the growth in the market. However, high cost related to body contouring procedures restrains market growth. On the other hand, the increase in medical tourism and untapped potential in emerging economies create new opportunities.

Body contouring devices have gained a substantial market share in recent years due to rise in obesity globally. In addition, surge in esthetic consciousness across the globe is another major factor that in turn has fueled the use of body contouring devices. Furthermore, untapped potential in the emerging markets in Asia-Pacific is anticipated to boost the market growth in the future.

End users analyzed in the research include hospitals & clinics, medical spas, and laboratories. Hospitals & clinics contributed to nearly two-thirds of the total market share in 2017 and will dominate throughout the forecast period, owing to the availability of certified staff & physicians. Geographically, Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the highest growth rate, with a CAGR of 19.0% from 2018 to 2025, owing to rise in obesity in different countries of the region and surge in demand for body shaping devices among men in South Korea.

Key findings of the Body Contouring Devices Market:

The minimally invasive devices segment accounted for one-third share of the global body contouring devices market in 2017.

The skin tightening segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2017 to 2025.

The hospital & clinic segment accounted for around two-thirds share of the global body contouring devices market in 2017.

Europe accounted for more than one-fourth share of the global market in 2017.

Asia-Pacific is expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities from 2017 to 2025.

North America accounted the highest revenue share in 2017 and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. This is attributed to high purchasing power and easy availability of devices in this region. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to increase in affordability and rise in healthcare expenditure.

Leading market players analyzed in the report include Allergan plc, Bausch Health Companies Inc., Hologic, Inc., Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Erchonia Corporation, MicroAire Surgical Instruments, LLC, Cutera, Inc., InMode Aesthetic Solutions, Sciton, Inc., and El.En. S.p.A. (Asclepion Laser Technologies GmbH).
If the vaccination continued at the current pace, India would cross the one billion mark on Wednesday. Representational Image. (AP)

New Delhi: With the country administering close to 100 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses, the Centre urged states and Union Territories to focus on increasing the coverage of the second dose in the light of adequate availability of shots.

The Union health ministry website stated that 98,67,69,411 vaccine doses had been given as of 8 am on Tuesday morning, including 87,41,160 on Monday. If the vaccination continued at the current pace, India would cross the one billion mark on Wednesday.

If the vaccination continued at the current pace, India would cross the one billion mark on Wednesday As many as 13,058 new coronavirus infections, the lowest in 231 days, and 164 deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours. The total number of Covid-19 cases in the country has gone up to 3,40,94,373 and the number of deaths caused by virus has jumped to 4,52,454.

According to the Union health ministry, the daily rise in new coronavirus infections has been below 30,000 for 25 straight days and less than 50,000 for 114 consecutive days.

Top virologist Dr Gagandeep Kang said Covid-19 pandemic had become endemic in India and if the third wave came, then it would be in the form of small local outbreaks where population was yet not exposed.

She told a news channel that the situation would only change if the virus mutated and a new variant emerged.
KADAPA: YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP) president Y.S. Sharmila and her mother Vijayalakshmi on Tuesday paid tributes at YSR Ghat in Idupulapaya of Kadapa district. The tributes are sentimentally significant for Sharmila, as she is scheduled to start her Praja Prasthanam Padayatra from Chevella of Rangareddy district in Telangana from Wednesday.

The YSRTP president told media later that her party will introduce in Telangana YSR welfare regime, waiving debts of farmers, providing free medicare to poor, free education to poor children, apart from free electricity and water supply.

Is there a welfare regime in Telangana today... The answer is no. This is not my answer but answer of the people of Telangana, Sharmila said.

"We will travel throughout the state during Praja Prasthanam. We will go to every village, tap every door and contact every family for listening to the plight of people and fight the government on public issues, she declared.

The YSRTP president expressed confidence that all YSR supporters and people of Telangana will bless her padayatra, which aims to bring back YSR welfare regime in Telangana. YSR welfare rule is possible again if we all fight together, she maintained.

Earlier on Tuesday morning, Sharmila arrived at Kadapa airport by a special flight and reached Idupulapaya by road. At 10 a.m, she, along with mother Vijayalakshmi and relatives, paid tributes at Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Ghat in Idupulapaya. She returned to Kadapa Airport and reached Hyderabad in the evening.
TD leader Nara Lokesh condemned the attacks and said the CM was paving the way for the collapse of his own party and government. (DC File Image)

Vishakhapatanam: Skirmishes erupted in the state on Tuesday following the TD spokesperson K. Pattabhi Ram using unparliamentary language for Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

As news of Pattabhi Rams statement spread, YSRC cadres allegedly attacked TD offices across the state, blocked roads and burnt effigies of TD president N. Chandrababu Naidu. In protest, TD workers set fire to effigies of Jagan Mohan Reddy and staged rasta rokos.

Naidu said several TD men were injured after a mob of YSRC activists stormed into the party office. The YSRC cadre were armed with sticks and rods and damaged the furniture and the windowpanes of the Mangalagiri office and Pattabhi Ram's house, he said.

Naidu complained to Union home minister Amit Shah and AP Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan about the incidents. He requested Shah for security and protection by Central forces for the TD offices. He also called for a state bandh on October 20.

YSRC leaders said that several party activists and mediapersons of a TV channel owned by the ruling party were attacked by TD workers

Denying that the YSRC cadre had attacked TD offices, party senior legislator Malladi Vishnu told the media that Pattabhi Rams words were the trigger.

Director-General of Police Gowtham Sawang requested the people to not get provoked. He said that strict action would be taken against those making provocative speeches. Nobody should take the law into their hands and action will be taken on those who do so, he said.

Additional police forces were being deployed across the state to take action against those who resort to attacks, Sawang added.

TD leader Nara Lokesh condemned the attacks and said the CM was paving the way for the collapse of his own party and government. Lokesh said that he postponed the opening of the TD office at Anakapalli that was scheduled for October 20.

AP TD president K. Atchannaidu demanded that Jagan Mohan Reddy should resign from his post.

Meanwhile, a tense situation prevailed at Hindupur MLA Nandamuri Balakrishnas when YSRC attempted to barge in. Balakrishna had left for Hyderabad on Monday night.

At Kurnool, a call given by the YSRC to stage a protest in front of the TD office in Kurnool was foiled by the police who barricaded all approach roads to the place. The YSRC cadre burnt an effigy of Naidu and raised slogans against him.

Kurnool MLA Hafeez Khan and his followers marched towards the office but were stopped by the police, alleged Kurnool TD parliamentary secretary Somisetty Venkateswarlu. He said he had informed the police of the move by YSRC and sought protection.

Kurnool SP Ch. Sudheer Kumar Reddy said no protests were held in front of TD offices or leaders of that party in the district. The district was peaceful, he said.
The Chief Minister held a meeting with top officials of police and excise departments at Pragathi Bhavan on Wednesday to take stock of the drug menace in the state. (Photo:Twitter)

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao directed the police and excise officials to declare an all-out war against drug abuse and drug trafficking in the state. He said drug menace had been on the rise in the state and it should be dealt with iron hand before the situation went out of hand. He also expressed concern over illicit liquor and gambling clubs surfacing again in the state.

The Chief Minister said the reports of drug addicts forming WhatsApp groups in the state, exchanging messages on drugs availability, purchasing and consuming drugs were alarming. He directed officials to form a special cell with a DG-level officer to check illegal drugs in the state. He asked officials to wipe out opiums illegal cultivation and usage and stamp it down with a firm foot.

The Chief Minister held a meeting with top officials of police and excise departments at Pragathi Bhavan on Wednesday to take stock of the drug menace in the state. Home minister Mohd Mahmood Ali, excise minister V. Srinivas Goud, chief advisor Rajiv Sharma, chief secretary Somesh Kumar, advisor (home department) Anurag Sharma, DGP M. Mahender Reddy and police commissioners were present in the meeting.

The Chief Minister said as there were reports that the usage of cannabis (ganja) was on the increase, there was an urgent need to declare an all-out war against drug abuse. He instructed the officials concerned to prepare a comprehensive action plan to totally eradicate the ganja production.

We have successfully controlled extremism in the state. Behind this victory, there are sacrifices from the police force. They have waged a valiant fight. With this, the prestige and respect of the state has gone up. It is unfortunate that while the state is making rapid strides in development, the availability of banned drugs has increased, the Chief Minister said.

"If we do not remove this malady, there is a danger that the results of all the victories that we have registered so far will go waste. The police and excise department officials should take serious note of these warning bells. I have convened this high-level meeting with lot of pain and concern. One can assess the situation based on the reports that some youths are forming WhatsApp groups, exchanging messages and taking drugs. Innocent youth are becoming prey to drug peddlers. Due to the usage of the banned drugs, the mental situation of youth will be harmed and it may lead to some of them committing suicide. De-addiction is a complicated and long procedure. The government is ready to provide anything to you to control this. Eradicate the ganja mafia and dont spare the criminals whoever they are, Rao said.

He wanted the constitution of a special cell with a DG-level officer as the head to deal with illegal drugs. The Chief Minister instructed excise commissioner Sarfraj Ahmed to strengthen the enforcement wing and flying squads. He wanted special surveillance at the educational institutions. He said he also wanted an increase in the number of check-posts at the state borders, strengthening of communication networks and providing required vehicles. He wanted the state intelligence department to form a special wing for this. Rao made it clear that the officials who help get good results in eradicating ganja will be given cash awards, rewards and special promotions.

Illicit liquor and gambling clubs are again coming up in the state. In the past, women appreciated the way the state government has controlled gambling clubs. Take stringent measures that this malady does not surface again in society. Playing cards should end in the state. We have earned a name in the development and welfare sectors in the country. The police and excise department should work in coordination and enhance the states prestige by totally eradicating this drug menace and even the seeds of cannabis should not be found in the state. Make our state as a drug-free state, the Chief Minister instructed.
TPCC president Revanth Reddy hoists the party flag to mark 31st anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana yatra at Charminar as party leaders look on, in Hyderabad on Tuesday. (P. Surendra)

Hyderabad: TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy dared minister K. T. Rama Rao for open debate with him on any issue. Rama Rao is junior to me in experience and in holding public offices, he said. "I began my political career as a ZPTC member and served as MLC, MLA and MP," he said.

The Congress chief submitted a complaint on alleged irregularities in Huzurabad byelection to the Chief Electoral Officer Shashank Goel here on Tuesday. Speaking to newsmen, Revanth Reddy criticised the TRS and the BJP for making the Huzurabad byelection the costliest in the country. Minister T. Harish Rao and BJP candidate Etala Rajender ignored all norms in bypoll, he alleged.

Revanth Reddy said the Congress complained to the CEO against Harish Rao, who was spending crores of rupees in Huzurabad byelection. In a secret strategy, both the TRS and the BJP were responsible for halting of Dalit Bandhu scheme, he alleged.

TPCC president said they fielded student leader Balmuri Venkat as Congress candidate in Huzurabad as he fought against anti-people policies of the government. "We urged people of Huzurabad to vote for Congress from each household," he said.
SRC activists display placards while they stage protests against the leaders and activists of TDP, at GVMC Gandhi Statue junction in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. (DC photo)

VIJAYAWADA: The ruling YSR Congress on Wednesday held Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu responsible for the use of abusive words against Chief Minister Jagan and sought an unconditional apology from Naidu.

Adviser to government on public affairs Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said, We bear with a lot of abusive comments from TD, but will not tolerate objectionable and abusive use of words.

Terming TD leaders' criticism and remarks against Chief Minister Jagan as derogatory, Reddy said opposition leader Naidu was responsible for this outrage. TD leader Pattabhirams foul words against the CM was a deliberate attempt from Chandrababu to vitiate the political atmosphere. There will be reaction from everyone who admires the CM.

He said if Pattabhiram doesnt use such filthy language then there would have been no strong reaction from the people. The level language of TD leaders has been deteriorating day by day and they have crossed the line and lost the moral right to continue as a political party.

Reddy said Pattabhiram spoke to the media in a fully conscious state as an official spokesperson of the TD, and the direction for this stage show came from Chandrababu. It was a premeditated, cold-blooded plan of action, an organised crime against the State and Chandrababu must take the responsibility for such statements.

The adviser asked whether the spirit of democracy is such as to use abusive language and would the opposition leaders accept to be addressed in the same language. In fact, both Chandrababu and his son Lokesh deliberately speak ill of the chief minister and all the while YSRC leaders have remained calm. The opposition is unable to digest the good governance of Jagan and is trying to confuse and mislead the public and create a wrong impression among them by spinning lies as stories.

Recalling the past actions of TD, Reddy said MLA Roja and Chevireddy Bhasker were harassed during the TD rule. Unlike the previous government, the YSRC leaders are not adopting such a path. Summons were issued to Nakka Anandbabu within the purview of police authority. However, the opposition had created a scene over this. Similar reactions can be expected in future if the same scenario gets repeated.

The adviser said Chandrababu should apologise as any dignified person would do before taking up a deeksha or at least issue a clarification that he saw nothing wrong with the abusive remarks. He urged the leaders of the other parties to respond over the issue.
(NewsViews express the Ideas of their Writer, and not always of "Eurofora". But We Thank "PanEuropa Germany"'s President, CSU Euro-Politician, and Experienced former Long-Time top MEP at EU Parliament, Bernd Posselt, for sending us for Publication, via his Press Offfice, this Interesting and Topical Question as well as Suggestion, the same Day of the Conclusions for the EU "Conference on Europe's Future" Citizen Panel on Foreign Policy and Europe in the World, that we have just attended in EU Parliament in Strasbourg.

Follows, herewith, the full Original Text, in Deutsch).

-*-

56. Andechser Europatag: - Europe's Freedom Idea, as the basis of the World order



56. Andechser Europatag der Paneuropa-Union Germany



17. 10. 2021 Andechs.

With the theme of freedom, the 56. Christian Europe Day of "Paneuropa-Union Deutschland" in the Oberbayerischen Monastery Andechs.

Its president, the CSU European politician Bernd Posselt, quoted Paneuropa founder Richard Graf Coudenhove-Kalergi, who called for resistance to National Socialism immediately before the outbreak of the Second World War, and said: "Europe is not just a continent, but an idea, and this is "Freedom"."

The basis for this is the conception of Human Dignity, which is widely used by Christianity and Humanism. This is also the starting point for the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Today, the World is faced with a Test of tears: On the one hand, the possibility for the human being to be Destroyed almost infinitely, and in the digitalised and globalised "world village", everyone is more Dependent than ever before, as the pandemic crisis has proven. On the other hand, the common cultural and ethical basis of the international order will always weaken. In Afghanistan, it has been shown in a dramatic manner that the colonial export of Western ...companies was doomed to failure.

However, this should not mean putting into question the universality of human rights, that the United Nations had, at least in theory, achieved after the Second World War. The way out of this dilemma can only be in a patient and knowledgeable Dialogue between the different world religions and cultures. In order for this to be successful, one must meet one another at eye level, listen to the other, know something about him and, as Pope Francis called for, also "go to the margins". He only creates who "Co-works, loves and suffers". If you think this is an illusion, you can "pack it right."



At the well-attended Meeting of theologians Prof. Veit Neumann with the subject of "Freedom and God", Johannes Modesto, who is responsible for the archdiocese of Munich and Freising for seligration proceedings, with Romano Guardini and the White Rose, the religious philosopher Beate Beckmann-Zoller, with the philosopher and European patroness Edith Stein, (who was murdered in Auschwitz), and the Prague political scientist Blanka Mouralova with the totalitarianism concept of Hannah Arendt.

In an "evening of freedom" at the Klostergasthof, Robert Wild sang for the guitar freedom songs, and Francis Posselt of the Pan-European Youth made himself in a confessed literary form as their "courier" to the voice of the Statue of Liberty. Celebrant of the festive service in honor of the Holy Hedwig in the pilgrimage church was the Polish Minorite Father Prof. Zdzislaw Josef Kijas from Rome. The topic of "Freedom and Courage-engines for a Living Europe" was discussed at the final podium of the professor from Rome, by the psychologist Consuelo Grafin Ballestrem, the restaurant founder and chef Johannes Belling from France, the Czech diplomant Jan Sicha, the youngest district president Hessens, Johannes Volkmann, as well as the media lawyer Dirk H. Vo.

----------------------------------------------------------------------





56. Andechser Europatag: Europas Freiheitsidee als Grundlage der Weltordnung



56. Andechser Europatag der Paneuropa-Union Deutschland

Europas Freiheitsidee als Grundlage der Weltordnung



17. 10. 2021



Andechs. Mit dem Thema Freiheit befate sich der 56. Christliche Europatag der Paneuropa-Union Deutschland im oberbayerischen Kloster Andechs.

Ihr Prasident, der CSU-Europapolitiker Bernd Posselt, zitierte den Paneuropa-Grunder Richard Graf Coudenhove-Kalergi, der unmittelbar vor Ausbruch des Zweiten Weltkrieges zum Widerstand gegen den Nationalsozialismus aufgerufen und dabei gesagt habe: Europa ist nicht nur ein Kontinent, sondern eine Idee, und diese ist die Freiheit.

Grundlage dessen sei die von Christentum und Humanismus weltweit verbreitete Konzeption von der Menschenwurde. Diese bilde auch den Ausgangspunkt der EU-Grundrechtecharta. Heute stehe die Welt vor einer Zerreiprobe: Einerseits sei die Moglichkeit des Menschen zum Zerstoren fast unendlich geworden und im digitalisierten wie auch globalisierten weltweiten Dorf sei jeder von jedem abhangiger denn je, wie die Pandemiekrise bewiesen habe. Andererseits werde die gemeinsame kulturelle und ethische Basis der internationalen Ordnung immer schwacher.

In Afghanistan habe sich auf dramatische Weise gezeigt, da der kolonialistische Export westeuropaischer Gesellschaftsvorstellungen zum Scheitern verurteilt sei. Dies durfe aber nicht bedeuten, die Universalitat der Menschenrechte, wie sie die Vereinten Nationen nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg zumindest theoretisch verwirklicht hatten, in Frage zu stellen.

Der Ausweg aus diesem Dilemma konne nur in einem geduldigen und kenntnisreichen Dialog zwischen den verschiedenen Weltreligionen und kulturen liegen. Damit dieser gelinge, musse man einander auf Augenhohe begegnen, dem anderen zuhoren, etwas von ihm wissen und, wie dies Papst Franziskus gefordert habe, auch an die Rander gehen. Dies schaffe nur, wer mitarbeitet, mitliebt und mitleidet. Wenn man dies fur eine Illusion halte, konne man gleich einpacken.



In Fachreferaten befaten sich bei der gut besuchten Tagung der Theologe Prof. Veit Neumann mit dem Thema Freiheit und Gott, Johannes Modesto, der bei der Erzdiozese Munchen und Freising fur Seligsprechungsverfahren zustandig ist, mit Romano Guardini und der Weien Rose, die Religionsphilosophin Beate Beckmann-Zoller mit der in Auschwitz ermordeten Philosophin und Europapatronin Edith Stein und die Prager Politikwissenschaftlerin Blanka Mouralova mit dem Totalitarismusbegriff von Hannah Arendt. Bei einem Abend der Freiheit im Klostergasthof sang Robert Wild zur Gitarre Freiheitslieder, und Franziskus Posselt von der Paneuropa-Jugend machte sich in gekonnter literarischer Form als deren Kurier zum Sprachrohr der Freiheitsstatue. Zelebrant des Festgottesdienstes zu Ehren der Heiligen Hedwig in der Wallfahrtskirche war der polnische Minoritenpater Prof. Zdzislaw Josef Kijas aus Rom. Das Thema Freiheit und Mut  Motoren fur ein lebenswertes Europa diskutierten beim abschlieenden Podium der Professor aus Rom, die Psychologin Consuelo Grafin Ballestrem, der Restaurantgrunder und Kuchenchef Johannes Belling aus Frankreich, der tschechische Diplomant Jan Sicha, der jungste Kreistagsprasident Hessens, Johannes Volkmann, sowie der Medienanwalt Dirk H. Vo.

Paneuropa-Pressestelle, Dachauer Str. 17, D - 80335 Munchen



-*-


A GOP Louisiana senator and physician said that cognitive tests should be administered to federal officials as they age. This test checks any mental decline, especially if they are nearing their 80s that interferes with their duties.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician, thinks it is crucial to evaluate senior government leaders, including President Biden and others in the judiciary and executive branch, where essential decisions should be decided.

Many of these individuals should be at the top of their game and not have cognitive problems that hamper proper governance.

Cognitive tests should be administered to federal officials

Sen. Cassidy, 64, a Louisiana GOP had an interview with Axios on HBO, said no one in the federal government is the object of his criticism, reported the Daily Mail.

In his medical profession, a gastroenterologist says that it is pretty evident if senior officials downslides due to age. He states his recommendation is based on discipline as a medical doctor, not a politician.

He added that information from the past indicated that many senators had finished their terms as senile senators, noted the Epoch Times. And they come from the two parties as well.

The GOP senator remarked that if they are close or in their 80s, that should prompt mandatory cognition tests without fail.

Some of the senior leaders in the US government

In the US government, many senior leaders like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, aged 81, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, 70, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, 79. As pointed out by GOP Louisiana Senator Cassidy, a physician who thinks a cognitive test is needed at their age.

Read Also: Ex-Reagan Aide Says Biden Could Disable the Democrats in 2022 If President is Allowed To Commit More Failures

President Joe Biden, 78, has been asked many questions by the press and conservatives if his mental fitness is enough to finish his term cited USA Today.

Cassidy added that having the cognitive test is practical to be applied to Supreme Court justices, Congress, and the executive branch to be subjected to a yearly cognition test on the dot.

The GOP senator said it is reasonable to require Supreme Court justices, members of Congress, and executive branch leaders to submit an annual cognitive evaluation. He mentioned that it is vital for Americans to know who they got as leaders in one interview.

Senior justices in the Supreme Court

In the highest court in the land, Supreme Court, Clarence Thomas, the oldest justice, entered his post way back in 1991 is now 73. But the most senior member is liberal Justice Stephen Breyer, aged 83.

Once appointed to America's highest court, justices could stay for any duration.

The liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died at 87 years old as a court justice in September 2020. When President Donald Trump replaced her, it caused a furor with the Democrats' unobjective view of the replacement.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, at 49 years old, is the youngest justice appointed, who replaced Ginsburg is the third and final pick of Trump.

Biden has shown proof of his mental state in his speeches

Conservatives have not chosen to question President Joe Biden's mental state randomly. Interviews and video were pointed out as alleged proof. In the Geneva summit, he avoided a one-on-one with Putin, gave the reporter bare time, and is documented.

Trump, now 75, passed the cognitive test and referred to Biden many times in that respect.

Senator and Cassidy stressed why the cognitive test is essential to gauge the capability of leaving office if there is dementia.

Related Article: Joe Biden's Flagging Leadership is Driving US Allies To Realign With Emerging Chinese Influence Faster Than Expected

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A honeymoon camp outing in Ukraine ends in a bloodbath as a bomb from World War One explodes and sends metal shards flying that injures people in the camp. Shrapnel flying all over terribly or fatally injure group members severely, which turns the situation into carnage.

It was a one in a million chance they would come across unexploded ordnance in the place they stayed to camp. The outing to commemorate life started with a ruined one and ended with a horrendous accident.

Honeymoon camp outing turns into bloodbath as bomb explodes on them

The result of the tragic trip was that newly married Lidiia Makarchuk, who came to the UK in 2017, was maimed by raining metal shards, and her brother was killed from the blast, reported the Daily Mail.

Lidiia, 31, went with her spouse, Norbert Varga, 43, to a spot in Ukraine that is renowned for its nature. It was the late honeymoon, after getting hitched in Bracknell, Berkshire.

The victim is from Ukraine and an accountant, often telling her friends that the man who became her husband had noticed her shoes in church.

She recalls the bonfire added something special, but the idyllic reminiscing would not last. Her husband was a radio operator and an expert photographer. He went to the tent at 9 pm to get his camera to take pictures.

While in the tent, he heard a loud explosion while the honeymoon camp outing group shared stories and had tea around the campfire. Varga added that he heard the blast while taking out his equipment, then he heard screams. He then looks for his wife, and the honeymoon camp outing ends in a bloodbath.

Read Also: Crocodile Grabs 8-Year-Old Indonesian Girl While Swimming; Her Friends Helplessly Watch As the Reptile Takes Her Down

One suspicion is that the mortar exploded because of the campfire nearby when the entourage had the camping trio in the Carpathian mountains near the Hungarian border, noted the News Beezer.

Lidiia remembered the explosion reverberating in the camp as the blast happened. Saying it felt like the explosion's pressure was like getting struck by a rock in the face, in the nose.

Husband recalls moments after the blast

Mr. Varga frantically ran over to locate his wife in the blast, whose shrapnel hit his left eye and face. He saw her badly lacerated hand with exposed bones. More of her legs were gone, and the blast's force also removed muscle from the leg bones.

Miss Makarchuk remembered her brother, Myroslav, 29, who was breathing barely. She recalled lying on the ground, and they were both injured and blinded. She was treated in time after going to Ukraine hospital. She is regretful that she said no goodbyes to her brother, cites World News Era.

The brother was left dying and gasping for 90 minutes while waiting for help to come, and another of their party died as well. Most of them were seriously injured by the explosion. Tragically, they chose the wrong spot to set the camp in Mount Hoverla, a battlefield in the past two world wars.

The Source of the mortar might be from the Brusilov Offensive, where Russian fought a complex war against the Austria-Hungary army in 1916.

Miss Makarchuk recalls she would not forget the last moments of her brother. Mr. Varga attempted to help her brother with first aid while gravely injured. He said it was like a war film, and she is in it. After the trip turned into a bloodbath, the honeymoon camp outing group took seven hours to get to the hospital.

Related Article: Large Bear Mauls Russian Camper to Death As Terrified Companions Watch, Survivors Walk Barefoot to Reach Rescue

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
US President Joe Biden demanded that AUKUS deal partners, Australia and UK, should take steps to repair the disastrous consequences it brought on. The submarine deal fronted by the US administration could be added to the foreign policy of the current US administration.

It should be noted the circumstance of the submarine deal kept Macron in the dark, and the EU saw it as unbecoming to treat an ally nation.

Washington has started the ball rolling and expects the others to follow suit. Many panned the deal in so many words, especially France.

Developments on the AUKUS deal

According to Annelise Nielsen of Sky News Australia, who gave her insight into the tension resulting from the four nations involved, UK, France, US, and Australia, reported Express UK.

She told the host Kieran Gilbert that the three members who joined the three-way submarine deal caused further divisiveness and anger. She highlighted the White House is keen on all members to make amends to Macron and France, cited Digichat.

Macron was furious at the three nations for not keeping transparency as befits allies. The deal has angered France so much, even if the US took the first steps, and Canberra is now asked to redress what was done wrongly.

Nielsen chimed on the events happening, which is an interesting development. A recent report about the submarine deal reveals the US pushing the UK, Australia to start fixing the terse AUKUS deal situation with France. They should mend the submarine deal's fallout, and all these moves come from Washington.

Read Also: French Ambassador Calls Out Intentional Deception of US, UK in Divisive AUKUS Submarine Deal

Even if the US leader has started moves to regain the former condition, this AUKUS has deeper problems to resolve.

How Australia dropped the submarine contract angered France

The US was not ready for the unexpected reaction from Paris, and it was the brusque manner of how Australia dropped the submarine contract. Those who were involved in the deal should have been more careful, noted Sky News.

It was not conventional for Canberra to tell the French that they would renege on the deal at the last minute, as allies do not go so low. Informing Paris could not have been done appropriately. Prime Minister Scott Morrison should have called France, but Australia sent a message to notify those concerned instead.

Ms. Nielsen states how the US, Australia, and the UK struck the deal between them, which angered Macron. It seems the discussion began a year ago with the three AUKUS partners.

The French government was kept in the dark intentionally until the last minute, thinking the diesel submarine deal was still on when it would be discarded by Australia sooner.

This female anchorwoman remarked that Paris should have been aware, and they should have expected issues. But France retorted they are twisting the facts of the case intentionally.

Ms. Nielsen said that good relations with other countries are crucial and their tensions. And how the US is telling Australia and the UK to reach out to France is pointing, especially towards the AUKUS deal. Another is that France pulled out consuls from the US and Australia, not Great Britain, which shows more complexity.

Related Article: French President Emmanuel Macron Claims the US Disrespected France By Going Behind the EU's Back To Secure AUKUS Deal

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A hair transplant in Turkey presents the potential for a life-altering procedure for international patients around the world experiencing long-term hair loss. Like any medical procedure, patients want to know what they can expect before going into it. "Is a hair transplant right for me?", "When will I see results?", and "How much will it cost?" are all important questions to ask. Here, we'll explain what you can expect from a hair transplant in Turkey, before and after your operation.

What Price Should I Pay For A Hair Transplant In Turkey?

The NHS lists the price of a hair transplant as high as 30,000 in the UK. While no two cases are the same, medical costs in Turkey are significantly lower than in the UK, US, or other European nations. A hair transplant in Turkey price can be as much as 90% less than comparable services elsewhere. This is because of the greatly lower costs of operating in Turkey, as well as the large number of highly-skilled doctors living in Turkey.

A hair transplant in Turkey is not only affordable but extremely easy. Included in every package we offer is a wide range of all-inclusive services such as:

 Pick-up and drop-off at the airport, your hotel, and our clinic.

 24/7 support and interpreters to assist you.

 3 nights' stay in a premier 4-star hotel.

 A full, one-on-one consultation with Dr Serkan Aygin.

 The hair transplant.

 Needleless Anaesthesia

 Post-treatment medication and shampoo

 Laser Hair therapy

Ultimately, the price of any procedure depends on factors such as the type of procedure chosen and the number of grafts required.

Our Recommendation For A Hair Transplant In Turkey

The Dr Serkan Aygin Clinic in Istanbul was named the "Best Medical Tourism Facility" at the 8th Health Tourism Awards organised by La Razon in Spain. In the same year, Dr Aygin himself was honoured with the European Award in Medicine in the field of "Hair Transplant Surgery" at the first-ever European Awards in Medicine ceremony in Paris, France.

The Dr Serkan Aygin Clinic is a world leader in hair transplants and hair restoration services. As a leading expert in both DHI and FUE hair transplants, Dr Aygin has also pioneered the use of sapphire blades during FUE procedures. This has greatly reduced healing times and minimised risks of scarring. Over his 25-year career, Dr Aygin has assisted more than 10,000 men and women from around the world with a hair regrowth rate of 98%.

As a distinguished member of the International Society of Dermatology, Dr Serkan Aygin received degrees in Clinical Pharmacology and Dermatology from the Istanbul University School of Medicine and completed his residency at Vakif Gureba Hospital in Istanbul. In 2013, Dr Aygin founded the Dr Serkan Aygin Clinic in Istanbul.

In 2021, the Dr Serkan Aygin Clinic opened its second office in the heart of London to bring the full quality of care to a wider market.

What Should I Do Before And After A Hair Transplant In Turkey?

When selecting a hair transplant surgeon, the most important thing to consider is the skill and talent of the medical team. Hair transplants are extremely precise operations that require an experienced staff to achieve the best possible outcome.

Before any hair transplant procedure, all of our clients receive a full, one-on-one consultation with Dr Aygin to go over all of the details of the operation. This professional consultation and hair analysis ensures that each client gets the ideal treatment for them.

During the procedure, great care is taken to ensure that every hair graft is placed evenly and following the natural angle and direction of hair growth. Whether it's a DHI or Sapphhie FUE hair transplant, your results will be your own full, natural hair.

What Impact Has Corona Had On Hair Transplants In Turkey?

Due to various restrictions resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 situation, we have had to make a few changes to our procedures to ensure the continued health of our patients and staff. Some of the important regulations include:

 All of our vehicles are disinfected both before and after each use.

 Upon check-in at your hotel, your bags will be disinfected and your temperature will be checked by a contactless thermometer.

 An additional COVID-19 test can be performed at our clinic before the examination.

 On your last full day in Turkey, you may require another COVID-19 test for re-entry to your home country. This may be performed at either our clinic or your hotel.

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Treasury Department on Tuesday announced that it was peeling back and narrowing the scope of its controversial bank reporting proposal that would require banks and credit unions to disclose sensitive account information to the IRS to boost tax compliance.

The newest revision to the proposal sets the threshold at $10,000 and results from discussions between congressional Democrats and the Biden administration. The recent changes would also include exemptions of certain income from wages or federal programs, including Social Security.

Bank Reporting Proposal

In United States President Joe Biden's original proposal, officials designed the requirement to raise money for the Democrat's social spending plan. The lawmaker touted the program as a way to reduce tax dodging conducted by wealthy individuals. It would require financial institutions to give the IRS an annual figure for cash flow in and out of any account with at least $600 worth of deposits and withdrawals.

However, some Democrats believed the proposal was not prioritizing the rich enough and focused too much on workers who had much smaller incomes. Additionally, many Republicans used the proposal to criticize Biden's plan and considered it an invasion of privacy, Politico reported.

The change was announced by Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the head of the Finance Committee, and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. The announcement was made just hours after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen endorsed the proposal.

Read Also: Colin Powell's Surprising Decision to Support Barack Obama in the 2008 Election Revisited After His Death; Ex-POTUS Pays Tribute to His Friend

In a statement, Yellen said that the new proposal was made with the Biden administration's firm belief that they should double down on people who are on top of the income scale and do not pay sufficient taxes. The official added that the proposal aimed to protect American workers by having a threshold of $10,000 and including an exemption for wage earners such as teachers and firefighters.

During a call with reporters, Wyden said that IRS commissioner Charles Rettig testified that the country's tax gap could be as high as $1 trillion annually. The senator argued that the information received from the reporting proposal would help alleviate the issue. Wyden noted that the proposal was made to focus on the wealthiest people who avoided paying tax, Yahoo News reported.

Adverse Effects

While Biden's plan was based on his pledge to go after corporations and wealthy individuals who dodged taxes, many experts say the proposal could have the opposite effect. Critics argued that the Democrat's plan would disproportionately impact small businesses and the very individuals that the proposed plans to protect.

If Congress votes to approve the proposal, banks will be required to monitor personal and business accounts that have more than $600 of activity. They would then submit a yearly report of the accounts and send it to the IRS. The Treasury Department said the reports would provide crucial information to allow auditors to identify discrepancies. They would then be able to investigate any irregularities.

"I think the net will catch a lot of small fish and not the big fish that Biden purports to target. It seems to me, a bait and switch. They purport to go after the one-percenters but in the crosshairs will be small businesses," said senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center Steven Rosenthal, Komo News reported.

Related Article: Jen Psaki Shouts at NBC's Reporter for Always Asking About Biden's Health; White House Press Secretary Faces Hatch Act Complaint

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Taliban have executed a brave Afghan army officer who worked as an interpreter for the Australian Defense Force, leaving his scared wife and children in grave danger and asking to be evacuated to Australia.

Since the Taliban recaptured Afghanistan with the withdrawal of US soldiers in August, the father had been frantically attempting to get a humanitarian visa for himself and his family. They had missed the initial wave of evacuations because Australian officials had not informed them that they were eligible.

Family of executed Afghan interpreter fear for their safety

On Wednesday, his sister, who resides in Australia, reported that her brother was just executed through the family's lawyer. Before aiding Australian forces stationed in Afghanistan, the victim spent years as an officer in the Afghan army.

The family has looked into various options for obtaining the humanitarian visa, including contacting Australian troops with whom he worked in Afghanistan to support their application.

However, when they contacted the ADF, they advised them that for safety concerns, they would not be able to provide the names of his former colleagues and close acquaintances, as per Daily Mail.

Following the execution of an interpreter, Australia's Immigration Minister, Alex Hawke, has pledged to continue transporting Afghans who served with Australian soldiers in Afghanistan safely out of the country.

A former Afghan army officer who served as an interpreter for the Australian Defense Force was recently slain. The translator had been waiting for an Australian humanitarian visa with his wife and children, who are now in hiding, SBS reported.

Due to security concerns, Hawke declined to comment on the specific instance but said the government was still attempting to evacuate individuals from the Taliban-controlled territory securely.

According to Sharhi Rafi, the lawyer representing the Afghan translator's family, they are in grave danger. Last week, a Senate committee learned that Afghan nationals seeking to escape the country had submitted more than 26,000 applications to the federal authorities.

In August, the government declared that out of the 13,750 humanitarian spots available, 3000 would be granted to Afghan citizens. Following the Taliban takeover in August, 4100 individuals were evacuated, with two-thirds of them women and children.

Read Also: China Denies Testing Hypersonic Nuclear Missile; Beijing Claims It Is Spacecraft Technology

Another Afghan interpreter says Taliban has "no mercy"

Aman Khalili, an Afghan translator who assisted in the rescue of Joe Biden in 2008, recently left Afghanistan with the assistance of US veterans after hiding for weeks in fear of his life. Khalili went on "Fox & Friends First" to discuss the threats that the Taliban's crackdown policies pose to US allies in the war-torn country.

While the State Department estimates that approximately 100 Americans are still trapped in Afghanistan as of mid-September, it is unknown how many American citizens and allies are still in the war-torn country.

Per Fox News, the Biden administration has been chastised for not doing enough to assist residents and allies fleeing the country. Despite this, several veteran organizations have arranged private rescue missions for individuals who still want to flee.

According to Khalili, many individuals are in similar positions, including other Afghan interpreters who still require assistance fleeing the country. Khalili and his family escaped Afghanistan last week, arriving in Islamabad before traveling to Doha. He detailed the perilous trek he and his family took to Pakistan, covering hundreds of kilometers searching for protection.

After their Black Hawk helicopters were forced to land due to severe weather in 2008, Khalili was part of a squad deployed to rescue many US senators, including Joe Biden.

Related Article: Taliban Claim Bombing Outside the Main Mosque in Kabul Kills Several People

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Joe Biden was taunted by China and Russia fleet that sailed past the Japan Strait for the first time. The tempo in the Indo-Pacific has sped up after the US has decided to pivot to Asia after its loss in Afghanistan.

Japan has taken the slack of fronting a defensive strategy of Taiwan as the Biden administration is roping in the UK and Australia, as more players in a possible Taiwan invasion. But, Japan has problems of its own with the Senkakus and the areas contested by Russia.

Chinese, Russian forces deploys vessels in Japan Strait

The fleet with Russian and Chinese vessels totaled 10 in all when it passed the Japan Strait a bit close to the Japanese home islands, and the US is alarmed by Beijing's new military capability, the Express UK.

According to Tokyo, last Monday, the two-nation group of vessels was in military maneuvers in the Tsugaru Strait. One of the first instances that officials in Japan have confirmed such a large group of 10 vessels operating in international waters. They were seen in the Japan Sea and the Pacific in waters demarcating national boundaries.

Yoshihiko Isozaki, Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, said the combined fleet of Chinese and Russian vessels are being monitored in their area, cited the Taipei Times. He added they would continue to do surveillance in their territorial waters and airspace in Japan.

According to a Japanese Defence Ministry spokesperson, the ships had not breached any boundaries or international laws that either nation violated. Having Joe Biden taunted by the China and Russia fleet is to see how Washington reacts.

Read Also: China is Lining Up an Array of High-Tech Weapons To Overcome Taiwan When the Time Comes

This act of cooperation by the other two superpowers shows their determination to form a bloc directed at the current US administration. Recently, the USS Chafee was accused of unsafe operations when it got close to the Admiral Tributs, noted the Hindustan Times.

The naval forces of China and Russia had their drills in the Sea of Japan from October 14 to 17.

The vessels involved in the Japanese-Russian fleet

Beijing said the ships included are two destroyers, one submarine, and two corvettes were the ones that cooperated with Moscow in the exercise.

According to the Russian defense ministry, the joint force exercised firing at targets and conducted air-defense rehearsals with Soviet fighter jets and helicopters. This exercise came after Beijing reportedly fired an arching hypersonic missile in the atmosphere that took the US aback.

Last July, another launch by the PLA was a nuclear-ready rocket that caused US intelligence to notice the CCP, which may have been less attentive.

The hypersonic vehicle can have Mach 5+ speed and be programmed for low earth orbit. However, it missed its intended target. But officials in Beijing had said it was a routine space launch, not a weapon-related, as told the BBC.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that Washington is monitoring Chinese development of better weaponry. He added that those weapons were making it hard to lessen tension and causing problems in the region.

Biden's administration will not attend a summit sponsored by Vladimir Putin this Wednesday due to logistical problems the US cannot join.

Joe Biden taunted by the China and Russian fleet getting too close to Tokyo is a sign of a push back by Putin and Xi to possibly further humiliate the White House to its allies.

Related Article: China Accomplished Launch of Hypersonic Glide Vehicle Into Orbit While the US Develops the Technology, Challenges the Biden Administration

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Rounds of relief payments helped alleviate COVID-19's economic impact and aided in boosting the country's economy. The third wave of relief payments, courtesy of the American Rescue Plan (ARP), began in March.

Approximately 169 million people received up to $1,400 in the past few months. Nearly all of the $422 billion set aside was used for this purpose. The ARP checks came nine months after the $600 payments made in January, which came nine months after the $1,200 payments made in the early days of the pandemic.

They appear to have worked, but they also aided many people who did not require financial assistance. According to the latest recent estimate from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the US economy grew at an annualized rate of 6.7 percent in the second quarter of 2021.

Relief payments coming from your state

Supply chain issues may have slowed expansion even further. This maintains the blistering pace set in the first quarter, when the economy grew by 6.4 percent. The Conference Board predicts that growth will continue, albeit at a slower pace, for the rest of the year.

According to CBS Local, the country's GDP, a measure of economic activity across the United States, has reached pre-pandemic levels. According to that metric, the economy has fully recovered. During the pandemic, a large portion of the workforce has experienced minimal economic hardship.

Many things that may be done at a desk in an office can also be done at a desk in someone's home, as per MARCA. With fewer places to spend money during the pandemic, as well as three stimulus checks, many Americans saved more than they would have otherwise.

With a fourth stimulus check from the federal government seeming doubtful, states are coming up with new ways to give economic aid to Americans to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19.

There are a variety of stimulus checks and incentives aimed at helping low and middle-income families, and each of the 50 states has its own policy. We've put up the following information to assist you in figuring out which states are giving a fourth stimulus check. It will keep you up to date on what's going on around the country.

Surprise stimulus check from US states

States are looking for more ways to help Americans with their finances as a fourth stimulus check from the federal government seems increasingly unlikely. Although low- and middle-income families are not eligible for federal assistance, each of the 50 states is developing its own program to address the problem.

Per The Sun, these states are beginning to provide financial incentives to assist in mitigating the financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic:

Connecticut- The state's Back to Work plan pays qualified individuals a $1,000 stimulus payment if they return to work after an eight-week layoff.

Florida- A $1000 payment will be given to teachers and administrators.

Georgia- Full-time teachers and administrators will get $1000 checks while part-time instructors will earn $500, following Florida's approach.

Idaho- Residents could expect a one-time tax refund in the near future.

Maryland- State and local taxes on unemployment benefits were removed, and $720 million was set aside for farm workers, meat packers, and grocery shop employees.

Michigan- Teachers will get a $500 hazard pay extra from the state.

Minnesota- A total of 116,000 people are eligible for a $1200 payment.

Missouri- A temporary Child Care Subsidy is available to families with children.

Nevada- The Child Tax Credit is worth $3000 to $3600 to working families.

New Hampshire- Families with three children who do not have a source of income are eligible for a payment of $1086.

New Mexico- The state has set aside $5 million to assist low-income citizens who have been affected by the pandemic.

Ohio- The state has set up $46 million to help needy kids.

Oklahoma- The state of Florida's panhandle has set up $13 million to assist student instructors.

Tennessee- Teachers received $1000 in hazard compensation from the state.

Utah- Residents who were chosen received three payments totaling $2784 on average.

Alaska- Residents may be eligible for additional cash under the Federal-State Extended Benefits program, which would provide an extra 13 to 20 weeks of checks.

Arizona- The state's Back to Work Program provides jobless persons who work part-time a one-time $1,000 payout, and unemployed people who work full-time a $2,000 payment.

California- The Golden State Stimulus allows persons earning between $30,000 and $75,000 to receive $500 to $600 in checks, with an extra $500 for families with dependents.

Colorado - Between March and October 2020, anyone who receives an unemployment payment will receive a $375 check.

Read Also: New $1,800 Stimulus Check Release Date Revealed; Here's How Many Payments Are Left in 2021

Is your state not included in the list?

At the end of March, a group of Democratic Senators, including Oregon's Ron Wyden, Massachusetts' Elizabeth Warren, and Vermont's Bernie Sanders, wrote to President Joe Biden, seeking "recurring direct payments and automatic unemployment insurance renewals connected to economic circumstances."

A similar stance was carved out in a previous letter to President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris by 53 Representatives, led by Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. "Until the economy improves, recurring direct payments will assist individuals fulfill their basic requirements, provide racially equal solutions, and decrease the length of the recession."

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, two more renowned House Progressives, were also co-signers. The proposed stimulus payments were not given a number in the letter. However, a tweet sent out shortly after set the price at $2,000 each month for the duration of the pandemic.

Related Article: More Than 1.2 Million Americans To Receive Stimulus Checks Ranging $600-$1,000 Tomorrow; Are You Included in the Beneficiaries?

@YouTube

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Taliban have recently announced that they would be offering cash and plots of land to the family members of suicide bombers that attacked United States and Afghan forces, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry said on Twitter on Tuesday.

The social media post, which was written in English, mirrored a previous announcement made by acting interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani the day before. At the time, the official offered clothes and roughly $112 worth of incentives to dozens of male family members of "martyred" bombers who lost their lives for Islamic "jihad and sacrifices."

Cash and Land for Families of Suicide Bombers

Saeed Khosty, the spokesman, added that Haqqani considered the dead bombers as heroes of both Islam and the country. In a statement, he urged the people not to betray the aspirations of the martyrs who gave up their lives.

Due to the acting interior minister's announcements, many believe that extreme aggression could once again resurface in the war-torn country that is now governed by the Taliban. It also comes in contrast to the militant group's previous commitments of peace and democracy following their takeover of Kabul, Fox News reported.

After the meeting where the announcement was made, Haqqani distributed the money incentive worth 10,000 afghanis ($112) to each family of suicide bombers. Khosty later posted photographs of Haqqani with his face blurred embracing the relatives in a packed auditorium.

Read Also: Biden Administration Hides Border Policy Consequences, Secretly Flying Hundreds of Minor Migrants to New York at Night

The comments follow the Taliban's attempts to open diplomatic channels with an international community that has been largely opposed to formally recognizing the militant group's government in Afghanistan. Many high-profile Taliban meetings have discussed with foreign officials the need for aid in the region due to the economic instability.

However, the United Nations predicts that virtually the entire population of Afghanistan will enter poverty because of the severe economic devastation. The Taliban's announcement of rewards for suicide bombers is a sharp contrast to the militant group's leadership, ABC News reported.

Afghanistan's Devastated Economy

Afghanistan's economy is fast approaching the brink of devastation following the Taliban taking control of the country's government. The militant group is now struggling to address growing issues of poverty and hunger among its people.

Taliban officials have resorted to ordering financial managers of the previous Afghan government to get back to work with an urgent objective: do your jobs, because we can't. In the last 20 years since the militant group last ruled the nation, the economy has shifted from mostly illicit enterprise to a sophisticated multi-billion-dollar system.

The militant group has had difficulties in taking control of the transformation of the country's economy. This has resulted in officials ordering bureaucrats from the previous government's Finance Ministry, central bank, and other state-owned banks to get back to work. Three Taliban officials confirmed the accounts.

"They told us, 'We are not experts, you know what is better for the country, how we can survive under these challenges'," one state bank official recalled. The individual, similar to others, spoke on the condition of anonymity due to not being allowed to speak on record and may have been put in danger if his identity was leaked, the Associated Press reported.



Related Article: GOP Louisiana Senator States That Cognitive Tests Be Done on US Leaders as Mandatory Including the POTUS

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The next generation Taigei-class submarine, the successor of the Soryu diesel-electric attack submarines, is powered by Lithium-ion batteries. Some countries have non-nuclear subs using electricity. Instead, innovations in such systems have been practical for powering submarines.

Next-generation Taigei-class submarine

Nuclear subs have advantages, especially for nations that can afford it, but using diesel-electric when employed correctly can bring down the most vessels.

One example is an electric boat that could escape detection and sink an aircraft carrier in drills, a US supercarrier at that.

The new Japanese boat is the next of its class to diesel-electric with power stored on Lithium-ion batteries, the second vessel that will feature improvements, reported the Nationalist Interest.

Launched at the Kawasaki Heavy Industries shipyard in Kobe, the Hakugei, or White Whale, is part of the Taipei-type first seen 2018. Compared to other subs in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), which uses lead-acid batteries as power cells, they employ better Lithium-ion batteries. Until the introduction of Hakugei, most were not Li-ion that came with more advantages, cited Defense News.

Li-ion power cells store more energy and more power generated when used, with more power output allowing more performance for the Taigei. One implication is it can go farther in the distance and travel faster underwater.

Testing the system in the 2000s has revealed less maintenance and faster charges that lead to power cells. It lessens the time the submarines near to surface at times with the next generation Taigei-class.

Read Also: China is Lining Up an Array of High-Tech Weapons To Overcome Taiwan When the Time Comes

New Taigei-class submarine uses Lithium-Ion batteries

Before Taigei was constructed, the Soryu diesel-electric type had two boats equipped with the same power source. They are the Oryu and Toryu that has the same power source, Li-ion cells. But, Oryu got it first, noted Popular Mechanics.

One of the hidden details of the new sub is that the batteries are top secret and advanced, allowing more energy-packed per cell for a greater range. Also, it is heavier than the Soryu but less noisy compared to it.

Imbued with a stealthier function, the designers packed it with more advanced sonar, even other upgrades to its components. It can fire the US-made harpoon ship killer missiles, with the staple of Type 89 torpedoes.

Hakugei debuted one year after Taigei, the lead Taigei-class vessel. The boat would go through the testing phase and building before entering the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force around March 2023.

The first boat, Taigei, will be ready for service in 2022, where the tech will be tested and evaluated. Hakugei will be followed by four more submarines to be constructed, and a third started in 2020.

Japanese naval forces are modernized, and the new Hakugei will be the front of the submarine forces as military assets expand.

This is a reaction to China's assertiveness and North Korea's threat which are reasons for these actions. Traditionally hesitant of risking Beijing's wrath, Japanese authorities took the unprecedented step of openly declaring their backing of Taiwan in summer.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wu Qian warns Tokyo to stick with its own business, not bother with Taiwan. Earlier, Japan's deputy defense minister, Yasuhide Nakayama, said Japan should assist Taiwan.

The next generation Taigei-class will be another asset to the Japanese Defense Force to allow another dimension of undersea combat.

Related Article: Biden Taunted by Chinese, Russian Fleet Passing Through Japan Strait to Test Resolve of the US

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Haitian gang that is responsible for the kidnapping of 17 people, 16 American and one Canadian, is seeking $17 million in exchange for the freedom of the hostages as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) attempts to rescue the victims.

Officials from the FBI coordinated with local authorities in the tiny Caribbean nation to locate and rescue the 17 kidnapped individuals who were taken on Saturday. The ransom of $17 million made by the gang constitutes $1 million for each hostage. A high-ranking government source was responsible for confirming the demands of the suspects.

Massive $17 Million Ransom

The perpetrators abducted the Ohio-based Christian organization missionaries just outside the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. Authorities believe that the gang responsible for the abductions is the "400 Mawozo" gang. A phone number was believed to have been owned by the leader of the gang. It was called and the man who picked up immediately hung up after realizing who was on the other end of the call.

Haiti residents took to the streets of the region's capital to protest the multiple crises that the nation is suffering from. Many people are expressing their discontent with the government and its responses to the dire political and economic situation, CBS News reported.

It was on Tuesday when the first reports of the gang responsible for the kidnappings called Christian Aid Ministries, the group to which the hostages were a part of, on Saturday. The minister of the group said that the FBI and Haitian police were working together to advise them in negotiations.

Read Also: Biden Administration Hides Border Policy Consequences, Secretly Flying Hundreds of Minor Migrants to New York at Night

Since the disappearance of the individuals, several calls between the kidnappers and the missionary group have been made, said the minister. The group also urged people to pray for the "Haitian and American civil authorities who are working to resolve this situation."

Five children were among the 17 kidnapped victims, including an eight-month-old baby, said the missionary organization. The 400 Mawozo gang dominated the Croix-des-Bouquets, the area found about eight miles outside the capital where the victims were initially taken from, Reuters reported.

Efforts To Rescue the Hostages

In an interview with reporters, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the United States federal government was focused on the kidnapping incident. The U.S. official added that they were continuously working with the Haitian police force and the missionaries' church to address the crime.

United States President Joe Biden was confirmed to have been briefed regarding the matter as an American team worked with the American Embassy and local forces. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that the president was receiving regular updates regarding the situation in Haiti.

The 400 Mawozo gang's kidnapping of the 17 individuals is the most recent in a series of incidents that have shown the lack of security detail in the country. Many people have expressed their concerns that violence and crime in the region have been spiraling out of control.

"We can confirm their engagement, and the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince is coordinating with local authorities and providing assistance to the families to resolve the situation," Psaki said regarding the efforts to rescue the victims, the New York Times reported.



Related Article: Demonstrators Block the Entrance to Port Miami To Stop the Deportation of Haitians, Asking Kamala Harris To Deliver Citizenship For Millions of Migrants

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was recently slammed for reportedly violating indoor mask mandates imposed by the state.

Lightfoot attended the WNBA finals earlier this week, where the Chicago Sky brought home the WNBA title over the Phoenix Mercury.

Following the team's win, Lightfoot posed for photos without her mask on. A massive group of fans attended the event, and they were required to wear face masks in this type of setting.

Lightfoot shared the photo via her Twitter account, and it shows that she's the only person at the stadium who is not wearing a mask.

What a moment.



Congrats champs! 



A first but not the last for @chicagosky. pic.twitter.com/YdPx1A6011  Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) October 17, 2021

Upon closer inspection, it appears that the mayor's mask is placed underneath the collar of her blue t-shirt.

But the fact that Lightfoot posed for a photo in a crowded setting without her mask on did not sit well with a lot of her critics.

Mask mandates have been in effect since Aug. 2

According to Fox News, the indoor mask mandate in Chicago went into effect on Aug. 2, and there are no exceptions.

Even the Wintrust Arena, where WNBA held the recent game, released an announcement requiring all their guests to wear masks. They are only allowed to remove their masks for a brief period of time while eating and drinking.

Read Also: US President Joe Biden Mistakenly Calls Female Chicago Mayor 'Mister' in Another Miscued Public Speech

Chicago employees required to get vaccinated

Several Chicago residents slammed Lightfoot for urging residents to get vaccinated to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, the mayor refused to follow the indoor mask mandate that could also help prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

According to US News, Chicago employees that are not yet fully vaccinated will be placed under a no-pay status until they get inoculated.

In August, Lightfoot said that all employees would be required to either get vaccinated or receive routine COVID-19 tests by Oct. 15.

However, several police unions have tried to block the vaccine mandate by urging members to defy the set deadline.

On Monday, the mayor of Chicago confirmed that at least 79 percent of city employees have complied with the vaccine mandate. Out of those employees, 84 percent are already fully vaccinated.

As of this week, 96 percent of city employees have also reported their vaccination status. But this doesn't include the police and fire departments.

Despite the impressive turnout, Lightfoot wants all employees to get inoculated, and refusal to do so will result in employees being sent home without pay.

Employees that refused the vaccine placed on unpaid leave

CPD Superintendent David Brown said that less than two dozen officers have already been sent home after they refused to get vaccinated.

And those who have defied the reporting of their vaccination status were asked to report to the police headquarters.

"So, of the several hundred we've talked to, 21 are in no-pay status, I don't know if we've changed their minds or if they've made the decision themselves to get in the portal," Brown said via ABC 7 Chicago.

Second Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins also expressed his concern over the possibility of removing 2,000 officers on the streets because they are not vaccinated. He said that the department is in no position to let go of a lot of its employees.

Related Article: Police Union Opposes Lightfoot's Vaccine Mandate for City Workers

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Gabby Petito's mother believes Brian Laundrie's parents are aware of her daughter's death and abduction. Petito's father concurred, calling the Laundries' withholding of information about his daughter "cruel."

The vlogger's mother believes Brian Laundrie's family "knows most of the information" concerning her daughter's death and abduction. After Petito was discovered strangled to death in Wyoming and Laundrie went missing last month, Nicole Schmidt told "60 Minutes Australia" that the family's "silence speaks volumes."

Gabby Petito's family believes Laundries knew her whereabouts

Petito and Laundrie, who were engaged at the time, went on a cross-country road trip in July and documented their travels on social media. Petito's mother reported receiving calls, messages, and FaceTime calls from the road every day throughout the interview.

Laundrie returned to North Port, Florida, on September 1, but without Petito. On September 11, her parents reported her missing, Business Insider reported. Laundrie was then reported missing on September 17, when his parents said he went on a hike in Florida's Carlton Reserve, subsequently altering the date they claimed they last saw him.

Petito's corpse was discovered at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming on September 21. Her death was determined to be a homicide. Joe Schmidt, Petito's stepfather, questioned why the Laundries didn't notify them when something looked to be wrong.

Petito had last spoken with her family in late August, when visiting Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming with Brian Laundrie, as per Fox5. According to investigators, their social media posts detailing the vacation abruptly ceased, and Laundrie returned to their Florida home in the van - alone.

According to officials, Laundrie hasn't been seen since September 14, when he refused to cooperate with the police. In relation with the matter, a federal arrest warrant has been issued for him.

Read Also: Brian Laundrie's Family Denies Helping Son To Escape as Protesters Surround Property, Shouting "Justice For Gabby Petito"

Brian Laundrie's mother allegedly hates Gabby Petito

Per MEAWW, many people are claiming that Brian Laundrie's mother Roberta Laundrie "hated" Gabby Petito in a fresh twist to the Brian Laundrie-Gabby Petito case. In fact, she appears to have wished for her son to marry Brittany Anne Coleman, a young coworker.

Brittany rose to fame after defending Brian Laundrie in a series of domestic abuse posts with the hashtag #JusticeForGabbyPetito. She also published lengthy postings in support of the Laundrie family, in which she repeatedly humiliated Gabby Petito.

Brittany said that, contrary to common opinion, Brian Laundrie was the real victim of Gabby's "abuse" throughout their relationship. Roberta Laundrie reportedly favored Brittany Coleman over Gabby Petito as a possible daughter-in-law, according to unverified reports.

Brittany Coleman's strong connection with Roberta Laundrie has been investigated by internet sleuths. Brittany is shown wearing a poncho made by Roberta, whom she describes as the "most lovely and amazing lady in the entire world" in one of her photographs.

Gabby Petito's mother, Nicole Schmidt, had previously said that Brian Laundrie's mother loved Gabby Petito "like her own daughter."

Following her defense of Brian Laundrie and his family, Brittany Coleman received a deluge of comments and hostility from social media users. She criticized the constant criticism and defended her viewpoint in a recent Facebook post, comparing her online abuse to bullying.

Related Article: Coroner Reveals Gabby Petito Died By Strangulation 3-4 Weeks Before Body Found; Blogger's Mom Snaps Back at Brian Laundrie's Family



@YouTube

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Conservative radio host Dennis Prager, who has tested positive for the coronavirus infection, said on Monday that he contracted the disease on purpose in an attempt to achieve natural immunity from the illness.

The 73-year-old host of the "The Dennis Prager Show" revealed to his audience that last week he tested positive for the infection. He also noted that he had been trying to get the virus to infect him for months.

COVID-19 Natural Immunity

Prager said he engaged with strangers, constantly hugging them, taking photos with people, and placing himself in harm's way to become vulnerable to the virus. Despite how bizarre the statement was, the radio host said he wanted to get the virus so that he would achieve natural immunity and have therapeutics take care of him.

The famous media figure also revealed that he had not gotten the coronavirus vaccine so that he would contract the virus easier. Prager defended his decision by saying that natural immunity was a much stronger defense against the illness.

Despite Prager's claims that natural immunity is better than taking the coronavirus vaccine, no thorough study has compared the two. No documentation shows how effective natural immunity is and how long it would last, Yahoo News reported.

The radio host's positive test for the coronavirus came a few days after attending a Colorado campaign event for Republican gubernatorial candidate Heidi Ganahl. Prager revealed that he felt ill and took a test last Wednesday.

Read Also: Washington State University Fired Their Highest-Paid Football Coach After He Refused To Get the COVID-19 Vaccine

Ganahl's campaign said they had no idea that Prager was positive for the coronavirus infection but noted that they planned to contact the event attendees. "The campaign was not aware Dennis had contracted COVID until the announcement on his show," the campaign said in a statement, 9News reported.

Booster Shots Against the Coronavirus

The situation comes as seniors in the United States are more vulnerable to coronavirus infection than most other people. Additionally, one out of seven seniors in the U.S. has gotten a booster shot of the coronavirus vaccine to fight off the disease.

U.S. authorities are struggling to prevent another COVID-19 surge this coming winter, and health experts are urging any eligible individual for a booster shot to get it as soon as possible. Data released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that about 10.7 million Americans had gotten a booster shot, including 15% of seniors aged 65 years and older.

The Pfizer vaccine has so far been the only coronavirus vaccine that has been given the authority to administer booster shots in the United States. Additionally, the third injection is only given to high-risk groups who have already completed the initial two-dose regimen of the vaccine.

The Food and Drug Administration recommended using a booster shot at least six months after the completion of the first two shots. FDA advisers also recommended booster injections to some individuals who have been given the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, CNN reported.

Related Article: Long COVID Afflicts More Than Half of Those Diagnosed With Pathogen According to New Study

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Activists are urging Joe Biden to endorse important changes to the Senate filibuster rules that would protect the voting rights of Democrats.

According to reports, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris supported the legislation and expressed that it's their top priority. However, both have not explicitly backed the changes to filibuster rules that could allow Democrats to pass the Freedom to Vote Act.

Voting rights activists want Joe Biden to act fast

On Tuesday, a group of 100 activities flocked to the White House to urge the POTUS to resolve the matter immediately since Senate Democratic leaders are scheduled to bring the Freedom to Vote Act bill into federal law on Wednesday. But in order for the bill to become federal law, it needs to garner 60 votes to get past the Republican filibuster.

The Republicans previously filibustered other major voting rights bills that are supposed to counteract over a dozen new laws GOP-controlled state legislatures have enacted to restrict the public's right to vote.

Ben Jealous, the president of People For the American Way, released a statement explaining their goal.

"We have 51 votes to pass urgently-needed voting rights legislation. A minority of senators are imposing the power of the filibuster, saying there will be no debate, there will be no vote. In an instance like that, the only thing that really breaks through is when the president of the United States himself calls on the Senate to fix or nix the filibuster," he said via the Huffington Post.

Virginia Kase Solomon, the CEO of the League of Women Voters, said that Biden knows how to get things done when the issue is important to him.

So, Solomon and the other activists decided to visit the White House to remind the POTUS that he has the power to move political will when he wants to.

Read Also: Public Loan Service Forgiveness: Who Are Eligible and What Does it Mean?

Joe Biden waiting for Senate's decision on Freedom to Vote Act

However, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that the only time that Biden would consider endorsing changes to the filibuster rules is if the Freedom to Vote Act fails to advance.

If Republicans continue to stand in the way and support the public's fundamental right to vote, then the president will determine an alternative path forward.

Activists were arrested outside the White House

Following Tuesday's demonstrations outside the White House, an assortment of activists was arrested by authorities.

According to The Washington Post, Rev. Jamal Bryant, a prominent Georgia pastor, Rabbi David Saperstein, a former US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, actress Alyssa Milano, and more were led away from the White House.

Prior to the arrest, authorities warned activists that they violated D.C. law by obstructing or incommoding. This demonstration is not the first time voting rights activists have urged Biden and Congress to move on federal election bills.

In July, activists said they were becoming impatient with Biden and the president's reluctance to end the Senate's filibuster rule.

Activists also want the POTUS to put pressure on Democratic holdouts by allowing a pair of federal voting bills to be passed in the Senate by a simple majority vote, according to CNN.

Related Article: Protesters Descend Outside White House, Accuse Joe Biden of Supporting Communism Amid Cuba Crisis

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The US is on edge as claims of Chinese hypersonic missiles were reported. It was not expected that Beijing would bet the Americans to the gun. This gives a heads up to the US government that China is now dangerous and has something up its sleeves.

New Chinese technology could be unstoppable threat to US defenses

It is disturbing news that China has these weapons, like Russia, that US developers are working as fast as possible.

A new arms race will be the deadliest device to be developed by any nation, almost unstoppable if it reaches terminal velocity.

As the premier western power for many years, the USA has always been confident of its deterrence. Recent claims that the PLA has a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) fitted with nukes that can zoom past the US defenses could mean inevitable defeat, reported the Express UK.

Last August, the Chinese military launched the missile into a low earth orbit trajectory, and it circled once, then sped to its target, cited the Al Jazeera last Saturday.

However, it missed its target by 24 miles when it sped down. Also, the paper said the Chinese have entirely advanced this technology. A cluster of hypersonic missiles could be programmed to arc to the southern poles and rain down to bypass established missile deterrents.

China denies allegations, says it was a space vehicle routine test

The Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian dismissed the commotion America was raising. He said it was just a space vehicle test meant for reusability, not a Chinese hypersonic missile, noted South China Morning Post.

Read Also: China is Lining Up an Array of High-Tech Weapons To Overcome Taiwan When the Time Comes

Taylor Fravel, an expert with knowledge about Chinese nuclear weapons policy, reveals that the hyper-glide vehicle carrying the warhead will make the US defense system stall and be rendered useless.

He added it is similar to other systems that were getting developed by private firms. Zhao states that China will be working with others to peacefully use space to help humankind in Monday's new brief.

According to Li Nan, a Chinese security and military expert based at the National University of Singapore, the hypersonic glide vehicle is essential for Beijing.

Dr. Li made it clear that one of them would take apart US missile defenses and leave them open.

The US will find it hard to kill the weapon, and more defenses would be so expensive to make. All the new capabilities to defeat a Chinese HGV would take more time and money.

One thought is the missile test of President Xi Jinping is a demonstration of his intent to get weapons to stop American aggression, which is intent on stopping China from getting Taiwan.

US President Joe Biden has pressed ahead with plans to develop a new anti-missile warhead for stopping the weapons from reaching the US. But expenses for developing it will be a lot and won't come cheap, with Beijing way of the US.

But the Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby states that China is the main challenge. The Chinese hypersonic missile is the gravest threat that can render the US powerless to stop it.

Related Article: China Accomplished Launch of Hypersonic Glide Vehicle Into Orbit While the US Develops the Technology, Challenges the Biden Administration

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Google Pixel 6 will finally come out this October 19.

However, buyers might possibly be facing a dilemma on what phone to buy. It's the age old question: Do you get an iPhone or an Android device.

So, here is run own between the differences of both the iPhone 13 and Google Pixel 6.

Powering Google

Based on the information revealed by Google about the Google Pixel 6, it shows that the new Tensor system-on-chip that will power Google's phone will fall short of Apple and Samsung's top flagships.

Despite the obvious performance disparity between the Pixel 6 and phones powered by either Apple's A15 Bionic or Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 hardware for Samsung, Google is most likely not concerned about these metrics.

With that being placed, it'ss more likely that Google is using the Tensor chipset for factors other than great performance.

Google Pixel 6 benchmarks vs iPhone 13 and Galaxy S21

The general performance of the Google phone in issue received a single-core score of 1,027 and a multi-core result of 2,706, according to Tom's Guide website.

That's a significant improvement over last year's Pixel 5, which used a Snapdragon 765G processor that is often found in midrange phones rather than flagships.

The Pixel 5 received 596 single-core and 1,617 multicore scores, respectively.

While this is a significant improvement for Google's new Pixel, it still pales in comparison to the scores achieved by some of the most popular flagship phones.

The Samsung Galaxy S21, which is powered by a Snapdragon 888 system-on-chip, achieved a single-core score of 1,084 and a multicore score of 3,302.

The A15 Bionic silicon in Apple's new iPhones produced even more dramatic outcomes. The iPhone 13 scored 1,684 on single-core and 4,129 on multicore.

Read Also: Google Pixel 6 Leak Reveals Display, Camera Setup, Power Specs

What this says about the Pixel 6's Tensor silicon

So far, all of the work on Tensor has been on the chip's Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), rather than the CPU or GPU.

The TPU will be in charge of tasks involving artificial intelligence and machine learning; because the TPU is such an important part of Tensor's pipeline, many jobs will be routed through it.

This will allow the CPU to concentrate on improving performance and battery life.

It also implies that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will be capable of duties like sophisticated photo processing and voice-activated instructions.

Google Pixel 6 vs iPhone 13: Price and availability

As compared by GSMARENA, the iPhone 13 series have been in the market for quite some time and the price comes as no surprise.

The prices for the iPhone 13 series are somehow the same as the previous iPhone 12 series.

However, the iPhone 13 mini starts at around $699, and the iPhone 13 is at $799. Meanwhile, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max is priced at $999 and $1,099.

On the other hand, the Pixel 6 still has not released the official price for the devices.

However, based on rumors circulating online, the smaller Pixel 6 will start at $699, while the larger Pixel 6 Pro would cost $899. Last year's Pixel 5, which was the only model available, had a price value of $699.

In addition, Google has announced that the Pixel 6 family would be priced as a premium flagship, so expect to pay $1,000 or more.

Google Pixel 6 vs iPhone 13: Design

The Google Pixel 6 specs in design are radically departing from its past design aesthetic. The Pixels have stayed with a muted style, except for certain odd colors, including blue, orange, and pink. The Pixel 6 will utterly defy this trend.

In Google's official renders, not only is there a tri-color design, but there is also a big camera bar that spans the width of the phones.

It's definitely a look, although it's polarizing among Android and Pixel lovers so far, which is definitely something new and different exciting for the user.

Furthermore, Apple's iPhone 13 specs design has primarily stated the same with its previous iPhone 12 devices.

Related Article: Google Pixel, Pixel XL Release Date Leaked; Flagship To Feature New 4K Chromecast
The majority of ransomware hackers nowadays operate as a ransomware-as-a-service business, in which they hire associates to infect victims with their malware, and then promise to split the proceeds if the victim pays.

BlackByte Malware

Just recently, a new strain of malware was discovered in an IT issue that appears to have been influenced by existing strains notorious for reaping significant financial rewards for their operators, but it is most likely the product of amateur hackers.

The Windows-based ransomware, named as BlackByte, is regarded as strange due to several of its design and function elements.

The BlackByte malware was found by the Chicago-based company, Trustwave.

Trustwave is a cybersecurity company that also manages security services that are owned by a Singaporean telecommunications company Singtel Group Enterprise. The company has provided a ransomware decryptor last Friday, October 15, which can be freely downloaded from GitHub.

The decryptor can help victims of the BlackByte ransomware decrypt their systems for free.

Furthermore, the cybersecurity firm believes the malware only targets systems that are not based on Russian or ex-USSR languages in a set of technical warnings released last week.

This is a recurrent tendency in the ransomware, whch is hugely suspected to originate from Russia.

BlackByte Cybercrime Hacking

BlackByte has also exploited what became known as "double-extortion" in this arena, in which malware not only encrypts and locks up systems, but also threatens victims' personal information being released or sold online.

On the Dark Web, modern ransomware operators like Maze, ReEvil, Conti, and Babuk host leak websites for this reason.

According to speculative rumors going around, it has been said that BlackByte has also developed a website that leaks victims' information.

However, the concern of data exfiltration and leaks is unfounded. It was also clarified that BlackByte ransomware does not have the capabilities and resources to do so.

Read Also: New Hacking Strategy Injects GPU Malware, Escapes Anti-Virus: 3 Ways to Protect Yourself

How It Works

As reported by Charlie Osborne of ZDNet, with the given circumstance, even if there is no actual risk of information becoming public, more victims may pay up after infection of the BlackByte malware, especially due to the increase in ransomware and hacking cases around the globe in recent years.

Unskilled threat actors may be at work, according to BlackByte's encryption process.

Instead of using unique keys for each session, as professional ransomware operators do, the software downloads and executes the same key to encrypt data in AES.

Unfortunately, if you can't get the key from the HTTP server, it's hidden in a file called a forest.

In addition, the ransomware application just crashes in PNG format. To display a ransom letter, an RSA key is used once to encrypt the 'raw' key.

Trustwave stated that users infected with the malware only "need the raw key to be downloaded from the host, as long as the .PNG file it downloaded remains the same, you can use the same key to decrypt the encrypted files."

Technical Analysis of BlackByte

According to Bank Info Security, apart from this strange encryption method of BlackByte, the malware makes use of a JavaScript launcher to decrypt the main .NET DLL payload.

The ransomware is loaded into memory, and a victim ID is generated using the processor ID and volume serial number of the infected PC, which is then hashed and sent to the malware's command-and-control (C2) server.

Any process that could prevent file encryption from taking place is terminated, and the SetThreadExecutionState API is utilized to prevent the system from going to sleep.

Furthermore, volume shadow copies are destroyed, Windows restore points are removed, and network discovery is activated. BlackByte also has worm-like powers comparable to Ryuk's, and it will attempt to spread itself across multiple available networks.

Related Article: Facebook Data Breach 2021 Exposes Personal Info of 1.5 Billion Users: 2 Tools to Check If Your Data Have Been Leaked
Nowadays, our primary communication device is our smartphone.We can't wait to take a short photo, check our business email, compute anything, or scribble down notes on our new Samsung.

It becomes the first thing we think about when we need anything.

However, a new Samsung phone or tablet doesn't take long to accumulate rolls of photos, duplicated apps, unneeded widgets, cached files, and the troublingly nonspecific miscellaneous data. It consumes more internal storage every day, slowing down the speed of your phone.

Written below are the following to free up space for your Samsung Galaxy's Storage full, according to Samsung.

5 ways to Free Up Space

Delete Unnecessary Applications

Applications come in a variety of sizes, with some requiring a lot of storage space. It's natural to check out new apps, but how many of them do you have on your smartphone that you don't use?

Removing apps is a convenient and simple approach to clearing up space on your phone.

Users can tap and hold an app icon to uninstall it, then select Uninstall. Or, you can also go to Settings > Apps > Tap on the app you want to uninstall > Uninstall.

Delete Temporary files

Similar to how your desktop stores temporary internet files, your smartphone apps frequently store temporary files in the internal memory of your phone. This temporary data can quickly accumulate and consume a lot of storage space. Delete such files on a regular basis for a Samsung clear storage.

With that, to remove the Data of these Applications and the Apps Cache, follow the steps below:

First, select Settings

Second, click Apps

Third, tap on the desired Apps

Fourth, Click Storage

To delete the App Data, click CLEAR DATA. To delete App Cache, click CLEAR CACHE

The Smart Manager on the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge allows you to manage your device's storage and eliminate unwanted data with a single push of a button via Clean Master. You can also use the Clean Master app to control storage on other phones.

To delete unwanted files on your Galaxy Note 4 and other smartphones, navigate to Settings -> System -> Storage -> Cached data and click it.

Read Also: Is Your Samsung Phone Overheating? Possible Reasons and 10 Ways to Prevent Damage

Store it in The Cloud

It's never been easier to keep your data safe with Samsung Cloud. Having everything stored in the cloud means you'll have one less thing to worry about if your device breaks down, or if you misplace it. It's also simple to transfer your data and settings to another device, whether it's an old one or a new one.

Customize everything you want to save to the Samsung Cloud, everything you want to back up, and whatever you want to restore if needed.

To continue, go to your Samsung device's Settings menu. To be able to access your own Samsung Cloud, you will need to sign in to your Samsung Account.

Go to Settings Select Cloud and Accounts Click the Samsung Cloud Select Sync your data with Samsung Cloud

Furthermore, to backup and restore data, these are the steps:

Go to Settings Select Cloud and Accounts Click Backup and restore Select Back up data > Tap the Apps to back up > BACK UP Select Restore data > Tap the Apps to restore > RESTORE

Use an External SD Card

One of the best things about Samsung's Galaxy series devices is that it has an allotted slot for the use of a microSD card, making it easier to prevent Samsung Galaxy's storage full.

An SD card may essentially operate as a second hard drive for your smartphone, allowing you to save photos, videos, and even app data on it rather than on the device's internal storage.

To do so, go to Settings > Applications > Application Manager, then tap the program you wish to relocate.

If the app can be relocated, a button labeled "Move to SD card" will appear. To move the app to the microSD card, touch this button. This option may be found by tapping Storage on some phones.

However, do note that only a portion of the application will be transferred to the microSD card. The amount of data moved depends on the software, and many major games, sadly, do not move a substantial portion of their data to the microSD card.

Make Use of Wireless Hard Drives

Wireless hard disks are available in a variety of sizes to meet your storage requirements.

Samsung, for example, offers up to 1.5TB of storage, which is plenty for images, videos, and other types of media.

Related Article: Apple iPhone vs. Samsung Galaxy: Major Advantages and Disadvantages, Which Is Better?
A stunning video of a breathtaking, ethereal aurora from the European Space Agency's (ESA) all-sky camera provided a glimpse of the dazzling after-effect of a solar outburst on Earth.

Earlier in October, the Sun spewed a coronal mass ejection (CME), which is a "violent mass of fast-moving plasma," the ESA said in a statement. While such solar occurrences could disrupt communications and global positioning systems, they showed such a fascinating array of striking auroras on Earth.

Video Offers Chance to See Beautiful Aurora Amidst Raging Sun Storms

ESA space weather application scientist Hannah Laurens said the video provides an opportunity to "see this beautiful, purple aurora" that happens as "intense geomagnetic storms" rage on, the ESA statement read.

ESA's All-sky camera, which is located in Kiruna, Sweden, is focused to observe the sky from horizon to horizon. As the cameras are designed to view as much sky as possible, they are fitted with fish-eye lens for that all-encompassing view when faced straight up.

Operated by the Kiruna Atmospheric and Geophysical Observatory (KAGO) within the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF), the All-sky camera captured the aurora on October 12, Cnet reported. Data was then provided to the ESA Space Weather Service Network, which is part of the agency's Space Safety Programme. The footage gives a fish-eye view of the phenomenon as the aurora shifts its color from green to purple.

Read Also: 'Internet Apocalypse' Coming? Expert Warns Solar Superstorms That Can Cause Worldwide Internet Outage

The video ran in half-speed to emphasize the gorgeous aurora in motion. It begins with a mass of green, swirling structures then gives off light in the green range of the electromagnetic spectrum. It would then shift to purple in the later part of the footage.

Aurora's Green and Purple Colors Explained

The ESA noted that the green colors are formed as "energetic particles in the solar wind collide with oxygen in Earth's atmosphere." Its transformation to purple happens due to the charged particles interacting with nitrogen describing the occurrence as a real-life lab experiment in the sky, the agency added.

This phenomenon occurred at about 120 to 180 kilometers from the Earth's surface.

Even while Earth inhabitants are safeguarded by the planet's magnetic field, the ESA further noted, such space weather "can have an extreme and disruptive impact" on satellites, infrastructure and society on Earth.

As the Earth's protective magnetosphere blocks the solar wind, there are charged particles that are trapped in the planet's magnetic field and would flow down to the geomagnetic poles. These particles then collide with the upper atmosphere generating the beautiful auroras, the ESA said.

Analyzing the aurora's swirling movement provide scientists the means to monitor space weather conditions, Laurens stressed. It is important in understanding the complex and sometimes hazardous interactions between the Sun and the Earth.

This is the first auroral display observed by the All-sky camera after its integration into the ESA Space Weather Portal. This portal offers information on the Sun's outbursts that would benefit airline pilots, spacecraft or power grid operations, and likewise avid aurora enthusiasts.

Related Article: NASA James Webb Telescope Launch, Deployment Plan Revealed: 29 Days to Unfold Like Origami!
If you are horrified with the idea that a stalker is watching your every move, think of the same crime happening as you use your smartphone. Apparently, hackers can take advantage of a security flaw in a consumer-grade spyware.

Security issues plaguing such spyware, called "stalkerware," have led to call records, geolocations, browsing history, text messages and photos being exposed to cybercriminals, TechCrunch revealed.

TechCrunch discovered the security issue in a continuing probe on an available spyware--which was not named so other hackers can't exploit it.

The said app has the ability to track and monitor people without their consent. The stalkerware, however, would maliciously sift through the phone's contents, allowing the hacker to monitor the phone owner's whereabouts and the people they communicate with. These compromised phone users would have no idea that they are being stalked, because the apps are designed to vanish from the phone's home screens to elude detection and deletion.

Stalkerware Developers 'Negligent' in Securing Products

Electronic Frontier Foundation director of cybersecurity Eva Galperin expressed disappointment over TechCrunch's discovery, but said she was "not slightly surprised." Galperin told Tech Crunch that she would describe this behavior as "negligent," saying that such a company has already developed products that enables abuse, it would then do a "poor job" of safeguarding the extracted data and exposing victims to even further abuse.

Read Also: How to Check Your Different Devices and Gadgets for Stalkerware

TechCrunch also revealed that it had tried to contact the web firm Codero, which hosts the spyware infrastructure, but the company did not respond to the news outlet's request for comment. The report said Codero was no stranger to stalkerware, having hosted Mobiispy, which was discovered to have exposed a massive amount of private photos and phone recordings.

Such downloadable, easy-to-access spyware led to an industry-wide initiative to ban such apps. Google pulled "stalkerware" ads that encourage users to spy on spouses and significant others, although some developers had come up with new tactics to circumvent the ban. In addition, anti-virus software providers have enhanced their products to spot stalkerware.

With its intention to spy on phone users, mobile spyware has also grappled with security problems. These stalkerware packages have been reportedly hacked, leaving the victim's phone data compromised and exposed. TechCrunch revealed that these hacked spyware included mSpy, Mobistealth, Flexispy, Family Orbit, and KidsGuard, which had security flaws that spilled thousands of users' phone data.

Another stalkerware package, pcTattleTale--which has been marketed as a tool to spy on a spouse's device--leaked screenshots through easily obtainable web addresses.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had also banned the stalkerware app SpyFone, which compromised phone data of 2,000 users, and Retina-X after it had been hacked several times and was shut down.

Tips to Protect Yourself Against Stalkerware

Here are some self-defense tips on detecting and avoiding stalkerware, as shared by Galperin, who founded the Coalition Against Stalkerware, as noted on the New York Times:

Check for unusual behavior on your device: A fast draining battery is one sign of a potential malware. This means stalkerware might be running in the background

Scan your smartphone/device: Such apps as NortonLifeLock, Lookout, Certo, and MalwareBytes could detect stalkerware. Also, observe your apps for any unusual behavior.

Seek help: Report the stalkerware to authorities while getting advice from resources such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline or the Safety Net Project, Hosted by the National Network to End Domestic Violence

Audit online accounts to check the apps and devices that are linked to them. Log out from those apps that appear suspicious.

Change your passwords/passcode: Changing passwords and passcodes frequently is highly recommended, with long and complex passwords for each account.

Enable two-factor authentication: Requiring two forms of verification of your identity is ideal to protect your accounts in your device. Apart from a password, it will ask you to enter a temporary code produced by an authentication app. With this, even if hackers figure out your password, they can't log in without that code.

Update your software: Apple and Google sends out important updates, such as security fixes that can detect and remove stalkerware. Check if you are running the latest version of your mobile OS.

Related Article: Pegasus Spyware Detector: 4 Ways to Tell If Your Android Is Infected and How to Use Amnesty's Toolkit
The built-in two microphones in a NASA's Perseverance rover give a new dimension to how scientists and engineers study Mars exploration.

The mission has recorded nearly five hours of Martian wind gusts, rover wheels crunching over gravel, and motors buzzing as the spacecraft moves its arm, thanks to two microphones aboard the Perseverance rover.

Scientists and engineers may now experience the Red Planet in new ways thanks to NASA's little guy on the Red Planet.

NASA Perseverance

The Perseverance rover is the first spacecraft to use dedicated microphones to record the sound of Mars, both of which were commercially accessible off-the-shelf products.

One sits on the chassis of the rover's side. The second microphone is mounted on Perseverance's mast as a supplement to the SuperCam laser instrument's rock and atmospheric investigations.

The SuperCam instrument and microphone were provided by the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in New Mexico and a consortium of French research laboratories under the auspices of the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, while the body mic was provided by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California (CNES).

The Sounds From Mars

According to The Next Web, Perseverance's SuperCam uses a laser to zap rocks and soil, then uses the camera to analyze the resultant vapor.

The laser has the ability to pulse hundreds of times per target, and there are a lot of opportunities to record the sound of those zaps. In fact, the microphone has already recorded over 25,000 laser shots.

Scientists are also learning about changes in the planet's atmosphere courtesy of some of these recordings.

Besides, sound passes across the air via vibrations.

The SuperCam mic is ideally positioned on Perseverance's mast for measuring microturbulence minute fluctuations in the air, and it compliments the rover's specific wind sensors, which are part of a package of atmospheric tools dubbed MEDA, which stands for Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer.

MEDA's sensors take one to two samples of wind speed, pressure, and temperature every second for up to two hours. Furthermore, the microphone on the SuperCam can deliver equivalent data at a rate of 20,000 times per second over several minutes.

The microphone can also be used to study how sound travels on Mars.

Scientists suspected higher-pitched sounds would be difficult to hear because the planet's atmosphere is much less dense than Earth's.

Nevertheless, sound travels so much further on Mars than we believed, according to Nina Lanza, a SuperCam scientist at LANL who works with the microphone data. It demonstrates the significance of field research.

The sound of Mars could also be heard here on NASA's website.

Read Also: NASA Stargazing Tips: How to Spot Stars Vega and Deneb This October

Mars Exploration By NASA

For the space agency, astrobiology, especially the search for traces of ancient microbial life, is a significant goal for Perseverance's mission on space.

As reported by NASA, the Mars exploration rover will study the planet's geology and climate history, lay the route for future human exploration of Mars, and be the first mission to gather and cache Martian rock and regolith.

Following the agency's missions, in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), the spacecraft had been sent Mars to collect these sealed samples from the surface and return them to Earth for further investigation.

The sound of Mars 2020 Perseverance rover mission is part of NASA's Moon to Mars exploration strategy, which incorporates Artemis lunar missions to help prepare the future generation for human exploration of Mars.

The Perseverance rover was created and is operated by JPL, which is managed for NASA by Caltech in Pasadena, California.

Related Article: NASA Hubble Images: Space Telescope Captures Stunning Photo of Spiral Starburst Galaxy
A digital banner for the newly listed ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF is displayed on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Tuesday in New York City. AFP-Yonhap



Regulation will curb qualitative growth of crypto market in Korea



By Lee Min-hyung



The much-anticipated debut of the first U.S. bitcoin-linked exchange-traded fund (ETF) will not help drive the qualitative growth of the cryptocurrency industry in Korea unless financial watchdogs here shift their current stance of maintaining stiff regulatory scrutiny over any trading of virtual assets, bank industry officials said Wednesday.



Officials from the Financial Services Commission (FSC), the country's top financial policy regulator, were unavailable for comment regarding the possible future effects of the debut of U.S. bitcoin ETF on the local financial market.



The Bank of Korea, the country's central bank, only said that the bank will be monitoring any developments of the issue. "We will keep enhancing our monitoring of the issue," a BOK official said. "We do not have any official comment regarding the U.S. bitcoin ETF debut."



These mute stances on the debut by analysts have come amid heightened expectations for bitcoin's earlier institutionalization, following the fact that the ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF started trading on Tuesday and jumped around 5 percent to close at $41.94 (49,000 won).



Despite the first bitcoin ETF's solid start in the U.S., local industry sources said that it still remains to be seen whether the debut will send a positive signal for Korea's crypto market growth as analysts say that the debut is more symbolic than anything else.



"It is symbolic that the U.S. authorities granted approval for bitcoin ETF futures trading at a time when a number of countries, including Korea, still consider cryptocurrency trading risky and speculative due to its volatility," a source in the Korean financial industry said.



The report, in itself, may cast a "catfish effect" over the local cryptocurrency industry, but it will take an enormous amount of time for the market to achieve a major, game-changing leap forward because of tough regulatory hurdles, according to the source.



"Given the exponential growth of U.S. crypto transactions, cryptocurrency trading in the United States is on track to become rapidly institutionalized," he said. "Unfortunately, we cannot expect such growth for the time being and this will be the case in the future, unless watchdogs change their negative views of the market."



The FSC, which also oversees crypto-related regulations, recently carried out a reorganization of the local crypto exchanges. Only four of them survived, with many others failing to win a license to operate Korean won-trading services under the toughened regulations, as of Sept. 25.



FSC chief Koh Seung-beom has also reiterated his "not-that-favorable" stance toward crypto asset trading and pushed for the mass shutdown of the exchanges, saying that "crypto investors' speculative acts made via exchange operators should come to a halt."



Another official from the banking industry, however, said that investors should leave open the possibility that the initial success of the bitcoin ETF could be short-lived.



"Korean watchdogs do not necessarily follow the moves of the U.S., simply due to the successful launch of a bitcoin ETF there," the official said. "This is because of the volatility issue surrounding cryptocurrency prices. Many view bitcoin as one of the safest crypto assets, but we still need to monitor whether the bitcoin ETF will be able to continue its stable growth down the road."



The bitcoin price has been on a rollercoaster ride throughout 2021. One bitcoin was traded at as high as around 80 million won in April at Upbit, a local crypto exchange, doubling its valuation in about two months. But it then went on a steep decline until July, when it then started bouncing back to around the previous high this year.



Like others contacted by The Korea Times, the official also stressed that given the regulation-first stance by the FSC toward virtual asset trading, the U.S. bitcoin ETF debut will likely have little impact on the local financial market.



"Regardless of this recent event in the world's largest economy, Korea's crypto market will only be able to achieve quantitative growth due to massive market liquidity," the official added. "The regulatory stance may be eased only after the government acknowledges the necessity of blockchain technology, which underpins cryptocurrency."








gettyimagesbank



Larger fund managers capitalizing on regulatory reform



By Park Jae-hyuk



The enforcement of the revised Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act from Thursday this week has created a stir over the possibility of widening the gap between large and small private equity firms (PEFs) here.



In contrast to bigger firms that view the regulatory reform as an opportunity to start lucrative new businesses, smaller ones are facing greater challenges in their fundraising, causing concerns about their sustainable operations.



"The revision could solidify the dominance of large companies in the nation's private equity industry," an industry insider said on condition of anonymity.



The new law categorizes funds raised by PEFs into the "general funds," in which individuals can invest, and "institution-only funds" that only allow investments from institutions and certain professionals.



Previously, such funds were classified as hedge funds and those used for involvement in the management of companies. However, the classification system has been changed to better protect retail investors, after a series of fiascos involving hedge funds that caused massive damage to non-professionals.



"Institutions and experts, who can manage risks, are allowed to invest in institution-only funds," the Financial Services Commission (FSC) said in a press release earlier this year. "Regulations on the operation of those funds will be minimized to enhance autonomy in management."



The specific examples of institutions and experts are specified in the enforcement decree of the law.



They include sovereign wealth funds, the Bank of Korea, pension funds, mutual aid associations and special entities, such as the Korea Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Korea Asset Management Corp. Listed companies and foreign investors can also make investments, if they are considered to have expertise and experience.



Among unlisted firms, companies that invested more than 50 billion won ($42 million) in financial products over the past year can invest in institution-only funds.



As a result, minor PEFs that do not have enough of a track record to draw the attention of large institutional investors have become unable to continue relying on unlisted small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), when raising their funds.



Some of them are said to have sought advice from law firms to hasten their raising of funds, before the new law takes effect.



"Smaller PEFs that raised funds from SMEs are expected to suffer significant damage to their operations," a lawyer specializing in the capital market said.



Financial experts anticipate several small-size PEFs to be expelled from the market.



"Because individuals were able to invest in funds intended to participate in business management, some companies used PEFs as detours to raise money," Hana Institute of Finance researcher Ahn Seong-hak said in report. "As a result, the market was crowded with small-size PEFs."





The entrance to the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in the Government Complex Seoul / Courtesy of FSC




South Korea is considering temporarily lowering fuel taxes to ease consumer burden from surging gasoline prices, the country's top economic policymaker said Wednesday.







Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki said the government will unveil relevant actions, including a fuel tax cut, as early as next week.







"As the international oil prices are on the rise, driving up gasoline prices and putting upward pressure on consumer prices, we are considering such preemptive measures as a fuel tax cut," Hong told lawmakers during a parliamentary audit.







"At a time when oil prices have exceeded $80 per barrel, relevant actions will be taken as early as next week."







Hong said that crude oil prices have risen to the highest level since October 2018 and the prices will not likely go down any time soon.







Prices of Dubai crude, South Korea's benchmark, reached a near three-year high of $82.28 a barrel last week, up from an average of $72.63 in September.







Nationwide average gasoline prices at the pump in South Korea stood at around 1,736.5 won ($1.48) per liter as of early Wednesday, according to the state-run Korea National Oil Corp.







In November 2018, the government temporarily cut fuel taxes, when gas prices advanced to as high as 1,690.3 won.







South Korea depends on imports for its energy needs. Taxes account for around 40 percent of local gasoline prices.







With regard to the issue of levying a tax on gains from cryptocurrency and other virtual assets, Hong reaffirmed that the government will plan to introduce the taxation next year.







"There is no problem in imposing a tax on virtual assets starting next year," Hong said in response to a question as to whether necessary infrastructure is in place.







The government earlier sought to impose a 20-percent tax on capital gains from cyber assets starting in October last year, but it was delayed in the process of parliamentary review.







The government currently seeks to introduce the tax from next year amid investors' calls for a further delay of the plan. (Yonhap)


President Moon Jae-in takes off a flight helmet as he sits in an FA-50 light combat aircraft at Seoul Airbase in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday, during an event at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2021. Yonhap



By Nam Hyun-woo



The two Koreas are flexing their respective military muscles by each showcasing their latest developments in weapons technology, despite growing efforts to induce North Korea to return to denuclearization talks.



President Moon Jae-in paid a visit to the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2021, Wednesday, which kicked off a day earlier at Seoul Airbase in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and stressed the importance of defense technologies for national security.



"A strong defense capability always has its goal in keeping peace," Moon said during an event at the exhibition. "South Korea will pursue a smart military, based on cutting-edge technologies, and join global efforts to maintain peace."



During his speech, Moon stressed the importance of South Korea's recent development of the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet and the Nuri space launch vehicle, which are touted as the most recent results of the country's efforts to improve its defense technology.





President Moon Jae-in speaks during an event at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2021 at Seoul Airbase in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. Yonhap



The Nuri is a domestically developed rocket that can place an over 1-ton satellite into orbit. This is expected to give South Korea the ability to launch military satellites without the assistance of other countries. The rocket is scheduled for a test-flight Thursday, and if the launch is successful Korea will become the seventh country to possess a domestically developed launch vehicle capable of placing an over 1-ton satellite into orbit.



Since the Nuri uses the same technology as an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), there has been speculation that it could be used as a weapon, despite denials from the government.



"The Nuri is liquid-fueled, which means it takes a long time to fuel it, thus it is incorrect to allege that the rocket could become the basis for an ICBM," a source in the administration said.





A ballistic missile allegedly being launched from a submarine in waters off the North, Tuesday, is seen in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency, the following day. Yonhap




Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong speaks during a parliamentary audit into the ministry at the National Assembly, Seoul, Wednesday. Joint Press Corps



North Korea's recent missile test underscores the need for engaging the reclusive state and sanctions relief can be considered as part of incentives to bring it back to the negotiating table, Seoul's top diplomat said Wednesday.



Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong was speaking at a parliamentary audit session, hours after the North said it has successfully test-fired a new type of submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) on Tuesday.



"We should take some actions to prevent North Korea from further developing its nuclear and missile capabilities," Chung said. "Sanctions relief can be considered as part of efforts, on condition that the North accepts the dialogue proposal."



North Korea has faced worsening economic woes due to continued U.N. sanctions implemented in response to its nuclear and missile tests, as well as COVID-19 lockdowns and bad weather.



When asked whether Washington is on the same page with Seoul for the conditions-based easing of sanctions, Chung said, "The U.S. has consistently made it clear that it can discuss any issues at the negotiating table if the North returns to talks."



U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Sung Kim on Tuesday reaffirmed that the U.S. remains open to dialogue with Pyongyang but made it clear that the Joe Biden administration will keep sanctions in place until the North makes concrete steps toward denuclearization.



Chung expressed hope that President Moon Jae-in's proposal to formally end the 1950-53 Korean War could provide the much-needed momentum for the stalled denuclearization talks with Pyongyang.



"The end-of-war declaration is one of several options to restart the peace process. It aims to build trust to create an atmosphere for dialogue," Chung said. "It is the first gateway for the peace process on the Korean Peninsula and an essential step."



The North's latest show of force came amid a flurry of diplomatic activities to resume the long-stalled denuclearization talks between Washington and Pyongyang.



The Moon Jae-in administration has been making last-ditch efforts for a breakthrough in the Korea peace process that lost steam with a no-deal Hanoi summit in 2019 between Kim and then U.S. President Donald Trump.



On Tuesday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said Washington has "directly" reached out to Pyongyang, reaffirming the Joe Biden government's willingness to hold talks without preconditions.



"We have reached out directly to Pyongyang and stand ready to meet without preconditions, and as we have said publicly on multiple occasions, the United States does not harbor hostile intentions," Sherman said in a virtual address to Korea Society's annual gala held in New York.



She condemned the North's latest missile test as "a violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions."



While the U.N. Security Council is set to hold an emergency closed-door meeting on North Korea's SLBM test on Wednesday (New York time), Seoul's foreign ministry said it has been closely communicating with the main council members to discuss the current situation on the Korean Peninsula and appropriate responses.



Regarding the stand-offs between Seoul and Tokyo, meanwhile, Chung said the government remains committed to efforts for mending bilateral ties in cooperation with the administration of new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The minister vowed to step up diplomatic consultations to seek "a realistic, reasonable solution" to protracted disputes over shared history, including wartime forced labor.



Japan imposed export curbs against the South in 2019 in retaliation for South Korean Supreme Court rulings that Japanese firms should pay compensation to forced labor victims.



Japan has claimed all reparation issues stemming from its 1910-45 colonization of Korea were settled under a 1965 treaty that normalized relations between the two countries, and urged the South to come up with acceptable solutions. (Yonhap)






Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has appealed a South Korean court's order to sell its assets here to compensate wartime forced labor victims, judicial officials said Wednesday.







The Japanese firm lodged an immediate appeal against the Daejeon District Court's Sept. 27 order for the sale of its two copyrights and two patents to compensate two female plaintiffs related to the forced labor during Japan's 1910-45 colonization of the Korean Peninsula.







The immediate appeal, a procedure against a court decision that needs to be confirmed quickly, was filed with the Daejeon District Court's appellate division in the central South Korean city, about 160 kilometers south of Seoul, the officials said.







The district court's order was expected to raise enough cash to offer an estimated 209 million won ($176,000) per victim, including interest and compensation for delayed payments.







In 2018, the Supreme Court ordered Mitsubishi to compensate the workers. But Mitsubishi refused to comply with the ruling, saying the reparation issue was fully and finally settled by a treaty signed between the two nations in 1965 to normalize ties.







The plaintiffs asked the Daejeon court to seize the company's assets in South Korea, and the court accepted their request in March 2019.







The Japanese firm appealed that decision. After an appellate court rejected its appeal in February this year, the firm brought the case to the Supreme Court, which dismissed its claim again in early September. (Yonhap)


Pusan National University's campus / Korea Times file



By Bahk Eun-ji



Lee Ju-young, who graduated from high school in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, in 2020, was admitted to Kangwon National University, a prestigious national university in the province.



But she chose to enter Dongguk University in Seoul, where she was also admitted.



"As a national university, Kangwon is not bad because the tuition is a lot cheaper than Dongguk, and the school is close to my parents' home. But I decided not to attend the school because I was not sure if I could land a good job after graduating from a regional university," Lee said.



"My parents and most of my friends agreed. I think many other high school students in my neighborhood would prefer universities in Seoul too."



Lee's decision is a very common case among students outside of Seoul and its surrounding metropolitan area. Many national universities in other provinces, even prestigious ones, are experiencing a sharp decrease in the number of students. The cause is a combination of the declining birthrate, the lack of infrastructure in other provinces compared to in the capital, and concerns over job opportunities.



According to data recently submitted by the Ministry of Education to Rep. Kim Byung-wook of the main opposition People Power Party, Pusan National University, one of representative universities in Busan, recruited 4,567 students for the 2021 academic year. But 83.7 percent of the successful applicants gave up their positions in the university, presumably in order to go to other universities in the capital.



The percent of applicants giving up their positions at the school shows a generally rising trend: 64.2 percent in 2018, 79.2 percent in 2019, 75.3 percent in 2020 and 83.7 percent this year.



The situation of Kyungpook National University in Daegu is similar, as 86.9 percent of the 4,326 admitted applicants ultimately decided not to enter.





Seniors at Goejeong High School in Daejeon take an academic evaluation test, Oct. 12. Yonhap




South Korea's Defense Minister Suh Wook held back-to-back talks Wednesday with senior defense officials from Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman and Pakistan on the margins of a defense exhibition in Seongnam, south of Seoul, his office said.







The talks took place at Seoul Air Base, where the biennial Seoul International Aerospace Defense Exhibition (ADEX) kicked off its five-day run Tuesday to showcase the latest high-tech weapons systems, including stealth fighters and hydrogen-powered drones.







During their talks, Suh and Oleg Saliukov, the commander of the Russian Ground Forces, discussed regional security and ways to reinvigorate defense exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, Seoul's defense ministry said in a press release.







Suh also met with India's Secretary for Defense Production, Raj Kumar, for talks on joint efforts to strengthen cooperation in space and other security areas.







In addition, Suh met bilaterally with Fayyadh bin Hamed Al Ruwaili, the chief of the General Staff of Saudi Arabia's armed forces; Egypt's Military Production Minister Mohammed Ahmed Morsi; Oman's Secretary General of Defense Mohammed bin Nasser bin Ali Al Zaabi; and Pakistan's Federal Minister for Defense Production Zobaida Jalal Khan. (Yonhap)


Members of the Korea Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) march down the street toward Seodaemun Station in central Seoul, Oct. 20, waving flags and calling on the government to improve workers' rights. The one-day strike saw demonstrations take place in major cities nationwide. Yonhap




More than 1,200 teenagers have fallen victim to online sex crimes so far this year, an elevenfold jump from 2018, government data showed Wednesday.







The number of teenage victims rose sharply from 111 in 2018 to 1,268 this year, according to the gender ministry data released by Rep. Yang Kum-hee of the main opposition People Power Party.







The ministry tallied the number based on data from the state-run Women's Human Rights Institute of Korea.







Digital sex crime victims totaled 14,070 between April 2018 and September this year, jumping from 1,315 in 2018 to 2,087 in 2019 and 4,973 in 2020. This year, 5,695 victims had already been identified as of September.







By age, those in their 20s were exposed the most to online sex predators at 21.3 percent, followed by teenagers at 20.6 percent and those in their 30s at 7 percent. The ages of more than 46 percent of the total were unknown.







By the type of crime, illicit filming took up the biggest share of 26.2 percent, followed by distribution of sexually exploitative materials at 24.5 percent and the threat of distribution at 13.9 percent.







The women's rights institute provided victim support, including removal of exploitative materials and counseling, in a total of 437,168 online sex crime cases over the cited period.







"Digital sex crimes targeting teenagers have risen as seen in Telegram sexual offender Cho Ju-bin's case," Yang said, calling for measures to eradicate such crimes. Cho was the leader of a notorious online sex blackmail ring whose acts shocked South Korea last year.







The 25-year-old was sentenced to 42 years in prison in June for organizing the criminal ring and blackmailing dozens of minor and adult victims into filming sexually abusive materials. The sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court last week. (Yonhap)


gettyimagesbank



By Lee Hae-rin



The police are investigating a case where a female and male employee at a company in southern Seoul collapsed after drinking water at the office.



According to Seocho Police, Wednesday, the two workers drank water from water bottles at their desks in their office around 2 p.m. on Monday and said, "The water tastes weird," before passing out.



The two employees also said that they experienced difficulty breathing, cold sweats, nausea and cramping before collapsing. They were both unconscious when rescue workers arrived at the scene.



Both of them were taken to a nearby hospital. The woman was discharged from the hospital when her condition improved, but the man is still receiving treatment.



The police requested the National Forensic Service to examine the water bottles from the office. The results are expected to come out within two weeks.



While investigating the other workers from the office, the police found that another employee had been absent without notice on the day of the incident.



Then police officers visited the worker's home in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, and found the worker dead there. The investigators said that they found no signs of foul play and presume that it was a suicide.



The police are investigating the connection between the employee's death and the collapsing of the two employees, as well as another case of a worker who got sick and went to the hospital after drinking a beverage from the office two weeks prior.


Nam Wook, second from right, one of key figures in a corruption-laden land development project in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, arrives at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in southern Seoul for questioning over his alleged involvement in the project, Wednesday. Yonhap



Prosecutors on Wednesday continued their questionings into a corruption-laden urban development scandal engulfing South Korean politics, summoning the four key suspects of the high profile case again all on the same day for possible cross-examinations.



Prosecutors are looking into suspicions over how a previously unheard-of asset management firm, Hwacheon Daeyu, and its seven affiliates reaped astronomical profits from a 2015 project to develop the Daejang-dong district in Seongnam, south of Seoul, into an apartment complex.



Kim Man-bae, Nam Wook and Jeong Young-hak  private partners of the project  are alleged to have colluded with Yoo Dong-gyu, former acting president of Seongnam Development Corp., to have the asset firm take part in the lucrative project.



The scandal has received intense media coverage amid questions about its potential impact on next year's presidential election, as Yoo is widely regarded as an associate of Gyeonggi Province Gov. Lee Jae-myung, who is now the ruling Democratic Party's presidential nominee.



The main opposition People Power Party has claimed Lee, who was serving as Seongnam mayor when the project was launched, was behind the whole scheme.



According to sources, investigators at the Seoul Central District Court summoned Kim, Nam, Jeong and Yoo for questioning all on Wednesday.



Yoo is suspected of receiving 800 million won ($681,657) in bribes in exchange for designing the profit distribution arrangements in a way to benefit Hwacheon Daeyu while inflicting losses on the city. The three others are alleged to have discussed raising 35 billion won in order to pay seven influential people 5 billion won each in bribes.



Investigators are reportedly following leads largely based on secretly taped conversations between the project's key players recorded by Jeong, an accountant who owns Cheonhwa Dongin No. 5, an affiliate of Hwacheon Daeyu.



However, they reportedly have yet to find a clear breakthrough in the case, as the suspects are reportedly disputing each other's claims and shifting blame to one another.



The court also rejected an arrest warrant request for Kim, the owner of Hwacheon Daeyu, last week, saying the prosecution failed to present sufficient grounds for his arrest. The prosecution also did not seek an arrest warrant for Nam, who returned to South Korea from Los Angeles on Monday for questioning, even after having questioned him for two straight days.



Amid the apparent stalemate in the investigation, it is widely expected prosecutors may conduct cross-examinations between the suspects to verify conflicting statements and the contents of Jeong's recordings. (Yonhap)


Camping vans and cars fill a camping ground in Gokseong County, South Jeolla Province, in this July 26, 2020 photo. Yonhap



Local governments troubled by poorly mannered campers



By Bahk Eun-ji



Camping has been gaining in popularity, especially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, as it is an activity in which people can enjoy nature in a quiet space while minimizing contact with others.



While people usually enjoy camping with tents at designated campsites, many also choose auto camping, called "chabak" in Korean, which translates to, "spending the night in one's car."



The number of campsites in Korea has increased from 1,851 to 2,760, as of July of this year, according to the Korea Tourism Organization. The number of camping cars registered with the transport ministry also increased from 3,325 in 2019, to 5,610 in 2020, and that of trailers from 10,783 in 2019, to 17,979 in 2020.



However, this trend has grown without a corresponding increase in civic awareness concerning camping etiquette and relevant laws, resulting in problems such as environmental damage and safety issues. Local governments, which manage tourist attractions famous for camping, are deeply troubled by the series of complaints from residents due to traffic jams, noise and piles of trash campers leave behind.



Some local governments are even considering closing some popular campsites.



Mongdol Beach in Ulsan has recently seen an increasing number of campers, including chabak campers, not only on weekends but also on weekdays.



In particular, during holiday periods, the number of campers rises significantly, and the amount of garbage they leave behind also increases two to three times the usual amount.



Residents of nearby areas are also complaining about the vast amount of litter left behind by campers and the noises they make while they revel on the beach until late at night.





A camping van gets water from a public restroom in Mount Seorak National Park in Sokcho, Gangwon Province, in this Aug. 5 photo. Courtesy of the Sokcho City Government



In this regard, the district office of Ulsan Buk-gu, where Mongdol Beach is located, dispatched 12 staff members to clean up trash and guide campers to follow the etiquette and rules at the campsite during the weekdays, but they do not work on weekends, so they fail to prevent garbage from piling up in large quantities.



"There are no plans to increase the number of staff to clean up the trash, or install CCTV cameras, due to budget shortfalls," an official from the Buk-gu Office said. "Even though we are taking measures, such as hanging up banners telling people not to dispose of their litter at the campsites, it is difficult to solve the problem fundamentally without the active cooperation of the campers," he said.



The coastline along Homi Cape in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, has also seen campers illegally disposing of garbage there.



Pohang's coastal trail has a reputation as a marine tourist destination with well-established Yeongildae, Chilpo, Wolpo, and Guryongpo beaches along the 204 kilometers of coastline.



However, the Pohang City Government is experiencing similar trouble with garbage being thrown on its beaches, creating a stench, along with excessive noise.



The situation is similar in the famous camping areas of Gangwon Province.



The Sokcho City Government has suffered from damage from some poorly mannered campers at the public parking lot of Mount Seorak National Park. They have been using the tap water of the public restrooms there for their camping vans' water supplies, or stealing electricity for charging, as well as leaving piles of garbage and food waste.



The city government temporarily closed two of four public restrooms in the public parking lot where complaints were frequently reported, after concluding that the public parking lot restrooms were not being used for their original purposes.





gettyimagesbank
Coast Guard officials search for missing crew members of a Chinese fishing boat in waters off southwestern city of Gunsan, Oct. 20. Courtesy of Gunsan Coast Guard



A Chinese fishing boat capsized in waters off the southwestern city of Gunsan on Wednesday, leaving three crew members unconscious and three others missing, Coast Guard officials said.



According to the Coast Guard, the 239-ton vessel capsized shortly after midnight in waters 124 kilometers southwest of Gunsan's Eocheong Island.



Of the 15 crewmen aboard the ship, eight have been rescued by the Coast Guard and another Chinese boat that was fishing alongside the capsized vessel.



Four more crewmen were later found adrift on the sea and rescued, but three of them were unconscious, officials said. The other was in stable condition.



A search is under way to rescue the other three crewmen who remain unaccounted for.



A team of four patrol ships and two aircrafts were additionally dispatched to back up the search operation in cooperation with a fishery inspection boat and two Chinese fishing boats at the scene, officials said.



But rescuers were having difficulties due to high waves of up to three meters and bad weather.



"After designating the 20-kilometer radius of the accident scene as the scope of search, we are looking for those missing people," an official at the Coast Guard's Gunsan office said.



The capsized Chinese boat was fishing in the South Korean exclusive economic zone after getting permission, the officials said. (Yonhap)
Main opposition People Power Party's leading presidential hopeful Yoon Seok-youl clenches his fist during a meeting with party members in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday. Yonhap



By Kim Rahn



Yoon Seok-youl, the leading presidential contender of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), has drawn condemnation over his remarks that seemed to defend Chun Doo-hwan, who led a military coup in December 1979 to take over the country and ordered the deadly suppression of pro-democracy protesters in Gwangju in May 1980.



Yoon explained that he meant there were things to learn from the former leader, but criticism arose from not only the ruling bloc and Gwangju citizens but also from members of his own party.



During a meeting with party members in Busan, Tuesday, Yoon said that if he becomes president, he would appoint top-class experts in key government positions to manage administrative affairs systematically.



He then mentioned Chun: "Parts of Chun's acts were wrong, but many say he was good at politics aside from the military coup and (suppression of the) May 18 (Gwangju uprising). Quite a lot of people in the Honam region (meaning Gwangju and South and North Jeolla provinces) also say so."



According to Yoon, Chun, who had been a career soldier prior to taking power, appointed capable people in each sector and left state affairs to them, so "that's why state affairs ran smoothly."









The former prosecutor said that if he is elected president, he would appoint the most suitable people to government positions regardless of their political inclination. "I've learned a lot (about issues in various sectors) while investigating those in political and economic power, but I won't be able to do things on my own, as my knowledge will be insufficient (to cover all state affairs)  So I'll appoint top experts, manage the system and communicate with the people."





Ruling Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers, whose constituencies are in Gwangju and North and South Jeolla provinces, hold a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday, to criticize main opposition People Power Party presidential contender Yoon Seok-youl for partially praising Chun Doo-hwan who took power in a military coup and led the bloody suppression of pro-democracy protesters in Gwangju in 1980. Joint Press Corps
Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions take to the streets in Seodaemun District, central Seoul, Wednesday, during a mass rally, despite government warnings not to hold it out of fear of spreading the COVID-19 virus. Yonhap



Mass gathering causes traffic chaos, raises concern over virus resurgence



By Bahk Eun-ji



A major umbrella union staged a mass rally in central Seoul, Wednesday, causing serious traffic chaos in the downtown area.



Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held the demonstration to demand better working conditions for irregular workers and a minimum wage hike, despite the authorities' repeated warning not to hold it out of concerns over a possible resurgence of COVID-19 infections.



The union said about 550,000 of its members staged a walkout from their workplaces nationwide, while 80,000 took part in rallies in 13 cities across the country, including 27,000 in Seoul.



The KCTU did not disclose the venue of the mass gathering in Seoul until the last moment, as police had not given permission for it, defining it as illegal. The National Police Agency dispatched 11,000 officers to places usually used for demonstrations, blocking the spots off with fences and police buses.





Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions march through the street near Seodaemun Station in Seoul, Wednesday, during a mass rally held by the umbrella union as part of a one-day strike to demand better working conditions for irregular workers and a minimum wage hike. Yonhap







But union members who were scattered around Euljiro Station, Seoul City Hall and the Jongno area quickly gathered near the Seodaemun Station intersection where relatively less police officers were stationed as soon as a notice was shared at 1:30 p.m. They took over the intersection, blocking traffic flow in all directions.



Police forces dispatched to Seoul City Hall and Gwanghwamun were hurriedly redirected to the Seodaemun Station area.



Minor clashes took place between officers and some unionists when the latter were prevented from going to Seodaemun.



From around noon, the main entrances to subway stations in central Seoul including Gyeongbok Palace, Gwanghwamun, City Hall, Jonggak and Anguk were closed off and trains passed through without stopping for several hours to prevent more people from joining the demonstrators, causing inconvenience to residents and worsening traffic congestion.



The central government and Seoul City had defined the rally as illegal, because gatherings of such large numbers of people are banned under current rules to combat the spread of COVID-19. Officials are concerned that mass protests could spark a resurgence in the coronavirus and disrupt the government's plan to move toward "Living with COVID-19."





Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Union stage a rally at a park in Daejeon, Wednesday, as the union holds mass rallies in Seoul and other 12 cities across the country as part of a one-day strike. Yonhap
By Sandip Kumar Mishra





New Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida made his first policy speech to the Japanese legislature Oct. 8, and said "the abductions issue is one of the highest priority issues" for Japan in its dealings with North Korea.



He also mentioned that the North's nuclear and missile developments were "absolutely unacceptable" and Japan would like to normalize relations with North Korea in accordance with the Pyongyang Declaration of 2002.



The first pronouncement of Kishida regarding Pyongyang makes it obvious that there is no change in the Japanese approach toward the North. More importantly, the Kishida speech underlined that in Japan's North Korea policy, the abduction issue is the most salient issue.



This is indeed important and must be addressed, as, per Japanese claims, 17 Japanese citizens were abducted by North Korea from 1977 to 1983 (North Korea says that the number is 13).



But part of it has already been resolved. Through his two visits to Pyongyang in September 2002 and May 2004, then Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi got back five of the abductees and their families to Japan.



Actually, former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il also "apologize(d) straightforwardly" and said that such an "appalling incident" would not be allowed to happen again. North Korea also repatriated the remains of a few of the "dead" abductees, though Japan disputes the number of abductees as well as North Korean claims about their deaths.



To keep the issue in perspective, it must be underlined that even as per the Japanese claim, the unresolved issue is limited to 12 abductees along with the fact that the incident happened 40 years ago.



Thus, the pertinent question is whether it is prudent on the part of Japan to frontload the abduction issue and allow it to overshadow Tokyo's policy toward Pyongyang. If the issue keeps Japan and North Korea disconnected and the North keeps moving forward with its nuclear and missile programs, it would cause a threat to millions of Japanese citizens.



Since 2004, most of the bilateral and multilateral interactions between Japan and North Korea have been occupied with the abduction issue. Even during the six-party talks which were formally meant to denuclearize North Korea, Japan kept emphasizing a resolution to the abduction issue.



When Kishida was foreign minister in 2014, Japan discussed the issue with North Korea and established a special investigating committee for it, but North Korea dissolved the committee unilaterally in 2016 after the expansion of Japanese sanctions on North Korea.



Japan keeps asking for a "satisfactory account and convincing evidence" about the whereabouts of the remaining Japanese abductees and North Korea keeps denying or deflecting it. In 2018 when South Korea and the U.S. were trying to bring North Korea to negotiating table to resolve nuclear and missile issues, then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe kept on insisting that the priority must be given to the abduction issue.



While Japan should keep the abduction issue among all other matters which must be negotiated with the North, it should not be given the number one priority. Resolving North Korea's nuclear and missile issues as well as normalizing relations with Pyongyang must be prioritized.



Japan has been one of the most important players in the region while seeking to become a "normal state" by being equally significant both in the economic and military domains. Unfortunately, its relations with neighboring countries  South Korea, North Korea, China and Russia  have been problematic.



Japan must realize that its regional or global stature is going to have to shadow its relations with neighboring countries. Even though its contests with China and Russia appear unavoidable, the same cannot be said about its relations with South and North Korea.



Thus, it would be pertinent for Tokyo to articulate a North Korea policy in alignment with its far broader foreign policy goals rather than popular sentiment. Japan has the potential to contribute positively to the process of North Korean denuclearization but for that it must make more far-sighted choices.



Here, it must be reiterated that it does not mean to say that it should give up the abduction issue. Rather it means that the broader Japanese foreign policy goals as well as a resolution to the North Korea nuclear and missile issues should not be made hostage to the abductions.



Unfortunately, the first North Korea policy statement of Japanese Prime Minister Kishida appears to be a step in the direction which has been unproductive so far. Whether Japan will change its course and look beyond the abduction issue is difficult to predict but it is definitely desirable.





The author (sandipmishra10@gmail.com) is associate professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.


Time to map out fundamental and comprehensive package



The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has designated 89 cities, counties and districts nationwide as "depopulation areas" that are in danger of disappearing owing to population decline. The designated areas will receive 1 trillion won ($850 million) in annual subsidies over the next decade for job creation. The areas will also be given additional points during reviews for state projects amounting to 2.56 trillion won.



This is the first time that the central government has declared specific regions in danger of disappearing due to depopulation. The designation is long overdue, given that the country is struggling with a decline in childbirths and the migration of rural residents to the capital region.



The areas include 16 cities and counties each in South Jeolla Province in the southwest and North Gyeongsang Province in the southeast. The list also includes 12 in Gangwon Province, 11 in South Gyeongsang, 10 in North Jeolla, nine in South Chungcheong and six in North Chungcheong. Three districts in Busan and two in Daegu were also included.



The risk of population "extinction" is very real. According to the Korea Employment Information Service, the number of regions at risk of this out of 228 cities, counties and districts in the country rose from 83 in 2017 to 93 in 2019 and 105 last year. South Korea reported the first natural decline in population last year as the number of deaths outpaced that of newborns. Around 2060, the country's population might be halved with over 40 percent of the populace aged 65 or older.



The problem of population decline cannot be solved merely with stopgap measures. It's a complicated issue related to jobs, marriage, housing, child-rearing and education. The government has spent a staggering 225 trillion won tackling the low birthrate and population aging crises from 2006 through 2020, but to no avail. It's time for the central government to map out a fundamental and comprehensive package with a sense of crisis that the country itself might face extinction.


SLBM test-firing dashes hopes for dialogue



North Korea test-fired a new-type of submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) Tuesday, scoffing at the U.S. and South Korea's efforts to restart stalled denuclearization talks. Pyongyang should realize that its military provocations will only raise tensions on the Korean Peninsula and deepen its isolation from the international community.



The North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Wednesday that the new SLBM, launched from Sinpo  the site of a major submarine building facility  into the East Sea, was equipped with state-of-the-art technologies such as "flank mobility and gliding skip mobility." The agency said the launch would enhance the country's military technology and greatly contribute to improving its underwater operational capabilities.



The test-firing of the missile deserves condemnation although Pyongyang said it was part of its efforts to step up its self-defense posture. Regrettably, the provocation comes amid diplomatic overtures by South Korea, the United States and Japan to resume dialogue with the recalcitrant state. Since President Moon Jae-in proposed a declaration to formally end the 1950-53 Korean War last month, the U.S. has been moving proactively, reaffirming its commitment to resolve the nuclear standoff through dialogue and diplomacy.



Currently, representatives on the North Korea nuclear issue and intelligence chiefs from the South, U.S. and Japan are exploring ways to restart the deadlocked talks with Pyongyang. South Korean nuclear envoy Noh Kyu-duk met with his U.S. and Japanese counterparts, Sung Kim and Takehiro Funakoshi, to discuss how to lure Pyongyang back to the negotiating table in return for incentives such as humanitarian assistance and other support to the impoverished North.



Despite the North's saber-rattling, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the missile tests underline the urgent need to have dialogue with Pyongyang. She added the U.S. remains ready to engage with the North anytime and anywhere. Some pundits point out that the North's military action could be a response to the South's move to build up its military capabilities. Seoul recently test-launched its own SLBM from a 3,000-ton submarine, becoming the world's seventh nation to develop the required missile technology.



Nevertheless, we strongly condemn the North's SLBM launch as it dampened multilateral efforts for peace on the Korean Peninsula. The North has launched eight missiles so far this year, including ballistic missiles and what it claimed was a hypersonic one. The firing of the SLBM, in particular, is another apparent violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions banning Pyongyang from developing ballistic missile technology.



It is absurd for the North to criticize the South for adopting what it condemned as "double standards." Pyongyang should not repeat its demand for the withdrawal of the U.S.'s "hostile policy" toward the Kim Jong-un regime, while justifying its military provocation as self-defense. We urge North Korea to stop such military activities and return to dialogue immediately. The U.S., for its part, should get tougher with the North for its provocative acts, but offer more incentives to entice Pyongyang to take the path toward denuclearization and peace.


By Daniel Shin





There is growing public debate on a wealth tax. Several market analysts reported that billionaires added more than $4 trillion to their wealth during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. If you look at the other side of the coin, during the pandemic, the crash in the international tourism industry among the most severely hit industries caused a loss of $4 trillion.



The U.S. Congress authorized $4 trillion under the COVID-19 pandemic relief packages. However, the U.S. federal government ran a deficit of more than $3.1 trillion in the fiscal year of 2020, triple the deficit for 2019. It accounts for 15 percent of GDP and is at its highest level since World War II. Globally, $16 trillion in terms of fiscal measures used to pay for the pandemic are about to come due around the globe as public debt surges.



But who is going to pay for pandemic-related government losses? Unfortunately, taxpayers will bear the costs of COVID-19 for decades. It is a hard lesson that we have learned from the pandemic, although it will take a while until we realize the real fiscal impact. We all hope that we will soon see this pandemic end. However, the burden of debt is no longer bearable if COVID-19 becomes a norm.



The richest 1 percent own close to half of all global wealth now, and that proportion is on track to grow to two-thirds by 2030. These extremely wealthy individuals often find a way to reduce how much they pay in taxes and most of them do so legally, by leveraging many laws and tax loopholes. As long as they adhere to the law, there should be no issues. But it may not look like a fair game when you see that some billionaires pay almost no taxes. Now the rich have become the target.



The concept of a wealth tax is nothing new, but it quickly re-emerged after the pandemic began and began to put pressure on sound fiscal management due to the public health expenditures. After two world wars, a one-off wealth tax was levied in many European countries and Japan to fund recovery.



A few countries have recently enacted a new law and started charging a wealth tax, which may seem utterly progressive to some taxpayers. Argentina passed a tax on the wealthy to pay for medical supplies and relief measures amid the ongoing pandemic.



In the public domain, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been calling for a tax on the rich who profited during the pandemic. The IMF has also joined the band of nations in support of a wealth tax to help cover the cost of the pandemic. Many governments are also considering levying a higher tax on what people earn as well as on what they own as potential ways to increase revenue and fund their relief packages.



In contrast, Nobel Prize laureate in the economic sciences Angus Deaton has warned that if a one-off wealth tax is introduced to pay off pandemic debts, the rich would likely find ways to avoid it; and it would probably become permanent.



The government will be in trouble again if the economy enters a downward spiral due to the mounting costs of another pandemic and its aftermath. A well-designed tax could significantly raise revenue in a fair and optimal way without administrative headaches.



Many believe that a one-off wealth tax could encourage people, who have the ability to pay their dues, while not discouraging people who work and mostly live on their small salaries as their primary source of income.



For public sentiment during the pandemic, a one-off wealth tax seems to be the most plausible route for any tax increase. However, the majority of taxpayers who would be liable for this type of tax increase would be people in their 50s and 60s, who still have to work to pay their bills.



A wealth tax is similar to a real estate property tax. But unlike a property tax, a wealth tax covers all the wealth an individual possesses. Therefore, it is often criticized as the more you have, the higher tax you have to pay, whether it is a simple onetime tax or if it becomes a broad and permanent tax scheme with lower exemptions and higher tax rates.



If there is no way for startup entrepreneurs to cover their wealth tax obligations as privately-held companies, in the worst case, a wealth tax could force the owners of private companies to sell their businesses earlier than they normally would in order to pay the taxes they owe.



A wealth tax could distort economic behavior in a way that is harmful to overall economic growth and the nation's prosperity. For example, by taking a fraction of people's wealth each year, this tax could reduce the return on investing, and discourage saving.



This situation could seriously affect economic growth because investing and capital accumulation, which are critical for entrepreneurship and innovation, would be exposed to higher tax risks. To the extent that entrepreneurial talent is important to success for both individuals and the nation, a wealth tax could damage innovation and job creation.



Our current way of taxing the wealthy is far too complicated, which has led to resentment and tactical avoidance. We need a better way. We should be committed to a fair and efficient tax scheme. The wealthy could pay their fair share by reforming the dividend tax, pensions or other business disposals, for example, to make the tax system fairer and more sustainable.



Policymakers should stick to a tax system that is fair and optimal. Other policies could encourage the wealthy to voluntarily contribute to society, but not force them. An income tax surcharge on high-income households could be quickly implemented but wouldn't be enough.



Many nations need more tax revenue and special interests can easily get government favors in these emergency situations. But none of these justify a wealth tax, which could damage entrepreneurship and innovation, the engines of economic growth. A wealth tax would both fail to accomplish the goal of effectively raising new revenue and also deliver a devastating blow to domestic growth and prosperity in the long run.





Daniel Shin is a venture capitalist and senior luxury fashion executive, overseeing corporate development at MCM, a German luxury brand. He also teaches at Korea University.






Vehicles using the cab-hailing platform KakaoT are parked in a parking lot for a taxi management company in Seoul. Yonhap
By Jung Da-min





Political-IT startup PoliGround CEO Seo Jung-ho / Courtesy of Seo Jung-ho

Seo Jung-ho, 52, has long worked in the IT industry, engaged in information-offering services and software download services for 25 years since 1996.



In July, Seo launched an online platform that offers public opinions of politicians through a sort of virtual stock market, named PoliGround, where users are given free cyber money to make transactions on politicians who are represented as virtual stocks.



"In the early 2000s, there was a service called POSDAQ where users traded politicians as stocks, but it closed after a few years of operation. At that time, there were only web-based services without smartphones and the internet was slow. Stock trading was not yet popular among members of the public and the user experience was inconvenient," Seo said in an email interview with The Korea Times, Monday.



"However, with the advent of smartphones, stock trading has become so popular that there are 10 million stock accounts in the real stock market and the user experience has become very convenient."





Political-IT startup PoliGround offers an online platform that shows public opinions of politicians through virtual stock market services where users make transactions of stocks representing politicians. Courtesy of Poli Ground
SsangYong Motor's Pyeongtaek plant in Gyeonggi Province / Yonhap



EL B&T consortium fails to satisfy financing plan



By Kim Hyun-bin, Kim Yoo-chul



The Seoul Bankruptcy Court named an Edison Motors-led consortium, which includes the Korea Corporate Governance Improvement (KCGI) and Keystone Private Equity, as the preferred negotiator for the ailing SsangYong Motor, Wednesday.



"The court has decided on the Edison Motors-led consortium as the preferred negotiator for a controlling stake in SsangYong. Regarding Electrical Life Business and Technology (EL B&T), the company was excluded from the assessment evaluation because of the lack of a detailed financing plan," the court said in a statement.



Following the decision, the Edison Motors consortium plans to sign a "binding agreement" with SsangYong by the end of the month, and then perform due diligence on SssangYong Motors for about two weeks after this.



Then, the consortium will file a detailed plan for SsangYong's survival, which must be approved by the carmaker's creditors led by the Korea Development Bank (KDB).



The agreement will involve the consortium requesting a loan from the KDB with SsangYong-owned land, buildings and facilities being used as collateral. The consortium will also take over SsangYong's 700 billion won in outstanding bonds.



Edison Motors plans to unveil 30 electric vehicle (EV) models by 2030 after acquiring SsangYong.



Industry officials said at least 1 trillion won is needed for a full recovery of SsangYong as the cost has to include estimated spending on EV models and operating expenses.



EL B&T had submitted a proposal in the low 500 billion won range, while the Edison Motors consortium offered 200 billion won, much lower than the estimated 1 trillion won needed to revive the carmaker.



The lower-than-expected price tag led the court to request a price revision from the two candidates as it deemed their offers as insufficient.



The automotive industry overall is transitioning swiftly to electric vehicles widening the gap with SsangYong, which mainly manufactures combustion engine trucks



"The candidates must come up with a specific and realistic business plans," KDB Chairman Lee Dong-gull said earlier. "Once a preferred bidder is selected as investor, the government, company and union will come together to brainstorm a normalization plan."





Workers assemble cars at SsangYong Motor's Pyeongtaek plant in Gyeonggi Province. / Courtesy of SsangYong Motor
By Baek Byung-yeul





Samsung Group's compliance committee has told the conglomerate to have its affiliates embrace regulations on workplace safety and employee health, which will be strengthened starting next year.







The "Severe Disaster Law" has drawn keen attention from the country's manufacturing companies, which will be required to strengthen safety requirements at industrial sites starting Jan. 27, 2022.







The National Assembly passed the law early this year aiming to increase the level of accountability for business owners to prevent workplace fatalities caused by a lack of safety measures.







Under the new law, business owners and CEOs can be imprisoned for at least one year or fined up to 1 billion won ($852,645) for industrial accidents caused by poor workplace safety measures.







The compliance committee, led by former Supreme Court Justice Kim Ji-hyung, held its regular meeting at Samsung Life Insurance's headquarters in Seoul, Tuesday. After the meeting, the committee said it discussed industrial accident prevention measures at the group's construction and trading arm, Samsung C&T.







"Regarding strengthened regulations related to occupational safety and health, such as the Severe Disaster Act, which will take effect next year, the committee received a report of how Samsung C&T has strengthened its measures to prevent accidents," the compliance committee said.







"In particular, the committee noted that Samsung C&T is activating the right of laborers to halt work and urged the affiliate to continue to make efforts to meet strengthened legal regulations and external requirements," the committee added.







Samsung launched the committee in January of 2020, in order to monitor compliance of its affiliates with the toughened worker safety law and improve management transparency.







As a preemptive move, Samsung C&T introduced the right of laborers to stop working in the event of an urgent risk or serious accident. Though it is stipulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, companies have been lukewarm about informing workers of that right.







Samsung C&T also initiated what it calls "Design for Safety" teams comprised of experts in safety management to reduce the number of workplace accidents.






Policemen escort Zahir Jaffer, second from left, a Pakistani-American man who went on trial accused of raping and beheading his girlfriend, the daughter of a former ambassador, after his court hearing in Islamabad, October 20. AFP-Yonhap




Britain's Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she attends an event in celebration of "The Big Lunch" initiative at The Eden Project, near St Austell in south west England, June 11. AFP-Yonhap


Location: Mequon - Wisconsin

Location: Milwaukee - Wisconsin Job Description Executive Assistant - Power Control Business The Power Control Business Executive Assistant plays a critical role in helping the Business run smoothly. We are looking for an individual who has the skillset to run the team operating cadence, coordinate key projects, and manage administrative activities - with both attention to detail and a focus on execution. The ideal candidate will be able to ramp up quickly in a high-performance, fast-paced organization focused on culture and customer. Responsibilities Provide direct administrative support to the VP GM of the Power Control Business (PCB) and general administrative support to the PCB Senior Leadership Team (SLT), e.g., travel & expenses

Manage operating cadence and content of Quarterly All Employee meetings, Monthly staff meetings SLT Staff meetings, and other regularly cadenced meetings

Own and facilitate internal organizational communications (e.g. Prepare, coordinate and distribute internal PCB communications - Organization updates, All employee/manager messages, etc.)

Own Microsoft Teams for the Senior Leadership Team, encourage use, and keep organized

Actively participate in meetings taking notes and ensuring follow-up to action items.

Schedule appointments and Manage/Prioritize meetings, emails and phone calls

Take on special projects, as appropriate, requiring research and data analysis to provide recommendations based on findings.

Find ways to improve administrative processes Basic Qualifications Over 1 year of technical school work

Legal authorization to work in the US is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening. Preferred Qualifications Bachelor's degree or 4 years related experience preferred

Strong interpersonal, organizational, time management, and written/verbal communication skills

Eagerness to learn and drive continuous improvement

Comfortable leveraging technology to drive team productivity

Experience with Microsoft suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams etc.)

Proven experience in program / Project management

Demonstrated capability to work on multiple types of activities at any one time

Ability to collaborate with other organizations within RA, and with global teams This position is part of a job family. Experience will be the determining factor. #LifeAtROK #LI-SO We are an Equal Opportunity Employer including disability and veterans. If you are an individual with a disability and you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact our services team at +1 (see application details).




Location: Milwaukee - Wisconsin

Location: United States of America (remote) Job Description POSITION SUMMARY: Are you a Controls Engineer looking for an opportunity to showcase your innovative Logic and HMI skills? Are you passionate about creating high quality Logic and Visualization code for others to use? Do you enjoy optimizing and ensuring the robustness of your code? The Connected Applications Automotive Application Architect will work with Motion Business Units, Commercial Engineering, Technical Sales, and Marketing resources to accelerate the creation of an overall Automotive System Architecture and Library Content comprising Automation, Drives and Motion, Products, Configurations and Control Code. The Architect will analyze and identify gaps in the toolkits and offering of controllers and libraries to complete Rockwell Automation's Automotive Applications offering. The architect develops and communicates best practices in creating Automotive applications to internal and external users. The ideal candidate will be relentless in capturing new features and optimizing available content to continuously enhance the overall portfolio. Through this work, Rockwell Automation will be able to differentiate domain-rich libraries and solutions that simplify the integration of machines, systems, and an information-enabled architecture using modern design workflows for automotive machinery and work cells. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Functional Define Automation Applications leveraging Logix Designer, View Studio, View Designer, Future Rockwell IDE and other Automation centric tools to create optimized Application Architectures for Automotive applications and work cells.

Define and optimize Libraries that support creation of automotive applications in Rockwell Automation's Automation Development Environments.

Participate, keep informed, and drive awareness in Rockwell Automation around the evolution of Industry Standards that support Automotive Content (including OPC-UA Companion Specifications, ISA, specific manufacturer requirements, and others).

Advise other groups in Strategic Development and Control / Motion Business Units on the evolution of automotive technologies and portfolios to be part of the automotive application architecture.

Support Development and Prioritization of Firmware and Software functions supporting automotive application integration in controllers, drives, and other products.

Advise Connected Applications Leadership group on technical concepts and commercialization strategies.

Help define Digital Engineering Strategies (Digital Twins, Automated Code, and Automated Library creation principles) that assist Development of Automotive Applications

Advise Partnership / Alliance / Encompass programs on commercial interactions with potential NC systems, robotic arms, and technology partners, etc.

Manage intellectual property as it is being created and become part of Common Connected Applications' patent development. Leadership Ability to interface and communicate with domain experts across external and internal customers, partners, application content providers, industry teams, solution delivery, and Product Businesses to define the best content feasible in Automotive Applications.

Establish a community of practice around the application of automotive control across Application and Product Engineering.

Proactively drive others to become part of the development work and facilitate as much as develop - become a role model that others can follow / that others want to follow. Interpersonal On a regular basis, develop proactive communication with resources across product and application development.

Establish credibility and domain expertise; be known as a contributor that helps the development processes across Strategic Development. Business Consult with the Common Connected Applications Management and Business Product Management on roadmap development, value propositions, and commercial selling models.

Where required, provide input into patent and licensing schemes for selected intellectual property relevant content.

Ability to travel globally, based on business requirements. Ensures thorough familiarity with company policies and procedures. Appropriately applies standards, policies, and procedures in compliance with government laws. Policies and procedures include, but not limited to: Standards of Business Conduct, Intellectual Property, Control Environment, Robotics Protection, Workcell Protection, ISO 9000 & 14000, government regulations (e.g. health, safety, quality and environmental), and functional policies published on the Rockwell Automation Information Network. BASIC QUALIFICATION: Bachelor of Science / preferred advanced degree in a technical field (i.e.: BS Electrical Engineering, BS Mechanical Engineering, BS Engineering Technology, BS Computer Science) or equivalent experience.

Legal authorization to work in the US is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening.

Up to 10% travel may be required

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS: This position typically requires 5+ years or more in development of Automotive Applications (across Automation, Drives, Motors)

Strong foundation of Rockwell Automation or alike core products and systems (i.e. Controllers, HMI products, Networking, Software, and I/O).

Experience or working knowledge of Automotive Manufacturer Control Software Standards (any)

5+ years of experience programming Allen Bradley PLC's using Studio 5000 Logix Designer

5+ years of experience programming Visualization content in FactoryTalk Studio or View Designer

Experience/awareness of existing Rockwell Automation application libraries

Experience developing automation libraries using Application Code Manager This position is part of a job family. Experience will be the determining factor.

This position can be remote and can be located anywhere in the United States.

The base salary compensation range for this role in Colorado is $100-135k+ with an annual target bonus of 5-8% of base salary

#Li-JK1

#LI-REMOTE We are an Equal Opportunity Employer including disability and veterans. If you are an individual with a disability and you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact our services team at +1 (see application details).


On 20 October, over 80,000 members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) answered the leaderships call to take to the streets across 14 regions of South Korea. A further 50,000 workers also walked off their jobs at 2pm.

The workers who participated in the strike were drawn from all industries under the KCTU umbrella.

Metal workers, construction workers, non-regular school workers, along with service and medical workers and others stood shoulder to shoulder in their workplaces and on the streets.

Radicalisation of the labour movement

The KCTU called this nationwide strike in order to demonstrate the deep anger that exists among Korean workers towards the whole capitalist establishment and all the political parties. While the South Korean governments handling of the pandemic has been lauded internationally, the workers continue to toil under abhorrent conditions.

The accumulated frustration among organised workers has led to the radicalisation of the KCTU from below. In December 2020, the KCTU members voted out the previous president, who had attempted to collaborate with the government and the capitalists, and replaced them with Yang Kyung-soo, who promised to struggle for workers interests by building for a general strike. Notably, Yang is the first KCTU president who is also a temporary worker, one of over 41 percent of Korean workforce toiling in casualised jobs. Many see Yang as coming from a younger, more radical generation of workers.

Since taking leadership, Yang has taken a more militant approach towards the state through organising workers protests and rallies in defiance of the states arbitrary, ever-changing, and highly undemocratic restrictions on public assembly in the name of controlling the pandemic. The state then responded to this with direct repression. On 2 September this year, the state raided the KCTUs headquarters and arrested Yang on charges of violating the Assembly and Demonstration Act and the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, as well as traffic disruption.

The remaining union leadership subsequently called for a general strike today in response. In a nutshell, the general strike reflects the increasingly direct confrontation between the capitalist class and the working class.

Mobilisation

The KCTU mobilised for the strike through its 14 headquarters across the country. Members were asked to walk out of their jobs starting at 2pm. Those who work near Seoul, such as Incheon or around the Gyeonggi province, were asked to gather in the capital for a large show of force. In the end, it is estimated that 80,000 workers from around the country participated in rallies.

In smaller cities, the participants were in the thousands. In Gwangju, home of the Gwangju uprising of 1980, 3,000 people gathered in front of the City Hall. In Choenan, a transportation hub, 2,000 workers protested. In Daegu, the third biggest city in the country, 5,000 joined the rally, while in Busan, the second largest city, an estimated 10,000 people participated in the strike.

Around 80,000 workers from around the country participated in rallies / Image: pptec, Twitter

The center of gravity of the general strike, however, was clearly in Seoul. Over 27,000 workers descended upon the busy downtown intersection in front of the Seodaemun Subway Station. In order to avoid giving the police a head start in setting up their defences, the union only announced the actual gathering point a few hours ahead of the rallying time. That tens and thousands of workers were still able to mobilise at such short notice attests to the enthusiasm and self-discipline of the participating workers.

While the general strike has sent a palpable shockwave around Korean society, it must be said that the KCTU actually has the potential to mobilise on a far greater scale. With over one million members, the KCTU is the largest trade union in South Korea. Although a national strike that involves 80,000 people is far larger than any other labour struggle in recent years in East Asia, it still represents only a small fraction of the real potential that the KCTU can muster.

Crack down and pathetic words

In the face of these strike rallies gathering thousands, the South Korean police scrambled to enforce Covid-19 rules and strike out at the workers democratic rights.

In Seoul, an estimated 16,000 members of the police were deployed to stop the KCTU rally. As they did not know where the rally would take place, the police could only act on guesswork. About 500 police buses were deployed to install cross-shaped car walls in the north-south section from Plaza Hotel in front of Seoul Plaza to Gwanghwamun Square, and in the east-west section from Seorin-dong to Salvation Army Center. The police also built a car wall around Gwanghwamun and deployed 170 units there, while it is rather far away from the actual location of the rally.

In Busan, the police deployed five battalions at the main site. A police official said: In Busan, rallies of more than 50 people are prohibited in the third stage of social distancing, adding, We will sternly respond to illegal activities by applying infectious disease prevention methods.

The government, now under the progressive administration of President Moon Jae-in and the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has attempted to paint this general strike as an irrational act, rather than as the workers justified action in defence of their own interests. Absurdly, the Minister of the Interior and Safety, Jeon Hae-cheol, even tried to portray the union as an obstacle to ending the pandemic:

KCTUs nationwide walkout plan could threaten the virus situation that has been improving recently after hardship while destroying the expectations of a return to normalcy at this very important turning point.

One must ask: who is responsible for creating the conditions that have compelled workers to protest en masse during the pandemic? What kind of normality do the Korean workers have to look forward to returning to? Why would anyone want to return to the long working hours, low pay, and terrible privatised housing and healthcare that have characterised South Korea for years?

But empty words alone are not all that the South Korean state has in store for the workers. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has launched an investigation into the organisers and major participants of the rally. The South Korean state has a long history of mercilessly repressing militant workers. The KCTU must be prepared for this and get ready to fight back.

Class independence

The national mobilisation was called by the union as a show of force and anger of the Korean working class against the brutal realities created by South Korean capitalism. The main slogans are, smash inequality! ( ) and inequality out! ( OUT). The KCTU leadership also advanced 15 demands that generally aim to achieve the following three goals:

Abolish irregular work (part-time, temporary or contract labour with little or no benefits) and extend labour protections to all workers;

Give workers power in economic restructuring decisions during times of crisis;

Nationalise key industries and socialise basic services like education and housing.

Marxists fully support these reforms, which are desperately needed by Korean workers. On the other hand, the entire ruling class has shown that they have no interest in carrying out these measures. Whether it is the ruling liberal DPK, the conservative People Power Party (PPP), or any of the minor parties in opposition, they are all firmly rooted in the interest of the bourgeois class in South Korea that seeks to maintain the system as it is. None of them can be relied upon, or even pressured into carrying out policies in favor of the workers unless they face a political challenge to their power.

Therefore, while the KCTU took the first correct step with this general strike as a show of force and class anger, they need to actively build a political party through their roots in the trade union movement. This party should not just attempt to reform the existing capitalist system in South Korea, but should aim to overthrow it and replace it with a workers government in order to carry through a socialist program. This is the only way the South Korean workers and youth can escape the society that daily renders their lives into an endless Squid Game.
International

Russia hosts Afghan talks; calls for inclusive govt

Members from the Afghan Talibans movement attend talks in Moscow on Oct. 20, 2021.

MOSCOW, OCT 20 (AP) | Publish Date: 10/20/2021 1:20:52 PM IST

Russia hosted talks on Afghanistan on Wednesday involving senior representatives of the Taliban and neighbouring nations, a round of diplomacy that underlines Moscows clout.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov opened the talks and emphasized that forming a really inclusive government fully reflecting the interests of not only all ethnic groups but all political forces of the country is necessary to achieve a stable peace in Afghanistan.

Russia had worked for years to establish contacts with the Taliban, even though it has designated the group a terror organisation in 2003 and never took it of the list. Any contact with such groups is punishable under Russian law, but the Foreign Ministry has responded to questions about the apparent contradiction by saying that its exchanges with the Taliban are essential for helping stabilise Afghanistan.

Unlike many other countries, Russia hasnt evacuated its embassy in Kabul and its ambassador has maintained regular contacts with the Taliban after they took over the Afghan capital in August.

Lavrov commended the Taliban for their efforts to stabilise the military-political situation in the country and ensure the operation of state structures.

We are satisfied with the level of practical interaction with Afghan authorities, which allows to effectively ensure security of Russian citizens in Afghanistan and unimpeded operation of our embassy in Kabul, Lavrov said in his opening speech at the conference. At the same time, he emphasised the importance of respecting human rights and pursuing well-balanced social policies, adding that he discussed those issues with the Taliban delegation before the talks.

Abdul Salam Hanafi, a deputy prime minister in the Talibans interim government, who attended Wednesdays talks, said the meeting is very important for stability of the entire region. Lavrov said that Russia would soon dispatch a shipment of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and urged the international community to quickly mobilise resources to prevent a humanitarian crisis in the country. The Soviet Union fought a 10-year war in Afghanistan that ended with its troops withdrawing in 1989. In recent years, Moscow has made a strong comeback as an influential power broker in international talks on Afghanistan, hosting the Taliban representatives and members of other factions for bilateral and multilateral meetings.

Along with the Taliban and other Afghan factions, the so-called Moscow format talks held since 2017 also include representatives of China, Pakistan, Iran, India and ex-Soviet nations in Central Asia.

Wednesdays talks were preceded earlier this week by a meeting of top diplomats from Russia, China and Pakistan. The US, which is also part of that extended troika format didnt attend the meeting. Last week, President Vladimir Putin noted that there must be no rush in officially recognizing the Taliban as the new rulers of Afghanistan, but emphasised the need to engage in talks with them.

At the same time, Putin and other Russian officials emphasised the threats posed by the Islamic State group and other militants based in northern Afghanistan, and noted that drug trafficking from Afghanistan will continue to present a challenge. Numerous terrorist groups, notably the Islamic State and al-Qaida are trying to take advantage of the instability in the country mounting bloody attacks, Lavrov said. There is a real danger of terrorism and drugs spilling into the neighboring nations under the guise of migration.

Russias top diplomat urged the Taliban not to allow the territory of Afghanistan from being used against the interests of any third countries, primarily its neighbours, our friends and allies in Central Asia.

Russia has vowed to provide military assistance to its ex-Soviet allies in Central Asia to help counter the threats, and held a series of joint drills in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan that neighbour Afghanistan.

Another sweeping military exercise in Tajikistan involving 5,000 troops, more than 700 military vehicles and combat jets has started this week.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-19 10:43:21|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Servicemen from member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) take part in a joint military drills in Tajikistan, Oct. 18, 2021. The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) on Monday held its joint military drills at Kharbmaidon training ground in Tajikistan near the border with Afghanistan. Three operations, dubbed "Echelon-2021", "Search-2021" and "Interaction-2021", were held simultaneously amid the volatile situation in and beyond Afghanistan. Over 4,000 servicemen from CSTO member states took part in the exercises, which will end on Oct. 23. (Joint press center of the CSTO exercises/Handout via Xinhua)

DUSHANBE, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) on Monday held its joint military drills at Kharbmaidon training ground in Tajikistan near the border with Afghanistan.

Three operations, dubbed "Echelon-2021", "Search-2021" and "Interaction-2021", were held simultaneously amid the volatile situation in and beyond Afghanistan.

Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Tajikistan, Emomali Sobirzoda, welcomed the participants of the exercises, noting that the situation in the region remains difficult and tends to worsen.

The readiness of collective security forces to perform tasks, he said, is becoming more important and relevant.

The three operations focus on logistics, intelligence, and armed fighting in border conflicts, as well as terrorism responses.

Over 4,000 servicemen from CSTO member states took part in the exercises, which will end on Oct. 23.

The CSTO is a Russia-led military alliance created in 1992, grouping the six former Soviet republics of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-19 23:49:38|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, addresses the opening ceremony of the 2021 National Mass Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday called for efforts to promote mass entrepreneurship and innovation to pool strength for economic growth.

Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when addressing the opening ceremony of the 2021 National Mass Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week in Beijing.

Facing challenges including slowing economic growth, China will further deepen its reform and opening-up, enhance innovation-driven development, and promote mass entrepreneurship and innovation through market means, Li said.

Efforts should be made to beef up support for mass entrepreneurship and innovation, and favorable policies including preferential taxes and inclusive finance should be well implemented, he said.

The premier also underscored the importance of consolidating basic research and advancing the breakthroughs of key and core technologies to improve the quality of mass entrepreneurship and innovation. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 03:46:53|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

The UN Security Council holds a meeting on the situation in the Middle East at the UN headquarters in New York, Oct. 19, 2021. UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that no progress has been made towards the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland told the Security Council on Tuesday that no progress has been made towards the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Political stagnation is "fueling tensions, instability and a deepening sense of hopelessness," Wennesland said. "We should have no illusions about the current state of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," describing a situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) that continues to deteriorate, with no progress towards the two-state solution.

He painted a picture of a situation that is "increasingly desperate" defined by extremists and unilateral actions on all sides, which heightens risks for Palestinians, Israelis, and the region at large.

"Israeli and Palestinian civilians are suffering and paying a steep price for the persistence of the conflict, including the protracted occupation," said Wennesland.

In the meantime, settlement activity, evictions, Palestinian property seizures, and movement restrictions are "further feeding the cycle of violence" as Israeli civilians are killed and injured in Palestinian attacks.

In his report, the UN envoy described "nightly clashes" between Israelis and Palestinians, and stressed the importance of holding all perpetrators of violence accountable and swiftly bringing them to justice.

Wennesland highlighted Israeli plans for construction in E1, located adjacent to and northeast of East Jerusalem, saying that these units would "sever the connection between the northern and southern West Bank, significantly undermining the chances for establishing a viable and contiguous Palestinian state as part of a negotiated two-state solution."

"I reiterate that all settlements are illegal under international law and remain a substantial obstacle to peace," he insisted.

In "a welcome development," the special coordinator said that Israeli and Palestinian officials had announced that some 4,000 undocumented Palestinians in the West Bank would be registered in the Palestinian population registry and receive identity documents.

Meanwhile, as expenditures exceed revenues and donor support, Palestine's economic decline continues, with bank loan options "exhausted."

He voiced concern that "these negative trends are occurring simultaneously across the West Bank and Gaza" and should not be left unaddressed.

"We can no longer lurch from crisis to crisis ... incident by incident, on a short-term day-to-day basis as stand-alone issues," he said, calling for a "broader package of parallel steps" by Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the international community that addresses the "key political, security and economic challenges" that are barring progress. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 04:55:12|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Tourists are seen in Ghadames, a historic town in southeastern Libya, on Oct. 19, 2021. A group of more than 100 European tourists on Tuesday visited Libya for the first time since the 2011 uprising that toppled the former regime. (Photo by Hamza Turkia/Xinhua)

TRIPOLI, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- A group of more than 100 European tourists on Tuesday visited Libya for the first time since the 2011 uprising that toppled the former regime.

The visitors entered Libya from neighboring Tunisia and started their 12-day trip from Ghadames, a historic town in southeastern Libya.

"The tourist group's visit comes within the framework of the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and Traditional Crafts to resume international tourism activities in Libya and change the stereotypical image of the country," the ministry said in a statement.

The visit includes trips to a number of cities and towns across the country, and many musical and folklore shows will be performed, it added.

Since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos that have taken a heavy toll on its tourism. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 05:24:08|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

A medical worker prepares a dose of COVID-19 vaccine in the central Israeli city of Modi'in on Oct. 19, 2021. The first case of the new COVID-19 Delta variant "AY4.2" was detected in Israel on Tuesday, the country's Ministry of Health said. This is the variant that was previously detected in several European countries, the ministry noted. Also on Tuesday, the ministry reported 1,487 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total tally of infections in the country to 1,319,001. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The first case of the new COVID-19 Delta variant "AY4.2" was detected in Israel on Tuesday, the country's Ministry of Health said.

This is the variant that was previously detected in several European countries, the ministry noted.

It was diagnosed in an 11-year-old boy, who underwent a coronavirus test at Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv, upon his return from Moldova.

The ministry added that the epidemiological investigation is being conducted, and all types of COVID-19 variants and their development are being constantly monitored in the country.

Also on Tuesday, the ministry reported 1,487 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total tally of infections in the country to 1,319,001.

The death toll from the coronavirus in Israel rose by 11 to 8,021, while the number of patients in serious condition decreased from 357 to 353.

The total recoveries from the virus climbed to 1,293,854 after 1,750 newly recovered cases were recorded, while active cases decreased to 17,126. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 14:00:21|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Aerial photo taken on May 26, 2021 shows the Yangpu international container port at Yangpu economic development zone in south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

Facing multiple risks, the Chinese economy does not lack bright spots: domestic consumption is coming back; the high-tech manufacturing sector has posted a strong performance; and the service sector's input for the overall economic growth continues to go up.

BEIJING, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- China's economic growth notched 9.8 percent year on year in the first three quarters, which indicates that, despite global downward pressure, the Chinese economy has maintained the recovery momentum and continues to play a stabilizing role for the world economy.

While some overseas observers noted that China's growth rate slowed down in the third quarter compared with previous ones, they admitted that the Chinese economy is expected to return to its pre-coronavirus trajectory.

Facing multiple risks, the Chinese economy does not lack bright spots: domestic consumption is coming back; the high-tech manufacturing sector has posted a strong performance; and the service sector's input for the overall economic growth continues to go up.

Workers are seen at a workshop of XD-EGEMAC High Voltage Electric Equipment Co., Ltd. at China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in Ain Sokhna, Egypt, Jan. 14, 2021. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

In the meantime, China's foreign trade is showing strong resilience despite disruptions in global supply chains. China's exports to major world economies, including the European Union, the United States, Japan and South Korea, all maintained a double-digit growth in the first three quarters.

"For months, economists have made the same prediction: the fast growth of China's exports cannot last. The economists were wrong," The New York Times said in a recent report, which highlights China's ability to navigate its economy in times of compounding tests and challenges.

The Chinese authorities always take into account both cyclical and structural elements of the economy, and give targeted policy support to weak economic spots, while avoiding flooding the economy with liquidity and keeping on optimizing China's economic structure. Beijing has also paid close attention to striking a balance between stimulating short-term recovery and fostering long-term growth like boosting green development.

Visitors tour the booth of Chinese drone maker DJI during an exhibition on BRICS New Industrial Revolution held in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 8, 2021. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Moreover, China has carried on with deep reforms to expand market access for foreign investments, upgrade its business environment and promote multilateral trade cooperation.

The Chinese authorities have also stayed wary of the headwinds facing the economy, cautioning against "rising uncertainties in the international environment and uneven recovery in the domestic economy," according to National Bureau of Statistics spokesperson Fu Linghui. He pledged that China will continue to "take various measures to keep the economy running within a reasonable range."

In March, the Chinese government set its annual GDP target for 2021 at over 6 percent although many had expected the growth to reach 8 percent or more. This would give Beijing "more room to deal with long-festering issues in the economy," said The Wall Street Journal.

Looking ahead, the Chinese economy is expected to continue to perform well. Latest forecasts on China's yearly GDP in 2021 by the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Development Bank and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development all posted a rate of 8 percent or more.

Staff members work at a workshop of a new energy company in Xingtai, north China's Hebei Province, July 21, 2021. (Xinhua/Luo Xuefeng)

As reporters of The Economist dug into stories of high-tech innovators in Hangzhou, nimble exporters in Wuxi and ambitious entrepreneurs in Wenzhou, all cities in east China, they found that "two of the fundamental underpinnings of China's economic dynamism remain intact: red-blooded competition in the private sector and the restless quest of millions upon millions of ordinary people to improve their lot in life."

Given China's determination to push forward reforms as well as its flexibility in policy, the Chinese economy is buoying confidence in the global recovery and will bring more development opportunities to other economies. 
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 21:05:53|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Photo taken on Oct. 20, 2021 from the first dynamic testing train travelling from Lao capital Vientiane to Laos-China border town of Boten shows the view of northern Laos. The first dynamic testing train departed from the Vientiane Station of China-Laos Railway on Wednesday morning and headed north to the Laos-China border town of Boten to kick off the dynamic testing along the China-Laos Railway. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

VIENTIANE, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- The first dynamic testing train departed from the Vientiane Station of China-Laos Railway on Wednesday morning and headed north to the Laos-China border town of Boten to kick off the dynamic testing along the China-Laos Railway.

Dynamic testing is an important step before the railway is put into operation. It conducts integrated tests on all systems of the whole railway by running a testing train at the specified test speed and with relevant testing equipment, including testing of interface relationship among systems and debugging and optimizing of various systems, etc., so as to provide a scientific basis for the railway's opening-to-traffic.

The testing items mainly include track geometry, electric traction power supply, communication and signaling system, passenger and freight service system, noise, vibration, electromagnetic environment, etc.

According to the Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd., the dynamic testing, undertaken by the China Academy of Railway Sciences Corporation Limited, will take an estimated testing duration of 18 days.

The China Academy of Railway Sciences Corporation Limited is the only enterprise with the dynamic testing qualification for railway construction projects in China. It have undertaken dynamic testing technical services in many overseas projects such as the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway and the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway.

During the dynamic testing of the China-Laos Railway, Chinese engineers will scientifically and rigorously analyze the testing data of the railway, strictly evaluate the testing results against the requirements of testing program and standards, and finely adjust to or rectify the systems according to the testing results until all systems meet the requirements for safe and stable operation of the whole railway.

The China-Laos Railway is a docking project between the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Laos' strategy to convert itself from a landlocked country to a land-linked hub.

The electrified passenger and cargo railway is built with the full application of Chinese management and technical standards. The construction of the project started in December 2016 and is scheduled to be completed and open to traffic in December 2021. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 21:33:35|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Delegates attend the opening ceremony and plenary session of the Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum 2021 in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 20, 2021. Themed "Economic Resilience and Financial Accomplishment", the Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum 2021 kicked off Wednesday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 22:09:34|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Photo taken on Sept. 20, 2021 shows an entrance and exit of the UN headquarters in New York. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

"If you want to have a global solution, one country or two country or even 20 countries can't dictate to the rest what to do. It should be exactly the solution which is a result of discussions between all the members of the international community," said Tatiana Valovaya, director-general of the UN Office at Geneva.

GENEVA, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Sometimes national or unilateral solutions might seem easier and quicker, but in the long run, if the challenge is global, the solution should also be global, a high-ranking United Nations (UN) official has said.

During an interview with Xinhua, Tatiana Valovaya, director-general of the UN Office at Geneva, said that in order to have a global and multilateral solution, a real dialogue should be conducted within nearly 200 member states around the world, which is not easy but eventually will be proved the most effective.

"If you want to have a global solution, one country or two country or even 20 countries can't dictate to the rest what to do. It should be exactly the solution which is a result of discussions between all the members of the international community," the director-general said.

Photo taken on Oct. 14, 2021 shows a UN General Assembly meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York. (Loey Felipe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

In order to make the solution more acceptable, she noted, the multilateralism for today's world should be more inclusive and integrated.

Given the still raging pandemic, Valovaya said that the real question for now is not to judge who did well or who is to be blamed, but to learn from each other's experience so as to be better prepared for future challenges.

"One lesson for me from the pandemic is clear: a situation like the pandemic needs solidarity, needs multilateral response and a global approach, but not the attempts to have national responses, which might be effective for a brief period of time, but not in the long run," she emphasized.

Deeming the COVID-19 pandemic just a wake-up call showing how our world can change overnight, she said, "before new crises come to everybody's home, we have to put aside our differences and to unite and work together to find global solutions for global problems."

Another lesson the UN official drew from the pandemic is the importance of the sustainable development agenda, which she described as a road map for the whole humanity.

Aerial photo taken on July 24, 2021 shows a dusk view of Huawu Village in Xinren Miao Township, Qianxi City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Viewing China as one of the key players in the world arena, she said, "we can't reach sustainability if China is not leading the way."

Noting the role of China in achieving sustainable development goals is crucial, she pointed out that the country can share its experience of how it managed to achieve its success and help others during this process.

"So there are lots of things that we count on China and many other member states who can not only develop their own agenda, but also support others," she said. 
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 12:38:33|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

TRIPOLI, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said Tuesday that 216 illegal migrants were rescued off Libya's western coast.

"Last two nights, 2 boats with a total of 216 persons aboard were returned to Zawiya and Tripoli," UNHCR tweeted.

No missing persons were reported, and medical care, food and water were provided, it said.

Almost 400 illegal migrants were rescued off the Libyan coast and returned to Libya in the past week, said the International Organization for Migration (IOM) also on Tuesday.

Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of its leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, making the North African country a preferred point of departure for illegal migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores.

So far in 2021, a total of 26,705 illegal migrants, including women and children, have been rescued, while 493 died and 686 went missing off the Libyan coast on the Central Mediterranean route, according to the IOM. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 13:54:22|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Major social media platforms have joined the Electoral Commission of South Africa and Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) to combat fake news as the country is prepared to hold local government elections.

In a joint statement released on Tuesday, TikTok, Google, Facebook, Twitter, the commission and MMA said they will fight against disinformation in the run-up to the elections scheduled for Nov. 1 and afterwards.

They have also created a special hub where South African users can find all the information they need ahead of the elections.

Fake news undermined people's rights including freedom of expression, access to credible information and the freedom to make informed political choices, the electoral commission's Vice Chairperson Janet Love said in the statement.

The commission will use an MMA-developed system, namely the Real411, to address disinformation and misinformation, and a software called PADRE to identify and eliminate misinformation in advertisements published in all media, she added.

"The dissemination of disinformation has huge potential to undermine the fairness and credibility of elections. It also threatens democratic political and policy-making processes," Love said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 18:46:50|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

KAMPALA, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- As Uganda continues to receive COVID-19 vaccine donations, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative here on Tuesday said donors need to support the distribution of the vaccines to remote areas.

Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam, WHO representative to Uganda, told reporters that developing countries need support to ensure that vaccines reach everyone including those in remote areas.

"We need support to take the vaccines to the districts for health workers to be able to do the vaccination, for monitoring, for looking into the adverse effects. All these things require funding and yes the government of Uganda has allocated some funds but the requirement is far higher," he said.

Woldemariam made the remarks at a ceremony on which Uganda received a second batch of the Sinovac vaccine donated by the Chinese government. The first batch of Sinovac arrived in July.

Alfred Driwale, head of Uganda National Expanded Program on Immunization, told Xinhua in an interview that distribution of vaccines is costly since donations are made in small quantities which forces trucks to make many return trips.

Driwale said the health workers also have to be retrained as different vaccines have different requirements.

"We have to train them each time on the vaccine type, cold chain requirements. These overheads which are required for safe delivery of vaccines are very expensive," he said.

Uganda has so far received 6.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. As of Saturday, about 2.6 million doses have so far been administered, according to ministry of health figures.

The country aims to vaccinate about 22 million people, or nearly half the population, in order to fully open up the economy.

Since March last year, 125,283 COVID-19 cases have been registered with 96,397 recoveries and 3,187 deaths, as of Saturday. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 23:57:33|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Photo taken on Oct. 20, 2021 shows the scene of a car accident on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. At least 17 people were killed as a truck collided with a passenger microbus near the Egyptian capital Cairo, Egypt's state-run Al-Ahram news website reported on Wednesday. (Xinhua)

CAIRO, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least 17 people were killed as a truck collided with a passenger microbus near the Egyptian capital Cairo, Egypt's state-run Al-Ahram news website reported on Wednesday.

The accident took place on a ring road on the outskirts of Cairo towards 6th of October city, where security and traffic officers immediately hurried to the scene, according to the report.

Over the past few years, Egypt has been upgrading its road network and built new roads and bridges.

In October last year, Egyptian Ministry of Planning and Economic Development said that the deaths caused by traffic accidents in the country decreased from 12,000 in 2019 to 7,000 in 2020. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-21 00:35:52|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

LAGOS, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- A total of 343 people were killed and 830 others kidnapped in the third quarter of 2021 in a spate of attacks by gunmen who have been on the rampage in northwest Nigeria's Kaduna state, an official said on Wednesday.

Presenting the latest quarterly security report in Kaduna city, Samuel Aruwan, the commissioner for internal security and home affairs in the state, said 220 people were injured, and 69 gunmen responsible for killing and kidnapping civilians were killed between July and September.

Aruwan said 101 people were rescued during the period under review.

According to the commissioner, cases of banditry and kidnapping are thriving due to "the flow of money which encourages them in the business."

He listed ransom from kidnapped hostages, sales of rustled cattle and small arms trade as the primary source of money for the bandits, adding current insecurity challenge is a major threat to food supply, education and health sectors.

"Banditry has hampered farming activities in the frontline areas of the state. Bandits continue to attack and abduct farmers working on or on their way to their farms," Aruwan said.

"Primary, secondary and tertiary institutions remain under threat from bandits. Teaching and learning activities in frontline areas have been severely hampered. While hospitals and other health facilities in frontline locations are equally under grave threat from armed bandits," he added. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-21 00:54:51|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari (2nd L) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (1st L) attend a joint press conference in Abuja, Nigeria, on Oct. 20, 2021. Buhari and Erdogan, on Wednesday oversaw the signing of eight bilateral agreements on such areas as energy, defense industry, mining and hydrocarbons during their meeting in the Nigerian capital. (Photo by Peter Oba/Xinhua)

ABUJA, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Wednesday oversaw the signing of eight bilateral agreements on such areas as energy, defense industry, mining and hydrocarbons during their meeting in the Nigerian capital.

Erdogan arrived in Abuja on Tuesday on a two-day visit to Nigeria, the last leg of his Africa tour that also took him to Angola and Togo.

Buhari told a joint press conference that during Erdogan's visit to Africa's most populous country, the two leaders had "useful discussions on a number of bilateral issues, aimed at strengthening this cordial relationship between Nigeria and Turkey."

The key issues touched on included a series of agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) that had been finalized, the Nigerian leader said.

"As a positive outcome, eight major agreements/MoUs on a number of the key sectors including energy, defense industry, mining, and hydrocarbons, among others were signed today," he said.

Buhari said Nigeria has removed Turkey from its travel ban list, having reviewed the list based on revised COVID-19 protocols.

"Turkey has indeed achieved remarkable success in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic," the Nigerian president said.

In his remarks, Erdogan said Turkey is determined to push relations with Nigeria to "higher levels on all fields."

He noted that trade between the countries reached 2 billion U.S. dollars in 2020, making Nigeria the biggest trading partner of Turkey in sub-Saharan Africa.

"However, we still believe that this level of trade we have achieved is far from being adequate. We hope and pray that we will be expanding our trade volume up to 5 billion dollars immediately," Erdogan said.

He expressed the hope that relations between the two nations will be "further developed on the basis of a win-win scenario and mutual respect."

The Turkish president also pledged that Ankara would further cooperate with Nigeria on counter-terrorism, as well as in the fields of military, defense, and security.

Erdogan said Turkey has expanded its diplomatic presence in Africa to 43 missions, and that the third round of the Turkish-African business forum will be held in Istanbul this October while the third Turkish-African partnership summit will follow in December. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-21 01:07:54|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

YAOUNDE, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people including civilians have been killed in military raids in Cameroon's English-speaking region of Northwest, local and security sources said Wednesday.

The raids in Wum, a locality of Northwest, came after armed separatist fighters killed a government soldier who was on a night patrol in the area, according to a military official who asked not to be named.

From Monday to Tuesday, government troops accompanied by armed local vigilantes raided the locality.

The attacks were described to Xinhua Wednesday by four villagers who said they had fled into nearby bushes or cowered at home while soldiers rifled through their belongings. They said they saw seven dead people, including three armed separatist fighters and four civilians.

The military official told Xinhua that troops were conducting a raid on separatist positions when they came under fire and killed what he labelled as terrorists.

The Cameroonian army has beefed up security in the region after armed separatists ambushed and killed 15 soldiers in a single combat in September.

The army has since 2017 been fighting English-speaking militias seeking to form a breakaway state known as Ambazonia in the two Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-19 21:58:47|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

A municipal employee wearing protective suit sprays disinfectant at Leningradsky railway station in Moscow, Russia, on Oct. 19, 2021. Russia confirmed 33,740 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally to 8,060,752, the official monitoring and response center said Tuesday. (Photo by Oleg Brusnikin/Xinhua)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 22:02:22|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BUCHAREST, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Romania's Prime Minister-designate Dacian Ciolos failed on Wednesday to secure majority support in Parliament for his new cabinet proposal.

As expected, his cabinet lineup was supported by only 88 deputies and senators, most of them from the center-right Save Romania Union (USR) led by Ciolos. A minimum of 234 votes in the bicameral Parliament with over 460 seats were needed for Ciolos's proposal to pass.

"Through the irresponsible vote against the USR cabinet, lawmakers rejected the only solution for Romania to have a functional government today and decided that it is more important to prolong the political crisis than to solve the health crisis," with the USR, which holds 80 seats in Parliament, said on social media.

President Klaus Iohannis last Monday proposed 52-year-old Ciolos as a candidate to form a new government after the center-right coalition led by Florin Citu was toppled in a no-confidence vote. The USR's withdrawal from the three-party coalition, amid rows with the prime minister, caused the eventual collapse of Citu's cabinet.

Ciolos, former prime minister between November 2015 and January 2017, presented on Monday his pick for the new cabinet made up entirely of USR members, as he lacks the support of the two largest parties, the National Liberal Party (PNL) led by Citu and the Social Democratic Party (PSD), as well as most of the other smaller groups in Parliament.

The ball is now back in Iohannis's court, who will have to nominate another candidate to replace Citu.

Local analysts believe that the president will bow pick a PNL candidate.

"The solution for Romania ... is the restoration of the USR-PNL-UDMR (Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania) coalition," the USR said after the vote in Parliament. Meanwhile, the party insisted on its position of supporting any PNL prime minister other than the incumbent.

The current situation is bound to extend the period of political uncertainty in the country, affecting its efforts to fight the epidemic and respond to the economic challenges, local analysts said. Enditem
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - Turkey and Nigeria on Wednesday signed eight major agreements on defence, energy, industry, mining and other sectors, official sources told PANA here Wednesday
The Same Dogs Are Barking Again!

10/20/21

By Kambiz Zarrabi

The Israeli alarmists say they are convinced that Iran is on the brink of a dangerous breakout stage in developing its nuclear bomb. Oy-vey, oy-vey; better stop them now before it's too late!

The Secretary of State, Tony Blinken, seems to confirm that we are running out of time for bringing the Iranians to the negotiating table to discuss a less forceful resolution to stop the ticking bomb. Israelis believe they now see a green light from Washington, which means that they can take a unilateral military action against Iran without objections or support by the United States.

O, really?!

Israel-worshipers in the US Congress are sounding off their impromptu statements in support of the Jewish state. Most of them, especially the high-profile Democrats like Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer, whose subservience to the Israel lobby, AIPAC, is even more boldly on display than the Republicans' devotion to Donald Trump, and for similar reasons, feel obligated to reaffirm America's unwavering attachment to Israel. And, as is the case with the Republicans and their true feelings about Trump, it matters little how they truly feel inside their hearts about that forever-demanding troublemaker half-way around the world.

The Israeli regime, of course, doesn't give a damn whether its fan club in the US Congress does its dance routine out of true love for the Zionist state, or out of fear of reprisal by its powerful lobby; very much the same as the relationship between the Trump supporters among the Republicans and that deified clown. All Israel wants from its intimidated benefactor is the continuation of the multifaceted support; and it has always been getting it even more generously than it asks for!

So, is it going to be fire this time? Will Israel strike Iran without the approval or at least the knowledge of the United States? I do not believe it will. My reasoning is simple: If Israel does launch an attack against Iran, the Iranian regime would most certainly consider the United States directly involved in orchestrating that attack; and the Israeli regime knows that would be the case. Would Israel, then, risk dragging its chief benefactor, the United States, into another war of attrition in the Middle East?

So, why would the brilliant Israeli strategists risk taking such a dangerous, even potentially fatal, step when the time-tested cry-wolf tactics have been working so well for them? It deserves repeating the sentence: All Israel wants from its intimidated benefactor is the continuation of the multifaceted support; and it has always been getting it even more generously than it asks for!

After all, how could the United States hold any financial or military support back from a little friend and ally that is under existential threat by a monster?!

The Iranian strategists are also undoubtedly aware of this ongoing chess game, and choose to play along. The louder the Zionist dogs bark, the stronger the Iranian hardliners' control over the affairs of Iran: and, the stronger the power of the Iranian hardliners, the louder the barking of the Zionist dogs! What a perfect circle or circus this is!

Could this vicious circle get interrupted?

The answer may lie in Iran's broader opening to the rising dragon to the east, China; and in turn, China's global rivalry against the United States.

Interesting times lie ahead.


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
Case of Rusaviainvest sanctioned by US stuck in limbo in court

 RAPSI, Eugeny Varlamov

10:36 20/10/2021

MOSCOW, October 20 (RAPSI)  Lawyers are studying the situation with the Rusaviainvest case in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which for more than a year has showed no sign of progress due to the problem of accessing classified information because of the pandemic.

The classified information, according to the U.S. authorities, serves as the basis for the decision taken by the U.S. Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to block the funds of Rusaviainvest, Eric Creizman of Armstrong Teasdale LLP told RAPSI.

Mr. Creizman said that hes unable to read the classified information. Access was allowed only to the judge, who can get the data on a secure computer in his chambers.

As a result, the case is in limbo for the time being, but lawyers are studying the situation to get the case back on track, Mr. Creizman told RAPSI.

Rusaviainvest moved for summary judgment as to the issue of the legality of OFAC's actions. Back in May 2020, the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York denied the motion on the grounds that as a result of the COVID19 epidemic, it was not possible to access the classified information.

Three wire transfers worth $1.4 million were frozen over the allegations that a person sanctioned for involvement in terrorism had an interest in the funds.

Meanwhile, Rusaviainvest itself is not on a blacklist.

The company filed a lawsuit in the summer of 2018, claiming that the money was transferred to pay to the Uzbekistan Airways under two contracts to purchase used airplanes. Despite numerous enquiries, no clarification was received about the rationale behind the blocking of the funds.

Rusaviainvest also claimed that the decision to block the funds was "arbitrary, capricious, and an abuse of discretion," whereas numerous requests and certified documents confirming the absence of any connection between the company's management and employees with terrorist organizations were ignored. Moreover, the counterparty in Uzbekistan was a government agency operating regular flights to the United States, according to the complaint.

OFAC is delaying the consideration of the application for reconsideration of the refusal to unblock funds, while the company is suffering losses and is under "strong financial pressure" in connection with the efforts of its counterparty to compensate for the damage caused, Rusaviainvest said.




Dismissal of Navalnys defamation lawsuit against Presidents spokesman becomes final

 RAPSI

15:40 20/10/2021

MOSCOW, October 20 (RAPSI)  The Moscow City Court has upheld the dismissal of defamation claims lodged by Alexey Navalny against the Russian Presidents press secretary Dmitry Peskov and ITAR-TASS, the press service of the court informs RAPSI.

The decision of the Moscow Presnensky District Court of August 10, by which the claims of Navalny against Peskov and ITAR-TASS on the protection of honor, dignity and business reputation, was upheld, and those claims dismissed, the court spokesperson said.

Earlier, the lawsuit was returned to the claimant because of errors committed during the drawing up of the documents.

Navalny sought to declare certain statements by Peskov about situation with the plaintiffs illness, as well as allegations about his connections with foreign intelligence agencies untrue and defaming. He also demanded refutation of the statements on the official Kremlin website. There were no monetary claims, a court representative noted earlier.

This February, the Moscow City Court upheld the decision to revoke Navalny's probation in the Yves Rocher case and sentenced him to 3 years 6 months in a general regime colony. Navalny is serving a sentence in correctional colony No. 2 in the town of Pokrov, the Vladimir Region.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
For a generation that has grown up watching the ageless American sitcom 'I Love Lucy' in black-and-white on Doordarshan, there's an opportunity coming to relive those days of innocent laughter.

Nicole Kidman will play the comedienne Lucille Ball and Javier Bardem will reprise her husband and co-star Desi Arnez in Aaron Sorkin's Amazon Studios movie 'Being the Ricardos'.

On Tuesday, the production house dropped the movie's trailer, which pans through a week in the life of the couple who kept audiences, both live in the studio and in their living rooms, in splits in 180 episodes aired on the American network, CBS, between 1951 and 1957.

In the trailer, according to 'Variety', quick glimpses of the couple's whirlwind life are shown accompanied by Kidman's voiceover, with the first clear look at Nicole Kidman coming via the recreation of Lucille Ball's iconic grape stomping scene.

'Variety' quotes Kidman as stating that the biopic will not be a remake of 'I Love Lucy'. "The strange thing about Lucille Ball is that everyone thinks we're remaking the 'I Love Lucy' show, and it's so not that," the actress said. "It's about Lucy and Desi and their relationship and their marriage. It's very deep, actually."

'Being the Ricardos' also navigates the racial barriers the couple had to face, with Desi being discriminated against for being Cuban, and Lucille fighting for him to remain on the show. The film has been penciled in for a December 10 theatrical release and a Prime Video release date of December 21.
The Darjeeling district administration on Tuesday had to stop trekking and close some roads as sudden heavy rainfall led to landslides in several areas of the hilly north West Bengal.

Trekking routes will be opened only after the improvement of the weather, it said.

According to the Met Department, torrential rain was experienced in many places in north Bengal from Monday night, leading to several landslides in the area. The sudden rains also led to the collapse of roads and snapping of power supply.

Many tourists who went to Darjeeling during the puja were stuck.

"Many people go trekking during Puja holidays. However, due to the bad weather, it has been cancelled for the time being. The trek to Rimbik and Sandakan is closed. The road connecting Tagda-Tinchuley and Kalijhora-Rangpo has been closed. Tourist cars were stopped at these places from Tuesday noon," a senior district official said.

There was a sudden downpour at Gorubathan near Dowers in Jalpaiguri district on Tuesday afternoon, while large clouds over the mountains cut down visibility.

Apart from hilly areas like Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Tajdar and plains of Siliguri were also affected by rains. The road near Rimbick's Palmajua Bridge collapsed and the road was closed. With road repairs not so easy in this area and to avoid danger, trekking to Rimbik and Sandakpur has been kept closed for the next 12 hours.

Meanwhile, a road in Kalimpong also collapsed due to landslide, and communications with Sikkim was been cut off, forcing tourists to return midway.

There were some accidents due to the rain.

A house collapsed in Takda, but no member of the household were injured. A car hit a rock and fell straight into the ditch, injuring its passengers. They were taken to hospital but were released after initial treatment.

According to the meteorological office, the rain is likely to continue in north Bengal. Apart from Darjeeling, heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted in Alipurduar and North and South Dinajpur districts in the next 24 hours. The rain is likely to decrease from Thursday onwards.
Seema Samridhi, the lawyer who fought for justice in the Nirbhaya case and is also fighting the case of the Hathras rape and murder victim, will now take up the Manish Gupta murder case.

Manish Gupta, a businessman, was allegedly killed during a police raid in a Gorakhpur hotel last month and six policemen have been arrested in the matter.

Seema said that she will fight the case of Manish Gupta without taking any fees. She said the wife of the deceased Manish had requested her for help. She said she will try to get the case transferred to Delhi since the Uttar Pradesh Police personnel are involved in the matter.

Meanwhile, Meenakshi Gupta, widow of the slain businessman, said that despite the state government's recommendation, the CBI has not yet started investigations.

"Now I am preparing to file a petition in the Supreme Court. I do not want to get the investigation done by the Lucknow unit of CBI. In the petition, I will ask for investigation by the Delhi unit of CBI," she told reporters.

Meenakshi also said that she has no complaint against the SIT which is presently probing the case.

"SIT is doing its job but the Gorakhpur police is hell bent on destroying the evidence. If important evidence is destroyed, it will weaken the case and the accused policemen will not be punished for their sins as they should be," she added.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has already given financial help to the family and a job as OSD in Kanpur Development Authority to Meenakshi Gupta.
Amid reports of migrants fleeing from the Kashmir Valley after targeted killings by the terrorists, Congress leader Manish Tewari on Wednesday cautioned the government and asked not to allow the repeat of 1990 when Kashmiri Pandits had to flee and the government could not provide security.

In a statement on Wednesday he said, "I urge the Prime Minister and Home Minister Amit Shah, do not Under any circumstances allow this ethnic cleansing by another name to take place".

He blamed that the situation has arisen due to the abrogation of Article 370. "Provide security and give confidence to migrant workers. Some will die. That is COST unfortunately for the August 5, 2019 folly. Don't let 1990 repeat itself."

He said Punjab was brought back from the brink because the Punjabi Hindus stood their ground and never fled in fear. Hundreds of Hindus were pulled out of buses and trains and shot but they never baulked. They suffered but never surrendered, he added.

"In Kashmir we are surrendering to Terrorists."

"This is ethnic cleansing by another name. In 1990 BJP & communist parties supported VP Singh who made a cardinal error by not providing security to Kashmiri Pandits. In 2021, same mistake is being made again by facilitating departure of migrant workers," Tewari said in a statement.

Tewari's comments came after terrorists killed 11 non-local individuals in the Valley in the last 16 days. Due to this an atmosphere of fear has been created there leading to the exodus of migrants.

Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and informed him about the steps taken by the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the Union Home Ministry to improve the security situation there. The two leaders discussed the atmosphere of fear created due to targeted killings by terrorists in Kashmir. The Home Minister also informed the Prime Minister about the exodus of fear driven migrants from the Valley.
In an apparent embarrassment for the Congress, its legislator Joginder Pal in Punjab allegedly assaulted a man who questioned him over the work done in the constituency.

A video of the incident has gone viral on social media.

The video shows the legislator, dressed in a white kurta, talking about the development works carried out by him in his Boha constituency in Pathankot district.

When he was publically confronted by the villagers about what exactly has he done for the welfare of the constituency, the legislator was seen trying to beat up villagers.

He can be seen beating up the man who asked, "What have you really done?"

Responding to the development, Home Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said the MLA should not have behaved in this fashion.

"We are the people's representatives and here to serve them," Randhawa said.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been detained by Lucknow Police at the Lucknow Expressway while she was travelling to Agra to meet the family of a Dalit man who died in police custody.

Her car was stopped at the first toll plaza on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway.

Earlier this month, Priyanka had been detained in Sitapur while she was on her way to Lakhimpur to meet families of farmers killed on October 3.

After she was stopped, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted: "What is the government so afraid of? Arun Valmiki died in police custody. His family is seeking justice. I want to visit that family. What is the Uttar Pradesh government afraid of? Why am I being stopped? Today is Lord Valmiki Jayanti... Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke big on Buddha but this is attacking his message."

The police spokesman said that the Congress leader was stopped as she did not have the requisite permissions.

Chaotic visuals from the scene went viral on the social media showing Priyanka Gandhi surrounded by a number of people, including policemen, as she tried to make her way past the blockade.

Another visual showed a police official standing in front of her vehicle, with both hands placed firmly on the hood.

In a video of the conversation between the Congress leader and the police, she can be heard asking: "Wherever I go, do I have to ask for permission?" to which the officer says it is a "law and order issue".

In another visual, Priyanka Gandhi is seen posing for selfies with a few women police officers as party workers can be heard shouting in the background.

Earlier on Wednesday, Arun Valmiki, a 'safai karamchari', who had been arrested in connection with the theft of Rs 25 lakh from the police strong room, died after his health deteriorated during interrogation.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Agra Muniraj G said he fell sick on Tuesday night while a raid was being carried out at his house. He was then taken to a hospital but doctors declared him dead, he said.

Arun was accused of stealing the money on Saturday night from a building that served as the police station's evidence locker, and where he worked as a cleaner.

Arun's family claimed that he died due to custodial torture.
An application was submitted to the Ventura County Planning Department to for a new operator to reopen the notorious Santa Clara Waste Water Treatment plant, the Mission Rock Road facility that exploded into toxic flames almost five years ago.

An application was submitted to the Ventura County Planning Department to for a new operator to reopen the notorious Santa Clara Waste Water Treatment plant, the Mission Rock Road facility that exploded into toxic flames almost five years ago.



The applicant, Ri-Nu Environmental Services, had close business ties to the previous owner of the plant as well as its top executive, who were arrested and prosecuted for the Nov. 18, 2014 fire and explosions.

Nine company officials and employees as well as the corporate entities tied to Santa Clara Waste Water faced a variety of felony criminal charges stemming from the explosion at the wastewater facility, located at west of Santa Paula.

More than 50 people were injured either from the initial blast or from exposure to toxic chemicals, including three Santa Paula Fire Fighters; two were forced into retirement due to their injuries. A city of Santa Paula public works employee that later was exposed to the fire departments contaminated engine was also harmed and later forced into retirement due to respiratory illness and other effects.

At about 3:45 a.m., a still unknown chemical blew out of the back of a vacuum truck, spewing the substance throughout the area. Although located in the unincorporated area, Santa Paula Fire was first on the scene and told by a company employee that the material was harmless sewage. The firefighters had to walk through the gooey liquid to reach a victim who had been severely injured. Ventura County Fire also responded, and as the substance dried the boots of firefighters who had walked in it started to ignite. When Santa Paula firefighters tried to move their engine, the tires exploded and toxic smoke engulfed them in the cab.

A toxic cloud formed over the facility that ignited and spread to chemicals stored on the ground in totes. The cloud grew to three-miles in length and Highway 126 was closed; those within a half-mile of the plant, including Briggs School, were evacuated while sheltering in place was ordered for those living within a four-mile radius of the explosion site.

The explosion received national media attention as representatives from county, state and federal agencies  including Homeland Security  set up a camp in a parking that remained open until January.

In August 2015, at the conclusion of a three-week grand jury investigation where more than 67 witnesses testified  or in the case of SCWW personnel, refused to testify  company officials and employees were arrested and with the corporate entities they were charged with 71 felonies and misdemeanors. The charges ranged from creating a threat to public health and safety, conspiracy to dispose of hazardous waste, conspiracy to commit a crime, failure to warn of serious concealed danger, handling hazardous waste with reckless disregard to withholding information regarding a substantial threat to public safety and causing impairment to an employees body, among others that included filing false documents and forgery.

Timothy J. Koziol of applicant Ri-Nu has been making the rounds in the Santa Paula, meeting with councilmembers along with the companys consultant Sandy Smith  a former Ventura City Councilman  of Sespe Consulting.

Koziols company, according to Ventura County Planning Commissions notice, is seeking the reinstatement and modification to the Conditional Use Permit 960 to authorize the continued operation of, expansion of, and various operational changes to the existing non-hazardous Community Sewage Treatment Facility.

There is no existing non-hazardous treatment facility as Santa Clara Waste Water has been shut down since the explosion. There were several stabs to reopen the facility; in March 2015, an Oxnard Chamber of Commerce Open House was staged and visitors given hardhats to tour the grounds.

In a June 2010 story it was noted that General Environmental Management Inc., which the article stated owned and operated Southern California Waste Water the mother ship of SCWW, had signed an exclusive marketing agreement for Petromax.

The article noted that CEO of GEVI, Timothy J. Koziol, called this alternate technology useful in both fracking and destroying oil deposits in tanks.

The CSO of GEVI was Doug Edwards, and he encountered further criminal charges when it was learned in March 2016, about 18 months following the explosion, that unreported totes of highly dangerous Petromax were concealed at SCWWand even had been stored illegally on property leased from the city adjoining a residential area where it had been moved temporarily.

Also charged in that incident was SCWW CEO William Mitzel, who had replaced Edwards after the explosion when he became chairman of the board.

An August 2009 article about GEVIs management team noted that Timothy J. Koziol was CEO and Chairman and Bill Mitzel the COO and President. The environmental document to reopen the plant is out for review until June 6.

In many peoples minds the blast not only rocked the waste facility but also the system of oversight of such processing facilities when it was learned that neighbors had been reporting problems at SCWW for a year before the explosion.

Were concerned for our safety, said a nearby business owner and resident who asked that their name be withheld.

At the very least, Our quality of life will be in question, from negative impacts ranging from 24-hour traffic experienced before when the plant was operating, noise, horrible odors, and road use.

Our safety will also be in question because we dont trust that what they do on site is what they are supposed to do  look what happened back in 2014who will monitor their activity? We dont need another situation created like before.
Northbrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/20/2021 -- The global digital oilfield market size is expected to grow from an estimated USD 24.3 billion in 2021 to USD 32.0 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 5.6%, during the forecast period. The key drivers for the digital oilfield market include new technological advancements in oil & gas industry; increased return on investment in oil & gas industry; and growing need for maximizing production potential from mature wells.



The production optimization segment is expected to hold the largest share of the digital oilfield market.



The production optimization held the largest share of the digital oilfield market, by process in 2020. The growth of the production optimization segment is driven by the need to improve production efficiency. The market for the production optimization in Europe is expected to grow at the 5.8% CAGR during the forecast period.



Download PDF Brochure:

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=904



Europe is expected to be the largest market during the forecast period.



Europe accounted for the largest share of the global digital oilfield market in 2020. The scope of the European market includes the UK, Norway, Russia, and the Rest of Europe. The Rest of Europe includes Denmark, Italy, and Germany, among others. According to the International Energy Agency, the total crude oil produced by the region in 2019 was 17.1 million barrels per day, which declined by 0.05% as compared to 2018. Moreover, new explorations and field development activities are increasing, thus increasing the opportunities for developing new fields digitally.



Moreover, Europe is a leading region for offshore activities as the oil operators and oilfield service (OFS) providers are targeting the new fields and reserves from the UK and Norwegian continental shelf. For instance, Equinor, a Norwegian oil upstream operator, explored oil in the Johan Sverdrup field, which was under development, and started production in 2019. In the Johan Sverdrup, Equinor awarded a contract to Alcatel Submarine for reservoir management. Such projects create a strong market for digital oilfields in Europe. As per the BP Statistical Review 2020, Russia and Norway held approximately 72.2% of the total oil reserves in the European region in 2019. As per the EIA, countries such as Russia, France, Ukraine, and Poland have considerable shale gas resources, and further development of these reserves in these countries is expected to drive the growth of the digital oilfield market in the region. According to Baker Hughes' Worldwide Rig Count report for March 2019, the rig count in the European region had observed a consistent growth from the last six months. This growth trend creates opportunities for the digitalization of more oil fields in the region. Also, the rising Brent prices and the demand for the Brent basket are driving the digitalization of oil fields in Europe. Digitalization helps in creating an accurate analysis of the data, thus decreasing the time of production from the wells.



The European Unconventional Oil and Gas Assessment (EUGOA) study incorporates data for a total of 82 shale formations within 38 geological basins covering 21 countries of Europe. These untapped sources create opportunities for new field developments in the region, which will demand the digitalization of the oil fields. The European Union has also revised its offshore regulatory regime and incorporated new regulations on the safety of oil and gas operations. According to the new regulations, the oil & gas companies are mandated to submit a special report before commencing any offshore drilling operations in the region on the major possible hazards that their operations may have on the environment.



Request Sample Pages:

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=904



The key players in the Digital Oilfield Market include companies such as Halliburton (US), Schlumberger (US), Baker Hughes (US), Weatherford International (US), and NOV (US).



About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions.



Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model  GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve.



MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledgestore" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets.



Contact:

Mr. Aashish Mehra

MarketsandMarkets INC.

630 Dundee Road

Suite 430

Northbrook, IL 60062

USA: 1-888-600-6441

Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com

Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/digital-oilfield.asp
Northbrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/19/2021 -- The report "Industrial Gaskets Market by Material Type (Semi-metallic, Non-metallic, and Metallic) , Product Type (Soft, Spiral Wound, Ring Joint, Kammprofile, Jacketed, Corrugated, and Others), End-Use Industry, and Region - Global Forecast to 2025", The global industrial gaskets market size is estimated at USD 9.0 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 11.6 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 5.2%.



Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=247925347



The demand for industrial gaskets is rising, owing to the stringent leakage regulations implemented by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and also because of increasing oil production in GCC countries. Also, rise in number of refineries in APAC is providing opportunity for this market. However, the volatility of raw material prices for the manufacturing of industrial gaskets is challenging the market. Furthermore, the increasing demand for treated water in emerging provide growth opportunities to the market. On the other hand, the consumption of low cost asbestos based gaskets in emerging countries is restraining the growth of the industrial gaskets market.



Based on the material type, the semi metallic segment is estimated to lead the overall industrial gaskets market in 2020.

Semi-metallic is the largest segment in the overall industrial gaskets market. Semi-metallic gaskets can be fabricated using any metal which is available in thin strip or sheet form, and which can be welded. These gaskets can be used against any corrosive medium depending on the required metal and filler/facing material. These gaskets are suitable for medium and high pressure applications.



Speak to Analyst @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=247925347



Based on product type, soft gaskets to be largest segment of industrial gaskets market in 2020.

Soft gaskets will account for the largest share of the industrial gaskets market in 2020 followed by spiral wound gaskets, kammprofile gaskets, ring joint gaskets and others. This is because it is the most preferred product type in various end-use industries, which include refinery, power generation, chemical processing and food processing. In addition, it offers low-cost advantage compared to other gaskets which helps in accelerating their demand globally. A soft gasket material can be selected from a large variety of elastomers, compressed non-asbestos, PTFE, flexible graphite, and high-temperature sheet products. These gaskets are used in a wide range of applications such as pipe flanges, heat exchangers, compressors, and bonnet valves.



Based on end-use industry, the refinery to be the largest consumer of industrial gaskets.

Refineries accounted for the largest share of the industrial gaskets market in 2019. These gaskets are used in critical sealing applications in the refining industry, under high temperature, and in high-pressure environments to prevent the leakage of hazardous media. Industrial gaskets are used extensively in the refining industry to provide reliable sealing and adhere to the leakage regulations set by regulatory authorities. The use of industrial gaskets in this industry also enhances operational efficiency by reducing expenses on maintenance, monitoring, and repairs.



Based on region, APAC is estimated to lead the industrial gaskets market in 2020.



APAC is estimated to be the largest and the fastest-growing industrial gaskets market during the forecast period. The growth of the market in this region is primarily attributed to the rapidly growing population, urbanization, and industrialization. Moreover, growing demand for energy are leading to an increasing demand for industrial gaskets from end-use industries and driving the industrial gaskets market in APAC.



In addition, an increase in R&D investments is also one of the factors driving thedemand for industrial gaskets market in APAC.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic is expected to impact the various industries globally. Due to lockdown, many refineries, chemical processing, and food & pharamceuticals industries were halted. Governments of different countries are keeping a close watch on the disruption and taking every necessary step to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 by promoting various industries. Between 2019 and 2020, the industrial gaskets market witnessed a low growth rate due to COVID-19 and the consequent complete lockdown worldwide. This has led to a decrease in the demand for fuels globally, leading to reduced production in oil refineries. Therefore, in 2020, the industrial gaskets market is expected to witness a dip.



The key players in the industrial gaskets market include Klinger (Austria), Teadit (US), Flexitallic (US), Garlock (US), W.L.Gore (US), Spira Power (UAE), Lamons (US), Donit (Slovenia), Goodrich Gasket (India), and James Walker (UK). These players have established a strong foothold in the market by adopting strategies, such as investments & expansions, and mergers & acquisitions.



Get 10% Customization on this Report @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=247925347



About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions.



Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model  GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve.



MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledgestore" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets.



Contact:

Mr. Aashish Mehra

MarketsandMarkets INC.

630 Dundee Road

Suite 430

Northbrook, IL 60062

USA : 1-888-600-6441

sales@marketsandmarkets.com
Around 4.567 billion years ago, our Solar System harbored a gap within the protoplanetary disk, near the location where the main asteroid belt resides today, and likely shaped the composition of the planets, according to a study led by MIT scientists.

Over the last decade, observations have shown that cavities, gaps, and rings are common in disks around other young stars, said Professor Benjamin Weiss, a researcher in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at MIT.

These are important but poorly understood signatures of the physical processes by which gas and dust transform into the young Sun and planets.

Over the last decade, planetary scientists have observed a curious split in the composition of meteorites.

These space rocks originally formed at different times and locations as the Solar System was taking shape.

Those that have been analyzed exhibit one of two isotope combinations. Rarely have meteorites been found to exhibit both  a conundrum known as the isotopic dichotomy.

Scientists have proposed that this dichotomy may be the result of a gap in the early Solar Systems disk, but such a gap has not been directly confirmed.

Professor Weiss and colleagues analyze meteorites for signs of ancient magnetic fields.

As a young planetary system takes shape, it carries with it a magnetic field, the strength and direction of which can change depending on various processes within the evolving disk.

As ancient dust gathered into grains known as chondrules, electrons within chondrules aligned with the magnetic field in which they formed.

Chondrules can be smaller than the diameter of a human hair, and are found in meteorites today.

The researchers specializes in measuring chondrules to identify the ancient magnetic fields in which they originally formed.

In previous work, they analyzed samples from one of the two isotopic groups of meteorites, known as the noncarbonaceous meteorites.

These rocks are thought to have originated in a reservoir, or region of the early Solar System, relatively close to the Sun.

They previously identified the ancient magnetic field in samples from this close-in region.

In the new study, they wondered whether the magnetic field would be the same in the second isotopic, carbonaceous group of meteorites, which, judging from their isotopic composition, are thought to have originated farther out in the Solar System.

They analyzed chondrules, each measuring about 100 microns, from two carbonaceous meteorites that were discovered in Antarctica.

Using the superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), they determined each chondrules original, ancient magnetic field.

Surprisingly, they found that their field strength was stronger than that of the closer-in noncarbonaceous meteorites they previously measured.

As young planetary systems are taking shape, scientists expect that the strength of the magnetic field should decay with distance from the Sun.

In contrast, the authors found the far-out chondrules had a stronger magnetic field, of about 100 microteslas, compared to a field of 50 microteslas in the closer chondrules. For reference, the Earths magnetic field today is around 50 microteslas.

A planetary systems magnetic field is a measure of its accretion rate, or the amount of gas and dust it can draw into its center over time

Based on the carbonaceous chondrules magnetic field, the Solar Systems outer region must have been accreting much more mass than the inner region.

Using models to simulate various scenarios, the team concluded that the most likely explanation for the mismatch in accretion rates is the existence of a gap between the inner and outer regions, which could have reduced the amount of gas and dust flowing toward the sun from the outer regions.

Gaps are common in protoplanetary systems, and we now show that we had one in our own Solar System, said Caue Borlina, a graduate student in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences at MIT.

This gives the answer to this weird dichotomy we see in meteorites, and provides evidence that gaps affect the composition of planets.

The findings were published in the journal Science Advances.

_____

Caue S. Borlina et al. 2021. Paleomagnetic evidence for a disk substructure in the early Solar System. Science Advances 7 (42); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abj6928
TruScreen Group Limited (NZX/ASX: TRU) (TRU or the Company) is pleased to inform the market of a study conducted in China, the results of which indicate that TruScreens cervical cancer screening technology has demonstrated to be an effective alternative to cervical cytology.

TruScreen matches or outperforms cytology for cervical screening

A recently published study conducted in China has confirmed the efficacy of TruScreens cervical cancer screening devices versus human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, cytological testing using the ThinPrep cytology test (TCT). The study recruited 458 women aged between 25 and 65 years, who received cervical cancer screening using all three methods. The clinical performance of TruScreen, alone and in combination with HPV testing, was evaluated to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+ or CIN3+).

The study concluded that for detection of CIN2+, the sensitivity and specificity of TruScreen were 83.78% and 78.86%, respectively. The specificity of TruScreen was significantly higher than those of HPV testing (50.59%, P < 0.001) and TCT (55.58%, P < 0.001). In high-risk HPV-positive women, the specificity of HPV testing combined with TruScreen was significantly higher than that of HPV testing combined with TCT (50% vs 39.9%, P = 0.004). Importantly, the sensitivity of HPV testing combined with TruScreen was comparable to that of HPV testing combined with TCT (93.94% vs 87.88%, P = 0.625). Similar patterns were also observed for CIN3+, demonstrating that TruScreen could be an alternative method to cytology.

Key findings of the study are outlined in the table below. For CIN2+, TruScreen had specificity of 78.86%, significantly higher than both HPV testing and TCT (50.59% and 55.58% respectively). TruScreens sensitivity of 83.78% was comparable to HPV testing and once again significantly higher than TCT (89.19% and 55.58% respectively).

The PPV for TruScreen (25.83%) was significantly higher than those for HPV testing (13.69%) and TCT (12.62%). TruScreens NPV figure (98.22%) was similar to that of HPV testing (98.16%) and TCT (95.90%). Similar trends were apparent for results reported for CIN3+ cases.

In women who were high-risk HPV-positive, the specificity of HPV combined with TruScreen was 50% (HPV + TCT 39.9%) the sensitivity for HPV and TruScreen combined was 93.94% (HPV + TCT 87.88%).

The study concluded that TruScreen has the potential for screening high-grade cervical precancerous lesions and may replace cytological tests as a cervical cancer screening method in China. TruScreen minimises the inherit subjectivity of interpretation of cytological tests and the dependency on pathology infrastructure.

Please see the link below for details

Clinical Trial Results Highlight Efficacy of TruScreen Cancer Screening Technology

Source: TruScreen Group Limited

Comments from our readers

No comments yet

Add your comment:

Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process.

Related News:

19th November 2021 Morning Report

Ryman Healthcare Limited (NZX: RYM) unaudited first half underlying profit of $95.9m

Steel & Tube Holdings Limited (NZX: STU) Earnings Guidance 1H FY22

My Food Bag Group Limited (NZX: MFB) achieves record earnings; confirms dividend

Turners Automotive Group Limited (NZX: TRA) delivers 24% increase in HY22 earnings

AFT Pharmaceuticals Limited (NZX: AFT) reaffirms guidance and progresses growth plan

18th November 2021 Morning Report

Blis Technologies Limited (NZX: BLT) Challenging market conditions in US impact half year result

EROAD Limited (NZX: ERD) NZ Commerce Commission Clears Coretex Acquisition

NZME Limited (NZX: NZM) Digital acceleration delivering on NZME's 2023 strategy


Page Content

The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley extends his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Sint Maartens 74th COVID-19 victim, who has passed away. Peace and healing go out to the family.





As of October 19th, there were eight (8) persons who tested positive for COVID-19; however six (6) persons have recovered; bringing the total active cases to forty seven (47). The total number of confirmed cases is now four thousand four hundred fifty six (4456).





The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) are monitoring forty five (45) people in home isolation. Two (2) patients remain hospitalized at the St. Maarten Medical Center. The total number of deaths due to COVID-19 has increased to seventy four (74).





The number of people recovered since the first case surfaced on St. Maarten has increased to four thousand three hundred thirty five (4335). Thirty six (36) people are in quarantine based on contact tracing investigations carried out by CPS.





The total number of persons tested is 58,955.





As the numbers continue to fluctuate, CPS will continue to actively execute its contact tracing measures.





Minister Ottley urges persons who are experiencing flu like symptoms to come forward for testing.
Page Content

The Ministry of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning, and Infrastructure (Ministry of VROMI) is advising against beach going activities at the Great Bay Beach for the next few days due to the temporary opening of the Great Bay Channel which took place at 6:00PM October 18, 2021, through 12:00AM midnight.





The decision to open the Great Bay Channel was taken to mitigate potential flooding due to frequent torrential rain over the past few days, as part of the ministry's water management activities to avoid hazardous water levels at the Salt and Fresh Water Ponds.





As such, opening of the Rolandus Canal will commence as of October 20th, 2021, until Friday 22nd October, during the hours of 6:00PM through 12:00AM midnight in order to lower the water level of the Great Salt Pond.





Ministry of VROMI therefore cautions against any and all water activities at the Great Bay Beach during the aforementioned times. Beach activities can resume as of 8:00AM the following day.
Controversy surrounds the Indian role in Trincomalee oil tank farm and the stealthy US investment in the energy sector. Sri Lanka seems to be utterly disorganised in its dealings with foreign powers as well as investors.

by Shamindra Ferdinando

Against the backdrop of escalating tensions between the US and China, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane arrived in Colombo on Oct 12 on a five-day visit. The Indian Army website announced the visit on Oct 12. The announcement headlined CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF PROCEEDS ON A VISIT TO SRI LANKA dealt with the former IPKF (Indian Peace Keeping Force) members first visit here as the Chief of Army Staff.

General Naravanes visit coincided with the second phase of Malabar exercise in the Bay of Bengal off Visakhapatnam. The 25th edition of the exercise involved navies of the US, India, Japan and Australia. It was the 25th edition of the naval exercise, which began as a bilateral exercise between India and the U.S. way back in 1992, two years after the IPKF quit Sri Lanka. The first phase of Malabar exercise was held in August near Guam. The US Navy hosted it. Japan joined the Malabar exercise in 2015 and Australia followed in 2020.

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue aka Quad consists of those countries participating in the Malabar exercise. It would be pertinent to mention that Quad suffered quite a serious setback at the beginning. Australia quit the alliance during Premier Kevin Rudds tenure (Dec 2007 to June 2010) though Australia returned to the US-led grouping with the change of government in 2010. Australia joined the Malabar exercise much later.

General Naravanes visit here should be studied taking into consideration Quad alliances overall interest in Sri Lanka vis-a-vis much stronger China-Sri Lanka relations. In spite of Sri Lanka repeatedly vowing neutrality in its foreign policy, the Quad is seriously concerned about Chinese intentions here. Chinese strategy remains on track regardless of hindrance caused by the yahapalana administration. The finalisation of 99-year-lease on the Hambantota port in 2017 at the expense of Sri Lankas national interest underscored the Chinese capacity to turn even die- hard pro-western governments.

Mahinda Samarasinghe, who signed the controversial agreement on the Hambantota port, in his then capacity as Ports and Shipping Minister (SLFP) on behalf of the then yahapalana government recently received appointment as the countrys top envoy in Washington.

Samarasinghe gave up his Kalutara district parliamentary seat to replace career diplomat Ravinatha Aryasinghe, who retired from service. Samarasinghes predecessor, Arjuna Ranatunge quit the ministerial post as he didnt want to sign the Hambantota agreement which he called a sellout. Interestingly, another former minister Milinda Moragoda recently received appointment as Sri Lankas High Commissioner in New Delhi. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa went ahead with Moragodas appointment with a rather unusual ministerial rank, regardless of strong opposition from some of those who had backed him and the SLPP at the 2019 and 2020 presidential and parliamentary polls, respectively. Some of those opposed to Moragoda went to the extent of complaining to the Parliamentary High Posts Committee chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena. Their protests were ignored. Moragoda, who had served both Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa governments as a Cabinet minister, entered active politics from the UNP.

Quad is determined to keep Sri Lanka under its influence. High level visits from New Delhi are part of their overall strategy. Struggling to cope up with a range of domestic issues, including unprecedented increase in prices of essential items and services, in addition to a serious balance of payments crisis, Sri Lanka is vulnerable to foreign interventions. Recent disclosure of offshore financial dealings of former parliamentarian Nirupama Rajapaksa and her husband, Thirikumar Nadesan, has not made things easier for the Rajapaksa administration.

Visitors from New Delhi

Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla undertook an official visit to Colombo from Oct 2-5. The Defence Attache of the German Embassy in New Delhi, accredited to Sri Lanka, Captain Gerald Koch, called on the Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, at the Navy Headquarters, on Oct 05. Deputy Ambassador of the German Embassy in Colombo, Olaf Malchow, Deputy Defence Attache of the German Embassy in New Delhi, Lieutenant Colonel Jan Cihar and Political and Protocol Officer at the German Embassy in Colombo Ms. Dharini Daluwatte, accompanied them. The Defence Attache of the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi, and accredited to Sri Lanka, Colonel Assaf Mahler, called on the Commander of the Navy, VA Ulugetenne at the Navy Headquarters on Oct 06. The Defence Attache of the French Embassy in New Delhi and accredited to Sri Lanka, Captain Yves LE CORRE paid a courtesy call on Navy Commander Ulugetenne at the Navy Headquarters also on Oct 06. Deputy Head of Mission, Aurelien Maillet at the French Embassy in Colombo, Deputy Defence Attache of the French Embassy in New Delhi, Group Captain Norbert GAINE, Navy Commissioner, Roberto LEMOS and Mr. Jean Baptiste TROUCHE from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defence Attaches Assistant, Adjutant Cedric FOURNIER were also present on the occasion.

Two Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) ships, helicopter carrier JS Kaga with a planned conversion into an aircraft carrier and destroyer JS Murasame visited the Colombo harbour on their way to join the Malabar exercise in the Bay of Bengal. The statement issued by the Japanese Embassy in Colombo regarding the ship visits didnt mention their participation in the US-led exercise. The Japanese vessels left Colombo on Oct 4. Since Sri Lanka and Japan entered into a Comprehensive Partnership on Oct 1, 2015, there had been over 30 Japanese ship visits to the Colombo and Trincomalee harbours. Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera during an unprecedented visit in August 2018, declared in spite of the leasing of Hambantota port there was an agreement that the port remains free of military activities. Onedera was quoted as having said this after meeting President Sirisena and Premier Wickremesinghe. Onedera said he raised the Chinese issue with Sri Lanka. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa held a teleconference with Japanese Defence Minister Kishi Nobuo in July this year.

While Gen Naravane paid floral tribute to the IPKF war memorial at Pelawatte, Battaramulla, and subsequently observed joint exercise Mitra Shakthi VIII at the Maduru Oya Special Forces Training School (SFTS) grounds, Chief of Naval Staff, Indian Navy, Admiral Karambir Singh interacted with the US Navy in the Bay of Bengal. Chief of US Naval Operations Admiral Michael Gilday hosted Admiral Karambir Singh and 11 other senior military officials aboard the nuclear-powered Nimitz-class aircraft carrier Carl Vinson in the Bay of Bengal.

This visit to Carl Vinson during Malabar was an important opportunity to see first-hand the integration between our two navies at-sea, Adm Gilday said in a statement issued by the U.S. Navy. By our navies continuing to exercise together, as we are doing right now alongside Japanese and Australian naval forces, there is no doubt our partnership will only continue to grow. Cooperation, when applied with naval power, promotes freedom and peace, and prevents coercion, intimidation and aggression.

At Maduru Oya an all arms contingent of 120 Jawans and an equal number of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment concluded the exercise on Oct 15 that commenced on Oct.3

During the deployment of the IPKF (July 1987-March 1990), the then Captain Naravane had served in Trincomalee. The Indian Army website merely stated that Naravane, commissioned in The Sikh Light Infantry Regiment in Jun 1980, had been part of the IPKF in Sri Lanka.

The detections made by the Navy in the seas off Point Pedro and Vettilaikerni during Gen. Naravanes visit highlighted the problems caused by Indian fishers brazenly invading Sri Lankan waters. The detections led to the arrest of 23 Indian poachers along with two fishing vessels engaged in bottom trawling on Oct 13, the day after General Naravanes arrival. Quad member India has the wherewithal to thwart large scale crossings across the Indo-Lanka maritime boundary though it continues to turn a blind eye.

The threat posed by Covid-19 gave the Indian fishing fleet an opportunity to poach quite freely in Sri Lankan waters. The Navy apprehended five fishing vessels along with 54 Indian poachers on March 24, 2021. That was the detection made prior to it limiting operations due to the Covid threat.

Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda, during a meeting he had with Indian FS Shringla, raised the contentious issue of large scale destructive poaching on an industrial scale. Interestingly, statements issued by both India and Sri Lanka conveniently refrained from commenting on the issue at hand. However, Fisheries Ministry briefed the media regarding the problem of large scale poaching by Indian fishermen affecting the livelihoods of their counterparts here. Minister Devananda should receive the appreciation of all Sri Lankans for taking up the issue at hand. During his meeting with Shringla, Devananda, who had been among those who received terrorist training, courtesy India in the early 80s, complained about massive continuing destruction caused by the Indian fishing fleet, particularly through bottom trawling, a practice banned world over. Devananda has explained the immeasurable losses caused by destructive methods adopted by the Indian fishing fleet in Sri Lankan territorial waters. In spite of a series of talks between India and Sri Lanka, industrial scale poaching continues unabated much to the disappointment of the Northern and Eastern Province Tamil speaking community. About a week after his meeting with Shringla, Devananda took up the issue with the visiting senior BJP politician Subramanian Swamy. Devananda subsequently told the media Swamy, who serves as a nominated Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament acknowledged the need to curb Indian poaching.

Focus on energy security

Two other issues that had received much media attention were the future of the Trincomalee oil tank farm, with the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) and Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila trading accusations over the status of the strategic assets and the controversial agreement with US-based New Fortress Energy Inc. The company has declared that it struck a deal with Sri Lanka to supply 1.2 million gallons of liquefied natural gas to supply a plant it is planning to buy a stake in and others. In a statement dated Sept 21, New Fortress said they had executed a definitive agreement to invest in West Coast Power Ltd, a firm in which the government has a controlling stake, but operations and maintenance is done by a private company.

Controversy surrounds the Indian role in Trincomalee oil tank farm and the stealthy US investment in the energy sector. Sri Lanka seems to be utterly disorganised in its dealings with foreign powers as well as investors. A glaring case in point is the Trincomalee oil tank farm. Gammanpila insisted that in terms of an agreement the then UNP-led UNF signed on Feb.07, 2003 those 99 oil tanks had been handed over to India, whereas SJB lawmaker Kabir Hashim says only 15 were handed over and they, too, would be returned to Sri Lanka in 2023. The Finance Ministry should set the record straight. Lawmaker Hashim, one-time Chairman of the UNP is on record as having claimed their government only signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in respect of 15 oil tanks, while Gammanpila demanded in Parliament that MoU be presented. Gammanpila believes Indian agents and their puppets are working overtime to thwart his plans to regain the oil tank farm.

Shringla, accompanied by Indian High Commissioner in Colombo Gopal Baglay, visited the Lanka IOC facility. It was Baglays second visit there this year. Eldos Mathew Punnoose, Head  Press, Information and Development Cooperation at the Indian High Commission in Colombo, dealt with a range of issues taken up during the high profile visit. Referring to Shringlas visits to Kandy, Trincomalee and Jaffna, signifying their cultural, economic and historical importance, respectively, the Indian HC spokesperson said: In Kandy, the visiting Foreign Secretary offered prayers at the Sri Dalada Maligawa. In Trincomalee, the Foreign Secretary visited the Oil Tank Farms, a symbol of the potential and strong energy partnership between the two countries, where LIOC briefed him about the development undertaken by it at the Lower Tank Farms and its advantages to Sri Lankas economy. During his visit to Jaffna, the Foreign Secretary inspected the Jaffna Cultural Centre and interacted with the Governor of the Northern Province, several Members of Parliament, academicians and business leaders.

The Federation of National Organisation (FNO) recently complained to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against the agreement with New Fortress. The FNO that backed the SLPP at the 2019 presidential and 2020 parliamentary election called for an investigation into the conduct of the Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle. The civil society organisation questioned the responsibility on the part of the Cabinet of ministers in signing the agreement with New Fortress. Having lodged a complaint with the CIABOC, FNO convener Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera told the media, waiting outside, that the US energy deal should be examined against the backdrop of continuing confrontation between Quad and China. Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith and Ven Elle Gunawansa moving the Supreme Court against the New Fortress deal must have surprised the government.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Alaina Teplitz in April this year warned Sri Lanka of unplanned consequences of nefarious actors, who may try to misuse a China-funded Colombo Port Citys easy business rules as a permissive money laundering haven amid concerns of tax leaks. Any legislation relating to the Port City has to be considered very carefully for its economic impact, Teplitz told a selected group of journalists in an online discussion. And, of course among those unintended consequences could be creating a haven for money launderers and other sorts of nefarious actors to take advantage of what was perceived as a permissive business environment for activities that would actually be illegal.

In spite of on and off protests/opposition, both in and out of Parliament, India and China have quite successfully pursued their strategies. The recently concluded agreement on the proposed Colombo Ports Western Container Terminal (WCT) can be cited as an example of the successful Indian strategy. After intense protests derailed previous plans to invest in the East Container Terminal (ECT), Indias Adani Group late last month sealed a deal with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to build, develop and run the proposed WCT.

India is the second foreign port operator in Sri Lanka. China secured a terminal at the Colombo port during Mahinda Rajapaksas tenure as the President. Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd., (CICT) is a joint venture Company between China Merchants Port Holdings Co., Ltd. (CMPort) and the SLPA. China holds 85% of the partnership whereas the balance 15% is held by SLPA. At the Hambantota port, too, China took 85% while the SLPA retained 15%. Now the agreement with Adani Group, too, has been finalised on the same lines with the SLPA given 15 % while Adani Group and its local agent John Keells Holdings shared the remaining stake 51 % and 34%, respectively.

This should be examined against the backdrop of the SLPA signing a memorandum of cooperation in May 2019 with India and Japan to develop the ECT during the previous Sirisena government. The Colombo Port trade unions opposed that proposal to give investors from India and Japan 49 % stake in the ETC and Sri Lanka to hold 51%. They demanded the ECT to remain 100 percent owned by the SLPA as opposed to the 51 percent. Now, the SLPA has ended up with just 15% at the WCT.

It would be relevant to stress that John Keells Holdings is among the consortium of companies that own the successful SAGT (South Asia Gateway Terminal) , the first shipping sector PPP (Public Private Partnership) established in 1999 during the Kumaratunga presidency. The primary stakeholders are Danish A.P. Moller Group and John Keells Holdings. Now, John Keells Holdings has expanded its influence by joining Adani Group in the proposed WCT project. Like at CICT and Hambantota projects, SLPA has received 15% of shares.

Time has come for the country to review the entire gamut of issues in respect of foreign investments and related matters. Examination of existing agreements prove that whoever in power had struck agreements in a way severely inimical to the national interest, but to the benefit of those responsible and accountable for ensuring the countrys best interest. Parliament should wake up.
Yossi Alpher is an independent security analyst. He is the former director of the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University, a former senior official with the Mossad, and a former IDF intelligence officer. Views and positions expressed here are those of the writer.

Q: What is shrinking the [Israeli-Palestinian] conflict and why is it being talked about these days?

A: The concept of shrinking the conflict is based on the assumption--its proponents would say recognition--that there is no near-term prospect of a Palestinian-Israeli end-of-conflict agreement. Accordingly, it makes sense for Israel, the United States and others to look for ways to reduce the profile and intensity of the conflict in order to improve the lives of West Bank Palestinians and thereby render actual conflict less likely. Ultimately, in the long term, this is supposed to make peace easier to attain.

Burning forever?

Prime Minister Bennet has used the term shrinking the conflict. Foreign Minister Lapid has used similar terms like minimizing the conflict. The actual term shrinking the conflict was first introduced by Micah Goodman, a writer and philosopher, a settler, and reputedly an unofficial adviser to Bennet.

Thus far, in little more than 100 days in office, Bennets government has sought to shrink or minimize the conflict by improving commerce with the West Bank. It has opened Israel to additional Palestinian day-laborers from the West Bank and a few thousand day-traders from Gaza. It is upgrading Palestinian telecommunications and has loaned money to the PA and facilitated provision of covid vaccinations. It is regularizing the citizenship status of Palestinians married to Israelis.

Bennet believes that an emphasis on economy, economy, economy in dealings with the Palestinians will provide them with dignity and a future.

Q: That just sounds like the old economic peace concept of the Israeli right, applied to the Palestinians.

A: Indeed, and as we have seen time and time again, it doesnt work because the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not economic. It is ideological, religious, territorial and historical, but not economic. At best, economic peace addresses one area in which the conflict finds expression: deep economic gaps between Jews and Arabs. But these ideas completely and deliberately ignore the political aspirations of the Palestinians.

Here we need to note that the originator of shrinking the conflict, Goodman, has gone further in his concept. He proposes measures like expanding the land borders of the Palestinian Authority, currently some 40 percent of the West Bank, and building roads exclusively for Palestinians. He wants to increase Palestinian freedom . . . to build, freedom of movement . . . . Palestinian self-governance.

It is also notable that the original Trump-Kushner deal of the century plan appears to have embodied Goodmans concept. And then some: along with a territorially-expanded Palestinian Authority, it proposed a network of roads, bridges and tunnels to somehow physically separate Israeli settlers from the Palestinian areas that they have deliberately settled in the midst of. The resulting map, as imagined by Jared Kushner, looks a bit like a Jackson Pollock painting.

Q: Well, given the current situation, surely these ideas are better than nothing . . .

A: The current situation is characterized by leadership paralysis within the Palestinian Authority, open Islamist ideological enmity from Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and political/ideological paralysis on the Israeli side.

In Ramallah, aging Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), after mismanaging and then cancelling elections, no longer enjoys significant popular support. In Gaza, Hamas at best prefers a ceasefire to any sort of peace process with Israel. In Jerusalem, both the left and the right components of the Bennet government agree to avoid any political initiative vis-a-vis the West Bank--from new settlements to unilateral withdrawal or a peace planbecause it would inevitably undermine the coalition from within and return Benjamin Netanyahu to power.

Meanwhile, the ongoing development of commercial relations with the Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco, based on normalization agreements reached without recourse to any sort of parallel political progress with the Palestinians, inevitably reduces any sense of urgency in Israel about the Palestinian issue. So do improved relations with Jordan and Egypt. Then too, there are regional developments that distract attention from the Palestinians: the total economic collapse of Lebanon, Irans ongoing hegemonic drive to Israels north, and the specter of American withdrawal from the Greater Middle East.

Under these circumstances of paralysis, non-political measures that improve Palestinian lives can hardly be portrayed as a bad idea in and of themselves. Abu Mazen has not rejected Israels loan, and Palestinians will take advantage of the (limited, almost symbolic) opportunity to upgrade their telecommunications and build a few hundred dwellings in Israeli-controlled Area C of the West Bank.

Yet as a long-term reality, this becomes apartheid, pure and simple. At a temporary level, it all might make sense and seem positive if settlement-expansion were to stop, settlers were to behave as good neighbors, and the Palestinian Authority were to govern energetically. In other words, if all other factors were positive. But that is not the case--dramatically so.

Q: Are you implying the existence, in parallel with shrinking the conflict measures by Israel, of expanding the conflict activities by settlers?

A: Definitely. Attacks by hill youth and other extremist settler elements, many living in so-called illegal outposts, have increased dramatically over the past two years. The attacks target Palestinians in their fields and olive groves, and in the southern West Bank in their traditional cave dwellings. They target the Israelis who come to the West Bank seeking to stand up for Palestinian civil and human rights. Lately these settlers even target the IDF soldiers who are ostensibly dispatched to keep the peace between settlers and Palestinians. Nor can the IDF be absolved of a perverse inclination by a few officers to physically punish Palestinians and Israeli peace-camp supporters--rather than their settler aggressors.

These settler attacks are clearly intended to intimidate Palestinians and those who seek to protect them. They are the antithesis of shrinking the conflict. And because settlers form Bennets political base, he does not seem eager to constrain them.

Q: And whats the problem with a weak Palestinian Authority? How does this issue enter the picture?

A: Here is outgoing Shin Bet head Nadav Argaman issuing a warning last week: The absence of dialogue between the state of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, along with steps taken by Abu Mazen, have weakened the PA both economically and in the public consciousness. . . . The current reality is a strong Hamas and a weak PA. The relative quiet we have enjoyed in recent years in Judea and Samaria is a deceptive quiet. There are constant efforts to initiate attacks. The quiet stems from the quality of our preventive efforts, not from a lack of trying [by extremist Palestinians].

Prime Minister Bennet refuses to meet with Abu Mazen, whose capacity to govern is being weakened by Bennets approach much as it was weakened under Netanyahu before him. The message from Argaman is that this strengthens Hamas and is detrimental to Israels interest. Does anyone have any doubt what the West Bank would be like after a Hamas coup? But Bennet knows that he will lose what is left of his settler-based constituency if he takes any positive political initiative in Abu Mazens direction, as Argaman provocatively proposes.

Q: Bottom line?

A: We are looking at three parallel directions of Israeli activity, or the absence thereof, regarding the West Bank. Looking at them together, we should be worried.

First, the Bennet government has adopted the shrinking the conflict slogan, albeit on a limited basis that in effect constitutes a form of economic peace--an approach that offers possible short-term material benefits but no peace whatsoever. Second and in parallel, the Israeli political approach weakens the PA and strengthens Hamas in the West Bank. Here we must note that Abu Mazens weakness and misgovernance contribute too. Third, growing settler violence, not curbed by the IDF and the Israel Police in the West Bank, sends a message that can only provoke Palestinian violence.

Is the conflict shrinking? No. On the contrary, the writing is on the wall.
IARU R1 Youth Working Group connecting with Scouts IARU Region 1 report during the COVID-19 pandemic, Team YOTA established a monthly online series called YOTA Online. In one of its episodes the main topic covered was the 'JOTA/JOTI' scouts event



The IARU-r1 post reads:



Through this one hour live-show we, the IARU Region 1 Youth Working Group, connected to the former International Commissioner of the RdP (Ring deutscher Pfadfinder) towards the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), Marcus Klapdor.



Through lots of online meetings and phone calls we were invited to join the German JOTA/JOTI Headquarters during the worldwide event held during 15th-17th October 2021. Thus, our preparations for putting up a reasonable amateur radio setup for HF and QO100 operations started soon. With the very obliging help of fellow hams we were able to put together and operate the station DL0JOTA. This special callsign was brought on the air at the Castle Rieneck near Frankfurt, Germany, by a small delegation of the IARU Region 1 Youth Working Group.



While around 20 scouts from all over Germany joined this event, also international active Scouts were present at the location. Claudia Groer (DC2CL), Philipp Springer (DK6SP) and Markus Groer (DL8GM) were very happy to introduce these commited people into the world of amateur radio and its youth working within IARU Region 1. Further, good questions were asked by all attending and were answered in the best way possible. Good talks with the Chairperson of the European Scout Committee within WOSM, Lars Kramm, among others have been very informative and target-oriented. We, as the Youth Working Group within IARU Region 1 will keep this good contact into the committee and will negotiate about future joint-events and cooperations again soon.



The Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) program included activities like operating a HF radio or via the geo-stationary satellite QO-100 on side-band or digital. Though, the best response from the attending Scouts was the presentation of morse code. We were very impressed what these young talented people already knew and asked in detail with lots of emphasize. Also, skeds with other worldwide Scout groups in different countries like Luxembourg, The Netherlands, England among others were successfully completed. Furthermore, we prepared a small ARDF fox hunt to show off the big variety of our common hobby.



The organizers of this Scout get-together took care of the Jamboree On The Internet (JOTI) part of the event themselves. They programmed little Micro:Bit computers, chatted with worldwide Scouts or printed 3D-models of antennas etc..



In summary, it can be said that the trusting cooperation so far has been a complete success. This was confirmed by the first personal meeting of those involved in the project and is to be continued and steadily expanded in the future. Stay tuned!



IARU Region 1 https://iaru-r1.org/
JOTA in Indonesia Jamboree On The Air activities over the weekend of October 16-17 were covered by the press in Indonesia and quoted on the ORARI website



A translation of an ORARI post reads:



Regional Kwartir (Kwarda) Banten held the 83rd Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) and the 41st National-level Jamboree On The Internet (JOTI) which was attended by the work council, scout enforcement, and scout pandega in Banten.



The event held at Kwarda Banten Building in Serang City, October 16-18, 2020, was opened by Waka Binamuda Kwarda Banten, Eneng Nurcahyati, Friday (16/10), implementing the COVID-19 health protocol in accordance with government advice.



Present at the opening was Waka Field Binawasa Kwarda Banten Cepi Safrul Alam, Vice Chairman of ORARI Banten Sammy Jonathan, Secretary of Kwarda Banten Iptu Satibi and Kwarcab scout movement in Banten.



This activity in collaboration with ORARI is an opportunity for Scouts to be trained in the use of air-based technology and internet networks and is expected to provide more opportunities in providing materials to participants.



"This training opportunity is expected to be an introduction for participants to radio and internet technology in order to be more prudent and wise in their use," Eneng said.



He hopes the Boy Scouts can be the vanguard in the use of radio and internet communication technology. Banten itself is one of the areas prone to natural disasters so that Scouts can report natural disasters events appropriately and respond at the location by using radio and internet.



"Scouts are pioneers, future fighters, communication management using radio and internet must be mastered wisely by Scouts. Regarding the current COVID-19 pandemic. Scouts, through this activity, can report on situations related to the COVID-19 pandemic," he said. Eneng.



He explained that participants in this activity will be trained properly and responsively, with the hope of getting outputs, namely participants understand the use of air and network technology.



"There is great hope for the participants to be able to operate and apply the results of the National JOTA-JOTI training for the Banten Region this time. This activity is also a form of friendship between Scouts by utilizing air and network technology," he said.



Orari Banten Vice Chairman Sammy Jonathan said, this activity is an introduction to participants how to use radio communication devices, how they operate and how preparation before amateur radio is done.



"For the follow-up plan of this activity that is after they know and understand they can take the amateur radio test to get a license that is indeed from ORARI itself," sammy said.



Source Monologis

https://monologis.id/nusantara/kwarda-banten-gelar-jota-ke83-dan-joti-ke41-nasional



See other JOTA stories at

https://tinyurl.com/IARU-Indonesia
UN Day transmission from Sweden's SAQ set for October 24

On United Nations Day, Sunday October 24th, 2021, the unique and historical Alexanderson alternator in Grimeton Sweden, with call sign SAQ, is scheduled to send out a message to the whole world on 17.2 kHz CW.

Program and transmission schedule:

15:30 CET (13:30 UTC: Information about World Heritage Grimeton for visitors at the Visitors Center

16:00 CET (14:00 UTC): Transmitter Hall visit for visitors.

Transmission & YouTube Live stream:

16:25 CET (14:25 UTC): Live stream begins.

16:30 CET (14:30 UTC): Startup and tuning of the Alexanderson Alternator SAQ.

17:00 CET (15:00 UTC): Transmission of a message from SAQ.

YouTube Live Stream:

17:20 (15:20 UTC): Live music concert from the transmitter hall. More details to follow on our website.

We are proud to announce that this years message has been composed by the Swedish human rights lawyer and sustainability expert Ms. Parul Sharma.

Test transmissions

We are planning to carry our some test transmission on October 22nd, approximatley between 13:00 CET (11:00 UTC) and 16:00 CET (14:00 UTC). SAQ will be on air shorter periods of time during this interval, when we will be carrying out some tests and measurements. Your comments are welcome to info@alexander.n.se.

Live Video from World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station

The event can be seen live on our YouTube Channel or by following the link below.

https://alexander.n.se/en/saq-grimeton-un-day-transmission-on-october-24th-2021/
Video learning games have polluted the school curriculum where I work, and I Phones, and I Pads have clearly led to technology addiction for many students.

by John Stanton

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that education is the foundation of a century-old plan. It is hoped that the Peoples Education Press will focus on the fundamental task of fostering morality, adhere to the correct political direction, carry forward the fine traditions, promote reforms and innovations, and create excellent teaching materials with Bacon casting soul, enlightening wisdom, and making new and greater achievements for cultivating socialist builders and successors with comprehensive development of morality, intelligence, physical education, art and labor, and building an educational powerThe imprint of party history in primary and secondary school textbooks. General Secretary Xi Jinping, People's Republic of China.

General Secretary Xi Jinpings congratulatory statement above was directed to the Peoples Education Press-Publishing House (PEP). PEP is responsible for pushing out much of the educational texts produced in China. It describes itself in this way: PEP is under the direct leadership of the Ministry of Education (MOE) of the People's Republic of China. The People's Publishing House, found on September 1st, 1921, and re-established on December 1st, 1950, is the important publisher of the Party and state in the politics sector since the founding of the People's Republic of China and the country's first large publishing agency specializing in philosophy and social science publications. Chairman Mao wrote the title inscription for the "People's Publishing House". The logo was then extensively used on all publications put out by "People's Publishing Houses" at both the state and provincial levels

In my adventures as a full-time substitute teacher in a large school district on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, I am continually bumping into activities and educational materials that teachers use to assist students in the learning process. Many seem odd or at least cause a momentary rise of the eyebrow. I have to remind myself that the best practices of discipline, order and study habits of years past are gone, at least for the moment.

Technology Addiction by Design

Video learning games have polluted the school curriculum where I work, and I Phones, and I Pads have clearly led to technology addiction for many students. For example, on one particular sunny day, a student came into the central office crying with such intensity and shaking (as if in withdrawal) saying, I lost my phone! Youd have thought that a puppy had gone missing, or a family member had died, or the students life had been disassembled. The device was eventually found but not before bemused staff experienced what, no doubt, Apple, Inc., strives for: hook the kids on their products for a lifetime of shareholder profit and make sure those Chinese workers keep laboring for cheap wages.

During a class I was overseeing, a student refused three times to turn down the backing track music that accompanies a non-sanctioned video game. Moreover, he refused to do the work he was assigned by his full-time teacher. I took the I Pad away from him and, once I had walked away with it, he clearly was stunned, displaying a dumbfounded look as if I had taken away his means to existence. And it is not just the students. When teachers are confronted with a noisy, unruly class, they can always retreat to the safe haven of letting students play video games (Slope for example) passing class-time on their I Pads, or I Phones rather than engaging with the teacher in a learning exercise.

Communist China in the American Classroom

At any rate, the elective study of the Chinese begins around 6th grade in the school system I work for. On a rainy and windy day, I happened to be assigned to substitute for a teacher that uses the Chinese teachers classroom for homeroom. Once the students were settled and began working on their missed assignments, I took the time to check out the Chinese class textbook titled, Learn Chinese with Me, Students Book, 2. The book is published by PEP in Communist China, the one that Xi lauded in the first quote above. Well, I said to myself, why not learn from authors who are mainland Chinese language speakers. Seems legit, I guess. Then I remembered that the administration of President Joe Biden is doing everything that it can to turn Americans against the Chinese whether is sailing warships through the South China sea, or slapping economic sanctions on Chinese industry, or pushing the notion that the Chinese are responsible for Covid-19 or boosting Taiwans status as an independent country.

And there, in front of me, sits the textbook, Learn Chinese with Me from PEP, responsible to the Communist Party. Secretary General Xi Jinping praised PEP for doing its duty for the Party. But wait. Whats wrong with that? PEP has rights sharing contracts with American K-12 school systems and universities which is, of course, big business. Thats capitalism, so buying a book from Americas number one adversary, China, must be alright, right? Well, the rock-grunge band Nirvana has the best response I can think of, Oh well, whatever, never mind.

It's the System, Not Me

One day, I received an email (so did all employees) from the superintendent of the school system announcing that a social justice speaker was going to speak on the hot topics of diversity and equity. The speaker is fixture now on the social justice scene raking in cash from speaker fees. As a practice, I have always checked out the backgrounds of speakers no matter what field of expertise they represent. The school system brought in someone who was formerly the subject of a State Inspector Generals investigation (IG) into fraud, waste, and abuse of state resources. The IG found that the speaker used 95.5 hours of state-time to create private consulting websites and recommended the speaker reimburse the state $25,000 for the time spent on creating a consultancy on the states dime. The speaker evidently reached a settlement with the state and was ultimately found to be in good standing. She resigned not long after to pursue greener pastures running a social justice consultancy.

I talked to a staff member about the matter, and we concluded, Oh well, whatever, never mind. Such is the era of zero accountability and responsibility. Just look at the War in Afghanistan. Who was held accountable for that debacle? Not a soul. So, whats a little use of state time to start a social justice consultancy in the larger scheme of things?

Class Matters

These are halcyon days for independent social justice consultancies as the culture war business is booming. Malcolm Kyeyune captures the scene with extraordinary clarity writing in American Affairs Journal. He observes:

Many readers of this essay will no doubt have heard of Peter Turchin and, in particular, his theory of elite overproduction. The idea that societies at various points produce too many eliteswho cannot be absorbed into the social structure, and instead cause instability and strifehas a certain natural appeal given the current state of Western politics. Indeed, I would argue that today the most visible political activity of the Left is primarily geared toward satisfying the frustrated material and social ambitions of this lumpen elite. In the same vein, the failure of the Right to understandand successfully counterthe darn college kids of the Left marching through the institutions mainly comes down to its failure to understand that the various crazy or anti-Western or anti-liberal ideas being expressed are intrinsic to the class position their proponents find themselves in. As such, the ideas are not really just ideas, and they cannot be defeated simply by exposing their contradictions or social disutility.

A similar case can be made for much of the currently existing culture war. Once class conflict is suppressed (something that the modern Left, with its increasingly affluent social base, and the modern Right both have a stake in), political conflict reappears as centering on values or whiteness. But scratch the surface of that ideological veneer, and base material politics emerges again. It is in fact a core feature, not a bug, that every new step in the culture war seems to require a new federal commission, corporate diversity department, or university star chamber to be staffed and funded. It is similarly a feature that behind every claim that this or that area is too white, the expected resolution is always that more resources be diverted to new hires (preferably the particular person or persons raising the alarm) to correct this imbalance, or that some people be fired so that their jobs can pass to the more deserving. Today these fights over jobs, grants, and resources are not understood as fights over jobs, grants, and resources, but as wars over culture and values, wars that justby the strangest coincidencehappen to involve all the other material things, supposedly as some sort of trifling afterthought. The immediate payday, we are told, is just a small step on the way to some far-reaching goal.

The problem currently facing the overproduced elite is that their claims to wealth and status cannot be comfortably met by the society they inhabit. As such, their relationship to said society becomes one of parasitism; one of trying, by hook or by crook, to squeeze out more of that societys surplus and redirect it toward themselves. Thus, woke language is deployed in order to make sure a Hollywood movie about black people cannot be produced without hiring a stable of racial consultants, or that Hollywood movies without black people are seen as hopelessly racist and out of touch, or that every large company should hire various diversity consultants to ensure a safe working environment. That is parasitism in action, cloaked behind a veneer of moral rectitude.

More Stuff

Ive heard and seen students in the school system in which I work say to fellow classmates, Youre so gay. One student I was supervising was listening to a song with lyrics that were demeaning to women and used the word F&^K repeatedly in the lyrics. I had to tell him to turn the song off a number of times and he finally relented after I threatened to take his device away.

During school hours, Whites hang out with Whites, Blacks with Blacks, Latinos with Latinos, and Asians with Asians. Even though the school system pursues social justice with vigor, I wonder if the social justice lessons are filtering down to the students, or if they would even listen to them if presented with the subject matter. For example, I supervised a class of Latinos during which they were required to read an article on how to improve Hispanic Heritage Month. Many of the students, parents and grandparents immigrated to the United States from Central and South America which for most must have been an arduous journey or at the very least a momentous decision. I tried to remind them of their heritage, also that my wife immigrated from Brazil, but my little speech fell on deaf ears.

I often think that the teachers and students are dazed and confused with all the technology, social justice learning, state learning requirements, and also the culture wars that blow like the wind. Climate Change is there too.

Anarchy seems just around the corner every day at school. Its almost a reflection of American society in 2021. Something is afoot, or coming, I think, but I dont know what. Im sensitive to all the issues and do what I can to assist in the education mission.

But Oh well, whatever, never mind.

John Stanton can be reached at jstantonarchangel@gmail.com
The Indian militarys habit of not fully recording war diaries has provided opportunity to individuals to fiddle with and fabricate events

by Ashok K Mehta

Fifty years of the 1971 India-Pakistan war is being commemorated with great verve and gusto by recalling the geostrategy, tactics and heroics of the great Indian victory  one in 1000 years where the gains on the battlefield were frittered away across the negotiating table. The war corrected the geographical incongruity of Pakistan split into two entities separated by 1000 miles. The late politician and writer, Jaswant Singh, called the victory geographys revenge over history  when use of force resulted in the birth of a new country Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan. It was the 20th centurys last decisive war though it could not settle the root cause of India-Pakistan enmity  not J&K but inimical behaviour of the Pakistan Army.

In the previous century, except for the World Wars, there is no clear example of a decisive inter-state war. But intra-state conflicts produced outcomes. The stamping out of Khalistan movement was a rare success for India. So was the Talibans first take-over of Afghanistan. Peaceful separation of Czechoslovakia into Czech Republic and Slovakia was a unique event. In the 21st century also, a number of internal conflicts were resolved by use of force  defeat of LTTE in Sri Lanka and the recent re-conquest of Afghanistan by the Taliban. Another genre of military success without the use of military force was fait accompli operations like the Russian occupation of Crimea, Chinese seizure of islands in the South China Sea and the Chinese intrusions into East Ladakh. In the space between war and no-peace is grey-zone operations, (HERE IS THE CHANGE) which is the defender's dilemma. And now, with the advent of cyber war and artificial intelligence, thinkers and practitioners of war and conflict have much to mull over. While the nature and character of war have changed, the principles of war are more or less the same, technology being the consistent key driver of shaping their outcomes .

Past wars and internal conflicts are not replicable. Take the war for Bangladesh. The ten months available for preparation, obtaining air superiority and assistance of Mukti Bahini are some conditions that cannot be recreated. Neither can the political cover provided by USSR through its use of veto which brought India time to ensure the war did not end in cessation of hostilities as Pakistan wished but ended on Indian terms of a full and complete surrender. The talking point of the war was whether Dacca was nominated as the final objective of the war. It is clear from study of various historical accounts that Dacca was initially not the ultimate objective but a less ambitious mission was assigned to the Eastern Army. Improvisation and innovation by both sides played a big part in the war. Maj Gen Nazir Husain Shah, GOC 16 Pakistan Infantry Division and an alumni of Fort Leavenworth USA, used to split a single battalion into two even as portraying a broad front was also practised by Indian forces.

I would like to see during commemoration events greater emphasis on recalling Infantry-led epic battles of Pirgunj, Hilli, Sylhet and Akhaura to name a few. The roadblock at Pirgunj by 2/5 Gorkha Rifles (FF), for example, turned the flank of Pakistan 16 Infantry Division fighting fortress defence at Hilli by crossing the Karatoya river. It was the first turning movement south towards Bogra and Dacca and divided Pakistans 16 Infantry Division. Similarly, 4/5 Gorkha Rifles (FF) conducted Indias first heliborne operations and while reduced to half a battalion in combat, took the surrender of two Pakistani Brigades on 15 December, one clear day in advance of the Dacca surrender. They had earlier carried out the first silent khukuri attack at Atgram though the British Gurkhas claimed the honour earlier in Indonesia. These short and sharp battles hastened the termination of war confirming Infantry as the queen of battle. It would be more useful to invite officers who took part in these actions rather than have the post-1971 war generation of officers to pontificate on lessons and dialectics of deterrence.

India must cherish the 1971 victory against Pakistan but focus on small-unit actions that will be relevant to future external wars. The limited war in Kargil was another classic demonstration of Infantry-led small unit battles that evicted intruding Pakistani forces across the LoC. It is a pity that war histories on 1962 and IPKF Sri Lanka, though chronicled, have not been released for political reasons. The Indian militarys bad habit of not fully and faithfully recording war diaries has provided opportunity to individual participants in wars to fiddle with and fabricate events to enhance their personal heroics. The media in general and social media in particular, without verifying factuals, have contributed to this.

Biographies and autobiographies are especially culpable as they embellish the record of units and individuals beyond what is recorded in regimental history. And where there is no official regimental history, some writers have gone to town enhancing their stature. All write-ups about past wars must be vetted by MoD historical section and a certification obtained from the authors that they have not used material which is not in official records. The Government has fudged events in East Ladakh, pretending the PLA intrusions have not altered the LAC. Even so, the 1971 success on the battlefield is Indias big redeemer and greatest victory.

(The writer, a retired Major General, was Commander, IPKF South, Sri Lanka, and founder member of the Defence Planning Staff, currently the Integrated Defence Staff. The views expressed are personal.)
if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi...
SITEKI  Chaos erupted when police officers from Lomahasha Police Station fired tear gas canisters to disperse youth members who were threatening to pelt police vehicles with stones.

Yesterday, the youth, accompanied by parents, converged outside the police station in the morning demanding the release of seven pupils detained in connection with the torching of the Shewula Police Post last week. The Shewula Police Post was gutted by a fire that was allegedly started by Lomahasha High School pupils and those from Shewula High after their schoolmate; Samkeliso Matimakhulu, was shot in his right thigh allegedly by a police officer who was dispersing them during a protest march held last week Monday.

Convened

Yesterday, the over 200 youth members, and parents first convened at the Lomahasha Service Centre before embarking on their journey to the police station.

The detained pupils were taken by the police on Monday for questioning. According to Lomahasha Youth Leader, Siboniso Mkhabela, they were told by the Lomahasha Police Station Commander Philip Tsabedze that he would not release the pupils as investigations were ongoing. Mkhabela said Tsabedze told them they would release some of the detained pupils but some would be detained as evidence pointed that they had a hand in the matter.

Some members of the Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) said the youth was irked by the presence of armed police officers from the Operational Support Services Unit (OSSU) and the army. It was a joint march by parents from Lomahasha and Shewula with their children. They demanded that the pupils be released because there is no tangible evidence linking them to the crime. However, when we were still engaging with the station commander, some of the police officers fired tear gas canisters as they were threatened by some of the youth who were carrying stones, one of the PUDEMO members said.

The interviewed members stated that some of the youth members ran into nearby bushes but there were no casualties. They said the unfortunate situation was that the police fired the tear gas in the presence of elderly people who had come to demand answers regarding their detained children. The pupils have been detained in unfavourable conditions and their parents are not happy about the polices conduct in assaulting and detaining children without collecting enough evidence to charge them, emphasized the members.

Stones

Meanwhile, the youth further blocked the Shewula road that stretches from Majembeni, Sineyini and Nduma with stones. However, police came and dispersed them. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superitendent Phindile Vilakati said five pupils had been charged out of the seven who are in custody. The five charged pupils ages range between18 and 20. The other two are still being investigated. The police engaged their leaders and they dispersed peacefully. There was no tear gas canisters fired, Vilakati said. Worth noting is that the pupils from both schools protested and called for the release of incarcerated Members of Parliament (MPs) in Hoseas Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Ngwempisis Mthandeni Dube.
LOBAMBA  Motshane MP Robert Magongo suspects that the His Majesty King Mswati III does not have advisors.

This he said during a meeting which was attended by about 18 Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House on Monday afternoon, where they resolved that the Speaker, Petros Mavimbela, calls an urgent sitting. MP Magongo said as legislators, they should perhaps also seek an audience with the King, where they would have an opportunity to inform him that the situation on the ground was not okay.

He said he suspected that the King did not have any advisors because when he had gone on an assignment to open a hospital, he then discussed other issues.

Presidents are criticised all over, but they do not address such issues and they keep quiet, said Magongo. He said instead, there was some form of retaliation and this was a clear sign that the King did not have advisors and therefore they should go home. Abahambe nje baye emakhaya, he said in siSwati.

Audience

He was supporting Dvokodvwerni MP Mduduzi Magagula, who said perhaps 10 MPs should be selected to seek an audience with the King about dialogue or even the entire House. MP Magagula further said the Prime Minister, Cleopas Dlamini, should also call the police to order because of the continued police brutality.

He said a man had been shot and killed by police just for breaking curfew hours, while pupils were also being shot. Meanwhile, Mkhiweni MP Ndlelayekuphila Masuku said he had been a victim of the violent June protests and stated that they were being deprived of an opportunity to discuss these issues to map a way forward.

He said similar incidents had occurred in many places around the world, stating that they were always sparked by small things. He said that was why countries like Lybia and Iraq had leaders in Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein, who were brutally killed. On the Speakers issue, Ntfonjeni MP Sifiso Magagula said he was very disappointed in the Speaker for cancelling Mondays sitting. He said Mavimbela was a politician who was elected by the people of Mhlambanyatsi and the MPs had elected him to lead them.

organ

The Speaker has closed the very organ which is supposed to be used for people to speak and raise their concerns, said Magagula. He said there was no medication in hospitals and MPs were made to face the brunt of the peoples anger as they were told that they did not care about the masses because the legislators had medical aid. Speaker must respect Parliament and respect the country and emaSwati, he said. Nhlambeni MP Manzi Zwane alleged that the Speaker was showing that he is captured. He claimed it was clear that Mavimbela was instructed to cancel the sitting. He said it was clear that MPs were only in Parliament to approve budget allocations as that was the only time they met.

How can we remove ingwe lehleti esihlahleni? he queried. Mpolonjeni MP Jacob Siwela said he was also hurt and disappointed by the Speakers actions.

The Speaker must be assisted because clearly something is wrong, he must tell us in a caucus what his problem is, he said.
MBABANE  Former University of Eswatini Political Science lecturer Dr Qambukusa Magagula backs the call for a transitional executive government amid the ongoing political instability in the country.

Dr Magagula, popularly known as Dr PQ, was reacting to the call made by the Multi-Stakeholders Forum (MSF), together with the Political Party Assembly (PPA). According to Human Rights Lawyer Thulani Maseko, Chairperson of the MSF, the solution to the political issues faced by the country was putting in place a transitional executive government while dialogue was ongoing.

In the statement issued by the MSF on Monday, which was signed by Maseko, putting together a transitional government was part of their plan. Dr Magagula said in as much as he had not listened to Maseko during the Family Meeting that was broadcast live on the Swaziland News Facebook page, to determine if he was right or wrong, a transitional executive government was usually a result of an agreement that the status quo was not working, hence the need for a new one.

Petition

He said the call for the transitional government was the most relevant thing to do. He noted that when the PPAs delivered a petition to the United States Embassy, they were asked how they were planning to take the country forward; this answered that question. Dr Magagula said as much as the pressure mounted for government, it was good but then the question would be what the action plan was; hence was answering that question. Multi-Stakeholders Forum is doing well and must do it thoroughly, said the professor. He noted that emaSwati could run the country much better than what was happening now. He said many emaSwati were educated as some were in Diaspora, hence they had learnt from the experiences of other countries.

Dr Magagaula elaborated that a transitional government would come after the obtaining status quo and the pro-change party agreed on certain things and disagreed on others. He said in order to form an interim or transitional government; the two parties needed to agree to disagree on those things. He said the two parties would have to agree to put aside their differences, but rather take up all the scenarios where they were in one accord so as to form the interim.

government

The professor said during the era of a transitional government, all emaSwati should understand that the conflict would not have been totally resolved. He said the transitional government would be the management of the process leading to a permanent government. He said then after thorough deliberations and negotiations had been done, the country would go for proper elections where the people would decide on which party they thought should run the country. He said the winning party would then take the mandate from the people on how to run the country; hence a permanent government would be formed.

Dr PQ said that was how South Africa moved to majority rule. He said when the late former South Africa President Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990, an interim government was formed. He said it took South Africa four years to have her first elections in 1994. He said that could be the case for Eswatini as well. He said there would be a lot happening during the interim period and that included the political parties having their manifestos and other things. He stated that the parties which would contest elections would use that period to campaign.

He said in some instances, the change would not allow the former government to be part of the interim government, more especially if that government was overthrown in conflict, however, in the case of Eswatini, the present government would have a good chance to be part of the interim government if it responded positively to the demands for change that was raised over the petitions that were delivered at the tinkhundla centres.
MBABANE  Its all systems go for todays public sector associations (PSAs) march.

This was an assertion by PSA representatives, which they issued despite a statement issued by the National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police, William Dlamini, through the Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, prohibiting the petition delivery march to the Ministry of Public Service today.

In the statement, NATCOM stated that the nation was advised that the planned protest march had been prohibited by the national commissioner in terms of Section 9(2),(3)(b) and (6) of the Public Order Act, 12 of 2017, in the interest of national security, public order and safety. The statement further reads; The notice of the prohibition has already been communicated to the convenors for their information and compliance, together with constituencies and other allies. To this end, there is no march expected to be staged tomorrow by the PSAs and the police will be all out to ensure that the prohibition order is enforced.

When contacted, Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union Secretary General (SG) Mayibongwe Masangane said it was quite shocking that they were being deprived of their rights as workers to deliver a petition and this was a clear indication that government was not willing to work jointly with them as PSAs. Briefly, all we can say is that government is clearly not willing to hear anything from anyone and we are very disappointed. This is particularly concerning because we had used all the necessary channels in our quest to get permission to deliver the petition to the ministry, said Masangane.

The secretary general further said this was an indication that we no longer lived in a country but in the trenches because a country had protocols which if followed, the appropriate responses were expected. This, he said, was because they as PSAs had followed due procedure in attaining the permit. The national commissioner can do what he thinks is appropriate, however, we were granted permission to deliver the petition by the Mbabane City Council in its capacity as council. Therefore, the powers vested in the council should not be ignored, which means it is still all systems go for the march tomorrow (today), said the SWADNU secretary general.

Secretary General of the National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU) Thulani Hlatshwayo, when reached for comment concerning NATCOMs statement prohibiting the proposed petition delivery, stated that the section quoted by the police chief should come in once there is chaos and violence caused by protesters and this section could not be used on a march that had not yet taken place. I think uyadlala waNkhosi. He also should apply in court before prohibiting a march and point out why the march should be prohibited and what those planning to march had done for the petition delivery to be halted, said Hlatshwayo.

According to Hlatshwayo, they were prepared and ready for todays march to deliver the petition to the ministry and had been duly given permission by the municipal council. The Swaziland National Association of Teachers Secretary General, Sikelela Dlamini, was also reached for comment and stated that he was not aware of this prohibition notice by NATCOM and as far as he knew, the march was still on for today.

The PSAs had previously confirmed that they had received a permit and compliance certificate from the Municipal Council of Mbabane for todays march. This follows a consultative meeting with the council and the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) on Monday wherein logistics concerning todays petition delivery to the Ministry of Public Service were discussed.

A compliance certificate was shared with us this morning (yesterday) after confirmation from the municipality on Monday, said the SNAT secretary general.

At the time, Hlatshwayo said they were prepared and ready for todays march to deliver a petition to the ministry and had been duly given permission by the city council.

When reached for comment, the Municipal Council of Mbabane Information and Public Relations Officer Lucky Tsabedzes phone was not available on the network by the time of compiling this report. However, the permit was referenced in a written correspondence dated October 18, 2021, whereby it was stated that the application dated October 11, 2021 to deliver a petition to the Ministry of Public Service had reference.

It was further stated that the march would be conducted from the Coronation Park to Gwamile Street turning to Msakato Street, to Zwide Street, to Mahlokohla Street, turning into Makhosikhosi Road, to Sozisa Road and to Umlilo Road (between Ministry of Agriculture and Fire and Emergency Services) to deliver a petition to the Ministry of Public Service.

Furthermore, the return route of the procession would have been from the Ministry of Public Service, along the same routes to the Coronation Park. It should be noted, however, that the authenticity of the correspondence, which this publication has in its possession, could not be confirmed. This march was announced during a press conference at the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Centre Conference Room last week to the effect that civil servants would be delivering a petition to the Ministry of Public Service today.

The PSAs are NAPSAWU, SWADNU, Swaziland National Association of Government Accounting Personnel (SNAGAP) and SNAT. Worth noting is that the Political Parties Assembly (PPA) had previously stated that they would also join the march and further proceed to the High Court in protest for the release of incarcerated Members of Parliament (MPs) Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza of Hosea and Mthandeni Dube of Ngwempisi.

SWADNU President Welcome Mdluli said a thorny issue that affected them as civil servants was the failure to convene on the joint negotiation forum (JNF).

The JNF is where government and civil servants, through representation by the PSAs, engage and negotiate on issues that revolve around their welfare. Mdluli said PSAs had tried to convene the JNF but in vain. This, he said, affected their welfare as they could not afford basic necessities. We agreed with government that the salary review should be engaged in every five years and this was made the order of the court; but a year is almost complete without it being implemented, Mdluli said.

He said the negotiations should have been completed in March 2021; such that in April, it was implemented. In light of this, he said it was necessary that next week Wednesday, all civil servants should head to Mbabane to demand the JNF and the salary review. Mdluli implored civil servants to recall that what was awarded in 2015 was not what they had agreed upon; such that some of the items were to be addressed at a later stage.

Making an example, he said nurses were deprived of the occupation specification dispensation (OSD) in that it was acknowledged that their line of work was different from other civil servants and they were to return to the JNF to address this issue. However, this he said, did not happen.
The value of Bahrains exports of national origin increased by 76% to BD1.174 billion ($3.09 billion) during the third quarter (Q3) of 2021, compared to BD669 million for the same quarter of the previous year, said the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) in a new report.



The top 10 countries in terms of the value of exports of national origin purchased from Bahrain accounted for 73% of the total value, with the remaining countries accounting for 27%, added iGAs foreign trade report of third quarter 2021, encompassing data on the balance of trade, imports, exports (national origin), and re-exports.



Saudi Arabia ranked first among countries receiving Bahraini exports of national origin, importing BD236 million from Bahrain. Meanwhile, the US was second with BD211 million and the United Arab Emirates third with BD108 million.



Unwrought aluminium alloys emerged as the top products exported during third quarter2021 with BD382 million, agglomerated iron ores and concentrates was second with a value of BD250million, and Unwrought aluminium (not alloyed) third with BD63million.



The total value of re-exports increased by22% to reach BD175 million third quarter2021, compared to BD143 million for the same quarter of the previous year. The top 10 countries accounted for 84% of the re-exported value, while the remaining countries accounted for the 16%. Saudi Arabia ranked first with BD53 million, the United Arab Emirates second with BD50 million, and Singapore third with BD11 million.



Four-wheel drive cars emerged as the top product re-exported from Bahrain with BD20 million, gold ingots came in second place with BD17 million, and parts for aircraft engines came thirdwithBD15 million.



The trade balance, the difference between exports and imports, recorded a deficit totalling BD1 million during third quarter 2021 compared to BD335 million for the same quarter of the previous year, an improvement of the trade balance by 99.8%, That is reflected positively in the value of the trade balance.



The value of imports increased by 16%, reaching BD1.349 billion during third quarter 2021 compared to BD1.166 billion for the same quarter the previous year. The top 10 countries accounted for 70% of the value of imports, with the remaining countries accounting for 30%.



According to the report, Brazil ranked first when it came to imports to Bahrain, with a total of BD214 million,China was second with BD167 million, and the United Arab Emirates was third with BD95 million.



Non-agglomerated iron ores and concentrates emerged as the top product imported into Bahrain with a total value of BD249 million, while aluminium oxide was second with BD80 million, and parts for aircraft engines third with BD52 million.  TradeArabia News Service
Andra Public Relations (Andra PR), a Bahrain-based well renowned communications firm specialising in financial technology is a supporting partner for the seventh edition of the Manama Entrepreneurship Week (MEW).



Andra PR will be hosting a virtual panel titled Disruptive Innovation - How can startups manage the risks and opportunities when creating an innovative product? taking place on October 24 from 12PM-1PM via Zoom.



Andra PRs panel will be focusing on innovation and how it contributes to the success of startups, despite not all startups being able to handle the path of creating an innovative product. The discussion will highlight opportunities and threats within the startup ecosystem, as well as how to best handle them while establishing a market fit for the industry.



Panelists include Ruby Mirchandani; CEO and Co-Founder of Urento, a cost-effective and multi-functional app helping small to medium-scale landlords manage their multiple residential or commercial properties from a single platform, Shreya Rammohan; Co-Founder and CMO of Women Who Read, the largest community of readers across the MENA region, and Joelle Almaz; Public Relations Executive at Andra Public Relations. The session will be moderated by Fatema Ebrahim, CEO of Andra Public Relations, and Board Member of Bahrain Economic Development Board.



Fatema Ebrahim, CEO, Andra Public Relations stated: We are pleased to be part of the 7th Edition of MEW 2021 under the patronage of Capital Governor, Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa. This is the 2nd time we have participated, and each edition just gets bigger and better. As Andra PR, it is our duty to contribute to the startup ecosystem and bring together leaders that started their own ventures so they guide others, and we want to show Bahrains thriving youth scene. We invite aspiring startup founders to join the panel and learn from our panelists. We look forward to the event!



MEW was launched by the Capital Governorate of the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2015 as a platform that connects and enables entrepreneurs and startups through showcasing leading regional and international success stories and highlights the various support and business acceleration mediums available in the Kingdom of Bahrain.



MEW is a week-long event, held annually, presenting various events, seminars, workshops and conferences that are held in celebration of entrepreneurship, further promoting and optimizing the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem.  TradeArabia News Service
Investcorp, a leading global provider and manager of alternative investment products, has announced that it has sold its long leasehold interest in Burocampus Wangen (the Campus) in Stuttgart, Germany to Art-Invest Real Estate.

This transaction marks Investcorps first continental European exit and the latest step in the firms broader pan-European real estate strategy.

Since launching its European real estate business in 2017, Investcorp has invested 1 billion ($1.16 billion) into 80 properties across the UK, Germany, The Netherlands, Italy and Belgium.

The Bahrain-based group had acquired the freehold interest in the Campus in 2018 from BEOS Corporate Real Estate Fund Germany I, managed by BEOS. Upon acquisition, the firm had re-structured the title and sold the freehold to an institutional investor, retaining the long leasehold interest.

Located in the Stuttgart submarket of Wangen, the multi-let commercial campus comprises 12 office and research buildings and one DIY store across a 15-acre plot, providing a total area of 550,000 sq ft, said the statement from Investcorp.

The Campus features good quality office buildings, state-of-the-art research and development, data centres, a restaurant, and conference rooms. It is home to several well-known tenants, predominantly in the technology and automotive sectors, it added.

On its strategic move, Khulood Ebrahim, Real Estate Product Specialist, said: "We are delighted to have marked our first European real estate exit since we entered the region in 2017. This is a true testament to our continued execution on our strategy to target attractive, stable real estate assets in markets underpinned by strong fundamentals, where we can seek to create value for all our stakeholders."

The sale marks a period of significant investment activity for Investcorp, having acquired 56.7 million of UK industrial assets and an office in Milan for 70 million since the beginning of September.

Yusef Al Yusef, the Managing Partner for Investcorps Private Wealth, said: "We are pleased with the progress we are making to expand our real estate portfolio across geographies and marking our first European exit as we advance with our strategy."

"Looking ahead, we will continue to identify opportunities with the potential to drive value for our clients and grow our footprint across Europe," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Opportunities to boost the manufacturing sector in Africa are on the horizon, however, for the continent to witness long-term industrial transformation, both public and private sector stakeholders must join forces.

These are some of the key findings from the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summits (#GMIS2021) Digital Series on Building Digital Capabilities for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialisation in Africa.

The discussion brought together a panel of experts from across the continent and focused on how African economies must push for greater economic integration in the digital era, highlighting the need for regional countries to share their resources and expertise with each other, as well as align their policies and strategies to drive industrial growth.

Li Yong, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) addressed the forum, stressing on the importance of accelerating digitalisation in Africa, as the continent builds productive sectors. We must go further to help African countries to make their digital transition, without leaving anyone behind. We must build capabilities, enhancing digital infrastructure, improve digital skills and access to training and leverage innovative capacities. Strong partnerships with local and regional partners in business, research and government need to be built, as well as with multilateral organisations such as the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Development Bank.

The panellists looked into the importance of upscaling Africas digital manufacturing capabilities to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and investing in the educational system to build the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.

Teka Gebreyesus, State Minister of Trade and Industry of Ethiopia, spoke about the importance of advancing digital industrialisation in Africa, highlighting Ethiopias efforts over the last 15 years to prioritise its labour intensive-manufacturing sectors. Africa must push for greater economic integration. In the digital area, regional economic integration entails the need for countries to integrate digitalisation into their national development strategies and plans, and facilitate for the private sector to work collaboratively with the government in both policy formulation and implementation.

To catch up with a fast-digitalising world, Ethiopia recently unveiled its ambitious digital transformation strategy  Digital Ethiopia 2025  to transform its national economy over the next five years through four sector-driven pathways, including agriculture, manufacturing, IT-enabled services and tourism.

According to Anna Ekeledo, Executive Director of AfriLabs, even though Africa has witnessed immense economic growth over the past decades, digital hubs across the continent continue to be concentrated in a few countries and cities. As such, to drive long-term industrial expansion, digital innovation hubs must be decentralised and digital manufacturing should thrive outside the major cities.

Some of the most effective strategies that we have employed include capacity building and the availability of resources for individuals who are passionate about supporting young innovators and entrepreneurs to build their ideas into concrete products, build successful ventures, develop the right digital skills, and create jobs. This is done through establishing the right policies to enable digital hubs through the provision of infrastructure. Diversified funding is important to encourage digital manufacturing to be set up.

Garth Strachan, who is a former Member of the Minister of Science and Technologys National Advisory Council on Innovation in South Africa, discussed the accessibility of the digital revolution to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and cautioned against suggesting that SMEs are a silver bullet for industrial and economic development.

African countries generally are stuck in resource extraction and tech trap. Unless that trap is broken through structural transformation, the possibilities for SMEs thriving and for digital transformation to take place are substantially hindered. The digital revolution will bring greater efficiency, process innovation, and supply chain integration, but first, we need an investment-friendly policy coherence and certainty, especially for data regulation and policy management.

He highlighted the need to support SMEs in value-added manufacturing processes in mining, as Africa is home to over 60% of global resources. We have to move to a situation where there is cross border industrial development integration. We have to look for opportunities for leapfrogging and intra-regional collaboration in the context of environmental sustainability. Africa, in relation to hydro and renewable energy, has enormous advantages which need to be put in place. Economic infrastructure has to be in place, especially digital infrastructure, skills training and capacity building, and the public sector must provide access to data systems and processes in companies so that they integrate their operations digitally.

According to Dr Huda Shaqiri, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the Al Akhawayn University in Morocco, the pandemic raised awareness among SMEs and decision-makers about the importance of digital transformation.

There is big hope of moving towards a Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), however, we still need this to be accompanied with adapted and adopted regulations, policies, and protection. In Morocco, there is a plan to start deploying 5G in 2023, which is very important for 4IR. There is lots of work still to be done to achieve this digital transformation and 4IR.

All panellists reinforced the importance of developing adequate policies, regulations and infrastructure, while lowering the regulatory and entry barriers for SMEs and providing them with supply and demand support.

Fifi Peters, Presenter and Producer at CNBC Africa moderated the session, concluding that stakeholders from all sectors and industries must work together to enable long-term economic changes. It is very important that the public sector does come onboard in terms of providing the necessary policy changes or the business framework to allow for a change in mindset within the private sector. Therein lies an opportunity to boost up the current manufacturing landscape and create positive and favourable environment using digital tools to facilitate industrial transformation.

The virtual panel discussion is the latest in a new series of sessions held by the #GMIS2021 Digital Series. The topics discussed during the session will contribute to the main themes for the fourth edition of the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (#GMIS2021) set to take place at Expos Dubai Exhibition Centre from November 22 to 27.-- TradeArabia News Service
Indias recent adoption of trade protectionist measures on mono ethylene glycol (MEG) imports from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia is damaging to its domestic market, the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), the regional trade body, representing the common interests of the chemical and allied industries in the Arabian Gulf, has warned today (October 20).

The comments come after Indias Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) initiated a new anti-dumping investigation into MEG imports from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the USA on June 28, 2021. The investigation  described by GPCA as unjustified and in breach of the rules laid by the World Trade Organization  was prompted by an application from two of Indias heavyweight chemical manufacturers.

The news alarmingly comes only a few months after India terminated another anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of MEG originating in or exported from Saudi Arabia (on April 6, 2020), Kuwait, Oman, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates (on November 20, 2020), after the application filed by one of the two companies was withdrawn following extensive diplomatic and political engagement.

GPCA has called for the immediate termination of the investigation in line with Indias obligations under the WTO Agreements, of which the country is a member. The association further notes that since the establishment of the WTO in 1995, India has initiated 23 anti-dumping investigations and imposed seven anti-dumping measures against Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. This figure is more than four times the number of investigations initiated, and measures imposed by any other WTO member.

According to a report by Indias Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, India is net short of MEG with current demand of around 2.5 million metric tonnes (MT). As this shortfall is expected to continue, GPCA warns India will need to import more MEG to satisfy domestic demand and ensure that prices are sustainable. The continuous pursual of trade protectionist measures against countries in the GCC, which represent Indias largest chemicals import partner, could not only prove damaging to its domestic market, but also jeopardise exports, thereby creating a bottleneck.

The new anti-dumping application is utterly unjustified as it is not based on valid legal and factual grounds. It also lacks evidence of MEG imports being dumped from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, Dr Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General, GPCA, has commented. The price at which MEG feedstock is imported from the two GCC states is based on market considerations and is in fact not different for MEG that is sold domestically or exported.

Furthermore, there was no spike in MEG export volume from the two countries to India during the period of investigation (January1, 2020 to December 31, 2020). Rather, there was a decline in comparison to the previous year. To state that Indias MEG industry is suffering a material injury would be simply untrue. I can certify with confidence that from the research that GPCA has conducted and the facts on the ground, MEG imports from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia cannot have negatively impacted Indias domestic industrys performance.

Dr Al-Sadoun further urged the Indian authorities to end the practice of utilising anti-dumping measures as a tool to achieve goals that are not legally permitted and for protectionist purposes. While this may seem alluring and only too common in the current global trade landscape, rising trade protectionism is only damaging to the very states which adopt it; it can hinder economic prosperity, obstruct long standing business relationships, and jeopardise investments, he added.--TradeArabia News Service
The Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, one of Dubai's economic institutions, has announced that BITS Pilani Dubai Campus has joined the list of accredited business incubators in free zones.

In a statement, the Foundation stated that the students' joining the business incubator provides an opportunity to transform their ideas and inventions into successful companies in various economic sectors and enhance their abilities in creative and innovative thinking at an early age.

Students registered in the business incubator will be able to benefit from the Dubai Next platform, which is the first integrated digital platform for young people and people with creative and ambitious ideas of different nationalities in Dubai, with the aim of presenting their ideas to attract the necessary capital to start implementing them from Dubai based on the concept of crowdfunding.

Abdul Baset Al Janahi, Executive Director of the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, said: "The Foundation assumed the responsibility of leading innovation and entrepreneurship in the Emirate of Dubai. It developed well-studied strategies to support the entrepreneurship journey over the years and worked to promote creative thinking methods to come up with innovative products that solve real problems. or ideas for entrepreneurial projects.

It is noteworthy that the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development is supervising the Dubai Network of Business Incubators, so that the Corporation oversees the implementation of projects, initiatives and ideas that are launched within the framework of the network, in addition to developing policies and operational plans and studying proposals and opportunities for the network to support entrepreneurs Business in the emirate, and cooperation with government and private agencies and educational institutions to supervise the launch of startups.

We are proud to be partners with BITS Pilani Dubai in supporting ambitious talents. Co-operation between government agencies and academic institutions is vital to moulding entrepreneurial talent in accordance with the global best practices in nurturing innovation, added Al Janahi.

Prof Srinivasan Madapusi, Director, BITS PIlani Dubai Campus emphasised on the role of Universities to make students market ready by providing hands on training in technical as well as non-technical skills. He said, Entrepreneurial skills are gaining importance not only for those who are interested in start-ups, but also in the corporate and industry sectors. BITS Pilani with its vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem works in line with the vision of the UAE government to encourage innovation and start-ups. He further added: BITS Pilani alumni have been at the forefront in wealth creation through start-ups. Today our entrepreneurial ecosystem is taking a leap forward by joining the Dubai Business Incubator Network (DBIN) through our partnership with Dubai SME as a certified business incubator. This partnership will transform the university into an entrepreneurial hub by supporting students with access to mentors, business experts and legal advisors, thereby creating new opportunities for our student entrepreneurs to make significant contributions to the intellectual capital and wealth of Dubai and the UAE.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Dr Aman Puri, Consul General India, Dubai, Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, FICCI and Merzi Sodawaterwala, Chairman, World Sustainability Business Forum (WSBF and Founder, International Federation of Indo-Israel Chambers of Commerce (IFIICC).

BITS Pilani on the same day announced its partnership with World Sustainability Business Forum for jointly working in sustainability and with the International Federation of Indo-Israel Chambers of commerce (IFIICC) to enable multilateral collaboration between the UAE, India and Israel.

Established in 2000, more than 5,000 students have graduated from BITS Pilani Dubai Campus and are either working in leading global firms such as, Microsoft, Oracle, Siemens, L&T, Emirates, Honeywell, Petrofac and Schlumberger, or pursuing post-graduation across premier universities, including Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Cornell, Monash, and the National University of Singapore. Alumni of BITS Pilani Dubai Campus have also excelled as entrepreneurs with more than 20 startups to their credit this year.

The establishment of the Business Incubator aims to encourage tech start-ups and transform the university into an entrepreneurial hub, which aligns with the sixth article of the Fifty-Year Charter of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai to transform Universities into free economic and creative zones.-- TradeArabia News Service
Bahrain's Nogaholding and Saudi Aramco officials discussed strengthening joint cooperation between the two companies during a visit of Nogaholding delegation to Saudi Arabia.

The delegation, led by Dr Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, the Special Envoy for Climate Affairs and Chief Executive of the Supreme Council for Environment, Acting Managing Director of the National Oil and Gas Holding Company, met with Amin bin Hassan Al Nasser, President and CEO of Saudi Aramco at the headquarters of Aramco in Dhahran.

The visit follows the October 11 meeting between Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty the Kings Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nogaholding and Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of Energy for Saudi Arabia.

Dr Bin Daina conveyed the greetings of Shaikh Nasser to Saudi Arabias leadership, government, and people.

Dr Bin Daina was accompanied by Faisal Al Mahroos, member of Nogaholding Board of Directors; Mark Thomas, Group CEO of Nogaholding; Dr Abdul Rahman Jawahery, President of GPIC; and Mazen Matar, CEO of ASRY.

During the visit, a number of areas of common interest in the field of energy were discussed.

The Bahrain delegation visited the Exploration and Petroleum Engineering Center where they were briefed on Saudi Aramcos latest digital technologies to enhance exploration, drilling, field development, asset reliability, and operational efficiency.

Dr Bin Daina expressed his strong desire to strengthen joint cooperation in the oil and gas sectors between both companies to achieve the common goals of the leadership of the two sovereigns.

Mark Thomas praised the distinguished capabilities and expertise of Aramco and its rapid progress in digitizing their oil and gas assets.

He went on to endorse future joint technical initiatives across both companies to advance the oil and gas sector and achieve aspirations aiming at the growth and prosperity of the two companies.
Jerusalem/New Delhi, Oct 20 (UNI) Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, during his meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday, said We love India, theres a sort of consensus in Israel, we view India as a huge friend.

In their bilateral meeting which took place in the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Bennett, after sharing a warm handshake with EAM Jaishankar, said: I can speak on behalf of Israelis, we love India.

Theres a sort of consensus in Israel, we view India as a huge friend and the Indian people, and were looking forward to expanding the relationship in all fields, in all dimensions, and look forward to a very productive meeting.

Jaishankar, in his remarks, conveyed the greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he had the honour of accompanying PM Modi during his historic visit to Israel in 2017.

We are today, I think, at a very important stage of our relationship because things have gone very well for us, it has opened up a whole lot of possibilities. So I think the challenge is how to work to take our relationship to the next highest level, Jaishankar said.

He said the sentiment and the interest in India in our ties with Israel is very, very strong.

I dont think any of my visits have been followed with as much attention back home as the one to Israel, he added.

In a readout of the meeting, the Prime Minister's Media Adviser, said the two sides discussed strengthening the strategic alliance, expanding bilateral ties and deepening the warm friendship between Israel and India.

Prime Minister Bennett thanked the External Affairs Minister and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their personal commitment to the partnership between Israel and India.

On behalf of Prime Minister Modi, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar invited Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to make his first official visit to India, the statement said.

Later, in tweets, Jaishankar said during his talks with PM Bennett the two sides held warm and rich discussions on realizing the full potential of the strategic partnership.

Thank Prime Minister @naftalibennett for receiving me today. Conveyed the greetings of PM @narendramodi A warm and rich discussion on realizing the full potential of our strategic partnership. PM Bennetts purposeful and focused approach to it was deeply encouraging."His sharing of his strategic perspectives was also very valuable."India and Israel will work even more closely to realize their partnerships vision for the next 30 years," he posted.The meeting is the first high-level contact between the two sides since Prime Minister Bennett took office in June

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar also called on Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Jaishankar said his conversation with President Herzog covered changes in the geopolitical landscape. President Herzog in his comments praised the flourishing Israel-India relationship and stressed on promoting and strengthening the ties.

Delighted to call on President @Isaac_Herzog. Our conversation covered changes in the geopolitical landscape.

Deeply appreciate his visible commitment to taking our bilateral ties to the next level, Jaishankar tweeted.President Herzog tweeted on the talks: Two ancient nations, two proud democracies. Energizing discussion today with @DrSJaishankar, FM of our close friend and partner India. Great promise for Israeli-Indian collaboration on tech, trade, energy and more. There is so much we can do with our combined creativity.The Israeli Embassy in India in a tweet said: President Herzog praised the flourishing Israel-India relationship and emphasized on promoting and strengthening the ties. They also discussed Israeli-Indian collaboration in various fields.Jaishankar held talks with his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid on Monday during which the two sides agreed to resume negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement from next month and also agreed in principle on mutual recognition of their Covid vaccination certification.

Israel also joined the International Solar Alliance on Monday, with Israeli Energy Minister Karine Elharrar signing the agreement.

On Monday, the EAM along with Yair Lapid participated in a video conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed. The four top diplomats agreed to establish a forum for economic cooperation and to meet in person at the Dubai Expo 2020 in the coming months.

UNI/RN


remaining of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
On 19 October 2021, the WCO Deputy Secretary General (DSG), Mr. Ricardo Trevino Chapa, addressed the Port community during a webinar on Customs-Ports cooperation organized by the Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee on Ports (S/CIP) and the International Port Community System Association (IPCSA). The aim of the webinar was to address key aspects and challenges of the working relationship between Ports and Customs, share best practices to improve communication and efficiency, and consider how ports can support the role and responsibilities of Customs and vice-versa.

In his presentation, the WCO DSG highlighted the important role of Customs in border coordination. He mentioned the flagship instruments developed by the WCO to support further integration and cooperation between various stakeholders, such as the Coordinated Border Management Compendium and the Single Window, the SAFE Framework of Standards, especially its pillar related to Customs-Business partnership, and the AEO Programme. He stressed that enhancing the cooperation between all active operators at the border would facilitate the development of harmonized procedures and the exchange of information. These aspects were clearly high in the priorities of the WCO for the future. He concluded that trust needed to be built in order to move towards the establishment of a coherent framework where Customs could conduct controls while providing facilitation for the movement of legitimate trade.

The other panelists, namely Mr. Uwe Liebschner from IPCSA and Mr. Rommel Edwards from Barbados Port Inc., agreed that cooperation was key to adequately facing the challenges related to the multiplicity of legislation, IT systems and requirements, as well as the continuously increasing volumes of goods. They also underlined the importance of digitalizing the processes and infrastructures. Mr. Liebschner especially said that considering the features of modern trade, efficiency was needed to reduce the burden and costs for legitimate businesses while improving the overall processes for government agencies and traders. Mr. Rommel considered that legal frameworks were sometimes outdated and that there were discrepancies between the rules applied to Customs and Port authorities. More consistency was needed to shift paradigm and operate in a sound environment of collaboration between stakeholders.
BATON ROUGE, La. - New Orleans-based Ochsner Health System is the first hospital system in Louisiana to create its own health insurance arm selling Medicare Advantage policies.

Ochsner's Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage, fitness, dental, hearing and vision. Ochsner's premiums and copays begin at $0. The Medicare Advantage plan is integrated into the health system, according to the hospital network.

Before rolling out statewide, Ochsner wants to sell plans in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge region.

Medicare Advantage plans already offer extras such as dental benefits, vision coverage or gym memberships that regular Medicare doesn't provide. But Medicare Advantage can restrict access to a network of doctors or hospitals. Medicare doesn't have those restrictions.

Ochsner sees Medicare recipients as a growing market as there are more than 11,000 people who enroll in Medicare each day nationwide. Open enrollment for the program started Friday and goes until Dec. 7.

"This allows us to be more holistic in how we approach health care, lots of our Medicare members have challenges with billing and collections," said Warner Thomas, CEO of Ochsner Health. "Administratively this should be a lot easier for coordination between the health plan and the health system."

Ochsner doesn't see the move as a conflict of interest to become both the insurer and the provider.

"There's a lot of waste in the administrative piece of health care between the providers and the plans; being on both sides of that will allow us to free up more dollars," said Scott Posecai, chief financial officer for Ochsner.

Statewide nearly 46% of Medicare beneficiaries in Louisiana have Medicare Advantage plans. There are 426,830 people already enrolled for Medicare Advantage plans across Louisiana.

In East Baton Rouge Parish, nearly 58% are participating in the supplemental private insurance program out of 76,859 recipients. In Orleans Parish, 60% out of 65,136 enrollees had Medicare Advantage. But in Lafayette Parish, 29% have the program for extra benefits out of 40,797 plans.

The average monthly premium for a Medicare Advantage plan is about $13, about a dollar less than in 2020, and some plans don't charge premiums at all. Private plans are already sold by Humana, Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana. Humana has the largest market share across the state with more than 200,000 customers. Blue Cross Blue Shield has 22,737 members with Medicare Advantage plans in Louisiana.

Hospital-controlled Medicare Advantage plans are not very common, but some systems have adopted them.

About 15% of Medicare Advantage enrollees in Pennsylvania are in a University of Pittsburgh Medical Center plan, and 13% of enrollees in Maryland have plans with Johns Hopkins.

It was not immediately clear how Ochsner's plans may impact the insurance market.

"For any Medicare enrollee selecting a Medicare Advantage plan, an important factor in that decision is whether their preferred doctors or other hospitals that they may prefer are in network," said Meredith Freed, policy analyst with Kaiser Family Foundation's Program on Medicare Policy.

The Medicare Advantage market has been growing, and there were more than a dozen insurers that entered the market this year. The Kaiser Family Foundation found that the annual gross margins among Medicare Advantage plans were 24% higher in 2020 when compared with 2019 and an uptick of 31% in 2018.

"These findings suggest that Medicare Advantage remains an attractive, profitable market for insurers," Freed said.
If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now!

Submit
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-22 09:48:23|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Photo taken on April 22, 2021 shows Israeli tanks in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israel launched a missile attack on targets in the vicinity of the Syrian capital Damascus before daybreak on Thursday, wounding four soldiers, state TV reported. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Israel launched a missile attack on targets in the vicinity of the Syrian capital Damascus before daybreak on Thursday, wounding four soldiers, state TV reported.

The Israeli attack was launched from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, said the report, citing a military source. It added that the Syrian air defenses responded to the attack, destroying most of the missiles.

Residents in the capital heard the air defenses' firing while tracing the Israeli targets in the sky.

Media said the move was in response to the launch of a Syrian missile earlier in the day, which fell in the Negev desert, not far from Isreal's Negev Nuclear Research Center.

The previous Syrian attack set off air raid sirens in the village of Abu Qrenat, several kilometers away from Israel's Negev Nuclear Research Center, and triggered responses from the Israeli air defense force, according to media reports. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 12:15:03|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

KABUL, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- A big bang was heard in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, in the morning rush hour on Wednesday, witnesses said.

"We heard a big explosion sound in Dehmazang locality, Police District 3 roughly at 7:50 a.m. local time (0320 GMT), and the sound caused panic among residents. The nature of the explosion could be a car bomb blast," local resident Abdul Fattah told Xinhua.

"The Taliban security forces were rushing to the area on vehicles as I have seen," he said.

"I think the Taliban forces were alerted of an imminent attack, as they set up several checkpoints in Kabul city on Tuesday and checked every vehicle passing through main roads in separate locations in the city," Fattah said.

Taliban authorities have not commented on the report so far.

The security situation has remained generally calm but uncertain across Afghanistan since the Taliban's takeover in mid-August.

However, a spate of deadly bomb attacks have been staged by Islamic State affiliated militants in a number of Afghan provinces in recent weeks. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 12:35:40|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ULAN BATOR, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- The western Mongolian province of Govi-Altai has been quarantined for an indefinite period due to the outbreak of the deadly foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in animals, local media reported on Wednesday.

"Currently, the highly contagious FMD has been diagnosed in Sharga, Taishir and Esunbulag soums (administrative subdivisions) in our province, and the prevalence is increasing. Therefore, a quarantine regime has been imposed across the province for an indefinite period," local media quoted the provincial government as saying in a statement.

So far this year, the highly contagious disease, which spreads among cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep and pigs, has broken out in more than half of Mongolia's 21 provinces, according to the General Authority for Veterinary Services.

Govi-Altai is one of the western provinces of Mongolia that are adjacent to China.

The livestock sector is a main pillar of the Mongolian economy with around 70 million heads of livestock in the country with a population of around 3.4 million.

The landlocked country is striving to develop its livestock sector by raising meat exports in a bid to diversify its mining-dependent economy, while frequent outbreaks of livestock diseases such as FMD and mad cow disease are impeding the process.

The country's meat exports have been suspended since June due to infectious animal diseases, according to the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 13:08:01|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Cambodian government has held a National Policy Dialogue to reconfirm its commitment to eliminating violence against children (VAC), according to a statement Xinhua received on Wednesday.

The online event held Tuesday was hosted by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSVY) and supported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Save the Children and Child Rights Coalition (CRC) Cambodia.

Attending the event were also members of the steering committee for the implementation of Cambodia's Action Plan to Prevent and Respond to Violence Against Children, representing sectors including relevant ministries, institutions and sub-national administration, UN agencies, donors, international and local NGOs, the private sector, and youth.

The Dialogue reinforced a strong foundation for effective collaboration across sectors to address violence against children, said a statement released after the meeting.

"The participation of children, adolescents and youth in the Dialogue ensures that their voices are heard and reflected in the commitments made today," the statement said.

Cambodia has made it clear that preventing VAC is a priority, it said.

During the Dialogue, the Cambodian government noted in a statement: "Protection of children and adolescents from violence is necessary not only for their wellbeing and long-term development but also for national development".

The statement also reaffirmed the government's commitment to accelerating efforts to ban all forms of violence against children in Cambodia, through strengthening child protection data and monitoring, enabling parents and caregivers to keep children safe, making the internet safe for children and making schools safe, non-violent, and inclusive.

"Amidst the advancement of globalization and technology, developed and developing countries continue to face a lot of challenges in ending violence against children," MoSVY's permanent secretary of state Nim Thot said.

"Violence against children in any form has detrimental effects on child development, their social ethics, dignity and future human resource development and cannot be tolerated," he stressed.

The official said that to promote child protection and the children's wellbeing, the Cambodian government has enacted a number of laws, policies, national action plans and relevant legal frameworks.

"Today, we call for the continued collaboration and collective action from all relevant ministries, institutions, international and local NGOs, and stakeholders to back the ongoing advancements in child protection," he said.

Foroogh Foyouzat, UNICEF representative in Cambodia, said UNICEF acknowledged the Cambodian government's significant efforts in strengthening systems to prevent and respond to VAC and its determination to further strengthen those systems.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the urgent need to accelerate actions to prevent and respond to violence against children, both offline and online," she said. "UNICEF remains firmly committed to supporting the Royal Government of Cambodia's steadfast and accelerated action in preventing VAC and to fulfill its commitments to end violence against children by 2030." Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 13:47:53|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

Afghan Taliban members stand guard at the site of a bomb attack in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Oct. 20, 2021. At least two people were wounded in a bomb attack in the Afghan capital on Wednesday morning, the Ministry of Interior confirmed. (Str/Xinhua)

KABUL, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were wounded in a bomb attack in the Afghan capital on Wednesday morning, the Ministry of Interior confirmed.

A hand grenade was hurled from the Kabul Zoo towards Taliban security forces stationed in Dehmazang Square, Dehmazang locality in Police District 3 of Kabul, spokesperson Qari Saeed Khosty wrote on his social media account.

He said a search operation was launched to nap the culprits behind the attack.

However, local residents said the explosion was an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast targeting a Taliban pickup truck that was passing by the traffic circle near the Kabul police headquarters.

"The explosion occurred roughly at 7:50 a.m. local time (0320 GMT) with a big bang, causing panic among the people and sending a gray smoke to the sky," a witness told Xinhua.

At least one person was killed and seven others, including three students, were wounded, he said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

The security situation has remained generally calm but uncertain across Afghanistan since the Taliban's takeover in mid-August.

However, deadly bomb attacks have been staged by Islamic State-affiliated militants in several Afghan provinces in recent weeks.

On Friday, at least 47 worshippers were killed and 90 others wounded after two IS militants launched suicide bomb attacks inside a mosque in Kandahar city, capital of southern Kandahar province. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 15:38:41|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

DHAKA, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have come down heavily on the developed nations for climate "empty pledges" in the past decades.

She also made a plea to the world leaders "to turn pledges into action."

"If western leaders listen, engage and act decisively on what science demands of them, there is still time to make COP26 the success it desperately needs to be," she wrote in an article published by British daily The Financial Times Monday.

"The inconvenient truth of our times is that while action on climate change has never been more urgent and achievable, governments are not cutting emissions fast enough to keep nations such as mine safe," Hasina wrote in her article titled "Bangladesh PM: We need a global 'climate prosperity plan' not empty pledges."

She was critical of the western world ahead of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, which is slated to be held in Glasgow, Scotland between Oct. 31 and Nov. 12.

The developed nations are not taking seriously the needs of the countries most immediately affected by climate change, she said.

In the north of Bangladesh, millions depend on fresh water stored every year in the Himalayan ice fields, "which warming air is now destabilising." In the south, sea level rise is exacerbating the threat from coastal flooding. Falling crop yields are another destructive change "we can anticipate", she said.

Earlier this year, Hasina said that her government cancelled plans for 10 coal-fired power plants but that was a relatively small step.

"Subsequently, with COP26 in view, we developed the world's first national 'climate prosperity plan' -- a vision under which we will enhance resilience, grow our economy, create jobs and expand opportunities for our citizens, using action on climate change as the catalyst."

Under the plan, she said, they will obtain 30 percent of energy from renewables by the end of the decade.

The plan is expected to simultaneously prevent up to 6.8 percent of the economic damage that would otherwise come not only from climate change but also increasingly uneconomic fossil fuel infrastructure.

"I believe more developing nations will adopt such plans in the coming months and years, led by members of the Climate Vulnerable Forum," Hasina wrote.

"This year's COP26 summit in Glasgow is the best opportunity we will ever have to make one," she mentioned.

Although recent net-zero pledges from the European Union, the United States and others are welcome, she said that the 100 billion U.S. dollars per year finance pledge made 12 years ago remains unfulfilled.

"Nor is their repeated refusal to take seriously the needs of those nations most immediately affected. Agreement to support the poorest in dealing with the losses and damages caused by climate change is far removed from implementation," she continued.

"If developed nations wish to help they must address this. Cutting the cost of capital will substantially accelerate decarbonisation across the global south, yielding worldwide benefits."

"If western leaders can not see the logic of this, perhaps recent events in their own backyards will help - for what were the extreme forest fires seen in North America and Australia or Germany's recent lethal floods, if not alarm bells clanging in regions of the world most responsible for climate change?" she wrote. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 17:18:42|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Cambodian government will continue providing cash assistance to about 700,000 families hit by COVID-19 for another three months from October to December, according to a decision released on Wednesday.

Signed by Economy and Finance Minister Aun Pornmoniroth, the decision said it was the seventh round that the cash relief program was announced for the poor and vulnerable families during the pandemic.

Through the program, poor families in capital Phnom Penh and provincial towns receive a cash handout of 30 U.S. dollars a month, while poor families in the countryside get 20 dollars in assistance.

Each poor family member also receives between four dollars and 13 dollars depending on their areas.

Children under five, disabled people, citizens with HIV or citizens 60-years-of-age or older receive between four dollars and 10 dollars, also depending on their areas.

The Southeast Asian nation has seen a remarkable decline in the number of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks after over 85 percent of its population have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose.

The country reported 166 new COVID-19 cases and 12 new deaths on Wednesday, the Ministry of Health (MoH) said, adding that compared to two weeks ago when it celebrated the Pchum Ben festival, or honoring-the-dead festival, this represented a 25-percent decrease in cases, while deaths remained similar.

To date, the kingdom had recorded a total of 117,201 COVID-19 cases, with 2,693 deaths and 111,690 recoveries, the MoH said.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Tuesday that COVID-19 vaccinations had helped reduce infections, hospitalizations and fatalities, adding that most of the deceased COVID-19 patients had not been vaccinated.

"We can say that vaccines are the solid fortress for protecting our people's lives, reducing infections and preventing severe illness and death," he said in an audio message.

With high vaccination rates and low infections and deaths, Cambodia is expected to fully reopen in the near future, he added.

The country launched a COVID-19 vaccination drive on Feb. 10, with China being the main vaccine supplier.

As of Tuesday, the kingdom had administered at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccines to 13.62 million people, or 85.14 percent of its 16-million population, the MoH said.

Of them, almost 12.8 million, or 80 percent, had been fully inoculated with both required shots, and 1.51 million, or 9.5 percent, had taken a third dose or booster dose, it added. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 17:44:38|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

KATHMANDU, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least 48 people have been killed and 31 others gone missing in floods and landslides caused by unseasonal rainfalls over the last three days in Nepal.

The unexpected rainfalls, after the monsoon season receded two weeks ago, flooded rivers and streams and sparked landslides across the country.

"In addition to 48 deaths and 31 missing, 23 people have been reported injured by Wednesday afternoon," Phanindra Mani Pokharel, spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs, told Xinhua. "The casualties might increase."

Besides, 20 houses have been fully destroyed in rain-induced disasters along with paddy ready for harvest on hundreds of acres of land, and 20 of the 77 districts in the country have been highly affected by the disasters, said Pokharel.

"We are yet to calculate the loss of property," he added.

Nepal is prone to rain-induced disasters, which usually claim dozens of lives and destroy properties worth billions of Nepali rupees annually.

According to a report from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the highest 11 deaths were reported in Illam district in Province 1 in the east, followed by nine deaths in Doti district in Sudur Paschim Province in western Nepal. And in Bajhang district in Sudur Paschim Province, 23 were reported missing.

Most of the rainfalls were recorded in eastern and western parts of Nepal, according to the Meteorological Forecast Division.

"The weather is expected to improve starting Thursday," said Indira Kandel, a senior meteorologist at the division. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 17:50:57|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Two militants were killed Wednesday in a fierce gunfight with government forces in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The gunfight broke out at village Dragad of Shopian district, about 55 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"A gunfight broke out here today between militants and joint contingents of army and police at Dragad here. The militants present in the area fired upon the search party, which was retaliated," a senior police official posted in Shopian told Xinhua.

"The exchange of fire between the two sides lasted for several hours and in the stand-off, two militants were killed."

Police said the government forces have not suffered any damage in the stand-off.

According to police, the area was cordoned off on the specific intelligence information suggesting the presence of militants.

There has been a surge in gunfights in the region and 12 militants were killed last week in different gunfights. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 19:20:51|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

WELLINGTON, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Onsite learning at schools for senior secondary school students in COVID-19 Level 3 regions including Auckland will start from next week, New Zealand Education Minister said Wednesday.

Ahead of the exams by the end of the year, secondary schools in these regions will start onsite learning for year 11 to 13 on Tuesday, Chris Hipkins told a press conference.

"This is a complex issue requiring difficult trade-offs between improving education and increasing potential health risks for children and young people," Hipkins said.

Learners in this age group are able to be vaccinated and are required to wear masks, and staff and volunteers working on site will need a negative test before attending, the minister said, adding government agencies have also continued to refine public health measures for school and early learning services.

Children, young people and staff at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should stay at home unless fully vaccinated, face coverings are mandatory for staff and learners from year 9 to 13, and records must be kept for contact tracing purposes, Hipkins said. Face coverings on school transport will also be mandatory.

The minister stressed that staff and volunteers in all regions need to receive their first vaccine by Nov. 15. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 19:59:30|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

DHAKA, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh has received a batch of China-aided Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines to boost the South Asian country's vaccination drive.

"The fifth batch of gifted COVID-19 vaccines from the Chinese government to the Bangladesh government, arrived safely in Dhaka on Oct. 19," said a public post on the official Facebook page of Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh.

According to the Chinese embassy, the new batch of vaccines is produced by Sinovac Life Sciences Co., Ltd.

It said a former four batches of China-aided Sinopharm vaccines arrived in Dhaka in May, June, and August of 2021.

In the battle of fighting against the virus, China and Bangladesh have always been standing together, supporting and assisting each other in times of difficulties and challenges, vividly illustrating the profound friendship between the two countries, reads the Chinese Embassy's Facebook post.

Bangladesh began the COVID-19 vaccination drive in January to contain the pandemic that had spread across the country.

The Bangladeshi government subsequently halted administering the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine after India banned vaccine exports.

In June, the vaccination drive resumed in parts of the country with the China-donated Sinopharm vaccine. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 21:41:50|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

by Xinhua writer Wang Jiangang

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- "I have never seen such a resounding applause in my life," remarked Iftikhar Ali, a Pakistani journalist who witnessed the moment half a century ago when the legal seat of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the United Nations was restored.

Ali, who covered the UN General Assembly (UNGA) session in 1971 for the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), witnessed the historical event, when the UNGA voted on China's legal representation.

After a week of debates, the 135-member UNGA convened on the night of Oct. 25, 1971, to discuss a draft resolution jointly proposed by Albania, Algeria and 21 other countries calling for the recognition of the PRC as "the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations", Ali said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

The assembly then adopted the draft resolution by a roll-call vote of 76 to 35, with 17 abstentions, as Resolution 2758.

"Huge excitement" erupted immediately after the result was announced, recalled Ali.

Cheers and applause filled the air, and people were hugging and shouting, said Ali. "Some ambassadors also got up and danced."

A photo of Tanzanian Ambassador Salim Ahmed Salim dancing was published in U.S. newspapers the next day, said Ali.

"At that time, I had to leave to file the story," said Ali, who had no time to participate in the celebration.

He rushed all the way to the third floor of the General Assembly building and shot a flash in one of the telegraph rooms to the APP headquarters: "UNITED NATIONS CHINA IN TAIWAN OUT APP."

The big news had to be announced "in the fewest words" possible through telegram, since there were no telex machines or computers at that time. "Another word would delay it," Ali explained.

The veteran Pakistani journalist has been covering UN news ever since. While many events have become fuzzy over time, the night of Oct. 25, 1971 remains vivid in his memory.

This was an issue of "universal membership," Ali stressed, adding that most countries thereafter insisted that "Taiwan is a province of China."

In addition to what happened in the General Assembly Hall, Ali noted that the Chinese delegation's arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Nov. 11 was another highlight for China's restoration of its lawful seat at the United Nations.

There was a huge crowd of reporters waiting outside the airport for the arrival of the delegation, which Ali called a "sea of people." Many people "were beating drums and gongs and shouting welcome slogans."

Journalists, as well as permanent representatives of the 23 sponsors of the draft resolution and some UN representatives of other countries, as well as "officials, friends and colleagues from various walks of life," went to the airport to greet the Chinese delegation.

"I was really proud of China when I saw the five-star red flag raised high in front of the Roosevelt Hotel," Ali said.

In Ali's view, the restoration of China's legitimate seat at the United Nations has had a significant impact on the UN's ecology.

"The whole United Nations, the whole scenario has changed because of the presence of the People's Republic of China," he said, adding that China is a country "with a development policy on the thinking and in support of the third-world countries."

Ali also believes that the presence of China at the Security Council has made the most important organ of the world "balanced."

"China has been a strong advocate of multilateralism, and it continues to be an important supporter of developing countries," said Ali, adding that China has constantly insisted that decisions regarding international affairs should be reached through consultation between all members.

On China's principle of safeguarding the international system with the United Nations at its core, Ali said that China has done a great job in this regard.

He thanked China for helping Pakistan build the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which he said has brought "prosperity to the people of Pakistan."

Ali told Xinhua that he has strong feelings and love for China and its people as his first visit abroad was to the Asian country.

He visited China in 1964 as a member of the Pakistani delegation to Beijing to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the PRC's founding.

"I have been to China seven times. My last visit was in 1976," said Ali.

The international community made a wise choice 50 years ago, "we are very proud of that," said Ali, who expects to visit China again some time in the future. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-20 23:21:23|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Four people were killed in an explosion targeting law enforcement agencies in Bajaur tribal district of Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Wednesday night, district police sources told Xinhua. Enditem
David Barnea is going to walk softly and carry a big stick -- or so he's been saying to Mossad's workforce and alumni.

The new head of Israel's storied foreign intelligence agency recently sent a stern directive to its former senior intelligence officials: Keep your mouths shut until I say you can open them.

According to Yossi Melman, a veteran intelligence reporter for the independent Israeli daily Haaretz, Barnea warned former senior Mossad officials that he would punish anyone who speaks to the media, either on or off the record, about current or past Israeli spy operations without his prior permission.

"Which he probably won't grant," Melman told SpyTalk.

In Israel's closely-knit society, directives from the head of the Mossad apply to anyone in the agency's orbit, including the so-called "formers." Barnea's omerta order most likely means the details of past Mossad operations will remain shrouded in secrecy under his leadership. It also suggests that the agency's background briefings for reporters about current operations -- rare in the best of times -- also will be cut.

Since taking the helm of Mossad in June, Barnea has rejected all requests for media interviews.

"He plans to bring Mossad back to the old days when silence was golden," Melman says.

The order also represents an abrupt pivot away from the high public profile of Barnea's predecessor at the Mossad, Yossi Cohen, who frequently briefed reporters on current intelligence matters and gave public speeches. Cohen even allowed himself to be photographed as he met separately last year with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan to negotiate what eventually became their diplomatic recognition of Israel.

Unlike Cohen, whose dark good looks and penchant for tailored suits invited comparisons by the Israeli media to James Bond, Barnea, 56, prefers to remain in the shadows. In the few photographs of him that have appeared in the Israeli media, the graying, slender spymaster has bland, unremarkable facial features that make for the ideal spy -- what former CIA Director William Colby once called "a face a waiter would forget."

But like Cohen and the late Meir Dagan, another former Mossad chief, Barnea is aggressively action-oriented, which sets him apart from most previous Mossad directors, says Ronen Bergman, author of "Rise and Kill First," a book that details the Mossad's history of assassinations.

Those previous spymasters saw the Mossad's main mission as "the collection of intelligence and the preparation of capabilities to be used in special operations as a last resort," Bergman told SpyTalk, whereas Barnea "focuses more on the collection of more immediate intelligence that can be translated into tactical operations aimed at achieving strategic change."

Translation: assassination and sabotage operations against the key figures and facilities of Iran's nuclear program, which Israel regards as an existential threat.

Holocaust DNA

David Barnea was born in 1965 in Ashkelon, an Israeli port city on the Mediterranean a few miles north of the Gaza Strip, to a moderately religious family. His father was a toddler when his family fled to British-Mandate Palestine from Germany in 1933 following Hitler's rise to power, changing the family surname from Brunner to Barnea, after an ancient town in biblical Israel. Barnea grew up in middle class surroundings outside Tel Aviv, where his father, a retired army lieutenant colonel, directed a communications company. His mother, a Holocaust survivor from Europe, worked as a school teacher.

Nearly all young Israelis are obligated to sign up for military service, three years for men, about two years for women. In a sign of things to come, Barnea was assigned to the Sayeret Matkal, the Israeli equivalent of the U.S. Army's Delta Force. Service in the special ops unit has been a highly respected credential among top Israeli political and national security figures, Ilana Dayan, a prominent Israeli investigative reporter and military veteran herself, told SpyTalk. To help prepare for the unit's rigorous physical and mental requirements in 1982, Barnea and a blind army veteran rode a tandem bicycle from Eilat, Israel's Red Sea port, to the resort town of Sharm el Sheikh on the southern tip of the then-Israeli-occupied Sinai peninsula -- and then back, a roundtrip of roughly 310 miles.

After finishing his active duty army service in 1986, Barnea came to America to study economics and finance at the New York Institute of Technology's School of Management, which was followed by an MBA from Pace University. Returning to Israel, he worked for several years as an investment banker in Tel Aviv. But according to people familiar with his background, Barnea grew bored with banking, and in 1996, shaken by a series of terrorist bombings and the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin by a rightwing Jewish extremist a few months earlier, he joined the Mossad.

Barnea trained as a case officer, or spy handler, for a year and half before Mossad sent him to Europe, where he excelled in recruiting agents, according to friends. He spent more than a decade in human intelligence operations, rising to become Mossad's European station chief, the agency's busiest operations station. Barnea's experience as an investment banker boosted the quality and scope of his intelligence work, helping him set up front companies in Europe and South East Asia to infiltrate spies into Iran, says Melman, co-author with Dan Raviv of "Spies Against Armageddon," a history of Mossad.

Barnea returned to Israel to serve several years as the deputy chief of Mossad's Keshet unit, whose highly trained technical teams specialize in surveillance, break-ins, bugging, safe-cracking and sabotage operations in both hostile and non-hostile countries.

In 2019, Barnea was tapped to head all of Mossad's operations worldwide, which made him the agency's principal deputy director under Yossi Cohen. In that capacity, he assisted his CIA counterparts in the U.S. operation that targeted Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, fabled leader of the elite Quds special operations forces of the Revolutionary Guard Corps. Soleimani had built the network of pro-Iran Shiite militias responsible for attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq and against Israel from bases in Lebanon and Syria. On January 3, 2020, an American drone, reportedly guided by Israeli agents on the ground, killed Soleimani and an pro-Iranian Iraqi militia leader in a missile strike at Baghdad International Airport.

"David was an exceptionally supportive partner in important joint work then underway by the U.S. and Israeli services," Stephen B. Slick, a 30-year veteran of the CIA who knows Barnea personally from his stint as the agency's station chief in Tel Aviv, told SpyTalk. He characterized Barnea as "an impressive intelligence professional with deep experience in field operations." He declined to share any additional details.

Likewise, other CIA "formers" contacted by SpyTalk declined to venture beyond generalities when asked about Barnea. "He is a serious officer," retired senior CIA operations official and Iran specialist Norman Roule said. "Experienced, a good manager, and capable of leading Mossad well as it confronts regional challenges."

Shadows Man

Unlike some of his predecessors, Barnea had no public profile before he was named Mossad chief, notes former Mossad officer Avner Avraham.

"He operated over the years in secrecy, and his name was revealed to the public [only] after his appointment," Avraham told SpyTalk. But the media landscape today is far different than just a few years ago, he says, when Israelis were told little about their national security agencies, much less the name of their chiefs. Now, "they have an official website through which you can contact them," said Avraham, founder and chairman of the international agency Spylegends.com.

Still, Barnea has already amassed a legend. As Mossad's operations chief, Barnea is also credited with supervising the November 2020 assassination of Iran's top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh as he drove his car in small resort town just east of Tehran.

According to a recent account of the assassination in the New York Times,the operation used a computerized machine gun tricked out with artificial intelligence to account for gun sight recoil, plus multiple cameras to positively identify Fakhrizadeh and keep watch for any interference. The weapon's computer was linked via satellite to a sniper in Israel, who remotely squeezed the trigger more than a thousand miles away. Three bullets to Fakhrizadeh's spine killed him instantly, according to the account. The accuracy of the weapon left Fakhrizadeh's wife, who sat beside him in the car, untouched.

Fakhrizadeh's high-tech assassination exemplified what Barnea's colleagues call his "out-of-the-box" approach to Mossad operations. It also underscored his fascination with technology and gadgets and his determination to upgrade Mossad operations with more use of them. Though he's only been in the director's chair for four months, Barnea has already begun to create new units that place a heavy emphasis on cyber and high-tech, Melman said. In that, he's much like the bosses of the CIA and other spy services worldwide.

Fakhrizadeh was the sixth and highest ranking Iranian nuclear scientist to be killed by the Israelis since they began their ruthless shadow war against Iran and its nuclear program more than two decades ago. Barnea also directed the sophisticated cyber attack on Iran's primary uranium enrichment facility in Natanz in April of this year. That attack knocked out a power station some 150 feet underground, destroying or damaging thousands of centrifuges.

Only the Beginning

When Barnea took up the Mossad director's post in June, he warned more attacks were coming.

"The Iranian nuclear program will continue to be met with the full power of the long arm of the Mossad," Barnea said in a statement at his induction ceremony, which was released to the press. "We are very familiar with the different components of the nuclear program, and we are very familiar personally with the officials involved in it and also with the officials who direct them."

Barnea's muscular approach, which is shared by Israel's current government and defense establishment, has highlighted a gap between the Israeli and U.S. strategies for dealing with the Iranian nuclear program.

The Biden administration seeks a return to the 2015 nuclear agreement, negotiated during the Obama administration, under which Iran curtailed its nuclear program in return for a lifting of international sanctions. Israel opposed the accord, arguing it did not provide Israel with enough security from the possibility Iran could still develop a nuclear bomb after the accord's provision expired in 10 years. Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's vociferous public criticism of the accord, his collaboration with Republican lawmakers to kill it in Congress, and his efforts to drag the United States into a war with Iran deeply angered and alienated the Obama White House.

In 2018, President Donald Trump withdrew from the accord, and at Netanyahu's urging, implemented a so-called "maximum pressure" policy of crippling economic sanctions in an attempt to force Iran to abandon both its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and end its support for its proxy militias across the Middle East. At the same time, the Mossad stepped up its shadow war against Iran, attacking its uranium enrichment facilities and killing its nuclear scientists.

But Iran refused to buckle and stepped up its nuclear program, advancing its uranium enrichment closer to the 90 percent level needed for weapons grade nuclear fuel. Iran also cited the Israeli attacks as a pretext to halt United Nations nuclear inspections.

Shifting Down

With Joe Biden's 2020 election victory, U.S. policy shifted to a diplomatic effort to return to the 2015 nuclear accord. The U.S. and Iranian officials appeared close to a deal after six rounds of indirect negotiations in Vienna. Meanwhile, Israel's leadership also changed earlier this year as a national unity government comprised of rightwing and leftwing parties took power. The new government also opposes the 2015 nuclear agreement, but it has agreed to voice its objections in private while retaining the right to act independently against Iran. That's where Barnea comes in.

In June, Iran's leadership changed as well as President Ebrahim Raisi, a hardline cleric and former head of Iran's judiciary, was elected. So far, his new negotiating team has not said when it will return to the Vienna talks. According to U.S. officials, it is also unclear whether they will accept what was previously agreed upon.

In Washington earlier this month, senior U.S. and Israeli officials held strategic talks about Iran's nuclear program, which is now enriching uranium to the 60 percent level, a short step away from weapons grade nuclear fuel. Meanwhile, Barnea, who takes his orders from the prime minister, appears to be holding off on further operations against Iran while the officials try to reach agreement on a common approach.

With the Vienna talks stalled, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has told U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan that Israel fears Iran is becoming a "nuclear threshold state" and has urged the Biden administration to intensify sanctions and sabotage operations against Iran before it's too late. Israel also has asked the administration for a deadline for its decision on what policy it's going to adopt.

The administration is now weighing its policy options. While it recognizes the need to counter Iran's latest nuclear advances, U.S. officials say they're concerned the kind of pressure Israel is proposing could backfire, provoking Iran into further expediting its nuclear program. So for now, joint U.S-Israeli working groups are assessing Iran's economy to identify vulnerabilities and which pressure points could end up being counterproductive.

Jerusalem has told the administration it understands its position. "We know they are looking for the right balance, but we want to know how long it's going to take," an Israeli official told Axios' Barak Ravid.

But with Iran's nuclear clock ticking, that's a question that Barnea and his superiors aren't likely to leave unanswered for very long.

Jeff Stein also contributed to this story.

This article by Jonathan Broder first appeared on Spytalk.co.
Minister of Justice Omar Marwan said President Abdel Fattah El Sisi is the biggest supporter of Egyptian women.

President Sisi has always been keen to guarantee Egyptian women their full constitutional rights, Marwan said, adding that Egyptian women have been empowered to work as judges at the Council of State for the first time thanks to Sisi's relevant directives.

The minister made the remarks during a ceremony held onTuesday 19/10/2021 to honor 98 newly appointed female judges at the Council of State after they were sworn in earlier in the day.

The ceremony was attended by Minister of Social Solidarity Nevine el Qabbag, along with President of the State Lawsuits Authority Hussein Mostafa, Head of the Administrative Prosecution Authority Ezzat Abu Zeid, Chairman of the Syndicate of Journalists Diaa Rashwan, Chairperson of the National Council for Women Maya Morsy, Head of the National Council for Human Rights Moshira Khattab, and Executive Director of the National Training Academy Appointing Egyptian women as judges at the state Council for the first time thanks to Sisi's support is a historic achievement, the justice minster said in his remarks at the ceremony.

He added that Egyptian women had always played a remarkable role that contributed to the advancement of their community and whole nation.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice of the Council Mohamed Hossam El Din stressed that all the 98 newly appointed female judges meet appointment requirements, have an outstanding academic record, and hold a master's degree.

For her part, Chairwoman of the National Council for Women (NCW) Maya Morsy said "this is a golden age for Egyptian women under the leadership of President Sisi who directed the bodies concerned to empower women and support them in all areas at all levels."

MENA
Disability rights advocates have called on political parties to finance campaign activities for women with disabilities in the 2022 General Election.

Director Women Challenged to Challenge Jane Kihungi, said inadequate resources frustrate women with disabilities' quest for elective seats. As such, political parties ought to plug in and enable them to successfully compete.

"Women with disabilities have the right not just to vote, but to also be elected," she said during an October 15, Federation of Women Lawyers-Kenya webinar on Increasing Public Participation for Inclusive Elections in 2022 and Beyond.

She said Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) should ensure next year's election is compliant and inclusive, considering that in 2017, some 17 counties did not nominate any person with disabilities into the county assemblies.

"I hope to see a situation where persons with disabilities will call on IEBC to nullify elections if we do not have enough representation of persons with disabilities," she noted.

Polling stations

She further urged IEBC to establish disability friendly polling stations including provision of Braille election materials. This would enable those with disabilities to vote freely and independently, she said.

In Kenya, according to the 2019 Census, of the 900,000 Kenyans with some form of disability, 2.5 per cent are women.

Further, based on data from United Disabled Persons of Kenya, out of the 350 Members of Parliament, only five are living with a form of disability - three females and two males.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Women Governance Kenya By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

While in the Senate two, a man and a woman, were nominated to represent persons with disabilities. In the county assemblies, only 24 females and 18 males were nominated in 2017, a drop in representation from 30 females and 32 males in 2013.

Elections Observation Group, Senior Programs Manager, Marcus Ageng'a, however, noted that the fact that IEBC is underfunded disables its ability to meet its election preparation targets.

Recently, IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati told media stakeholders in a Mombasa forum that the commission requires Sh40.9 billion to prepare and run the 2022 election yet Treasury has allocated it Sh26.3 billion.

Further, the commission requested for Sh4 billion for voter registration but received only Sh1.2 billion

Mr Ageng'a said since the commission relies on public buildings for the voter and polling exercises, it is incumbent of the relevant institutions to ensure they are disability friendly.

On voter registration, he said interactive digital tools such as Twitter, Facebook and blogs should be used to encourage youth to partake in the electoral processes.
More than 25 scientists agree that lifting the nearly 20-year ban on new logging in the Congo Basin Rainforest "risks catastrophic environmental, social and climatic impacts"

The Democratic Republic of Congo government has announced an imminent purge of "doubtful contracts" in the forestry sector, promising another round of anxiety in an area of the economy deemed exploited by foreign entities.

The decision was announced on Monday by the government spokesman and Minister for Information Patrick Muyaya, who said Kinshasa would revisit all permits on tree harvesting to ensure they are not exploiting the country.

Mr Muyaya said line officials had been directed to conduct a "technical and financial" audit on all forest concessions in the DRC.

President Felix Tshisekedi, he said, has also ordered Eve Bazaiba, the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Environment and Sustainable Development, to suspend "all doubtful contracts pending the outcome of the audit."

According to an initial verification, the Congolese government claims numerous "illegal" contracts, among them "those signed in September 2020, including six concessions by a single company covering a total area of 1,376,375 hectares in violation of the law."

DRC law limits the acreage control by a single firm to 500,000 hectares.

This review primarily targets a firm known as Trade Link Sarl based in Lubumbashi, the biggest city in southwestern region of Haut-Katanga.

In September last year, the Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development Claude Nyamugabo Bazibuhe signed six concessions, raising eyebrows on whether due diligence was followed.

In February this year, environment conservation charity group Greenpeace called for the cancellation of four forestry concession contracts covering more than 777,000 hectares awarded to Group Services, a local operator, which it deemed "illegal."

In September 2020, Codelt and Ocean, two civil society organisations, appealed to the Council of States to invalidate the granting of nine forest concessions valued at nearly two million hectares, notably because of the violation of the 2005 moratorium on the authorisation of new forest concessions.

"We know how important the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo are in the fight against climate change. If the DRC really wants to play an important role in the fight against these scourges, what is the point of giving more than two million hectares for industrial exploitation?"

In Africa, the DRC is the leading forestry country, home to 60 percent of the Congo Basin's dense forests, the second-largest tropical forest in the world after the Amazon with 375 million hectares. The region is often referred to as the 'right lung' of the world, with the left being the Amazon.

The depletion of forests, often under hazy contracts, has also been cited by critics as the continual exploitation of Congo's natural resources, something President Tshisekedi promised to end.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Mining Legal Affairs Congo-Kinshasa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Mining

Last month, Kinshasa also announced a purge of mining contracts, promising to suspend those with exploitative clauses and renegotiate them.

The programme to clean the sector, Congo's biggest source of revenue, is a result of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in July. Under this arrangement, the IMF committed to a three-year credit to the tune of $1.5 billion.

But it came with conditions, which included enhancing the fight against graft and cleaning up messy lopsided mining agreements granted to foreign firms.

The arrangement is such that the DRC must revise old agreements for mining and set up policies that will prevent future deals from being one-sided.
Cape Town  Gilbert Chagoury, a Nigerian billionaire of Lebanese descent, has been named in the criminal case of a U.S. congressman Jeff Fortenberry who prosecutors say lied to FBI investigators about illegal contributions to his 2016 re-election campaign from foreign nationals.

According to Associated Press, the indictment alleges that Fortenberry, U.S. Representative of Nebraska repeatedly lied to and misled authorities during a federal investigation into illegal contributions to his re-election campaign made by a foreign billionaire in early 2016.

The authorities say that Chagoury arranged for U.S.$30,000 to be contributed through other individuals to Fortenberry's campaign during a Los Angeles fundraiser. In the U.S., it is illegal for foreign nationals to contribute to U.S. election campaigns, for donors to obscure the foreign source of political contributions, and for recipients to willingly accept such money.

According to the indictment, Fortenberry falsely told investigators he wasn't aware of an associate of Chagoury being involved in illegal contributions. He also allegedly said that his donors were publicly disclosed, and he wasn't aware of any contributions from a foreign national, which is illegal.

According to a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. government, in 2019 Chagoury accepted responsibility for his role and conduct that resulted in violations of federal election contribution laws between June 2012 and March 2016 and agreed to cooperate with the government's investigation. He agreed to pay a U.S.$1.8 million fine. Prosecutors have said Chagoury made some of the illegal contributions to politicians from smaller states because he thought the amounts would be more noticeable and give him better access. He also drew attention years ago for giving more than U.S.$1 million to the Clinton Foundation. Chagoury entered into the agreement on October 19, 2019, and he paid the fine in December 2019.

Who is Chagoury?

Chagoury was a close associate of Nigerian dictator, General Sani Abacha, who helped his business interests in the country. Abacha diverted millions of dollars from Nigeria's central bank to overseas bank accounts of his family and associates. After Abacha died in 1998, Chagoury returned an estimated U.S.$300 million to the Nigerian government to secure his indemnity from possible criminal charges.


The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, has charged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs),in the region to prepare development-focused budget.

He said the budget should allocate and utilise adequate financial resources for social services delivery, infrastructural, economic development and environmental management.

Mr Quartey said such initiative would help create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive and beef-up Internally Generated Funds (IGF) inflow for the Assemblies.

Mr Quartey made the call at the opening of the Regional Budget Hearing for all 29 MMDAs in the region, in Accra.

Being held across the country from October 18 to 21, the Budget Hearing was aimed at further deepening participatory budgeting and accountability at the local level.

It would further offer the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) with support from the National Technical Working Team the opportunity to jointly review the MMDAs revenue and expenditure performance for 2021 and the targets set for 2022-2025.

Additionally, the hearings would ensure that budget allocations reflect the objectives and strategies of government policies and are also in line with the 2022-2025 Budget Preparation Guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance.

Currently, Mr Quartey stated that, mobilisation of IGF by MMDAs was plagued with inefficiencies which undermine their ability to realise the full potentials of local revenue.

This, he said, had resulted in the Assemblies not being able to raise enough funds for the delivery of much-needed services such as sanitation and waste management, education and health infrastructure, roads, streetlights, drainage, street naming and property addressing system.

The minister stated that the situation had compelled MMDAs to rely on Central Government transfers and funding from Development Partners, to complement their local revenue sources.

He said that over-reliance on external sources were detrimental to development at the local level.

He said the Greater Accra Region was doing well as compared to other regions in terms of IGF collection over the past four year.

Mr Quartey, however, said there was the need to increase the IGF,considering the number of residential and commercial properties sited in the region and new properties springing up, which could serve as a major revenue source .

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ghana Governance Sustainable Development By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

He asked the MMDAs to take necessary steps to address challenges impacting on revenue collection and devote resources to implement strategies outlined in their Revenue Improvement Action Plan.

Mr Quartey urged officers managing the finances of the Assemblies, including Chief Executives, Co-ordinating Directors end Finance Officers to operate within the framework of the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).

He said they should also apply relevant laws and regulations, to avoid the rate of infractions raised in the Auditor General's report on annual basis, and also improve on the financial management system at the MMDA level.

EboAmoah, Head of Fiscal Decentralization Unit, Ministry of Finance, cautioned the Assemblies against engaging in financial transactions without using the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).

He said such improper transactions were resulting in the continued build-up of arrears and judgement debt, which were crippling MMDAs.

In the face of scares resources, Mr Amoah urged them to make allocations to priority projects in the MMDAs medium term plans.
"Though I have other children, the departure of that boy seems as if 20 people left my house," says mother of boy killed by SARS

Dominic Onyeukwu managed to save his unborn son's life during a riot.

20 years on, he could not prevent his son from being killed by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a now disbanded notorious police unit.

When the Kaduna Riot erupted in February 2000, the late Chibuike Ikeagwuchi was still in his mother's womb.

The riot, which led to over 200 deaths and many properties destroyed, later extended to Kano, where Chibuike's parents lived at the time.

As Chibuike's mother, Agnes', due date drew nearer, the riot had intensified. Chibuike's father, Dominic, decided to prioritise the safety of his wife and family by evacuating them from Kano.

The escape

One night in March 2000, Dominic managed to get his plan of escape in motion. But there was a problem. When he and his family arrived at the Sabon Gari Park, the last bus of the F.G. Onyenwe Transport Company to Owerri was almost full, unable to accommodate all six family members.

Dominic decided to put his pregnant wife and four children on the bus so he could stay behind and join them later. He wanted to, as he recalls, "allow my wife and children to arrive home safely without any pressure on the pregnancy."

His family did arrive safely, and so did he, a month and two weeks later.

The family had relocated to their hometown at Oboukwu Obizi in the Ezinihitte local government area of Imo State.

Birth, death

There, Chibuike Ikeagwuchi was safely given birth to.

"I avoided every trouble. I dodged every bullet," Dominic remembers. "I did everything I could to make sure that the child was safe and secure."

But two decades later, Dominic would not be in the position to protect his son, who was murdered in cold blood.

It was the afternoon of September 19, 2020. when an officer, named Isaiah Bene, attached to the Nigerian Mobile Police Force (MOPOL) at the Elelenwo area of the Obio/Akpor local government in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, killed Chibuike, who had turned 20 just months before.

Chibuike and his friend, identified as Reuben, were reportedly walking along the road when they saw operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian Police Force.

Having previously heard and seen atrocities committed by the unit, the two friends started running in fear. The officers chased after them and, when they could not keep up, raised a false alarm with shouts of "thieves! thieves!"

To avoid being killed, Chibuike and Reuben eventually stopped to explain themselves to the SARS officers, who were still running towards them. During their short wait for the SARS officers to catch up to them, the duo was approached by MOPOL officer Bene, who was stationed in Elelewon.

Reuben recalls emptying the bag he was carrying when he heard a gunshot behind him. Chibuike had been shot in the back by Bene and had fallen face down on the ground. The incident was videoed by witnesses and posted on social media.

When the SARS operatives finally arrived at the scene, they handcuffed Reuben. At that time, Chibuike was still breathing, but the SARS operatives refused to take him to the hospital. Rather, they put him on the floor of a tricycle where he breathed his last breath around 3:00 p.m.

While Reuben was taken to the police station, Chibuike was taken to the University of Port Harcourt (UPTH) mortuary.

Dominic heard about Chibuike's shooting from his (Dominic's) eldest son, Michael. When he heard, he went to the Elelewon police station, where he requested to see his son, but was informed Chibuike was not in their custody.

He then received a phone call from Reuben's mother, who told him not to leave the police station. When Reuben's mother arrived at the station, they were allowed to see Reuben, who told them Chibuike had been

killed and taken to the mortuary by the SARS operatives. Dominic slumped.

"I did not know when I fell," he says.

He was shocked but also angry that his son had not only been shot, but taken to the mortuary without his consent. "They allowed my boy to die slowly," he says.

Accident victim?

When Dominic got to the UPTH mortuary that evening, the mortuary attendants did not doubt his claim of being the father of the deceased, because of the striking resemblance.

By the time I saw his body, he was very dark," Dominic remembers.

The SARS operatives had apparently dumped Chibuike's corpse and registered him under the name Daniel Anambra, a 30-year-old accident victim.

Dominic took his son's corpse and travelled to their hometown, where he ensured Chibuike was buried in the family compound on December 21, 2020.

"The boy was a son I did not know I would lose like that," the 69-year-old Dominic laments. "He was not a cultist - it was proven beyond reasonable doubt. Throughout the time of his death till now, I never saw any group come to say he was their member."

'His death is like 20 people leaving the house'

Dominic describes his late son, who was his fifth and last child, as a potential music superstar who went by the stage name Sleek.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Legal Affairs Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Chibuike, Dominic reveals, was in a group that already had an album to their credit.

In 2020, Chibuike was admitted to study civil engineering at the Federal University of Owerri (FUTO), but could not attend because of complications caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In addition to being an artist, he also installed aluminium windows and roofs.

On October 27, 2020, Dominic instituted two separate cases - criminal and human rights - against the Rivers State Command of the Nigerian Police Force in the Rivers State High Court.

The human rights case was speedily carried out and on November 27, 2020, Dominic was awarded the sum of 50 million naira in damages.

The criminal case was adjourned till April 14, 2021, while officer Bene was remanded in prison.

Chibuike's mother, Agnes, cries as she reflects on her son's life. "Life has never been the same," she says, sobbing. "I keep calling his number. I was there when they were burying him but I still call his number [to see] whether he would answer me."

"Though I have other children, the departure of that boy seems as if 20 people left my house," she adds.

Dominic, meanwhile, says the loss of his son has shattered him, almost driving him to insanity. "His loss disorganized me," he explains. "Since his loss, I've become disoriented."
The National Youth Games has concluded in Ilorin with Delta State claiming the top spot once again

Team Delta on Tuesday in Ilorin underlined their dominance of the National Youth Games (NYG) by winning the sixth edition after bagging 60 gold, 26 silver, and 28 bronze medals. This makes it six wins in the six National Youth Games since 2013 when Abuja hosted the first edition.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, which has been dominated by Delta since inception, ended amid funfair and a colourful march-past.

Team Lagos came second with 19 gold, 25 silver, and 28 bronze medals, while Edo occupied the third position with 18 gold, 10 silver, and 12 bronze medals.

In fourth place was Bayelsa with 16 gold, 14 silver, and 16 bronze medals while Rivers finished in the fifth position with 11 gold, eight silver, and 14 bronze medals.

Kwara, which finished 13th at the last edition, improved their performance this year with a sixth-place finish after garnering 10 gold, 10 silver, and 12 bronze medals.

FCT stood in the seventh position with 10 gold, nine silver, and 17 bronze medals.

Ogun were in eighth place on the final medals table after winning eight gold, 13 silver, and 24 bronze.

Ondo State had seven gold, seven silver, and 16 bronze medals to place ninth, while Oyo State won six gold, six silver, and 19 bronze for a 10th place finish.

NAN
Rwanda army has acknowledged incursion into the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday, describing it as unintentional.

The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) said it was pursuing smugglers who crossed the border at Hehu in Rubavu District.

"Rwandan law enforcement forces unintentionally crossed a few metres into the DRC while pursuing the smugglers who were carrying unidentified packages and believed to have been armed," said RDF in a statement on Tuesday.

In Kinshasa, civil society organisations and Congolese politicians had described the incursion as "an act of provocation."

The National Assembly even summoned the Defence minister to respond to the lawmakers' queries on the reported border clash between RDF and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC).

But Rwanda has been quick to reassure its neighbour that they enjoy a cordial relationship.

"The RDF and FARDC maintain good relations and continue to collaborate on security matters," the Rwanda army said.

On Monday, Congolese military officials accused the Rwandan army of invading six villages in North Kivu province, resulting in a clash between the two sides.

"They came within 200 metres of the national road number 2. They were contained by armed forces ... until the arrival of reinforcements, they turned back," Col Ndjike Kaiko Guillaume, head of the military operations in North Kivu said.

He added that there was an exchange of fire from "support and individual weapons".

"We recovered a weapon and there was also looting," the military chief said.

Rwanda's ambassador to DR Congo, speaking from North Kivu, had dismissed the allegations of a clash and looting, saying there was no evidence.

"The fact is very minor around the pursuit of a fraudster. The rest is just buzz from ... fabricated tension," ambassador Vincent Karega said on Monday.

Congolese army officials said they would refer the matter to an International Conference on the Great Lakes Region.

"We are all members of the joint verification mechanism. We are going to refer the matter to this mechanism in the near future to find out the motive for this attack," Col Guillaume said.

The DRC and Rwanda have had a tumultuous relationship for years. However, relations have been thawing, with the two countries recently signing bilateral agreements including on gold mining and production.
Tunis/Tunisia  Representatives of the "Coordination of Democratic Forces" called at a meeting with Secretary General of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) Noureddine Taboubi for a quick return to constitutional order.

The delegation of the Coordination was composed of Ghazi Chaouachi (Democratic Current), Issam Chebbi (Al-Joumhouri), Fadhel Abdel Kafi (Afek Tounes), and Khalil Zaouia (Ettakatol).

According to a statement issued from Afek Tounes, the meeting was held at the headquarters of the labour organisation in Tunis.

Representatives of the delegation stressed the "need for a rapid return to the democratic system, as part of an inclusive process that ensures the conditions for political stability. The objective is to address the economic and social difficulties facing the country, reads the same statement.

The four parties on September 28 announced the formation of this coordination that opposes President Kais Saied's measures.
Tunis/Tunisia  Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, Othman Jerandi and Minister of State at the German Federal Foreign Office Niels Annen discussed, Tuesday, prospects for cooperation and partnership between the two countries and developments in Tunisia and the region.

The German Minister of State is making an official visit to Tunisia, 19 and 20 October.

Quoted in a statement, Jerandi welcomed, during the meeting, the ties of friendship, cooperation and strategic partnership between Tunisia and Germany.

The "intensive" and "high level" political consultations conducted between officials of both countries, reflect the common desire to establish a "constructive" dialogue in the context of mutual respect, he added.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed the great support provided by Germany to the development process of Tunisia, whether in the context of bilateral cooperation or through the European Union. "The Federal Republic of Germany stood by Tunisia during the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic," he pointed out.

In addition, Jarandi expressed the hope that Germany will continue to support Tunisia bilaterally and multilaterally in this delicate stage, saying he hoped dialogue would continue between the two parties to discuss ways to further diversify cooperation.

For his part, Niels Annen said he hoped an advancement of Tunisia on the path of consolidating democracy and the rule of law and institutions, so as to meet the aspirations of the Tunisian people for development and social justice. "

Niels welcomed the "excellent" level reached by bilateral relations in various areas, reaffirming, "the constant willingness of his country to further strengthen these relations of partnership.

The two officials exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest, including the political future in Libya.

During his visit to Tunisia, the German Minister of State is expected to meet with members of the government as well as representatives of civil society and political parties, according to a press release from the German embassy in Tunis.

The visit of the German official in Tunisia is part of a tour involving Algeria and Libya, said the same source.
"Allah has created us all equal in terms of rights and duties, no matter how different we are in color, religion and race," Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed el Tayyeb said.

During a meeting with British Ambassador in Cairo Gareth Bayley at Al-Azhar Sheikhdom on Tuesday 19/10/2021, Tayyeb added that "Al-Azhar Al-Shariff has been open to religious and cultural institutions all over the world to put an end to hatred and intolerance between the East and the West.

He also underlined the importance of joint efforts to deal with contemporary global issues and crises, including poor education levels and environmental and community-related challenges"This is a common human responsibility," Tayyeb said.

Meanwhile, the British diplomat greeted Tayyeb on Al-Mawlid Al-Nabawi, the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday anniversary, applauding the grand imam's efforts to promote inter-faith dialogue.

Bayley also voiced his country's interest in greater cooperation with Al-Azhar Al-Shariff, especially in light of its broad experience in preachers' training, combating extremism and promoting global peace and tolerance.

Tayyeb said that the Prophet Muhmmad is a prophet for all humanity, and all divine religions uphold the value of peace.

MENA
analysis

Crowds do not represent an election victory, the ANC's suspended secretary-general Ace Magashule has warned after President Cyril Ramaphosa's well-attended two-day campaign in the Free State.

Official social media pictures of ANC local government election campaign events addressed by President Cyril Ramaphosa show cheering crowds out in near lockdown-defying numbers to listen to him. (Officially only 2,000 people are allowed, but unofficially, nobody's counting during brief rallies from the back of a party campaign truck. The Covid-19 infection rate is low.)

One of Ramaphosa's main detractors in the party, Ace Magashule, has been out of the official ANC spotlight due to his suspension conditions, but says he's still been campaigning in his branch. But he's worried when asked whether the ANC will manage above 50% of the vote in the provincial capital.

"It's tough here. I think Mangaung is tough," he told Daily Maverick in an interview before a brief pre-trial conference and postponement in his corruption case on Tuesday morning.

The party managed a 54% share of the vote in 2016, but that represented a drop of 10 percentage points -- mirroring its recent challenges in other metros. If another drop of this magnitude happens again on 1 November,...
Mogadishu  Somalia's Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble said on Sunday that the election of members of the Lower House of parliament will start next week.

The breakaway northwestern region of Somaliland is expected to elect 46 lawmakers, PM Roble said.

He said he had agreed with leaders of Somaliland political groups in Mogadishu - Abdi Hashi Abdullahi, the speaker of the outgoing Upper House (Senate), and Mahdi Mohamed Guled, the deputy prime minister - on holding elections.

Once the indirect election of Somalia's 275 legislators is completed, they are expected to pick a federal president in a joint session with the 54 members of the Senate.

The presidential election had been scheduled for October 10, but the day passed without even the election of senators being completed. Some 48 senators were elected and six seats remain unfilled - four for Jubbaland state and two for Galmudug.

Although elections to the Lower House (House of the People) have been delayed several times, security has now been beefed up for the polls in all the constituencies.

Personnel from the Somali police force and the police division of the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) have been deployed in several towns including Beletweyne, Barawe and Dusamareb to maintain peace.

PM Roble exuded confidence that a parliament will be in place to take over the basic functions of government."I want to witness a new legislative body rapidly formed while I emerge clean in an election that is free from clashes," he said.

The United States recently urged Somali leaders to accelerate the elections so as to save the Horn of Africa country from political mayhem.

Over the past two months, the elections were delayed largely as a result of squabbles between President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and PM Roble. Somalia's foreign minister, Abdirizak Mohamed, on a visit to the US, met with the US assistant secretary of state for African affairs, Mary Catherine Phee, and they agreed that the elections should be held within an acceptable timeline.

Last Thursday, Phee said, "I am delighted to have received today Abdirizak Mohamed at the State Department, where I stressed that the National Consultative Council (NCC) of Somalia must complete elections this year."Having failed to hold one man, one vote universal suffrage, the NCC - a body made up of the Federal Government of Somalia, leaders of federal states and the mayor of Mogadishu - had agreed indirect voting would be held on September 17, 2020.

In the clan-based indirect electoral system, the 54 senators are elected by the parliaments of federal states and legislators of the Lower House are elected by 101 delegates from the respective clans.
Gender Chief Administrative Secretary Beatrice Elachi has broken her silence in an ongoing investigation into her conduct as Speaker of the Nairobi County Assembly, saying she broke no law in promoting staff.

Ms Elachi has pointed an accusing finger at unnamed county officials that she says want to tarnish her name.

She said she only implemented what had already been agreed upon years before she joined City Hall in 2018. She says she found an assembly where staff had not been promoted since 2013 and were in a career progression crisis.

"This is something that started way before I joined the assembly. The promotions began during the time of the late Alex Magelo. I only came to implement and we made sure we followed all due processes," she said.

"I promoted everyone because since 2013 they hadn't promoted any staff and there was a crisis...I did something that they were supposed to do even before I came."

Last week, Nairobi County acting clerk Adah Onyango told the assembly's Justice and Legal Affairs Committee that the promotions were made irregularly and outside the provisions of the law.

Ms Onyango alleged that the Nairobi County Assembly Service Board, which Ms Elachi chaired in her capacity as Speaker, went on an illegal venture and promoted officers in a skewed manner, against public service regulations.

She also said the board created job scales beyond what is required by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). This resulted in some officers being promoted to non-existent positions or roles that had not been budgeted for, leading to expenditures in programmes that had not been approved or budgeted for.

But Ms Elachi has defended herself, saying she borrowed an organisational structure used by the Senate and the Kiambu County Assembly.

"The structure that was there was a corporate one. You can't do a corporate structure in a public institution. It wouldn't have worked," she said.

Moreover, she said, the report containing the structure was tabled on the floor of the House and adopted.

"Those with issues would have questioned it then but nothing of the sort happened. We have the report and the Hansard to that effect," she said.

"We requested resources and it was put in the budget. They are not fighting for anything else but for money for foreign travels."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

She also said she did not introduce any new job scales but only made sure that every employee was correctly graded.

"You found that (people) with a diploma, degree and PhD were in the same scale and the boss of all of them had a diploma yet they were employed at the same time. It didn't make sense. So, as the board, we regularised and ensured that every staff was in the right scale," she said.

On whether SRC was kept abreast of the organisational structure review, Ms Elachi said they shared the report with the agency and its officials agreed to it.

"I am not mad. I know the law," she said.

But she said SRC froze promotions in the county assembly until they finished evaluating the 2020 promotions.

"I don't know why the current board (is promoting staff) yet that evaluation process is not over yet," she said.
The Nakuru business community has urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to lift the night curfew and allow the economy to fully reopen.

Led by National Bar Owners Association secretary-general Boniface Gachoka, boda boda spokesperson Mwanda Stephen and Nakuru Digital Cabs secretary-general Isaac Mwangi, they said it was unfair that politicians are allowed to hold rallies but the curfew is still in place.

They pleaded with the President to end the curfew when he addresses the nation on Mashujaa Day, which will be celebrated Wednesday in Kirinyaga County.

They said lifting the ban on social gatherings will allow businesses to thrive again and help restore Kenya's economy.

"We are requesting the President to give us an opportunity to operate (all businesses) as we used to before the pandemic. Businesses have gone down. We have followed all protocols as required by the Ministry of Health. It is now time we are allowed to operate fully," Mr Gachoka said.

He said Covid-19 infections were dropping and the government should allow normality to return.

He also regretted that politicians are being allowed to hold public gatherings but business activities are still restricted.

"We are seeing politicians going round every day holding meetings. Most of the time, they do not even comply with the restrictions. We wonder why we have not been allowed to go back and operate as usual yet we have followed all the protocols," he said.

For his part, Mr Mwanda said that many people who depended on the boda boda sector for their livelihoods have been greatly affected due to reduced time of operations.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Business By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

His sentiments were echoed by digital cab drivers.

"We are greatly affected by the closure of especially bars at night and the ban on night travel. Working extra hours helps us earn extra coins, which help us to service our loans," Mr Mwangi said.

Linda Kagia, a representative of local manufacturers, regretted that operating hours are restricted.

She said reopening bars and restaurants fully will allow them to operate 24 hours and help restore the country's economy.

She said that manufacturers had lost a lot of income in the last one year, forcing employers to lay off their workers.

"We have all complied with the MoH guidelines. We understand what is required from us. It is time the government allowed us to resume operations," she said.
In villages in Tana Delta sub-county, Tana River County, buffaloes have imposed a curfew.

The beasts control grazing fields and are taking over farms.

Several people have been killed and others maimed while tens are nursing injuries in hospitals after being attacked by the herbivores.

Residents must be cautious in their movements to the river, farms, and even markets.

The situation is so dire that residents are contemplating killing the beasts grazing near their homes as their pleas to the Kenya Wildlife Service have yielded no response.

The family of Asman Juma is still mourning two weeks after their relative was killed by a buffalo in Darisa village, Galili location.

The 17-year-old boy had traveled 79km in search of pasture for his father's livestock amid the biting drought when he encountered the beasts.

According to Mohammed Hanti, a herder, Juma had not spotted a herd of buffaloes grazing ahead as he steered his herd to the grazing area.

"We had passed the same herd of buffaloes when we heard someone call for help behind us, we knew he was the one," he says.

They rushed to the scene but could not get near the buffaloes, as the animals were trampling on Juma, tossing him up and down with their horns.

The cows had scattered in fear and were running in separate directions as the herders watched helplessly.

When the beasts walked away an hour later, the herders set out in search of Juma's body.

The buffaloes had dragged him a short distance from where they had killed him, leaving his blood-stained clothes behind.

"We decided to carry the body home to his father for burial. Had we not been present, he would have decayed in the wilderness," Mr Hanti says.

At Hola Referral Hospital, 53-year-old Bishar Hassan, from Mnazini village, is nursing injuries caused by a buffalo.

He had just left his house to check on his herd in the fields when a buffalo knocked him down.

"I was just on my way when suddenly the buffalo appeared from one of the farms and knocked me on the side," he narrates.

Mr Hassan was fortunate as other villagers made noises to confuse the beast, which decided to leave its first victim and charge towards them.

Other villagers took the opportunity to rescue Mr Hassan, who had suffered a fractured leg, a broken rib, and a dislocated arm.

Mr Hassan reiterates that he is fortunate to be alive as the buffalo was determined to finish him.

The buffaloes have become a menace in Galili and Mnazini villages.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Wildlife By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Five people have been attacked by buffaloes in Galili in less than one week, while other cases have been reported in Mnazini and other areas of the Tana Delta.

Residents say the animals have restricted movement.

Mohammed Dakane, an elder, says that residents can no longer farm peacefully, as some must stand on guard as others farm.

"We have called the KWS to our rescue several times but they don't come and when they do, it is because someone has been attacked," he says.

Residents are appealing to Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala to intervene or they will start hunting down the buffaloes.

"We want the KWS to drive the buffaloes to their space. We can't continue like this. We need our freedom back," says Hussein Gawawa, an elder.

We reached out to Tana River County Senior Warden Augustine Ajuoga but he had not responded to issues raised by residents by publication time.
Kenya's Agnes Jebet Tirop competes in the Women's 5,000m race heats during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on July 30, 2021.

Olympian Agnes Tirop died from stab wounds to the neck and blunt force trauma to the head, according to a post-mortem done yesterday by Government Pathologist Dorothy Njeru.

"Generally, the examination has shown injuries due to stab wounds to the neck and trauma to the head," said Dr Njeru after a three-hour examination at the Iten County Referral Hospital mortuary.

She declined to give further details, noting that the team of two pathologists and forensic experts had handed the report to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for further investigations.

The post-mortem was performed in the presence of detectives from DCI's Homicide department and a pathologist representing the family.

Mr Vincent Tirop, the father of the athlete, expressed satisfaction with the post-mortem and asked the DCI to unearth the motive behind the killing of his daughter.

'The police have done their work and (I) hope that justice will be done," said Mr Tirop.

He said the body would be moved to an Eldoret mortuary before the burial on Saturday.

The prime suspect in the killing of athlete, Mr Ibrahim Rotich, was taken to court yesterday as the family started the legal process to get back her property.

Iten Senior Principal Magistrate Charles Kutwa granted detectives 20 more days to hold the suspect at the Eldoret Central Police Station, following application by the prosecution.

He further directed that the suspect be taken for mental assessment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret to determine his fitness to stand trial.

Two other suspects are in police custody over the killing of the athlete and detectives continue to record statements from others.

The family of the athlete on Monday cleansed the house in which she was killed. They have also banned Mr Rotich's relatives from attending the burial, and said they will not allow any form of traditional settlement for her killing.

Read: 'A team player and strong athlete,' slain Agnes Tirop eulogised
Davis Malombe has been appointed the executive director of the Kenyan Human Rights Commission (KHRC) to replace George Kegoro who left the company last year.

Prior to his new role, Mr Malombe served as KHRC's programme officer and deputy executive director, and later moved on to be the organisation's interim executive director last year.

In a letter signed by KHRC's chairperson, Professor Makau Mutua, the newly appointed boss will take up his role immediately.

"He is well known in the NGO sector where he has distinguished himself as a key leader and organiser in the fields of human rights and good governance," Professor Mutua said.

With the country heading to the general elections in a few months, the rights watchdog expects that Mr Malombe will spearhead its activities to promote peace.

The Commission also expressed its confidence in Mr Malombe, citing his experience in addressing sensitive and complex issues.

"His leadership will be especially critical as Kenya enters the electioneering period. We expect the 2022 elections to be the most challenging for Kenya yet," the letter announcing his appointment said.

Mr Malombe has worked in the human rights sector for the last two decades.

He replaces Mr Kegoro who left KHRC for Open Society Initiative of East Africa last year.
As President Uhuru Kenyatta winds up his final term in office, victims of the 2007/08 post-election violence hope that he will fulfill his 2013 promise to resettle them.

The Nakuru County Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) network is now appealing to the President to finalise the resettlement and compensation process for some of their members who were left out.

Led by county coordinator Lucy Njeri, the group explained that the compensation process initiated by the Jubilee government is yet to be completed as a majority of members are yet to be resettled.

Ms Njeri said the National Consultative Coordination Committee on Internally Displaced Persons (NCCCIDP), which oversaw the resettlement, was disbanded without completing its work.

She said only 83,000 of the 200,000 members received Sh50,000.

She said that the names of at least 27,000 members who did not receive the payment had errors and were sent back for correction. But the money was never paid into their accounts.

On the other hand, those who resettled on land bought by the government have not been able to utilise it as the subdivision of the land was stymied by court cases.

Because of the drawn-out court cases, some elderly members had died before being settled.

"We request our President to establish the status of the farms and help members settle on them before he leaves office in 2022. Our members have been suffering for a very long time waiting for this compensation," Ms Njeri said.

She also lamented that the IDP Act 2012, formulated to deal with the affairs of the IDPs, is not being implemented because the government disbanded the consultative committee.

The group also wants to be involved in peace efforts spearheaded by the government. Rev Francis Gathambu, an IDP from Molo sub-county, said the victims of the clashes are better placed to promote peace in Kenya as they understand better the negative effects of violence.

He called on the President to initiate investigations into the compensation money that he believes was stolen.
The Police Command in Kano state has arrested two persons for allegedly supplying fuel to bandits in Katsina state, from Kano, the command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Abdullahi Haruna-Kiyawa, said in a statement on Tuesday, in Kano.

He identified the suspects as Musbahu Rabi'u, 31, and Jamilu Abdullahi, 37, all residents of Jibiya local government area, Katsina State.

Haruna-Kiyawa said that the suspects were arrested with two J5 vehicles loaded with the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) inside 25 litre Jerrycans concealed in empty sugar bags.

"On Oct. 15, 2021, at about 12:30 hours, a team of policemen led by CSP Abubakar Hamma, while on intelligence-led patrol at Fagge, Kano, intercepted two J5 motor vehicles loaded with foodstuffs.

"On a stop and search operation, five Jerri cans of 25 litres each filled with PMS concealed inside an empty sack of sugar were discovered in one of the vehicles," he said.

He revealed that the suspect confessed that "they came once to Kano from Katsina, bought PMS in Jerrycans and transported it to Jibiya, Katsina state where he sold it at higher rate".

The suspect further confessed that, "they were arrested while trying to transport the PMS for the second time."

Haruna-Kiyawa explained that the state Commissioner of Police, Samaila Shuaibu-Dikko, has in the meantime, ordered for discreet investigation into the matter, after which the suspects would be charged to court.

The CP urged residents of the state to be watchful of their immediate environment and report any suspicious movements of people to the nearest Police station.

He also called on filling stations' operators in the state to desist from selling fuel to unknown buyers in large quantities and inside Jerrycans.

"Report any suspicious buyer of the product to the nearest Police station," CP urges filling stations.

He added that, in case of emergency, the command could be contacted on 08032419754, 08123821575, 08076091271, or log in to the "NPF Rescue Me" application available on Play Store".

Vanguard News Nigeria
The announcement last week by the Federal government to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for civil servants from 1st December 2021, caught many Nigerians unawares. Mixed reactions have trailed the announcement.

More pronounced is the reaction from the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law, NBA-SPIDEL, Dr. Monday Ubani, who threatened to drag the federal government to court if it goes ahead to enforce the directive.

However, findings by Good Health Weekly showed that this approach by the Federal government may not be as strange as it sounds.

There are several countries that have adopted mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies for their workforce even as others are implementing other restrictions for the unvaccinated.

Canada has imposed a COVID-19 vaccine mandate on federal workers, and all transport workers, while in France, healthcare workers must be vaccinated or face dismissal or suspension without pay.

In Italy, public and private sector workers must have a green pass showing vaccination proof, a negative test result, or recent recovery from COVID-19.

Any worker who fails to present a valid health certificate after five days on leave risks suspension without pay. Unvaccinated workers who go to work can be fined up to $2,000.

In the United States of America, all federal workers and contractors must be vaccinated, while private employers with 100 or more workers must require staff to be vaccinated by December, or get tested weekly. Violators could face termination. In Malaysia, Federal employees must be vaccinated by end of October or face disciplinary action. New Zealand has also made COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for teachers, and healthcare workers

However, while some public health experts say although such policy cannot be proven scientifically it is necessary to protect more Nigerians from infection, others insist that such mandatory policy must take into consideration the World Health Organisation's recommendation that it is always better if health interventions are accepted without coercion.

Govt has responsibility to protect citizens -- Prof Ogonia

In a chat with Good Health Weekly, President, Nigerian Infectious Diseases Society, Prof. Dimie Ogoina who noted that government has a responsibility to protect the citizens argued that introducing a policy that mandate workers to take vaccine will not be enough as they need to ensure availability of vaccines as well as sustain enlightenment campaign on the benefits and side effects.

Ogoina explained that "Government needs to ensure sufficient quantity of this vaccine; it's not enough to get people vaccinated if you don't have a vaccine that can go round. The government also need to convince people that the vaccine is safe and protective while also sensitise people on side effect.

"The responsibility we all have as stakeholders is to continue to enlighten people and make them understand that a large number of people have been vaccinated in which about 5 billion across the globe had been vaccinated and close to 5 million Nigerians have also been vaccinated. Most of these people have tolerated the vaccines and these vaccines have been found to be effective and protective."

Stating that the policy was morepolitical based on government's responsibility to protect the people, he said: "You can't say there is scientific evidence that suggest that vaccination should be mandatory. It is a societal and legal decision. It is not in every society or every group you need to request for mandatory vaccination but it is important to have many more people vaccinated to stop people from infecting others.

"In terms of human rights, we all have our human rights. We need to strike a balance between where our own right end and where others begin because the problem with COVID-19 is not about an individual but public safety. You can spread the virus if you are not vaccinated so the government has a responsibility to protect people.

He said everybody has a right but there is need to strike a balance between where your own right ends and where others begin.

Encouraging Nigerians to go for vaccination, Ogonia who added that people are saying they will not take the vaccine because of misconception, misinformation or fear when people get vaccinated it decreases the chances of dying or having severe illness and hospitalisation.

"The vaccine is safe. A lot of these misconceptions and claims are not true. The vaccine does not alert your DNA. It does not have a micro chip most of these misinformation out there cannot be substantiated. There is need to inform people that the vaccines are safe.

"These are the vaccines we give our on regular basis and it's the same brand of vaccine just that COVID-19 is a new disease. So, if the government is making it mandatory I don't see anything bad in it just that it's a matter of political and legal decision and not the necessarily based on science You cannot say there is a scientific evidence that vaccination must be mandatory.

Policy will help improve health-seeking behaviour of Nigerians --Prof Ujah

Also, in a chat, the National President of Nigeria Medical Association, Prof. Innocent Ujah said the policy will help to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus and improve health-seeking behaviour of Nigerians.

"We are in support of the policy introduced by the federal government because it will help to reduce the spread of the virus and improve health-seeking behaviours of Nigerians. What government needs to do going forward is to ensure the vaccine is available.

"My advice to civil servants is that they should make themselves available for the vaccine. Nothing negative about the vaccine, I took my own a long time ago and am still healthy and strong. I also believe that enforcement won't be a problem because workers are under different agencies with heads that will ensure enforcement for the benefit of all."

Ujah disclosed that vaccine hesitancy is not a new thing as it happened during polio, "but we need to understand that the eventual acceptability of the vaccine and immunization take us out of polio pandemic country.

FG should consider WHO recommendations on vaccination -- Dr Godiya Ishaya

Reacting to the policy, the President of the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, Dr Godiya Ishaya said the Federal government should take into consideration the World Health Organisation, WHO's recommendation before coming up with such policy.

According to him, WHO says it is always better if health interventions are accepted without coercion. "This is achieved through robust public enlightenment which at the moment is not optimal concerning the COVID-19 vaccine, enough for people to buy-in freely. WHO then says, if it must be compulsory, it must fulfil certain criteria.

"Firstly, it has to be safe and effective. So far the vaccine is safe, however, is it effective? What local studies have been done to show that it is more effective than the other measures already used like facemask, handwashing and social distances. More so, that people still come down with the illness even after vaccination. These are questions to answer.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Coronavirus Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"Secondly, the vaccine must be available everywhere. This is another issue.

Thirdly, it should be targeted at those at risk. For instance, health workers and civil servants, the countries that have made this vaccine compulsory made it so for specific groups only. Already, the vaccine is not recommended for children, pregnant and nursing mothers. Those are already out of it."

He said the decision making should be ethical even as it is compulsory, people should not be forced to take it.

"Also, the WHO said there should be public trust. This is an issue in Nigeria. There is hardly any trust between the citizens and the government enough for people to entrust their health into the hands of the government and believe that the government has their best interest. These are the issues that need to be considered before making the vaccination compulsory. Voluntary vaccination remains the best and ideal means," he concluded.

He further noted that COVID-19 is a very important health issue because of the damage it has caused in the society in terms of global health, global economics, and security, adding that, vaccines are one of the preventive measures and have been introduced in Nigeria just as in other countries of the world.

Whether it is an infringement on human rights is for the lawyers to debate in court however we have public health laws which make provisions for this. If some people have taken the government to court, then it's best to wait for the outcome of those cases before we can draw conclusions.
ONE person was yesterday confirmed dead, three trapped and two rescued from a collapsed two-storey building in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

It was gathered that the building located at 97, Lagos road, Haruna Bus stop in Ikorodu Area of the state collapsed Monday around 10 pm.

A resident said immediately the incident occurred that they mobilised and tried rescuing the victims before the arrival of the Fire Services officials, who he said could not do much because due to the unavailability of equipment to lift the rumble.

He added that two persons were rescued alive and taken to Ikorodu General Hospital for medical attention.

Speaking on the collapsed building, yesterday, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) South West Spokesman, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed that the two persons injured comprised of a male and a female.

He said: "Immediately the incident occurred, residents within the area mobilised themselves to carry out initial rescue activities.

"Though, fire service and police responded, they were unable to do much due to unavailability of equipment to lift the rubble on the suspected location of the trapped victims.

"One body has been recovered. The emergency phase of search and rescue has ended with the evacuation of all debris to ground zero with no additional body recovered. So, far two rescued alive with injuries and one body recovered."
Lagos State Government has read the riot act to members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, following incessant violent clashes at Mile-2 end of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, in which at least five persons reportedly lost their lives in latest clash, last week.

Chairman of the Lagos State Traffic Management on Apapa gridlock, who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Oluwatoyin Fayinka, warned that the state government would not hesitate to wield the big stick by suspending their activities if the unions refuse to let peace reign and comply with the extant laws of the state.

Fayinka, at a peace meeting with both parties in Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday, described the last week Wednesday's fracas that claimed at least five lives in Mile-2, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of the state as 'unfortunate and avoidable," warning that, "The state government will not tolerate needless killings and lawlessness in the state."

Present at the peace meeting are; Alhaji AbdulRamanu Amusan, State Secretary RTEAN, Alhaji Olabode Ogungbade, Zonal Chairman RTEAN, Alhaji Waheed -Alamu, AlhajiRasaki Zulu, comrade Salami Ismail, comrade Ojora Sulaimon, Deputy State Chairman NURTW, Comrade Tunde Raji, Comrade Wasiu Bello, Comrade Abiodun Ibrahim.

The representatives of Lagos State Police Command and the Military were however not at the meeting, though duly invited.

Fayinka, reiterated that as part of efforts to return peace to the area, the state government has suspended further sale of tickets to truckers in the axis, while it awaits the report of the Police on investigations into the latest crisis.

Fayinka vowedthat the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Transportation will not relent in carrying out enforcement without fear or favour.

In response to the violence that marred Mile-2 and Amuwo Odofin Axis between the RTEAN, and NURTW, Amuwo division, the Lagos State Government had declared that any more clashes will attract a suspension of their operations.

Fayinka stated that the state government will proceed with dealing with the case intrinsically as soon as the Nigerian Police present the report of the crisis, stressing that looming problem of multiple levies on truckers by the unions around the axis had been the trigger for the dispute and would not be tolerated.

Expressing his disappointment at the unfortunate incident, the Special Adviser warned the unions to beware of infiltrators as this will spoil their reputation and lead to an abrupt end of the activities by the state government as the safety of lives and properties is first and sacrosanct.

Admitting the claims made by Fayinka, Vice Chairman, RTEAN and Head of Haulage, comrade Adeola Adeyemi, explained that the NURTW had breached the agreement earlier signed by both parties, stating that their violent insistence on selling ticket suspended by the state government to truckers registered under RTEAN had resulted in the death of five members last week.

In defense to the accusation levelled against NURTW by RTEAN, the Branch Secretary NURTW, Amuwo, Adeyemi, who claimed that two of their members were also killed, T-Boy and one other, blamed the Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations, COMTUA, for the crisis which was ignited at Fatgbem, adding that they were the ones that went to dislodge the violators of the aforementioned agreement and the violators were handed over to the police.

He further revealed that the reprisal attack by RTEAN with the intervention of OPMESA, military security agents, equally led to casualties that occurred.

Responding to all explanations, the Special Adviser, assured that necessary steps were being taken to nip the reprisals in the bud, warning strongly that the state government will not hesitate to suspend union activities if they will impede the development and peace of the state.

'There is room for improvement and we will improve. Because of the rivalry, we had mediated between both parties on many occasions,we are going to solve this at the root. We will do our job as the government' Fayinka stated.

Closing the meeting, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Kamar Olowohago described the ugly incident that occurred at Mile 2 as avoidable, unnecessary and unfair. He warned that the communique signed by both Unions will be binding.

The meeting came to a close with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) duly signed by both NURTW and RTEAN.

"It was agreed that none of the unions are to extort or collect tolls from trailers/trucks in any form of disguise. Also contained in the MOU is the constitution of a Seven-Man Committee consisting of three members each from the unions and an official from the Ministry of Transportation to establish areas of conflict and recommendations within a month.

Recall that at least three persons were reportedly killed and several others sustained various degrees of injuries during a clash between the two transport unions last Wednesday night at Mile-2 along Apapa -Oshodi Expressway, Badagry Expressway, in Amuwo-Odofin LGA, Lagos.

The casualties were: Emma, Rilwan Ege and Shehu Bade, were said to be members of RTEAN, while T-Boy and one other died on the side of NURTW.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Transport By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

An earlier attack on Tuesday, reportedly left 15 RTEAN members with gunshot wounds, at the Tin-Can First gate and Fatgbems Gas station on the Apapa/Oshodi Expressway.

Trouble started brewing since two months ago until it reached its climax on Monday, last week.

After initial findings, ticket fee for truck drivers, access into Apapa Ports was the major cause of the fight.

Erstwhile, RTEAN, had been issuing tickets to truck drivers who are its members at N800.

However, NURTW was said to have forced its way into the toll collection from truck drivers and increased the fee to N2000.

But RTEAN was said to have kicked against NURTW's involvement, insisting that the NURTW had never been part of the toll collections from onset and that truck drivers were members of RTEAN.

In the hit of the brewing misunderstanding, in order to avoid the situation to degenerate into full blown crisis, the Lagos State Government waded into the dispute, through the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, ordered a stoppage of issuance and collections of ticket or money by either of the parties.

However, in defiance, the toll collection continued unabated, until the dispute between them snowballed into violence.

Vanguard News Nigeria
One year after the #EndSARS protests that took Nigeria to the brink, there is tension in the polity as youths have vowed to commemorate the anniversary, today, with the Police in Lagos and Osun states declaring there would be no street protest.

Indeed, stakeholders lamented, yesterday, that little or nothing has changed, 365 days after the sad episode, with the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, shaying security agencies had become more brazen in lawlessness.

Action Group on Free Civic Space, AGFCS, concurred, saying Nigeria had progressed into a dangerous era of digital unfreedom unmatched in the history of the nation's democratic journey as a country.

They spoke as Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said youths have reasons to demand for a better life in the country just as human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, urged governors to take control of the security situation in their respective states.

"In particular, state governors should, henceforth, exercise the exclusive powers conferred on them to manage public meetings, rallies and processions in line with the provisions of the Public Order Act and the relevant judicial authorities," he said.

'We'll be at Lekki Toll Gate'

Speaking on what youths will do today, human rights activist and Executive Director of EnoughIsEnough, Yemi Adamolekun, said youths will be at the Lekki Toll Gate in respect of #EndSARS protest's one year anniversary.

She warned that the Nigerian police should not think of arresting innocent Nigerian youths who are only exercising their constitutional right to protest.

Speaking in a phone interview with Vanguard, Adamolekun said the sole responsibility of the Nigerian police was to provide security for citizens of Nigeria as well as arrest criminals causing mayhem in the country.

"The police seem to forget that it is their job to gather information regarding criminals in the country and not to go after the peaceful youths.

"They forgot to focus on their job which is to find criminals.

"Last week, they said there should be no protest. Three days ago, they said people have the right to protest. Yesterday, they threatened that the youths should not come out and protest.

"The truth is that the youths will be at the Lekki Toll Gate on Wednesday in respect of the #EndSARS protest of last year.

"These are families who lost their families, friends and relatives. There are agitations and the people are ready to be at Lekki Toll Gate tomorrow.

They said, they want to arrest Mr. Macaroni and leave the thugs. Is Mr. Macaroni a criminal? The police are supposed to go after hoodlums. The police should provide security for the youths and not to threaten anybody," she said.

No peace without justice -- Aisha Yesufu

Another human rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, said: "It is one year since Nigeria killed her own. The Nigerian youths were killed by those who should have protected them.

"The government of Nigeria has gotten away with this atrocity because the citizens are silent.

"And what the citizens failed to understand is that as long as there is no justice in Nigeria, there can never be peace.

"When we keep quiet and do nothing, it seems that we have given the atrocity the permission to come to our door steps.

"Lots of people think, it is not their business, but I say, it is everybody's business.

"Today, police brutality has continued. They have leaned on the fact that the government is keen on ensuring the citizens don't come out to make demands that they should be allowed to live. That is not acceptable.

"Nigerians must understand that we are citizens, we are not slaves. And in this country, we have the rights as every other person to be protected and that protection should happen. Keeping quiet is not an option; we have to be active citizens. Nigerians need more active citizens than activists.

"Making demands for the right thing to be done, for good governance, accountability, security of lives and properties is a responsibility of every citizen and that has to be done.

"The youths of Nigeria came out to protest and they protested peacefully but the State unleashed havoc on them.

"The question we should ask is that, why is it that after one year, no justice has been made and we cannot continue to look the other way while the citizens are been affected. Nobody is safe in Nigeria. The fact that we do nothing, we give the government the opportunity to continue to make the country ungovernable and that is what we continue to happen.

Release detained protesters now -- ERC

Another group, Youth Rights Campaign, ERC, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Michael Lenin called for the release of the #EndSARS protesters still in detention as well as all political detainees.

"In view of the failure of the judicial panels set up by federal and state governments to dispense justice since a year now, we hereby call for the building of a mass campaign for justice and the setting up of an independent, democratic and open panel comprising representatives of youth groups, workers' unions, human rights organizations, socialists, NBA, NMA, etc, to bring all those directly and indirectly connected to the killings of protesters to justice," it said.

Security agencies more brazen in lawlessness -- NBA

Also speaking, the National Publicity Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association, Dr Rapulu Nduka, said: "An anniversary is a milestone that dictates that people should look back to and ask if there has been any positive progress.

"The #EndSARS protests were triggered by a number of events, chiefly police brutality and the like. Have we learned any lessons from the events? Have we made necessary amends to ensure that the issues that led to the protests never repeat themselves again in our Nation?

"Your guess is as good as mine. We have moved on. Security agencies are more brazen in their lawlessness. Most #EndSARS panels have fizzled out. As a nation, we behave as if nothing happened. It's sad that the police and government will want to stop the commemoration by the youths. What a country!"

No street protest in Lagos, Osun -- Police

Meanwhile the Lagos and Osun Police Commands, yesterday, insisted that there should be no street protests in the respective states in commemoration of the one year EndSARS anniversary.

Reacting to a post circulating on the social media that the police in Lagos have agreed to allow street protests, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, faulted the post.

Ajisebutu, in a statement, said: "The attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to a post being circulated on the social media insinuating that the police in Lagos have agreed to allow street protests in commemoration of the one year EndSARS anniversary on 20th October, 2021.

"On the contrary, the police will only allow an indoor and virtual events in commemoration of the #EndSARS anniversary and will provide adequate security at the venue(s), if known. This is in recognition of rights of every Nigerian to express his or her interest.

"We wish we could permit such street protests. However, intelligence at our disposal has revealed plans by some faceless groups or individuals to stage an anti-#EndSARS anniversary protest in the state same day.

"In view of the conflicting interest between the pro and anti-EndSARS anniversary groups and threat to cause mayhem, the Command once again warns both groups against any form of street protest between now and 20th October, 2021 and beyond.

"It is acknowledged that citizens have the right to peaceful protests. However, in this instance having carried out a critical security assessment and intelligence report at the disposal of the Lagos Command in respect of the planned protests and attendant implications on public safety, the Command considers it inappropriate to allow such protests to hold. It will not stand aloof and allow breakdown of law and order which the protests may cause.

To avoid a recurrence of the gory protests of last year during which some innocent Nigerians including police officers were gruesomely murdered, private and public property plundered and maliciously destroyed, the police will not abdicate their responsibilities of protection of lives and property by allowing such avoidable incident happen again in the state

"Therefore, in the interest of security and public safety, the Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, wishes to warn the organisers of the protests that the police will deploy all legitimate means to stop or neutralise the planned protests."

Similarly, the Osun Police Command said it will not condone any form of protest in the state.

In a statement by the PPRO, SP Opalola Yemisi said: "The intelligence that availed the police command revealed clandestine plans by some youths/group of people to embark on protest in commemoration of one year anniversary of #ENDSARS saga which is scheduled to hold tomorrow 20th October, 2021.

"In view of this, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olawale Olokode warned individuals or group of individuals that are planning such in the state and their sponsor(s) to stop the plan or any of such action(s) forthwith as the Command will not allow a repeat of last year ENDSARS saga and is fully prepared to use all legitimate means to avert such intending protest.

"Consequently, the State Police Command will not tolerate any unlawful protest/gathering or assembly that will jeopardize the peace of the state as the last year 'ENDSARS saga protest' still lingers in the minds of Nigerians especially the Police and other security agencies which caused pain, anguish, needless loss of lives and wanton destruction of public and private property.

"Therefore, the Commissioner of Police has given marching order to the Area commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical units to be at alert and nip in the bud any act capable of truncating the peace of the state."

Power to manage rallies, protests rests with govs -- Falana

Reacting to threats by the police to arrest protesters, today, Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, said: "State governors should take control of the security situation in the respective states. In particular, State Governors should henceforth exercise the exclusive powers conferred on them to manage public meetings, rallies and processions in line with the provisions of the Public Order Act and the relevant judicial authorities.

"Therefore, the Inspector-General of Police and Commissioners of Police should stop usurping the powers of state governors to infringe on the fundamental rights of the Nigerian people to protest peacefully against public policies considered inimical to their interests. State attorneys-general are enjoined to ensure that police officers are prosecuted whenever they refuse to provide adequate security for participants in public meetings, rallies and processions in contravention of Section 83 (4) of the Police Establishment Act."

TeamNigeria4Change calls for sober reflection

A Pan Nigeria group, the TeamNigeria4Change has called on Nigerians, especially youths planning to mark the one year anniversary of the ENDSARS protest to see the occasion as time for sober reflection in the polity, owing to the destruction that followed the campaign last year.

President of the group championing the cause of youths, Chief Bestman Jumbo Nze, gave the advice in a statement yesterday, stating that the situation in the country calls for critical evaluation of what transpired during the EndSARS protests last year.

The group, while sympathising with those who lost loved ones and affected by the aftermath of the unfortunate incident, said, the way out is a reflection of what went wrong and a way out of the quagmire.

We've progressed into era of digital unfreedom -- AGFCS

The Action Group on Free Civic Space, AGFCS, has revealed that Nigeria has progressed into a dangerous era of digital unfreedom unmatched in the history of our democratic journey as a country.

The AGFCS, in a statement, condemned the brutal attacks launched on unarmed young protesters demonstrating against police brutality during the October 2020 #ENDSARS protests, particularly at the Lekki Toll Gate Plaza in Lagos on the dreadful night of October 20, 2020.

"Indeed, forensic experts engaged at the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality have confirmed that live military-grade bullets were fired at protesters and the cartridge casing obtained from the Lekki Toll Gate are of the same calibre as the Nigerian Army's live ammunition. "What is most worrying is that one year later, despite overwhelming evidence gathered from earlier on-ground investigations, video footages, eye-witness testimonies, hospital reports, and most recently forensic reports that Nigerian security forces opened fire on protesters, no one has been held accountable.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"We hereby demand the immediate arrest and speedy prosecution of every person responsible for perpetrating the horrid crime of police brutality in Nigeria and most importantly, the murderous attacks of October 20, 2020, now referred to as the Lekki Toll Gate Massacre."

Nigerian youths've reasons to demand for better life, says Sanwo-Olu

Meanwhile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, yesterday, said that heightened inability to live and prosper due to prevailing socio-economic and political conditions among other factors are responsible for youth agitation in Nigeria, saying they have the right to demand for better life and future where their ability to live and prosper is challenged.

Sanwo-Olu spoke at a Lagos Youth Symposium, organised by the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, themed: 'Rebuilding For Greatness, Peaceful Conflict Resolution', held in Alausa, Ikeja.

The symposium was organized to engage over 1,500 youths drawn from various voluntary organizations, uniformed organizations, non-governmental organizations, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, among others.

The governor noted that the primary objective is to use the platform to network and learn new ways of contributing their quota to rebuilding Lagos and achieving the greater Lagos dream.

Recalling last year's protests against police brutality tagged #EndSARS, Sanwo-Olu said: "The protest culminated into wanton destruction of government facilities and individual properties across the nation after the riot on October 20, 2020 forever known as the 'Black Tuesday'.

"This incident sparked global outrage and hoodlums took advantage of the situation and went on rampage looting and burning down destroying government properties and facilities. In what seems like a calculated attack, the hoodlums ravaged the city of Lagos leaving many parts of the state with burnt buildings, looted shops and destroyed properties worth billions of naira. The economy of the country that was already in decline due to some many factors suffered a huge setback

"Nigerian youth have many reasons to demand for a better life and future especially in a country where their ability to live and prosper is challenged by existing socioeconomic and political conditions among other factors. The proportion of people living in poverty continues to grow especially as COVD-19 rampage continues.

"Nigeria's youth make up the majority of the country's population which means that the youths are mostly affected by these statistics of poor people.

"The Lagos State Government being the most hit state in the nation by the effects of the EndSARS protest and the devastating effects of COVID-19 pandemic on its economic and social status swung into decisive and impactful actions immediately so as to mitigate the effects on its populace."

Sanwo-Olu explained that despite the massive destruction of properties as a result of the protests and economic downturn occasioned by the COVD-19 pandemics, the state was able to cope with the challenges.

He said: "We embarked on rebuilding the city of Lagos gradually, not only the physical structures but the citizen's hope was also rekindled with various palliative measures."

Vanguard News Nigeria
The Government of Liberia and the World Bank on Tuesday, 19 October 2021 signed a USD$40 million financing agreement for the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project (LSMFP) to help boost the operation of the Liberia National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA).

The signing ceremony of the financing agreement for the World Bank-funded LSMFP took place in Monrovia during which Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah, Jr., signed for Liberia while the World Bank Liberia Country Manager Dr. Khwima Nthara signed for the World Bank.

NaFAA Director General Madam Emma Metieh Glassco also signed the document.

The USD$ 40 million financing agreement is aimed at creating job opportunities for Liberia, to increase domestic revenue collection and construction of modern fisheries infrastructure in Liberia for the landing of vessels and the storage of products which will help the country to produce its own product and export them to other countries.

Speaking at the signing program, Finance Minister Tweah described the project as a true transformation that will enable the country to raise domestic revenues and create job opportunities for Liberians across the country.

"We are diversifying the country's economy. For too long we have been on roads, agriculture, among others. But this time we are touching all over every sector," he said.

Also speaking, World Bank Liberia Country Manager Dr. Khwima Nthara said it's a great honor for him to represent the World Bank at the auspicious financing agreement in the amount of USD$ 40 million of which 20 million is an International Development Association (IDA) grant and $20 million, an IDA concession credit.

"It will support the needed intervention across the whole Fisheries value chain as it will invest in new alternative vessels and fishing gears for getting the fish from the sea," the World Bank envoy said.

According to him, the project will also support the Government of Liberia's efforts in creating a business-friendly environment for aquaculture through the development and rehabilitation of the Klay hatchery and the establishment of the farmer field schools.

"The preservation of [the] existing stock of Liberia's oceanic fish species is not guaranteed and depends on many factors," he said.

He noted that this project supports integral efforts to increase the resilience of the Liberian population to the effect of climate change of inland aquaculture which will help ease pressure on oceanic species.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Agribusiness By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Madam Emma Metieh Glassco, Director General of the Liberia National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority said her entity was able to make Liberia's case to the World Bank regarding the need to have an industrious fishing port.

According to her, Liberia has 77 Gangetic fishing vessels on its territorial waters, but these vessels can land in Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Sierra Leone because Liberia does not have a landing pier for them.

She added that they have managed to also convince the Government of Liberia to make fishing a priority, something she noted also led to the sealing of the contract.

"Liberia [is] losing over 50% of revenue to other countries because we are not having landing industrious pier in the country," she noted.

"These vessels that fish on our water and go to other countries to land supply these countries with fish and increase their domestic revenue generation while Liberia as a coastal country is importing 60 million per annual by 28 thousand metro tons every year," NaFAA boss noted.

The NaFAA boss disclosed that the agreement signed will construct landing infrastructure sites in Montserrado, Maryland, Sinoe, Grand Bassa, and River Cess Counties respectively, adding that the Montserrado County landing site will be at Popo Beach, New Kru Town Bushrod.

"We will expand the Mesurado pier on the Bushrod Island from this project. And all the land needed for the construction are all available and ready and by 2026 all these facilities will be completed," she added.
In fulfillment of a commitment during the 2021 Presidential Citizen Engagement Tour in Bomi County, First Lady Clar Marie Weah today, October 19, 2021, donated a brand-new JAC jeep to the Suehn Mecca Health Center through the Ministry of Health.

Speaking during a brief presentation ceremony at the Health Ministry in Congo Town, Mrs. Weah said she was moved by the exemplary work being done by health workers in Suehn Mecca amid the tedious challenges as explained by Senator Snowe during the President's visit there.

As a champion against maternal and neonatal mortality, the Liberian First Lady recalled that she was particularly attracted to how caregivers in the midwifery section of the health center 'walked distances or commuted on motorbikes to perform delivery and other related services.'

"I noted with a heavy heart as Senator Snowe singled out a midwife by the name Mrs. Sando M.S. Cole, who is the Supervisor of the Reproductive Health Services, and how she makes extra sacrifices to save the lives of precious young Liberians, some of whom could be next Doctor, Pharmacist, Nurse, Engineer or maybe the future President," said Mrs. Weah.

"Being a health practitioner myself and most importantly a mother, I was troubled in my spirit and was moved, without a second thought, to do something.

"Today, in fulfillment of that commitment, I have come to donate to the Suehn-Mecca Health Center a brand new JAC Jeep, which will be used to ease movement to hard-to-reach places in the County and support the work of the facility," asserted Mrs. Weah.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Health By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

Meanwhile, the Liberian First Lady expressed profound gratitude to health workers across the country for their commitment to saving precious lives, while praising the exemplary leadership of Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah and Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe.

Upon receiving the vehicle for further handing over to the Bomi County Health Team, Health Minister Dr. Jallah thanked the First Lady, noting that the donation would address pressing health needs in Bomi.

Also speaking, Senator Snowe welcomed Mrs. Weah's gesture to the Bomi County Health System and pledged his commitment to work with her in various ways to improve the lives of Liberians especially the less fortunate.

In addition to the vehicle, the First Lady presented 500 United States Dollars to Mrs. Sando Cole as a personal token of appreciation for her hard work and dedication to the health sector.

Mrs. Cole along with Bomi County Health Officer Dr. Siana Jackson and other members of the health team was also grateful to the Liberian First Lady.
Plan International on Tuesday turned over several vehicles to the Ministry of Health to help with the implementation of TB and HIV programs.

The turning over ceremony brought together officials of the Ministry of Health, the HIV/AIDS commission, the TB control center, the Liberia Coordinating Mechanism or LCM, and partners.

Speaking at the head office of Plan International in Congo Town, International Boss Dr. Ufuoma Omo-Obi said, the vehicles will be used to respond to people who are in need.

He says Plan International's goal is to take services to the people, noting that the vehicles are meant for this purpose.

Paulina Doe Hilton, manager of the Global Find Unit at the Ministry of Health urges recipients of the vehicles to use them for the rightful purposes, adding that some of the recipients are the Liberia United Methodist Development Service, Equip Liberia, and Youth Alive Liberia, respectively.

"Let's use the vehicles and get to the hard-to-reach areas and get the number of people that are affected. The Global Fund is result-oriented. If you don't perform, we will not get the funding. This was done through grant and the grant was approved for three years", she details.

According to her, Plan has tried over nine months to secure the vehicles, and benefiting agencies should use them to get the work done.

The Acting Secretariat of the Liberia Coordinating Mechanism or LCM Y. Solomon W. Watkins, thanked Plan International for the support, noting that it will be used for a very long time.

He describes the intervention as the right step in the right direction especially, for the TB control and HIV programs, adding that in the absence of vehicles, there will be no effectiveness and efficiency.

The LCM is the body that coordinates the implementation of the National AIDS program, the TB control center, and other diseases in the country.
press release

President George Manneh Weah has left the country for an official working visit to Lome, Togo, the Executive Mansion reports.

It says at the invitation of his Togolese counterpart, Faure Gnassingbe, President Weah departed Liberia via the Roberts International Airport (RIA) early Tuesday, October 19, 2021.

During the visit, both leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including matters of bilateral and regional interest.

President Weah is being accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Minister of National Defense, Daniel Ziankhan, and the Minister of Information, Culture Affairs and Tourism, Legerhood Julius Rennie.

While the Liberian Leader is away, the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Nathaniel Farlo McGill, will chair the cabinet in consultation with Vice President Taylor, and via telephone conversation with the President.

The Liberian delegation is expected home early Wednesday, October 20, 2021.
Students in upper Margibi County have expressed appreciation to the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Nathanial McGill and the Government of Liberia for providing them a 20 million Liberia dollars scholarship fund drive.

They note that this is the very first time for a cabinet minister to launch a 20 million dollars scholarship fund in Margibi County.

Speaking during the launch recently, Minister McGill disclosed that President George Manneh Weah is responsible to pay 15 million Liberian dollars out of the amount while he (McGill) along with Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor and Finance Minister Samuel Tweh, will pay the balance of 5 million LRD.

He then presented 12,000 United States dollars cash on behalf of President Weah to heads of the committee that was set up to spearhead the scholarship fund in upper Margibi County.

According to McGill, the money was provided to the students to buttress their effort in the wake of constraints they face in that part of the country.

He said the scholarship covers K2 up to 12th grade, respectively.

Meanwhile, school administrators in upper Margibi County have commended Minister McGill and President Weah for the scholarship, saying this is the first time in the history of Margibi that their schools will be receiving money from the government on behalf of students.

They said the scholarship will bring relief to scholars in the county, especially those in upper Margibi while hoping it would be extended to lower Margibi as well.

However, they call on the minister to follow up on the scholarship at the end of each school year to know if students are really benefiting from the program.
The President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate Albert T. Chie says, the government has allotted no money for the two months' extra sitting of the senate.

Senators here are accustomed to receiving money from the Executive each time they come for extra sitting, and this pronouncement by the Pro-Temp could be a strange departure.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Special Session on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, Senator Chie thanked his colleagues for cutting their Annual Break short to return to the Capitol in the interest of their people.

He recalls that the Senate closed on 31st August for the fourth session of the 54th Legislature, but had to cut their Annual Break to deliberate on the 2022 National Budget which should come into force on January 1, 2022, and other issues of national concerns, including security.

Pro-Tempore Chie explains that in line with the amended Public Financial Management Act, the new fiscal period starts from January 1 each year and ends on December 31 of the same year.

"The most cardinal purpose for which this Special Session is being convened is to work on the proposed 2022 National Budget which will be submitted to the Legislature by the President of Liberia shortly", he adds.

He notes that Article 34(d) of the Constitution of Liberia empowers the Legislature to make an appropriation for the fiscal governance of the Republic. "I, therefore, challenge the ways, means, finance and budget committees of both chambers of the Legislature to take seize of the budget process."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

He says although the Legislature should cooperate with the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning in the budget process, they should always remember that appropriation is the responsibility of the Legislature and the people will hold them accountable for the performance of the budget and its implementation, as they also have oversight responsibilities.

"We have had several discussions in plenary on the need for a program based budget, it is time to implement this."

Chie notes that in the past fourth session, the Senate plenary approved a proposal for Annual Budget Allotment for Infrastructure Development within the political subdivisions, adding "It is a hard time that the decision is implemented starting with the 2022 National Budget."

He says with good indications coming from the fiscal managers of the economy that domestic revenue is performing, the Legislature needs to increase significantly the budgets for security, health, and education and consider significant appropriation for human trafficking, fight against sexual and gender-based violence, and other national priority programs such as the recent investment proposal from the University of Liberia.

However, the Pro-Tempore clarifies that the Liberian Senate does not approve or concur with laws and amendments to the law which are not in the public interest, most especially when it comes to protection and distribution of natural resources, in an apparent reference to the recently amended Mineral Development Agreement signed between the Executive and steel giant, ArcelorMittal Liberia, pending ratification.
? El Gobierno presento el proyecto de Ley de Reforma Constitucional que fortalece la gobernabilidad y la confianza entre el Poder Ejecutivo y el Congreso sobre la vacancia presidencial, cuestion de confianza y censura.

?? Ver nota: https://t.co/wRNeUjD9CU pic.twitter.com/z6jvbGLZeF
Presidente @PedroCastilloTe: Con el Centro de Oxigenoterapia de Alto Flujo del @hospitalloayza vamos a evitar que los enfermos lleguen a una cama UCI. La trayectoria y profesionalismo de este hospital tiene que replicarse en otros centros de salud del pais. pic.twitter.com/YMlxHzBYca
" " We may call dogs man's best friend, but not everybody sees them that way. id-work/Getty Images

Everybody loves dogs, except the people who don't. For those with cynophobia (fear of dogs), their distaste for canines isn't a preference, it's a real, and sometimes debilitating, fear. For some people  an estimated 5 percent of Americans  just the sight of a dog can bring on a full-blown panic attack.

Imagine, then, how severely cynophobia can impact a sufferer's social life: Their fear of dogs can turn a neighborhood stroll into an ordeal, not to mention the problems that come with visiting the homes of friends or family members with a pooch, or even going out to public places where dogs might show up. Even a rigorously trained service dog in the grocery store can make someone with cynophobia feel panicky.

But how do we develop a fear of man's best friend, and what treatments are out there to offer relief from a lifestyle-cramping terror of canines?

Advertisement

Why We're Afraid

The reasons someone might become afraid of dogs to begin with are diverse, but cultural influences like religion, race or geography might contribute to it. Often an individual's previous personal experience with dogs plays a big role in their fear  maybe they've experienced a dog attack themselves or witnessed a dog attacking someone else. But sometimes fears like cynophobia have nothing to do with cultural conditioning or traumatic personal experiences.

"Some people may fear dogs not because of any direct or secondary experience with an actual dog attack, but because of the chemical imbalance that causes the development of anxiety disorders, like a specific phobia or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)," says Kasey Brown, a therapist at the Georgia Center for OCD and Anxiety.

Regardless of what the root cause of someone's cynophobia is, the treatment for it  and, indeed most other intense fears  is basically the same: exposure. Avoidance of the feared situation or object does nothing for the treatment of a specific anxiety, and it follows that small children who grow up with a dog in the house are much less likely to develop cynophobia than those who rarely ever meet a dog. But this doesn't mean a therapist would suggest to a cynophobic person that they should go hang out at the dog shelter or take a walk around a dog park right off the bat.

Advertisement

Mastering the Fear

For decades, research has shown cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and specifically a technique called exposure and response prevention (ERP), to be the most effective therapy to treat anxiety disorders like phobias. In order to achieve a state where a fear no longer dictates one's daily activities, it's important to eventually "face" whatever is frightening. CBT addresses both the thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate fear and anxiety  after all, every fear has beliefs behind it regarding the likelihood or seriousness of dangers posed by feared situations or things.

ERP, a type of CBT, involves slowly confronting a fear until it gradually becomes less intense. The method begins with managing the expectation of what the treatment for their phobia is, and what it isn't:

"As an anxiety therapist, I will never tell anyone that their anxiety  whatever form it might take  is 'curable'," Brownsays. "Biologically, that's not how anxiety and its treatment work. It is absolutely possible, however, for someone to get to the point where they are living with a fear at a very manageable level."

For someone looking to master a fear of dogs, the first step is to assess their level of fear on a scale of zero to 10 (where 10 is debilitating). It's important to let the person know that it's possible to lower that level of fear to a one or two, even if it starts at a 10  eventually they'll get to the point where an errant fearful thought might pop up occasionally, but they will be able to move past it pretty easily. The goal is that their life is not dictated by fear of dogs.

Though therapists and clinics that specialize in the treatment of cynophobia suggest a variety of strategies for taking the edge off a fear of dogs, from education about how most dogs are not dangerous to developing mindfulness techniques to manage anxiety, the experts agree exposure to a real, live, friendly dog is the treatment most likely to help someone with crippling cynophobia.

Advertisement

Take it Slow

"If someone comes in to therapy to try and master their fear of dogs, we will rank-order a list of triggers that they currently experience from least anxiety-provoking to the very most triggering," Brownsays. "We'll start with the trigger that's easiest to handle and move our way up the list."

The fears might include being around dogs, hearing a dog bark, and walking in a neighborhood where dogs may not be fenced or on leashes  but also seemingly small things like seeing dogs on TV, seeing dog hair on someone's couch, or hearing a story about someone's pet. In ERP therapy, the treatment starts with the dog association that seems least scary  maybe hearing a story about a dog. The therapist might then try introducing cartoon dog characters, moving on to screen shots from a live action movie with a dog scene, then perhaps watching scenes of a docile dog in a movie.

"We start at the level where the client feels comfortable enough to start, and very gradually and slowly  and only with the client leading the step-up  move up the hierarchy list and tackle the more anxiety-provoking triggers," Brownsays.

Now That's Interesting As of 2017, Americans kept 89.7 million dogs as household pets.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, ARMENPRESS. The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Parliamentary Assemblys Standing Committee on Political and International Cooperation Affairs will hold its next meeting in Yerevan in spring 2022.

The decision was made during the committees October 19 meeting in St. Petersburg, where Vice Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Hakob Arshakyan made the invitation.

The meeting focused on the regional situation and the threats facing the collective security.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Former US Ambassador to Armenia John M Evans (2004-2006) says Armenian Ombudsman Arman Tatoyans proposal to create demilitarized zone around the borders of Armenia, in particular on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, is fully justified.

Demilitarized zone around the borders is fully justified at this point, John M Evans said on Twitter, commenting on the recent statement of Ombudsman Tatoyan.

Editing by Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, 20 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 20 October, USD exchange rate down by 0.79 drams to 476.55 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 2.88 drams to 553.94 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.03 drams to 6.71 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 3.04 drams to 656.26 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 134.36 drams to 27265.26 drams. Silver price up by 7.23 drams to 363.58 drams. Platinum price up by 96.18 drams to 16041.54 drams.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, ARMENPRESS. The General Director of Russias Rosatom State Corporation Alexey Likhachev will visit Armenia in the beginning of November.

The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures spokesperson Sona Harutyunyan told ARMENPRESS that the agenda of the visit includes the discussions on the double extension of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plants lifecycle and the construction of a new nuclear power plant.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, ARMENPRESS. The Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mher Grigoryan, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexei Overchuk and the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev held a sitting of the trilateral working group, ARMENPRESS was informed from the office of Mher Grigoryan.

The parties held the first part of the 8th sitting of the Trilateral Working Group in Moscow on October 20, during which the prospects of restoration of transport communications in the South Caucasus region were observed and the further course of the work carried out within the framework of the January 11, 2021 statement signed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, President of the Russian Federation and President of the Republic of Azerbaijan was discussed.

The sides agreed to hold the second part of the 8th sitting in the near future.
The Azeri government does not seem to understand that you cant always get what you want by bribing and paying politicians. There is a limit to what money can buy. Sometimes, the truth matters more.

October 20, 2021, 14:48 U.S. mayors rescind false proclamations they had issued at Azerbaijans urging

STEPANAKERT, OCTOBER 20, ARTSAKHPRESS: This is an important lesson that Azeri leaders have not learned. They have wasted tens of millions of dollars in paying lobbying companies and corrupt politicians.

An example of such useless activity is the Azeri obsession with trying to exploit the controversial incident of the killing of a few hundred Azeris in the town of Khojalu during the 1992 Artsakh War. There are various versions of what exactly took place in Khojalu. Nevertheless, Azerbaijan has gone to great lengths to falsely convince the world that Armenians committed genocide in Khojalu!

The usual Azeri approach in the United States and around the world is to bribe politicians to issue proclamations to commemorate the anniversary of the Khojalu killings. Ayaz Mutalibov, the first president of Azerbaijan, told Czech journalist Dana Mazalova in a 1992 interview that his Azeri political opponents exploited this incident to topple him from power. He said that Armenian fighters had urged the Azeri populations of Khojalu to flee through a passage left open, but the Azerbaijani National Front obstructed their exodus.

Azerbaijans petrodollars have succeeded in getting 23 U.S. states to commemorate the deaths in Khojalu as a massacre. Despite Azerbaijans persistent lobbying efforts, none of these states accepted Azerbaijans alleged term of genocide to describe the deaths of a few hundred Azeris in Khojalu. Azerbaijan also used its deep pockets to obtain the recognition of these killings by the parliaments of eight countries: Azerbaijan (naturally), Peru, Panama, Honduras, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Djibouti and Paraguay. In addition, the Foreign Relations Committees of seven Parliaments: Turkey, Pakistan, Mexico, Colombia, Czech Republic, Sudan and Guatemala commemorated the Khojalu killings.

Azerbaijan used these commemorative resolutions to tarnish Armenias reputation and counter the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by over 30 countries and 49 U.S. states.

While sometimes money can get you what you want, it can at other times get you embarrassed when those who had earlier commemorated Khojalu, issue a retraction, apologize and cancel their recognition when they realize that they were duped.

The latest such embarrassing example is what took place in San Diego, the second largest city in California. The Azeri media and the Consul General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles, Nasimi Aghayev, boastfully publicized on October 14 that San Diego Mayor Todd Garcia had issued a proclamation designating Oct. 18, 2021 as Azerbaijan's Restoration of Independence Day.

The proclamation falsely claimed that Azerbaijan is internationally regarded as a successful model for the peaceful and harmonious coexistence of Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Consul General Aghayev reminded everyone that 2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the Baku-San Diego partnership. Aghayev also noted that for the first time since 1991, the Azerbaijani people will celebrate this date as victorious people who restored the territorial integrity of their country.

However, the Consul Generals excitement lasted just one day. On October 15, the Armenian National Committee  Western Region issued a press release urging the Mayor of San Diego to rescind his proclamation which whitewashed Azerbaijans human rights abuses. That same day, the Mayor of San Diego rescinded his earlier pro-Azerbaijan proclamation. The Mayor wrote: It is with regret that I share this proclamation was issued as an oversight and should have been more thoroughly vetted by staff as it did not account for the relationship, history and current events between Azerbaijan and Armenia. More importantly, he stated: while the city of San Diego has issued proclamations for Azerbaijan Independence Day and similar occasions in previous administrations, my office will no longer be granting these requests. To that end, I am rescinding this proclamation and the City of San Diego will not recognize it on October 18. Please accept my deepest apologies for this oversight and I appreciate you bringing this issue to my attention.

That is the end of the Baku-San Diego partnership. Not surprisingly, the Consul General of Azerbaijan has turned into a mouse since the Mayor rescinded his proclamation. He has not uttered a single word!

The chain of rescinded pro-Azerbaijan proclamations does not end with San Diego. On February 26, 2021, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh issued a proclamation to commemorate Khojali Day. However, on March 10, 2021, the Mayor reversed himself and wrote: I would like to extend my apologies to the Armenian-American community. Following conversations with leaders of the Armenian-American community, we realize that this proclamation has been hurtful to many of you. I have decided to rescind this proclamation. Mayor Walsh, now US Secretary of Labor, included high praise for the local Armenian community and made a reference to the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. What started as an Azeri propaganda effort, ended up as a great public relations victory for Armenia and Armenians.

The same scenario repeated itself in Portland, Maine. Mayor Kathleen Snyder initially issued a proclamation on February 17, 2021 to commemorate Khojaly Remembrance Day. However, on April 1, 2021, the Mayor wrote: I have decided to rescind the Mayoral Proclamation. She added: I once again apologize for the pain and harm that the issuance of this proclamation has caused.

Similarly, the city of Torrance, California, issued a proclamation on October 15, 2021 to celebrate Azerbaijan Day. It is a carbon copy of the proclamation issued by San Diego. Later that day, Torrance Mayor Patrick Furey stated that the city issued a proclamation in error. On past occasions, the City has proclaimed Azerbaijan National Day in the City of Torrance on the effective date. In light of recent events in the associated region, the City has respectfully requested that the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles remove the proclamation from all media. Nevertheless, the rescinded proclamations of San Diego and Torrance are still on Consul General Aghayevs Facebook page.

This is yet another example of the failed propaganda efforts of the Consul General of Azerbaijan. Armenians in California are fortunate that Azerbaijan has sent such an incompetent Consul General to Los Angeles. No one should be surprised if he is recalled shortly back to Baku.

There are many other examples of failed Azeri propaganda attempts. On February 25, 2021, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued a proclamation on Azerbaijani Day, but refused to include a reference to Khojaly. Nevertheless, the Azeri media falsely reported that the Governor had signed a proclamation to commemorate the Khojaly Genocide.

Rather than trying to undo the proclamations that are falsely issued at the urging of Azerbaijans lobbyists, the Armenian-American community should take preemptive steps so that false pro-Azerbaijan declarations never see the light of day in the first place.

By Harut Sassounian

Publisher, The California Courier
MILAN, October 20, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Deenova announced today it continues its record-breaking market momentum started during Covid-19, by winning 2 mechatronic competitive public tenders this Summer for a total of 4 ACCED robotic medication solutions to be operated around the clock at Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Marie Rodez in Occitanie, and Hospital of St Die-des-Vosges near Strasburg.

Loic Bessin, Managing Director of Deenova in France stated: "When I joined Deenova 3 years ago, the company was a small unit dose specialty business only present in 2 of the Top 5 European markets, having had customers only in France and Italy. I am extremely proud that over the last year alone, we have grown to become the dominant force in the GDP Top 5 healthcare European mechatronics markets for unit-dose, by establishing close partnership with key customers."

Christophe Jaffuel, Deenova Chief Commercial Officer, stated: "After Deenova multi-million and multi-year recent entries into the two largest European GDP healthcare markets in Germany and the United Kingdom, it is very reassuring to see the continued market success in one of our established countries such as France. Both in terms of total number of customers and number of mechatronic devices, I am very proud that France continues to pave the way for Deenovas international growth for 2 consecutive years and counting, highlighting Deenova main differentiating characteristics over our competition in France: patient care crafted for compliance, better safety and therapy control, and 24/7 availability, a key component of customer needs".

Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Marie Rodez in Occitanie takes care of people with mental illness in Aveyron (4 out of 5 psychiatric sectors) and has 311 beds and complete hospital places (CHSM Rodez, Clinique de Bourran and Clinique de Villefranche-sur-Rouergue) and 115 partial hospitalization beds.

Hospital of St Die-des-Vosges. A benchmark establishment in a hospital community serving a population of 90,000 inhabitants, the Hospital of St Die-des-Vosges constantly strives to improve the quality of care provided to patients. The hospital is committed to carrying out common orientations and activities between the establishments in order to optimise the care and health coverage of the inhabitants of the territory of the Deodatie, serving the community with 452 beds.

Story continues

Deenova is the undisputed leading supplier of combined mechatronics (robotic and automation) solutions for closed loop medications and RFID-based medical devices traceability in the healthcare industry, anytime and anywhere. Deenovas unique, patented, and fully integrated solutions have and will greatly contribute to ease healthcare providers growing pressures to: simultaneously improve patient safety, reduce therapy errors, minimise waste and controlled substance diversion, contain costs, and diminish the gap between rising patient volume/acuity and scarce medical staff. Deenova guarantees the simplification of all processes related to the management of medications and implantable/disposable medical devices with an expected cost savings range between 15% and 25%.

Please visit www.deenova.com for additional information on its market leading solutions.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211019005648/en/

Contacts

Contacts at Deenova:

Loic Bessin, Christophe Jaffuel, Martina Buccianti

m.buccianti@deenova.com, +39 0523 785311
Just in time for Halloween, a new film inspired by the "Friday the 13th" series will make its New York state premiere in the Auburn area.

Track Cinema at Fingerlakes Mall will host a one-time-only screening of "13 Fanboy" at 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22.

Directed by Deborah Voorhees, star of "Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning" and coincidental namesake of the series' villain, "13 Fanboy" is about a fan obsessed with "Friday the 13th" and "Halloween" films who stalks and murders his favorite actresses from them. The main character, Kelsie Voorhees, witnessed the fan murder her grandmother (played by Deborah) as a child, and as an adult Kelsie discovers that he's still hunting the "scream queens." Deborah said the film was inspired by her real life experiences as one of them.

"Horror fans are the best," she said in a news release, "but every once in a while, you get that one that feels scary. I've received texts saying, 'I'm watching you right now,' or 'wouldn't it be cool if you were killed like you died in the film?'"

According to the release, Voorhees teamed with producer Joel Paul Reisig to create the movie due to the legal battles that have prevented the "Friday the 13th" franchise from releasing a movie for 12 years. The cast of the movie includes several actors from the franchise, such as Corey Feldman, Kane Hodder and Tracie Savage.

"We really listened to the fans," Voorhees said. "We wanted to stay true to the legendary movies of the '80s. This is truly a throwback film by fans and for fans."

Admission at Track is $8 for adults, $7 for students with ID and $6 for seniors 55 and older, children 12 and younger and matinees. The theater is located in the mall at 1579 Clark St. Road, Aurelius.

The film will also be available for purchase on major video-on-demand platforms beginning Oct. 22.

For more information, visit 13fanboy.com.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Over the past few years, the educational system has been challenged in inconceivable ways, and we have weathered those challenges with dignity and grace.

Two years ago our enrollment was 14, next year 33, this year 42. While I attribute our initial boost in enrollment to the instability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, I attribute the retention and growth to our mission. So what exactly do families see in St. John Paul II Academy that they are willing to make the sacrifices necessary for this choice? In order to capture the essence of why we do what we do, we need to explore how our mission impacts the beautiful children and families entrusted to us.

Lets start with one of the most defining features of our mission: We support parents in their God-given role as the primary educators of their children. We often hear the myth that private Catholic schools are only for the wealthy. At John Paul II, we have vowed to never deny a child the opportunity to attend our school based on financial reasons.

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?  1 John 3:17.

Parents welcome the opportunity to share their gifts by volunteering at school, cleaning, organizing school events, driving for field trips, etc. We also vow to include parents in how to effectively address behavioral or academic concerns. These examples of humility and sacrifice on the part of parents, teachers and the numerous volunteers grow the trust necessary to work together and ensure success. We accept responsibility, communicate regularly and give glory to God for our success.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.  1 Peter 5:6.

The second most important aspect of our mission is training the hearts and minds of young people through a Catholic classical education. In order to create a safe and effective learning environment, we make sure that every child is instructed at his/her academic ability. Our focus is based on a level of learning (e.g. primary, grammatical or dialectical) rather than a grade level. All too often, schools pass children along from year to year without a solid foundation in all content areas. Children come to us so weak in basic math, literacy and/or writing skills that they are broken emotionally and therefore, shut down academically. We meet each child at his/her academic ability, set reasonable goals and watch them flourish.

For example, we have a student in fourth grade who tested at a seventh grade spelling level, and an eighth grader testing at a fifth grade math level. Once the children are comfortable with this model, their anxiety is replaced with smiles, confidence, hope and accomplishment.

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31.

This confidence also inspires children to explore life outside their comfort zone. Recently, a students mother told me that her son asked about being an altar server because he saw one of our older students serving mass at St. Alphonsus. She was surprised, joyful and credited John Paul II for her sons growth. Every month we study, memorize and recite a poem or prayer. You would be amazed at how eloquently each child, ages 4 to 14, performs in front of the class, feeling assured that if they do their best, God takes care of the rest.

This month, we are celebrating the Virgin Mary by reciting the Memorare: Remember, O Most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by St. Mother Teresas Flying Novena," each child is praying for special intentions. The mother of three new students emailed me that their family started praying the rosary together, and how much of a powerful change it has made in their home. The primary class is reciting Christopher Columbus in honor of his perseverance and courage in carrying out his God-given mission to explore new lands and bring the light of the Gospel.

Benjamin Franklin sums it up the best: Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.

A recipe for successful learning involves God, teachers, parents, children and friends all learning together.

Jennifer T. Furnia is principal and head teacher at St. John Paul II Academy and the mother of three boys at the school. For more information, or to schedule a visit, visit jp2academy.com, call (315) 252-4393, email furniajp2@gmail.com or write to St. John Paul II Academy, 6201 Center St., Cayuga, NY 13034 or P.O. Box 1318, Auburn, NY 13021.

Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
The Cayuga County Health Department will continue to accept positive at-home COVID-19 tests, but they will be seeking more information from residents who submit the results.

Nancy Purdy, the department's director of community health services, said at a Cayuga County Board of Health meeting on Tuesday that the additional information will allow case investigators to determine if the at-home test is approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

There are several at-home tests on the market, including Abbott Laboratories' BinaxNOW antigen test. On Oct. 4, the FDA approved ACON Laboratories' Flowflex COVID-19 home test. In a news release announcing the approval of the Flowflext test, the FDA noted that it "considers at-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests to be a high priority and we have continued to prioritize their review given their public health importance."

Cayuga County Public Health Director Kathleen Cuddy told The Citizen in August that her department would accept at-home test results. According to Purdy, the health department receives four or five positive at-home tests a day.

While some counties aren't accepting at-home tests, Cayuga is to help address the lack of testing available in the community. The health department has been focusing on vaccination clinics and hasn't held a public testing clinic in several months. There are tests available at health care providers and local pharmacies, but there have been delays in getting results.

Many of the at-home tests are antigen tests. Ideally, these tests are used on asymptomatic individuals. Another form of testing, polymerase chain reaction tests, is more sensitive and used to determine whether symptomatic people have COVID-19. But local health officials recognize the benefits of having residents use at-home tests to learn if they are positive for COVID-19.

"Home tests present an opportunity for people to test themselves when they're not feeling that great and don't want to go out and get a test or don't want to wait a few days to get an appointment for a test," said Deanna Ryan, a senior public health educator at the department. "It seems to be working out OK. It allows us to perform case investigations and contact tracing on individuals."

If someone has a negative at-home test but is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, they are asked to get a confirmatory PCR test, according to Ryan.

The tests are one of the tools being used during the recent surge. Cayuga County had 747 new cases in August, 1,079 in September and topped 500 in October with 42 new cases on Monday.

A majority of the new cases (23 of 42) reported on Monday were unvaccinated. But most patients (12 of 19) who are hospitalized with COVID-19 are fully vaccinated. All but three of the patients are age 60 or older. Two are in their 50s, while one is in their 20s.

Purdy reiterated the need to get more Cayuga County residents vaccinated. She explained that one reason there is a high demand for testing is that the county has a low vaccination rate. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 53.3% of county residents are fully vaccinated. That lags behind the national and state averages. It's also low compared to most New York counties.

The health department is holding weekly vaccination clinics at Fingerlakes Mall in Aurelius. The next clinic is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday. Anyone interested in getting vaccinated can make an appointment. Walk-ins will be accepted, too. To register, go to cayugacounty.us/health.

Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Hopefuls for Auburn City Council seats debated a variety of topics at a forum Wednesday.

The four candidates spoke at the Wednesday Morning Roundtable, a monthly civic forum in Auburn being held this year at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Two four-year council terms are available this year. Councilor Debby McCormick said in January that she would not pursue reelection, but incumbent Councilor Terry Cuddy is running again.

Cuddy, a Democrat who has been on the council since 2014, and Republican Tim Lattimore, a former Auburn mayor who is currently on his third and last term as a member of the Cayuga County Legislature, both have elected municipal office experience. There are also two newcomers to running for municipal elections, Rob Otterstatter, Republican and owner of Auburn farm-to-table restaurant and coffee shop Octane Social House, and Ginny Kent, Democrat and associate development director for the Cayuga Community College Foundation who has served in the past on the Auburn Enlarged City School District Board of Education.

Each candidate addressed the topic of whether Auburn should opt out of allowing marijuana retail sales at dispensaries and on-site consumption licenses, in light of cannabis business Terrapin announcing last week that it intends to start a production facility in Auburn. Noting that "the default is, 'everyone opt in,'" unless a city moves to opt out of retail sales and on-site consumption, Cuddy said council heard a presentation earlier this year on the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act and people spoke during the public comments portion of that council meeting.

There is no mandate to hold a public hearing about marijuana, he continued, and there hasn't been a "public outcry regarding legalization and sale."

Kent argued against opting out and said the state's legalization earlier this year of people 21 years of age or older possessing and using up to three ounces of recreational marijuana means that people in the community will be using it. The question, she said, is where they will be purchasing it.

If the city opted out, Kent continued, the city would lose out on collecting a portion of a 13% excise tax, "which may represent millions of dollars of revenue, and this revenue has no restrictions on the city of Auburn for its use."

Acknowledging the "opportunity that's knocking on the door with marijuana," and potential revenues, Lattimore said he believes it is a "gateway drug to some people."

Otterstatter noted Terrapin is based out of Colorado, where he said he previously served as a police officer for years. When that state legalized marijuana for medical and recreational use, he said, the number of driving under the influence of drugs charges increased and the number of children going to the hospital after eating their parents' edibles "went up substantially."

"In a city where we already have substance abuse issues, we need to move forward smartly. This is a great opportunity for economic development," he said, adding that a public hearing should be held to discuss the best way to move forward.

On the topic of whether he would support a mandate for all municipal employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if Gov. Kathy Hochul directed it, Lattimore said he didn't believe vaccinations should be mandated, though he later noted that he is vaccinated himself.

"I think we're going to lose a lot of people. People are standing up, saying, 'This is my body, I want to do what I want to do with it,'" Lattimore said. "I think we do have individual rights, I don't think it should be mandated. Everybody knows that they live in a society where you get to protect yourself. If you live in a bad neighborhood, you lock your doors. I think it's an individual thing."

Though Otterstatter said he supports the vaccine and that he and his employees at his business are vaccinated, "I think it's important that we recognize that health care is a personal decision that is between you and your physician."

As a teacher at Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES, Cuddy said he was vaccinated as soon as he could be but he noted that he "understood apprehension" initially when COVID-19 vaccinations debuted earlier this year.

"But over time, science has demonstrated that the vaccines are safe and effective. And now, choosing not to get the vaccine can be a public health risk. I have an 11-year-old son who has not been able to get vaccinated because of his age. He is vulnerable," Cuddy said. "Those who are older with underlying conditions are vulnerable."

He added that "We have seen this virus run amok in areas with lower vaccination rates" and added that he feels continued refusal "opens up the door" to virus mutations and variants that can make current vaccinations become less effective. Once vaccines are approved by the FDA, Cuddy said, they should be mandated, just as children are required to be vaccinated against certain diseases before they go to school.

There are people who can't receive a COVID-19 vaccine because of health challenges or their age, Kent said, "but by vaccinating those of us who are able to get it, we are doing our part to help ensure that those that are not vaccinated will be in a safer situation should they get the disease." She also pointed out that she and her family are vaccinated and that she believes that by mandating safe vaccinations "we will begin to see the pandemic in our rearview mirror, so I would support it."

The candidates also discussed Auburn City Manager Jeff Dygert's performance and what qualities they want to see in a city manager and how they would conduct a search for that role should Dygert retire.

Otterstatter said the city manager seat is "an incredibly important position," so the city should identity the requirements for the position, adding that "we want someone with public safety in mind," with public administration experience and is a "visionary" who can see Auburn's greatness. He later said he believes it would be important to find someone with previous successes who can give the city direction.

Cuddy said he was involved in Dygert's hiring as city manager in 2016 when then-City Manager Doug Selby recommended Dygert for the interim role. Cuddy admitted that he "wouldn't have thought" of Dygert, the chief of the Auburn Fire Department at the time, for the interim seat, but he trusted Selby and saw that Dygert's "leadership at the firehouse was his strongest asset." Cuddy and his fellow councilors later chose to make Dygert the permanent city manager. Cuddy said he feels Dygert is an effective leader who knows how to work with people and is respected by those he serves with, and if "God forbid, he does retire any time soon, we will look for the same leadership qualities that Jeff Dygert has shown the city over his tenure as the city manager."

Kent said she has been on various search committee over the years and believes it would be important to "have a handle yourself on what the major issues are that you're facing" and a search committee should be well-informed and include "stakeholders from important areas." She added that a potential city manager would be responsible for the morale of city employees, with staff feeling good carrying out their jobs. Kent said she feels a candidate should already have an understanding of the community.

"But at the end of the day, it really comes down to that feeling you get," Kent said. "That you know this is the right person for the job. It may be someone in our city, it may be someone from Alaska, we don't know, but when you put it all together, I would cast a broad net, including local candidates and just take your time making the right decision."

Lattimore noted that Dygert "worked for me" when Lattimore served as mayor and said he knows Dygert's qualities. Lattimore said he has disagreed with Dygert before but he said he is "a good pick." Lattimore said he believes he has a understanding of who could do a good job for the city.

Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau.

Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0

Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
GULF SHORES, Ala. (AP)  The latest batch of police recruits in an Alabama beach town faced an interview board that included law enforcement experts and a civilian who was recognizable by his voice if not by his face: Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman.

Freeman, a Mississippi native who owns property in Gulf Shores and spends time in the town of 12,000, was part of a seven-member panel that interviewed nine potential officers for the Gulf Shores Police Department last week, Deputy Chief Dan Netemeyer said Wednesday.

The department sometimes asks residents to participate in such screening committees, Netemeyer said. Freeman knows some people who have helped and volunteered to serve.

It was kind of a last minute thing, but he was an active participant," Netemeyer said.

Known for roles in movies including The Shawshank Redemption, Driving Miss Daisy, Unforgiven, and Million Dollar Baby, Freeman sat at a table asking questions with other interviewers including Netemeyer, the police chief, a criminal justice professor and others.

He had a hat on, and he was kind of sitting back. When he introduced himself it was almost like an old Candid Camera scene, Netemeyer said.

Even if someone did not recognize Freeman's face, he said, there was no mistake once he spoke. It was that voice, the same one you hear in the movies, he said.

The hiring process is not complete, Netemeyer said, but at least some of the recruits likely will be offered jobs.

Freeman and Linda Keena, a University of Mississippi professor who also lives in Gulf Shores and helped with the interviews, recently donated $1 million to establish the Center of Evidence-Based Policing and Reform at the university.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Taiwan-based tech company Foxconn, which has announced its entry into the electric vehicle space, is looking forward to come to India to manufacture its EVs. Liu Young-way, Chairman of Foxconn, revealed his company's global manufacturing plans days after unveiling its first three concept electric vehicles.

Liu said that Foxconn is open to manufacture its electric vehicles in countries like India, Brazil and other European nations.

Similar Bikes

However, he said that detailed plan of Foxconn coming to India or Brazil cannot be disclosed at the moment due to 'disclosure restrictions'. Liu said, "Europe will be a bit faster, I agree with that. But as to where, I can't tell you." He also said that Foxconn is also ready to indirectly cooperate with German carmakers.

Foxconn, world's largest assembler of iPhones, made its foray into the electric vehicle business on Monday by unveiling as many as three concept vehicles which run on battery. These include the Model C SUV and the Model E sedan with impressive features like race-car level acceleration and a 750 kms of range. The company also unveiled a Model T bus which promises a range of 400 kms on single charge and a top speed of 120 kmph.

The company also clarified that it plans to build for automotive customers rather than selling to customers under its own brand. We are no longer the new kid in town," said Young Liu, Chairman of Foxconns flagship unit Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. We have gradually built an EV supply chain and showcased our EV hardware."

The company has already struck a deal with US-based startup Fisker, which is also an electric vehicle manufacturer, and Thailand's energy group PTT PCL. The company also bought a manufacturing facility in US, which was earlier owned by Tesla rival Lordstown Motors, to make electric cars. In August it bought a chip plant in Taiwan in a move to supply future demand for auto chips.

Foxconn and Stellantis Group, which includes carmakers like Jeep, Citroen and others, had announced their plans in May this year to set up a joint venture to supply in-car and connected-car technologies.
South Korean battery maker Samsung SDI Co Ltd and global automaker Stellantis NV have agreed to jointly produce electric vehicle (EV) batteries for the North American market, a person familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

Samsung SDI, an affiliate of South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics, already has EV battery plants in South Korea, China and Hungary, which supply customers such as BMW and Ford Motor.

"The two companies (Samsung SDI and Stellantis) have struck a MOU (memorandum of understanding) to produce EV batteries for North America," the person with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The source spoke of condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

(Also read | Future Stellantis cars to get smart cockpit)

The person said the location of the battery joint venture is under review and will be announced later. In July, Reuters reported Samsung SDI may build a battery plant in the United States, citing a company source.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency earlier reported the two companies plan to build a factory in the United States, citing industry sources. Samsung SDI and Stellantis did not have immediate comment when reached by Reuters.

Stellantis on Monday struck a preliminary deal with battery maker South Korea's LG Energy Solution (LGES) to produce battery cells and modules for North America.

(Also read | Stellantis to turn Turin factory into an electric vehicle hub)

In July, Reuters reported that Samsung SDI may build a battery plant in the United States, citing a company source. Shares of Samsung SDI were up 2.6% as of 0300 GMT, versus a 0.6% rise in the KOSPI benchmark index.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- BMW China Investment Ltd. (BMW China) has signed agreement with Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd. (Brilliance Auto) to acquire Brilliance Motor Co., Ltd., a manufacturing unit of the Chinese group, according to an announcement of the Anti-Monopoly Bureau of Chinas State Administration for Market Regulation.

Photo credit: Brilliance Auto

The publicity period of the deal starts from October 20 and ends at October 29. When the deal completes, Brilliance Motor will be wholly owned by BMW China. Brilliance Auto is BMWs joint venture partner in China.

Brilliance Motor, founded in December, 2019, has businesses covering the development, design, manufacturing and sales of different vehicles. Before the deal, Brilliance Auto has 100% stake of the manufacturing subsidiary.

Earlier this year, BMW China denied the rumor that it would acquire the Zhonghua brand from Brilliance Auto, but the deal to buy Brilliance Motor is in the middle of getting approval from relevant departments.

The manufacturing unit is expected to expand BMWs manufacturing capability in China and enhance its business in Liaoning province, where Brilliance BMW is headquartered. Last month, Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, said that the German company will invest another RMB25 billion in the future in Shenyang, the provincial capital of Liaoning province.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Chinas tech company Huawei and global automobile company Volkswagen Group (VW) plans to establish a joint venture to develop autonomous driving technologies, local media outlet 36kr reported citing several sources.



According to the said sources, the joint venture will provide the German group with solutions as a supplier. One option both parties are discussing is that VW will be the controlling shareholder with capital investment while Huawei will contribute technology and intellectual property, including software and chip technology. This project is progressing rapidly, the report said.

To facilitate the development of this new venture, some senior technical talents from Huawei will participate in the project, the report said. Su Jing, former head of Huaweis intelligent driving product division, will be one of them. In July, the executive was removed from the position due to inappropriate comments about Tesla Autopilot accidents.



Huawei denied the report when asked for comments.

The report added that Huawei has formed partnership with VW Groups premium brand Audi for supplying autonomous driving solutions, which will be basis for the Chinese company's cooperation with VW Group.
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

Meituan Dache's affiliate firm sets up subsidiary in Beijing





Photo credit: Meituan Dache



Shanghai Lutuan Technology Co.,Ltd., an affiliated company of Meituan-Dianping's ride-hailing arm Meituan Dache, established a wholly-owned subsidiary in Beijing on Oct. 19, according to Tianyancha. Dubbed Beijing Lutuan Technology, the subsidiary involves a registered capital of 5 million yuan ($781,670). It has a business scope covering car rental service and the operation of ride-hailing service and road passenger transport.

New Volvo XC90 hits market

The new Volvo XC90 flagship SUV went on sale on Oct. 20. Offered in six trim levels, the new model features a guiding price range of 638,900 yuan ($99,880) to 894,900 yuan ($139,900).

Changan CS75 Blue Whale goes on sales, starting at 103,900 yuan

The Changan CS75 Blue Whale version hit the market on Oct. 20, carrying a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine of the Blue Whale engine series. It came with three trim levels, which are priced between 103,900 yuan ($16,240) and 119,900 yuan ($18,740).

Huawei, VW reported to form joint venture to develop autonomous driving technologies, but Huawei denied

China's tech company Huawei and global automobile company Volkswagen Group (VW) plans to establish a joint venture to develop autonomous driving technologies, local media outlet 36kr reported citing several sources.

XPeng's first sedan model P5 rolls off assembly line, scale delivery to start in late Oct.

The XPeng P5, the third mass-produced model and first sedan model of XPeng Inc., rolled off the production line at XPengs car plant in Zhaoqing on Oct. 20, the startup announced via its twitter-like Weibo account. The scale car delivery will begin at the end of October.

NIO to introduce distributed photovoltaic power plants for battery swap stations

On Oct. 19, NIO formed a strategic partnership with Unisun Energy, a Chinese leading clean energy solutions provider, to turn its battery swapping stations into distributed photovoltaic power plants, according to a post on Unisun Energy's WeChat account.

NavInfo-incubated Sixents forms partnership with data company INTEST

China's localization solutions provider Sixents recently signed a strategic agreement with data service company INTEST to offer better service in the autonomous driving and connected vehicle territory.

BMW China to acquire manufacturing unit of Brilliance Auto

BMW China Investment Ltd. (BMW China) has signed agreement with Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd. (Brilliance Auto) to acquire Brilliance Motor Co., Ltd., a manufacturing unit of the Chinese group, according to an announcement of the Anti-Monopoly Bureau of Chinas State Administration for Market Regulation.

BAIC Group inks agreement with China's veteran IT firm Inspur

BAIC Group entered into a strategic agreement with China's leading cloud computing service provider, Inspur, to realize digitalization among the auto group.

China-made Volkswagen ID.3 to hit market on Oct. 22

The China-made Volkswagen ID.3, the third model of Volkswagen's ID. series introduced to the worlds largest auto market, will hit the market on Oct. 22, according to SAIC Volkswagen.

Hesai, QCraft deepen cooperation to explore scale application of autonomous mobility

China's advanced LiDAR developer Hesai Technology inked a strategic agreement with the autonomous driving solutions provider QCraft on top of their existing cooperation.

China's daily auto sales increase MoM in 1st half this month: CPCA

In the first two weeks of October, Chinas auto industry witnessed a month-on-month growth in daily vehicle retail sales according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

For the retail performance, during the first week this month, daily averaged sales volume notched down 3% year on year, but up 8% from the same week in September to 35,000 vehicles.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Chinas localization solutions provider Sixents signed a strategic agreement with data service company INTEST to offer better service in the autonomous driving and connected vehicle territory.

Photo credit: Sixents



The two companies aim to deepen their cooperation in the said territory, providing high-precision localization data service and software/hardware products. Together, the partners will push forward the establishment of a high-precision localization service ecosystem value chain, offering premium customer experience and valued services by social standards.

Wuhan INTEST Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. (INTEST) develops high-precision data collecting products and professional data collection, analysis, and management software. The company provides large-scale automotive information system construction and integrated testing solutions, working towards becoming a full-stack solutions provider for intelligent connected vehicles.

The companys automotive remote monitoring and diagnosis products and solutions have been implemented by over 130 manufacturers in China.

Incubated from navigation giant NavInfo, Sixents Technology is a leading GNSS high-precision localization service provider, covering a broad selection of intelligent driving, unmanned aerial vehicles, ride-sharing, surveying and mapping, precision agriculture, and more.

Intelligent driving is one of the key focuses of Sixents. The companys safe and reliable localization service was granted the ASPICE L2 certification and secured several mass-production projects with various automakers.
SINGAPORE  Lovense, a leading sex tech company, on Wednesday announced the release of the Hyphy, which it describes as a powerful two-sided clit and G-spot stimulator.

Covered with lilac-colored smooth body-safe silicone, Hyphy has a high-frequency, strong tip for the clitoris and a powerful G-spot vibrator at the base, that assures two different kinds of sensations. The high-frequency vibrating tip ships with three optional attachments:

Circle attachment for broad stimulation;

U-Shaped attachment for a hugging sensation (perfect for the clit and nipples);

Tongue attachment for a hint of oral sex.

Using Hyphy this way ensures climax in a matter of moments and elevates your pleasure.

The other end of Hyphy is a powerful vibrator for the G-spot, which makes the toy versatile and provides an unlimited number of play scenarios, the company said.

We are pleased to present a new and long-awaited toy that complements our product line for people with vaginas, says Dan Liu, Lovense CEO. Hyphy is versatile, helps to reach orgasm very quickly and is travel friendly. I have no doubt that this brand new addition to the Lovense collection will become a trusted companion for our legion of friends and fans."

Hyphy comes in a convenient case for charging and storage which also ensures the safety and cleanliness of the toy. The case fits easily even into a small handbag.

Hyphy can be controlled from any distance and synced with multimedia content through Lovense Remote App. The toy supports music and alarm features, has seven built-in vibration patterns and power levels, and allows users to download patterns from the free Lovense pattern library. Hyphy, like all Lovense toys, is also integrated with the adult games 3DXChat and Wild Life (Demo).

Ideal to add to any cam models collection, the Hyphy provides more ways to have fun and makes shows brighter and more eye-catching. Additionally, Hyphy is compatible with new Lovense developments for cam models like Vibe with Me and Give Control.

Visit Lovense.com for more info.
MONTREALForbidden passions are the focus of Daddy Dilemma 2, the newest release from Icon Male. The movie, distributed through parent company Mile High Media, is now available on all formats.

Ricky Greenwood directs the series newest episode starring Jesse Bolton, Pierce Paris, Adam Gray, Nick Fitt, Michael Boston, Vince Parker, Elijah Wilde and Jax Phoenix in four tales of gay daddies and their men.

Ricky presents a world of taboo passions and forbidden lust in blended families, said Mile High Media vice president Jon Blitt. Cover models Jesse Bolton and Pierce Paris are outstanding as they share their connection and chemistry in this fiery new release.

For Icon Male sales and distribution, contact [email protected].

To access the latest news and BTS previews, follow Icon Male on Twitter at @IconMale.

For more content, upcoming releases and the latest Icon Male trailers, visit www.IconMale.com.
Throughout this month, the Arizona Department of Transportation has been working to install fiber optic cable along a 46-mile stretch of Interstate 17 between Sedona and Flagstaff.

The project, which began last week, is part of a state initiative to improve broadband internet in rural communities, and came out of legislation sponsored by Rep. Regina Cobb and supported by the governor.

The Department of Transportation is partnering with the Arizona Commerce Authority to provide the right-of-way along state-managed roads to put in place fiber optic cables. The goal is to provide high-speed internet across the state.

The effort comes as the issue of rural broadband is also gaining some attention as the federal level.

The bipartisan infrastructure bill that is still moving through Congress, known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, contains as much as $100 million meant to expand broadband access in Arizona specifically.

Thats out of $1.2 trillion that is within the bill and provides funding for everything from roads and bridges to forest restoration.

On Friday, Rep. Tom OHalleran was in Flagstaff with city officials, including Flagstaff Mayor Paul Deasy and the citys IT director, CJ Perry, discussing congressional support for efforts to improve rural broadband.

During the visit, both OHalleran and Deasy emphasized the importance of reliable high-speed internet for attracting business to cities such as Flagstaff, and keeping areas competitive.

The infrastructure bill does contain $65 billion. That's looked upon as the amount of money thats needed right now in todays dollars that is going to get us where we need to be for helping rural America and tribal lands and both of those, in order to be competitive, have to have [good broadband access], OHalleran said. This is something that we want to see more and more of throughout, not just the Flagstaff area, but throughout rural America in general.

The bill also implements minimum internet speeds for services offered by internet providers.

Still, although that infrastructure bill has passed the Senate, it has yet to pass the House of Representatives and its success may be tied to the passage of another bill.

The second bill, which is not supported by Republicans and has been dubbed the Build Back Better bill, is still being negotiated on within the Democratic caucus. But many Democratic members of the House have said they will not support the bipartisan infrastructure bill unless the Build Back Better bill is also passed.

In its original form, the Build Back Better bill had contained tax increases for those making more than $400,000 a year and several measures deemed too progressive to receive any support within the bipartisan measure. That included free community college, expansions in Medicaid and Medicare, 12 weeks paid parental leave and much of the Biden administrations policies to start tackling climate change.

It had appeared most of the Democratic caucus had settled on what that bill should look like. But the effort has been stalled by West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin and Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who have sought to lower the original $3.5 trillion price tag and strip some measures out of the proposal.

The uncertain negation has put the passage of both bills, including the investments in rural broadband, into question.

Still, OHalleran seemed optimistic about the passage of both measures, adding he believes the final price tag on the second bill to be about $2.1 trillion.

It will get through Congress. I think well see something in the next few weeks, OHalleran said.

Adrian Skabelund can be reached by phone at (928) 556-2261, by email at askabelund@azdailysun.com or on Twitter at @AdrianSkabelund.

Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Northern Arizona University has launched the first engagement phase of its new three-year strategic roadmap development plan and is seeking community feedback on a draft of potential objectives through Friday.

NAUs announcement of the draft also gave a more definite timeline for the rest of the project. The current phase, titled Engagement Phase One, will continued through Friday, with a second engagement phase scheduled for November. It will present a second draft of five to 10 objectives per goal for community feedback. In December and January 2022, it plans to release a third draft with three to five objectives for each goal.

NAU will be hosting six listening sessions this week -- one on each of its primary goals -- for individuals to share feedback over Zoom. Signups for the meetings and the first draft can be found at nau.edu/strategic-roadmap, along with other ways to give feedback.

NAU President Jose Luis Cruz Rivera said in an announcement that the roadmap will focus the universitys efforts in the years ahead and ground our community in a shared mission of delivering equitable post-secondary value to students and the communities they represent.

He first announced the strategic roadmap on Aug. 31, with the goal of having a robust draft ready by the end of the fall semester and a finalized plan in early spring of 2022. In the announcement, he spoke to a need to provide value to students and their communities, and outlined its central goals.

More details were announced Sept. 9, establishing facilitator groups to coordinate efforts and focus on each of the individual goals. Cruz Rivera said these groups should develop plans using three principles he had highlighted in his transition to the presidency at the beginning of the summer: distinctive excellence, diversity, equity, inclusion and justice and trust and transparency.

The groups have been developing objective lists over the past month.

The most recent announcement, dated Oct. 14, gives a first draft of the objectives and ways for the NAU community to suggest revisions and/or additional objectives.

Our intention is that the conceptual objectives presented in this initial draft are broad and applicable to our institutional work  all NAU sites, all levels of education and modality, and all members of our university community. I look for your thoughts as we work toward refining these objectives to provide cohesion and direction to our universitys work in the years ahead, Cruz Rivera wrote.

This draft lists around 20 objectives for each goal, with the plan being to have three to five each by the final draft. In keeping with the three primary principles, diversity and community engagement are a theme throughout the objectives for several goals.

The first goal is inclusive academic excellence, with a focus on high-quality, inclusive academic programming -- across academic levels, modalities and locations.

Many objectives highlight student diversity, and seek ways to bring it into the universitys programs and teaching practices. For example, objective 1-3 is to promote diversity in content and pedagogy to equip NAU students with the academic skills, cultural competencies and the resiliency and adaptability to succeed professionally and contribute to a more just and sustainable global future.

Other objectives include adding high-impact practices into graduation requirements, student-driven signature projects, supporting students through curriculum clarity, prioritizing career-readiness and integrating employment opportunities into curriculum.

Objectives under equitable student access focus on accessibility and degree completion among NAU students.

The university plans to implement practices to improve academic outcomes as well as personal and professional success.

Among the objectives listed under this goal are purposeful support of underrepresented students, including work on completion rates, developing financial aid resources and pricing to maximize access, improvements to technology infrastructure and expanding collaboration between students, alumni and the community.

Impactful scholarship objectives center on research, with many intended to evaluate and enhance NAUs impact and productivity. Some objectives use analysis and tracking to do so, while others focus on valuing faculty knowledge and excellence, and recruit a more diverse faculty. It also includes objectives on creating pathways for students to participate in research.

One objective under this goal (3-13) is to foster a culture of mentorship that encourages, incentivizes and recognizes excellence in mentorship of students and junior colleagues in research, scholarship and creative endeavors.

NAUs fourth goal is to recruit and maintain a high-quality, mission-driven workforce that reflects the demographics of local communities and Arizona. Objectives include creating a measurable increase in the hiring and retention of Native American employees as well as those from other underrepresented groups, and cultivating workspaces that are culturally inclusive and accessible to individuals with disabilities. Enhanced nonsalary benefits, flexible work policies and workforce development opportunities are also included under this goal.

Goal five, stewardship of place, centers demonstrated engagement with our communities. It focuses on NAUs work with local communities and organizations. Objectives listed in this draft include developing a culture of volunteerism on campus, seeking community input on university decisions and connecting with various community groups and populations on a number of topics. Climate and sustainability objectives are also included in this category.

Stewardship of resources is on the maintenance and use of physical, technological and financial infrastructure and covers topics such as increased financial stability and reduced environmental impact. This section also includes developing long-term plans for vendor diversity, information technology, land use, carbon neutrality goals, a financial model (including an aid strategy) and creating a fiscally responsible organization structure, among others.

Although not all ideas and objectives will become a part of the Strategic Roadmap, your engagement will help to guide and prioritize the direction of this work, Cruz Rivera said. ...Please know that even if [these objectives] do not become a part of the final Strategic Roadmap, they will be documented as part of the process and many will be crucial to our work moving forward, particularly at department and divisional levels.

Love 2 Funny 3 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 6
DETROIT (AP)  The only Michigan official fired in the Flint water catastrophe likely was a public scapegoat who lost her job because of politics, an arbitrator said in ordering $191,880 in back pay and other compensation.

It's a remarkable victory for Liane Shekter Smith, who served as head of the state's drinking water office when Flint's water system was contaminated with lead. She was removed and then fired in 2016 and subsequently faced criminal charges in one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history.

Shekter Smith was dismissed while engineers in her department  the boots on the ground in Flint  were suspended with pay before ultimately returning to work, the arbitrator said in a 22-page report obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press.

Sheldon Stark said the state had failed to offer enough evidence to justify the firing of Shekter Smith, who had an exemplary record in government.

The arbitrator noted that Keith Creagh, director of the Department of Environmental Quality, fired Shekter Smith without even speaking to her about Flint or waiting for a state police investigation that exonerated her.

"No one ever asked (Shekter Smith) for her story, Stark said.

Politics and the need for a public scapegoat helps explain why Shekter Smith might have been terminated when so many others who were directly involved and actually did make decisions in Flint were not fired, Stark said in his September report.

He ordered $166,053 in lost wages before a likely spring 2017 retirement and $25,827 in 401(k) retirement compensation. The state agency, which now is known as the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, declined to comment on the arbitrator's decision but said an appeal was being considered.

A message seeking comment was left for Shekter Smith's attorney.

I'm dumbfounded. She was their boss, said LeeAnne Walters, a Flint resident who is credited with exposing the lead contamination. The system just spit in the face of every resident who died or was harmed. She should not be compensated for harming people.

Walters took her concerns to Shekter Smith in 2015 but felt an air of untouchability.

The department defended the firing in a legal brief.

Part of accepting a high-level position in government is also to accept responsibility for oneself and for the actions of those one supervises and accountability for results, the agency told the arbitrator.

In 2014-15, Flint's water was pulled from the Flint River, a money-saving decision that was made by state-appointed managers who were running the ailing city. The highly corrosive water wasnt properly treated before it flowed through aging pipes to roughly 100,000 residents, causing lead to leach from old pipes.

The disaster in majority-Black Flint has been described as environmental racism. In 2016, a task force appointed by then-Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican, said his environmental agency misapplied lead-and-copper rules and caused this crisis to happen.

The arbitrator's report reveals behind-the-scenes moves by Snyders influential fix-it man, Rich Baird, who asked Creagh to take control of the department after a director quit amid the scandal.

Creagh testified that Baird encouraged Shekter Smiths termination.

Richard Benzie, who supervised the state engineers making key decisions in Flint, was not disciplined but promoted and given more responsibility! the arbitrator said in highlighting different treatment.

After her discharge, Shekter Smith was charged with misconduct in office and neglect of duty, and put on notice that an involuntary manslaughter case would be pursued because bacteria in the water were linked to a fatal outbreak of Legionnaires disease.

But charges were dropped in 2019 in exchange for a no-contest plea to an obscure misdemeanor. The case was erased after a year, under a deal with special prosecutor Todd Flood.

Flint's water quality greatly improved after it returned to a regional water supplier and replaced thousands of lead or steel service lines. Meanwhile, nine people, including Snyder and Baird, were charged with crimes in January after a new investigation. Their cases are pending.



Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwritez

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Tennessee lawmakers on Wednesday committed to spending nearly $900 million on state incentives, infrastructure upgrades and more as part of a sweeping plan with Ford Motor Co. to build an electric vehicle and battery plant near Memphis.

It took the Republican-led General Assembly just three days to sign off on the economic package after Gov. Bill Lee called them back to the Capitol for a special legislative session that was supposed to focus solely on the Ford deal.

It's exciting to think what it might mean for the next generation of Tennesseans, particularly those in rural West Tennessee, Lee told reporters shortly after the General Assembly advanced the incentive package. There are a few days that feel as significant and as important as today.

Despite the governor's directive, some Republicans attempted to jam a number of measures that would undermine protective measures against the COVID-19 outbreak. Those attempts were ultimately unsuccessful after Senate leaders announced the bills would not receive a hearing. The push won't be dead for long, though, because Republicans mustered enough support to bring the legislature back in Nashville next week to consider a slew of changes in opposition to COVID-19 requirements.

About 10 lawmakers voted against or abstained from voting on the Ford bills.

Ford and South Korean battery maker SK Innovation announced last month that they would spend $5.6 billion to build a factory to produce electric F-Series pickups. The project, located near the small town of Stanton in rural Haywood County, is expected to create about 5,800 new jobs at the West Tennessee megasite by 2025.

When the Ford deal was initially announced, Lee said Tennessee offered $500 million in incentives to help secure the 3,600-acre (1,457-hectare) project. That dollar amount jumped drastically this week when Lee's administration unveiled plans to spend hundreds of millions more on improving the megasite.

Around $138 million has been budgeted for infrastructure and demolition work at the site, including the $52 million announced by the governor this summer before the Ford project was announced. Another $40 million has been proposed to build a new technical college in Haywood County. Another $200 million would be spent on road projects.

The massive investment in the Western Tennessee site sparked praise among Democratic lawmakers who noted the area containing the state's largest Black population had been long ignored by Tennessee's leaders.

We need to think about the union jobs that will be created in rural Tennessee to lift people out of poverty," said House Minority Leader Karen Camper, a Democrat from Memphis. "This was great, this was the first step in where we want to go...we look forward to the thriving economy that's going to come as a result of (Ford) coming here."

Republican lawmakers pointed out that Ford's commitment was further evidence of Tennessee's business friendly policies. Along with Ford, gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson said it would move its headquarters to Tennessee after company officials said legislative proposals in their current Massachusetts would prohibit them from manufacturing certain weapons.

If you compare their northern cities to our southern cities...if you compare all these great companies like Ford Motor Co. and Smith and Wesson coming down South, I think I can tell my grandson the war between the states is still going on and were winning, said Republican Sen. Frank Niceley.

Yet even with Republican support, some GOP members raised concern that Ford's employees will eventually vote for union membership. Multiple lawmakers unsuccessfully attempted to insert language that would force any offer to join the United Auto Workers union by secret ballot.

Currently, Fords national contract with the UAW pledges that the company will remain neutral when the union tries to organize any new factories. It will agree to card check sign-up efforts, which let unions recruit workers to sign cards saying they want to be represented. Once 51% of workers sign on, the plant becomes union.

Before landing the Ford project, Tennessee had invested more than $174 million in the megasite but struggled to lure the big tenant it wanted. Haywood County, meanwhile, saw its population shrink by 4.9% to 17,864 people from 2010 to 2020, one of 14 counties to lose population as Tennessee grew as a whole by 8.9%, according to census data.

Lawmakers also signed off on a new authority to oversee the megasite, which officials say still has another 500 empty acres to market to companies.

What records will be made public or kept secret from the new organization has drawn some scrutiny. For instance, the agency would have the power to keep confidential for five years any sensitive documents whose release would interfere with the groups mission.

Tennessee Coalition for Open Government Executive Director Deborah Fisher said the exemption is overly broad. Members of Lee's administration said the policy mirrors what his Department of Economic and Community Development can already do under state law.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
ARIVACA  A harsh wind bellowed through the desert as a tumbleweed drifted across the land. Jim Chilton gazed out a window of his adobe home toward the Mexico border, just 20 miles away.

The 82-year-old rancher and his 78-year-old wife, Sue, own 2,000 acres of land and lease 48,000 more in Arivaca, a tiny community an hours drive south of Tucson.

Chiltons proximity to the border comes with complications, including drug smugglers carrying the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl. The 5 miles of Chilton Ranch not protected by a border fence leave the property especially vulnerable to cartel activity, he said.

People and drugs have been flooding across the border for years, and Chilton has more than a thousand hours of his own security footage to prove it. He has noticed changes over time.

We had lots of bags of drugs four or five years ago  big backpacks of marijuana, he said as he navigated his pickup over the rugged terrain. But the bags and backpacks have decreased in size. Now, its evidently cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, meth.

Anything over 2 milligrams will kill you

Overdose deaths in the U.S. hit a record high in 2020 and are continuing to rise, driven primarily by synthetic opioids  especially illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which often is laced in pills or cocaine.

Although marijuana traditionally has been one of the most profitable cash cows for Mexican cartels, steady legalization of cannabis in U.S. states has prompted a change in course. Fentanyl also is more profitable, with a gram going for $150 to $200 on the street, compared with about $15 for a gram of weed.

Fentanyl, which was developed in 1960 to manage pain in cancer patients, is smaller and easier to transport, leading to its increased flow across the border.

Chilton said one strategy used by smugglers is to wait for asylum-seekers to be picked up by Border Patrol agents, keeping them busy so the smugglers can make a run for it.

Everybodys always in camouflage, Chliton said, and they just bolt when you get up on them sometimes.

He said the unfinished border fence only makes the problem worse.

In short, its a national security issue.

Although Mexico remains the main foreign source of marijuana in the United States, Mexican marijuana has largely been supplanted by domestic-produced marijuana, according to the Drug Enforcement Administrations 2020 National Drug Threat Assessment.

Marijuana seizures by U.S. Customs and Border Protection along the southern border have declined by 81% since 2013, from 1.3 million kilograms to about 249,000 kilograms (548,950 pounds) in 2019.

Those figures coincide with legalization in the U.S., where Colorado and Washington were the first states to approve recreational marijuana use in 2012, followed by Alaska, Oregon and Washington, D.C., in 2014.

In Arizona, medical marijuana was legalized in 2010, and voters in November approved recreational use. Medical use of marijuana is allowed in 36 states, while recreational use is now legal in 18 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Enter fentanyl, a lab-made opioid thats relatively easy to create, with a death threat lurking behind every dose.

On a recent visit to the DEAs Nogales office, Special Agent Rene Amarillas shows me a photo of a miniscule amount of fentanyl on a shiny penny, for scale.

That much can kill you? I ask him.

Amarillas nods and says, Anything over 2 milligrams will kill you.

The dab on the penny is smaller than a grain of rice.

According to the Brookings Institution, CBP seized more than 42,645 pounds of cocaine, 5,222 pounds of heroin, 324,973 pounds of marijuana, 156,901 pounds of methamphetamine and 3,967 pounds of fentanyl in fiscal year 2020.

Although the fentanyl seizures may not seem like much in comparison, the lethal potency of the drug makes the numbers especially troubling.

From April 2020 through March 2021, there were nearly 97,000 drug overdose deaths in the U.S., and 75% of those involved an opioid. In the same 12-month period the year before, 73,000 overdose deaths were reported, with 71% involving an opioid, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Jacob Guerrero, 31, was one of those fatalities. He died in May 2020 after taking cocaine that had been laced with fentanyl. His mother, Theresa Guerrero of Tucson, believes the COVID-19 pandemic played a role in his drug use and death.

He was, like so many other people, really lonely, and I remember he would go on drives by himself just to get out of the house, Guerrero told Cronkite News earlier this year. I have to wonder if he had been able to see other people, would they have noticed what he was going through before I did?

Cartels that cook and move fentanyl across the U.S.-Mexico border are largely responsible for overdose deaths like Jacobs. They import precursor chemicals from India and China to make the drug, but U.S. officials report the cartels recently have begun producing the chemicals on their own, essentially eliminating the middleman.

The mass quantity of fentanyl already in pill form is coming from Mexico. And its clandestinely produced in different cities, Amarillas said, describing covert labs tucked away in tropical jungles. And we have seen direct cases where university chemists have been involved.

In April, DEA Acting Administrator D. Christopher Evans announced a new effort, Project Wave Breaker, to disrupt the flow of fentanyl into the United States.

While a major entry point for fentanyl is the Southwest border, the cartels are spreading their poison into communities across the nation, he said. Through this initiative, were tackling a very real public health, public safety and national security threat, identifying the most egregious street-level networks in our communities and working our way up through the supply chain.

Teen smugglers and tunnels

The cartels are relentlessly creative about how they move their product. In March, canine units sniffed out $60,000 worth of fentanyl stuffed into breakfast burritos in Yuma. Secret tunnels, including some in Nogales, also have been used.

When I was public works director, I used to fill these tunnels with concrete, Nogales Mayor Arturo Garino said in an interview.

The most elaborate tunnel he found was 50 feet from the port of entry, dug near an abandoned hotel, he said. It led to a parking lot near the border, where the cartel drilled a perfectly round core fit with a hydraulic jack to bring it back up to street level seamlessly.

A car would park there diagonally with a false bottom, and they would put the hydraulic jack down and stuff packs of cocaine up into it, Garino recalled.

Mario Morales, chief deputy of the Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office, said officers find the tunnels sporadically.

Its hit and miss. You can find a tunnel today and another one next week, or you can go months without finding one, he said.

Still, some smugglers are simply walking the product across the border in backpacks. From December through February, Chiltons security footage recorded 120 people carrying what he believed to be drugs.

The flow of migrants and asylum-seekers across the border can make it more difficult for agents to stop the drugs.

When Border Patrol is busy doing their paperwork, theyre running the drugs through several miles in different locations, Chilton said. So in a sense, the asylum-seekers become decoys.

There are far more to these operations than drug tunnels and labs concealed in the jungle, though. Officials report the cartels now are recruiting American teenagers to move drugs across the border.

In Nogales High School, weve seen cases where kids have been recruited, Amarillas said. It is a concern, and it occurs throughout the border states. San Diego had a case in the last couple of years where they were recruiting students out of a high school to serve as couriers.

CBP Agent Alan Regalado created a program called T.E.A.M. Kids to keep that from happening. The organization partners with Arizona schools along the border and in Phoenix and Tucson, to teach kids about the dangers and consequences of working with cartels.

Regalado began working with Nogales High students in 2017 through a program called Operation Detour, then realized that cartel recruitment could start with children as young as 12.

A lot of these kids think because theyre minors that theres not going to be any consequences for them for smuggling or for being part of a criminal organization, Regalado said in a phone interview, but thats incorrect.

At the end of the day, the cartels really dont care about the kids lives. They are just focused on the monetary gain, he said.

Regalado said teens are routinely recruited through social media channels, such as Cartel TikTok, where videos display semiautomatic weapons, poppy fields, piles of cash and armored cars.

He warns parents whose children may be at risk of recruitment to watch for sudden changes in attitude or the acquisition of expensive items  the kids are wearing nice watches or buying things that their parents arent buying them, he said.

Though most of the drugs coming across the border bypass Nogales for far bigger destinations, the city of 20,000 is not immune to the overdose crisis. The Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office reported an increase in all drug overdose calls in 2020  19, up from six in 2019 and four in 2018.

Abraham Cedeno owns Huff & Puff Smoke Shoppe, nestled behind the Candlewood Suites and Holiday Inn Express in Nogales. Hes had customers come in and ask for drugs harder than the nicotine pens and CBD creams he sells. But he stays away from all of that. Both his younger brothers died of fentanyl overdoses in Nogales, Cedeno said.

Chief Deputy Morales notes that different fentanyl analogues have far different levels of potency  some are up to 1,000 or 2,000 times the potency of heroin or morphine; some are 100, 200 times, some 60 times.

A lot of people unfortunately have addiction problems, and theyre looking for the next high and it doesnt take much, Morales said.

The next high that theyre looking for typically kills them.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Country

United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
I dont have any personal space. Somehow Im managing to type this. In case of divorce, I am afraid she will take my remaining money too



I am paying for all the household bills, medical expenses, and our baby daughters expenses.



Dear Reader,



Since our marriage three years ago, my wife has not spent a single penny while earning equal to me or more. She also makes me transfer money to her account for expensive gifts. As this is my second marriage, I am trying hard to keep it.

One year before we bought our house, she made me pay 65% of the down payment and other expenses. Both of our names are on the house and loan. She is refusing to pay 50% of the mortgage and making me pay 60%.

Her financial condition is much better than mine, and she is set for retirement. I am paying for all the household bills, medical expenses, and our baby daughters expenses. She never paid anything, and is not ready to do so either.

If I try to discuss this, she shouts and uses abusive words. I have to cook at home too  she rarely cooks, probably 10 times a year. She does some housecleaning occasionally when shes in the mood, washes vegetables and feeds our daughter.

I dont have any personal space. Somehow Im managing to type this. In case of divorce, I am afraid she will take my remaining money too; she has assets twice as much as mine. We live in Texas. Do you have any suggestions?

Dear Husband,

No one can make you do anything.

Its time to look at the person you believed you were marrying, and the red flags surrounding the requests that you contribute 65% of the down payment  which you did not have to agree to  and pay 60% of the monthly payments. Unfortunately, the bank is not interested in collecting 50% from your wife and 50% from your good self. If it doesnt get paid, the bank will eventually foreclose on your home.

So the question is, what kind of person have you married and what can you do about it now? Quite a lot, as it turns out: You can decide to live in the hope that she will change  a very unlikely prospect, from what you say in your letter  or cling stubbornly to the idea that this is your second marriage and you have to make it work. But the first is folly and the second is pride. You need to choose whats behind door number three: action.

In addition to being a romantic commitment between two people, marriage is effectively a business contract  but it should not be an intolerable situation where someone is held hostage financially and emotionally. The National Domestic Abuse Hotline can help you. Relationship abuse is a pattern of behaviors used to gain or maintain power and control over a partner, which can manifest in a number of ways, and theres usually more than one form of abusive behavior.

See your earlier divorce as a show of strength rather than weakness, and as useful experience rather than as a source of shame.

Men are overwhelming the perpetrators of domestic abuse and, given that fact, there is perhaps a greater taboo surrounding women who are guilty of coercive financial control and/or emotional abuse. One British Medical Journal study found that men sometimes avoid seeking help because they believe it makes them seem less masculine and/or because people wont believe them. However, taking action and control of ones life is empowering.

So what now? Texas is a community-property state, and you will take out of the marriage what you brought into it. However, the extra money you paid as a down payment is commingled with the property. Your house will be split 50/50. If you have exited an unhealthy marriage in the past, you can do it again. You already navigated a divorce. See your earlier divorce as a show of strength rather than weakness, and as useful experience rather than as a source of shame.

You have nothing to be ashamed of and nothing to hide. Put together a support network of close friends and family, and an attorney who can help you navigate the process. No one should have to endure any kind of abuse. You have tried your best to make things work, but sometimes people or situations are just impossible to fix. The bravest and most admirable thing you can do is choose happiness over conflict and stability over chaos, and move on.




The National Park Service has started the search for a new superintendent to lead Homestead National Historical Park.

Tim Colyer, regional chief ranger for the visitor and resource protect division of the National Park Service out of Omaha, attended Wednesdays meeting of the Gage County Board of Supervisors to discuss the position and introduce himself as the interim superintendent during the search.

He said the job posting was listed this week following the retirement of longtime superintendent Mark Engler.

He was the superintendent there for over 20 years and recently retired at the end of September, Colyer said. The plan is I will be here through the end of the year. The announcement for a permanent replacement just hit the website yesterday and will be open for the next week or so or until they get at least 75 applications. It will take a little while to sort through the applications, but hopefully toward the beginning of the new year well know who the permanent replacement is going to be.

County Board Chairman Erich Tiemann welcomed Colyer to the meeting, and said he hopes to continue the countys positive relationship with Homestead in the future.

We appreciate you coming to the meetings, Tiemann said. There will some transition here. It was a long term relationship with Mark, and we look forward to the new full time person as they come, too. Homestead is a great asset to not just Gage County and Beatrice, but the whole area.

Colyer said Engler is staying on as a volunteer at least through the transitional period after a new superintendent is hired.

He cares a lot about this community and a lot about the park, Colyer said. Its continued success is still one of his priorities in retirement.

The NPS site west of Beatrice was established to recognize the Homestead Act of 1862. Signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln, the act allowed American citizens to earn ownership of a portion of the vast public lands in the western United States owned by the federal government. Homestead National Historical Park was established to commemorate the first claim under the Homestead Act.

Ultimately the federal government granted titles to 10 percent of the land in the United States through this program.

By the time the Homestead Act ended, more than 270 million acres were distributed, and there were approximately four million claims for land filed. The first homestead claim was by Daniel Freeman on land where Homestead is now located.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
I had so much fun creating a food facts trivia game recently and thought: why not make it into an article for my readers?

The facts are very random, so sit back and enjoy the here, there and everywhere stuff youre about to learn.

1. Eggs are a great source of protein and nutrients and are a staple in many kitchens, but how can you tell if the ones in your fridge are still fresh? You can test the freshness of a shelled egg by putting it in water to see if it floats or sinks. An old egg will float because as an egg ages it loses fluid, giving it buoyancy. The eggs that sink are the freshest.

2. For a breakfast that will get you through a busy morning with enough energy, its recommended to combine a protein and whole grain. An example of this would be peanut butter on toast. Did you know the chemical reaction that gives your bread that toasty aroma and taste has a name? Its called the Maillard reaction, and its the reason your toast tastes malty, your burgers get a great char, and your roasted coffee is so robust. As with many things related to food, you can thank the French chemist Louis Maillard (pronounced my-YAR) for first describing the process.

3. While drinking orange juice during this cold and flu season wont keep you from getting sick, vitamin C is an important nutrient to consume for overall good health all year long. While a medium orange is a great source of vitamin C at about 70 milligrams, check out three fruits and vegetables that have it beat. A cup of kale has about 80 milligrams, a cup of strawberries has about 89 milligrams, and one medium green bell pepper has a whopping 97 milligrams.

4. The recommendation for good health is to focus on getting plenty of whole grains. You may have heard make half your grains whole grains throughout the day, but what is a whole grain? A whole grain is made up of three main parts: the bran, germ and endosperm. The bran and germ contain much of the protein, fiber and nutrients within the grain, while the endosperm is mostly starch. The bran and germ are the parts that are removed when a grain is enriched. This starchy end product is great for creating soft baked products, like white bread, cakes and pastries. But you can see how keeping the grain whole would be better for ones health.

5. When you hear the term eat a rainbow, its referring to two out of the five food groups: fruits and vegetables. Its a catchphrase that tries to get at the fact that a healthy eating pattern is all about variety, so you can be confident youre getting the right nutrients to feel your best, without tracking every milligram.

6. This may come as a surprise, but did you know German chocolate cake isnt named after the country? It originated in the United States and is named after a baker, Samuel German, who developed a new type of baking chocolate in the 1850s that is used in the recipe.

7. This factoid is short and sweet, but it holds water (my food pun for the day). The food with the highest water content is the cucumber, with about 96% of it being simple H2O.

8. A well-stocked pantry will get you out of a lot of last-minute dinner issues, but did you know these four pantry items will last forever, as long as theyre stored properly and remain free from insects or contaminants? They are salt, sugar, honey, and white rice.

If you have any further questions, please contact Tara Dunker at 402-223-1384, tara.dunker@unl.edu, or visit the Gage County Extension website at www.gage.unl.edu.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
In 1951 Fortin set up a charitable foundation to give back to the communities he lived in. The family has disbursed the tens of millions of dollars directly from the endowment Fortin established with his personal money. None of the Fortin Family foundations accept or solicit donations.

It is all through the generosity of Phil Fortin that we sit here today, explained Smith before Moore added, And good stewardship.

Each year both foundations invite charities to apply for grants. In 2021, nearly 250 different charities and projects were asked to submit applications to the Mary Alice Fortin Foundation. The amounts awarded vary. Many of those charities are based in Billings or Montana.

To best use the endowment and do the most good for the public, they do not pay much attention to cold calls and letters, Smith explained, but seek out causes worth supporting through the two foundations' board members and community advisors, trusting to follow their expertise.

The times have changed you know, explained Moore. "When my grandmother was alive she would decide she wanted to write a check. Now weve taken us to the next step. We obviously have a board and a finance committee and its obviously more complicated, but I honestly think our outreach is so much broader.
It also included a one-time essential worker bonus of $2,000 for any certified staff employed by the district between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30 this year.

The raises were important as it allows SD2 to remain competitive with other school districts in the state, Upham said.

Along those same lines, the new contract includes a $1,250 stipend for licensed special education teachers.

SD2 has struggled to recruit and retain special education teachers, and union leaders and district officials are hopeful the stipend will work as an incentive.

Written into the contract is a provision to evaluate the stipend's effectiveness at the end of the three years, possibly allowing it to sunset.

Also included in the contract is a proposal adjusting how the district calculates service credits for teachers, something that has been part of an educator's compensation package when they retire.

The contract also adjusts lane changes for teachers, limiting it to two changes a year for the first two years of the contract and then one lane change for the final year. Teachers move into lanes of higher pay as they gain more education either through earning specific certifications or educational degrees like a masters or PhD.
People have pleaded and pleaded with the city for years to fix that intersection and they did nothing, Croft said. Had they acted, our daughter wouldnt have lost her life.

Part of what has made the intersection so troublesome is a tall stucco and brick privacy wall that rounds the southwest corner and blocks the left-hand view of oncoming traffic from motorists and pedestrians who approach Rimrock from Virginia Lane.

At the time of her death, Christine was driving with her sister after school to pick up a younger sibling from daycare. Christine was helping with driving duties while her mother was recovering from a serious health issue.

The impact of the collision forced Christines Toyota Camry into a tree.

The line of sight distance for motorists at the intersection did not comply with recognized roadway intersection design standards, the suit alleges.

The stucco wall obscuring the view of drivers entering Rimrock Road from Virginia Lane was built sometime between 2007 and 2008, according to city records, and was installed in accordance to Billings' clear-vision requirement code at the time, the city told The Gazette in the days after Christine's accident. At the time, city zoning coordinator Nicole Cromwell described that old code as "rudimentary."
DALLAS (AP)  Fire investigators believe a man shot into a Dallas apartment and hit a gas line, causing an explosion that injured seven people, including four firefighters, authorities said.

Police said Tuesday that Phillip Dankins, 28, faces seven felony counts of deadly conduct, according to the Dallas Morning News. They said in a statement that Dankins was associated with the Sept. 29 explosion but declined to provide details.

Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman Jason Evans said investigators believe Dankins shot into an apartment and damaged a gas line connected to a stove.

Firefighters were investigating a report of a natural gas leak at the two-story complex the next morning, and reported smelling gas just before the blast partially collapsed the building, Dallas Fire-Rescue said in a statement.

One of the firefighters was released from the hospital last week. Two remain hospitalized.
"DEQ must require full excavation of these contaminating ash ponds," Alderson, a Rosebud County rancher, said in an email. "There is no alternative to fully digging up this mess that can repair groundwater from the millions of gallons of toxic coal ash that leak into aquifers every year. Now more than ever, Rosebud County needs the 200 long-term jobs that full excavation of these ponds will create. Local workers, ranchers, and property owners have been waiting decades for resolution of this issue, and we all deserve cleanup done right."

Thorough cleanup was a likely long-term employer for the area coal miners and power plant workers facing shutdown of the plant, possibly as soon as 2025 when Colstrips utility owners in Washington state face a ban on coal power. Oregon utilities with Colstrip ownership face a similar ban in 2030.

Should Talen produce an alternative over the next two years and push for a change in cleanup plans, it will be difficult for the public to challenge the companys changes, said Anne Hedges, Montana Environmental Information Center director of policy and legislative affairs. Thats because the settlement limits the publics response time to 30 days. The small window will make it hard to hire experts to analyze Talens alternative and make meaningful arguments.
In addition to Williams' perspective, one thing is clear from Montanans who submitted comments, attended public meetings, and testified at hearings  they want the commission to follow the law and do not want maps drawn to favor one party over another. However, their voices were disregarded as the majority of the commission, in a partisan vote, adopted language to consider the partisan makeup of districts while drawing lines. This raises multiple red flags and is a breeding ground for illegal gerrymandering.

Democratic-appointed commissioners were not shy about their attempt to draw one congressional district in favor of their party, claiming they did it in the name of competitiveness. Yet drawing a district that favors one political party is contrary to requirements set in place by Montana law. Democratic commissioners claim they want competitiveness, but their proposed maps violate their own discretionary goals by dividing our state into districts that are not competitive for either party. It simply gerrymanders a safe congressional seat for Democrats in a state where Republicans have achieved overwhelming wins.
New cases of COVID-19 continue to trend downward in North Dakota, but deaths and hospitalizations remain high.

Meanwhile, Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health has launched a Burleigh County COVID-19 dashboard to provide localized pandemic data to the public.

The state Health Department reported eight more deaths on its coronavirus dashboard on Wednesday, raising the state's pandemic death toll to 1,698, including 72 so far this month. It's the highest monthly total since 76 in January, when the pandemic was easing following late-2020 death totals of 297 in October, 500 in November and 282 in December.

The state no longer publicly reports the county, sex and age range of newly confirmed deaths. The dashboard totals for Burleigh and Morton counties were not immediately updated Wednesday.

The recent rise in deaths and other COVID-19 data has been linked to the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus, which surfaced in North Dakota in late summer. Hospitalizations remained high on Wednesday, at 198. Fewer than 9% of staffed inpatient beds statewide were available. Fewer than 6% of intensive care unit beds were available.

The most recent state data showed 177 available staffed inpatient beds and 13 available ICU beds statewide. In Bismarck, neither Sanford Health nor CHI St. Alexius Health had any available beds listed in either category.

State officials reported 583 new virus cases and 3,470 active cases, including 636 active cases in Burleigh-Morton counties. The state's 14-day rolling average test positivity rate was at 7.21%. The rate remains above the state target of less than 5%, but it has decreased for nine straight days after surpassing 8% earlier this month.

Data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that North Dakota's seven-day moving average of new COVID-19 cases has declined for more than a week.

CDC modeling indicates new cases in North Dakota will continue to decline in November -- the opposite of 2020's late-year spike. However, it also indicates deaths will continue to rise in the state for several more weeks.

The Health Department has confirmed 142,985 COVID-19 cases during the pandemic, with 137,817 recoveries and 5,734 hospitalizations.

Burleigh dashboard

The goal of the Burleigh County COVID-19 Dashboard launched Wednesday is to educate the public on local conditions, according to Public Health. It can be found at https://www.bismarcknd.gov/2031/Burleigh-COVID-19-Data-Dashboard.

The tool assesses the risk to the publics health and informs residents about the status of COVID-19 in the Bismarck region.

We continue to get questions from the public and from organizations regarding COVID-19 conditions in Burleigh County, Public Health Director Renae Moch said in a statement. There are people planning events and activities who want to know the risk of COVID-19 in our area. We can now direct them to our website where they can easily view this dashboard and plan accordingly.

Bismarck Public Schools also has a local COVID-19 dashboard. It can be accessed on the district website, https://www.bismarckschools.org/.

More information

The state's vaccine dashboard shows 54.7% of eligible North Dakota adults and 32.6% of adolescents in the 12-18 age group are considered fully vaccinated. North Dakota has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the U.S., according to the CDC. People can go to https://www.ndvax.org or call 866-207-2880 to see where COVID-19 vaccine is available near them.

The coronavirus transmission risk is considered substantial or high in all of North Dakota's 53 counties, according to the CDC's COVID-19 data tracker website. The CDC recommends people in those risk categories wear masks in public indoor settings. The transmission risk in the Bismarck-Mandan region is considered high.

A list of free COVID-19 testing offered by local public health units is at health.nd.gov/covidtesting. For more detailed information on coronavirus in North Dakota, go to www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus. For more information on coronavirus variants, go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/variant.html.

Reach Blake Nicholson at 701-250-8266 or blake.nicholson@bismarcktribune.com.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
North Dakota's lone congressman has tested positive for COVID-19 despite being vaccinated.

U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D., said in a Twitter post on Sunday that he had been experiencing mild symptoms, and took a test, which came back positive.

He said he has been fully vaccinated since January, and is "taking all precautions and recovering at home in North Dakota." His doctor advised him to isolate for 10 days.

The 44-year-old second-term congressman contacted friends in Congress and made arrangements to vote by proxy, being that he is unable to be in Washington, D.C., for some important votes.

So-called breakthrough cases of COVID-19 are not common. The state Health Department's coronavirus dashboard lists 4,532 such cases in North Dakota since vaccines became available, out of the 337,528 residents who are considered fully vaccinated. That means less than 2% of vaccinated people have gotten sick with the virus, and only 216 of the breakthrough cases have required hospitalization.

U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., has been vaccinated against COVID-19. U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., indicated he would get it but has not publicly disclosed his status, citing privacy.

Cramer in December announced he had tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies, indicating he previously had the disease and recovered.

Reach Jack Dura at 701-250-8225 or jack.dura@bismarcktribune.com.

Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
North Dakota's Ethics Commission has put out proposed public official conflict of interest rules for public comment.

The voter-approved, five-member panel on Wednesday voted unanimously to advance the draft rules outlining definitions, disclosure, disqualification and abstention for public officials in conflicts of interest.

The rules relate to a section of the 2018 measure voters put in the state constitution, which states:

"Directors, officers, commissioners, heads, or other executives of agencies shall avoid the appearance of bias, and shall disqualify themselves in any quasi-judicial proceeding in which monetary or in-kind support related to that persons election to any office, or a financial interest not shared by the general public as defined by the ethics commission, creates an appearance of bias to a reasonable person."

The draft rules are available online at ethicscommission.nd.gov. Public comments can be sent to ethicscommission@nd.gov. The deadline is Dec. 10.

A public hearing will be held at 9 a.m. Nov. 30 at 101 Slate Drive, Suite No. 4, in Bismarck.

Reach Jack Dura at 701-250-8225 or jack.dura@bismarcktribune.com.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Article V of the Constitution  the Amendatory Clause  provides the constitutionally prescribed means for changing the Constitution to keep it adequate to the needs of the American people. This innovative provision empowers the citizenry and their representatives to breathe life into the aspirational language of the Preamble: to form a more perfect Union.

The essential values embodied in the Amendatory Clause tell the story of American Constitutionalism. Above all, its inclusion in the Constitution demonstrates the framers humility. Delegates to the Constitutional Convention acknowledged that the document suffered from obvious shortcomings, but it represented the most that they could accomplish in the summer of 1787. The framers knew, among other things, that they could not anticipate the ways in which the nation would, or should, change in the years ahead. Committed to a Constitution that, in the words of Chief Justice John Marshall, would endure for the ages, the framers recognized the need for a mechanism that could be exercised to amend the law of the land so that it would not become stale, brittle and irrelevant in the face of societal, cultural, political and technological changes.

Among the wisest of the framers many wise decisions, the creation of a formal constitutional means of changing the Constitution stood at the top. Delegates to the convention viewed the clause as a means of responding to flaws and emergencies, as seen, for example, in the decision of the First Congress in June of 1789 to draft a Bill of Rights as a remedy for its omission in the Constitution of 1787.

The founders, as Justice Hugo Black was fond of saying, embraced the conception of a living Constitution, best achieved by the availability of the Amendatory Clause. This clause invites the sovereign people, individually, collectively and through their representatives at the state and federal levels, to imagine and contemplate proposals for altering the Constitution -- in every way, shape and form  to form a more perfect Union. At the time of the founding, no other country had ever created a governing document as democratical, to borrow from James Wilson of Pennsylvania, that empowered the citizenry to reconceive, reframe and rewrite the law of the land, as did the U.S. Constitution, through participation as delegates to future constitutional conventions and state ratifying conventions.

The history of the Amendatory Clause is the history of citizen activism, the realization in significant ways of the framers path-breaking invitation to the American people to participate in the recreation of the Constitution. Consider, for example, the intense pressure and clamor of the electorate in 1787-88, for the addition of a Bill of Rights to protect fundamental freedoms and liberties. The popular cry was sufficient to persuade James Madison to promise as a candidate for the House of Representatives the introduction of the Bill of Rights, if elected. Madison fulfilled his historic pledge June 9, 1789.

Consider as well the ratification of democratical amendments that brought a leveling influence to American politics and promoted broader and more diverse participation in our system of government. The 17th provided for the direct election of U.S. Senators. The extension of the franchise for the popular selection of members of the upper chamber marked a transformative moment in the history of the republic. From that point on, Senators were required in the course of campaigns to court We the People, rather than the few, influential state legislators and the corporate power behind them.

Approval of the 19th Amendment in 1920 granted women the hard-earned and long overdue right to vote. Women still have a long way to go to achieve gender equality, of course, but access to the arenas of leadership represented a foundational pivot for a nation that all but ignored the talents and skills of roughly half the citizenry. A few years ago, Warren Buffet nailed the shortsightedness of Americas indulgence of gender discrimination: Weve done well, historically, but think of what we could accomplish if we included the other half of our population.

The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, extended the right to vote to 18-year-olds, and ended the anomaly of asking a younger generation to fight and possibly die for a nation that denied them the opportunity participate in its political life. Passage of the amendment, like others, was a byproduct of pressure brought by the tens of thousands of Americans who poured into the streets and demanded this democratical measure.

The Amendatory Clause doesnt guarantee, but surely encourages, Americans of all ages and stripes and colors to consider ways in which to improve our nation. The founders could not have foreseen the changes that subsequent generations have made to the original scheme, and while we have no way of knowing how they might have felt about the 27 amendments to the Constitution, it doesnt matter. Their point in designing Article V, precisely, was that they did not want to hobble progress or deny to future citizens their right to create a more perfect Union.

David Adler is president of The Alturas Institute. This "We the People" series is provided by the North Dakota Newspaper Association and Humanities North Dakota.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
The reopening of the Canada border will be another step in our countrys economic recovery, especially for northern states.

President Joe Biden announced last week that vaccinated foreign nationals would be allowed to enter the U.S. from Canada and Mexico early next month regardless of the reason for travel. The border ban on recreational travel has been in place for more than 1  years and has been a contentious issue.

The Biden administrations border policies have leaned toward safety despite the economic consequences. Even when Canada opened its border to vaccinated U.S. citizens on Aug. 9, the administration retained the Canada border ban. The U.S. has loosened some international travel restrictions.

North Dakota officials blame the continued travel ban for slowing down the states economic recovery from the pandemic. With more than 672,000 lost passenger trips from Canada to date, our recovery is lagging in the nation, State Tourism Director Sara Otte Coleman told the Tribune last month.

She said U.S. Travel reports tourism-generated revenue is down 5% from 2019 and in North Dakota its down 12%. While the Medora Musical had some of the best attendance in years this summer, the towns businesses report the loss of Canadian tourists was noticeable.

The Biden administrations policies have been criticized by North Dakota leaders as well as by neighboring states and Canadian provinces. Gov. Doug Burgum along with the governors of Montana and Idaho and the premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan sent a letter to Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in July seeking an end to the restrictions.

Theres no doubt the restrictions have had a harmful impact on both countries. The U.S. and Canada have an unusual relationship in which citizens travel between the countries fairly freely for work, business and leisure. Its hurt in many ways to close the borders. On a personal level it has split up many families.

However, Biden has made it a priority to get the pandemic under control. COVID-19 has disrupted our lives in many ways and divided the nation over how to deal with it. While many people are trying to live normal lives, the world hasnt returned to normalcy.

The president thought we were over the hump this summer, but the delta variant helped bring another surge in coronavirus cases. In North Dakota there have been hospital bed shortages and more deaths, yet the vaccination rate remains low.

Even though the Tribune editorial board wants to see life return to normal, a cautious approach is warranted. Travel between the countries starting next month will be contingent on being vaccinated. There will be some who object to the requirement, but the Tribune believes it makes sense.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
The Founders worried about factionalism becoming tyranny, but thought the nation so large and scattered that it would be impossible for the like-minded to come together for evil ends. But modern social and mass media have helped turn citizens into mobs determined to destroy their political enemies. Do we have anything in common anymore? []

Its become a commonplace observation that while we are indeed a divided nation, we have been divided before and, some claim, in much worse ways. The first part is undoubtedly true, while the second seems more debatable, and this particularly in light of a recent poll coming from the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP) at the University of Virginia that shows roughly half of Americans on both sides of the political spectrum seriously indulging fantasies of secession. Along those lines, and more disturbingly, even higher percentages of respondents viewed members of the other party as presenting a clear and present danger that will likely result in personal loss or suffering.

Im not familiar with any polling data extant during other periods of divisional crisis, but the fact that roughly half the country would make no effort to keep the other half from secedingindeed, would happily defenestrate themought to make one nervous. This nervousness intensifies when one considers that the CRP poll claims that 62% of Biden voters and 88% of Trump voters would support a powerful leader who would destroy the radical and immoral currents prevailing in society today. Those currents will have names and faces, making it hard to imagine how such destruction could be accomplished without violence.

The dissolution into factional violence, as the writers of our Constitution realized and feared, has always been one of the dangers that dog republican systems of government. Since, as Madison observed, the seeds of dissension are sown into the nature of man, and such sowing is a reflection on human nature that doesnt admit of alteration without liberty [being] lost in the pursuit, our constitutional system attempts to manage and even channel disagreement in constructive ways. The extension of the sphere of politics, both demographically and geographically, would make our politics more temperate and make the formation of tyrannies that vex and oppress others unlikely.

One wonders what Madison would make of the age of mass and social media. The complex system the Founders developed assumed that people of similar interests would be unlikely to find each other and discover their particular conception of the good that would have a greater claim on their allegiances than a commitment to the common good. Not only geographic separation but the attendant complications of close-up communication would mean, Madison argued, that by their number and local situation partisans would be unable to concert and carry into effect schemes of oppression. The capacity to tyrannize thus dissipated, the regime could actually be maintained and stabilized by the clash of competing interests. It is obvious by now that the combination of hypermobility, extant settlement patterns, and the toxic media environment have rendered the constitutional system largely toothless in its ability to both guard our liberties and buttress any underlying commitment to a genuinely common good.

Its difficult to imagine how such commitment might be reanimated. I recently argued that our failure to produce leaders who could bridge our divides reflects our more fundamental inability to maintain a shared culture. Only by borrowing on that shared culture was Lincoln able to appeal to the better angels of our nature that would allow us to recognize each other as not enemies, but friends. A just regime, Aristotle observed, demanded a mode of civic friendship wherein individuals could, when required, sacrifice their personal goods and interests in favor of the whole. Such favoring requires an understanding of the whole and ones place in it, as well as a love for it. Liberal regimes place an additional burden on its citizens: namely, a skepticism concerning ones own ability to understand what is best, and a concomitant generosity toward an opponents ability to understand. Without such self-doubt and malice toward none with charity for all, American democracy becomes vicious.

Those virtues are rarely on display in our contemporary politics. Americans increasingly live separated lives wherein they have little interaction with people who disagree with them, allowing them convenient caricatures of their opponents. We selectively read media sources that confirm our biases rather than challenge them, and we live in social media echo chambers that, we are finding out, have a capacity to destroy lives and livelihoods, deepening the fear we have of one another. We have increasingly settled into blue regions and red regions. Even seemingly benign social markers indicate our divides: Tell me what someone watches on Netflix or show me how that person spent the weekend and Ill tell you how that person voted in the last election.

The CRP study reinforces what the Pew Foundation discovered previouslynamely, that it is OK for politicians to regard opponents not only as misinformed but also as anti-American and even evil. Our ideas of patriotism have devolved in troubling ways such that in the imperative to love the whole, we cant agree on what that whole is, or what part it should play in the larger whole of the so-called global society, which itself has become a source of serious political division. If indeed globalization is an ineluctable force that divides America into winners and losers, that force will likely strain domestic politics to a breaking point. When Americans are taking less pride in their country than are Germans, French, or Britsand take less pride than we used towe might well ask what, if anything, might hold us together.

Theorists often talk about America as an experiment in liberal democracy. We are all too familiar with the weaknesses of the democratic parts: mob violence, factional dissolution, gridlock, and instability. Americas success has partly hinged on the liberal elements of the equation, and here the CRP poll gives us a something of a blueprint for moving forward. The liberal tradition has long favored the demands of practical reason over theoretical reason, and this in the context of a pluralist situation where people will often disagree about the nature of the good itself. Given such disagreement, order is maintained by mutual forbearance, an unwillingness to use the instruments of coercion that you know can be used against you in turn. Where agreement about ends cant be achieved, individuals and parties agree to stand down and, in so far as its possible, go their separate ways. When agreement can be achieved, the involved parties have all the liberty and energy at their disposal to move forward. Liberalism requires this sort of reasonableness as regards mutually beneficial exchanges and actions.
Just on the eve of All Hallow's Eve, Chicago-based Ferrara Candy was targeted by mischievous spirits bent on destroying the spirit of Halloween. Ferrara is the factory that produces candy corn for Brach's, which makes them responsible for 85% of the country's candy corn market share. But, according to The Chicago Tribune, someone out there hates that sweet sugary Satanic earwax so much that they felt compelled to hack the factory and halt its production:

Chicago-based Ferrara Candy Co. was hit by a ransomware attack that disrupted production earlier this month, but the hack shouldn't affect supplies of its Halloween treats. Ferrara, which makes Brach's Candy Corn, as well as brands like Nerds, Laffy Taffy, Keebler and Famous Amos, said it discovered the hack, which encrypted some of its systems, on Oct. 9. "We have resumed production in select manufacturing facilities, and we are shipping from all of our distribution centers across the country, near to capacity. We are also now working to process all orders in our queue," Ferrara said.

Although The Takeout referred to this cruel criminal hack as having occurred "at the worst possible time"  the implication being, of course, that it's almost Halloween  the company actually told Crain's Chicago Business last year that the spooky season accounts for less than 10% of their candy corn sales. Which means that 90% of candy corn is presumably being eaten throughout the other 11 months of the year. And that sounds pretty scary to me!

Ransomware attack disrupts production at Ferrara Candy, maker of Brach's Candy Corn [Lauren Zumbach / Chicago Tribune]

Image: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Rachel Levine is the first transgender four-star officer in the United States, reports The Advocate. Levine, currently the Biden administration's assistant health secretary, was chosen to lead the 6,000-strong U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and sworn in as an admiral. The corps is a non-combatant branch of the U.S. uniformed services consisting exclusively of commissioned officers, typically called upon to provide federal support to local authorities overwhelmed by public health disasters and such.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said that making Levine an admiral is a proud moment for HHS. "She is a highly accomplished pediatrician who helps drive our agency's agenda to boost health access and equity and to strengthen behavioral health," Secretary Becerra explained. "She is a cherished and critical partner in our work to build a healthier America. In response to becoming a four-star officer, Levine said, "This is a momentous occasion, and I am both humbled and pleased to take this role for the impact I can make, and for the historic nature of what it symbolizes. May this appointment be the first of many like it as we create a more inclusive future."

Levine, who became well-known as Pennsylvania's top medical officer in the early days of the Covid pandemic, was nominated by Biden to join his administration after his election victory in 2020. All but one Republican in the U.S. Senate opposed her nomination, and her new role as a civilian commander in the uniformed services rubs it in their fucking faces.
Just when you thought Rudy Giuliani couldn't get any more bizarre, he's reared his cringe-worthy self once again, this time behind an Abraham Lincoln filter that looks more like a cheap Halloween mask.

Sitting in what looks like the same wood-paneled den he used to peddle MyPillow slippers and his own embarrassing Cameo ads, he is now speaking in a sloppy, sliding-into-German accent, trying to persuade Virginia against Democrat gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe.

"Virginia, vote against the man who honored our past by selling my bedroom hundreds and hundreds of times to scoundrels in a pay-for-play scheme," the fallen, former New York mayor says.

"In my time, we had a name for men who sold bedrooms for one night. In your time, the name is Terry McAuliffe. End the Clinton sleaze once and for all."

Yep, this oughta turn Democrats off alright, but not to McAuliffe.

From The Hill:
"It's up to the State Legislature to do that," Brown said.

Walton had previously called for the city to "opt out" of the program, so it would no longer offer the incentive, calling it a taxpayer giveaway to rich developers.

Brown says that would be disastrous.

"Opting out would have created an environment where there was far less development in the City of Buffalo than weve seen," he said, citing more than $8 billion in development since 2006.

On Tuesday, Walton said she was "approached by a gentleman a couple of days ago," who told her he needed the incentive to support a smaller adaptive reuse project that resulted in retail space on the ground floor of a building and apartments upstairs. She's also heard similar stories from others. And that's the kind of project she wants to see, she explained.

"My opinion about that is beginning to change, but I also want the rules to be enforced," Walton said. "I know there are responsible developers, and I know there are other developers who just want to build buildings to make money. But if there are resources going into a building, it should serve a public good, should sustain development."
Plug Power, the state said, has committed to creating up to 68 jobs. For those job creation commitments, Empire State Development is chipping in up to $2 million in Excelsior tax credits.

The project also is getting incentives from the New York Power Authority, including a 10-megawatt allocation of low-cost hydropower from the Niagara Power Project, $1.5 million from the Western New York Power Proceeds program and 143 megawatts of power that the Power Authority will procure for the company on the energy market.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said she views the project as a catalyst to bring other companies to the site, while also positioning Western New York and the state as a leader in the "clean energy revolution."

"This is not a futuristic dream," she said at a groundbreaking Wednesday. "It's happening now."

One of the prospects STAMP has been hoping to land is Samsung, which has looked at the Genesee County site as well as a competing location in Austin, Texas, for a $17 billion semiconductor plant that could employ 1,900 people  roughly the population of the Town of Alabama. Despite a news report in May that Samsung had chosen Austin, the electronics behemoth has remained mum on its decision.

The company did not respond to a request seeking comment Wednesday.
On the day Abdul Basir moved into his new home in Amherst and was getting it ready for when his wife and three of his children returned from an extended trip to Afghanistan, he received alarming news:

+3 Trapped in Kabul: Afghan man in Buffalo fears for wife and children Abdul and friends here have been making desperate calls to leaders in Congress trying to find a way to get his family to safety.

Kabul had fallen to the Taliban.

Distraught, he reached out to a friend, Annie McCune of Orchard Park  who had worked on many humanitarian efforts  to help him find a way to get his family home.

For two agonizing months, as McCune worked every angle she could find, Basir worried and waited.

Then last week, after countless emails and phone calls, frantic messages in the middle of the night on WhatsApp and hours of prayer, Basir's wife and children came walking down the concourse at Buffalo Niagara International Airport and into his arms.

"You're here!" cheered McCune, hugging the children.

The Basirs and McCune shared their escape story with The Buffalo News.

Abdul Basir brought his family to Buffalo in October 2019 after his Special Immigrant Visa was approved. He qualified after decades of work with various U.S. agencies, the most recent with U.S. Agency for International Development. Basir was able to bring with him his wife, Palwasha, and three youngest children, Rabia, 22, Rohina 15, and Riaz, 12. Two older sons, Satar and Qahar Fazli, who are in their 30s, remained in Kabul. An older daughter lives in Toronto.

The family was sponsored by the International Institute of Buffalo and first lived on the West Side.

The family was close to McCune. The children called her "Nonnie." Previously, she had taken in another member of their extended family and also helped the Basirs find their new home in Amherst. She is Christian and they are Muslim.

"It's all the same God," McCune said.

The Basirs agree.

In early July, Palwasha Basir and her three younger children returned to Afghanistan, knowing that with the U.S. pulling out by Sept. 11, it might be a long time before it would be safe to return again.

The trip started out joyously. There was a wedding for a cousin and an engagement party for Rabia Basir and her fiance in Kabul.

"We did a lot of dancing," Rohina said.

The girls went shopping at the mall. Their uncle, a tailor, made them traditional Afghan dresses.

They saw on the news that the Taliban was taking over different parts of Afghanistan. But they thought Kabul would be safe. Then, at 9 a.m. Aug. 15, they awoke to learn that the Afghan president had fled the country and Taliban fighters were pouring into Kabul.

"We were so scared and we were so worried," Rabia Basir said.

The family hunkered down, terrified to leave the one brother's house. They could hear sporadic gunfire. Their uncle told them that the Taliban came to his tailor shop and told him it was no longer necessary for him to make dresses. They painted over his pictures of models with black paint.

They watched the news and heard rumors about what was happening in other cities.

"We heard that they kill all the men and boys and they married all the girls," Rohina said.

Thousands of people flooded the airport in Kabul, desperate to get out. The world watched in horror at the chaotic scene, as Afghans who had worked with the coalition forces and the U.S. government clamored to get on flights.

The Basirs had plane tickets out of Kabul for Aug. 26. As green card holders, they didn't have to worry about obtaining special visas, as did so many other Afghans.

But the Taliban shut down commercial traffic at the airport and only a handful of planes  mostly military aircraft doing evacuations  were being allowed. Then those stopped. The day of what would have been the Basirs' flights, suicide bombers attacked one of the airport entrances, killing 60 Afghans and 13 U.S. troops.

McCune texted with the older brother, Satar Fazli.

"The Congressman says to please not try for the airport on your own. They said all operations are halted for now after the blast this morning. It will be especially dangerous for you and Qahar to go without embassy protection," she wrote him on WhatsApp.

He replied that he was worried about waiting. "I don't know if we do nothing right now, we might regret it later," he said

The family tried twice to get to the airport. But it was too dangerous. They got caught in a stampede at one point, and the youngest son, Riaz, got hit in the forehead with shrapnel.

McCune made call after call to the State Department and filled out forms for each family member to get them on evacuation lists. She worked with organizations in Buffalo, including Journey's End. She talked to local congressional leadership and went to The News to draw attention to the Basir family's plight. She communicated with anyone in Afghanistan, often waiting until 1 a.m. in Buffalo because of the time difference.

She sent daily emails to her friends who were trying to help, which she shared with The News.

"I spoke with the family in Kabul today," she wrote Sept. 7. "They are safe and grateful for your thoughts and prayers. They said the violence seems to be increasing in the city as various groups take to the streets in protest against the Taliban."

Meanwhile, in Kabul, things were getting desperate. Business had come to a standstill. Food was becoming scarce.

McCune eventually came into contact with a group called Task Force Argo, a U.S.-based volunteer group that was working on evacuating Afghans. They agreed to help. But McCune was told to be patient

On Sept. 11, as the world mourned the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States that would inspire the war that would follow, McCune sent an email: "I am sad to report that I ... had a sick heart this morning. The 30-hour window in which our family was told they would be evacuated has come and gone. The exhaustion of being on alert, ready to move for almost 2 days has everyone's nerves a bit frayed."

Then two days later, Fazli received word from a contact that they should get ready to move to another city in northern Afghanistan. They were told they could bring only one backpack per person and be ready to be picked up at any moment. They were to scrub their phones of any messages or phone numbers from the United States. They gave McCune an Afghan code name: "Fereshta," which means "angel."

The daughters cried. They had to leave behind the dresses their uncle had made, including Rabia's wedding dress.

They rented a van, and as they made the journey north, they learned that their destination was compromised. They had to make another plan. Fortunately, they had a relative who lived nearby, but they could stay with them for only one day. They then went to another safe location, and then to another one. Argo was working on getting them on a plane.

"Today we pray for all those involved," McCune wrote in her emails.

On Sept. 24, they were put on a bus with other evacuees.

"Wheels up!" McCune wrote to her email group after hearing from Satar. "I can hardly breathe. All six are at the airport holding boarding passes."

The family was exhausted, but thrilled. They couldn't sit together and Riaz had to share his seat with another child. But they smiled at each other, filled with joy. They were especially excited that the two older brothers were able to get out with them, too. But they also felt grief. They were leaving behind so many family members in such uncertain circumstances and they would never see Afghanistan again.

They arrived in the United Arab Emirates and were put up at the Emirates Humanitarian City, a sprawling compound for refugees. They stayed in clean, dorm-like quarters and waited for word on when they could make their next step.

They had a potential exposure to Covid-19, so the family had to quarantine for 18 days. There was nothing to do, and while they were fed, it was all spicy Indian food, which wasn't to their liking. They all longed for Riaz's kid-friendly meals  plain chicken nuggets.

Then, last week, a man from the U.S. embassy came to their door and said they could leave shortly. Only the mother and three younger ones with green cards could go. The older brothers were on a list but couldn't go yet. The family was given the option to stay and wait, but they all decided it would be just a matter of time before the older brothers could come too.

They flew from Abu Dhabi, landed in New York and flew into Buffalo Niagara International Airport late on Oct. 14.

McCune was there with her husband and mother, carrying bouquets of flowers and balloons. The flight arrived early and Abdul Basir was just a couple of minutes late.

Riaz appeared first as the family came down the concourse. They erupted into laughter and tears.

Rohina wrapped her arms around McCune.

"You got us out," Rohina said, squeezing McCune and crying. "You got us out."

The Buffalo News: Good Morning, Buffalo The smart way to start your day. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
The aide assigned to monitor the occasionally violent resident told a state official that she was in the bathroom when the assault occurred. "CNA #1 stated she knew she should not have left the resident alone and normally she would tell another staff member before leaving for the bathroom," the state inspector wrote.

Terrace View has taken steps to improve its practices since the two incidents, a spokesman said Wednesday, in addition to firing one supervisor who was involved and putting another supervisor on unpaid administrative leave.

"ECMC takes the care and safety of our Terrace View residents very seriously," said Peter Cutler, vice president of communications at Erie County Medical Center, a public benefit corporation that owns the 380-bed nursing home. "These incidents occurred in March, and since that time, we have taken corrective action and consulted with outside expertise to enhance practices and supervision."

Terrace View hired a consultant to implement a plan of correction that included mandatory in-service training for every member of the nursing staff on preventing resident abuse, shift routines and reporting resident abuse.

Cutler said ECMC did not dispute the Health Department's findings and it has paid the fines.
A West Side man has been charged with robbing five banks in the Elmwood Avenue and Grant Street areas since early September.

Buffalo police arrested Michael T. Davis, 59, after a robbery Tuesday afternoon at an M&T Bank branch on Grant Street, between Breckenridge Street and Auburn Avenue.

Davis was arrested on Parkdale Avenue, not far from the bank, shortly after the 2 p.m. robbery, said Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.

During three of the robberies, Davis told a bank employee he had a weapon, Gramaglia said.

Davis, who is being charged with five felony robbery counts, was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday morning in Buffalo City Court.

The alleged robbery spree began at about 4:40 p.m. Sept. 3 at an M&T Bank branch on Elmwood Avenue, between West Ferry and Breckenridge streets. The robber made verbal threats, police said.

At about 1:30 p.m. Sept. 16, a robber who stated he had a gun robbed a KeyBank branch at the corner of West Ferry and Grant. No weapon was displayed during the robbery, police said.

At 3:55 p.m. Sept. 24, a robber passed a note stating he had a weapon at the M&T branch on Grant.
That led Walton spokesman Jesse Myerson to revive the campaign's oft-repeated message that the Brown campaign continues to be aided by Republicans.

"If after this news anyone still thinks this race is between two Democrats, they've completely lost the thread," he said.

Conor Hurley, spokesman for the Brown campaign, did not return an inquiry seeking comment.

Working Families, after logging extensive efforts for Walton in the June Democratic primary, now looms as a major force in a general election in which Brown runs as an unprecedented write-in candidate. Its new ads include citizens repeating familiar Walton themes, including claims that Brown is "paid for by developers and big money," and that "India scares the big money crowd."

"India is Buffalo," the spot concludes.

Another ad is sponsored by the national Working Families organization through an independent expenditure committee that the Walton campaign says operates separately. It dwells on claims of rising crime and an administration "dragging its feet" on addressing problems caused by lead water lines.
India Walton backs down from opposition against lucrative property tax break Walton said she wants to make sure that developers follow the guidelines set by the state for 485-a property tax breaks that are aimed at encouraging the reuse of vacant or underused buildings in cities.

"The congresswoman has brought an immense amount of vitality, along with youth, new volunteers, registered voters and small donors into the Democratic Party," he said. "Like India Walton, she defeated a longtime incumbent because Democratic voters want change."

Hochul, meanwhile, on Tuesday cited the "unique situation" of two Democrats vying to win the Buffalo general election in continuing her previous neutral stand. She is among a number of top Democrats in New York State who have avoided choosing sides, even though some Walton supporters say party leaders like Hochul have a long-standing obligation to support Democrats who win primary contests.

Hochul, in a New York City news conference Tuesday morning, said she is supporting local parties and that she will be spending the next several weekends traveling the state, backing an assortment of Democratic candidates.

With respect to Buffalo, we have a unique situation there," she said. Im going to be looking forward to truly working hard, rolling my sleeves up, with whoever  emerges as the victor. Buffalos success is important to me personally.

"So that is my commitment: I will work with whoever the voters select. It is up to the voters."
I think the local Republican Party has really gotten away from what a true Republican is, said Warren Galloway, who served in the administration of former Republican County Executive Joel Giambra. Jack Kemp was a friend to all communities.

To me, it was slap in the face to what Jack Kemp stands for, added Galloway, who was a member of ROC (Republicans of Color), a local group that dissolved as the party itself morphed into something a lot less welcoming to people of color.

George Alexander, probation director in the Giambra administration, also was a member. He said he quit the party because of No. 45, a reference to former President Donald Trump, who has turned the GOP  including the Erie County chapter  into something unrecognizable to those who remember a small government, big tent party.

Alexander said Kemp was not as divisive in terms of race as Paladino, but that Paladino is more indicative of where the party is today. Thats not a place Alexander wants to be.

My guess is that its not a place Kemp would want to be, either.

The fact that the modern-day GOP would honor Paladino in Kemps name also is indicative of something else: Its become a party that knows no shame.
Doing nothing may be morally wrong, but in Pennsylvania, without that special duty relationship, it is not legally wrong," Epstein said.

Busch said the employee who called the police, entered the train car after the assault had begun, but his call meant police had an opportunity to arrest Ngoy.

Without that call, the suspect might have been able to just walk off the train and we would still be looking for him, Busch said.

SEPTA's police chief, Nestel has said Philadelphia 911 did not receive any calls about the attack. He said Monday operators at Delaware County 911 were still researching whether it received calls.

Ngoy is charged with rape and related sexual assault offenses. He was being held on $180,000 bail, awaiting an initial appearance scheduled for Oct. 25. Attorney Mary Elizabeth Welch confirmed the Delaware County Public Defenders office is representing Ngoy, but said she could not comment on the case Wednesday.

Court records show Ngoy has a history of arrests and convictions under at least three names in Washington D.C., Philadelphia and suburban Southeastern Pennsylvania counties including public intoxication, defecating or urinating in public, public disturbance and other charges.

In D.C., Ngoy pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual abuse in November 2017 under the name Jack Falcon, after police said he groped two women on the street near a homeless shelter where he was staying.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
The guilty pleas will set the stage for a penalty trial in which 12 jurors will determine whether Cruz should be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole. Given the case's notoriety, Scherer plans to screen thousands of prospective jurors. Hearings are scheduled throughout November and December, with a goal to start testimony in January.

Cruz killed the 14 students and three staff members on Valentine's Day 2018 during a seven-minute rampage through a three-story building at Stoneman Douglas, investigators said. They said he shot victims in the hallways and in classrooms with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle. Cruz had been expelled from Stoneman Douglas a year earlier after a history of threatening, frightening, unusual and sometimes violent behavior that dated back to preschool.

The shootings caused some Stoneman Douglas students to launch the March for Our Lives movement, which pushes for stronger gun restrictions nationally.
"American will not be placing any team members on unpaid leave as part of the federal vaccine mandate," said American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller.

Southwest and American are both based in Texas, where the Republican governor has ordered businesses not to require employees or customers to be vaccinated. Both say they will comply with President Joe Biden's federal mandate that contractors require vaccination, which they believe has legal priority over state orders.

Southwest Chairman and CEO Gary Kelly originally said in a statement that Southwest "must join our industry peers in complying with the federal government's COVID-19 vaccination directive."

In the days after that statement, however, the pilots' union asked a judge to temporarily block the order, saying Southwest should negotiate with the union over the issue. A hearing is scheduled Friday in federal court. This week, anti-mandate protesters demonstrated at the airline's headquarters.

Kelly has indicated personal reluctance about the vaccine mandate.

"We are not going to fire any employees over this," he told ABC-TV last week. "We are urging all our employees to get vaccinated. If they can't get vaccinated, we're urging them to seek an accommodation."
While we await the eventual verdict of a Supreme Court packed with right-wing ideologues, lower courts alternately defend and set aside the so-called religious exemption to vaccination and mask mandates. Its a battle between indefensible selfishness under the guise of First Amendment rights, and reason and common courtesy.

The pertinent passage in the First Amendment to the Constitution reads Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; Thats it. And the reason for its inclusion in the first place was because many of our first colonists had been the victims of state religions in the European countries they fled; many of them emigrated specifically for religious freedom.

But somehow over the years religious freedom has become a shield for pseudo-Christians who try to impose their religious beliefs on the rest of us. They claim without basis that this is a Christian nation. The people who wrote and signed the Constitution would be horrified that such a preposterous contention should appeal to so many of us, and that religious exemptions could even be considered in our courts as a valid defense for anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers. Even the current acolytes on the Supreme Court of former Justice Antonin Scalia can not defend this notion with a straight face to anyone over the age of three.
As much of the larger geopolitical world becomes more divisive and fragmented with many borders crossroads of exile and violent engagement, Buffalo and Erie County are moving toward becoming a one-world city.

As the minority Rohingya Muslims head for the Bangladesh border, trying to escape the wrath of the once again military-controlled Myanmar, Buffalo is about to welcome more than 400 Afghan refugees who, having sided with the U.S. military against the Taliban, were able to escape with only the clothes on their backs.

And its not uncommon now to see stylish covered Muslim American women among us as well as children from the Republic of Congo in colorful fabrics, especially in the burgeoning Black Rock neighborhood that is rising out of an industrial knockout to become a contender again.

As some refugees from northern Africa lose their lives trying to cross the Mediterranean to get to Spain, Buffalo has become home, with the help of U.S. embassies overseas, to refugees from Bhutan, Eritrea, India, Russia (Jews and Pentecostals), Somalia and Yemen.
As COVID-19 engulfs Romania, funeral homes struggle to keep up A crucifix and a sheet of paper that reads "Covid County Hospital" is seen on the cover of a coffin prepared for a funeral the next day, in Ploiesti

By Octav Ganea and Luiza Ilie

PLOIESTI, Romania (Reuters) - As an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 fatalities engulfs Romania, funeral home owner Sebastian Cocos is struggling to source coffins and keep up with a faster pace of burials.

But for him, nothing brings home the scale of what is currently the world's deadliest epidemic more than the mourners who keep returning.

"There were families who buried up to four people in two weeks, and that is not easy," he told Reuters.

Based in the central city of Ploiesti, Cocos is also president of a national funeral home association.

With COVID-19 killing one person every five minutes on average this month in a country where the inoculation rate is worryingly low, he says activity both at his funeral home and across the industry has risen 50%.

And he has a stark message for the majority among his compatriots who remain unvaccinated.

"There is no comparison for ... what is going on now," said Cocos, who has been in the business for 12 years. "I recommend to everyone that they get vaccinated, otherwise they will end up in our hands."

'FORGETTING HOW TO EDUCATE'

Across the European Union, 74% of the adult population have been fully inoculated. In Romania that figure is 36%, the second lowest in the bloc after neighbouring Bulgaria, and for those over 80 it is just 20%.

Those numbers reflect a history of distrust in Romanian state institutions as well as underdeveloped rural infrastructure and weak vaccine education in the EU's second poorest nation.

Some public figures, including lawmakers, priests and some doctors, have urged people not to get vaccinated, supported protests against restrictions and even barged into hospitals - to the despair of health professionals.

"At the rate at which people refused to answer calls to get vaccinated, this fourth wave was predictable," said Andi Nodit, manager at Bucharest's Bagdasar-Arseni clinical emergency hospital.

Story continues

The head of its emergency unit, Amalia Hangiu, described the situation there as "catastrophic, unimaginable."

On Tuesday, as Romania's coronavirus deaths hit a record high to top research portal Our World in Data's global ranking of new COVID-19 fatalities per million, the hospital system ran out of intensive care beds.

"Compared with previous waves, it is like a snowman versus an iceberg, the fourth wave is the iceberg," Nodit added.

"...The size and gravity of the situation in the emergency room and the hospital is beyond any words that I can express."

Roughly 13% of Romania's total of 42,000 epidemic-related deaths have occurred this month. On Tuesday, new daily infections topped 18,800 while 574 people died of the virus, both the most ever, official data showed.

President Klaus Iohannis is consulting officials and health experts on Wednesday with a view to introducing tougher curbs.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has sent a crisis expert to Bucharest, the EU has sent ventilators and some patients have been transferred to neighbouring Hungary, where the vaccination uptake rate is 66% and the COVID-19 death rate almost 20 times lower.

"We got here by losing sight of what it means to educate a nation," said Nodit.

(Reporting by Luiza Ilie and Octav Ganea; editing by John Stonestreet)
A ransom of $1m (720,000) is being demanded for each of the 17 American and Canadian missionaries kidnapped in Haiti.

The country's justice minister, Liszt Quitel, said talks are under way with gang to release the group, who were kidnapped over the weekend outside Port-au-Prince.

They were taken by a gang called 400 Mawozo, who are now demanding a total of $17m (12.3m).

Mr Quitel added that the FBI and Haitian police are advising the Christian Aid Ministries - the non-profit aid agency the group were part of - who were called about a ransom after the missionaries were kidnapped.

The Ohio-based organisation called for prayers for the "Haitian and American civil authorities who are working to resolve this situation".

Among the 16 Americans and one Canadian are five children, including an eight-month-old baby.

They were abducted in Croix-des-Bouquets, about eight miles outside the capital.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the US government is "relentlessly focused" on the kidnapping. and is in constant communication with Haitian police and the missionaries' church.

"Unfortunately, this is also indicative of a much larger problem and that is a security situation that is quite simply unsustainable," Mr Blinken said, referring to gangs that control parts of Port-au-Prince.

Doris Michel, a Haitian-American woman, has blamed Haiti's government for the increase in kidnappings after her 89-year-old father was kidnapped last month.

He was taken by in a gang-controlled area and the kidnappers demanded $6m (4.3m) in ransom, which later increased to $10m (7.26m).

"We kept saying, 'We don't have that kind of money,'" Ms Michel recalled. "Then it switched to, 'What kind of money do you have?'"

She added that the hostages survived on a bowl of rice a day and three bags of water.

Ms Michel dropped off the money at a specific location, only for the gang members to claim they didn't receive it. They demanded another payment.

She said the FBI did little to help and advised her to gather more money and restart negotiations, while Haitian police did not get involved.

Her father, who fought in the Vietnam war, was released after 11 days.
Claimed by both Iraq and Kurdistan, the town of Sinjar in northern Iraq was the site of an ISIL massacre of the Yazidi people in 2014 that lead to a devastating situation which human rights organizations call genocide. The town gives its name to the latest film from Spanish director Anna M. Bofarull who also wrote the narrative feature.

Bofarull co-produced with Spains KaBoGa and U.S. company Genius at Large. Barcelona-based Filmax took international rights earlier this year, and is releasing the film in Spain. The film follows several real life stories and takes us inside the conflict from these womens experience of rape, sexual slavery and abuse.

More from Variety

The film was shot partly in northern Iraq. Top-liners include Nora Navas, Halima Ilter and Eman Eido, a Yazidi woman who was held hostage by ISIS for several years. Variety spoke with Anna Bofarull about the film.

Eman Eido is a young Yazidi woman who was captured and held hostage by ISIS for four years. How did she survive this? How did this real life experience inform the film?

Eman was captured when she was 9-years-old and was immediately sold to an ISIS supporter and married to him. Her life completely changed after that. She was separated from her family, her childhood abruptly finished and she became an abused wife. She was later sold again and re-married, considered not more than an object. She managed to escape when she was 13-years-old, being a strong teenager ready to fight for a new life. The shooting of Sinjar took place as she was 15-years-old, and was living in a refugee camp. All of her past experiences were in her gaze, in her movements, and I wanted to add that to Arjins character, as this was unique. But, at the same time, it was a challenge to work with her, as she had no acting skills and we were working with real feelings and experiences.

Story continues

You decided to show some of the horrors of ISIS and their wars through the perspectives of various women. What do you think their points of view and experience shows us about this situation, and how is this different to other films on the subject?

I wanted to explore how daily life can change with horrors that you cannot control. I wanted to bring Yazidi womens life close to the screen and show to Western audiences that women living in the Middle East suffer as much as any others and are never prepared for that. And that, at the same time, foreign wars can also break into the reality of European women (as Carlota, the woman living in Barcelona and played by Nora Navas, experiences in the film). I wanted to explore how women in these situations need to adapt, how they need to survive. It is not just one day or one week of horror, but long months and even years for some of them, and I was surprised how Yazidi sex slaves under ISIS were able to survive one day after another, lots of them even with their children. That routine is something that I could not find in other films portraying life under ISIS.

Why did you decide to make this film? How did you come to this story, and how did you connect with these women?

After the ISIS invasion of the Sinjar area, I started to discover a lot of details about Yazidi womens lives under ISIS, and how they were turned into sex slaves. I was really shocked. I could not realize how at that moment, in another place in the world, this could happen. And I travelled to Iraqi Kurdistan. I interviewed many women and children in refugee camps who had managed to escape ISIS territory and their experience deeply moved me. I committed to tell their experience, how women tried to survive to protect their children, how young girls had lost everything and just decided to fight ISIS until the end. And I also discovered how Western mothers had lost their kids to ISIS, as they escaped to join the Caliphate.

Sinjar - Credit: Courtesy of Filmax

Courtesy of Filmax

Do you feel under threat from addressing this subject by ISIS? Are these women under threat?

I am not feeling under threat right now, as ISIS lost their power and territory before we started filming. But it is true that this project scared some producers at the beginning and they refused to get involved, fearing some consequences. Most Yazidi women are not under threat right now, although lots of them are living in refugee camps as their homes were destroyed and the Sinjar area is still insecure and the target of bombings by the Turkish army. Some Yazidi women and children are still missing, probably living with former ISIS supporters.

For how long did you shoot? When and where? And what were the challenges?

We were shooting for six weeks in Iraqi Kurdistan, close to the Sinjar area, in real locations and with a lot of real actors. We got the support of the local Yazidi community and the Kurdish army, who were committed to the film and helped a lot. And suddenly the Covid pandemic started, with a Spanish-German women-only crew blocked in Iraq. After finishing the shoot all the crew were locked down inside a house, the house where one of the characters remains enslaved. The Spanish army managed to bring us back home. We managed to finish the filming in Barcelona in November, with many Covid precautions in place.

Best of Variety

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officers ride up a private road near the entrance of the Carlton Reserve during a search for Brian Laundrie, Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

A Florida medical examiner's office was called to the reserve where authorities have been searching for Brian Laundrie.

The District 12 Medical Examiners Office was called to the Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County.

Possessions belonging to Brian Laundrie were found Wednesday near the Carlton Reserve, a lawyer for the family said.

A Florida medical examiner's office was called Wednesday to a wildlife preserve in the Sunshine State where authorities have been searching for Brian Laundrie for more than a month.

The District 12 Medical Examiners Office was called to the Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County, a worker told Insider, declining to say why.

Additionally, a human remains detection team from the Pasco County Sheriff's Office was requested by the North Port Police Department to go to the nature preserve Wednesday to assist in the search for Laundrie, spokesperson Amanda Hunt said.

The team is made up of a human remains detection canine and a handler, Hunt said, adding that this is the third or fourth time the team has been called to assist in the search.

Earlier Wednesday, possessions belonging to Brian Laundrie were found near the Carlton Reserve after his parents joined the FBI-led search, said the family's attorney, Steven Bertolino.

The unspecified items were discovered at the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, which connects to the 25,000-acre Carlton Reserve in where the FBI and other law enforcement agencies have been looking Laundrie since mid-September, according to Bertolino.

Laundrie's parents, Chris and Roberta, joined law enforcement at the park Wednesday morning to "search for Brian," Bertolino said.

"The FBI and [North Port Police Department] were informed last night of Brian's parents' intentions and they met Chris and Roberta there this morning," the lawyer said.

"After a brief search off a trail that Brian frequented some articles belonging to Brian were found," Bertolino added. "As of now, law enforcement is conducting a more thorough investigation of that area."

Story continues

Laundrie remains the sole person of interest in the disappearance and killing of his fiancee Gabby Petito.

Laundrie's parents reported their son missing to Florida police on September 17 - more than two weeks after the 23-year-old returned home from a cross-country road trip he took with Petito without her and with the van they had been traveling in, authorities have said.

Petito's body was discovered at a remote campground in Wyoming on September 19. A coroner later ruled that the 22-year-old woman died by manual strangulation sometime in late August.

Read the original article on Insider
Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading.

Dive into hometown history With a weekly newsletter looking back at local history. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy
U.S. Reps. Ron Kind (D-La Crosse) and Glenn GT Thompson (R-PA) have introduced a bipartisan bill to research and manage the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD), a contagious, neurological disease affecting cervids  deer, elk and moose  that is always fatal.

There is no known cure for CWD and its unclear how the disease is transmitted. As of August 2021, CWD has been confirmed in 25 states, and there are serious concerns that the disease will continue to spread to herds across the country.

The Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act will support state and tribal efforts to develop and implement management strategies as well as fund research into methods to better detect and prevent CWD.

As an avid hunter, I know how important it is to maintain a healthy deer herd in Wisconsin so we can protect our outdoor traditions and economy, said Kind. CWD is a serious threat to our deer herds, and we need all hands on deck to combat this disease. Thats why Im proud to team up with my colleague Rep. Thompson and introduce this bipartisan bill that brings scientists, local officials, and hunters to the table to help manage and prevent the spread of CWD.

CWD has been a big problem for the deer populations of Pennsylvania and additional cervid animals, such as elk and moose, throughout the country, Thompson said. This bill was crafted with robust stakeholder support and will prioritize research in the transmission of, resistance to, and diagnosis of CWD. It is imperative we better understand the genetic implications of the disease, so we can develop policies best suited to solve the problem. I look forward to moving quickly with my colleagues in Congress to do our part in eradicating CWD.

The Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act is also supported by several wildlife and sportsmen organizations, including: the Congressional Sportsmens Foundation (CSF), Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP), National Wildlife Federation (NWF), Boone & Crockett, National Deer Association (NDA), North American Deer Farmers Association (NADeFA), Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), and the Mule Deer Foundation.

The Congressional Sportsmens Foundation (CSF) applauds Congressional Sportsmens Caucus Members Reps. Kind and Thompson for their leadership in introducing a practical, bipartisan, and comprehensive bill to address one of todays most critical wildlife management issues  chronic wasting disease (CWD), said CSF President and CEO Jeff Crane. This legislation unites all interested CWD stakeholders  including Americas 55 million sportsmen and women  in a focused policy effort, and is an unprecedented step forward in addressing this concerning disease.

Chronic wasting disease is one of the greatest threats facing deer, elk, and moose populations across the country, jeopardizing hunting opportunities, ecosystems, and our nations outdoor economy, said Mike Leahy, director for wildlife, hunting, and fishing policy for the National Wildlife Federation. We are grateful for Representatives Kind and Thompsons steadfast leadership on this critical issue. The bipartisan Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act will help ensure state and tribal agencies on the front lines of controlling this disease have the resources they need to better understand and stop its spread.

Chronic Wasting Disease is not only a significant threat to deer, elk, and moose, its a threat to the management of all wildlife that is supported by the pursuit of these impacted species by hunters. The CWD Research and Management Act will help states and tribes manage the disease locally while providing much needed financial support to researchers working to find ways to stop it, said Nick Pinizzotto, National Deer Association President and CEO.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
MINNEAPOLIS  The Biden administration dealt a serious blow Wednesday to the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota, ordering a study that could lead to a 20-year ban on mining upstream from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The U.S. Forest Service filed an application with the Bureau of Land Management for a "mineral withdrawal," which would begin with a comprehensive study of the likely environmental and other impacts of mining if it were permitted in the watershed that flows into the Boundary Waters.

"A place like the Boundary Waters should be enjoyed by and protected for everyone, not only today but for future generations," Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement. "Today the Biden Administration is taking an important and sensible step to ensure that we have all the science and the public input necessary to make informed decisions about how mining activities may impact this special place."

The Obama administration tried to kill the Twin Metals project when it launched a similar process in its final weeks, citing the potential threat to the Boundary Waters from acid mine drainage from the underground mine near Ely.

But the Trump administration cancelled that mineral withdrawal study 20 months into the 24-month process, and reinstated the project's federal mineral rights leases, which the Obama administration had decided not to renew.

The full practical impact of the new decision on the Twin Metals project wasn't immediately clear. The announcement from the Agriculture and Interior Departments said the order affects lands upstream from the Boundary Waters in the Superior National Forest. It prohibits issuing new prospecting permits or leases for mining-related activities in that area. The agencies said it does not affect valid existing rights or activities on private lands including Twin Metals leases in the area, although they are currently the subject of a federal court challenge.

"Twin Metals Minnesota is deeply disappointed with the federal government's action to initiate a mineral withdrawal study yet again on nearly 230,000 acres of land in northeast Minnesota, which sits on top of the world's largest known undeveloped copper-nickel deposit," the company said in statement. "We are working to determine the best path forward to continue advancing our proposed world-class underground copper, nickel, cobalt and platinum group metals mine."

When Twin Metals, which is owned by the Chilean mining giant Antofagasta, submitted its formal mine plan to federal and state regulators in 2019, the company said its design would prevent any acid drainage and protect the wilderness from pollution.

Environmental groups disputed that claim and challenged the lease renewals in federal court, in a case that's still pending. They welcomed the announcement.

"This is a great first step on the pathway to permanent protection," Becky Rom, national chair of the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters, said in a statement. The appropriate next step for the administration is to revoke the two Twin Metals leases that the Trump administration unlawfully reinstated."

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Five people were shot  three killed  in a home in a quiet residential neighborhood on Kenoshas north side late Tuesday, the second mass shooting in the county this year.

At the scene Wednesday morning, Interim Kenosha Police Chief Eric Larsen described Tuesday's shooting as a domestic situation.

With the shooting, Kenosha County marked its 16th homicide of the year, a remarkable spike of fatal violence in the county that typically sees five homicides a year. It was also the second triple homicide of the year.

The shooting occurred at 10:41 p.m. inside a neat white-frame home at 610 40th Place.

Police said early Wednesday that three people were dead inside the home. Of the two survivors, one was taken by a Flight for Life medical helicopter to Froedtert Hospital, the regional advanced trauma center in Wauwatosa. Kenosha Police Lt. Joe Nosalik said another victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries. Both victims were reported to be in critical condition as of early Wednesday.

"We don't believe that there's any danger to the community at this point, however, our detectives are still working on the case trying to get as much information as possible," Nosalik said at the scene shortly after the shooting. We believe this is an isolated incident and we are not looking for a suspect right now. 

Police on Wednesday morning were not yet releasing the ages or names of those involved, or confirming whether the shooter was among those killed or injured.

Investigation continues

On Wednesday morning, 40th Place was closed off between 6th and 7th Avenues as police gathered evidence at the scene. Officers could be seen taking photographs inside the house, while outside police collected sealed evidence bags.

This tears my heart out, said Ald. Dominic Ruffalo, who was at the scene speaking to police outside the taped off area. He noted Tuesday's incident brings the total number of murders in the city this year to 13, the highest number in memory. This violence affects not just the families (involved), but everyone in the community.

While homicides have increased in the city  and across the nation  the number of shootings and shots fired calls in Kenosha have actually declined since last year.

Of the homicides in the city this year, more than half have been incidents of domestic violence.

The neighborhood where the shooting occurred is typically a quiet one. Beyond the police tape, neighbors stepped out on porches or walked by with dogs to watch the activity.

I didnt hear any gunfire or anything, said a man, who identified himself only as Nick. He said his backyard overlooks the home where the shooting occurred. He said he heard some loud noises, and soon after heard police sirens.

Elizabeth Webb, an Uptown resident who runs the social service organization My Sisters House and has been working on anti-violence programs, stopped at the scene Wednesday morning. This is just upsetting to see because things are not getting better, Webb said. Its just so senseless.

Sobering statistics

Tuesday's incident is the 42nd mass shooting in the nation in October according to the Gun Violence Archive, and the second this week in southeast Wisconsin. On Sunday, six people were shot and wounded in an incident in Racine.

It is also the second mass shooting in the county in six months, with each of those incidents resulting in three fatalities. On April 18, a gunman opened fire leaving three men dead and three injured at the Somers House Tavern just north of Kenosha in the Village of Somers.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20)  South Korean actor Kim Seon-ho issued a vague apology on Wednesday after an online post claimed an ex-boyfriend hidden under the name "Actor K" forced her to get an abortion.

The lead star in the recently concluded hit series "Hometown Cha-cha-cha" did not directly address the abortion claims, but he talked about his selfish actions towards a former flame.

"Though we were in a relationship with good feelings to each other, I have hurt her with my carelessness and inconsiderate actions," he said in a statement, as reported by The Korea Herald and other South Korean outlets.

The actor added, "I would like to apologize in person, but I am currently waiting some time to ask forgiveness. I would like to say sorry with this writing."

He also apologized for disappointing his fans and causing trouble to his co-workers.

A woman uploaded an anonymous post on Sunday to accuse an unnamed actor she dated for forcing her to get an abortion on the false promise that he would marry her in two years. She also alleged he broke up with her over the phone for fear of getting caught by the paparazzi. Netizens speculated she was referring to the 35-year-old Kim.

Hashtag #ProtectKimSeonHo trended in the Philippines with supporters saying rough times will reveal who his true fans are. But it was also filled with tweets saying the rising star should be held accountable for his actions.

"This #ProtectKimSeonHo hashtag??? He straight up admitted it but his fans are still doing mental gymnastics to blame the girl 'why now, at the peak of his career?' The woman has to live bearing the scars of her past while the man is living his best life," a netizen said.

The actor began his television career in 2017, but he became a household name  even in the Philippines  when he starred in the 2020 series "Start-Up," where he was known as "Good Boy." He is also a part of the reality-variety show "2 Days & 1 Night."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines)  Premium smartphone brand TECNO Mobile has launched its new brand slogan "Stop At Nothing"  and a brand campaign #StopAtNothing - to pay tribute to all those who continue to push forward, against all odds.

#StopAtNothing represents TECNO's recognition of human progress and people's pursuit for purpose, potential, and excellence. This is also TECNO's next step in delivering on a promise of unlocking the best of contemporary smartphone technologies and making it accessible to global emerging markets.

TECNO's brand campaign celebrates "progressive mavericks" and those "young at heart," the youth who admirably stayed resilient in the face of adversity.

"We've seen how resilient and progressive society can be in the face of adversity, especially among young adults in emerging markets. No matter where you come from or what you physically look like or which gender you belong to, people will #StopAtNothing to progress and find creative and disruptive ways to achieve their potential. In return, they find themselves on a joyous and exciting journey," said TECNO CMO Danni Xu.

Xu added that this is the attitude that "resonates so strongly with TECNO"  compelling them to embrace it and position it at the very core of TECNO as a technology brand.

The campaign, which was launched in Africa last August, features several above-the-line elements, including a 60-second global brand video that demonstrates the resilience of the human spirit. It is supported by a strategic execution of digital, social, and PR tactics emanating from representative markets like the Philippines, Nigeria, Kenya, India, Turkey, and Russia, among others.

"#StopAtNothing is so much more than another brand campaign," Xu said. "It represents the values and the attitude that we as a brand embrace, and TECNO's role in providing the technology they need to progress even further."

Xu concluded: "#StopAtNothing not only inspires, but it also cements TECNO's total commitment to supporting our consumers with innovative and elegant technology solutions that act as an enabler of progression."

TECNO Mobile's goal is to become the most admired tech brand in the world, and continue making breakthroughs in product and experience innovations.

Earlier this year, TECNO announced its latest "superpower"  securing Chris Evans, an A-list Hollywood celebrity, as its worldwide brand ambassador.

This signing has intensified TECNO's determination to be recognized as a leader in global emerging markets.

As the brand continues to grow on the world stage, TECNO now finds itself competing with major mainstream brands that will sit up and take note of TECNO's "super-heroic" maneuver.

TECNO's Filipino consumers can soon look forward to a brand new smartphone with anti-shake function from the brand, CAMON 18 Premier.

With this smartphone, TECNO makes it possible for everyone to experience mobile technological innovations that can help improve the way they work, learn, play, and live, at a fraction of the price offered by other brands.

With this latest offering, TECNO Mobile stays true to its commitment to bring innovation to global emerging markets, as the premium smartphone brand for all.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20)  The government on Wednesday said it will look into paying Level 1 hospitals treating severe and critical COVID-19 cases following complaints of non-reimbursement.

In a Senate budget hearing, Senator Pia Cayetano relayed grievances of some of these facilities which are compelled to take in patients but are not being compensated by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

Paano naman daw itu-turn away (yung pasyente), eh pang 17th hospital na silang pinuntahan, Cayetano said. Namomroblema sila ngayon how to book that patient because alam nila na hindi sila babayaran.

[Translation: They said how can they even turn away the patient when theyre already the 17th hospital the person went to? Theyre worrying about booking the patient for admission when they know PhilHealth wont pay them.]

In an administrative order it earlier issued, the Department of Health said severe and critical patients cannot be treated in Level 1 hospitals as they generally lack the proper facilities, including an intensive care unit.

The order is what the PhilHealth, an attached agency of the DOH, cited as its basis for the non-reimbursement.

We are limited by the policy, said the agencys chief Dante Gierran.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III acknowledged it is a gap that needs to be addressed. He also stressed that as a matter of policy, emergency situations should be covered by the PhilHealths benefit packages regardless of the hospital level.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire also pointed out that they did, in fact, ease the rules during the surge in infections due to the Delta variant.

We have requested from the Philhealth to allow Level 1 hospitals to cater to COVID-19 patients, because we were running out of beds already. That was communicated to them, Vergeire said.

I don't know if PhilHealth, on the other hand, was able to issue a policy issuance regarding that matter, so that we can be able to compensate at least these Level 1 hospitals, she added.

Duque vowed to immediately address the issue, adding any decision made will be anchored to the benefit of PhilHealth members.

But asked if the government can commit to paying all Level 1 hospitals which had to step up during the surge, he said they would have to first consult with the Commission on Audit.

We still have to also consult COA because PhilHealth has been a subject of several investigations because precisely of some payments done by PhilHealth or policies favoring the members, Duque said.

Kung ako lang tatanungin [If it were only up to me], anything for the good of the member, we should always support. But thats easier said than done, because the implications can be manifold, he added.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20)  The government is modifying its vaccination strategy to protect more Filipinos against COVID-19 in the hopes of a better Christmas and safe election season.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. on Tuesday said they are integrating the recommendations of the private sector in the national immunization program.

The first strategy is to ramp up vaccination to achieve 1.5 million shots administered per day  a far cry from the current weeklong average of 388,000 shots daily.

Galvez said they will focus on accelerating vaccination in key cities and economic hubs to help protect the economy. He added the regions will be lumped as different "ecosystems" or "geographic area."

The second strategy is to further protect the vaccinated and healthcare system by providing a third vaccine dose to healthcare workers and vulnerable sectors within the year. He also said a public-private task force will address the issues faced by PhilHealth. This part of the strategy includes the phased and monitored vaccination of students, teachers, and non-teaching school personnel.

"Ang ginawa po namin 'yung ating future ops in-integrate po natin, isinama po natin sa ating tinatawag po na recalibration of our strategy. Ito na po 'yung tinatawag nating incorporating all the recommendations of the private sector, ito na po ang gagawin po natin," he told President Rodrigo Duterte during a televised meeting.

[Translation: We are integrating this in our future operations as part of our recalibrated strategy. This is what we call incorporating all recommendations from the private sector.]

Galvez said they are hoping to vaccinate at least 50 million of the priority population before Christmas and fully inoculating 70% of the population by the start of election campaign season in February 2022.

He also said they are recommending the appointment of a "data czar" to ensure decisions are based on accurate and up-to-date COVID-19 information.

Over 24 million individuals have received full protection from COVID-19 since the start of the vaccination program in March. However, this is still far from the revised 90% target to achieve the so-called herd immunity.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20)  Former Health Secretary Janette Garin has raised concern on the COVID-19 vaccination of minors in hospitals, days after its pilot rollout in select areas.

"The hospitals, as we have known, is one of the main petri dishes of COVID-19 transmission. Ibig sabihin doon maraming nagkakahawaan (It means many people get infected there)," the Iloilo lawmaker told CNN Philippines' The Source on Wednesday.

"I don't see the logic why we have to unnecessarily expose our teenagers, especially those with comorbidities, in that setting," she said, citing the lack of ventilation and the probability of "overloading" the hospitals.

Garin noted that vaccinating minors in hospitals also exposes them to pathogens that might harm their immune system.

"We are changing the dictum that hospitals are for curative care, and health centers, vaccination centers and clinics are for preventive and promotive healthcare where vaccination actually falls," she added.

The vaccination of minors aged 12 to 17 with comorbidities started on Oct. 15 in some hospitals in Metro Manila, including the Philippine General Hospital and the Philippine Heart Center.

The Department of Health said 1,509 minors were vaccinated against COVID-19 on Monday. Of this number, at least four reportedly experienced mild side effects such as high blood pressure, allergic reaction, and stress-related reactions.

READ: Only 4 out of 1,509 minors vaccinated vs COVID-19 had mild side effects  DOH
(CNN)  Boeing's long-awaited spacecraft, called Starliner, is still facing a long road ahead before it'll be ready to fly astronauts, the company said on Tuesday. It is still working to address an issue with the vehicle's propulsion system that was discovered just hours before it was slated to launch a crucial uncrewed test flight in August, the company said.

The Starliner still needs to complete that uncrewed mission before it can fly, and the test is now slated for as late as mid-2022, NASA and Boeing officials told reporters during a press call Tuesday.

The Starliner is a gumdrop-shaped capsule meant to ferry astronauts through space after launching atop a rocket. The vehicle is years behind its planned entry to service, and myriad issues and delays during the development process have been a black eye for longtime aerospace and defense giant. Meanwhile, its rival, the relative upstart SpaceX, has already completed development and testing of its own crewed spacecraft.

Boeing was slated to repeat an uncrewed test flight of Starliner in August after several major software issues plagued its first attempt in December 2019, leaving the spacecraft unable to dock with the ISS and forcing it to make an early return to Earth.

After more than a year of working to solve those issues, a new slate of problems was discovered when the spacecraft was rolled out to its launch pad in August and began going through pre-flight ground checks. Eventually Boeing announced that the problem could not be fixed on the launch pad, and the whole vehicle had to be rolled back to the assembly building for further troubleshooting.

Michelle Parker, the chief engineer of Boeing's Space and Launch division, said the Starliner capsule is still back at a Boeing factory, though engineers have spent the past few months working to determine exactly what went wrong with the vehicle. The company believes it may have found a solution to the problem: Water leaking into valves used to funnel fuel for the spacecraft's thrusters.

Boeing officials still could not give a clear answer on exactly why the issues were observed or why the problem wasn't caught before Starliner made it all the way back to the launch pad and after months of investigations and additional checks.

Boeing officials also acknowledged that the test flight could not have continued successfully if it had attempted to launch without addressing the valve issue.

Steve Stich  manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which oversees the development of Starliner  also revealed that such a problem with leaky valves isn't unheard of. He said he could specifically recall troubleshooting a similar problem with a Space Shuttle back when those vehicles were still operating.

Officials on the press call Tuesday said they had no reason to assume the valves would have issues because they performed seamlessly during previous tests. They did not, for example, present any problems during the 2019 uncrewed test flight, called an Orbital Flight Test.

Possible solutions Boeing is looking into include loading propellant onto the Starliner capsule closer to launch. Before the August test flight, it was loaded 46 days before the scheduled flight. Before the 2019 test flight, they were loaded 35 days prior.

Engineers are also working on a "purge" mechanism that should keep the valves free of leaky water issue.

The extensive delays with Starliner  which was originally slated to start flying in 2017  have already caused issues for NASA, which hopes to rely on Starliner as well as SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule to get astronauts to and from the International Space Station. Earlier this month, the space agency annoucned it was taking the rare step of re-assigning some astronauts that were slated to fly on Starliner and putting them on future SpaceX missions.

Boeing has a fixed price contract for Starliner development, meaning the company got a $4.2 billion award but will not receive additional funds to address the ongoing delays and development issues.

Boeing already set aside $410 million of its own money in 2019 after the first botched test flight attempt to keep the program funded as it worked to resolve issues. John Vollmer, vice president of Boeing's Commercial Crew Program, confirmed to reporters Tuesday that Boeing will not be seeking additional funds to carry it through the current phase of troubleshooting. He did not say how much, in total, the recent delays are expected to cost.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Crucial test for Boeing's Starliner, built to carry humans, delayed until 2022."
(CNN)  Google's Pixel smartphones are taking a big step toward becoming a true Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy competitor.

At a virtual press conference on Tuesday, the company showed off the new 6.4-inch Pixel 6 and 6.7-inch Pixel 6 Pro, which run on Android 12, Google's most significant software update in years. The devices feature nearly bezel-less displays, a new camera system packed into the horizontal camera bar that runs along the backside, innovative photo features and a battery that can last nearly two days by prioritizing what apps are used most (and shutting down the rest).

But the real game changer is Google's new in-house Tensor processor, which marks a move away from the third-party chips that are commonly used in rival Android devices. The company said Tensor makes the Pixel 6 phones run 80% faster than the Pixel 5, allowing on-device artificial intelligence for features such as more accurate speech recognition and image processing. It also gives the phones more processing power for games and apps, and makes some of its new camera tools possible.

Apple, Huawei and Samsung have been making their own chips for years, but Google's effort to double down on a tailor-made processor for its own Google Android software shows it's ready to create a custom experience for its users and try to gain a much bigger slice of the global smartphone market. (Right now, Google Pixel represents less than 1% of global smartphone sales, selling about 3.7 million units last year, according to market research firm IDC.)

"Google never intended the Pixel to be a high volume smartphone," said David McQueen, research director at ABI Research. "The idea was that they would use the Pixel devices to showcase the Android ecosystem, demonstrating to their partners what could be done with top-end hardware and the latest Android software." But the advantages of a custom Google Tensor chip could allow it to make new experiences possible, he added.

The Pixel 6 comes in three colors -- Seafoam, Kinda Coral and black -- and starts at $599. Meanwhile, the Pixel 6 Pro is available in sunny, white and black, starting at $899. The new Pixel 6 phones are now available for pre-order and start shipping October 28.

The launch comes during a busy week for tech product launches ahead of the holiday season. On Monday, Apple unveiled new MacBook Pro laptops and its next-generation AirPods. And Samsung is hosting a mysterious press event on Wednesday. But these products are also launching amid ongoing concerns about global component shortages and logistics issues.

As with many smartphones, improvements to the camera are a key selling point. The Pixel 6 Pro features a new triple rear camera system with a pro-level telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom packed into the camera bar, and an 11 megapixel selfie camera on the front. The company said the sensor captures 150% more light, aiming to bring more vivid color and greater accuracy to photos. The company said it can capture the finest details, including of a starry sky.

Google also introduced new photo tools, including Face Unblur that better captures faces in tricky conditions, Magic Eraser in Google Photos that removes background distractions, and Motion Mode for action shots.

The company is adding new security features to the Pixel, too, such as a security hub that puts passwords in one spot and allows you to turn off microphones and cameras (or choose which apps can use them). The effort comes amid continued scrutiny of tech companies and their approach to user privacy.

It's also rolling out increased anti-phishing protection to detect potential risks and suspicious phone calls, text messages, emails and links, flagging them to users. Meanwhile, its new Personal Safety app detects if the user has been in an accident and helps them reach first responders.

Earlier this year, Google showed off a new look for Android 12, featuring bigger buttons, a large clock on the homescreen that changes in size depending on how many notifications appear, and muted pastel colors. It also features series of productivity updates, including an option to hold the power button for Google Assistant to make a phone call or ask for an article to be read out loud, and augmented reality tools in Google Maps.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Google Pixel 6 lineup with its first custom-made chip goes after the iPhone."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20) The Philippines has filed a fresh diplomatic protest against China over the radio challenges and other "provocative acts" of Beijing's vessels in the country's waters, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday.

In a social media post, the DFA said it protested the "unlawful issuance of over 200 radio challenges, sounding of sirens, and blowing of horns by Chinese government vessels" against Philippine authorities conducting routine patrols in the West Philippine Sea.

"These provocative acts threaten the peace, good order, and security of the South China Sea and run contrary to China's obligations under international law," the DFA wrote on Twitter.

No further details were provided about the protests.

CNN Philippines has also reached out to the Chinese Embassy for comment.

The country has filed a slew of diplomatic protests against the East Asian giant over the past months, as the government continues to assert its 2016 arbitral victory in the South China Sea case.

CNN Philippines' Tristan Nodalo contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20)  One of the provinces now covered by the COVID-19 alert level pilot is pleading for more vaccines as it deals with congestion in its public hospitals.

Speaking to CNN Philippines New Day on Wednesday, Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib said 403,022 residents have been vaccinated  yielding a 30.65% coverage rate. This means 744,405 still need COVID-19 shots.

Also our public hospitals, congested po, sa mga involved natin sa [those involved with] COVID patients," he said. "Nangangailangan po tayo ng karagdagang mga rooms. As of now, ito po yung pinoproblema natin kasi di po sapat talaga ang facility natin.

[Translation: We really need additional rooms. As of now, this is what were worrying about because our facilities really are not enough.]

Latest Health department data show Davao del Norte has an ICU bed utilization rate of 87.2%, while 50.56% of isolation beds have already been occupied. The province has an overall bed occupancy rate of 56.5%.

While the provincial chief executive said they have sufficient medicine and oxygen supply for now, he noted their increasing positive cases is a cause of concern.

Davao del Norte has 18,448 confirmed COVID-19 infections to date.

With this, Jubahib said they are strictly implementing quarantine restrictions among their constituents.

Prior to its Alert Level 3 status, Davao Del Norte was placed under general community quarantine with heightened restrictions until the end of the month.

In a separate statement, the Davao Occidental government also emphasized the importance of ramping up vaccination.

For now, we are happy to note that the cases in our province are going down. However, if we compare it to the rest of the region... we are still higher," said Davao Occidental Governor Claude Bautista

"With that, we are conducting massive vaccination campaign," he added. "We see this as the only way to control and manage the COVID virus.

This comes as the province, which was also supposed to be under GCQ with heightened restrictions, was placed under the stricter Alert Level 4.

Malacanang on Tuesday said the placement of these provinces and others under certain alert levels is part of the systems pilot testing first initiated in Metro Manila.
(CNN)  Brazilian senators have recommended President Jair Bolsonaro be charged with 10 crimes, including crimes against humanity, alleging his "reckless" mismanagement of the COVID-19 crisis that led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.

Lawmakers investigating the President officially presented their report on Wednesday, condemning the populist leader's handling of the crisis and pushing for him to face a swathe of charges.

They accused Bolsonaro of an epidemic resulting in death, charlatanism, incitement to crime, falsification of documents, irregular use of public funds, prevarication, crimes against humanity, social rights violations, incompatibility with dignity, honor and decorum of the position, and preventive sanitary measure violations.

This is the first time in Brazil's history that a parliamentary commission of inquiry (CPI) has drawn up such an extensive list of alleged crimes accusing a President of the Republic.

CPI rapporteur Renan Calheiros also called for the submission of the investigation to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to analyze the accusations on Bolsonaro of crimes against humanity.

The congressional committee had originally planned to recommend mass homicide charges, according to a leaked draft report seen by CNN on Tuesday. But senators decided later to withdraw those allegations, CNN affiliate CNN Brasil reported.

Speaking publicly for the first time after the release of the CPI's final report, Bolsonaro said on Wednesday afternoon that the commission's work isn't "productive" to Brazil and that he is not guilty of any crimes.

"They produced nothing but hatred and resentment among some of us. But we know we're absolutely not to blame, we know we did the right thing from the first moment," Bolsonaro said to a crowd of supporters at an inauguration ceremony for an infrastructure project.

"Besides being sure that I'm doing the right thing, I give you all a message different from dread," he added, before the public started chanting a derogatory phrase about the CPI rapporteur.

The Brazilian president once again doubled down on his support for drugs without proven efficacy against Covid-19, such as hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin, touting his "courage" to defend such treatments as possible solutions for the virus.

"If you don't have a specific remedy, the medical doctor, according to the Federal Council of Medicine, has the freedom, the duty, to seek an alternative," he said.

In the final report, 65 others are also recommended to be charged with a variety of alleged crimes, from incitement to crime to criminal organization formation.

Bolsonaros three sons Flavio, Eduardo and Carlos Bolsonaro are on the list as well as government ministries and top rank officials, both former and current Health ministers Eduardo Pazuello and Marcelo Queiroga and defense minister Walter Braga Netto. Congressmen, bloggers, medical advisers, and businessmen also appear on the list.

The commission's senators are expected to vote on the final report next week, and if approved, the document will go to Attorney-General Augusto Aras, considered an ally of Bolsonaro, who would then have 30 days to announce any measures.

'Reckless' leadership

One of the main conclusions of the 1,180-page document is that the Brazilian government, "omitted and opted to act in a non-technical and reckless manner in the fight against the pandemic" ... "deliberately exposing the population to a concrete risk of mass infection."

The report also criticizes the government's discouragement of sanitary measures, including going against scientific advice including the use of social distancing and the use of masks. The report denounced what it said was the Brazilian government's deliberate delay in the purchase of vaccines and its push towards ineffective so-called treatments against Covid-19 such as hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin.

In the report, senators proposed a series of laws for Congress to pass, including criminalization of fake news, pensions for orphans, early retirement caused by Covid-19, and a 60-day time limit for the Congress to review requests to impeach Bolsonaro.

Late on Tuesday at the end of a meeting, CPI president Sen. Omar Aziz said the allegations of genocide against Brazilian Indigenous communities would also be dropped from the text, due to a lack of consensus.

"What we agreed upon is the issue of genocide, which was withdrawn. I think it's for the better. (Report author) Sen. Renan Calheiros heard arguments from everybody, it was very clear," Aziz told reporters.

Since the beginning of the CPI, when Brazil was facing its worst moment on the pandemic, Bolsonaro's approval rate has consistently been going down.

The latest poll on Bolsonaro's popularity, released in mid-September by Brazil's largest opinion polling group Datafolha Institute, shows that 53% of Brazilians consider Jair Bolsonaro's presidency to be "bad or awful." It is the highest disapproval rate for this poll since he took office in 2019.

CNN has asked President Bolsonaro's office for comment but did not receive a response. The President and his supporters have previously criticized the Senate's investigation into his handling of the pandemic as politically motivated.

"They want to accuse me of genocide. Now, tell me in what country people have not died? This CPI has no credibility," Bolsonaro said.

He also said then that he was "sorry about the dead, but people who were healthy had little chance of dying."

CNN has also reached out to former Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello, current Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga and Defense minister Walter Braga Netto for comment.

Bolsonaro has long downplayed the severity of the virus, and argued for the need to prioritize Brazil's economic health. He tested positive for Covid-19 in 2020.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Brazilian senators recommend Bolsonaro be charged with crimes against humanity over pandemic."
(CNN)  Booster protection in the US could soon expand to a much broader population, as a source says the US government likely will soon recommend additional doses to people as young as 40 who received a Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

"I believe it will happen," the source familiar with the plan told CNN's Elizabeth Cohen. There is "growing concern within the FDA" that US data is beginning to show more hospitalizations among people under age 65 who have been fully vaccinated, the source said.

Still, Americans who haven't been vaccinated are 18 times more likely to end up hospitalized with Covid-19 than those who are vaccinated, said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Unvaccinated people are also 11 times more likely to die from Covid-19 compared to vaccinated people, Walensky said Wednesday. They were also six times more likely to test positive for Covid-19.

"In August, as we were experiencing the peak of the Delta surge, 16 jurisdictions provided data on cases and deaths stratified by vaccination status. Unvaccinated people had 6.1 times greater risk of testing positive for Covid-19," the CDC director said.

Getting younger kids vaccinated will 'play a major role' in slowing Covid-19 spread, Fauci says

About 28 million children ages 5 to 11 might soon be able to get pediatric doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine if the US Food and Drug Administration authorizes shots for that age group and if the CDC recommends it.

Getting most children vaccinated against Covid-19 will "play a major role" in slowing the spread of disease, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Wednesday.

"In the era of Delta, children get infected as readily as adults do. And they transmit the infection as readily as adults do," said Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

"If we can get the overwhelming majority of those 28 million children vaccinated, I think that would play a major role in diminishing the spread of infection," Fauci said at a White House Covid-19 briefing.

"That's one of the reasons why we want to do as best as we can to get those children from 5 to 11 vaccinated."

More news on booster shots expected soon

The FDA last month authorized Pfizer booster shots for people in certain high-risk groups who got their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago.

Those groups include people age 65 and older; adults with health conditions that put them at high risk for severe Covid-19; and adults who live or work in places that put them at high risk of contracting Covid-19.

Advisers to the FDA recently recommended people in those same high-risk groups who got the Moderna vaccine instead of Pfizer's should also be able to get a booster dose. But the FDA has not yet authorized Moderna booster shots for those groups.

As for those who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, FDA advisers recommended all adults who got the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine get a booster dose at least two months after the first shot. The FDA is considering that recommendation.

Schools try testing instead of isolating exposed students

While some schools have enforced strict quarantine and isolation policies for children who are exposed to the virus, the CDC is working with select school districts to evaluate test-to-stay programs.

Such programs first involve testing -- not quarantining -- students who may have been exposed to Covid-19 at school.

If the exposed students test negative and have no symptoms, they can continue going to school in person. If they test positive, they must isolate at home.

"In Marietta, we have been tracking students who are testing positive through test-to-stay, and it's 3%," Grant Rivera, superintendent of Marietta City Schools in Georgia, told CNN this week.

"Three percent of our students who participate in test-to-stay test positive, which means we can keep 97% of them in class," Rivera said. "That is a measure of success."

Under a traditional quarantine program, the 97% of students who tested negative would still stay at home from school.

"I think for the foreseeable future, we will be out here every morning on a school day making sure that our kids have this option," Rivera said about test-to-stay.

The CDC notes on its website that test-to-stay may be a practice comprised of regular testing and contact tracing, but that's also while "maintaining other layered prevention strategies, such as universal masking, to reduce the spread of Covid-19."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Booster shots could soon be recommended for people as young as 40, source says."
John Klosterman, 85, has been a pillar of the David City community for many years.

His father and great uncle immigrated to the David City area from Germany in the late 1800s and early 1900s, where they raised grain and cattle and were heavily involved in the local banking industry.

The family's involvement in the cattle industry and banking community would be important in John's life, but not until he was nearing his thirties.

John was born and raised in David City and graduated high school in 1953. He studied math and physics at Doane University and, after graduating from there in 1958, he enlisted in the Navy.

"My mother was not too happy about that," John said.

He served in the Navy's Atlantic fleet for five years. For some of that time, he was on a ship that was part of President Dwight Eisenhower's People to People program, designed to facilitate cultural exchange between United States citizens and people in different countries around the world.

John experienced many different cultures during that time and was instilled with leadership skills that have served him well since.

"He's not much of a follower," Beth Klosterman, John's wife, said.

John and Beth married in 1959 and lived on the East Coast while John was in the Navy. But, John's priorities had shifted by the time he was rounding out his fifth year of service.

"I had a wife and infant twins and my wife and I had seen, on a daily basis, what the Navy did to married life," John said.

John had joined as a young officer during a time when the Navy was short on young officers, though, and his superiors didn't let him go easily. He was offered positions in Rome and Hawaii, but John was adamant about returning to Nebraska. As soon as he and Beth did so, they became involved in the local community, something they both strongly believe is important.

"If you don't contribute, the town is not going to make it," John said.

John was the first president of the Nebraska Cattleman's Association in 1988, which was created when the Nebraska Livestock Feeders Association and the Nebraska Feedlot Council consolidated.

A complete list outlining John's involvement in various organizations is too long to include here, but suffice to say he was also active in the banking scene.

By far his proudest achievement, though, has been the success of the Butler County Health Care Center (BCHCC).

Around 1970, John got together with about a half dozen other community members and began hatching a plan to improve the health care system in David City.

"Of course, that was the kind of thing I really went for," John said. "(We) started working to get a bond issue passed that would finance a new hospital. When the vote came down -- and I sweated that one out -- we lost two precincts in the county."

The rest of the county carried the bond issue, and the county board immediately put John on the hospital board.

"And he was immediately elected president, where he stayed for another 40 years," Beth said. "...I remember the night they were sitting around and decided the future of health care was going to be health maintenance."

A wellness center was established in the area where the BCHCC is currently located. The wellness center quickly took off, and the hospital's development snowballed from there.

"The doctor's office was downtown and they decided it would be more efficient if they were right there together.  So they built the clinic on," Beth said. "They  expanded the wellness center and moved physical therapy down there and expanded that and the latest thing has been the children's section of the physical therapy facility, which is just a dream."

Beth said the BCHCC was -- and still is -- John's baby. John agreed.

"We ended up with the best small town rural hospital in Nebraska," John said.

Molly Hunter is a reporter for The Banner-Press. Reach her via email at molly.hunter@lee.net.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
On Monday, the Columbus City Council approved a restructure of the Columbus Fire Department to better manage workload and communication for its paid and volunteer staff.

The restructure includes creating an assistant fire chief position, adding a volunteer captain and promoting the three current lieutenants to captains.

The fire chief would still supervise the overall department. The assistant fire chief - which was previously held on a voluntary basis - would oversee the three promoted captains and the volunteer captain. Similar to the current structure, the full-time captains would continue to be split into different shifts: green, red and black. Meanwhile, the volunteer captain would be over the entire volunteer personnel.

The new structure was agreed upon between city officials and both fire department and volunteer fire department staff. City Administrator Tara Vasicek explained the details surrounding the restructure at Monday's Committee of the Whole meeting before the councils regularly scheduled meeting.

The changes would also include the elimination of the volunteer assistant fire chief, volunteer training, volunteer secretary, overtime pay for training and other overtime pay.

In total, the restructuring would cost anywhere from $97,172 to $129,571  the majority of this cost comes from adding the assistant fire chief, which costs anywhere from $107,629 to $140,028. The eliminations would help offset the overall cost.

Vasicek said city staff used feedback from the volunteer fire department staff in the proposal. Mayor Jim Bulkley said the proposal was also well-vetted before it was presented to the council.

Weve not only talked to our paid staff but weve had meetings with all the volunteer groups, Bulkley said.  I believe weve done a great job of laying out the concerns, laying out the framework of moving forward. It will be a work in progress and take time as we do this but I think it will ensure the safety of our community and the growth of our fire department as our community continues to grow.

Columbus Fire Department Lt. Kyle Lingenfelter, who is currently the interim fire chief, said the paid staff whole-heartedly agrees with the restructure.

We need to move forward with the fire department, Lingenfelter said. Weve seen some changes over the last couple of years with (former) Chief (Dan) Miller. Some of those have been good changes and some of those changes we need to adjust. But we do need to move forward.

The new structure will also help with the rise of calls over the last decade.

From 2010 to 2020, the call volume increased by around 34% with the number continuing to rise every year since 2015. The volume of calls stems from the growth of the city over the past decade, according to city officials.

The city is currently looking at filling the full-time fire chief position following Millers resignation in August. Vasicek said the city received four applicants for the position but all of them were out of state and did not have the desired experience.

The position was also offered to the fire department's three lieutenants: Nathan Jones, Eric Kluever and Lingenfelter. However, none of them wanted to take on the role, Vasicek said.

She added it was concerning as they believe the best way to fill the fire chief position was to promote within the department. They then met with the three lieutenants to discuss why they didnt want to take the job. The lieutenants said they were not interested in the position due to the time commitment and responsibility.

That led the city to create the assistant fire chief to lighten the fire chiefs role and other positions found in the fire department.

The proposed position would perform several duties of the current volunteer positions: Assistant chief, training and safety officer and secretary, Vasicek said. For example, the new role would be tasked to maintain records for both the career and volunteer firefighters and to coordinate volunteer training, she added.

Lingenfelter said having another administrative personnel would allow the fire chief to brainstorm how to best implement new policies or changes.

Having someone to bounce ideas off of is very beneficial, Lingenfelter said. Being the Lone Ranger, being the only fire chief in that position is very challenging.

As part of the restructure, the city held a study in which it compared its fire department to communities with similar population sizes in Norfolk, Fremont, Beatrice and Hasting. The study found all four cities have three captains while Norfolk and Hasting also had an assistant fire chief.

The data also showed Columbus had the least amount of staff with 16 while the four separate Nebraska cities had at least 26 (Fremont had the most with 34). However, Columbus had the least amount of calls in 2020 with 1,978. The closest community was Norfolk with 2,647.

In the future, if both the Charlie Louis and main stations are fully staffed there would likely be a lieutenant at Charlie Louis Fire Station but the captain at the main station would oversee both facilities, Vasicek said.

Lieutenants are usually responsible for managing one crew while a captains duty includes managing more than one station, apparatus and crew. But their management responsibilities will increase when career staff is eventually added to Charlie Louis Station following the facilitys renovations.

Earlier this year, the council OKd a remodel and new additions to the Charlie Louis Fire Station. The renovations will include more parking, storage space and servicing equipment and will consist of safety and health improvements, exhaust filtration, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, a fitness area and dormitories.

Construction for the project will begin sometime next year.

Meanwhile, Vasicek said the other new position - volunteer captain - would be the liaison between the volunteers and the command staff. The volunteer captain would be required to be a member of the command staff, she added.

They (would) attend command meetings and they would participate in all of the volunteer meetings, Vasicek said. They would help career staff understand what it is we  the city staff employees  can do to make volunteering more successful and what we could do to support that. That may have been lacking in the past, I think.

Bulkley said the volunteer program has been effective and he believes it will continue to be so.

Its been something that has helped us grow and something we are committed to continuing to see that it does grow, he said.

Bulkley added though the communication between the volunteer staff and the city could have been better, the city is committed to ensuring there is a stronger dialogue.

We just need to recognize how important that it is to the safety of our citizens and the budget that we put together every year, he said.

Since there will be an increase in staff dollars, the city must increase other revenues to afford the cost to avoid an increase in property tax.

Vasicek laid out a few courses the city could take. Previously, the city made adjustments to the fire fee to industrial tracts which will increase the revenue the city receives from said tracts by around $134,000, Vasicek said.

Additionally, there are other revenue sources with one being a Mutual Finance Organization. In 1998, the Nebraska Legislature passed the Mutual Finance Assistance Act which assists rural or suburban fire protection districts and MFOs for backing operational and equipment needs for fire protection, emergency response or training, according to Vasicek. An MFO can receive a maximum state aid of $300,000.

MFOs can also enter an agreement that must contain a provision that requires a levy of the same property tax rate within their boundaries for funding operations.

The city also applied for a SAFER grant but didnt receive funding, Vasicek said. She added there are plans to submit another application to the fund as future new fire department positions develop.

Bulkley said he believes there are different avenues the city could take.

We always worry about how we pay for things, Bulkley said. She showed us some examples of where revenues can increase as we see these things develop. It will be a process. It wont happen overnight. Its going to happen over this fiscal year that were in. We want it to happen as quickly as possible but its physically impossible for it to happen.

Vasicek said the city will advertise - beginning this week - the assistant fire chief and fire chief positions through the civil service process. Once that happens, the goal is to move forward with opening the captain positions, she added.

I would like to commend all the firefighters for being forthright when they were being approached with the city staff and mayor and being forthright with your concerns, First Ward Council Member and Council President Beth Augustine-Schulte said. I commend the city staff and mayor for being open to listening to those concerns. I think thats just what city leadership and government should be like to make our city work well together.

Andrew Kiser is a reporter for The Columbus Telegram. Reach him via email at andrew.kiser@lee.net.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Book lovers wanting to enter a different kind of pumpkin decorating contest are invited to choose their favorite literary character and get ready to deck out their pumpkins.

The Columbus Public Library is holding the Literary Pumpkin Decorating Contest where competitors can design a pumpkin or gourd after their favorite book character. Entries are being accepted until Saturday, Oct. 23, said Kelli Keyes, customer service manager at CPL.

Keyes said the library is accepting real or fake pumpkins that are painted or otherwise decorated. Real pumpkins that are carved are not being accepted because entries will be sitting on a table for an extended period of time.

There are some really cool submissions that we already have, people are so talented, Keyes said.

Starting the week before Halloween  or, next week  library patrons can vote for their favorite in four different categories. The winner in each category will receive $30 in Columbus Bucks, which can be used at any participating Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce business.

Theyll be voting for the scariest, the silliest, the cutest and the overall favorite, Keyes said.

The contest is in its second year, and Keyes noted there are already more entries than last year.

I think our first year, people werent quite realizing what was happening, Keyes said. More people are realizing it this year so we have a lot more entries. We only had three entries last year and so far we have at least nine entries.

There are some awesome entries so far already, so Im really excited about it this year.

Keyes added the library will give out treats and bookmarks on Halloween day, which falls on a Sunday this year. Additionally, the CPL will be offering a craft activity at the trick-or-treat event being held in downtown Columbus from 4-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28. The trick-or-treat is being held by the Downtown Business Association and the City of Columbus Parks and Recreation Department.

The library, as are other businesses not directly surrounding the square, will have a table at Frankfort Square. Keyes, the childrens librarian and the teen librarian will be at the event to cover all ages of trick-or-treaters.

Were going to have little applesauce cup containers, Keyes said. Were going to make a craft of a little blob monster and just put stickers on it. That will be the craft that theyll make and that will also be the treat.

She joked that the three of them will be dressed in costume, so attendees may have to look twice to recognize them.

We definitely plan to be there and we hope the weather is good. Were looking forward to it, Keyes said.

There are just under 10 businesses that have signed up for a table, said Heather Griffrow with the DBA. Parks and Recreation Coordinator Betsy Eckhardt said herself and one other business will have a table, and Katy McNeil of the Columbus Area Convention and Visitors Bureau will be handing out treats from her vehicles trunk.

The businesses with storefronts at the square or on 13th Street will have something special for the trick-or-treaters as well. Griffrow noted that participating businesses will have an orange circle in their window that reads Happy Halloween.

If thats not posted in the business storefront, I ask them to stay away from that business for trick-or-treating. We still encourage them to shop there, Griffrow said.

Griffrow noted that she expects the event to be well attended. After posting the trick-or-treat event on social media, she said, more than 500 people indicated within a 24-hour period that they were interested attending.

It should be a good time, she added.

The downtown trick-or-treat was canceled last year, as was LawnChairs on the Square. Griffrow said she heard positive feedback from this years LawnChairs concerts.

We did shorten it this year and only did six weeks but I think we had quite a few people who enjoyed it still, Griffrow said.

Also this weekend, a Pumpkin Run will be held on Saturday at Pawnee Park in Columbus. The following Saturday  Oct. 30  a Float and Flick movie night will be held at the Columbus Aquatic Center at which Hotel Transylvania will be played; it starts at 4 p.m. and costs $5 per person.

Hannah Schrodt is the news editor of The Columbus Telegram. Reach her via email at hannah.schrodt@lee.net.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
All Loup Power District employees can expect a 4.25% wage scale increase heading into 2022, significantly more than the 2.8% annual increase the power district has averaged since 2006.

The Loup Board of Directors made a similar wage scale increase in 2009 on the heels of the recession that began in 2008, but otherwise the board has generally approved 1.5% and 2% increases over the last decade or so.

In a letter, included in the packet for the Board's Tuesday morning meeting, Loup President/CEO Neal Suess neatly summed up the reasoning behind the 4.25% wage scale increase.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has created a significant shortage of qualified workers," Suess wrote. "This has increased the pressure on employers to keep wages high to retain good employees, as well as find new employees."

The letter also mentioned that Loup surveyed eight other public power districts in Nebraska, which are considering wage increases between 2.5% and 5.4%.

During the meeting, Suess noted that Loup isn't alone in considering sizeable pay scale increases in Columbus, either. Suess said Columbus area businesses are looking at wage increases ranging from 2.5% to 4%.

"The City of Columbus is looking at 5% this next year and Columbus Public Schools (is looking at) 3.5%," Suess said. "Not included is how many  (local employers) gave people bonuses, salary increases during the year in 2021 to keep employees. We're aware of a number of places that went to $1 or $2 an hour increases just to keep employees and made massive differences to shift differentials."

Compared to other public power districts, Loup offers one of the lowest wages, but one of the highest-value benefits packages. When combined, the value of Loup's hourly wage and benefits is one of the highest among its peers. That's all based on the wages and benefits for the journeyman-lineman position.

As Subdivision 5 Director Chris Langemeier pointed out during the meeting, journeymen-linemen are skilled workers that make up the backbone of any power district's workforce. Without them, nothing else can function. They usually make up about a third of Loup's payroll.

Usually, Suess said, Loup has looked to the consumer price index (CPI) to guide wage scale changes. The CPI measures the changing cost of household goods and services. It can be used to track and adjust the real value of wages, salaries and pensions.

From August 2020 to August 2021, Suess said, the CPI increased 5.3% in cities across the United States and 5.7% in Midwestern cities.

"That's the largest increase we've seen since I've been here," Suess said.

Around the country, journeyman-lineman wages have increased faster than the CPI, historically. But, Suess indicated a reluctance to let the CPI alone dictate Loup's wage scale increase for 2022.

"I think that the CPI might try to correct itself to some degree over the next several months. I'm hopeful that it will," Suess said. "... But, because of where the CPI is at, I'm proposing a move of the wage scale up 4.25% across the board."

Suess stressed that the wage increases should not affect Loup's retail power rates for 2022.

"I've said this 100 times over the last 15 years," Subdivision 4 Director and Board Secretary Robert Cerv said. "Our employees are the most important product we have and if it takes more to keep what we feel are the best employees, so be it."

Of the Board's 10 directors, eight were present at the Tuesday meeting: Langemeier, Cerv, Ross Knott, Alan Drozd, Steve Heesacker, Dick Tooley, Rich Aerni and Mike Fleming. Only directors Jim Donoghue and Larry Zach were absent, but those who were present all voted in favor of the wage increase.

Molly Hunter is a reporter for The Columbus Telegram. Reach her via email at molly.hunter@lee.net.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
PHILADELPHIA  A judge has granted a prosecution request to reinstate charges against a former Philadelphia police officer seen on video lowering the face covering of at least one protester before dousing a group with pepper spray as they knelt on a city interstate during a demonstration in the summer of 2020.

Common Pleas Court Judge Crystal Bryant-Powell reversed a decision by another judge to throw out charges against ex-SWAT officer Richard Paul Nicoletti, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Without explaining her ruling, she ordered Nicoletti held for trial on charges including simple assault, official oppression, and reckless endangerment.

Municipal Court Judge William Austin Meehan earlier this year ruled that Nicoletti had been authorized by his commanders to clear the highway during protests over the death of George Floyd and had been given pepper spray as a tool to do so. You may not like their methods, that doesnt criminalize their method, Meehan said.

Nicolettis attorney, Fortunato Perri Jr., declined comment after Tuesdays ruling. District Attorney Larry Krasner hailed the ruling and vowed to proceed with criminal prosecution.

Video of the June 2020 protest that circulated widely on social media showed Nicoletti in riot gear approach three protesters kneeling on Interstate 676 and pull down at least one protesters mask or goggles before pepper-spraying them. He was fired several weeks later.

After the city and state police use of tear gas against demonstrators who had made their way onto the expressway gained national attention, Mayor Jim Kenney and police commissioner Danielle Outlaw apologized, calling the use of force that day unjustifiable.

Fraternal Order of Police President John McNesby, however, said the Philadelphia police union would help Nicoletti with his defense. The union has had a confrontational relationship with Krasners office, and McNesby accused the prosecutor of an anti-police agenda.

A judge dismissed charges against another officer for actions during the protests, ruling that prosecutors had failed to provide evidence that Staff Inspector Joseph Bolognas use of a baton constituted a crime. Krasner re-filed charges the following month and the case is pending.
The state Department of Health reported 101 cases of COVID-19 and one death for Cumberland County Tuesday.

The county has now reported 33 deaths in October, the highest total since 36 in February. The county totaled 21 deaths in September.

The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 dropped to 114 in Tuesday's report, down one from Monday. There are 22 adults in intensive care (down five from Monday) and 15 on ventilators (down two from Monday). Ten adult ICU beds remain open of the 113 currently staffed across the county, and 38 of 95 ventilators in the county are in use.

Monday's report included 236 test results, with 54 probable cases. Comparing just the number of negative tests (135) and confirmed positive tests (47), the county saw 25.8% of its tests come back positive.

The countys seven-day average of cases now sits at 104.71. Its 14-day per capita rate sits at 569.92.

The southcentral region reported 816 cases and 17 new deaths Tuesday, with 181 cases in York County, 131 in Dauphin County and 119 in Franklin County.

Franklin County reports 93 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 Tuesday (three more than Monday), with seven of 31 currently staffed ICU beds available in the county and 11 of 35 available ventilators in use. There are 14 adults in intensive care and nine on ventilators.

Dauphin County reports 125 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 Tuesday (eight more than Monday), with 25 of 198 currently staffed ICU beds available in the county and 65 of 177 available ventilators in use. There are 37 adults in intensive care and 17 on ventilators.

School-age children

In its weekly update for the seventh week of the school year, the department reported another 118 cases among children aged 5-18 in Cumberland County during the week of Oct. 5-12, a decrease of 58 from the previous week. That brings the total number of cases in Cumberland County for this school year to 1,070.

Statewide, the number of cases among 5- to 18-year-olds decreased for the third week in a row with 6,433 cases reported. The state said the total number of cases in that age group for the school year thus far is 48,617.

Early Warning Dashboard

Cumberland County saw a decrease in its in percent positivity and its incidence rate per 100,000 people in the Health Department's weekly update to its Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard Friday. Cumberland County saw its percent positivity decrease to 11.5% for the week of Oct. 8-14, down from 13.0% the previous week. The incidence rate per 100,000 people decreased to 198.1, down from 264.8 the previous week.

Philadelphia County, which includes the city of Philadelphia, holds the lowest percent positivity in the state for the week of Oct. 8-14 at 4.7% and the lowest incidence rate per 100,000 people at 93.2.

Penn State Health update (Oct. 18)

Penn State Health lists a COVID-19 dashboard on its website tracking cases at each of its acute care hospitals  Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, Hampden Medical Center and Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center. The dashboard will be updated every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Monday's update shows 122 total cases (118 adults, 4 pediatrics) in the health system's four hospitals  23 are fully vaccinated (18.8%) with one in an ICU and no one on a ventilator, 76 are nonvaccinated (62.2%) with 28 adults in an ICU and 11 adults on a ventilator, and 23 are unknown status patients. All four children hospitalized are unvaccinated, with no one in an ICU and no one on a ventilator.

Holy Spirit Medical Center in Camp Hill has 26 COVID patients. Nine are fully vaccinated adults (no one in ICU and no one on a ventilator) and 17 unvaccinated adults (three in an ICU and two on a ventilator).

Hampden Medical Center has 10 COVID patients. Seven are not fully vaccinated (one in an ICU) and three are fully vaccinated.

Vaccinations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention labels Cumberland County as having "high" transmission of the virus  the highest level, which is the transmission level for every county in the state. Community transmission is determined by the number of new cases per 100,000 people in the last seven days and the positivity rate over the last seven days, so the classification could vary from day to day based on those numbers.

In data updated Monday evening, the CDC says Cumberland County has seen 61.7% of its total population of 253,370 become fully vaccinated. For the county's vaccine eligible population of people ages 12 and older, 71.2% have been fully vaccinated.

County numbers in the southcentral region (for Oct. 19):

Adams County (pop. 103,009): 41 new cases; 12,883 total cases (10,586 confirmed, 2,297 probable); 43,682 negatives; 215 deaths (+4); 49.2% of county population vaccinated

41 new cases; 12,883 total cases (10,586 confirmed, 2,297 probable); 43,682 negatives; 215 deaths (+4); 49.2% of county population vaccinated Bedford County (pop. 47,888): 24 new cases; 6,567 total cases (4,451 confirmed, 2,116 probable); 12,290 negatives; 161 deaths (+1); 34.2% of county population vaccinated

24 new cases; 6,567 total cases (4,451 confirmed, 2,116 probable); 12,290 negatives; 161 deaths (+1); 34.2% of county population vaccinated Blair County (pop. 121,829): 60 new cases; 16,750 total cases (13,191 confirmed, 3,559 probable); 46,627 negatives; 372 deaths (+3); 45.7% of county population vaccinated

60 new cases; 16,750 total cases (13,191 confirmed, 3,559 probable); 46,627 negatives; 372 deaths (+3); 45.7% of county population vaccinated Cumberland County (pop. 253,370): 101 new cases; 27,399 total cases (21,547 confirmed, 5,852 probable); 100,019 negatives; 600 deaths (+1); 61.7% of county population vaccinated

101 new cases; 27,399 total cases (21,547 confirmed, 5,852 probable); 100,019 negatives; 600 deaths (+1); 61.7% of county population vaccinated Dauphin County (pop. 278,299): 131 new cases; 33,952 total cases (29,163 confirmed, 4,789 probable); 126,443 negatives; 625 deaths; 57.6% of county population vaccinated

131 new cases; 33,952 total cases (29,163 confirmed, 4,789 probable); 126,443 negatives; 625 deaths; 57.6% of county population vaccinated Franklin County (pop. 155,027): 119 new cases; 21,284 total cases (17,463 confirmed, 3,821 probable); 63,758 negatives; 438 deaths (+2); 44.7% of county population vaccinated

119 new cases; 21,284 total cases (17,463 confirmed, 3,821 probable); 63,758 negatives; 438 deaths (+2); 44.7% of county population vaccinated Fulton County (pop. 14,530): 20 new cases; 2,150 total cases (1,078 confirmed, 1,072 probable); 4,917 negatives; 27 deaths (+1); 30.3% of county population vaccinated

20 new cases; 2,150 total cases (1,078 confirmed, 1,072 probable); 4,917 negatives; 27 deaths (+1); 30.3% of county population vaccinated Huntingdon County (pop. 45,144): 36 new cases; 6,686 total cases (5,515 confirmed, 1,171 probable); 20,000 negatives; 152 deaths; 46% of county population vaccinated

36 new cases; 6,686 total cases (5,515 confirmed, 1,171 probable); 20,000 negatives; 152 deaths; 46% of county population vaccinated Juniata County (pop. 24,763): 8 new cases; 2,803 total cases (2,546 confirmed, 257 probable); 6,550 negatives; 114 deaths; 39.3% of county population vaccinated

8 new cases; 2,803 total cases (2,546 confirmed, 257 probable); 6,550 negatives; 114 deaths; 39.3% of county population vaccinated Lebanon County (pop. 141,793): 52 new cases; 20,157 total cases (17,248 confirmed, 2,909 probable); 62,242 negatives; 324 deaths; 50% of county population vaccinated

52 new cases; 20,157 total cases (17,248 confirmed, 2,909 probable); 62,242 negatives; 324 deaths; 50% of county population vaccinated Mifflin County (pop. 46,138): 17 new cases; 6,990 total cases (6,602 confirmed, 388 probable); 17,356 negatives; 190 deaths (+2); 48% of county population vaccinated

17 new cases; 6,990 total cases (6,602 confirmed, 388 probable); 17,356 negatives; 190 deaths (+2); 48% of county population vaccinated Perry County (pop. 46,272): 26 new cases; 5,156 total cases (3,975 confirmed, 1,181 probable); 13,041 negatives; 116 deaths; 46.1% of county population vaccinated

26 new cases; 5,156 total cases (3,975 confirmed, 1,181 probable); 13,041 negatives; 116 deaths; 46.1% of county population vaccinated York County (pop. 449,058): 181 new cases; 60,440 total cases (49,259 confirmed; 11,181 probable); 191,819 negatives; 945 deaths (+3); 54.3% of county population vaccinated

ZIP code-level counts (updated Oct. 19):

17013: 3,327 positives, 15,388 negatives - +33 since Oct. 15

17015: 1,970 positives, 7,563 negatives - +18 since Oct. 15

17050: 3,138 positives, 15,778 negatives - +40 since Oct. 15

17055: 3,520 positives, 18,016 negatives - +41 since Oct. 15

17011: 3,258 positives, 15,050 negatives - +26 since Oct. 15

17007: 474 positives, 1,922 negatives - +5 since Oct. 15

17065: 341 positives, 1,342 negatives - +2 since Oct. 15

17324: 367 positives, 1,398 negatives - +2 since Oct. 15

17241: 886 positives, 3,396 negatives - +4 since Oct. 15

17257: 2,284 positives, 7,667 negatives - +22 since Oct. 15

17240: 214 positives, 684 negatives - +2 since Oct. 15

17025: 1,499 positives, 6,105 negatives - +17 since Oct. 15

17070: 1,395 positives, 5,817 negatives - +21 since Oct. 15

17043: 481 positives, 2,207 negatives - +6 since Oct. 15

17019: 1,636 positives, 5,960 negatives - +20 since Oct. 15

17266: 26 positives, 135 negatives - +0 since Oct. 15

School district and college case counts (updated Oct. 18)

The Sentinel's case counts for Cumberland County school districts and colleges or universities are updated Monday and Thursdays. The policy for each school districts reporting is noted in the list below.

Big Spring School District (reports active cases in past 14 days with school exposure): 21 student cases and 7 staff cases as of Oct. 15.

(reports active cases in past 14 days with school exposure): 21 student cases and 7 staff cases as of Oct. 15. Carlisle Area School District (reports cases as they occur and updates a chart): 11 new cases since Oct. 11; 141 cases this school year (started Aug. 25.)

(reports cases as they occur and updates a chart): 11 new cases since Oct. 11; 141 cases this school year (started Aug. 25.) Camp Hill School District (posts chart that includes total case count): 17 student cases and 1 staff case since Oct. 14; 54 student cases and 7 staff cases this school year (started Aug. 25.)

(posts chart that includes total case count): 17 student cases and 1 staff case since Oct. 14; 54 student cases and 7 staff cases this school year (started Aug. 25.) Cumberland Valley School District (reports weekly and total number of cases with school exposure): 11 cases since Oct. 14; 167 cases this school year (started Aug. 31.)

(reports weekly and total number of cases with school exposure): 11 cases since Oct. 14; 167 cases this school year (started Aug. 31.) Mechanicsburg Area School District (chart lists total cases actively being monitored, updated Tuesday and Friday): 9 positive and presumed positive cases being monitored as of Oct. 16.

(chart lists total cases actively being monitored, updated Tuesday and Friday): 9 positive and presumed positive cases being monitored as of Oct. 16. Shippensburg Area School District (reports weekly and total confirmed case counts involving school exposure on Mondays): 3 new cases since Oct. 13; 136 cases this school year (started Aug. 19.)

(reports weekly and total confirmed case counts involving school exposure on Mondays): 3 new cases since Oct. 13; 136 cases this school year (started Aug. 19.) South Middleton School District (posts notices as cases occur, updates table of case counts weekly on Fridays): 2 new cases since Oct. 12; 68 cases this school year (started Aug. 25.)

(posts notices as cases occur, updates table of case counts weekly on Fridays): 2 new cases since Oct. 12; 68 cases this school year (started Aug. 25.) West Shore School District (reports active cases with school exposure within past 14 days): 45 student cases and 5 staff cases as of Oct. 14.

(reports active cases with school exposure within past 14 days): 45 student cases and 5 staff cases as of Oct. 14. Dickinson College : 2 student cases and no employee cases since Oct. 14; 29 student cases and 22 employee cases this semester (started Aug. 30.)

: 2 student cases and no employee cases since Oct. 14; 29 student cases and 22 employee cases this semester (started Aug. 30.) Messiah University : no new student cases since Oct. 14; 46 student cases and 16 employee cases this semester (started Aug. 7.)

: no new student cases since Oct. 14; 46 student cases and 16 employee cases this semester (started Aug. 7.) Shippensburg University: 10 new student cases and 2 new staff cases since Oct. 14; 144 student cases and 16 employee cases this semester (started Aug. 1.)

(Counties with a percent positivity above 5% in a week go on the Department of Health's watch list)

Pennsylvania: Percent Positivity - 9.7% last 7 days (9.6% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 195.6 (220.7 previous 7 days)

Adams County: Percent Positivity - 16.2% last 7 days (15.4% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 229.1 (262.1 previous 7 days)

Cumberland County: Percent Positivity - 11.5% last 7 days (13.0% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 198.1 (264.8 previous 7 days)

Dauphin County: Percent Positivity - 13.2% last 7 days (13.6% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 230.7 (302.9 previous 7 days)

Franklin County: Percent Positivity - 13.4% last 7 days (18.1% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 167.1 (274.1 previous 7 days)

Lebanon County: Percent Positivity - 14.2% last 7 days (14.9% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 234.8 (285.6 previous 7 days)

Perry County: Percent Positivity - 18.6% last 7 days (19.8% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 235.6 (276.6 previous 7 days)

York County:

Percent Positivity - 16.3% last 7 days (15.7% previous 7 days)

last 7 days (15.7% previous 7 days)

Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 284.2 (298.6 previous 7 days)

Email Jeff at jpratt@cumberlink.com. Follow him on Twitter @SentinelPratt.

Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Dear Friends,

On Oct. 1st, Missouri's gas tax went into effect for the first time in 25 years, but Missourians who don't want to pay the increase have a way to opt out. The gas tax increase became law when Gov. Mike Parson signed Senate Bill 262.

The tax increased 2.5 cents October first, with more incremental increases every July 1 until it reaches a total increase of 12.5 cents in 2025 when it will finally expire. The Department of Transportation estimates the increase, when fully implemented, will generate another $460 million annually, meant exclusively for repairing the state's roads and bridges.

Those who don't want to pay the increase can apply for a refund. The Department of Revenue will provide a form for applicants to fill out, either digitally or by paper copy, by the time applications can be accepted between July 1 and Sept. 30 of next year.

Fuel purchased in Missouri for vehicles weighing less than 26,000 pounds is eligible for a refund of this new tax. Missourians wanting a refund simply need to save their fuel receipts, in case they are audited by the Department of Revenue, and then fill out the form.

If our citizens wish to go ahead and invest the $1 to $5 per month it is anticipated that it will cost each citizen to repair our roads and bridges, then they can leave their money with the state. However, if for whatever reason they need to have that money back they can request a refund and get their money back.

The initial increase, which began Oct. 1, has been estimated to cost about $1 per month for the average Missouri driver. In its fifth and final year, in 2025 when the tax expires and when it's fully phased in, the increase will be approximately $60 per year, depending on how much fuel each driver consumes.

MODOT has been running about $800 million behind what it needs for road work each year. This increase will cover a significant portion of that gap, and will also put Missouri in position to qualify for federal dollars from an anticipated infrastructure bill.

The federal infrastructure program provides an 80% federal dollar match to Missouri's 20% participation. Our 2.5 cent tax will put us in a position to have the match money in order to pull down those federal dollars, which is anticipated to be around $7 billion. Without our money, that federal money would end up going to other states.

Our investment in our infrastructure will help us drive the economy and bring in new businesses to our state. Good roads and safe bridges are just one of the areas companies are looking in order to re-locate their operations to Missouri. These new companies bring new investment and jobs to our state and they pay Missouri taxes, which will give us a solid return on our own personal investment in our state.

Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots now available for eligible Missourians

Missourians who received the Pfizer vaccine can now receive a booster shot, six months after their initial series of vaccinations. Following federal guidance issued from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has amended the state's standing order for Pfizer-BioTech COVID-19 vaccine administration for those who are eligible for a booster shot. According to CDC guidance:

 People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster;

 People aged 5064 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster;

 People aged 1849 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster; and

 People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting (e.g. frontline medical workers, teachers, and first responders) may receive a booster.

The list of medical conditions categorized as high-risk by the CDC is available at the following link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html. Missourians with an underlying medical condition are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider about whether a booster shot is right for them.

Federal health experts are still reviewing data from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) and will decide when recipients may be eligible for a booster shot. Missouri providers will administer Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster shots when they are recommended.

Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots will be administered anywhere the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is available. Individuals do not need to get their booster shot at the same location they received their initial series. Those seeking a booster shot can visit MOStopsCovid.com to find a nearby provider and schedule an appointment or locate a walk-in clinic. Individuals should only get a booster shot when it is recommended and not earlier.

Individuals can also get the flu shot at the same time they receive the COVID-19 booster shot. Flu vaccines are now becoming available through various providers throughout the state, and it is recommended annually for everyone 6 months and older.

How Missourians can get a free COVID-19 vaccine

 Check for vaccine appointments at Vaccines.gov, where you can search for availability by vaccine type (e.g., Pfizer).

 Call the CDC's COVID-19 vaccine hotline at 1-800-232-0233 (or TTY 1-888-720-7489). Help is available in multiple languages.

 Locate local vaccination events in Missouri at MOStopsCovid.com.

 Seniors and homebound adults can make arrangements using information at MOStopsCovid.com/seniors

 Missouri DHSS COVID-19 Public Hotline 1-877-435-8411 Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m.  7:30 p.m.

Free online learning now available to Missourians

Missourians interested in developing skills that will help them advance their careers now have access to an exciting new online learning tool. The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD) and the Office of Workforce Development have expanded their partnership with the online learning platform Coursera, to offer free, online education opportunities.

Coursera partners with more than 200 of the world's leading university and industry educators to offer courses teaching job-relevant skills in fields such as business, technology, and data science. Through this partnership, Missourians can also earn professional certificates from leading companies, like Google, IBM, and Facebook, that are designed to prepare people for high-growth, entry-level careers, including in IT support, data analytics, project management, and social media marketing.

Missourians will have free access to 4,000 courses to develop high-demand digital and job-readiness skills as they look to find employment or advance their careers. Job seekers and students can earn certificates in everything from social media marketing to Excel skills, web development, the business of health care, IT security, and hundreds more.

Missouri will offer free access to learning on Coursera through Summer 2022. To register, Missourians need to visit jobs.mo.gov/coursera, and click the "Apply Now" button to be contacted by a Job Center team member. Enrollment is dependent on eligibility of Statewide WIOA, a benefits program designed to help unemployed and underemployed Missourians.

Medicare open enrollment runs through Dec. 7

Now is the time for Missourians who are eligible for Medicare to review their plan options and costs to ensure they have the plan that best meets their needs. The Missouri Department of Commerce & Insurance is encouraging eligible Missourians to review their plan options and costs during this year's open enrollment, which runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.

During the open enrollment period, Missourians have the opportunity to change their Part D drug coverage or Medicare Advantage plans. To help consumers choose the best plan, the department offers free assistance to Missourians who are eligible for Medicare and their caregivers through the department's CLAIM program.

CLAIM can also help Missourians on a limited income determine whether they qualify for a Low-Income Subsidy and/or Medicare Savings Programs to offset the cost of their prescription drugs .Missourians can ask questions by phone or arrange one-on-one counseling by calling 1-800-390-3330 or visiting missouriclaim.org.

The Missouri Department of Commerce & Insurance warns Missouri seniors, health care providers and others to be wary of unscrupulous sales tactics during the open enrollment period. Protecting personal information is the best line of defense in the fight against health care fraud and abuse. The department offers these tips to keep personal information safe:

 Verify that a salesperson is a licensed insurance agent by calling the Insurance Consumer Hotline at 1-800-726-7390.

 Be cautious of door-to-door sales people. Medicare has no sales representatives, and agents cannot solicit Part D or Medicare Advantage plans at your home without an appointment.

 Avoid sales people who offer free lunches for listening to a sales presentation. Federal law prohibits offers of free meals in exchange for signing up for a plan or listening to a presentation on Medicare.

 Do not give out personal information to an unlicensed agent. Sales people are not allowed to ask for your Medicare Number, Social Security, bank account or credit card number during marketing activities. If someone calls you and asks for your Medicare Number or other personal information, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

 Sales people cannot ask for online payments and must send a bill. Once you decide to buy a plan and have verified the agent is licensed, then you may give the agent personal enrollment and billing information.

 A Medicare health or drug plan can call you if you're already a member of the plan. The agent who helped you join can also call you. A customer service representative from 1-800-MEDICARE can call you if you've called and left a message or a representative said that someone would call you back.

 Consumers with complaints or questions about insurance can contact the department's Insurance Consumer Hotline at 800-726-7390 or visit insurance.mo.gov.

Info from the Missouri governor's home page

Click to see Missouri's Top Rankings at https://governor.mo.gov/priorities/missouris-top-rankings

My best to all of you!

Dale

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
A four-day trial concluded on Friday with a jury rendering guilty verdicts for an area man accused of murder in St. Francois County.

The defendant, Oscar Ortiz Jr., of Park Hills, was standing trial last week for charges including second-degree murder and armed criminal action related to the 2019 homicide of 34-year-old Adam "Scooby" Carroll of Park Hills.

After hearing testimony from 18 witnesses and reviewing multiple evidentiary exhibits, it took a jury more than five hours of deliberation to find Ortiz guilty of a lesser charge of second-degree involuntary manslaughter, as well as armed criminal action, and tampering with physical evidence and two traffic offenses.

Ortiz was represented at trial by Special Public Defender Carl Kinsky, while St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Gilliam tried the case on behalf of the state. Presiding over the trial was Circuit Judge Wendy Wexler Horn.

According to court records, just after midnight on July 1, 2019, officers with the Park Hills Police Department were dispatched to a home in the 700 block of Third Street for a 34-year-old male who had been shot in the head and was not breathing. Police arrived to find Carroll lying on the floor in the rear bedroom of the home with a gunshot wound to his head. An autopsy revealed that Carroll had been shot with a .45 cal. pistol and the bullet entered behind the man's left ear, coming to a stop inside his brain.

Carroll's girlfriend, 33-year-old Crystal Nash, lived at the home with her young son and her roommate Jessica Roberts, who were all present at the time of Carroll's death. Nash was reportedly the only one to witness the shooting and stated that Ortiz had fired the lethal round.

Ortiz was located after crashing a car shortly after midnight on the night of the shooting. He was reportedly driving too fast, lost control, and overturned his vehicle in the 4700 block of Flat River Road. Ortiz was transported to Parkland Health Center by the St. Francois County Ambulance District, where he was treated and then placed under arrest.

Ortiz was charged the next day.

After being continued several times, the trial began on Oct. 12 with jury selection. The selected jurors took their seats in the jury box and heard opening statements from the state and defense.

It was the defense's position that reasonable doubt of Ortiz's guilt existed due to inconsistent witness statements and the testimony of a witness alleging Nash had admitted to shooting Carroll in self-defense.

The state would argue that Ortiz was the shooter based on the witness testimony, the position of the gunshot wound, and a .45 cal. shell casing found at the scene that matched the brand of .45 cal. ammunition found in the trunk of the car in which Ortiz had crashed. There was also the presence of green paint that had been thrown on Nash by Carroll before the shooting and later found on Ortiz's arm and clothing at the hospital, placing him at the scene of the crime.

The jury began hearing witness testimony on the second day of the trial. The state first called Nash to the stand, who said Carroll had been attacking her and chasing her with a hatchet before Ortiz pulled the trigger. She recalled sitting on her bed, Carroll was at the foot of the bed, and Ortiz was standing in the doorway. She said Ortiz shot Carroll and then gave her and Roberts a hug, saying to them, "never let a man beat you like that."

Throughout her testimony, which took up most of the trial's second day and a portion of the third day, Nash broke down emotionally several times, often refusing to answer questions and becoming heatedly argumentative with defense attorney Kinsky on cross-examinations.

Kinsky referenced previous depositions conducted with Nash when the woman would provide inconsistent answers to his questions. He referred to the deposition transcripts multiple times while questioning Nash on the stand. Nash would refute several statements recorded in the deposition transcript, even suggesting that the transcript had been altered.

Nash said the weeks leading up to Carroll's death were tumultuous. Police were called to her home for domestic disturbances before Carroll's death. The two had gotten into a fight in the hours before the shooting, and Nash called police, which reportedly angered Carroll as he believed he had a warrant out for his arrest. Police told Carroll to leave the residence, so he rode a bike to Lewis Park nearby.

Nash testified that Ortiz and Brittany Marler pulled into her backyard in a white car while Carroll was away. She said Ortiz was carrying a six-pack of beer under his arm, and she saw Marler hand him a gun. She recalled seeing Ortiz holding the firearm and wearing one glove.

At some point, Nash said they were all hanging out near the back porch area. By then, Marler was in contact with Carroll, who was still at the park, by cell phone and was grabbing drug paraphernalia for him in the back bedroom.

Nash said she spoke to Ortiz about why he was there, noting that he was disgruntled and angry about something. She said she had a .380 cal. handgun under her mattress for protection, but the gun had been jammed or disabled. She mentioned that Ortiz told her to get the gun, so she retrieved the weapon and gave it to him. She told police that Ortiz had shot the .380 cal. gun several times off the back deck of the house and then gave it back to her. A detective later testified that the .380 cal. handgun was seized but returned to Nash a few weeks later after it was determined the firearm was not the same caliber as the one used in the shooting.

A short time after Nash put her gun back under her mattress, she said Ortiz asked her to go get Carroll, and she became scared.

Marler and Nash left in Nash's car to pick up Carroll from the park. All three reportedly returned to Nash's house, where Ortiz was still present. Once there, Carroll began cooking some noodles on the stove. Nash testified that Ortiz and Carroll started to argue in the kitchen. Marler testified that Carroll maintained a very calm demeanor while Ortiz was doing the yelling initially. Nash said she was in her bedroom at the time and couldn't hear what they were yelling about because Carroll had turned on loud music.

Marler stated that she went to the front of the house to check on Nash's son, who was asleep in the living room. She said Carroll gave her a hug and told her it would be best if she left because of the ongoing confrontation with Ortiz.

Nash said Carroll came back to the bedroom to eat and continued talking to Ortiz, who was standing at the bedroom doorway. She explained that she didn't know what they were talking about, but the situation escalated as Carroll threw the hot noodles on her and began throwing other items at her while yelling. She said he was throwing anything he could grab, including green model paint.

Carroll would often carry a hatchet, which Nash testified he had just before he was shot. She recalled that Carroll hit her bedframe with the hatchet while accusing her of having sex with another man. According to Nash, Carroll sliced her finger with the hatchet leaving a scar, which she showed to the jury.

Nash testified that Ortiz pointed a gun at her and Carroll and said, "if you keep beating on this b----, I'm going to kill her, you, and everyone." Nash said it was when Carroll began attacking her once more that Ortiz shot the man in the back of the head. Nash described hearing two shots, which was later refuted by a detective's testimony who said there was no evidence of a second round being fired.

She further described how Carroll remained standing briefly before dropping to the floor near the bedroom door area. Crime scene photos presented to the jury showed a hatchet lying next to Carroll's legs.

Marler later testified that she left the house, as Carroll suggested before the shooting, and was walking to a friend's house close by. The woman recalled hearing the gunshot as she was about a block away from Nash's house. Marler said she had a bad feeling and texted Carroll to see what was going on. She explained that she received a text message from Nash stating Carroll had been shot.

Ortiz's attorney asked Nash if she had called 911 after the shooting. She testified that Ortiz hung around the house for about 15-20 minutes before leaving and said she couldn't call the police until he had left. Once on the phone with emergency services, Nash was advised to try CPR because she thought Carroll was still breathing. She refused to do CPR because she was trained not to perform the procedure on someone with a gunshot wound to the head.

Police arrived and cleared the house, separating Nash and her roommate, Roberts, in order to collect witness statements. Marler had also come back to the house. The three women, along with Nash's son, were transported to the police station for questioning.

Former Park Hills Detective Craig Newberry was called to the scene. This investigation was his first homicide case. He began processing the scene and collecting evidence, including an unfired .45 cal. round, a spent .45 cal. round, a rubberized glove, and a beer can. The detective took several photos of the scene, including areas where fresh green paint had been splattered.

The state called Newberry to the witness stand to explain the details of the investigation. He said he was en route to the police station after leaving the scene when he received a call notifying him of Ortiz's car crash on Flat River Road. He went to Parkland Health Center, where Ortiz was being treated for injuries. Ortiz was unconscious at the time, but Newberry was able to take photos of green paint on the suspect's hand and forearm.

While on the stand, Newberry identified clothing belonging to Ortiz, which he seized as evidence at the hospital. He pointed out green paint found on Ortiz's shirt, pants, and the bottom of one of his shoes.

While at the hospital, Newberry performed a gunshot residue test on Ortiz's hand. A Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) Crime Lab criminalist testified that Newberry did not remove the plastic wrapping strips on the gunshot residue testing stubs used in Ortiz's test. Because of the error, the crime lab did not process Ortiz's gunshot residue test.

On cross-examination of the crime lab criminalist, the defense pointed out that gunshot residue testing was performed on Nash and Roberts. Both tests were positive for the presence of gunshot residue. The criminalist noted that the presence of gunshot residue does not mean the person fired a gun but does indicate a gun was fired near the person.

The criminologist said the black glove found at the house was also tested and showed gunshot residue particles.

After leaving the hospital, Newberry testified he went to the police station to interview Nash, Roberts, and Marler. The defense played an approximately six-minute-long audio recording of Nash's recount of events for the jury.

The defense asked Newberry why he did not seize the hatchet as evidence, to which he explained that Nash said the hatchet had nothing to do with the shooting. He said she never mentioned Carroll chasing her with the hatchet during their interview.

The detective noted that Nash was accused of lying to the grand jury by saying that the hatchet had nothing to do with the case. He also agreed with the defense's argument that the woman's story kept changing as the investigation continued.

Nash's testimony had concluded earlier when she became increasingly uncooperative during the defense's questions in cross-examination. At one point, she began playing with a small Rubik's cube while on the stand. She then appeared to digress into a childlike state, calling Kinsky "a bad man," and was excused shortly after that.

Newberry testified he went to the tow yard where the car Ortiz had crashed was impounded. The detective obtained a search warrant and photographed the car and its contents. He found a box of .45 cal. ammunition that matched the brand of .45 cal. rounds found at the scene. He also found a cellphone, but that was determined not to belong to Ortiz. The car was also registered to someone else.

The .45 cal. pistol was recovered by police in the possession of Erica Coulter at an address on Water Street in Bonne Terre.

Coulter testified she and Treay Griffin, Ortiz's stepson, had previously had a relationship, and Griffin called her in the late hours of June 30-July 1, 2019, asking if he could come over and talk. She was living with Michael Rose at an address on Flat River Road at the time.

Coulter said when Griffin arrived, she saw a black and gray pistol sticking out of the waistband of his pants and explained that he had the weapon on him the entire time he was at the house. Later in the day, she and Griffin went to St. Louis with another man to get drugs.

Minutes after returning to the house, Coulter said police showed up at the residence, and she was taken into custody. She had heard about the shooting and was questioned at the police station.

Following a police interview, Coulter said that she returned to the house and found the pistol in her closet. She was surprised to find it there as the police had previously searched the house and figured they would have seen it.

Coulter said she put the gun in a backpack and took it to a friend's house in Bonne Terre. Police showed up at the Bonne Terre address shortly after her arrival and seized the backpack with the gun inside.

The prosecutor showed Coulter the weapon, but she said she did not recognize it.

The prosecution later called an MSHP Crime Lab firearms and tool mark examiner to the stand, who testified that the markings on the inside of the gun's barrel matched the markings of the bullet that killed Carroll.

The state's other expert witnesses included Dr. Russell Deidiker, the forensic pathologist who performed Carroll's autopsy.

Deidiker testified that the bullet that killed Carroll entered behind the man's left ear and traveled up and to the right, where it remained lodged inside his brain. He said Carroll had 2,600 ng/ml of methamphetamine in his system at the time of death, as well as THC. The pathologist explained that the level of methamphetamine was in the toxic range and could cause a person to act violent or angry, depending on the user.

Marler, testifying for the defense, was the last civilian witness who was called to the stand.

Marler recalled being at a gathering at a house near Wilson-Rozier Park in Farmington on June 30, 2019, where she saw Griffin and Ortiz. She said Griffin was extremely "f--- up" on heroin, and she and Ortiz put him in bed.

Marler recalled Ortiz taking cash out of Griffin's pocket and said she saw him remove a firearm out of Griffin's pocket and lay it on the bed. She testified that she never saw the gun again.

Marler said a little later, she had to stop Ortiz from drinking because he was so intoxicated that he couldn't even form a sentence. She testified she drove to Nash's house, with Ortiz in the car, in order to retrieve a purse she had left there.

Marler said when they pulled into Nash's backyard, Nash and Roberts came outside. Nash was frantic, according to Marler, yelling that Carroll had chased her with an ax earlier and telling Marler to call him.

While changing into some shorts in another room, Marler said she heard a loud bang and came out to see Ortiz with a gun in his hand pointed at the ground near the back deck. Nash told Marler that Ortiz was trying to prove something and had shot the weapon off the back deck. Marler recalled seeing Nash get the gun back from Ortiz but didn't know what happened to it after that.

Marler's testimony appeared to align with Nash's recollection of events. She spoke of the two picking up Carroll from the park, going back to Nash's house, and Carroll yelling at Nash. She also recalled Ortiz and Carroll arguing before she left.

Marler went on to say that after they were questioned at the police station, following the shooting, she was with Nash at her house, trying to comfort her because she thought that's what Carroll would have wanted.

She said they were sitting on Nash's bed, and Nash was crying and rocking back and forth. She said that's when Nash admitted to her that she was the one who shot Carroll.

Marler explained that Nash said to her, "when he came at me with his mad face, I leaned over, grabbed the gun, and shot him." Nash told Marler that flames came out of the barrel, according to Marler's testimony. Marler said that Nash appeared to be fake crying.

Marler said it was approximately a month later that Nash made threatening comments toward her. She said Nash told her that "what happened to Scoob (Carroll) was going to happen to you."

Marler said she then called Park Hills Officer Jeff Womble and told him she had information pertinent to the case on July 28, 2019.

Womble testified that he texted Det. Newberry, explaining that Marler had new information about the shooting and he needed to contact her as soon as possible. Newberry reportedly responded with a text that read, "Monday morning."

Marler said that she never received any call back about the information.

The jury then heard deliberation instructions and closing arguments from Gilliam and Kinsky before heading back to the jury room for deliberations at 6:20 p.m. on Friday.

A few hours into deliberation, the jury sent a note out that said they were deadlocked but shortly after sent another note indicating that they wished to continue deliberations. They returned with their verdict at approximately 11:38 p.m.

After the verdict was read, Carroll's family members, who had been observing the trial the entire time, were noticeably relieved and appeared pleased with the outcome of the trial.

"Oh my God, my son can rest in peace finally," said Carroll's mother, Theresa Kelly, with tears in her eyes outside the courtroom.

Carroll's father, Ronald Carroll, and stepmother, Rhonda Carroll, said they thought the prosecutor did a fantastic job trying the case and said they feel that justice was served.

"I just want to thank the jurors for their hard work in this case and for continuing to deliberate until they had a unanimous verdict very late on Friday night," said Gilliam.

Ortiz will appear before Judge Wexler-Horn for sentencing on Dec. 17. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Bobby Radford is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at bradford@dailyjournalonline.com

Love 1 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 19

Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft visited the Madison County Sheltered Workshop on Monday.

MCSW Director Scott Bates showed Ashcroft around the workshop and gave him a look into the inner workings of the facility.

Bates said the biggest thing around the workshop is the thrift store. The workshop also has a couple of contracts, including one where it takes sheets of plastic and grinds it down to small flakes to be used to create panels used to make displays, fronts of lights and more.

"Our main focus is obviously the employees," Bates said. "To give them employment and meaningful employment that they can feel proud of and they can enjoy coming to work every day and give back to the community."

Bates said since they opened the thrift store two years ago in 2019, the community has been super supportive.

"It has been a great experience," Bates said "We have actually encountered a dilemma. Our warehouse is full. We have more stuff than we can get out. Which is a good problem to have, so we are always running sales and people love it."

Bates said they have encountered a few issues with some of their contracts as shipping and supply issues cause problems for other companies, and it trickles down to create issues for the workshop.

Ashcroft pointed out that one problem the workshop does not have is finding enough people to work.

"They want to be here and they want to work and it is a problem that we don't experience everywhere else," Bates said. "What is it, 10.2 million job openings right now. Nobody wants to work. We have that wonderful problem that people want to work for us. We love it. We enjoy it, and they like being here."

Ashcroft said he knows there have been some concerns at the federal level with attempts to try and require wages be paid the same at workshops as in other locations. He said if that happens it would make it impossible to provide the same experience.

"That is always something that we worry about," Bates said. "My own kind of personal plan is if we have to go that route, then I'll hire everybody in Madison County and work them two hours a day. We will do what we can to stay open. It will create a dilemma, and it won't help the employees at all."

Bates said the workshop probably has more people making minimum wage now than a lot of other workshops, even some that are larger than the workshop here.

"We have 31 certified employees and 12 are being paid minimum wage, so we are at about 40% making minimum wage," Bates said. "We do have to watch their hours and that kind of thing. We don't want to interrupt their benefits in any way. But it is good that we are able to do that."

Bates, who has worked at the facility since 2018, said he enjoys working at the workshop.

"I love the everyday challenge like when we were closed for COVID, my phone was flooded with 'when are we coming back to work?'" Bates said. "That was a problem nobody else was having, and it just makes you feel great to work for a place where the employees want to be at work and where they enjoy coming to work."

Victoria Kemper is a reporter for the Daily Journal. She can be reached at 573-783-3366 or at vkemper@democratnewsonline.com

Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
During its meeting Monday night, the Bonne Terre City Council prepared to vote next month to put a 1% sales tax increase on the April 5 ballot to raise money for the towns fire and police departments. Its estimated the tax could bring in as much as $500,000 to retain first responders, increasing salaries and meeting equipment needs.

This would be the citys first increase in sales tax since April 2015, when the countys portion of the sales tax collected in Bonne Terre increased. Its been a 6.35% sales tax rate ever since, with 4.225% apportioned for Missouri, 1.625% for St. Francois County, and 0.5% Special tax. The average tax rate in Missouri is 7.021%.

The citys attorney, Seth Pegram, expressed reservations about the council members approving the measure during Monday nights meeting, saying it needed to be fine-tuned for the April ballot, plus the council agenda appeared to have the rate at 1% rather than .5%, as had been discussed.

City Administrator Shawn Kay said the proposed rate was changed back to 1%.

Well, we did talk about a 1/2%. And in later discussions, we talked about doing 1%, Kay said. In doing my research, most of the communities around here, Park Hills and Desloge, they're at 9.3%. Farmington is 8.3%, but you are aware that they are putting a public safety tax on the ballot as well. So that's going to bring them up. So I think based on the council's discussions, we actually changed the ordinance.

Alderman Bruce Pratte asked how much time could elapse before they had to vote on the ballot language.

Oh, we have plenty of time yet, Pegram replied.

Lets just make sure we get it right, Kay said. Were doing the first reading tonight, next month, once we have the final ordinance down, well just have to read it one time before voting on it.

Kay pointed out the 1% would basically be a penny on the dollar.

In other matters, the council approved the Bonne Terre Chamber of Commerces request for municipal support for the annual Christmas parade, which is themed A Country Christmas, starts lining up at 5:30 p.m. and begins at 7 p.m., following the same parade route as previous years.

The council also approved Coffee Saloon Owner Sarah Pauls request for a liquor license. She is about to expand the scope of her operations and the size of her Benham Street business with a bar, 47 Saloon.

The council amended the ordinance governing the sales of alcohol to be more in line with the states new open-container laws. The state chose to relax its stance.

The aldermen also heard a department report from Police Chief Doug Calvert regarding the need to address and determine speed limits in certain areas on Benham; discussed Cochran Engineerings proposal to design upgrades and repairs to the wastewater treatment plants; and granted a request, on advice from the Planning and Zoning Committee, to vacate an alley at 306 W. Johnson St.

Sarah Haas is the assistant editor for the Daily Journal. She can be reached at 573-518-3617 or at shaas@dailyjournalonline.com.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1

Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection has opened the first part of the two-part exhibition Irrititja Kuwarri Tjungu (Past & Present Together): 50 Years of Papunya Tula Artists, tracing the Papunya Tula Artists movement from 1971 through the mid-1990s. It can be seen through Feb. 27, 2022. The second part, celebrating the role of women artists and featuring paintings created during and since the 1990s, will be open from March 17, 2022, to Feb. 26, 2023. Boomalli Prints and Paper: Making Space as an Art Collective can be seen through June 19, 2022. Tours have resumed and will be led for free by volunteer guides at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. each day the museum is open. Longer tour experiences for groups will be available for purchase. Masks are required. Make reservations at kluge-ruhe.org. 400 Worrell Drive. (434) 244-0234.
And we rarely get to the other things like addressing the needs for renovation and modernization of our facilities, she said. The current facility average for our facilities is over 50 years, and that needs to be addressed to have learning spaces that are designed for the way that we teach now.

County staff are planning to take a different approach to financing capital projects. For the coming fiscal year, staff members are not initially planning on a real estate tax rate increase. Before the pandemic, officials have weighed an annual one-cent tax rate increase to pay for capital projects. Thats off the table for now, according to the presentation.

Board chairman Ned Gallaway said that new schools have to be in play during discussions about school capacity, but he also wanted more information about where the new buildings would go and how big they would be. He added that the stronger long-term solution to the issue is finding the right size for new schools.
Former President Barack Obama will campaign with Democrat Terry McAuliffe Saturday afternoon at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond in the waning days of McAuliffe's close contest for governor with Republican Glenn Youngkin.

The event, on the Compass patio in front of the main entrance to the James Branch Cabell Library, is meant to push early voting, which concludes Oct. 30, the Saturday before election day, Nov. 2.

Gates will open at noon. The McAuliffe campaign said tickets are required and that members of the public who wish to attend can sign up here. The campaign said an RSVP is required for attendance but that signing up will not guarantee a ticket due to limited space.

McAuliffe has campaigned with a number of prominent Democrats in the homestretch. Vice President Kamala Harris joins McAuliffe Thursday in Prince William County. He campaigned with first lady Jill Biden Friday in Henrico County. He campaigned over the weekend with Stacey Abrams, Georgia's 2018 nominee for governor, in Hampton Roads.
The Republican mapmakers suggested splitting Henrico County between two districts instead of three. The western portion of Henrico, now in the 7th District represented by Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, would be moved into the 1st District, now represented by Rep. Rob Wittman. Eastern Henrico would remain in the 4th District, represented by Democrat Don McEachin. The Republican map drawers would keep the 7th District as a new outer Northern Virginia district that does not include the Richmond area.

The Democratic mapmakers suggested putting all of Henrico in a new 7th District that would extend westward from the Richmond suburbs and include Albemarle County.

Each partisan mapmaker then proposed a separate new statewide configuration. None of the four maps moved the needle.

At one point, Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin, said, "I'm just trying to keep up here" as the panel considered the four newly proposed configurations five days before its deadline.

"What I see as potentially the problem" is "too much lawyer involvement, too many maps all of a sudden come out" and "the whole system breaks down under the weight," Stanley said. He said that in that case "we're going to find this to be an exercise in futility."
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  An emergency call made by a 4-year-old New Zealand boy asking for police to come over and check out his toys prompted a real-life callout and confirmation from an officer that the toys were, indeed, pretty cool.

Police shared audio of the call on social media this week (included in the video above) along with a photo of the smiling boy sitting on the hood of a patrol cruiser, noting that while they don't encourage children to call the emergency number, the incident was "too cute not to share."

The call begins all business: "This is police, where is the emergency?"

There's a pause as the unidentified boy hesitantly says, "Hi," and then "Police lady?"

"Yes," the dispatcher says, switching to a friendlier, singsong tone. "What's going on?"

"Um, can I tell you something?" the boy asks, and after being told he can, says "I've got some toys for you."

"You've got some toys for me?" says the dispatcher.

"Yep. Come over and see them," the boy replies.

A man then gets on the phone confirming the call was a mistake, saying the 4-year-old had been helping out while his mother was sick.
The Delaware County Wellness Line is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In addition to responding to phone calls, the Wellness Line also responds to emailed inquiries.

PHONE: (484) 276-2100

EMAIL: DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us

The Delaware County Wellness Team can assist residents with COVID-19 related questions and concerns as well as other public health-related topics.

Delaware County Wellness Team can:

Assist residents in locating convenient COVID-19 vaccination sites.

Assist residents in locating convenient COVID-19 testing sites.

Add homebound residents to the homebound roster for at-home on-site vaccinations.

Answer general questions about COVID-19 testing, vaccinations and booster shots.

Answer general questions about public health-related matters.

Help residents locate public health resources.

Note: The Delaware County Wellness Line was formerly referred to as the COVID-19 Call Center.

Delaware County utilizes the Google Translate service and accepts no liability for errors or omissions in any translation of the original English text.
Plans by Republic Services to expand its operations at the Coffin Butte landfill have received the conditional support of Benton Countys Solid Waste Advisory Council.

Coffin Butte is a "regional" landfill that generally serves Benton, Linn, Lincoln, Polk and Marion counties, although it occasionally receives trash from the Portland area. About 12% of the landfill consists of Benton County trash.

Republics plan calls for a new disposal cell south of Coffin Butte Road, relocating two leachate ponds south of the road, vacating Coffin Butte Road and relocating the road around the new disposal cell. The landfill is in north Benton County, just west of Highway 99W near Adair Village.

The council, which met virtually on Tuesday night, Oct. 19, voted 5-1 to recommend approval of Republic Services conditional use permit. The recommendation will be forwarded with concerns and stipulations for the Planning Commission to consider when it reviews the Republic application in a Nov. 2 public hearing.

Inga Williams, associate planner for the county, said a request to hold the record open or a continuance is almost certain to be brought forward, meaning no deliberations or decision to approve or deny the application will take place Nov. 2.

A second meeting likely would be held Nov. 16, Williams said. It also seems likely that any decision the Planning Commission makes will be appealed to the Benton County Board of Commissioners.

Voting in favor of the motion were Chairman Jay Simpkins, Vice Chairwoman Linda Brewer, Deborah Gile, Larry Sleeman and Fred Penning. John Deuel voted no, citing concerns about the process moving too quickly without enough public comment Other council members agreed with Deuel on the timing issue but felt it wasnt enough of an impediment to recommending approval of the plan.

The next step for the council is to draft a letter for the Planning Commission by Friday so that it can be included in the staff report for the Nov. 2 meeting.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Corvallis Gazette-Times.

Final county approval of the plan would add approximately 30 years to the lifespan of Coffin Butte, according to company officials.

In an emailed statement, Republic corporate officials in Phoenix said roughly five years of life remain in the current landfill, 15 or so years in the landfills quarry area, with an additional 12 years accruing if the expansion is approved.

Key issues itemized by council members, many of whom indicated that their concerns reflected those of residents, four of whom have published letters of opposition in the newspaper, include:

 Safety near the site and on the nearby roads.

 Future planning for landfill operations in Benton County once those 30 or so years pass and Coffin Butte is full.

 The volume of trash that comes from outside the mid-valley to Coffin Butte, a site defined as regional.

 A need for programs to reduce waste in the county and thus reduce the pressure on Coffin Butte.

Contact reporter James Day at jim.day@lee.net or 541-812-6116. Follow at Twitter.com/jameshday or gazettetimes.com/blogs/jim-day.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Amid a pandemic that has left over 4.9 million people dead worldwide, dozens of nations are taking time out Thursday to prepare for another mass killer: earthquakes.

The "Great ShakeOut" is a global earthquake drill that will take place at 10:21 a.m. More than 25 million people  including 14.1 million Americans  will simultaneously practice the first steps of surviving an earthquake:

 Drop onto your hands and knees

 Cover your head and neck

 Crawl to a sturdy desk or table nearby

 Hold On until the shaking stops

About 500,000 Oregonians have signed-up to take part this year, according to the Oregon Office of Emergency Management.

Understanding what to do in the first few moments after a disaster can mean the difference between being a survivor and a victim," said OEM director Andrew Phelps in a statement released before the event.

One of the few upsides of the COVID-19 pandemic is it has made people around the world more attuned to a proactive "culture of preparedness."

International organizers say they are aware of the extra challenges of thinking about and preparing for earthquakes amid the natural disaster of coronavirus nearing its two-year mark in December.

"While COVID-19 has brought many uncertainties and challenges, one thing's for sure, ShakeOut is still happening," said an announcement.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Corvallis Gazette-Times.

The drill is a reminder in Oregon of a possible Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake on a 680-mile rift in the Pacific Ocean running from British Columbia to Northern California.

The 9.0 earthquake would kill up to 10,000 people in Oregon  with half of the casualties dying in tsunamis that would inundate the coast, according to state studies.

Up to 25,000 could die from Vancouver, Canada to Fort Bragg, California, according to The Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup, a non-profit that includes governments, businesses, communities and other groups working on a region-wide study of disaster recovery.

In Oregon, more than 85,000 buildings could be destroyed, the state estimates. West of the Cascades, much of the infrastructure of the modern world would collapse: communications, water, sewer, and electrical systems would fail. Hospitals would be wrecked. Roads and airports west of the Cascades would likely be unusable.

Even traveling by boat with rescue supplies for the coast would be in danger of debris and being hit by after-tsunamis.

The Cascades mountains would act as a natural "firewall" against the earthquake, with damage to the east of the peaks light or moderate at worst.

Oregon officials have designated Bend as the closest major population area to organize rescue and recovery efforts and re-establish state government.

With its runways likely intact or relatively easy to repair, the Redmond airport would be the site of airlifts of supplies and emergency response crews that would then be flown by helicopter to help victims to the west.

The Cascadia quake would likely leave large areas isolated for weeks, while repairs would last for several years. The official state price tag for repair and recovery is $40 billion.

The magnitude of an Oregon earthquake threat is a relatively recent discovery.

Beginning in the 1980s, geological surveys, Native American oral traditions and meticulous Japanese tidal records led to an estimate the last 9.0 earthquake occurred in January 1700.

Subsequent studies of the deep rift indicate there have been up to 41 major earthquakes along the zone, spread out at variable intervals, but averaging about one every 500 years.

With geological time sequences measured in centuries and decades instead of hours and minutes, the 321 years since the 1700 earthquake puts Oregon today within the parameters of the next earthquake.

The state is aiming to get every resident to create an emergency plan, including gathering two weeks worth of water, food, medicines and other necessities. Not only will this help in the event of an earthquake, but also storms, floods and other natural disasters.

Shakeout.org, based at the Southern California Earthquake Center at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles has information on earthquakes and drills around the world.

For more information about Oregon's participation: shakeout.org/oregon/

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
A new database sheds light on the dark history of federal boarding schools for Native American students in Oregon.

Pacific University Archivist and Associate Professor Eva Guggemos and volunteer historian SuAnn Reddick collaborated to document at least 270 students who died in custody at boarding schools in Forest Grove and Salem between 1880 and 1945. Their new website, published Monday, Oct. 11, on Indigenous Peoples' Day and hosted by Pacific University, includes names and burial locations, a timeline of the schools and a bibliography with a spreadsheet of detailed notes on each student, who came from a wide range of tribes and nations.

"Sometimes they would write on the school roster and annotate it and say they died on this date. Other times it wasn't so simple and there would be no official school record at all of some students," Guggemos said. "Some information was only in contemporary newspaper articles. There were hospital records, cemetery records, occasional bits from letters and diaries."

The school first opened as the Forest Grove Indian Industrial Training School in 1880, then moved to its current location as the Chemawa Indian School in Salem in 1885.

Guggemos started looking through school rosters shortly after arriving in Forest Grove in 2011, and she and Reddick sourced the National Archives & Records in Seattle along with Pacific University and state library archives. According to the research, four years after the founding of the school in Forest Grove in 1884, about 175 students were present on campus from Puyallup, Warm Springs, Alaska, Chehalis, Spokane, Umatilla, Nez Perce, Yakima, Sound and Grand Ronde.

Reddick started researching the school's history in the 1990s.

"Back in the day when I was initiating this research I went to the Oregon State Library and spent many hours scrolling through these terrible microfilm machines taking those little sheets of film, laying them on a plate and printing them," Reddick said. "I had a friend who was a page. We took this rickety old elevator down into the stacks and would look for books. Sometimes you just go fishing."

Across the American West, federal boarding schools like Chemawa took children as young as 6 away from their families and aimed to eradicate their native culture by punishing them for speaking their own languages or practicing their own traditions. The most common causes of death found by Guggemos and Reddick were infectious diseases like tuberculosis, meningitis or influenza. The researchers traced around 175 students at the Chemawa School Cemetery and two students at Forest View Cemetery in Forest Grove.

In June, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced a Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, a "comprehensive review of the troubled legacy of federal boarding school policies."

While the researchers found 270 deaths of indigenous students in Oregon, they also found around 40 remains were never returned home. The locations of around 50 students are still unaccounted for.

Reddick said she hopes the database can help family members and historians with their own research.

"This is only the beginning for many people who may want to find missing family members. These are aunts and uncles who didn't have children who people might still be searching for," Reddick said. "Our hope is that we will be contacted by families and tribes who recognize the names."

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 0
DALLAS (AP)  Southwest Airlines will let unvaccinated employees keep working past early December instead of putting them on unpaid leave if they apply for an exemption on medical or religious grounds.

Federal contractors  including major U.S. airlines  face a Dec. 8 deadline to require employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Southwest spokeswoman Brandy King said Tuesday that employees must submit proof that they got the shots, or file a request for an exemption from vaccination, by Nov. 24. Employees whose requests have not been processed or approved by Dec. 8 will be allowed to keep working, she said.

The company backtracked from a previous position that employees who had not been vaccinated or received an exemption would be put on unpaid leave.

"While we intend to grant all valid requests for accommodations, in the event a request is not granted, the company will provide adequate time for an employee to become fully vaccinated while continuing to work and adhering to safety protocols," King said.

Southwest notified employees of the deadline delay on Friday.

American Airlines said Tuesday that workers who are granted medical or religious exemptions will probably have to wear face masks and undergo regular testing, but the airline is still working on details.

"American will not be placing any team members on unpaid leave as part of the federal vaccine mandate," said American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller.

Southwest and American are both based in Texas, where the Republican governor has ordered businesses not to require employees or customers to be vaccinated. Both say they will comply with President Joe Biden's federal mandate that contractors require vaccination, which they believe has legal priority over state orders.

Southwest Chairman and CEO Gary Kelly originally said in a statement that Southwest "must join our industry peers in complying with the federal government's COVID-19 vaccination directive."

In the days after that statement, however, the pilots' union asked a judge to temporarily block the order, saying Southwest should negotiate with the union over the issue. A hearing is scheduled Friday in federal court. This week, anti-mandate protesters demonstrated at the airline's headquarters.

Kelly has indicated personal reluctance about the vaccine mandate.

"We are not going to fire any employees over this," he told ABC-TV last week. "We are urging all our employees to get vaccinated. If they can't get vaccinated, we're urging them to seek an accommodation."

United Airlines, the first U.S. carrier to announce a vaccine requirement for employees, has started termination proceedings against about 200 employees who neither got the shots nor asked for an exemption.

Chicago-based United has 67,000 U.S. employees. It says 96% have been vaccinated and 3%  about 2,000 employees  have applied for an exemption. United is waiting for a judge in Texas to rule on a lawsuit by employees challenging the airline's decision to put employees on unpaid leave if they get an exemption.

Delta Air Lines Inc. has a less stringent policy. Even though it is a federal contractor, Delta says it will let workers undergo regular testing if they don't want to be vaccinated, but they face a $200 monthly surcharge on their health insurance. CEO Ed Bastian said last week that 90% of Delta employees are vaccinated and he expects that figure to reach 95% in November.

***

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Fewer than 60% of Colorado's health care facilities are at least partially in compliance with the state's vaccine mandate, and despite pleas f
One man is dead after being shot in northwest Aurora on Wednesday morning, police said.
Yemen continues to provide an exceptionally challenging market for telcos. Civil unrest has caused havoc and devastation across most parts of the country, while the threat of sanctions has also made it a challenging environment in which to operate.

A large proportion of the population requires humanitarian assistance, and there is little disposable income for services upon which telcos can generate revenue. Essential telecom infrastructure, such as mobile towers and fibre cabling, has often been targeted, destroyed, or damaged by the opposing sides in the ongoing conflict. These difficulties have proved to be a disincentive to telcos investing in infrastructure, with the result that the country lacks basic fixed-line infrastructure, and mobile services are based on outdated GSM. This has prevented the development of a mobile broadband sector, or the evolution of mobile data services.

The ownership of telecommunication services, and the scrutiny of associated revenues and taxes, have become a political issue in Yemen. In 2019 the recognised government moved Tele Yemens headquarters from Sanaa to Aden in a bid to regain control of the company.

Until telecom infrastructure can be improved across Yemen, and until civil unrest eases, there will be little progress for the sector. MTN Group in mid-2021 confirmed its intension to exit the country, having incurred losses for several years, and considered that continuing its presence in this market was no longer worth its while.

Key developments:

Progress is made on the Africa-1 cable, improving Yemens internet bandwidth;

Yemen continues to face challenges including civil conflict and famine, causing disruption to economic growth and investment in telecom infrastructure.

MTN Yemen looking to improved political stability before it can complete its exit from the country.

Get a Full Copy of this Report

Developing Telecoms market report summaries are produced in partnership with BuddeComm, the worlds largest continually updated online telecommunications research service.

The above article is a summary of the following BuddeComm report:

Report title: Yemen - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Edition: August 2021

Lead Analyst: Sebastien De Rosbo

Number of pages: 72

Companies mentioned in this report: AdenNet, TeleYemen, Public Telecommunications Corporation (PTC), Yemen Mobile, Sabafon, MTN Yemen, Y Telecom, Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC), DARE submarine cable consortium

Single User PDF Licence Price: US$890

For more information or to purchase a copy of the full report please use the following link: https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Yemen-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?r=83
China United Network Communications Group (China Unicom) and Chinese multinational technology corporation Huawei Technologies completed the initial test of the latest XMC-3E ODU product.

This test was conducted in Naobao Village, in the northeast of Hohhot in China's northern Inner Mongolia region.

According to a press release from the Shenzhen-headquartered, the test used a 112-MHz channel space and the high-order 4096QAM modulation scheme and achieved a single-channel bandwidth of 1.37 Gbps on a single ODU module. That is more than double the throughput of a conventional ODU module.

Huawei microwave aims to provide ultra-broadband and simplified solutions. The XMC-3E is the latest of the ODU products it has launched towards this endeavor. In June 2021, this product won both the Red Dot Design Award and the iF Design Award, two prestigious awards that honor the highest quality of industrial design.

"Featuring a sleek appearance, the ODU is easy to install and maintain and supports 112 MHz ultra-broadband and up to 8192QAM high-order modulation. This level of capability provides operators with a strong basis to pursue simplified deployment and boost spectral efficiency. In addition, its unique ergonomic handles and quick-lock mounts ensure safer and more efficient installation," it said.

Located 18 km away from downtown, Naobao Village village is a time-honored tourist destination, which is now more than 300 years old. This solution was regarded as essential for the mobile backhaul of network services in this village.

The test confirmed that a single XMC-3E ODU product can stably provide a throughput of up to 1.37 Gbps without any bandwidth accelerator features thanks to its support for a channel bandwidth of 112 MHz and 4096QAM high-order modulation. This is a record high throughput for a single ODU module over a single channel.

Jia Yuetian at China Unicom Hohhot's Network Division said: "Huawei's XMC-3E series enables us to improve both network bandwidth and quality for suburban users, and its simplified construction makes medium- and long-reach deployments more efficient, putting us in a good position to improve user experience."
Operator Moov Africa  Gabon Telecom has announced plans for an investment programme of more than 10 billion CFA francs (about $17.9 million) to bring coverage to Gabon's main roads  and many of its villages  using 3G and 4G technology.

This vast investment programme will cover 141 villages throughout the country. The deployment, says Gabon Telecom, aims to bring broadband to everyone and to reduce the digital divide between urban and rural areas.

In fact the coverage programme includes all the countrys provinces and will make it possible to offer voice and broadband internet services of up to 10 megabits per second per site to the populations involved. That goes for the roads too: some 600 km of roads will apparently have the opportunity to benefit from voice and 4G internet services.

Theres also a sustainability element. Solar power and lithium battery technology is likely to be involved in the rollout, which will take place between 2021 and 2022 and will involve 1,230 solar panels, 166 batteries and 141 villages.

According to the Gabon Review website, Gabon Telecom, the countrys largest operator by subscribers, currently covers 94 percent of the Gabonese population.

The president of the regulatory council, Lin Mombo, has suggested that other telecommunications companies might consider following Gabon Telecoms example. The company has apparently already begun a test phase between Bakoumba and Franceville via Moanda.
NEW YORK  A new rocket designed to launch humans to the moon, Mars and beyond will launch next year from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. On board, will be a familiar fuzzy figure  Snoopy.
Our American history is just that, our history. Good or bad, it is still our history. To change that or take it away does not make us a better country. As a matter of fact I believe it lessens the reason we are here today.

I grew up saturated in history, the history of my family, the history of my community and especially the history of our country. We cannot let that slip away from us; if we do, we may just repeat the bad things once they are forgotten.

So many people are telling me now that they have stopped watching the national news. It is very frustrating to say the least. I tend to agree with those thoughts, but at the same time so many things are happening that it is scary for our countrys future.

There was a time when we depended on three networks to keep us abreast of what was happening. Now we have dozens of channels with news, plus our phones and internet. Oh, and dont forget Facebook.

The problem now is you dont know who to believe. Or even better, who not to believe.

I long for the days when Walter Cronkite would say, And thats the way it is, or Edward R. Murrows Good night and good luck.

To me, it is scary times, worse than those days when we learned to duck and cover, in anticipation of an atomic bomb being dropped on usand that was scary. This time, however, it will not be a giant explosion. Im afraid it may just slip up on us.

Byron Spires is a retired newspaper editor. He has written dozens of short stories and serials in the Havana Herald. He recently published The Curious Life of Marci Bell in a series of three books. You can email him at byronspires51@gmail.com.
Benny announced that Dothan police officers and Houston County Sheriffs deputies will begin patrolling streets together.

Were taking this to the next level, Benny said. We take this personally. We take it to heart.

All city commissioners showed support for the police department during the board member comments portion of their meeting.

Commissioners Kevin Dorsey and Aristotle Kirkland said they have lost sleep after receiving news about a three-year-old being shot in Dothan, with Aristotle Kirkland adding that the violence shows a reckless disregard for human life. Commissioners David Crutchfield and John Ferguson added that they are willing to do anything they can to assist the police department in getting the resources it needs to be proactive in responding to gun violence.

This is a not only a short-term but a long term issue, and there are a lot of other pieces and components to where we are and whats going on, Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba said. It takes a community. The communitys in control of what we want to look like and what we want to be like as a city and we have that opportunity each and every day to make that determination

We will fight this  no doubt.

Sable Riley is a Dothan Eagle staff writer and can be reached at sriley@dothaneagle.com or 334.712.7915. Support her work and that of other Eagle journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at dothaneagle.com .

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
The Sarasota County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed it had been summoned to the reserve but would not comment further.

Laundrie, 23, is a person of interest in the killing of Petito, who was reported missing Sept. 11 by her parents while the couple was on a cross-country trip out West.

The case generated enormous public interest but also raised uncomfortable questions over the unequal attention given to the hundreds of cases of Native American and other minority women missing or murdered across the United States. Petito is white.

Petitos body was found Sept. 19 on the edge of Wyomings Grand Teton National Park, which the couple had visited. The coroner there concluded she died of strangulation and her body had been where it was found for three or four weeks.

The couple was stopped Aug. 12 by police in Moab, Utah, after they had a physical altercation, but no charges were filed.
Vietnam plans to have nine new railway routes, running 2,362 kilometers, by 2030 as it seeks to upgrade its outdated transport network.

The total capital needed for these projects accumulates to VND240 trillion ($10.3 million), set to come from state coffers and private investors.

The biggest route would run from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, covering 1,545 kilometers, according to the governments approved plan for the 2021-2030 period.

The Ministry of Transport has proposed that two sections be prioritized on this route: from Hanoi to the central city of Vinh and HCMC to the central town of Nha Trang.

There will be three routes in the north, connecting Hanoi with tourist hotspot Ha Long and with port city Hai Phong. Another route will run along the eastern boundary of the capital.

One route is planned for the central region, connecting Vung Ang Port in Ha Tinh Province with the Laos border.

There will be four routes in the south, with one connecting Bien Hoa town in Dong Nai Province with Vung Tau Province. Two routes will connect HCMC with Can Tho City and the Cambodia border. The remaining route would connect HCMC's Thu Thiem Station with Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai.

The railway sector targets to transport 11.8 million tons of goods a year by 2030, or 0.27 percent of total goods transported.

It eyes to carry 460 million passengers, or 4.4 percent.

By 2050, the country is set to have 25 rail routes covering 6,354 kilometers. It now has seven routes covering 2,440 kilometers.

Vietnams railway network has not received major upgrades for decades and has lost its competitiveness to roads and aviation, which are preferred for speed and convenience.
The Ministry of Health received Tuesday 100,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine and 100,000 Covid-19 test kits from Hungary.

They would soon be distributed to various localities and agencies, Deputy Minister of Health Truong Quoc Cuong said.

The pandemic has severely impacted societies and economies, requiring cooperation between countries to fight it off, he added.

At the reception ceremony, Hungarys ambassador to Vietnam, Ory Csaba, discussed with the health ministry cooperation between the two countries for vaccine development and research, and a possible third phase clinical trial of Vietnams homegrown Nanocovax Covid vaccine.

Vietnam has so far received over 90 million vaccine doses from various sources. Around 46.5 million of its population have received at least one shot, and around 18.5 million people have been fully vaccinated.
Russia and Singapore have expressed interest in resuming regular commercial flights to Vietnam to revive trade and tourism post-Covid-19.

At a meeting with Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The on Tuesday, Gennady Bezdetko, Russias ambassador in Vietnam, proposed restarting commercial flights as soon as possible to benefit tourists, investors and students, Giao Thong newspaper reported.

The agreed and hoped the two countries could soon discuss resumption of flights from major Russian cities to economic and tourist centers such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.

Da Nang, a popular tourist hub, has sought permission from the government to allow in Russian and South Korean tourists from next month.

At a meeting Tuesday with the minister, Singapores ambassador, Jaya Ratnam, also hoped to quickly resume travel between the two countries, including commercial flights, and agreed to work toward recognizing each other's vaccine certificates for the purpose.

Many Singaporean investors have been showing interest in the Vietnamese market in recent years while around 12,000 Vietnamese citizens live in Singapore.

The government closed the countrys doors to foreign tourists and canceled all international flights in March last year to contain Covid, allowing only Vietnamese repatriates and foreign experts and highly-skilled workers to enter.

Vietnam is planning to switch from seeking zero Covid cases to responding safely to the disease so that socio-economic and tourism activities can resume.
Hezbollah seeks to abuse the international financial system by utilizing global networks of financiers and front companies to support its malign activity. To put a stop to this, the United States and Qatar have taken coordinated actions against a major Hezbollah financial network based in the Gulf.

Ali Reda Hassan al-Banai, Ali Reda al-Qassabi Lari, and Abd al-Muayyid al-Banai, have been designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists pursuant to Executive Order 13224, as amended for their support to Hezbollah. Ali al-Banai and Lari sent tens of millions of dollars to the terrorist organization via financial systems and cash couriers. They both regularly met with Hezbollah officials during their travels to Lebanon and Iran. Ali al-Banai and his brother Abd al-Muayyid held joint accounts in several banks, transferred funds to Hezbollah as recently as late 2020, and maintained ties to senior Hezbollah associates.

Abd al-Rahman Abd al-Nabi Shams, Yahya Muhammad al-Abd-al-Muhsin, Majdi Faiz al-Ustadz, and Sulaiman al-Banai have been designated for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Ali al-Banai.

Additionally, Qatar-based AlDar Properties has been designated for being owned, controlled, or directed by, directly or indirectly, Sulaiman al-Banai.

This represents one of the most significant coordinated sanctions actions the United States has taken with a Gulf Cooperation Council partner to date and underscores the extensive cooperation on countering terrorist finances. The United States designated Hezbollah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 1997 and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2001, and the Gulf Cooperation Council designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization in 2016.

The United States will continue to cooperate with partners, such as the government of Qatar, to protect the United States and international financial systems from terrorist abuse. At the same time, the Government of Bahrain has frozen the bank accounts of one of the designated individuals, Abd al-Rahman Abd al-Nabi Shams, and referred three individuals to their prosecutors office.

There is growing international recognition of Hezbollahs true nature, with 14 countries in Europe and South and Central America taking significant steps to designate, restrict, or ban Hezbollah in the past several years, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken. We urge other governments to follow suit.
ELKO  Northeastern Nevada Museum is currently hosting the work of artist Veryal Zimmerman, whose colorful and textural depictions of Nevada skies and other natural elements catch the eye directly upon entering the downstairs gallery.

The artist recently moved to the Reno area from the East Coast and finds the landscapes and ever-changing skies to be truly inspirational.

The natural elements are awe-inspiring subjects, especially for artists, Zimmerman writes on her website. When observing these elements at different times of the day, one can see ever-changing forms, shapes and light that alter the mood of the subject.

Zimmerman has a bachelor of fine arts degree from SUNY New Paltz.

From the time I start I have an idea, Ive got my reference before me, she said. The canvas takes over. Your cloud formations out here are so awesome.

Zimmerman usually takes photos of her imagery and uses those for reference, often working on very large canvases.

The bigger the better. It allows me to be freer.

Zimmerman works with a variety of media.

My favorite is oil, but I also do pastels and I dabble with watercolor pencils, as well.

Zimmerman is a member of the Latimer Art Club of Reno and has recently exhibited in several other Nevada museums.

Prior to moving to the West, Zimmerman lived in New York where she owned a gallery.

After I graduated from college I found out how difficult it is for an artist to exhibit, she said.

She and her husband ended up buying a building where they lived in New York on the second floor and had a gallery space below.

I would give other artists an opportunity to show their work by renting the wall space.

She was so busy working with other artists she rarely had time or space to exhibit in her own gallery. After the recession other artists were not able to afford the wall space so she concentrated on her own work.

Zimmerman enjoys working in a series. Thus, much of her work at the museum is from sky imagery in Nevada.

I zoom in on natures designs and there is your abstraction. I see things in nature that other people dont.

The exhibition, located in the Halleck Bar Gallery, runs through Dec. 12 at the museum.



Elko Murals:

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
ELKO  Another school board meeting has been canceled, this time about three hours before it started due to threats toward board members.

The decision to cancel was in response to recent threats of violence and concerns for public safety, according to a statement from the Elko County School District sent shortly after 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

The school district rescheduled the meeting for 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 26.

It has been eight days since the Oct. 12 meeting was adjourned by acting board president Teresa Dastrup when audience members refused to wear masks inside the Central Office board room.

The announcement comes at a difficult time for the school district as the cancellation delays the appointment of new board members to fill five vacancies, said Interim Superintendent Jeff Zander.

The acts of disorderly conduct at previous board meetings and threats to our board are coinciding with an already difficult time faced by our community, Zander said. We are in need of filling vacant school board seats, yet the actions by individuals in our very own communities are making the process very difficult.

The agenda included the trustee appointments along with items to approve out-of-state-trips for Spring Creek and Wells high school FFA students to attend the Western National Rangeland Contest in Oregon.

The board was also to discuss for possible approval the establishment of four special revenue funds that align with the chart of accounts for the new Pupil Centered Funding Plan by order of the Nevada Department of Education.

The cancellation of yet another meeting directly affects our day to day management and the oversight of our children, schools, and communities, Zander added.

Since August, the school district has seen the resignation of five trustees and one acting superintendent, and dealt with outbreaks of Covid-19 at multiple schools throughout Elko County prompting schools to require masks for students.

At the start of the school year, children attending kindergarten through twelfth grade were previously exempted from wearing masks in class due to Emergency Directive 048 that allowed counties with less than 100,000 population to forego face coverings.

Parents expressed frustration with their children being sent home due to exclusions and the mask mandate at board meetings throughout September.

Although Wednesdays meeting was set to be in-person, the public could also view it on the school districts YouTube Channel.

Love 3 Funny 3 Wow 4 Sad 11 Angry 17
ELKO  A new meeting has been scheduled for the Elko school board on Wednesday, eight days after the original one was abruptly adjourned when audience members refused to wear masks.

Trustees are set to convene at 5:30 p.m. in-person at the Central Office Board Room and resume the agenda that includes appointments to fill five vacancies on the board.

Masks will be enforced, according to a statement from the Elko County School District on Tuesday, citing district and state policies.

On Aug. 24, the board voted to adhere to Gov. Steve Sisolaks Emergency Directive 48. In that directive, masks are required for all staff and visitors inside of school buildings, regardless of vaccination status, the district said.

The definition of school buildings includes Central Office where administration offices and the board room is located, the district added.

Attendees who wish not to wear masks are asked to watch the board meeting virtually on the districts YouTube Channel.

Acting board president Teresa Dastrup said citations for trespass could be issued for those who do not wear a mask indoors.

If people choose to come and be disruptive and disrespectful and not allow the business of the district to carry on as it needs to, then if we need to have law enforcement involved, then we will, she said.

Public comment may be submitted via email to Dastrup at tdastrup@ecsdnv.net.

The Oct. 12 meeting ended almost immediately after it officially began after an exchange between Dastrup and audience members over wearing masks in the board room.

A video posted on Battle Born Media showed Dastrup asking attendees to get a mask before the meeting started. At one point, a school resource officer was told by Dastrup to escort these people out please until they wore a mask.

However, after a recess, Dastrup decided to adjourn the meeting, telling the audience that some people are not going to comply, so we will reconvene this meeting at a later date.

When audience members questioned why they were not required to wear a mask at the previous board meeting, Battle Born quoted Dastrup saying, We were trying to be nice, and since the public was not friendly [Dastrup] was done being nice.

Parents of Elko County founder Misty Atkins was sitting in the front row with member Raischelle Hoover and others who were among the first to enter the board room. Atkins said the quote was accurate and occurred before the video started.

In an interview with Elko Daily on Monday, Dastrup confirmed that she told the audience, We were trying to be nice. Exactly what I said after that, Im pretty sure we did not say, We were done being nice, but I may have come across like that.

Atkins said the mandate wasnt enforced at previous meetings and questioned Dastrup about the change.

The very first time she said, Put on a mask. I looked at her and said, Why do we need to do this now when we havent done it before? Atkins said.

On Sept. 28, a video posted on the districts YouTube channel showed that most individuals were without face coverings.

According to Dastrup, the mask requirement in the board room had been enforced for quite some time, but she arrived late to the Sept. 28 meeting and chose not to say anything to audience members not wearing face coverings.

There were already a lot of people in the board room, she recalled. [We decided] to get the meeting going, and lets take care of our business.

In hindsight, Dastrup said it was the wrong call to make.

We have enforced the masks, and we should have done it at that meeting because it caused problems at the last meeting, she said.

Dastrup said she wanted to keep the boards focus on education and not be political. This is not about adults, this should be about kids being able to stay in school and participating in activities, and teachers being able to teach.

She also encouraged parents with political concerns about the masks to get their group together and address it with the governor in Carson City.

Dastrup said she was open to having a one-on-one discussion with parents and community members on both sides of the argument in a private meeting to find a solution for the mask mandate instead of creating division and strife in the school district.

In reality, we could come to sort of a compromise and recognize that right now until the governor removes these emergency mandates, this is where we are, she said. The governor is not going to change his mind because people are attacking the school board at all.

Love 10 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 4

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
CARSON CITY (AP)  A Las Vegas city councilwoman who gained national attention for her support of militiamen who clashed with federal law officers during armed standoffs last decade said Tuesday she is running for governor of Nevada.

Republican Michele Fiore announced her plan to run at a news conference at the Italian-American club in Las Vegas, where she talked about her political battles and said shed bring the same fervor to fighting vaccine mandates, terrorist organizations and election fraud.

Fiore, a New York City native, served in Nevadas Assembly from 2012 to 2016, during which she opposed tax increases, supported gun rights and spearheaded a controversial proposal that would have dramatically curbed federal power to manage public lands and waters in Nevada.

Her ties to rancher Cliven Bundy and his family put her in a media spotlight during armed standoffs between self-described citizen militia members and federal law enforcement in Bunkerville, Nevada, in 2014 and Malheur, Oregon, in 2016.

She gained additional attention during a 2016 run for Congress for sending a Christmas card showing her and her family with a variety of firearms. She was elected to the City Council in 2017.

Ive spent my whole life fighting the establishment, Fiore says in a campaign video released Tuesday, standing in front of a Ford F-150 adorned with a Trump 2024 bumper sticker. We need outsiders, fighters, not the same old boring, moderate, compromise blue-blazer politicians.

The video shows Fiore walking through the desert in a red dress with a handgun strapped to her waist that she unholsters to fire at bottles labeled vaccine mandates, critical race theory and voter fraud.

Fiores entrance adds her to a list of Republican gubernatorial candidates in Nevada and other purple states who are assailing state-level executive actions that Democratic incumbents running for reelection have enacted. In Nevada, candidates trying to unseat Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak have blamed the states sluggish economic recovery on mandates and restrictions he put in place.

Michele Fiores entrance will only make this primary more expensive, bruising, and as far-right as it can get. Whoever makes it out alive will spend the general election trying to redefine themselves and refill their bank account, said Mallory Payne, a spokesperson for Nevada Democratic Victory, a group working to reelect Sisolak.

Fiores announcement comes amid reports of an FBI probe into Fiores campaign finance records and tales of physical confrontations with a former political ally at City Hall. The Las Vegas Review-Journal has reported that agents have subpoenaed records and searched Fiores home in northwest Las Vegas.

She will likely draw support from conservative Republicans who see her as a champion for gun rights and an advocate for former President Donald Trump. Her entrance may shift debates to the right in a race in which former U.S. Sen. Dean Heller, once known as a moderate, has refused to explicitly say Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election.

Besides Fiore and Heller, Nevadas June 2022 Republican primary field includes Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo, North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee, Reno attorney Joey Gilbert, Gardnerville surgeon Fred Simon and venture capitalist Guy Nohra.

On Tuesday, Fiore, who was elected Nevadas Republican National committeewoman in 2020, said she supported efforts to audit the states 2020 election result. Gilbert, who was outside the U.S. Capitol when it was violently stormed on Jan. 6 has also called for additional election review.

Fiore said she planned approach the campaign similar to her previous political battles and wouldnt work with Democrats if it meant compromising her positions.

That isnt me. Youll never hear me do that. If you want that, then vote for one of my primary opponents, Fiore said.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2
The disgraced former British spy Christopher Steele has kept a low profile in recent years. Understandably so, given that investigations revealed his dossier  the collection of anti-Trump stories he compiled to try to undermine Donald Trumps 2016 presidential candidacy  was filled with falsehoods and unverifiable claims. But now Steele has granted an interview to ABCs George Stephanopoulos. And if you were wondering whether Steele feels any remorse for being so wrong about something so important, wonder no more: He doesnt.

Steele is standing behind the dossier, and standing by even its most preposterous, unsupported allegations. Lets take one: the story that in August 2016, Trump fixer Michael Cohen met with Russian intelligence agents in Prague to arrange secret payments to the Russian hackers who hit the Clinton campaign. Cohen has vigorously denied the story, and after extensive investigation by the FBI and special counsels office, no evidence has emerged that it ever happened. But when Stephanopoulos asked Steele, Do you accept that finding, that it didnt happen? Steele responded, No, I dont.

Cohen has since turned on Trump, accusing his former boss of all sorts of wrongdoing and even implicating himself in some of those allegations. So why, Stephanopoulos asked, if Cohen seems to want to get back at Trump in every way possible, would he lie about the Prague allegation? Its self-incriminating to a very great degree, Steele answered. Its so incriminating and demeaning. And the other reason is, he might be scared of the consequences.

It was classic hugger-mugger spy talk, which appears to be Steeles specialty. In response, Cohen issued a statement saying, I eagerly await [Steeles] next secret dossier which proves the existence of Bigfoot, the Loch News Monster, and that Elvis is still alive.

Stephanopoulos asked Steele whether his refusal to accept the findings of FBI and Justice Department investigators might hurt his credibility. Im prepared to accept that not everything in the dossier is 100% accurate, Steele answered. I have yet to be convinced that [the Cohen story] is one of them.

Nor did Steele give an inch on another completely unproven allegation, the so-called pee tape story in which he claimed that in 2013, then-private citizen Trump watched as prostitutes performed a kinky sex act in a Moscow hotel room, with Russian spy cameras catching the whole thing on tape. A Justice Department inspector generals report said the source for that tale told the FBI he warned Steele the story was rumor and speculation and had not been confirmed by anyone, as Steele claimed. Then, the source told the FBI that some of the information, such as allegations about Trumps sexual activities, were statements he heard made in jest. It was bar talk, the source suggested  a joke.

But not to Christopher Steele. When asked why the source would admit that there was nothing to the hotel room story, Steele answered, If you have a confidential source and that confidential source is blown or is uncovered, that confidential source will often take fright and try and downplay and underestimate what theyve said and done. And I think that is probably what happened here. When Stephanopoulos asked if Steele thought the source is afraid, Steele said, I think anybody that is named in this context, particularly if they are Russian, has every reason to be afraid.

So again, Steele will not admit anything. When asked if he believes the pee tape really exists, Steele said, I think it probably does, but I wouldnt put 100% certainty on it. He even has an explanation for why, after all that has happened, the Russians have not released the tape. It hasnt needed to be released, Steele said, because I think the Russians felt they got pretty good value out of Donald Trump when he was president of the U.S.

All of which brought Steele back to what he does best: speculate. The tape might exist. The source might be afraid. Cohen might be scared, too. It might all be true! Just because the highest levels of U.S. intelligence and law enforcement spent enormous resources looking for proof  anything  of Steeles allegations and were unable to support them, they still might be true, right?

The big question is, why is Steele still pushing the dossier? First, its difficult for someone to admit that the accomplishment for which he is best known was a fraud. But second, its because Steele is still in the anti-Trump business, and Trump is still in politics. So business could pick up in the coming months and years. If so, Steele will be ready. The problems we identified back in 2016 havent gone away and arguably have actually got worse, Steele said. And I thought it was important to come and set the record straight.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Iowa is represented in the U.S. House by three Republicans and one Democrat. After last years census, an independent advisory commission drew a new map that reaffirmed the current balance, but made one of the Republican districts slightly more competitive.

This entirely reasonable adjustment was rejected by the state senate along strictly partisan lines: All Republicans opposed the map and all Democrats supported it. Afterwards, Democratic Sen. Tony Bisignano warned: The partisanship is killing this country. The partisanship is killing this body. Its killing local bodies. Its killing neighborhoods and friendships.

States are now drawing new district lines for a Congress where Democrats hold a very narrow margin. As Elaine Kamarck of the Brookings Institution writes, The stakes could not be higher, since the new maps will dictate politics for years to come.

Those maps wont just determine which party controls the House, however. They will influence which legislators come to Washington and how they perform their jobs.

Today, the center of the Congress has been hollowed out. Pragmatists in both parties who represent swing districts  and actually pay attention to voters from the other party  are headed for extinction. The U.S. House closely resembles a European parliament, where theres virtually no negotiation or even conversation across partisan lines. And the rigidity is getting worse.

Of the countrys 435 congressional districts, Trump or President Biden won just 50 of them by 5 or less percentage points, reports The Washington Post. Those swing districts could be reduced by at least a third after redistricting, experts estimate.

In Texas, Democrats were eyeing two districts with growing Latino populations as possible takeovers, but Republicans drafted new maps that probably puts them out of reach. In Ohio, Republican governor Mike DeWine signed off on a new plan and admitted, This committee could have come up with a bill that was much more clearly, clearly constitutional, and Im sorry we did not do that.

Republicans shoulder most of the blame, but only because they control more state legislatures and governorships. When they have the chance, Democrats can be equally perfidious. In Oregon, for instance, the legislature made two swing districts more heavily blue. In Maryland, Democrats are contemplating a map that would eliminate the only remaining Republican congressman in a state that has a Republican governor and almost 1 million Trump voters.

In Illinois and New York, Democratic mapmakers could eliminate districts represented by Adam Kinzinger and John Katko  two of the 10 Republicans who stood up to President Trump and backed his impeachment.

Right now, Democrats in Illinois are picking their own voters behind closed doors  using their power to make sure their party stays in power, Kinzinger said in press statement. We see this on both sides of the aisle, and this adherence to party politics will only further the divide we have in this country. Tribalism is absolutely ruining politics, and its leaving many to feel politically homeless as a result.

Jason Altmire, a moderate Democrat who was gerrymandered out of his seat near Pittsburgh a decade ago, told the Post, If youre representing a district where you have to listen to both sides, you hear both points of view, and then you go to Washington and you find most everyone else comes from a district where they only hear one viewpoint.

In todays Congress, the extremes prevail: the tea party on the right and the Sanderistas on the left. If you draw a district thats safe, the party no longer cares about recruiting a broadly appealing candidate, David Wasserman, an election analyst for the Cook Political Report, observed in the Post. This is a vicious cycle in that the decline of competitive seats leads to a more extreme and dysfunctional Congress.

For many years, voting rights advocates hoped the Supreme Court would step in and rule that radical gerrymandering violates the Constitution. But in 2019, five justices nominated by Republicans threw up their hands and said redistricting was a political issue, not a legal one. Justice Elena Kagan warned in an angry dissent: The practices challenged in these cases imperil our system of government.

Ten states now use some form of independent commission to draw district lines, and Congress should pass a long-stalled bill that would mandate those panels for all states. As Iowa demonstrates, commissions can be subverted by partisan warriors, but they are far preferable to a system dominated by raw political power.

A legislature without centrists will only continue the vicious cycle that makes Congress increasingly extreme and dysfunctional.

Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Photo for illustration (Source: NDO)

The country produced over 24.8 million tonnes of steel during the period, nearly 22 million tonnes of which were sold, up 34.1 percent and 32.5 percent, respectively, year on year, said the Vietnam News Agency.

In the third quarter alone, steel output reached nearly 7.16 million tonnes, up 4 percent year on year, while steel sales slid 7 percent to over 6.2 million tonnes, as a result of social distancing measures imposed to stamp out the spread of COVID-19 in many major industrial cities and provinces.

The VSA reported that though Vietnams nine-month steel imports edged up just 1 percent in volume, to 14.9 million tonnes, the value surged 44 percent to 11 billion USD.

The association forecast the steel exports will regain growth momentum during the remaining months of the year following the removal of COVID-19 restrictions.

The steel industry also expects the new-generation Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), in which Vietnam is signatory to, and the recovery of production and construction will further fuel the growth.

Vietnam airlines to increase frequency of domestic flights

The Ministry of Transport announced that it has built plans on restoring domestic flights in the period from October 21  November 30 based on the outcomes of the pilot resumption of domestic flights from October 10-17.

Accordingly, a maximum of six flights each way daily will be allowed on the routes connecting Hanoi  Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi  Da Nang, and Da Nang  Ho Chi Minh City from October 21  November 14, and the number will be raised to seven during November 15-30, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Photo for illustration (Source: VNA)

On other routes, the maximum will be four flights each way per day.

The frequency of flights by each airline on each route will be increase by one per day on November 1 and 15 if the average seat occupancy of all airlines on the route during the previous 7 days reached at least 75 percent.

During the pilot period from October 10-17, Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways and Pacific Airlines operated 193 flights on 17 routes to and from 17 out of 22 airports.

The total number of passengers was over 12,900, of whom 49 percent flew with Vietnam Airlines, 32.5 percent with Vietjet Air, 15.6 percent with Bamboo Airways and 2.9 percent with Pacific Airlines.

The Transport Ministry also set conditions for passengers from October 21, which require passengers to meet one of the three criteria, either having certificates for full vaccination for at least 14 days and no later than 12 months before departure, or recovery from COVID-19 no later than six months before departure, or testing negative to SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR and rapid antigen testing methods no later than 72 hours before departure.

Vietnamese director wins award at Busan Film Festival

Film project If Wood Could Cry, It Would Cry Blood directed by Nguyen Phan Linh Dan has won the ArteKino International Award at the Asian Project Market (APM) as part of the ongoing 26th Busan International Film Festival 2021.

Linh Dan has received a prestigious prize worth EUR6,000, said the Voice of Vietnam.

Nguyen Phan Linh Dan (Source: tienphong.vn)

The film is based on the novel Tam Van Phong Dao (Knife Throwing Game) by famous comedian Mac Can. It tells the story of magicians working in a mobile circus troupe travelling throughout the southern region and focuses on three siblings who perform the famous knife-throwing act.

Linh Dan previously studied film and TV production at the New York University, Tisch School of the Arts. She later became the first female Vietnamese cinematographer after directing Bi Mat Cua Gio (Secrets of the Wind), which premiered at the 2019 Busan International Film Festival.

The purpose of the Asian Project Market is to link new film projects with global film investors, producers, and distributors.

The organising board announced 25 projects from 14 countries which will compete in the finals, with seven given different awards as part of the event.

Last saw Tick It by Tran Thanh Huy win an award at the APM.

Trademark Vietnam Rice protected in 22 foreign countries

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) said that the trademark Vietnam Rice has by now been protected in 22 foreign countries, urging for the issuance of a legal document managing the use of the trademark.

Vietnam has been among the worlds top three rice exporters, together with Thailand and India, for years, the MARD said in a report sent to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on October 19, reported the Vietnam News Agency.

Trademark Vietnam Rice (Photo: nld.com.vn)

According to the MARD, Vietnam Rice has become a Generic Trademark in 19 countries, including Indonesia, Russia and 17 member states of the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI). It has also been registered as a Certification Trademark in three countries, namely China, Brunei and Norway. The MARD holds the ownership of the trademark in these countries.

It is important to heighten awareness of Vietnamese rice products among exporters, importers, distributors and consumers both at home and overseas, the ministry said. Protection of the trademark also lays a basis for Vietnamese rice to expand its market and increase added value and competitiveness globally, as well as preventing the faking of Vietnamese origin.

Photo for illustration (Source: VTV)

Vietnam must also urgently grant the right to use the trademark to Vietnamese producers and exporters as the trademark will be probably revoked if it is not used by the owner for 3  5 years in accordance to regulations of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and laws of some Madrid System member states, it noted.

The ministry proposed the PM to permit it to develop a decree providing a set of procedures for administering the use of Vietnam Rice./.
Photo for illustration (Source: ytemienbac.vn)

These masks were purchased from a fundraiser of more than 85,000USD from nearly 1,000 domestic and foreign individuals and organizations, especially overseas Vietnamese in the US, including VietBay, Asia Partners, VNHelp, and Good Book Fund to support the COVID-19 prevention and control work in Vietnam.

43,200 N95-8210 specialized medical masks of the program, worth more than 32,000 USD, received transportation and customs clearance support from the Consul General of Vietnam in San Francisco, State Commission for Overseas Vietnamese under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Innovation Network under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and some individuals and businesses.

Receiving the masks donated by overseas Vietnamese, doctors were very touched by the kindness of benefactors who have accompanied the frontline workers against the pandemic in Vietnam in general and HCMC in particular.

Previously, 46,000USD from the campaign "10,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine for Vietnam" donated by Vietnamese people at home and abroad was directly transferred to Vietnam's national COVID-19 vaccine fund. This amount is the result of the two groups Joining Hands for Vietnam and Support Young Scholars calling for and donating from Vietnamese people around the world, especially Vietnamese in the US, through many meaningful activities and joining hands of a large number of overseas Vietnamese students and former overseas Vietnamese students in the US.

In the coming time, the group "Joining hands for Vietnam" said it will continue to call on donors to raise funds to buy masks to support doctors and volunteers in the COVID-19 prevention and control in Ho Chi Minh City and call for joint support for orphans due to the COVID-19 pandemic./.
Ukraine has fulfilled all the prior actions for receiving the $700 million tranche of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), since on October 19 the Verkhovna Rada adopted the laws necessary to continue cooperation, adviser to the President of Ukraine on economic issues Oleh Ustenko has said.

"Everything has been done for this tranche, the details of the memorandum are being coordinated with the IMF. After agreeing it, everything will be completely ready for the issue to be brought up to a meeting of the board of directors," Ustenko said in a comment to Interfax-Ukraine on Wednesday.

On October 19, parliament adopted a number of laws necessary for this, in particular, the law on the independence of the National Bank and amendments to the law on the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU).

"Thus, the Ukrainian issue can be brought up at the first next meetings of the Board of Directors of the Fund. We look forward to a positive decision, namely, the receipt of a new tranche in Ukraine and a decision to extend the program until July 2022. This gives Ukraine the opportunity to fully choose what is reserved for the state - funding of $5 billion, which is very atypical for Ukraine," explained the presidential adviser.

He clarified that in case of a positive decision of the board of directors, funding will come in a few days.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the agreements reached with the IMF on the first revision of the Stand-By Arrangement program (SBA) will be approved in November.

A staff-level agreement (SLA) should pave the way for consideration of the first revision of the SBA and a request for an extension of the program by the IMF's board of directors. The agreement, as well as the authorities' request to extend the program, must be approved by the Fund's management and the IMF's board of directors.

In June 2020, the IMF approved a stand-by program for Kyiv with a total volume of about $5 billion, immediately allocating the first tranche of financing in the amount of $2.1 billion. Four revisions of the program's conditions were planned for the allocation of the remaining four tranches. However, the agreed schedule was violated, and funding was suspended due to Ukraine's failure to fulfill a number of obligations.
Naftogaz plans to increase production by 1.8 times over 10 years, to 24 bcm  Vitrenko

Naftogaz Ukrainy sets itself the task of increasing natural gas production in the next ten years by 1.8 times  from the current about 13 billion cubic meters (bcm) to 24 billion cubic meters, CEO Yuriy Vitrenko said during the Ukrainian Gas Investment Congress held in Kyiv.

According to him, it is advisable to develop gas production both onshore and offshore at a production cost of up to $ 160 per 1,000 cubic meters, while Naftogaz has projects cheaper than this cost.

Vitrenko also said that the company will try to attract international investments for the development of Ukrainian gas production.

"Our task is not to compete with other companies, but to become a platform for attracting investments in the gas industry," he said.

According to the presentation of Naftogaz, amid the ongoing depletion of existing fields, the main increase in production is expected due to the development of the shelf, the Yuzivske field and gas from tight gas reservoirs.

As reported, Naftogaz over the past year gained access to the Black Sea shelf, Yuzivske area and four more large oil and gas areas within the framework of the PSA.

Ukrgazvydobuvannia, 100% of which belongs to Naftogaz, in 2020 reduced gross gas production by 5% compared to 2019 - to 14.233 billion cubic meters, including marketable gas - by 1.3%, to 13.448 billion cubic meters.

In January-September 2021, Ukrgazvydobuvannia reduced gross gas production by 4.8% compared to the same period in 2020  to 10.204 billion cubic meters, including production of marketable gas  by 4.8%, to 9.652 billion cubic meters.
G7 Ambassadors in Ukraine welcome adoption of amendments to law on NABU by Rada

The ambassadors of the G7 countries in Ukraine welcomed the adoption by the Verkhovna Rada of amendments No. 5459-1 to the law on the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU).

"G7 Ambassadors welcome the adoption of the law on NABU by Verkhovna Rada & cross-party support for it. This is a step forward in strengthening independent anti-corruption institutions. Transparency & competitiveness in selecting new director will be crucial," the UK Presidency of the G7 Ambassadors' Support Group in Kyiv said in a statement posted on Twitter Wednesday.

As reported, on Tuesday, the Verkhovna Rada supported bill No. 5459-1 on bringing the status of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine in line with the requirements of the Constitution.

The bill changes the status of NABU and makes it a central executive body with a special status. (Today, NABU is a state law enforcement agency.) At the same time, the requirements of the Cabinet of Ministers on appointing the main staff of the central executive body do not apply to the National Bureau.

The bill also removes the norm according to which NABU is created by the president.

According to the changes, the Cabinet of Ministers coordinates the work of NABU within the limits and in the manner established by this law, but the government does not approve the regulation on NABU.

The Cabinet of Ministers appoints and dismisses the director of National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (currently the president).

The competitive selection for the post of NABU director is organized and conducted by a commission, which includes six people, of which three members of the commission are proposed by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and three more  by the Cabinet on the basis of proposals from partners who provided international technical assistance to Ukraine to prevent and combat corruption.

As Head of the parliamentary committee on anti-corruption policy Anastasia Radina (the Servant of the People parliamentary faction) said during the discussion of proposals and amendments to the bill, independent experts will work in the competition committee, as recommended by the Venice Commission.

According to an explanatory note to the bill, the Constitutional Court on August 28, 2020 recognized presidential decree No. 218/2015 on the appointment of Artem Sytnyk as director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine unconstitutional, and on September 16, 2020, the Constitutional Court declared unconstitutional certain provisions of the Law of Ukraine on the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine.
EU Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore, during his visit to eastern Ukraine, announced the allocation of an additional EUR 3.5 million in humanitarian aid to support vulnerable groups of the population, in particular the elderly.

"During his visit to eastern Ukraine Eamon Gilmore, announced an additional EUR 3.5 million in humanitarian aid. This money will notably help the most vulnerable, like elderly people, to access essential support and prepare for winter," the EU Delegation to Ukraine said on Twitter.

As reported on the website of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, Gilmore visited Kramatorsk, where he noted the support of the people of Ukraine from the EU.

He said that the European Union supports the people of Ukraine, including vulnerable populations in the context of the conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that the humanitarian aid is a key element of their support.

According to the Mission, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the humanitarian situation has worsened, which has led to even greater instability and vulnerability of the population.

Additional funding, in particular, will help gain access to medicine and basic necessities, as well as prepare for the coming winter. The EU stressed that they will support people in the east of Ukraine as much as they need, but only the establishment of permanent peace can provide a real solution to the problem.

Aid will go to vulnerable population on both sides of the contact line, the message says.

In 2021, the European Commission allocated EUR 29 million in humanitarian aid for eastern Ukraine. Since the beginning of the conflict, the European Union has allocated EUR 194 million to help people in Ukraine.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, demanding that Ukraine provide consular access to a Russian citizen detained in Donbas, thereby recognized the participation of its citizens in the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on Donbas said in a statement.

"The Russian Foreign Ministry has officially recognized the participation of Russian citizens in the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine. We congratulate the Russian representatives on this courageous step: it is difficult to admit reality after eight years of consistent lies," it said on Facebook on Wednesday.

The delegation notes that they expect from Russian diplomacy "strength and inspiration in taking down the next barrier," namely, the official recognition of the full responsibility of the Russian leadership for the solution and continuation of the international armed conflict in eastern Ukraine.

"This is the main guarantee of the beginning of the process of a real peace settlement," they add.

As reported, on October 13, an operational group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine detained representative of the Russian armed formations, citizen of the Russian Federation, native of Ukrainian Alchevsk (Donetsk region) Andrey Valentinovich Kosyak.

The detainee was a member of a group of armed persons who, with the bandages of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC), under the pretext of demining, conducted reconnaissance of the positions left by the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Zolote.

Weapons, ammunition, a military ID and a Russian passport, which, judging by the record, he received in February 2021, were seized from him. Kosyak is also suspected of committing a grave crime in 2010 in accordance with Article 115 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (premeditated murder).

The Russian Foreign Ministry demanded that the Ukrainian side inform about his whereabouts and ensure consular access to him, as well as the observance of his rights.
PM: We have no plans to introduce full lockdown throughout the country

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal has said the government has no plans to introduce a full lockdown across the country.

"We do not plan to introduce a full lockdown across the country and stop the economy. But as the president said: the only alternative to lockdown is precisely mass vaccination," Shmyhal said at a government meeting on Wednesday.

The prime minister also said that several more regions may soon fall into the "red" zone.
November 2-4, 2021

IEC, 15, Brovarsky ave, Kiev.

WINE&SPIRITS Ukraine - The Fourth International Exhibition - a meeting place for wine, spirits and beer producers from all over the world with importers, sommeliers, distributors, representatives of retail and restaurant business from Ukraine and abroad.

Among the participants of the exhibition are well-known Ukrainian producers of wines and spirits in Ukraine and abroad - Chateau Chizay, 46 Parallel, Beykush, Prince Trubetskoy, Inkerman, Prestige Group, Odesos, Koblevo, Cotnar and small winemakers and producers of craft spirits.

Also, manufacturers from Armenia, Argentina, Bulgaria, Great Britain, Georgia, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Lithuania, Moldova, Portugal, USA and France, already represented on the Ukrainian market or only planning to enter it, will present their products.

https://wineandspirits.com.ua/catalogue2021/

BeerEx Ukraine - the exposition of beer and low-alcohol drinks will be presented for the third time in the framework of Wine&Spirits Ukraine and will bring together not only Ukrainian craft and industrial producers, but also breweries from the Czech Republic, Spain, Belgium and other countries.

In addition to alcoholic beverages, the exhibition will feature technologies for winemaking and brewing, and packaging.

For Ukrainian manufacturers, the exhibition is not only an opportunity to expand the representation of their brands in all regions of Ukraine, but also an export platform, since among the visitors there are buyers from other countries - USA, Japan, Canada, Portugal, Kenya, Lithuania, Slovakia, Denmark, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, The Netherlands, India, Great Britain, Kazakhstan, etc.

The rich business program of the exhibition will attract the attention of the leading market players.

So on November 2, the Tre Bicchieri World Tour will take place - for the first time in Ukraine, the main Italian media holding Gambero Rosso will present the best wines of Italy, the winners of Tre Bicchieri - Three glasses of the VINI d'Italia wine guide - the highest award for Italian producers!

To select the best of the best, experts taste more than 44,000 wines throughout the year, and only 1% of them will receive the honorary Tre Bicchieri - 476 in 2021. And this wines will be presented by Italian winemakers in Kiev - the first city that will meet the winners right after the grandiose awards ceremony in Rome!

Wine&Spirits Congress with the support and participation of the Association Ukrsadvinprom will raise the topic of promotion to export markets, as well as separate panels will be devoted to retail and HoReCa - within the Wine&Spirits Retail and Resto Forum, senior executives and off-trade experts, restaurateurs and sommeliers will share their experience in the development of modern trade in wine and spirits, the rules of "entering the chain", and will also be awarded for the best representation in the store and the best list of wines and spirits.

Within the framework of the exhibition, the Fourth International Tasting Competition Ukraine Wine&Spirits Awards will be held with the support and participation Association of Sommelier of Ukraine and the International Sommelier Association. The competition will bring together 50 best professionals of the wine industry of Ukraine and Europe, who will blindly taste the products in order to choose the most worthy wines and spirits presented on the Ukrainian market. Companies will be able to place all medals received at the competition on the label of their product in the future.

Also, the guests will receive training seminars on previously little-known wine regions - Switzerland, Bulgaria and Armenia.

A series of master classes with the best wines of Italy from Marco Sabelico - editor-in-chief of Gambero Rosso, as well as presentations from Italian, Georgian, Moldovan, French and other producers who will not only present their wines, but also talk about the peculiarities of terroir and wine production in their region.

Visitors of the exhibition are sommeliers, importers, distributors, buyers of HoReCa, retail and e-commerce will be able to familiarize themselves with a wide range of wines, alcoholic beverages and beer, get an idea of new product lines in the alcoholic sector to expand their range and choose the most favorable purchasing conditions.

Wine&Spirits Ukraine and BeerEx Ukraine exhibitions will be held simultaneously with the largest international food and beverage exhibition in Ukraine WorldFood Ukraine.

Registration of visitors https://wineandspirits.com.ua/visit/

www.wineandspirits.com.ua

www.beerex.org
An FBI agent mans his post as the U.S. law enforcement agency conducted a raid at Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska's home in Washington, U.S. (Photo : REUTERS/Kevin Fogarty)

FBI agents on Tuesday raided Washington and New York City homes linked to Oleg Deripaska, a Russian billionaire under U.S. sanctions who once employed Paul Manafort, a chairman of Donald Trump's 2016 U.S. presidential campaign.



Two sources familiar with the investigation said the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan, also known as the Southern District of New York, is leading the probe related to Deripaska, a metals industry magnate with Kremlin ties.



Advertisement

In Washington, FBI agents sealed off and searched a mansion in one of the U.S. capital's wealthiest neighborhoods, carrying boxes out of the house, which had yellow "CRIME SCENE DO NOT ENTER" tape across the front, and towing away a vehicle.



A spokesperson for the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed the agency was conducting a court-authorized law enforcement activity at the home, which the Washington Post has previously reported was linked to the Russian oligarch.



A separate spokesperson for the FBI's New York field office confirmed "law enforcement activity" at a home in New York's Greenwich Village neighborhood but declined further comment.



Three FBI SUV vehicles converged on the two-story home in New York, with agents carrying out boxes and rolls of bubble wrap which they put in a white van. Officers blocked off access to the street and prevented local residents from entering it.



The reason for the searches was unclear, and the FBI spokespeople gave no details.



A representative for Deripaska said the homes being searched belong to relatives of the oligarch. Reuters could not immediately determine Deripaska's whereabouts.



Washington imposed sanctions on Deripaska, 53, and other influential Russians because of their ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin after alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election which Moscow denies.



Deripaska once employed Manafort, who was convicted in 2018 of criminal charges arising from the U.S. investigation into the alleged interference but was pardoned by then-president Trump in December.



The U.S. Treasury said Deripaska was sanctioned because he acted, or claimed to act, for the Russian government. It said he had been investigated for money laundering and accused of threatening rivals, illegal wiretapping, extortion and racketeering.



Deripaska owns part of Rusal via his stake in the giant aluminum producer's parent company En+ Group. Washington previously dropped sanctions against both companies but kept them on Deripaska.



Rusal's Moscow-listed shares extended losses after the report of the raid on the Washington home, falling 6%.



The representative for Deripaska, who declined to give their name because of company policy, confirmed the raid on both homes and said they belong to Deripaska's family rather than the executive himself.



Deripaska's representative said the searches were carried out on the basis of two court warrants related to the U.S. sanctions but provided no further details.


U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), with Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA), Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), Rep. (Photo : REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

U.S. President Joe Biden and Democratic lawmakers are edging toward a deal on the scope of their cornerstone economic revival package and hope to reach a compromise as soon as this week, people briefed on the negotiations said on Tuesday.



Scrambling to broker an agreement, Biden met with 19 lawmakers on Tuesday, an unusually busy day of legislative negotiations. He aimed to secure what may be the signature effort of his administration, a multitrillion-dollar, two-bill legislative package that expands social safety net programs and infrastructure spending.



Advertisement

One source said a deal could be announced midweek if things go well; two others said the White House was hoping for an announcement in coming days.



A spending package that was originally estimated at $3.5 trillion over a decade could be $1.9 trillion to $2.2 trillion, said Representative Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Progressive Caucus in the House of Representatives, after meeting with Biden.



Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also said Democrats aim to reach a framework deal this week. Speaking to reporters following a closed-door lunch with fellow Democrats, he said: "There was universal agreement in that room that we have to come to an agreement, and we want to get it done this week."



A deal is likely to be far less ambitious than Biden's plan. Initiatives in his original proposal that may see cuts include $322 billion for affordable housing, money for paid family leave and some $400 billion earmarked to increase home-based care for the elderly and disabled, according to a person familiar with the matter.



Biden has told lawmakers that a program providing free community college is on the chopping block and a child tax credit may be extended for fewer years than planned, according to people familiar with the discussions.



All of the people warned that negotiations were fragile, still under way and that a deal could still collapse.



U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has set Oct. 31 as the deadline for the House to pass a $1.2 trillion infrastructure deal that the Senate has already approved and has broad bipartisan support.



As part of the blitz of meetings that tested his negotiating skills honed over decades in Congress, Biden met on Tuesday with House progressives, who have been unwilling to pass the infrastructure bill unless it is coupled with the larger budget bill that would fund Biden's campaign pledges on climate, inequality and social programs.



"We all feel still even more optimistic about getting to an agreement," to get a large measure of what they wanted months ago, said Jayapal.



She said there still weren't "final" details on major portions of the initiative, including on climate change. Another progressive, Representative Ro Khanna, said Biden's plan for universal preschool remained a priority.



White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the various factions are "coming closer to a path forward."



The president met Tuesday with moderate Democratic senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, who have voiced concern about the size of the bill and pushed Biden to reduce the original cost. They have a virtual veto over his agenda because both chambers of Congress are controlled only narrowly by Democrats. Republicans largely oppose the larger social-spending bill.



Asked about the size of the spending bill, Manchin yelled, "I'm at $1.5" trillion to reporters in Congress on Tuesday evening.



Democratic Senator Jon Tester, who attended a White House meeting with another group of moderates, said afterward, "I think we're making really good progress, better progress than I ever thought we were making."



One of Biden's major selling points in last year's presidential campaign was his ability to find a middle ground at a time of deep political polarization, touting his 36 years as a moderate Democratic U.S. senator from Delaware.



Weeks of negotiations nonetheless failed to bridge the gap on the spending bill. Biden said on Oct. 1 that he would find an agreement "whether it's in six minutes, six days or in six weeks," but White House officials were increasingly concerned as the weeks ticked by.


EU says Turkey still 'backsliding' on reforms, gloomy on membership chances

European Union (R) and Turkish flags fly at the business and financial district of Levent in Istanbul, Turkey (Photo : REUTERS/Osman Orsal)

The European Union's executive said on Tuesday that Turkey's bid to join the bloc had "come to a standstill" amid serious democratic shortfalls, in its most critical annual report since Ankara began membership talks 16 years ago.



The European Commission said President Tayyip Erdogan's government had overseen a continued erosion of democracy and the rule of law and had ignored the EU's recommendations last year.



Advertisement

The report also suggested for the first time that Ankara was no longer serious about delivering on EU-backed reforms, even though Erdogan recommited in April to the goal of full EU membership as both sides tried to improve relations.



"The EU's serious concerns on the continued deterioration of democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights and the independence of the judiciary have not been addressed. There was further backsliding in many areas," the Commission said.



"Under the current circumstances, Turkey's accession negotiations have effectively come to a standstill," it said.



Turkey's foreign ministry said the report showed a "double-standard approach" by the EU and rejected the "unfair criticisms and baseless claims". It accused the bloc of failing to keep its promises to Turkey and of not fulfilling its responsibilities.



"Turkey maintains in the strongest terms its strategic choice of full EU membership," the ministry said in a statement.



"It would be in everyone's interest if the EU, taking into account our common general interests, sees Turkey as a candidate country that is negotiating, not as a partner with whom to have daily give-take relations."



A NATO ally, Turkey has been negotiating its EU membership since 2005 after economic and political reforms that made it an important emerging market economy and trade partner.



But since Erdogan's hardline response to an attempted coup in July 2016, the paths of EU and Turkey have diverged sharply, despite better diplomatic relations since the start of 2021.



A purge of opponents launched in mid-2016 continues, the report said, noting "broad-scale restrictions imposed on the activities of journalists, writers, lawyers, academics, human rights defenders and critical voices".



Ankara says its security measures are necessary, given the severity of the threats facing Turkey, which shares land borders with Iraq and Syria.



Erdogan's increase of presidential powers from 2017, which the EU says lack sufficient democratic checks, and his more forceful foreign policy, have also badly strained relations.



In its 2021 report, the Commission questioned Turkey's "ability to assume the obligations of membership" and said Ankara pursued reforms in areas from the economy to rule of law "on a rather ad hoc basis".



It is for the EU's 27 member states, not the Commission, to decide whether Turkey's EU membership bid should be formally annulled. Many believe they should nudge Turkey into a different, looser relationship based around deeper trade ties.


Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Bill Gates shake hands during the Global Investment Summit at the Science Museum, in London, Britain, (Photo : Leon Neal/Pool via REUTERS)

Bill Gates is working with the British government to invest and bring down the cost of new greener technologies to help countries hit net-zero emission targets by 2050.



Speaking at a Global Investment Summit alongside Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Gates said investment was needed to further develop new technologies that were currently too expensive for the consumer market.



Advertisement

Gates said he would work with the UK to identify which projects should be backed, and that he expected at least one of the projects to be ready to scale up in the next five years.



"We will scale those up and bring down that cost, so we'll get these to the same place we are today with solar and onshore wind, and so they can be scaled up to reduce emissions," he said.



Johnson's government said the 400 million pound ($552 million) partnership would supercharge green tech investment across the country, including in areas such as green hydrogen, long-term energy storage, sustainable aviation fuels and direct air capture of carbon dioxide.



Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, made the commitment through his Breakthrough Energy Catalyst which brings together a coalition of private investors who want to back innovation to tackle climate change.



Britain has already pledged at least 200 million pounds to the development of new UK projects, and investors and businesses in the Gates project will match that sum.



($1 = 0.7251 pounds)


Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at a meeting commemorating the 110th anniversary of Xinhai Revolution at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China (Photo : REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo/File Photo)

Chinese President Xi Jinping is facing resistance over a nationwide property tax aimed at curbing housing speculation, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people with knowledge of government deliberations.



Earlier this year, Xi assigned to Han Zheng, the most senior of China's four vice premiers, the task of rolling out the levy much more widely, according to the report.



Advertisement

However, Beijing is now settling for a limited tax plan because of strong pushback, while a proposal involving state-provided affordable housing is emerging as an alternative, the WSJ reported.



An initial proposal to test-run the tax in some 30 cities has been scaled back to around 10, the report said.



In an essay in the ruling Communist Party journal Qiushi, published by the official Xinhua news agency on Friday, Xi had called for China to "vigorously and steadily advance" legislation for a property tax.



China has mulled such a tax for over a decade but faced resistance from stakeholders including local governments themselves, who fear it would erode property values or trigger a market sell-off.



In internal debates, the feedback to Xi's property-tax plan from both the party's elites and its rank-and-file members has been overwhelmingly negative, the WSJ report said, citing the people familiar with the deliberations.


EgyptAir Maintenance and Engineering company on Monday signed a contract with Jazeera Airways to provide daily maintenance services to the Kuwaiti airline's aircrafts at six Egyptian airports.
President Joe Biden will transfer power to Vice President Kamala Harris during the "brief" time Friday he is under anesthesia for a colonoscopy as part of a regular health check, the White House said.
On the 11th anniversary of the Syrian Revolution, what is the situation as it stands from Turkey

Just as expected, the Geneva talks on a new Syrian constitution collapsed in late January. Since then, hopes for a breakthrough in the Syrian crisis have receded into the far distance.

As the tragedy enters its 12th year, however, foreign stakeholders appear to be shifting their positions. They have evidently wearied of that protracted crisis, which would never have grown so complex, intractable and tragic had it not been for their interference to begin with.

Last week, Turkey and Qatar joined Russia in launching what Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu described as a new trilateral consultation process... to contribute to efforts to reach a lasting political solution to the conflict in war-torn Syria.

Naturally this latest bid to break through the political impasse stirred considerable speculation here in Ankara. At least for the moment, no answers were forthcoming from the presidential palace or its media apparatus, which remained unusually tight-lipped on the events in Doha on 10 March. One had to turn to the opposition press and some NGOs for insights into what motivated that meeting of antitheses and why in Qatar and why now.

In those circles, the general belief was that with the current pandemic (and plummeting foreign currency reserves in the case of Turkey) Syria had become too costly a burden to all the three countries (as well as Iran, which is ever present in the background). In any case Ankara appears to have suddenly overcome its Bashar Al-Assad obsession and no longer cares whether he stays or goes.

So, apart from some grumbling for the sake of form, perhaps, it will voice no objections to Syrias return to the Arab League which Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov believes will have a positive effect on conditions in the Middle East. Qatar was calculatedly vague on this point. It said there were reasons the Syrian seat in the Arab League was still vacant but that ultimately this is something for the Syrians to decide.

According to informed sources, such statements reflect a marked shift in the positions of the tiny emirate, one encouraged by Lavrov who said, I can only welcome Qatars desire to make its contribution to creating the conditions for overcoming the current tragic situation in Syria.

Still, to avoid the appearance of a sharp U-turn on the part of the Qatari authorities, the Qatar-based AlJazeera TV hosted former Syrian prime minister Riyad Hijab who reiterated the prediction he made years ago after he defected from the Al-Assad regime: The phase of change is inevitable and close at hand, and Al-Assad will not be in it. That Doha served as the venue for this tripartite meeting is ironic. Exactly a decade ago, the Qatari capital cheered the Daraa uprising, hailing it as a revolution while omitting all mention of the fact that it was consummately Salafi in identity.

For opponents of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Turkey, the policy reversals embodied in the Doha meeting were an occasion to critique Erdogan, whom they reminded of how he had leagued with the Qataris to back the extremists in the Syrian uprising, imagining it was possible to engineer the overthrow of Al-Assad in a matter of weeks or months.

Now, ten years later, they have finally acknowledged their failure. Moreover, Dohas guest, Lavrov, could boast that his country had saved Al-Assad from their scheme and helped him repel Turkish and Qatari backed jihadists. In other words, the Russian victor had come to Doha to steer the losers away from their proxies.

Erdogans critics also reminded him of how, on 2 February 2011, the Muslim Brotherhood (whose leaders and media organs are hosted and sponsored by Turkey) seized the opportunity of the 29th anniversary of the Hama Massacre to proclaim a Day of Rage in Syria, only to end up in an alliance with Abdel-Halim Khaddam, the leader of the Syrian National Liberation Front and notorious Butcher of Hama.

Erdogan had other things to worry about: reports of a Russian-US initiative appear to have paved the way for a constructive process in neighbouring Syria, one that might marginalise him. Erdogan may simply withdraw from occupied Syrian territory, leaving behind the 70,000-strong Syrian National Army he had put together around a main body of 40,000 fighters from the Al-Qaeda affiliated Nusra Front. Worse yet was the spectre of Washington and Tehran reaching an understanding over the Iranian nuclear question in which case Iran might be in a position to strengthen its role in Syria with Western blessing.

But how, exactly, might Erdogan throw a spanner into a process that has begun to take shape with backing from Saudi Arabia and the UAE? He had been isolated on all sides when Abu Dhabi and Riyadh began to advance, at his expense, into the territory of the hotspots he had helped create in order to expand his influence. Abu Dhabi has reportedly given Al-Assad generous support in his war against the Turkish-backed militias in Idlib, pledging to foot the bill for the reconstruction of the areas liberated by the Syrian army. The UAE has also worked together with Saudi Arabia to reshape the Syrian opposition, bringing to the fore Syrian opposition figures who had been living in these countries for years and might be more acceptable to Damascus.

Meanwhile, Ankara has been coming under attack from the US and Europe for its interventions and aggressive behaviour in all directions, including Syria. The EU Parliaments resolution of 11 March 2021 on the Syrian conflict was unprecedented in the breadth and tone of its censure. It stated that Turkey has been intervening directly in Syria since 2016 with a view to occupying the northern parts of the country, predominantly consisting of Syrian Kurdish enclaves, in violation of international law and called on Turkey to withdraw its troops from northern Syria which it is illegally occupying outside of any UN mandate.

It also condemned Turkeys illegal transfers of Kurdish Syrians from occupied northern Syria to Turkey for detention and prosecution in violation of Turkeys international obligations under the Geneva Conventions and urged that all Syrian detainees who have been transferred to Turkey be immediately repatriated to the occupied territories in Syria.

The statement expressed concern that Turkey might be practising ethnic cleansing against Syrian Kurds, condemning its use of Syrian mercenaries in conflicts in Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh, in violation of international law, and stressed that Turkeys illegal invasion and occupation has jeopardised peace in Syria, the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 18 March, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Search Keywords:

Short link:


A project to transport Egyptian gas and Jordanian electricity to Lebanon via Syria may be part of an intricate political game in the region

A high-level Lebanese delegation visited Syria some days ago in the first such visit to Damascus since relations were frozen due to the Arab and Western boycott of the regime led by Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.

The visit by Zeina Akar, Lebanons defence minister and deputy prime minister, was not meant to improve relations or to reintegrate Syria into the Arab sphere, however.

Akar was in Syria in order to gain approval for gas and electricity networks from Egypt and Jordan to go through Syria to Lebanon after the US gave the green light for Beirut to pursue efforts in this direction.

Some Lebanese political forces saw the visit as a way to normalise relations with the Syrian regime, while the Syrian opposition said the operations would allow the regime to bring the rebel city of Deraa under its control.

Three weeks before the visit, the US told Lebanon it had approved gas pipelines and electricity networks to go from Egypt and Jordan through Syria to Lebanon. The US gave Lebanon the permission to visit Syria to discuss the details of the project.

Lebanon suffers a shortage of electricity and gas, which it can only secure via marine pipelines and electricity grids since it shares borders with Syria and Israel. But Syria is subject to US sanctions that do not allow any country to interact with it, making the US permission essential.

On 19 August, US Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea informed the Lebanese presidency of the US administrations decision to help Lebanon bring in Egyptian gas through Jordan and Syria.

Lebanon had presented the request to the US after former Lebanese prime minister Saad Al-Hariri talked with the Jordanian leadership to persuade the US to approve the transport of natural gas from Egypt to Lebanon via Syria and Jordan.

Al-Hariri visited Egypt on 14 July and asked President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi to allow the export of the gas, which could save Lebanon some 50 or 60 per cent on its fuel costs.

Following correspondence between Syria and Lebanon, the former approved the request. The two parties agreed to follow up on the decision through a joint technical team.

Akars visit to Syria was a continuation of this technical path, though the Syrian regime is hoping the visit will also open the door to a resumption of Arab relations after a 10-year boycott.

Political leaders in Beirut warned against the resumption of official relations with the Syrian regime, however. Opponents of the Lebanese Hizbullah group and Syria stressed that the current economic and political crisis in Lebanon was caused by Syria and Hizbullah, the weakening of the state at the hands of Hizbullah and its allies, and the corrupt management of the Lebanese state.

The gas project is also meant to transport Egyptian gas to Jordan, where it will be used to produce additional electricity for the network linking Jordan with Lebanon via Syria. It also aims to transport Egyptian gas via Jordan and Syria to northern Lebanon to activate gas-operated power plants that have been dysfunctional for 11 years.

The gas pipeline, which passes from Egypt through Jordan to Syria from Homs in the centre of the country, has been repeatedly bombed by terrorists and armed groups. The section of the pipeline in Syria must now be expanded and maintained for it to function again.

According to analysts, Syria agreed to the project because the Syrian regime will gain free electricity by transporting power via its grid to Lebanon. Syrias people currently suffer from daily power cuts that can last for hours.

Syria will also benefit from transporting gas to northern Lebanon, acquiring large amounts of gas which will allow it to operate its power plants. It will be able to levy taxes on the project, which is said to be funded by the World Bank.

The Jordanian electricity network passes through Deraa in southern Syria, and this will require a regional and international understanding over Deraa with the participation of the US, Russia, Iran and Israel, possibly allowing the Syrian regime to forcibly take control of this rebel city.

More meetings are likely to be held between the countries concerned in the project, namely Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. But probably they will not lead to another desired goal for Syria, which is to extend bridges of communication between Syria and the rest of the Arab world.

Lebanon, on the edge of bankruptcy, will not be able to secure the financial resources for the project alone, and the technical and other aspects of the project will need much discussion as well as a time frame, infrastructure and equipment not likely to be available in Syria or Lebanon.

Moreover, according to experts, transporting gas to Lebanon will take between eight months and a year, while Lebanon is in need of emergency plans, not long-term strategic projects.

With debts of $96 billion, equivalent to 164 per cent of GDP, Lebanon hopes the World Bank will grant it a loan to pay for the project.

For some, the electricity and gas project appears to be part of a political game, more than an economic operation, led by the US. The features of this game are unclear, but it may be part of a grander scheme.

For the time being, despite its green light to Lebanon to pursue the project, the US is adamant about enforcing the Caesar Act, legislation that sanctions the Syrian government for war crimes, until the Syrian regime embarks on wide-ranging political reforms that are unlikely to materialise in the near future.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 9 September, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi flew to the Greek Capital Athens on Tuesday to attend the ninth trilateral summit between Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus.

During the summit, the three countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering energy cooperation. Last week, during the minister of electricity and renewable energys visit to Athens a MoU was signed to build an undersea cable connecting the Egyptian and Greek power grids. An almost identical MoU was signed between Egypt and Cyprus on Saturday, which will see the two countries exchange up to two gigawatts of electricity.

The memoranda are all part of the Euro-Africa $4 billion interconnector project, an electricity highway connecting the national grids of Egypt, Cyprus and Greece via a 1396km submarine cable.

The summit also saw the initialling of an agreement between the three states covering immigration.

This weeks summit will build on the achievements of earlier summits, says Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady.

The ninth trilateral summit is part of a cooperation mechanism launched in 2014 between Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus. The summits quickly turned into a broad alliance fostering cooperation across a range of economic, political, and strategic interests.

During the sixth summit in Crete in 2018 the three countries decided to establish the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF). Headquartered in Cairo, EMGF also includes France, Italy, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel as members.

During this weeks summit, President Al-Sisi held bilateral meetings with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades to discuss economic and trade relations, and regional files of mutual concern.

The 10th tripartite summit is scheduled for December.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 October, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Short link:


Morocco is suspending flights to and from Britain, Germany and the Netherlands due to concerns about coronavirus trends in those countries, official sources in the North African kingdom said Wednesday.

Flights will stop from 11:59 pm (2259 GMT) Wednesday "until further notice", the national airports office (ONDA) said on Twitter.

National carrier Royal Air Maroc said the decision was "due to the evolution of the pandemic" in these three European countries.

Upon decisions of national authorities and following the pandemic situation, flights from/to Germany, Netherlands and the UK are suspended from today, Wednesday 20th Oct at 23:59.  Royal Air Maroc (@RAM_Maroc) October 20, 2021

Earlier this month, Rabat suspended air links with Russia for the same reason.

Britain on Tuesday said it was monitoring a sub-variant of the Delta strain of the novel coronavirus, seen in a growing number of cases in the country.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman said the government was keeping a "close eye" on the AY.4.2 variant but said there was no evidence it spreads more easily.

Overall infection rates in Britain remain stubbornly high, despite high rates of vaccination.

Infection rates in Germany and the Netherlands have risen recently.

Morocco, a country of around 30 million people, has officially recorded more than 940,000 Covid-19 cases and more than 14,500 deaths.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


With a cigarette in his mouth and careless attitude while riding his motorcycle to avoid being caught after his theft in Egypt's capital Cairo, a young man did not realize his face was being live-streamed to thousands of viewers through the mobile phone he had just stolen, which led to his arrest hours later on Tuesday.

Youm7 news website reporter was live broadcasting from a new Cairo highway near Al-Marg district to report the aftermath of an earthquake felt by Cairo residents when suddenly his mobile phone was snatched and viewers found out the mobile phone was airing the face of someone else running away on a motorcycle.

What started as a couple of hundreds viewers on a live stream of Youm 7 Facebook page early Tuesday turned into nearly 12,000 viewers who forgot the quake and focused on that live robbery taking place as the thief did not notice that the camera was on and put the mobile phone on what seems to be the motorcycle fuel tank while driving quickly in a careless way and smoking a cigarette.

Thousand of sarcastic comments made fun of him, describing him "the worst thief of the month" , "the most unfortunate thief in the world" and "highway to jail."

It took several minutes till he realised the mobile phone was on and needed to be shut down.

The thief was arrested later on the day, Egypt's Ministry of Interior stated on Wednesday evening.

The incident has been trending on social media with memes about "ill-fortuned thief" who was exposed in few minutes to millions of Egyptians.

Earlier on Tuesday, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake originated near Greece's Rhodes island hit the Eastern Mediterranean Sea with many residents in Egypt and other countries reporting having felt it.

*Correction: an earlier version of this report mistakenly stated that two others defendants took part in the robbery.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


In a matter of weeks, state-owned EgyptAir Holding Company will get a loan of EGP 5 billion from national public banks as per a final approval by the Egyptian House of Representatives on Monday.

The latest loan is the third funding allocated by the state in less than two years to help the 90-year-old flagship carrier overcome the coronavirus-related implications.

The company found itself in hot water during the Monday session at parliament, with the civil aviation adviser advocating the request for a loan, and a number of House members alleged that there has been mismanagement inside the company.

Why EgyptAir Holding wants the loan

The lower house parliament convened to discuss a two-article draft law issued by the Cabinet allowing the minister of finance to issue the guarantees necessary to open the door for EgyptAir obtain the loan from the National Bank of Egypt and Banque Misr.

A joint committee formed from different House committees approved the draft law earlier this month, saying this long-term financing is part of the states efforts to back its sectors affected by the coronavirus fallout.

In a report, the joint committee said the company over the past period has suffered from numerous consecutive crises, the last of which was the pandemics effect on the global economy and international air transport.

Financial losses have led many of these [aviation] companies to go bankrupt, while the others are struggling to survive in light of these circumstances, the report said.

EgyptAir's operations have decreased to their lowest due to the pandemic, and therefore, the company's cash inflows are no longer enough to meet its financial obligations, said the report.

It added that this can lead foreign banks and international financial organisations to declare that EgyptAir is in a state of default.

Globally, over the course of 2020, international air travel fell dramatically, with airline industry bearing losses estimated at $137.7 billion, according to a report in October by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Adaptation opportunities and cutting costs will cut losses to $52 billion throughout 2021, IATA added.

The Italian national airline Alitalia, as a case in point, has stopped operation since 15 October over financial problems flared by the pandemic.

In remarks to the press in UAE last March, Roshdy Zakaria, chief executive officer of EgyptAir Holding Co, said EgyptAir has been burning cash at a rate of around EGP 500 million per month.

He said the carrier currently operates 40-50 percent of its pre-pandemic level in 2019.

As EgyptAir suspended flights for a few months since March 2020, Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Manar said in June of the same year that the company had racked up losses of over $3 billion due to the flight suspension.

Amgad Ahmed Aref, advisor to the civil aviation minister for parliamentary affairs, told the House on Monday that EgyptAir had endured huge losses even before the pandemic, in the wake of the two revolutions in 2011 and 2013.

Aref said there are official reports confirming EGP 201 billion in losses by the aviation companies due to the pandemic.

The civil aviation ministry adviser said the debts owed by the company include instalments for the purchase of planes, costs imposed by suppliers abroad, fuel prices consumed by planes, as well as instalments for the maintenance of the aircraft abroad.

The joint committee said it has approved the draft law to help the company recover from the pandemic repercussions and pay off its financial obligations.

Will the loan be effective?

Last year, a loan and a long-term funding by the state were granted to EgyptAir Holding Co. at a total value of EGP 5 billion to assist the company against the pandemic.

We are not asking for assistance from the government, we are asking for a loan that we are able to pay off, Aref told MPs.

Aref said the losses are estimated at EGP 1 billion per month, but the company is currently recovering.

According to the 2018/2019 report by EgyptAir, its last published annual report, the total liabilities of the holding company at the time were almost 9.3 billion.

If the losses were estimated at EGP 1 billion monthly, should I grant an EGP 5 billion loan to [Egypt Air Holding] to only cover the losses of the next 5 months? said MP Ehab Ramzy, who strongly rejected the draft law during the session.

Ramzy said he is afraid that the approval of the loan would be a waste of public funds, as the loan would be a failure as the previous ones were.

The MP also mentioned complaints about surplus staff at the company, with tickets being more costly than competitors, blaming the failures on obvious mismanagement.

On Monday, Aref put the number of the current EgyptAir fleet at 67, saying it was planned before the pandemic that the company possess a total of 107 planes.

The number of employees in EgyptAir is around 29,500, according to Zakaria in March this year. This means that staff-to-plane ratio at EgyptAir is 440.3 and could get much better to 275.7 if the fleet was raised to 107.

This is better than the state-owned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), with one of the world's worst staff-to-plane ratios of about 500 staffers per plane at the time, but far worse than Ireland's Ryanair for example, whose ratio stood at only 29.7 in 2016.

Although many aviation companies worldwide have downsized staff due to the economic implications of the pandemic, Aref told MPs that EgyptAir has not fired a single worker or deducted salaries.

According to Bloomberg calculations in July last year, around 400,000 workers at airlines worldwide have been fired, laid off or had their jobs threatened thanks to the pandemic.

How will the company cope amid accusations of mismanagement and MPs demand for guarantees?

Aref said a restructuring of the company is taking place, with the companys subsidiaries being merged in order to reduce expenses.

Aref said EgyptAir also adopts an international system enabling passengers to obtain tickets at low prices.

According to Aref, the company is contracting to get 12 planes to add to the current 67-plane-fleet. This falls short of the 107 planes the airline aimed to acquire before the pandemic.

I reassure the MPs that we are able to pay off, Aref said.

Before the pandemic, EgyptAir achieved one of its highest revenues over the past decade, totalling EGP 32.96 billion in FY 2018/2019, according to the annual report.

However, the costs totalled EGP 32.67 billion, including EGP 1.66 billion spent on wages; EGP 9.57 on raw material, requisites, fuel, and spare parts; and EGP 20.77 billion on expenditures, according to the financial statement.

The company achieved a profit of EGP 279.5 million through FY 2018/2019, up from a loss of EGP 1.91 billion in the previous FY.

During Mondays session, MP Diaa El-Din Dawood urged the company to not get involved in wrong policies given its significance to the country, and urged more transparency and explanation.

Secretary of the Houses legislative committee Ali Badr said the loan should include training sessions for the staff at the company.

Badr called for creating new horizons that can help the company gain real profit. He also affirmed the need to develop the capabilities of the company and invest in its human resources.

MP Mohamed El-Sallab, deputy chairman of the Houses industry committee, said the loan should be spent to develop the company based on scientific foundations so that it can compete with international companies.

The young renowned economist and businessman said EgyptAir owes heavy debts to many organisations, which affect the companys performance.

Debts burdened by the company allegedly amount to EGP 40 billion, which is more than half of the company's capital, MP Amira Abu Shoka said during the session.

Abu Shoka called for providing the parliament with the actual values of the companys debts.

MP Mohamed El-Husseini called for filtering out incompetent officials at the company.

MPs have called for the company to explain its plan during the coming period before the House, including how it will employ the EGP 5 billion loan.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


A rare bombing of an army bus in Damascus and government shelling shortly after of a town in rebel-held northwest Syria killed at least 27 people Wednesday, in the deadliest flare-up in months.

Two bombs planted on an army bus in central Damascus were detonated early in the morning, killing 14 people, in the worst such attack there in four years, state news agency SANA reported.

The war-torn country's capital had been largely spared such violence since troops and allied militias retook the last significant nearby rebel stronghold in 2018.

There was no immediate claim for the bombing, but government shelling shortly after killed 13 people in Idlib province, parts of which are controlled by groups that have claimed such attacks in the past.

"A terrorist bombing using two explosive devices targeted a passing bus" at a key bridge in Damascus, the state news agency said, reporting that at least three people were wounded.

Images released by SANA showed first responders searching the charred shell of the bus and what it said was a bomb squad defusing a third device nearby.

SANA quoted a military source as saying the bombs were detonated as the bus passed near the Hafez al-Assad bridge, close to the national museum.

"We hadn't seen violence of that type in a long time," a fruit vendor who gave his name as Salman told AFP at the scene. "We thought we were done with such attacks."

Idlib Carnage

The bus attack is the deadliest in Damascus since a bombing claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group targeted the Justice Palace in March 2017, killing at least 30 people.

Around an hour after Wednesday's attack, Syrian army shelling struck the rebel-held town of Ariha in Idlib province.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said rockets struck a busy area as students were heading to school.

Four children were among 13 people killed, the Britain-based war monitor said.

It was the highest civilian toll since a March 2020 truce brokered by Turkey and Russia effectively put fighting in Idlib on hold, the Observatory said.

"At 8:00 am (0500 GMT) we woke up to the bombardment. The children were terrified and were screaming," said Bilal Trissi, a father of two who lives nearby.

"There are children who died and people who lost their limbs... We don't know why, what are we guilty of?"

The Save the Children charity said the shelling caused minor damage to two schools in the area.

The UN children's agency condemned the shelling, calling it a "reminder that the war in Syria has not come to an end".

'Cowardly'

The Damascus bombing too will challenge the government's assertion that the decade-old war is over and that stability is guaranteed for reconstruction and related investment.

Ten years into Syria's war, President Bashar al-Assad's regime has been striving to claw itself out of international isolation, with some success.

Key Damascus ally Iran described the bus attack as "cowardly", saying it "will not undermine the determination of the Syrian government and people in their fight against terrorism."

Syria's war erupted with the brutal repression of unarmed protests demanding regime change in 2011 and it has left around half a million people dead.

Assad's position once hung by a thread, but Russia's military intervention in 2015 marked the start of a long and bloody fightback.

Government forces, also backed by Iran's proxy militias, have recaptured nearly all key cities, while US-backed Kurdish forces still run the northeast.

The IS group's "caliphate" that once straddled swathes of Syria and Iraq shrank to its death in eastern Syria in early 2019.

Since then, the government's main focus has been the Idlib region, now home to many rebels who were forced to surrender elsewhere.

It is dominated by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which includes leaders of Al-Qaeda's former Syria franchise and over which Turkey has some sway.

HTS has not claimed attacks in Damascus in years.

Also Wednesday, six members of a pro-government militia were killed in an arms depot blast in the central province of Hama, the Observatory said.

The pro-government Al-Watan daily reported the same death toll and said a "technical error" caused the explosion, without elaborating.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi has called for an action by the UN Security Council (UNSC) to tackle rising Israeli threats to Tehran's nuclear program, Tasnim news agency reported Wednesday.

In a letter to the UNSC late on Tuesday, Takht Ravanchi said over the past months, the number and intensity of Israel's "provocative and adventuristic threats" to Iran's nuclear program have consistently grown and reached an alarming level.

The Iranian envoy referred to the latest remarks by Israeli senior military officials of "operational plans against Iran's nuclear program," saying that "such systematic explicit and public threats by the Israeli regime against a founding member of the United Nations constitute flagrant violations of international law."

Takht Ravanchi warned against any possible military act of Israel against Iran and its nuclear program, stressing that Iran reserves the right to self-defense to decisively respond to any threat.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Germany has no plans to close its border to Poland despite a sharp increase in asylum seekers arriving via Belarus, even as the EU neighbours discuss countermeasures, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said Wednesday

Seehofer told reporters the outgoing government under Chancellor Angela Merkel had "no intention" of taking such a drastic step which he said would also be "legally questionable".

In a letter to his Polish counterpart Mariusz Kaminski seen by AFP Tuesday, Seehofer proposed increasing joint patrols along its border with Poland in response to rising numbers of migrants coming via Belarus.

Seehofer said he had not yet received a response from Warsaw but praised its "very strong initiatives" to stem the flow of new arrivals.

A powerful German police union this week called for stepped-up checks at the border given the influx via Belarus, which the interior ministry said had reached around 5,700 since the start of the year.

Seehofer repeated EU accusations that the Belarusian authorities are flying migrants from the Middle East and Africa to Minsk and then sending them into the bloc on foot in retaliation for sanctions imposed over a crackdown on the opposition.

He said Merkel would be pressing the issue at a European Union summit this week.

But he stressed "the key to the solution of the problem lies in Moscow" given Russia's outsized economic and political influence on Belarus.

The surge in people crossing illegally over the EU's eastern frontier with Belarus has placed major strains on member states unaccustomed to dealing with large-scale arrivals.

Poland has drawn criticism for its hardline stance that has seen border guards push migrants back across the border with Belarus.

Seehofer said that while Berlin was concerned about the issue, it bore no comparison to the 2015-16 influx when more than one million asylum seekers arrived in Germany.

Search Keywords:

Short link:


The US is prepared to start vaccinating children aged five to 11 against Covid-19 starting next month, a move that will make 28 million more Americans eligible for shots, the White House said Wednesday.

President Joe Biden's administration said it had already set aside enough supply and partnered with 25,000 sites nationwide -- including doctors' offices, hospitals, pharmacies and even schools -- in anticipation that regulators may soon authorize the Pfizer vaccine for kids.

"We expect the FDA and CDC decision on Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children ages five through 11 in the next couple of weeks," White House Covid coordinator Jeff Zients told reporters, referring to the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"We know millions of parents have been waiting for COVID-19 vaccine for kids in this age group, and should the FDA and CDC authorize the vaccine, we will be ready to get shots in arms."

The FDA will convene a panel of experts on the issue next week, followed by the CDC on November 2-3, with authorization expected soon after.

Safe and Effective

During a clinical trial, children in the 5-11 age group received a two-dose regimen of 10 micrograms, compared with 30 micrograms for older age groups. The shots were given 21 days apart.

The side effects were "generally comparable to those observed in participants 16 to 25 years of age," Pfizer said in a statement, adding that the shots induced a robust antibody response.

Pain and swelling at the injection site have been among the most commonly reported side effects in people of all ages, along with headaches, chills and fever.

Pfizer made no mention of the rare side effect of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle that has been linked to the vaccine, mostly among adolescent males and those in their twenties.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been granted full FDA approval for those aged 16 and up, and the FDA in May authorized its emergency use in children ages 12 to 15.

Experts say it is essential to vaccinate children to progress towards achieving population immunity against the disease.

While younger children are less likely to develop severe cases, they can still become sick and transmit the virus to the general population.

Rising Vaccine Confidence

Overall vaccine confidence in the United States has risen in recent months.

As of Wednesday, 77.1 percent of the currently eligible population aged 12 and up had received one or more doses of a Covid vaccine.

The differing risk-benefit profile for younger children nevertheless may present challenges in persuading some parents the shot is worthwhile.

The United States -- officially the hardest-hit country in the world with more than 720,000 deaths -- is emerging from its latest Covid wave, driven by the highly contagious Delta variant.

The seven-day-average of daily cases is around 75,500, down 16 percent from last week.

Hospitalizations are averaging 6,000 per day while daily deaths are now around 1,200.

Experts anticipate cases may once again rise with the arrival of winter, particularly in the country's northern states, as respiratory viruses -- including others such as RSV and influenza -- tend to thrive in colder weather.

Vaccination against Covid has been shown to significantly de-link cases from hospitalizations. A high level of population vaccination is deemed critical to protect those who are most vulnerable, such as the elderly and the immune compromised

Search Keywords:

Short link:


NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday urged members not to let disagreements over the departure from Afghanistan divide the alliance, as defence ministers look to take stock of what went wrong.

The Taliban swept to power in the country after NATO troops withdrew on the back of a decision by US President Joe Biden to end Washington's longest war.

The collapse of the government after 20 years of Western military involvement sparked criticism from some allies of the US over the manner of its decision to pull out.

NATO was subsequently also rocked by a separate dispute between France and the US over Washington's new AUKUS defence pact with Australia and Britain that saw Paris lose a mammoth submarine contract.

"The disagreements or differences of opinions about AUKUS within the alliance and Afghanistan do not change the fundamental need and message that Europe or North America has to stand together," Stoltenberg told journalists.

"We face a more competitive world we face more state-to-state rivalry, and then it's even more important that we stand together as the 30 allies."

Defence ministers are meet in Brussels Thursday for their first face-to-face talks since the chaotic withdrawal and mammoth evacuation effort.

The alliance is conducting a review of "lessons learnt" from its two-decade involvement in Afghanistan and the disastrous way it ended.

"We'll talk about NATO's role post-Afghanistan and some of the lessons learnt from Afghanistan," US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said ahead of the meeting.

Stoltenberg insisted that it remained too early to draw final conclusions from the collapse in Afghanistan.

"But we should not draw the wrong conclusion of Afghanistan and think that NATO allies and NATO should never again engage in military operations to fight extremism, or terrorism," he said.

Stoltenberg insisted that there had been ample consultation between the US and other allies over the decision to withdraw.

"We were clear eyed about the risks, the risk of Taliban returning," he said.

"But we also knew that the alternative to stay entailed risks of more violence, more fighting and also most likely the need for us to increase the number of NATO troops."

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Maait made the announcement during a meeting on Wednesday with Murray Roos, the director of Capital Markets at the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), and Charlie Walker, the head of Equity Primary Markets the LSEG.

Egyptian state-owned payments firm e-finance for Digital and Financial Investments made its debut on the stock market on Wednesday under the IPO programme.

Maait said the e-finance IPO saw a large turnout, with international participation from the US, the UK, and other European countries.

In March 2019, Egypt offered the first state-owned company to be listed on the EGX under the IPO programme.

The company offered 4.5 percent of its shares on the EGX, with a total value of EGP 1.7 billion pounds ($99 million).

On 8 September, Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala El-Said said that the government is expected to resume the stalled IPO programme before the end of 2021.
Abdelhalim Ibrahim Abdelhalim was an Egyptian architect who saw his role as social enabler, working for community betterment through design. His work was inspired by its context, and often by the concepts he saw fitting to the projects at hand. Through a combination of diplomacy and persistence he successfully navigated the challenges of implementing large projects in his native Egypt at a time when functionalism was the order of the day.

Born just outside Cairo in 1941, Abdelhalim developed a career in which an interest in community and ritual underpinned the way he approached design. Following studies at Cairo University he later went on to the US. There, he obtained a masters from Oregon, and a PhD from Berkeley, before returning to Egypt in 1978 after a decades absence.

This coincided with the annual exhibition of the work of outstanding architecture students. I stood there mesmerised: it was as if I hadnt left at all  the same panels, the same obedience to the modernist grid. When I asked one student to explain the thinking behind his glass-fronted building, his response was simply Universal Space. My thought was why, rather than take Western modularity as his reference, he wasnt taught to understand the principles of his own culture towards organising space.

Summarising his own approach to his work he said: Every community has its own concept of order  in designing, one must strike a balance between analysis, abstraction and rationality on one hand, and faith and the submission to a communitys ideas about order, on the other.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 October, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

While the architectural practice he established, Community Design Collaborative, worked on a wide range of projects, those that actually revolved around the idea of a local, preexisting community excited him most. One of his best known is his childrens park in the Sayeda Zainab neighbourhood of Cairo. He sought to create a space where children could discover, interact, and develop their personalities. He also envisaged the street alongside the park as a place where adult members of the community would have stalls, and host community events.

The urban park was produced through an unusual process  mocking up the design using a life- size model, getting the community to interact with it and then give feedback, which was then used to refine the design. The design elements were based on Abdelhalims reading of the site  taking inspiration from the existing rows of palm trees, and incorporating a wide array of forms, some spiralling round, inspired simultaneously by the staircase of the nearby minaret of Ibn Tulun, the Milky Way, and a more personal spiral, the ultrasound scan of his soon-to-be-born twins. Such were the forms of his architecture  influenced by signs he saw around him, which he read as meaningful.

The park, which earned him a much-coveted Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1992, ultimately encountered challenges related to sustainability, management, and maintenance  but lies testament to the unconventional way in which he approached design.

The point of departure was to find links between the growth of a child and the growth of the park, and we searched for events, objects and symbols in the culture that could give this idea expression, he once said.

Other key projects include the Nile Gallery Palace of the Arts, an exhibition space in the grounds of the Cairo Opera House, used for the display of modern art, the masterplan and some of the buildings of the new American University in Cairo, and projects in the Gulf, including the Mohamed Ibn Saud Mosque in Diriyya, Saudi Arabia, and the Egyptian Consulate in Jeddah.

Omar Nagati, who worked with Abdelhalim in the 90s and 2000s, says that what was significant was his unwavering position that architects were social enablers  not just the makers of attractive places. To that end, his method was rigorous  it was research-based, taking the context, and the community seriously, but also investing time in developing a concept. All this took place before the design process would even start.

His architectural forms often developed from the inherent patterns of the social and physical landscape he found through this preparatory process. Abdelhalims buildings are distinctive  many unashamedly eye catching and sculptural with geometric shapes featuring prominently. His work often draws on personal inspiration from historic buildings  some clad in the yellow and white stone stripes typical of mediaeval Egypt.

As his office matured, it became known for masterplanning large cultural and educational complexes, some of which he also implemented. He saw space as a vehicle for interaction, and in planning projects like the American University in Cairo campus carefully thought of the informal spaces where the academic community would mingle. There, he saw his role as an enabler of an environment for a liberal arts discourse.

Abdelhalim was also known as an educator, both as a professor at Cairo Universitys Department of Architectural Engineering, and less formally, in the context of his practice.

The special quality of working with him is that he created an inspiring work environment. He gave guidelines and then carefully selected a range of different people who would contribute to different facets of the process. We would all be working together in the same room, in an atmosphere that he enriched by his presence. This environment affected the end product: you couldnt really tell who had done what exactly, because you never worked alone, says Ayman Al-Gohary, who worked with Abdelhalim on and off since 1992.

Referred to by all in his office as Al-Duktur (The Doctor) Abdelhalim came across as a wise and approachable patriarch, with grey beard, slightly wild hair, booming voice, and a calm, grounded presence.

Meetings with his team were something between an audience and a family gathering, in which he actively engaged at length, mainly with his more senior architects. Some of them would have temporarily disappeared into the big wide world of their own endeavours, only to return like homing pigeons to take part in big projects and competitions, usually after a friendly phone call enticing them back.

Younger members of the team would sit awestruck as he exposed them and the other sitters to a whirlwind of thoughts and ideas. These were often drawn from his travels and long experience, and, of course his fascination with community rituals  be it the rebuilding of Japanese Shinto shrines once a generation to ensure their construction knowledge was not forgotten, or the inherited wisdom of his own family elders, remembered from boyhood.

He was a conversationalist par excellence, simultaneously expansive, and inspiring in his bringing together of disparate anecdotes, often to make a point about why a particular bridge or octagonal form made sense. He was also astute and witty, wildly conceptual and yet well aware of the politics of the world in which he worked. More guru than diva, he took an interest in what the youthful had to say. A doodle or a caricature he came across in the office was enough to spark a conversation with a new team member, launching a relationship that lasted decades.

Such conversations were perhaps what was most memorable thing about him: in a field dominated by functionalism, efficiency, and impatience, he took the time to labour over ideas and to reflect.

Even in his twilight years, as he endured the debilitating trembles of Parkinsons Disease which forced him to deliver the fruits of his active mind through slurred and muffled speech, he remained attentive and interested, and heavily involved in the workings of Community Design Collaborative.

Apart from a legacy of large building projects, mainly in the Middle East, he leaves behind a community of former and current students both in the literal and the metaphoric sense. And, as per the name of his practice, his collaborators were many, including the eminent Jordanian architect, Rasem Badran, a long-time soulmate.

To the receptive, meeting him, even briefly, was an exposure to a completely different way of looking at the world  to ideas youd never really have thought about before. He was also a fighter, whose convictions constantly propelled him on says Dr Ashraf Botros, a former staff member.

Abdelhalim is survived by his son, Nour, who has run the Community Design Collaborative office for the past five years, and his daughter Amar, an architect and textile designer.

More of his work can be further explored through An Architecture of Collective Memory by James Steele, published by AUC Press in 2019.

The writer is an architectural historian and heritage specialist, currently director of The Barakat Trust.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 October, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Hopes for the resumption of talks over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam wane, with no date for the next round set.

After last months United Nations Security Council (UNSC) presidential statement urging Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia to resume negotiations and reach a legally binding agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) within a reasonable time frame, hopes grew that a date for the resumption of negotiations would be set. A month on, and nothing has happened.

Addis Ababa said last week that it is ready to resume negotiations, yet gave no indication it would compromise its earlier stances. Last month it repeatedly stated that it would soon begin operating the first two turbines of the dam, without any agreement in place.

Egypt and Sudan have made clear they are ready to resume on the outcomes of the UNSC statement and under the auspices of the African Union (AU), said a diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity. He added that unless talks aim to reach a binding legal agreement on filling and operating the dam within a reasonable time frame they will be a waste of time.

It is important, he argued, that observers attending the talks should be given space to suggest ways to bring the three countries positions closer given the time pressure. While GERDs second unilateral filling was far less than originally planned, buying time before the next rainy season, he warned that unless downstream countries press all out for a breakthrough, Addis Ababa is likely to embark on a third unilateral filling of the dams reservoir.

Abbas Sharaki, professor of geology and water resources at Cairo University, agrees that pressing for the resumption of AU-sponsored tripartite negotiations is now an urgent priority.

Egypt and Sudan have to push international parties and the AU to resume negotiations and explain to the international community the negative repercussions of more unilateral actions, he says.

Sharaki thinks the construction work needed for a third filling could start as early as next month if Ethiopia opens the drainage gates to dry the area around the dams middle wall, meaning that GERD will be ready, by the next rainy season, to store the 10.5 bcm of water it failed to hold this year.

Cairo has been using the delay in resuming the tripartite talks to highlight the issues involved at every available regional and international fore, and is actively encouraging the international community to intervene.

During President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisis meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Janos Ader last week, Al-Sisi reaffirmed Egypts commitment to negotiations, and underlined the importance of international players adopting a more influential role in solving the dispute.

Addis Ababas repeated insistence that GERD will not affect the flow of water to Egypt needs to be translated into a legally-binding agreement, Al-Sisi said at a press conference held with Ader in Budapest.

During a phone call with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson last weekend, President Al-Sisi further stressed the need for the international community to play a more hands-on role in resolving the dispute.

During a meeting early last month with a delegation of international organisations working on water resource management, headed by the UN Coordinator in Egypt, Elena Panova, Irrigation Minister Mohamed Abdel-Ati reiterated Egypts willingness to continue with talks to find a solution that maintains the interests of all the involved parties. The meeting was attended by representatives of the EU, and diplomats from the embassies of the US, UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland.

Abdel-Ati used a press conference last week to once again underline that Egypt is seeking a just, legal, and binding agreement.

Meanwhile, Addis Ababa has said that it is ready for talks, but conspicuously failed to mention the UNSC statement calling for a legally binding agreement in a reasonable time frame.

Last week, Ethiopias Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Dina Mufti told the media Ethiopia was ready to resume talks and that the Democratic Republic of Congo, current chair of the AU, would soon be contacting Khartoum and Cairo to fix a date.

The dam issue imposed itself during the 76th UN General Assembly in New York. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed in his meeting with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen the importance of the three countries resuming negotiations, while Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri raised the subject during meetings on the sidelines of the UNGA.

The last round of tripartite talks, held in Kinshasa in April, concluded without an agreement on rules to fill and operate the dam. Ethiopia has repeatedly refused to sign such a deal, and says it wants nothing more binding than guidelines that can be modified at any time.

In July, Addis Ababa started the second filling of the dam despite Egypts and Khartoums insistence the filling should be contingent on an agreement being reached.

Egypt fears that GERD will reduce the amount of Nile water flowing to Egypt,while Sudan is concerned about the impact of GERD on its own dams.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 October, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Tourism in the Red Sea region is gaining momentum, with occupancy rates of 80 per cent and rising, Chair of the Egyptian Red Sea Hotels Association Alaa Akel says.

Egypts Red Sea hotels are enjoying 80 per cent occupancy rates, and the easing of restrictions on movement previously in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to keep them even busier, Alaa Akel, CEO of the Jaz Hotel Group and chair of the Egyptian Red Sea Hotels Association, told Al-Ahram Weekly.

Over the last decade, Egypt has faced multiple challenges to tourism, starting with the 25 January Revolution, the halting of British and Russian flights to some destinations, and then the Covid-19 pandemic.

Before the pandemic started in early 2020, Egypts tourism revenues had drastically improved, recording $13 billion in 2019, Akel said. The following year was harsh on Egypts Red Sea resorts, and the country lost more than 75 per cent of its tourism revenues, recording only $4 billion in 2020.

The cabinets Coronavirus Crisis Committee brought all tourist activities to a halt in Egypt in March 2020. Hotel establishments reopened in May 2020 with an occupancy rate of 25 per cent, increasing in June to 50 per cent and in August 2021 to 70 per cent.

2021 started on a good note and is getting even better, Akel said. Tourist numbers from Germany, Poland, and some Eastern European countries, with the exception of Russia, to Red Sea destinations gradually improved in the first half of 2021. Russia decided to resume flights to the Red Sea in August after more than a five-year hiatus, Akel added.

In the first half of this year, Egypt received 3.5 million tourists who brought in revenues of between $3.5 and $4 billion, according to Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities figures.

Akel expects a tourist boom in Egyptian destinations during the last quarter of 2021, especially after many countries have lifted their travel ban on the Red Sea.

Several airlines have resumed or increased their flights to the Red Sea, he added. In late September, the UK updated its travel advice to move Egypt off its red list of travellers from countries deemed a coronavirus risk.

There are 69,000 hotel rooms in the Red Sea region out of a total of 210,000 in Egypt. They have increased their capacity by adding some 1,500-2,000 rooms, Akel stated.

The Red Sea hotels are also currently gearing up to participate in the World Travel Market held in London in November, Akel said, adding that this event is important in promoting tourist destinations during the winter season.

Egypt is a well-known destination for British tourists who favour the countrys cultural and coastal attractions, Akel said, saying they are known for their high-spending, long stays, and repeat visits.

Over the past two weeks, more British tourists have been staying in Red Sea resorts, recording higher earnings for Egyptian tourism than from Eastern European tourists, he said.

It will be difficult to judge the spending of Russian tourists before another six months due to the five-year halt of Russian tourism, he added.

At present, the majority of Red Sea tourists come from Germany, Russia, the Ukraine, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Kazakhstan, Akel noted, adding that Egypt ventured into new markets in Eastern Europe and Central Asia when there was a retreat from its main markets of Russia, the UK, and Germany.

Akel is optimistic about the winter figures, but he is concerned about the status of cultural tourism. Improvements have been recorded in coastal areas like Hurghada, Marsa Alam, and Sharm El-Sheikh, but tourism in Luxor and Aswan is still fragile, he said.

A boost in cultural tourism will require the collective effort of the public and private sectors, he suggested.

The Ministry of Tourism has recently decided to apply a minimum price of $40 and $28 for a five-star and four-star hotel room per night, respectively. The hotels are ready to apply the decree. These prices are very low anyway, especially for five-star hotels, Akel said.

The ministerial move is meant to prevent hotels from cutting prices too far when demand is low, he added.

The majority of hotels are striving to improve their revenues in the light of rising operating costs, and during the coronavirus crisis the government launched several incentives to help them out.

It assisted hotels in paying their electricity bills by reducing them to 40 per cent of the total, postponing the collection of late dues, and exempting them from paying real estate taxes until April 2021.

The government has strongly supported Egypts tourism sector throughout the pandemic, Akel concluded.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 October, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Search Keywords:

Short link:


On Saturday, President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi inaugurated 13,800 residential units as part of ongoing efforts to relocate citizens who live in unsafe areas. The new homes will house more than 65,000 people.

In 2014, when Egypt launched plans to construct 250,000 housing units at the cost of LE63 billion, 14 million Egyptians were living in slum areas. Of these, says Housing Minister Assem Al-Gazzar, 1.7 million lived in unsafe areas and 12 million in unplanned areas.

If the state hadnt intervened, adds Al-Gazzar, the number of residents of unsafe and unplanned areas would have reached three million and 15 million respectively.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Al-Gazzar said 210,000 of the planned 250,000 units had now been built.

This year will see the completion of the development of unsafe areas and the relocation of residents to alternative housing units, said Al-Gazzar.

In press statements issued the same day, Al-Gazzars deputy said the remaining 40,000 housing units would be delivered by the end of the year.

During the inauguration, President Al-Sisi called on the relevant authorities to cooperate to provide essential utilities and create job opportunities in the new neighbourhoods.

The housing projects inaugurated on Saturday include Rawdet October, which will rehouse residents of Nazlet Al-Semman, an unsafe area adjunct to the Giza Plateau, which is home to 4,000 people, or 829 families.

The first phase of the project comprises 2,500 three-room units built at the cost of LE1.5 billion.

According to head of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority Ihab Al-Far, the second phase of the Ahalina (Our People) project, overseen by the authority, was also among the inaugurated units.

Completed in just 18 months, Ahalina phase two comprises 1,400 units, 90 m2 each, in 34 residential blocs in Salam City east of Cairo. It extends over an area of 15 feddans, and costs LE1.1 billion.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 October, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Search Keywords:

Short link:


How do you perceive the investment and doing business environment in Egypt?

Egypts investment map offers opportunities in almost all sectors, covered by strong incentives under Egypts investment law. It is fertile ground for attracting investment. Despite the Covid-19 crisis, Egypts economy has become one of the most dynamic, especially in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Its economy is very stable, and the government provides everything to achieve sustainable economic growth for the country.

As I have been here in Egypt for three-and-a-half years now, I see that the country is progressing very well to achieving its 2030 Vision, particularly towards digital transformation.

Egypts information and communication technology (ICT) sector is very robust and has seen a significant rise in recent years. We see substantial room for growth in Egypts domestic digital infrastructure and human capital development, including telecommunications, broadband infrastructure, advanced wireless networks, cloud services, and digital platforms integrated with ultra-modern technologies.

All this requires a strong collaboration strategy and a long-term partnership development plan through open-collaboration platforms with Egypts key sectors.

What is your perception of Egypts efforts to bolster the private sectors role in the countrys recovery and development process?

Egypts Vision 2030 agenda is very clear in building a more competitive economy and developing a sustainable ecosystem while also securing the safety and peace of the country. Public-private partnerships are the key to the countrys recovery and success in the development process.

How do you assess recent developments in the ICT and telecoms sectors in Egypt?

The ICT sector has been on the rise in recent years, as it plays a major role in enabling the development of a knowledge-based society and a strong digital economy. It is the driving force for economies to grow, including the economy of Egypt.

Egypt has developed its ICT 2030 Strategy that contributes to achieving the objectives of building a digital Egypt. That requires continuously developing modern ICT infrastructure with the latest advanced technologies, building capacities, and encouraging innovation.

How do you see Egypts digital transformation efforts?

Egypt has clearly laid out its strategy to achieve the goal of moving towards a digital society, and we see sectors that have achieved very good results in the right direction. For example, while the Covid-19 pandemic severely impacted economies around the world, recent digital-transformation efforts have provided Egypt with a more secure economic base for resilience in the face of the crisis.

The initial shift to the digital economy by most businesses caused an increase in demand for ICT services and highlighted the need to expand ICT infrastructure and capacity further. Trends such as the wider acceptance of remote working, digital payments, e-government, and e-commerce platforms are expected to accelerate in the years ahead. This will lead to opportunities not only for investment, but also for public-private collaboration to strengthen the digital infrastructure for digital transformation.

Which kind of solutions has Huawei provided to Egypt or plans to provide in the future regarding backing the countrys efforts towards digital transformation?

Huawei works closely with both the public and private sectors in Egypt across different industries, including education, healthcare, transportation, urban development, and research centres. We offer the latest digital platforms, advanced data centres and ICT infrastructure, and advanced solutions, as well as supporting Egypts digital path in capacity building.

For example, in the educational sector, we are partnering with the ministry of higher education and universities to provide solutions and offers through one of our top capabilities-development programmes called the ICT Talent Bank (ITB) to train and prepare the new generation to enter the digital job market.

In addition to ICT solutions, over the last 20 years Huawei has established one of the largest local presences and employs the best talents to support transferring Huaweis global expertise and best practices into Egypts market. Huawei has been awarded Top Employers Egypt and Top Employers Africa certification.

We continuously strive to support Egypts Digital Strategy. Recently, we established the Cairo New Campus Club (CNCC) in partnership with more than 100 industrial partners in the field of both education and urban expansion in Egypt, aiming to develop new and smart network solutions for enterprises by providing a smarter, simpler, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable communication network for the education and urbanisation sectors and helping Egypt to advance urban-wheel development and digital transformation.

In the transportation sector, we hold industry digitisation summits that demonstrate proven solutions and provide state-of-the-art technologies to customers like the Egyptian Railways, helping them to secure a safe and efficient transportation system as part of an integrated national grand transportation vision.

We have also invested in OpenLab Cairo, the only such lab in North Africa and based in Cairo, to promote joint innovation and joint solutions for customers and partners adapting the latest technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and the Internet of things (IOT), while keeping the local context and market needs as priorities.

What could qualify Egypt to be a pioneer in the ICT sector in the region?

Egypt possesses a competitive, balanced, and diversified economy and is rich in human resources with diverse and growing talents and capable of learning and innovating. The country is on a path to growth thanks to its diversified collaboration system and investment in ICT, all helping to achieve Egypts sustainable development and improve the quality of life of the Egyptian people.

Egypts strategic location, skilled workforce, advanced digital transformation agenda, and real implementation based on the latest ICT technologies all qualify Egypt to be a regional hub and pioneer in the ICT sector and capable of exporting its expertise to the region.

What are your future plans for the Egyptian market?

Egypt is one of the pioneering countries in the MENA region in digitally transforming its economy to accelerate growth, modernise its economy, and enhance the daily lives of its citizens. Huawei is committed to supporting Egypt in its ambitious plans for digital transformation. Advanced ICT infrastructure is a core foundation for this journey.

Huawei brings not only the latest technologies, but also the best global expertise, to support the private and public sectors to advance the agenda of the countrys modernisation and its plans for its 2030 sustainable development strategy. The companys strategy is to work closely with key private-sector companies, governmental institutions, and ministries to help them implement their digital transformation plans. That includes supporting them in developing the necessary digital infrastructure for sectors such as transportation, education, energy, and smart cities.

That is part of our strategy to achieve a global paradigm shift in digital transformation, create sustainable growth, and support the Egyptian governments efforts to attain the goals of Egypts 2030 Vision.

Meanwhile, we have inaugurated our OpenLab in Cairo and five other innovation and resource centres nationwide. They aim to promote innovation, develop creative-industry solutions to spur digital transformation, and build the necessary digital infrastructure to address pressing problems. Huawei is also continuing to expand with its partners via joint projects to provide the latest solutions and technologies with a focus on capacity-building programmes to make more social contributions and develop the capabilities of young people in the ICT sector through three main programmes to achieve its targets.

These programmes include the ICT Talent Bank (ITB), launched in 2019, which focuses on developing young peoples capabilities in the universities. Since it started, Huawei has successfully trained over 15,000 talents. Over 5,000 of these have received Huaweis international certificate; of those, over 400 were university professors.

The programmes also include the Recruitment Union, through which Huawei collaborated with its partners in 2020. So far, it has found jobs for more than 200 certificate-holders through the ITB programme. In addition, there is the Seeds for the Future programme, which is Huaweis global corporate social-responsibility flagship programme, introduced in 2008. Its first edition launched in Egypt in 2015.

Seeds for the Future launched its seventh edition in Egypt this year, continuing its journey to develop local ICT talents and promoting creativity and innovation to establish digital communities.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 October, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Political tensions are continuing in Iraq, with some of the countrys political blocs and parties contesting the results of the recent general elections.

By the time this article is published, the process of receiving appeals against the Iraqi elections results will have ended. Five days afterwards, the Iraqi Board of Commissioners is supposed to have finished considering them.

Emad Jamil, a member of the media office of Iraqs Independent Higher Electoral Commission (IHEC), said in a press conference that after the appeals being considered by the IHEC Board of Commissioners over a period of seven days, they will be considered by the judicial authority for a period of 10 days.

After the complete consideration of the appeals and approval of the results, the names of the 329 winning candidates will be announced before they are submitted to the Federal Court.

Despite such arrangements, political tensions are continuing in Iraq after some blocs and political parties rejected the results of the elections and their followers began protests against what they said was fraud, demanding a manual recount of votes cast at polling stations across Iraq.

The tensions began within hours of the preliminary results being announced on 11 October, showing that the Sadrist Bloc had won 73 seats in parliament. To calm the tensions, the IHEC announced that six per cent of polling stations had experienced technical problems, and their votes would be counted manually.

During this period, the blocs and political parties that had rejected the results met and announced a coordinating framework for a number of large blocs whose presence in the new parliament has become almost marginal in the light of the election results. They include the State Forces Alliance, led by former prime minister Haider Abbadi, the Al-Nasr bloc, and Ammar Al-Hakims National Wisdom Movement that only won four seats in the elections.

In the 2018 elections, Abbadis bloc had 42 seats in parliament, while Hakims had 29. The Al-Fateh bloc led by Hadi Al-Amiri won 17 seats in this years elections, while in 2018 it had 48. The State of Law Bloc of former prime minister Nuri al-Maliki has also joined the framework, though it won 37 seats more than in 2018 when it had 25.

The chair of the Board of Commissioners announced the completion of the process of checking the results on 16 October, saying that 3,681 polling stations had had their votes counted manually. He said the results were preliminary and could be appealed.

Shortly afterwards, the coordination framework published a statement saying that we had hoped that the IHEC would correct the major violations it committed during and after counting the votes and announcing the results. In the wake of its insistence on holding to the contested results, we announce our complete rejection of these results and hold the Commission fully responsible for the failure of the electoral process and its mismanagement, which will negatively affect the democratic path and societal harmony in Iraq.

Sadrist bloc leader Muqtada Al-Sadr stated his acceptance of the results, giving a victory speech on 11 October in which he mentioned the outlines of a coming Sadrist cabinet as long as his bloc has the highest number of seats.

Al-Sadr tweeted on 16 October that he would seek to establish a national alliance, neither sectarian nor ethnic, under the heading of reform. This was intended to match the aspirations of the Iraqi people to form a functioning government, he said.

Far from the political tensions, Hassan Ali, 18, who had voted for the first time in Baghdad, told Al-Ahram Weekly that he had voted for an independent candidate whom his father knew. The candidate had won the seat, and Ali said he hoped independent parliamentarians would manage to change the power-sharing policy that in his view had led to uncontrollable corruption in Iraq.

There are 40 new independent MPs, the oldest being Mohamed Annouz, a retired legal adviser whose photographs swept Facebook showing him alone without bodyguards or assistance and putting up electoral posters in the city of Najaf.

Annouz, who was an active supporter of the October 2019 protests, was quoted as saying that the first step that we, the independent winners, should begin working on is to unite our efforts and understanding to form a group capable of challenging the corrupt and the murderers and restoring the rights of citizens.

The Imtidad list led by Alaa Al-Rikabi representing the October 2019 protesters saw Al-Rikabi himself and other candidates who were among the protesters in the city of Nassiriyah winning nine seats in Nassiriyah, Karbala and Kut.

A female winner from the list in Nassiriyah, Nisan Al-Salihi, was the first among the new female MPs, with 22,827 votes. She was quoted as saying that the Imtidad movement arises from the protesters. We are opposed to any politicisation of the protests or the exploitation of our martyrs in an electoral campaign. Our aspiration is to express the ideas of young people.

Awatef Turkey Rasheed, a female independent candidate from Basra who did not win, told the Weekly that the results were not fair. The political environment in Iraq has encountered many difficulties, sectarian conflicts, imbalances of power and corruption. The resulting reaction of the people, especially the new generation of young people, has been protesting since October 2019 calling for human rights, justice and the improvement of political performance.

The protests outcomes have included a change of the government, a change in the elections law and early elections, and a change in the IHEC commissioners. It was expected that the winning candidates would mostly be independent and secular candidates. However, the results were shocking to many people, she said.

The Electoral Commission in Basra informed me that my votes had reached 4,000 before the closing of 68 counting centres. One day later, I was shocked to hear the number announced in the media was only 1,378. The number became 1,578 when the IHEC announced new numbers. I still have doubts about these numbers since I have large numbers of voters, family and relatives and close friends, that voted for me. Yet, numbers from the centres only showed two to four voters at each.

The results of the elections, which witnessed a participation rate of only 41 per cent, have revealed radical changes in the map of the dominant political parties in Iraq, clearly showing a desire among Iraqi voters for a change of faces.

Around 220 MPs were elected for the first time. There are 97 female MPs, 57 elected and the rest within the 25 per cent women quota. The voters also punished many well-known politicians in the elections, among them Salim Al-Jubouri, a former speaker of parliament.

However, the scene is not clear yet in Baghdad. If there are changes in the newly elected parliament, it still seems likely that the leading posts will stay as if planned according to the power-sharing policy in place in the country, with the president being a Kurd, the speaker of the parliament a Sunni, and the prime minister a Shia.

There may not be problems in nominating the president and speaker, but problems have emerged with the results among the Shia on who will be the new prime minister. Iraqs voters, who in these elections have insisted on bringing about change, are hoping that the new prime minister will take real steps towards reforms.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 October, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Search Keywords:

Short link:


A new book details how the Obama administration secretly supported the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood across the Middle East in the wake of the 2011 Arab uprisings, writes Hany Ghoraba

While it is becoming a known political fact that the former US Obama administration facilitated the meteoric rise of the Muslim Brotherhood in the Middle East after the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, few books have linked it to Brotherhood leaders in the United States and abroad in the terrorist groups ambitions to rule the Middle East.

However, a recent book The Arab Spring Ruse: How the Muslim Brotherhood Duped Washington in Libya and Syria by US political writer and counter-terrorism expert John Rossomando, does just that. Rossomando has written for over a decade for a myriad of US political and counter-terrorism media outlets and newspapers.

In his book, which was published in October, Rossomando uncovers a number of links between the Obama administration and the Brotherhood. Despite the books small size, it is heavily researched and documented with online links or citations for every incident covered in its pages. It may entice readers to read more on the subjects discussed, given the details it has exposed.

Few had realised how dramatically the Obama administration had altered official US government policy towards the Muslim Brotherhood until the moment US-backed Muslim Brotherhood parties made grabs for power in Egypt, Libya and Syria, Rossomando writes. His book details the Obama administrations changes in detail, showing how it levelled the field for the terrorist group while assisting it in grabbing power in Egypt, Libya and Syria.

While the book focuses mainly on the cases of Libya and Syria as two countries that are still suffering from the onslaught of over a decade of civil war, it also gives clues on how the Obama administration favoured the Brotherhood in countries such as Egypt after the beginning of the Arab Spring.

Rossomando elaborates on how far the Obama administration strayed from the path of previous US foreign policy, leaving one that had been consistent for many years. Previous Democratic and Republican administrations never publicly engaged or dealt with the Muslim Brotherhood or its affiliates. According to the author, both parties presidents recognised that the Muslim Brotherhood or its affiliated groups or front organisations were dangerous and linked to terrorist groups. The Obama administrations decision to ignore its predecessors policies towards the Brotherhood marked a significant turn of events.

The decision to engage the Muslim Brotherhood marked a historic change in American foreign policy, created a new paradigm in the Middle East, and set into motion a series of events that had catastrophic results: the Muslim Brotherhoods resurgence, the overthrow of at least two

governments, Al-Qaeda in Iraqs transformation into the ISIS [the Islamic State group] caliphate, failed governments in Syria and Iraq, millions of refugees and displaced individuals, and the resulting destabilising migration flows, Rossomando writes.

According to his book, former US president Barack Obama went as far as to issue a secret directive called Directive 13 (PPD-13). This then shaped US foreign policy related to economic and political reform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The Obama administration believed it was necessary to separate the Muslim Brotherhood and Al-Qaeda. Empowering the Muslim Brotherhood would, according to Obama, weaken Al-Qaeda in a decision that can be considered as one of the severest cases of political naivete in modern times.

The core fault of the Obama administration was its adoption of a false rhetoric, presented for years by Islamist activists and later liberal Western politicians and pundits, that there is a distinction between the Muslim Brotherhood and Al-Qaeda. But the truth remains that the Brotherhood must be judged on its criminal and terrorist record, starting from the 1940s in Egypt and then moving to other countries.

The groups founder, Hassan Al-Banna, and its main ideologue, Sayed Qutb, remain the main references for Islamist or Jihadist group across the planet. Hence, attempting to separate them off from the groups they give rise to is nothing less than farcical.

Yet, Obama, according to Rossomando, instructed US diplomats to expand their contacts with the Muslim Brotherhood and to coordinate with it in its quest to seek power in Syria, Libya, Tunisia and Egypt. Brotherhood activists controlled the narrative on events in Syria and Libya for the Obama administration and even the US media. Eventually, that controlled to directing the policies of the administration towards assisting the ascension of the Brotherhood to positions of power.

Furthermore, the book discusses the growing influence of Brotherhood-affiliated groups in the US, such as the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Centre in Falls Church in Virginia. This was instrumental in bringing the US into the Libyan conflict, according to the author. It has been linked to some of the most notorious Islamist leaders, such as Anwar Al-Awlaki, the Al-Qaeda leader who was killed by a US drone-strike in Yemen in 2011.

The book sheds light on the complicated yet close relationship between the Muslim Brotherhood and Al-Qaeda. Supporters of liberal factions opposed to the Islamists in Libya and Syria report they were ostracised by the Obama administration from any decision-making in these two countries.

The Arab Spring began with rhetoric about freedom and democracy, but we now know it was an Islamist Spring that brought only death, suffering and oppression. Who knows what might have been had Barack Obama stood against the Brotherhood and its supporters, concludes Rossomando in his excellent book, which uncovers what US mainstream political pundits have attempted to hide for over a decade.

He uncovers what dozens of other books on the Arab Spring have failed even to scratch the surface about. It is rare for a book of this length to contain as much detail about a decade-long struggle in the Middle East fuelled by a US administration. The book is an indictment of an era when a US administration led by Obama placed all its weight behind pushing an Islamist agenda in the Middle East and tossing all US security concerns and diplomatic traditions out of the window.

Alas, the whitewashing of the Obama administrations misdeeds in the Middle East is still ongoing, even though some may describe that administration as literally getting away with murder. The destruction of the Syrian and Libyan states and the ongoing war on terrorism in the region resulting from Obamas policies have been mostly overlooked in US coverage of the Arab Spring.

But now along comes a book that has done much to uncover what the US liberal media has attempted to bury for a decade.

* The writer is a political analyst and author of Egypts Arab Spring: The Long and Winding Road to Democracy.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 21 October, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

Search Keywords:

Short link:


Former President Donald Trump wants to countersue a former Apprentice contestant who accused him of defaming her when he denied her sexual assault allegations.

Saying that Trump is being harassed to keep him from speaking freely, his lawyer asked a court's permission Monday to pursue a counterclaim against Summer Zervos.

Summer Zervos leaves Manhattan Supreme Court at the conclusion of a hearing in New York, Dec. 5, 2017. [File Photo: AP]

The request comes as Zervos' nearly five-year-old defamation suit is nearing an important phase. Both he and she are due to undergo questioning under oath by Dec. 23.

Zervos says Trump hurt her reputation by saying she lied in accusing him of unwelcome kissing and groping in 2007  claims she aired publicly during his 2016 presidential campaign.

His denials included retweeting a message that called her claims a hoax. He also described a series of women who accused him of sexual assault and harassment as liars trying to torpedo his White House hopes.

Trump's former lawyers responded years ago that he didn't defame Zervos. They said his statements were true and protected by free speech rights.

Now he wants to bolster his defense by drawing on a 2020 New York law that makes it easier to defeat defamation claims involving public communication on issues of public interest.

The law was envisioned as helping journalists, activists and others beat back groundless claims from powerful interests that want to sue them into silence. Trump lawyer Alina Habba argues it applies to statements the future president made at the highest levels of the national stage, including during a debate.

Zervos sued for the sole purpose of harassing, intimidating, punishing or otherwise maliciously inhibiting Trump and his free speech rights, Habba wrote in court papers filed Monday. They seek unspecified damages, plus attorneys fees.

Zervos lawyers, Beth Wilkinson and Moira Penza, said New York's laws don't "provide a license for Mr. Trump to avoid accountability for his words.

We look forward to taking Mr. Trumps deposition and zealously fighting his unwarranted attacks against our client, Wilkinson and Penza said in a statement. They called his filing a desperate reaction to the December deadline for depositions, a legal term for sworn pretrial questioning by the other sides attorneys.

Monday's filing came as Trump answered hours of questions in a deposition in a different lawsuit, filed by protesters who say his security team roughed them up in 2015. He said in a statement after the deposition that the protesters' claim was baseless harassment and that he was glad to tell his side of that story.

Zervos, a California restaurateur, appeared on The Apprentice in 2006, when Trump hosted the show. She says she contacted him the next year to talk about her career. According to her, he then made unwanted advances during meetings at his New York office and at a California hotel where he was staying.

Shes seeking unspecified damages, a retraction of his allegedly defamatory statements and an apology.

The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted, unless they come forward publicly, as Zervos has.
Though still two days shy of its theatrical release in China, Dune is whetting the appetites of local sci-fi fans after earning a stellar rating of 7.on Chinese movie review site Douban from cinemagoers overseas.

Some say the unique directorial style of French-Canadian Denis Villeneuve, who also helmed Blade Runner 2049 to great success, strikes the perfect balance between commercial action flicks and art-house movies.

Others are keen to learn how accurately the film, which ranks as the first of a two-part series, represents the novel on which it is based. Some critics have described the original text as unfilmable due to its expansive scope.

To keep the momentum going ahead of its release, IMAX China held a pre-screening event on Tuesday in Beijing. Fans praised Villeneuves powerful aesthetics and acoustics, magnified further on the IMAX screen.

Villeneuve said in a report on screenrant.com that most of the film was shot on location in Budapest, Jordan, Norway, and Abu Dhabi the latter serving as a backdrop for the Planet Arrakis, where most of the action takes place.

The entire film was shot with IMAX cameras in order to meet the format requirements for presentation.

Dune will hit over 700 IMAX theaters nationwide on Friday.

A poster for Dune, which will be released at more than 700 IMAX theatres around China on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021[Photo provided to China Plus]
By Miya Tanaka, KYODO NEWS - Oct 21, 2021 - 12:24 | All, Japan

U.S. Ambassador to Japan nominee Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday vowed to enhance bilateral ties as China seeks to "conquer through division," while welcoming a potential increase in Japan's defense spending.

Calling the bilateral partnership the "cornerstone of peace and prosperity in a free and open Indo-Pacific," Emanuel, who served as a top aide to former President Barack Obama, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, "If confirmed, my top priority will be to deepen these ties."

"China aims to conquer through division. America's strategy is security through unity. That regional unity is built on the shoulders of the U.S.-Japan alliance," the 61-year-old added.

The U.S. ambassadorship to Japan has been vacant since William Hagerty stepped down in July 2019 to run for the Senate. The nomination requires Senate approval.

The Senate committee conducted Emanuel's hearing on the same day as one for Nicholas Burns, a former diplomat and currently a Harvard University professor who was nominated to become the U.S. ambassador to China.

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, headed by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, has proposed ahead of the Oct. 31 general election increasing defense outlays, possibly to 2 percent of gross domestic product or higher. Japan, with its pacifist Constitution, has so far kept defense spending to around 1 percent of GDP.

"Willing to go from 1 percent to 2 percent is a sea change in thinking," the former congressman, known for his abrasive style and his close ties with U.S. President Joe Biden, told senators.

It would be a "reflection that they know they have a greater role to play and they have greater threats."

Emanuel, meanwhile, also expressed eagerness to create a common front with the United States, Japan and South Korea, warning that China, Russia and North Korea are "trying to find cracks and fissures in the alliances."

Although ties between Tokyo and Seoul remain soured over wartime history issues, Emanuel said the United States and its two Asian allies should focus on addressing the current challenges and threats posed by China and North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

He said he would like to "make sure that we deal with 21st century issues as allies and partners" and not let the 20th century issues "rob or mug that opportunity."

Emanuel's pledge to bolster Japan-U.S. ties was welcomed by Japan with a government spokesman saying Tokyo is waiting for him to assume the ambassadorship.

"We look forward to working with him to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and to work closely together to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihiko Isozaki told a press conference in Tokyo.

Emanuel was White House chief of staff from 2009 to 2010 for Obama, whom Biden served as vice president, before becoming Chicago's mayor for two terms from 2011 to 2019.

Burns, 65, said during his hearing that China is seeking to "become the most powerful country economically, politically and militarily in the Indo-Pacific" and slammed Beijing for its assertive behavior toward U.S. allies and partners in the region.

"Beijing has been an aggressor against India along their long Himalayan border, against Vietnam, the Philippines, and others in the South China Sea, against Japan in the East China Sea," he said.

In recent years, Beijing has become more assertive regarding its claim to the Senkaku Islands, a group of Japanese-administered islets in the East China Sea that China calls Diaoyu. It has also been pushing its territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Burns also said China's human rights abuses, or "genocide," against the Muslim Uyghur minority in the far-western Xinjiang region as well as its "bullying" of Taiwan are "unjust, and must stop."

Beijing views the self-ruled democratic island of Taiwan as a renegade province awaiting reunification, by force if necessary. It has been stepping up pressure on Taipei, such as by increasing the number of Chinese military planes entering the island's air defense identification zone.

Burns acknowledged the need to continue to help Taiwan maintain a sufficient self-defense capability, as stipulated in the Taiwan Relations Act, which Congress passed in 1979 after the United States switched its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing.

But he was against revisiting Washington's long-standing policy of maintaining an ambiguous position regarding the use of military force in response to a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

The "strategic ambiguity" policy was adopted after U.S.-Taiwan relations became "unofficial" in 1979. It is intended not only to deter China from using force against Taiwan but also to deter Taiwan from seeking independence, as neither Beijing nor Taipei can feel certain about U.S. intervention to defend Taiwan should a conflict arise.

"The smartest and effective way for us to help deter aggressive actions by China across the Taiwan Strait will be to stay with the policy that has been in place," he said.

Burns was undersecretary of state for political affairs, the State Department's third-ranking official, from 2005 to 2008 under the George W. Bush administration.

Related coverage:

Ex-U.S. envoy Hagerty slams Japan's justice system over Nissan case

Biden nominates ex-Obama aide Emanuel as U.S. ambassador to Japan

U.S. to pick deputy rep to Taiwan as interim envoy to Japan
KYODO NEWS - Oct 20, 2021 - 12:32 | World, All

North Korea confirmed through state media on Wednesday that it has test-fired a new type of submarine-launched ballistic missile, adding to concerns over the nuclear-armed nation's technological advances on hard-to-intercept weapons.

The missile launched Tuesday has "lots of advanced control guidance technologies including flank mobility and gliding skip mobility," the official Korean Central News Agency quoted the Academy of Defense Science as saying.

It was the latest in a series of missile tests conducted by Pyongyang.

Pundits say North Korea is aiming to strengthen its defense capabilities by developing several new weapons due to there being little prospect of talks with the United States and South Korea, a U.S. security ally, resuming soon.

KCNA said the academy succeeded in "the test-launch of new type SLBM from the same '8.24 Yongung' ship from which the first submarine-launched strategic ballistic missile was successfully launched five years ago."

On Tuesday, the South Korean military said the North launched what appeared to have been a short-range SLBM into the Sea of Japan. There was an assessment within the Japanese government that the missile could be a new type of SLBM.

The online edition of the Rodong Sinmun, the mouthpiece of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, on Wednesday ran photos of a missile fired from what appears to be a black submarine.

North Korea's SLBM launch came shortly before senior officials from the United States, South Korea and Japan met in Washington to discuss North Korea.

Sung Kim, U.S. special representative for North Korea, and his South Korean and Japanese counterparts agreed to continue "diplomatic efforts" in dealing with North Korea and working toward beefing up regional deterrence, a Japanese government source said.

From Japan, Takehiro Funakoshi, head of the Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, participated in the three-way meeting, while South Korea was represented by Noh Kyu Duk, South Korea's special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs.

The U.N. Security Council will convene an emergency gathering on Wednesday to discuss the situation surrounding North Korea, according to a source close to the matter.

With talks with North Korea remaining stalled over denuclearization steps by and sanctions relief for Pyongyang, the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has been reiterating its willingness to engage with the country, but no progress has been seen so far.

North Korea has test-fired other missiles in recent weeks. On Sept. 15 it launched a projectile from a "railway-borne missile system," while it fired what state-run media said was a newly developed hypersonic missile on Sept. 28.

Pyongyang also conducted tests of a new long-range cruise missile in early September -- the nation's first missile test since late March. North Korea last test-fired an SLBM in October 2019.

The Japanese government said Tuesday's missile flew around 600 kilometers and reached a maximum altitude of about 50 km before splashing down outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone. U.N. Security Council resolutions ban North Korea from launching ballistic missiles.

A defense expert said it is difficult to detect and track SLBMs, raising North Korea's nuclear threat to a new level especially for East Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan, where tens of thousands of U.S. troops are stationed.

At a ruling party meeting in January, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged to develop ballistic rockets "with the use of underwater or ground solid-fuel engine" and "nuclear-powered submarine and underwater-launch nuclear strategic" weapons.

KCNA, meanwhile, did not say Kim was present to observe Tuesday's missile test. It did not elaborate on where the SLBM test was carried out, either.

North Korea and the United States remain technically in a state of war as the 1950-1953 Korean War -- in which U.S.-led U.N. forces fought alongside the South against the North, which was backed by China and the Soviet Union -- ended in a cease-fire, not a peace treaty.

Pyongyang has no diplomatic relations with Washington, Seoul or Tokyo.

Related coverage:

North Korea fires possible submarine-launched ballistic missile into sea
KYODO NEWS - Oct 21, 2021 - 05:12 | Japan, All, Coronavirus

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party is on course to retain its majority in the House of Representatives in the Oct. 31 general election, according to a Kyodo News survey conducted through Wednesday.

Such an outcome would likely see new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida claim a mandate to pursue his COVID-19 and economic policy, under which he has pledged to realize growth and redistribute wealth to the middle class.

The LDP is set to win at least 233 of the 465 seats in the powerful lower chamber of parliament, while it remains uncertain whether it can hold onto the 276 it had before the election.

Candidates backed by the LDP are leading in around 190 of the 289 single-member districts, even as it faces stiff challenges from the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, according to the survey.

The LDP is also ahead in proportional representation, under which 176 seats will be allocated based on how many votes parties win in 11 regional blocks, reflecting returning support for the LDP after Kishida's unpopular predecessor, Yoshihide Suga, stepped down.

Kyodo News polled 174,000 eligible voters by phone on Tuesday and Wednesday immediately after the start of campaigning for the election. Nearly 30 percent were still undecided on who to vote for in their single-member districts, meaning the situation could change considerably by the time the race reaches the home stretch.

The CDPJ leads in about 50 single-member districts and is competitive in another 40 or so thanks to consolidating candidates with the Japanese Communist Party and other opposition groups.

But it remains unclear whether the CDPJ, headed by former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano, can add to the 110 seats it held before the election, especially given its lackluster support in proportional representation.

The CDPJ was the most popular choice among survey respondents unaffiliated with any political group, 20.5 percent of whom said they will vote for the party under proportional representation. Of the swing voters, 14.7 percent backed the LDP, while 38.9 percent said they had yet to decide.

The JCP has a chance of adding to its 12 seats but is unlikely to make significant gains.

LDP's junior coalition partner Komeito party, which held 29 seats pre-election, is expected to make a solid showing thanks to its support base, the lay Buddhist organization Soka Gakkai.

Kishida has said he will claim victory if the LDP and Komeito come away with a combined majority, or at least 233 seats, a low bar considering the ruling coalition held 305 before the lower house was dissolved for the general election.

Meanwhile, the Japan Innovation Party is moving within reach of its goal of increasing its 11 seats to a minimum of 21, which would allow it to submit bills to the lower house without help from other parties.

The Democratic Party for the People has six candidates polling well in single-member districts, while the anti-establishment Reiwa Shinsengumi, headed by actor-turned-politician Taro Yamamoto, appears likely to pick up at least one seat through proportional representation.
KYODO NEWS - Oct 20, 2021 - 11:55 | All, Japan

A 59-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of abusing his pet cat by forcing it to swim in a bathtub, police in central Japan's Aichi Prefecture said Wednesday.

The unemployed man had posted a photo and a video of the kitten being forced to swim on social media, the police said.

The video showed the kitten swimming for one minute and 29 seconds. Because cats usually do not like water, the act by the man, Masatoshi Hosono, in June last year is considered to constitute a violation of the animal protection law, according to the investigators. They said the man denies his behavior amounted to abuse.

The investigation was launched after a person who saw the man's posts on social media reported them to the Aichi police last October.

An animal welfare group urged police to pursue criminal charges against Hosono the following month.

The man, who was residing in Aichi's capital Nagoya when the suspected abuse occurred, told the investigators he has given the cat to an acquaintance. His current residence is in Toride, Ibaraki Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo.
KYODO NEWS - Oct 20, 2021 - 19:26 | All, Japan

Japan's ruling and opposition parties clashed over the handling of the economy and coronavirus response on Wednesday, as campaigning for the Oct. 31 general election heated up, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida fending off criticism over the government's failure to address the income gap.

Speaking in Kobe, western Japan, a day after campaigning began, Kishida vowed to implement "economic policies that will raise the income and salaries of as many people as possible."

"The important thing is for you to spend when your income and salaries go up, because spending will bring economic growth and create the virtuous cycle of growth and distribution," he said, in reference to his vision of a "new capitalism" that focuses on growth and the redistribution of wealth.

But in a stump speech in Date, Fukushima Prefecture, Yukio Edano, leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, blamed the LDP government for not raising over the past nine years the income of essential workers, such as care workers, nursery staff and nurses.

Edano asked why Kishida was urging private companies to raise salaries when politics is the reason behind the low salaries of such care workers, saying the wages "can be raised if the government decides."

Edano also took aim at the prime minister's backpedaling on promises to raise the capital gains tax.

"Many people who live in this rich country Japan cannot feel it. Let us share that wealth. Let us make people who made money through stocks pay more tax," said Edano, adding, "It is wrong that the tax rate for money made through stocks is lower than that for money earned by working."

The CDPJ has been calling for the redistribution of wealth first to promote economic growth.

While Kishida reiterated his pledge to "consider the worst case scenario" in fighting the coronavirus pandemic, Edano urged the public to let him take charge instead.

The CDPJ head said he had been hoping Kishida would create a command center to deal with the pandemic, only to learn that such a center was still a long way away because debate on the subject has yet to start.

"It is important not to let coronavirus cases rebound," Edano said, underscoring the urgency of a command post.

Leaders of the other parties also gave speeches across the country.

Keiichi Ishii, secretary general of the LDP's smaller partner Komeito, said in Tokyo, "Only the LDP-Komeito coalition can revive the Japanese economy damaged by the coronavirus pandemic."

In Sapporo, Kazuo Shii of the opposition Japanese Communist Party, said, "We need a change of government in order to protect lives from the novel coronavirus."

Related coverage:

Japan voters voice hope for change as election campaigning kicks off

Japanese celebrities urge young people to vote in general election

A guide to Japan's upcoming House of Representatives election
The Shikoku Shimbun - Oct 20, 2021 - 16:30 | All, Japan

Commemorative coins for the Year of the Tiger -- animal of the Chinese zodiac in 2022 -- became available for preorder this month at two local banks in Kagawa Prefecture, western Japan./p>

Seven gold coins, a silver coin and a set of five silver coins -- issued by Australia, Bhutan, Britain, Canada and France -- are being offered while stocks last by Tokyo-based trader Taisei Coins Corp. through Oct. 29, according to Hyakujushi Bank and Kagawa Bank.

New to the Chinese zodiac coin series this time around is a 500 British pound gold coin weighing 5 ounces (about 156 grams) bearing a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and a tiger on the back. Seventy of the coins are on sale in Japan for 2.86 million yen ($25,000), the banks said.

Also on offer are 100 pound gold coins, of which 650 are exclusively available in Japan for 572,000 yen, and 500 Canadian $100 gold coins available for 330,000 yen. The silver coin sets are priced at 77,000 yen, with 1,300 available.

The coins will be delivered from around Dec. 7, the banks said.

The Shikoku Shimbun

Related coverage:

Japan's largest pumpkin for the year weighs 394 kg

"Double diamond" viewing under way at Japan's other Mt. Fuji

High school students create giant maze with 10,000 sunflowers
New Delhi:

Suspected terrorists shot dead an Army personnel, who was on leave, in Warpora Sopore area of north Kashmirs Baramulla district. The gunmen fired upon Mohd Rafeeq Yatoo at his home at Warpora.

Yatoo, a soldier with the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, was at home on leave when he was fired upon by suspected terrorists. According to sources, he was shot at from a point-blank range.

Meanwhile, the Army, Special Operations Group of Police and the CRPF cordoned off the area and launched a hunt to arrest the attackers.

The incident came even as two unidentified terrorists were killed in a brief encounter with the joint team of security forces in Imam Sahib area of South Kashmir's Shopian district on Saturday afternoon.



Security sources said that exchange of gunfire between terrorists and joint forces occured at Pargochi orchards in Imam Sahib area following launch of cordon and search operation.



As the forces zeroed in on the suspected place, the hiding terrorists opened indiscriminate fire triggering exchange of gunfire for a brief period. Two terrorists were killed in the shootout.



Security sources said arms and ammunition was recovered from the shootout site adding that the identity of the slain terrorists is being ascertained.



Meanwhile, the mobile internet services have been snapped in the area and adjacent places in Shopian district as a security measure.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Srinagar:

National security and corruption have emerged as some of the main issues in the Lok Sabha elections but regional parties in Jammu and Kashmir have kept protection of the state's special status under the Constitution of India as their key poll plank. The National Conference, its arch rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and new entrant People's Conference led by Sajad Gani Lone have been talking about protection of Articles 35A and 370 of the Constitution in their rallies in the run-up to the polling which is scheduled to begin on April 11, latching on to BJP chief Amit Shah's remarks that Article 35A will be repealed by 2020.

"Protecting the special status of Jammu and Kashmir as guaranteed in the Constitution of the country, is one of the main cornerstones of our campaign for these elections," National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah told PTI.

The former chief minister dismissed suggestions that six Lok Sabha members from Jammu and Kashmir were numerically insignificant in case the special provision related to the state were to be scrapped through a legislation in Parliament.

"It is not a numerical argument, it is an argument based on facts. Yes we only have six seats but Jammu and Kashmir bats far above its rankings otherwise. The smallest thing in Jammu and Kashmir becomes international news, very big things in other states are often ignored. So, I think six members in Parliament can do more than 60 from another state," he said.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti is using the special status of the state and the buzz surrounding it to stage a comeback after her party's coalition government with the BJP fell last year.

She has adopted a more hardline posture than any of the regional parties on the issues related to Article 35A and Article 370.

"The relationship between our state and the country is based on our special constitutional position that legitimises it. If we remove, what legalises this relationship, it will turn into an occupation and colonisation," she said.

Mehbooba, while reacting to Shah's remarks on Article 35A, said the relation of Jammu and Kashmir with India will end if the terms and conditions of state's accession to the Union were changed.

"2020 will also be a deadline from Jammu and Kashmir to the nation. If you remove those terms and conditions on which Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India, our relation with the country will also finish," the former chief minister, who is contesting from Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, said.

Lone, who was a minister in the PDP-led coalition government in the state from the BJP quota, has also vowed to defend the state's special status.

"Article 35A is a matter of faith and dignity for the people of the J&K through which the Constitution of India guarantees to safeguard the special identity and unique status of Jammu & Kashmir. In matters of pride and identity, profit and loss is immaterial. Can a country allow a foreign country to undermine its sovereignty and national pride just for the sake of some monetary gains," Lone asked.

He said Jammu and Kashmir was not the only state with special residency laws.

"All northeastern states and even Himachal Pradesh have laws prohibiting non-locals from purchasing land. Why are politicians in New Delhi only against J&K's special status? What are their views on Art 371-A to 371-K which guarantee provisions like 370 as applicable to the northeastern states," he said.

Although Congress leaders in their campaign have focussed more on issues dominating the discourse at national level, the local leaders have made it a point to raise the issue of protecting the special status in electioneering in the valley.

"No power in the world can revoke Article 370 and Article 35-A," state Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir, who is contesting from the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, claimed.
New Delhi:

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has released the NEET PG/MDS 2019 seat allotment matrix for the second round of counselling at different affiliated institutions all over the country. Candidates who have been selected for the round 2 of NEET PG Councelling 2019, can now pick the institution of their choice on the official website of Medical Council of India that is mcc.nic.in.

Taking to its official website, the council wrote, "The seat matrix for Round-2 is available now and candidates can fill in their choices for Round 2". The first round of NEET PG Councelling was conducted till March 26, 2019.

Meanwhile, candidates who have studied/passed MBBS from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are eligible to avail the advantage of all India 50 per cent quota for MD/MS/post graduate diploma courses (2018 admission session). However, the quota system is not applicable for the Jammu and Kashmir candidates, excluding those who were nominated by the Government of India (under central pool seats) to do MBBS from medical colleges in the state.

For the convenience of the students, we have provided the list of important documents they need to carry while appearing for the second round of NEET PG Councelling 2019.

Important documents for NEET PG/MDS counselling 2019:

 Copy of downloaded NEET-MDS/PG 2019 admit card

 NEET-MDS/PG 2019 marksheet

 Nationality certificate/valid passport or School leaving certificate of HSC/ class 12 indicating the nationality of the candidate as Indian

 BDS/MBBS degree

 Internship completion certificate

 Permanent / Provisional Registration certificate of Maharashtra Medical Council or other State Medical Councils in India/MCI

 Certificate from Head of Institute showing that the college/ Institute from which the candidate has passed MBBS/MDS examination is recognized by Medical Council of India

 Medical fitness certificate

-Copy of receipt of online fee payment

The candidates who wish to upgrade their college must choose the web option YES to convey their willingness to participate in the next round. Those who have not been allotted a seat in round two must wait for the next one which will be conducted later in the month. Students who dont get their choice even in the third and last mop-up round can attend the counselling sessions for the state quota and can also try to acquire a seat via management quota.
New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address rallies in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Congress President Rahul Gandhi to address public meetings in Almora, Pauri and Haldwani. AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to hold road show in Fatehpur. BJP chief Amit Shah will hold a road show in Ahmedabad. BSP chief Mayawati to address rallies at Roorki and Udham Singh Nagar in Uttarakhand. Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav to file her nomination from Kannauj.

Here are the LIVE updates:

21:52 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu holds public rally in Guntur.

21:23 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BJP national General Secretary Ram Madhav on Congress manifesto: It appears as if this manifesto has been made to gather votes of the separatists of Jammu and Kashmir. There is no all-India vision in it. It is a manifesto made for vote-bank only.

21:22 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In

PM in Nanded: Congress ki haalat titanic jahaz ki tarah hai, ye har ek naye din ke sath duubti hi ja rahi hai. Congress ke sath jo jo iss jahaz mein baetha tha vo NCP ki tarah ya toh khud bhi duub raha hai ya uth uth kar ke bas jaan bachane ke liye bhaag raha hai.#Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/67LCTJeFjF

 ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2019



21:22 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In

PM Modi in Nanded: Congress ke naamdaar ne microscope le kar bharat mein ek aisi seat khoji hai jahan par vo muqabala karne ki taakat rakh sake. Seat bhi aisi jahan par desh ki majority minority mein hai. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/vFYvtuoA4j

 ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2019



21:22 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In

Andhra Pradesh: JD Lakshminarayana,Jana Sena candidate from Visakhapatnam LS seat,releases manifesto on bond paper; says."I signed on bond paper which features party manifesto for Visakhapatnam. Voters can drag me to court if I fail to fulfil the promises.Our party has such guts" pic.twitter.com/7D3xxN2JhQ

 ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2019



18:45 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Gujarat: BJP President Amit Shah holds a road show in Gandhinagar.

17:41 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Odisha: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan holds a road show in Balasore district's Nilagiri area.

17:28 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Delhi: Lt. General (Retired) Sarath Chand, former Vice Chief of Army Staff, joins BJP in presence of Union Minister and party leader Sushma Swaraj.

16:55 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Congress President Rahul Gandhi addresses a public meeting in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. WATCH LIVE:



Congress Pres Rahul Gandhi in Haridwar: Narendra Modi ji Hindu dharam ki baat karte hain. Hindu dharam mein sabse zaruri chiiz guru hota hai.Advani ji Narendra Modi ke guru hain.Advani ji ki haalat dekhi hai aapne?Advani ji ko stage se laat maarke uthar diya gaya hai.#Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/cxMZxapMZy

 ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2019



16:54 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Shatrughan Sinha after joining Congress: I did not take the decision to leave BJP overnight. I've was in the party for 25 years. I saw that this (BJP) govt was a one-man show and two men army, it had turned autocratic.

16:19 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu at party manifesto release, earlier today: Laptops will be given to intermediate (+2) students. Unemployment dole will be paid to those who pass out intermediate. We will set up innovation hubs in every city.

16:19 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In PM Modi in Balod: Congress and parties supporting it are fighting polls to loot people's money, we're contesting polls to make effective use of every single rupee. They're fighting polls to weaken security forces of the country and we're contesting polls to make them self-reliant.

15:28 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BJP releases another list of 28 candidates for Lok Sabha, Assembly and bypolls.

15:24 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Sonia Gandhi in Delhi: Today we are being taught a new definition of patriotism. Those who do not accept diversity are being called patriots.



Sonia Gandhi in Delhi: Today we are being taught a new definition of patriotism. Those who do not accept diversity are being called patriots. Humse umeed ki ja rahi hai ki khaan paan pehnaave aur abhivyakti ki azaadi ke maamle mein kuch logon ki manmaani hum bardaasht karein. pic.twitter.com/yAXAvV019h

 ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2019



15:23 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Congress releases another list of 5 candidates for Lok Sabha Elections 2019.

15:22 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Shatrughan Sinha to contest Lok Sabha Elections 2019 from Patna Sahib, Bihar on Congress ticket.

14:43 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In

Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu speaking at party manifesto release: Manifestos have become a farce nowadays. Some parties claim that they'll do many things, they don't even know intricacies. But we have a clear vision. We have fulfilled many promises, more than the said ones.













14:42 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Dimple Yadav, Samajwadi Party's candidate from Kannauj files nomination. Akhilesh Yadav, Ramgopal Yadav, Jaya Bachchan and BSP's SC Mishra also present.





14:19 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Dimple Yadav, Samajwadi Party's candidate from Kannauj, ahead of filing nomination: The victory margin will be huge since there is an alliance between SP-BSP. BJP did not fulfill its promises and now to divert attention, BJP is using the security forces. It has been a failed government.





13:53 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Dimple Yadav, Samajwadi Party's candidate from Kannauj, ahead of filing nomination: The victory margin will be huge since there is an alliance between SP-BSP. BJP did not fulfill its promises and now to divert attention, BJP is using the security forces. It has been a failed government.

13:38 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In





More









PM Narendra Modi in Sonepur: Actually Congress and BJD use the poor for politics. This is the reason a large part of India including Odisha was under immense poverty for so many decades, this situation was then misused by Maoists.



13:37 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Generation after generations the Congress was able to give only slogans for the eradication of poverty. People got poorer and their ministers got richer: PM Modi in Odisha.

13:25 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In People support and trust me because I've given free LPG connection to the women and free electricity connection to the needy: PM Modi

13:25 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In I have travelled across India and I've seen a wave. But some people can't see this massive wave: PM Modi



13:21 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In ITBP: First vote of Lok Sabha Polls 2019 has been cast in Arunachal Pradesh by service voters. A remote Indo-Tibetan Border Police unit on the eastern tip of North East started service voting by secret postal ballot on April 5 at Lohitpur, Arunachal Pradesh.





13:18 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Hojai, Assam: When China tried to forcefully enter India's borders & threaten our security in Doklam, govt under the leadership of Modi ji displayed strong will power and our soldiers gave China a befitting reply. For the first time, China was forced to retreat.





13:14 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Union Minister and BJP's candidate from Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, Smriti Irani offers prayers at a temple in Gauriganj.

13:13 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reaches Fatehpur. She will participate in a road show shortly.

13:11 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BSP chief Mayawati is addressing a rally in Roorkee.

12:39 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In K Anis Omer: We met ECI to file a complaint in regards to claims made by UP CM & by Delhi MLA MS Sirsa. They called us terrorists/virus & all kind of things, BJP troll army is behind it. Have asked EC to file FIR, they're going to look into the matter & immediately respond to us.

12:23 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Indian Union Muslim Leagues National Secretary, Khorram Anis Omer after meeting EC Officials: There has been a controversy going on about Pakistani flags being waved at Rahul Gandhi's rally in Wayanad, Kerala, which is false & misleading, & is an attempt to malign both parties.

12:27 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Rebel BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha joins Congress, likely to contest from Bihar's Patna Sahib against Union Minister's Ravi Shankar Prasad.





12:02 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In We have well-thought policies and have good intentions. Because of this we have worked for the welfare of the poor, the deprived and the marginalized people of the society: PM Modi in Odisha's Sundergarh.

12:02 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In In Jharkhand, the development has reached every corner. Now, they don't have to migrate to other states. They have options to earn livelihood in their state. This is what happens when you have same govt in the state and the centre: PM Modi

12:01 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In No party ever thought of carrying out air strike and surgical strike. It's indicative of strengthening India. A strong govt is necessary for strong and empowered India: PM Modi

12:01 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Today, BJP has govt in all four corners of the country. People have embraced the BJP and it's in their heart. It's one of the largest democratic political party. People from all section of the society are becoming part of the BJP: PM Modi in Sundergarh.

12:00 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh and Dimple Yadav have reached Kannauj and are holding a road show there. SP leader Jaya Bachchan and BSP leader Satish Chandra Mishra also present. Dimply will file her nomination from Kannauj today.

11:46 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Today BJP flag is flying proudly in regions where it was unimaginable at one point of time. BJP is the biggest democratic organization in the world. We are now a strong option to Congress and other parties which were formed from within Congress: PM Modi.

11:45 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In In Kerala and West Bengal, our karyakartas are killed every now and then. However, it doesn't deter BJP karyakartas: PM Modi.

11:44 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Today is the 40th founding day of BJP. It's not made of borrowed ideology from outside. It has taken birth from the aspirations of the people of India. We aren't based on a family or money. Karyakartas and their hard work have made this party: PM Modi

11:38 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In It's not a PM who is visiting Sundergarh. A pradhan sewak of Odisha has come here: PM Modi

11:34 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In PM Narendra Modi addresses a rally in Sundergarh, Odisha.





10:28 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Gujarat: BJP President Amit Shah holds a road show in Vejalpur area of Ahmedabad. The road show is part of the Jan Samapark Abhiyan.





09:39 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In DMK Chief MK Stalin: I have campaigned in nearly 30 parliamentary constituencies till now. I have sensed public mood, they are fed up of Modi in Centre and Edappadi K. Palaniswami government in state and people want to put a full stop to these governments.



09:38 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Vivek Oberoi on his film 'PM Narendra Modi': There are very powerful people who have approached courts through their lawyers. They can obstruct us briefly but they won't be able to stop us. The release might have been postponed but we are firm in our resolve.



09:05 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Vivek Oberoi on his film 'PM Narendra Modi': We wanted to release the film on April 5 but some people put us in so many difficulties that we couldn't do it. We are working hard to get the film released on April 11, we have to go to the Supreme Court on Monday.

07:19 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In President of All India petroleum dealers association, Ajay Bansal: The association has decided to give a discount of 50 paisa/litre on petrol & diesel across India on the day of the election. Any voter can avail the discount after showing the voting mark on his/her finger.





07:17 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Mock polling booth with Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) & Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) installed at Raipur Railway Station to create awareness among voters.



Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Mock polling booth with Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) & Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) installed at Raipur Railway Station to create awareness among voters. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/6pQbJHy9Qi

 ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2019



07:16 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Coimbatore: Election Commission's surveillance squad seized 146 kg of gold bars without valid documents from a van near Puliakulam on Friday.



Coimbatore: Election Commission's surveillance squad seized 146 kg of gold bars without valid documents from a van near Puliakulam yesterday. More details awaited. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/lQLPYNJUnx

 ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2019



07:06 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BJP is celebrating its Foundation Day today. Celebrations will begin at the party headquarters in Delhi.

07:06 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav to file her nomination from Kannauj.

07:04 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BSP chief Mayawati to address rallies at Roorki and Udham Singh Nagar in Uttarakhand.

07:04 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BJP chief Amit Shah will hold a road show in Ahmedabad.

07:04 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In After holding a road show in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad, AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will hold a road show in Fatehpur today. She could later join brother Rahul Gandhi at his rallies in Uttarakhand.

07:02 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Congress President Rahul Gandhi to address public meetings in Almora, Pauri and Haldwani.


New Delhi:

The Supreme Court on Monday said that it will look into an appeal filed against Madras High Court order banning video-sharing application TikTok. Earlier, the Madras High Court had passed an order to prohibit the download and use of TikTok. The Madurai bench of the high court passed the order after expressing concern that the app hosts inappropriate content, including pornography, which is available for access to children. The bench had also expressed its concern that minors are also exposed to strangers online through TikTok.



"Majority of the teens are playing pranks, gaffing around with duet videos sharing with split screen to the strangers. The children who use the said application are vulnerable and may expose them to sexual predators . Without understanding the dangers involved in these kinds of Mobile Apps., it is unfortunate that our children are testing with these Apps."

Justices N Kirubakaran and SS Sundar have also directed the central government to respond before the February 16 if it would enact like US' "Children's Online Privacy Protection Act" to prevent children becoming online victims. The order also observed pranks made using the app could violate privacy.

The petition was filed by a Madurai-based senior lawyer-cum-social activist Muthu Kumar. Citing pornography, cultural degradation, child abuse, suicides, he had sought a direction to ban TikTok.



Tik Tok, which was launched in 2019, is a social video app owned by China's Beijing ByteDance Co. It reached the one billion download mark in February. It is a popular app worldwide and was the fourth most downloaded non-game app in 2018.
Washington:

Scientists in the US are developing artificial intelligence (AI) systems that could help robots assist soldiers in the battlefield in future. For the research, published in the journal Science Advances, team looked at soldier brain activity during specific tasks for ways to incorporate AI teaming to dynamically complete tasks.

According to Jean Vettel, a senior neuroscientist at the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) in the US, technologies that can predict states and behaviours of the individual soldier may help create a more optimised team.

The work between ARL and the University at Buffalo is looking at ways the dynamics and architecture of the human brain may be coordinated to predict such behaviors and consequently optimize team performance.

In military operations, soldiers perform multiple tasks at once. Theyre analysing information from multiple sources, navigating environments while simultaneously assessing threats, sharing situational awareness, and communicating with a distributed team, said Vettel.

This requires soldiers to constantly switch among these tasks, which means that the brain is also rapidly shifting among the different brain regions needed for these different tasks, he said.

If we can use brain data in the moment to indicate what task theyre doing, AI could dynamically respond and adapt to assist the Soldier in completing the task, he added.

To achieve this future capability, the researchers first sought to understand how the brain coordinates its different regions while executing a particular task. They used a computational approach to understand how this may be characterised to inform the behavioral prediction.

To complete the study, researchers mapped how different regions of the brain were connected to one another in 30 different people via tracts of tissue called white matter.

Scientists converted these maps into computational models of each subjects brain, and used computers to simulate what would happen when a single region of a persons brain was stimulated.

They then used a mathematical framework, which they developed, to measure how brain activity became synchronised across various cognitive systems in the simulations.

While the work has been deployed on individual brains of a finite brain structure, it would be very interesting to see if coordination of Soldiers and autonomous systems may also be described with this method, too, said Javier Garcia, an ARL neuroscientist.

Much how the brain coordinates regions that carry out specific functions, you can think of how this method may describe coordinated teams of individuals and autonomous systems of varied skills work together to complete a mission," Garcia said.

For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

With the Lok Sabha elections just round the corner, a school in Lucknow has done its bit to encourage people to exercise their franchise. The Christ Church College in Lucknow will add extra 10 marks to the final results of those students whose parents will cast their votes on the day of polling. As per reports, "Ten marks will be added to those students' final results whose parents will vote in the elections," RK Chattree, principal of the school, said.

Apart from this, the school has put up a banner on the gate which says: "Voting is the expression of commitment to self and to the country. We appeal to all the parents to exercise their right to vote. The college promises to award 10 marks to the students' final result whose parents will vote."

Several schools and educational institutes across the country have adopted several measures to promote voting in Lok Sabha elections 2019. Such methods include different competitions, marches, slogan writing and providing extra marks to motivate students for asking their parents to vote per reports.

The first phase of polling in the Lok Sabha elections will take place on Thursday.
New Delhi:

A day after the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) declared the results for UPSC civil services examination, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday congratulated Sreedhanya Suresh, the first tribal woman from Kerala to clear the prestigious exam. Twenty-two-year-old Sreedhanya, a resident of Wayanad, bagged the 410th rank in the Civil Services Examination, 2018, the results of which were made available at the official website of the UPSC i.e. upsc.gov.in on Friday.

Taking to Twitter, Gandhi wrote, "Ms Sreedhanya Suresh from Wayanad, is the first tribal girl from Kerala to be selected for the civil service. Sreedhanya's hard work & dedication have helped make her dream come true. I congratulate Sreedhanya and her family and wish her great success in her chosen career".

Ms Sreedhanya Suresh from Wayanad, is the first tribal girl from Kerala to be selected for the civil service.



Sreedhanyaas hard work & dedication have helped make her dream come true.



I congratulate Sreedhanya and her family and wish her great successs in her chosen career. a Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 6, 2019

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also extended his best wishes to Sreedhanya and spoke to her over the phone. In a Facebook post, Vijayan said, "Sreedhanya fought social backwardness and passed the civil services exam with flying colours. Her achievement will inspire other students in the future".

"The dropout level among tribal students is the highest. I hope to change that. There are so many other issues - land rights, women's safety, problems of unwed mothers. But I wouldn't focus my work on a single community, I'd deal with the problems of every community," Vijayan added.

Being asked about her future course of action, SreedhanyaA toldA The News Minute,A "Only, I expected a better rank. But 410 is fine, I hope it should get me IAS, as has been the pattern in previous years".

"Our happiness is sky high... We stretched to the maximum to ensure that she studies well. We ensured that nothing becomes a barrier for her studies and now her hard work has been rewarded," IANS quoted Sreedhanya's mother Kamala.

Sreedhanya, who is the daughter of daily wage labourers Suresh and Kamala, belongs to the Kurichiya tribe. Talking about her educational qualifications, she graduated in B.Sc. in Zoology from Devagiri St Joseph's College in Kozhikode and completed her Post Graduation in Applied Zoology at the University of Calicut.A A

Apart from Sreedhanya, 28 more Keralites have cleared the Uttar Pradesh Civil Services Examination, 2018.

A total of 759 candidates, out of which 577 men and 182 women, have been recommended for appointment to posts of IAS, IPS etc. While Kanishak Kataria topped the examination all over India, Srushti Jayant Deshmukh came first among women.
New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his second visit to Odisha in a week and addressed a rally in Sundergarh on Saturday. The prime minister said that it is the first time that a prime minister had come to Sundergarh in Odisha. Today, a pradhan sewak of Odisha has come here, PM Modi said. The saffron party is celebrating its Foundation Day and on this, the prime minister said, Today is the 40th founding day of BJP. It's not made of borrowed ideology from outside. It has taken birth from the aspirations of the people of India. We aren't based on a family or money. Karyakartas and their hard work have made this party.

He asked the people of the state to decide if they want an honest government or a corrupt government in Odisha and at the Centre. Attacking the Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal government in the state, the prime minister said that the BJD has obstructed the implementation of financial assistance to farmers, free treatment to the poor under Ayushman yojana. It shows that they have evil and doubtful intentions. The discrimination on the basis of territory that the BJD government of Odisha is doing, the same discrimination the Congress and its allies have done for decades with entire eastern India.

Talking about the surgical strike, PM Modi said, India kills terrorists by entering inside their houses. There were governments earlier too, but they couldn't even think of surgical strikes... they didn't have the guts to cross the border by planes and kill the terrorists. Your 'chowkidar' is carrying out strikes at terrorist havens, while Congress is trying to remove the key powers of the soldiers.
New Delhi:

Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha on Saturday joined the Congress party. Sinha is likely to contest from Patna Sahib seat against Bharatiya Janata Partys Ravi Shankar Prasad. I saw democracy changing into a dictatorship in the BJPIt has become a one-man party and two-man show," Sinha said while joining the Congress. Commenting about his decision to quit BJP, Sinha said BJP started disowning me gradually. I was not heard at all. When I tried, I was told to contact Amit Shah directly. Nobody else was willing to lend his ears to my grievances, he said.



We welcome Shatrughan Sinha into the Congress, said Congress national spokesperson Randeep Surjewala who was present at the occasion. Sinha is a two-term BJP Lok Sabha member from Patna Sahib. Describing himself a great admirer of Nehru-Gandhi family, Shatrughan had earlier met Congress chief Rahul Gandhi. Shatrughan Sinha had said the announcement would be made on the auspicious occasion of Navratra.



The development came after Shatrughan, a vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was denied party ticket from Patna Sahib parliamentary constituency in Bihar. He is currently the sitting Member of Parliament from the seat.



Democracy within the BJP does not exist any longer. Dictatorship prevails instead. That's why I have decided to join the Congress Party during the auspicious period of Navaratri, he had said.

Associated with the BJP since the 1990s, Sinha fell out with the party's leadership in the recent past, complaining it has become a "one-man show and two-man army"-- a reference apparently to the Prime Minister and his trusted aide and party president Amit Shah.



In a series of stinging tweets, , Sinha, ccused PM Modi of arrogance and EVM misuse and advised him to go for a real press conference and take questions from journalists "who cannot be bought and can question you in the larger interest of the nation".

"Honourable outgoing Sirji. Why are you wasting so much money on different channels and on the paid and choreographed crowd who chant your name at any given time - during, before and after your speeches on the signal of the conductors. Your speeches lack content and depth these days and have gone to the extent of becoming highly repetitive and irritating," the actor tweeted.

"Sirji, I still remain your well-wisher despite your EVM misuse and in spite of all your arrogance. My humble suggestion for you at this eleventh hour would be to become straight and go straight. Don't hire or go for paid channels. Instead go for a real and genuine Press Conference with people who cannot be bought, who can question you in the larger interest of the nation," he said in another tweet.
New Delhi:

Along with Chaitra Navratri, Gudi Padwa and Ugadi is also being celebrated in several parts of India on Saturday. This is an auspicious time that welcomes spring. While Gudi Padwa is the Maharashtrian new year, Ugadi is the New Year's Day for the people of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. In Karnataka, the festival is celebrated as Yugadi.

People celebrate Ugadi and Gudi Padwa by decorating their houses and wearing new clothes and making colourful rangolis. In south India, the colorful patterns or rangolis are called kolamulus.

Here are some wishes that you can send to your loved ones this Gudi Padwa:

Raw mangoes, neem, and jaggery represent the sour, bitter and sweet flavours of life. May the flavours of Gudi fill your life in the coming year. Happy Gudi Padwa!

On this auspicious occasion of Gudi Padwa, may you be endowed with Happiness, Health & Wealth. Happy Gudi Padwa!

This Gudi Padwa, may your enemies become friends, the darkness of negativity fade away from your life, and you discover a new person within you. Happy Gudi Padwa!

A new hope, a new beginning, a new dream is waiting to unfold. May this New Year brings your way millions of joys unheard  untold. Happy Gudi Padwa!

May the festival of Gudi Padwa bring you luck, success and happiness. Best wishes to you and your family. Happy Gudi Padwa!

May the festival of lights be the harbinger of joy and prosperity. As the holy occasion of Gudi Padwa is here and the atmosphere is filled with the spirit of mirth and love. Heres hoping this festival of beauty brings your way bright sparkles of contentment, that stay with you through the days ahead. Wishing you a Happy Gudi Padwa!

Raise the Gudi, join your hands. Pray to God, He understands. Live each day to the fullest, may this Padwa bring nothing but the best. Happy Gudi Padwa!

Today is a new day, adorned with new hopes, new plans, and new missions. We wish your entire year is full of new smiles, new successes, new joys, and new adventures. Happy Gudi Padwa!

Ugadi wishes:

May this new year be a joyful ride for you and your family. Here's wishing you best year ahead. Happy Ugadi!

This Ugadi, I'm wishing you a life filled with peace, cheer and laughter. Happy Ugadi to you!

The raw mangoes, neem and jaggery represent the sour, bitter and sweet flavors of life. May the flavours of Ugadi fill your life in the coming year.

Raw mangoes, neem, and jaggery represent the sour, bitter and sweet flavours of life.

May the flavours of Gudi fill your life in the coming year. Happy Gudi Padwa! On this auspicious occasion of Gudi Padwa, may you be endowed with Happiness, Health & Wealth. Happy Gudi Padwa! This Gudi Padwa, may your enemies become friends, the darkness of negativity fade away from your life, and you discover a new person within you. Happy Gudi Padwa! A new hope, a new beginning, a new dream is waiting to unfold. May this New Year brings your way millions of joys unheard  untold. Happy Gudi Padwa! May the festival of Gudi Padwa bring you luck, success and happiness.

Best wishes to you and your family. Happy Gudi Padwa! May the festival of lights be the harbinger of joy and prosperity.

As the holy occasion of Gudi Padwa is here and the atmosphere is filled with the spirit of mirth and love. Heres hoping this festival of beauty brings your way bright sparkles of contentment, that stay with you through the days ahead. Wishing you a Happy Gudi Padwa! Raise the Gudi, join your hands. Pray to God, He understands. Live each day to the fullest,

May this Padwa bring nothing but the best. Happy Gudi Padwa! Today is a new day, adorned with new hopes, new plans, and new missions. We wish your entire year is full of new smiles, new successes, new joys, and new adventures. Happy Gudi Padwa!

For all the Latest Lifestyle News, Others News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Lieutenant General (retd) Sarath Chand, former Vice Chief of Army Staff, on Saturday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at party headquarters in Delhi in presence of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. Sarath Chand was commissioned into the Garhwal Rifles in June 1979 and retired as vice chief of Indian Army on June 1 last year. Chand has been in active combat leadership roles at every stage of command in the Army.

Speaking to media Chand said, "In today's global scenario, the country needs a strong leadership. After serving the nation for about 38 years, I have never thought that I will join politics, but I was inspired by the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that is why I am joining BJP".

"I came here to accompany the prime minister and the party and don't want anything in return. As much as the Bharatiya Janata Party has done for the soldiers, I doubt anybody has done it before," he added.

Delhi: Lt. General (Retired) Sarath Chand, former Vice Chief of Army Staff, joins BJP in presence of Union Minister and party leader @SushmaSwaraj.



(ANI) pic.twitter.com/eO1i918VYg a News Nation (@NewsNationTV) April 6, 2019

After Lt. Gen. Philip Campose, Chand is the second Malayali to hold the post of Vice Chief of Army Staff. Hailing from Kottarakkara, Chand has been conferred with the Vishisht Seva Medal, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal during his tenure.

With less than one week left for the General Elections 2019, several prominent figures and political leaders have been joining parties of their choice or shifting sides. Keeping in mind the vote-bank politics, political biggies are trying to keep the big names under their banner in a bid to shield support from the public.

Seven-phase Lok Sabha Elections is scheduled to be held between April 11 and May 19 while the counting of votes will be taken up on May 23.
New Delhi:

Pakistan has opened one of its 11 air routes for west-bound flights from India and airlines such as Air India and Turkish Airlines have started using it, said a senior government official Saturday. Pakistan has been opening its airspace in tranches. On Thursday, it opened one of the 11 routes for west-bound flights. Therefore, airlines such as Air India and Turkish Airlines have started using it, he said.

Even though the route P518 was opened on Thursday evening, American airline company United Airlines announced on Friday said its flight connecting Newark airport and Delhi airport has been suspended for two weeks.

Pakistan had kept its airspace fully closed after an Indian Air Force strike on a terror camp in Balakot on February 26.

However, Pakistan on March 27, opened its airspace for all flights except for Bangkok, New Delhi and Kuala Lumpur,

Since the route P518 that has been opened passes over south Pakistan, the air travel time for west-bound flights from Delhi will not decrease substantially, the official clarified.

Since February 26, many foreign airlines have decided to suspend their Delhi-bound flights as it was commercially unviable for them to take a longer route through Mumbai airspace.

The operating cost for Air India, which flies to destinations in Europe and the US, has increased significantly as it had to take longer routes due to closure of Pakistan airspace.

The Delhi-Washington and Delhi-Chicago flights of the national carrier had been making a stop at Mumbai and Vienna for refuelling and change of crew.

Air India had on March 15 requested its inactive crew members to immediately join work as the airline had been forced to cancel and reroute a number of the US and Europe-bound flights due to closure of Pakistan airspace.

The airline had on March 14 announced that it would combine the Mumbai-New York flight with its Mumbai-Newark flight from March 16 to May 31.

On March 13, it had announced the suspension of flights on the Delhi-Madrid and Delhi-Birmingham routes from March 16 till further notice due to operational reasons.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi :

With the successful anti-satellite missile test, India is capable of hitting a target at a range of over 1,000 km in space and a lower orbit was chosen for the mission to avoid threat of debris to global space assets, DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy said on Saturday. On being asked whether multiple satellite targets can be hit, he said, It is a question of how many launchers we have, and with multiple launchers, one can have multiple engagements. But, multiple (targets) is definitely feasible.

India shot down one of its satellites in space on March 27 with an anti-satellite (A-SAT) missile to demonstrate this complex capability, joining the elite club of countriesthe US, Russia and Chinawhich have such capabilities. The A-SAT test was successfully conducted with a new interceptor missile against a live orbiting satellite in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in a hit-to-kill mode. The interceptor has the capability to hit target at a range of 1,000 km, which covers most of the LEO satellites, he told a press conference at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Bhawan here.

An orbit of around 300 km was chosen for the test for capability demonstration and the purpose was to avoid threat of debris to any global space assets, Reddy said. His remarks come days after NASA raised concerns about the spread of debris from the A-SAT test India conducted under Mission Shakti.

The debris created following the intercept will decay in a matter of weeks, he added. Addressing the mediapersons, Reddy also said, For a similar application we dont need another test. On Tuesday, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) had termed a terrible thing Indias shooting down of its satellite, saying the hit-to-kill mission created about 400 pieces of orbital debris.

Some debris going up could be a possibility, as per our simulation also. We dont have information on that.. From our simulation, we can very clearly say that the possibilities of (debris) hitting the ISS are not there, Reddy said. He said the first 10 days since the test were critical and that have passed, and in 45 days all debris will disintegrate. The Ministry of External Affairs too has said the test was done in the lower atmosphere to ensure that there is no space debris.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hailed the A-SAT tests success as an unprecedented achievement that makes India a space power. Some 150 scientists, including at least 40 women scientists, worked round-the-clock, and especially in the last six months on this project. About 2,000 components were sourced from 50 private industries. The idea began around 2014 and development started in 2016 with a go-ahead from the government.

The press interaction came days ahead of the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls on April 11 due to which the model code of conduct is in place. He also said that earlier in the day there was a meeting with eminent scientists to inform them about the A-SAT test. He also responded to a question on Congress leader P Chidambarams criticism of the government on the test, who had said that only a foolish government would reveal a defence secret.

Mission of this nature after a test is conducted cant be kept secret. The satellite is tracked by many stations across the world. All necessary permissions were taken, Reddy said. Deputy National Security Advisor Pankaj Saran, who was present during the briefing, in response to a question said, We do keep in touch with some of our friendly nations and we were in touch with them about this mission.

But, it was not a one-off thing. It is what we do, as a spacefaring nation. Also, many space programmes have international ramifications.. So, it is part of our outreach. Today, also we are in touch with various countries, he said. On Saturdays meeting, the DRDO said in a statement, A special interaction session was organised by the DRDO here today to present first-hand account of the mission details, development milestones, including technological aspects of Mission Shakti.

DRDO Chairman Reddy, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and many eminent serving and retired strategic experts, technocrats, diplomats, top brass of armed forces, and members of the scientific fraternity from various departments participated in the deliberations, it said. The DRDO presented the objectives, mission challenges and achievements of the Anti-Satellite Test (A-SAT), the statement said.

For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Bihar Board 10th Results 2019: As per latest Inputs, Bihar Board of Secondary Education will release BSEB 10th Result today at official website biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in. The students can check their matric result 2019 at newsnation.in/board-results. This year, the declaration of the Bihar Board Class 10 Result will seal the fate of lakhs of students who have appeared for the examination. The candidates who will be checking their result are asked to keep all the details ready for the fast and easy access to the Bihar Board Result 2019.

CLICK HERE FOR BIHAR BSEB CLASS 10 RESULT 2019

Alternatively, students can visit News Nation's result page to get access to their BSEB Class 10 results without any hassle. We request students to bookmark this page to get all the latest updates related to their BSEB Class 10 Result 2019.

Bihar Board Result 2019: How to check?

For the convenience of the students, we have mentioned the steps through which the candidates can check their results:

Step 1: Visit News Nations result page- english.newsnationtv.com/board-results

Step 2: Enter your roll number, date of birth and other details.

Step 3: Click on the 'submit' button.

Step 4: Check your BSEB Class 10 Result 2019.

Meanwhile, the Bihar Board announced BSEB Inter Result on March 30, much before the expected date. A total number of 79.76 percent students passed the BSEB Inter 2019 examination. The pass percentage for Arts, Science, and Commerce was 76.5%, 93.02%, and 81.20% respectively.

About Bihar Board

As the name suggests, the BSEB manages and conducts the annual board exams for matriculation and intermediate level school students. The Board Exams for class 10 and class 12 students are generally conducted in the month of February and March. Apart from this, the BSEB also conducts others centralized exams like Diploma in Physical Education, Certificate in Physical Education and Teachers Training Examination on such terms and condition as laid down by the State Government.
New Delhi:

BJP general secretary Ram Madhav Saturday sought peoples cooperation in wiping out terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir. Our fight is against terrorism which is your problem as well. We have almost finished terrorism from the state and need your cooperation to wipe it out completely, Madhav said, addressing election rallies in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri.

Seeking support for the party candidate from the Jammu parliamentary constituency Jugal Kishore, he said where there is terror, there can never be peace.

We have to wipe out terrorism and our government has taken various steps in this direction. When we entered into a coalition with late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed (former chief minister and PDP patron), our common focus was eradication of terrorism from the state, he said.

He said his party considers the people of all the regions of the state as its own.

When we say Jammu and Kashmir is ours, we do not just mean the land but the entire population of Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir regions. They are our own people who want development, Madhav said.

Earlier, Ram Madhav hitting out at the National Conference-Congress alliance, he had called the seat-sharing pact a drama. "This drama that is going on that they are in alliance in Jammu, but fighting in Kashmir. They are trying various types of exercises against Modi and the BJP, let them do it. We will win two seats in Jammu and one in Ladakh and will try our best in Kashmir so that our candidates go forward," he said.



Unfortunately, regional parties dont understand the aspirations of local people here, he said. They are repeating old policies for their own benefit. During municipal election they asked people to boycott, giving reasons like 370 or 35-A, we havent changed any stand on these issues, he said.





Character of regional parties is evident from a fact that their elected Parliamentary candidate praised Pakistan? There should be a FIR against Akbar Lone for his pro-Pakistan statement. They call themselves Mujahideen? Dont these (Militants) rape women and kill teenage people in Kashmir, he said.
New Delhi:

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday wrote to the Election Commission protesting transfers of four IPS officers, including Kolkata and Bidhannagar police commissioners.

The EC decision is "unfortunate", "highly arbitrary, motivated and biased" and taken at the behest of BJP, the letter said, urging the poll panel to review its decision.

"Should there be any deterioration in the law order situation of the state, would the Commission take responsibility?" said the letter, the content of which was shared with PTI.

It also asked the EC to initiate a probe as to how and under whose guidance the decision on the transfer of the top police officers was taken.

"I strongly feel that the EC plays a neutral role to save democracy in India. But, it is very unfortunate that I have to write this letter today to raise strong protest against the transfer order dated April 5, 2019 issued by the EC by way of removing four senior officers from their existing positions," Banerjee said in her letter.

"The decision of the Commission is highly arbitrary, motivated and biased. We have every reason to believe that the decision of the Commission is at the behest of the ruling party at the Centre, i.E the BJP," the letter read.

Banerjee alleged that the EC transfer orders came soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a BJP candidate alleged in a TV programme that the law and order situation in West Bengal is bad.

The EC had on Friday night removed Kolkata Police Commissioner Anuj Sharma and Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Gyanwant Singh in a major shake-up ahead of the seven-phase Lok Sabha polls in the state.

Rajesh Kumar, Additional Director General of Police (ADG), Pollution Control Board, was made the new Kolkata top cop, while Natarajan Ramesh Babu, ADG and IGP, Operations, was named the Bidhannagar police commissioner.

The poll body also named Avannu Ravindranath, deputy commissioner (Airport Division) of Bidhannagar, as the new Birbhum superintendent of police and appointed Srihari Pandey, deputy commissioner of Kolkata Armed Police, 3rd Battalion, as the Diamond Harbour police superintendent.

The announcement comes days after opposition parties in the state had alleged that free and fair elections would not be possible under these officers.

"The flow of events gives rise to strong doubts whether the Commission is functioning as per its constitutional mandate of conducting free and fair elections or working in a manner to appease the ruling BJP at the centre," the letter said.

Describing Sharma and Singh as "bright and experienced", she said they had played key roles in the seizure of illegal currency, gold, liquor and other prohibited items and in enforcing law and order in strict manner.

"The decision of the ECI to remove these officers leaves a big question mark whether this step is to give a shield to the vested interested parties and their political masters," Banerjee's letter said.

She said those brought in place of the two top police officers had been given the duty of police observers in other states and have little idea about Kolkata and Bidhannagar.

Stating that law and order is a state subject, Banerjee alleged that the state government was not consulted on the transfer.

"By not following the established practice and not seeking a panel of officers from the state government, the action of the ECI is prima facie undemocratic, biased and suffers from principles of natural justice," she wrote.

The EC had written to Chief Secretary Malay De directing immediate implementation of the transfers and sought a compliance report within 24 hours.

It also directed that the police officers who have been transferred should not be involved by the state government in any election-related duty.

Both Sharma and Singh were present when Banerjee began her sit-in on February 3 to protest against CBI's attempts to question former police commissioner Rajeev Kumar in connection with its probe into the Saradha scam.

Kumar was later interrogated by the CBI in Shillong under the orders of the Supreme Court and Sharma had replaced Kumar.

After TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's wife was allegedly found carrying gold at the Kolkata airport, BJP had lodged a complaint with the EC against Bidhannagar Police commissioner Gyanwant Singh.

The party had demanded that Singh be held responsible for the alleged police interference if "prima facie any such incident happened".
New Delhi:

Launching a scathing attack on Congress president Rahul Gandhi in his home turf, Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani said that people of Amethi will bid farewell to the 'naamdar' (dynast) on May 6. "Ram's 'vanvas' (exile) ended in 14 years, but Amethi's exile is going to end after 15 years. The people of Amethi are going to bid farewell to the 'naamdar' (dynast) on May 6 (polling day). The Congress cheated the people for 55 years," Irani said while speaking to media persons on the third day of her visit to Amethi.

"Naamdars took the vote of Amethi for fruits of power, but did not think of the development here," she said.

Irani, who had unsuccessfully contested against Gandhi in 2014 General Elections, also lashed out at the Congress leader for his recent comments on the BJP's top leadership.

"Only those who do not have values throw muck on others," she said, referring to his comments on veteran leader LK Advani, saying the senior leader had been unceremoniously sidelined.

Lamenting that the people of Amethi lack basic amenities even after 70 years of Independence, Irani said the main issue in the constituency was development and the people will vote for the BJP this time.

Later, she met Sant Fakkad Baba at the Kalikan Dham and sought his blessings. Interacting with other devotees, the union minister said she has adopted Amethi as her home which she will never leave and the people here have given her the honour of 'didi'.
Lucknow:

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra saying the voters will put an end to 'drama of chowkidari'. "Gathbandhan is winning and the BJP is going, provided they (BJP) don't tamper with the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)," she said, adding that the voters would end the "drama of chowkidari".A

Mayawati, while addressing her first joint rally along with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, said that Modi government has not fulfilled even one-fourth of the promises that he made before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections to the women, farmers, labourers and everyone in the country.A

Slamming PM Modi for making false promises, Mayawati said that clearance of dues of sugarcane farmers remains unfulfilled.

She also criticisedA the BJP-led-Yogi government and said the voters need to show him the door too. "Removing Modi is not enough, Yogi also needs to be shown the door, Mayawati said at the rally in Deoband," Mayawati said in Deoband.A A

Targetting the Congress, Mayawati said that the grand old party is not capable of defeating the BJP and therefore voters should vote for the SP-BSP-RLD alliance. The BSP leader said that her party never issued election manifestos as she believed in talking less and delivering more.A

Mayawati, in Saharanpur's Deoband: I'm warning, especially people of Muslim community, that Congress isn't in a position to fight BJP in UP. Only 'gathbandhan' can fight BJP. Congress knows this but they're going by mantra 'Hum jeete ya na jeete, gathbandhan nahi jeetna chahiye'. pic.twitter.com/m22IHKsN62 a ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 7, 2019

"Don't get divided, vote en masse for gathbandhan. We have BSP vote in every seat, SP is also mobilised. If Muslims want BJP to lose, they have to stand firmly behind Gathbandhan," the BSP chief said.

The Prime Minister had also failed to protect the borders, she added, citing increasing instances of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir in particular.A

With a large number of people in the rally being Muslims, she asked the minorities to vote en bloc for the BSP-SP-RLD alliance after accusing the Congress of trying to split the anti-BJP votes.

"If Muslims want BJP to lose, they have to stand firmly behind Gathbandhan."

The SP and the BSP, which announced their alliance in January, will contest on 37 and 38 seats respectively. The RLD will fight on three seats. The alliance has decided not to field candidates from Rae Bareli and Amethi, the constituencies held by Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

Yadav, Mayawati and RLD's Ajit Singh will address 11 joint rallies between April 7 and May 16, a spokesperson said. After Deoband, rallies will be held in Badaun, Agra, Mainpuri, Rampur, Firozabad, Kannauj, Faizabad, Azamgarh, Gorakhpur and Varanasi. In Mainpuri, the SP has fielded Mulayam Singh Yadav, while Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple Yadav is contesting from Kannauj.
New Delhi:

India on Sunday rejected as irresponsible and preposterous Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshis claim that New Delhi was planning to attack Pakistan again.

India rejects the irresponsible and preposterous statement by the Foreign Minister of Pakistan with a clear objective of whipping up war hysteria in the region. This public gimmick appears to be a call to Pakistan-based terrorists to undertake a terror attack in India, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Asserting that the false claim was a call to terrorists nurturing on its soil to carry out an attack in India, India said that Islamabad needed to take credible and irreversible steps against terrorism.

It has been made clear to Pakistan that it cannot absolve itself of responsibility of a cross border terrorist attack in India. No attempt at creating an alibi for its complicity in such attacks will succeed. Pakistan needs to take credible and irreversible steps against terrorism operating from all territories under its control rather than making hysterical statements to obfuscate the core issue that bedevils our region: cross- border terrorism. Pakistan has been advised to use established diplomatic and DGMO channels to share any actionable and credible intelligence it has about imminent terror attacks, the statement by MEA read.

The MEA also warned Islamabad that New Delhi reserves right to respond firmly and decisively to any cross-border terrorist attack.

Earlier today, Qureshi said Pakistan has reliable intelligence that India is planning to attack again between April 16 and 20. The claim came amid the ongoing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following the February 14 Pulwama terror attack.

Addressing a press conference in his home town of Multan, Qureshi said the government had "reliable intelligence that India is devising a new plan".

"A new mishap could be staged...And its purpose will be to justify their [India's] offensive against Pakistan and to increase diplomatic pressure against Islamabad," he alleged.

"If it happens, you can imagine the impact of the occurrence on the peace and stability of the region. According to our information, the action could be taken between 16-20 April," Qureshi said, adding that preparations were being made for the attack against Pakistan.

The foreign minister said Pakistan had already briefed the United Nations Security Council's permanent members over the issue and stated Islamabad's apprehensions.

Qureshi's remarks were not taken seriously by the Opposition in the neighbouring country. The Pakistan People Party (PPP) accused the government of using war threat by India to hide its failures.

"The government has failed to deliver and now using the threat of war by India to distract public attention from issues faced by the people," PPP leader Nafeesa Shah said.

Tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF personnel in Kashmir's Pulwama district in February.

Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting the biggest JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26.

The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured an IAF pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1.





For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
For all the latest news updates on Board Results and Education, DOWNLOAD the News Nation App available on Android and iOS

New Delhi:

Manipur HSLC Result 2020

Manipur HSLC Results 2020: The Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BSEM) is has released the timetable for the Manipur Board class 10 examination. The candidates can now check the timetable in the table given below. According to the sources, the Manipur Board class 10 will be held in the month of March and the results will be announced in the month of May. Last year, the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BSEM) conducted the examination from 20th February to 15th March and the results was announced on 18th May. Soon after the formal declaration of the results, the scorecards will be available on the official website of the board i.e. manresults.nic.in. Alternatively, the candidates can check their results on this page as we will be activating the results link after the official declaration of the results.

We here at News Nation are in constant touch with our sources and will be updating all the latest updates here. Hence, we request the candidates to bookmark this page and keep check it regularly for all the latest updates.

Manipur Board HSLC Result 2019  Declaration Date:

Going by the earlier trends, Manipur Board HSCL result 2020 will be declared as per the scheduled date annual academic calendar so that students can apply to higher academic programmes without any delay. However, there is no official confirmation regarding the result date so far. We will update the page as soon as the BSEM reveals the date for Manipur Board HSE Result 2020.

State Exam Name Exam Date Exam Result Date* Manipur Manipur HSLC Board Exam 17 Feb  05 Mar 2020 In the Month of May Manipur HSE Board Exam 14 Feb  23 Mar 2020 In the Month of May

*Tentative dates

Where to Check Manipur Board HSLC result 2020?

As mentioned above, soon after the formal declaration of the results, the scorecards will be available on the official websites of the board. Apart from the official website of the board, the results will be available on this page as well.

How to Check Manipur Board HSLC Result 2019

For the convenience of the students, we have provided the key steps to download the Manipur Board HSLC Result 2020 below:

Visit english.newsnationtv.com/education/board-results

Click on the link for Class 10th Result 2020

Enter your roll number, email id, date of birth and other important details

Click on Submit

Your Manipur Board HSLC Result will appear on the screen

Check the Manipur 10th Result 2020

The candidates must note that the board officials will not issue the original marksheet soon after the formal declaration of the result. Hence, we request the students to save the PDF copy of the result and take some printout of the same for future references.

Manipur Board Result  Previous Years Analysis

A general trend of the Manipur Board Results and the detailed exam analysis is provided for the students below:

Manipur Board 10th Result  Last Years Analysis

The Manipur Board Class 10 result statistics for the last year is provided below.

Total Number of Students: 37,138

Total Number of Passed Students: 27,740

Overall Pass Percentage: 74.69%.

Pass Percentage Among Girls: 78.93%

Pass Percentage Among Boys: 76.54%

HSLC Result 2019 Toppers

Rank 1 - Bhumika Shamurailatpam  572 marks

Rank 2 - Sophiya Asem  567 marks

Rank 2 - Arvind Maibam  567 marks

Rank 3 - . Moirangthem Julendia Devi  566 marks

Manipur Board HSLC Result 2019 Rechecking/Re-evaluation

In case students are not happy with their Manipur Board HSLC result 2020, they are allowed to get their answer sheets re-evaluated and/or re-checked. In order to apply for the Rechecking/Re-evaluation process, students will have to pay a nominal fee as directed by the BSEM and submit an application through their respective schools/institutions.

About Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BSEM)

The BSEM was established with the passing of an Act in 1972 by Manipur Legislative Assembly. Ever since the board came into existence, is has been fulfilling such responsibilities as curriculum or syllabus designing, hosting school examinations and making textbooks available for all standards between Classes I to Class X. In 2009, the BSEM has revised its syllabus for the Class 10 or HSLC programmes. Since then, it has been assigning 20% of the total marks for each subject to internal assessment and adding these internal scores to the total marks is followed by BSEM since 2011. In order to help students showcase better performance in their Class 10 exams, the board has also introduced a special 4-day orientation programme on the evaluation technique and teaching methodology for their existing faculties.
Tehran:

Floods in Iran since March have killed 70 people the head of the emergency services said on Friday according to the official IRNA News Agency. "The floods also injured 791 persons of which 45 are still hospitalised," Pirhossein Koolivand, the head of the national Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Organisation said. A report published on the EMS website showed the southern Fars Province had the highest fatalities with 23 dead.

The report also listed four people were missing. All in all 20 out of Iran's 31 provinces reported casualties from the floods.

Iran has been hit by unprecedented flooding across most of the country in the last 19 days.

The country's northeast was swamped on March 19 before the west and southwest of the country were inundated on March 25, killing a total of 45 people.

On April 1 the west and southwest were again swamped by floods when heavy rains returned to the area.

"2,199 rural roads and 84 bridges have been washed away," said Behnam Saeedi, spokesman for the National Disaster Management Organisation.

"Across 15 provinces, 141 rivers burst their banks and around 400 land slides were reported," he told state TV.

The government said the flooding had damaged nearly 12,000 kilometres of roads, or 36 per cent of the country's entire network.

The worst hit in the latest deluge was Lorestan Province where in some cities whole neighbourhoods were washed away and many villages are still cut off.

Fourteen deaths have been reported from Lorestan so far.

The usually arid country is still battling the floods as the water from Lorestan and Ilam Provinces has now converged on the oil-rich Khuzestan Province with more heavy rain forecast for Saturday.

Iran's Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli warned that up to 400,000 people in Khuzestan could be exposed to the floods, IRNA reported.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other star campaigners of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will campaign in Odisha over the next two days. While PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to address two election rallies in Sundergarh and Sonepur on Saturday, BJP chief Amit Shah would attend the BJP's Vijay Sankalp Samabesh at Polasara in Ganjam district and Bargarh on Sunday. Shah would further take out a roadshow from Singha Dwara of Shree Jagannath Temple to Badasankha in Puri on April 9, party sources said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is also scheduled to attend a public meeting at Berhampur on Saturday. Yogi, along with Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP national vice president Jay Panda, senior leader Bijoy Mohapatra will attend partys Vijay Sankalp Samabesh at Ambapua Vivek Vihar in Silk City.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had slammed the Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government for not cooperating with the Centre to bring about speedy development in the state and said he has taken advantage of central schemes to ensure the welfare of Odiyas. The government in Odisha did not cooperate with us. Despite its indifference, we did our best in launching development projects in the state, Modi said, while addressing a rally in the western Odisha town of Bhawanipatna.

This chowkidar (watchman) has taken advantage of Centres schemes to ensure the welfare of the Odiyas, he insisted. If the BJP had formed a government in Odisha after the 2014 election, the state would have witnessed speedy development in all sectors, he claimed. Calling upon the people to vote for the double-engine government of the BJP at the Centre and the state, Modi said Odisha should repeat the history created by Uttar Pradesh in 2017 and Tripura in 2018.

On the other hand, Congress president Rahul Gandhi is also scheduled to visit south Odisha to campaign for his candidates on April 9, informed OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik. Rahul Gandhi is likely to attend a public meeting at Digapahandi in Ganjam district.

Election to the 14 Lok Sabha seats and 147-member Odisha Assembly would be held in four phases starting from April 11.
New Delhi:

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar on Sunday said while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is otherwise alright but turns hysterical during elections. He also took a dig at PM Modi as he advised his party workers not to criticise anybody at the personal level, because that responsibility has been taken up by the prime minister. He was speaking to NCP workers at Daund in Pune district of Maharashtra. I would like to tell you that do not criticise anybody at the personal level. When the prime minister of the country has taken up that responsibility, why should you get into that, he said sarcastically.

PM Modi had earlier said that Pawar was losing his grip over the party because of a rift in his family. Replying to which the NCP chief said that while his family is united, the country does not know whether the person (Modi) has anybody in his family or not. How did Modi come to know about any fights in (my) family? We all live together lovingly. We all work in different fields. When I meet him (Modi), I will tell him that my entire family is together and united, the former Union minister said.

That person should not talk about others families. It is not good to talk about someones house. I will tell him (Modi) when I meet him that if he does not become PM again, he will be an MP and I will also be there (in Parliament), Pawar said.

However, the NCP chief also said that PM Modi and he enjoyed good relations.

Everybody knows what he spoke about me in Delhi, in Baramati and at Vasantdada Sugar Institute in Pune. You know one thing about this man. Usually he is okay, but when there are elections, he turns hysterical (angat yete) and he starts speaking anything, so there is no need to pay heed to that, Pawar said in Marathi.

Addressing a rally at Hadapsar in the city, Pawar said maximum attacks on India have taken place when the BJP is in power. The (Kandahar) plane hijack happened under the BJP government, so did the attack on Parliament in 2001. Similarly, the attacks on Akshardham temple (in Gujarat in 2002) and recently in Pathankot also happened when the BJP is at the helm, he said. So, he appealed to party workers to toil hard to win the elections and defeat the BJP this time around.

(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi:

Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi, who is portraying Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his controversial biopic, has reacted sharply after the films release got postponed to April 11. Oberoi, a staunch supporter of Modi, said that some powerful people created difficulties for them, and they couldnt release the prime ministers biopic on April 5, less than a week before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

"There are very powerful people who have approached courts through their lawyers. They can obstruct us briefly, but they won't be able to stop us. The release might have been postponed but we are firm in our resolve," news agency ANI quoted the actor as saying.

On Thursday, the makers of "PM Narendra Modi" announced that they have postponed the release date of the movie as the censor board was still undergoing due process of examination and certification.

The film, directed by Omung Kumar, has been criticised by the opposition parties, who claim that the biopic could give undue advantage to the BJP in the polls as it will arrive in theatres before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The seven-phase polls will begin on April 11 and continue till May 19.

"We wanted to release the film on April 5, but some people put us in so many difficulties that we couldn't do it. We are working hard to get the film released on April 11," Oberoi said adding that they will move the Supreme Court on Monday.

Oberoi, known for his performances in Shootout at Lokhandwala and Company, had earlier claimed that the movie was not a propaganda film and termed its release colliding with Lok Sabha elections as mere "coincidence".

''It is just a coincidence that the film is releasing ahead of the election. It is not a propaganda film. I am an individual who has a credible body of work over the last 18 years, more than 45 films and more than 26-27 awards. So I stand my ground there. I don't need to make him appear as a hero. He is a hero to billions of people across the world,'' he had said.
New Delhi: An 11-year-old boy died after his mobile exploded during an online class in Vietnam. The child was attending an online class on mobile charging. Meanwhile, the mobile phone exploded and the child died of burn injuries. According to media reports, studies are going on through online classes in Vietnam due to the corona crisis.

An 11-year-old student was participating in an online session from home through a video link sent by the school. A Vietnamese education official reported that the child was studying in an online class on mobile charging. He plugged in earphones. In the meantime, however, the mobile suddenly exploded and the child's clothes caught fire, causing his tragic death.

According to the report, the child was rushed to the hospital after the accident, but he had died by then. The incident is said to have taken place on the evening of October 19. However, it is yet to be ascertained what kind of phone or charger the child was using. Police are currently investigating the case.

Sensex, Nifty close Flat, Top stocks to watch today

Sensex scales up over 500 points to hit new peak; Nifty tops 18,500

Good News! People of Maharashtra may get Diwali gift soon
There have been uncomfortable peace on the Line of Actual Control since the violent clashes in galwan valley on the Indo-China border. Several rounds of military and diplomatic discussions have also been held between the two countries to remove the troops from the border. Even then, the armies of the two countries are facing each other in many places. Meanwhile, China has deployed more than 100 Advanced Rocket Launchers along the border under the guise of discussions with India. Not only this, but the Chinese Army has also deployed a 155 mm calibre PCL-181 Self Propelled Howitzer near LAC.

The South China Morning Post quoted a source close to the Chinese army as saying that China has deployed more than 100 advanced long-range rocket launchers along its high altitude border with India. Sources said the People's Liberation Army is preparing for the blood-clotting winter of the Himalayas. The deployment comes in defence north of the deployment of three regiments of the Indian Army with M777 Ultra-Light Howitzer.

China has deployed a PHL-03 long-range multiple rocket launcher system at LAC. According to a report received, 10 units of new PHL-03 multiple rocket launchers have been deployed near Ladakh. Each unit consists of four crew members. It has 12 launcher tubes of 300 mm. Its rockets are capable of attacking up to a distance of 650 km. It's 12 m long rockets take off at a speed of 60 kmph.

Indias gold demand poses slowing savings rate, farm wages risk: WGC

VHP demands Pakistan to be declared as enemy nation by India

Ethiopian federal govt refutes alleged airstrike in Tigray
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in a press release said that it has commenced the training of the first batch of operations and maintenance staff of Bangladeshs Dhaka Metro at its training academy at Shastri Park Depot.

DMRC said that once sent for training in Hong Kong before the inauguration of Metro services in Delhi in 2002, it has reached a 'historical landmark by starting the training of the first batch of operations and maintenance staff' of Dhaka Metro. "The training of the first batch of Dhaka Metro core staff and officers, consisting of 19 Operations and 17 Rolling Stock officials, by DMRC officials, stated at the Delhi Metro Rail Academy from October 14, 2021," Delhi Metro Rail Corpinformed. The training duration of the courses will vary from 24 days to 156 days according to the job profile of the participants. The training module includes interactive classroom sessions, demonstrations, simulators, practical, on-job training, etc

The training is a part of an agreement inked between DMRC and NKDM Association, a consortium of foreign and Bangladeshi entities looking after the implementation of the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit project in Bangladesh, under which 163 officials of Dhaka Metro will be undergoing training at Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

DMRC warned scoundrels cheating in the name of getting jobs in Delhi Metro

Hyderabad Metro: 30 trips can be bought by paying just 20 trips

Metro service is curtailed on Bengaluru's purple line today, know why
Yamaha has announced the release of the new Force 2.0 scooter, which is based on the Aerox 155. The scooter is now available on the Taiwan market. It is based on the same platform as the Yamaha Aerox 155 maxi-scooter, which was also recently released in the Indian market.

The new Yamaha Force 2.0 features a fresh design and style on the exterior. In a dual colour shade, there is a considerably sharper-looking dual headlight design. The turn indicators are LEDs that are placed on the front fairing's extreme ends. The front suspension consists of telescopic forks, while the rear suspension consists of dual shocks with preload adjustment.

The scooter's engine is a new 155cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine based on the Aerox 155, which features Yamaha's proprietary Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) technology. While the business hasn't made any formal promises about the engine's output, anticipate the power and torque to remain at 15PS and 13.9Nm, respectively. The manufacturer says, however, that fuel economy has been improved to 44.9kmpl, up from 36.8kmpl in the previous model.

The scooter is built on a revolutionary chassis that allows the two-wheeler manufacturer to adjust the total size to meet the needs. The new scooter's seat is flatter than the Aerox's, and the Force 2.0's seat height has increased from 805mm to 815mm. The scooter's 5.1-inch LCD cluster is one of its standout features, albeit it lacks connection. It also has dual-channel ABS, which is a plus.

Implementation of Dalit Bandhu Scheme will resume from November 4: KCR

Volvo launches the S90 and XC60 petrol hybrid models in India, Check price here

'Team lost on field, country lost by violence,' said former Bangladesh captain over attacks on Hindus
Jakarta: Loudspeakers on mosques often create problems for locals. When it comes to a country like Indonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population and 7,50,000 mosques all over the country, imagine what will happen there. Recently, a woman named Mahima (changed name) has expressed her opinion to the media about it.

The woman has explained how she has been surrounded by diseases due to 5 times the sound of loudspeakers in mosques. But even after wanting a lot, she can't do anything. She was afraid that she might be thrown in jail, as is done with other blasphemy accused. Indonesia's Mahima, hiding her identity, told the media that she could not sleep at night due to the sound coming from loudspeakers and had an anxiety disorder. She says she could not speak in Indonesia even after her health deteriorated, as she was afraid that she might be thrown in jail.

The loudspeakers in the mosques start ringing 30-40 minutes before the prayers so that people wake up. According to her, after six months of noise, she is no longer in a position to endure anything further. For her, this disturbance at night is very harmful to her health. "I can't sleep, and after constantly waking up, I'm getting angina," she says. Now I try to make myself tired as much as possible so that I can sleep in this noise as well. However, after receiving some online complaints from the Indonesia Mosque Council, the staff has started adjusting the sound of the loudspeaker of the Mosque in Jakarta so that people do not feel the sound of loudspeakers and do not face any problem.

North Korean missile launch underscores 'urgent' need for dialogue: Jen Psaki

Child's mobile exploded while attending an online class, tragic death

Japan: Volcano in southwest erupts with massive smoke column
New Delhi: While the media is hiding the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, the handles of ISKCON Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council have now been removed from the social media platform Twitter. However, it is not yet clear whether these handles have been suspended or deactivated. Both of them were bringing to the world the news of atrocities and violent attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh and were asking for justice. The question arises here as to why these Twitter handles were suspended even if they made some mistakes.

Because even if their version may have been different from that of the Government of Bangladesh in a series of incidents, both these handles were presenting to the world the atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh through photographs and video. On the one hand, the mob of Muslims is oppressing the Hindu minorities, while On the other hand, Twitter is not allowing them to speak online. According to data given by the Bangladesh chapter of the World Hindu Federation (WHF), 335 temples have been attacked in 33 districts. These are the first 4 days of violence, from October 13-17, 2021. Such incidents are still continuing. Not only were all things looted from the temples, but the idols were also demolished.

WHF has reported that a total of 1,800 Hindu shops or establishments have been set on fire. The case turned violent in Komila, Chandpur, Noakhali, Chittagong, Kosh Bazar, Feni, Chapai, Nawabganj and Rangpur. Of the dozen Hindus killed, 7 were priests. There is talk of the rape of 23 women and girls. WHF says three women have been raped simultaneously in a family. In Pirganj in Rangpur alone, 300 Hindu houses were looted and some houses were burnt down. The World Hindu Federation has said that it stands with the aggrieved Hindus who need immediate help.

Nation will move forward to attaining resolutions made for Aatmanirbhar Bharat: PM Modi

Today is World Statistics Day, know its history

PM Modi inaugurated Kushinagar airport, know what's Gautam Buddha connection to this place
Cracking the case on rural well water

Media Contact: Gail Ellis | Communications Specialist, Copywriter | 620-515-2498 | gail.ellis@okstate.edu

For rural residents who rely on their own wells for household use, testing is often the only line of defense in protecting families and animals from unsafe drinking water.

Individual well systems that populate Oklahomas rural landscape can potentially run dry, become contaminated from a flood or nearby septic system, or contain harmful levels of nitrates and minerals. Oklahoma State University Extension supports research conducted by faculty and scientists at the Oklahoma Water Resources Center to help rural residents address well water concerns. A survey conducted by the center in 2020 indicated the quality of drinking water was the top water resources issue among state residents, and less than 15% of participants said they test their drinking water.

If youre putting a well online, you need to test for bacteria and disinfect the well, said Jeannie Shurbet at the Oklahoma Rural Water Association. Rural Oklahomas active farming and animal feeding operations may, in some cases, cause private wells to test high in nitrates. Many individual wells are shallower in very sandy or porous soil, allowing things to like nitrates to infiltrate through to the groundwater a lot quicker.

Water resources at OSU

Every week, hundreds of water tests are processed through OSUs Soil, Water and Forage Analytical Laboratory. Most of the samples are routed to the facility in Stillwater from county OSU Extension offices across the state and are categorized into three areas: livestock use, irrigation and household/general use.

All three tests measure nitrate levels and many other elements, said Hailin Zhang, the labs longtime director. Nitrates in irrigation water are a good thing because a nitrate is a nutrient that crops can use.

If the water is intended for household use, nitrate levels of more than 10 parts per million are deemed unsafe. However, the standard nitrate level in water for livestock is much higher than that allowed for human consumption.

Water quality varies so much, Zhang said. If there are multiple wells on one piece of land, you will see very drastic differences in water quality.

Wells are sometimes abandoned if the water is poor quality. The water pumped in western and central Oklahoma is high in salt and salinity. In eastern Oklahoma the water tends to be more desirable for drinking because of the geology of the area and higher rainfall amounts that frequently recharge the groundwater.

Zhang said his lab team most often conducts water testing and analysis for livestock and irrigation purposes, but the lab also has an inexpensive screening test for drinking water at only $15 per sample. If the water is suspect, it can be tested for E. coli and other harmful elements at a certified lab available through a private entity, county health department or the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.

To submit a water sample to a county Extension office for testing in Stillwater, Zhang recommends taking certain steps.

Before retrieving water, the well should be bailed out to let it recharge instead of collecting water thats been sitting a long time, he said. If the water is from a faucet, let it run a few minutes, collect some and let it run a few more minutes before collecting more for the final sample.

Water screening in 2022

The Oklahoma Water Resources Center at OSU plans to launch a pilot program in spring 2022 to gauge residents need for water well testing and education. In partnership with two county Extension offices, the center will offer free well water screening. The project will be facilitated by two students in the OSU environmental science undergraduate program.

We will look for bacteria and also things like arsenic, nitrate and total dissolved solids to check if it is below or above standard drinking water levels, said Kevin Wagner, the centers director. After the homeowners receive their results, well host a one-hour educational session on how to interpret the test levels. Well discuss the effects of these levels and next steps for addressing any water issues.

Rural water service is a public utility. Residents with rural water are guaranteed an ample supply of clean, safe water by law for their households and other needs. But residents depending on a private well are 100% responsible for the management, quality and testing of their water.

We hope this program fills that gap for residents who need assistance in determining if their water is safe to drink, Wagner said.

His goal is to test at least 100 water samples and identify the percentage of those with high bacteria, dissolved solids, nitrate and arsenic levels. The program also presents an opportunity to conduct a quick survey among homeowners to determine their interest in participation.

If this is something water well owners would want or find value in, well start building a larger statewide program, Wagner said.

Fact sheets detailing additional information about the topic are available online and through OSU Extension county offices. Learn more about Oklahomas rural water systems.
Cybersecurity

New report details America's water infrastructure cyber vulnerabilities

Danny Jenkins, CEO and cofounder of the cybersecurity firm ThreatLocker, was terrified when he first heard the details behind a cyberattack on a Florida water treatment plant earlier this year.

Officials said hackers exploited an outdated version of Windows in an apparent attempt to poison the water supply for a local community. Jenkins wasn't just alarmed that hackers had successfully managed to gain remote access to the plant's TeamViewer software to jack up levels of sodium hydroxide to a lethal dosage, but that a single operator could potentially tamper with the chemical levels - regardless of whether that person was a hacker or utility employee.

"Why was an operator, a single person, able to turn a dial that could poison the water?" Jenkins said in a recent interview with FCW. "Water companies tend to live in the past because their technologies live in the past  Regardless of the IT parts of this and the controls we put in place, the limitations need to be put in place as well."

On Tuesday, ThreatLocker published a report titled Protecting water infrastructure against cyberattacks, which explores issues water utilities have faced when looking to improve their cybersecurity posture. Jenkins said he hoped the report can serve as a framework for officials tasked with creating new guidelines on best cybersecurity practices for water management and other critical industries ahead of a Sept. 22 deadline from in the recent White House memorandum on improving cybersecurity for critical infrastructure control systems.

Water utilities plagued by lack of IT cybersecurity funding

ThreatLocker's report detailed severely limited information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) financial resources for water utilities across the country.

For example, at least 38% of systems nationwide have allocated less than 1% of their overall budgets to IT cybersecurity, according to Information Systems Audit and Control Association's (ISACA) "Cybersecurity 2021 State of the Industry." Another 22.1% of systems were allocating just 1% to 5% of their budgets towards addressing IT cybersecurity issues.

State and local infrastructure advocates have testified on Capitol Hill in recent weeks about the need for increased federal investments in cybersecurity resources around water infrastructure for rural and small communities.

The $1 trillion infrastructure bill currently being considered in the U.S. Senate also includes a section on cybersecurity support for public water systems as part of a planned $48.4 billion investment in water infrastructure. The bill tasks the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to prioritize risks to public water systems and the sources of drinking water. Under the bill, federal officials will provide site vulnerability and risk assessments, along with additional support and consultation, for public water systems which CISA determines should be prioritized for cybersecurity support.

A federal auditing process for water utilities similar to the one detailed in the legislation may also help provide clearer, standardized regulations for any public water system hoping to improve its cyber posture, Jenkins said.

Experts at a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing in July pointed to federal initiatives they said were currently underutilized, like the Rural Water Circuit Rider Program, which can provide technical assistance like cybersecurity training and other resources to water utilities and their employees.

The water industry has largely failed to establish clear, universal guidelines around cybersecurity on its own, the report noted, with water infrastructure management typically left up to local municipalities or private firms.

A recent Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Water-ISAC) survey showed a majority of water utilities have yet to fully assess risks to their own IT assets.

Though added financial resources can go a long way in improving cyber posture, Jenkins noted water utilities were in need of clear guidance on how to spend funds in order to adequately protect their infrastructure.

"I hope the government is putting together tangible guidance which people can actually follow as opposed to vagueness," he said. "Everyone wants a list of ways to move forward. Nobody knows what to do right now."
Workforce

White House looks to boost federal employee union participation

Vice President Kamala Harris visits the Pentagon on Feb. 10, 2021 (Defense Department photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

The White House is taking action to increase federal employee union participation in an effort it says could have ripple effects in other workplaces.

Agencies are being directed to make sure new hires know about their union eligibility and how to contact their union, and existing feds will be reminded of that information more regularly.

"We are proud as the Biden Harris administration in what we believe we will be, which is the most pro-union administration in the history of America," said Vice President Kamala Harris at an event on Wednesday announcing the changes.

OPM issued guidance to agencies with the new policies, which are meant to encourage worker organizing and collective bargaining in the federal workplace as part of the administration's overall labor policy.

The administration says these moves will remove barriers unions face in federal workplaces to increase membership.

"OPM is proud to work on behalf of the Biden-Harris administration to help launch this government-wide effort today that will remove barriers and obstacles in federal workplaces, which impede the union's ability to strengthen union density and inform civil servants about their collective bargaining rights," said OPM director Kiran Ahuja, who spoke at the event with Harris and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh.

Currently, about 33% of bargaining unit employees in the federal government  a group 1.2 million strong out of the 2.1 million non-postal employees in the government  are dues-paying members of unions.

The largest federal employees union welcomed the move.

"For too long, there has been a concerted effort by corporations and wealthy individuals to prevent working people from organizing and bargaining collectively Indeed, in the past decades we saw this fight play out inside our own federal government," Everett Kelley, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said in a statement. "We applaud the steps that the Biden administration is taking today to roll back attacks on labor unions, help federal employees understand their union rights and support them in exercising those rights."

Guidance documents encourage agencies to include bargaining unit status and union affiliation of the bargaining unit in job announcements. They also recommend that agencies give unions themselves the ability to share information with new bargaining unit employees during orientation sessions about their rights to join a union.

Agencies are already required to annually remind feds about their rights to union representation. New OPM guidance to agencies directs agencies to issue periodic notice throughout the year, and include contact information for the union in that messaging.

The new policies are part of a broader report being sent to the White House on how the administration can address barriers to labor organizing. That report will include more recommended executive actions. It's being produced by the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, which was established in April via executive order.

"We believe that a stronger workforce is the work that will happen to create actually high productivity and lower turnover," Harris said. "We also believe that this is about respecting the dignity of all work and respecting the dignity of workers."

Harris added: "We're doing this because we believe and know that workers are entitled to be paid wages commensurate with their value."

About the Author Natalie Alms is a staff writer at FCW covering the federal workforce. She is a recent graduate of Wake Forest University and has written for the Salisbury (N.C.) Post. Connect with Natalie on Twitter at @AlmsNatalie.



The administration directed OPM to create recommendations for more feds to be paid at least $15 an hour in executive order issued days into Biden's term. The Biden-Harris budget proposal for FY 2022 recommended a 2.7% increase for feds, lower than the 3.2% raise being advocated for by some federal employee groups and congressional Democrats.
Congress

FLRA faces backlogs, staffing woes

Appointees to the Federal Labor Relations Authority, charged with overseeing union-agency relations across the federal government, are facing an backlogs, staff shortages and flagging employee morale at the agency.

Things could change, as the Senate is poised to confirm new leadership. Three nominees to serve on the agency testified Wednesday before the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee.

The Biden administration elevated Democrat-appointee Ernest DuBester to acting agency chair in advance of his nomination for the same post. Susan Grundmann to serve on the panel and Kurt Rumsfeld to be the FLRA's general counsel.

Currently, one Trump nominee, Colleen Kiko, is serving on the three-person board with a term expiring in 2022, and another, James Abbott, is serving on an expired term.

The agency is facing backlogs both in its general counsel's office and before its three-person board.

FLRA has been without a general counsel since fall 2017, leaving it unable to resolve unfair labor practice disputes, which the general counsel investigates and prosecutes. An acting general counsel assumed the role in March 2021, but there's still a "significant backlog," both of complaints and appeals, Rumsfeld said.

FLRA is also dealing with depleted staffing levels.

The number of FLRA employees has nearly halved since 2009. This is particularly acute in the General Counsel's Office, according to FLRA budget documents for fiscal year 2022.

This "obviously affects the OGC'S ability to address the [unfair labor practices] backlog, particularly since the OGC has lost attorneys who had experience litigating ULP complaints, but it has also adversely affected employee morale," said Rumsfeld on Wednesday.

FLRA asked for a 10% increase in funding for the current fiscal year over 2021 enacted levels. The agency wants to hire at least 12 employees, 10 of which would go to the general counsel's office.

Addressing the backlog of ULPs with a "comprehensive case management plan" will be his top priority, said Rumsfeld, and he'll "have a keen focus" on hiring the employees needed to do so.

The agency is also facing a backlog of cases before its three-member panel, although it hasn't risen to the magnitude of other backlogs as recent as 2009, said DuBester.

The elimination of the agency's decades-old Collaboration and Alternative Dispute Resolution Office has contributed to this, according to the agency's budget documents.

The backlogs have had ripple effects across the agency. Combined with staffing losses, they've forced the FLRA has had to curb its training and guidance work.

At the same time, FLRA is anticipating a surge in workloads now that the general counsel's office is issuing complaints. It's also anticipating work to come in as agencies implement a Biden executive order that directed them to revise parts of collective bargaining agreements affected by rescinded Trump-era orders, according to budget documents.

Morale is also a big issue. The agency's place in the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government rankings, which measure employee engagement, sank from the one of the top three among small agencies to second to last over the last four years.

About the Author Natalie Alms is a staff writer at FCW covering the federal workforce. She is a recent graduate of Wake Forest University and has written for the Salisbury (N.C.) Post. Connect with Natalie on Twitter at @AlmsNatalie.



"Our staff needs to know that the work they do is important and valued," DuBester said. "I believe it's very important for all staff  need to know that they have input. They need to know that they have a voice on the direction of the agency."
FCW Insider: October 20, 2021

It's a familiar story: The House looks to add to the Technology Modernization Fund while the Senate taps the brakes

The Biden administration's pick to lead the Defense Department's operational testing, Nickolas Guertin, called the department's inability to conduct independent cyber assessments of commercial cloud systems "a severe limitation."

Two separate Senate bills set different deadlines for federal contractors, critical infrastructure providers and other covered companies to report cyber incidents to the federal government.

One of the government's most popular methods for buying emerging technologies and critical IT services faces significant challenges in an ever-changing marketplace.

Quick Hits

*** Senate appropriators didn't include a pay raise for federal employees in a package of nine fiscal year 2022 government funding bills released on Monday. Absent new legislation, the Biden administration's proposed 2.7% pay raise for feds will likely take effect next year. The House of Representative's funding package, much of which passed in July, also endorsed the 2.7% raise for federal employees.

*** The public sector technology and contracting ecosystem is facing the problem of the global shortage of computer chips. But determining the exact effects gets murky when considering the industrial base's distinct pace and cadence from other sectors. Washington Technology has more on this story.
When you just wake up in the morning and pour your first cup of coffee, you probably arent thinking too much about where it comes from. But you should. The global coffee industry is riddled with inequities that keep many farming families from earning a livable wage. By buying coffee thats Fair Trade-certified, consumers can be sure theyre supporting producers committed to these farmers, their communities and the environment.

Across the United States, weve pinpointed several brands that are going above and beyond to do good in the coffee collective. These are coffees you can feel good about drinking, as much for their mission as their flavor.

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Utopian owner, Brendon Maxwell, personally travels to the coffee-growing regions where he sources his beans to ensure adherence to ethical business practices, innovate new ways to work with farmers, and establish partnerships with groups like Run for Congo Women which benefits Women for Women International. Back home in Fort Wayne, Utopians certified organic coffees make their way into bags and beverages at a sunny cafe based on The Landing, a historic district downtown.

Raleigh, North Carolina

A recognized certified B Corporation and founding member of the Cooperative Coffees organization, Larrys lives by sustainable practices, from incorporating solar energy into the roasterys design and using recyclable BPA-free K-Cups to harvesting rainwater to run the on-site restrooms. They even repurposed a barrel used to age coffee beans for its own beehive. These fair trade-sourced beans are organic, kosher and shade-grown, which supports bird life. As serious as Larrys is about the planet, their whimsical streak comes out in product names like the El Salvador Dali Blend, Sammy Decaf Jr. Blend, and Bean Martin.

Tacoma, Washington

Pilot and owner Jeff Jett combines his loves of aviation and coffee to create a unique experience for customers by carefully handpicking and precision roasting the beans he serves.

Better yet, a portion of all sales makes its way to Black Pilots of America, Experimental Aircraft Associations Young Eagles program, the AOPA Foundation and other nonprofit programs and charitable organizations that support flight technology education for aspiring young aviators.

Boulder, Colorado

This Colorado coffee landmark has been building relationships with a fair-trade network of independent small farmers since its start in the early 1990s. A 2021 Best for the World winner given by the certified B Corporation community and a Cooperative Coffees founding member, Conscious Coffees walks the walk through its efforts to maintain transparency and reduce its environmental footprint as it continually works to perfect its organic products.

Oakland, California

Serving up beautiful coffee for the people, owner, artist and entrepreneur Keba Konte prides himself on ethical sourcing and community building. Through socially responsible hiring practices, Red Bay, a certified B Corporation, promotes diversity and inclusion while supporting economic growth in the San Francisco Bay Area. Konte assures growers receive fair compensation for their farming endeavors by establishing direct relationships with groups like the International Womens Coffee Alliance.
Lori Knudson - AAR Vice President, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer

Lori Knudson - AAR Vice President, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer

Lori Knudson - AAR Vice President, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer

Wood Dale, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AAR (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs and OEMs, announced that Lori Knudson has joined the company as Vice President, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer. Knudson will report to Jessica Garascia, AAR Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, and will be responsible for oversight of AARs compliance function.

We are excited to add Lori to our legal team, where she will enhance our compliance program and continue to ensure we are adhering to the highest ethical principles, said Jessica Garascia.

Loris appointment as an officer of AAR underscores the importance we place on compliance. We are confident Lori will continue to help drive a culture of compliance and integrity at AAR, adds John Holmes, AAR President & CEO.

Knudson was most recently with Aegion Corporation, serving as Senior Vice President, Compliance, Risk and Internal Audit, where she was responsible for overseeing enterprise risk management and global compliance. Knudson began her career as an attorney with the law firm of Thomson Coburn. She holds a bachelors degree from University of Rochester and a juris doctorate from St. Louis University School of Law.

To learn more about AARs ethics and compliance program, please visit https://www.aarcorp.com/investor-relations/code-of-conduct/. If you want to access Lori Knudsons bio, please visit https://www.aarcorp.com/about/lori-knudson/.

# # #

About AAR

AAR is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company with operations in over 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago area, AAR supports commercial and government customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services. AARs Aviation Services include Parts Supply; OEM Solutions; Integrated Solutions; and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Services. AARs Expeditionary Services include Mobility Systems operations. Additional information can be found at www.aarcorp.com.

Story continues

This press release contains certain statements relating to future results, which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 which reflect managements expectations about future conditions. Forward-looking statements may also be identified because they contain words such as anticipate, believe, continue, could, estimate, expect, intend, likely, may, might, plan, potential, predict, project, seek, should, target, will, would, or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. These forward-looking statements are based on beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions and estimates based on information currently available to the Company and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, refer to Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize adversely, or should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described. These events and uncertainties are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many are beyond the Companys control. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

Attachment

CONTACT: Daniela Pietsch AAR Corp +16302275100 editor@aarcorp.com




DUBLIN, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Alkermes plc (Nasdaq: ALKS) will host a conference call and webcast presentation at 8:00 a.m. ET (1:00 p.m. BST) on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021 to discuss the company's third quarter 2021 financial results. Management will also provide an update on the company.

The webcast player and accompanying slides may be accessed on the Investors section of Alkermes' website at www.alkermes.com. The conference call may be accessed by dialing +1 877 407 2988 for U.S. callers and +1 201 389 0923 for international callers. A replay of the webcast will be available approximately two hours after the completion of the event and may be accessed by visiting Alkermes' website.

About Alkermes plc

Alkermes plc is a fully-integrated, global biopharmaceutical company developing innovative medicines in the fields of neuroscience and oncology. The company has a portfolio of proprietary commercial products focused on addiction, schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder, and a pipeline of product candidates in development for neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Alkermes plc has an R&D center in Waltham, Massachusetts; a research and manufacturing facility in Athlone, Ireland; and a manufacturing facility in Wilmington, Ohio. For more information, please visit Alkermes' website at www.alkermes.com.

Alkermes Contact:

Alex Braun

Investor Relations

+1 781 296 8493

Alkermes plc Logo (PRNewsfoto/Alkermes plc)

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alkermes-to-report-third-quarter-2021-financial-results-on-oct-27-2021-301404933.html

SOURCE Alkermes plc
Atlanta, Georgia based The Mabra Law Firm announced that they are now offering an updated range of legal services for clients in the Metro Atlanta area who have been the victims of a car accident.

Atlanta, United States, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

The Mabra Law Firm announced the launch of an updated range of legal representation and consultation services for clients in Atlanta, Georgia, who have been injured in a car accident. The experienced attorneys serving the Metro Atlanta area have a 99 percent success rate.

More information can be found at https://mabrafirm.com/car-accident-lawyer

With the new announcement, the personal injury law firm is dedicated to helping its clients protect their rights and receive the compensation they need and deserve.

Auto accident injuries often create physical, medical, and financial burdens that can seem overwhelming. Without proper legal guidance, car accident victims are very likely to not get fair settlement results. Thus, it is essential to seek the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer like the team at The Mabra Law Firm.

The Atlanta attorneys can guide clients through the long process of filing an insurance claim, determining fault, and getting the closure they need. They can handle all the paperwork and legal battles so that clients can focus on their health and getting their life back on track.

In addition, the legal team knows how to accurately calculate the clients pain and suffering and seek the right amount of damages. They have represented many injury cases and also have extensive experience assessing future medical costs and lost income potential.

By working with The Mabra Law Firm, clients can rest assured that all the negligent parties are identified and held responsible. The attorneys can hire a team of investigators, medical experts, and accident recreation specialists to gather data and ensure that everyone who is responsible for their clients injury is being held accountable.

Story continues

The latest service update is part of the law firms mission to provide high-quality legal support to car accident victims.

A satisfied client said: I had the pleasure of hiring The Mabra Law Firm. They took my case and fought hard for me to get the best settlement as quickly as possible. Attorney Tiffany was extremely nice. Thank you guys for great service. I will gladly recommend this firm to everyone.

Interested parties can find more by visiting https://themabralawfirmatlanta.business.site/posts/8949086084535514117

Website: https://mabrafirm.com/

CONTACT: Name: Ronnie Mabra Organization: The Mabra Law Firm Address: 1231 Booth St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, United States Phone: +1-404-344-5255




FILE PHOTO: Shipping containers are unloaded from ships at a container terminal at the Port of Long Beach-Port of Los Angeles complex in Los Angeles

By Lisa Baertlein

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Southern California's Los Angeles and Long Beach ports handle the most ocean cargo of any ports in the United States, but are some of the least efficient in the world, according to a ranking by the World Bank and IHS Markit.

In a review of 351 container ports around the globe, Los Angeles was ranked 328, behind Tanzania's Dar es Salaam and Alaska's Dutch Harbor. The adjacent port of Long Beach came in even lower, at 333, behind Turkey's Nemrut Bay and Kenya's Mombasa, the groups said in their inaugural Container Port Performance Index published in May.

The total number of ships waiting to unload outside the two adjacent ports hit a new all-time record of 100 on Monday. Americans' purchases of imported goods have jumped to levels the U.S. supply chain infrastructure can't handle, causing delivery delays and snarls.

Top port honors went to Japan's Yokohama and Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah on the ranking. Finishing out the top five were Chiwan, part of Shenzhen's port in Guangdong Province; South China's Guangzhou port; and Taiwan's Kaoshiung port.

Ports in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa dominated the top 50 spots, while just four U.S. ports cracked the top 100 - Philadelphia (83), the Port of Virginia (85), New York & New Jersey (89) and Charleston, South Carolina (95).

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted trade around the globe, snarling trade and exposing the frailty of a supply chain built for predictable, just-in-time movement of goods.

The United States is the world's biggest consumer, importing goods valued at roughly $2.5 trillion a year. President Joe Biden is fighting for massive federal funding to modernize crumbling infrastructure - including seaports. Government control, 24/7 operations and automation help make many non-U.S. ports more efficient.

Biden is pushing port executives, labor union leaders and major retailers like Walmart to attack shipping hurdles that are driving up the price of goods and raising the risk of product shortages during the all-important holiday season.

Southern California port executives are coaxing terminal operators, importers, truckers, railroads, dock workers and warehouse owners to adopt 24/7 operations in a bid to clear clogs that have backed up dozens of ships offshore and delayed deliveries to stores and e-commerce fulfillment centers.

(Reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Heather Timmons and Diane Craft)
RAIPUR, India, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stratview Research announces the launch of a new research report on Composite Decks and Railings Market by Product Type (Decks and Railings), by Type (Capped Composite and Uncapped Composite), by Resin Type (Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyvinyl Chloride, Others), by Application Type (Residential and Non- Residential), by Sales to End-User Type (Dealers, Builders/contractors, and Home Improvement Retailers), by Sales to Manufacturer Type (One-Step/Direct Distribution and Two-Step Distribution), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World), Size, Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2021-2026.

Stratview Research Logo

This strategic assessment report, from Stratview Research, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today's composite decks and railings market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period of 2021 to 2026. The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner to provide a panoramic view of the market. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for the market participants as well as investors in the identification of low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as formulate growth strategies.

Composite Decks and Railings Market: Highlights

Composite decking is a man-made construction material composed of an approximately equal combination of recycled wood fibers and recycled plastics. Composite decking products have a significantly longer lifespan than wood decks since they are so sturdy and rot resistant. Composite decking is major of two types: Capped Composite and Uncapped Composite. Capped composite decking is a type of wood plastic composite (WPC) product with a surface layer and a core layer made of functional plastics (mostly HDPE and PP) and natural fiber (wood powder), with a certain number of additives (anti UV agent, antioxidant, coupling agent, lubricant, colorant, etc.) added and processed using specialized mixing and molding equipment. Manufacturers use natural and synthetic elements to create composite decking. Wood fiber, virgin or recycled plastic, and chemical additives make up most composite deck boards. Composite decking can be built of polypropylene, polyethylene, or completely nonwood polymers.

Story continues

Unlike other construction markets, where the sudden outburst of the pandemic collapsed the demand across regions, here, in the composite deck and railings market, manufacturers represented uncharted territory with over 9.0% growth in 2020. The USA, the largest market, grew significantly during this trying time, mainly due to the increased demand for composite decks among the existing homeowners. Homeowners are moving towards adopting greener products and increasing the activities in do-it-yourself (DIY) and outdoor living projects.

Furthermore, to boost the demand for composite decks and railings amid the pandemic, leading players have reduced the prices to make their products affordable. Major players have also raised their capacities to meet the growing demand. In the long term, the market for composite decks and railings is subjected to grow at a healthy CAGR of 5.4% over the next five years to reach US$ 4.3 billion by 2026.

Click Here for Running Through the Table of Contents: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/toc/1999/composite-decks-and-railings-market.html

Based on the product type, deck is expected to grow at a higher rate in the market during the forecast period since the decking products deliver various advantages, such as resistance to insects and molds and low maintenance costs. Furthermore, as decking products are fade-resistant and offer stain resistance, it becomes convenient to clean them, and, they have high color retention too.

Capped Composites are expected to grow at a higher pace in the market during the forecast period owing to their characteristics, such as confrontation to breakage, decomposing, development of mold & mildew, and color diminishing. Capped composites also deliver ultra-low maintenance cost and premium aesthetics against natural wood decking and railing products. They are extensively employed in residential and non-residential applications, owing to their physical properties.

Based on the resin type, polyethylene segment accounts for the largest market share of the composite decking and railings market. Polyethylene resin has elevated strength and sturdiness, which is suitable for residential application, necessitating a joist 16 inch on center. However, polypropylene is estimated to be the fastest-growing resin type during the forecast period. They confront thermal expansion & contraction, enabling them to be suitable in the manufacturing of composite decking & railings in elevated temperature regions.

Based on the application type, residential is estimated to be the faster-growing segment during the forecast period. The characteristics presented by composite decking & railings, such as confrontation to thermal expansion and contraction when uncovered to sunlight and resistance to splinter & rot are beneficial in application areas.

Register Here for a Free Sample of the Report: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/Request-Sample/1999/composite-decks-and-railings-market.html#form

In terms of regions, presently, North America is the largest procurer of composite decking & railing. In terms of country, the USA, Germany, and China are the growth engines of the global market. North America is likely to remain the largest procurer in the global market over the next five years, whereas Asia-Pacific is subjected to grow at the fastest pace in the post-pandemic market development. There has been an incessant increase in the penetration of composite decks & railings in the developed regions, mainly the USA.

Over the years, the market for composites decks and railings has gradually been consolidating with major companies performing mergers & acquisitions to gain the leading position in this briskly expanding market. Some of the major players in the composite decks and railings market are listed below:

Trex Company

The Azek Company

Fiberon LLC

UPM Bio composites

CertainTeed Ever New

Guofeng WPC Ltd

Barrette Outdoor Living

Tamko Building products ltd

Cali Bamboo

DuraLife Decking and Railings

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights on the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:

Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.

Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.

Market trend and forecast analysis.

Market segment trend and forecast.

Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc.

Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.

Emerging trends.

Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.

Key success factors.

This report studies global composite decks and railings market and has segmented the market in seven ways, keeping in mind the interest of all the stakeholders across the value chain. Following are the seven ways in which the market is segmented:

Composite Decks and Railings Market, by Product Type

Decks (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Railings (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Composite Decks and Railings Market, by Type

Capped Composite (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Uncapped Composite (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Composite Decks and Railings Market, by Resin Type

Polyethylene (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Polypropylene (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Polyvinyl Chloride (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Others (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Composite Decks and Railings Market, by Application Type

Residential (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Non-Residential (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Composite Decks and Railings Market, by Sales to End-User Type

Dealers (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Builders/Contractors (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Home Improvement Retailers (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Composite Decks and Railings Market, by Sales to Manufacturer Type

One-Step/Direct Distribution (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Two-Step Distribution (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Composite Decks and Railings Market, by Region

North America (Country Analysis: The USA, Canada, and Mexico)

Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, The UK, Russia, and Rest of Europe)

Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: Japan, China, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)

Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil, Argentina, and Others)

Stratview Research has several high value market reports in the construction industry. Please refer to the following link to browse through our reports:

https://www.stratviewresearch.com/market-reports/Construction-Equipment.html

About Stratview Research

Stratview Research is a global market intelligence firm providing wide range of services including syndicated market reports, custom research and sourcing intelligence across industries, such as Advanced Materials, Aerospace & Defense, Automotive & Mass Transportation, Consumer Goods, Construction & Equipment, Electronics and Semiconductors, Energy & Utility, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Oil & Gas.

We have a strong team of industry veterans and analysts with an extensive experience in executing custom research projects for mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies, in the areas of Market Assessment, Opportunity Screening, Competitive Intelligence, Due Diligence, Target Screening, Market Entry Strategy, Go to Market Strategy, and Voice of Customer studies.

Stratview Research is a trusted brand globally, providing high quality research and strategic insights that help companies worldwide in effective decision making.

Stratview Research has launched 'Composights', an online portal which offers free thought leadership reports, whitepapers, market report synopsis and much more for Composites and allied industries, worth US$ 20,000 every year.

Click here to sign up (No costs involved): https://www.stratviewresearch.com/composights/sign-in

For enquiries, please contact:

Stratview Research

E-mail: sales@stratviewresearch.com

Direct: +1-313-307-4176

Cision

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/composite-decks-and-railings-market-size-to-reach-us-4-3-billion-in-2026--says-stratview-research-301404723.html

SOURCE Stratview Research
SHENZHEN, China, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 16, a summit titled "Developing Biomedicine in the Greater Bay Area: Opportunities and Challenges" was successfully held in Shenzhen, China. Top leaders and experts from the government, industry, academia and medical services gathered to explore opportunities and challenges of developing the biomedical industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area under the current economic and international climate.

Global Launch Ceremony of Cheerland Bio-CDMO

This Summit was organized by the Office of National Brand Project of Xinhua News Agency, co-organized by China News Development Shenzhen, CFBond.com and Cheerland Biologics, sponsored by Shenzhen Investment Holdings Capital, with support from Shenzhen Dapeng New District Management Committee.

Mr. Li Bin, Deputy Director of National Health Commission (NHC) and a member of the Managing Party Council of NHC, headlined the delegate of government officials attending the Summit. Mr. Li applauded the Centralized Volume-based Procurement of Drug Consumables, a major policy of the CPC Central Committee's drug reform efforts starting from 2020. Thanks to this new policy, China's new drug R&D and innovation capability, as well as quality assurance, supply capacity and clinical use have all been remarkably improved.

Mr. Gong Xixiang, a member of the Managing Party Council and Secretary General of Xinhua News Agency, pointed out that Shenzhen, as one of the core engine cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, has aspired to become a leader and innovation hub for biomedicine.

Mr. Xu Jianping, Director of the Regional Opening Department of the National Development and Reform Commission, urged the Greater Bay Area to play a leading role in developing the Health Silk Road, for the benefit of China and other countries involved.



Mr. Liu Ruyin, Founder and Chairman of Cheerland Biologics, expressed that Cheerland, headquartered in Shenzhen, has been striving to become a regional and national leader in biotechnology. It has built a world-class management team with international executives, led by Mr. Michael Garvey, President and Managing Director of the Board. Cheerland also established a biomedicine eco-system consisted of diagnostic labs based on gene sequencing, a drug development platform and pipelines, medical services, and now CDMO (contract development and manufacturing organization). Cheerland is building the first large-scale biologics CDMO (Bio-CDMO) base in China, aiming to provide international standard, low cost, commercial scale Bio-CDMO services to global biotech clients. The global launch ceremony of Cheerland Bio-CDMO, and a service contract signing ceremony were held at the Summit.

Story continues

A panel featuring academicians and industry leaders discussed how the Greater Bay Area can promote high-quality development of the biomedical industry under the current economic and geopolitical climate.

About Cheerland Biologics

Cheerland Biologics, a co-organizer of the Summit, was established in Shenzhen in April 2016 and elected into the National Brand Project of Xinhua News Agency in April 2021. Cheerland aims to lower significantly the cost of biologics and make biomedicine accessible to everyone, through technological innovation and providing large-scale manufacturing services to the global biotech industry.

Image Attachments Links:

Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=404338

Caption: Global Launch Ceremony of Cheerland Bio-CDMO

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/developing-biomedicine-in-the-greater-bay-area-opportunities-and-challenges-summit-held-in-shenzhen-301404307.html

SOURCE Cheerland Biologics
By Marc Frank

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba has reached a deal with the Paris Club of creditor nations to postpone an annual debt payment due in November until next year, according to diplomats from five of the governments involved, the latest sign the Communist-run country is suffering a grave foreign exchange crisis.

The historic 2015 Paris Club agreement with Havana forgave $8.5 billion of $11.1 billion in sovereign debt Cuba defaulted on in 1986, plus charges. Cuba agreed to repay the remainder in annual installments through 2033, but only partially met its obligations in 2019 and defaulted last year.

The outlines of an amended deal, worked out between the parties in June and not previously reported, calls for resumption of payments in 2022 and adjustment of the payment schedule, the diplomats said, requesting anonymity to comment.

The Cuban government and Paris Club had no comment on the matter.

The parties in June said in a statement that "this agreement provides more time to the Republic of Cuba to honor several payments due under the 2015 Arrangement, while maintaining the present value of these amounts."

Cuba has now fallen behind by around $200 million on payments, including this year, the diplomats estimated.

It is not clear if penalties will apply as the pandemic crunch has led lenders to waive fees on other debtor nations.

Cuba said this week it had vaccinated 99.2% of its population with at least one dose of its locally developed COVID-19 vaccines, and plans to reopen its borders to international tourism by mid-November after nearly two years of coronavirus-induced stagnation.

The Caribbean island nation depends heavily on tourism to inject much-needed foreign exchange into its otherwise inefficient state-run economy, and for the cash it needs to repay lenders.

"I expect a fairly robust return of tourists impacting other activities and that should improve the outlook somewhat for payment in 2022," one of the diplomats said.

Story continues

Over the last decade, Cuba also restructured debt with Russia, China, Germany, Mexico and Japanese commercial debt holders.

"Its my understanding most of those payments are also on hold," another diplomat said, with a colleague seconding that view.

Harsh U.S. sanctions on vital foreign exchange earners such as tourism, remittances and foreign investment, many implemented under then-U.S. President Donald Trump and maintained under his successor, Joe Biden, also complicate inflows.

Foreign exchange revenues fell by some $4 billion beginning in 2020 and the import of basic goods and inputs for agriculture and production in general plunged nearly 40% as a result, the government reported.

The economy contracted 10.9% last year and another 2% through June, compared with the same period in 2020, resulting in shortages of food, medicine and other basic goods.

The government this year predicts the economy to grow 2%, just barely beginning to recoup last year's downturn.

Under the original Paris Club agreement, seen by Reuters, interest was forgiven through 2020, and after that was just 1.5% of the total debt still due. Some of that money due was allocated to funds for investments in Cuba.

The diplomats who spoke to Reuters said they did not expect any significant changes to that portion of the agreement.

Cuba last reported foreign debt of $18.5 billion in 2018, and experts believe it has risen since then, especially to suppliers and investment partners who reported serious payment issues as early as 2018. The country is not a member of the International Monetary Fund or the World Bank.

The Cuba group of the 22-member Paris Club comprises Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Britain, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

(Reporting by Marc Frank; additional reporting by Leigh Thomas in Paris, Editing by Dave Sherwood and Alistair Bell)
DUBLIN, October 20, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Global Semiconductor Industry Development Trends and Emerging Applications" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report provides an overview of the development of the global semiconductor market and the Taiwanese three semiconductor sub-industry sectors, including IC design, IC manufacturing and IC packaging and testing; looks into root causes behind the supply and demand imbalance; examines how emerging applications are driving demand for chips, touching on AI chips, automotive electronics, and wide bandgap semiconductors.

As global demand for chips continues to rise, the global semiconductor revenues are estimated to witness a spike in 2021 and thus the industry's revenue growth will likely continue into 2022.

Meanwhile, as global fabs are expanding their production capacity worldwide, it is anticipated the chip supply crunch will alleviate in the second half of 2022 and/or 2023.

List of Topics

Development of the global semiconductor market, touching on market value forecast for the period 2021-2022 and market share by application for the period 2015-2023; market share by product type and IC type during 2018-2021

Development of three major semiconductor sub-industry sectors, including IC design, IC manufacturing, and IC packaging and testing; Taiwanese semiconductor industry shipment value during 2014-2021;

Root causes behind the supply-demand imbalance, touching on the geopolitics and climate risks, rising demand for automotive chips; includes the regional joint development between the U.S. and Korea, and the U.S. and Japan, as well as the impact of China's policies such as the "Dual Control System."

Emerging applications are associated with AI chips, automotive electronics, and wide bandgap semiconductors, and include global GaN and SiC component supply chains and major players.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Semiconductor Industry Trends and Supply-Demand Dynamics

Story continues

1.1 Global and Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Trends

1.2 Supply-Demand Imbalance and Regional Supply Chain Restructuring

2. Emerging Applications Driving Semiconductor Demand

2.1 Integration of AI in IoT Chips for Diversified Applications

2.2 Automotive Electronics Fueling Robust Demand for Automotive Chips

2.3 Wide Bandgap Semiconductors for Emerging Applications

Companies Mentioned

Actron

Allwinner

Alter Technology

Amazon

AMD

Amkor Technology

Analog Devices

Andes Technology

ApexMic

Apple

Arm

ASE Group

AT&T

AWSC

Aymont

BItmain

Bosch

Broadcom

Bruckewell Technology

Cadence

Canaan

Cengol

CEVA

Codasip

Cortus

Cree

DB HiTek

Denso

DuPont

EPC

Episil

Ericsson

Espressif Systems

Fraunhofer

GaN Systems

GCS

GeneSiC Semiconductor

Genesys

GigaDevice

Global Power Technology

GlobalFoundries

GlobalWafers

Google

GW

Hestia Power

Horizon Robotics

Hua Hong

Huawei

Hymix

Infineon

Intel

IVWorks

Kneron

Macronix

Maxim

MediaTek

Mercedes-Benz

Microchip

Microsemi

Microsoft

Moderna

Navitas

Nokia

Nordic

Norstel

Novatek

Nvidia

NXP

OMMIC

On Semiconductor

Pam-Xiamen

Pan Jit

Panasonic

Pixart

Powerchip

Princeton

Qromis

Qualcomm

Rambus

Realtek

Renesas

Richtek

ROHM

Samsung

Sanechips

Semidynamics

Showa Denko

SICC

SiCrystal

SiFive

Sirius

SK Hynix

SK siltron

SMIC

SPIL

STMicroelectronics

Sunplus

Syntronix

Taiwan Semiconductor

Texas Instruments

TI

Toshiba

Tower

Toyota

TSMC

UMC

Unikorn

V-Air

Vanguard

Verizon

VIS

Wave Computing

Weltrend

Win Semiconductor

Winbond

Wolfspeed

Xilinx

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/v5t8ke

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005495/en/

Contacts

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- GoGreen Investments Corporation (the "Company") announced today the upsizing and pricing of its initial public offering of 24,000,000 units at $10.00 per unit. The offering was upsized from 20,000,000 units. The units will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") and will begin trading tomorrow, October 21st, 2021, under the ticker symbol "GOGN.U". Each unit consists of one Class A ordinary share of the Company and one-half of one redeemable warrant, each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share. Only whole warrants are exercisable. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the Class A ordinary shares and warrants are expected to be listed on NYSE under the symbols "GOGN" and "GOGN.WS," respectively.

The Company is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses. While the Company may pursue an initial business combination target in any business or industry, it intends to focus its search on companies in the clean/renewable energy space. The Company is led by Chief Executive Officer John Dowd.

Citigroup and Credit Suisse are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering. The Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 3,600,000 units at the initial public offering price to cover over-allotments, if any.

The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the prospectus may be obtained, when available, from Citigroup Global Markets Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by telephone at 1-800-831-9146 and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, 6933 Louis Stephens Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560, by telephone at 1-800-221-1037, or by emailing usa.prospectus@credit-suisse.com.

Story continues

A registration statement relating to these securities was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on October 20th, 2021. 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 these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements," including with respect to the initial public offering and the anticipated use of the net proceeds. No assurance can be given that the offering discussed above will be completed on the terms described, or at all, or that the net proceeds of the offering will be used as indicated. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company's registration statement and preliminary prospectus for the offering filed with the SEC. Copies are available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Contact

Michael Sedoy, CFA

CFO

713.337.4075

info@gogreeninvestments.com

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gogreen-investments-corporation-announces-upsizing-and-pricing-of-240-000-000-initial-public-offering-301405061.html

SOURCE GoGreen Investments Corporation
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hagens Berman urges Vipshop Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: VIPS) investors with significant losses to submit your losses now.

Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP

Class Period: Mar. 22, 2021  Mar. 29, 2021

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Dec. 13, 2021

Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/VIPS

Contact An Attorney Now: VIPS@hbsslaw.com

844-916-0895

Vipshop Holdings Ltd. (VIPS) Securities Class Action:

The lawsuit arises from Goldman Sachs' and Morgan Stanley's use of insider information to avoid billions of dollars in losses tied to the high-profile downfall of Archegos Capital Management by unloading Vipshop shares on "unwitting investors."

Specifically, the complaint alleges Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and other Wall Street Banks served as prime brokers for Archegos, the now defunct family office of troubled trader Bill Hwang. Unbeknownst to investors, by 2020, the brokerage banks allowed Archegos to take on billions of dollars of exposure to volatile equities, including Vipshop, through swaps contracts, dramatically elevating the risk posed by these concentrated positions.

ViacomCBS' $3 billion stock offering on Mar. 23 served as Archegos' "Achilles heel." The offering caused a decline in ViacomCBS' share price, triggering Archegos' imminent collapse. Knowing of Archegos' likely insolvency, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs violated U.S. securities laws by unloading the troubled shares before the public knew about Archegos' inability to satisfy its lenders' margin calls, which allowed the banks to avoid billions of dollars in losses and pass on those losses to other investors.

"We're focused on investors' losses and proving Defendants acted on inside information to leave retail investors holding the bag," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

If you invested in Vipshop and have significant losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman.

Story continues

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Vipshop, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and/or Archegos should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email VIPS@hbsslaw.com.

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a national law firm with eight offices in eight cities around the country and over eighty attorneys. The firm represents investors, whistleblowers, workers and consumers in complex litigation. More about the firm and its successes is located at hbsslaw.com. For the latest news visit our newsroom or follow us on Twitter at @classactionlaw .

Contact:

Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hagens-berman-national-trial-attoreys-encourages-vipshop-holdings-vips-investors-with-significant-losses-to-contact-firms-attorneys-now-securities-fraud-class-action-filed-301404151.html

SOURCE Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
GANSU, China, October 20, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The eighth China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum has concluded in Lanzhou, capital of Northwest China's Gansu Province on October 17, and a joint initiative was released, aiming at more profound and practical openness and cooperation among participators.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211019006271/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

With "Strengthen Solidarity and Cooperation for Building a Community of Security and Development" as its theme, the forum was co-hosted by the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Committee of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the People's Government of Gansu Province.

The Forum included four sub-forums covering topics including "China-Central Asia cooperation on China's BDS" and "green development." A themed exhibition on Chinas BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) was also held during the event.

Representatives from China and Central Asian countries including Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as international organizations, attended the forum online and in person.

Secretary-General of the SCO Vladimir Norov said that the China-Central Asia Cooperation Forum is an authoritative platform for extensive exchanges between China and Central Asian countries. It helps strengthen political interaction, deepen the relationship between all parties in ensuring regional security, responding to current challenges and threats. It also further promotes a mutually beneficial cooperation, especially with regards to economy and trade.

"Under these conditions, cooperation in the health sector remains a priority. We propose to put environmental protection at the top of the agenda. We have actively participated in the development of the global agenda for sustainable development until 2030, and intend to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060," said Alikhan Smailov, First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan.

Story continues

Tajikistans ambassador to China Saidzoda Zohir pointed out that despite the various challenges of the new era, China's economy continues to grow, and this will have a positive impact on the joint construction of a healthy, green and digital Silk Road. The volume of Chinese investment and bilateral trade with Central Asian countries has been growing steadily for two decades in a row.

The volume of accumulated direct Chinese investments in five countries of the region amounted to about $15 billion in 2020. "A new stage in the advancement of the Belt and Road may be the alignment "point" of China's development programs with the national strategies of the Central Asian countries," Saidzoda Zohir added.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211019006271/en/

Contacts

Web: Huanqiu.com

E-mail: Liugehuan@huanqiu.com

Contact person: Liu Gehuan

Telephone number: 18702976457
The exclusive partnership includes Bona hardwood and hard-surface floor cleaner solutions, and microfiber pads for the iRobot Braava jet m6 robot mop

BEDFORD, Mass., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT), a leader in consumer robots, and Bona, a leading global supplier of premium floor cleaning solutions, today announced an exclusive partnership to provide customers with Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner and Bona Hard-Surface Cleaner solutions, and the Bona PowerPlus Microfiber Deep Cleaning Pad that are custom designed and certified for the iRobot Braava jet m6 robot mop. The co-branded cleaning solutions and microfiber pads will be sold at select retailers in the U.S. and Canada, as well as at iRobot.com.

iRobot and Bona today announced an exclusive partnership to provide customers with Bona cleaning solutions custom designed and certified for the iRobot Braava jet m6 robot mop. The co-branded cleaning solutions, which includes Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner, Bona Hard-Surface Cleaner solutions and Bona PowerPlus Microfiber Deep Cleaning Pads will be sold at select retailers in the U.S. and Canada, as well as at iRobot.com.

"We're excited to work with Bona to provide customers with new and better ways to care for their hard floors," said Keith Hartsfield, chief product officer at iRobot. "The Braava jet m6 is our most thoughtful robot mop  with the intelligence to learn where and when you normally clean and ability to suggest personalized schedules so you can focus on what's more important. By combining iRobot's expertise in robotic mopping with Bona's expertise in hard floor cleaning solutions, we will deliver the most premium and effective robotic mopping experience possible to our customers."

Powered by iRobot Genius Home Intelligence, the Braava jet m6 is the first robot mop from iRobot to mop like you would, delivering a Roomba-like cleaning experience. Braava jet m6 robot owners can tell it where and when to clean with confidence that its Precision Jet Spray capability will tackle sticky messes and kitchen grease. Users simply attach their preferred cleaning pad  Wet Mopping or Dry Sweeping  and the robot gets to work. Using vSLAM navigation and Imprint Smart Mapping, the Braava jet m6 cleans in an efficient pattern while navigating around furniture, rugs, and other obstacles. With intelligence provided by iRobot Genius, the Braava jet m6 is smart enough to know the kitchen from the dining room for customized cleaning jobs, and Keep Out Zones help it avoid sensitive areas like pet bowls or play areas. With Clean While I'm Away, the robot can automatically begin cleaning when you've left home and stop when you return. It's smart enough to learn your cleaning habits to offer up customized schedules, and with Imprint Link Technology, Braava jet m6 can team up with Roomba robot vacuums to vacuum and then mop automatically in perfect sequence, giving your floors a comprehensive clean.

Story continues

Bona brings more than 100 years of expertise in floor care to the Braava jet m6 robot mop. This perfect pairing offers the ultimate clean. Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner, which is ideal for any polyurethane finished wood floor, is gentle yet effective at removing dust, dirt, and grime to reveal a floor's natural shine and beauty. Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner solution is a rinse-free, streak-free formula that cleans hard-surface floors, including stone, tile, and laminate, by breaking up tough messes to leave floors clean and beautiful. Both products recently received U.S. EPA Safer Choice Certification for the sustainable formulations that are crafted with plant-derived ingredients, use water-based and biodegradable solutions, and are free of parabens, formaldehyde, ammonia, phthalates, and phosphates. The Bona PowerPlus Microfiber Deep Cleaning Pad features a unique design with PowerLoop technology that lifts, traps, and absorbs dirt and grime, rather than pushing and scattering the mess around like conventional cleaning pads.

"Teaming up with iRobot is the perfect combination of technology excellence and cleaning innovation," said Kirk Roberts, senior vice president, strategic development, Bona AB. "Here at Bona, our century-long passion for bringing out the beauty in floors means that we are constantly seeking the best possible solutions for easy, sustainable cleaning. Powering the Braava jet m6 robot mop with Bona's safe and effective cleaning solutions along with our patented microfiber cleaning pad will take beautiful floors to the next level."

Availability:

Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner and Bona Hard-Surface Cleaner solutions are available immediately for purchase in the U.S. on www.irobot.com and Canada on www.irobot.ca. The Bona PowerPlus Microfiber Deep Cleaning Pad for the iRobot Braava jet m6 robot mop will be available beginning in November.

iRobot will begin including Bona floor cleaner solutions and microfiber pads as part of new Braava jet m6 orders beginning in Q4 2021, with all orders expected to include the co-branded cleaning solutions and pads by Q1 2022. Over the next few months, as iRobot transitions from its existing cleaning solution and pads to Bona solutions and pads, order contents may vary.

Availability of Bona cleaning solutions and pads for the iRobot Braava jet m6 in other regions is not being announced at this time.

For more information:

Braava jet robot mop photos, videos and information can be found at: http://media.irobot.com/media-kits.

Please join iRobot on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok, Twitter , and YouTube .

Follow iRobot CEO Colin Angle on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About iRobot Corporation

iRobot, the leading global consumer robot company, designs and builds robots that empower people to do more both inside and outside of the home. iRobot created the home robot cleaning category with the introduction of its Roomba Robot Vacuum in 2002. Today, iRobot is a global enterprise that has sold more than 30 million robots worldwide. iRobot's product line, including the Roomba and the Braava family of mopping robots, feature proprietary technologies and advanced concepts in cleaning, mapping and navigation. iRobot engineers are building an ecosystem of robots and technologies to enable the smart home. For more information about iRobot, please visit www.irobot.com.

About Bona US

Bona US is the North American subsidiary of BonaAB headquartered in Malmo, Sweden. Founded in 1919, Bona is a family-owned, sustainably driven company that supplies products for installing, renovating, maintaining, and restoring premium floors. The first in the industry to offer a full system of waterborne hardwood floor finishing and floor care products certified by GREENGUARD for indoor air quality, Bona also offers six products with the U.S. EPA's Safer Choice certification. From residue-free hardwood floor cleaners to a beautiful array of stains and high durability finishes, consumers, distributors, and contractors trust Bona. For more information, or to find Bona products across the U.S. or Canada contact us at (800) 872- 5515 or www.bona.com.

For iRobot Investors

Certain statements made in this press release that are not based on historical information are forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements relating to iRobot Corporation's expectations concerning new product availability and distribution. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. iRobot undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. For additional disclosure regarding these and other risks faced by iRobot, see the disclosure contained in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

iRobot logo. (PRNewsfoto/iRobot Corp.)

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/irobot-and-bona-partner-to-deliver-the-ultimate-in-robotic-mopping-301404173.html

SOURCE iRobot Corporation
- Jaffe's Addition Marks the Latest Effort by Wilson Sonsini to Add Trial Experience to its National Litigation Department -

PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, the premier provider of legal services to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, announced today that Jordan R. Jaffe has joined its litigation department as a partner in the San Francisco office. He joins the firm's expanding patent litigation practice. Jaffe's addition marks Wilson Sonsini's latest effort to add trial experience to its litigation department.

Jordan R. Jaffe, Partner, Wilson Sonsini

Since early August 2021, Wilson Sonsini has added three experienced trial lawyers as partners in California.

Jaffe represents clients in high-stakes intellectual property litigation, focusing on patent litigation and trade secret litigation. He specializes in working with emerging technologies, particularly autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence; he has also litigated matters concerning touch screen sensor design, cryptography, business intelligence software, network security, graphical user interfaces, object-oriented programming, and wireless network design. He has a national practice and has litigated cases before the International Trade Commission and federal and state courts throughout the United States.

"Jordan is an outstanding trial lawyer with a remarkable practice who has earned a reputation for excellence by representing established and growing technology companies in Silicon Valley and nationally," said Doug Clark, managing partner at Wilson Sonsini. "As we've noted with our most recent partner-level hires involving experienced trial lawyers, our clients need and highly value experienced litigators like Jordan, who not only understand their advanced technology, but also have the skills and first-chair experience that are invaluable in high-stakes disputes. We're pleased to welcome Jordan to our growing litigation practice."

Story continues

In the last three months, Wilson Sonsini has added three experienced trial lawyers as partners in California. Previously, Susan Kay Leader joined the firm's Los Angeles office as a trial and commercial litigation partner in late September, while Amy Candido joined the San Francisco office in early August. Candido focuses on high-stakes, complex cases involving patents, trade secrets, and other IP issues.

"With the additions of Jordan, Susan, and Amy, we've taken important strides toward our goal of further fortifying our national litigation practice with experienced trial lawyers," said Caz Hashemi, a partner and head of Wilson Sonsini's litigation department. "What really distinguishes us from other firms is that Jordan and others on our team who try cases have been involved in prominent, complex cases and disputes involving novel and disruptive technologies like AI and autonomous vehicles."

"I'm excited to join Wilson Sonsini because there is real momentum within the firm to build an elite litigation practice with an experienced and proven patent litigation team that can offer the firm's amazing technology clients the representation they need, whether it's ongoing legal counsel or representation in disputes they need to resolve through trial or otherwise," said Jaffe. "I'm also looking forward to working with the San Francisco team and other colleagues across the U.S. as clients look to us for counsel as they advance into the post-pandemic period that lies ahead, which we expect to be one of opportunity and continued growth."

Prior to joining Wilson Sonsini, Jaffe was a partner in the San Francisco office of law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, where he was chair of the autonomous vehicle practice. He joined Quinn Emanuel in 2007 and became a partner in 2016. In addition, he maintains an active pro bono practice.

Jaffe earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 2007, where he was executive editor of the University of San Francisco Law Review, and a B.A. degree in computer science and politics from Lake Forest College in 2004. He is admitted to practice in California.

Jaffe is an advisory board member and emerging technologies chair for the San Francisco Intellectual Property Association. In addition, he was selected as a "Rising Star" by Law360, which honors "the top legal talent under 40," in 2019.

About Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

For more than 60 years, Wilson Sonsini's services and legal disciplines have focused on serving the principal challenges faced by the management and boards of directors of business enterprises. The firm is nationally recognized as a leading provider to growing and established clients seeking legal counsel to complete sophisticated corporate and technology transactions; manage governance and enterprise-scale matters; assist with intellectual property development, protection, and IP-driven transactions; represent them in contested disputes; and/or advise them on antitrust or other regulatory matters. With deep roots in Silicon Valley, Wilson Sonsini has offices in Austin; Beijing; Boston; Brussels; Hong Kong; London; Los Angeles; New York; Palo Alto; San Diego; San Francisco; Seattle; Shanghai; Washington, D.C.; and Wilmington, DE. For more information, please visit www.wsgr.com .

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati logo. (PRNewsFoto, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati)

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jordan-jaffe-joins-wilson-sonsinis-litigation-practice-in-san-francisco-301404648.html

SOURCE Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
BOGOTA, Colombia and MADRID, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Colombian financial company Proteccion S.A., the second largest pensions fund administrator in Colombia, has chosen Lleida.net (BME: LLN) (EPA: ALLLN) (OTCQX: LLEIF) as its main provider of registered electronic signature, notification and contracting services.

From now on, the Spanish listed company will channel 10,000 transactions per month, in 20 different categories, in an agreement that will allow the company to automate Proteccion S.A.'s processes.

The Colombian financial company has more than 2.5 million members, and also manages unemployment insurance, voluntary pensions and mandatory pensions.

Lleida.net's Click&Sign service will be the basis of the service, which will be used to process membership signatures, pension bonds, legal services, and even contracts with suppliers.

"That a company of the caliber of Proteccion S.A. has chosen Lleida.net as a trusted service provider is another example of the enormous level of presence we are achieving in Colombia, one of our company's main international markets," explained Sisco Sapena, CEO and founder of the company.

The Latin American nation is a key market in the company's international strategy. Just two weeks ago, Colombia's national postal service, 4-72, announced the renewal and extension of its contract with Lleida.net. 4-72 uses its entire catalog of electronic notification, signature and contracting products to serve the country's citizens.

In Colombia, where the Spanish listed company has been operating since 2014, it has three patents and more than 200 customers.

Lleida.net is the European leader in the registered electronic signature, notification and contracting industry. With more than 200 patents received from more than 60 countries internationally, Lleida.net has one of the strongest intellectual property portfolios in the field.

In a statement released last week, the company announced that in the first three quarters of 2021 it has already produced more SaaS services than during the whole of 2020.

Story continues

Lleida.net's services are used by companies in more than 50 countries. The listed company's technology is proprietary, and has received more than 200 patents in 63 countries on five continents.

Its shares are traded on the OTCQX index in New York, on Euronext Growth in Paris and on BME Growth in Madrid.

Cision

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lleidanet-signs-with-proteccion-sa-colombias-second-largest-fund-manager-and-will-channel-10-000-transactions-per-month-301404281.html

SOURCE Lleida.net
Middlefield Canadian Income PCC Net Asset Value

Middlefield Canadian Income PCC

Middlefield Canadian Income - GBP PC

(a protected cell company incorporated in Jersey with registration number 93546)

Legal Entity Identifier: 2138007ENW3JEJXC8658

Net Asset Value

As at the close of business on 19 October 2021 the estimated unaudited Net Asset Value per share was 134.39 pence (including accrued income, which excludes an amount of 1.275 pence per share in respect of the quarterly dividend to be paid on 29 October 2021).

Investments in the Companys portfolio have been valued on a closing price basis.

Enquiries:

JTC Fund Solutions (Jersey) Limited

01534 700 000








Access to More Affordable Medication Helps Those Sensitive to Rx Med Costs

Featured Image for Canada Pharmacy

Featured Image for Canada Pharmacy

Featured Image for Canada Pharmacy

VICTORIA, British Columbia, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The US CDC estimates that around 64% of working-aged Americans (under 65) have private health insurance. The peace of mind that comes from knowing they don't have to assume all out-of-pocket costs for prescription medication is something they will be thankful to have. This is especially true of people with chronic health conditions and need to fill prescriptions on an ongoing basis. Many of the drugs needed to manage diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism and other conditions are expensive, but an online Canadian pharmacy like Canada Pharmacy can provide the savings people need.

Individuals who do not have private health insurance are going to be more affected by the high costs of prescription drugs in America, and obviously more so than someone who is in that 64% group with private health insurance. It has been estimated that around 19 million Americans import medication to save money, and that works out to about 8% of the population. It is safe to assume that a large portion of that group are the ones who are ordering drugs online from Canada. This is to make it so that their cost is not so high that it becomes difficult to afford needed medications.

There is much more in the way of regulations on the pharmaceutical industry in Canada, including caps on how high a drug can be priced and the industry as a whole is not geared primarily for profit quite to the same extent it is in America. There is more to it than that, but the only big-picture understanding that many Americans - ones with OR without health insurance - may want to know is they can pay less for drugs, and if ordering from online Canadian pharmacies is the best way to do that. Keep in mind as well that fewer medications are covered under Medicare Part D in the USA.

Story continues

Americans without health insurance are encouraged to look into what they would pay ordering their medication from Canada. Those who have private insurance that lowers what they pay for prescription drugs may want to do the same, and customers can verify the reputability of any online pharmacy in Canada by using the CIPA-certified online pharmacy checker.

About the Company

Canada Pharmacy is a Canadian online pharmacy among those recommended for Americans who shop at a pharmacy in Canada to save money on medications. It is able to source medications in a way that allows for the best prices on prescription drugs from Canada. All orders require a prescription and are dispensed by a licensed pharmacist, in the same way it would be with any pharmacy in America. Pay less when you order drugs online from Canada.

Contact Canada Pharmacy:

https://www.canadadpharmacy.com/

Toll Free: 1-800-891-0844

Related Images













Image 1









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment




MOSCOW, Oct 19 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Tuesday that a reported hypersonic weapon test by China breached none of Beijing's international obligations, posed no threat to Russia and followed similar moves by the United States.

"...China is developing its arms systems within the framework of its international obligations," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"In no way does Russia (itself) break its obligations with regards to arms control and we only take measures aimed at ensuring our own security amid actions that the United States take under their missile defence programme," Peskov told a briefing.

Washington said this week it was concerned about hypersonic missile technology and its potential military applications by China and Russia, after a media report that Beijing had tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic glide weapon. (Reporting by Dmitry Antonov Writing by Olzhas Auyezov Editing by Andrew Osborn)
Spotify this morning announced a new partnership with e-commerce platform provider Shopify that will allow artists on its service to connect their Spotify profiles with their Shopify stores, allowing them to market their merchandise directly to fans through the Spotify app. After connecting their Spotify for Artists accounts with their Shopify online store, artists will be able to sync their product catalog to Spotify to showcase whichever products they choose on their profile in the streaming music app.

From there, fans will be able to browse the products and make purchases. In addition to enabling easier access to artists' existing Shopify stores, the integration could offer an additional revenue stream for artists that had not yet established a merchandise website, and could give those who already have a website elsewhere a reason to switch to Shopify's platform.

Shopify says it already powers the websites for thousands of artists who are expanding their businesses beyond music alone to build "fully realized" brands.

"Artists today are entrepreneurial. Theyre building multifaceted brands and businesses, and now were making it easier for them to meet fans where they are," said Amir Kabbara, Shopify's director of Product, in a statement. "By bringing entrepreneurship to Spotify, were empowering artists to think beyond the traditional merch table with new ways to monetize, and to experiment with their brands through commerce."

Image Credits: Spotify

Shopify also says its larger app ecosystem could help artists enable new services, as well, like print-on-demand or product discovery tools. And Shopify's infrastructure is able to manage high volumes of traffic for artists with large followings who may send surges at times -- like when they drop new products, for example, Shopify added.

While the Shopify partnership is significant, it's not the first time Spotify has teamed up with another company to give artists the ability to market their merchandise through its app. The company, for many years, has offered artist profile integrations with other merchandise service providers. Currently, this includes a deal with Merchbar, but in previous years, BandPage and Topspin have been partnered.

Story continues

With Merchbar, artists can select three products to showcase on their profile. Now artists using Shopify can do the same.

To get started, artists will first log in to their Spotify for Artists dashboard on desktop, then go to the "Profile" tab, and click "Merch." From there, they will pick the three items from their Shopify store to feature on their profile. At present, artists are only able to connect one Shopify store per artist.

To encourage sign-ups, Shopify is offering a 90-day free trial to all Spotify artists signing up for the first time.

However, the feature is currently in "beta," Spotify says. While all artists globally can link their Shopify stores, the merch will only appear to listeners in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.K. and the U.S. for the time being.

Image Credits: Spotify

Both Shopify and Spotify have similar interests in enabling the new creator economy, though with different focus areas. Shopify sees its e-commerce platform as a complement to creator businesses of all kinds, while Spotify's interest is more on artists (and now, podcast creators, too). In the past, Spotify has rolled out a number of other tools in the creator space, including those for ticketing, tipping and Fans First emails, to help artists grow their larger businesses.

Earlier this year, both companies' CEOs -- Spotify CEO Daniel Ek, and Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke -- participated in a Clubhouse session where they talked about the many ways creators today were diversifying their monetization strategies.

At the time, Ek hinted toward the possibilities of working more closely with Shopify, when he noted how many artists were already using its platform.

"Almost every successful creator now is omni-talented and omnichannel," he said at the time. "That means that they are on YouTube putting up videos. They are on Instagram. They are perhaps putting together brands and putting it on Shopify, but they're also putting out music and merchandise on Shopify and music on Spotify, of course, and touring. And so they're really just doing a multitude of different things and connecting with their fan bases across many different platforms," Ek said.
ALPHARETTA, Ga., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Summit Hosting ("Summit") announced it has partnered with Silver Oak Services Partners ("Silver Oak") in a recapitalization of the business. Silver Oak is a leading lower middle market private equity firm focused exclusively on service businesses.

Always On. Always Secure.

Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Alpharetta, GA, Summit is a provider of dedicated cloud hosting services for accounting and other business software applications for small and medium-sized businesses. Summit serves over 30,000 end users across a variety of end markets throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Summit's senior management team invested alongside Silver Oak in the transaction. The existing management team will continue in their current roles with Summit and retain a significant ownership stake in the business going forward.

"Our team is excited to partner with Silver Oak to execute upon our long-term growth strategy while continuing to provide high-quality service to our customers. Silver Oak's additional capital, resources, and expertise in scaling businesses will help facilitate the next chapter of growth for Summit," said Stan Kania, CEO of Summit Hosting. Warren Patterson, COO of Summit Hosting, added, "The Summit team is thrilled to partner alongside Silver Oak and build upon our existing momentum in the financial and ERP hosting industry. Businesses continue to move from on-prem servers to redundant, managed, and secure cloud environments. Summit Hosting continues to define itself as the premier provider for cloud-based hosting."

Silver Oak was originally attracted to the sector as the increased adoption of cloud infrastructure by small and medium-sized businesses is expected to drive strong continued demand for managed cloud solutions. Wade Glisson, Partner at Silver Oak, said, "Summit has developed a strong reputation as a high-quality provider of managed cloud solutions and is well positioned to capitalize on the industry tailwinds within cloud infrastructure. We are excited to partner with such an experienced team in the space."

Story continues

About Summit Hosting: Summit Hosting is a leading cloud hosting provider for accounting and other business software applications, including QuickBooks, Sage, and SAP Programs in North America. Since 2006, we have been offering top-tier hosting platforms for customers worldwide, with over 8,000 servers and 30,000 end-users running in our environments. We pride ourselves on giving our customers every tool they need to make their day-to-day more manageable and allow their business to grow.

About Silver Oak Services Partners: Founded in 2005 and based in Evanston, IL, Silver Oak is a leading lower middle market private equity firm focused exclusively on service businesses. Silver Oak invests in business, healthcare, and consumer services companies in the lower middle market, typically with EBITDA of $4 million to $25 million.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/summit-hosting-announces-recapitalization-with-silver-oak-services-partners-301404838.html

SOURCE Summit Hosting
CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Suncor will release its third quarter financial results on Oct. 27, 2021 before 8:00 p.m. MT (10:00 p.m. ET).



A webcast to review the third quarter will be held on Oct. 28 at 7:30 a.m. MT (9:30 a.m. ET). Representing management will be Mark Little, president and chief executive officer and Alister Cowan, chief financial officer. A question and answer period with analysts will follow brief remarks from management. Trevor Bell, vice president, Investor Relations will host the call.

Please note, telephone lines are limited and reserved for those who intend to ask a question.

To participate in the conference, go to suncor.com/webcasts .

If you are an analyst or media and would like to participate in the Q&A period:

if calling from North America: 1-866-219-5885

if calling from outside North America: +1-209-905-5918

An archive of the webcast will be available on suncor.com/webcasts .

Suncor Energy is Canada's leading integrated energy company, with a global team of over 30,000 people. Suncor's operations include oil sands development, production and upgrading, offshore oil and gas, petroleum refining in Canada and the US, and our national Petro-Canada retail distribution network (now including our Electric Highway network of fast-charging EV stations). A member of Dow Jones Sustainability indexes, FTSE4Good and CDP, Suncor is responsibly developing petroleum resources, while profitably growing a renewable energy portfolio and advancing the transition to a low-emissions future. Suncor is listed on the UN Global Compact 100 stock index. Suncor's common shares (symbol: SU) are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges.

For more information about Suncor, visit our website at suncor.com , follow us on Twitter @Suncor or Living our Purpose .

Investor inquiries:

1-800-558-9071

invest@suncor.com

Media inquiries:

1-833-296-4570

media@suncor.com












Helps homeowners and homebuyers across the state's five largest cities care for their homes

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Super , an insurtech company that provides subscription care for the home, today announced its plans are now available to homeowners and home buyers in North Carolina's five largest cities: Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, and Winston-Salem. This quickly follows the company's launch in Atlanta in August, and the closing of a Series C funding earlier this year.

Subscription Care for Your Home (PRNewsfoto/Super)

Cities like Charlotte and Raleigh are regularly cited in "Best Places to Live" lists, and the entire state of North Carolina has become a popular destination for first-time homeowners and for relocation, particularly for those wanting to move out of more densely populated cities. It's no wonder that the real estate market in North Carolina is thriving.

Super takes the hassle and expense out of maintaining a home. A subscription from Super includes coverage for appliance and system breakdowns as well as maintenance services. Technology drives everything the company does to make caring for a home easier from a mobile app to easily request and schedule services, maintaining a digital record of all the work done to a home, to a cashless transaction system that offers a seamless payment process and detects fraud.

"The homeownership experience isn't the same for everyonewhether you're a first-time homeowner, or a city-dwelling condo owner that moves to a new house on acres of land," said Jorey Ramer, co-founder and CEO, Super. "But what rings true for all homeowners is the responsibility of caring for your home and protecting your investment. That's where we come in."

To help customers with their breakdown and maintenance needs, Super has built a network of top-quality service providers in each of its local marketsfrom general appliance repair to specialized services like dryer vent cleaning. Super partners with business owners in the home services industry that understand great customer service is key to running a successful business.

Story continues

"As a family-owned company that's been operating for over 35 years, it's important for us to do business with companies that are just as committed to offering high quality service and have a genuine respect for their customers," said Farhan Hanphy, owner at T&T Heating & Air Conditioning. "Working with Super is one of the easiest things we've done to continue to grow our business."

Strategic partnerships in the real estate industry continue to contribute to Super's growth. Brokers and agents seek to bring value to their clients and Super offers a data-driven solution that addresses their clients' needs when it comes to maintaining their most valuable investment. Super has also developed a first-of-its-kind solution to support real estate agents and their clients during the home buying process with its recently announced In the Clear program.

"As a real estate agent, aligning with the right industry partners can help me grow my business," said John Barrera, licensed real estate salesperson, San Antonio Portfolio Real Estate, a luxury extension of Keller Williams Realty. "A great partner is one with a shared commitment to client service and a collaborative approach to working together. That's what I've found with Super. They're proactive about getting feedback directly from real estate agents. That's a huge plus!"

Super is also available in Atlanta, Washington DC, Chicago, Phoenix, Baltimore, Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. For more information on joining Super's network of service providers, visit hellosuper.com/servicer. To learn more about how to partner with Super as an agent or broker, visit hellosuper.com/realestate.

About Super

Super is a San Francisco-based insurtech company. Powered by a proprietary data platform and backed by leading investors, Super offers subscription-based care for your home. Partnering with the best local servicers to deliver quick and effective home repair and maintenance at a predictable cost, Super's vision is to make caring for a home carefree. Visit www.hellosuper.com for more information.

Media Contacts

Market Street Group for Super

Angela Baldwin / Bill Donlan

super@marketstreetgrp.com

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/super-broadens-southeast-footprint-with-launch-in-north-carolina-301402951.html

SOURCE Super
FILE PHOTO: Logo of Google on a building at La Defense

By Michael Shields

ZURICH (Reuters) - A Swiss court has dismissed Google's bid to block the award of a government cloud computing contract worth up to 110 million Swiss francs ($119 million) to rival bidders.

"In an interim decision, the Federal Administrative Court rejects Google's request to grant suspensive effect to its appeal. The Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics may therefore conclude the public cloud contracts with the selected tenderers," the court said in a statement on Wednesday.

The decision may be appealed to the Swiss supreme court.

The government had awarded the contract in June to Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, Oracle and Alibaba, Swiss media reported.

(Reporting by Michael Shields, editing by John Revill)
For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL  October 20, 2021  Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses Steel, including Nucor Corp. NUE, Steel Dynamics, Inc. STLD, Ternium S.A. TX and United States Steel Corp. X.

Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/1812205/4-steel-producer-stocks-to-play-the-industry-strength

The Zacks Steel Producers industry is currently enjoying a boom after being hobbled by the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic last year, courtesy of a strong revival in demand across major steel-consuming industries and an upswing in steel prices.

Solid demand for steel in the key end-markets such as automotive and construction represents a tailwind for the industry. Steel prices have also witnessed a significant rally on robust demand and supply constraints. Nucor Corp., Steel Dynamics, Ternium and United States Steel are well placed to gain from these trends.

About the Industry

The Zacks Steel Producers industry serves a vast spectrum of end-use industries such as automotive, construction, appliance, container, packaging, industrial machinery, mining equipment, transportation, and oil and gas with various steel products. These products include hot-rolled and cold-rolled coils and sheets, hot-dipped and galvanized coils and sheets, reinforcing bars, billets and blooms, wire rods, strip mill plates, standard and line pipe, and mechanical tubing products.

Steel is primarily produced using two methods  Blast Furnace and Electric Arc Furnace. It is regarded as the backbone of the manufacturing industry. The automotive and construction markets have historically been the largest consumers of steel. Notably, the housing and construction sector is the biggest consumer of steel, accounting for roughly half of the worlds total consumption.

What's Shaping the Future of the Steel Producers' Industry?

Demand Strength in Major End-use Markets: Steel producers are set to gain from an upswing in demand across major steel end-use markets such as automotive, construction and machinery from the coronavirus-led downturn. The pandemic-led demand destruction put a dent on the steel industry for much of the first half of last year.

Story continues

However, steel demand started to pick up from the third quarter of 2020 on a resumption of operations across major steel-consuming sectors following the easing of lockdowns and restrictions across the world. The recovery in the automotive industry is being driven by strong customer demand.

Steel makers are benefiting from healthy order booking from the automotive market despite the semiconductor shortage. The construction sector has also bounced back on the heels of a resumption of projects that were stalled due to supply chain disruptions and manpower shortage. In particular, the non-residential construction market remains resilient. As these major markets recover, the demand for steel is expected to go up.

Higher Steel Prices to Drive Margins: Steel prices have witnessed an unprecedented surge on the back of an upturn in demand across key markets, tight supply conditions and low steel inventory throughout the supply chain. Notably, U.S. steel prices have staged a strong recovery and hit record levels after cratering to the pandemic-induced multi-year lows in August 2020.

The benchmark hot-rolled coil (HRC) prices started to recover in September on U.S. steel mills price hike actions, tight supply and surging end-market demand. Notably, HRC prices have shot up more than four-fold from the August 2020 low.

A key reason behind the spurt in U.S. steel prices is the demand-supply imbalance. There is room for further gains in HRC prices as demand continues to outpace supply. As such, higher prices are expected to drive profitability and cash flows of steel-producing companies going forward.

Slowdown in Chinas Steel Demand A Worry: Steel demand in China, the worlds top consumer of the commodity, has softened since the second half of 2021 due to a slowdown in the countrys economy. A slowdown in construction and manufacturing activities has led to the contraction of demand for steel in China.

Manufacturing is being hurt by semiconductor shortages, supply chain disruptions and power outages. Beijings actions to take the heat out of its property market this year partly through credit tightening measures is also a concern for the countrys steel industry.

The debt crisis at one of China's top property developers, Evergrande, also increases the risk of a financial contagion in the countrys property sector. This may lead to a slump in construction activities and a slowdown in the launch of new properties in China, thereby hurting steel demand.

Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Upbeat Prospects

The Zacks Steel Producers industry is part of the broader Zacks Basic Materials Sector. It carries a Zacks Industry Rank #30, which places it at the top 12% of more than 250 Zacks industries.

The groups Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bright near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Before we present a few stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, lets take a look at the industrys recent stock-market performance and valuation picture.

Industry Outperforms Sector and S&P 500

The Zacks Steel Producers industry has outperformed both the Zacks S&P 500 composite and the broader Zacks Basic Materials sector over the past year.

The industry has rallied 85.7% over this period compared with the S&P 500s rise of 32.3% and the broader sectors increase of 24.1%.

Industry's Current Valuation

On the basis of the trailing 12-month enterprise value-to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio, which is a commonly used multiple for valuing steel stocks, the industry is currently trading at 5.39X, below the S&P 500s 15.99X and the sectors 8X.

Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 11.52X, as low as 4.8X and at the median of 7.56X.

4 Steel Producers Stocks to Keep a Close Eye On

Nucor: Charlotte, NC-based Nucor, carrying a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), makes steel and steel products with operating facilities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The company is benefiting from strength in the non-residential construction market and a strong recovery in the automotive market. It is also seeing improved conditions in heavy equipment, agriculture and renewable energy markets.

Higher demand is supporting its shipments. Nucor should also gain considerable market opportunities from its strategic investments in its most-significant growth projects. It remains committed to boosting production capacity, which should drive profitable growth and strengthen its position as a low-cost producer. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Nucor has an expected earnings growth rate of 581.1% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for the current year has been revised 26.5% upward over the last 60 days. It has seen its shares shoot up around 111% over a year.

Steel Dynamics: Based in Indiana, Steel Dynamics is a leading steel producer and metals recycler in the United States, carrying a Zacks Rank #1. It is benefiting from momentum across the automotive and non-residential construction sectors. Higher prices aided by strong demand are also expected to drive the profitability of its steel operations. Steel Dynamics is also currently executing a number of projects that should add to its capacity and boost profitability.

The company has expected earnings growth rate of 501.4% for the current year. The consensus estimate for the current year has been revised 16.3% upward over the last 60 days. The stock has also rallied roughly 96% over the past year.

Ternium: The Luxembourg-based company, carrying a Zacks Rank #1, is a leading producer of flat and long steel products in Latin America. It is expected to benefit from strong demand for steel products and higher realized steel prices. Its shipments in Mexico are likely to be aided by strong demand from industrial customers.

Healthy demand for construction materials is also expected to support shipments in Argentina. Ternium is also benefiting from the cost competitiveness of its facilities. The company is also taking actions to boost liquidity and strengthen its financial position in the wake of the pandemic.

Ternium has an expected earnings growth rate of 460.6% for the current year. The consensus estimate for the current year also has been revised 6.6% upward over the last 60 days. It also beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in each of the trailing four quarters, the average being 77.1%. The stock has surged roughly 114% over the past year.

U.S. Steel: Pennsylvania-based U.S. Steel produces and sells flat-rolled and tubular steel products and carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). It is gaining from strong demand across end markets and higher domestic steel prices. It is witnessing strong consumer-driven demand and pent-up infrastructure demand. The investment in Big River Steel is also expected to be accretive to U.S. Steels earnings, and will generate significant synergies. Cost-saving initiatives and efforts to improve operation efficiency should drive its results.

The company has expected an earnings growth rate of 381.8% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has been revised 11.9% upward over the last 60 days. The company has also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters at an average of 25.1%. The stock has shot up around 148% over a year.

Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts

Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.

Media Contact

Zacks Investment Research

800-767-3771 ext. 9339

support@zacks.com

https://www.zacks.com

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.



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



Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) : Free Stock Analysis Report



United States Steel Corporation (X) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Nucor Corporation (NUE) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Ternium S.A. (TX) : Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
The new community vaccination center opening Thursday morning in Fredericksburgs Central Park will be able to provide 350 COVID-19 vaccines per dayand more if demand warrants.

Thats our capacity right now, but obviously, we can adjust to what the Virginia Department of Health is seeing in the community and what numbers it needs, said Hannah Stone, a communications director with AshBrittIEM.

AshBritt is operating 10 such large-scale clinics across Virginia. Its working with the state health department to offer vaccination centers when boosters become available for all the vaccines and in the wake of pending approval of a vaccine for children ages 511.

On Wednesday, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson received federal approval to join Pfizer in offering booster shots for their vaccines. And regulators said those eligible for the extra dose could take a brand different from the one they received initially.

Medical studies have shown the vaccines protection against the virus may decrease over time and be less able to fight off the highly contagious delta variant. Boosters are recommended for adults age 65 and over and those whose jobs put them at higher risk of contracting COVID-19.
Fredericksburg City Councilman Chuck Frye Jr. was elated when CSX Transportation agreed to construct a rail spur to move tankers containing ethanol away from homes in the Mayfield neighborhood five years ago.

But earlier this year, Frye learned that tankers containing propane are now being stored on Railroad Avenue in Mayfield, where he lives.

As Frye is being challenged for City Councils Ward 4 seat by Athena Construction Group President Amber Peebles, tankers in Mayfield is again a major point of discussion.

At a recent candidates forum, Peebles applauded Frye for keeping the issue on the radar of city, state and federal officials. But she added that more needs to be done.

Thus far it appears the efforts of our community leaders have not yielded satisfactory results, Peebles said. That means there must be a different approach to get CSX to agree to remove those tankers.

The position of CSX is that it is following Federal Railroad Administration regulations by not storing the tankers in a residential area for more than 48 consecutive hours.

Peebles said while that may be true, I dont know anybody who says, Id like to have my home next to stored tankers. 
I have not seen the kind of energy that I see right now probably going back to [Gov.] George Allen, said Stuart. The energy is huge in all these campaigns and I predict the House of Delegates flips back to Republican control and Glen Youngkin wins.

Allen defeated Democrat Mary Sue Terry in a landslide governors race in 1993, leading a Republican charge that also captured the attorney generals office and a record number of seats in the legislature.

Youngkin, who spoke for about 25 minutes, reminded the crowd that they can vote early until Oct. 30. He said the nation will be watching the commonwealth on Election Day. Only Virginia and New Jersey have races for governor this year.

This is our moment to lead, Youngkin said. This is our time. Only with you can we do this.

Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

The Republican said, if elected, he will make several changes immediately after taking office.

On Day 1, we will cut taxes for all Virginians and bring down our cost of living, he said. Were going to eliminate the grocery tax. Were going to suspend the most recent gas tax increase. Were going to double standard deductions. Were going to declare the largest tax rebate in the history of Virginia.
An 8-month-old child fell from a door of a vehicle and was run over and killed by the car behind it, police said in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas.
The EU imposed sanctions last year on six senior Russian officials for their alleged involvement in the poisoning of Navalny. Amid the standoff between Brussels and Moscow, the move by European lawmakers to award Navalny the prize has returned the issue to the heart of the political debate.

It is an important signal, also to the Kremlin, that the EU will not give in to pressure and blackmail or be fooled by empty promises, said Sergey Lagodinsky, a Greens/EFA MEP from Germany.

Navalnys top associate Leonid Volkov said the prize showed that hundreds of lawmakers from different countries and parties agree the fight against corruption is an issue for all of Europe and that Navalny is "political prisoner No. 1 in the world and Putins personal captive.

Europe understands that we are fighting to make Russia a normal European country, which it will become, and supports it, he said in a post on Facebook.

Ruslan Shaveddinov, another member of Navalny's team, told The Associated Press that Russian authorities may want this to be forgotten as soon as possible, but we see that European politicians believe that this issue is important and send quite a clear message that no one forgot and that they demand Alexei Navalnys release.
So from a legal perspective, when its actually the cyclist who is the aggressor and at fault, what can a car driver do if they are hit by a cyclist?

A driver could certainly attempt to make a claim against a cyclist who causes damage to their car. But because of the massive imbalance between the damage that a car can do to a cyclist versus the damage a cyclist can do to a car, in practical terms the driver is probably better walking away and being thankful that it wasnt worse for them.

My European sedan weighs 3,930 pounds with me in it. The bicycle and cyclist I encountered were probably 120 pounds combined. That math is often deadly.

While a car driver could get a lawyer or file a claim themselves in small claims court for property damage, many cyclists are going to be very close to judgment-proof. And practically speaking, its just not going to be worth the time to pursue a claim even if there is some damage to the vehicle.

If there truly is exceptional damage or personal injury, then of course its going to make sense to get your insurance company involved.

Whats the ultimate solution to keep contact between cars and bicycles to the most absolute of minimums?
Metropolitan Community College will host a lunch and learn as part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month from 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, via Zoom.

It is free and open to the public and a chance for prospective students to learn about the MCC Cybersecurity program as well as tips to follow when protecting personal identity, accounts and more online. To attend, visit zoom.us/s/92035166024 at the start time of the event.

The MCC Cybersecurity program helps students acquire the skills to balance and manage the risks of doing business in a world run by the internet. Students learn to formulate and implement and information security policy, manage information assets and design a successful security infrastructure. Students also conduct hands-on projects, including defending against cyber-attacks and intrusions. The program is also a designated as a National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency.

The expert panel of MCC staff includes Sparks and College director of Security Risk and Compliance, Jodie Snider. For more information about the MCC Cybersecurity program, visit mccneb.edu/cyber-security or call 531-MCC-2400.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
The Keene Memorial Library Board had an education presentation for its trustees and discussed an award given to the library director at its meeting Monday.

The presentation was given by Tammi Thiem, director of the Three Rivers Public Library System, a nonprofit that partners with the Nebraska Library Commission to provide access to improved library services.

Through the presentation, Keene Memorial Library Director Laura England-Biggs said the boards six trustees were able to learn about their responsibility, roles and relationships.

We really havent given them any kind of orientation, so it kind of helped define their role as an advisory board versus my role as the director, she said. I have the day-to-day management of the library, where they have the vision- and goal-setting for the library.

During her month-end report, England-Biggs also shared that she had been given the Mad Hatter Award by the Nebraska Library Association at the 2021 conference on Oct. 13 and 14.

Its an award given on an annual basis by the School, Childrens and Young People Section, or what we call SCYP, she said. Its given to a library professional who has made a difference in the lives of children in their community.

England-Biggs is the president of the NLA Board of Directors and will serve in the position until the end of the year.

The Mad Hatter Award is fashioned after the hat of the character of the same name in Lewis Carrolls novel Alices Adventures in Wonderland.

According to the nomination form, recipients must demonstrate achievements in three areas: imaginative interpretation of library services; development of innovative and creative programming for children and young adults; and demonstration of professional contributions to regional, state, and national library organizations, publications, and/or presentations.

Although she served as a youth services librarian for nine years, England-Biggs said she was stunned by the award, as she wasnt currently working in the field.

I honestly thought my chance to be a Mad Hatter was gone when I moved into the directors role, she said. Its such an honor and I am humbled by the award.

During her report, England-Biggs also said the library had numerous radio station visits in rotation to promote its services and programs and had restarted its in-person Storytimes on Fridays.

Additionally, the library will have its fourth annual Book Character Pumpkin Contest this week with drop-off this Wednesday through Friday. Voting will take place Saturday through next Thursday with winners announced Oct. 29.

The board discussed no unfinished business at its meeting. It will meet again at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15 in the downstairs large meeting room of the library at 1030 N. Broad St.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Russia hosted a high-level Taliban delegation for talks attended by officials from China, Pakistan, and eight other countries, as Moscow seeks to assert its influence on Central Asia amid worries about instability or violence spilling from Afghanistan into the region.

The United States did not attend the meeting.

The October 20 conference in Moscow was one of the Taliban's most significant international meetings since the militants seized control of Kabul from the internationally recognized government in mid-August.

Addressing the gathering, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia recognized Taliban's "efforts to stabilize the military and political situation and set up work of the state apparatus," as terrorist groups such as the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda were trying to "take advantage" of instability.

The Taliban delegation at the talks was headed by the group's acting Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi and included acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

Muttaqi told reporters in Moscow that they were calling on the international community to help stabilize Afghanistan and to provide humanitarian aid, as the country is facing a huge economic crisis with a mainly shuttered banking system and a sharp rise in food prices.

Taliban leaders once again called on the United States to release more than $9 billion of Afghan central bank reserves held outside the country.

Russia's Foreign Ministry has said one of the aims of the meeting was to consolidate the "efforts of the international community to prevent a humanitarian crisis" in the aftermath of the Taliban's takeover.

The formation of an "inclusive government" in Kabul would be on the agenda, it said.

In a final statement, the participants noted that further practical engagement with Afghanistan needed to take into account the new reality, that is the Taliban coming to power in the country, irrespective of the official recognition of the new Afghan government by the international community.



They reiterated calls for a truly inclusive government that adequately reflects the interests of all major ethno-political forces in the country. The participants also called on Afghanistans current leadership to respect the rights of ethnic groups, women, and children.

Moscow moved to engage with the Taliban, hosting its representatives in Moscow several times in recent years, but has stopped short of recognizing the group, which is considered a banned terrorist organization within Russia.

Russia and Afghanistans Central Asian neighbors have been wary of an increase of drug trafficking and other security threats emanating from the war-torn country and the potential for tens of thousands of refugees to pour over the border.

In response, Russia staged military drills alongside ex-Soviet countries neighboring Afghanistan and reinforced equipment at a military base in Tajikistan.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that the Islamic State (IS) extremist group had about 2,000 militants in northern Afghanistan, and claimed that the alleged IS fighters planned to move between ex-Soviet Central Asian countries disguised as refugees in order to stir up religious and ethnic discord.

Moscow fought a disastrous war in Afghanistan in the 1980s that killed up to 2 million Afghans, forced 7 million more from their homes, and led to the deaths of more than 14,000 Soviet troops.

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, dpa, TASS
Six years after turning a nearly vacant former railway station into a hub for space and technology startups, Kevin O'Neil has even bigger plans for his Catalyst Campus business park.

Construction is expected to begin early next year on a sixth office building in the 12-acre business park on the eastern edge of downtown Colorado Springs to house its growing collection of space-focused startups and defense contractors. Work was scheduled to begin last year on the 50,000-square-foot building on West Pikes Peak Avenue, but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, O'Neil said.

That's just the first step in O'Neil's ambitious plan to expand the campus during the next 10 years from eight buildings totaling 200,000 square feet that house 30 companies and 700 employees, to structures totaling 1 million square feet that will house dozens of companies employing thousands of people along much of downtown's southeast side. He also wants to open up to 10 satellite locations in other cities by 2026.

"Five years ago, everything here was almost entirely vacant. Now there is no vacancy, property values have gone way up and there is nothing for sale," O'Neil said. "Catalyst Campus was built as an economic driver for downtown. We did this investment to create jobs in downtown Colorado Springs. Small businesses that we helped to succeed and grow have since been acquired by large public companies."

Limited liability companies affiliated with the O'Neil Group, acquired land and buildings near the campus to give it room to grow. During the past 2 years, the limited liability companies have paid $9.15 million for buildings totaling 60,000 square feet at 545 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 422 E. Vermijo Ave. and 117 S. Wahsatch St. as well as 4.5 acres of former railroad right-of-way near Shooks Run Creek.

O'Neil wants to move tenants and demolish most of the three buildings on the land his company is acquiring to expand the campus and is still trying to buy more adjacent land for future expansion. He plans to put old railroad cars on the former railroad right-of-way, similar to the way Red Leg Brewery has used small metal shipping containers to house restaurants and food vendors to create an atmosphere that will attract talented engineers and other workers similar to the Lower Downtown (LoDo) and River North (RINO) areas of Denver.

The campus opened in 2015 with a focus on space and cybersecurity, and now its helping the Department of Defense bring technology developed by space-related startups into military programs more quickly. O'Neil Group affiliates bought the former Santa Fe railroad station and two adjacent buildings in 2014 for $4 million. It has spent more than $20 million remodeling and upgrading to make Catalyst Campus one of the most technologically advanced business parks in Colorado.

"We are providing an environment where the government has access to the traditional defense industry base, non-traditional commercially focused companies and academia to help accelerate the delivery of national security solutions to stay ahead of the evolving threat," Catalyst Campus CEO Patrick Barrett said. Recent testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee shows top military brass believe that model is working.

Gen. Glen Van Herck, commander of U.S. Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, cited the Pathfinder program at Catalyst Campus as a "best practice for innovation at the Department of Defense." Engineers working for startup companies at the campus are developing Pathfinder as a prototype for a new air command and control system that will replace six existing systems.

Catalyst Campus also is expanding into new locations beyond Colorado, opening a satellite office near the University of Maryland-College Park campus in February with plans to expand with more space in May 2022. The software "factory" is designed to bring new capabilities to the Navy using the same model of hosting teams from the defense industry, small business, government and academia that Catalyst Campus developed in Colorado Springs.

A third Catalyst Campus location is planned to open this fall in Ogden, Utah, near Hill Air Force Base, University of Utah, Utah State University and Weber State University. No location or timetable has been set for a fourth location, but Barrett said Catalyst Campus has a "long list" of communities that want to host the next location.

One of the newest tenants of Catalyst Campus is ONE Dev, a defense contracting company set up by the O'Neil Group and headed by Kevin O'Neil's brother, Ken O'Neil, and Rob Patterson, a former top Braxton Science & Technology Group executive. Kevin O'Neil said ONE Dev will use the same strategy O'Neil Group used while it owned Braxton  buy defense companies and move them to Colorado Springs. O'Neil Group sold Braxton in October to Parsons for $300 million.
Visitors explore the kitchen of The Chateau, a 7,710-square-foot custom home in Black Forest, Sept. 22. Constructed by Alliance Builders, the six-bedroom, eight bathroom home was part of this years Parade of Homes.
Colorado relies on private, third-party inspectors to make sure amusement parks are free of accidents like the one this month that claimed the life of a 6-year-old girl, who plunged to her death from a ride at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

Just four years ago, state regulators suspended one of those inspectors for his work at the Washington County Fair. The regulators said Bill Hoggard of Joshua, Tex., did cursory checks on at least two rides before assembly at the fairgrounds while they were still on their transport truck.

One of the rides he certified as safe ended up malfunctioning and was in a condition that posed a serious safety threat to the public, state officials claimed in later court filings. The Tilt-a-Whirl ride at the Washington County Fair ran backwards once it was operational despite Hoggards assurances of safety, Colorado officials said in court documents. The ride's emergency stop button didn't work, according to that document, filed in a Denver District Court lawsuit.

Hoggard claimed in court documents that its not unusual for Colorado carnival rides to be inspected before they are set up despite state regulations barring that approach. He also contended in court that the state is lax in ensuring rides meet their annual inspection requirements.

State officials dispute Hoggards accusations, but after a protracted battle, he was allowed to resume inspecting rides in Colorado, even as state officials maintain he admitted he sometimes took a complacent approach to inspections. He inspects amusement park rides in other states despite losing membership in the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials due to findings of ethical lapses related to the dispute in Colorado.

The details of the investigation into Hoggards inspections are made clear in records provided to The Gazette by the state Division of Oil and Public Safety, which regulates amusement parks in Colorado, requested after Wongel Estifanos's fatal fall from a ride at at Glenwood Caverns.

Estifanos, a Colorado Springs elementary student, fell 110 feet from the Haunted Mine Drop at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. The death is being investigated by the Division of Oil and Public Safety, which is located in the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, along with the Garfield County Sheriffs Office and the city of Glenwood Springs.

We will look at the current condition of the ride, relying heavily on certified third-party inspectors observations, as well as observations and notes from prior safety inspections, Cher Haavind, a spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Labor, said in a statement. Also reviewed will be interviews with all parties involved to determine to the best of our knowledge what occurred.

Two deaths occurred on amusement park rides in Colorado from 1999 through 2017, according to RidesDatabase.org , which contains data collected by a now-defunct ride safety organization, SafeParks.

There have been other mishaps. A handful of patrons suffered broken bones and at least two people have been ejected from the Alpine Coaster at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, state injury reports show. Two potentially life-threatening injuries occurred in October 2014 on a Durango zipline, according to state data. In another incident, an inspection found frayed center lift cables in 2010 on bungee trampolines at a resort, state data shows.

To protect the public, the state largely relies on private inspectors like Hoggard, who performed about a fifth of the amusement ride permit inspections in Colorado from 2009 through 2016. Hoggard didn't inspect ride at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, state records show.

The state maintains a list of 47 people authorized to conduct annual inspections at the 171 facilities licensed for amusement rides in Colorado.

In 2016, D. Scott Narreau, then a program manager at Colorados Division of Oil and Public Safety, determined that Hoggard violated state regulations when he inspected rides for the Washington County Fair before they were operable. He fined Hoggard $2,000 and suspended him from the states inspection list for one year.

Hoggard filed a lawsuit in Denver District Court against Narreau, now a supervisor at the state agency, claiming that he was being singled out for something that regularly occurs. He said in court documents that its not unusual in Colorado for rides to be inspected before they are completely assembled to the point of running. He said an employee of the Division of Oil and Public Safety had allowed Hoggard to take that approach on as many as 10 other occasions.

Hoggard also claimed in court documents that the state doesnt always rigorously enforce the annual inspection requirement for amusement park rides.

In 2016, I had 35 clients for whom I did inspections, Hoggard claimed in his court filing. I am personally aware that several clients have been given inspection deferments and been allowed to operate for as long as six months without an inspection when an inspector was not available.

Greg Johnson, the public safety manager in the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety, denied the state let annual inspections slip and allowed disassembled rides to pass inspections. Although the state did not look retrospectively at Hoggards past inspection work, it moved to suspend him to protect the public, Johnson added.

Johnson said the agency has one employee who audits inspection work and operations at amusement parks.

There are a lot of different paths he takes to look at the industry in the state of Colorado, Johnson said.

Hoggard in court documents said that at Narreaus insistence he returned to the Washington County Fair to re-inspect the Tilt-a-Whirl ride after it was assembled. In an interview with The Gazette, he denied ever putting the public in potential peril.

I re-did all the paperwork and sent it in, and they issued the stickers, Hoggard said. Ive been doing this for over 35 years, and Im an excellent mechanic, and I know how this stuff works. Scott Narreau is a bureaucrat whos never gotten a ride up and running.

Mahesh Albuquerque, the director of the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety, upheld the suspension of Hoggard and fine after meeting Hoggard to go over issues.

Mr. Hoggard also made several statements about his lack of familiarity with the Colorado Amusement Regulations, and that he is sometimes complacent with regard to amusement inspections, Albuquerque wrote in his order upholding the suspension. Mr. Hoggard conveyed a general lack of commitment to following the Colorado Amusements Regulations.

After Hoggards Colorado suspension, the state notified the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials, which certifies amusement ride inspectors, of the issues it had found with Hoggards inspections.

That organization found that Hoggard violated multiple provisions of its code of ethics and engaged "in conduct which is detrimental to the interests and welfare of the association. The organizations board kicked Hoggard out and banned him from membership in the organization.

After he lost his membership, Hoggard sued Narreau, claiming his Colorado suspension was retaliatory. He also sought re-certification as a third-party inspector in Colorado. The state held his re-certification request in abeyance because he lacked accreditation from a national organization.

Hoggard eventually dropped his lawsuit and in July 2018, the state agreed it would conditionally re-certify him for amusement ride inspections. He had to notify the state at least 72 hours before conducting an inspection and was limited to certifying rides in Colorado, not traveling carnival rides located in other states that would eventually come to Colorado. The state also required Hoggard to obtain continuing education credits within six months of certification as an inspector in Colorado.

Hoggard agreed to those conditions.

State records show that Hoggard resumed his work in Colorado, inspecting a go-kart track in Colorado in 2018 and again in 2019. Hoggard said the states suspension cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue, though he said he has continued to inspect amusement rides in Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico and Kansas.
Iconic and historical buildings in Colorado Springs help serve as reminders of key eras  the wealth of the gold mining days can be seen in the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, and the tuberculosis huts scattered around the city help remind us of when patients flocked to town for the dry air.
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.
Colorado Springs police are investigating the cause of a Wednesday crash which sent one person to the hospital with minor injuries and caused a power line to be snapped in half, leaving live electric wires on the roadway, officials with the police department said.

A six-vehicle crash in at Stetson Hills and North Powers boulevards early Wednesday afternoon left nearly 3,000 people in the area without electricity as a dump truck snapped a power line in the area.

Emergency responders shut down multiple lanes of traffic; electricity for 2,847 people in the area went out, too. Two drivers were cited for driving around barricades when the intersection was closed, police said.

Just before 2:30 p.m., Colorado Springs Utilities posted on Twitter that power had been restored on the northeast side of town to all but a few customers. Ted Skroback, spokesman for Colorado Springs Utilities, said all had regained power by 4:40 p.m. While there are still repairs to be done to the pole itself, Skroback said due to some of the redundancies in the city's power grid, Utilities is able to reroute and restore power quicker in major outages.

Stetson Hills will need to be closed while the power lines are being restored, police had said.

Skorback said he first heard of the outage at around 12:45 p.m.

The agency also fixed an outage Wednesday near East Platte Avenue and Palmer Park Boulevard where 1,300 people were without power.
Professor Detlef Knappe, right, leads Michael Regan, left, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Gov. Roy Cooper on a tour of a laboratory that tests water samples for forever chemicals, or PFAS, following an announcement of a Biden administration EPA plan to address PFAS pollution on Monday at N.C. State University in Raleigh, N.C. News & Observer via The Associated Press
Work on the $419 million widening of lanes in the Interstate 25 South Gap project is nearing completion as the project enters its fourth and final year  on time and on budget, state transportation officials said.

When it is complete, the roughly 18 miles of roadway between Monument and Castle Rock will include new express lanes in each direction, five new bridges, four wildlife crossings and several miles of deer fencing, a new truck-climbing lane on southbound I-25 at Monument Hill, wider shoulders and improved technology to help modernize communications and power along the corridor.

Construction is expected to finish on schedule in November 2022, Colorado Department of Transportation officials said in a recent news release.

Crews will finish building a new bridge at County Line Road over the highway near Monument that is 95% complete, Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Tamara Rollison said. The new bridge will be double its original size to accommodate one through-lane and one left turn lane in each direction, with widened shoulders on each side to allow for better capacity, transportation officials have said.

Four other bridges are finished at Spruce Mountain Road, Plum Creek, Greenland Road and Upper Lake Gulch Road.

Crews are also placing new pavement on all lanes up and down the corridor and have already laid down 620,000 tons of a total planned 822,000 tons of asphalt, the release said.

By early January, crews had also relocated about 90,000 linear feet of existing fiber-optic line that was beneath the highway to enable future advanced technology. For example, a queue warning system will use sensors to detect speeds along the corridor, then update digital signage to alert drivers of estimated times to reach locations like Larkspur or Monument. Pan-tilt zoom cameras installed along the 18-mile stretch will allow the project team to see traffic in real time and a truck warning system will use sensors to tell drivers to slow down and yield to construction trucks entering and exiting the highway, according to the project website.

The expansive project also includes four new wildlife passes state transportation officials said will reduce the number of collisions between vehicles and animals by 90% along this stretch of highway.

Over 87,000 motorists use I-25 between Monument and Castle Rock daily. Flanking both sides of this stretch of interstate are vast areas of open space and the largest contiguous wildlife habitat along the Front Range, which sees an above average amount of wildlife-vehicle collisions, officials said in a news release.

Crews have also installed 23.5 miles of 28 total miles of deer fencing as part of the project. The Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado Parks and Wildlife are now researching how effective the crossings are as officials design another wildlife overpass planned on I-25 between Greenland and Palmer Divide roads north of Monument, the release said.

Crews broke ground on the I-25 South Gap project just before Labor Day 2018. When it is finished, the roadway will open new toll lanes in each direction, first during a testing phase when tolls will not be collected, Rollison has previously said. Tolls will go into effect when the testing phase is complete.

The toll lane rates could be the lowest in the state and among the cheapest in the country, according to a nearly 500-page traffic and revenue study commissioned by the agencys High Performance Transportation Enterprise. But the lanes have been a sore point with some residents and local officials, who objected to what they claimed amounted to double taxation since local taxes helped fund the project.

A state board will set the toll rates before the new lanes open, but officials wont know the final rate until a few months before the tolls begin to be collected, Rollison said Wednesday. Officials will do extensive public outreach to obtain feedback on the rates, she said.

In 2017, the study recommended a rate of about 15 cents per mile, or approximately $2.25 per one-way trip. Toll revenues are expected to cover the cost of operating and maintaining the lanes, the project website states. The hope is to maximize the number of drivers using the toll lanes and reduce congestion in all lanes.

Originally estimated to cost $350 million, the Gap project budget increased to $419 million in the last year when new projects  reconstruction of the aging County Line Road bridge, a new truck-climbing lane on southbound I-25 between the Greenland Road interchange and the Monument weigh station, a permanent truck chain-up station on southbound I-25 in Larkspur at a former rest area and mitigation of unsuitable soil found along the project area  were identified, Rollison previously said.

The project is funded by a mix of state, local and federal money.

For the latest project updates, visit i25gap.codot.gov or the projects Facebook page (@I25SouthGapProject).
The parents of a 6-year-old Colorado Springs girl on Wednesday sued the Glenwood Caverns amusement park where she was killed over Labor Day weekend claiming it was a preventable death caused by ride workers recklessness.

Estifanos Dagne and his wife, Rahel Estifanos, said they and others in their family were horrified as Wongel Estifanos plummeted more than 100 feet in the parks Haunted Mine Drop ride to her death.

Then, as family members struggled in their seats to reach the stricken girls battered body at the bottom of the tunnel-like shaft, the ride automatically whisked them away, according to the lawsuit filed in Denver County.

The family was joined at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park by their two-year-old son, an uncle, aunt and cousins, none of them named in the lawsuit, on their first outing since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020.

Wongel was on the ride with her uncle, aunt, two cousins and another unidentified relative at the time. They did not notice the girl had fallen until the ride completed its descent, and the uncle looked to see if she had enjoyed herself.

He was stricken with terror to see that Wongel was not in her seat, the lawsuit says, then they saw her at the bottom of the mine shaft.

The family is seeking unspecified damages and wants Wongel's death to be declared a felony killing.

The lawsuit also cites a state investigation into the incident that found operators of the ride  identified in the suit for the first time as Steve Ochoa and Toby Williams  had not buckled Wongel into her seat with two sets of safety belts across her lap, both of which she had been sitting on. The ride was designed without safety harnesses, as other vertical drop rides have, but instead with a pair of lap belts, one of which locks into a special safety mechanism.

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employments division of oil and public safety found the workers had overridden a warning device on the ride that indicated one of the lap belts was not properly fastened. Once that happened, one of the workers hit the button that sent the ride on its fatal journey.

"This was extreme recklessness. They knew if she wasn't belted, she would die," the family's attorney, Dan Caplis, said. "They didn't do their job, even after a warning told them there was a problem, they did a work-around and launched that ride."

Park owners, through a spokesperson, said they were "aware of the lawsuit" and that "it would be inappropriate to comment on pending litigation."

"Our hearts go out to the Estifanos family and those impacted by their loss," the emailed statement said.

Garfield County prosecutors have said they are reviewing the case for potential criminal charges, but did not immediately reply to The Gazette seeking an update Wednesday.

A DOLE spokeswoman on Wednesday said officials were still determining whether administrative actions would be taken against the park, such as a fine or other punishment.

State investigators also determined that employees at the park had not been properly trained to operate its attractions and ordered additional training. State records show its rides, including the Haunted Mine Shaft, had been properly inspected each year.

The lawsuit alleges park owners knew ride operators on occasion had not properly belted people into their seats long before Wongels death, citing a 2018 incident in which an unidentified woman complained in an email that a teenager was unbelted when operators were about to release the ride. Tragedy was averted only after the woman said she yelled at the operators to wait, wait!

I can assure you that this email will allow us to retrain and continue to assure the utmost safe operation of this ride and other aspects of the park, the parks human resources manager replied to the woman.

The lawsuit noted a second complaint a year later in which the park was told of operators not properly checking to ensure riders were belted into their seats. The operators in that incident allegedly argued with riders who complained before catching their oversight.

Park officials did not disclose either incident to the state, according to the lawsuit.

A DOLE spokeswoman said the park did not disclose the 2018 incident despite a specific request by investigator for any complaints about rides.

The park's response to investigators: "We do not have a process for documenting complaints."

Central to the lawsuit is likely to be liability waivers Estifanos family signed before stepping onto the ride. The waivers absolve the park from any negligence or mistakes that result in someones injury or death. Colorado is one of the few states that allow a parent or guardian to waive the rights of a minor.

The waivers would not apply if the park or its employees acted recklessly.
The logo for the new mascot at Cheyenne Mountain High School.
Thirteen hospitals in the Denver metro area and surrounding counties were all diverting emergency patients at one time Monday afternoon, officials said, as staffing shortages and a variety of medical issues stretch facilities' capacity limits.

While the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment confirmed hospitals were stretch to the limit Monday, questions on which hospitals had to send patients elsewhere were referred to the Colorado Hospital Association, and a spokeswoman for the association said she did not know. It was also unclear how long hospitals were jammed. The facilities involved were in the region encompassing as Denver, Arapahoe, Douglas, Jefferson, Boulder, Elbert, Clear Creek and Broomfield counties.

As of Tuesday morning, the number of hospitals diverting patients to other emergency rooms had dropped to four, said Cara Welch, the hospital association spokeswoman.

"It is one of the levers that they're pulling to manage capacity because of COVID levels and all other patient levels," she said of hospitals moving to divert patients. "It is a big deal to have 13 hospitals go on divert in one afternoon."

She said she did not know if any patients experienced adverse outcomes because of time spent traveling to hospitals with capacity for emergency services Monday.

On its own, hospitals diverting patients is not uncommon. If a facility has hit its capacity for psychiatric, intensive care or emergency patients, for instance, they may direct first-responders to take those patients elsewhere. It's used with some regularity, often for short periods of time. But 13 facilities using it at once, especially in one geographic region, "is unique," Welch said, even for the pandemic.

"I would say this is higher than what we've seen at other points in the pandemic," she said, "and I think that it is a result of the other type of patients presenting and the staffing challenges."

There are currently more COVID-19 patients in Colorado hospitals than at any point since late December, when the state was beginning to emerge from its early winter surge. As of Tuesday afternoon, 1,042 people with hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 infections, plus 75 who may have the disease.

Statewide, hospital bed capacity is as stretched as thin as it has been throughout the pandemic. Ninety-two percent of intensive care beds were currently occupied, along with 89 percent of acute-care beds. Both of those numbers were slightly higher earlier this month but still outstrip any other point during the pandemic, including during last winter's spike.

Officials have said the majority of ICU and acute-care beds are not being used for COVID-19 cases, but the virus's impact exacerbates the normal flow of patients into the state's facilities. Welch said hospitals have been stretched thin because of staffing issues  which in turn dictate how many patients a hospital can serve  as well as surges in other medical conditions.

"It's not all COVID, but it's a lot of COVID," she said. "Then it's a lot of other stuff that's really making it difficult for hospitals right now. ... There are still a lot of patients who put off care throughout the course of the pandemic that are presenting now."

Throughout 2020, hospitals reported patient volumes had fallen significantly. Many attributed that to patients delaying care out of fear of the virus. Now, Welch said, many of those patients who put off medical visits are ending up in the hospital. There's also the natural flow of patients into hospitals  for surgeries, from accidents and typical health emergencies  further stressing facilities.

More than a third of Colorado's hospitals reported Tuesday that they're expecting a staffing shortage at some point in the next week, according to state data. Welch said hospitals are working with state officials to improve staffing levels. Asked if there had been talk about establishing overflow spaces for patients, Welch said there had been some discussions to that effect. But staffing remains a primary driver of all capacity issues, including efforts to alleviate them.

"We have the space," she said of facilities. "It's a matter of if we can staff the space. That's really where we're trying to work with the state on what solutions are available."

Welch stressed that patients who need care should still seek it, whether that's going to an urgent care or to the emergency room. Hospitals have longstanding relationships  with each other and with emergency responders  to move patients to facilities with open capacity.
Legal papers sent this week allege prosecutors purposefully kept the identity of a sex offender tied to evidence in a Chaffee County killing from murder suspect Barry Morphews defense team.

The move comes after a lengthy evidence hearing led to a judge ruling Morphew should stand trial in the death of his wife, Suzanne Morphew, who was reported missing on Mother's Day, 2020. The attorneys allege alleges deputies and prosecutors withheld the identity of a person tied to DNA found on the glovebox of Suzanne Morphews Ranger Rover.

A national database of DNA samples taken from inmates showed the DNA was linked to a sex offender who now lives in Arizona, according to the notice of intent to sue filed by the law firm of Fisher and Byrialsen based out of Denver and New York City.

The documents contend law enforcement and prosecutors could face civil liability for defamation and false arrest under new Colorado laws that in some cases lift legal shields that protect police from lawsuits.

Former Adams County prosecutor Bob Grant called the legal move unusual, but said it could grow more common as a tool to punish alleged police misconduct.

I think well see more and more of this, Grant said. I think they want to chill the effectiveness of law enforcement.

In the notice, Morphew listed 26 investigators he intends to sue in both their individual and official capacities. The list includes Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze, District Attorney Linda Stanley and agents from the FBI and Colorado Bureau of Investigation. The document contends police didn't chase the DNA lead and looks for other possible killers before focusing on Morphew.

Stanley and Spezze declined comment Tuesday.

Morphew, 53, is set for a trial next year in the disappearance and death of his 49-year-old wife from their home west of Monarch Pass.

Morphew was arrested May 5 on suspicion of murder almost a year after his wifes disappearance. He was released on bail Sept. 20.

The documents filed by Morphew allege new information regarding male DNA found in the Range Rover, saying it was a possible match to serial sex offender in Arizona.

Morphews civil attorneys say investigators knew the mans identity as early as Aug. 2, a week before the evidence hearing in the murder case. The 10-page document says prosecutors waited until Morphew was ordered to trial before they released it to his defense team. In doing this, Morphew's attorneys contend prosecutors conspired to commit a fraud upon the court by withholding exculpatory evidence.

The DNA issue did come up during Morphew's August evidence hearing. Colorado Bureau of Investigations agent Joe Cahill told Morphew attorney Iris Eytan that the DNA on the glove box is a partial profile.

Investigators collected several DNA samples amid a frantic search for Suzanne Morphew. Other unknown male DNA was also found on the grips of Suzanne Morphews bicycle, on her bike helmet and on sheets found in the Morphews dryer. None of these DNA profiles matched the DNA on on the glovebox.

Its Ramsey all over again, said Grant, who was one of several prosecutors who gave advice in the unsolved 1996 killing of the JonBenet Ramsey. The prosecution will have to contend with the DNA. It makes this case really tough because this DNA found on the glovebox represents a somewhat credible suspect.

One issue in the Ramsey case centers on unidentified DNA found on her clothing.

Denver criminal defense attorney Ryan Brackley, who was a prosecutor in Denver and Boulder, said in the Morphew case, prosecutors will need legwork to overcome the DNA from the glovebox. To keep the focus on Morphew, they'll need an alibi for the man tied to the glovebox.

If such a DNA profile was found in a missing womans car, and that DNA profile belongs to a sex offender, the lack of an explanation for how that profile got into the car of the missing woman would certainly provide a basis for a reasonable doubt that someone else committed the crime," Brackley said.

Morphew also has DNA issues to face.

Weve talked about where Barrys DNA was not, prosecutor Mark Hurlbert argued on the final day of the pevidence.

He countered that the defandant's genetic fingerprints were found in sveral places cruic to prosecution theories including his wifes bicycle seat and on the driver's seat and door of the Range Rover.

During the August hearing, defense attorneys argued that prosecutors can't prove Suzanne Morphew is dead, much less that her husband killed her. Her body hasn't been found.
El Paso County commissioners on Tuesday voted to oppose state and federal mandates requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for employees at Colorado's licensed health care facilities, arguing the mandates are contributing to staff shortages at hospitals and encroach on personal freedoms.

At our time of greatest need, it is unwise to force trained medical professionals out of an essential industry because a health care worker is following the medical advice of their personal physician, have a history of severe allergies, are pregnant, are following the tenet of their religious beliefs, or are exercising other strongly-held and constitutionally protected beliefs, a draft proclamation passed unanimously by the board states.

Unlike ordinances that have the force of law, proclamations are essentially a statement of opinion from the board.

They're opposing an emergency order enacted by the state Board of Health in late August requiring all employees, contractors or support staff in licensed health care facilities be vaccinated against COVID-19 or participate in twice-weekly testing. Under the order, hospitals and other facilities must have 100% vaccination rates among its employees. The state counts medical exemptions toward a facilitys compliance rate, but not religious exemptions.

On Tuesday there were 2,710 medically exempt employees and about 12,130 religiously exempt employees in health care facilities statewide, a spokeswoman with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said.

Expansive federal vaccine mandates announced in early September require employers with more than 100 workers to have workers vaccinated or test weekly for the virus. That order affects about 80 million Americans, and about 17 million employees at health facilities that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid also will have to be fully vaccinated.

Commissioners argued the mandates negatively impact hospital care because they may not have staff to adequately provide for patients.

Were hearing stories across the nation of especially rural hospitals shutting down, causing impacts that are widespread because of shortages as we fire people who have the skillset to take care of patients, Commissioner Carrie Geitner said.

Hospital capacity in the Pikes Peak region on Tuesday remained strained, potentially limiting surgeries and other procedures at area facilities, according to El Paso County Public Health. Capacity includes a hospitals space, supplies and staff.

The agency said 211 patients at local hospitals were infected with COVID-19 or suspected of having it, on par with the number of patients area hospitals were caring for in mid-December. Across Colorado, 92% of intensive care unit beds were in use Tuesday, according to state data, with 139 beds available.

UCHealth was caring for 103 patients with COVID-19 or suspected of having it on Tuesday morning  the most since December, spokeswoman Cary Vogrin said. Most of those patients are unvaccinated, she said.

This month UCHealth terminated 119 of its 26,500 employees statewide after they failed to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or a religious medical exemption by the systems Oct. 1 deadline, including 54 employees in the Denver metro area, 32 in southern Colorado and 33 in northern Colorado. Employees who left UCHealth can reapply for their positions if they get vaccinated against the coronavirus, Vogrin said.

UCHealth maintains mandates have not adversely affected the hospital systems staffing.

Despite the loss of these employees, UCHealths COVID-19 vaccination requirement has helped to improve staffing. With broad vaccination rates, fewer employees are testing positive for COVID-19 and needing to be out of work while they recover, Vogrin said.

Centura Health spokeswoman Becky Brockman didn't say Tuesday how many employees statewide the health system, which runs Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, had terminated because of the mandates, but said it was working to reach compliance with Colorados mandate by Nov. 1.

We value our 21,000 caregivers and dont want any associate to leave Centura over this mandate, she said, adding that Centura Health will fully comply with the state of Colorados emergency vaccine mandate rules across our entire health system, including our ministries in El Paso County.

In a late September interview with The Gazette during a tour of local hospitals, Penrose-St. Francis Health Services Chief Executive Officer Dr. Brian Erling said he was concerned that we will need to ration our services or may need to close a unit or limit inpatient procedures if it were to lose employees because of the vaccine mandate.

Health officials and vaccine proponents have argued inoculation is the most effective tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Commissioners argued public agencies have no place to decide whether an individual should receive one. County data show just over 70% of El Paso County residents 12 and older are vaccinated with at least one dose and 64.1% have been fully vaccinated.

Whatever happened to the family of protocols? Whatever happened to all the other choices that are out there, like staying home when youre sick and social distancing? Scientifically, these are all effective ways at preventing the spread of the (virus), Commissioner Stan VanderWerf said.

El Paso County hasn't enacted COVID-19 restrictions since the spring, when the state ceded to counties much of its authority to institute health measures. County Public Health officials have instead encouraged a layered prevention approach, including vaccination, wearing masks indoors, frequent handwashing, social distancing and staying home when ill.

The highly contagious Delta variant has spread quickly across El Paso County since July. The community has seen, on average, about 301 cases per 100,000 residents over seven days, county data show, on par with levels last seen in December. In July, El Paso County had about 60 people testing positive per 100,000 residents, on average.

In the proclamation, the commissions declare intent "to defend the rights of our citizens, though it wasnt immediately clear how the county could do so.

Were frustrated by the vaccine mandates ordered by Governor (Jared) Polis and President (Joe) Biden and our lack of legal authority to undo the mandates, county commissioners said in a joint statement emailed to The Gazette. We, along with our citizens, prize individual freedom, and we want to amplify the voices of citizens to ensure they know, as their elected representatives, we have their backs whether they choose to get the vaccine or not. We are prepared to advocate for their ability to make their own choice, legally when possible, at every opportunity where mandates, not just vaccine mandates, infringe upon their right to make a choice that is best for them.

No residents spoke against the proclamation Tuesday. Colorado Springs teacher Stacy Adair was one of three who thanked the board for opposing vaccine mandates.

Some people say, Well, its not anything binding, Adair said. But  when people stand up for whats right, it encourages other people to stand up. I think you guys taking this stand will be encouraging to everyone who is fighting this overreach and this mandate from different employers.
We are ignoring the true cost of water-guzzling data centers

The 1960s ushered in a new age of processing digital information, driven by the intelligence needs of the cold war. Moores law meant microchips doubled in speed every two years, shrinking costs and miniaturizing machines that once filled entire rooms. Today, the smartphone probably being used to read this article is millions of times more powerful than the computer that landed the Apollo missions on the moon.

While those huge supercomputers have disappeared, the proliferation of the cloud and the internet of things, with everything down to our socks being able to connect to the internet, means more and more computer processors that need to communicate with data centers around the world. Even something as simple as scrolling down on this article triggers communications that may eventually pass through a distant data center.

Data centers can range in size from small cabinets through to vast hyperscale warehouses the size of stadiums. Inside, are computers called servers which support the software, apps and websites we use every day.

As of the end of 2020, 597 hyperscale data centers were in operation (39% in the US, 10% in China, 6% Japan), up by almost 50% since 2015. Amazon, Google and Microsoft account for more than half of these and a further 219 are in various stages of planning.

Energy eaters

Data centers accounted for around 1% or 2% of global electricity demand in 2020. All that processing power generates lots of heat, so data centers must keep cool to prevent damage. While some companies are using cool air on mountain sites and Microsoft has used the cold waters of Scotland to experiment with underwater data centers, up to 43% of data center electricity in the U.S. is used for cooling.

This energy goes into cooling water which is either sprayed into air flowing past the servers, or evaporated to transfer heat away from the servers. Not only is energy required to cool the water (unless the system is specifically designed as a closed loop) but that water is lost as it evaporates. In a relatively small 1 megawatt data center (that uses enough electricity to power 1,000 houses), these traditional types of cooling would use 26 million liters of water per year.

Water directly used for cooling is what most data center operators focus on, but the largest source of water usage is actually electricity generation. This comes from how water is heated to generate steam which turns a turbine and generates electricity. Fossil fuels and nuclear power all consume water in this way, and even hydroelectric power involves some water loss from reservoirs.

The transition to renewables is therefore important to reduce both water and carbon footprints. By 2030, wind and solar energy could reduce water withdrawals related to power generation by 50% in the UK, 25% in the US, Germany and Australia, and 10% in India.

More than the daily water recommendation?

Data center water demand is more complicated than the carbon footprint. Reaching zero carbon is a reasonable goal, but zero-water is not necessarily the right choice. Consumption goals need more context.

Some data centers are in regions with abundant water, easily accessible without competing with other potential users. However, others may be built in areas of drought with degrading infrastructure.

Regional water stress must be considered for each data center, not just in relation to the water used for on-site cooling, but also linked to the power plants that generate the electricity that power the center.

For example, a recent U.S. study showed that the western U.S. has more water stress compared to the eastern U.S., and that electricity generated in the south west is more water intensive due to the use of more hydropower. Despite this, the west and south west have more data centers.

Opposition is starting to grow even as new projects are being approved. The U.S. has seen local communities protest against new data centers, which may be why in the past Google has considered its usage of water to be a trade secret. Similar concerns led to a temporary ban on new data centers in The Netherlands, and France is in the process of passing new laws to require more transparency.

We do not give water enough value

Companies are not pricing water risk into their calculations when picking locations for data centers. A lower price does not necessarily mean lower risk. When Microsoft assessed its water footprint at a data center in San Antonio, Texas, it found the true cost of water was 11 times more than it was paying.

This is similar to carbon footprints. We undervalue or ignore abatement costs associated with greenhouse emissions, and the impacts are hardly marginal. Carbon dioxide and water are inextricably linked, and climate change is already stressing drought-prone areas around the world.

The first step is transparency. Some companies like Microsoft and Facebook already publish aggregated water data, but others need to do the same. Every operator needs to publish their water efficiency plan and back it up with the relevant regional numbers.

Most data center owners have received the message about reducing their carbon footprint and the transition to renewable energy. We regularly see new projects announced with net-zero carbon goals. They now need to do something similar for water.

This article was first posted on The Conversation.
FICTION: In this dark but witty satire, Percival Everett explores racism, vengeance and the horrors of lynching.

"The Trees" by Percival Everett; Graywolf Press (308 pages, $16)



Trees, when left unmolested, typically enjoy a long life span. Imagine if trees in the United States, particularly in the South, could speak. Many might tell us of something sinister they got roped into  literally  over decades. That something is lynching.

Percival Everett, whose "Telephone" (2020) was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, has managed to write a fast-paced and witty novel about a somber subject that lends itself to neither treatment. "The Trees" gives us the zombielike return to life, and the search for vengeance, of people who were lynched.

Significantly, despite skewering everyone from rural Southern whites to Donald Trump, "The Trees" is never flippant about those felled by racist violence. "The horror that was lynching was called life by Black America," we are reminded by the omniscient narrator.

Not all victims of lynching were hanged. Take Emmett Till, the 14-year-old Black boy from Chicago who, on a visit to the town of Money in Mississippi, allegedly whistled at a white woman. As punishment, the woman's husband and his half-brother tortured Till to death.

That was in 1955  but perhaps it's not the end of the story. The two separate killings that kick off "The Trees" take place in contemporary Money. The victims are the sons of Till's murderers. As a local woman, referring to Till, puts it, "They say he come back to get revenge. I guess he got it."

"The Trees" is an ensemble piece, but certain characters figure more prominently than others. Ed Morgan and Jim Davis are the two wisecracking (Black) Mississippi Bureau of Investigation detectives dispatched from Hattiesburg to tackle the Money murders case. They recall Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones of the late Chester Himes' Harlem Detectives novels  but are noticeably less violent. When the FBI, suspecting hate crimes, gets involved, Morgan and Davis are joined by hard-nosed special agent Herberta Hind, a Black woman whose parents were once considered "individuals of interest" by her current employer.

And then the gruesome murders of white men spread beyond Mississippi. This attempt on the part of Everett to give all victims of lynching in America their due, rather than restrict himself to a single historical (or fictionalized) example thereof, ends up becoming the novel's main shortcoming. Indeed, "The Trees" grows more and more diffuse as the story progresses.

Moreover, the zombielike avengers' practice of meting out punishment to innocent descendants of those who perpetrated racist atrocities is logically problematic and morally objectionable.

Yet if we interpret "The Trees" as a cautionary tale, the question of perceived inherited guilt diminishes in contentiousness. Perhaps Everett is issuing a warning to his readers-cum-compatriots: Seize the opportunity afforded by this historic moment of racial reckoning to look unflinchingly at one of the great scourges of the American experiment.

And pay a modest price for it. After all, better a toppled Confederate statue or two now than a violent social explosion, replete with death and destruction, later.



Rayyan Al-Shawaf is a writer and book critic in Malta.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Glenn Hurst is starting his campaign for the U.S. Senate with what he knows best  health care.

A physician in the Pottawattamie County community of Minden  population 600, Hurst believes healing the health care system is key to not only improving lives, but developing thriving communities.

Hurst, who has been chairman of the 3rd District Democrats and the Iowa Democratic Party Rural Caucus, and helped found Indivisible groups in western Iowa and Nebraska, sees the state trending in the wrong direction.

Weve seen our communities shrinking in services and in population for the past 40 years he said, which coincides with the time Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley has represented Iowa in the Senate.

Rural Iowa has lost a quarter of its population in that time and the 2020 census found 68 of the states 99 counties lost population.

Hurst prescribes a range of cures, including addressing climate change, jobs, infrastructure and codifying Roe v. Wade. He believes that making health care services available  as they once were  in communities of all sizes will revitalize Iowa.

However, Hurst, 51, has seen primary services diminish. Full-time hospitals have become critical access hospitals. Many have dropped obstetrics services. At least 13 nursing home in rural Iowa have closed. Physicians office have become physician assistants office.

He wants to use his background and experience in health care to break that cycle of loss service so that we can then begin the cycle of growing.

Hurst is one of five Democrats seeking state partys nomination to face Grassley, who is seeking an eighth Senate term. The others are former U.S. Rep. Abby Finkenauer of Cedar Rapids, farmer and former county supervisor Dave Muhlbauer of Manning, retired admiral Michael Franken of Sioux City, and veterans advocate Bob Krause of Burlington.

Hurst is optimistic Democrats  and all Iowans  will benefits from a robust primary contest focused on nominating a candidate who can attract and motivate voters rather than winning the backing of national party leaders.

The last three election cycles have shown Democrats how not to defeat Grassley, Hurst said. Trying to make ourselves look more like Chuck Grassley, or whoever it was we were running against right, trying to make ourselves look palatable, that is not the way to win a race in Iowa, he said.

Conventional wisdom, Hurst said, is that Iowans are divided relatively evenly between Democrats, Republicans and independents who could go either way. He believes there are many independents who have staunchly Democratic principles who were frustrated with three lackluster candidates, and they're kind of done with that party.

His goal is to unite and motivate the Democratic base by using terms like health care is a human right, Medicare for All, intelligent immigration and climate action.

We're going to unite people around that and then we will carry that message to those independents in the middle and reassure them that this is a way forward for us, Hurst said.

There's no politics behind wanting your community to thrive. We all want our communities to grow and thrive. We can deliver that message when we have first united the Democratic base.

That's how well win against Chuck Grassley.

For more on Hurst, visit hurstforiowa.com or facebook.com/DrGlennHurst.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
ANKENY  The countrys top agriculture official said in Iowa on Wednesday that he hopes Deere & Co. and its striking workers achieve a rapid resolution to their labor impasse.

But U.S. agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, also expressed his strong support, both in word and deed, for the striking workers and the union that represents them.

Wednesday was the seventh day of the impasse between Deere & Co. and Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). The strike affects about 10,000 workers at factories in Iowa, Illinois and Kansas.

Vilsack held a number of public events Wednesday in central Iowa with his counterpart from Mexico, Victor Manuel Villalobos Arambula, to discuss international trade issues. After those events, Vilsack spoke to a few dozen striking workers on the picket line at Deeres plant in Ankeny.

(The striking workers) need somebody to give them a pat on the back, Vilsack told reporters just after addressing some of those workers. John Deeres a great company. They ought to be able to get this worked out to a point where its fair to the workers, to make sure that we continue to have the equipment and farm machinery thats important to American agriculture.

While Vilsack spoke, cars driving by frequently honked their horns in support of the striking workers.

You folks are hard-working folks. You provide a tremendous product. Its one Americans rely on, Vilsack told the striking workers. Its important, necessary for these issues to get resolved in a way thats fair and equitable to all of you.  I just wanted to stop by and let you know that I havent forgotten you.

Vilsack told the striking workers and reporters that UAW was a critical supporter of his first gubernatorial campaign, in 1998. He said the union supported him even when he was struggling in that campaign.

The UAW was with me from the get-go. You dont forget the people that were with you, Vilsack. The UAW is important to me, I sincerely hope that they get these things this resolved as quickly as possible and as fairly as possible.

In early negotiations, Deeres initial offer would have raised wages by roughly 5% over the life of the contract while also limiting retirement benefits for workers hired after the contract was ratified.

Deere workers said that offer was unacceptable, especially considering the companys record-high profits over the past year. For the 2020 fiscal year, Deere & Co.s net income totaled $2.75 billion, according to the company.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Close your eyes and tap your heels three times and you might end up at the Stebens Childrens Theatre opening night of their new show on Thursday.

The Wizard of Oz is taking the stage, following the timeless tale of Dorothy and Toto as they travel through the Land of Oz. Along the way, they become friends with the brainless Scarecrow, the Tin Man without a heart, and the Cowardly Lion. As they band together, the Wizard of Oz asks them to bring him the broom of the Wicked Witch of the West to receive help from him.

Director Tom Ballmer said the stage production closely follows the 1939 film production of the tale. Ballmer added the difference between the movie and the stage production was the work put into it to make it live.

The thing thats the most different is that it is a pile of work. Its a lot of work. (Dorothy) goes on this trip and every place she goes we need a new set. Its a big undertaking, said Ballmer. Theres all this magic in the movie that we cant really pull off onstage.

Ballmer says the magic for them is the power of live theatre and having the actors physically being five feet away from the audience.

Kids are going to be five feet away from the Scarecrow and five feet away from Dorothy in there. Ill see kids in here crying along with Dorothy and laughing at everything. Thats what live theatre is all about, said Ballmer.

The Wizard of Oz, sponsored by Childrens Dental Center of Mason City, debuts on Thursday at 7 p.m. Admission costs $13 for adults and $10 for students 18 years-old and younger. Audiences will be asked to mask up before entering the building. The show will run through Oct. 26 through Oct. 28 and Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. and performances on Oct. 24 and Oct. 31 at 1 p.m.

The Wizard of Oz cast and crew have been working on this show for seven weeks. Ballmer said there is a good mix of talent on the stage, with some who are now at their 20th performances and some who are in lead parts for the first time.

The real find was Dorothy (Samantha Pang), because shes really talented, said Ballmer. Shes done three or four shows. I think that this is by far the biggest thing. Shes always had this great voice and that she hasnt tried out.

Samantha Pang, who is in her fifth Stebens show and attends Newman Catholic School, said her biggest takeaway was the confidence she gained from being a part of The Wizard of Oz.

I havent really had a main role until now, so its been kind of hard for me. My mom just always tells me, 'Keep your confidence up and youll do great,' said Pang.

Seasoned Stebens veteran Grant Bohls, who is playing the Tinman, says the fun part with this show is the size of the cast since they were unable to have large casts last year due to COVID-19.

Because of vaccinations and stuff, its easier to do a larger cast so we get to have all the little kids in the shows again. So seeing all of them like running around on stage and the Munchkin scenes and being monkeys is really fun. Its a lot of energy that I think makes the show a lot more enjoyable, said Bohls.

Ballmer gave his appreciation towards Bohls, a Mason City senior, and the rest of the cast and crew members who were leaders throughout the rehearsal process. He added he has enjoyed watching all the pieces fall into place the past couple days and seeing how everything works together.

I think theyre starting to gel, said Ballmer. Watching them gel in the past ten days as weve started to run through and where theyre all starting to see each other.

Ballmer said on Tuesday night some of the final parts of the show were being put together, like the last of the backdrops and trying on makeup options.

Mason City sophomore Brynn Christianson said because of how classic The Wizard of Oz is for people was a factor that appealed to her.

I think just the classic nature of the show is really great and being a part of it is so amazing. You can just walk up to people and be like, Im in The Wizard of Oz, and they know exactly what youre talking about every time. Its perfect, said Christianson.

Christianson is now in her 12th show at Stebens and is playing the Scarecrow. Since her character doesnt have a brain, Christianson said this takes some of the pressure off her when she is performing.

Pang, Bohls, and Christianson said they were looking forward to opening night and performing in front of an audience.

Audiences make all the difference. The reactions immediately bring up the energy of the room. Its infectious, said Christianson.

Some of the cast members admitted they had superstitions before performances. For Christianson, she said she must touch the top of the green room door before taking the stage. For Pang, she was glad they werent opening on a Friday the 13th.

A selling point to go to the show for all three, along with the iconic tale, was the dog that takes the stage with them.

I think if you want to see a really cute dog running around on stage for two full acts, this is a show to come to, said Bohls.

For more information about Stebens Childrens Theatre and its upcoming productions, workshops and classes, visit www.stebensct.com or follow the theater on Facebook.

Those cast in The Wizard of Oz, in order appearance, are Samantha Pang, as Dorothy Gale; Cutie, Toto; Avery Heinzerling, Aunt Em; Damon Torres, Uncle Henry; Kyler Fredricks, Zeke; Ben Aronsen, Hickory; Alexander Shipman, Hunk; Annemarie Hansen, Miss Almira Gulch; Jackson Everist, Professor Chester Marvel; Maggie Gerrietts, Tornado; Henry Hansen, Mayor; Kaleb Hrubetz, Coroner; Mark Bradley, Barrister; Cooper Garrison and Jaxson Rattay, City Fathers; Miles Hansen and Kinnick Iles and Tessa Rattay, Tough Guys; Naomi Garrett and McKenna Schlitter, Dancers; Mathea Lerdal, Fiddler; Ellie Grell, Braggert; Raina Rattay and Molly McMichael, Teachers; Piper Aronsen and Breanna Pick and Liv Ginther, Tots; Jennaya Everist, Glinda; Marshall Hackbart, West Witch; Brynn Christianson, Scarecrow; Mark Bradley and Henry Hansen and Kaleb Hrubetz, Crow Puppeteers; Maggie Gerrietts and Julia Arickx and Sophie Malek, Trees; Grant Bohls, Tinman; Jack Siglin, Lion; Mathea Lerdal and Ellie Grell and Kinnick Illes and Tessay Rattay, Poppies; Piper Aronsen and Brenna Fick and Liv Ginther and McKenna Schlitter, Snow Flakes; Nick Cadena, Guard; Julia Arickx and Naomi Garrett, Beauticians; Emily Manchester and Raina Rattay, Polishers; Maggie Gerrietts and Molly McMichael and Sophie Malek, Manicurists; Frederico Kautzmann and Roman Philpott, Men; Annemarie Hansen and Jordan Roehl, Women; Ben Aronsen, Wizard; Alexander Shipman, Wizard Puppet; Jackson Everist and Kaleb Hrubetz and Frederico Kautzmann and Alexander Shipman and Damnon Torres, Winkies; Kyler Fredricks, Winkie General; Cooper Garrison; Nikko  Monkey Commander; Miles Hansen and Roman Philpott and Jaxson Rattay and Henry Hansen and Mark Bradly, Monkeys.

Those in the crew of The Wizard of Oz, Sohia Ciavarelli, Assistant Director; Emily Manchester, Assistant Director; Sophia Ahari, Assistant Stage Manager; Sophia Ciavarelli, Choreographer; Seth Pistek, Costume Assistant; Tom Ballmer, Director; Lukas Shipman, Dog Handler; Colin Peterson, Lights; Seth Pistek, Light Designer; Mathea Lerdal and Sophie Malek and Emily Manchester, Makeup; Molly Gerrietts, Musical Director; Anne Whalen, Scenic Artist; Delia Fick, Sound Design and Operator; Max Case and Ella Sutcliff, Spot Operators; Jennaya Everist, Stage Manager; Nora Hardy, Technical Director; Makenna Hansen, Understudy.

Abby covers education and public safety for the Globe Gazette. Follow her on Twitter at @MkayAbby. Email her at Abby.Koch@GlobeGazette.com

Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
DES MOINES  Iowa's privatized Medicaid system has illegally denied services or care to program recipients, and both private insurance companies managing the system have violated terms of their contracts with the state, according to a state audit released Wednesday.

Auditor Rob Sand released a report from his investigation that examined a six-year period from 2013 through 2019. He said his investigators found a massive increase in illegal denials of care by managed care organizations, or MCOs, under privatized Medicaid.

What this means is that privatized Medicaid is less likely to treat Iowans in accordance with the law. It means that the Medicaid MCO's that we have contracted with are not upholding their end of the bargain, Sand said.

The head of Iowa's Medicaid program responded within minutes of the audit's release, rejecting its conclusions and arguing Sand was making an apples to oranges comparison" that mischaracterized the current program.

Former Republican Gov. Terry Branstad in 2016 abruptly shifted Iowa's Medicaid program from management by the Iowa Department of Human Services to private insurers. His successor, current GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds, has continued to support privatization amid complaints that service has suffered, payments to service providers have been delayed at times and promised savings never materialized.

Such privatization became a popular idea among GOP politicians, who argued private companies would more efficiently manage Medicaid than a state government agency. Currently, the private Medicaid managers provide health care for more than 781,000 poor and disabled Iowans.

Ohio health company seeks to join Iowa Medicaid program An out-of-state company hopes to become the newest insurer for Iowans under the states Medi

Sand said after privatization, there was an 891% increase in the number of cases in which a judge restored services to a Medicaid participant, concluding services were unlawfully denied by the private insurers managing the program.

He promised after being elected in 2018 that he would do a compliance report on Medicaid after service providers and recipients complained about the new system failing to provide comparable care and payment.

This has been a long-time coming. It has taken a lot of work. We've reviewed tens of thousands of documents and at the end of the day what this is, is a statement of facts," Sand said. It's telling Iowans what's going on in the state. We're doing our job. It's about the people.

Sand also reported that the two companies managing the Medicaid program, Amerigroup and Centene Corp., operating as Iowa Total Care, violated provisions of the contract established with the DHS.

He said Amerigroup failed to comply with one provision of the contract, and ITC failed to comply with numerous provisions of the contract. For example, in multiple documented instances, both companies failed to comply with the contract clause requiring Home and Community Based Services providers to continue providing services to a member switching from one provider to another.

This has resulted in members going without services, such as bathing and wound care, thus violating the contract and state and federal law, while the company still receives payment for their care, Sand said in the report.

In her statement responding to the report, Medicaid Director Elizabeth Matney called the audit an incorrect and flawed report."

DHS seeks $70M increase to pay for shifting mental health services A state general fund installment of nearly $70.2 million was proposed Thursday to cover the cost of shifting mental health services away from property taxes to the state.

Matney said the report inaccurately compares the previous fee-for-service" system with a managed care approach in which appeals can be resolved without going before an administrative law judge. Such judges then can focus on more complex cases.

We worked with the Auditor of States team to explain why this was an apples to oranges comparison," Matney said. The process is not the same, so making a comparison without factoring in the improvements we built into the MCO appeals process prior to ever seeing an administrative law judge is just wrong.

She said much more information would be needed to substantiate the claims in the auditor report.

She said the department is reviewing the allegations of contract violations and offered to meet with Sand to discuss in further detail agreeing that contract compliance is something that requires diligent oversight.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Two special elections have been held recently to fill vacated seats in the Iowa Legislature.

Republicans won both. And while that is noteworthy, it should not be viewed as a signal of whats to come in future elections, the current state of either major political party in Iowa, or the answer to any other crystal ball question.

Republicans Michael Bousselot and Jon Dunwell became the latest members of the Iowa House of Representatives with their victories in recent special elections. Their wins give Republicans a nice, round 60-member majority in the 100-member Iowa House.

Bousselot won a seat in the Des Moines suburb of Ankeny. The seat was previously held by a Republican, former Rep. John Landon, who died earlier this year from cancer.

Dunwell won a seat in Newton and Jasper County. That seat was previously held by a Democrat, former Rep. Wes Breckenridge, who resigned to take a job with the state.

So two seats came open, one previously held by a Democrat and one by a Republican, and Republicans won them both.

What should we make of that?

Not much.

As noted, Bousselots victory came in a district that Republicans had held for years. Landon had held the seat since 2013. Yes, the district  like many in the suburbs  had recently started to shift toward Democrats. But it was still a Republican-leaning district.

And while Dunwell won a seat previously held by a Democrat, that district was shifting significantly in Republicans direction. Republican Donald Trump carried the district by 15 percentage points in the 2020 presidential election. The writing was on the wall for this one the second Breckenridge resigned: This statehouse seat was destined to be flipped.

In other words, Iowa Republicans won two races that they absolutely should have won. The predictions, projections and posturing should really stop there. And that doesnt even account for the fact that these districts are about to change anyway. Iowas decennial redistricting process is under way. So analyze these two special election outcomes all you want; by this time next year, Statehouse candidates will be running in districts that could look absolutely nothing like the ones Bousselot and Dunwell won.

The smart political science always recommends caution when analyzing the outcomes of special elections to the state legislature. Special elections are typically low-turnout events, and they are not necessarily predictive of what voter sentiment will look like in the next regular election.

Toss in the fact that these districts will remain as constructed for roughly another year, and its pretty clear we should not spend too much time over-thinking these results.

If anything, the results do show that Iowa Republicans continue to enjoy a stronghold on the levers of state government. Iowa Democrats went into the 2020 election cycle with a genuine belief that they had a chance to win enough races to overcome Republicans 53-47 advantage and flip the majority in the Iowa House. Instead, with Bousselots and Dunwells victories, House Republicans advantage has now grown to 60-40. Iowas trend toward becoming a politically red state, which has covered multiple election cycles, continues.

But those victories should not be viewed as a referendum on current state policy or approval of the Biden administration or anything else. Really, Occams Razor applies here: Iowa Republicans won two races in districts that favored the Republican candidate. Most likely, it really was simple as that.

Erin Murphy is the editor of the Lee Des Moines Bureau. His email address is erin.murphy@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter at @ErinDMurphy.
With no lasting success and much public uproar, scientists turned from primates to pigs, tinkering with their genes to bridge the species gap.

Pigs have advantages over monkeys and apes. They are produced for food, so using them for organs raises fewer ethical concerns. Pigs have large litters, short gestation periods and organs comparable to humans.

Pig heart valves also have been used successfully for decades in humans. The blood thinner heparin is derived from pig intestines. Pig skin grafts are used on burns and Chinese surgeons have used pig corneas to restore sight.

In the NYU case, researchers kept a deceased woman's body going on a ventilator after her family agreed to the experiment. The woman had wished to donate her organs, but they weren't suitable for traditional donation.

The family felt "there was a possibility that some good could come from this gift," Montgomery said.

Montgomery himself received a transplant three years ago, a human heart from a donor with hepatitis C because he was willing to take any organ. "I was one of those people lying in an ICU waiting and not knowing whether an organ was going to come in time," he said.
RIFAs capital investment to purchase and have work performed on the land was about $8.5 million, Adkins said. About $1.67 million in bonds issued by RIFA still must be paid off, which is expected to be done Jan. 1, 2025, he said.

As for getting the word out on the regions properties for development, our local, regional, and state economic development partners actively market available sites and buildings to prospective industry, Bobe said.

When IKEA announced its closure, word quickly spread about the facility that would become available, Bobe said. Not often does a community have a nearly 1 million-square-foot modern manufacturing building to market. The facility, along with skilled workers that would be in search of new jobs, were highly attractive to prospective industry.

Cane Creek Centre Industrial Park also includes Elkay, which has a 250,000-square-foot distribution facility.

RIFA still has about 250 acres at the park and a recently-completed 100,000-square-foot shell building that are being marketed to industries, Bobe said.
Decisions were made because of the limited resources that were available to stop elective or non-urgent surgery, so effective Thursday we were able to resume our elective or non-urgent surgery back to the hospital, Larson said. There were seven days that we were not able to provide for those cases and we have been able to reschedule those and get them back in the hospital.

New River Health District Health Director Noelle Bissell, in a virtual COVID briefing via Zoom Monday afternoon, said the entire state is still at a high transmission level, but is also in decline.

We expect this to be the last large surge of the Delta variant, said Bissell, but we dont expect COVID to go away.

Bissell said the CDC will meet on Wednesday to discuss the authorization of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines for use as booster shots, and the FDA will discuss the mixing of those vaccinations.

People are engaging in more travel, and companies are asking more employees to come back to work, Bissell said. Boosters will not be required to be qualified as fully vaccinated.

Larson offered his own experience with the additional dosage provided by the booster shot.
Theres not much new under the sun. Everything we dislike about the Supreme Court has been complained about before. Do the Justices snipe at each other? Rarely has there been so much evidence of personal feuding among the judges, lamented Jay G. Hayden of the Detroit News in 1942, basing his conclusion on comments in the various written opinions. As the 1982 term of the court began, Fred Barbash of The Washington Post recalled the previous one: The justices feuded in public, in unfriendly footnotes and in personalized asides and private grumbling that did not stay private very long.

Do news stories misunderstand the courts holdings? Too often such accounts bear little resemblance to the actual opinions of the court, complained the Minneapolis Tribune in 1959. Is the problem that the justices themselves write poorly? A Brooklyn paper, responding to the Supreme Courts dreadful 1901 decision in Downes v. Bidwell, wrote that the mixed and confusing opinion would not definitely settle the great constitutional question involved. (Downes, an openly racist decision limiting the rights of inhabitants of U.S. territories other than states, mostly remains hornbook law.)

And so on and so on.

We have been down this road before wrote Justice Neil Gorsuch for a plurality of the court in 2019, referring to the regrettable efforts by prosecutors to try to evade the Constitution by holding what look like trials while giving them other names. But we have been down many roads before, none more than the one along which we declare that this is the most crucial legal moment, the most momentous decision ever. Thats a road weve traveled enough.
Tucked into a nondescript strip center, Euro Deli Mart has been serving the Triads Eastern European population for 11 years but remains a secret to much of the rest of the population.

Euro Deli Mart, at 602 Hickory Ridge Drive in Greensboro, which is less than a mile from the intersection of Interstate 40 and N.C. 68, is owned by Malgorzata Gosia Kobus, a native of Krakow, Poland. She left Poland in 1981 and had brief sojourns in France and Germany before moving to Texas, where she lived for 12 years, before moving to North Carolina in the 1990s.

She worked in supermarket delis for a spell in the Triad. Then, when her friend and fellow Pole Alicja Dobrowska needed help at Integro Deli International in Greensboro, Kobus went to work there.

I worked for her for five years  until she decided to close it, Kobus said. Then this other friend of mine came to me and said, We really need a place for Polish food.

That friend was Marcin Bienasz, who opened Euro Deli Mart and hired Kobus to run it. After about five years, Kobus bought out Bienasz.
JAMESTOWN  GTCC has a new police chief and director of campus safety, the community college said in a news release Wednesday.

Gene Sapino, who has more than 25 years of law enforcement experience, will oversee the department's 28 employees and manage a $2.7 million budget, the college said.

Sapino will organize and supervise the campus police and public safety programs at GTCC's main campus and four satellite campuses.

Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

I am honored to be selected as the chief of police for GTCC, Sapino said in the release. I look forward to working with the students, the faculty and staff to ensure campus safety. The GTCC Campus Police Department will strive to demonstrate the values of collaboration, accessibility, excellence, integrity, and inclusion.

We are looking forward to working with Chief Sapino and helping him implement his vision of excellence for the GTCC Campus Police Department, Mitchell Johnson, GTCC vice president of operations and facilities, said in the release. He is fortunate to have a great team of officers to lead, and with his energy and leadership I believe we will have a campus police that meets and exceeds the expectations of students, faculty and staff.
RALEIGH  Another effort by North Carolina Republicans to check the governors broad powers during a pandemic or other emergency cleared the General Assembly on Wednesday. As with a similar measure last year, Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers veto is likely.

The House accepted on a party-line vote the Senates version of legislation that would require Cooper and future governors to get specific support from other statewide elected leaders and ultimately the legislature to secure a long-term emergency declaration.

GOP lawmakers and many constituents have criticized Coopers extended coronavirus emergency declarations and restrictions on businesses and face-covering mandates since last year. Often hes acted without the concurrence of the Council of State. A COVID-19 state of emergency ordered by Cooper in early 2020 remains in effect  almost 600 days ago, House Speaker Tim Moore said.

No one person, regardless of party, should have the unilateral authority to shut down the state for an indefinite amount of time, House Majority Leader John Bell, a bill sponsor, said in a news release after the 66-44 vote. This legislation is not about politics or what the governor has or has not done. It is about clarifying the law to restore checks and balances.
Regarding the rogue tree cutter who apparently got revenge on customers who turned down his request for work (Scott Sexton column, Fir real? Rogue tree cutter has many in Winston-Salem worried about life and limbs, Oct. 10):

Property owners need to be aware that trees can be very valuable and add real value to a property. Replacing large trees is extremely expensive. I have two B.S. degrees, one in forestry and one in horticulture, and worked for N.C. State as a horticulturist for 20 years, so I have had a lot of experience with trees and their value.

Twice, car wrecks have taken down trees on our farm property and I filed with the offenders insurance and collected several thousand dollars each time. Another time the state Department of Transportation contractor who mows the roadsides went more than 50 feet off the highway right-of-way and mowed down a 500-foot row of trees I had planted as a living privacy fence. That cost the contractor his job with the state and about $8,000 to replace them.
Last week's Arab newspapers reported on the Biden administration's position on Arab normalization with the Damascus government, in addition to the Brotherhood's loss in Tunisia and the widespread boycott of the Iraqi elections as well.

'Washington will not print with Damascus, and it will not prevent the "normalizaers"'

The beginning of the Syrian issue, and in this regard; Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper said: "The statement of the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken two days ago is the clearest position of an American official regarding the Syrian file, as it clearly revealed the position of President Joe Biden's administration, whether in what Blinken said or did not say, and perhaps it is the most important.

What did he say? He made clear in the press conference with his Emirati counterparts, Abdullah bin Zayed and Israeli Meir Lapid, according to the text distributed by the US State Department, that Washingtons priorities are: First, expanding the circle of humanitarian access, and we have already achieved some success, renewing the pivotal corridor in the northwest Syrian Arab Republic. Second, the continuation of the campaign with the coalition against ISIS and al-Qaeda in Syria.

Third, our continued commitment to demand accountability from the Assad regime and uphold basic international standards, such as the promotion of human rights and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction through targeted sanctions. Fourth, preserving the cease-fire agreements in Syria.

He added that the attached task is "to move forward towards the broader political solution of the Syrian conflict in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 2254."

Politically expected, the American position on Arab normalization with Damascus, which he said: What we did not do and do not intend to do, is to express any support for efforts to normalize relations or rehabilitate Assad, or to lift one punishment on Syria or change our position against reconstruction in Syria, Until irreversible progress is made towards a political solution, which we believe is necessary and vital. These are principles that Washington agrees on with Brussels, London, Paris and Berlin, known as the "three No's", meaning: "No reconstruction, no normalization, and no lifting of sanctions before progress is achieved in the political process."

The words of the American minister came while the UAE foreign minister was at his side, and after the visit of Jordan's King Abdullah II to Washington and his meeting with Biden. Undoubtedly, Amman and Abu Dhabi are the most enthusiastic about rapprochement with Damascus. Therefore, what is new in Blinken's position is that the US position is not intended to be followed by allies in the region.

That is, Washington, unlike what was the case during the administration of President Donald Trump, will announce its position and principles, but it will not lead a diplomatic and political campaign to convince its allies, nor will it punish those who break it, nor will it work to coordinate positions between them bilaterally or within international institutions, regarding the Syrian file. As happened in the political normalization steps or the return of Damascus to the World Health Organization and Interpol.

Hezbollah blows up the situation in Lebanon and shifts the focus to the "forces" instead of blowing up the port

On the escalation in Lebanon, Al-Arab newspaper said: "The escalation practiced by Hezbollah in Lebanon on Thursday led to a major explosion of the situation politically and militarily. This explosion, in which about seven people were killed and dozens wounded, put the fate of the country on the "stop of the imp" and led to a threat to peace. Al-Ahly, after the party provoked armed confrontations with residents of Christian neighborhoods in the Lebanese capital, and Lebanese political sources expressed their fear of a dangerous development of events in Lebanon if they were not quickly put to an end.

The party, in partnership with the Shiite Amal movement, organized a demonstration in front of the Palace of Justice in Beirut. The Palace of Justice, which houses the Ministry of Justice and the courts, is not far from the Christian neighborhood of Ain al-Rummaneh. The demonstration was organized to protest against the investigation conducted by Judge Tariq Bitar in the case of the bombing of the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. Hezbollah fears that the judge will give references to his role in storing the ammonium nitrate that exploded in the port.

However, the demonstration in which the participants launched the slogan Shia, Shiites soon deviated from its course and entered Christian neighborhoods under heavy shooting, including R. with me. Jie, anti-armor, is in the air.

Eyewitnesses, who could be contacted, stated that the deviation of the joint demonstration of the party and the Amal movement from its original course, made it difficult to determine who shot the Shiite youths participating in it, especially since there is evidence of the presence of snipers who were stationed on the rooftops of the buildings in the Christian neighborhood that erupted Including the civil war on the thirteenth of April 1975. Opinions differed regarding who these snipers were. Some said that they belong to the Lebanese Forces, while others believed that they were residents of the neighborhood, and a third group went on to say that they were infiltrated elements sent to Ain al-Rummaneh to create a Christian-Shiite sedition.

Hezbollah circles quickly accused members of the Lebanese forces of shooting at the demonstrators, who resorted to provoking the residents of the Christian neighborhood.

Lebanese political sources said that the party will seek to invoke its deaths to focus on the Lebanese forces led by Samir Geagea, and to divert attention from the investigation into the Beirut port bombing and the fate of Judge Al-Bitar responsible for this investigation.

Lebanese politicians considered the situation in Lebanon extremely dangerous, and that the fate of Najib Mikati's government was in jeopardy, especially that Hezbollah would exert pressure in the direction of dismissing Judge Bitar on the one hand, and investigating the killing of Shiite demonstrators on the other.

These politicians believed that the party would spare no effort to divert the investigation into the bombing of the port, in which more than two hundred people were killed, and in turn focus on the role of members of the Lebanese forces in the killing of demonstrators whom it called the oppressed.

Tunisia: The Boden government writes the end of the Brotherhood

Regarding the Tunisian issue, Al-Bayan newspaper touched on the formation of the Tunisian government, and said: The announcement of the formation of the government in Tunisia was welcomed inside and outside the country, while the Tunisians see this as a valuable opportunity to overcome the failure of the Brotherhoods rule, and cut the way for their attempts to penetrate into the joints of the state and change the societal model. The swearing-in of Najla Boden's government before President Kais Saied has hammered a nail in the coffin of the Brotherhood, not only in Tunisia, but throughout the region, according to observers.

Observers point out that the new ministerial team is completely devoid of the hallmarks of the Brotherhood's Ennahda movement, but rather returns to the positions of the sovereign decision a number of personalities that Ennahda expelled from the government of Hisham al-Mashishi.

Tunisian circles believe that the Bouden government, which will implement the policies of President Said, according to the temporary organization of powers stipulated in the presidential order issued on September 22, will be one of its main tasks to cleanse the joints of the state from attempts to empower the Brotherhood and networks of corruption, which was expressed by President Saeed by confirming that All files will be opened without exception.

Al-Sadr's victory and a severe defeat for Iran's allies in Iraq

Regarding the Iraqi elections, Al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper also said: "It appears that the "Sadr bloc" affiliated with the movement's leader Muqtada al-Sadr, achieved a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections, while the "Al-Fatah" alliance, which includes most of the crowd forces allied to Iran, suffered a severe defeat, according to the preliminary results. For some provinces announced by the Electoral Commission, yesterday.

According to the results, the Sadrist bloc is advancing in most of the central and southern governorates of the country with a Shiite majority, which turns the power equation upside down, and could pave the way for them to kidnap the prime minister position as the largest bloc in parliament, especially with the decline in the fortunes of their rivals in an alliance. Al-Fateh, whose first results indicate that it left completely empty-handed, except for some seats that may exceed ten, after it had 47 seats in the last parliamentary session, compared to the Sadrists owning 54 seats in the same session.

The scene of the Sunni-majority provinces (Nineveh, Salah al-Din and Anbar) is still ambiguous, and whether the balance will tilt towards the "Azm" or "Progress" alliance, given that the electoral results are not fully visible, especially in the governorates of Baghdad, Basra and Anbar.

On the other hand, the Electoral Commission was subjected to severe criticism, despite the observers' praise for its work during the polling day. The criticism came against the background of its breach, first, of the date for announcing the participation rates, and its confusion in announcing the election results. It was subjected to harsh criticism after it announced a participation rate of 41%, and the former member of the Electoral Commission, Adel Al-Lami, believes that the percentage does not exceed 34%, if the total number of people entitled to vote, which amounts to more than 26 million citizens, and not from the number registered in the electoral process. The voter register of about 22 million citizens, as did the Electoral Commission.

A

ANHA
" " More than 47,500 Americans died by suicide in 2019, which is about one death every 11 minutes. KatarzynaBialasiewicz

Americans have come, grimly, to grudgingly abide  if not necessarily accept  the idea of suicide. We understand that it's a national problem, a dangerous and growing one. We whisper reverentially about it. We shake our heads. But then, sadly, we simply move on.

To be sure, there are many who spend their lives trying to help those who struggle with suicide. For the rest of us, though, it may be time  it is, in fact, probably well past time  to recognize that suicide in America is both serious and solvable.

It's time to stop moving on and start speaking up, experts say.

"I think we need to be having a national conversation," Jennifer Payne, the director of Women's Mood Disorders Center and an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, said when we spoke to her in 2018.

"Suicide prevention requires a comprehensive approach that addresses risk and protective factors ... at multiple levels including societal, community, relationship and individual levels," Deb Stone, a behavioral scientist in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Division of Violence Prevention and the lead author on a sobering 2018 study on suicide, writes in an email. "There's a role for everyone in the community."

Advertisement

Cold, Hard Facts on Suicide in the U.S.

The CDC's latest findings on that illuminates the scope of the suicide issue in the U.S. Among the facts:

The American suicide increased 33 percent between 1999 and 2019.

More than 47,500 Americans died by suicide in 2019, which is about one death every 11 minutes.

Another 1.4 million Americans attempted suicide.

It is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. and second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 34.

More than half of people who died by suicide did not have a known mental health condition.

Mental health officials are quick to ask the media to avoid using sensationalistic wording like "skyrocketing" or "epidemic" to characterize the rise in suicides. Still, suicide is a clear, serious, growing public health issue. Facing that might be the first step in combatting it.

But facing it means acknowledging something else, too. Though researchers found that more than half of those who die by suicide don't have a diagnosed mental health condition, mental illness remains a huge factor in suicides.

It's not the only factor. But it's an important one that needs to be addressed.

" " If you are having thoughts about suicide, talk to somebody. There are several options for you to get help. NIH

Advertisement

Mental Health and Other Factors

"I think there's a stigma associated with psychiatric illness that really needs to go away," Johns Hopkins' Payne says. "It's one of the most common illnesses that people have. People are reluctant to get treatment and seek out care partially because of that stigma.

"If we got rid of the stigma associated with psychiatric illness then I think that would result in people getting better mental health treatment and hopefully a lowering of the suicide rate."

It's hard to determine just how much mental illness is at fault for the rising rates of suicide. Experts caution that it's likely only one of many aspects that may be influencing the statistics.

The CDC points to a variety of other possible factors, including relationship problems or loss of a loved one, substance abuse, physical health problems, money woes and employment stress. Relationship problems, for example, accounted for 42 percent of suicides among those with and without known mental health conditions. Other reasons people are killing themselves in increased numbers are widely cited, from a general downturn in civility (think social media) to the opioid crisis.

Advertisement

Warnings and Prevention

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline lists warning signs that may signal a person might be contemplating suicide. They include:

Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves

Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun

Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live

Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain

Talking about being a burden to others

Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs

Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly

Sleeping too little or too much

Withdrawing or isolating themselves

Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

Extreme mood swings

If you know someone exhibiting any of those signs, experts say, it's best to approach the situation head on.

"One of the simplest ways to determine this is to ask directly, 'Are you thinking about suicide?'" Stone says. Asking is the first of five steps that the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, suggests anyone trying to help should know.

Ask

Be There

Keep Them Safe

Help Them Connect

Follow Up

"Asking the question won't put the thought in someone's head who wasn't previously thinking about suicide, and it can be a relief for the person to open up about their struggles," Stone says.

"What you don't want to do is play the 'Don't ask, don't tell' game. You're not going to regret getting someone the appropriate care," Payne says. "I think that if you really care about someone, and you're really concerned, then you do everything that you can to get them to treatment, including insisting on it."

Advertisement

The Big Picture

On a macro level, slowing the rate of suicides falls largely on public health agencies. But they can't turn the tide alone. From the CDC's "Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policy, Programs, and Practices":

"Other sectors vital to implementing this package include, but are not limited to, education, government (local, state, and federal), social services, health services, business, labor, justice, housing, media, and organizations that comprise the civil society sector such as faith-based organizations, youth-serving organizations, foundations, and other non-governmental organizations. Collectively, these sectors can make a difference in preventing suicide by impacting the various contexts and underlying risks that contribute to suicide."

The CDC, under Stone's Technical Package, has instituted a seven-step strategy to help the different sectors build programs to prevent suicides:

Strengthen economic supports

Strengthen access and delivery of suicide care

Create protective environments

Promote connectedness

Teach coping and problem-solving skills

Identify and support people at risk

Lessen harms and prevent future risk

"Government remains a bit of a mystery to me. But someone needs to make it their passion." Payne says. "Someone in the national viewpoint needs to take this on."

In the end, solving such a complex public health issue will demand a lot of work from a lot of people. And all of them will have to be stubbornly unwilling to simply move on.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts about suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255).

Now That's Interesting To open up another fierce debate, there's this from the CDC on a possible contributing factor to the rise in suicides: "Firearms were the most common method of suicide used by those with and without a known diagnosed mental health condition." In 2019, 23,941 people killed themselves with a gun.

Advertisement

Originally Published: Jun 13, 2018
" " Life expectancy in the U.S. dropped almost two years between 2018 and 2020, the biggest drop since WWII. Hyejin Kang/Shutterstock

If you think life expectancy in the United States is among the longest in the world, you're wrong. In fact, the gap between how long people live in the U.S. compared to those in other high-income countries has been widening for decades. A team of researchers led by Steven Woolf, M.D., director emeritus of Virginia Commonwealth University's Center on Society and Health, wanted to know why.

They published their findings June 23, in The BMJ, a journal published by the British Medical Association. Their research is the first to show the significance of that gap continuing to widen  by a lot. Average life expectancy in the U.S. dropped by almost two years (1.87 to be exact) between 2018 and 2020  that's the most ever since World War II.

A decline of less than two years might not sound like much, but that now puts life expectancy in the U.S. at 76.87 years. And two years is 8.5 times the average decrease of just 0.22 years 16 other countries experienced in the same time span. The number is even worse when the researchers focused on people of color: The research found life expectancy for Black Americans declined by 3.25 years and 3.88 years for Hispanic Americans. That's 18 and 15 times higher than in peer countries, respectively.

"We expected that life expectancy in the U.S. would decrease, that the drop would be smaller in other countries, and that people of color in the U.S. would be disproportionately affected," Woolf says via email, "but we were stunned by the magnitude of the disparities we found. We did not anticipate that the drop in [life expectancy] in the U.S. would be 8.5 times the average decrease in peer countries. And we were horrified to see the massive decreases in [life expectancy] that the Hispanic and Black population experienced."

" " This graph shows how changes in life expectancy contributed to the gap between the U.S. and peer countries. VCU Center on Society and Health/The BMJ

Advertisement

Decline Is 'Massive'

Between 1959 and 2016, life expectancy for the average American increased from 69.9 years to 78.9 years, according to a 2019 study in JAMA. But starting in 2014, it declined for three consecutive years, the study showed, likely because more Americans began dying at middle age from drug overdoses, suicide, obesity and other organ system diseases.

These trends were already "very worrying," Woolf said in a press statement. "To give some perspective, when the decline in life expectancy was happening a few years ago, it was a decrease of about 0.1 years each year that was making front-page news. That's the kind of increase or decrease that we're accustomed to each year."

Woolf called the 1.87-year decline "massive."

Advertisement

What's Going On?

So what's to blame for this "massive" drop? There are several factors. First, the leading cause, according to the study, was the COVID-19 pandemic and the country's mishandling of it. More than 600,000 Americans have died of COVID-19 to date, more than any other country. And the botched management early on allowed the virus to spread unmitigated.

But, according to the team's research, national, state and local policy issues that already existed before the pandemic in the United States  and put the country at a health disadvantage  are still in place and also to blame. Think factors like limited access to health care, unemployment, food insecurity and homelessness. The pandemic did draw attention to some of these conditions, as well as the clear inequities in the U.S. health care system.

"The enormous drop between 2018 and 2020 was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic," Woolf says. "Preliminary reports from the CDC suggest that [life expectancy] increased by about 0.1 years between 2018 and 2019, so the stunning decrease reported in our study is almost certainly due to the pandemic. We can blame a virus, opioids, eating habits and other proximate causes, but the long-term decline of U.S. health that began in the 1990s has systemic origins. And it will continue until those root causes are addressed."

Advertisement

BIPOC Disproportionately Affected

As we mentioned previously, life expectancies of people of color, especially Black men and women dropped significantly between 2018 and 2020  12.3 times and 20.3 times greater, respectively, than the average decrease for peer countries. For Black men, life expectancy is at its lowest level since 1998, at 67.73 years. Improvements made between 2010 and 2018 to reduce the gap in life expectancy between Black and white populations were completely wiped out between 2018 and 2020.

The decline is even worse for the Hispanic population, with estimated drops in life expectancy 15.9 times and 22.5 times higher among men and women, respectively, compared with those in other countries.

"COVID-19 was a vivid new example of a very old problem. For generations, people of color  particularly Black and Native Americans  have died at higher rates than white people," Woolf says. "This death toll reflects the perennial barriers that people of color have systematically faced in gaining access to the opportunities for good health and well-being, the systemic advantages and privileges the white population has historically enjoyed, and the legacy of systemic racism that is responsible for this divide."

Woolf says the U.S. must address the causes to reverse the trend in declining life expectancy  like tackling the opioid epidemic and obesity  but meaningful change will require the country to invest in human capital.

"The countries that outperform the U.S. have worked harder to offer their children a good education, promote good jobs and livable wages, provide support systems for families facing trying times (including pandemics), and make those resources available across the population to reduce inequities and give everyone a fair shot," he says. "Reversing the trend in declining [life expectancy] requires a commitment to come to the aid of low and moderate-income American families. Policies that leave them behind ... and widen income inequality are likely to result in higher death rates and a widening gap between the health of Americans and other people. And racial disparities will persist until the country gets serious about addressing systemic racism."

Now That's Interesting More from the study: "Estimates of life expectancy during the COVID-19 pandemic can help clarify which people or places were most affected, but they can't predict how long a group of people will live. Although life expectancy is expected to recover in time to levels before the pandemic, past pandemics have shown that survivors can be left with lifelong consequences, depending on their age and other socioeconomic circumstances."
A Helena woman accused of helping to bring pounds of methamphetamine from Las Vegas into Montana admitted to a drug trafficking crime Tuesday.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson, Rhonda Jeanette Lapier, also known as Rhonda Trench, 49, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute meth.

Lapier faces a mandatory minimum 10 years to life in prison, a $10 million fine and at least five years of supervised release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris set sentencing for Feb. 16.

Lapier was detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that in May, Russell Country Drug Task Force officers executed a search warrant on a Great Falls residence, recovered meth and learned that the source of supply was traveling to Great Falls with meth, a press release from the District of Montana U.S. Attorney's Office states.

The investigation led to Lapiers residence, where she and the source of supply were suspected of trafficking meth together.

Officers ultimately stopped a vehicle being driven by the source of supply and found about 3.6 pounds of meth in the trunk, the press release states.

Officers also obtained a warrant to search Lapiers residence.

According to the press release, when told that officers were looking for illegal contraband in the residence, Lapier volunteered, Well just make this easy, there is something in that house. But it belongs to me and Ill show you where its at.

Officers located three, one-pound bags of meth and $6,132 in a bedroom where Lapier had been staying with another person.

Individuals told law enforcement that several people, including Lapier, had gone to Las Vegas to pick up meth, had returned with 6 pounds and had dropped some of it off at Lapiers residence. Six pounds of meth is the equivalent of 21,744 doses.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan R. Plaut is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Russell Country Drug Task Force, the Missouri River Drug Task Force, FBI, Great Falls Police Department, Cascade County Sheriffs Office and Lewis and Clark County Sheriffs Office.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime.

"Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants," the press release states.

Love 11 Funny 5 Wow 2 Sad 4 Angry 11
Citing shortages of at-home oxygen concentrators due to increased demand amid the COVID-19 surge and national supply chain disruptions, St. Peters Health on Tuesday asked people who no longer need rented oxygen concentrators from St. Peters Home Oxygen to return the devices.

The local health care system will clean the no-longer-needed concentrators and put them back into the community to help seriously ill patients who need them, officials said. If community members have unneeded concentrators from another oxygen vendor, St. Peters asks that they return the equipment directly to their oxygen vendor.

Those with an unneeded concentrator from St. Peters Home Oxygen should call 406-447-2739 and ask to speak with a respiratory therapist before returning the device to ensure it can be cleaned and re-used. If you have an unneeded concentrator from a different local oxygen vendor, call them directly and coordinate your return, officials said.

We are using unprecedented amounts of oxygen in the hospital setting and sending many, many patients home on home oxygen due to COVID-19, Dr. Shelly Harkins, St. Peters Health chief medical officer and president of the Regional Medical Center, said in an email.

She said the hospital is working with oxygen suppliers to access more home oxygen supplies, and working with federal partners to access reserves.

However, we also think there are some people who may be able to help us out with unneeded, rented supplies at home that were never returned, Harkins said.

St. Peters emphasizes it is only requesting rented concentrators that are no longer needed.

No one should give up their needed oxygen concentrator if they use it or may need it in the near-term," St. Peters Medical Group President Dr. Todd Wampler said in an email.

Patients are not being asked to sacrifice their at-home devices.

Oxygen concentrators are usually given to people having complications from a chronic disease like COPD or emphysema.

Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 5 Angry 1
Bail was set at $1 million Tuesday for a Missoula man arrested for allegedly running over and killing his girlfriend with his truck at WinCo on Saturday evening.

Bradley D. Nagel, 53, appeared in Missoula County Justice Court on one felony deliberate homicide charge, which carries a possible life sentence. He is also charged with a third DUI offense, a misdemeanor.

Missoula County Justice of the Peace Landee Holloway presided.

Missoula dispatch received several calls of a vehicle versus pedestrian hit-and-run collision in the parking lot of the Missoula WinCo Foods on South Reserve Street around 8:45 p.m. Saturday.

When officers arrived on scene, people were administering CPR to the victim, Lucille Synek. She had sustained multiple crushing injuries to her body, according to charging documents. She was transported to Providence St. Patrick Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

A bystander told police the suspect, Nagel, was still on scene. Police spoke with Nagel, who admitted to being involved in the incident. He appeared intoxicated to officers.

Several witnesses were interviewed by detectives. One witness reported hearing a woman yell stop, Im stuck, and then seeing a man, identified as Nagel, continue to drive forward and over the woman when she was on the ground.

The witness said he didnt think Nagel intentionally ran her over. He recalled hearing Nagel asking the woman if she was all right and saying Im sorry multiple times.

Officers were able to obtain WinCo surveillance footage, which showed Nagel and Synek arriving in the parking lot and talking. It corroborated witness accounts of the two fighting and kicking each others headlights out.

The video showed Synek standing in front of Nagels truck and getting pushed to the side when Nagel drove forward.

She then fell to the ground as the truck accelerated, landing underneath between the front and rear drivers side tires, footage showed. Nagel stopped briefly before accelerating and driving over her with his rear tire, court documents said. When detectives were later reviewing the same footage, they noticed Nagel stopped his truck for about one and a half seconds while Synek was on the ground, then drove over her head and shoulder.

He then got out of the car, stood over her body, and shortly after got back in the truck, charging documents said. He moved it into a parking spot. Bystanders started helping Synek and Nagel later got out to check on her again.

Nagel was arrested. When interviewed by Missoula detectives, Nagel explained he and Synek had been arguing that evening. He had tried to calm Synek down, he told officers, at which point she stood in front of his car.

Nagel said he kept pushing, pushing forward and that Synek fell down, and (Nagel) ran her over." He explained he goosed it and boom, I guess I ran her over the head, he told police, according to charging documents.

He thought shed bounce out of the way, he said, and claimed he did not intend to run her over.

When detectives asked Nagel why he had paused and stopped his truck after Synek fell but before running her over, Nagel said he didnt know she was under the truck and he had panicked. He continually emphasized to law enforcement that he did not run her over on purpose.

At Nagels initial appearance on Tuesday, he shook his head multiple times as state prosecution read the allegations against him.

State prosecution, represented by Deputy County Attorney Mac Bloom, said Nagels alleged actions displayed a total disregard for the victims life, and that he made a conscious choice to harm her.

Bloom also noted a history of domestic violence between Nagel and Synek, saying law enforcement was called on two separate occasions.

Public defender Ted Fellman noted the severity of the offense, but said Nagel is not a threat to the safety of the Missoula community at large and asked for a significantly lesser monetary bond. Nagel declined to address the court.

Bloom requested $1,000,000 bail, which the court obliged.

If Nagel posts bond, he may not possess or consume alcohol and is only to be released to pretrial supervision. The court also prohibited him from driving.

Nagels arraignment is set for Nov. 1 at 9 a.m.

This is the second domestic violence-related case in Missoula County in the past two months where a woman has been killed following an argument with a partner.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 9
The Montana Supreme Court on Monday overturned the conviction of a 51-year-old man convicted of transporting drugs through Custer County.

The 7-0 opinion, authored by Justice Laurie McKinnon, found law enforcement's seizure of the Vietnamese man "unconstitutional," and reversed his conviction, which led to a 15-year state prison sentence in 2019.

According to the filing, Hoang Pham was heating up noodles inside a Miles City gas station in August 2017 when an agent with the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation walked in. Outside, the agent's van was loaded "to the ceiling" with 960 pounds of marijuana the agent was transporting to evidence storage in Billings. Two Montana Highway Patrol troopers were driving a marked vehicle behind the unmarked DCI van. One trooper later testified the van would indeed be an abnormal sight.

Pham, according to court filings, stared at the van long enough that the DCI agent, Richard Smith, began to believe Pham was either lost or committing a crime. Once outside the gas station, Smith approached Pham at his own vehicle. He later testified that Pham's ethnicity did not factor into his decision to approach him, but said DCI "was aware of several arrests of Vietnamese people for drug trafficking" along Interstate 94. The two troopers approached Pham, as well, according to court documents.

Pham told the law enforcement officers he was going to Minnesota and had visited Butte, where work was being done on his vehicle. Smith ultimately searched the vehicle and found 19 pounds of marijuana in the trunk, leading to Pham's arrest and conviction. Smith testified that Pham voluntarily opened the vehicle's door and trunk, which Pham disputed, but court documents note Smith was not wearing a recording device at the time of the incident.

During his case in District Court, Pham's attorneys attempted to suppress the drugs found in the search because Smith did not have a warrant or consent from Pham to search the vehicle. The Supreme Court opinion published Monday concluded Smith's encounter with Pham constituted a seizure when Smith continued conversation with him after learning about his travels and by later asking to search Pham's vehicle. McKinnon also wrote Smith did not have particularized suspicion to justify the seizure.

"Viewed in the totality of the circumstances, we are left with the fact that Agent Smith saw a Vietnamese person, traveling along a route where other Vietnamese individuals had been arrested for drug trafficking, and became suspicious that Pham was trafficking drugs," McKinnon wrote. "No objective data supports Agent Smith's assessment that Pham was suspicious, and his seizure of Pham was accordingly unconstitutional."

The Supreme Court reversed Pham's conviction and ordered the case back to District Court for new proceedings. A call to Custer County Attorney Wyatt Glade seeking comment on where the case goes next was not immediately returned Wednesday afternoon. Pham is currently being held at Crossroads Correctional Center outside of Shelby.

Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 3 Angry 3

Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Montana news outlets challenging the decision by Republican members of a legislative committee to trim their numbers below a quorum in order to close a meeting to the public have appealed their case to the state Supreme Court.

A District Court judge in July dismissed a case brought by several Montana media organizations alleging Rep. Barry Usher violated the state Constitution's public right-to-know provision ahead of a consequential legislative hearing in January. The news outlets appealed the dismissal in August and filed their arguments Monday advocating for the appeal.

The group of media organizations includes The Billings Gazette, Missoulian, (Butte) Montana Standard, Helena Independent Record and Ravalli Republic.

Both Democrats and Republicans left a hearing room to gather with their caucus ahead of the January House Judiciary Committee's meeting, during which they would vote on legislation regarding abortion, transgender health care and participation rules for transgender athletes. Republicans held 12 of the 19 committee seats, but Usher allowed only nine GOP committee members into the meeting in order to conduct the meeting in private, he told a Montana Free Press reporter at the time. Once the committee reconvened, the majority GOP lawmakers successfully passed each of the controversial bills out of committee.

"Some of the things we have to talk about when were talking and discussing how were going to vote are personal and you know, as you can see, our committee does get a little emotional," Usher told the Montana State News Bureau after the January hearing.

The media organizations argued in District Court that the GOP meeting constituted a quorum of the committee's controlling party, and therefore should have been open to the public. Lewis and Clark District Court Judge Mike Menahan, however, said he was unwilling to redefine "quorum" as a "majority of the majority," and granted Usher's motion to dismiss the case.

The media outlets appealed Menahan's dismissal in August and filed their opening brief on Monday, arguing the right-to-know provision of the Montana Constitution should trump the statutory definition of "meeting." The appeal challenges Usher's ability to subvert the state's right-to-know provision by reducing the Republican members of the caucus meeting to less than a quorum of the entire committee.

Usher said in an email through a GOP spokesperson Tuesday that the lower court judge was correct to maintain the definition of "meeting" found in state law, which specifies that a quorum must be present to be able to act on a matter within its jurisdiction.

"I'm a big supporter of the public's right to observe what its government is doing," Usher said. "Montana's Constitution and state law spell out what is and isn't a meeting that's open to the public. I was glad to see the District Court agree with the very clear fact that a fraction of a quorum is not a quorum and the members of my committee talking together followed Montana law. I'm hopeful the Montana Supreme Court will uphold that common sense ruling."

Usher, a Republican representative whose district covers Musselshell and rural Yellowstone counties, is represented by the Montana Attorney General's Office in the lawsuit.

Monday's brief by the news outlets, who are represented by Helena attorney Mike Meloy, cites a 2004 ruling by the Montana Supreme Court, which in part stated, "Our constitution mandates that the deliberations of public bodies be open, which is more than a simple requirement that only the final voting be done in public.  Government operates most effectively, most reliably and is most accountable when it is subject to public scrutiny."

Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 4

Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Montana became the state with the highest number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in the country Tuesday morning. The New York Times COVID tracker moved Montana into the top slot as the state hit 97 cases per 100,000 people per day.

Idaho and Wyoming follow with 78 cases and 75 cases per 100,000 people respectively. Alaska, which had been number one over the weekend, has moved down to fourth in the country with 71 cases per 100,000 people.

We are the hottest spot and Yellowstone County is leading with the number of cases in the state, said Public Health Officer John Felton during a Tuesday meeting of the County Commissioners.

Last year, COVID peaked in Nov. 2020 and worked its way back down to settle at a manageable level during the summer months. During this stable period, the state averaged about 10 cases per 100,000 people per day. Thats about 107 cases per day in the state and 16 cases per day in Yellowstone County. In a year, thats about 39,000 cases in the state and about 5,800 cases in Yellowstone County.

This looks a lot like influenza, but influenza goes back to zero. We havent hit a zero point for COVID, Felton said.

In Yellowstone County, October case numbers have exceeded that of September. And the seven day average of new cases in the county has far exceeded that of the Nov. 2020 peak. The same is true for Missoula County.

In 20 months, 383 Yellowstone County residents have died from COVID-19. In the entire pandemic, September 2021 saw the highest number of deaths from COVID-19, Felton said.

Other respiratory viruses are starting to circulate as well with only 25% of symptomatic testers showing a positive test for COVID. Other viruses include rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that is common in children during winter months.

An unusual uptick in RSV cases was recorded over the summer in Montana. Usually, the virus doesnt start circulating until December. A co-infection of COVID-19 and RSV is possible and could potentially overwhelm an immune system.

During the 2020-2021 school year, about 9% of COVID cases were in school-aged kids, Felton said. This school year, about 20% of cases are in school-aged kids.

About two-thirds of COVID cases are in people aged 20 to 59 years old. This population makes up the adult workforce in Yellowstone County and is not sufficiently vaccinated to minimize the spread, Felton added.

Kelly Gardner, RN with RiverStone Health and Unified Health Command, added that four to seven employees work on COVID-19 data entry every day for public health and nine case investigators work on hundreds of cases per day. In Yellowstone County alone, about 72 hours per day is devoted to COVID-19.

Gardner said that as of 10:15 a.m. on Oct. 19, the time spent on COVID-19 in public health was equivalent to 25 years worth of work.

On Tuesday morning, about 13,500 people in Yellowstone County were removed from the workforce due to COVID-19. Of those, 2,691 people were in isolation and about 11,000 were close contacts expected to quarantine until they receive a negative COVID test.

On top of that, massive numbers of resignations are coming in from health care and education sectors, mostly due to to frustration and burnout, Gardner said.

Thats a huge loss of years of investment in those sectors, Gardner said. All these hours are spent on COVID and huge economic impacts are being felt in the county  we continue to set records we do not want to set.

As of Tuesday morning, Billings Clinic had 75 COVID positive inpatients with 32 in the intensive care unit and 23 on ventilators. Of those, 61 are unvaccinated.

St. Vincent Healthcare had 63 COVID positive patients with 10 in the ICU and 10 intubated. Out of the COVID inpatients, 52 were unvaccinated.

At the commissioner meeting, Dr. David Graham, infectious disease doctor with St. Vincent Healthcare, encouraged all to get a third dose or booster shot when it is approved by the FDA.

Third doses are available for those who have received the Pfizer vaccine and are immunocompromised and 65 years old and older. Adults 50 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions should also receive a third shot if they have received the Pfizer vaccine.

Those who received Pfizer and are 18 to 64 years old in essential worker positions may get a booster, as their risk of exposure to COVID-19 is increased.

Moderna recipients can receive a booster if they have a moderately to severely compromised immune system.

Later this week, the FDA will make recommendations for J&J recipients in regards to booster shots.

Love 0 Funny 9 Wow 3 Sad 6 Angry 41
Science has clear evidence but a muddled message about how to treat forests and protect homes from wildfire, local researchers said in response to national controversy over fire management.

"We want to reassure folks that the science is solid, despite rumors they are in conflict, retired Missoula National Fire Lab Director Colin Hardy said during a National Forest Foundation webinar on Monday.

But the answers are more nuanced than a recent debate over forest thinning might imply.

This may seem like a radical statement, but we dont have to control extreme wildfire to keep neighborhoods from burning up, fire physical scientist Jack Cohen said. Science reveals how homes ignite in extreme conditions. These are preventable human disasters.

While the number of homes destroyed nationwide during wildfires has skyrocketed in recent years, Cohen said study of how those houses burned shows they had little to do with the wall of flames rushing through the surrounding forest. Instead, the problem comes in whats called the home ignition zone of vulnerabilities such as open windows or flammable materials piled against walls that destroy the buildings.

Cohen showed numerous examples of well-sealed homes that survived wildfires when every surrounding tree and bush turned to charcoal. He compared that to photos of whole subdivisions of homes burned down  but all the surrounding trees and wooden fences remained unburned.

The community is the location where we need to change the results of the fire, Cohen said. We can create ignition-resistant home zones. And restoring wildland fire as an ecological process requires ignition-resistant homes.

Fire Lab research scientist Mark Finney explained that the 20th centurys emphasis on suppressing fires, combined with steadily warming and drying climate in the West, has produced extreme wildfires rather than prevented them. In the process, it has led the public to consider fire as an enemy, instead of an essential tool for forest management.

Today, 98% of wildland fires are extinguished before reaching 300 acres  that means were saving the fuel, Finney said. And it means the remaining 2% will burn the most area under the most extreme conditions. Our current practices are not protecting our wildlands, timber, watersheds or communities. We cant improve our suppression effectiveness. All our technology is of little utility in extreme wildfire.

John Muir Project researcher Chad Hanson and others have claimed that forest management is usually logging in disguise that doesnt protect against wildfire. In his new book, Smokescreen: Debunking Wildfire Myths to Save Our Forests and Our Climate, Hanson claimed that thinning around the 2018 Camp fire that destroyed Paradise, California, did not stop the fire which raced through the logged areas faster than any forest fire in recent memory, ultimately destroying many thousands of homes and costing 85 people their lives.

Finney countered that Hanson and other critics were making spurious claims with selective use of information to say fuels management was ineffective. Finney added that getting ahead of extreme wildfire requires long-term, counterintuitive measures.

Thinning alone doesnt stop fires  its true that it isnt that effective, Finney said. But it wasnt intended to stop fires. Thinning plus burning does change fire behavior. The science is clear that when fuels mitigation involves thinning and burning, it reduces intensity and vegetative impact.

The Dixie fire in California that smoked up Montanas skies this summer has burned nearly 1 million acres. Finney said fuels mitigation has to take place on a similar national scale to have an impact.

It took us a century to get at the position were at, and it will take decades to get out, Finney said. We need to think much larger. To get 40% of the landscape maintained in a treated condition will require treating 1% to 3% of the landscape every year. That will take decades.

Cohen added that also will take clear public messaging by land managers. Forest logging projects shouldnt be called public safety projects or vice versa, he warned.

For example, a recent project in the Gallatin National Forest involving a 22-mile road between wilderness areas was initially put forward as a combined logging and fire safety effort.

They were trying to reduce fire intensity around a safety zone, but the project manager proposed it as a logging project, which was not the purpose, and it immediately got objected to, Cohen said. Finally the project got defined for its real management objective, which did away with environmental objection.

Firefighters face similar messaging challenges, according to National Incident Management Organization specialist Bea Day. As an incident commander on a wildfire, her job involves bringing many stakeholders together who have different goals for the same landscape.

For example, one fire could affect state forest managers who want to log the trees to support schools, U.S. Forest Service rangers who want beetle-killed groves cleared for wildlife habitat, federal wilderness restrictions limiting where Day can place safety equipment, and local communities who fear for their homes and object to summer-long smoke.

She often faces public demands for retardant planes, even when such retardant drops wont affect the fire spread and greatly increase the cost of the incident.

The stakeholders want fires under control as quickly as we can, when the best solution may be to let a particular area burn on our terms, Day said. Then we get accused of doing prescribed fire on a wildland incident. So we miss opportunities because its not an acceptable strategy with stakeholders.

Add to that a serious lack of personnel to fight any fire, and the lengthening active wildfire season that eliminates most ability to do forest treatments when the chance of disaster is low, and Day said about all she has the ability to do in a big fire event is keep crews and local residents out of immediate danger.

This year, any sort of fire on the ground created huge headaches for us, Day said. There wasnt time to do landscape-type treatments. And then what about a public that fights projects that attempt to return fire on landscape?

Finney said getting public acceptance of fire as a necessary tool remains crucial.

We have Smokey Bear, but Smokey is about prevention of careless fires, not fire-dependent ecosystems, Finney said. Where is the complementary symbol to communicate these issues?

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
As Americans try to feed their families on a budget, many have surely noticed the high price of beef in grocery stores. However, most shoppers probably dont see the struggles faced by families who have worked hard for generations to raise the worlds best beef. Those high beef prices obscure the true story of U.S. cattle ranchers going out of business by the thousands each year.

We ranchers are selling our herds, our land, our legacies, and our grandchildrens future in alarming numbers, all because of unfair, unlawful practices in todays marketplace. Since 1980, 40% of U.S. cattle producers have gone out of business according to the USDA. With almost half of ranching operations being erased  even as demand for beef remains strong  a host of questions arise.

Why are ranchers going out of business with cattle numbers at an all-time low, beef prices so high, and so many Americans eating beef? And what are the costs to us all when our grasslands and pastures turn into parking lots and shopping malls? Imagine if all those ranches were still in business. How much stronger might rural America be today if we retained all the wealth extracted during the last 40 years? Consumers and cattle producers are both struggling, especially in our rural communities, so where did that wealth go?

Two words explain this crisis: captive supply. The supply of beef is monopolized by just four multinational meatpacking corporations that control roughly 85% of the market. These conglomerates own or have controlling interests in every aspect of the supply chain, allowing them to use cartel-like tactics to artificially deflate prices during the selling season.

This unlawful activity creates a dynamic where independent ranchers get rock-bottom prices for high quality cattle sold to these corporations. Shortly thereafter, the resulting beef sells for exorbitant profits. In recent years, these corporate monopolies have paid more than $400 million in price-fixing lawsuit settlements, but even that is a tiny fraction of the damages inflicted on ranchers. These fines essentially become a paltry crime tax paid for the right to break the law. Its like being fined one dollar for stealing $100.

So, whats the solution to keeping ranchers in business and rural communities thriving? We can look to the 1921 Packers and Stockyard Act, which was created to address this issue exactly 100 years ago. The law was designed to ensure transparency in pricing and prevent the monopoly behavior that was keeping the corporate packers fat and happy while starving ranchers. Todays problems are just as bad if not worse.

First and foremost, we have to modernize this law to address the rigged marketplace in its current form. We also need to aggressively enforce all existing laws the corporate meatpackers are breaking today.

As a family rancher, I am encouraged by some of the Biden administrations recent efforts. The USDA has been tasked to strengthen and enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act. Forthcoming rulemaking sessions to update the law provide an opportunity to restore integrity and competition to the livestock industry.

For these reforms to have a meaningful impact, they must dismantle the secretive, negotiated price system used by the big meatpackers to fix prices. Rulemaking must ensure all cattle bids occur within an open, public market  with all prices reported  to achieve a genuinely transparent system. This is the only way to prevent meatpackers from continuing to corrupt the marketplace. With properly restored market competition, ranchers can earn a secure livelihood and consumers can expect fair prices.

The USDA has to get this right for ranches like mine to remain viable. Rural communities are here to support these necessary reforms, because we know this opportunity cannot be squandered. If we continue to discard U.S. ranchers in favor of multinational corporations, the high price of grocery store beef will pale in comparison to the devastating costs levied on rural America.

Jeanie Alderson is a fourth generation cattle rancher in Birney and the board chair of Northern Plains Resource Council, a grassroots conservation and family agriculture organization.

Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 3 Sad 0 Angry 0
DECATUR  Ed Bachrach has lived most of his life with a clear image of domestic violence.

On a Saturday afternoon in 1956, he was 6 years old and living on West Macon Street in Decatur. While his parents worked at the downtown Bachrach clothing store, the youngster and his two siblings were being watched by Virginia, their babysitter.

Her estranged husband came to the door with a gun, chased her through the house and across the street, then shot her dead, Bachrach said.

The event and its aftermath affected Bachrach throughout his life.

We never forgot it, Bachrach said. Since Ive been an adult living in Decatur, Ive supported Dove in some way.

Bachrach, along with others in the community who have helped the agency, were honored during Doves annual Candlelighting Ceremony on Tuesday evening at the First Presbyterian Church in Decatur.

After 31 years, Teri Ducy attended her last Candlelighting Ceremony as the agencys domestic violence program director.

Recommended for you

Im sure they were doing it before me, she said about the ceremony.

Ducy will retire at the end of the year, passing the reins to Liz Mackey.

October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

But for me its a little bit frustrating, Ducy said. Domestic violence occurs every single day, all year long.

During the annual ceremony, victims and survivors are recognized with the lighting of two candles.

We honor those who have suffered and died from domestic violence, Ducy said about the Macon County agency. Thankfully this year, there hasnt been anyone who died.

National domestic violence statistics throughout the year remained constant, according to Ducy.

I wish I could say I saw a tremendous drop in cases, she said. But thats not the case.

Ducy addressed many of the statistics during Tuesday's ceremony. Approximately 2 million victims are abused annually. More than 20,000 calls are made daily to domestic violence hotline operators. And domestic violence has been attributed to homelessness, physical, emotional and mental struggles, and substance abuse challenges.

Doves advocates were able to assist many of the victims through the year. According to Ducy, nearly 300 adults as well as children were given shelter and protection in the past year.

Keep in mind, these are the ones we know about, she said. There are many others who have not come forward.

During the pandemic, domestic violence victims were facing additional struggles, Ducy said.

(They) were kept at home with their perpetrator, unable to reach out for support and resources, she said.

Doves domestic violence program adjusted to conditions during the pandemic as well, including restructuring and staffing issues.

And yet, this team has plowed through it all with commitment and perseverance, Ducy said. This work was far from easy. Its a career thats certainly not done for the money. Its done from the heart.

The ceremony also celebrated others who have done their part in helping end domestic abuse. Awards were given to Master of Patrol Officer Brian Allison, Court Security Officer James Bales, Attorney Diane Couri, Judge Lindsey Shelton, and Victim Witness Coordinator Amanda Caudill.

Bachrach was also honored during the ceremony for his lifelong contribution to end domestic violence through Dove.

He is very passionate about domestic violence, Ducy said. He has done so much for us.

Bachrach is credited with funding the victim advocate position for four years as well as assisting with a symposium and the family violence coordinating council.

Ducys retirement was also addressed during the ceremony. Joyce Kirkland, Dove client and family services coordinator, recognized Ducys years of service to the agency.

As a result, Dove is a model domestic violence program in the state of Illinois, Kirkland said. Teri truly exemplifies Doves mission of seeking justice, equality and understanding for all.

Our hope is that someday we will not even have to have such a ceremony as what we are having tonight, Ducy said. We pray for a world that is free of domestic violence.

Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Build your health & fitness knowledge Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
DECATUR  The Macon County Health Department reported 30 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.

This brings the countys total number of cases to 15,395 since the start of the pandemic.

The county's total number of deaths is still 244 since the pandemic began, and there are currently nine Macon County residents hospitalized since Monday.

A more detailed breakdown of positive cases and deaths is released on Fridays.

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 at the Macon County Health Department, 1221 E. Condit St., Decatur, from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Also, the first dose of the Moderna vaccine and the single dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine will be offered to those 18 and older from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the health department.

Individuals who received the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines must return on Wednesday, Nov. 10, to receive a second dose.

Recommended for you

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.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
DECATUR  The heartbroken mother of a Decatur murder victim wept as the man accused of killing her son was led into court Wednesday, but said she had already forgiven him.

Janet Hill spoke to the Herald & Review after Macon County Circuit Court Judge Rodney Forbes had found probable cause to try Talmel T. Wilson Jr. for the May 30, 2019, shooting death of 28-year-old Suave Turner.

Wilson, 20, entered not guilty pleas on three alternate murder charges and is being held in the Macon County Jail.

My son is gone and hopefully the person that they have that killed my son, God will have mercy on him and he will be forgiven as well, said Hill. I have forgave because God told me to.

Hill, who could be seen hugging Decatur Police Detective Chad Reed before the start of Wednesdays hearing, said she has had to wait a long time for justice. I am grateful; I had to wait for God to move and God finally moved, she said of Wilsons arrest.

Recommended for you

So now I just leave it in his hands; and as I have stated before, nobody wins in this situation, she said of the death of her son, who leaves two daughters aged 12 and 8. I am just glad my son is with the Lord and so that makes me feel a little better.

Detectives working the case had recently developed enough information to arrest Wilson while the defendant was serving a four year prison sentence at Vandalia Correctional Center on an unrelated drug charge.

Questioned during the hearing by Assistant Macon County States Attorney Thomas Wheeler, Reed said witnesses, one of whom had spoken to Hill, had identified Wilson as the shooter.

Reed said he had been seen firing a .40 caliber handgun towards a car that Turner and another man were riding in outside a convenience store in the 1500 block of North Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Turner suffered a gunshot wound to the chest.

Defense attorney Susan Moorehead asked the detective if the weapon used in the murder had ever been found, and he said no. And he confirmed it had not been matched with any known gun based on analysis of the bullet recovered from the victim.

Moorehead then turned her attention to the crucial witnesses in the case. Were those individuals initially compliant or cooperative with law enforcement? she asked. Reed said no, they were not.

Were those individuals promised anything in exchange for their cooperation with law enforcement? the attorney asked.

No, replied Reed.

Judge Forbes assigned the case to the trial call of Presiding Judge Thomas Griffith and scheduled a pretrial hearing for Dec. 2.

Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Some Illinois hospital systems are losing hundreds of employees as deadlines loom for health care workers to get COVID-19 vaccines  even as most workers have agreed to get the shots.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker set a deadline of Sept. 19 for all Illinois health care workers to get their first shots, with their second shots due within 30 days, which would have been Oct. 19, at the latest. Those who didnt get shots by the deadline would have to be tested for COVID-19 weekly, he said.

But, in many cases, individual hospital systems set stricter rules than Pritzker, requiring their workers to be vaccinated by certain dates or turn in their badges.

But about 440 workers at Advocate Aurora Health in Illinois and Wisconsin have parted ways with the system because they werent vaccinated by Advocates Friday deadline and they didnt have approved medical or religious exemptions, spokesman Mike Riopell said. Many of those individuals were not full-time employees. Overall, about 99% of the systems 75,000 employees are vaccinated or have approved exemptions, or are in the process of doing so.

Nearly 100 of Rush University Medical Center workers stand to have their employment terminated because they didnt get vaccinated or get approved exemptions, said Courtney Kammer, chief human resources officer at Rush. Overall, about 98% of Rushs workers are vaccinated.

Recommended for you

At Southern Illinois Healthcare, about 220 people are no longer employed because they refused to roll up their sleeves, said spokeswoman Rosslind Rice, though the vast majority of employees got vaccinated. The deadline to have started the vaccination process at Southern Illinois Healthcare was Sept. 24.

The whole thing has been very emotional because some of these people are our friends, Rice said. Its just what our world has come to, where were in a position where were at odds with people. ... We have to move forward.

The deadlines hit as many hospitals face staffing challenges, because of COVID-19 burnout and general labor shortages. But many Illinois hospital leaders say theyre not overly worried by the vaccine turnover.

The systems losing hundreds of workers are large ones, so the employees refusing vaccines represent only small fractions of their workforces.

Southern Illinois Healthcare expects to be able to replace the departed workers with new ones quickly, Rice said. The system has been receiving a record number of job applications and has welcomed many new employees in recent weeks, she said.

Some of the Chicago areas smaller providers say theyre only losing a handful of workers because of vaccine mandates.

Esperanza Health Centers is losing only two of its 311 employees because of its requirement that all of its workers get vaccinated by Oct. 13. Esperanzas mandate was even tougher than that of many Chicago-area hospitals because Esperanza didnt allow for religious exemptions, and is allowing medical exemptions only temporarily, such as while a person is undergoing medical treatment, said Dan Fulwiler, president and CEO of Esperanza.

Under Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidelines, employers dont have to grant religious or medical exemptions if an unvaccinated person would pose a direct threat to others in the workplace, or if accommodating him or her would be an undue burden.

What we decided, after careful consideration, was we couldnt really offer exemptions to anyone permanently because it would be putting our patients at risk, Fulwiler said, noting that even if people are being tested weekly for COVID-19, they could still get infected and spread the illness between tests. Esperanza has five clinics on the citys West and Southwest sides.

The coming months may bring more job losses at other hospital systems with later deadlines.

Sinai Chicagos 3,500 employees have until the end of the year to get vaccinated or potentially lose their jobs. So far, about 92% are either partially or full vaccinated, spokesman Dan Regan said in an email.

At least a handful of Sinais workers have already quit, noting their objections to the requirement, Regan said. The system is now recruiting more workers and has staffing and operational contingency plans to ensure the safety of our patients and our fellow caregivers, he said.

At Amita Health, which is one of the largest hospital systems in Illinois, workers have until Nov. 12 to get vaccinated. As of Tuesday, about 89% of Amitas employees were partially or fully vaccinated, spokesman Tim Nelson said in an email.

Amita expects that percentage to rise in coming weeks, as employees work to avoid any disciplinary steps, he said.

Many hospitals systems with high vaccination rates launched initiatives to persuade more of their workers to submit to shots.

Rush held town halls and meetings to educate employees on the vaccine, and suspended noncompliant workers for seven days after the deadline to give them one last chance to get vaccinated, Kammer said. President Joe Biden called out Rushs high vaccination rate in a speech during his recent visit to Chicago.

Esperanza also held educational sessions and worked with the supervisors of people who were holdouts, Fulwiler said. An Esperanza doctor called all unvaccinated employees, individually, to answer questions.

Though only a couple of Esperanza employees are losing their jobs over the mandate, Fulwiler said he and others worry about those people. Hes concerned about their health and their ability to find new jobs, given that so many Illinois health systems are now requiring the vaccines as a condition of employment.

It surprised him that some Esperanza workers didnt want the vaccine, after everything theyd witnessed over the last year and a half, he said.

We work in a very, very hard hit community, and some of the folks who are not getting the vaccine have literally had patients die, Fulwiler said. Its kind of surprising to me that people still feel this strongly about it.
TAZEWELL, Va.  James Gibson said he always liked mixing things together to see what would happen.

That has led him to one career and now appears to be leading him to perhaps a second one. Coaltown Taps recently became the first establishment in Richlands to take advantage of the towns mixed beverage law.

Coaltown owner Blake Ray has given Gibson the opportunity to create signature drinks for the bar. He describes Gibson as a pharmacist by trade, mixologist by passion. Gibson said he had mixed drinks as a hobby for years, and when COVID shut most things down, he had time on his hands and decided to get his bartending license.

He passed the course, and Ray enlisted him to create the spirits for Coaltown.

His first time tending bar outside his kitchen was the restaurants Harvest dinner earlier this month.

Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

Gibsons first time behind the bar was also the debut for three drinks he hopes will become signature items on the menu. Ray and Gibsons father had been given the chance to sample the drinks beforehand, but they were entirely new to everyone else.
The Talent Accelerator Program accelerates new facility startups through the direct delivery of recruitment and training services that are fully customized to a companys unique products, processes, equipment, standards and culture. All program services are provided at no cost to qualified new and expanding companies as an incentive for job creation.

Nearly 2,500 jobs are expected to be created over the next five years. Finding people to fill the jobs will be a challenge, but the accelerator program is ready, Clark said.

While this volume could pose some challenges, the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program has very sophisticated tools at its disposal that would give Blue Star NBR and Blue Star-AGI an advantage to find the workers it needs in that timeframe, she added.

Facilities on the one-mile-long lot will also be phased in. In all, six buildings will be built on Lot 24 in Progress Park over the next five years. Officials said the average salary will be more than $37,000 per year.

Bill Mosher, vice president of operations for Blue Star-AGI said in an email that the company looks to hire several hundred employees to run the first facilities over the course of 2022 and then ramp up to hire for thousands of positions.
A: That notion of, hey, you can read the Bible and the Gospels and try to imagine what Jesus would want our lives to look like. They take that idea super seriously, probably because of a history of being prosecuted. But theres also a genuine intense respect for the message of the Gospels. They came up with a hardcore way of living and I would have no interest in that, but it is more consistent with the fundamental message. All due respect to the Catholic Church, I dont think Jesus was imagining a pharisaical megastructure of a church following in his wake. You get no glimpse of that anywhere in four Gospels. As I said, I respect Mennonites but its also not my world, so I am not going to set the book in a tiny community in Indiana. I have been reading evolutionary science books lately that are somewhat pertinent to the sequel to this novel and what makes (the genetic variation in) evolution work is random. Certain gene combinations get expressed in random ways and sometimes those get selected. Its like writing a novel. When its done, it seems of a piece and well planned. Which is the way nature works, as if it were proceeding according to plan. Fundamentalists say it is. But in fact, at least with a novel, it starts with random chunks. I wasnt writing about my fellowship exactly. There was a rivalry between professors at the college I went to; they had offices next door and hadnt spoken, literally, in 15 years. I thought that was funny and horrible. So who could Russ (the main pastor in Crossroads) be in a not-speaking relationship with? See, you start with these random scraps then suddenly you have a whole story.
As the 2021 calendar moves deeper into the fall, students across the commonwealth are facing tough decisions about their educational futures.

Key application deadlines for Virginia colleges and universities begin in a matter of weeks.

At Virginia Tech, for example, students are presented with three choices: early decision (deadline: Nov. 1), which poses a binding offer of admission; early action (deadline: Dec. 1), which involves a nonbinding early offer; or regular decision (deadline: Jan. 15), which also consists of a nonbinding offer, but space depends on the volume of students who were admitted early.

One of the key factors that shapes how a student applies to or accepts an offer from any institution is affordability. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid can help remove financial barriers. But according to an August release from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, only six in 10 high school seniors did so during the 2020-21 school year, signaling room for improvement.

Virginias renewed focus on the FAFSA matters for education and the economy. The commonwealths goals wont materialize without this critical first step in the higher ed process.
Recently-retired Conover Public Works Director Jimmy Clark will serve as Conover city manager until the city can permanently fill the position.

The Conover City Council voted unanimously at a special meeting Monday afternoon to appoint Clark as interim city manager.

Clark, 65, served as the citys public works director 35 years until his retirement earlier this year.

I feel good about (stepping into the job), Clark said. Like the mayor was alluding to, I am familiar with the projects and Im familiar with the staff and the operations of the city.

Clark would work 15 hours a week under his contract and would need approval from the mayor to work more. After two months on the job, the council would be able to revisit the hours requirement and tweak it if necessary.

He will earn $65 an hour.

Conovers longtime City Manager Donald Duncan will be leaving the position later this month to take over as the manager of Caldwell County.

The council is working with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments on a regional search, Conover Mayor Lee Moritz said earlier this month.
More homes for low-to-moderate-income residents will be coming to Hickory following the Hickory City Councils approval of an agreement with Charlotte-based JRN Development on Tuesday.

The city agreed to sell six pieces of city-owned property on Third Street Place SW and Third Street Court SW so the company can build housing on that land.

The homes will be available to households making less than 80% of the area median income, which is $48,250 for a family of four this year.

Hickory Community Development Manager Karen Dickerson said the homes would be priced between $145,000 and $170,000.

These new houses will have three bedrooms, two bathrooms, garages and measure at least 1,100 square feet in size.

Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

They will be located in the same neighborhood as two other homes for low-to-moderate-income households which the city built on city-owned land in partnership with the Unifour Consortium housing program and Western Piedmont Council of Governments.

Those homes were sold earlier this year.
HICKORY  Redhawk Publications and Catawba Farms will have a fall book fair on Saturday, Oct. 30, from noon to 6 p.m. at Catawba Farms.

The book fair will include 19 of Redhawk Publications' writers, including an hour of storytelling and Halloween treats by its childrens book authors and the opportunity to purchase some great titles. Catawba Farms, at 1670 Southwest Blvd., Newton, will heighten the event by selling beer and wine and setting up their food truck.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to enjoy a live concert by internationally renowned Vicki Genfan. The final musical performance will be by the CVCC Jazz Ensemble.

"Redhawk Publications is excited to collaborate with Catawba Farms for our fall book fair, said Redhawk Publications Senior Editor Robert Canipe. We are eager to highlight so many of our published authors. I'm looking forward to hearing the authors read their works from their perspectives. Attendees should be ready to have great fun, food, drinks and enjoy live music. We plan on this event being safe, too, so we are requesting that attendees wear masks.
GREENSBORO  After a Black judge voiced her views on race and religion during a Guilford County trial, the North Carolina Court of Appeals ordered a new trial for the defendant.

In July 2019, Allen Anthony Campbell was indicted on multiple traffic violations, including reckless driving to endanger and fleeing to elude arrest. A Guilford County Superior Court jury found him guilty later that year on some of the charges, and he pleaded guilty to the habitual felon charge. He was sentenced to roughly seven to 10 years in prison.

As is customary in jury trials, the prosecutor, in his questioning of potential jurors, asked if any would be uncomfortable returning a verdict in the case because of ethical, religious or moral reasons.

When one prospective juror responded that he would feel uncomfortable because of his religious beliefs as a non denominational Baptist, Superior Court Judge Lora Christine Cubbage excused the juror, who is Black.

Cubbage told the other prospective jurors:

... Let me just say, and especially to African Americans: Everyday we are in the newspaper stating we dont get fairness in the judicial system... But none of us  most African Americans do not want to serve on a jury. And 90% of the time, its an African American defendant.
The folks at Sandy Ridge Baptist Church need some help honoring fallen soldiers during the holidays.

The Fallen Heroes ministry at the church will carry posters in Hickorys annual Christmas parade recognizing the 220 men and women from North Carolina who died during fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The organization needs 220 people to march silently and carry a poster in the Christmas parade. Volunteers must be able to be at the corner of Fourth Street NW and First Avenue NW on Nov. 19 by no later than 5 p.m.

Fallen hero families will be present and honored, a release from the organization stated. Come and help us as a community honor the sacrifice and show these families we have not forgotten the price their loved one paid.

If you have questions, contact Sandy Ridge Baptist Church at 828-256-8812.

Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

Looking for a job? Try out this virtual career fair

Lee Enterprises, parent company of the Hickory Daily Record and owner of 76 daily news organizations across the country, is hosting a nationwide virtual career fair from Oct. 20-27.
ACS has three innovation labs in Australia  Harbour City Labs in Sydney, River City Labs in Brisbane, and Bay City Labs in Melbourne.

A Look in the Labs is an Information Age series profiling the high-growth startups based in our labs  what they do, their ambitions, and the advantages theyve gained being based at the ACS Innovation Labs.

This week, we speak with Tim Hill, Co-founder and CEO of Social Status.

Business Social Status

Established 2013

Based at River City Labs, Brisbane

Online at Website, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube

What does your business do and how does it help your customers?

Social Status is a social media reporting and analytics tool for marketers and agencies. Reporting on social media performance is one of the biggest pain points facing marketers, especially as more social channels emerge and more media types are launched.

Social Status automates paid and organic social reporting including competitor analysis and influencer tracking into boardroom-ready formats like PDF, PowerPoint and Google Slides. Users can also see up-to-the-minute social analytics in a live dashboard and export data to CSV - particularly useful for campaigns.

How did the idea for your business come about?

Prior to Social Status I worked in advertising and digital agencies as a Social Media Strategist so I experienced the pain point first-hand of creating social media reports.

The initial intention for Social Status was to help me do my job more efficiently and automate tedious and time-consuming aspects. But it was clear I was not alone and this pain point is experienced by the 20 million marketers worldwide who need to report to clients or stakeholders.

What has been the biggest challenge and the biggest milestone for your business so far

The biggest challenge is reaching the potential market. It is a big, global market and whilst there are a lot of social media tools out there, Social Status is specifically a social reporting and analytics tool so as a specialist tool it requires a different comms and outreach approach. This year we crossed over 10,000 users and we serve marketers in over 100 countries - this is a great milestone and we're so proud of what our small team has achieved so far.

Where would you like your business to be in two years?

Two years will see our growth increase as we reach more marketers who need social media reporting. Ad spend continues to increase on social media so there will always be a need for more robust and advanced reporting options.

Facebook has built a really strong content management tool called Creator Studio for Facebook and Instagram. Since it's launch a lot of social marketers are reverting back to scheduling and managing social content "on channel" but the massive functional gap is around reporting. What Facebook hasn't done is built out robust reporting, instead surfacing up just basic metrics and this is where Social Status is best placed to continue to grow.

What is the best business or life advice youve ever been given?

I would say get enough sleep and put aside an hour every day for physical activity. So much advice for founders is around business and the startup journey which is fine but ultimately most founders need to chart their own path as each business journey is really unique. A lot of business advice just doesn't apply in most cases.

I think the kind of advice relevant for every founder is the simple stuff that we all know but most of us don't prioritise. Getting regular, sufficient hours of sleep per night is so important. I believe that in tech, people are generally sleep deprived. This leads to all sorts of issues and degraded physical & mental wellbeing. I also think we're all too sedentary and we all need to prioritise at least an hour of physical activity every day.

What made you decide to move into the ACS Innovation Labs and how has it assisted your business?

I moved into River City Labs to be close to other founders. In Brisbane, there's no better place to be and I would strongly recommend any founder at any stage of their business to do the same. RCL have a fantastic community and run events for founders regularly. It's this community and sense of shared experience that's so valuable at RCL.

Was being an entrepreneur always one of your lifes goals and what have you learned about being an entrepreneur?

No, I didn't ever expect or dream to be a tech founder. For me I kind of fell into it based on my experience in my career and the opportunity in market. What I've learnt is that you need to accept that the journey is full of constant ups and downs. You have to be ok with the emotional rollercoaster of wins, losses, challenges and failures on a daily basis. That is the only constant. It's pretty unique to the startup journey and it's amplified for founders given how invested you are in your company's success. Just accept the ride and roll with the punches, you'll be fine.

For more information on the ACS Innovation Labs, visit the websites of Harbour City Labs in Sydney, River City Labs in Brisbane, and Bay City Labs in Melbourne. If you're interested in joining successful Australian businesses in the ACS Innovation Labs, email scale@acs.org.au
Five Australian cities are among the top 150 in the world for technology and innovation, according to a new smart cities ranking.

Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, and Woolongong all made EasyParks Cities of the Future Index which scored thousands of cities around the world based for their performance in four areas: digital life, mobility innovation, business tech infrastructure, and sustainability.

The index was split into three population groups for cities with over 5 million people, between 600,000 and 3 million people, and between 50,000 and 600,000 people.

Melbourne had the highest aggregate score of Australias five mentioned cities (77.82), making it the 27th best of the large cities, ahead of Busan, Taipei, Sydney, Dallas, and Osaka.

Woolongong scored lowest with a flat 50 points in the smallest population category, putting it behind New Zealands Christchurch and Wellington at the bottom of the list.

The Australian cities tended to perform well in similar areas, specifically innovation in healthcare and education, adoption of digital technology by both citizens and government, and cashless payments.

Likewise, the five Australian cities also struggled in similar aspects of their smart cities progress, lagging behind when it comes to business innovation, transport technology  including green transport  and green energy.

Though Adelaides poor score on green energy (just 57.5 out of 100) is strange given South Australia last year generated 60 per cent of its energy from renewable sources, and had brief moments where all of its energy came from wind and solar.

But EasyParks methodology notes that, except for US states, city green energy data was taken from national figures.

Rob Bryant, Executive Vice President APAC at construction software management company InEight, said the performance of Australias cities shows room for improvement when it comes to technological adoption and civil engineering.

Right now theres a major opportunity as we re-think how people want to live and work in cities given how much has changed in the last couple years, he told Information Age.

It will be worth looking at how we can connect those regional centres  like Woolongong and Newcastle in NSW or Ballarat and Bendigo in Victoria  in smart, technological ways to reflect that recent change in things like flexible work arrangements.

Bryant was optimistic that Australias poor performance in key areas such as green energy and smart transport infrastructure will improve given already high levels of interest from government and industry.

Theres a good deal of investment going on right now in the energy side of things and, to a lesser extent waste management as well, he said.

Asset owners are quite heavily focused on sustainability, and getting energy for smart cities of the future from solar, hydro, and wind farms.

But mobility really is a key area we need for focus on from an infrastructure point of view. There has to be more city planning that allows for pedestrianised zones, to keep vehicles out of city centres and encouraging people onto public transport  but it has to work for the people who live and work there.

Look at London and other European cities that have established their transport infrastructure through demand over centuries. If we can take lessons from US and European cities theres a chance we can get to the top of these lists while still being among the worlds most livable cities.

European and US cities dominated much of the EasyPark list, although the likes of Singapore, Seoul, and Tokyo scored very well in the largest population category.

Scandanavian countries scored especially well in the small and medium population categories  largely thanks to green energy use and high levels of internet connectivity among business, government, and citizens.

Looking at urban areas with between 600,000 and 3 million inhabitants, 50 percent of the top 10 cities are in Scandinavia, said Johan Birgersson, CEO of EasyPark Group.

This is also the case for cities with between 50,000 and 600,000 inhabitants, where 90 percent of the top 10 are from these countries.

It is clear that Scandinavian nations are doing all they can to provide sustainable and liveable environments for their citizens.
Fewer complaints were made about telco services in the last financial year, new data from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) shows  but its not all good news as more frustrated customers are appealing to the Ombudsman for help.

Telcos reported a marked decline in the total number of irate customers in the 2020-21 reporting period, with the figure dropping 18 per cent from over 1.3 million in 2019-20 to under 1.1 million last year.

The industry overall averaged 63 complaints per 100,000 services offered, a decline on the previous year.

ACMA was quick to point out, however, that the raw decrease in complaint numbers is somewhat offset by a rise in the length of time it takes for disputes to be resolved.

The time taken to resolve complaints is going in the wrong direction and one million complaints a year is still far too many, ACMA Authority Member Fiona Cameron said.

With so many people working from home due to COVID restrictions, it is more important than ever that telcos prioritise fixing problems and we are looking to industry to improve in this area.

Of the 32 telcos operating in Australia, 14 of them averaged taking between two and four days to resolve a customer complaint, 12 took between four and eight days, and two took an average of 10 to 12 days to fix their customers problems.

The slowest telco took an average of 20 days to resolve a customer complaint  an outlier to be sure, but still concerning for an industry that provides invaluable services around the country.

Another number that worried ACMA is the amount of complaints escalated to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, a sure sign that internal complaints mechanisms at some telcos arent up to scratch.

Since 2018-19, the proportion of complaints that customers are taking to the Ombudsman has grown by three percentage points, an increase that Cameron says simply isnt good enough.

This suggests that some telcos are not handling complaints at all well, and other smaller telcos are in fact not recording complaints at all, she said.

Seven smaller telcos have absurdly high escalation rates, just above 50 per cent, which indicates that some complaints are not being recorded in the first place and only being logged when escalated to the TIO.

Regional areas are another area of concern for Australias telecommunications regulators with the TIO this week releasing its submission to the 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review.

That submission noted complaints from people outside metropolitan areas who say they were given incorrect or misleading advice about the availability of mobile services in their area.

Ombudsman Judi Jones said people in regional Australia deserved better access to vital telecommunications services.

Regional communities face unique challenges in having a fault repaired or being able to access an alternative service, she said.

They also face a greater risk in natural disasters, such as bushfires and floods, where reliable telco services play a critical role in co-ordinating disaster response and recovery.

Providing better access to information about available services could allow consumers to make more informed decisions, encourage competition, and bridge the telco divide between metropolitan and regional, rural and remote Australia.
The affidavit of arrest for Ngoy detailed times of the assault, including that during those 40 minutes the woman appears to repeatedly push Ngoy away.

Nestel would not give an approximate number of witnesses, and it was unclear from the affidavit how many passengers were present for those 40 minutes. Authorities have not released the surveillance video.

"I can tell you that people were holding their phone up in the direction of this woman being attacked," he said.

Elizabeth Jeglic, a psychology professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, researches sexual violence prevention. She said if people feel uncomfortable physically intervening, there are other options like calling the police.

"When we have multiple people, people don't necessarily intervene," she said. "However, more recent research actually suggests that looking at video footage of more extreme circumstances that up to 90% of cases we do see people intervening. So it was actually somewhat of an aberration in this case that somebody did not step forward to help this individual."

Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt, of the Upper Darby Police Department, has said surveillance footage showed other riders were on the train and someone "should have done something."
It is October on the Outer Banks. A late hurricane is threatening to wash away the beaches and blow down the old wooden houses that have been family treasures for generations. The Boston Red Sox are struggling to make the playoffs.

This sounds real, but it is the setting for compelling new fiction, The Last First Kiss, a book by former lawyer, judge and law professor Walter Bennett. He lives in Chapel Hill with his wife Betsy, the former director of the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences

If you are past retirement age, and sometimes wonder what your life would have been like if, instead of breaking up with your high school sweetheart, you all had married and lived a different, an entirely different, life and if sometimes your imagination takes you back 50 or 60 years, and memories of those tender times make you blush, if that is you, maybe you should not read this book.

If you do, it could set your heart ablaze in a dangerous way.

But if you pass this book by, you will miss some of the best writing to come out of the recent North Carolina literary scene.
MATTOON  For more than 40 years, customers near and far turned to Terry Lee when they needed vacuum cleaners, clocks, lamps or many other household items repaired.

Now, Lee is preparing to retire and has put his Aabells Sales & Services shop at 1813 Broadway Ave. in downtown Mattoon up for sale. Lee, 81, said he probably could have worked a few more years, but prices that have risen up to 30% for various products led him to decide that now is a good time to retire.

"It's been fun," Lee said of being on the job at Aabells, adding wryly, "I haven't missed too many work days."

Lee said he started managing the sales and service shop in 1980 for owner Paul Lauterborn, whose main business was a small appliance repair store in Champaign. He said Lauterborn took inspiration for the Mattoon shop's name from it being "able" to fix just about anything, and added an extra "a" to "able" so it would be listed first in the telephone directory.

In 1981, Lee and his wife, Doris, purchased the Mattoon shop from the late Lauterborn's estate and opted to keep the already established name of Aabells in service. Lee said the name of the shop has resulted in him being called "Mr. Aabell" on many occasions when customers have seen him at the grocery store or other public places.

"I just wave and go on. It's better than trying to explain," Lee said.

During the course of 40 years in business, Lee's reputation for being able to fix a wide variety of household items has stretched far beyond Mattoon. Lee said he has handled many orders from customers out of state, such as repairing an electric shaver recently sent to him by a customer in Eugene, Oregon. Much of his shop is filled with replacement parts for various items his customers have needed repaired.

"They bring all sorts of things in," Lee said, noting that he has repaired items ranging from hair dryers to pressure cookers.

Lee said he likely inherited his repair skills from his father, talented watch repairman Eugene Lee, who was killed while serving with the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II. Lee said he later honed his own talents while working in different trades, including testing meters for Electric Laboratories.

Aabells also has long been known for selling Lionel model trains and sets. Lee said he has sold many Lionel products to customers outside of Illinois, as well, including recently to California, Georgia and North Carolina.

Lee keeps a model train set with more than 30 feet of track in his shop, and can often be found working the controls for his engines. He said the expansive model train set is up for sale along with his shop because he has other projects in mind for his home garage in retirement. In retirement, Lee also will get to spend more time with his wife, who works for Dimond Brothers Insurance.

The shop owner said he would like to find someone to purchase Aabells Sales & Service to keep it in operation, but otherwise plans to sell his stock at going-out-of-business prices and then hold an auction for the remaining items, if needed. He said the building will continue to be owned by Marilyn Degler McClean.

Lee said he hates to leave the shop behind, but will be bringing a lot of good memories and ongoing customer relationships with him.

"I have a lot of good customers. They are like family," Lee said.

Contact Rob Stroud at 217-238-6861.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
MATTOON  Sarah Bush Lincoln has received the green light from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board to expand its Health Center's Critical Care Unit and the adjacent Step-down Unit, adding 20 new beds in total.

A step-down unit is where patients receive care when they are not ill enough to be in critical care, but they are not well enough to be on a traditional medical-surgical unit.

SBL reported that the review board approved the certificate of need permit prior to its full board meeting because the project met all the criteria and there was no opposition. The project includes the renovation of 21,500 square feet of space on the north side of the Health Center and 37,389 square feet of new construction.

Along with the expansion, SBL reported that the project provides space on the ground floor to enlarge the Lumpkin Education Center to include a Multidisciplinary Training Center to be used by Lake Land College, Eastern Illinois University and the SBL Health Occupations program. The project also calls for all training rooms on the Health Center campus to relocate to the Lumpkin Education Center.

Our educational partners and employees are excited about the expansion of the center," said Sarah Bush Lincoln Vice President of Operations Kim Uphoff in a press release. "Rooms are often unavailable for large trainings and, many times, employees and students move between simulation rooms on the fourth floor to computer training labs in Prairie Pavilion 2. It makes sense to accommodate all of our learning in one area."

SBL reported that its Materials Management department will benefit from an expanded storage room, as well, because the current inventory room has remained essentially the same size since the Health Center opened in 1977.

The 58,000-square-foot, $30 million project is scheduled to take about 18 months to complete. Construction can begin in early 2022.

Over the last four years, SBL reported that it has experienced an increase in inpatient and observation days from 28,719 to 34,968 annually. It reported that the Health Center experiences peak census in critical care and on the medical/surgical units often, which means those areas can only accommodate one or two additional patients during peaks.

SBL reported that the expansion project will increase the critical care capacity by 55 percent from nine rooms to 14 private rooms, which will be larger and of contemporary design to accommodate medical equipment, staff and family. Another 15 private rooms, adjacent to the Critical Care Unit, will be used for Step-down Unit patients. The rooms on the 2 East wing will be a designated Observation Unit.

The exterior of the addition will be finished in brick and glass to blend the front of the building and other buildings on campus with the new expansion.

Contact Rob Stroud at 217-238-6861.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Build your health & fitness knowledge Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
MATTOON  The Mattoon Police Department has publicly thanked a woman for recently taking notice of an injured child at a local store and calling law enforcement to the scene.

The police department reported Tuesday on its Facebook page that Kim Peters, a Mattoon resident and a nurse at Carle Clinic, became concerned for a small child that was being held by an individual in front of her in the checkout line. Police said she observed the child to have labored breathing and to have bruising and cuts on different parts of his body. Additionally, police said she was alarmed by the adult's demeanor and some of his actions.

"At this point, Kim became an ideal witness for MPD officers," the police department reported. "She contacted law enforcement, while continuing to monitor the situation. When MPD officers arrived on scene, she provided them with a detailed description of events."

The police department reported that, as a result, the adult was arrested on charges of several criminal offenses and the child was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. Police said the child has since been released from the hospital and is now in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

"Thank You, Kim! Without your observations and quick actions, the outcome of this situation could have been very different. We appreciate you very much," the police department reported, adding that it has presented Peters with an MPD Challenge Coin honor.

Contact Rob Stroud at 217-238-6861.

Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
DANVILLE  Jelani Day was buried in an ceremony here attended by friends, family and civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson on Tuesday, nearly a month after authorities confirmed remains found in LaSalle County were that of the missing Illinois State grad student. There are few answers to what led to his death, in a case that has garnered international attention.

"I will not stop until I find out what happened to Jelani," Carmen Bolden Day said.

About 30 people attended the emotional Tuesday morning burial at Springhill Cemetery in Danville, the community where Day was raised. Attendees clung to one another through song and prayer during a tearful goodbye.

Day, 25, was studying speech pathology at ISU and was last seen in Bloomington on Aug. 25. His body was recovered from the Illinois River in the Peru area on Sept. 4. A cause of death has not been released.

A burial was previously scheduled on Oct. 11, but Bolden Day said it had to be postponed because of the ongoing investigation. A funeral service also was held at Danville High School.

'They have not been forthcoming'

Friends and family of day have been critical of the missing persons and death investigation, saying neither didn't get enough attention and resources. It's still unclear why Day was near the river or what happened in the hours leading up to his car ending up in LaSalle County.

Several agencies  including Illinois State, Bloomington and Peru police, as well as the LaSalle sheriff's and coroner's departments  have been involved, as well as the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit.

Jackson in a statement said he believes Day was murdered and drew parallels to the death of Emmett Till, who like Day also was Black. Till was lynched in 1955 Mississippi and submerged in water, making him unrecognizable.

"Jelani was brutally murdered in Peru, Illinois, and found faced down in the Illinois River," Jackson said. "We are requesting a thorough investigation because local officials have been very difficult to deal with. They have not been forthcoming."

Said Jackson: "We are requesting that the FBI and the Department of Justice conduct a thorough investigation because it smells like another Emmett Till case all over again."

The organization Jackson founded, the Rainbow People United to Serve Humanity Coalition, is working with Day's family. Bishop Tavis L. Grant II told The Pantagraph they are seeking to "raise the profile of how horrific and heinous this incident has been for this family."

Said Grant: "We believe there is a great deal of misinformation and malfeasance that is at hand from the very beginning of Jelani being reported missing. From the coroners office to the police department to the sheriffs office, if it is not incompetence, there is a great deal of deficiency and dysfunction in terms of the way information was given, the way the remains were handled.

Bloomington police have referred questions about the investigation to LaSalle authorities, which are leading the inquiry. They have not responded to interview requests from The Pantagraph.

'Give this family closure'

Grant and Bolden Day said the family wants the FBI to lead the investigation.

"Let's put this case in the best hands with the best means to come away with the best opportunity to give this family closure," said Grant.

Through tears, Bolden Day called upon the Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul to do everything in his power to get the FBI involved in the case and find out what happened to her son.

"I just saw one of the best things that God blessed me with go into the ground and I won't ever get to talk to him or see him anymore," she said. "It's beyond hurt, because I shouldn't be lowering him into the ground. Nothing in his life, nothing in his walk, would make you think that he deserved to be found face down in a river decomposed."

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call investigators at 815-433-2161.

Well over 25,000 people also have signed a petition organized by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and the Nu Epsilon chapter at Alabama A&M University for federal and state authorities to take over the investigation. Day's mother has previously said she has ordered an independent autopsy to clarify discrepancies.

Said Bolden Day: "Jelani could have been anybody's son. He could have been anybody's brother. He could have been anybody's nephew, your cousin, but he was my son and I want to know what happened to Jelani."

Contact Sierra Henry at 309-820-3234. Follow her on Twitter: @pg_sierrahenry.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
With the first Monday in October behind us, perhaps we can at last put to rest the refrain about how the current term of the U.S. Supreme Court is among the most momentous in history. The courts terms are like presidential elections: Always, history has never seen one as important as the one coming up. But the wordsmith in me is aware that the rhetoric we use when discussing the Supreme Court and its work has scarcely changed in more than a century.

In the summer of 1962, for example, the Los Angeles Times wrote that the justices had just ended their most important term of court in a quarter of a century. Why a quarter of a century? Maybe because exactly 25 years earlier, in 1937, The Associated Press had declared the year just past to be one of the most momentous terms" in Supreme Court history.

Pick whatever date you like. In 1950, a Delaware paper warned that with the rights of accused Communists on its docket, the justices were beginning the most critical term since President Roosevelt introduced his court-packing plan. In September 1934, with New Deal legislation on the calendar, the New York Herald Tribune announced that this would be the most important term of the Supreme Court of the United States in generations. In 1910, with a ruling on the validity of federal antitrust statutes expected, a New Mexico newspaper told readers to prepare for the most momentous term of the United States supreme court since reconstruction days.

The way commentators talk about the significance of pending cases is similarly unchanged. There has never been a more important issue or discussion before that high and powerful tribunal, wrote the San Francisco Chronicle in 1895, shortly before reargument in Pollock v. Farmers Loan and Trust Co., which struck down the federal income tax.

The leftist philosopher and economist Harold Laski warned that the courts 1935 decision striking down the National Recovery Act may well be regarded, a generation from now, as its most momentous decision since the Dred Scott case which, 80 years ago, precipitated the American Civil War. But aside from the fact that the justices swiftly retreated, the Warren Court soon happened, providing plenty of fodder for those at the other end of the spectrum to declare that the sky was falling. Consider the 1964 one-person, one-vote decision, nowadays considered a cornerstone of democracy. Not all the uneducated are among the high school dropouts and the juvenile delinquents, huffed the right-leaning columnist Holmes Alexander. Some are on the Supreme Court.

And so on and so on.

We have been down this road before wrote Justice Neil Gorsuch for a plurality of the court in 2019, referring to the regrettable efforts by prosecutors to try to evade the Constitution by holding what look like trials while giving them other names. But we have been down many roads before, none more than the one along which we declare that this is the most crucial legal moment, the most momentous decision ever. Thats a road weve traveled enough.

Stephen L. Carter is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
WASHINGTON  Gen. Colin Powell was the living embodiment of the American Dream. At a moment when some argue that America is an irredeemably racist country, his extraordinary life offers a very different message for young Americans.

Powell was a patriot, deeply in love with this country. In 1994, he spoke to the graduates at Howard University  one of Americas great historically Black colleges  at a time of racial turmoil on campus. He took the opportunity to remind them they were blessed to have been born in the United States. You have been given citizenship in a country like none other on Earth, with opportunities available to you like nowhere else on Earth, beyond anything that was available to me when I sat in a place similar to you 36 years ago.

Indeed, the only privilege Powell was born with was being an American. He was raised in the South Bronx by immigrant parents who came from Jamaica seeking a better life. They worked in New Yorks garment district  his mother as a seamstress and his father as a shipping clerk. Their son didnt go to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point or The Citadel. He was a C student who attended the City College of New York. But it was there that he discovered the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)  an organization, he said, where race, color, background, income meant nothing.
Heather Bolling of Jacksonsville, the president of the N.C. School Bus Drivers Association, said she is relieved that the strike was averted.

We agreed with the point they are trying to make 100%, Bolling said. A living wage is necessary, and there are some safety issues that need to be addressed.

Striking is illegal, and therefore not the answer, Bolling said.

Like other school districts across the nation, the local district is experiencing a shortage of drivers, putting a strain on employees.

As of Wednesday, the school district had 67 driver vacancies, Campbell said.

Superintendent Tricia McManus had asked the drivers who planned to strike to contact the school district so it could help the children who would have been affected.

Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

Students are at the heart of what we do, and everything we do must be focused on whats best for them, McManus said Monday. A strike will only impede our students ability to get to school and our students need to be in school now more than ever.

Hurting students is never the right way to make a point, McManus said. We should continue working together to find win-win solutions.
RALEIGH  A Black judge went too far discouraging Black residents from avoiding jury duty when one of them cited religion as a reason he should be excused from serving in a trial, the North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.

A majority on the three-judge panel ordered a new trial for Allen Anthony Campbell, who was convicted in Guilford County in 2019 of several motor vehicle violations and pleaded guilty to being a habitual felon. He was sentenced to roughly seven to 10 years in prison.

Superior Court Judge Lora Cubbages comments during jury selection improperly injected race and religion, violating Campbells right to a trial before an impartial jury, Court of Appeals Chief Judge Donna Stroud wrote in the majority opinion.

According to court documents, Cubbage questioned a potential juror who said he would be unable to function as a juror because of his religion. The juror said he was non-denominational. A Baptist.

Cubbage excused him, then told other potential jurors, mentioning African Americans in particular: Every day we are in the newspaper stating we dont get fairness in the judicial system. ... But none of us  most African Americans do not want to serve on a jury. And 90% of the time, its an African American defendant.
"Hy-Vee is not mandating its employees get vaccinated," Potthoff said via email. "At this time, we're trying to be prepared, should this go into effect by the federal government."

Hy-Vee is not the only company preparing for the rule, first unveiled by President Joe Biden on Sept. 9, when he also issued an executive order requiring all federal employees and contractors to be vaccinated. Potthoff said her company has seen copies of communications from several other businesses preparing for the rule to be implemented.

Several local and national employers have gone a step further and enacted vaccine mandates, including Bryan Health, CHI Health, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals and Tyson

The Friday deadline was set for accounting purposes and not to force action, Potthoff said. If a Hy-Vee employee is not vaccinated or does not want to share their vaccination status with the company, their job will not be in jeopardy. And if an employee needs to be tested weekly, should the rule take effect, that will not come at the employee's expense, but Hy-Vee's, Potthoff added.

But that also means the company needs to have some solid numbers to go by.

Until then, and if the rule does not go into effect, Hy-Vee's COVID-19 policy remains status quo.
The Southeast Community College Board of Governors on Tuesday approved $26.5 million in bond sales to fund a residence hall in Lincoln.

With the board's approval, SCC will secure financing later this year as it aims to build the first 250-bed dormitory in Lincoln, long a commuter campus.

During a presentation to the board, Scott Keene, managing director of Piper Jaffray, said SCC would likely go to market after Thanksgiving, which would still allow the college to capture "a very favorable interest rate environment."

SCC will likely be able to secure an interest rate between 2.75% and 3%, Keene told the board.

Previous revenue bond sales done by SCC to fund similar projects in Beatrice and Milford had obtained interest rates between 2.75% and 3.92%.

The bonds would be repaid through revenues collected in room and board costs, student fees and net revenues from the campus bookstore.

While Nebraska law allows community colleges to pay the cost of operating residence halls from their general fund, Keene said recent experiences at other SCC campuses and apparent demand show that won't be necessary.
The high school librarian has her own story to tell.

A story that starts in 2006, when Sara Friest first moved to Lincoln so her husband, Jacob, could pursue his Ph.D. in organic chemistry. The couple had just welcomed their first child, so Sara stayed at home, teaching dance lessons at the local YMCA on the side.

But then, a few years later, her plans changed. Friest's husband was diagnosed with a serious autoimmune disease. He would need a liver transplant down the road.

Sara Friest knew she would have to help support her growing family someday  the couple now has four kids  so the two sat down together and looked up some possible career fields Friest could pursue.

Librarian was on the list.

"I kind of looked at that and I said, 'Jacob! I've always wanted to be a librarian," she said.

So, Sara Friest completed a master's program and went looking for a job. Although she didn't expect to work in a school, she took a one-year position as a library technician at Lincoln Southeast.

"In that first week, I thought, 'This is it. This is what I was meant to do,'" said Friest, who grew up in Pennsylvania. "I always knew I wanted to work with children and youth."
Heres the problem in Lincoln: Revenue from the quarter-cent sales tax approved by voters and enacted in November 2019  just before the pandemic  are rolled in with other revenue sources.

But money from that quarter-cent sales tax can only be used for road improvements.

When revenue losses are calculated without the quarter-cent sales tax revenue, they total $13.5 million, city officials said. When it is included  as the rules now require  the losses total $2.4 million.

The problem, said Sherry Wolfe, the citys budget analyst, is the city lost $8 million in parking revenue, as well as millions in occupation tax revenue the West Haymarket JPA uses to pay off bond debt on Pinnacle Bank Arena and savings it will use for maintenance and upkeep.

Because the quarter-cent sales tax revenue cant be used for either of those, city officials don't think it should be part of the calculation.

Dan Marvin said the losses in parking revenue mean the city cant consider putting a parking garage at 13th and M streets where the old American Charter building sits, even though thats why it bought the lot. Even with money available, it would be several years before the existing building would be taken down.
Colin Powell was a distinguished and trailblazing professional soldier whose career took him from combat duty in Vietnam to becoming the first Black national security adviser during the end of Ronald Reagan's presidency and the youngest and first African American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President George H.W. Bush. His national popularity soared in the aftermath of the US-led coalition victory during the Gulf War, and for a time in the mid-90s, he was considered a leading contender to become the first Black President of the United States. But his reputation would be forever stained when, as George W. Bush's first secretary of state, he pushed faulty intelligence before the United Nations to advocate for the Iraq War, which he would later call a "blot" on his record.
Perre Neilan, a political consultant and lobbyist based in Lincoln, said he didnt see the issue impacting Fortenberrys ability to serve and be reelected.

Nebraskans know Jeff Fortenberry as a man of integrity, Neilan said. His only crime was saying yes when the government knocked on his door and let them in.

Josh Moenning, a former chief of staff for Fortenberry, said the congressman was a "good man and an effective and tireless advocate for the people" in his district.

"I've known him to show only the highest level of regard for the law and every obligation that comes with being an elected official," said Moenning, who was elected mayor of Norfolk in 2016 and reelected in 2020. "Nebraskans continue to elect him, in lopsided margins, because they know him, trust him, and respect his work on their behalf."

Under House GOP rules, Fortenberry will likely have to resign from his committee assignments for the time being. He would be reinstated if he is acquitted, or if the charges are dismissed or reduced. The rule also includes a provision allowing GOP House members to waive that rule with a majority vote.
Nowhere on the uniform does it say Nebraska, he said, but he urged the soldiers to perform your duty, with honor, integrity and knowing that you are representing the people of Nebraska.

It will be the first overseas deployment for the 1057th Military Police Company since it transitioned from a transportation company to a military police company in October 2017.

The unit served during the 2019 flooding in Nebraska, helping rescue 113 people, Bohac said. In 2020, the company provided police support during protests in Omaha and Lincoln.

Bohac said the deployment is a monumental milestone in the companys history, as the 1057th Military Company gets to put their mark in the book and claim their own history.

Like the soldiers he will lead, Baker will leave behind family. It will be his third overseas deployment, but the first since he and his wife, Ashley, married and had a daughter, Lydia, who is 18 months old.

Weve been focusing on getting everything set, and we have a good support system in and around where we live, Baker said.

As a father, he said, he knows hell miss a lot of the changes but plans to use FaceTime and make connections in other ways with his family.
They cultivate and strengthen the unvaccinated movement by the dog whistle of freedom. Politicians say COVID is no more dangerous than the flu for children, yet kids are four times more likely to be hospitalized for COVID.

Politicians have given the stage to people peddling horse dewormers based on a seriously flawed and withdrawn study. They also say that natural immunity is as good as the vaccine when a third of previously infected people do not develop antibodies at all and natural immunity fades faster than vaccinated immunity.

Politicians argue that masking hasnt proved beneficial despite researchers finding that schools without a mask mandate were 3.5 times more likely to have school-associated COVID outbreaks. When confronted with these hard truths in the face of 700,000 dead, politicians then point fingers at Washington. It is difficult not to be flustered with this paradoxical messaging.

Science works, and informed data should be our guide when it comes to public health, not politics. When it comes to messaging, medical professionals adhere to rigorous standards before speaking on a topic with any level of confidence.
In Maryland, her hobby was War of 1812 battlefield archaeology; in Charlotte County, her passion immediately shifted toward its Black history. She posted and published what she learned.

Southern historians were wildly inaccurate in their accounts of Holmes death; Virginius Dabney, in his Virginia, The New Dominion, listed his year of death as 1892. But Liston was just the sort of person Henderson was looking for as she sought to learn more about Jasper and Joseph Holmes. She needed a Charlotte County-based historian. She reached out to Liston.

Liston, in her research, had special access to the court clerks office. Within two days, I had found [the Holmes case indictments] and the original witness statements that were made the night of the murder and the next day at the inquest, she said. Curiously, six pages of what she gathers was an autopsy report were missing.

Brothers John and Griffin S. Marshall  sons of a judge  were changed with murder, along with William T. Boyd and Macon C. Morris. All but Griffin were indicted. All four fled.

The Marshall brothers became successful ranchers; Boyd, a banker and businessman in Tennessee; and Morris, of all things, worked as a policeman in Roanoke, according to Listons research.
Discipline is essential, but it comes after the fact, after the trauma, after the pain. Education, awareness and reform are essential. Students deserve to feel safe, protected by the university and, when properly trained, one another.

The Title IX process by which sexual misconduct complaints are lodged must be as simple and supportive as possible for victims. Law enforcement must be effective, sensitive and credible, providing an environment where victims feel their complaints will be acted upon.

"It's very hard to hold individuals accountable when the survivor does not feel comfortable enough to make a report," Carter noted correctly.

But creating a welcoming environment goes well beyond enforcement and education. It requires enlightenment. And enlightenment rarely happens overnight.

Some programs can be ramped up quickly, but culture changes require time and consistency.

That's why the suspension of Fiji, long enough that if the fraternity returns it will be with entirely new members, is only a start.

The issues of substance abuse and sexual misconduct are inextricably tangled. One can't make progress on one without attacking both. Fiji may be gone, but it will take a lot more work to change the environment that allowed it to rise.

Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
DELAFIELD  If residents around Echo Lake in Burlington want a glimpse of the future, they might find a crystal ball outside Sally Webers house along the Bark River.

Where a dam once impounded the river into a scenic 12-acre body of water, the pond has been drained following a long and contentious fight among neighbors in this Waukesha County community.

The circumstances surrounding the demise of Delafields pond about 10 years ago bear a strong resemblance to Burlingtons dilemma today: Invest millions to save the body of water, or remove an aging dam and let it vanish into the history books.

About 30 miles north of Burlington, the spot where Delafields pond once stood is today filled in with trees, wildlife and other natural beauty. The Bark River, now unobstructed by the dam, flows on past, attracting kayakers and fishing enthusiasts.

Weber, whose mother, Margaret Zerwekh, owned the dam and fought successfully to remove it, says her now-deceased mother was delighted with how the landscape restored itself after the pond was drained.

Zerwekh died in 2018, about six years after the dam was removed.

She was very happy that the river was running free, Weber said. She always said: Now the river is doing what its supposed to do. 

But neighbors who tried to save the pond  much like some Burlington residents hope to keep Echo Lake  are unhappy with how the area has changed since the pond disappeared.

Not only have those neighbors lost the eye-catching views and waterfront fun that comes from having a pond in your backyard, the resale value of their property has declined, in some cases as much as nearly 30%.

Neil Mooers, one of the neighbors who tried to stop the dam removal, said his backyard was much more enjoyable  and valuable  when the pond was there. County tax records show that Mooers property value has dropped $14,000, or about 5%.

The vacant space behind his house now is filled with tall plants and frequently becomes overrun by swarms of mosquitoes.

It doesnt look horrible, Mooers said. But its not what it was.

Other neighbors have welcomed the transformation that has occurred since the dam was removed.

Joe and Cindy Dauer, who live upstream of where the pond existed, say the water quality had deteriorated into a cesspool. The couple opted not to join other neighbors in waging battle against Zerwekh to prevent her from taking down her dam.

Since the pond was drained, the Dauers say, the Bark River is running more smoothly, the water has receded to a more manageable depth, and more fish can be seen swimming by.

The Dauers have installed a deck overlooking the river from their backyard. They enjoy the trees and other natural growth that has sprung up where the pond once stood.

You would never even know it was there, Joe Dauer said of the pond. Everything just grew right up.

Decisions

Burlington has faced a similar decision looming on Echo Lake since 2015, when state regulators determined that Burlingtons old dam was inadequate. Just like Delafield, Burlington must decide whether to upgrade the dam or remove it and let the lake drain into the White River.

Both dams originated as sources of energy during Wisconsins industrial pioneer days in the 19th century.

Unlike Zerwekhs privately owned dam, the dam at Echo Lake is owned by the city. That means Burlington taxpayers are directly responsible for the cost of whatever strategy the city chooses.

An engineering firm has already calculated that dredging Echo Lake would cost $2.5 million to remove decades of sediment and pollution. A study expected to be released in November will outline options and costs for improving or replacing the dam.

The Burlington City Council plans to make a decision by February.

Echo Lake, which is located near the center of town, has been a popular spot for fishing, boating and other activities. The adjacent Veterans Terrace conference center hosts weddings and other events drawn to the picturesque waterfront setting.

At 70 acres, Burlingtons lake is significantly larger than the 12-acre pond that existed on Delafields Bark River.

Cost-benefit and a jury

State regulators in the late 1990s told Zerwekh that her dam  officially known as the Nemahin Roller Mill Dam  was substandard. She later discovered that upgrading the dam would cost $750,000, while removing it would cost just $75,000. What is more, the state Department of Natural Resources had a funding source that would pay the removal costs.

Michelle Hase, a state engineer who worked with Zerwekh on the project, said the property owner decided to remove the dam and let nature take its course on the Bark River and the surrounding acreage, without the intrusion of a manmade barrier.

It became about restoring the river, Hase said. She felt very passionate about that.

Neighbors, however, were not going to give up their pond without a fight.

A half-dozen neighbors joined forces and hired lawyers. They tried to purchase Zerwekhs land. Then they approached the City of Delafield about condemning the property. Finally, they filed a lawsuit and argued that draining the pond would hurt their property values and their quality of life.

A jury in 2012 ruled in Zerwekhs favor, reasoning that she had a right to do what she wanted with her private property.

The neighbor who led the unsuccessful challenge, Gayle Gaborsky, declines to comment these days about the long-ago battle.

County tax records show that Gaborskys house has dropped in value from $773,800 to $551,200  a loss of nearly 30%. Gaborsky has sold the house and bought another one not far away.

Paul Kent, an attorney who represented the neighbors, said the drained lake in 2012 created a muddy mess. But the area has since sprouted many trees and other natural growth.

Im sure it looks better (now) than it did for a while, Kent said.

Delafield City Administrator Tom Hafner said city officials stood behind Zerwekhs rights as a property owner, and he still believes it was the correct decision.

Hafner said he has heard no complaints about nuisances or other problems where the pond once existed. In fact, the city is working on a nearby recreational path that would allow bicyclists and pedestrians to enjoy the newly restored riverfront.

It looks rather nice, he said.

Of the Burlington residents who are working to save Echo Lake, Hafner said he offers one word of advice: Even if it does go away, it might not look so bad.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
RACINE  A large amount of controlled substances, currency and weapons were found after 18 search warrants were executed Wednesday morning in the greater Racine area in an operation involving local, state, federal and out-of-state law enforcement entities, the Racine Police Department reported.

More than 10 people were arrested, Sgt. Chad Melby of the RPD said. According to a Wednesday morning email from Melby, the number (of those arrested) will be different by this afternoon, plus (there is) a lot of evidence to process so we dont have final counts yet.

According to the RPD, an investigation began in November 2020 into violent gang activity, specifically the Gangster Disciples and Vice Lords groups  Chicago-based gangs with nationwide influence.

The investigation targeted illegal gun possession and drug trafficking.

Numerous local and federal law enforcement agencies were involved in the serving of the warrants, which resulted in numerous federal indictments, the police reported. RPD is anticipating additional federal indictments.

The execution of the 18 search warrants is coming after RPDs bust of members of the Bag Boys last week, in which four were arrested and drugs and guns were seized.

Participating agencies in the investigation include the RPD; the FBI; Milwaukee Area Safe Streets Task Force; the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Northcentral High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas; FBI Central Wisconsin Task Force; Racine and Kenosha County sheriffs offices; Mount Pleasant, Milwaukee, Caledonia, and Kenosha police departments; Tennessee Highway Patrol; the United States Attorneys Office (Eastern District of Wisconsin); and Racine County Human Services.

Racine and Kenosha have long been a significant thoroughfare for drugs and related gang activity, largely due to the cities being situated along Interstate 94, which connects Milwaukee and Chicago.

Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
RACINE Eleven Racine residents, plus three others from Kenosha, Milwaukee and the Franksville area of Caledonia, have been charged with moving and selling cocaine and crack cocaine in high volume.

According to police, no force was necessary in making the 14 arrests Wednesday.

Those charged range in age from 23 to 64 and are of various races, even though the arrests were originally reported to be connected to the Vice Lords and Gangster Disciples street gangs, whose members are primarily black.

A federal indictment, announced Wednesday afternoon by Richard Frohling, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, includes charges for the 14 people that include conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms (11 pounds) or more of cocaine, and 500 grams (1.1 pounds) or more of cocaine base in the form of crack cocaine.

According to the United Nations, one pound of cocaine is worth more than $54,000 on the street on average in the U.S. as of 2019, although prices can vary drastically depending on the city and quality of the drug.

Twelve of the defendants were arrested in Racine, Kenosha and Tennessee during the execution of 18 federal search warrants Wednesday morning, law enforcement agencies reported; the other two defendants were already in custody.

According to law enforcement, during the execution of the warrants, multiple firearms and controlled substances were recovered. It has not been shared what specific weapons and drugs were found, although the Racine Police Department did say Wednesday morning that a large amount of controlled substances were recovered.

Who was charged

Gerardo Lara, aka Migo, aka Dineroo, 27, of Franksville

Sarah A. Beckius, 27, of Kenosha

Plaze E. Anderson, 23, of Milwaukee

Jasmine J. Gonzales, 40, of Racine

Debra J. Urness, 42, of Racine

Marquan L. Washington, aka Munch, 30, of Racine

Mario M. Johnson, aka Ro, aka Roegotti, 33, of Racine

Ashley M. Westmoreland, 28, of Racine

Michael D. Hardin, aka Mojo, 33, of Racine

Terry Brumby Jr., aka T-nice, 32, of Racine

Carl Grayson, aka Pops, 64, of Racine

Brian L. Phillips, aka B, aka Brittle, 33, of Racine

Michael A. Wright Jr., 31, of Racine

Jeri L. Balderas, 31, of Racine

Releases from law enforcement did not detail who was arrested where or when, where specifically the 18 search warrants were executed, or the roles in the drug operation of each of the 14 individuals.

11-month investigation

Investigation of the drug operation began in November 2020, according to the Racine Police Department.

Racine Police Chief Maurice Robinson, sworn in as chief in May, said in a statement Tuesday afternoon: This mornings operation was the culmination of almost 12 months worth of investigative work between local, state and federal law enforcement officers to hold members of these two violent organizations accountable. The execution of arrest and search warrants was as close to flawless as any Ive seen in my 19-year career.

It is important to note that the subjects named in the arrest warrants were taken into custody without any force being used. I am extremely grateful for all of the officers involved that made this such a successful operation.

The investigation was led by the Milwaukee Area Safe Streets Task Force, which involves members of the FBI, Racine Police Department, Racine County Sheriffs Office, Mount Pleasant Police Department and Sturtevant Police Department.

The indictment in this case and todays arrests demonstrate the joint commitment of federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat drug trafficking activity by gang members and violent offenders and to improve the quality of life of residents throughout the district, Frohling said in a statement.

Special Agent in Charge Robert Hughes of the MASSTF added: Utilizing joint resources creates the greatest impact in removing violent gangs, guns and drugs from our communities.

According to the Department of Justice: If convicted of the drug trafficking conspiracy, each defendant faces a minimum of 10 years imprisonment with a maximum of life, a $10,000,000 fine, and between 5 years and life on supervised release.

Balderas faces an additional charge of structuring a financial transaction to avoid a reporting requirement, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 5 years.

Many agencies involved According to the U.S. Attorneys Office Eastern District of Wisconsin: "On the morning of October 20, 2021 , law enforcement personnel from the FBI, Racine Police Department, Racine County Sheriffs Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department, Sturtevant Police Department, Caledonia Police Department, New Berlin Police Department, Milwaukee Police Department, the North Central HIDTA, Kenosha Police Department, Kenosha County Sheriffs Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service, simultaneously arrested 12 defendants in the greater Racine and Kenosha areas as well as the State of Tennessee, and executed 18 federal search warrants."

Prosecuting the case will be U.S. attorneys Katie Halopka-Ivery and Bridget J. Schoenborn.

Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
RACINE  A Racine man allegedly crashed into a light pole and threatened to kill a woman.

Cecil Jones III, 57, of the 1800 block of Mead Street, was charged with misdemeanor counts of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence third offense, disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property.

According to criminal complaints:

At 2:14 p.m. on Sept. 7, an officer was sent to Durand Avenue and Memorial Drive for a car that struck a light pole.

Upon arrival, the officer saw the car with heavy front-end damage and an airbag deployed. A man, identified as Jones, was next to the car. He said he was driving the car and he struck the light pole. He claimed the light pole wasnt always there and, instead, was placed there that day. The officer noticed open alcohol containers in the car. Jones told the officer he had one drink earlier in the day.

On Tuesday, an officer was sent to a residence in the 1800 block of Mead Street for an argument.

The officer arrived and heard a man, identified as Jones, yelling loudly and saw he was stumbling and appeared drunk. The officer spoke to a woman who said that Jones arrived drunk and was arguing with her. He then tried to use a steak knife to break the lock of the door of the room she was in. He then kicked the door and allegedly said I will kill you.

Jones was given $1,500 in signature bonds and $400 in cash bonds in Racine County Circuit Court on Tuesday. A status conference is set for Dec. 20 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave., online court records show.
MOUNT PLEASANT  Police are urging residents to empty their medicine cabinets safely on Saturday, Oct. 23 by bringing outdated or unused prescription drugs to a drop-off event.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department, 8811 Campus Drive, will be collecting pharmaceuticals from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in partnership with state and federal authorities.

The Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is designed to keep old or unused prescriptions out of the hands of children or others who might abuse the drugs, and to keep them out of public wastewater systems.

The police will be accepting controlled or noncontrolled prescriptions, as well as over-the-counter medications, ointments, inhalers, patches, non-aerosol sprays, creams, vials and pet medications.

Police said plastic pill bottles should not be collected, but participants may dispose of solid, non-liquid medication by removing the medication from its container and placing it directly into a disposal box or into a clear sealable plastic bag.

Blister packages are acceptable without medication being removed. Liquids, creams or sprays must also be in their original packaging.

To access the drop-off site, use the main driveway entrance on the northwest corner of Mount Pleasant Village Hall.

All waste pharmaceuticals must be generated by a household. No businesses are allowed to participate.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
RACINE  The Racine County Food Bank has joined the Partnership for a Healthier Americas Healthy Hunger Relief initiative to further uplift the health and well-being of the Racine Community, the food bank announced Tuesday.

The Racine County Food Bank will work with PHA, the national nonprofit organization fighting for food equity formed in conjunction with former First Lady Michelle Obama, to address hunger, malnutrition and chronic disease by increasing the supply of healthier options and decreasing the supply of unhealthy options.

PHAs Healthy Hunger Relief partners serve as the foundation of our mission to transform the food landscape in pursuit of food equity, said Nancy Roman, president and CEO of Partnership for a Healthier America in a release. Through our work together, were ensuring that communities and families all across the country have access to healthier, high-quality, culturally relevant and nutritious foods.

The Racine County Food Bank, along with 29 other new Healthy Hunger Relief partners, will receive support from PHA to implement a comprehensive nutrition ranking system, developed by experts at Healthy Eating Research, over the next two years. In addition, PHA will provide technical assistance to help partners understand the nutritional quality of their inventory and make strategic decisions within and across food categories to improve nutritional quality, enhancing food equity for the communities they serve.

The Racine County Food Bank has received $70,000 in grant funding from PHA to establish the foundation needed to implement a nutrition ranking system and to support the distribution of nutritionally dense fresh produce.

RCFB continuously strives to provide healthy, nutritious food to our affiliates, stated Racine County Food Bank Executive Director Dan Taivalkoski. Our partnership with PHA will enable us to increase our capacity for distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables and better monitor the shelf stable products that we purchase to be sure were getting the most nutritional bang for the buck.

PHAs Healthy Hunger Relief initiative currently works with 28 partners, reaches more than 7 million Americans and has introduced 115 million pounds of healthy food into the emergency food system, while removing 19 million pounds of low nutrition food.

By welcoming 30 new partners to the program like the Racine County Food Bank, PHAs Healthy Hunger Relief work will double in reach and span across 18 states, impacting more than 14 million Americans with good food. PHAs Healthy Hunger Relief work is now in 30% of all food banks across the country.

PHA made a commitment last month to provide 50 million servings of vegetables, fruits and legumes to food-insecure families by 2025. PHAs work with its Healthy Hunger Relief partners is part of this broader effort to shift the food supply available in disadvantaged communities as the organization works to improve food equity across the country.

Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
RACINE  Astronomy fanatics interested in seeing the Orionid Meteor Shower this year may or may not be disappointed: experts are saying the sky could possibly be clear but the moon could overpower the shower, while some locals have already reported seeing it Tuesday evening.

However, the glowing, flying light over Lake Michigan may actually have been a Russian satellite crashing back to Earth.

Seeing the spectacle

Some local residents on social media reported seeing a glowing light flying across the sky Tuesday night.

Racine resident Kristen Voss said she saw something passing through the sky at about 11:45 p.m. She had just come back home to her Georgetown residence after going out with some friends.

It was nice out, so I was standing in my backyard, Voss said. I had music on my phone in my garage, and all of the sudden I see this really bright object.

Voss first thoughts were that it could be something burning or a moving airplane. Her husband James thought it might be a fireball.

Voss pulled out her phone to snap some pictures and noticed how slow it was moving. She figured it wasnt a shooting star either because it looked too big.

Initially I said, Oh my God, whats going on? It was so low, Voss said. I got the camera, I could zoom in on the camera and I could tell it wasnt a plane.

It was really amazing because you could see so much of it for so long, Voss said. It was just fascinating. It was kind of cool because how often are you going to see that?

If it were a satellite

At 11:43 p.m. Central time, astronomer and satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell, whos based at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, tweeted that was about the same time a Russian satellite was falling back to Earth.

McDowell said that a Russian reconnaissance satellite, named Kosmos-2551, launched early last month but then failed for some reason. It only weighed about 1,100 pounds, so all of the debris was expected to burn up before reaching the ground.

According to a report from Space.com: A failed Russian spy satellite crashed back to Earth early this morning (Oct. 20), burning up in a brilliant fireball spotted by many observers in the American Midwest. The American Meteor Society has so far received more than 80 reports about the fiery display, from people as far south as Tennessee and as far north as Michigan.

Video posted on social media of the light in the sky in Racine looks similar to videos of the falling satellite shared by people in other states.

Space.com further reported Such incidents are becoming more common as humanity launches more and more satellites to orbit. This satellite boom concerns many experts, who stress that action is needed to make sure the space-junk issue doesnt get out of hand.

If it were a meteor

This year may not be great for seeing the Orionid Meteor Shower due to interference from the full moon, according to a full moon guide from NASA. This shower is expected to be active from Oct. 2 to Nov. 7, peaking the morning of Oct. 21, the day after the full moon.

The Orionids are going to, frankly, suck this year  the moon will be up all night, from sunset to sunrise, NASA meteor expert Bill Cooke told Space.com.

The Orionids are named after the direction from which they appear to radiate, which is near the constellation Orion, the hunter. In October, Orion is best visible around 2 a.m.

According to GlobeAtNight.org, The easiest way to find Orion is to go outside in the evening and look in the southwest sky if you are in the northern hemisphere.

Orionid meteors are visible from anywhere on Earth. After finding the shape of Orion, the meteor showers point of origin will be near Orions sword, slightly north of his left shoulder, Space.com reported.

Taylor Patterson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sullivan, told The Journal Times theres a chance for areas in far southern Wisconsin to have clear skies or partly cloudy skies, which have a better chance of seeing the meteor shower.

The early morning hours, from 1 to 5 a.m., would be that window, Patterson said. There will be some clouds that linger but it shouldnt be completely overcast skies.

And as far as the moon?

If the moon was full yesterday, its probably still going to be full tonight, the faces dont change that quickly, Patterson said Wednesday. It still could potentially impede if its super bright out.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
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

View Results
LINCOLN  Three state lawmakers who represent the Kearney area  Sens. John Lowe of Kearney, Tom Briese of Albion and Dave Murman of Glenvil  are among the 26 who have signed a letter supporting a special session so the Nebraska Legislature can debate banning COVID vaccine mandates.

On Tuesday, Sens. Ben Hansen of Lincoln and Robert Clements of Elmwood delivered a co-signed letter from 26 Nebraska senators to the Secretary of States office to request a special session. Hansen and Clements said there is a growing concern that employers will require their employees to choose between their jobs or being vaccinated without regard to their good faith personal objections.

People have a variety of reasons for not wanting to take the COVID-19 vaccines, including natural immunity, medical conditions, and rights of religious or personal conscience, said Clements and Hansen.

Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

Lowes District 37 includes the city of Kearney; Brieses District 41 takes in most of northern Buffalo County; and, Murmans District 38 encompasses a small part of southeastern Buffalo County.

Murman announced in his weekly legislative column that he opposes vaccine mandates. Murmans column appears on todays Viewpoints, page 4A.
OMAHA  University of Nebraska at Kearney faculty member Liaquat Hossain will be recognized as the Tech Educator of the Year during the annual AIM Tech Awards.

Presented by the AIM Institute, an Omaha-based nonprofit that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion in the tech industry through its education and training programs, the AIM Tech Awards celebrate educators, students, businesses and community leaders for their dedication and contributions to the tech community. This years event will be hosted Nov. 11 at the Omaha Design Center.

Hossain, a Ron and Carol Cope Professor and chair of UNKs Department of Cyber Systems, is one of eight honorees.

The AIM Institute is honored to recognize Dr. Hossains contributions to tech education in Nebraska. Our nonprofit mission to build a thriving tech community where everyone can pursue a rewarding tech career cannot happen without the commitment of educators like him, said Itzel Lopez, vice president of advancement and community relations at the AIM Institute.
This is a great time of year to take a country drive, with the clear roads and the fall colors. You can enjoy a drive and learn about the old country schools in Vernon County at the same time by joining our Rural School Road Rally on Saturday, Oct. 23.

The rally begins at the Seas Branch schoolhouse, located next to Westby Elementary School, 122 Nelson St. in Westby. Seas Branch School was a rural school once located near Avalanche. It closed in 1958, and in 1998 was moved into Westby to the Westby Area Schools property and restored.

Pick up a map of the rally route (through northwestern Vernon County) at the school between 9 a.m. and noon. A donation of $10 to participate is requested. Then drive the route and discover a few more of the many country schoolhouses still standing today.

For added fun, answer road rally questions and turn in your responses at the Foreaker School, 606 W. Broadway, Viroqua, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday. The Foreaker was another rural school, once located in town of Liberty. After it closed in 1960, the schoolhouse was purchased by the county and moved into Viroqua. The Vernon County Historical Society restored it and now operates it as a rural school museum and classroom learning experience.

If you dont get the quiz done on Saturday, there will also be a drop box for responses available outside the Foreaker School until 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 24. Those with correct answers will be entered into a drawing for our new book, Country Schoolhouses of Vernon County, Wisconsin.

If you are just interested in the book, stop by the museum sometime soon to see a copy. The book sells for $20, plus $5 shipping if you need it mailed. Books are available for sale at the museum during regular fall hours, which are Monday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m., through the end of October. Winter hours of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, noon to 4 p.m., begin on Nov. 1.

Books can also be purchased from our online bookstore  go to our website at vernoncountyhistory.org, and either look for the announcement on the home page, or click on Bookstore in the index on the left.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
In a few weeks  Nov. 7 at 2 a.m. to be precise  most of the nations clocks will be turned back an hour as we return to standard time.

The extra hour of daylight that weve experienced since March 14 as part of Daylight Saving Time will go away and we will be plunged into darkness.

While there are some states  Arizona and Hawaii along with some of our Amish neighbors  that remain on standard time year-round, the rest of us engage in the twice yearly time trick. Seems like just when our circadian sleep cycle is getting normalized and weve located the last of the digital clocks that need to be changed, were changing them again.

There is a small corner of my world that has remained on standard time for the past year. In my basement office theres a wall clock that I never got around to springing forward in March.

Attribute it to a combination of procrastination and a little bit of laziness because I need a stepladder to reach the clock. In the past, I have stood on my swivel office chair to reach it, but at least Im getting a little smarter.

The computer automatically changes time and since no one else uses that room much, its been a Hardie Standard Time holdout. Every so often I glance at the clock and figure Ive got plenty of time to get stuff done and I end up getting nothing done because Im already behind. And Im comfortable with that.

This concept of adding additional daylight in the summer to save energy is really a farce because its shown to not do that anymore with the prevalence of air conditioning.

Its also a myth  I learned from History.com  that farmers are responsible for changing the clocks. The agriculture industry was opposed to the time switch when it was first implemented on March 31, 1918, as a wartime measure.

If you asked most cows, they would lift their tail to the time change as well. While many cows are now milked three times a day, many are still on a twice-a-day schedule. Anytime you mess with that time, the production is impacted.

When you delay the sun rising, you also mess up the natural rhythm of the day. The grass is wetter for another hour and some jobs dont start until daylight. Sundials tell real time all of the time

Studies have also shown that time changes affect peoples rhythms as well. Our internal body clocks settle into normal sleep patterns and cycles that are disrupted enough already by aging bladders, binge-watching and late-night doom scrolling. We dont need artificial time changes to mess it up even more.

Even worse, it can be harmful to your health. Entrepreneur.com interviewed a Finnish doctor who said the rate of ischemic stroke was 8% higher during the first two days after a time change.

But even if you dont blow a gasket, the time change is simply depressing. The transition to standard time is likely to be associated with a negative psychological effect, as it very clearly marks the coming of a period of long, dark and cold days, Soren Ostergaard, associate professor of clinical medicine at Aarhus University in Denmark told Entrepreneur.

Trust me. Scandinavians know a little something about long, dark winters.

Ill probably have to change my office clocks batteries soon anyway, but at least Hardie Standard Time will be in sync again.

Whether that contributes to any increase in productivity remains to be seen.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Sen. Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska), Rep. Jill Billings (D-La Crosse), and Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Secretary Emilie Amundson participated in a child care workforce listening session at the La Crosse Chamber of Commerce and a child care roundtable hosted by The Parenting Place in La Crosse .

After the Tuesday roundtable, Pfaff issued the following statement:

The economics of child care are not working for parents or providers. Its cost-prohibitive for families, and there arent enough providers or good-paying jobs in the industry to meet high demand.

Our children are our future. Their wellbeing is our primary concern. Parents should not have to choose between putting food on the table and high-quality care for their children.

This crisis doesnt just affect families: child care workers have been underpaid, unseen, and undervalued for far too long. We need to invest in our local care economy so that facilities can hire competent and compassionate caregivers and pay them a fair wage.

For every dollar spent on early childhood, we recoup that money in the form of lower health costs, higher income, and higher education rates. Common sense solutions like investing in care provider grant programs will lower the out-of-pocket cost for consumers and keep the doors open for facilities across the state.

Its time to start looking at child care as a common good that every working family should be able to afford. I want to thank The Parenting Place and the La Crosse Chamber for facilitating these important discussions.

Pfaff represents the 32nd Senate District, which includes La Crosse, Vernon, Crawford, and southern Monroe County. He recently launched a campaign for Congress in the 3rd District.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
A village of Trempealeau police officer has been cited for failure to yield the right-of-way after a two-vehicle collision Monday.

According to the Trempealeau Police Department, the officer was on duty driving a marked police vehicle when the collision occurred at the intersection of 3rd and Fremont street. The department says the crash occurred after the officer failed to yield at a stop sign.

One person was transported by Tri-State Ambulance to a hospital in La Crosse for minor injuries.

The police department says it wont release the names of the people involved in the crash until next of kin have been notified and upon approval of police chief Timothy Moen.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation and is being handled by the Trempealeau County Sheriffs Office.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
A Merrimac man has fulfilled a deferred prosecution agreement after being charged in February 2020 with child abuse and the mistreatment of animals, leading to dismissal of the entire case.

Dick H. Harrison III, 34, had initially faced more than 13 years in prison and up to $40,000 in fines for two felony counts of child abuse and two misdemeanor charges of intentionally mistreating animals by causing their death. Those charges were reduced to one felony count each and misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and intentionally mistreating animals.

As part of the agreement, Harrison entered a no contest plea to the misdemeanor charges a year ago. Sauk County Circuit Court Judge Patricia Barrett ordered the agreement in October 2020 and stipulated that Harrison remain out on a new signature bond of $1,500, which allowed him to have contact with the child involved as long as it was not violent and to possess dogs.

The bond allowed for Harrison to kill an animal in self-defense per state statute, but otherwise prohibited him from executing any dogs himself. Barrett ordered that any dogs taken from Harrison and kept at the Sauk County Humane Society or other location be released back to him.

The case stems from a complaint made by a teenager. According to the criminal complaint, the child told Sauk County Sheriffs Office deputies that Harrison had slapped and threatened him and that Harrison had shot and killed two brindle plott hounds. The teen said multiple shots were taken because the dogs didnt die immediately.

The child told deputies where to look for the dogs bodies which were recovered. A necropsy by the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed the dogs had died due to gunshots to the head.

According to court records, Harrison fulfilled the deferred prosecution agreement Oct. 13 and Barrett dismissed the charges.

Follow Bridget on Twitter @cookebridget or contact her at 608-745-3513.
PANEL DISCUSSION: Lancaster Moravian Church, 227 N. Queen St., will host an exhibit and panel discussion about the prison system and ways to improve it at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The topic will be Issues Surrounding Reentry. The presentation, which is free, is also available via Zoom. Information or to participate in discussion: 717-397-9722; pastor@lancastermoravian.org.

FISH FRY FUNDRAISER: The East Cocalico Lions Club will host a drive-thru fish fry 3-6:30 p.m. Friday at Reamstown Memorial Park, 319 Wabash Road, Ephrata. The meal includes fried fish, french fries or baked potato and coleslaw. Cost is $9. All proceeds benefit the community. Information: 717-336-5311.

CARD PARTY FUNDRAISER: The Millersville Womans Club annual card/game party will be held Tuesday at St. Philip the Apostle Church, 2111 Millersville Pike. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and games begin at 7 p.m. The event features door prizes, special raffles, desserts and beverages. Cost is $10 per ticket, which can be purchased at the door. Attendees are invited to bring cards, board games and mahjong. Proceeds will benefit local students. Information or to purchase advance tickets: 717-397-7965.
An Amish couple was killed and their eight children were injured after their horse-drawn buggy was rear-ended on Sunday night in Virginia, according to the Associated Press.

Barbara S. Esh, 37, and her husband, John M. Esh, 39, were traveling in their buggy with their children on Cumberland Road (Route 45) in Cumberland County, Virginia, on Sunday evening when a pickup truck hit the back of the buggy, according to the Farmville Herald.

Barbara died at the scene of the crash and John died Monday at a hospital, according to the AP. According to the couples obituary, John was born in Loganton, Clinton County, and Barbara was born in Christiana. Both were members of the Old Order Amish Church.

The Esh's children ranged in age from nine months old to 16 years old and were taken to the hospital for treatment, the AP reported. As of Tuesday evening, two of the children have been released.

The driver of the truck was identified as Mickel Bates, 60, of Farmville, Va., the Farmville Herald reported. Bates initially continued driving and then returned to the scene a short time later.

Virginia State Police told the Farmville Herald that the buggy had the required triangle placard on the back of the buggy. The horse survived its injuries.

Bates was not injured in the crash, the Farmville Herald reported. Police said charges are pending.

A funeral service will take place at the home of Melvin King in Farmville, Va., on Thursday. The couple will be buried in the Farmville Amish Cemetery.

A GoFundMe has been created by a relative to pay off the remaining mortgage of the family's farm and for other expenses. As of Wednesday afternoon, it raised just over $32,000 of its $160,000 goal.
A Berks County man was sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison by the U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Leeson for committing an armed bank robbery in Lancaster County in 2019.

Richard Garland Jones, 24, of Reading pleaded guilty in March to an indictment charging him with stealing approximately $117,000 from the Univest Bank and Trust Co. on 4250 Oregon Pike in Brownstown in April 2019, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Jones robbed the bank at gunpoint while Thomas Isaiah Walker, who also pleaded guilty in March, drove the getaway car. Jones gun turned out to be a pellet gun, according to police.

Police arrested Walker after he crashed the getaway car and caught Jones after a foot chase that went on for about a quarter of a mile. Officers found Jones with the $117,000 in cash, the pellet he had used in the robbery and other evidence.

Jones sentence includes five years of supervised release after he is out of prison. Walker was scheduled for sentencing Wednesday but his case is under seal, according to court records.

This may not be common knowledge so it bears repeating: robbing a bank  armed or not  is a serious federal crime which will result in a significant prison sentence for everyone involved, Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Williams said in the release. In this case, the defendants may have been after easy money, but Jones is now losing years of his life to a federal prison sentence. It is not worth it.

The West Earl Township Police Department, the Akron Borough Police Department, the East Cocalico Township Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.
Khali Truitt said he was working at the iColor cellphone repair kiosk on Sunday afternoon when he saw five males begin to jump another male a few feet away from him. The male being attacked, who was accompanied by a friend, tried to pull a gun, Truitt said.

Truitt, 26, said the male being jumped wasnt the first to shoot. Instead, one of the others shot the male, prompting him to start firing back. Truitt immediately took cover on the ground, he said.

Outside, after the shooting had occurred and bystanders began to run from the mall, a small group of Boy Scouts at a volunteering event in the old Sears Auto Center helped at least 100 fleeing people take shelter, according to Matt Adams, CEO of the Pennsylvania Dutch Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

There was a lot of quick thinking by the Scouts and the adult volunteers, Adams, 48, said. They were helping, just trying to keep people calm and let them know theyre in a safe place.

Both accounts provide more detail to a story of a chaotic scene at the mall Sunday and how bystanders intervened in the midst of the confusion.

Police said the shooting, which left four injured, began after two males who knew each other fought over a gun one was holding before the armed male, identified by police as a 16-year-old from Lancaster city, fired at least two shots.

Police said an armed bystander with a legally owned and carried gun, who had been in a nearby store, approached the scene and fired shots at the people fighting.

Truitt heard but could not completely see the bystander shooting, he said. A video obtained by LNP | LancasterOnline shows Truitt taking cover behind a store counter before being beckoned away by a man holding a gun, whom Truitt said was the armed bystander. Truitt told the armed bystander he was going to render first aid to one of the people shot after hearing the injured person pleading for help, he said.

In a different video, Truitt is seen providing first aid to an injured male on the ground, using the males T-shirt to apply pressure to a wound. Truitt said the male had been shot in three places but was bleeding out of his face the most, so he applied pressure there.

Police said those shot included the 16-year-old suspect, two other men who were fighting over the gun, and a woman who had been walking through the mall with her family and was hit in the arm. None of the injuries were life-threatening, and two of those shot have already been released from the hospital, police said.

As of Tuesday, no one had been formally charged in the shooting, though the 16-year-old remains hospitalized and in police custody.

Fewer than 10 Scouts, from different troops in the county, were at the volunteering event on Sunday, Adams said. Volunteers handed out water and kept those sheltering updated on what they were hearing about the shooting, he added.

Truitt returned to work Tuesday and said hes not scared but is trying to be more aware of his surroundings.

I kind of stared everybody that was walking by me down, just being as vigilant as I can be, because I obviously wasnt too vigilant on Sunday, he said.
A Lebanon County woman who police say systematically abused and tortured her five children pleaded guilty to all charges against her on Wednesday.

Stephanie Duncan, who graduated from Manheim Central High School in 1996, entered an open plea, meaning there is no plea agreement for the length of her sentence, PennLive reports. She faces a maximum sentence of 288 years in prison and up to $65,000 in fines.

She will be sentenced on Dec. 22.

Her husband, Robert Duncan, was sentenced last week, according to PennLive. He will serve six to 30 years in prison.

Stephanie Angelette Duncan (whose maiden name was Witman), 42, and Robert Duncan, 44, were charged in January after their 11-year-old boy was rushed to Hershey Medical Center on Jan. 12. The boy was found unresponsive and hypothermic and had bruises covering his body, according to the Lebanon County District Attorney's office.

Investigators later learned he was forced to sleep on a cold, concrete floor in an empty room that was locked from the outside, wearing only a diaper.

The boy was one of five children who were adopted and subjected to the Duncans' abuse, Lebanon County district attorney Pier Hess Graf said after charges were filed, adding that the 11-year-old was abused the worst. Stephanie Duncan was the primary abuser, the children told investigators.

The children told investigators the Duncans had video cameras installed in every room and would monitor the footage day and night, according to the district attorney's office. The children would be punished for things like sleeping in a position the Duncans deemed inappropriate and would be made to run in place for hours.

When Stephanie Duncan found the boy unresponsive in his room on Jan. 12, she smacked him, grabbed him by his neck and dragged him up the stairs to a bathroom, according to the district attorneys office. She forced him into the shower, but he was unable to stand, the district attorneys office said. She tried to force him to eat, but he vomited.

PennLive reported that the children told investigators that the 11-year-old was rarely let out of his room and was given very little food and water. His food was mostly peanut butter, oatmeal and carrots. The boy was given less than a bottle of water a day, according to the report, sometimes being made to drink the cat's water.

While locked in the room, the boy was often forced to urinate in the room, the district attorneys office said. Afterward, the Duncans forced him to clean it with bleach and then run in place as the bleach dried.

The boy would go for days at a time without water  one time when he was caught stealing water from the sink, Robert Duncan choked him until he fell over and gasped for air multiple times, the district attorneys office said.

The Duncans "created a household of unspeakable fear, violence, torment, and abuse," Hess Graf said.

Hess Graf said the Duncans also regularly punched and strangled the four boys, the children told interviewers. The youngest child, a 6-year-old girl, was often smacked in the mouth.

The children said that while the three oldest were abused the most, the 11-year-old was their first target and suffered nearly daily abuse, the district attorneys office said.
Khali Truitt was going about his business during a typical shift on an otherwise normal Sunday inside Park City Center.

Truitt, 26, was working at the iColor cellphone repair kiosk when the day's normalcy was shattered  gunshots rang out, sending the mall, its shoppers and its employees into chaos.

Police said the shooting, which left four injured, began after two males who knew each other fought over a gun one was holding before the armed male, identified by police as a 16-year-old from Lancaster city, fired at least two shots. Other then reportedly jumped into the fray.

"Everybody was just running around screaming like a bunch of cockroaches, and I was just trapped in my stand," Truitt said. "I wasn't going to get up, because if I would've got up, somebody might've missed a shot."

Truitt's description of events tells a different story.

Truitt said he was working when he saw five males begin to jump one male a few feet away from him. The male being jumped, who was accompanied by a friend of his, tried to pull his gun out to get the others off him, Truitt said.

Truitt said the male being jumped wasnt the first to shoot. Instead, one of the others shot him, prompting the male to start firing back at them. Truitt immediately took cover on the ground, he said.

During that initial scuffle, police said an armed bystander with a legally owned and carried gun, who had been in a nearby store, approached the scene and fired shots at the people fighting.

Truitt heard but could not completely see the bystander shooting, he said. A video obtained by LNP | LancasterOnline shows Truitt taking cover behind a store counter before being beckoned away by a man holding a gun, who Truitt said was the armed bystander.

Before beckoning Truitt, the man could be heard yelling Roll over on your stomach! Now!, at a male lying on the ground in the walkway of the JC Penney wing.

Truitt told the armed bystander he was going to render first aid to one of the people shot after hearing the injured person pleading for help, he said.

"I feel like I didn't really feel much," Truitt said. "I just knew I needed to keep my head down, and then after everything was settled and done, I just kind of kicked into autopilot and I was like, 'alright, I need to see if anybody needs help.'"

In a different video, Truitt is seen providing first aid to the male on the ground, using the males T-shirt to apply pressure to a wound. Truitt said the male had been shot in three places but he was bleeding out of his face the most, so he applied pressure there.

"I look at the guy, and I'm like, 'OK, so what do you want me to do? I don't have anything to put pressure on with.' And he goes, 'use my shirt,'" Truitt said. "So I tear off his jacket, take off his shirt, putting pressure on his wounds and just waiting for an ambulance and police to arrive."

Truitt added that as he helped the male, he told him what he was going to do knowing that the male was probably tense after the situation unfolded.

Police said those shot included the 16-year-old suspect, two other men who were fighting over the gun, and a woman who had been walking through the mall with her family and was hit in the arm. None of the injuries were life-threatening, and two of those shot have already been released from the hospital, police said.

As of Wednesday morning, no one had been formally charged in the shooting, though the 16-year-old is hospitalized and in police custody.

Despite the chaos the unfolded feet from his stand, Truitt felt he handled the situation well.

"I'm used to doing, like, airsofting and stuff, which I know isn't like, the same, but I'm used to being in somewhat hostile environments," he said.

Truitt returned to work Tuesday and said hes not scared or paranoid but is trying to be more aware of his surroundings.

I kind of stared everybody that was walking by me down, just being as vigilant as I can be, because I obviously wasnt too vigilant on Sunday, he said.
The historic Almshouse building in Lancaster Township is back in public hands after some 15 years of private ownership.

The state bought the 15-acre property for $3.5 million in September on behalf of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, officials confirmed. The schools main campus is across South Broad Street from the 1801 building that was originally called the Lancaster County House of Employment.

Pedro Rivera, president of the college, said the property will help the schools further expansion.

While we are in the very early planning stages for the property, we consider this location to be ideal to support program expansion, workforce development and community engagement, Rivera said in an emailed statement.

Before 2005, Lancaster County had been a longtime owner of the land on East King Street, where local officials provided services to the areas poor or disenfranchised under different iterations  the Almshouse being the oldest.

The House of Employment was the first use of the building, according to the Edward Hand Medical Heritage Foundation. It was an early version of a taxpayer-funded institutionalization of the poor, according to a 2017 report to the foundation.

Edward Hand, a local dignitary who served in the American Revolution, co-founded the House of Employment.

By 1805, other buildings were added to the property to serve more people, including a county hospital. Another building, called the New Insane Asylum, was completed in 1899, according to the Medical Heritage Foundation.

Several historical buildings were razed after 1969, when the county opened Conestoga View nursing home. The nursing home has since been sold into private hands and most recently renamed to Lancaster Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

The Almshouse, a two-story limestone building, has been renovated and repaired many times over the years, but it maintains many characteristics from its original form, according to newspaper archives. It served most recently as offices for the Lancaster County Children and Youth Social Service Agency until 2015.

A web of owners

The commonwealth purchased the property from Michael and Patricia DArcangelo of Dresher, according to property records.

Michael DArcangelo is the sole corporate officer, according to state business records, of Dresher-based Complete Healthcare Resources, the company that previously owned and operated Conestoga View nursing home.

DArcangelo did not return a call seeking comment Tuesday.

His involvement in the property goes back to 2005, when DArcangelos signature was on the countys $8 million sale of the property to a limited partnership called S&P Real Estate Co.

Peter Licari, who was president of Complete Healthcare when the company took over Conestoga View, signed off on a subdivision plan in 2008, which divided the nursing home property into three lots.

Those three lots had traded hands several times between Peter and Susan Licari, and the DArcangelos, property records show.

LNP | LancasterOnline could not find contact information for the Licaris, who live in Montgomery County, records show.

Through S&P Real Estate Co., D'Arcangelo in April sold the nursing home property for $29.8 million to a limited liability company associated with Imperial Healthcare Group, the facilitys new operator.

A 12-acre parcel east of the nursing home is still owned by the DArcangelos, property records show.

Preserving the Almshouse

Following its lawsuit against county officials who sold the property and nursing home to S&P Real Estate, the Lancaster City and County Medical Society in 2007 secured the right from the new owners to create and manage a museum at the Almshouse. That never materialized.

The Medical Society did not respond to a call seeking comment Tuesday.

But Peter Licari in 2007 agreed to an easement on the property that prevented any owner of the Almshouse from razing the building or changing the exterior, according to property records.

Officials at Thaddeus Stevens havent provided any specifics about what they may do with the Almshouse, but Riveras statement suggests the land and Almshouse building will be overseen again by a public institution for some time.

We consider this location to be ideal to support existing program expansion, workforce development, and community engagement, Rivera said.
WASHINGTON (AP)  More than a year after arson destroyed a Navy warship, service leaders said Wednesday they are making changes and increasing oversight to correct widespread failures that led to the scrapping of the USS Bonhomme Richard.

I see the loss of the Bonhomme Richard as preventable and wholly unacceptable. The Navy is taking a hard look at our shortcomings, said Adm. Bill Lescher, vice chief of naval operations. He said it was not just happy talk.

A new system of unannounced inspections has begun, Lescher told reporters, and disciplinary options are being considered for what a review concluded were widespread lapses in training, coordination, communication, fire preparedness, equipment maintenance and overall command and control.

We are serious in doing thorough analysis to understand and improve the Navy, were holding leaders accountable for the deviation from standards that we see, and were on a clear path to drive learning and correction, he said.

A report obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday found that while the fire was deliberately set as the 840-foot (256-meter) amphibious assault vessel was docked in San Diego for a $250 million upgrade, it was lost due to repeated failures by an inadequately prepared crew unable to extinguish the blaze.

Navy leaders said Wednesday that a key finding showed that Navy crews are highly capable of fighting shipboard fires while at sea and in combat, but those skills decline when ships are docked for maintenance. The Bonhomme Richard was undergoing maintenance at the time of the fire.

Where weve missed the opportunity is those high-risk situations in the maintenance environment or in the pierside environment where we have reduced manning in off hours or we have equipment that is unavailable due to maintenance or equipment that has been moved, said Rear Adm. Paul Spedero Jr., who led a broad review that studied 15 shipyard fires over the past 12 years.

As a result of the review, he said crews will now be tested, trained and certified when they go into a maintenance phase, to ensure they are aware of the safety risks and how to mitigate them.

Vice Adm. Scott Conn., who led the review into the Bonhomme Richard fire response and wrote the final report, said changes, including increased training, must be made from the commanders down to the sailors on the deck.

In times of crisis or combat, individuals or organizations are not going to rise to the level of our aspirations, theyre going to fall back to the level of training. And we need to ensure that our training is setting our people up for success, said Conn, deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting,

The Navy has set up a Learning to Action Board that will put in place recommendations from the report and other reviews. The Naval Safety Center, which has been led by a one-star admiral, will be headed by a two-star admiral and will have expanded staff and responsibilities.

The center has already done more than 170 unannounced or short-notice assessments of Navy units to ensure they are meeting safety standards.

Retired Navy Capt. Lawrence B. Brennan, a professor of international maritime law at Fordham University in New York, said the findings point to issues that the Navy has known about for decades.

You can blame all the individuals you want but these are systemic problems, he said. Ships in the shipyard do not have adequate personnel or firefighting equipment to respond to the probable casualty. And this has been a long-standing problem.

He said the loss of the Bonhomme Richard should force the Navy to better prepare its sailors to recognize the risks when a ship is docked. Its easy to spend time focusing on the arson allegation but that should not have resulted in the loss of any warship of this size, he said.

Another maritime expert, Rod Sullivan, called the findings chilling for anyone who has served on a ship where fire is considered the worst enemy.

If youve been on a ship and read this report, youre astounded by the level of the lack of preparedness and by the ineffective action taken by anybody in the Navy to fight the fire, Sullivan said.

The report spread blame across a wide range of ranks and responsibilities, from the now retired three-star admiral who headed Naval Surface Force Pacific Fleet, Vice Adm. Richard Brown, to senior commanders, lower ranking sailors and civilian program managers. Seventeen were cited for failures that directly led to the loss of the ship, while 17 others contributed to the loss of the ship. Two other sailors were faulted for not effectively helping the fire response. Of the 36, nine are civilians.

The report directly faulted the ships three top officers  Capt. Gregory Thoroman, the commanding officer; Capt. Michael Ray, the executive officer; and Command Master Chief Jose Hernandez  for not effectively ensuring the readiness and condition of the ship.

When the fire broke out, about 115 sailors were on board,. Nearly 60 were treated for heat exhaustion, smoke inhalation and minor injuries. Due to the damage, the Navy decommissioned the ship in April. In August, Seaman Apprentice Ryan Mays was charged with aggravated arson and the willful hazarding of a vessel. He has denied setting the fire.

Fully repairing the USS Bonhomme Richard to warfighting capabilities would have cost $2.5 billion to $3 billion and taken five years to seven years, according to the Navy.



Associated Press writer Julie Watson in San Diego contributed to this report.
PHILADELPHIA (AP)  Prosecutors pursuing the case against a man accused of raping a woman on a commuter train last week dont anticipate charging fellow passengers for not intervening, a spokesperson for the suburban Philadelphia district attorney said.

Its still an open investigation, but there is no expectation at this time that we will charge passengers, said Margie McAboy, spokeswoman for the Delaware County District Attorney's office.

In an emailed statement, District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said prosecutors want witnesses to come forward, rather than fearing prosecution, and said, Pennsylvania law does not allow for the prosecution of a passenger who may have witnessed a crime."

Authorities continue to investigate the Oct. 13 attack, where a woman was repeatedly touched and groped over the course of a 40-minute ride despite trying to push 35-year-old Fiston Ngoy away, according to an arrest affidavit that detailed the surveillance footage from the train.

Investigators say Ngoy ripped the woman's pants off and proceeded to rape her for somewhere between six and eight minutes before officers boarded the train and detained him.

Police declined to say how many passengers may have witnessed the assault, but have said it appeared that some held their phones up in the direction of the assault seemingly to film the attack. Police have also declined to say whether investigators have found any photos or videos of the attack posted online.

Requests by The Associated Press for surveillance video from the Oct. 13 attack on the Market-Frankford line have been denied, citing the ongoing criminal investigation. It remains unclear whether passengers actually witnessed or recorded what happened on the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority train.

SEPTA spokesman Andrew Busch said Wednesday that at points during the rape, there were passengers standing or sitting nearby, though he couldn't guess whether any understood the serious nature of the situation.

Chief (Thomas) Nestel made his best estimate that 10 people were walking through, sitting or standing near where the attack was occurring at points throughout the assault, Busch said. Our hope is that people will realize when they see this type of activity, whether they fully understand it or not, that they will push the emergency call button or call the police. There really was no way to not see it even if they didn't fully understand."

Legal experts said unrelated passengers dont have a legal duty to intervene under Pennsylvania law.

Unless they have a legal duty to intervene, like a parent for their child, a person cannot be prosecuted for sitting back and doing nothing, said Jules Epstein, a law professor and director of advocacy programs at Temple University Beasley School of Law.

Doing nothing may be morally wrong, but in Pennsylvania, without that special duty relationship, it is not legally wrong," Epstein said.

Busch said the employee who called the police, entered the train car after the assault had begun, but his call meant police had an opportunity to arrest Ngoy.

Without that call, the suspect might have been able to just walk off the train and we would still be looking for him, Busch said.

SEPTA's police chief, Nestel has said Philadelphia 911 did not receive any calls about the attack. He said Monday operators at Delaware County 911 were still researching whether it received calls.

Ngoy is charged with rape and related sexual assault offenses. He was being held on $180,000 bail, awaiting an initial appearance scheduled for Oct. 25. Attorney Mary Elizabeth Welch confirmed the Delaware County Public Defenders office is representing Ngoy, but said she could not comment on the case Wednesday.

Court records show Ngoy has a history of arrests and convictions under at least three names in Washington D.C., Philadelphia and suburban Southeastern Pennsylvania counties including public intoxication, defecating or urinating in public, public disturbance and other charges.

In D.C., Ngoy pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual abuse in November 2017 under the name Jack Falcon, after police said he groped two women on the street near a homeless shelter where he was staying.
Three Republicans and one independent candidate are running for Lancaster city council this year. Theirs are longshot bids in the countys most populous municipality, where Democrats dominate the citys elected offices thanks to an overwhelming voter registration margin.

The three incumbent Democrats running for reelection are Council President Ismail Smith-Wade-El and council members Faith Craig and Janet Diaz. Lochard Calixte is running for the seat opened up by Pete Sotos decision to forgo another race.

The GOP challengers are Ethan Brown, Elizabeth Elias and Dena Maounis.

A third party candidate, Joey Dastra of the Gold Goose party, is also running. Dastra formed the party this year with a platform centered around resource management and sustainability. His campaign message is a mix of good government promises, reforming the Lancaster Police Bureau and making improvements to the citys parks. Dastra is a 2018 McCaskey graduate and is often a vocal participant in city council meetings.

Here is a look at the candidates:

Name: Ethan Brown

Age: 23

Party: Republican

Campaign website: None listed

Occupation: Closing Assistant with Fulton Mortgage Co.

Brown did not respond to LNP|LancasterOnlines questions.

Name: Lochard Calixte

Age: 50

Party: Democrat

Campaign website: lancastercitydemocrats.com/2021-general; his Twitter handle is @CalixteLochard

Occupation: Retail Worker

Calixte said after moving from Haiti to Lancaster, he received lots of support from the community.

Now I feel that it is my responsibility to give back to the city I love, he said via email. Im also running because Lancaster is a city known all across the world for welcoming immigrants, but Id like to start seeing more of those immigrants making decisions that will help those who seek a new life here.

He says affordable housing, public safety/policing and government access are the issues most important to him.

On policing, he said police are currently being asked to take on too much.

We ask them to be therapists, social workers, marriage counselors when the job they signed up for was to help prevent and solve crime, he said. I would support more funding for social workers who cannot only deal with situations that dont represent immediate threats to public safety (drug issues, domestic disturbances, mental health episodes) but also end up freeing up police to deal with the true threats to our safety.

Name: Faith Craig

Age: 62

Party: Democrat

Campaign website: lancastercitydemocrats.com/2021-general

Occupation: Incumbent Council Member and Salon Owner

Craig said she is standing for reelection because after serving three years on council I want to continue working for the people in Lancaster city.

She said that the issues most important to her are community policing, diversity training, community/police engagement and affordable housing.

We need to improve community engagement with the police so we can build better relations, she said. I think once we start (making improvements), not that they havent already, but we have to consistently improve on those improvements theyve made and continue to make more.

On fixing the citys budget issues, she said nonprofits need to do more to help alleviate the tax burden.

Increasing payments in lieu of taxes agreements would be nice, but it would help if some of the nonprofits were to contribute what they would be paying in taxes, she said. Honestly, I dont see funds coming from anywhere else.

Name: Joey Dastra

Age: 21

Party: Gold Goose

Campaign website: Goldgoose.party

Occupation: Staging Technician for Tait Towers

Dastra, the youngest council candidate, said city government needs an outsider to help drive the public discourse on the long-term development of Lancaster and how we can make it more equitable for working class families and the diverse communities of color that call Lancaster home.

The issues most important to him are increasing government transparency/public engagement, and the economic and environmental sustainability of Lancaster.

Dastra echoed Mayor Danene Soraces call for the state to revamp municipal revenue raising options.

The long-term goal is to work with the state government to amend the 3rd class city code that Lancaster has to operate under, he wrote. This will give us more control over taxation, fees, and overall legislative powers which will offer the city alternative ways of generating revenue and providing services without overburdening middle to low-income households.

On addressing homelessness in the city, he said early intervention should be the approach the city takes.

Ultimately, the data shows that a housing-first approach is the most cost-effective in the long run and that is what I will advocate for on behalf of the existing unhoused population, he said.

Name: Janet Diaz

Age: 55

Party: Democrat

Campaign website: janetdiazforpa.com

Occupation: Incumbent Council Member and Stroke Registrar

Diaz is seeking reelection because she said she wants to continue serving her community and ensuring the government is accountable to the people.

I have held the city accountable to the Spanish-speaking community when little progress was made in the investigation of a shooting, she wrote. I fought against water shutoffs for low-income communities when the citys communication plan did not reach all residents.

She said that fiscal responsibility, public safety and trust, housing and economic development are the issues most important to her.

Asked what her vision for growing the economy of the city is, she said the city could improve outcomes citywide by connecting displaced workers with new opportunities, equipping people with the skills they need to succeed, revitalizing distressed areas, and supporting union labor workers in transition.

And on police reform, Diaz said she does not support defunding the police, but that reforms like recruiting college-educated officers and culturally relevant training for recruits, as well as increasing training hours overall, would be positive reforms.

Name: Elizabeth Elias

Age: 55

Party: Republican

Campaign website: None listed

Occupation: Regional Clinical Director

Elias said she is running as a Republican for council because she is a committed, determined and caring woman who has a desire to see Lancaster city incorporate some conservative values to sustain the next generation.

She said that working in social services in Pennsylvania for the past 30 years has given me a unique perspective and experience that would lend itself to city council, and she specifically noted her work with victims of domestic violence, children and youth, sexual offenders, persons with mental and physical disabilities and individuals with substance use disorders.

She also says her work as a real estate agent has led her to see first hand how the housing crisis has impacted the community.

I have had the opportunity to work with many Lancaster City residents and look forward to continuing to maneuver through the current housing marketplace, She said.

Name: Dena Maounis

Age: 35

Party: Republican

Campaign website: facebook.com/DenaForUnity

Occupation: Business Analyst

Maounis said watching the ups and downs of her fathers city-based small business, Franks Place, is part of her inspiration for running for city council

My dad created a community within his restaurant. He served people no matter where they were at in their life, she said. That is the attitude I want to bring to city council.

She said that domestic violence (including emotional abuse), homelessness, financial literacy and social services are the issues most important to her.

On homelessness, she said the first step is to treat the homeless like humans. Unfortunately, the system continue(s) to shut doors in peoples faces when they do seek help.

To tell someone to call a hotline isnt enough; trust is built when we meet people where they are, she said. A soldier who has served our country for our own freedom shouldnt be on the streets or a homeless man with two kids trying to get into a shelter shouldnt be turned away. I would be committed to working with organizations who help serve the homeless population, as well as the local business community, to help find solutions that work for everyone.

Name: Ismail Smith Wade-El

Age: 31

Party: Democrat

Campaign website: facebook.com/ismailsmith4lancaster

Occupation: Incumbent Council President and Specialist for LancCoMyHome

Smith Wade-El said that the past three years in which he has served on council have been an inflection point for society, and there is an opportunity to pivot, to prioritize new approaches to housing, public safety, and good government.

The work is not done, and I intend to keep pushing on it, with the power of Lancaster Citys voters behind me, he said.

What is most important to him is housing, public safety and economic justice.

On policing, he said accountability and addressing the disrespect and mistreatment identified by the community are immediate needs.

We also need to reduce what we ask our police officers to do, and enact structural changes from department policy to the countys emergency dispatch system, he said. In the long-term as a city (and as a county), we need to move more spending to addressing inequality, the social determinants of health, and the social predictors of crime. This will allow us to reduce our reliance on policing to address social issues, as the diversity and depth of situations that we ask the police department to address often puts officers and community members in difficult and dangerous situations.
Its yet again time to run out and buy some candy as Dauphin County gears up to celebrate Halloween.

Dauphin Countys 40 municipalities spread out their trick-or-treat night across the Halloween weekend. Residents are encouraged to turn their porch light on to receive trick-or-treaters on the designated night.

A few municipalities do not designate a trick-or-treat night because the area is too rural for the traditional door-to-door festivities.

Heres when trick-or-treat night is for Dauphin County municipalities:

Thursday, Oct. 28 6-8 p.m.

- Halifax Borough

- Harrisburg City

- Highspire Borough

- Londonderry Township

- Lower Swatara Township

- Lykens Borough (rain date: Oct. 29)

- Middletown Borough

- Millersburg Borough

- Royalton Borough

- Steelton Borough

- Upper Paxton Township

- Wiconisco Township

- Williamstown Borough

- Williams Township

Friday, Oct. 29 6-8 p.m.

- Halifax Township

- Reed Township

Sunday, Oct. 31 6-8 p.m.

- Conewago Township

- Dauphin Borough

- Derry Township

- East Hanover Township

- Elizabethville Borough

- Gratz Borough

- Hummelstown Borough

- Lower Paxton Township

- Middle Paxton Township

- Paxtang Borough

- South Hanover Township

- Susquehanna Township

- Swatara Township

- Washington Township

- West Hanover Township

No set trick-or-treat night

- Jackson Township

- Jefferson Township

- Lykens Township

- Penbrook Borough

Trick-or-treat night not publicized

- Berrysburg Borough

- Mifflin Township

- Pillow Borough

- Rush Township

- Wayne Township
When: Manheim Township school board work session meeting, Oct. 14.

What happened: Elizabeth Ziegler, college and career counselor, and Mark Evans, high school counselor, gave an update on Chapter 339 Career and Technical Education Standards, a K-12 Guidance Plan that Pennsylvania requires for all school districts. The Manheim Township School District College, Career, Life Ready program, with a Profile of a Graduate, begins with four steps, which ask students to know who they are by identifying their interests, skills and strengths; exploring careers, educational opportunities and jobs in demand; planning by setting goals, choosing courses and joining activities that help them prepare; and executing by using knowledge, skills and dispositions developed to put the plan into action.

Conclusion: All students will need to complete a Manheim Township High School Career Readiness Portfolio and earn a Manheim Township endorsement by meeting four of the following five requirements: Grade point average, attendance, skills/dispositions, letter of recommendation or evaluation from a teacher/employer and experiential learning.

Numbers: Assistant Superintendent Dale Reimann discussed demographic data for the district, with 5,957 students currently, 43 more than last year at this time. In the past 28 years, the highest enrollment was 5,977 in 2019-2020; lowest, 4,356 in 1993-94. Seventh, eighth and ninth grades are the largest. Of the 824 students who live in the district but do not attend Manheim Township schools, 629 are at private/parochial schools, 103 are homeschooled, 86 attend a cybercharter school and six students attend a charter school.

Details: Board President Nikki Rivera asked if there were any red flags. Reimann said cybercharter enrollment dropped by 34 percent from last year, when it was high due to the pandemic.

Religion: Superintendent Robin Felty reviewed the Bible2School program, with 66 second- to fourth-grade students from Bucher, Neff, Nitrauer, Reidenbaugh and Schaeffer Elementary schools enrolled for one hour - during lunch and recess  on Tuesdays from September to April, for a total of 36 hours per school year. Students are transported to nearby churches for the program.

Response: Adam Hosey, who is running for school board on the Democratic ticket, objected to the program. Morally, its not a good thing to have in our schools.

Other citizen comments: LaTricia Morris, a parent, objected to the districts mask mandate because it interferes with learning and student relationships. Relationships are pivotal, she said. Kids need and deserve them. Thats how they learn compassion. They need to connect as human beings. Theyre in a downward spiral, with mental and social problems.

Also: Lucas Welch, a Manheim Township High School senior, said he would like to go back to the previous scale used to determine grades, which was 50 percent summative (testing), 45 percent formative (assessment for learning) and 5 percent homework. He said now it is 70 percent summative, 25 percent formative and 5 percent homework.

Also: A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at the new Middle School from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 19 and livestreamed at https://youtube.com/c/manheimtownship.
When: Donegal school board meeting, Oct.14, high school auditorium. (Timothy G. Markovits and Patrick Mitchell were not in attendance, nor did they attend virtually.)

What happened: President Oliver C. Overlander III reminded the audience that school board meetings fall under the state Department of Healths mask policy reach. Masks were provided at the doors to the auditorium for attendees. A small number of people refrained from wearing them. Overlander added that if the mask policy is successfully challenged through the court system, the board will revert to the districts health and safety plan passed before the start of the 2021-22 school year, allowing parents to decide whether their children will wear masks.

Quotable: We dont want masks for our children. This board is united in our thinking. We want our kids to learn, and we want our educators to teach, not police masks. The board is trying to do the right thing, Overlander said.

Discussion: Board members Ron Melleby and Linda Good both expressed that whether the mandate is lifted by the state or is lifted through litigation, the switch should be implemented immediately for all buildings. However, board member Dr. Lisa Albert pondered how the district should approach a situation in which masks are made optional and then cases spike in the district buildings. She weighed the options of reintroducing the mask mandate, in such a case, or switching over to a virtual distance learning mode.

Public comments: Bonnie Ikler gave an impassioned plea against following the mask mandate in schools, saying, Masking of our children is disgusting.'' She spoke out against how the policy is being enforced by district staff: Are teachers mask Nazis? Its like Nazi Germany. She wrapped up her comments by linking the notion of complying with the mask mandate to working in a concentration camp during the Holocaust. Iklers daughter, a freshman at Donegal High School, followed her mothers lead and spoke on how she was sent home on the first day of the policy implementation for her refusal to wear one.

Whats next: Overlander warned those in attendance that if the mask policy is not respected during the meeting, the board would need to switch the November meeting to a virtual meeting. He added, This is not the path we want to take as a school board. Overlander mentioned the districts hands are tied, as officials are simply complying with the mandate. Overlander reminded residents that if meetings do go the virtual route, public comments will need to be submitted prior to the forum actually occurring.
Two items in the news have me concerned. One is restricting a womans right to a first- or second-trimester abortion. Those who want to restrict an abortion to the first six weeks of pregnancy seem to believe it is the right of the state (most recently, Texas) to take control of a womans body and make health decisions for her.

Simultaneously, many Republican governors and other Republican politicians are decrying President Joe Biden's vaccination mandates and Gov. Tom Wolfs school mask mandate as government overreach, arguing that individuals should have control over their own bodies and health decisions.

Why is it appropriate for one health decision (abortion) to be made by a government body, but another (government-mandated vaccination), to be considered overreach?

Now, of course, some readers will say, it sounds like this writer is both for abortion rights and for vaccination and mask mandates. Isnt that having it both ways, too?

The difference is obvious to me. Whether or not to have an abortion is a private matter. The public is unaffected by a woman choosing an abortion. Rejecting vaccination or mask mandates interferes with the publics health and well-being by prolonging the pandemic-related societal health and economic consequences.

William Bauer

West Donegal Township
LAFD Women Firefighters Group: Chief Ignored Abuse Reports, Should be Removed

A coalition of women firefighters at the Los Angeles Fire Department today called for Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas to be

removed for allegedly ignoring allegations of sexism, harassment and abuse endured by women at the department.

In a letter to Mayor Eric Garcetti, the Los Angeles Women in the Fire Service alleged that Terrazas has ignored, downplayed, denied or actively obstructed any investigation into the cultural problems with LAFD.

The association said in the letter that exclusion of women and minority firefighters at the department begins in the hiring process and at the academy, where they have to exceed the standards in order to meet them. It becomes far more insidious when we reach our first assignments as probationary firefighters when we are given the grim choice to silently endure the abuse or give up on the idea of a successful (or any) career, the letter said.

The alleged abuses include harassment, including in the form of feces spread around the womens restroom; male firefighters exposing themselves and saying this is what a fireman looks like; racist objects inside the fire station; and racist and sexist comments and physical violence, according to the letter to Garcetti.

In a statement to City News Service, Terrazas said he met with the association on Thursday and discussed collaborative initiatives to protect and enhance our work environments, including updating the departments Disciplinary Penalty Guidelines, having department-wide messaging occur more frequently and providing specific training to improve the workplace culture. I respect the LAWFS and all our other fire service organizations and

will continue to have open communication and meetings to move forward together, Terrazas said. Garcetti stood behind Terrazas in a statement to City News Service, saying he has full confidence in the fire chief.

Chief Terrazas has done an excellent job leading and rebuilding our fire department during some of our toughest days ever and I have full confidence in him. He and the entire LAFD leadership know that I have zero tolerance for sexism, racism, or harassment in our firehouses or any other workplace  and I expect them to act with urgency when any allegations of abuse are brought to their attention, Garcetti said.

The experiences that some firefighters have stepped forward to report are sickening and completely unacceptable, and I am working closely with the chief and others in this conversation to accelerate transformative, institutional reforms to bring about the fundamental change we all recognize needs to exist everywhere in this city and in this department.

ADVERTISEMENT

On Monday, Los Angeles Women in the Fire Service President Kris Larson, who has served the LAFD for 31 years, held a news conference with representatives from Equity on Fire, Womens March Action, California National Organization of Women and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Southern California. Larson alleged that Terrazas brushed off the incidents as one-offs

or pockets.

Our leaderships apathy, dismissiveness, inaction, has allowed a bullying culture to grow and develop within the department with disastrous results, Larson said. Those who are courageous enough to file complaints are faced with retaliation, hazing and retribution at their assignment. The Los Angeles Fire Departments Acting Pubic Information Director Cheryl Getuiza said in a statement: The Los Angeles City Fire Department takes all complaints seriously and investigates them upon notification. Disciplinary action will occur if the preponderance of evidence indicates that the misconduct occurred.

However, if the Department is not made aware of a complaint, we cannot address it and take appropriate action as needed. Furthermore, the Chief does not ignore any incidents of misconduct and encourages Department members to report all allegations of inappropriate behavior.

Lauren Andrade, an 18-year veteran of the Orange County Fire Authority, spoke as a representative for Equity On Fire, a coalition aimed at addressing systemic discrimination within fire departments. She said that an LAFD firefighter, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was raped by another firefighter inside a fire station.

I have chosen to remain anonymous because I know the pain that will come with the exposure. Ive been told theres nothing more than I can do. Its his word against mine. A man, 15-year veteran versus me, a rookie and female, the woman said through Andrade.

Andrade did not disclose details about the alleged rape, but said it happened in either 2016 or 2017. She added that she believes someone else other than the victim reported it and that there was knowledge that it happened.
LAPD Vehicle Involved in Crash in Downtown L.A.; Four Injured

A traffic crash involving a Los Angeles police vehicle in downtown Los Angeles today left four people injured, one seriously, authorities said.

The crash was reported about 10:50 a.m. at Fifth and Los Angeles streets, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Two officers were taken to a hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries, the LAPD reported. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, one person suffered serious injuries and three suffered minor injuries. The circumstances of the crash were under investigation.

ADVERTISEMENT
Lewes Beach Renamed to Honor Former Black Business Owner

An eastern Delaware town has voted to change the name of one of its Delaware Bay beaches in honor of a former Black business owner.

The beach in Lewes, formerly named Beach 2, will now be called Johnnie Walker Beach after the African American business owner who created a welcoming atmosphere for Black families during the years of segregation in the 1950s and 1960s. The name change was prompted by recommendations from the African American Heritage Commission.

Im just excited that weve gotten to this point, and Im thrilled with the emotional response from it, Kay Carnahan, the Parks and Recreation commissioner who spearheaded the change, told The News Journal. I thought I was just asking for a name, and I was very amazed at what this has really meant to this community.

ADVERTISEMENT

Johnnie Walkers restaurant was an open pavilion which often featured live music and offered Back families a place to find connection in their community, according to reporting from The News Journal.

There was a separation, but you didnt even think about it, said the Rev. George Edwards, chair of the African American Heritage Commission, in an interview with the News Journal. I was happy here.

The city and chamber of commerce plan to update all maps and brochures before the 2022 beach season starts. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is also looking into recreating the Johnnie Walker pavilion on that beach, according to Lewes Mayor Ted Becker.

The African American Heritage Commission is also working with the citys Parks and Recreation Commission and the Lewes Historical Society to create a state historical marker for the beach.

According to the News Journal, Carnahan said she hopes the commissions can set up displays at the beach so that visitors can learn more about the towns history.

This was such a resilient community, she said during a city council meeting last week. Thats what I think wed like the story to tell.

ADVERTISEMENT

Beach 1, slightly west up the shore from Johnnie Walker Beach, is also getting a new name. The beach is situated at the end of East Savannah Rd. and so the Lewes City Council decided to name it Savannah Beach.
The title of this post is the title of this notable new paper now available on SSRN authored by Robert Mikos and Scott Bloomberg. Here is its abstract:

Over the past twenty-five years, states have developed elaborate regulatory systems to govern lawful marijuana markets. In designing these systems, states have assumed that the Dormant Commerce Clause (DCC) does not apply; Congress, after all, has banned all commerce in marijuana. However, the states reprieve from the doctrine may soon come to an end. Congress is on the verge of legalizing marijuana federally, and once it does, it will unleash the DCC, with dire consequences for the states and the markets they now regulate.

This Article serves as a wake-up call. It provides the most extensive analysis to date of the disruptions the DCC could cause for lawmakers and the marijuana industry. Among other things, the doctrine could spawn a race to the bottom among states as they compete for a newly mobile marijuana industry, undermine state efforts to boost participation by minorities in the legal marijuana industry, and abruptly make obsolete investments firms have made in existing state-based marijuana markets. But the Article also devises a novel solution to these problems. Taking a page from federal statutes designed to preserve state control over other markets, it shows how Congress could pursue legalization without disruption. Namely, Congress could suspend the DCC and thereby give state lawmakers and marijuana businesses time to prepare for the emergence of a national marijuana market. The Article also shows how Congress could make the suspension temporary to allay any concerns over authorizing state protectionism in the marijuana market.
In this post a couple of months ago, I noted Justice Thomas's five-page statement respecting denial of cert in Standing Akimbo v. US questioning whether the Raich decision upholding federal power to prohibit all marijuana activity is still good law. As noted in this recent Marijuana Moment article, headlined "SCOTUS Justices Marijuana Comments Should Help Federal Prisoner Win Freedom, Attorney Says," a high-profile federal prisoner is now using this statement to support his argument for a sentence reduction. Here are the details:

Lawyers for a man serving time in federal prison for operating a state-legal medical marijuana dispensary are making the case that a U.S. Supreme Court justices recent statement denouncing the inconsistencies of federal cannabis policy underscore the need for the relief to be granted to their client.

Luke Scarmazzo, who was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison while acting in compliance with Californias marijuana laws, filed a motion for compassionate release in June. And his legal team recently submitted a supplementary brief that cites statements from one of the Supreme Courts most conservative justices, Clarence Thomas.

While the high court recently declined to take up case related to an Internal Revenue Service investigation into tax deductions claimed by a Colorado marijuana dispensary, Thomas issued a statement that more broadly addressed the federal-state marijuana disconnect.

Now, Scarmazzos team is arguing that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California should take the justices comments into account when considering his motion for compassionate release.... The crux of the new brief from Scarmazzos lawyers concerns Thomass statement in the unrelated IRS case.

Attorneys asserted that the justices comment is an acknowledgement by the highest court in the land of the monumental change that has occurred throughout the nation in the attitudes and laws governing marijuana, and therefore provides further, compelling, support to the extraordinary and compelling reason the defendant should be eligible for Compassionate Release based on a change in law.

While Justice Thomass opinion does not embody the resolution or determination in a specific case, his opinion rests upon a solid foundation and is no less applicable to the Defendants case, it continues. Thomas felt compelled under the circumstances to expound upon the history and current state of the federal prohibition on cultivation and use of marijuana, the many changes to the laws at the state level, and the contradictory federal marijuana policy that are virtually unsustainable at this point.

This court should join the majority of District Courts who have granted Compassionate Release when the law has changed, and reform has occurred. Since the long sentence is not consistent with the current state of law, or the sentences imposed upon his co-defendants, and since he may provide life saving support to his father, Mr. Scarmazzo should be granted compassionate release.
The question in the title of this post is prompted by this new Hill piece headlined "Crist says as Florida governor he would legalize marijuana, expunge criminal records." Here are excerpts:

Rep. Charlie Crist (D-Fla.) on Thursday said that he would expunge criminal records of those facing certain marijuana-related charges and legalize the drug if he is elected the governor of Florida. Let me be clear: If Im elected governor, I will legalize marijuana in the Sunshine State, Crist said in a video posted on his Twitter on Thursday. This is the first part of the Crist contract with Florida.

Crist, who is running for the Democratic nomination to take on Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in 2022, discussed different elements of his gubernatorial platform focused on racial equity in the state, including expunging criminal records for those who have received marijuana-related charges, specifically third-degree felonies and misdemeanors, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

The former Florida governor and Senate hopeful also said that he was in favor of decentralizing the marijuana industry, allowing people to personally grow marijuana plants. He noted that money made through marijuana sales would fund things such as drug treatment programs and police agencies, according to the news outlet.

Crist, who was a Republican while he was in the governor's mansion from 2007 to 2011, acknowledged that his stance, among others, had changed on marijuana use. As governor, he had signed harsh anti-marijuana legislation, which included targeting growing the plant.

His comments were criticized over Twitter by Democratic opponent Nikki Fried, who is also running to take on DeSantis. The state Agriculture commissioner, who has been previously supportive of legalizing marijuana and was a former marijuana lobbyist, according to Tallahassee Reports, accused him of imitating her political stance.

Imitation is flattery, but records are records. People went to jail because Republicans like @CharlieCrist supported and enforced racist marijuana crime bills. Glad he's changed his mind, but none of those people get those years back. Legalize marijuana. #SomethingNew, Fried tweeted.

Crist last year voted to end marijuana from being prohibited and criminalized federally. We know that people across racial and income levels use marijuana at the same rate. And yet, for decades, it's been poor, Black, and/or Hispanic folks targeted for prison on marijuana charges, Crist said in a statement in December. That tells me that marijuana has been legal now for a while if you had the right skin tone or the right paycheck.
Researchers have found that about 321,000 undocumented and asylum-seeking children from Central America went to American schools from 2017 to 2019. The research was by the Rand Corporation, a nonprofit group based in California.

During that same time period, the United States saw a large increase in undocumented immigrants entering the country through the southern border, mostly from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, the study says. The report estimates that 491,000 of the immigrants who remained in the United States were children, meaning just 65 percent enrolled in school.

About 75 percent of the 321,000 students went to school in 10 states: California, Texas, Florida, New York, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Georgia and Louisiana.

When inside the country, U.S. federal law guarantees children an education without considering their immigration status.

U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said he supports undocumented students right to a public education. That is a contrast from former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who testified to Congress that school districts should be able to decide whether to report undocumented students to immigration officials.

Cardona said in an interview with Newsweek that when there are students that are here that need to be educated, we have an obligation. Whether or not that means they have different rights, I'll leave that to others. But when it comes to education, every student should get an education when they're here.

Many states offer different levels of support to immigrants, both documented and undocumented, as well as to refugees. That can affect the quality of their education argue the Rand researchers.

Some states give students more financial aid while some limit enrollment based on age. Some states give undocumented students access to lower in-state tuition to public universities, but others do not.

Undocumented, asylum-seeking and refugee students face great difficulties while seeking an education. They can face trauma, language barriers, culture shock and a lack of basic needs like food and shelter. Some have never had a formal education.

The Rand research focused on two districts that serve a large population of undocumented and asylum-seeking students: Jefferson Parish Schools in Louisiana and Oakland Unified School District in California. Both districts faced teacher and worker shortages. But the study noted several ways the districts were able to meet the challenges faced by that population of students.

The two districts provided language supports to students and families, and guaranteed in-person enrollment. The districts also hired workers to help students with social and emotional needs.

Many districts were not ready for the increase in undocumented students, the researchers say. Rand estimates that 2,000 more teachers and workers were needed in the seven states with the largest number of new students to keep classes the same size. The study also points to a need for more teacher training, mental health services and funding to districts with growing numbers of immigrants.

The pandemic slowed all immigration to the United States in 2020, the study noted. But the U.S. has experienced an unprecedented number of migrants at the southern border this year, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters in August. In addition, President Joe Biden has also asked Congress for funding to resettle 95,000 Afghans by September 2022.

Leslie Villegas is an education researcher with The New America Foundation. She said that fewer than half of U.S. states track students with limited formal education, who are often undocumented immigrants and refugees. Without that information, Villegas said, it can be hard to know what sort of resources districts need to support those students.

Often, these are kids who have experienced trauma and face real barriers in how they interact with the education system  if theyve ever interacted with the education system at all, she said.

Im Dan Novak.

Dan Novak wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Susan Shand was the editor.

Quiz-Study Says Undocumented Students Need More Help Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

_______________________________________

Words in This Story

undocumented  adj. not having the official documents that are needed to enter, live in, or work in a country legally

enroll  v. to enter (someone) as a member of or participant in something  usually + in

obligation  n. something that you must do because of a law, rule, promise, etc.

trauma  n. a very difficult or unpleasant experience that causes someone to have mental or emotional problems usually for a long time

interact  v. to act together : to come together and have an effect on each other




North Korea on Tuesday fired at least one long-distance missile which South Koreas military said was likely designed to be launched from a submarine.

The launch of the missile came after South Korea successfully tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile, or SLBM, last month.

South Koreas Yonhap news agency reported that the missile flew about 430-450 kilometers, reaching a height of 60 kilometers. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that North Korea launched a ballistic missile from waters near the eastern port of Sinpo. But it did not say whether the missile was fired from an underwater structure or a launch area above the surface.

Sinpo is a major center for North Koreas defense industry where the country builds submarines. In recent years, North Korea has also used Sinpo to develop ballistic weapons systems designed to be fired from submarines. There have also been signs that North Korea is trying to build a larger submarine that would be able to launch more than one missile.

North Korea last tested an SLBM in October 2019. It fired a Pukguksong-3 missile from an underwater launch structure. But the North has not shown that it can fire an SLBM from a submarine.

Leif-Eric Easley is a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. He said, North Koreas SLBM is probably far from being operationally deployed with a nuclear warhead, but (North Korean leader) Kim cannot politically afford appearing to fall behind in a regional arms race.

Other experts say that it would take years for North Korea to build submarines that could operate quietly and effectively execute strikes. Such an effort would require large amounts of resources and major technological improvements.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command stated that North Koreas latest launch did not present an immediate threat to U.S. troops, territory or allies.



Last month, North Korea claimed that it successfully tested a new hypersonic missile. The state-run Korean Central News Agency, or KCNA, released a picture of a test launch of a missile called the Hwasong-8. A hypersonic missile can fly very fast and very low making it harder for missile defense systems to recognize and defend against.

South Korea is also starting a major defense modernization plan. The plan calls for several new missiles, fighter jets and the nations first aircraft carrier. Later this week, South Korea is expected to launch its first space rocket developed in the country.

Calls for talks

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said tensions on the Korean Peninsula were at a critical stage. He called for renewed efforts toward a diplomatic resolution of the issue.

South Korea and the United States have repeatedly offered to restart nuclear talks with North Korea also known as the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea or DPRK.

Sung Kim is the U.S. diplomat for North Korea. He said Monday, To reach this objective, we will seek diplomacy with the DPRK. The aim, he said, was to reduce tension and increase the security of the U.S. and its allies.

We harbor no hostile intent towards the DPRK, and we are open to meeting with them without preconditions, he added.

In a speech last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un rejected those offers. Recently, the United States has frequently sent signals that it is not hostile to our state, but its behaviors provide us with no reason why we should believe them, Kim said.

Im Jonathan Evans.

Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English with reporting from AP and VOANEWS. Mario Ritter Jr. was the editor.

____________________________________________________

Words in This Story

ballistic missile n. a weapon that is shot through the sky over a great distance and then falls to the ground and explodes

afford v. to be able to pay for something

regional adj. something that happens in only in an area such as a part of a country or a part of the world

critical adj. extremely important or serious

stage n. a point in the development of something

harbor v. to have something in ones mind for a long time

intent n. the thing that you plan to do or achieve : an aim or purpose

frequently adv. happening often

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.


A government plan in Vietnam calls for the countrys use of coal for electricity production to increase by 100 percent by 2030.

The development plan was created by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. It was recently sent to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh for approval.

The proposal signals Vietnams willingness to become more dependent on coal to power its fast growing economy.

Under the plan, coal-powered plants would produce 31 percent of the countrys electricity planned for 2030. The total amount called for would be about 144 gigawatts of power.

Reuters saw a copy of the proposal, called the Power Development Plan. Officials from Vietnams Ministry of Industry and Trade did not return requests from the news agency seeking comment about the plan.

Vietnam has a population of 98 million people. It is seeking to increase its power production to support the growth of large companies. Several major electronics manufacturers have bases in Vietnam, including South Koreas Samsung and LG.

The plan is based on estimates that Vietnam's gross domestic product (GDP) will increase at a yearly rate of 6.6 percent between now and 2030.

The country will need to invest $116 billion in new power plants and power equipment expansions leading up to 2030, the plan states. By 2045, the investment is estimated to reach $227 billion.

Natural gas, including liquefied natural gas, would make up 22.4 percent of completed capacity by 2030. That compares to 13 percent at the end of 2020.

In addition, non-hydroelectric renewables will increase to 25.7 percent of the energy mix by 2030. That is about the same amount measured at the end of last year. But the report calls for raising this proportion to up to 41.7 percent by 2045.

Hydroelectric power would decrease in the energy mix to about 20 percent by 2030. That compares to about 30 percent at the end of last year.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said last week that the government would also seek more sustainable forms of energy as the countrys supplies of oil, gas and coal shrink.

"As a developing country that is still facing numerous difficulties, Vietnam is building a harmonious and balanced roadmap for a sustainable energy conversion," Chinh said in a statement.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Reuters reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. 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

gigawatt  n. a unit of power equal to one billion watts; a watt is a measure of energy

gross domestic product (GDP)  n. the total value of the goods and services produced by the people of a nation during a year not including the value of income earned in foreign countries

capacity  n. the largest amount or number that can be held or contained

proportion  n. a part of the total number or amount

sustainable  adj. involving methods that do not completely use up or destroy natural resources

fossil fuel  n. fuels such as coal, oil, or natural gas formed in the earth from dead plants or animals

harmonious  adj. friendly and peaceful

convert  v. to change the appearance, form or purpose of something
A new United Nations climate report predicts Africas rare glaciers will disappear in the next 20 years.

The report, called State of the Climate in Africa, was released Tuesday by the U.N.s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and other agencies. It warns that climate change will be the cause of the disappearing glaciers in eastern Africa.

The report warns that the shrinking glaciers at Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Kenyas Mount Kenya and the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda are signs of widespread climate change to come. If the current shrinking rate continues, it will lead to total deglaciation by the 2040s, the report says.

The report notes that last year was Africas third warmest on record. Data shows temperatures on the continent were 0.86 degrees Celsius higher than the average in the 30 years leading up to 2010.

The WMO warns that Africas 1.3 billion people remain extremely vulnerable as the continent keeps getting warmer at a faster rate.

Petteri Taalas is Secretary-General of the WMO. He said in the report the shrinking of the last remaining glaciers in Africa signals the threat of irreversible change to the Earth system.

Massive displacement, hunger and increasing climate events such as droughts and flooding are likely to continue, Taalas said. He added that the lack of climate data in parts of Africa is having a major impact on disaster warnings for millions of people.

Taalas said there is a great need for investments in Africa to develop systems and technology to help the continent deal with the effects of climate change. The money could be used to improve early warning systems and build equipment to better observe weather and water movements.

The report was released ahead of a major U.N. climate conference set to begin October 31 in Glasgow, Scotland.

It also came as African countries are demanding a new system to follow financing from wealthy nations that are failing to meet a $100 billion yearly target to help the developing world fight climate change.

The demand shows the tensions that exist over climate change policies between the worlds 20 largest economies and developing nations. The worlds wealthiest nations produce about 75 percent of all carbon emissions. But Africas 54 countries are responsible for less than 4 percent of the emissions.

Estimates of the economic effects of climate change differ across the African continent. But the report suggests that in sub-Saharan Africa, climate change could further lower gross domestic product (GDP) by up to 3 percent by 2050.

Josefa Sacko of the African Union Commission writes in the report: Not only are physical conditions getting worse, but also the number of people being affected is increasing.

Sacko added that by 2030, up to 118 million people living on less than $1.90 a day will be exposed to drought, floods and extreme heat in Africa if preventive measures are not put in place.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press, Reuters and the WMO reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English. Hai Do 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

glacier  n. a large mass of ice that moves very slowly, usually down a hill of valley

vulnerable  adj. easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally

irreversible  adj. not being able to change something to the way it was before

drought  n. a long period of time during which there is very little or no rain

impact  n. the effect a person, even or situation has on someone or something

emission  n. the act of producing or sending out something (such as energy or gas) from a source

gross domestic product (GDP)  n. the total value of goods and services a country produces in a year




It has been one month since the Cumbre Vieja volcano began bursting on the Spanish island of La Palma. The eruption forced Culberta Cruz, her husband and their dog from their home. Today, they are living in a small vehicle as they wait to be able to safely return home. They see no end of their situation in sight.

"I'm tired, so tired ... but who are we to fight against nature?" the 56-year-old Cruz said.

Cruz and her husband, banana grower Tono Gonzalez, must remove volcanic ash from their vehicle each day. The volcano continues to burst.

"One day it's exploding there, the other a vent opens here, it's just anguish and living in fear, waiting and praying for it to stop erupting. And it's a lot of sadness for those who lost their homes," she added.



Red-hot lava, or liquid rock, has covered almost 800 hectares of land. The lava has destroyed about 2,000 buildings and many banana-growing areas. The volcano started erupting on September 19. More than 6,000 people on La Palma have had to leave their homes. The island is one of Spains Canary Islands. The island group sits off the coast of northeastern Africa.

Volcano experts have said they cannot predict for how long the Cumbre Vieja volcano will keep releasing extremely hot liquid rock.

After being ordered to evacuate, Cruz and Gonzalez first stayed at a family members farm. They later took their vehicle to a parking area. There, they could get fresh water and a bit of electricity. They are now looking into a temporary place to live that permits animals.

"We don't know when it's going to stop, that's the problem," Gonzalez said. "This is nature and we have to deal with it, it's bigger than us."

Im Ashley Thompson.

The Reuters news agency reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for VOA Learning English. Susan Shand was the editor.

__________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

eruption - n. the action of sending out rocks, ash, lava, etc., in a sudden explosion

vent -n. an opening through which air, steam, smoke, liquid, etc., can go into or out of a room, machine, or container

anguish - n. extreme suffering, grief, or pain

evacuate - v. to remove (someone) from a dangerous place

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.
In a negative pressure room, the air pressure inside the room is lower than the air pressure outside the room. This means that when the door is opened, potentially contaminated air or other dangerous particles from inside the room will not flow outside into non-contaminated areas.

Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

The Cozad Hospital Foundation is contributing funds for electronic art in the rooms, a new nurse call system and a nutrition center for families.

Gearhart said the added rooms will help with CCHs overall capacity.

Senator Matt Williams was invited to speak at the groundbreaking; he said it was a particularly special day for Cozad, he said a community thrives when they invest in amenities like health care. Williams said people will not come to a community where needs like healthcare, education and housing are not met.

Mayor Marcus Kloepping said it was a great day for Cozad, Dawson County and the state of Nebraska. He said Dawson County has three major hospital systems and CCH is one of them. He noted it is important to invest in the hospital and adding more beds and capacity will be a benefit to the 100th Meridian community.
LINCOLN  Gov. Pete Ricketts unveiled a $10 million marketing campaign Monday aimed at recruiting new talent to the state.

He said the national The Good Life is Calling campaign targets Nebraskans who have left the state and other people who may be looking for a change of pace and a better quality of life.

Our state has welcoming communities, affordable homes and top-notch schools, Ricketts said. Nebraska is growing fast and creating plenty of great-paying jobs. For those looking for opportunity and a safer, friendlier place to put down roots, the Good Life is calling.

The campaign, which expands on an existing website, was developed by Archrival, a Nebraska-based creative agency. It centers around a video showing 170 Nebraskans at work and play in a variety of locations across the state. Adam DeVine, an actor who grew up in Omaha, narrates.

Commercials will be placed in a variety of media in targeted markets. The focus will be on key cities within 500 miles of the state, including Minneapolis, Kansas City, Chicago and Denver. The spots will be tested in other places, including Silicon Valley and Austin, Texas.
Roadwork expected to continue the following day, Tuesday, Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on State Route 1 near the El Jaro Creek Bridge and south of Jalama Road, weather permitting.
You have permission to edit this collection.

Edit Close
Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
The way America shops has changed, but some experiences are still better in person. The same can be said of health care.

Not long ago, outpatient health care and megamalls would have seemed like an odd marriage. But todays consumers understand this is a marriage of convenience  one that can offer great benefits.

The demand for health services detached from a large hospital is growing rapidly, said Patrick Christensen, president of Sturtevant-based Horizon Retail Construction. People are seeking out more options and want health care that is closest to them.

Why malls?

As much of retail has moved online, malls have one key commodity: space. And that space is getting more plentiful. According to Moodys Analytics commercial real estate division, the mall vacancy rate in the first quarter of this year was a record high 11.4%.

Outpatient health care organizations can fill those spaces. The footprint of health care facilities can vary greatly. An urgent care clinic might fit well in a former bookstore. Other health care providers might require more square footage.

One Hundred Oaks mall in Nashville offers a case study for the ways outpatient health care facilities can revive a struggling retail space. Before 2009, stores were leaving and the mall was emptying out fast. Then Vanderbilt University Medical Centers Vanderbilt Health facility moved in, taking up nearly half of the malls space. The new health care facility brought in foot traffic, which in turn attracted traditional retailers and breathed new life into the once-troubled shopping mall.

More medical malls?

The number of Americans 65 and older is projected to nearly double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2060, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Demand for health care services should grow as the population ages.

Considering the benefits that malls offer patients  accessibility, physical space and proximity to other retailers and activities  the potential for continued growth of outpatient health care facilities in malls is immense.

We are seeing a demand for more outpatient facilities off the campuses of large hospitals, Christensen said.

Expertise in building care facilities

Sturtevant-based Horizon Retail Construction is uniquely positioned to help shape the way vendors and buyers experience malls. The company has extensive experience transforming retail spaces to make them more conducive to the needs of both retailers and consumers. Horizons clients in the health care space include VillageMD and Walgreens, Oak Street Health, Benchmark Physical Therapy and Humana.

The project with Oak Street was particularly ambitious: Horizon was responsible for opening the Chicago-based outfits first two clinics in Memphis.

We are proud to be involved in the Oak Street Health program, Christensen said. They provide a great service to the community.

For a health care industry that is ever changing, Horizons ability to mobilize rapidly, as Christensen says, could be an asset. Horizon employs more than 150 superintendents  none of whom are subcontractors. That workforce creates a speedy response time to client needs.

We have shown the ability to quickly adapt to tenant needs, he said. Because of that we are valuable working for both small and large businesses.

Learn more about Horizon Retail Construction Why giving back to the community is so important to Patrick Christensen. Read more...

Striving to make a positive difference  local business owner gives back to the disabled community, other local nonprofits. Read more...

An experienced construction company matters for your building project and your bottom line. Read more...

Sturtevant-based company focuses on remaking the modern shopping mall. Read more...

This content was produced by Brand Ave. Studios. The news and editorial departments had no role in its creation or display. Brand Ave. Studios connects advertisers with a targeted audience through compelling content programs, from concept to production and distribution. For more information contact sales@brandavestudios.com.
It's OK to have passions, but not here. This isn't the platform to fight for your social cause. Its not the platform to fight for your  any cause, really, other than the cause that we come together for work. And, again, this comes from 30 years of watching what happens. There just comes a moment where you have to say Work is work, personal life is personal life. You have to say no to a whole bunch of stuff thats happening  because although its good and interesting and appropriate for your personal endeavors, its not part of our endeavor here.

In an unsigned statement shared Tuesday by Epic spokesperson Barb Hernandez, the company said the recording came from a meeting in summer 2020, when Epic leadership met with the newly formed DEI Council to create a charter for the five-person, volunteer employee group.

That summer 2020, when Black Lives Matter protests filled streets around the country following the murder of George Floyd, was a difficult, high-tension time for our country and that the meeting was intended to determine how the DEI Council should help Epic staff, the statement said. According to the company, Dvorak was responding to an incident in which a staff member was aggressively bullied because she was married to a police officer.
Please register or log in to keep reading. No credit card required!

Stay logged in to skip the surveys.
It was a windy Wednesday in April when the governor gripped his pen. It had been five days since members of the Assembly and state Senate had delivered legislation to his desk. It would return to the other side of the Capitol without his signature, vetoed without remorse.

The bill and subsequent veto were the latest actions in a years-long, contentious fight between the governor and legislators over the reapportionment of the states legislative districts. Already the two sides had found themselves in court on multiple occasions, pressing the Wisconsin Supreme Court to rule in their favor about where legislative districts in the state should find their boundaries.

It was 1964. John Reynolds, a Democrat, held the governorship, and both chambers of the Legislature were controlled by Republicans.

Reynolds, 43 at the time, sported round, black glasses that framed his sleepy eyes. He had a receding hairline, which, in tandem with his round chin, made his face a near-perfect oval. Born and raised in Green Bay, the former state attorney general found himself in the second year of his first and only term as governor. It had not been an easy 16-or-so months  having been elected a year-and-a-half ago, he succeeded then-Gov. Gaylord Nelson, the environmentalist perhaps best known for founding Earth Day.

The two Democratic governors had been in an apportionment brawl with Republicans in the Legislature since data from the 1960 census had been delivered to the state. During the legislative session of 1961 and 1962, Nelson vetoed multiple attempts at redistricting from legislators. When Reynolds took up residence in the governors mansion, he carried on the tradition.

In 1963, Reynolds vetoed an original set of maps sent to him by lawmakers. In the months to come, Republicans would try to cut him out of the process altogether, passing their maps via a joint resolution, which the governor could not veto.

But Reynolds, a former state attorney general, didnt give up the fight. He took the Legislature to court  and in February 1964, he won. The state Supreme Court ruled in his favor, declaring that legislative districts of the state of Wisconsin cannot be apportioned without the joint action of the legislature and the governor. And the court went further, ruling that the maps the state was using at the time  which were drawn in 1951  were no longer acceptable because of shifts in Wisconsins population.

New maps had to be enacted by May 1, the court ordered, or it would step in and release its own apportionment plan by May 15, 1964. In April, as noted, Reynolds vetoed a final attempt at redistricting from the Legislature.

"(The maps are) a fraud upon the people and a violation of their constitutional rights, Reynolds wrote of Republicans' plan in his veto message. Accordingly, I must return (the bill) without my signature."

Republicans admitted defeat, and on May 14, the state Supreme Court released its apportionment plan. The fight was settled  for the time being.

Courts have historic involvement in voting maps

Legal battles over the reapportionment process in Wisconsin are commonplace. In fact, there hasnt been a full redistricting process in the state that didnt result in some sort of legal action since 1921, according to a report from the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau.

While Reynolds and legislative Republicans kicked off the modern era of redistricting legal fights in the early 1960s, it did not end with them.

In 1981, Republicans and Democrats found themselves in reversed roles. Republican Gov. Lee Dreyfus resided on the shores of Lake Mendota while Democrats controlled both chambers of the Legislature. Democrats passed a plan in May of that year, and Dreyfus vetoed it.

Dreyfus said in his veto message that redistricting is one of the most important duties our State Constitution entrusts to the Legislature.

The concept of a Legislature is that the people are self-governed through elected representatives, he wrote. If we place impediments to the people being represented so that they begin to feel ineffective, we are undercutting the survival of not only the state, but the nation, because we undercut the confidence of the people in their ability to actually self-govern.

Because of its impact on the political careers of those who must carry it out, it is also one of the most difficult tasks the Legislature must pursue, he concluded  similar arguments are made by modern-day Democrats.

With deadlines looming, the federal U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin stepped in and established the maps.

1991 was the same. Legislative Democrats were at odds with Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson and a federal court drew the maps. A federal court also drew legislative boundaries during the aughts, as Wisconsin once again found itself in a state of divided government in 2001.

Ignore the public comments

The 2011 reapportionment process is an outlier in Wisconsin history. It was the first time that a governor and Legislature of the same party controlled redistricting since the 1950s, according to the LRB. Then-Gov. Scott Walker signed Wisconsins current, gerrymandered districts into law in August 2011  after what court documents show was a secretive and partisan effort to cement Republican majorities in the Legislature.

So secretive, court documents show, that Republican lawmakers were required to sign non-disclosure agreements before they were allowed to see draft versions of the new maps, and they were only allowed to see the boundaries and projected partisan advantage for their own districts.

Talking points for meetings between GOP lawmakers and a lead Republican legislative aide who helped draw the maps included in a court filing also suggest that there were attempts to mislead outsiders about the gerrymandered nature of the new maps.

Public comments on this map may be different than what you hear in this room, the talking points from Adam Foltz, an aide who helped draw the maps, read. Ignore the public comments.

The cloak-and-dagger worked for Republicans. Model maps developed by Foltz and other operatives  which resemble the districts in place today  projected that 52 Assembly districts and 17 state Senate districts would be solidly Republican. That moved 12 and two districts respectively to the GOP, cementing majorities in both chambers before elections in swing districts were settled.

The 2011 maps were met by a legal challenge. But barring a small adjustment to two districts, the maps were upheld by a federal three-judge panel.

A later legal challenge threatened the maps. In November 2016, a federal three-judge panel from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the districts were unconstitutional. The ruling, which was the result of a lawsuit from Democratic voters who claimed the districts wasted their votes  a similar argument to that of Dreyfus in his 1980s veto message  ordered Republican lawmakers to redraw the maps in January 2017. GOP lawmakers appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, where the case was thrown out on a technicality in June 2018.

One year later, the nations high court punted on partisan gerrymandering altogether: We conclude that partisan gerrymandering claims present political questions beyond the reach of the federal courts," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote at the time  leaving states to navigate redistricting efforts on their own.

Democrats flip-flop on redistricting

During the 2009-10 legislative session, Democrats had ample opportunity to start the years-long process of amending the Wisconsin Constitution to move toward nonpartisan redistricting. They had narrow majorities in both chambers of the Legislature and a Democratic governor in Jim Doyle.

One joint resolution that would have inched toward nonpartisan redistricting was introduced that session, but it gained the support of just five Democratic lawmakers in the Assembly and a single senator  despite their control of both houses.

Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz, D-Oshkosh, was among the lawmakers who supported the joint resolution.

He told the Cap Times in a recent phone interview that the resolution didnt gain more traction because Democrats were new to the majority and focused on shepherding the state through the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.

Leave it up to Democrats to be super focused on public policy and representing their districts and not enough on power and control of the future, Hintz said. In some ways we were consistent with our brand, I guess.

Others, like former Democratic state Sen. Tim Cullen, a nonpartisan redistricting advocate, sees it differently.

Power, he said, prevented Democrats from starting the process.

Power is a tough thing to handle, the Janesville native said of Democrats plans in the late aughts to gerrymander the maps in their favor come 2011 instead of implementing a nonpartisan redistricting plan akin to the process in Iowa. People get it. They want to use it. And thats usually not in the public interest.

Instead, liberal lawmakers would find themselves powerless in the next Legislature.

Wisconsin was among several states in 2010 where a nationwide Republican surge allowed the GOP to recapture the Legislature as well as the governorship.

Realizing their sudden helplessness in the reapportionment process, Democratic lawmakers made several failed attempts in 2011 to modify the states redistricting methods. They ranged in scale and scope  many of them would have required amending Wisconsins constitution  and all failed to gain support from Republicans who were busy drawing news maps to solidify their control of the legislative branch.

One proposal, put forth by Cullen, would have given an independent commission control of the redistricting process. Under the plan, the independent commission would have drawn the maps, which then would have had to be approved by voters via a referendum. If voters rejected the maps, the duty of reapportionment would have been left to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The proposal failed to pass  but had it been enacted, the commission would have taken over redistricting for the first time starting this year.

The idea that you can guarantee yourself a job for 10 years by casting one vote, really is pretty outrageous, Cullen said of the current redistricting process and the seeming conflict of interest it creates for legislators.

He added: Neither party is holy on (redistricting). It's all about power. And if you got it, you abuse it.

Former state Rep. Fred Kessler, also a Democrat, put forth another plan that would have established competitiveness criteria for each district, according to the LRB. It, too, failed.

A third package introduced by Democrats in 2011 would have required the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau and former Government Accountability Board to draw the maps and submit them for approval by lawmakers. The pattern of unsuccess continued.

Even still, nonpartisan redistricting wouldnt guarantee a competitive battle for control of the Legislature. Take Michigan, for example, where voters approved by a wide margin a proposal to create a nonpartisan redistricting commission in 2018. Despite Democrats apparent gains in the state in 2018 and 2020, analyses of the commissions proposed maps still show that Republicans will maintain a meaningful edge in the statehouse in Lansing.

Democrats silver bullet might not be so silver.

2021 legal battle underway

Successful legal challenges to legislative and congressional districts in Wisconsin have been focused on the principle of unequal representation, not competition. Put another way, courts are more prepared to strike down maps whose districts do not contain an equal number of people, rather than ones that favor one party over the other.

Thats the approach that three different lawsuits already filed in 2021 have adopted. One of the lawsuits, raised by the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, was filed as an original action with, and accepted by, the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The other two, brought by the liberal legal groups Democracy Docket and Law Forward, were filed in federal court.

All three suits assume that the Republican-led Legislature and Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, will fail to reach an agreement on a new set of maps.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has been adamant that the courts wont need to be involved in the redistricting process.

Soon we will begin the robust map drawing process and Im confident we will draw a map that the governor will sign, the Rochester Republican said in August. He said Tuesday that the Legislatures goal is to pass a redistricting plan before it goes into recess Nov. 11.

However, a recent joint resolution from Republican lawmakers in the Legislature which proclaimed that the new districts should retain as much as possible the core of existing districts, was met with ire from Evers.

The current maps are inadequate, Evers told reporters during a news conference at the World Dairy Expo last month before lawmakers passed the resolution. To base our decision making on that inadequacy would be not doing the peoples work.

The lawsuits already filed this year also argue that, in light of data from the 2020 census, that existing districts are malapportioned.

Given their similarities, the two federal cases were consolidated in front of an already assembled three-judge panel procured by 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge Diane Sykes. The panel consists of two judges nominated by former President Barack Obama and another tapped by former President Donald Trump.

Earlier this month, after the Wisconsin Supreme Court last month made the unprecedented decision to take original jurisdiction over the case brought by WILL, the federal three-judge panel paused its case until at least Nov. 5. The states high court, if it wants to, does have first dibs on drawing the lines, said Robert Yablon, a UW-Madison law professor and expert on federal courts.

There's precedent from the U.S. Supreme Court that indicates that federal courts should essentially let the state courts give it a try first, Yablon said in an interview. And as long as they're acting in a timely way, the federal courts aren't going to step on their toes. The federal courts will kind of be there as a backstop.

The federal court insists that it is prepared to take on the case if necessary: Federal rights are at stake, so this court will stand by to draw the maps  should it become necessary, the judges wrote in their order freezing the lawsuit.

Yablon also noted that the involvement of federal law complicates these cases. He said that even though plaintiffs in the case before the Wisconsin Supreme Court framed the issue around the Wisconsin Constitution, others involved in the case, because of its similarities to the federal lawsuits, might try to have the case removed from the state court to the federal court.

The liberals on the states high court, who find themselves in a 4-3 minority, also questioned whether or not they should be addressing redistricting.

In the order taking original jurisdiction over the case, Justice Rebecca Dallet, on behalf of her liberal colleagues in her dissent, proclaimed that now is not the time and this petition is not the way for the court to consider reapportionment.

She wrote that redistricting fights should be handled by federal courts  as they have been over the last 40 years.

The majoritys order charts no course whatsoever, Dallet wrote. It drops the court into the redistricting wilderness without even a compass. The order sets forth no plan for how seven Justices with no experience in drawing district maps should go about this Herculean task while simultaneously attending to the rest of the courts docket.

Although I trust my colleagues as jurists, I do not share their confidence that we can simultaneously be legislators, cartographers and mathematicians, she concluded.

Who draws the maps, and how they draw them, could bear great consequences for Republicans and Democrats alike. If the maps are redrawn on a nonpartisan basis, as Evers has pushed for with his Peoples Maps Commission, or even a less partisan basis, it could threaten the GOPs decade-long grip on the Legislature, said David Canon, a UW-Madison political science professor and expert on the redistricting process.

There's a chance that if you just bring the map back to being an average partisan gerrymander, rather than one of the most extreme outliers in the last 50 years  that would lead to a net pick-up of a handful of Democratic seats that could at least put the Senate in play, he said in an interview.

During the states 2020 legislative elections, Democratic candidates received roughly 46% of all votes in Assembly races, while winning just 38 of 99 seats. Democrats running for state Senate earned 47% of total votes, but only won 12 of 33 seats (though not all senators ran for reelection in 2020).

Legal uncertainty aside, expect this much: Republicans will draw the maps, Evers will veto them and a court will redraw the districts.

Historically speaking, thats the Wisconsin way. At least, John Reynolds would have said so.

Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less.
Of the 48% of students who said they had experienced sexual harassment, the report found, 87% said it had a negative effect on them.

Immediate responses by Madison administrators, in concrete and meaningful terms, should be seen as only a first step. The School Board should step up with a more comprehensive plan, and funding to support it. And the state should get engaged on these issues.

State Sen. Melissa Agard, D-Madison, attended the Friday rally at East, where her children have been educated. Agard has for a number of years proposed legislation that would require the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to develop a curriculum on prevention of teen dating violence and sexual violence.

On Friday she told a Wisconsin State Journal reporter, There is nothing that prevents Madison School District from implementing a similar curriculum within our schools. And if they do have that curriculum or they think they have that curriculum, something that theyre doing needs to be revisited because clearly the kids dont feel like that is happening adequately.

Sen. Agard is right.

So are the Madison East students, who have taken a leadership role at a point when too many adults have failed. Now, it is time for the adults to make it clear that they are listening, and acting, to keep all students safe from assault and harassment. 
The total number of women who have reported being groomed by Henzie-Skogen is now 13, but one of those women was not involved with writing the statement, Compton-Allen said.

The Oregon Police Department is now looking into the alleged abuse. The women said the police department has handled the investigation with sensitivity and treated them with respect. They encouraged more women to come forward by calling the police department at (608) 835-3111.

(Henzie-Skogen) is a danger to any community he is part of, and we believe that no mercy should be had when condemning him now and for the future, they said.

Henzie-Skogen did not respond to a phone call and email requesting comment Tuesday. He is also part of a Madison-based jazz, punk and hip-hop band Youngblood Brass Band.

The alleged grooming behavior dates back to 2007, when Henzie-Skogen would have been in his late 20s, and went through this year. Corps president Ken McGlauchlen said the corps has investigated and confirmed a pattern of Henzie-Skogen becoming friends with the students, making sexual comments to them, sending them inappropriate messages via text and email, and then starting a physical relationship with them as soon as the students were out of the Shadow Drum & Bugle Corps program.
That was not my goal when I went into teaching and it was not my goal when I started on this course of behavior, Kruchten wrote. My goal was not a collection of child pornography. My interest in these voyeuristic videos was not to capture students engaged in sex acts, my interest was the same (as) it was with my grandparents, and my pets and my wife  to see what people do when Im not there.

However, he wrote, it would be a lie to say there was zero sexual component.

But I want you and everyone to know that my motivations were not that of a pedophile, Kruchten wrote. I was not spying on everyone in my life just in hopes of getting nude images of teenage girls. I believe I would never hurt anyone intentionally, but the reality is I put my need for adrenaline and fulfilling inappropriate curiosities above the potential impact on the victims and their families.

He said he knows he can never fix what he did but hopes for forgiveness.

Im truly sorry. he wrote.

Early in the case, Kruchten wrote, he had tried to write apologies to people he had wronged, but his attorneys advised him against delivering them while the case was pending. But on the eve of his sentencing, he wrote, sending them now seems manipulative.
Among other Dane County districts:

Belleville: Between 2% and 3% of students opted out of exams, 55% below proficient in English Language Arts, 57% below proficient in Math, 41% below proficient in Science and 44% below proficient in Social Studies.

Cambridge: Between 10% and 15% of students opted out of exams, 49% below proficient in English Language Arts, 49% below proficient in Math, 23% below proficient in Science and 38% below proficient in Social Studies.

De Forest: Between 17% and 18% of students opted out of exams, 51% below proficient in English Language Arts, 50% below proficient in Math, 33% below proficient in Science and 37% below proficient in Social Studies.

Marshall: Between 6% and 14% of students opted out of exams, 65% below proficient in English Language Arts, 73% below proficient in Math, 55% below proficient in Science and 52% below proficient in Social Studies.

McFarland: Between 19% and 25% of students opted out of exams, 51% below proficient in English Language Arts, 56% below proficient in Math, 39% below proficient in Science and 42% below proficient in Social Studies.

Middleton-Cross Plaines: Between 13% and 23% of students opted out of exams, 39% below proficient in English Language Arts, 41% below proficient in Math, 25% below proficient in Science and 23% below proficient in Social Studies.

Monona Grove: Between 36% and 50% of students opted out of exams, 34% below proficient in English Language Arts, 38% below proficient in Math, 22% below proficient in Science and 19% below proficient in Social Studies.

Mount Horeb: Between 11% and 15% of students opted out of exams, 40% below proficient in English Language Arts, 46% below proficient in Math, 29% below proficient in Science and 33% below proficient in Social Studies.

Oregon: Between 14% and 21% of students opted out of exams, 46% below proficient in English Language Arts, 49% below proficient in Math, 28% below proficient in Science and 32% below proficient in Social Studies.

Stoughton: Between 8% and 14% of students opted out of exams, 57% below proficient in English Language Arts, 61% below proficient in Math, 46% below proficient in Science and 42% below proficient in Social Studies.

Sun Prairie: Between 20% and 21% of students opted out of exams, 52% below proficient in English Language Arts, 51% below proficient in Math, 41% below proficient in Science and 40% below proficient in Social Studies.

Verona: Between 25% and 33% of students opted out of exams, 42% below proficient in English Language Arts, 44% below proficient in Math, 33% below proficient in Science and 27% below proficient in Social Studies.

Waunakee: Between 12% and 23% of students opted out of exams, 41% below proficient in English Language Arts, 32% below proficient in Math, 21% below proficient in Science and 23% below proficient in Social Studies.

Wisconsin Heights: Between 2% and 3% of students opted out of exams, 46% below proficient in English Language Arts, 54% below proficient in Math, 31% below proficient in Science and 28% below proficient in Social Studies.
What he said

Here's a transcript of comments by Epic Systems Corp. president Carl Dvorak during a meeting with the companys Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council to determine the groups charter.

The one-minute recording, which contains no context like who Dvorak was speaking to or what else was said, was posted on the social media site Reddit. Its source is unknown.

I can see that sometimes theres going to be an effort to be lobbyists of, to be kind of groupthink. 'Lets band together and force the company.' I dont see that as part of a role for DEI.

"If anything, I actually see this teams partial responsibility is to expunge that from the workplace, refocus people to go to their community efforts around those topics, those issues, but not to allow or to encourage or even to turn a blind eye to misuse of company time and resources.

"Its OK to have passions, but not here. This isnt a platform to fight for your social cause, not the platform to fight for any cause, really, other than the cause of we come together and work. This comes from their years of watching what happens.

"Theres just a moment where you have to say work is work. Personal life is personal life. You ought to say no to a whole bunch of stuff thats happening right now because some of its good and interesting and appropriate for your personal endeavors. Its not part of our endeavor here.
DNR parks director Steven Schmelzer and Missy VanLanduyt, the recreational partnerships section chief, set up an Aug. 5 meeting at the park with two representatives of the Friends group, according to court documents and DNR records.

Our intent is to hopefully meet at the park on Tuesday or Thursday afternoon with just Steve and I, with you and perhaps one or two other board members if youd like, VanLanduyt wrote in an email to Friends president Willi Van Haren. We dont intend to bring our attorney and would like to keep this a casual conversation.

At the start of the meeting, according to the complaint, Schmelzer said if the Friends did not drop the groups court challenge by Aug. 17, the agency would terminate its operating agreement, ending a decades-long partnership through which the Friends have raised more than $1 million to support the park.

There are a lot of words to describe the WDNRs conduct at this meeting: intimidation and retaliation are a couple that come to mind, the Friends attorney, Brian Potts, wrote in an August letter to Gov. Tony Evers and state Attorney General Josh Kaul. The bottom line is that this kind of behavior is not just illegal; it should have no place in our state government.

Silver bullet memo
TWIN FALLS  Magic Valley Kid Market has a goal of hosting four markets in 2022. Typically, they have enough funding to host one or two each year.

A $25,000 grant from the Chobani Community Impact Fund will help them accomplish that goal.

We will be able to reach more kids and reach the ones who want to embrace the idea of starting a business, said Kristen Fancom, the markets vice president. We want to open a fire inside of kids that have an entrepreneurial spirit inside of them.

The group was one of five Magic Valley organizations that received funding, Chobani announced on Oct. 19. In addition to adding more market days, the group also wants to provide financial education classes for kids who want to learn how to manage their money.

We run solely on sponsorship money from community businesses and that goes towards advertising and running the market, there is not a lot extra leftover, Fancom said.

Since its community impact fund started in 2018, Chobani has awarded $1.4 million in grants to 30 organizations in Idaho and central New York, where Chobanis other plant is located.

We know what its like for an entrepreneur to have a big dream but need a little financial boost to make it a reality. This is exactly how Chobani was founded, said Peter McGuinness, Chobani president and chief operating officer, in a statement.

Here are the other four grant recipients:

Lincoln County Youth Commission

Launched in 2020, this organization will use a $50,000 grant to help start a program focusing on entrepreneurship. A group of 15 youth will receive help creating a business, developing a marketing strategy and preparing their product or service for the market.

Jannus Inc. Economic Opportunity

This nonprofit aims to help increase financial knowledge to help individuals grow. A $50,000 grant will support a community development imitative that helps underserved and vulnerable people reach financial health and durability by offering microloans, emergency personal loans, credit education, mentoring, and coaching.

Latinos In Action

Working to encourage Latino high school students to go to college, this group received a $45,000 grant that will help their staff reach an additional three new schools in the Magic Valley.

Recovery In Motion

This group focuses on assisting those recuperating from mental health and/or substance abuse disorders to rejoin their communities. With a $30,000 grant the group will train and certify three peer support specialists to provide free resources and increase clients chances at employment.

Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1
BOISE  Nearly two weeks after an east Idaho judge ruled that Chad Daybells murder trial should be moved to a new county, the Idaho Supreme Court has designated a new venue.

The trial will be in Boise, as many expected.

In an order filed Wednesday, Justice G. Richard Bevan ordered that the jury trial, at which prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, will take place in Ada County. The order confirmed what the presiding judge  Steven Boyce  had already concluded when Daybell was granted a change of venue.

In Boyces order, which was filed Oct. 8, the judge wrote that the Court suggests that Ada County be selected for the location for trial. He said he based that on Ada Countys population, facilities and staffing, among other factors.

The move to Boise also means, of course, that the jury will be made up of Ada County residents.

Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell face numerous charges, including first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, in connection to the deaths of several people  Loris children, Joshua JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, and Chads first wife, Tammy Daybell.

The Daybells case has garnered national media attention and wide coverage in Idaho ever since the children were reported missing in 2019, one of the reasons cited for moving the jury trial to another location.

A trial date has not been set for Chad Daybell, who remains jailed in Fremont County. Lori Daybells case is currently on hold, as she was deemed not competent to stand trial in May. She is being held at the Madison County Jail.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
BOISE  With a few questions, and no drama, legislative budget-writers took a first look at education spending plans Tuesday.

Still, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee hearing offered a few hints at the budget debates that could unfold in 83 days  when lawmakers convene for an election-year 2022 session, a record-shattering surplus in hand.

JFAC, a powerful House-Senate committee, spends weeks sorting through state agency spending proposals and the governors budget recommendations. Ultimately, JFAC will fashion these proposals into budget bills that drive state government spending. But the committee cannot act alone  all of their bills must pass the House and Senate before they ever reach the governors desk  so its annual fall meetings are strictly informational.

On Tuesday afternoon, JFAC looked at state superintendent Sherri Ybarras 2022-23 budget request for K-12. Ybarra is seeking more than $2.2 billion in state general fund tax dollars, an 8.5% increase from the current year. Her proposal includes $39.3 million in new money for optional, all-day kindergarten.

JFAC also took a first look at the higher education requests. All told, the four-year schools are seeking $324.5 million from the general fund  a 3.6% increase, buoyed largely by a list of line-item requests at the individual schools. The University of Idaho, for example, is requesting more than $2 million for a digital learning program upgrade. Boise State University wants nearly $1.8 million to expand its Community Impact Program, a pilot program to support online students in rural Idaho.

But in the question-and-answer sessions, JFAC members registered a few concerns, which could resurface during the 2022 session.

Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, lamented the school districts reluctance to use federal coronavirus stimulus aid to address areas they have called pressing needs, such as staffing. I am perplexed as to why those funds are not being utilized.

The schools have received some $850 million in federal aid, and have spent about $260 million, said Jared Tatro, a deputy division manager for the states Legislative Services Office.

Rep. Priscilla Giddings, R-White Bird, noted a $2.5 million increase in the higher education budget  and asked if that money was there to reverse budget cuts from earlier this year. Giddings and other conservative lawmakers spent much of the 2021 session criticizing the universities for pushing what they call a social-justice agenda. By spring, lawmakers cut $1.5 million from Boise State and $500,000 each from the U of I and Idaho State University.

The $2.5 million cuts  one defining point in the 2021 session  were not permanent, LSO senior budget analyst Janet Jessup told Giddings.

JFAC glosses over McGeachin request  for now

When they convene in January, JFAC will have to sift through 37 supplemental budget requests  short-term items for the current spending year, which runs through June 30.

The committee didnt dive into any of these items, including a small but politically sensitive request from Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin.

McGeachin has maintained that she needs the $50,000 of taxpayer funding to cover legal costs from a public records dispute  in part, to cover nearly $29,000 she now owes the Idaho Press Club. She has never outlined the need for $50,000, and told the Idaho Capital Sun that she has no invoices outlining the costs.

JFAC members didnt bring up her request Tuesday, and McGeachin wasnt at Tuesdays meeting.

The battle over the McGeachin records dates back to late spring.

Several news organizations, including Idaho Education News, filed public records requests for comments submitted to McGeachins education indoctrination task force. McGeachin refused to release the records in full and sought to redact the commenters names.

The Idaho Press Club sued. In August, District Judge Steven Hippler ordered McGeachin to release the records in full, ordered McGeachin to cover the Press Clubs legal costs, and fined McGeachin $750 for bad-faith violations of the law.

Supplemental budget bills also have to go through both houses, and to the governor.

An extreme amount of money

JFAC began its day getting briefed on the states record-setting budget surplus  which could bankroll beefed-up spending in any number of areas, including public schools.

State policy analysts Tuesday pegged the surplus at $1.45 billion, roughly the same sum they offered in August.

Legislative Budget Division Manager Keith Bybee called it an extreme amount of money.

Individual income taxes, corporate income taxes and sales taxes are driving larger-than-expected revenues, said state revenue analyst Erin Phipps. Sales and individual income tax account for over 70% of that $144 million in unanticipated revenues, she told the committee.

The surplus sets the table for JFACs upcoming discussions on education budgets, including K-12 and higher education. The committees meetings this week will mark its first formal look at 2022-23 school budget proposals. Lawmakers appropriated record amounts to K-12 last spring.

Republican Gov. Brad Little has urged caution with the surplus, while the Idaho Education Association this summer called it a golden opportunity for underfunded schools.

The surplus layers onto a combined $17.7 billion that have been injected into Idaho through federal coronavirus relief packages over the last two years, by the count of Paul Headlee, LSOs deputy director. A considerable portion of that  including $440 million for K-12 schools in the latest federal law  has gone directly to education.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
The Democrats have a problem with the faction of the party that calls itself Progressive. They have adopted the label of a movement from the first twenty years of the last century. Like all successful political efforts, it had a wide range of rhetoric associated with it. There was a fair amount of admonishment of the rich, which, in public policy, constrained monopoly and enabled effective labor movements. It popularized the city manager form of government we have in Twin Falls. The amendment of the constitution allowing the election of Senators by popular vote rather than by state legislatures was another result.

The current Progressives have adopted platforms focused on easing the grip of the few over the many with increased Federal funding of higher education and Federal subsidizing of childcare. They have changed the former Progressives attention on conservation and the protection of significant public lands through designations such as National Parks. Their current emphasis is on easing the harmful effects of global climate change.

The Republicans have a faction waging war on the same issues from a different perspective. This faction wholeheartedly believes that our governments created the means for the few to keep the many from various social-economic advantages. They conclude that their hard work and ingenuity would level the playing field if legislation imposed no limits.

In the middle of these two factions lies the lingering activism which animated the civil rights movement. Both sides are using the rhetoric of civil/constitutional rights, in part, to moralize their positions. Unfortunately, the fingers pointed at the opposition are accusing the other of having weak moral standards. They are fighting words in most instances. Adrian Arp, PhD., a frequent commentator in this and other publications, often mentions the book, Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky.

The book became well-known only after a mention in a memoir by Barack Obama and then used as proof of his intent to reshape the United States into a Socialist country. Arp says that Alinsky dedicated the book to Satan, but my copy says, To Irene.

In 2012, Michael Master wrote Rules for Conservatives. I plan an in-depth comparison later, but my first scan of both texts indicates an emphasis on why we should win and then how we should win. The differences appear to be in the why not the how. Both books discuss putting together plans to defeat the other side. Judging from the display of firearms in public protests by the anti-government Republican faction, they seem more determined to conquer the opposition than the Progressive factions desire to further their cause. In the sixties, the opposite was true.

Using my headlines metaphor, the Progressives are the tail trying to wag the dog. As for the Republican faction, they seem to be acquiring the characteristics of a Pit Bull. The Democrats had a similar faction in the late sixties, and established party members were concerned. The Republicans elected Nixon by forming a new coalition with those who did not support the anti-war movement.

Republicans strategy has been intriguing in the last twelve years. They have spent a good deal of time branding the Democrats, already characterized as the liberal party vs. a conservative party, as Communist-leaning Socialists. They have perpetuated the false equivalency of failed socialist governments and Democrat public policy. They are now gaining membership by being Not Democrats and failing to mention the Libertarian foundation of their aspirations.

When libertarianism and socialism appeared as political philosophies, communism and anarchy were their respective fringes. Communism is total government control, and anarchy is the absence of government control. There is no powerful support for either extreme today, thank goodness. However, within the necessary debate about the role of government in our lives is lurking the discouragement of those who just want to get on with their lives. They despise the current messy politics within our representative democracy.

A puppys wagging tail can overset him, while the mature dog knows that his tail is only one of many signals to use when communicating. Neither political party should allow its tail complete control of its behavior.

Linda Brugger, retired from the Air Force Reserve, leaning Democrat and community activist can be reached at IdahoAuthor@outlook.com. She welcomes feedback.

Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
In consultation with CHA, the recommended projects would be developed in-house.

The report notes that the PSA has the start of an asset register but needs to be more comprehensive in order to be effective.

Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

A hierarchy also needs to be developed so that only critical assets are managed, which would help streamline operations.

Levels-of-service goals that are achievable will allow the PSA to measure its performance relative to the goals it hopes to achieve, and software that tracks this progress would help improve the overall planning and operations of the department.

CHA noted the report was a starting point to guide the PSA toward improving its practices and incorporating asset management into everyday decision-making.

Doing so would allow the PSA to build a solid foundation in its asset management program and allow for the best decisions for functional operations, maintenance, and long-term fiscal responsibility.

The PSA currently manages more than 19,000 accounts with over 600 miles of water and wastewater lines throughout Henry County and plans to grow and add to its capabilities, the report said.
I have not seen the kind of energy that I see right now probably going back to [Gov.] George Allen, said Stuart. The energy is huge in all these campaigns and I predict the House of Delegates flips back to Republican control and Glen Youngkin wins.

Allen defeated Democrat Mary Sue Terry in a landslide governors race in 1993, leading a Republican charge that also captured the attorney generals office and a record number of seats in the legislature.

Youngkin, who spoke for about 25 minutes, reminded the crowd that they can vote early until Oct. 30. He said the nation will be watching the commonwealth on Election Day. Only Virginia and New Jersey have races for governor this year.

This is our moment to lead, Youngkin said. This is our time. Only with you can we do this.

The Republican said, if elected, he will make several changes immediately after taking office.

On Day 1, we will cut taxes for all Virginians and bring down our cost of living, he said. Were going to eliminate the grocery tax. Were going to suspend the most recent gas tax increase. Were going to double standard deductions. Were going to declare the largest tax rebate in the history of Virginia.
(HealthDay)With all of the fear, grief and isolation the pandemic has brought, it would stand to reason that there would be a big jump in the number of Americans seeking treatment for anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.

But that doesn't seem to be the case, according to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Instead, the percentage of adults who had received any treatment for their mental health increased from 19.2% in 2019 to just 20.3% in 2020.

The new report wasn't designed to say why there wasn't a sharper increase in the number of people who received mental health care services, but outside experts have their theoriesincluding a lack of access to much-needed care.

"The mental health care system was already stressed before COVID-19, but during the pandemic the demand for therapists skyrocketed, and the supply didn't go up," explained Dr. Vivian Pender, president of the American Psychiatric Association.

If anything, the supply of available therapists declined as many providers became ill from COVID-19 or opted for early retirement due to financial stress and personal health concerns related to the pandemic, said Pender, a clinical professor of psychiatry at the Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.

"The good news is that now more attention is being paid to mental health and well-being than ever before," Pender said.

The number of people receiving mental health care may also be higher now than it was in the earlier part of the pandemic, added Thea Gallagher, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Langone Health in New York City.

"It takes time to see an increase in depression and anxiety, and we may see more people seeking treatment in the aftershock of the pandemic," she noted.

In fact, a national survey of psychologists conducted in August and September by the American Psychological Association (APA) looked at 2021 numbers and found the number of Americans seeking treatment for anxiety and depression has soared as the pandemic has continued to wreak havoc on daily life.

"[The findings] highlight what we have been saying since the early days of the pandemicwe are facing a mental health tsunami," APA CEO Arthur Evans Jr. said in an association news release. "We need to continue to support treatment via telehealth, and we must invest in screening, prevention and innovative interventions to expand access to various levels of care."

In all, 84% of psychologists who treat anxiety orders and 72% of those who treat depression reported an increase in demand for treatment this year, compared with 2020 rates of 74% and 60%, respectively.

Meanwhile, the CDC report was based on data from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey, an annual government survey of health and illness.

The report also highlighted some disparities in access to mental health care. The percentage of people living in rural environments who had taken medication for their mental health increased, and the percentage who had received counseling decreased during 2020, likely due to the known shortage of therapists in these areas.

White adults were more likely than Black, Hispanic and Asian adults to have received any mental health treatment in 2020, the survey found.

It's a double whammy for these folks, said Gabriela Nagy, an assistant professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University in Durham, N.C.

Not only is access to care more of a problem in underserved populations, but these individuals were also harder hit by the health and economic consequences of the pandemic, she said.

"There's a shortage of mental health care workers, especially those who can provide services in another language," Nagy explained.

And this lack of access to care can have a snowball effect on mental health. "You may not be able to get the care that you need so you experience symptoms longer, which makes your problems worse in the long term," Nagy said.

Unless and until access to mental health care improves across the board, taking steps to feel better may make a difference, experts said.

"For mild to moderate anxiety or depression, talking to friends and family, exercising, practicing yoga or meditation, and taking care of yourself may help until you can see a professional," Pender said. "Many hospitals and medical centers have implemented crisis hotlines and expanded other programs to help more people get the care that they need."

It's also important to know what to look out for in yourself and loved ones, Gallagher added. Signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and/or stress may include feelings of hopelessness and being overwhelmed, difficulty falling and staying asleep, and/or a lack of enjoyment in things you once loved, all of which affect your ability to live your life to its fullest, she noted.

The CDC data was published on Oct. 20 as an NCHS Data Brief.

Explore further Demand for mental health treatment continues to increase, say psychologists

More information: The American Psychiatric Association offers a The American Psychiatric Association offers a list of resources for anyone who is experiencing a mental health crisis

Copyright  2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A study exploring cross-cultural differences in knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19 reveals that people in Europe had the least knowledge of COVID-19 and lowest tendency to care about the coronavirus, while people in the United States had the lowest tendency to comply with public health restrictions. As the pandemic began to unfold, people in the Middle East and Asia were the most aware of COVID-19. People in the Middle East were also the most afraid of the coronavirus.

The study, published in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction was led by an international team of researchers including Zakir Uddin, a former Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Professor Timothy Wideman's lab at McGill University.

Q&A with Zakir Uddin

What questions did you set out to answer?

As the pandemic unfolded, we aimed to explore cross-cultural differences in fear, knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19. To do this, we conducted a survey of 1,296 participants in 8 different countries over 5 continents around the world in April 2020. We wanted to measure whether age, gender, education, and occupational status had an impact on knowledge of the coronavirus.

What did you find?

At the beginning of the pandemic, we found that:

People in Europe had the lowest knowledge of COVID-19 and the lowest tendency to care about the disease, while Americans had the lowest tendency to comply with public health restrictions for COVID-19.

On the other hand, people in the Middle East and Asia were quite aware of COVID-19.

Those in the Middle East were the most fearful of the coronavirus, compared to those in other continents like Europe, Africa, and North America.

Region-specific cultural issues and exposure to news coverage of the pandemic could be a reason for this fear. However, we did not find a link between knowledge and fear, meaning that fear was not dependent on the individual's knowledge of COVID-19. Interestingly, knowledge of COVID-19 was higher among females overall, particularly in regions like Oceania Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and South Asia. However, in North America, knowledge of COVID-19 was higher among males compared to females. Predictably, knowledge regarding COVID-19 was higher in the graduate and postgraduate participants, especially in the South Asian and Oceania region. These findings were consistent with other studies that found poor knowledge about the infectious disease among non-graduate populations.

Why are the results important or interesting?

The COVID-19 death toll was highest in the United States and in Europe compared to other regions. Perhaps if they had been more aware of COVID-19 in advance, the damage could have been reduced. Effective pandemic management requires support from the general population to combat the spread of the disease. Previous studies of contagious disease outbreaks, like the H1N1 flu, have shown that improved knowledge increases the uptake of preventive measures and influences the protective behavior at the individual and community level. Despite severe COVID-19 situation in Europe, we found only 35.5% of people there wore a mask. This rate was significantly lower compared to the overall mask wearing rate of 78.1%. Mask wearing was also considerably lower among people living in North American.

What advice would you give?

To help guide better public health education strategies, campaigns must consider cultural and regional factors. Health education aimed at improving knowledge and reducing fear of COVID-19 could encourage more optimistic attitudes and safe practices during the pandemic, and hopefully help reduce the infection rate.

Explore further Gender differences in fear and risk perception during COVID-19
People wear face masks as they sit on a bus, in London, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Many scientists are pressing the British government to re-impose social restrictions and speed up booster vaccinations as coronavirus infection rates, already Europe's highest, rise once more. The U.K. recorded 49,156 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, Oct. 18, the largest number since mid-July. New infections averaged 43,000 a day over the past week, a 15% increase on the week before.Credit: AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali

The World Health Organization said there was a 7% rise in new coronavirus cases across Europe last week, the only region in the world where cases increased, and said uneven vaccine uptake posed a threat to the continent.

In its weekly assessment of the pandemic, the U.N. health agency said there were about 2.7 million new COVID-19 cases and more than 46,000 deaths last week worldwide, similar to the numbers reported the previous week.

WHO said the two regions with the highest rates of COVID-19 incidence were Europe and the Americas. Globally, the U.S. reported the biggest number of new cases, more than 580,000, which still represented a 11% decline.

Britain, Russia and Turkey accounted for the most cases in Europe.

The biggest drop in COVID-19 cases were seen in Africa and the Western Pacific, where infections fell by about 18% and 16%, respectively. The number of deaths in Africa also declined by about a quarter, despite the dire shortage of vaccines on the continent.

But for the third consecutive week, coronavirus cases have jumped in Europe, with about 1.3 million new cases. More than half of countries in the region reported a rise in their COVID-19 numbers, WHO said. Britain and Russia each reported about a 15% increase in new cases.

Medics wearing special suits to protect against coronavirus make a briefing as they come to treat a patient with coronavirus at an ICU at the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Russia hit another daily record of coronavirus deaths Tuesday as rapidly surging infection rates raised pressure on the country's health care system and prompted the government to suggest declaring a nonworking week.Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

In a statement Wednesday, WHO's Europe office said 1 billion coronavirus vaccines have now been administered across the continent and described uneven vaccine uptake as "the region's biggest enemy in the fight against COVID-19."

In the past week, Russia has repeatedly broken new daily records for COVID-19 cases and the number of infections in the U.K. has surged to levels not seen since mid-July.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday backed a Cabinet proposal to keep Russian workers home for a week in an effort to stem the spread of the virus.

Russian officials have struggled to vaccinate the population but due to vaccine skepticism, only about 32% of people have been immunized despite the availability of its Sputnik V vaccine. It has by far the largest virus death toll in Europe, with more than 225,000 deaths.

Although the head of Britain's National Health Service has urged the government to introduce stricter COVID-19 protocols including mask-wearing and the faster vaccination of children, politicians have so far demurred.

Explore further Russia hits record number of daily COVID-19 deaths

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on Wednesday announced an investment of up to $120 million in an effort to speed up low-income countries' access to a new anti-COVID drug.

The treatment, a pill called molnupiravir developed by US lab Merck, reduces the risk of hospitalization by half in COVID-19 patients who take it in their first few days of infection, the company has said, and could be even more effective at preventing deaths from the virus.

The money from the Gates Foundation would be used to encourage the production of generic forms of the drug by other companies, especially in India, to which Merck has already granted such licenses.

"This commitment builds on the foundation's ongoing efforts... to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and tests by supporting R&D, regulatory work, at-risk manufacturing and product delivery," the foundation said in a statement Wednesday.

The drug, which as a tablet is easier to administer than other existing intravenous treatment options, could offer another important pandemic-fighting opportunity for countries that are still struggling to access enough vaccines for their populations.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently reviewing the medication for approval in the United States.

Merck has predicted it will be able to produce enough doses to make 10 million courses of treatment by the end of the year.

But the roll-out risks following the same trajectory as the anti-COVID vaccines, going almost entirely to rich countries first, with low-income countries left scrambling.

"The global supply (of vaccines) was bought up in wealthier countries," Trevor Mundel, president of the Global Health Division at the Gates Foundation, told AFP.

Getting other companies to produce generics could mean there will be more doses to go around, he said.

"Some of them have said 'We can easily do 10 million courses a month if we get up to our high capacity,'" Mundel said.

"But the problem is that they probably won't do that until they see what the demand is and who will be paying for this. So that's what we want to accelerate, we want them to not wait" to start production.

And the Gates Foundation has already helped some of those companies "have a way to make the drug which is much simpler and much more cost effective. And we've given that technology to the generics manufacturers," Mundel said.

The foundation will also fund a communications campaign around the drug, so that it is well-known and will be used appropriately in the countries where it will be distributed.

Explore further FDA unlikely to rule on Merck's COVID pill before December

 2021 AFP
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The most sparsely populated regions of the American West often are unable to provide local treatment for opioid use disorder. Long driving distances can be a barrier for people who need treatment, so the issue has ramifications for the health and wellness of many residents across the most rural areas of the country.

A team of researchers from Penn State and JG Research and Evaluation recently examined the effectiveness of a successful model for rural treatment of opioid use disorder in Montana, one of the nation's most sparsely populated states.

Opioids are highly addictive, and opioid use disorder is difficult to treat. Fortunately, many people who experience opioid use disorder can reach recovery. Most treatment programs, however, are very intensive and require specialized care, highly regulated medication, and daily or weekly clinical visits. Because of this intensive specialization, people in rural areas who experience opioid use disorder often lack access to local treatment.

To address the lack of services for people with opioid use disorder in rural areas, researchers and clinicians in Vermont developed a model of care for opioid treatment. People with opioid use disorders from remote areas are stabilized at addiction care facilities in more populous areas and then receive ongoing care at rural primary care clinics that have established partnerships with these addiction care facilities. Based on this model's success in Vermont, it has been deployed in many rural areas across the nation.

Danielle Rhubart, assistant professor of biobehavioral health at Penn State, co-authored an article in the journal Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment that evaluated the application of the Vermont model in Montana.

"There are people in Montana who have to drive 100 or even 200 miles one way to reach a physician who can prescribe medical treatments for opioid use disorder," Rhubart explained. "This is fundamentally very different from Vermont, which is only about 80 miles wide. The model that is used in Vermont has been very successful, and a lot of good science has validated it. We needed to know, however, whether what worked in Vermont was applicable in a state as remote as Montana."

The researchers found that the Vermont model was not successfully adopted in Montana. Addiction care facilities in Montana were often unsuccessful at forming partnerships with rural primary care offices. The rural providers who were interviewed for this research were concerned about a variety of interrelated issues.

Geographic concerns were one of the reasons that primary care physicians were reluctant to enter into addiction-care partnerships. The total area of Montana is nearly 150,000 square miles, while the area of Vermont is less than 10,000 square miles. Though Montana is home to more people, there are between nine and 10 times as many people per square mile in Vermont as there are in Montana. Prior research has shown that there are important differences between rural areas that are adjacent to urban areas compared with rural areas that are distant from urban areas. People in more remote rural areas, like most of Montana, are much less likely to have access to a variety of services. Physicians were concerned that the lack of trained staff who lived in their area would make implementing the program impractical.

The lack of available staff was cited by some rural primary care physicians as a reason not to participate in opioid use disorder treatment programs. According to the researchers, behavioral health services are more widely available in Vermont than in rural Montana. This lack of medical staff and support services led many rural health care providers in Montana to believe that they would be unable to recruit and retain staff to run an opioid use disorder treatment program.

Some rural providers in Montana reported that they did not want to participate in treatment because they were concerned that the demand would overwhelm their capacity to provide high quality care. Primary care facilities in some of the most rural and remote portions of the state cited the lack of available behavioral health staff in the area as a reason to suspect that, if they started an opioid use disorder program, they would not be able to address their patients' needs.

In addition, there is a stigma associated with treating people with opioid use disorder in some rural areas, and some physicians expressed fear that they would lose patients if they prescribed these medications.

"The differences between Vermont and Montana go beyond population density," Rhubart explained. "Cultures differ too. In our study, we found that some rural physicians' offices in Montana preferred an informal relationship with addiction-treatment facilities to a formal partnership. Rural providers welcomed technical assistance, but were hesitant to formalize long-term partnerships. Additionally, many rural physicians in Montana expressed concern about the stigma associated with treating people with opioid use disorder."

One of the most significant barriers to treating opioid use disorder in rural areas is the special license required for prescribing the appropriate medication. There is concern that the medication could be abused as a street drug, so it is highly regulated. In addition, physicians expressed concerns that the Vermont model would not be financially viable for their practices.

This research shows that for treatment of opioid use disorderand other health issuesthere is no one-size-fits-all solution for rural areas.

"When states develop treatment models for opioid use disorder, public health officials must account for local variations in culture, stigma, and access to resources so that rural physicians are not overwhelmed by the prospect of treating people in need," Rhubart explained. "Program and partnership buy-in from physicians requires attention to the geographic, economic, and cultural norms of a community. These factors are essential for developing care models that effectively support those with opioid use disorder."

Explore further Mobile telemedicine unit as effective as traditional clinics for treating opioid addiction in rural areas

More information: Brandn Green et al, Barriers for Implementing the Hub and Spoke Model to Expand Medication for Opioid Use Disorder: A Case Study of Montana, Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment (2021). Brandn Green et al, Barriers for Implementing the Hub and Spoke Model to Expand Medication for Opioid Use Disorder: A Case Study of Montana,(2021). DOI: 10.1177/11782218211039781
Credit: Taylor Wright/Unsplash

In pregnant women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, male placentas showed increased immune activation compared with female placentas, according to a new study published in Science Translational Medicine.

The significantly higher levels of certain genes and proteins associated with increased immune activation may help protect male fetuses from becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2 in utero, but the resulting inflammation could pose risks to the fetus and child, notes Andrea Edlow, senior author of the study and maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).

Moreover, pregnant women with COVID-19 transferred significantly less immunity to the virus to male fetuses than to female fetuses, which could affect an infant's risk for becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2. "The sex of the fetus influenced both the mom's ability to generate antibodies to COVID-19 and to transfer them to her baby," says Edlow.

This is the first study to look at sex differences in the transfer of a mother's antibodies from COVID infection to her fetus, and the first to examine sex differences in the placental response to maternal infection.

Epidemiological studies have shown that male adults, children, and infants have a higher prevalence of COVID-19 infection and develop more severe disease than females. Male fetuses and infants are also more vulnerable to a host of pre- and perinatal exposures compared to female babies, so Edlow and her team sought to examine placentas, maternal blood and cord blood from pregnancies affected by maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The study included 68 pregnant women, of whom 38 became infected with SARS-CoV-2 during their third trimester prior to the development of the COVID vaccine. The remaining 30 subjects were healthy pregnant women who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy. In both groups, half the fetuses were male and half were female.

In a novel discovery, Edlow and her colleagues showed that, compared with female fetuses, the placentas of male fetuses carried by women with COVID-19 had much higher expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), which play a key role in shielding fetuses from viral invaders in utero. However, the increased expression of ISGs and downstream production of immune cells called cytokines can also result in an inflammatory intrauterine environment, which has been associated with an increased risk for neurodevelopmental or metabolic disease later in life. "While our study didn't assess those risks specifically, it raises the importance of following these children and looking at male and female fetuses differently," says Edlow.

In a second significant finding, Edlow's team showed that mothers with COVID-19 who have male fetuses make lower levels of antibodies against the virus than mothers with female fetuses; they also transfer fewer antibodies to a male fetus. That suggests that males may be more vulnerable to becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2 in infancy and demonstrates that the sex of the fetus can influence the maternal immune response to the virus, notes Edlow.

Next, Edlow and her co-investigators plan to examine the character of antibodies induced by the COVID-19 vaccine and how those are affected by the timing of the vaccine during pregnancy and of course, fetal sex. "We want to know what happens to the placenta when moms are vaccinated against COVID-19 in each of the three trimesters and how fetal sex affects that response," says Edlow.

More information: Evan A Bordt et al, Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection elicits sexually dimorphic placental immune responses, Science Translational Medicine (2021). Journal information: Science Translational Medicine Evan A Bordt et al, Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection elicits sexually dimorphic placental immune responses,(2021). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abi7428

This story is published courtesy of the Harvard Gazette, Harvard University's official newspaper. For additional university news, visit Harvard.edu.
(HealthDay)It is a fear that millions of parents have been harboring since the pandemic began: Will their children fall behind in school due to disruptions caused by lockdowns, closings and social distancing?

A new U.S. poll finds that fear is widespread, with just over half of more than 3,000 parents and caregivers of children under 18 worried that their youngest school-aged child was not keeping up with lessons, especially those with children who were learning in a blended or fully remote setting.

"The pandemic quickly turned people's lives upside down, including as it pertains to education, forcing parents of school-aged children and teachers alike to alter well-established routines and search for new, and sometimes unconventional, ways for children to learn effectively," explained Melissa Merrick, president and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America).

Rates of worry were 51% among parents of children ages 5-9, 58% of those with children ages 10-14, and 53% among those with children ages 15-18.

Parents whose child's school arrangement was blended or fully remote were much more likely to be somewhat to extremely concerned their child was falling behind (43%) than those whose child attended school in-person full time (28%) or who was home-schooled (24%).

Parents' work situations were associated with concerns about children falling behind in school.

One in five parents who had a change in employment were extremely concerned that their child was falling behind in school, compared with 10% of those who had no change in employment and 14% of those who worked less due to employer decisions.

Rates were slightly higher among parents who teleworked (38%) than among those who did not (31%).

Parents worried about their child falling behind in school had higher levels of stress. Half of parents who were extremely concerned said they felt stressed or nervous most of the time or always since the beginning of the pandemic or felt they were facing so many difficulties that they could not overcome them, compared with 30% of parents with no concerns about their child falling behind in school.

The survey also found that parents of children with special needs were more likely to be somewhat to extremely concerned (44%) than parents of children without special needs (32%).

Parents who reported financial problems, no daily routines for their children, intimate partner violence and other household problems were more likely to be concerned that their child was falling behind in school than those without such problems.

The Family Snapshot Survey was conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PCA America and Tufts Medical Center.

"This survey reinforces the need to equip adultsat home and at schoolwith resources to provide the safe, stable and nurturing relationships and environments that children need to succeed academically, socially and emotionally throughout life," Merrick said in an AAP news release.

More information: The American Academy of Pediatrics offers The American Academy of Pediatrics offers back-to-school tips amid COVID-19

Copyright  2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that only a third of all pregnant women in the U.S. are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, yet they are among the most vulnerable who are likely to experience severe complications from the deadly virus. Black and Hispanic women who are pregnant could be at even higher risk, according to Michelle Albert, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, volunteer president-elect of the American Heart Association and current president of the Association of Black Cardiologists.

"The CDC reports that only 33% of pregnant women have gotten the vaccine. Among those, only 18% are Black women and 28% are Hispanic women," said Albert, a professor of medicine at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF), Associate Dean for Admissions for UCSF Medical School and a newly elected member of the National Academy of Medicine. "People need to know the complications of the virus are much worse than risks of the vaccine. You need to be vaccinated to protect yourself, your unborn child, your family and your community."

As a clinician-scientist, Albert has devoted her career to researching health disparities among historically excluded people. She is currently studying the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among Black women through a research grant funded by the American Heart Association's COVID-19 Rapid Response initiative. She said it's important to set the record straight on the health benefits of COVID-19 vaccinations for pregnant women and people of color at a time when misinformation is increasingly seen as a problem among Americans.

"Please use your trusted sources. You should trust your doctors and your other health care professionals to provide you with appropriate information around COVID-19," Albert said.

The American Heart Association, the world's leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, is supporting vaccination efforts and believes that following science-driven guidance is critically important.

'As a pregnant woman, should I get the vaccine?'

Research shows COVID-19 can increase complications for pregnant womensignificantly raising their odds of needing ICU care, premature birth and death, especially when compared to pregnant women without COVID-19.

Studies have shown that the vaccine is safe for women who are pregnant and they are no more likely to experience miscarriages than women who are not vaccinated.

Albert not only encourages those who are pregnant to get vaccinated, but also women who are wanting to become pregnant.

"The COVID-19 vaccine has not been shown to result in fertility problems in women or in men. The vaccine is safe," noted Albert.

The CDC issued an urgent health advisory urging more vaccinations of pregnant people to protect the lives of those who are or may become pregnant, and to keep their fetuses safe and healthy, too.

'Why are people of color at higher risk for severe cases of COVID-19?'

Research has found that people with a history of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular disease risk factors are more likely to experience more severe complications if they get COVID-19that includes people who have had a heart attack, stroke or those with heart failure, or among those who smoke or have high blood pressure or obesity.

According to the American Heart Association's Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2021 Update:

About 60% of Black men and women over the age of 20 have some form of cardiovascular disease.

About 52% of Hispanic males and 43% of Hispanic females have some form of cardiovascular disease.

Among adults reporting they smoked at least once a day, 22.6% were American Indian/Alaska Native people, 14.6% were Black people and 9.8% were Hispanic people.

More than 77% of Hispanic adults and 70% of Black adults over the age of 20 have obesity,

More than 57% of Black adults and more than 41% of Hispanic adults over the age of 20 have high blood pressure.

"The factors that contribute to the heightened risk for COVID-19 include cardiovascular comorbidities, crowded housing environments, more likely to work in service jobs where people are unable to socially distance, lower socioeconomic status and poor-quality health care. These are all factors that contribute to the worsened risk and are all factors of systemic racism experienced by people of color that increase their risk," Albert said.

'Some people have gotten COVID-19 despite being vaccinated, so why should I bother getting it?'

"Of the millions of people who have been vaccinated for COVID-19, very few have breakthrough infections, although breakthrough infections do occur, the key point is, at least 92% of persons who are hospitalized, seriously ill or have died of COVID-19 have not been vaccinated," Albert said.

Compared to people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, research shows unvaccinated individuals are:

Five times more likely to contract the virus;

10 times more likely to be hospitalized with the virus

10 times more likely to die from complications related to the virus.

"COVID-19 is an inflammatory condition, so likely what is happening is that the inflammatory environment built up by the virus propels medical conditions that can result in death," Albert said.

The American Heart Association aligns with the CDC's recommendations that everyone eligible, ages 12 and older, be vaccinated as soon as possible. The goal is to protect as many people as possible from severe COVID-19 infection, hospitalization and death especially younger children who are not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccination and people who have compromised immune systems due to other serious health conditions.

The COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and available to everyone (currently 12 and above) at no cost.

Explore further CDC pushes hard on vaccination for pregnant women in new advisory
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting of the State Council Presidium to discuss the country's transport strategy until 2030 via video conference call at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence, outside Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Credit: Evgeny Paulin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday ordered most Russians to stay off work for a week later this month amid rising COVID-19 infections and deaths, and he strongly urged reluctant citizens to get vaccinated.

The government coronavirus task force reported 1,028 deaths in the past 24 hours, the highest number since the start of the pandemic. That brought Russia's death toll to 226,353, by far the highest in Europe.

Putin said he supports the Cabinet's proposal to introduce a nonworking period starting Oct. 30 and extending through the following week, when four of seven days already are official state holidays. In some regions where the situation is the most threatening, he said the nonworking period could start as early as Saturday and be extended past Nov. 7.

"Our task today is to protect life and health of our citizens and minimize the consequences of the dangerous infection," Putin said in a video call with top officials. "To achieve that, it's necessary to first of all slow the pace of contagion and mobilize additional reserves of the health care system, which is currently working under a high strain."

Russia's daily coronavirus mortality numbers have been surging for weeks and topped 1,000 for the first time over the weekend amid sluggish vaccination rates, lax public attitudes toward taking precautions and the government's reluctance to toughen restrictions. Only about 45 million Russiansroughly a third of its nearly 146 million peopleare fully vaccinated.

Medics wearing a special suit to protect against coronavirus treat a patient with coronavirus at an ICU at the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Russia hit another daily record of coronavirus deaths Tuesday as rapidly surging infection rates raised pressure on the country's health care system and prompted the government to suggest declaring a nonworking week.Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

The nonworking period should help limit the spread by keeping people out of offices and off crowded public transportation, but Moscow and many other cities haven't curbed access to restaurants, cafes, bars, theaters and gyms.

When the Cabinet proposed the measure Tuesday, many Russians rushed to book flights to Black Sea resorts to take advantage of the break.

Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, who leads the task force, emphasized that the nonworking week should imply limiting access to restaurants, theaters and other entertainment venues, adding that regional authorities will be expected to impose restrictions.

She particularly urged Russians to refrain from traveling to other regions during the period and emphasized the need for relatives of those infected to stay home.

It wasn't immediately clear what private businesses would be required to stop working in line with Putin's decree, in addition to state workers and employees of state-owned companies. During a similar measure early in the pandemic, many private and state-owned companies in "vital" economic sectors were allowed to keep operating.

Medics wearing a special suit to protect against coronavirus treat a patient with coronavirus at an ICU at the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Russia hit another daily record of coronavirus deaths Tuesday as rapidly surging infection rates raised pressure on the country's health care system and prompted the government to suggest declaring a nonworking week.Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

The Cabinet has drafted measures on compensation to businesses to help absorb the economic blow, including one-time payments equivalent to a minimum monthly pay per worker and low-interest credits.

In urging Russians to get the shots, Putin said "it's a matter of your life and security and the health of your dear ones."

"There are only two ways to get over this periodto get sick or to receive a vaccine," he said. "It's better to get the vaccine. Why wait for the illness and its grave consequences? Please be responsible and take the necessary measures to protect yourself, your health and your close ones."

The Russian leader, who got the domestically developed Sputnik V vaccine earlier this year, said he's puzzled by the vaccine hesitancy, even among his close friends.

"I can't understand what's going on," Putin said. "We have a reliable and efficient vaccine. The vaccine really reduces the risks of illness, grave complications and death."

A medic wearing a special suit to protect against coronavirus treats a patient with coronavirus at an ICU at the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Russia hit another daily record of coronavirus deaths Tuesday as rapidly surging infection rates raised pressure on the country's health care system and prompted the government to suggest declaring a nonworking week.Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

He approved a Cabinet proposal giving two days of paid leave to those getting the shot to help encourage vaccination.

Even though Russia in August 2020 became the first country in the world to authorize a coronavirus vaccine and has plentiful supplies, there has been reluctance among its citizens to get the shots, a skepticism blamed on conflicting signals from authorities.

While extolling Sputnik V and three other domestic vaccines, state-controlled media often criticized Western-made shots, a message that many saw as feeding doubts about vaccines in general.

Golikova emphasized that most of those who have died recently were unvaccinated. She said 87% of hospital beds allocated for COVID-19 patients are filled, with the number reaching 95% in some provinces.

Rising infections forced some regional authorities to suspend certain medical services as health care facilities were focusing on coronavirus patients. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted the situation is "very sad," noting that the level of vaccination in those regions was particularly low.

Medics wearing special suits to protect against coronavirus treat a patient with coronavirus at an ICU at the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Russia hit another daily record of coronavirus deaths Tuesday as rapidly surging infection rates raised pressure on the country's health care system and prompted the government to suggest declaring a nonworking week.Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

Putin warned regional leaders against trying to embellish statistics, saying a "high number of new infections doesn't mean poor work" by the authorities. "It shows the efficiency of regional teams, not the other way round," he said.

Until now, the Kremlin ruled out a nationwide lockdown like the one early in the pandemic that dealt a heavy blow to the economy and sapped Putin's popularity, instead empowering regional authorities to decide on local restrictions.

Many of Russia's 85 regions already have restricted attendance at large public events and introduced digital codes proving vaccination or past illness for access to restaurants, theaters and other venues. Some have made vaccinations compulsory for certain public servants and people over 60.

In Moscow, however, life has continued as usual, with restaurants and movie theaters brimming with people, crowds swarming nightclubs and karaoke bars, and commuters widely ignoring mask mandates on public transportation even as ICUs have filled.

Medics wearing special suits to protect against coronavirus move a patient with coronavirus at an ICU at the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Russia hit another daily record of coronavirus deaths Tuesday as rapidly surging infection rates raised pressure on the country's health care system and prompted the government to suggest declaring a nonworking week.Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

Medical workers expressed bewilderment over the vaccine skepticism and lax attitude to precautions. "I think about sleepless nights when we get a huge number of patients who didn't even bother to use banal protective means," said Dr. Natavan Ibragimova of Moscow's Hospital No. 52, where an ICU was filled to capacity.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said unvaccinated people over 60 will be required to stay home. He also told businesses to keep at least a third of their employees working remotely for three months starting Oct. 25.

Dr. Catherine Smallwood, the COVID-19 incident manager at the World Health Organization's European branch, said vaccination levels at or below 30% in Russia and eastern European countries like Bulgaria and Romania were "particularly concerning."

"It's very clear that in countries that have lower vaccine uptake, that's where we're seeing the serious pandemic effects at the moment in terms of deaths and people ending up in hospital," she said.

A medic wearing a special suit to protect against coronavirus sits near a patient with coronavirus at an ICU at the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Russia hit another daily record of coronavirus deaths Tuesday as rapidly surging infection rates raised pressure on the country's health care system and prompted the government to suggest declaring a nonworking week.Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

Medics wearing special suits to protect against COVID-19 treat a patient with coronavirus at an ICU at the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Russia hit another daily record of coronavirus deaths Tuesday as rapidly surging infection rates raised pressure on the country's health care system and prompted the government to suggest declaring a nonworking week.Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

Patients with coronavirus are in the intensive ward of an ICU at the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Russia hit another daily record of coronavirus deaths Tuesday as rapidly surging infection rates raised pressure on the country's health care system and prompted the government to suggest declaring a nonworking week.Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

Georgy N. Arbolishvili, M.D., Ph.D. , Head of Resuscitation and Intensive Care Unit (ICU No. 3) of the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52, speaks during his interview with the Associated Press in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Medics blame the country's quickly mounting infections and deaths on a slow vaccine uptake. Russia hit another daily record of coronavirus deaths Tuesday as rapidly surging infection rates raised pressure on the country's health care system and prompted the government to suggest declaring a nonworking week. Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

Medics wearing special suits to protect against coronavirus treat a patient with coronavirus, left, as others prepare a patent to move at an ICU at the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Russia hit another daily record of coronavirus deaths Tuesday as rapidly surging infection rates raised pressure on the country's health care system and prompted the government to suggest declaring a nonworking week. Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

Irina P. Beloglazova, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Internist, Pulmonologist, Head of Internal Medicine Department No. 4 of the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52, speaks during her interview with the Associated Press in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Russia hit another daily record of coronavirus deaths Tuesday as rapidly surging infection rates raised pressure on the country's health care system and prompted the government to suggest declaring a nonworking week. Medics blame the country's quickly mounting infections and deaths on a slow vaccine uptake. Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

Medics wearing special suits to protect against coronavirus prepare to move a patient with coronavirus at an ICU at the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Russia hit another daily record of coronavirus deaths Tuesday as rapidly surging infection rates raised pressure on the country's health care system and prompted the government to suggest declaring a nonworking week.Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

Medics wearing special suits to protect against coronavirus make a briefing as they come to treat a patient with coronavirus at an ICU at the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Russia hit another daily record of coronavirus deaths Tuesday as rapidly surging infection rates raised pressure on the country's health care system and prompted the government to suggest declaring a nonworking week.Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

Natavan A. Ibragimova, Internist of Internal Medicine Department No. 4 of the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52, speaks during her interview with the Associated Press in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Patients who have gotten the vaccine usually don't have serious symptoms, Ibragimova added, while the unvaccinated come to regret it. Russia hit another daily record of coronavirus deaths Tuesday as rapidly surging infection rates raised pressure on the country's health care system and prompted the government to suggest declaring a nonworking week. Medics blame the country's quickly mounting infections and deaths on a slow vaccine uptake. Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

The government task force has registered more than 8 million total infections and its official COVID-19 death toll ranks Russia as having the fifth-most pandemic deaths in the world, behind the United States, Brazil, India and Mexico.

However, state statistics agency Rosstat, which also counts deaths in which the virus wasn't considered the main cause, has reported a much higher death tollabout 418,000 as of August.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
(HealthDay)Researchers have created a six-stage process to help families of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) deal with the disorder.

"This framework is family-centered, focused on breaking down the barriers that families face from before diagnosis to preparing children with ADHD for the future," said Dr. Andrea Spencer, director of the Reach for ADHD Research Program at Boston Medical Center.

"This framework can help serve as a model to develop engagement interventions that will be more beneficial to families," Spencer added in a center news release.

The researchers developed the framework based on the experiences of 41 urban, low-income racial and ethnic minority familieswho are most likely to face difficultiesas they went from diagnosis to treatment of their children's ADHD.

The six stages of engagement identified by the researchers are:

normalization and hesitation;

stigmatization and fear;

action and advocacy;

communications and navigation;

care and validation;

preparation and transition.

The study was published recently in the journal Pediatrics.

Difficulties and conflict can occur when parents and health care providers are at different stages in the process, which the researchers call stage mismatch.

Interventions could be offered to support families in each phase and help them move successfully to the next, the study authors suggested.

"Parents were successful when support was provided in a way that matches their own stage of engagement," said Spencer, who is also an assistant professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine.

"Using the Six Stages framework could allow the health system to better match the needs of children with ADHD whose families are at different stages of their engagement process."

The authors said future research to refine the model should examine: the experiences of families with undiagnosed and untreated children; age of diagnosis and years of treatment, and how families of specific racial or ethnic groups may progress differently through the stages.

ADHD is one of the most common developmental disorders of childhood and can persist into adulthood.

Explore further Six stages of engagement in ADHD treatment revealed in new, diverse study

More information: The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health has more on Journal information: Pediatrics The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health has more on ADHD

Copyright  2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Healthcare leaders urged the British government Wednesday to reinstate some coronavirus restrictions to ease pressures on hospitals because of spiralling case numbers.

But ministers remain opposed to reintroducing any curbs, arguing the situation is still far better than earlier this year and the country is learning to "live with the virus".

A total of 223 deaths from COVID-19 were registered on Tuesdaythe highest 24-hour toll since Marchwhile there is mounting concern at daily case rates.

The country is averaging more than 40,000 new cases a day for the first time since the summer, and the number of patients admitted to hospital is increasing.

Matthew Taylor, head of the NHS Confederation representing the state-run health service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, said hospitals were feeling severe pressure and action was needed as the busier winter period approaches.

"We've got a very particular problem over this winter, and we need to act," he told Sky News.

Taylor said health leaders report the worsening COVID-19 situation means they are missing key targets in areas such as waits in emergency departments, ambulance response times and treatment backlogs.

"Is it better to act early and take measures which don't stop the economy workingbut I recognise they are inconvenient for peopleor do we wait for things to get worse and possibly risk having to take more severe measures?" he added.

'Policy is working'

The government, which lifted coronavirus restrictions in July, insists it is closely watching the statistics, which have been attributed to high numbers of infections in school-age children.

But it maintains the situation does not yet warrant a return to restrictions, such as compulsory indoor mask-wearing and working from home where possible.

"I don't see any cause for changing the course at this minute," Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng told the BBC. "This is a virus that we are learning to live with.

"Clearly any increase is concerning and we're monitoring the data on a daily basis.

"But for now, we think that this policy is working," he added, referring to the government's vaccination campaign and latest offer of booster jabs to the more vulnerable.

Britain's stubbornly high infection rates contrast sharply with its European neighbours and have prompted fresh questions of the decision to relax all restrictions.

It has mainly used the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, which was shown to be less effective at preventing infection from the Delta variant than the mRNA vaccines such as Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna predominantly used in Europe.

The country also began its vaccination programme earlier, prompting questions about whether immunity is now waning, similar to Israel's experience.

Explore further UK govt under spotlight as COVID cases rise again

 2021 AFP
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

For Susie Young, the days before she was a unionized caregiver weren't ones to cheer about.

"Before the union came in, we had nothing," she said. "No training. Forget about a paid holiday or vacation. ... There's many workers in this country today that's where they are."

Young, 73, lives and works in Spokane, Washington, where she has been a home care worker for about 35 years. She helps a developmentally delayed man who's high-functioning enough to work outside the home and ride the bus but still needs reminders and other assistance to keep him on track.

Her workload, a couple of days a week, is less than it once was. Decades ago, Young, who's a founding member of the executive board of the Service Employees International Union Local 775, was caring for people suffering from HIV and was a union skeptic. Having to press her employers for basic protective gear, a situation that's since improved, was what, she said, changed her mind about the union.

"I had asked my office for a box of gloves. I wanted a box of gloves and I saw they're just going to give me a few gloves in a bag, and I said, 'What?' and I was very vocal about it and I said, 'I tell you what, if I get HIV, I'll be coming and making sure that my husband sues this agency because all I want is a box of gloves. And I was like, 'Oh my God, I have to fight for a box of gloves?' " Young recalled.

Washington is among a handful of states, including New York, California and Illinois, where unions play a role in direct home care. In many states, paid caregivers who work in home care are not represented, a state of affairs influenced, in part, by the way home care is funded and managed in the United States as well as the isolated nature of the workplace.

What's under consideration

President Joe Biden has said he wants it to be easier for home care workers to unionize, but there are barriers to making that happen. Anti-union forces that fight "compulsory unionism" and court rulings in recent years that prevent unions from collecting agency fees from nonmembers highlight the broader ideological challenge to union expansion in this arena.

Conservative groups that oppose unionization of home care workers, such as the Heritage Foundation, have asserted that union membership numbers and coffers benefit more than the workers themselves. A 2014 article in the foundation's "The Daily Signal" publication said unions "negotiated union contracts on their behalf that include mandatory dues paymentsand sometimes little else," a view rejected by union supporters.

Caregivers in home care generally work for low wages, a point reinforced when California's state auditor this year wrote to the governor and other officials that many full-time caregivers there would qualify for public assistance. One of the key areas where unions are expected to deliver for their members, however, is in better pay.

Paul Osterman, in his 2017 book, "Who will care for us? Long-term care and the long-term workforce," wrote that "it is clear that with respect to hourly wages, home care aides benefit from organization," although median wages can provide a mixed picture nationwide.

Existing situations

Wages for caregivers in Washington state, where the minimum wage is $13.69 per hour, are higher than in many other states.

Nationally, the median hourly wages for home care workers stood at just under $13 per hour in 2020, according to the care research and advocacy group PHI. In Washington state, the median hourly wage for home health and personal care aides stood at more than $15 per hour.

Young has seen her own wages rise from around $7 in the early 2000s before she was a union member to more than $19 an hour today. Some workers, according to SEIU, average more than $20 per hour with hazard pay.

"Today, home care workers in Washington state are among the best compensated in the country. It certainly wasn't always that way. When workers started to form a union back in 2000, 2001, caregivers here made minimum wage," according to Adam Glickman, secretary-treasurer for SEIU Local 775, which represents about 45,000 workers in Washington State and a few thousand more in Montana.

SEIU represents about 500,000 home care workers nationwide.

Individual health care, a retirement program, raises based on experience, added training and more personal protective equipment during the pandemic are some of what Glickman described as union wins. Hazard pay during the pandemic, an extra $2.50 per hour, is another.

"The increased wages created a big role in helping people to survive and stay in these jobs. The challenge now is caregivers don't just need the living wage during the pandemic, they need it all the time," Glickman said, noting that the union would like to see health care coverage in Washington state expanded to include dependents but to date that has remained out of reach.

Eileen Boris, Hull Professor and Distinguished Professor of Feminist Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, said unionization or, in a broader sense, organization of caregivers is crucial for creating the infrastructure for a stable and well-paid labor force to serve a rapidly aging population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, adults 65 and older will outnumber people 18 and younger by 2034.

The labor that caregivers perform is frequently intimate and invisible to the wider society, Boris said, and in the past, has often been viewed by some as not being real work. That's part of a historical legacy where labor deemed to be women's work was not valued, especially when the work continues to be disproportionately done by women of color.

That viewpoint has begun to shift over the past year and half, said Boris, whose 2012 book with co-author Jennifer Klein, "Caring for America: Home Health Workers in the Shadow of the Welfare State," explored many aspects of home care labor, including unions.

Boris said organizing of caregivers is not limited to traditional unions and can also happen through worker centers or other organizations.

"The pandemic has shown that care is essential to the economy, that it is in the self-interest of those in power for women to be able to go out to work as well as to go into work, that society needs the labor power of women and other family caregivers in the labor market," Boris said. "I really do think that the pandemic has made it rather obvious that we rely on these workers."

Low pay is often cited as one of the main issues facing caregivers, but there are others, from limited training and lack of benefits in many states to weak or nonexistent workplace protections other workers take for granted.

Elevating the status of caregiver jobs is important, too, but history shows that even jobs with arguably higher status were not always viewed that way.

"We think of autoworker jobs, for example, as good jobs. They paid well. They only paid well because the workers were unionized and organized and struck and struggled," Boris said.

Benefits/limitations

Unions that seek to represent caregivers in the home, however, face a unique landscape.

Organizing workers who typically work in isolation in a job with high turnover presents a challenge that unions in other fields might not face.

For instance, workers in an office setting, at least pre-pandemic, might have learned about the union by running into a co-worker who could then give them a union card to sign. In other environments, such as a Detroit Three auto plant with thousands of employees, unionism is ingrained in the culture itself.

The nature of the employer/employee relationship is also often different.

In home care settings, where the government sets the rules and Medicaid is the big funding source, the person receiving care might make decisions about hiring and firing of the caregiver, and the caregiver might be called an independent provider. In order to unionize, workers might need a change in the law. In Washington state, that happened through a successful 2001 ballot measure.

In Michigan, the outcome has been far different. Tens of thousands of home care workers were once represented by SEIU, but today that's not the case.

A system that created a collective bargaining process for care workers under a union-friendly Democratic administration unraveled years later under a Republican governor with different priorities. Conservatives led a fight against what they called "dues skimming" of Medicaid dollars, and efforts by union backers to safeguard collective bargaining for home care workers through a statewide ballot measure failed in 2012.

Groups like the conservative Mackinac Center for Public Policy argued against the process that allowed collective bargaining for those workers in Michigan, painting it as an effort to benefit the union at the expense of vulnerable residents. Union backers countered then, as they do now, that collective bargaining for low-paid care workers doesn't just benefit the workers, it also promotes better care for those receiving it.

Steve Delie, director of labor policy and workers for opportunity at the Mackinac Center, suggested that a better way to address compensation and other issues for these workers, whom he said perform important jobs, is through legislation, which he acknowledged might not be the easiest path.

When Michigan's home care workers were represented by the union, they weren't engaged meaningfully in the process, Delie said.

"It was a matter of people not even knowing they were members of a union until they saw their payments go down due to a union dues deduction," he said.

But union supporters, such as Tamara Blue, see the union as a positive force.

Blue has been a caregiver in Michigan since she was 18.

Now in her late 40s, the Detroit resident works midnights part-time at a nursing home in the city as a certified nursing assistant. Until a few months ago, Blue also cared for 98-year-old Shirley Fawcett, first at the woman's home in Birmingham, an upscale suburb, and later when Fawcett moved into an assisted living facility.

At the nursing home, Blue is represented by SEIU, which she credited for helping secure personal protective equipment for her and her co-workers during the pandemic. In home care, Blue, who met Vice President Kamala Harris during a vaccination mobilization event in Detroit in July, has no union, and she said she has seen many dire situations in her years of work.

"When you go into a home you don't have any protection. Without a union, there's no protection. People can do to you whatever they feel," Blue said.

Blue described a special relationship with Fawcett.

As COVID-19 forced lockdowns and other restrictions, Blue was able to see Fawcett at the assisted living facility when her family was prevented from doing so.

"Her health had declined during COVID to the point where I was hands-on. I had to do the feeding, I had to do the changing, I had to do everything for her," Blue said. "I had to play the nurse, the aide, the family, the child. I had to do it all."

In June, Fawcett died, and Blue has been in mourning ever since.

"That was the love of my life. She was so sweet," said Blue, who began caring for Fawcett shortly after Fawcett's husband died several years ago.

This loss has been hard, and Blue has taken a break from home care for the last few months, but she was only able to do so because Fawcett's family gave her a bonus. She'll have to pick up another client.

"In home care, you cannot survive off one income," said Blue, who makes about $16 an hour at the nursing home and, thanks in part to extra money from Fawcett's family, made close to $15 an hour in her most recent personal care assignment.

Unions are not a panacea, according to experts. Author Osterman noted that it's reasonable to be critical of some aspects of union policy, but on balance unions are a "force for good" in the home care industry and should be supported.

Their limited range and organizing challenges in the home care sector, however, make them only part of the solution, not the primary answer to creating a better long-term care system, Osterman wrote.

In Michigan, where home care union efforts have been set back, Emily Dieppa, PHI's director of workforce development, pointed to another possible solution. She and PHI are part of the Impart Alliance, a multiyear state advocacy project, connecting researchers, workers, agencies and organizations, including Michigan State University, in an effort to boost direct care and the lives of its workers and clients.

The effort has some goals similar to the union, in terms of lifting up workers and boosting training, she said, but without the structures of the union and the pushback that union efforts have generated. Stakeholders in direct care who would have been seen as enemies in the past are "sitting at the same table," she said, and there's momentum for change.

Explore further Latinos in labor unions were better protected from job losses during pandemic

2021 freep.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus V.Makei meets the Ambassador of India

On October 20, 2021 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Vladimir Makei, met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India, Alok Ranjan Jha.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on the development of bilateral political dialogue and intensification of contacts between Belarus and India at the highest and high levels. The interlocutors paid special attention to the state and prospects for trade and economic cooperation.

V.Makei and A.R.Jha also discussed the situation with COVID-19 in both countries, stressed the need to arrange an exchange of experience in the fight against COVID-19.



print version
COMPANIES NOW have the right not to employ workers who have not been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, the Department of Labor and Employme...
For Quinton Decker, the last several weeks have been permission to experiment.

The Missoula artist has been working in the Missoula Public Librarys MakerSpace, equipped with 3D printers and other tools, through the Open AIR artist residency program, a nonprofit that places artists in locations around western Montana and access to their spaces and resources.

It also carves out time (theres a stipend), which is key for artists.

Decker studied art at the University of Montana, graduating in 2018 with a bachelor of fine arts degree and an emphasis in ceramics. Once he was done, though, he didnt have easy access to a kiln anymore.

I shifted into painting, because it was just accessible and I could do it at home, he said.

He applied for the library because of the MakerSpace and its 3D printers. Hes become more interested in weaving and the potential for custom-designed frames, trying to pull weaving from a more traditional context and pull in material thats modern.

Decker, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation with Salish descent, sees potential for a conversation between the materials, like how the influential Colville artist Joe Feddersen has brought Indigenous imagery into glass, a nontraditional material.

Deckers been mocking up cylindrical frames that could support a woven surface wrapped all the way around them. Using CAD software, he designed holes through the frame to support it to create a tight surface, rather than the loose one you would achieve if you wove a piece separately and then tried to attach it to a surface.

Regarding time to work, Decker, like many artists, said that its always challenging  he has a job in the service industry, for instance, which has been more demanding since the pandemic due to staffing shortages. With the residency, hes able to have a routine of coming in from 11 a.m. onward Monday through Wednesdays, with access to all its new tools.

Representation in media

Decker has also been working on 2D and 3D projects that relate to representation of Indigenous people in movies and television.

Some involve mixing old plastic figures with custom, 3D-printed ones. It would bring them into a modern context, where these toys present an idea of the past. They could potentially be placed with a diorama, perhaps recreating scenes from romanticized Western contexts like Charlie Russell.

For instance, theres a teepee that he wants to augment by placing a satellite dish on the exterior, to give it the sense that Native people still exist, but its not the way that this toy presents it, he said.

Another figure he made is of a cowboy, standing in a duel stance, with guns drawn in each of his six arms. The unrealistic addition of six arms is a way of exploring the myths of the past, such as the lone cowboy trope.

He and Ira Sather-Olson, the senior MakerSpace associate, made it with a 3D scanner by a company called Occipital that wirelessly connects to an iPad, along with a program called Skanect. Decker posed as the model, and Sather-Olson scanned him, moving around multiple times. Then you can edit out any extra data (such as, say, the floor) and in this case, add extra data (multiplying the arms) and export it to the 3D printer.

It doesnt pick up a tremendous amount of detail on faces, for instance, Sather-Olson said, but for the purposes of art projects has been useful.

One piece relates to Disneys Pocahontas, and an early scene in which theyre sailing to America and talking about what theyre going to encounter. "They paint this really ugly picture of Native American people, and they parade this mop around, with a feather, and then they chop it off, he said.

Using the 3D printer, they made a mop in the style of an old plastic toy, the kind he grew up with, and wants to incorporate the imagery.

Hes been working on 2D imagery as well, one of which is based on Kevin Costners Dances with Wolves. His lieutenant is trying to communicate with the Sioux, and impersonates a bison by positioning his fingers next to his temples like horns.

He's imitating the very thing that he ends up ultimately wiping out, or at least what colonizing has done, he said.

Decker painted, then began manipulating the image on the Cricut stencil maker to create a herd of Kevin Costners. Its gone through iterations, such as one that uses a bison with Costner images and cow spots (an allusion to the genetic makeup of current herds).

In another version, hes divided the bison like a map with borders, which he thinks could be an interesting conversation about reservations and divisions.

I feel like its getting somewhere the more I keep working, he said.

You must be logged in to react.

Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Missoula city and county are planning to upgrade radio communications for a variety of users, including first responders, over the next several years.

The county initially budgeted $100,000 for the project for this year, while the citys office of Public Works and Mobility made a $5.5 million capital improvement request to upgrade its radio system.

On Monday, city council approved about $1.9 million of that $5.5 million, entering into a five-year agreement with Motorola for radio service and equipment.

The city saved $482,000 by entering into the agreement when it did, according to Communications Shop Supervisor Rick Larson, who has helped oversee the project. The county commissioners will vote Thursday on whether to amend the budget and purchase new radios for sheriffs office vehicles as well.

The radios will cost the county $287,000. Meanwhile, a county document slated for commission action stated that the countys cost of upgrading tower infrastructure, which is needed in tandem with the new radios, is expected to be approximately $3.2 million.

Tower upgrades will be spread out over a series of years, county officials said.

We are in a situation where we need to make some decisions about what is the next kind of generation of technology that were going to utilize for our future radio systems, said Missoula County Director of Emergency Management Adriane Beck. Thats really what were in the process of doing right now.

One of the biggest user issues, both Larson and Beck noted, was noise interference. Larson said that radios can get scratchy to the point where its not readable at all.

A number of factors cause the interference, including higher population density, according to Steve Mollenhoff, Missoula County Emergency Management communications coordinator.

With more people, there are more radio waves transmitted by a variety of devices including computers and power lines, causing issues  especially within buildings, where police, fire, sheriffs deputies and others are having issues communicating with each other.

First responders' jobs become more dangerous without that reliable radio communication, Beck said.

Interruption to that obviously becomes an officer safety issue, Beck said. But it also hampers their ability to do their day-to-day jobs.

Much of the radio equipment the city and county uses is nearing the end of its life span.

Larson specifically noted police communication issues, a topic that was also discussed during city councils budget process. The project is one of the public works departments priciest for the upcoming fiscal year.

They may have to go into a building or an area where the noise (interference) is so high they cant talk back out or hear from the 911 center and they may get into a situation where they need assistance  and they can't communicate at all because of the noise, Larson said.

Outside of the physical radio equipment in vehicles that will be replaced, other upgrades are planned.

There are two repeater towers in the city and seven more spread throughout the county that will be retrofitted.

Repeater towers allow wider coverage for communication while all on the same system. Inside those towers there is a variety of radio equipment that will eventually be upgraded to an 800 megahertz system, which is more powerful, officials said, than the current analog system, which is around 150 megahertz.

Some of the citys remaining money for the project will likely go to upgrading the two towers in the city, Larson said.

Both the city and county will update radio systems in their vehicles, with the new radios capable of utilizing both the old and new systems. Beck said because the towers will be upgraded over a series of years, its necessary for those using the radio system to have personal devices capable of using both systems.

It will also allow the city and county to work with other agencies that may be operating using different systems. In addition to city police, fire and county deputies, ambulance services, rural fire, city and county public works and the U.S. Forest service all use the current radio system.

Part of why were kind of taking some time and, quite frankly, why we need to do this over time is to prevent any (outages) from occurring, Beck said. So the radio techs from the city and county are working together to really do (the upgrades) systematically so that we dont experience any outages and that we do it methodically.

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

You must be logged in to react.

Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Regarding the municipal judge elections, Im writing to endorse Jennifer Streano for District 1 and Eli Parker for District 2. I know them both as competent, dedicated, and effective public defenders. They will bring a much-needed understanding and compassion to the Missoulas municipal court system.

I also heartily endorse Jacob Coolidge for District 3.

For Coolidge, Moving Justice Forward is an apropos summation of his work over the last decade plus.

Its been my privilege witnessing Coolidges growth  from grad school to his being recognized with the Montana Law Student Pro Bono Award as he earned his law degree. I admired his work product as a dedicated volunteer and as an engaged board member. He has earned my respect with his diverse experience in indigent defense.

Jakes training and work in the trenches has given him insight, perspective, and maturity needed to serve on the bench. He is an honorable man with a heartfelt commitment to justice in the criminal justice system.

Please take a moment before you cast your vote to check out Jakes website: Coolidgeforjudge21.com.

I hope youll then help move justice forward in Missoula by voting for Jacob Coolidge, Jennifer Streano and Eli Parker.

Scott Crichton,

Missoula

You must be logged in to react.

Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Knowledge is power. One of the most common complaints from survivors when the DVTF was formed was the fact that they didnt know where to turn, what steps were involved, or what to expect when they were in a crisis and feeling overwhelmed. One of the first and most effective things the DVTF did was assemble a resource guide, with current contact information of local and regional services to share with victims. In addition, the guide contains important information to consider when developing a personal safety plan, what to do when children are involved, or how to secure a protective order. The guide comes in English and Spanish versions and is available in hard copy at most local government buildings across the county, at DVTF member offices, and online. Search for Domestic Violence Task Force of Iredell Resource Guide to find a copy. Our goal is to get this information into the hands of those who need it most. MPD officers are trained to leave a guide with victims and their family members when responding to related calls for service. If you are a victim, or the friend or family member of a victim and need a copy, or if youre a business owner willing to display and disseminate the resource guide, contact our CRC Lori Carlson at 704-799-8017 or LCarlson@MooresvilleNC.gov.
The United States has rarely been as divided as it is today  red states vs. blue states, vaxxers vs. anti-vaxxers, the woke mob vs. insurrectionists and Houston Astros fans vs. decent human beings. Some people think the problem is not that Americans are too divided but that they are not divided enough. They have a suggestion: a national divorce.

It may seem absurd, but as journalist Richard Kreitner told me, When Ben Shapiro and Sarah Silverman actually agree on something, maybe its worth paying attention to. Shapiro is a caustic Trumpian radio talk show host. Silverman is a lefty comedian who despises former President Donald Trump with every fiber of her being. What they agree on is that maybe this whole United States arrangement has outlived its usefulness.

After California Gov. Gavin Newsom survived a September recall election, Shapiro pronounced the state irredeemable and said a friendly separation of Republican and Democratic states may be in order. On her podcast, Silverman wondered if we should divide up into two or three countries.

These comments may be dismissed as the jabber of entertainers who will do anything to attract attention. But they express a sentiment that is gaining purchase among ordinary Americans.
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has reached a settlement with Talen Energy that allows the state to keep its preferred plan on the table while Talen takes the next two years to come up with an alternative.

At issue is 6.7 million cubic yards of toxic coal ash from Colstrip generators 1 and 2, which were shuttered in January 2020. The ponds have been leaking toxic water into the local aquifer for 40 years. Colstrip Units 3 and 4 continue to generate electricity for utility customers in the Pacific Northwest and Montana.

Last year, DEQ decided the best way to clean up the contamination involved removing all coal ash from the ponds and storing it elsewhere, at a dry site away from groundwater. Talen balked at DEQs plan, arguing that it was better to store the ash where the ponds are located. The Texas company also objected to removing all of the ash.

The settlement announced Tuesday will give Talen two years to work on its alternative. Meanwhile, work will begin on the DEQ proposal, though it's mostly paper work, the department indicated in June.

This settlement agreement does not change DEQs remedy decision and will ensure that design and implementation of Alternative 10 continues to move forward, while allowing Talen Montana the flexibility to concurrently evaluate one additional remedy option, said Jenny Chambers, DEQ Waste Management and Remediation division administrator. The agreement also establishes definitive dates for submittal of design documents and stipulated penalties if dates are not met to keep Talen Montana on track to design the remedy for Units 1 & 2.

The settlement follows 11 months of dispute resolution, during which Talen scored major concessions beneficial for itself and five regional utilities with power plant ownership.

The cleanup bond amount determined necessary by DEQ to cover remediation costs was cut from $285 million to $163 million.

Talens alternative to completely removing the coal ash, which had lost out in the selection process, was revived.

In a role reversal, the terms of the settlement also relieve Talen of having to prove why its alternative is the better choice. Rather, DEQ has to produce a detailed statement for why it doesn't accept the alternative.

The two-year window also means Talen will have another session at the Montana Legislature to lobby for changes to environmental laws concerning the ash pond cleanup.

The Legislature's Republican majority has been very accommodating to Talen recently, making it easier to shop around for coal from sources other than nearby Rosebud mine. Lawmakers also nullified portions of the Colstrip ownership and operations contract at Talen's request in 2021, a move meant to disadvantage the plant's 70% majority stakeholders. Those owners are in disagreement with Talen about power plant maintenance.

Environmental advocates who lobbied hard for complete removal of the coal ash were dismayed that DEQ is still leaving the door open for another option. Jeanie Alderson, chairwoman of the Billings-based Northern Plains Resource Council said the only way to stop the environmental damage was to remove the coal ash.

"DEQ must require full excavation of these contaminating ash ponds," Alderson, a Rosebud County rancher, said in an email. "There is no alternative to fully digging up this mess that can repair groundwater from the millions of gallons of toxic coal ash that leak into aquifers every year. Now more than ever, Rosebud County needs the 200 long-term jobs that full excavation of these ponds will create. Local workers, ranchers, and property owners have been waiting decades for resolution of this issue, and we all deserve cleanup done right."

Thorough cleanup was a likely long-term employer for the area coal miners and power plant workers facing shutdown of the plant, possibly as soon as 2025 when Colstrips utility owners in Washington state face a ban on coal power. Oregon utilities with Colstrip ownership face a similar ban in 2030.

Should Talen produce an alternative over the next two years and push for a change in cleanup plans, it will be difficult for the public to challenge the companys changes, said Anne Hedges, Montana Environmental Information Center director of policy and legislative affairs. Thats because the settlement limits the publics response time to 30 days. The small window will make it hard to hire experts to analyze Talens alternative and make meaningful arguments.

We're going to have to hire somebody, before we even see it, to say, Hey, can you review this? And can you do it in 30 days?  Hedges said. I mean, they would never insist that industry does that sight unseen, but they're forcing that on the public after we've been hiring experts for a decade to help inform to DEQs review of Talens work. Now we're just going to keep at it? I am happy that DEQ is at least saying for the moment they're going to maintain the plan that they came up with a year ago. That's very good news. But they should have told Talen to go jump in the lake.

The cleanup is a massive undertaking for the waste ponds servicing what was until January 2020 a four-unit power plant. The pond complex for the coal-fired units involves nine waste ponds that have leaked roughly 200 million gallons of contaminated water into the ground every year for more than 30 years. One days leakage equals an Olympic-sized swimming pools worth of contaminants, including boron, sulfates, selenium and heavy metals.

Combined with the Unit 3 and 4 ash ponds, the pollution complex spans 800 acres, with an estimated cleanup cost of $400 million to $700 million. Remediation is expected to take decades.

Negotiations over cleanup have been ongoing since 2010. Although the leaking ash ponds were a known toxic problem for 40 years, DEQ did not take action until members of the Colstrip community and conservationists filed lawsuits over the ongoing environmental damage.

Because Talen is the power plant operator for Colstrip, it is the negotiator for cleanup. But there are five other companies with ownership in the power plant who, like Talen, are subject to its cleanup: NorthWestern Energy, the largest monopoly utility in Montana, Washington utilities Puget Sound Energy and Avista, and Oregon utilities Portland General Electric and PacifiCorp.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Its not every day that union members and environmentalists team up, but the American Families Plan federal budget gives us a lot to agree on. It will make taxes fairer, create jobs, mitigate climate change, and improve education and health care.

Tax fairness

The budget is paid for by a set of sensible reforms that bring the American tax code into balance. Our federal tax system is riddled with loopholes that benefit the wealthiest households and corporations at the expense of the rest of us.

Right now, the top one percent of earners avoid $163 billion in taxes every year. Improving collections of taxes already due and avoided, mainly by the wealthiest, would add $1.6 trillion in revenue over the next decade.

The plans proposed individual income tax changes would require the richest one percent to pay for 97 percent of the tax increase, which will start to address inequities in Americas tax system.

At the same time, the proposal will extend tax credits that put more money in the pockets of hardworking Montana families. It makes permanent the Child Tax Credit (CTC) recently passed through the American Rescue Plan earlier this year. This expansion would bring 10,000 Montana children out of poverty. According to the Montana Budget and Policy Center, up to 55 percent fewer children of color will live in poverty if Congress permanently expands the CTC.

Good-paying jobs

Together with the infrastructure bill negotiated by Montanas senior U.S. senator, Jon Tester, the bill would support more than 4 million jobs per year. It would improve training and pay for jobs for in-home caregivers, helping meet the demand for skilled workers to care for Montanas rapidly aging population.

The Economic Policy Institute says climate-related parts of the plan would support more than 763,000 jobs annually. It also contains provisions for dislocated workers, which could help oil, gas and coal workers displaced by the ongoing move to a carbon-free energy system.

According to the Environmental Defense Fund, Both renewable electricity and electric vehicle purchase credits include new labor provisions. Renewable electricity projects must pay prevailing wages and meet apprenticeship levels, barring extenuating circumstances.

Extending the CTC will put more money in the pockets of people who are most likely to spend it  lower-income families. This consumer spending at main street small businesses will create jobs and tax revenue for rural Montana.

Better health care and education

In Montana, over 90 percent of home care workers are women and 15 percent are women of color. But for too long our leaders have not matched the value of their work with adequate training and compensation. This is an opportunity to turn the corner and raise standards for workers, our most vulnerable, and communities that are still emerging from a difficult year.

The bill would create access to in-home care for more than 2,000 Montanans currently on a Medicaid waitlist by expanding funding, creating and maintaining jobs for home care workers. Extending the CTC would likewise help families afford childcare, another field that suffers from a lack of qualified workers in Montana.

It would create an additional four years of free public education for our nations children and make childcare universally available to 3- and 4-year olds.

Climate mitigation incentives

The plan also puts the country on an aggressive path toward cutting carbon emissions by at least 50 percent by 2030. It would require utilities to cut emissions by 4% each year and incentivize the construction of clean energy projects, such as wind and solar. And it would create consumer incentives to buy electric cars and make carbon-reducing home renovations.

Jacquie Helt, Service Employees International Union 775 and Whitney Tawney, Montana Conservation Voters as the authors.

Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Her order was issued in conjunction with President Joe Bidens proclamation to lower all United States flags to half-staff for the same length of time.

Powell served as the first African American U.S. secretary of state from 2001 to 2005. During the course of his career, Powell also served as national security adviser and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex.

Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state.

Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flags at half-staff for the same length of time.

AG GRANTS AVAILABLE

Officials with the state Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship say they are offering Choose Iowa Marketing and Promotion matching grants of up to $25,000 per project to help farmers, businesses and nonprofits increase or diversify their agricultural product offerings.
A spokesman for U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst on Monday also said that Ernst is monitoring the latest on the situation.

Axne spoke with striking workers on the picket line at the Deere factory in Ankeny on Monday. A spokesman for her office pointed to Axnes social media post about the strike.

Our workers are the backbone of our economy  and they deserve the pay & benefits that provide them a middle class life and retirement, Axne posted on Friday. Thats why I stand in solidarity with the hard-working members of (the union) as they begin their strike for a fair contract.

A spokesman for U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, whose eastern Iowa district includes the homes of many who work in a Quad Cities-area Deere factory, pointed to the Congresswomans social media post on the strike.

John Deere has employed thousands of Iowa families for decades and has been a boost to the Iowa economy. I hope business and labor can rapidly find common ground that benefits each other and we can continue being a shining example of what a hard days work means, Miller-Meeks posted.

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, who represents western Iowas 4th Congressional District, struck a similarly hopeful and balanced tone.
About 10,000 Americans a day turn 60 (thats roughly the same number of Americans born each day), and each of us passing that mark will live, on average, an additional 23 years and seven months. This is the baby boomer cohort, and along with the older silent generation, we hold 70% of the nations wealth. We vote  people in the 60-plus age group were about 50% more likely to cast a ballot in 2020 than those ages 18 to 29. But we also watch about five hours of television a day.

We can and should be doing more. The United States is facing divisive crises, and older Americans  experienced Americans  owe it to themselves and their kids and grandkids to push the nation in a better direction. The two of us are over 60, and we hope  we trust  that our peers who care about civil rights, economic justice and environmental sanity are ready to direct their life skills and resources toward the common good.

After all, in its first act, our cohort participated in or bore witness to profound political and cultural shifts for the better: We shaped or were shaped by  and benefited from  the civil rights movement, the drive for womens equality, and the massive campaigns against the war in Vietnam. If youre about 70 now, you were about 20 on the first Earth Day, which means there was a pretty good chance you were out in the street
Activists take part in a rally after 91 people were shot dead in an escalation of President Rodrigo Duterte's ruthless war on drugs in Quezon City, Metro Manila on Aug. 18, 2017.
Power utility Eskom could buy at least 1,000 Tesla Megapacks for the same amount it plans to spend on an extensive new battery storage capacity.

Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter recently revealed the utility would invest R14 billion in battery storage to complement its existing pump storage capacity.

The procurement will be funded through the World Bank, in partnership with the African Development Bank and New Development Bank.

The batteries will be installed at Eskoms substations, including those at renewable energy plants, to store and release energy as required.

They will form part of Eskoms flagship battery energy storage system, spread over 90 sites in the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal.

Eskom told MyBroadband the planned system will have an output power of 344MW.

Assuming a supply of roughly four hours at peak, it will be accompanied by a storage capacity of between 1,376MWh to 1,440MWh, Eskom said.

The first phase will see 200MW of power and 833MWh storage capacity procured.

The first phase of the project bids closed in June 2021, and they are currently being evaluated and going through the necessary governance processes. These processes could be concluded by year-end, Eskom said.

The second phase is still under development and will see the remaining 144MW power and 616MWh storage added.

Eskom said the second phase would also include an additional 60MW of PV solar power across two sites, although its not clear if the budget for this is included in the R14 billion.

The utility said it could not elaborate on the battery storage providers it was considering as part of the project.

An open commercial process was followed for both local and international bidders. So due to confidentiality, Eskom cannot disclose [the providers] at this stage, as this could compromise the procurement process, the utility said.

It would be remiss of Eskom not to consider Elon Musks Tesla, one of the biggest global players in utility-scale power storage, to help build this system.

The company has been offering its lithium-ion based Megapack, a containerised battery system, since 2019.

The Megapack succeeded the Powerpack and is among the most cost-effective systems for large energy storage setups.

It is being used in several countries that increasingly rely on renewable energy to power their grids, including the US, UK, Australia, and Belgium.

Each Megapack comes ready to install with fully integrated battery modules, inverters, and thermal systems. A single unit provides 0.8MW of power and 3.1MWh of storage capacity.

Like the companys Powerwall, they can be scaled up to offer more powerful combined capabilities.

We calculated roughly how many Tesla Megapacks one could buy with Eskoms battery budget.

At current exchange rates, R14 billion is around $960 million.

Teslas online configurator for the Megapack shows it charges about $1.26 million (R18.39 million) for a single Megapack with installation in California.

The price per unit declines with orders of larger quantities. Teslas website allows for a maximum of 1,000 Megapacks per order.

That would cost about $890.7 million, or just over R13 billion. On Eskoms budget, it leaves another R1 billion for shipping and other costs.

Its not clear how the batteries would be taxed.

However, such a system would be able to output at 770MW and boast storage of 3,080MWh  more than double what Eskom plans to procure with its R14 billion budget.

Eskom could stick to its original output and storage configuration by buying only 447 Megapacks, which would be sufficient to provide an output of 344.2MW and 1,376.8MWh of storage.

That would cost just over $399 million, or about R5.8 billion  less than half of Eskoms planned spending on the system.

This would leave more than enough money for constructing 60MW of PV solar capacity, with billions to spare, assuming that installation will also form part of the R14 billion budget.

Now read: Break free from Eskom
Google has launched its newest smartphones, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, during its live-streamed event on Tuesday, 19 October.

Describing it as the most Google phone ever, the company says the latest Pixel devices offer improved performance, better battery life, new camera capabilities, and the best security hardware available in a smartphone.

Pixel 6 Pro is also the first time Google has released a true flagship smartphone, the company said.

Googles new Pixel devices are the first to ship with Android 12 and Googles in-house tensor chip.

The in-house chip features a 2  2  4 core configuration, with two cores running at 2.80GHz, two at 2.25GHz, and four cores at 1.80GHz.

Both devices also come with the Titan-M2 security chip, which Google said provides the best hardware security of any phone.

The Pixel 6 features 8GB of RAM and is available in 128GB and 256GB storage configurations, while the Pixel 6 Pro offers 12GB of RAM and adds an option for 512GB of storage.

Android 12s Material You adjusts the colour scheme of the devices user interface based on the wallpaper you set and adds new customisable widgets and applications.

The Pixel 6 features a 90Hz 6.4-inch AMOLED display, and the Pixel 6 Pros 6.7-inch display has a 120Hz refresh rate.

Both devices can drop their displays refresh rate to as low as 10Hz to conserve power.

The new Pixel devices use a new 1/1.3-inch sensor in their rear-camera system, which captures up to 150% more light (compared to the Pixel 5s primary camera).

Google said that the combination of its Tensor chip and the new imaging sensor means the Pixel 6 range can record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second.

Both devices also have a 48-megapixel ultrawide front camera, also capable of recording 4K resolution video.

Pixel 6 Pro features a telephoto lens with 4 optical zoom and up to 20 zoom with Googles updated Super Res Zoom feature.

The camera system of the Pixel 6 range boasts powerful new features, including Googles Magic Eraser and Face Unblur.

Magic Eraser allows users to remove unwanted objects, or people, from photographs. Face Unblur primes a secondary camera lens during motion shots to improve the clarity of faces within these photographs.

The devices also include Googles Translate Live feature, which enables the automatic translation of live video, signs, and chats in 55 languages.

Googles Pixel 6 is available in three colours: Sorta Seafoam, Kinda Coral, and Stormy Black.

The Pixel 6 Pro is available in Stormy Black, Cloudy White, and Sorta Sunny.

Both phones will be available through all major US carriers starting on 28 October.

Pre-orders for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have opened in the US starting at $599 (R8, 695 excl. tax and duties) for the Pixel 6 and $899 (R13,051) for the Pro models.

Pixel 6

Google Pixel 6 OS Android 12 Display 6.4-inch 2,400 x 1,080 AMOLED with 90Hz refresh rate Processor Google Tensor Storage 128GB / 256GB Memory 8GB Rear camera 50MP + 12MP Front camera 8MP Connectivity Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6 Ports USB Type-C 3.1 Cellular 5G SIM Dual with nano-SIM and eSIM Biometrics Under-display fingerprint scanner Battery 4614 mAh, 30W fast charging Dimensions and weight 158.6 x 74.8 x 8.9mm (207g)

Pixel 6 Pro
It will be chilly with a chance of showers this weekend, ideal weather for St. Helena Dramas production of the wintry romantic comedy Almost, Maine.

Playing Oct. 21-24 in a tent outside the St. Helena Performing Arts Center, the play marks a triumphant return for St. Helena High School students who havent performed in front of a live audience since their March 2020 production of Newsies was curtailed mid-run by the pandemic.

John Carianis whimsical play takes place at 9 p.m. on a chilly night in Northern Maine. It features a series of encounters between characters who reflect on love, heartbreak and hope.

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!

Its a feel-good play, said Zoey Pratt, whos co-directing Almost, Maine with her classmate Mazzy Jones. Its all about connection. After this time when weve all been so isolated and off on our own, its so good to finally emphasize the importance of connecting with one another.

Jones and Pratt have been making movies since they were kids, mostly recently a film they directed for an assignment last year that got positive feedback from their classmates. Drama Director Patti Coyle asked them if theyd like to direct St. Helena Dramas next production.

Their immediate response: Of course.

Coyle suggested Almost, Maine, and when Jones and Pratt read it they agreed it struck the perfect tone for this post-pandemic moment.

Its happy and romantic, said Jones. Its about making people laugh.

They soon discovered that putting on a theatrical production  even a heartwarming one like Almost, Maine was not the same as directing a short film.

Its been a roller-coaster ride, but its been a great experience to start with a vision and then watch it come together by working with these amazing actors and actresses, Pratt said. They give the vision life.

Having mounted productions in the St. Helena Performing Arts Center since it opened in 2016, students are performing Almost, Maine outdoors, which presents some logistical challenges.

We had to figure out how to do lighting and sound outside, Pratt said. That was a big obstacle.

We have to speak up a little bit more, Jones added.

On the other hand, the setting is appropriate for an outdoorsy play like Almost, Maine, Pratt said.

Only four performances are scheduled, and each one will have a slightly different flavor since some of the roles are double-cast to give everyone a chance to shine onstage.

You can reach Jesse Duarte at 967-6803 or jduarte@sthelenastar.com.

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
With the inaugural Playwright Festival opening this weekend at Grace Episcopal Church, its tempting to say UpStage Napa Valley is back.

However, as longtime director Sharie Renault is quick to note, the Upvalley theater troupe never really went away, offering virtual productions like Until the Flood, A Hard Choice, and Love Gone Awry.

UpStage Napa Valley never went dark, Renault said with pride.

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!

The Playwright Festival features nine one-act plays by local playwrights. The plays will be split over three weekends: Three plays per night Oct. 22-24, another three Oct. 29-31, and another three Nov. 5-7.

Dorothea Standish wrote and stars in Whats It Worth? playing Oct. 22-24. The dual role came about unexpectedly; she wrote the play and showed up at an audition to get a sense of the theater company, only to get cast herself.

Standish plays a recently widowed elderly woman whose son wants her to sell her house. Its not autobiographical at all  Standishs husband is alive and well and theyre happy with their El Sobrante home  but she thinks it will resonate with people whove dealt with the real estate market and faced difficult choices about their living arrangements.

Some people come under a lot of pressure to move when theyre alone and living in a big house, she said.

Standish has extensive experience in community theater as an actor, but Whats It Worth? is her first play, written for a class.

Whats really fun is seeing it come to life, she said. Its a pleasure to see what people do with it. Im almost always pleasantly surprised.

In Tom Diggs Tengo Sed (Oct. 22-24), Jennifer Rastegar plays a migrant searching for water in the desert. Rastegar has been performing in community theater her whole life, but this is her first production with UpStage Napa Valley.

Her dialogue is in Spanish, a language in which she lacks fluency, although her husband is a native Spanish speaker.

My character is complicated and to get that across in 10 minutes, partially in another language  it adds some challenges, Rastegar said.

Megan Whyte plays a cat  thats right, a cat  in Michael Watersons Dining In (Oct. 22-24) and a novice real estate agent in Whats It Worth?

In Dining In, a dog and a cat think their owner (presumably drunk) is dead, which raises the question of what theyre going to eat for dinner.

They hatch a plan to get fed, Whyte said. I wont give away any more than that.

This isnt Whytes first experience with human actors playing animals. She played a human in UpStages 2019 production of Sylvia, which featured Alexis Forni as a dog.

Playing a cat gives an actor a chance to get away with everything youve always wanted to do but couldnt, Whyte said.

You can jump on the table, be a smart-aleck, she said. Its fun to do those catlike movements with my body.

Masks and proof of vaccination are required for all audience members, but even with those precautions Renault knows some people wont feel comfortable seeing a live play yet. Thats why UpStage is also offering a virtual ticket granting access to recorded dress rehearsals.

"We're hoping that people will buy virtual tickets if they don't want to be in a live situation," Renault said. "It will support us."

Oct. 22, 23, 24

 "Dining In" by Michael Waterson

A dog and cat whose owner is negligent hilariously vie for food.

 "Whats It Worth?" by Dorothea Standish

An elderly woman is pressured by her son to sell the family home.

 "Tengo Sed" by Tom Diggs

Examining the plight of immigrants crossing the desert into the U.S. from Mexico and those who illegally aid them with food and water.

Oct. 29, 30, 31

 "Pushing Boulders" by Karen Pinomaki

A zany comedic spoof on a job interview that goes awry.

 "The Cabin" by Alli Williams

A Stephen King-like thriller with a woman isolating during the pandemic alone in a remote area.

 "Pictures Dont Lie" by Dianna Grayer

A conversation between two Black professionals about the storming of the Capitol in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6.

Nov. 5, 6, 7

 "Ever After" by Michael Waterson

A comedic therapy session with marriage counselor Mother Goose and a princess demanding a divorce from a frog.

 "Absolution" by Michael Waterson

A tale of a priest and an angry confessor with a shocking secret.

 "Peace, Love and Understanding" by Traci Dutton

Two very different recipients get a COVID-19 shot at a vaccination site.

You can reach Jesse Duarte at 967-6803 or jduarte@sthelenastar.com.

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Picture a time before the #metoo movement, before Roe versus Wade, before easily obtainable birth control pills, back when a woman would be sent to an institution because of unintended pregnancy. Unimaginable to current young people, this was the era of illegal, unsafe abortions and when, in the 1960s alone, an estimated 2 million babies were put up for adoption. Unlike todays open adoptions, those records were sealed, and the mother knew nothing of her babys fate.

Napa author Meredith Kellers book, The Unraveling, the Price of Silence (June 2021, Gatekeeper Press) tells her chilling account of those dark days.

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!

People now dont understand those times, Keller said. Then, you heard of a number of girls shuttled out of town. Their families were shamed. Even today, poor people or those in debt have no options. I thought I should put a spotlight on those who dont have a choice and what that does, how it affects a wide swath of people.

In the 50s and 60s there was no concept of date rape, it wasnt part of the vocabulary. Nobody spoke or knew about it. Rape clinics didnt exist. Those who gave their babies away lived with the unknown.

In the weeks before college graduation, Keller and her sorority sisters attended a celebration after finals. A drug was slipped into her drink. Warnings that people get todaynot to leave your drink unattended, dont take a drink from a stranger, the term "roofie" (generic slang for a date-rape drug)were unthinkable concerns. Keller woke the next morning with only fuzzy images, flashes of light and sounds, unable to piece together what had happened to her.

She was embarrassed and, like most everyone else in those days, felt the woman, somehow, was always to blame. When she realized she was pregnant, the only one she could tell was her older sister. Her sister, whod had an unplanned pregnancy with her boyfriend, had married him and was unhappy with her life. Neither of them knew how to find a back-alley abortionist nor wanted Keller to be sequestered in a home where shed be indoctrinated that she was bad, and her identity would be changed while there.

No one had heard of acquaintance rape. I was lucky that my parents loved me very much and I could always bring a problem home. My father would have fits of anger but there was an underlying love. I was surprised that they went to great lengths to find a safe place with a nice family for me to stay during my pregnancy. I wanted to get away for their sake as well because of the disgrace.

She gave birth to a healthy baby girl and gave the child her own middle name, Ann. The baby was whisked away quickly from her mothers arms.

Keller went on to lead an exciting life. She moved to Chicago where she was a food editor for a restaurant magazine and then went into advertising as a copywriter, then publicist, and marketing executive.

Despite leading an active life, she was always reserved with men and held back her deep feelings and history. She didnt confide in anyone about the baby shed given up to strangers. It took her years to learn to trust again.

People ask me today why I didnt go into therapy. It wasnt in vogue in those days. I felt like I just had to pick up the pieces and go on. My friend told me I should get my emotions out by writing. Every year for my birthday, she gave me a journal. But I never used them.

Fifty-two years went by. Keller married and moved to the Napa Valley. One day a handwritten letter came to her. It was from a person explaining that she thought Keller was her grandmother.

Keller was in shock; she described it as a huge jolt to my inner core. Could she resurrect that painful time that shed kept buried so deeply and for so long?

My supportive husband said, 'Slow down and lets make sure its authentic.' Through snail mail, we exchanged letters and got to know one another.

When I wrote to my daughter and granddaughter, trying to explain a little bit about those rigid, strict times, I realized this was a story that needed to be told in a broader way. There was more to tell. Writing the book meant learning to deal with my own feelings that Id kept down. It was hard. In many places, Id choke up and the pages would be damp with tears.

Story-telling de-mystifies the times when women had so few choices. Initially, I started writing to answer the granddaughter writing me and my own young granddaughters about the repressive times of illegal abortion and illegitimacy. Realizing they probably could not grasp the condemnation for victims and families, my story soon became one that just needed to be told. Putting pen to paper in those letters was a reflection and I learned more about myself and the decisions Id made. It was a long journey.

She learned that every year on her birthday, Ann wrote a letter to her unknown birth mother, thanking her for having the courage to give her up. Ann is now a Ph.D. nurse practitioner, who teaches nursing graduate students.

What does Keller want to come from The Unraveling?

Im hoping people will pass it on to their young adults to read. Unintended pregnancy and rape are multifaceted, and women need to be aware constantly. I hope people will feel free to talk and be open about it. It was hard telling my son about that part of my past and that he had a sister. I want parents to start talking with their daughters. If the situation arises, to discuss every possible solution.

Mostly, I want people to be aware that these times existed. Some legislators want to go back there. They arent hearing these stories from women who lived through it. The scarlet A used to shame women for adultery, now its for abortion. Im not saying abortion is right or wrong, but every woman should have a right to choose. Be tough and move on.

Everyone should be able to create their own life. Theres no right path forward.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)  Potential human remains were found Wednesday in a Florida wilderness area along with items believed to belong to Brian Laundrie, whose girlfriend, Gabby Petito, was found slain after he returned home alone from their cross-country road trip, according to the FBI.

Michael McPherson, chief of the Tampa FBI office, said at a news conference that it will take time to identify the remains, which forensic teams were examining. McPherson said they were found near a backpack and a notebook linked to Laundrie.

We are working diligently to get those answers for you, McPherson said, adding that the items and remains were found in a swampy area  home to alligators, snakes, coyotes and other wildlife  that had previously been underwater. It's likely the team will be on site for several days.

Laundrie's parents, Chris and Roberta Laundrie, took part in the search Wednesday with the FBI and police from North Port, Florida, more than a month after Laundrie was reported missing after heading to the vast Carlton Reserve park.

After a brief search off a trail that Brian frequented some articles belonging to Brian were found, Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino said in a text to The Associated Press. As of now law enforcement is conducting a more thorough investigation of that area.

The Sarasota County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed it had been summoned to the reserve but would not comment further.

Laundrie, 23, is a person of interest in the killing of Petito, who was reported missing Sept. 11 by her parents while the couple was on a cross-country trip out West.

The case generated enormous public interest but also raised uncomfortable questions over the unequal attention given to the hundreds of cases of Native American and other minority women missing or murdered across the United States. Petito is white.

Petitos body was found Sept. 19 on the edge of Wyomings Grand Teton National Park, which the couple had visited. The coroner there concluded she died of strangulation and her body had been where it was found for three or four weeks.

The couple was stopped Aug. 12 by police in Moab, Utah, after they had a physical altercation, but no charges were filed.

Laundrie returned home alone Sept. 1 in the Ford van the couple took on their trip. He was reported missing after telling his parents on Sept. 14 that he was going for a hike in the Carlton Reserve, a nature preserve in Sarasota County that has for weeks been a key area in the search.

The activity Wednesday was focused on the nearby Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, where television news reports showed numerous law enforcement vehicles arriving and a tent set up inside the woods. The location is where a Ford Mustang that Laundrie drove to the wilderness was found.

Laundrie is charged in a federal Wyoming indictment with unauthorized use of a debit card, which would allow authorities to arrest him if he is found alive.

It alleges Laundrie used a Capital One Bank card and someones personal identification number to make unauthorized withdrawals or charges worth more than $1,000. It does not say to whom the card belonged or what type of charges were made.



Associated Press writer Mike Balsamo in Washington contributed to this story.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
DALLAS (AP)  Southwest Airlines will let unvaccinated employees keep working past early December instead of putting them on unpaid leave if they apply for an exemption on medical or religious grounds.

Federal contractors  including major U.S. airlines  face a Dec. 8 deadline to require employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Southwest spokeswoman Brandy King said Tuesday that employees must submit proof that they got the shots, or file a request for an exemption from vaccination, by Nov. 24. Employees whose requests have not been processed or approved by Dec. 8 will be allowed to keep working, she said.

The company backtracked from a previous position that employees who had not been vaccinated or received an exemption would be put on unpaid leave.

"While we intend to grant all valid requests for accommodations, in the event a request is not granted, the company will provide adequate time for an employee to become fully vaccinated while continuing to work and adhering to safety protocols," King said.

Southwest notified employees of the deadline delay on Friday.

American Airlines said Tuesday that workers who are granted medical or religious exemptions will probably have to wear face masks and undergo regular testing, but the airline is still working on details.

"American will not be placing any team members on unpaid leave as part of the federal vaccine mandate," said American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller.

Southwest and American are both based in Texas, where the Republican governor has ordered businesses not to require employees or customers to be vaccinated. Both say they will comply with President Joe Biden's federal mandate that contractors require vaccination, which they believe has legal priority over state orders.

Southwest Chairman and CEO Gary Kelly originally said in a statement that Southwest "must join our industry peers in complying with the federal government's COVID-19 vaccination directive."

In the days after that statement, however, the pilots' union asked a judge to temporarily block the order, saying Southwest should negotiate with the union over the issue. A hearing is scheduled Friday in federal court. This week, anti-mandate protesters demonstrated at the airline's headquarters.

Kelly has indicated personal reluctance about the vaccine mandate.

"We are not going to fire any employees over this," he told ABC-TV last week. "We are urging all our employees to get vaccinated. If they can't get vaccinated, we're urging them to seek an accommodation."

United Airlines, the first U.S. carrier to announce a vaccine requirement for employees, has started termination proceedings against about 200 employees who neither got the shots nor asked for an exemption.

Chicago-based United has 67,000 U.S. employees. It says 96% have been vaccinated and 3%  about 2,000 employees  have applied for an exemption. United is waiting for a judge in Texas to rule on a lawsuit by employees challenging the airline's decision to put employees on unpaid leave if they get an exemption.

Delta Air Lines Inc. has a less stringent policy. Even though it is a federal contractor, Delta says it will let workers undergo regular testing if they don't want to be vaccinated, but they face a $200 monthly surcharge on their health insurance. CEO Ed Bastian said last week that 90% of Delta employees are vaccinated and he expects that figure to reach 95% in November.

***
3 Armenian servicemen killed during Nov. 16 Azerbaijani attack posthumously awarded presidential medals

Left-wing trade unions hold protest against Turkey's Erdogan in Izmir

Armenia FM presents situation following Azerbaijani attack during meeting with Lithuanian Seimas Vice-President

Armenia delegation covers Azerbaijan's Nov. 16 attack during online meeting of CSTO PA Permanent Commissions

Armenia PM receives delegation led by Vice President of Lithuanian Seimas

Lavrov, Cavusoglu discuss bilateral ties and regional issues

Karabakh: Azerbaijani side, in Shushi, transfers bodies of 3 Armenian soldiers killed on Nov. 16

NEWS.am daily digest: 19.11.21

Armenian Embassy in Russia: Armenia citizens - mother and child - evacuated from Afghanistan

Georgia refuses to be a part of '3+3' format with regard to South Caucasus

The occupied Hadrut of our days (PHOTOS)

Arabologist: Photo of map of Turkic world shown by Erdogan and Bahceli is simply a gift for Armenian diplomacy

Situation is tense in Armenia's Kasakh, residents protesting against acting village head (LIVE)

Opposition With Honor legislature faction MP: No one knows if Armenia petitioned to Russia for military assistance

Armenia opposition MP: There is a threat that Baku will always get what it wants through use of force

Lavrov is certain that the Russia-Armenia-Azerbaijan summit will take place

Ann Linde: OSCE working very closely with Russia to resolve Karabakh conflict

Karabakh FM congratulates newly appointed Abkhazia counterpart

Dollar relatively stable in Armenia

Armenia parliament majority members do not deny possibility of exchange of territories with Azerbaijan

Armenia ruling party MP: Public and competent authorities need to know circumstances behind captures of soldiers

Armenia ruling party MP assures that situation on the border is currently stable

Armenia ruling party MP: Confidentiality of process of preparing for demarcation is strictly necessary

Armenia PM: Citizens of EEU countries will be able to receive loans in all territories of member states

Armenian serviceman, 19, dies in Georgia's Akhalkalaki

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
The United States Senate Committee on Appropriations released its Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations Bills today, which includes a recommendation of $2 million in aid to Artsakh, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).

Specifically, "the Committee recommends up to $2,000,000 for humanitarian demining and UXO clearance activities in areas affected by the 2020 fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, subject to prior consultation with the Committees on Appropriations."

The report also called "for humanitarian assistance" for those that have been "displaced by the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh."

In addition, the Committee remained "concerned with the protracted conflict," and requested "the Secretary of State to consult with the Committees on Appropriations prior to obligating assistance made available under title IV of the act for Armenia and Azerbaijan."

The bill itself restates Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, which was adopted in 1992 when Congress took a principled stand against Azerbaijani aggression toward the Armenian people. Section 907 states that U.S. funds "may not be provided to the Government of Azerbaijan until the President determines and so reports to the Congress, that the Government of Azerbaijan is taking demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh."

"The Assembly welcomes continued U.S. support for the Armenian people. As the House and Senate finalize the Appropriations bills, we urge Congress to allocate robust funding for both Armenia and Artsakh," said Assembly Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan.
YEREVAN.  Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Wednesday received UK Ambassador John Patrick Gallagher, reported the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.

First, Mirzoyan thanked the UK for its continued support in the strengthening of democratic reforms and rule of law and the fight against corruption in Armenia.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the matters that are on the Armenian-British bilateral agenda.

Also, the parties discussed The 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to be held in Glasgow, UK this November, and the participation of the Armenian side in it.

Touching upon regional security and stability, FM Mirzoyan stressed the importance of the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) conflicts lasting and comprehensive settlement under the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. Ambassador Gallagher, for his part, noted that the UK also supports the format of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

In addition, the Armenian FM stressed the need for unimpeded access for international organizations to carry out a humanitarian mission in Artsakh.
Besides Paylasar, Armenia also has problems in the Shikahogh, Srashen and Tchakaten sections since the Azerbaijani Armed Forces are moving forward without facing any diplomatic or other resistance, and we Armenians will supposedly lose the peak in front of Shikahogh village soon as well. This is what deputy of the opposition Armenia faction of the National Assembly of Armenia Vahe Hakobyan told reporters today.

Touching upon the appointment of Tigran Avinyan as director of Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine, Hakobyan informed that he is unaware and that it seems to him that this is only what the presses have come up with.

As far as I know, Avinyan doesnt have professional capabilities to be the director of the Combine, Hakobyan added.

According to Hakobyan, since GeoProMining has a large percentage (15%) of shares, this company is the one that needs to appoint a director.

A reporter asked if his familys share is at risk or not, to which Hakobyan said the incumbent authorities have been presenting a danger for him for the past three-and-a-half years and that he responds to every danger. Hakobyan added that he will give a press conference as soon as he finds out what happened in the Combine.
State Minister of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Artak Beglaryan on October 18-19 had meetings with different circles of Armenians and Russians in Moscow and presented the situation, needs and programs in Artsakh, the press release of the Government of Artsakh reads.

During meetings with President of the Union of Armenians of Russia Ara Abrahamyan and members of the Union, as well as other representatives of the Armenian community, the State Minister presented the activities for post-war recovery in Artsakh and attached importance to Diaspora Armenians ongoing involvement in the restoration and development of the homeland.

In response to a question about the role of Russian peacekeepers in ensuring the guarantees for security in Artsakh in the long run, the State Minister stated that the active and constructive efforts of the Russian Federation and the military-political safeguards of the peacekeepers have been ensuring the life and work of nearly 120,000 Armenians in Artsakh to this day. Beglaryan placed emphasis on the fact that the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict needs to be settled politically, with unconditional acknowledgement of the right of the population of Artsakh to self-determination and international recognition of Artsakhs independence as priorities.

The State Minister also had a meeting with Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Russia and New Nakhchivan, Archbishop Yezras Nersisyan and discussed issues related to the protection of Armenian spiritual-cultural heritage in the seized territories of Artsakh.

During all the meetings, Beglaryan reached concrete agreements on the implementation of humanitarian and development programs in Artsakh.
Ahead of the Conference of Heads of Parliaments of the Council of Europe, Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan was hosted by Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Konstantinos Tasoulas, as reported the Public Relations and Communication Department of the National Assembly of Armenia.

Greeting the Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia, the Greek parliamentary speaker stressed the importance of cooperation between the parliaments of both countries. Talking about the joint programs, he set aside the sister Twinning Program being implemented within the scope of the EU Partnership.

Expressing gratitude for the reception and invitation to participate in the Conference, Simonyan congratulated the Greek people on the 200th anniversary of Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire.

The parties stated that the Armenian-Greek interstate relations are at a high level. Simonyan attached great importance to the role of the Greek and Armenian parliamentary friendship groups.

During the meeting, the parties also considered the prospects for the trilateral parliamentary cooperation of Armenia, Greece and Cyprus. They touched upon the current situation following the 44-day war and, in this context, the Armenian parliamentary speaker attached special importance to Greeces balanced position on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under the mandate of the Co-Chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group.
YEREVAN.  Zhoghovurd newspaper of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes. As it is known, the SIS [(Special Investigation Service)] has been keeping former chairman of the RA Investigative Committee [(IC)], Aghvan Hovsepyan, in custody for more than 1.5 months.

His lawyers have appealed to the SIS to investigatealong the lines of this casethe investigator and the prosecutor in the criminal case against Yura of Shant. You would think what Aghvan Hovsepyan, his arrest has to do with the attack on the house of Yura of Shant [seven years ago]. The thing is that the charge brought against Aghvan Hovsepyan in the case of fraud, bribery is based on the testimony given by the same Yura.

One of those who testified against him is his close friend, businessman Yura Gharibyan, or Yura of Shant, so the defenders in the case of former RA Prosecutor General, former chairman of IC Aghvan Hovsepyan demand to question the investigators and prosecutors who previously investigated the case of Yura (Varsham) Gharibyan known by the nickname Yura of Shant.

It turns out that in addition to summoning prosecutors and investigators for questioning, the SIS must [now] re-examine the root causes of the [house] robbery that took place 7 years ago ().
Not many individuals are strong enough to carry the weight of injustice and then fight for what is right. But as institutions of higher education increase the recruitment and retention of BIPOC faculty, research is shedding light on institutional and cultural racism. Julia Mollenthiel is a bright scholar that is paving the way with her research.

After graduating from Howard University and the University of Miami with her English Literature undergraduate and graduate degrees respectively, Julia passionately set a goal to address racial issues present in academic settings. This drive fueled her research and led to her receiving the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) Leading Edge Fellowship award.

The ACLS Leading Edge Fellowship is an award that calls for scholars in the humanities to contribute to meaningful social justice projects that drive social change and help to solve problems in our society. Recent Ph.D. graduates are placed with nonprofit organizations for up to 12 months to tackle significant societal issues within the community while developing professional skills. The ACLS Fellowship expects that its exceptional recipients, like Julia, play a major role in positively impacting their communities.

Julias interest in Black Studies and the fight for social justice started during her freshman year at Howard when she took a course in African American Literature. This led to her writing an essay inspired by Jordan Peeles film Get Out during her graduate studies. Using her essay as a baseline, Julia began to utilize horror films as a framework to complete her dissertation and revise it into a book known as Black Horror, White Terror. Her book demands national recognition of black fears and the black experience in America as it interconnects with horror films. She plans on highlighting how white terror in films was used to reinforce racist notions against Black Americans both on and off the big screen, and how black fear is a detrimental injustice to the quality of life for Black Americans. Her book is currently in its final stages and will be available on the University of Miami repository in 2023.

Julias dedication to highlighting racial inequalities in her book wasnt the only element of her application that helped her earn the ACLS Fellowship. Her experiences with Teach for America (TFA) and her internships on Capitol Hill and the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington D.C. were also contributing factors. TFA trains its members to teach in disadvantaged schools in low-income districts to advance students both academically and personally. After witnessing the repercussions of systemic racism within the school system, Julia wanted to focus her work on combatting educational equity. I became dedicated to closing the opportunity gap and demolishing the school to prison pipeline that denies minority students the same opportunities and quality education as their white counterparts, said Julia. With Julias core personal values reflecting both the TFA and ACLS mission statements, the intimate knowledge she gained while working at TFA will enhance her postdoctoral work.

During her fellowship year, the ACLS assigned Julia to partner with the nonprofit organization Brotherhood Sister Sol. This organization provides opportunities to young Black and Latinx students living in underprivileged communities by offering educational experiences that will help them overcome their economic and social disadvantages. Julia plans to write white papers that will help educate the public on color-based prejudices in the school system. She would like to focus on issues that are critical to NYCs youth of color and write policy briefs to advocate policy changes. Julia will also be leading a research team and developing workshops for teachers wishing to use anti-racist pedagogies in the classroom.

After the completion of her postdoctoral program, Julia aspires to earn a position as a tenured professor at a university with an established African American Studies program, while continuing her passion for nonprofit work.

As a first-generation college student, and affectionally known as a Black Studies Scholar by her loved ones, Julia has now forged a path that no one in her family has walked. Her parents are extremely proud, and Julias drive and passion are sure to make a positive mark on society.
Ruth Gaelle St. Fleurs life has been a training ground in resilience.

At the age of 14, St. Fleur, her four siblings, and their parents escaped from their home in Haiti as it collapsed in the debilitating 2010 earthquake. St. Fleurs family of seven spent the next six months shifting between a relatives home and a one-bedroom rental. At times, they even slept in the familys truck.

Despite their struggles, her parents always stressed the importance of education, and that was not lost on their youngest daughter. Two years after losing her home, St. Fleur won a scholarship to finish high school in Hong Kong. She left Haiti for a place where no one looked like her, and no one spoke Haitian Creole or French, the only languages she knew. Although it was a shocking transition, St. Fleur thrived, graduated, and went on to earn a full scholarship to Brown University.

She is now one of the few students to go straight from an undergraduate program into the University of Miamis doctoral program in Prevention Science and Community Health. St. Fleur is also the only Haitian citizen on a student visa enrolled at the University this semester. Her scholarship and need recently helped St. Fleur win an emergency student award from the Institute of International Education.

And although she only realized it recently, St. Fleur said her upbringing inspired her to study the quality of resilience. There are some extremely resilient people in Haiti, St. Fleur said. Its the only way to survive.

For her dissertation, St. Fleur is examining how resilience can impact the quality of life and physical health of cancer survivors, as well as their caregivers. Meanwhile, she is doing her best to brighten the spirits of her mother, who is being treated for cancer-related issues in Haiti. Unfortunately, St. Fleur has not been able to visit home for more than two years because of the violent crime engulfing the island nation. Then in August, while her mother was recovering from surgery in a hospital, all the doctors and nurses fled the building when a second earthquake rattled the ground. Her mother has since returned home, but now St. Fleur worries for her familys safety from the nations gangs.

The trait of resilience exemplifies Ruth to her very core, but I dont think she always sees it, said Sara St. George with Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. St. George is an assistant professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the Miller School of Medicine who also serves as St. Fleurs primary mentor. Ruth is incredibly resilient.

According to St. Fleur, resilience is either a trait that someone has naturally, like ones ability to be optimistic, or resilience can be learned through time and experience. For example, St. Fleur said that some people who receive a cancer diagnosis try to look for the positive consequences of the diagnosis, in what is called benefit finding. This is something that people who have high resilience may do automatically, but it can also be taught, according to St. Fleur.

To measure the effects of resilience, St. Fleur analyzed physical and mental health data on survivors of breast and colorectal cancer, by focusing on a biomarker of inflammation that often increases with stress. St. Fleur said she discovered that people with more resiliencewhether it is a natural trait, or it is learnedoften fare better when battling cancer.

Resilience affects how survivors and caregivers cope with cancer, because it actually helps decrease inflammation in survivors and caregivers, she said. This is a good thing because in survivors, inflammation affects or is related to tumor progression. And in caregivers, stress also causes inflammation, so even without cancer, this could increase the risk of them developing other conditions, like heart disease.

Further, St. Fleur learned that when a person has lower levels of resilience at a cancer diagnosis, often they have a larger capacity to learn resilience strategies. Therefore, St. Fleur stated that her research could help cancer intervention programs tailor therapy to a persons individual level of resilience, so it is most impactful for them.

We need to figure out what interventions work best for people based on their mental state right after diagnosis, she said. When it comes to coping with cancer, one size does not fit all. More tailored behavioral and psychosocial interventions are needed for cancer survivors, because providing them with effective coping strategies will lead to better physical and mental health outcomes for them, as well as greater rates of survival and a lower risk of recurrence in the long run.

Ideally, St. Fleur will submit three papers for publication about her research before her graduation in May. She is also currently applying to post-doctoral programs, where St. Fleur hopes to delve into how culturally informed resilience strategies could be even more effective and how discrimination can affect behavior, quality of life, and immune system function in cancer survivors, particularly in minority communities.

While she may have to say goodbye to her mentee this spring, St. George anticipates many future research collaborations with St. Fleur because she feels so confident in her mentees abilities. In fact, St. George said she often shares her own research ideas and papers with St. Fleur for feedback.

Ruths biggest strength is that she has an uncanny ability to think up strong, complex research questions and execute them through sophisticated analyses, said St. George, whose research focuses on lifestyle interventions related to cancer and are often geared toward the Hispanic community. She never ceases to amaze me with how creative she can be, and she is also a great writer and a confident speaker.

Despite her familys strife in Haiti, St. Fleur said she loves studying in Miami because she feels closer to home and is fortunate to have mentors like St. George and psychology professor Michael Antoni, director of the Center for Psycho-Oncology Researchboth affiliated with the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Centerwho have guided and supported her research. She is also grateful to have partners in the Office of International Students and Scholar Services, who nominated her to receive the recent award.

Ive been very lucky to have people who see the potential in me and want to create opportunities for me, because I know not everyone has that, she said.
Oklahoma State University is searching for 14 new strategic faculty positions in engineering

Media Contact: Kristi Wheeler | Manager, CEAT marketing and communications | 405-744-5831 | kristi.wheeler@okstate.edu

The College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology at Oklahoma State University is expanding by 14 engineering faculty positions to support Oklahomas Engineering Initiative.

Engineering is vital to Oklahomas economy, with more than 64,000 engineering and engineering management jobs in the state. It is a field that is producing billions of dollars a year.

In June, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the states legislature made the decision to invest in expanding engineering research and academics in Oklahoma. OSU is seeking engineering faculty in interdisciplinary or cutting edge areas of aerospace, energy, software/hardware interface, and advanced manufacturing.

New OSU faculty will work with graduate and undergraduates to pursue research, teach engaged students, and introduce their work to K-12 STEM students to challenge them to change the world. This initiative will help develop the next generation of engineers and partner with industry on the next generation of innovation.

In order to support these initiatives, OSU is seeking energetic engineering faculty to support growth in both research and graduates.

CEAT is a community of scholars, innovators and leaders who are changing the world. The preparation of professionals that anticipate the needs of a changing world is at the nexus of society, economy, ethics, sustainability and humanity. The college is committed to training leaders and processionals who innovate, design and build a resilient and sustainable local, regional and world economy.

The college is also committed to excellence in hiring diverse faculty that will mentor or rapidly growing population of women, Native American and racially diverse engineering students, strengthening educational learning and leadership through collaboration.

The OSU infrastructure has state-of-the-art research, teaching and makerspace facilities for graduate and undergraduate students in invent their future through collaborative team projects, hands-on learning, faculty and student engagement, and industry partnerships.

Positions in architectural engineering, chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, electrical and computer engineering, industrial engineering and management, mechanical and aerospace engineering, and engineering technology (FEMP) are all being considered.

Positions will be posted here, starting as early as next week.
No one has courage to see me: Poon Hiu-wing's mother

No one has courage to see me: Poon Hiu-wing's mother

The mother of murder victim Poon Hiu-wing has lashed out at people involved in suspect Chan Tong-kai's case, alleging they are "unrighteous people" who did not have the courage to meet her.



She had invited Chan and his parents, pastor Peter Koon, security minister Chris Tang, police chief Raymond Siu, as well as DAB lawmakers Starry Lee and Holden Chow to meet her outside the government headquarters on Wednesday morning.



None of them turned up. The Security Bureau and Chow said earlier the power to resolve the case rested with Taiwan authorities.



Poon Hiu-wing died in Taiwan in early 2018. The case triggered the extradition bill controversy, sparking months of protests from June the following year.



Poon's mother said Chan wasn't tried for murder and has only served time in jail for money laundering after taking her daughter's possessions.



She said officials can set a precedent by putting Chan on trial in the SAR.



The mother got emotional when she met the press.



"They always keep dragging their feet. It's so hard for us. It's so difficult bringing up my daughter. The SAR government did nothing and they don't care at all. They just got Reverend Peter Koon to be Chan Tong-kai's spokesperson. He keeps protecting Chan," she said.



"I want to ask him: Did he really help my daughter?"



In response to media enquiries, Koon said there's nothing he could do if Poon's mother chose to misunderstand him.



Koon also said a lawyer appointed to represent Chan in Taiwan has made it clear his client wanted to surrender last year, but they were told that he needed to wait for negotiations between the authorities in Hong Kong and Taiwan.



Tang, for his part, expressed sympathy for Poon's mother.



He accused the authorities in Taiwan of playing politics, and said they should let Chan turn himself in.



"I think the whole issue is Taiwan, China, does not allow Mr Chan to go to Taiwan to face his responsibility," Tang said. "Here, I would like to reiterate, no matter what Taiwan, China does, they won't change the fact that Taiwan is part of China."
Twenty-one Chicago police officers are on no-pay status for their refusal to disclose if they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in compliance with a city mandate.

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown made the announcement during a news conference on Tuesday.

Of all the 12,770 employees of the Chicago Police Department, 67.7% have verified whether they have either been vaccinated or will submit to twice-weekly testing, with 82% of that verification being vaccinated against COVID-19, Brown said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

FORMER CHICAGO AREA COLLEGE STUDENT CONVICTED AFTER HELPING ISIS

This process has been obviously very emotional, Brown said. We have given them the time and given them the explanation as best we can on the serious nature of violating the vaccine mandate.

Despite placing the officers on a no-pay status, Brown said the 21 officers can still choose to comply with the mandate and report whether they have become vaccinated.

The mandate, which went into effect Friday, requires public employees to show proof of vaccination or undergo twice-weekly testing.

Adding to the political firestorm, Chicago Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara last week urged officers not to disclose their vaccination status over the view that the city can't mandate disclosing "information about your medical history."

A judge ordered Catanzara to cease public statements pushing officers to defy the vaccine mandate and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot condemned FOP and Catanazare, accusing them of trying to "induce an insurrection."

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The Chicago Police Department sent a memo on Sunday reminding officers to get vaccinated against COVID-19, warning that those who do not comply could not only face job termination but also have their retirement benefits threatened.

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: News, Chicago, Police, Pay, Vaccination, Coronavirus, Law Enforcement

Original Author: Asher Notheis

Original Location: 21 Chicago police officers on no-pay status for refusing to disclose COVID-19 vaccine status
Kevin Richardson (seen on Goofy's right) worked at Disney World before joining the Backstreet Boys. Handout/Getty Images

Before they were famous, many celebrities got their starts working at Disney theme parks.

Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys once led tours on a Disney World ride.

Steve Martin, on the other hand, performed magic tricks and sold merchandise at Disneyland.

Steve Martin got his comedic start at Disneyland.

Steve Martin and Donald Duck at Disneyland on May 4, 2005. Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images

According to Disney's official fan club D23, Martin worked at the theme park "after school, on weekends, and during the summer" throughout his childhood and teenage years.

He sold everything from guidebooks to lassos, and learned about comedic timing by watching Disney performers, the website states. He even got a signature catchphrase  "Well, excuuuuuuse me"  and prop out of the job.

"The arrow-through-the-head was a thing we used to sell at Disneyland," Martin told D23. "It was just so silly. It was like anti-comedy."

Kevin Richardson was a Disney World employee years before joining a world-famous boy band.

Kevin Richardson stands next to Goofy (right) at Disneyland on November 4, 2012. Handout/Getty Images

In a recent ABC special about Disney World's 50th anniversary, the Backstreet Boys member recalled working at the now-defunct MGM Studios Backlot Tour within Disney World's Hollywood Studios.

"It was an inspiring, incredible place to come to work every day," he said during the show.

Colleen Ballinger worked at Disneyland briefly before pursuing her internet-famous character Miranda Sings.

Colleen Ballinger is an internet creator best known for her role as Miranda Sings. Amy Sussman/E! Entertainment/Getty Images

She detailed her time with the company in a YouTube video, and said she was a performer in a "High School Musical" parade and Playhouse Disney show. She added that she "loved" the job, despite eventually being fired by the company.

"While I was working at Disneyland, all of the sudden my first video on YouTube went viral," she said in the video. "People started knowing who Miranda was, especially in the musical-theater community."

So when people began visiting her at Disneyland and calling her Miranda, Ballinger said she would briefly act as Miranda onstage. Disney employees later caught on, according to the YouTube star, and she was let go.

Story continues

Wayne Brady once played Tigger at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Wayne Brady and his children pose with Minnie Mouse. Frederick M. Brown/Stringer/Getty Images

Speaking with Today's Parent in 2013, the TV star said his favorite Disney character growing up was Tigger from "Winnie the Pooh." He also said the character was special to him because Tigger reminded him of one of his first jobs.

"It wound up being a full-circle experience for me because when I turned 16, one of my first jobs ever was at Walt Disney World playing characters, and the first character I ever did was Tigger," Brady told the website.

Jennifer Hudson sailed the Disney Cruise Line for six months in the early days of her career.

Jennifer Hudson and Mickey Mouse aboard a Disney Cruise on January 19, 2011. Handout/Getty Images

"I was on a Disney Cruise Line the year I decided to audition for 'American Idol,'" she told W Magazine in 2015. "I was Calliope the muse in 'Hercules: The Muse-ical' and I was also the Circle of Life soloist in Disney's cruise."

She said working as a performer on the cruise helped her get a part in "Dreamgirls" because "they took that as an acting credit."

"I thought it was great for then. It was great for my age," she said of the experience. "It was great for me as a talent that was trying to be a performer. And I actually gave myself that as a test to decide if I was going to go for 'American Idol.'"

"Like OK, I'm gonna go get on this ship," she continued. "If I cannot get through this ship, I do not need to go an audition for 'Idol.' But if I get through it, then I can go. And I made it through it."

Kathryn Joosten, who starred in "The West Wing" and "Desperate Housewives," worked at Disney World's Hollywood Studios in the '90s.

Kathryn Joosten's role at Disney World helped inspire her acting career. Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images

In a 2009 Forbes essay, Joosten wrote that she auditioned to work as a theme-park performer in 1992 when Disney-MGM Studios came to Chicago.

"After standing in line for five hours, I auditioned and won a job as a 'Streetmosphere' player," she wrote. "By now my boys were older and on their own, so I could accept the offer and move to Florida. I played Annie Hannigan, cleaning lady to the stars. The contract only lasted a year, but it convinced me that I could make a living acting."

Broadway star Taye Diggs previously worked at an international Disney theme park.

Taye Diggs has also starred in movies and television series. David Livingston/Stringer/Getty Images

In 2012, he told US Weekly that he "worked as a performer at Tokyo Disneyland." While he didn't share details about his role, he did say that he worked there for nearly one year.

Richard Carpenter got his musical start at Disneyland.

Richard Carpenter and his sister Karen Carpenter are best known as The Carpenters. Harry Langdon/Getty Images

As Rolling Stone reported, the musician sang on Main Street while wearing ice-cream-themed attire during his time with the company. The publication also reported that he'd write songs "on Pepsi napkins during spare moments."

Read the original article on Insider
By Valerie Volcovici and Kate Abnett

(Reuters) - Nigerian climate activist Goodness Dickson thought being invited to take part in the U.N. climate summit in Scotland meant he would have no trouble attending.

But the high cost of hotels, COVID-19 travel curbs and quarantine rules have left Dickson and other activists from developing countries concerned that their voices will not be heard at the COP26 conference in Glasgow from Oct. 31-Nov. 12.

Reuters spoke with activists in countries including Bangladesh, Pakistan and Uganda. Some had secured funding, visas and vaccines to attend the summit but others gave up.

Dickson is still aiming to get to COP26, where he hopes to tell delegates in person about trying to learn at school when temperatures reached 43C. He believes developed countries need to hear the personal experiences of those most vulnerable to climate change.

"I'm still looking out for funding," said the 28-year-old, who represents Nigerias Eco Clean Active NGO and estimates his trip would cost over $4,000 including accommodation and quarantine.

"I am worried that the COP will lack representation from the African continent."

The summits British hosts have offered some funding assistance and vaccines for delegates who could not otherwise access them.

"We are working tirelessly with all our partners, including the Scottish government and the U.N., to ensure an inclusive, accessible and safe summit in Glasgow with a comprehensive set of COVID mitigation measures," a COP26 spokesperson said, adding that government-approved hotel provider MCI had offered delegates a range of fairly-priced accommodation.

The United Kingdom this month scrapped quarantine requirements for 47 countries including South Africa and India, sparing delegates the 2,285 pounds ($3,150) cost of a 10-day hotel quarantine.

Last month, it said it would cover quarantine costs for delegates from countries still on the UK's COVID-19 travel "red list" - currently seven states including Colombia and Venezuela.

Story continues

But some would-be delegates say theyve been unable to access the help, or that it doesnt go far enough. Others say their own governments should be doing more to ensure they can attend.

"Visas and quarantines have been a nightmare," said Philippines-based activist Mitzi Jonelle Tan with youth movement Fridays for Future. The youth movement is sending around 55 delegates from regions vulnerable to climate change to COP26, but Tan said others dropped out before the UK revised its quarantine rules.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

The UK government is expecting around 25,000 people to attend COP26, but has yet to release a list of delegates.

As of Tuesday, prices for the few hotel rooms still available for the full 12-day conference on Booking.com began at 291 pounds per night, a total of 3,486 pounds.

The cost was enough to deter Ugandan climate justice advocate Nyombi Morris, 23, who had been hoping to highlight campaigners concerns about the impact of EU biomass energy policies on forests. He turned down the UKs accreditation offer because it came without financial support.

"One day I'll face them, face-to-face," Morris said.

Homestay groups have tried to provide more affordable accommodation, but are struggling to meet demand. The Human Hotel network said it had secured beds in local Glasgow homes for about 600 delegates.

"We are aware of several thousand others who wish to come and make their voices heard at COP26, but who cannot afford the astronomical prices of hotels in Scotland," said the networks community manager Michael Yule.

For others, health risks and travel headaches caused by the pandemic were reason to skip the event.

"I have not missed a COP since 2010 ... this will be the first," Li Shuo, senior climate adviser at Greenpeace China in Beijing, told Reuters. "I hope the smaller NGO presence will remind everyone that there are voices unrepresented."

Government delegations without direct travel routes to Glasgow also face logistical challenges. The Cook Islands in the South Pacific will not send a delegation, and other small island nations are struggling to resolve visa issues.

Nobert Nyandire, a climate activist in Nairobi, Kenya received a COVID-19 vaccine this month through the UK government scheme. He will attend COP26 to work on the technical U.N. negotiations for Kenya's non-profit Sustainable Environmental Development Watch, but said some colleagues are still awaiting vaccines or had been deterred by the cost.

"If the same people who are affected and who actually should be able to participate in such negotiations are not going to attend, then it means that I'm not very sure of the kind of decisions that are going to be made," Nyandire said.

(Reporting by Kate Abnett in Brussels, Valerie Volcovici in Washington; editing by Katy Daigle and Ed Osmond)
MALLORCA, Spain (Reuters) - Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma was on the Spanish island of Mallorca where his luxury yacht is anchored, two Spanish newspapers said on Wednesday, on his first trip abroad since he fell out with China's regulators in 2020.

The Chinese billionaire has largely been out of public view since he publicly criticised China's regulatory system in a speech last year. His empire promptly came under heavy scrutiny by regulators, that even led to the suspension of Ant Group's $37 billion blockbuster IPO.

The Diario de Mallorca newspaper said Ma was seen on Tuesday in the port of Andratx buying home decor at a local store.

The superyacht Zen has been moving along Mallorca's northwestern coast for the past few days and was in Andratx on Tuesday.

It dropped anchor on Wednesday near the beach town of Santa Ponsa, but a Reuters cameraman could only see smaller support boats returning to the superyacht from the shore empty, with Ma nowhere to be seen.

Without citing any sources, El Pais newspaper said Ma had been visiting Spain's Balearic Islands since Saturday, accompanied by various Chinese business people and his security detail.

The sleek five-deck, vertical-bowed motor yacht, measuring 88 metres (289 ft), can accommodate up to 16 guests and a crew of 25, according to the Superyacht Times edition. It was built in the Netherlands and delivered in April.

Ma, a globe-trotter not known to shy away from the limelight before falling out with regulators, retired as Alibaba's chairman in 2019.

Hong Kong's South China Morning Post, which is owned by Alibaba, reported on Tuesday that Ma was in Spain for a study tour on agriculture and technology related to environmental issues after spending "private time" with his family in Hong Kong.

Alibaba Group's Hong Kong shares rose nearly 10% earlier on Wednesday, extending gains for the fourth consecutive session, with brokers saying that investors saw Ma's trip as a sign of the central government relaxing its scrutiny over the group.

A Spanish banking industry source told Reuters Ma had visited Mallorca in his company in 2019 and that the billionaire liked to "often spend time" in the Balearic Islands.

(Additional reporting by Belen Carreno and Andrei Khalip; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Alyssa Milano was arrested on Tuesday during a voting rights protest at the White House.

In a tweet on Tuesday, the 48-year-old Charmed star said she was "arrested for demanding the Biden Administration and the Senate to use their mandate to protect voting rights."

I was just arrested for demanding the Biden Administration and the Senate to use their mandate to protect voting rights. Stand with me and @peoplefor and tell the Senate and White House that voting rights shouldnt depend on where you live. #DontMuteOurVote  Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) October 19, 2021

Milano was demonstrating with the organization People for the American Way. The nonprofit was founded by television producer Norman Lear in 1980. The group's president Ben Jealous was also arrested during the protest.

"We came back to the White House to deliver a clear message to President Biden: we need actions that match the urgency of his words on voting rights  and time is running out," Jealous said in a statement posted on Twitter. The Freedom to Vote Act has to pass now if we are going to protect voting rights in the next election for all of us: for Black voters and Brown voters, for women, for younger voters and older voters, voters with disabilities and working people of all backgrounds. The president needs to step up, or voting rights will die on his watch."

Today, @Alyssa_Milano and @BenJealous put their bodies on the line for voting rights. Come hear about their experience today and their history with activism at this @busboysandpoets event October 20th! https://t.co/2J8udyB5GS  People For the American Way (@peoplefor) October 19, 2021

The progressive advocacy organization says that it is trying to "fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all."

The Senate is likely going to start voting on the Freedom to Vote Act on Wednesday. It aims to set minimum standards for voting access in all states, such as same-day voter registration, two weeks of early voting and Election Day to be established as a public holiday. It's a scaled-down version of the For the People Act, which was blocked by Republicans in June. The Freedom to Vote Act will likely meet the same fate as Republicans threaten to filibuster it.
By Samuel Shen, Marc Jones and Clare Jim

SHANGHAI/LONDON (Reuters) - Numbers don't lie, you just need to be looking at the right ones.

That's the problem for investors searching for the next trouble spot in the Chinese real estate sector as industry giant China Evergrande Group lumbers towards what is expected to be the country's largest-ever corporate default. The figures on the books sometimes don't tell the full story.

Since Beijing started clamping down on corporate debt in 2017, many real estate developers have turned to off-balance-sheet vehicles to borrow money and skirt regulatory scrutiny, analysts and lawyers say.

Joint ventures are a popular choice because, unless a company holds a controlling interest in one, it can keep details of it and the debt it acquires off its balance sheet.

"Nearly every developer has borrowings in disguise. The sector's debt problem is worse than what you see," said He Siwei, attorney at Hui Ye Law Firm.

Chinese developers owed 33.5 trillion yuan ($5.24 trillion)through various channels at the end of June, Nomura estimates, based on official statistics, adding "there are definitely other obscure financing channels yet to be covered."

Private bonds issued by shell companies in offshore locations have emerged as a new concern.

In a note this month, Fitch ratings agency said that Fantasia Holdings Group, a property developer which has since defaulted, had recently told it "for the first time" that it had $150 million of private bonds that do not appear to have been reported in its financial statements.

Fantasia did not respond to a request for comment. The company had over $4 billion worth of cash at the end of June and two weeks before it defaulted said that it had "ample capital".

Unsurprisingly, investors have begun to look in less obvious places as the sectors' most troubled firms have been locked out of international capital markets.

Story continues

Some of those developers hit hardest had better-looking financials than those whose bonds had been less impacted, according to an analysis by JPMorgan, underlining a lack of faith in balance sheets.

Out of 70 Chinese property developers rated by Moody's, 27 have "significant" exposure to joint ventures, compared with five out of 49 in 2015.

Under a typical joint venture, a developer sets up a minority-owned real estate project with an asset manager or private equity fund and promises them fixed returns. The developer usually agrees to buy back its stake from the other investor after a certain number of years.

Graphic: China's high-yield markets were crushed by Evergrande worries https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/zdvxorkympx/Pasted%20image%201634731079441.png

POSTERCHILD

This year's escalation of Evergrande's woes meant that its failure to make a bond payment last month was largely expected. Once China's top-selling property developer, Evergrande has over $300 billion in liabilities, equivalent to about 2% of China's gross domestic product.

It was the posterchild for the sector's credit-fuelled growth with a debt pile that has nearly quadrupled since 2016.

Evergrande's financing model, which depended on a constant stream of new sales to feed its operations, quickly ran into trouble when Beijing introduced its so-called "Three Red Lines" rules last year that capped the amount of debt developers could take on compared to the amount of cash, assets and equity capital they held.

Evergrande did not have many joint ventures, analysts say but it did use off-balance sheet debt for funding, such as sales of wealth management products.

It also appears to have had exposure to private bonds, according to a bond term sheet seen by Reuters.

JPMorgan analysts estimated that Evergrande's true net gearing -- a measure of a company's financial leverage -- was at least 177% at the end of June, compared to the 100% reported in its accounts.

It is not the only one. JPMorgan estimated R&F Properties' gearing jumped to 139% from 123% once disguised debt was added back on while Sunac China Holdings' figure leapt to 138% from 87% to name just a few.

"I don't think anyone knows for sure the real size of Evergrande's debt piles," said a bond regulator who declined to be identified.

Evergrande, R&F Properties and Sunac China did not respond to requests for comment.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), which overseas disclosure by bond issuers, including developers, didn't respond to a request for comment on the issue of hidden debt.

Hong Kong's audit regulator has said it is investigating Evergrande's 2020 accounts and their audit by PwC because it had concerns about the adequacy of reporting. PwC did not comment on the announcement of the probe.

Graphic: China property stocks come crashing down https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/znpnezndyvl/Pasted%20image%201634731447647.png

MINORITY INTERESTS

China's central bank governor Yi Gang said on Sunday that China's economy faces default risks for certain firms due to "mismanagement", and that authorities will try to prevent problems at Evergrande from spreading.

In a press conference on Oct 15, another central bank official said that Evergrande is "an idiosyncratic risk" with limited spillover effects, urging developers to be responsible for repaying their debt.

Due to increased investor scrutiny, some Chinese developers have started to bring some of their joint ventures onto their balance sheets. In most cases, that leads to a jump in minority interests, according to a report earlier this year by rating agency S&P Global.

Minority interests are considered equity rather than debt and, on paper, boost a company's financial strength.

JPMorgan estimates that Fantasia's net gearing rises to 92% when its joint ventures are included compared to a reported 76%. If both joint venture and minority interests are included, however, that rises to 170%, the bank said.

Fantasia's default prompted a sector-wide sell-off, with spreads on Chinese high-yield corporate dollar bonds nearly tripling since late May.

But with the mass sell-off leaving prices at rock bottom and the yields available on some of the bonds now well over 200%, some investors have been dipping their toes back in this week despite warnings of a treacherous trade.

"Absolutely there are hidden risks," said Jeff Grills, head of emerging market debt at Aegon Asset Management. "And the thing is it is hard to know until you know,"

($1 = 6.3915 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Additional reporting by Andrew Galbraith; Editing by Carmel Crimmins)
By Josh Smith and Hyonhee Shin

SEONGNAM, South Korea (Reuters) - South Korea should redouble its efforts to become a global defence industry leader, President Moon Jae-in told a military expo in the outskirts of Seoul on Wednesday, after landing at the site in an air force fighter jet.

Clad in a flight suit, Moon arrived at the biennial Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/skorea-opens-largest-defence-expo-amid-nkorea-missile-tests-2021-10-19 in the back seat of an FA-50 jet fighter, South Korea's first indigenous supersonic aircraft and a major defence export.

The military display came a day after North Korea test fired a ballistic missile https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nkorea-says-it-conducted-successful-missile-test-submarine-kcna-2021-10-19 from a submarine. Last week North Korea opened a defence exhibition https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nkorea-threatens-upstage-skorea-defence-expo-with-duelling-military-show-2021-10-14 of its own, where leader Kim Jong Un said his country's military developments were for self-defence and accused South Korea of destabilising the peninsula with an arms build up.

In his speech on Wednesday, Moon defended the South's increasingly sophisticated military as necessary for peace.

"The goal of building strong defence power is always to foster peace," he said.

Amid glittering displays of drones, sniper rifles, helicopters, missiles, and other weapons, crowds of company representatives, diplomats, and South Korean troops mixed with military delegations in an array of foreign uniforms.

At least 440 companies from 28 countries are participating in what organisers said was the largest ADEX ever. About 300 government, military and defence acquisition officials from 45 countries were expected to attend the event, which lasts through Saturday.

Moon said it was time for South Korea's arms industry to become a global leader.

Story continues

Pointing the FA-50, he praised South Korean technology.

"I could feel the dashing dignity of the FA-50, which we've developed with our own technologies," Moon said.

South Korea plans to spend more than 80% of its acquisition budget on domestic supplies and to quadruple support for parts localisation by 2026, with a focus on areas that could shape future wars, including AI, drones, robotics and space, he said.

"We envision a smart yet strong military based on advanced science and technology, and promote peace together with the international community," Moon added.

South Korea's arms exports from 2016 to 2020 were 210% higher than from 20112015, according to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute data. It is also one of the largest arms importers in the world, buying major weapons systems such as American-made F-35 stealth fighter jets in recent years.

(Reporting by Josh Smith in Seongnam and by Hyonhee Shin in Seoul. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
Aryan Khan is the son of Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's son has been granted bail 26 days after he was arrested for allegedly doing recreational drugs at a party.

Aryan Khan, 23, was taken off a cruise ship that was on its way from Mumbai city to the state of Goa on 2 October.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) charged him under laws "related to possession, consumption and sale of illegal substances".

He has denied the allegations against him.

His lawyer has repeatedly told the court that no drugs were found in the possession of the actor's son, and that there was "no evidence that he had consumed any drugs".

Aryan Khan's lawyers approached the Mumbai High Court after a special court which hears narcotics cases rejected his bail twice in October. The special court also rejected the bail pleas of two others accused in the case.

The high court heard the matter for over two days as both sides presented their arguments.

In an earlier hearing, the prosecution had argued that it was necessary to take a "serious view" of drug use among youngsters. It also argued that Aryan Khan could not be treated differently from the 17 others accused in the case and should therefore not be released on bail.

Officials from NCB raided the cruise ship on 2 October - they said they had been tipped off that there were drugs on board. Aryan Khan was searched and interrogated before he boarded the ship - and eventually taken into custody by the NCB.

He was arrested the following day. He was initially in custody at the NCB's office, but was later moved to a jail.

In a fresh twist in the case, a key witness has alleged that he was "forced" to sign "blank papers" at the NCB's office in connection with the case.

In an affidavit before the court, Prabhakar Sail, who made the allegations, said he was a personal bodyguard of Kiran Gosavi, reportedly a private investigator. Sail also alleged that there was a threat to his life.

Story continues

Gosavi was present during the raid on the ship and was seen in a selfie with Aryan Khan after his arrest.

The case has been dominating media headlines. While there has been no official statement from Shah Rukh Khan, some Bollywood personalities have defended Aryan Khan. Experts have also criticised what they say is the "excessive media gaze" around his arrest.

Many Bollywood actors and TV personalities have been under scrutiny since last year in what appears to be an investigation into claims of widespread drug use in the Hindi film industry. In 2020, the narcotics agency questioned at least four actresses, including Deepika Padukone, but none have been accused of any wrongdoing.

They had also arrested actress Rhea Chakraborty in September last year for allegedly buying drugs for her actor boyfriend, Sushant Singh Rajput.

Rajput, 34, was found dead in his flat on 14 June. Police at the time said he had killed himself. But the case took an unexpected turn when his family accused Chakraborty of abetment to suicide, sparking months of media coverage and speculation. Chakraborty, who had denied any wrongdoing, was released from jail a month after her arrest.
Isiah Brown

The attorney for Isiah Brown, the gay Virginia man shot eight times by a Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Deputy April 21 while he was on the phone with a 911 dispatcher, has filed a lawsuit in federal court on Browns behalf.

David Haynes, a lawyer with the Cochran Group in Washington, D.C. said that the suit filed was against Spotsylvania County Police Chief Roger Harris and Deputy David Turbyfill for their roles in the totally unnecessary shooting incident involving Mr. Brown that occurred April 21.

As The Advocate covered in April after the shooting, Brown, a 32-year-old gay Black man, was walking down the street away from his house, and was on the phone with a 911 dispatcher, when he was shot eight times for holding a phone to his ear. Despite being in critical condition for weeks, Brown survived. At the time, his family blamed the miscommunication between the dispatcher and the police officer.

According to Haynes, the shooting resulted in numerous life-altering injuries to Mr. Brown which will leave him with permanent damage for the rest of his life.

Isiah Brown's life will never be the same after his tragic encounter with David Turbyfill, Haynes added. Our hope is that this lawsuit will provide a measure of justice for Mr. Brown and force the Spotsylvania Police Department to enhance their training and update their policies and procedures so that this never happens to another person.

The suit is seeking $26 million, according to TV station WWBT.

In an exclusive interview with The Advocate for the column about Isiah, Browns sister Yolanda described her brother as the life of the party. He loves his family, loves to laugh, and just loves, loves his musicand loves Big Freedia.

When reached for comments from Isiah, a spokesperson for the family said that he is not ready to speak to the media at this time.
CHICAGO  Authorities searched the Illinois & Michigan canal near Lockport on Tuesday at the urging of the sister of Stacy Peterson, the missing wife of convicted murderer Drew Peterson, her sister said.

Illinois State Police confirmed they searched the area with help from the FBI, though they did not specify what they were looking for. Lockport Fire also assisted by searching near the Lockport Locks, according to Fire Chief John OConnor.

The search Tuesday followed others in the same area in recent months, and all have been unsuccessful, State Police Sgt. Delila Garcia said.

Stacy Petersons sister, Cassandra Cales, said she pushed authorities to search the canal. She said she believes she has video evidence of skeletal remains in the area.

I keep going above and beyond to find my sister, she said. And if its not my sister, thats fine, its still somebodys loved one in there. They need the closure. Their loved one needs to come home.

Stacy Peterson disappeared in 2007. She was Drew Petersons fourth wife, and he is suspected in her disappearance but has not been charged with a crime related to her case, authorities have said.

The former Bolingbrook police officer was convicted of killing his third wife, Kathleen Savio, and later for trying to arrange a hit on Will County States Attorney James Glasgow.

Cales has previously said sonar searches showed her sisters remains were in area canals. She described the outcome of Tuesdays search as the same as usual, and said she would continue to search.

This is not a 9-to-5 (job) to me, she said. This is, like, 24 hours a day. I dont not think about my sister.


The simplest way to invest in stocks is to buy exchange traded funds. But if you pick the right individual stocks, you could make more than that. To wit, the The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK) share price is 55% higher than it was a year ago, much better than the market return of around 31% (not including dividends) in the same period. If it can keep that out-performance up over the long term, investors will do very well! The longer term returns have not been as good, with the stock price only 25% higher than it was three years ago.

The past week has proven to be lucrative for Bank of New York Mellon investors, so let's see if fundamentals drove the company's one-year performance.

View our latest analysis for Bank of New York Mellon

There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

During the last year, Bank of New York Mellon actually saw its earnings per share drop 17%.

This means it's unlikely the market is judging the company based on earnings growth. Since the change in EPS doesn't seem to correlate with the change in share price, it's worth taking a look at other metrics.

Bank of New York Mellon's revenue actually dropped 4.6% over last year. So the fundamental metrics don't provide an obvious explanation for the share price gain.

You can see how earnings and revenue have changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

Bank of New York Mellon is a well known stock, with plenty of analyst coverage, suggesting some visibility into future growth. So we recommend checking out this free report showing consensus forecasts

What About Dividends?

It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. In the case of Bank of New York Mellon, it has a TSR of 60% for the last 1 year. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence!

Story continues

A Different Perspective

It's good to see that Bank of New York Mellon has rewarded shareholders with a total shareholder return of 60% in the last twelve months. And that does include the dividend. That's better than the annualised return of 8% over half a decade, implying that the company is doing better recently. In the best case scenario, this may hint at some real business momentum, implying that now could be a great time to delve deeper. If you would like to research Bank of New York Mellon in more detail then you might want to take a look at whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in the company.

But note: Bank of New York Mellon may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on US exchanges.

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.
By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco has a message for corporate America: The U.S. Justice Department needs its help in order to take down cyber criminals.

"We cannot do this alone," Monaco said on Wednesday during a virtual roundtable on cybersecurity.

"The bottom line is this: I believe it is bad for companies. It's bad for America and it hurts our efforts to uphold the value that we try to demonstrate as a country if companies are attacked, and don't partner with law enforcement."

Monaco made her pitch at a time when the Justice Department has been stepping up its efforts to combat cyber threats and ransomware attacks, such as the one earlier this year against the Colonial Pipeline Co., leading to massive shortages of gasoline across the East Coast.

Earlier this month, Monaco unveiled two new Justice Department enforcement initiatives aimed at targeting cryptocurrencies and government contractors who fail to report cyber breaches.

The department earlier this year formed a ransomware and digital extortion task force to better coordinate government response to such attacks.

In the case of the Colonial Pipeline attack, the Justice Department was able to recover some $2.3 million in cryptocurrency ransom the company had paid to its attackers.

Monaco said she is hoping to hear more from companies about road blocks or challenges they face when deciding when and how to come forward to report cyber attacks to the U.S. government.

"Those who come forward will see that we are determined to bring our authorities to bear to be nimble in our response," Monaco said.

"We make arrests. We hold people to account. We get money back."

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch, Editing by Nick Zieminski)
President Joe Bidens nominee for ambassador to China appeared to change his tone about the war of words between China and the United States on the coronavirus after he repeatedly criticized both sides for a blame game last year.

Nicholas Burns, an ambassador during the Clinton administration and a State Department official during George W. Bushs presidency, appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, with Sen. Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, highlighting comments the Harvard professor made in March 2020 in which he lamented: Right now, were all witnessing a war of words. The Chinese have made a preposterous, untrue, and shameful assertion  They say that the crisis began because the U.S. army planted a weapon, a virus in the city of Wuhan. There is no basis for this  At the same time, President Trump personally calls this the Chinese virus or the Wuhan virus. We all know thats wrong. We all know its racist. We all know its not true. The virus doesnt know boundaries.

Johnson grilled him on the remark, saying: I guess Im kind of wondering  how did you know? We still dont know. How were you so positive that this wasnt a lab leak theory, and have you changed your mind? Have you seen other evidence that would at least open up your mind to that prospect?

Burns replied: On the coronavirus, the problem here is with China. The Chinese government withheld information very clearly from their own people and the rest of the world for about a month in late December and January of 2020. I have consistently criticized the Chinese government for that, and they deserve to be criticized. And theyve been stonewalling all of us around the world since January of 2020, including this week when they refused to act to work with the World Health Organizations new investigative body to answer the question that you rightfully asked.

Last week, the WHO announced a new COVID-19 origins team, including six people who were part of the widely criticized first team that deemed the Wuhan lab leak hypothesis "extremely unlikely" earlier this year.

Story continues

WH DEFENDS CHILD COVID-19 VACCINATION PLAN BEFORE APPROVAL AFTER BOOSTER SHOT FLAP

Numerous former Trump officials insist a lab leak is most likely.

Burns took to Twitter in May 2020 to attack former President Donald Trump for suggesting the virus emerged from the Wuhan Institute of Virology and alleged Trump was using China as a scapegoat."

China owes it to the world to be more transparent about COVID-19. But Trump asserting the virus came from a Chinese government lab+threatening to sue for reparations is feckless and reckless without evidence, Burns tweeted on May 1, 2020. Passing the buck?

Burns wrote an op-ed for Foreign Affairs on March 25, 2020, in which he criticized both the Trump administration and the Chinese government for a blame game over who is ultimately responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Johnson followed up on Wednesday about the March 2020 remarks by Burns at Harvard, asking, Are you still so certain that lab leak is off the table? ... You said, We all know thats not true. Have you changed your thinking on that?

Burns replied: I believe that that quote from the Kennedy School event was directed to President Trumps use of the term Wuhan virus, which I did not think would be effective with the Chinese government or Chinese people or people around the world.

It had nothing to do with the origins of the crisis, of the pandemic, and my position has been all along and continues this day  we need to investigate.

Burns added: I have never been a proponent of either one of these two options, but I think, as President Biden has said, we need to push the Chinese to come clean about what happened.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The former ambassador claimed during a Chatham House discussion on June 9, 2020, that the U.S. was accusing China of false things, arguing, Theyve accused each other of the most outrageous things, both incorrectly.

Burns also signed on to a letter in April 2020 that said an investigation into COVID-19s origins should be pushed off, writing that in time, in order to prevent or prepare for future outbreaks, there will be a need for a global review of the coronavirus pandemic, including its origins, but that for now, as the pandemic sweeps the globe, the focus should be on finding the resolve to work together to contain and defeat the virus.

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: News, China, World Health Organization, Joe Biden, Ron Johnson, Coronavirus

Original Author: Jerry Dunleavy

Original Location: Bidens China ambassador changes tone on COVID-19 origins battle
By Nina Chestney

LONDON (Reuters) - Major economies will produce more than double the amount of coal, oil and gas in 2030 than is consistent with meeting climate goals set in the 2015 Paris accord to curb global warming, the United Nations and researchers said on Wednesday.

The U.N. Environment Programme's (UNEP) annual production gap report measures the difference between governments' planned production of fossil fuels and production levels which are consistent with meeting the temperature limits set in Paris.

Under the pact, nations have committed to a long-term goal of limiting average temperature rises to less than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to attempt to limit them even further to 1.5C.

The report, which analysed 15 major fossil fuel producers, found they plan to produce, in total, around 110% more fossil fuels in 2030 than would be consistent with limiting the degree of warming to 1.5C, and 45% more than is consistent with 2C.

The size of that gap has not declined much since UNEP's 2020 report, it added.

The countries analysed in the report were Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Representatives from nearly 200 countries will meet in Glasgow, Scotland, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 12 for climate talks to strengthen action to tackle global warming under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

FOSSIL FUELS

Despite efforts to strengthen climate targets, most major oil and gas producers plan to increase production until 2030 or beyond, while several major coal producers plan to continue or even increase output, the report said.

The plans of the 15 countries analysed envisage fossil fuel production increasing until at least 2040.

This would lead to about 240% more coal, 57% more oil, and 71% more gas in 2030 than what is required in order to curb the rate of global warming to 1.5C.

Story continues

Of the three fuels, gas production is projected to increase the most between 2020 and 2040, based on the governments plans.

The International Energy Agency said in May that investors should not fund new oil, gas and coal supply projects if the world is to hit net zero emissions by mid-century.

"The research is clear: global coal, oil, and gas production must start declining immediately and steeply to be consistent with limiting long-term warming to 1.5C," said Ploy Achakulwisut, a lead author of the new report.

The report was produced by UNEP, as well as experts from the Stockholm Environment Institute, the International Institute for Sustainable Development and think-tanks E3G and ODI.

(Reporting by Nina Chestney; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Administrators, scientists and politicians praised U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt on Tuesday for years of securing medical research funding while dedicating the NextGen Precision Health facility in his name on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus.

This is going to be a place where discoveries happen, said Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health. This is going to be a place that focuses on health, but also on hope  hope youre going to give to people who don't even know we're having this ceremony and may in a year or two, or a decade from now, have their lives saved by the work that goes on in this building.

The $221 million facility has 265,000 square feet for collaboration among researchers, clinicians and industry representatives with the latest scientific resources. Its location on the University Hospital campus provides a bench-to-bedside approach where researchers and medical doctors can quickly and easily work together to better diagnose and treat illness.

Things will happen here that will impact people all over the world because of what the university committed itself to, said Blunt, 71, a two-term Republican from southwest Missouri who was elected seven times to the U.S. House of Representatives. It will happen in ways that wouldnt have happened otherwise and Im grateful for that.

Blunt was praised for his leadership in increasing NIH funding by 43% during the last six years. Collins praised both Blunt and Sen. Lamar Alexander for $1.5 billion to fund a Shark Tank style approach to rapidly develop COVID-19 testing in 2020.

There are about two million tests being done today as a result of that process, Collins said. If you go to the drug store and say, 'Id like a home test' and you pick one off the shelf its because of Sen. Blunt and Alexander and the vision they had. Had it not been for that anticipatory vision, we would be in a very different place than where we are now.

Story continues

Republican Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe said the research facility will contribute billions to Missouris economy during the next 25 years, but emphasized the importance to citizens throughout the state.

This is not only about urban health, it's about rural health, said Kehoe. It's for people who need access to help. Some in the audience with us today with very rare conditions, they never had hope before now. This building represents hope. Thats the real return on investment. Its the lives of all of our future citizens that will stand on our shoulders just like we stood on the shoulders of the people for us.

Blunt highlighted how decades of NIH research led to rapid development of Messenger RNA vaccines for COVID-19. Unlike a live vaccine with an infectious element to bolster immune systems, the Messenger RNA teaches cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response.

All were huge breakthroughs, Blunt said. In fact, generally, if theres a COVID-19-like variant in the future, maybe within 60 or 90 days you could have a vaccine  not in three years as we would have expected two years ago or the nine months we miraculously saw happen with an intense effort to get this done. Within a few weeks, we can identify the marker, figure out what to do about it, and make it available so people could immediately start that personal fight.

When Blunt estimated NIH funding at the University of Missouri increased approximately 70% in the past few years, president Mun Choi, seated behind him, motioned upward with his thumb repeatedly.

I always make it a point not to correct the Senator, but since hes retiring, maybe Ill give it a try, Choi said. Senator Blunts contributions to NIH research funding has been phenomenal. During the past five years, this university, despite the trials and tribulations they faced, our phase one federal research proposals grew by 88%.

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: News, State, Missouri

Original Author: Joe Mueller, The Center Square

Original Location: Blunt praised for medical research funding during dedication of University of Missouri facility
Nikole Hannah-Jones, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and creator of the 1619 Project, said she was disinvited from speaking at a private boarding school in Massachusetts during Black History Month next February over concerns about how people outside the school might react.

Nikole Hannah-Jones was disinvited from speaking at the Middlesex School in Massachusetts over concerns about how people outside the school may react. (Photo: Marcus Ingram via Getty Images)

Hannah-Jones tweeted Monday that the elite Middlesex School in Concord had canceled her speech, and shared a statement saying she had been disinvited over concerns of noise associated with her being a speaker.

They were likely afraid that by having me  a [New York Times] journalist & college professor  there, theyd invite backlash & another of the woke people are ruining America stories, Hannah-Jones tweeted. Im good. Im done fighting my way in. But the lack of courage in these times is so very sad.

This is the reason. I dont feel canceled. I still have a platform, I will continue to produce work, speak where I am wanted. Really, I shrugged. However, Im confident that we will see many, many substack &mainstream media stories about this & cancel culture at elite schools. pic.twitter.com/JYmoChjS0E  Ida Bae Wells (@nhannahjones) October 18, 2021

Middlesex School representatives did not immediately respond to HuffPosts requests for comment on Wednesday, but in a statement to the Boston Globe, the schools head, David Beare, confirmed that Hannah-Jones had been disinvited to speak at the school.

While we are confident that her insights would have been valued by our students, we were concerned that individuals from outside our community might inadvertently distract from the insights and perspective that she intended to share, Beare said, going on to apologize for not reaching out to Hannah-Jones in a more formal way about her revoked invitation.

Hannah-Jones told HuffPost on Wednesday that Beare had still not contacted her directly about the decision.

Story continues

Ironically, just days earlier, Beare and Middlesex Schools board of trustees had sent out a letter to the community that expressed a commitment toward diversifying the schools student body and faculty and supporting debate and disagreement, even when that discourse may become uncomfortable.

As an educational institution, we believe an open exchange of viewpoints is vital to student development and intellectual excellence. We believe that respectful debate and disagreement are not only healthy, but the very ground upon which a learning community thrives, the letter read.

Middlesex School alumni have meanwhile expressed disgust and outrage at the decision to cancel Hannah-Jones speech, with some telling The Daily Beast that its not unusual for the school to suppress Black voices.

Middlesex is definitely a place that has a lot of milquetoast racism, said 2019 graduate Alexandra Jones. They often censor these kinds of conversations.

Hannah-Jones has faced intense backlash over The 1619 Project, which examines the ongoing legacy of slavery in the U.S. Conservatives accuse the long-form journalism project, first published in The New York Times Magazine before expanding to include a podcast, live events and school curriculum, of promoting racial divisiveness.

Hannah-Jones alma mater, the University of North Carolina, initially refused to grant her tenure as the Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism earlier this year, reportedly due to political objections to her work presented to the schools board of trustees.

The school reversed its decision after widespread protests, but Hannah-Jones ultimately rejected UNCs offer and instead accepted a role at the historically Black school Howard University.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.
A roadside bomb attack in Syria's capital Damascus killed over a dozen military personnel on Wednesday.

State media reported that a bus carrying the soldiers was crossing a bridge in central Damascus during early morning rush hour when two explosive devices went off.

Images of the charred cabin of the bus were shared on Syrian state TV's telegram account, and rescue workers removing body parts from the scene.

A third device was defused by an army engineering unit.

No group has yet claimed the attack, but officials have called it a "terrorist" blast.

There have been several attacks this year on army vehicles in eastern Syria by suspected Islamic State militants who still operate in the sprawling desert area.

But blasts in Damascus are rare.

That's because forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad took control of rebel enclaves around the city.
Oxygen

A Virginia contractor has been convicted of raping and murdering a college administrator, leaving her dead in her bathtub, after she complained about the companys work on her deck. A jury found Thomas Clark guilty of first-degree murder, rape and abduction of 53-year-old Suzanne Fairman after deliberating Wednesday for an hour and 20 minutes, according to local station WTVR. There is a huge amount of relief, Fairmans son, Scott, said after the verdict. I know these last two-and-a-half years
OTTAWA (Reuters) -Canada's House of Commons will require all 338 lawmakers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 when they return to work next month, potentially locking out some members of parliament from the official opposition Conservatives.

Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau narrowly won https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canadas-trudeau-may-cling-power-election-looks-unlikely-secure-majority-2021-09-20 re-election last month, saying he would insist on vaccine mandates for federal workers, people traveling domestically, and his own candidates.

Three of the four opposition parties represented in the House of Commons also support vaccination requirements for lawmakers, but the Conservatives of Erin O'Toole oppose mandates and did not require their candidates https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canadas-pandemic-election-unvaccinated-candidates-are-knocking-doors-2021-08-23 to be inoculated. The party declines to say how many lawmakers have not received shots.

"Individuals must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to be allowed within the House of Commons," House Speaker Anthony Rota, a Liberal, said in a statement late on Tuesday after a meeting of the Board of Internal Economy, a panel of seven legislators that sets House rules.

The vaccination requirement will apply to everyone who enters a House of Commons space, he said.

The Conservatives said they were sticking to their position that while vaccinations were important, safety could also be ensured by using rapid tests

"We cannot agree to seven MPs, meeting in secret, deciding which of the 338 MPs, just elected by Canadians, can enter the House of Commons," senior party member Blake Richards said via email. He did not say whether the party would seek to contest the ruling.

Trudeau is due to speak to O'Toole on Wednesday. Lawmakers will return to the House on Nov. 22.

The government's leader in the House of Commons, Pablo Rodriguez, believes a hybrid meeting model used during the pandemic could be left in place to allow lawmakers to attend virtually, spokesman Simon Ross said by email.

(Reporting by Steve SchererEditing by Paul Simao and Diane Craft)
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - The Ethiopian government carried out a second air strike within hours on the Tigray region on Wednesday, significantly escalating a campaign to weaken rebellious Tigrayan forces in an almost one-year-old war.

The second strike was in Agbe in the Temben region some 80 km (50 miles) west of the regional capital Mekelle, targeting a military training centre and heavy artillery depot, government spokesperson Legesse Tulu said.

That came after a morning air strike in Mekelle, the third this week. Tigrai Television said the attack targeted the centre of the city while the Addis Ababa government said it targeted buildings where Tigrayan forces were repairing armaments.

The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has "been adept at hiding munitions and heavy artillery in places of worship and using ordinary Tigrayans as a human shield", Legesse said.

Two witnesses and a humanitarian source in Mekelle told Reuters that the morning strike appeared to have targeted Mesfin Industrial Engineering PLC, a factory complex which the government believes supports the TPLF.

TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael, referring to government forces, said: "They are desperate on the war front. My interpretation is they are bombing us because they are losing on the ground and its their reprisal. The fact that they are bombing shows they dont care about Tigrayan civilians."

Speaking to Reuters by satellite phone from an undisclosed location, Gebremichael said the strike did not hit the engineering complex, rather another private company compound, but he had no further details.

Nine civilians, including a five-year-old child, were being treated at Ayder Referral Hospital for injuries sustained in the strike, according to TPLF-run Tigrai Television.

The blast shattered the windows of Mekelle General Hospital, about one kilometre away from Mesfin Industrial, and damaged nearby homes, said a doctor at the hospital. It had received five wounded people, he said.

Story continues

"Four of them were factory employees and the fifth one is a lady whose lives near the factory. Her house was destroyed by the air strike," the doctor said.

Tigrai Television posted photographs of what appeared to be plumes of billowing smoke. Reuters geolocated the images to Mekelle.

The two sides have been fighting for almost a year in a conflict that has killed thousands of people and displaced more than two million amid a power struggle between the TPLF, which controls the northern region, and the central government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa.

The TPLF dominated the Horn of Africa country's ruling party for decades before Abiy, who is not a Tigrayan, took office in 2018.

CONTROL OF THE SKIES

Mesfin Industrial Engineering is an equipment manufacturer and car and truck assembly plant that was part of EFFORT, a TPLF-owned conglomerate.

After war broke out last November, the government froze the company's bank accounts, saying there was evidence that it was supporting the TPLF. The company could not be reached for comment. Most communications in Mekelle are down.

Mekelle was also hit by two air strikes on Monday https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/mekelle-capital-ethiopias-tigray-hit-by-air-strikes-regional-tv-2021-10-18. The TPLF accused the government of launching the attacks. A government official initially denied the accusation but state media later reported the air force had conducted a strike.

The attacks follow intensified fighting in two other northern regions where the military is trying to recover territory taken by the TPLF, which recaptured Mekelle and most of the rest of Tigray several months ago.

In July, the TPLF pushed into the two other regions, Amhara and Afar, and several hundred thousand more people fled their homes, according to the United Nations.

Last week, after the TPLF said the military had started an offensive in Amhara, the military said that the TPLF had "opened war on all fronts", and that government forces were inflicting heavy casualties.

"The federal air strikes on Mekelle appear to be part of efforts to weaken Tigrays armed resistance, which has recently made further gains in eastern Amhara region, with fighting ongoing in some areas," said Will Davison, a senior analyst on Ethiopia at the International Crisis Group think-tank.

"Along with superior manpower, control of the skies is one of the few remaining areas of military advantage for the federal government," Davison said.

(Reporting by Addis Ababa newsroom with additional reporting by George Sargent in London and Nairobi newsroom; writing by Maggie Fick; editing by Nick Macfie, Angus MacSwan and Mark Heinrich)
Nearly two weeks after an East Idaho judge ruled that Chad Daybells murder trial should be moved to a new county, the Idaho Supreme Court has designated a new venue.

The trial will be in Boise, as many expected.

In an order filed Wednesday, Justice G. Richard Bevan ordered that the jury trial, at which prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, will take place in Ada County. The order confirmed what the presiding judge  Steven Boyce  had already concluded when Daybell was granted a change of venue.

In Boyces order, which was filed Oct. 8, the judge wrote that the Court suggests that Ada County be selected for the location for trial. He said he based that on Ada Countys population, facilities and staffing, among other factors.

The move to Boise also means, of course, that the jury will be made up of Ada County residents.

Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell face numerous charges, including first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, in connection to the deaths of several people  Loris children, Joshua JJ Vallow and Tylee Ryan, and Chads first wife, Tammy Daybell.

The Daybells case has garnered national media attention and wide coverage in Idaho ever since the children were reported missing in 2019, one of the reasons cited for moving the jury trial to another location.

A trial date has not been set for Chad Daybell, who remains jailed in Fremont County. Lori Daybells case is currently on hold, as she was deemed not competent to stand trial in May. She is being held at the Madison County Jail.
Good Morning America

After suffering unspeakable abuses and deprivation at the hands of their parents, the Turpin siblings -- it seemed -- were on the path to a new life: a future with the resources needed to start fresh, to make up for the years they were locked away from the world. Nearly four years ago, after authorities rescued the 13 Turpin siblings from their family home in Perris, California, where they were subjected to brutal violence and deprived of food, sleep, hygiene, education, and health care, advocates and county leaders assured the siblings -- and a concerned public -- that help was on the way. "We are confident, given what they've been through and how resilient they are, that they're going to be really successful," said Jack Osborn, a court-appointed attorney for the seven adult children, after their parents' sentencing in 2019.
A Dallas-area tax consultant pleaded guilty Tuesday to engaging in monetary transactions using money secured through falsified Paycheck Protection Program loan applications.

Steven Jalloul, 43, admitted to submitting around 170 loan applications to lenders, seeking over $23 million on behalf of about 160 clients of his tax preparation business, Royalty Tax & Financial Services LLC., acting U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham said in a statement.

Jalloul admitted to increasing his clients employee rosters and monthly payroll expenses in order to increase the amount of eligible PPP funds for their businesses, then charged them a 2 to 20% commission on loans received, Meacham said.

Out of the 170 falsified loan applications, 97 were approved that granted over $12 million to Jallouls clients, who then paid him $972,114 in fees, Meacham said.

The Paycheck Protection Program was designed to help hard-working businesspeople keep their companies afloat during the pandemic  not to line the pockets of unscrupulous accountants, he said. The Justice Department will prosecute anyone who attempts to exploit pandemic-era financial programs. There are countless businesses ravaged by COVID-19 that deserved this money; [Jalloul] did not.

Jalloul faces up to 10 years in federal prison for the PPP loan fraud. A sentencing date has not been set for him as of Tuesday evening. Meacham said Jalloul was previously sentenced to six years in federal prison for a separate tax fraud case he pleaded guilty to in January 2020.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden told progressive lawmakers Tuesday that the final social spending bill is expected to drop tuition-free community college and curtail the child tax credit program, two sources familiar with the meeting said.

The sources said the popular child tax credit is likely to be extended for an additional year. Many Democrats had pushed the proposals to reduce poverty and remove financial barriers to higher education and vocational training.

Biden and Democratic congressional leaders are working feverishly to reach a deal. But the talks remain fluid as the party works to narrow the bill to a version that can become law.

Another big priority  a sweeping climate measure known as the Clean Energy Performance Program  is also likely to be curtailed in the spending bill. However, congressional sources said Tuesday that while the climate proposals will be scaled back, there will be a focus on clean renewable energy. Two sources familiar with the negotiations also said lawmakers are considering shortening paid leave in the bill, potentially from 12 weeks to four.

Earlier Tuesday, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said her members had a "really good, productive meeting" with Biden, who is working on the bill with moderates and progressives.

"I think we all still feel even more optimistic about getting to an agreement on a really transformational bill that will fundamentally lift people up," she told reporters.

Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., who was also in the meeting, told reporters that Biden said the only reason a climate program is not in the bill is opposition from Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Huffman said one idea is to allow West Virginia to do what it wants while the rest of the country can move forward.

The social spending package, which Democrats are trying to pass without Republican support through a procedure known as reconciliation, started at $3.5 trillion. Last month, Biden told House Democrats that the range was likely to be $1.9 trillion to $2.2 trillion. He told progressives Tuesday night that the range he is working on is $1.75 trillion to $1.9 trillion, three sources familiar with the meeting said.

Story continues

Sources cautioned, however, that there is no final deal.

Biden had separate meetings Tuesday at the White House with Manchin and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., both of whom are at the center of the disagreement over the bill's price tag and proposals. The administration has been pressing Congress to reach a deal on the social spending package and the trillion-dollar infrastructure bill by the end of the month.

Manchin, who has said he is proceeding with caution on any additional spending, told reporters Monday that he was skeptical that Congress could meet the self-imposed Oct. 31 deadline to pass both bills.

But the White House struck a more optimistic tone.

"After a day of constructive meetings, the president is more confident this evening about the path forward to delivering for the American people on strong, sustained economic growth that benefits everyone," press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement Tuesday night.

"There was broad agreement that there is urgency in moving forward over the next several days and that the window for finalizing a package is closing," she said.
President Biden Leaves White House For Travel To Connecticut

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to reporters as he arrives on the South Lawn of the White House October 15, 2021 in Washington, DC. Credit - Drew AngererGetty Images

As Democrats try to reach a deal on trillions of dollars in spending for infrastructure and social programs, some involved in the process are growing impatient and struggling to keep faith in President Joe Bidens talk-it-through approach.

Biden spent the day Tuesday meeting with key players from the Senate and the House. In a meeting with House progressive lawmakers, Biden said his top line demand for the raft of health care, child care and social programs had gone down from $3.5 trillion to below $2.2 trillion. To get to that new figure, Biden is open to curtailing his plans for free community college, limiting some climate spending and shortening the time frame for some federally-subsidized family services.

But the main roadblocks to a deal remain: namely, Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Krysten Sinema, the West Virginia Democrat and Arizona Democrat who have held up the larger bill for weeks and havent agreed to a path forward without the House first passing the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill. Illinois Senator Dick Durbin told reporters on Capitol Hill Monday that the mood among the Democratic senators was anxious.

Read More: What Does Kyrsten Sinema Want?

Everybodys very deflated right now, says a Democrat close to the negotiations. It is very hard to find anybody who thinks this current moment is being handled well. There is growing frustration that Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer are treating Sinema and Manchin with kid gloves, the person says, and that Biden is putting no pressure on them. How badly do they want this to happen? Because it really doesnt look like theyre breaking anybodys arms, the person says.

Outwardly, negotiators have said theres been progress in the past few days. On Tuesday, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who has been pushing to keep the investment in social programs high, had a meeting with Manchin and told reporters that there is growing sentiment that the time has come to find a resolution. Schumer told reporters on Wednesday that the Democrats are getting closer to an agreement and that he believes they can get it done. Schumer has asked Democrats to put together the framework of an agreement by the end of the week that would allow them to move forward on both bills.

Story continues

But the major players positions have not changed significantly from the moment in late September when Democrats blew past a self-imposed deadline to pass the bills. Manchin says his top figure for investing in health care and child care programs is $1.5 trillion and hes opposed to some of the initiatives progressives and Biden want to address climate change. Sinema remains an obstacle on the size of corporate tax hikes that pay for the cost of social programs. There is no sign Biden has been able to move the two Senate holdouts, despite Bidens decades-long career in the Senate himself and his personal relationship with Manchin.

Through the entire process, Biden has barely used the bully pulpit of the presidency to try to sell the bills to the public or put external pressure on lawmakers. Biden hasnt sat for an interview with a major media organization since the beginning of September, and has only done 10 total since becoming Presidentfar short of the pace of interviews conducted at this point in their presidencies by Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Bidens approval ratings have sunk below 50% since August, as he bore the brunt of his chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, public perception of his response to the COVID-19 pandemic dipped, and the infrastructure and social spending billscornerstones of his domestic agendahave remained mired in intra-party debates.

Hes got a remarkable opportunity here to leverage himself and the office, and it just seems like its slipping away, says a former Biden Administration official who is advising the White House on the negotiations.

Perhaps in an effort to reverse these trends, Biden is taking to the road this week to promote the two bills. On Wednesday, hes visiting his childhood home Scranton, Pennsylvaniaa campaign touchstone for Biden when he wants to highlight his familys working class roots. On Thursday, he will answer questions from an audience in Baltimore about his plans on the two infrastructure bills in a town hall event broadcast by CNN.

Make sense of what matters in Washington. Sign up for the daily D.C. Brief newsletter.

Within Washington, much of the outreach to the Hill has been handled by Bidens staff. Biden is on the phone regularly with lawmakers and has been holding meetings with them. But the most frequent contacts between the White House and senators have come from White House chief of staff Ron Klain through calls and text messages, according to two people familiar with the discussions. Bidens director of legislative affairs Louisa Terrell, a former chief of staff to New Jersey Senator Cory Booker and a veteran of Obamas legislative affairs office, keeps in close touch with key Senate chiefs of staff. But theres no weight thats the same as the actual President, says the former Biden Administration official.

Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia told reporters Wednesday hes hopeful that by the end of this week, Democrats in the Senate will have reached a framework agreement on the larger social spending bill, which will be sufficient to convince House Democrats to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill and send it to Bidens desk.

Its a big lift. Biden has told lawmakers he wants to get the outlines of an agreement done before he leaves for the G20 Summit in Rome and a major climate conference in Glasgow late next week. Hes hoping that he can tell allies abroad about major steps the U.S. is making to reduce carbon emissions and limit the damage of climate change. To get there, Biden told House progressives that tuition-free community college may be dropped from the spending package, that the child tax credit might not be extended for more than one year, and programs to improve home health care could be dialed back, according to a Hill aide briefed on the talks.

Biden needs to exert his leadership to keep House progressives on board without losing Manchin and Sinema in the Senate. This week, progressive Democrats seem to be willing to restructure their demands to provide assistance to working families for a shorter period of time than they had originally hoped. We need to invest in as many of those transformational areas as possible, even if it means for some of them a shorter amount of time, Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington, leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, told reporters at the White House on Tuesday. On climate change measures that Manchin opposes, Jayapal said progressives are hopeful they can reach an agreement that will still be significant.

Biden is central to all of those discussions. The President is the inspirer. He is the closer. He is the convincer, the mediator in chief, Jayapal said. The coming weeks will show if President Biden can live up to those monikers.
Oxygen

A 20-year-old New York man was facing eight years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting four teenage girls during parties in his parents home, but this week a judge sentenced him to eight years of probation because jail was inappropriate. Im not ashamed to say that I actually prayed over what is the appropriate sentence in this case because there was great pain. There was great harm. There were multiple crimes committed in the case, Niagara County Judge Matthew J. Murphy I
An East Harlem deli worker was stabbed to death during an argument with a customer, police said Wednesday.

The fight may have been over the cost of an item in the store, police said.

The customer got into a quarrel with the two workers on duty inside the store on Second Ave. near E. 102nd St. about 11:35 p.m Tuesday, cops said.

The argument spilled outside, where it continued to escalate until the customer stabbed a 34-year-old worker in the upper body.

The killer ran off east on E. 102nd St and has not been caught.

EMS rushed the victim to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell but he could not be saved.
In this June 7, 2018, file photo, PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, foam gathers at the the Van Etten Creek dam in Oscoda Township, Mich., near Wurtsmith Air Force Base. (Associated Press )

Polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a class of man-made chemicals that break down slowly in the environment, can accumulate in the human body and have been linked to all manner of negative health effects from cancer to high cholesterol.

But these "forever chemicals are nearly impossible to avoid. They are, quite literally, all around us: in consumer products, from cosmetics and cookware to food packaging and firefighting foam; in our food supply; in the soil, air and water; and even running through our veins. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found traces of PFAS in the blood of nearly everyone it has tested for the past two decades, which suggests widespread exposure.

Thats why it was heartening that the Biden administration announced this week a sweeping three-year plan to regulate the 600 PFAS used in the U.S., including testing for contamination in food, soil and drinking water, and setting enforceable limits on the amount of PFAS that can be in drinking water. Were going to use every tool in our toolbox to restrict human exposure to these toxic chemicals, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan told the Associated Press.

We hope so, because scientists and environmentalists have been sounding the alarm for years about the unregulated use of PFAS as a growing body of research has found compelling links between exposure to PFAS and some cancers, thyroid disease, immunity disorders and other health conditions. Yet EPA officials under both the Obama and Trump administrations did very little, though the U.S. government has its own PFAS problem it hasnt dealt with. Nearly 700 military facilities around the country, including several in California, may be contaminated by the use of firefighting foam, which is made with PFAS.

In the absence of federal leadership, a few of the more environmentally minded states, such as California, have created their own PFAS regulations. Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills to reduce the use of PFAS in California. One would prohibit these chemicals in paper or cardboard food packaging (think pizza boxes), which is used to make them waterproof or grease-free, starting in 2023, as well as require that cookware, such as nonstick pans, with added PFAS or other chemicals of concern have consumer disclosures.

Story continues

The other bill bans the sale of any product for children or infants, such as playpens and cribs, made with PFAS starting in 2023. A law passed in 2020 will prohibit PFAS-based firefighting foams in California beginning in January.

These laws may helpCalifornians avoid exposure, but since chemicals dont recognize boundaries, this comprehensive national strategy from the Biden administration to rein in these "forever chemicals" is essential.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
BELGRADE (Reuters) - The United States and the European Union voiced support on Wednesday for Western Balkan countries' efforts to join the EU but expressed concern about "increasingly divisive rhetoric" in Bosnia.

Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania all want to join the wealthy 27-nation EU, but progress towards membership has been slow.

In a joint statement almost a week after talks in Washington between EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the EU and the U.S. government assured the Western Balkan states that they support EU enlargement.

"This region belongs in the European Union," the statement said.

It also said Washington and Brussels support efforts in Bosnia to "promote electoral and constitutional reform and maintain the functionality of its state institutions."

"We have serious concerns about increasingly divisive rhetoric in Bosnia and Herzegovina," it said.

"We call on all parties to respect and protect state institutions, resume constructive dialogue, and take steps to advance progress on the EU integration path  including on relevant reforms."

Under the Dayton peace accords that ended Bosnia's 1992-95 war, the country was split into two autonomous regions - the Serb Republic and a Bosniak-Croat federation - linked by a relatively weak, tripartite inter-ethnic presidency.

Bosnian Serb secessionist leader Milorad Dodik, who is also the Serb member of the presidency, said last week the leadership of the Serb Republic would soon take measures to unravel some of the Bosnian state's main institutions.

Dodik has long said Bosnia's judiciary and prosecutors were established on the basis of decisions by international peace envoys, and are not enshrined in its constitution.

(Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Timothy Heritage)
The Food and Drug Administration authorized booster shots for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccines on Wednesday.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel will issue recommendations on Thursday regarding which groups should receive boosters and on what timeframe. Once those recommendations are made, booster shots for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines could be available within days, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The FDA also authorized mixing and matching coronavirus vaccines, allowing Americans to receive a different vaccine for their booster shot than their original vaccine.

Some research has indicated that mixing coronavirus vaccines may produce stronger immune responses, and several European countries as well as Canada have already allowed residents to mix vaccines prior to booster shots. Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau received an AstraZeneca vaccine for his first shot and Moderna for his second.

The FDA authorization allows any recipient of the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine to receive a second dose of either the Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, or Pfizer vaccines, at least two months after the first shot.

However, recipients of the two-dose Moderna and Pfizer vaccines must wait at least six months before receiving a booster. For now, seniors or people at higher risk of COVID-19 because of underlying medical or workplace conditions may receive a booster shot.

The Biden administration authorized boosters for the Pfizer vaccine last month for seniors and immunocompromised Americans. That decision came following some confusion over the authorization timeline, after the president claimed in August that boosters would soon be authorized for the general population.

More from National Review
Is Facebook going to change its name?

The tech giant is planning to announce a rebrand which would include changing its company name, according to The Verge.

The move would place Facebook and other apps, including Instagram, WhatsApp and Oculus, under an umbrella company with a new name, the report said. This is similar to the structure of Alphabet, the parent company of Google.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg plans to discuss the rebrand at the company's Connect conference on Oct. 28, but could announce something sooner, the report said.

In a statement emailed to USA TODAY, Facebook said it does not comment on rumors or speculation.

The reported rebrand follows explosive testimony earlier this month from a whistleblower urging lawmakers to regulate the tech giant. Former Facebook project manager Frances Haugen told a Senate subcommittee the social network "put their astronomical profits before people."

According to the report, the rebrand is aimed at reflecting the company's push into the metaverse, a new way to connect people online leveraging augmented and virtual reality.

Also on Wednesday, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., wrote a letter to Zuckerberg asking for him or Instagram head Adam Mosseri to testify about the photo- and video-sharing platform's harm to kids, citing Haugen's testimony and her leaked Facebook internal documents.

"I am disappointed that Facebook has been unwilling to be fully transparent with me, other members of Congress, and the public, and appears to have concealed vital information from us about teen mental health and addiction," Blumenthal wrote.

Blumenthal also wrote that Facebook "appears to have concealed vital information from us about teen mental health and addiction. When I sought specific information about Instagram and teens in an August letter, Facebook provided clearly evasive and misleading answers that have now been directly disputed by Ms. Haugen."

Story continues

A Facebook spokesperson said the company has received Blumenthal's letter. Last month, Mosseri said Instagram was "pausing" an Instagram for kids app amid outcry from parents, advocacy groups and lawmakers, including Blumenthal.

Also, Facebook vice president and head of research Pratiti Raychoudhury disputed claims that Instagram has a "toxic" effect on kids.

"The research actually demonstrated that many teens we heard from feel that using Instagram helps them when they are struggling with the kinds of hard moments and issues teenagers have always faced," Raychoudhury said.

More Facebook: Company paying fine to settle US suit on discrimination

New smartphones: Google unveils Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones starting at $599

Earlier this week, Facebook revealed it was hiring 10,000 people in the European Union over the next five years to help build the platform, which supporters of the metaverse believe could eventually replace the internet.

Tech news straight to your inbox: Subscribe to the Talking Tech newsletter

Terry Collins contributed.

Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Facebook rebrand: Metaverse shift may lead to new company name
A top U.S. communications regulator is moving to officially brand DJI  China's largest commercial drone manufacturer  a national security threat.

Why it matters: The action by Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr is the latest policy escalation targeting a major Chinese tech firm. "We do not need an airborne version of Huawei," Carr said in a statement, referring to the Chinese telecommunications company added to the FCC's Covered List in 2019.

Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free

Axios recently reported DJI sold dozens of drones to U.S. law enforcement agencies, despite the Pentagon deeming it a potential national security threat.

What's happening: Carr announced on Tuesday he will move to add DJI to the Covered List, which would bar it from receiving money from the commission's Universal Services Fund.

U.S. companies use money from the fund to subsidize telecommunications infrastructure.

It's not clear a ban would have much of a practical impact on DJI's business. But the FCC is also considering a rule that would revoke equipment authorizations for companies on the Covered List, which could have more far-reaching consequences for DJI.

Carr's move also would make the FCC just one more federal agency that's flagged alleged national security concerns associated with DJI products.

In July, the Pentagon released a statement saying DJI posed a potential threat. The Commerce Department last year added the company to a U.S. export blacklist.

What they're saying: DJI drones and the surveillance technology onboard these systems are collecting vast amounts of sensitive data," Carr said.

"The evidence against DJI has been mounting for years, and various components of the U.S. government have taken a range of independent actions  including grounding fleets of DJI drones based on security concerns."

The other side: DJI flatly denies that its products pose any national security risk or threat to customer data.

"Our systems are designed so customers never have to share their photos, videos or flight logs with anyone, including DJI," spokesperson Adam Lisberg said in a statement.

"The data security architecture that protects this information has been repeatedly validated by U.S. government agencies as well as respected private cybersecurity analysts. Our customers know that DJI drones remain the most capable and most affordable products for a wide variety of uses, including sensitive industrial and government work.

More from Axios: Sign up to get the latest market trends with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free
Ted Sarandos. Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

A fired Netflix staffer said co-CEO Ted Sarandos "missed the point" with his Chappelle apologies.

Sarandos said that he "screwed up the internal communication" but that he "supports artistic freedom."

The staffer was fired for allegedly leaking internal Netflix data to the press, an accusation they deny.

The fired Netflix employee who was helping organize a company walkout, scheduled to happen Wednesday, responded to co-CEO Ted Sarandos' apologies regarding the streamer's controversial new Dave Chappelle standup special.

"Ted still misses the point, this isn't about the special or taking it down," B. Pagels-Minor said on Twitter on Tuesday. "It's about parity in content. All we asked for was more trans content, investment in trans talent, and promoting trans content."

They added in another tweet, "Nothing about that asks Netflix to completely change strategy."

A Netflix spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider.

Sarandos went on an apology tour on Tuesday about his communication around the Chappelle special, speaking with outlets like The Wall Street Journal, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and Deadline.

Sarandos told Deadline that he "screwed up the internal communication" and that he "should've made sure to recognize that a group of our employees was hurting very badly from the decision made."

"Of course storytelling has real impact in the real world," Sarandos told Variety. "I reiterate that because it's why I work here, it's why we do what we do. That impact can be hugely positive, and it can be quite negative."

He was referring to memos he sent in response to concerns over Chappelle's special, "The Closer," in which the comedian makes transphobic comments that have sparked ire from employees in recent weeks.

In an all-staff memo last week, Sarandos wrote in part, "We have a strong belief that content on screen doesn't directly translate to real-world harm."

Story continues

In his Tuesday interviews, Sarandos also doubled down on his defense of Netflix's decision to release the special.

Sarandos told Deadline, "We are trying to please a world that is made of people of different tastes, sensibilities, and beliefs, and it becomes very difficult to do that for everybody." And he told Variety that he supports "artistic freedom and the creators that work at Netflix."

Pagels-Minor, who is trans and prefers gender neutral pronouns, told The New York Times that they were the fired after being accused of leaking internal data to the press, which they denied to the Times through a lawyer.

A Netflix spokesperson told the Times that "this employee admitted sharing confidential information externally from their Netflix email on several occasions."

"They were the only employee to access detailed, sensitive data on four titles that later appeared in the press," the Netflix spokesperson said.

In the special, Chappelle said that "gender is a fact" and mocked the trans community. He also defended "Harry Potter" author JK Rowling by exclaiming "Team TERF," which stands for trans exclusionary radical feminist, a term which Rowling has identified herself as.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Jay Doherty, the former head of the City Club of Chicago who is under indictment in the Commonwealth Edison bribery case, has been slapped with a $75,000 fine by the city for failing to register as a lobbyist for three companies.

The fine is tied to unregistered lobbying dating to 2015 and 2019. The findings of an investigation by then-Inspector General Joe Ferguson were delivered to the Board of Ethics in August.

The board determined Doherty violated the citys ethics ordinance on three separate occasions by lobbying city employees. The companies Doherty represented were not named, though ComEd did not appear to be tied to the violations.

The board voted 4-0 in September that there was probable cause to conclude that Doherty may have violated the city ethics ordinance by lobbying for three clients for which he was not registered and never registered.

Doherty was offered a chance for rebuttal arguments but did not respond, according to the board.

Last month, the Tribune disclosed a string of texts from Doherty to Mayor Lori Lightfoot as the ComEd investigation ramped up in which he told her that he had been duped by the giant utility.

Doherty maintained in messages to the mayor that he was an innocent bystander.

At one point the mayor responded curtly: Jay, I really cannot accept these kinds of documents from you. Please stop. It is not appropriate.

A few months after those messages, Doherty was indicted in the sprawling case in which ComEd acknowledged engaging in a years long bribery scheme to curry favor with former Democratic Speaker Michael Madigan, who was dethroned earlier this year and resigned from the House.

Doherty, who stepped down as president of the City Club in December 2019, has pleaded not guilty to bribery conspiracy charges.

Madigan has not been charged and has denied wrongdoing.

Dohertys criminal defense team in the ComEd case said it did not represent him on the lobbying matter and had no comment.

rlong@chicagotribune.com

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
Vacant homes dot the landscape in the Medina Annex at the Lackland Air Force base in San Antonio, where some families say they still wait for repairs. Reuters/Callaghan O'Hare

Attorneys for the military families said the living conditions were "contaminated and appalling."

One family alleged their housing conditions led to a member of the household developing a lung mass.

Several families alleged they had to dispose of their property due to mold and asbestos exposure.

Air Force and Army families stationed at three military bases in Texas - Fort Bliss, Lackland Air Force Base, and Sheppard Air Force Base - are suing their privatized housing landlord over alleged "contaminated and appalling" living conditions, including insect and rodent infestations, toxic mold, asbestos, and lead-based paint, the Military Times reported.

Attorneys representing the families filed a complaint on June 8 against their landlord, Balfour Beatty Communities LLC, and its associated companies. The complaint alleged that Balfour Beatty "concealed harmful housing conditions" before the families signed their lease and performed inadequate repairs to "cover up the extent of the dilapidation" when complaints were made.

Several families named in the lawsuit said the alleged unsafe living conditions negatively affected their health.

The Clarkes, a family stationed at Fort Bliss, alleged that the contamination of their home led them to experience repeated respiratory and pneumonia infections and strep throat. They said one member of their family developed a mass in her lung and began receiving regular iron and immunoglobulin infusions.

Another family, the Roellchens, were stationed at Lackland Air Force Base, where they said their kitchen had a severe cockroach infestation and black mold. Roxanne Roellchen told Reuters she noticed a cockroach crawling on a feeding tube that belongs to her son who has special needs.

Many families also claimed they lost some or all of their personal property that was damaged or unusable due to problems within the home, such as asbestos, toxic mold, and water damage. The complaint does not specify the amount of damages that the families are seeking.

Story continues

"Mold pervades and grows in the houses. The moisture content of walls contributes to the ever-present moldy conditions, and without repair will only continue to get worse. HVAC systems leak as well and flood the houses. Rodents and insects pervade the walls and, in many cases, the living spaces," the complaint said.

Although Balfour Beatty Vice President Sybille St. Arromand declined to comment on pending litigation, they acknowledged the complaint in an email: "The well-being of service members and their families living in our communities is our top priority. We take all service requests from our residents very seriously, and have comprehensive protocols in place to address any potential life, health or safety concerns."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Georgia's Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger told Axios that it's time for a bipartisan commission on federal election reform, like the one co-chaired by former Democratic President Jimmy Carter and former Republican Secretary of State James Baker in 2005.

Why it matters: Raffensperger refused former President Donald Trumps request last year to "find" the votes to overturn Georgias election results and defended the state's 2020 vote count from members of his own party.

Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.

"Let them really work on it, do a lot of public policy debates, take a year or two but get it right. I think it's been now 16 years since the last report. Were probably ready for another one," he told Axios.

State of play: Georgias top election official has found himself in something of a political no-mans land.

He's lost the support of many in his own party, and Trump endorsed one of his primary opponents, Rep. Jody Hice. At one point he was more popular with Democrats than Republicans.

Hice is one of the most prominent Georgia politicians perpetuating Trumps "stolen election" narrative.

Worth noting: Raffensperger's call for a bipartisan commission comes after he criticized H.R. 4, a Democratic federal voting reform proposal, as full of "liberal wish list" items.

"Instead of writing an omnibus voting bill, why don't they focus in on what we do agree on? Then we could go ahead and work on something like that," he said.

Yes, but: Raffensperger vocally supported Georgia's S.B. 202, the Republican-led voting law that is one of the state measures that spurred Democratic efforts to intervene at the federal level.

In case the politics aren't confusing enough, S.B. 202 also replaced Raffensperger on the State Election Board with someone appointed by the General Assembly  all as apparent intraparty retribution after 2020.

Story continues

He called that "short-sighted thinking that could end up really hurting Georgians."

"Before, there was direct accountability. If [voters] didn't like the decisions that the State Election Board made, then they could hold me accountable. Now who do they hold accountable? 180 state representatives, and 56 state senators. It gets so diffused that everyone's pointing fingers at each other. There's no accountability," he added.

His bottom line: Raffensperger said even if the warring GOP factions manage to unify before next year's midterm elections, the party is "not at 50%" in Georgia.

"We really have to look at not just playing nice in the sandbox with our own folks, but how do we grow our sandbox bigger, and get more people to come join us?"

"And the way to do that is with a positive, uplifting, aspirational message that gives people real hope. Not that manipulative hope that so many politicians want to peddle."

More from Axios: Sign up to get the latest market trends with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free
By Riham Alkousaa

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany is not considering closing its border with Poland to stem the flow of migrants trying to cross into the European Union from Belarus, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said on Wednesday.

"No one intends to close the border," Seehofer told journalists at a conference on the migration situation in Germany.

Last week, Germany's federal police said that the number of people entering the country from Poland after travelling from Belarus had risen above 4,300 since August, compared to just 26 registered in the period from January to July.

Germany - the most popular final destination among asylum seekers in the EU - had offered Poland logistical support and proposed setting up joint inspections at the Polish-German border to identify cross-border commuters and uncover smuggling activities, Seehofer added.

The number of asylum applications in Germany is set to be higher this year than in 2020, having already reached 80,000 in the January to September period, compared with 76,061 in 2020.

Despite the rising number, the current immigration situation is not comparable to the 2014-2016 period, Seehofer said, referring to the years when more than one million people reached Europe via Greece and the Balkan route, fleeing wars, persecution and poverty in the Middle East and beyond.

Seehofer said Belarus, which has expanded the list of the nationalities that can enter it without a visa, is using migrants as a political threat.

He called on Russia to put pressure on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to stop illegal migration to the European Union.

"We are convinced that the key is probably in Moscow," Seehofer said.

Many EU states accuse Minsk of sending illegal migrants across the border into the EU to put pressure on the bloc, which imposed sanctions on Belarus after Lukashenko's disputed re-election in August 2020.

Lukashenko denies this and has blamed the West for what he says is a looming humanitarian catastrophe this winter after migrants were left stranded on the Belarusian-Polish border.

(Reporting by Riham Alkousaa; Editing by Giles Elgood)
Wing and Walgreens partner for drone deliveries Wing

Drone delivery company Wing is bringing air delivery service to the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.

Wing is partnering with Walgreens to deliver over-the-counter medications, food, and household items to residents.

The Dallas operation will be the first major US metro with drone delivery service and the largest in the world.

Google-owned drone delivery company Wing is bringing air delivery to the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area using specially made aircraft capable of flying store-to-door in just a matter of minutes.

Wing drone delivery Wing

Source: Wing

Until now, Wing only served small cities in the US, focusing on places like pharmacies, local coffee shops, and local hardware stores. Customers use a mobile app to place orders and then receive their items via drones.

Wing app Wing

Source: Wing

However, the addition of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area proves on-demand air delivery is achievable in major US cities, negating the need for people to get in their car or deal with 5 o'clock traffic to pick up small items. The service is set to launch in the next couple of months.

Wing's drone delivery service Wing

Source: Wing

Dallas-Fort Worth will be the first major metro city in the US to have air drone delivery, and it will be the largest residential delivery operation in the world.

Dallas suburbs Jeremy Woodhouse/Getty Images

Source: Wing

To start, Wing is partnering with Walgreens to bring over-the-counter medications, food, and household items to residents in the Dallas suburbs of Frisco and Little Elm.

Wing and Walgreens partner for drone deliveries Wing

Source: Wing

The company's aircraft will be stationed in a small hangar at an existing Walgreens parking lot. The containers make it easy for stores to deploy drones from the roof, parking lot, or small areas near the building, and the hub can be set up in just a few hours.

Wing drone delivery set up Wing

Source: Wing

Wing's zero-emission electric drones are designed to operate in densely populated metropolitan cities in the US and are overseen by trained drone pilots on the ground.

Wing drone delivery Wing

Source: Wing

To safely operate in metro cities, each drone is equipped with special unmanned traffic management software that plans each delivery route "using local weather data, terrain and airspace maps, and other drone activity." The information is then sent to other aircraft so the drone can safely navigate to the customer.

Story continues

Wing drone delivery Wing

Source: Wing

The drone is also engineered with both fixed wings and hover propellers that allow it to transition between helicopter and airplane flying, ensuring items are balanced and steady throughout each flight.

Wing drone Wing

Source: Wing

Part of Wing's partnership will see Walgreens employees packaging and loading the items onto the drones instead of Wing's workers, which is a first for the company.

Walgreens employees will package and load deliveries Wing

Source: Wing

Wing is also opening a facility at Frisco Station, which is a new urban-living concept north of Dallas. The space will have the conventional delivery capabilities but will initially focus on "exploring new use cases, community demonstrations, and public tours."

Frisco Station urban-living rendering Frisco Station

Source: Wing, Frisco Station

To prepare for the launch, Wing will conduct test flights and delivery demonstrations around Frisco and Little Elm and get feedback from customers. Over the next couple of months, the company expects to launch a full commercial air delivery service in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area.

Wing store-to-door drone delivery Wing

Source: Wing

The US is an expansion of Wing's current operation, which is also in Australia and Finland.

Wing drone delivery in Helsinki, Finland Wing

Source: Wing

The company operates the world's only rooftop drone delivery service out of Logan, Australia. The drones take off from the roof of the Grand Plaza shopping center and have made over 2,500 contactless deliveries to people in nearby areas.

Wing delivery operation in Logan, Australia Wing

Source: Wing

According to Wing, last-mile deliveries, which is the movement of goods from the transport hub to its final destination, account for 15-20% of the total cost of retail transactions, either in the form of delivery fees or the time it takes for customers to pick up their items.

Wing drone delivery Australia Wing

Source: Wing

However, Wing's drone delivery service could change that by making last-minute deliveries more sustainable and efficient. According to Wing, if the company's drones are used to deliver 4-6% of household items, Australia's retail sales would increase by $2.2 billion by 2030.

Wing drone delivery Wing

Source: Wing

Wing isn't the only air delivery service in action in the US right now. Israel-based Flytrex has been delivering Starbucks and Walmart items to residents in Fayetteville, North Carolina since 2020.

Flytrex is using drones to deliver Starbucks drinks in North Carolina. Flytrex

Source: Flytrex, Restaurants are dreaming of ways to avoid crippling fees from DoorDash and Grubhub. A Southern California chain believes it has the answer  drone delivery.

Flytrex says its service is more efficient than drivers contracted under Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub. According to the company, contractors deliver about 2.5 deliveries each hour, while Flytrex's drones can deliver 10 in the same amount of time, significantly lowering costs for restaurants.

Fast-food chain El Pollo Loco is partnering with drone operator Flytrex for drone drops in Southern California. Flytrex/El Pollo Loco

Source: Flytrex

Read the original article on Business Insider
One grassroots group has raised concerns with Tesla leadership over hiring practices at the company's new Austin gigafactory, urging the car manufacturer to improve opportunities for residents who only speak Spanish.

The big picture: Tesla, which recently announced it will move its headquarters to Austin, will employ at least 5,000 workers at the new plant.

The hiring process has already begun, and many of the jobs at the plant require only a high school education. CEO Elon Musk said he doesn't care "if you even graduated high school" to get a job at Tesla.

The company listed 364 Austin-based jobs on its website Tuesday.

Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.

But Texas Anti-Poverty Project, a group created by Austin Independent School District trustee Ofelia Maldonado Zapata, is worried that Tesla lacks opportunities for Spanish speakers.

Tesla officials and Travis County representatives meet with the anti-poverty group once a month to discuss the company's Austin hiring practices, Zapata said. In their second meeting, Tesla representatives said they do not provide bilingual staff to translate for Spanish speakers at the plant.

"We all found out  even the county did not know  that [Tesla said] basically, 'We don't hire Spanish speakers,'" Zapata told Axios. "It's like what? How can you build a plant in an area that is high [in] Spanish speakers when theyre probably the ones building the plant."

Flashback: Earlier this month, a federal judge ordered Tesla to pay $137 million in damages to a Black former employee who accused the company of ignoring the racist abuse he endured from other workers.

Zapata said the lawsuit raised red flags for the anti-poverty group, making it all the more important to meet with Tesla representatives.

Tesla did not return Axios' requests for comment. A spokesperson for the county also declined to comment.

Story continues

Yes, but: Tesla is working with the anti-poverty group to create a program to help workers learn English for their job.

Zapata argues the plan doesn't go far enough: "To me, it's the long way to figure it out."

What's next: The anti-poverty project plans to meet with city council members and county commissioners to discuss future incentives with companies moving to the area and the enforcement of those agreements.

"I want this to be the platform for incentive deals with companies, where residents come and this is a way we can ask them questions that the community is concerned about," Zapata added.

Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free.
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP)  The man who died in an gunfight in Tucson with law enforcement officers this month after fatally shooting a federal agent inside an Amtrak train faced multiple criminal charges in California, two Arizona newspapers reported.

Darrion Taylor, 26, had been released on bond from a jail in California's Alameda County, sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Raymond Kelly told the Arizona Daily Star and the Arizona Republic.

Taylor had been charged with assault with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest in Alameda County, where he was arrested in 2020 on a warrant from Sacramento County on charges that included robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, the newspapers reported.

Authorities said Taylor was passenger on Amtraks Sunset Limited when the train stopped at the Tucson station en route to New Orleans from Los Angeles.

Authorities said Taylor fatally shot Special Agent Michael Garbo of the Drug Enforcement Administration while Garbo and other members of a regional task force of DEA agents and local police officers searched passengers' luggage for contraband, authorities said.

A second DEA agent and a Tucson police officer were wounded in the gunfire.
A student looks back at his mother as he is vaccinated at a school-based COVID-19 vaccination clinic for students 12 and older in San Pedro in May. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)

The Biden administration on Wednesday announced plans to get young children vaccinated against COVID-19, a move health officials say will help curb the pandemic, save lives and stabilize the U.S. economy.

We're completing the operational planning to ensure vaccinations for kids ages 5 through 11 are available, easy and convenient, Jeff Zients, a White House COVID-19 coordinator, said during a Wednesday news conference.

Here's what you need to know about youth vaccinations:

When does the vaccine become available?

As early as next month.

Federal regulators are expected to determine the benefits of vaccinating young children late this month, and within weeks grant emergency-use authorization for child vaccines. Doses, which will be about a third of the size given to people age 12 and older, would then be shipped to pharmacies and healthcare providers. White House officials said many children could be fully vaccinated by Christmas.

How do we know it's safe for children?

Pfizer said it studied COVID-19 inoculation in over 2,000 young children and found they developed antibody levels similar to teens and young adults. They also suffered similar or fewer temporary side effects that included fever, achiness and sore arms near injection sites.

Where can children get the vaccine?

Children will be able to get their shots at many of the same places as adults, including retail pharmacies. They can also get vaccinated by their pediatrician: More than 25,000 pediatricians and primary care providers have agreed to vaccinate children, according to the White House. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will also sponsor hundreds of local inoculation clinics to support operations and outreach.

My kids are younger than 5. When can they get vaccinated?

That is unclear. Pfizer expects to finish collecting data on younger children in clinical trials in coming months, the company said.

"Pending the safety and immunogenicity data and discussions with regulators, we would submit for Emergency Use Authorization as soon as possible," Kit Longley, a Pfizer spokesperson, told The Times.

Story continues

Why do children need to get the shots?

Health experts say the vaccine will protect children from getting sick with COVID-19, developing serious side effects and spreading the virus.

The emergence of the more contagious Delta variant earlier this year caused a spike in cases among kids. Health experts have said this contributed to an uptick in unnecessary hospitalizations and deaths among unvaccinated Americans. Currently, about 77% of the U.S. population over age 12 is at least partially vaccinated and nearly 67% is fully vaccinated, according to federal statistics.

Severe illness from COVID among young children is uncommon, though serious side effects can occur. More than 6 million children have tested positive for COVID-19 since spring 2020, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Fewer than 400 children aged 0-11 have died from COVID-19, according to federal statistics.

In some jurisdictions, they might not have a choice in getting inoculated. California earlier this month became the first state to mandate a COVID-19 vaccine for all students attending in-person learning in public and private schools.

Pupils in seventh through 12th grades will be required to get their shots not long after the Food and Drug Administrations grants full approval of vaccinations of those ages 12-16. The FDA has already given full approval to the Pfizer vaccine for people older than 16.

Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said it would not enforce the vaccine requirement for students 16 and older until full approval was granted to all students ages 12 and older.

When the federal regulators grant full approval for children ages 5-15, students in kindergarten through sixth grade will also be required to get fully vaccinated.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
OSL, a Hong Kong-based digital asset trading platform, has started offering its exchange services to professional and institutional investors in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, the company said Tuesday.

The company, part of BC Group, a public technology and digital asset company, will provide institutional customers with access to a global liquidity pool, the company said.

Fernando Martinez, OSLs head of Americas, told CoinDesk the company was addressing the growing demand for crypto services among institutional investors in Latin America and will serve regional funds, family offices and private banks.

Until the end of the year, we have removed fees for professional investors and institutions that want to start interacting with our exchange, Martinez said, adding that the exchange does not operate with local currencies but directly with U.S. dollars.

In recent months, large financial services firms in the region have launched a number of investment products. In June, blockchain investment firm QR Capital started trading its bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) on the Brazil stock exchange. A month later, the firm listed an ether ETF on the same exchange after winning approval from regulators.

Earlier this month, the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV) announced it is considering listing crypto futures on its derivatives exchange.

Martinez said OSL, the first and only digital asset company licensed by Hong Kongs Securities and Futures Commission, would compete against regional platforms that are currently providing similar services.

OSL primarily offers brokerage and exchange services, and to a lesser extent, custodial services, Martinez said. He believes institutional crypto investment flow will soon equal retail investment flow in Latin America.












ROME (Reuters) - Italy's upper house Senate on Wednesday asked the government to dissolve the Forza Nuova neofascist party, which this month took part in violent protests against the introduction of mandatory COVID-19 health passes for workers.

Forza Nuova, founded in 1997, is one of the most prominent extreme right-wing parties in Italy and has repeatedly been accused of attacking immigrants and clashing with police.

A group of Forza Nuova militants, including some of its leaders, were arrested this month after a crowd of protesters smashed their way into the headquarters of the CGIL union in Rome during a demonstration against the contested health pass.

Senators approved a document proposed by the centre-left bloc, including the 5 Star Movement, with a show of hands. A similar vote is expected in the lower house on Thursday.

The motion urged the government "to adopt measures ... to dissolve Forza Nuova and all political movements of clear fascist inspiration". Wednesday's vote serves as a recommendation and carries no legal obligation.

Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who heads a national unity administration, said last week his government was considering whether to impose a ban on the party.

Under existing legislation, neofascist groups can only be dissolved after a court ruling saying their actions are part of an effort to revive the old Fascist Party that ruled Italy from 1922 until 1943.

However, the government is allowed to ban by decree organisations that it thinks pose serious threats to democracy and constitutional liberties.

(Reporting by Angelo Amante; Editing by Crispian Balmer and Alison Williams)
Steve Bannon

The January 6 House select committee voted to hold Trump ally Steve Bannon in criminal contempt.

Bannon repeated refused to comply with congressional subpoenas related to the panel's probe into the Capitol riot.

"Despite what he and Trump may believe, no one is above the law," Rep. Adam Schiff said in response to the vote.

Members of the House select committee investigating the events of January 6 unanimously approved on Tuesday to hold Donald Trump ally Steve Bannon in criminal contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas related to the probe.

The vote could compel Bannon, who served as former White House chief strategist, to comply with congressional subpoenas related to the Capitol riot investigation to avoid potential jail time if he continues not to cooperate.

"It's a shame that Mr. Bannon has put us in this position, but we won't take 'no' for an answer," Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson said ahead of the vote. "We believe Mr. Bannon has information relevant to our probe, and we'll use the tools at our disposal to get that information."

Seven Democrats and two Republicans - all selected by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi - make up the committee that unanimously voted to refer Bannon to the Justice Department for criminal contempt charges.

Rep. Adam Schiff first indicated the commission's intent to hold Bannon in criminal contempt earlier this week, and on Monday, the committee released its contempt report on Bannon, a copy of which was obtained by CNN.

In late September, the committee issued subpoenas on several key confidants close to former President Donald Trump "who were working in or had communications with the White House on or in the days leading up to the January 6th, insurrection," Thompson said in a press release.

Alongside Bannon, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications Dan Scavino, and ex-official for the Defense Department Kash Patel were also asked to attend depositions.

Story continues

On Tuesday evening, Schiff tweeted in response to the vote that Bannon was "given every opportunity to comply with a lawful subpoena," but "he chose instead to make specious claims of executive privilege."

"Tonight, we voted to hold him in criminal contempt," Schiff continued. "Despite what he and Trump may believe, no one is above the law."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Oct. 19A Kettering home technology business is considering building a retail showroom for its audio, visual and automation products on vacant Ohio 48 land, records show.

The property owner at 5749 Far Hills Ave. is seeking to rezone part of 2.24 acres to allow Hanson Audio Video to build a "multi-story, 9,610 square foot retail showroom," according to Washington Twp. documents.

A message seeking comment on the proposal has been left with Hanson.

The business markets a variety of home technology products, including universal remotes, lighting controls, shades and blinds, security and HVAC, and golf simulators, according to its website.

"Hanson has achieved the highest levels of recognition in home automation and has the expertise to control entertainment, security, lighting, energy management, blinds/shades, pool/spa controls, intercom and gate control  all in a single smart home solution," the website states.

The land is owned by Lynne Leigh Properties LLC, which bought it more than four years ago, Montgomery County records state.

The property has split zoning with more than half of it designated for office and the remainder residential, according to the township.

Lynne Leigh is requesting "a rezoning to accommodate the specific land use of a retail showroom," documents state.

The proposal is set to go before the township's zoning commission tonight.
A North Carolina high school is not forking over its supply of tableware, refusing to spoon out plastic utensils for students amid a supply chain crisis.

Instead of allowing students to grab their utensils freely, New Bern High School is now having the cafeteria workers hand out the utensils in an effort to restrict how many forks and spoons each student gets for lunch.

GIVE NO-SHOW BUTTIGIEG FULL-TIME PATERNITY LEAVE  ABOLISH HIS DEPARTMENT

"We have the cashiers giving out one per student," Lauren Weyand, the nutrition director for Craven County, told WITN.

Weyand said the county is also having difficulty ordering containers and five-compartment lunch trays.

"We have them cutting the containers so they're using both sides," she said. "So, the closed compartment, they cut that, and then they're able to use the both sides so it'll last twice as long."

The United States is facing a supply chain crisis consisting of clogged ports, rising shipping costs, skyrocketing food prices, and bare shelves in grocery and department stores across the nation.

On Oct. 7, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations released data showing food prices rose to their highest in a decade.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Weyand said to the outlet that the supply chain crisis has forced the county to "think outside of the box" when it comes to finding food, adding that they have been buying meat directly from growers and processors in the state of North Carolina.

The Washington Examiner reached out to New Bern High School for a statement but did not receive a response back.

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: News, Education, North Carolina, Supply chain, Schools, News

Original Author: Elizabeth Faddis

Original Location: Knife fight: North Carolina high school rations utensils amid supply chain crisis
By Alexander Marrow and Dmitry Antonov

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia delivered a blow to hopes of a breakthrough international deal on climate change when the Kremlin said on Wednesday that President Vladimir Putin would not fly to Scotland for talks starting at the end of this month.

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he would take part remotely, but the no-show by the leader of the world's fourth-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases is the latest setback, with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also uncertain to attend.

Britain, which hosts the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, or COP26, in Glasgow from Oct. 31 to Nov. 12, is seeking support from major powers for a more radical plan to tackle global warming.

The Kremlin had previously announced that Putin would not attend a Group of 20 summit in Rome in person this month due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

"He will also not fly to Glasgow, unfortunately," Peskov told reporters, saying other Russian representatives would go.

"We need to work out in what format it will be possible (for Putin) to speak via video conference, at what moment," Peskov said. "The issues that will be discussed in Glasgow right now form one of the priorities of our foreign policy."

Russia is warming 2.8 times faster than the global average, with the melting of Siberia's permafrost, which covers 65% of Russian landmass, releasing significant amounts of greenhouse gases.

Putin said last week Russia would strive to be carbon neutral no later than 2060. He said hydrogen, ammonia and natural gas were likely to play a larger role in the energy mix in coming years and that Russia was ready for dialogue on ways to tackle climate change.

Before the Kremlin's announcement, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told investors on Tuesday there would be a good attendance at COP26. "It looks like a lot of people are going to be able to come in person," he said.

(Writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Edmund Blair)
The Kremlin said Wednesday that Russian President Putin will not travel to the United Nations climate summit that starts in Glasgow, Scotland, on Oct. 31 but will take part remotely while other representatives attend in person, according to Reuters.

Why it matters: A lack of a physical appearance from the leader of the fourth largest carbon dioxide-emitting country in the world would be a blow to the crucial climate talks.

Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free

The talks, called COP26, have been considered a make-or-break moment for securing necessary greenhouse gas emission cuts to avoid potentially catastrophic levels of climate change during the next several decades.

Putin's withdrawal comes after another prominent bow out from Pope Francis.

What they're saying: Speaking during an energy conference last week, Putin signaled that he was reluctant to attend in person because of the risk of spreading coronavirus, according to the New York Times.

Putin said earlier this month Russia was ready for dialogue to seek ways to tackle climate change and that it would strive to be carbon neutral no later than 2060.

The big picture: It's also unclear if Chinese President Xi Jinping will make a physical appearance, as he hasn't traveled internationally for more than 600 days  the longest streak of any G20 leader.

Go deeper: Putin supports week at home for workers amid rising COVID-19 deaths

Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free.
Over the past dozen years, at least 28 people who currently hold elected office joined or financially supported the Oath Keepers, the extremist group that figured prominently in the violent Jan. 6 storming of the US Capitol, a BuzzFeed News analysis of data from the organization shows.

In the months since the Capitol insurrection, as two dozen people linked to the Oath Keepers have been charged with crimes, including conspiracy, for their roles, several of those elected officials have continued to voice support for the organization. And at least two officials  David Eastman and Mark Finchem of the Alaska and Arizona Houses of Representatives, respectively  were in Washington, DC, on Jan. 6 to protest the certification of Bidens Electoral College victory. Neither of the men has been charged.

Other current elected officials with ties to the Oath Keepers who were identified by BuzzFeed News said they dropped out of the group long before that day, although some speculated it might just have been the work of a few bad actors.

At a time when the Oath Keepers and other extreme right-wing groups appear more focused on moving into local politics, the accounting gives insight into how much support the group may already have in state and local government around the country. The officials who appear in the group's records range from state senators and representatives to road superintendents, city council members, and sheriffs. Some paid for lifetime memberships, others joined for only a year, and still others donated money to the group but did not become members.

People ask me if Ill renounce my membership, said Chad Christensen, a Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives who joined the Oath Keepers in 2012, sells insurance for State Farm, and also owns a private detective agency. I tell them theres no way.

Although significant attention has been given to the presence of Oath Keepers in the armed forces and police departments, far less is known about members who hold elected office, or what it means to elect people who have shown support for a group that has repeatedly undermined the authority of the federal government.

Story continues

The organization, founded in 2009 by Army veteran and Yale Law School graduate Stewart Rhodes, draws its name from the oath to uphold the Constitution that members of the military and law enforcement swear. Until recently, its membership has been a closely guarded secret. The list of officials identified by BuzzFeed News almost certainly undercounts the true number because of incomplete data and the significant challenges in matching the names of members to those of local officials.

But BuzzFeed News analysis of current and former Oath Keepers in government suggests the groups beliefs  in particular, the notion that an individuals interpretation of the Constitution trumps federal law  have to some degree found a foothold in the halls of American government.

Someone being voted into a local body such as city council might not seem like a big deal, said Richard Carpiano, a professor of public policy at the University of California, Riverside. But it raises a concern about to what degree this fringe ideology is invading our democratic institutions as well as their underlying worldview for the important decisions they have to make in their position  decisions that affect all their constituents.

The internal Oath Keepers records, which appear to include membership rolls, chat logs, and emails, came into public view last month after some five gigabytes of data from the organizations servers was hacked and the information was subsequently released by Distributed Denial of Secrets, a nonprofit collective that posted much of the information publicly and shared additional files with journalists and researchers.

The hacked data has already been used by a variety of media outlets to identify law enforcement officials who appear to be affiliated with the Oath Keepers, including members of the New York Police Department, the head of Utahs Department of Corrections, and the elected sheriff of Riverside County, California, Chad Bianco, who said he joined in 2014 but is no longer a member. BuzzFeed News found several police officers who inquired about membership in the group after Jan. 6, as well as at least four members currently running for public office.

BuzzFeed News created its list of elected officials linked to the Oath Keepers by cross-referencing the leaked data with information about thousands of state and local officials, comparing names, email addresses, physical addresses, phone numbers, and other information. There is no centralized US database of local officeholders, meaning the names of many officials could not be cross-checked against the Oath Keepers records. The membership rolls, meanwhile, appear to have last been updated in mid-2020 and may not be complete. In most cases, for example, they do not identify whether members were active or inactive.

But the result, though not comprehensive, provides one of the most thorough reckonings of the groups inroads into American politics and governance to date.

Most officials whom BuzzFeed News reached for comment agreed to discuss their links to the Oath Keepers. Other elected officials for whom possible matching information was found in the membership data did not respond to repeated requests; if their affiliation could not be confirmed, they were not included in the tally. One lawmaker, North Carolina state Rep. Keith Kidwell, refused to confirm or deny his affiliation because the membership data was hacked and thus, he said, is the fruit of a tainted tree. He was first identified as a possible Oath Keeper earlier this month; the groups membership rolls indicate someone with his name, email address, and phone number joined in 2012.

Eastman, on the other hand, is happy to discuss his affiliation with the group. An Army veteran and West Point graduate, he was formally reprimanded by the Alaska legislature early in his first term for claiming that poor women in rural Alaskan villages intentionally got pregnant so they could get free trips to Anchorage or Seattle for abortions. Last month he made headlines again for apparently comparing President Joe Biden to Adolf Hitler and the COVID-19 vaccine to Nazi experimentation on Jews and others held in concentration camps.

He has not previously been identified as an Oath Keeper, but in written responses to inquiries from BuzzFeed News, the Republican legislator said hed joined the group when it first started and that he will always consider it a privilege to stand with those in the military and first responders who strive to keep their oaths to the Constitution.

Finchem, for his part, has been active with the Oath Keepers since at least 2014, organizing events for the group in Arizona and urging people via his campaign Twitter account to Protect State Sovereignty, Join Oath Keepers! This May, lawyers for Finchem defended the Oath Keepers, stating in a letter that the group is a non-partisan association and can by no stretch of ones imagination be considered anti-government. Photographs from Jan. 6 show he was at the Capitols east staircase at the time the building was being stormed. He did not reply to multiple requests for comment.

Others said they were initially attracted to the Oath Keepers because of the group's support for the Constitution and, in particular, the Second Amendment. But they also said that they grew concerned when it began taking a more confrontational approach to moments of civil strife, with members appearing in tactical gear and carrying weapons in tense standoffs with federal agents starting in 2014. Many quit.

Chris Hooper, who was elected sheriff of Texass Nueces County last November, joined the Oath Keepers at the Liberty Tree level, which costs more than a basic membership and provides discounts on gear, among other perks. He told BuzzFeed News the concept of the group was beautiful. Those feelings changed when armed Oath Keepers flooded into southern Nevada in a prolonged standoff with Bureau of Land Management agents over ranchland leased to the Bundy family.

Im thinking, this beautiful concept is being hijacked by somebody who is really not acting in the best interest of being an Oath Keeper, said Hooper, who said he is no longer a member. Its kind of like Black Lives Matter. Those three words are beautiful words, because all life matters. But I have a problem with those three words as connected to the Marxist organization on the internet site of Black Lives Matter and its the same thing with Oath Keepers.

Brad Rogers, now an elected county commissioner in Elkhart County, Indiana, and until 2018 the countys sheriff, said he joined the Oath Keepers soon after the organization was founded in 2009. He said he believes the federal government is out of control and recalled threatening to arrest any FDA inspector who set foot on a particular Amish dairy farm without a warrant.

But he said he quit the Oath Keepers years ago because though he agrees with the tenets of the organization, he felt it was going down a path talking about violence and things of that nature that I wont tolerate.

Glenn Jacobs, the mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, is best known as the former WWE star Kane, famous for being The Undertakers half brother and for his Big Boot signature move. As an elected official hes drawn attention for his opposition to COVID-19 mandates, last month sending a letter to President Biden saying the rules arent about freedom.

In 2013, Jacobs donated $50 to the Oath Keepers because they were big supporters of the Constitution, a spokesperson said. The donation put him on the groups membership rolls, but Jacobs subsequently decided he had philosophical differences with some of their stances and stopped contributing.

South Dakota state Sen. Jim Stalzer said he too has totally broken with the Oath Keepers because he grew disenchanted at what he called the groups confrontational aspects.

A certified pistol instructor, Stalzer said he first heard about the Oath Keepers from Richard Mack, a former sheriff who was on the groups board of directors and was the leader of the Constitutional Sheriffs movement, which argues that federal and state governments should be subordinate to local law enforcement. Attracted to Macks ideas, Stalzer signed up, occasionally giving firearms classes to other Oath Keepers.

Not all of the officials linked to the group serve rural areas. Gary Halverson, one of 20 alders on the city council of famously liberal Madison, Wisconsin, joined the Oath Keepers in May 2020 because he saw it as an organization that welcomed veterans who cared about our democracy. But he quickly decided he had been misled and terminated the membership less than three months later.

Some politicians left the group, not, they said, for ideological reasons but because the groups membership services left something to be desired.

Gary Roland said he joined the Oath Keepers a decade ago and was an active dues-paying member until 2020, more than a year after he was elected Fayette County surveyor in central Kentucky. I read the website and it seemed like a good thing to me, the former member of the Army National Guard said. But when he stopped getting emails and newsletters from the group, he canceled his membership.

Still, Roland supports the Oath Keepers mission and said what happened on Jan. 6  and the subsequent prosecution of so many Oath Keepers on conspiracy charges  is no reason to lose faith.

Im sure theres some rogue people who might have broken a window in Washington, but I very much believe its a good organization, he said.

More on this
Rep. Liz Cheney on Wednesday called out her onetime House Republican leadership colleague Kevin McCarthy for attempting to block the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

The select committee voted unanimously on Tuesday evening to hold Steve Bannon, who was an adviser to former President Donald Trump, in criminal contempt of Congress after he refused to comply with their subpoena. The House Rules Committee took up that recommendation on Wednesday before it comes up for a full House vote on Thursday.

SCALISE CALLS BANNON CONTEMPT VOTE A DISTRACTION FROM BIDEN CRISES

In remarks at the Rules Committee hearing, Cheney, a Wyoming congresswoman who earlier this year was booted from her position as House Republican Conference chairwoman, said the select committee recommended the contempt vote because Americans deserve to hear from Bannon under oath. Bannon's refusal puts this institutions authority at significant risk, said Cheney, vice chairwoman of the Jan. 6 committee.

Criminal contempt is the appropriate response in these circumstances, Cheney said, adding, witnesses cannot simply ignore congressional subpoenas when they prefer not to attend.

Cheney then said she wanted to address my Republican colleagues specifically.

I've heard from a number of my colleagues in the last several days who say they quote 'just don't want this target on their back, she said. "They're just trying to keep their heads down.

Cheney then singled out McCarthy, the House minority leader. Cheney said her Republican colleagues don't want to anger Kevin McCarthy, who has been especially active in attempting to block the investigation of events of Jan. 6, despite the fact that he clearly called for such a commission the week after the attack."

"I ask each one of you to step back from the brink, she said. I urge you to do what you know is right, to think of the long arc of history. We are told that it bends towards justice, but it does so only because of the actions of men and women in positions of public trust.

Story continues

Cheney was one of just 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump following the riot. She was later removed from her leadership position in the House Republican Conference after she became a vocal critic of Trumps unfounded claims of election fraud.

At the hearing, Cheney added that institutions of this republic do not defend themselves, and it requires people to defend them, and it particularly requires elected officials to defend them.

Rep. Jim McGovern, chairman of the House Rules Committee, said the contempt vote was necessary due to Bannons stonewalling.

Look, I dont know if Steve Bannon has something to hide or if he is just trying to puff up the former presidents ego by defending his frivolous lawsuit against the select committee, McGovern said.

McGovern added that holding Bannon in contempt shouldnt be a matter of party identification or ones opinion of Trump but whether we are going to tolerate someone ignoring a lawfully issued congressional subpoena.

The answer should be a clear and resounding no, McGovern said.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the select committee, told the committee, were not asking to talk to Steve Bannon on a whim, citing comments Bannon made on his podcast the day before the riot that "all hell is going to break loose tomorrow."

Thompson added, the American people deserve to hear from Mr. Bannon under oath.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The hearing also included testimony from Rep. Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican who was blocked from serving on the Jan. 6 select committee by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who objected to Jordans baseless claims of election fraud. Jordan said he spoke on the phone with Trump on Jan. 6.

Jordan called Cheneys comments at the hearing ridiculous, arguing the Capitol rioters are under investigation by the FBI.

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: News, Liz Cheney, Kevin McCarthy, Steve Bannon, Jim Jordan, January 6, Donald Trump

Original Author: Kate Scanlon

Original Location: Liz Cheney calls out Kevin McCarthy in Bannon contempt hearing
By Octav Ganea and Alexander Marrow

PLOIESTI, Romania/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia will shut workplaces for a week, Latvia went back into lockdown for a month and Romanian funeral homes are running out of coffins, as vaccine-sceptic countries across ex-communist Eastern Europe face record-setting disease and deaths.

Russia, which boasted of developing one of the earliest COVID-19 vaccines, has been unable to persuade large swathes of the population to take it, and is now facing its highest daily death rates of the pandemic.

President Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday that the period from Oct. 30-Nov. 7 would be "non-working days", although salaries would still be paid. Individual regions could extend the shutdown for longer in response to local conditions.

Public hostility to vaccination has hit other Eastern European countries that were within Moscow's orbit during the Cold War. The EU states with the lowest vaccination rates are all part of the former communist eastern bloc, including Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Poland, Latvia and Estonia.

Romania, where one person is dying of COVID-19 every five minutes, had the world's highest death rate per capita this week, with Bulgaria close behind. Only 36% of Romanian adults are vaccinated, compared with 74% across the EU as a whole.

"There were families who buried up to four people in two weeks, and that is not easy," funeral home owner Sebastian Cocos told Reuters in the eastern city of Ploiesti, who said he was struggling to obtain enough coffins to keep pace with demand.

"I recommend to everyone that they get vaccinated, otherwise they will end up in our hands."

Andi Nodit, manager at Bucharest's Bagdasar-Arseni clinical emergency hospital, said: "The size and gravity of the situation in the emergency room and the hospital is beyond any words that I can express."

Compared with earlier COVID-19 waves, the fourth wave that has now hit the country was like an iceberg compared to a snowman, he said.

Story continues

EU'S FIRST NEW LOCKDOWN

This week Latvia imposed a month-long lockdown, becoming the first EU country to shut down again since the bloc began reopening this year as vaccines became widely available.

Around a third of Latvia's population are Russian speakers. A study by SKDS found that only 46% of them were vaccinated, compared with 62% percent of ethnic Latvians.

Bulgaria, where only a quarter of the population has taken a first dose of vaccine, banned access to indoor public spaces this week for anyone who cannot show proof of vaccination, a negative test or recovery from a recent infection.

Schools in areas with high infection rates will have to shift to online teaching.

"The number of new infections and deaths is rising. That forces us to impose additional measures. All activities indoors should be carried out with a 'green certificate'," interim Health Minister Stoicho Katsarov told reporters.

Poland's health minister said on Wednesday "drastic measures" could be needed to respond to a sudden surge of infections there, although he said no new lockdown was being considered.

"Over the last two days we have seen an explosion of the pandemic," Adam Niedzielski told a news conference. "We have increases from week to week of 85% and over 100%."

Moscow's mayor announced on Tuesday that people over 60 who were not vaccinated would be required to stay home for four months.

The mayor's office was seeking to force shopping centres to connect their security cameras to a centralised facial recognition system that would allow authorities to enforce mask-wearing in public, the Kommersant daily reported.

(Additional reporting by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius, Alan Charlish and Pawel Florkiewicz in Warsaw, Tsvetelia Tsolova in Sofia, Luiza Ilie in Bucharest, Daria Korsunskaya in Moscow; Writing by Peter Graff; Editing by Alex Richardson)
(Reuters) - U.S. logistics technology firm Flock Freight said on Wednesday it had reached a valuation of more than $1 billion, after raising $215 million in a funding round led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2.

New and existing investors including Susquehanna Private Equity Investments, Eden Global Partners, SignalFire and Alphabet Inc's GV also participated in the funding round, the company said.

Flock Freight, founded in 2015 by Chief Executive Officer Oren Zaslansky, helps freight carriers fill up trucks with goods from different companies, removing the need for terminals.

The company said it would use the latest infusion of funds to invest in its truckload technology, and expand existing operations and hire more employees.

Flock Fright plans to open a new office in Chicago later this year.

(Reporting by Manya Saini in Bengaluru; Editing by Ramakrishnan M.)
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is offering progressives a trade: He'll vote for their cherished social programs if they accept strict income caps for the recipients, people familiar with the matter tell Axios.

Why it matters: Manchins plan to use so-called means-testing for everything from paid family medical leave to elder and disabled care would drastically shrink the size and scope of the programs. It also would bring a key moderate vote to the progressive cause.

Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free

Widespread means-testing has the potential to slash the overall price tag for President Bidens Build Back Better agenda to the $1.5 trillion range  the most Manchin says he'll support.

Between the lines: The senator's interest in means-testing the child tax credit and imposing a work requirement, reported by Axios on Sunday, was roundly criticized by progressives on Tuesday.

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) called an unfettered credit "the most effective, quantifiable, provable answer to child poverty that weve done in a generation," Politico reported.

But moderates, including Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), appear to be open to more means-testing across all of Biden's plans to expand the social safety net.

Should folks who have means, do we want to provide them the same benefit that you'd provided somebody who's mired in poverty? he told Axios. No, we don't have the money to do that anyway.

The big picture: Senate Democrats emerged from their weekly lunch Tuesday optimistic Manchin, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and the White House can achieve the outlines of a deal by weeks end.

Progressive lawmakers met with Biden at the White House, where he acknowledged that some of his programs, like two years of free community college, won't make it into the final bill. He's still hoping to persuade Manchin to spend around $2 trillion.

Senate negotiators continue to struggle with how to reduce the size of the package. They're still considering funding fewer programs, but at full strength, for a full 10 years.

They are also playing around with program end  or start  dates to make their price tags appear smaller.

What they are saying: It's not quite as simple as means-test or no means-test, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) told Axios. There are many, many ways to try to skin the cat in the fiscal dynamic that we have.

Story continues

I think you might see some components that are means-tested and others that arent at all, said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.). I doubt youll see pre-K means-tested.

Between the lines: Manchin discussed his approach on Monday with House Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.).

While he's open to cutting entire programs from the final bill, and forcing progressives to pick one of three programs for young families, hes also listening to progressive concerns.

The president initially proposed spending $225 billion on paid family leave and $400 billion on home care for the elderly and disabled, but that level of spending would be impossible with an overall $1.5 trillion spending cap.

The one program Manchin doesnt want to means-test: universal preschool, which is already standard in West Virginia.

Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free.
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Travel restrictions between Sydney and Melbourne, Australia's largest cities, eased on Wednesday as Victoria opened its borders to fully vaccinated residents from New South Wales amid a rapid rise in immunisation levels.

With cases trending lower in New South Wales, including Sydney, residents will be allowed quarantine-free entry into Victoria for the first time in more than three months. Travellers from Melbourne who wish to enter Sydney, however, must undergo a two-week home quarantine.

Daily infections in Victoria rose to 1,841 on Wednesday, up from 1,749 a day earlier. A total of 283 cases were reported in New South Wales, well down from the pandemic high in September.

The relaxation in border rules comes ahead of Victoria lifting the lockdown in Melbourne, the state capital, on Friday as double-dose vaccination rates in people above 16 neared 70%. More restrictions will be eased when rates pass 80% and 90%.

By Friday, Melbourne's 5 million residents would have endured six lockdowns totalling a cumulative 262 days since March 2020. Australian media say this is the longest in the world, exceeding a 234-day lockdown in Buenos Aires.

Australia had enjoyed a COVID-free life most of this year until a Delta outbreak began in Sydney in June, which quickly spread to neighbouring Victoria. Other states are COVID-free or have very few cases.

Sydney and Canberra exited their months-long strict stay-home restrictions last week after racing through their vaccination targets.

Even with the Delta outbreaks, Australia's COVID-19 numbers are far lower than many developed nations, with about 149,000 cases and 1,577 deaths.

(Reporting by Renju Jose; Editing by Stephen Coates)
(In Oct 20 story, corrects context on seed patents in paragraph 7)

By Tom Polansek

ANKENY, Iowa (Reuters) -Mexico's agriculture minister said the country would not limit imports of genetically modified (GMO) corn from the United States during a meeting with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in Iowa on Wednesday.

Mexico published an executive order late last year that sought to ban in three years the use of GMO corn for human consumption, but did not define what products would be included, generating confusion in the agriculture industry. The government pledged to substitute imports with local production by 2024.

Mexico is the No. 2 buyer of U.S. corn after China. Mexican Agriculture Minister Victor Villalobos said Mexico would not allow the cultivation of GMO corn but would allow imports from the United States.

"We will continue requiring and demanding yellow corn from the United States," he told reporters. He said Mexico depended on yellow corn "for agro industries."

Vilsack said seeds are the next thing the Department of Agriculture will look at under a Biden administration order on competition.

The administration plans to take a look at the seed industry and "why it's structured the way it's structured," Vilsack said. "You wonder whether these long patents make sense."

Companies, including Bayer AG and Corteva Inc, develop genetically modified seeds and herbicides that other companies can only produce once a patent expires unless they pay the patent holder for a license. Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2016, has long been dominant in the U.S. market.

Bayer and Corteva did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

(Reporting by Tom Polansek; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Peter Cooney)
Dave Chappelle in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 27, 2019.

Wednesday, members of the trans employee resource group at Netflix will stage a walkout. In addition to the walkout, the resource group has released a number of demands for Netflix to comply with, including measures  to avoid future instances of platforming transphobia and hate speech.

The walkout is the latest in a continually escalating crisis created by transphobic content on the streaming giants platform. Last week, the company fired a Black transgender (and pregnant!) employee who helped to organize the walkout. Prior to the firing, Netflix had suspended Terra Field, a transgender employee who had tweeted a critical thread aimed at the companys decision to continue to air anti-trans content.

All the while, Netflix has stood by the decision to platform, promote and profit from content that will harm transgender people. How Netflix finds itself in this sticky cultural and political morass is bit of a winding tale, so bear with me.

The big money behind Dave Chappelle

Enter Dave Chappelle.

In 2016, Netflix paid an exorbitant amount of money to comedian Dave Chappelle  reportedly $60 million  and it received in return a series of standup specials to feature. The deal makes sense: Chappelle is by some accounts the greatest standup of all time, and Netflix has been in the business of comedy specials for years. Win win.

Or at least, thats how Netflix would like us to see it. But there was one group who never got to bask in that big money success: trans folks. I doubt anyone at Netflix imagined theyd be putting out their fourth Chappelle special with segments dedicated to the mockery of transgender people and the promotion of transphobic political beliefs.

Leigh Finke is a writer, filmmaker and media producer from St. Paul, Minnesota.

And yet, here we are. In three previous specials, "Equanimity," "Deep in the Heart of Texas" and "Sticks & Stones," Chappelle devoted small portions of his time to transgender people in a way that many found offensive but others found honest, curious and funny. It was argued that Chappelle was doing what Chappelle has done throughout his celebrated career: wrestling with the most gnarly cultural topics of the day to create difficult, but thoughtful, political comedy.

Story continues

Bonauto: I won landmark same-sex marriage case. Here's why I'm optimistic about transgender rights.

But then came "The Closer," released Oct. 5, and whatever shine one might have applied to the Chappelle brand of comedy was left behind. The comedian spends more than half of the hour-long performance providing commentary on the LGBTQ community, most of it dedicated to transgender women. Chappelles routine includes mockery of our appearance, our bodies and our genitals. He defends the transphobic writing of author J.K. Rowling.

And he declares himself a member of "team TERF," an acronym for trans exclusionary radical feminist.

This, for me at least, severs any claim he might make that hes just making jokes. Joining team TERF means that you are a political opponent of transgender rights. Full stop.

(TERFs are trans exclusionary radical feminists. They believe that feminism must exclude the rights of transgender people. Some members of this community consider TERF a derogatory term, and prefer "gender critical").

Responses to Chappelle's transphobia

"The Closer" was immediately and vehemently criticized by trans people and our allies, including trans creatives like Jaclyn Moore, showrunner of "Dear White People." This is the third week of escalating criticism directed at Neftlix, and the company is playing a lot of defense. As bad as Chappelles treatment of trans people is in "The Closer," the defense Netflix is using to justify it is even worse.

Statements from Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos make his position clear: He stands by Chappelle, and he stands by "The Closer." Despite pressure that continues to mount, he will not be changing his ways; he will not be removing "The Closer" from his platform.

Chavous, Ellis: Why this nation needs to hit the reset button on bullying, online trolling, intimidation

Sarandos statement included the detail that Chappelles previous special was the most watched in the history of Netflix, and if audiences watch "The Closer" with as much interest as his previous specials, then Netflix has all the financial justification it needs to keep its relationship with Chappelle at the cost of mounting opposition.

But in defending Netflix and "The Closer," Sarandos made a claim that is wildly irresponsible, and should truly concern every user of Netflix.

"While some employees disagree, Sarandos wrote, we have a strong belief that content onscreen doesnt directly translate to real-world harm.

Reed Hastings, co-CEO along with Sarandos, made the point more specifically. We do not see Dave Chappelle as harmful, he said.

Netflix is not a moral vacuum.

If we take the co-CEOs of Netflix seriously, it would appear that the worlds largest streaming network (Netflix has 209 million subscribers) cannot affect the real world. They believe their business exists outside of the moral landscape in which people make decisions about who they are, what they believe and how they act in the world. Netflix is a neutral entity in politics and culture, theyd have us believe. Theyre working in a vacuum where art exists unto itself, incapable of real-world harm.

This is, of course, ridiculous. From the very beginning of the art form ("The Birth of a Nation" was a rallying cry for the Ku Klux Klan) to the constant misogyny of Hollywood blockbuster cinema, film and television have endorsed and glamorized awful things. It may be true, as Sarandos states, that watching acts of violence onscreen does not make a person more likely to commit those same acts of violence in real life. There are studies to support this, but those studies simply cannot be equated, as Sarandos would like us to do, to sympathetic portraits of racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia and many other harmful real-world values.

Netflix itself has the evidence of this. Just last year the company released "Disclosure," a documentary detailing the harm created by the long history of negative media portrayals of transgender people in film and television.

Not only is "Disclosure" highlighting a history of real-world harm, but it also itself is evidence that art can in fact do real-world good. "Disclosure" has been credited with opening so many eyes to the plight of trans people. It has helped.

Dave Chappelle arrives to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2019 in Washington, D.C.

Chappelles transphobia is the spark of this conversation, and the action that trans employees are undertaking is crucially important; it must remain in our news and must be supported. But this is not just a matter of transgender rights and dignity. Its a question of moral responsibility and cuts across the cultural and political ideologies.

Which is why this question should create the greatest concern about Netflix going forward. Do Sarandos, Hastings and other corporate leadership believe that film and television are incapable of harm? That they have no moral responsibility for what they air to hundreds of millions of viewers? And if so, what will they stream next?

Leigh Finke is a writer, filmmaker and media producer from St. Paul, Minnesota. Follow her on Twitter: @leighfinke

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Netflix walkout: Dave Chappelle's transphobic comments are harmful
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  Nikolas Cruz pleaded guilty Wednesday to murdering 17 people during a rampage at his former high school in Parkland, Florida, leaving a jury to decide whether he will be executed for one of the nations deadliest school shootings.

Relatives of the victims who sat in the courtroom and watched the hearing via Zoom broke down in tears and held hands across families as Cruz entered his pleas and later apologized for his crimes.

Today we saw a cold and calculating killer confess to the murder of my daughter Gina and 16 other innocent victims at their school, said Tony Montalto. His daughter was 14 and sitting outside her classroom when Cruz shot her at close range numerous times. His guilty pleas are the first step in the judicial process but there is no change for my family. Our bright, beautiful, and beloved daughter Gina is gone while her killer still enjoys the blessing of life in prison.

The guilty pleas will set the stage for a penalty trial in which 12 jurors will determine whether Cruz, 23, should be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole. Given the cases notoriety, Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer plans to screen thousands of prospective jurors. Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Jan. 4.

Cruz entered his pleas after answering a long list of questions from Scherer aimed at confirming his mental competency. He was charged with 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted first-degree murder for those wounded in the Feb. 14, 2018, attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, located just outside Fort Lauderdale.

As several parents shook their heads, Cruz apologized, saying, Im very sorry for what I did. ... I cant live with myself sometimes. He also added that he wished it was up to the survivors to determine whether he lived or died.

Parents scoffed at Cruzs statement as they left the courtroom, saying it seemed self-serving and aimed at eliciting unearned sympathy. Gena Hoyer, whose 15-year-old son Luke died in the shooting, saw it as part of a defense strategy to keep a violent, evil person off death row."

Story continues

She said her son was a sweet young man who had a life ahead of him and the person you saw in there today chose to take his life. He does not deserve life in prison.

Anthony Borges, a former Stoneman Douglas student who was shot five times and severely wounded, told reporters after the hearing that he accepted Cruzs apology, but noted that it was not up to him to decide the confessed murderers fate.

He made a decision to shoot the school, Borges said. I am not God to make the decision to kill him or not. Thats not my decision. My decision is to be a better person and to change the world for every kid. I dont want this to happen to anybody again. It hurts. It hurts. It really hurts. So, I am just going to keep going. Thats it.

Cruzs attorneys announced his intention to plead guilty during a hearing last week.

Following the pleas Wednesday, former Broward State Attorney Mike Satz recounted the details of the murders. Cruz killed 14 students and three staff members on Valentines Day 2018 during a seven-minute rampage through a three-story building at Stoneman Douglas, investigators said. They said he shot victims in the hallways and in classrooms with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle, sometimes returning to the wounded to kill them with additional shots. Cruz had been expelled from Stoneman Douglas a year earlier after a history of threatening, frightening, unusual and sometimes violent behavior that dated back to preschool.

After Satz finished, the judge had to compose herself for several seconds before she began speaking again, her voice breaking.

The shootings caused some Stoneman Douglas students to launch the March for Our Lives movement, which pushes for stronger gun restrictions nationally.

Since days after the shooting, Cruzs attorneys had offered to have him plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence, saying that would spare the community the emotional turmoil of reliving the attack at trial. But Satz rejected the offer, saying Cruz deserved a death sentence, and appointed himself lead prosecutor. Satz, 79, stepped down as state attorney in January after 44 years, but remains Cruzs chief prosecutor.

His successor, Harold Pryor, is opposed to the death penalty but has said he will follow the law. Like Satz, he never accepted the defense offer  as an elected official, that would have been difficult, even in liberal Broward County, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 2 to 1.

By having Cruz plead guilty, his attorneys will be able to argue during the penalty hearing that he took responsibility for his actions.

As at any trial, prosecutors will present evidence of the shooting, including security video that reportedly shows many of the killings in graphic detail. They will also be allowed to show evidence that Cruz had long planned the attack and made threats through cellphone videos. There will be testimony from students and teachers who were in the building, including some who were wounded.

Prosecutors will also present testimony from the victims' parents and spouses to demonstrate the toll the deaths have had on families and the community.

The defense will then present mitigating evidence that will likely include testimony about Cruzs life, including his long history of mental and emotional instability, his fathers death when he was 5 and his mothers death four months before the shootings, when he was 19.

To impose a death sentence, all 12 jurors must agree. If they do, Judge Scherer will make the final decision.
Oct. 19For the first time in at least two weeks the number of coronavirus patients in Ohio's hospitals dropped below 3,000.

As of Tuesday, 2,975 patients in the state's hospitals had COVID-19, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Of those hospitalized, 864 were in ICUs and 529 were on ventilators.

Throughout October, Ohio has seen a slight decrease of COVID patients in its hospitals.

On Oct. 6, ODH reported 3,438 patients hospitalized in Ohio with COVID-19, 969 in ICUs and 663 on ventilators.

While the number of COVID patients in the state's hospitals is going down, daily hospitalizations and ICU admissions are still high.

In the last day, Ohio recorded 348 hospitalizations and 35 ICU admissions. It's the third highest number of daily hospitalizations in the last three weeks and nearly 100 more than the 21-day average of 250 hospitalizations a day.

The 35 ICU admissions reported Tuesday is also the third highest reported in the last three weeks. Ohio's 21-day average is 22 ICU admissions a day, according to ODH.

Last Tuesday the state reported 323 hospitalizations and 31 ICU admissions.

Ohio recorded 3,617 daily cases in the last day, making Tuesday the fourth day in a row with fewer than 4,000 daily cases. On Sunday, the state reported a 21-day low of 2,515 cases.

In the last three weeks, Ohio is averaging 4,863 cases a day and 4,054 cases a day in the last week.

ODH reported 289 deaths Tuesday, bringing Ohio's total to 23,616.

The state updates death data twice a week. Because other states don't regularly report death certificate data to Ohio's Bureau of Vital Statistics, data can fluctuate.

The day a death is reported does not reflect the day a day occurred.

More than 6.41 Ohioans have started the COVID-19 vaccine, with 54.88% of residents receiving at least one dose of the vaccine. Nearly 66.25% of adult Ohioans have started the vaccine as well as 64.14% of those 12 and older.

As of Tuesday, 5.98 million residents, or 51.23% finished the vaccine, according to ODH. Almost 62% of adults and 59.87% of Ohioans 12 and older have finished it.

More than 402,000 Ohioans have received booster doses.
A stargazer waits to watch a meteor shower in Ontario, Canada, August 12, 2015. REUTERS/Fred Thornhill

The Orionids meteor shower peaks late Wednesday night and into early Thursday morning.

Up to 20 shooting stars per hour will streak across the sky, but a full moon will make it hard to see them.

The Orionids happen annually when Earth travels through debris left by Halley's Comet.

NASA calls the annual Orionids meteor shower one of the most beautiful of the year, due to the many speedy meteors that move across the night sky.

The meteors streak into Earth's atmosphere at speeds of 148,000 miles per hour, which prompts them to leave glowing trails that can linger for several seconds, if not minutes. Some become fireballs that explode with light and color.

The 2021 Orionids shower peaks Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning. Sky watchers can expect to see between 10 and 20 shooting stars per hour at those times.

However, the peak of this year's shower will be overshadowed by the light of a full moon, known as the Hunter's Moon because it falls in October. That likely means the Orionids will be underwhelming for most viewers.

"The Orionids are going to, frankly, suck this year," NASA meteor expert Bill Cooke told Space.com. "The moon will be up all night, from sunset to sunrise."

Traveling through the dust of Halley's Comet

Halley's Comet taken March 8, 1986 by W. Liller, Easter Island. NSSDC's Photo Gallery (NASA)

The Orionids happen when Earth's orbit takes it through a lane of space debris left behind by Halley's comet. As sand-grain-sized fragments of the comet - known as meteors - strike our atmosphere, they burn up, leaving fiery streaks in the sky.

Earth passes through Halley's wake twice a year, once starting in May and then again in October. Each pass lasts a month or so, which is why the resulting meteor showers - the Eta Aquariids in the spring, and Orionids in the fall - last for weeks. The American Meteor Society predicts the Orionids will last through November 7.

Each shower's peak, though, occurs when our planet moves through the densest part of Halley's debris trail.

Story continues

No need for binoculars, and don't stare at Orion

To maximize your chance of seeing the Orionids, find a dark spot as far from light sources as possible. If you're in the Northern Hemisphere, lie on the ground and gaze toward the southeast.

You can see the shower starting after midnight local time on Thursday.

A meteor streaks in the night sky above Malaga, Spain during the Orionid meteor shower, October 22, 2017. Jon Nazca/Reuters

The Orionids are easily visible with the naked eye, but it's best to let your eyes adjust to the darkness for 30 minutes before attempting to spot shooting stars. Avoid looking at the moon or your phone as well, since bright light may stymie your efforts to spot faint meteors.

NASA recommends against using telescopes or binoculars to view a meteor shower, since those instruments show only a limited portion of the sky at a time.

The Orionids shower gets its name from the Orion constellation, which is where the meteors seem to originate in the sky - they appear north of Betelgeuse, the constellation's brightest star. Orion is identifiable by the trio of stars forming a hunter's belt. But NASA suggests not staring directly at Orion, as doing so will make meteors appear dimmer.

If you don't spot any meteors during this year's shower, mark your calendar for mid-November, when the Northern Taurids shower is expected to peak.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Paris Hilton MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

Paris Hilton delivered emotional remarks in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday about experiencing "trauma and severe PTSD," as she advocated for a bill to fight abuse in troubled youth treatment centers.

Hilton has alleged she was subjected to abuse at youth facilities, and she spoke about her experiences during a press conference in support of a bill Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said would establish a "standard of care that cannot be violated with impunity" at facilities for troubled teens. Hilton said she was sent to four facilities over two years starting when she was 16 because her parents were promised "tough love would fix me," but she said that while there, she was "strangled, slapped across the face, watched in the shower by male staff, called vulgar names, forced to take medication without a diagnosis, not given a proper education, thrown into solitary confinement in a room covered in scratch marks and smeared in blood, and so much more."

Hilton alleged children were regularly physically and sexually abused at a Utah boarding school she attended, and she criticized "weak" oversight of the "troubled teen industry," calling her experiences not unique. She added that if this new bill, the Accountability for Congregate Care Act, had been in place when she was younger, "I would have been saved from over 20 years of trauma and severe PTSD," and she urged Congress and President Biden to ensure it becomes law.

The bill is soon set to be introduced in Congress, and according to NBC News, it would ensure children at youth facilities have the "right to call their parents, be free from restraints, and have access to clean drinking water and nutritional meals." Schiff said the legislation aims to "break the cycle of trauma that has plagued these institutions for far too long," and he thanked Hilton for her "extraordinary leadership."

Story continues

You may also like

The American 'Great Resignation' by the numbers

NYC to impose vaccine mandate for all city workers, including police

How one group's plan to out GOP lawmakers who attended Jan. 6 proved futile
Late one evening in 2014, Nassir Geiger found himself staring into the barrels of two handguns held by Philadelphia police officers. They had seen him pause his Buick LeSabre in a McDonald's parking lot to say hi to an acquaintance, who had been arrested shortly before for possessing 0.4 grams of cocaine.

When the officers searched Geiger's car, they found no evidence of drugs. They seized his car and the $580 in his pockets anyway.

After a night in jail, Geiger was let out with a receipt for $465. He was told the car was being kept as evidence. For months he had to take the bus or borrow his mom's car to get to his job as a city sanitation worker and take care of his daughter.

He was never charged with a crime. It took months to get his car back. He never recovered the cash. And it was mostly legal.

"I didn't break no traffic laws; my license wasnt expired," said Geiger, 32, in an interview with USA TODAY. "For no reason, (the police) took my car."

Philadelphia police seized more than $50 million in cash, about 1,240 homes and other real estate, and roughly 3,530 vehicles from 2002 to 2014, according to a report released by the Institute for Justice.

The libertarian public-interest law firm, which litigates property rights cases, has conducted the nation's first survey of the victims of a civil forfeiture program, reaching 407 of 30,000 people whose property was seized by Philadelphia police between 2012 and 2018.

Only 23% of the 407 survey respondents were convicted of a crime. In 30% of the cases, the individual wasn't even arrested. Most were never even charged.

The seizures were legal because they were done under civil asset forfeiture law, which doesn't require a person to be charged with a crime.

"What used to happen in Philadelphia was illegal by modern standards, and it represented a form of institutional theft," Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner told USA TODAY in an interview.

Story continues

The survey confirms advocates' arguments that civil asset forfeiture mostly ensnares law-abiding, low-income people of color rather than large criminal enterprises and drug kingpins. The amounts of cash forfeited were frequently small enough that it wasn't worthwhile to hire an attorney to get it back.

Geiger was one of several plaintiffs in the Institute for Justice's 2014 class-action lawsuit against the city of Philadelphia and its District Attorney's Office. The case resulted in reforms and a $3 million compensation fund.

"Philadelphias forfeiture system was particularly heinous and abusive, but it is by no means in a league of its own," said Jennifer McDonald, co-author of the Institute for Justice's report. "The type of state forfeiture laws that allow this to go on exist in almost every state across the country."

District attorneys opt for civil forfeiture because it doesn't require them to meet the same burden of proof as a criminal charge. Under the prior system in Philadelphia, prosecutors had to show only that a preponderance of the evidence  more than half  linked property to a crime. The state legislature raised that threshold to "clear and convincing" in 2017.

Forfeiture laws across the U.S. incentivize cash and property grabs, opponents say, because the proceeds go into accounts controlled by police and prosecutors and pay for salaries, overtime, special programs and even perks like a margarita maker.

For months after his car and cash were taken, Geiger would drive by the police district building in a city trash truck and see his car sitting out front. He financed the purchase of another car as he unknowingly racked up hundreds of dollars in storage fees on his old one. It took him more than a year to get his paid-off car back.

Under a consent decree approved by a federal judge in February, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office and the police department are no longer allowed to use forfeiture revenue for salaries or other law enforcement expenses.

"The way it was being used before, it was like a slush fund," said Jane Roh, a spokesperson for Krasner, who took office in 2018 and negotiated the settlement of the class action case.

Krasner, who is up for reelection, is more judicious than his predecessors about what is seized, McDonald said. He has committed to sending back up to $1 million in 2021 of civil forfeiture funds to community programs in the four ZIP codes most impacted by the practice, said G. Lamar Stewart, who head's the DA's community engagement unit.

From smuggled goods to the war on drugs

Civil asset forfeiture came about during colonial America. It allowed authorities to confiscate illicit goods smuggled into port, even if the owners of those goods were far away in Europe.

During the 1970s, civil forfeiture became a weapon in America's war on drugs, with the idea that it would enable law enforcement to seize the tools and fruits of the drug trade from large, criminal enterprises.

"But what happened was it became such a lucrative endeavor that it was being used mostly against ordinary citizens," said Louis S. Rulli, practice professor of law at University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.

Out of 100 Drug Enforcement Administration cash seizures in which there was no warrant or illicit narcotics, only 44 were related to criminal investigations, the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General found in a 2017 report.

"When seizure and administrative forfeitures do not ultimately advance an investigation or prosecution, law enforcement creates the appearance, and risks the reality, that it is more interested in seizing and forfeiting cash than advancing an investigation or prosecution," the Inspector General's Office wrote.

When government budgets stagnated, civil forfeiture became a way to supplement law enforcement coffers, Rulli said. Over time, law enforcement grew more dependent on the funds.

"We saw bonuses in some places for people who could forfeit the most property," he said.

A lower standard of proof

In the vast majority of civil forfeiture cases, the government does not need to prove the owner was involved in illegal activity. The proceeding, against the property itself, need only show that it was somehow connected to a crime. But in many cases, law enforcement never shows that connection, and it's up to the property owner to get the property back.

Law enforcement can seize property that belongs to someone other than the person suspected of a crime, which is how people's homes have been taken due to alleged drug activity by their children or grandchildren. Unlike a criminal case, the burden of proof is on the property owner, who must show the cash, car or other property was legally acquired.

Rulli said he saw many of these cases play out in civil forfeiture court. Most people didn't have lawyers and didn't know what to say in order to successfully argue that their property should be returned, he said.

The median amount of cash forfeited in 21 states that track civil forfeiture is about $1,300, according to the Institute for Justice. That compares to an estimated cost of $3,000 to hire an attorney for a typical state forfeiture case.

In Philadelphia, cash was the most common type of property seized  as little as $25. Most items were worth $600 or less, according to the survey.

Authorities have used civil asset forfeiture programs more than 61,000 times since 9/11 to seize cash and valuables worth $2.5 billion, all without search warrants or indictments.

"The program really hurts the working poor," McDonald said. That's especially the case because many low-income people of color use cash rather than credit cards or bank accounts.

People who made less than $50,000 annually and people who were employed were less likely to get their property back, the survey showed. That's because taking time off work could be more costly than the value of the cash or property, the Institute for Justice concluded.

Only four states  New Mexico, Maine, Nebraska and North Carolina  don't allow civil forfeiture under state law. That means property can be forfeited only through criminal prosecution  generally, if the property is the proceeds of a crime or was used to commit one. That happens after a conviction, raising the standard of proof to guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

All but six states and the District of Columbia direct some or all of civil forfeiture proceeds to law enforcement. New Mexico, one of those six, requires all forfeiture funds to go into the state's general fund, which removes any economic incentive on the part of law enforcement to seize items.

The Institute for Justice's survey found that cash seizures per capita were most concentrated in four ZIP codes, with primarily Black and Hispanic residents with median incomes of $16,000 to $30,000. That's well below the median income of $45,000 for an average Philadelphia ZIP code.

"People of color are more likely to interact with police and more likely to have the type of interaction that allows property to be seized," McDonald said. They were less likely to have a college degree, less likely to own a home and more likely to be unemployed, the survey found.

Nearly 70% of those surveyed never got their property back. For those who did, it took a median of nine months and as long as three years, McDonald said. In the vast majority of civil forfeitures, the case never goes before a judge.

And that's when the money is taken legally. Some of the people who responded to the survey said police pocketed the cash they found or intentionally undercounted it on their receipts.

Krasner acknowledged that some police officers in departments across the country, including Philadelphia, perpetrate "an individual form of theft" when they pocket cash.

"The law is quite clear that what theyre doing is a crime by keeping it," Krasner said. But "that is just a reality of policing."

The Institute for Justice found that 58% of those surveyed never got a receipt from police for what was seized. Those who did were eight times more likely to get their property back.

The consent decree now requires officers to provide a receipt when they seize property.

'This could happen to anybody'

In the summer of 2012, Miguel Zeledon had arrived home from work with hoagies for dinner. He was swarmed by Philadelphia police, who said they had a search warrant for his home.

"I've never been arrested, never even had a traffic ticket," Zeledon said. "It was baffling what was happening."

Zeledon, then 32, worked in risk management for an e-commerce company. He said the officers repeatedly asked his then-partner to tell them who his drug supplier was. Zeledon had grown up in the neighborhood, known for drug activity, but never said more than a neighborly greeting to those involved.

The officers didn't find drugs, Zeledon said. But they did find $7,000 in cash in his nightstand and $3,400 in his partner's drawer.

When Zeledon's partner didn't name his supposed drug supplier, the two officers split her cash and gave her a receipt for just the $7,000. They taunted her for being with Zeledon, using an ethnic slur, and sat down to eat the hoagies.

Zeledon said she didnt file a complaint with the police. "It was the police who took it, so who could we go to at that point?" he asked.

The Philadelphia Police Department told USA TODAY that Zeledon's partner should file a complaint with its Internal Affairs Bureau.

He tried to fight the charges for months.

After repeated delays, he finally agreed to participate in a drug treatment program and submit to regular drug tests to make it all go away. Afterward, his record was expunged.

He spent $10,000 fighting the case and paying for drug tests. The stress ended his relationship with his son's mother; they had been together since he was a college freshman.

"I lost my home, my wife, my son," Zeledon said. "Financially, it ruined me."

He found the experience particularly upsetting because he had otherwise positive relationships with the police. His godfather was the city's first Hispanic police captain; his wrestling coach was a Philadelphia narcotics officer who was very influential in his life.

"You can't judge a whole department because of those few. I understand that," Zeledon said. "These few cops, they could get away with it, and they did."

As part of the Institute for Justice's lawsuit, Zeledon said, he received $2,300.

"This could happen to anybody," Zeledon said. Your "life can be turned around in a matter of seconds."

Tami Abdollah is a USA TODAY national correspondent covering inequities in the criminal justice system, send tips via direct message @latams or email tami(at)usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Philadelphia police seized property from Black and Hispanic people
Oct. 19PORTLAND  A middle school principal who made racially prejudiced comments about newly elected city commissioners in June apologized Tuesday.

Robyn Bailey, a 23-year veteran of Portland Public Schools, sent a letter to the Lincoln Middle School community Tuesday.

"I owe many people an apology," Bailey wrote. "I regret that my words were not more thoughtful and that I didn't reach out personally to discuss my concerns."

In an email sent to City Hall two days after the June 8 election, Bailey lashed out at newly elected progressives, singling out two women of color for "spreading hatred" and arguing that they'd be "done, gone and trashed" if they were white.

Bailey was promoted from assistant to interim principal of Lincoln Middle School in August.

In her Oct. 19 apology letter, Bailey lamented that she "undermined the success of those women" and that her comments worsened a political discourse she already saw as divisive.

"When I penned my email in June, it was intended to move beyond divisiveness to a position of collaboration; it was intended to facilitate communication, not to stunt it; it was intended to raise the level of dialogue, not to devolve further," Bailey wrote.

She didn't address the subject of race or her prior comments on it.

A letter from Superintendent Xavier Botana sent to Portland school district faculty said that she "expressed remorse" for her June comments and an understanding of how they "could be perceived as unchecked biases."

Commissioner Shay Stewart Bouley, who was targeted in the June letter, said that she discussed the matter with Bailey in a private phone call last week.

"I asked her, 'Why did you write that?'" Stewart Bouley said.

Bailey, who did not respond for comment, said the commissioner "shared with me the impact my words had on her and I listened."

The two had met years ago when Stewart Bouley was invited to give a talk about race to students at Lincoln Middle School, according to Stewart Bouley, who runs Black Girl in Maine Media and is the executive director of the Boston-based anti-racism nonprofit Community Change, Inc.

Bailey defended her qualifications for the principal role, writing that she will not let that email in June define her.

"I will continue on my own educational journey, learning from my peers and my students and their families," she wrote. "We are a strong community, and significantly stronger together than divided."
Oct. 20A Portland middle school principal has apologized to her school community for an email she wrote to city officials criticizing two charter commissioners and saying they would be "done, gone and trashed" if they were not people of color.

"When I penned my email in June, it was intended to move beyond divisiveness to a position of collaboration; it was intended to facilitate communication, not to stunt it; it was intended to raise the level of dialogue, not devolve (it) further," Lincoln Middle School Interim Principal Robyn Bailey wrote in a letter to the community that was shared with families Monday. "Unfortunately, I undermined the success of those women. I fell short on all accounts, I'm sorry."

Bailey's letter comes about two months after her email to the City Council and mayor was the subject of a school board executive session called as Superintendent Xavier Botana announced he was appointing her from assistant principal to interim principal at Lincoln. Executive sessions are confidential but former school board member Jeff Irish leaked details of what was discussed when he resigned this month. The emergence of the email prompted a backlash in the community and questions about whether Bailey is committed to the values of the district and fit to be a school leader.

"We simply don't have the same racially charged issues as other big cities, but we are creating them," Bailey wrote in the email.

In a separate letter to the Portland schools community Monday, Botana rejected Bailey's comments and her assertion the city does not hold people of color accountable but stood by his recent decision to appoint her interim principal. Botana did not respond to emails or phone messages Tuesday seeking additional information.

"Once I became aware of the email, I met with Ms. Bailey to discuss her words," Botana wrote in the letter. "She expressed remorse and an understanding of how her words in that email could be perceived as examples of unchecked biases. She affirmed her commitment to learn from this experience and take steps to restore the trust that was lost as a result of those words."

Story continues

Bailey's original email came in June on the heels of elections for the city's charter commission, a race in which her husband, William Bailey, ran for an at-large seat and lost. She did not respond to phone messages or an email Tuesday. City Councilor April Fournier shared Bailey's email with school board member Roberto Rodriguez at the time, although he said it was sent to an email account he doesn't regularly monitor, so he did not read it until August.

Rodriguez said Tuesday it was never his intent to harm or penalize Bailey, but he had reservations about her appointment as interim principal based on the content of the email and was seeking to make the superintendent aware so he could address them with her. The board was not voting on the appointments Botana presented at the meeting and no action was taken after the executive session to change them.

"We have a number of staff members that I believe are ready to take on a position like interim principal and when I told the superintendent I don't have confidence in this appointment, my message to him was, 'When we put people in leadership we need to be confident these folks can carry forward the charge of the Portland Promise, the comprehensive plan,'" Rodriguez said. "It's me telling the superintendent what I always tell him, that these decisions, whether it's personnel, the budget or anything else, need to be aligned with the comprehensive plan."

During the executive session, Botana said Rodriguez drew attention to the comments Bailey made in the email about disparities and people of color being allowed to get away with statements for which others would be held accountable. "We have incontrovertible evidence that both of these premises are false," Botana said in Monday's letter. "Furthermore, they are patently inconsistent with the work that we have been engaged in as a school district for the past five years."

In explaining his decision to move forward with Bailey's appointment, Botana said the district supports employees' First Amendment rights to express their views in myriad ways, including by writing letters to elected officials. He also said decisions around hiring, retention and promotion are based on how well employees do their jobs, as well as whether their performance and beliefs are in alignment with the values the district prioritizes.

Botana said the district requires ongoing professional development around diversity, equity and inclusion, and provides frequent feedback to staff to keep those issues at the forefront of their work.

"We are an educational institution and, as such, we believe in the importance of learning," he said. "We believe that all of us are better than our worst moments. We believe in learning from our mistakes, which is an essential step in overcoming biases and prejudices."

The two charter commissioners who were the subject of Bailey's email said they have been disappointed by the district's response.

"I will just say that for a school district with a stated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, they are falling short," Commissioner Shay Stewart-Bouley said in an email. "In some ways, I am more bothered by Xavier Botana's letter. It takes courage to be a leader and that means the ability to name things, even uncomfortable things and at this moment, his leadership seems lacking."

Stewart-Bouley said she was not making a statement on Botana's leadership overall, but just on the issue of the letter.

"What does this incident say to students of color in the district who are old enough to be aware of what's going on?" she said. "Specifically what does this say to Black students and Black girls in the district? Personally, racism isn't a learning moment, and should never be treated as such. To do so is to perpetuate the harm."

Commissioner Nasreen Sheikh-Yousef said she wants a direct apology from Bailey, who she said has not reached out to her, as well as from Press Herald columnist Bill Nemitz for a column he wrote about the situation.

"As you can see, it doesn't matter what people of color and I think and feel," Sheikh-Yousef said in an email. "If it matters, they (would) not have moved forward with her appointment to the interim principal, (in a) school district that many students of color and immigrants attend."

Soon after winning her seat, Sheikh-Yousef, who had previously been critical of City Manager Jon Jennings and described the city manager position as inherently racist, tweeted that Jennings is a white supremacist. Bailey did not name that tweet specifically in her email, but said comments by Sheikh-Yousef were "shameful" and "full of accusations and opinions." She also took issue with tweets allegedly made by Stewart-Bouley, although Stewart-Bouley has denied Bailey's characterizations on social media and her blog, Black Girl in Maine.

At the time, Bailey's email raised concerns with at least one city councilor, Fournier, who forwarded it to Rodriguez, along with the message, "So disappointed and sad that this is someone who leads one of our schools." In an Instagram post Oct. 7, Fournier said she shared the email with Rodriguez out of concern over the racial undertones she perceived in reading it.

"As a mother, an educator, a person of color and an elected official, I'm definitely concerned about the racially charged language and the message that was being conveyed in that email by someone who is a leader in our schools," Fournier said. "The email denied that racism is a problem in our schools, but as the mother of four brown children who have gone through our schools and currently attend our schools, I can assure you there are lingering concerns from my children and myself that we have to address on a regular basis."

The nonprofit Equity in Portland Schools also raised concerns about the situation in several posts on its Facebook page.

"Rightly, the School Board raised concerns about racist public comments from one of its vice-principals who was about to be promoted to interim principal," the group said in one post. "An internal PPS process began to address the concerns, and the vice-principal in the meantime was promoted regardless. When resigned School Board member Irish leaked personnel information and made them public, he disrupted the process to address this complex, nuanced effort to respect their rights as a public employee, and appropriately address a racist act."

Fournier did not respond to a phone message or email Tuesday. Equity in Portland Schools also did not respond to an email.

In her letter, Bailey said she has spoken with Stewart-Bouley and the two had an "open, honest conversation" in which they discussed how being able to have a voice is important. "I really wish someone had allowed me that same opportunity as I am the only one who can speak to my email," Bailey wrote.

She said she learned a lot speaking to Stewart-Bouley, that Stewart-Bouley seemed to understand, and that she doesn't want the June email to define her.

"I've had many difficult conversations, some with friends and some with people who don't know me well," Bailey wrote. "We are a strong community and significantly stronger together than divided. My door is always open to engage in dialogue about how we can do better. And I will continue to identify ways where our better angels can and should emerge as a community. Those are my commitments to this community and I wanted you to know that."
Royal Family Attend Sunday Service In Windsor

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, attends the Sunday Service on April 11 2021 at the Royal Chapel of All Saints, Windsor, following the announcement two days earlier of the death of his father, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Credit - Steve ParsonsWPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeths second son, faces a civil lawsuit in the U.S. for allegations of sexual abuse. The claimant, Virginia Giuffre, is a victim of the late billionaire and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with whom Andrew formed a friendship. The Prince has said the allegations are completely false.

Heres what you need to know about the charges, and whether Andrew will be extradited to the U.S. to face justice:

What is Prince Andrew accused of?

In a 15-page civil lawsuit filed by Giuffre at the U.S. District Court in Manhattan on Aug. 9, Prince Andrew is accused of sexual assault and battery against Giuffre in 2001 when she was aged 17. In 2009, Giuffre first alleged she was groomed by Jeffrey Epstein and his then-girlfriend, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell. She claims the pair abused her and forced her into sex with powerful men.

According to Giuffres lawyers, Epstein and Maxwell ordered her to have sex with Prince Andrew, the Duke of York. He allegedly sexually assaulted her three times, once in London, again in New York, and a third time on Epsteins private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. During an interview with the BBC in 2019, Giuffre described being introduced to the Prince by Epstein and Maxwell in 2001. Maxwell allegedly told Giuffre to do for Andrew what I do for Jeffrey. Maxwell has denied all allegations.

Read more: Only One of Us Is Telling the Truth. The Biggest Moments From Prince Andrew Accuser Virginia Giuffres BBC Interview

On the second occasion, Giuffres lawyers say Andrew sexually abused her at Epsteins New York mansion, touching her and engaging her in sex acts against her will. They also argue that Giuffre was compelled to do what Andrew wanted under threats of violence. The emotional impact of the abuse on Giuffre, the lawyers say, is severe and long lasting.

Story continues

Giuffre alleges the Prince knew her age and that she was a victim of sex-trafficking at the hands of Epstein and Maxwell.

Giuffre is suing Andrew under New Yorks Child Victims Act, a 2019 law allowing victims of childhood sexual to pursue compensation for abuse which happened too long ago for criminal charges to be brought. She is seeking unspecified damages.

Prince Andrew acknowledged that he served with the suit as of Sept. 21. He has until Oct. 29 to formally respond.

How has Prince Andrew responded?

Prince Andrew has denied all allegations against him. In 2019, he laid out his defense in an interview with the BBC, claiming he does not even remember meeting Giuffre and that he was with his daughter, Princess Beatrice, on the night Giuffre says they met in London.

However, the Prince has been unable to explain a photograph appearing to show him with his arm around a 17-year-old Giuffre, with Maxwell appearing in the background. In 2019 unidentified sources close to Andrew told British newspapers the Daily Telegraph and the London Evening Standard there were signs the photograph was inauthentica claim refuted by Giuffres lawyers.

Prince Andrew with Virginia Roberts (now Virginia Giuffre) MediaPunch/Alamy

Andrews lawyers argue that an agreement made by Giuffre when she settled a damages claim against Epstein in 2009 to not sue anyone else connected to Epstein releases the duke and others from any all potential liability. Giuffres lawyers agreed to release sealed documents detailing the agreement between Giuffre and Epstein, but claim they are irrelevant to the civil case.

What was Prince Andrews relationship to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell?

In the BBC interview, Prince Andrew said his friendship with Maxwell dated back to her time at university in the U.K., but claimed it would be a stretch to say [they] were close friends. He said he later met her then-boyfriend Epstein in 1999, but he didnt have much time with him.

I suppose I saw him once or twice a year, Andrew said. Perhaps maybe maximum of three times a year and quite often if I was in the United States.

Read more: How the #MeToo Movement Helped Make New Charges Against Jeffrey Epstein Possible

The Prince invited Maxwell to Windsor Castle in 2000, who brought Epstein as her plus one, and to Queen Elizabeths Sandringham estate for a shooting weekend in the same year.

Prince Andrew admitted he had travelled on Epsteins private plane, visited his private island, stayed at his homes in Palm Beach and New York, and at Maxwells home in London. While they were not very close friends, the Prince said he trusted Epstein and was interested in his knowledge of the international business world.

Epstein first faced allegations of sexual abuse of minors in 2005 and he was arrested in July 2006. That month, Maxwell and Epstein were invited to Windsor Castle for Andrews daughters 18th birthday. Andrew said he was not aware of the allegations at the time and didnt become aware until later in the year, when he cut contact. Epstein was jailed from 2008 to 2010. Months after he was released, the Prince went to stay at his New York mansion, which Andrew claims was to formally end the friendship.

In 2019, after facing over 20 civil cases, Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges. While awaiting trial, he was found unresponsive in his cell from a suicide attempt and later died.

Maxwell was arrested in July 2020 on charges of recruiting and grooming Epsteins underage victims. She has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial in a New York jail.

What has the impact been on Prince Andrew?

The royals already seem to be distancing themselves from the Princethe Times of London was told by an unidentified source that Andrew is bringing unwelcome reputational damage and poses a threat to the crown. However, the Daily Telegraph reported on Oct. 1 that the Queen was privately funding Andrews legal defense.

Andrews 2019 BBC interview responding to the allegations was a PR disaster for the royal family. Just a day after the television appearance, the Queens favorite son announced he was stepping back from royal duties. He said he was willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigation, if required.

A statement by His Royal Highness The Duke of York KG. pic.twitter.com/LfMFwMyhcb  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) November 20, 2019

Read more: Prince Andrew Faced Questions About Jeffrey Epstein for Years. Heres Why the Royal Family Finally Reacted

Despite this, a U.S. prosecutor has accused Andrew of providing zero cooperation with the investigators of the Epstein criminal case, and Giuffres lawyers say Andrew has stonewalled their requests for information as part of the suit.

What have the British police said?

The Metropolitan Police in London initially chose not to look into Giuffres trafficking claims against Epstein, but in light of the civil case against Prince Andrew, the force decided to review the claims. No one is above the law, said Dame Cressida Dick, the Met Police Commissioner.

On Oct. 11, however, the force decided to take no further action on the allegations made against the Prince and Epsteins sex trafficking ring in the U.K.

Can Prince Andrew be extradited to the U.S. to face charges?

Not for this case. The lawsuit served against Prince Andrew by Giuffre is a civil casethe Prince does not face criminal charges so cannot be extradited to the U.S.

According to Ben Brandon, a British lawyer specializing in extradition, Andrew could theoretically be charged with contempt of court in the U.S. if he was ordered to pay Giuffre compensation, and refused. However, Brandon explained any judgement debt would be in the U.S., and they would have to bring separate proceedings in the U.K. to enforce [it]. Moreover, contempt of court is not an extradition offense.

However, anything that comes up in the civil case could be used in a future criminal case, which still presents a risk to Andrew. Despite the statute of limitations, which only allows charges to be brought within five years of an alleged crime, the Prince could still be charged for alleged crimes committed in 2001. According to Arkday Bukh, a criminal defense attorney, the statute of limitation is ticking only while [the subject is] within the jurisdictional borders of the district.

And sexual assault is an extradition offense, even at state level. The test for whether an offense is an extradition crime is based on the alleged conduct of the accused, Brandon explained. It also depends on whether or not it would also be considered a crime in the country from which the accused is extradited. In theory, Andrew could be extradited to the U.S. if he was charged with sexual assault, because the crime is equally serious in the U.K.

Would the U.K. ever let that happen?

In such a high profile case, extraditing Prince Andrew could cause friction in the special relationship between the U.S. and U.K. But so would intervention by the British government or royal family. Legally speaking, Brandon explained, the decision as to whether to extradite is not exclusively, but in almost every respect, taken by a court rather than the Secretary of State. However, whether senior lawmakers would work behind the scenes to smooth over diplomatic rifts is a different matter entirely, he said. (Brandon points to former British Prime Minister Tony Blairs role in terminating a corruption investigation into arms dealer BAE Systems following pressure from the Saudi government.)

Correction, Oct. 21

The original version of this story mischaracterized Ghislaine Maxwell. She is a British socialite, not a socialist.
MILWAUKEE  Until a worker representing the U.S. Census Bureau showed up at his door last April, Sylvester Jackson felt like a ghost in his own community.

Jackson, 54, lives in Milwaukee. The last time census workers had come around, a decade earlier, he was 200 miles from home, serving a prison sentence in Black River Falls, Wisconsin. Thats where the census counted him as a resident the next 10 years.

It wasnt a clerical error. Since its first count in 1790, the Census Bureau has counted incarcerated people as residents of wherever theyre incarcerated at the time of the census  as opposed to where they call home  even though in 48 of 50 states, they cannot vote in that community, or anywhere. In effect, this transfers each prisoners' vote to another voter in the district, undermining the "one person, one vote" principle of American democracy.

Census data is used to redraw congressional, state legislative and local voting district, as well as inform federal research, policymaking and funding allocations.

Each district is supposed to contain roughly the same number of voters for equal representation.

Jackson was convicted of sexual assault of a minor in 2007 and spent 10 years in the Wisconsin Correctional System. Because Jackson was in Jackson Correctional Institution on April 1, 2010, he counted among those "represented" by officials elected in Jackson County. However, in effect, his power  and the power of all the prisoners there  transferred to non-imprisoned people in the district. At the same time, the places where the prisoners came from and will return to live after serving their sentences lost representation.

Now on extended supervision and still unable to vote, Jackson has become an activist to stop counting prisoners where they are incarcerated. In the company of several legislators, he's spoken about the issue at the state Capitol and is an organizer with EXPO, which works on prisoner and ex-prisoner concerns.

Story continues

Its kind of hard to say youre being represented by anyone, because representation means someone representing your interests," he said. "The representation that should be allocated to you is given elsewhere.

The result: Census data is used to give inflated political power to people who live in communities near prisons  often places that are predominantly rural and white.

Its using people who have no rights to give greater power to those people who are oppressing or incarcerating those people, said Oscar Blayton, a civil-rights attorney and former combat pilot who lives in Virginia.

How prisons disperse people in Wisconsin

Use this map to see how prisoners in Milwaukee and Dane counties are moved related to their home ZIP codes.





Jared Knowles of Civilytics Consulting

Blayton learned about counting African-American population in third grade at the segregated school he attended: How as the new nation was forming, white Southerners proposed counting people they enslaved as part of their population, to pad their numbers and increase their political power.

Getting to count enslaved people as even a part of their population meant the South got more seats in Congress. Blayton said the same dynamic is at play in how incarcerated people are apportioned today.

He and other experts and policy groups refer to the policy as prison-based gerrymandering.

The ripple effects of how the census counts prisoners may have been subtler only a few decades ago, before new tough on crime and "truth in sentencing" policies in the 1980s and 1990s sent to prison tens of thousands of people  many of them Black and brown  and held them there longer.

Today, Black people are incarcerated at five times the rate of white people. Prisons remain disproportionately located in majority-white areas. As of the 2010 census there were 161 counties in the U.S. where the incarcerated Black population outnumbered the Black general population eligible to vote.

In recent years, prison-based gerrymandering has gotten more attention. But despite the 77,000 letters the Census Bureau received leading up to the 2020 count asking that prisoners be counted at their home address, about 2.3 million people were once again counted as residents of where theyre in jail or prison.

Some states have taken up calls to count prisoners differently. Since the 2010 census, 11 states  including New York, California and Illinois  have passed laws to count prisoners at their pre-incarceration address when they factor them into redistricting.

Other states require counties to omit prison populations altogether from their count, in an effort to adhere to the principle of one person, one vote. And more than 100 counties and municipalities in the U.S.  even though not required by law  have opted to do so when drawing their local districts.

The people drawing the lines in Wisconsin have largely ignored or refused to act on the question  even though the combined prison and local jail population is equivalent to about 80% of the adult population of a typical Assembly district. This means the state offers up some of the starkest examples of how political representation gets distorted when prisoners are counted as residents of where theyre incarcerated, instead of where they call home.

People are seen on South Adams Street in downtown New Lisbon, Wis.

1,000 new residents  in prison

On a midsummer evening in 2011, John Wenum drove from his house to the Mauston County Courthouse. Wenum, a longtime county supervisor, was leading the redrawing of the countys new maps. All around the state and the country, lawmakers and redistricting officials were doing what could sound like a straightforward job: break down a population into a certain number of districts, each with roughly the same amount of people in them.

Over in Madison, Wisconsin, the new Republican majority was drawing what would be one of the most controversial maps in state political history. But in Juneau County, Wenums biggest problem was a county supervisor or two hoping to lasso a block or two into their district. The process in past decades had typically gone off without a hitch.

Wenum and his colleagues had calculated that each county supervisory district needed to have 1,200 people in it, give or take.

But when Wenum took his seat in Mauston to begin drafting the new map, he and his team faced a big question: what to do about the 1,000 new residents whod come to Juneau County since the last census count.

They werent residents in the normal sense, they werent voting citizens in the normal sense. And it actually skewed things in some very significant ways, Wenum said.

All these new residents had arrived at the same time and lived under the same roof: the prison that had opened that year, New Lisbon Correctional Institution in New Lisbon, Wisconsin.

The New Lisbon Correctional Institution in New Lisbon, Wis. Since its first count in 1790, the Census Bureau has counted incarcerated people as residents of where they're incarcerated as opposed to where they call home -- even though in 48 of 50 states, they cannot vote in that community.

Wenum said he looked at his options. Hed heard from a Massachusetts-based legal group, the Prison Policy Initiative, which urged him and his committee to consider excluding the 1,000 incarcerated people from the map. But Wenum said the only legal guidance he could find from the state was an opinion written by the states attorney general 30 years earlier, instructing him to do just the opposite.

We had the attorney generals opinion which was the only binding legal force in this state and we responded to it by saying weve got to count them in, he said.

The opinion piece, however confusing, remains the clearest guidance on the matter In Wisconsin. So its what Wenum leaned on.

The attitude here was Were not going to rock the boat, well go with the flow,  he said.

It felt wrong to hand 1,000 non-voting constituents to any one supervisor whod been elected to represent people who lived in the county, Wenum said. But in the end, Wenum and his team felt that placing those 1,000 people into one district was their only choice.

Juneau County Supervisor Roy Granger on South Adams Street in downtown New Lisbon, Wis. Granger grew up in New Lisbon, and got elected to the county board of supervisors two decades ago.

Roy Granger grew up in New Lisbon, and got elected to the Juneau County Board of Supervisors two decades ago. When he took his oath of office, he pictured himself representing his neighbors, people hed gone to high school with, folks he ran into at the hardware store or the holiday craft fair.

Its a small town, 1,500 people  now it's 2,500 people because of the prison, Granger said. But it's just small-town living and its neat.

When the new state prison opened, the community celebrated it as a boon for the local economy. Granger went to the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

But it was only after Granger was sworn in as county supervisor that he learned who his constituents would be.

So when it comes time for elections, I have like 250 eligible voters, or people  250 residents that can vote if theyre of age, Granger said. And Ive got a thousand residents that are locked up in that prison that cant vote, but they still count in my district.

Population demographics of Juneau County

Race breakdowns of Juneau County including freed and jailed adult populations. Explore the data .





Jared Knowles of Civilytics Consulting

That means that someone in Grangers district has five times the political influence of someone in the next district over, or any district in the county without a prison. In other words, each eligible voter in Grangers district has outsized influence because four other residents  inmates  can't vote, a distortion of one-person, one-vote.

The way the census counts those men, and the way Wenum and the county redistricting committee chose to include them in their district map, creates a kind of fiction about what the community there looks like.

'We're undercounted'

Leonard Collins was incarcerated for homicide beginning in 1976 and got home to Milwaukee this past February. He took notice of something when he was in prison at Waupun Correctional Institution in 2000: It was a census year, but inmates weren't being handed census forms. The prison filled them out.

When I came to prison, there were unanswered questions that I just kept in the back of my mind and I started gradually finding out about different things. So I'm not ignorant of these facts.

Neither is his younger sister, Sharyl MacFarland.

Sharyl MacFarland stands near her home in Milwaukee. From her front porch, she can count down her block house after house where someone has been sent to prison. She includes her own house. All three of her sons have spent time behind bars; two of her brothers have been in prison for most of their lives.

We're undercounted in this community. Because they've been counted somewhere else, she said.

From her front porch, MacFarland can count down her block house after house where someone has been sent to prison. She includes her own house. All three of her sons have spent time behind bars; two of her brothers have been in prison most of their lives.

This transferring of political clout out of her community to districts where it is essentially erased has become an obsession for MacFarland.

Over 21 years of being separated, MacFarland and her brother Leonard Collins remained connected by the same question: How is change going to happen as long as the people in power are the ones who write the rules?

And as long, Collins said, as people like him, who are most invested in reforming the policies of mass incarceration, are locked out of the conversation.

It's a domino effect. People are powerless, and that's because incarceration makes you powerless, MacFarland said. But if you keep all the power in one place, around one area, this is where it's going to remain and will continue to take the power.

Its a situation, she said, that makes the possibility for democratic reform harder and harder to imagine.

The Census Bureau counts people according to what it calls usual residence essentially, where people eat and sleep most of the time. College students are counted where theyre in school; deployed military personnel are counted at their base, if theyre stateside.

What makes prisoners unique is that they have no contact with the community theyre being counted in, and they are there against their will. Ruling on the question of where a prisoner calls home, one U.S. Court of Appeals judge wrote in 1973, It makes eminent good sense to say as a matter of law that one who is in a place solely by virtue of superior force exerted by another should not be held to have abandoned his former domicile.

The change of voting age populations in Assembly and Senate districts due to the presence of prisons.

'I represent everybody in the district'

Federal dollars arent affected by where prisoners are counted at the state and local level, because the overall state population usually stays the same. Most federal funding comes to states in block grants or is determined by more complicated formulas.

The real benefit of prison-based gerrymandering is power  whos representing whose interests. And prison gerrymandering is one way that locking up so many people  about 2.3 million nationwide, a larger population than 15 individual states  has reshaped our democracy.

In a district with a prison, like Grangers, a small number of voters gets all the attention of the person they put into office. Conversely, in a community that loses a lot of people to prison, the district lines must widen, potentially watering down its priorities by lumping together people with different needs.

As for districts where the boundaries are tighter because a concentrated bloc of people are incarcerated, the rest have exaggerated power.

If you dont have to answer to half of your people or a quarter of your people or however many it is depending on your community  if 50% or more of your constituents cant vote  it means the other 50% is almost getting more than one vote, state Sen. Lena Taylor said.

Bar chart of all incarcerated adults based on 2010 Assembly Districts.

Past attempts at reform have failed

The state Assembly and Senate  the people elected to represent people in these various districts  are where policy begins in the state. Theyre also where policies like mandatory minimums and truth-in-sentencing that led to the states mass incarceration rates were born.

Rep. Michael Schraa, a Republican, heads up the Legislatures Corrections Committee  the committee that drafts bills on how prisons should be run.

Taylor said Wisconsin's way of accounting for incarcerated people has also limited the ability to elect people of color to office. Taylor is one of two Black senators in the state Legislature. She said this was a direct result of the maps that were drawn in 2010.

Bar chart of all incarcerated adults based on 2010 Senate Districts.

If you go back and look at the maps that were drawn in 2010," Taylor said, "and then you look at the numbers when those maps were first used in 2012, we lost about half of our Black representatives in our Assembly compared with the maps drawn after the 2000 census.

In the 2003-04 Legislature, there were seven representatives of color, compared with the 2013-14 session, when there were four.

Before those maps were drawn in 2010, a group of legislators in the statehouse did try to do things differently. Then-state Rep. Fred Kessler, a Democrat, led a group of colleagues in arguing for a constitutional amendment requiring the state to just exclude prisoners from the redistricting data.

This was in June 2009, during a rare moment when the Democratic Party held control of the Assembly, Senate and Governors office.

But after a series of public hearings and approval from the Committee on Elections and Campaign Reform, the amendment failed in the Assembly. Kessler retired in 2019.

There was another moment when a couple of Wisconsin lawmakers sounded the alarm about how prisoners were factored into redistricting  but their motivations were different.

In 1999, U.S. Reps. Paul Ryan and Mark Green, both Republicans, convened a hearing to talk about the census and how incarcerated people were factored into redistricting. They were worried about losing their seats in Congress.

At the time, Wisconsin was shipping many prisoners to private prisons out of state. If those prisoners were counted as residents of those other states, the two feared, it could amount to Wisconsins nine seats in the U.S. House of Representatives dropping to eight.

Nothing came out of Ryan and Greens hearing. Wisconsin did lose a seat, but not because of how inmates were counted.

The body best positioned to change where people in prison are counted, of course, is the U.S. Census Bureau. And while it hasnt changed its rules on how and where prisoners are counted, for the first time this year the bureau is taking steps to make it easier for states to try something different as they draw their new districts: It has promised to share more detailed data on prison populations, and sooner than usual, and to help states figure out how to adjust the numbers if they choose.

While other states around the country are recognizing the way prisoners are factored in redistricting as a problem, and enacting big changes to solve it, Wisconsins leadershave signaled little interest in change. The odds are that Wisconsin will remain a striking example of prison gerrymandering.

O'Brien Diederich Marquette logo

About this story

Freelance journalist Natasha Haverty spent the 2018-19 academic year as an O'Brien Fellow in Public Service Journalism at Marquette University examining the impact of the way prisoners are counted in the census  as residents of the place they are incarcerated, not where they call home  and how the data affects political power and how districts are drawn. She was assisted by student researchers Lucie Sullivan, Robyn Di Giacinto and Claire Hyman.

Initial work was aired on the NPR program Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting. This story, focused on Wisconsin, is an outgrowth of that effort. Additional support for Haverty's reporting came from the Fund for Investigative Journalism and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.

Work on the story was done under the guidance of Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editors. The various funding organizations played no role in the reporting, editing or presentation of this project.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin voting districts skew power to small prison towns
ane Barlow/Pool via Reuters

Queen Elizabeth has reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for a few days, according to a surprise announcement from Buckingham Palace that added the queens undisclosed ailment is not COVID related.

Its Official. Brits Want King William, Not King Charles.

The statement announced the cancellation of the 95-year-old monarchs long-planned trip to Northern Ireland. Her Majesty is in good spirits and is disappointed that she will no longer be able to visit Northern Ireland, where she had been due to undertake a series of engagements today and tomorrow.

Breaking: The Queen has been ordered by doctors to cancel a planned trip to Northern Ireland due to ill health.

Royal sources say not covid related. Statement from Buckingham Palace  pic.twitter.com/Nd3JZGm3RN  Russell Myers (@rjmyers) October 20, 2021

The queen will rest at Windsor Castle, where she has been staying in recent daysand where she hosted maskless politicians including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, senior Biden climate envoy John Kerry, and business leaders including Bill Gates at a reception on Tuesday evening tied to the upcoming COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.

 The Global Investment Summit comes ahead of the Royal Familys attendance at events in Glasgow for the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in November. It aims to showcase the best of British innovation and highlight the UKs role in green investment and clean technologies. pic.twitter.com/ERAiBm0Vg8  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 19, 2021

The queen, who has ruled over the United Kingdom for seven decades, just declined the dubious Oldie of the Year award offered by Oldie magazine, which said she sent a friendly letter. Her Majesty believes you are as old as you feel, as such the Queen does not believe she meets the relevant criteria to be able to accept and hopes you find a more worthy recipient, reads a letter from her private secretary Tom Laing-Baker to the magazine.

Story continues

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now!

Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more.
SCREENGRAB: Gov.sg YouTube channel

SINGAPORE  Sengkang Member of Parliament Raeesah Khan has yet to be interviewed by police over her remarks in Parliament about the mistreatment of an alleged rape victim, despite two requests by the agency to provide case details, said the Singapore Police Force on Wednesday (20 October).

In a media statement, police added that after an "extensive search", authorities could not identify the officers involved in the alleged incident, or confirm that such an incident actually took place.

During an August parliamentary debate on empowering women, Raeesah had said that she accompanied a 25-year-old woman to make a police report three years ago. However, the woman came out of the police station crying and alleged that officers had made comments about her dressing, and the fact that she was drinking, according to Raeesah.

Earlier this month, Law and Home Affairs K Shanmugam asked Raeesah in Parliament to provide more information to assist police investigations, such as the police station, the month the report was filed and other details. The Workers' Party MP declined to elaborate, citing the need to protect the alleged victim's identity.

In response, Shanmugam said that police would interview Raeesah.

However, police noted on Wednesday that the Serious Sexual Crime Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department, which investigates rape offences, had emailed Raeesah twice this month to arrange an interview.

The police said they needed Raeesah to provide details on the case. She was also assured that the police would safeguard the victims identity from public disclosure.

"The Police have still not heard from Ms Khan. Ms Khan has so far not substantiated her allegations against Police officers with further details on the case."

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore
BUCHAREST (Reuters) -Romania's designated Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos failed to win a parliamentary vote of confidence for his centrist minority cabinet on Wednesday, extending a political stalemate at a time of rising COVID-19 infections.

Romania, one of the European Union's poorest states, has been in political paralysis since a liberal-led cabinet was toppled by parliament on Oct. 5, threatening the economic recovery from the pandemic and efforts to cut twin deficits at a time of rising energy prices.

Under the constitution, President Klaus Iohannis would need to make a new nomination after consultations with political groupings, likely from the ranks of his Liberal party.

"Our party was the sole to have wanted to take responsibility, to govern, at these tough times," Ciolos told legislators. "We aimed to solve this current health crisis."

Final ballot data has not yet been released, but a Social Democrat deputy said Ciolos was "at least 140 votes short" of the required threshold to win.

The centrist ruling coalition of caretaker premier Florin Citu collapsed earlier this month after Ciolos' USR party withdrew its ministers in a row over a regional development fund that also cost Citu's government its majority.

Ruling Liberals, the USR and ethnic Hungarians' UDMR grouping controlled 57% of seats before the coalition collapse.

Should Iohannis' second nomination also fail to win parliament's backing, the president can dissolve the legislature and call an early election, an unlikely scenario as the fragmented opposition is reluctant to take over.

Some pundits say a likely outcome could be a restoration of the previous coalition but with a different prime minister, in keeping with USR's condition for rejoining a government.

Romania reported a record number of daily COVID-19 deaths and infections on Tuesday, as a hospital system stretched to breaking point by the EU's second-lowest vaccination rate ran out of intensive care beds.

(Reporting by Radu Marinas; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Alex Richardson)
Around the world in 80 days? What about 274 nights on a cruise ship while visiting more than 150 destinations?

Royal Caribbean International announced Wednesday that its Serenade of the Seas ship will embark on what the line is calling the "longest and most comprehensive" world cruise scheduled to depart in 2023.

Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International said in the release that the cruise, dubbed the "Ultimate World Cruise," will be "the world cruise of world cruises.

The round-trip voyage spanning nine months will will commence on Dec. 10, 2023 sailing from Miami. The itinerary includes visits to all seven continents stopping at more than 150 destinations across 65 countries, the cruise line said in a release. The sailing will wrap up in Miami on Sept. 10, 2024.

Meet Captain Kate: In the cruise industry, she's a trailblazer. On TikTok, she's @captainkatemccue.

Smaller crowds, buffets, sales: Cruise need-to-knows during the COVID-19 pandemic

Rates for the full cruise start $60,999 per person plus taxes and fees, Lyan Sierra-Caro, spokesperson for Royal Caribbean, told USA TODAY.

Passengers also have the option to book segments of the cruise separately in case they aren't available for the full experience. Passengers can sail on any of four expedition cruises within the larger cruise including:

Round the Horn: Americas and Antarctica Expedition which will sail Dec. 10, 2023 to Feb. 11, 2024.

Wonders of Asia and the Pacific Expedition which will sail Feb. 11 to May 9, 2024.

Middle East Treasures and Marvels of the Med Expedition which will sail May 9 to July 10, 2024.

Capitals of Culture which will sail July 10 to Sept. 10, 2024.

Fifty-seven of the destinations the Serenade of the Seas is scheduled to hit are new to Royal Caribbean and will be exclusive to the Ultimate World Cruise.

The cruise line highlighted stops in Casablanca, Morocco; Shimizu, Japan; and Qaqortoq, Greenland along with visits to Machu Picchu in Peru and the Taj Mahal in India.

Story continues

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines vessel Serenade of the Seas arrives in Seattle July 17, 2021

Now more than ever, people have resolved to travel the world and make up for lost time. Royal Caribbean is making that a reality with the ultimate vacation that welcomes those seeking adventure and exploration to taste, dance and dream with us around the world," Bayley continued. "To travelers asking themselves where they should go next, we say everywhere.

Bookings for the full cruise from Miami to Miami opened Wednesday for Royal Caribbeans Crown & Anchor Society Diamond status members and members above that rank within the line's loyalty group. Bookings will open to the general public for the full cruise one week later on Oct. 27 and for individual segments in December.

Oceania Cruises opens sales: For Vista's inaugural season, sets new record for single-day bookings

Norwegian Cruise Line extends: 100% COVID vaccination requirement through end of year

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Go 'everywhere': Royal Caribbean announces new 274-night world cruise
The RSAFs newly acquired Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport seen on static display at Tengah Air Base. (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore)

SINGAPORE  Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) aircraft had entered Malaysian airspace this month as part of a two-week military exercise hosted by Malaysia, said the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) in response to a Johor parliamentarian's claims.

Responding to queries from Yahoo News Singapore about Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim's claims that Singapore aircraft had breached his country's airspace, a MINDEF spokesperson noted on Tuesday (19 October) that the city-state was one of five countries that took part in Exercise Bersama Gold from 4 to 18 October.

It was a Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) exercise, involving assets and personnel from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. It was hosted by the Malaysian Armed Forces and conducted in the FPDAs traditional exercise area over Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and adjoining waters.

MINDEF noted that the countries respective aircraft had obtained the requisite approvals to enter Malaysian and Singapore territorial airspace, including the airspace over Southern Johor. Information on the aircraft activities was publicly announced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia and Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore on 9 and 10 September respectively.

On Tuesday, Hassan had called on both the federal and state governments to investigate what he claimed to be incursions of Singapore military aircraft into Malaysian airspace.

He said that RSAF had been flying its planes low over his constituency, as well as the Tebrau parliamentary constituency, and that the frequency appeared to be increasing after calls for a review into the ownership of Pulau Batu Puteh.

Last month, Malaysian police confirmed that one of its helicopters had flown near Singaporean airspace for official purposes. They added that they had not been alerted by Singaporean authorities of any breach into the city-states airspace.

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore
Trump attorney and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani tweeted a video featuring an Abraham Lincoln face filter.

In his impersonation of Lincoln, Giuliani repeated a debunked claim about Virginia's ex-governor.

"End the Clinton sleaze once and for all!" Giuliani said in his rendition of a 19th Century accent.

In a video posted to Twitter on Tuesday, former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani associated himself with a different US president by using a face filter.

The former New York City mayor attempted to impersonate Abraham Lincoln in the video, speaking in what appeared to be his own rendition of a 19th Century American accent. Speaking from his study with the same backdrop he uses for podcasts and other media appearances, Giuliani appeared with an extended top-hat and chin beard superimposed onto his face.

In the video, Giuliani urges Virginia voters to defeat Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat who served as governor from 2014 to 2018, in his renewed gubernatorial bid.

"Virginia, vote against the man who dishonored our past by selling my bedroom hundreds and hundreds of times to scoundrels in a pay-for-play scheme," Giuliani said in his Lincoln accent, referring to a debunked claim that McAuliffe was selling the White House's Lincoln bedroom for access during his time as chairman of the Democratic National Committee during the Clinton administration.

"In my time, we had a name for men who sold bedrooms for one night," Giuliani continued. "In your time, the name is Terry McAuliffe. End the Clinton sleaze once and for all!"

"Seeing another member of the tinfoil hat crew go all in for Glenn Youngkin is entirely unsurprising; he's all in for them!" Manuel Bonder, a spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Virginia, told Insider in a statement. "Donald Trump and his allies are backing Youngkin for one reason: he is completely loyal to them, and they know that if elected, Glenn will do exactly what Trump says. He belongs nowhere near the governorship."

Story continues

As Insider's John Dorman recently reported, McAuliffe's renewed gubernatorial bid - which comes in a significantly altered statewide electorate than what he was used to in the last decade - has turned into a bellwether for the Democratic Party's chances of hanging onto their Congressional majorities in the 2022 midterms.

As of early Wednesday evening, the McAuliffe had not addressed the Giuliani video on his campaign social media channels.

Read the original article on Business Insider
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian metals tycoon Oleg Deripaska attacked U.S. "stupidity" in a mocking social media post on Wednesday after FBI agents raided Washington and New York properties linked to his family.

Washington imposed sanctions on Deripaska, 53, and other influential Russians in 2018 because of their ties to President Vladimir Putin after alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election, which Moscow denies.

"Watching everything that is happening in America, I cannot help but marvel at the utter stupidity of part of the American establishment who persist in spinning this story about the allegedly colossal role of the Russians in the 2016 U.S. presidential election," Deripaska said.

"It is convenient to feed one's electorate (brought up on Hollywood movies about horrible Russians) with all sorts of crap for another 10 years," he added.

The two homes that, according to Deripaska, belong to his relatives were raided by the FBI on Tuesday. Two sources familiar with the investigation told Reuters the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan was leading the probe.

Deripaska said in his social media post that no one was living in the properties.

"I have to ask: how much of Putin's money was found in those abandoned houses yesterday?" he said, sarcastically inquiring whether investigators had discovered any mouldy jam or vodka in the cupboards.

Deripaska is the founder of Russian aluminium giant Rusal, in which he still owns a stake via his shares in its parent company En+ Group. Deripaska relinquished control in both in 2018 as part of his deal with Washington that removed those companies from the blacklist but kept him on it.

Rusal's Hong Kong-listed shares were down 3% on Wednesday.

The Kremlin declined to comment when asked about the FBI raids on Wednesday, adding that it did not know what prompted the searches but was ready to defend the rights and interests of Russian citizens if they were affected.

(Reporting by Polina Devitt, additional reporting by Dmitry Antonov; editing by Mark Trevelyan and Alex Richardson)
(Reuters) -Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud and U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley met in Riyadh on Wednesday to discuss the Iranian nuclear talks, the state news agency SPA said.

Prince Faisal and Malley, who earlier visited Qatar on a regional tour to coordinate with Gulf allies, also discussed strengthening "joint action to stop Iranian support for terrorist militias" threatening regional security, SPA added.

Iran's new President Ebrahim Raisi has not yet agreed to resume indirect talks with the United States on both sides returning to compliance with the deal, under which Iran curbed its nuclear program in return for economic sanctions relief.

Malley has said Washington is ready to consider "all options" if Iran is unwilling to return to the 2015 deal, while Prince Faisal last week warned of the "dangerous" acceleration of Iran's nuclear activities.

Riyadh, which has been locked in several proxy wars with Iran in the region including in Yemen, had criticised the 2015 pact as flawed for not addressing Tehran's missile programme and network of regional proxies, a key concern for some Gulf states.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration wants to negotiate a return to compliance with the deal after his predecessor, Donald Trump, withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions, after which Iran resumed building its stockpile of enriched uranium.

(Reporting by Nayera Abdallah;Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Nick Macfie)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has faced global condemnation over Jamal Khashoggi's murder. Bernd von Jutrczenka/Getty Images

MBS was seemingly open to discussing normalizing ties with Israel, per an Axios report.

National security advisor Jake Sullivan met with MBS in late September in Saudi Arabia.

Six Arab countries have full diplomatic relations with Israel.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman did not completely reject the idea of his country normalizing ties with Israel when President Joe Biden's national security advisor Jake Sullivan brought up the issue during a late September visit in Saudi Arabia, Axios reported on Wednesday, citing three US and Arab sources.

The Saudi leader told Sullivan that establishing full diplomatic ties with Israel would take time and a number of steps would need to be taken first, according to the report, including improvements in relations between Washington and Riyadh. The Saudi government would also likely push for a shift in the Israeli government's policy toward Palestinians as part of any deal, the report said.

The White House did not offer a comment when contacted by Insider.

The brutal murder of Saudi reporter Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018 led to a historic rift in US-Saudi relations. Many top members of Congress have since pushed for the US to fundamentally alter its dynamic with and support for Riyadh, particularly when it comes to the devastating Yemen conflict.

While the Trump administration rejected efforts to reprimand the Saudis over Khashoggi's killing, Biden has vowed to reassess the relationship. Biden, for example, does not engage directly with Crown Prince Mohammed, the de facto ruler of the kingdom. Earlier this year, the Biden administration also released a declassified intelligence assessment that explicitly implicated Crown Prince Mohammed in Khashoggi's murder. That said, Biden faced criticism for not sanctioning the Saudi leader following the release of the assessment.

The Saudi government is among the most powerful entities in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia officially recognizing Israel would be a major step forward in Arab-Israeli relations. There's been significant movement on that front over the past year or so. In September 2020, the UAE and Bahrain formalized diplomatic ties with Israel via the landmark Abraham Accords. Two more Arab countries, Morocco and Sudan, joined the Abraham Accords not long after.

There are now six Arab nations, including Egypt and Jordan, that have full diplomatic relations with Israel.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Travis Teo

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore welcomed on Wednesday the first travellers under an expanded quarantine-free programme, marking a big step towards the aviation hub restoring its international links, despite a sharp rise in its COVID-19 cases.

Singapore Airlines flights from Amsterdam and London arrived on Wednesday under the so-called vaccinated travel lanes (VTL).

"Yeah, that's (a) perfect visit. It's really convenient," said Singapore resident Andrea Mullens, who returned from the Netherlands with her daughter, who will return to school in Singapore.

"It's a good thing happening. I think travel in general is a bit challenging at the moment."

Husband Harald said he would return to the Netherlands next week on business.

"I do appreciate that family can travel again," he said.

From this week, the lanes will be extended to vaccinated arrivals from Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Britain and the United States, who can enter Singapore without quarantine if they pass COVID-19 tests.

Singapore earlier opened the lane to arrivals from Germany and Brunei and will include South Korea from mid-November.

While Singapore is opening further, a recent rise in cases has prompted tighter measures locally, including limiting social gatherings to two people and only allowing vaccinated people to enter malls.

Mask-wearing is also mandatory, with some violators fined or even jailed for breaching COVID-19 regulations.

On Monday, the United States advised citizens against travel to Singapore, raising its alert for the city-state to its highest risk level.

Singapore saw a record 3,994 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, having recorded more than 3,000 daily infections in recent days. Most are asymptomatic or mild, with over 80% of the 5.45 million population vaccinated.

Singapore had, until recently, kept the virus largely under control through border closures and strict contact-tracing and quarantining.

(Writing by Chen Lin; Editing by Martin Petty and Muralikumar Anantharaman)
Police are searching the Carlton Reserve for Brian Laundrie. North Port Police Department

Apparent human remains were found in the Florida reserve where Brian Laundrie went missing, the FBI confirmed Wednesday.

Laundrie - the sole person of interest in the death of fiancee Gabby Petito - was reported missing on September 17.

Items belonging to Laundrie had been found in the area earlier on Wednesday.

Apparent human remains have been found in the Florida reserve where Brian Laundrie, fiance of Gabby Petito, reportedly went missing, authorities confirmed Wednesday.

The remains were discovered in a previously flooded area in the Carlton Reserve, according to Michael McPherson, Special Agent in Charge in the Tampa Division of the FBI.

"Earlier today, investigators found what appears to be human remains along with personal items, such as a backpack and notebook belonging to Brian Laundrie," McPherson told reporters during a press conference.

Authorities have not confirmed if the remains belong to Laundrie.

Laundrie family attorney, Steven Bertolino, told Insider Wednesday that Laundrie's parents, Chris and Roberta, "were at the reserve earlier today when human remains and some of Brian's possessions were located in an area where they had initially advised law enforcement that Brian may be."

"Chris and Roberta will wait for the forensic identification of the human remains before making any additional comments," Bertolino said.

Some items of Laundrie's had been discovered in the Florida wildlife reserve where authorities had been searching for the missing man, Bertolino told Insider earlier Wednesday.

"Chris Laundrie discovered a 'dry bag' containing some of Brian's items in the woods alongside the trail and a law enforcement officer also found a backpack nearby on the side of the trail near the remains," Bertolino added.

The FBI's Tampa office said Wednesday that an evidence team was processing the scene.

Following the discovery, a team from the District 12 Medical Examiners Office in Sarasota arrived at the reserve, authorities confirmed to Insider.

Story continues

A human remains detection team from the Pasco County Sheriff's Office was also requested by the North Port Police Department to go to the nature preserve Wednesday to assist in the search for Laundrie, spokesperson Amanda Hunt said.

The FBI had been searching for Laundrie in the Carlton Reserve but found no trace of him in over a month.

Laundrie was initially reported missing by his parents on September 17, who claimed he left the house for a hike on September 14 and never returned. Later, they changed their story, stating their son had actually set out on September 13.

Since then, the FBI had been conducting a manhunt for the man who is the sole person of interest in Gabby Petito's death.

Laundrie's parents opted to join the search Wednesday morning.

"The FBI and [North Port Police Department] were informed last night of Brian's parents' intentions and they met Chris and Roberta there this morning," Bertolino told Insider.

The FBI and other law enforcement agencies then conducted a more thorough search of the reserve in Sarasota County.

Laundrie was wanted by the feds for bank-card-related fraud in which he used Petito's debit card after she had died.

Laundrie and Petito set out for their cross-country road trip on July 2. But Laundrie returned to their home in North Port, Florida on September 1 with Petito's van - and without Petito.

Petito's body was found near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming on September 19 where her death was almost immediately ruled a homicide.

A coroner announced on October 12 her cause of death was strangulation and that her body was there for 3-4 weeks before she was found.

Read the original article on Insider
The Talibans acting interior minister, designated by the U.S. government as a terrorist, praised suicide bombers and rewarded their families at a recent event.

Sirajuddin Haqqani hosted a ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Monday evening, praising the jihad & sacrifices of Mujahideen & martyrs, whom he called heroes of Islam & the country, according to Interior Ministry spokesperson Saeed Khosty.

US MILITARY ONLY 'MARGINALLY ABLE' TO MEET NEEDS, THINK TANK ARGUES

"Now you & I must refrain from betraying the aspirations of our martyrs," Haqqani said, according to Khosty, who added that the Taliban leader distributed 10,000 afghanis (roughly $112) per family and promised a plot of land to each.

Khosty also tweeted photos of a packed auditorium with a blurred-out Haqqani, whom the State Departments Reward for Justice program is offering $10 million for his arrest, embracing the families.

The event comes as the interim Taliban government attempts to find its footing in Afghanistan after overthrowing the U.S.-backed Afghan government in August ahead of the U.S. military's withdrawal. Several members of the al Qaeda-linked Haqqani network have received top positions in the Talibans caretaker government.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Since then, the U.S. and other Western countries have attempted to pressure Taliban leaders to meet specific conditions to achieve international recognition.

The Taliban government is faced with battling ISIS-K, the Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan. ISIS-K has taken responsibility for multiple bombings in recent weeks since the U.S. withdrawal.

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: News, Defense, National Security, War in Afghanistan, Afghanistan, Taliban, ISIS

Original Author: Mike Brest

Original Location: Taliban acting interior minister and US-designated terrorist praises suicide bombers and rewards families
Taliban fighters patrol a street in Kabul. Aamir Qureshi/AFP via Getty Images

The Taliban is rewarding the families of those who attacked US troops from 2001 to 2021.

A Taliban official called the fighters "martyrs."

The families were given money and clothes, and promised a plot of land each, the official said.

The Taliban has said it is rewarding the families of suicide bombers who attacked US and Afghan troops during 20-year US presence, with sums of cash, clothing, and a plot of land.

At a Monday gathering at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, the Taliban's acting interior minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, called fighters who died in the suicide bombings "martyrs" and "heroes of Islam and the country," according to a tweet from Interior Ministry spokesman Saeed Khosty.

Khosty also tweeted photos of Haqqani, whose face was blurred out, speaking to the relatives in a packed conference room.

Haqqani also distributed 10,000 afghanis ($112) per family, gave them clothes, and promised them a plot of land each, Kohsty said.

-Qari Saeed Khosty (@SaeedKhosty) October 19, 2021

The gesture is a contrast from the group's efforts to gain global support as the country's new rulers.

Earlier this month, the Taliban held talks with President Joe Biden's administration for the first time since the US withdrawal in August. The group cannot afford to alienate the US, which has frozen billions of dollars in Afghan assets.

It is unclear how many US and Afghan soldiers died from suicide attacks in Afghanistan in the last 20 years.

However, a recent Associated Press report found that 2,448 American service members and 3,846 US contractors in total were killed in Afghanistan between 2001 and April this year.

Following the Taliban's victory in August, Islamic State militants have carried out a series of suicide bombings, including one attack at the airport in Kabul at the height of the evacuation efforts that killed more than 100 Afghan civilians and 13 US service members.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The father of a 17-year-old girl who died over the weekend after taking a counterfeit prescription pain reliever laced with fentanyl made a heartbreaking public statement in hopes that no one else has to deal with the pain he is feeling.

Faith Cerinity Richardson of Cameron, Missouri, died Sunday after taking what she thought was a Percocet while staying with a friend in Chillicothe.

I write this post as I sit on my daughter Faiths bed missing her and knowing Ill never be able to hug her or create new memories with her again, her father, Leland Hawk Jr., wrote in a post on the Cameron Community Forum, a public group on Facebook.

My daughter was not addicted to drugs, he wrote. Faith was a good student at the high school. Faith has a lot of friends. Faith was a member of the band. Faith was also getting ready to start wrestling. Faith had plans to go to college and study sociology/psychology, because she wanted to help people.

Acknowledging that kids experiment with drugs and alcohol, Hawk said he can only guess that his daughter thought it would be okay to take prescription medicine with a friend since it was not a street drug.

This decision was fatal because instead of experimenting with prescription pain killers, she was given a counterfeit pill made with fentanyl, he said.

Hawk, who said he would rather not have the world know his family business, wrote that he went public so that someone else does not have to feel the pain hes going through because they learned from his daughters death.

Maybe just maybe something positive can come from it, he wrote. Two out of every five of these counterfeit of pills have a lethal dose of fentanyl, she got one of those. Hug your kids and make sure they know one simple mistake can end their life.

Police arrested Tehya Kelley, 23, of and Jeremiah Horton, 33, and they were charged in Richardsons death.

Kelley faces one count of first-degree involuntary manslaughter and four counts of delivery of a controlled substance. Horton faces three counts of delivery of a controlled substance.

Story continues

According to court documents, police recovered messages from cell phones that allegedly show Richardson and Kelley arranging to buy drugs and meeting up to make the exchange early Sunday morning.

Richardson was found unresponsive about 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

The Chillicothe Police Department urged people to talk with friends, family and children about the danger of counterfeit pills, saying that its officers have recently responded to other overdoses involving counterfeit pills.
LONDON (Reuters) - British interior minister Priti Patel said on Wednesday that the terrorism threat level to members of parliament was now deemed substantial, days after lawmaker David Amess was stabbed to death at a public meeting in his constituency.

It means the direct threat to politicians is the same as the overall national threat level, which means an attack is considered likely.

"The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) has conducted an independent review on the risk facing members of parliament," Patel told parliament.

"While we do not see any information or intelligence which points to any credible, specific or imminent threat, I must update the House (of Commons) that the threat level facing members of this house is now deemed to be substantial."

Amess, 69, was killed at a church on Friday in Leigh-on-Sea, east of London, as he met voters in his constituency. He was the second British lawmaker to be killed in five years prompting calls for better security for politicians.

A 25-year-old man, arrested at the scene, is being questioned over Amess's murder by detectives who are treating it as a possible terrorist attack linked to Islamist extremism.

Patel said all 650 members of parliament had been contacted by their local police force to assess their security arrangements in light of the advice of JTAC, the independent body which sets the nation's terrorism threat levels.

"I can assure the house that our world class security and intelligence agencies and counter terror police will now ensure that this change is properly reflected in the operational posture."

(Reporting by Michael Holden, Editing by Kylie MacLellan)
A Texas border city is spending tens of thousands of dollars annually to lobby the White House and Washington officials on immigration and border security.

The city of Laredo paid Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, a prominent Washington firm, $50,000 during the third quarter of 2021 to lobby the Biden White House, agencies, and Congress for funding to address the fallout from the border crisis, according to a recent disclosure.

BIDEN SPENDING $24M ON TENT COURTS TO HEAR ASYLUM CLAIMS AT BORDER

The filing details efforts to secure funding for transportation and housing, border and homeland security, immigration support, and health programs in next years appropriations legislation. The city is on track to match the $200,000 that it spent with the firm in 2020. In 2019, Laredo spent $30,000 quarterly before boosting its commitment the following year.

Cities along the southern U.S. border have faced a crush of migrants attempting to reach the country illegally, overwhelming public resources.

While President Joe Biden and other top administration officials have said migrants should not travel to the United States, the number of people attempting to cross the southern border illegally has risen sharply over the past 10 months. In September, some 30,000 Haitian migrants arrived in Del Rio, Texas, before being transported to Laredo and other cities.

Laredo citys manager, Robert Eads, said essential services might need to be halted under the strain.

What were going to have to do is take resources from our community that well have to apply somewhere else, Eads told Fox News. If its an EMT, fire department, police department, traffic control, whatever it may be, were going to have to suspend that so we can address this.

Eads did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.

In August, Laredo discovered a 40% coronavirus positivity rate among migrants who had been bused to the city from other stops along the border. It began refusing to take in migrants from elsewhere on the U.S.-Mexico border and busing migrants instead to larger cities in the state.

Story continues

That was very high, Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz told the Washington Examiner's Anna Giaritelli in an interview at the time. The numbers were confirmed by Laredo's health authority, Dr. Victor Trevino.

The city has seen a spike in coronavirus cases beginning in December last year.

Our health system cannot support those volumes, city manager Eads said. Even if a migrant themselves, God forbid, gets sick, its the same resource that were going to lack, so they may not get the services that they need.

Laredo is being represented by Akin Gump senior consultant Lamar Smith, a former Republican congressman from Texas; Akin Gump senior counsel Hans Rickhoff; and Akin Gump senior adviser Ryan Thompson, a former chief of staff and press secretary to Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe, a Republican.

Rickhoffs professional biography notes his experience counseling clients on federal agency decision-making, as well as [a]cting on behalf of immigration interests before Congress and the administration.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The Department of Homeland Securitys Customs and Border Protection agency this week announced that it would spend millions of dollars to rebuild asylum court facilities in Laredo and Brownsville, another border city, as it moves to restart a Trump-era asylum program, the Migrant Protection Protocols, sometimes called "Remain in Mexico."

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: News, Biden Administration, White House, Joe Biden, Border Crisis, Border, Border Security

Original Author: Katherine Doyle

Original Location: Texas border town spends tens of thousands lobbying Biden White House for border help
Call it the great carpet caper.

Two young men walked into the Madonna Inn late last month and snatched a rug bearing the gleefully gaudy San Luis Obispo hotel's crest, complete with a large pink "M," from the lobby of its steakhouse.

Staff chased after the men, who bolted into a waiting getaway car, "but they were too fast," said Connie Pearce, longtime manager of the hotel known for its themed rooms, ample pink decor and waterfall urinal.

Guests watched the events unfold around 10:40 p.m. Sept. 25.

Pearce, who has "cameras everywhere" in the facility her parents opened in the late 1950s, posted surveillance stills of the two men, both wearing masks, on Nextdoor and Facebook. Local news broadcast a story on the heist. Sympathetic comments have poured in but no concrete leads.

Weeks later, the whereabouts of the rug and the identity of the thieves remain elusive. Although the throw, valued at roughly $250, has been replaced, it hasn't been forgotten.

Pearce hopes the thieves will return the relic and express remorse for their deed.

"It would be fine if they just bring it back and apologize," said Pearce, who has managed the hotel for 40 years. "I want people to know that I don't appreciate it, and we don't have time for this."

She thinks four individuals were involved in the heist: the two men caught on camera, the getaway driver of what appeared to be a black Ford Focus and another person who ran away before entering the hotel.

Horses graze next to the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Pearce decided not to file a police report but did contact Cal Poly San Luis Obispo officials. At the time of the theft, the school term had just begun, and she suspects it may have been the work of students, potentially fulfilling a fraternity pledge dare or pulling a prank. Cuesta College, a nearby community college, was also in session.

"I'm assuming it's in someone's dorm room or on the wall somewhere," Pearce said, adding that university officials who inspect dormitories would keep an eye out for the rug.

Story continues

"So it's eventually going to show up, unless they just tossed it and threw it in the trash," she said. "But I have the feeling it's a big prize for them."

Cal Poly officials said there's no indication that the suspects are affiliated with the university. Because the incident occurred off campus, it would not be under the jurisdiction of university police, said Matt Lazier, media relations director for the school.

"The university encouraged the inn to report the matter to San Luis Obispo Police," Lazier said in an email.

If city police determined students were involved, the information would be provided to its Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities "for appropriate action," he said.

Capt. Brian Amoroso, a spokesperson for the San Luis Obispo Police Department, warned against speculation.

He'd seen the video and while he acknowledged "they appear to be kind of college-age," he added, "that doesn't mean they're in a college or even in a fraternity."

Amoroso couldn't recall similar prank-related theft cases tied to a college or frat. More common are incidents involving underage drinking and students driving while intoxicated. Sometimes people steal street signs they like and haul them back to their dorms.

"We are a college town, and sometimes you see some pretty interesting cases," he said.

The Madonna Inn, a favorite pit stop along the Central Coast, has had other unexpected items lifted from its premises.

Several years ago, a man stole a 6-inch special-order cake from the bakery, Pearce said. He later came back and paid for the pastry.

Sometimes people ship back items they've snatched long after the fact. Pearce said she's received goblets and silverware bearing the hotel's name.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Thousands of Californian parents, teachers and students participated in a statewide walkout protesting Gov. Gavin Newsoms COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students ages 12 and older.

The mandate, the first of its kind in the nation, applies to school children in grades 7 through 12, age 12 and older. It would go into effect July 1, 2022.

The FDA has granted only emergency use authorization for COVID-19 shots for children between the ages of 12 and 15. It is expected to grant full approval next spring.

KCRA News showed a large crowd gathered Monday at the state Capitol in Sacramento and Hearst TV reported the California Highway Patrol approved a permit allowing 2,500 people to gather.

Parents protesting at the state Capitol carried signs reading, My body, my choice, and My children wont be a science experiment to make you feel safe.

A Los Angeles Unified School District employee, Hovik Saponghian, told SkyFOX that school children shouldnt be forced to take something without all the data.

Im here protesting the mandate because we dont believe that we should take it religiously, ethically or morally, Saponghian said.

A Los Angeles Unified School District parent, Rima Mkhitran, told SkyFOX she was participating in the rally because we want our children and our teachers to have a choice.

In addition to the protest at the Capitol, hundreds of parents and students protested outside of a recent Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District board meeting, voicing their opposition to the mandate.

Students who dont get the COVID-19 vaccine would be required to complete an independent study course at home. Exemptions for "medical reasons and personal beliefs" would be granted but the details havent been finalized yet.

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: News, State, California, Coronavirus

Original Author: Bethany Blankley, The Center Square contributor

Original Location: Thousands of California parents walk out in protest COVID vaccine mandate for students
Harry Jowsey and Francesca Farago on "Too Hot to Handle." Netflix

Harry Jowsey told Insider there were "like 65 cameras" in the shared bedroom on "Too Hot to Handle."

Some cameras were right above his bed, capturing one very intimate moment.

The contestants became so paranoid they thought they were being tested - even after filming wrapped.

Moving from a farm in a tiny Australian town to a villa packed with sexy singles in Mexico was quite the change for "Too Hot to Handle" star Harry Jowsey.

And Jowsey told Insider that he'll never forget when cameras captured him having a very intimate moment.

"We had like 65 cameras in there," Jowsey said. "Also, above your bed, people don't realize that the camera is right there. They, like, swivel."

Contestants on the hit Netflix series are tasked with the challenge of foregoing sex in the hope of forming deeper connections. When they slip up, they lose a chunk of the $100,000 prize.

Jowsey said there were "like 65 cameras" in the cast's shared bedroom. Netflix

If they do slip up, cameras are always there to catch them.

"I remember there was one moment when I was getting head and I started, like, giggling," Jowsey recalled with a laugh. "And then I look up and I see all the cameras just turn to me and I was like, 'Oh no, I've been sprung here.'"

Jowsey said that most of the contestants were so scared about losing more money that - even after filming wrapped - they were convinced the show was putting them through one final test on their last night in Mexico.

"The night that the cameras went down, everyone was still so paranoid that it was another test until they left the villa, so no one wanted to do anything," Jowsey said. "But me and Francesca [Farago] were like, 'Oh whatever, we're just going to go crazy, we don't even care.' I was like, 'It's not that deep, it's honestly fine.'"

Jowsey with "Too Hot to Handle" costar Rhonda Paul. Netflix

Jowsey proposed to Farago during the show's virtual reunion, but the couple split in June 2020. Farago later appeared on the reunion special for "Love is Blind," another hit Netflix reality dating show.

Story continues

"To be honest, I didn't watch it," Jowsey said of his ex's crossover episode. "She did tell me that she was doing it. I just want her to be successful. If that's a stepping stone, then hats off to her."

But Jowsey said he doesn't plan to date another reality TV star anytime soon.

Jowsey proposed to Farago during the show's virtual reunion. Netflix

"To be honest, reality stars suck," he said. "We're so boring and self-obsessed, so I'm not really too excited about reality TV stars. I'm more so excited by real people that have careers and are doing stuff instead of people who sit around all day and wait for opportunities to come to them."

Read the original article on Insider
One of Donald Trump's staunchest allies, Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), will speak out publicly Wednesday in support of one of President Biden's targeted ambassadorial nominees  former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Why it matters: Progressive activists are pressuring liberal senators to oppose Emanuel's confirmation as U.S. ambassador to Japan. Support from key Republicans may end up ensuring the Democrat gets the job.

Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free

Hagerty, a former ambassador to Japan under President Trump, will introduce Emanuel to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the outset of his confirmation hearing.

It's a courtesy usually reserved for a nominee's home-state senators.

Hagerty is the most-junior minority member on the committee.

What we're hearing: According to a source with direct knowledge of his plans, Hagerty will say:

"While our political backgrounds couldn't be more different and I am sure there are many issues upon which wed strongly disagree, through our recent discussions it has become clear that Mayor Emanuel shares my unwavering conviction that the U.S.-Japan relationship is the cornerstone of peace and prosperity in a region that is becoming ever more dangerous by the day."

Between the lines: Hagerty's view is that the posting in Tokyo is critical to U.S. national security, Indo-Pacific security and global security  since Japan is a crucial ally in countering a more aggressive China.

"Today we have a threat from Communist China toward our mutual friend, Taiwan," Hagerty will say, according to the source. "This is a threat that requires a strong and unified response from both the U.S. and Japan.

"Mayor Emanuel understands this critical circumstance and has assured me he will do everything in the immense power of the U.S. ambassador to Japan to stand strong for Taiwans freedom and democratic rule."

A person close to Emanuel declined comment.

Behind the scenes: Emanuel has been quietly lobbying senators for weeks to support his nomination and has already racked up a few Republican votes.

Story continues

Other Republican members of the committee were hesitant to criticize him when interviewed by Axios on Tuesday.

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, said: The concerns with Rahm by the Democrats have to do not with preparedness to be the ambassador to Japan but have to do with his role as mayor of Chicago. ... Whenever a Democrat criticizes another Democrat, I just get out of the way and let them go at it.

Outside of the committee, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.)  who is retiring  and Susan Collins (R-Maine) are three Republicans who say they plan to support his confirmation, the Washington Post first reported.

What's next: Progressives have been trying for months to sink Emanuel. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has publicly urged the Senate to reject him.

Almost all the opposition to Emanuel, though, has come from people who will not have a vote on the floor of the U.S. Senate.

The White House is confident Emanuel will have the votes to be confirmed.

More from Axios: Sign up to get the latest market trends with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden. Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

A massive pipeline between Russia and Germany called Nord Stream 2 is ready to start pumping gas.

The Trump administration vehemently opposed it, but Biden waived sanctions.

Some fear the pipeline could destabilize Europe. Critics say Biden should've done more to stop it.

One year ago, the US was trying hard to kill an $11 billion project to build a gas pipeline that would run from Russia to Germany, even though it was almost complete.

The Trump administration had loudly opposed Nord Stream 2, fearing it would give Russia greater economic and political leverage over Europe. It imposed sanctions on the project in December 2019 and, a year later, Congress approved another series of harsh sanctions on the company building the pipeline and on Matthias Warnig, its CEO and an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

President Joe Biden seemed just as keen to stop the project when he inherited those sanctions in January. Secretary of State Antony Blinken promised in March to keep looking for ways to stop it.

A few months later, Biden dismayed Nord Stream 2's numerous opponents when he waived the harshest sanctions and introduced some watered-down measures in their place. In July, the US reached a compromise deal with Germany, meaning the project could go ahead without the imposition of further sanctions.

Construction of the pipeline was completed in September. Russia this week started filling it with gas, meaning it's ready to operate, pending clearance from German regulators.

Biden's gift to Putin

Pipes for the construction of the Nord Stream 2 on the Baltic Sea island of Rugen on January 25. Stefan Sauer/picture alliance via Getty Images

Biden in May offered two principal reasons for waiving the sanctions: German Chancellor Angela Merkel was Nord Stream 2's loudest champion and he wanted to repair the US's relationship with Europe after four years of Trump, and the pipeline was pretty much built anyway.

"It's almost completely finished," he told reporters. "To go ahead and impose sanctions now, I think is counter-productive in terms of our European relations."

Story continues

But plenty of Nord Stream 2's opponents, both in Washington and in Europe, fervently disagreed with Biden's suggestion that he couldn't have stopped the pipeline, saying he handed Putin a massive gift by standing aside.

"It is not rocket science that a 90 percent complete pipeline is zero percent complete," Sen. Ted Cruz, who led the bipartisan effort to introduce the Nord Stream 2 sanctions last year, said in September, adding that pipeline construction stopped for nearly a year following the 2019 US sanctions.

Gustav Gressel, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told Insider that Biden could have tried harder to stop Nord Stream 2 - particularly by deterring Western insurance companies from insuring the pipeline - but decided it wasn't worth the political price.

Germany is Europe's largest economy, and Biden wants it onside in the trade tussle with China that could help define his legacy.

"Sanctions would still have dealt damage, but the problem is that the political price for this for the Biden administration was much too high," Gressel said.

"In their calculation, it was something that could have been done but the damage would have been too big."

The risk to Europe

The logo of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

The question that arises from Biden's decision to waive sanctions on Nord Stream 2 is whether allowing Putin to exert greater influence over Europe will prove a wise move.

Soaring gas prices this year have already highlighted Europe's dependence on Russia for natural-gas supplies - something Nord Stream 2 operations would likely exacerbate. Russia has previously cut off gas supplies to countries like Ukraine amid disputes.

Another problem for Biden is that the compromise he reached with Germany on Nord Stream 2 was almost entirely on Berlin's terms, framing the project as an economic issue rather than a security issue, Gressel said.

Biden's Democratic colleagues have long opposed the project not principally because it hands Russia an economic advantage over its European neighbors but because it could cause the US significant foreign-policy problems in the future.

Chief among those problems are fears that Nord Stream 2 could liberate Russia to invade Ukraine - a US and EU ally - where Putin annexed Crimea in 2014.

Russia imports gas through Ukraine, so it wouldn't want to destabilize the country's infrastructure. But Nord Stream 2 runs under the Baltic Sea and bypasses the country, meaning Russia may no longer feel bound by the same caution.

"If the Russians do not depend on Ukraine as a transit country, they are free to destabilize it by other means," Gressel said. "All these other means would more or less end up on Washington's desk."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Kelly Easter, a 47-year-old realtor in Nashville, Tenn., is suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Credit - Courtesy of Stacie Huckeba

Kelly Easter wanted to help. Like many Americans, she watched the news in 2020 in dismay at the conditions awaiting unaccompanied migrant children at the U.S.-Mexico border. Easter, a 47-year-old realtor, lives alone in her two bedroom apartment in Nashville, Tenn. I have the resources. I thought, Why not? Let me help, she tells TIME.

In her research, Easter came across the Unaccompanied Children Program, a program through which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) places migrant children into temporary foster care until they can be united with vetted sponsors in the United States. Easter says she asked HHSs Office of Refugee Resettlement how to get involved and was directed to Bethany Christian Services, a faith-based nonprofit that runs the arm of the program in her area. Easter says she first contacted Bethany in September 2020, and was encouraged to apply.

Read more: How Foster Families Are Stepping Up to House Unaccompanied Children Arriving at the U.S.-Mexico Border

But Easter, who is a lesbian, started to worry when she read online that Bethany had refused to work with LGBTQ parents in the past. (Bethany announced on March 1, 2021, that it would begin providing services to LGBTQ parents nationwide.) She reached back out to ask for guidance; after a year of back-and-forth, Easter says she was told by Bethany on Aug. 12, 2021 that she could not apply to the unaccompanied child program in their East Nashville office because of her sexual orientation. I literally cried, Easter tells TIME. Just to be turned down because of who I am, it was really surreal.

On Oct. 13, Easter filed a federal lawsuit against HHS, along with specific HHS officials and programs, with the assistance of LGBTQ civil rights group Lambda Legal, the nonprofit Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. Easter alleges that, by funding and administering a federal program through an organization that discriminates based on sexual orientation, HHS has enabled discrimination and violated the Constitution.

Story continues

HHS is committed to protecting the rights of LGBTQ individuals and ensuring access to our programs and services, the Administration for Children and Families within HHS, which runs the program, tells TIME when asked for comment. As with any lawsuit filed naming the federal government, we will respond in the time and manner the court may stipulate.

The issue lies in the flow of money: HHS awards grants to numerous partners, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), to run the Unaccompanied Children Program. USCCB directs that grant money to Bethanys office in East Nashville to administer the program in the area. And USCCBs contract limits what types of families Bethany can certify based on sexual orientation or gender identity. (A USCCB spokesperson tells TIME that they are aware of the lawsuit but declined to comment.)

Conscious of this contractual limitation, Bethany opened a second office in Tennessee in May, which would administer the unaccompanied child program through a contract with the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS)which places no restrictions on LGBTQ people.

Bethany Christian Services is committed to welcoming and serving all individuals and families, a Bethany spokesperson tells TIME in an Oct. 17 statement. We invite anyone who is interested in providing children with a safe, loving home to contact us and begin the licensing process today.

Easter says she was told to apply to the new office instead, which is a 30 minute drive from her home. Per her complaint, a foster child would have to visit that office twice a day on weekdays to receive educationrequiring two hours of daily driving that Easters work could not accommodate. In her complaint, Easter argues that by not being allowed to apply to the East Nashville office, shes effectively been excluded from participating in the program entirely.

What HHS has basically allowed to happen here is segregation, argues Karen Loewy, senior counsel at Lambda Legal.

The role of religion in foster care services was a key element of last years Supreme Court case Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, in which the high court unanimously ruled that Philadelphia could not refuse to work with a Catholic agency because it would not certify same-sex couples as foster parents.

Read more: Supreme Court Sides With Catholic Agency in LGBTQ Foster Care CaseBut Avoids Major Religious Freedom Questions

While advocates had worried the case could strike a major blow to LGBTQ rights, the courts ruling was relatively narrow, focusing on the specifics of Philadelphias contract with the agency, Catholic Social Services (CSS). The court punted on larger questions raised in oral arguments, such as whether religious organizations are exempt from generally applicable non-discrimination requirements.

Loewy argues Easters lawsuit centers on different legal claims than in Fulton: The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause guaranteed in the Fifth Amendment. And unlike in Fulton, Loewy says, an LGBTQ person was actually turned away in Easters case. Theres actually harm here in two directions, she says. The harm to Easter, and the harm to the kids in the governments custody.

I was raised Southern Baptist. I identify as a Christian. I completely respect religious freedom, Easter says. I just think that when it comes to government being involved in funding a program, and now my government is telling me that I am not worthy of taking care of a child simply because Im gay, that is where the line gets crossed for me.

I had a home ready for a kid to have a safe place to be, she continues. A warm bed. Good food. A nice, loving, supportive home. And a kid out there was denied that.
BERLIN (Reuters) - German police on Wednesday detained two former soldiers on terrorism-related charges for allegedly trying to form a mercenary group of up to 150 members to fight in Yemen, the Federal Public Prosecutor said.

Police searched the suspects' apartments in Munich and the district of Calw, near the city of Stuttgart, and other premises.

The suspects, identified as Arend-Adolf G. and Achim A., under privacy rules, had decided in early 2021 to form a paramilitary unit consisting of former German Army soldiers and police member, the prosecutor said in a statement.

The men were in contact with at least seven people with the goal of recruitment and had tried unsuccessfully to establish communication with Saudi Arabia in order to finance the group, the office said.

Their primary motivation was the prospect of each mercenary earning around 40,000 euros ($46,500) a month, it said, adding that the men wanted to "pacify" the six-year-old war in Yemen between Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government.

A Saudi-led alliance intervened in Yemen in March 2015 but the war, which has killed tens of thousands and caused a humanitarian crisis, has been in military stalemate for years.

Beyond the mission in Yemen, the two had also planned to make the unit available for missions in other conflict areas.

The German military has been plagued by a series of incidents in past years that has raised questions about the extent of extremist elements within the army.

The most prominent case prompted the disbanding of an entire company of the elite special forces unit KSK in 2020 after police seized weapons and ammunition during a raid on the property of a KSK soldier in the eastern state of Saxony.

($1 = 0.8605 euros)

(Reporting by Miranda Murray, Editing by Riham Alkousaa and Angus MacSwan)
US authorities unveiled Wednesday long-delayed new rules aimed at clamping down on export to nations like Russia and China of hacking technology amid a sharp uptick in cyberattacks globally.

The rules, which are set to go into force in 90 days, would prevent the sale of certain software or devices to a list of countries unless approved by a bureau of the Commerce Department.

"The United States opposes the misuse of technology to abuse human rights or conduct other malicious cyber activities, and these new rules will help ensure that US companies are not fueling authoritarian practices," a Commerce statement said.

The news comes days after US government data showed $590 million in ransomware-related payments were reported to Washington in the first half of 2021 alone, setting a pace to beat totals for the whole previous decade.

The figure was also 42 percent higher than the amount divulged by financial institutions for all of 2020, the US Treasury report said, and there are strong indicators the true cost could be in the billions.

Although Moscow denies any responsibility, most recent ransomware attacks against the United States have been blamed on Russian-speaking hacker groups or those operating from Russian territory.

Under Commerce's new rules, a license would be required when selling to places deemed "countries of national security or weapons of mass destruction concern," or which are already under an arms embargo.

The United States, along with Israel, has been a major presence in the market to sell cybersecurity products.

Commerce's new rules were in the works for years, as officials tried to balance legitimate uses of technology for things like cyber defense against criminal exploitation.

Because of the complexity of the technology and the mix of uses, the rules can be complicated as they differentiate between governments, defensive uses and private individuals.

jm/bgs
The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced that it will ban the export of hacking tools to authoritarian governments in an effort to curb violations of human rights and other malicious cyber activities.

The rule, first reported by The Washington Post and later confirmed by the Commerce Department, will effectively ban the export or resale of hacking software and equipment to China, Russia and other countries of concern, for national security reasons, without a license from the department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).

The move comes after the Biden administration in March restricted the export of U.S. technologies  including advanced semiconductors and software that uses encryption for information security  to China and Russia as it continues to take a hard-line national security approach toward the two countries.

The latest sanctions are due to go into effect in 90 days and will cover software such as Pegasus, spyware developed by Israeli firm NSO Group that several authoritarian governments have used to hack into the phones of their most vocal critics, including journalists, activists, politicians and business executives.

Software intended for cyber defense purposes, on the other hand, is exempt from needing an export license, since the new rule wont prevent U.S-based cybersecurity researchers from collaborating with colleagues overseas or disclosing flaws to software makers. When BIS first published a proposed rule in 2015, it received almost 300 comments that raised "substantial concerns" about the impact it would have on legitimate cybersecurity research and incident response activities.

The rule brings the U.S. in line with the 42 European nations and allies that are members of the Wassenaar Arrangement, which sets voluntary export control policies on military and dual-use technologies.

The United States is committed to working with our multilateral partners to deter the spread of certain technologies that can be used for malicious activities that threaten cybersecurity and human rights, said Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo. The Commerce Departments interim final rule imposing export controls on certain cybersecurity items is an appropriately tailored approach that protects Americas national security against malicious cyber actors while ensuring legitimate cybersecurity activities.

The Commerce Department  which last year become one of the first victims of the Russia-linked SolarWinds hack  is giving the public 45 days to comment on the rule, and is seeking comments on the potential cost of compliance and any impacts it could have on legitimate cybersecurity activities. The agency will have another 45 days to make changes before the rule becomes final.
The HDB block in Eunos Crescent where Gong had resided. (PHOTO: Google Street View))

SINGAPORE  A woman who had overstayed in Singapore since 2013 was trying to escape from a raid by climbing through her room window when she fell to her death last year, a coroner found.

Gong Xiuxian, a 41-year-old woman from China, worked as a private masseuse from her home and sold apparel at market stalls. She had entered Singapore on 19 December 2013 and was granted a 30-day visit pass to remain in Singapore.

Her death on 2 November last year was pronounced an unfortunate misadventure by Coroner Kamala Ponnampalam in her findings issued last month.

Gong had remained in Singapore after her visit pass expired and managed to avoid apprehension and detection by the authorities until officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) knocked on the door of her fourth-floor unit at Eunos Crescent.

ICA officers received an anonymous complaint in October last year about Gong overstaying in Singapore since 2013. A team of eight ICA officers then conducted a raid on Gongs two-bedroom unit on 2 November last year at about 5.15am.

One officer was deployed as the front cordon, and he was stationed at the ground floor facing the front of the HDB block to report movement observed in the unit.

Another officer, Inspector Safarin Sujae, was deployed as the back cordon and stationed at the ground floor facing the back of the block, also to keep track of movement in the unit.

The remaining officers who raided Gongs unit then saw a sub-tenant of the unit, Yang Qing Mei, leaving and intercepted her. Yang was later established to have a valid work permit.

Once officers entered the unit, they proceeded to shut the windows to prevent the occupants from escaping. However, Gongs room was locked from inside.

Inspector Safarin then saw movement in her bedroom, and saw Gong climbing out of the window and sitting on the aircon compressor unit outside. Gong closed the window in front of her and attempted to climb down to the ledge below, with her back facing Inspector Safarin. The inspector thought that Gong intended to hide on the ledge below the aircon compressor to evade arrest.

Story continues

Inspector Safarin then shouted at Gong to alert her to his presence, hoping that she would climb back into her bedroom. However, Gong lost her footing and fell from the fourth storey ledge to the foot of the block. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 6.40am, with her death determined to be from multiple injuries consistent with a fall from height.

It is unclear if Gong heard Inspector Safarins shouts or if the shouts caused her to be alarmed and panicked resulting in her fatal fall.

The team leader testified in court that it is the practice of the raiding team to shout a warning to anyone trying to escape through a window, to alert them to the presence of the officers.

The officers stationed on the ground would likewise shout or shine a light in the direction of a person trying to flee so that the person would realise that that he or she is surrounded and would abandon the escape attempt.

Gongs brother stated that the family had not seen Gong since she left China for Singapore in 2013. While the brother was unfamiliar with what Gong did in Singapore, he understood that she was a clothing retailer.

Gong had initially sent money home, but in the period leading up to her death, she had been asking her family for money. Her family advised her to return home and Gong agreed, but her plans to return were delayed due to the travel restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gong said she would return as soon as the situation improved.

Her brother last spoke to her on 31 October last year. He was not aware that his sister had overstayed.

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore
The New York Yacht Club is pulling out of the 37th Americas Cup due to the uncertainty about when and where it will be sailed.

The decision, announced Tuesday, came less than three months after the yacht club dropped the American Magic sailing team, which represented it in the 36th Americas Cup, and brought on the Stars+Stripes team in an effort to field an all-American squad.

Commodore Christopher J. Culver said the club is responsible for acting in the best interests of its membership.

Given the continued uncertainty regarding the 37th Americas Cup, we have decided to pause our challenge for this edition, he said.

Cup holder the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron has delayed announcing a venue for the 37th Americas Cup, which could be held in Ireland, Spain or Saudi Arabia rather than returning to Auckland.

Time is never on the side of new teams in this great contest, but at some point, we must recognize when there simply isnt enough of it left to build a competitive challenge, Culver said.

The New York Yacht Club once held the America's Cup for 132 years, the longest winning streak in sports.

Stars+Stripes is led by Mike Buckley and Taylor Canfield. They launched a campaign for the last Americas Cup but failed to raise enough money and didnt make it to the starting line.

We are disappointed that NYYC reversed its decision to participate in the next cycle of the Americas Cup, Buckley said. However, nothing has changed for Stars+Stripes USA. We remain even more committed to competing in AC37 in order to change the sport of sailing in the U.S. We will continue building a diverse team that reflects our country and represents modern American values.

Buckley said hes optimistic Stars+Stripes will sign on with a yacht club and sail in the next Americas Cup.

American Magic executive director Terry Hutchinson said his team is in negotiations with yacht clubs but declined to be specific.

American Magic suffered a catastrophic capsize in the challenger series round-robins in the 36th America's Cup earlier this year and was eliminated without winning a race.
Branham said a similar clinic is planned in the Richmond area. The Amherst County clinic also will have meeting rooms for programs and provide medical transportation for those who need it, Compton said.

"It's a $10 million project that we have fully funded ourselves and we're very proud of what we've done here. This will be the biggest [tribal clinic] this side of the James River."

Compton said Monacan tribe members have asked for medical services for years and credited the help of Indian Health Services and U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., for the project coming along. Branham said the hope is to have the structure built and in service by no later than November 2022.

Branham said he knows many in the tribe who do not like to go to doctors they don't know and this will help them find medical services they are comfortable with. It also will bring more than 20 high-paying jobs to the county and Indian Health Services will recruit those employees.

"It's a big economic boost to Amherst County," Branham said. "We're going to get the best people available."

While the clinic is tribe-focused, Branham said the hope it is to "turn this into something that anybody in the community can be proud of."
Dave Chappelle is in hot water again, testing the boundaries of public sensibilities so you dont have to.

Netflix is defending his latest comedy special, The Closer. Critics, particularly in the LGBTQ community and their allies, want it taken down, charging his offbeat and often off-color monologue is transphobic.

Im not surprised. This is Chappelles sixth special for Netflix and it quickly soared to the streaming services Top 5 list where it remained as I watched it  twice  this week.

By now Chappelle is more than a celebrity jokester. Hes a cultural force. Hes won five Emmy Awards and three Grammys, as well as the prestigious Mark Twain Prize.

His appeal, as with other topical comedians, comes from his ability to challenge the contradictions in societys sacred cows and survive.

For him, that means plunging boldly into three areas that we tend to be the most nervous about discussing in mixed company or in front of the children: sex, race and politics.

For example, he defends Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who has been accused of transphobia for her fears of what she calls the new trans activism.
Petersburg spends a little more than $11,000 per public school student. Affluent Falls Church spends nearly $20,000. When it comes to replacing and repairing aging schools and keeping teachers, this is obviously a problem. Two children starting their educational experience in those two places likely wont have the same outcome in 13 years or so.

The state Board of Education has something called Standards of Quality for education programs and staffing. The legislature, however, views those standards as suggestions rather than rules. This is somewhat understandable, since adhering to the Standards of Quality reportedly would cost about $1 billion a year.

In the last decade, the At-Risk Add-On was developed in Virginia to give more money to districts with high poverty rates, but the gap is still wide.

The Board of Education is pushing for an equity fund that would add to the Add-On and help close the gap between the haves and have-nots. That has not as yet been embraced by the legislature.

It should be. Poorer districts lose their best teachers to other localities (or states). Facilities crumble for lack of funds. Kids are deprived of a chance at a good education.
Police in Tokyo have arrested a 42-year-old unemployed man on suspicion of sexually molesting a 13-year-old junior high school girl for about 30 minutes in a library.

According to police, Tatsuya Iwabuchi is accused of groping the second-year junior high school students breasts in the library in Shinjuku Ward between 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Sept 22, Fuji TV reported. The girl was seated near a book shelf, out of sight from other people in the library.

Police said Iwabuchi sat beside the girl, groped her and then moved away. He came back and repeated the incident. The girl left the library and reported the incident at a nearby koban (police box). Police said she told them she had been too frightened to move or call out for help.

Iwabuchi was identified after an analysis of surveillance camera footage.

Police said Iwabuchi has admitted to the charge and quoted him as saying, I get turned on whenever I set foot in a library. I couldnt control my sexual urge.
Japanese companies are stampeding to show off decarbonization plans at a flagship annual tech trade show, in a sign of growing pressure on them to take global warming seriously. With the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference of the Parties, or COP26, coming up at the end of this month, the latest technologies are growing in appeal.

The annual tech expo officially kicked off on Tuesday. Over 300 companies are showcasing their latest products and services during the next four days. Due to COVID-19, the expo is being held completely online for the second year in a row.

Many participating companies have taken the online platform as an opportunity to introduce green initiatives, especially those related to carbon neutrality.

Takenaka Corp., a major Japanese contractor that has been around since 1610, is offering a glimpse into its decarbonization efforts, which focus on hydrogen.

In a video, Takenaka explained its hydrogen energy demonstration tests and said it is ready to use what it has learned to expand its business.

The company seeks to help clients efficiently manage their energy consumption by installing compact hydrogen stations or dispensers in buildings in urban areas.

Toshiba, Sharp and other big brands are presenting technologies that can support the transition to renewable energy.

Toshiba is displaying next-generation solar cells, including a polymer film-based perovskite solar module. President and CEO Satoshi Tsunakawa said during an opening event that the panel's "flexibility and lightweight design make it possible for the module to be used in new locations like office building windows and roofs with weak strength." It boasts a 15.1% power conversion rate.

Sharp promoted its self-consumption business, a service that allows consumers to generate their own energy. In an effort to accelerate the use of renewables, the electronics maker will install solar power systems with no initial investment cost on newly built homes and large factories.

Huawei Japan showcased iSitePower, a solar and battery system meant to bring electricity to remote areas. It also introduced a small-scale hybrid power solution designed for homes, stores and other spaces that lack access to commercial or stable power supplies. The system functions as an uninterruptible power supply.
The Shogunate - Nov 07

In the wake of the recent controversy surround the exodus of the former Princess Mako. Let us take a closer look at the history and cultural importance of the Japanese Imperial family, and in particular, the Emperor himself.
It has come to light that Japanese labor authorities this year recognized the suicide of a Toyota Motor dealership salesperson as the result of harassment by his superior.

The man's family and their lawyer said he had been working full-time at the dealership of what is now Kanagawa Toyota Motor Sales Company. They said he killed himself in May 2019.

The man developed depression three months before the suicide. Labor standards inspectors say his superior had frequently scolded him in the presence of other employees, for as long as more than one hour.

The findings led labor inspectors to decide in June that his suicide was caused by the superior's power harassment.

The lawyer said labor officials also found the man had worked overtime for more than 100 hours per month, with the amount of work underreported at times.

His family said that when customers canceled their temporary purchase contracts for new cars in succession, his superior told him not to return to his office until he sold vehicles. The superior also reportedly asked the man to compensate for the cancelations.

The man's parents told a news conference that they want to know why their son had to die. They urged the company to apologize to him and change its corporate culture.

They also called on all Japanese businesses to improve their work environments.

Kanagawa Toyota Motor Sales Company said it prays for the man's soul, expressed condolences and apologized to his family.

The company said it will work hard to prevent similar tragedies.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in an event marking Abhidhamma Day at the Mahaparinirvana Temple in Uttar Pradeshs Kushinagar on the auspicious occasion of Ashwin Poornima on Wednesday.

Eminent monks from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, South Korea, Nepal, Bhutan, Cambodia and ambassadors of various countries will take part in the Abhidhamma Day event.

Union Ministry of Culture, International Buddhist Confederation in association with the Government of Uttar Pradesh has organised the event.

A Sri Lankan delegation consisting of 123 delegates including a 12-member Holy Relic entourage led by current Mahanayaka of Waskaduwa Temple is attending the event with Holy Relics.

The delegation also comprises of Anunayakas (deputy heads) of all four Nikatas (orders) of Buddhism in Sri Lanka i.e., Asgiriya, Amarapura, Ramanya, Malwatta as well as 5 ministers of the Government of Sri Lanka led by Cabinet Minister Namal Rajapakshe.

The highlight of the event is the Exposition of Holy Buddha Relic being brought from Waskaduwa Subuddhi Rajvihara Temple, Sri Lanka by the Mahanayaka of the temple.

The Prime Minister will offer prayers to the Holy Relic and also visit the Mahaparinirvana temple to offer flowers and chivar to the reclining statue of Buddha.

The ancient city of Kushinagar is the final resting place of Gautama Buddha, where he attained Mahaparinirvana after his death.

It is among the most important pilgrim spots for Buddhists since ancient times. The inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Kushinagar International Airport is an important landmark connecting the Buddhist- pilgrimage- holy sites for Buddhists around the world.The Prime Minister will also do Civar Dana to monks from Sri Lanka and other countries attending the event.

Chivar refers to a monks robe. The period after three-month-long Varshavas, observed as a retreat by monks and nuns by staying in vihara during rainy season, is a time of giving, for the laity to express gratitude to Sangh.

Lay Buddhists bring donations to temples, especially new robes for the monks and nuns. Also the gift of the atthaparikara (in Sri Lanka it is known as Atapirikara)  the Eight Requisites  is part of the offerings. However, dana of Chivara can also be given on other occasions, the release said.

The Prime Minister has offered Chivar and Sangha Dana on several occasions both in India and abroad. He had offered it at Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka temple, Colombo in 2014, sacred Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya to senior monks from various countries in October 2015 and Vesak Buddha Poornima Diwas event in 2018 at New Delhi to senior monks and nuns from various countries.

Paintings of Ajanta Frescos, Buddhist sutra calligraphy, Buddhist artefacts excavated from Vadnagar and other sites in Gujarat will also be exhibited.

The PM will also view an exhibition of recreation paintings of Ajanta cave frescos by late MR Pimpare of Aurangabad.

The exhibition also comprises Buddhist calligraphy of Sutras by noted calligrapher Jamyang Dorjee of Sikkim.

The works of Buddhist art and artefacts excavated from various sites of Gujarat showcases the span of Buddhism in India and the various sources of origins from where it travelled and spread to different directions in the world.

Vadnagar once thrived with a large Buddhist Vihara where ancient travellers described seeing a congregation of 10,000 Buddhist monks. The exhibition is curated by Ms Kshipra, the release said.
The Lewis Central Community School District Board of Education is poised to start its search for a new superintendent.

Current Superintendent Eric Knost plans to retire at the end of the school year, he announced earlier this month. He said he made the decision because of family circumstances.

Although this is only Knosts third year at Lewis Central, theyve been good years, Board President Dorene Scheffel said.

I personally would rather have a good superintendent for three years than a bad one for several more years, she said.

Scheffel complimented Knost for his relationship building and for guiding the district through 1  years of the pandemic.

You have been great for Lewis Central, she told him. I think I speak for all of us when I say we wish nothing but the best for you.

Scheffel said she had talked to Trent Grundmeyer, owner of Grundmeyer Leader Search, which helped Lewis Central find and hire Knost. She said Grundmeyer was willing to meet with the board following its Nov. 1 meeting and could have a contract proposal ready by then.

Knost said he thought the Board might want to try to wrap up its search by early January, instead of February.
The Lincoln Diocese recently reassigned a pair of priests -- and restricted their public ministry -- after investigating claims of priestly misconduct.

In statements posted to the diocese website Oct. 8, Bishop James Conley announced:

* Scott Courtney was assigned to minister to prisons, nursing and retirement homes, and provide administrative assistance to the chancery, effective early next January.

Courtney has been out of active ministry since September 2018, after allegations he had sexual contact with a woman, the diocese reported at the time.

Courtneys reassignment and restrictions followed a professional evaluation and a period of personal renewal, and hearing from the ministerial conduct board, Conley said in his statement.

He was last with the Sacred Heart parish in Roseland and the Assumption parish in Juniata.

* Thomas Dunavan was assigned to provide administrative assistance to the chancery and help retired priests, effective Nov. 8.
The indictment alleges that, despite the phone call, Fortenberry did not file an amended 2016 campaign report disclosing the true contributors and amounts of their donations from the fundraiser. Nor did he attempt to return or give up the illegal contributions until after his second interview with federal investigators in July 2019.

According to the indictment, Fortenberry made several false and misleading statements when interviewed by the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys Office on March 23, 2019, and again on July 18, 2019.

Those statements allegedly included denying that he had been told about the illicit donations from the 2016 fundraiser or that Baaklini had provided the $30,000 cash. He also allegedly said he would have been horrified to learn about the illegal conduit contributions.

In fact, the indictment alleges, as defendant Fortenberry then knew, rather than acting horrified after Individual H told him repeatedly and explicitly about illegal conduit contributions ... defendant Fortenberry continued to ask Individual H to host another fundraiser for defendant Fortenberrys campaign.
Garcia said she expects more federal guidance on booster shots in the coming weeks. Meantime, she regularly recommended that Iowans with questions take those questions to their doctor.

Right now, the (federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has clinical guidance saying, Yes, indeed, at six months we start to see a wane in in those antibody levels, Garcia said. We want to make sure that all Americans are highly protected, and so that booster shot ensures that.

AARP conducted an informal poll during the call, and of those who responded, 15% said they have already received a booster shot and 70% said they plan to. Just 14% said they want to learn more about the booster shots before making a decision, and a mere 1% said they are not planning to get it.

One woman said she received the vaccine and contracted COVID-19  although she did not detail in which order  and said her reaction to the vaccine was worse than the illness. This made her skeptical about getting the booster shot, she said.

Garcia said that if she got the vaccine first and then contracted COVID, and did not suffer from any severe effects of the virus, that was a signal the vaccine did its job, by preventing severe illness.
However, after explaining the housing shortage, how the projects would benefit working Iowans and the advantages for the community, Jared said support increased to 73%.

Messaging definitely helps change minds and hearts, she said. We need to lead with messages on the real benefits.

In rebranding its efforts simply as housing, the IFA hopes to drive home the message that the projects benefit the entire community by making housing attainable for people who work in the community, who provide many of the services on which Iowans depend.

The Welcome Home Iowa is part of what Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg called an all of the above strategy that includes incentives and assistance for single-family and multifamily housing as well as downtown upper-story housing including redevelopment of vacant schools.

It also comes amid a push by the governor and Legislature to clear up a backlog of applications for help developing affordable housing.

During the 2021 session, legislators increased funding from $10 million to $17.5 million. In September, Reynolds announced she would use $100 million of federal American Rescue Plan COVID-19 relief funds for affordable housing initiatives, including $20 million for the existing Workforce Housing Tax Credit Program projects.
What services does your agency provide, and who generally does it serve? We're an organization that matches a mentor and mentee that get together one hour a week on school grounds. It's meant for the mentee to have a positive role model in their lives. Mentees are children from grades 3-12.
We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription.
City Administrator Matthew Kibbon said Monday that city officials expect to maintain their self-insured status unless possible alternatives suggests that isnt the best course.

Councilman Pete Volz, himself an insurance agent, noted Tuesday that EMC Insurance Cos. and Travelers Indemnity Co. are essentially the only current alternatives to LARM in taking on cities liability insurance.

James Charlesworth said his firm would help the city analyze any bids it receives to determine whether it makes sense to stay with LARM or pick a different administrator.

But he declined to guarantee the city will save a particular percentage or anything at all. In difficult insurance markets, sometimes the best we can do is keep the increase as low as possible, he said.

Charlesworth Consulting will receive $30,000 a year plus expenses. It also will receive up to $2,500 per claim paid off by other insurers when an accident involving city employees isnt the citys or employees fault.

James Charlesworth explained the latter provision, noting that its common to subrogate the collection of claims on other insurers to firms like his.
The North Platte High School FFA club gathered corn donated by area farmers as a fundraiser for the program on Tuesday.

Ag teacher Kathleen Craig founded the program for North Platte Public Schools a few years ago, and it continues to grow with 47 students involved this year. On Tuesday, several members of the club visited 12 farms where corn was loaded into a semi for them.

Todays a day they get out of school, which they always love, Craig said. I think its good for them to come out and see what harvest is like, and networking with farmers in the community I think is good for them as well.

The students followed the semi from farm to farm between North Platte and Hershey.

The first stop was at the Steffes farms just west of North Platte where Eric and Adam Steffes met with the students.

Its a great program. It gets the kids out in the field and meeting the farmers, Eric Steffes said. I think its important to donate to things like this because it gets the students involved in our community through the FFA program.

Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

Steffes said the club helps provide good opportunities for students later in their lives.
At some point, disappointing constituencies could become a problem. It may already be one. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Senate Democrats forced Senate Republicans on Wednesday to filibuster the Freedom to Vote Act, which is sort of the light version of the comprehensive For the People Act that Senate Democrats forced Senate Republicans to filibuster last month. Chuck Schumer also made it known that, as soon as next week, Senate Democrats plan to force Senate Republicans to filibuster the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, an effort to restore portions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that the U.S. Supreme Court gutted in 2013.

The idea is to show how committed Democrats are to voting rights  and how determined Republicans are to let states get away with voter-suppression legislation that turns back the clock on voting rights. But at some point, you have to wonder if the message Democrats are really sending to constituencies worried about voting rights is a bit different: We cant get this done, and part of the reason we cant get this done is that some in our own ranks care more about preserving the filibuster than about voting rights.

Yes, as everyone understands by now, Democrats could either abolish or create a carve-out from the filibuster with a simple majority vote. Thats what they did with a carve-out for executive and subSupreme Court judicial confirmations in 2013 and what Republicans did with a carve-out for SCOTUS confirmations in 2017. (For that matter, the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, which both parties have used to pass filibusterproof legislation for many decades, represents a filibuster carve-out as well.) But Democrats cannot do that because at least two of their senators, Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, wont let them. So unless there is some secret deal whereby one of these senators will dramatically and at the last second reverse the positions they have endlessly and redundantly and adamantly taken, Democrats really are demonstrating their disunity and fecklessness alongside the evil unity and obstructionism of the GOP.

Perhaps party leaders should think about that as they examine disturbing signs of Democratic-base discouragement and disillusionment that could produce an electoral disaster in 2022. As Alex Samuels of FiveThirtyEight argues, the overall record of delivering results to people of color by this president and Congress so far is not terribly impressive:

Democrats can loudly blame this on Republicans or more quietly blame it on Manchin and Sinema. They would be right to do either or both. But perhaps the lack of results speaks more loudly than any words on the Senate floor. Messaging votes that arent really designed to accomplish anything have become extremely common in Washington these days. But its important to remember that legislative offerings promising bold action on strongly felt needs and grievances can gradually and then rapidly undermine confidence in the likelihood that anything will change. On voting rights in particular, Democrats should beware drawing too much attention to their own futility.
Oleg Deripaska in London in 2018. Photo: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Early on Tuesday morning, FBI agents raided a three-story townhouse in Greenwich Village and a mansion in northwest Washington, D.C. linked to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, a close contact of pardoned Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort.

According to the New York Times, the raids are part of an inquiry into potential violations of sanctions imposed on the billionaire by the Treasury Department in 2018 for his aluminum companys profit from the malign activities of the Russian state. In the announcement of the sanctions that April, Treasury noted that he had been accused of money laundering and threatening the lives of business rivals, illegally wiretapping a government official, and taking part in extortion and racketeering. While the FBI and Southern District of New York prosecutors did not go into detail regarding the investigation or the raid, a spokeswoman for Deripaska told the paper that the searches are being carried out on the basis of two court orders, connected to U.S. sanctions. According to the spokeswoman, the homes are owned by relatives of Deripaska, the energy magnate who was the richest person in Russia for years prior to the 2008 financial crisis. In the past, Deripaska has also been denied a visa to enter the United States for his alleged connections to organize crime in Moscow.

Deripaska was frequently mentioned in the early days of the investigation into the Trump campaigns contacts with Russia, as Manafort allegedly tried to leverage his stature in the Republican nominees camp to resolve the debts he owed the aluminum tycoon with close ties to Vladimir Putin. Manafort also reportedly told another sanctioned contact to share polling data with Deripaska and to offer him private briefings on the campaign.

In the wake of the raid in Washingtons Embassy Row, NBC News reported that neighbor George Conway went over to take a picture of the commotion; he claimed he never saw Deripaska there.
Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Times up for unvaccinated city workers.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Wednesday that all New York City public employees  including police officers, firefighters, sanitation workers, and more  must receive at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine by October 29. The exception is corrections officers, who will have until December 1, in the midst of a major staffing shortage at Rikers Island. Those who disregard the mandate will be placed on unpaid leave, and may eventually lose their jobs.

We need to reassure all New Yorkers that if youre working with a public employee, theyre vaccinated, de Blasio said on MSNBC.

The new rule covers 160,500 workers, according to the Wall Street Journal, about 46,000 of whom are not yet vaccinated. The city will offer a $500 incentive to anyone who gets their shot at a city-run vaccination center before the deadline.

Previously, only educational and public-health workers fell under the citys mandate, with which about 96 percent have complied. Until now, the rest of New Yorks municipal employees could submit to regular testing instead of vaccination, but that carveout will end on the 29th.

Per the New York Times, several city departments have vaccination rates far lower than the educational and health-care sectors. The NYPD is at only 69 percent vaccinated, while firefighters and sanitation workers are at about 60 percent, and corrections officers are at a paltry 50 percent.

At least one roadblock to de Blasios plan may lie ahead. In cities around the country, police unions have rebelled over vaccine mandates, and it appears New York will be no different. In a tweet Wednesday morning, the Police Benevolent Association, the citys largest police union, said that we will proceed with legal action to protect our members rights. However, other legal challenges against New Yorks mandates have failed.
Bholdus

Being audited by CertiK will ensure that Bholdus is free from vulnerabilities, guarded against the risk of attacks, and has no terms that are detrimental to users

Being audited by CertiK will ensure that Bholdus is free from vulnerabilities, guarded against the risk of attacks, and has no terms that are detrimental to users

SINGAPORE, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bholdus (owned by Unius Pte Ltd), a blockchain dedicated to DeFi apps and NFTs, has been certified by CertiK - one of the most trusted blockchain security audit firms to ensure unprecedented security for its blockchain and smart contracts.



With the goal of sustainable development and building a trustworthy blockchain ecosystem, Bholdus places security as one of its top priorities. With the audit certification from CertiK, Bholdus once again reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the security of its blockchain and smart contracts, bringing transparency and maximum benefits to investors and users.



CertiK is a pioneer in blockchain security, utilizing best-in-class AI technology to secure and monitor blockchain protocols and smart contracts. To date, they have collectively worked with over 1.300 enterprise clients such as Polygon & Binance Smart Chain, helped secure over $90 billion worth of digital assets, and detected over 23,000 vulnerabilities in blockchain code.

Overall, Bholdus's safety score is 84/100, a quite high score compared to the average score, with 98% of users voting the project is secure.

The Bholdus core team has worked closely with CertiK experts to ensure that the project passed advanced Security Audits and Penetration Tests. Besides, to improve safety and enhance user experience, Bholdus also uses the Skynet service to monitor smart contracts in real time, 24/7.

Users can view the audit report of Bholdus by CertiK at: https://www.certik.org/projects/bholdus

About Bholdus:

Bholdus is a multi-chain platform dedicated to decentralized financial (DeFi) applications and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Bholdus carries the mission to connect the crypto space with qualified real-world assets using blockchain with minimal costs, high security and unparalleled transaction throughput. Through Bholdus, crypto projects such as gamefi & metaverse related businesses may utilize tokenization to convert their valuable assets into NFTs and asset-based tokens as proof of creditworthiness for unlimited access to different financial services in crypto space.

Story continues

Bholdus has concurrently announced strategic partnerships with esteemed brands, namely Singapore Fintech Association, Global DCA, TechQuartier, etc. Following their 5-year roadmap, Bholdus thrives to emerge as a multinational unicorn fintech firm.

- Website: http://bholdus.com

- Twitter: https://twitter.com/bholdus

- Facebook: https://fb.com/bholdus

- Telegram News Global: https://t.me/Bholdus

- Telegram Chat Global: https://t.me/Bholdus_ENcommunity

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eccd9918-81d2-4744-9495-79f596eb74e5

CONTACT: Media Contact: Phuc Nguyen (Mr)  Phuc.Nguyen@Bholdus.com




The mayors of Auburn and Opelika dropped by the Walmart Distribution Center on Andrews Road in Opelika on Wednesday to help celebrate the 20 million pounds of food the center has donated to the Food Bank of East Alabama.

Jered Lorton, manager of the Walmart Distribution Center, said the building began the partnership with the food bank when it opened in the year 2000.

Were in the business of feeding America through retail but also through our donations, Lorton said. We insure our food doesnt go to waste by giving it to a worthy cause.

There are not enough words to describe the great work of both these institutions, said Auburn Mayor Ron Anders. Walmart DC has been a great partner with East Alabama by helping fill a need.

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller quoted Scripture when talking about the Walmart workers.

This is something they dont have to do, but they want to do it, Fuller said. Im reminded of a passage in the book of Matthew when Jesus said, What you do for the least of these, you do for me.

Martha Henk, director of the Food Bank of East Alabama, said 20 million pounds of food would fill up more than 800 tractor-trailer trucks.


Thank you for Reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Dr. Paula Backscheider, seen here in Auburns historic Telfair Peet Theatre, explores stage representations of wartime women in 18th-century England in her latest book. Backscheider is one of only two people to have won both the British Council Prize for Best Book in the Humanities and the Modern Language Associations James Russell Lowell Prize, for her previous publications on Daniel Defoe and 18th-century women poets, respectively.

It was an unusual process, Dr. Paula Backscheider readily admits, likening the writing of her latest book to an archaeological dig in which she didn't know exactly what her discoveries meant until she had assembled the pieces she'd unearthed.

Backscheider, the Philpott-Stevens Eminent Scholar in Auburns Department of English, found the writing of Women in Wartime: Theatrical Representations in the Long Eighteenth Century to be a process of discovery, as she examined some 120 plays (including, through contemporaneous reviews, some that dont even exist in print) and noticed subtle shifts in how and what they communicated about women over time.

This archive of stage plays, many long-forgotten, both reflected and shaped popular opinion on England's involvement in one bloody clash after another. War after war filled the long 18th century (approximately 1688 to 1815), when England found itself torn between an aversion to keeping a large military apparatus in place and the simultaneous need to defend itself on multiple fronts and on short notice.

In a way, the book is very simple  it explores how the theatre found out what they could do with actresses, Backscheider explained. As women found their way onto the stage during this volatile period, playwrights and theatre managers discovered both what womens acting capabilities were and what conventions of plot could be established, or flouted, through their performances.

Rebel literature

In the 18th century, its very, very hard to find writers who werent arrested, most commonly as they battled for free speech, religious tolerance or legal reforms, Backscheider said. And they wrote in all genres as they tried to reach people; they invented propaganda, they modernized political caricature. And they invented popular mass culture. She explained that the plays I write about are an example of the earliest popular culture. Three thousand people would pack in to see a play night after night after night at each theatre.

Backscheider added, Im really interested in popular culture and the way it sways peoples opinions, and the way we are searching wildly for a story that helps us live. Throughout the plays she covers in Women in Wartime, the story that emerged was one intended to unify England for war, fan the flames of patriotism, normalize military recruitment efforts and build up the support and infrastructure necessary for the nation to survive a seemingly endless stream of global conflicts.

Backscheider noted that, on the one hand, large numbers of women followed the traveling camps of military men in these times of battle and were really the infrastructure. She added, They cooked, they foraged, they negotiated to buy chickens. They mended the men's clothes. They struck the tents and carried the gear. Some of them were teamsters. And so, before the professionalization of a modern army, they were the infrastructure.

On the other hand, many women in the towns and villages of England during this period were more interested in keeping their loved ones out of harms way than in supporting war efforts. Recruiting parties would travel from place to place, seeking volunteers for military service or sometimes impressing them into it, only to be attacked by local women throwing rocks and bottles.

And therein lay the dilemma for Englands military establishment. Their mission was to recruit more personnel for combat, and they wanted the nations women to support and encourage the effort instead of hindering it. This is where the persuasive power of the days mass media  the theatre  came into play.

Backscheider noted that among the famous and not-so-famous plays she examined was a well-known and long-running hit, The Recruiting Officer, which features a woman disguised as a man and showing the men how to do the task of recruiting in smarter and kinder ways. It became a common theme, Backscheider explains in the book, for playwrights to use women characters to judge, admonish and  in so-called, cross-dressed breeches parts  even model masculinity for any men in the audience who might be hesitant to go off to war.

She explained that these ideas worked their way into plays over a period of about 125 years, with initial help from writers who had served in the military themselves and felt a need to report what they saw. One of them was on a ship that the Dutch sank, she said. Interestingly enough, the first playwrights I have in my book were in the army that fought with Winston Churchills ancestor, Marlborough, in Spain and Flanders and Portugal. And so they had actually been in battles, and they talk in their plays about what the women did and what it was like to fight with Marlborough, what kind of general he was and how he revolutionized fighting, she added.

Searching the margins

Discussing her methods for pulling together a project of this books complexity, Backscheider explained she was looking for those kinds of invisible women, in the margins, in the backgrounds, in the parallel plot. She visited London to dig up evidence of obscure plays and the publics reaction to them. I was reading newspaper reviews and diaries I was really trying to bring back how the audience reacted and what they saw, she noted.

I had spent all those years syncing the plays with the wars, learning the structures of the plays, what characters were most important, their social classes, whom they married, what their personal and domestic concerns were and especially what national issues the plays engaged, she explained. Backscheider would analyze how each play functioned within overarching narrative patterns, letting the evidence speak to me, she said, not certain until very close to the end of the process just what picture was emerging from the dots she was connecting. The endeavor took eight years, prompting Backscheider to add, Thats another reason I love Auburn: you can do research of that magnitude and significance.

Thinking ahead to what may come next in her research, she noted that she would love to explore more little bits of forgotten history that are relevant to whats going on in the world today, to find more ways in which the plays she uncovered touch contemporary events. And as Women in Wartime and her previous scholarly achievements have demonstrated, when Backscheider digs, she digs deep.

Women in Wartime is scheduled for release in January 2022 and is available for preorder from online booksellers.
The United States is far behind the vast majority of the Global North when it comes to climate change. While the EU and other world powers have been getting serious about decarbonization and investing in climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies to some extent for years now, the United States has dragged its feet on even acknowledging its contribution to climate change.

Not only is the United States ranked relatively low in the development of green energies and the move away from fossil fuels, but its actually losing ground in those rankings year-to-year. In 2019, The World Economic Forum ranked the United States as 25th in the Energy Transition Index. In 2020 the nation slipped to 32nd place. Now, this year, MITs Green Future Index ranked the United States at a relatively dismal 40th place.

As the worlds largest economy and second-largest emitter of fossil fuels, the United States reticence to let go of oil and gas and move toward a green energy transition in earnest poses a major threat to the global struggle against climate change, not to mention the countrys own competitive edge in an evolving energy economy. When the world does move away from fossil fuels, those countries that have already developed strong green energy economies are poised to come out on top.

It is essential for the United States own energy security and independence going forward that the country throws some serious money at decarbonization before it falls even further behind. President Joe Bidens administration ran on the most climate-focused platform that the White House has ever seen successfully elected, but when it comes to implementing those lofty campaign trail promises, his administration is facing serious roadblocks.

While the majority of these hurdles have predictably arisen from the hyper-partisan partitioning of the U.S. Congress, right now Bidens biggest problem is a fellow democrat. As Biden tries to push his administrations $150bn Clean Electricity Performance Program through Congress, he will need every single Democratic vote on the programs side. But one Democratic senator, West Virginias Joe Manchin, has dug in his heels, promising that he will not support the program.

The Clean Electricity Performance Program is part of the much-debated $3.5tn spending bill that includes many different kinds of incentives for decarbonization and EV adoption, among other infrastructure endeavors. The provision is one of the main ways the Biden administration and many Democrats expect the US to meet its goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent by 2030, from 2005 levels, the Financial Times reported this week. But it risks being gutted in the final stretch of negotiations on Bidens economic agenda because of Manchins opposition, alarming many Democrats and climate experts.

This Capitol Hill drama is unfolding as the United States heads into the 26th annual United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), known as COP26, to take place in Glasgow, Scotland at the end of this month. The conference is taking place just a couple of months after the United Nations (UN) and the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) released their most damning report on climate change yet, in what the UN referred to as a code red for humanity. For most senate Democrats, not to mention environmentalists and climate advocates, heading into COP26 with a gutted and toothless Clean Electricity Performance Program would send a clear and damaging message about the United States continued lack of dedication to global climate pledges.

While its clear why Manchin, who represents the second-largest coal-producing state in the U.S., would not want to back any measure that is intended to contribute to the end of coal production, it is politically frustrating for President Biden and his ambitions. With COP26 looming, observers should be paying close attention to the future of the Clean Electricity Performance Program.



By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Guyana plans to have a natural gas pipeline built from key developments to the shore for a gas-to-energy project

Guyana wants to use the large oil and gas discoveries over the past half-decade to bolster its economy.

Guyana became a major holder of oil and gas reserves in 2015 when ExxonMobil found oil in its waters.

One of South Americas poorest countries, Guyana, became a major holder of oil and gas reserves in 2015 when ExxonMobil found oil in its waters in what turned out to be a block with resources estimated at 10 billion oil-equivalent barrels and counting.

Now Guyana wants to capitalize on the large oil and gas discoveries over the past half-decade to build up an economy powered by its own energy resources.

The South American nation became a crude oil exporter in early 2020, thanks to Exxons huge discoveries offshore Guyana. Over the past two years, the U.S. supermajor and Hess Corp, its partner in the prolific Stabroek Block, have made a dozen more discoveries, while the Liza Phase 1 project is very profitable for the oil corporations and for Guyana.

Liza Phase 1 and 2 developments break even at around $35 a barrel and $25 per barrel Brent, respectively, Hess says. Liza Phase 2 start-up is expected in the middle of 2022 via a floating, production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) designed to produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd).

Guyana is looking beyond the oil export revenues from the Exxon-operated projects off its shores. It plans to have a natural gas pipeline built from the Liza 1 and Liza 2 developments to the shore for a gas-to-energy project to generate electricity and feed industries as it aims to capitalize on the huge oil and gas resources to develop its economy.

Related: Forget $100, Options Traders Now Betting On Oil Prices Hitting $200

This summer, the government of Guyana said it was looking for partners to invest in a $900-million gas-to-energy project for a natural gas pipeline from the Liza developments to the shore. The planned 225-kilometer (140 miles) pipeline from the Liza area to the Wales Development Zone (WDZ) is expected to feed a gas processing plant and a natural gas liquids (NGL) facility, capable of producing at least 4,000 barrels per day, including the fractionation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). A power plant with a total capacity to generate 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity and an industrial park that could use gas, steam and/or electricity are also part of the gas-to-energy project.

ExxonMobils affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) has guaranteed the government that a minimum of 50 million standard cubic feet of gas per day will be transported from the Liza projects via the pipeline by 2024.

The power plant construction is slated to begin next year, while financing is still being lined up, Peter Ramsaroop, CEO at Guyanas government agency GoInvest, told Bloomberg in an interview this week.

Guyana must have the gas and hydropower to be able to bring a competitive economy to the point where we can depend on our own energy to deliver our goods and services, Ramsaroop told Bloomberg on the sidelines of the Dubai Expo.

During the same event, Guyanas President Irfaan Ali told potential investors:

Guyana needs to convert its abundant resources. We need you. We welcome you, and we urge you to remember the name Guyana and to keep the name Guyana in your plans for growth and development, both in country and by businesses and sectors.

We will continue to pursue oil production offshore, but onshore we will definitely intensify the decarbonisation of the economy, Ali added.

Exxon, for its part, expects to make significant progress over the next few years in cooperation with the Government of Guyana to advance a gas-to-energy project, the supermajor told Bloomberg in a statement.

Guyanas government bets on the project, which it expects to come on stream by late 2024, to more than halve its electricity costs, seen by the private sector as prohibitive to investment in the country, the South American nation says.

The government expects the gas-to-energy project to revolutionize and significantly improve the ease of doing business in Guyana, it said in July.

The gas from the recent massive oil discoveries could transform Guyanas economic fortunes forever.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
But the real problem for nuclear energy in the U.S. is actually a lack of trust in government and public opinion regarding the energy source itself

In the search for the next generation of large-scale, central station, baseload electric power generating stations, nuclear is the only option that does not emit vast amounts of CO2. For this reason, we believe new nuclear technologies will be revisited as complements to intermittent wind and solar. Given present concerns about gas and oil availability, uranium is relatively plentiful and (given its energy density) is easier to stockpile than natural gas or oil. Uranium prices, like all commodities, can be volatile. But uranium fuel expense makes up a small percentage of total operating expenses. Over a projected lifetime of operations, a well-run nuclear power plant in theory should resemble wind and solar facilities - high upfront capital costs and relatively low fuel and operating costs.

But this has seldom been the case in practice. Why have nuclear costs outrun expectations and what would be different this time? These questions will linger.

One question in the context of this nuclear renaissance is whether small modular reactors (SMRs) or gigawatt-scale reactors will prevail? Industry advocates will generally say that both serve the market but economies of scale give an advantage to the big plants. Recently, potential builders of SMRs have claimed that their first plants would cost the same on a per MW basis as gigawatt-scale plants. However, modular plants would be about 40% of the size of the units currently being built and would involve less capital and reduce the risk of so much capital tied up in one project - $4 billion rather than $12billion for example.

From a jobs creation perspective, nuclear revival can be a big deal. Apart from construction, there would be increasing jobs in mining. But we in the US would also have to face our governments inability to create a safe, underground repository for long-term storage of nuclear waste. And this raises a broader point.

The question in the US, with its variegated regulatory and ownership regime, is whether we can remain comfortable with this technology within a capitalist economic framework. A free-market capitalist system has a tendency to cut corners to advance shareholder/owner interests. While the public might put up with deficiencies in wind turbines or solar panels, it will demand the safest level of nuclear operation, and safety adds to costs and limits operating flexibility. Related: Iraq: Oil Could Hit $100 Next Year

The more we think about it the more we believe that our current investor-owned utility model is increasingly inappropriate for a new nuclear industry. The financial risks are too high and the companies are too small even after all the government insurance subsidies and guarantees. Instead, this suggests the need for an aggressive industrial policy by the federal government which for ideological reasons we believe is less likely to occur. Keep in mind that of the two nations that have had relatively successful nuclear new build programs, France and South Korea, both of these programs were overwhelmingly undertaken with robust government support. Were not sure this could happen here.

The Achilles heel of nuclear power is its vulnerability to public opinion. If the public collectively tells politicians that it is afraid of nuclear, regardless of the nation or its political system, the plants will ultimately close prematurely as in the case of Germany. The US Republican party, favoring a pro-corporate deregulatory model, has been aggressively and intentionally undermining the federal regulatory apparatus at the behest mainly of large corporate interests. But it is the federal regulators, and the public's belief in them, that will give a fledgling nuclear industry its legitimacy (via regulatory approvals and authorizations). If the public believes this process is politically corrupted (and we have no reason for optimism here) there is the risk that an accident of any magnitude causes the public to turn against new nuclear development. This could easily halt a promising new industry in its tracks.

This all assumes that these new plants can be built on time and on budget. If not, it is hard to anticipate a rethinking of nuclear power in the form of the SMR. An industrial consortium in the UK led by Rolls Royce is hoping for an SMR license approval by 2024 with the first unit slated for a five-year build with completion in 2029-2030. The NuScale reactors in the US will also be slated for initial operation in an Idaho test facility in that time period.

The potential nuclear resurgence is contingent on the publics faith in government institutions and their ability to assure safe operations of potentially hazardous facilities and materials. Taking an old nuclear technology, repackaging it into smaller units, and adding on some improvements, may solve some of the financial risk and construction management issues but without public buy-in, we might do better spending the money on something else.

By Leonard Hyman and William Tilles

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Oil prices dropped early on Wednesday after China said it was considering an intervention on the domestic coal market to reduce the record prices down to a reasonable range.

As of 7:56 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, before the weekly EIA inventory report, WTI Crude prices were down 1.11% at $82.04, and Brent Crude was trading down by 0.96% to $84.26.

Oil prices continued to fall from the multi-year highs reached early this past Monday, when WTI Crude hit the highest level since October 2014 at $83.73, and the international benchmark briefly jumped above $86 per barrel at $86.04, which was the highest price since October 2018.

The key trigger of the price retreat early on Wednesday came from China, where the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said that the government was considering an intervention to reduce the price of coal whose recent increase has completely deviated from the fundamentals of supply and demand.

The heating season is approaching and the price is still showing a further irrational upward trend, Reuters quoted the commission as saying.

The possible Chinese intervention sent the key Chinese coal futures plunging early on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the most actively traded coal futures in China had hit a fresh record-high after the energy crisis worsened because of colder weather in recent days.

A Chinese intervention to bring coal prices down could reverse the fuel switch to oil, analysts at Commerzbank told Reuters.

Oil prices were also weighed down by profit-taking and a fourth straight week of U.S. crude oil inventory builds as estimated on Tuesday by the American Petroleum Institute (API).

The build last week was estimated at 3.294 million barrels, above analyst expectations of a 2.233-million-barrel build. Still, the API report was not entirely bearish for market sentiment because gasoline and distillate inventories, as well as crude stocks at the Cushing hub, were estimated to have dropped last week.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
India's state-owned and private refiners are set to collaborate on their crude oil imports to secure better contract terms, Reuters has reported, noting that the idea comes from the government.

"The companies can form joint strategies and they can even go for joint negotiations wherever possible," India's oil secretary Tarun Kapoor told Reuters.

India is one of the most import-reliant countries in the world, sourcing more than 8 percent of the oil it consumes from foreign producers. Because of this, it has been among the hardest hit by the oil price rally, with its oil bill swelling considerably while it still battles the fallout from the pandemic.

Last month, according to Reuters, India's trade deficit surged to a high of $22.6 billion, a figure last seen at least 14 years ago.

To cope with the energy shortage that has been instrumental in the latest oil price rise, India's government also plans to talk to OPEC about possible steps that can be taken to rein prices in. Indian media report that New Delhi will talk to OPEC secretary-general Mohammed Barkindo about the oil price situation during his upcoming visit to the country. The talks would also discuss finding a balance between the needs of suppliers and consumers.

India's oil bill for the first five months of its financial year, which started in April, was more than 138 percent higher than the bill for the respective period of 2020. While 2020 was the year of oil demand destruction, the increase is substantial, bringing the total for April to August to $42 billion. That compared with a bill of $18 billion a year earlier when oil was dirt cheap.

"OPEC+ should realise that this is not the right approach, they must step up production. If the demand is going up and you are not increasing production, you are trying to create a gap," secretary Kapoor said, as quoted by Reuters.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Kazakhstans national grid operator has begun rationing electricity to the countrys biggest consumers, likely targeting cryptocurrency mining farms. Facing a sudden energy shortage, officials must be regretting their recent embrace of the crypto industry.

Nur-Sultan has struggled to land on a consistent policy toward cryptocurrencies and mining  the series of electricity-hungry calculations made by networked computers to verify and record cryptocurrency transactions.

Only three years ago, the National Bank called for a ban on trading cryptocurrencies and mining them.

Then, in 2020, parliament passed a law legalizing mining and creating welcoming conditions for the industry. The bill introduced the concept of a "digital asset" and laid the groundwork for licensed cryptocurrency brokers to set up shop. The legislation also established rates for taxes to be collected from miners and new, increased electricity tariffs to begin next January.

Speaking shortly after the bill passed, Digital Development Minister Bagdat Musin told a government meeting that 13 mining farms had already begun operating in Kazakhstan with investments totaling 80 billion tenge ($188 million). By 2025, mining investments would reach 500 billion tenge ($1.2 billion), he said.

Then China offered a reality check this summer when it banned cryptocurrency use and mining on its territory. Many farmers simply moved operations across the border, turning Kazakhstan into the worlds second-largest crypto miner. The countrys share of global mining soared from 1.4 percent in September 2019 to over 18 percent, according to data collected by Cambridge University.

The Blockchain and Data Center Industry Association, a lobby group, estimates that as many as 250,000 mining devices are hosted in Kazakhstan today.

Those computers demand vast amounts of power.

"We have seen that our [country's] electricity consumption has literally increased by 7 percent in one year. That's a very big increase," Energy Minister Magzum Mirzagaliyev said on September 30, noting that consumption usually grows by about 2 percent per annum.

Mirzagaliyev linked the demand to mining and proposed the government limit supplies of electricity to 1 MW per mining farm and to 100 MW for the whole sector.

That suggestion drew criticism from miners. The Blockchain and Data Center Industry Association argued that the government should crackdown on illegal miners instead of restricting companies that pay taxes.

On October 15, the national grid operator, KEGOC, announced electricity rationing after three major coal-fired power plants shut down. KEGOC did not directly blame miners, but it used language similar to the energy ministers and said it was cutting off customers who over-consume.

By Eurasianet.org

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
CHI Health and the Latino Center of the Midlands are working together to address the shortage of health care workers.

Through its foundation, CHI Health is providing a $600,000 grant to the joint effort.

In the partnership, Latino students in high school and college will be able to explore medical careers. The grant will pay for at least 24 students to become certified nursing assistants.

In addition, 15 students will receive paid internships to shadow people in different health care jobs. Those who want to pursue a career in health care will have additional education expenses covered and will be fast-tracked into CHIs certified nursing assistant program.

This initiative will give a new generation opportunities to explore careers that are both fulfilling and paramount to public health, Dr. Cary Ward, CHIs chief medical officer, said in a statement. We are investing in the future of medicine in our community.

In addition to addressing staffing needs, the two organizations recognize the importance of a diverse workforce. Latinos are the largest and fastest-growing ethnic group in Nebraska. Theyre expected to make up a quarter of the states population in 2050.
If people have questions, this is a great time to get them answered, Huse said.

For full protection to kick in, the Pfizer vaccine requires two doses three weeks apart and a two-week wait. That means the first youngsters in line will be fully covered by Christmas.

As for children under 5, Pfizer and Moderna are studying their vaccines in those as young as 6 months old, with results expected later in the year.

The Biden administration has purchased enough of the shots to vaccinate all the children in the U.S. who soon will be eligible. About 15 million doses will be shipped to providers across the country in the first week after approval, the White House said.

More than 25,000 pediatricians and primary care providers already have signed on to dispense the vaccine to elementary school children, the White House said.

In Douglas County, COVID-19 cases are dropping, mirroring the slow decline in Nebraska and nationally. The risk of transmission, however, remains high. Huse cautioned that the county is not anywhere close to out of the woods yet.
On the evening of Oct. 4, Shantel Thompson found out that she had passed the bar exam after taking the test multiple times.

Her second call to share the news was to her law school mentor and friend Adine Momoh, who told her to enjoy the moment and celebrate.

The next time Momoh heard from Thompson was the morning of Oct. 9, via text: Someone shot me.

Thompson, an Omaha native, had been struck in the spine by a bullet about 6:45 p.m. Oct. 7 while walking at Standing Bear Lake in northwest Omaha.

She is still recovering in the hospital. Doctors dont know if shell be able to walk again.

Momoh, who thinks of Thompson as her little sister, said Thompson told her that her injury is just a minor setback for a major comeback.

She is very resilient, Momoh said. I know shes going to keep fighting. Shes doing it right now in the hospital ... I have no doubt that shes going to be a better attorney, a better community member, a better person because of all of this.

Thompson, 33, was the second woman authorities say Marckenzy Edmond shot at on Oct. 7, according to a court affidavit.
U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., also urged Nebraskans not to reach a "snap judgment" but recognize that "every American is entitled to a fair and impartial process."

While some speculated about the possibility of a primary challenger, other political observers said that voters in the current political climate are primed to dismiss allegations they might see as politically connected  as Fortenberrys wife claimed in a statement defending her husband on Tuesday morning.

Perre Neilan, a political consultant and lobbyist based in Lincoln, said he didnt see the issue impacting Fortenberrys ability to serve and be reelected.

Nebraskans know Jeff Fortenberry as a man of integrity, Neilan said. His only crime was saying yes when the government knocked on his door and let them in.

Josh Moenning, a former chief of staff for Fortenberry, said the congressman was a good man and an effective and tireless advocate for the people in his district.
Earlier this month, NATO withdrew the accreditation of eight Russian officials to its Brussels headquarters, saying it believed they had been secretly working for Russian intelligence. Russia responded Monday by suspending its mission at NATO and ordering the closure of the alliances office in Moscow.

Moscow has repeatedly voiced concerns over the deployment of NATO forces near Russian borders, describing it as a threat to its security. Russia and the alliance also have blamed each other for conducting destabilizing military exercises near the borders.

Shoigu charged Wednesday that dozens of NATO drills near Russia's borders have been used to rehearse scenarios of military confrontation with Russia. He specifically voiced concern about a buildup of NATO troops in Poland and the Baltics, the deployment of U.S. missile defense facilities in Romania and Poland and the modernization of tactical nuclear weapons in Europe.

The Russian defense minister emphasized that NATO's activities make a coordinated defense policy, cooperation in the development of armed forces, an increase in coordination and combat training and a shared use of military infrastructure particularly acute for Russia and Belarus.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
His ways are mysterious, but that should only make us want to worship him more.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways (Isa. 55:8).

When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth? (Luke 18:8)

On the farm, after we killed the hog, someone had to make cracklings, known otherwise as cooking the lard.

A fire was built under a black iron pot into which cut-up portions of the less-desirable fatty hog meat was thrown. As a worker stood by stirring, the contents boiled and bubbled and gradually released the lard, leaving behind a crisp rind (called the cracklin), sometimes carrying a streak of lean. The lard went into gallon containers for household cooking throughout the year. Cracklins became snack foods for relaxing times, and can be bought commercially today. Theyre usually called pork skins.

Similarly, the messages I have preached over a half-century have been boiled down to their essence. (No greasy rinds left, however!) Mostly, the resultthat is, the gist of my preaching these daysends up looking something like this:

When God starts to do something eternal, he loves to start small, use ordinary people, employ the most surprising methods, and take his own good time about it. Only people of faith will still be standing by at the end, to see what God has done, to behold his glory.

As Psalm 115:3 puts it, Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.

Our Lord, being God, can do this any way he pleases. But what I have learned and what I preach is that his way usually involves the following:

God loves to start small.

The Lord began a nation with Abraham and Sarah. He began to deliver Israel from Egypt with an 80-year-old has-been, Moses. And when the time came to redeem a lost world, he sent a baby. A baby in a stable. In the little town of Bethlehem. To a young Hebrew couple. In the tiny nation of Judea.

That process continues today on every level. When God initiates a great ministry, he starts with the germ of an idea or a burden on someones heart, and goes from there.

The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed  the least of all the seeds, but when it is grown it  becomes a tree. Matthew 13:3132

As Jonathan told his armor-bearer, It doesnt matter to the Lord whether he saves by the few or by the many (1 Sam.14:6).

Is your offering small? Doesnt amount to much? Read the account of the widows tiny offering in Mark 12 and be inspired. Your offering is far greater than you know.

God loves to use ordinary people.

You see your calling, brethren, said Paul to the Corinthian church. Not many mighty. Not many noble. Not many wise according to the flesh (1 Cor. 1:26). Just ordinary folk.

When Jesus needed 12 apostles, he went not to the rabbinical school nor to the Council of 70, but to the seashore where he chose untrained but hardworking fishermen.

Celebrities and dignitaries have more obstacles to deal with. The common people, pardon the expression, and those who live simply have fewer complications and can respond more quickly. As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And he said to him, Follow me. So he arose and followed him (Matt. 9:9).

A worker on the Graham dairy farm in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the 1930sthe man who took 16-year-old Billy Graham to the Mordecai Ham crusade where Jesus saved himsaid this very thing:

You think this lad must have been someone special as a teenager for God to have used him in such a great way. But I tell you he was not. In fact, you could assemble a hundred teenage boys from Charlotte at that time, and if I told you God was going to use one of them to bring the gospel of Jesus to millions, you could not have picked him out of that crowd. Billy Graham was a typical teen. It was as if the Almighty said, Eeny, meeny, miny, mo  Ill take that one.

Thats encouragement for all of us, an excuse for none of us.

God loves to use unorthodox methods.

He used a Virgin Birth, a Roman cross and an empty tomb. He who created the universe from nothing can certainly use any method he pleases.

Those who would be used of Jesus will be asked to give when they have little to give, to love their enemies, to rejoice in adversity and turn the other cheek (see Luke 6:2738). They will sing at midnight after the beating they received earlier goes untreated and they are locked into a cold prison cell (Acts 16:25). They will rejoice they are counted worthy to suffer for The Name (Acts 5:41).

The Lords plan of spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth may require His disciples to be arrested and mistreated and called before Caesar to defend themselves. But when the magistrate orders, Tell the court what you have been preaching, the disciple is to let the Holy Spirit speak. This is his chosen method to get the truth to the rulers (see Matt. 10:16ff). So, we must never think the Lords plan is being subverted. Often, this is his plan.

God loves to take his own good time.

Many of the prophecies about the Messiah were given 800 years before Jesus was born. For people alive today, that would be the equivalent of the 1200s. The Dark Ages. One night, shepherds outside Bethlehem saw angels who told them unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior. The sheepherders ran into the city, hurrying from stable to stable until they found the little family, and they fell down and worshiped. Then, they hurried out and told everyone the great news. Then, I imagine they went home to wait. And they waited. For decades, they waited. Nothing was happening. And then one day, without a word of warning, an unkempt preacher walked out of the desert and began to preach and baptize at the Jordan. Prepare ye the way of the Lord! was his message. Jesus was near.

Three years later, on a mountaintop angels said to a group of bewildered apostles, Dont stand here gazing into the heavens. This same Jesus will come again in like manner as you have seen him go. Its been 2,000 years since that promise was given. Is it still good? Should we still be expecting his return? With the Lord, one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day (2 Peter 3:8).

When you start following Jesus, you may want to throw away your clock and your calendar. He operates on his own schedule.

The problem is that we humans dont have the time or patience to do things Gods way. He starts small, but we love bigness. He uses ordinary people, but we prefer celebrities. He employs any kind of method that suits him, but we prefer to stay with the tried and true, what worked last time. God takes all the time he pleases, while we want our prayers answered by suppertime, please.

Only people of faith will follow Jesus. And only those of strong faith will stay. The way is long and the path is lonely often. You sometimes have more questions than answers and will find yourself wondering, Where is he? I thought he said he would be here.

Only people of faith will keep the faith, will remain on the job, will not grow impatient. Only people of faith will still be standing by at the end to see what God has done, and to behold his glory. The rest will have grown tired of waiting and have wandered off and will miss the blessing.

Not everyone who starts out following Jesus sticks around to see how things work out, to see how all things come together, to enjoy the vindication of Truth and celebrate the victory of righteousness

Some cannot understand how Jesus methods apply to their situation and trust more to their own instincts and judgments. These abandon ship. They move along to the prosperity preachers and other false prophets offering simpler programs and more immediate gratification, but have no patience with delayed reward nor appreciation for a Savior who would get himself crucified and then try to make something good from it. (See Matt. 13:21, among other places)

When our Lord commanded us to take care of the needy, the lame and the blind, he promised, You will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous (Luke 14:14). Jesus thought that should be sufficient motivation. Not all agree.

Our Lord said, When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? (Luke 18:8) Will he find anyone still believing, still standing by, still at work. Blessed is that servant whom his master finds so doing when he comes (Matt. 24:46).

Thats how He works. Therefore 

 We should beware of placing our agenda, our instructions, our demands before the Lord. He is Lord. He is in charge. Our constant prayers should be Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matt. 6:10) and What will You have me to do? (Acts 22:10).

 We should learn to wait upon him. David said, I waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined unto me and heard my prayer and brought me up (Ps. 40:1ff). Said the prophet, They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength (Isa. 40:31).

 We should not quit even when the results seem meager. Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (Gal. 6:9).

And so, faithful disciple, Lift up your head; your redemption draweth nigh! (Luke 21:28).

Amen. And double amen!

Read more from Joe McKeever 

This article originally appeared on JoeMcKeever.com and is reposted here by permission.
Golden Gate Park is celebrating its 150th birthday this year, and Western Neighborhoods Project is honoring this milestone in a variety of ways as an official Community Partner of the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department.

Before we began sheltering in place in early March, we were preparing to unveil our newest exhibition, "Monumental Golden Gate Park," at our Home for History at 1617 Balboa Street. Co-curated by the park's Historian in Residence, Christopher Pollock, this exhibition will feature incredible relics from the past not seen by the public in decades; one special piece has been hidden from view for over 60 years! It will also include gorgeous watercolors and illustrations by Richmond District resident Patrick Mahar.

Make no mistake about it: this park is absolutely monumental. Carved out of sand dunes in the Outside Lands, legislation officially created Golden Gate Park on April 4, 1870. Since that time it has been an inspiration to and also a reflection of San Francisco. Statues, structures, recreation areas, and memorial spaces show us what was important to people of the past. They speak to the simultaneous devotion of immigrant communities to their birth countries and their adopted home; to times of peril like wars and health crises; to great men and women such as presidents, generals, and civic-minded San Franciscans; and to an appreciation of natural resources, art, science, and culture.

We'll get that exhibition up and running soon, but, in the meantime, you can explore that theme remotely from the comfort of your own home. Here you'll find articles, videos, podcasts, and historic photographs that will keep you entertained for hours.

Please enjoy this selection, explore the rest of our site, and consider making a tax-deductible donation to support the work (if you can).

- Nicole Meldahl, Executive Director, Western Neighborhoods Project
Sunset Finally Becomes Sunset

(Originally appeared in the WNP member newsletter, Winter 2007)

By Angus Macfarlane

In a previous article, the myth that Aurelius Buckingham named the Sunset District in 1887 was dispelled. Research has uncovered evidence that it was somebody else who first used the term "Sunset" in reference to the neighborhood. This is that story.

Real estate developer Wendell Easton's use of "Sunset Heights" first appeared in 1889 in reference to a block not even in today's Sunset District. Writing in his first newspaper advertisement for this real estate offering, Easton described the inspiration for the term:

"The golden hued sun, as it bids good day to this western slope and dips itself gracefully into its evening bath in the placid Pacific, throws its last kisses prior to its final dip upon these, the truly Sunset Heights". 1

Easton definitely deserves credit for being the first to associate a sunset with the Sunset, but Sunset Heights still is not Sunset. Nevertheless, the phrase was almost immediately adopted by other real estate firms to designate widely separated areas in the yet-to-be named Sunset District.

In October 1886, 30 full blocks and 16 fractional blocks south of Golden Gate Park known as the Richardson Tract were sold for prices ranging from $625 to $1,450 per block. A week later the Berton Tract, comprising 11 blocks, was sold with the highest price for a block at $1,800. 2 This immediately directed the attention of developers and speculators to what had only been referred to as the "Outside Lands". A year later, blocks had increased ten-fold in value, and the area had a name: "South Side" --- as in south of Golden Gate Park.

South Side Improvement Club

In the summer of 1887, the South Side Improvement Club was formed, with Wendell Easton as president. 3 Made up of wealthy absentee real estate developers, promoters, and speculators, the interests of this organization were large-scale infrastructure projects that they believed would spur the development of their extensive South Side holdings. At that time there were only a few scattered families in the area. 4 By attracting more people to the South Side, these investors naturally expected to sell land and enhance their wealth.

At the first meeting of the improvement club, what to name the neighborhood was brought up, but it wasn't considered important at the time and was deferred to a later meeting. Four weeks later, the South Side Improvement Club met again and once again the question of naming the district came up. There were many objections to "South Side" because it signified nothing. No consensus was reached at the meeting, so it was decided to let the public decide by submitting suggestions to the press, and to choose an appropriate name at a later meeting. 5 Nothing ever came of this plan.

Four years after the formation of the South Side Improvement Club, a ground-breaking ceremony was held at Page and Clayton Streets for the extension of the Metropolitan Railway into the Sunset Heights/South Side area. 6 Wendell Easton was president of the Metropolitan Railway, which was a subsidiary of the Southern Pacific Company.

Stimulated by the prospect of a new transportation link, the Carnall-Hopkins Real Estate Company began leveling the huge sand hills on the two blocks between 8th and 10th Avenues and I (Irving) and H (Lincoln Way) Streets for subdivision into lots and sale. This was the first major development "South of the Park" --- another name for the yet-unnamed Sunset. Given the proximity of the Carnall-Hopkins property to Golden Gate Park and the newly created 9th Avenue entrance into the park, Carnall-Hopkins christened the development Parkside. 7

The first Parkside properties to be sold were on the corners of 9th Avenue and H Street, each selling for $4,000. 8 By the summer of 1892, the Metropolitan Railway had been extended to 9th and I, exerting a "colonizing effect" on the area. 9

During this time Golden Gate Park, the South Side's main attraction, was undergoing significant development, which would have implications for the adjoining neighborhood. The 9th Avenue park entrance was completed, making 9th the most important street in the district. Stow Lake and a waterfall cascading down Strawberry Hill were under construction. In August 1893, 60,000 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony in the park for the Mid-Winter Exposition.

In the fall of 1893, a new name was coined for the area of M (Moraga) Street between 11th and 12th Avenues. Having an unsurpassed view of Strawberry Hill and the new waterfall, it was given the name "Strawberry Heights". 10

As work on the Mid-Winter Exposition site in Golden Gate Park progressed, the construction of the first large commercial building in the Sunset Heights/South Side/Parkside/South of the Park was underway at 9th and H Street. A $6,000 structure with seven street-level stores and a rooming house and meeting hall above was erected on the southeast corner of 9th and H. 11 Across the street, a $3,000 building was under construction on the southwest corner. 12

Sutro and the Southern Pacific

In May 1894, the confrontation between Adolph Sutro and the Southern Pacific Company and its subsidiaries over streetcar fares erupted. Sutro's battle against the megalithic Southern Pacific Company led to a populist uprising, resulting in Sutro's election as Mayor by an overwhelming majority in November. But Sutro's election didn't end the war. It simply shifted the front from north of the park to South of the Park.

In May 1895, the Regents of the University of California were seeking a site for the Affiliated Colleges, a campus made up of the professional schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and law. Sutro offered 13 acres of his land on the northern slopes of Mount Parnassus on the outskirts of the South Side.

One morning in August 1895, while the University Regents were considering four sites for the Affiliated Colleges, including Sutro's, South Side residents found themselves without streetcar service. Abruptly, without any notice or warning, the Metropolitan line simply stopped running their cars west of Cole and Waller streets, stranding the residents. 13

The San Francisco Call theorized that the Southern Pacific Company discontinued its service to diminish the value of Sutro's offer of land for the Affiliated Colleges. The Metropolitan line was the only means of transportation to the site. Without trolley service, the site was inaccessible and the land was almost worthless. Clearly, it was all part of Southern Pacific's campaign to humiliate and frustrate its nemesis, Adolph Sutro---and the public be damned. 14

Sunset Gets its Name

The residents promptly protested this mistreatment and demanded the restoration of a vital community necessity. But the representatives of the Market Street Railway, operator of the Metropolitan Line, were unsympathetic and unresponsive. Consequently, a grass roots organization arose consisting of the people who lived and worked in the area, owned small businesses and homes, and/or were raising their families and trying to make ends meet in the neighborhood abandoned by the Market Street Railway.

At the end of August, the residents of the aggrieved community met at La Grande Hall at 9th Avenue and H Street. W.H. Jones was elected this new group's first president. The organization needed a name to distinguish it from the already established South Side Improvement Club, which was made up of absentee millionaire real estate speculators and land developers who had no real-life interest in the neighborhood and were not affected by the high-handedness of the Southern Pacific Company. One member, Gus Fox, suggested "Sunset District Improvement Club" in recognition of the magnificent sunset the group had just witnessed outside the hall. 15

The rest is history. On September 1, 1895, Sunset, in reference to the Sunset District, appeared in print for the first time. 16 Sunset Heights disappeared for almost 30 years until it returned to describe the heights east of 19th Avenue. South Side was immediately taken up by a neighborhood organization south of Market Street. Parkside resurfaced ten years later to describe the portion of the Sunset District south of Ortega Street.

The Park View Hotel, in which La Grande Hall was located, was demolished in the mid-1920s. For many decades afterward, the site was a gas station. Over the next century, trees and buildings obliterated the sight lines that once allowed Gus Fox and the other residents of the Sunset to witness actual sunsets from 9th Avenue and H Street.

Today the Canvas Cafe/Gallery occupies the site where Gus Fox and others met that summer evening in 1895 when the Sunset District was named.

Contribute your own stories about western neighborhoods places!
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Bruce (Xiaoyu) Liu of Canada was named early Thursday as the winner of the 40,000-euro ($45,000) first prize in the 18th Frederic Chopin international piano competition, a prestigious event that launches pianists world careers.

The announcement from the jury came just hours after Liu played as the last entrant among the 12 finalists, performing Chopin's concerto in E minor, opus 11 with the orchestra at the packed National Philharmonic in Warsaw. His inspired performance was met with huge applause.

Oh my god. I dont know what to say, honestly, Liu said after being name winner.

We have been dreaming with all these people here for this prestigious stage, the 24-year-old born in Paris said in English.

Being able to play Chopin in Warsaw is one of the best things you can imagine, of course, so Im truly honored for this award, of course, and for this jurys trust and for all the warmth I have received in recent days, Liu said.

The second prize and 30,000 euros ($35,000) went jointly to Alexander Gadjiev, representing Italy and Slovenia, and Kyohei Sorita of Japan. Gadjiev also won Krystian Zimerman's prize of 10,000 euros ($11,800) for the best sonata performance.

The third prize of 20,000 euros ($23,000) was awarded to Martin Garcia Garcia of Spain, who also won the 5,000 euros ($5,800) prize for best concerto performance.

The fourth prize and 15,000 euros ($17,000) was shared by Aimi Kobayashi of Japan and Poland's Jakub Kuszlik, who also won best mazurka performance prize and 5,000 euros. Italy's Leonora Armellini was awarded the fifth prize of 10,000 euros ($11,600), while the sixth prize and 7,000 euros ($8,000) went to Canadas J.J. Jun Li Bui.

The first prize was funded by the office of Poland's president, and other prizes were funded by the government, state culture institutions and by private individuals.

High ranking in the renowned competition opens the worlds top concert halls to the pianists and paves the way to recordings with best known record companies.

Jury head Katarzyna Popowa-Zydron said after the announcement that the level of the pianists was very high and made the award decisions very hard for the 17 jurors. She called the participants wonderful young people.

During the competition, she had said that apart from being excellent pianists, the participants should also show sensitivity and bring freshness to the music.

I try to look for a rapport between the performer and Chopin, Popowa-Zydron said in an interview. Music is a message from a person, and (the musicians) should know what kind of person Chopin was.

Bowing to their artistry, the jury allowed two more finalists this year than usual. The competition, held every five years, was postponed from 2020 due to the pandemic.

Among previous winners are Maurizio Pollini of Italy, Argentinas Martha Argerich, Garrick Ohlsson from the United States, Polands Krystian Zimerman and Artur Blechacz, and Seong-Jin Cho of South Korea.

Chopin, Polands best known and beloved classical music composer and pianist, was born in 1810 in Zelazowa Wola near Warsaw to a Polish mother and a French father. He left Poland at 19 to broaden his musical education in Vienna and then in Paris, where he settled, composing, giving concerts and teaching the piano. He died on Oct. 17, 1849, in Paris and is buried at the Pere Lachaise cemetery. His heart is at the Holy Cross Church in Warsaw.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
BLOOMINGTON  The director of the Bloomington Public Library said theyll be using more scrutiny when selecting books to be highlighted in a monthly display in the building.

The showcase is on the second floor of the library between the childrens and adult areas and features a different theme each month. In September, the theme was graphic novels.

Jesse Simmons, of Bloomington, said she raised concerns after her husband took her 7-year-old son to the childrens section near the display and he said something wasnt right.

Simmons said some of the selections featured sexually explicit content and drug use.

"I went over a couple of days later ... I personally sat down at that display case and thumbed through books for an hour," Simmons said. "You've got promotion of extreme drug use, extreme profanity through all this stuff... blasphemy against God ... I could go on and on. It is vile."

Simmons said she took her concerns to library staff but wasn't satisfied with the response or the fact that the books remained on display for the last few days of September.

"They leave the responsibility to the parents," she said. "They took away my parental authority to say yes or no before my child picks it up."

Library Director Jeanne Hamilton said the complaint was received by the library.

"The theme, overall, was graphic novels and there were some titles that landed on there that weren't family-friendly," she said.

Hamilton said she checked each title individually through a worldwide catalogue and noted more than 100 libraries in the U.S. had the same books on shelves.

Asked why the Normal Public Library did not have the same books, Hamilton said Normal has "approximately 151,500 books in their collection while Bloomington Public Library has approximately 228,500 books in our collection."

"With that difference, I am sure there are a lot of titles in a variety of subject areas that Bloomington carries that Normal does not," she said.

Simmons on Tuesday confronted the library board during its regular meeting, asking for a public resolution on the matter. What that looks like wasn't clear: Simmons said she didn't want the library to ban books; one person called on trustees to search security camera footage and fire librarians who compiled the display.

Mostly, those who spoke during public comment did so in support of library staff.

The books in question are categorized as for adults in the librarys catalogue system and explore topics of race, sexuality and the marginalization of certain groups within society. Having those perspectives available to the public is necessary, some commenters said.

"It is important to me that every child who grows up here has access to representation  whether that is LGBTQ, racial diversity, cultural diversity, different religions," commenter Sarah Adelman said. "Its important for everyone to understand how unique they are in the world."

"This is really important to me because I grew up closeted and if I had seen more representation for my sexuality, I might have felt less afraid to be who I was my entire life."

Bloomington-Normal Democratic Socialists of America spokeswoman Krystle Able told The Pantagraph she believes the controversy was blown out of proportion.

"They want to prevent people from realizing the truth and being able to reflect and look within themselves to dismantle systems of oppression and racism," she said. "They want to keep people from growing and realizing that we can ... actually achieve equality and inclusion for all."

Normal resident Jason Halmy said the books explored ideas and, like movies, contain adult themes and language that aren't part of the overall message but part of the story-telling experience. He said the issue Tuesday felt more politically charged than morally motivated.

"This feels like a public attack on our institution," he said. "This is my first time coming to anything like this  I'm tired of it. Public servants that are serving us should be treated as such."

Simmons encouraged others to attend the Tuesday meeting, which was interrupted by cheers, music, clapping and protests.

Hamilton said theyve reviewed policies.

"We've looked back and going forward, we are going to focus on putting more family-friendly books in that area," she said.

The display currently showcases books on former Secretary of State Colin Powell and cookbooks on another shelve.

Similar concerns have been raised before. In Cheyenne, Wyoming, residents complained to police that library books on sex and LGBT issues are obscene and that library staff should be arrested.

In 2008, the Bloomington library removed a DVD of the film Shortbus from shelves after a resident said it was inappropriate.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
NORMAL  Heartland Community College staff are planning for a tax levy that does not change the colleges tax rate for the district. The board of trustees started the levy process on Tuesday by approving an equity tax resolution.

The resolution passed Tuesday by the colleges Board of Trustees also instructs staff to implement the equity tax in a way that does not increase the total tax rate above the 2020 rate. The tax is meant to help raise more money for districts that might have below equalized assessed property valuations.

The board will hear more at the November meeting and staff members plant to have a public hearing on the tax levy at the December meeting. The board has made it a stated goal to keep the tax rate around the same year to year. The annual revenue still changes due to changes in equalized assessed values in the district.

Vice President of Finance and Administration Letisha Trepac presented on the levy planning process. The planning assumes a growth of 4% in the total assessed value of the property in the district, which is larger than the growth in recent years. The estimate is based on information the college receives, including the 2020 assessed value and estimates from the county assessors.

Thats a very good indication of the health of our local economy, Trepac said.

Trepac described the tax levy as an estimate, while the tax levy extension is the actual amount the college receives. The college has historically received below its tax levy. The 2020 levy was $27.27 million, while the levy extension to the college was $27.23 million, she said.

The college is eligible to implement the equity tax because its tax rate is below the statewide average and it qualifies to receive equalization grants from the Illinois Community College Board. The equalization grants are meant to provide extra funding to community college districts to help even out differences between districts in terms of tax funds available versus the number of students enrolled.

The equity tax could bring in up to $3.2 million for fiscal year 2023, board documents say.

The original agenda included a resolution on a tax abatement standardization program, but the board removed it by a unanimous vote to wait for action from the state.

During the public comment section, the board heard from two employees who expressed disappointment with the colleges implementation of the governors mask mandates. They said they had not received adequate responses from the college to concerns they had expressed and sent to college administrators.

Contact Connor Wood at (309)820-3240. Follow Connor on Twitter: @connorkwood

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Authorities searched the Illinois & Michigan canal near Lockport on Tuesday at the urging of the sister of Stacy Peterson, the missing wife of convicted murderer Drew Peterson, her sister said.

Illinois State Police confirmed they searched the area with help from the FBI, though they did not specify what they were looking for. Lockport Fire also assisted by searching near the Lockport Locks, according to Fire Chief John OConnor.

The search Tuesday followed others in the same area in recent months, and all have been unsuccessful, State Police Sgt. Delila Garcia said.

Stacy Petersons sister, Cassandra Cales, said she pushed authorities to search the canal. She said she believes she has video evidence of skeletal remains in the area.

I keep going above and beyond to find my sister, she said. And if its not my sister, thats fine, its still somebodys loved one in there. They need the closure. Their loved one needs to come home.

Stacy Peterson disappeared in 2007. She was Drew Petersons fourth wife, and he is suspected in her disappearance but has not been charged with a crime related to her case, authorities have said.

The former Bolingbrook police officer was convicted of killing his third wife, Kathleen Savio, and later for trying to arrange a hit on Will County States Attorney James Glasgow.

Cales has previously said sonar searches showed her sisters remains were in area canals. She described the outcome of Tuesdays search as the same as usual, and said she would continue to search.

This is not a 9-to-5 (job) to me, she said. This is, like, 24 hours a day. I dont not think about my sister.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
A former obstetrician/gynecologist at NorthShore University HealthSystem pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving two of his former patients Tuesday.

Dr. Fabio Ortega, 75, pleaded guilty to two counts of the charge, involving two separate women, in Cook County Circuit Court. The two charges stemmed from incidents in 2017 and 2016, in which the women said that he sexually abused them during exams.

One incident occurred during an exam on a 37-year-old woman at a NorthShore office in Skokie. The other incident involved a 40-year-old woman at Ortegas Lincolnwood office. Both women said Ortega asked them inappropriate questions and then touched them inappropriately.

Ortega was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison, with credit for 170 days that hes already been under electronic monitoring. He may serve less than that if he has good behavior while incarcerated.

Ortega was arrested in September 2018 by Skokie police and originally charged with one count of criminal sexual assault. Ortegas medical license was also suspended in 2018 for engaging in sexual misconduct with (a) patient of his practice, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

One of the women appeared in court in Skokie on Tuesday, and read a statement before sentencing, describing how the incident has derailed her life. She said she came forward after hearing about similar allegations against Ortega on the news. The Tribune does not name victims of sexual abuse without their permission.

Often looking straight at Ortega, she said shes suffered from depression and anxiety since the incident, and is no longer the type of wife and mother she used to be. She said that Ortega may not remember her, but she will always remember him.

Im a shell of my former self, she told the court. Im not living. Im barely surviving day to day. Not only did my life change the moment you touched me, but so did the lives of my husband and my children.

After she spoke, Ortega rose to tearfully give his own statement.

As a physician, I have never intended to hurt anyone. Never, never, he said. I sincerely apologize to the women who felt that I acted inappropriately.

Though Ortega pleaded guilty Tuesday to the criminal charges involving the two women, he faces similar accusations from other women. Nine civil lawsuits against him remain pending in Cook County Circuit Court and theyve been consolidated, said attorney Tamara Holder, who is representing other women accusing him of wrongdoing.

A number of the civil lawsuits also name NorthShore and Swedish Covenant Hospital as defendants. The lawsuits allege that NorthShore failed to warn patients about allegations made against Ortega. Ortega worked at Swedish before working at NorthShore, according to the lawsuits. Swedish has since become part of the NorthShore system.

NorthShore said in a statement Tuesday that it was unable to comment on any litigation related to Ortega.

We respect the courage demonstrated by our patients in raising this matter and place great value in any opportunity to build upon the excellent quality of care we strive to provide our patients, NorthShore said in the statement.

The civil lawsuits allege that NorthShore permitted Ortega to retire rather than fire him. NorthShore has declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the end of his employment.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
A hospital specializing in digestive diseases has opened at Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region.



Pleasant Medical Centre (PMC) was built by a consortium of doctors led by Dr. Robert Nunoo, a colorectal surgery specialist who practices in Cary, North Carolina and is affiliated with the medical facilities Wakemed Cary Hospital and WakeMed Raleigh Campus.



He graduated from the Karolinska Institutet, one of the world's foremost medical universities and is Sweden's single largest centre of medical academic research in 1998.



After 30 years of practice in the US and Sweden, Dr. Nunoo decided to establish a hospital in Ghana to treat digestive diseases. In 2014, he put together a team from Ghana and the United States to work towards establishing a medical facility that will provide general medical care but specialize in digestive diseases.



An estimated 117,000 people die each year from cancers of the digestive tract, which include the colon, the gallbladder, and the stomach. Noncancerous digestive diseases cause 74,000 deaths a year, with 36 percent caused by chronic liver disease and cirrhosis.



At the inauguration of the facility at Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region, Dr. Nunoo said the facility will have 65 beds in the next two years as it expands. Dr. Nunoo and the individuals he describes as a consortium of friends and family are also working to introduce emergency and ICU services.



Currently PMC will provide general medical services and aims to commence its Digestive Diseases Centre before the end of 2022. The impressive facility also has an ultra-modern lab, digital Xray, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy Unit, Obs & Gyne Unit and its own fully equipped ambulance. The facility runs a paperless system; using cutting edge Hospital Management Software.



It will also add to its portfolio endoscopy and the treatment of kidney diseases.



The Pleasant in the hospitals name means it must deliver the highest standard of healthcare.



Whats the pleasant way? The pleasant way is the combination of thoughts and tenants that we go by. And those are the principles that are going to lead us in treating our patients, Dr. Nunoo said.



He said the hospital will run on the values of honesty and integrity, respect, teamwork, and continuous improvement.



There are always newer techniques and were here to embrace new ways and new techniques to improve ourselves to offer better care to the people of Ashaiman, he said.



The CEO of the hospital, Dr. Ann-Shirley Andoh said the hospital was the result of her teams resolve to provide Ghanaians with quality healthcare.



Our intention to bring high-quality healthcare, which is affordable and protocol-driven to all Ghanaians, finds representation in this beautiful building that we have today, Dr. Andoh said.



She added that: The challenges we face in the health sector are not insurmountable. Together with my colleague collaborators, we have decided to leave indelible footprints in the sands of time.



Programmes Manager at JOY FM, Edem Knight-Tay, was MC for the event. She praised Dr. Nunoo and his teams decision to establish a facility that provided affordable care to the sick.



A fathers dream



Dr. Robert Nunoo describes his father, Dr. P.K. Nunoo, as his primary inspiration. Senior Nunoo founded Bukom Ellphkwei Hospital, which stood at the very location the new edifice, Pleasant Medical Centre, now proudly stands.



Sadly, the senior doctor passed away in August this year and was buried a week before the inauguration of his sons new specialist hospital. During his address, Dr. Robert Nunoo led the audience to observe a minutes silence for his father.



Having grown up in Ashaiman, Dr. Nunoo remarked I think that Ashaiman deserves a big hospital considering how fast its growing.



With a population of over 300,000 Ashaiman continues to expand with new real estate developments springing up on the outskirts.





















































Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Mensah Thompson, Executive Director of the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, filed a criminal complaint with the Ghana Police Service against Charles Nii Armah Mensah popularly known as Shatta Wale.



Speaking to Metro TV after filing the complaint at the Criminal Investigations Department, CID, of the Ghana Police Service, Thompson cited Section 208 of Criminal Code Act 29 which deals with publication of false news with the intent of causing fear and panic as the basis of their action.



He explained further that the action of Shatta Wale and his assigns could have severely breached the peace if his many young followers had launched reprisal attacks over the alleged attack on their idol.



This is premised on some false publication he caused to be published yesterday (i.e. on Monday, October 18) claiming that he had been attacked by unknown gunmen, which caused some chaotic scene in the country.



That the level of distress, the level of fear and panic that was caused in the system by the publication of that news has been very very hectic for Ghanaians.



And for all of it to turn out to be a stunt or a prank or some malicious ill-intent publication aimed at courting public attention in support of the artistes album which is said to be lauched very soon is extremely unacceptable, he stressed.



The ASEPA petition read in part: we write to officially lodge a complaint with the Criminal investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service against Mr. Charles Nii Armah AKA Shatta Wale (first respondent) and his agent one Nana Dope (his alias) also referred to as the second respondent for publishing or causing to be published a false news item that had the potential to cause fear and panic and also had the potential to breach public peace.



It added that on Monday 18. October 2021 by about 7 pm, news started making rounds on social media and major traditional media platforms that some unknown gunmen had allegedly shot and injured the first respondent leaving him in a critical condition. The news report further reported that the first respondent was receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital hem in Accra.



ASEPA also called for the arrest of the musician and his aide, Nana Dhope, on whose WhatsApp status the initial report on the attack was posted.



Police on Tuesday evening confirmed the arrest of Shatta Wale and two other aides. The arrest of the aides - Owusu Koranteng, also known as Nana Dope and Eric Venator, alias Gangee came barely an hour before Shatta Wale turned himself in at a time he had been declared wanted.



Meanwhile, police say a warrant of arrest for another aide, Deportee, remains active.



















Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Governance lecturer at the Central University, Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah has slammed the management of the Ghana School of Law (GSL) for refusing admission to over 400 students who passed their entrance exam.



The aggrieved 499 law students who were denied admission, despite passing the 2021 Ghana School of Law entrance exam, are demading the school management to rescind their decision.



Even more bizarre is the fact that, most of us in the 499 group obtained higher marks than some of the admitted candidates in the 790 supposed passed list.



For instance, how can you explain why a candidate who obtains more than 60% in an exam is deemed to have failed and therefore not eligible for admission whereas another candidate who obtains 50% in the same exams is deemed to have passed and therefore offered admissions? Such logic! This certainly can only be one of the wonders of the world, and can only happen in the lexicon of the Ghana School of Law.



If this arbitrary and capricious exercise of discretionary power is not checked, we shouldnt be surprise if next year, the GLC tells us that candidates must obtain more than 70% in the entrance exams to be deemed to have passed. Well, like every well-meaning Ghanaian, we are unable to accept this travesty of justice, and we make a passionate appeal for the reversal of this manifest injustice, for the love of God and Country'', they stated at a press conference in Accra on Monday, October 18.



Reacting to the issue on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah says the GSL management is behaving like tingods.



To him, it's unfair to refuse to admit the 499 students; thereby appealing to the Chief Justice and Attorney General to intervene in the situation.



''The Ghana School of Law has turned into tingods...We know WASSCE; when you write seven subjects and fail in two papers, you rewrite those two subjects. Do you know that when you write seven subjects at the Ghana Law School and fail two papers, you rewrite all the 7 subjects? What's the sense in this?...What at all is in the Ghana Law School?''



He also urged the school management to expand their campuses to accommodate the numerous students but not to use such tactics to disallow the students from entering the Ghana School of Law saying ''let's think outside the box. You're taking people through hardship. Why? Just because the person wants to study? Won't you die if you study law? They (authorities) have to change their ways. What they are doing is reprehensible. Somebody has to look into their face and tell them the truth!''

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The paramount Chief of the Aflao Traditional area, Torgbui Adzonugaga Amenya Fiti, has given the government a four month ultimatum to open the e-block community day senior high school which has stalled since 2016.



The 9 million project which was part of some 200 classroom blocks the erstwhile Mahama administration started was supposed to have some 26 classrooms attached and 5 departments including a science block.



Torgbui Adzonugaga Amenya Fiti speaking with the Minority side of the Education Committee who toured the uncompleted school buildings in the Ketu South constituency says, governments approach to education is appalling.



After senior high school education, the next degree that my people have to do is to go to border and go and do kayayo, no school.



The only school that we have is the RC Senior High School that belongs to the Catholic Mission Minor Seminary. So this thick population have no place to go and people sit down in that big hall called parliament and not thinking about Aflao, a place after the Tema Harbour , the next revenue generation is from the Aflao border.



I had to push the former President Mahama for the structure to be constructed over there. I had to be running from here to Accra begging.



Should we beg for education?















View this post on Instagram



A post shared by   (@utvghana)













Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Chief Executive Officer for the Middle Belt Development Authority Hon Joe Danquah has announced a focused initiative aimed at advancing the goals of the Human Capital Development, an effort to accelerate more and better investments in people for greater equity and economic growth.



He said, the initiative is a way to invest and develop the human capital through education, health, agricultural among others to empower Ghanaians in order to eradicate poverty.



Hon Joe Danquah disclosed this when together with the deputy C.E.O Mr Alexander Ferka and other officials of the Authority inspected and commissioned eight(8) projects in the Banda District in the Bono region.



Hon Joe Danquah speaking to the media after the commissioning said, the Authority have achieved a lot when it comes to the distribution of infrastructural projects across its catchment areas and therefore the need to shift attention towards building the capacity of the people to be self-sufficient.



He mentioned activities such as greenhouse farming, building of dams, training of the youth in artisans and making arrangements to export Ghanaian nurses to Germany as part of the activities tabled to empower the youth.



Hon Joe Danquah elaborated that, the objective is to have a society where individuals and communities have overcome poverty through skills development, education and capacity building, bottleneck to individual and promote social development of the youth and communities.



He averred that, the Middle Belt Development Authority was established in 2017 by Act 962 of the Parliament to be the main vehicle for spearheading the development of five regions, namely Ashanti, Ahafo, Bono, Bono East, and Eastern which the Authority have achieved a lot in the regard.



He opined that, the Authority is making such move because a highly skilled labor force in a thriving digital ecosystem will increase the ability of the country to compete on a global scale, by attracting investments, promoting innovation in service delivery and value-addition to natural resources, as well as generating knowledge-intensive activities.

Source: Kwabena Manu/Peace FM/ Bono East correspondent.









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Oct 20 (Reuters) - Facebook Inc (FB.O), under fire from regulators and lawmakers over its business practices, is planning to rebrand itself with a new name that focuses on the metaverse, the Verge reported on Tuesday.



The name change will be announced next week, The Verge reported, citing a source with direct knowledge of the matter.



The move would likely position the flagship app as one of many products under a parent company overseeing brands such as Instagram and WhatsApp, according to the report. Google (GOOGL.O) adopted such a structure when it reorganized into a holding company called Alphabet in 2015.



Read Full Story .... reuters.com >>> :

















Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Flag Bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2020 elections, John Dramani Mahama believes that the Military was used to declare the 2020 elections in favour of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in some collation centres.



He explained that the deployment of the military forced some officers of the electoral commission to declare wrong results to favour his opponent, Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP.



Mr. Mahama made the claims when he spoke on Global FM last Monday morning to kick start his one-day Thank You tour of the Volta Region.



He said We won the majority in Parliament, but you saw what happened on the day. In many of the collation centres they injected soldiers and forced the electoral officers to pronounce results that were not real.



He cited a situation in Sefwi Wiawso where a ballot box got missing in transit, thereby allowing the EC to pronounce the election in favour of the NPP candidate, although he (Mahama) had won the presidential ballot.



According to him, a careful analysis of the incidents that happened during the 2020 elections point to the fact that the NDC won the elections, but the scheming turned the tide in favour of the incumbent NPP at the time.



But for a lot of scheming that took place, the NDC would have won the election. I do believe that we did win, but a lot of things went untoward and so even though power did not come into our hands, it does not mean we do not have the prospects of winning.



He was therefore surprised that the Electoral Commission in a recent comment described the 2020 election as the best ever since the inception of the fourth republic.



The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, described the 2020 general election as historic, transparent, efficient, and cost-effective in a recent interaction with some foreign dignitaries.



She acknowledged that although there were some pockets of electoral and post-electoral violence (61 recorded cases) across the country, the seven lives that are alleged to have been lost did not occur at the polling stations or arise as a result of misconduct on the part of the electoral officers or the commission as a whole.



She therefore urged the security agencies to make public the findings from the investigations conducted into the circumstances that led to the killing of the seven persons during the 2020 general elections because One life lost is one too many.



More so, the recommendations will facilitate future learning and make elections in subsequent years better.



Reacting to this, Former President Mahama stressed that the 2020 elections were not transparent because right from the onset the EC had plotted to rig the election for the NPP.



He alleged that She (Jean Mensah) got a mindset towards rigging the election for the NPP. They have conducted the worst election. You have an EC commissioner that says that NDC was an existential threat to the elections of the country.

Mr. Mahama noted that the correction of errors by the EC was evidence of rigging. He also alleged the stuffing of ballot boxes and illegal printing of extra ballot papers and stamping of same, as a basis for a rigged election.



Although the president could not prove these claims at the Supreme Court when he contested the election results earlier this year, he noted that as far as he is concerned, They (EC) have conducted the worst election. They should use the 2024 general elections to redeem themselves.





Source: Daily Guide









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Deputy Communications Director of the ruling NPP, Mame Yaa Aboagye has described former President Mahamas Thank You tour as a political gimmick.



According to her, Mr. Mahama can cry blood, his tricks for a political comeback to deceive many will not work.



She said the former President's ongoing tour is full of lies and deceit coupled with bitter comments.



Mr. John Mahama is accusing everybody in his Thank You tour including the Electoral Commission Chairperson, Madam Jean Mensa, portraying to be better than every government that has ruled this country over the years.



Mame Yaa Aboagye urged the former President to highlight his vision for the nation instead of trying to make the government unpopular in the eyes of the people.



Ghanaians expect the former President to concentrate on what an NDC government would do to build a better society for all.



Ghanaians deserve better; enough of the lies and deceit. You had your time and chances and you blew it away because of your incompetence.



We admit there have been a few challenges here and there but President Nana Akufo-Addo's government has performed creditably well and achieved a lot through the implementation of realistic social intervention programmes. Venting and wailing during his tour wont change anything. Ghanaians won't hand you the power to mess things up again, she added.

Source: peacefmonline.co









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Deputy National Organizer of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Chief Hamilton Biney, has fired the ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP) for deceiving the people of Cape Coast.



According to him, "dishonest President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his deceptive vice president Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia have been exposed big time by the God of central region".



He said Vice President Bawumia must be likened to alleged Nigerian popular fraudster Hushpuppi who is facing trial.



He explained that there is no difference between Hushpuppi and Dr. Bawumia because he has also lied and deceived the people of Cape Coast into believing that they will get a harbour.



"What is the difference between Bawumia and Hushpuppi . . . he is the political Hushpuppi," he said during a panel discussion on Adom FM's 'Badwam' programme.



President Akufo-Addo has said that a Habour project was never a part of the list of commitments tabled before him for his second term.



The commitment was never to a harbour; it was to a landing site, he said on Cape Coast-based Eagle FM on Monday.



Bawumia's manifesto launch address



During his address at the launch of the partys manifesto in August 2020, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia also disclosed that, for the people of Cape Coast, I have good news for you. We are building a new harbour in Cape Coast and a new airport in Cape Coast.



Cape Coast airport



Meanwhile, on the idea of an airport in the region, President Akufo-Addo explained that consensus about the location among other studies is complete.



The commitment to build the airport in Cape Coast, that one is 100% committed, work is ongoing it, and I think very soon, just as we have seen with Wa, Ho, Sunyani  its almost complete, Cape Coast will get its own airport, he added.



To Chief Biney, politics is about truthfulness and consistency and not dishonesty.



Hushpuppi



Nigerian influencer Ramon Abbas - also known as Hushpuppi - has pleaded guilty to money laundering in a US court.



Hushpuppi, 37, is known for posting photos of his lavish lifestyle on Instagram, where he has 2.5m followers.



Court documents filed in California said Hushpuppi's crimes cost victims almost $24m (17m) in total.



They add that he could face up to 20 years in prison, and will need to "pay full restitution to the victim(s)".



Hushpuppi was arrested in Dubai, where he lived, in June 2020.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is being challenged by the Member of Parliament for Banda Constituency, Ahmed Ibrahim to adopt the same "Fellow Ghanaians" approach he used to address the Covid-19 pandemic to assure Ghanaians of his support for the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.



According to him, the issue will be put to rest when the President addresses the nation on the position of the government.



Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show, Ahmed Ibrahim asserted that the confusion surrounding the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill will be settled and Ghanaians will be convinced of its passage when President Akufo-Addo uses the same passion he has used to handle the Covid-19 issue to address the LGBTQ+ debate.



"President Akufo-Addo can use the same 'fellow Ghanaians' approach to address Ghanaians on the position of the government and this confusion will be settled. If the President addresses the nation on the LGBTQ+ it will settle all the confusion surrounding the bill, before Parliament and Ghanaians will be rest assured that we are against the activities of homosexuality," he indicated.



He added that what President Akufo-Addo has said in the past at Mampong before the Catholic Bishop Conference is different from what is happening now.



"We are now talking about a bill that will address the issue of homosexuality in the country and since the President has said that the activities of homosexuality will not happen under his watch, we want to hear him address the nation on the bill as he used to do with the Covid-19 pandemic," he challenged.



Watch Video Below





Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
An Aide to former president John Dramani Mahama and a private legal practitioner, Lawyer Edudzi Tamakloe, has disclosed that Akufo-Addo's government is on auto pilot with nobody in charge.



He says things have gone a spiral down as prices of commodities keep increasing on daily basis.



Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he explained that president Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo has blatantly refused to hear the cry of Ghanaians who are suffering under his administration.



"Times are hard under this government but it looks like nobody is in charge and the governance of the country seem to be on auto pilot. Look at the current fuel prices and it's virtually affecting prices of commodities," he said.



He further added that government has deliberately given a deaf ear to the plight of Ghanaians and keep deceiving all that everything is well when he knows very well that he has done nothing to alleviate the hardship Ghanaians are going through under his watch.



"It is for this reason that former president John Dramani Mahama believes the NPP government has overstayed their usefulness and need to be booted out in the next general elections," he added.



Watch Video Below





Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[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.

Featured Video
Im ready to do jail time if law is passed against doom prophecies  Shatta Wale



Dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale has said his fight is against fake prophecies in the country.



According to him, if he will be locked up for laws to be made against Prophets prophesying death of celebrities and other prominent people he is willing to do that.



He believes that these Prophets prophesy and later arrange for these deaths to happen and therefore its imperative that laws are made to prevent Prophets from making doom prophecies.



If they will lock me and later pass a law so that these stupid pastor prophecies will stop in this country I am in for it. Pastor my foot mcheeewww.



Dancehall artiste Shatta Wale through the social media account of his Personal Assistant and Godfather announced he had been shot by some unknown assailants.



The report was widely circulated on social media but it turned out to be a hoax as the musician later issued a release to the effect that he had not been shot.



He, however, insisted that his life was in danger and therefore will be on the run until he is shown that laws work in Ghana.



Shatta Wale has been ranting about the system in Ghana and the fact that no one called the prophet to order when he made the prophecy about him.













View this post on Instagram



A post shared by   (@utvghana)













Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
" " An Orthodox Jewish schoolboy passes a memorial for victims of the mass shooting that killed 11 Jews and wounded six others at the Tree of Life synagogue on Oct. 29, 2018 in Pittsburgh. Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

The persecution of Jews for practicing what they believe  for just being Jewish  is as old as the faith itself. As surprising as a recent spike in hatred toward Jews may be, as appalling as the murders of 11 Jews in a Pittsburgh synagogue in late October 2018 are, anti-Semitism in all its ugly, despicable forms is something that Jews know all too intimately. It is part of their history, part of their being. And so, it's something we all have to own.

If the horrors in Pittsburgh have taught us anything  which is yet to be determined  it's something that we probably should have known all along. Anti-Semitism is real. It is lasting. And it's not going away anytime soon.

Advertisement

What Is Anti-Semitism?

Simply, anti-Semitism is a persecution or a hatred toward Jews for being Jewish. The term itself wasn't introduced until the late 19th century, by a German journalist, according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. But the hatred has been around much longer than that. From the USHMM:

Among the most common manifestations of antisemitism throughout history were pogroms, violent riots launched against Jews and frequently encouraged by government authorities. Pogroms were often incited by blood libels  false rumors that Jews used the blood of Christian children for ritual purposes.

In many countries, Jews were separated from the rest of the populace, made to work menial jobs and prohibited from owning land. The persecution of Jews culminated in the Holocaust, the systematic massacre of more than 6 million Jews by Nazi Germany and its sympathizers from 1933-1945.

Though Jews have continued to make important inroads into societies all over the world since then  Joe Lieberman became the first Jew on a U.S. presidential ticket in 2000, when he ran for vice president alongside Al Gore  anti-Semitism continues to infect many countries, including America, at many levels. In 2017, protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, marched while chanting slogans like, "Jews will not replace us." And on Oct. 27, 2018, a 46-year-old trucker opened fire at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue, killing 11 people and injuring six more in what the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said was the deadliest attack on Jews in American history.

"While the events [in Pittsburgh] were horrifying, devastating, just heart wrenching, I think if you were to ask most Jews, they would say it wasn't that shocking. We were kind of waiting for something like this to happen," says Allison Padilla-Goodman, the Southeast region director of the ADL. "Jewish people are feeling anti-Semitism on almost a daily basis now. It is kind of part of how we're living. Extremism, leadership not speaking out, social media amplifying anti-Semitism ... these are all things that are bringing it much more into the mainstream.

"And that's where we get really concerned, is when we see anti-Semitism kind of moving from the margins to the mainstream. It's been underground for so long, and now it's kind of erupting."

" " The Pyramid of Hate shows biased behaviors, growing in complexity from the bottom to the top. Although the behaviors at each level negatively impact individuals and groups, as one moves up the pyramid, the behaviors have more life-threatening consequences. Ant-Defamation League

Advertisement

Are Things Getting Worse?

According the ADL, 1,986 anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. were reported to the group in 2017, a jump of 57 percent over the numbers reported in 2016. Incidents were logged in every state for the first time since 2010 and included, even, a big rise in incidents in public K-12 schools. Most of these events are categorized under harassment (say, bomb threats) or vandalism (swastikas painted on driveways or in schools, for example). The number of outright assaults actually dropped, the group says.

But the overall spike in anti-Semitic acts is undeniable, and it prompts a simple question with no easy answers: Why? Why so much hate?

"We're seeing national leaders retweeting content from white nationalists, or using words and phrases from white supremacists in public speeches," Padilla-Goodman says. "We're seeing religious leaders, like Louis Farrakhan, who have been calling Jews 'termites' forever and continues to do so, being more openly embraced by the left. We're just seeing a lot more anti-Semitism entering into the mainstream than we're comfortable with."

This move toward a more hostile public discourse plays out in anti-Semitic acts, Padilla-Goodman says. And, like anti-Semitism itself, it is not new.

Throughout history, she says, when anti-Semitism has spiked or manifested, it's always during times of economic or social crisis, or during times of unrest. "It's times when we hearken back to fear-mongering or hatred. Anti-Semitism is always there and always goes hand-in-hand with almost any other kind of bias and bigotry," Padilla-Goodman says. "We understand that those who hate the Jews generally hate someone else. We understand that it is our responsibility, as Jews as well as people fighting hate, to speak up for everyone."

Advertisement

What Lies Ahead?

In tumultuous times like these that are seemingly filled with anger and hatred, it's hard to see anti-Semitism as something that ever will be relegated to a historical footnote. But local groups, as well as national and international ones, continue to reject the hatred associated with anti-Semitism and work to educate young people on its dangers.

Much of that effort begins with those who are in positions of power and influence.

"I want to give the same message to the president of the United States as well as the student government president," Padilla-Goodman says. "I think leadership at all levels right now needs to speak up and denounce anti-Semitism, denounce hatred, denounce white nationalism and white supremacy, and claim very strongly and forcefully, and clearly, that this is not who we are."

The Tuesday after the Pittsburgh murders, people gathered in Atlanta  much in the way people did all over the country  for an interfaith vigil at The Temple, described as one of "American Judaism's most religious institutions." They met at a place, more than 150 years old, that was bombed 60 years ago in 1958 by an anti-Semite.

They met to honor those killed and to show people all over the world that the hatred of anti-Semitism is something they will fight forever.

"This is the time when we're seeing people really show up," Padilla-Goodman says. "Just being there  the head of the Islamic Speakers Bureau here in Atlanta, a dear friend of mine, as I'm leaving came up and gave me a big hug, and she was like, 'This is where I need to be. I can't imagine not being here.'

"That's what we need from everybody right now."

NOW THAT'S INTERESTING As insidious as anti-Semitism seems to be, there is some good news among the bad: The ADL points out that, since the group began tracking attitudes in 1964, there has been "a marked decline in anti-Jewish attitudes," and a "vast majority of Americans" do not have negative attitudes toward Jews. Recent ADL surveys showed for the first time, though, that a majority of Americans are concerned about violence against Jews and that more than 80 percent of Americans believe government needs to step up to combat anti-Semitism.
" " Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 4.0 This 16th-century painting by Hieronymus Bosch shows an angel leading a soul to hell.

What do you believe about heaven and hell? Even if you're not religious, it's hard to escape the pull of these two opposing fates awaiting mankind after death: eternal paradise and joy in the clouds or eternal damnation and despair in the fiery depths.

The concept of hell is present in many religions  such as the Mesopotamian religions from the third century B.C.E., as well as in Roman and Greek mythology (Hades, anyone?). Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism all acknowledge the existence of a hell, too. But for the purposes of this article, we'll concentrate on the Judeo-Christian concept of hell. Where did our collective Western image of hell come from? And has it always been the same since the very beginning?

Not at all, says Jeffrey Trumbower, a professor of religious studies at St. Michael's College in Burlington, Vermont and author of "Rescue for the Dead: The Posthumous Salvation of Non-Christians in Early Christianity."

"There's hardly any conception of the afterlife in the Hebrew Bible," says Trumbower, referring to the books that largely comprise the Old Testament in Christianity. Compared to the ancient Egyptians, whose 'Book of the Dead' and 'Book of Gates' present robust visions of what awaits us after death, the people of Palestine hardly gave it a thought.

In rare passages, the Hebrew Bible gives glimpses of Sheol, the Hebrew underworld, as a dull shadowy existence, a neutral storage place for all of the dead, both good and evil. In the book of 1 Samuel 28:7-24, for example, a troubled Saul wants to speak to the dead prophet Samuel, so he consults a witch or medium who can summon the dead.

"The woman said, "I see a ghostly figure[a] coming up out of the earth."

"What does he look like?" [Saul] asked.

"An old man wearing a robe is coming up," she said.

Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.

Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?"

For Trumbower, it's striking that Samuel, "a great prophet and certainly a righteous person," was not living in some kind of heavenly paradise, but instead grumpily arose "out of the earth" as if he'd been awoken from a long nap. In the ancient Hebrew imagination, Sheol was a single dumping ground for all the world's dead.

So where do we first get the idea of divine judgment, of God separating the good from the evil and sentencing them to opposing fates? The earliest biblical mention is in the book of Daniel 12:2 written around 165 B.C.E., in which the prophet is given a vision of the Day of Judgment.

"Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt."

Rather than a neutral afterlife, Daniel gives us the first description of what historian Alan Bernstein calls "moral death," where your eternal fate depends on how you lived your life. Trumbower says that by the first century C.E., the idea of a final judgement where God metes out different rewards and punishments was widespread within Judaism.

"When you have the Jesus movement [Jews who decided to follow Jesus], they're already steeped in this kind of stuff," says Trumbower.

Advertisement

A New Kind of Hell

In the New Testament, Jesus and his disciples introduce a new term for hell, the Hebrew word Gehenna. According to Jewish tradition, Gehenna was a valley outside of the city walls of Jerusalem that doubled as a trash dump, where garbage was continually burned.

"It was a foul, dank, smelly place, so it became a word used for this hellish fiery pit where people are tormented," says Trumbower.

But when the New Testament talks about hell, it still mostly envisions hell as the place where evildoers are sent only after the Day of Judgment, not directly after death. Take the Gospel of Matthew, for example, in which Jesus shares the parable of the sheep and the goats, in which the "King" separates the good and the evil in the last days as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats.

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels."

There is, however, one striking example in the gospels of hell as the place where the bad guys are sent right after they die to be tortured for their sins. It's the story of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus found in Chapter 16 of the Gospel of Luke.

In the tale, the rich man feasts while Lazarus subsists on the scraps that fall from his table, dogs licking his open sores. When both men die, Lazarus the beggar is "carried to Abraham's side" in heaven and the rich man is sent the opposite way.

"In Hades, where he was in torment, [the rich man] looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'

"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.'"

" " Hell is often depicted as a place of fire in the popular imagination. But do we know what it really is? tombud/pixabay.com

The first real graphic descriptions of hell and its torments come outside of the New Testament canon in the Christian apocryphal texts of the second century C.E. One of the most colorful visions of hell is recorded in the Apocalypse of Peter, which was widely known in Christian circles at the time, though not considered part of the biblical canon.

After describing heaven as "exceeding bright with light... and the earth itself blooming with unfading flowers and full of spices and plants, fair-flowering and incorruptible and bearing blessed fruit," the author gets into the juicy stuff. Each punishment in hell is fitted to the crime.

Murderers were "cast into a certain strait place, full of evil snakes, and smitten by those beasts" while the souls of the murdered looked on with satisfaction. Those who blasphemed and slandered the righteous were forced to "[gnaw] their own lips... and [receive] a red-hot iron in their eyes." The rich who refused the orphans and widows were made to wear "tattered and filthy" garments and to walk endlessly over "pebbles sharper than swords or any spit, red-hot."

In modern times, many theologians have downplayed the images of horror and stressed that the worst part of hell is not the snakes and the fire (which are likely not literal) but rather, being separated from God.

Advertisement

And What About Satan?

Satan wasn't always a red demon with horns, cloven feet and a pitchfork. When we first meet him in the Old Testament Book of Job, he's presenting himself to God along with several "sons of God" and comes up with the idea of testing the faith of Job by stripping him of everything he possesses. To the ancient Hebrews, Satan was an adversary, tempter and an accuser of man, but not pure evil, says Trumbower.

That later view of Satan, he says, was probably borrowed from Zoroastrianism, the religion of Persia, which ruled over the Jewish people for 200 years from 530 to 330 B.C.E.

" " An illustration from "The Vision of Hell," the first part of "The Divine Comedy" (La Divina Commedia) by Dante Alighieri. Many people attribute the image of Satan with a pair of bat wings to this book. Artist: Gustave Dore. Photo by The Print Collector/Getty Images

"The Persian religion was dualistic," says Trumbower, "with an ultimate good and an ultimate evil constantly at war. The Persians also believed in an 'end time' and a final conflagration."

By the time of Christ, Jesus' Jewish followers would have absorbed this Persian version of Satan as the source of all evil and the chief opposition of God. As for the horns and hooves, that imagery was likely borrowed from pagan gods like Moloch and Pan, and medieval authors like Dante gave Satan bat wings in his "Inferno" to contrast with the feathered wings of the angels.

Now That's Interesting In 1031, the Catholic Church formalized the existence of purgatory (from the Latin "to purify"), a temporary place of punishment for "venial" sins not repented for while alive. The Eastern Orthodox Church never accepted purgatory.
" " We mostly hear about presidential impeachment, but presidents, vice presidents and anyone appointed to a federal office can be impeached, except people in the military. Nick Youngson/Alpha Stock Images (CC BY-SA 3.0)

This explainer on impeachment is intended for our elementary and middle-school readers. If you would like to read more on this topic, dive into our longer article How Impeachment Works.

The president of the United States has a hard job. He or she is the leader of the U.S. government and the head of the military. Sometimes, in the middle of their time in the White House, lots of people start to notice the president is not doing a good job, or did something illegal. This is when Congress  the House of Representatives and the Senate, which make the laws of the United States together  decides whether a president has failed at their job. This process is called impeachment.

One thing we often get wrong about impeachment is that it is the same thing as firing the president. Impeachment is actually how a president gets accused of doing something wrong, and it means they might get fired later. Three American presidents have been impeached, but none of them has had to leave his job because of it.

Advertisement

Impeachment Is Not Just for Presidents

We hear a lot about presidential impeachment, but presidents, vice presidents and anyone who has a job in the federal government (except military officers) can be impeached. Congress has started the impeachment process about 60 times in American history, but only eight of these have resulted in the person being fired. All of these have been judges.

Presidential impeachment is rare, but it is big news when it happens. Only three presidents in history have been impeached: Andrew Johnson in 1868, Bill Clinton in 1998 and Donald Trump, who was impeached twice during the four years he was president  once in 2019 and again in 2021. Richard Nixon resigned from office before the House of Representatives was able to impeach him in 1974.

Everything we know about how to impeach a president comes from a small section of the Constitution of the United States, which is the document that outlines the highest laws of the land and tells us how the government should work. According to the Constitution, you might be impeached if you commit any of these crimes: Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." The men who wrote the Constitution didn't tell us what any of these things mean, but we know treason is the act of trying to overthrow the government, and bribery is trading money or gifts for a favor. The Constitution doesn't tell us what "High Crimes and Misdemeanors" is, but we understand they are very bad crimes.

The Constitution gives the House of Representatives the power to impeach. The Senate has the job of holding the trial to decide whether the president will be found guilty or innocent of the crimes named by the House of Representatives.

" " A lot of people thought President Nixon should lose his job because he did things that were illegal. Bettmann/Getty Images

Advertisement

How Does an Impeachment Begin?

The House of Representatives starts the impeachment process by putting together evidence that the president has done something wrong and giving that evidence to a special group, called a committee, to review. If this committee finds enough evidence, it creates a list of things the president could be guilty of  these are called the Articles of Impeachment. The House votes on these articles, and if more than half of the members vote for one or more of the charges in the Articles of Impeachment, the president is officially impeached.

Next comes the Senate impeachment trial. A few members of the House of Representatives called "Managers" act as the prosecution  they accuse the president of wrongdoing in the trial. The impeached president and their lawyers defend the president. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court acts as the judge in the trial. All the members of the Senate act as the jury, hearing the evidence and deciding what to do about it. If two-thirds of the Senate finds the president guilty, the president is fired from their job, and the vice president takes over the office of president.

Depending on the specific criminal accusations they faced, if the president is found guilty, it might disqualify them from holding office again.

Now That's Interesting The first president, George Washington, started his job on April 30, 1789.
" " This painting by Peter Paul Rubens is titled "The Meeting of Abraham and Melchizedek," c. 1626. Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images

The mysterious biblical figure of Melchizedek has intrigued (and puzzled) religious thinkers and scholars for centuries. He makes a brief but significant appearance in Genesis  the first book of the Hebrew Bible (known to Christians as the Old Testament)  when he blesses the patriarch Abram and is introduced as the "priest of the Most High God."

From that single mention, various Jewish sects and early Christians developed their own disparate interpretations of who Melchizedek was and what he represented. Some apocalyptic Jewish writers cast Melchizedek as a heaven-sent high priest who existed before the flood and would return to usher in the messiah. Meanwhile, early Christians saw Melchizedek as a "type" or precursor of Jesus Christ, in that they both derived authority from an eternal and higher priesthood. Some have wondered if Melchizedek was even Jesus Christ himself in another form.

Who was the real Melchizedek? Unlike nearly everyone mentioned in Genesis and other books, Melchizedek has no recorded father, no genealogy. He is not the "son of" anyone. If a man by that name ever existed, he's been long lost to time. But exploring how the meaning of Melchizedek has been interpreted and reinterpreted over time is equally fascinating and instructive. Let's start with the account in Genesis, which appears straightforward at first, but is as problematic as they come.

Advertisement

Melchizedek Makes His Only Appearance

Genesis 14 starts off as a chronicle of war. A group of cities, including Sodom and Gomorrah, were under the thumb of King Kedorlaomer of Elam. After 12 years of servitude, there was an uprising, which Kedorlaomer quashed with a vengeance, seizing captives and booty from the rebelling cities.

Among those captured, Genesis 14 tells us, was Lot, the nephew of "Abram the Hebrew." At this point in the story, Abram was not yet Abraham because he had yet to make a covenant with God. But Abram was a wealthy and powerful landowner, so he decided to go save his nephew. Abram took 318 well-trained servants and attacked Kedorlaomer at night, chasing the enemy to Damascus and retrieving the stolen goods and people, including Lot.

Here's where things get interesting. Lot and his family lived in Sodom. When Abram makes his triumphant return, he's first greeted by the king of Sodom (identified earlier in the chapter as Bera). But before the king of Sodom has a chance to talk, Genesis introduces a new character not previously mentioned in the long lists of warring kings. In verses 18-20, it says:

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying:



Blessed be Abram by God Most High,

Creator of heaven and earth.

And praise be to God Most High,

who delivered your enemies into your hand.



Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

As we'll see, a lot has been made of those short verses. Here was a priest of "God Most High,"  understood as the one true God of Judaism, Christianity and Islam  blessing Abram, who would soon become the patriarch of God's chosen people. And here was Abram paying a tithe to this high priest, whose elevated position and authority predates all of the ancient prophets.

Yet right after this momentous occasion in the history of monotheism, Melchizedek disappears. In the very next verse, we're back to the king of Sodom, who offers Abram a share of the spoils, which Abram, being a righteous man, refuses.

Advertisement

The King of Sodom Becomes the King of Salem

So how do we explain this rather awkward insertion of Melchizedek, priest-king of Salem, into the war narrative of Genesis 14? Robert Cargill, a professor of classics and religious studies at the University of Iowa, has some interesting theories.

In his latest book, "Melchizedek, King of Sodom: How Scribes Invented the Biblical Priest-King," Cargill provides textual evidence from the earliest Hebrew and Greek versions of Genesis 14 that Melchizedek was originally introduced as the king of Sodom. According to Cargill, early editors of the Hebrew Bible chose to distance Abram from any positive encounters with a king of Sodom, since Sodom and Gomorrah came to be equated with vile wickedness and sin.

That would explain why Melchizedek is so abruptly inserted into the narrative after the king of Sodom greets Abram. In the original version, they were the same person. Cargill asserts that the scribes switched out Sodom for Shalem, a known city in Samaria.

But how, then, did we get from Shalem to Salem (translated as "peace"), a city believed to be a precursor to Jerusalem? That's the result of yet another, later textual "tampering," writes Cargill.

Starting around 300 B.C.E., there was a rivalry between the Levite priests in Jerusalem (who had sole authority to sacrifice at the Jewish temple) and the Samaritans. The Samaritans worshipped the same God as the Jews but had their own priests and their own temple on Mount Gerizim in Samaria.

Cargill believes that the Levite priests were the ones who changed Shalem to Salem as part of a centuries-long campaign to centralize all priesthood authority in Jerusalem and write Samaria out of the picture. And by depicting Abram as making tithes to the priest-king of Salem, it strengthened the authority of the Jerusalem priests to also demand tithes from the faithful.

Advertisement

Early Christians Take the Ball and Run With It

While Melchizedek only appears once in the Bible, his name is invoked in two other places. The first is in Psalm 110, traditionally attributed to King David. In Psalm 110, God makes a series of promises to "my lord," a figure that could be King David himself or, in later Christian interpretations, Jesus Christ.

Hidden among various pledges to crush the lord's enemies, Psalm 110 says: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."

This one mention of Melchizedek in Psalm 110, together with the heavily edited episode in Genesis, provided theological framework for early Christian apologists like Paul, who were tasked with defending the divinity and authority of Jesus after his death.

In the book of Hebrews, which is a letter to a young Christian community struggling to part ways with its Jewish beliefs and traditions, Paul (or someone else  the authorship of this book is unclear) makes the case that Jesus Christ's power and authority supersede all of Israel's prophets and high priests. In Chapter 7 of Hebrews, an explicit connection is made between Melchizedek and Jesus.

Melchizedek, Paul explains, was "king of Salem and priest of God Most High." He was both a king and a high priest, something that Jews of that time believed wasn't possible. Only Levites could be priests and only non-Levites could be king. (When King Uzziah tried to light incense in the temple, God struck him with leprosy.) Paul interpreted Psalm 110 as referring to Jesus as a "priest forever in the order of Melchizedek," which gave Jesus the same type of overriding authority as Melchizedek.

For Jews who didn't believe that Jesus, a non-Levite, could perform a sacrifice (in this case, of himself) for their sins, Paul explained that Jesus's priesthood authority was eternal and everlasting. Jesus, through his death and resurrection, was a king and priest "forever" in the same way that Melchizedek was a priest-king in his day.

In an ironic twist, Paul notes that Melchizedek, which means "king of righteousness," was also the king of Salem or the "king of peace." The Levite priests, by changing Shalem to Salem, inadvertently strengthened the connection between Melchizedek, the "king of peace," and Jesus, the "Prince of Peace."

Advertisement

The Apocryphal Adventures of Melchizedek

The figure of Melchizedek clearly fascinated many readers of the Hebrew Bible. During the Second Temple period, there was a blossoming of pseudepigraphical texts, books that claimed to be written by ancient prophets and biblical figures like Moses, Adam and Eve, Enoch and others, but had much more modern authorship.

The text known as 2 Enoch was probably written in the first century C.E. in Egypt, and it proposed a wild backstory for our friend Melchizedek. According to 2 Enoch, Melchizedek was born back before the great flood. Noah had a younger brother, Nir, whose aged wife became pregnant with a divinely implanted baby. Nir accused her of cheating on him and she died of grief. Nir, afraid he'd be accused of killing her, plotted with Noah to bury her secretly.

But as they were digging the grave, the infant emerged from his dead mother's womb as a walking, talking 3-year-old!

Nir and Noah, completely freaked out, named the baby Melchizedek and noticed that he bore the "badge of priesthood," which they took as a sign of God delivering the priestly bloodline to the Earth. The angel Michael then came down to rescue the child from the flood and hide him away in Eden. Later, Michael explained, Melchizedek would return as the priest-king of the city of Salem and begin a priestly line that would end with the messiah.

Another pseudepigraphical text about Melchizedek was found among the Nag Hammadi codices. Although only a fragment, it seems to imply that Melchizedek was to be reincarnated as Jesus Christ, which is a step farther than just being a "type" for Jesus.

Now That's Interesting In the 3rd century C.E., a heretical Christian sect called the Melchizedekians taught that Melchizedek was not a man at all, but a heavenly being whose power was superior to Jesus.
" " This 1953 Soviet propaganda poster shows (from left) Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin. Apic/Getty Images

The Soviet Union was the world's first communist country, so why was its official name the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)? Are socialism and communism actually the same thing?

Yes and no, says Norman Markowitz, a history professor at Rutgers University who has taught a course on the history of socialism and communism for the past 40 years.

"'The Communist Manifesto,' published by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in 1848, became the foundation of both socialism and communism," says Markowitz, but there are clearly differences between authoritarian communist regimes like the Soviet Union and China, and far more democratic forms of socialism practiced in countries like Sweden, Canada and Bolivia.

To understand the differences between socialism and communism, we have to start with their common enemy: capitalism.

Advertisement

Capitalism and the Class Struggle

Marx and Engels viewed the entirety of human history as a "history of class struggles." In ancient Rome, there were patricians, plebeians and slaves. In feudal societies, there were lords, apprentices and serfs. In the 18th century, political and economic revolutions in England, America and France had done away with feudalism and replaced it with capitalism.

"By the 1820s and 1830s, capitalism had produced a world of progress and poverty," says Markowitz, meaning that the Industrial Revolution and the creation of free-market economies had greatly benefited the wealthy classes, who owned the factories and farms (the "means of production"), while leaving the average worker even worse off than the feudal serf.

Marx and Engels divided the modern world into two classes: the bourgeoisie who owned the means of production, and the proletariat or the working class. Capitalism, with its emphasis on cheap labor, had created an ever-widening gulf between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, a problem that could only be fixed by completely dismantling the politico-economic system that created it.

Advertisement

The Rise of Socialism

What's important to point out is that Marx and Engels weren't the first to have these ideas. They were the latest in a long line of economic and political theorists who all identified as socialists.

" " Karl Marx (holding newspaper) and Friedrich Engels (behind him) stand in the pressrooms of the publication Rheinische Zeitung which they jointly edited. Bettman/Getty Images

Socialism as a movement began in the early 19th century with thinkers like Henri de Saint-Simon, Robert Owen and Charles Fourier. Disgusted with the inequalities created by capitalism and competition, early socialists proposed the creation of workers' collectives with shared ownership of property, farms and factories.

"From the 1820s through the 1840s, there were various different socialist movements that attracted workers, farmers and alienated intellectuals," says Markowitz, "and all kinds of plans and programs to establish socialist collectives."

Owen, a wealthy Scottish industrialist, even founded such a community called New Harmony in Indiana in 1825, which eventually failed.

Socialism, both then and now, advocates for cooperation rather than competition, by opposing an unrestricted market economy. Under a socialist system, citizens pay high income taxes in exchange for free access to government-run programs and services. In some socialist models, all industry and means of production are state-owned, while other models allow for private ownership of businesses with public control of certain sectors like health care, energy, education and transportation. The goal of socialism is to create a more egalitarian society.

Advertisement

Communism as 'Revolutionary Socialism'

Marx and Engels were fierce critics of the earlier "utopian" forms of socialism that were "doomed to failure," in their words, because they were based on the naive belief that the class struggle could be resolved through peaceful means.

"Marx and Engels believed that eventually the struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat would create a crisis in which the capitalist system would need to be abolished and replaced with a socialist system," says Markowitz. "It wouldn't be a utopian system, but a system in which the working class have the political power."

"The Communist Manifesto" was a socialist call to arms. In it, Marx and Engels argued that the only way to end the class struggles that had defined history was through a socialist revolution. After the revolution, society would be ruled by a "dictatorship of the proletariat." Under capitalism, the bourgeoisie called the shots, but a government ruled by the workers would put the workers' interests first and not those of a wealthy elite.

Advertisement

From Marxism to Leninism

For Marx and Engels, communism was the most advanced form of socialism. They saw the evolution of advanced societies as starting with capitalism, moving to socialism and finally reaching the ultimate goal of communism. Under proletariat rule, the communists would abolish private ownership of land, farms and factories, and hand all control over to the state. Housing, medical care and education would all be free, and every worker would have a job.

In a way, Marx and Engel's vision of a truly communist society was also utopian. They believed that at some point the state itself would cease to exist, and the workers would simply share everything. As Marx famously wrote: "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs."

"In that higher stage of communism, there would be general equality and general abundance," says Markowitz. "People could do whatever they want without harming others. They would be genuinely free."

But Marx and Engel's version of revolutionary socialism, also known as Marxism, was never really put into practice. Instead, the world's first communist revolution happened in an unlikely place, Tsarist Russia, and its political mastermind was Vladimir Lenin.

" " Vladimir Lenin delivers a speech from a car in Red Square to the general military training troops, 1919. K. A. Kuznetsov./Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Lenin was a Marxist, but he put his own twist on communist theory. Lenin was a champion of the workers, but he wasn't confident that a "dictatorship of the proletariat" would spontaneously form after the revolution. In place of a "dictatorship" elected or appointed by the workers, Lenin preferred a dictatorship of the Communist Party.

Under Leninism, all power was put in the hands of a political elite that controlled all aspects of Soviet economic, cultural and intellectual life with the goal of creating a more equitable socialist society. In reality, Leninism slipped into authoritarianism and totalitarianism with violent crackdowns on dissent or opposition.

Advertisement

Socialist and Communist Countries Today

The ideas put forth in "The Communist Manifesto" inspired generations of political thinkers and economic theorists. Some of those individuals formed socialist political parties to win power by democratic means, while others, like Lenin and Mao Zedong, launched communist revolutions. The result, today, are countries and governments that identify as either socialist or communist or both!

Scandinavia is home to a cluster of democratic socialist countries. Countries like Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark have elected socialist democrat parties into power, and their legislatures have passed laws establishing expansive "welfare states." In a socialist welfare state, citizens pay high taxes, but enjoy generous social services including free education (including college), free health care, retirement pensions, paid parental leave, subsidized housing and more.

"While the traditional liberal model of democracy only emphasizes individual liberty, the social democratic model, according to its proponents, stresses both liberal and egalitarian ideals," wrote John Patrick in "Understanding Democracy, A Hip Pocket Guide." Critics of democratic socialism, he added, would claim that "positive state action to provide egalitarian social programs requires extensive redistribution of wealth and excessive government regulation of the society and economy." This, in turn, would minimize the principles of individual liberty.

It's important to point out that in democratic socialist countries, private ownership of business and free-market capitalism are also allowed to exist. And while socialist parties are currently in power, they are not one-party governments. Other political parties are allowed to campaign and run for office.

" " Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden (C), Sweden's Prime Minister Stefan Lofven (R) and others pose ahead of a bilateral meeting on Stockholm's candidacy for the 2026 Winter Olympics Games, in 2019. Sweden has a democratic socialist government but still retains a monarchy. PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP via Getty Images

That's not the case in so-called communist countries like China, Cuba and Vietnam, and wasn't true in the former Soviet Union, either. Those nations are one-party regimes where the authority of the Communist Party is unquestioned and the party chooses government officials, not the people. While there is no real democracy in these countries, capitalism has made significant inroads, particularly in China and Vietnam.

Meanwhile, just to keep things confusing, all of the countries that we call "communist" still think of themselves as socialist, just different flavors of socialism.

"China is developing its own model of socialism that's very different from the Soviet Union," says Markowitz. "China's model retains power in the hands of a government controlled by the Communist Party, but it's also created a capitalist sector that's become the second biggest economy in the world over the last 40 years."

The truth, says Markowitz, is that there has never been a truly "communist" country in Marx's sense of the word, just as there has never been a true democracy. "These are ideals that one works toward and struggles to achieve."

Now That's Interesting Socialism hasn't had much success in American politics since Eugene Debs ran for president in the early 20th century, but there are now four members of the House of Representatives who belong to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Rashida Tlaib from Michigan. The organization has over 92,000 members in the U.S.
Amir Ramses, artistic director of the ongoing El Gouna Film Festival in Egypt, is understood to have resigned in the final days of the event. Its believed he may have stepped down due to growing local opposition to Cannes-winning film Feathers, by Egyptian filmmaker Omar El Zohairy.

The film follows a family thrown into disarray after its patriarch is accidentally turned into a chicken by a magician during a childrens birthday party. Feathers debuted at the Cannes Critics Week, where it won the grand prize and the FIPRESCI prize. Following its screening at El Gouna, several prominent local critics took issue with the portrayal of Egypt in the film, though it is still unclear whether there is a link between the films premiere and the directors resignation.

More from Variety

The festival has declined to comment.

On Wednesday, El Zohairy won the Variety Middle East and North African Region Talent Award, given annually at the festival.

Im an Egyptian filmmaker. I learned here and this is also coming from my heart, and Im so glad that everyones talking about my new Egyptian cinema, El Zohairy said while accepting the award. Im so glad Im taking this award in Egypt, my beloved country, our great culture, our peoples, our heritage of cinema. And Im so honored to be part of this culture, to be part of this heritage.

This award is for Egyptian cinema, for the new art thats coming from Egypt, for the new generations, for the new country that is presenting itself to the world, El Zohairy continued. I made the film for humanity. I was sincere; it was my emotion.

The festival, which kicked off on Oct. 14, has been one of the most eventful international confabs this fall. The day before the fest opened, a fire broke out in the main festival venue. Days later, Palestinian filmmaker Said Zagha was deported en route to El Gouna. On Tuesday, Mohammad Bakrfi, the Palestinian actor due to collect his career achievement award, canceled his trip in solidarity with Zagha.

Story continues

Best of Variety

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
A study conducted in the port city of Santos (Brazil) by researchers at the Federal University of Sao Paulo shows collaboration between civil society and academia. Credit: Institute of Marine Sciences / UNIFESP

In 2019, history student Rodrigo Gomes found out on social media about a call for volunteers to take part in a scientific project relating to the ocean and conducted by the Federal University of Sao Paulo's Institute of Marine Sciences (IMAR-UNIFESP) in Santos, on the coast of the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. He signed up for the project, took workshops, and trained in the field. "I was very fortunate to have all that contact with professors and learned a great deal about conservation," says Gomes, now a citizen scientist. "It makes a lot of sense to go on with the project and get other people involved."

It is precisely this integration of science with citizen participation that the United Nations aims to bring about in the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, launched in April 2021 and due to last until 2030. A practical demonstration of the positive results of the formula is embodied in the study "Participatory MonitoringA Citizen Science Approach for Coastal Environments," in which Gomes took part.

The study was conducted with FAPESP's support under the aegis of its Public Policy Research Program (PPPP). An article on the study, showing how science and citizenship can go hand in hand, is published in Frontiers in Marine Science.

The outcome was the development of a methodology for integrating civil society and academia, including the creation of a protocol for monitoring coastal biodiversity to be applied collaboratively by citizens and scientists.

"In the project, we achieved practical results by monitoring the rocky shore area in Santos, and also created and validated a methodology for use in the area. Citizen science is a growing trend, and there's a lot of discussion about what it means. It's different from volunteering or collaboration by laypeople in the collection of scientific data. It involves an exchange in which people are given technical training and think more deeply about citizenship," says Ronaldo Christofoletti, a researcher at IMAR-UNIFESP and principal investigator for the study.

The group aims to develop methodologies and promote activities that integrate ocean science and society, such as training for citizen scientists and marine conservation initiatives. The activities conducted to date include a translation into Brazilian Portuguese of the UNESCO handbook "Ocean Literacy for All: A Toolkit" (the Portuguese version is "Cultura Oceanica para Todos"), and "Mare de Ciencia" ("Tide of Science"), a program that aims to foster innovative forms of interaction among the scientific community, society, and public policy.

According to biologist Paula Kasten, who was in charge of training during the project, the next step will consist of training new citizen scientists to continue the monitoring exercise on Urubuquecaba Island and extend it to other parts of the Santos metropolitan area (Baixada Santista), including Guaruja. The island has the area's only natural rocky shore and was the research site chosen by the group. "One of the challenges is keeping the participants engaged," Kasten says.

Gomes also highlighted the difficulties of this engagement. "I realized that commitment is sometimes lacking. People complain about distancing by academia, but they don't always get involved when there are difficulties. It isn't easy to go into the field on a Sunday morning to collect data. But later you feel really fulfilled about having done it," the citizen scientist says.

'Birth' of a methodology

Five workshops were held in 2019 for 51 citizen scientists, 51% of whom were women. Most participants (62%) were 18-33 years old. They included undergraduates, biologists, geographers and professionals in similar areas, schoolteachers, engineers, and retirees, among others.

To develop the protocol, they partnered with Bangor University's Oceanographic Institute in the United Kingdom via the project "Capturing Our Coast", which trained some 3,000 citizen scientists in 2013-18 to research marine species on rocky shores around Britain to help understand coastal biodiversity.

Support was also provided by the British Council via the UK's Newton Fund, and Brazil's National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).

With adaptations to conditions in the Santos area, the workshops contextualized the project, promoted the group's engagement, and discussed the local community's role in participatory monitoring. They also explained theoretical concepts relating to rocky shore ecology and monitoring methods and took the volunteers out into the field to practice applying the protocol.

This entailed defining species habitats and measuring transects (demarcated shore areas for continuous monitoring and sample collection). The main organisms surveyed were mussels, oysters, barnacles and algae.

The results of the survey conducted by the citizen scientists were compared with the data collected by professional researchers. Validation testing showed that the participatory program was a reliable source of scientific data on coastal biodiversity.

The citizen scientists learned to identify species almost as well as specialists, although the researchers stress the need to adjust the protocol so as to train them to perform even more successfully, particularly with regard to identifying more complex coastal organisms.

They also proved capable of recognizing the main threats to marine biodiversity, regardless of occupation and educational background. The vast majority detected problems due to water and air pollution (98.4%); intense farming, deforestation and overfishing (96.7%); disasters caused by humans (91.9%), and climate change (62.9%).

They were interested in learning more about local marine biodiversity and the various types of conservation action available: 72% had already made efforts to protect biodiversity but wanted to do more, and 71% said they were affected by biodiversity loss.

On launching the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, the UN urged countries to focus on appropriate management of the oceans, which cover more than 70% of the planet's surface and produce at least 50% of its oxygen.

The researchers stress that biodiversity loss is accelerating in these habitats, especially continental shelves, which provide 90% of fishery production and marine biodiversity, yet 80% of the ocean is unmapped and unexplored, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Another global problem is pollution, especially by plastic waste, which is increasing in line with economic and population growth. Plastic accounts for over 80% of the garbage dumped in the ocean. Much of it comes from cosmetics and other manufactured products, but secondary plastic (small pieces derived from the breakdown of larger debris) is a major problem present in all groups of organisms, from plankton up through the entire food chain.

With 8,500 km of coastline and many different ecosystems, Brazil has one of the largest marine territories in the world. Rocky shores are used as models in studies of marine biodiversity to identify ecological patterns and processes. They are also key environments from the standpoint of monitoring and understanding responses to global warming and other threats to biodiversity.

Next steps

According to Christofoletti, next steps for the researchers include the creation of a Citizen Science Program in partnership with the City of Santos. The proposal is for citizen scientists to monitor biodiversity, climate change, microplastics, and other issues for the city.

Another initiative, to be launched by the end of this year, is training for schoolchildren and teachers to monitor the areas around schools in Santos. "The idea is for students to look for coastal species as well as the impact of climate change, for example," he says.

He is also closely involved with a City of Santos-UNIFESP project to integrate science and public policy for sustainable development (Observatorio da Interface entre Ciencia e Politicas Publicas para o Desenvolvimento Sustentavel).

Explore further Citizen science for sustainable development

More information: Paula Kasten et al, Participatory MonitoringA Citizen Science Approach for Coastal Environments, Frontiers in Marine Science (2021). Journal information: Frontiers in Marine Science Paula Kasten et al, Participatory MonitoringA Citizen Science Approach for Coastal Environments,(2021). DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2021.681969
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Aid workers warn that we are currently unprepared for the crises both caused and made worse by the climate emergency, and every year, the lives and livelihoods of millions of people are being destroyed by disasters, with 1 in 33 people in the world expected to need aid in 2021.

Now, a new report from The University of Manchester's Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute, UK-Med and Save the Children UKwith funding from the UK Disasters Emergency Committeeis calling for the climate emergency to be treated as a humanitarian crisis.

It says that urgent changes need to be made by the aid system to deal with the escalating catastrophe, as well as drawing hope from good practice around the world and suggesting some key recommendations.

As the climate crisis worsens, increasing numbers of people will be left without healthcare, shelter, and food. The report addresses key issues facing the sector, including understanding the scale of the challenge, identifying different threats and recognizing best practices that need to be replicated and scaled up.

The report could not come at a more urgent timethe UN's COP26 Climate Change Conference COP26 is being held in the UK for the first time in November, and this presents a once-in-a-generation chance to shift the dial and ensure the humanitarian sector and communities at risk are prepared and able to meet this threat.

"Climate change is happening nowit will undoubtedly impact many aspects of life, and will hit vulnerable people the hardest," said David Wightwick, CEO of UK-Med. "The next decade will be crucialwe need to adapt quickly to the increase in extreme weather, disasters and humanitarian crises, so that we can protect as many people and families as possible."

"The humanitarian sector simply cannot wait until it's too late. We're proud as Manchester organizations to be taking the reins and calling on policy makers, humanitarian organizations and donors to listen to the report and make the changes we need, now."

Given how daunting this issue is, we wanted to focus on what is possiblewe included examples of successful practices from around the world that can be scaled up, like direct cash transfers to community members in advance of extreme weather events to allow people to prepare, says Stephanie Sodero, lecturer in responses to climate crises.

"We also wanted to make our seven recommendations to be as accessible as possible, so we worked with an artist to create a graphic novella that appeals to everyone from teenagers to senior citizens, as well as policy makers," she added.

The study was conducted with community members, aid workers, academics and organizations from all across the world. The findings and recommendations, along with an interactive digital story, can be accessed at www.soundingthesiren.com.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Today, the 2021 Global Agricultural Productivity Report (GAP Report), "Strengthening the Climate for Sustainable Agricultural Growth," was released by Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. It urges the acceleration of productivity growth from smallholders to large-scale farmers to meet consumers' needs and address current and future threats to human and environmental well-being.

Every October, the GAP Report is released as part of the Borlaug Dialogue and World Food Prize events in Des Moines, Iowa. A recording of the 2021 report launch is available on the GAP Report website.

The theme of the 2021 GAP Report encompasses the changing climate on agricultural productivity and strengthening the policy and investment landscape to invigorate productivity growth and adaptation to climate change.

Productivity growth remains the primary source of agricultural output growth globally, but new data reveals that it is not growing as fast as previously thought.

USDA Economic Research Service data presented in the report indicate that globally, total factor productivity, or TFP, grew by an average of 1.36 percent annually. The Global Agricultural Productivity Index sets an annual target of 1.73 percent growth to ensure sustainable productivity growth.

"The GAP Report has a renewed urgency this year," said Tom Thompson, associate dean and director of CALS Global in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and executive editor of the GAP Report. "With lower than expected TFP numbers and the significant impact of climate change on agricultural productivity, it is time for action."

Middle-income countries, including India, China, Brazil, and the countries of the former Soviet Union, continue to have the most robust TFP growth rates that are above the GAP Index target.

However, nearly all agricultural output growth in low-income countries comes from land-use change and forest and grassland destruction for cultivation and grazing. As a result, these countries have a negative TFP growth rate of -0.31 percent annually, decreasing from 0.58 percent in 2020.

High-income countries, including those in North America and Europe, are showing modest TFP growth. In the U.S. and Canada, the increase in productivity generates more output of crop, livestock, and aquaculture products. The European Union, by contrast, shows minimal output growth, using their increased efficiency to remove land and inputs from agricultural production.

According to the report, human-caused climate change has slowed global agricultural productivity growth by 21 percent since 1961. In the drier regions of Africa and Latin America, climate change has slowed productivity growth by as much as 34 percent.

For many of the world's producers, adapting to climate change and protecting their livelihoods are the most immediate challenges. Small and large farms alike can be equally efficient. With access to productivity-enhancing inputs, agronomic knowledge, and markets, producers of any scale can optimize their productive potential.

The 2021 GAP Report has identified six strategies and policies that would create sustainable agricultural growth at all scales of production:

Invest in research and development and extension, as every dollar invested in public research and development is returned ten-fold as increased food security, sustainability, and economic growth.

Science-based technologies give producers tools to prepare for and recover from pest and disease outbreaks, extreme weather events, and market fluctuations.

Efficient physical infrastructure, information, and finance infrastructures provide producers affordable and equitable access to markets and facilitate economic growth.

Public-private partnerships transfer environmentally and socially relevant technology and knowledge to producers.

Improving systems and services for fruit and vegetable trade would generate income for producers and increase consumers' access to nutritious foods.

Reductions in post-harvest loss and food waste can increase food availability, lower food prices, and support healthy ecosystems.

"These policy and investment priorities help producers of all scales sustainably maximize their productive potential," said Ann Steensland, leader of the GAP Initiative and author of the GAP Report. "To increase productivity in the face of climate change is a tall order for most of the world's farmers, so the time to act is now."

The GAP Report will be available in printed form, as well as on the website. The website features a new interactive world map with country-level TFP data from 173 countries.

The report includes an essay by Wei Zhang, the GAP Initiative faculty research fellow and an assistant professor of agricultural economics at Virginia Tech, describing her research on the impact of extreme weather events on productivity growth. Results will be published in the 2022 GAP Report.

The GAP Report partners contribute stories to the report on a wide variety of topics, including carbon sequestration incentives for farmers, sustainable farming practices in Zambia, small-scale mechanization financing, regenerative practices in livestock feed production, and best practices in nutrient management.

Rattan Lal, 2020 World Food Prize Laureate from The Ohio State University, contributed an essay, "Soil Health and Global Agricultural Productivity," that will appear in the report and online.

The 2021 GAP Report, charts, infographics, and animation are available for download at the GAP Report website.

Explore further Call to build resilient food systems on existing farmland
Jimmy Kisembo, a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger looks up at a lion on his daily monitoring patrol in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. Credit: Alex Braczkowski, Author provided

It's been over 20 months since the World Health Organization announced COVID-19 as a global health emergency and pandemic. It's estimated that the resulting reductions in travel in 2020 alone wiped US$4.5 trillion from the global tourism economy and cost millions of jobs.

In Africa, half of all the people working in tourism lost their jobs. A recent United Nations Conference on Trade and Development report estimates a further USD$1.7US$2.4 trillion could be lost from the global tourism sector by the end of 2021. In Africa these losses are projected at USD$170253 billion.

Tourism is an important source of funding for managing protected areas and provides jobs for people living near national parks and wildlife. When travel to protected and conserved areas such as national parks and community conservancies is canceled en masse, jobs and conservation management are placed at risk.

We studied several peer-reviewed studies and economic reports published over the last 12 months to examine the effects the pandemic has had on tourism to conservation areas in Africa, and to look for any signs of recovery.

Counting the costs

Overwhelmingly, the majority of Africa's protected areas (both private and public) took a massive blow from the collapse in tourism. In South Africa, lockdowns caused a 96% drop in tourist visits to national parks under SANParks management. This equated to about 90% of tourism revenue, highlighting the fragility and risk of a sector that's reliant on a single primary income stream. This also caused anxiety about health and job security among park staff.

In Uganda, national parks typically generate 88% of their revenue from tourist entrance fees. A collapse in tourism visitation between July and December 2020 erased roughly US$1.4 million from the Uganda Wildlife Authority's annual budget. This hampered core management activities such as anti-poaching and there's evidence that poaching doubled in the county's two largest parks between February and May of 2020.

Private wildlife industries weren't spared either. In South Africa between March and May of 2020 alone, canceled hunting trips, live sales of animals and the sale of meat products resulted in losses totalling US$406 million.

While the contributions of travel and tourism to GDP in African states dropped in line with the global 2020 average (Africa experienced a 49.2% decline while the global average was 49.5%), Africans working in the tourism sector suffered disproportionate job losses, falling 29.3% (representing 7.2 million jobs) compared to the global average of 21.5%. In Botswana, the 2020 lockdowns led to about 99% of the country's tourism workforce being temporarily or permanently laid off.

These cases of job loss are particularly notable because most African nations have not had the same economic safety nets and relief packages as those in wealthier parts of the world, such as western Europe or Australia.

The lack of economic safety nets is most felt by people working in Africa's informal tourism economy (such as porters in Uganda's gorilla trekking industry, or mokoro polers in Botswana's Okavango Delta) who tend to make just a few US dollars per day.

Looking ahead

Although tourist arrivals for sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa are no better in 2021, and budgets for protected areas continue to be cut, stretching an already severely depleted park ranger force, there are some glimmers of hope. June, July and August saw significantly better occupancy in north, southern and sub-Saharan African hotels. Moreover, a recently assembled expert panel from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation expected travel levels to Africa to get back to pre-pandemic levels by 2023 or 2024.

A number of strategies have been tried by different stakeholders to strengthen protected areas and related livelihoods in response to the pandemic. These include: domestic tourism; contactless and virtual tourism; and novel conservation financing such as direct payments for wildlife conservation.

Banks can help safari operators by reducing rates, waiving penalties and rescheduling loan repayments.

Many countries are encouraging residents to travel locally and visit national parks. The Uganda Wildlife Authority, for example, cut entrance fees to national parks by 50%. Botswana cut entrance fees by up to 70%.

There has also been an uptick in the use of contactless methods for tourism. Virtual safaris were an almost immediate response to the global pandemic in some wildlife reserves in South Africa.

Finally, innovative ways of financing conservation land and the communities supporting wildlife conservation are on the horizon. For instance, the World Bank pledged US$45 million towards a wildlife bond for the endangered black rhino. Its aim is to sell a bond to investors that will yield investments directly tied to the population increases of the species in South Africa. Mechanisms like this could supplement existing conservation land carbon offsetting schemes like those found in Kenya and in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Importantly, African tourism recovery will depend on the progress made with vaccination rates, not only of international tourists but of the citizens of African countries.

Currently African countries suffer from the highest rates of vaccine inequality anywhere in the world. Addressing this inequity is not only a global ethical issue but will allow for a relaxing of travel restrictions linked to the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Without it, global herd immunity remains out of reach and so does the recovery in tourism that Africa so desperately needs.

Explore further Divergent wildlife conservation perspectives in Africa

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Cretapsara athanata: The first crab in amber from the dinosaur era. Credit: Xiao Jia (Longyin Amber Museum)

Fossils trapped in amber provide a unique snapshot of the anatomy, biology, and ecology of extinct organisms. The most common fossils found in amber, which is formed from resin exuded from tree bark, are land-dwelling animals, mainly insects. But on very rare occasions scientists discover amber housing an aquatic organism.

In a study published October 20 in Science Advances an international team of researchers describe the first crab from the Cretaceous dinosaur era preserved in amber. The study used micro CT to examine and describe Cretapsara athanata, the oldest modern-looking crab (approximately 100 million years old) and the most complete fossil crab ever discovered. It is rivalled in completeness by the mysterious Callichimaera perplexa, a very distant relative nicknamed the platypus of the crab world. Callichimaera's stunning preservation included soft tissues and delicate parts that rarely fossilize. Both Cretapsara and Callichimaera are new branches in the crab tree of life that lived during the Cretaceous Crab Revolution, a period when crabs diversified worldwide and the first modern groups originated while many others disappeared.

True crabs, or Brachyura, are an iconic group of crustaceans whose remarkable diversity of forms, species richness, and economic importance have inspired celebrations and festivals worldwide. They've even earned a special role in the pantheon of social media. True crabs are found all around the world, from the depths of the oceans, to coral reefs, beaches, rivers, caves, and even in trees as true crabs are among the few animal groups that have conquered land and freshwater multiple times.

Artistic reconstruction of Cretapsara athanata: The immortal Cretaceous spirit of the clouds and waters. Credit: Artwork by Franz Anthony, courtesy of Javier Luque (Harvard University).

The crab fossil record extends back into the early Jurassic, more than 200 million years ago. Unfortunately, fossils of nonmarine crabs are sparse and largely restricted to bits and pieces of the animals carapaceclaws and legs found in sedimentary rocks. That is until now with the discovery of Cretapsara athanata. "The specimen is spectacular, it is one of a kind. It's absolutely complete and is not missing a single hair on the body, which is remarkable," said lead author Javier Luque, postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University.

A group of scientists led by co-lead author Lida Xing, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, made micro CT scans of the fossil, which is housed in the Longyin Amber Museum in Yunnan, China. The scans created a full three-dimensional reconstruction of the exquisite preservation of the animal allowing Luque, Xing, and their team to see the complete body of the animal including delicate tissues, like the antennae and mouthparts lined with fine hairs. Shockingly they discovered the animal also had gills.

C. athanata Luque gen. et sp. nov., a modern-looking eubrachyuran crab in Burmese amber. (A to D) Holotype LYAM-9. (A) Whole amber sample with crab inclusion in ventral view. (B) Close-up of ventral carapace. (C) Whole amber sample with crab inclusion in dorsal view. (D) Close-up of dorsal carapace. White arrows in (B) and (D) indicate the detached left fifth leg or pereopod. Credit: Javier Luque and Lida Xing

"The more we studied the fossil, the more we realized that this animal was very special in many ways," said Luque. Cretapsara is remarkably modern-lookingsuperficially resembling some shore crabs found todayunlike most crabs during the mid-Cretaceous era which looked quite different from modern crabs. Yet, the animal was entombed in Cretaceous amber and the presence of well-developed gills indicated an aquatic to semi-aquatic animal. Aquatic animals are rarely preserved in tree resins that become amber. Crabs previously found in amber are by the handful and belong to a living group of tropical land and tree-dwelling crabs known as Sesarmidae from the Miocene (15 million years ago). How then, the researchers asked, did a 100 million year old aquatic animal become preserved in tree amber, which normally houses land-dwelling specimens?

Gills allow aquatic animals to breathe in water. But crabs have successfully and independently conquered land, brackish water, and fresh water at least twelve times since the dinosaur era. In doing so their gills evolved to include lung-like tissue allowing them to breathe both in and out of the water. Cretapsara however, had no lung tissue, only well-developed gills indicating the animal was not completely land dwelling. "Now we were dealing with an animal that is likely not marine, but also not fully terrestrial," Luque said. "In the fossil record, nonmarine crabs evolved 50 million years ago, but this animal is twice that age."

3D mesh of C. athanata Luque gen. et sp. nov. holotype LYAM-9. (A to E) 3D mesh extracted from reconstructed micro-CT data in VGSTUDIO MAX, remeshed in MeshLab, and visualized using Autodesk Maya: (A) dorsal, (B) ventral, (C) right lateral, (D) oblique postero-dorsal, (E) oblique antero-ventral views, showing the claws of equal size and four pairs of slender legs similar in shape and size, with P5 slightly smaller than the other legs. (F and G) Details of the dorsal (F) and ventral (G) carapace, showing details of the large eyes and orbits, small antennae, and a small, acute outer orbital spine [(F) thick arrow], two small anterolateral spines (F, thin arrows), a posterolateral margin bearing at least four small and equidistant tubercles (F, small arrows), straight posterior margin, slender coxae of the pereopods, a typical heterotreme eubrachyuran sternum (G), and a reduced and folded pleon with the first pleonites dorsally exposed. Left fifth pereopod digitally reattached. bcg, branchiocardiac groove; ca, carpus; cg, cervical groove; cx, coxa; da, dactylus; ib, ischiobasis; ma, manus or palm of claw; P1, claws or chelipeds; P2 to P5, pereopods or walking legs 2 to 5; po, pollex or fixed finger cheliped propodus; pr, propodus. Credit: Elizabeth Clark and Javier Luque. Used in journal.

The team's phylogenetic studies show that carcinization (the evolution of true crab-looking forms) had actually already occurred in the most recent common ancestor shared by all modern crabs more than 100 million years ago. Cretapsara bridges the gap in the fossil record and confirms that crabs actually invaded land and fresh water during the dinosaur era, not during the mammal era, pushing the evolution of nonmarine crabs much further back in time.

The researchers hypothesize that Cretapsara, measuring at five millimeters in leg span, was a juvenile crab of a freshwater to amphibious species. Or, that the animal is perhaps a semi-terrestrial juvenile crab migrating onto land from water as occurs to the iconic Christmas Island red crabs where land dwelling mother crabs release their babies into the ocean, which later swarm out of the water back onto land. They further hypothesize that like the crabs found in amber from the Miocene, Cretapsara could have been a tree climber. "These Miocene crabs are truly modern looking crabs and, as their extant relatives, they live in trees in little ponds of water," said Luque, "these arboreal crabs can get trapped in tree resin today, but would it explain why Cretapsara is preserved in amber?"

Luque's research is centered on understanding why things evolve into crabs, and their evolution and diversification over time leading to the modern forms seen today. "This study is pushing the timing of origin of many of these groups back in time. Every fossil we discover challenges our preconceptions about the time and place of origin of several organisms, often making us look further back in time," Luque said.

The study is part of a National Science Foundation funded project with Luque, Professor Javier Ortega-Hernandez and postdoctoral researcher Joanna Wolfe, both in the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, and Professor Heather Bracken-Grissom, Florida International University.

The researchers chose the name Cretapsara athanata, which means the immortal Cretaceous spirit of the clouds and waters, to honor the Cretaceous, during which this crab lived, and Apsara, a spirit of the clouds and waters in South and Southeast Asian mythology. The species name is based on "athanatos", immortal, referring to its lifelike preservation as if 'frozen in time' in the time capsule that is amber.

Explore further How does a crustacean become a crab?

More information: Crab in amber reveals an early colonization of non-marine environments during the Cretaceous, Science Advances (2021). Crab in amber reveals an early colonization of non-marine environments during the Cretaceous,(2021). science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abj5689 Author's Statement: The studied fossil, deposited in the Longyin Amber Museum (LYAM), Yunnan Province, China, comes from a batch of commercial "raw" (dull, unpolished) amber pieces collected by local miners and sold to a vendor at an amber jewelry market in Myitkyina on May 12, 2015. The polished piece containing the fossil studied was acquired by LYAM from the vendor's mineral store in Tengchong, China, on 10 August 2015. We acknowledge the existence of a sociopolitical conflict in northern Myanmar and have limited our research to material predating the 2017 resumption of hostilities in the region. We hope that conducting research on specimens collected before the conflict and acknowledging the situation in the Kachin State will serve to raise awareness of the current conflict in Myanmar and the human cost behind it. Journal information: Science Advances
This illustration shows the position of NASAs Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes, outside of the heliosphere, a protective bubble created by the Sun that extends well past the orbit of Pluto. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Our corner of the universe, the solar system, is nestled inside the Milky Way galaxy, home to more than 100 billion stars. The solar system is encased in a bubble called the heliosphere, which separates us from the vast galaxy beyondand some of its harsh space radiation.

We're protected from that radiation by the heliosphere, which itself is created by another source of radiation: the sun. The sun constantly spews charged particles, called the solar wind, from its surface. The solar wind flings out to about four times the distance of Neptune, carrying with it the magnetic field from the sun.

"Magnetic fields tend to push up against each other, but not mix," said Eric Christian, a lead heliosphere research scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "Inside the bubble of the heliosphere are pretty much all particles and magnetic fields from the sun. Outside are those from the galaxy."

To understand the heliosphere, start by breaking apart the word, suggests David McComas, professor of astrophysical sciences at Princeton University in New Jersey. "Heliosphere" is the combination of two words: "Helios," the Greek word for the sun, and "sphere," a broad region of influence (though, to be clear, scientists aren't sure of the heliosphere's exact shape).

The heliosphere was discovered in the late 1950s, and many questions about it remain. As scientists study the heliosphere, they learn more about how it reduces astronauts' and spacecrafts' exposure to radiation and more generally, how stars can influence their nearby planets.

A balloon in space

Some radiation surrounds us every day. When we sunbathe, we're basking in radiation from the sun. We use radiation to warm leftovers in our kitchen microwaves and rely on it for medical imaging.

The heliosphere within the Milky Way galaxy. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Conceptual Image Lab/Walt Feimer

Space radiation, however, is more similar to the radiation released by radioactive elements like uranium. The space radiation that comes at us from other stars is called galactic cosmic radiation (GCR). Active areas in the galaxylike supernovae, black holes, and neutron starscan strip the electrons from atoms and accelerate the nuclei to almost the speed of light, producing GCR.

On Earth, we have three layers of protection from space radiation. The first is the heliosphere, which helps block GCR from reaching the major planets in the solar system. Additionally, Earth's magnetic field produces a shield called the magnetosphere, which keeps GCR out away from Earth and low-orbiting satellites like the International Space Station. Finally, the gases of Earth's atmosphere absorb radiation.

When astronauts head to the moon or to Mars, they won't have the same protection we have on Earth. They'll only have the protection of the heliosphere, which fluctuates in size throughout the sun's 11-year cycle.

In each solar cycle, the sun goes through periods of intense activity and powerful solar winds, and quieter periods. Like a balloon, when the wind calms down, the heliosphere deflates. When it picks up, the heliosphere expands.

"The effect the heliosphere has on cosmic rays allows for human exploration missions with longer duration. In a way, it allows humans to reach Mars," said Arik Posner, a heliophysicist at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. "The challenge for us is to better understand the interaction of cosmic rays with the heliosphere and its boundaries."

Anatomy of the heliosphere

There is some debate about the precise shape of the heliosphere. However, scientists agree that it has several layers. Let's look at the layers from inside outward:

Termination shock: All of the major planets in our solar system are located in the heliosphere's innermost layer. Here, the solar wind emanates out from the sun at full speed, about a million miles per hour, for billions of miles, unaffected by the pressure from the galaxy. The outer boundary of this core layer is called the termination shock.

Heliosheath: Beyond the termination shock is the heliosheath. Here, the solar wind moves more slowly and deflects as it faces the pressure of the interstellar medium outside.

Heliopause: The heliopause marks the sharp, final plasma boundary between the sun and the rest of the galaxy. Here, the magnetic fields of the solar and interstellar winds push up against each other, and the inside and outside pressures are in balance.

Outer Heliosheath: The region just beyond the heliopause, which is still influenced by the presence of the heliosphere, is called the outer heliosheath.

The heliosphere changes in size throughout the solar cycle. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Scientific Visualization Studio/Tom Bridgman

How we study the heliosphere's outer reaches

Many NASA missions study the sun and the innermost parts of the heliosphere. But only two human-made objects have crossed the boundary of the solar system and entered interstellar space.

In 1977, NASA launched Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. Each spacecraft is equipped with tools to measure the magnetic fields and the particles it is directly passing through. After swinging past the outer planets on a grand tour, they exited the heliopause in 2012 and 2018 respectively and are currently in the outer heliosheath. They discovered that cosmic rays are about three times more intense outside the heliopause than deep inside the heliosphere.

However, the picture the Voyagers paint is incomplete.

"Trying to figure out the entire heliosphere from two points, Voyager 1 and 2, is like trying to determine the weather in the entire Pacific Ocean using two weather stations," Christian said.

The Voyagers work with the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) to study the heliosphere. IBEX is a 176-pound, suitcase-sized satellite launched by NASA in 2008. Since then, IBEX has orbited Earth, equipped with telescopes observing the outer boundary of the heliosphere. IBEX captures and analyzes a class of particle called energetic neutral atoms, or ENAs, that cross its path. ENAs form where the interstellar medium and the solar wind meet. Some ENAs stream back toward the center of the solar systemand IBEX.

"Every time you collect one of those ENAs, you know what direction it came from," said McComas, IBEX's principal investigator. "By collecting a lot of those individual atoms, you're able to make this inside out image of our heliosphere."

In 2025, NASA will launch the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP). IMAP's ENA cameras are higher resolution and more sensitive than IBEX's.

NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, studies the heliosphere from its orbit around Earth. IBEX's first-ever skymap showed a surprising feature dubbed the "IBEX ribbon." Credit: NASA/IBEX

Mysteries abound

In 2009, IBEX returned a finding so shocking that researchers initially wondered if the instrument may have malfunctioned. That discovery became known as the IBEX Ribbona band across the sky where ENA emissions are two or three times brighter than the rest of the sky.

"The Ribbon was totally unexpected and not anticipated by any theories before we flew the mission," McComas said. It's still not entirely clear what causes it, but it is a clear example of the mysteries of the heliosphere that remain to be discovered.

"Our sun is a star like billions of other stars in the universe. Some of those stars also have astrospheres, like the heliosphere, but this is the only astrosphere we are actually inside of and can study closely," said Justyna Sokol, a research scientist at Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. "We need to start from our neighborhood to learn so much more about the rest of the universe."

Explore further Boundary of heliosphere mapped for the first time
Dr Margot Kuitems (University of Groningen), first author of the paper, is seen here preparing samples at the radiocarbon facility at the Centre of Isotope Research, Groningen (the Netherlands). Credit: Ronald Zijlstra

Columbus was not the first European to reach the Americas. The Vikings got there centuries before, although exactly when has remained unclear. Here, an international team of scientists show that Europeans were already active in the Americas in 1021 AD.

The Vikings sailed great distances in their iconic longships. To the west, they established settlements in Iceland, Greenland and eventually a base at L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland, Canada. However, it has remained unclear when this first transatlantic activity took place. Here, scientists show that Europeans were present in the Americas in 1021 ADprecisely 1,000 years ago this year. This date also marks the earliest known point by which the Atlantic had been crossed, and migration by humankind had finally encircled the entire planet.

A solar storm solution

In this study, the chopping of wood by Vikings at L'Anse aux Meadows was dated to exactly the year 1021 AD. The three pieces of wood studied, from three different trees, all came from contexts archaeologically attributable to the Vikings. Each one also displayed clear evidence of cutting and slicing by blades made of metala material not produced by the indigenous population. The exact year was determinable because a massive solar storm occurred in 992 AD that produced a distinct radiocarbon signal in tree rings from the following year.

"The distinct uplift in radiocarbon production that occurred between 992 and 993 AD has been detected in tree-ring archives from all over the world," says Associate Professor Michael Dee (University of Groningen), director of the research. Each of the three wooden objects exhibited this signal 29 growth rings (years) before the bark edge. "Finding the signal from the solar storm 29 growth rings in from the bark allowed us to conclude that the cutting activity took place in the year 1021 AD" says Dr. Margot Kuitems (University of Groningen), first author of the paper.

Microscope image of a wood fragment from the Norse layers at LAnse aux Meadows. Credit: Petra Doeve, University of Groningen

How far, how often?

The number of Viking expeditions to the Americas, and the duration of their stay over the Atlantic, remain unknown. All current data suggest that the whole endeavor was somewhat short lived, and the cultural and ecological legacy of this first European activity in the Americas is likely to have been small. Nonetheless, botanical evidence from L'Anse aux Meadows has confirmed that the Vikings did explore lands further south than Newfoundland.

This video introduces ECHOES - Exact Chronology of Early Societies, a 5-year project funded by the European Research Council and based at the University of Groningen. Its central aim is to develop a new approach to radiocarbon dating, one that is accurate to the exact calendar year. The technique will be built on the recent discovery of annual rises, or spikes, in the concentration of radiocarbon in the atmosphere. Credit: ESRIG - Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen, Pix Videos

The sagas

1021 AD is the earliest year in which European presence in the Americas can be scientifically proven. Previous dates for the Viking presence in the Americas have relied heavily on the Icelandic Sagas. However, these began as oral histories and were only written down centuries after the events they describe. Whilst contradictory and at times fantastical, the Sagas also suggest encounters occurred, both violent and amiable, between the Europeans and the indigenous people of the region. However, little archaeological evidence has been uncovered to support such exchanges. Other medieval accounts also exist, which imply prominent figures on the European mainland were made aware the Vikings had made landfall across the Atlantic.

The study is published in Nature.

Explore further Possible second Viking site discovered in North America

More information: Michael Dee, Evidence for European presence in the Americas in AD 1021, Nature (2021). www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03972-8 Journal information: Nature Michael Dee, Evidence for European presence in the Americas in AD 1021,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03972-8
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Europeans want urgent action on climate change but remain committed meat-eaters and question policy proposals such as banning the sale of new petrol vehicles after 2030, according to a new poll from the YouGov-Cambridge Centre for Public Opinion Research that surveyed environmental attitudes in seven European countries, including the UK.

The resultspart of a collaboration with Cambridge Zero, the University's climate initiativealso found that as the UK prepares to host crucial climate talks in Glasgow next month, barely a third of British adults have noticed that the event is taking place.

According to polling conducted last week, just 31% of British adults have read or heard much about COP26 so far, compared with 63% answering to the contraryeither "not very much" or "nothing at all". These numbers have also barely changed in two months.

When the same question was asked as part of the main, international fieldwork in August, results showed a slightly larger difference of 28% versus 67%. Predictably, the other populations showed even less impact, such as 17% versus 75% in France, 9% versus 84% in Sweden and 7% versus 83% in Germany.

However, the poll indicates that while survey participants may not be following COP26, a significant majority of the 9,000 people polled across the UK, Germany, France, Denmark, Sweden, Spain and Italy strongly support many of the aims of the talks, at least in principle.

Dr. Emily Shuckburgh OBE, Director of Cambridge Zero, said:"As the impacts of climate change are starting to be felt everywhere, COP26 should be seen as a vital summit where the world must deliver immediate and meaningful climate action. But the bad news is that most people have still barely noticed that the world leaders who can actually take the actions needed will be in our own backyard."

Dr. Joel Rogers de Waal, Academic Director of YouGov, said:"The good news for COP26 organisers is that in every country surveyed, the vast majority are on board with the programme, at least in principle. In each national sample, most agreed that climate change is a genuine phenomenon and a considerable concern, and rejected the idea that its seriousness is being exaggerated."

Beyond overall terms of debate, however, the same findings also indicate both strong support for certain environmental agendasthe polling showed widespread enthusiasm for "rewilding", with 70% support in Britain and 79% in Spain for programmes to restore parts of the country to their natural stateand some obvious challenges.

However, when it comes to making lifestyle changes, participants were less enthusiastic. Despite the clear environmental benefits of eating less meat, all seven countries showed majorities who eat meat at least several times a week. Within the meat-eating section of respondents, only a small proportion claimed to have reduced their meat consumption over the past 12 months, and of those, generally around half or under had done so for environmental reasons.

Attitudes towards environmental action at the policy level are a mixed bag. In nearly every country, large portions support the policy of greatly expanding government investment in renewable energy, such as solar, wind and tidal power, including majorities or pluralities in Britain (66%), Germany (52%), Denmark (65%), Sweden (47%), Spain (74%) and Italy (69%). Only France was an outlier in this respect, where just 24% said the same.

But in other areas, public support is tentative and variable, such as bans on the sale of petrol or diesel cars and vans, or a frequent flyer tax.

Poll results also give a sense of public attitudes towards the new environmental activism. Additional polling for the project at the start of September asked British voters two questions regarding Extinction Rebellionone about methods, the other about message. On the former, a 53% majority said the methods used by the protest group generally go too far, compared with only 10% saying they got the balance about right and 7% saying they didn't go far enough. On the latter, however, only 38% thought the environmental warnings of Extinction Rebellion generally overstate the situation, next to a combined 41% saying that they describe the situation about right (32%) or even understate it (9%).

"The most powerful protest movements are those that ultimately manage to inspire and co-opt the wider population, creating a sense of social momentum that becomes impossible for the political centre to ignore," said de Waal. "By contrast, acts of civic vandalism that specifically target the basic necessities of daily life are more likely to do the opposite, since by infuriating the public, they only make it easier for governments to ignore the message behind the action."

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample sizes were: Britain= 1767; Germany=2108; France=1035; Denmark=1009; Sweden=1015; Spain=1050; Italy=1000. Fieldwork was undertaken online between 6th23rd August, 2021. For each country, the figures have been weighted and are representative of the adult population aged 18+.
Credit: AskJoanne/Wikipedia

The National Park Service has captured its 99th mountain lion for an ongoing study of the community of big cats living in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Dubbed P-99, the female cat is an estimated 2 to 3 years old and was found in the western part of the Santa Monica Mountains, park service officials said.

After her capture on Sept. 8, the young mountain lion was given a "full workup," which entailed taking measurements, collecting biological samples, conducting a physical exam and outfitting her with a GPS radio collar, according to an Instagram post by the park service that included a photo of the big cat.

Social media users fawned over the cougar, calling her "stunning" and "gorgeous," with one noting: "Those eyes." Several local lions have gained celebrity status, including P-22, a headline-grabber who has shacked up in Griffith Park.

P-99 is now part of a study launched by the National Park Service in 2002 to understand how the cougars living in and near the Santa Monica Mountains survive in an urban environment hemmed in by treacherous freeways and urban development.

The range for the study is south of the 405 Freeway and north of the 101 Freeway and does not include Simi Hills and beyond, said Ana Beatriz Cholo, a public affairs officer for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

While the pumas' population size remains elusive, it's believed the region can support 10 to 15 mountain lions at a time, excluding kittens, "because they need prey, they need their territory and the males typically really require quite a bit of space"between 150 and 200 square miles, Cholo said. Officials are currently tracking 13 mountain lions with GPS collars in the region.

Many of the lions that have been part of the nearly two-decade study have died, but their legacy lives on in valuable information gleaned by biologists and others who track the big cats.

"We've learned so much," said Cholo, noting that research from the study provided the basis for a planned wildlife bridge over the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills, which is intended to allow the mountain lions to forge into new territory and seek genetically dissimilar mates while avoiding whizzing cars on the busy roadway. Caltrans expects to break ground on the $87-million bridge at Liberty Crossing early next year.

Unable to disperse into new areas because of their fragmented habitat, the mountain lion population has been beset by significant inbreeding, officials said.

Genetic analyses found that lions in the Santa Monica Mountains, along with another isolated population in the Santa Ana Mountains south of Los Angeles "have the lowest levels of genetic diversity ever documented in the West," the National Park Service said.

The only population with lower genetic diversity was observed in South Florida in the mid-1990s, when that state's panther population was heading toward extinction, according to the park service.

Scientists believe the excessive inbreeding is beginning to manifest as physical abnormalities. In March 2020, a mountain lion known as P-81 was discovered with a kinked, L-shaped tail and only one descended testicle. And there have been sightings of other mountain lions with visible abnormalities, Cholo said.

Jeff Sikich, a wildlife biologist with the National Park Service, called it a "grave discovery" at the time, adding that it "underscores the need for measures to better support this population."

Still, it's not all doom and gloom with the cougars.

Last summer was a boom year for kittens, with 13 born to five mountain lion mothers between May and August in the Santa Monica Mountains and Simi Hills.

Labeling it a "summer of kittens," parks officials said it was first time that many lion dens had been found over such a brief period of time during the study years.

Explore further Four new mountain lions kittens found in California mountains

2021 Los Angeles Times.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The new visa for Hong Kongers is framed as 'a haven' for Britain's former colonial subjects but has 'undoubtedly colonialist overtones' warns a Lancaster University professor.

Professor in Public Sociology Michaela Benson says the new Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Visa, launched in January this year, shows how an 'anachronistic and ambiguous legal status, an afterlife of an empire that, until now, had been glaringly empty of significance for its holders', has been infused with new meaning.

The new visa route has been created in response to the imposition of National Security Law in Hong Kong, which the UK considers violates agreements made between the UK and China at the time of the Hong Kong handover in 1997, when the BN(O) status was uniquely awarded to the people of Hong Kong.

The introduction of the new visaa bespoke route for some Hong Kongers to migrate to and settle in the UK, rests upon this residual status.

The visa will enable BN(O)s and their dependent family members to live in the UK for up to five years. They will then be able to apply for permanent settlement and, in turn, British citizenship (subject to associated eligibility criteria).

Writing in the journal Current Sociology, Professor Benson describes the new visa as the latest chapter in the longer history of Britain's relationship to the people of Hong Kong in which 'exception has always been the norm' - a case apart in the broader context of Britain's migration and citizenship regime, with the Hong Kongers emerging as the 'perennial exception to the rule'.

Her article, Hong Kongers and the coloniality of British citizenship from decolonisation to 'Global Britain' questions what the rhetoric of the 'good migrants' for global Britain'at the heart of the promotion of the new bespoke Hong Kong Visaconceals from view.

"Rather than a case apart in the context of increasingly restrictive immigration controls, the renewal of Britain's obligations, commitments, and responsibilities to the people of Hong Kong through this visa scheme provide further evidence of the enduring colonial entanglements in the formation of 'Global Britain' and the new immigration plan," she says.

The HK BN(O) visa is the latest articulation of a longer history with the 2021 provisions singled out as an example of the UK Government's 'fair and generous' approach to immigration, which Professor Benson adds, is seemingly at odds with an immigration regime that the government claim is 'tough on immigration'.

"This is not an easy story to tell," she says. "Along with many other people, part of me wants to believe that the HK BN(O) Visa is, indeed, an exceptional act that offers hope not only to those seeking to leave Hong Kong but also to those of us staunchly opposed to the increasingly exclusionary and brutal conditions of the UK's migration governance, legislation, and policy.

"However, by recognizing the longstanding presentation of the Hong Kongers as exception, new sight lines into the coloniality of British citizenship are opened which reveal that not all is as it seems."

The response in Hong Kong, she adds, was mixed, with some welcoming the announcement and others criticizing the UK for interfering and for its lack of confidence in Hong Kong's future.

"Its timing makes the new visa the ideal poster child for a 'Global Britain' that has 'taken back control' of its borders," says Professor Benson.

"Government announcements and media reports about the scheme recycle longstanding stereotypes that present the Hong Kong Chinese as hardworking and entrepreneurial, a ready-made model minority who should be welcomed with open arms.

"A bespoke scheme such as this demonstrates that the Government are now in a position to choose which particular migrants will be beneficial to 'Global Britain'."

She said it also allowed Britain to flex its muscles on the international stage in the wake of Brexit.

She added: "This revitalisation of Britain's interest in its self-claimed moral responsibilities, obligations, and commitments to the people of Hong Kong has further significance in the context of Britain's post-Brexit position on the world stage.

"Through this lens, its provisions for the Hong Kongers emerge as the exception that proves the rule that Britain has taken back control of its borders and is able to pick and choose who might be 'good migrants' for 'Global Britain'."

More information: Michaela Benson, Hong Kongers and the coloniality of British citizenship from decolonisation to 'Global Britain', Current Sociology (2021). Michaela Benson, Hong Kongers and the coloniality of British citizenship from decolonisation to 'Global Britain',(2021). DOI: 10.1177/00113921211048530
A South African firm believes it has found helium deposits that could be worth tens of billions of dollars.

In a grassy plain in South Africa, once the world's largest gold producer, prospectors have stumbled upon a new treasure: helium.

Popularly known for birthday balloons and squeaky voices, helium plays an underappreciated role in medical scanners, superconductors, and space travel.

It's also rareproduced by fewer than 10 countries and often treated as a waste product in natural gas wells.

Natural gas is what Stefano Marani and Nick Mitchell had on their minds when they bought gas rights on this 87,000-hectare piece of land in the Free State province in 2012, for just $1.

When they had their gas finds tested, they discovered unusually high amounts of helium mixed in with the gas that mean their dollar investment could be worth billions.

Their company Renergen is almost ready to start producing both natural gas and helium, placing South Africa on an elite map with helium reserves that could be the richest and cleanest in the world.

Those first tests revealed helium concentrations of two to four percent. In the United States, helium is extracted at concentrations as low as 0.3 percent.

"That was when we knew we had something special," Marani said. "It really was right place, right time."

Tests have found gas with concentrations of helium much larger than in commercial wells in other countries.

Further exploration has found concentrations as high as 12 percent, Renergen says.

Other major producers are Qatar and Algeria.

'It's big'

The global helium market was worth $10.6 billion in 2019, according to the firm Research and Markets. Since few countries produce helium, supplies are frequently disrupted.

Renergen estimates its helium reserve could be as much as 9.74 billion cubic meterslarger than the known reserves in the entire United States.

That's enough to fill about 1.4 trillion party balloons.

If proven, Marani said those reserves would be worth over $100 billion (86 billion euros). More conservative estimates remain substantial at 920 million cubic meters.

Chris Ballentine, chair of geochemistry at the University of Oxford, said helium is usually produced as part of liquified natural gas operations.

Gas drillers sometimes don't even bother to capture helium, but for Renergen it is more important than the natural gas.

Companies often treat it as a bonus, if they bother to separate it out.

What sets South Africa's find apart is how the gas is extracted.

Natural gas is often obtained by fracking, a process that injects water, sand and chemicals into bedrock under high pressure to split it to release any oil and gas trapped inside.

But fracking also contaminates groundwater and causes small earthquakes that can ruin nearby homes and buildings.

"We don't frack," Marani said. "Our rock has already cracked, there's a giant fracture underground. And so when we drill, we're literally drilling just into that giant fracture where the gas is and then the gas escapes naturally with no stimulation at all."

Renergen plans to have 19 wells installed by early next year. Gas currently extracted is being used as compressed natural gas in a pilot project to run buses.

Eventually the plant will process liquified natural gas for domestic use and liquid helium for export around the world.

The natural gas from Renergen's wells is currently being used to power buses, but eventually it will be turned into liquefied natural gas that can be used to heat homes or in power stations.

Keeping helium as a liquid requires cooling it to nearly absolute zero.

Those temperaturescombined with the fact that helium doesn't burn or interact with other gasesmake it useful for cooling incredibly hot things. Magnets on MRI scanners, for example, or rocket engines.

Demand, and prices, for helium have more than doubled over the last 30 years. As the uses for helium multiply, nations around the world are increasingly concerned about securing a steady supply.

Russia, Tanzania and the United States have all been looking at developing new reserves.

Eventually, helium production at the South African site could rise to five tonnes dailyroughly seven percent of the planet's current helium production, Marani said.

"It's big," he said. "It's quite meaningful by global standards."

Explore further Global helium supplies balloon

 2021 AFP
Credit: Shutterstock

Last week's formal recognition by the United Nations Human Rights Council that the right to a healthy environment is an essential human right has been heralded as a historic victory for environmental protection and an important step forward for the world's most vulnerable people.

It's also significant for coming on the eve of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow next month, billed as the last best chance to pledge emissions reductions large enough to head off the worst consequences of global heating and associated ecological harm.

On the other hand, UN recognition doesn't make the right to a healthy environment legally binding. No New Zealander can now claim a remedy from the courts because our environment doesn't meet the standard of being clean, healthy and sustainable.

So, what does a human right to a healthy environment really mean? Is it largely rhetorical, or will its adoption have tangible consequences both internationally and in Aotearoa New Zealand?

Environmental defenders have a reason to celebrate. Last week, the United Nations #HumanRights Council (@UN_HRC) recognized for the first time that having a clean, healthy and sustainable #environment is a human right. Via @UNEPhttps://t.co/FKtWuovaIF  UN Human Rights Council (@UN_HRC) October 15, 2021

Better global standards

Despite its limitations, this new human right is certainly not useless. It's the first time a right to a healthy environment has been explicitly recognized at the global level.

The right obliges states to protect against environmental harm, to provide equal access to environmental benefits and to ensure a minimum standard of environmental quality for everyone to enjoy.

Arguably, this paves the way for better global standards, bolder climate litigation, and even for more equitable sharing of the burdens and benefits of climate change.

It also creates a Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Climate Change, focused on tackling the effects of climate change on people's enjoyment of their human rights.

And it's likely other global and regional bodies, including the UN General Assembly and the Council of Europe, will soon acknowledge the right to a healthy environment.

Developments like this would make the right more credible and more visible, transforming it into an effective tool for challenging states and corporations to do more on environmental protection.

Enshrining the right in law

Overall, the right to a healthy environment reflects a new urgency to push environmental issues back up the international agenda. For example, plans to adopt a "Global Pact for the Environment" next year are gaining momentum.

Proponents are describing the pact as the most comprehensive international text ever on environmental rights, essential for protecting everyone and everything from the "triple planetary emergency" of climate change, pollution and nature loss.

Already, in places where a right to a healthy environment is part of domestic law, court decisions are resulting in stronger climate action.

The Colombian Supreme Court, for example, recently decided that deforestation of the Amazon violated a right to a healthy environment for present and future generations, and required the government to put protections in place.

Meanwhile, the Nepalese Supreme Court has held that the government must take action on climate change as part of its citizens' constitutional right to a clean environment.

From these and many more national examples, we can be confident that recognizing a right to a healthy environment will help improve the implementation of environmental laws, help fill gaps in legislation and support respect for human rights generally.

Implications for New Zealand

New Zealand's courts and policymakers look to international human rights for guidance and standards. As recognition of the right to a healthy environment grows internationally, we can expect to see greater reliance on it here.

But there is one specific area where I anticipate this right may provide a new approach: climate-change mitigation.

When it comes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and New Zealand, the elephant in the roomor the cow in the fieldis the dairy industry. Between 1990 and 2018 New Zealand's GHG emissions rose by 24%. The increase was driven largely by methane from livestock and nitrous oxide from fertilizers.

Both of these GHGs are many times more potent than carbon dioxide. Continuing to operate with this level of GHG emissions will make it extremely difficult for New Zealand to do its fair share of climate change mitigation or meet its international climate change obligations.

Protecting people and nature

The right to a healthy environment, then, could become a new lever for achieving big changes in a small window of time.

A rights-based approach to the environment will encourage a conversation around what a healthy environment means and who should enjoy it. It may even provide a fresh vocabulary for discussing broader issues, such as land use, transport and power.

As we battle COVID-19 at home, it's tempting to take our eye off the grave environmental challenges ahead. To do that would be a mistake.

The full potential of a human right to a healthy environment remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that a healthy environment is essential for human health and well-beingand that protecting people and protecting nature are always interconnected.

Explore further Q&A: How the human right to a healthy environment can help protect us all

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
A bridge collapsed following heavy rainfalls in northern India.

The death toll from days of flooding and landslides in India and Nepal crossed 100 on Wednesday, including several families swept away or crushed in their homes by avalanches of mud and rocks.

Experts say that they were victims of ever-more unpredictable and extreme weather across South Asia in recent years caused by climate change and exacerbated by deforestation, damming and excessive development.

In Uttarakhand in northern India, officials said 46 people had died in recent days with 11 missing.

At least 30 were killed in seven separate incidents in Uttarakhand's Nainital region early Tuesday, after cloudburstsan ultra-intense deluge of raintriggered landslides and destroyed several structures.

Five of the dead were from a single family whose house was buried by a massive landslide, local official Pradeep Jain told AFP.

Authorities ordered the closure of schools and banned all religious and tourist activities in the state.

Television footage and social media videos showed residents wading through knee-deep water near Nainital lake, a tourist hotspot, and the Ganges bursting its banks in Rishikesh.

The floods almost swept away an elephant near the Corbett Tiger Reservehome to 164 of the big cats and 600 elephantsbut in a video that went viral, the animal managed to battle the strong currents and swim to safety.

Uttarakhand reported 178.4 mm rain in the first 18 days of Octoberalmost 500 percent more than the average, the Hindustan Times reported citing Indian Meteorological Department data.

And the state's Mukteshwar area reported 340.8 mm rainfall in the 24 hours until Tuesday morning, the most since the weather station was set up there in 1897, the newspaper said.

The Indian Meteorological Department forecast a "significant reduction" in rainfall in the state from Wednesday.

Map locating India's Uttarakhand state and Nepal where the death toll from flooding this week rose to more than 100, officials said on Wednesday October 20.

Deadly landslides

In Nepal, 31 were reported dead after days of heavy rains across the country.

Disaster management official Humkala Pandey said that 43 others were still missing.

"It's still raining in many places... The death toll could go up further," she added.

In the eastern district of Dhankuta, a landslide buried a house overnight, killing six people including three children.

Swelling rivers flooded homes in several districts, damaging roads and bridges and reportedly destroying crops.

Landslides are a regular danger in the Himalayan region, but experts say they are becoming more common as rains become increasingly erratic and glaciers melt.

Experts also blame deforestation and the construction of hydroelectric dams.

In February, a ferocious flash flood hurtled down a remote valley in Uttarakhand, killing around 200 people. At least 5,700 people perished there in 2013.

The state has reported over 7,750 extreme rainfall events and cloudbursts since 2015a majority of them in the last three years.

Dozens of people have died in recent days after heavy rains and flooding in India's Uttarakhand state.

Heavy rain in Kerala

In Kerala state in southern India, the death toll reached 39 on Wednesday.

The coastal state has been battered by heavy rain since Friday and thousands have been moved to safer locations. More than 200 homes were destroyed and almost 1,400 damaged.

Kerala has also seen an increase in natural disasters, including in 2018 when nearly 500 people perished in the worst flooding in a century.

Environmentalists blame an increase in extreme weather in the warming Arabian Sea as well as excessive development in the Western Ghats mountain range.

After a brief respite, forecasters are warning of more heavy rain in the coming days with alerts issued in several places in Kerala.

Those killed over the weekend included six members of the same family after a landslide buried their house.

Shutters on at least three dams across the state were opened Tuesday including Idukki, one of Asia's biggest, though State Electricity Board chairman B. Ashok said "there was no need to panic".

Explore further 41 dead as heavy rains batter northern India

 2021 AFP
The researchers noticed that some peptides cross membranes by pushing against them. The peptides deformed the membrane into small circular buds. The buds then detach as small bubbles, which eventually pop, allowing the peptides to be released inside the cell. Credit: Ashweta Sahni

For decades, scientists have wondered how large molecules such as proteins pass through cell walls, also known as plasma membranes, without leaving a trace. That ability is part of what makes certain drugsincluding some cancer treatments and the COVID-19 vaccinework. And it is also how bacterial toxins enter human cells and wreak havoc.

One such example is diphtheria toxin, which is produced by Corynebacterium diphtheriae and causes diphtheria, a serious and potentially fatal bacterial infection of the nose and throat. But the mechanics of how these proteins enter human cells were a scientific mystery.

A recent study, published in the journal ACS Chemical Biology, answers that mystery. The study identified the ways in which proteins cross a cell membrane, a finding that could create a scientific foundation for better ways of delivering drugs into cells in the future, or for treating illnesses caused by bacterial toxins.

"It is almost like a magic trick, the way the membrane encapsulates these toxins," said Dehua Pei, senior author of the study and a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at The Ohio State University.

Pei's research team at Ohio State has spent years trying to understand how biomolecules such as bacterial toxins get inside a human cell, with the goal of finding ways to get medications into those cells. It was through that work that the researchers discovered how some toxins were getting across the cell membranes, said Ashweta Sahni, lead author of the study and a graduate student in Pei's lab at Ohio State.

Researchers have known how small molecules penetrate cell membranes, typically by binding to the membrane and then diffusing through it. But they knew that proteins do not have that ability because they are too big. Until now, the most popular hypothesis was that proteins pass through small holes, known as pores, in the membrane, akin to the Parisian statue, Le Passe-Muraille, of a man passing through a wall. But Pei's previous work did not support that hypothesis.

While working on the team's other projects, Sahni noticed that some fragments of proteins, known as peptides, cross membranes by pushing against them. The peptides deformed the membrane into small circular buds. The buds then detach as small bubbles, known as vesicles, which eventually "pop," allowing the peptides to be released inside the cell. The team subsequently observed that two structurally different bacterial toxins also employed this same mechanism. This discovery led them to conclude that this budding-and-collapse mechanism is a common mechanism employed by many large biomolecules.

"This budding-and-collapse phenomenon was previously unknown, but we were able to witness it because we had the equipment, training and experience to know what we were looking at," Sahni said.

The team witnessed the budding-and-collapse in live cells through confocal microscopy, an imaging technique that allowed them to focus in on what was happening inside the cells, and on the cell membranes, with these specific proteins.

Pei said the discovery could potentially open the door for new drug therapies that use this finding to manipulate the ways drugs enter a cell.

Explore further Studies show a pathway for imported proteins through cell membrane that can be hijacked by toxins

More information: Ashweta Sahni et al, Bacterial Toxins Escape the Endosome by Inducing Vesicle Budding and Collapse, ACS Chemical Biology (2021). Journal information: ACS Chemical Biology Ashweta Sahni et al, Bacterial Toxins Escape the Endosome by Inducing Vesicle Budding and Collapse,(2021). DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00540
Time series images of a cyanobacteria bloom in Utah Lake captured by OLCI on the Sentinel-3A satellite in summer of 2017, with true color images from the beginning and end of the bloom (left and right, with green shades indicating high algae concentrations) and weekly composites of CyAN data. Credit: NASA images with ESAs Sentinel-3A data

Lakes provide drinking water for people, habitat for plants and wildlife, and a place to fish, boat and swim. But the water can become harmful to humans, animals and the ecosystem when toxic algae called cyanobacteria reach abnormally high levels due to warm, nutrient-rich water conditions.

A now publicly available NASA dataset allows citizens and policymakers to get near-real time updates on the cyanobacteria in over 2,300 lakes in the contiguous United States and more than 5,000 in Alaska. The new study, published in the journal Remote Sensing of Environment, introduces this extensive inland waters dataset that includes a time series of standardized satellite measurements starting in 2002.

Scientists and state officials have already used the data to monitor and respond to early-stage algal bloomsa rapid increase in the population of algae in freshwater or marine water systemsbut the dataset is now available to the general public and research community in the form of raw data, maps, and an index of cyanobacteria risk to human health. Having the raw data, in addition to cyanobacteria maps, will allow researchers, managers and community members to create and assess remote sensing tools for water quality. The data and products have been made available by the Cyanobacteria Assessment Network (CyAN), a joint project between NASA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

A tool on the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality website shows up to date CyAN data, with green, yellow and red tones showing higher cyanobacteria concentration. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

"This dataset allows us to transition from being reactive to proactive in managing water quality," said Blake Schaeffer, one of the CyAN project leads and a research scientist at the EPA.

The inter-agency team created a standardized way to assess cyanobacteria concentration using satellite data and computer algorithms. Their Cyanobacteria Index is based on satellite data collected by the Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) instrument on the European Space Agency's (ESA) Envisat satellite and the Ocean and Land Color Instrument (OLCI) on ESA's Sentinel-3a and Sentinel-3b satellites, which measure at wavelengths suited to detect the pigments in cyanobacteria.

"What we measure with the satellites is different wavelengthsessentially color. The cyanobacteria that we're measuring has a specific coloring that is a slightly different shade of green that distinguishes it from other algae" explained Bridget Seegers, one of the project leads for CyAN and a water quality researcher at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The team built and tested an algorithm that gives an assessment of cyanobacteria concentration based on the wavelength measurements from the satellites. The data is now publicly available in the form of Cyanobacteria Index maps and raw satellite data.

Spots where the bloom has surpassed human health thresholds according to state guidelines, with red showing high risk. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

"This dataset is incredibly useful and right away we're seeing the utility of it," said Seegers.

The satellite data helps state, tribal, and federal environmental officials know where to prioritize their sampling efforts. If the satellite data indicates an abundance of cyanobacteria in a particular lake, scientists can collect water samples from boats, kayaks or docks to verify that the bloom poses a threat to humans, wildlife and the environment.

"The satellite data allows people to monitor larger lakes and reservoirs in a way that we weren't previously able to do. CyAN allows people to have a more systematic analysis of potential hotspots rather than relying on public notification," said Keith Loftin, one of the CyAN leads and a United States Geological Survey (USGS) research chemist based in Kansas.

In 2017, Utah public health and environmental officials quickly responded to a budding bloom by putting up warning signs after satellite data showed high concentrations of cyanobacteria. Detecting the bloom early saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in healthcare, a study later estimated. Since then, several other states have adopted the Cyanobacteria Index to help monitor the status of their lakes as well.

Explore further Downstream consequences: How NASA satellites track harmful algal blooms

More information: Bridget N. Seegers et al, Satellites for long-term monitoring of inland U.S. lakes: The MERIS time series and application for chlorophyll-a, Remote Sensing of Environment (2021). Bridget N. Seegers et al, Satellites for long-term monitoring of inland U.S. lakes: The MERIS time series and application for chlorophyll-a,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.rse.2021.112685 Signe Stroming et al, Quantifying the Human Health Benefits of Using Satellite Information to Detect Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms and Manage Recreational Advisories in U.S. Lakes, GeoHealth (2020). DOI: 10.1029/2020GH000254
Credit: NASA

NASA seeks young engineers to help design a new robot concept for an excavation mission on the Moon. The Lunabotics Junior Contest is open to K-12 students in U.S. public and private schools, as well as home-schoolers.

The competition, which is a collaboration between NASA and Future Engineers, asks students to design a robot that digs and moves lunar soil, called regolith, from an area of the lunar South Pole to a holding container near where Artemis astronauts may explore in the future.

As part of the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon and establish long-term lunar science and exploration capabilities that will serve as a springboard for future exploration of Mars. Lunar regolith is instrumental in this development and could be used to create lunar concrete, reducing the amount and cost of materials that need to be transported from Earth.

To enter the contest, students must submit entries, which must include an image of the robot design and a written summary explaining how the design is intended to operate on the Moon, by Jan. 25, 2022.

"Extracting resources in deep space will require innovation and creativity, and students are some of the most creative thinkers," said Mike Kincaid, NASA's associate administrator for the Office of STEM Engagement. "The next generation always brings new perspectives, inventive ideas, and a sense of optimism to the challenges NASA puts in front of them. I'm really looking forward to seeing the designs they submit to Lunabotics Junior."

While students are not tasked to build a robot, they are asked to envision a robot design that is no larger than 3.5 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet and that addresses three main design features: How the physical design of the robot will enable it to scoop/dig and move the lunar regolith; whether the robot will operate by moving large amounts of dirt per trip or by transporting less dirt over more trips; and how the design and operation of the robot will meet the big challenge of lunar dust that is stirred up and can "stick" to surfaces when lunar regolith is moved.

Students can sign up individually or teachers can register their entire class. Entries will be split into two categoriesgrades K-5 and grades 6-12. Ten semifinalists will receive a Lunabotics Junior prize pack and four finalists from each category will win a virtual session with a NASA subject matter expert. The winner from each category will be announced March 29, 2022, and will be awarded a virtual chat for their class with Janet Petro, director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA and Future Engineers also are seeking volunteers to help judge the entries from around the country. U.S. residents interested in offering approximately five hours of their time over a 10-day period can register to be a judge at: www.futureengineers.org/regist  dge/lunaboticsjunior

Artemis Student Challenges create unique opportunities for a diverse group of students to contribute to NASA's work in exploration and discovery while celebrating their creativity and innovation.

Explore further Japanese space agency to put Transformable Lunar Robot on the moon
Fig. 1 Artistic representation of a neutron star accreting matter from its companion's envelope. Credit: Gabriel Perez Diaz, Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias

An international research team has performed a new measurement of an important astrophysical reaction, 22Mg(, p)25Al, providing essential experimental data for understanding the light curve of X-ray bursts and the astrophysical environment in low-mass X-ray binaries.

Some massive stars terminate their lives in so-called supernovae, which are extremely violent explosions that produce neutron stars. More often than not, supernovae are asymmetric, and the neutron stars that are produced are kicked with a velocity up to 550 km/s to meet with a lifelong companion star if they are lucky; otherwise they will be lone rangers in the cosmos.

Due to the enormous gravitational force of the neutron star, the main components of the stellar fuel of the companion star are siphoned to the neutron star, thus forming an envelope surrounding the neutron star's atmosphere. The stellar fuel in the envelope is further compressed and then fused to form heavier chemical elements, like carbon, oxygen and nitrogen. Such fusions keep synthesizing more heavy elements until the accreted stellar fuel is exhausted.

Throughout the fusion process, energetic X-rays, thousands of times brighter than our Sun, are emitted from the extremely high-density envelope. Such energetic X-ray pulses are termed Type-I X-ray bursts. Also, the neutron star and companion star that give birth to these bursts are called X-ray bursters.

As of now, more than 7,000 X-ray bursts emitted from 115 X-ray bursters have been observed. However, none of these observed bursts can be closely reproduced by theoretical models. One of the underlying reasons is the vast uncertainty in important fusion reactions influencing the onset of X-ray bursts. One example is the alpha-proton reaction of magnesium-22, 22Mg+25Al+p, which has been renamed 22Mg(, p)25Al by nuclear physicists.

Nevertheless, experimental data related to the 22Mg(, p)25Al reaction are very scarce. Researchers at the Institute of Modern Physics (IMP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in collaboration with Japanese, Australian, British, Italian, American and Korean scientists, have measured the important properties of the 22Mg(, p)25Al reaction.

Fig. 2 The best fit baseline and Present modeled light curves to the observed light curve of the event of June 1998, and the best fit Randhawa et al. (2020) modeled light curves to the event of September 2000. The magnified light curves at the burst peak and t=2070s are shown in the left and right insets, respectively. Credit: Physical Review Letters

"Because of the extremely low cross sections, direct measurement is still a very tough task at present. We proposed to deduce the reaction rate via indirect measurement, which is the resonant scattering measurement of 25Al+p with the capability to select and measure proton resonances contributing to the reaction rate," said Hu Jun, a researcher at IMP.

The experiment was conducted at the Radioactive Ion Beam Factory operated by the RIKEN Nishina Center and the Center for Nuclear Study, University of Tokyo.

The researchers obtained the first 22Mg(, p)25Al reaction rate in the Gamow window through experiments, thus tremendously reducing the uncertainty of this reaction corresponding to the extreme X-ray burst temperature regime, which is about 130 times the temperature of the core of the sun.

Using the new 22Mg(, p)25Al reaction rate, they closely reproduced the burst light curve of GS 182624 X-ray burster recorded in the event of June 1998. Meanwhile, they discovered that the 22Mg(, p)25Al reaction was strongly correlated with the percentage of helium in the high-density envelope and successfully reproduced the fluences and recurrence times of SAX J1808.43658 photospheric radius expansion burster recorded in the event of October 2002.

"Undoubtedly, a close reproduction of the observation helps researchers to convincingly interpret the hidden physics information encapsulated in the observed X-ray bursts," said Lam Yi Hua, a researcher at IMP.

A paper describing these findings was published in Physical Review Letters on October 19.

Explore further Studying X-ray bursts to unlock secrets of neutron stars

More information: J. Hu et al, Advancement of Photospheric Radius Expansion and Clocked Type-I X-Ray Burst Models with the New Mg 22 (,p)Al 25 Reaction Rate Determined at the Gamow Energy, Physical Review Letters (2021). Journal information: Physical Review Letters J. Hu et al, Advancement of Photospheric Radius Expansion and Clocked Type-I X-Ray Burst Models with the New Mg(,p)AlReaction Rate Determined at the Gamow Energy,(2021). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.127.172701
A scientist extracts DNA from ancient human remains and prepares it for analysis. Dozens of scholars have proposed a set of ethical guidelines that could be used worldwide for conducting genetic research on ancient individuals. Credit: Kayana Szymczak

As ancient DNA research sweeps the globe, ballooning from zero genomes sequenced as of 2009 to more than 6,000 as of 2021, those involved in and affected by the genetic analysis of human remains have pressed with ever greater urgency for ethical standards that can be applied wherever such research is carried out.

Researchers studying the DNA of humans who lived hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of years ago have tried to determine the best ways to conduct their work so that it consistently respects the remains as well as those who have a stake in the research.

Such stakeholders can include people and groups who feel connected to the ancient individuals, those who consider themselves stewards or guardians of the remains, and scholars in fields such as archaeology and anthropology.

Taking a step forward in articulating a set of globally applicable guidelines, dozens of archaeologists, anthropologists, museum curators, and geneticists from every continent barring Antarctica convened online in November 2020 for a meeting on ethical issues in ancient DNA research.

Researchers from the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School helped organize the meeting and subsequent discussions, supported in part by a grant intended to spur interdisciplinary collaboration and tackle challenges in the field of ancient DNA.

The resultsauthored by 64 scholars representing more than 30 countries and diverse ethnic and cultural backgroundswere published online Oct. 20 in Nature.

Harvard Medicine News spoke to two of the paper's co-corresponding authors about the endeavor: Jakob Sedig, HMS research fellow in genetics and an ethics and outreach officer in the lab of genetics professor David Reich, and Kendra Sirak, HMS research associate and a senior staff scientist in the Reich lab.

HMNews: What is the main goal of having a set of international guidelines?

Kendra Sirak: While some countries have developed rigorous standards that guide the scientific analysis of human remains, many others have few or no guidelines that ensure that this work is carried out responsibly and is both scientifically robust and sensitive to community perspectives. Everyone wants practical guidance that will be positive about the research enterprise while embracing high ethical standards.

It's our hope that these guidelines will raise the integrity of ancient DNA research around the world by minimizing damage to collections of human remains; ensuring sensitivity to the perspectives of stakeholder groups, especially when these groups are marginalized; and reducing opportunities for the misuse of results. We expect these guidelines will undergo further development as the field continues to evolve.

HMNews: Why now?

Jakob Sedig: Ancient DNA as a field has been growing rapidly, evolving from a promising technology to a mature field. The discussion about how to handle human remains and how to meaningfully involve diverse stakeholders has not yet caught up. More and more people are calling for clear, strong guidance that all researchers engaged in ancient DNA work can embrace.

Ancient DNA analysis has contributed vital new insights about the human past and has helped us understand the genetic roots of human diversity. It has disrupted nationalist and xenophobic narratives. It has challenged what many of us thought we knew about who we are and where we came from. But like any field that matters, it's complex.

Because of the number of ancient individuals being analyzed, the social and political nature of the work, and the challenges that ancient DNA findings have raised about theories proposed before we had such data, people are paying attention to ancient DNA. That makes it even more vital to articulate and adopt strong guidelines that work well everywhere.

HMNews: How did the team come up with these five guidelines?

Sedig: We took cues from archaeology and modern human genetics, which have established protocols for carrying out analyses on human remains and establishing stakeholder consent. We built on aspects of existing guidelines, such as those crafted by a group of North American scholars, including Indigenous scholars, published last year in the American Journal of Human Genetics.

Our diverse co-author groupparticularly those in Central and South America, Africa, Europe, South Asia, the Pacific, and East Asiafelt that these and other suggestions, while valuable, were not applicable in all world regions. Our virtual workshop led to monthslong discussions that took many different value systems and histories into account and sought balance between local contexts and general principles. We then wrote the manuscript.

Given that there was near-unanimous support and excitement about the final document among the workshop participants, we hope the broader community will embrace and build on these proposals. It would be wonderful if the proposals form a basis for official guidelines in the future.

HMNews: Why not just follow national or local government regulations wherever a project is being conducted?

Sirak: There are some places where laws are robust enough for that to be appropriate, but in other locales, we feel that researchers need to hold themselves to a higher standard than required by the laws currently in place.

HMNews: What are some of the needs and unique circumstances in different regions that shaped the guidelines?

Sirak: We have found that guidelines that work well for one region can come across as condescending or even colonialist in another. Many co-authors on this manuscript raised the point that indigeneity has different meanings in different places and is even used in some regions as a framework for oppression and discrimination against minority groups argued to be non-Indigenous. Thus, basing research ethics on a single definition can inadvertently reinforce rather than mitigate power imbalances in conducting and interpreting genetic analyses.

HMNews: Some critics say that ancient DNA research, which to a large extent has focused on and been conducted by white people from wealthy nations, has been a colonialist endeavor that siphons agency from marginalized groups. How do the proposed guidelines address these discussions about power and ownership?

Sedig: These are important conversations. We can't reiterate enough that our goal is to learn about the past in a sensitive, thoughtful, and ethical way. We do not want to contribute to exploitation; we want to do the opposite. We need to listen to and respect the people who are stakeholders in ancient DNA studiesincluding groups from the place of origin of the human remains being studiedand make sure their perspectives are represented in discussions about study design, research questions, and whether a project should proceed at all. There's been a huge amount of progress in recent years in seeking local perspectives from the start to the conclusion of a study and incorporating that feedback into the project and publication. We have increasingly diverse groups of people who conduct the research as well.

We want to minimize harm and reduce inequity, and I believe the ancient DNA community has an extraordinary track record of providing arguments that do so. We know that in regions with histories of settler colonialism, we have to center Indigenous perspectives. We have to confront the colonial legacies of human remains collected in unethical ways and often sent abroad, and we should seek ways to mend the harms done, such as by considering how our research findings or the methods we are using might be helpful tools for facilitating repatriation of remains. We must ensure that local scientists and communities are as engaged as can be in ancient DNA research, particularly in places with histories of scientists conducting exploitative research. Researchers working in countries outside their own must prioritize establishing equitable collaborations that benefit local scholars and avoid carrying out "parachute research" at all costs.

When possible, those of us in positions of privilege should contribute to reducing structural inequities. Some ideas we propose in the guidelines are to help educate and train local community members and other stakeholders, assist with raising the curatorial standards of collections or developing museum exhibits, provide funds for training or attending professional meetings, and advocate for funding agencies to build more capacity for equitable ancient DNA research. We also need to ensure that we communicate results in ways that are accessible to nonscientists and the broader scholarly community. Lastly, we have to oppose those who use genetic data to support narratives of group superiority or to justify exclusionary policies.

At the same time, as scientists we need to make sure we can proceed in a way consistent with the scientific method. We can't ethically conduct a study without the guarantee that we can follow the data where they lead. This means that once stakeholder communities agree that publishing results would not cause them harm, the relevant portion of a manuscript won't be restricted. It also means the data must be made accessible at least so others can replicate or reevaluate results.

We have a loyalty to the facts we uncover as we learn about our shared humanity. In cases where the data we generate don't align with other forms of knowledge, such as traditional expertise or cultural beliefs, it is not our job to discredit or diminish that knowledge. Rather, those discrepancies highlight how complex an undertaking it is to understand the past and should be flagged in papers that result from the work.

Regarding "ownership," we believe that whenever researchers are granted permission to study the remains of ancient individuals, they become stewards of that material with a responsibility to care for and respect it. They do not assume ownership of the remainsor of the data that arise from sequencing it.

HMNews: Some groups assert that stakeholder communities should decide whether and how certain kinds of ancient DNA data can be used in future analyses. How does this fit with the team's push for open data?

Sirak: We advocate for stakeholders having input into how data should be distributed and we advocate for open data. We believe that both goals can coexist.

Many of our co-authors felt strongly that ancient DNA data should always be made fully and publicly available. Other co-authors argued that when it comes to data from remains that might be meaningfully connected to present-day Indigenous communities, it could be appropriate to have usage restrictions. This was one of many debates we had, and in listening to one another, some of us changed our positions.

In the end, we all agreed that open data for ancient DNA is something to strive for. The data must be made available after publicationeither through full open access, which is ideal, or distributed by a professional organization without a stake in the research resultsso scholars can reproduce or challenge analyses. This also lowers the chances study results will be misused. We are proud that the raw data for nearly all ancient genomes published so far was made publicly available at or before the time of publication.

Finally, we agreed that Indigenous-led data repositories such as those now being developed could help mediate permissions when scholars wish to use data for purposes beyond those articulated in an original study plan.

HMNews: Given that equity is a priority, how accessible will this paper be to those who, for example, don't have paid access to the journal in which it's being published or who aren't fluent in English?

Sirak: We've made our paper open access and applied the most flexible Creative Commons license to it, known as CC BY 4.0. That means it's available for free to anyone in the public to read, distribute, adapt, and build upon. Our team members also have translated the text into more than 20 languages that they speak.

HMNews: Do you expect pushback from scientists who feel that the guidelines are too onerous and will make it harder to carry out research?

Sedig: We did receive feedback during the review process that the guidelines were too strongthat they would create a heavy burden for researchers from smaller labs or who are in the early stages of their careers. We respect this perspective and understand that we're requesting a lot in terms of engaging with stakeholders and what could be called overhead beyond the research itself. However, we firmly believe that all ancient DNA studies, from an early-career stage onwards, should meet these ethical standards.

In a way, the proposals are merely concretizing the standards that are already emerging in the field. We believe that authors and journal editors feel their way toward this ethical framework during the review process. We believe that the proposals are practical and that early-career researchersincluding many who co-authored our articlewill benefit from having the principles clearly articulated and the guesswork reduced as they aim to carry out their research in an ethically principled way.

HMNews: What enforcement would there be if someone involved in ancient DNA research didn't follow these guidelines?

Sirak: Our co-authors do not represent any official organization, so we cannot make or enforce rules for anyone except ourselves. What our paper does represent is a grassroots, community-led pledge from representatives of a nontrivial faction of worldwide researchers engaged in this type of work. We have committed to adhering to a set of strong principles, and we invite others to hold us accountable to them.

It would be a great outcome if scientific journals, professional societies, or granting agencies found these proposals useful enough to turn into official guidelines, which would mean there could be professional repercussions for not adhering to them. The fact that scholars from such a diverse array of nations and disciplines have signed on to the guidelines at this stage makes us optimistic that they will be embraced in practice by laboratories and research groups as well as other groups engaged in ancient DNA research all over the world. But either way, it's important to continue the global conversation.

Explore further Respect Indigenous ancestors: Scholars urge community engagement before research

More information: David Reich, Ethics of DNA research on human remains: five globally applicable guidelines, Nature (2021). Journal information: Nature David Reich, Ethics of DNA research on human remains: five globally applicable guidelines,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04008-x
A new tool called Repair-seq (magnifying glass) allows researchers to quickly see how different genes involved in repair of DNA damage (ambulances) affect the accuracy and efficiency of genome editing technologiesin this case, one that works by first causing a double-stranded DNA break. Credit: Caitlin Sedwick for Princeton University

The ability to edit the genome by altering the DNA sequence inside a living cell is powerful for research and holds enormous promise for the treatment of diseases. However, existing genome editing technologies frequently result in unwanted mutations or can fail to introduce any changes at all. These problems have kept the field from reaching its full potential.

Now, new research from the laboratory of Princeton University researcher Britt Adamson, conducted with collaborators in the lab of Jonathan Weissman, a member of Whitehead Institute and a professor of biology at the Massachussetts Insittute of Technology and an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Cecilia Cotta-Ramusino, formerly at Editas Medicine, details a novel method called Repair-seq that reveals in exquisite detail how genome editing tools work.

"We've known for a long time that the mechanisms involved in fixing broken DNA are essential for genome editing because to change the sequence of DNA you first have to break it," said Britt Adamson, senior author on the study and assistant professor in the Princeton Department of Molecular Biology and the Lewis-Sigler Institute of Integrative Genomics. "But those processes are incredibly complex and thus often difficult to untangle."

To repair DNA, cells use many different mechanisms, each involving sets of genes working together in distinct pathways. Repair-seq allows researchers to probe the contribution of these pathways to repair of specific DNA lesions by simultaneously profiling how hundreds of individual genes affect mutations produced at damaged sites. The researchers can then generate mechanistic models of DNA repair and learn how those mechanisms impact genome editing. Adamson and colleagues applied their method to one of the most commonly used genome editing approaches, CRISPR-Cas9, which employs the bacterial Cas9 nuclease to cut across both strands of the double-stranded DNA molecule, creating lesions called double-strand breaks.

"Editing with double-strand breaks has been the bread and butter of genome editing for a long time, but making intended changes without unwanted mutations has been an enormous challenge," said the study's first author Jeffrey Hussmann, who conducted the work while a postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of Jonathan Weissman. "We set out to understand the mechanisms behind as many of the induced mutations as possible, reasoning that this could help us optimize the system."

Repair-seq experiments generate an enormous amount of data. Analysis of that data, led by Hussmann, produced a map of how different DNA repair pathways are linked to particular types of Cas9-induced mutations. Building on a rich history of research in the field, Hussmann's analysis illuminated pathways that were already known, and identified new ones, which together highlight the enormous complexity and myriad of systems involved in double-strand break repair. The deep set of data unearthed in this work is now posted on an online portal that others can use to interrogate DNA repair genes and pathways.

Separately, a team led by David Liu at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard developed a genome editing system called "prime editing" that doesn't rely on creating double-strand breaks. Prime editing efficiencies vary widely by cell type and target site, but the researchers suspected that identifying the DNA repair pathways involved might help identify avenues for improvement. With this in mind, Adamson and Hussmann joined forces with Liu and colleagues to investigate prime editing using Repair-seq.

"Working together was a huge benefit," said Adamson. "For us, it was a fantastic experience of collaborative and team-oriented science."

The collaborating researchers found that the ability to obtain intended edits with prime editing was affected by proteins in the DNA mismatch repair pathway. They then showed that inhibiting or evading that pathway dramatically enhanced the efficiency and accuracy of prime editing outcomespositioning prime editing to become a more broadly applicable genome editing technology.

"Working with Britt, Jonathan, and their labs has been a beautiful integration of basic science, tool application, and technology developmenta real testament to the power of multidisciplinary collaboration," Liu said.

Importantly, this work also demonstrates how Repair-seq can be used to improve other genome-editing technologies. In fact, the collaborating researchers have already applied it to a third genome editing system, which was also developed by scientists working under Liu. Results from that study were recently published in the journal Nature Biotechnology.

"Repair-seq is a beautiful marriage of technological savvy and biological insight," saidJohn Doench, director of research and development in the Genetic Perturbation Program at the Broad Institute, who was not involved with the work.

"And for the work on prime editing, what a wonderful example of collaboration! Prime editors have often proven difficult to work with, and this paper starts to understand why, while also kickstarting novel solutions," he added.

Moving forward, the team will continue to improve the platform and apply it to additional genome editing technologies.

"We see Repair-seq as a tool that allows you to take a detailed picture of what genome editors are doing inside cells and then very quickly assess, 'Is this a landscape in which I can find design principles that will help improve the tool?'" Adamson said. "We are really excited to explore future applications."

The studies were supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Searle Scholars Program, the National Science Foundation, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, the China Scholarship Council, and the National Cancer Institute.

Explore further Biochemists discover cause of genome editing failures with hyped CRISPR system

More information: Britt Adamson, Mapping the Genetic Landscape of DNA Double-strand Break Repair, Cell (2021). www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(21)01176-4 Journal information: Nature Biotechnology , Cell Britt Adamson, Mapping the Genetic Landscape of DNA Double-strand Break Repair,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.10.002
In this image taken by a surveillance camera released by Japan Meteorological Agency, smokes rise from the No. 1 Nakadake crater of Mr. Aso after its eruption, observed from Kusasenri, southwestern Japan, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. The eruption occurred at 11:43 a.m., according to the agency. Credit: Japan Meteorological Agency via AP

A volcano in southern Japan erupted Wednesday with a massive column of gray smoke billowing into the sky.

The Japan Meteorological Agency raised the warning level for Mount Aso to three on a scale of five, warning hikers and residents to avoid the mountain.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said there has been no report of damages or injuries.

NHK national television aired footage of a massive smoke column above the volcano.

The smoke rose as high as 3.5 kilometers (11,480 feet) above the crater, with pyroclastic flow pouring out 1.3 kilometers (0.8 mile) down the western slope of the mountain, the agency said.

The explosion blew off volcanic rocks as far as 900 meters (2,950 feet) from the crater and ashfalls were detected in several towns in the Kumamoto and neighboring Miyazaki prefectures.

The warning was issued for the city of Aso and two nearby towns in Kumamoto prefecture, which is in the north-central region of the southern island of Kyushu.

Mount Aso has repeatedly erupted, sometimes fatally. Its 1953 eruption killed six and injured more than 90, and another one five years later killed 12.

In this image taken by a surveillance camera released by Japan Meteorological Agency, smokes rise from the No. 1 Nakadake crater of Mr. Aso after its eruption, observed from Kusasenri, southwestern Japan, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. The eruption occurred at 11:43 a.m., according to the agency. Credit: Japan Meteorological Agency via AP

In this image taken by a surveillance camera released by Japan Meteorological Agency, smokes rise from the No. 1 Nakadake crater of Mr. Aso after its eruption, observed from Kurumagaeri, southwestern Japan, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. The eruption occurred at 11:43 a.m., according to the agency. Credit: Japan Meteorological Agency via AP

In this image taken by a surveillance camera released by Japan Meteorological Agency, smokes rise from the No. 1 Nakadake crater of Mr. Aso after its eruption, observed from Kurumagaeri, southwestern Japan, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. The eruption occurred at 11:43 a.m., according to the agency. Credit: Japan Meteorological Agency via AP

Explore further Japan issues evacuation order after volcano erupts

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Credit: University of Kansas

The Association of American Universities has made a recent push to encourage institutions to install more active learning spaces on campuses, in which students can move and work together, instead of sitting in fixed seats in a traditional lecture hall. A new study from the University of Kansas found students are self-sorting between the two spaces and that active learning classrooms can be a way to attract more women to STEM fields and keep students enrolled and engaged.

Michael Ralph, KU graduate student in educational psychology and lead researcher with architecture firm Gould Evans, was talking with David Benson, associate professor of chemistry, during a Teaching Scholarship Collaborative meeting hosted by the Center for Teaching Excellence. They were discussing who chooses which types of classrooms and realized they had an ideal setting to study a comparison: Benson was teaching Organic Chemistry II in both an active learning space and in a lecture hall.

"(Benson) was talking about how he noticed a lot of honor students tended to enroll in active learning spaces versus lecture halls," Ralph said. "And he shared that the active learning section included a higher percentage of women as well. I asked why, and we realized neither of us knew, so we decided to look into it further."

Ralph, who was also associated with KU's Center for STEM Learning; Blair Schneider of the Kansas Geological Survey; Benson; Doug Ward, associate director of KU's Center for Teaching Excellence; and Anthony Vartia, assistant teaching professor of chemistry, conducted a study on who chose which spaces for the class, why and how the classes performed. Their study was published in the journal Learning Environments Research.

The study showed that Benson's observation held true as nearly 50% of the students who chose the active learning space were honor students, compared to 13% who chose the lecture hall. The collaborative space also had a class composed of more women. The researchers hope to study more about why women choose active learning spaces, and they are conducting more research to better understand the students' decision-making and how they fare academically over several semesters.

Students also reported a preference for the collaborative spaces that exceeded what the facilities could accommodate. A significant number of students in the lecture hall reported they had hoped to take the class in the active space but were unable to because the section was full.

While the spaces are physically different, the classes were the same, being taught by the same instructor, with identical curriculum and methods. However, in the active spaces, students can move their seats, collaborate, share resources and engage with each other.

"The space does not force one direction where everyone should be looking," Ralph said when describing an active learning space versus a lecture hall. "There are many centers of learning and communication within the room. In this case, the activity we refer to in an active learning space is cognitive. Students can listen to the instructor and work together."

The study also found those in the newly designed rooms earned higher grades in the course and had less than half the fail/withdraw rate of those in the lecture hall. That can be partially explained by the higher rates of honor students choosing the spaces but is still significant, Ralph said. The higher percentage of women choosing the space can also be key to ensuring there are welcoming places where they can engage with instructors and peers while they learn, stay enrolled and move on to careers in STEM fields.

"We confirmed there are differences as students self-sort. In this case, we showed peer influence to be important in how and why students made their choices," Ralph said. "I think that speaks to the role of social capital, as applied to who chooses these spaces. Now we need to continue to learn about how these student choices affect their learning over the duration of their degrees and ensure there is equitable representation and availability for students who want to learn in redesigned spaces."

Explore further Open learning spaces do not increase children's physical activity

More information: Michael Ralph et al, Student enrollment decisions and academic success: evaluating the impact of classroom space design, Learning Environments Research (2021). Michael Ralph et al, Student enrollment decisions and academic success: evaluating the impact of classroom space design,(2021). DOI: 10.1007/s10984-021-09379-6
FORT EDWARD  A Cambridge man has been sentenced to 1  to 3 years in prison for choking a person last year.

Roger K. Hooker was arrested on March 19 after police said he choked a person in Jackson on Nov. 24, 2020.

Hooker had previously been sent to state prison in 2019 for a 2 -year sentence. He pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony, for the sale of an unspecified narcotic in the Cambridge area in early 2019. He was granted parole in March 2020.
QUEENSBURY  A former Queensbury man has been sentenced to up to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to child pornography and sexual abuse charges.

Kameron M. Garrison, 20, was arrested in September 2020 after state police said he had sexual contact with two children younger than 11 years old. He also was accused of attempting to delete text messages between him and one of the victims during the investigation.

He was arrested again in February of this year after police found images consistent with child exploitation on his cellphone.

Garrison was also charged with attempted disseminating indecent material to a minor because police said he attempted to text one of the victims in the case to solicit sexual favors.

Garrison also was arrested in June on two felony counts each of using a child under 17 for a sexual performance and possession of a sexual performance by a child.

The cases all originated in Queensbury.

Garrisons hometown was listed as Queensbury for his initial arrest and then Saratoga Springs for a subsequent one.

Garrison pleaded guilty in Warren County Court on Oct. 13 to resolve all three cases. He received a sentence of 4 to 12 years in prison on the count of use of a child in a sexual performance. He was also sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison on the charge of possession of a sexual performance by a child and 10 years in prison and 20 years of post-release supervision on the first-degree criminal sex act count.

All sentences are to run concurrently.

Michael Goot covers politics, crime and courts, Warren County, education and business. Reach him at 518-742-3320 or mgoot@poststar.com.
GLENS FALLS  Ronald Newell loved Crandall Park.

He would often pick up sticks and other debris scattered about during his strolls through the sprawling green space, which typically began at a small walkway along Horicon Avenue that led directly into the park not far from his house.

He took a lot of pride in Crandall Park. He would always pick up trash in the park. One time someone asked him, Do you work for the city? and he said, Yes, I do, said his daughter Rebecca Newell-Butters, the owner of Morgan and Co.

Newell spent nearly 40 years as the citys attorney, working across multiple administrations to help advance the city where he was raised and loved.

His tenure began in the 1980s under then-Mayor Frank OKeefe, not long after Newell returned to the city to establish his own practice after graduating from the University of Tennessee College of Law.

He could have gone anywhere, but he was a Hometown USA boy and came back here and he served Glens Falls for probably more than half his life as city attorney, his daughter said.

Newell died suddenly in January at the age of 77.

Not long after his death, Newell-Butters said she began brainstorming ideas to ensure her fathers legacy would never be forgotten. Thats when she remembered the trail he would so often frequent.

So, the Newell family began the process of reaching out to city officials have the unnamed trail, recently refurbished by the city, named in honor of the late attorney.

Newell Way was officially dedicated during a brief ceremony Tuesday morning.

I wanted people to walk up and down Newell Way and think what a great guy he was, Newell-Butters said. Everyone knew him. He would help anyone out.

Mayor Dan Hall said dedicating the walkway was a no-brainer.

We thought it was a no-brainer to name it after him because he walked the path a lot and he helped pick up things along the path, he said. We thought that would be a good way to honor him.

Hall said Newells service to the city extended well beyond his decades as attorney, pointing to his efforts to preserve and restore the William McEchron house, now the home to Morgan and Co.

Newell also had a law office along Maple Street across from City Park and was heavily involved in a number of local organizations, including the Chapman Museum.

He was a trusted confidant who was always willing to provide insights whenever asked, Hall said.

He was a very integral part of my administration and (former mayor) Jack Diamonds, Hall said. I used him as a confidant and would always run things by him and he would give us his opinions.

Newell-Butters said her fathers love for Glens Falls ran deep.

Renaming the trail in honor of her father is the perfect tribute, she said.

Its kind of nice to commemorate my dad that way, she said. So many kids have walked down that path, whether its running, going to the balloon festival or going to the park to catch frogs. I like that its called Newell Way because my dad will always be part of the community that way.

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.

Love 15 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 2

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
QUEENSBURY  An idea for Warren County to perform autopsies at local funeral homes is off the table, as the state Department of Health informed the county that it is not feasible.

County officials are working to find a place where forensic autopsies can be performed. The issue has been caused by the refusal of Dr. Michael Sikirica, a medical examiner who performs many autopsies in the Capital Region, to get the COVID-19 vaccine. He is not allowed in Albany Medical Center or Glens Falls Hospital, which both have vaccination requirements.

Warren County is conducting its regular autopsies at St. Marys Hospital in Amsterdam. However, forensic autopsies are required in cases where there are suspicious circumstances and a greater level of expertise is needed.

Among the options being considered are going down to Dutchess, Onondaga or Broome counties, which all have space available. However, County Administrator Ryan Moore was hoping that Sikirica would be able to perform the autopsies at a local funeral home as long as it had the space and equipment.

Warren County said in a statement on Tuesday that it is working with other counties to come up with a permanent solution for autopsies which does not rely on a single provider  particularly for forensic autopsies. The county may be able to use American Rescue Plan Act funds to pay for it.

We recognize we are going to need multiple resources to be able to assist our coroners in this process. Our long-term goals will focus on a regional collaboration with other counties as we try to find a permanent solution, said Rachel Seeber, chairwoman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors, in a statement. But right now we are in the middle of a crisis and that crisis requires us to look at immediate needs, so our administrator will continue to work with our coroners to make sure those needs are met.

The Department of Health said in an email that nothing expressly prohibits autopsies from being performed at funeral homes, but there are often limitations that prohibits the practice. Funeral homes must have a nontransplant anatomic tissue bank license in order to procure tissue and organs. Also, many funeral homes do not want autopsies performed at their facilities for liability reasons, the state said.

The Health Department went on to say that as private businesses, funeral homes also can require people working at their facilities to be vaccinated.

Michael Goot covers politics, crime and courts, Warren County, education and business. Reach him at 518-742-3320 or mgoot@poststar.com.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
The latest congressional financial statements are out, showing Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has again handily out-raised her growing field of competitors.

In a series of routine disclosure documents filed Friday, Rep. Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, showed she has raised $1,140,947 in the period between July 1 and Sept. 30, just for her Congressional campaign alone. Factoring in the $267,000 raised by E-PAC, her organization to support Republican women, $1.46 million in the last quarter.

The congresswoman took in about $885,900 of her congressional committee income from individual contributions, split roughly evenly between small-dollar contributions and large, $250-or-more donations.

She raised exactly $162,000 from political action committees, including a number of large corporations. While her Democratic challengers have almost universally vowed not to take corporate PAC money, Stefanik accepted large donations from groups including the Lockheed Martin Employees PAC, which gave $3,000 last quarter and $4,000 in this election cycle thus far; Raytheon Corp., which gave $2,000 this quarter; and the Burger King Franchise PAC, which gave $2,000 as well.

The congresswomans largest corporate PAC supporter was UBS Americas PAC, which represents the political interests of the American arm of the Swiss investment bank and financial services firm UBS Group AG. UBS Group is the largest Swiss banking institution and largest private bank in the world, with offshoots established in every core financial center on the globe.

The congresswoman also took in $4,000 from the campaign for House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., $10,000 from the House Majority PAC run by Rep. McCarthy and $10,000 from the Eye of the Tiger PAC run by Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La.

Overall, Stefanik reported record income for this point in a non-election year for any north country candidate in history. In a statement sent Monday after the financial disclosures were released, Stefaniks senior adviser, Alex DeGrasse, boasted how the congresswoman has outraised all of her Democratic competitors combined.

None of the five far-left socialists running stand a change against Congresswoman Stefanik, who has five times the cash-on-hand as all her opponents combined, he said.

Stefaniks campaign has spent about $1 million of the $3,685,100 its raised since the end of last years elections. She ended September with $2,630,875 in cash-on-hand, with no debts owed. Shes spent the bulk of that on routine expenditures, including $558,162 on operating expenses in the last quarter. Those expenses include flights and travel, rent and salaries, credit card processing fees for donations made online and campaigning expenses.

The congresswomans campaign also made a number of contributions to other candidates and charitable causes in the last quarter. The campaign gave $1,000 to the Lewis County Dairy Industry Building, which facilitates the milking of show cows during the Lewis County Fair, on Aug. 10.

For other congressional campaigns, Stefanik gave $16,000 to various candidates in New York, Idaho, Maine and Ohio.

The Stefanik campaign gave $2,000 to the New York Republican Federal Campaign Committee, $500 to the New York Young Republicans college group, $500 to the St. Lawrence County Republican Committee, $250 to St. Lawrence County Family Court Republican candidate Andrew Moses, and $250 to Sue Bellor, a candidate for Massena town supervisor.

DeGrasse said, as the congresswoman won by a record margin in 2020, her team is confident she can do the same in 2022.

Congresswoman Stefanik won the last election with the largest number of votes ever for a north country congressional candidate, and our team looks forward to another historic landslide against any one of these far-left Democrats, he said.

Of the Democrats running against Stefanik, newly announced candidate Joseph Matt Castelli raised the largest sum in the last quarter, bringing in $275,454. Nearly all of that comes from individual, independent donors, with $5,800 donated by Castelli himself.

Hes run a relatively cheap campaign as well, spending only $11,263 overall. Castelli spent $5,452 on purchasing a donor list from a Democratic political communications firm and $5,810 on fees from ActBlue, the main Democratic online donations platform.

Castellis comparatively strong incomes, coupled with his light campaign costs, left him with $246,190 in cash-on-hand as of Sept. 30, the largest sum of any of his longer-running Democratic opponents.

In a statement sent Monday, Castelli said he raised that amount in just 22 days.

Since launching our campaign just over a month ago, we have achieved so many milestones in building an effort from the ground up, he said. While Elise Stefanik can rely on extreme special interest groups, Im proud that this campaign is attracting grassroots support and a team dedicated to replacing a bought-and-paid-for Washington, D.C. politician from office.

Matthew Putorti, the second Democratic candidate to announce his campaign for Congress, has the second-largest war chest among the Democratic field, although he ranked only third in donations compared to all his Democratic opponents. Putorti brought in $138,471 in donations, but spent $149,432, leaving him with $183,722 in cash-on-hand, thanks to prior quarters donations.

Putorti is the only candidate to carry any debts, owing $7,250 to Blueprint Interactive, a marketing agency, and $1,500 to Barbara Spoor, a Whitehall-area consultant according to Putortis filings.

Putortis expenditures are largely for consulting with various national Democratic agencies, bank fees and campaign material printing.

Brigid Bridie Farrell, the third Democrat to announce her candidacy in June, reported bringing in $159,512 in donations in the last quarter, while she spent $92,011 altogether. She ended September with $67,500 in cash-on-hand.

Farrells only non-individual donation was $500 from Remedy PAC, run by Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif.

Her campaign expenditures are mainly for consulting, digital advertising, and $17,500 for digital video production by marketing agency Bryson Gillette, the firm that manages her campaign.

The smallest Democratic campaign belongs to Ezra Watson, a Wilton, Saratoga County resident. Despite being the first Democrat to announce his campaign, this marks his first campaign finance disclosure. Watson brought in $1,709 in the last quarter.

Watson has spent $1,300 of that thus far. namely for a campaign manager and reimbursing a volunteer for the purchase of campaign services.

Theres a fifth Democrat in the race as well, Keith Sherrill, a Sackets Harbor Democrat who filed to run on Sept. 24. Sherrill has not actively campaigned, announced his candidacy publicly or released any financial disclosures yet. A phone number listed on his Federal Election Commission statement of organization connected to a voicemail box that has not been set up.

Lonny Koons, a Carthage-area resident, is hoping to challenge Stefanik in a Republican primary election next summer. Koons reported raising $2,235 in the last quarter, and has raised $6,800 since the beginning of the year.

Most of that is self-funding. Koons has donated $4,067 to his own campaign, with no other major donors.

Hes spent about $5,400 this election cycle, and $1,936 in the last quarter, mostly on cell phone bills, campaign materials and office supplies.

All seven NY-21 congressional candidates will have about nine months to continue fundraising and campaigning before the New York primaries, expected to be held in June 2022.

Love 4 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 5
LAKE GEORGE  The village of Lake George has begun the process to opt out of allowing marijuana sales.

The Village Board on Monday voted to set a public hearing for Nov. 15 at 4:30 p.m. on a local law to prohibit the sales and request that the states Cannabis Control Board not issue any dispensary licenses for on-site consumption in the village.

The boards decision comes on the heels of a meeting last month in which people spoke out against allowing marijuana sales, saying that it went against the family-friendly atmosphere that Lake George is trying to portray.

Resident Tucker Mogren spoke virtually at Mondays meeting and said that the same criticism could be made of alcohol and tobacco and they are sold in the village. He also wanted the village to consider the long-term financial implications of opting out. By making that decision, the village forgoes any sales tax revenue from the sale of the drug.

Village Mayor Robert Blais said any revenue that the village collects would be shared between the village and the town. The village would receive 0.5%  regardless of whether the marijuana was sold in the village or the town.

He said he is not sure how much revenue the village would see from marijuana sales.

Board member John Root said after hearing the comments at the public meeting, he would like to opt out and maybe revisit the issue after six months.

Root said most of the comments at the meeting were about consumption of the drug and not sales. Wherever people can smoke tobacco cigarettes, they can smoke marijuana.

It is a strong odor and it carries and its repulsive to some people, he said.

Perhaps the village could come up with some guidelines about no-smoking areas, Root added.

Deputy Mayor John Earl said the village does have some tobacco-free areas such as part of Shepard Park.

I dont think theres anything you can do about somebody walking down the sidewalk smoking anything, he said.

Thats legal, interjected Root. You cant smoke crack.

Blais said he only got a couple letters in favor of allowing marijuana sales. One letter was from an attorney representing a local resident and business owner who wanted to open a cannabis distribution center.

Towns and villages that opt out can opt back in. However, they cannot opt out later if they do not do it now.

The board agreed that the best course of action was to opt out and see what happens in other municipalities.

Lets see the pitfalls other communities face. Well know more going into it, said board member Ray Perry.

Michael Goot covers politics, crime and courts, Warren County, education and business. Reach him at 518-742-3320 or mgoot@poststar.com.

Love 0 Funny 3 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Results of 2020 Atlantic County commissioner race finally final Assignment Judge Julio Mendez accepted the results of a recount in the 2020 at-large Atlanti

If the staff determines, for example, that a voter voted for three, then realized they should only have voted for two, and put a big X and said, Not this one, they are authorized by our vote last night to remake the ballot, Caterson said.

Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

The original will be archived, Caterson said, but the newly made ballot will be able to be scanned.

We are certainly hoping that the voters follow the directions on the ballot, in which case there would be no overvotes or unintentional undervotes, Caterson said. You can do an undervote legally if that is your choice.

Undervotes are legitimate, Caterson said, when a voter simply doesnt want to vote in one particular race, for example.

Caterson had advocated for staff determinations to be examined by one Democratic and one Republican board member to get another set of eyes on it. Democratic board member John Mooney argued that was not necessary, and other board members agreed.

If the staff members cannot agree, the ballot will be examined by the four-person board, made up of two Democrats and two Republicans. If the board splits on voter intent, the ballot will go to a judge to determine how it is to be handled.
ATLANTIC CITY  The three mayoral candidates who qualified to participate in Tuesday nights debate at Stockton University threw some hard personal jabs at each other, but sometimes agreed on tough issues.

Both incumbent Democratic Mayor Marty Small Sr., 47, and Republican candidate Tom Forkin, 59, supported City Council in its decision to end the needle exchange program for intravenous drug users in the city, while independent candidate Jimmy Whitehead said it should remain.

You cant just shut it down and walk away, Whitehead said. You have to come up with better solutions.

I absolutely agree with City Council, Forkin said. I want to note my sister Kelly died of addiction. (The needle exchange) is giving people the means to kill themselves  (and) enables drug dealers, he said, to set up shop knowing customers will have access to free needles.

We all have people in our families who struggle with addiction, Small said. But why does it have to be in Atlantic City? Why not in neighboring towns?

All three agreed the city needs more police officers but had drastically different ideas of how many more cops are needed and how the city should pay for it.
Facebooks critics have long argued that the social media giant is bad for consumers, bad for children and bad for the country  a serial abuser of its users privacy, an amplifier of misinformation and a much-too-handy tool for turning Americans against one another.

It turns out they were right, and Facebook knew it.

Recently, the companys record caught up with it in the person of Frances Haugen, the whistleblower who testified before a Senate committee after delivering damning company documents to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Wall Street Journal.

Haugen told senators that when Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg had a choice between making Facebook, Instagram and other platforms that his company owns safer or increasing revenue, he almost always chose the money.

The companys leadership knows how to make Facebook and Instagram safer, but wont make the necessary changes because they have put their astronomical profits before people, she said.
So, at best, the 2015 deal is a partial and temporary constraint on Irans nuclear program. Considering that Irans supreme leader has said there will be no follow-on agreement to address that deals weaknesses, it erodes U.S. credibility to pretend a return to the 2015 bargain would place Irans nuclear program in a box.

The good news for Blinken, Biden and Malley is that there is another way to constrain Irans nuclear ambitions. In fact, its been in effect for several years now. Israels Mossad has waged a remarkably successful intelligence war of sabotage and assassinations against Irans nuclear program with real success. Yossi Cohen, who stepped down as Mossad chief in the summer, was uncharacteristically candid at a Jerusalem Post conference this week, saying Iran is not even close to acquiring a nuclear weapon due to what he called long-standing efforts by some forces in the world.

What Cohen means is that even though Iran has demonstrated the capability to enrich uranium to a high enough concentration for a weapon, Israel has degraded its ability to place that fuel in a warhead. Some of this success is due to the Central Intelligence Agencys close coordination with the Mossad under the Trump administration. If Biden is serious about a plan B if Iran diplomacy fails, he should instruct his spies to enhance that partnership.

Sabotage and assassinations are of course no panacea. Even the best intelligence operations are prone to human error. But they are a better option than expecting a regime of fanatics to be cowed by vague talk of new options and nostalgia for a weak nuclear agreement.
Judge Julio Mendez noted the legitimate interest in addressing vacant and abandoned properties, but didnt mince words in striking down ordinances and what he called a revenue scheme.

Setting registration fees from $300-$1,000 a year, and the fines from $500-$1,500 a day, without providing a scintilla of evidence as to how these numbers were computed and determined, is the definition of arbitrary and capricious, Mendez wrote in his ruling.

He said the court was also greatly concerned that mere defaults on mortgages were enough to target financially vulnerable homeowners.

Pleasantville tackled the problem by creating its own registry of emptied homes. After arranging a street-by-street survey to find them, the city notified owners of abandoned or vacant properties that they must be maintained, secured, posted with contact information, and registered with a $500 fee.

Once identified, the city's code enforcers, police and public works staff could work together to minimize the public-safety and health risks empty and neglected properties might pose. Police found some places taken over by gang members, for example, and after getting them out public works boarded up the houses.
Sunday will be a windy day, as the sunshine continues for another day. Looking at the week ahead, a train of weak low pressure system will pass through. However, they will bring nothing more than perhaps a sprinkle of flurry, meaning these storms have more bark than bite.
Well, there are more than 50 Rules of Conduct that Chicago police officers already have to follow. Those rules mandate that officers cannot be intoxicated on or off duty or hold a cigarette, cigar, or pipe in mouth while in uniform and in official contact with the public. They must wear the uniform as prescribed and actually reside within the corporate boundaries of the City of Chicago.

So the city restricts tobacco use, tells officers how much alcohol theyre allowed to put in their bodies and when, and forces officers to wear uniforms a certain way while requiring them to live in the city.

But asking them to get a safe, effective vaccine that protects them and the people theyre around or get an easy nasal swab twice a week? Thats too much? I mean, if I was going to gripe about anything it would be the uniforms. Those things look itchy.

Getting back to the original point, theres no reason to make any of this complicated. If theres a cop who cant grasp the importance of either being vaccinated or routinely tested for COVID-19, I dont think Chicago needs that person to be a cop anymore.
Twenty-three years ago this month, I was running for governor and I was behind. I was way behind.  UAW was with me from the get-go, Vilsack said. You dont forget the people who were with you . UAW is important to me. I sincerely hope they get this resolved as quickly as possible and as fairly as possible.

Sen. Grassley on UAW strike

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley told reporters from The Gazette that he doesnt find any fault with Vilsack going to the picket lines.

Well, I would see it as positive from this standpoint that we have Deere workers and their families now facing a very stressful situation, Grassley said. And I presume that he's trying to give them some comfort by going there. He can't do much more because, you know, it's covered by federal law, the bargaining process, and the negotiations are ongoing.

Grassley, a member of the International Association of Machinists in Waterloo, said it is not an easy decision to go without a paycheck.
At least one delivery driver who was asked by Deere whether her access to or from the plant was impeded, replied it was not. However, she said picketers "almost" prevented her access.

Iversen said blocking "ingress and egress" are almost always mentioned by employers in injunctions.

"There's a difference between walking back and forth across the roadway so that people have to slow down and wait for you to separate," Iversen said. "That's different from standing there and not letting people through. And what you often find is that management employees just want to go through the picket line because they don't want to hear what other people have to say or see their signs or anything. ... People are walking back and forth on the roadway and they have to slow down and wait for them to part. So they start to get really pissed, but that's just part of picketing."

Others said the union members "aggressively waved their signs" and sometimes nearly blocked their view as they exited the contractor gate on Jersey Ridge Road.
Still, we think his knowledge of the district over 42 years gives him a perspective that should be retained. We would like to see him show more leadership, including in the area of making the district more transparent

We were impressed with Powells passion and desire to serve, but of the two challengers, we favor Gordon.

She was recently employed in the district, so she has an on-the-ground perspective we believe the board could use, especially given some of the recent discontent over administrator salaries. She has a strong bent toward equity and has some interesting cost-saving ideas, too. Gordon also recognizes the district needs more classroom resources and is devoted to pushing for those.

Bettendorf School Board

The Bettendorf School Board race is a vigorous one, with seven candidates. They include directors Adam Holland, Andrew Champion and Richard Lynch, as well as challengers Analicia Gomes, Traci Huskey, Melissa Zumdome and Linda Smithson.

We respect all who are running, but our endorsements go to incumbents Richard Lynch and Andrew Champion, and to challenger Linda Smithson.
At BHC she found classes that challenge her as a student and help her question her own personal stigmas about society, professors that care about her success and a sense of camaraderie within the student body.

I have come to find that Black Hawk has gone above and beyond to offer these characteristics to not just myself but to 75 years worth of students, Mozingo said.

The event included readings by Zayne Olson and Joseph Smith, the winners of a student poetry contest. There were also performances by the Black Hawk Choir and, later, the colleges jazz band.

During the event, the attendees, at least 150 people, learned about the contents of a time capsule left by their counterparts from 1971, then about the planned time capsule. That one is to be opened by the college community in 2046, when Black Hawk is 100 years old.

The old time capsules contents included newspaper clippings, programs and other memorabilia from the years before and around when the time capsule was put in place.

What the new time capsule will hold is still being finalized, but a face covering and hand sanitizer will be included, Wynes said.

As she closed her speech for the event, Mozingo had a few final words for the students who will come after her.
Schwener claims the city is "burning our officers out right now with overtime," and that the city needs an additional 10 to 20 officers  a figure he said he derived on his own from conversations with police officials.

The city last month swore in three new Davenport police officers, who join seven new officers sworn in late April and four new hires who recently started their 16 weeks of training at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy to become Davenport police officers.

Davenport Police Chief Paul Sikorski said the department had another five or six vacant positions it hoped to fill from retirements and resignations, and continue to actively recruit, offering sign-on bonuses, relocation assistance and incentives for military veterans.

Law enforcement agencies across the country have experienced a wave of retirements and departures and are struggling to recruit new officers following civil unrest and protest across the country over the killing and deaths of Black and brown people at the hands of law enforcement that has sparked calls for reforming or defunding the police, which have taken their toll on officer morale, Sikorski has said.
He was almost acting like he was my lawyer, Burns said. You know what, he really let them have it. He stood up for us for, you know, one of the things that I had mentioned, which was them looking through our windows. He goes, You know, Iowa is a stand-your-ground state.  He was like, I want this on my desk by Friday  I want this, this and this. We had a two-hour meeting, and it was me, my mother, and Roby Smith, who was on my side. And we met with, like, the head person for the Department of Agriculture and the states top veterinarian.

When asked for his take on what was said at the meeting, Smith declined to comment.

I dont feel the need to talk about it with you, he told an Iowa Capital Dispatch reporter Monday. So, were going to leave it at that, all right? You cant tell me what I am going to do or what I am not going to do, OK? I dont work for you.

Burns said Tuesday that shortly after Smith had that conversation with the Capital Dispatch, the senator called him at the kennel.

He was like, Man, Im married, I dont need people coming to my house, Burns said. You know, he said, Reporters, I know how these people work. He was like, just kind of, Leave my name out of it.
ST. LOUIS  Jenna and her boyfriend were a week away from starting their freshman year in college and moving into their dorms in Murray, Kentucky, when they learned her birth control had failed and she was pregnant.

Jenna, who requested to be identified only by her first name, couldnt get an abortion appointment in Louisville near where they lived before the move.

Before Jenna started classes, she found herself sick with COVID-19 and had to quarantine for 10 days. She fell behind in her studies. While trying hard to catch up, she had to desperately search for an abortion appointment.

She wanted a medication abortion, which must be performed before 11 weeks gestation. It was $470 but still cheaper than a surgical abortion. She had one week.

She tried her closest options in Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee  still two to three hours away  but could not get anything in time. Tennessee also requires two office visits at least 48 hours apart.

Jenna and her boyfriend ended up getting an appointment three-and-a-half hours away at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Fairview Heights, Illinois. They left an afternoon class early to make the 5:50 p.m. appointment and drove back that night.

It was upsetting and frustrating, she said. I didnt see myself having to go to Illinois when I decided to wait until I got down (to college) and moved in.

Abortion providers serving southern Illinois expected to see an increase in patients from Texas after that states restrictive abortion law went into effect in early September. But doctors are also seeing patients coming from states between Illinois and Texas as wait times for appointments grow.

They are telling us that wait times are sometimes weeks. One clinic told them they did not have an appointment until November, said Dr. Colleen McNicholas, chief medical officer for Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood.

In the first month since the Texas law took effect on Sept. 1, officials with the Planned Parenthood facility, located about 15 minutes from downtown St. Louis, say they have seen a 47% increase in patients coming from outside its normal service areas  including Louisiana, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Kansas.

That is really the impact in this immediate six weeks since the Texas decision, that we are starting to see more of those patients from those states in between who cant wait weeks for an abortion in their own state, McNicholas said.

More than 55,000 abortions were performed last year in Texas, which has almost 7 million women aged 15-49, accounting for 1 in 10 U.S. women of reproductive age.

At Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City, also about 15 minutes from downtown St. Louis, calls have been coming in nonstop from women confused about how to navigate the complex laws in Texas and surrounding states, said Dr. Erin King, the clinics director. But appointments there have only increased slightly.

States across the South and Midwest already have myriad abortion restrictions and facility regulations in place that have shuttered clinics and greatly reduced access.

It feels like there are patients reaching out, but then they are not able to get to us, King said. The fact that weve seen all these phone calls but not seeing patients is, I think, the most concerning thing. Are patients getting care? Are they feeling so desperate that they feel they cant leave and get care? What is happening with those patients? Where are they?

Waiting in the wings

Texas now bans abortions once fetal cardiac activity is detected, which is usually at six weeks and often before women even know they are pregnant. Other Republican-led states, including Missouri, have enacted similar bans, but those have been blocked by courts.

The Texas law has proved durable because enforcement is not up to the state but is left to private citizens, who can collect at least $10,000 if they successfully sue abortion providers or those who help a woman obtain an abortion.

Abortion rights groups had asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stop the law from going into effect, but the justices voted 5-4 not to intervene. The Biden administration subsequently sued to block the law last month, arguing it is unconstitutional. A federal judge on Oct. 6 ordered Texas to suspend the law; the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Oct. 9 temporarily reinstated it and reaffirmed its ruling on Thursday. The Biden administration said Friday it will ask the Supreme Court to block the Texas law while the case winds its way through the courts.

Court filings in the case, which the Supreme Court will ultimately decide, have already provided examples of how the near-total ban has played out.

Texas abortion clinic officials described turning away hundreds of patients. Those in nearby states said care for their own residents is being delayed in order to accommodate Texans making long trips. Patients have included rape victims, as the Texas law makes no exceptions in such cases.

According to an Oct. 7 PBS NewsHour report, at least 300 Texans have already sought care in Oklahoma, straining providers.

Advocates for abortion rights say the impact from the Texas law gives a glimpse of what is to come should other states copy it or a Mississippi law banning abortion after 15 weeks, which is currently before the Supreme Court. A decision is expected in that case in June.

The bottom line is, although Texas is at the core of what his happening right now, it isnt just about Texas, McNicholas said. There are many more places and states in the wings waiting to do the same thing.

If the Supreme Court decides to gut abortion protections provided in the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, 26 states are expected to ban the procedure, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. Missouri is one of those states.

That means up to 35,000 more women each year will turn to Illinois for an abortion, including 14,000 heading to southern Illinois, according to estimates by the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. And the system is already stretched.

If more than one state goes down, that burden is going to be felt in an exponential degree, McNicholas said. It wont just be figuring out where to move Texas patients, it will be figuring out where to move patients that account for nearly a quarter to half of the United States.

A post-Roe world

The Metro East abortion providers say they have been preparing for the scenario. Just this year, states have enacted a record-breaking 97 abortion restrictions, surpassing the highest count from 2011, when 89 restrictions were passed, according to Guttmacher.

In total, states have enacted 1,327 restrictions since Roe v. Wade was decided.

The mounting restrictions in Missouri  including two appointments 72 hours apart and a pelvic exam for medication abortions  have all but made abortions nearly nonexistent in the state. The rules left the state with just one abortion provider in St. Louis, so many patients decide to drive the extra 15 minutes to avoid the requirements.

We have long known and been helping patients navigate these intricate webs of restrictions, McNicholas said. Missourians face substantial difficulty navigating abortion access. We have a lot of experience in helping folks jumping through each of those hoops to access care. We are now just translating that to folks from different states.

King said the calls Hope Clinic has been getting lately sound exactly the same as the calls they got from Missourians two years ago when the state health department tried unsuccessfully to close the Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Louis by refusing to renew its license.

The desperation in peoples voices, the confusion that we are hearing. This is not new, King said. Every barrier makes patients more and more scared and adds more stigma to their care, and more desperation and fear that they wont get the care that they need and they wont know where to go and who to see.

The doctors say their staffs help women connect to abortion funds that help with travel logistics as well as the cost of the procedure, child care, travel expenses and hotel stays.

Part of our job is going to be reassuring folks that they can still access abortion care. It may not be immediately in their community, but they can  and we and others are here to help them figure that out, McNicholas said.

Abortion funds have long been a mainstay in helping women who cant afford the costs of the procedure or travel. But those services  often small nonprofits with few employees  are also stretched thin.

One abortion fund is the Midwest Access Coalition, which helps people traveling to and from the Midwest access abortion. Headquartered in Chicago, the nonprofit relies on a network of 200 volunteer hosts, drivers and others to help with travel, lodging, food, child care and emotional support.

Executive Director Diana Parker wrote in an email that she was too busy to talk to a reporter about how the organization has been affected: Right now we arent doing phone interviews based on our capacity with many more clients traveling right now (its almost 24/7 work currently).

McNicholas said providers in states such as Illinois are preparing for a post-Roe world by connecting with organizations across the country that work to help patients access abortion.

So that if access goes down, they have a point person in southern Illinois that they can call and say we are really struggling, she said.

The clinic is also considering adding employees and opening seven days a week instead of six. They are trying to build staff resiliency. Nearly every patient outside of Illinois calling for help is low-income and facing serious struggles at home, McNicholas said.

That can be heavy for staff, she said.

Jenna said while she plans to have a family some day, she cant right now.

I just started college. Im fresh out of high school. Im doing my life the correct way  graduating high school, going to college and getting my degree, she said. I accidentally got pregnant. Its kind of embarrassing. I havent told my family about it. Im not going to tell my family about it. Its a private thing. Im young. Im too young.

The Associated Press contributed information to this report.

Michele Munz  314-340-8263 @michelemunz on Twitter mmunz@post-dispatch.com

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Republicans themselves dont all realize it, but theyre winning the political debate over voting laws.

Its not just that Republicans are pushing through the laws they favor in multiple states while Democrats in Washington have not been able to enact anything. That difference is mostly a result of the Senates 50-50 tie and the filibuster. Whats worse for the Democrats, their attack on Republicans as vote suppressors who are instituting a new Jim Crow does not seem to be inflicting any political damage.

Republicans arent on the defensive on the issue. They feel entirely comfortable defending their position. They have some polling to back them up. And they have forced their critics to make concessions.

The first major political battle over voting laws came in the swing state of Georgia this spring, and it set the tone for the nationwide debate. So it was all the more helpful for Republicans that the opponents of their election changes made critical mistakes.

President Joe Biden helped bring the Georgia Republicans new law to national attention by denouncing it. But he also endorsed taking the All-Star game from Atlanta, which predictably went over poorly in the state.
A 20-year-old Detroit, Mich. man who faces charges related to a stolen firearm and possession of multiple grams of cocaine will make an appearance with counsel on Nov. 3 in Dawes County Court, though his counselor is yet to be determined.

Jaylon Jackson, who is also listed with a Rapid City address, is charged with possession of a stolen firearm, a Class IIA felony; possession of a concealed weapon, a Class I misdemeanor; possession of cocaine between 10 and 27 grams with intent to deliver, a Class ID felony; and infractions of possession of marijuana less than one once ounce and violation of a stop sign.

On Sunday, September 19, at about 12:10, Chadron Police Officer Colin Deines observed a white four-door sedan travelling southbound in the 200 block of King Street. Deines further observed the vehicle fail to make a complete stop at a stop sign, and conducted a traffic stop.

Deines made contact with Jackson and could immediately smell the odor of burnt marijuana. Jackson did not have his license on him, though a check of his information by the officer returned no wants or warrants.

After informing Jackson of the odor he detected, Deines asked if there was any marijuana in the vehicle. Jackson said there wasnt, and the officer explained that, since marijuana is illegal in the state, he would have to search the vehicle.

During the search, the officer located a .40 caliber handgun under the drivers seat. Though the gun had a loaded magazine, there was not a live round in the chamber. Asked about the gun, Jackson said he was not aware it was in the car, as the vehicle belonged to a friend.

The gun was checked via a database and it was learned the handgun had been reported stolen out of Box Elder, South Dakota. Jackson was placed under arrest and during a search of his person, nine separate baggies containing a white substance were found in his pocket. When asked about the substance, Jackson said it was cocaine and he is a user. A field test also yielded a positive result for cocaine.

Officers of the Chadron Police Department then obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and towed it to the Chadron Police Department for further processing. Inside the trunk of the vehicle, officers located 15.4 grams of cocaine, plastic baggies, a scale and marijuana.

Jackson was transported to the Dawes County Jail but has since been released after paying 10% of a $100,000 bond.

You must be logged in to react.

Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
After a snowy day on Wednesday, warmer weather is on tap for the next week. It's a situation that should provide an excellent scenario for the typical upswing in fishing activity associated with Autumn in the Black Hills.

Indications of the upswing were evident last week as walleye activity picked up in both Angostura and Orman, while area streams continued to produce limits of trout.

And the opening of the pheasant hunting season to all last week coincided with an excellent walleye bite in Lake Sharpe allowing for double-dip outings for sportsmen and women in Central South Dakota.

Though reports were spotty last week, here is a quick look at whats been happening recently, and a guess or two, at what the future may hold.

Angostura Reservoir: Crappie bite has been excellent  small minnows  during the past few weeks and should remain strong for a while longer. Area around tires near south marina has been productive but other spots offering submerged structure should work as well. Walleye bite improved somewhat last week due to a drop in water temps.

Belle Fourche Reservoir (Orman): Walleye bite improved dramatically last week, likely a function of lowered water temps resulting from recent cold spell. Anglers are catching lots of overs and slots with a few unders in the 1314-inch range mixed in as well. Boat docks are still in.

Black Hills Fly Fishing: Trout activity in area streams remains strong with the increased flows due to runoff in high country. Bug hatches should abet fly fishing though if fish are not working the surface, nymph and streamers will work well.

Custer State Park: Trout bite remains excellent in park lakes.

Deerfield Lake: Not much fishing activity recently. Likely perch are still active in most areas.

Pactola Reservoir: Plenty of rainbow trout and perch activity reported. And some northern pike have been showing up in deeper water of bays. Trout havent been picky while pike have been chasing chubs.

Sheridan Lake: Perch and bluegill bites picked up last week, a not unexpected development with water temps dropping from recent snowfall in hills.

Lake Oahe: Walleye bite remains fair, at least for anglers equipped with patience and equipment with which to locate them. Water temps are dropping, however, and bite should improve as fish move into shallower water. Most of the activity recently has centered on smallmouth bass and catfish as both have been feeding aggressively. Be advised that the West Whitlock Recreation area boat ramps will be closed until approximately Halloween. And farther north, the Walth Bay ramp, south of Mobridge is closed through Oct. 30.

Lake Sharpe: Nor much change from last week as walleye bite has been excellent though, as always, this time of the year, fishing activity is highly dependent upon weather and amount of water being released from the dam. Spinners and bouncers with crawlers or crankbaits have been working best.

Lake Francis Case: Reportedly, the walleye bite is steady to good in the Chamberlain area and less so farther south where water temps, though dropping, remain in the 60-65 degree range. Jigs and crawlers and bouncers and crawlers have been the popular presentation. And 20-30 feet of water the workable depth.

Dakota Angler & Outfitter, 513 Seventh St., Rapid City; The Rooster, 1441 W. Main St., Rapid City; Wheel in Bait Shop, 18696 Fishermans Road, Fruitdale, and West Prairie Resort, 28354 182nd, Pierre (605-264-5303) have contributed to this report.

You must be logged in to react.

Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
As COVID-19 numbers tick down in the region, Dr. Shankar Kurra acknowledged encouraging signs surrounding the pandemic. He also offered a caution.

These are definitely encouraging signs that things are getting better, said Kurra, vice president of medical affairs at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, talking in his office on a recent morning. The only thing I would point out is that these come in waves  And its human behavior that causes waves.

Kurra said people tend to become more careful when cases rise, and then tend to let up when the situation looks brighter.

On Wednesday, active cases in South Dakota totaled 5,723, according to the South Dakota Department of Health, down from 7,325 at the beginning of the month.

Despite the improving numbers, Kurra said, hospitals are still operating at capacity.

Across the state, all three (health) systems are completely full, he said. At Monument, we are at capacity. We are managing. We still have to provide care not just for COVID patients but for regular folks who also have chronic diseases who need care.

Kurra said the Rapid City Hospital has approximately 260 patients in an in-patient setting, about 50 of whom are COVID-19 patients. He said the hospital had only three COVID-19 patients in June  a number that peaked in August at more than 100.

The numbers are going down, but theyre not down to where we were in June, and thats where we need to get to, he said.

Kurra reiterated the importance of the vaccination.

We have a vaccine that works, thats safe, thats effective and that prevents hospitalization and death, he said. Were talking about 90% protection for those vaccinated versus those who are not.

Kurra said about 190 million people in the country have been fully vaccinated.

They are doing very well, he said. So far, the evidence is strong, very clear.

In South Dakota, 66% of people 12 years old and older have received at least one vaccination, according to the South Dakota Department of Health.

The three vaccines in circulation are all effective at preventing serious illness and death, Kurra said, even though studies have shown some differences among the vaccines.

The real story is that all three vaccines are effective at preventing deaths, he said. If you got the vaccine  it doesnt matter which one you got  your risk for death (from COVID-19) is almost negligible.

Kurra touched upon the recent death of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who was fully vaccinated but who died from complications related to COVID-19. Kurra noted that Powell had multiple myeloma, a form of cancer that impeded the vaccines effectiveness.

People who have such conditions, Kurra said, along with young children not eligible for the vaccine, are especially dependent upon other people becoming vaccinated.

These folks are reliant on society acting as a firewall to prevent the disease from getting to them, he said.

Kurra mentioned recommendations regarding mask-wearing, as well, regardless of vaccination status.

If youre indoors and if youre with a lot of people, then you definitely want to wear a mask because you cannot distance yourself, he said. Ventilation is another reason why we recommend wearing a mask indoors.

Outdoors, he said, no masking is needed unless youre in a crowded stadium or a large gathering where its difficult to maintain that distance.

Such facts  particularly about vaccines  are presented frequently, Kurra acknowledged, often from faraway sources who may not harbor the trust of people who have not yet opted to receive the vaccine. And so he described the benefits of face-to-face conversations, noting that hes been holding in-person sessions about the vaccine, sometimes at the request of employers.

Ive had people tell me after the session was done that if only someone had explained this, I would have been more willing to get the vaccine, he said.

These sorts of close, one-on-one conversations, he said, are often vital for people wondering what the best thing for them to do might be.

Talk to your doctor, talk to your provider, talk to your pharmacist, he said.

As Kurra explained the importance of vaccines, and of people protecting each others health, he reflected on the larger framework of science.

Science is a humanistic tradition, he said. Its all meant to alleviate suffering and harm. The only way we can get folks who are still hesitant is to get the message to them that this is actually helpful and will prevent death and disease.

He stressed, too, that in an atmosphere of deep discord, thoughtful conversation creates the strongest path to conveying knowledge.

In the end the person receiving the message is another human being, Kurra said. It is very important to give them the information and let them decide. You cannot do that in a judgmental manner.

Kurra said the latest information about COVID-19, including news about potential booster shots, can be found on the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/.

You must be logged in to react.

Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
The Rapid City Area Schools Board of Education swiftly approved a series of measures during Tuesdays regular meeting in the City Hall Council Chambers.

A board member, Breanna Funke, also asserted her strong opposition to a letter from the National School Boards Association requesting federal assistance to stop threats and acts of violence against public schoolchildren, public school board members, and other public school district officials and educators.

Among the boards approvals was a substantial completion of a districtwide intercom upgrade project, along with a Grandview and Warehouse Exterior/Interior LED Lighting Upgrade.

The board also approved a first reading of the Administration of Medical Cannabis to Qualifying Students. Board President Kate Thomas said after the meeting that a second reading would be scheduled at the next meeting  the remaining requirement for the policy to go into effect. Thomas said the policy was crafted by the Associated School Boards of South Dakota.

The board gave a nod to the John T. Vucurevich Foundation Delta Dental Bus Scholarship. A report on the districts website notes that the district has partnered with the Delta Dental of South Dakota Foundation for the last three years to bring the dental bus to RCAS students and has now been approved to receive a grant of $20,000 that would enable the Delta Dental bus to support RCAS students three or four times per year for the next three school years.

Near the end of the meeting, Superintendent Lori Simon reported that shed attended an Indigenous Education Task Force meeting earlier this month. As a previous report in the Rapid City Journal notes, the task force formed last February to look into educational experiences, learning environments, and academic outcomes for Indigenous students in the school district.

We have two remaining meetings on our schedule at which we hope to finalize our recommendations for improving outcomes for our Indigenous students, Simon explained during Tuesdays meeting.

Simon also spoke about COVID cases and substitutes, noting improvement.

Our active COVID case numbers have continued to decline and are finally lower than they were at this same point in time last school year, she said. In addition, we have increased our sub pool by 12 staff, and there are another 29 who are in the screening or on-boarding process.

Simon noted that student representatives would be attending the next board meeting.

Valerie Seales, the districts director of teaching, learning and innovation, delivered a report on Tuesday regarding academic progress for elementary and middle school, focusing on the NWEA MAP Growth assessment. Seales said the assessment is designed for students in grades 3 through 8.

MAP is an adaptive assessment, Seales said. It provides unique questions in and out of the grade level ranges instead of staying within the range of standards within a particular grade level students are assigned to. That allows us to know exactly what the students know currently, and what theyre ready to learn next.

Seales noted, too, that we were pleasantly surprised by our science scores, she said, showing figures revealing scores in grades 3 through 8 consistently above the national mean.

Funke, in the speaking slot set aside for a board members report near the end of the meeting, delivered a statement objecting to a letter sent by the National School Boards Association to President Biden on Sept. 29. That letter requested safeguards for public schools and education leaders in the face of threats and violence.

In the letter, the National School Boards Association reports a number of threats and acts of violence against school board members and other educators across the country. It notes, among other things, that school board meetings have been disrupted in California, Florida, Georgia, and other states because of local directives for mask coverings to protect students and educators from COVID-19, and it reports that An individual was arrested in Illinois for aggravated battery and disorderly conduct during a school board meeting.

It also mentions a person in Virginia who was hurt during a school board meeting discussion distinguishing current curricula from critical race theory.

In its opening paragraph, the letter asserts, Local school board members want to hear from their communities on important issues and that must be at the forefront of good school board governance and promotion of free speech. However, there also must be safeguards in place to protect public schools and dedicated education leaders as they do their jobs.

Referring to the letter, Funk said on Tuesday, I would like to let you know that I was never contacted to give my opinion on this matter, and I refuse to be associated with this organization and letter in any way.

"Even though our meetings have been heated, perhaps a little hostile at times, I think its a disgrace that this organization has taken it upon themselves to ask for federal entities to look into strong-willed parents. When did we become OK with people slowly whittling away our freedom of speech?

Funke ended her statement by saying, I want to make it perfectly clear, the National School Boards Association has crossed a line. I will vote to end our membership with this tyrannical organization, and I hope you will vote on this very pertinent issue at our next meeting. Parents, keep fighting for your children. I dont care which side youre on. Your children are worth it.

Thomas thanked Funke and said she agreed wholeheartedly. Board member Amy Policky then asked Funke if shes planning to bring a resolution forward at the next board meeting for us to vote on disagreeing with what happened on the national level and encouraging the state association to disagree also?

Funke answered yes. After the meeting, Thomas said the bringing of a resolution may depend on actions by the Associated School Boards of South Dakota.

We need a response from them, Thomas said. If they give us a response, then we may not bring a resolution. If they actually vote with and are approving of the national school board position, she (Funke) will bring a resolution.

A link to the letter from the National School Boards Association can be found at https://tinyurl.com/schoolboardsletter.

You must be logged in to react.

Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 2

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
The Dolly Partons Imagination Library of Ravalli County is celebrating success.

The program that provides children a free book in the mail each month has registered child number 1,000 after only being in the Bitterroot Valley for one year.

DPL President Sybil Solomon said the local efforts have outpaced the Dolly Parton Foundation predictions in Ravalli County by 450%.

Its pretty awesome, Solomon said. Plus, we have 158 kids that graduated on their 5th birthday and our registered children live in every town from Florence to Sula. We have mailed 12,548 books to kids from birth to five in Ravalli County since the first ones were delivered in July of 2020.

Dan and Jodi Mitchells twin daughters, Millie and Lettie, have the distinction of being child 999 and 1,000. Their son Oscar, age 2, has been enrolled in the program since he was 11 months old.

Dan and I love the quiet, bonding time we get with our children when reading to them, Jodi Mitchell said. The chaos of the day disappears when we sit down with a book. The program helps grow our library and gives our two-year-old a new story to get excited over. We love it and look forward to continuing this program with the girls.

Country music legend Dolly Parton started her Imagination Library in 1995 to help the children in Tennessee and as a tribute to her father who was illiterate. It has grown and the program sends more than one million books to children around the world each month.

Inspiring kids to love to read became my mission, Parton said. In the beginning, my hope was simply to inspire the children in my home county but here we are today with a worldwide program that gives a book a month to well over 1 million children.

Parents or grandparents can register a child by going to the website imaginationlibraryravallicounty.com, completing the form online and emailing it to imaginationlibraryrc@gmail.com, or by printing the form and mailing it to Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ravalli County, PO Box 1974, Hamilton, MT 59840. Then every month, until they turn 5, each child will receive a book in the mail addressed to them. Its a way to build their library and give them a head start in life.

The books are free to children and their families, thanks to sponsors.

Sapphire Community Health is the 501(s) partner, First Security Bank is the lead sponsor with CEO Scott Burke and President Bob Whalen, Elks Lodge #1561 gave the Spotlight Grant, Trey Anthony includes DPL information in The Mailman and Hannah Gimpel helps spread the word. Other funding has come from Town Pump, Montana Community Foundation (Darby) the Jane S. Heman Foundation, Washington Companies, Ravalli Electric Co-op, High Stakes Foundation and individual donors. Literacy Bitterroot with Dixie Stark and Bitterroot Law helped get the local program started. Solomon also thanked the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce, Head Start, the libraries and other organizations and individuals have announced the program and posted registration information on their websites or Facebook pages.

First Security Bank President Bob Whalen said his own experience is proof of reading success. He said he was read to as a child, he read to his daughter in the womb and now reads to his grandchildren.

My grandson is 2 and when I read to him it just opens his mind up, Whalen said. He asks questions and just loves it. Sunday, my 6-year-old granddaughter read to me. Reading is the foundation for reading, writing and arithmetic. Theres a reason reading is first, it is so powerful, so critical.

Whalen emphasized that reading to children when they are young helps them enter school reading ready.

Think about the value to our teachers and our entire education system if they can come in and they are ready to handle a book, he said. Reading to children is an amazing investment, talk about a life sport, if you want to look at it as a sport. You can do it from day one to the end.

Whalen said the Dolly Partons Imagination Library of Ravalli County is easy to support.

Getting kids to read and having that parent connection with their child is the best, he said. Giving is its own reward.

Solomon said some children have been registered on the day they were born and she is hoping for many more children to be registered in Ravalli County.

The first book children receive is Dolly Pardons favorite book, "The Little Engine that Could," by Watty Piper. The last book that they receive for their 5th birthday is about getting ready for kindergarten. The books are a mixture of classic and new stories chosen by early childhood experts. On the paperback books, the front and back covers have a flap with suggestions for age-appropriate activities and conversations.

Solomon said being read to during the first few years of life make a large difference in a childs success in school and life.

When children read, they are exposed to vocabulary that expands the way they express themselves, it helps them understand others and it introduces them to new ideas, she said. We really want to promote parents reading to their kids 15 minutes a day.

She cites research that shows that having books in the home improves life.

Often people think that reading to very young children as a waste of time but what were seeing is by 18 months children who have been read to have better success in school and life, Solomon said. A childs brain grows to 80% of its full size by age 3 and they are making 700 connections per second. When we read to children and expose them to more words and ideas it better prepares them for life.

In Ravalli County, 1,000 children are registered from Sula to Florence and 158 have already graduated from the program by turning 5. Currently, there are three registered children in Connor, 152 in Corvallis, 57 in Darby, 113 in Florence, 300 in Hamilton, 27 in Pinesdale, 276 in Stevensville, two in Sula and 64 in Victor.

There will be some upcoming fundraisers for the Dolly Partons Imagination Library of Ravalli County to keep books coming to families for free, watch for them.

For more information contact Solomon at 406-361-8012.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Legendary comedians Steve Martin and Martin Short will be in Richmond on Friday for their live show The Funniest Show in Town at the Moment.

Its been a busy fall for the septuagenarians, which is hard to believe if youve watched their 2018 Netflix special An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life, where they deliver jokes rapid-fire, often at each others expense.

Martin is 76, and Short is 71. Their hit murder mystery-comedy Only Murders in the Building, co-starring Selena Gomez, just aired its finale this week. But dont tell us  were still watching and dont know who killed Tim Kono yet. No spoilers.

Critics have called the 10-episode series, about true crime obsessives launching a podcast, fantastically funny and a total charmer.

We didnt know Selena Gomez until we started shooting. You dont know, could she be difficult? Or moody? Short said in an interview over the phone with the Richmond Times-Dispatch last week. She was so immediately lovely and delightful. We worked in a loose, fun, happy set. It was a joyful experience.

The crew started filming the show in New York in December and continued for four or five months through the pandemic, with all the crew wearing double masks and face shields.
An outdated, partially defunct community center in Richmonds largest public housing neighborhood is one step closer to a major revamp.

The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners on Tuesday voted unanimously to seek federal approval to transfer the Calhoun Family Investment Center to the citys ownership and management. Renovations, through the use of an $8 million chunk of Richmonds federal COVID-19 relief money, will follow if the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development signs off, city officials have said.

This could be really the heart of the community that it was in the 70s, said Chris Frelke, director of the citys parks, recreation and community facilities, while on a walking tour of 50-year-old center on Monday.

For Gilpin Court residents, the Calhoun Center was once a hub for recreation in a neighborhood where there are few other options. In recent years, the center has fallen into disrepair. A faulty heating, ventilating and air conditioning system and a lack of hot water led RRHA to limit the publics access to the building during the pandemic.
Were these contracts late because of the RFPs that he was required to create for George Wythe this summer? Kavanaugh asked in an interview. I know that he stated very clearly at a School Board meeting [over the] summer when the School Board tasked him with those George Wythe RFPs that something was going to drop. Is this what dropped?

But the problems with the contract, VDOE stated, predate this year, when parents began complaining about the quality of food. The letter claims an original contract with Preferred Meals in 2018 was out of compliance, and the district was required to submit a different corrective action plan by September 2020. Members of the Richmond School Board were incensed at the details of the letter, especially after having fielded complaints from parents about the quality of the food.

In the letter, the VDOE claims it alerted the superintendent of the inadequate contract on Sept. 7, the day before the first day of school. The letter also came packaged with the details of a late September audit of school building lunch operations from a visit at J.L. Francis Elementary, Westover Hills Elementary and Huguenot High School.

At J.L. Francis, state nutrition officials observed food left sitting out to thaw and then put into the refrigerator, along with ice and ice packs not used to keep food and milk cold on the kiosks.
The VDHs spokesperson did not respond to questions about the discrepancy. There are reasons why agencies can report contradictory hospitalization data: There are multiple ways to count COVID patients, and some agencies collect data more quickly than others. And the age cutoff in some counts can vary.

According to the dashboard, there have been 128,000 cases. The higher transmissibility of the delta variant, the reopening of schools and the lack of vaccinations for children under 12 have been cited as reasons for the increase in pediatric cases.

More children have been hospitalized recently than at any point in the pandemic. Since July 16, 521 young people ages 0-19 have been hospitalized with the virus, according to state data. (Before the release of its newest dashboard, the VDH tracked age groups in 10-year increments.)

But cases in children and adults have declined since early September. The state peaked at 5,500 pediatric cases at the end of August. By last week, that number had declined to 3,200.

The VDHs dashboard lists cases, case rate and the percentage of all cases by week, age group and geographic region. It does not include ethnic group. The department will update the dashboard each Friday.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)  Items believed to belong to Brian Laundrie, whose girlfriend, Gabby Petito, was found slain after he returned home alone from their cross-country road trip, were discovered Wednesday in a Florida wilderness park, according to the FBI and a Laundrie family attorney.

Laundrie's parents, Chris and Roberta Laundrie, took part in the search Wednesday with the FBI and police from North Port, Florida, more than a month after Laundrie was reported missing after heading to the vast Carlton Reserve park.

"After a brief search off a trail that Brian frequented some articles belonging to Brian were found," attorney Steven Bertolino said in a text to The Associated Press. "As of now law enforcement is conducting a more thorough investigation of that area."

The FBI field office in Tampa also issued a statement on Twitter confirming that "items of interest" were found in the Laundrie search but did not describe them further.

"An FBI Evidence Response team is processing the scene. The reserve is closed to the public and no further details are available at this time," the statement said.

The Sarasota County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed it had been summoned to the reserve but would not comment further.
NEW YORK (AP)  A neurologist already facing charges that he raped patients in New York and New Jersey was arrested on new federal charges Wednesday alleging that he was a serial, sexual abuser of women who went to him for help with debilitating chronic pain.

An indictment said Dr. Ricardo Cruciani, who specialized in rare pain syndromes, abused multiple patients over 15 years at his offices in New York City, Philadelphia and Hopewell, New Jersey.

It described the doctor, now 63, grooming patients who were dependent on him for care and prescriptions to addictive opioids, turning back rubs and hugs into gradually more invasive physical attacks and sexual demands.

If certain victims refused to engage in sex acts, he retaliated by referring them to another medical provider that would not prescribe the same combinations or quantities of narcotics, the indictment said.

The alleged pattern of abuse in this case is outrageous, said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a release. Doctors like the defendant take an oath to do no harm. It is difficult to imagine conduct more anathema to that oath than exploiting patients vulnerability in order to sexually abuse them.
Though Terry said she cannot be ordained because she is too old, the pastorate caps a journey of faith and politics, from which she has been largely absent since her defeat to Allen, whose career ended in ignominy with his loss for a second term in the U.S. Senate in 2006 because of voter outrage over his racial putdown of an Indian American.

It was through Terry's little-known friendship with two of Allen's biggest backers, Bill and Anne Kincaid, both tireless religious conservatives, that Terry's exploration of faith accelerated. Through the Kincaids, Terry was introduced to Pentecostalism, some of whose practitioners - because of the faith's emphasis on God as an animated presence - speak in tongues.

Terry - perhaps because she is a lawyer - said she cooled to Pentecostalism because it appeared to subordinate man's law to the Lord's Gospel. During her Richmond years, Terry also tried the Episcopal Church, attending a West End parish in which "most of the people were Republicans."

Terry said her transition from a political life to a spiritual one had been underway during her years in office; that she have might have passed on a second term as attorney general, likely forgoing a campaign for governor: "If God had called me at the time, I'm pretty sure I would have responded."
I would say we tried and it was a first for the commonwealth of Virginia, but this isnt working, Harris said. She said it appears the bureaucracy and unfortunate partisanship structure of the commission wins and were done.

Early in Wednesdays meeting, Republican and Democratic map drawers offered separate modifications of a unified map of the states congressional districts that the commission had considered earlier this week. The proposed revisions left markedly different configurations that did not sway the commission.

Each partisan mapmaker then proposed a separate new statewide configuration. None of the four maps moved the needle.

At one point, Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, said, Im just trying to keep up here as the panel considered the four newly proposed configurations five days before its deadline.

What I see as potentially the problem is too much lawyer involvement, too many maps all of a sudden come out and the whole system breaks down under the weight, Stanley said. In that case, he said, were going to find this to be an exercise in futility.
RADFORD  Authorities are trying to determine who left three decapitated, tailless deer carcasses along a road and in a city park last week.

The Radford Sheriffs Office is asking the public to help by calling in any tips and raising money for a reward, according to a statement posted Monday on the offices Facebook page.

Deputies said two large deer were shot early in the morning on Oct. 13 with what investigators believe is a crossbow. Their heads and tails were cut off and the remainder of the bodies were left in a field near Park Road. A third deers body, also missing its head and tail, was discovered several days later in Radfords Riverview Park, the statement said.

This is the type of act that was not done by one person, Sheriff Mark Armentrout said in the statement. Whether it was two people or more, there are others that have knowledge of this crime. People like to talk and brag about trophy deer, these criminals will talk. With a significant and growing reward being offered for information leading to a conviction, it is just a matter of time before someone comes forward.
The pandemic has caused a flood of legal battles between insurance companies and their policyholders, and Urbanski noted that he is seeing cases from around the country.

Richeimer said that a majority of the opinions have gone AGLICs way, and included dozens of them in legal briefs filed in U.S. District Court in Roanoke.

But in two recent cases, judges denied motions to dismiss lawsuits that were similar to the one filed by Carilion. Urbanski asked why he should not follow the example of U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles of North Carolina, who recently ruled that a health care system had adequately alleged physical losses that were not excluded by AGLICs policy, at least in the cases early stages.

Shes really smart, Urbanski said. I have a great deal of respect for her opinions.

If Urbanski were to deny the motion to dismiss, it would allow parties to obtain more information through the discovery process. A trial in the case is currently set for September 2022.

Carilion filed suit in March, saying that AGLIC had failed to cover losses amounting to more than $150 million, much of it from elective surgeries that were postponed and patients who stayed home for months rather than seek treatment for more minor ailments.
Virginia is partnering with local governments and private operators for an investment of up to $2 billion to expand high-speed internet access to more than 250,000 homes and businesses, as the state uses federal emergency aid to close a glaring gap in opportunity for remote work and study during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday that the state has received requests for $943 million in grants to fund 57 projects to expand broadband telecommunications access in 84 localities across Virginia. The state expects to have $850 million in federal and state budget funds for the effort, drawn mostly from aid under the American Rescue Plan Act. It would be matched by $1.15 billion in private and local government funds.

The state will vet the requested projects for eligibility. Not all of the projects will be funded this year, but the state expects to award grants by the end of the year to put Virginia in position to achieve universal broadband coverage for all parts of Virginia by 2024, four years earlier than the governor had hoped.

Broadband is as critical today as electricity was in the last century, said Northam, a native of the Eastern Shore. Making sure more Virginians can get access to it has been a priority since I took office, and the pandemic has pushed us all to move even faster.
The respective Virginian parents have no plans to go to schools to confiscate books and dictate decisions.

The parents concerns arose when the schools began to teach the children subjects unrelated to math, language,and science. In a free country such as America, the government must not possess the power to decide school childrens beliefs for them.

It is not about parents telling the schools what they should teach.

McAuliffe has it wrong when he states, I dont think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.

It is a matter of faith and belief and parenting children. Neither the governor nor the lawmakers should implement laws that require public schools to teach subjects that offend or interfere with families faiths.

Some issues are sensitive, such as LGBTQ students and the ethical and legal rights regarding their lifestyle.

It is understandable that in America, this unique country, people are free to choose their way of life, but teaching such subjects to children in schools violates many families faith and intervenes in peoples personal lives.

The school system in Virginia must respect all beliefs and faiths of its families by not crossing those boundaries. Let us keep Virginia public schools a place of education, not an institution for raising our children in a fixed belief or lifestyle.

Zangana is a corrections officer in the Roanoke Valley.
Much as Colin Powell deserves a tribute as Americas first Black secretary of state and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he was under-recognized as a bridge-builder and champion of political moderation.

Powell, who died Monday, was a Republican who dared to challenge his own partys orthodoxy and tried to avert its drift toward right-wing extremism.

The fact that he was later joined in his call for moderation by one of the architects of that rightward lurch  former Vice President Dick Cheney  attests to Powells judgment and thoughtful foresight.

Cheney was adamant about launching the 2003 Iraq war and was willing to engage in the worst forms of political subterfuge to get his way. He enlisted Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in a campaign to deceive Americans  and the world  into believing Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction.

Powells was the loudest and most persistent voice of dissent in President George W. Bushs administration, arguing that evidence was flimsy and didnt justify going to war.
" " NASA and Nokia are sending 4G to the moon! HowStuffWorks

In a bygone era, "4G on the moon" might have referenced the G-force astronauts aboard an imaginary ship of the future might experience. But 4G today is in reference to a communications network, like those that connect our cell phones and other devices. And this 4G network is going to be located on the lunar surface.

No. This doesn't mean we'll soon see cell towers on the moon. Instead this 4G is part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, which awarded several companies contracts worth $370 million to help the space agency install new technology on the moon. Nokia Bell Laboratories got $14.1 million of that for the first 4G communications system in space.

Advertisement

Nokia will work with Intuitive Machines to integrate the network into its Nova-C Lunar Lander, which will deliver the 4G system to the moon. Once there, it will "self-configure."

The main purpose of the 4G network will be to support future astronauts in NASA's Project Artemis, which is scheduled to land astronauts near the lunar south pole as early as October 2024. The 4G network will likely provide improved communications between future moon-based astronauts and those orbiting the moon with all of us on Earth. Astronauts will also be able to transmit science data more rapidly than would be possible without the network.

The network also will make other critical communications capabilities a bit easier, including remote control of lunar rovers, real-time navigation and streaming of high definition video. But the astronauts will also be able to phone home, and upload selfies and videos to Instagram, too.

So why 4G and not 5G? According to Nokia, 4G is better suited for the surface of the moon because it's more reliable, but it will eventually be upgraded.

"Reliable, resilient and high-capacity communications networks will be key to supporting sustainable human presence on the lunar surface," Marcus Weldon, chief technology officer and president at Nokia Bell Labs, said in a press statement. "By building the first high performance wireless network solution on the moon, Nokia Bell Labs is once again planting the flag for pioneering innovation beyond the conventional limits."

Now That's Cool To protect against the health effects of space radiation from the long Artemis mission on the lunar surface, astronauts will live in caves and lava tubes, or at least in prefabricated modules covered with thick layers of lunar surface material called regolith.
" " Jane Goodall with Motambo, an orphan at the JGI Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center. The Jane Goodall Institute

Some people just don't quit. It's OK to quit  occasionally it's best to  but let Dr. Jane Goodall be an example to us all: Sometimes you have a far-fetched dream and instead of deciding it's a stupid idea, you do it anyway.

It's not going to be easy, mind you. Along the way, you'll navigate red tape: Some people will require your mother to chaperone you through parts of it, while others will dismiss and pooh-pooh your best, most groundbreaking work. And then, when you've achieved what you set out to do, just when you're at the top of your game, you'll realize that, while your first dream was noble and true, you now have more information than you did when you started out. So your dream changes. Your new dream is bigger and more difficult to realize, but you do it anyway.

Repeat into old age, never slowing down, and you might even get nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Advertisement

Early Life

The key to Jane Goodall's persistence seems to have a lot to do with knowing what she liked from a very young age, and then just insisting on doing it. Her father gave her a stuffed chimpanzee when she was a baby, and she took it with her everywhere, even though it was terrifying, by all accounts. She grew up loving to observe and catalog animals, and dreamed of one day living with African animals and writing books about them for a living. Her mother, who was a novelist herself, told Goodall that seemed like a perfectly reasonable idea, even though it was the 1940s, and not at all what middle-class English girls were expected to do.

After she finished school, Goodall couldn't afford to go to college, so she worked odd jobs in London for a few years until a friend invited her to visit her family's farm in Kenya. At which point, Goodall immediately quit her job and waited tables until she made enough money to pay for the price of boat fare to Africa. While in Kenya, her friend suggested she contact the paleontologist Louis Leakey, curator of the Coryndon Museum in Nairobi, to discuss primates (Leakey was interested in studying primate behavior in order to better understand early human species). Leaky hired Goodall as his field assistant on a paleontological dig, and later asked her to return to England to research primates and raise money for a long-term observational study on wild chimpanzees at the Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania.

" " Dr. Jane Goodall attended a screening on Jan. 9, 2018 of the BAFTA nominated National Geographic documentary "Jane" with her son Grub (Hugo Louis van Lawick) and grandson Nick van Lawick (left) in Bournemouth, U.K. Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

Advertisement

Gombe Stream Research Centre

In July of 1960, 26-year-old Jane Goodall began setting up her field station at Gombe, and would become the site of the longest-running wildlife research project in history. British authorities initially balked at the idea of a young woman doing this kind of work unchaperoned, so Goodall's mother Vanne accompanied her for the first few months. Goodall observed the chimpanzees daily for two years before she earned their trust. Her method was just to watch the animals and imitate their actions, recording everything that happened in a field journal.

Two of Goodall's most important discoveries during this period had to do with what chimps ate, and how they went about getting food: Goodall was the first to observe chimpanzees killing and eating the meat of small mammals (prior to this, they were thought to be vegetarian), and perhaps her biggest contribution to our understanding of primates was the revelation that chimps used collected and modified grass stems and sticks as tools to fish termites out of their nests. Goodall's discoveries were so significant, Leakey arranged for her to write a dissertation at Cambridge University on the behaviors of wild chimpanzees. It was accepted, and she became one of only eight people ever to graduate from Cambridge with her Ph.D. without first earning her undergraduate degree.

In 1964, Goodall married Hugo van Lawick, a Dutch wildlife photographer Leakey sent to record her activity in the field, and their son "Grub", born in 1967, spent his early life with his parents at Gombe. After Goodall and Lawick divorced in 1974, Goodall married Derek Bryceson in 1975, who was the director of Tanzania's national parks. During this time, Goodall published books about her experiences and research at Gombe, including "In the Shadow of Man", which was criticized by scientists because of Goodall's habit of naming the subjects of her research (she called her most famous study subject "David Graybeard"), but the book was wildly popular and has since been translated into 48 languages. As she lived and worked in Gombe, she began to notice changes to the chimpanzees' habitat: deforestation and mining practices forced the animals out of their homes and into smaller and smaller areas.

" " Dr. Jane Goodall speaks to a Roots and Shoots group in Avondale, Pennsylvania in 2003. David S. Holloway/Getty Images

According to the Jane Goodall Institute, more than 1 million wild chimpanzees lived in Africa 100 years ago, but today only a fifth of that population exists. Goodall saw the writing on the wall, which is why, in the 1980s, Goodall changed her focus from observing chimps, to working to protect their habitat. She founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977, which works to keep human communities and wild chimpanzee populations in Africa healthy and coexisting peacefully. Roots and Shoots is a program to empower young people worldwide to make difference in their local communities. At the age of 85, Goodall spends about 300 days a year traveling and speaking about Africa, chimpanzees, the environment and her other passions.

Advertisement

Hope for the Future

Although Goodall sees the hideous parts of what humans are doing to our planet, she continues to be hopeful about our future, as she demonstrated in this 2017 New York Times oped:

The lust for greed and power has destroyed the beauty we inherited, but altruism, compassion and love have not been destroyed. All that is beautiful in humanity has not been destroyed. The beauty of our planet is not dead but lying dormant, like the seeds of a dead tree. We shall have another chance.

In 2019, Goodall was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. She was also included on the 2019 TIME 100 List of the 100 most influential people in the world.

" " Dr. Jane Goodall participates in a panel discussion during the TIME 100 Summit 2019 on April 23, 2019 in New York City. Brian Ach/Getty Images

"I believe there is no better choice to receive the next Nobel Peace Prize," says Myron Shekelle, a research associate at Western Washington University's Department of Anthropology, and the author of the petition to nominate Goodall for the prize, in an email. "Civilization is today facing perhaps its greatest challenge ever: the twin apocalyptic threats of Global Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss. Both are caused by humans, and both are linked in that both stem from human misuse of the environment. No one has done more or better work than Jane Goodall to bring peace between humans and their environment and thereby create the conditions under which humans can be at peace with each other. Jane Goodall is the global face for global peace."

What are they going to call you when you're 85?

Learn more about the journey of Dr. Jane Goodall in "Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey" by Jane Goodall. HowStuffWorks picks related titles based on books we think you'll like. Should you choose to buy one, we'll receive a portion of the sale.

Now That's Interesting In response to Goodall's discovery of tool use in the Gombe chimpanzees, Louis Leakey said, "Now we must redefine 'tool,' redefine 'man.' Or accept chimpanzees as humans."

Advertisement

Originally Published: May 16, 2019
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.
A young woman named Anahita Nahir, a lower-level employee at the State Department, received a cryptic text the night before the first bombing, a string of numbers sent from a blocked source. Her supervisor shrugged it off as spam, but she wrote the numbers down before she deleted it  and she soon realizes they are related to the bombs, and to one yet to go off. She knows she has to get the information to Ellen.

That is very much only the beginning. Ellen will spend the rest of the book hurtling around the globe from one city to another, racing the clock to find out who is behind the bombings. Everything seems to lead to a ruthless arms dealer named Bashir Shah, a one-stop shop, a kind of Walmart of weapons, selling not just the materials but the technology.

Shah (with whom Ellen has a history) was imprisoned, but now hes not, and he seems to have access to nuclear materials. The truly scary question is: Who are his customers?

Every new discovery is more terrifying than the last, and what adds an extra layer of dread is that we know Clinton actually held this job. As each appalling detail emerged, I found myself wondering whether it had really happened.
In the first book in this series, "The Word Is Murder," Hawthorne suggested that Horowitz (whom he calls "Tony," perhaps innocently, perhaps to needle him) shadow him while he investigates a murder and then write a book about it; they would split the proceeds. This was the premise for the second book, as well, "The Sentence Is Death."

In "A Line to Kill" both men are invited to a writers festival on Alderney, one of the Channel Islands off the coast of England, despite the fact that Horowitz is way behind schedule with his manuscript and they have no book to promote.

The other writers at the festival are not exactly household names  a children's writer, a French poet, a blind psychic, a dreary historian and a yammering TV chef with a cookbook to hawk.

"I haven't heard of any of them," Horowitz grumbles.

The festival organizer explains, "We invited lots of famous authors  Philip Pullman, Val McDermid, Jacqueline Wilson, Alexander McCall Smith  but they all turned us down." Sorry, Tony.

Once on the island, the writers gather for a glittering party at the Gatsby-esque home of the local millionaire mover and shaker, a handsome, swaggering man named Charles le Mesurier. "This wasn't just a home," Horowitz notes. "It was a monument to himself."
HARTSVILLE  The Blind Pig in Hartsville celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting on Friday. The pub is located in the former Bizzells on Carolina Avenue. The establishment has been open for about eight weeks.

The name Blind Pig refers to speakeasy bars that came into prominence during the Prohibition era, said owners Lisa Stewart of Darlington and Tina Moses of Hartsville. They said that the term referred to the police turning a blind eye to these illegal establishments.

Stewart said she has been in the restaurant business for about 25 years. She has managed an Irish-style pub in Florence and in Jacksonville, Florida, for about 12 years. This is all new for Moses.

Hartsville had a need, Moses said. My husband, Dan, always wanted to get in the business.

The owners said business has been fantastic so far, and they are excited to be able to serve a need in downtown Hartsville.

We cater to all ages, said Stewart.

Dan Moses said the community has welcomed and embraced their ideas for Hartsville. He said they have also been blessed with a hard-working team.

They have a staff of about 40.
KINGSTREE, S.C.  A clothing company is set to invest $7.5 million and create 116 new jobs in Williamsburg County.

Citadel Brands announced Wednesday morning that it would be establishing a wholesale distribution facility along U.S. 52 north of Kingstree.

Being a native of Kingstree brings me great joy in providing opportunity to longtime residents, said Citadel Brands chief operating 0fficer Greg Brown. The infrastructure in the area provides ease of transportation to our newly constructed warehouse and additional possibilities with the movement of our products across the United States. We are looking forward to working with the county on finding employees who are excited about being a part of a growing company with long-term goals firmly in place. Thank you, Williamsburg County!

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said the state is constantly working to bring investments and jobs to all parts of the state but added that its exciting to see a company investing in a rural area.
"Democracy  the very soul of America  is at stake, President Joe Biden said in a statement. It should be simple and straightforward. Let there be a debate and let there be a vote.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki also hinted that Biden may be softening his opposition to filibuster changes.

Are (Republicans) going to protect this fundamental right? Or are they going to continue to be obstreperous  to use a word the president has used in the past  and put Democrats in a position where theres no alternative but to find another path forward? Psaki said Monday.

But Manchin and Sinema, whose votes would be required for any rule change, have said they remain opposed to changing the filibuster.

Meanwhile, pressure is building from the Democratic base for Biden and Senate Democrats to take greater action.

They have failed to pass substantive legislation, and they are failing to act now, said Joseph Geevarghese, the executive director of Bernie Sanders-aligned group Our Revolution. "It needs to be made even more clear by the President that he is 100% on the side of the American peoples most sacred right, and if that means fixing the filibuster then we must do it for the sake of our democracy.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
 ACLU Campaign for Smart Justice launches "Smart Justice 50-State Blueprints" | Main | The (complicated) Florida constitutional ballot initiative, Amendment 11, seeking to allow retroactive sentencing changes 

The title of this post is the title of this very lengthy Miami Herald article which gets started this way:

Nikolas Cruz had two mothers: his birth mom, who gave him life, an almond-shaped head and auburn hair  and his adoptive mom, who gave him all the advantages of an upscale, suburban upbringing.

His birth mother, Brenda Woodard, was sometimes homeless, and panhandled for money on a highway exit ramp. His adoptive mother, Lynda Cruz, stayed home to manage a 4,500-square-foot, five-bedroom house in the suburbs, with a two-car garage and a sprawling yard. A career criminal, Woodards 28 arrests include a 2010 charge for beating a companion with a tire iron; she also threatened to burn the friends house down. Lynda Cruz had a clean record.

Woodard was so gripped by addiction she was arrested buying crack cocaine while pregnant with Nikolas. Lynda Cruz was known to drink wine, though not excessively.

Conventional wisdom suggests that Nikolas Cruz should have taken after the woman who raised him from birth, rather than the one who shared only his DNA. But little of Cruzs story is conventional. While, by most accounts, Lynda Cruz was thoughtful and disciplined, her adoptive son was violent and impulsive  characteristics he seems to share with the birth mother he never knew.

Now the history of his birth family  sealed by statute and never before reported  could become a factor in his desperate attempt to stay off Floridas Death Row.

Many of the details of Cruzs difficult childhood and stormy adolescence emerged in the months following his deadly Feb. 14 attack on Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland that left 17 students and staff members dead: He was a poor student prone to sometimes violent outbursts. He had an unhealthy obsession with guns. He shot and tortured animals. But where Cruz came from, genetically, has remained a missing piece of the puzzle.

Though Nikolas was raised in comfort  Lynda Cruz apparently believed that indulging her son with video games and weapons would soften his moods  the shadow of his genetic heritage seemed to loom over his life.

Experts in criminal law say the Broward Public Defenders Office will likely explore Cruzs genetic makeup and childhood development in their effort to keep the 19-year-old from being executed. His birth mother could be called to testify during the sentencing phase of his trial on 17 charges of first-degree murder and 17 charges of attempted murder.
 Deputy AG Rosen continues his hypocritical attacks on local prosecutors for "nonenforcement of the law" | Main | Recommending "Good Law | Bad Law" and other podcasts 

December 1, 2019

Father of Parkland school shooting victim urges state prosecutors to abandon capital prosecution of shooter

This opinion piece from Florida, headlined "Parkland parent: Drop death penalty for shooter, let him rot in jail," provides a notable plea to prosecutors from Michael Schulman. Here are excerpts:

On February 14, 2018, my son, Scott J. Beigel, was murdered by this active shooter at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.... I read the Nov. 24 Sun-Sentinel editorial, Delay the Nikolas Cruz trial or accept his plea,  and could not agree more. To put the students and faculty through the trauma of reliving that horrible day is cruel and unnecessary. Going for the death penalty will not bring our loved ones back to us. It will not make the physical scars of those wounded go away. In fact, what it will do is to continue the trauma and not allow the victims to heal and get closure. Understand, that in order to get the death penalty, the state has to take the trial for the murder of our family members to conclusion. In all likelihood, that means many of us would have to testify at the trial and relive February 14, 2018, again and again, as we all sit in a courtroom for weeks. We would be putting ourselves through this for the chance that the shooter would get what we all believe he deserves: the death penalty. Yet, even following a trial, the shooter could be sentenced to life without parole  the same sentence the shooter has already agreed to accept for in exchange for a guilty plea. Pursuing the death penalty means subjecting ourselves to the trauma of a trial, reliving the murder of our loved ones for a result we could have obtained without that trauma. Now lets imagine the jury finds that the shooter should be put to death. The average time an inmate in Florida spends on death row prior to execution is more than 16 years, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. During those 16 years of time, there will be numerous appeals. Imagine if the shooter wins just one of those appeals and a court judge orders a new trial. We will then have to go back to court and re-open our wounds by testifying again. This is not healthy. This will not help us heal and get any kind of closure.... To State Attorney Michael Satz, and to the living victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas massacre, let the shooter rot in jail for the rest of his life. Let us try and get some closure! Let us try and move forward with our lives.

Prior related posts:

December 1, 2019 at 01:13 PM | Permalink

Comments

With cases that involve multiple victims and their families the issue of justice gets complicated. Say some want the trial to push forward so there is the possibility of the death penalty but others want the case to be through and accept the plea deal. How do you balance both parties and their visions of justice? I have witnessed court proceedings involving gruesome murders and death penalty cases and see the type of emotions that come out at trial from the witnesses and the victim's friends and family. It is a lot to take in but they show up to make sure justice is served. In the end it is whether the prosecutor considers the victims and their opinion on what justice is. When you have competing interests from multiple parties plus a highly public case their are very few scenarios where everyone comes out accepting of the results. If I were the prosecutor I would ask each victim/family what their ideal outcome is for the case and proceed based on majority opinion.

Posted by: Marcus Perry | Dec 4, 2019 1:22:38 PM

Post a comment
 New report examines aftermath of Baltimore's no-prosecution policy for minor drug possession and prostitution | Main | Will guilty pleas and apology reduce odds that Nikolas Cruz is sentenced to death for Parkland school mass murder? 

October 19, 2021

Rounding up some recent postings from Marijuana Law, Policy & Reform

I have not done a round-up of posts from my blogging over at Marijuana Law, Policy & Reform in quite some time, so here is a sampling of some posts in recent months at intersection of criminal justice reform and marijuana reform from MLP&R:

October 19, 2021 at 11:38 PM | Permalink

Comments

Post a comment
 Rounding up some recent postings from Marijuana Law, Policy & Reform | Main | "The policy lessons learned from the criminal justice system response to COVID-19" 

The question in this post is prompted by today's events in a Florida courtroom covered in this CNN article headlined "Nikolas Cruz pleads guilty to murder charges and apologizes for Parkland high school massacre." Here are excerpts:

Nikolas Cruz, the gunman who carried out the massacre of students and faculty members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018, pleaded guilty in a Florida courtroom Wednesday to 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder. Cruz, 23, faces a minimum of life in prison and maximum of the death penalty, which will be decided by a jury in the upcoming sentencing phase of the trial. The prosecution has said they plan to seek the death penalty.

In court, Cruz wore a collared shirt, black vest, face mask and large, thick-framed glasses. He stood at the court lectern and answered Judge Elizabeth Scherer's series of questions with a "yes ma'am" or "no ma'am," and assured her, "I know what's going on." He said he had depression and anxiety, and that he was experiencing anxiety in court, but he said he was able to proceed.

Cruz then responded "guilty" when each of the 34 charges were read to him. Afterward, he apologized to the victims in a short speech. "I am very sorry for what I did, and I have to live with it every day. If I were to get a second chance, I would do everything in my power to try to help others," he said. "I am doing this for you, and I do not care if you do not believe me. And I love you, and I know you don't believe me, but I have to live with this every day, and it brings me nightmares and I can't live with myself sometimes, but I try to push through because I know that's what you guys would want me to do.

"I hate drugs, and I believe this country would do better if everyone would stop smoking marijuana and doing all these drugs and causing racism and violence out in the streets," he continued. "I'm sorry, and I can't even watch TV anymore. And I'm trying my best to maintain my composure, and I just want you to know I'm really sorry, and I hope you give me a chance to try to help others. I believe it's your decision to decide where I go, and whether I live or die. Not the jury's. I believe it's your decision. I'm sorry."

The judge then asked Cruz if he understood that a jury, and not the victims' families, would have the legal power to decide his sentence, and he confirmed that he understood. "What I meant was I believe they should have the right to choose, the victims themselves, on whether I should take life or death," Cruz said.

He was then placed in handcuffs, fingerprinted and escorted from the courtroom. Jury selection in the penalty phase is scheduled for January 4.

The plea comes more than three and a half years after the Valentine's Day shooting in Parkland, Florida, in which he killed 17 students and faculty members and injured 17 others in what is the deadliest high school shooting in US history. A dozen law enforcement officers filled the courtroom Wednesday while media, victims, and the family of victims watched the proceedings, some of whom were seen wiping their eyes as the judge detailed the counts and penalties to Cruz.

Tony Montalto, the father one of the slain students, Gina Montalto, called Cruz's apology "ridiculous." "If he wanted to apologize, he shouldn't have murdered Gina and 16 other people that day," Tony Montalto told CNN. Asked about the prospect of the death penalty for Cruz, Montalto said, "We need to deprive these mass murderers of the notoriety they seek. . . . We need to remember the victims for the wonderful and vibrant people that they were. I think he deserves as much of a chance as he gave my daughter and everyone else on February 14 of 2018."

In court the prosecution laid out the harrowing timeline of the shooting, which began when Cruz, then 19, grabbed his AR-15-style rifle and magazines and rode in an Uber to his former high school. There, he took out his rifle and loaded it, and when a student walked near, Cruz offered a warning. "You better get out of here," he told the student. "Something bad is about to happen." Cruz then wandered through the halls of the school and fired indiscriminately at various students and staff in hallways and classrooms, prosecutors said. He eventually left the school and was taken into custody several miles away....

Cruz's defense team had long ago offered a guilty plea in exchange for life in prison without the possibility of parole -- but only if prosecutors took the death penalty off the table. Prosecutors had rejected that, saying they were seeking the death penalty....

Cruz's guilty plea comes just after a $25 million settlement was reached between the Broward County School Board and 52 victims of the massacre, according to an attorney for some of the victims. Attorney David Brill said the settlement of the lawsuit includes all of the families of the 17 who died, 16 of 17 victims who were shot but survived, and 19 victims who suffer from PTSD or other ailments.
Singaporean TikToker Koh Boon Ki started a Telegram group chat for girls to share gossip about men they had dated, but deleted it after users began doxxing people. (Screenshots from TikTok/@doujiang.youtiao)

A Singaporean influencer, tired of negative experiences with men she had dated, thought it would be a brilliant idea to crowdsource for gossip about potential dates from her female fans.

Koh Boon Ki, 22, who according to The Straits Times is a recent pharmacy graduate from the National University of Singapore, started a Telegram group chat purportedly for all girls in Singapore to share their information about men to avoid so that they wouldn't repeat each others' mistakes.

Koh, who has 112,000 followers on TikTok, had posted about "a Telegram group with girls from all the dating apps in Singapore and we discuss the guys we've talked to and dates we've been on (imagine the excel sheet we can make)".

She later said she created the Telegram chat group on Saturday (16 Oct).

It wasn't such a bad idea, except that this is the internet and the whole thing backfired for its potential to be abused.

Users who joined the Telegram group created a Google spreadsheet in which anyone could anonymously share details about guys that they had supposedly dated or had a relationship with. Such information included their full names and contact details.

Accusations against men ranged from them being scammers or cheaters to more serious ones like sexual assault.

Netizens criticised Koh, saying that all the "tea" in the document could be considered doxxing, which is illegal, or might be false accusations.

Acknowledging the criticisms, Koh later deleted the Telegram chat, apparently titled "sg dating adventures" on 18 Oct.

In a video statement on her TikTok, Koh said she "didn't put enough consideration into setting boundaries and rules within the chat to moderate the discussion".

"The document is very incriminating and I do regret its existence. I have since asked the creator of the Google Sheet to delete the document," said Koh.
SIOUX CITY -- In an effort to assist the Street Division with the upcoming snow season, the Sioux City Police Department will be increasing their efforts to alleviate abandoned motor vehicles on city streets, beginning in November.

Targeted vehicles being stored on city streets will include ones that are disabled or obviously inoperable; have no license plates or current registration for an extended period of time; as well as recreational vehicles, boats, trailers or other equipment that are in violation of Municipal Parking Ordinances.

The goal will be to remove problem vehicles from the streets before they become snowbound and difficult to remove for proper street clearing.

In most cases, the vehicle will be tagged, allowing an opportunity for owners to remove the vehicles before they are impounded. Certain vehicles that are declared "nuisance per se" by Municipal Code can be removed without notice to the owner.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
SIOUX FALLS -- A Beresford, South Dakota, man was sentenced Monday to more than five years in federal prison for possession of child pornography.

Anthony Berst, 34, pleaded guilty in August in U.S. District Court in Sioux Falls to receipt and distribution of child pornography. He was sentenced to 66 months in prison and must spend 10 years on supervised release after completing his prison sentence.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Berst used his Snapchat account to upload files containing child pornography and also downloaded files that contained child porn onto his laptop and cell phone from Sept. 7, 2020, through Jan. 6.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
SIOUX CITY -- A South Sioux City man who was charged with raping a woman he met on an online dating site has been charged in federal court with kidnapping.

A complaint unsealed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Sioux City charges Arjune Ahmed, 25, with one count of kidnapping. No court hearings have been scheduled.

Ahmed is accused of meeting with a woman he had spent two hours talking to on Meet Me on Sept. 16, 2020. Instead of taking her to breakfast as the two had agreed, Ahmed is accused of driving around before taking her to Bacon Creek Park, where he is accused of forcing the woman from his car, walking her to a secluded spot and raping her.

Ahmed left the woman, and she was able to flag down a passerby, who called police. DNA evidence collected from the woman and a used condom left at the scene matched a sample collected from Ahmed, court documents said.

The complaint alleges that Ahmed attempted to rape a woman who had gotten into his car for a ride in July 2018. The complaint also included details of an August 2019 incident in which a woman accused Ahmed of picking her up at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to give her a ride home before he drove to a remote location in South Sioux City, refused to let her out of the car and raped her.

Ahmed had been charged with third-degree sexual abuse in connection with the September 2020 incident in Woodbury County District Court. That case has been dismissed because of Ahmed's pending prosecution in federal court.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1

Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
SIOUX CITY -- Arthur 'Ryan' Baker, a firefighter and member of the 185th Air Refueling Wing, is seeking his first term on the Sioux City Community School District Board of Directors.

Baker, 38, who grew up in Sioux City, graduated from West High School in 2001. He currently has two children in the Sioux City school system. He holds an associates degree in fire science.

The Journal asked a series of questions to the nine candidates seeking three open seats on the school board. Below are Baker's answers to the questions selected for the Journal's print edition. To view additional questions and answers for all the candidates, visit siouxcityjournal.com

Arthur Ryan Baker Age: 38 Profession: Fire Fighter and also a member of the 185th ARW Iowa Air National Guard Education: 2001 West High School graduate; associate degree in fire science Hometown: Sioux City Family: Married, 3 Children, 2 currently in the SCCSD.

Why are you running for school board?

At the age of 17, I made the decision to serve my country. The best decision that I have ever made. It led me to my career, meeting my wife, which led to our beautiful children. Still having the desire to serve, I joined the fire department. It has given me the ability to serve my community and help people on a daily basis. There are three open spots on the board, I have two kids in the district, and it is another way I can serve our community. I know that I have what it takes to represent the members of our district and make sure their voices are heard.

What are some of the strengths about the district? What are some of the weaknesses?

One of the strengths of our district are definitely the employees. We have great educators, office staff, building maintenance, and support staff. Thank you for all you do and keep up the great work! Another strength our district has are the new elementary schools that we have added. Some of our weaknesses or areas of improvement are increasing our schools' staffing and monitoring class sizes. I believe these weaknesses can be easily overcome with a strong board of directors.

What are the main points you hope to address?

After talking to parents and teachers from our district, the following need to be our top priorities. Hire more teachers to bring the district up to adequate numbers. Increase the number of counselors to at least meet the national average. There are currently only eight nurses and six librarians for 20 buildings, I believe those numbers also need to be increased. These are just a few areas the district is short on staffing. If we want the best education for our children, they need to have the proper number of resources available.

What particular skills or experiences qualify you to serve as a school board member?

A few things I can bring to the board are leadership and discipline gained from the military. The ability to handle stressful situations and make decisions under pressure gained from being a firefighter. Lastly, logic and the ability to reason gained from being a father. I have been in the military for over 20 years and have deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, and Niger. I have been a firefighter for 18 years with two different departments. I have been a father for 16 years to three children, two currently in the SCCSD.

What do you see as the boards roles and responsibilities?

One role of the board of directors is to represent the students, parents, and teachers of our district. The way to do this is simple, Listen. This can be done through surveys, visiting the schools, and responding to phone calls and emails. A second role of the board is to hold the superintendent accountable. After finding out what the issues or needs of the district are, they need to be communicated to the superintendent. The board then needs to assure that the superintendent is following through and addressing these needs.

What do you think of the current board and how conflict is handled?

I think there are current board members that have their own agendas. I cant stress enough how important it is for the board to listen and represent the ideas of the district. There will be differences of opinions at times, but if the members can stick to representing the district, conflicts can be resolved. Decisions need to be made with logic and reasoning, not emotions. The board needs to be a strong team and remember that we are here to provide support and ensure the children are receiving a top-notch education.

How can schools address the learning needs of diverse students?

This can be address in a couple of ways. First, planning and making sure we have the materials and resources necessary to ensure all students are getting the proper education. Secondly, making sure we have trained teachers that can address these diversity needs. I think the district is doing a good job of this currently but we can always be looking for ways to improve.

How do you plan to communication with teachers/parents/community members/students?

Emails and phone calls are effective ways to communicate with parents and community members. I would make it my priority to visit the schools, meet with teachers and staff, talk with students and see things first hand. I would also encourage members of the district to attend school board meetings. I believe if board members are not willing to effectively communicate, then they are wasting the time of the people they are representing.

What do you see as the current challenges facing public education in our state? In our country?

Assessment test data from pre pandemic to current, across the state shows that there is a rise in non-proficient scores. In the SCCSD, there is also high non-proficient scores. I believe this was from the transition from in person, to virtual, to hybrid, to back in person. This was something never dealt with before and was a tough transition for some. Teachers are doing their best to help the students catch up, but this will take time. Not having the sufficient number of educators also adds to this issue.

What roles, if any, should districts assume for dealing with such societal problems as poverty, hunger, mental health issues or drug abuse?

Currently the district offers programs to help fight hunger like the summer food program, normally certain schools offer free lunches for all students but currently all lunches are free. There are also programs that send food home over the weekend. I believe helping students with mental health and/or drug abuse is very important to their overall learning experience and should be provided by the district. We must add more counselors to help with all necessary needs. All of the things listed above are great services that can have a positive impact on our students.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
KENOSHA, Wis. (AP)  Three people were killed and two others critically wounded in a shooting at a home in a southeastern Wisconsin city, and police said Wednesday they believe the shooter was among the dead.

Dispatchers received a 911 call about 10:40 p.m. Tuesday and all that could be heard was unintelligible screaming, officials said. Once dispatchers determined the address in Kenosha, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Milwaukee, officers rushed to the scene and discovered the bodies.

One survivor was air-lifted from the scene and the other was taken by ambulance to a local hospital.

This appears to be domestic-related incident and we believe the person responsible for the shooting is one of the deceased persons located within the house, the Kenosha Police Department said in a statement.

Police said 18-year-old Marian Pizzaro and 17-year-old Sebastian Perez-Alvarez were killed in the shooting. Luz Pizarro-Perez, 35, and a 14-year-old boy were injured. The suspected shooter, also found dead, was 24-year-old Jostin Gutierrez-Pagan, officials said.

The circumstances of the shooting were under investigation.

As a community, we are shocked and saddened by this senseless loss of life, said Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian. This year we have had 12 homicides and two-thirds of the cases have been results of domestic violence. The current hardships people are facing  including the pandemic  seems to have escalated conflict in some households. If you know of someone in crisis, please consider sharing community resources to find them the help they need.

Residents of the typically quiet neighborhood near Lake Michigan said they were stunned as multiple police and emergency rescue vehicles converged on the scene late Tuesday. Joyce Johnson said she was outside when she heard the blaring of sirens from police speeding toward the area.

We have no problems down here at all. None whatsoever, she told the Kenosha News. Thats why its so shocking, very shocking to see every police (squad) car in Kenosha here.

Tuesdays shooting is the second this year in Kenosha County involving multiple fatalities. On April 18, a gunman opened fire at Somers House Tavern just north of Kenosha, leaving three men dead and three wounded. Rakayo Vinson, of Kenosha, was charged with three counts of first-degree intentional homicide and three counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide in the shootings.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
LOS ANGELES  Transgender Netflix employees and their allies gathered Wednesday morning on Vine Street in Los Angeles to protest the streaming giant's decision to release Dave Chappelle's controversial new comedy special. Some of the comedian's supporters showed up too.

Chappelle fans, with signs featuring phrases such as "Jokes are funny" and "Dave is funny," squared off with walkout participants with posters that read "Support, uplift, protect trans voices" and "Gender is NOT a fact. Educate yourself."

Rallying cries such as "What do we want? Accountability! When do we want it? Now!" largely drowned out chants from those defending Netflix and Chappelle.

In the weeks leading up to Wednesday's walkout, a cascade of backlash, protests within Netflix, suspensions and defensive statements from the company have erupted in response to Chappelle's "The Closer," which features the comedian's transphobic remarks and other insensitive commentary.

Demonstrators began arriving outside the Netflix office on Vine around 10 a.m. Wednesday and chanted, "Trans lives matter." Counterprotesters toted signs advocating for "free speech" and bearing anti-trans rhetoric.

"I'm here to support the Black trans people who Dave Chappelle has belittled and erased," said protester Lily Weaver, a 34-year-old union attorney. "I'm here to support the Black, pregnant employee that Netflix fired for standing up to them. It is absolutely disgraceful that Netflix is profiting off of transphobia.

"I think that (Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos) has really embarrassed himself by dismissing his employees," Weaver added. "The company has embarrassed itself by retaliating against workers who spoke out. And I would encourage Mr. Sarandos to listen to the people who work for him."

"We value our trans colleagues and allies, and understand the deep hurt that's been caused," a Netflix spokesperson said in a statement Wednesday. "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 list of walkout demands reviewed last week by the Los Angeles Times asks the company to set aside a fund supporting trans and nonbinary talent and to attach a disclaimer to "The Closer" saying it "contains transphobic language, misogyny, homophobia, and hate speech," among other requests.

"We will be addressing the list of firm asks ... then we'll talk about how we plan to execute that," said rally organizer Ashlee Marie Preston. "The conversation that we're having today, more than anything, is about the emergence of what I'm calling a 'hate economy,' and it is the capitalization of harm and violence that exists online and onscreen ... and the ways in which algorithmic science is being manipulated to take advantage of those moments and to profit from it."

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
At least two leading Republicans in Nebraska defended U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, while the head of the Democratic Party said he violated the trust of voters, after the congressman said he expects to be indicted for lying to FBI investigators.

Fortenberry has said the allegations, linked to a federal investigation into illegal campaign contributions from a Nigerian billionaire, are untrue and a betrayal after he cooperated with the FBI.

Knowingly lying to federal investigators is a felony. An indictment may be coming as soon as Tuesday.

J.L. Spray, a Lincoln attorney and GOP national committeeman, said that such allegations would be "very out of character" for Fortenberry, who has represented Nebraska's 1st Congressional District since 2005. He urged people to avoid a rush to judgment.

"I do have a very difficult time believing the allegations. It would be very out of character for him," said Spray, who has known Fortenberry since he was a member of the Lincoln City Council, prior to his election to Congress.

"Jeff is a man of integrity," added Mark Fahleson, a former chair of the Nebraska Republican Party.

But Jane Kleeb, who chairs the Nebraska Democratic Party, said that the "reported lies violate the trust of Nebraskans, only confirming that the swamp Trump promised to drain is actually the Republican Party.

Serving 16 years in Congress has tainted Fortenberry, who cares more about political donations than serving the people of our state, Kleeb said.

The reputational hit could open up the possibility of a challenge from another Republican in the 2022 primary, according to several political observers.

The anticipated indictment grew out of an FBI investigation, launched in California during the Trump administration, regarding $180,000 in illegal conduit campaign contributions from Gilbert Chagoury, a Nigerian billionaire of Lebanese descent.

The contributions, funneled through a group of Californians from 2012 through 2016, went to four U.S. politicians, including $30,200 to Fortenberry in 2016 and $10,000 to then-Rep. Lee Terry, who represented the Omaha area, in 2014.

Fortenberry apparently isnt in trouble for receiving the contributions; his campaign has said he was unaware that the money came from Chagoury. Instead, the congressman faces prosecution because of what he told or did not tell agents during their investigation into Chagourys scheme.

Donations from foreigners to American campaigns are illegal.

Fortenberry said he was stunned and shocked that he was facing an indictment.

I told them what I knew and what I understood, he said. Theyve accused me of lying to them and are charging me with this.

Josh Moenning, a former chief of staff for Fortenberry, said the congressman was a "good man and an effective and tireless advocate for the people" in his district.

"I've known him to show only the highest level of regard for the law and every obligation that comes with being an elected official," said Moenning, who was elected mayor of Norfolk in 2016 and re-elected in 2020. "Nebraskans continue to elect him, in lopsided margins, because they know him, trust him, and respect his work on their behalf."

Nebraska's 1st Congressional District, with recently redrawn boundaries, includes Bellevue, Offutt Air Force Base, La Vista and the bulk of Papillion in Sarpy County. The district also includes all or part of 11 other counties in eastern Nebraska, including Lancaster County.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP)  A western South Dakota inmate who walked away from a minimum-security facility was arrested Wednesday, corrections officials said.

Inmate Timothy Mitchell had been on escape status since Oct. 6, after he failed to return to the Rapid City Community Work Center following a shift on work release.

Mitchell is currently being held at the Meade County Jail. He faces a charge of second-degree escape, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Mitchell is serving two sentences for possession of a controlled substance from Butte County.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Joseph R. Holmes, born into slavery in Charlotte County, Va., emerged after emancipation as an outspoken advocate for the rights of freedpeople.

The shoemaker served in two state Republican Party conventions, was elected to the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1867-68, and embodied the assertive aspirations of newly freed Black people across the South. Its a good chance he probably would have been nominated for election to the House of Delegates that fall, says Kathy Lee Erlandson Liston, a retired archaeologist and historian.

But his political activity and growing prosperity bred resentment in the rural Piedmont region of Southside Virginia. On May 3, 1869, Holmes was shot to death on the Charlotte County courthouse steps. The slaying attracted widespread attention  The New York Times republished a story from the Richmond Dispatch.

Four white men were charged; three were indicted. All fled. No one was tried.

Holmes, so prominent during Reconstruction, eventually faded from public memory.

Liston, in her research of Holmes, encountered no Black residents who knew his story. And Lisa Henderson of Atlanta  the great great granddaughter of Holmes brother, Jasper Holmes  said Joseph Holmes life and death were a shocking revelation she learned about from a relative in Newport News.

I think everybody was so traumatized, Henderson says of the relative silence within her own family, whom she described as otherwise intentional about Black history.

But the white archaeologist and the Black labor lawyer ultimately connected. And Saturday afternoon, both women will speak at the unveiling of a Virginia Department of Historic Resources marker in front of the courthouse where Holmes was slain.

The marker  on the courthouse green near a Confederate memorial  describes the legacy of an activist whose murder drew international attention to the plight of freedpeople during Reconstruction.

Its incredibly gratifying. Im a big sort of believer in this idea that if you call someones name, you keep their memory alive, Henderson said of the commemoration.

If ever there was a story that needed to be remembered, its his.

Liston became acquainted with Holmes story after moving to Charlotte County from Maryland in 1998. She and her husband purchased Westview, a plantation in the rural Southside Virginia county, from members of the family whod built the antebellum home, and they gave us hundreds and hundreds of original documents, including records of the enslaved.

In Maryland, her hobby was War of 1812 battlefield archaeology; in Charlotte County, her passion immediately shifted toward its Black history. She posted and published what she learned.

Southern historians were wildly inaccurate in their accounts of Holmes death; Virginius Dabney, in his Virginia, The New Dominion, listed his year of death as 1892. But Liston was just the sort of person Henderson was looking for as she sought to learn more about Jasper and Joseph Holmes. She needed a Charlotte County-based historian. She reached out to Liston.

Liston, in her research, had special access to the court clerks office. Within two days, I had found [the Holmes case indictments] and the original witness statements that were made the night of the murder and the next day at the inquest, she said. Curiously, six pages of what she gathers was an autopsy report were missing.

Brothers John and Griffin S. Marshall  sons of a judge  were changed with murder, along with William T. Boyd and Macon C. Morris. All but Griffin were indicted. All four fled.

The Marshall brothers became successful ranchers; Boyd, a banker and businessman in Tennessee; and Morris, of all things, worked as a policeman in Roanoke, according to Listons research.

This man was murdered in broad daylight by young men who said they were going to kill him, she said. And they were never brought to justice. No one ever went to look for them.

Liston submitted the application for the marker in March 2020, two months before George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer. The markers donors include Black and white people; county residents and outsiders; and her historian colleagues. Charlotte County is ready for this moment, she said. They think its overdue justice for Joe Holmes.

As the unveiling approaches, Henderson acknowledged that its going to be hard for me to keep it together Saturday.

We tend to think of African-American history in terms of huge national actors such as Frederick Douglass, Henderson said, but everywhere in this country, and especially in the South, there were men and women who were making a difference in ways that are just unfathomable now.

People who were really sticking their necks out to make this country do right by these men and women who had been so recently enslaved, she said. And Joseph R. Holmes was one of them.

Related video

Read more of Williams' columns

Williams: Pharrell Williams is not happy. If his Virginia Beach music festival is to continue, that city's leadership must listen and learn Pharrell Williams has reeled in a boatload of awards as a recording artist and producer. But the Virginia Beach natives greatest hit may have been the 2019 Something in the Water music festival on that citys waterfront.

Michael Paul Williams is a Pulitzer Prize winning columnist with the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Richmond, Va.; read more of his columns on Richmond.com.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Quentin Tarantino has suggested that 'Kill Bill 3' could be his next film.

The acclaimed director has admitted that he has "no idea" what his next project will be but hinted that he could make another movie following Uma Thurman as assassin The Bride.

Speaking about the possibility at the Rome Film Festival  where he was honoured with a lifetime achievement award  Tarantino said: "Why not?"

The filmmaker also explained that he is keen to delve into comedy as he described an unspecified Spaghetti Western project that he is planning, although he suggested that it might not be a film.

Tarantino said: "It's not like my next movie. It's a piece of something else that I'm thinking about doing  and I'm not going to describe what it is. But part of this thing, there is supposed to be a Spaghetti Western in it."

The 58-year-old director  whose previous credits include 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'Pulp Fiction'  continued: "I'm looking forward to shooting that (thing) because it's going to be really fun. Because I want to shoot it in the Spaghetti Western style where everybody's speaking a different language.

"The Mexican Bandido is an Italian; the hero is an American; the bad sheriff is a German; the Mexican saloon girl is Israeli. And everybody is speaking a different language."

Tarantino also discussed how he decided to become a director when he realised his passion for film while doing acting classes.

The 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' helmer said: "I realised that, not only did I love movies more than other kids in the class. But I cared about them, whereas I think they only cared about themselves. And the reason why is that I loved movies too much to be an actor.

"I didn't just want to appear in them: I wanted the movie to be my movie."

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

This article originally ran on celebretainment.com.

Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
When Maryland-based, NerdWallet editor Erin Hurd rescheduled a 2020 family trip to visit the Christmas markets in Europe to December 2021, she thought the trip would go according to plan. By then, she figured, her family would be vaccinated against COVID-19.

But as 2021 rolled on, her children remained too young to be vaccinated, and the pandemic brought on new variants. She ultimately decided to cancel their trip.

We decided not to go to Europe because the kids can catch COVID while traveling, or my husband or I could get a breakthrough case and then test positive before our flight home. We dont want to get stuck quarantining in Europe and have the kids miss school, Hurd says.

She adds, Good thing we had travel insurance when booking our trip.

Stories like this demonstrate the many moving parts you need to think about when booking international travel during the COVID era. Heres what to know to better prepare for the flexibility required.

Entry requirements vary by country

Due to the pandemic, planning a trip abroad involves familiarizing yourself with different countries specific entry requirements. Though countries generally require a combination of proof of vaccination, a PCR test and/or recovery from COVID-19 before entry, quarantine requirements for the unvaccinated differ, particularly when it comes to age.

COVID-19 vaccinations in the U.S. are currently only available to those ages 12 and older, and children under 12 may undergo stricter requirements before traveling internationally  but the requirements vary widely. For instance, to enter Germany, kids under 12 need to quarantine for five days, but don't need a test. To enter Italy, on the other hand, children six years and older who are accompanied by a parent have to take the pre-departure COVID-19 test, but children under six are exempt.

We might just travel domestically during the holidays so that we can still get away without having to worry about getting stuck abroad, Hurd says.

Borders may close without warning

Travelers must also be prepared for countries to close their borders to Americans, whether they're vaccinated or not.

Former NerdWallet employee Alexis Freund, who lives in Chicago, was invited with her boyfriend to a wedding in Lake Como, Italy. They planned a mini trip across Europe, which included flying to Amsterdam, taking the train to Switzerland and Italy, and then flying to Greece. But a week before departure, the Netherlands issued a notice that anyone arriving from the U.S. is required to quarantine  vaccinated or not. This requirement has since changed.

The couple decided to fly to Germany instead, but due to the fare difference, changing both tickets cost an extra $1,400. Then, the city they planned to visit in Switzerland was hit with a storm.

Freund canceled Switzerland and flew to Portugal instead.

Though we paid for the hotels and trains in advance, we were able to get our money back by using our credit cards travel insurance policy. Without it, we would've lost $1,200 on these expenses, Freund says.

Travel insurance can pad the unexpected

Because Freund had travel insurance and her reason for cancellation was covered, she was able to use the trip interruption perk  which allows travelers to recoup the unused portion of prepaid activities when plans change  to get a refund for those costs.

Similarly, Hurd was able to benefit from the travel insurance provided by her credit card. Our flights were booked with United points, but we paid the flight taxes with a travel rewards credit card. We were protected by its complimentary travel insurance. If we had booked our tickets with cash, we would have definitely bought stand-alone travel insurance, she says.

If youre planning on traveling during the pandemic and dont have a credit card that offers free travel insurance, consider purchasing a comprehensive policy. Then, if you need to change or cancel your travels, your prepaid trip plans will be reimbursed.

The cost of COVID tests can add up

You may need to add a new line item to your travel budget: COVID-19 tests.

As we were researching where to go in Europe, we realized wed need negative COVID tests to enter many countries. Instead of dealing with looking for a COVID testing center in each country we planned to visit  and potentially paying hundreds of dollars for each test  I ordered a six-pack of COVID tests from Abbott for $150, Freund says.

Abbott is just one example of an at-home testing kit that's been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration. These tests can be ordered online and shipped to your home; each test is proctored by a certified health professional during a video call.

Results can be accessed in various ways. For Abbott, test takers need to download an app to securely view a secure digital certificate with a QR code. Ahead of selecting an at-home test kit, confirm that a lab report is provided, which can satisfy certain entry requirements, such as returning to the U.S.

Proof may be required beyond the border

If youre not tech savvy or dont have a smartphone, you may encounter additional difficulties when traveling internationally during the pandemic. Some countries, such as Norway, have already transitioned to accepting only a QR code upon entry as proof of vaccination against COVID-19, a negative test result or recovery from the virus, essentially serving as a digital vaccine passport.

You may also need to keep this digital proof handy even beyond immigration.

We were asked to show our QR codes from the at-home PCR tests before entering Italy and the U.S., and also when visiting restaurants in Lisbon, Portugal, Freund says.

Be sure to pack your physical vaccine card just in case, too.

If youre going to travel abroad, be prepared to be flexible

Freund and Hurd both had to alter their travel plans due to the ongoing difficulties of traveling during the pandemic. If you plan to travel in the near future, consider using a credit card with travel insurance to pay for your trip plans, or purchase a separate trip insurance policy.

Most of all, be aware that you may need to change your plans altogether. It might be wise to book a domestic trip instead of an international one.

Elina Geller writes for NerdWallet. Email: egeller@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @themissmiles.

The article Traveling Abroad During COVID? Be Flexible to Change Plans originally appeared on NerdWallet.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
In the 12th century, the often-cranky English monk, historian, and part-time fashion critic Orderic Vitalis issued two laments about the hairstyles of elite Norman noblemen. One set, he moaned, parted their hair from the crown of the head to the forehead, grew long and luxurious locks like women. The others, Vitalis groaned, shave the front part of their head, like thieves, and let their hair grow very long in the back, like harlots. In other words, Vitalis would have hated The Last Duel.

Advertisement

The Last Duel is a story of male violence against women and against one another, drawn from a historical event that featured a judicial trial by combat over an allegation made by a knight, Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon), that the squire Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) had raped Jeans wife, Marguerite de Thibouville (Jodie Comer). This is serious stuff, but some people online have not been able to hold back a giggle at the mens hairstylesespecially Damons mullet.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Weve already covered a number of key ways that the movie engages with and deviates from our quite copious record of the event in medieval sources. But every film set in the Middle Ages has to make all kinds of choices about portraying a world centuries in the past, and this one engaged in a complicated blending of medieval, modern, and something in between for the mens hair, especially Damons. This effort to use hair to define status and character, especially the hair of the male protagonists, actually does have an important medieval basis: Not just the whiny Orderic Vitalis but lots of people in the Middle Ages were obsessed with hairstyles and what they might mean. In The Last Duel, the leads go to two extremes. We get one libertine, with long, extremely sexy, wavy locks, and one man who looks at the same time both austere and uncouth, with a mullet.

Advertisement

Adam Driver plays Jacques Le Gris, a squire who indulged in the art of seduction by recourse to Latin double-entendre, taken from manuals on courtly love. From a medieval perspective, the characters long hair appropriately reflects his interest in dalliances with the fair sex and in social climbing. Historically, by the time the trial by combat happened, Jacques was already over 50 and no longer, at least according to his lawyers, up for amorous adventures and able to engage in midnight orgies with the local count, but The Last Duel keeps the character young and virile.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Despite a long tradition of the most powerful men cultivating luscious long locks in the Middle Ages, some people, especially churchmen or the more moralistic type of secular authorities, worried that long hair for men meant trouble. Various biblical precepts they clung to declared that men must look like men, and women look like women. St. Paul, in Corinthians 11:14, for example, declares, If a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him. A womans long hair, meanwhile, is her glory. Long hair in women, between the time when Paul wrote and the time of The Last Duel, was a critical marker of difference. Anything that blurred this distinction, that made men look like women, risked gender-bending, making women of men.

Advertisement

Advertisement

But while, in the eyes of some, long hair made men look a bit too much like women, and therefore lascivious, it was nonetheless still widely popular and coveted. As with everything, what medieval norms proposed and what people actually did and thought are not the same (no more so than today). This was particularly true among the male nobilitywho were, it must be said, often fond of flouting the rules that some overly strict priests fruitlessly sought to impose on them.

Mullets came in for more abuse in some places and times in the Middle Ages, particularly when and where they were associated with Irish males. In 1297, the British Parliament condemned the degenerate English of modern times who wear Irish clothes, have their heads half shaved and grow their hair long at the back, calling this culan, making themselves like the Irish in clothing and appearance. (The word culan came from the Old Irish word cul, which meant back of the head.) As historian Robert Bartlett explains, the adoption of this hairstyle among English settlers in Ireland made it hard to tell them apart from the Irish population, and this just wouldnt do: Englishmen were being mistaken for Irishmen and killed as Irishmen, even though the killing of an Englishman and the killing of an Irishman required quite different punishments.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Matt Damons Jean de Carrouges has what looks to our modern eyes indisputably like a mullet, sides shaved, beard increasingly scraggly as the film wears on. This seems anachronistic, but, as Bartlett points out, and the observations of Orderic Vitalis make clear, there are certainly some medieval precursors. Even so, the hairstyle is seemingly much more out of place among Norman French courtiers of the 14th century than the long and excessively feminine locks of a Le Gris type. But, in making Carrouges look so unfashionable, the movie could be intending to show yet again how out of touch he was with his fellow Norman courtiers, his hair a visible sign of why he could not fit in with the in-crowd of Pierre, the Count of Alencon.

Advertisement

But then again, Count Pierre (Ben Affleck) has short hair. This could actually, once again, be somewhat accurate, in that kings, from the eighth-century monarch Charlemagne on, often favored shorter hair than their subjects, as a way to further demarcate social distinctions. As Pierre was a quite important lord, and one who was related to the king, Afflecks hairstyle could be sending that kind of signal about his status. Certainly, the movies King Charles VI wears his hair close-cropped (though images of the historical king tend to give him slightly longer hair, for what it is worth).

Advertisement

Advertisement

Of course, the film does have a female lead; indeed, the film is framed as finding her story. Her hair is perfect: a fairy-princess vision of medieval nobility that holds true to the ideal of female beauty in the sources. In the movie, Marguerites glorious hair moves from the free flowing or loosely braided locks of a girl to the flawless bejeweled crown of braids of a noble wife. Her hair perfectly expresses the ideal of medieval female beauty, long and blond, reflecting at the same time the problem of hair for women in the Middle Ages and the early modern period. The religious teachings of the time, and the societys moral code, stressed modesty for women, who should cover their hair, especially in church. At the same time, they were not supposed to try to be beautiful, but were, still, supposed to be beautiful to attract and keep husbands; they should be at once pure and virginal, and an object of desire. The actress Jodie Comers blond hair, bound in jewel-studded proto-Leia buns on either side of her head, sends that signal perfectly.

Advertisement

Advertisement

And so, to return to the question: Is the hair in The Last Duel accurate? We give the filmmakers a strict B-plus on the merits but a grade-inflated A, because its so fun to think of the long-gone Orderic Vitalis looking down from heaven and somehow catching sight of Matt Damons culan. A harlot and a thief, in one! What a bargain.
As the California state bar considers whether to initiate disciplinary proceedings against John Eastman for his role in Donald Trumps attempt to steal the 2020 election, the former dean of Chapman Law School has begun to mount a defense of his infamous legal memo on the January 6 scenario. In that memo, Eastman war gam[es] alternatives for allowing Mike Pence, in discharging his constitutional duty as vice president to count electoral votes, to discard votes from seven swing states, all of which had duly certified electors for Joe Biden at the time the memo was written. Just like the content of his memo, Eastmans defense threatens to subvert democratic institutions and established legal principles, this time by wriggling out of his responsibility as a lawyer sworn to uphold the rule of law to provide legal advice in accordance with professional standards of rigor, honesty, and justicestandards enforced by the state bar. By now arguingdespite the written words on the pages that he himself authored outlining how to circumvent the lawthat he orally counseled Pence to follow the law, Eastman seeks to avoid the bars authority to sanction lawyer misconduct based on documents providing improper legal advice. This defense, like the underlying advice, relies on misrepresentations that cannot go unchallenged.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to the Slatest Newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time.

In his recent attempt to justify his memo, first revealed by Bob Woodward and Robert Costas book Peril, Eastman makes two claims, one of which seems to confirm his guilt, while the other advances an all-too-convenient alibi that ultimately fails.

First, Eastman suggests that the public outcry over his purported complicity in Trumps coup attempt was based on bad reporting by the Washington Post and other outlets, which took statements from a preliminary version of his memo, not the complete memo, which Eastman says contains the final scenario he advised Pence to follow.

The problem is that the complete memo, to which Eastman hyperlinks, itself appears to constitute grounds for professional discipline. It contains several egregious inaccuracies about the electoral vote certification process in the swing states. After falsely asserting that important state election laws were altered or dispensed with altogether in key swing states, Eastman offers a list of more significant violations, included in which are false statements that Georgia refused to assign a judge to hear Trumps election challenge, that polling observers were illegally barred in Michigan and Pennsylvania, and that Nevada ballot signatures were not correctly inspected. Notably, Eastmans righteous defense of his memo conveniently fails to defend the veracity of these claimsbecause he cannot.

Advertisement

Advertisement

More seriously, Eastman used these factual inaccuracies to lay out a menu of legally dubious options for Pence to circumvent the 2020 election results. Although the memo begins with the option of upholding Bidens election by counting certified electors, its central focus is on options that result in TRUMP WINSwithout anywhere analyzing whether one is more legally defensible than any other. Under the first Trump wins scenario, Eastman advises that Pence could determine[] on his own which ballots were valid and discard those from states where the State Legislatures have not certified their own slates of electors  based on all the evidence and the letters from state legislators calling into question the certifications. What Eastman fails to note is that state legislatures do not generally have legal authority to certify electors; that authority resides with executive officials, who had already certified electors despite numerous attempts by a few Trump stalwarts (and, in Georgia, by Trump himself) to prevent it. Perhaps recognizing this weakness, Eastmans memo then sets forth an even more radical option: that Pence could simply reject certified electors from swing states outright based on ongoing election disputes, throwing the election to the House, where Trump would prevail. Again, Eastman conveniently fails to add that Trump had lost more than 60 lawsuits challenging the election (with only one trivial victory)including cases that were rejected by federal appellate courts and ignored by the Supreme Courtwhile the only other election disputes were being advanced in state legislatures by pro-Trump conspiracists.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

In the final scenario (which Eastman now claims he recommended), the memo relies on this same subterfuge about the validity of ongoing election challenges to opine that Pence could adjourn Congress and delay the count until the challenges were resolvedpresumably including challenges like the one recently completed in Arizona eight months after the Electoral College count, which actually added to Bidens margin of victory there. In a conclusion underscoring that the memo was never really about providing sound legal advice based on the truth, Eastman concludes: BOLD, Certainly. But this Election was Stolen by a strategic Democratic plan to systematically flout existing election laws for partisan advantage; were no longer playing by Queensbury Rules, therefore. In other words, by falsely claiming the Democrats were cheating, Eastman suggests Trump should cheat too.

Advertisement

There are four fundamental problems with the memo from the standpoint of a lawyers professional responsibility to follow the rules of ethical conduct set forth by the state bar:

First, it is egregiously bad lawyering, making inaccurate claims about the factual record and twisting the 12th Amendment and Electoral Count Act beyond reasonable interpretation based on inapt precedent and misconstrued citations.

Second, it does not demonstrate independent legal judgment, as lawyers counseling clients are required to exercise, but rather presents a tendentious view designed to advance a predetermined end, which is prohibited. Lawyers counseling clients are required to explicitly tell them about the weaknesses and risks of proposed legal courses of action. They are not permitted to present unsupported options without judging their relative legal merits or spin facts and law when advising clients on how to actyet that is precisely what Eastmans memo did.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Third, the memo counsels Eastmans client, defeated President Donald Trump, on how to overthrow a legitimately elected President Joe Biden, effectively assisting his client to commit a public fraud in violation of core democratic rules protecting free and fair elections and the peaceful transition of power.

Advertisement

And fourth, following the last point, it subverts the rule of law and administration of justice that Eastman, like all lawyers, is sworn to uphold.

In all of these respects, the Eastman memo calls to mind another infamous legal memo written by thenOffice of Legal Counsel lawyer John Yoo, which authorized the use of torture in violation of international and federal law. The Torture Memo was found by the Department of Justices Office of Professional Responsibility to be so lacking in basic legal rigor that it constituted a failure to exercise independent professional judgment. By comparison, the Eastman memo makes the Torture Memo look like a paragon of legal reasoning.

Advertisement

It therefore makes sense that Eastman would try to wriggle out with this second line of defense: that, while he wrote the memo, he ultimately told Pence orally, in the Oval Office, not to exercise all of the authority that the memo clearly stated Pence had. In Eastmans account, he told Pence that it would be foolish for him to discard electors in the absence of state certification of alternative Trump electors and that, instead, he was advising Pence to delay the proceedings at the request of these state legislatures so they could look into the matter. This defense should not absolve Eastman from professional discipline by the bar.

Advertisement

Advertisement

For one, the advice Eastman now admits giving was itself fatally flawedsince there were no legitimate challenges remaining and no state legislatures had requested that proceedings be delayed. In short, Eastmans admitted advice advanced a legally frivolous argument, based on false factual claims, designed to advance a catastrophic result: overturning a legitimate presidential election.

Advertisement

As seriously, Eastmans self-defense takes a position that, if followed, would wreak havoc on the bars authority to discipline lawyers based on documented evidence of misconduct. By asking that the bar judge a lawyers written legal advice not based on what it explicitly recommends but rather on what the lawyer may (or may not) have orally stated in a client meeting, Eastmans defense threatens the rule of law, both because it ignores the fact that lawyers have an affirmative obligation to ensure their legal opinions analyze options provided to clients, and because it would provide an all-too-easy end run around professional regulation.

Advertisement

Indeed, the fact that Eastman now says he disclaimed the most egregious parts of his memo is evidence that he should not have written those parts in the first instance. Moreover, his defense constitutes a highly convenient alibi since the only ones in the room when Eastman allegedly called his own legal analysis foolish were Trump, Pence, and some of Pences aides. Eastman points to an aides statement to the New York Times as corroboration, but this too should be viewed with a massive degree of skepticism given the anonymity of the sourcing and that all parties involved, including Pence, benefit from the narrative being peddled.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Ultimately, the bar should not lightly accept Eastmans defense of his memo, which boils down to I didnt really mean it. If that were enough to avoid professional sanction for a written legal product, then every smoking gun memo demonstrating lawyer misconduct could be waved away by the same convenient disclaimer that the advice on the page was not what the lawyer really meant to convey.

Eastman, of course, deserves due process at the bar, which will have to prove that he violated the rules by clear and convincing evidence. In my view, the memo speaks for itself in meeting that standard and justifying professional sanction. Dont let Eastmans addition of alternative facts obscure the real ones.
The rise of small-dollar campaign donations, harvested digitally via email and social media, has changed United States politics. Ideologically ambitious or otherwise risky-seeming candidates who might not have been viable in earlier eras have been able to run successful races by appealing directly to voters for financial support. Taken in combination with the feeling of alarmed helplessness that many Americans experienced during Donald Trumps presidency, the small-dollar infrastructure generated an almost embarrassingly huge amount of funding for Democratic candidates in 2018 and 2020.

Advertisement

Not all of it was allocated efficiently. In particular, rank-and-file Dem donorsabetted by the questionable decision-making of party kingmakersdumped bales of digital dollars on 2020 Kentucky Senate candidate Amy McGrath, who was running against thenSenate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. McGrath raised $94 million for her campaign, more than all but three other Senate candidates of either partyexcluding those in Georgia whose races went to a runoffand then lost to McConnell by 19.6 points. Bad! In South Carolina, meanwhile, Jaime Harrison raised a record $131 million for his challenge to Sen. Lindsey Graham, and lost by 10 points.*

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to the Slatest Newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time.

In fairness to those who donated to Harrison, there were a number of polls that showed him having at least a chance at winning. No such polls existed in McGraths race. The digital fundraising machine, though, basically runs itself: If a sufficiently charismatic candidate claims they can deliver comeuppance to a high-profile Republican villain who attracts Democratic donor attention, money will flow to their campaign. The biggest villain of all is Trump, whose anti-appeal is so potent you dont even have to be running for office to raise money off him. Take Seth Abramson, a guy who asks for (and gets! I guessits wild) donations to tweet other peoples articles about the ex-president, or the legendary Krassenstein brothers, who, if I have this straight, tried to turn Robert Mueller into Bitcoin. (There was also Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, who raised $7 million for a recount campaign in 2016 that, as you may have noticed, did not end up overturning the result of the election.)

Advertisement

In other words, the continuum of wasteful #resistance fundraising runs from the arguably well intentioned to the, lets say, fishy. And there are signs that whats happening right now in notorious conspiracy theorist Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes district is closer to the latter end of the spectrum. As journalist Stephen Fowler and election researcher Rob Pyers point out, the Democrats competing to run against Greeneparticularly a cowboy-hat-wearing gentleman named Marcus Flowers who has a nose for publicityare raising a awful lot of money:

In the last six months, four Democrats have collectively outraised Marjorie Taylor Greene, $3.8 million to ~$3 million, with nearly 80% coming from small-dollar donations.



(They've also outspent her, and a good chunk is going to consultants in the *very* red district) pic.twitter.com/TkwBSI00Bx  stephen fowler (@stphnfwlr) October 18, 2021

Advertisement

Advertisement

Uh-oh...a bit of a slump relative to Q2. Marcus Flowers, running against Marjorie Taylor Greene in the safely red #GA14, dips to $1.3 million raised in Q3. After burning $885.8K to keep his consultants fed, he ends w/$1.08 million on hand.https://t.co/Yzvcb31vcs pic.twitter.com/IGUBWorZok  Rob Pyers (@rpyers) October 16, 2021

Advertisement

The catch here that both allude to is that Greenes district, Georgias 14th, is super-super-Republican: She won it in 2020 by a 7525 margin over a Democrat whod effectively dropped out of the doomed race because of personal problems. That was also the approximate margin by which Donald Trump won the district in both of the last two elections. A Democrat is never, ever, ever going to beat Greene in 2022and if reporting in the New Republic is any indication, that Democrat is definitely not going to be Flowers, a political unknown who has been evasive about his past work as military contractor (one of the few things we know is that he was paid by the government for translation services performed in Romania) and extremely tumultuous divorce from a Russian woman he met in Afghanistan. (One of the things he admits to in court documents, according to TNR, is trying to get her out of the home where they lived by dropping her at a homeless shelter.)

Advertisement

Flowers 0.00 percent chance of winning his race isnt mentioned on his pages for the well-known ActBlue or VoteVets donor platforms, nor is it mentioned in the online advertising that Democratic firms like Run the World Digital have been paid to do on his behalf. (Ive asked Run the World if it has any comment on its work with Howard and will update this post if it responds.) Luckily for them, many of the Democratic partys resistance donors dont stop and ask the obvious questions, such as who a candidate is and whether they might win their election, before sending off their money.
Across the country, legislators are carving up their states along political and racial lines to create new districts for the 2022 election. The lawmakers now have sweeping discretion to entrench their own parties power thanks to the Supreme Courts conservatives who have greenlighted partisan gerrymandering and abandoned real limits on racial gerrymandering. Republicans are aggressively diluting the votes of Black and Hispanic residents in diverse states like Texas. Meanwhile, Democrats in blue states like Illinois are packing GOP voters into a few deep-red districts (though most support a federal ban on the practice). However, the most distorted districts of the next election cycle may be in South Carolina, a state whose redistricting process has received little national attention thus far. Thats because South Carolina lawmakers may be able to pull off an extreme gerrymander next year by doing nothing at all.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to the Slatest Newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time.

In fact, the states current maps are worse than gerrymandered; they are malapportioned, with wildly uneven populations across legislative and congressional districts. Malapportionment is the original and most insidious form of partisan redistricting because it gives certain voters in a state far more influence over elections than others simply because of where they live. The Supreme Court outlawed malapportionment in 1964s Reynolds v. Sims and Wesberry v. Sanders. But in a lawsuit filed last week, the ACLU and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund alleged that South Carolina is attempting to revive the practice by refusing to update their maps, effectively running down the clock on the 2022 election. The case could test whether this Supreme Court remains committed to the bedrock democratic principle of one person, one vote. Alarmingly, it is an open question whether five justices are willing to uphold Reynolds and Wesberry.

Advertisement

When Americans think of gerrymandering today, they typically envision whats happening in Texas and Illinois: politicians choosing their voters by dividing them up into districts with roughly equal populations but unequal racial or partisan compositions. For most of American history, though, the practice was more insidious. Legislators routinely created districts with divergent populations, placing far more voters in urban districts than rural ones. As J. Douglas Smith documents in On Democracys Doorstep, these gulfs in population were staggering. In 1960, for instance, Vermont had House districts with as few as 38 people and as many as 33,000. New Jerseys Senate districts ranged from 48,555 people to 923,545, Georgias from 13,050 to 556,326, Idahos from 915 to 93,460, Arizonas from 3,868 to 331,755, and Californias from 14,294 to 6 million. Congressional districts werent much better. In 10 states, the largest House district had more than twice the number of residents as the smallest. In Texas, the largest district was four times more populous than the smallest. In Michigan, the ratio exceeded 7 to 1.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

These malapportioned maps were discriminatory in both intent and effect. Americas cities were filled with racial minorities, immigrants, Catholics, and Jews. To prevent these disfavored groups from gaining control of state legislatures or the House of Representatives, racist and nativist politicians packed city dwellers into a few gigantic districts, then spread (predominantly white) rural residents throughout the rest. As a result, white, rural voters had far more voting power than their diverse, urban counterparts. To take the most extreme example, if you lived in Vermonts smallest House district in 1960, your vote counted about 868 times more than a resident of the largest House district.

South Carolinas legislative and congressional districts indisputably violate one person, one vote.

The Supreme Court finally put a stop to this anti-democratic state of affairs in Reynolds and Wesberry, ruling that constitutional principles of equality require one person, one vote. A states legislative and congressional districts needed to have nearly equal populations. To achieve this goal, the court compelled states to redraw their districts after each decennial census. Thats why after the 2020 census most state legislatures are now deep in the weeds of new maps.

Advertisement

Not South Carolinas. The state has taken a lackadaisical approach to redistricting: Rather than redraw maps this fall, both houses of the state legislature adjourned with no plans to hold a special session and no timeline for redistricting. It appears the legislature will not reconvene until January 2022, 11 weeks before candidates are obligated to announce their run for office and six months before the primaries. Redistricting is almost always a complex, drawn-out process that requires months of negotiations. And it is especially contentious and time-consuming in South Carolina, whose maps have been litigated every decade since 1970. Federal courts have repeatedly found that state lawmakers malapportioned districts in violation of the one person, one vote rule.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Today, South Carolinas legislative and congressional districts indisputably violate one person, one vote. As the new lawsuit points out, the states population has shifted dramatically since the state last redrew maps in 2001: It has grown more racially diverse and seen greater growth in cities than in rural regions. The states 1st Congressional District, for instance, is 12 percent overpopulated with 818,893 residents, while its 6th Congressional District is 12 percent underpopulated with just 646,463. The state House is much worse: Its 45th District has 66,141 residentsabout twice as many as three other districts. Election officials in South Carolina would never let voters cast two ballots in one election because of where they happen to live. But if lawmakers dont overhaul the maps, they will give residents of these underpopulated districts twice as much voting power as those who live in the 45th.

Advertisement

To prevent this anti-democratic outcome, a legal coalition led by the ACLU and NAACP LDF urged a federal court to declare the current maps unconstitutional and prepare alternative, lawful maps in case the legislature fails to act. These lawyers argue that the court must act now to prevent the state from dragging its feet until the election looms and then insisting that its too late to change anything. The lawyers know the window for action is already closing. In the run-up to the 2020 election, the Supreme Courts conservatives repeatedly stopped lower courts from altering voting laws by citing the Purcell principle, which counsels courts against last-minute changes to election procedure. These decisions were so egregious that House Democrats sought to repeal the Purcell principle in their latest voting rights legislation. If lawyers wait to sue until its undeniable that the legislature wont draw fair maps for 2022, they may run directly into this roadblock.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Due to a quirk in federal law, this case must be heard by a three-judge district court, whose decision is directly appealable to the Supreme Court. If a party appeals, SCOTUS is legally required to decide the case; a federal statute compels the justices to decide redistricting challenges. So the litigation has very high stakes. Conservatives have long despised the one person, one vote principle, alleging that it has no basis in the Constitution. In a 2016 decision, Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito expressed deep hostility toward one person, one vote; Thomas insisted that there is no single correct method of apportioning state legislatures. And in 2019s Rucho v. Common Cause, which allowed partisan gerrymandering, the conservative majority did not cite precedents mandating equality across electoral districts despite their relevance to the case. Instead, the majority evinced quiet skepticism toward Reynolds and Wesberry, refusing to give them any weight.

Advertisement

The Supreme Court does not even need to formally overturn one person, one vote to abolish it in practice. Just as it functionally ended Roe v. Wade in Texas by declining to enforce it, SCOTUS could eradicate equal representation by letting South Carolina flout it through procedural roadblocks like the Purcell principle. The move could lead more state legislatures to malapportion their districts to give favored constituents the equivalent of multiple votes in each election. Todays gerrymanders are bad enough without malapportionment. But if the Supreme Court lets Reynolds and Wesberry fall, it will permit Republicans to unwind democracy by ensuring that their supporters cast the only votes that count.
The process of running for governor in Virginia seems designed to make politicos nervous. Since the mid-1800s, the state has held off-year gubernatorial elections. That means no drafting off some popular presidential nominee or superstar senatoryou gotta build your own coalition. And since there arent many other elections to talk about, this race is guaranteed to get a lot of attention. You cant hide from the strategists and journalists next door in Washington who are looking to divine meaning from your electorate.

Advertisement

Novembers gubernatorial race is between Democrat Terry McAuliffe, who served as governor of Virginia four years ago, and Republican Glenn Youngkin, who has never been elected to anything. The last time a Republican won statewide office was in 2009, but the right seems particularly energized this yearand that has Democrats worried. On Wednesdays episode of What Next, I spoke to Ben Paviour, state politics reporter for VPM, about whos up, whos down, and what, if anything, Virginia can tell us about the national political mood going into 2022. This conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Mary Harris: For the last decade or so, theres been a story political people have told themselves about Virginia. It goes like this: Suburban voters have been turning against ugly Republican talking points. As a result, an increasingly diverse and urbane place like Virginia is getting purpler and purpler.

Advertisement

Just two years ago, Democrats were celebrating an immense victory: having flipped the state House of Delegates and state Senate. The governor and both senators were Dems too. It seemed like a turning point. But the tight margins in this years gubernatorial contest have made some people start to question that logic.

Ben Paviour: The polls have become closer and closer. McAuliffe has around a 3-point edge in the average of polls. It, I think, is really going to come down to turnout. And so what were seeing is both candidates really trying to gin up enthusiasm, make sure people know theres an election and just get them to the polls.

The national mood is hugely important in Virginia. Theres a tradition stretching back 30-plus years that the party that won the White House loses Virginias off-year election the next year, they lose the governors race in Virginia the next year. The only person to break that streak was Terry McAuliffe in 2013.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The fact that their candidate this year beat the odds last time around is one of the things giving Democrats hope. Governors in Virginia are prohibited from serving consecutive terms, which is why McAuliffe is running again after a four-year break. Hes been a party stalwart for decades.

He was a fundraiser, head of the DNC for a stretch in the early 2000s.

He was a fundraiser for the Clintons.

Exactly. Tight connections to a number of high-profile Democrats. Staged his first run in 2009, didnt win the nomination. Democrats ended up losing that year in Virginia. Ran again in 2013. Pulled off a narrow win against Ken Cuccinelli, the Republican who served for a stretch in the Trump administration down the road. And McAuliffe presided over a legislature that was heavily Republican, so he faced challenges in getting much done, and he spent a lot of his time focusing on economic development. He was all over the place trying to ink economic deals that would bring jobs and manufacturing and that kind of thing to Virginia.

Advertisement

Advertisement

It sounds like such an old-school Democrat kind of vibe.

Very much so. I mean, hes somebody who backed the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, this big infrastructure project that was going to come through Virginia, which was canceled last year. He ran on that platform, as a centrist Democrat, which has played very well with the Virginia electorate in the last 20 years. And his tune has changed a little bit since then, but I think he is still running on what he did as governor, particularly his economic development and focusing on jobs, on the economy, those sorts of things.

Advertisement

It seems to me the major selling point of Terry McAuliffe is his connection to D.C. But were at such a funny moment where Joe Biden is working like hell to get his agenda passed, but reaching a lot of roadblocks when it comes to Congress. How is McAuliffe handling that on the campaign trail?

Advertisement

Recently, he has really stepped up calls for Congress to pass the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package. I think he wants a tangible win to take voters on the campaign trail from this administration and from the Democratic-controlled Congress. That said, I dont think thats his only platform. I think he could still win if they dont do that. Its quite likely they wont do that before Election Day. Hes also talking a lot about the pandemic and a lot about Donald Trump, and I think those other issues could help him. Well see.

The Republican nominee, Glenn Youngkin, is doing this funny two-step of being a Republican in a state with a history of conservatism, but over the last few years has done this step back from Republican base politics. So how is Youngkin presenting himself? Is he presenting himself as someone whos aligned with Trump?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Its a real dance with Youngkin on the relationship with Trump. Its worth pointing out that I think a year ago, so few Republicans even knew who Glenn Youngkin was. He had stepped down as CEO of the Carlyle Group, this private equity firm. He was not a known name in Virginia politics by any stretch of the imagination. Never been in public service, something he stresses a lot on the campaign trail. And he just kind of swooped into the scene for this Republican nomination fight. I remember going to an event, I think it was in April or May before they held this convention, and some of the other candidates were there and spoke and they had kind of low-key presence. And then Youngkin came in and you could tell there was a sort of celebrity aura around him among Republicans, even at that point. People kind of rushed over to take their photos.

Advertisement

Just because he had a lot of money?

He had already sort of established his name. He was buying TV ads, which in some cases talked about his connection to Trump. Trump mentioned the Carlyle Group and his name in a speech once, and they used that clip in an early ad. And so he was running as somebody who could hold the Trump base together, but who could also appeal to a certain kind of maybe moderate voter who has drifted away from Republicans.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Ive heard him described as a country club Republican. Hes tall, hes handsome, hes charismatic. When you meet him, hes very personable. And a lot of the campaign hes spent talking about things like education and eliminating the grocery tax. And so hes kind of talking to the Trump base at moments and then also talking to these other voters. And if the polls are to be believed, he seems to be successfully threading that needle. Whether itll win him the election, thats another story.

Advertisement

Advertisement

It sounds a little bit like Mitt Romney 2.0.

I think he would be flattered by that comparison, although his supporters, probably some of them would not be. Hes built an interesting tent. Theres people like state Sen. Amanda Chase in Virginia, who has paid visits to Arizona to watch the air-quote audit that happened there. Shes been someone whos stumped quite a bit for him, talks a lot about election integrity and how Youngkins gonna strengthen elections. Youngkin himself has made various nods to that. He was very evasive early on on whether there was any widespread fraud when I asked him that back in the convention, and then as soon as he won the convention, his tune changed, he said Biden was legitimately elected president. His campaign actually took down some of his old videos around certain topics like election integrity. And he still talks about it, but its not the issue that hes personally taking to the polls. Hes relying on other surrogates to kind of carry that message to the more Trump-aligned base.

Advertisement

Advertisement

He had this decision point last week because Steve Bannon wanted to hold a rally for him. What happened?

So that rally happened in suburban Richmond, and Steve Bannon is actually a resident of the Richmond area. It was a litany of conspiracy theories around the 2020 election. Bannon had some pretty incendiary rhetoric around getting in peoples faces. There was a lot of material from the Trump days that showed Trumps movement is alive and well, and Trump himself phoned in to endorse Youngkin again.

I think the moment that kind of crystallized this event was when the organizers brought out a flag that they said was flown over, in their words, a peaceful rally on Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol. And the crowd pledged allegiance to this flag. That of course made some headlines the next day, and Youngkin at first kind of dodged questions around whether he endorsed that kind of action and then ultimately distanced himself from it. He said it was weird and wrong to pledge allegiance to that flag. He didnt disavow Trump, which is something McAuliffe and the Democrats wanted to hear from him. So it kind of speaks to the position that Youngkins in with the Republicans broadly.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

I think part of the challenge is the Trumpier he is, the better it is for the Democrats, so theyre kind of embracing this rush to push him into the same boat as Trump. They went as far as chartering a plane over Mar-a-Lago to taunt Donald Trump over Youngkin, because Youngkin wouldnt campaign with him. And it just seems like the trolling on both sides makes the situation intractable, where theyre not actually talking about what might matter to voters.

I completely agree, and its frustrating as a politics reporter to try to get through to the issues.

What do the voters say to you when you talk to them about this race? Do they roll their eyes?

Advertisement

Not completely. I think especially the voters who are solidly in one camp feel like there are real policy decisions at stake, particularly around abortion, around voting rights and voting access, around education and school curriculum on the right. I do think people very strongly believe that theres policies that will change and be affected by whos nominated. But I think the tenor of the rhetoric is very much kind of aligned with the general national mood and the national political debate, which seems to be seeping down not just to the state but to school boards, where weve seen people harassed. Theres these really intense meetings about, in Virginias case, whether to adopt policies that protect transgender students or whether to ban the teaching of critical race theory in schools. So from my vantage point, those debates seem to be, if anything, saturating further down and getting more and more local.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Before this governors race, Virginia was making headlines for raucous, drawn-out school board meetings, where parents were waging a battle over what they called critical race theory. The meetings in one district, Loudoun County, got especially contentious, and they were recorded.

Advertisement

There was a big outcry there that the teachers, because theyve gone through trainings on racial sensitivity and on fighting discriminationIm paraphrasing herethat critical race theory was an element in some of those trainings, and therefore that got kind of exploded into this idea that critical race theory was pervasive in schools and that students, white students in particular, were being taught to hate themselves.

So how did that debate, which had been going on in the spring and a little bit in the summer, become such a big part of the governors race now, in the fall?

Advertisement

I think its just because for Republicans, they see the amount of energy and anger on some of their supporters and some conservatives, and they see that as a channel to win.

Many political operatives are looking to this race to give them guidance: Will these school board fights drive voters to the polls? If so, we might be hearing a lot more about critical race theory in the 2022 midterm elections. But you arent so sure Virginias experience will map cleanly onto other states.

Advertisement

Advertisement

I think partly just based on its kind of a vaguely swingy state, right next to D.C., and especially at this point Virginias demographics have changed so much, I dont know that if McAuliffe winsas the polling shows hes on track toeven if narrowly, that that will give us a clear message about 2022. A lot could happen in between. The pandemic has been so unpredictable.

Virginia likes to think of itself as a microcosm for the rest of the country, but is it really? Its such a complicated state. I dont know that the state encapsulates the whole of the countrys political mood in one moment. Theres just so many factors that go into winning. And in this case, moneys important. Democrats have a huge cash advantage. They have resources at their ready. I think if Republicans win, then that maybe is something of an index on the national mood. But whether its a prediction or whether theres some deeper message in that for the political fortunes going forward, I dont know that thats really the case.

Subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts

Get more news from Mary Harris every weekday.
Over the summer, a video by a woman named Ellie Botoman appeared in my TikTok feed. In it, Botoman used a popular sound from a mid-2000s Nike commercial of LeBron James saying, Oh, lord. TikTokkers often use it to tell stories of revelation, and in Botomans video, it plays while she sips a mug in her well-appointed apartment. The text above her reads: When you realize that allergies/asthma across north america got worse [because] landscapers + city planners thought male trees were easier to maintain. The climax of the video is Botoman sharing this realization: Youre sneezing and congested all day [because] of botanical sexism.

Advertisement

Soon after, crop scientist Sarah Taber wrote a Twitter thread breaking down why the botanical sexism theory is bunk. That also went viral. This male trees are a capitalist scam idea worked its way to TikTok from a hustler named Tim Ogren, she wrote in the threads introduction. (Ogrens first name is actually Thomas, and he often goes by Tom.) Spreading this disinfo around is just doing free advertising for him. Tabers identification of Ogren as the center of the theory led me to go back and review news stories from the past decade and a half about the phenomenon; every single one I found either includes Ogren as the primary source or quotes from his op-eds in Scientific American or the New York Times.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Botomans TikTok was just the most recent viral propagation of the conceptit received more than 26,000 shares and 465,000 likes. Users riffed on the idea in the comments: Patreearchy, one wrote. MEN LITERALLY RUIN EVERYTHING, wrote another. Others threw out companion theories they thought further explained the phenomenon: female trees produce fruit and capitalists dont want us eating for free, one wrote. And as fall allergies set in, it appears the idea is making the rounds again.

But the idea of botanical sexism has been around since at least the midaughts, cyclically appearing each spring or summer alongside allergy season. Male plants have been popular because they dont produce messy fruit or seed podsbut they are responsible for most of the pollen in the air, an NPR reporter wrote in a 2006 article that, naturally, quoted Ogren.

Advertisement

Botanical sexism is one of those tantalizing ideas that claims that something we see every daythe trees in our literal backyards!might have a much deeper story, if only we looked closer. Equally intriguing is the idea that Ogren, as the creator of this concept, might be some kind of hustler, as Taber claims: Who doesnt love a good old-fashioned grift? (And in particular: Has any other grift involved tree pollen, of all things?) But how much can we really blame botanical sexism for our allergies? The answer is, predictably, more complicated than any pithy TikTok or tweet thread can adequately convey.

First, lets break down the main claims of botanical sexism. Mainstream explanations of the theorysuch as Botomans TikTokfocus on an overabundance of male trees as the root cause of this issue. In that 2006 NPR piece on the idea, Robert Siegel parrots this talking point: The reason that theres so much pollen in the air is that there are so many male as opposed to female trees and plants around. Is that right? he asks Ogren, who replies: Thats right, Robert. In urban landscapes, theres virtually no sexual diversity. Theres a big preponderance of male trees and shrubs and a scarcity of females. When discussing this supposed overproliferation of male trees, Ogren and reporters often include one detail as evidence for the theory: that the 1949 USDA Yearbook of Agriculturethe government itself!recommended planting male trees only. This advice was given to readers: When used for street plantings, only male trees should be selected, to avoid the nuisance from the seed,  Ogren wrote in a 2015 Scientific American op-ed.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Later in that piece, Ogren says that to stop what he calls the allergy epidemic, he recommends planting female trees, which trap and remove large amounts of pollen from the air. Local communities could also take up pollen ordinances and avoid planting pollen-heavy trees; to determine pollenicity, he offers up OPALS, a pollen-rating scale he created in 2000.

Advertisement

Tabers and Ogrens claims seem diametrically opposed, and each feels strongly that the other has got it wrong.

In her debunking thread, Taber calls Ogren a hustler in the very first tweet. Spreading this disinfo around is just doing free advertising for him, she says. She takes issue with a key tenet of the botanical sexism idea: There are no male vs. female trees for most species. It is impossible to plant only male trees, she writes. This is true; while some trees are dioecious, meaning there are distinct male and female individuals, the vast majority are not. A forester at the University of Georgia School of Forestry estimated that globally, only about 5 percent of trees are dioecious; the rest are monoecious, cosexual, or polygamous, meaning a single tree can have both male and female reproductive organs.

Advertisement

Also, theres no vast conspiracy to plant only male trees, Taber says. She sent me a link to the 1949 USDA Yearbook. Indeed, while Ogrens telling paints the Department of Agricultures words as a broad recommendation for male trees in general, the passage is actually specifically about cottonwoods. The next sentence describes how those seeds clog sewers and drainpipes, and that, in general, cottonwoods have weak wood and one should avoid planting them on any streets, lest a strong storm take a tree down.

Advertisement

As for whether planting female trees could help, Taber is a hard no. Pollen is so cheap that trees can afford to make extra. Like, a LOT of extra, she writes. This is just how plants pollinatethey release a ton of pollen, hoping that at least some of it finds its way to the right place. The hopes of controlling pollen, or making it go away entirely, are selling rich hypochondriacs a sense of control, she told me. Its taking advantage of their fears.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Tabers and Ogrens claims seem diametrically opposed, and each feels strongly that the other has got it wrong. (If youve ever seen the meme of two Spider-Mans pointing at each other, thats how I felt after talking to both of them.) To get an outside view on all this, I spoke with Rita Sousa Silva, an urban ecologist at the University of Quebec at Montreal who has studied tree pollen allergenicity, and she highlighted some nuances missing from both Ogrens core theory and Tabers thread.

First, lets consider the claim that male trees are more prevalent than female trees in the urban landscape. Unfortunately there is very little solid data on this, and what I was able to find actually originates with Ogren, who was paid to do an allergy assessment of several Canadian cities. At the time, there were some local media stories about it; for instance, Vancouvers city planner says that 30 percent of the trees planted by the city were male cultivars. Still, that only includes city-planted trees; individual homeowners plant trees, too, and many trees predate modern cities.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

What Taber claims is true, says Sousa Silvabut the trees that are planted in urban areas are a small subsample of what exists in nature, so there is a chance that there are more male trees in cities. Even dioecious trees can be cultivated to lack female qualities, like dropping messy seeds and inedible fruit. Both planners and homeowners might have preferences for trees based on these qualities, but that doesnt make it sexism. You choose maple trees because you want red leaves in winter, or you choose fruit trees because you want berries or apples, not because youre picking a female or male tree, she says.

Advertisement

Sousa Silva also takes the middle road on whether tree selection could affect allergies. In theory, [female trees] would at least remove part of the pollen in the air, says Sousa Silva, but, as Taber pointed out, wind-pollinated trees release large amounts of pollen, and theres no getting around that. Is the solution, then, planting low allergenicity plants, a la Ogrens OPALS scale? A greater diversity of plants can help, Sousa Silva says, but she expressed some reservations about the OPALS scale. When trying to use the scale in her own work, Sousa Silva was struck by its opaque rating system, which she says has no scientific backgroundthere is no internally consistent system to weigh the various factors Ogren says he incorporates. For some plants she knows well, she disagrees with Ogrens OPALS ratings. To truly determine allergenicity, she would want to have more data about the local environment: How prevalent is the plant, and are the people in its direct vicinity actually allergic to it?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Unfortunately, that information is also hard to come by. Generating detailed data about urban plantscapes is a huge undertaking for any community, and different people are, of course, allergic to different things. And even these individual tests for allergenicity can be flawed. Generally, allergy testing relies on skin pricks; a person is poked with an extract from a potential allergen, and if their skin develops a reaction, they are considered allergic. But because medical companies only manufacture certain samples for tests, a person living in the U.S. being tested for, say, a birch tree allergy, will likely be tested using an extract from Sweden, because thats where samples were developed, says Sousa Silva. That sample might be quite different from the birch in your yard.

Advertisement

Ogren is not wrong that seasonal allergies seem to be worsening. The main culprit, though, is most likely climate change, which triggers plants to release more pollen during longer allergy seasons. And while planting more female cultivars might reduce the overall amount of pollen in the air, its not exactly practical to cut down every male cultivar and replace it with a female. Rather, says Sousa Silva, we could focus on planting a variety of trees, especially those that are insect-pollinated, as they release much less pollen than trees that rely on wind pollination. That will take urban ecologists, public health experts, allergists, and other experts putting their heads together. You need a team with different expertise, she says. Theres no silver bullet.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Perhaps if we are more thoughtful about what trees we plant, we can avoid making allergy season even worse. And in fact, for years, Ogren was giving interviews about this idea without calling it botanical sexism. And his use of the term has evolved over time. The earliest mention of the term I could find was in a Globe and Mail article from 2011, in which Ogren apparently says people should practice botanical sexism by choosing only female plants to avoid allergies. In the mid-2010s, though, it seems that Ogren and those covering his work had pivoted to use the phrase to refer to bias against female plants instead.

I was fascinated by this pivot; it seems like the evocative moniker for the phenomenon in no small part drives its popularity. I asked Ogren about the term, and whether he feels that it represents sexism. He tells me a story about his wifethat years ago, when they first got married, she had terrible allergies, and Ogren read a book about psychosomatic illness and became convinced that his wife needed to just buck up and get over it. Eventually, while teaching in a prison, he discovered that even tough guys had allergies and discovered the error of his ways. When I was young, there was so much more sexism, he says. I believed that book on psychosomatic symptoms. The whole attitude about the thing was sexist. And so when he discovered this potential imbalance of tree representation, it seems he was eager to call that sexist, too.

And that idea has clearly caught on. In this cultural moment, when sexism appears to be everywhere, and conspiracy theories about those in power run rampant, its no surprise the concept has some mass appeal. If youre under 45, your life already blows, says Taber. Everyones trying to make sense of why everything sucks, and this story about botanical sexism is perfect at tapping into that.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
This article originally appeared in the Record by Recorded Future.

Westmoreland, Kansas, is the seat of Pottawatomie County and home to about 750 of its 25,000 residents. The town was a stop on the Oregon Trail and is littered with references to that network of covered wagons that carried hundreds of thousands of people across the American west in the mid-1800s.

But in recent weeks it was the site of another modern migrationthis one of data, stolen from Pottawatomie Countys computers by cybercriminals who paralyzed their systems with ransomware and left some services inaccessible to residents for weeks.

Advertisement

The infiltration and the countys reaction highlight the complicated economic, financial, and social factors at play when local government systems are compromisedincluding just how much information is at stake and how such attacks should be disclosed to the communities they serve.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Pottawatomie County discovered the attack on Sept. 17, public information officer Becky Ryan told local television station WIBW a few days later. It ultimately paid the attackers offbut not the full amount, according to county officials.

The attackers originally demanded $1 million, but settled for $71,250 after a successful negotiation highlighting the countys limited financial means and the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to county statements.

Ransomware that encrypts computer systems and holds data hostage until the victim purchases a key to unlock it has become one of the most lucrative business models in cybercrime in recent years. Many sophisticated ransomware gangs now also steal information and leverage the threat of exposing sensitive data online to get victims to pay up. Some even appear to be working to auction off data from unsuccessful ransoms to other cybercriminals.

Advertisement

In this case, the hackers demonstrated that they had seen some private data, County Administrator Chad Kinsley said in a statement. We paid the ransom to protect our constituents and prevent that data from being made public, Kinsley added.

Pottawatomie County says its systems are now restored, but even with paying off the ransom, the attack kept staff email access and some services, including the countys online geographic information systeman online mapping tool commonly used by governments to track and provide the public with information about things like zoning and taxesoffline for weeks. And with the investigation ongoing, the full extent of the breach or how much it will ultimately cost the local government and the people it serves remains unclear.

Advertisement

Advertisement

But such attacks now seem like an inevitability to some.

Its not a matter of if, its when, said William Johnson, the county administrator of Butler Countya rural area in the southeast of the statewhich was the victim of a similar attack in 2017.

Advertisement

Counties with smaller populations, in particular, can be key lifelines to residents and may be protecting everything from health records to industrial systems that control utilities like wateroften while facing similar risks to their urban counterparts, but with fewer resources.

National Association of Counties Chief Information Officer Rita Reynolds said defense often comes down to having those resources. Its whether or not they are equippedif they have the right tools and people to protect the perimeter, she added.

Advertisement

Its hard to say just how many counties have been held hostage by ransomware, in part because disclosure may not be required unless the attacks affect certain protected kinds of information such as health data.

Recorded Future has tracked nearly 400 known ransomware attacks targeting state and local government systems since 2013, including 70 this year. But the true figure is likely much higher.

Even back in 2017, Johnson said, Butler Countys insurance provider told him that it had already paid out well over 100 claims for ransomware attacks on municipalities and counties that year.

Advertisement

MS-ISAC, an intelligence sharing group for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments with more than 2,500 members thats housed within the Center for Internet Security, detected 255 ransomware incidents across entities using their monitoring services from January through July of 2021, the centers senior vice president for operations and security services,Josh Moulin, told the Record. The groups Cyber Incident Response Team assisted in 24 active attacks during the same period, according to Moulin.

Pott County

Advertisement

Advertisement

Getting to Westmoreland can feel a little bit like traveling back in time. The town is surrounded in all directions by rolling prairie, pasture, and farmland dotted by the occasional homestead.

Advertisement

For me, this landscape is home.

I grew up in Manhattan, Kansasa land-grant university town mostly in neighboring Riley County (where most of my family still lives) that also spills into Pottawatomie. Pott County, as locals often call it, covers that bit of Manhattan and more than a dozen smaller communities, including Wamego, St. Marys, and Westmoreland, as well as vast expanses of countryside covering 862 square miles in the northeast of the Sunflower State.

The morning after I got into Manhattan to visit family, my mom told me she had heard about the ransomware attack on local radio station KMAN.

Advertisement

The same day, Sept. 28, the county posted to its website about its systems being offline.

So I told my editor that work followed me home and hit the road.

Westmoreland is half an hour from my parents house by my preferred routemostly blacktop, but with a few miles of rollercoastering over hills that will make you forget the states flat reputation until youre back on pavement and greeted by a Westmoreland Welcome sign on an oversized wagon wheel.

Ive been to the town at least half a dozen times before it was hit by ransomware. In fact, between road trips with family and to help a friend document all the states post offices, Ive visited, conservatively, more than 100 Kansas communities.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Thats my frame of reference when I say that Westmoreland and Pottawatomie County at-large look like a rural success, or at least survival, story.

While populations in rural parts of the U.S. have declined for decades, Pottawatomie was the fastest growing county in Kansas in terms of population change between 2010 and 2020 according to Census data. But much of that growth was around Manhattan. Westmoreland actually saw a slight decline over the same period, losing nine people.

Advertisement

And there are a few signs of decline around town, including the countys historic 1884 limestone courthousenow shuttered. The County Health Department stopped providing family planning and well women services this summer.

However, the County Health Departments office is in a single-story brick building on the towns main drag, which is filled with local businesses and has far fewer empty storefronts than many other Kansas similarly sized towns Ive visited. With older cars, it could easily be a Norman Rockwell scene or The Andy Griffith show set. And just behind the abandoned courthouse is also the Pottawatomie County Justice Center, a much more modern limestone, metal, and glass structure.

Advertisement

I met County Sheriff Shane Jager the same day I first heard about the attack while taking pictures of the court buildings.

Advertisement

Jager is a third-generation law enforcement officer who has been with the force for decades, per his campaign website. He was helpful and polite. But I saw his smile clench when I introduced myself as news media covering the ransomware attack.

He was involved in responding to the attack, but mostly as a conduit to connect the county to the FBI, Jager told meand gave me a card for follow-up questions. The countys emergency response systems were on a separate network and not believed to be affected by the ransomware attacks, he added.

My first stop that day had been an old limestone school building that now houses most of the countys offices.

Advertisement

I walked into the first public office I saw, where the countys geographic information systems operations are based, and noticed nearly all of the computers were off. I introduced myself as media covering the situation and was directed to Ryan.

Ryan was polite and offered me a written statement from the department dated Sept. 21, but said she couldnt tell me which specific services were being disrupted for residents. I or anyone else could, she said, check with each area to ask what services were available.

Advertisement

Advertisement

So, I did.

Some were transparent, but most redirected me back to Ryan.

Generally, the county could still carry out many operations in-person using pen and paperthey just took more time.

Advertisement

They even had access to some computers by that point, although not all. One office told me it had access to two working computers, down from the normal eight. But staff email was also inaccessible and no one seemed to have a timeline for when it might be back up.

Hush-hush

The next day, I started my reporting at the South 40 Cafean old school diner on the way into Westmoreland with a faded Truckers Welcome message painted on the side of the building, local history photos on the wall, and great breakfast food.

Its exactly the kind of place thats the beating heart of a small town where everybody knows everybody elseand their business.

Advertisement

So between bites of eggs and hashbrowns, I chatted with nearby tables about my own ties to the area, explained the weird coincidence of being around during the ransomware attack, and asked what they knew.

Most only had second- or third-hand knowledge. But much of the gossip I heard there and around town, including that the attackers wanted $1 million, was later verified by the county.

Advertisement

Others were directly impacted. One person, who requested to remain unnamed due to the closeness of the town, told me they tried to get tags for their car the previous week and couldnt due to the computer problemsbut the office didnt tell them it was a cyberattack.

Several folks complained that the county was so hush-hush about the attack, or that it was trying to sweep it under the rug.

Advertisement

Some businesses affected were also reluctant to speak out. The president of one company I knew was impacted questioned me about my parents names and the street they live on before citing the importance of their relationship with the county as why they were declining to comment.

Advertisement

The County Health Department was also tight-lipped.

When I introduced myself as a reporter and asked if any of their services were affected by the cyberattack, the receptionist checked with her supervisor. After a short wait, they referred me back to Ryan. But I could book an appointment if I wanted, the receptionist confirmed.

Staff did not appear to be using their computers when I visited twice on Wednesdayfirst to ask for a comment and later that afternoon when I asked the receptionist about a joke tombstone in front of the office. (It was an anti-smoking pun.)

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

On Oct. 1, KMAN reported and the county confirmed that it had paid an undisclosed sum to the attackers. I followed up with Ryan and Kinsley via their official email addresses as well as the Gmail address the county was using to coordinate press statements to request an interview.

The messages to the official addresses bounced back to me the whole weekend. I also called the Clerks Office to ask about submitting state open records requests to the county via email and was told to fax them or physically return them until staff had email access back.

But there was a County Commission meeting the following Monday, Oct. 4, so I headed back to Westmoreland to see how and if they would address the attacks.

Advertisement

For the first public stretch of the meeting, which lasted about an hour, they basically didnt.

The three commissioners, Chair Greg Riat and Vice Chair Pat Weixelman in-person as well as Dee McKee via Zoom, instead carried out the more routine business of running a countydebating everything from the consolidation of volunteer fire departments to how much gravel the roads need.

The countys counselor, John Watt, made the only apparent, opaque reference to the ransomware incident during the first public stretch of the meeting. I had multiple meetings with county staff on multiple subjects over the course of the week that have kept me busy, and Ill just leave it at that, he said.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Soon after, the commission took a break before going into a series of private executive sessions that lasted nearly twice as long as the initial public meeting. Before heading outside to wait them out, I approached Weixelmanwho represents the district covering Westmorelandwith questions about the attacks.

Advertisement

Weixelman told me he expected they would talk about the attackand just how much to talk about it publiclyduring the closed session and he might be available to discuss more later.

I asked if there was an email address I could reach him for questions and he laughed, then pointed to a battered flip phone on the table in front of him.

I dont have email, he said, adding I could call instead.

I waited outside with a local resident who attends every commission meeting to ensure they dont vote to tear down the old courthouse and with KMAN News Director Brandon Peoples. The sheriff joined us for a bit when he was summoned for part of the private session, but they werent ready for him yet.

Advertisement

So we talked about the weather, the town, and ransomware as we waited.

After the executive sessions, the public was briefly invited back in and told that the county would release an update on the ransomware incident at 2 p.m. I approached Kinsley, who said he would be declining interviews due to ongoing investigations, but the statement would be emailed to the press.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The ransomware attack was raised at the commission meeting the past week, the Wamego Times reported, when County Treasurer Lisa Wright said the attack left operations very limited.

The drivers license is completely down, we cant do taxes, she said.

During that meeting, the commissioners requested more public notice about the attack and Kinsley said that they had previously only released information to two media outlets because they were directed not to share information by the advisory team unless specifically requested, according to the Times.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The Oct. 4 afternoon update revealed some details of the $71,250.00 payment and the countys efforts so far, including that it had also spent $5,000 on enhanced decryption software it says was necessary to unlock the files and $356.25 in exchange fees to facilitate the cyber currency payment.

In response to follow-up questions, the county declined to comment on what digital currency was used, citing the ongoing investigation, or say if information stored by the countys Health Department was compromised.

Once we know the extent of personal information involved, we will be able to take appropriate steps to protect our citizens. It is a time-consuming process, but we are committed to taking the time needed to do this right, Kinsley said.

Advertisement

Advertisement

When I dropped off physical copies of open records requests after the commission meeting, the staffer didnt know when they might be able to receive them by email again. An update to the website also dated Oct. 4 said all systems other than drivers licenses were now operational and promised an update when that was fully restored.

However, in response to follow-up questions from the Record, Pottawatomie County confirmed the next day that its GIS system remained down. An update to the County website on Oct. 7 also confirmed it remained inoperational. It appeared to be restored by Oct. 14.

Online GIS mapping tools are commonly relied on internally to track things like revenue collection and provide public information key to the operation of many industries, including real estate, banking, and insurance. This information typically lives within its own database on its own server, potentially vulnerable to a network-wide attack, and can be more technically complex to restore.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Screenshots of attempts to load the online map during the outage showed failures of all apparent layers normally represented in the tool, including those labeled zoning, taxunits, and parcels among others.

Not alone

Pottawatomie County is far from alone in facing these challengesor in choosing to pay up.

Advertisement

Thats what the IT consultants brought in by Butler Countys insurance provider, Travelers, recommended in 2017, according to Johnson. The attackers were paid around $27,000 in Bitcoin and the county had most things back up in four days, he said. After insurance coverage, the incident cost the county around $100,000 including costs to hire consultants and replace some systems they were unable to recover, Johnson said.

Butler had just added cybersecurity to their coverage the previous year, he added.

We got pretty damn lucky, Johnson said.

Butler County made a number of security changes, including requiring two-factor authentication for all external sign-ons, in the aftermath and has since had to budget more for cybersecurity spending, including subscriptions to CrowdStrike endpoint protection, he said.

Advertisement

Johnson recalled that investigators said the attackers appeared to be based in Russia and had routed their web traffic through the Netherlands, but didnt believe they were caught.

Advertisement

But one of the most curious parts of the experience, he said, was having a consultant tell him the county was lucky to get an honest hackerone who was known for actually releasing systems when paid.

Not every attacker does.

Harrison County, West Virginia, was hit with ransomware in 2019with attackers first asking for $1,500 worth of cryptocurrency, but then refusing to turn over the key to unlock public records and asking for more, local television statement WDTV reported.

Attackers have also become more strategic.

The MS-ISAC has seen evidence of cybercriminals doing research on the budgets of local and county governments before making their demand for a ransom. In one case, a county school district had a $40 million ransom demand based on their public budget information of a $4 billion annual operating budget, said the Center for Internet Securitys Moulin.

Advertisement

Advertisement

For local governments victimized by these gangs and the people whose information they store, it can feel like theyve been set up in a situation with impossible odds.

Pottawatomie County, for example, has an annual budget of around $36 million and lacked a dedicated IT staffer, let alone team, at the time of the recent attack, according to its websites staff directory.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Manhattan-based vendor Fox Business Systems handled those services, Weixelman confirmed to KMAN. Fox Business Systems did not respond to a request for comment.

Pottawatomie County said it paid for ransom out of its general fund, but $50,000 was reimbursed through insurance. The countys coverage is through a KCAMP, a self-insurance pool for Kansas counties, according to a copy of the countys current coverage obtained in response to a Kansas Open Records Act request by the Record.

Advertisement

The county policy includes coverage for Privacy or Security Events with a $10,000 deductible per claim, and coverage for network interruptions and data access disruption kicks in after a 12-hour waiting period. Annual total liability for privacy or security incidents is capped at $1 million, and recovery cost claims are limited to $250,000.

Theres also up to $50,000 in coverage listed explicitly for Cyber Extortion Expenses and Monies.

Such coverage is key for counties, but becoming more expensive due to the rise in attacks, according to Reynolds.

It also appears to set up incentives at odds with the FBIs general recommendation not to pay ransomware attackers because doing so funds further cybercrime and doesnt guarantee the attackers will hold up their end of the bargain. (The FBI did not respond to the Records requests about its involvement in the Pottawatomie County investigation.)

Advertisement

Advertisement

But the issue can be complicated for victims because it may cost significantly more to recover systems from scratch than pay to get them backand either way, they typically face additional costs to improve their overall security.

Advertisement

In an emailed statement on Monday, Ryan wrote that Pottawatomie County has completed its recovery efforts and has now hardened defenses and installed additional sensors on all servers and machines to detect and better prevent further attacks.

However, it remains unclear how long the full investigation will take, complicating just how much the county is willing or able to tell the publicincluding its citizens and the media.

The challenge for you is that you want to put a human face on the rural small county, but they dont want to look bad in the article, Reynolds told me as I began reporting this story.

Advertisement

The Pottawatomie Countys public comments in the aftermath of the attack emphasized the positive, with its Monday statement saying the attack had minimal impact on delivery of services to citizens.

The Countys advisors have said that this is the most successful outcome they have seen, both in terms of the low ransom payment that was negotiated and the speed at which the negotiation was completed, the statement said.

Advertisement

Advertisement

However, the county did not identify those advisers despite multiple requests from the Record. Staff did not directly address many specific questions about the scope of the attack, response costs to date, and other issuesin some cases, not acknowledging inquiries for days. A number of staff members also appeared visibly frustrated with my presence when I reported in person.

Advertisement

Given the circumstances, the aura of paranoia around mean unfamiliar reporter asking pointed and sometimes technical questionswas understandable.

But the general lack of communication and transparency during the attack undermined some locals trust in the county.

And the silence of some victimized counties can also make it harder for the sector to get the resources they need to protect themselves, according to Reynolds.

In Butler County, its easier to speak out now, years after the attackand Johnson hopes more counties will be open about the struggles they face to stay secure.

Its something people need to share more about so we can be prepared, but we dont, he said.

For now, citizens in Pottawatomie are waiting for their county to share more with them about the attack.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
ARCHIVED - Exponential rise of ticks and mosquitos in Spain



Global warming and higher temperatures in Spain have seen the population of these pests skyrocket

Two of the most irritating insects, ticks and mosquitoes, are on the rise in Spain according to experts, leaving humans and pets open to a range of serious diseases. Agustin Estrada, professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Zaragoza, has recently warned that the critters are increasing exponentially due to global warming, meaning that their active season has become much longer.

Ticks

The tick population has exploded throughout Spain this year , with many communities spraying local parks and walkways during the summer to reduce their number. Of the 900 species identified worldwide, more than 20 are found in Spain and the parasitic mites can carry diseases deadly to both humans and animals, such as Lyme disease and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

The latter has been discovered thirteen times since 2013 and has resulted in three fatalities. However, experts believe that other cases must have gone unnoticed due to lack of proper diagnoses.

And the problems dont end there, as pest specialist Jorge Galvan has warned that future pandemics after Covid-19 will most likely be of zoonotic origin, that is, infectious diseases transmitted from animals to humans, and the prevalence of the tick poses yet another complication.

Mosquitoes

Likewise, increasing temperatures and milder winters have led to a proliferation of mosquitoes capable of carrying the nasty West Nile virus, which can affect people, horses and other mammals. Infections in humans can be serious and may lead to neurological disease and even death.

Until recently, the virus was only occasionally reported in Europe and was believed to have entered the continent via infected birds migrating from Africa, but several outbreaks have been registered in Spain already this year.

The warmer weather has certainly benefited this insect population, with infected female common house mosquitoes (Culex pipiens) able to survive in winter in areas where it previously would have died off.

Mosquitoes like ground water, and the high proportion of irrigated land in Spain is an ideal environment. Ironically though, areas that have experienced drought have also seen a population boom, as the pests move within closer proximity of urban areas in search of water.

Images: Archive
ARCHIVED - Spain welcomes five million tourists in September



The number of tourists flocking to Spain is still well below pre-pandemic levels

As the tourism industry in Spain makes its steady rebound following the coronavirus pandemic, data released by Turespana on Tuesday October 19 shows that five million passengers arrived from international airports during September, a whopping five times more than in the same month last year (+437%). However, the figures are still far behind pre-pandemic levels, when 9.7 million travellers arrived in Spain during September of 2019.

Nevertheless, the Minister for Tourism, Reyes Maroto, sees the number as a positive step indicating that Spain is moving in the right direction and that the Spanish tourism sector is recovering solidly month by month.

"Spain is perceived as a safe and quality destination where you can enjoy a few days of rest", she stressed recently.

Compared with 2019, passengers from the Netherlands have been least affected, with numbers dropping by just 15%, while the most noticeable loss of tourism has been in travellers from the UK, which have fallen by 62.8% last month.

Germany generated 18.5% of the passenger arrivals in September, reaching 821,853 passengers  39.7% less than the same month in 2019.

The Balearic Islands remain top of the list for foreign tourists, with more than a quarter of all passengers (1.17 million) flocking to this community. It is followed by Madrid with 959,706 people, Catalonia with 908,572, Andalusia with 689,937, the Canary Islands with 613,951 and the Valencian Community with 597,870.

Image: Archive
ARCHIVED - Spain Covid update October 18: infections rebound slightly over the weekend



Ninety per cent of the target population in Spain has received at least one vaccine

As coronavirus restrictions across Spain continue to be lifted and the country eases its way towards a state of new normal, Covid infections rebounded slightly over the weekend and the cumulative incidence rate has also increased.

Infections

The latest data published by the Ministry of Health reveal that 4,492 coronavirus infections were reported on Monday October 18, 455 of them diagnosed in the last 24 hours. These figures are considerably higher than those recorded on the same day last week (3,829) and bring the total number of cases since the beginning of the pandemic to 4,988,878.

In the past two weeks, 20,169 positive cases have been registered.

Cumulative incidence rate

As the daily infections have increased, so too has the 14-day cumulative incidence rate, which now stands at 42.51 cases per 100,000 inhabitants compared to 40.95 cases on Friday.

Despite this slight upward trend over the past couple of days, virtually all of the autonomous communities are making good headway and none currently have an incidence rate over 70. The north African enclave of Ceuta, which has been lagging behind throughout the fifth wave, has brought its rate down to 21.38 cases per 100,000 inhabitants while Galicia has the lowest rate in the country at just 14.36 infections.

Fatalities

Covid-related fatalities have also increased with 56 new deaths reported on Monday compared with 49 on the same day the previous week. A total of 87,030 people have lost their lives since the virus reached Spain, with 66 people deaths in the past seven days alone.

Hospitalisations

There has been very little change in hospital occupancy rates in Spain over the weekend. There are currently 1,851 patients admitted with coronavirus, up slightly from 1,835 on Friday, while 444 people are being treated in the ICU (up from 443).

These figures bring the occupancy rates up to 1.52% for the general wards and 4.89% in intensive care.

Vaccination data

A total of 37,074,146 people, representing 88% of the population, are now double jabbed in Spain while 37,891,519 people, or 90% of the population, have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Between October 8 and 14, 497,940 PCR and antigen tests were carried out in Spain and the positivity rate is at 2.23%, a slight decrease compared to Friday but still well below the 5% barrier at which the World Health Organisation (WHO) considers the pandemic controlled.

Image: Archive
ARCHIVED - Ten years on from ETA terrorist ceasefire in Spain



The paramilitary group terrorised Spain for decades in the name of Basque Country independence

This week marks ten years since three masked terrorists belonging to ETA announced the definitive cessation of armed activity in the Basque Country and throughout Spain, and to honour the occasion, nationalist party EH Bildu issued a statement to the victims, recognising their long-term pain and suffering.

What is ETA?

ETA, an acronym for Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (Basque Homeland and Liberty), was an armed separatist organisation that terrorised northern Spain for decades, murdering 857 people in total. Over the years the group transformed into a paramilitary faction and engaged in violent bombings, kidnappings and assassinations with the aim of establishing independence for the Basque Country.

The highest number of murders occurred during the so-called lead years of the 70s and 80s, when the terrorists assassinated one person every four days. Today, four out of every 10 families who are victims of ETA still do not have any official documentation detailing the name of the murderer, something which the injured parties are continuously fighting for.

ETA expressing regret in Spain, but not apologising

While the Collective of Victims of Terrorism (Covite) believes general coordinator Arnaldo Otegis words represent an appreciable leap since the nationalist left has never before apologised to ETA victims, many others believe the party should do more to assume responsibility for the atrocities.

Furthermore, with 44% of ETA crimes unsolved to this day, victims associations have called on Bildu to apologise for being the institutional arm of the terrorist organisation and to exert more pressure on the convicted criminals to cooperate in solving the 377 unresolved murders.

To this end, the European Parliament intends to send an investigation team to Spain in November to try and find some answers. There are currently 183 ETA inmates in Spanish prisons, while around twenty have escaped.

Image: Archive
Slovak and Hungarian prime ministers discussed the recent initiative of the Hungarian government earlier this week.

News: Receive favorite authors articles by email. Try the new feature and turn on the subscription.

Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled

The Hungarian government has abandoned its plans to purchase lands in its neighbouring countries, including Slovakia.

Earlier this year, the government of Viktor Orban issued a resolution with the aim of establishing a fund that allows the purchase of agricultural land in central Europe, a move that provoked criticism in Slovakia.

Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Minister Ivan Korcok (SaS nominee) asked his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto to cancel the resolution on October 5, when the latter visited Slovakia, the Sme daily reported. Moreover, Hungarian PM Viktor Orban and Slovak PM Eduard Heger (OLaNO) discussed the matter on October 11, when they met in Esztergom to mark the anniversary of the reopening of the bridge connecting both countries.

Eventually, the Hungarian government decided to cancel the resolution.

How Viktor Orban exports his ideology Read more

On October 12 Korcok confirmed on Facebook that Orban sent a letter to Heger to inform him about the decision.

I think this really confirms the need for mutual consultation and intensive dialogue on everything we do in our mutual bilateral relations, Korcok wrote.

More questions awaiting answers

The question of the purchase of Slovak lands by Hungary was not the only issue Korcok discussed with Szijjarto during his visit to Slovakia.
Salaries of frontline workers will be frozen. Slovakia records a new record in daily caseload. Meteorologists warn of strong wind.

News: Receive favorite authors articles by email. Try the new feature and turn on the subscription.

Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled

Good evening. Catch up on the main news of the day in less than five minutes with the Wednesday, October 20, 2021 edition of Today in Slovakia. We wish you a pleasant read.

Frozen salaries instead of an applause

Illustrative stock photo (Source: SME)

During the previous pandemic waves, those fighting against the Covid pandemic on the frontline were applauded and even received special bonuses from the state, but the situation is quite different now.

Many frontline workers, such as regional hygienists, employees in nursing homes, teachers and soldiers, will have their salaries frozen, just like other public administration employees. The reason is the high budget deficit, the Sme daily reported.

This does not improve the current situation much, since many of these professions are currently having problems recruiting new employees.

Doctors and nurses are in a different position, and their salaries are expected to rise, but this may not be enough, according to Peter Visolajsky of the Medical Trade Unions Organisation.

More coronavirus and vaccination developments

3,480 people were newly diagnosed as Covid positive out of 16,199 PCR tests performed on October 19, which is the daily caseload since early March 2021. The number of people in hospitals has dropped to 1,040 . Eight more deaths were reported on Tuesday. The vaccination rate is 45.20 percent; 2,486,032 people have received the first dose of the vaccine. More stats on Covid-19 in Slovakia here.

were newly diagnosed as Covid positive out of performed on October 19, which is the daily caseload since early March 2021. The number of people in hospitals . were reported on Tuesday. The vaccination rate is 2,486,032 people have received the first dose of the vaccine. More stats on Covid-19 in Slovakia here. Altogether 10 districts will switch to the black tier of the Covid automat alert system from next Monday, October 25, namely Bardejov, Cadca, Kysucke Nove Mesto, Levoca, Michalovce, Sabinov, Stara Lubovna, Stropkov, Svidnik and Tvrdosin. Another 30 districts will be in the dark red tier, 27 in the red tier, and 12 in the orange tier.

The map of districts from Monday, October 25, 2021. (Source: Health Ministry)

Travelling on the All Saints Day (November 1), which is a national holiday in Slovakia, will not be restricted , said Health Minister Vladimir Legvarsky (OLaNO nominee). He also stressed the government is not considering another round of nationwide testing.

(November 1), which is a national holiday in Slovakia, , said Health Minister Vladimir Legvarsky (OLaNO nominee). He also stressed the government is not considering another round of nationwide testing. The group of experts who serve as an advisory body to the Health Ministry will meet tomorrow (October 21) to discuss potential changes to the Covid automat. One matter to be discussed is whether the fully vaccinated will receive more benefits.

who serve as an advisory body to the Health Ministry will to discuss potential changes to the Covid automat. One matter to be discussed is whether the fully vaccinated will receive more benefits. Fully vaccinated people, people who have recovered from Covid and those with a negative Covid test result will be able to visit inmates in prisons from next Monday. This also includes priests and other people visiting severely ill or dying inmates.

will be able to from next Monday. This also includes priests and other people visiting severely ill or dying inmates. The public's willingness to adhere to the anti-pandemic measures has been the lowest since the pandemic broke out in March 2020, as stems from the regular How are you, Slovakia? survey. Respondents who do not plan to get vaccinated against Covid have declared the lowest willingness to respect the measures during the entire monitored period.

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription. Thank you.

Picture of the day

President Zuzana Caputova donated a two-metre traditional beehive she received as a gift from the Slovenian Embassy in Slovakia to the students of Presov University, who study to become future beekeepers.

Feature story for today

Fear and anger are two of the dominant emotions that a large section of Slovak society displayed in reaction to the COVID-19 crisis, President Zuzana Caputova said in her state of the republic address to parliament at the end of September. She was referring to the current climate in Slovak society where extremist rhetoric and the use of radical narratives are becoming a normal way of speaking for some politicians  and not just those at the extreme end of the political spectrum.

Extremists benefit from radical narratives spread by some Slovak politicians Read more

In other news

Although MP Tomas Taraba has been widely criticised for exposing President Zuzana Caputovas underage daughter to online mockery, it may not be enough to launch prosecution against him . The Sme daily asked lawyers for their opinions on this case.

. The Sme daily asked lawyers for their opinions on this case. Slovakia's general government deficit dropped to 5.5 percent of GDP , or 5.062 billion. The public debt amounted to 59.74 percent of GDP , or 55.010 billion.

dropped to , or 5.062 billion. The amounted to , or 55.010 billion. The registered unemployment rate , calculated from the number of jobseekers ready to take job immediately, dropped to 7.09 percent in September , which is the lowest level since May 2020, said Labour Minister Milan Krajniak (Sme Rodina).

, calculated from the number of jobseekers ready to take job immediately, , which is the lowest level since May 2020, said Labour Minister Milan Krajniak (Sme Rodina). The cabinet approved a draft that changes the extent of salary deductions when carrying out distraint proceedings , increasing it from 100 percent of the subsistence minimum to 140 percent. The change, expected to come into force on January 1, 2022, has been criticised by the Slovak Chamber of Distrainors, who said that the debtors will end up paying more if interest is also counted. (TASR)

, increasing it from 100 percent of the subsistence minimum to 140 percent. The change, expected to come into force on January 1, 2022, has been criticised by the Slovak Chamber of Distrainors, who said that the debtors will end up paying more if interest is also counted. (TASR) The parliament passed the draft amendment to the law on the organisation of the working time in transport , with the aim to unite the rules for truck drivers within the EU; it will become effective in February 2022. The main aim is to implement a European directive from July 2020 that should secure better working conditions for truck drivers, including setting the length of drives and the minimum time for breaks and rest.

, with the aim to unite the rules for truck drivers within the EU; it will become effective in February 2022. The main aim is to implement a European directive from July 2020 that should secure better working conditions for truck drivers, including setting the length of drives and the minimum time for breaks and rest. The match between Spartak Trnava and Slovan Bratislava, interrupted by hooligans on Sunday, ended with a loss by default for Trnava, as the Union of League Clubs (UKL) decided. This means that Slovan now has a three-point lead.

One last note: The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) has issued a warning against strong wind for the next few days, starting today at 18:00. This includes most districts of Zilina Region, and the districts of Banska Bystrica, Brezno and Poprad. Wind speeds could reach 110-135 kilometres per hour, or even more.

The weather warnings against strong wind. (Source: SHMU)

More on Spectator.sk today

Extended paid leaves not cheap, only big corporations can afford them Read more

Austrian developer arrives in Bratislava. Many before him have failed Read more

Berlin Wall fragments land in Nitra Read more

If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.
https://sputniknews.com/20211019/centcom-chief-uae-defense-brass-talk-keeping-pressure-on-daesh-in-iraq-syria-1090053701.html

CENTCOM Chief, UAE Defense Brass Talk Keeping Pressure on Daesh in Iraq, Syria

CENTCOM Chief, UAE Defense Brass Talk Keeping Pressure on Daesh in Iraq, Syria

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Gen. Frank McKenzie met and discussed with senior Emirati defense officials the importance of... 19.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-19T23:56+0000

2021-10-19T23:56+0000

2021-10-19T23:56+0000

us

iraq

uae

syria

terrorists

us central command (centcom)

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/13/1090053467_0:0:3165:1780_1920x0_80_0_0_735bb37e75bf6df426933e9795e697f5.jpg

"The leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining the momentum of bilateral defense cooperation, bringing the conflict in Yemen to a peaceful conclusion and keeping pressure on Daeshs remnants in Iraq, Syria and other countries," CENTCOM said in a press release.McKenzie said in the release that cooperation between the United States and the United Arab Emirates has helped disrupt the terrorists' ability to organize, plan attacks and spread its propaganda.He also thanked the UAE for temporarily hosting American citizens and Afghan evacuees following the US exit from Afghanistan in August.Last month, Damascus once again called on the United States (and Turkey) to withdraw their troops from the Arab republic, and warned separatists in the country's north against seeking help from outside forces.Syria, which has been engulfed in a civil war since 2011, has never invited the United States to the country, which means the American troops' presence there is illegal. Moreover, Damascus has repeatedly pointed out that the reason behind the US presence in the Arab Republic is to plunder the country's resources, particularly, the oil fields in north-eastern Syria.As for Iraq, US President Joe Biden said in July that by the end of 2021, the US combat mission in the country would come to a close and after December 31, 2021, the US will be expected to switch to training and assisting Iraqi forces to counter Daesh.The issue of pulling foreign forces out of Iraq was raised by the Iraqi parliament in early 2020, when the US killed senior Iranian special forces commander Qasem Soleimani near the Baghdad airport in an airstrike without telling the Iraqi side. Lawmakers voted in support of a resolution calling for a total pullout. Since then, the US handed a number of military sites back over to Iraq, including airbases and army headquarters.*Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist organization outlawed in Russia and many other states

https://sputniknews.com/20211014/syrias-anti-daesh-allies-vow-to-respond-to-alleged-israeli-us-aggression-over-palmyra-1089924626.html

vot tak What a load of nonsense. The israeloamericans and uae train and support daesh to attack Iraq and Syria. Syria is NOT going through a civil war, they are being attacked by the israeloamericans. 3

2007harleydavidsonsg It is a well established fact the UAE supported the use of Daesh among other bought and paid foot soldiers in Yemen. 3

3

us

iraq

uae

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

us, iraq, uae, syria, terrorists, us central command (centcom)
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/absolute-harassment-celebs-netizens-fume-after-court-rejects-star-kid-aryan-khans-bail-plea-1090067929.html

'Absolute Harassment': Celebs, Netizens Fume After Court Rejects Star Kid Aryan Khan's Bail Plea

'Absolute Harassment': Celebs, Netizens Fume After Court Rejects Star Kid Aryan Khan's Bail Plea

Bollywood was recently rocked by controversy after the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of India arrested Aryan Khan, the son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh... 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T13:36+0000

2021-10-20T13:36+0000

2021-10-20T13:36+0000

court

celebrity

drug

court

india

bailout

drug

celebrity

bollywood

bailout

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/06/1089716319_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_190ab1fd08511916c1e5953ae82600bd.jpg

Bollywood celebs and netizens have taken to social media voicing their anger over an Indian courts decision to reject the bail plea of Aryan Khan, the son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. He has been under arrest and put behind bars since 8 October in a drugs-on-cruise case.Aryan, his friend Arbaaz Merchant, and model Munmun Dhamecha, along with five others were detained after the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) raided a rave party on a cruise ship off Mumbai on 2 October. The case was being heard at Mumbai's special Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) court.Aryan's lawyers, Satish Maneshinde and Amit Desai, argued in the court that no drugs were found on him. However, the NCB claimed that they have strong evidence from Aryan's WhatsApp chats about his links with an international cartel and that he had sourced drugs for years. After Aryans bail plea was rejected on Wednesday, some celebrities and netizens took to social media, calling the move absolute harassment and gross injustice.Some of them suggested Aryan and his family should immediately approach the High Court over the perceived travesty of justice, while many pointed to previous cases where bail was granted and said that there appears to be two laws for two different people.Aryan's bail plea has been rejected several times by the court, which has led to social media uproar. Several celebrities, such as film director Hansal Mehta, Rahul Dholakia, actress Swara Bhasker, Tanishaa Mukerji, and many others condemned the court order on Twitter. Meanwhile, Aryan Khan moved the Bombay High Court on Wednesday after the rejection of his bail request. Although his plea could not be mentioned before the single-judge bench of Justice Nitin W. Sambre due to a paucity of time, it may be mentioned and heard on Thursday at 10.30 a.m, the Indian Express reported.Flashback to the CaseAfter getting a tip-off about the cruise rave party, the NCB raided it on 2 October and arrested Aryan and his friends Arbaaz Merchant, Munmun Dhamecha, Nupur Sarika, Ismeet Singh, Mohak Jaswal, Vikrant Chhoker, and Gomit Chopra.Although his lawyer Maneshinde claimed that Aryan had simply been invited to the event by the party organisers, and no drugs were recovered from him, the NCB chief said there was evidence to prove the contrary.So far, the NCB has arrested 18 people, including Aryan, since the raid on the ship.

india

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Sangeeta Yadav https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/1b/1080292803_0:121:960:1081_100x100_80_0_0_7490b319dab9611e309056b177265184.jpg

Sangeeta Yadav https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/1b/1080292803_0:121:960:1081_100x100_80_0_0_7490b319dab9611e309056b177265184.jpg

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sangeeta Yadav https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/1b/1080292803_0:121:960:1081_100x100_80_0_0_7490b319dab9611e309056b177265184.jpg

court, celebrity, drug, court, india, bailout, drug, celebrity, bollywood, bailout, drug smugglers, celebrity scandal, bollywood, court trial, bail, celebrity gossip, india
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/amess-murder-suspect-reportedly-received-broad-support-under-uks-counter-terror-scheme-in-2014-1090067641.html

Amess Murder Suspect Reportedly Received 'Broad Support' Under UK's Counter-Terror Scheme in 2014

Amess Murder Suspect Reportedly Received 'Broad Support' Under UK's Counter-Terror Scheme in 2014

Ali Harbi Ali was earlier referred to the UK government programme Prevent for monitoring the "radicalisation" of youth, but he was never a formal subject of... 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T11:45+0000

2021-10-20T11:45+0000

2021-10-20T11:45+0000

mi5

police

suspect

murder

killing

uk

sir david amess

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/14/1090068154_0:234:3136:1998_1920x0_80_0_0_f01002d201f20575aef83b22d2249109.jpg

Ali Harbi Ali, the suspect behind the killing of Tory MP David Amess received "extensive" support in line with the government's counter-terrorism programme Channel before his case was closed, The Guardian reported on Wednesday.According to the source, Ali was referred to Channel for months as he was attending an educational establishment in London in 2014 over concerns about him possibly being drawn towards an Islamist ideology.The insider argued that the referral involved having Ali's vulnerability assessed and him accepting support under Channel. The source claimed that in the end, Ali "was not thought to pose a threat of terrorist violence and the case was closed".Rakib Ehsan, the author of the report, in turn, underscored that Prevent's main goal is "to reduce the UK's overall terror threat and maximise public safety". He added that "at the moment, it [the scheme] is failing to deliver on this front".This was preceded by a report from The Times that the government is overhauling its strategy related to the Prevent programme, in the wake David Amess' murder.In line with the overview, MI5, Britain's counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism service, will reportedly be given a greater say on whether people at risk of radicalisation are placed in the Prevent scheme.Ali Reportedly Watched Videos of Islamist Preacher The report followed former friends of Ali arguing in an interview with The Sun that Ali was purportedly radicalised after he watched YouTube videos of convicted Islamist hate preacher Anjem Choudary.They claimed the videos turned Ali from a "popular pupil into an extremist".As for Choudary, in 2016 he was sentenced to five and a half years in prison after he was convicted of inviting support for Daesh*. The radical preacher was released on license from HMP Belmarsh in 2018 and he was subject to more than 20 conditions at the time.On Wednesday, Ali was arrested on suspicion of murdering Conservative lawmaker David Amess, who was stabbed to death in an attack that is being treated as a terrorist assault by police. The 69-year-old was killed while at his constituency surgery in the Belfairs Methodist Church in the town of Leigh-on-Sea in Essex.*Daesh (ISIL/ISIS/Islamic State) is a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries.

https://sputniknews.com/20211018/private-security-for-mps-mulled-by-westminster-as-pm-paid-tribute-to-murdered-sir-david-amess-1090012302.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211017/david-amess-murderer-what-we-know-so-far-about-somali-suspect-1089984102.html

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg

Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg

mi5, police, suspect, murder, killing, uk, sir david amess
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/biden-admin-not-seeking-to-make-states-choose-between-working-with-us-or-china-blinken-says-1090054081.html

Biden Admin. Not Seeking to Make States Choose Between Working With US or China, Blinken Says

Biden Admin. Not Seeking to Make States Choose Between Working With US or China, Blinken Says

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The Biden administration is not seeking to pressure countries to decide whether to do business with the United States or China and it is... 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T00:19+0000

2021-10-20T00:19+0000

2021-10-20T00:19+0000

china

antony blinken

cia

rivalry

biden administration

hypersonic missiles

military build up

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/14/1090054538_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_8a6b685790f19c02649a4af17512324b.jpg

"We're not asking countries to choose between the United States and China nor, as I've said repeatedly, do we seek to contain China or hold it back," Blinken said during a press conference on Tuesday. Blinken emphasized that trade and investment with China are important for all countries and usually beneficial.However, Blinken said that in the case of China there is no division between the private enterprise and the state so countries should take precautions before investing in that country.Earlier this month, the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) launched a China mission center to confront perceived threats from Beijing. The center was formed "to address the global challenge posed by the Peoples Republic of China that cuts across all of the Agencys mission areas," a CIA statement shared with the media said.This also comes as a growing number of US Republicans are urging the administration to address China's military build-up and  warning against decreasing the US defense budget, amid reports that Beijing tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in August that caught US intelligence off guard.Commenting on the reposts, the White House only said, "We welcome the competition."Chinese officials, however, have dismissed the reports, calling the test a "routine spacecraft experiment."Tensions have also been high in the Asia-Pacific region after the AUKUS security pact was announced in September, with many considering that it is clearly an alliance against China.

https://sputniknews.com/20211017/chinese-army-newspaper-urges-peoples-war-against-cia-infiltration-1089992958.html

vot tak Mostly a repitition of bs. An excuse to repeat israeloamerican propaganda with only a cursory rebuttal to "look neutral" at the end. Thumbs down. 12

Ladyshadow Does he actually believe the lie he just told? "We're not asking countries to choose between the United States and China " the US demands, threats and sanction are just a misunderstanding? 12

9

china

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

china, antony blinken, cia, rivalry, biden administration, hypersonic missiles, military build up
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/could-uk-electoral-boundary-changes-doom-labour-to-eternal-opposition-1090072984.html

Could UK Electoral Boundary Changes Doom Labour to Eternal Opposition?

Could UK Electoral Boundary Changes Doom Labour to Eternal Opposition?

The boundary commissions of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland periodically redraw constituency borders to bring the number of voters in each... 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T16:40+0000

2021-10-20T16:40+0000

2021-10-20T16:40+0000

britain

great britain

tony blair

boris johnson

gordon brown

british conservative party

british labour party

public opinion polls

uk electoral commission

keir starmer

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/07/1082824141_0:0:2699:1518_1920x0_80_0_0_82492a30ed6011f97f7cd924cf0d69b2.jpg

Changes to the UK's electoral boundaries could make it near-impossible for the Labour Party to get back into office.According to analysts Election Maps UK, the proposed redrawing of the country's 650 Parliamentary constituencies would leave Sir Keir Starmer's official opposition with even more of an uphill battle to win the next election.The site published a projected election map based on the draft changes, showing Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Tories would increase their majority by 16 seats, mostly at the expense of Labour.The pundits predicted Labour would need a 12-point poll lead to win a Parliamentary majority, but the Conservatives would only need a five-point margin.Recent opinion polls show the Tories holding a fluctuating but significant lead over Labour in the wake of the annual party conference season, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, outbreaks of fuel and food panic-buying and a series of ministerial scandals.Reclaim Party leader Laurence Fox speculated that it could be the end of the Labour Party, already riven by left-right divisions.The boundary commissions of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland periodically review the borders of the seats, with the aim of bringing the number of voters in each roughly into line. English constituencies currently average 72,200 electors, while the figure for Northern Ireland is 68,300, Scotland 67,200 and Labour stronghold Wales just 56,000.But left-wingers and opponents of Brexit accused the Tories of gerrymandering  and worse.Labour lost more than 40 seats in its traditional northern 'Red Wall' strongholds in the December 2019 election, after adopting policy at its September conference of re-running the 2016 referendum on leaving the European Union, with then-shadow Brexit Secretary Starmer leading the charge.But since 2015 the Scottish National Party SNP has won most of the 59 seats in Scotland, formerly a Labour stronghold, making the official oppositions chances of winning an election far more difficult.Labour has not won an election since 2005, when leader Tony Blair led the party to its third successive victory on a much-reduced share of the vote from the 1997 landslide. Blair was forced to resign two years later, to be replaced by his chancellor of the exchequer Gordon Brown. Brown mooted a snap election in the autumn of 2007, but dropped the idea after securing support from trade unions at that year's party conference. His popularity declined after the 2008 financial crisis and his government's austerity cuts to pay for the cost of rescuing major banks.

https://sputniknews.com/20210926/suicide-pact-top-labour-remainer-says-party-should-campaign-to-re-join-eu-1089429364.html

britain

great britain

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

James Tweedie https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png

James Tweedie https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

James Tweedie https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png

britain, great britain, tony blair, boris johnson, gordon brown, british conservative party, british labour party, public opinion polls, uk electoral commission, keir starmer, independent electoral and boundaries commission (iebc), viral
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/deripaskas-spokesperson-links-fbi-raids-of-relatives-homes-to-sanctions-1090059465.html

Deripaska's Spokesperson Links FBI Raids of Relatives' Homes to Sanctions

Deripaska's Spokesperson Links FBI Raids of Relatives' Homes to Sanctions

MOSCOW/WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - FBI raids on the homes of businessman Oleg Deripaska's relatives in Washington and New York are linked to US sanctions, the... 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T06:32+0000

2021-10-20T06:32+0000

2021-10-20T06:43+0000

oleg deripaska

us

russia

fbi

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/13/1090050821_0:10:3093:1750_1920x0_80_0_0_4a17733855629d2d5d520a24ac74a00a.jpg

Police tape has been erected to prevent entry into the premises of the Washington home, a Sputnik correspondent reported.Several FBI vehicles were parked outside the building where reporters have since lined up. FBI agents have also been spotted standing outside the house.The agents have been going in and out of the building, taking plastic containers, paper, and boxes from the cars back to the house. At some point, the police also arrived at the scene.The husband of former White House adviser Kellyanne Conway has also been spotted near the house. George T. Conway III, an attorney, took several photos and declined to speak to the press.

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

oleg deripaska, us, russia, fbi
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/french-feminist-group-sues-miss-france-beauty-pageant-for-allegedly-violating-countrys-laws-1090067397.html

French Feminist Group Sues Miss France Beauty Pageant for Allegedly Violating Countrys Laws

French Feminist Group Sues Miss France Beauty Pageant for Allegedly Violating Countrys Laws

According to Alyssa Ahrabare, head of Osez Le Feminisme (Dare to be a feminist), the group decided to take action because previous attempts to raise awareness... 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T13:22+0000

2021-10-20T13:22+0000

2021-10-20T13:22+0000

society

sexism

beauty contest

feminism

miss france

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105014/57/1050145758_0:23:3501:1992_1920x0_80_0_0_3551770896b01bd0b9b061d988501453.jpg

Leading French feminist group Osez Le Feminisme has sued the Miss France beauty contest as well as TV production company, Endemol, which organises the pageant. The lawsuit was filed jointly with three women who were forced out of the competition.The plaintiffs argue that certain demands laid out by the beauty contest violate the countrys employment law. They cite requirements that contestants should be more than 1.7 metres tall (5ft 5in), unmarried and represent beauty (no piercings or tattoos).Frances labour code prohibits companies from discriminating on the basis of "morals, age, family status or physical appearance", said Violaine De Filippis-Abate, the lawyer for the feminist group.Activists from Osez Le Feminisme point out that although the contestants do not sign an employment contract, they sign a participation contract and then attend rehearsals and recordings.Furthermore, the group stresses that participants follow certain requirements  they are forbidden to drink or smoke in public and are obliged to behave in a way which is consistent with good morals or the spirit of the competition. The failed contestants, who joined the lawsuit, were forced out of the pageant because they smoked in public and previously took part in nude photoshoots.According to French media, the verdict in the case will be based on the decision whether participants should be deemed employees of Miss France and the company which organises the pageant, or simply volunteers.Osez Le Feminisme believes their case will be successful. They point to a similar lawsuit filed by a participant of the Mister France beauty contest, who won the case. Miss France has not yet commented on the issue.

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Max Gorbachev

Max Gorbachev

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Max Gorbachev

society, sexism, beauty contest, feminism, miss france
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/lavrov-daesh-and-al-qaeda-are-trying-to-take-advantage-of-instability-in-afghanistan---1090062746.html

Lavrov: Daesh and al-Qaeda are Trying to Take Advantage of Instability in Afghanistan

Lavrov: Daesh and al-Qaeda are Trying to Take Advantage of Instability in Afghanistan

Daesh and al-Qaeda are Trying to Take Advantage of Instability in Afghanistan

2021-10-20T09:13+0000

2021-10-20T09:13+0000

2021-10-20T10:12+0000

afghanistan

russia

asia & pacific

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/14/1090063766_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_0bb0789823b3cc05887de5e01a84d224.jpg

The situation in Afghanistan following the change of power in Kabul on 15 August remains unstable and terrorist groups, namely Daesh* and al-Qaeda*, are trying to use that to their advantage, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stated during a "Moscow format" meeting.The foreign minister suggested that among the main causes of the existing instability are humanitarian problems, socio-economic and financial issues, as well as the lack of international recognition of the new authorities in Kabul. Lavrov noted that at the moment, there is no alternative to the current balance of power in Afghanistan, which was established on 15 August, when the country's president, Ashraf Ghani, fled and the Taliban* seized Kabul.Situation in Afghanistan After Taliban TakeoverSo far, no foreign nation has officially recognised the new Afghan authorities, including Russia, although many maintain de facto contact with them. The new deputy of the Afghan government, Abdul Salam Hanafi, led the Taliban delegation, which arrived in Russia for a "Moscow format" meeting. The latter was attended by ten other regional powers and was dedicated to nascent regional issues in light of the change of power in Afghanistan.The parties to the talks also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and the prospects of forming an inclusive government there - right now, the temporary Afghan government is formed exclusively by members of the Taliban.In September and October, Afghanistan was rocked by a series of bomb attacks, with the biggest taking place at a Shia mosque in Kunduz Province, where a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device. The Kunduz bombing took the lives of over 50 people, with some estimates suggesting that the death toll may have hit 100. Daesh in Khorasan Province (Daesh-K)* has taken responsibility for some of these attacks, including the one in Kunduz Province.*The Taliban, Daesh (also known as ISIS or IS), and al-Qaeda are terrorist organisations banned in Russia and many other countries

https://sputniknews.com/20211008/blast-hits-shia-mosque-in-northern-afghanistan-several-people-injured-eyewitnesses-say-1089763580.html

Tim6311 ISIS is a CIA operative. 0

2007harleydavidsonsg Well yeah but the bigger question is who supports these venture oppertunist.. 0

3

afghanistan

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg

Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg

afghanistan, russia, asia & pacific
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/london-police-shut-down-tube-station-after-stabbing-attack-on-night-bus-leaves-three-injured-1090069029.html

London Police Shut Down Tube Station After Stabbing Attack on Night Bus Leaves Three Injured

London Police Shut Down Tube Station After Stabbing Attack on Night Bus Leaves Three Injured

As a result of the rampage, one man was hospitalised in critical condition, and two others received slash wounds. 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T13:44+0000

2021-10-20T13:44+0000

2021-10-20T13:44+0000

bus accident

stabbing

stabbing attack

uk

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/08/1088878422_0:204:2048:1356_1920x0_80_0_0_27ec875c49c3fa4d69b20545c30f5475.jpg

At least three men were left injured in a knife attack on a London bus that occurred overnight, police said. The incident took place at around 1am local time (midnight GMT) in Mile End Road, right outside the Underground station.It is believed to have occurred on a specially commissioned double-decker, which bears the inscription "Spirit of London" and is dedicated to passengers killed on a bus in the 7/7 terror attacks in 2005.The authorities have closed Mile End Road Tube station to conduct an investigation there. The cause of the attack remains unclear.

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Evgeny Mikhaylov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/07/1080390164_0:0:1440:1440_100x100_80_0_0_46c187f2ab0908f86849a7d09a7def57.jpg

Evgeny Mikhaylov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/07/1080390164_0:0:1440:1440_100x100_80_0_0_46c187f2ab0908f86849a7d09a7def57.jpg

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Evgeny Mikhaylov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/07/1080390164_0:0:1440:1440_100x100_80_0_0_46c187f2ab0908f86849a7d09a7def57.jpg

bus accident, stabbing, stabbing attack, uk
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/mike-pompeo-blasts-biden-for-making-us-look-weak-citing-taiwan-china-iran-policies-1090068644.html

Mike Pompeo Blasts Biden for Making US Look Weak Citing Taiwan, China, Iran Policies

Mike Pompeo Blasts Biden for Making US Look Weak Citing Taiwan, China, Iran Policies

Mike Pompeo Blasts Biden for Making US Look Weak Citing Taiwan, China, Iran Policies

2021-10-20T12:15+0000

2021-10-20T12:15+0000

2021-10-20T12:15+0000

us

china

taiwan

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/14/1090068588_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_0a47fb6ae0b735759e478bac28e4fdac.jpg

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has slammed the current administration, arguing that its actions are showing "American weakness" to the nation's adversaries.In an interview with Fox News, Pompeo brought up the Biden administration's reaction to reports China tested a new hypersonic missile in August that "surprised" America. While the administration did not directly confirm the reports, it said that it "welcomes stiff competition". In Pompeo's view, however, this is not the way to respond to China.Pompeo went on to argue that the current administration had made the country look weak on several other occasions as well  with its handling of the Afghanistan pullout and the evacuation of Americans from there, with regard to the "preparation" for Iran going nuclear, and with its policy on Taiwan.The former top diplomat argued that the Trump administration made its support for Taiwan, a de facto self-ruled island that Beijing considers a part of its territory, very clear and that it would help its people defend themselves against China. Pompeo said that the previous administration made a military course of action regarding Taiwan "completely unacceptable" for Beijing, while he can't say the same about the Biden administration.Even with the change in administration, Sino-American relations haven't altered much, with the new White House making China the focus of its policies, including on the redeployment of troops. Nor has the US reduced the number of its so-called freedom of navigation missions, under which it sends warships to the disputed waters of the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait despite multiple warnings from Beijing.The Financial Times recently reported that China tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile that took the US "by surprise" as it successfully travelled around the globe and only missed its target by a couple dozen miles. The newspaper suggested that such a hypersonic weapon could penetrate US defences by travelling over the southern pole, while American radars are concentrated in the north. Beijing itself rejected the report's findings, saying that it tested a new reusable prototype of a spacecraft and that the trial actually took place in July.

https://sputniknews.com/20211018/china-denies-testing-hypersonic-missile-says-it-was-space-vehicle-trial-1090001837.html

Gone There he goes, the pompous one, who had, of course, made America great again. Not weak at all. laughingstock of the world. And not because you're weak, but because you are pathetic. 5

Kuzu Luku He is not back to his country, Israel . He should be in jail for misleading our diplomacy. 5

8

china

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg

Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg

us, china, taiwan
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/more-pick-and-mix-than-substantial-meal-british-net-zero-strategy-panned-amid-planned-tax-hikes-1090060975.html

'More Pick and Mix Than Substantial Meal': British 'Net Zero Strategy' Panned Amid Planned Tax Hikes

'More Pick and Mix Than Substantial Meal': British 'Net Zero Strategy' Panned Amid Planned Tax Hikes

On Tuesday, the British government unveiled the country's strategy to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, something that stipulates supporting 440,000 new... 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T08:24+0000

2021-10-20T08:24+0000

2021-10-20T09:45+0000

boris johnson

strategy

government

plan

carbon emissions

ministers

uk

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/14/1090059674_0:44:2032:1187_1920x0_80_0_0_9ffe464c30869b0486533ac4feac2055.jpg

Scientists, green campaigners, and even the UK government's own supporters have slammed the country's newly-introduced Net Zero Strategy as a document that purportedly lacks ambition and is not supported by relevant funding.Patrick Hall, senior research fellow from the conservative think tank Bright Blue, rejected the strategy's blueprint for heat pumps as inadequate.Hall apparently referred to the Treasury recently releasing the so-called Net Zero Review, which argued that the government would most likely lose tens of billions of pounds in revenues from fossil fuel taxes and face other risks from its green policies.He said that under the Net Zero Strategy, the government's stated aim is to install 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028, "so the maximum of only 90,000 pumps to be covered over the next three years falls far too short. The funding simply isn't sufficient".Kevin Anderson, a professor of energy and climate change at the University of Manchester, for his part, insisted that the Net Zero Strategy "falls far short of both its Paris and G7 temperature and equity commitments".The UK government was reportedly under pressure to publish the Net Zero Strategy ahead of the COP26 climate summit.Rebecca Newsom, the head of politics at Greenpeace UK, in turn, described the document as "more like a pick and mix than the substantial meal that we need to reach net zero".Newsom accused the government of creating "only half-hearted policies and funding commitments to decarbonise our draughty homes at the speed necessary". She asserted that the new strategy "fundamentally fails to grapple with the need to reduce our meat and dairy consumption to stop global deforestation".Shadow Business Secretary Ed Miliband has, meanwhile, bashed the strategy as a document that falls far short of what is required."The failure to invest does not just affect whether this transition is fair for consumers but also workers in existing industries. Take steel. It will cost 6 billion ($8 billion) for the steel industry to get to net zero in the next 15 years [] but there is nothing for steel in this document", he pointed out.UK Government's Net Zero Strategy Unveiled The comments come after the government unveiled a "landmark" strategy, which sets out "how the UK will secure 440,000 well-paid jobs and unlock 90 billion ($124 billion) in investment in 2030 on its path to ending its contribution to climate change by 2050".Investments will include an extra 350 million ($482 million) of the nation's 1 billion ($1.3 billion) commitment to support the electrification of UK vehicles and their supply chains, plus another 620 million ($853 million) for targeted electric vehicle grants and infrastructure.The Net Zero Strategy also stipulates injecting more sums into new technologies such as hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel and 120 million ($165 million) towards at least one new nuclear power station.Johnson stressed that "the green industrial revolution will be powered by the wind turbines of Scotland and the North East, propelled by the electric vehicles made in the Midlands, and advanced by the latest technologies developed in Wales" so that the country can "look ahead to a more prosperous, greener future".

https://sputniknews.com/20210317/uk-unveils-plan-to-cut-down-emissions-from-industry-public-buildings-1082373397.html

https://sputniknews.com/20200930/uk-launches-1st-hydrogen-powered-train-as-big-step-to-cut-carbon-emissions-1080624374.html

kernel.panic999 Hydrogen requires more energy input than it gives the output. With the kind of Johnson and his tribe UK won't be zero carbon emission in 2150. 0

1

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg

Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg

boris johnson, strategy, government, plan, carbon emissions, ministers, uk
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/moroccan-laboratory-plans-to-produce-russias-sputnik-v-vaccine-1090059201.html

Moroccan Laboratory Plans to Produce Russia's Sputnik V Vaccine

Moroccan Laboratory Plans to Produce Russia's Sputnik V Vaccine

CAIRO (Sputnik) - A Moroccan laboratory plans to produce and distribute Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 in the country, documents on cooperation... 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T06:23+0000

2021-10-20T06:23+0000

2021-10-20T06:33+0000

morocco

africa

sputnik v

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/03/1e/1082492642_0:76:3375:1974_1920x0_80_0_0_6f4a57c535bf97e5091c9c4dfcbeb78a.jpg

The localisation of production in Morocco will also enable access to markets in Sub-Saharan Africa, the trade representative noted.According to the Moroccan Health Ministry, the country has confirmed over 942,000 COVID-19 cases and 14,000 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. More than 21 million citizens have received two doses of a coronavirus vaccine.In December 2020, the Russian vaccine was authorised for use by the Moroccan Health Ministry with the engagement of the representative office, Tsinamdzgvrishvili recalled. At the same time, the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the Moroccan government did not manage to reach an agreement on all issues then.

morocco

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

morocco, africa, sputnik v
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/poll-support-for-capitol-riot-probe-declines-among-republicans-independents-1090080825.html

Poll: Support for Capitol Riot Probe Declines Among Republicans, Independents

Poll: Support for Capitol Riot Probe Declines Among Republicans, Independents

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The Democrat-led US House Select Committee investigating the 6 January events art the US Capitol risks becoming just another partisan... 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T18:58+0000

2021-10-20T18:58+0000

2021-10-20T18:58+0000

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/07/14/1083418124_0:83:3072:1811_1920x0_80_0_0_2cc79f387ce6fbff4937c3054a21aaa2.jpg

While the panels direction is in line with the desires of most Democratic voters, Republicans have hardened their opposition and have joined independent voters in expressing less urgency for the investigation," Morning Consult said in a press release following its latest survey.Roughly three in five independents (59 percent) say it is at least somewhat important for the federal government to continue investigating the January 6 events, down 8 points since June and the share of Republicans who said the same fell by a similar share, to 39 percent, the release said.Two-thirds of Republican voters say there has been too much focus on the events of January 6, while a similar share of Democrats say there has not been enough focus, according to the release.On 6 January 2021, a group of protesters besieged the US Capitol in a bid to prevent lawmakers from certifying the 2020 election results that Donald Trump had repeatedly denounced as "rigged" and fraudulent, and certify Democrat Joe Biden as the winner. At the time, scores of pro-Trump supporters rallied outside the US Capitol building.The crowds stormed the building, vandalising it, and clashed with police. Five people died as a result of the events and dozens more were injured, including at least 138 police officers.Law enforcement authorities have since arrested over 500 individuals who participated in the Capitol riots, charging some with assaulting federal police officers. The authorities charged hundreds of people for participating in the event.Democratic lawmakers used the events at the Capitol to try to permanently ban Trump from politics by impeaching him a second time. However, the impeachment trial failed in the Senate in February, when Trump was already out of office.

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/queen-elizabeth-ii-scraps-planned-visit-to-northern-ireland-1090064657.html

Queen Elizabeth II Scraps Planned Visit to Northern Ireland Following Doctors Advice

Queen Elizabeth II Scraps Planned Visit to Northern Ireland Following Doctors Advice

The 95-year-old monarch was meant to travel to the area on Wednesday for a two-day trip. According to local media, she was due to attend a church service to... 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T10:07+0000

2021-10-20T10:07+0000

2021-10-20T11:20+0000

uk

queen elizabeth ii

northern ireland

uk royal family

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/03/1082790173_0:109:2079:1278_1920x0_80_0_0_0e091234fd31ec6d0793179fe0122660.jpg

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has scrapped a planned visit to Northern Ireland after doctors advised her to rest for the next few days, Buckingham Palace has said without elaborating further on the monarch's health. A spokesperson for the Palace said the Queen "has reluctantly accepted medical advice". Local media outlets write that the decision to scrap the trip is not related to the situation with COVID in Britain. According to government data, on 19 October, the UK recorded over 43,000 cases.On Tuesday, the 95-year-old monarch hosted a reception at Windsor Castle held as part of the Global Investment Summit. Among the guests was Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and US climate envoy John Kerry.It is unclear whether the medical advice will prevent the monarch from attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be held from 31 October to 12 November in Glasgow.The development comes several days after the Queen was seen using a walking stick during a service to mark the centenary of the Royal British Legion. Local media write that this was the first time the Queen had used a cane at a major public event. Last week, it became known that doctors have reportedly advised the monarch against drinking alcohol due to age-related health concerns. The planned trip to Northern Ireland was the first in years. She last visited the area in 2016 with her late husband Prince Philip.

Charlie McD Grand  2

CountTo5Manual Had dream Monday night..Someone offered me golden memorial coin. There was image of present Queen Elizabeth with strange nonsense writing around the coin saying "Queen of Catholic Church" then I realised she passed and with her Catholic Church passed also. I took the coin.. 0

2

northern ireland

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Max Gorbachev

Max Gorbachev

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Max Gorbachev

uk, queen elizabeth ii, northern ireland, uk royal family
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/rec-exiar-stands-ready-to-support-armenias-infrastructure-projects-1090078481.html

REC: EXIAR Stands Ready to Support Armenia's Infrastructure Projects

REC: EXIAR Stands Ready to Support Armenia's Infrastructure Projects

The Russian Agency for Export Credit and Investment Insurance (EXIAR JSC) is ready to provide support to major infrastructure projects in Armenia, Nikita... 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T18:48+0000

2021-10-20T18:48+0000

2021-10-20T18:48+0000

news

armenia

infrastructure

russia

export

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/07/0d/1083377552_0:0:3001:1688_1920x0_80_0_0_368a53ac41798a8c73487b96b5d32364.jpg

Support for infrastructure projects is one of the most important areas of EXIARs work. Insurance coverage provided by EXIAR provides for more efficient financing of such projects. We are also ready to provide support to Russian-Armenian export projects on the supply of Russian goods and services (non-resource-based, non-energy exports) to Armenia, Gusakov said.During a meeting with representatives of Yerevan Municipality, the parties discussed the renewal of the bus fleet in the Armenian capital, which currently requires about 250 new large-sized buses.In addition, the Russian side expressed great willingness to support other projects of the Mayors Office to modernise the citys transport infrastructure.EXIAR is also prepared to provide insurance coverage for the construction of two new metro stations in Yerevan. The Russian company Metrogiprotrans was declared the winner of the competition for the construction of the facilities.The meeting was attended by Pavel Anosov, managing director for customer service at EXIAR, and Hrachya Sargsyan, first deputy mayor of Yerevan.

armenia

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

news, armenia, infrastructure, russia, export
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/recs-support-for-exports-to-armenia-amounts-to-72-million-since-early-2021-1090078543.html

REC's Support for Exports to Armenia Amounts to $72 Million Since Early 2021

REC's Support for Exports to Armenia Amounts to $72 Million Since Early 2021

The Russian Export Centres (REC) support for exports to Armenia in 2020 amounted to over $84 mln, and has exceeded $72 mln since early 2021, Nikita Gusakov... 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T18:20+0000

2021-10-20T18:20+0000

2021-10-20T18:20+0000

news

armenia

russia

export

russian export center jsc (rec)

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/07/0d/1083377606_0:157:3051:1873_1920x0_80_0_0_9da55a1de2ea3cc9f1bb8860cd89a788.jpg

In 2021, we have already provided support for exports to Armenia amounting to $72.4 million. On the one hand, these figures are still rather low, but we can see really positive trends, Gusakov stated.The REC Group (part of VEB.RF) provides financial support to Russian companies engaged in export activities in Armenia. The REC supports major infrastructure projects, including the supply of wagons for the South Caucasus railway.Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Maxim Reshetnikov and Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia Gnel Sanosyan delivered their statements at the plenary session of the 8th Russian-Armenian Forum, organised by the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia and the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia.The forum also hosts a business mission to Armenia, organised by the Russian Export Centre together with the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, the Investment Support Centre fund, and the Trade Representation of the Russian Federation in Armenia. As part of the business mission, there will be more than 250 meetings between representatives of Russian and Armenian companies. A total of 24 Russian exporters and more than 70 companies from Armenia will take part in the mission.

armenia

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

news, armenia, russia, export, russian export center jsc (rec)
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/resentment-swells-in-strategic-ladakh-as-modi-govt-fails-to-provide-jobs-quota-to-border-villagers-1090008170.html

Resentment Swells in Strategic Ladakh as Modi Gov't Fails to Provide Jobs, Quota to Border Villagers

Resentment Swells in Strategic Ladakh as Modi Gov't Fails to Provide Jobs, Quota to Border Villagers

The Indian government carved out a separate administrative region of Ladakh from Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, promising better facilities and employment... 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T17:24+0000

2021-10-20T17:24+0000

2021-10-20T17:24+0000

narendra modi

ladakh region

china

india

unemployment

youth

jobs

india

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/12/1090006680_0:371:958:910_1920x0_80_0_0_fa0edc185fd654f38f8e707c16fe0de7.jpg

"Give us jobs or give us bullets", proclaimed one of the placards during the protest march by the All Ladakh Unemployed Youth Association in Leh, the capital city of Ladakh, on Monday.Inhabitants have described it as one of the biggest protests in Leh as the region's youths are suffering an unprecedented level of unemployment triggered by a stalled recruitment process in the past two years.Paljor said that the protest was supported by various of Ladakh's student unions and civil society groups."The government does nothing until we take to the streets. We will keep up the pressure, we will hit the streets again", Paljor insisted.Students demanded holding the recruitment process for local youths when the country's Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, visited Ladakh in August. Kargili added that, under the new administrative structure, people's representatives have lost their importance as bureaucrats control them.Spread over 59,146 square kilometres, Ladakh has fewer than 300,000 people and more than 97 percent of the population belongs to Scheduled Tribes.As large parts of Ladakh are highly underdeveloped for several reasons - including treacherous hilly areas - government jobs and government-funded development works are necessary for locals to scrape a living.Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, a BJP politician from Ladakh, raised the issue of vacant government posts in March this year. Still, India's Ministry of Home Affairs did not provide a concrete number during the response in parliament.The Ministry of Home Affairs claimed 493 District Cadre Posts had been filled in 2020 and 538 people had also been engaged via outsourcing."Only when we put pressure on the government will it move. We want local youths to be recruited into permanent jobs. But in two years the government has only issued orders to provide resident certificates," Paljor said.Paljor says the administration put out an advertisement to fill 214 vacancies in the police service only after they had been pressured to do so by the mass rally.Locals from villages near the Chinese border have a different issue. After the federal government scrapped a rule a few years back, they lost the special quota in government jobs. Stanzin also highlighted that in the past two years, border regions did not receive funds under the Border Area Development Programme, a federally sponsored fund designed to meet the special development needs of people living in remote and inaccessible areas near the international border."It has halted all the works in the border villages, and this has also created unemployment. The government must release funds," declared Stanzin, who raised his concerns on 8 October with Radha Krishna Mathur, Lieutenant-Governor of Ladakh. Most people agree that there is a pressing and immediate need to tackle locals' concerns to avoid any possibility of the resentment spreading into such places as the Kashmir valley in what is otherwise a peaceful Ladakh.

ladakh region

china

india

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg

Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg

narendra modi, ladakh region, china, india, unemployment, youth, jobs, india
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/scott-ritter-says-powell-was-in-on-iraq-regime-change-plans-1090053927.html

Scott Ritter Says Powell Was in on Iraq Regime Change Plans

Scott Ritter Says Powell Was in on Iraq Regime Change Plans

Scott Ritter argues that Colin Powell helped craft and conceal the policy for regime change in Iraq. 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T09:09+0000

2021-10-20T09:09+0000

2021-10-20T09:09+0000

venezuela

colin powell

politico

iran

drones

ecuador

us sanctions

wars

the critical hour

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/13/1090053891_29:0:1273:700_1920x0_80_0_0_34321cc947b79bbed0354f6e6632ed1d.png

Scott Ritter Says Powell Was in on Iraq Regime Change Plans Scott Ritter argues that Colin Powell helped craft and conceal the policy for regime change in Iraq.

Scott Ritter, former UN weapon inspector in Iraq, joins us to discuss Colin Powell. Scott Ritter gives us his insider view as to what Colin Powell knew about the Bush regime's plans for the overthrow of the government of Iraq. Scott argues that Colin Powell was not an innocent bystander pushing back on irrational policies, but that he helped craft the foolish plans to deceive the American people and invade Iraq based on lies.James Carey, editor/co-owner at Geopoliticsalert.com, joins us to discuss Iran. Recent polls show that Iranian citizens have given up on any hope of a rapprochement with the US under the Biden administration and want their leaders to unify with Eurasian powers.Niko House, political activist, independent journalist and podcaster, joins us to discuss the media. The new billionaire owner of Politico has announced that the media outlet will be aligned with US official economic and military policies and that any employees opposed to this policy will be let go. Caitlyn Johnstone has penned an article in which she uses humor to describe the "refreshing" burst of honesty in the media.Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink, joins us to discuss sanctions. US sanctions against the Taliban will intentionally create misery and starvation for the already impoverished people. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has argued that the US policy of sanctioning the world will eventually force the replacement of the US dollar as the world's reserve currency.Roger Harris, human rights activist and board member for the 32-year-old anti-imperialist human rights organization Task Force on the Americas, joins us to discuss Venezuelan diplomat Alex Saab. World-renowned human rights activist Roger Harris joins us to discuss the Alex Saab case. Saab has been kidnapped by the US government and taken to Miami for a fake prosecution on a charge of money laundering.Kathy Kelly, American peace activist, joins us to discuss drones. The US is being misled about the illegal and immoral drone war because the media and Pentagon are using misleading terms such as "over the horizon" capabilities. These kinds of attacks seem destined to continue, piling up civilian casualties in the process due to the inability of high altitude attacks to distinguish between civilian and military targets.Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss the FBI raid on Russian aluminum tycoon Oleg Deripaska. Additionally, we discuss the break in diplomatic ties between Russia and NATO.Robert Fantina, journalist and Palestine activist, joins us to discuss Israel. Palestinian prisoners in Israel are challenging the injustice of the Israeli system with long, brutal hunger strikes. The prisoners have no judicial system to provide a fair trial, and have decided that their only weapons are their bodies.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.com

Truth 101 ROOT CAUSE --- "The corruption is the American public willing to go along with Empire builders and war-mongers." --- Surely, and all because the public knows that by going along, there taxes will be reduced. 0

1

venezuela

iran

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Wilmer Leon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg

Wilmer Leon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Wilmer Leon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg

venezuela, colin powell, politico, iran, drones, ecuador, us sanctions, wars, the critical hour, , radio
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/spain-agrees-to-extradite-venezuelas-former-chief-spy-to-us-1090070576.html

Spain Agrees to Extradite Venezuela's Former Chief Spy to US

Spain Agrees to Extradite Venezuela's Former Chief Spy to US

Spain Agrees to Extradite Venezuela's Former Chief Spy to US

2021-10-20T13:07+0000

2021-10-20T13:07+0000

2021-10-20T13:42+0000

europe

us

latin america

venezuela

hugo carvajal

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/14/1090071577_0:184:3018:1882_1920x0_80_0_0_c28c79844bb9f75274842138c3bf06cc.jpg

Spain's High Court has given the green light to extradite former Venezuelan spymaster Hugo Carvajal to the US. He was arrested in September in a hideout in Madrid.Washington is seeking Carvajal's extradition on narcoterrorism charges, which it has used against many Venezuelan officials as a mean of prosecuting them. The US believes that Carvajal, who acted as the chief spy in the government of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, can provide valuable information about the alleged drug-related activities of elected Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, as well as those close to him.Between a Rock and a Hard Place?Carvajal was earlier denied asylum in Spain. He also fought his extradition with variable results  Spain's National Court listened to his appeal, overruled an earlier decision by a high court magistrate, and effectively rejected the extradition warrant. His case was appealed again, but Carvajal went into hiding from what he described as "political" prosecution. Spanish police finally tracked him down to a hideout in Madrid in September 2021.The former Venezuelan spymaster claims he was set up by Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, whom he accuses of "fabricating" evidence against him and the Chavez government of running drug trafficking operations. Carvajal is allegedly not welcome in Venezuela either: he backed the coup attempt by the self-proclaimed interim president, Juan Guaido  a former opposition leader, who unsuccessfully tried to stage a military uprising against the elected Venezuelan president in April 2019.Carvajal arrived in Spain under a secret identity, presumably running from both the US and Venezuela. He reportedly wanted to use his knowledge of Venezuelan politics to gain favour by helping to overthrow Maduro's government. However, he was arrested in Spain on the US warrant before Guaido made his move to try to stage the coup.

https://sputniknews.com/20210915/venezuelan-prosecutors-open-investigation-into-embezzlement-charges-against-guaido-1089088334.html

Eichenlaub EICHENLAUB continues: Therefore, Spain's extradition of 'El Pollo' to the U.S. could be seen as an act of 'chumming up' with Uncle Sam. 2

armor SN , how grateful are we that you allow advertising here. We want, we need more advertsisers here, SN will benefit surely a lot. 'We' vote for many more advertisers like Dr Nelson. SN, you are unique.... 2

5

venezuela

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg

Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg

europe, us, latin america, venezuela, hugo carvajal
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/swedish-submarine-loaded-live-torpedoes-amid-major-russian-drill--report-1090058531.html

Swedish Submarine Loaded Live Torpedoes Amid Major Russian Drill  Report

Swedish Submarine Loaded Live Torpedoes Amid Major Russian Drill  Report

The Zapad-21 drills, featuring some 200,000 personnel, were held in western Russia and Belarus in September and were labelled a "demonstration of strength"... 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T06:16+0000

2021-10-20T06:16+0000

2021-10-20T06:16+0000

news

military & intelligence

sweden

baltic sea

scandinavia

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105111/69/1051116940_0:146:2048:1298_1920x0_80_0_0_187f45f1a3b1f62eac16a195971a24c1.jpg

In the midst of the joint Russian-Belarusian drills Zapad-21 in September, the Swedish submarine HMS Uppland was ordered to carry out a complex secret operation  namely to load live torpedoes out at sea, national broadcaster SVT has reported.Under great secrecy, the torpedoes were transported from their storage facility via a highway and loaded onto the HMS Pelikanen, the Swedish Navy's only missile and torpedo salvage vessel.The HMS Pelikanen and the HMS Uppland subsequently met up in a bay in the Ostergotland archipelago where the transshipment took place, "on a dark night" as SVT put it.The reason for the rare field exercise was to do a contingency check built on the premise that their home base had been knocked out.The HMS Uppland is a 62-metre Gotland-class diesel-electric submarine displacing 1,580 tonnes and manning up to 32 sailors. It has been in service since 1997 and has two peers within the Swedish Navy, the HMS Gotland and the HMS Halland.The Zapad-21 drills held in western Russia and Belarus featured some 200,000 personnel, over 80 aircraft, and up to 760 pieces of military equipment.At that time, Swedish Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist specifically warned that the drills, seen as the largest of its kind since the Cold War, affected Sweden's entire surroundings. He later called the exercise a "demonstration of strength" showcasing Moscow's "extensive military capability".Earlier this year, a military garrison on Sweden's largest Baltic Sea island, Gotland, was bolstered, citing increased Russian military activity in the area. The Swedish reinforcements included sensors, off-road and armoured vehicles, air defence units, ships, and Gripen aircraft. SVT speculated that the measure may have been linked to the Zapad drills as well.

https://sputniknews.com/20210825/sweden-bolsters-military-presence-on-key-baltic-island-citing-increased-russian-activity-1083705767.html

mandrake The swedish friggin minister of defence is seriously sick and sees a russian under his bed and desk in the office and on the take by the moronistans military industrial complex plus giving bjs to mossad - his closer relation with epstein has still to be investigated! 14

TruePatriot Perhaps the Swedish navy should load that clown into a torpedo tube and launch him toward the North Sea. 12

5

sweden

baltic sea

scandinavia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Igor Kuznetsov

Igor Kuznetsov

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Igor Kuznetsov

news, military & intelligence, sweden, baltic sea, scandinavia
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/tension-erupts-in-indias-uttar-pradesh-after--dalit-cleaner-dies-in-police-custody-1090063992.html

Tension Erupts in India's Uttar Pradesh After Dalit Cleaner Dies in Police Custody

Tension Erupts in India's Uttar Pradesh After Dalit Cleaner Dies in Police Custody

On Sunday, cash worth INR2.5 million ($33,400 approx.) was stolen from Uttar Pradesh state's Jagdishpura police station. Two days later, on Tuesday, police... 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T14:06+0000

2021-10-20T14:06+0000

2021-10-20T14:06+0000

agra

bharatiya janata party (bjp)

india

uttar pradesh

police

yogi adityanath

priyanka gandhi

india

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/14/1090071901_0:24:3147:1794_1920x0_80_0_0_31ee6200e416d55d0b927d361ff17558.jpg

The opposition parties in India's Uttar Pradesh state, which is gearing up for elections, have severely criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state government after a Dalit sanitation worker, named Arun Valmiki, died in police custody on Wednesday morning.Dalits, also known as "untouchables" because other Indians consider them too lowly to communicate with, make up approximately 21 percent of Uttar Pradesh's total population of 204 million. The criticism came as Congress party's general-secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was prevented from meeting Valmiki's family in Agra city. His death was also condemned by Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the state's main opposition Samajwadi Party and former state chief.In a tweet, the Congress party stated: "Ruling BJP is trying to kill constitutional rights of citizens, crushing the voices that demand justice."Police arrested Arun, a sanitation worker, on Tuesday morning for allegedly stealing INR2.5 million from the police station's stockroom. The Uttar Pradesh force claimed that they recovered some of the money from Arun, whose health deteriorated during the night for reasons as yet unspecified. He was taken to hospital, where he died.Samajwadi Party leader Yadav demanded a strict inquiry be conducted into the police officers who were involved in the "murder".Many activists have lambasted the BJP government and raised questions on the law and order in the state.Members of the Valmiki (Dalit) community also converged outside the house of the victim Arun and SN Medical College, where his post-mortem was to take place. His family members claimed that Arun was beaten up by police, which led to his death, according to a Hindi news channel ABP report.In view of mounting tension, the local administration has deployed police as a precautionary step to maintain peace in the area.This year, the federal Modi government said in parliament that in the past three years, a total of 348 people died in police custody in India, and 5,221 died in judicial custody. In the same time in the state of Uttar Pradesh, 23 people died in police custody, and 1,295 deaths were recorded in judicial custody.The BJP, led by Yogi Adityanath, has held sway in Uttar Pradesh since 2017 and is set to face legislative assembly elections in early 2022.

agra

india

uttar pradesh

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Deexa Khanduri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/1e/1081607388_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_e9e931b8c1e18fb41f3074e2145d7a3a.jpg

Deexa Khanduri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/1e/1081607388_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_e9e931b8c1e18fb41f3074e2145d7a3a.jpg

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Deexa Khanduri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0c/1e/1081607388_0:0:961:960_100x100_80_0_0_e9e931b8c1e18fb41f3074e2145d7a3a.jpg

agra, bharatiya janata party (bjp), india, uttar pradesh, police, yogi adityanath, priyanka gandhi, india
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/tigray-forces-accuse-ethiopian-govt-of-new-airstrikes-in-mekelle-1090070139.html

Tigray Forces Accuse Ethiopian Gov't of New Airstrikes in Mekelle

Tigray Forces Accuse Ethiopian Gov't of New Airstrikes in Mekelle

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) said on Wednesday that the Ethiopian air force attacked the region's capital city of Mekelle... 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T12:46+0000

2021-10-20T12:46+0000

2021-10-20T12:46+0000

ethiopia

africa

tplf (tigray people's liberation front)

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/07/02/1083295008_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_3d1819735ab7d63fd9c02a26ed6ca130.jpg

Earlier in the day, US State Department spokesman Ned Price said that Washington is "looking into" the airstrikes in Mekelle and is concerned about the increasing violence in the region. The TPLF reported an increase in attacks by the Ethiopian army last week.On Monday, the TPLF said the Ethiopian military conducted an airstrike on Mekelle, which reportedly resulted in three deaths. The Ethiopian government later confirmed the attack.The conflict between the TPLF and the Ethiopian government has continued since last November when Addis Ababa accused Tigray of attacking a local military base and launched an offensive. Neighboring Eritrea supported the government forces.

ethiopia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

ethiopia, africa, tplf (tigray people's liberation front)
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/two-russian-jets-intercept-american-bombers-over-black-sea-1090059819.html

Two Russian Jets Intercept American Bombers Over Black Sea

Two Russian Jets Intercept American Bombers Over Black Sea

Two SU-30 warplanes escorted two US B-1B strategic bombers over the Black Sea in order to prevent the American planes from violating Russia's borders, the... 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T06:55+0000

2021-10-20T06:55+0000

2021-10-20T07:31+0000

black sea

us

russia

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105884/03/1058840378_20:0:4980:2790_1920x0_80_0_0_e420920dd5e0f846d551cc6c2211ebd4.jpg

According to the statement, the air targets were identified as two strategic US Air Force supersonic B-1B bombers, accompanied by two KC-135 tanker aircraft. The Russian planes escorted them over the Black Sea.The flight by the Russian aircraft was carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace.Over the past few years, Moscow has repeatedly pointed out the escalating activity of the US and their allies in the region, warning that such behaviour by NATO near Russian territory might result in border incidents.

Holger H. Russia should let these US Bombers violate their Airspace and then shoot them down. It would be a Lesson the Yankees dont forget... 8

Tim6311 Russia should not scramble any jets in future. Just let it come over the airspace and shoot it down with SAMS. 4

4

black sea

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Evgeny Mikhaylov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/07/1080390164_0:0:1440:1440_100x100_80_0_0_46c187f2ab0908f86849a7d09a7def57.jpg

Evgeny Mikhaylov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/07/1080390164_0:0:1440:1440_100x100_80_0_0_46c187f2ab0908f86849a7d09a7def57.jpg

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Evgeny Mikhaylov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/07/1080390164_0:0:1440:1440_100x100_80_0_0_46c187f2ab0908f86849a7d09a7def57.jpg

black sea, us, russia
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/us-house-rules-committee-approves-bannons-criminal-contempt-referral-sets-up-full-vote-1090080664.html

US House Rules Committee Approves Bannon's Criminal Contempt Referral, Sets Up Full Vote

US House Rules Committee Approves Bannon's Criminal Contempt Referral, Sets Up Full Vote

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US House of Representatives Rules Committee on Wednesday approved the criminal contempt referral of former Trump aide Steve Bannon... 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T18:55+0000

2021-10-20T18:55+0000

2021-10-20T18:55+0000

us

steve bannon

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107523/53/1075235341_0:0:5089:2864_1920x0_80_0_0_0a5339f3714217d89108a3fa3bc76f68.jpg

The Rules Committee approved the measure in a 9-4 vote along party lines.The resolution was drafted and first approved on Tuesday by the US House Select Committee investigating the events at the Capitol on January 6.US media reported the full vote could take place on Thursday.Last week, Bannon refused to comply with a subpoena that required him to testify before the Select Committee and referenced the executive privilege rule in his defense. However, the committe sent a private letter to Bannons lawyer in which it rejected his arguments not to cooperate in the ongoing probe and threatened to hold him accountable for contempt of Congress.On Monday, former US President Donald Trump sued the Select Committee for what he says are illegal requests to obtain White House records, saying the records have no connection to the events. Trumps lawsuit points out that the FBI has found no evidence the event was part of an organized plot to overturn the 2020 election results nor that Trump and his associates were involved in any such exercise.On 6 January 2021, thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building in a bid to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden's win in the November election. The storming was preceded by a Trump rally, which saw a massive turnout. Five people, including a Capitol Police officer, died as a result of the riot.The president, who has repeatedly claimed the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him, was accused of inciting an insurrection". Trump vehemently rejected the accusations, spearheaded by the Democrats, that he had instigated the riots. He was later impeached by the US House of Representatives on charges of incitement to insurrection, but was subsequently acquitted by the US Senate.

us

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

us, steve bannon
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/were-on-the-edge-uk-govt-urged-to-enact-plan-b-to-prevent-nhs-crisis-amid-rise-in-covid-cases-1090058033.html

'We're on the Edge': UK Gov't Urged to Enact 'Plan B' to Prevent NHS Crisis Amid Rise in COVID Cases

'We're on the Edge': UK Gov't Urged to Enact 'Plan B' to Prevent NHS Crisis Amid Rise in COVID Cases

Last month, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson made it clear that if the government's Plan A on encouraging COVID-19 boosters and free flu jabs fails to stop... 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T06:05+0000

2021-10-20T06:05+0000

2021-10-20T06:05+0000

boris johnson

national health service (nhs)

vaccination

government

crisis

ministers

uk

coronavirus

covid-19

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/14/1090057926_0:144:3127:1903_1920x0_80_0_0_0545a8579de2ddb43f60544287f76022.jpg

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the UK's National Health Service Confederation, has urged the government to swiftly roll out Plan B for anti-COVID winter measures to prevent a possible NHS crisis. The call comes as Britain has seen the highest daily coronavirus death toll since March. Plan B envisages that the public would be urged to act more cautiously, mandatory vaccine passports could be used for mass events, and face coverings could be legally mandated in certain settings.He called on ministers to not only announce that they are "moving" to Plan B, "but it should be Plan B plus".According to the NHS Confederation head, "we [the government] should do what's in Plan B in terms of masks [] working from home, but also we should try to achieve the kind of national mobilisation that we achieved in the first and second waves, where the public went out of their way to support and help the health service".Taylor also urged ministers to encourage the public to use the NHS responsibly, as well as look out for neighbours and volunteer or even re-enter the healthcare workforce.The remarks come as Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesperson said that cabinet ministers "obviously keep very close watch on the latest statistics" when asked about the ever-increasing coronavirus cases."We always knew the coming months would be challenging", the spokesperson pointed out, adding, "what we are seeing is case rates, hospitalisations, and deaths still broadly in line with the modelling as set out a few months back now".The comments were echoed by Professor Andrew Hayward, from the UK government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), who described the increase in COVID infections as "concerning" in an interview with the BBC.Britain's COVID Death Toll Rising at Record PaceOn Tuesday, the UK government reported 223 more coronavirus deaths, which is the highest daily-reported figure in seven months. The number of new COVID cases recorded in the latest 24-hour period stood at 43,738.BoJo Rolls Out Winter Anti-COVID Measures In mid-September, Prime Minister Johnson warned that COVID "remains a risk" as he unveiled the government's winter plan for anti-COVID measures, which stipulate imposing Plan B if the NHS comes under "unsustainable pressure" due to the flop of Plan A.Under Plan A, ministers should begin a booster jab programme, encourage the unvaccinated to be inoculated, and offer free flu jabs, among other things.

https://sputniknews.com/20210731/nhs-england-secretly-planned-to-deny-treatment-to-the-elderly-during-severe-flu-pandemic-report-1083498093.html

tim Exactly. The very last thing the "government" will do is to admit their criminal liability for the explosions in death and disease which are resulting, and will result, from their Gates-funded and designed plan to exterminate the population, which started with the Midazolam-mediated murder of thousands of old people in care homes, and continued with the "vaccine rollout." 3

CountTo5Manual They are all going have shocking lesson this winter. All world actually but UK and US the worst. 2

7

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg

Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg

boris johnson, national health service (nhs), vaccination, government, crisis, ministers, uk, coronavirus, covid-19
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/woman-in-india-found-murdered-with-feet-reportedly-chopped-off-for-silver-anklets-1090065328.html

Woman in India Found Murdered With Feet Reportedly Chopped Off for Silver Anklets

Woman in India Found Murdered With Feet Reportedly Chopped Off for Silver Anklets

The local police investigating the gruesome incident suspect it was a "case of murder for gain". The perpetrators have not yet been identified. 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T12:35+0000

2021-10-20T12:35+0000

2021-10-20T12:35+0000

robbery

india

murder

rajasthan

crime

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/14/1090069566_0:122:1280:842_1920x0_80_0_0_963722251a7b4f055718248f73f8e86a.jpg

In a shocking incident, robbers in the Indian state of Rajasthan murdered a woman in broad daylight, reportedly chopping off her feet, and stealing the silver anklets she was wearing. Multiple reports also suggested that her throat was slit.The grisly incident took place on Tuesday.On Wednesday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentarian Rajayvardhan Singh Rathore slammed the Congress-led Rajasthan government and alleged that it had failed to control the crime situation in the state.According to local police, the victim has since been identified as Geeta Devi Sharma, a resident of the village of Khatehpura in Chavandiya. As per media reports, she was attacked while grazing cattle in a field near her home. Meanwhile, the woman's relatives have demanded that strict action be taken against the culprits along with a compensation of over $33,000 and a government job from the state. The gruesome incident has additionally caused panic and outrage among locals. On Tuesday, Vasundhara Raje, the former chief of Rajasthan and a BJP politician, slammed the state government, accusing it of being unable to maintain law and order in the state. "As shocking as the case of the brutal murder of a woman in the village of Khatehpura in Jamwa Ramgarh is, it is much more shameful for the state government. The Congress government should answer why the law situation in the state has become so helpless", Raje said in a tweet in Hindi. Several other BJP politicians expressed anger over the incident and lashed out at the state government as well.BJP parliamentarian Kirodi Lal Meena took to Twitter on Tuesday and said that Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should address the crime in Rajasthan too. "Priyanka Gandhi, who is chanting the slogan, Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon, should look at this incident that happened in Jamwa Ramgarh in Jaipur today. Is she finding that women are only unsafe in Uttar Pradesh? ...The shameful fact is that Rajasthan tops the country in crimes against women. The chief of our state, Mr Ashok Gehlot is only busy in your glory by ignoring women's safety", Meena said in a tweet in Hindi while sharing extremely graphic pictures of the gory incident.A special team has reportedly been formed to investigate the murder, and the body has been sent for an autopsy.

https://sputniknews.com/20210811/5-year-old-girl-murdered-in-suspected-human-sacrifice-ritual-in-indias-assam-state--1083581157.html

india

rajasthan

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Sushmita Panda https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926186_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_4474d0d7e27a36878eb8727832be74b4.jpg

Sushmita Panda https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926186_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_4474d0d7e27a36878eb8727832be74b4.jpg

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sushmita Panda https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926186_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_4474d0d7e27a36878eb8727832be74b4.jpg

robbery, india, murder, rajasthan, crime
https://sputniknews.com/20211020/yalta-20-why-us-military-analysts-urge-biden-to-avoid-standoff-with-russia-china-at-all-costs-1090064167.html

Yalta 2.0? Why US Military Analysts Urge Biden to Avoid Standoff With Russia, China at All Costs

Yalta 2.0? Why US Military Analysts Urge Biden to Avoid Standoff With Russia, China at All Costs

Although Joe Biden has set the competition with Russia and China as his administration's top priority, US foreign affairs experts and retired military are... 20.10.2021, Sputnik International

2021-10-20T13:00+0000

2021-10-20T13:00+0000

2021-10-20T13:00+0000

joe biden

world

military & intelligence

us

russia

asia & pacific

opinion

climate change

europe

china

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/104526/04/1045260499_0:260:5000:3073_1920x0_80_0_0_b2e85ef52ddbecdb1a1bbbdf03966f1e.jpg

The US is incapable of taking on China and Russia simultaneously, warned David T. Pyne, Esq., a former US Army combat arms and HQ staff officer with an M.A. in National Security Studies from Georgetown University in a recent op-ed for The National Interest.Furthermore, Washington is unprepared to fight "even a purely conventional war" with Moscow and Beijing, let alone an all-out nuclear confrontation, according to Pyne. He lamented Washington's decision to expand NATO into Eastern Europe in the late 1990s, insisting that it was a strategic mistake as it pushed Moscow and Beijing into each other's arms.Similarly, Edward Geist, a policy researcher at the RAND Corporation, predicted a military defeat for the US should it fight Russia in Europe or China over Taiwan, while Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs A. Wess Mitchell insisted in August 2021 that "avoiding a two-front war with China and Russia must rank among the foremost objectives of contemporary US grand strategy." For his part, Daniel Goure, former director of the Office of Strategic Competitiveness in the Office of the Secretary of Defence from 1991 to 1993, has raised the alarm over the incapability of US ground forces to outperform their Russian peers in a hypothetical conflict in Europe.Waning Power, Erosion of Military MoraleMeanwhile, instead of advocating further increases to the Pentagon's already bloated military budget David T. Pyne proposes creating "spheres of interest".According to the former combat officer, America's "outdated pursuit of hegemony" should be replaced with "strategic retrenchment" and "offshore balancing". Pyne suggested that "a scaled-back US military presence overseas" would "greatly reduce the impetus for Russia and China to ally with each other to balance against the United States". On top of this, he proposed negotiating a global spheres of influence agreement that safeguards vital US interests.Yalta 2.0 appears to be nothing but academic rhetoric, deems Dr Paul Craig Roberts, a former Wall Street Journal editor, ex-assistant secretary of the treasury under Ronald Reagan, and former member of the Cold War Committee on the Present Danger. However, the aforementioned US military analysts "are correct that Washington is no match for Russia and China", he says. What's more "the US is spread too thin in its ambitions to be a match for anyone", Dr Roberts remarks."The US military is in a state of rapid decline", he says. "The huge budget goes largely into 'cost overruns' or profits for the armaments industry and results in costly but second-class weapons systems".The main problem, however, is the morale of American troops, according to the former Reagan administration official. He argues that wokeism has infested the Army, Air Force, and Navy, with white male troops being forced to take "racial sensitivity training". Simultaneously, promotions for white men are on hold for the purpose of achieving a "balance" by promoting African American and women, further undermining respect and mutual trust among US military servicemen, he says.On top of this stands Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley, who botched the Afghan withdrawal and who told his Chinese counterpart that he would give him advance warning of an American attack in the final months of Donald Trump's presidency, Dr Roberts summarises. Many in the US Armed Forces feel betrayed by the Biden administration, according to the former Reagan official.Neither Russia Nor China Wants WarWhat's more important is that neither Russia nor China intends to attack the US, the former American official underscores, adding that "much less does Moscow want responsibility for Eastern Europe".Yet, that does not mean there is zero risk associated with grand power competition. There is a danger that an American population indoctrinated about the "Communist threat" and Washington's recklessness, such as putting military advisers in Taiwan, could "result in a provocation that is too big for the provoked country to ignore", he warns.The CIA veteran refers to the latest article by Stephen Kinzer, an American author, journalist, and academic, in The Boston Globe. According to Kinzer, "cooperation with China and Russia is the only way forward given the mammoth problems the world is facing today"."It today's radically altered world our greatest security threats no longer come from other states", the American author wrote. "Climate change, pandemics, and the erosion of our own society threaten the United States more than any country does".The urgency of transnational challenges requires a new level of global cooperation, Kinzer insisted, adding that cooperation with Russia and China would obviously come with certain compromises on the part of the US. And still, according to him, the pain of these choices "pales beside the prospect of onrushing threats to humanity's future".

https://sputniknews.com/20211013/why-us-uks-show-of-force-failed-to-deter-china--how-beijing-may-benefit-paris-and-berlin-1089882872.html

https://sputniknews.com/20210812/apocalypse-now-what-are-risks-of-cias-possible-all-out-clandestine-war-against-russia--china-1083591013.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211019/whats-behind-skyrocketing-number-of-us-military-suicides--is-us-govt-doing-enough-to-stop-it-1090045224.html

fluttershield mlp The only countries that want and need conflicts/wars are NATO countries. Sick war criminals playing God with other peoples lives. 14

USSuxRuskyNuts The analysts know that the US can not win against these two countries together! They also know that Russia and China's allies could join the fight and Iran will start demolishing Israel and the other Arab nations will join them! I say lets get the party started! LMAO 11

7

europe

china

south china sea

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2021

Ekaterina Blinova

Ekaterina Blinova

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Ekaterina Blinova

joe biden, world, military & intelligence, us, russia, asia & pacific, opinion, climate change, europe, china, military, south china sea, us pentagon, war
George Leager's Slick Tony was presented with Horse of the Meet honours after the seventh race Tuesday (Oct. 19) at Harrington Raceway.

For the second time in the last three years, the six-year-old No Spin Zone stallion won the honour courtesy of the Delaware Valley Chapter of the United States Harness Writer's Association. Slick Tony had seven wins at the Harrington meet and banked more than $75,000. Slick Tony, who has earned more than $861,000 in his career, dominated the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) events at two and three and continues to compete at a high level in the Mid-Atlantic region. Slick Tony is trained by his owner in Sudlersville, Mary.

After a double Monday, driver Mike Cole drove a trio winners for trainer Joe Columbo and owners George and Tina Dennis. Cole guided Columbo-trainees Sea Princess ($7), Sweet Violets ($7.60) and Michelle's Jazz ($3.60) to victory. Victor Kirby and Allan Davis also had a driving double.

Wednesday (Oct. 20) marks the final night for the 75th anniversary season before the live racing circuit shifts to Dover Downs on Nov. 1.

Post time is 4:30 p.m. (EDT).

(Harrington Raceway)
SC Identification Technician Stephen MacLeod will be making his final visits of the year to New Brunswick and P.E.I. this weekend to microchip horses.

MacLeod will be at Exhibition Park on Saturday, Oct. 23 to microchip all racehorses that have not yet been microchipped.

MacLeod will then travel to P.E.I. on Monday, Oct. 25 to microchip racehorses and foals on the island. He will be at the Red Shores at Summerside Raceway during the afternoon.

This is the technician's last visit to New Brunswick and P.E.I. this year and your last chance to have your horses microchipped.

Please contact Stephen MacLeod by text or call to make an appointment to have your horses microchipped at 902-897-5156.

Don't be a "late scratch"! All racehorses must be microchipped in order to race in 2022.
The idea for the Rapidan RiverClark Mountain district grew from the local landowners stewardship of and devotion to their historic properties, said Kristie Kendall, PECs historic preservation coordinator.

The idea evolved into the nomination of a large region for a historic district that overlaps arguably one of the most historically significant areas of Virginia, Kendall said. Our hope is that by informing community members about the historic importance of this region, we can build community-wide support for the designation of this district on the state and national registers.

The district is solely an honorary designation, shining light on the historic significance of the area, she noted. It does not prohibit property owners from doing anything to their property. Only locally designated historic districts are subject to local zoning ordinances and procedures.

During the Nov. 4 meeting, PEC, the Fairfield Foundation/DATA Investigations LLC and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources will lead a discussion, with plenty of time for Q&A, about the areas historical significance and the process for its listing on the registers.

Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}
Avula stressed in last weeks online session that getting children ages 5-11 vaccinated is going to be an incredibly important part of our journey beyond COVID, but he wished the vaccine could have been ready before the delta surge.

Pfizer has submitted research from its clinical trials to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration which is reviewing the data. The FDA will make a recommendation, then the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will rule as well. Avula said both groups might be finished with their reviews by the first week of November, meaning the vaccine could be available for younger children within two weeks.

Questions to Avula from parents focused on the smaller clinical trial for childrena study of 2,200 kids ages 5-11 compared to 30,000 people in the adult trials. However, the adult trials were spread out among people ages 16 to 90 so the number of younger children studied is actually more than any similar age range in the larger group, he said.
A 50-year-old Lincoln parolee is in custody after a deadly fight near North 26th and Vine streets Monday afternoon.

Police say Brian Adams Sr. assaulted the 29-year-old victim with a large pole during a mutual fight in the middle of the day a block from one of the busiest intersections in town.

Adams was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder and use of a weapon to commit a felony, Jason Stille, assistant chief of operations at the Lincoln Police Department, said at a news conference Tuesday morning.

Stille declined to provide the name of the man who died until family are notified.

He said Adams was quickly developed as a suspect and arrested at a home in southwest Lincoln a few hours after the fight. He is being treated at a hospital for injuries suspected to have been from the fight and will be jailed when he is released.

Stille said a 911 call at 3:08 p.m. sent police and Lincoln Fire and Rescue to the home where a fight outside in a driveway had left the younger man injured.

When police arrived 3 minutes later, people on the scene were performing CPR. The victim was taken to the hospital, but died around 4 p.m.
The Morrill Public School Board announced on Monday they would not renew Superintendent Joe Sherwoods contract beyond the end of the school year. The decision came after a four-hour public meeting, half of which the board spent in executive session discussing the superintendents improvement targets and his future with the district.

Eighty members of the public crammed into the district office at Morrill Elementary School. There were so many spectators some had to cluster around the door since there werent enough seats. The school board then decided to change the meeting location to the high school gymnasium a block away.

After the various reports at the beginning of the meeting, visitors were allowed to present public comments. A dozen audience members chose to do so. Most of them expressed concern about Sherwoods leadership ability and the state of the district. Staff and students alike were leaving for other schools, they said, and Sherwood was not providing them the support they needed.

Im here because I support Morrill schools, Julie Schuler, a former teacher who spoke at the meeting, said. Im invested in our school district...I want to make sure were going in the right direction.
You can come grab a book or two. If you want to bring the book back, you can. If you want to keep it, you can keep it. We will fill it as books come and go, she said. And if anyone does want to donate, theyre more than welcome to come to 4215 Ave. I and donate and just say that theyre there to donate books for our little library, and well take them.

Brezenski said the idea was to help promote reading, especially early literacy, to build language and learning skills for area children.

It creates an opportunity for families to read to their children, and to be able to have the access to the books that they have, and the more literature were exposed to, the stronger our language, the stronger our learning, and we increase our ability to learn when we go into the educational system, she said. So, early is  thats one of the key reasons we wanted to have the Early Learning books in there, so that parents would have the access to be able to read to their children, so that we can start having them hear literature from an early age.

Another reason for having books for ages zero to 21 in their Little Free Library is because those are the ages of individuals that ESU-13 serves in one way or another, so it just makes sense.
Last year, Kuhlman said she also got permission for officers to add a little bit of extra pink to their uniforms, with officers able to wear pink shoelaces and a pink ribbon during the month of October.

I just thought it might be a little bit more for the public to see what we are doing, Kuhlman said. It stands out if you look down and see a pair of black boots, and then these pink shoelaces.

In 2021, 26 police and sheriffs departments are participating, and the Nebraska State Patrol. The Scottsbluff department is the only police or sheriff department in the Panhandle participating. Troop E of the Nebraska State Patrol is also participating, with the patrol participating for the fourth year. Patches are available at local NSP offices and online.

In 2019, Kuhlman said, the Scottsbluff department raised $300 to benefit Festival of Hope. Already this year, she said, they are coming close to that number and they are about halfway through the month. People can sew the patches on a jacket, hang them from a bulletin board or give them as a gift to a patient, Kuhlman said.

Patches are available from any officer of the Scottsbluff Police Department or at the department, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Flower Mound police have arrested a man on an aggravated assault charge in connection with a May 2 shooting that left one resident shot in the back.

Devin Homer, 24, was arrested Oct. 14 on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge.

On May 2, a Flower Mound resident in his early 20s was walking towards the front door of his home on the 200 block of Harbor Hills Drive when he heard somebody running up behind him. The resident was trying to get through the door of his home when someone shot at him from behind twice. One bullet went through the victims backpack and hit him in the back. The other bullet grazed his elbow.

The victim made it into the front door after being shot where his family members met him, called 911 and started tending to his injuries. The victim was taken to a local hospital, underwent surgery and has since fully recovered, said Capt. Shane Jennings of the Flower Mound Police Department.

The night of the shooting, the victim had been coming home from a convenience store in Dallas, where he worked for his family, Jennings said. Geofence warrants obtained by an investigator showed the suspects phone in and around the area of the convenience store when the victim got off of work.

Then it also showed him basically following him home from Dallas to his residence here in Flower Mound where the shooting occurred, Jennings said.

Video surveillance, a vehicle description and a clothing description of the suspect paired with the geofence records all matched up, Jennings said.

Flower Mound police investigate shooting Flower Mound Police responded to call at 10:09 p.m. on Sunday in reference to a shooting in 

Homer was arrested based on the evidence, Jennings said. Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is a first degree felony.

Jennings characterized the shooting as a calculated attack and said the suspect knew that the victim worked at the convenience store. Jennings said the suspect was going after the contents of the backpack.

It definitely wasnt random in that the suspect knew that this individual worked at this convenience store over in Dallas and I guess knew that he also would bring home the cash from the convenience store for safekeeping, Jennings said.
A resolution is now being drafted that will ultimately be brought before the commission, the City Council and a public hearing before it can be approved.

The committee recommends no restrictions for zoning districts. They could be located in any residential property. It wouldnt just have to be in R-1 (single-family) or R-2 (multi-family). We have a lot of residential properties located in business or manufacturing districts, so we would not necessarily restrict the location, Detrick said.

The city expects to create a registry and is considering a $25 annual fee, although commission member Ed Harlow suggested it should be higher to cover all the costs.

Other considerations include a rule that only the owner of a property would be able to operate a short-term residential business, although they wouldnt necessarily have to live at the property.

If there are complaints for the operation of the rental, we feel there should be some type of consequence written into the code. A complaint would need to be legitimate and verifiable  such as a police report, not getting a phone call three days after saying somebody was loud at an Airbnb  that there should be a way to track that, Detrick said.
The Smyth County School Board has approved incentive awards for employees beginning in November.

At its October meeting, the board approved a monthly awards program that will provide cash and gifts to bus drivers, cafeteria workers, school custodians, and staff members.

The Extra Mile Award will be awarded to a bus driver with good attendance, good student relationships, a safe driving record, is willing to help with transportation situations beyond their normal daily runs, and who goes above and beyond the call of duty to help children be successful.

The Silver Apron Award will be awarded to a cafeteria employee who has good attendance, good peer and staff relations, good job performance, is concerned about childrens well-being, and is willing to help above and beyond the call of duty.

The Smyth County School Board Mover of Mountains Award will be awarded to a staff member who has good attendance, makes a difference in students lives every day, goes above and beyond the call of duty, has good staff relations, good job performance, and is a difference maker.

Smyth County Schools My School Shines Award will be awarded for the cleanest school that reflects aesthetics that are welcoming to students each and every day.
ABINGDON, Va.  More than 50 vendors will usher in the autumn season when the Abingdon Farmers Market hosts its first-ever Octoberfest from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23.

Market manager David McLeish said the fall market usually focuses on a pumpkin theme, but this year, he decided to try something new.

Special attractions will include a visit from chef Charles Parker from Harvest Table Restaurant in Meadowview, who will prepare four types of bratwursts on-site at the market, allowing customers to sample the food while they shop. Samples will be available from 10 a.m. to noon at the market.

Using portable burners and cooking equipment, Parker will prepare foods directly sourced from the Abingdon market.

My plan is to cook the different types of brats four different ways and have them served with other local ingredients that I find at the market that morning, said Parker.

For example, I am preparing a Tumbling Creek Cider Co. cider-braised pork bratwurst, served with quick-pickled cabbage and butter-sauteed apples, as my offering for the pork bratwurst.

Willie Bordwine, the baker at Harvest Table Restaurant, is preparing a different kind of mini roll to go with each dish.
Local opposition is largely based on the fact that these large renewable energy projects cause noise, impact health, reduce property values, kill wildlife, and despoil rural viewsheds. But rural residents are also righty concerned about what will happen to used wind turbine blades and solar panels when their usefulness is over.

According to our research, cumulative waste productions will rise far sooner and more sharply than most analysts project, stated a recent article in the Harvard Business Review. We see the volume of [solar] waste surpassing that of new installations by the year 2031. By 2035, discarded panels would outweigh new units sold by 2.56 times. And most of the blades from decommissioned wind turbines are currently being sawed up and dumped in local landfills.

Rural communities are seeing thousands of acres of arable land being converted to energy production. An industrial-sized solar farm, which produces intermittent energy, requires 450 times more land than a nuclear plant, which runs 24/7. And wind turbines take up to 700 times more land than a natural gas well to produce the same amount of electricity. If more rural communities say no to these projects, will government authorities use their eminent domain power to seize their land?
WASHINGTON (AP)  The FBI found a trash bag of shredded documents, thousands of dollars in cash, latex gloves and a go-bag when they searched the home of a Maryland couple accused of trying to sell information about nuclear-powered warships to a foreign country, an agent testified Wednesday.

Jonathan Toebbe, a Navy nuclear engineer, and his wife, Diana, were arrested in West Virginia this month. Prosecutors allege that Jonathan Toebbe tried to pass secrets about sophisticated and expensive Virginia-class submarines to someone he thought was a representative of a foreign government but who was actually an undercover FBI agent. The government accuses Diana Toebbe of serving as a lookout for her husband at several dead drop locations at which sensitive information was left behind.

The couple pleaded not guilty in federal court in Martinsburg, West Virginia to espionage-related charges that carry life in prison. The Toebbes have been jailed since their arrests.

The country to which Toebbe was looking to sell the information has not been identified in court documents and was not disclosed in court during a detention hearing Wednesday. A judge heard arguments but did not immediately rule on whether Diana Toebbe should continue to be locked up. Jonathan Toebbe waived his right to a detention hearing, meaning he continues to be held.

Peter Olinits, a Pittsburgh-based agent specializing in counterintelligence investigations, testified in support of the government's argument that Diana Toebbe was a potential flight risk and should remain jailed as the case moved forward.

He described how agents on the day of the couple's arrest found in their home, among other objects, $11,300 in cash, children's valid passports and a go-bag containing a USB flash drive and latex gloves.

Olinits also cited messages from 2019 and 2020 in which the Toebbes discussed leaving the country, including one in which Diana Toebbe said, I cannot believe that the two of us wouldn't be welcomed and rewarded by a foreign government." Months later, in another message, she said, I think we need to be actively making plans to leave the country," according to Olinits.

But Diana Toebbe's lawyer, Edward MacMahon, raised the possibility that his 45-year-old client, who worked as a teacher at a progressive private school in Annapolis, Maryland, was simply referring to her distress over the prospect of President Donald Trump's reelection.

She's not the only liberal that's wanted to leave the country over politics, MacMahon pointed out. That's correct, isn't it, sir?

The investigation began in late 2020 after an FBI legal attache office in an unspecified country obtained a package that prosecutors say Jonathan Toebbe had sent that nation. In a letter, he offered to sell confidential U.S. Navy information, according to prosecutors.

The letter, sent on April 1, 2020, and bearing a return address in Pittsburgh, says: If you do not contact me by December 31, 2020 I will conclude you are uninterested, and will approach other possible buyers," according to Olinits' testimony.

After receiving the letter, the FBI began using an undercover agent to communicate with Jonathan Toebbe, arranging for the information to be deposited at dead drop locations around the region.

Olinits testified that Diana Toebbe accompanied her husband on three of the four missions. To avoid suspicion, Olinits said, the Toebbes would dress as if tourists or hikers and meander around the drop site. Authorities say Jonathan Toebbe left at the locations memory cards containing government secrets, concealing them in objects including a chewing gum wrapper, a Band-Aid wrapper and a peanut butter sandwich.

Olinits said the FBI has not been able to locate the roughly $100,000 in cryptocurrency payments that the bureau sent the Toebbes in exchange for the stolen government secrets, and that agents have also not yet recovered all the classified documents.

MacMahon, the lawyer for Diana Toebbe, argued that because the FBI did not record any of the couple's conversations, agents actually had no proof that his client had any knowledge of her husband's activities or what precisely he was doing.

He said the couple, who has children, had been planning a family trip, which could explain the bag that agents found and why their passports were being renewed. And he suggested that Diana Toebbe, who has a doctoral degree in anthropology, has no knowledge of nuclear submarines.

Did it occur to you as part of your investigation that maybe Mr. Toebbe was telling her he was up to something other than espionage against the United States? MacMahon asked.

I think that'd be a difficult thing to sell, but maybe, Olinits said.



Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Sunshine filtered through the branches of giant spruce trees and dappled an underbrush of ferns, salal, blackberries and wood sorrel. A fresh, moist foresty scent filled the marine air. In the distance, the Pacific Ocean crashed and sprayed onto Sea Lion Rock and other coastal remnants of 20 million-year-old lava flows.

On the beach, the surf churned and clattered over cobbles and pebbles, part of the chorus of sounds that make up the eternal roar of the sea.

My hike Monday at Ecola State Park north of Cannon Beach was idyllic, even if the gooey mix of mud and fallen needles made footing precarious. Yet even this was a treat, because the route was a path through history  an old native American trail that Lewis and Clark used in 1806 to visit a dead whale beached at Cannon Beach.

But wait a minute. Should I have tread on this trail in the first place? Was I not, in a sense, condoning and benefitting from the destruction of native people, which the expedition of Lewis and Clark ultimately assisted through the encouragement of European American migration westward?

Of course not. But a similar logic is at play among some COVID-19 vaccine resistors, who object that the vaccines were developed using cell lines derived from two abortions that took place decades ago.

This moral dilemma involves an ends-and-means analysis. Is it medically ethical to accept a vaccine tainted by a connection to an abortion, even if the connection is tenuous and remote and the vaccines are helping to saving thousands, if not millions, of lives? Does accepting the vaccine make one morally complicit in the abortion?

As much as I abhor abortion, I cannot accept this line of reasoning. First, however, the facts:

Neither the Pfizer nor the Moderna vaccine contains any fetal material or cells. In the development stage, those vaccines were tested using fetal cells drawn from a fetus aborted in 1972 or 1973, apparently that of a boy. It is not clear whether the abortion was medically necessary or elective, though abortion was illegal in The Netherlands at that time unless it was needed to save the mothers life.

Fetal cell lines developed from a 1985 abortion, also in The Netherlands, were used in the production of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The finished vaccine does not contain any cells derived directly from an abortion, because the cells are filtered out during the production process, according to the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

A COVID vaccine by Maryland-based based Novavax has no connection to abortive fetal cells whatsoever. Novavax has just ended stage 3 trials and a company spokeswoman told me it will submit the product for federal approval late this year. If it is cleared, the vaccine could remove pro-lifers hesitancy to becoming immunized.

However, fetal cell lines from elective abortions have been used to develop and manufacture vaccines, including those used today against rubella, chickenpox, hepatitis A, and shingles, for decades. They also have been used to make drugs to treat hemophilia, rheumatoid arthritis and cystic fibrosis, according to Science magazine.

Medical ethicists who deem the vaccines morally acceptable base their conclusions on several factors:

Cells in use in the vaccines are thousands of generations removed from those derived in the abortions, having been grown and preserved in laboratories

Vaccines are intended for a good purpose in preventing disease and contributing to herd immunity

Saving hundreds of thousands of lives is clearly better than the bad effect of an abortion that occurred decades ago

Vaccine recipients and those who administer them are separated from the abortion  an alleged immoral act by decades and have no first-hand knowledge or complicity in it.

Church leaders from multiple faiths  Catholic, Muslim, Protestant and Evangelical Christianity  support vaccination.

Indeed, the vaccines are a cause for Christians to rejoice and to give glory to God. The Bible, after all, speaks of medicine as a common grace, discovered by human beings but given by God, Evangelicals Russell Moore and Walter Kim wrote in The Washington Post in February.

Pro-lifers say there is absolutely no justification for killing an unborn child. One writer for the conservative American Enterprise Institute accepted the morality of vaccines, despite acknowledging that it is like justifying the hire of a hit man to kill your wife if you saved multiple lives by donating her organs.

What, however, would the potential organ recipient have to say? Pro-life objections avoid the fact that COVID has orphaned 140,000 U.S. children by killing their parents, grandparents or caregivers, (according to a Pediatrics journal study). The virus has killed 700,000 Americans and disrupted human lives, culture and economies on a planetary scale. To me, the morality of vaccines is a no-brainer.

Arguing against the ethical standing of COVID vaccines is like refusing to drive on roads built with slave labor in the South, or refusing to use railroads or buy products shipped on them because they were built by Chinese laborers who were underpaid and subject to life-threatening conditions.

History is replete with examples of modern success built on the bones and backs of the unfortunate. Building St. Petersburg, Russia, claimed the lives of thousands of Russian serfs, so should you not visit to see the citys beauty? Should people of European descent return the land to descendants of the first Americans, who perished by the millions as colonists expanded westward, to the very trail I was on Monday?

I, for one, will hike that marvelous Ecola trail again  just as I will, without any moral reservation, get a vaccine booster when I become eligible.

Andre Stepankowsky retired in August 2020 after a 41-year career as a reporter and city editor at The Daily News. He has won or shared in many prestigious journalism awards, including the staffs 1981 Pulitzer Prize for coverage of Mount St. Helens. His column will appear on the editorial page every other Wednesday.

Love 3 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 6
3M will pay $99 million to settle complaints related to health and the environment.

The US group 3M, which among other things manufactures anti-COVID protective face masks, said Tuesday it will pay $99 million to settle complaints related to health and the environment.

"3M has reached a collaborative agreement to resolve ongoing litigation and negotiations related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) near 3M's Decatur, Alabama facility," the company said in a statement.

Lawsuits had been filed against 3M in three US statesAlabama, Illinois and Minnesotaas well as in Germany and Belgium, charging that its products contain potentially harmful chemicals known as PFAS which are present in wide variety of products such as Teflon, paints, packaging or textiles.

The agreement was signed with the city of Decatur, Morgan County, plaintiffs from Saint John, and the Tennessee Riverkeeper organization, said the manufacturer of post-it notes, adhesive tape and COVID face masks.

"Through these agreements, subject to final approval, 3M will support activities to address PFAS that 3M manufactured or disposed of, as well as to enhance the quality of life for Decatur residents," the group said.

3M said in April 2019 that it had set aside $548 million to settle the dispute, as well as another dealing with complaints against its coal mines in Kentucky and West Virginia.

 2021 AFP
A report that Alibaba founder Jack Ma had travelled to Europe raised hopes that China's crackdown on the tech giant may have run its course.

Alibaba shares surged more than six percent on Wednesday after billionaire founder Jack Ma was reported to be in Europe, fuelling investor hopes that the worst of China's regulatory crackdown for the internet giant might be over.

Ma has kept a low profile ever since mainland officials spiked what would have been a world record $37 billion initial public offering for Alibaba's financial group Ant last November.

That shock decision kicked off what became a cascading series of crackdowns by Chinese authorities on a host of tech and other industries deemed to have become too powerful, unregulated or monopolistic.

Ma's presence in Spainfor a "study tour of the agricultural industry and technology related to the environment"was reported by the South China Morning Post, which is owned by Alibaba.

The paper said the 57-year-old, who retired from the role of Alibaba's chairman in 2019, was attending a series of business meetings in Europe.

It said he had also stayed in Hong Kong for "private time" with his family before his trip abroad, citing an anonymous source familiar with Ma's itinerary.

An Alibaba spokesperson declined to comment.

But the news sent Alibaba's shares soaring, closing 6.67 percent higher in Hong Kong on Wednesday. So far this month, the firm's share price has surged 23 percent as hopes rise the company is now out of the dog house with authorities in Beijing.

That sentiment has also helped buoy Hong Kong's stock exchange, which has been hammered by China's regulatory crackdown in recent months.

The Hang Seng Index, one of the worst performers this year, is now up 10 percent since closing at a five-year low on October 6.

"It's getting clearer and clearer that the worst of Beijing's crackdowns are behind us, in particular in the technology sector as they were the first to suffer," Jackson Wong, asset management director at Amber Hill Capital, told Bloomberg News.

Alibaba fell out of favour soon after Ma gave a speech criticising China's financial regulators.

Authorities pulled Ant's IPO and followed up with an antitrust probe of Alibaba, eventually fining the company $2.75 billion.

Chinese authorities have also ordered Ant to undergo restructuring as a condition for reviving its IPO.

Ma disappeared towards the end of the last year but briefly resurfaced in January after a video clip showed him giving a speech to rural teachers as part of an event organised by his charity.

His trip to Spain is believed to be the first time he has travelled overseas since regulators went for Alibaba.

Explore further China asks Alibaba to divest media assets: report

 2021 AFP
Credit: The Conversation

The Biden administration has announced ambitious plans to scale up leasing for offshore wind energy projects along the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific coasts. In an announcement released on Oct. 13, 2021, the U.S. Department of the Interior stated that it will "use the best available science as well as knowledge from ocean users and other stakeholders to minimize conflict with existing uses and marine life." University of Massachusetts Boston public policy scholar David W. Cash, who worked at senior levels in state government for a decade, describes how this process works.

Why does the Biden administration want to build so much wind power at sea?

President Joe Biden has set a goal for the U.S. to achieve net-zero emissions economywide by 2050. That will require an unprecedented expansion of renewable energy to replace fossil fuels that release climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that U.S. offshore wind resources could provide over 2,000 gigawatts of generating capacitynearly twice as much electricity as the nation uses every year. For context, the capacity of a large fossil fuel or nuclear power plant is about 1 gigawatt.

The Biden administration aims to have 30 gigawatts of offshore wind operating by 2030. Today the U.S. has a fraction of thatjust 42 megawatts of offshore wind from five turbines off Rhode Island and two off Virginia. (A gigawatt is 1,000 megawatts.)

Offshore wind has many advantages over land-based turbines. First, wind blows harder and more consistently at sea than on land. Second, coastal and Great Lakes states account for almost 80% of U.S. electricity demand, so offshore wind can supply electricity close to population centers and businesses.

Finally, offshore wind development can revitalize coastal ports and manufacturing centers. A recent study from the University of Delaware estimates that over the next decade, offshore wind development can drive US$109 billion in economic development. This means it can support the Biden administration's twin energy and equity goals.

Experts say that with careful planning, offshore wind has the potential to generate jobs and economic development in historically underserved communities. It also offers oil and gas companies and their workers an opportunity to pivot to a new clean energy sector that shares some common skills and technologies.

What makes an offshore site good for wind power?

Obviously, you need a site where winds blow consistently at sufficient speeds. And it's best if offshore wind generation won't conflict with other uses of the ocean, such as fishing and shipping routes.

What's onshore is also critical. Port cities are essential to support offshore wind development. The developers also need facilities that can assemble huge towers and turbine blades and support the specialized ships that install and maintain them.

It's important to have a local manufacturing base and enough trained or trainable workers to carry out construction, operations and maintenance. And wind power developers need customers, so they will want to know whether nearby states will require their utilities to buy offshore wind electricity with long-term contracts.

We're one step closer to @GovMurphy's goal of 7,500 MW of #offshorewind, with @POTUS announcement that @BOEM_DOI advanced @OrstedUS's Ocean Wind project set to bring $1.17 billion in economic benefits and thousands of good-paying #jobs to New Jersey. https://t.co/WZU7dDjbmh pic.twitter.com/36nrn9HOFB  NJ Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) (@NJBPU) March 30, 2021

Who decides which areas should be open for offshore wind, and how do they choose?

Offshore wind farms are large, complex projects, and many state and federal agencies are involved. For any site in federal watersmore than 3 miles out from shorethe Interior Department's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management oversees and coordinates permitting.

This video from the United Kingdom, where offshore wind power is growing rapidly, shows how turbines are assembled at sea.

BOEM has a mandate to drive energy development in federal waters while balancing multiple uses of those waters. Over the past decade, it has executed more than 20 leases and grants for offshore wind development along the Atlantic coast, from Maine to Florida.

When the agency considers leasing an area for development, it seeks input from groups and communities that could be affected, such as the fishing industry, marine mining companies, environmental advocates, shipping companies and coastal cities and towns. BOEM brings these groups together to collect data, map uses of the area and discuss trade-offs. The goal is to balance different ocean uses and identify potential wind lease areas that pose the fewest trade-offs.

What potential impacts are you most concerned about?

I have questions about how these projects may affect marine ecosystems, bird populations and whale migration patterns. Scientists have studied these issues in Europe, and U.S. researchers and environmental groups are also analyzing them.

Agencies that regulate fisheries and marine mammals play roles in the permitting process. With smart siting and planning, I believe it should be possible to protect activities like fishing that are the lifeblood of coastal communities, and to minimize impacts on marine mammals and birds.

I also think it will be a missed opportunity if the U.S. develops a clean energy economy without addressing equity and justice. Many communities depend economically on fossil fuels, which have powered our economy for more than a century.

In my view, those states and regions should receive financial support, workforce development and training as U.S. reliance on fossil fuels declines. So should underserved communities and communities of color, which haven't received many benefits from past technology shifts and have shouldered disproportionate environmental impacts from the use of oil, gas and coal.

Many coastal states opposed the Trump administration's push in 2018 to expand offshore drilling for oil and gas. Do you expect a similar reaction to offshore wind?

Many people see offshore drilling as a threat to the environment. They worry about events like the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 and the spill that just occurred in October 2021 off the coast of southern California.

Offshore wind development can generate conflict and require trade-offs, but there are thousands of offshore wind turbines operating safely and successfully in Europe and Asia. I also think many local officials in the U.S. see offshore wind as part of a new era of economic development.

Naturally, there will be political pushback, as is true for many new technologies that are altering our nation's established fossil fuel-based economy. But as companies start building port infrastructure and hiring workers, relatively cheap electricity starts flowing and the cost of offshore wind power continues to decline, I expect both red and blue states will see more advantages than drawbacks in embracing this new industry.

Explore further Biden wind farm sale opens path to turbines on nearly all coasts

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

US semiconductor company Micron announced plans Wednesday to invest $150 billion over the next decade on manufacturing and research, including potential production capacity in its home country.

The announcement comes as a global chip shortage is challenging American firms.

"Memory is at the leading edge of semiconductor manufacturing and fuels everything from feature-rich 5G smartphones to the AI-enabled cloud," Micron Chief Executive Sanjay Mehrotra said in a news release.

Memory and storage represent 30 percent of the semiconductor market, Micron said.

Micron already has some US fabrication operations in the states of Idaho and Virginia, but most of the operation is spread out in Asian countries such as Japan, Singapore and Taiwan where costs are lower.

A shortage of semiconductors in recent months caused by production and transportation snags due to the pandemic has been a significant drag on economic activity, hitting auto manufacturing and denting production of personal computing products.

The issue prompted President Joe Biden to call for more domestic manufacturing to reduce reliance on imports.

Micron said it planned to pursue public subsidies that have been proposed and garnered support on Capitol Hill to offset costs in the United States that run 35-45 percent higher than in other countries.

New fabrication sites "have the potential to create tens of thousands of new jobs and significant economic growth," the company said.

"Funding to support new semiconductor manufacturing capacity and a refundable investment tax credit" are "critical" to Micron's strategy.

Explore further Texas Instruments to buy semiconductor factory in $900 million deal

 2021 AFP
Credit: Allshire et al.

Last year, the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems organized the Real Robot Challenge, a competition that challenged academic labs to come up with solutions to the problem of repositioning and reorienting a cube using a low-cost robotic hand. The teams participating in the challenge were asked to solve a series of object manipulation problems with varying difficulty levels.

To tackle one of the problems posed by the Real Robot Challenge, researchers at University of Toronto's Vector Institute, ETH Zurich and MPI Tubingen developed a system that allows robots to acquire challenging dexterous manipulation skills, effectively transferring these skills from simulations to a real robot. This system, presented in a paper pre-published on arXiv, achieved a remarkable success rate of 83% in allowing the remote TriFinger system proposed by the challenge organizers to complete challenging tasks that involved dexterous manipulation.

"Our objective was to use learning-based methods to solve the problem introduced in last year's Real Robot Challenge in a low-cost manner," Animesh Garg, one of the researchers who carried out the study, told TechXplore. "We are particularly inspired by previous work on OpenAI's Dactyl system, which showed that it is possible to use model free Reinforcement Learning in combination with Domain Randomization to solve complex manipulation tasks."

Essentially, Garg and his colleagues wanted to demonstrate that they could solve dexterous manipulation tasks using a Trifinger robotic system, transferring results achieved in simulations to the real world using fewer resources than those employed in previous studies. To do this, they trained a reinforcement learning agent in simulations and created a deep learning technique that can plan future actions based on a robot's observations.

Credit: Allshire et al.

"The process we followed consists of four main steps: setting up the environment in physics simulation, choosing the correct parameterization for a problem specification, learning a robust policy and deploying our approach on a real robot," Garg explained. "First, we created a simulation environment corresponding to the real-world scenario we were trying to solve."

The simulated environment was created using NVIDIA's recently released Isaac Gym Simulator. This simulator can achieve highly realistic simulations, leveraging the power of NVIDIA GPUs. By using the Isaac Gym platform, Garg and his colleagues were able to significantly reduce the amount of computations necessary to translate dexterous manipulation skills from simulations to real-world settings, decreasing their system's requirements from a cluster with hundreds of CPUs and multiple GPUs to a single GPU.

"Reinforcement learning requires us to use representations of variables in our problem appropriate to solving the task," Garg said. "The Real Robot challenge required competitors to repose cubes in both position and orientation. This made the task significantly more challenging than previous efforts, as the learned neural network controller needed to be able to trade off these two objectives."

To solve the object manipulation problem posed by the Real Robot challenge, Garg and his colleagues decided to use 'keypoint representation," a way of representing objects by focusing on the main 'interest points' in an image. These are points that remain unchanged irrespective of an image's size, rotation, distortions or other variations.

Credit: Allshire et al.

In their study, the researchers used keypoints to represent the pose of a cube that the robot was expected to manipulate in the image data fed to their neural network. They also used them to calculate the so-called reward function, which can ultimately allow reinforcement learning algorithms to improve their performance over time.

"Finally, we added randomizations to the environment," Garg said. "These include randomizing the inputs to the network, the actions it takes, as well as various environment parameters such as the friction of the cube and adding random forces upon it. The result of this is to force the neural network controller to exhibit behavior which is robust to a range of environment parameters."

The researchers trained their reinforcement learning model in the simulated environment they created using Isaac Gym, over the course of one day. In simulation, the algorithm was presented with 16,000 simulated robots, producing ~50,000 steps / second of data that was then used to train the network.

"The policy was then uploaded to the robot farm, where it was deployed on a random robot from a pool of multiple similar robots," Garg said. "Here, the policy does not get re-trained based on each robot's unique parametersit is already able to adapt to them. After the manipulation task is completed, the data is uploaded to be accessed by the researchers."

Credit: Allshire et al.

Garg and his colleagues were ultimately able to effectively transfer the results achieved by their deep reinforcement learning algorithm in simulations to real robots, with far lower computational power than other teams required in the past. In addition, they demonstrated the effective integration of highly parallel simulation tools with modern deep reinforcement learning methods to effectively solve challenging dextrous manipulation tasks.

The researchers also found that the use of keypoint representation led to faster training and a higher success rate in real-world tasks. In the future, the framework they developed could help to accelerate research about dexterous manipulation and sim2real transfer, for instance allowing researchers to develop policies entirely in simulation with moderate computational resources and deploy them on real low-cost robots.

Credit: Allshire et al.

"We now hope to build on our framework to continue to advance the state of in-hand manipulation for more general-purpose manipulation beyond in-hand reposing," Garg said. "This work lays the foundation for us to study the core concepts of the language of manipulation, particularly tasks that involve direct grasping and object reorientation ranging from opening water bottles to grasping coffee cups."

Explore further Solving a Rubik's Cube with a dexterous hand

More information: Arthur Allshire et al, Transferring dexterous manipulation from GPU simulation to a remote real-world trifinger. arXiv:2108.09779v1 [cs.RO], Arthur Allshire et al, Transferring dexterous manipulation from GPU simulation to a remote real-world trifinger. arXiv:2108.09779v1 [cs.RO], arxiv.org/abs/2108.09779 s2r2-ig.github.io/

 2021 Science X Network
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

It seems like an unlikely marriage: Tesla, the world's biggest electric automaker, moving its headquarters to Texaswhere the oil and gas industry is etched in the state's DNA and where, unless something changes, Tesla isn't even allowed to sell its vehicles directly to customers.

On the other hand, Elon Muskthe high-profile leader of Tesla, SpaceX and a number of other companieshas steered many of his operations to the Lone Star State over the past few years, making Tesla's headquarters merely the latest such move.

Musk has overseen development of a launch facility for SpaceX rockets on the Gulf Coast near Brownsville, picked Travis County as the site for Tesla's next billion-dollar assembly plant and even became a Texan himself in late 2020 by relocating his personal residence to the state.

His actions, capped by the Oct. 7 announcement that Tesla is moving its headquarters to Austin, have prompted plenty of crowing among Texas politicians and economic development officials eager for examples of the state's vaunted business climate prevailing over that of Californiawhich had been Musk's longtime base of operationsand other regions of the country.

"Texas is the land of opportunity and innovation," Gov. Greg Abbott said in a written statement heralding Tesla's headquarters announcement.

There's little doubt that Musk, who is considered one of the two richest people in the world with an estimated net worth over $200 billion, stands to benefit substantially from his move to Texas. The state doesn't have an income taxcompared with California's personal income tax rate of 13.3% for the highest earners.

Musk also engaged in a public spat with California officials in May 2020and first raised the prospect of pulling up stakesover local coronavirus-related restrictions that shut down Tesla's factory there for a short time. He's likely to find officials who are more sympathetic to his coronavirus views in Texas, where Abbott has opposed various pandemic-related mandates and recently issued an order aimed at preventing private businesses from requiring that employees be vaccinated.

Still, California has been no slouch when it comes to fostering business activity and economic growth, actually outpacing Texas in the five years prior to the pandemic. California's gross domestic product climbed by about 21% from 2015 through 2019, according to figures from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, compared with a 15% growth rate in Texas.

In addition, when Musk announced the Tesla headquarters relocation to Austin, he said that California will remain a big part of the company's plans.

"To be clear, we will be continuing to expand our activities in California," where Tesla has a major vehicle assembly plant in the city of Fremont in Silicon Valley, he said. "Our intention is to increase output from Fremont and (from Tesla's Nevada battery factory) by 50%."

That comes as no surprise to Marc Geller, a board member of the Electric Auto Association, who said Tesla is going to need all of its production facilities to keep up with strong demand for electric vehicles nationwide.

"I think Teslamore specifically Elonliked the notion of just kind of spitting in the eye of California" by moving the company's headquarters, Geller said. "But it's still going to (have) a big presence in both states because Tesla's going to be a really big presence in the country."

The upshot is that it's probably too simplistic to chalk up Musk's Texas moves to just a big-name example of lower taxes and less stringent regulations proving irresistible. Instead, Musk has said that California's high housing priceswhich are a hardship for employeesare among the considerations that have played a role in his decisions, as is a strategic need to locate more of his operations outside of California for logistical purposes.

Musk called Tesla's Fremont factory "jammed" during his Oct. 7 announcement regarding the company headquarters, and he said soaring housing prices in Silicon Valley have "made it tough for people to afford houses, and people have to come in from far away" to get to work.

In the Austin area, housing costs have been climbing substantiallybut they have yet to reach California's stratospheric prices. The median sales price of single-family homes in Santa Clara County, where Tesla's headquarters had been located in Palo Alto, is about $1.6 million, according to the most recent figures available, compared with $527,000 in Travis County. Tesla and Musk have not yet said how many employees might be relocating to Texas from California as part of the headquarters move.

Still, that might not have mattered if Tesla hadn't already been on the hunt for a site to build a new U.S. factory outside of California to more efficiently serve car buyers in the central and eastern portions of the country.

Tax breaks from Travis County and the Del Valle school district, valued at over $60 million combined, helped seal the deal to build the new factory in the Austin area. But Musk has previously made clear that the quality of life in Austin gave it a substantial edge over competitors, such as a site in Tulsa, Okla., that was a finalist.

"I guess a lot of people from California, if you ask them what is the one place you would move outside of Californiait's Austin," Musk told Automotive News in August last year, shortly after announcing plans for the Travis County assembly plant. "That was a big factor."

Likewise, millions of dollars in publicly funded incentives have helped lure SpaceX to Texas. But Texas has other attributes that have made it attractive to the private-sector space industry as wellsuch as a deep-rooted space tradition anchored by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

SpaceX, meanwhile, already has a test facility near Waco but could be planning to expand in Austin, as it has recently posted advertisements for local job openings.

That would be in keeping with a number of other Musk-led ventures that have quietly moved to the Austin metro area during the pandemic.

The Boring Co., Musk's tunneling company, has had a presence in the region since last year and has purchased land in Bastrop County. Neuralink, Musk's neurotechnology company, has posted Austin-area job openings in recent months, while his private Foundation, called the Musk Foundation, moved to Austin in the summer of 2020.

Dan Ives, an analyst with Wedbush Securities, said Musk is clearly fond of Austin, partly because it's "a Silicon Valley in a 'J.R. Ewing' Texas"a reference to the long-running TV drama "Dallas," about a family steeped in oil riches.

"That's why Musk is moving (Tesla's headquarters) to Austin and not Dallas or Houston," Ives said. "Austin has really become a next-gen technology city. It's much more of a tech-centric city than the oil and gas ones that Texas ultimately made its name on."

As for the decision to move the company's headquarters out of California, Ives said the West Coast state's high cost of living, including housing prices and taxes, played a big role. But he also said "growing tensions between Musk and (regulators with) the state of California and the city of Fremont" likely were factors.

Matt Holm, president of the Tesla Owners Club of Austin and a longtime Musk observer, agreed with that assessment, saying he thinks the die was cast when Musk first threatened to leave California nearly 18 months ago.

"When Elon said, 'I am done with California,' I am pretty sure he made up his mind then," Holm said. "It was just kind of a formality at that point."

Musk has chafed against California's government bureaucracy. But he's also got a big regulatory headache looming in Texasthe fact that Tesla is prohibited from selling its electric vehicles directly to buyers here because of a state law mandating that auto sales go through third-party franchised dealerships.

As a result of the Texas regulations, Tesla is facing the prospect of having to ship vehicles built at its new Travis County factory across state lines firstso they don't count as in-state salesbefore bringing them back for delivery to customers in Texas. The company's business model forgoes third-party franchised dealerships and instead relies on direct-to-consumer sales over the internet, a strategy that doesn't comply with the Texas rules.

Teslaand Musk himselfhave tried for years to get the Texas regulations changed, but have been unsuccessful so far. A number of observers say they expect Tesla's huge investment in the Travis County factory, combined with its recent headquarters relocation, to finally tip the political scales in Musk's favor.

"I think it's going to be incredibly awkward, both for Tesla and for the government of the state of Texas, for (Tesla's) cars to have to leave the state before they can be sold in the state" once production at the factory begins, said Geller, of the Electric Auto Association.

But the Texas Automobile Dealers Association, which has long defended the regulations, isn't ready to throw in the towel.

Proponents of the restrictions contend they safeguard consumers by preventing vehicle manufacturers from establishing monopolies. Critics say they're protectionist measures that enshrine owners of dealerships as third-party intermediaries.

"As we have said before, we believe the Texas Legislature has gotten it right time and time again that the franchised dealer system best serves Texas and Texans by promoting competition in sales and service and providing accessibility in all areas of the state," said Jennifer Stevens, a spokesperson for the dealers' association.

Ives called the regulations "archaic" and said they're ripe to fall in light of Musk's latest Texas announcement.

"A top-three most innovative company in the world moves its headquarters to Texas that's going to pull some significant weight," he said.

Explore further Elon Musk says Tesla will move HQ from California to Texas

2021 Gannett Co., Inc.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
In this Feb. 9, 2019, file photo, a sign bearing the company logo stands outside a Tesla store in Cherry Creek Mall in Denver. Record electric vehicle sales last summer amid a shortage of computer chips and other materials propelled Tesla Inc. to the biggest quarterly net earnings in its history. The company said Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021 that it made $1.62 billion in the third quarter, beating the old record of $1.14 billion set in the second quarter of this year. The profit was over five times larger than the $300 million Tesla made in the same quarter a year ago. Credit: AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File

Record electric vehicle sales last summer amid a shortage of computer chips and other materials propelled Tesla Inc. to the biggest quarterly net earnings in its history.

The company said Wednesday that it made $1.62 billion in the third quarter, beating the old record of $1.14 billion set in the second quarter of this year. The profit was nearly five times larger than the $331 million Tesla made in the same quarter a year ago.

Revenue of $13.76 billion from July through September also set a record, but it fell short of Wall Street expectations of just over $14 billion, according to FactSet.

Excluding special items such as stock-based compensation, Palo Alto, California-based Tesla made $1.86 per share, beating analyst estimates of $1.62. CEO Elon Musk has said he's moving the headquarters to Austin, Texas, the dateline of Wednesday's earnings release.

Some of the quarterly profit, though, came from selling regulatory credits to other automakers. Tesla made $279 million on credits during the quarter.

"A variety of challenges, including semiconductor shortages, congestion at ports and rolling blackouts, have been impacting our ability to keep factories running at full speed," the company said in a statement to shareholders.

Earlier this month Tesla said it delivered a record 241,300 electric vehicles in the third quarter even as it wrestled with the shortages that have hit the entire auto industry. Most automakers reported sales declines in the U.S. last quarter due to chip and other shortages, including General Motors and Ford.

Previously, Musk has said Tesla kept its manufacturing lines running largely by finding chips from alternate suppliers and then scrambling to rewrite some of the software in its cars to ensure all the technology remained compatible.

Third-quarter sales rose 72% over the 140,000 deliveries Tesla made for the same period a year ago.

So far this year, Tesla has sold around 627,300 vehicles. That puts it on pace to soundly beat last year's total of 499,550.

While sales grew in the third quarter, the average sales price fell 6% because Tesla is selling more less-expensive Models 3 and Y and fewer pricier Models S and X.

Tesla also took an impairment charge of $51 million due to a decline in value of its Bitcoin holdings.

Musk didn't appear on this quarter's conference call with with analysts and investors. He said previously that he would show up only when he had something important to say.

That left Chief Financial Officer Zachary Kirkhorn and Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy to answer questions.

Kirkhorn said the company was able to hit an operating marginhow much it makes pretax after variable production costsof just under 15%.

But Kirkhorn said Tesla may face some difficulties in the future that could threaten that margin, including rising commodity prices and labor shortages. Tesla's biggest cost exposure is for nickel, which goes into battery cells, and aluminum, which the company uses for other nonbattery components, he said. Tesla also will face inefficiencies as it starts production at new factories in Texas and Germany next year, he said.

The company already is seeing commodity cost increases, which have resulted in price hikes, Kirkhorn said. Next year it's possible that Tesla will see more. "It's difficult to say precisely, but the volatility and the increases are just so substantial," he said.

Tesla executives also made their first public comment on multiple investigations of the company by U.S. safety regulators. Moravy said Tesla is cooperating as much as possible.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into why Tesla's Autopilot driver-assist system keeps running into parked emergency vehicles. Of the dozen crashes that are part of the probe, 17 people were injured and one was killed.

The safety agency also is questioning why Tesla didn't recall vehicles with Autopilot when it did an over-the internet software update so they better recognize firetrucks and police cars in low light. NHTSA said the update addressed a safety defect.

Kirkhorn said safety is important to Tesla as the auto industry transitions from traditional cars to being more software-oriented. "Regulatory bodies, and understandably so, are interested in understanding how to regulate in this environment, and NHTSA is no exception," he said. "Were excited to partner and we'll work collaboratively with all the different regulatory bodies."

Tesla hasn't always cooperated with the safety agency, though. In January, Tesla resisted a request from NHTSA to recall about 135,000 vehicles because their touch screens could go dark. The agency said the screens were a safety defect because backup cameras and windshield defroster controls could be disabled.

A month later, after NHTSA started the process toward holding a public hearing and taking Tesla to court, the company agreed to the recall.

In its shareholder statement, Tesla also said that construction of its new factory near Austin is progressing as planned and it's preparing equipment and "fabricating our first pre-production vehicles."

The factory, which is centrally located versus Tesla's other assembly plant in Fremont, California, will send Model Y small SUVs and new Cybertruck pickups to East Coast population centers.

Tesla said it expects to expand its factory capacity quickly, and over a "multi-year horizon" it expects sales to grow an average of 50% annually.

Shares of Tesla Inc. fell 1.6% to $851.80 in after-hours trading Wednesday.

____

This story has been corrected to show that Tesla made a $331 million net profit in the third quarter of 2021, not $300 million.

Explore further Tesla reports stronger-than-expected Q3 sales

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
A Wing drone hovers before lowering a package to the ground by tether in Christiansburg Va., in this Friday, Oct. 18, 2019, file photo. Walgreens will start flying packages by drone to residents in a Texas city in partnership with Google's drone-making affiliate Wing. The companies said Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, they will begin testing the service next week in the city of Frisco and neighboring town of Little Elm, two fast-growing communities north of Dallas where road traffic is "probably the biggest complaint we get," said Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney.Credit: Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, File

Walgreens will begin flying packages by drone to residents in a pair of Texas cities in partnership with Google's drone-making affiliate, Wing.

The companies said they will begin testing the service next week in the city of Frisco and neighboring Little Elm, two fast-growing communities north of Dallas where road traffic is "probably the biggest complaint we get," said Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney.

"Every delivery made by drone is taking a delivery vehicle off our roads," Cheney said.

It will be Wing's first commercial expansion in the U.S. after years testing the concept in a Virginia town and parts of Australia and Finland. The drone company is a subsidiary of Google's corporate parent, Alphabet.

"We've gradually moved into denser and denser environments," said Jonathan Bass, Wing's head of marketing and communications.

Rivals including Amazon, Walmart and UPS have all sought to get drone delivery fleets off the ground but the projects face numerous technical and regulatory challenges. There's also not much evidence that American consumers have been clamoring for airlifted packages, and many have expressed privacy, safety or nuisance concerns when asked to imagine the noisy machines over their homes.

Walgreens says about 100 store items will be available for air delivery when the service rolls out in Texas in the coming months, including over-the-counter medication, snacks and cosmetics. Store employees will be tasked with taking online orders and then loading the purchased items onto one of a small number of Wing's 10-pound drones.

This June 25, 2019, file photo shows a sign outside a Walgreens Pharmacy in Pittsburgh. Walgreens will start flying packages by drone to residents in a Texas city in partnership with Google's drone-making affiliate Wing. The companies said Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, they will begin testing the service next week in the city of Frisco and neighboring town of Little Elm, two fast-growing communities north of Dallas where road traffic is "probably the biggest complaint we get," said Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney. Credit: AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File

The drones are able to navigate autonomouslythough a human pilot can also control them remotelyand are powered by two forward propellers on their wings and 12 smaller vertical propellers. A tether releases to drop the package onto a front lawn.

Wing expects most customers to be in the single-family homes that dominate the area, though it has delivered to apartment buildings in Europe.

"It's got very advanced planning and routing capabilities so for each flight, the system does millions of simulations to get the best route," Bass said. "It can navigate to a very specific location."

The first phase of the initiative will operate out of the parking lot of a single Walgreens store in a shopping center near the border of Little Elm and Frisco. Wing says the drones will be able to serve thousands of people within a 4-mile radius of the store.

Wing's biggest delivery service so far has been in the Australian city of Logan, where the company says it made about 50,000 drone deliveries in the first eight months of this year. A smaller pilot with Walgreens started in 2019 in sparsely populated neighborhoods of Christiansburg, Virginia.

Frisco, which grew from about 6,000 people in 1990 to about 200,000 last year, has pitched itself as a testing ground for new modes of transport such as self-driving cars and Uber's flying taxis. Cheney said he doesn't expect many complaints about drone noise or safety.

Federal officials started rolling out new rules in mid-April to allow operators to fly small drones over people and at night, potentially giving a boost to commercial use of the machines. Wing says its Texas service will be limited to daytime hours for now.

Explore further Google affiliate begins drone deliveries in Virginia town

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
WeWork is headed back to Wall Street after its 2019 fiasco.

WeWork's financial woes and aborted IPO made headlines in 2019, but two years later the office-sharing giant is returning to Wall Street after seeking to renew itself in response to the pandemic.

Shareholders from a special-purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, called BowX voted Tuesday to merge with WeWork, which will finally make the start-up a publicly-traded company.

Shares of the new entity, which is worth about $9 billion, are expected to begin trading Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "WE." The SPAC is a vehicle used just to raise capital and list shares without going through traditional initial public offering process.

WeWork hopes to turn the page on the era of Adam Neumann, the co-founder and ex-boss whose antics and temperamental nature brought the company to the brink of bankruptcy.

The move comes two years after the company went into a spectacular tailspin that led to the canceling its planned IPO and accepting a bailout by Japanese investment firm SoftBank.

To turn things around, WeWork in February 2020 appointed real estate industry veteran Sandeep Mathrani to lead the company, following Neumann's departure with a hefty severance package.

Mathrani and the new leadership team have been on an austerity drive, cutting several thousand jobs worldwide and reducing the number of leases they have.

"WeWork has transformed its business by overhauling its operations and cost structure, rightsizing its real estate portfolio and most importantlyrefocusing on its core product," Anthony Yazbeck, the group's chief operating officer, told AFP.

Known initially for catering to young freelancers, WeWork has turned its focus more towards companies of over than 500 employees looking for space in urban centers.

Those larger firms represent a little more than half of WeWork's clientele, compared to 42 percent at the end of 2019.

'Niche of community'

Communications agency Dentsu, which moved from the suburbs to Paris, is one example.

"We wanted nicer offices with more collaborative space than before," said Pierre Calmard, CEO of Dentsu France.

"The idea is to go to work to find real pleasure and to meet colleagues rather than it being an obligatory passage or a ritual from Monday morning 9 am to Friday 7 pm."

The pandemic and greater workplace flexibility have accelerated this movement.

Dentsu, for example, allows its employees to come into the office as many days as they want during the week, alternating with telecommuting.

"To my surprise, employees are coming back in droves, even more than they could with the new system. It's not uncommon for us to be at full capacity," Calmard said.

During the pandemic, WeWork also launched a monthly subscription, giving access to the common areas of any of the group's buildings around the world.

They also rolled out a pay-per-use service in several countriesincluding the United States, Britain and Australiaallowing users to rent rooms by the hour or by the day.

Some customers, however, have complained about the contractual terms maintained by WeWork even at the height of coronavirus lockdowns.

In May 2020, New York members, represented by attorney Jim Walden, threatened legal action and demanded the company stop charging for membership until the health restrictions were lifted.

Walden's office declined to comment on the matter.

WeWork generated $658 million in revenue between July and September, but continues to lose money. The group, which has 762 workspaces in 38 countries and 150 cities, hopes to become profitable in the first quarter of next year.

It is banking on the sustainability of new ways of organizing work in the post-pandemic world.

That vision appeals to Evgeniy Antoshkin, a Russian entrepreneur based in New York who has leased WeWork spaces in the United States, Brazil and Colombia.

"I would buy their stock. They discovered this niche of a community based on what you do. I don't see why this need will disappear," he said.

Explore further WeWork to go public with $9 bn valuation

 2021 AFP
A Place in the Sun returns to Channel 4 in November with a new face on the presenting line up.

The hit property show will broadcast daily in November at 4PM.

Advertisements

The new episodes will welcome Leah Charles-King to the team of property experts who will be on hand to help house-hunters find their dream holiday homes.

Channel 4 share: "Leah and her family have been buying, renovating and then selling properties for profit, in the UK for many years. Leah found she had a natural flair at it and has a passion for property, helping numerous people find their dream homes. Away from the UK, Leah and her parents own properties and land in Saint Lucia and Grenada in the Caribbean.

"She is also the Ambassador for Bipolar UK, a charity close to her heart having recently talked publicly about her battle with the condition. Leah recently launched her own platform presenting and producing content on Mental health and well-being to normalise the conversation and end the stigma around mental illness."

Leah said: "Im so excited to be joining the A Place in the Sun family! I've been watching the show since it began and I feel especially privileged to be working on such an iconic programme. Landing this dream gig has been life changing for me as 9 years ago I was diagnosed with bipolar and I didnt think Id work in television again because of the stigma towards mental illness.

"It proves there is life after diagnosis. My story is one of tenacity and overcoming adversity; and A Place In The Sun has given me a new hope."

Leahs first assignment is helping retired teachers Carrie and Steve find their dream property in the town of Islantilla on Spains Costa de la Luz.

With a budget of 110,000 theyre looking for a two-bedroom apartment as close to the beach as possible, where they hope to while away the winters. Leah has five fantastic properties to show them but will any of them prove to be the perfect place?

The new series will also welcome back regulars Jasmine Harman, Jean Johansson, Lee Juggurnauth, Danni Menzies, Scarlette Douglas, Ben Hillman and Laura Hamilton.

Advertisements

They will be seen jetting off to Crete, Costa Blanca, the Algarve and many more beautiful locations in their quest to find our house-hunters their very own Place in the Sun.

You can watch episodes of A Place In The Sun online via All 4 player.
Multimedia Reporter

Staff writer Harry Funk, a professional journalist for three-plus decades, has been on the staff of The Almanac since 2015. He has a bachelors degree in journalism and master of business administration, both from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
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.
The number of active COVID-19 cases in Brazos County fell sharply on Wednesday, dropping to 406 from last months high of 2,966.

Brazos County health officials reported 22 new COVID-19 cases among county residents on Wednesday, the lowest number of new cases in a single day since July 22.

A Texas A&M University website said the number of active, self-reported cases of the virus among students, faculty members and staff had fallen to 64 as of Sunday, the last date for which figures were posted. The latest figures were down from a high of 1,635 cases reported on campus Sept. 10.

County health officials said 1,242 cases of the virus reported by health care systems and testing centers were awaiting confirmation Wednesday.

Brazos County officials have confirmed 32,864 cases of COVID-19 in the county since the pandemic began more than a year ago.

Officials with the Brazos County Health District said 32,108 cases were considered recovered as of Wednesday; health officials classify all cases older than two weeks as recovered.

Eleven Brazos County residents were hospitalized Wednesday for treatment of symptoms related to the virus, officials said.
School districts across the country spend millions of dollars building new schools, and College Station is no exception.

When new, those buildings are bright and shiny, but like every building  including our houses  those school facilities require maintenance, including things such as roof repairs or replacements, HVAC upgrades and so on.

Too often, though, there isnt enough money for such repairs in districts with tight budgets  which is just about every district in Texas. So, the maintenance and repairs are put off, sometimes for years.

On Nov. 2, College Station school district voters are being asked to approve $83 million in bonds to take care of critical needs throughout the district.

No new schools are included in this bond package, which will not necessitate an increase in the school tax rate. School taxes could go up, however, because of increasing valuations.

Because of recent changes in state law, the bond issue will be divided into four propositions.

The largest proposal  Proposition A  is for $70.63 million, which includes campus renovations at A&M Consolidated High School, Southwood Valley Elementary School, Pebble Creek Elementary School and Cypress Grove Intermediate School.
Redwood Community Farmers Market will host its first fall festival Saturday, Oct. 23 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its location on Route 40 West.

In addition to the plants, produce, canned goods and hand-made gifts sold daily, the festival will feature seven specialty vendors.

Gourmet Hotdogs & Desserts will be on hand selling specialty dogs made by Chef Pam and Terrence Mitchell of Winston-Salem, N.C.

These hotdogs are worth coming out for, said Market Owner Liz Pasley. Im so excited to have this vendor coming for our event.

Local food vendors include Buddys BBQ and Taste of Home, who will sell pies, cakes, canned pickles and other goods.

Local representatives from Misty Mountain Wares and KK Creations will be set up with hand-made tie-dyes, scrubs and lotions; and face painting will be offered by JRA Face Painting.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mindful Lights Photography will take fall photos of children and families.

Everybody loves fall, Pasley said. I love to see the happy faces of the kids. I was trying to think of things to offer for kids and families, so I am so excited about this. I believe it will be a fun time for all.
We should have confidence in our strength, American strengths, confidence in our business community, in our innovation community, in our universities, in our ability to attract the best students from around the world, confidence in our unmatched military. In our first rate Foreign Service and civil service, confidence in our values that stand in brilliant opposition to Chinas authoritarian regime.

"We will succeed if we build this American strength around our diplomacy, he said.

He emphasized building alliances in the Indo-Pacific as essential to countering China. That included praising the defense alliance Biden announced last month with Australia and the United Kingdom as potentially transformational." Domestically, the defense pact is best known for triggering French pique, when Australia broke off a deal for French-made submarines in favor of subs with U.S. nuclear power.

Burns also gave what would be a rare bit of credit from the Biden administration to its predecessor, praising President Donald Trump and his last secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, for reinvigorating a bloc with Australia, India and Japan.
DISTRICT 24  Jana Hughes, a Seward School Board member and a community leader in Seward, has announced she will run for the District 24 seat in the Nebraska Legislature in 2022.

Current District 24 State Senator Mark Koltermans tenure will end next year, due to term limits. Senator Kolterman is from Seward.

Prior to Koltermans representation in the Unicameral, District 24 was represented by Greg Adams of York (who also served two full terms and was the Speaker of the Legislature).

District 24 is made up of York, Seward and Polk Counties. Recent redistricting adds on a sliver of western Butler County.

"The future of Nebraska depends upon the decisions being made at the state level and Im excited about the possibility of representing our district in that process, said Hughes, a lifelong Seward County resident.

Hughes, who has represented Seward on the board of education since 2018, said she is ready to find solutions to the challenges of her district and state on day-one. Among those challenges are lowering property taxes, strengthening small businesses, supporting schools and being a strong voice for agriculture.
Illinois State Police are investigating after a suspect in McLeansboro allegedly broke free from restraints, assaulted officers and was shot by officers Wednesday.

The shooting happened during the jail booking process in which the suspect allegedly assaulted a Hamilton County sheriffs deputy and a McLeansboro police officer, police said.

The two officers were booking a suspect at about 12:20 a.m. Wednesday, according to a news release from the Illinois State Police.

The suspect was being booked on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a controlled substance and methamphetamine possession at the Hamilton County Sheriffs Department, police said.

While being booked, the suspect broke free and assaulted the officers, ISP said. The ISP reported both officers fired their weapons at the suspect, who was struck.

The suspect was transported to a local hospital and is listed in critical condition. The investigation is ongoing.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 1 Angry 1
Wenceslao Valentin III, Cleveland Jones Jr. and John Orsini, all of UAW Local 774 in Buffalo, N.Y., grabbed signs and joined several hundred other people who had fanned out Tuesday evening to picket outside the John Deere Harvester Works in East Moline.

Lining East Molines 12th Avenue and Harvest Way were also UAW members from Michigan and Ohio, and local members of AFSCME, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

As vehicles drove by honking their horns, the picketers raised and shook their signs and screamed in approval.

This is a fight, said Valentin, president of UAW Local 774. This is a fight that our brothers and sisters from the UAW are in, and were here to support them.

Valentin said that a number of UAW members from Buffalo were in town for a conference for Roberts Custom Software, in East Moline. I believe about 60 people came over from that conference, he said.

We were at Local 281 (Davenport) yesterday, and we were at Local 865 (East Moline) today, Valentin said.

We like to say, One day longer, one day stronger,  he said. Their fight is our fight because we know in a couple of years weve got our contracts up with General Motors, and, hey, we might be in the same position again.

Were out here supporting our brothers and sisters, Valentin said. We want them to have their fair wages. We want them to have the benefits they deserve. This companys (Deere) is making billions of dollars. Theres no reason they cant pay their employees a fair wage along with fair benefits for them and their families.

Valentin said that each employee at Deere supported eight jobs in the area.

Theyre buying from all these shops around here, and the shops are supporting the workers, he said.

Valentin said there were 2,000 nurses on strike from Catholic Healths Mercy Hospital of Buffalo demanding safe staffing and fair wages and benefits.

What are they calling this, Striketober? he said. The workers are striking back. Its about time.

Tuesday marked the sixth day of the Deere strike.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
NEESES  Orangeburg County Councilman Joseph Garvin, who is from Springfield, visited the Neeses Town Council meeting Tuesday evening, Oct. 5, to check on the town that is part of his District 4.

Garvin offered his assistance to the town, mentioned the nearby industrial park and focusing on it, and stated he basically wants to see all of the towns in western Orangeburg County prosper and not just one. Mayor Kenneth Gleaton said he is setting up a meeting with Garvin to discuss several issues.

Gleaton later in the meeting mentioned the American Rescue Plan from the federal government, which will provide funds to municipalities for COVID-19 relief.

Some towns have started documenting their needs, he said. He stated that town population and the prior budget before the pandemic could be taken into account.

Gleaton said the relief could be potentially up to 75% of a towns budget. The Town of Neeses had not requested these funds nor had it received them as of the October meeting.

He added that many towns are setting up a separate account in anticipation of these funds and stressed that the funds have to be used according to certain guidelines.

Gleaton also mentioned that quarterly reports have to be done.

You have until 2025 to decide how to use the funds. A final report will be due in 2027, Gleaton added.

Gleaton presented the information for council to be taken into consideration. No motions or votes were made regarding this.

Gleaton next mentioned adding new veterans names to the plaque at the bell tower at the Seniors Recreation and Leisure Center.

I want to get started on the second phase of the project, he said.

He stated that they have been gathering information from tombstones of veterans in surrounding cemeteries to add to the plaque.

We also have a fire department memorial on the other side (of it). We have three or four names which need to be included, Gleaton said.

Gleaton requested that council vote on the second phase. Council made a motion and gave it a first and second. The second phase was unanimously agreed to.

Gleaton also requested a display of miniature U.S. flags to be placed on the corner of U.S. Highway 321 and Neeses Highway at the Giant Flea Market property with permission of the owner.

I want to mark it off for Veterans Day and Memorial Day each year, Gleaton said.

He said they will be putting out a small group of flags on the property if council agrees.

This will be a good visual for those coming into the town to let them know we are thinking about the veterans, Gleaton stated.

Council agreed with the proposal.

In other business:

Gleaton stated that a representative from the Municipal Association of South Carolina will be attending the next council meeting to discuss town business license updates. Gleaton said that the state is requiring every municipality to have business licenses be scheduled in the same date range from May 1 to April 30 of the next year among other changes.

Councilwoman Renee Olenick said that there are no new members at the exercise center at the seniors center. She said they have had groups of three or four exercising at the center. For more information on the exercise center, contact Neeses Town Hall.

The next Neeses Adopt-a-Highway litter cleanup will be Saturday, Oct. 23. It will be part of the Orangeburg County 2021 Fall Cleanup Days from Saturday, Oct. 16, to Sunday, Oct. 31, and the cleanup campaign is sponsored by Orangeburg County Litter Control and Keep Orangeburg County Beautiful. Bags, grabbers, gloves and vests will be provided for the cleanup. Orangeburg County Litter Control will pick up bags after they have been filled with litter. Contact Neeses Town Hall regarding the local cleanup. For more information about the county cleanups, contact 803-533-6162 or 803-534-2409, ext. 8918.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Calhoun County School District Deputy Superintendent Ferlondo Tullock will become the districts next superintendent.

Trustees voted Monday to have Tullock replace Superintendent Dr. Steve Wilson, who will be retiring in January after a nearly 50-year career in education.

The board voted unanimously for the deputy superintendent to serve as the next superintendent upon Dr. Wilson's retirement in January, Board Vice Chairman Kevin Jenkins said.

Jenkins said no outside or any other search will be needed following the boards decision.

The district has not determined a definitive start date for Tullock.

It would be sometime in January. We hadn't determined that actual date yet, Jenkins said.

He said Tullock is the right fit for superintendent.

He's been with the district since 2011, and just has a vast knowledge. He's built good relationships with not only the stakeholders, but the staff and everyone there as well, Jenkins said.

We just found him to be the most logical fit for someone who's been there in the district for as long as he has, he said.

Tullock said the new job presents an exciting opportunity.

"I count it an honor to be tasked with such a huge responsibility. I consider it an honor to be able to continue work in Calhoun County as we have done for the past 10 years, he said.

He said hell continue the work thats been started in the district.

We've been pretty successful in the things that we've done, and I hope that we can accentuate those successes in creating more for students as well as the community," Tullock said.

In other business:

 Wilson said the district has decided to not require students to wear masks in school buildings because the districts COVID numbers are trending downward. A court ruling is allowing districts to require masks, despite a state law against such mandates.

We believe that because the county is so low with COVID, the district is very low with COVID, that we will not enforce a mask mandate at this time, Wilson said.

"Now, we do reserve the right to come back to the board with a recommendation to mask students if, in fact, COVID starts creeping back up, but all indications right now are that COVID is going south. We certainly hope that it will continue to do that, the superintendent said.

The district requires all teachers to wear masks.

Everything else stays in place, but no mandate for students at this time, Wilson said.

George Kiernan, the districts human resources director and public information officer, gave a report on the state Department of Health and Environmental Controls most recent COVID-19 activity, along with new information regarding quarantining requirement changes.

"In the most recent activity report, we had zero counties in the state of South Carolina high, 45 medium and one county low, and that happens to be Calhoun County. So that's great news. We have a low recent disease activity report, Kiernan said.

Wilson said, We've just been about that way throughout this pandemic this year. Again, we need to appreciate a lot of people for that because we are so pleased with that.

Board Chairman Gary Porth said hes happy that theres been a constant downturn in the district and thanked the district for its work keeping everyone safe.

I'm so happy that we're back in the classroom with face-to-face instruction with just a little disruption with COVID. So y'all keep up the good work, Porth said.

Kiernan said DHECs new quarantine guidelines should help reduce the quarantine numbers not just in the Calhoun County School District, but across the state.

"The new guidance says that if Im wearing a mask and a positive individual does not have a mask on and is within that four to six feet, I do not have to quarantine. ... So, once again, if Im wearing a mask, Im within four to six feet of an individual whos positive (for 15 minutes or more), I do not have to quarantine, Kiernan said.

Porth said, All the more reason that a mask is important. ... So the mask is the difference on whether you have to quarantine or not.

Kiernan said the district has two positive students, 29 quarantined students, one positive staff member and two quarantined staff members.

Board member Ned Nelson said, "It sounds like we're doing a great job with the quarantining procedures to keep it at bay. I want to commend all of the administrators and teachers and everyone that works on a daily basis because it seems like we're doing an outstanding job there, at least from this report."

Kiernan said district staff from nurses to bus drivers were to be commended for working together to keep numbers low.

 Kiernan delivered a facilities report, stating that the district is looking at the feasibility of rubberizing its remaining playgrounds. Playgrounds at the districts St. Matthews and Sandy Run K-8 schools have already been rubberized.

The advantage of that is you don't have to keep bringing wood chips in. Wood chips are becoming more difficult to find, the cost goes up. So once you get them rubberized, it is minimal maintenance over the first three years. ... I'll have more information to the board once we move through this process, Kiernan said.

He said the district also received a new supply of hand wipes, which should last through the remainder of the school year.

 District Director of Technology and Information Systems Mark Parker gave a report on what's being done to protect district networks.

Parker said the district, for example, is evaluating the development of a full back-up system, as well as eyeing a company specializing in phishing attacks and education to make sure that we alert our staff members and our faculty.

Cybersecurity is very serious. We've had locally a few institutions that have been hit with ransomware, Parker said.

The district has also approached the S.C. Law Enforcement Division about training.

The district has also implemented multi-factor authentication for any external emails.

Well be testing as we put things in place  to make sure that it works, Parker said

A third party will also be brought in to conduct a network assessment.

If there are any types of holes, any type of cracks, we can try patch those so we are as prepared as much as possible, Parker said.

Contact the writer: dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5534. Follow "Good News with Gleaton" on Twitter at @DionneTandD.

Love 12 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 4

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  Nikolas Cruz pleaded guilty to murder on Wednesday in the 2018 high school massacre in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 dead.

Cruz, 23, entered his pleas in a courtroom attended by a dozen relatives of victims after answering a long list of questions from Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer aimed at confirming his mental competency. He was charged with 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted first-degree murder for those wounded in the Feb. 14, 2018, attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, located just outside Fort Lauderdale.

A penalty trial will determine if Cruz will receive a sentence of death or life in prison without parole. Scherer plans to begin screening jurors next month in hopes testimony can begin in January.

His attorneys announced his intention to plead guilty during a hearing last week.

Fred Guttenberg, whose 14-year-old daughter Jaime died in the shooting, said he visited her grave this week to ask her for the strength to get through Wednesday's hearing.

"She was the toughest, wisest person I ever knew," he said. "My daughter always fought for what was right. My daughter despised bullies and would put herself in the middle of someone being bullied to make it stop."

The guilty pleas will set the stage for a penalty trial in which 12 jurors will determine whether Cruz should be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole. Given the case's notoriety, Scherer plans to screen thousands of prospective jurors. Hearings are scheduled throughout November and December, with a goal to start testimony in January.

Cruz killed the 14 students and three staff members on Valentine's Day 2018 during a seven-minute rampage through a three-story building at Stoneman Douglas, investigators said. They said he shot victims in the hallways and in classrooms with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle. Cruz had been expelled from Stoneman Douglas a year earlier after a history of threatening, frightening, unusual and sometimes violent behavior that dated back to preschool.

The shootings caused some Stoneman Douglas students to launch the March for Our Lives movement, which pushes for stronger gun restrictions nationally.

Since days after the shooting, Cruz's attorneys had offered to have him plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence, saying that would spare the community the emotional turmoil of reliving the attack at trial. But longtime Broward State Attorney Mike Satz rejected the offer, saying Cruz deserved a death sentence, and appointed himself lead prosecutor. Satz, 79, stepped down as state attorney in January after 44 years, but remains Cruz's chief prosecutor.

His successor, Harold Pryor, is opposed to the death penalty but has said he will follow the law. Like Satz, he never accepted the defense offer  as an elected official, that would have been difficult, even in liberal Broward County, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 2 to 1.

By having Cruz plead guilty, his attorneys will be able to argue during the penalty hearing that he took responsibility for his actions.

***

Associated Press reporter Will Weissert in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  An emergency call made by a 4-year-old New Zealand boy asking for police to come over and check out his toys prompted a real-life callout and confirmation from an officer that the toys were, indeed, pretty cool.

Police shared audio of the call on social media this week (included in the video above) along with a photo of the smiling boy sitting on the hood of a patrol cruiser, noting that while they don't encourage children to call the emergency number, the incident was "too cute not to share."

The call begins all business: "This is police, where is the emergency?"

There's a pause as the unidentified boy hesitantly says, "Hi," and then "Police lady?"

"Yes," the dispatcher says, switching to a friendlier, singsong tone. "What's going on?"

"Um, can I tell you something?" the boy asks, and after being told he can, says "I've got some toys for you."

"You've got some toys for me?" says the dispatcher.

"Yep. Come over and see them," the boy replies.

A man then gets on the phone confirming the call was a mistake, saying the 4-year-old had been helping out while his mother was sick.

A police dispatch call then goes out, giving the address: "There is a 4-year-old there who is wanting to show police his toys, over."

"Yeah, I'm one-up, I'll attend to," responds an officer.

Police said the officer, who they identified only as Constable Kurt, was shown an array of toys at the boy's house in the South Island city of Invercargill.

They said the officer was also able to have a "good, educational chat" about the proper use of the emergency number, which is 111 in New Zealand.

"He did have cool toys," Constable Kurt reported back after attending the callout, according to police. They added: "The lucky kid also got to see the patrol car and the officer put the lights on for him, too."

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
This subscription will allow existing subscribers of The World to access all of our online content, including the E-Editions area.

NOTE: To claim your access to the site, you will need to enter the Last Name and First Name that is tied to your subscription in this format: SMITH, JOHN

If you need help with exactly how your specific name needs be entered, please email us at admin@countrymedia.net or call us at 1-541 266 6047.
Trinkle Brass Works presents the Feste Fantini

After a year of limited concerts and events and a cancelled season last summer, Trinkle Brass Works is pleased to announce three concerts by Feste Fantini, a brass, organ, and timpani ensemble.

Performances will take place at the Lander First United Methodist Church on Friday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m., the First United Methodist Church in Casper on Saturday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. and at St. Peters Episcopal Church in Sheridan on Sunday, Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. The performances are open to the public without charge. COVID-19 protocols will be followed and everyone is encouraged to wear masks and observe social distancing.

The core ensemble will feature Steven Trinkle, Dr. Bruce Barrie, Dr. Gary Malvertn and Dr. Kelly Dehnert on trumpet, Dr. Eric Unruh on organ/piano and Dr. Genie Burkett timpani and organ. The players of Feste Fantini have worked together since 1975 in brass quintets, symphony orchestras and many oratorio orchestras, most recently the B Minor Mass of J.S. Bach in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The group has performed for the Festwoche Klassiche Musik in Oppenau and Offenburg, Germany, and for the American Guild of Organists in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

The name, Feste Fantini, comes from Girolamo Fantini (1600  1675), known principally as the composer of his trumpet method Modo per imparare a sonare di tromba (1638). Fantini was in the service of the Duke of Tuscany, Ferdinando II deMedici. In 1634, Fantini performed with Girolamo Frescobaldi, organist of St. Peters Basilica in Rome, one of the first concerts for trumpet and organ.

This program is sponsored and financially supported through the generosity of local patrons in the community and by grants from the Wyoming Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Koons Memorial Fund and many more. More information is available on the Trinkle Brass Works website https://www.trinklebrassworks.org and the Trinkle Brass Works Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/trinklebrassworks/

Steve Frame Band at VFW

The Casper Dance Club has scheduled The Steve Frame Band to play for a dance at the VFW at 1800 Bryan Stock Trail from 6-9 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 23! Fee is $6. So bring some goodies for the potluck held about 7, if you wish.

Please dont come, if you are ill!

Free Cowboy Ethics training

The Cowboy Ethics program has helped thousands of students set clear goals and reach for the best in themselves. Learn the Cowboy Way at a free Cowboy Ethics training to be held in Riverton on Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Rendezvous Elementary School (413 North 4th Street, Riverton).

This training is geared toward teachers and other youth development professionals. The Be Somebody: Cowboy Ethics program can help inspire and lead youth to become stronger citizens with stronger character using the American cowboy and the Code of the West as inspirational themes. The results can be seen in measurably improved GPAs, the transformations reported by teachers and youth group leaders, and how students themselves say theyve changed.

This free training for the first 25 registrants, a $350 value, is generously sponsored by the John P. Ellbogen Foundation. For out-of-town guests, The Ellbogen Foundation is also providing free hotel rooms in Riverton the night before (Oct. 22). Lunch is included during the training. Participants can receive a .5 PTSB credit.

Training includes an 8-hour group training session, along with curricula for each participant, and three years of follow-up assistance, curriculum updates, and monthly newsletters.

If theres one thing we can all agree upon its that we need to do something to help kids in our communities reach their full potential, said Jim Owen, Founder of the Center For Cowboy Ethics & Leadership.

To register for the training, please contact Sara Beth Lyon, Cowboy Ethics Outreach Coordinator, at (307-265-2427; or via email at: slyon@bgccw.org. You may also register online at https://wyomingyouth.org/trainingsandevents. Registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 15.

Baklava and Greek pastries sale

The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church is taking orders for its annual bake sale of baklava and Greek pastries.

To place your order, call (307) 237-4470, or text to 307-251-5134, or email order to: pkofakis@gmail.com.

Prices are the same great value at $25 per 1 dozen baklava or $25 for a tin of three each of four other pastries. Order by Nov. 7. Pick up and pay for your order at the Church, 1350 East C Street in Casper on Saturday, Nov. 20, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Proceeds support the philanthropic work of the Ladies Philoptochos Society. These pastries make the perfect dessert or gift and will be ready for pickup just in time for the Holidays!

Meat shoot set for November

Rocky Mountain Gun Club will be having a meat shoot Friday, Nov. 5, from 5 to 10 p.m. Cost is $5 a round. Bring your family and friends and have fun shooting clay targets. Dress warm you never know what the weather will be like. Ladies bring your friends and show off your shooting skills. We are open every Sunday from noon to 5 for practice. The club is 7 miles north of I-25 on Cole Creek Road. Call 307-235-8067 for more information. See you there.

Youth jam night at St. Stephens Episcopal Church

Saint Stephens Episcopal Church presents a new gathering for Caspers youth. It is called Youth Jam Night and is designed for any and all Casper youth to come and enjoy music and fellowship with fellow musicians. Bring your favorite musical instrument or if you do not have one, we will have a few for the youth to use. The first meeting will be on Sunday Oct. 24 from 6-9 p.m. at S.t Stephens Church 4700 S. Poplar and will include introductions and planning for future meetings. Pizza and drinks will be served. Come and enjoy the fellowship and maybe even have fun playing your favorite instrument. For more info, call Ray Pierce at 307-660-4727. All youth and young adults are welcome!

October at the Casper Planetarium

The Casper Planetarium is featuring Halloween: Celestial Origins, a show about how legends, science, and tradition combine to create some of our familiar Halloween celebrations. Learn how our traditions can be traced back to ancient Celtic festivals, the Christian tradition of All Hallows Eve, the astronomical functions of Stonehenge, and more. Halloween: Celestial Origins plays on Tuesday through Friday afternoons at 4 p.m. and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. all through October.

The show also includes a brief live Star Talk about the stars, planets, and constellations currently visible in our night skies.

Running time is about 30 minutes, and the show is recommended for ages 8 and up. Admission is just $3 per person (cash or check only please).

For more details, visit casperplanetarium.com.

Bozeman Trail Exhibit at Fort Caspar

Laramies American Heritage Centers travelling exhibit The Bozeman Trail Diaries of Robert Dunlap Clarke will be on display at Fort Caspar Museum from Sept. 15 through Nov. 27.

Learn about the Bozeman Trail, often called The Bloody Bozeman because of violent Indian attacks on travelers.

The attacks were a result of the trail, which began in 1863, being an illegal shortcut to the Montana goldfields through lands given to the Oglala Sioux as part of the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851.

Major Clarke was a paymaster for U.S. troops stationed along the Bozeman Trail, so he traveled this route twice on his rounds, in both 1867 and 1868, recording events in two diaries.

In the exhibit, you will read excerpts from his diaries and see copies of hand-written pages, pencil sketches, and colorful drawings.

In October, the Museums hours will change from a daily schedule of 8:30 am to 5:00 pm to a five-day-a-week schedule, open Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Because the fort buildings will be locked for the winter, admission prices will go from $4 for adults and $3 for youth (ages 13-18 years) and seniors (ages 62 and over) to half price.

Children 12 years and younger and Museum members are always free.

Fort Caspar is located at 4001 Fort Caspar Road in Casper, and our phone number is 307-235-8462.

Ghost tours at fort

Calling all Ghost Hunters! Fort Caspar Museum and the Casper Area Paranormal Seekers are again joining forces to offer Ghost Tours of the Fort on the evenings of Oct. 22-23, 29-30. Tickets go on sale Oct. 1 at the Museum.

The hour-long tours will begin every twenty minutes with the first tour leaving at 7:00 p.m. and the last leaving at 10:40 p.m. each night.

This is a ticketed event, and advance purchase is highly recommended.

The $9 tickets are available for sale at Fort Caspar Museum in person (or over the phone with a credit card) and will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Due to COVID-19 concerns, all participants MUST wear masks for this event.

Only ten spaces are available for each hour-long tour. The tours will occur at the following times each night: 7:00 p.m., 7:20 p.m., 7:40 p.m., 8:00 p.m., 8:20 p.m., 8:40 p.m., 9:00 p.m., 9:20 p.m., 9:40 p.m., 10:00 p.m., 10:20 p.m., and 10:40 p.m.

This is not a scary, haunted house kind of experience. During the tours, the Paranormal Seekers will demonstrate how they use detecting equipment to find evidence of paranormal activity in several of the fort buildings.

Ticket holders should wear good shoes and dress warmly for walking outdoors, between the buildings in the dark.

Bring a flashlight and a digital camera if you wish, and again, face coverings are required.

Children under eight years of age are discouraged from participating.

For more information, call the Museum at 307-235-8462 or visit our website at fortcasparwyoming.com.

Fort Caspar Museum is located at 4001 Fort Caspar Road in Casper, Wyoming.

In October, the Museum is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays.

UU Casper Services and Events

The Unitarian Universalist Community of Casper is a doctrine-free spiritual community joining together to make a difference for the good and welcoming all who come with open hearts and open minds. UU Casper is now holding dual in-person/Zoom services. Attend in-person at 1040 West 15th Street: face coverings are required in the building during Sunday services to protect the most vulnerable among us. A childrens religious exploration program and child care are available. To attend on Zoom, visit the Attend an Online Service tab at uucasper.org for a link.

On Oct. 24, Melody Haler and Athne Machdane will present Beauty of Our ancestors, to honor our ancestry and lineage. During this service, Athne Machdane will present I look to the mountains, a tribute to their great-uncle, Albert W. Bailey, a decorated veteran of World War II, a professor at Casper College, and an elite mountain climber throughout the world. His life was an epic cliffhanger in more ways than one! Also, Jim Bailey will offer a musical reprise of Memories, a poem by Tammy Dominguez. Everyone will be invited to share a brief story about an ancestor that is important to them. Oct. 31 is a Discussion Forum Sunday on the theme of Beauty. On November 7th Reverend Leslie Kee will introduce the November worship theme Progress and Prospective.

The UU Casper weekly online meditation is held each Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., and online Coffee and Conversation is held online each Thursday at 10 a.m.

Everyone and all ages are invited to attend Meditation Drumming Circle to be held at 7 p.m. on Oct. 28. No experience is necessary for this free and free-flowing meditation drumming circle, led by Brenda Evans, and instruments are available for sharing.

The UU Casper Book Club is reading The Aviators Wife by Melanie Benjamin, with discussion to be held (in-person and on Zoom) Oct. 25 6:30 p.m.

For more events and information, and a link to attend online, go to uucasper.org, visit UU Casper on Facebook, or email news@uucasper.org.

October at Historic Bishop Home

Select either a tea box to take to your spooky place, or in-person tea at the Historic Bishop Home. The date is Oct. 30. You are invited to choose the option best for you: Order your tea in a box to enjoy in your own mysterious place while solving the mystery of who won the Fall Bake-off competition. Each box contains an assortment of tea sandwiches, scones, desserts, tea, and condiments for one person. Tea Boxes must be picked up at the Historic Bishop Home between noon and 1 p.m. on Oct. 30, or enjoy a three-course sit down tea with friends at the Historic Bishop Homes Honky Tonk Saloon while solving an old -fashioned WHO DUNNIT mystery! Teatime is 2:00 p.m. The tea costs $35 per person ($10 is a donation to support the Historic Bishop Home). Select your option and reserve by Oct. 27.

For reservations, please call 307-235-5277 or email info@cadomafoundation.org. Reservations are confirmed by mailing a check payable to the Cadoma Foundation

818 East Second Street, Casper, Wyoming 82601.

You may also reserve and pay on www.cadomafoundation.org.

October brings the continuation of restoration work at the Historic Bishop Home. We are excited the old, cracked driveway and sidewalks will be replaced, and the garage removed to improve access. These projects are made possible through the generosity of the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund and many local donors. The home will remain open for touring during these restorations. Access from Second Street will be restricted during construction, so visitors need to enter from the homes parking lot off Lincoln Street.

In additional news, our interns are developing a photo display focusing on community involvement. Please plan to visit the home on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to view the new displays. The home is located at 818 East Second Street between Lincoln and Jefferson. A minimum donation of $2 per person is requested. For additional information visit www. Cadomafoundation.org, follow the Bishop Home Museum on Facebook, or call 307-235-5277.

Troopers selling Christmas wreaths

The Casper Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps are offering fresh evergreen Christmas wreaths for sale. These wreaths sell for $30 and will be delivered to your door-step between Nov. 30 and Dec. 6. These wreaths make wonderful Christmas gifts. To order a wreath please call the Trooper office at 307-472-2141,Trooper Bingo 307-265-2464 or Ted Gilbert at 307-265-2894. Have a glorious and wonderful holiday season!

Free dance classes weekly

Free line dance classes are still on at the Eagles every Wednesday, 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Families welcome. 306 N. Durbin, use back door.

Celebrate 31 years of Women in the Word

Women in the Word is for any woman regardless of age, background or faith who wants to grow in Gods word, learn and share with each other.

Beginning Sept. 15, Women in the Word will meet Wednesdays from 9:15 to 10:45 a.m., at Highland Park Community Church with childcare provided. Register online at casperwomenintheword.com.

Find us on Facebook at Casper Women in the Word.

Call Angela (307-267-8061) or Barbara (307-277-3366) with questions.

Library closes Sundays. The library is on summer hours, which are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Sundays.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
As Wyoming continues to carve out a niche in the next-generation nuclear industry, researchers are following along. Already, some have begun to envision the advanced reactor proposed for one of the states four retiring coal plants as a possible building block of decarbonization.

The vast nuclear facilities already operating in the U.S. supply close to 20% of the countrys total electricity, and contribute close to half of low-carbon generation. In the decades since most of those reactors were built, nuclear has proven to be safe and dependable. But with new construction now largely uneconomical, the aging nuclear fleet faces looming plant closure dates amid stiff competition from cheaper energy sources.

Increasingly, researchers are studying the potential of small modular reactors to revitalize the nuclear industry.

According to a report published last week by doctoral students at the University of Pennsylvania, advanced nuclear projects like Wyomings Natrium plant could prove cheaper, more flexible and more efficient than traditional nuclear reactors, providing the same benefits without the current financial constraints.

I think the technologies are there, said Zakaria Hsain, a Ph.D. candidate in the universitys department of mechanical engineering and applied mechanics and a lead author of the report. Nuclear reactors have been producing energy for, now, like 60 years. The technology and the expertise and the supply chains are already there.

If small modular reactors meet expectations, and the technology is widely adopted, advanced nuclear could become the lowest-cost source of electricity across most of the U.S., the report found. In eastern Wyoming, including Natrona County, wind would still be cheaper, but nuclear could help to balance out its fluctuations.

The reactors components are designed to be made in factories, driving down cost as production expands. Making that jump, and maximizing economies of scale in order to minimize electricity prices, will likely take federal support, Hsain said.

Having the federal government as your support and your backer, in something as big as transitioning from a fossil fuel-centered grid to a grid thats centered on renewables and nuclear and other emissions-free energy, you need that as a state government, he said.

Advanced nuclear isnt ready for commercialization. It has to be tested first, and the earliest small-scale demonstration projects are expected to become operational near the end of the decade. The report emphasized that action on climate change cant wait that long.

In the meantime, the authors wrote, the U.S. could upgrade its existing reactors by replacing older components and modernizing control rooms and safety mechanisms. Its an approach already being taken by other countries, such as France, as they look to expand their nuclear capacity, Hsain said.

Upgrading older nuclear plants would keep them operational for decades, he said, potentially until newer reactors could be scaled up enough to take their place. But he emphasized that a revolutionary era of next-generation nuclear power isnt guaranteed.

I wouldnt bet on the success of modular nuclear reactors, Hsain said. Theyre there, theyre an option, but they still need some more development.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1

The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  Nikolas Cruz pleaded guilty Wednesday to murdering 17 people during a rampage at his former high school in Parkland, Florida, leaving a jury to decide whether he will be executed for one of the nations deadliest school shootings.

Relatives of the victims who sat in the courtroom and watched the hearing via Zoom broke down in tears and held hands across families as Cruz entered his pleas and later apologized for his crimes.

Today we saw a cold and calculating killer confess to the murder of my daughter Gina and 16 other innocent victims at their school, said Tony Montalto. His daughter was 14 and sitting outside her classroom when Cruz shot her at close range numerous times. His guilty pleas are the first step in the judicial process but there is no change for my family. Our bright, beautiful, and beloved daughter Gina is gone while her killer still enjoys the blessing of life in prison.

The guilty pleas will set the stage for a penalty trial in which 12 jurors will determine whether Cruz, 23, should be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole. Given the cases notoriety, Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer plans to screen thousands of prospective jurors. Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Jan. 4.

Cruz entered his pleas after answering a long list of questions from Scherer aimed at confirming his mental competency. He was charged with 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted first-degree murder for those wounded in the Feb. 14, 2018, attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, located just outside Fort Lauderdale.

As several parents shook their heads, Cruz apologized, saying, Im very sorry for what I did. ... I cant live with myself sometimes. He also added that he wished it was up to the survivors to determine whether he lived or died.

Parents scoffed at Cruzs statement as they left the courtroom, saying it seemed self-serving and aimed at eliciting unearned sympathy. Gena Hoyer, whose 15-year-old son Luke died in the shooting, saw it as part of a defense strategy to keep a violent, evil person off death row."

She said her son was a sweet young man who had a life ahead of him and the person you saw in there today chose to take his life. He does not deserve life in prison.

Anthony Borges, a former Stoneman Douglas student who was shot five times and severely wounded, told reporters after the hearing that he accepted Cruzs apology, but noted that it was not up to him to decide the confessed murderers fate.

He made a decision to shoot the school, Borges said. I am not God to make the decision to kill him or not. Thats not my decision. My decision is to be a better person and to change the world for every kid. I dont want this to happen to anybody again. It hurts. It hurts. It really hurts. So, I am just going to keep going. Thats it.

Following the pleas Wednesday, former Broward State Attorney Mike Satz recounted the details of the murders. Cruz killed 14 students and three staff members on Valentines Day 2018 during a seven-minute rampage through a three-story building at Stoneman Douglas, investigators said. They said he shot victims in the hallways and in classrooms with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle, sometimes returning to the wounded to kill them with additional shots. Cruz had been expelled from Stoneman Douglas a year earlier after a history of threatening, frightening, unusual and sometimes violent behavior that dated back to preschool.

After Satz finished, the judge had to compose herself for several seconds before she began speaking again, her voice breaking.

The shootings caused some Stoneman Douglas students to launch the March for Our Lives movement, which pushes for stronger gun restrictions nationally.

Since days after the shooting, Cruzs attorneys had offered to have him plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence, saying that would spare the community the emotional turmoil of reliving the attack at trial. But Satz rejected the offer, saying Cruz deserved a death sentence, and appointed himself lead prosecutor. Satz, 79, stepped down as state attorney in January after 44 years, but remains Cruzs chief prosecutor.

His successor, Harold Pryor, is opposed to the death penalty but has said he will follow the law. Like Satz, he never accepted the defense offer  as an elected official, that would have been difficult, even in liberal Broward County, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 2 to 1.

By having Cruz plead guilty, his attorneys will be able to argue during the penalty hearing that he took responsibility for his actions.

As at any trial, prosecutors will present evidence of the shooting, including security video that reportedly shows many of the killings in graphic detail. They will also be allowed to show evidence that Cruz had long planned the attack and made threats through cellphone videos. There will be testimony from students and teachers who were in the building, including some who were wounded.

Prosecutors will also present testimony from the victims' parents and spouses to demonstrate the toll the deaths have had on families and the community.

The defense will then present mitigating evidence that will likely include testimony about Cruzs life, including his long history of mental and emotional instability, his fathers death when he was 5 and his mothers death four months before the shootings, when he was 19.

To impose a death sentence, all 12 jurors must agree. If they do, Judge Scherer will make the final decision.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
The total number of coronavirus cases in Wyoming grew by 402 on Tuesday, with the number of confirmed cases rising by 166 and the number of probable cases rising by 236, according to the Wyoming Department of Healths daily update.

Additionally, 407 new coronavirus recoveries were announced.

Numbers to know

Active cases: 1,907 (3,064 including probable cases)

Hospitalized patients: 219 Monday (up from 214 Sunday)

Deaths: 1,136 (56 announced this week, 140 announced this month)

Total vaccine doses received: 638,445 (326,805 Pfizer, 279,540 Moderna, 32,100 Janssen)

First vaccine doses given: 241,318

Second vaccine doses given: 214,274

Booster doses given: 19,112

One-time vaccine doses given: 19,963

Are we trending up or down?

The states 14-day average in total new cases is 614.8 per day. That number is down 152.6 from a month ago.

The states number of total active cases is 3,064. That number is down 843 from a month ago.
Wyoming has always been about small government and limited regulations. These are core values to me. I remember well my father working to protect Wyomings Right to Work laws. Our family eagerly supported Malcolm Wallops successful Senate bid in 1976. He was unshakeable in his conservatism and fought constantly against government overreach. In fact, one of the most memorable political ads of all time was Malcolm taking the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to task for ridiculous regulations. It featured a puzzled cowboy preparing to head out on the range, and having to strap a portable toilet to a pack horse because of OSHAs overregulation. It was a great ad that highlighted wrongheaded regulations crafted in D.C. that lack awareness of what makes sense on the ground.

Big government is a cancer. As a conservative Republican I have, and always will support the rights of private individuals and their rights as business owners to operate their enterprise as they see fit. We need fewer regulations, not more. I oppose growing government interference.

As I write this, OSHA is preparing new rules that purport to shape how businesses must operate across the country. In this instance, it is a mandate that employers require that their employees get a COVID-19 vaccine. And there are other hair-brained ideas on the way, including those that would force health care facilities to require vaccinations in order to receive Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. Holding our seniors and Medicaid recipients hostage is just plain wrong.

This federal overreach is plainly unacceptable. Let me be clear: Wyoming will use every means at our disposal to thwart these efforts to erode our rights. I have directed Wyomings Attorney General to work with other states to prepare for litigation once the vaccine mandate regulations are released.

From the outset of this Biden threat, Legislative leadership and I have been aligned in our steadfast opposition to federal overreach. Rest assured, we have heard similar sentiments from all corners of the state. Together, we are working hard on behalf of Wyoming. However, I will not support state over-reach into our private and business lives.

As chief executive of Wyoming, Im acutely aware of the limits imposed on my office by our Constitution and the statutes passed by our Legislature. Wyomings statutes do not provide the Governor with unlimited power. For example, Wyomings brand of Executive Orders (EOs) do not give the Governor the same tools that the Texas Legislature has given their Governor. Because Wyomings Governor does not have statutory authority to enforce an EO similar to Texas Governor, I have not issued one. Frankly, I am not disappointed because I believe in my core that Wyomingites dont want a supreme executive in the first place. Government must be held in check.

The Wyoming Legislature has the authority to call itself into session when they are so inclined. Their process is not easy, and it isnt meant to be. Wyoming prides herself on a citizen legislature made up of men and women with jobs, businesses, and obligations that are not wholly political in nature. We are blessed that we do not have a political class as found in New York, California, or Illinois. Wyoming has avoided that pitfall by limiting the days that our Legislature can be in session, thereby assuring that our legislators continue their other work, and concentrate on politics as a service.

The Legislature is following its process. I look forward to continuing to work with them to see that we protect the rights of Wyoming individuals and businesses. It is, and always has been, a delicate balance.

Ultimately, I remain committed to conservative Republican principles: minimal government closest to the people, individual liberty, and the freedom to operate your business unconstrained from government mandates. I will always stand for the Constitution and the rule of law. I was proud when former President Donald Trump recognized Wyomings limited regulations when I met with him at the White House in 2019. I continue to be proud of our states commitment to keep out of the business of our citizens and their businesses.

Mark Gordon is the governor of Wyoming.

Love 3 Funny 5 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3
Despite the many blessings of living in America, why arent more Americans happy?

According to World Population Review, the 2021 World Happiness Report ranks America as the 19th happiest out of 146 countries.

The report bases happiness on six categories, including gross domestic product (GDP), social support, life expectancy, generosity, perceptions of each countrys corruption levels, and the freedom for citizens to make their own life choices.

GDP is a general estimate of the total value of finished goods and services that a country has produced within a specific period of time, usually measured in a year.

America has the highest GDP in the world, yet that isnt producing the highest happiness ranking in the world.

To be sure, money isnt everything where happiness is concerned, according to Time.

Several studies show that once your basic financial needs are met and you have enough money to enjoy a few niceties, more money does not necessarily equate to more happiness.

Though, as my Uncle Bert has wisely noted, if youre going to be miserable anyway, you might as well be rich!

Americas life expectancy ranking is awfully disappointing. Out of 227 countries, we rank 46th. Other advanced economies are doing much better than we are. Our neighbor Canada is ranked sixth.

Understanding why we arent living longer requires deep examination, but a report by the National Institute of Health explains why it would negatively impact our happiness ranking.

That brings us to generosity.

According to the 2019 World Giving Index (PDF), Americans had been the most generous people on Earth for the prior decade, reports Marketwatch.

However, the 2021 World Giving Index (PDF) says the USA has seen a significant decline across all three scores since 2016  a trend which accelerated in 2020.

Why are Americans giving less? When the downtrend began in 2016, The Atlantic tried to identify the underlying causes.

Cynicism could be one of them.

Fewer Americans feel that their volunteer work and donations actually make a difference in their communities, reports The Atlantic.

Since helping others brings you a lot of joy, is our reduction in giving another source of our unhappiness?

Then there is our perception of corruption.

If you live in a country where government corruption is high, you likely feel powerless in your ability to influence your governments policies with your voice and your vote.

When President Trump won in 2016, half the country thought he stole the election. Today, the other half of the country thinks President Biden stole the 2020 election.

With perception of government corruption running high, I suppose it could contribute to the unhappiness of many Americans.

The last measure of happiness in the World Population Review involves the freedom of citizens to make their own life choices  a basic freedom that has been significantly limited by some state governments during the COVID pandemic.

States like Florida and South Dakota generally kept their economies and schools open and preserved their citizens freedom to make their own decisions, but states like California enforced strict lockdowns and mask mandates  making many people very unhappy.

Now that I think about it, given what weve gone through the last year and a half, maybe we should be happy we didnt rank considerably lower than 19th on the 2021 World Happiness Report.

Tom Purcell is a nationally syndicated Pittsburgh Tribune-Review humor columnist.

Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
There are times when the headlines couldnt be more illustrative, more predictive for whats ahead. If one sees them as a continuum.

Biden Ends Workplace Immigration Raids, Reversing Trump Policy.

Americans Are Quitting Jobs At Record Rates.

Some People Are Optimistic About Social Security; But Its Shrinking As The Number Of Retirees Grows.

The crux of the first one is this: The Biden administration is seeking immigrant laborer whistle blowers, dangling the possibility of protection from deportation, in exchange for intel on their unscrupulous employers.

On the surface, this sounds good. But lets scratch a bit deeper, which is where the relevance of the second and third headlines tie in.

The administration wants to go after companies that might be underpaying workers by hiring those who arent authorized to work in the U.S. and otherwise treating employees poorly with an eye on profits.

To start, expecting workers to out their employers is asking a lot. Remember, generally, were not talking about senior level Facebook employees who might appear with counsel alongside as they address Congress.

These are low-wage workers who are often subject to the whims of bosses wielding great control over their lives. Time will tell if the Biden administration can successfully put protocols in place to protect them. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are tasked with proposing new ways of operating within 60 days.

Furthermore, in terms of the nations own economic sustainability, this is just another winding sideroad, a diversion from the real issue.

Neon red warning signs are flashing about unfilled jobs across many employment sectors, baby boomers are retiring in droves to claim their hard-earned Social Security benefits and others are voluntarily exiting the job market, some reassessing their work lives due to the stresses of the pandemic.

We need more workers, not fewer. Thats a demographic certainty that is agnostic to who is in the White House. And one surefire way to find them is through immigration.

The U.S. must form an immigration system that nimbly reacts to market needs and establishes a system for legal entry with a comprehensive and fast vetting process for crucial positions that keep the nation running.

The fact that we do not have this system in place is an epic failure that Congress and both Republican and Democratic administrations have allowed to continue, for decades.

None of these points were addressed with rolling out of the new whistleblower approach, which isnt even a novel idea.

We will not tolerate unscrupulous employers who exploit unauthorized workers, conduct illegal activities, or impose unsafe working conditions, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a news release. Employers engaged in illegal acts compel the focus of our enforcement resources. By adopting policies that focus on the most unscrupulous employers, we will protect workers as well as legitimate American businesses.

Sure its an improvement over the Rambo-style, surprise inspections of workplaces, where immigrants go scurrying to avoid being caught, which was the type of workplace enforcement [that was] preferred under former President Donald Trump.

Far more complicated and less adrenaline-filled will be the paperwork hunt to prove that a business knowingly hired laborers who didnt have the legal clearance to earn their paychecks. That type of work involves chases through a companys personnel files, interviewing human resources and hiring managers and yes, comparing their version of events with what the actual employees say.

More than anything this new policy is just another step to refocus immigration enforcement. Call it more Obama era, less Trump. Previous announcements pivoted toward a heightened focus on those who could pose a national security threat, versus the person working without authorization at a packing plant.

Vice President Kamala Harris is increasingly being pressured, as she should be, to be a voice for other immigrants. As the daughter of an immigrant, shes well-suited to speak up.

Given that nativist attacks, preaching through an America-first tunnel vision view is already being geared up by Republicans for 2022. Again, time is of the essence.

Readers can reach Mary Sanchez at msanchezcolumn@gmail.com and follow her on Twitter @msanchezcolumn

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
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.
There was an uproar in the Senate on Tuesday evening after it was announced that Independent
Is mask wearing more important than purchasing testing kits for Covid-19? Proper mask wearing prevents you from transmitting or receiving infection.

The testing kits tell you if you are asymptomatic but carrying the virus.

Wearing your mask properly prevents you from spreading it. A Covid-19 testing kit cannot do this. I am of the view that while it is nice to know if you are a carrier how many times do you have to self-test?
According to Kelly, it was those charges out of Sacramento that led to Taylor being brought to the police station where he lunged at an officer.

Kelly said had it not been for the pandemic, Taylor most likely would never have been eligible for bail.

The judicial council of California has come up with the zero-bail program, he said. So we have people normally that would stay in custody are now getting bails and being released due to the COVID pandemic.

However, according to the district attorneys office, Taylors bail was set by the presiding judge, Delia Trevino, using Californias pre-COVID bond schedule.

On Oct. 4, Taylor died in a gunfight on an Amtrak train in downtown Tucson. DEA Special Agent Michael Garbo was killed, and another DEA agent was wounded, along with a Tucson police officer.

A DEA agent identified as J.C. in court documents boarded the train and said he observed Taylor and Devonte Okeith Mathis sitting in the same row, but on opposite sides of the aisle. The agent then said he saw Mathis move several bags a few rows away and returned to his seat.
In fact, Rayes said, the burden would fall on the women who would be denied their constitutional right to terminate pregnancies.

There was no immediate response from the Attorney Generals Office.

The measure, approved earlier this year by the Republican-controlled Legislature, makes it a crime for medical providers to terminate a fetus if they know the sole reason the woman is seeking the procedure is a genetic abnormality. The law carries a penalty of up to a year in prison for doctors and others; there is no penalty on the woman.

It comes against the backdrop of a line of U.S. Supreme Court rulings, dating from the historic 1973 decision of Roe v. Wade, that bar states from forbidding a woman from terminating her pregnancy prior to viability. That is the point at which a fetus could live outside the womb, presumed to be somewhere between 22 and 24 weeks.

The Center for Reproductive Rights, abortion providers and others sued over the new Arizona law, charging that it runs afoul of those precedents. They argued that a doctor would not be allowed to perform an abortion once he or she knows the womans reason, which would effectively become an absolute ban on the procedure.

In his ruling, Rayes did agree with Brnovich on one point.
While Scott previously indicated he would not support vaccination policies that call for terminations, he said his mind changed when considering vulnerable populations.

I think we have a duty to protect people who fall into those categories to all the extents that are practicable, he said. When that option was presented to us, it caused me to think very deeply about what it means to be a member of one of those vulnerable populations, and I feel its our duty to protect those people who are essentially defenseless.

The new policy also prevents unvaccinated employees from taking part in off-duty employment opportunities, meaning the county wont authorize its employees to work second jobs. Many sheriffs employees take part in off-duty work opportunities such as private security.

The motion affirmed Huckelberrys Aug. 31 administrative policy that all new county hires, as well as county employees seeking a promotion, must be vaccinated.
When Young continued to demand a yes or no response, Magnus said, I appreciate your question and am doing my best to acknowledge the situation is very serious, regardless of what we call it.

If it were me, Id just have said that there are crises in certain times and places along the border, as in Del Rio, Texas, for much of this year. Magnus himself noted during the hearing that the border is not homogenous. But he stayed away from the word, crisis, that implies blame for the president who nominated him.

Young was also incredulous that Magnus apparently was not familiar with Title 8 Section 1325 of the federal code. Thats the law that makes it illegal to cross the border between ports of entry  Magnus said he would familiarize himself with all the relevant law if he becomes CBP commissioner.

But much of the questioning was friendly, even from some GOP members. Sen. Rob Portman, an Ohio Republican, referenced a congenial conversation with Magnus about the need for reforming the asylum system, and Magnus carefully reiterated his agreement.

Magnus also nodded in solemn concern about the many worries over international trade expressed by both Democrats and Republicans. Softwood lumber, auto parts.
I just have very serious concerns with our current vacancies in some of these departments, and the difficulty in filling these positions paired with the potential loss of staff, what this is going to do to the residents and the services that were able to deliver, Lee said. I dont feel like we have enough of that picture in front of us to make an informed decision today on moving forward with saying, you know, we need to go down a termination path.

While Mayor Regina Romero acknowledged some council members concerns, the choice, for her, was clear.

I hear loud and clear from (Lee) that she is concerned about the services that we can provide to our community, it is a difficult conversation to have, she said. But really, if you think about it based on science, and what science says, it really is not difficult, right? People that are vaccinated have less of an opportunity to contract COVID and the delta variant.

Cunningham weighed both sides of the issue, but brought up concerns about writing pink slips during the holiday season.
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP)  The man who died in an gunfight in Tucson with law enforcement officers this month after fatally shooting a federal agent inside an Amtrak train faced multiple criminal charges in California, two Arizona newspapers reported.

Darrion Taylor, 26, had been released on bond from a jail in California's Alameda County, sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Raymond Kelly told the Arizona Daily Star and the Arizona Republic.

Taylor had been charged with assault with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest in Alameda County, where he was arrested in 2020 on a warrant from Sacramento County on charges that included robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, the newspapers reported.

Authorities said Taylor was passenger on Amtraks Sunset Limited when the train stopped at the Tucson station en route to New Orleans from Los Angeles.
KENOSHA, Wis. (AP)  Three people were killed and two others critically wounded in a shooting at a home in a southeastern Wisconsin city, and police said Wednesday they believe the shooter was among the dead.

Dispatchers received a 911 call about 10:40 p.m. Tuesday and all that could be heard was unintelligible screaming, officials said. Once dispatchers determined the address in Kenosha, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Milwaukee, officers rushed to the scene and discovered the bodies.

One survivor was air-lifted from the scene and the other was taken by ambulance to a local hospital.

This appears to be domestic-related incident and we believe the person responsible for the shooting is one of the deceased persons located within the house, the Kenosha Police Department said in a statement.

Police said 18-year-old Marian Pizzaro and 17-year-old Sebastian Perez-Alvarez were killed in the shooting. Luz Pizarro-Perez, 35, and a 14-year-old boy were injured. The suspected shooter, also found dead, was 24-year-old Jostin Gutierrez-Pagan, officials said.

The circumstances of the shooting were under investigation.
Navy leaders said Wednesday that a key finding showed that Navy crews are highly capable of fighting shipboard fires while at sea and in combat, but those skills decline when ships are docked for maintenance. The Bonhomme Richard was undergoing maintenance at the time of the fire.

Where weve missed the opportunity is those high-risk situations in the maintenance environment or in the pierside environment where we have reduced manning in off hours or we have equipment that is unavailable due to maintenance or equipment that has been moved, said Rear Adm. Paul Spedero Jr., who led a broad review that studied 15 shipyard fires over the past 12 years.

As a result of the review, he said crews will now be tested, trained and certified when they go into a maintenance phase, to ensure they are aware of the safety risks and how to mitigate them.

Vice Adm. Scott Conn., who led the review into the Bonhomme Richard fire response and wrote the final report, said changes, including increased training, must be made from the commanders down to the sailors on the deck.
Democrats are pressuring Justice to take the case, arguing that nothing less than democracy is at stake.

The stakes are enormous, said Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, a member of the panel. The Congress of the United States under Article One has the power to investigate in order to inform our deliberations about how to legislate going forward. Thats what this is about.

Still, prosecution is not a given. Assuming his post after a turbulent Trump era, Garland has prioritized restoring what he has called the norms of the department. On his first day, he told rank-and-file prosecutors that they should be focused on equal justice and not feel pressure to protect the presidents allies or to attack his enemies. He has repeatedly said political considerations shouldn't play a role in any decisions.

And his deputies pushed back  hard  when President Joe Biden suggested to reporters last week that Bannon should be prosecuted for contempt.

The Department of Justice will make its own independent decisions in all prosecutions based solely on the facts and the law. Period. Full stop, Garlands spokesman, Anthony Coley, said on Friday, in response to the presidents comments.
They know Arizona, they know Arizona employers, he said. And Selden, whose law firm also represents employers in in states where OSHA has primary enforcement, said putting Arizona into that category would be a setback.

Its a way better arrangement than when you have a federal Department of Labor official who is beholden to people in Washington, D.C. that does not have the same tie to the Arizona community, he said.

But attorney Jim Barton who represents labor interests in worker safety cases, said state regulation is a mixed bag.

On one hand, he said, having safety regulators that are familiar with Arizona employers is really not going to work for workers.

Conversely, he said the Industrial Commission has a lot more inspectors on the ground in Arizona than a federal agency ever could. And that, said Barton, is probably better to ensure worker safety.

The move by OSHA, though, is being praised by the National Nurses Union.

In a statement Tuesday, Deborah Burger, the organizations president, criticized the failure of Arizona and two other states to adopt the OSHA emergency rules and praised the federal agency of moving to strip enforcement authority.

Its unconscionable that some states think they can just ignore their responsibility to protect health care workers, she said, naming not just Arizona but also South Carolina and Utah, who also were warned Tuesday with losing OSHA enforcement authority. We could not be more proud that OSHA is standing up to hold them accountable today.

Howard Fischer is a veteran journalist who has been reporting since 1970 and covering state politics and the Legislature since 1982. Follow him on Twitter at @azcapmedia or email azcapmedia@gmail.com .
Mulders poor health and age also factored in reaching a plea, according to the agreement.

A trial would also be particularly and unusually taxing for one of the victims in the case, who is more than 20 years older than Mulder, according to the agreement text.

The indictment alleged Mulder developed phony life insurance policies that were used to acquire millions of dollars in loans from banks and investors. Mulder is also accused of obtaining $4.5 million from one investor through a ruse that involved bogus investment opportunities.

While court records indicate Mulder repaid most of his falsely-acquired loans, the plea agreement requires him to make restitution totaling $4.5 million to the one individual, $3.9 million to Firstar Bank, N.A. and $47,080 to BancFirst.

Prosecutors alleged Mulder took money from two individuals all under the guise of investing it for them; instead using it to pay off his personal credit card debt and to help run a coffee shop chain called Kaffe Bona that he and his wife ran on the side.

In his plea, Mulder admitted to accepting several checks totaling about $4.5 million between 2000 and 2017 from the one individual under the promise that he would invest the funds on behalf of the mans special needs son.
Similarly, the Commerce Departments Economic Development Administration focuses on innovation, emerging technologies, intellectual property  and data. This betrays a glaring lack of concern for the production side of digital technologies.

The EDA simply aims to Strengthen IP protection and Advance Innovation. However, R&D that the agency funds often ends up being manufactured overseas.

Theres also the recent CHIPS for America Act, which aims to stimulate domestic research and development for semiconductors. Unfortunately, the legislation fails to sufficiently require chipmakers to locate new production in the U.S. And that perpetuates Americas longstanding pattern of inventing groundbreaking technologies  like solar panels and computer chips  and then manufacturing them overseas.

The federal government spends roughly $600 billion annually on procurement. Spending that taxpayer money specifically on American-made products rather than imports could provide a huge boost for domestic companies. But too often, federal agencies simply purchase the cheapest possible goods, regardless of where theyre made.

Most industrialized nations take a different approach. They use government procurement to support their own factories.
The facility opened 15 years ago with the ability to distribute 20 million pounds of food a year. Last year, 37.2 million pounds of food moved through the center.

It has run out of room to meet the needs of those who continue to have trouble affording food.

The food bank operates as a distribution center to 350 community agencies to support over 400 food assistance programs in a 24-county area. These include food pantries, after-school program, senior meal programs and veterans' initiatives.

It's an impressive and efficient network.

But, it cannot feed everyone in need or replace SNAP, formerly called food stamps. That program allows people to get what they need and support businesses where they shop.

SNAP also has a far greater reach as a supplement to income to prevent hunger.

The food bank developed unique programs such as weekend food backpacks for kids and prepared meals in a culinary center. It has the flexibility for innovation with its partners.

Hunger is going to get worse with supply chain problems raising costs of food. The Eastern Oklahoma Community Food Bank is in a good position to meet these challenges.
Despite a recent article from Brent Kisling, executive director at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce ("Incentives work to benefit businesses, communities, state," Oct. 17), government incentives to companies are not a good thing.

If prosperity is determined by jobs paid for by government funds, Kisling would be right. But economic growth does not happen when one group is favored over another. If one group gets funding for their project, it reduces competition in the market, which drastically disrupts efficiency and innovation. It also shows that politics are more important to the Department of Commerce rather than what is important to consumers.

Kisling, and others, have argued that government economic development programs are performance based. Even this is troubling.

For example, imagine if the government gave incentives to typewriter producers before computers where commonly used. The incentives would drive decisions, and instead of pivoting to build computers, producers would keep building typewriters.
The European Union (EU) either recalled or issued a warning against five Vietnamese agricultural and fishery products in violation of food safety and hygiene regulations between October 6 and 12.

The Vietnam Sanitary and Phytosanitary Notification Authority and Enquiry Point (SPS Vietnam) said that it had received two official dispatches from the Ministry of Industry and Trade reporting that Vietnams agricultural and aquatic products exported to Europe contain agrochemical residues exceeding EU regulations.

The first dispatch on October 6 informed the recall of a batch of fragrant rice ST25 in Belgium.

Vinamex Group, the exporter of the product, checked the quality of the rice batch in question by themselves in consultation with the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) after delivering it to customers.

Test results showed that the residue level of tricyclazole, a fungicide, in the product was 0.017 milligrams per kilogram, higher than the maximum residue level (MRL) of 0.01 milligram per kilogram allowed by the EU.

An earlier test conducted by Vinamex Group in Vietnam had shown that the product had met all EU pesticide residue requirements.

Vinamex Group then actively posted a recall notice, asking customers not to consume products from the batch and return them to the firms warehouse for a refund.

Its fragrant rice ST25 product has yet to be listed on the EUs Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, which issued a total of 386 warnings against consignments imported to or circulating on the EU market in violation of food safety regulations in September.

The second dispatch issued by the Vietnamese ministry on October 12 gave warnings about residues of harmful substances in four other agricultural and aquatic products of Vietnam exported to the EU market.

The first product was bitter melon exported by SAKA SAKA Co. Ltd, in which the Dutch health authority detected chlorpyrifos ethyl, a pesticide used in crops, animals, and buildings, while their Spanish counterpart found profenofos, a banned substance.

Italian health authorities detected undeclared sulphites, which are used as food preservatives that can trigger asthma and symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction, in an export shipment of crustaceans and seafood of Minh Chau Import-Export Seafood Processing Co. Ltd.

Norwegian and French health administrations discovered nitrofurans, or furazolidone, a broad-spectrum antibiotic that can be used by humans and animals to fight bacterial infections, in frozen frog thighs and propargite and fenobucarb in pomelos imported from Vietnam.

Active ingredients nitrofurans, including furazolidone, are banned substances with MRLs of zero, according to EU regulations.

Propargite is an insecticide used to control mites on a variety of field, fruit, and vegetable crops, as well as ornamentals while fenobucarb is an insecticide commonly used to kill brown planthoppers, leaf curlers, and stem borers.

Because the risk level is assessed as serious, the product has been recalled from the market in France, whereas the method of product destruction has been applied in Switzerland.

Norway also recalled the pomelo products on the market.

Spain's Ministry of Health and relevant authorities at EU border gates have all been informed of the recall and warnings and expect to beef up quarantine measures for the related lines of goods imported from Vietnam, according to the announcement of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The SPS Vietnam suggested that Vietnamese businesses should pay attention to strict compliance with the regulations of the import markets to avoid similar problems and protect their reputation.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The tourist route between Vietnams Ho Chi Minh City and Tay Ninh Province has been reconnected since Monday, hinting at a positive recovery for domestic tourism after months of closure due to COVID-19.

Instead of hunkering down during the epidemic, tourism agencies have invested in upgrading their travel itineraries, waiting to welcome back tourists when restrictions are loosened further.

First trip in months

On Monday, many tourists headed to Tay Ninh Province on the first tour to leave Ho Chi Minh City in months.

Departing and returning to Ho Chi Minh City on the same day, they were able to get on the cable car that went up the provinces Ba Den Mountain, visited pagodas, and experienced local delicacies.

Vu Van Phu, a tourist, said the trip was a gift from his employer to staffers who complied with safety rules and maintained production during the COVID-19 outbreak that has hit Vietnam badly since late April.

After months of being stuck at home, I feel exuberant as I finally get to leave the city, Phu said.

His company is also planning a teambuilding event in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, where staffers, as well as their families, will be invited to join, he added.

Ho Chi Minh City has gone past the most challenging time, and everything is going back to normal, with even more optimism, Phu remarked, referring to a dramatic slowdown in daily infections and deaths in the southern city over the last few weeks, leading to the relaxation of related curbs.

Upon arrival in Tay Ninh, Phu and the other tourists were greeted with flowers from Truong Quang Hung, head of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

Ho Chi Minh City is the first locale to reconnect and reopen tourist routes to Tay Ninh after all travel operations were halted for months due to COVID-19 restrictions, Hung said.

The two locales only reached a reopening agreement after safety requirements for tourists and tour operators were settled, Quang added.

Tourists, as well as tour staffers, must acquire vaccination proof as well as coronavirus-negative test results before they go on a tour, he said.

According to Hung, 76 percent of the adult population in Tay Ninh has received at least one jab against COVID-19, and the province will open more tourism sites once the vaccination coverage grows bigger.

Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, said the relaunch of the Ho Chi Minh City - Tay Ninh tour is an initial step toward reopening interprovincial tourist routes.

The city has plans to work with several other localities, including Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, and Binh Dinh, on promoting the resumption of tourism and helping travel agencies restore more interprovincial tours out of Ho Chi Minh City, Hoa added.

Ready to start

As cross-province tours have made a comeback, staycation experiences in Ho Chi Minh City are also in position for a relaunch.

According to Trinh Nguyen Hung Dung, director of TNK Travel, his firm is running in high gear to complete two projects to welcome back travelers on their tours.

During the tourism pause over the past months, he funneled investment into a farmstay in Ho Chi Minh Citys Nha Be District and turned it into an ideal location for vacationers seeking a pastoral experience.

The farmstay is only 12 kilometers away from the city center, offering a wide range of activities and experiences such as fishing, kayaking, and tree planting.

He is also completing the final touches on an outdoor sports-dining complex in District 10.

We will prioritize outdoor activities during the post-pandemic period, the company director said.

During the construction of TNKs projects, the firms employees had to comply with strict safety measures, which will be maintained when visitors arrive.

During the past week, many tourism agencies in Ho Chi Minh City have also reopened their offices and brought staffers back to work, while sending personnel to farms in suburban areas to survey the possibility of tour relaunches.

Impediments abound

Tourists in many parts of Vietnam are now able to travel within their provinces or cities, even to other municipalities, as seen from the recently restarted tours from Ho Chi Minh City to Quang Binh Province or Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, said Nguyen Huu Y Yen, CEO of travel agency Saigontourist.

However, it is always easier to launch a few pilot tours than to open and sell tours en masse to the public, as agreements between different provinces need to be reached, he added.

Saigontourist is still examining the capacity of suppliers, vaccination status of personnel on their tours, as well as scouting for lodging facilities that are still in operation, but approval from local leaders is still needed before their tours can return.

Since an agreement on safety measures and tour operations between municipalities is still hard to achieve, the firm is prioritizing local tours within high-demand markets, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The Russian and Singaporean ambassadors to Vietnam both expressed wishes to relaunch regular commercial flight routes from their countries to Vietnam during two working sessions with the Vietnamese Ministry of Transport on Tuesday.

Discussing with Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The, Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Bezdetko pushed for a solution for transport services between the two countries, many of which were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing commercial flights, Ambassador Bezdetko suggested an early reopening of regular flight routes connecting the two countries to appease the demand for travel among tourists, investors, and students.

In response, Minister The affirmed his agencys ambition to further the linkage in transport between Vietnam and Russia, which will help elevate the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

The minister also conveyed his wish to continue the discussion of reopening flights from Russias big cities to economic and tourism hubs in Vietnam, such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, to help citizens of both countries make family visits as well as touristic and business trips.

Also on Tuesday, the Vietnamese transport minister met and discussed with Jaya Ratnam, Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam, a possible resumption of regular flights between the two countries.

The Singaporean diplomat stated his hope for an early resumption of transport between the two countries, including reopening of regular flight routes.

Many businesses in Singapore are looking for long-term cooperation with Vietnamese partners, as they have trust in investments in the country, the ambassador added.

He is willing to connect Vietnamese businesses and agencies with funding bodies from the Singaporean government, who may provide finance and cooperate with Vietnamese counterparts in transport infrastructure projects, among others.

The Vietnamese minister asked Singapore to share experience in building and managing smart cities, smart transport, as well as helping Vietnam in aviation, sea, and land transport training.

Minister The and the Singaporean ambassador reached an agreement on further cooperation between the two countries relevant bodies, which will help achieve a consensus on vaccine certificate acceptance, among other requirements for air passengers to travel from Vietnam to Singapore and vice versa.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
We all wish to have someone look after us. And who usually does that? The other 50 percent of the world: women. It doesnt matter who you are  a man, a child, or a grandparent  its the woman you look to for comfort, understanding, and so much more thats unnamed, unacknowledged, and undeniable.

I do appreciate that men do this role as well as grandparents and others but this is about the wider magical mystique that women have brought into the world since we climbed down from the trees and guess who was holding the babies as they landed!

On this day, October 20, Vietnam salutes, celebrates, and honors the role of women in this society. Its a pretty cool day in my opinion, with lots of gifts, smiles, hugs, and special events for the females that make humanity survive no matter how hard it gets out there in the world.

And theres no denying that its been a tough year for everyone, particularly Vietnamese women as theyve had to grapple with COVID-19 issues, struggling to provide income for their families, keep the kids upbeat and learning something, and make everyone cheerful.

The Vietnamese are a tough but mostly happy lot; its one of the characteristics I most admire about them. Personally, I think Westerners are carrying far too much doom and gloom in their hearts at the moment.

One interesting feature is just how hard it is to come up with an atypical image of a Vietnamese woman. Most of us have seen the standard picture or painting of an attractive girl in the traditional white silk ao dai gown. But thats not what I see around the place, apart from the high school girls. Half the time I think the standard is a woman in a flannelette shirt and colorful elephant pants! Or the modern office worker in a tight black skirt and immaculate white business shirt.

Vietnams focus on the beauty of Vietnamese women seems to me to be a bit of an illusion. In local media, the typical portrayal depicts a young, successful middle-class lass, well dressed and surrounded by glamour. The reality for all too many ladies, especially in the countryside, is cheap clothes from China, hard, long back-breaking work, and few opportunities to rise upwards in society. I think this will continue to be difficult given the mass exodus from the coronavirus-hit cities to the relative safety of the countryside and hometowns.

For the young men and women, its a bit on the silly side with confessions of love, funny gifts, and a lot of teasing! Its no accident that most flower stalls are stationed outside the gates to high schools, college, and universities. But its also a best friends day with many women giving other women flowers and complimentary gifts.

A woman carries a bunch of flowers at a flower market ahead of Vietnamese Women's Day (October 20) in Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Despite Vietnam being a mans world, female comradeship is very strong here. Historically, women in the Southeast Asian country were involved in fighting for and building the unique society that modern Vietnam has become.

Yet, even in those complicated situations with family pressures and worries, its quite amazing to me how women react every day with a big smile, a joke, and a chatty attitude. Perhaps, thats the real beauty, sunshine in the middle of a cloudy world where the future is uncertain for so many people.

To thank Vietnamese women in these times might also be an acknowledgement that the world (and men) will need them to be stronger for so much longer.

And its a bit weird at the moment, too. Romantic couples are wearing face masks, trying to keep some distance with older relatives or just trying to visit family and friends at the very time we need their company the most. Still, the flowers will be sold on the streets despite Vietnams soggy run of multiple storms and at least the restaurants will be open again for that thank-you dinner.

Whats really nice from my point of view is how parents make sure the kids participate in thanking their mums and grandmas. Many schools also make a point of reminding students to prepare a gift or thank-you note to give on the day. Thats aimed at women in many workplaces: teachers, office ladies, managers, and so on. So, Womens Day is not just for the young.

One particular factor of this occasion goes to the public celebrations of the benefits and contributions of Vietnamese women to their society rather than the year-round issues that they face on an almost daily basis. That gets dealt with throughout the year. While there is generally a broad equality of access to work, theres still so much more to be done about income equality, protection against poverty and violence, and improving educational access for the poor.

I do hope everyone gets to a fun and peaceful day. Thats easier said than done, especially for rural women but at least Vietnam makes the effort to say thank you.

Anyway, thank you, the women of Vietnam for all you do to make other peoples lives better!
Nearly 250 students in an island commune off Ho Chi Minh City have become the first returnees to offline schooling in the southern city on Wednesday while their peers in other parts of the metropolis still stick to the online learning mode.

Students in Thanh An Commune, located in Can Gio, an island district of Ho Chi Minh City, could not restrain the excitement on their way to school on Wednesday morning.

They are first, second, sixth, ninth, and 12th graders at Thanh An Elementary School and Thanh An Middle - High School.

At Thanh An Elementary School, teachers waited to welcome the first- and second-grade students, measure their body temperature, and have them use hand sanitizer at the school gates before instructing them to enter their classrooms in two different lanes.

I closed my stall at the market to take my child to school today, said Tran Thi Le Xuan, whose child is a first grader.

I found online study was not feasible for my child over the past time.

I was always looking forward to the resumption of in-person schooling so that my child can study well.

My kid is very happy today.

A woman feeds her grandchildren before they go to school in Thanh An Commune, Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City, October 20, 2021. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

Hoang Anh, another first grader, also expressed the excitement for the first day back at school.

As my mother was busy, my grandmother took me to school today. I prepared my school bag last night," Anh said.

I am very happy to meet new friends and teachers, Anh added, knowing that they have to wear a face mask in class.

Le Huu Binh, principal of Thanh An Elementary School, said that his institution also prepared measures in case any of the children contracts the coronavirus.

Homeroom teachers will instruct the students to take off face masks to breathe for a few minutes and wash their hands often, Binh said.

At Thanh An Middle - High School, 131 sixth, ninth, and 12th graders attended classes on Wednesday.

A boat carried the first ten of them to the local ferry station at 6:00 am the same day.

Students cycle to school in Thanh An Commune, Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City, October 20, 2021. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

I woke up at 4:00 am and prepared my breakfast and school bag, said 12th grader Hoang Truong Giang.

I woke up early partly because I couldnt sleep as I was excited for the first day of school.

Schools in Ho Chi Minh City have been shuttered since May 10 due to the fourth wave of COVID-19 that started hitting Vietnam on April 27.

The metropolis has been the hardest-hit locality in this bout, with nearly 420,000 local infections.

As infections slow and vaccination speeds up, city authorities have gradually resumed socio-economic activities, including offline schooling, with Thanh An Commune pioneering.

Students get off a boat in Thanh An Commune, Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City, October 20, 2021. Photo: Thao Thuong / Tuoi Tre

A staff member measures the body temperature of a student in Thanh An Commune, Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City, October 20, 2021. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

Students attend a class in Thanh An Commune, Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City, October 20, 2021. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

Students attend a class in Thanh An Commune, Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City, October 20, 2021. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

Students attend a class in Thanh An Commune, Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City, October 20, 2021. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

Students attend a class in Thanh An Commune, Can Gio District, Ho Chi Minh City, October 20, 2021. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Read what is in the news today:

Society

-- The Hungarian government presented Vietnam with 100,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine and 100,000 antigen test kits on Tuesday to support the Southeast Asian country in its battle against COVID-19.

-- Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Bezdetko and Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam expressed their wish to see the resumption of regular commercial flights between their countries and Vietnam at a meeting with Vietnamese Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The on Tuesday.

-- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Tuesday approved the railway network planning for the 2021-30 period with a vision to 2050, in which the North-South high-speed railway line from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City is a key national project. Investment priority will be given to the Hanoi - Vinh and Nha Trang - Ho Chi Minh City sections between 2021 and 2030.

-- A fire broke out at a seafood processing facility on Ha Huy Giap Street in District 12, Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday afternoon, destroying two motorbikes, two trucks, and many other properties.

-- Functional forces in Thua Thien - Hue on Tuesday afternoon recovered the bodies of a married couple, who had been swept away by floodwaters while fishing on the Bo River four days earlier, taking the flood death toll in the central province over the past few days to three.

Business

-- The Ho Thi Ky flower market, a big hub of floral shops in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, was more bustling than usual on Tuesday night as the demand for flowers spikes on the occasion of Vietnamese Womens Day (October 20).

-- The EU either recalled or issued a warning against five Vietnamese agricultural and fishery products in violation of food safety and hygiene between October 6 and 12.

Lifestyle

-- The Center for Studies and Applied Sciences on Gender - Family - Women and Adolescents (CSAGA) and the Network for the Prevention and Response of Gender Violence (GBVNet), in collaboration with Facebook, will organize the 'Love and Freedom Messenger Bot - Creative Solution to End Gender-Based Violence in the COVID-19 Context' event in Hanoi on Wednesday.

Sports

-- The Vietnam Football Federation has sought permission from Hanoi authorities to allow spectators back in My Dinh National Stadium at either 30 or 45 percent of its 40,000 seating capacity to watch Vietnams matches against Japan and Saudi Arabia in the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers in November.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday received one of the two Illumina gene sequencing machines donated by the United States to Vietnam.

The Illumina DNA sequencer, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, was handed over to the hospital by Robert Greenan, acting U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City.

This is one of the two machines worth US$340,000 given to Vietnam by the U.S. this week, with the other presented to Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi.

The facility will help the hospital do many things that are new to Vietnam, including analyzing mutant genes and new variants of the SARS-CoV-2, Nguyen Tri Thuc, director of Cho Ray Hospital, said at the handover ceremony.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will provide technical support, training, and materials needed to the Vietnamese hospitals.

"With this medical device, we can put into practice many new techniques, especially sequencing the SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses, bacteria, and fungi," Thuc said.

"It will also help us in cancer treatment and, importantly, to train doctors from provincial facilities on new gene techniques."

By sequencing the genetic code of strains of the SARS-CoV-2, the machines will enable the hospitals to identify new variants of concern and alert the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, CDC, World Health Organization, and other international partners appropriately.

Acting U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Robert Greenan (left) and Director of Cho Ray Hospital Nguyen Tri Thuc visit the COVID-19 vaccination site at the hospital on October 19, 2021. Photo: Tran Phuong / Tuoi Tre

Besides, they can help scientists develop new and more effective vaccines.

This device will sequence the gene of the virus to identify what strain it is and whether it mutates," explained Truong Thien Phu, head of the microbiology department of Cho Ray Hospital.

"It can also support cancer treatment through sequencing human genes to detect abnormalities."

Thuc also hoped that the U.S. would continue giving support to Cho Ray Hospital, adding that the hospital's doctors are contributing their salaries to support 12 orphans, whose parents have died of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Greenan said that the U.S. and Vietnam have supported each other during the COVID-19 crisis.

"When the U.S. was experiencing the worst of our own troubles to control COVID-19, Vietnam generously supplied millions of pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the American people," he said.

The U.S. is the largest vaccine donor to Vietnam, donating 9.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine since July while providing more than $26.5 million worth of financial aid and equipment such as ventilators, laboratory supplies, and technical expertise.

I fully expect we will continue to see more cooperation, the U.S. diplomat remarked.

According to Greenan, the U.S. is working with domestic manufacturers and world partners to expand global vaccine production.

Washington will continue to share additional vaccine doses globally as supply becomes available.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Thousands of people from Vinh Long Province, located in Vietnams Mekong Delta, flocked to a district-level medical center on Tuesday in the hope of snatching a slot for COVID-19 vaccination.

According to the observations of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters at around 1:30 pm, crowds of people filled the Binh Tan District Medical Center in Vinh Long to sign up, pick a number, and wait for their turn to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

The venue quickly became overcrowded as people packed the information desk, yard, and entrance.

Many of them jostled for a spot and even stood on tables to snatch a slot before the doses ran out.

They said they needed to get vaccinated so that they would be allowed to go back to work.

We heard that we would be provided with the vaccination if we picked a number and waited, a resident stated.

Residents jostle for COVID-19 vaccination at the medical center in Binh Tan District, Vinh Long Province, Vietnam, October 19, 2021. Photo: T.V.H. / Tuoi Tre

According to Nguyen Van Tap, chairman of the Binh Tan Peoples Committee, the medical center is among the ten inoculation sites in the district that are offering the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine as first doses.

The venue is also providing the AstraZeneca vaccine as second doses.

Local residents might have mistaken that we were also providing the AstraZeneca vaccine as first doses, which resulted in the incident, Tap elaborated.

Police officers were later mobilized to ensure order at the facility, he added.

Vinh Long Province has recorded over 2,400 local infections since the fourth outbreak hit the country on April 27.

With a population of over one million people, the province had administered 547,443 vaccine doses as of Tuesday morning, with more than 51,000 people fully vaccinated, according to the provincial Department of Health.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The Ministry of Health logged 3,646 additional COVID-19 patients in Vietnam on Wednesday, along with 1,737 recoveries and 72 fatalities.

The latest cases, including 11 imported and 3,635 local infections, were documented in 50 provinces and cities, the health ministry said, elaborating that 1,810 patients were detected in the community.

Ho Chi Minh City reported 1,347 of the domestically-infected cases, Binh Duong Province 492, Dong Nai Province 305, An Giang Province 194, Soc Trang Province 100, Bac Lieu Province 99, Can Tho City 44, Khanh Hoa 39, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province 13, Hanoi ten, and Da Nang eight.

Vietnam had detected 3,027 locally-acquired infections on Tuesday.

The country has registered 869,193 community transmissions in 62 out of its 63 provinces and cities since the fourth virus wave emerged on April 27.

Ho Chi Minh City tops the list with 420,946 patients, followed by Binh Duong Province with 226,845, Dong Nai Province with 59,691, Long An Province with 33,856, Tien Giang Province with 15,249, Dong Thap Province with 9,300, Khanh Hoa Province with 8,589, Da Nang with 4,942, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province with 4,423, and Hanoi with 4,365.

Vietnam recorded only 1,570 locally-transmitted infections in total in the previous three waves.

The health ministry reported 1,737 recoveries on Wednesday, bringing the total to 796,583.

The toll has increased to 21,416 deaths after the ministry logged 72 fatalities on the same day, including 43 in Ho Chi Minh City and eight in Binh Duong Province.

Vietnam has documented 873,901 patients since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit it early last year.

Health workers have administered more than 67 million vaccine doses, including 1,990,538 shots on Tuesday, since inoculation was rolled out on March 8.

Over 19 million people have been fully vaccinated.

Health authorities target to inoculate at least two-thirds of a population of nearly 98 million people against COVID-19 by the first quarter of next year.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Amazon Prime Video has released a trailer for an unscripted series, Tampa Baes, will premiere on Friday, November 5.

The eight-episode docuseries follows a young group of lesbian friends in Tampa Bay, an ever-growing gay hotspot on the Florida shoreline.

This young lesbian it crowd is navigating and celebrating life in Tampa Bay, Floridas LGBTQ+ hub and the place to see and be seen. Always ready for an adventure or a good party, this group of loyal friendsand sometimes more than friendsis ambitious and unapologetic, while constantly battling stereotypes and labels. With all eyes on these fun-loving women at this pivotal moment in their personal and professional lives, theres not a challenge or hot-button issue they wont tackle, even if it means getting real with each other.

Tampa Baes is produced by 3 Ball Productions, a 3BMG company, with Reinout Oerlemans, Ross Weintraub, Jeff Altrock, Paul OMalley, and Melissa Bidwell serving as executive producers, along with Amazon Studios.

Get to know the Tampa Baes:

Haley (28) IG: @itshaloworld

When Haley came out at the age of 18, it was not well-received. After traveling to Tampa Bay with friends several times, she realized the LGBTQ+ scene was thriving and decided to make the move. Ten years later, shes found a good support system with her girlfriend, Murphy, but still struggles with the challenges of feeling accepted by family and friends. Its not easy being one of the most talked-about couples in Tampa! Haley has worked hard to become the person she is today and continues to learn how to accept herself and be comfortable with who she is. She aims to be an example that anything a man can do, a woman can do better.

Brianna, aka Murphy (29) IG: @murphyenterprise

New York City-born, New Jersey-raised Murphy is a self-made entrepreneur who proudly lives in Tampa Bay with her girlfriend, Haley. As an animal lover, Brianna learned at a young age that she could earn money by bathing her neighbors pets. She grew to become business-savvy and has ventured into several different fields, including real estate, house-flipping, and investing. Murphy is known in the Tampa circles for being very direct, and for her take no sh*t attitude. Love her or hate her, she is always unapologetically herself. Everything that shes achieved, shes earned. Her lifes motto is Dont talk about it. Be about it.

Jordan (27) IG: @jayy_whit

Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, Jordan moved to Florida for nursing school as well as loveand while her romantic relationship didnt last, her love for the Sunshine State did. The traveling ICU nurse is fiercely loyal to her friends and will go to great lengths to protect them. When the scrubs come off, the former NCAA Division I athlete enjoys staying active and hitting the drama-fueled Tampa Bay bar scene. Spreading awareness about mental health, social justice activism, and traveling are just a few of her many passions.

Cuppie (34) IG: @cuppie_

Cuppie is a Tampa Bay native who has put her trauma-nurse career on hold to pursue a nurse practitioner masters degree. When shes not hitting the books, she can be seen bartending at a local strip club or at the gym, working on her physique. The gym has become an outlet for her mental health, helping her overcome the daily anxiety attacks that kept her from leaving her home. As the peacemaker of the group, she does her best to avoid drama, but sometimes the drama still finds her. Behind her hair-flipping exterior, Cuppie is a fun-loving person who doesnt let judgmental people stop her from doing what she wants.

Shiva (27) IG: @Shivapishdad

Shiva is a first-generation Iranian American who has lived in Tampa Bay her whole life. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Florida, where shes now pursuing her masters in management information systems and services. When shes not donning a lab coat as a microbiologist, shes partying on the weekends with a drink in hand. Growing up, she was known as the class clown and a social butterfly, which has stuck with her till this day. While she always means well, her tendency to be the go-to for gossip can sometimes land her in trouble.

Olivia (24) IG: @imoliviamullins

Olivia moved to Tampa Bay four years ago from conservative Alabama to make a life of her own. When shes not bartending around downtown, you can usually find her at the beach with friends, or at home playing with her dogs. Whether shes traveling or attending music festivals, shes always meeting new people. Despite how drama-filled and messy the nightlife scene can be, Olivia always tries to be the voice of reason when things turn ugly. Shes always the life of the party, without all the drama.

Sarah, aka Mack (27) IG: @mack___ddyy

Born and raised in Tampa Bay, Mack is a true local. When shes not busy at her job in sales, she enjoys exploring the local art and music scenes, and podcasting, which helps her foster a community for creatives to be celebrated. Macks a firm believer in not allowing labels to define you, is proud to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community while being a Christian, and loves Tampa Bay for its diversity. Shes hoping this is the year she finds the one.

Marissa (30) IG: @religiouslyrebellious

Born and raised in Tampa Bay, Marissa is a registered nurse in the COVID unit of a local hospital. She lives with her girlfriend, Summer, and is a first-generation American from a large and loving Greek family. Her friends, loved ones, and culture are very important to her. When shes not working, she can be found spending time with them, even though they drive her nuts! If asked about the LGBTQ+ scene in Tampa Bay, Marissa will tell you, Shes a messy bitch, but real fun!

Summer (29) IG: @summerviixi

Originally from Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Summer moved to Tampa Bay to be with Marissa, whom shes been dating for four years. Since moving to Tampa, shes fallen in love with the city and its LGBTQ+ community. Summer is passionate, loyal, and can be described as strong-willed. Shes the friend that will always tell you to live in the moment, and her lifes motto is Make it simple but significant.

Ali (28) IG: @alimyers7

A Houston native, Ali moved to Tampa Bay six years ago to be with her girlfriend, Nelly. She has a successful career in real estate and loves experiencing different cultures, music, food, and travel. Date nights out are her thing. She sees herself as someone with a big heart, who is always laughing, and has a different mindset from the rest. She keeps her circle small, but if youre in her corner, shes with you 100%.

Nelly (25) IG: @nellyellee

Hailing from Queens, New York, proud Dominican Nelly has lived in Tampa Bay for most of her life. As an entrepreneur who runs a thriving business as a permanent makeup artist, her lifes motto is The dream is free, but the hustle is sold separately. She is loyal to her loved ones and goes above and beyond for anyone who enters her life. Nelly has a great sense of humor and likes to keep it realshell always be direct with you. She sees the Tampa LGBTQ+ scene as a diverse, connected, wild, and loving community.

Mel (27) IG: @therealmelpoz

Inspired to start a new journey filled with sunshine, beauty, and opportunity, Mel moved to Tampa Bay eight years ago to pursue her career as an artist, and she quickly made a name for herself as one of the citys top muralists. When shes not creating custom artwork for various businesses, you can find her outdoors, traveling to different cities, and exploring various art galleries and museums. Mel has lived many lives and is incredibly proud of the obstacles she overcame to get her to where she is today. She loves the inclusivity of living in Tampa Bay, but feels that living in a city with so many members in the LGBTQ+ community can be overwhelming, because everyone knows everyone.

Friday November 5 on Amazon Prime Video.
David Speers hosts Q+A live from Melbourne this week, discussing the hotly-disputed pathway to net zero.

As world leaders prepare to gather in Glasgow, can Australias politicians finally agree on a policy to cut emissions and create a green economy?

Climate policy has been a divisive topic in Australian politics for years but Prime Minister Scott Morrison is hoping to have a deal when he attends the COP26 Climate Summit at the end of this month. However, Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce is warning that his colleagues wont be forced into a corner on emissions targets. Can last-minute talks between the Liberal and National parties deliver a deal that will put Australia on track to reach net zero emissions by 2050?

Many senior Liberals, including Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, are backing a net zero goal. Labor wants any new targets to be legislated, a scenario which could see Coalition MPs pitted against each other on the floor of the Parliament.

And as the political squabbling continues, coal mining communities in places like the Hunter Valley and Central Queenslands Bowen Basin say their voices are being lost in the debate.

Does a detailed emissions reduction policy stand any chance in the current climate?

Meanwhile after months of severe restrictions, lockdown is ending for Melbourne and regional Victoria on Thursday night. Daily COVID case numbers remain high, but new modelling shows that surging vaccination rates indicate the states hospital system will cope. In NSW, more freedoms are on the table after the population hit its 80 per cent double-vaccination target earlier than expected. And Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the Queensland border will begin a phased reopening next month to those who are fully vaccinated.

Simon Holmes a Court, Cleantech investor and Founder of Climate 200

Tim Wilson, Assistant Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reductions

Chris Bowen, Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy

Amelia Telford, National Director of the Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network

Anne Baker, Mayor of Isaac Regional Council

8:30pm Thursday on ABC.
Crime

centerpiece

Jury finds ex-nurse guilty of capital murder for killing patients at Tyler hospital

Les Hassell/ News-Journal file William George Davis listens to closing arguments as he stands on trial for the death of four patients at Christus Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler, on Tuesday Oct. 19, 2021, in the 114th District Court at the Smith County Courthouse. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo) Les Hassell/longview News-Journal William George Davis listens to closing arguments Tuesday in the 114th District Court at the Smith County Courthouse. He was found guilty of capital murder on Tuesday and the punishment phase began Wednesday morning. Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo Charged with capital murder William George Davis listens to closing arguments as he stands on trial for the death of four patients at Christus Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler, on Tuesday October 19, 2021, in the 114th District Court at the Smith County Courthouse. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo) Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo Charged with capital murder William George Davis, left, listens to closing arguments as he stands on trial for the death of four patients at Christus Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler, on Tuesday October 19, 2021, in the 114th District Court at the Smith County Courthouse. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo) Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo Charged with capital murder William George Davis, left, listens to closing arguments as he stands on trial for the death of four patients at Christus Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler, on Tuesday October 19, 2021, in the 114th District Court at the Smith County Courthouse. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo) Les Hassell/LONGVIEW News-Journal Defense attorney Phillips Hayes, right, makes his final statements in the trial of William George Davis, left, as he stands on trial for the death of four patients at Christus Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler, on Tuesday Oct. 19, 2021, in the 114th District Court at the Smith County Courthouse. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo) Les Hassell/LONGVIEW News-Journal District Attorney Jacob Putman makes his final statements in the trial of William George Davis on trial for the death of four patients at Christus Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler, on Tuesday October 19, 2021, in the 114th District Court at the Smith County Courthouse. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo) Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo Charged with capital murder William George Davis listens to closing arguments as he stands on trial for the death of four patients at Christus Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler, on Tuesday October 19, 2021, in the 114th District Court at the Smith County Courthouse. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo) Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo Charged with capital murder William George Davis listens to closing arguments as he stands on trial for the death of four patients at Christus Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler, on Tuesday October 19, 2021, in the 114th District Court at the Smith County Courthouse. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo) Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo William George Davis listens as the jurys verdict is read during his trial for the death of four patients at Christus Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler, on Tuesday October 19, 2021, in the 114th District Court at the Smith County Courthouse. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo) Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo Judge Austin Reeve Jackon, right, reads the jury's verdict during William George Davis' trial for the death of four patients at Christus Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler, on Tuesday October 19, 2021, in the 114th District Court at the Smith County Courthouse. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo) Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo Judge Austin Reeve Jackon, right, reads the jury's verdict during William George Davis' trial for the death of four patients at Christus Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler, on Tuesday October 19, 2021, in the 114th District Court at the Smith County Courthouse. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo) Les Hassell/LONGVIEW News-Journal William George Davis listens as the jurys verdict is read during his trial for the death of four patients at Christus Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler, on Tuesday October 19, 2021, in the 114th District Court at the Smith County Courthouse. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo) Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo William George Davis waits for the jury to return to the courtroom with their verdict during his trial for the death of four patients at Christus Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler, on Tuesday October 19, 2021, in the 114th District Court at the Smith County Courthouse. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo) Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo William George Davis waits for the jury to return to the courtroom with their verdict during his trial for the death of four patients at Christus Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler, on Tuesday October 19, 2021, in the 114th District Court at the Smith County Courthouse. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo) Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo William George Davis waits for the jury to return to the courtroom with their verdict during his trial for the death of four patients at Christus Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler, on Tuesday October 19, 2021, in the 114th District Court at the Smith County Courthouse. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo) Les Hassell/LONGVIEW News-Journal William George Davis, left, waits for the jury to return to the courtroom with their verdict during his trial for the death of four patients at Christus Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler, on Oct. 19, in the 114th District Court at the Smith County Courthouse. He was found guilty of capital murder Oct. 19 and sentenced to death this Wednesday. Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo William George Davis waits for the jury to return to the courtroom with their verdict during his trial for the death of four patients at Christus Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler, on Tuesday October 19, 2021, in the 114th District Court at the Smith County Courthouse. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo)

A former East Texas nurse could get the death penalty after a Smith County jury on Tuesday found him guilty of capital murder for the deaths of four patients at a Tyler hospital.

After about an hour of deliberation, the jury reached its verdict in the trial of William George Davis, 37, of Hallsville, following about two weeks of witness testimony and evidence.

Davis, who wore a suit and tie throughout the trial, was found guilty of injecting air into patients arterial systems while he was a nurse at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital in Tyler, causing their deaths. He was found guilty in the deaths of patients John Lafferty, Ronald Clark, Christopher Greenaway and Joseph Kalina.

After about two hours of closing statements Tuesday, the jury of 12 Smith County residents left the 114th District Court just before noon to review the evidence and reach a verdict. They returned with a verdict at about 1 p.m.

Judge Austin Reeve Jackson Tuesday morning read the charge against Davis and gave instructions to the jury. He told the jurors they had three options for a verdict: a finding of not guilty, guilty of capital murder or guilty of the lesser charge of murder.

Davis trial began Sept. 28 when he entered a not guilty plea. The prosecution presented evidence for 11 days while the defense put on four witnesses across two days.

Davis told Jackson on Monday he did not want to take the stand.

The prosecution is seeking the death penalty in the case. The punishment phase, where jurors will hear further witness testimony, is set to begin Wednesday morning.

Those convicted of capital murder face either life in prison without parole or the death penalty.

During closing arguments, the prosecution said Davis likes to kill people.

He enjoyed going into the room and injecting people with air, Smith County First Assistant District Attorney Chris Gatewood said.

Gatewood asked the jury to make reasonable deductions and use their common sense as they deliberate. He told the jury Davis used a syringe to inject air into the patients arterial system, causing air to get into their brains.

We have proven he committed capital murder. The evidence has established Will Davis is guilty of capital murder, Gatewood said.

Gatewood referenced Kalinas neurological event on Jan. 25, 2018, while he was recovering from heart surgery in the cardiovascular ICU. Scans later showed air in his brain, and Kalina died two years later because of brain damage.

Security footage in court showed Davis was the last person to enter Kalinas room before there were complications.

Davis said he went into the room to silence an IV pump, but records later showed an alarm wasnt going off, according to previous testimony.

Gatewood told the jury Davis didnt tell the other nurses what happened and he stood by as others responded to help Kalina.

In a meeting with Deb Chelette, vice president of operations and cardiac services for Christus Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital, Davis said he responded immediately to help Kalina but the video showed his response was much slower.

When hes in the room with Mr. Kalina, hes shoving air into the arterial line, Gatewood said.

Gatewood said the pattern was similar to that for patients Greenaway, Lafferty and Clark. He told the jury Davis lied about why he was in the rooms of the patients who later died and that Davis was the only nurse on the floor during each of the patients complications.

Gatewood called the defenses suggestions the stroke-like events could have been caused by issues other than air injected into the arterial system red herrings and attempts to misdirect the jury.

Defense attorney Phillip Hayes said the patients who later died showed a classic pattern of watershed strokes, and their prior health issues could have led to their complications and deaths.

None of the accusations against Davis add up, according to Hayes who suggested Davis might be a scapegoat for the hospital.

Hayes told the jury the defenses expert witness, John Schnell, an emergency physician at the UT Health ER and former Christus Mother Frances chief of emergency medicine, said it was anatomically impossible for air to go against the blood flow.

Hayes claimed Davis tried to give life-saving measures to at least two of the patients. He said one of the states witnesses, Teresa Meeks, clinical director at cardiovascular ICU, misled and tried to hide things about the timeline of Kalinas neurological event.

Hayes told the jury Davis was charged in the deaths because he was the only person who was on the floor during each of the incidents. He also suggested some of the states witnesses had confirmation bias, which is when people interpret things based on their existing beliefs, to fit the prosecutions narrative.

Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman reiterated his statement from the beginning of the trial that a hospital is a perfect place to commit a murder.

Were never more vulnerable (than at the hospital), Putman said.

Regarding the defenses claim of Davis being a scapegoat, Putman said no one had anything against Davis as hospital leaders like Chelette were recommending him for jobs and considered him a good nurse.

Putman said its false that air cant go against the blood flow, and noted experts said the patients brain had a unique pattern similar to a watershed stroke but their damages were much more distant.

Incidents of air in the brain and damage stopped when Davis no longer worked at Christus TMF in February 2018, Putman said before asking the jury to find Davis guilty of capital murder.

He killed these four patients; he did it on purpose, Putman said.

Davis has been in the Smith County Jail since his April 2018 arrest on bonds totaling $8.75 million. He was indicted on charges of capital murder, murder and five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

He was fired from Christus Mother Frances Hospital  Tyler on Feb. 15, 2018, for falsifying care events and unethical practice related to failure to disclose interventions provided that may have impacted the outcome of a patient.

His nursing license was suspended in March 2018 through a Texas Board of Nursing order.

Davis worked at Christus Mother Frances Hospital for five years. Before coming to Mother Frances in Tyler, Davis worked for Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview from 2011 to 2013.

Arrest affidavits show the offenses all occurred at Christus Mother Frances.

Related
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
By Steven Shamblen '22

The Promoting Advocacy and Rights program (PAR) created by Counterpart International is working in Bangladesh to strengthen the enabling environment for sustained civil society institutions advancing democratic governance and citizen participation in Bangladesh. This is accomplished by providing tailored technical support to civil society organizations (CSOs), establishing cross-sectoral partnerships to improve government responsiveness to citizen needs, and monitoring changes in the legal operating environment for civil society. Since its creation in 2018, through the local CSOs that we work with, PAR has been able to reach hundreds of thousands of people through various projects and initiatives about priority issues such as drug abuse and gender-based violence (GBV).

During my time with Counterpart International, I had a variety of tasks and experiences that I feel helped me prepare for my professional future. Focused on a project in Bangladesh, my team worked with five local consortium members to further build social infrastructure, promote gender equality, and combat drug abuse in the area. Therefore a lot of my tasks revolved around these five consortium members and the work they were doing. As English was not their first language, it was generally up to me to edit and review weekly progress reports, fixing grammar mistakes but also providing ideas on how to further clarify/expand the activity explanations given in the reports. Other tasks that I was assigned included researching immigration and violence in the Sahel with a gendered lense in order to support Counterparts Kagalo project. This was a very interesting experience as I learned a lot and was able to summarize my findings into something the Kagalo team could then work into their gender analysis report.

Furthermore, I got to attend training sessions we provided for our five consortium members hosted by Counterpart's WomenLead Institute (WLI). These training sessions covered two main topics, gender equality in the workplace and financial independence. I was able to learn a lot from these training sessions, not only about creating a financially independent organization, but about the best practices to lead an online, international, training session. I was also able to research all manner of countries, NGOs, and businesses that fund projects in Bangladesh for the WLI so that our consortium members could have a list to reach out to. My other tasks included weekly meetings, both with my project team and organization-wide, creating a responsive task tracker for my team to better keep track of their responsibilities and writing a couple of blog posts about different accomplishments our consortium had over this past year.

One of the blog posts that I wrote for CPI had to do with the Light House Consortium and their creation of two Civil Society Organization-led networks. Light House has organized two CSO-led networks in the Rajshahi and Natore districts. The network is dedicated to raising awareness, sensitizing relevant stakeholders, initiating policy reforms, and assisting in policy implementation. The network is expected to increase funding for combating drug abuse by sensitizing and influencing local governments, including Rajshahi district representatives. In the initial meeting in Rajshahi, a total of 38 people were present representing 32 different NGOs. Another blog post had to do with the Rupantar organization and the founding of four different women brigades at the district level. The Rupantar organization was in charge of the project and the first area they worked in was the district level of Barishal. The objective was to bring together 25 women in order to build a committee that could represent marginalized women and the survivors of GBV. Facilitated by the Project Officer of Barishal, the activity was a huge success and allowed for these women to connect with one another as survivors of GBV. The main goal was to discuss how this brigade can focus on eradicating abuse in ethnic, marginalized, sex workers and other gendered communities. Due to the success of the first brigade, three further womens brigades were founded in the districts of Jashore, Khulna, and Pirojpur.

I think the big picture takeaway from this project for me was its ability to prepare me for the real world. I received lots of exposure to reports and report writing. Because Counterpart secures the development projects but also works through local implementers, I was able to see how to interact with both parties. Being able to witness teams get more and less stressed as big report deadlines came and went was a great taste of the real world but also served as a reminder that big deadlines are never going to go away. In attending their weekly, organization-wide, meetings I got to see how an organization should be run. Witnessing the CEO interact with each individual team over the course of their updates gave me wonderful insight into keeping the organization accountable and successful. Most importantly, I think being able to serve on an international team and witness not only how they work together, but around each other's schedules, was an invaluable experience to have.

Steven Shamblen is a senior International Studies major with concentrations in Political Science, Spanish, and Human Rights while also pursuing a graduate certificate in Nonprofit and Community Leadership. He has a passion for international work and was thrilled at the opportunity to work with Counterpart International this summer. Although he has focused his studies primarily on Latin America, he believes getting to have a new experience in Bangladesh was a wonderful opportunity that really opened his eyes to other parts of the world.
University of Dayton Hanley Sustainability Institute Executive Director Ben McCall is among five authors of an essay to be published Oct. 20 in the journal Energy Research & Social Science that cautions current levels of worldwide economic growth, energy use and resource consumption will overshoot Earth's finite limits.

McCall and the other authors acknowledge "the thought that growth should come to an end is counter to our culture." But keeping at this pace, society is not going to get the future it's been promised, according to McCall.

"We shouldnt expect a Jetsons future with flying cars," said McCall, the essay's senior author. "But with intentional planning we can hope to do better than a Flintstones future."

The essay - "Modernity is Incompatible with Planetary Limits: Developing a PLAN for the Future" - also announces the establishment of a network of scholars and researchers to promote the understanding of planetary limits, envision scenarios for humanity to thrive within planetary limits, better educate college students about these challenges, and advise government officials and communities in developing effective responses.

"We all are a product of our times, where 'new,' 'shiny,' 'better' seem normal and 'more, more, more' seems good, but that is a reflection of the abnormal period of the last century or so," said Tom Murphy, professor of physics at the University of California at San Diego. "If humanity keeps growing its impact on the planet, we will overshoot planetary limits, so we need to plan to power down while theres still time. Even the founders of economics recognized that Earths resources are finite and growth is but a transient phase."

For example, the authors wrote, "early flying machines invariably crashed despite an exhilarating brief airborne interval mainly because the contraptions were simply not built according to aerodynamic principles of sustainable flight. Likewise, the present economy is not built on principles for sustainable, steady-state operation."

The authors also stress they are advocating prudence, rather than trying to sound alarmist.

"We hope this essay gets people to step back from the familiar, up-close view of their place in the world to see a broader perspective on the challenges modern society faces going forward," said co-author David Murphy, associate professor and department chair of environmental studies at St. Lawrence University. "We are not making predictions of 'when.' Our point is there are fundamental limits to our resources on this finite planet, and if we continue using them at this pace, we'll exhaust our resources and that outcome won't be good.

"We need to find ways to power our world without destroying it."

Co-author Melody LeHew, a professor of interior design and fashion studies at Kansas State University, said more than just engineers, economists and biologists need to study these fields, and other disciplines should contribute to solutions.

"As someone who studies fashion, I have seen how our current systems can lead to tremendous waste of resources, but also how dedicated scholars working together can make even the fashion industry more sustainable," she said.

Anyone can join the network as a subscriber to receive updates about network activities. Active scholars can join as members to participate in forums or a collaborator to receive full access to the network. Click here for more information.

"Our hope is that we might spark debate and deep thinking about how human civilization might thrive for millennia to come, rather than simply survive the bottlenecks of the next few decades," said co-author Tom Love, professor emeritus of anthropology at Linfield University. "We want scholars to ask what role their current research plays in addressing these issues and contributes to the understanding of how human activity might fit within planetary limits."

For more information on the essay, email Ben McCall at bmccall1@udayton.edu. For interviews, contact Shawn Robinson, associate director of news and communications, at srobinson1@udayton.edu.
Cop26, the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, which runs in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November, is billed as a crucial moment for the global fightback against global warming.

Boris Johnson hyped the summit by calling it a turning point for the world during his speech to the UN General Assembly in New York last month, while Prince Charles told the BBC that humanity is drinking in the last-chance saloon when it comes to curbing carbon emissions, halting the global temperature increase and averting catastrophe.

But Greta Thunberg, the Swedish teenager who sensationally became the face of the international conservation movement through her Fridays for Future school strikes, has poured scorn on the conferences prospects of realising meaningful change through cooperation between world governments.

Asked whether she was in optimistic mood ahead of Cop26 during a recent interview with The Guardian, Ms Thunberg answered: I am not. Nothing has changed from previous years really. The leaders will say well do this and well do this, and we will put our forces together and achieve this, and then they will do nothing. Maybe some symbolic things and creative accounting and things that dont really have a big impact. We can have as many Cops as we want, but nothing real will come out of it.

She was equally withering about Mr Johnson given his current cheerleading for green issues coincides with support for new coal mines in Cumbria and the Cambo oil fields off Shetland.

Its hypocritical to talk about saving the climate as long as youre still expanding fossil fuel infrastructure, she said, adding that the British PM was no better or worse than any other world leader, all of whom she takes a dim view of. Nobody has surprised me.

Ms Thunberg followed those remarks with an appearance at a youth climate summit in Milan, Italy, at which she further ridiculed Mr Johnson with a derisive imitation of his current favourite slogan: Build Back Better. Blah, blah, blah. Green economy. Blah blah blah. Net-zero by 2050. Blah, blah, blah.

Story continues

But her criticism is not the only negativity Cop26 has attracted ahead of its opening after a one-year delay necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In September, a number of environmental groups called for the conferences cancellation on the grounds that it will not be inclusive, arguing that coronavirus vaccine inequality around the world and expensive quarantine hotels in Glasgow will prevent huge numbers of delegates from the Southern Hemisphere from being able to attend.

Vaccinated delegates arriving from countries currently on the UKs red list for travel are expected to quarantine for five days while the unvaccinated must stay in isolation for 10 days.

Our concern is that those countries most deeply affected by the climate crisis and those countries suffering from the lack of support by rich nations in providing vaccines will be left out of the talks and conspicuous in their absence at Cop26, commented Tasneem Essop, executive director of Climate Action Network (CAN), a collective representing more than 1,500 civil society groups from 130 countries.

There has always been an inherent power imbalance within the UN climate talks and this is now compounded by the health crisis.

Greenpeace has also raised similar objections.

If the UK government wants this Cop to be representative and transparent it must, at the very least, ensure that vaccines can be accessed and given sufficiently in advance to all delegates and provide financial support to cover the cost of hotel quarantine, said Juan Pablo Osornio, senior political lead at Greenpeace International.

In a bid to ensure the success of Cop26, the UK government responded to those concerns by offering to pay for the quarantine hotel stays of red list arrivals and making first dose vaccines available to attendees who still need them.

Ensuring that the voices of those most affected by climate change are heard is a priority for the Cop26 presidency, Alok Sharma, Cop26 president, said in a statement.

This includes an offer from the UK government to fund the required quarantine hotel stays for registered delegates arriving from red list areas and to vaccinate accredited delegates who would be unable otherwise to get vaccinated.

However, the stance taken by CAN and Greenpeace was vociferously opposed by the 45 countries who make up the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), who issued a statement insisting the summit must go ahead as planned to protect their interests.

The Cop is for the nations, for the vulnerable nations. We need emission cuts, CVF ambassador Mohamed Nasheed, the speaker of the Maldives parliament, told Politico. We need adaptation pledges, funding. We need both. And we do not want a situation where this conversation is delayed. Its already delayed for too long. Its an emergency.

There was no conversation, we were not told at all. And its very difficult to see how they can advocate for us without talking to us.

Ms Essop responded to CVF by saying CAN had not consulted with any officials from individual nations because it was not a mouthpiece for governments, whatever bloc they are a part of Right now it is civil society and of course, from the poorest and most vulnerable countries, facing most exclusion from this process This statement from CAN is a stand based on our principles.

Even Mr Sharma appears to have entertained doubts about Cop26, making a point of warning world leaders in Paris on 12 October: Cop26 is not a photo op or a talking shop.

It must be the forum where we put the world on track to deliver on climate, he said. And that is down to leaders. It is leaders who made a promise to the world in this great city six years ago. And it is leaders that must honour it.

Responsibility rests with each and every country. And we must all play our part. Because on climate, the world will succeed, or fail, as one.

Read More

Cop26 programme: Full schedule for this years UN climate conference in Glasgow

Cop26 meaning: What is the UN climate conference and why does it matter?

Reshuffle in full: Who is out and who has been promoted?

Boris Johnson flexes muscles with cabinet shake-up for post-Covid era

PM wont say how Universal Credit claimants can recoup lost 20-a-week
On the fourth and final day of the 2021 World Series of Poker Event #30: $1,500 Monster Stack, Michael Noori was crowned the champion as he defeated Ryan Leng heads-up for $610,437. The two opening flights attracted 3,520 entries to create a prize pool of $4,699,200 with the lion-share of all that money awarded to the remaining players today.

"I feel pretty good, I'm still kind of in shock. The heads-up match went really quick, I'm still processing it and going through it. I had two huge coolers that went my way so I was fortunate enough to win the bracelet today," Noori reflected after the tournament.

"I got lucky in the first hand and then I got a couple of shoves and re-jams through. I just kinda battled with 8-12 big blinds for a while, even four-handed. Ryan had all the chips, I stayed focused, never gave up, and kept battling."

Noori was down to 1.5 big blinds at one point today when he three-bet jammed with pocket nines and Daniel Fortier had looked him up with ace-queen. The queen on the river left Noori in bad shape but he tripled up shortly after to stick around to eventually get to his best-ever result after reaching several WSOP final tables in the past.

Looking back at his previous results, Noori seems to fare better in the mixed games variety.

"I think I am better in mixed games, but apparently it's No-Limit Hold'em. I had some deep runs in the Monster Stack before. I finished in the top 1% in 2017 or 2018. I've been there before but didn't have the crucial flips go my way and on this final table, everything went my way. It's very fortunate and nice to be here."

Event #30: $1,500 Monster Stack No-Limit Hold'em Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Michael Noori United States $610,437 2 Ryan Leng United States $377,220 3 Rafael Reis Brazil $288,101 4 Christopher Andler Sweden $221,289 5 Charlie Dawson United States $170,943 6 Mordechai Hazan Israel $132,812 7 Daniel Fortier United States $103,784 8 Johan Schumacher Belgium $81,573 9 Anthony Ortega United States $64,490 10 Jaesh Balachandran Singapore $51,286

Start of the Final Day

Ivan Deyra and Raul Martinez were the first two players of the day to bust within the first 15 minutes of the day and that set the pace for the next four hours it took to get the tournament down to the final table. Lee Markholt and PokerNews' own live reporter Dannah Kamp fell before Santiago Plante bubbled the final table.

Leng had a slight chip lead at the start of the final table, followed closely by Mordechai Hazan. If Leng could stay in that position and win the tournament, he'd also jump towards the top of the WSOP Player of the Year leaderboard.

Aces Galore on the Final Table

The final day of this tournament had no shortage of players finding pocket aces in their hands. Christopher Andler first doubled with them through Hazan before Fortier scored his double up with the same pair through Jaesh Balachandran.

Hazan then picked up the aces to eliminate Balachandran in tenth place. Leng and Fortier also picked up aces to split a pot before Anthony Ortega ran his pocket kings into the aces of Andler to bust in ninth place.

Leng and Fortier split the pot

Johan Schumacher was eliminated by Rafael Reis to get the tournament to seven-handed at which point the PokerGO stream kicked off.

From Seven Players to One Winner

Fortier fell to the hands of Hazan before Noori doubled up through him to vault to second in chips when his pocket sevens found another seven to connect with on the flop. Even though Reis came into the stream with the chip lead, Leng claimed a chunk of his stack when he flopped straight over straight against him. Hazan would leave the feature table in sixth place after that thanks to Leng.

Charlie Dawson was next to go with Leng adding those chips to his stack when the premium hands kept coming his way. After another break, Andler busted in fourth place when he got his last chips in against the pocket tens of Noori. Shortly after, the Brazilian rail left together with Reis in third place when Noori turned a pair of sevens for the come behind knockout.

Leng held a commanding chip lead of 2:1 but Noori doubled up when he turned a straight against the top two pair Leng had flopped. Forty minutes later, Noori claimed the rest of Leng's stack when all the chips went in on the turn for Leng with the flush draw and double gutshot to a straight. Noori held the overpair and the ladies helped him to the win. Leng also scored his best cash here at the WSOP with this result.

Ryan Leng finished as the runner-up for $377,220

"I'm exhausted, we'll probably go out tonight and have some fun." Noori said at the end while looking over to his rail which included Toby Lewis, Ankush Mandavia, Matt Affleck, and Matt Savage with the first two there from the start. "They're two good friends of mine, I really appreciate them rooting me on and helping me out. That was nice. Everyone that was there for the support and cheering me on for my first bracelet was amazing. To win my first bracelet in the Monster Stack was even better."

This is it for the PokerNews coverage of this event but check out the WSOP Live Reporting Hub to follow all the exciting action here at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino.

Michael Noori and friends

Check out our 2021 WSOP Hub here!
Ying Feng Kline, a lecturer of Chinese from Penn State University, will serve as lead instructor for the summer academy. Dr. Yanfei Zhu, UNG associate professor of visual arts, and faculty members from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, High Point University, Hamilton College and other schools will offer online talks for the pre-camp and post-camp activities.

"It's rare to have the chance to tackle both science and Chinese language learning at the same time, and yet, Professor He's dedication to this initiative will provide a truly special learning experience," Dr. Christopher Jespersen, dean of the College of Arts & Letters, said. "We look forward to hosting the STARTALK camp at UNG."

UNG has hired four professional tutors and two UNG Chinese Language Flagship students who are on the advanced track to work with students in spring 2022.

The mission of STARTALK is to support "student education and teacher development programs of less commonly taught and critical-need languages that meet the national security and defense priorities."

Dr. D. Brian Mann, department head of Modern and Classical Languages, said research shows teaching Chinese earlier helps the knowledge become more ingrained for students, and it will set them up well for advanced studies at UNG.

"This makes it possible for them to go further in their Chinese proficiency," Mann said.

Applications for the spring 2022 tutoring are open through Nov. 1. Accepted students will meet individually with their tutor online for half an hour weekly for 17 weeks during the spring semester.

There will be a separate application process for the June 5-18 residential camp, but students who receive tutoring will be encouraged to apply. Students who participate in the camp will have access to post-camp learning activities.
Dr. Pamela Elfenbein, director of the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Institute for Healthy Aging, has worked with community leaders to help Gainesville, Georgia, become part of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.

"The mission of the Institute for Healthy Aging is to enhance the quality of life for older adults in our region," Elfenbein said. "Assisting our community in receiving this designation was a natural part of those efforts."

In addition to community initiatives to serve older adults, the Institute for Healthy Aging is the home of UNG's academic gerontology programs, offering an undergraduate gerontology minor as well as undergraduate and graduate certificates in gerontology. Starting in fall 2022, it will offer a nexus degree in applied gerontology with a concentration in family caregiving.

Launched in April 2012, the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities is an organizational affiliate of the World Health Organization Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities, a program launched in 2006.

"If you want to do something innovative that involves older adults, Pamela Elfenbein is the go-to person," Phillippa Lewis Moss, director of Gainesville's Community Service Center, said. "Our community's AARP designation is a direct result of her passion and commitment to the aging population in the region."
In recent days, deputies of the ruling Civil Contract party in Armenia have noted a number of remarkable statements on the topic of Karabakh. Two parliamentarians from Nikol Pashinyan's party at once voiced their thoughts, for which they would probably have been hung on the first Yerevan pillar a year ago.

For example, the deputy from the Civil Contract faction Vigen Khachatryan bluntly stated: "It is very dangerous to promote the idea that Armenia has no future without Karabakh. The highest goal is Armenia, not Karabakh. There can be no question of these lands being considered territories Armenia, we should talk about whether the lives of these people (the Armenian population of Karabakh - editor's note) in Azerbaijan are in danger or not. " Surprisingly, in the Armenian segment of social networks, this statement caused only moderate dissatisfaction among the opposition, and Khachatryan's party members did not react to him at all and, accordingly, did not pull up his colleague.

Vigen Khachatryan's reconnaissance by force was successful, and after a couple of days his fellow in the faction Gagik Melkonyan stated that the guarantor of the security of the Armenian population in Karabakh is not Armenia, but Russia. In particular, answering a question about the recent aggravation of the situation in the region, Melkonyan said: "Contact the Russian embassy. The Russians are the guarantor of security, and ask them why this happened."

Let us recall the background: a few days ago a civilian Armenian was killed in Karabakh, then an Azerbaijani civilian column was fired upon, and a little later - a sniper shot an Azerbaijani soldier. On the same night, there was a bloody incident at an Armenian military post in the Agderin direction, as a result of which six Armenian soldiers were seriously wounded. Azerbaijan denied any involvement in both the first and the last incidents, while Armenia claimed that the military position was destroyed by an Azerbaijani strike UAV (initially, the Armenian media reported a mortar attack). Meanwhile, pro-government sources in Azerbaijan report that the conditional "civilian" of Armenian origin, after whose murder an exacerbation began in the region, worked on his tractor near the contact line without the necessary coordination with Russian peacekeepers and the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and did not respond to repeated warnings to leave the territory. ...

Remarkable in this story is the rather mild reaction of official Yerevan to the recent incidents in Karabakh. It suggests that the aforementioned Armenian MPs from the ruling party did not voice private opinions, but announced changes in Armenia's approaches to Karabakh. For example, the Armenian Foreign Ministry got off with statements about the need to investigate and punish the perpetrators, while the RA Defense Ministry completely ignored the shootings in Karabakh, in particular, the wounding of six servicemen. On the other hand, the Armenian military department hastened to refute the report about the shelling of Armenian positions in Yeraskh on the border with Nakhchivan by Azerbaijan. Paradoxically, the most radical statements from Yerevan today are voiced not by officials and the military, but by Arman Tatoyan, who received the post of RA Ombudsman during the reign of Serzh Sargsyan.

Yerevan's cooled interest in the Karabakh separatists can be explained, in our opinion, by both a large regional policy and purely economic reasons. Today Baku and Yerevan have brought their positions closer on some key aspects of the new regional configuration, which implies mutual recognition by the two countries of each other's territorial integrity and unblocking of regional communications. At the last CIS summit, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for the first time announced that Azerbaijan will receive through the territory of Armenia not only railway, but also automobile communication with Nakhchivan. Earlier, Yerevan insisted that only a railway would be presented to Baku for communication with the autonomous republic.

On the other hand, after Azerbaijan returned under its direct control most of the territory of Karabakh, which remained in the zone of responsibility of the RF Ministry of Defense from the abolished Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region, the economically unviable "stub" turned into a financial black hole for Armenia, which is experiencing an economic crisis.

Yerevan does not understand what to do with this "appendix", but political and economic expediency suggests only one way out - to carefully throw "ballast" on Azerbaijan, preferably securing temporary security guarantees for the Armenian population there from Russia. This arrangement seems to suit Moscow, Baku and Yerevan.
Think the time is nigh for a declaration to formally end the Korean War? In that case, the timing is perfect to fire a submarine-launched ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan. This at least would appear to be the thinking in Pyongyang. And that thinking is not as off-base as it may sound at first hearing, Asia Times writes.

Indeed, the Kim regime is a past master at playing a complex diplomatic-strategic-economic power game that aims to leverage policy disconnects between Seoul, Tokyo and Washington.

Outgoing South Korean President Moon Jae-in is pushing a late-term plan to bring the 1950-53 Korean War to a formal end and talks to that end are expected to take place in Seoul this week with visiting envoys from Japan and the US. Moons end-of-war plan, however, has gained minimal traction in a cynical Washington which seeks tangibles, not symbolisms. Given this, impoverished North Korea  which may very well like to tap the prosperous South for economic aid  has excellent reasons to raise tensions and prod Washington to permit North-South engagement.

Here comes another one

North Korea test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLMB) from an east coast naval base into the Sea of Japan early Tuesday, South Koreas military announced. It was not immediately clear if the weapon, which traveled approximately 450 kilometers, was fired from an actual submarine or from an underwater test barge, the military said. North Korea has not tested an intercontinental ballistic missile  the kind of weapon that could deliver a nuclear warhead to the US  since 2017. However, it has been ramping up less provocative launches. Tuesdays event was the eighth in a series of tests of arms including short-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and hypersonic missiles this year. SLMBs add yet another asset  and a mobile, survivable one  to the Norths already extensive missile armory. While none of these are likely to draw US fire and fury the way a nuclear or ICBM test would, they do make the world sit up and take notice of a state which otherwise has few diplomatic levers to pull.

Experts believe that North Korean missile tests have dual purposes: to test military engineering and to send political signals. In the latter sense, Tuesdays timing looks especially stark. On Monday in Washington, the leading nuclear envoys from South Korea, Japan and the US  respectively, Noh Kyu-duk, Takehiro Funakoshi and Sung Kim  had held trilateral meetings to try and thrash out a seamless North Korea strategy. The end-of-war declaration featured in those discussions, and Kim said that he will be traveling to Seoul for further talks on an end-of-war declaration later this week. This suggests that Tuesdays missile launch was no coincidence. North Korea had previously test-fired missiles the day before a September 13 meeting between the three envoys.

The politics of war ending

Noh, the South Korean representative, may have a tough task ahead of him. His boss, Moon, who has prioritized cross-DMZ engagement since taking office in 2017, ends his constitutionally mandated single term in office in May 2022. His aim of fostering inter-Korean amity during his term lies in tatters. After promising early signs in 2018, a budding and unlikely bromance between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and then-US president Donald Trump evaporated after the failure of a 2019 summit in Hanoi, Vietnam. With Seouls North Korea policy necessarily shackled to that of its powerful ally Washington, inter-Korean ties also turned chilly.

In what looks like a last-minute ploy to get rapprochement back on track, Moon, in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on September 21 called for a formalized end to the Korean War. The conflict concluded with an armistice, rather than a peace treaty. He is thinking about his legacy, so the [presidential] Blue House is trying to achieve some milestones in the short time they have left, said Daniel Pinkston, a Seoul-based lecturer in international relations at Troy University. Those who believe in this kind of document or declaration believe it would further Moons vision of a peaceful Korea in Northeast Asia, and eventual economic and political integration.

However, US President Joe Biden, who also addressed the UN, asked for tangible commitments from North Korea. That illustrates the policy disconnect dividing the two capitals.

We all know North Korea is not very interested in ending the Korean War, they are interested in ending the so-called US hostile policy  the end of joint military exercises, sanctions relief, and so on, Choi Jin-wook, who heads South Koreas Center for Strategic and Cultural Studies, told Asia Times. It is South Korea  not China or North Korea or the US  that wants an end to the war, but the key is held by the US, so North Korea wants to raise tensions with the US. If, in order to ameliorate those tensions, the US gives South Korea the go-ahead to reduce tensions by initiating an end-of-war dialogue, North Korea could feasibly earn some kind of economic aid from Seoul that Washington cannot give, Choi explained.

Why end the war?

On the face of it, an agreement to formally end a war that de facto ended in 1953 looks like low-hanging fruit just waiting to be plucked. As an agreement would be mere paper recognition of current realities, it represents light diplomatic lifting and presents no significant risk to any of the major parties. And it could indeed be an easy win that could kick-start the critical trust-building process, thereby leading to more substantive discussions and interactions in the future. Moreover, it would offer the doves in Kims circle valuable ammunition to fire at the hawks  ie that with the war formally ended, the time would be ripe to pivot from arms production to more remunerative economic activities.

As a hedge against naysayers, proponents argue that an end to the war would have no impact on the stabilizing presence of US troops in South Korea. Nor would it alter the terms of the Seoul-Washington mutual defense treaty. Yet experts are wary. Pinkston noted a peace treaty would not over-ride the central goal of the North Korean polity.
Armenias ruling party suffered significant losses in local elections across the country just months after a landslide victory in national elections, Eurasianet writes.

Among the ruling Civil Contracts poor performances in the October 17 vote was in Armenias second city of Gyumri, where the party got 7,785 votes, after winning more than 28,000 votes in the city in Junes parliamentary elections. Incumbent mayor Samvel Balasanyans Balasanyan Alliance party got 9,637 votes, and under the citys proportional system, the parties that made it over the threshold to enter city council will pick a mayor.

Its going to be interesting in Gyumri, because Civil Contract came second and then the vote is up to the other parties that have passed the threshold, election expert Harout Manougian told Eurasianet. My guess is that the Republicans [the former ruling party, still led by ex-president Serzh Sargsyan] and Zartonk [another anti-government party] will unite and vote against Civil Contract, Manougian said.

Overall, turnout was low at 33 percent. This is despite the fact that Civil Contract, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, had made the local elections a clear priority while the national opposition  which includes many figures from the regime that led the country before the 2018 Velvet Revolution  took a less systematic approach.

Obviously the ruling party cared about the results in these elections, they have been trying to remove people associated with former government from every state structure, Manougian said. Civil Contract had a list in every single city, while the parliamentary opposition was represented either by single parties or people affiliated with them.

Civil Contract also lost in the southern city of Goris, where the incumbent mayor won from behind bars. The bloc led by current mayor Arush Arushanyan got nearly half the votes cast, while Arushanyan himself is in jail on charges of vote-buying. Arushanyans supporters say the charges are politically motivated; in Junes parliamentary elections he had supported the Armenia Alliance led by another former president, Robert Kocharyan. Since those elections several local opposition-affiliated officials across the country have been jailed in what they say is a coordinated campaign against them.

Civil Contract won outright in Dilijan and got the most votes in Tegh and Tatev.

Analyst Manougian said that the national opposition leaders decision to take a low profile in the local votes may have been a savvy move in some places. Definitely, a lot of people voted for Pashinyan in June to keep Kocharyan out, and vice versa, that is definitely the motivation of some percentage of voters, he said.

In Meghri, on the Iranian border, the party that won the most votes, Hanrapetutyun (Republic), is opposed both to Pashinyan and the former regime.

In addition to Gyumri, the mayors in Meghri and Tatev also will be picked by city councils that are elected from the proportional system.

In one village, the only candidate drew attention for not even voting for himself. Shamiram, whose population is largely ethnic Yezidi, had only one candidate, the incumbent Mraz Broyan. But he didnt cast a vote, he told news website Hetq. Ive been working for 30 years, enough is enough.

Armenia still has two more sets of local elections to be held in other cities this year, on November 14 and December 5.
Exactly a year ago, on September 27, 2020, Azerbaijan's Patriotic War began. On that day, Armenia's occupying forces subjected the positions of the armed forces of Azerbaijan along the front line and the adjacent populated areas in Azerbaijan to intensive fire with the use of large-calibre weapons, artillery and mortars. Baku decided to launch a counter-offensive operation to ensure the safety of the civilian population. Vestnik Kavkaza offers its readers to follow the events of the 44 days of Azerbaijan's Patriotic War as they were covered a year ago.

On the night of the twenty-fourth day of the war, on October 20, a meeting of the UN Security Council was held on the cessation of hostilities in the territory of Azerbaijan. The Armenian occupation forces tried to stop the advance of the Azerbaijani liberation army towards Zangilan all night. By morning, the fighting reached the village of Khanlyg. At the same time, fighting intensified on the northern front.



In the morning, video footage of the destruction of Armenian firing points was published. In the United States, the Armenian diaspora has raised $30 million to support the occupation of Azerbaijani territories. The Azerbaijani Foreign Minister has scheduled a visit to the United States on October 23 to hold talks on the cessation of hostilities. Pakistan once again condemned the aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan.

In the first twenty-three days, 2,000 houses in peaceful settlements of Azerbaijan were destroyed by artillery strikes by the occupying forces. On October 20, two local residents were injured in the Terter region. The invaders admitted the deaths of 772 soldiers and officers.

At 14:00, the liberation of the city of Zangilan near the border with Armenia and adjacent villages was announced. Almost simultaneously, video footage of the release of Zangilan was published. The Armenian Defense Ministry has recognized the de-occupation of Azerbaijani territories.



In the evening, shelling of peaceful settlements in Azerbaijan continued. Meanwhile, the UK called on Yerevan to admit defeat. Talks were held between the presidents of Russia and France on the Karabakh war.

Having knocked out the invaders from Zangilan, the Azerbaijani liberation army headed for Gubadli. In response, the Armenian Armed Forces launched a combat drone towards Ganja.



In the evening, Ilham Aliyev, in his address to the nation, stressed that residents of all liberated territories will be able to return to their native lands. The Armenian Defense Ministry recognized the superiority of the Azerbaijani liberation army over the Armenian occupying forces.



Thus, on the twenty-fourth day of the war, the process of de-occupation of the Azerbaijani territories reached the border with Armenia. The border city of Zangilan was liberated and the liberation of lands along the Armenian-Azerbaijani borders began. The next target was the city of Gubadli, from which it was possible to conduct a counteroffensive to Lachin, the last supply artery of the occupation troops.
The restoration of infrastructure, including radio and television stations, continues in Azerbaijani territories liberated from Armenian occupation, according to the country's Ministry of Digital Development and Transport.

In Zangilan city of and more than 10 villages of the Zangilan district, broadcasting of eight TV and two radio channels has been provided by means of a 30-meter tower installed in Minjivan settlement.

From December 31, 2020 to date, radio and television broadcasting has been restored in Shusha and Khankendi cities, Khojaly, Aghdam and Barda districts, as well as in adjacent settlements.

Moreover, on October 4, 2021, a TV tower was commissioned in the city of Kalbajar. Thus, the broadcasting of eight TV and one radio channel in Kalbajar and 15 adjacent villages was ensured.

Currently, work continues on the restoration of radio and television broadcasting in other liberated territories. By the end of the year, its planned to restore a station in Shahyeri village, Khojavand district.
Russian Defense Ministry mediated the release of five Armenian servicemen from Azerbaijani custody, the Ministry said Tuesday.

"Today, on October 19, with Russias mediation, Azerbaijani authorities released five Armenian captives, who were brought to Yerevan on a Russian Aerospace Forces plane," the statement says.

According to the Defense Ministry, the release was negotiated by Russias Southern Military District Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Rustam Muradov and Russian peacekeeper contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh commander Lieutenant General Gennady Anashkin.

Earlier, a source in the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan said that the mentioned soldiers were not involved in grave crimes against the Azerbaijani army or the country's population.
Georgia is ready to develop and deepen friendly relations and strategic partnership existing with Azerbaijan for the sake of the well-being of the two countries and the region, Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili said in the congratulatory letter to the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the restoration of Azerbaijan's independence.

According to the information, in his letter, Garibashvili noted that Georgia attaches great importance to the strategic partnership and friendly ties that have been formed between the two countries from time immemorial, AzerTAc reported.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva made a trip to Zangilan district on October 20, Trend reports.

The head of state and the first lady met with public representatives of the district.
First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has made an Instagram post on her meeting with former internally displaced people from Fuzuli.

The post on her official Instagram page says: A meeting with former IDPs from Fuzuli district. I sincerely share with you the excitement and joy of your return to your native lands! 
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday that the alliance would still need to talk to Russia after Moscow suspended its diplomatic mission to the alliance, Swissinfo reports.

That means relying on a hotline between Russia's chief of general staff, Valery Gerasimov, and Tod Wolters, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, as well as Stoltenberg's meetings with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, officials and diplomats said.

Russia has also left open the possibility of diplomacy through its embassy in Belgium, although formal meetings in the NATO-Russia Council format are now frozen.
A meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Joe Biden of the United States is possible in one format or another by the end of the year, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a news conference, Peskov said that Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, at their recent meeting, discussed "various options and certain understandings were reached."

"We will inform you once they are finalized in terms of a format and dates," he said.

Asked whether such meeting was possible this year, Peskov said, "it is realistic in one format or another. We will inform you in advance."

Last week, Peskov stated that Ushakov and Nuland reached some understanding "in terms of the prospects for further dialogue at the highest level in the near future."

At a Russian Energy Week plenary session on October 14, President Putin mentioned that Nuland, during her visit to Moscow, touched upon the possibility of contacts at the highest level.

Putin and Biden held a summit in Geneva on June 16. It was their first face-to-face meeting as well as the first Russia-US summit since 2018. The event was proposed by the US side. Putin noted after the summit talks that Moscow and Washington could agree on the rules of behavior in the fields of strategic stability, cyber security and regional conflicts.
Russia does not expect to see the supply and demand balance in the European gas market improving in the short term, Russias Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said during a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and members of the government, TASS reports.

"The emerging situation causes concern. So far, we, unfortunately, dont see that the balance of supply and demand in Europe will balance out in the near future," he said.

Novak noted that the situation will depend on the autumn-winter period and the level of temperatures, as well as on the level of demand for gas in Europe and other markets. "Of course this is concerning, especially in the industries that affect the production of essential goods and food," he added.

In addition, the energy crisis in the European Union is causing a shortage of electricity in industry, Novak noted. "Metallurgical enterprises, which largely use electricity in their work, are also suspending their activities. For example, a large zinc producer from Belgium has cut production by 50% at its three plants in the Netherlands and France," he explained.
The security forces foiled the activity of the Al-Takfir wal-Hijra extremist group (outlawed in Russia) in the Karachay-Circassian Republic in the North Caucasus and detained five group members, the press office of Russias Interior Ministry said on Tuesday.

"The personnel of the Interior Ministrys Center for Combatting Extremism in the Karachay-Circassian Republic, acting jointly with the republican division of the FSB [Federal Security Service] and with the support of the Russian National Guard thwarted the activity of a cell of the Al-Takfir wal-Hijra international religious extremist organization recognized as extremist and outlawed in Russia by a decision of Russias Supreme Court dated September 15, 2010," TASS cited the press center as saying.

Five members of the extremist group who are residents of the Karachay-Circassian Republic have been detained, it said.

"The members of the criminal group were spreading the ideas of radical Islam and making attempts under the threat of physical abuse to remove officials of municipalities from their posts and nurturing plans to create a state with Sharia rule on the territory of the North Caucasian region," the Interior Ministry added.

The police and security forces searched the suspects houses and seized firearms, bladed weapons, ammunition and religious extremist literature from the members of the extremist organization. Investigators are pressing criminal charges under part 2, article 282.2 (organizing the activity of an extremist group) and part 1, article 222 (the illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, delivery or bearing of arms, basic parts of firearms and ammunition) of Russias Criminal Code, the ministry said.

All the detained suspects have been taken into custody. Possible accomplices of the extremist organization are being identified, it said.
Deputy U.S. Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said he sees no situation where the Taliban movement (prohibited in Russia), who regained power in Afghanistan in August, would be allowed access to Afghan central bank reserves, which are largely held in the United States.

"We believe that it's essential that we maintain our sanctions against the Taliban but at the same time find ways for legitimate humanitarian assistance to get to the Afghan people. That's exactly what we're doing," Adeyemo told the Senate Banking Committee.

"Our goal is to make sure that we are implementing our sanctions regime against the Taliban and the Haqqani network, but at the same time allowing for the permissible flow of humanitarian assistance into the country," Adeyemo said.

Adeyemo said the Treasury was taking every step it could within its sanctions regime to make clear to humanitarian groups that Washington wants to facilitate the flow of aid to the Afghan people, but warned that for humanitarian assistance to flow, the Taliban have to allow it to happen within the country.

The Taliban have called for the United States to lift a block on more than $9 billion of Afghan central bank reserves held outside the country as the government struggles to contain a deepening economic crisis.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry considers any entry into the territory of Azerbaijan outside its official borders as a violation of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, according to a letter sent by director general of Transit Affairs Bureau with Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization Mohammad Javad Hedayati to the trade unions of international transport companies.



As reported by the Iranian Mehr agency, in the letter he refers to the Iranian Foreign Ministry's directive to the road organization dated October 9.

The communique refers to a ban on entry into the territory of Azerbaijan, where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily deployed, as well as into the Lachin region of Azerbaijan through Armenia.



In addition, it is prohibited to sign any trade agreement with the Karabakh separatists, as well as prepare documents related to cargo transportation in the zone of responsibility of Russian peacekeepers.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry blasted the EU Commission's 2021 report on Turkey's membership process, saying it once again reflected the double standard approach toward the country.

The ministry said in a written statement that the report on the enlargement strategy "unfortunately" overlooked responsibilities toward Turkey at a time when the Ankara government had revived high-level dialogue with the EU and sought to develop a better political agenda with the bloc.

According to the statement, Turkey rejected the inclusion of "inconsistent and biased" Greek and Greek Cypriot theses in the report, as it did in the previous years.

"Turkey does not accept baseless and unfair criticism especially in the chapters of political criteria along with judiciary and basic rights, the ministry said, adding that the EU came up with unproportionate findings without evaluating the conditions specific to Turkey with regards to the country's governance, political system, basic rights, and fight against terrorism," Anadolu agency cited the report as saying.
Turkey and Nigeria are determined to deepen their cooperation and partnership, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday during his visit to the country's capital Abuja, the last leg of his mini-tour of three African countries in which the president also visited Angola and Togo. During his visit, the president also drew special attention to the importance of the common fight against terrorism, Daily Sabah reports.

Erdogan was welcomed by his Nigerian counterpart Muhammadu Buhari with an official ceremony at the Aso Rock, the nation's presidential villa. Speaking at a joint press conference after one-on-one talks and delegation meetings, Erdogan said that the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and opportunities for further cooperation.

The fight against the Gulenist Terror Group (FETO), the group behind the 2016 defeated coup in Turkey, was also discussed during the Turkish president's visit. This includes a request to transfer FETO schools that continue to operate in several parts of Nigeria to the Turkish Maarif Foundation.

"We continue to share necessary information with the Nigerian authorities about FETO's illegal activities in Nigeria," Erdogan said.

Erdogan also said that Turkey has been closely following the developments in Nigeria, and added that Turkey can offer support for Nigeria's fight against terrorism, underlining the importance of uniting under this aim.

"We are strengthening our cooperation on military defense and security issues with Nigeria, which is fighting against terrorist organizations, armed gangs and piracy," he added.
The trademark Vietnam Rice has by now been protected in 22 foreign countries, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) reported, urging for the issuance of a legal document managing the use of the trademark.

Trademark Vietnam Rice

Vietnam has been among the worlds top three rice exporters, together with Thailand and India, for years, the MARD said in a report sent to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on October 19.

According to the MARD, Vietnam Rice has become a Generic Trademark in 19 countries, including Indonesia, Russia and 17 member states of the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI).

It has also been registered as a Certification Trademark in three countries, namely China, Brunei and Norway. The MARD holds the ownership of the trademark in these countries.

It is important to heighten awareness of Vietnamese rice products among exporters, importers, distributors and consumers both at home and overseas, the ministry said.

Protection of the trademark also lays a basis for Vietnamese rice to expand its market and increase added value and competitiveness globally, as well as preventing the faking of Vietnamese origin.

Vietnam must also urgently grant the right to use the trademark to Vietnamese producers and exporters as the trademark will be probably revoked if it is not used by the owner for 3  5 years in accordance to regulations of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and laws of some Madrid System member states, it noted.

The ministry proposed the PM to permit it to develop a decree providing a set of procedures for administering the use of Vietnam Rice./.

Source: VNA
The Ministry of Health (MOH) on October 14 sent a dispatch to local healthcare departments informing them about the plan to vaccinate children aged 12-17.







The document said Vietnam will expand the vaccination program step by step, from higher to lower ages (children aged 16-17 will get vaccinations first, followed by children at lower ages).

Its unclear which vaccines will be used for the program, but parents believe that the Pfizer vaccine will be approved because this is the only vaccine being used in the world for teenagers.

Meanwhile, many people fear that the vaccines using mRNA technology may intervene with human genes, especially small children.

Nguyen Van Long in Tan Binh District in HCM City is one of them.

Long said all his family members have been safe during the fourth pandemic wave. We strictly follow the 5K principle and we regularly clean our nose and throat, and drink vitamins to improve resistance. I ask my children to spend 30 minutes a day on physical exercise, he said.

His view is that children have their own resistance which can be strengthened with physical exercise, food and supplemental micronutrients. His two children rarely get sick. He doesnt intend to have his children vaccinated in the first campaign.

I will make a decision on whether to vaccinate my children later, when there is more scientific research about the vaccines and when more vaccines receive approval from WHO (World Health Organization), he said.

Thu Lan in Cau Giay district has also expressed concern that the vaccination may cause undesired effects on students.

I think I wont let my children get vaccinated in the first campaign. If unvaccinated students are not allowed to return to school, my children will study online, she said.

Unlike Long and Lan, Tran Xuan Son, a parent in district 10, HCM City, said he hopes his son, a 10th grader, is vaccinated as soon as possible.

He went to school and extra classes last year, and has been learning online for the last few months. He doesnt have opportunities to communicate and go out, he said, adding that the vaccinations will allow him to return to a normal life.

Le Thi Anh Van in district 3 said she is not worried about the safety of vaccines.

I believe that the ministry thoroughly considered before deciding which vaccines would be used for teens. Many countries in the world are also vaccinating children to ensure a safe return to school, she said.

What worries me now is the physical and mental health condition of children who have had to study online for a long time, not the rumors about the side effects of vaccines, she said.

Nguyen Ngoc Hieu in Ba Dinh district in Hanoisaid he will let his child, a seventh grader, get vaccinated.

Children cannot stay at home forever. They need to go out and return to their normal lives, he said. It will be safer to go out if they are fully vaccinated.

What do schools say?

The opinions of high schools headmasters vary.

Huynh Thanh Phu, Headmaster of Nguyen Du High School in district 10, said it would be better to organize immunization at schools.

Schools are large enough to ensure necessary distance between students. If students get vaccinations at schools, we will be able to know exactly the number of vaccinated and unvaccinated students, he explained.

According to Phu, parents and students have the right to decide whether to get vaccinated.

Unvaccinated students also have the right to return to school. The Ministry will decide the required percentage of vaccinated students for schools to be able to reopen, Phu said.

A school headmaster in Binh Thanh district, however, said students should be allowed to get vaccinated anywhere that is convenient for them, not only at schools.

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Ngo Thi Minh said the ministry would release a document on building a safe school environment in the new normal situation this week.

Asked if the unvaccinated can return to school, Minh said the Governments policy is to vaccinate all children aged 12-17 to ensure a safe return to school.

We will conduct more studies and consult with the Government and MOH on whether unvaccinated students can return to school at the same time as vaccinated ones, she said.

Hanoi to open COVID-19 vaccination registration for children from age 3 The capital city has started reviewing and making lists for vaccinations of children aged 3 and above. However, many parents are expressing concerns on whether or not the registration is mandatory. Addressing these questions, Tran Thi Nhi Ha, Director of Hanoi Department of Health, said the Ministry of Health (MoH) was planning to inoculate children against COVID-19, however there are not yet detailed guidelines on the age range, types of vaccines, and timeline. For Hanoi, although age 3 is still in the vaccination age, the city cannot inoculate children of 3 years old yet and will deploy the possible vaccination programme for those aged 12 to 17 only, according to the Director of Hanoi Department of Health. That is possibly the case, as there is yet to be a specific guideline from the MoH. But in the immediate future, the MoHs direction is to inoculate children age 12 and older, Ha said. Vaccination always requires prescription and consent from the vaccinated. For children, it depends on the commitment and consent from their guardians, and thus parents can decide whether or not their children will get the jab, said Ha. According to Khong Minh Tuan, Deputy Director of Hanoi Centre for Disease Control (CDC), the child vaccination programme is expected to be deployed with ease, as there are fewer than one million children aged 12 to 17 in the city. Vaccination sites will be at schools or at each locality, depending on whether students have come back to school or not. Everything is ready for the child vaccination programme. The thing is we don't know when the vaccine supply will arrive and which types will be given to children, said Tuan. VNS

Phuong Chi

Pfizer vaccine may be approved for children aged 12-17 in Vietnam In many countries, only Pfizer vaccine has been approved for people aged 12 to 17. In Vietnam, this vaccine may be also used for children.
Realtors with strong financial capability are collecting land for large projects in the future.

While production activities became stagnant during the pandemic, the real estate market remains warm with many merger and acquisition (M&A) deals.

The best known M&A deals in Q2 included ones in which Phat Dat Real Estate Development acquired 99.5 percent of shares of Binh Duong Building Real Estate Investment and Development for the Binh Duong Tower project; Thaco took over E-Mart Vietnam; and a deal between Becamex IDC and Central Retail Vietnam to develop GO! shopping center in Binh Duong.

Masterise Homes, a subsidiary of Masterise Group, has bought two land plots with the total area of 7.1 hectares at Vinhomes Grand Park project (district 9) from a subsidiary of Vinhomes.

In the northern market, the business acquired six apartment buildings at Vinhomes Ocean Park Gia Lam and developed into Masteri Waterfront project. Also, Masterise Homes is developing Masteri West Heights project in the Vinhomes Smart City Tay Mo Urban Agglomeration project.

Novaland, well known for a series of M&A deals, is continuing to take over hundreds of hectares of land in many localities. It is seeking land in Dong Nai, Long An, Ba Ria Vung Tau, Lam Dong and Phan Thiet for its urban area and tourism real estate projects.

An Gia Group has announced an M&A strategy as a solution to develop its land bank. At the 2021 shareholders meeting, An Gia stated it would wrap up negotiations to buy 30-50 hectares of land more to develop projects.

Most of the successful M&A deals were between domestic investors and foreign investors who are present in the Vietnamese market.

Meanwhile, there were few deals with the participation of investors from overseas, because projects could not satisfy their requirements. However, the deals made by international investors had the highest value.

Analysts say that M&A activities have been slowing over the last year. The real estate prices in H2 2020 and H1 2021 did not decrease as predicted, despite the pandemic. This, plus the monetary policy loosening, caused land owners to think that the pandemic would end soon and the market would see a strong recovery. They tended to retain properties or sell at high prices.

But buyers are not so optimistic. They are cautious in disbursing money now and many of them are waiting before taking action. Because of many reasons, the process of legalizing projects status has also gone more slowly than planned.

Another reason is that many investors who want to transfer projects lack opportunities to approach buyers, especially foreign ones.

In some cases, buyers and sellers cannot find a common voice.

Analysts say that Vietnam needs to have professional institutions that provide M&A consultancy services. The institutions need to understand the local market, have connections with global investors, and provide package consultancy services to help make transactions successful at the lowest possible cost.

Analysts also note that, previously, the projects in M&A deals were mostly located in the central districts of large cities of Hanoi and HCM City. However, as the land there is getting scarce, investors are seeking opportunities in neighboring areas.

Opportunities

According to Hung Vuong Holdings CEO Pham Viet Anh, the time to buy projects is when the market cools and realtors turn cautious.

Anh believes that current difficulties are just temporary and the real estate prices will increase after the pandemic ends.

According to Savills HongKong, Vietnam remains an attractive destination for foreign investors. The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) reported that total FDI capital in H1 reached $15.27 billion.

Vietnam is the only country which has received an upgrading in credit rating by all three prestigious rating firms - Moodys, S&P and Fitch.

Le Phuong Lan from Savills Hanoi said investors are most interested in urban housing projects. The demand for Industrial Zone development and logistics land has also been increasing rapidly in the last 1.5 years.

Duy Anh

Real estate market warms up as pandemic controlled The reopening of the economy has begun with the principle reopening the doors anywhere its safe.
The country is fastening its belt and gathering strength to fight the pandemic, waiting for opportunities for economic recovery. Because of this, it would be unreasonable to increase minimum wages at this moment.

National Assembly Secretary General Bui Van Cuong

The National Assembly Office on October 19 held a press conference on the tentative agenda of the second session of the 15th National Assembly.

VietNamNet asked: One of the contents the National Assembly will discuss at this session is the delay of wage reform implementation. As such, reform has been delayed two times. What will wage policies be in the time to come? Will the old wage mechanism be applied, or will there be changes?

National Assembly Secretary General Bui Van Cuong said things have been prepared well for reform, because it is a very important issue which will affect the lives of civil servants and public employees.

However, cadres and civil servants agree with the resolution of the 4th Plenum of the 13th Party Central Committee on delaying wage reform to reserve the budget for COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control efforts.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a serious impact on the socio-economic situation. We have had to spend big money on pandemic prevention and control activities, from testing kits, vaccines, and medical equipment to frontline workforce and grassroots cadres, Cuong said.

Meanwhile, production chains are in danger of getting disrupted. Analysts believe that Vietnam will obtain a modest GDP growth rate of 3 percent this year if it tries its best.

So, its necessary to allocate resources to investment for development and social security, he said.

Asked when wage reform will be implemented, Cuong said the Government, relevant agencies and the National Assembly have been assigned to consider and report to appropriate agencies on the issue.

The groups of people with low incomes will get the wage increase first. This means that an increase for those who began receiving pensions prior to 1995 will be considered first.

Dang Thuan Phong, Deputy Chair of the National Assemblys Social Affairs Committee, said the Central Party Committee at the fourth Plenum agreed on the delay of the wage reform for an indefinite time and reform will be reactivated at a reasonable time.

He went on to say that the solutions to prepare resources for wage reform have been prepared thoroughly, but resources remain insufficient.

Meanwhile, all national resources have been gathered to serve the fight against the pandemic.

Localities have asked the National Assemblys permission to use resources initially allocated for wage reform to fight the pandemic.

Mekong Delta provinces are receiving a high number of returnees, but they dont have money to spend on this issue because this was not anticipated.

Thu Hang

NA Standing Committee convenes fourth session in Hanoi The fourth session of the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee is set to open on October 11 in Hanoi,
The Government sets a growth target of 6-6.5 percent next year, according to a report presented by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the opening ceremony of the National Assemblys second sitting this morning.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presents a report at the opening ceremony of the second sitting of the 15th National Assembly, Hanoi, October 20, 2021. Photo: VGP

The Government also targets to keep budget overspending around 4 percent of the gross domestic product.

To achieve the above targets, the Government will adopt and implement an overall strategy on COVID-19 prevention and control, increase vaccination coverage, and improve capability of the countrys healthcare system, said PM Pham Minh Chinh.

The Government will focus on economic recovery and give priority to improving institutions, quality of legal documents, law enforcement capacity while determining to make substantial progress in restructuring the economy in association with growth model transformation.

Vietnam was hit hard by the fourth-19 COVID-19 wave in the third quarter with the GDP shrinking 6.17 percent in Q3  the first decline since 2000 on a quarterly basis.

The economy only expanded 1.42 in January-September period, mainly because of the imposition of social distancing measures in the economic engine of Ho Chi Minh City and other adjacent localities.

As it is difficult to strive for zero cases, the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on September 25 agreed to switch away from Zero COVID-19 to safe adaptation to the pandemic.

On October 11, the Government has issued Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP adopting provisional guidelines on safe adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The resolution has become a relief for any business operating in Vietnam after a long period of social distancing measures, said Chief Representative of the German Industry and Commerce in Vietnam (AHK Vietnam) Marko Walde.

It requires that localities addition measures must not constitute hindrance the movement of goods, production and business activities as well as the mobility of people between provinces and cities.

Source: VGP
Doctor Nguyen Lan Hieu has proposed the removal of concentrated quarantine zones and field hospitals and the establishment of networks of care for patients at home at the commune and ward level.

Doctor Nguyen Lan Hieu (left) at the meeting

Doctor Nguyen Lan Hieu, Director of the Hanoi Medical University Hospital and Director of the Binh Duong Emergency Resuscitation Field Hospital, who attended a recent meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and representatives of the frontline medical forces, made a number of suggestions on how Vietnam should act in the new period.

He proposed the removal of concentrated quarantine zones and field hospitals and the establishment of networks of care for patients at home at the commune and ward level.

If the suggestions receive approval, Covid-19 patients will be allowed to take care of themselves at home in accordance with criteria set by the Ministry of Health (MOH).

The areas where cases are found would be put under isolation on a narrow scale. If the number of cases in a hamlet or enterprise increase sharply (more than 10 percent of random samples), the entire hamlet or enterprise will be isolated.

Cases that turn severe, patients with unstable underlying health conditions, and unvaccinated people will be hospitalized for treatment.

The strategy would be applied to all localities with high vaccination rates, including HCM City, Binh Duong and Hanoi.

He suggested that it would be better to split hospitals into two parts with two entrance gates for infected and uninfected people. Rapid tests can be used first.

Suspected infections need to be confirmed with PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests in buffer zones. If they are certain of being negative, they will be brought to the normal treatment area.

Hieu stressed that random testing needs to be carried out regularly on medical workers, patients and their relatives to eliminate any potential hotbed.

He said Covid-19 treatment areas in hospitals could be divided into three divisions  ICU (intensive care unit), medium-level treatment and post-Covid. They should also mobilize resources from the private healthcare sector for the fight against Covid-19.

Not being afraid of Covid-19 is a new way of life that we need to accept, he said. Minimizing the mortality rate is our mission.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said at the meeting that the last five months were one of the most difficult and challenging times in the history of the healthcare sector.

Hundreds of thousands of doctors and medical workers in pandemic-hit cities and provinces and nearly 20,000 medical workers from central and local healthcare units have joined forces to fight Covid-19 in the countrys hotbeds.

The outbreak has now been controlled in the epicenters and across the country, Long said.

Thu Hang

HCM City ready to enter new normal period: official All 22 districts in HCM City and Thu Duc City have met the criteria for epidemic control and are ready to enter the new normal stage, said HCM City People's Council Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Le at the councils 3rd session on October 18.
Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh has signed a decision approving the railway system planning for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, which sets a target of building nine new railways with a total length of 2,362km by 2030.

Under the planning, the railway industry will renovate and upgrade existing railways, connect with international transport routes; prepare capital and resources to start construction on new routes, with priority given to North-South high-speed ones and those linking with gateway seaports, international airports, and main railways in major cities.

Specifically, the sector will upgrade the seven existing routes with a total length of 2,440km.

Among the nine new railways, there will be a 1,545km north-south high-speed route connecting Hanois Ngoc Hoi station and Ho Chi Minh Citys Thu Thiem station.

The total capital need for both upgrading and building railways will be around 240 trillion VND (10.5 billion USD).

By 2030, the volume of goods transported will reach 11.8 million tonnes, accounting for about 0.27 percent of the market share, and the number of transported passengers will reach 460 million, accounting for a market share of about 4.40 percent./.

Source: VNA
Experiencing an overdrawn bank account can be stressful. Since banks can charge an overdraft fee multiple times a day, fees can add up quickly, piling on to the negative balance and the stress.

The consequences of overdrawing can be serious, so its essential to fix your account as soon as you can. The bank may temporarily suspend or even close your account. A closure could go on your record with ChexSystem, an agency that tracks customers who have had problems with their bank accounts. This could make it difficult for you to open future bank accounts, says Bruce McClary, senior vice president of communications for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

Here are some steps you can take to recover after an overdrawn account and tips to avoid overdrafts in the future.

Make a transfer to cover the charges

If you have cash in another account, transfer it to cover the deficit and avoid additional fees. That should be the first step you take, says Andrea Brashears-Lusk, a certified financial planner and president and founder of Wise Financial Counsel in Fort Washington, Maryland. For example, some banks charge a fee for having a negative balance for consecutive days, and that fee could be charged multiple times.

Ask your bank for a refund
Collectors of Waco artist Kermit Oliver recognize his artistic signature: Realistic studies of people and objects connected by an invisible geometry. An eye for almost lifelike detail. Strong, yet natural color. Subjects illuminated by gentle light. Silk scarves impossibly filled with color and detail. Canvases whose sometimes enigmatic meaning is never exhausted by repeated viewings.

Ask the soft-spoken, 78-year-old artist what he means in a particular painting, however, and he defers to the viewer. Everyone has a skill of art understanding and you want that understanding, he said, standing amid his works in the Art Center gallery. Art is a lie, but we want you to realize a truth in your life. ... When you revisit (an artwork), you bring something new to it. This is your painting. You take control of it. My art is a way to find some truth everyone is able to understand.

Its telling, and intentional, that the Art Center of Waco is mounting a remarkable career-spanning exhibit of his work to open its downtown location beginning Thursday. Kermit Oliver: New Narratives, New Beginnings presents more than 40 of Olivers paintings and drawings from 1970 to this year, including several of his famed scarves designed for the French fashion house Hermes.

The exhibit is the third Kermit Oliver show mounted by the Art Center of Waco and the largest, taking full advantage of the new centers galleries and a flexible multiuse space that dramatically enlarges the number of works that can be displayed.

Houston arts writer Susie Kalil curated the exhibit, working with Waco collector Thomas Leath, a friend of Oliver, to assemble the show from private and public collections. It draws pieces from private collections in Houston, Dallas and Waco, and public institutions such as the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Several of those paintings make their public debut, Kalil said, and the combination of familiar works with ones rarely seen creates some of the new stories suggested by the exhibits title, she noted.

Olivers work addresses universal issues of birth, death, life and regeneration, with symbolism that speaks beyond boundaries of gender, age, ethnicity or culture, she said. The stories he tells hang in private collections around the world and museums such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Dallas Museum of Art and Baylor Universitys Martin Museum of Art.

We need the kind of stories that Kermit is putting before us. The stories are personal to him, but up to the viewer to complete. Every person will see something different. The way the works are juxtaposed, each time you will see something new, she said.

Kalil first saw his works in Houston in the 1970s, but came into more direct contact with the artist when she was co-curator of the exhibit Fresh Paint: The Houston School for the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. That appreciation of his work only deepened over the years as she followed his career and she hopes her book on Oliver provides a definitive introduction to him and his art for a broader audience. His stories truly speak to everyone. In our divisive times, thats significant, she said.

Oliver grew up near Refugio, where his father worked as a ranch hand for the OConnor Ranch. After art studies at Texas Southern University in Houston, where he met his wife Katie, Oliver started as an artist based in Houston in the 1970s. He began working with the United States Postal Service in 1977 and in 1984, he and Katie moved their family to Waco. The decades that followed found Oliver working the night shift as a mail sorter and doing his art in the mornings and early afternoons.

The odd work schedule coupled with a personal desire to keep to himself formed the story to outsiders in the art world of an accomplished but reclusive artist in Waco, represented for more than three decades by Houstons Hooks-Epstein Galleries but personally not interested in giving interviews or making the social rounds of collectors.

Part of that was due to his desire to keep his work free of outside influence, he said, preferring to draw on his own inspiration and interpretation, informed by an extensive library and readings. Hes the Mississippi River of art history, noted Kalil.

The Art Center show reveals several recurrent motifs or images in Olivers work. Theres his wife Katie, sons Khristian and Khristopher, and daughter Kristy, the latter a model for Ceres in the limited edition lithograph commissioned for the exhibit, A Meadow Lark Carols Saint Ceres Before the Sacred Silos  and, yes, its those Magnolia silos. There are several self-portraits, which he found relatively easy to paint. Its the easiest subject I have: Im there, he quipped. And there are reoccuring objects such as a rooster, a calf, pomegranates and apples, blank pieces of cloth or paper, and a lute-playing angel descending from heaven, all placed on an invisible geometry of diagonals and intersections that Oliver places as a foundation to the drawing and painting he lays above.

Some of Olivers earlier works, inspired from his rural youth in Refugio, have a golden-brown sheen to them, which Oliver explains was a yellow ochre wash applied to obscure what he felt were his limitations as a artist.

That insecurity about his work would remain for most of his career, leading him to consider many of the paintings he sold to be incomplete or falling short of what he intended.

Seeing the complete range of his work in the Art Center of Waco exhibit, however, took his breath away. It grabbed me ... I thought, damn, Kermit, you did good, he recalled with a smile. This confirms that at last you are adequate.

Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
The COVID-19 pandemic put a bookmark in David Paynes plays about British scholar, writer and Christian apologist C.S. Lewis, but with audiences returning to theater, hes picking up where he left off.

That means his performance Friday night at the Waco Hippodrome, where the British-born actor was scheduled to perform his solo show An Evening With C.S. Lewis back in March 2020, before community COVID-19 protection measures shut down Waco venues.

More than a year later, hes back with his play, one of several hes produced on the British writer known for his defenses of Christianity as well as his Chronicles of Narnia childrens books that started with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

The silver lining to his COVID-19 pause came in the time he used to write a new play on English prime minister Winston Churchill, Churchill, and a rest from years of touring An Evening With C.S. Lewis.

There was almost a year I didnt do a show, he said in a recent phone interview from his Nashville home. Coming back to An Evening after that time off gave him a renewed energy for the piece. I found I was very fresh, he said.
McLennan County now has tax abatement agreements with entities that have launched four solar or wind farms in the county.

I was surprised. Id never heard that before, Scott said of the negative response. In some states that are not particularly friendly to business, particularly in the Northeast, Ive heard that reaction to wind farms, and it has a lot to do with their visibility. Ive never heard it relating to solar.

It also is a new response for McLennan County commissioners. In signing off on previous tax deals for solar farms, Felton and others have said they attract little if any opposition and, even with breaks, provide the county and other taxing entities significantly more revenue than the farmland they replace.

Felton said in an interview Tuesday the county should decide how it wants to address the boon in alternative energy projects.
An attempted vehicle break-in, gunfire and an assault Monday near University Parks Drive and Mary Avenue led to the arrests of four people, police said.

Waco Police responded to a shots fired call at 8:57 p.m. A group of three women set off a car alarm while trying to break into a parked vehicle, and the owner of the vehicle, Austin Emmanuel Cervantez, 24, saw them, fired a handgun into the air and told them to leave, Waco Police spokesperson Cierra Shipley said.

The women, Ronniqua Lekeysha Sims, 42; Ashanti Franklin, 18; and Shynise Franklin, 20, then assaulted Cervantez and took his cellphone, Shipley said. During the assault, Cervantez fired multiple rounds into the sidewalk, and one of the women was hit with shrapnel caused by a bullet hitting the sidewalk, she said.

Shipley said everyone involved knew each other before the incident.

Police found a stolen firearm under the drivers seat of the car Ashanti Franklin drove to the area with the other women, she said.

Cervantez and the woman who was hit by shrapnel received medical clearance at a local hospital before being taken to McLennan County Jail.
The most glaring flaw in media coverage of Washington is that it focuses heavily on process and seldom on substance. Thats certainly been the case with coverage of the Build Back Better Act, the comprehensive reform package now being dickered over on Capitol Hill.

If youre following the debate via the news, you probably have heard about the measures overall price tag, most often placed at $3.5 trillion; the media arent always careful to specify that thats the estimate of spending over 10 years.

You may also have read, in eye-glazing detail, about the negotiations taking place to reduce the costs, mostly among Democrats, and the numbingly technical debate over whether it can be passed by reconciliation or will be vulnerable to a GOP filibuster, etc.

What you may not know as much about is whats actually in the act  in other words, what all that spending will pay for. Thats important because thanks to the way Washington is covered, Americans tend to turn negative about big legislative measures, even though theyre in favor of the individual provisions.

A CBS News/YouGov poll taken this month found that 57% of respondents either didnt know whats in the spending plan or have only a general, nonspecific impression; only 10% knew a lot of the specifics.
WAHOO  A two-day celebration will mark the 125th birthday of one of Wahoos Five Famous Sons.

On Oct. 28 and 29, the Saunders County Historical Society will host multiple events to honor Howard Hanson.

Hanson was born Oct. 28, 1896 in Wahoo. His illustrious career as a music educator, composer and Pulitzer-prize winner spanned several decades.

I think its important for this community to recognize one of its Five Famous Sons, said Lisa Brichacek, vice president of the Saunders County Historical Society and one of the members of the committee that organized the 125th birthday events.

Hanson was introduced to the piano at the age of 7. He also learned to play cello by the time he graduated from Wahoo High School. He studied music at Northwestern University, where he also served as an instructor in 1915-16. After graduation he taught at College of the Pacific in San Jose, Calif. He became dean of the Conservatory of Fine Arts there in 1919. In 1921 he was awarded the American Prix de Rome in Music in 1920.

He was selected to lead the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. in 1924. He was director for the school for 40 years and helped make the music conservatory one of the most influential in the world.
by Bryan R. Swopes of This Day in Aviation

On October 20, 1956, Bell Aircraft Corporation Chief Pilot Floyd W. Carlson and Chief Experimental Test Pilot Elton J. Smith made the first flight of the Bell Model 204 (designated XH-40-BF serial number 55-4459 by the United States Army) at Bells helicopter factory in Hurst, Texas.

The XH-40 is a six-place, turboshaft-powered light helicopter, designed with a primary mission of battlefield medical evacuation. Operated by one or two pilots, it could carry four passengers or two litter patients with an attendant. The prototypes fuselage was 39 feet, 3.85 inches (12.294 meters) long. The overall length of the helicopter with rotors turning was 53 feet, 4.00 inches (16.256 meters). The height (to the top of the tail rotor arc) is 14 feet, 7.00 inches (4.445 meters). The empty weight of the XH-40 was 3,693 pounds (1,675 kilograms), with a maximum gross weight of 5,650 pounds (2,563 kilograms).

The two-blade semi-rigid, under-slung main rotor had a diameter of 44 feet, 0.00 inches (12.294 meters), and turned counterclockwise when viewed from above. (The advancing blade is on the helicopters right.) The blades used a symmetrical airfoil. They had a chord of 1 foot, 3.00 inches (0.381 meters), and 10 negative twist. The main rotor hub incorporated pre-coning. At 100% NR, the main rotor turned 324 r.p.m. The two-blade tail rotor assembly had a diameter of 8 feet, 6.00 inches (2.591 meters). It was mounted on the left side of the pylon in a pusher configuration and turned counter-clockwise as seen from the helicopters left. (The advancing blade is above the axis of rotation.)

The prototype XH-40 was powered by a Lycoming LTC1B-1 (XT53-L-1) free-turbine (turboshaft). The engine uses a 5-stage axial-flow, 1-stage centrifugal-flow compressor with a single-stage gas producer turbine and single-stage power turbine. A reverse-flow combustion section with 12 burners allows a significant reduction in the engines total length. The XT53L-1 had a Maximum Continuous Power rating of 770 shaft horsepower and a Military Power rating of 825 shaft horsepower. It could produce 860 shaft horsepower at 21,510 r.p.m. At Military Power, the XT53-L-1 produced 102 pounds of jet thrust (0.454 kilonewtons). The power turbine drives the output shaft through a 3.22:1 gear reduction. The T53-L-1 is 3 feet, 11.8 inches (1.214 meters) long and 1 foot, 11.25 inches (0.591 meters) in diameter, and weighs 460 pounds (209 kilograms).

The XH-40 had a maximum speed of 133 knots (153 miles per hour/246 kilometers per hour) at 2,400 feet (732 meters), and 125 knots (144 miles per hour/232 kilometers per hour) at 5,000 feet (1,524 meters). The in-ground-effect hover ceiling (HIGE) was 17,300 feet (5,273 meters) and the service ceiling was 21,600 feet (6,584 meters). The helicopters fuel capacity was 165 gallons (625 liters), giving it a maximum range of 212 miles (341 kilometers).

Three XH-40 prototypes were built, followed by six YH-40 service test aircraft. The designation of the XH-40 was soon changed to XHU-1.

This helicopter was the prototype of what would be known worldwide as the Huey. The helicopter was designated by the U.S. Army as HU-1, but a service-wide reorganization of aircraft designations resulted in that being changed to UH-1. Produced for both civil and military customers, it evolved to the Model 205 (UH-1DUH-1H), the twin-engine Model 212 (UH-1N), the heavy-lift Model 214, and is still in production 62 years later as the twin-engine, four-bladed, glass-cockpit Model 412EPI and the UH-1Y.

Sources differ as to the date of the first flight, with some saying 20 October, and at least one saying 26 October, but most cite 22 October 1956. This individual aircraft is at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum, Fort Rucker, Alabama. The museums director, Robert S. Maxham, informed TDiA that, The earliest and only historical record cards that we have on 4459 are dated 2 MAY 1958, and at that time the aircraft had 225.8 hours on it. The Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum, a generally reliable source, states the first flight was on October 22, 1956. Many sources also state the XH-40 first flew on the same day on which Lawrence D. Bell died, which was October 20th.

The earliest contemporary news report yet discovered by TDiA, states: On October 20, after several hours of ground running, the new Bell XH-40 helicopter was flown for the first time. FLIGHT and AIRCRAFT ENGINEER, No. 2506, Vol. 71, Friday, 1 February 1957, Page 136, at Column 1

Beginning in 2015, XH-40 55-4459 was restored by Blast Off, Inc., at Atmore, Alabama. It was then returned to the Army Aviation Museum.

For more aviation anniversaries please visit www.thisdayinaviation.com
ATTU WARRIOR

Text by Stephen Chapis

Images by Luigino Caliaro

The Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon was probably one of the least known bombers to have participated in the Second World War, and with just three examples flying in the U.S., it is among the rarest types as well. The example here pays homage to a little-known squadron that participated in the most overlooked campaign of the war-the Aleutians.

Prior to launching on the photo flight where these accompanying photos were taken, Warbird Digest, Dave Hansen provided a brief explanation of how this aircraft was returned to its rightful place in the sky, It was a chance encounter when I spotted this aircraft on the apron at Buffalo Airport (Johnson County Airport- KBYG) in Wyoming. I managed to come to an agreement with the owner in July 2006 and decided to move it by air to my facility at Utah for restoration, we had to work for more than a year to get it into condition to perform the ferry flight safely. Despite having not flown in two decades, we moved the PV-2 to Heber City (Heber Valley Airport, Utah, KHCR) on October 7, 2007.

Once at KHCR, it took Hansen and a team of friends and volunteers, two years to return the former sprayer to how it would have appeared during the Aleutian campaign. Its first post-restoration flight took place on May 23, 2009. Hansen said of the paint scheme, The decision to paint it in the classic tricolor scheme and markings of Patrol Bombing Squadron One Thirty-Nine (VPB-139) as a flying tribute to those men who flew this twin in a particularly difficult and hostile environment, where their contribution has never been fully appreciated. Credit for the ATTU WARRIOR nose art goes to local artist Dave Mueller.

Like any warbird, this PV-2 has two stories to tell. The aircraft rolled off Lockheeds Burbank facility production line on April 4, 1945, and was assigned BuNo 37472 and was never assigned to an operational unit before the war ended and thus placed in storage at NAS Litchfield, Arizona. Over the next decade, it spent a majority of its service in storage at Litchfield Park, Arizona with brief assignments at Alameda, Willow Grove, and Anacostia. When it returned to Litchfield again in August 1956, it would remain there until it was stricken on December 17, 1956. It may have been ten years old, but it was still a brand new aircraft as it had logged just 387 flight hours.

After initially being placed on the U.S. Register as N5223V, it became N7670C when it was acquired by George Stell in 1963. Stell converted the aircraft into a crop sprayer, a role it fulfilled with numerous owners until its retirement in 1987. Its final owner, Hirth Air Tankers of Buffalo, Wyoming, intended to convert the aircraft into an air tanker, but when the owner of the company passed away, the conversion never took place and Seven Zero Charlie sat on the ramp until it was saved by Hansen two decades later.

Between the seventh and tenth of October 1943, 15 PV-1 Venturas of VB-139, which had been established seven months prior, departed NAS Whidbey Island, Washington for NAF Amchitka in Alaskas Aleutian chain. Their first combat patrols began on October 8, as soon as the first aircraft arrived. Three weeks later, a detachment was established at NAS Attu on 1 November and became the squadrons principal operating location the following month. From Attu, the squadron flew patrols out to 350 to 550 miles because it was assumed that only B-24s and PBYs could reach Japans northern Kurile Islands. On May 19, 1944, Lieutenants R.A. MacGregor, D.M. Birdsall, and T.H. McKelvey performed a night reconnaissance mission over the distant island chain, and for the next four months, 139s Venturas flew hundreds of reconnaissance and bombing missions over the Kuriles. On their first tour, the squadron suffered one KIA, co-pilot Lt(jg) Clifford Thomas, and five MIA when Lt W.S. Whitmans PV-2 failed to return from a patrol.

The squadron returned to Whidbey Island in May 1944 and became a training squadron. In early February 1945, the squadron began receiving the first of fifteen PV-2 Harpoons, and after a brief period of training and familiarization flights the re-designated VBP-139 again deployed to the Aleutians on March 1 with combat patrols commencing on March 12. On that second deployment, VBP-139 Harpoons were armed with rockets, and flight crews began flying attack missions. But by the end of April 1945, the PV-2s began showing signs of fatigue due to aggressive maneuvering, including high-G pull-outs after rocket passes, thus they returned to the more benign patrol and reconnaissance missions, which continued until the end of the war. As it did on its first tour, the squadron listed one crew as MIA after they failed to return from a patrol. The last Harpoon landed at Whidbey Island on August 23 and the squadron was decommissioned on September 13, 1945.

Today ATTU WARRIOR remains at Heber City, Utah, which is also home to Hansens Warbird Warriors Foundation. Warbird Digest also spoke with one of the six pilots that are checked out in the PV-2. Steve Guenards father was a Naval Aviator that instructed in SB2C Helldivers, while he is a former Air Force pilot, with thousands of hours in F-106s and F-4s and went on to fly with Delta Airlines. Guenard said, Thanks to Dave, I realized my dream of flying a warbird. This aircraft is a real pleasure to fly and is always popular at airshows. It is an honest aircraft and even though the controls are very heavy and require some muscle, it has excellent handling and incredible power and almost flies like a fighter, but we are very gentle with it in flight.

Though the Japanese simultaneously attacked Dutch Harbor and invaded the islands of Attu and Kiska on June 6-7, 1942, the Aleutian Islands campaign was overshadowed by larger developments in the Pacific War. Thus, the contributions of the men, aircraft, and squadrons that participated in The Forgotten Battle have been largely forgotten, but thankfully Dave Hansen, Warbird Warriors Foundation, and ATTU WARRIOR are doing their part to honor the service and sacrifice of Americas Aleutian veterans.

Sadly, since this article appeared in print, Dave Hansen passed away following a battle with cancer in January 2018, and the Attu Warrior has not flown since. Hopefully, a new owner will be found to carry on the legacy of this truly unsung hero of the Pacific Campaign during World war Two.

Special thanks go to Luigino Caliaro for helping draft this article and the photos. F0r more information about Luiginos work please visit www.aerophoto.it


DUNKERTON  Charles City authorities are investigating a missing persons case that began in Dunkerton, although details about what happened are sparse.

Charles City police havent returned calls seeking comment, but Floyd County Attorney Rachel Ginbey on Tuesday confirmed the police department is involved in the Dunkerton case.

She said one body has been located and a second person died while en route to a hospital.

When and where the body was discovered hasnt been released, nor has identification.

Ginbey said further details arent available because the matter is under investigation.

According to the Iowa Missing Persons Clearinghouse, 44-year-old Jennifer Jo Swingen, also known as Jennifer Smith, was reported missing to Dunkerton Police.

Dunkerton Police Chief Joe Stafford said Swingens father reported her missing earlier this month, saying he hadnt heard from her. Neighbors at the Dunkerton apartment building where she lives said she hasnt been seen in a while.

According to police logs, officers attempted to speak with someone in the area of Swingens ex-husbands home in Charles City around noon on Oct. 10. No one was home at the time. Police returned around 3:30 p.m. Oct. 12 for a welfare check, according to police logs.

Charles City police obtained a search warrant for the ex-husbands home.

It wasnt clear if these calls were related to the disappearance.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 4 Sad 2 Angry 0

Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Davenport-based Lee Enterprises Inc., owner of The Courier and a leading provider of local news and a major subscription and advertising platform in 77 markets, has announced a strategic partnership with Mudd Advertising, a leading full-service automotive advertising agency headquartered in Cedar Falls.

The partnership leverages a customized version of Lees innovative Vision platform enabling Mudd to fully support the cross-channel marketing efforts of retail automotive dealers and manufacturers across the United States.

Vision is a proprietary sales enablement and execution software, powered by Lees full-service national agency, Amplified Digital.

Over the 40 years weve been in the automotive space we have experienced seismic changes to our industry and the tools needed to get the job done, said Rob Mudd, Mudds chief futurist. When first introduced to the Lee Vision software, I knew instantly we had found our technology partner for the future. We were proud to unveil the technology last week in Las Vegas at the Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition.

MuddVision aims to make the complicated simple and help automotive advertisers achieve stronger results by combining cutting-edge technology, strategy and experience to make an intuitive platform that complements traditional marketing channels.

This partnership demonstrates the commitment to digital solutions for both organizations, said Kevin Mowbray, Lee president and chief executive officer. The Vision platform has transformed local advertising for Lee Enterprises as part of our digital transformation strategy, and it aligns perfectly with the direction of Mudd Advertising.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
SIOUX CITY (AP)  Dozens of Iowa National Guard members are being deployed to help resettle Afghan refugees.

The Sioux City Journal reported Tuesday that about 30 members of the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City are being deployed. About 35 others are from the 132nd Wing in Des Moines.

The Iowa members will be assigned to an undisclosed location in the U.S. to assist with Operation Allies Welcome, an effort to bring U.S. citizens home from Afghanistan and to resettle vulnerable Afghan refugees.

The Iowa National Guard said guard members will deploy for roughly 60 to 90 days starting next month. A spokesman for the Iowa National Guard said he couldnt provide specific details about where the members will go.

At least 50,000 Afghans are expected to be admitted into the United States following the fall of Kabul as part of an enduring commitment to help people who aided the American war effort and others who are particularly vulnerable under Taliban rule, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has said.

Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0
Q: Why arent bell ringers for Salvation Army allowed to ring in the lobby area of a store where it is warmer?

A: Katie Zimmerly, volunteer and community relations coordinator for the Waterloo Salvation Army, said its up to the individual store management. That is not something we decide. We are guests at the store, so its whatever the manager of that store decides, and we abide by that.

Q: What is Cedar Falls Forward?

A: Cedar Falls Forward is a political action committee (PAC) made up of stakeholders who have served on numerous boards, commissions, initiatives, or as investors in the community. Mark Kittrell, a prominent developer, serves as its president. The community advocacy group recently sent out questionnaires to all city office candidates to learn about their reasons for running for office, and their positions on key city topics, and hopes to publish those responses on the CedarFallsFORWARD.org website later this month. On Sept. 29, residents received the PACs second series of postcards, with what the group has learned about the status of public safety. No candidate endorsements have been made to date. Rather, the PAC anticipates the candidates responses, literature, debate comments, etc., will be compared with what the organization views as its values.

Q: What days is The Courier published?

A: The Courier is published Sunday through Friday.

Q: Is your paper still being printed in Cedar Rapids?

A: The Courier is now printed in Davenport after Color Web Printers in Cedar Rapids ended newspaper printing operations in August.

Q: Who paid for Gov. Reynolds trip to Texas on Oct. 6?

A: The cost of the trip will be shared between Iowa taxpayers and a nonprofit Republican governors group. Reynolds spokesman Alex Murphy said the trip was an official visit and taxpayers will pay about $500 in lodging for Reynolds and staff accompanying her. The Republican Governors Public Policy Committee will pay for the transportation to Texas. Murphy didnt respond to questions about whether Reynolds was flying on a private airplane and who owns the aircraft.

Q: How many people are on unemployment in Iowa?

A: About 68,000 Iowans were classified as unemployed by Iowa Workforce Development in August.

Q: When will construction begin on Ridgeway Avenue?

A: The section of Ridgeway Avenue between Kimball Avenue and Ansborough Avenue will be completed during the summer of 2022.

Q: Are there any Country Kitchens still open in the United States?

A: According to the companys website there are still 20 Country Kitchen restaurants operating in the Midwest. The only franchise left in Iowa is in Stuart, a town in Guthrie County.

Q: I see you did not print a paper on Monday, Oct. 11, due to Indigenous Peoples Day. Who are indigenous people?

A: Indigenous people are the original inhabitants of a particular region, culturally distinct ethnic groups who are native to a place which has been colonized by another ethnic group.

Q: Where can I find a VTech landline?

A: They are available at major retailers such as Walmart or Target and from many online retailers such as Amazon.

Calls are taken on a special Courier phone line at 234-3566. Questions are answered by Courier staff.

Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Plus, it's time to jeuje your home workspace with an ergo chair from one of Herman Miller's two new Bay Area stores, and shop to support the fight against breast cancer with Forever 21 x Stand Up To Cancer.

What a surprise, SF designer extraordinaire Ken Fulk's latest wallpaper, fabrics, and rugs pull no punches. Working in partnership with the storied French textile house Pierre Frey, the Surreal World Collection is, you guessed it, the best of both worlds. Fulk's eye for whimsy and flair for the dramatic comes together with the Parisian company's historical archives in a dozen-ish wondrous designsadding instant wow to any room. Think, collage-style "stoned Romans" and regal dog faces, hand-drawn redwoods and neoclassical architecture . Fulk told Architectural Digest that he took his "weird little brain" and created a collection "almost more like fashion." His muses included the likes of Tony Duquette, Salvador Dali, and other imagined guests at a "fantastical dinner party."

Take a seat: Herman Miller opens two new Bay Area stores.

(Courtesy of Herman Miller)

Let's be real: Some people may be tiptoeing back to actual office buildings, but giving up the home office (nook, closet, or couch) is a "hella no" for most folks we know. To that end, you may be in need of a really good chair from which to conduct your bizGoogle Meet-ing to Netflix-ing to, umm, online shopping. With two new stores in SF and San Jose, Herman Miller comes to the rescue. Both experiential spots are designed to help customers find ergonomically sound chairs that fit them. You know, by comparing features (like backrest adjustments), customizable finishes and stylish details.

"We understand shopping for your home office can be overwhelming, which is why we're continuing to expand our Herman Miller seating store experience," says Debbie Propst, president of global retail for MillerKnoll. "Our new locations offer the opportunity to work with one of our experts to discover the right solutions based on individual needs before making an important investment in not only one's space, but also their health."

// SF: 2108 Chestnut St. (Marina); San Jose: 356 Santana Row, Suite #1007, hermanmiller.com
If you have enough money, you can always hire someone, Goyer says. Everything from gourmet meals to freshly ironed laundry can be delivered to your loved ones door  for a price. Families that have never hired a mowing or snow removal service may splurge to keep a loved one at home. But caregivers with more limited budgets have more options than they might suspect, Goyer and other experts say.

Coordinating services

The first stop for finding help for an older family member is the closest Area Agency on Aging (AAA). These federally funded agencies, which can be public or private, coordinate and offer services that help older adults stay in their homes. These can include homemaking and companion services, meals at home and in the community, and home safety checks and modifications. You can find your nearest agency at the U.S. Administration On Agings Eldercare Locator or by calling 1-800-677-1116. (Note: many agencies double as Aging and Disability Resource Centers, which broaden services to younger people with disabilities).

These agencies will know about other resources in your community, Goyer says, whether its a faith group that will send a crew to clean up an overgrown lawn, a volunteer taxi brigade that will drive your loved one to appointments, or a service that will deliver groceries for free.

Veterans and their spouses also can find help through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. And AARPs Community Connections can help people find help nearby, Goyer notes.

Many services supported with public funds are available at reduced rates, based on a recipients income. In some cases, Medicaid or other insurers cover costs.

But the availability, affordability and usability of services vary greatly by community, cautions Christina Irving, client services director for the Family Caregiver Alliance. For example, a transportation agency that offers low-cost rides to seniors in a rural community may be unable to take people across county lines  a problem for people with far-flung medical providers.

Enlist the help of friends, community volunteers

One solution can be setting up your own team, with an app or website that lets you invite volunteers to sign up for chores, meals, rides or other tasks. Those can be a great way to keep family and friends engaged, Irving says, but they may not be sustainable over a long time. Another option is to start or join a community, such as those in the Village to Village Network, in which members coordinate free or reduced-price services among one another, she says.

Caregivers who dont think they need help yet would be wise to think about future options and discuss them with the person needing care, advocates say. It is a conversation that is difficult to have but really important, Irving says. The sooner people can begin that conversation, the better.


Demerger Complete - EU/UK/US Subsidiaries

Melbourne, Oct 19, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - iSignthis Ltd ( ASX:ISX ) ( FRA:TA8 ) is pleased to announce that the demerger of ISX Financial EU Plc ("ISXFEU") is complete.The demerger follows the 98.13% shareholder vote in favour, which excluded major shareholders Select All Enterprise Ltd and Red 5 Solutions Ltd.Shareholders of the Company as at 5pm AEST 18th October 2021 are now shareholders in ISXFEU, based upon 1 share in ISXFEU for every 10 shares held in the Company.ISXFEU has engaged Automic Group to manage registry services in Australia, noting that circa 10,000 of the Company and ISXFEU's 10,800 joint shareholders are based in Australia.Holding statements are in the process of being despatched, and will reach ISXFEU shareholders over the next few days or so. Once statements have been received, shareholders are encouraged to ensure that their electronic details are up to date with Automic by accessing https://investor.automic.com.au/#/home Chairman of iSignthis Ltd, Mr Tim Hart said "I am delighted to see the demerger of ISX Financial EU Plc now complete. ISXFEU is now a legally separate entity, owned by a common set of predominantly Australian shareholders. The demerger will allow ISXFEU to focus on Europe and North America.""The iSignthis board has responded to calls from shareholders to position the European business for a listing on a Northern hemisphere securities exchange as soon as possible. This follows the July 2020 shareholder meeting where 96% of holders voted to list the Company or its subsidiaries elsewhere, and the meeting last week with 98% of shareholders in favour. A new era of business growth now lies ahead."Shareholders are encouraged to access the www.isx.financial website for ongoing updates.About iSignthis Ltd

iSignthis Ltd (ASX:ISX) (FRA:TA8) is a hybrid monetary financial institution and also a RegTech leader in remote identity verification, payment authentication with deposit taking, transactional banking and payment processing capability. iSignthis provides an end-to-end on-boarding service for merchants, with a unified payment, electronic money and identity service via our Paydentity(TM) and ISXPay(R) solutions.

By converging payments and identity, iSignthis delivers regulatory compliance to an enhanced customer due diligence standard, offering global reach to any of the world's 4.2Bn 'bank verified' card or account holders, that can be remotely on-boarded to meet the Customer Due Diligence requirements of AML regulated merchants in as little as 3 to 5 minutes. Paydentity(TM) has now onboarded and verified more than 1.5m persons to an AML KYC standard.

iSignthis Paydentity(TM) service is the trusted back office solution for regulated entities, allowing merchants to stay ahead of the regulatory curve, and focus on growing their core business. iSignthis' subsidiary, iSignthis eMoney Ltd, trades as ISXPay(R), and is an EEA authorised eMoney Monetary Financial Institution, offering card acquiring in the EEA, and Australia.

ISXPay(R) is a principal member of Mastercard Inc, Diners, Discover, (China) Union Pay International and JCB International, an American Express aggregator, and provides merchants with access to payments via alternative methods including SEPA, Poli Payments, Sofort, PRZ24 and others.

Probanx Solutions Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of iSignthis Ltd, provides API based access to CORE Banking solutions, SEPA Core, SEPA Instant and SEPA business scheme, for neobanks, banks, credit unions and emoney institutions, and provides a bridge to the Eurosystem's Central Bank of Lithuania's CENTROLink service.


2021 Annual Report

Perth, Oct 19, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The 2021 Financial Year saw Wiluna Mining Corporation Ltd ( ASX:WMC ) ( FRA:NZ3 ) ( OTCMKTS:WMXCF ) continue developing its Staged Development Program which is aimed at developing the Wiluna Mining Operation to become a Tier 1 gold asset located in a Tier 1 jurisdiction.During the year the Company continued to operate its 2.1Mtpa CIP plant, processing freemilling ore producing 51,552oz @AISC of $1,794/oz. Most of the ore processed was from the Williamson open pit with smaller amounts of ore coming from our underground operation Golden Age. Mining at Williamson finished in Q3 FY 2021 and for the rest of the year we processed the stockpiles from Williamson along with some ore from Golden Age.At the beginning of December 2021, the treatment of ore will primarily be processed through the new concentrator.The commissioning will take place in December 2021 and the ramp up process to full production will take approximately 5-6 months.Growth to be delivered in two stages:- Stage 1 - Gold dore, gold in concentrate production and tailings retreatment of 120kozpa - Commissioned in December 2021 (tailings retreatment February 2022). Ramp up to full production 5-6 months- Stage 2 - Gold dore, gold in concentrate and tailings retreatment production of +250kozpa - Subject to conclusion of Feasibility Study expected to be completed in March 2022 and Board approval; expected date of commissioning CY 2024To view the Annual Report, please visit:About Wiluna Mining Corporation Ltd

Wiluna Mining Corporation (ASX:WMC) (OTCMKTS:WMXCF) is a Perth based, ASX listed gold mining company that controls over 1,600 square kilometres of the Yilgarn Craton in the Northern Goldfields of WA. The Yilgarn Craton has a historic and current gold endowment of over 380 million ounces, making it one of most prolific gold regions in the world. The Company owns 100% of the Wiluna Gold Operation which has a defined resource of 8.04M oz at 1.67 g/t au. In May 2019, a new highly skilled management team took control of the Company with a clear plan to leverage the Wiluna Gold Operation's multi-million-ounce potential.


Quarterly Activities Report

Sydney, Oct 20, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Genex Power Limited ( ASX:GNX ) is pleased to provide the following update on the Company's activities and performance for the quarter ending 30 September 2021 (Q1 FY22 or the Period). During the Period, the Company made significant progress on its first large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with the signing of a Supply Agreement with Tesla Motors Australia Pty Ltd (Tesla) for the 50MW/100MWh Bouldercombe Battery Project (BBP).HIGHLIGHTS- Supply Agreement with Tesla signed for the BBP, a key milestone towards achieving Final Investment Decision in Q2 FY22;- Construction activities at the Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project (K2-Hydro) continued to ramp up with the project remaining on budget and schedule to be operational in late CY24;- During the Period, the 50MW Kidston Solar Project (KS1) generated 26,038MWh of renewable energy with the 50MW Jemalong Solar Project (JSP) generating 22,195MWh of renewable energy, delivering a combined revenue for the Period of $5.1M;- The Company continues to make significant advancements on both the BBP and Kidston Wind Project (K3-Wind);- Genex finished the Period in a strong cash position, with cash at bank of $41.8M as of 30 September 2021; and- Mr Craig Francis was appointed as Chief Financial Officer effective 1 October 2021, while Ben Guo transitioned to a Non-Executive Director from the role of Finance Director.Commenting on the Company's Q1 FY22 performance, Genex CEO, James Harding said: "During the Period, Genex achieved a significant milestone with the signing of a Supply Agreement with Tesla for the Bouldercombe Battery Project in Queensland that will help support a Final Investment Decision in the coming months. The project is Genex's first large-scale Battery Energy Storage System and is part of our Como Storage Strategy to broaden our footprint in energy storage.Works continued at the Kidston Pumped Hydro project, with a number of initial site preparation activities including the airstrip, site office and workshops now complete. We will continue to work closely with our team of project delivery partners, notably John Holland, McConnell Dowell and Andritz to ensure successful delivery of an outstanding large-scale storage project for the National Electricity Market.I would also like to congratulate Craig Francis on his promotion to the position of Chief Financial Officer. Craig has been with Genex since 2017 in the role of General Manager of Commercial Finance.I would also like to thank Ben Guo for his contribution as Finance Director, and I am pleased that he will remain on the Board as a Non-Executive Director.Our 2 solar farms at Kidston in Queensland and Jemalong in New South Wales, are performing well while we continue to progress our growing portfolio of renewable energy and storage projects. I look forward to updating the market in the coming period on the progress of our Bouldercombe Battery Project and Kidston Wind project.Genex remains focussed on delivering a diverse portfolio of renewable energy and storage projects in the Australian market, positioning ourselves as Australia's leading listed renewable energy company."To view the full quarterly report, please visit:About Genex Power Ltd

Genex Power Limited (ASX:GNX) is focused on developing a portfolio of renewable energy generation and storage projects across Australia. The Company's flagship Kidston Clean Energy Hub, located in north Queensland, will integrate large-scale solar generation with pumped storage hydro. The Kidston Clean Energy Hub is comprised of the operating 50MW stage 1 Solar Project (KS1) and the 250MW Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project (K2-Hydro) with potential for further multi-stage wind and solar projects. The 50MW Jemalong Solar Project (JSP) is located in NSW and provides geographical diversification to the Genex Power Limited portfolio. JSP was energised in early December 2020 and commissioning is now underway. Genex is further developing its energy storage portfolio via the early stage development of a 50MW/75MWh standalone battery energy storage system at Bouldercombe in Queensland. With over 400MW of renewable energy and storage projects in development, Genex is well placed as Australia's leading renewable energy and storage company.


Regional Exploration Update

Perth, Oct 20, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Horizon Minerals Limited ( ASX:HRZ ) is pleased to announce a regional drilling update for the Honeyeater, Golden Ridge, Black Flag, Lakewood, Boorara and Yarmany prospects all located in the Kalgoorlie - Coolgardie region (Figure 1*).The drilling forms part of the 50,000m CY21 program testing high priority project generation and new discovery targets across the 1,100km2 portfolio. The aim of the program is to organically grow the project pipeline within a 75km radius of the proposed Boorara mill adding to the six core development projects under evaluation as part of the consolidated Feasibility Study.Summary of Results - HoneyeaterThe local geology at Honeyeater is dominated by the Black Flag Group - a NNW trending sequence of intermediate and felsic volcanics, sedimentary rocks and porphyry intrusives. The regional Janet Ivy Shear Zone meanders across the stratigraphy to the NNW. Late-stage NE trending faults have created significant offsets.The gold mineralisation is typically found in a shear zone with quartz veins, minor pyrite, and various amounts of silica-carbonate-sericite-chlorite alteration. The saline environment and strong weathering profile at Honeyeater have resulted in a 30m depletion zone from surface. This was also observed at the Jacques Find and Teal deposits 4km to the east. Consequently, many of the historic holes are now regarded as being too shallow and ineffective.RC drilling focussed on outlying anomalous historical drill holes proximal to the Janet Ivy shear zone (Figure 2*). Better results included:o 5m @ 1.22g/t Au from 52m (HRC21003) and 5m @ 1.14g/t Au from 59m (HRC21013)o 1m @ 1.73g/t Au from 51m, 2m @ 4.34g/t Au from 57m and 1m @ 1.53g/t Au from 62m (HRC21004)o 1m @ 1.08g/t Au from 50m and 2m @ 4.08g/t Au from 57m (HRC21010)Infill drill testing to better assess the size and grade of the oxide mineralisation around Honeyeater is planned. RC drilling will also test the grade continuity at depth.Boorara - Golden RidgeThe Boorara gold project is hosted in a typical quartz dolerite sheeted veinlet system controlled by bounding shear zones or late-stage cross faults. Mineralisation occurs as:1. Sub horizontal, northwest dipping sheeted and stockwork quartz-carbonate veins within the quartz dolerite host rocks2. Steeply dipping zones along sheared geological contacts trending to the north-northwestGold mineralisation is associated with pyrite and arsenopyrite with alteration halos of iron carbonate, sericite and bleaching. The depth of weathering can vary from less than 10m in the northern area to over 60m in the southern area.The Nimbus stratigraphy comprises a NW-trending and steeply dipping bimodal-felsic package of volcanic rocks (i.e., quartz-feldspar porphyritic dacite and lesser basalt, plus their autoclastic equivalents) with subordinate carbonaceous mudstone, tuff, polymictic conglomerates and volcanic breccias. Komatiite flows, volcanic sandstones/siltstones, carbonaceous mudstone, basalt and dolerite were intersected in a distal drillhole at Nimbus.South of Boorara, gold mining at Golden Ridge was largely confined to a north-south trending, sub vertical quartz-feldspar porphyry located between shales and cherts to the west and ultramafic sequences to the east. Several new targets have been identified to the west and along strike south of Golden Ridge where 43 air core holes were drilled.Two new areas of interest have been detected south of Golden Ridge (Figure 3) with preliminary 4m composite results that include:o 4m @ 0.49g/t Au from 16m and 4m @ 3.24g/t Au from 52m (GRAC21007)o 4m @ 1.86g/t Au from 40m (GRAC21021)The mineralisation occurs with minor quartz veining and clays. Follow up drilling with the air core rig to test the extent of the oxide gold is planned. The area remains highly prospective for new Boorara-style mineralisation.At the Kanowna South prospect (Figure 3*), five RC drill holes tested potential mineralisation 150m west of an historic hole KARC001 (4m @ 2.35g/t Au from 70m). The most significant result was 1m @ 0.51g/t Au from 75m deep in KSRC21001. This prospect is being reviewed.Closer to Nimbus, Horizon undertook a review of the historic prospects at Gretel (Zn-Ag), Condor (Zn-Ag), Tramways (Zn-Ag) and Brindabella (Zn-Ag-Ni). These prospects are all located in volcano-sedimentary units, similar to the Nimbus Zn-Ag deposit and all have recorded anomalous levels of Au-Ag and base metals (Zn-Ni).To gain extra information on the flanking ultramafics and Ni potential at Gretel, and ultimately Boorara, two of the three drillholes were targeted across a postulated komatiite contact so that new information could be obtained to improve the understanding of the anomalous base metal mineralisation around Nimbus-Gretel-Brindabella. The drilling confirmed that elevated levels of Zn are located in the black shales but are also found associated with elevated Cr and Ni levels in the komatiite. Anomalous levels of Ni-Pt-Pd-Cu were found in GTRC21002 and 21005:o 9m @ 0.35 Ni%, 0.18% Zn from 85m and 1m @ 82ppb Pt-Pd, 5.63g/t Ag & 665ppm Cu from 109m (GTRC21005m)o 1m @ 102 ppb Pt-Pd, 3.71 g/t Ag and 456 ppm Cu from 89m (GTRC21002)The results are highly encouraging with further work on assessing the Ni-PGE-Cu potential at Gretel and the greater Boorara - Nimbus area now progressing.Black FlagAt the Black Flag Prospect (Figures 1 and 4*) RC drilling comprising 16 holes for 1,356m was completed. Encouraging new mineralisation related to discrete gravity anomalies were discovered. Significant results include:o 4m @ 0.62g/t Au from 42m (BFRC21012)o 1m @ 1.19g/t Au from 56m (BFRC21011)Follow up air core work around these holes is planned in this area that has had very limited modern exploration.Next StepsUp to four drill rigs (AC, RC and diamond) will continue the 50,000m regional exploration program through the December Quarter 2021 with the majority of drilling to focus on project generation and new discovery drilling at Lakewood, Yarmany, Binduli and the greater Boorara area.Pending further assays from the recent programs, the rigs will cycle through the projects from testing new targets to follow up extension, infill and structural drilling as required.The aim of the program is to organically grow the project pipeline within a 75km radius of the proposed Boorara Mill site to add to the six core development assets being evaluated as part of the consolidated Feasibility Study.In addition, results received to date have highlighted the prospectivity of the area for both gold and other precious and base metals including nickel, copper, silver, zinc and platinum group elements.During reconnaissance and field mapping work at Yarmany, significant widths (up to 50m) of unexplored pegmatite scatterings and outcrops were also recently noted.Drill samples from all programs will be assayed for multi-elements dependent on the host geology.*To view tables and figures, please visit:About Horizon Minerals Limited

Horizon Minerals Limited (ASX:HRZ) is a gold exploration and mining company focussed on the Kalgoorlie and Menzies areas of Western Australia which are host to some of Australia's richest gold deposits. The Company is developing a mining pipeline of projects to generate cash and self-fund aggressive exploration, mine developments and further acquisitions. The Teal gold mine has been recently completed.

Horizon is aiming to significantly grow its JORC-Compliant Mineral Resources, complete definitive feasibility studies on core high grade open cut and underground projects and build a sustainable development pipeline.

Horizon has a number of joint ventures in place across multiple commodities and regions of Australia providing exposure to Vanadium, Copper, PGE's, Gold and Nickel/Cobalt. Our quality joint venture partners are earning in to our project areas by spending over $20 million over 5 years enabling focus on the gold business while maintaining upside leverage.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  The number of daily COVID-19 cases in New Mexico hit an unusual equilibrium over the past month, failing to recede, even as the nation has seen a dip in new infections.

The leveling out has kept New Mexicos seven-day rolling average at roughly 600 to 800 cases a day for the monthlong period ending Oct. 10, the latest four-week time frame with full data available, according to the state Department of Health.

It has persisted even as the national case average has fallen by 36% over the same period.

New Mexicos flat trend has frustrated health officials hoping for a decline as hospitals and intensive care units remain full  a result not just of COVID-19 infections, but also people seeking care after having delayed hospital visits earlier in the pandemic.

Dr. Jason Mitchell, chief medical officer at Presbyterian Healthcare Services, said New Mexicos stable case rate is influenced by the number of people getting vaccinated and public behavior, such as the wearing of masks indoors.

The plateau, he said, suggests neither factor is changing much.

To drive cases lower, we have to pull one of those levers, Mitchell said in an interview. The best lever, of course, is vaccination.

The share of New Mexico adults who are fully vaccinated has climbed just 2 percentage points over the past four weeks, reaching 71.9% on Tuesday. About 53.7% of kids ages 12 to 17 have completed their shots.

The pace of vaccinations could accelerate next month when a COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be approved for children 5 to 11.

Mitchell said the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and will help protect others, not just the person who gets the shot.

The upside is we have a solution, which is to get vaccinated, Mitchell said of the plateau, and thats where I think we need to focus.

Dr. David Scrase, who leads the human services and health departments in New Mexico, said in a public briefing this week that the plateau may be evolving into a slight increase in cases, though test results for the past few days are still coming in.

He shared a bar chart showing the states rolling seven-day average fluctuating generally between 600 and 800 cases a day between Sept. 12 and Oct. 10. The dates correspond to when the specimen were collected for testing, not the day the cases are announced to the public.

The trend bottoms out around 600 on Sept. 21 before climbing slowly into October.

Were now in week six of a plateau or gradual rise in cases, Scrase said Monday.

Federal data shows a similar increase. New Mexicos daily case average climbed about 18% in the 30-day period ending Oct. 12, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Colorado saw a similar trend, its case totals growing about 22% over that period. Texas and Arizona, by contrast, saw decreases  Texas dramatically so.

The nation as a whole also saw a decline. The seven-day average plunged from about 142,000 cases on Sept. 12 to 92,000 on Oct. 10, a 36% decline.

New Mexicos leveling out of cases comes after the highly contagious delta variant of the virus fueled a dramatic surge in cases late this summer.

In a written statement Tuesday, State Epidemiologist Christine Ross said case rates and trends vary widely throughout the nation.

We dont have an answer as to why we saw this plateau, she said, but we can probably reasonably expect a downward trend soon, given what we know about the delta surges and national trends.

New Mexico reported 517 new cases Tuesday, similar to the 540 cases announced two weeks ago. Tuesdays totals included 171 infections in Bernalillo County.

The Department of Health also announced 10 more COVID-19 deaths, adults ranging in age from their 20s to their 70s. The statewide death toll is 4,952.

The state also reported 350 patients hospitalized for COVID-19, a 14% increase over the previous week.

New Mexico issued an order this week allowing hospitals to activate crisis standards of care if needed, a move that grants some legal protection for doctors called on to work outside their normal scope of practice. The order is also intended to standardize decision-making when the demand for intensive care beds or other resources outstrips the supply.

The full hospitals arent entirely attributable to COVID-19 infections. Doctors and nurses say they are seeing sicker patients  and more of them  than usual for a host of medical conditions.

We have a lot more people in the hospital right now with non-COVID-related illnesses, some of which we believe are related to delays in care during the worst part of the pandemic, Scrase said.

The bulk of the COVID-19 infections are preventable, health officials say, if people get vaccinated.

Individuals who arent fully vaccinated made up about 90% of the COVID-19 deaths, 82% of the hospitalizations and 76% of the cases in a recent four-week period, according to state data.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

A former pediatric surgeon at an Albuquerque hospital pleaded guilty in federal court last week to distribution and possession of sexually explicit photos of children.

Guy Rosenschein, 68, faces more than 17 years in prison and five years of supervised release. He will be required to register as a sex offender, according to a spokesman for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Mexico.

Additionally, Rosenschein has agreed to pay $125,000 in restitution, which will be distributed to requesting victims depicted on the material recovered on his seized devices, spokesman Scott Howell wrote in a news release.

This is far from the end of his legal journey.

At this point 32 families have filed lawsuits against Rosenschein and Presbyterian Healthcare Services.

Rosenschein  who is from France, completed two fellowships overseas and was licensed in Arkansas from 2001 until 2012  worked at the hospital from 2012 until November 2016 when he was arrested. His attorneys did not respond to requests for comment.

The suits, filed in 2nd Judicial District Court, present a spectrum of allegations, which include that he was alone with their child and shouldnt have been, that he touched or photographed their child, and that he raped teenage patients in Arkansas after earning their trust through presents and expensive trips. In some cases, plaintiffs also allege surgeries were botched.

The suits allege Presbyterian was negligent in its hiring and supervision.

A spokeswoman noted that Rosenscheins guilty plea wasnt related to illegal activities in Presbyterians facilities or to taking photos. She did not answer questions about whether protocols were changed after Rosenscheins arrest or how he was able to be alone with patients.

Presbyterian is deeply committed to safe, quality care for our patients, said spokeswoman Melanie Mozes. Weve worked closely with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation of this physician and reserve comment on legal proceedings for the appropriate venue.

Alan Funk, an attorney representing many of the families, said they had been prohibited from collecting documents or conducting depositions with Rosenschein while the criminal case was ongoing.

This guilty plea is great in that not only do my clients have that closure from the criminal side of things, but now we can actually proceed on the civil side against him and actually get a trial date and proceed to take his deposition and so forth, Funk said.

He said each one the families has a slightly different set of circumstances. The latest case was filed as recently as December 2020, and Funk said he got a new call from a former patient on Monday.

Literally every time this pops up in the news more people see it, Funk said. They feel safe now and prepared to tell their story, or they just happen to hear about it and make the connection that this guy once treated them.

According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court, Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office detectives got a tip about a user who had uploaded an image of a child under the age of 18 involved in a sexual act. The detectives were able to trace the IP address to Rosenscheins Northeast Albuquerque home and his user address was rosenscheinguy, according to the complaint.

When detectives executed a search warrant at his home, Rosenschein was wearing a bath robe and armed himself with a gun before surrendering peacefully.

In his bedroom was a 16-year-old boy who was wearing only boxer shorts.

Rosenschein denied a sexual relationship with the boy, a former patient of his referred to in the complaint as John Doe, but said he often stayed overnight.

Rosenschein owns two airplanes and a helicopter and has flown John Doe to Florida, Nevada and Arkansas for vacations, an agent wrote in the federal complaint. Rosenschein also stated he flew another boy, who was a former patient of his, around the Albuquerque area.

Howell said when detectives executed a search warrant they found numerous devices with images of child sexual abuse.

Investigators identified over 19,000 images and 2,000 videos of child pornography in Rosenscheins possession, of which law enforcement confirmed that 3,000 images and 197 videos depicted previously identified minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, he said.

Lawsuits filed in the case state that plaintiffs heard Rosenschein had a secret room in his house with photos of genitalia of patients of his in a hospital setting.

Two lawsuits against Rosenschein allege he raped teenage boys who were former patients of his in Arkansas after gaining their trust, taking them on trips and letting them stay the night.

Funk said it was important for the civil suits to be brought individually since Rosenscheins patients were affected in different ways.

For some folks theyre adults now, for some folks they were children of an age where they couldnt even remember, Funk said. Some folks were effected by this much more than others and everybodys damages are very different.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  With many New Mexico cities and counties struggling to staff frontline positions, momentum could be building for legislation that would partially undo a 2010 law that bars retired public sector employees from going back to work while still collecting pension benefits.

Several counties have passed resolutions supporting a return-to-work proposal, which received largely positive feedback during a Tuesday legislative hearing.

Rep. Bill Rehm, R-Albuquerque, said hes working on a proposal for the upcoming 30-day legislative session to allow retired law enforcement employees to be rehired without having to put their retirement benefits on hold.

He also said the current system has led to out-of-state residents being hired to many top municipal police department posts.

Unfortunately, what were finding is our younger generation do not want to be police officers, Rehm said during the meeting of the legislative Investments and Pensions Oversight Committee.

The panel did not vote on whether to endorse the legislation, but several lawmakers said they would support the proposal.

Many New Mexico cities and counties have struggled to hire and retain law enforcement officers, jail workers and employees for other key positions during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

In Curry County, for instance, 50 of the countys 190 budgeted positions are vacant. The 50 unfilled posts include nine jobs with the county sheriffs office and 35 with the county detention center, said county manager Lance Pyle.

He said reimposing the return-to-work program could allow cities, counties and the New Mexico state government to build back their depleted workforces.

State lawmakers banned return-to-work for state employees, law enforcement officers and local government workers in 2010, after the practice  which is also known as double dipping  came under fire from labor unions and other critics for straining the states retirement fund for state, county and municipal workers and stifling internal promotions. Previously, such employees had been allowed to retire and then return-to-work while still collecting both a pension and a salary.

While most lawmakers who spoke during Tuesdays committee hearing voiced support for the proposal, Sen. Liz Stefanics, D-Cerillos, pointed out there are also high vacancy rates in other public sector jobs, including teachers and State Parks employees.

And other legislators questioned whether increasing starting pay levels for public sector jobs might be a better solution to the states retention issues than allowing retired employees to return to work while still collecting their pensions.

We do not pay virtually anyone in the state adequately, said Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos.

Previous attempts  most recently in 2016  aimed at getting retired law enforcement officers to return to work have been unsuccessful at the Roundhouse, with critics saying the focus should be on hiring younger employees.

But Rehm expressed optimism the bill could have better odds in 2022, saying after Tuesdays hearing, I think theres more traction now.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who has called for 1,000 new police officers to be hired statewide in the coming years, has the authority to decide which non-budgetary issues should be added to the agenda of the 30-day session that starts in January.

The Democratic governor has already announced some issues she plans to prioritize, and is expected to solidify her legislative agenda in the coming weeks.

A Lujan Grisham spokeswoman did not comment specifically on the proposal Tuesday, but said increasing New Mexicos public safety personnel would be one of the governors focuses during the upcoming session.

Meanwhile, Rep. Phelps Anderson, a Roswell independent, described bringing back the return-to-work program as a fair solution to a lingering issue thats been exacerbated by the pandemic.

This shortage of law enforcement officers is not going to get better, Anderson said.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

District Attorney Raul Torrez plans to ask New Mexico State Police to investigate allegations of election-related fraud against Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel Gonzales mayoral campaign, he wrote in a letter last week to Albuquerques city attorney.

Torrez will refer the allegations to State Police after the citys Nov. 2 election to prevent the timing of an investigation or prosecution from having an effect on an election, Torrez wrote in an Oct. 13 letter to City Attorney Esteban Aguilar Jr.

I will scrupulously adhere to this practice and will not take official action or make any public comment on this matter until the results of the upcoming election have been certified, Torrez wrote.

In two weeks, Gonzales will face off against Mayor Tim Keller and radio talk show host Eddy Aragon in the mayoral election.

My review of this matter will begin immediately, but as you know, prosecutorial decisions must await the completion of a criminal investigation, Torrez wrote. Further, my prosecutorial review must be independent and nonpartisan.

He planned to refer the allegations to State Police, which is a conflict-free law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over this matter.

Torrez wrote the letter in response to an Oct. 12 letter from Aguilar formally referring the allegations to both Torrez and Attorney General Hector Balderas.

Shannan Calland, a spokeswoman for the Gonzales campaign, denied any wrongdoing by the Gonzales campaign and said she welcomed any investigations into the allegations.

The Keller administration sending letters two weeks before the election is a shameless political stunt and demonstrates that Keller knows his campaign is in deep trouble, Calland said in a written statement.

The letters were obtained through a public records request by Kellers campaign, according to a written statement from the campaign.

A spokeswoman for Torrezs office verified the authenticity of the letter Tuesday.

Matt Baca, a spokesman for Balderas, said the district attorney has asserted jurisdiction in the case, and the attorney generals office would monitor the matter in the event that we need to take appropriate action.

The allegations of fraud emerged from two ethics complaints filed by Kellers reelection campaign against the sheriff. Both complaints involved alleged fraud in the way the Gonzales campaign attempted to qualify for public campaign financing.

To qualify for more than $600,000 in public funding, mayoral candidates must demonstrate sufficient community interest by getting 1% of city voters, or 3,779 people, to make nominal $5 contributions.

Both Keller and Gonzales appeared to reach that mark in June. Keller successfully obtained public campaign funding months ago.

But City Clerk Ethan Watson in July declined to certify Gonzales for the money, citing evidence contained in Kellers ethics complaints, alleging fraud in the collection of the $5 qualifying contributions. The Gonzales campaign acknowledged in July that, based on the campaigns own investigation, some qualifying contributions submitted to the city clerks office appeared to have been signed by someone other than the voter.

After a monthslong fight to obtain public financing, Gonzales announced in September that he would turn to private donors for support and give up his effort to obtain public campaign money.

City Attorney Aguilar outlined the fraud allegation in his letter to Torrez and Balderas. Aguilar said he made the referrals because his office lacks the prosecutorial authority to investigate or file criminal charges for violations of state law.

In a separate matter, State Auditor Brian Colon said Tuesday he received an Oct. 4 referral from the citys Office of Inspector General notifying his office of fraud allegations against Gonzales.

Colon said he had an open examination into the allegations and potentially could refer his findings to a prosecutorial agency.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

The University of New Mexico Board of Regents decided to keep their hands off multimillion dollar purchases by the university, opting instead to give UNM administrators the power to make such decisions.

On Tuesday, regents during a regular meeting voted to change a policy to remove a provision that requires the board to authorize the purchase of goods and services of more than $1 million.

Going forward, the universitys chief procurement officer will approve expenses between $1 million and $5 million and the UNM president will sign off on more expensive contracts.

The university president will have to notify the president of the regents that the school is going to buy something worth more than $5 million. And such expenses will have to be reported to the full board at the next regular meeting. But the regents wont have a say in authorizing the charges.

UNM regents in recent years have taken several steps to transfer power over administrative matters at the university to the school president as opposed to regents, who are volunteer board members appointed by the governor. For example, last year the regents gave the university president the power to sign off on legal settlements worth less than $1 million and hire and fire the executive director of the Health Sciences Center without their approval.

Teresa Costantinidis, UNMs senior vice president for Finance and Administration, said the purchasing policy was changed because the university has missed out on bargains while waiting for regent approval. She said the university had to pass on multi-year deals for software or other programs because officials couldnt get regent approval before a promotional window closed.

The current practices in the policy resulted in procurement delays, that actually increased costs for the university, she said.

The policy change only pertains to buying goods and services. It doesnt pertain to capital projects or legal settlements. Last year, the regents voted to give UNM President Garnett Stokes the power to sign off on $1 million settlements. The cap had been set at $400,000.

Regent Jack Fortner said he was slightly uncomfortable with the proposal, though he did ultimately support the change.

Part of our job as the board of regents is (providing) some sort of fiscal oversight, he said.

Fortner pushed for an amendment requiring the UNM president to at least notify the regent president prior to making a purchase of more than $5 million, which wasnt originally included in the proposed changes.

UNM made about 50 purchases in the last five years that would have been affected by the policy change. Most of the purchases pertain to the UNM Health Sciences Center. Subscriptions to software programs, periodicals for the HSC and main campus libraries and a magnetic resonance imaging scanner were some of those purchases.

Regents voted 6-0 to approve the change, with Regent Kim Sanchez Rael abstaining.
DALLAS  Southwest Airlines will let unvaccinated employees keep working past early December instead of putting them on unpaid leave if they apply for an exemption on medical or religious grounds.

Federal contractors  including major U.S. airlines  face a Dec. 8 deadline to require employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Southwest spokeswoman Brandy King said Tuesday that employees must submit proof that they got the shots, or file a request for an exemption from vaccination, by Nov. 24. Employees whose requests have not been processed or approved by Dec. 8 will be allowed to keep working, she said.

The company backtracked from a previous position that employees who had not been vaccinated or received an exemption would be put on unpaid leave.

While we intend to grant all valid requests for accommodations, in the event a request is not granted, the company will provide adequate time for an employee to become fully vaccinated while continuing to work and adhering to safety protocols, King said.

Southwest notified employees of the deadline delay on Friday.

American Airlines said Tuesday that workers who are granted medical or religious exemptions will probably have to wear face masks and undergo regular testing, but the airline is still working on details.

American will not be placing any team members on unpaid leave as part of the federal vaccine mandate, said American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller.

Southwest and American are both based in Texas, where the Republican governor has ordered businesses not to require employees or customers to be vaccinated. Both say they will comply with President Joe Bidens federal mandate that contractors require vaccination, which they believe has legal priority over state orders.

Southwest Chairman and CEO Gary Kelly originally said in a statement that Southwest must join our industry peers in complying with the federal governments COVID-19 vaccination directive.

In the days after that statement, however, the pilots union asked a judge to temporarily block the order, saying Southwest should negotiate with the union over the issue. A hearing is scheduled Friday in federal court. This week, anti-mandate protesters demonstrated at the airlines headquarters.

Kelly has indicated personal reluctance about the vaccine mandate.

We are not going to fire any employees over this, he told ABC-TV last week. We are urging all our employees to get vaccinated. If they cant get vaccinated, were urging them to seek an accommodation.

United Airlines, the first U.S. carrier to announce a vaccine requirement for employees, has started termination proceedings against about 200 employees who neither got the shots nor asked for an exemption.

Chicago-based United has 67,000 U.S. employees. It says 96% have been vaccinated and 3%  about 2,000 employees  have applied for an exemption. United is waiting for a judge in Texas to rule on a lawsuit by employees challenging the airlines decision to put employees on unpaid leave if they get an exemption.

Delta Air Lines Inc. has a less stringent policy. Even though it is a federal contractor, Delta says it will let workers undergo regular testing if they dont want to be vaccinated, but they face a $200 monthly surcharge on their health insurance. CEO Ed Bastian said last week that 90% of Delta employees are vaccinated and he expects that figure to reach 95% in November.
WASHINGTON  More than a year after arson destroyed a Navy warship, service leaders said Wednesday they are making changes and increasing oversight to correct widespread failures that led to the scrapping of the USS Bonhomme Richard.

I see the loss of the Bonhomme Richard as preventable and wholly unacceptable. The Navy is taking a hard look at our shortcomings, said Adm. Bill Lescher, vice chief of naval operations. He said it was not just happy talk.

A new system of unannounced inspections has begun, Lescher told reporters, and disciplinary options are being considered for what a review concluded were widespread lapses in training, coordination, communication, fire preparedness, equipment maintenance and overall command and control.

We are serious in doing thorough analysis to understand and improve the Navy, were holding leaders accountable for the deviation from standards that we see, and were on a clear path to drive learning and correction, he said.

A report obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday found that while the fire was deliberately set as the 840-foot (256-meter) amphibious assault vessel was docked in San Diego for a $250 million upgrade, it was lost due to repeated failures by an inadequately prepared crew unable to extinguish the blaze.

Navy leaders said Wednesday that a key finding showed that Navy crews are highly capable of fighting shipboard fires while at sea and in combat, but those skills decline when ships are docked for maintenance. The Bonhomme Richard was undergoing maintenance at the time of the fire.

Where weve missed the opportunity is those high-risk situations in the maintenance environment or in the pierside environment where we have reduced manning in off hours or we have equipment that is unavailable due to maintenance or equipment that has been moved, said Rear Adm. Paul Spedero Jr., who led a broad review that studied 15 shipyard fires over the past 12 years.

As a result of the review, he said crews will now be tested, trained and certified when they go into a maintenance phase, to ensure they are aware of the safety risks and how to mitigate them.

Vice Adm. Scott Conn., who led the review into the Bonhomme Richard fire response and wrote the final report, said changes, including increased training, must be made from the commanders down to the sailors on the deck.

In times of crisis or combat, individuals or organizations are not going to rise to the level of our aspirations, theyre going to fall back to the level of training. And we need to ensure that our training is setting our people up for success, said Conn, deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting,

The Navy has set up a Learning to Action Board that will put in place recommendations from the report and other reviews. The Naval Safety Center, which has been led by a one-star admiral, will be headed by a two-star admiral and will have expanded staff and responsibilities.

The center has already done more than 170 unannounced or short-notice assessments of Navy units to ensure they are meeting safety standards.

Retired Navy Capt. Lawrence B. Brennan, a professor of international maritime law at Fordham University in New York, said the findings point to issues that the Navy has known about for decades.

You can blame all the individuals you want but these are systemic problems, he said. Ships in the shipyard do not have adequate personnel or firefighting equipment to respond to the probable casualty. And this has been a long-standing problem.

He said the loss of the Bonhomme Richard should force the Navy to better prepare its sailors to recognize the risks when a ship is docked. Its easy to spend time focusing on the arson allegation but that should not have resulted in the loss of any warship of this size, he said.

Another maritime expert, Rod Sullivan, called the findings chilling for anyone who has served on a ship where fire is considered the worst enemy.

If youve been on a ship and read this report, youre astounded by the level of the lack of preparedness and by the ineffective action taken by anybody in the Navy to fight the fire, Sullivan said.

The report spread blame across a wide range of ranks and responsibilities, from the now retired three-star admiral who headed Naval Surface Force Pacific Fleet, Vice Adm. Richard Brown, to senior commanders, lower ranking sailors and civilian program managers. Seventeen were cited for failures that directly led to the loss of the ship, while 17 others contributed to the loss of the ship. Two other sailors were faulted for not effectively helping the fire response. Of the 36, nine are civilians.

The report directly faulted the ships three top officers  Capt. Gregory Thoroman, the commanding officer; Capt. Michael Ray, the executive officer; and Command Master Chief Jose Hernandez  for not effectively ensuring the readiness and condition of the ship.

When the fire broke out, about 115 sailors were on board,. Nearly 60 were treated for heat exhaustion, smoke inhalation and minor injuries. Due to the damage, the Navy decommissioned the ship in April. In August, Seaman Apprentice Ryan Mays was charged with aggravated arson and the willful hazarding of a vessel. He has denied setting the fire.

Fully repairing the USS Bonhomme Richard to warfighting capabilities would have cost $2.5 billion to $3 billion and taken five years to seven years, according to the Navy.

___

Associated Press writer Julie Watson in San Diego contributed to this report.
CHICAGO  Royal Smart remembers every detail: the feeling of the handcuffs on his wrists. The panic as he was led outside into the cold March darkness, arms raised, to face a wall of police officers pointing their guns.

He was 8 years old.

Neither he nor anyone else in his familys Chicago home was arrested that night two years ago, and police wielding a warrant to look for illegal weapons found none. But even now, hes tormented by visions of officers bursting through houses and tearing rooms apart, ordering people to lie on the floor.

I cant go to sleep, he said. I keep thinking about the police coming.

Children like Royal were not the focus after George Floyd was killed by police in 2020, prompting a debate on the disproportionate use of force by law enforcement, especially on adults of color. But in case after case, an Associated Press investigation found kids as young as 6 have been treated harshly by officers  handcuffed, felled by stun guns, pinned to the ground. Departments nationwide have few or no guardrails to prevent such incidents.

The AP analyzed data on approximately 3,000 instances of police use of force against children under 16 over the past 11 years. The data, provided to the AP by Accountable Now, a project of The Leadership Conference Education Fund aiming to create a comprehensive use-of-force database, includes incidents from 25 police departments in 17 states.

Its a small representation of the 18,000 police agencies nationwide and the millions of daily encounters police have with the public.

But the information gleaned is troubling.

Black children made up more than 50% of those who were handled forcibly, though they are just 15% of the U.S. child population. Minority children are often perceived by police as being older than they are. The most common types of force were takedowns, strikes and muscling, followed by firearms pointed at or used on children. Less often, kids faced other tactics, like pepper spray or police K-9s.

In Minneapolis, officers pinned children with their bodyweight at least 190 times. In Indianapolis, more than 160 kids were handcuffed; in Wichita, Kansas, officers drew or used their Tasers on kids at least 45 times. Most children in the dataset are teenagers, but the data included dozens of cases of children age 10 or younger.

Force is occasionally necessary to subdue children, some of whom are accused of serious crimes.

Police reports obtained for a sample of incidents show some kids who were stunned or restrained were armed; others were undergoing mental health crises and were at risk of harming themselves. Still others showed police force escalating after kids fled from questioning.

Some departments have policies that govern how old a child must be to be handcuffed, but very few mention age in their use-of-force policies. While some offer guidance on how to manage juveniles accused of crimes or how to handle people in mental distress, the AP could find no policy addressing these issues together.

Royal, the boy in Chicago, was handcuffed for nearly 30 minutes alongside his mother and other adults in the house. Then a police sergeant released him, and an aunt came to look after the children. The family has sued Chicago police, alleging false arrest, wanton conduct and emotional distress.

Chicago police did not comment on the case but said revised policies passed in May require extra planning for vulnerable people like children before search warrants are served.

Meanwhile, attorneys like NaShaun Neal say police who use force on minors often depend on the perception that kids lie. Against an officers word, Neal said, no one typically believes the children.

Neal represents two boys  identified as R.R. and P.S. in court papers  who were involved in an altercation with police on July 4, 2019.

It was a few hours before midnight when a San Fernando, California, police officer stopped to ask if they were lighting fireworks, according to a complaint filed in federal court. The boys had been walking through a park, accompanied by an older brother and his dog.

According to the complaint, the officers followed the group and told them it was past curfew; they needed to take the boys into custody.

Police said the boys were responsible for the fracas that followed, and they charged them with assaulting an officer and resisting arrest.

But then a cellphone video, taken by R.R.s brother, materialized. The video shows an officer forcing his 14-year-old brother to the ground and handcuffing him behind his back. His 13-year-old friend struggles next to him, his neck and shoulders pinned by the officers knees for 20 seconds.

A judge found the boys not guilty at a bench trial. Neal is suing the city and the police officer on their behalf.

The city denied that officers used excessive force, maintaining that the boys physically resisted arrest.

Unfortunately, the escalation occurred because of the conduct of the minors, not because of anything the officer did, the citys attorney Dan Alderman said.

R.R. and P.S. are Latinos. Authorities say there are reasons why police officers are more likely to use force against minorities than against white children.

Dr. Richard Dudley, a child psychiatrist in New York, says many officers have implicit bias that would prompt them to see Black children as older, and therefore more threatening, than they are.

It all becomes a vicious cycle, Dudley said. Police react badly to these kids and to the people they know, so kids react badly to police, leading them to react badly to kids.

Minority children have negative everyday dealings with police and are traumatized by them. Whatever theyve seen police officers do in the past, Dudley said, all of that is the backdrop for their encounter with a police officer.

So when that encounter occurs, they may be overreactive and hypervigilant, and it may appear that theyre not complying with police commands when, really, theyre just scared.

The police are not thinking, I have this panicked, frightened kid that I need to calm down, Dudley said.

___

Email APs Global Investigations Team at investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/. See other work at https://www.apnews.com/hub/ap-investigations.

___

Wieffering is a Roy W. Howard Investigative Fellow.

___

Camille Fassett is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Data Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
MOSCOW  President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday ordered most Russians to stay off work for a week starting later this month amid rising COVID-19 infections and deaths, and he strongly urged reluctant citizens to get vaccinated.

The government coronavirus task force reported 1,028 deaths in the past 24 hours, the highest number since the start of the pandemic. That brought Russias death toll to 226,353, by far the highest in Europe.

Putin said he supports the Cabinets proposal to introduce a nonworking period starting Oct. 30 and extending through the following week, when four of seven days are already non-working, including a two-day state holiday. In some regions where the situation is the most threatening, he said the nonworking period could start as early as Saturday and be extended past Nov. 7.

Our task today is to protect life and health of our citizens and minimize the consequences of the dangerous infection, Putin said in a video call with top officials. To achieve that, its necessary to first of all slow the pace of contagion and mobilize additional reserves of the health care system, which is currently working under a high strain.

Russias daily coronavirus mortality numbers have been surging for weeks and topped 1,000 for the first time over the weekend amid sluggish vaccination rates, lax public attitudes toward taking precautions and the governments reluctance to toughen restrictions. Only about 45 million Russians  roughly a third of its nearly 146 million people  are fully vaccinated.

The nonworking period should help limit the spread by keeping people out of offices and off crowded public transportation, but Moscow and many other cities havent curbed access to restaurants, cafes, bars, theaters and gyms.

When the Cabinet proposed the measure Tuesday, many Russians rushed to book flights to Black Sea resorts to take advantage of the break.

Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, who leads the task force, emphasized that the nonworking week should imply limiting access to restaurants, theaters and other entertainment venues, adding that regional authorities will be expected to impose restrictions.

She particularly urged Russians to refrain from traveling to other regions during the period and emphasized the need for relatives of those infected to stay home.

It wasnt immediately clear what private businesses would be required to stop working in line with Putins decree, in addition to state workers and employees of state-owned companies. During a similar measure early in the pandemic, many private and state-owned companies in vital economic sectors were allowed to keep operating.

The Cabinet has drafted measures on compensation to businesses to help absorb the economic blow, including one-time payments equivalent to a minimum monthly pay per worker and low-interest credits.

In urging Russians to get the shots, Putin said its a matter of your life and security and the health of your dear ones.

There are only two ways to get over this period  to get sick or to receive a vaccine, he said. Its better to get the vaccine. Why wait for the illness and its grave consequences? Please be responsible and take the necessary measures to protect yourself, your health and your close ones.

The Russian leader, who got the domestically developed Sputnik V vaccine earlier this year, said hes puzzled by the vaccine hesitancy, even among his close friends, who told him they would get the shot after he does and then kept delaying it.

I cant understand whats going on, Putin said. We have a reliable and efficient vaccine. The vaccine really reduces the risks of illness, grave complications and death.

He approved a Cabinet proposal giving two days of paid leave to those getting the shot to help encourage vaccination.

Even though Russia in August 2020 became the first country in the world to authorize a coronavirus vaccine and has plentiful supplies, there has been reluctance among its citizens to get the shots, a skepticism blamed on conflicting signals from authorities.

While extolling Sputnik V and three other domestic vaccines, state-controlled media often criticized Western-made shots, a message that many saw as feeding doubts about vaccines in general.

Golikova emphasized that most of those who have died recently were unvaccinated. She said 87% of hospital beds allocated for COVID-19 patients are filled, with the number reaching 95% in some provinces.

Rising infections forced some regional authorities to suspend certain medical services as health care facilities were focusing on coronavirus patients. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted the situation is very sad, noting that the level of vaccination in those regions was particularly low.

Putin warned regional leaders against trying to embellish statistics, saying a high number of new infections doesnt mean poor work by the authorities. It shows the efficiency of regional teams, not the other way round, he said.

Until now, the Kremlin ruled out a nationwide lockdown like the one early in the pandemic that dealt a heavy blow to the economy and sapped Putins popularity, instead empowering regional authorities to decide on local restrictions.

Many of Russias 85 regions already have restricted attendance at large public events and introduced digital codes proving vaccination or past illness for access to restaurants, theaters and other venues. Some have made vaccinations compulsory for certain public servants and people over 60.

In Moscow, however, life has continued as usual, with restaurants and movie theaters brimming with people, crowds swarming nightclubs and karaoke bars, and commuters widely ignoring mask mandates on public transportation even as ICUs have filled.

Medical workers expressed bewilderment over the vaccine skepticism and lax attitude to precautions. I think about sleepless nights when we get a huge number of patients who didnt even bother to use banal protective means, said Dr. Natavan Ibragimova of Moscows Hospital No. 52, where an ICU was filled to capacity.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said unvaccinated people over 60 will be required to stay home. He also told businesses to keep at least a third of their employees working remotely for three months starting Oct. 25.

Dr. Catherine Smallwood, the COVID-19 incident manager at the World Health Organizations European branch, said vaccination levels at or below 30% in Russia and eastern European countries like Bulgaria and Romania were particularly concerning.

Its very clear that in countries that have lower vaccine uptake, thats where were seeing the serious pandemic effects at the moment in terms of deaths and people ending up in hospital, she said.

The government task force has registered more than 8 million total infections and its official COVID-19 death toll ranks Russia as having the fifth-most pandemic deaths in the world, behind the United States, Brazil, India and Mexico.

However, state statistics agency Rosstat, which also counts deaths in which the virus wasnt considered the main cause, has reported a much higher death toll  about 418,000 as of August.

___

Associated Press writers Jamey Keaten in Geneva and Kostya Manenkov in Moscow contributed.

___

Follow APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
SCRANTON, Pa.  In an abrupt change, the White House on Wednesday floated new plans to pay for parts of President Joe Bidens $2 trillion social services and climate change package, shelving a proposed big increase in corporate tax rates though also adding a new billionaires tax on the investment gains of the very richest Americans.

The reversal came as Biden returned to his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, to highlight the middle class values he says are at the heart of the package that Democrats are racing to finish. Biden faces resistance from key holdouts, including Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., who has not been on board with her partys plan to undo Trump-era tax breaks to help pay for it.

This has been declared dead on arrival from the moment I introduced it, but I think were going to surprise them, because I think people are beginning to figure out whats at stake, Biden said in a speech at Scrantons Electric City Trolley Museum, his first visit home since becoming president.

Negotiations between the White House and Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill are underway on whats now a scaled-back package but would still be an unprecedented federal effort to expand social services for millions and confront the rising threat of climate change. Its coupled with a separate $1 trillion bill to update roads and bridges.

Biden and his Democratic Party have given themselves a deadline to seal agreement after laboring to bridge his once-sweeping $3.5 trillion vision preferred by progressives with a more limited focus that can win over party centrists. He has no Democratic votes to spare for passage in the closely divided Congress, and leaders want agreement by weeks end.

The newly proposed tax provisions, though, are likely to sour progressives and even some moderate Democrats who have long campaigned on undoing the 2017 GOP tax cuts that many believe unduly reward the wealthy, costing the federal government untold sums in lost revenue at a time of gaping income inequality.

Administration officials spoke with congressional leaders on the tax alternatives, according to a person familiar with the private talks and granted anonymity to discuss them. The changes may be needed to win over Sinema, who had objected to plans to raise the rates on corporations and wealthy individuals earning more than $400,000 a year, said the person and several others.

As it stands, the corporate tax rate is 21%, and Democrats want to lift it to 26.5% for companies earning more than $5 million a year. The top individual income tax rate would rise from 37% to 39.6% for those earning more than $400,000, or $450,000 for married couples.

Under the changes being floated that 21% corporate rate would stay the same.

However, the revisions wouldnt be all positive for big companies and the wealthy. The White House is reviving the idea of a minimum corporate tax rate, similar to the 15% rate Biden had proposed earlier this year. Thats even for companies that say they had no taxable income  a frequent target of Biden who complains that they pay zero in taxes.

And there could be a new billionaires tax, modeled on legislation from Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the chairman of the Finance Committee, who has proposed taxing stock gains of those with more than $1 billion in assets  fewer than 1,000 Americans.

Sinema has not publicly stated her position, and her office did not respond to a request for comment.

Another key Democrat, conservative Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, has said he prefers a 25% corporate rate. He has been withholding his support for the bill with additional objections to its provisions on climate change and social services.

On the call with the administration and the White House, Wyden said he stressed the importance of putting an end to Americas two tax codes, and finally showing working people in this country that the wealthiest Americans are going to pay taxes just like they do.

The possible shift comes as Democrats appear to have made progress uniting themselves, ready to abandon what had been a loftier package in favor of a smaller, more workable proposal the party can unite around

In the mix: At least $500 billion to battle climate change, $350 billion for child care subsidies and free pre-kindergarten, a new federal program for at least four weeks of paid family leave, a one-year extension of the $300 monthly child tax credit put in place during the COVID-19 crisis, and funding for health care provided through the Affordable Care Act and Medicare.

Likely to be eliminated or shaved back: plans for tuition-free community college, a path to permanent legal status for certain immigrants in the U.S. and a clean energy plan that was the centerpiece of Bidens strategy for fighting climate change.

Nothing is decided until everything is decided, said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus after a morning meeting of House Democrats. Were just trying to get it done.

Democrats are growing anxious they have little to show voters despite their campaign promises and have had trouble explaining what theyre trying to do with the massive package, made up of so many different proposals.

Its a tall order that was leading to an all-out push Wednesday to answer the question  Whats in the damn bill?  as a press release from Sen. Bernie Sanders, the independent from Vermont, put it.

The president especially wants to advance his signature domestic package to bolster federal social services and address climate change by the time he departs for a global climate summit next week.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., a progressive caucus member, said, He really believes American leadership, American prestige is on the line.

Manchin has made clear he opposes the presidents initial energy plan, which was to have the government impose penalties on electric utilities that fail to meet clean energy benchmarks and provide financial rewards to those that do.

Instead, Biden is focused on providing at least $500 billion in tax credits, grants and loans for energy producers that reach emission-reduction goals.

On other fronts, to preserve Bidens initial sweep, Democrats are moving to retain many of the programs but trim their duration to shave costs.

Biden wants to extend the $300 monthly child tax credit that was put in place during the COVID-19 crisis for another year, rather than allow it to expire in December, but not as long as Democrats wanted.

What had been envisioned as a months-long federal paid family leave program could be shrunk to as few as four weeks  an effort to at least start the program rather than eliminate it.

Biden also wants to ensure funding for health care programs, including for home- and community-based health care services, supporting a move away from widespread nursing home care.

And a new program to provide dental, vision and hearing aid benefits to people on Medicare proposed by Sanders, is likely to remain in some fashion.

Biden has told lawmakers that after his top priorities there would be $300 billion remaining.

That could lower the overall price tag or be used for other programs.

___

Associated Press writers Kevin Freking and Josh Boak contributed to this report.
SRINAGAR, India  The Kashmiri Hindu activist was listening to religious hymns on his cellphone when he was interrupted by a tragic WhatsApp message. It brought news of a fatal shooting of a prominent chemist from his community, just a few miles from the activists home in Srinagar, the largest city in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Sanjay Tickoo, 54, anxiously bolted the gate of his house and gathered his family in the dining room. His phone kept buzzing with calls from frightened minority community members.

Within two hours of the killing of Makhan Lal Bindroo on Oct. 5, assailants shot and killed another Hindu man, a street vendor from Indias eastern state of Bihar, and in a separate shooting a native Muslim taxi driver. Two days later, two teachers  one Hindu and one Sikh  were shot inside a school on the outskirts of Srinagar.

The killings led to widespread unease, particularly among the regions religious minority Hindus, locally known as Pandits, an estimated 200,000 of whom fled Kashmir after an anti-India rebellion erupted in 1989.

Tickoo, who like the chemist and some 800 other Pandit families had chosen to stay behind to live with their Muslim neighbors, and other prominent Hindus were swiftly relocated to secured accommodations. He was later moved to a fortified Hindu temple guarded by paramilitary soldiers in downtown Srinagar, the urban heartland of anti-India sentiment.

I have seen death and destruction from close quarters. But I have never felt as insecure, as fearful all my life, Tickoo said. The killings spread panic faster than the virus.

The chemist Bindroos killing was the first in 18 years of a local Hindu from this tiny community, whose people chose not to migrate from the strife-torn region. Fearing more such attacks, authorities offered leave to nearly 4,000 Hindu employees who had returned to the region after 2010 as part of a government resettlement plan that provided them jobs and housing.

Tickoo again chose to stay, but nearly 1,800 Hindu employees left the Kashmir Valley after the killings. It brought back memories of the 1990s, which saw the flight of most local Hindus to the regions Jammu plains and to other parts of Hindu-majority India amid a spate of killings that targeted the community.

The killings seem to have triggered memory that resonates with earlier history and mass displacement of Pandits, said Ankur Datta, who studied Pandit migrant camps for his doctoral research and now teaches anthropology at South Asian University in New Delhi.

The killings were widely condemned by both pro- and anti-India Kashmiri politicians. In a sweeping crackdown, government forces questioned over 1,000 people in an attempt to stem more violence. Police blamed rebel group The Resistance Front, or TRF, for the killings. The regions top police officer Dilbag Singh described the attacks as a conspiracy to create terror and communal rift.

In a statement on social media, TRF claimed the group was targeting those working for Indian authorities and was not picking targets based on faith. The rebel groups statement could not be independently verified.

Despite the ongoing crackdown, the targeted killings have continued.

Assailants again shot and killed four migrant workers  three Hindus from the eastern Bihar state and a Muslim from the northern Uttar Pradesh state  in three separate attacks on Saturday and Sunday, increasing the death toll in targeted killings to 32 this year. The slain included 21 local Muslims, four local Hindus and a local Sikh, along with five non-local Hindus and one non-local Muslim, according to police records.

Siddiq Wahid, a historian and former vice chancellor of Islamic University of Science and Technology in Kashmir, said the recent killings gained attention only in the context of sectarian concerns, even as people of all religions were killed, and noted that the subsequent debate has focused on statistics rather than the loss of lives.

The first distorts and the second overlooks tragedy. Both represent a deep loss for Kashmir, Wahid said.

In Kashmir, Hindus lived mostly peacefully alongside Muslims for centuries in villages and towns as landowners, farmers and government officials across the Himalayan region. A war in 1947 between India and Pakistan left Kashmir divided between the two countries as they gained independence from Britain. Within a decade, however, divisions emerged as many Muslims began to mistrust Indian rule and demanded the territory be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.

When Kashmir turned into a battleground in the late 1980s, attacks and threats by militants led to the departure of most Kashmiri Hindus, who identified with Indias rule over the region, many believing that the rebellion was also aimed at wiping them out. It reduced the Pandits to a tiny minority.

Most of the regions Muslims, long resentful of Indian rule, deny that Hindus were systematically targeted, and say India moved them out in order to cast Kashmirs freedom struggle as Islamic extremism.

These tensions were renewed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, and as the Indian government pursued a plan to house returning migrant Kashmiri Hindus in new townships.

Muslim leaders described such plans as a conspiracy to create communal division by separating the regions population along religious lines, particularly after India stripped the regions semi-autonomy in 2019 and removed inherited protections on land and jobs amid a monthslong lockdown and a communication blockade.

Authorities have since passed many new laws, which critics and Kashmiris fear could change the regions demographics.

These fears became more pronounced in early September when authorities launched an online portal for migrant Hindus to register complaints of distress sales and encroachments onto their properties, an overwhelming majority of which have changed hands in the last three decades. According to official figures, 700 complaints were received in the first three weeks.

Thousands of Muslim families who bought properties from Hindus were left angered. Authorities even asked some Muslim families to vacate the properties.

The online portal seems to be a major trigger for the killings, said Tickoo, the activist.

Among the regions minorities, Sikhs have lived relatively at ease with their Muslim neighbors and have emerged as the largest minority after the Hindu migration. But they too have faced targeted killings.

After the killing of 46-year-old Supinder Kour, a Sikh school principal, hundreds of angry community members carried her body in Srinagar and raised religious slogans while demanding justice. Some Muslim residents joined them.

We dont know who the killers are. Even if I knew, do you think I can talk freely? said Sikh leader Jagmohan Singh Raina. We are caught between two guns: the guns from the state and the non-state.

Raina said no Sikh fled after Kours killing but maintained that his community was shaken. He said while the state was provoking and punishing the regions majority Muslims through new laws, the minorities were being manipulated for politics.

Tickoo and Raina said the killings were ominous signs for Kashmir. They asserted in similar comments that Indias changes two years ago wounded all of us living on the ground.

And the wound, Raina said, has become a cancer now.

___

Follow Aijaz Hussain on Twitter at twitter.com/hussain_aijaz
GOLDEN, Colo.  The trial of a former Nevada prison inmate accused of the 1984 killing of a suburban Denver woman ended Wednesday in a mistrial after his lawyers requested he be evaluated to determine if he is mentally competent to stand trial.

The judge declared the mistrial a day after opening statements in Alex Ewings trial and granted the defenses request. The motion is sealed so it is not known why they requested the evaluation.

Ewing, 61, was convicted in August of killing three members of a Denver area family in 1984, six days after he is accused of killing Patricia Smith, 50, in Lakewood. He was sentenced in August to three consecutive life sentences for killing Bruce and Debra Bennett and their 7-year-old daughter Melissa in Aurora.

On Tuesday, Chief Deputy District Attorney Katharine Decker told jurors that there were numerous similarities between the killings of the Bennett family and Smith, The Denver Post reported.

In both cases, the killer entered through an open garage and rummaged through purses and all the victims suffered blunt force trauma consistent with a hammer being used, she said. Both Smith and Melissa Bennett were sexually assaulted and Ewings semen was found in the same places at both crime scenes, Decker said.

Semen and similarities, she said, employing a phrase shed use multiple times in her opening statement. Thats what this case comes down to. Thats how we know the defendant sexually assaulted and killed Patricia Smith.

However, Ewings attorney, Katherine Powers Spengler, said that some critical pieces of evidence had been contaminated and compromised since the killing nearly 40 years ago and that the DNA found on certain items of clothing do not match Ewings.

The prosecution leads you to believe this case is simple, Spengler told jurors. The prosecution wants you to trust some DNA, ignore other DNA evidence and look no further. Its anything but simple.

Ewing was identified as a suspect in 2018 through DNA evidence while in imprisoned in Nevada, where he was convicted of attacking a couple in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson in 1984 with an ax handle in their bedroom. The results of a DNA sample taken from Ewing were linked with DNA eventually developed from evidence taken from the scenes of the Colorado killings.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.  Nikolas Cruz pleaded guilty Wednesday to murdering 17 people during a rampage at his former high school in Parkland, Florida, leaving a jury to decide whether he will be executed for one of the nations deadliest school shootings.

Relatives of the victims who sat in the courtroom and watched the hearing via Zoom broke down in tears and held hands across families as Cruz entered his pleas and later apologized for his crimes.

Today we saw a cold and calculating killer confess to the murder of my daughter Gina and 16 other innocent victims at their school, said Tony Montalto. His daughter was 14 and sitting outside her classroom when Cruz shot her at close range numerous times. His guilty pleas are the first step in the judicial process but there is no change for my family. Our bright, beautiful, and beloved daughter Gina is gone while her killer still enjoys the blessing of life in prison.

The guilty pleas will set the stage for a penalty trial in which 12 jurors will determine whether Cruz, 23, should be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole. Given the cases notoriety, Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer plans to screen thousands of prospective jurors. Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Jan. 4.

Cruz entered his pleas after answering a long list of questions from Scherer aimed at confirming his mental competency. He was charged with 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted first-degree murder for those wounded in the Feb. 14, 2018, attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, located just outside Fort Lauderdale.

As several parents shook their heads, Cruz apologized, saying, Im very sorry for what I did.  I cant live with myself sometimes. He also added that he wished it was up to the survivors to determine whether he lived or died.

Parents scoffed at Cruzs statement as they left the courtroom, saying it seemed self-serving and aimed at eliciting unearned sympathy. Gena Hoyer, whose 15-year-old son Luke died in the shooting, saw it as part of a defense strategy to keep a violent, evil person off death row.

She said her son was a sweet young man who had a life ahead of him and the person you saw in there today chose to take his life. He does not deserve life in prison.

Anthony Borges, a former Stoneman Douglas student who was shot five times and severely wounded, told reporters after the hearing that he accepted Cruzs apology, but noted that it was not up to him to decide the confessed murderers fate.

He made a decision to shoot the school, Borges said. I am not God to make the decision to kill him or not. Thats not my decision. My decision is to be a better person and to change the world for every kid. I dont want this to happen to anybody again. It hurts. It hurts. It really hurts. So, I am just going to keep going. Thats it.

Cruzs attorneys announced his intention to plead guilty during a hearing last week.

Following the pleas Wednesday, former Broward State Attorney Mike Satz recounted the details of the murders. Cruz killed 14 students and three staff members on Valentines Day 2018 during a seven-minute rampage through a three-story building at Stoneman Douglas, investigators said. They said he shot victims in the hallways and in classrooms with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle, sometimes returning to the wounded to kill them with additional shots. Cruz had been expelled from Stoneman Douglas a year earlier after a history of threatening, frightening, unusual and sometimes violent behavior that dated back to preschool.

After Satz finished, the judge had to compose herself for several seconds before she began speaking again, her voice breaking.

The shootings caused some Stoneman Douglas students to launch the March for Our Lives movement, which pushes for stronger gun restrictions nationally.

Since days after the shooting, Cruzs attorneys had offered to have him plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence, saying that would spare the community the emotional turmoil of reliving the attack at trial. But Satz rejected the offer, saying Cruz deserved a death sentence, and appointed himself lead prosecutor. Satz, 79, stepped down as state attorney in January after 44 years, but remains Cruzs chief prosecutor.

His successor, Harold Pryor, is opposed to the death penalty but has said he will follow the law. Like Satz, he never accepted the defense offer  as an elected official, that would have been difficult, even in liberal Broward County, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 2 to 1.

By having Cruz plead guilty, his attorneys will be able to argue during the penalty hearing that he took responsibility for his actions.

As at any trial, prosecutors will present evidence of the shooting, including security video that reportedly shows many of the killings in graphic detail. They will also be allowed to show evidence that Cruz had long planned the attack and made threats through cellphone videos. There will be testimony from students and teachers who were in the building, including some who were wounded.

Prosecutors will also present testimony from the victims parents and spouses to demonstrate the toll the deaths have had on families and the community.

The defense will then present mitigating evidence that will likely include testimony about Cruzs life, including his long history of mental and emotional instability, his fathers death when he was 5 and his mothers death four months before the shootings, when he was 19.

To impose a death sentence, all 12 jurors must agree. If they do, Judge Scherer will make the final decision.
Albuquerque saw its fair share of leisure travelers over the summer, but business travel to the city isnt expected to fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic for years to come, according to the head of Visit Albuquerque.

During an event hosted by the Economic Forum of Albuquerque Wednesday morning, Visit Albuquerque president and CEO Tania Armenta said the industry consensus is that leisure travel, which rebounded during this summer, may exceed 2019 levels nationally by 2023.

However, Armenta said business travel, which was affected more severely last year, likely wont fully recover until 2024.

And for those portions of our industry that rely on business travel, that means that theres an adjustment, Armenta said.

New Mexicos tourism industry has had to adjust plenty already over the last 18 months. The industry estimates that the pandemic resulted in $4.1 billion in cumulative losses for the states tourism industry, part of an estimated $670 billion in losses nationwide.

Despite an uptick over the last several months, Armenta noted that passenger traffic at the Albuquerque International Sunport remains 28% below where it stood in 2019.

When New Mexico relaxed its business restrictions in July, Armenta said the state saw a surge in visitation, including an uptick from Colorado tourists in particular.

We knew there was going to be pent-up demand, she said.

While economic data from the most recent Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is not yet available, Armenta said anecdotal reports from the event, which was canceled last year, were positive.

It looks like it was a really strong success this year, she said.

On the business travel side, the news has been less positive in Albuquerque and across the country. Armenta said business travel to Albuquerque has been impacted by canceled conferences and other events.

Visit Albuquerque focused on rebooking those canceled events, and Armenta said the organization was able to rebook 58 groups that were canceled during the pandemic. However, those constituted just 40% of all the events lost during the pandemic.

To help offset the lost funding and become more competitive with peer cities, Visit Albuquerque is championing the creation of a tourism marketing district, which would add a 2% assessment to guest check-out fees within the city limits.

Armenta said the proposal would roughly double the amount of money available to the city for marketing purposes.

She added that the organization is closing in on getting support from a majority of hoteliers, which it needs to bring the petition before the city.

Im more excited about this opportunity than anything weve been able to do before, Armenta said. This is a game-changer for us.
New Mexicos oldest credit union will no longer charge overdraft fees to members.

U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union announced that it would halt the practice during a virtual news conference Wednesday. During the event, U.S. Eagle president and CEO Marsha Majors said the Albuquerque-based credit unions recent growth has allowed it to make the change. The change takes effect for members on Thursday.

Im extremely proud to say, on behalf of U.S. Eagle, that we are eliminating this painful fee that most people have been powerless to deal with, Majors said.

Prior to the change, Majors said the credit union would allow one withdrawal with insufficient funds in an account before charging them. She added that a typical fee ranges from $29 to $33.

In 2020 alone, Americans paid $12.4 billion in overdraft fees, with nearly 80% of those who pay them living paycheck-to-paycheck, according to a news release from U.S. Eagle.

Majors estimated that about half a dozen banks and credit unions nationwide have eliminated overdraft fees in recent years.

She said the change would cost U.S. Eagle between $1.5 and $2 million in annual revenue, but said the change should be a helpful one to the credit unions more than 80,000 members.

We believe that they will be very happy to see that those fees have been eliminated, she said.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  New Mexico is preparing to offer COVID-19 vaccines to children between ages 5 and 11, with the state set to receive 24,600 doses in its initial allotment once the expansion of age eligibility is approved.

A state Department of Health spokesman said Wednesday no vaccine shipments would occur until a federal advisory panel gives emergency authorization for the vaccine to be administered to younger children, which could happen as soon as next week.

Once emergency authorization is made, New Mexico has preordered and is expected to receive 66,000 vaccine doses over three waves, DOH spokesman David Morgan said.

The state does not have an exact timeline for those waves, he added.

Currently, only those age 12 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the United States.

Eligibility was expanded to ages 12 to 15 in May, and 53.8% of New Mexicans ages 12 to 17 had received all doses necessary to be fully vaccinated as of Wednesday, according to DOH data.

Approving the vaccine for younger people has taken more time, as researchers have conducted multiple pediatric trials in recent months to gauge immune system response and possible side effects.

If approved, the Pfizer vaccine for children 5 to 11 would be similar to the adult vaccine but in a much smaller dose  a third of the amount, according to The Associated Press.

Under a plan announced this week by the White House, the vaccine would be available at pediatricians offices, pharmacies, health care clinics, and possibly schools and community health centers.

There would also be enough doses available for all 28 million children age 5 to 11 years old nationally, according to President Joe Bidens administration.

Were completing the operational planning to ensure vaccinations for kids ages 5 to 11 are available, easy and convenient, White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said. Were going to be ready, pending the FDA and CDC decision.

The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses three weeks apart and a two-week period for full protection to kick in, according to The Associated Press, meaning the first kids in line could be fully covered by Christmas.

In New Mexico, there have been roughly 44,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases involving children under 18  or 16.5% of all cases  as of this week, according to DOH data.

Children have made up even a higher proportion of cases over the past week, though only 287 kids have been hospitalized in New Mexico since the start of the pandemic  or about 1.6% of all hospitalizations.

Meanwhile, five children have died statewide due to COVID-19, including a 12-year-old Albuquerque boy in November.

New Mexico health officials have said they dont plan to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for school attendance. The state currently requires immunizations for polio, hepatitis B and several other diseases in order for students to attend schools, though there are some allowable exemptions.

We will not be moving toward requiring the vaccine, former Health Secretary Tracie Collins told members of a legislative panel this summer.

Overall, there have been 4,966 deaths related to COVID-19 since the pandemic hit New Mexico in early 2020, after state health officials announced 14 additional deaths Wednesday.

They also reported 630 new cases statewide and 365 hospitalizations  up from 310 a week earlier.

The state Department of Health activated crisis standards of care for its hospital system this week for a second time  the first time was in December 2020  in order to be able to ration care amid a shortage of intensive care beds and nurses.

Hospital officials have said a mix of COVID-19 patients and those needing treatment for other conditions have swamped many intensive care units in New Mexico, which is also struggling with a nursing shortage that has been exacerbated by the pandemic.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Farmers growing alfalfa, corn and cotton in the arid Pecos River Basin of eastern New Mexico do so in a region known for extreme droughts and floods.

The basin is expected to face major water shortages for irrigated agriculture as temperatures rise over the next century, according to a study released this week by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission.

The basin irrigates more than 136,000 acres for farmers and ranchers in the Fort Sumner Irrigation District, Pecos Valley Artesian Conservancy District and Carlsbad Irrigation District.

The basin irrigates more than 136,000 acres for farmers and ranchers in the Fort Sumner Irrigation District, Pecos Valley Artesian Conservancy District and Carlsbad Irrigation District.

Dagmar Llewellyn, a Reclamation hydrologist and civil engineer who oversaw the study, said the report will help irrigators prepare for earlier snowmelt, reduced water supply and thirstier crops.

Drought and climate change-induced aridification is ongoing already in the basin, Llewellyn said. Weve been seeing less snowfall in the headwaters and more winter precipitation falling as rain. Weve also been seeing higher consumptive rates within the agricultural system.

Irrigated agriculture accounts for about 80% of the basins water use.

The study team modeled several temperature and precipitation scenarios for the next 100 years. The scientists looked at how reducing irrigation use in each district could ease the stress on regional water supplies.

An overall reduction doesnt necessarily mean the districts would need to cut back on the amount of irrigated land or slash crop production, Llewellyn said.

This (reduction) could potentially be achieved by changing crop types or changing irrigation methods or putting in some greenhouses, she said.

Other water-conservation strategies proposed by the agencies and the irrigation districts in the study include adding electronic water databases, repairing old infrastructure, and removing sediment and invasive plant species from the river.

Frank Scott, the Pecos River Basin bureau chief for the Interstate Stream Commission, said the study will help improve regional water management. Officials must also consider the basins endangered species and water delivery obligations to Texas when making decisions about irrigation allotments.

There are some challenges that are coming up in the future that are going to affect us all, Scott said. This study will hopefully help us get in front of that and be able to pivot and deal with it as necessary.

Theresa Davis is a Report for America corps member covering water and the environment for the Albuquerque Journal.

Read the study

The Pecos River Basin study can be found at usbr.gov/watersmart/bsp/completed.html
WENN/Avalon Celebrity

The 'Guardians of the Galaxy' actor gets real when he talks in a new magazine interview about 'all the bad cliche mistakes' he made when he first found fame.

Oct 20, 2021

AceShowbiz - Dave Bautista tried to "buy" happiness when he first found fame.

The wrestler-turned-actor wasted his money when he first made a name for himself because he "didn't know how to deal with it."

He told the November issue of Men's Health U.K. magazine, "So I made all the bad cliche mistakes... I wasted all that money, and I could've done a lot of good things with that money."

"I could've helped people; I could've helped animals. But honestly, I was miserable, and I was just trying to buy happiness."

Bautista shot to fame in the WWE before transitioning into Hollywood, where the actor has seen his profile skyrocket in recent years, but he thinks people still have the wrong impression of him.

"I realise what I look like," he sighed. "I joke and say I look like I got out of prison yesterday. But I do. I'm very aware of that. So that's why I'll take an extra minute with somebody to show them I'm just not that guy. I may look like that guy, but I'm not that guy."

Bautista has more than a million followers on Twitter, but he admits to having a turbulent relationship with social media.

Although the "Spectre" star has considered walking away from the micro-blogging platform, he wants to fight his corner on various social issues.

"I wanted to walk away from Twitter years ago, because it's just such a hostile place... but I saw what a bad political environment we've come into," he explained.

"I stayed on because I want to be an opposing voice to all those a*sholes who are out here being racists and bigots and polarising our country. So I stayed on to spite them."
Instagram Celebrity

According to the medical examiners, there was no foul play in the death of the 'Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness' zookeeper as he passed away from acute alcohol use.

Oct 20, 2021

AceShowbiz - "Tiger King" zookeeper Erik Cowie died from "acute and chronic alcohol use."

The 53-year-old, who was among the stars in the Netflix reality series "Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness", was found dead in New York City last month (Sep21).

In a statement to Fox News on Monday (18Oct21), officials from the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner confirmed that Cowie's death was natural and stemmed from "acute and chronic alcohol use."

Cowie had admitted to having a drinking problem and said he was "at the end of (his) rope" before he started working with "Tiger King" Joe Exotic as an animal caretaker.

He stayed on at the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma after Joe was imprisoned for attempting to kill rival Carole Baskin.

Earlier this year, Erik was charged with driving under the influence in Oklahoma after a car accident. He pleaded guilty but failed to show up for the sentencing hearing.

Cowie did appear in court to testify against Joe Exotic, real name Joseph Maldonado-Passage, accusing the "Tiger King" star of abusing and killing some of his zoo animals.

The controversial reality TV star is serving a 22-year sentence after being convicted in January 2020 of trying to hire two different men to kill animal rights activist Carole Baskin.

Meanwhile, the Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park was awarded by a judge to Baskin in her legal dispute with Joe Exotic. She has since sold the zoo.
WENN/FayesVision/Avalon Celebrity

The 'In My Feelings' hitmaker reportedly hits the unfollow button on the 'Donda' artist's Instagram page after his nemesis legally changed his name to 'Ye' and debuts his new haircut.

Oct 20, 2021

AceShowbiz - Drake has decided to stop following Kanye West on Instagram. The "In My Feelings" hitmaker reportedly hit the unfollow button on the "Donda" artist's page after five years following him amid their longtime feud.

The 34-year-old Canadian-born rapper was caught making a big social media move against Ye on Monday, October 18. Fans noticed that the "Certified Love Boy" artist unfollowed Ye after Ye received approval from a Los Angeles judge to change his name due to "personal reasons" and debuted his new haircut on his Instagram account.

Though so, Drake apparently still wants to keep up with Ye slightly as he's still following Ye's fan page called @KanyeDoingThings. As for Ye, he's currently only following people with black screens as their avatars and since the former "Degrassi: The Next Generation" star has his son Adonis as his picture, he's not being followed by Ye.

Drake and Ye have been exchanging snubs over the years. Drake's social media gesture became the latest saga in their ongoing cold war. In September, following the release of "Certified Lover Boy", Drake leaked Ye's unreleased Andre 3000 a.k.a. Andre Benjamin collaboration, "Life of the Party", on which Ye called out Drake.

Ye had been dealing with the rollout of his latest album "Donda", which reportedly was rushed due to his desire to outshine Drake. For the record, it was Drake who reignited the beef with Ye as he threw shade at the "N***as in Paris" rapper on Trippie Redd's new song "Betrayal".

Ye then seemingly hit back at Drake by posting a screenshot of a group chat of eight people where he added Pusha T. In the chatbox, the estranged husband of Kim Kardashian could be seen sending an image of Joaquin Phoenix as Joker. Alongside the snap, he wrote, "I live for this. I've been f**ked with by nerd a** jock n***as like you my whole life. You will never recover. I promise you."

Coming to Ye's defense, Consequence tweeted, "F**k a Betrayal. It's the Disrespect for me dawg. Wit Trippie Redd Shotgun." The 44-year-old MC then added, "Respect my team. It's party time."

After Ye responded to Drake's diss on "Betrayal", the Atlanta native leaked Drizzy's Canada home address. At the time, he posted an image of his nemesis' address on his Instagram page. He later quickly deleted the photo, though not before his followers took a screengrab of his sneaky post.

Following Ye's unexpected move, Drake seemed to be unbothered. Taking to his Instagram Story, the "God's Plan" rapper shared a video that saw him chuckling as he was riding in a car with the top down at night.
Instagram Celebrity

A day after sharing that she's taking time for 'spiritual maintenance' following her ex-husband and Kourtney Kardashian's engagement, the ex-wife of Blink-182 drummer wipes off snaps with her children from her social media page.

Oct 20, 2021

AceShowbiz - Shanna Moakler has made another social media gesture after her ex-husband Travis Barker got engaged to Kourtney Kardashian. The ex-wife of Blink-182 drummer wiped off all recent photos with her kids, Landon and Alabama, from her Instagram page after they celebrated their dad's engagement.

On Tuesday, October 19, it's reported that the 46-year-old deleted all recent pictures with her children from her Instagram page after Landon and Alabama joined the rest of the Kardashian-Jenner clan for a celebratory dinner following the proposal.

During the celebratory dinner, Landon and Alabama took to their Instagram Stories to share videos from the special occasion. Landon captioned his post, "So happy for me and my new family!" while Alabama wrote, "So happy for you guys I love u both! @kourtneykardash @travisbarker."

A day earlier, Shanna shared cryptic social media posts on her Instagram Story, seemingly reacting to Travis and Kourtney's engagement. In one post, she announced that she's taking a break from social media. "Temporarily closed for spiritual maintenance," she wrote. In a separate Story, she shared a quote attributed to late rap legend Tupac Shakur that read, "Before you ask why someone hates you, ask yourself why you give a f**k."

This wasn't the first time Shanna commented on Travis' relationship with Kourtney. Back in May, she blamed the Kardashian family for her broken romance with the rocker. She said at the time, "My family's broken because of [the Kardashian] family and now my kids and I are alienated from each other because of another sister in the family, so yay for me."

"So, you know, this has all started since my ex started dating a certain person," Shanna added. Though so, she insisted that she "[doesn't] care about Travis and Kourtney in any capacity whatsoever." She said, "All I care about is my children, mending and healing my relationship with my children and moving forward in that capacity."

Shanna's Instagram cryptic posts came less than a day after Travis asked Kourtney to marry him at the Rosewood Miramar in Montecito, California. When popping the question to Kourtney, Travis got down on one knee on the beach, in the middle of a massive heart-shaped floral arrangement surrounded by candles.

Expressing her excitement, the former "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" star shared the photos of the special moment on her Instagram account. "Forever," she simply captioned the sweet moments.

Of the special day, a source spilled that "it was a complete surprise for Kourtney." The so-called inside source further revealed, "Travis told her family that he planned to propose, but everyone was great at keeping it secret."
Instagram Celebrity

The 'Charmed' actress and other demonstrators are protesting in front of the White House to urge the Senate and the Biden administration to take political action to protect voting rights.

Oct 20, 2021

AceShowbiz - Alyssa Milano was arrested on Tuesday, October 19 in Washington as she protested for voting rights. The "Charmed" actress and other demonstrators were protesting in front of the White House to urge the Senate and the Biden administration to take political action to protect voting rights.

"I was just arrested for demanding the Biden Administration and the Senate to use their mandate to protect voting rights," the 48-year-old star wrote on Tuesday. "Stand with me and @peoplefor and tell the Senate and White House that voting rights shouldn't depend on where you live. #DontMuteOurVote."

Alyssa Milano addressed her arrest.

Milano was protesting for People for the American Way, a nonprofit which was founded by television producer Norman Lear in 1980. Alongside Milano, the group's president Ben Jealous was also arrested during the protest.

Addressing the arrest, Jealous wrote on Twitter, "We came back to the White House to deliver a clear message to President Biden: we need actions that match the urgency of his words on voting rights - and time is running out."

The Senate is scheduled to decide on October 20 whether they accept the Freedom to Vote act. Introduced by a group Democratic senators lead by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), the bill is about issues with the current system, including restricted access to the ballot, voter roll purges, campaign finance laws and more.

It will also protect voting rights in the next election for all of us: for Black voters and Brown voters, for women, for younger voters and older voters, voters with disabilities and working people of all backgrounds.

Milano has been vocal about politics over the pas years. Prior to this, the actress slammed Texas' restrictive abortion bill. "The newest Texas abortion ban, #SB8, gives politicians, neighbors, and even strangers the right to sue those who provide -- or just help patients get -- abortion after 6 wks," so she stressed at the time. "The time to fight for our reproductive health & rights is now!"
Instagram Celebrity

Filing a motion to dismiss the litigation, Sire Spirits' lawyers state that the legal action was taken by their rival liquor company to financially destroy a competitor.

Oct 20, 2021

AceShowbiz - 50 Cent and his bosses at Branson Cognac are fighting to dismiss a lawsuit filed on behalf of rival liquor company Remy Martin. Lawyers for Sire Spirits filed a motion on Monday, October 18 in Manhattan federal court, in answer to an August 2021 lawsuit lodged by representatives for E. Remy Martin & Co.

Experts at the company, who make and distribute the rapper's cognac, have blasted accusations that they copied the design of the centuries-old French company's signature curved bottle. The French attorneys claimed 50's bottles of booze looked "nearly indistinguishable" from Remy Martin products.

According to Billboard, the new documents accuse Remy Martin chiefs of trying to "eliminate" a competitor and "monopolize the Cognac market."

Remy Martin, which was founded in 1724, is currently the second best-selling cognac in the world, after market leader Hennessy, which dates back to 1765. Officials at Akerman LLP, the firm representing Sire Spirits, have also accused E. Remy Martin & Co. chiefs of creating a "bad faith" lawsuit.

"This action is a naked effort to use meritless litigation to financially destroy a competitor," Sire's attorneys wrote on Monday. "Remy Martin must be stopped, and the claims against Sire Spirits should not be allowed to survive."

"No brand or company has the right to exclude others from making or selling curved bottle for Cognac or other alcohol," the attorneys further stressed. "Nonetheless, Remy Martin is on a mission to eliminate Sire Spirits from the Cognac market."

When he was first slapped with the lawsuit, 50 shared his thought via Instagram. In the post that has since been deleted, the 46-year-old declared, "They are afraid of me already. Branson Cognac is the new wave. REMY is #2 Behind Henny and worried about Branson Smh. I'm just getting started."
WENN/Adriana M. Barraza Movie

Although he is open to the idea of expanding the action/crime franchise into a trilogy, the filmmaker explains at the Rome Film Festival that he first wants to 'make a comedy.'

Oct 20, 2021

AceShowbiz - Quentin Tarantino has hinted at a possibility of "Kill Bill 3". When asked whether he will make the third sequel of the action/crime movie, the director simply replied, "Why not?"

According to Variety, The 58-year-old was pressed with the question on Tuesday, October 19 at the Rome Film Festival, where he was the recipient of a lifetime achievement award from Italian horror maestro Dario Argento. While he's still open to the idea of "Kill Bill 3", the filmmaker noted that first, "I want to make a comedy."

Quentin went on to note that he's gearing up for a book release and unspecified project. "It's not like my next movie. It's a piece of something else that I'm thinking about doing - and I'm not going to describe what it is," he divulged.

"But part of this thing, there is supposed to be a Spaghetti Western in it... I'm looking forward to shooting that [thing] because it's going to be really fun," the Knoxville native added. "Because I want to shoot it in the Spaghetti Western style where everybody's speaking a different language."

"The Mexican Bandido is an Italian; the hero is an American; the bad sheriff is a German; the Mexican saloon girl is Israeli. And everybody is speaking a different language," the writer/producer explained further. "And you [the actors] just know: OK, when he's finished talking then I can talk."

Quentin had previously floated the idea of expanding the "Kill Bill" franchise into a trilogy. It made Uma Thurman feel convinced that there will be no "Volume 3". When asked about the matter, the actress portraying assassin The Bride told "Today" in October 2020, "I don't think so." The leading lady continued to share, "I think it's already been made and been played and it's done in Quentin's mind... He's onto the next thing."
Stan Speed received a BS degree in Chemistry in 1963 and a PhD in Chemical Physics in 1967 from The University of Texas. He then spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow working with Professor H. S. Gutowski at the University of Illinois. In 1969, he joined ExxonMobil Chemical Company where he worked in the polymers division, principally with polyethylene. He was involved in ExxonMobil Chemicals development and commercialization of metallocene technology. He retired in 2000 and began a consulting career focusing primarily on polymer related intellectual property.

Following are some reflections from Stan on leadership, and succeeding in an industrial career, that he wrote a few months prior to his retirement from ExxonMobil in 2000.
You started working with the USDA immediately after completing your undergraduate degree. Take us back to that time. What was the appeal of the USDA, as opposed to opportunities in industry or academia?

I chose to attend Drexel University primarily because it has an extensive cooperative education program. During the middle three years, students attend school half the time and work in a field related to their majors half the time. Drexel assigned me to the USDA, like many of their chemistry majors then, and they offered me a job when I graduated. It was a good place to start my scientific career.

For about eight years, you worked as a chemist in the USDAs Hides & Leather Laboratory and Engineering Science Laboratory. What were your primary responsibilities during that part of your career?

In Hides & Leather, we worked on mitigating pollution from tanneries. After a year, I began to study for a PhD in chemistry (on a part-time basis) at Temple University. Then the Engineering Science Lab needed someone who could do physical chemistry and analytical chemistry, which were my areas of specialization, and the center director transferred me there. The new research group worked on dairy products and soon split off into its own unit, and I stayed with it for 33 years.

Whats the profile of a person entering the job market today who will enjoy and thrive applying their scientific knowledge on behalf of the USDA or some other government entity? Knowing what you know now, would your 22-year-old self again choose the USDA?

Always be flexible, whether in academia, industry, or government. My career went from fractionating animal fat (as a co-op student) to tannery waste to cheese, all in the same building. Saying thats not what I signed up for is not going to get you too far. The USDAs Agricultural Research Service, like other government research agencies, provides a stable and secure job with little threat of layoffs, and I would choose it again.

You developed a low-fat Mozzarella cheese that has been used in the National School Lunch Program since 1995. To date, more than 100,000,000 pounds of this cheese, valued at more than $140,000,000, have been purchased for the National School Lunch Program. What first brought this matter to your attention?

The USDAs Food and Consumer Service approached us with a problem: pizza is the favorite lunch in schools, but parents do not like to see a puddle of oil sitting on top of the food their children eat. Could our group, which was (and still is) the only one in USDA researching dairy products, come up with a low-fat Mozzarella that tastes, melts, and stretches well? We were able to develop this cheese by examining its microbiology, microstructure, and rheology, and tested it in schools. This was my greatest research success.

If you had to break it out in rough percentages, how much of your career success do you owe to (a) your formal academic schooling, (b) the professional training provided by your employers, and (c) general on the job experience?

My formal schooling provided the basics for doing my job, so I give that 20%. The professional training was another 10%. However, on the job experience was the most valuable portion, worth 70%.

You are a prolific author, having authored or coauthored over 130 publications, and having coedited seven books. How did you become a good writer? And what is your motivation for writing so frequently?

My motivation for writing publications was continuing my employment! Through much of my career, scientists were required to write a senior-authored paper or two co-authored papers a year for refereed journals. If invited to write a book chapter, I accepted because it helps with recognition, which leads to other things. I have co-chaired some symposia at ACS National Meetings and asked the speakers to write chapters that turned into Symposium Series Books. Writing improves with practice, and I have tried to delete unnecessary words and jargon to make the publications read better.

In 2013, Oxford University Press published your book, The Science of Cheese. Can you share a few interesting facts about cheese that our readers may not know?

Cheese is constantly changing since the microorganisms used to make it either continue to survive or die and break open, releasing enzymes that attack the proteins. Some cheese ripens from the outside in (because of surface mold or yeast), and the rest ripens from the inside out. Many varieties developed by accident, such as leaving curd in a cave or making a mistake in the procedure, and the result turned out well enough to replicate on purpose.

Speaking of cheese, even though properly refrigerated, can you speculate why I so often see mold growing on the cheese well-before the printed expiration date on the package? I suspect Im not the only one who experiences this.

Mold spores are ubiquitous in the environment, including refrigerators, and settle on cheese because it is a good source of nutrients. If you see mold growing on a piece of hard cheese, just cut off that portion.

Having completed your undergraduate degree at Drexel, your PhD at Temple, and having spent 40 years with the USDA facility in Wyndmoor, PA, you have been pretty much been all-Philadelphia, all the time. What kept you in in the greater Philadelphia area for the last 45 years?

Another reason I attended Drexel is the fact that I could take public transportation to and from our house. We did not have a huge amount of money and commuting kept costs down. Then I got the full-time job and there was no good reason to move away.

Talk about the metaphorical one that got away. Is there a project that eluded you? Why? And if you could return to it, what would you do differently?

In the late 1990s, the National Zoo asked me about adjusting milk components for feeding baby pandas. China wanted to send a couple over (which they did in 2000) and hoped to get information that would help them survive. I thought about pursuing this area as a project but the scope was too limited. Perhaps pushing forward would have yielded interesting results.

You are a long-time member of the ACS Division of Agricultural & Food Chemistry. How has that affiliation benefitted you?

Becoming active in AGFD since 1993 has helped my career immensely. Organizing symposia, serving on committees, and chairing the division have taught me leadership skills and connected me with other scientists in the field, many of whom are now good friends. Volunteering with a division can be time consuming but it is more than worth it personally and professionally.

In 2017, you started a new chapter in your career, as Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Food & Hospitality Management, College of Nursing & Health Professions, at Drexel University. In what ways do you find this work rewarding?

I am responsible for eight food science courses at Drexel, and now I get to teach students many of the things I learned on the job. Seeing them graduate and get good jobs on their own is always gratifying.

With over 30 years conducting dairy research, youre a good person to ask this question: Who makes the best ice cream? And whats your favorite flavor?

As a native Philadelphian, I am obligated to say that Bassetts ice cream, with a whopping 17% fat, is the best. They started in Philadelphia in 1861, making them the oldest ice cream maker and shop in the U.S. Anything with chocolate in it is a favorite of mine.
(CNN) -- A scuba diver has found a 900-year-old Crusader sword with a three-foot blade off the coast of Israel.

The amateur diver spotted the sword and other ancient artifacts on the seabed off northern Israel, according to a statement from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) published Monday.



(Photo credit: Israel's Antiquities Authority via AP) (Photo credit: Israel's Antiquities Authority via AP)

He was diving on October 9 when he spotted the sword, which boasts a foot-long hilt, along with stone anchors, metal anchors and pottery fragments.

The artifacts were "apparently uncovered by waves and undercurrents that had shifted the sand," the IAA said.

The diver took the sword up to the surface so it wouldn't be stolen or covered up again, before handing it in to the IAA.

The sword was found 200 meters (656 feet) from the shore, at a depth of four meters (13 feet), Koby Sharvit, director of the IAA's Marine Archaeology Unit, told CNN on Tuesday.

Its size and shape suggest it belonged to a Crusader, as does the fact that it was found just a few kilometers from Atlit castle, a Crusader fortress, Sharvit added.

Dating from 1096 to the late 13th century, the Crusades were a set of military expeditions by Western European Christians that aimed to retake the Holy Land in the Middle East after centuries of Muslim wars of expansion.

Nir Distelfeld, Inspector for the IAA's Robbery Prevention Unit, said the sword is a rare find that has been preserved in perfect condition.

"It was found encrusted with marine organisms, but is apparently made of iron," Distelfeld said in the statement.

"It is exciting to encounter such a personal object, taking you 900 years back in time to a different era, with knights, armor and swords."

Sharvit told CNN the sword is well preserved because it was buried in a deep layer of sand, without oxygen.

It currently weighs around 5-6 kilograms (11-13 pounds) due to the incrustation of stones and shells, but the sword itself probably weighs 1-2 kilograms (2.2-4.4 pounds), he said.

The coastline in the area has many natural coves that provided shelter for ancient ships, and settlements such as Dor and Atlit developed around the larger coves, according to the IAA.

This means the area was popular with merchant ships -- and that means a wealth of potential archaeological finds.

The site has been monitored since June, when some artifacts were first discovered by members of the public. But the movement of the sands means artifacts are "very elusive," according to the statement.

"Our work actually is like a puzzle," Sharvit told CNN, explaining that even small storms can move the sand around and expose new objects.

Other artifacts recovered from the site show it was used in the Late Bronze Age, some 4,000 years ago, by ships seeking shelter, Sharvit added.

He told CNN that the team will closely monitor the site in the coming months.

"It's very strange to find just one artifact" from the Crusader period, he said, explaining that the sword could have been left following a shipwreck, or a Crusader landing party.

Winter storms could expose more artifacts, he added, and archaeologists will carry out further surveys in the area.

In the meantime, the sword will be sent to the IAA labs to be cleaned, said Sharvit, who hopes to learn more about its history when the metal itself is revealed.

IAA Director-General Eli Escosido said: "Once the sword has been cleaned and researched in the Israel Antiquities Authority's laboratories, we will ensure it is displayed to the public."

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
CHICO, Calif. - The Chico City Council will look at ways to improve parking for people living near Enloe Medical Center at its meeting Tuesday.

One of the options they will be considering is issuing permits for residents who live near the hospital.

Car after car was parked on the streets near the hospital, not leaving many open parking spaces.

The city council will be looking at one consultant's plan.

Part of that plan would be for people living near Enloe to apply to the city for a parking permit.

One resident who lives on Citrus Ave., around the corner from the hospital, said all the cars have her concerned for her safety.

Sometimes it is really hard to see at the corners around because there are so many cars in the way so that would be my concern, said Chico resident Suzy Janosz. I don't really mind people parking in front of my house but I know some people have an issue because if someone comes to visit them then there is nowhere for them to park.

The preparation of the proposed plan, including consultant services, staff time and printing cost the city around $30,000.

In addition to considering parking permits, the plan suggests a two-hour parking time limit for people who don't live in the area.

If the city council approves the plan, the improvements would be done in three phases with each phase taking about a year to complete.

As for the permits the plan calls for people to have to request them through the city at a cost of $21 per year.

Also, on the agenda Tuesday night, Chico's mayor wants the state to help the city address its mental health and drug addiction issues and their impact on the homeless crisis.

The goal is to see if or what kind of help the state will give before deciding on an exact plan.

Many homeless are still living in city parks throughout Chico.

City council members voted 6 to 1 last month to agendize Mayor Andrew Coolidges request to submit his letter asking the state for mental health and drug treatment support.

Coolidge and people in the community shared why they think this is important.

If the homeless problem is the concern, taking care of all those little issues that seem little when they are separate they combine into a big issue when you have no support, said Chico resident Stephen Holmes.

Not having any drug treatment in Butte County is just sad, said Coolidge. It is definitely an area where we need to make movement and get some results

Tuesday's meeting will allow council members to fix and fine-tune the letter before sending it to state lawmakers.
CHICO, Calif. - A unanimous vote to update the Climate Action Plan was agreed upon by Chico City Council Tuesday night.

The plan will focus on many elements to better the environment, especially focusing on ways to continue to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

These changes include the form and use of electricity, better bike paths and encouraging citizens to use them more and requiring electric vehicle chargers in all new developments.

Kirk Monfort, who lives in Chico, says he wants to do his part to help generations to come.

I think its not just a local issue, but its a worldwide issue and I understand the students are not only worried about employment problems, which received a lot of press, but theyre also worried about living in a world thats unlivable, said Monfort.

A small rally for climate change gathered in front of City Hall before the meeting. Many people from the rally stayed and spoke at the meeting.

RELATED: Chico City Council looking at ways to improve parking near Enloe, mental health help for the homeless

Melys Bonifacio-Jerez, a member of the Chico for Climate Change group who attended the rally, says she was almost in tears when they approved the update.

"As a Chico State student, I love being here in Chico. I love the nature, its beautiful. I come from the city and Ive never seen so many trees in my life. So, I would just really love to preserve that, so this motion is one way to preserve that beauty that is here, said Bonifacio-Jerez.

Many people attending the meeting and Bonifacio-Jerez were worried that if City Council voted against the update, then Chico would not be able to reduce emissions enough to preserve the nature in the city.

They were afraid of a possible wildfire if the situation worsened.

City Council also discussed a new parking plan for Enloe Medical Center and surrounding residential areas, but did not vote and gave staff direction on how to better the plan.

The plan would include timed parking spaces, permit parking for residents and an increased number of employees and people using the Enloe Medical Center parking structure.
SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. - A follow-up drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Shasta County will be on Friday, according to the City of Redding.

The vaccine clinic will be the second clinic as the first clinic was on Oct. 1.

The clinic will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Redding City Hall.

The City of Redding and the Shasta County Health and Human Services will provide second doses for those who received the first Pfizer dose on Oct. 1.

The vaccine clinic is not just for those who attended the first clinic.

Anyone who has received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine can get their second dose as long as they received the first dose at least 21 days before.

People can also get their first shot of the Pfizer vaccine or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Walk-ups and appointments are welcomed.
SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. - Officials are investigating the suspicious death of a missing person who was found dead near Keswick Lake, the Shasta County Sheriffs Office said.

On Sunday, deputies received a report of a missing person at about 11:46 p.m.

The person was identified as 35-year-old Christopher Catterson of Redding.

Catterson left to go fishing on Saturday but never returned home.

As information came in, deputies learned Catterson could be in the area of Keswick Lake near the Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area.

Deputies responded to the area and located Cattersons vehicle and located Catterson dead.

The Shasta County Sheriffs Office Major Crimes Unit responded and took over the death.

Officials said the case is treated as a suspicious death based on the circumstances.

An autopsy is scheduled.
Get ready for scattered showers, cooler temperatures, slick roads, and gusty south winds ahead in your Wednesday forecast. Low pressure tracking into the Pacific Northwest is brought heavier rain and snow to northern California overnight, but we'll mostly have lighter scattered showers through the day on Wednesday. A Winter Weather Advisory is set to stay in effect through 11am Wednesday in Trinity County, and 6am in Siskiyou County down to 4500'. Up to 6 inches of snow is possible in total in areas where Winter Weather Advisories are in effect. We also have a Wind Advisory in effect through 2pm Wednesday in portions of Modoc and Siskiyou Counties. Sustained winds to 25mph look likey, with gusts up to 55mph out of the south possible in those areas today. Skies are cloudy and showers have become lighter and more scattered in nature for the start of your Wednesday. More scattered showers are expected to persist through the day. Temperatures are starting out in the upper 40's to lower 50's in the valley, and 30's to 40's in the foothills and our mountain areas this morning. Sustained south winds to 25mph are expected, and most of our region will have gusts in the 30 to 40mph range through today. High temperatures are only projected to top out in the mid 50's to lower 60's, while foothill and mountain areas end up in the mid 40's to mid 50's Wednesday afternoon.

A more potent wave of moisture will move into northern California on Thursday as the next wet system takes aim at northern California. You can expect lighter showers early to mid day on Thursday, with heavier rainfall expected in the afternoon and Thursday night. Temperatures will be a little warmer than Wednesday, but still well below average for this time of year. Snow levels will be higher with this system, and most of the precipitation we have will fall as rain. This system will persist into Friday and we'll continue to stay cool through the end of this week. Scattered showers and cooler temperatures will then take hold of your Saturday forecast, so it's going to be a soggy start to your weekend. The strongest system of this series of storms is set to arrive on Sunday, and will bring heavy rainfall and high elevation snow to our region from Sunday through the start of next week. Heavy mountain snow will bring major travel impacts, and we'll have the potential for 1 to 3 feet of snow in our mountain areas from Sunday through Tuesday. Rain totals are expected to end up in the 3 to 5 inch range in the valley through early next week, while mountain areas get between 4 to 8 inches of rain through Tuesday. Temperatures will start out mild in the mornings, but will end up well below average for the afternoons. The heavier rain and snow will give way to lighter scattered showers on Tuesday. The latest models show a break from the wet weather from the middle to latter half of next week, but the potential for more wet weather on the way for your Halloween Weekend to end the month of October.
ANDERSON, Calif. - On Tuesday, vehicle components of a 1966 Ford Cobra have been recovered in Anderson after the vehicle was stolen in July, according to the Anderson Police Department.

Officials worked with the victim and the vehicle builder to identify the parts that belonged to the solen Cobra.

On July 15, the victims saw the trailer that had the Cobra inside of it driving down the street away from the Gaia Hotel in Anderson.

RELATED: Anderson police still looking for stolen 1966 Cobra

The trailer was found empty near Riverland Dr. and Balls Ferry Rd.

Then Anderson Police Department received information about tire marks that appeared to be consistent with the tires the Cobra had.

Up to $1,000 is being offered to someone with more information about the Cobra. Those people can call (530) 243-2319.

Detectives do not know who the trailer belongs to that the components were found on or the suspects involved.
HDFC Mutual Fund recently launched an interesting mega Investor Education campaign '#BarniSeAzadi'. This campaign aims to connect with wider masses, based on a deep rooted Indian insight. The campaign talks about how we Indians have traditionally always saved money in Barnis, lockers, etc. and why there is a need to let the money grow freely in instruments like mutual funds.

Watch the ad here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc3oQbxUWOE

As part of this unique initiative, the HDFC MF ad campaign will be spread across leading shows on Television, Social and Digital media over the next few weeks to reach the desired target audience.

In conversation with Adgully, Shyamali Basu, Executive Vice President & Head - Product, Marketing and Training, HDFC Asset Management Co Ltd, elaborates on the campaign objective, the creative thought process, taking a concept rooted in a traditional practice and seamlessly connecting it to wealth creation.

Mutual fund investment still needs education in our country. What is the objective of the # BarniSeAzadi educational campaign?

The objective or vision of HDFC Mutual Fund is to create wealth for every Indian. Wealth creation is a long term process. The ultimate formula for such growth is sound investment + time + patience. Even small denominations, over time, can create bigger wealth pools.

This being said, India has a saving culture, which has been prevalent for many years. It is a traditional habit to save money for difficult times. But, this saved money is simply kept idle/ aside without any growth in its value. We tend to even forget this saved cash in various corners of our homes.

#barniseazadi urges everyone to let this hard earned money grow.

The main objective of this film is to educate everyone that their saved money can be growing and simultaneously be kept aside for difficult times. We are educating investors not to keep this money aside in Barnis, under mattresses or even in Almirahs, but instead invest the same, smartly, and reap benefits for a longer period of time.

The insight is interesting. How did this insight emerge? Any research that threw this insight and how did the creative idea germinate?

The thought began from a comparison of traditional habits of saving vis-a-vis the methods of saving and investing prevalent today. It was observed that while mutual funds are the current avenue, the traditional habit of saving is to store cash in the house, in various corners, for emergencies. This concept of the saving has been rooted in India for quite a while now. Women of the house, from the old times to now, have been responsible for looking after household requirements. They are also the cornerstone for saving money for the entire household. The ghar kharach or the money given to them during auspicious festivals like Diwali is used wisely and a part of it is saved in Kitchen Barnis, between clothes, in food jars, Pooja ghars, cupboards, etc.

This insight led us to an analogy  Achaar In A Barni. For those who know the process of making achaar (pickle), know that the more you keep the achaar trapped in a barni, the more flavourful it becomes. We used this concept to explain that Barni mein achaar pakta hai, paise nahi.

We saw this as a seamless connect that mass India will relate to.

Who is your target audience for this campaign? How do you plan to engage with your audience besides the campaign to educate about mutual funds?

Our target audience is mass. Tier 2 and 3 cities mainly. We are connecting with every man, woman, who has kept money aside in unproductive avenues. We also want to connect with the younger generations who have seen their parents do the same. We are trying to educate this younger generation so that they invest early  catch them young, watch them fly, right!

Our branches have conducted branch level activities for various audiences like women savings group, police personnel, BMC officials, teachers, bank employees, etc. We might also indulge in some local activations.

We aim to make the Indian Barni a symbol of all the places where our hard-earned money is literally trapped; it is stagnant as we are not giving it a chance to grow.

AMFI, through its campaign Mutual Fund Sahi Hai, has been educating potential investors. How is this HDFC Mutual fund campaign different?

The AMFI campaigns communicate the what and how questions for a mutual fund investor. They are educating about the importance of mutual funds and how to invest in the same.

While our Barni campaign answers the Why. We are communicating why one should invest and the reasons behind the benefits of investing in mutual funds.

What is the overall media strategy for the campaign to achieve the desired results and impact? How do you plan to measure the effectiveness of the campaign?

Our media strategy is to reach the middle class households for both younger and older generations. Hence, we have a 30-seconder TVC and 70-seconder digital campaign. We intend to reach as many household as possible with this campaign. At a local level, ground activations are in place as well. Over 130 branches took this opportunity to show the film to various different audiences and educate further about investing in mutual funds. We are taking this to various cities within departmental stores, malls, etc. Apart from this, we are using social media platforms to reach the younger generations. Social media engagement is important as well at this stage and hence, we are using our Twitter account to bring out discussions over mutual funds  the more we engage, the more we educate! We also installed innovative outdoor in Mumbai to reach out to our hard working Mumbaikars.

Needless to say, we have fantastic support from our IFAs, MFDs, RMs and the sales team who understand the value that HDFC MF brings to the table. With their help we take this initiative ahead to the actual investor as well.

The campaigns effectiveness will be measured in terms of investor consciousness it creates. When investors consciously make an effort to understand, comprehend and then invest in mutual funds according to their individual financial goals, we would have succeeded in our endeavour.
After reigning supreme in news broadcasting, TV9 Network has emerged as the fastest-growing digital news platform over the last six months. As part of its aggressive expansion plans, TV9 Network is further strengthening the leadership at TV9 Digital with the appointment of Anshuman Tiwari as Editor of Money9. Veteran journalist Rakesh Khar, who launched Money9 in record time, will assume a larger role as Business and Economy Editor of the Network.

Anshuman belongs to a rare breed of journalists with an impeccable grip on public-personal finance synergy. He is known for his innovative and simple style of explaining complex issues of personal finance, public finance economy and capital market.

He is a recipient of prestigious Ramanath Goenka Award, the WAN-IFRA International award for investigative Journalism and, most recently, the ENBA award for the best economic show on digital platforms.

He is a Chevening fellow and has had brief stints with global media brands like Financial Times, London and Dayton News Chronicle, Ohio, USA.

Money9 is Indias first multi-lingual personal finance platform. It has already become a go to platform amongst its loyal audiences in a short span of just nine months. It was launched with the editorial vision of financialising India in the true sense by taking personal finance to extremely under-served consumers. The existing offerings in the market dont address their needs and are in a language that does not relate to people at the bottom of the pyramid. It is here that Money9 will evolve to its full potential.

Speaking on Anshumans appointment, Barun Das, CEO, TV9 Network said, TV9 Network is Indias largest television news network with the strongest presence across languages. While language audiences have always been under-served in terms of personal finance, that need gap has only widened with rapid financialization and digitization of semi-urban and rural India. Money9 will serve the finest personal finance content in simple, easy-to-consume formats, accessible in multiple languages. I am confident we will deliver on this promise with Anshuman leading the Money9 editorial team. His knack for breaking down the most complex issues of the economy and public policy and how they impact an individuals purse, are well known. With him, I am confident, we will set new standards for personal finance journalism in India.

Speaking on his appointment, Anshuman Tiwari said, After seven fantastic years at India Today, I am excited at the prospect of creating something new in the area of personal finance which has always been a matter of passion for me. I am delighted that I will be able to pursue my profession and passion at the TV9 Network which is a leading platform in the industry.

Money9 offers incisive and interactive content that helps Indians channelise their savings into investments. The platform is currently available in Hindi and English and will soon be available in five other languages  Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati and Bengali.
The Federal Council

Bern, 20.10.2021 - During its meeting on 20 October 2021, the Federal Council elected Alberto Franceschetti and Marzio Hug as new members of the Board of Directors of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). They succeed Bernard Keller and Franz Wipfli, who are standing down with effect from end-December 2021. Alberto Franceschetti has a PhD in Economics with a specialisation in strategy development, and has many years of experience in the financial services sector and business consultancy. Marzio Hug is an expert in risk management and credit operations, and also brings a wealth of professional experience in corporate and investment banking.

The Federal Council accepted the resignations of Bernard Keller and Franz Wipfli from the FINMA Board of Directors and thanked them for their service. Upon being re-elected in 2019 for the 2020-2023 term of office, both Mr Keller and Mr Wipfli had announced that they would be standing down mid-term. The Federal Council has elected Alberto Franceschetti and Marzio Hug to the Board of Directors for the remainder of the current term of office. Subject to a security declaration being issued in accordance with Article 22 paragraph 1 letter a of the Ordinance on Personnel Security Screening (PSSO), the newly elected board members will take up office on 1 January 2022.

Alberto Franceschetti obtained his doctorate in Economics from the University of St Gallen. He has over 30 years' professional experience in consultancy and the financial services sector, specialising in insurance and financial companies. He was previously a partner at strategy consultants Bain & Company and McKinsey & Company, where his clients included numerous global financial institutions, and worked in strategy-related posts and in corporate development in the areas of private banking and wealth management at Credit Suisse. Mr Franceschetti also has many years' experience as CFO and CRO of a Liechtenstein-based life insurance company.

Marzio Hug has over 30 years' experience in corporate and investment banking, as well as enormous expertise in risk management and credit operations. He began his career at the Ticino cantonal bank, followed by the Bank of Tokyo, and then moved to Credit Suisse, where he worked in corporate finance, including for international European companies. This was followed by a 25-year career at Deutsche Bank in London and Sydney, latterly as Chief Risk Officer for EMEA and the asset management business.

Both newly elected board members have links to the Italian-speaking world and bring a willingness to engage with the concerns of Italian-speaking Switzerland.

In addition to electing the new board members, the Federal Council also approved the revised conditions for serving as a member of the FINMA Board of Directors. These include additional requirements to prevent conflicts of interest.

Address for enquiries

Communications

Federal Department of Finance FDF

Tel. +41 58 462 60 33, info@gs-efd.admin.ch

Publisher

The Federal Council

https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html



Federal Department of Finance

https://www.efd.admin.ch/efd/en/home.html




The Federal Council

Bern, 20.10.2021 - Switzerland is currently a non-associated third country in terms of the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon Europe and related programmes and initiatives. Under this status, researchers and innovators in Switzerland can participate in roughly two thirds of the programme. However, they do not receive funding from the European Commission. On 20 October, the Federal Council instructed the EAER to provide direct funding to the players concerned and approved the necessary credit reallocations. In addition, it has instructed the EAER, in cooperation with the FDF, to examine possible complementary and replacement measures to strengthen Switzerland's standing as a location for research and innovation.

As Switzerland is currently considered a non-associated third country in the 2021-2027 Horizon package, Swiss research and innovation actors can only participate in two thirds of the programme. Even where participation is possible, Swiss project partners do not receive funding from the European Commission, but from the Federal Government or rather the EAER/State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). This direct funding is provided for in the 2020 federal decree on the Horizon package. It covers all elements of the 2021-2027 Horizon package. These include Horizon Europe, the Euratom programme, the Digital Europe Programme DEP and participation in the ITER research infrastructure. The Federal Council initiated the necessary credit reallocations on 20 October 2021. As a result, funding for project participants in Switzerland amounting to around CHF 400 million for 2021 can be secured directly from SERI.

In addition, the Federal Council has instructed the EAER, in cooperation with the FDF, to examine possible complementary and replacement measures to strengthen Switzerland's long-term standing as a location for research and innovation. Replacement measures should take effect if no association is possible in the long term. The results of these studies will be available by mid-2022 for possible complementary measures, and in the course of 2023 for any replacement measures. However, the Federal Council's overriding aim remains Switzerland's association with the Horizon package at the earliest opportunity.

Horizon Europe

The EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe, runs from 2021 to 2027. With an overall budget of EUR 95 billion, it is the largest research and innovation funding programme in the world. Together with the temporary economic stimulus package NextGenerationEU, it aims to promote the green and digital transformation across Europe. Switzerland was fully associated to the predecessor programme Horizon 2020 and is seeking the same status for Horizon Europe and its related programmes and initiatives (in particular the Euratom programme, the Digital Europe Programme, and participation in the ITER research infrastructure).

Address for enquiries

GS-EAER Communication Service

info@gs-wbf.admin.ch

+41 58 462 20 07

Publisher

The Federal Council

https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html



Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research

http://www.wbf.admin.ch




A brief piece from Hertfordshire in southern England showed how this is all playing out.

No matter how big the funding increases are, they are never big enough.

This Government is providing the biggest uplift to school funding in a decade  14 billion in total over the three years. This is a 7.1 billion [$9.7B] increase in funding for schools compared to 2019-20.

The Department of Education responded to all this by saying they are providing billions more in funding.

Headteachers in London were questioned by the NAHT for its funding survey, which also revealed nearly one-third of school leaders predict a deficit budget in 2021-22. Almost all (95 per cent) of headteachers said funding for pupils with special educational needs in their school is insufficient.

Funding for children with special educational needs has been particularly badly impacted by under-investment, schools said.

The cost of special ed is a big part of the picture.

One headteacher was quoted saying, We are at crisis point. It is heartbreaking to always be talking about budgets when someone comes to you asking for a new set of picture books.

A poll of London schools found 28 per cent have made cuts this year and 35 per cent expect they will be forced to do the same next year. The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), which carried out the research, said the crisis is a result of 10 years of underfunding.

The piece revealed that more than a quarter of headteachers [are] having to make cuts to balance their budgets.

On October 7, 2021 there was an article in the Evening Standard that actually called the situation a funding crisis.

Occasionally there is a really concerning story about what more and more disabled students are costing local governments. No one has any long-term interest in pursuing this, however.

Actually it really doesnt matter because there are always the educators and county officials who are all excited and positive sounding about multi-millions in special ed spending.

Invariably these stories contain phrases like growing need and increasing demand, that no one ever bothers to explain.

By Anne Dachel Almost every day British news sites announce yet another new school for special needs kids who cannot be educated in mainstream schools.

Liberal Democrat Councillors have expressed concern and disappointment in the 5.5m [$7.5M] slippage of vital special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) capital spend from the current year.

Readers were told, Given the continuing increase in demand for education, health and care plans (ECHP) and the councils failure to deliver for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), it is shocking that HCC has not expedited this much needed expenditure to provide essential facilities for young people with SEND across Hertfordshire.

That is, of course, the given in all these stories. THERE IS INCREASED DEMAND. That is always the given. Its the situation we need to deal with, no questions asked.

Likewise a story on October 8th from Bedfordshire in SE England showed the impact of rising demand.

The county council there has no school places for 52 special needs students. They said they were at rock bottom. A mother cited in the piece talked about how she has battled for four years for help for her autistic son.

Meanwhile there seems to be no end in sight to the number of special schools opening in England, and people couldnt be happier about it. How could anything be really wrong here when were told how amazing it is and how excited everyone is?

These are the stories I found over the past week. (And Im sure I missed a few.)

Luton: (E. England) New special secondary school for 120 students opened.

The Creating Tomorrow Trust and Luton Borough Council (LBC) worked together on the school due to the increased demand for secondary for children and young people with SEND.

The town's three other special schools were full, so Windmill Hill School provides much-needed extra capacity in Luton. Kevin Latham, Chief Executive Office, Windmill Hill School, added: We are both excited and privileged in equal measures to be given the opportunity to work with Luton Council to develop a high-quality provision that compliments the current fantastic special schools in Luton.

Pembrokeshire: (SW of Wales) Here the council has allotted more funds for special schools.

A report to members by the director of education and the director of resources will recommend investment of 20.3m [$28M] at Portfield School, which provides education for pupils with statements of special educational needs aged between three and 19.

It will also recommend investment of 18.2m [$25M] at the Neyland site of the Pembrokeshire Learning Centre, which provides education for pupils aged between 11 and 16 with complex needs

Portsmouth: (S. central England) A story announced a new preschool for children who need additional support along with more special needs places at two other schools.

It follows Portsmouth City Council making funds available to help 21 mainstream schools in the city to become even more inclusive for children with special needs.

Wisbech: (E. England) Local D of E is searching for a site for a special needs school.

The work with the sponsor for the 60 place social, emotional and mental health school, which will share the Barton Road site with the proposed secondary school, is progressing well and is still on track to be delivered by September 2023.

Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales: The local county council is looking into building a new special school (in addition to the four they currently have serving a total of 600 students) to cope with increasing pupil numbers.

The increases are ongoing, and not only are there more special needs students, but their disabilities are more complexsomething that needs to be explained, but never is.

The cabinet report said there had been a consistent increase in learner numbers in both Ysgol Hen Felin and Ysgol Ty Coch with the former going up from 169 back in 2016/2017 to 191 in September of this year and Ysgol Ty Coch increasing from 137 in 2016/2017 to 185 this year.

The report said it was not just the increasing numbers that needed to be catered for but it was also the increase in the complexities of the childrens needs and the staffing numbers required to meet need.

The report also said it seemed inevitable that the number of pupils would continue to grow over the next five to 10 years with options to extend the current sites now limited.

The cabinet report said the only feasible alternative was to build a brand new provision on a new site, growing the special school provision within the county borough and increasing the number of special schools from four to five.

The report said: The benefits to the council will include financial benefits in terms of cost avoidance in relation to very costly out of county placements for learners with the most complex medical and health needs.

Councillor Joy Rosser, the cabinet member for education, said the number of pupils at special schools in RCT had risen from 483 in 2014 to 600 this year, an increase of 24%. She also said that there had been an increase in the complexity of need as well as the numbers of pupils.

On councillor called all this, excellent news.

Eastbourne: (SE England) Plans set for a new special school to open in 2022.

The new school will create 135 local school places for children aged five16 with autism, complex learning and medical needs, according to a Morgan Sindall Construction spokesperson.

Harlow: (SE England) New special school for 64 students and 15 residential ones proposed.

Spalding: (E. England) $9.8M project to expand special ed services

This extension will cater for 58 primary school students and 69 secondary school students, with an overall capacity of 127 students.

Its part of a $117M investment in special ed in Lincolnshire so the county doesnt have to pay the exorbitant cost of outsourcing special ed services.

Northumberland: (N. England) The local special school is relocating to cope with a steady upward trend in demand for places

Theres more autism.

Some of the key issues highlighted include the number of children and young people in Northumberland who have been diagnosed with autism, said Sue Aviston, the county councils head of school organisation and resources.

Yorkshire: (N. England) A new special school for 100 students is in the works.

Things are going to get far worse: a 24 percent increase in the next five years is predicted.



There are currently 3,574 children in North Yorkshire with Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans, which is a 102 per cent increase on the same point in 2015.

That number is expected to rise by 24 per cent over the next five years to 4,225 children and young people in 2026. The greatest areas of increase are in pupils identified with communication and interaction needs and children identified with social, emotional and mental health needs.

Northern Ireland: There is a severe lack of services for children with dyslexia in the six counties there.

The EA also revealed that almost 200 children were currently on a waiting list for "direct intervention" support for their dyslexia.

We were told that special services were under considerable strain and not delivering as they need be because of the increasing number of pupils with special educational needs, including children with dyslexia.

EA officials later agreed that the data on the prevalence of dyslexic pupils "isn't as informative as we'd want it to be at this present time". Cynthia Currie, from the EA, said that it was "difficult to pinpoint exactly" the number of schoolchildren in Northern Ireland who had dyslexia.

But she said that Department of Education census data indicated that "over 9,300 children have been listed as dyslexia or specific literacy difficulties" in the 2020/21 school year. She said that 1,621 children had a statement of SEN where dyslexia was named as a primary or additional special need.

Yorkshire: Another story from N. Yorkshire laments the lack of residential places for children with autism. The county council is proposing to expand a residential school there.

The story left us with this chilling statement:

The number of children with complex needs relating to Autism Spectrum Disorder is expected to continue to grow over the coming years.

Twickenham: (SW London) New elem school for 28 special needs kids has opened.

One of the councillors explained it this way:

There is an increased recognition of the need to ensure that young people who have speech, learning and communication difficulties are being properly managed within the education system.



With the increased demand for specialist schools,

We are always looking to see where we can expand the provisions that were making.

The headteacher said things were great and fantastic.

Salisbury: (S. central England) New autism school is scheduled to open.

SAIL Academy will provide 150 places for children and young people with autistic spectrum conditions (ASC) and for those with social and emotional and mental health needs (SEMH)

One official said he was extremely proud and things were great and exciting.

Shaftesbury: (About 20 miles away from Salisbury) a new special school has a new principal. The school will open in 2022 with plans to grow to around 280 students over the next five years.

This is being done to meet growing needs.

Dorset Council took the step of securing the extensive site to meet the growing need for more high-quality special education provision. The new school is part of the councils wider 37.5 million [$52M] plan to improve the lives of Dorset children with SEND. More provision is also being created at existing special and mainstream schools.

One councillor said he was delighted and proud of how things were going.

This is what Ive found from just over one week in the British press. Next week will be more of the same. I cannot explain why there is no national alarm or even just concern over whats happening. There has to be a reason why demand is always increasing and never enough funding.

I also cant explain why there is almost nothing in the American news about the impact of increasing special needs students. It seems our only concern is COVID at the moment.
Sometimes there is a reason a road is less traveled. That certainly seems to be the case for a couple of roads in Burt County. The roads, or s
University of Nebraska research has determined that when corn residue is grazed at proper stocking rates, there are small but positive effects on crop production the following year.
A new peer-reviewed paper has been released from Cornell University titled Greater than 99% Consensus on Human Caused Climate Change in the Peer-Reviewed Scientific Literature.

The study is yet another attempt to convey the nebulous notion that widespread scientific consensus exists regarding the primary causal factor behind climate change. A previous study, spearheaded by climate blogger activist John Cook, concluded in 2013 there was 97 percent consensus. Despite near-universal acclaim and its citation by leading policymakers such as the United Kingdoms energy minister, the study was inherently flawed.

Dr. Mike Hulme of the University of East Anglia explains, The 97% consensus article is poorly conceived, poorly designed and poorly executed. It obscures the complexities of the climate issue and it is a sign of the desperately poor level of public and policy debate in this country [UK] that the energy minister should cite it.

Even the Guardian -- typically a stalwart supporter of climate activism -- ran a headline stating: The claim of a 97% consensus on global warming does not stand up.

After a thorough analysis, more than 100 published articles shredded the studys faulty methodology and completely rejected its postulated consensus level of 97 percent.

Yet, Cooks baseless study was still used as the inspiration for todays release from Cornell -- which, unsurprisingly, is similarly flawed. Regarding the researchers methodological approach, the articles press release states, In the study, the researchers began by examining a random sample of 3,000 studies from the dataset of 88,125 English-language climate papers published between 2012 and 2020.

There are many issues with this approach, the primary concern being selection bias. The authors arbitrarily decide to look at just an eight-year range of climate papers, neglecting to examine the large number of papers published before 2012. This approach, therefore, conveniently forgets to incorporate the significant sample of climate skeptical papers written in response to the then-nascent concept of global warming in the 1970s.

They go on to say case closed even as the glaring bias of pre-selection ensures many skeptical papers from the 1970s, when global warming first appeared on the radar of science, to today, were excluded from the study.

Primary paper author Mark Lynas, visiting fellow with Cornells Alliance for Science, concludes: We are virtually certain that the consensus is well over 99% now and that its pretty much case closed for any meaningful public conversation about the reality of human-caused climate change.

To cast further shadow upon the studys conclusions beyond the glaring selection bias problem, Lynas himself inspires reason for distrust. The lead author has a history of climate activism.

Danish author Bjrn Lomborg, a former member of Greenpeace, penned a book titled The Skeptical Environmentalist. In that book, Lomborg suggested pragmatic solutions to climate issues. At a book signing in 2001 in Oxford, England, Lynas was caught on video throwing a pie in the face of Lomborg, who was simply attempting to establish good scientific procedure. Rather than attempting to rationally object like an academic is expected to do, Lynas resorted to personal assault.

To further confound the aforementioned issues with the study and its authors, the entire focus of the study is based on the flawed premise that consensus matters, or should even be sought.

Dr. Richard Tol effectively summarizes this problem in his rebuke of this studys conclusions, claiming, Consensus is irrelevant in science. There are plenty of examples in history where everyone agreed and everyone was wrong.

Indeed, there are many such examples. Consensus does not require truth or accuracy, it merely establishes that a group of any number of individuals congregated and agreed to a certain perspective -- which is often based on nothing but misinformed opinions.

Author Alex Alexander explains this sociological phenomenon in his article, When Consensus is a Bad Way to Decide, Consensus is about persuasion and compromise, not right or wrong, not what works best. Consensus is about human interactions, which are mainly about emotions, jumping to conclusions, and negotiation, and may or may not include facts and analysis. Consensus is about compromise, and compromise means that someone, maybe everyone, has to set aside an idea that may have value in order to satisfy the group, or the leader of the group.

Even world-renowned physicist Albert Einstein recognized the fallacy of consensus when it is applied to science. When the Nazi Party of Germany decided they didnt like Einstein because he was Jewish, they set about to discredit him by publishing One Hundred Authors Against Einstein in 1931. In total, 121 authors were identified as opponents to Einsteins special relativity theory.

Einstein, one step ahead of them all, is said to have riposted, It would not have required one hundred authors to prove me wrong; one would have been enough.

This is the essence of science -- it only takes one author employing sound scientific experimentation to provide effective evidence in support of a theory or hypothesis. Needless to say, this is not how Lynas and many of his peers have historically operated.

So, when Lynas asserts that the case is closed, he has provided little to no valid evidence in support of his theory. More methodologically sound forays into predicting the effects of global warming have been attempted, but their results range everywhere from little effect to apocalyptic scenarios. It simply depends on the scientist, the specific question being asked, and the methodology employed to test that question.

Science cannot necessarily provide us with a foolproof answer to the exact effects that global warming may have on our planet, but one thing is certain: science is not a popularity contest. The study released today only further cements that consensus is completely meaningless as a means of establishing proof.

Anthony Watts is a senior fellow for environment and climate at The Heartland Institute.

Image: Pixabay

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
The government and big financial institutions promote a fraudulent analysis of the cost of solar and wind electricity. Their narrative is that wind and solar are competitive with traditional fossil fuels and that the cost of wind and solar is rapidly dropping. Academics and the media amplify and spread the fraudulent analysis.

The basis of the fraud is a simple comparison of the cost per kilowatt-hour at the plant fence for electricity produced by wind or solar versus electricity produced by a traditional plant. Some or all of the massive subsidies for wind and solar are ignored in such comparisons. With such a rigged comparison, wind or solar may seem competitive.

A proper comparison reveals that wind or solar is five or even ten times more expensive than natural gas or coal electricity. To understand why this is so, we have to explain some basic facts that apply to either wind or solar.

Wind or solar is erratic, intermittent electricity. It comes and goes according to the supply of wind and sunlight. Wind is erratic from day to day and usually has a seasonal cycle. Sunlight depends on clouds, seasons and, of course, does not work at night. The consequence is that wind or solar electricity supply must be 100% backed up by conventional electricity plants. If 100% backup is neglected, rolling blackouts are the result when there is a lull in wind or solar production. The lull can be of short duration or seasonal.

Residential rooftop solar is backed up by the connection to the electric utility. The utility has to spend money on generating plants and a distribution network to maintain backup for the residential rooftop system. When rooftop solar is present, the utility is usually under-compensated for providing the backup service. When cloudiness happens over a wide area the backup plants go into high gear. Cloudiness happens even in sunny southern California.

The cost of backup plants for rooftop solar is borne by all the customers of the utility, not just the rooftop solar users that brag about how cheap their electricity is.

Wind or solar have both economies of scale and penalties of scale. The economy of scale results from the massive expansion of the industry. The equipment is cheaper and more efficient. The penalties of scale are more subtle.

The goal of introducing green electricity is to replace a significant proportion of the CO2 emissions from fossil fuel power plants. As you increase the fraction of fossil fuel power replaced, the cost of wind or solar escalates dramatically. Penalties of scale start when green electricity grows to the point of replacing about 20% of traditional electricity and escalate from there. The penalty of scale is a consequence of overprovisioning of wind or solar, necessary to boost their contribution to the electricity supply.

For example, even if wind power provisioning is sufficient to carry the typical peak load when the wind is blowing strong, most of the time the wind is not blowing strong and wind power is performing at a much lower level, on average about 30% of maximum capability. The consequence is that as you try to boost the role of wind power, wind power must be overprovisioned so that it can make a significant contribution when the wind is moderate. But overprovisioning means that a lot of the time you have to feather turbines because otherwise there would be more power generated than the grid needs Overprovisioning raises the cost.

With solar power, overprovisioning is less feasible because solar peaks in the middle of the day, and adding more simply results in discarding more power. The ameliorate this problem batteries are added to solar installations to move the excess midday power to the evening. The batteries are horrendously expensive and must be replaced every five years because they wear out.

The fact that wind or solar has to be 100% backed up, usually by fossil fuel plants, means that the wind or solar does not displace the full cost of the fossil fuel electricity, but only the marginal cost, or the cost of the fuel. The capital expenditure for the fossil fuel plants still needs to be amortized. By the time green electricity has displaced 50% of the fossil fuel electricity, overprovisioning and batteries will increase its cost to as much as $100 per megawatt-hour exclusive of substantial direct subsidies This $100 electricity displaces fuel costing $15.

About 30 states have enacted renewable portfolio standards. These are requirements that a certain percentage of grid power must come from renewable sources, meaning in most cases wind and solar. For example, California requires 60% renewable by 2030. To make matters worse, the left wants to have a federal standard to force laggard states to adopt more such dumb energy.

Once there is a mandate the utility companies must install vast quantities of wind or solar regardless of the cost. The interplay between the utilities and the relatively small number of companies with the resources to build utility-scale installations costing hundreds of millions of dollars has resulted in the emergence of a standard type of deal. The deal is, approximately, that the independent company will build and operate the wind or solar installation in return for a 25-year contract to purchase the electricity at a set price. Most of the risk is borne by the utility, then passed on to the utility customers, and finally passed to the taxpayer because there is an implicit government backing for the electric grid. Financially speaking, a green electricity plant starts looking like a 25-year bond, yielding 5 or 6 percent. Because a wind or solar installation looks to an investor like a bond, the installations are often sold to conservative investors, such as pension funds.

The utility is financing exorbitantly expensive electricity that its ratepayers have to pay for. The only way to get out of the deal is bankruptcy. That is not so far-fetched. PG&E, a dominant California utility, recently declared bankruptcy over an issue of forest-fire liability. Their threat to abrogate $40 billion in green energy contracts bought the California politicians to heel and probably won PG&E better terms.

The logical method of computing the amount of subsidy provided by renewable portfolio standards would be to compare the free market cost of green electricity with the mandated green electricity. This is made difficult by the fact that there is no free market in utility-scale wind or solar electricity. Why would a utility buy wind or solar electricity that does not replace their existing plant and costs much more than the marginal cost of running their existing plant? The deep irrationality of the government mandates is illustrated by the fact that California pays Nevada to accept green electricity. In other words, they sell it for a negative price. They need to do this is meet their renewable portfolio standards. If they discard the electricity, it doesnt count because it is never produced.

The goal of reducing CO2 emissions can be better met by building nuclear plants. Nuclear is blacklisted by the environmental lobby. But visionary environmentalists that believe in global warming are promoting the nuclear option.

Norman Rogers writes often about energy. He has websites here and here and is the author of the book Dumb Energy.

Image: PxFuel

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
In many ways, Columbus Day, which recently passed, has become emblematic not just of the accusation that Columbus was a racist who inaugurated a genocidal campaign against the natives, but a reminder that virtually all Europeans preceding the great era of woke were horrible people.

This conflation was especially on display during the summer of 2020, following the death of George Floyd, when not just Columbus's statues, but the statues of many traditional heroes of Western and American civilization were attacked on the accusation that the men they represent were all racists and somehow involved in or approved of the slave trade of Africans.

The problem with this entrenched view is that it ignores one simple fact: Europeans did not defeat and uproot American Indians, enslave Africans, and colonize the rest because they lived according to some sort of unprecedented bellicose creed specific to whites and alien to nonwhites. Quite the contrary: they did so because they  as opposed to Natives, blacks, etc.  were able to do so. Capability is the fundamental difference.

Consider: Had pre-Colombian American Indians developed galleys for transoceanic travel, or advanced firearms, or compasses, or organized military structures and stratagems; and had they arrived on the shores of, say, "Dark Age" Europe  what would they have done? Would they have conquered and subjugated, or would they have looked at the inferior pale savages and "respected" them in the name of "diversity," leaving them unmolested?

What if sub-Saharan blacks were technologically or militarily more advanced than their northern neighbors in Europe during the premodern era, and therefore could easily have subjugated and enslaved them? Would they have done so, or would they have left them in peace in the name of "multiculturalism"?

These are the hypotheticals that no one seems interested in exploring, since the answer to these "what ifs" is as clear as day.

After all, the argument cannot be made that nonwhites did not reach such a militarily or technologically advanced state because they were a peaceful and unambitious people. In their own limited way  ways that were limited to bows, arrows, and spears  both Natives and blacks constantly warred on, killed, raped, plundered, and sold their fellow Natives and blacks into slavery.

As Michael Graham writes:

When thinking of pre-Columbian America, forget what you've seen in the Disney movies [meaning the 1995 animation Pocahontas]. Think "slavery, cannibalism and mass human sacrifice." From the Aztecs to the Iroquois, that was life among the indigenous peoples before Columbus arrived. For all the talk from the angry and indigenous about European slavery, it turns out that pre-Columbian America was virtually one huge slave camp.

Similarly, according to Tony Seybert, author of "Slavery and Native Americans in British North America and the United States: 1600 to 1865, "[e]nslaved [American Indian] warriors sometimes endured mutilation or torture that could end in death as part of a grief ritual for relatives slain in battle. Some Indians cut off one foot of their captives to keep them from running away."

If this is how they treated  and all throughout the so-called Third World, especially sub-Saharan Africa, still treat  their own kin, what would they have done to the "other," such as the white man, were they able to reach him before he reached them?

None of this, of course, is meant to exonerate all premodern European actions but rather to place them in much-needed context, a context that makes perfectly clear that, historically, all people  white, black, yellow, red, whatever  were the same: they warred and, when capable, went on the offensive in search of conquest and hegemony. Depending on their capabilities  bows and arrows or guns and cannons  their efforts often resulted in tribal or international hegemony.

To say otherwise  to say only one group of people, whites, behaved this way  is to be racist. Not that the woke crowd cares about this bit of inconsistency.

Perhaps even more overlooked or ignored is the role of religion: whereas all people when left to their primordial self are predisposed to war and predations on the other, religion tends either to exacerbate or mollify these tendencies.

Consider Islam: Any time Muslims could, they most certainly would attack, plunder, conquer, and enslave the other (with a special "appetite" for whites)  not least because their religion commands them to do so. If the Americas were conquered by Europeans, virtually the entire "Muslim world" was conquered by Muslims; the heart of itthe Middle East, all of North Africa, and Turkey  was conquered from Christians.

On the other hand, the historic religion of Europe, Christianity, is precisely what prompted its Western adherents throughout the world to abolish slavery (which for a while the Muslim world resisted). Put differently, whereas Muslim and other nonwhite conquests often culminated in slavery, depopulation, and devastation, European conquerors at least went on to abolish slavery and introduce their Muslim and other nonwhite subjects to the boons of modernity, including scientific and medicinal advances. Today, America continues to offer all sorts of benefits and advantages to nonwhitesNatives and blacks chief among themwhereas nonwhites continue killing each other, including with spears, bows, and arrows.

In short, the many people in the West, above and beyond the woke crowd, who subscribe to any version of history that juxtaposes evil, oppressive, conquering whites with noble, peaceful, and egalitarian non-whites are woefully ignorant of the fundamentals of reality, including the premiere role of capability in world history.

Raymond Ibrahim, author of Sword and Scimitar: Fourteen Centuries of War between Islam and the West, is a Shillman Fellow at the David Horowitz Freedom Center, a Judith Rosen Friedman Fellow at the Middle East Forum, and a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Gatestone Institute.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
In the educational wars occurring throughout the country, most of the conservative commentary has focused on two parties: children and parents. This is because states and school districts are treating children not as individual human beings but as lumps of clay to be fashioned into the image of the State. Instead of teaching children to think critically and developing their individual gifts, public schools are indoctrinating children in leftist ideology, seeking to destroy their individual identities and reconstruct them into a homogenized group of progressives.

Similarly, many states and districts have begun implementing policies that run roughshod over parental authority. Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe recently affirmed these ideas when he declared that parents should have no right to tell schools what their own children are taught. All liberty-loving Americans must continue to resist these totalitarian efforts wherever they might be found, and Virginians certainly should consider them when they vote in a few short weeks.

But in our resistance to tyranny, we cannot forget the other pawn in the lefts war to transform the nation: teachers. While many teachers are all too willing to swear fealty to the radical left and be used as mouthpieces of the state, many more are being conscripted against their will. This is totalitarianism 101, and we must not stand for it.

Mandating a uniform, ideological curriculum is an effective tool for indoctrination, but its effect is severely limited if teachers dont believe it themselves or simply refuse to implement it. For this reason, all totalitarian states mandate ideological conformity among and place strict controls on teachers. In Nazi Germany, for example, Hitler systematically trained teachers to propagate Nazi ideology. In charge of this task was his National Socialist Teachers League (NSLT). First, the NSLT examined all teachers to ensure their loyalty to the Nazi party. Those who were not loyal were discarded, as were Jews and anyone else deemed unreliable. The NSLT was also commissioned to ensure the ideological indoctrination of teachers. All teachers were required to be trained in Nazi ideology -- including racial knowledge regarding the supremacy of the Nordic race and the characteristics of the Jewish race. A key component of the training required teachers to attend two-week camps where they were forced to read and embrace Mein Kampf.

These types of training programs and ideological oath tests are anathema to our constitutional order. The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that teachers have First Amendment rights. Indeed, if teachers lacked these protections, the government would wield alarming power to compel ideological conformity. As nurseries of democracy, as the Supreme Court called them, Americas public schools must be a place where the full marketplace of ideas -- including unpopular ones -- is protected. Therefore, the state has no power to compel a teacher to affirm an ideology with which they disagree, because [c]ompelling individuals to mouth support for views they find objectionable violates [the] cardinal constitutional command against forc[ing] citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein.

These principles were on full display in a 1952 case where the Supreme Court struck down an Oklahoma statute that required all public employees, including teachers, to swear an oath of loyalty that they were not affiliated with any subversive or Communist-front organizations. Justice Hugo Black, in his concurring opinion, called the loyalty statute at issue but one manifestation of a national network of laws aimed at coercing and controlling the minds of men and remarked that [t]est oaths designed to shackle the mind are notorious tools of tyranny that are unspeakably odious to a free people. Justice Felix Frankfurter specifically commented on the dangers of mandating ideological conformity among teachers, noting that teachers are priests of our democracy, whose job it is to foster those habits of open-mindedness and critical inquiry which alone make for responsible citizens, who, in turn, make possible an enlightened and effective public opinion.

Accordingly, the Constitution prohibits the government from imposing totalitarian-style controls on public-school teachers. And for good reason. I had many excellent teachers at my almost 3,000-student public high school. But my favorite was undoubtedly my Government/Economics teacher. She was a gifted communicator, was passionate about the subject matter, and asked poignant questions that taught me to think critically. Towards the end of the course, I realized that we didnt see eye-to-eye on politics. But that didnt matter to her, as she never attempted to impose her beliefs on any of her students. Rather, she challenged and encouraged me -- a 17-year-old budding conservative -- and instilled in me a love of government and economics. She knew her job wasnt to tell me what to think but to teach me how to think and encourage my own beliefs and goals. She also taught me an incredibly important lesson: that despite our political differences, we could love and respect one another and still both love this great country that is the United States of America.

Despite these well-formed constitutional principles, Terry McAuliffes own Democrat party is ignoring them. Based on a law passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2020, all Virginia schools are obligated to implement comprehensive gender identity ideology training for all teachers and staff with opportunities to interact with students. The culturally affirming, accessible LGBTQ+ competency training must include topics like Key LGBTQ+ terminology and the use of unbiased language to promote equality and justice for LGBTQ+ students and applicable laws and students rights that prohibit unauthorized disclosures to peers, parents, school staff, and other third parties.

In many VA school districts, the mandatory training and compelled ideological assent have extended to critical race theory. In Loudoun County, for example, teachers are forced to undergo equity training whereby they are taught as fact, among other things, that America is irredeemably and systematically racist and that white people are oppressors solely by virtue of their skin color. They are also instructed to assist in dismantling and disrupti[ng] white supremacy in the classroom and implement equitable discipline policies to ensure that minority students are not disproportionately disciplined, regardless of individual behavior.

Laura Morris, a Loudoun County Public School teacher, resigned from her job at a school board meeting this past August after the mandatory equity training program told her that as a white, Christian, able-bodied female[], she had all the power in the school, and this would ha[ve] to change. According to Morris, the superintendent told her that expressing disagreement regarding the equity training is not allowed and that the superintendent even sen[t] a form to my colleagues and I, encouraging us to fill it out if we hear one another speaking against the controversial policies being promoted by this school board.

Other Virginia teachers have been fired for refusing to speak what they believe to be lies. For example, Loudoun County physical-education teacher Tanner Cross was fired after he spoke out at a school board meeting in response to Loudoun Countys gender identity policy, saying that he will not affirm that a biological boy can be a girl and vice versa because its against my religion. Its lying to a child, its abuse to a child, and its sinning against our God.

All of these policies are present-day, living embodiments of totalitarianism, and they should have no place in our country -- and certainly no place in the great Commonwealth of Virginia. Yet somehow they have already taken root, which is why this Virginia governors race is so important. Based on Terry McAuliffes repeated statements, he undoubtedly believes in this type of educational philosophy and will only expand it further by imposing more controls on our teachers. If McAuliffe isnt defeated in the upcoming election, totalitarianisms roots might grow too deep to uproot.

S. Ernie Walton is an Assistant Professor at Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, VA. His latest article, Gender Identity Ideology: The Totalitarian, Unconstitutional Takeover of Americas Public Schools, will be published in the Regent University Law Review this winter. The views expressed in this article represent his individual views and not necessarily those of Regent University.

Image: PxHere

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
This November, voters in eleven states will be asked to ratify new rights to clean air and water in their state constitutions. If approved by unwary voters, these proposals could wreak havoc on other more important and long-established rights and launch litigation nightmares.

In New York State, for example, ballot proposal #2 asks voters to approve an Article I -- meaning a basic -- constitutional protection: the right to clean and water and a healthful environment. These are simple words, meant to be appealing, but in reality, they are dangerously destructive to property rights, zoning, and businesses.

"Each person shall have a right to clean air and water, and a healthful environment." Aspirational, undefined, and unattainable. It's radical social policy camouflaged as environmentalism by New York state's out-of-control, radical Legislature.

Green constitutional amendments are not new; they have been proposed by environmentalists since the 1960s and rejected due to the robust and still growing body of statutory protections for the environment. To date, only Pennsylvania and Montana have green constitutional amendments, both added in the 1970s, but neither elevates anything to a basic right.

Eleven states are currently considering a green amendment, including Maine, New Jersey, and Oregon. But none has the devilish open-endedness of New York's Proposal #2.

Is there a consensus of the definitions of clean air and water and a healthful environment? No. These aspirational goals can't be clearly quantified, defined, or delivered. New York's proposed amendment does not rely on the New York Legislature to define or limit the right. According to legal analysts, the New York amendment gives great flexibility to the courts in New York to interpret and apply against other basic Article I rights. Even the New York League of Women Voters warned of frivolous lawsuits, litigation against existing environmental regulations, and massive unfunded mandates.

New York's Proposal #2 exposes the state, its municipalities, and its citizens to the financially devastating depredations of class actions and liability lawyers. While all of the other state amendments have safeguards against judicial abuse, including requirements for legislative approval, and are subject to reasonable limitations, New York's is open season for litigation mayhem.

It opens up the state to climate justice advocates whose agendas may be destructive to farms and small businesses. New York's statutes provide little guidance on how and where to direct law enforcement, according to the National Law Review. New York is going to be a free-for-all private right-to-action state.

Groups and individuals seeking "social justice" believe that green amendments will be tools for fighting racism and rebalancing inequities in low-income neighborhoods. The Natural Resources Defense Council signals a warning: "People in low-income communities across New York currently live with toxic levels of air pollution and water contamination."

New York's amendment in particular is an insidious way to undermine property rights. New York enshrines home rule in its constitution. How will home rule stand up against green rights in a New York court? All it will take is one left-leaning judge to override single-family zoning.

This is a particularly urgent question because New York's Westchester County was ground zero for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's nearly two-decade attempt to force the suburbs to accept multiple-family zoning in single-family-zoned areas. A constitutional amendment in New York would give HUD new ammunition to reassert disparate impact under its Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing policy.

School districts could also be at risk. A number of politicians, including former governor Andrew Cuomo, have called for the regionalization of school districts, which have historically been defined by municipal borders. In any heterogeneous suburban county, affluent districts could be paired with lower-income districts or even aggregated into large, county-wide systems. In New York State, there is significant political opposition to combining school districts, but a new constitutional right to an equally "healthful" environment, whatever that means, might allow a judge to order combining school districts to achieve health equity.

Commercial and industrial construction have long been targets of green activists. An open-ended, vaguely worded constitutional green amendment would provide anti-growth advocates with a powerful tool to stop pipelines, utility plant construction, and other types of development or force them to make expensive changes. This would result in unfunded mandates, lost jobs, and population decline.

New York is also home to many agricultural industries, including dairies, orchards, and wineries. These too, are sitting ducks for activists concerned about the impact on global warming  for example, due to flatulent cows producing methane.

New York's politicians make strident arguments for green amendments, as they have for other "reforms," like no bail, no prosecution of serious crimes, releasing convicted felons from prison, and defunding the police, all of which have had disastrous and provably unhealthy results, such as increased deaths from stray bullets and physical assaults. Now they are after your basic rights at home, work, and school.

We all want a healthful environment, but let's not be fooled by the beguiling language that will result in the impoverishment and endangerment of us all.

Linda R. Killian is the chairman of a local Republican committee.

Image via Picryl.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
The recent successful launch of a hypersonic nuclear-capable missile by China once again provides unwelcomed justification that our Intelligence Community continues to miss the mark. Unfortunately, we currently have no defensive system capable of engaging this threat to our national survival. Despite the fact that as a nation we expend billions of dollars to fund numerous three-letter agencies, history has proven that those who are charged with reading the intentions and capabilities of our potential competitors are never able to get it quite right. This week's unpleasant "surprise" is yet again another in an extensive list of American intelligence failures.

During my lifetime, I have seen firsthand:

Our inability to foresee the invasion of South Korea by the North, leading to the Korean War. We maintain a force presence to this day on the Korean peninsula.

The launch of the Sputnik satellite, where the U.S. realized we were far behind the Soviet Union's capability and technology in outer space.

The failed and ill-planned Bay of Pigs fiasco, which emboldened Fidel Castro vice removed him as promised by Allen Dulles and others in the CIA.

The fall of South Vietnam and subsequent lack of surrounding countries or "dominos" toppling to communism, as predicated by the intelligence establishment.

The rapid fall of the Berlin Wall and subsequent breakup and economic collapse of the former Soviet Union.

The attack on America on 9/11  even though the "I&W" or intelligence and warning were present, we were caught off guard, and thus a second Pearl Harbor occurred in the lifetime of many Americans.

The lack of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in Iraq  George Tenant's failed "slam dunk," which cost thousands of lives and expenditure of unnecessary capital.

The rapid rise of the ISIS caliphate soon after our untimely and politically driven withdrawal from Iraq.

The rapid collapse of the Afghan government and takeover by the Taliban as our commander-in-chief assured us in July that we would "not see another Saigon."

One of the most basic functions of our government is to ensure a strong national defense. In order to do that, we must not only have robust and capable armed forces but also have an intelligence community that will facilitate the employment of these forces. In addition, intelligence agents must be accurate in their assessment of threats that could impact our survival as a nation-state. Unfortunately, history shows this is not the case.

To date, based on past performance, it appears that we are not getting our return on our national intelligence investment. Something needs to change soon. Our national survival depends on it.

Image: U.S. Gov.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Fairfax County, Virginia, one of the richest counties in the nation, lies figuratively in the shadow of the nation's capital. Highly-paid federal government workers and government contractors are the reason why.

I recently visited the offices of Dranesville supervisor John W. Foust (located in the McLean Government Center)  one of many sitting on its Board of Supervisors. Two signs  one is for electric vehicles, the second is for hybrid vehiclesgreeted me.



Photo by Nicholas Kalis.

Those signs identified the prized parking spaces nearest the entry to this facility. They seem even closer to the doorway than the handicapped parking spot. I guess being handicapped is just so passe these days.

So now we have two classes of citizens. The most favored parking spaces are for the woke (the owners of hybrid and electric vehicles), and the rest of us are consigned to second-class parking spaces.

I thought the mantra of the left was to battle divisiveness. Do such signs not divide us? I think so. When I brought this to the attention of the young lady minding Supervisor Foust's office, her response was to tell me that "there are plenty of other parking spaces available."

I could sense she was congratulating herself for this quick riposte. But then again, most freedom-lovers have heard this sort of response before. I think I could see that for myself  and that misses the point.

Obviously, no one with the county government considered the impact of such signs beyond their woke intent. What about the elderly and less advantaged who cannot afford a new hybrid or electric car? Do they not count? Apparently not.

What about the fact that so much of our electricity is generated by coal and nuclear power? Unless the nuclear power comes from a new generation plant or the coal is especially clean-burning, it seems to me that gasoline is both a safer and cleaner alternative to these two  but why let facts get in the way of being woke or a social justice warrior?

So citizen ratings in Fairfax are apparently as follows: first, the woke who drive hybrid or electric vehicles, then the handicapped (most parking spaces so designated remaining unused), and, lastly, the rest of us.

And those of my readers who think this is no big deal should remember that this is just one more maniacal policy in what will be a long string of nutty policies. In today's Communist China, Big Brother rates its citizens with a "citizen rating." We are not so far from that here in Fairfax County. As things now stand, your parking space at government offices is dictated by your citizen rating.

And since our board is on the warpath for social justice, why stop at these signs? Why not change the county seal to include a hammer and sickle? Truth in advertising is a good thing.

Incidentally, one look at the group portrait of this Board of Supervisors shows that it will take a lot more than these parking signs to achieve the wokeness or hipness they seek. I might suggest they try some tie-dyed shirts, instead, if that is the direction in which they are going.

Image: The McLean Government Center parking lot. Google maps.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
The great general Colin Powell died this week from COVID complications. He was fully vaccinated. At his age, any illness could have taken his life, yet if the vaccine were truly as effective as the experts say it is, surely General Powell should not have been infected with COVID. Surely the wonderful vaccine, which has been said to be so safe and effective, should have protected him against COVID.

General Powell's vaccine was of no use against COVID. He submitted to experimental gene therapy in the hopes that it would protect him, and it did nothing for him. That hasn't stopped the experts from proclaiming General Powell's death as next door to proof that the vaccines are working.

Ian Sams, an adviser to the Department of Health and Human Services, is fretting on Twitter that what he is pleased to call the anti-vaxxers will use General Powell's death as evidence that the vaccines may not be as efficient as advertised. A professor of Emergency Medicine at George Washington University, Dr. Leana Wen, huffs that news reports should mention that General Powell also suffered from cancer and Parkinson's disease, which could have made the vaccine less efficacious. Dr. Wen also served as Baltimore's health commissioner (and briefly as the head of Planned Parenthood, America's premier abortion corporation ed.), so she's really an expert.

It all makes me think of another kind of expert, Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis, the physician who pioneered washing hands to prevent disease. Semmelweis actually knew what he was talking about because he ran the obstetrics wards at the Vienna General Hospital in Austria in the mid-19th century.

Semmelweis observed that, in those obstetrics wards that physicians attended, the mortality rate was high; in those that midwives attended, the mortality rate was low. The only difference between the doctors and the midwives was that doctors did autopsies and frequently delivered babies with the blood of the dead still on their hands.

Semmelweis concluded that something was clinging to the doctors' hands that was harmful to the women giving birth. Beginning in 1847, he began begging everyone to wash his hands with chlorine before going into the obstetrics wards. The death rate plummeted.

Everyone should have been thrilled. However, the medical community resented being accused of killing people. To further discredit his ideas, although he was a Hungarian-born German, and may have been an atheist, a Catholic of Jewish descent, the rumor was spread that he was actively Jewish and, therefore, insulting Christian doctors.

Semmelweis was thrown out and, eventually, as his behavior became increasingly erratic (possibly Alzheimer's or syphilis), he was relegated to an insane asylum, where it's quite possible that attendants beat him to death. The experts had spoken. Evidence was not important when placed in the balance of what was politically correct and conformable to the accepted medical doctrines of the day. This was back in the 1800s, and nothing has changed in the 21st century.

General Powell is not the first vaccinated person to die of COVID. He is merely the most high-profile person to die of COVID. Vaccines are designed to protect populations, not individuals. There will always be illnesses and deaths among the vaccinated, no matter what disease they are supposed to be protected against.

COVID is unique only in that no prophylactic treatment is offered when a person tests positive. Those diagnosed with COVID are ordered to quarantine and to go to the hospital only if they feel sick. By then, it may be too late to save them.

As Semmelweis did, there are people demanding that the experts follow the evidence and employ early treatments to save people unnecessary suffering and death. And like Semmelweis, these people are being ridiculed by experts who claim to know better, even as the body count rises.

COVID is causing a great deal of unnecessary suffering and death because the experts in charge are only experts in the bottom line of preserving the status quo and following the money. We need experts like Semmelweis, experts who follow the science even when the conclusions go against what the people in charge want us to think.

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.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Global warming is highly questionable as a phenomenon.

That's obvious enough based on all the scandals of scientists faking their "climate change" data and weepy phony stories about sick polar bears. So much for "science." It's also obvious in the hypocrisy of princelings and billionaires flying to expensive conferences with big carbon footprints in order to tell us not to use plastic straws. "I'll believe global warming is a crisis when the people who tell me it's a crisis start to act like it's a crisis themselves," as Instapundit's Ed Driscoll memorably said. It's obvious in the greed of the politically connected who cook up fake energy alternatives such as Solyndra for big bucks and then take the money and run when the scam's up. It's obvious in the news commentators who attribute every natural and unnatural disaster, no matter how imaginary the facts, to global warming.

And it's most obvious in the suppression of anyone who questions the data, the cause of the data (such as sunspots), the unintended consequences of global warming legislation (such as bird Cuisinarts), the hypocrisy of China, Russia, the U.N., and Europe, which make few global warming sacrifices but demand that America make many, or the outrageous cost-benefit ratios, as in the case of California's failing power grid. All such questioners are shut out of the news, marginalized, demonetized, if not denied a social media presence, or labeled as some kind of "denier" on a par with Nazi types who deny the Holocaust. Suffice it to say a big industry with powerful forces and big dollars has sprung up to perpetuate this failing idea and questioning anything about it cannot be tolerated.

So here we go: another moneybags rich guy is looking to manipulate news coverage based on his need to perpetuate the global warming trope.

According to the Daily Caller:

James Murdoch, the son of billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and his wife Kathryn are close to a deal to fund a climate reporting division of the Associated Press, according to Axios. The Murdoch couple will make a multi-million-dollar investment in the Associated Press as part of the deal, two sources familiar with the negotiations told Axios. The investment will go towards the creation of a new AP climate reporting hub which will employ 20 reporters. The new climate division at the AP would reportedly have other donors in addition to the Murdochs, according to Axios. James and Kathryn Murdoch will make their investment through the Quadrivium Foundation which they co-founded in 2014. "We look for initiatives that address the root causes of problems and where single actions can create multiple positive outcomes," the group states on its website. "We prioritize the potential for lasting impact over safe bets. And we seek opportunities where our investment or leadership will make a real difference."

The original Axios story is here.

It's kind of disgusting to think that with all the access to media outlets Rupert Junior has, based on old Pop's media empire, he chose instead to branch out to the Associated Press, a news outlet that's ubiquitous, such that it can only be compared to a utility. "More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day," according to the news agency's website. The AP runs as a non-profit cooperative, according to Wikipedia; has about 3,300 employees; takes in revenue of about $510 million; and made $1.6 million in net income from it, according to the 2017 figures cited.

Suffice to say that given the relatively piddly plan to hire just twenty reporters in this Murdoch project, any donation of more than a million dollars  and it sounds as though it might be quite a lot from the stories  is going to make an impact on a news agency that squeezes out only $1.6 million in net income from its operations.

Naturally, the AP claims that none of this incoming cash is going to make an impact on the coverage, and Murdoch Junior won't do a thing to stick his nose into the news coverage. That's laughable on its face, given that all news agencies to varying degrees are influenced by their owners. "Freedom of the press belongs to those who own one," as New Yorker essayist A.J. Liebling wrote. Is this big AP project to shove more phony global warming stories in our faces going to cover the next global warming data scandal or irrefutable data demonstrating global warming's phoniness? Don't hold your breath. Some stories will be written and others not, but it won't be contingent on which stories are truest or most important. News judgment will be subject to whatever the prevailing "narrative" from the elites might just be.

The Axios story has a couple of interesting details the Daily Caller didn't mention or emphasize  that a lot of rich guys are getting into this business, not by buying media itself, which is a hell of a difficult thing to run, but by shoveling foundation money into pet projects to get the stories they want. The Soros bunch, which Axios did not mention, is big on this. A suspicious omission from Axios about all the billionaires and rich guys (we think Murdoch Jr. is just a rich guy at this point) getting into this game was that of Apple widow/heiress Laurene Powell Jobs, who's got the hooks in at The Atlantic. Wonder why Axios didn't mention that in its list, given that she's so prominent?

Here's a big likely as to why Axios didn't mention it, from MarketRealist, emphasis mine:

Who owns Axios? Axios is owned by Axios Media, whose investors include Glade Brook Capital Partners, Lerer Hippeau Ventures, Greycroft, and NBC News. NBC doubles up as Axios' media partner. Axios reporters have made appearances on NBC television networks. Moreover, as part of the partnership, Axios co-founder Mike Allen has featured on MSNBC's Morning Joe. The outlet has also raised money from investors such as Laurene Powell Jobs, and Atlantic Media owners David and Katherine Bradley. Axios has raised about $60 million from its investors. While many of the owners are known, the exact shareholding structure in the company, such as the stakes owned by Axios founders, isn't currently public. As Axios is a private company, investing in it may require one to have a certain level of net worth to qualify as an accredited investor.

Once again, we see the idea in action that the owners of media outlets have a lot to say about what gets reported and what gets ignored. So much for AP's denials of undue influence.

A big industry has sprung up around this rich man's idea of promoting global warming, highly favored by billionaires such as Tom Steyer and wannabe billionaires such as the Murdoch couple. It's a cause that's definitely in the interest of rich guys, given that it's a disguised bid to keep the hoi polloi oppressed, impoverished, immobile, stuffed into cramped little rented rabbit warrens instead of owned homes, dependent on atrocious, disease-spreading unionized, zero-customer-service public transportation with zero choice and, above all, at a distance from them. It's fine if they live in multiple heated mansions, drive private cars, use petroleum products to their hearts' content with those carbon credit "indulgences," and fly private jets, but those little guys had better not try to get any of that on their own. Big cash ensures that the global warming idea, despite its obvious flaws, persists, based on its appeal to billionaires, government bureaucrats hungry for power, and miserable Millennials looking for some kind of religion. Now we're seeing moneybags fanatics moving in for the kill in a bid to flood the news and crowd out little dissenters as if that hasn't already been done enough.

It may be a matter of the public not buying into the nonsense that so much effort is now being expended. Perhaps saturation coverage promoting this flawed idea is the idea. If so, it makes the effort propaganda. What a pity that it's come to this in the matter of news. We'll believe that these guys are sincere when we see a real story disproving global warming from a real study or a good expose of global warming data fraud. Until then, it's just more corporatization of the news, which is what's driving the public away from news and raising the levels of distrust of the media to its stellar heights. This cash won't fix that, it will act as an accelerant.

Image: Pixabay, Pixabay License.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) speaks frankly and on the record. At the end of Rep. Greene's phoner to me (honoring a commitment given me the day before by Nick Dyer, her press secretary), she said she was "shocked and disgusted" that Rep. Liz Cheney had not been "kicked out" of the House Republican conference. Rep. Greene added that she sees it as a "sign of weakness" that "they" (Rep. Cheney and Rep. Adam Kinzinger) have not been ousted from the Republican conference.

I spoke with the congresswoman as part of my quest for a reaction from House Republicans to the Cheney fundraiser reportedly organized in Dallas by former president George W. Bush. As it turned out, Greene was the only House Republican who would speak to me about the fundraiser, seen by the Dallas Morning News as an "anti-Trump" gathering.

While the media provided some fanfare when the Cheney event was announced, September 22, the lack of immediate news reports on the fundraiser makes one wonder if the secrecy tradition of Yale's Skull and Bones  Pres. Bush is a member  was applied to this anti-Trump event. For example, the invitation said the location of the fundraiser would be given when the invitee returned it, with, presumably, the admission charge of either $5,800, or $2,900, or $1,000 (a photo op going with the two higher-priced donations). (Perhaps Karl Rove, who has a weekly Wall Street Journal column and was a co-host, will tell his readers about the fundraiser, provided, of course, that he wasn't sworn to secrecy.)

Asked about the role of Bush in the Cheney event, Greene told me that Bush has aligned himself with Democrats, including former presidents Clinton and Obama. He is "not conservative" and has "abandoned the [Republican] party." Greene indicated that the anti-Trump people "don't realize what the party is," adding, "They do really support Democrats; they clearly like Democrats more than Republicans."

Congresswoman Green sees Republican elitists and Democrat elitists as "all the same people." "The reason they hate Trump," she told me, is "because he exposed all of them. The American people see through it."

Rep. Greene (also known as "MTG"), in indirect criticism of the Pelosi panel on "Jan. 6," said President Trump "had nothing to do with the riot." I pointed out that the New York Times prior to January 6 called Pres. Trump a grave threat to American democracy. Congresswoman Greene said the left hopes that if it issues enough lies, the American people will believe them. She is confident, however, that Americans will see through the left's lies and remarked that all it takes are "people of courage" to confront the left.

The story on the Cheney fundraiser in the Dallas Morning News wrote of an "irreparable chasm" between former president Bush and former president Trump. My conversation with Congresswoman Greene left me with the impression that she sees the Bushies as being on the wrong side of history.

Image: U.S. Congress.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
I remember when my dad, a high-powered New York attorney and senior partner in a large, prestigious law firm, started losing it. As his Alzheimer's progressed, he could no longer track the work he'd done all his life. His firm was wonderful to him. After 60+ years there, he kept his office, staff, and status and was given the opportunity to gather the youths of his department around him, to reminisce and tell teaching stories from his professional life. He was never made to feel useless, but others took over the real work.

Dad joined his firm right after he graduated from Columbia Law, back in the early 1930s. I was told about his last years there by a now mature member of that group of bright young associates. I can imagine what it must have been like because my dad had accomplished things worth crowing about, but I doubt he'd ever bragged about them. He finally stopped going to work when he could no longer find his way to the office, about a 20-block walk from home. He always walked to work unless the weather was truly awful.

The one thing his firm didn't do was leave him in charge of the department. He was no longer capable of tackling intelligent analysis of problems, then coming to decisive conclusions that made sense. His firm had a fiduciary duty to the client base to reassign the real work to those capable of doing it properly. They couldn't leave a vacuum at the top.

The Democrat powers that be are not acting responsibly in their fiduciary duty to us citizens. They relish having no responsible person at the helm. That way, we can't really come after anyone who can answer the hard questions. We know that the stuff coming out of Biden's mouth is not first being processed by his brain, that he has no real comprehension of what he's saying, nor can he track his heavy-handed policies' real effects. He is a face with a mouth, and just enough brain matter left to follow the prompter most of the time, or tell a rambling, part-true story on occasion. They can hide behind him  and do so.

I wonder whether, if Joe understood the societal harm he's doing, he'd be horrified. What would he say if he was aware he was being used so disrespectfully when he ought to be sitting by the fireside, telling stories about his glorious imagined past with Corn Pop and chains, civil rights marches, and Ukrainian presidents?

I wonder how his wife, Jill, can stand doing her job of propping him up. She seems a bit power-mad herself, basking in the glory of his nominal presidency.

It's awfully convenient, says the cynic in me, to have a power vacuum at the top. It appears to work for the Executive Branch, and, certainly, there's no meaningful protest from Congress, even from the Republicrats, so it seems to be OK with them, too. An awful lot is being "accomplished" under his "leadership," after all! I won't diss you by retreading through the litany; you know it all. Let's just say that the tyranny of low expectations is quite real.

It's so convenient that they are even reusing the concept at the Cabinet level. Pete Buttigieg is on leave? Oh. His second in command is working on the supply chain issue. Who is that? Umm...nobody seems to know, at least that was the comment on Fox News's Martha MacCallum show.

The border? Kamala the-un-present is "in charge"  or is she? They've managed to relieve her of any meaningful workload; maybe a good thing, given she's obviously also incompetent. Her judgment is clearly awful, or she'd never have made that video about space where she talked down to child actors, which was beyond cringe-worthy.

They certainly don't have to worry about her looking better than Joe. Our expectations of the competency of our vice president have been so lowered that nobody can expect more than an occasional cackle from her at this point.

The question is, who's pulling the puppet strings in the background? While there are many theories, a surreptitious third term for Obama, where he can accomplish all his nefarious intentions to fundamentally change America, seems likely. Certainly, his erstwhile lackeys are playing prominent parts in the administration.

They're putting old stalwarts like Garland, Rice, and Mayorkas out front to shield Biden from any scrutiny. The interesting thing will be (if we can hold on that long) whether they are held to account after the midterms, falling on their swords for the cause.

Of course, the only way that can happen is if we have a free and fair election and throw enough of the bums out to do what's right. I'm sure they're counting on that not happening. I'd say, therefore, that the most important thing we can do is to make sure it does.

Image: The vacuum at the top by Andrea Widburg.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
The New York Post's October 19 front-page story detailing the planeloads of young illegal migrants being secretly flown into Westchester County Airport has directly and inconveniently brought the southern border story into the wealthy suburban bedroom communities of New York. It also underlined the increasing ferocity of the progressive left's illegitimate assault on traditional America.

The story is particularly revelatory because illegal immigration has, up until now, not been something that residents of suburban New York, Connecticut, or New Jersey particularly worried about. But Westchester County Airport is located in Rye Brook, N.Y. and abuts affluent residential neighborhoods in Purchase, N.Y.; Greenwich, Conn.; and beyond.

When the clandestine flights were first made public in August, Democrat county executive George Latimer at first professed ignorance, and the local media were happy to bury the story. He would only say the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services had authorized the flights. However, the New York Post's new front-page story of the secret, early-morning flights of thousands of illegals, bolstered by multiple photographs, revealed the magnitude of the resettlement activities.

At this writing, Latimer had not released a statement, but the presence of county police at the airport clearly indicates that his administration is aware of the secret flights and resettlement.

Christine Sculti, his Republican opponent for County Executive in the November 2 election, said, Mr. Latimer has been stonewalling the residents of Westchester County for months regarding their legitimate public health and public safety concerns, as well as the publics right to know. I join residents who are rightfully fed up with Mr. Latimers failure to stand up to the White House and I consider his failure to safeguard the health and safety of the residents a dereliction of duty.

Clearly, the secret flights into regional airports were designed as a way for the White House to disguise the large number of illegals being welcomed into this county unvetted and unvaxxed. Westchester's small, regional airport was a low-key way to disperse the illegal migrants discreetly to unknown locations in the tri-state metropolitan area.

To accomplish their objectives, the federal government and its Westchester County enablers are conducting themselves in ways denied to regular citizens. The flights land between midnight and 6:30 A.M., when the airport is voluntarily closed during a curfew for commercial flights due to its proximity to residential areas. The New York Post has tracking data that 2,000 migrants have arrived at the airport on 21 flights since August 8 as well as specific times for the flights.

On October 15, the Post said one bus sped down the Hutchison River Parkway, which bars buses, at more than 75 miles an hour, exceeding the 55-mile-an-hour limit, eventually winding up in Syosset, Long Island, at MercyFirst, a nonprofit sponsored by the Catholic Sisters of Mary.

In addition, Westchester County is using law enforcement to protect the migrants. The Post reported that Westchester County Police are present when the illegal migrants deplane and are redirected to chartered buses.

Neither the federal government nor Westchester County has indicated the vaccination status of the illegal migrants being flown in. But the Democrat governors of New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey are demanding that all their legal citizens get vaccinated. In New York City, people must show proof of vaccination before dining, going to the theater, or working out.

Former Westchester County executive Rob Astorino, a current Republican candidate for New York's governor, commented, "New York's politicians are treating their citizens as if they don't belong here and non-citizens as if they do. And if you dare question them, they scream racism, because they know their policies are wrong, expensive, and sometimes even dangerous."

Current county executive Latimer has supported special treatment for illegal migrants. Within months of winning the office in late 2017, he signed the Immigrant Protection Act that limits information county law enforcement will share with federal immigration authorities and bars county employees from asking about a person's citizenship.

Over the last two years, Americans in many blue states have endured an increasing intensity of tyrannical regulations and statutes, while criminals are coddled with special treatment. In New York, the COVID pandemic coincided with the passage of no-bail legislation, which puts criminals back on the streets to commit more crimes. Former governor Cuomo and now his successor, Governor Kathy Hochul, put in place mask mandates that continue to this day, regardless of vaccination status or COVID disease levels. The new governor has now directed state officials, healthcare workers, and police to be vaccinated or be fired. As a result, hospitals, police departments, and fire departments are losing workers. The new governor signed the Less Is More Act, which makes it easier to free prisoners and prevents the jailing of convicted criminals for technical violations of parole.

Democrat politicians are intent on abusing law-abiding citizens with mask mandates, firings, and increased crime on one hand, while giving increased leniency and privileges to lawbreakers.

The clandestine flights of illegal migrants into Westchester County Airport, the lack of vetting and vaccination, and their disbursal into points unknown in the New York metropolitan area are one example of an agenda that has violated the normal guide rails of executive and legislative policies. It is clear that these politicians are so intent on implementing their agenda before they get voted out of office that they care not for the welfare or safety of Americans, nor for the financial burdens their policies inflict.

Revised to add to the statement from Christine Sculti.

Linda R. Killian is a local Republican chairman in New York State.

Image via Public Domain Pictures.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
It doesnt look like much, but this is the worlds first photograph, or rather, the oldest surviving photograph, or both. It was taken by French inventor Nicephore Niepce, using a camera obscura focused onto a pewter plate coated with a thin layer of Bitumen of Judea, a naturally occurring asphalt. Niepce exposed this plate through a lens to the buildings and surrounding countryside of his estate, Le Gras, in Saint-Loup-de-Varennes. The exposure is believed to have lasted at least eight hours, up to several days.

Bitumen of Judea is a light sensitive material that is soluble in spirits and oils, but when exposed to light it gets hardened. The bitumen hardened in the brightly lit areas, but in the dimly lit areas it remained soluble, which was washed away with a mixture of oil of lavender and white petroleum. Niepce called this process heliography, which eventually became photography with the invention of daguerreotype, the worlds first commercially viable photographic process. Instead of hours, daguerreotype reduced exposure time to mere minutes and produced clear, finely detailed results. The year Louis Daguerre introduced the daguerreotype, 1839, is accepted as the birth year of practical photography. But it was his ill-fated associated Nicephore Niepce, who was the worlds first photographer.

Nicephore Niepce

Niepce was born in Chalon-sur-Saone, Saone-et-Loire, France, in 1765, to a wealthy family. After college he joined the French army under Napoleon as a staff officer and spent a number of years in Italy and on the island of Sardinia, but ill health forced him to resign, whereupon he got married and became the Administrator of the district of Nice in post-revolutionary France. In 1795, Niepce resigned from his post to pursue scientific research with his brother Claude. The two brothers created the Pyreolophore, a very complicated machine considered the worlds first internal-combustion engine. This engine ran on controlled dust explosions of various experimental fuels, including mixtures of finely crushed coal dust, Lycopodium powder, and resin. After they successfully powered a boat upstream on the river Saone, a patent was granted to their name. The brothers spent the next 20 years improving and trying to commercialize the Pyreolophore without success. Having squandered much of the family fortune chasing nonexistent business opportunities for the Pyreolophore, Claude died a destitute in London. Meanwhile, his brother Nicephore developed an interest in capturing light on a plate.

Around 1816, Niepce managed to capture small camera images on paper coated with silver chloride, making him apparently the first to have any success at all in such an attempt. However, Niepce could not find a way to fix the image permanently on paper; the image gradually darkened all over when brought into the light for viewing. Niepce turned his attention to other light-sensitive substances eventually discovering Bitumen of Judea, a naturally occurring asphalt that engravers used to make acid-resistant coating on copper plates for making etchings. What interested Niepce was the fact that the bitumen coating became less soluble after it had been left exposed to light.

The oldest heliographic engraving known in the world. It is a reproduction of a 17th century Flemish engraving, showing a man leading a horse, made by Nicephore Niepce.

Niepce dissolved bitumen in lavender oil, a solvent often used in varnishes, and applied a thin coat of it onto a sheet of metal. After the coating had dried, Niepce laid various engravings printed on paper over the surface in close contact and the two were put out in direct sunlight. After sufficient exposure, the bitumen coated plate was rinsed in a solvent and only the unhardened bitumen that had been shielded from light by lines or dark areas in the engravings was washed away. Thus the engraving on paper was transferred on to the plate by the action of sunlight. Niepce called his process heliography, which literally means sun drawing. Niepce enhanced the image further by etching the exposed parts with acid to create a more pronounced image. The excess bitumen was washed away from the metal base to keep only the etched drawing on it. He made several heliographs using this technique, one being an image of Pope Pius VII, and another of a 17th-century engraving of a man with a horse.

Niepce's created the first permanent photograph using bitumen in 1826 (or 1827) when he photographed the view from a window in his house at his family estate in the nearby village of Saint-Loup-de-Varennes, on a sheet of bitumen-coated pewter. The resulting image titled, View from the Window at Le Gras, has survived to this day and is now recognized as the oldest known camera photograph.

An enhanced version of the original photograph.

A computer generated image depicting the original scene that was photographed by Niepce in 1826 from a window of his house. In the photograph left and right are mirrored, so the pigeon tower on the right appears on the left in the photographs. The buildings depicted do not exist anymore, but the house from which the photo was made is still there. Photo: kodaksefkeblog.blogspot.com

In 1827, Niepce went to England to visit his ailing brother who was promoting their struggling Pyreolophore project. While in England, Niepce met botanist Francis Bauer, who encouraged him to present his heliography process to the Royal Society in London. Niepce did as told but because he was reluctant to disclose the details of the process, his presentation was rejected. Dejected, Niepce returned to France and in 1829, entered into a 10-year partnership with Louis Daguerre, who was also seeking a means of creating permanent photographic images with a camera. Together, they developed an improved process called the physautotype, that used lavender oil distillate as the photosensitive substance. The partnership lasted until Niepce's death in 1833, after which Daguerre continued to experiment, eventually working out a process that greatly reduced exposure time from hours to minutes. He named it the daguerreotype, after himself.

After the pioneering photographic processes of Louis Daguerre and later by Henry Fox Talbot, Francis Bauer fought for Niepce's sake for the right to be acknowledged as the first inventor of a process for making permanent photographs. The photograph View from the Window at Le Gras was finally exhibited at the Royal Society in 1839. After Bauer's death in 1840 they passed through several hands and were occasionally exhibited as historical curiosities, until 1905, when it disappeared. Nearly fifty years later, historians Helmut Gernsheim and his wife, Alison Gernsheim, tracked down the photograph and brought it to prominence, returning Niepce to his rightful place as the inventor of photography. In 1963, Harry Ransom purchased most of the Gernsheims' photography collection for the University of Texas at Austin. It is currently on display in the main lobby of the Harry Ransom Center in Austin, Texas.

The Niepce plate in the Harry Ransom Center. Photo: Harry Ransom Center

References:

# Harald Johnson, The First Photo, PetaPixel

# Wikipedia
Pets hold a special place in our hearts. For a flat rate of $50 along with a photo, celebrate their life and a special message through placing a Pet Obituary today. Pet Obits are published once a week in the Anchorage Press and on AnchoragePress.com. Our customer service team will contact you directly if there are any questions during our regular business hours. Thank you and please accept our deepest sympathies for your loss.

Click here to submit
(Image source from: Newindianexpress.com)

TDP Office Attacks: High Tension In Andhra Pradesh:- A series of attacks took place on the TDP offices across the state. The official spokesperson of TDP Kommareddy Pattabhi made some sensational comments on YSRCP and Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy about the drugs issue. Pattabhi's residence was attacked and the furniture, cars were damaged completely. TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu slammed the government for the attacks. He called Union Home Minister Amit Shah and requested the support of the Central Security Forces. Chandrababu Naidu called up for a bandh today. The cops are deployed in huge numbers across Andhra Pradesh and several crucial leaders of TDP are house arrested. The YSRCP supporters vandalized the TDP offices but the party announced that they have nothing to do with the attacks.

Chandrababu Naidu called the attacks 'state-sponsored terrorism' and he met the injured who are admitted to the hospitals. The TDP office in Mangalagiri is badly damaged and the TDP supporters, leaders present in the office were attacked by goons. The videos surfaced online and they kept trending on the social media circles. Chandrababu demanded an inquiry on the attacks and he wanted the Centre to impose President's rule in Andhra Pradesh by invoking Article 356 of the constitution. Naidu also alleged the contribution of the state's DGP Gautam Sawang for the attacks saying that the attacks were pre-planned. He wrote a letter to Amit Shah about how the law and order got collapsed in the state. He said that Amit Shah promised to look into the matter.

Chandrababu also spoke to the Governor Biswa Bhushan Harichandan and explained how YSRCP cadre initiated violence. The situations in the state are out of control told Pawan Kalyan calling the attacks on TDP offices unfortunate.

(Video Source: 10TV News Telugu)
Narendra Modi Inaugurates Kushinagar Airport:- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the 29th international airport of the country in Kushinagar and it is the third international airport for Uttar Pradesh. The inauguration was done in the presence of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksas son and a 125-member delegation. Kushinagar happens to be a place where Gautam Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. This airport is expected to boost up the tourism in Uttar Pradesh. The state's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath along with ambassadors for 15 countries to India and a host of dignitaries attended the event. The first flight arrived from Colombo with several Buddisht monks and pilgrims.

Tomorrow is a special day for our infrastructure and civil aviation sector. The Kushinagar International Airport will be inaugurated, with the inaugural flight landing from Colombo, whose passengers include a group of respected monks. This airport will benefit UP and Bihar. pic.twitter.com/ZPraanod1o  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 19, 2021

The tourists can visit six Buddhist sites in Uttar Pradesh after landing in Kushinagar. Kushinagar airport will offer a hassle-free connectivity for the tourists who earlier had to rely on the airports of Kolkata, Delhi and Varanasi. Kushinagar airport is spread across 590 acres with world-class facilities. An eight-storeyed state-of-the-art Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower is constructed and Rs 17.5 crores is spent on it. As per the experts, the Kushinagar International Airport will turn a boost for the aviation and tourism industry of Uttar Pradesh. Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport at Lucknow and Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport at Varanasi are operational in Uttar Pradesh for now and the Jewar airport in Gautam Budh Nagar is getting ready soon.
Google has a powerful voice recording and dictation app called Google Recorder. Its a Pixel exclusive app thats getting a bit of a facelift and some more languages. According to 9To5Google, the Google Recorder will be getting the Material You workover and three additional languages.

Google Recorder will get the Material You design

Google is working hard on giving all of its apps and services the Material You look and feel for Android 12. Even the clock app on Wear OS is getting that treatment, so it shouldnt be a shocker that Google Recorder will be getting the Material You change.

At this point, we should know what to expect when an app transitions over. Firstly, the color scheme changes to reflect the colors in the phones wallpaper. Elements like the user profile icon will be monochromatic colored to match the custom color palette.

Advertisement

The biggest change will be the size and shape of the buttons. The play/pause and record buttons on the older version were relatively small circles. With the new version, only the record button is a circle, while the play/pause button is a large rectangle with heavily rounded corners.

The buttons are all much larger, reflecting the changes weve been seeing throughout all of the Google apps. Even the list of recordings consists of large rounded rectangles. The update is still rolling out, so if you dont see it, it should come soon.

There are also some new languages coming

Since Google Recorder also dictates your speech, its important that it supports multiple languages. With the new update, the app will gain support for German, French, and Japanese. This is great, as those are some really common languages.

Advertisement

Whats odd is that these new languages are only available for the Pixel 6. They could gradually roll out to other Pixel devices eventually, but theres no guarantee.

What is Google Recorder?

Google raised the bar for recording apps with Google Recorder. This app goes far beyond your typical recording app in a few key ways.

For starters, it dictates your speech live and displays the text above the recording. Along with that, youll be able to search for certain words in the search bar and youll be taken to the exact spot in the recording.

Advertisement

If you want to edit your recording, you need only select the range of text that you want to take out and delete it. The app will automatically delete that range in the audio. Another neat feature is the ability to export a video file with the audio waveform and the text over it.

Whats probably the most impressive part is that the app can do all of this without an internet connection. If youre interested in this app, its only for Pixel devices.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL ONLINE PURCHASES ARE AUTOMATIC RENEWALS UNLESS YOU EMAIL JPAYNE@ANNISTONSTAR.COM OR CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE @ 256-235-9253....

Purchase an online subscription to our website for $7.99 a month with automatic renewal. Each online subscription gives you full access to all of our newspaper websites and mobile applications. To cancel you may contact Customer Service @ 256-235-9253 or email JPAYNE@ANNISTONSTAR.COM



*NEW SUBSCRIBERS ONLY join with a NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION is just $59.99 for the first year. Existing customers do not qualify for the specials! AMEX is not accepted through this site.



After the first year, well automatically renew your subscription to continue your access at the regular price of $69.99 per year. Please note *Your Subscription will Automatically Renew unless you contact Customer Service To Cancel*


(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 20 - Workplace deaths in Italy are a national tragedy, Justice Minister Marta Cartabia said Wednesday amid a months-long spate of fatal accidents at the workplace across the country.

She said the government had intervened by increasing the number of inspectors and checks, but a new law on administrative responsibility would be even more useful in stopping the rash of fatalities.

Premier Mario Draghi said Friday that workplace safety norms recently approved by the government sent the "unequivocal signal that you cannot save (money) at the expense of workers' lives" after the shocking spate of workplace accident deaths continued with more more fatalities, one near Milan in Lombardy, one near Modena in Emilia-Romagna, one at Sassari in Sardinia and one at Barletta in Puglia.

" I wish to express the government's, and my, satisfaction over the workplace safety norms," said the premier.

"Over the past months we have witnessed an unacceptable number of deaths.

"As the government, we committed ourselves to doing everything possible to prevent these episodes happening again." Draghi said "the norms are the realisation of this promise. We are increasing the numbers of workplace inspectors, we are stiffening sanctions, we are boosting computerization to improve checks." taly's three big trade-union confederations, CGIL, CISL and UIL, will hold a major demonstration on Rome on November 13 to demand action on health and safety to stem the tide of deaths.

Some 667 people lost their lives in workplace accidents in the first seven months of the year, sources said last month.

The issue has been top of public debate in Italy since the death of the 22-year-old mother of a five-year-old boy, Luana D'Orazio, in a textile mill accident near Prato on May 3.

(ANSA).


Covid: Israel reports new Delta mutation AY4.2 In young man returning from Moldova

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, OCT 20 - The first case of a new COVID-19 Delta variant called AY4.2 was reported in an Israeli teen returning from Moldova and his case is now being carefully monitored by healthcare workers.



The young man was diagnosed when he landed at the Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv and he was immediately isolated. According to local media, the new mutation is known as AY4.2 and is already present in Great Britain.



Over the past few days, Premier Naftali Bennett announced that Israel "is defeating the Delta variant, but does not abandon the accelerator's pedal and is preparing a possible 'Omega scenario" (the code name of a new variant).



A consultation of experts has meanwhile been scheduled on Wednesday to examine the possible impact of the new mutation.



(ANSAmed)
(ANSAmed) - RABAT, OCT 20 - Rabat is suspending flights towards Germany, the Netherlands and Great Britain, Laila Mechnal, the director general of Air Arabia in Morocco, said on Twitter. The measure becomes effective on Wednesday, at 11:59 pm (12:59 am in Italy) local time, the same source said. There are no official statements at the moment but all flights have been cancelled and it is currently impossible to book tickets online.



Mechbal did not specify the reason for the decision, but it is not the first time that Rabat has quickly suspended air connections with countries affected by a spike in coronavirus cases. (ANSAmed)
(ANSAmed) - ROME, OCT 20 - UNICEF Italia spokesman Andrea Iacomini on Wednesday said that "our offices in Syria have informed us that four children - three boys and a girl - and a teacher were killed in the morning while they were going to school in an attack against a market in Ariha, south of Idlib, in northwestern Syria". "The number of children wounded and killed continues to increase. It is a massacre", he said.



"Early this morning moreover a bus was attacked in the capital Damascus. While the attack occurred, in a crowded street, UNICEF is still unable to confirm if there were children among the people involved. Today's violence is the umpteenth proof that war in Syria is not over. Civilians, including many children, continue to bear the brunt of a brutal decennial conflict that must end", continued Iacomini.



"The attacks on civilians, including children, are a violation of international humanitarian rights. Children should be able to reach their schools safely. We repeat our appeals to fighters that children are not a target. They should be protected at all times, especially during a conflict", concluded the UNICEF spokesperson.



Meanwhile the death toll from the attack this morning in Damascus against a bus of the Syrian army has risen to 14, according to the official news agency SANA. Those reported wounded remain three. According to the agency, the attack was carried out with two bombs and a military source quoted by SANA said that one of the bombs was on a bus and exploded while it was close to the Hafez al-Assad bridge, in the heart of the capital. Nobody has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.



(ANSAmed)
Turkey: more money to ministry of religious affairs 24% increase in budget proposal for 2022

(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, OCT 20 - Public funding for the presidency of religious affairs 'Diyanet' in Turkey has increased by 24% compared to last year under proposed legislation in the 2022 draft budget presented to Turkish parliament last week and supported by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.



In 2022 the budget planned for Diyanet is 16 billion and 98 million Turkish lira, about 1.7 billion dollars- Funding that will grow in 2023 (18.62 billion liras) and in 2024 (20.72 billion liras) according to the budget plan presented to the Turkish parliament where the AKP government party of President Erdogan and its ally MHP of the nationalist right have the majority of seats to approve the budget.



Created at the order of the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, in 1924 with the aim of maintaining the State's control over religion, Diyanet supervises religious institutions in Turkey, administering mosques and Koranic education in the country. Over the 19 years of government of the party of current President Erdogan AKP, the Diyanet was significantly boosted in terms of funding and personnel, a choice that was criticized by the most secular part of the Turkish population. (ANSAmed)
Hundreds of medical professionals have told Health Secretary Sajid Javid they oppose plans for a new law on assisted dying and will refuse to help people take their own lives.

An open letter with 1,689 signatories, including current and retired doctors, nurses, pharmacists and medical students, said the shift from preserving life to taking life is enormous and should not be minimised.

The Assisted Dying Bill, which would allow terminally ill adults to legally seek assistance to end their lives, will have its second reading in Parliament on Friday.

If passed, it will enable adults who are of sound mind and have six months or less to live to be provided with life-ending medication with the approval of two doctors and a High Court judge.

Campaigners say it will give people with terminal illnesses greater choice and control over how and when they die, with safeguards in place to protect them and their loved ones.

Opponents say it will put pressure on people to end their lives and that current laws protect the vulnerable.

The letter reads: The prohibition of killing is the safeguard. The current law is the protection for the vulnerable.

Any change would threaten societys ability to safeguard vulnerable patients from abuse, it would undermine the trust the public places in physicians, and it would send a clear message to our frail, elderly and disabled patients about the value that society places on them as people.

The signatories conclude: We would not take patients lives  even if they asked us to  but for the sake of us all, and for future generations, we ask that the law remains unchanged.

It came as three faith leaders expressed their profound disquiet over the Bill.

A statement, from the @JustinWelby, @CardinalNichols and the @chiefrabbi: "we believe that the aim of a compassionate society should be assisted living rather than an acceptance of assisted suicide."@churchofenglandhttps://t.co/fREauDCGLP  APPG for Dying Well (@DyingWellAppg) October 20, 2021

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Roman Catholic Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis have written to Mr Javid warning him of the real-life practical inadequacies of the proposed safeguards.

They note that, while the Bill seeks to alleviate suffering, they disagree on the means advanced to address this very real concern.

They wrote: In contrast to the proposals in this Bill, we continue to call for measures to make high-quality palliative care available to all at the end of their lives.

We believe that the aim of a compassionate society should be assisted living rather than an acceptance of assisted suicide.

The campaign group Dignity In Dying said assisted dying is an issue whose time has come, and claimed the majority of public support a law change.

We call urgently for a change in the law to give terminally ill, mentally competent adults the choice of an assisted death alongside all current end-of-life care options, as proposed in the Assisted Dying Bill due for debate on Friday.https://t.co/LzAbe2RfaT  Dignity in Dying (@dignityindying) October 19, 2021

A survey last year by the British Medical Association found that 50% of doctors believe that there should be a change in the law to permit doctors to prescribe life-ending drugs, with 39% opposed and 11% undecided.

Members of the doctors union voted last month to adopt a neutral stance on assisted dying.

Tom Davies, BMA director of campaigns and communications, said: Under Baroness Meachers Assisted Dying Bill, doctors who oppose assisted dying will be under no obligation to participate, but they should not stand in the way of giving dying people choice over their deaths.

The most important voices in this debate are the terminally ill people who, under the UKs outdated ban on assisted dying, are denied choice the safe, legal choices they want, forced instead to suffer against their wishes, travel to Switzerland as 50 Britons do every year, or take their own lives at home.

The Ministry of Justice said any law change in an area of such sensitivity and importance is for MPs rather than Government to decide.

 The Samaritans can be contacted on 116123 or email jo@samaritans.org
Police will have to check someones medical history before issuing a gun licence in the wake of the mass shooting in Plymouth, the Government has confirmed.

From November 1, all firearms applications must be accompanied by a medical document signed by a registered, practising doctor, the Home Office said.

New statutory guidance published on Wednesday sets out how any relevant health records  particularly any information on mental health, neurological conditions and substance abuse  will have to be reviewed as part of the process.

It means police, for the first time, will be legally required to follow the guidance to help improve standards and consistency across forces in the UK.

Police have also been told to review an applicants social media accounts and financial history as well as carry out domestic violence checks in cases where officers believe more evidence is needed before authorising a licence.

The Home Office said: Background checks which can be conducted by the police are already extensive, spanning everything from criminal convictions and previous run-ins with the law, to evidence of domestic turmoil, unmanaged debt or even dishonesty.

Existing laws also require a home visit by the police for first-time applicants, to ensure they have utmost confidence in an individuals suitability to own a gun with no risk to public. Two credible referees for a firearm and one for a shotgun must be provided before a licence can be issued.

Jake Davison, 22, killed five people in the Keyham area of the Devon port city earlier this year before turning the gun on himself.

A screengrab of Jake Davison taken from a video posted on Youtube (PA)

The apprentice crane operator had received mental health support during the coronavirus lockdown from a local telephone helpline.

His social media usage suggested an obsession with incel culture, meaning involuntary celibate, as well as an interest in guns.

Questions remain over how he was permitted to have a firearms licence.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the decision by the Devon and Cornwall force to return Davisons shotgun certificate and weapon to him.

They had been seized in December last year following an assault allegation the previous September and were returned to him in July.

Although the UK has some of the toughest firearms laws in the world, Home Secretary Priti Patel said we must never become complacent about these high standards, adding: This new guidance prioritises public safety above all else and we have taken considerable care to ensure it is comprehensive and enforceable, having worked closely with the medical, policing and shooting sectors.

The British Medical Association, which helped develop the guidance, said it makes clear doctors are responsible for providing medical evidence but the police force will make the final decision on issuing the licence.

The organisations Dr Mark Sanford-Wood said: As doctors we support the Governments overall message  that gun ownership is a privilege and not a right  and that firearms must be in the hands of only those who are deemed safe and responsible.

Debbie Tedds, the Chief Constable for Warwickshire Police who leads the National Police Chiefs Councils work on firearms licensing, welcomed the guidance and said: Policing take this matter incredibly seriously and any advancement on the already extensive checks will help to ensure that only those who are safe to carry a firearms licence will receive one.

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) said while the guidance will allow applicants to choose who completes their medical verification if their GP states they are opposed to shooting or insists on excessive fees, they warned that flaws remain in the process and urged the Government to listen again to those who want a pragmatic, cost-efficient licensing system that is fit for purpose.
Police have been asked to urgently assess the scale of drink spiking at nightclubs and parties amid a rise in reports and claims some people have been drugged by injection.

Home Secretary Priti Patel has asked forces for an update after some said they had seen more spiking incidents in recent months.

Police chiefs have also been tasked by the Commons Home Affairs Committee to urgently provide more information on their assessment of the scale of the problem after reports of incidents in several parts of the country, including Nottingham, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Groups from more than 30 universities around the UK have joined an online campaign calling for the boycott of nightclubs, with campaigners seeking tangible changes to make them safer, such as covers/stoppers for drinks, better training for staff and more rigorous searches of clubbers.

A petition launched last week to make it a legal requirement for nightclubs to thoroughly search guests on entry has already gained more than 120,000 signatures.

It comes as a University of Nottingham student told how she believes she was spiked with an injection during a night-out with friends.

Zara Owen, 19, from Surrey, said she blacked out soon after arriving at a venue last Monday, telling BBC Breakfast: I know I didnt drink as much as I usually would on a night-out this night, and the fact that I dont remember anything is terrifying for me because this is something that is a very rare occasion to me.

Ive never suffered with memory loss and then the next morning  I woke up with a really painful leg.

I found a pin prick in my leg which was the epicentre of all pain. It made me unable to walk and I was limping around.

As a young person whos at university, Im hearing stories of people who have been to nightclubs and they have been injected. I have heard stories of someone having it through their hand or through their back, so this kind of gave me an idea this had happened to me.

Nottinghamshire Police said it has seen a rising number of reports of spiking over recent months and has arrested a man as part of a wider operation.

Superintendent Kathryn Craner, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: Over the last few months we have seen an increase in reports where people believe that drugs may have been put in their drink  But weve also received a small number of reports where people are telling us, as Zara has, that this has been associated with a pain or a mark on a part of their body, scratching sensation, and as though they have been physically spiked.

The University of Nottingham said it was extremely concerned by the reports and was working with police and venues to monitor, review and learn from incidents and experiences in the city centre.

Police Scotland is also looking into similar reports. A spokesman said: Officers are carrying out inquiries and a small number of reports from the Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow areas are being investigated. These do not appear to be linked.

Larissa Kennedy, president of the National Union of Students (NUS), said: Its absolutely disgusting that in the past few days a number of students have reported instances of women being spiked on nights out.

Labours shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds described the reports of the vile act as terrifying, adding: This awful crime needs to be clamped down on without delay.

The chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association Michael Kill said the organisation was very concerned about the reports and called on the Home Office to do more to investigate the problem.

Although the industry is working to try to keep customers safe, Mr Kill warned: The truth is, though, very real challenges still exist.

We know this is a societal problem, but it is very difficult to say with any real certainty what the scale of this problem is.

Sarah Crew, temporary Chief Constable for Avon and Somerset Police who leads the National Police Chiefs Councils (NPCC) work on rape and adult sexual offences, told the Commons Home Affairs Committee on Wednesday: In terms of the injection spiking, I only became aware of that this morning so I know about the reports

I think its a fair assumption there may be a sexual motive in those, but there isnt an indication.

It is difficult to make an assessment on that particular trend at the moment, in terms of the more general drink spiking we do know that thats a problem, she added.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said she had not heard about the injection spiking incidents but told the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee that they sounded very worrying.

Reports of women having their drink spiked in London have increased in the past five years from 136 in the year to September 2017 to 473 in the year to September 2021, the committee heard.

The Mets Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe said this had coincided with awareness campaigns which may have led to an increase in reporting.

Spiking drinks can lead to up to ten years in prison  or even higher if other offences like rape, robbery or another assault has taken place.
The CIA symbol on the floor of the agency's headquarters in Langley, Va. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

The CIAs Iran chief, described by his colleagues as legendary, is being forced to retire as the center he oversees is folded back into the agencys larger Middle East division, according to former CIA officials.

The official, Mike DAndrea  nicknamed the Dark Lord or Prince of Darkness and known by the undercover name "Roger" had been granted waivers that allowed him to continue working at the CIA past the mandatory retirement age, according to former agency officials. But the agency declined his most recent retirement exception, according to these officials. DAndreas retirement was first reported by the New York Times.

They decided not to extend him again, said a former senior CIA official. It was basically, Look, youre not going to go any higher, we need new thinking, we need new people, and so they eased him out. He didnt volunteer.

A small cadre of other senior CIA officials who had been receiving retirement waivers were also told their tenure would no longer be extended, said another former senior agency official.

"Mike has had a long and distinguished career serving his country," a CIA spokesperson told Yahoo News. "We are grateful for his decades of leadership on some of the most difficult issues we face at CIA."

DAndrea has run the agencys Iran operations since 2017. It was the final assignment in a career that former colleagues consider among the most consequential in the agencys recent history.

CIA officials often credit DAndrea, who led the agencys counterterrorism efforts from 2006 to 2015, with revolutionizing the CIAs terrorist-hunting efforts, and particularly the armed drone program that would, under his watch, eviscerate al-Qaida leadership.

The CIAs drone program arose at the dawn of the war on terror, with senior agency counterterrorism officials looking for ways to repurpose unmanned surveillance aircraft as killer drones.

The CIA built identical houses to what youd find in Afghanistan at a Nevada test site, recalled a former senior agency official. And [the missiles fired from the drones would] go through one end of the house and out the other side without exploding. So they had to work on different warheads that would go through one wall and detonate inside, and this kind of stuff.

A man claiming to be an al-Qaida member addresses a crowd in Yemen's Abyan province in 2009. (AFP via Getty Images)

The CIA was conducting legal drone strikes soon after 9/11, targeting members of al-Qaida in Afghanistan. But it was under DAndreas leadership that the drone program really took center stage.

The CIA would conduct over 500 strikes using armed drones during the Obama administration, killing thousands of militants and hundreds of civilians. Critics questioned the legality of the program and decried the civilian deaths, though CIA officials say the agency was careful to avoid taking innocent lives.

Even so, DAndrea was probably the most lethal leader in the U.S. government for his tenure, said a former senior CIA official. He was the grim reaper for the enemy. The agencys counterterrorism program under DAndrea was bone-crushing and relentless, recalled this former official.

If he was a combatant commander, he would have been sitting in the galley for the State of the Union, he would have had all the accolades, and then some, that David Petraeus ever had, said another former senior CIA official. He ran that war.

DAndreas biography and quirks became part of his legend: the soft-spoken, professorial figure notorious for keeping all the lights dimmed in his office; the chain smoker who would spend hours exercising on the elliptical, drinking Mountain Dew; and the middle-aged convert to Islam who ran a lethal campaign targeting Muslim religious extremists.

With DAndrea at the helm, the CIAs counterterrorism center functioned like a continuous, rolling decapitation operation for al-Qaida leadership, according to former officials.

There came a point where the life expectancy of the al-Qaida chief of operations was about a month, said the former senior official. Every time theyd name a new guy, bam, he was gone.

A U.S. drone aircraft lands at Afghanistan's Jalalabad Airport in 2015. (Noorullah Shirzada/AFP via Getty Images)

Al-Qaida operators became so scared of the CIAs drone program that their fear began to affect the organizations morale, said the former official. The CIA even once picked up signals intelligence between two senior al-Qaida officials in which one declined a promotion  ostensibly because he was worried about the added risks, according to this official. The guy was saying, I dont want the job; Im happy where I am, recalled the former official.

Under DAndreas watch, the CIA scored an epochal victory when it pinpointed Osama bin Laden to the Pakistani garrison town of Abbottabad; in 2011, Navy SEALs raided the compound and killed bin Laden.

The dark princes dedication to his work was unsurpassed, say former officials, who described him often pulling 12- or 14-hours days, seven days a week.

During DAndreas tenure as the CIAs top counterterrorism official, he would sleep in the office every few days on a cot, say officials, and would often be awake and reading cable traffic by 4 or 5 a.m.

God forbid you showed up at 7:30 a.m. to get ready for the 8:00 meeting, recalled a former senior official. You were f***ed. There were at least 50 people in those daily meetings  all experts on various terrorism issues  "and no one in that room knew more than he did, said this former official.

Some former officials described DAndrea as understandably demanding; others, as simply cruel. He was like a one-man gauntlet of death, throwing stuff at you to make sure your op [was] tight, said a former CIA official.

People gather outside Osama bin Laden's compound in Abottabad, Pakistan, where he was killed during a raid by U.S. special forces, May 3, 2011. (Getty Images)

Some CIA personnel crumpled under the pressure, said former officials. But DAndrea also elicited fierce loyalty from those who worked under him, and he would take the time to mentor junior officers in the agency, citing mistakes from earlier in his own career as examples to be avoided.

Under DAndrea, a number of African American CIA officers rose up to senior counterterrorism positions, according to a former official, a notable trend in an organization that has struggled with diversity issues, particularly in its senior leadership.

DAndreas focus on al-Qaida was singular  to the exclusion of other counterterrorism threats, which sometimes irritated others in government.

The military came to us and said, 'We need help on the Haqqani network ... the Haqqani network is killing soldiers,' recalled a former senior CIA official. And DAndreas response, undiplomatically, was, 'Well, thats your problem. Our problem is al-Qaida. Thats what were getting paid for: to go after al-Qaida.'

The counterterrorism chief had a philosophy that he articulated, recalled the former official. He said there are a handful of Salafists [members of an ultraconservative branch of Sunni Islam] who need to be killed. Theres no amount of convincing and negotiating and discussion. Theyre like mad dogs; you kill these people, you put them down.

DAndreas intense  and, as some former officials portrayed it, almost maniacal  focus on al-Qaida, coupled with his propensity for micromanagement, would lead to what former officials describe as the darkest moment of his career: a 2009 suicide bombing by a Jordanian triple agent in Khost, Afghanistan, that killed seven CIA officers.

British Royal Marines scramble out of a Chinook helicopter during a vehicle checkpoint operation in Afghanistan in 2002. (Scott Nelson/Getty Images)

It was the deadliest day for the CIA in decades, and many agency officials blamed DAndrea. He staffed his places with his people, in a way that was entirely inappropriate, said a former senior CIA official. Some believed the CIA base chief in Khost had lacked the necessary operational experience.

Even worse, some officials believed, was the way DAndrea overstepped important boundaries in managing the CIAs handling of the Jordanian agent. He was in the weeds providing tactical direction, and it broke down the chain of command in Kabul and Amman, said the same former official.

Though some say DAndrea mellowed with age, even fans of the former CIA counterterrorism chief say he could be abrasive and prickly  qualities that sometimes led to bruising bureaucratic battles inside and outside of agency headquarters in Langley, Va., and ultimately extinguished his chances at a long-desired ascension to the job of deputy director of operations (DDO), the highest-ranking position within the CIAs clandestine service, say former officials.

During the Obama administration, DAndrea clashed repeatedly with John Brennan when Brennan ran White House counterterrorism efforts, according to former officials.

An Afghan police officer looks at a guard post that was damaged in an attack in Khost, Afghanistan, in 2009. (Nishanuddin Khan/AP Photo)

Then, in 2013, Brennan was named CIA director. That really got f***ed up, when Brennan came over to be director, recalled a former senior CIA official. It was the final nail in the coffin for DAndreas dream of becoming DDO, said the former official.

DAndrea and another decorated senior CIA officer, a Russia and counterintelligence specialist, were engaged in a blood-sport competition for the job, recalled another former senior agency official. It was almost like you couldnt pick one or the other, said this person. So Brennan picked neither man. The other DDO candidate retired, recalled this former official  but DAndrea stayed on.

In 2015, a CIA drone strike mistakenly killed an American civilian and an Italian civilian in Pakistan. Some officials believe that, for Brennan, this was the final straw. DAndrea was relieved of leadership of counterterrorism operations.

Throughout his long and distinguished CIA career, Mike DAndrea was an exceptionally talented and dedicated intelligence professional who was responsible for some of the most significant counterterrorism successes in the years after 9/11, said Brennan in a statement to Yahoo News.

Former CIA Director John Brennan, center, and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, right, at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing in 2018. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

DAndrea could have retired. But he bided his time in a position charged with reviewing CIA covert operations already in progress, a job that that former colleagues say was a clear diminution from his previous role.

The Trump administration, looking to get tough on Iran, provided new opportunities. In 2017, DAndrea was picked to lead the CIAs Iran Mission Center, which was spun up under the leadership of then-Director Mike Pompeo. DAndrea oversaw a program focused on running aggressive covert operations against Tehran, say former officials.

The CIA recently announced it was moving Iran operations back into its broader Middle East mission center as part of a larger bureaucratic reshuffling. Its director is now retiring along with it.

For many CIA officials, DAndreas legacy remains secure. What I would emphasize is: America was a safer place because of Mike DAndrea, said another former senior CIA official, who credited him with keeping the pressure on al-Qaida. These guys could not stick their head out to catch a breath without getting whacked.

____

Read more from Yahoo News:
Warning: This story contains details that may be disturbing to some

PHILADELPHIA (AP)  A man charged with raping a woman on a commuter train just outside of Philadelphia harassed her for more than 40 minutes while multiple people held up their phones to seemingly record the assault without intervening, authorities said.

More than two dozen train stops passed as the man harassed, groped and eventually raped the woman, the police chief for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority said at a news conference Monday.

Police do not believe a single witness on the train dialed 911. They are investigating whether some bystanders filmed the assault.

Both the man and woman got on the train at the same stop Wednesday night in North Philadelphia. Officers pulled the man off of the woman at the last stop. They responded within about three minutes of a 911 call from a transportation authority employee, authorities said.

What we want is everyone to be angry and disgusted and to be resolute about making the system safer, SEPTA Police Chief Thomas J. Nestel III said at the news conference.

Arrest records show Fiston Ngoy, 35, was charged with rape and related offenses.

The affidavit of arrest for Ngoy detailed times of the assault, including that during those 40 minutes the woman appears to repeatedly push Ngoy away.

Nestel would not give an approximate number of witnesses and it was unclear from the affidavit how many passengers were present for those 40 minutes. Authorities have not released the surveillance video.

I can tell you that people were holding their phone up in the direction of this woman being attacked, he said.

Elizabeth Jeglic, a psychology professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, researches sexual violence prevention. She said if people feel uncomfortable physically intervening, there are other options like calling the police.

When we have multiple people, people dont necessarily intervene, she said. However, more recent research actually suggests that looking at video footage of more extreme circumstances that up to 90% of cases we do see people intervening. So it was actually somewhat of an aberration in this case that somebody did not step forward to help this individual.

Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt, of the Upper Darby Police Department, has said surveillance footage showed other riders were on the train and someone should have done something. Messages for Bernhardt were left Monday.

The New York Times reported that Bernhardt said that people who recorded the attack and failed to intervene could possibly be charged, but that would be up to the Delaware County District Attorneys office to determine.

There were no calls made to 911 in Philadelphia. Nestel said police were still waiting for Delaware County 911, which covers the last two train stops, to determine if it received any calls.

Investigators said in the affidavit that Ngoy sat down next to the woman about a minute after he boarded the train car, shortly after 9:15 p.m. The video shows her pushing him away multiple times until he is seen ripping her pants down at about 9:52 p.m.

Bernhardt said officers arrived at the 69th Street terminal on the Market-Frankford Line, the busiest route on SEPTA, around 10 p.m.

A SEPTA employee who was in the vicinity as the train went past called police to report that something wasnt right with a woman aboard the train, Bernhardt said.

SEPTA police waiting at the next stop found the woman and arrested Ngoy, who they had pulled off of the woman. She was taken to a hospital.

According to the court documents, the woman told police that Ngoy ignored her pleas to go away.

Ngoy claimed in his statement to police that he knew the victim, but couldnt remember her name and said the encounter was consensual.

Ngoy, who listed his last address as a homeless shelter, remained in custody on $180,000 bail. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 25. Court records show he had not requested a public defender as of Monday.

SEPTA issued a statement calling it a horrendous criminal act and urged anyone witnessing such a thing to report it to authorities by calling 911, pressing an emergency button on every train car or using the authorities emergency safety app.

There were other people on the train who witnessed this horrific act, and it may have been stopped sooner if a rider called 911, the authority said.

___

AP journalist Ted Shaffrey in New York contributed to this report.
Marysville, CA (95901)

Today

Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 58F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 47F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Feature Your News Online

$25.00 / for 30 days

Highlight your business' news for just $25! We'll feature your content on our News From Local Business section & our Marketplace front page to give it maximum exposure for the next 30 days.
Im eating lunch with my buddy George today. Well go find some barbecue and sweet tea and solve a few of the worlds problems.

And well talk about old times.

How did I get old enough to talk about old times? It just sort of happened, I guess. One day Im all young and spry, bouncing from rock to rock on the trail and sprinting uphill. And then one day Im not.

It must be that aging thing I keep hearing about.

George and I go way back, and weve shared a lot of trail time from the north Georgia mountains to the backcountry trails of Cumberland Island. But one adventure Ill always remember was a day one fall at Raven Cliff Falls.

Wed gone north from Atlanta to photograph fall color. I remember that. I also remember that we got sidetracked at the Raven Cliff Falls trailhead. Its the old If you build it, they will come thing. Somebody had built a trail, and we had to see where it went.

Where it went, of course, was to Raven Cliff Falls, a neat waterfall where the creek drops through a huge crevasse which was created when a massive piece of rock separated itself from the main mountain and moved a few feet. The creek really does fall through the crack, and its a neat place to see. I recommend it  especially this time of year when the leaves are starting to turn.

Anyway, on our way to the falls, we kept looking at the leaf-colored hillsides around us. I looked at them. George looked at them too. Leaf-covered hillsides? Natural slides in the making! And so up the slope we went, just a few yards at first, and then we sat down and slid back to the trail.

Then a few more yards and do it again. And again. It was like a waterslide made of leaves, and it was fun.

Could I do that now? Maybe not. The knees might balk at climbing the slope, and (how to put it) the rest of me might not like bouncing down the hillside. Alas, my days of leaf sliding are probably done.

But I still like to check out fall color. I still love to look for fall leaves.

This is the time to do it, too.

Where should you go?

Theres really no bad answer to that question. Sometimes I simply point the car north, drive till I spot a Forest Service dirt road, and then turn off the pavement to see where that gravel byway might take me. Pretty much every time I try that, Im rewarded by spectacularly colorful vistas that I would otherwise never see.

Youll find great fall color all over the place this time of year, but heres a list of 10 top state parks that are prime leaf-watching destinations. Enjoy the leaf color, and say hello if you see me on the trails!

Amicalola Falls State Park (Dawsonville)  Besides being the site of the Southeasts tallest waterfall cascade, this park offers numerous hiking opportunities to help you see fall leaves. A favorite is the staircase trail that takes you to spectacular viewing spots where you can see the falls framed in fall color. The staircase trail is challenging, but its worth every step.

Black Rock Mountain State Park (Clayton)  This park, Georgias highest with an elevation of 3,640 feet, offers roadside and summit overlooks which provide grand vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Also check out the Tennessee Rock Trail (a moderate 2.2-mile hike) or the James E. Edmonds Backcountry trail, an all-day hike of 7.2 miles.

Cloudland Canyon (Rising Fawn)  Unforgettable canyon rim overlooks give you a birds-eye perspective on fall color. Favorite hikes for leaf watchers include the staircase-and-footpath Waterfalls Trail, which carries you into the canyon (strenuous but worth it) and the moderately difficult 5-mile West Rim Loop Trail.

F.D. Roosevelt State Park (Pine Mountain)  Most folks think of going north to see fall leaves. But this park, located south of Atlanta, will take you into a kaleidoscope of fall color via the Wolf Den Loop trail, a 6.7-mile section of the much longer Pine Mountain Trail. The trail traverses rolling hills and hardwood forests that will soon make you forget youre not in the mountains farther north.

Fort Mountain State Park (Chatsworth)  One big attraction here is the mysterious rock wall which snakes along near the summit of Fort Mountain; another is the many unforgettable fall vistas which await you along the parks trails. Hikes range from a fairly easy 1.2-mile loop around the parks lake to the challenging Gahuti Trail, an 8-mile all-day excursion.

Moccasin Creek State Park (Lake Burton)  This is Georgias smallest state park, but it boasts two noteworthy trails (the 2-mile-long Hemlock Falls Trail and the 1-mile Non-Game Trail) which are of interest to fans of fall foliage.

Smithgall Woods State Park (Helen)  Centered on the sparkling waters of Dukes Creek, Smithgall Woods offers a variety of great fall foliage hikes. Its hard to pick a best trail in this park, for all can be spectacular. But be sure to explore the Martins Mine Trail, a fascinating trail which helps you understand some of the regions gold mining history.

Tallulah Gorge State Park (Tallulah Falls)  The centerpiece here is spectacular Tallulah Gorge, and trails along the rim take you to many memorable overlooks. Its great at any time but particularly when the leaves are changing. If youre up to it, you can also take the staircase trail down to the suspension bridge over the gorge for some fantastic canyon photos from the middle of the span.

Unicoi State Park (Helen)  This popular park offers a wide range of fall hiking opportunities. A perpetual favorite is the Lake Loop Trail, an easy trail that takes you around the parks lake and offers great opportunities for photos of fall color reflected in the mirror-like waters of the lake. For a more challenging adventure, tackle the 4.8-mile (one way) Smith Creek Trail which leads from the state park to Anna Ruby Falls.

Vogel State Park (Blairsville)  Seasoned hikers will appreciate the views from the 4-mile Bear Hair Gap Trail, while hikers looking for an easier adventure will want to check out the Lake Loop Trail. There is nothing more memorable than the sight of vivid orange and yellow and red leaves reflected by the lakes surface.
Online Access for Print Subscribers. Do you have a print subscription with the Argus-Press? If yes, then click here to enjoy complimentary access to our Online Content!
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, ARMENPRESS. A military bus hit two mines near the President Bridge in the Syrian capital on Wednesday, TASS reports citing SANA news agency.

According to it, the explosive devices were triggered by a terrorist. At least 13 Syrian servicemen were killed in the attack, three were wounded.

Detonation specialists who arrived at the site of the incident disarmed another mine located nearby.
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan received the Ambassador of Brazil to Armenia Agemar de Mendonca Sanctos.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, the Armenian FM and the Brazilian Ambassador emphasized the importance of activating political dialogue by holding consultations between the foreign ministries and organizing high level mutual visits.

The interlocutors expressed readiness to make efforts to deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, specially emphasizing the spheres of high and information technologies, space, human contacts, agriculture.

Foreign Minister Mirzoyan and Brazilian Ambassador Agemar de Mendonca Sanctos praised the bridging role of the Armenian community in Brazil in the relations between the two countries.

The parties also expressed satisfaction with the effective cooperation on various international platforms. Prospects for cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union and MERCOSUR were discussed.

During the meeting FM Mirzoyan also referred to the humanitarian situation caused by the Azerbaijani-Turkish agression, emphasizing the unconditional necessity for returning the Armenian POWs and civilian hostages.
Community

featured

Hard work pays off: Chamber holds annual Outrageously Good Customer Service Awards

Photo by Chanda Richardson Travis Birdsell opened the floor to Kitty Honeycutt, saying she is no stranger to customer service. Photo by Chanda Richardson The hall was filled at WCC as guests attended the Outrageously Good Customer Service Awards. Photo by Chanda Richardson The Chambers Outrageously Good Customer Service Awards took place at the newly built Wilkes Community College. Photo by Chanda Richardson Kitty Honeycutt kicks off the Outrageously Good Customer Service Awards on Oct. 19. Photo by Chanda Richardson Karen Powell gave an introduction to SkyLine/SkyBest on Oct. 19 at the Outrageously Good Customer Service Awards. Photo by Chanda Richardson Becky Greer with Wilkes Community College was pleased to open the doors for the event. Photo by Chanda Richardson Karen Powell and Rita Schaefer present Burger King Drive-Thru with its recognition sign. Photo by Chanda Richardson Hardees received a sign from the Ashe County Chamber, presented by Karen Powell and Rita Schaefer. Photo by Chanda Richardson Mary-Anne Moore accepted her sign for McDonalds from Karen Powell and Rita Schaefer. Photo by Chanda Richardson Byron Jordan accepted the sign for Smoky Mountain Barbecue from Karen Powell and Rita Schaefer. Photo by Chanda Richardson Wendys accepted their Outrageously Good Customer Service Recognition from Karen Powell and Rita Schaefer. Photo by Chanda Richardson Rita Schaefer and Karen Powell presented Amber Moodie-Dyer with her award on Oct. 19. Photo by Chanda Richardson Sandy Grubb with LifeStore was awarded by Rita Schaefer and Karen Powell. Photo by Chanda Richardson Julie Wyatt from Village Florist was awarded an Outrageously Good Customer Service Award. Photo by Chanda Richardson Ashe Appliance Service employee Brad Scott was awarded by Rita Schaefer and Karen Powell. Photo by Chanda Richardson Brian Yates accepted Amanda Calloways award on her behalf on Oct. 19. Photo by Chanda Richardson Melissa Miller with Village Florist accepts her award from Rita Schaefer and Karen Powell. Photo by Chanda Richardson Elizabeth Jordan from the Vintage Farmhouse accepted her Outrageously Good Customer Service Award. Photo by Chanda Richardson April Colvard from the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce was awarded an Outrageously Good Customer Service Award. Photo by Chanda Richardson Angela Brooks with the County of Ashe was awarded by Rita Schaefer and Karen Powell. Photo by Chanda Richardson The Surgical Department at Ashe Memorial Hospital was awarded on Oct. 19. Photo by Chanda Richardson Rita Schaefer and Karen Powell present the Nursing Department award. Photo by Chanda Richardson The Respiratory Department of Ashe Memorial Hospital was awarded at the Outrageously Good Customer Service ceremony. Photo by Chanda Richardson Brandy Olive accepted the Emergency Departments award on Oct. 19. Photo by Chanda Richardson Velma Shatley accepted the award for Sweet & Savory.

WEST JEFFERSON  The Ashe County Chamber of Commerce held its annual Outrageously Good Customer Service Awards and breakfast at the newly built Wilkes Community College Campus on Oct. 19.

Sponsored by SkyLine/SkyBest, the awards recognize individuals and businesses who have continued to provide outstanding customer service. Anyone who had witnessed their good-doings were to nominate the individuals and businesses via email to the Chamber.

Presenters and speakers included Executive Director of the Ashe Chamber Kitty Honeycutt, Public Relations Administrator at SkyLine Karen Powell, Member Services Committee chair Rita Schaefer, Cooperative Extension Director Travis Birdsell and Director of Human Resources at Wilkes Community College Becky Greer.

Greer said she was more than happy to open the doors of the new WCC building for the event.

This the community room and I always like to stress that this is your building, said Greer. I look across and see all of the faces in here that made all of this possible.

Birdsell opened with an introduction for the event, saying Ashe County is no stranger to customer and community service.

That experience that can take you from being a casual consumer to a loyal brand ambassador is an experience that would impact individuals enough to take time out of their lives to fill out a nomination, said Birdsell. An exceptional customer experience isnt so much about product or service, but what we offer and how we make them feel. Outrageously good customer service is also the reason we have seen a continuous rise in visitor spending over the past decade. As visitors and customers, the reason to why they keep coming back is always that we are so inviting and we make people feel at home.

Honeycutt then stepped up to the podium to express her gratitude and joy towards the county as it has overcome the obstacles that the past year has presented. She said she was excited to have an in-person gathering after being virtual in the year of 2020.

She thanked WCC and long-time sponsor SkyLine/SkyBest.

Powell then presented what SkyLine is all about and how their customer service has allowed them to grow for 70 years. Over the years, SkyLine has been able to remove copper from a number of communities and then install fiber optic broadband instead.

We continue to over-promise and over-deliver for the customers we care so much about, Powell said.

This year, the Chamber began with recognizing drive-thru windows for overcoming the challenges presented in the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We appreciate the service they provide our local community and our visitors, said Honeycutt. We want to recognize the efforts of our food providers so that everybody remembers how special you are and how you have risen to a huge challenge. They do such a tremendous job at feeding us and making us look good to all of our locals and visitors.

The nomination for the drive-thrus included a tremendous thank you to the workers who pursued through the hard times. Since the pandemic began, more people have been finding themselves heading to the drive-thru. The employees have provided efficient and friendly service. In spite of the new protocols and staffing shortages, drive-thrus have continued to overcome these obstacles and give customers the service they deserve.

Drive thrus that were recognized included McDonalds, Burger King, Smoky Mountain Barbecue, Village Inn Pizza, Bojangles, Hardees, Wendys and KFC/Taco Bell.

Each drive-thru received a sign to place in front of their business that read Ashe County Chamber of Commerce Appreciates, followed by the business name.

Next, individual winners were recognized, including Amber Moodie-Dyer of Amorem Hospice, Sandy Grubb of LifeStore Bank and Insurance, Julie Wyatt of Village Florist, Brad Scott of Ashe Appliance Service, Amanda Calloway of Ashe Memorial Hospital, Melissa Miller of Village Florist, Elizabeth Jordan of The Vintage Farmhouse General Store, April Colvard of The Ashe County Chamber and Visitor Center and Angela Brooks of The County of Ashe.

Moodie-Dyers nomination description provided insight of how she goes beyond the call of duty. She genuinely cares for her patients and their families while offering compassion in making difficult decisions. The nominator said she goes above and beyond of what is expected of her and will always offer a helping hand when it is needed.

Grubbs nomination stated that she is always professionally courteous while trying to help and assist, even in undesirable situations. She is quick to respond and always friendly, maintaining the above and beyond complex of working in a bank. Grubb has been at LifeStore for a number of years, often finding praise from those she helps.

Wyatt has been with Village Florist for years, always providing the best service for those in need, giving them a spark of hope when in tough times. Her nomination letter described her as hardworking and always being on top of her game. She has continued to help those in need, sometimes staying up all night to finish her projects. Her gifts has been described as easing the pain of broken hearts. She breaks the solitude and loneliness that the pandemic has set upon the county. Wyatt gives colorful sparks of light for any occasion.

Scott was then recognized through a heartfelt nomination for his work at Ashe Appliance Service. He has been known to be on time, extremely pleasant to work with. He knows his business when it comes to repairing appliances. Anyone he works with has expressed their excitement in referring him to their peers. They will quickly learn that he values every customer, no matter how big or small their requests are.

Calloway was unable to attend the ceremony, but was recognized through a warming nomination. When her customers have questions, she captures details of any concern they may have. She does not diminish the importance of anyone or need. Calloway has recently been hired at Ashe Memorial Hospital, but she has shown the community that she has the temperament, listening skills and interest necessary for exemplary work in her role. CEO Brian Yates accepted her award on her behalf.

Miller, also with Village Florist, was described in her nomination letter as always managing to fill orders with kindness and compassion. She impresses her customers and is filled with thoughtfulness in all of her deliveries.

Jordan, who has been with the Vintage Farmhouse early on after opening, was described as always going out her way to provide for her colleagues and customers. She continues to wear a smile, no matter how hard times may get. She helps carry coffee and merchandise to help customers in their needs.

Colvard, who is a current employee at the Ashe Chamber of Commerce, was recognized for her outstanding customer service and thoughtfulness. She has been described as having a very special gift to make everyone who comes in or calls feel at home and welcome. She regularly treats everyone she encounters with warm consideration and caring compassion. She is the perfect example of what makes Ashe County s special. Honeycutt said, on behalf of the Chamber, that she is very proud to present this award to her colleague.

Last, but not least, was Brooks, who was also recognized in previous years. Her letter described her as being patiently helpful and always welcoming customers with warmth and consideration. She follows up on all of her requests and has been said to make government issues smooth and easy. Brooks makes a trip to make all of her tasks stress-free.

Next, the Chamber recognized departments within Ashe Memorial Hospital. Departments that received awards were the Department of Surgical Services, the Department of Nursing, the Department of Respiratory Therapy and the Emergency Department.

The letter of nomination stated that Ashe Memorial Hospital has been heroes for so many in the communitys time of need. They show compassion and kindness for each person under their care. When the community sees the work Ashe Memorial provides, they know that when they walk through the doors that they are blessed and thankful to be welcomed into their wonderful facility. This year has been a trying time and Ashe Memorial provided outstanding service for those in need.

Lastly, the business award went to Sweet & Savory, which has continued providing good eats throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Their service has always been impeccable. Every single staff member treats their customers like family, offering warm and personal service to anyone who enters. The food as been described as being wonderful and made with love. Customers are met with a positive outlook and encouraging words.

The ceremony ended with a final round of applause from the audience as they expressed their gratitude and pride to all of the winners. Bob Washburn then said a blessing over the take-out breakfast and each audience member was gifted with a goody bag from SkyLine/SkyBest.
Support local journalism

Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
You are the owner of this article.
Story Timelines

In our effort to always give our readers the best, up to date local reporting, we have recently collaborated with Ohio University students to build interactive, constantly updated timelines for stories that are important to you.
What youre looking at is affectionately called Gulf One, and was once delivered directly from Yenko Chevrolet to a man named Grady Davis, vice president of Gulf Oil Research and Development. And its one mean Z06The car raced back in its day in the hands of Dick Thompson and has quite the long list of accomplishments to its name. It won its class and the single Puerto Rico Grand Prix that was ever held, was first in class at Daytona, first at the SCCA President's Cup at Marlboro, Maryland, and first in class at Danville, Virginia, and Road America. It was also fielded at the Sebring 12 hours race.At one point, the car of course retired from racing, and the world lost track of it as it exchanged hands. It surfaced now as its about to go under the Mecum hammer in January 2022 at the Kissimmee auction in Florida.The car is now wrapped in the colors it showed up with at Sebring, having been specifically restored as such. It hides a 327ci (5.4-liter) engine under the specially designed hood, runs a positraction rear differential, and fiberglass brake cooling scoops on the rear deck.What's perhaps even more important for collectors is that the vehicle comes with extra goodies. Thrown into the package are letters Grady Davis sent to Don Yenko and Zora Duntov, an extensive ownership history, and magazine articles featuring the Gulf One.The car is one of the main attractions of the Florida sale in January, but we are not being told how much its current owners (the John Justo Collection, which brings to Kissimmee a total of eight rare Corvettes) expect to fetch for it.
It takes a long time for any kind of vehicle (whether it be a land, air, or water vehicle) or defense system thats meant for the military, to reach the final stage of testing, and officially begin operating. This was the case for the Iron Dome, a missile defense system that was tested by the U.S. Army for the first time a couple of months ago.It was back in 2019 when the U.S. and Israel signed a purchase agreement for two Iron Dome Defense Systems (IDDS) batteries. Since 2020, when they were delivered to the U.S., they have been going through a complex series of tests and operator trainings. Finally, Rafael announced that the first U.S. IDDS-A battery conducted a live fire test  a culmination of the previous tests and that it was a success.The demonstration was carried out at the White Sands New Mexico (WSMR) test range, where U.S. soldiers engaged and neutralized live targets using the Iron Dome, for the first time. Elta and mPrest, which were also part of the Iron Dome development process, attended the event as well. Elta, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), equipped the system with a multi-mission radar (MMR), while mPrest was responsible for developing the command and control system (BMC).The IDDS-A is meant to become an essential asset for missile defense, as an advanced system that can intercept a multitude of threats, including cruise missiles, helicopters, drones, rockets, and artillery shells. It can effectively counter these threats even at a very short range, both day and night, in any kind of weather conditions, with an over 90% success rate.The Iron Dome has already proven its power in combat missions, with more than 2,000 interceptions so far, and it will now show what it can do within the U.S. Army, as well.
FSD

NHTSA

The senior safety advisor at NHTSA will be most known for attacking tech that saves lives  ????Earl of FrunkPuppy ?? (@28delayslater) October 20, 2021

How is @POTUS @VP appointing someone with such bias against Tesla and @elonmusk as senior advisor to NHTSA? ???? pic.twitter.com/ctF5zbhN43  Dave Lee (@heydave7) October 20, 2021

Biden administration putting two Tesla haters in charge of the NHTSA.



Why does @POTUS hate the safest and cleanest vehicles on the road? pic.twitter.com/koUBfc20tq  Warren Redlich ?????????????????? Critical Enthusiasm (@WR4NYGov) October 19, 2021

Please read and/or sign our petition to @POTUS and @NHTSAgov to Review the Appointment of @missy_cummings for Conflict of Interest & Bias.



This is a crucial public safety issue thats too important to ignore. Lives are on the line. $TSLA @elonmusk https://t.co/VUjzsnZF8w  Whole Mars Catalog (@WholeMarsBlog) October 20, 2021

Here's a few individuals Missy is following: pic.twitter.com/Ti1NJjZBml  Sawyer Merritt ???????? (@SawyerMerritt) October 19, 2021

If they try and take Autopilot away from us we will riot so hard January 6 will look like a day at Disneyland ????  Whole Mars Catalog (@WholeMarsBlog) October 19, 2021

Shutting down Autopilot would be a death sentence for millions of Tesla users.



We will not let you put our friends lives at risk @missy_cummings. We depend on this technology. @NHTSAgov pic.twitter.com/OB61l1bsPh  Whole Mars Catalog (@WholeMarsBlog) October 20, 2021

happy to sit down and talk with you anytime  Missy Cummings (@missy_cummings) October 20, 2021

If you have never heard about Cummings, you probably do not follow the autonomous driving tech discussion very closely. She is more than just a Duke University engineering and computer science professor. Mary Louise Cummings is one of the first women ever to become a fighter pilot, something she did for eleven years of her life.The autonomous driving tech researcher is also the director of the Humans and Autonomy Laboratory and Duke Robotics. There, she has been studying human-unmanned vehicle interaction, human-autonomous system collaboration, human-systems engineering, public policy implications of unmanned vehicles, and the ethical and social impact of technology, as her bio page at Dukes Pratt School of Engineerings website says.Cummings has long criticized the approach Tesla adopts about testing beta software on public roads. She has been very vocal about the short comings of Autopilot andfor a long time. This is what terrifies Tesla bulls and investors. Apart from the tweet storm Cummings' nomination has caused, they have started a petititon at Change.org to revert her nomination.The news about Cummings appointment as a senior adviser for safety was not the main topic of what Reuters wrote about. It also said that the agency is finally getting an administrator after not having one approved by the Senate since January 2017, when Donald Trump was inaugurated as the U.S. 45th president.Joe Biden chose Steven Cliff to formally head NHTSA. The former deputy executive officer at the CARB (California Air Resources Board) has been NHTSAs acting head since February 2021. What changes is that his name will be submitted to the Senate to officially make him the administrator.Under Cliffs command, NHTSA has already opened an investigation on why Tesla vehicles on Autopilot crash into emergency vehicles. After Tesla released an OTA (over-the-air) update to allegedly fix that, NHTSA sent Tesla a letter asking why it did not treat this software update as a recall.That already shows Tesla will be under more scrutiny under Bidens administration, but Cummings nomination scared the companys investors the most. Tesla has long presented its vehicles as safer than others based on statistics that have been repeatedly questioned by independent researchers such as the Humans and Autonomy Laboratory and Duke Robotics.Tesla has also been free to deploy beta software testing on public roads simply by stating that Autopilot and FSD are Level 2 systems, which exempts them from needing test permits. The problem is that Autopilot and FSD aim to offer autonomous driving, which makes them Level 4 attempts, as Philip Koopman and William H. Widen urged the U.S. Department of Transportation to admit.The autonomous driving tech researcher and the professor at the University of Miami School of Law wrote a text for Jurist that states FSD Beta is a Level 4 program because of its actual design intent. That means it has to be tested in tracks and only be on public roads with trained drivers that follow a strict set of rules. In other words, it would have to follow the rules everyone planning to develop autonomous cars have to obey.Tesla advocates believe that this will prevent progress and stop Tesla from getting data from real-world usage to perfect its system. The truth is that the company has been doing so since October 2015, when Autopilot was first deployed as part of Tesla software version 7.0. So far, it did not help it achieve its goals.Since then, the company has released a new computer that would make cars autonomous called HW 3.0. Elon Musk announced it on April 22, 2019, at Tesla Autonomy Day, and said all Tesla vehicles produced from that day on would have it. But that was not what happened.Customers receiving new cars with HW 2.5 started asking Tesla to deliver what Musk had promised. In China, Tesla was forced by the government to replace the HW 2.5 from vehicles in which it was installed after the company said they would get the newest hardware.All those concerns were flushed down the toilet when Tesla revealed it is developing yet another computer. Disclosed at the Tesla AI Day, the Project Dojo introduced a new chip, called D1, that will finally make Tesla vehicles autonomous. In other words, forget about HW 3.0  and about radars, something the company also said it would not need anymore.Those episodes show that Tesla bulls are concerned for no reason. If Teslas promises about autonomous driving were feasible, the company would have already delivered on them. It would not have developed new hardware, removed radars, changed its strategy, and made new promises about its technology.All the data it already collected would be more than enough to develop a software that would confirm autonomous driving to be basically a solved problem, as Musk said during an interview in 2016. At Tesla Autonomy Day, he said that all the company needed was the right software.What Missy Cummings nomination brings to NHTSA is the technical expertise the agency was said to lack for many years. The researcher knows quite a bit about autonomous tech to dispute bold allegations about safety that end up making cars more dangerous in traffic. Ironically, thats what Tesla fans are now accusing her of being: against traffic safety. In fact, the list is long: they say she is a TSLAQ (short seller), funded by Big Oil, etc. Elon Musk reinforced the hostile reception by fans by saying that, objectively, her track record is extremely biased against Tesla . Cummings said she is happy to sit down and discuss the situation with the Tesla CEO anytime. Journalists have also tried that approach with him to no avail. With Cummings, he should: she is now in a position to do more than just warn about the dangers of "autonowashing" and overreliance in beta software.
Unlike Pride of Moray or Spirit of Reykjavik, the newest submarine-hunter to join RAFs fleet will sport a much more dramatic name, in honor of a Canadian pilot who was awarded a Victoria Cross, for his heroic actions while serving with the 201 Squadron. This is the same squadron that operates the Poseidon aircraft fleet today, so the name is even more significant.Back in 1918, Major Barker got caught up in a vicious fight that involved 15 enemy aircraft, while he was flying a Sopwith Snipe. He succeeded in taking out three of those aircraft, before making a forced landing, despite having multiple injuries. His bravery is remembered to this day, and this new submarine-hunter will be the one to carry it even further into the future.RAF has ordered a total of nine Poseidon aircraft from Boeing, which represent the submarine-hunter fleet based at RAF Lossiemouth. Earlier this year, the new facility was opened at this Quick Reaction Alert station in Scotland, after a $138 million (100 million) investment.This brand-new Poseidon fleet is an essential defense layer in anti-submarine warfare, together with Type 23 submarine-hunting frigates, A and T-boat hunter-killers, and Merlin Mk2 helicopters. Based on the Boeing 787-800, Poseidon is a highly versatile aircraft that can conduct surveillance operations and enemy target detection, as well as life-saving search-and-rescue missions.This majestic patrol aircraft is equipped with advanced radars for high-resolution mapping, as well as acoustic sensor systems that enable it to search and track enemy submarines. With a maximum speed of 490 knots (907 kph), and armed with five lethal torpedoes, the Poseidon is a force to be reckoned with.The William Barker VC has joined the other six Poseidon aircraft at RAF Lossiemouth, with the final two submarine-hunters in the fleet expected by the end of the year.
FWD

One really needs to appreciate the level of commitment to have something like this happen. Luckily, Sam was also up to the task and came up with a worthy opponent. Its a subtle one at first sight since its a much smaller (and manual, and) Honda Civic Type R hatchback.But to keep things as level as possible, the Challenger needs to fend off a tuned hot hatch thats not just smaller and nimbler but also much lighter. As such, its an epic import versus domestic battle in the brewing, or one could even say its a traditional FWD versus RWD skirmish. Or another instance of the manual versus auto transmission war. Take your pick.Well, lets just say that its all of those combined in a single three-round drag and roll race encounter. And no worries, the Challenger is also special, although it does come in a stock technical configuration. Instead, the Dodge has the visuals going for itself, since we are dealing with a golden Challenger Scat Pack Widebody 50th anniversary.Now, just to make sure we dont spoil the surprise , here is a little hint (or two). As per tradition, the first race is from a standstill, coming up from the 2:55 mark after the intro, technical cards, and a little snippet of information regarding the Civics modifications. Then, its time for a couple of roll races from the 5:27 mark, and we have to say all three of them were as tight as they got!And, surprising as it may be, one also needs to brace for a role reversal once the drivers switch the race setup from a traditional drag to the slightly more technical (but just as entertaining) roll scenario!
For readers who dont know it yet, TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development, with all the cars in the TRD lineup being more performance-based. The TRD Pro lineup was unveiled in 2014, being born from the carmakers racing and off-road heritage.Back to our 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro , the off-roader features a 2.5-inch FOX Internal Bypass coil-over kit because, as the Japanese automaker puts it best, an off-road vehicle is only as good as its suspension. As a result, the Fox shocks offer great performance in any scenario, making drivers and passengers feel both comfortable and confident.When it comes to crafting beautiful and detailed wooden car models, the Vietnamese artist featured on the Woodworking Art YouTube channel knows how to delight his followers. Obsessing over every little detail, he accurately replicates the originals, even if at a smaller scale, building spot-on versions of some of the most iconic wheelers. And the best part is that you can order most of them online if youre into such unique collectibles.Many of his artworks are requests from friends, fans, or customers, as is the case with this 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, which was ordered by a friend from the United States, as explained by the artist.Just like all his wooden cars , the Tacoma TRD Pro is also carved of Fujian cypress wood, an evergreen coniferous tree that is highly valued in Asia and Vietnam in particular. It is commonly used for art projects and furniture, thanks to its specific aroma and high density. A glossy coating further contributes to the stylish look of the pickup truck, making it even more striking.
Copyright  2020 by Mountain Times Publications. Digital or printed dissemination of this content without prior written consent is a violation of federal law and may be subject to legal action.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan raised normalization with Israel during his recent meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, three U.S. and Arab sources tell Axios.

Why it matters: Saudi Arabia would be the biggest regional player to sign onto the "Abraham Accords" peace agreement with Israel, and such a major breakthrough would likely convince other Arab and Muslim countries to follow suit.

Behind the scenes: During the Sept. 27 meeting in Neom, a futuristic planned city on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast, Sullivan raised the issue and bin Salman didn't reject it out of hand, the sources say.

Instead, the Saudis said it would take time and gave Sullivan a list of steps that would have to be taken first.

Some of those points involved improvements in U.S.-Saudi bilateral relations, one American source said.

Between the lines: The Biden administration has distanced itself from the Saudis over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and the kingdom's broader human rights record.

Any Saudi move to normalize relations with Israel would most likely be part of a bigger deal that could include Israeli steps on the Palestinian issue and U.S. steps to restore relations with bin Salman, with whom President Biden has refused to engage directly.

The state of play: Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal Bin Farhan met Secretary of State Tony Blinken last Thursday in Washington, though neither country mentioned normalization with Israel in their public statements about the meeting.

Blinken and Sullivan did discuss expanding the Abraham Accords in their meetings last week with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid. A senior Israeli official briefed reporters after Lapid's visit that at least one country would "definitely" sign onto the accords in the next year.

Senior Biden administration officials also told Jewish leaders in a conference call last Friday that the U.S. was "quietly" engaging several Arab and Muslim countries that might be open to normalization with Israel, one Jewish leader on the call told Axios.

What they're saying: We are committed to continue building on the efforts of the last administration to expand the circle of countries with normalized relations with Israel in the years ahead," Blinken said last Wednesday during his trilateral meeting in Washington with the foreign ministers of Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

In response to a request for comments, the White House pointed to similar comments Blinken made on the one-year anniversary of the Abraham Accords.

Flashback: The U.S. has been trying to get Saudi Arabia to gradually normalize relations with Israel for more than a decade.

In 2009, President Obama asked the late King Abdullah to take small normalization steps and give other Arab countries a green light to do so.

Obama hoped that would encourage Israel's then-prime minister, Benjamin Netayahu, to make progress in the peace process with the Palestinians. But the Saudi king insisted the kingdom had already done its part by introducing the Arab Peace Initiative in 2002.

Flashback: That initiative stated that diplomatic normalization with Israel would be contingent on the formation of a Palestinian state. But the decisions of the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan to normalize relations with Israel have diminished its relevance.

The Trump administration poured considerable effort into getting the Saudis to normalize relations with Israel, starting in 2017.
An opposition bloc led by Arush Arushanian, the mayor of the town of Goris and surrounding villages, defeated the ruling Civil Contract party by a wide margin three months after his controversial arrest. Arushanian remains in detention.

The Armenian police deployed additional personnel in Goris and raided the blocs local headquarters during Sundays vote, searching it for several hours. It emerged afterwards that they suspect Arushanians father and campaign manager Gagik of trying to bribe local voters.

Representatives of the opposition bloc bearing the arrested mayors name denounced the police raid as a government attempt to influence the outcome of the closely watched election. Arushanians bloc won 62 percent of the vote, according to preliminary election results.

Armen Melkonian, a lawyer representing the bloc, said on Tuesday that 33 of its members and supporters were taken in for questioning in Goris on Monday. This is real terror, he told RFE/RLs Armenian Service.

Melkonian, who was present at the interrogations, dismissed police explanations as ridiculous. Gagik Arushanian also categorically denied trying to buy votes.

They want to discredit us but wont succeed, said the mayors father. This is fresh blackmail. This is a losers mindset. They cant come to terms with their defeat. There is not a single person who can come out and say that they were offered [a vote bribe.]

Vladimir Abunts, Civil Contracts defeated mayoral candidate in Goris, defended the police actions and denied that they are aimed at bullying local opposition forces.

Arushanian Sr. was not charged with any crime or even questioned by the police as of Tuesday evening. Nor did the police issue any statements on the crackdown.

Daniel Ioannisian, who coordinated election observers deployed in Goris and other parts of the country, said they heard claims about vote irregularities committed by both the ruling party and Arushanians bloc. He criticized law-enforcement authorities for not investigating allegations that a government loyalists handed out vote bribes in Tegh, a rural community not far from Goris. Civil Contract won the local election held there.

We see in the governments behavior a failure to properly investigate what happened in Tegh, but we see no problem with what they are doing in Goris because we have credible information that vote bribes were distributed in Goris, said Ioannisian.

The Yerevan-based activist did not specify whether members of his monitoring team witnessed any instances of vote buying.

Arush Arushanian, in office since 2017, was one of the four heads of urban communities in Syunik who were arrested shortly after the June 20 parliamentary elections on various charges rejected by them as politically motivated. They all demanded Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians resignation and joined the main opposition Hayastan alliance formed by former President Robert Kocharian in the run-up to the snap polls.

Arushanian was remanded in pre-trial custody on July 16 after being charged with trying to buy votes. The Special Investigative Service (SIS) claims that he ordered the head of a village close to Goris to provide financial aid to local residents who will promise to vote for Hayastan.

The 30-year-old community chief strongly denies that, saying that the poverty benefits approved by the local council were allocated on a regular basis and had nothing to do with the general elections.
The soldiers were flown from Baku to Yerevan by a Russian military transport plane. They were immediately taken to a military hospital in the Armenian capital for a medical checkup.

Dozens of other Armenian soldiers remain in Azerbaijani captivity. Most of them were taken prisoner in Nagorno-Karabakh shortly after last years Armenian-Azerbaijani war.

Many of these POWs were given lengthy prison sentences earlier this year in trials condemned by the Armenian government. Armenia regularly demands their unconditional release, saying that they are held in breach of a Russian-brokered agreement that stopped the six-week war.

Azerbaijan says the agreement does not cover them because they were captured after the ceasefire took effect in November.

Baku freed this summer 30 Armenian POWs in exchange for maps of Armenian minefields in districts around Karabakh that were retaken by Azerbaijani forces during and after the war. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev claimed early this month that those maps are not accurate and said Yerevan should provide more detailed information.

Shortly afterwards Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian signaled his readiness to give Baku more such maps to secure the release of more Armenian prisoners.

It was not immediately clear if the release of the five Armenian soldiers was the result of such an exchange. They returned home ahead of a fresh round of Russian-mediated talks in Moscow on the reopening of transport links between Armenia and Azerbaijan envisaged by the Karabakh truce accord.
The governments press service did not say who will head the commission or where Siradeghian will be buried. It told RFE/RLs Armenian Service that details of the planned ceremonies will be made public after a date is set for his funeral.

Neither Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian nor any member of his government has issued so far statements of condolence to the family of a man who is still technically wanted by Armenian law-enforcement bodies for grave crimes allegedly committed by him in the 1990s.

The death of the 74-year-old Siradeghian was announced by his wife and son at the weekend. They did not specify its cause or reveal his last place of residence.

A former novelist, Siradeghian was one of the leaders of a popular movement for Armenias unification with Nagorno-Karabakh who came to power in 1990. He became one of the newly independent countrys most powerful men when serving as interior minister in the administration of its first President Levon Ter-Petrosian from 1992-1996.

Siradeghian was dogged by opposition allegations of corruption and police abuses during and after his tenure. He denied them.

One year after Ter-Petrosian resigned in 1998, Siradeghian was charged with ordering a string of contract killings. State prosecutors claimed that he set up in the early 1990s a death squad to terrorize opponents of the Ter-Petrosian administration.

In July 2000, two members of the alleged gang were sentenced to death while seven others got jail terms ranging from 4 to 11 years. One month later, eleven former officers of Armenian interior troops were given lengthy sentences after a Yerevan court convicted them of murdering two men in 1995.

Siradeghian strongly denied ordering those killings. The former interior minister and his supporters insisted that the charges were fabricated as part of then President Robert Kocharians efforts to neutralize his political foes.

Siradeghian fled Armenia in April 2000 ahead of the Armenian parliaments decision to allow law-enforcement authorities to arrest him. Although the authorities had Siradeghian placed on Interpols wanted list, his whereabouts always remained unknown to the public.

Siradeghian lived abroad under a new and false name, according to Khachatur Sukiasian, a wealthy businessman and pro-Pashinian parliamentarian who has long been close to the ex-minister.

This is why, Sukiasian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service on Monday, repatriating his body is now fraught with some difficulties. There are technical and legal issues, he said.

The tycoon did not deny having kept in touch with Siradeghian for the past two decades. He too did not name the country where the latter lived.

Throughout his exile Siradeghian continued to enjoy the strong backing of Ter-Petrosian and members of the ex-presidents entourage. In a weekend statement, Ter-Petrosians Armenian National Congress (HAK) party praised Siradeghians literary and political legacy and deplored the trumped-up charges brought against him during Kocharians rule.
They met for the latest two-day session of a trilateral working group set up by the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian governments in January. It has been discussing practical modalities of opening the Armenian-Azerbaijani border for commercial traffic in line with the Russian-brokered ceasefire that stopped the war in Nagorno-Karabakh last November.

A source privy to the talks told RFE/RLs Armenian Service that Yerevan and Baku have still not reached an agreement on the key issues on the agenda of the task force co-headed by deputy prime ministers of the three states. Their discussions are focused on legal aspects of opening Armenian-Azerbaijani transport links, said the source.

Speaking to reporters in Yerevan on Tuesday, Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigorian said the two sides have made progress towards restoring their Soviet-era rail links. But he did not elaborate.

The ceasefire agreement specifically commits Armenia to opening rail and road links between Azerbaijan and its Nakhichevan exclave. Armenia should be able, for its part, to use Azerbaijani territory as a transit route for cargo shipments to and from Russia and Iran.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly claimed that the deal envisages a permanent land corridor that will connect Nakhichevan to the rest of Azerbaijan via Armenias Syunik province. He has threatened to forcibly open such a corridor if Yerevan continues to oppose its creation.

Armenian leaders have denounced Aliyevs threats as territorial claims, saying that the truce accord only calls for transport links between the two South Caucasus states.

Russias Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk insisted last month that the trilateral group has not discussed possible transport corridors.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov spoke on Wednesday of positive messages coming from Yerevan of late. Bayramov did not specify those messages. He said only that Baku hopes that they will translate into concrete results soon.
IF YOU GO

The ROC Cafe & Bakery is located at 501 S. Mount Vernon Ave. It is open to the public Tuesday through Thursday.

Breakfast: 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Lunch: 12:30 to 2 p.m.

The weeks of operation may vary with the school calendar so diners are encouraged to call ahead to make sure the cafe is open and make reservations at 661-396-4920.

The ROC Cafe & Bakery menu is available at https://roc.kernhigh.org/apps/pages/cafe_services.


Baptist Union Council: October 2021



How Baptist churches have responded in the pandemic and approval for a series of proposals aimed at supporting training for women and men into Baptist ministry were key topics at the latest Baptist Union Council.



A conversation around the differing views in our Union on human sexuality and a review and celebration of the implementation of the Ignite Report also took place, alongside the finance, trustee board and key roles nominations reports.



Held at The Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire (13-14 October), this was the first in-person Council since November 2019, as well as the first to be moderated by Seidel Abel Boanerges, the Dean of Ministerial Formation and Development at Spurgeons College, London.



Outgoing European Baptist Federation General Secretary Tony Peck joined Council for the live prayer broadcast on Wednesday evening, later answering questions about his 17 years in the role.







Scroll down for the following reports:

Worship  and a covenant prayer

Baptists Together during the pandemic  hearing from our churches, discerning what God is saying to us

Funding for Ministerial Training Working Group

Review and Celebration of the Ignite Report

Human Sexuality  Reflections from my Inbox by Lynn Green, and a request from the Eastern Baptist Association

St Hilds College Membership Application

Finance and Pensions Update

The Financial Model Review

Baptists Together Key Roles Nominations Team

New member churches, churches ceasing membership of BUGB and closures

Prayer broadcast + reflections with Tony Peck



Worship - and a covenant prayer



After Seidel welcomed Council members to their first in-person gathering in two years, worship was led by Adrian Semerene, minister of Gamlingay Baptist Church (EBA), with musical support from Stuart Davison (SEBA), Mark Hirst (SEBA) and Carl Smethurst (SWBA).



On Thursday morning Adrian spoke on Luke 10: 25-28. Although a familiar piece of scripture, I wonder if we miss some of it, he asked. Our love for God is meant to be emotional, intellectual, spiritual and physical. Maybe people find comfort in one or two of those aspects, but Jesus says we are called to love in each. And we are called to love our neighbour in that same way, even if we disagree with them.



'Does God have a challenge for us in that  how can I love you, and those around me, the way you have asked me?' Adrian asked. 'May we be a community that loves one another.'



At the end of the gathering Rupert Lazar, minister of East Barnet Baptist Church, led Council members in praying a covenantal blessing over each other. 'We've had a heartfelt cry that we speak well of each other,' Rupert explained. 'Everything in my spirit said that we need to embrace that.'



Wanting the blessing to be scripturally based, he offered Romans 14:19: 'We make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification.'





Baptists Together during the pandemic  hearing from our churches



There were two sessions devoted to how Baptists have responded in the pandemic. Stories were shared and reflected on, and Council members were asked to discern how God was moving and what He wanted to say to our churches.



Prior to Council, new moderator Seidel had invited Baptists to share stories of how they have responded in the last 18 months. These have been gathered alongside all the other stories already published on the Baptists Together website.



General Secretary Lynn Green and Seidel have shared what Council sensed what God wants to reflect back to our churches. Read their summary here.







The Funding for Ministerial Training Working group



Council members approved a series of proposals aimed at supporting training for women and men into Baptist ministry, including the formation of Baptist-branded crowdfunding scheme, a Baptist loan scheme, and an enhanced bursary scheme.



The proposals were about ensuring we have the trained ministers we need, explained Ian Bunce, chair of the Funding for Ministerial Training Working Group. Council members had commissioned the group in November 2019, and Ian had presented its first report to Council in March this year.



In this latest report the group brought a series of recommendations aimed at underpinning and resourcing the quality of formation and education of those called to ministry and pastoral office within the churches of our Union.



Ian explained that all the resolutions were designed in relation to initial formation and not further degrees or Continuing Ministry Development.



Its about investing in people, and we cant do this without investing money. These proposals will not be able to pay for everyone  but if approved, they provide new ways of supporting training for women and men into Baptist ministry.



The proposals were in two sections:

Section 1 was about communication, understanding and perception

Section 2 was about practical, tangible and finance matters



Section 1

Resolution 1. We as a Baptist Family are committed to support a quality of initial formation and education for those called to Baptist ministry  on the assumption that the training is at least to diploma level and within a college or institution supportive of Baptists Together and forming ministry within a Baptist context.



Resolution 2. It is for the benefit of all local Baptist churches and pioneering projects that those called to ministry are formed to a good standard. Therefore, through communication, education and encouragement, each local church will be invited to be partners in developing this training and the next generation of ministers.



Resolution 3. The call to ministry can come at any age. Those considering university and future careers should be encouraged to consider ministry as a valid option. Churches and those involved in the discipleship of young people are also encouraged ministry as a valid option, alongside promotional material about vocational calling from the Ministries Team.



Section 2

Resolution 4. In partnership with Stewardship, to have a Baptist branded crowdfunding scheme in which students are encouraged to set up pages within the scheme; the Specialist Teams and Associations would promote the profile to encourage other Baptists to fund them. For launch Spring 2022 for the start of the academic year in September 2022.



Resolution 5. In partnership with Kingdom Bank, a Student Loan Scheme to be launched for those unable to access a government scheme or where the government scheme does not give all that is required. Loans of up to 30k repayable over 10 years will be available to ministerial students. The final terms of the scheme to be negotiated with Kingdom Bank, likely to include a level of financial underwriting from BUGB. The Finance and Audit committee are asked to oversee and bring recommendations for the funding and terms of the scheme.



Resolution 6. The existing Student Bursary Scheme to be enhanced and further resources to be added to it. This would build upon the bursary funding already provided by the Home Mission Fund, currently 130k p.a., giving grants to students where hardship is identified. This sum may expanded through the addition of some of the Ultimate Trust monies that come to the Baptist Union, and Associations may also use part of their Home Mission. A particular bias will be for those who struggle to get sufficient support or need enhanced support due to gender, ethnicity, younger ministers, disability or other reasons.



It may be that in future a special appeal fund could be considered but at this stage it is felt that could be a distraction from the Home Mission appeal, which itself is under pressure. It is hoped this bursary scheme could release a target of 500k p.a. This would provide a half stipend for around 40 students at a time (although it would likely be more spread out than that), of around 150 training at any one time. Allocation of these bursaries will be by the Ministries Team with the Baptist Colleges Partnership.





Council members were supportive of the proposals, describing them as creative. There were some concerns about potential injustices (someone from a poorer area may find it harder to generate as much crowdfunding as a colleague from a more affluent background); there was a suggestion the proposals didnt support those following a pioneering route. Ian explained that resolution 6 had been proposed to counter these potential injustices. Support Services Team Leader Richard Wilson said these are new tools so that as many people as possible have a way in.



All the resolutions were passed unanimously, except Resolution 2, which had one vote against, and Resolution 6, which was passed with two abstentions.



The support means the proposals have received in principle backing from Council. The details will now be worked out and be presented at a future Council.







Review and Celebration of the Ignite Report



The first session on Thursday morning was spent reviewing and celebrating the implementation of the Ignite Report, our review into how we resource ministry.



The report was commissioned by Council in March 2015, and subsequently received by Council in March 2016. It asked what forms of ministry and what support for ministry would best help us pursue the Unions vision to grow healthy churches in relationship for Gods mission.



Phil Jump, Regional Team Leader for North Western Baptist Association, was appointed by the Baptist Steering Group to lead the report.



Presenting a box of previous Baptist reports about ministry dating from the 1970s, he explained to Council there was nothing that had not been said at some point in our life together.



So we wanted to ask why we are so bad at implementing our ideas, Phil said. We wanted the report to create something that would actually be a tool for change, that people would engage with. This meant the report aimed to create a culture of evaluation  a process of constant review.



Ministries Team Leader Andy Hughes gave an overview of whats been implemented. He explained that the process has been going on in different places in different ways. Andy had led the implementation, while a small steering group consisting of Andy, Steve Finamore, Principal of Bristol Baptist College and Phil Barnard, Team Leader for London Baptists met on several occasions. Consultation has taken place with a wide range of stakeholders at different points in the process. Associations and colleges have reflected on the report and its recommendations, which has led them to make changes which they considered appropriate to their context. Andy thanked all who had contributed.



The implementation has been taking place over several years alongside other developments. First and most significant for the Ministries Team was the Historic Case Review, in which 4,500 ministerial files were reviewed. Secondly all ministerial files were also digitalised, and a SharePoint system (MIX) was created to store them.



The key theme running through the Ignite report was change. The shape of ministry is changing, the context of ministry and mission is changing, and change will continue to take place whether we like it or not, wrote Andy. Any changes we make should allow ministry to adapt, develop and flourish.



One of the key early changes was the creation of Marks of Ministry  the core characteristics we want to see in a minister. The Marks are a measure of character, attitude and behaviour. They describe what ministers aremore than what they do.



Andy said the Marks run through everything we do, theyre now embedded in all our thinking.



Other changes highlighted include:



Single category of minister on the Accredited list

Consistent approach to discerning calling to Ministry

College formation reviewed and revised

NAMs process revised to reflect ongoing commitment to CMD (Continuing Ministerial Development)

CMD introduced with 500 (a third of our active ministers) already signed up

Ministerial Development Adviser (Tim Fergusson) appointed

Ministers files digitalised and accessible to all teams

Accreditation module developed on the database

Many processes for disciplinaries and complaints have been reviewed and updated

Equal opportunities monitoring introduced

National Ministerial Recognition Committee (MRC) meets all Councils diversity requirements

A new settlement system has been developed and launched in May 2021.



Andy spoke to Council about each of these points, in turn paying tribute to Baptist colleges for the ways they are enabling people to train; MRC for its often unseen work; for the hard work of his colleagues (past and present) in the small Ministries Team; and to Tim Fergusson, the Ministerial Development Adviser whose arrival has undoubtedly enabled significant additional progress to be made over the last couple of years.



He noted that the ongoing development of work continues: we are beginning a review of the Baptist Training Partnership (that seeks to train lay leaders) and National Recognition; the concept of a voluntary code of conduct which churches can sign up to is being explored, in the wake of some ministers reporting being bullied by their churches; and the changes to the settlement system will be reviewed in autumn 2022.



Concluding his paper, Andy wrote, 'Although the implementation stage of the Ignite Report has come to an end there will always be the need to continue to develop and change to ensure that we fan into flame the gifts the Lord has given us within Baptists Together.



Hopefully in time we will look back and see that the emphasis on the Marks of Ministry will have proved significant in equipping godly leadership and ministry; and that the focus on CMD will enable more of us to faithfully run the race set before us.



General Secretary Lynn Green added, We felt it was so important to pause and celebrate. That list of bullet points is really important: its amazing what we can achieve when we work together, when we feel like one team.



My huge thanks to Phil and the team, Andy, Tim and all involved.







Human Sexuality:

Reflections from my Inbox by Lynn Green, and a request from the Eastern Baptist Association



For the first time since 2016, Council reflected further on Human Sexuality. Lynn Green offered a pastoral letter as part of the Trustees Report  Reflections from my Inbox which begins by saying:



Listening to many voices in the midst of our theological differences, Lynn Green offers some personal reflections to our churches about our brothers and sisters in Christ who identify as LGBTQI+, bringing a heartfelt plea that we are Kingdom communities clearly demonstrating the love and grace of Jesus.



Lynn goes on to say One particular thing that has become clear as I have listened, is that noble intentions do not neutralize the impact of harmful words and actions. When brothers and sisters in Christ find the courage to share that they dont always feel safe and welcome, I believe that those of us who form the majority need to have the humility to listen carefully and reflect on how we might respond to that.



Read this letter here.



The main discussion came through an item brought by Beth Powney, Regional Minister Team Leader of the Eastern Baptist Association (EBA). In 2019 the EBA had been asked by a small group of churches to explain its theological stance about issues of human sexuality, in particular relating to a very small number of churches in the EBA which publicly hold an affirming view of same sex marriage. Some non-affirming churches challenged the EBA by expressing their discomfort about affirming churches receiving Home Mission grants.



The EBA Council spent time reflecting and praying together, discussing these issues and felt that they stood firmly with the statements produced by the Baptist Assembly in 2014 and BU Council in 2016: they affirmed the traditionally accepted Biblical understanding of Christian marriage as a union between a man and woman, while at the same time upheld the liberty of a local church to determine its own mind on this matter, in accordance with our Declaration of Principle.



Given that these issues are of wider concern, the EBA wanted to bring this issue to the Baptist Union Council in order to seek the insight and advice of the Baptist family. This is demonstrating the advice seeking process of our current dual-operating approach of how we work together as Baptists, and because we are in covenant relationship.



In introducing the paper, Beth added that she wanted to fulfil two promises: a promise to the ministers who raised the issues initially; and to the Association trustees who were seeking Council's feedback on whether they still agreed with the 2014 and 2016 statements, or if further conversation was needed.



The ensuing conversation illustrated the range of views held within our Baptist family. On the one hand, several members felt that the 2016 statement was nuanced and balanced; and had been achieved after a good and long debate. Concerns were expressed that we risk splitting our Union if we re-enter this conversation deeply, because of the theological differences held. Is the voice which wants this as loud as is being presented?



On the other hand, several members felt that a further conversation is needed, and that the 2016 Council statement was not as widely accepted as the narrative so far. Some said we are already losing people, that our silence is creating division and alienating a younger generation. We committed to having the conversation well, but by not navigating it now, we are not navigating well. Could we commission empirical research that definitively shows what our ministers and congregation members actually think?



On Thursday morning, after thanking Council for their thoughtful reflections, Lynn Green drew together the different threads expressed the previous day and in doing so prompted a compassionate and prophetic moment which recognised the challenges and yet encouraged active engagement with reality from all parts of our Baptist family. This is a summary of what she shared:



Human sexuality continues to be a live issue in our society and churches: pastorally, missionally and theologically.

We heard voices sharing that this is a moment of tremendous opportunity to be a part of a wider conversation in culture, particularly for our children and young people. And we want to play our part.

We heard again that people hold deep pain and deep convictions. These are very precious things that we have to hold carefully.

We have friends among us who feel deep pain. We heard a little of that.

Some feel it is right to revisit; others disagree. There was a call for research.

There is a desire for deep unity, one that is based on Christ and which recognises the different views in our family.

We also heard the basis of our Unions Declaration of Principle that recognises the liberty of the local church to discern its own mind.

Lynn reminded and encouraged Council that it is their role to encourage and support local churches, Associations, Colleges and Specialist Teams in the biblical, pastoral and missional conversations in surrounding human sexuality. The Baptist Together website currently offers reflections, stories and resources to enable and facilitate this.



This is an active engagement in which everyone has to play their part. So how can we encourage local churches to be places of discernment?



She added that the most important thing is not so much what we do, but how we do it. 'We need to model the love and grace of Christ. To put Christ at the centre.



She also asked how do we want the future generation of church to look back on us? Will they be able to say these were really difficult issues, but see that Christ was demonstrated in our discussions, that they demonstrated the Greatest Commandment of loving God and one another, and the fruit of the Spirit?



Lynn also noted that as well as encouraging other family to play their part, Council has specific tasks. One of these is to shape Ministerial Recognition Rules, and this will be looked at in the next Council, as a question has been raised about the consistency between the freedom of churches and ministers on human sexuality.



A lot is happening in lots of different ways, she said. I hope in this way we can journey together.







St Hild - recognised Baptist training college request



The Trustees and Directors of the Yorkshire Baptist Association and East Midlands Baptist Association are nominating St Hild College for formal membership of BUGB as a recognised [or validated or accredited] Baptist training college.



Diane Watts, Faith and Society Team Leader, introduced a paper setting out a brief background and rationale for this request, with our hopes for a process to determine the way forward.



St Hild College has been working with local Baptist churches and Associations since 2013. While providing training and formation for people from a wide array of Christian traditions, the main stakeholders in St Hild College are from the Anglican and Baptist traditions. Baptist involvement is present in all the structures of the College and runs through the heart of St Hild.



Since 2014 St Hild has worked in partnership with Northern Baptist College to train and form Baptist ministers, training 15 ministers in that time and further 27 other students recruited directly by St Hild from local Baptist churches.



However, currently St Hild and its students have no direct connection with the Baptist Union. Its students and staff arent generally in touch with Baptist issues and contributions; and the Union is not well connected with the life of the college, despite providing significant funding for its Centre for Church Planting through the Mission Forum.



'We would like to address this,' stated the paper, 'creating increased mutual accountability and offering an accredited training route which reflects the key role Baptists play in our life.'



The proposal is that St Hild becomes a member college of BUGB, and working with YBA and EMBA and accountable to BUGB, it directly oversees training as a recognised Baptist training college.



This could develop an effective pipeline of younger leaders, church planters, church planting teams and pioneers, with a strong centre of gravity in Yorkshire and the East Midlands, the paper continued, and help address the shortfall of ministers training in the North and offering to settle in the North.



The report proposed 'a conversational and exploratory process', including:

A Visiting Group to be recommended by BUGB

The Visiting Group to journey with the YBA, EMBA and St Hild to determine the needs and opportunities for training in the region

The suitability of St Hild to offer validated Baptist training

The journey to becoming a member College of BUGB



Diane explained we are in a listening and conversation phase. The aim is to bring a much more detailed proposal to March 2022 Council.





Pensions update



There was continuing good news on pensions. Were on a good path and things continue to move in the right direction, said Support Services Team Leader Richard Wilson.



The day-to-day the pensions scheme continues to track around 10m ahead of the Recovery Plan and as a result the scheme assets and liabilities are very closely matched on a Technical Provisions basis (which assumes we continue to bear the risk of the scheme).



Assuming the scheme performance continues in line with the trends since the last valuation, this will bring about a key strategic choice at the next valuation (the end of 2022) as to the future funding plan. In principle, we could stop contributions as the deficit has been eliminated (subject to regulatory consent). However, this leaves the risk of a future deterioration in the scheme finances and further contributions being required hanging over employers.



The alternative is to continue to with some level of contributions (potentially reduced from the current level) until a buyout is achieved. The Employers Group are expected to consult with employers (who are mostly our member churches) during 2022. Richard explained that any reductions would not come into force until 2023 at the earliest.



The estimated liability on a buyout basis (which assumes that an insurance company is paid to take on all the risk of paying pensions) is around 37m. It has not shown the steady improvement trend in the technical provisions, but is nevertheless much lower than several years ago.



Progress is also being made on resolving several long-standing cases of employer debt.







Finance update



Richard gave an update on our finances, which presented a mixed picture. Legacies this year have been very strong, he said. However, the Home Mission appeal is 'not having a great year, tracking around 10 per cent down on the figure from 2020.



As we cannot budget for similar levels of legacies, this means there will be a reduction of around seven per cent in funding available to all elements of Baptists Together in 2022. For instance, the reduction in budget income for Specialist Teams will be around 150,000. Given that that the Financial Model Review (see below) is about to take place, Trustees have agreed the principle of a deficit budget for 2022.







Financial Model Review



After a tender process carried out over the summer, we have appointed a consulting practice called Tricordant to support the first phase of the Financial Model Review.



In parallel with this process a steering group has been identified, consisting of Barry Walton (EBA Treasurer), Phil Barnard (Regional Minister Team Leader for London Baptists), John Levick (BUGB Treasurer) and Richard Wilson (Support Services Team Leader). The project has now kicked off with interviews in the process of being scheduled with the identified groups and individuals, including all Regional Team Leaders and Trustee Boards. An online survey will also be going out imminently for those involved in regional and national leadership.



Over the coming months we will also be gathering information on Association finances to feed into the Diagnosis Phase so we can understand our current overall financial position. This phase of work is planned to conclude with a report to the next Baptist Union Council in March 2022.





New member churches and closures



Council members were told of three churches which have joined our Union. These are:

London Kachin Baptist Church (LBA)

Burmese Mission Church (SCBA)

Baptist chm Tamil Congregation (LBA)



Its always a joy to receive new churches, said Council moderator Seidel Boanerges. We thank God for these churches joining our Union.



In addition, nine churches had closed:

Woodford Wells Ecumenical Church (LBA)

Stanton Hill Baptist Church (EMBA)

Esperance De La Gloire (at Sudbury) (LBA)

Mission Evangelique Mont Sinai (LBA)

Evangelical Mission of the Cross of Christ (LBA)

Witney New Life (SCBA)

Trinity Baptist Church, Falmouth (SWBA)

Middleton Cheney (SCBA)

Walton-by-Kimcote Baptist Chapel (EMBA)



Elsewhere, The Willows Community Church, Torquay (SWBA) has ceased membership of BUGB. Nigel Manges, a regional minister explained how the Association had journeyed with the fellowship, but the fellowship had not wanted to adhere to our advice, and had chosen to leave our Union. We still value your prayers for the community, said Nigel, and we would hope we can reconnect with them.



The Heart of England Revival Church had changed its name to Kenilworth Baptist Church (HEBA).





Baptists Together Key Roles Nominations



Rupert Lazar, moderator of the Key Roles Nominations Team, brought a number of recommendations to Council, all of which were backed unanimously, apart from the first, which had one abstention:



That Peter King (pictured) serves as a Trustee for a term of three years. Peter is a lawyer and currently the Legal Director (general counsel) at HM Treasury.



Raphael Atta, Lois Delong, Susan Myatt, Adrian Semerene and Dion-Marie White are re-elected for a second term of three years as co-optees on Council after their initial three years of service ended.



David Pile and Dawn Brown are willing to serve for a second term of three years on the Accompanying Group.



Rupert mentioned that we continue to seek a moderator of the Trustees Board to succeed Alastair Mitchell-Baker, whose term ended in August  and encouraged Council members to keep thinking about a potential candidate.



Weve prayed, agonised. We believe there is such a person in the Baptist family. Where is she? Where is he?



Sometimes like the story of David, we have to look outside the box. We need to come together as a family to discern. Will you be thinking? Will you be praying?



Andrew Cowley who is the Vice-Moderator will be carrying out the essential responsibilities in the interim period. 'Andrew we are indebted to you,' said Rupert. Earlier when presenting the Trustees report, Andrew had stressed the need for a new moderator. 'Were functioning, but we do need right person going forward,' he said.





In addition we continue to search for a successor to John Levick as treasurer. John's term doesn't end until May 2023, but 'we really do want to make this appointment sooner rather than later that we may have someone in place to shadow John and so have a smooth hand-over,' Rupert said.





Live prayer broadcast with Tony Peck



The live prayer broadcast took place on Wednesday evening, featuring Tony Peck, who is retiring as European Baptist Federation General Secretary after 17 years in post.





Following the broadcast, Tony spoke about the EBF in a question and answer session with Council members. He highlighted the challenges of religious freedom, particularly in the "stan" countries, but also in countries like France that had curtailed some religious rights in passing certain anti-terrorism laws.He highlighted Mission Partnerships, the church planting programme which supports a church planter to plant their own congregation in their own culture, in partnership with Unions and mission partners who provide the funding for five years. It has seen more than 200 plants, and very few have foundered, even in difficult places like Turkey. The programme is 'hugely significant for EBF - one of the bits of glue that has held EBF together', said Tony. He pointed out it had received significant support from British Baptists, with our Baptist Union, BMS World Mission, and particularly Baptist Insurance supporting several plants. Collectively we are supporting nine church planters, in Cyprus, Jordan (x2), Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Italy, Serbia, and Belarus.He said there is different understanding of Baptists across the region, which in part can be traced to the theologies of missionaries. 'There are different ways. They cause us tension from time to time, but weve learnt to live with each others differences. By some miracle, when we come together at our Council theres a bond of unity.'Tony also noted how well he had been supported by the respective the three Baptist Union General Secretaries he had served alongside - David Coffey, Jonathan Edwards and Lynn Green. 'BUGB is at centre of EBF life,' he said, adding 'This connectedness with our brothers and sisters is so important, particularly in this time of Brexit.'

Baptist Times, 20/10/2021
Bluefield, WV (24701)

Today

Plenty of sunshine. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 27F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Locals in Port Arthur and Beaumont likely have noticed increased flares in the sky  the tell-tale sign of emissions being burned at local pants  and they might persist through the end of the week.

Multiple refineries and chemical plants across Jefferson County over the past two days alerted residents to flaring and air emissions, some of which amounted to thousands of pounds of released compounds.

Most of the flaring activities started on Tuesday and Wednesday, when Motiva Chemicals and a new facility  Bayport Polymer  reported flaring at their Port Arthur sites.

Related: Democrats seek $500B in damages from big polluters

Motivas event was caused by a process upset on the light olefins unit, which is a generic term used in the industry to describe a group of issues that can happen during a production process that could create more hydrocarbons than the system can safely handle.

Flaring is supposed to safely destroy these compounds and prevent them from causing damage or impacting health and safety, but it also results in unexpected emissions into the air.

In Motivas case, the Wednesday upset over about three hours released nearly 9,000 pounds of compounds, consisting mostly of carbon monoxide and ethylene.

Engineers with the company said that operations conducted process adjustments, ending the upset event, according to a report submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Related: Entergy plans new, greener plant in Orange County

The company sent out an alert Thursday afternoon saying that flaring activities would continue into the night.

The Bayport Polymer event was particularly notable because it was the result of a start-up of the facilitys recently-built ethane cracker, which eventually will produce the massive quantity of ethane that Baystar will need to feed a polyethylene unit being built in Pasadena.

The units start was expected sometime in the first quarter of this year but, like with most things during the pandemic, it was slightly delayed.

Start-ups and shut-downs of industrial units often cause extra emissions that fall outside of a facilitys permit, even if they might be expected, which is why companies have to file air emission reports when they happen.

This particular event will last until at least Aug. 10 and create a relatively large amount of emissions during that period.

Related: Butadiene releases from TPC haven't stopped

Around 3.5 million pounds of emissions are expected to be released during the start-up  mostly consisting of greenhouse gases like carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide.

The company has promised that its state-of-the-art flares and equipment will be effective in destroying the extra hydrocarbons, but it won't have a final report on what was released until after the process is complete.

NOx and CO emissions were based upon TCEQ-approved emission factors, engineers wrote in a report. The emission calculations presented in this initial report will be replaced with data from the continuous flare monitoring system in the final report.

This event would have been within the top 10 largest unauthorized emission events in 2019, according to the latest annual report from Environment Texas.

Bayport Polymer and the ethane cracker are a part of Baystar  a joint venture between TotalEnergies and Borealis, a chemical company based in Austria.

ExxonMobil on Thursday also announced that it would be flaring, but it hadnt submitted a report to TCEQ with estimates for how long the event might last.

The company also announced that repair work at the Beaumont facility would require the company to flare while workers completed the job.

Spokesperson Nakisha Burns clarified to the Enterprise that the piping was within the companys fence line and wasnt expected to cause any impacts for the surrounding community, but county and state environmental authorities had already been notified.

We continue to meet all contractual commitments, representatives for ExxonMobil wrote in a statement. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our neighbors.

jacob.dick@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/jd_journalism
After 10 months of negotiations and the endurance of a more than six-month lockout, union members at ExxonMobils Beaumont complex voted on a contract proposal for the first time on Tuesday since the last contract expired in January.

Despite receiving the first amended proposal by ExxonMobil and the threat of consequences without an approved contract by Nov. 1, members of United Steelworkers Union Local 13-243 voted against the possible six-year contract.

Bryan Gross, a USW District 13 representative, said the result was a clear message that the unions solidarity was still solid and members were eager to see leadership go back to the table for a better deal.

This shows we are still together, we are one group, Gross said. The refinery guys are supporting the (blending and packaging plant) workers, and vice versa.

Related: USW encourages locked out ExxonMobil workers to vote no on proposal

The vote had the potential to impact more than 620 workers and their families, eagerly awaiting to see if they were headed back to work or continuing the fight for a new contract, but was ultimately decided by close to 400 full-members of the local union that voted during the day.

Votes were finally tallied by about 8:30 p.m. by three independent counters who had to verify that each vote came from a verified USW member in good standing with the local union.

The USW decided against releasing a count of how many members voted for and against the proposal.

The parking lot at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Beaumont, which also has been the site for locked out workers to receive help from the USW international organization for the past half year, was packed with workers for most of the day.

Related: USW sets vote for potential contract ratification

Most of the members cast their votes at the 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. voting sessions, but some members stood watch all day with anticipation for the result.

The company actually made its amended contract at the end of September, but USW leadership didnt officially hold a vote to decide whether there should be a ratification election until Oct. 7, citing the need for more information from ExxonMobil.

The upcoming vote kicked off a weeks worth of campaigns from both sides and possibly some tough conversations among members, as they decided whether to accept the companys offer and return to work.

On Sunday night, the company sent out one of eventually many bulletins over the weekend, reminding workers that it had already promised to begin a transition process for the over 620 locked out workers to return to their jobs if they voted in favor of the contract.

But, if there wasnt a ratified contract in hand by Nov. 1, ExxonMobil promised it would remove several key benefits from its proposal, including scheduled raises for the year and the right to arbitration.

Related: 'It's our solidarity': A day at the USW Beaumont pantry

If our offer is not ratified by November 1, it will be reduced as explained in the offer, representatives for the company wrote on Sunday.

Since before the lockout began, USW representatives have said provisions in the contract would essentially end the unions seniority system as it works today, and eliminate several positions in the refinery that it felt was necessary for safety.

In the amended offer, the company agreed to allow some workers to retain their seniority status when they change divisions within the company for the purpose of layoffs and agreed to retain certain positions as they were under the last contract.

Gross said that the USWs informational campaign and meetings over the weekend seemed productive, but it was still hard to say early on Tuesday evening how exactly membership might vote.

It seems like there will be a split, but I think the majority understand the importance of voting this down so we can work for a better contract, Gross said before the final tally. I think there are some people who had their minds changed, but there are others that are focused on going back to work.

The companys proposals and its efforts to create flexibility for the future have mostly focused on positions and job bidding that impact workers in its blending and packaging plant on the lubrication products side of the complex.

Related: 600 workers remain locked out of ExxonMobil, but how did it begin?

Several workers from blending and packaging spent most of Tuesday waiting in the IBEW parking lot, talking to their union brothers and waiting to see what would happen next.

One of those workers, Reginald Willridge said that it only made sense that B&P employees would be concerned about their ability to move to the refinery, as most of them found themselves in the lubrication complex as a way to work up the ladder.

Most of us were promised the ability to move over one day, and about 95% of us are already technically qualified, he said. They treat us like we are second class, but we have to take the same tests and earn the same qualifications to get where we are.

A little less than half of the membership had voted during the 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. voting shifts, leaving everyone to wait for the big moment at 6 p.m. to see what happened next.

Jason Goolsby, another B&P employee, said that it wouldnt be surprising to see some members vote for the contract, even if they didnt think it was in their best interest, because the lockout has been a drain both financially and emotionally.

There will be some that vote yes, but the end doesnt justify the means, he said.

Even after this contract proposal has been settled, some members of the ExxonMobil workforce will still be looking toward a possibly upcoming vote to end USW representation at the plant.

According to the companys social media posts during the ramp up to the vote, it is also focused on that upcoming decision and has increasingly published information blasts about what workers could expect if they end union representation at the complex.

For those of you wondering about the status of the employee-led decertification process, regardless of the status of a ratification vote, or end of the lockout, this effort will continue per the guidelines of the NLRB, ExxonMobil wrote in a Friday social media post. Dont fall victim to the Unions misinformation campaigns.

jacob.dick@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/jd_journalism
Dreamstime, HO

A Port Arthur man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking crimes in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei in a news release on Tuesday.

Michael James Shaw, 40, on June 30 pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and on Tuesday was sentenced to more than 19 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone, the release said.
3 1 of 3 Kim Brent / The Enterprise Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Kim Brent / The Enterprise Show More Show Less 3 of 3





With airport traffic picking up as the pandemic fades, and the holiday travel season approaching, more and more people will be heading to their local airports soon to visit friends and families. Packing for a trip can be hectic, and you want to make sure to bring basics like underwear and socks. But leave the handgun.

Along with more airport passengers has come more of them forgetting to remove their handgun from a bag or purse before trying to board the airplane. That pistol or revolver will be discovered in the pre-flight search, of course, and that leads to all sorts of problems for the forgetful traveler.
Bedford, PA (15522)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low near 25F. Winds light and variable.
Myanmar will send a non-political, high-level envoy to next weeks summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), an official said Tuesday, after the bloc barred junta chief Snr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing from attending, citing a lack of cooperation by the military regime.

Junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun told the Myanmar Service of Radio Free Asia (RFA), a BenarNews sister entity, that an official from the foreign ministry would attend the three-day summit, after getting the green light from ASEAN representatives. He declined to provide the name and position of the envoy. The summit will kick off in Brunei on Oct. 26.

The announcement follows a decision by ASEAN foreign ministers at an emergency meeting on Oct. 15 to deny Min Aung Hlaing a seat at the table for next weeks gathering because he had reneged on implementing steps to restore peace and democracy following the militarys Feb. 1 coup, as reported by BenarNews.

The bloc also cited the juntas refusal to allow ASEAN special envoy Erywan Yusof access to detained former State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders of the deposed National League for Democracy (NLD) government.

Min Aung Hlaing had agreed to allow the special envoy meet with all stakeholders as part of a five-point consensus reached at an ASEAN meeting in April that was called to discuss the post-coup situation in Myanmar. Yusof, who was appointed on Aug. 4, canceled his trip to Myanmar this week after being refused the meetings.

In response to last weeks decision, Myanmars junta issued a statement alleging the decision was taken without all members agreement  ASEAN decides on issues and actions based on consensus.

On Monday, in an emergency address, Min Aung Hlaing said Yusufs demands were not negotiable, but that his government would cooperate as much as possible.

The ASEAN special envoys visit to Myanmar is still under discussion due to various proposals, he said.

A country is governed jointly by the legislature and the judiciary. Apart from special laws issued as required, the two bodies must make everything work in unison. The demands of the ASEAN envoy are not negotiable. In any case, our country is a member of ASEAN, and we will do our best.

Min Aung Hlaing blamed the international community for pressuring the military, while remaining silent about violence committed by the shadow National Unity Government (NUG), Parliaments Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Committee of Representatives (CRPH), and the anti-junta Peoples Defense Force militia.

Ruined credibility

In the more than eight months since the coup, security forces have killed 1,181 civilians and arrested at least 7,190, according to the Bangkok-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners  mostly during crackdowns on anti-junta protests.

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.

On Monday, the junta released 5,636 political prisoners in what observers said was a bid to ease pressure from ASEAN and the international community  claims Zaw Min Tun denied.

Speaking to RFA on Tuesday, political analyst Dr. Sai Kyi Zin Soe said it would be best for the junta to comply with ASEAN demands after ruining its credibility by going back on its promises.

I dont think it will be easy now for the junta to act as it wants while trying to make the international community accept it, so now things depend on how many international requests it will accept, he said.

It hasn't accepted any yet. If it continues to refuse to agree to implement the five points previously agreed upon, ASEAN might impose some kind of action or punishment, which it has never done before.

Call for dialogue

Moe Thuzar, an expert on ASEAN affairs, said the bloc had stepped up its diplomatic pressure because it wants to give a stern warning to the junta not to take advantage of its cooperation, despite a long-standing relationship with the military.

ASEAN has led the international community to support recommendations in the hope of bringing about a positive outcome in Myanmar, she said.

In this situation, ASEAN will not decide on an excessive action that might break mutual ties. But ASEAN might take a firmer stand to make sure its constructive approach is not taken advantage of.

However, she added that pressure was unlikely to result in the junta making any immediate changes to its attitude or holding a meaningful political dialogue anytime soon. She said ASEAN and the international community still need to do more to push the junta on holding talks.

Kyaw Htwe, a member of the NLD Central Committee and a former member of parliament for Zabu Thiri township, said it is imperative that all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, be released before meaningful political talks could be held.

A positive and open dialogue for the good of the country needs to be inclusive, he said.

For the talks to be truly meaningful, all current detainees must be released unconditionally, and all legitimate political parties must be able to function without disrupting the political process.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo enjoys an approval rating of nearly 70 percent as he starts his eighth year in office, according to one poll, although his government has been criticized for stifling free speech and for a lackluster economic performance.

Wednesday marked the anniversary of the day the former furniture salesman and ex-governor of Jakarta, who is popularly known as Jokowi, was inaugurated for a second five-year term as president of Southeast Asias largest democracy, on Oct. 20, 2019.

Jokowis job-approval rating stood at 68.5 percent in September, according to the results of a survey by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC), a private pollster. He had rated above 70 percent in polls conducted before the COVID-19 outbreak hit Indonesia.

When asked about the condition of the political, legal and security situations, theres a tendency that things are worsening. But that isnt necessarily reflected in the publics view of Jokowi, Edbert Gani, a researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Jakarta think-tank, told BenarNews while commenting on the recent opinion surveys.

Indikator Politik Indonesia, another pollster, put Jokowis approval at 58 percent in a survey released at the end of September.

On social media, the president is a target of both praise and criticism.

A simple leadership figure who is committed only to the national interest. May your good intentions bear sweet fruit, Mr. Jokowi, Diandra Sari, a citizen who is among his supporters, said via Twitter last week.

Jokowis job rating remains relatively high at this point in his presidency when compared with that of his immediate predecessor. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who also served two terms as president, had a popularity rating of 46.2 percent in October 2011, the start of his eighth year in office, according to a survey at the time by Indonesian pollster LSI.

Afraid to talk

It is hard to say how objective such polls are in gauging the publics mood and its satisfaction over the central governments performance, according to Ujang Komarudin, a political scientist at Indonesias Al-Azhar University.

The political climate tends to be repressive, and people are afraid to talk, Ujang told BenarNews.

Jokowi is Indonesias seventh president but only the fifth since the archipelago nation became a full-fledged democracy after Suharto, a former army general and longtime authoritarian ruler, fell from power in 1998. Jokowi is the countrys longest-serving civilian president to date.

However, ex-generals and others with ties to the military  such as Prabowo Subianto, the current defense minister and presidential candidate in 2014 and 2019  occupy important posts in his administration, and are a magnet for criticism from human rights advocates.

According to Ujang, democratic freedoms in Indonesia have declined in recent years under Jokowi.

When people get critical they are accused of insulting the president. The space for expression is suppressed and this should not happen in a democratic country, he said.

Firman Noor, a political analyst at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), a state agency, concurred.

The public are now increasingly afraid to speak up. This is a situation that, in my opinion, public surveys have failed to capture, Firman told BenarNews.

Authorities have been accused of increasingly resorting to the Information and Electronic Transaction Law (ITE) to crack down on critics. Under the law, online defamation and spreading fake news are punishable by up to four and 10 years in prison, respectively.

Agus Sunaryanto, an activist at Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), said Jokowis administration had also undermined anti-graft efforts with a recent shake-up at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Suppression of free speech greeted public opposition to the moves at the anti-graft body, Agus alleged.

Digital attacks on journalists, activists and academics have been so massive, he said.

Last month, 58 KPK employees and investigators were fired from their posts after they failed the so-called national outlook exam, a civics test that was required as the agency transitioned from an independent institution to one under the executive branch of government.

The amendments that brought the agency under the control of the executive were passed in 2019. They fueled street protests as well as accusations that the government was using the law to weaken the independence of the agency fighting corruption in a country notorious for widespread graft.

When he was first elected president in 2014, Jokowi ran on a platform of purging government of deep-seated corruption.

Pandemic

The SMRC poll suggests that public satisfaction with Jokowis handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has recently improved, from 61.8 percent in May, to 64.6 percent in September.

In general, people still believe that President Jokowi will be able to bring Indonesia out of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, said SMRC Executive Director Sirojudin Abbas.

But Firman, the BRIN analyst, said the government had acted with urgency only after a surge in cases driven by the highly transmissible Delta variant in July. At the time, hospitals were overwhelmed with patients and daily fatalities spiked to as high as 2,000.

The outbreak had subsided in recent weeks, with daily new infections having dropped below 1,000, and deaths below 100.

We could have enjoyed what we have now six months ago, had the government listened to scientists and experts, Firman said.

So far, Indonesia has recorded at least 4.23 million COVID-19 cases resulting in more than 143,000 deaths.

Economy

The SMRC survey indicated that 50.7 percent Indonesians were satisfied with the governments economic performance, a drop from 61.3 percent in May.

Public criticism of the administrations handling of the economy has been a constant thorn in Jokowis presidency. During his seven years in office, he has shuffled his cabinet at least four times, including sacking his chief finance minister during the first reshuffle.

Among those polled, 60.6 percent said their household income had dropped, while 32.3 percent said their income remained the same.

This assessment is stable compared to the May 2021 survey. There were no signs of recovery between May and September, Sirojudin said.

Gani of CSIS said Indonesians, especially those in rural areas, were more focused on economic issues during the pandemic than on hot-button political issues, such as the passage of the controversial Jobs Creation Law. Critics of the president had said the law could undermine labor protections and environmental conservation efforts.

Right now, their main concern is their economy, which has been hit by the pandemic, Gani said.
Workers in protective clothes carry the body of an alleged victim of an extra-judicial killing after its exhumation from a grave inside a public cemetery in Manila, Sep. 17, 2021.

Philippine justice officials released details Wednesday of possible abuses tied to officer-involved killings in the countrys war on drugs, prompting the presidents spokesman to say this proved the Duterte administration had not ignored its human rights obligations.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) made public a 20-page report, which contains information about how police officers allegedly staged gunbattles during counter-narcotics sting operations, among other questionable actions.

I can only commend the DOJ for this conclusion because this proves that the President has not been remiss in his obligation to investigate perpetrators of these crimes, presidential spokesman Harry Roque told reporters.

The report is a rare official record of possible abuses committed by state authorities during President Rodrigo Dutertes five-year-old crackdown on illegal drugs. The report also challenges the narrative that police shot dead drugs suspects in self-defense.

On Tuesday , the DOJ announced it had wrapped up a review of 52 deadly officer-involved shootings and referred those cases to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for further action and the possible filing of charges against errant policemen.

Under the Duterte administration, the police have killed about 8,000 suspected drug addicts and dealers, primarily in the sprawling slums of Manila. The number could be as high as 30,000, according to human rights advocates and drug-war survivors.

Glimpses into some killings

One of the cases detailed in the DOJ report was the case of Nave Perry Alcantara, a 17-year-old who was killed during an alleged shootout with police in August 2018.

An internal affairs investigation by police showed that the suspect was standing too close to officers, indicating that there couldnt have been a gunbattle. The teen also sustained three gunshot wounds, indicating the use of excessive force, according to an excerpt from the report.

Paraffin tests showed that both hands of the suspect were negative for gunpowder nitrates, the report said, noting that the policeman who shot Alcantara was only suspended for two months.

In another incident, a suspect was shot no less than 15 times after he allegedly fired at the police, though no reports were filed, including ballistics or an autopsy, according to excerpts. The police officer received a 31-day suspension from duty.

In more than 30 of the cases investigated, no paraffin tests and no operations reports followed. There were also missing examination and autopsy reports as well as death certificates, excerpts said.

The officers involved in the 52 cases were found to be administratively liable and were only ordered dismissed, suspended, or demoted. However, possible criminal cases are to follow upon further investigation by the NBI, according to the report.

On Tuesday, the DOJ said it recommended the bureau conduct a case buildup against 154 police officers who were involved in the 52 cases. It said it released the information so that families of the drug suspects could access the case records and follow up on the investigations.

The release of the information came nearly two weeks after Michelle Bachelet, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, urged the Philippine government to publish the investigations findings.

Duterte, meanwhile, is facing two complaints at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

One was filed by a former police officer and a self-styled assassin who accused Duterte of ordering the deaths of opponents and criminals when he served as the mayor of the southern city of Davao. The second was filed by relatives of several people killed during the counter-narcotics campaign.

In September, the ICC approved a request by a former chief prosecutor to investigate the thousands of extrajudicial killings in the Philippine drug war.

Justice system functioning well

Contrary to assertions made by human rights groups, Roque argued that the release of the information showed that the justice system in the Philippines was functioning and that families of victims of alleged rights abuses were being given effective domestic remedy.

I think these findings of the DOJ will belie all claims that the president is responsible under the principle of command responsibility because, on the contrary, it proves that the Philippine state has, in fact, investigated and prosecuted individuals for these extralegal killings, Roque said.

Roque, a former rights lawyer, expressed confidence that the president could defend himself from accusations of being blamed for the bloodshed.

I dont think it says anything about the culpability of the president because in the 52 cases, theres not been an instance where theres been a determination that the (he) ordered the killing, he said. Or that the president did not do anything to punish those who committed criminal acts.

Jacqueline Ann de Guia, spokeswoman for the independent Commission on Human Rights, welcomed the governments move but said there were many other cases still out of the public eye.

We hope that the release of the said information may be helpful to the victims families in knowing the status of the investigation and, more importantly, encourage witnesses to come out and participate towards the resolution of cases of these deaths, de Guia said in a statement.

According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the small number of cases out of thousands of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines hardly indicate compliance with transparency and accountability.

If anything, this only raises the question as to what happened with all the other cases, whether those were investigated or are being investigated, and whether the government is willing to be transparent about them, HRW senior Philippine researcher Carlos Conde said in a statement.

Last month, Duterte told the United Nations General Assembly that he had ordered a review of the national polices campaign against drugs while promising that those found to have acted beyond bounds during operations shall be made accountable before our laws.
Burmese displaced by fighting in the eastern part of the country carry a sick person in Myanmars Kayah State, June 17, 2021.

Updated at 08:30 a.m. ET on 2021-10-21

Thailand and the United States are considering jointly providing humanitarian aid to the Burmese people via the Thai-Myanmar border, the Thai foreign ministry said Wednesday, while a member of an NGO working along the frontier said she did not believe Bangkok would step up to the plate.

Since the Feb. 1 military coup in Myanmar, Burmese security forces have destroyed scores of villages and homes through bombing, shelling and arson, as their clashes with rebels have increased, resulting in more than 218,000 people being displaced since then, according to the United Nations.

During a two-day visit to Bangkok earlier this week, U.S. State Department Counselor Derek Chollet and an inter-agency delegation from Washington met with the Thai foreign minister and discussed the post-coup crisis in Myanmar, Thai foreign ministry spokesman Tanee Sankrat said at a press briefing.

The two sides have discussed the situation in Myanmar, the handling of the matter by Thailand and ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] and the feasibility of Thai-U.S. cooperation to provide people in Myanmar with humanitarian assistance  possibly handled via the Thai-Myanmar border, Tanee said.

Thousands of displaced Burmese lack food, drinking water, shelter and healthcare in an economy that has all but collapsed since the coup, economists, rights groups and other agencies say.

Burmese are in dire need of humanitarian aid, Dan Sullivan, senior advocate for human rights at Refugees International, told BenarNews.

There has been a tripling of those in need of aid since the coup  1 million people to 3 million, said Sullivan, the author of a new report by Refugees International coming out on Thursday, Dire Consequences: Addressing the Humanitarian Fallout from Myanmars Coup.

Khin Ohmar, founder of Burmese rights group Progressive Voice, said civilians were fleeing their homes and the violence and taking shelter in the jungles.

They are living without any basic necessities, such as food and health care. We think it is best that neighboring countries like Thailand and India open their borders to allow the humanitarian assistance, he told Radio Free Asia (RFA), a BenarNews sister entity.

The share of Myanmars population living in poverty is likely to more than double by early 2022, compared with 2019 levels, according to the World Bank.

In this scenario, U.S. and Thai officials discussed ways to prioritize needs and potential delivery mechanisms.

They explored possibilities and ways to enhance cooperation between Thailand and the United States in providing humanitarian assistance, including on public health and development of water supply and sanitation systems, to the Myanmar people along the Thailand-Myanmar border, the Thai foreign office said in a statement.

The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, in a statement issued Tuesday, said that cross-border humanitarian aid was among issues discussed in talks between the delegation led by Chollet, Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and Gen. Supot Malaniyom, the secretary general of Thailands National Security Council.

 [B]urma is one of those issues where they share a border, and we want to work with Thailand in order to find a way to apply pressure on Myanmar to restore democracy there, but also look at humanitarian efforts and where we might be able to coordinate to assist the people of Myanmar, a senior State Department official told reporters last Friday during a background briefing before Chollet and the U.S. delegation departed for Thailand, the first leg of a three-nation Southeast Asian.

The American delegation was also due to visit Singapore and Indonesia this week.

Using established local networks

If the U.S. plan to provide aid via the Thai border  with Thailands cooperation  works out, it would be very welcome, Sullivan said.

In fact, we have been calling for cross-border aid.

The United States has been working towards getting Burmese humanitarian aid for some months now, Khin Ohmar of Progressive Voice noted.

The U.S. ambassador to the U.N. has visited Thailand and met leaders of civil society groups providing aid to Myanmar migrants  We are very glad and would like to welcome the U.S. for taking these steps, she said.

The main obstacle to getting aid into Myanmar is the military junta, Sullivan said.

The junta has been directly blocking aid getting into certain areas; it has created bureaucratic impediments like travel authorization and visa delays at checkpoints now  all that alongside the huge spike in displaced people are the obstacles, he said.

The benefit to working with Thailand and via its frontier with Myanmar is that there are readily available and long established local networks in that area already, Sullivan said.

Aid workers on the Thai side can and need to tap these networks to not just send aid, but to ensure it gets to the people who need it the most, Sullivan said.

A vast majority in need cannot be immediately helped through the border, but a significant number are near the [Thai] border, so cross-border aid will really help them.

BenarNews wrote to the U.S. State Department for details on the humanitarian aid being considered, but did not immediately hear back on Wednesday. Members of The Border Consortium, a group providing humanitarian aid to Burmese could not be reached.

U.S. State Department Counselor Derek Chollet (left) stands with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai, in Bangkok, Oct. 19, 2021. [Handout Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Staying in the jungle

Meanwhile, Pornsuk Kerdsawang, a member of Friends Without Borders Foundation, a Thai NGO that works on the Thai-Myanmar border, said that based on its actions so far she does not believe the Thai government will do much in terms of humanitarian aid.

In March, she noted, Thailand sent back more than 2,000 ethnic Karen refugees who fled into the country from military air strikes in Myanmar, although the Thai government said the displaced Burmese went back voluntarily.

The Thai government still has the same approach. Food assistance from the Thai has to be done quietly, Pornsuk told BenarNews.

Refugees Internationals Sullivan said that when the post-coup crisis began, Thailand did not allow access to the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) and also pressed those who fled across the border to return to Myanmar.

Khin Ohmar indicated that the U.S. needed to push Thailand.

We believe the best way to provide the aids to the people is through the border. It is important the U.S. convinces the Thai government to allow aid through Thailand into Myanmar.

Still, Thailand appears to be aware that people in the neighboring country are in dire straits.

On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Don met with a range of local and international stakeholders, all of whom said they were ready to cooperate and coordinate humanitarian assistance for Myanmar, the foreign ministry said.

They exchanged views and experiences, which included the discussion on need assessments, partners, possible transmission routes and coordination modalities in delivering assistance for the people of Myanmar, the ministry statement said.

Naw Htoo, director of the Karen Human Rights Group, said the IDPs situation began to worsen immediately after the military coup and the security forces unleashed a brutal crackdown.

Those who are fleeing home and staying in the jungle to avoid the conflicts, they are in need of food supplies, Naw Htoo told RFA.

It would be great if the U.S. can negotiate with Thai authorities to send cross-border humanitarian aid into Myanmar.

Nontarat Phaicharoen in Bangkok and Kunnawut Boonreak in Chiang Mai, Thailand contributed to this report.

This report has been updated to correct the gender of a source quoted.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
Investigations editor

Larry Parnass joined The Eagle in 2016 from the Daily Hampshire Gazette, where he was editor in chief. His freelance work has appeared in the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Hartford Courant, CommonWealth Magazine and with the Reuters news service.
Community News Editor / Librarian

Jeannie Maschino is community news editor and librarian for The Berkshire Eagle. She has worked for the newspaper in various capacities since 1982 and joined the newsroom in 1989.
LENOX  Many locals still call it the duck farm  formally, the Stonover Inn, a historic Under Mountain Road property owned for 20 years by former big-league rock music producer Tom Werman and his wife, Suky, an educator who reinvented herself as an art gallery curator for the farms renovated barn.

Photos: Stonover Farm Randy Grimmett and Allison Smith have bought Stonover Farm from Tom and Suky Werman. The location is well known for its duck (and goose) pond,

Now, after first transforming and then operating Stonover as a top-shelf boutique bed-and-breakfast and elaborate wedding destination for 12 events a year, the Wermans, in their mid-70s, are turning over the site, including the much-photographed pond hosting a village of ducks, to a couple with deep roots in show business.

Randy Grimmett and his wife, Allison Smith, seasonal residents in Lenox for the past five years, promise to keep Stonover just as it is, with a few cosmetic updates, when they reopen the inn.

He will be able to do his work as an attorney there, and she will pursue her acting and newly developed literary career.

I feel happy to confidently say, Im not done performing, said the former Broadway child star of Evita and Annie and a cast member of NBCs The West Wing.

And, as part of the Stonover deal, the waterfowl crew gets to keep its forever home.

Meet the innkeepers Allison Smith: The incoming co-innkeeper (its her maiden name) has had a 40-year career in show business, starting at age 9 in the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webbers Evita alongside Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin, and, a year later, graduating to a three-year run (more than 1,000 performances) in the title role of the hit musical Annie. Her TV credits included a recurring role as Mallory OBrien in The West Wing (daughter of Chief of Staff Leo McGarry, played by John Spencer, and romantic interest of Sam Seaborn, Rob Lowes character). That was followed by stints in Kate & Allie and more than 100 appearances on other TV series. Now, as Smith completes her untitled debut novel, she also hopes to return to her first passion, the New York stage. Randy Grimmett: He is an attorney in the music business and intellectual property rights, now working from home. During the coronavirus pandemic, he joined many other professionals in discovering that he could work remotely from anywhere. Grimmett and Smith are the parents of two daughters, one attending an area high school and the other in college near Boston.

The transaction for the property and the robust business will close Oct. 29 at $4.4 million for both.

The Wermans paid $1.5 million to acquire the land and its buildings in 2001, then funded an extensive, expensive restoration before opening the inn a year later under a special permit from the zoning board, with Linda Ronstadt, performing at Tanglewood, as their first guest.

She was incredibly gracious, Suky Werman recalled. It was literally the first time we made breakfast for anyone, and she had brought an entourage.

The Wermans, good friends of Grimmett and Smith, will be moving to a home they bought more than a year ago, a mile away on Under Mountain Road.

It was a gigantic change, Werman acknowledged, referring to his arrival in Lenox to become a country squire and innkeeper after 23 years signing performers and producing hit albums during the 1970s and 80s. His clients included REO Speedwagon, Boston, Ted Nugent, Motley Crue, Cheap Trick, Twisted Sister, Poison, Molly Hatchet and Jeff Beck.

Now, Im so excited, he enthused, preparing to step away from his second career. But, its pretty tough for Suky; she just loves it, and shed stay here forever. We had considered closing the five-unit inn and having only weddings, but this is an expensive place to maintain and operate unless youre working it.

How did Grimmett and Smith decide to make a similar drastic change from Studio City, just over a hill from Hollywood, to the bucolic Berkshire countryside? Allison recalled reading a Los Angeles Times feature in 2007 about the Wermans purchase of a rambling country property and turning it into an upscale bed-and-breakfast.

I turned to Randy and said, See, people do it, why arent we doing this?  said Smith, a native of Waldwick in Bergen County, N.J., just west of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It sparked something that Randy and I, in our personal lives, knew that we would love to do.

A year or two later, on a family visit to the Northeast, they checked into the inns cottage for several nights.

I said, What a dream. I just want to live there someday. We were repeat customers, and we befriended the Wermans. I did tell them, If you ever consider selling this place, could we please be the first people you call? I thought if they ever made it available, Id be heartbroken if somebody else got it.

The great part for us, Randy Grimmett recalled, was that we were in no hurry and they said, whenever we were ready, let us know.

When they called last year, after we sorted out some logistical family details, there was no hesitation whatsoever, he said. As permanent Lenox residents since last June, Grimmett pointed out, the pandemics restrictions demonstrated that he could work remotely from anywhere.

That made it more realistic to think about [acquiring the inn], he stated.

Weve undergone a change about what the social contract for work looks like now, he commented. Tons of people have relocated to the Berkshires.

In addition to our long-coveted dream coming true, its an addition to the multiple things Randy and I do in our lives, Smith said. Our complete heart and soul will be about Stonover Farm, but he will continue to do what he does and I will continue to work in the ways that I creatively want to work. I grew up in a small town, maintaining a small-town life while having a professional life.

Randy grew up in the country [on his fourth-generation family farm near Tulsa, Okla.], which really speaks to who he is, but he also explored his intellectual and career pursuits, she said.

The ducks will stay, Smith added. That means they will not be evicted from their 130 year-old ancestral home, and the history of the property will be protected. It was built in 1890 by Pittsfield architect Charles T. Rathbun for New York lawyer John E. Parsons, who named the farm after his Lenox cottage, the 45-room French country house, Stonover, then a mile across the valley on Yokun Avenue, but demolished in 1942.

Smith described the half-entry into the life we thought we wanted as easing the transition to the innkeeping mission. The family residence purchased five years ago on West Street was the gatehouse for the former Stonover cottage.

The day-to-day nitty-gritty of running the year-round inn will continue to be handled by Stonovers general manager, Christine Fraser, whom the Wermans hired away from Blantyre four years ago.

She will be indispensable to us, said Randy Grimmett, as she continues to supervise a team of staffers in what amounts to a turnkey ownership swap.

Tom and Suky have created the most wonderful place, the most magical place, he stressed. All the appeal for us is because of the realization of their vision, so, we dont have significant changes to make. The way the inn is run, the graciousness and hospitality, the beautiful space theyve created, its our privilege to pick up on that well-blazed trail and continue the path forward. The visceral response everyone has being here is because of what theyve created.

We are walking into a pristine, well-built, well-loved, beautiful creative environment, Smith added. As Tom Werman noted, I feel good about handing them a robust business, with all of next summers weddings booked already.

For the last words, Suky Werman, choking back tears, wanted it known that we love this community; we feel very lucky to have moved here, and everything about it continues to be a great place to live.
WILLIAMSTOWN  Days before he faces a possible firing, a Williamstown police sergeant is again accusing the town of bias and retaliation, portraying himself as a whistleblower who received unjust treatment by local officials before and after he brought a federal lawsuit last year.

Sgt. Scott E. McGowan filed a complaint Tuesday with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. The six-page document discloses that McGowan, who has been on a paid administrative leave since March 1, would face a disciplinary hearing at 2 p.m. Thursday.

That hearing on a possible job termination, his attorney said in a statement Wednesday, is retaliation in violation of state and federal anti-discrimination laws and the Massachusetts Whistleblower Act.

Williamstown must face its real issues with discrimination and retaliation, and not just respond by shooting the messenger, the MCAD complaint says.

Charles T. Blanchard, Williamstowns interim town manager, declined to comment on McGowans filing.

McGowan plans to exercise his right to have Thursdays virtual hearing be open to the public, according to his attorney, David A. Russcol. In an email to The Eagle, Russcol said his client intends to defend against the charges vigorously. McGowan has been a full-time officer since 2002.

A sign of change? Williamstown protesters call for more police accountability amid allegations WILLIAMSTOWN  "Is there anybody from the Williamstown PD that would dare to take up the mantle," Bilal Ansari asked before a crowd of protesters Friday evening, "to take up this sign and put 

Thursdays hearing was to be the culmination of an effort by Williamstown officials to examine allegations against McGowan contained in a letter signed by all rank-and-file members of the Williamstown Police Department. The hearing is taking place on the same day that two finalists to become the towns next manager will be meeting staff and community residents, a day before their candidate interviews Friday morning.

The MCAD complaint claims that the towns investigation has been part of an unfair and biased disciplinary process.

In a statement, Russcol said the town refused to provide McGowan with the names of witnesses, alleged victims, and relevant documents so that Sgt. McGowan can reasonably respond to the allegations against him.

Almost two years ago, McGowan filed an earlier MCAD complaint alleging that he faced workplace discrimination. That was withdrawn before he filed a U.S. District Court lawsuit in August 2020. Both contained allegations of misconduct by former Police Chief Kyle Johnson. They also painted a picture of racial and sexual harassment within the department, leading to widespread concern among residents about the integrity of local policing.

McGowan dropped the lawsuit in December 2020 after Johnson resigned. McGowans allegations also led to the resignation of former Town Manager Jason Hoch, who was seen by some as failing to inform the Select Board of the earlier MCAD complaint and appearing to protect Johnson.

While police officers chose not to speak out for months about McGowans legal filings, they broke their silence last winter with a letter to town officials alleging that the sergeant himself engaged in some of the discriminatory conduct he decried.

Sergeant filed suit over racist language. Officers say he was prime offender. EAGLE INVESTIGATIONS: Williamstown police officers say Sgt. Scott E. McGowan accused others of conduct he exhibited himself, including open and frequent use of an anti-Black epithet, as well as displays of sexual and racial harassment.

The complaint from officers alleged that McGowan bullied and verbally harassed co-workers, creating a hostile environment that left them reluctant to work with him. It said officers did not have confidence in McGowans ability to perform his assigned work. Since McGowan was made a Sergeant, it says, his abuse of power, narcissistic attitude toward fellow officers, and his bullying are more than any employee should have to endure, the complaint said. McGowan stated in his (lawsuit) that he wants to make this a better Police Department.  In our unanimous opinion, Scott McGowan shouldnt even be a police officer, let alone a sergeant.

Williamstown police officers disciplined for improper database searches WILLIAMSTOWN  The Williamstown Police Department has disciplined three officers for improperly using the states criminal information databas

McGowans new complaint contends that the letter from officers contains bogus and outlandish allegations and that it is a form of retaliation against McGowan. It goes on to disclose that McGowan was the party who exposed improper use by some Williamstown officers of the states Criminal Justice Information Service. McGowan opposed this activity and caused it to be brought to the attention of Acting Chief Michael Ziemba and District Attorney Andrea Harrington, the complaint says.

The new MCAD claims that McGowan dropped the federal lawsuit in the hope that new leadership within the Town would conduct an appropriate investigation.

However, instead of healing and reconciliation, McGowan has been subjected to retaliation by the Town for his actions to expose and address discrimination, retaliation and other wrongdoing within the Department, the MCAD complaint says.

It seeks damages based on what it terms the towns unlawful acts and says McGowan suffered and continues to suffer lost wages and benefits, reduced future career opportunities, reputational harm, and other damages.

By putting McGowan on paid leave in March from his $76,000-a-year job, the complaint says, the town acted disproportionately compared to other employees. It faults the town for not informing him about the reason for his leave.

The complaint says McGowan learned Oct. 6 that he faced a disciplinary hearing to consider whether or not [McGowan] should be terminated .

The filing argues that McGowan should have been provided with more information earlier, noting that while the town received the results of two inquiries into the sergeants conduct in August, he only received a heavily redacted copies of those reports last Friday. This delay was intended to deprive McGowan of the ability to present a full and fair defense at the hearing, the MCAD filing says.

The investigation into McGowans conduct was led by two outside investigators, Judy A. Levenson and Paul LItalien. The reports cost the town about $58,000. Blanchard later hired Worcester attorney Demitrios M. Moschos as a special investigator. Blanchard said in an interview last month that he asked Moschos to determine whether enough evidence has been compiled to fire McGowan.

As of Wednesday, the town had not yet provided information on how the public can gain access to Thursdays disciplinary hearing. The Eagle will post information when it becomes available on how to watch the proceedings.
Cuba Gooding Jr's trial is scheduled to start in Feb. 2022 for his New York City groping case.

According to ABC News, Judge Curtis Farber set the trial date for Feb. 1, which involves the allegations that the 53-year-old violated three different women at three various Manhattan nightclubs in 2018 and 019.

This case has been on my calendar for two years, going on three years, Farber said at a hearing in state court in Manhattan.

The Oscar-winning actor is accused of allegedly pinching one woman's buttocks, squeezing the breast of another, and forcibly touching a woman inappropriately. He was arrested in June 2019 after a 29-year-old woman told police officers that Gooding groped her without her consent at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge near Times Square. He was charged with the other incidents soon after.

Gooding's trial was originally scheduled for April 2020 but was postponed after cases of the coronavirus surged in New York, eventually shutting the state down.
It was his nickname for quite some time, but Kanye West has officially changed his name to Ye.

According to USA Today, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michelle Williams Court gave the rapper the stamp of approval to formally change his name from Kanye Omari West to just Ye.

The "Donda" rapper first filed the petition to change his name in August, citing "personal reasons." His new name will not have a middle name or a last name.

"There being no objections, the petition for change of name is granted, Judge Michelle Williams Court said in court documents.

In 2018, Ye first introduced his moniker to his fans with a tweet on Twitter.

The being formally known as Kanye West, he wrote. I am YE.

His eighth studio album, Ye, was also released the same year. And in an interview with Big Boy, Ye described the religious and historical context of "Ye."

"I believe 'ye' is the most commonly used word in the Bible, and in the Bible, it means 'you,' "West said.
Haitian prime minister, Ariel Henry, was forced to flee a ceremony honoring Haitian founding father Jean-Jacques Dessalines when gunmen rushed the scene firing their weapons.

The attack happened the day after a bus full of American missionaries were kidnapped by gang members in Port-au-Prince. US officials are working with authorities in Haiti to negotiate their release. The kidnappers are demanding $1 million per person -- a total of $17 million to safely set the hostages free, according to CBS News.

The annual ceremony commemorating Dessalines, who led the island nation when it became the first in the Western Hemisphere to abolish slavery, was the first emperor of Haiti. Dessalines was assassinated in 1806.

Allegedly the prime minister and his security could not even reach the location of the celebration because of the gunmen, according to The Guardian. Instead of Henry, kingpin Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier, and his gang members officiated the commemoration ceremony. Cherizier is the head of the G9 gang, a collective of nine Haitian gangs based in Port-au-Prince.

Social media video seems to show Cherizier laying the floral wreath and paying his respects to Dessalines while wearing a white suit and shirt, which is Haitis dress code for officials on national holidays.

On Sunday, several members of Cheriziers gang were seen wearing T-shirts with the picture of former Haitian president Jovenel Moise, who was assassinated in July, with the words Justice for Jovenel emblazoned on them.

The missionaries are from an Ohio-based church organization and authorities believe they were taken hostage by the 400 Mawozo gang. It is unclear if Cherizier, a former police officer, has any connection with them, but he has claimed to be a community leader giving protection from rival gangs, according to a Human Rights Watch report.
An Arizona mother five was reportedly killed while standing at a bus stop and her family is searching for answers as to why.

According to AZ Family, on October 15, Cleopatra Morton was waiting for a bus in west Phoenix when she was fatally shot.

"Someone took her life for no apparent reason," Morton's ex-husband, Kobie Morton, told the publication.

KZAZ reports Phoenix police responded to a call at around 10 p.m., and when they arrived at the scene they found the 45-year-old mother shot. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

No suspects have yet been named and no arrests have been made. Mortons family is reeling from the sudden loss and dont know what to do.

"She always made us laugh," Morton's stepson, Kobie Morton, told AZFamily. "That is what I will miss most about her."

Mortons family has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for her funeral.
President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order on Tuesday (Oct. 19) that seeks to begin the necessary work to address and eliminate the racial disparities in U.S. education and, as a result, provide economic opportunity. The administration has directed a working group made up of senior officers across government agencies to study and to implement best practices that will improve education and ultimately financial outcomes for Black Americans.

The Order is titled the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans, and its a comprehensive plan that addresses issues from educational access for 3 and 4-year-olds to Black students at HBCUs as well as those attending other post-secondary, trade and vocational schools.

The Biden order specifically names persistent racial and systemic injustices'' as a root cause for why Black students are often steered into the poorest schools with least advancements. Subsequently, this lack of educational opportunities has often left those children, once grown, fewer and less lucrative career opportunities.

Recognizing this, the executive order describes using internships, apprenticeships, and partnerships with private sector companies to expose Black students to careers and fields in which they are typically underrepresented. There are also plans to highlight education and training that will allow Black students to enter STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields.

As Americans struggle to resume some sense of normalcy after 18 months of COVID lockdowns, the nations economy is on track to decline $16 trillion from lost productivity and business according to a study from the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The presidents order states that the pandemic is a large part of the need to improve the status quo saying, In order for our Nation to equitably recover from the COVID-19 crisis, and to ensure that every Black person in America has a fair shot at the American dream, we must advance equity and excellence in public education and access to economic opportunities.

In addition, factors outside the classroom including eliminating discriminatory enrollment, housing, transportation, and other policies that lead to racial and socioeconomic issues will also be studied and addressed by the working group.

What will the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity do exactly for Black Americans?

To advance equity in our nation's schools and to promote the economic opportunity that follows for Black students, families in communities by focusing on certain policy goals. First, there must be a general understanding of the educational challenges faced by Black students, increasing Black students' access to early childhood programs and services that promote healthy learning, addressing this mistreatment of Black students especially in special education, improving data collection related to Black students and ensuring that all Black students have access to excellent teachers and school leaders through positive engagement with them and their families.

How will the Initiative lead to jobs?

The Initiative will monitor and support the development of Black students with the help of federal coordination and funding around educational, workforce, research and business development policies and programs. There will be established programs with work-based learning, entrepreneurship, financial education, and mentorship to help empower Black students to further economic stability.

Since taking office in January, the Biden-Harris Administration has spent the past 10 months working to address the lasting impacts of systemic racism on Black communities.

Here are just some of the areas in which the Administration claimed successes to benefit Black people from a White House fact sheet called, "The Biden-Harris Administration Advances Equity and Opportunity for Black People and Communities Across the Country."

Finances

 Providing Immediate Relief to Black People and Families through the American Rescue Plan. The ARP provides cash relief directly to low- and middle-income Americans, and is projected to cut the Black child poverty rate by more than 50% this year and has already cut Black child poverty by 40.1%, lifting some 420,000 Black children out of poverty between June and July alone.

 Leveraging Federal Procurement to Narrow the Racial Wealth Gap for Black Entrepreneurs and Families. President Biden directed agencies to use federal purchasing power to grow federal contracting with small disadvantaged businesses, including Black-owned businesses, by 50%, translating to an additional $100 billion over five years.

 Extending a Lifeline to Struggling Small Businesses. The American Rescue Plan provided emergency grants, lending, and investment to hard-hit small businesses

Homes and Land

 Helping Black Americans Stay in their Homes. President Bidens American Rescue Plan has helped Americans stay in their homes by providing emergency aid to cover back rent. In addition, the ARP helps struggling homeowners catch up with their mortgage payments and utility costs through the Homeowners Assistance Fund. And, it provided additional funding for families and individuals who are recovering from or at risk of homelessness.

 Assisting Black Land Owners in Resolving Title Issues. An estimated 60% of Black owned land in the South is heirs property that has historically made owners ineligible for USDA programs, including lending. In July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rolled out the Heirs Property Relending Program which provides funds to assist heirs in resolving ownership and succession issues on farmland with multiple owners.

Police and Justice Reform

 Chokehold Ban. In September, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a ban on use of chokeholds and carotid restraints except where deadly force is necessary

 New restrictions on no-knock warrants. Implementing reforms for federal law enforcement administratively that the President had called on Congress to enact nationwide through the George Floyd Justice in Police Act.

 Restoring the Use of Consent Decrees to End Systemic Police Misconduct. The DOJ rescinded guidance from the previous Administration curtailing the use of consent decrees to reform police departments with a pattern or practice of discrimination and misconduct.

 Improving Prosecutorial Guidance to Prevent Unduly Harsh Sentencing. The DOJ withdrew guidance issued in the previous Administration that required prosecutors to always charge the harshest sentences, replacing it with guidance that restored discretion to make decisions about charging, plea agreements, and advocacy at sentencing based on an individualized assessment of relevant facts.

 Addressing Police Misconduct. The President strongly supports the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. He is disappointed that legislation has not yet reached his desk, and he will not wait to advance meaningful police reform through executive action.

 Executive Order Limiting Use of Private Prisons. The President ordered DOJ not to renew contracts for privately-operated criminal detention facilities, covering the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS). When completed, this will result in up to 14,000 people in BOP custody and 10,000 people in USMS custody being moved out of private prisons.

 Support for Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Programs. Black boys and young men ages 15-34 make up 2% of the population but are 37% of homicide victims, and homicide is the leading cause of death for Black men under the age of 45. Until this Administration, however, CVI programs like violence interrupters and hospital-based programs, which are demonstrated to reduce violence by up to 60%, have been badly underfunded.

Voting Rights

 Support for Voting Rights. President Biden has called for Congress to enact the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act, which would together set national standards that make it easier to vote, and deliver new tools to prevent voting discrimination.

Improving Health Outcomes for Black Communities

 Lowering Health Care Costs. Millions of lower- and middle-income Black families enrolled in health insurance marketplaces saw their premiums lowered or eliminated as a result of the ARP. Nationwide, existing consumers saved an average of $67 per person per month on their premiums. These monthly savings were even higher in 20 states and the District of Columbia where existing consumers saved, on average, over $75 per month.

- Millions of uninsured Americans gained coverage during the Administrations 2021 Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Of those newly signing up for HealthCare.gov coverage who attested to race or ethnicity, 15% were Black Americans, up over 60% from 2019.

-In April, President Biden issued the first ever Presidential Proclamation on Black Maternal Health Week, calling on all Americans to recognize the importance of addressing the crisis of Black maternal mortality and morbidity. In addition, the Presidents FY 22 budget request includes more than $200 million to bolster Maternal Mortality Review Committees, implement implicit bias training for health care providers, and create State pregnancy medical home programs, among other actions.

 Ensuring an Equitable Pandemic Response. Nationwide, Black people have died from COVID-19 at 1.4 times the rate of White people. The ARP provided $160 billion for the vaccines, tests, personal protective equipment, and public health workforce needed to address the spread of COVID-19, an investment that is helping to drive down racial disparities in prevention and care. Due to the ARP and the Presidents other investments in equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine, multiple studies show that the gap in COVID vaccination rates in Black Americans compared to Whites and Latinos has closed.
Wisconsin has a Black incarceration rate that is the highest in the nation and twice as high as the national average, according to a new report.

Last week, The Sentencing Project, a Washington, D.C.-based research organization that advocates for the reduction of incarceration in the U.S., released the report, which also revealed that one in 36 African American adults in the state are currently in prison. By comparison, the study also says that nationwide, one in 81 Black adults per 100,000 is serving time in a state prison.

Despite Black people making up only 6 percent of the states population, they make up 42 percent of Wisconsins prison population and are incarcerated at 12 times the rate of white people, the report finds.

Additionally, Latino individuals are jailed at more than twice the rate of white people in Wisconsin, which is also more than the national average of 1.3 Latino people for every white person.

Clarence Nicholas, president of Milwaukees NAACP chapter says the numbers reflect centuries of systemic racism which has created disadvantages in housing, education, employment and more. He also said he was disheartened but not surprised, by the reports findings, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

The statistics arent surprising, but they continue to be deeply troubling, Adam Plotkin, a legislative liaison for the State Public Defender Office, told the newspaper Weve known that Wisconsin is a leader in racial disparities within the criminal justice system for at least 20 years now.

The report finds that twelve states have prison populations that are more than half Black, including Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
A Black Texas police officer has multiple damaged organs following a shooting at a bar on Saturday (October 16) that left another deputy dead.

According to KHOU-TV, Harris County Constable Precinct 4 Deputy Darryl Garrett has undergone several surgeries in order for doctors to remove bullet fragments that damaged some of his organs. Lajah Richardson, the 28-year-olds fiancee says hell need a kidney transplant following having his gallbladder removed.

Garrett was responding to a possible robbery in the parking lot outside of a bar with fellow Deputy Kareem Atkins. KHOU reports that the pair were attempting to arrest a suspect when a second suspect appeared and opened fire with an assault rifle, striking both officers.

A third officer, Jaqaim Barten, 26, heard the shots and rushed to help but was immediately shot and immobilized.

"They were telling him he had to leave from the establishment and it just went left from there. He got upset," Richardson told the news station.

Atkins, 30, died from the gunshot wound. He had recently returned from paternity leave and had served at the precinct since January 2019. He leaves behind his wife and child.

Because Garrett is in critical condition, Richardson says she hasnt told him one of his best friends is dead and doesnt know how shes going to tell him.

"They call each other brothers. They do everything together," Richardson said.

Richardson describes Atkins as a great officer, friend and husband, and explained the difficulty of no longer having him around.

"He is a hardworking man. Took care of his family. He made sure if you need anything he was coming through for you, she said. Everyone loved him he had no problems with nobody.

As for Barthen, Richardson says hes in stable condition and remains in the hospital.
President Joe Biden praised retired Gen. Colin Powell as a close friend and as a national leader during his storied military career, joining others who have served in the White House in remembering him after his death Monday at age 84 of COVID-19 complications.

Colin embodied the highest ideals of both warrior and diplomat. He was committed to our nations strength and security above all, Biden said in a White House statement released Monday. Having fought in wars, he understood better than anyone that military might alone was not enough to maintain our peace and prosperity. From his front-seat view of history, advising presidents and shaping our nations policies, Colin led with his personal commitment to the democratic values that make our country strong.

He announced that flags would be flown at half-staff at the White House and other federal buildings in Powells honor.

RELATED: Retired Gen. Colin Powell Publicly Supports Joe Biden At 2020 DNC

President Barack Obama joined Biden in remembering Powells contributions and legacy during his career.

Everyone who worked with General Powell appreciated his clarity of thought, insistence on seeing all sides, and ability to execute. And although hed be the first to acknowledge that he didnt get every call right, his actions reflected what he believed was best for America and the people he served, Obama said in a statement.

Powell, a four-star military general, was known best for his leadership in 1991s Operation Desert Storm when the U.S. military invaded Kuwait to liberate it from Iraqi forces and for his role as U.S. Secretary of State during the George W. Bush administration. After learning of his passing, Bush also remembered Powells service and dedication to his country.

Many presidents relied on General Powells counsel and experience, Bush wrote in a statement. He was such a favorite of presidents that he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- twice. He was highly respected at home and abroad. And most important, Colin was a friend and a family man.
If you were born after say, 1995 and are not particularly keen on 20th century U.S. history, Gen. Colin Powell might be something of a floating question mark to you  a name that dominated headlines at the beginning of your week but seems a touch unfamiliar. You know youve heard the name before, but you arent sure where and in what context.

But if you have any reverence at all for the history that Barack Obama made as our first Black president, youd be entirely remiss not to at least appreciate Powell, who died early Monday morning of complications from COVID-19 at 84. Born in New York City in 1937 and raised in the Bronx as a first-generation Jamaican-American, Powells story is a case study in the resolve of immigrants who come to America and revel in the dream within its borders.

Powells curriculum vitae is a smorgasbord of historical firsts: He was the first Black U.S. Secretary of State, a position he held from 2001 to 2005. He was the first Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, under presidents Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush. He was the countrys first Black National Security Advisor, under President Ronald Reagan, during which he was instrumental in bringing to an end the Cold War with Russia. He was the only the second Black person to serve as a four-star general in the U.S. Army. He was one of only two to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice.

RELATED: 5 Most Memorable Events From Colin Powells Distinguished Career



He accomplished all of this in an historically conservative (read: racist) U.S. Army. Powell was first commissioned in 1958  just a decade after President Harry Truman desegregated the Army  and spent decades moving up the literal ranks; it would be 41 years into his career (which included two tours in the Vietnam War) before he would become general. Powell had a hand in nearly every U.S. military conflict in the latter half of the 20th Century, and actually served as an architect of several, including the Persian Gulf War in the early 1990s and the United States Invasion of Panama in 1989.

Unfortunately, the career blemish Powell wore until his death was the speech he delivered to the United Nations on February 2003, in which he justified the need to take down Iraqi despot Saddam Hussein with the now-infamous claim of weapons of mass destruction. We know now that there were none of those to be found in Iraq, but that it led to a protracted, maligned war that officially ended in 2011 but whose cascading effects have resulted in unrest in the region that persists to this day.

RELATED: Gen. Colin Powell: Biden, Obama, Others Remember His Longtime Leadership and Friendship

Powell himself called the defense of the war and subsequent speech a blot on his record. Hes not to be completely absolved of that blame, but many conveniently forget that there were many cooks in the kitchen with the Iraq War, including Presiden George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (a trio many would consider the true "Axis of Evil"). There are also members of Congress  many of whom are still comfy in their gigs collecting checks  and, yes, even the press.

But Powell was the face  the Black face  that many use as a photo at the center of the Iraq War dartboard to this day. Take a look for yourselfthere are as many headlines about Powell and the Iraq War as there are about his actual death.

As Powell was a dyed-in-the-wool military man, anyone with a beef with American imperialism, wars with specious provenance or the blood of young soldiers and innocent civilians on our hands could pick a worse target than him. However, to be a leader in the U.S. Government is to have blood on your hands. Full stop. Obama included.

If thats the metric with which you wish to measure Powell, I wont argue. However, I choose to remember him as an exceptional leader who was the first to accomplish a great many things thought unimaginable for a Black man when he accomplished them.
Spearfish, SD (57783)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. High 51F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early followed by a mixture of light rain and snow overnight. Low 34F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precip 50%.
Local immigration leaders on Thursday called for Idahos Republican leadership to work on immigration reform, citing a need for national policy and local policy, including their campaign to pass driver authorization card legislation in the state.

Driver authorization cards allow undocumented persons to drive legally in the U.S., access driver training courses and purchase insurance. Sen. Jim Guthrie, R-McCammon, in February introduced S.B. 1132, which aimed to create a driver authorization card; despite drawing strong support from an array of Idaho interests, ranging from agriculture and business groups to the Roman Catholic Diocese, the bill died in committee.

At least 60,000 people in Idaho live in a household with at least one undocumented person, according to Thursdays press conference. Half are U.S. citizens and 23,000 are children.

Both Democrats and Republicans have promised a lot in terms of immigration reform and have failed to pass legislation, PODER of Idaho Executive Director Estefania Mondragon said. PODER  Protecting our Dreams and Empowering Resilience  is an organization dedicated to supporting Latino and undocumented communities in the state, according to its website.

If we had Democratic leadership we would be calling on them too, Mondragon said.

PODER of Idaho is calling for the states Republican representatives and senators to vote in favor of immigration reforms that include a pathway to citizenship.

The Idaho Republican Party stands for secure borders so that immigrants may enter our country legally and safely, Idaho Republican Party Chairman Tom Luna said in an emailed statement. However, before we can make any meaningful progress on immigration reform we must first secure our southern border!

The press conference was a kick-off event for the PODER Action Squad, a new group of immigrants rights activists, and a series of meetings the group will host with community leaders in an effort to build a coalition for immigration reform.

One of the speakers was from Immigrant Justice Idaho, which is a group that offers free and low-cost legal services and education regarding immigration law and policy.

The economy depends on immigrant labor, Mondragon added, and did so especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Idaho, she said, agriculture and construction run on immigrant labor.

The last time there was comprehensive immigration reform was over 30 years ago, she said, while a Republican was president.

Were forced to come here and again, remind Republicans of their legacy, said Maria Andrade, executive director of Immigrant Justice Idaho. It has saddened me to see how far and how long ago we once had rational policy.

Andrade echoed the other speakers remarks and asked Republicans to lead, saying they were uniquely qualified to talk about Idahos needs with their colleagues.

She said it was not helpful to follow political whims, falling prey to hyperbole and myth and to go down to the border on (an) allegedly trumped-up idea that there (are) only people that are criminals.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little recently went to the U.S.-Mexico border with several other Republican governors to survey the situation and propose solutions. Little previously said Idaho had been experiencing an increase in drug overdoses, which he attributed to drugs coming over the border from Mexico.

PODER of Idaho also worked on a campaign called Manejando Sin Miedo or Driving Without Fear. The group worked with a bipartisan coalition, Mondragon said, in their effort to get drivers licenses for undocumented people. Mondragon said the group is hoping to build relationships with law enforcement, which opposed the initial effort.

Mondragon said the legislation will make the roads safer.

Ultimately we didnt have enough to push the legislation forward so were hoping to continue building those relationships, Mondragon said. Were also calling on House and Senate leadership to reconsider.
REED CITY  Reed City school board members approved a proposal this week to continue the district's study abroad program for 2023.

During a meeting on Monday, one student and staff member highlighted the importance of continuing to provide students with the opportunity to travel abroad.

Tracy Kooiker-Koopman, a teacher and reading specialist at RCAPS, has been working with fellow teacher Kristina Wray to put together a trip for students set for 2023.

Koopman said her own experience in high school traveling abroad opened her eyes to the education that overseas travel can bring to students.

I grew up in Reed City and I always knew the city inside and out, Koopman said. Until I was in high school and I was offered an opportunity to be an exchange student in Brazil. When I went, I basically knew nothing other than that their language was Portuguese, and that the country was in South America. I came away from that trip with the experience of realizing that when you go to other places in the world, it's so much more than the language.

You learn about their food, their customs, and how they greet and treat people, and I just came away from it with a zest for traveling and learning about other cultures, she added. Fast forward five years, and Katrina asked me to be partners in this program that offers our students and families a chance to travel abroad. So of course, I was absolutely all in, and weve been working hard on getting things set.

During the meeting, Koopman explained the 2023 trip will take students to Amsterdam, Belgium, London and Paris. The trip will invite students as well as any of their family members who are interested in attending.

Some of the highlights would be visiting the Anne Frank house, various villages in the Netherlands, cathedrals, and finally to London and onto Paris to see some destinations there.

Koopman said that due to the pandemic, some trips were pushed back, but they have worked with a company for the 2023 trip with which the price will be a flat rate.

Every year we take students, but of course with COVID-19 we have had some delays, but we take them to another part of the world and allow them to experience the language and the culture, Koopman said. The biggest plus with this is that people come back changed and weve had students who say that travel experience is the ultimate best time that theyve had in their life. Theyve told me it changes who they are and how they look at the world.

Koopman invited RCAPS senior student Brady Sunderland to speak at the meeting on his experience going overseas with the program in 2018.

During the trip, Sunderland and 48 others traveled to Spain, England, and France over a multiple-day trip, many days taking trains throughout the country.

When we visited the Eiffel Tower in Paris that was really cool, because you kind of forget that those places are real and people are there every day, and not always a small picture on a screen or in a book, Sunderland said. To see it actually in front of you is something so different, and we saw so many cool things each place we went. We also did a lot of things that were for fun that we paid extra for that were really exciting.

This trip impacted each person involved, from not knowing what to expect to a stomach bug that some of us ended up getting, a lost passport, and countless new interactions that were unexpected, he added. Every student and person involved was grateful for the opportunity we were given that summer. It was a wonderful experience that Im sure we all wish that every student at RCAPS will have the opportunity to take advantage of.

Koopman said they are in the process of finalizing the details of the trip for 2023 and are looking forward to seeing all of the students and family members who decide to join for the travel adventure.

Were looking forward to another good group for our next trip and are happy well be able to provide new memories to a whole new set of people, Koopman said. This program really does change lives and were looking forward to continuing RCAPS being able to do so.
Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com The stats are grim. About half of American workers are currently earning less than $30,000 a year. Median income in America peaked in 1999. In 2015, median income is more than a thousand dollars below the 1999 level. Incredible. In the seven years President Obama has been in office, the median income has fallen. So obviously the American economy is not good - no matter how politicians try to spin it. Enter Hillary Clinton, who defined herself politically in September then contradicted herself yesterday: HILLARY CLINTON: "You know, I get accused of being kind of moderate and center. I plead guilty." ((EDIT)) CHRIS MATTHEWS, MSNBC HOST: "What's the difference between a socialist and a Democrat? Last question." CLINTON: "Well, I can tell you what I am. I am a progressive Democrat. I am a progressive Democrat ..." MATTHEWS: "How is that different than a socialist?" CLINTON: "... who likes to get things done and who believes that we're better off in this country when we're trying to solve problems together, getting people to work together." Obviously Hillary Clinton dodged the question about socialism. But I can tell you this - she is not a socialist. Everybody knows the Clintons live very well with two lavish homes, private jet flights and an enormous income stream. Speeches and the Clinton Foundation afford Bill and Hillary an affluent lifestyle which they embrace. Meantime Mrs. Clinton's competition, Bernie Sanders, really is a hardcore socialist. He does not live high. He walks the walk. Unfortunately, the walk is lame. Socialism does not work and Sanders, promoting a guaranteed income for all Americans, is living on a planet far, far away. The Democrats should listen to their icon John F. Kennedy: State of the Union Address, January 11, 1962 JOHN F. KENNEDY: "To help those least fortunate of all, I am recommending a new public welfare program, stressing services instead of support, rehabilitation instead of relief, and training for useful work instead of prolonged dependency." What President Kennedy espoused was government help in helping yourself. Not handouts. Not socialism. Not progressive politics. The truth is that Hillary Clinton is masquerading as a far left person so Sanders will not embarrass her in Iowa and New Hampshire. However, by doing so, she loses credibility. How would Hillary Clinton improve the economy? Nobody knows. And the economy definitely needs to be improved. A new study by Bankrate.com surveyed 1,000 American adults. Sixty-three percent say they are unable to handle a $500.00 car repair or a $1,000.00 emergency hospital room bill. And according to the Pew Organization, 59% of American households experienced a financial shock in 2014. It is clear many American homes are living week-to-week - an extremely dangerous situation. There comes a point, and Talking Points has said this before, when people get the government they deserve. Terrorism and the economy are the two big issues in this year's presidential election. Hillary Clinton is a lock for the Democrat nomination and says she is now a progressive Democrat. But she's not. And that's the memo.
Helps in diagnosing chest CT images for finding COVID-19 pneumonia

Fujifilm India has joined hands with Bengaluru-based Sakra World Hospital in diagnosing the possibility of COVID-19 pneumonia among patients with the help of new AI-enabled software.

The association has been borne out of Fujifilm Indias campaign 'COVID-19 Pneumonia Image Analysis Program' which helps in diagnosing chest CT images by offering characteristic image findings of COVID-19 pneumonia across three stages.



The technology automatically analyses the chest CT images and displays the results which assist doctors in diagnosing COVID-19 pneumonia and ultimately saving human lives. Additionally, SYNAPSE 3D, a workstation system visualises and analyses high-precision 3D images from tomographic images such as CT and MRI by utilising Fujifilm Indias image recognition technology.



Koji Wada, MD, Fujifilm India said, With our new technology, we aim to reduce the burden on the healthcare workers who have been at the forefront in the fight against Covid.



Yuichi Nagano, MD, Sakra World Hospital said,  With this new AI technology, we hope to empower our healthcare workers in fighting such complications. We thank Fujifilm India for joining hands with us and empowering the Indian healthcare infrastructure with innovations.
The School of Advertising invites industry to their 2021 student showcase

The AAA School of Advertising is calling on the industry to come and celebrate its 2021 graduates at its fun-filled annual student showcase. The prestigious event will take place on 26 November, at both their Cape Town and Joburg campuses and will showcase work by graduating art directors, designers, copywriters, and marketers.Having successfully navigated another year of restrictions, AAA is happy and proud to be hosting a face-to-face showcase event in 2021. The event will be synchronised across their two beautiful campuses and will be open to the industry for a period of four hours between 17h00 and 22h00 on the day. Refreshing drinks and snacks will be served.Guests are required to book their free ticket via Quicket on or before 12 November 2021.Rene Dinkoanyane (Group Marketing Manager)011 781 2771/2/3
The IAB's 31st and second to last episode of the year takes place tomorrow, 21 October and will be led by the IAB SA Digital Influencer Committee, who provide an organising structure to enable the discussions and development of guidelines, best practice and benchmarking for digital influencer marketing in South Africa.

What is the key theme or message of your talk or role on the panel?

Talk us through some of the key insights that determined which changes, updates, constants will be happening in the digital advertising industry in 2021  specifically on digital influencer marketing.

What one main call to action would you advise your fellow industry colleagues at this time (in context of your talk) to help companies who are looking to beat the benchmark in digital influencer marketing and create great work (teams, processes etc) that exceeds business goals?

Share one key learning from 2021 that you have personally (or professionally) taken on board, that you believe will assist others to navigate the future of work as we (are getting to) know it.

Expect to look at case studies across the digital influencer marketing opportunity and hear from the Digital Influencer Marketing Committee on the latest definitions and guidelines. Speakers include IAB Insights host, Tshegofatso Phetlhe, Creative Director VMLY&R and IAB SA Youth Action Council Member; IAB SA Digital Influencer Committee Chair Stephane Rogovsky, CEO of R-Squared Agency; Ryan Feeke-Fortune, Head of Brand Strategy at Ad Dynamo; and Brian Muguto, Chief Strategic Officer at Mediacom.Here, they tell us what theyre going to be discussing and what more to expectTo introduce the work on definitions produced by IAB Digital Influencer Marketing Committee and provide clarity to the audience about terms, categories and tiers.Its not what you know, its who you know. The key message of my talk will be focused on the power of influential voices on Twitter and key learnings when it comes to successful collaboration with influencers and digital content creators.My role on the panel mirrors the role that I play as a member of the Digital Influencer Marketing Committee. That is, to provide the media agency POV, to ensure were considering every potential or pain point and/or gap in understanding, as we attempt to build a sustainable definition and practice of digital influencer marketing in South Africa and beyond.More integration with other components from the media mix. Influencer marketing is still often worked in isolation and not entirely integrated into media strategies. Therefore, its touchpoint and the resonance produced are often uncoordinated with other marketing efforts, but this seems to change as the industry matures and marketers understand it better.Marketers will keep increasing interest in highly authentic influencers who genuinely resonate with their audience and not only as a media with a captive audience.The move towards longer-term partnerships between influencers increased in 2021 as brands realised the value of a real affiliation over short-term inconsistent endorsements.Content creators are publishers. Theyre actively creating content for their community and your strategy needs to align with your brand purpose, influencer community passions and your message. Thats where the magic happens.Collaboration yields impact. Influence should not be confused for brand ambassadorship. Influencers are your ticket into popular culture and conversation. They change and shape culture.Whilst it may not apply to every citizen, working from home (and the lockdown generally) has certainly accelerated adoption of digital devices and expanded the type of digital use cases were seeing per individual, e.g. more people streaming content, more people shopping online, etc.There is a growing popularity in independent content creators  people that actually look just like me and you  producing higher quality content and drawing credible audiences that essentially put them as creators in a position of influence. It means that the landscape for brand partnerships is evolving and the micro- and macro-tiers of influence are taking on a more significant role than before.With this, brands are having to re-evaluate how they identify and work with influencers. Were seeing brands leaning into building partnerships that contribute to connecting with specific communities, on the specific platforms where they are living out their passions/interests. This also means brands are having to take a more tailored approach to communication and/or engagement programmes, that address the strengths of each (digital/social) platform and leverages the strengths of the creators who are winning in those environments. Less copy and pasting of content across platforms.From an e-commerce POV, beyond the big players, we also have a unique informal e-commerce sector thats driven by social media shop-windows, customer service through messaging platforms like WhatsApp, and transactions that leverage mobile money services. This gives a whole new meaning to social commerce and how brands can work with influencers to get their products in peoples hands.Together, the influencers' tiers and categories provide a powerful tool to assess the fit and value of each influencer in a campaign. Using this tool will allow brands and influencers to build more meaningful partnerships and achieve better performances.True influence is about leveraging authenticity.At MediaCom, weve proven through data that brands that more closely marry media and creativity drive greater relevance to consumers and up to four times more growth. Whilst weve always been systems thinkers, we are changing the structure of our business to ensure that creativity is brought further forward in our approach to planning. Where relevant, the same should apply to digital influencer marketing, i.e. identify a clear role for it based on the business challenge youre trying to solve and plan for it with the same robustness as the other elements of your communication system, with clear objectives and measurable KPIs.Influencer Marketing is not a temporary trend and is here to stay as consumers increasingly look for human recommendations and connections from people they like and trust to make purchasing decisions. Integrating influencers content in paid or programmatic campaigns perfectly complements these mechanisms, brings personal messages to the paid-media world, and enhances performances.How to live with presence, break the tyranny of productivity and learn to see our everyday wonderland.One thing Ive noticed is that as brand custodians working virtually, our agency banners and individual titles are no longer as visible to our clients and/or between us as colleagues as they used to be. The best work that Ive seen emerging over the course of the year has been from scenarios where clients and agency partners have been able to shed egos, discard silo-thinking, and work together to build truly integrated solutions. Its been exciting to even see clients rolling up their sleeves and showing up as part of the team. For me this gives a glimpse into the kind of agile collaboration that the future of work will be built on.The IAB SA has taken its Insight Series online to provide 60 minutes of insights, featuring fellow and future industry leaders, on subjects selected by IAB members and the industry at large to make better digital decisions. Episode 31 is brought to you in partnership with Gumtree, Everlytic, Ornico, and Bizcommunity. The 2021 IAB Insight Series is also approved for 2 CPD points at CMSA-level under marketing, by the Marketing Association of South Africa. To attend this episode on Digital Influencer Marketing on 21 October 2021, you can register for free here . Episode 31 is free and open to the full industry to attend.
According to Wikipedia, "Reputation management refers to the influencing and controlling or concealing of an individual's or group's reputation. Originally a public relations term, the growth of the internet and social media, led to growth of reputation management companies, made search results can make core part of an individual's or group's reputation."

Palesa Madumo, CEO of Vuma Reputation Management

How would you describe your organisation?

How did you find yourself in the PR industry?

What role does PR play in advertising awards and Integrated Marketing categories?

Does PR contribute and promote advertising agency rankings and brand reputation?

In the world of business, how can PR be used effectively to influence and ensure that purpose-driven and society building brand stories reach the right audiences?

What qualities or qualifications would you recommend for aspirant newcomers to the industry?

Could you share any future trends or predictions for the PR industry?

Palesa Madumo, the CEO of Vuma Reputation Management, strongly disagrees with a major part of this definition. A reputation cannot ever be truly controlled or concealed, she said. Yes, it can be influenced, but at the heart of that is building trust with your stakeholders to achieve a specific, usually positive behavioural intention.We spoke with her to find out more about the role of PR in business, and what it takes to be successful in PR work...Vuma Reputation Management is a reputation and brand management company that provides public relations, training, stakeholder management and crisis and communication services as part of a holistic approach to reputation management.Some of our services include content and strategy development, media relations, digital intelligence, crisis preparedness, simulation and management and brand development.I am a trained journalist, however, the entrepreneurial bug bit as soon as I graduated, and I started a youth-owned, female-owned and led company called Short Left Advertising with two other graduates. After four years in operation, we called it quits to live a little, as we were still quite young. What that meant for me was travelling to and living in London for two years. It was there that my interest in PR began in my role as a consultant for Brand South Africa UK. My journey in this industry has come full circle in the traditional sense of a career - in my current role as owner and chief executive at Vuma Reputation Management - but its also only the beginning of the next phase of my life.This strange division between PR and advertising doesnt always serve the creative industry as a whole, particularly on the African continent, where so much more unity is required for growth and transformation to happen. Yes, the services are different and serve different purposes, one is paid for, one is earned, however, pulling in different directions too much of the time prevents that natural collaboration that exists between the two disciplines from happening and what should be a natural role by each, in each.The one thing that is important to remember, is that awards measure excellence therefore, it shouldnt matter whether that is in advertising or PR, it is excellence that should always be rewarded.This is an interesting thought, and my first instinct would be to say yes. Often, both disciplines service the same clients or brands, meaning one piece of work from one discipline could attract the attention of the same audience and influence how a brand is perceived, contributing to consumer and overall stakeholder loyalty, confidence, and trust. Both disciplines benefit from this exercise being successful, therefore to an extent, both may influence each others industry rankings.There are three things that I think need the world of PR needs right now:Every piece of information has various touchpoints, regardless of the audience its intended for. And even when the intended recipient is reached, they usually form part of a bigger community  the buying power of children in households is a good example of this.Love has a way of creating real impact. We know this from a personal perspective, but we tend to ignore it in business. If there is one thing Covid-19 has taught me is to focus on self-love, love for others and love for what I do, whatever it may be. A brand story driven by love means greater attention to detail, the deliberate lack of assumption and meaningful communication crafted with a bigger purpose in mind.I have started mentioning wellness in most of my communication with my team and my clients. Ive discovered that it helps to dispel the stigma sometimes associated with issues such as mental illness for example. It tends to relax the room and provide a platform for honest engagement. In my view, wellness, particularly now with Covid trauma, is such an important part of what we do within a stressful industry such as ours. This contributes to better brand stories and a holistic bigger picture for teams and the brands the service.We added a line under role requirements in our job specs that says: University of Life - If youve spent your life thus far on a positive hustle that speaks directly to this job spec, then you go ahead and throw your hat in oh and, much respect! This is something that I am personally very passionate about living in an unequal society such as South Africa. I believe there are geniuses walking amongst us that simply lack access and are therefore unable to participate in formal workspaces and importantly, earn a living from it.So, I would say there are three things required from aspirant industry newcomers:A firm interest in reading and writing is what I like to call PR bread and butter. Both those interests will benefit and position anyone for growth in PR and reputation management.The bread and butter leads to better information gathering, understanding and daily exposure to industry trends that are always useful in connecting the dots when developing strategy  a core function of reputation management.Again, this attribute of love goes a long way in easing the stress of what can be a very taxing and fast-paced environment such as ours. When one is driven by much more than just earning a salary, its better for everyone.This is not only an important matter for individuals, but a critical function for leadership within the industry as we move towards a post-Covid-19 era. Aside from the death toll, the pandemic has triggered significant emotional, physical, and economic problems being coined Post-Covid Stress Disorder by doctors. This is going to affect the output of teams and the communication campaigns they create. Dealing with it will require openness and a tailored approach to individuals, brands and campaigns as the entire global population will be affected in various ways.This should be the mantra of every business as we head into an even more complex communication landscape filled with over-consumption, disinformation, and disinformation about disinformation. Working towards your brands positive reputation will require an inwardly facing strategy that if done correctly, and proactively, will ensure a positive behavioural intention from your stakeholders. This is not an overnight exercise, but one that when done consistently, will provide opportunity and prosperity.I always say we are already living in the future. This simply means that communicators are going to have to work even harder to keep up with and make the correct recommendations on audience consumption as we will begin to see even more platforms appear as the world becomes even smaller because of the internet. An important aspect of this is that we will need to create more genuine experiences for at-home audiences, something that even post-Covid is here to stay.
Source: Supplied

Source: Supplied

How is Soko District aiming to do retail differently?

What are the key features of the space?

How would you describe the brands that you aim to attract into Soko District?

How does Soko District make it easier for smaller brands to enter the shopping mall space

What are the main factors that informed the design of the Soko District space?

Since the first district launched in Rosebank earlier this year, hows business been, particularly in light of the ongoing pandemic?

What is the typical process a brand would go through from the point of expressing interest in opening a store in the district to the moment they begin trading?

How do you think South Africas shopping centres need to evolve to entice more shoppers to physical retailer and keep them visiting repeatedly?

Are there plans to open more districts, and where?

Soko District is guided by the principle of 'regenerative retail', and takes its name from the Swahili word for 'market'. Thus, the concept is meant to present a marketplace that champions locally-designed, artisanal goods across fashion, food, homeware and more.For many of the brands currently forming part of the concept, the district marks their first step into physical retail after operating solely online. Historically, the shopping mall space has been difficult for small entrepreneur-led brands to operate in profitably, due to high rental costs and rigid leases. Soko District aims to make it more accessible by offering flexible leases through a digital platform and giving brands the ability to create a store with a smaller budget.Soko District works differently from Egg in Cavendish , because all the stores within the district are individually owned and run, simply operating within a leased space. These retailers, therefore, remain custodians of their own brands.Signing an agreement or lease as a retailer with Soko District means the district takes care of the shopfittings and all the associated services and maintenance that come with managing a physical space. Essentially, Soko offers the platform and the hardware, while the retailers employ their own salespeople, add their merchandise to the shopfitting solution, and operate their own point of sale.Soko District provides a flexible physical space with modular, rentable shopfittings manufactured in solid wood, steel glass, and granite with interchangeable finishes. All components are 100% reusable.Rosebank Mall is just the beginning. Soko District founders Chris Truter, Cobus Truter, Ricardo Rocha, Jeanine Rocha and Hanre Truter have their eyes peeled for expansion opportunities, with a view to open districts in additional locations that house a customised tenant mix that appeals to the local customers.Here, head of space Hanre Truter tells us more about more about the vision behind Soko District.Sokos brand promise is to enable regenerative retail. By not being a shop or a store, but rather a platform, we have set out to: Connect the maker to the community Help brands go global Match-make brands to landlords/property owners and communities Offer an integrated pricing algorithm/calculator Offer modular, original and rentable shopfittingEach Soko District should be unique and relevant to its community. By leaving the existing architecture in place the structure is able to tell its own story. Therefore the key features of each district will be different. However, Soko District in Rosebank mall has bragging rights with its everchanging town hall (a feature that can also be experienced via our virtual tour), the expansive shopfront is also quite unexpected but very impressive.Our curation is focused on local artisanal brands that want to scale and expand while delivering on their unique brand promise in order to connect with their customers in a better way. Furthermore, each district has its 'own' tenant mix relevant to the customer demand.By providing and validating the right physical location, whilst minimising financial risk and initial capital outlay at the same time.It all started with a design guide and our design principles. Our design principles are derived from our company guiding principles.Our design principles are the following: Focus on the retail experience Ensure organic fluidity between the blueprint and footprint Universal hardware/shopfitting designed with local heritage and custom character details Manufacturing and material uses should be part of our conscious ecosystemTo launch any kind of business at this time is quite brave. Kudos to the ones that have done the same!Covid has had different effects on people in general. There are a few current trends and predictions in terms of customer behaviour when it comes to spending, but we rely on the fact that there will always be a demand for physical retail, and if the experience is great that customers will return.Brands can register on our platform. Once curated they will be notified and can start 'playing' with the pricing calculator. The next steps would be to choose their space, choose their shopfitting, book a store design and review session and ultimately sign their lease.We take care of the shopfitting building process and the rest of the onboarding functions like setting up point of sale, etc. Easy hey?It is all about providing a good customer experience. It is no longer about just filling vacant space but being service-orientated towards the retailer.Yes! We are exploring new opportunities all the time within traditional and non-traditional retail spaces.
Our Trailblazer is SAs youngest active female doctor - Dr Thakgalo Thibela



We bring you an overview on Transport that meets the public's needs



Fast-tracking Women & Youth in Agriculture: Hon. Bongi Sithole-Moloi commits to sustaining the agrarian revolution in SA



A look into the upcoming local government elections on 1 November 2021



Get certified with governments latest launch of the Digital Vaccine Certificate

Our Regional Focus zooms in on Limpopo, and the Financial Fitness regular feature looks at the economic recovery in South Africa and which sectors are leading the way. World Hospice and Palliative Care Days are highlighted, as is the International Day of Rural Women. In Other News we take a look at SAs PinkDrive - Leading the call to combat cancer in SA.In his letter to the country this week - From the Desk of the Presidency - our president focused on climate change and the steps we are taking as a country towards a just transition to a low carbon economy. His Excellency has declared Monday, 1 November 2021, a public holiday so that we will all be able to get to the ballot boxes - and earlier this month he extended his warmest congratulations to our icon, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who celebrated his 90th birthday.It is a busy month for our public sector leaders, with H.E. Ramaphosa attending the inaugural Vooma Vaccination Campaign activation, at the DH Williams Hall. His Excellency delivered the eulogy at the official funeral of Deputy Minister Prof. Hlengiwe Mkhize, and was on site to assess the development of infrastructure at the Msikaba Bridge, Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape.Whether you are in the public sector, the private sector, supply chain or an interested individual,has something for you.We hope you enjoy the read!Keep your finger on the pulse! To stay in the loop on all current affairs, check out the latest edition of thepublication on Issuu, here For enquiries , regarding being profiled or showcased in the next edition of thepublication, please set up a appointment with our national project manager, Emlyn Dunn, here
Khensani Nobanda, Nedbank group executive: Group Marketing and Corporate Affairs is the 2021 Loeries Marketing Leadership and Innovation Award winner.

Khensani Nobanda

Introduced in 2007, the Award recognises individual excellence in brand communication over an extended period. The Loeries Committee selected Nobanda from a shortlist of high-flying marketers who demonstrated individual and brand success, both in the market and at the Loeries over the past few years.A delighted Nobanda reflects on an aspiration fulfilled: I remember sitting at the 2007 Loeries watching Fred Withers win the award for his work at Exclusive Books and thinking: I want to win this award one day. When Preetesh Sewraj, Loeries CEO told me, I could not process it. It is no small thing. I have dreamt of winning it for so long that my response was a dazed: 'Sorry, whaaat? Since I could not tell anyone, I sat down alone at a restaurant to reflect on how fortunate I have been.A child of Africa, Nobandas father is a native of Soweto, in Johannesburg, and was part of Umkhonto weSizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress, during the struggle against apartheid. Her mother is half Swazi and half Portuguese, and Nobanda herself grew up in Swaziland, Mozambique, Zambia and Ghana, but is simultaneously a proud South African.She became Nedbanks executive head of Group Marketing in September 2017 and was promoted to her current role (and the Nedbank Group Exco) in May 2018. Her career of more than twenty years in brand communication saw her starting out as an assistant brand manager at Unilever, where she eventually rose to head up the Skin Category in Africa, the Middle East and Turkey. Then followed leadership and executive roles in Diageo, South African Breweries and Vodacom, before joining Nedbank.She attributes part of her success, in the last few years, to mentorship from past and current bosses who have moulded her into an impactful marketing leader, to her marketing team at Nedbank as well as her current agency, Joe Public. She also reflects on the value of Nedbanks foresight of not seeing marketing as an indecent proposal.Khensani is a brave marketer who deeply understands the impact of creative excellence, says Loeries CEO, Preetesh Sewraj, She is a deserving recipient of the 15th Loeries Marketing Leadership and Innovation Award and her record of creative leadership will undoubtedly inspire another generation of brave marketers.Nobanda believes that marketers have the ability to understand consumer behaviours. We know how to influence those behaviours. Accountants can tell you the numbers, but ultimately a large part of the growth of the bank is down to how the marketing team tells the story of our brand and its offerings and how this impacts consumers choices.
Senior WordPress Developer

Remuneration: market-related Location: Johannesburg, Craighall Park Remote work: Not Applicable Job level: Mid/Senior Type: Permanent Reference: ##VMWD Company: Vetro Media

Job description

Clients we love working with (and have a good relationship with)

Brands, services and products we believe in

Clients we feel we can really add value to

Design of website collateral, including mock ups, web layouts and wireframes and implementation after sign off

New build and changes to existing WordPress websites, including management of version control

Problem solving any issues that arise from new and existing builds of websites

Monthly maintenance of WordPress sites.

Installation of plug-ins and Google tracking codes.

Interpreting briefs and client requirements.

Requirements

Comfortable building and maintaining WordPress websites

Must be able to install Google tracking codes into websites

Existing knowledge on how to optimise a WordPress website for Search Engines

Solid working knowledge of SEO optimisation

Working knowledge of technical SEO use

Ability to design web layouts and wireframes

Well-versed in front-end WordPress theme customization

Using plugins to extend a site's functionality

Understand database management and migration

Familiar with responsive design principles and implementation of responsive best practices for building mobile-friendly websites

Coding Skills required, PHP Javascript / Jquery CSS  Flexbox SASS HTML/ HTML5/ CSS3

Have a good understanding of UI/UX design

Carry out final functional tests to ensure quality is maintained

Ability to research emerging technologies and identify new techniques

Company Description

We are looking for ato join the development team of a fast-growing, hugely ambitious agency headquartered here in Craighall, Johannesburg.Vetro is a growth agency working primarily in digital, with plans and ambitions that see us expanding our presence globally.For all of our work, the end goal is always to create positive ROI for our clients. We help them grow.We partner with our clients. We dont just provide services, which is why its important the clients are the right fit for us, and us for them. We get involved from beginning to end so for us its important to bring on the right clients that fit our business, the way we work and that we feel we can offer them real value.Our clients (new and old) all fit the following mould:We believe that when were a good fit for our clients and likewise them for us, it makes for a better alignment and better output of work and ultimately the results. We work as both a retained agency and also as a campaign agency.We are looking for a talented WordPress website developer with an eye for design, a high problem solving skillset and the technical skills to match. You must have at least two years experience in WordPress website development and are able to create responsive WordPress themes from scratch. You will be responsible for the build of new and existing WordPress sites across the dev team, including monthly maintenance plans and clients briefs. This role requires a high level of attention to detail and pixel perfect precision.We are a ground-breaking digital company re-imagining what the world believes to be mobile & digital marketing. Our team is comprised of a bunch of overachieving perfectionists who will stop at nothing to deliver only the best and nothing less. Posted on 20 Oct 12:04, Closing date 19 Dec
A woman who claims she was sex trafficked from Costa Rica to the United States says she was victimized by the very people who were supposed to help her the local police.

The plaintiff, who filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Eastern Virginia under the pseudonym Jane Doe, alleges that in 2010 she was approached by a woman who suggested she travel to the U.S. to work as an escorta job she says was described as going on dates and attending lavish events with wealthy men. She claims she was not told she would be required to perform sexual acts.

She flew to Virginia on a ticket purchased by her new employer in October 2010 and was allegedly driven to an apartment in Fairfax, Virginia, where she met her new boss, Hazel Marie Sanchez Cerdas. The plaintiff claims Sanchez told her that she would not be going on dates with men, but instead would be having sex with themand that she knew where her family was and would have them harmed if she did not comply.

The plaintiff claims she was forced to have sex with several men per day for four and a half years, and that all of the proceeds went to Sanchez or her husband.

By reason of her fear of harm to her family in Costa Rica, Jane Doe was coerced into providing commercial sex, beginning the very day of her arrival in Virginia, the lawsuit states.

The suit also claims that local police officers were complicit in protecting the trafficking ring from authorities, in exchange for sexual services. It alleged that two Fairfax County police officers alerted Sanchez when the department would be doing sex trafficking stings and tipped her off about when they would be searching sites like Backpage.com and Eros.com, where she allegedly advertised her services. In exchange, the suit states, Sanchez made Jane Doe available to them for sexual services gratis.

In April 2015, the plaintiff says, she seized the opportunity to escape and went to law enforcement. In 2019, Sanchez was charged withand eventually pleaded guilty tofelony charges related to sex trafficking and was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Multiple women who spoke to the FBI in that case recounted similar stories of being lured to the U.S. by Sanchezs associates under false pretenses, arriving in Virginia only to be told that they had to provide sexual services for money, according to an arrest affidavit. Often, Sanchez coerced them into staying by threatening their families abroad. One woman was required to let a customer spit in her face, and another insert a bottle into her vagina.

According to the lawsuit, the criminal case was later transferred to the FBIs Public Corruption Division, where the plaintiff believes the police officers allegedly involved were investigated for their involvement in the trafficking ring. However, the plaintiff says she has not been able to obtain information about the outcome of that investigation from the FBI, and the Fairfax County Police Department has refused to identify the officers involved.

The police department and FBI did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Bloomer, WI (54724)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 28F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
What's Included

With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 814-368-3173 or email nfinnerty@oleantimesherald.com.
Advertisement Advertise With Us

The Manitoba Law Court building is shown in downtown Winnipeg, Monday, Aug. 18, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

WINNIPEG - A Manitoba pastor accused of openly violating COVID-19 public health orders has been arrested.

RCMP said officers arrested Tobias Tissen on an outstanding warrant for contravening public health orders during a traffic stop in Steinbach, 60 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg, on Monday.

Tissen is a pastor at the Church of God Restoration in the Rural Municipality of Hanover.

He has spoken at anti-restriction protests and held church services in defiance of public health orders put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19.

"This arrest is an egregious violation of his constitutional rights. Canada is on a dangerous path," the Church of God Restoration said in an emailed statement.

A video of the arrest was posted on a social media account under Tissen's name. In it, Tissen is asked to step out of his car due to the outstanding warrant. In the video, a couple bystanders tell Tissen to be strong.

Tissen and his church have been fined numerous times for violating the restrictions. The pastor posted on social media in May that he was told an arrest warrant had been issued for him.

In a video posted on Rebel News last week, Tissen said Manitoba police were not eager to arrest him.

"This whole court system makes me laugh because it's turning out to be more and more of a joke," he said in the video.

Pastor Henry Hildebrandt, who is with the Church of God Restoration in Aylmer, Ont., posted a video on social media in response to Tissen's arrest saying it was a "shame on Canada."

He sent a message to police adding, "today it's the pastors, tomorrow it's you."

Tissen is also part of a court challenge by seven Manitoba churches fighting the province's public health restrictions.

Throughout the pandemic, there have been times when Manitoba's health orders restricted worship services. A significant surge of infections in the second wave clogged hospitals and prompted all in-person and drive-in services to be banned.

Restrictions have been loosened significantly in Manitoba since the spring, as cases of COVID-19 dropped and there was less pressure on the health-care system.

Currently, places of worship have to choose between requiring people to be vaccinated or restricting in-person attendance to 33 per cent capacity or 25 people  whichever is more.

The seven churches, represented by the Calgary-based Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, argued in court in May that the restrictions were unjustified violations of charter-protected freedoms.

"We have no authority scripturally based and based on Christian convictions to limit anyone from coming to hear the word of God," Tissen told court at the time.

He said it was "God's jurisdiction."

The decision over the constitutionality of public health orders is expected later this week.

There have been attempts by churches across the country to quash COVID-19 restrictions on religious gatherings. Controversial Alberta pastor Artur Pawlowski has also been arrested more than once for breaking rules.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2021.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said places of worship that restrict attendance are limited to 33 per cent capacity or 25 people  whichever is less.
A former Brandonite has been elected the first woman mayor of Calgary.

Advertisement Advertise With Us

SUBMITTED Former Brandon resident Jyoti Gondek has been elected Calgarys first woman mayor.

A former Brandonite has been elected the first woman mayor of Calgary.

Jyoti Gondek was named mayor of Calgary Monday after defeating 26 challengers for the role with 174,649 votes, accounting for 45 per cent of all ballots cast.

Gondek originally hails from London, England, but has close ties to Manitoba. Her family moved to Winnipeg in 1973 and relocated to Neepawa in 1977 before settling in Brandon in 1981.

"I was just really excited by the amount of support that was shown to me from my friends who still live in Brandon or the ones that relocated here," Gondek said.

Gondek attended Vincent Massey for her junior high and high school years, before later attending the University of British Columbia and the University of Manitoba.

She was living in Winnipeg in 1996 when she married her husband, Todd. They soon moved to Wainwright, Alta. and Calgary a year later.

"Its been interesting to live in and visit different cities and really understand which ones got city building right and which ones were really struggling with it," Gondek said. "Its an interesting contrast between places like Winnipeg and Calgary, where one has a very healthy art scene and maybe more of a depressed economy, whereas Calgary was booming but it just didnt have that art and creative sector that Winnipeg did."

Gondek first debated entering the political sphere in 2007 but shied away from the role because it did not feel like the right fit at the time.

She went on to volunteer on a municipal campaign, and the experience helped her embrace the idea of city-building and the role she could play in helping shape Calgarys future.

Gondek returned to school to earn a degree in urban sociology and was a consultant in the field for many years  her work inspired her to enter the political field.

"It just dawned on me that Ive been trying to influence change from the outside, and maybe it was time to get a seat at the table instead," Gondek said.

She was elected City of Calgary Ward 3 Councillor in 2017.

It has been an exciting experience coming from Manitoba, she said, because she appreciates the role strong local connections play in the process of city-building.

"Most people dont say theyre from Calgary; theyll tell you which neighbourhood or which community in Calgary theyre from. I found that to be very much like growing up in the small towns that I had been in," Gondek said. "Theres a very strong co-op network here as well. It just feels like a series of connected communities."

She was compelled to run for mayor in the 2021 municipal election because she felt it was important to serve as a strong voice for resident safety and security during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We as a city have been fighting for the last 18 months for the public health interest of our citizens in the face of a [provincial] government that wasnt willing to act to mitigate the pandemic," Gondek said. "Were going to need to continue having advocates at the local level, and I felt it was important to be that person."

The City of Calgary faces a challenging future due to both the pandemic and fluctuating oil prices, she said. It marks a time for Calgary to shift its focus, offering leadership in transitioning the economy and embracing its role as an energy production leader.

"We fell away from that and started focusing on the output being oil and gas. Lets get focussed again on how we create processes, whether its energy production or food security  but lets use innovation and technology to make those processes more sustainable and greener and cleaner," Gondek said. "Thats the kind of meaningful work that people really want to do, and thats what attracts talent here."

As part of this growth, she said, council will be working to create a more robust arts and creative sector in Calgary.

"We need to get back and connect with the arts and creative sector, as well as our businesses community to see how we can activate those spaces in a different way that draws people in so they can live here, they can work here and they can really touch some really great things," Gondek said.

Calgary was able to enjoy the oil and gas sector really propping up its creative and art scene, she said. When the money was flowing it provided pivotal philanthropy, but this affected investments made by the municipality.

Calgary now sits in a space where it is playing catch-up to grow arts and culture in the city and keeping up with other major metropolitan areas.

"Winnipeg has always made investments into the ballet, into the symphony, into the theatre, and we just need to keep up with that," Gondek said.

She added a new stream of revenue is being created in the economy with the tech sector and organizations practising social good while choosing Calgary as their home base. There is a need to keep playing to that strength, the idea of corporate resilience and reflecting the meaningful work people want to do in the city.

"I really hope that what we can continue to do is attract capital to our city. We, for example, made a $45-million investment in office to residential conversions in our downtown vacant areas," Gondek said. "That program is already fully subscribed, which demonstrates that once we invest in ourselves, others are willing to do the same  any time we are going to be expending capital as a city, we need to look for matching dollars."

 ckemp@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp
Matt Damon initiated the film after reading critic and historian Eric Jagers book about a charge of rape brought in 1387 by Lady Marguerite de Carrouges, the wife of Jean de Carrouges, a knight who fought for the French king, Charles VI, during the Hundred Years War against England. The man she accuses is Jacques Le Gris, once her husbands squire and friend, now a powerful adviser to their liege lord, Pierre dAlencon.

At the age of 83, hes conjured up enough energy and clout to deliver a two-and-a-half hour medieval epic that plunges you deeply  and uncomfortably - into the life of 14th-century France and its conflicts and customs at home and abroad. Its a film set amid grey skies, cold stone and even colder hearts  a place where standards of right and wrong are set by a church full of woman-haters. There is music, but its hard to hear above the clanking of armour, the clashing of swords and the chiding of the clergy.

Ridley Scott launched himself as a director in 1977 when his first film, The Duellists, was awarded a prize at Cannes. The title of his new film, The Last Duel, might suggest hes thinking of bringing his remarkable career to an end. But theres nothing retiring about Scott.

At the first hearing, dAlencon takes Le Gris part, dismissing the charge. But Marguerite (Killing Eves Jodie Comer) persists and the case goes to trial before the countrys senior churchmen who decree that it will be decided by a duel. Carrouges and Le Gris will fight a joust to the death and if Carrouges is killed, Marguerite, too, will die, branded a false accuser.

The screenplay is co-written by Damon, who plays Carrouges, and Ben Affleck, cast as dAlencon, in collaboration with the writer-director Nicole Holofcener. And its divided into three chapters arranged in a Rashomon-like form to take in the same series of events from three different points of view. First comes Carrouges story, followed by Le Gris, and finally, we hear from Marguerite, whose version was written by Holofcener.

Loading

Its a clever, if cumbersome, idea that lends itself to a certain amount of repetition and theres not much light amid the shades of grey colouring the moral landscape Scott lays out. At one edge is Damon, wearing a network of battle scars on one cheek and a relentlessly grim expression as the hot-tempered Carrouges, a seasoned soldier who spends a lot of time in his gloomy castle, waiting to go back to war. Hes out of favour at court because of his rough manner and the many grudges he bears from his simmering feud with the dandified dAlencon, who has decided hes no fun to have around.

Affleck, who has gone blond for the role, gives us a self-satisfied party boy for all eras. Most of his energy is concentrated after dark when he sends his pregnant wife off to bed so that he can stage yet another orgy with her delinquent ladies-in-waiting.
In 1998, when he was just 17 years old, Daniel MacPherson packed up his life and drove from Sydney to Melbourne. Discovered on a beach, the teenager had been offered an 18-month contract to appear on Neighbours. MacPherson had never acted  and I had no idea how to do it, he adds  but the teen figured this could be a fun gap year that might earn him what he wanted most: a 1964 EH Holden station wagon.

It was this novelty 18 months where I would do this acting thing, MacPherson says. It was only a couple of years later where I was still on Neighbours but doing pantomime in the UK that I realised, Im enjoying this, Ill see how far this acting ride will take me.

Earlier this year, standing on the side of a windswept volcano in the Atlantic Oceans Canary Islands, surrounded by 300 cast and extras in full costume and a sizeable international crew, Macpherson realised just how far that acting ride had taken him. The 41-year-old was playing a major role in the first season of Foundation, AppleTV+s adaptation of Isaac Asimovs canonised science-fiction novel. The actor was in a different universe to Ramsay Street.

Daniel MacPhersons first role was Neighbours spunk Joel Samuels in 1998. Credit:Who Weekly

In terms of scale and size, its definitely the biggest job Ive worked on. I loved it, but it would have been mind-blowing to 17-year-old Daniel, MacPherson says. The artistry that went into creating these worlds is incredible. To work at the highest level, everything from scripts to production design to visual effects to costume design, is an absolute gift.
At Loch & Key in Melbournes CBD, there was a line of about a dozen people out the front at 1am after the bustling bar reached its full capacity.

Inside, the atmosphere was electric; bartenders were stoked to be back pouring cocktails, and young people were ecstatic to be out drinking them.

Susie was glad that, once again, Melbournes CBD was starting to feel like it was among the best cities in the world.

Susie (left) and her friend Stephanie celebrate after midnight. Credit:Cassandra Morgan

They are my local and they were opening so I thought Im gonna spend a little money and give them the service [that they need], she said.

We all know that people come to Melbourne to socialise - its the place to be and Im excited to be out again.

By about 1.40am, some keen punters in the line had been waiting an hour and a half outside to try to get in.

Some said they could be prepared to wait for hours longer.

Owner Paul Scanlan said as a 24-hour licensed venue, Loch & Key was keen to open at midnight. It generally catered to hospitality workers, but not so much on Thursday night.
The slug gate case of I Cook Foods, the Dandenong-based catering company forced to shut down after a gastropod was found on its premises and after a hospital patient who contracted listeriosis died, is heading for the Supreme Court. And a legal big gun has been drafted in.

For those who came late:

I Cook Foods temporarily shut down in February 2019 after Jean Painter, 86, died while a patient at Knox Private Hospital after eating a listeria-infected sandwich.

Legal high-flyer Robert Richter. Credit:Eddie Jim

Brett Sutton, then Victorias acting chief health officer, signed off on the shutdown, saying the infection was linked to sandwiches provided by I Cook Foods. The company later permanently closed its doors after losing contracts.
Some weeks later he wrote a letter as part of his visa proceedings stating he used drugs to help with stomach pains, was disappointed in himself for relapsing, and that he wanted to undergo rehabilitation. A coronial inquest is investigating the death of Sarwan Al Jhelie. On August 29, a GP diagnosed Mr Al Jhelie with ulcerative colitis and recommended a colonoscopy, but he wasnt transferred to Northam Hospital until several days later, after a nurse saw him in pain. He disclosed ongoing intermittent abdominal pain for the past two years. It was noted that Mr Al Jhelie had been booked for a colonoscopy twice in Sydney, but the procedures were cancelled as he had moved to Perth, Ms Collins said. He was discharged for GP follow-up ... there was no documentation about any mental health.

Mr Al Jhelie was still in the process of trying to see a suitably qualified psychiatrist in the hope of reviving his visa challenge when he hung himself the day after being discharged from hospital. The court on Tuesday heard from a former senior Serco security officer who ran Yongah Hill facility the day Mr Al Jhelie died and who escorted him to an on-site pharmacy after he superficially cut his wrists in the hours leading up to his suicide on Sunday, September 2. Dion Goodall blamed consistent short-staffing and undertraining by his company Serco for under-preparing him, and he left it to the two nurses working at the medical dispensary that day to make the assessment over Mr Al Jhelie. Mr Goodall told the court that it had been raised on several occasions that Serco ran very few staff and had ongoing shortages, which had been an issue for many years at Yongah Hill and training was extremely minimal. A riot had also broken out when his security officers found Mr Al Jhelie, so Mr Goodall said he was very busy that day and likely didnt prepare a detailed incident report as part of his handover to the night manager.

He rejected claims from another Serco officer that he brushed aside concerns over Mr Al Jhelies wellbeing earlier that day, saying he went the extra length to speak to the nurses at the pharmacy when a lot of other managers wouldnt have. He also said that irrespective of rules or policies, he would have physically stepped in and ordered 24/7 monitoring of Mr Al Jhelie if he showed any signs crying and banging his head on the wall, which was asserted in court. Yongah Hill Detention Centre in Western Australia. Credit:Hannah Jenkins Sercos lawyer Dan Johnson tried to put it to Mr Goodall that every year there was a refresher course on Psychological Support Programs, and he had completed 40 pages of training programs. But Mr Goodall scoffed that the programs took 10 minutes on a computer, and he didnt get a great deal out of them.

Serco officer Scott Walker, who was with Mr Al Jhelie when he was on his dying breaths, testified that while he retook CPR courses each year he left it to another officer who was an ex-paramedic to perform it. He also said it was common for officers to be told by those on a medical call line which was operated on weekends to seek medical help from nurses on site, and for nurses on site to refer them back to the medical hotline: that happened constantly. The only two nurses working that Sunday had recently been contracted to work at Yongah Hill and they were told that one-on-one clinical meetings with detainees on the weekend were not allowed, with one of the nurses telling the court that she was under pressure to simply keep up with the medication dispensing the afternoon Mr Al Jhelie visited. Mental health nurse Bernadette Paterson said when Mr Al Jhelie was brought to the pharmacy it was for a dressing to his arm. She repeatedly tried to persuade him to speak to her privately away from security about his mental health issues, but he declined. Anybody who has self-harmed will always be a concern, it was very superficial from my understanding and I felt something had triggered that and I wanted it followed up, she told the court.

She told the officer to keep an eye on him and assumed that they had more insight into his social history and would keep him safe. The officers previously told the court they had never had any interaction with Mr Al Jhelie before being alerted to his self-harming. Loading I sensed there was no imminent risk, he wasnt verbalising that he was going to hurt himself, he was actually denying he was going to hurt himself, she said. But Ms Paterson still made a note for a nurse to check in with him the following Monday morning. She also checked his medical records but only found that he had asthma and had suffered an accidental drug overdose and had not meant self harm.

When it was put to her that there were two overdoses referred for mental health checks, and had that information been recorded would it have changed her attempts to speak with Mr Al Jhelie, that day, she replied: Something such as that would have made a difference, definitely. Ms Paterson had worked for years at the Manus Island detention facility where a medical clinic ran seven days a week for 10 hours each day. She said it was very different at Yongah Hill, where the clinic only ran business days and had no mental health team leader, with psychologists and psychiatrists only coming once a fortnight, with consultations sometimes only being by video. Mr Johnson clarified in court that Manus Island housed almost five times the 150 detainees kept at Yongah Hill. It will be up to the corner to decide if the interaction between service providers while in detention was adequate, including if his primary and mental health care was comparable to the public health system provided to the Australian community and if emergency procedures and training were adequate, as well as information and record keeping.
Police want to speak to a man seen running from a stolen van in Wollongong before it was destroyed by a four-car passenger train which was derailed, trapping the driver and leaving others with minor injuries.

The driver, who sustained back injuries, had to be rescued from the front carriage of the northbound train after it detached and overturned as a result of the collision at the West Dapto Road intersection at Kembla Grange station about 4am on Wednesday.

About a dozen people were on the train.

Superintendent Craig Ireland said the Nissan van involved was completely destroyed and police believe it was stolen overnight. It is registered to an address south of the crash, in the Shellharbour suburb of Flinders, and the owner reported the theft to police.
The NSW government has been accused of watering down modern slavery legislation, with new Premier Dominic Perrottet now being lobbied by a host of religious leaders to ensure the landmark reforms are delivered in full.

More than 10 faith leaders wrote to Mr Perrottet on Wednesday outlining concerns the government would strip back key facets of the long-delayed bill, including a requirement for businesses with a turnover of more than $50 million to report the risk of slavery in their supply chains.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet. Credit:Nick Moir

We are concerned that future amendments might include the removal of hard-fought key provisions that ensure the act is effective in combating modern slavery, the letter, seen by the Herald, said.

More than 10 million children around the globe are being exploited and suffering. We can no longer be bystanders to this gross injustice.
A prominent cosmetic surgeon, who has clinics in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, has taken legal action in the Federal Court attempting to prevent the ABCs flagship program 4 Corners from broadcasting a program on him next Monday.

According to his website, Daniel Lanzer is a dermatologist with a personal interest in cosmetic surgery. He also boasts he has pioneered certain liposuction techniques.

Cosmetic surgeon Daniel Lanzer

Lawyers for Dr Lanzer have applied for an interlocutory injunction to stop the ABC from broadcasting the program until the matter can be fully ventilated in court.

The Federal Court was shown graphic footage of operations, including one of Dr Lanzer performing a tummy tuck in which he was seen slicing open a womens abdomen and cutting out the fat.
She said her surgical lists were instead full of public patients, who had been on the waiting list for three years and were booked in for the same procedures that she had cancelled for private patients. It is not as if surgeons are not wanting to help the public sector, but it shouldnt be a complete punishment if youre a privately insured patient, she said. What the government has done is move the problem from the public sector to the private sector. Some of these privately insured patients are more severe cases but they are getting pushed to the back of the line. It is not morally right. Ms Morris said staff at private hospitals had been sent emails outlining that private patients with non-urgent category two and three surgeries booked in should not be admitted.

Category two surgeries are procedures that need to happen within 90 days and that can cause significant pain or disability but are unlikely to escalate to an emergency. This could be something like a standard heart valve replacement. Category three surgeries in the public system include procedures such as hysterectomies and hip and knee replacements. Public patients appear to have been excluded from any of the restraints that have been put on, so right now youre actually being actively discriminated against if youre a privately insured patient in Victoria, Ms Morris said. Im having to ring up my patients and say I cant do your surgery and they say Oh, but I really need it done, Im in such terrible pain.

Orthopaedic surgeon Rodney Richardson said a similar four-month pause on elective surgery last year led to several of his privately insured patients deteriorating to the point where they required wheelchairs or high doses of narcotics to deal with their pain. Theres no question, our public waiting list has blown out enormously and those patients absolutely need to be done, said Mr Richardson, who operates on patients in both public and private hospitals. But the restrictions on private patients are just cruel. They dont make any sense. Ive got severely unwell private patients being told they cannot have their surgery. He said most public patients waiting for joint replacements were defined as category three, but many were in such significant pain they were more suited to category two.

Mr Richardson, who specialises in hip and knee replacements, said he had been forced to escalate a privately insured patient who needed urgent surgery that week, after being told they could not be operated on in a private hospital. The amount of effort that is now required to get a private patient into a private hospital is just enormous, he said. Weve got to argue vehemently for private patients to get a spot. Mr Richardson said judgments on patients should be made on clinical grounds and not be determined by whether a patient was public or private. I completely agree with the idea of protecting the system so if we get inundated with COVID cases we can manage it, he said. But why do we have to cancel day case procedures that are in and out the same day and take no hospital beds?

While the agreement means surgeons operating privately take a blow to their income, senior health sources also believed it was lucrative for private hospitals because they received a financial incentive to help ease some of states elective surgery load. The Age has sought details of these private hospital funding agreement, but the states health department did not provide it. However, it is part of a national agreement where Victoria and the Commonwealth share the costs associated with use of private hospital capacity required for the COVID-19 response. Another Melbourne surgeon told The Age said there were no clear guidelines, which meant there were enormous practice variations and inconsistencies between health services as to which patients were being prioritised for elective surgery. It is ludicrous and unfair for private patients, the orthopaedic surgeon said.

Grattan Institute public health expert Stephen Duckett suspected some public patients were being upgraded and operated on sooner because their condition had greatly deteriorated while they waited years for surgery. Loading He said the pandemic had created a difficult set of circumstances where public patients appeared to be getting prioritised over private patients temporarily because the government had deferred such a huge amount of elective surgeries. In an ideal world you would have equalised waiting lists where people with a similar level of severity get treated equally, but I can see how thats almost impossible to achieve at the moment because the private hospitals have made beds available to the public system to help them catch up, Professor Duckett said. The economist said rates of elective surgery in Australia had always been skewed towards privately insured patients, who made up less of than half of the population, but paid thousands of dollars in fees to guarantee procedures were done within a year.

Chief executive of the Australian Patients Association Stephen Mason said it was his understanding that priority for elective surgery was being based on clinical need. From our feedback, very few private patients are being inconvenienced by public patients being treated in private hospitals, he said. We have advocated for some time now for the Victorian government to use private hospitals for elective surgery to prevent the waiting list from blowing out even further. A Victorian Health Department spokesman said the partnership with the private hospitals was helping to manage demand and prepare for an increase in COVID patients. Elective surgery is always prioritised based on clinical need, he said. This is currently more important than ever. All hospitals have been asked to prioritise those who are most urgent regardless of whether they are a public or private patient.
Weve made a promise, a contract with the people of Victoria. Victorians get vaccinated, well get out of this lockdown and we will ease restrictions, and the moment we get to those triggers is the moment we can announce the easing of restrictions. We will bring it forward as much as we can. The benefit of vaccination is so, so clear for saving lives, broader public health, getting out of lockdown and easing restrictions. State records 2232 new local cases Victoria recorded 2232 new locally acquired cases of coronavirus, a jump from 1841 cases recorded the day before. Three new cases were acquired overseas.

Thursdays daily case tally was the second-highest daily case load recorded in Victoria. On October 14, the state recorded 2297 cases. Victorias Acting Chief Health Officer Ben Cowie said the spike in locally acquired cases was not surprising, following a trend of spikes recorded on Thursdays for the past few weeks that reflects a pickup in infections over the weekends. The state also recorded 12 deaths on Thursday, taking the death toll in Victoria since the beginning of the pandemic to 1005. A total of 79,544 tests results were received and almost 100,000 vaccine doses were administered on Wednesday, including 37,824 at state-run hubs. Mr Cowie said that while there were still high daily case numbers, there would have been tens of thousands more without restrictions.

Mr Merlino announced that 30 vaccination centres across the state would open to walk-up Pfizer appointments, with no booking required, to target areas where vaccination rates are lower - particularly among young people. In the northern suburbs, 10,000 doses are needed to bring the local first dose rate to 85 per cent. About 2000 first doses in Frankton and Dandenong are required to take those areas to 95 per cent. The regional first dose rate is 94 per cent, but there are some pockets  including Cann River, Ensay, Sebastopol, Brim, Mildura, Seymour, Halls Gap, Myrtleford, Omeo and Langford  where more could be done to increase rates, the government said. The government also announced that 20 pop-up mental health services are now open and taking referrals for in-person and telehealth appointments.

Loading Melbourne, Mildura to begin to re-open Mr Merlino said Mildura would also exit lockdown at 11.59pm tonight along with Melbourne, a day earlier than expected. With the vaccination targets reached, from 11.59pm on Thursday in Melbourne, up to 10 guests will be allowed in private homes, up to 20 patrons permitted to dine indoors, the travel limit will be scrapped within metropolitan Melbourne and the citys curfew will end. Hospitality workers will be allowed to leave home after Thursday nights final 9pm curfew to prepare venues that are opening at midnight, but their customers wont be allowed out until after 11.59pm.

The government was forced to clarify the ruling on Wednesday after COVID-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar said the curfew would still apply to bar and restaurant staff, even if their venue was planning to open its doors when Melbournes sixth lockdown ends at 11.59pm. Hours later, a government spokeswoman clarified that was incorrect, confirming hospitality workers would be permitted to leave home between 9pm and midnight to reopen venues. The curfew will still apply to diners and drinkers until midnight. Mr Cowie on Thursday said staff at hairdressers and beauty services would also need to be double vaccinated to work. COVID inspectors to enforce vaccine status of Victorian workers

More than 100 teams of COVID-19 inspectors will use business records to verify the vaccine status of Victorian hospitality workers once fully vaccinated patrons are allowed to return to venues on Friday. We do have more than 100 teams of authorised officers making sure that our pubs and clubs and cafes are doing the right thing, and thats an onus on the employers to make sure patrons and staff are double vaccinated, Mr Merlino said. He said police enforcement will focus on the border between metro Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Youre able to travel around Melbourne, but we still have that restriction in terms of travelling into regional Victoria, he said. However, police union boss Wayne Gatt told radio station 3AW there was some confusion about health directions ahead of the reopening. Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt. Credit:Paul Rovere He said it was difficult to provide advice to members without the written directions, which are normally published on the Department of Health website. We seem to get them [the directions] at the last minute, he said. That does make it very hard for police command. To be fair to them, its hard to provide guidance to your workforce, and its a big workforce, if youre getting them [the directions] at literally the 11th hour.

We will have members coming onto night shift, for example tonight at 11pm. Theyll be wanting answers, and its really hard for Victoria Police to mobilise and to brief them in good time. How they proceed under the Chief Health Officer directions is still a bit of a mystery. Hopefully we find out later today. Mr Gatt said he didnt know whether police would be asked to enforce vaccine mandates, such as rules preventing those who havent had their jabs from attending hospitality venues and beauty services. He acknowledged that businesses would want support to enforce the rules, but added he didnt think that should be the role of police. However, he said if there were breaches of the peace, police had powers to respond.

Loading While police were expecting a busy few days as Melbourne reopened, Mr Gatt said members were also excited to see restrictions lifted. Its heartwarming for our police to be able to watch because theyve ... they had a front-row seat to Victorians in crisis, who have been in a lot of pain and pressure, he said. I know my members will take a lot of reassurance from seeing some smiles on faces because we havent seen them for a little while. With Rachel Eddie, Rachel Clun, Lucy Carroll
The state Nationals MP for the region, Vince Catania, said the efforts from volunteers and businesses just showed the nation the kind of community Carnarvon was. Everyone has put their differences aside and worked together to try and find Cleo and rallied behind the family to provide as much support as one can in this absolutely tragic and distressing time, he said. It leaves many questions and hopefully the police, and everyone who is looking for her, are able to find her. But this does leave a real hole in the heart of everyone who lives in Carnarvon and the Gascoyne. Publican Mem Beard has been at the Port Hotel-Motel on the main drag of Carnarvon since 2004 and said it was fair to say people had been feeling devastated.

Its definitely reflected in the mood [of town] they just want her home, she said. Even with all the heartbreak, people in Carnarvon only feel that they can try and give. The Bakery Plus owner Joseph Nguyen has lived in town for 32 years and has been providing food for the search crews. The Bakery Plus owner Joseph Nguyen has been providing food for searchers and gave a biscuit to Cleo Smith two days before she went missing. Credit:Peter de Kruijff Thats all we can do, he said. The girl is my friend as well, Ive been knowing them for a long time. Ive watched them growing up.

I give the girls a biscuit just before she disappeared myself ... on Thursday morning. The girls come in here with mum ... its so heartbreaking, no good for the town. Jace Kempton was born and bred in Carnarvon and has two young children of his own. He owns a signwriting company and printed corflutes to go up along the highway and more than 500 bumper stickers with pictures of Cleo on them. Rio Tinto wanted to come on board and put up $2000 towards it, he said. Carnarvon Signworks owner and born and bred local Jace Kempton whose business has printed corflutes and bumper stickers to help the search efforts for Cleo Smith. Credit:Peter de Kruijff You wouldnt know what to do if youre in that position, as you can imagine, and we all think about.

The day it first happened I reckon half the town went up to the blowholes to do what they can ... you just sort of feel helpless. Mr Kempton said growing up in Carnarvon, he would never have thought anything like the disappearance would happen. Weve all grown up there camping in the same way, you take it for granted where we live and you never expect something like this, he said. It doesnt change my outlook on WA or this region. Obviously, youll definitely be keeping an extra eye out or eyes over your shoulder.

Boats at the fascine in Carnarvon. Credit:Peter de Kruijff Mr Catania said he thought Cleos disappearance would change the way people thought. Its distressing when you cant find a loved one, but not to be able to find a four-year-old girl just adds to so many questions of how, why, and who is living among us that could take a four-year-old, he said. Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Darryl Gaunt said on Wednesday there was no information to suggest what exactly had happened to the young girl, who has not been seen since 1.30am on Saturday. Later that afternoon, Mid West-Gascoyne Assistant District Officer, Inspector Jon Munday, told media the tent zipper had been opened to a height young Cleo wouldnt have been able to reach, which gave police grave concerns for her safety.

Cleo was last seen at 1.30am in the family tent but was then discovered missing at 6am. She was wearing a pink one-piece outfit with butterflies. The police investigation is still pursuing both a search and criminal probe. The land search around the Blowholes campsite continues with mounted police now traversing a range of hilly terrain running parallel to the coast which overlooks the area. State Emergency Service volunteers have been going back over the same ground in the search area first walked on Saturday. Mr Gaunt told Radio 6PR that the more time that went by, the less chance there was of finding Cleo alive.

Whilst time is not on our side ... there have been instances in the past where even small children lost in remote areas still being found safe and well, he said. Theres been some rain that gives us hope that theres water on the ground, those type of things which, you know, we take all of these things on as a positive, and we keep searching with every bit of energy that we have. In relation to an investigation, that is ongoing, it is being more heavily resourced, we are putting more resources into that area as time goes on. We know the forecast going forward gets worse each day. Mr Gaunt agreed it was strange for a child to walk off in the middle of the night with their sleeping bag, which also has not been found. The circumstances around this [disappearance] were quite unique. The lack of information, the terrain, the weather conditions, the location, all of those things gave us, to be honest, far more questions than we could give answers to from what we know, he said.
Australia needs to double the number of psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health nurses to meet the increased pressure from the pandemic on the already-strained mental health system, with a call to target professionals in other countries to fill the gaps.

Pat McGorry, psychiatrist and co-founder of Australians For Mental Health, said the country needs a dramatic upswing in the scale of training for psychiatrists in particular but also for psychologists and mental health nurses to help cope with the existing demand.

Professor Pat McGorry said we need to get skilled mental health workers into Australia on skilled migrant visas. Credit:Chris Hopkins

Were overrun with people every single day, he said.

In the last two years, calls to mental health support lines have skyrocketed, emergency department presentations for self-harm have risen, and one in five psychologists have been forced to close their books as the pandemic continues to take a toll on the nations mental health.
Australia could face a shortfall of almost 1 million people by 2024 due to the pandemic-induced collapse in migration, but reliance on temporary residents could slow wages growth and hit the nations economic recovery.

Business groups and some economists are concerned skills shortages across the country will weigh on economic growth unless the federal government lifts the cap on migration when the border restrictions ease. However, the Labor Party, Reserve Bank Governor Philip Lowe and unions say too many low-paid temporary migrants could limit the income growth of all workers.

The federal government is considering how to set migration levels following closed borders during the pandemic. Credit:Jason South

This week, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg signalled the government was considering a re-think of migration policy after the pandemic, which contributed to a collapse in immigration numbers.

The country lost a net 96,600 people in 2020-21  the biggest exodus from Australia since World War I. Net overseas migration is expected this year to be minus 77,400 before a recovery next year with an additional 95,900 people.
Labors home affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally met with the head of one of Chinas peak propaganda groups in Australia who has donated thousands of dollars to the Labor Party.

Senator Keneally, who is running in the western Sydney electorate of Fowler at the next election, said she did not know the individuals links to a United Front-backed group before meeting him but did not regret the encounter.

Senior security sources, who were not authorised to speak publicly, said Senator Keneally has received briefings from intelligence agencies on the risk of meeting United Front groups as part of her role on the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.

In a post on Twitter, Senator Keneally said it was great to meet members of the Australian Chinese Teochew Association in Cabramatta last week, adding that Fowler deserves a Govt that is #onyourside.
Trade Minister Dan Tehan warns Australian farmers and miners will be slapped with carbon border taxes and local businesses may not be able to secure finance if Australia doesnt commit to a net zero emissions target by 2050, as his Nationals colleagues debate whether to support the plan.

The European Union has voted to forge ahead with its move to create carbon border tariffs, which could see millions of dollars in tariffs hiked on Australian fossil fuels, metals, beef, wine and lamb exports.

Trade Minister Dan Tehan has warned of new taxes and finance drying up if Australia doesnt commit to net zero. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Mr Tehan warned the cost of borrowing could significantly increase and in some cases access to funding could completely dry up, while protectionist carbon tariffs would be put on Australian exports.

In his first interview since arriving back from a fortnight-long trip through Europe, Mr Tehan also reiterated the governments goal to allow foreign tourists into the country by Christmas and to establish a travel bubble with Singapore before then.
In the past week we have seen NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry advocate for much higher levels of immigration.

State bureaucrats have pushed Perrottet to lobby for an increase in Australias net migration to an unprecedented 400,000 a year for five years. The ACCI is calling for the government to issue 200,000 skilled migrant visas annually. And Frydenberg says Australia needs to rethink its migration targets after losing almost 100,000 people last financial year.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in question time on Monday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Only once in our history has net migration been a little more than 300,000 and that was just before the global financial crisis. I am not suggesting immigration had anything to do with that crisis, but net migration fluctuates with economic conditions, particularly the labour market. While the labour market is weak right now, there are predictions it will bounce back next year.

When John Howard was prime minister, I was responsible for firstly managing Australias immigration intake down, and then increasing it again from about 2001. Oddly enough, I found increasing numbers was more difficult than cutting them.
The Queensland government has committed $7 billion to build 65 trains in Maryborough, creating 800 local jobs and honouring a 2020 election promise.

During the last election campaign we said that we would bring train manufacturing back and this announcement secures it, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said at the announcement in the south-east Queensland city on Wednesday.

The next 65 trains for Queensland will be built in Maryborough.

Initially we were asking for 20 trains to be built. We will now be asking for 65 trains to be built, she said.

The project continues a 150-year history of train building in Maryborough.
Brisbane Airport fears it will lose domestic and international flights to other states because Queensland will be among the last to reopen its borders.

Brisbane Airport Corporations executive general manager of aviation, Jim Parashos, said the Queensland COVID-19 road map released on Monday was much appreciated after months of border closures and restrictions.

Transport Minister Barnaby Joyce says the Commonwealth expects states to reduce barriers to travel as vaccination rates increase. Credit:Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

However, he said, the airport was still at a competitive disadvantage compared with other state hubs, despite Queensland traditionally being a major tourist destination.

Queenslands 80 per cent vaccination target will be reached well after New South Wales and Victoria, with some lingering travel restrictions on the road map, and Mr Parashos said this could see airlines focus on other capital-city routes instead.
Readers are warned the audio with this story contains graphic language

A Victorian opposition video call descended into chaos  and a whole lot of swearing  after some members furiously rejected a shadow ministers promise that the Coalition would not alter the Andrews governments law banning gay conversion therapy.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy. Credit:Chris Hopkins

Coalition MPs complained during Tuesdays joint party room meeting that the decision not to amend the law was made unilaterally by newly appointed equality spokesman James Newbury and Opposition Leader Matthew Guy without the approval of shadow cabinet.

In an interview with The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald last month, Mr Newbury gave an iron-clad guarantee the party would not pursue any changes to the controversial law, prompting fury from his colleagues.
Singapore: Australias attempts to ease south-east Asian anxiety about its submarine ambitions continue to fall short, with Malaysia deeply concerned despite acknowledging the difference between nuclear power and nuclear arms.

The Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam have welcomed the AUKUS pact between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as Australias plans to enhance its military capability with varying degrees of enthusiasm. But Indonesia and Malaysia are fearful its acquisition of nuclear-propelled submarines will ramp up tension and trigger an arms build-up in the region.

Australia plans to acquire the technology for nuclear-powered submarines under the new AUKUS pact with the United States and the United Kingdom. Credit:Getty

It is a view not disputed by Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who on Wednesday said the prospect of other countries seeking to follow Australia and develop their own nuclear-powered submarines cannot be excluded.

The Morrison government has sought to address consternation in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur by sending Vice Admiral David Johnston, the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, to the region for talks but two of Australias most important neighbours are unconvinced.
units of auto companies in resumed operations on Wednesday, a day after most of them shut the plants for a day due to the flash floods and heavy rains. Some of the major manufacturers, including Tata Motors, Bajaj Auto, Ashok Leyland and their suppliers have their bases in the hill state.

As unprecedented rainfall damaged the Himalayan state, drowning houses and people, precipitating floods and washing away bridges, the official death toll climbed over 50 on Wednesday, according to media reports.

Officials at all the aforementioned companies said they closed the plant for a day on Tuesday but resumed operations on Wednesday. They declined to comment on the loss in the production volumes. Suppliers to these manufacturers said the companies will compensate for the production loss in the coming days.

We had shut down for a couple of days and are now back on track, said Rakesh Sharma, executive director, Bajaj Auto's Pantnagar plant makes Discover and a few more models and has a monthly capacity of 150,000 units.

The production has resumed but it would take another week or so before normalcy can be restored fully as the premises remain waterlogged, said an official at a component maker that is a supplier to and other companies that have their factories in the region.

The company will make up for the loss by making the same models at its Waluj plant. Hence there is unlikely to be any production loss, said the supplier cited above. The operations have been impacted. Yesterday the industrial area was closed but today we ran operations with low attendance, said an official at another supplier.

A spokesperson at said the Pantnagar plant was shut on a precautionary basis yesterday and has resumed operations today. makes the Ace among other brands of light commercial vehicles at the unit. It has a capacity to make 1200 vehicles per day and is currently making 650-700 units per day, said a supplier.

Ashok Leyland, which had shut its plant on Tuesday, has also resumed operations, said a company spokesperson.
Good Glamm Group, a leading content-to-commerce conglomerate. has acquired ScoopWhoop, a digital & lifestyle content platform. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

This is the second acquisition by The Good Glamm Group in a month's time. In early October the group acquired baby and mother products brand, The Moms Co, for Rs 500 crore.

has a male audience of over 60 per cent, which paves the group's entry into content-to-commerce for the fast growing male segment. Over the next three years, the Group will invest Rs 500 crore in the mens category.

ScoopWhoops digital assets generate 1 billion monthly impressions and engage over 100 million users. Based in New Delhi, will continue to work as an independent brand and house within Good Glamm Group. Its founders Sattvik Mishra, Rishi Pratim Mukherjee and Sriparna Tikekar will continue leading and will work closely with Darpan Sanghvi, Priyanka Gill and Naiyya Saggi, co-founders of Good Glamm Group.

The men's grooming segment is a $1.5-billion market. The Group is currently building and buying male grooming brands that create best in-class male personal care products and will leverage its content-to-commerce capabilities to launch them online and offline across the country.

Sattvik Mishra, Co-Founder, ScoopWhoop, commented: "At ScoopWhoop were proud that weve built a brand loved by young india for its fun, lifestyle focussed content. Being part of Good Glamm Group gives us the chance to substantially scale up, while becoming a defining force in the content-to-commerce revolution."

With this acquisition, the Good Glamm Group now generates an aggregate of 3.5 billion monthly impressions and has over 150 million unique users through its division, which comprises Indias largest digital media brands including POPxo and ScoopWhoop. Priyanka Gill, Co-Founder, Good Glamm Group, commented: "ScoopWhoop has been the default digital content platform for millions of men. With this acquisition two of Indias largest digital media brands come together to turbocharge our growth as the Good Glamm Group!"

This large user base and reach, along with the Groups proven digital and go-to-market omni-channel capabilities, and its capacity to derive data-driven insights into what consumers want will help all brands in the Group to successfully create, launch and market products in the beauty, skincare, personal care, male grooming and parenting categories.

Darpan Sanghvi, Group Founder & CEO, Good Glamm Group said: "I have been an ardent user and fan of ScoopWhoop for a long time. Its a privilege to have Sattvik, Rishi, Sriparna join the Good Glamm Group family and have ScoopWhoop accelerate the Groups foray into building a content-to-commerce platform for the burgeoning male grooming and personal care segment."


British satellite operator Holdings Ltd said its the first foreign operator to get Indias approval to sell high-speed broadband to planes and shipping vessels.



will access the market via Indian state-owned telecommunications company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, after BSNL received a license from Indias Department of Telecommunications, the London-based company said in a statement Wednesday. A representative for the Indian government didnt immediately respond to a request for comment outside of ordinary business hours.

has struck deals with Indian airline SpiceJet Ltd and the Shipping Corp of India Ltd, Chief Executive Officer Rajeev Suri said in an interview. The operator already offered reliable but low-data L-band services in India. The new license lets it offer much faster 4G-like Ka-band broadband on its GX network.

Millions of Indian consumers and businesses are flooding onto the internet, and businesses are jostling to provide it.

Inmarsats connectivity comes from in geostationary orbit, but it will likely end up competing with new deep-pocketed low-earth orbit satellite rivals like Elon Musks Space Exploration Technologies Corp and Indian telecommunications tycoon Sunil Mittals OneWeb, which beam broadband from much closer to the earth.

Before the aviation sector was hobbled by the pandemic, in-flight broadband was Inmarsats fastest-growing unit. The company was acquired by a private equity consortium for $3.4 billion last year.
Electric on Wednesday said it is on track to hand over within the "specific delivery window" announced earlier and has decided to take final payment for the booked units of its electric scooter S1 after initiating test drives for customers from November 10.

There have been complaints from customers who booked the company's electric about lack of clarity of test drive and delivery schedules after making payments.

The company had earlier said it would begin scooter deliveries from this month. It was supposed to start taking the final payment of S1 and S1 pro from October 18 and begin deliveries from October 25.

It has now decided to ask the customers to make full payment only after taking a test drive thereby raising questions about timely deliveries of the already booked units.

When contacted over the issue, the company said it would honour the delivery schedule.

" Electric has provided a specific delivery window to every customer who has purchased our scooter and we remain on track to deliver the within that window," Electric said in a statement.

The company further said: "We prefer customers to pay the balance amount once they have the opportunity to take a test drive and hence the final payment window is aligned to the test drive dates, starting Nov 10 onwards, which have also been communicated to the customers. We are committed to delivering the scooter within the respective delivery window to every customer."



The company stated that if a customer decided to cancel the booking after the test ride, the entire amount taken would be refunded.

When contacted, a customer who has booked the scooter noted that there was a lack of transparency from the company's side.

"They are saying that deliveries would begin after test drives. But there is a lack of clarity in which cities or towns the test drives will take place. Bookings have come from all over the country so will they conduct test drives all over the nation? If not then there would be a delay in deliveries," the customer noted.

Last month, Ola had stated that the sales of its maiden electric scooter crossed Rs 1,100 crore in two days.

The two e-scooters, Ola S1 and S1 Pro, were unveiled in August this year.

The company had previously stated that it would initially start with a 10 lakh annual production capacity and then scale it up to 20 lakh, in line with market demand, in the first phase.

Ola Electric had claimed that its plant - when fully completed - would have an annual capacity of one crore units, "that is 15 per cent of the world's entire total two-wheeler production".

(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.)
Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.



As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.



Digital Editor
on Wednesday said it has invested Rs 400 crore (about USD 53 million) across four from its maiden equity fund, Trifecta Leaders Fund - I.

The fund has invested in ixigo, Good Glamm Group (MyGlamm), API Holdings (PharmEasy), and Meesho, in line with its strategy to back growth to late-stage category-leading tech companies, a statement said.

The fund was launched in May this year with a target corpus of Rs 1,500 crore (about USD 200 million) and announced its First Close in July.

ixigo is a multi-modal travel platform, while Good Glamm Group is a D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) beauty and personal care company and Meesho is a social-commerce company.

API Holdings (PharmEasy) is an omnichannel healthcare platform spanning medicines, diagnostics, consultation, and information. Pharmeasy is preparing to file a DRHP with Sebi for its upcoming IPO.

"The presence of deep tech talent, a large consumer base, and favorable regulatory changes easing domestic listing of startups has created India's thriving startup and tech ecosystem. With its unique heritage, access, expertise, and relationships in this maturing startup ecosystem, is well-positioned to be a reliable partner of choice for founders of growth to late-stage tech companies," the statement said.

Partner Lavanya Ashok said Trifecta Capital is delighted to partner with these category-defining companies, solving unmet needs of Indian consumers in truly differentiated ways.

"Be it democratising access or broadening choice for the next billion users, our are contributing strongly to the vibrant, tech-powered ecosystem in the country, Ashok added.

As of September 30, 2021, Trifecta has raised over Rs 1,500 crore (about USD 200 million) across two venture debt funds and Rs 1,200 crore (about USD 160 million) in its equity fund. Trifecta Capital recently also launched its third venture debt fund.

Across the venture debt funds, the firm has invested over Rs 2,300 crore (about USD 310 million) in over 85 Its portfolio comprises 20 unicorns (companies with USD 1 billion valuation) and 'soonicorns', including BigBasket, PharmEasy, Cars24, Vedantu, Infra.Market, ShareChat, Dailyhunt, UrbanCompany, CarDekho, BlackBuck, Ninjacart, NoBroker, KreditBee, DeHaat, Turtlemint, Livspace, MobiKwik, ixigo, BharatPe, and others.

(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.)
As the Medical Service Association (AMSA) launched a series of agitational programmes on Tuesday for fulfilment of various demands such as timely promotions, pay-parity and security, the state government held a meeting with the body and assured it of expeditiously resolving the issues.

State Health Minister Keshab Mahanta met the AMSA representatives here on Tuesday evening and discussed the issues raised by the agitating doctors of the government hospitals, an official statement said.

The six-member AMSA delegation, led by its president Nanigopal Saharia and general secretary Kanak Chandra Talukdar, expressed satisfaction at the progress of talks, it said.

Mahanta said the government has already initiated steps for meeting some of their demands such as cadre review, promotions and disparity in pay, and final decisions will be announced soon.

The AMSA delegation expressed satisfaction at the measures intimated by the minister for resolving their demands, the statement said.

An official source said the AMSA is likely to call off its agitation on Wednesday after discussion at its forum regarding the outcome of the meeting with the health minister.

The association had announced a series of strikes in a phased manner from Tuesday during which they would refrain from attending Out Patient Department till their demands were met.

(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.)
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday promised his counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan all support in relief and rehabilitation following loss of lives due to heavy and landslides.

"Spoke to CM @vijayanpinarayi & expressed deep grief over the loss of lives due to heavy & landslides," Bommai tweeted.

He added that he has asked Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar to be in touch with the Chief Secretary for all support in relief and rehabilitation.

Bommai said "our prayers are with Kerala in this hour of crisis."



A total of 39 people had lost their lives and 217 houses had been destroyed in the devastating landslides and flash floods that had occurred in the south-central districts of the state recently, Vijayan said in the Kerala Assembly.

He also said that at least six people were missing and 304 rehabilitation camps were opened after the battered several areas of the state.

(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.)
More than 99 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in India and the government has set a target of vaccinating the country's entire adult population by the end of the year, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharati Pravin Pawar said on Wednesday.

While virtually addressing the FICCI's "Healthcare Excellence Awards ceremony, Pawar informed that under the 'Make in India' initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi India is one of the leading countries in the global medical devices market in the world.

Detailing the success amid challenges posed by COVID-19, the Union minister said, "More than 99 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the country and the government has set a target of vaccinating the country's entire adult population by end of the year."



The minister thanked the dignitaries present at the event and expressed her appreciation for the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) for contributing immensely to the COVID-19 response in close coordination with the Empowered Groups, central and state governments.

Speaking on the occasion, Pawar said a great responsibility lies on us to achieve the Prime Minister's dream of achieving affordable, accessible, safe and modern health care in India. She further said the Government of India launched various nationwide programs for prevention, control and eradication of communicable and non-communicable diseases and improvement of maternal and child health.

The minister highlighted that in working towards the goal of achieving universal health coverage, the government launched the world's largest public funded health care programme, the 'Ayushman Bharat Mission'.

She added that the scheme has been expanded to include the Digital Health Mission that aims to converge the various components of health care ecosystem on one platform for seamless integration and better health outcomes.

Pawar informed that the government has also launched numerous financial support schemes over the past couple of years for creating the appropriate environment for growth as well as augmenting public-private infrastructure of hospitals and public-funded labs across the country.

The National Medical Commission and Paramedical Council have been key achievements in the field of medical education, she said.

The minister also informed that India's health indicators have shown consistent improvement in the past decade. She noted that relentless efforts of the Central government have resulted in launching of various nationwide programs for prevention, control and eradication of communicable and non-communicable diseases and improvement of maternal and child health.

(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.)
Delhi Chief Minister on Wednesday said an order has been issued for giving compensation of Rs 50,000 per hectare to whose crops have been damaged due to untimely rains in the city.

Revenue officials are conducting a survey of the damaged crops and it will be completed within two weeks. The compensation at the rate of Rs 50,000 per hectare will be provided to the within two months, he said in a press briefing.

The CM said the is committed to helping the and it also paid compensation to them in the past at Rs 50,000 per hectare which is the highest in the country.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A special court here on Wednesday refused to grant bail to Aryan Khan, son of superstar Shah Rukh Khan, and two others in connection with the case of seizure of banned drugs on board a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast.

Special Judge V V Patil, designated to hear cases related to the Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, rejected the bail pleas of Aryan Khan, his friend Arbaaz Merchant and fashion model Munmun Dhamecha.

They will now have to approach the Bombay High Court for bail.

When the matter was called out for order in the afternoon, special judge Patil said, "Rejected."

The trio was arrested on October 3 by the Control Bureau (NCB) for alleged conspiracy, possession, consumption, purchase and trafficking of drugs.

and the others have been booked for offences under Sections 8(c), 20(b), 27, 28, 29 and 35 of the NDPS Act.

The trio is presently in judicial custody. While and Merchant are lodged at the Arthur Road prison in Mumbai, Dhamecha is lodged at the Byculla women's prison here.

had in his bail plea said the NCB's contention that he was involved in conspiracy and illicit drug trafficking was absurd, and pointed out that there was no recovery of drugs made from him.

The NCB, however, opposed the bail plea and said Aryan Khan had been consuming drugs for a few years now and was in touch with some persons who appear to be a part of an international drug network for procurement of drugs.

The agency was relying on WhatsApp chats of Aryan Khan, which they claim point towards procurement of bulk quantities of drugs.

The NCB had argued that although there was no recovery from Aryan Khan, the recovery of six grams of Charas from his friend Arbaaz Merchant points to conscious possession by Aryan Khan.

So far, 20 people have been arrested in the case.

(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 reported an 18 per cent decrease in the new COVID-19 cases along with a 13 per cent decline in the number of deaths during the week of October 11 to 17, the has said, highlighting that all the regions globally, except the European Region, reported a fall in new weekly cases of the deadly virus.

The COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update, released by the World Health Organisation on Tuesday, said that with just over 2.7 million new cases and over 46,000 new deaths reported during the week of October 11 to 17, the global number of new cases and deaths remained similar to that of the previous week.

Apart from the European Region, which reported a 7 per cent increase in the number of new weekly cases when compared to the previous week, all the other regions reported declines in new weekly cases.

The update said that the largest decrease in new weekly cases was reported from the African Region (18 per cent), followed by the Western Pacific Region (16 per cent). The African Region also reported the largest decline in weekly deaths (25 per cent) followed by the South-East Asia and Eastern Mediterranean Regions with 19 per cent and 8 per cent declines, respectively.

The cumulative number of confirmed cases reported globally is now over 240 million and the cumulative number of deaths is just under 4.9 million.

The highest numbers of new cases were reported from the United States of America (582,707 new cases; 11 per cent decrease), the United Kingdom (283,756 new cases; 14 per cent increase), Russia (217,322 new cases; 15 per cent increase), Turkey (213,981 new cases; similar to the number reported in the previous week) and India (114,244 new cases; 18 per cent decrease).

The update said that declining trends continued in the South-East Asia Region, with just under 215,000 new cases and over 2,900 new deaths reported, a decrease of 13 per cent and 19 per cent respectively as compared to the previous week.

All countries in the region reported a decline in new cases and deaths this week, apart from Thailand that reported a similar number of cases as compared to the previous week.

While India reported the highest numbers of new cases at 114,244, they were still an 18 per cent decrease over the previous week. Thailand (72,817 new cases) and Myanmar (9202 new cases) also reported high numbers of new cases in the South-East Asia Region.

In the region, the highest numbers of new deaths were reported from India (1,535 new deaths; a 13 per cent decrease), Thailand (582 new deaths; a 14 per cent decrease), and Indonesia (301 new deaths; a 37 per cent decrease).

The regions reporting the highest weekly case incidence rates per 100,000 population were the European Region and the Region of the Americas and the same two regions reported the highest weekly incidence in deaths, of 1.9 and 1.8 per 100 000 population, respectively.

The update noted that globally, three additional countries, territories or areas reported cases with Variants of Concern in the past week. As of October 19, cases of Alpha variant have been reported from 196 countries, Beta variant from 145 countries, Gamma variant from 99 countries, and Delta variant from 193 countries across all six regions.

The current global genetic epidemiology is characterised by a predominance of Delta variant, with declining prevalence of other variants among SARS-CoV-2 sequences submitted to publicly available datasets.

Given its higher transmissibility, Delta has outcompeted other variants, including other VOCs, in many countries. Important sub-regional and country-level variation, nevertheless, continues to be observed; most notably within some South American countries, where the progression of the Delta variant has been more gradual than that observed in other regions, and other variants (e.g. Gamma, Mu) still contribute a large proportion of sequence samples, the update 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.)
External Affairs Minister on Wednesday had a "warm and rich" discussion with the top Israeli leadership on realising the full potential of the bilateral strategic partnership and exchanged views on the changes in the geopolitical landscape and global affairs.

Jaishankar called on Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and they discussed strengthening the strategic alliance, expanding and deepening the warm friendship between Israel and India,'' the Prime Minister's Media Adviser said.

Prime Minister Bennett thanked his Indian counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the minister for their personal commitment to the partnership between Israel and India, the adviser said.

"I speak on behalf of Israelis: We love India. We view India as a huge friend and we're looking forward to expanding our relationship in all fields and all dimensions. I look forward to a very productive meeting, Prime Minister Bennett told Jaishankar at the start of the meeting.

Jaishankar conveyed the greetings of Prime Minister Modi to the Israeli leader and invited him to make his first official visit to India.

"We are today at a very important stage of our relationship because things have gone very well for us. But it has opened up a whole lot of possibilities. So, I think the challenges (are) how to work to take our relationship to the next highest level. The sentiment and the interest in India in our ties with Israel is very very strong, he said.

"A warm and rich discussion on realising the full potential of our strategic partnership. PM Bennett's purposeful and focused approach to it was deeply encouraging," Jaishankar said in a tweet after the meeting.

Jaishankar said that Bennett's sharing of strategic perspectives was also very valuable.

"Indi



a and Israel will work even more closely to realise their partnership's vision for the next 30 years," he tweeted.

Earlier, Jaishankar called on Israeli President Isaac Herzog at Beit HaNassi, the president's official residence here.

The two leaders discussed ways to promote and strengthen the growing bilateral relationship in various sectors besides exchanging views on global strategic affairs.

"Delighted to call on President @Isaac_Herzog. Our conversation covered changes in the geopolitical landscape," Jaishankar tweeted.

"Deeply appreciate his visible commitment to taking our to the next level," he said.

President Herzog thanked Jaishankar for his personal commitment, and that of Prime Minister Modi and his ministers, to promoting and strengthening ties with Israel, according to a press release issued by the President's office.

During the diplomatic working meeting, Herzog also praised the flourishing of the Israel-India relationship in a range of fields.

"Two ancient nations, two proud democracies. Energising discussion today with @DrSJaishankar, FM of our close friend and partner India. Great promise for Israeli-Indian collaboration on tech, trade, energy and more. There is so much we can do with our combined creativity," President Herzog said in a tweet.

Ahead of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and India next year, President Herzog emphasised his intention to personally assist in promoting and strengthening this important relationship, the statement said.

President Herzog and Jaishankar further discussed global strategic affairs, it said.

Jaishankar said that it was "a great honour" to call on President Herzog.

"I bring the greetings and good wishes of the government and people of India as we approach the 30th anniversary of the upgradation of the ties," Jaishankar wrote in the visitors' book at Beit HaNassi.

This is Jaishankar's first visit to Israel as External Affairs Minister. He is visiting the country at the invitation of Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.

On Wednesday, Jaishankar also unveiled a plaque at Ra'anana in northern Israel in the memory of Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in the Battle of Tabsor during World War I.

"Unveiled the memorial plaque for Indian Army soldiers who fought at the Battle of Tabsor in the Megiddo Offensive of September 1918," Jaishankar tweeted. "This is part of a larger India Trail that will bring out the role of our soldiers in shaping the history of this region," he added.

On Tuesday, Jaishankar met with Israeli Parliament Speaker Mickey Levy and they discussed at length the common challenges faced by the two countries like radicalisation, and took stock of the developments in the region.

On Monday, Jaishankar held "very productive talks" with his counterpart Lapid during which the two countries agreed to resume negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) from next month with an aim to conclude the long-pending deal by next June.

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.

(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 Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case on Tuesday released pictures of six people standing near an SUV, which was set ablaze during the October 3 incident.

It has assured that details of those giving information will not be revealed besides informers will be given due rewards.

The in had set up the SIT to investigate the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case in which eight people, including four farmers, were killed.

"The SIT team probing the October 3 violence has got some photos and videos. We are releasing photographs and appeal to people to identify them," an SIT official said.

"Six photographs have been released for identification," he said.

The SIT has already issued notices to over three dozen farmers for questioning in a case related to the lynching of BJP workers.

Two FIRs were registered at the Tikonia police station after eight people, including four farmers, were killed in the violence. In the first FIR, MoS Ajay Mishra's son Ashish was named as accused besides 15 to 20 unidentified persons.

Another FIR was lodged at the same police station on the basis of a complaint by Sumit Jaiswal, who has now been arrested.

In the complaint, Jaiswal, a resident of Ayodhyapuri here, identified himself as a BJP worker who was on his way to welcome Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya for a wrestling event at Banbirpur, when the violence broke out.

So far, 10 people, including the MoS' son Ashish Mishra, have been arrested in the case.

The farmers alleged that Ashish Misra was present in one of the vehicles during the incident, a charge which has been denied by him.

The minister's son claimed he was present in Banbirpur village at the time to attend a wrestling event.

Among eight killed, four were farmers, one was a local journalist and three were BJP workers.

(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.)
Maharashtra's city reported zero COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, for the first time in the last eight months, an official said.

As many as 112 fresh COVID-19 cases were reported in the Municipal Corporation limits during the day, taking the overall tally to 5,03,469, while no casualties were reported during the day, the official said.

"Today, not a single COVID-19 death was reported in the municipal limits. This the first time since February 6 earlier this year," Pune mayor Murlidhar Mohol tweeted.

Pune city has so far recorded 9,067 deaths.

A total of 406 new cases were reported in Pune district, raising the tally of infections in the region to 11,48,067, while with six casualties the toll touched 19,059, it was stated.

Meanwhile, the Pune Municipal Corporation on Wednesday issued an order allowing restaurants, eateries, bars and food courts to remain open till midnight, and permitting shops and commercial establishments to operate till 11 pm.

(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 will withdraw completely from the entire country around October 26, paving the way for the commencement of the northeast monsoon, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday.

After its late withdrawal from northwest India, the remains active over some parts of the country.

The withdrawal line currently passes through Kohima, Silchar, Krishnanagar, Baripada, Malkangiri, Nalgonda, Bagalkote, and Vengurla.

Conditions are becoming favourable for further withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from remaining parts of northeast India, the entire north Bay of Bengal, remaining parts of West Bengal and Odisha, some parts of the central Bay of Bengal, parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, entire Goa, some more parts of Karnataka and some more parts of central Arabian Sea around October 23, the said.

With likely setting in of northeasterly winds in the lower tropospheric levels over the Bay of Bengal and extreme south Peninsular India, the Southwest Monsoon is likely to withdraw from the entire country around 26th October 2021. Simultaneously, the Northeast Monsoon rains are also likely to commence over Southeast Peninsular India from around 26th October 2021, the Met department said.

The northeast monsoon brings rains over Tamil Nadu, parts of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh.

The withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from northwest India commenced on October 6. The retreat was the second-most delayed withdrawal of the southwest monsoon since 1975. The southwest monsoon withdrawal from northwest India in 2019 started on October 9.

The withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from northwest India usually begins on September 17.

However, the southwest monsoon remains active over several parts of the country.

The said a cyclonic circulation lies over Bihar and neighbouring areas.

Under its influence, fairly widespread to widespread, light to moderate rainfall with isolated heavy fall and thunderstorms and lightning is very likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya, Tripura, sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim on October 20 and 21 and over Gangetic West Bengal and Bihar on October 20 and (it will) reduce thereafter.

Isolated extremely heavy falls are also likely over the sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim on October 20 and very heavy falls over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya on the same day, it added.

There will be rainfall activity over Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, coastal and south interior Karnataka during October 20-24, the 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.)
Indias drug regulator is examining the recommendation by the expert panel for the approval for Bharat Biotechs Covaxin for children. The government will seek buyers for IDBI Bank and inform them about the broad contours of the strategic disinvestment. More on those stories in our top headlines this morning.

Bharat Biotech's Covaxin roll-out for children likely in phases

The approval for Bharat Biotechs Covaxin for use in children as young as two years may be some time away with India considering a phased roll-out of the vaccine for them. Indias drug regulator is carefully examining the recommendation by the expert panel and evaluating several factors, sources close to the development said. Read more

Green fuels to power Adani Enterprises' petrochemicals business

Adani Enterprises, which recently launched its petrochemicals arm, is planning to offer a range of green fuels and use its existing supply chains and renewable energy units for their production andtransport.

The company plans to manufacture green hydrogen, green methanol, green ammonia and green fertiliser, said senior executives. Read more

IMF chief economist Gopinath to leave Fund International Monetary Fund chief economist Gita Gopinath will return to Harvard University in January as planned when her public service leave of absence from the university ends, the IMF said on Tuesday. Gopinath is the fund's first female chief economist. Read more

Govt to to seek buyers for debt-laden IDBI Bank

The government will soon reach out to interested buyers of IDBI Bank and inform them about the broad contours of the strategic disinvestment, which is going to lay the groundwork for privatisation of public sector banks. The Centre, through its advisors, will share the strategic sale plan with investors, and how the deal is expected to be structured, an official said. Read more

Insurers' Covid-related health claims outgo falls

After the second wave of the pandemic, general and health insurers have seen a fall in their outgo of Covid-related health claims.

In the July-September quarter (Q2 of FY22), insurers settled a little over Rs 5,000 crore worth of Covid health claims. This is 35 per cent lower than the Rs 7,700 crore worth of claims they settled in Q1, sources said. Read more
Family members of people stranded in following incessant rains in parts of are anxiously awaiting their safe return.

Over the past few days, the state has been battered with torrential rains that led to flash floods and landslides and the national weather forecasting agency had issued a red alert.

Kishorbhai Doshi hailing from Gujarat's Rajkot said that his brother Rajubhai Doshi and other family members who had gone for the Char Dham Yatra were stranded in

"My younger brother had gone for Char Dham Yatra. They left on October 12. When they reached Kedarnath, it rained heavily and the situation got worse. Some of them are stuck there. When the weather gets better, they will be able to leave," said Kishorbhai Doshi.

Karishma, whose father and mother are stranded in said, "We spoke to them and they are safe. They are however stuck in a room as it is heavily raining. We are anxiously waiting for them to return home."

Police in a tweet informed that the Yamunotri-Gangotri, Kedarnath Dham Yatra has resumed again. However, due to the closure of Badrinath Highway near Joshimath, the Badrinath Yatra could not be restarted but soon the Badrinath Yatra will also be resumed, police said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday said that the intensity of the rainfall in the state has slowed.

"There has been massive damage. It will take time to return to normalcy - roads were washed away, there were landslides, rivers changed their routes, villages were affected, bridges collapsed," he said.

The chief minister said that 46 people have died after in Uttarakhand while 11 people are missing.

(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.)
Eleven people remained missing, boulders blocked roads and many villages went without electricity as authorities took stock Wednesday of the aftermath of the that battered for over two days.

Forty-six people have died due to the since Sunday night and some are still feared buried under the debris of collapsed houses.

The Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said it has rescued over 1,300 people from flood-affected areas of The federal force has deployed 17 rescue teams in the state.

"So far, NDRF rescuers have evacuated more than 1,300 stranded people from Udham Singh Nagar and Nanital. They are also distributing relief material in flood-affected areas of Uttarakhand," a spokesperson said.

Six NDRF teams are deployed in Udham Singh Nagar, two teams each are stationed in Uttarkashi, Chamoli and one each in Dehradun, Champawat Pithoragarh and Haridwar.

"Two teams and a sub-team have been deployed in Nainital while one sub-team is placed at Almora," the spokesperson said.

The weather cleared up Wednesday morning but authorities faced the challenge of rescuing people trapped under debris and restoring road and power links to places cut off by the

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami toured rain-hit areas in Kumaon region, instructing officials to prepare an estimate of the damage.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also expected to conduct an aerial survey and visit the state capital Dehradun later in the day.

Tourist town Nainital was returning back to normalcy.

A furious Gaula river has damaged the tracks at Kathgodam railway station in Nainital, which experienced a record 445 mm rainfall on Tuesday. The district accounts for 29 of the 46 deaths so far.

The damaged tracks in Kathgodam may take four or five days to be repaired, DGP Ashok Kumar told PTI.

In Nainital, tourists woke up to a bright morning without a trace of rain on Wednesday and were out on the streets for shopping and sightseeing. Taxis had begun running through the town.

"It was suffocating to be locked up inside our hotel rooms due to the incessant rains on Tuesday, a young tourist from Uttar Pradesh said.

He added that the scenic beauty of the place had made up for what they had suffered over the last two days.

By Wednesday morning, most of the water had receded from the roads in Nainital, where movement had become nearly impossible after Naini lake overflowed.

Electricity supply and telephone connectivity, badly hit by the rains, have been restored in the town. But villages on the outskirts remain affected, officials said.

The rescue and restoration work was likely to pick up with the improvement in the weather, Nainital District Magistrate Dhiraj Garbiyal said.

The Haldwani and Kaladhungi roads have been opened partially to traffic restoring connectivity to Nainital, which remained cut off on Monday and for the most part of Tuesday.

The Haldwani-Nainital highway is open for light vehicles only because of landslide-prone zones at some spots. The Haldwani-Bhimtal road is now open for light and heavy vehicles.

The Bhowali-Ramgarh-Dhanachuli road is open for traffic till Ramgarh.

The Nainital-Kaladungi road is open for light vehicles. The Nainital-Bhowali road is still closed due to the landslide-prone zones detected in Jhakoli-Pines-Kailakhan section, officials 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 global energy shortage has prompted India to ask Qatar, the worlds biggest supplier of liquefied natural gas, for around 50 cargoes it deemed too expensive six years ago.



State-linked importer Petronet asked Qatargas to deliver the cargoes in the coming year, on top of the approximately 115 cargoes that its long-term contract stipulates for 2022, according to people familiar with the discussions. Normally, companies do not retroactively claim cargoes after initially declining them.



Petronets unusual move underscores the desperation of buyers as supply disruptions from Peru to Russia and a voracious post-pandemic rebound in energy demand push spot prices to record highs.



We have requested to give us the pending 50 cargoes next year, Akshay Kumar Singh, chief executive officer of Petronet, said on the sidelines of the CERAWeek India Energy Forum. We require the cargoes now.
The US Presidential Special Envoy for climate change John Kerry, in his address to the (ISA), on Wednesday said India is the red hot investment destination for the solar sector and said the country has set an example for the developing nations by reaching 100 Gw of renewable energy capacity.

Kerry was speaking at the Fourth Assembly of the ISA, just weeks ahead of the crucial global climate conference COP26 in Glasgow, UK. The session was hosted by R K Singh, union minister for power, new and renewable energy. Singh said in the post-pandemic world, it has become an absolute necessity to enable livelihoods, clean and sustainable energy solutions to all.

ISA was founded to bring the global community together, synergize our efforts, leverage our complementarities to overcome such barriers. ISA can provide energy access for 800 million people who lack energy access worldwide, Singh said adding by 2022, India will have 175 Gw of renewable energy and 450 Gw by 2030.

Singh said India is on its way to meet its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) for climate change mitigation committed during the Paris COP21.

Kerry said US strongly supports Indias goal of reaching 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030. India is a red-hot investment destination for solar power and that can be true for every single member of the ISA. Still, there are serious headwinds ahead for Solars rise. ISA. India is a close partner and 450 Gw target is absolutely doable and will be done, said Kerry.

He also further said, with 1,000 GW of installed solar energy, solar would play the biggest role in a completely carbon-free electric power sector by 2035. Though Kerry did shift the blame on developing nations for carbon emissions. But its not enough for the United States to invest in solar energy. Nearly 90 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions come from outside the United States and thats why the ISA is so critical," he said.

Singh, in his address, however, pointed out that the available carbon space has been taken up by the developed world. For the developing world to develop, this carbon space needs to be free for the developing countries. They need to enable access to electricity but it should be done in a clean way, Singh said.

Speaking at the same event, Executive-Vice President for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans announced the imminent launch of a project, worth around 1 million Euro, funded by the The project would aim to strengthen the engagement of EU, EU Member States, & EU academic, business and financial communities with the ISA.

The Fourth Assembly of the ISA, which is being hosted in India this week, will deliberate on the key initiatives around the operationalisation of the Global green grid initiative, the $1 trillion Solar Investment Roadmap for 2030, and approval of a Blended Financial Risk Mitigation Facility.

Officially announced during the COP21 in Paris in 2015, the ISA is a partnership of solar resource-rich countries. Currently, 121 countries have agreed to be members of ISA. Most of these are countries with a large participation from Africa, South-east Asia, and Europe. Pakistan and China are not members of the ISA. It is headquartered in Gurugram.


Calling for expanding the private health sector, V K Paul, member-health NITI Aayog, said on Wednesday that the growth in private health space had been static at a time when the health infrastructure needs to be ramped up in the country.

He said schemes such as the Digital Mission are a game changer and private hospitals must join the programme. I request you to introspect and think. We have to. Can we look at what models in the private sector should now emerge? Paul added.

The Prime Minister Jan Arogya Yojana would increase its ambit. PM JAY is here to stay, and it is the main vehicle for secondary and tertiary care and therefore we have to reposition ourselves to align with this.



He said the model should shift from high return, low volume to a high volume and modest return. Let us not have the people of India be left out of this universal health coverage because we cannot set the machine right. Lets together set it right, reposition and refine the scheme, Paul said.

Praising the private sector hospitals for their work during the pandemic, Paul said that even though the public sector did its part, the best critical care across the nation often came from the private sector.

He asked the private sector to visualise the next six or nine months to build important building blocks for improving the health infrastructure of the country.

The country has one hospital bed per thousand. It has to be increased to at least 2 hospital beds per thousand, he said.

He called on the state governments to increase their budgets on health care  from the current 4-4.5 per cent to almost 8 per cent.

Asking companies to send suggestions for the upcoming Budget, he said: We are together to see that the health sector receives allocation in the spending paradigm of state and centre.



The member also sought inputs from the private sector on conversion of district hospitals into medical colleges through public private partnership mode. Six hospitals in Uttar Pradesh, he said, are on the block as part of this option.

Newer vaccines



Experts feel that one needs to prepare for the future waves of the pandemic  multivalent Covid vaccines are in the works already. A big positive is that no vaccine is completely failing against any particular strain. However, nowhere in the world do we have the original strain in circulation now, said Gagandeep Kang, microbiologist and professor at Christian Medical College, Vellore.

She added that as for future preparedness against evolving strains of the Sars-CoV-2 virus, one can vaccinate a person with one dose of a vaccine based on the original strain (current vaccines in use are based on the original Wuhan strain of Sars-CoV-2), and a second dose of a vaccine based on one of the newer versions of the virus.

Such a multivalent approach would give reasonable immunity against different strains of the virus. These are called Wave 2 vaccines, and these are already in the works, she said.

The scientific community is also thinking about Wave 3 vaccines  where a single dose would give long-term immunity and broader coverage against various strains, Kang said.

N K Arora, chief of National Immunization Technical Advisory Group, pointed out that while the gap between the earlier pandemic and this one is 100 years, the next pandemic could be much earlier.

Arora also said that children play a role in transmission of the virus, and thus they need to be vaccinated.

Prioritisation should be co-morbid children, and all adverse events need to be monitored very carefully and closely. We cannot stop vaccinating children because we do not have data, Arora said.
The Centre has asked (PSBs) to aggressively target financial inclusion, expand pension and and, at the same time, use financial technology (fintech) to extend credit to borrowers during the festive season through co-lending arrangements.

As have started their credit outreach programmes to support the economy, the government is planning district-wise loan melas, similar to the ones organised in October 2019. These are expected to be launched next month.

Banks have been given a broad outline by the government, ranging from to signing co-lending agreements with non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and microfinance institutions (MFIs). Banks have been asked to identify individuals who are 21 years of age, through the voters list, and do not have a bank account. Banks will have to open accounts for such individuals under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY).

In order to give a digital push, state-owned lenders have been given a target to provide RuPay cards to 100 per cent account holders under the PMJDY in metro and urban areas, and 90 per cent account holders in semi-urban and rural areas. About 315 million RuPay cards had been issued to PMJDY account holders as of October 10.



FESTIVE PUSH to target individuals aged 21 years without bank accounts

Aim to provide 100% RuPay cards to PMJDY account holders in metro and urban areas

Cover PMJDY account holders with PMJJBY, PMSBY, APY by classifying them in three segments

Provide Kisan Credit Cards to PM-KISAN beneficiaries

Enter into co-lending arrangements with NBFCs, MFIs

The Reserve Bank of Indias (RBIs) index, which captures the extent of in the country, for the year ended March 2021 was 53.9, as against 43.4 for the period ended March 2017.

For operative PMJDY accounts, banks have been asked to cover every household under the PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY). They have been told to identify PMJDY beneficiaries up to 40 years of age and cover them under the PMJJBY, the PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, and the Atal Pension Yojana (APY). Account holders above 50 years of age should be covered under the PMSBY.

Of the total 436.4 million PMJDY accounts, 368.6 million, or 85.6 per cent, were operative as on August 18. The PMJJBY and PMSBY were launched in 2015 to provide life and accidental insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh each to all beneficiaries enrolled under the schemes through their banks, with annual premiums of only Rs 330 and Rs 12, respectively. Cumulative enrolments under the PMJJBY are little over 100 million, and 230 million under the PMSBY.

For giving a leg up to agri-credit, have been asked to identify beneficiary farmers under the PM-KISAN scheme and provide them Kisan Credit Cards. The government has so far sanctioned 25 million Kisan Credit Cards with Rs 2.62 trillion credit limit.

Co-Lending Model

The Centre has also asked state-owned banks to enter into co-lending arrangements with and MFIs. As and MFIs have a far better reach in rural areas, such lenders will on-board borrowers, and finance loans. Then, banks will sign an agreement with and reimburse NBFCs about 80 per cent of the loan amount. The remaining 20 per cent of the loan amount will be retained by such non-bank lenders in their books.

This would help in tackling two broad issues. One, such MFIs lack funds but have a better reach; second, the rate of interest for borrowers would come down from 22-24 per cent to effectively 14-15 per cent.

PSBs would benefit by entering a new market to lend without having a physical presence, and the responsibility of collection and recovery would lie with NBFCs and MFIs.
The government will soon reach out to interested buyers of IDBI Bank and inform them about the broad contours of the strategic disinvestment, which is going to lay the groundwork for privatisation of public sector banks. The Centre, through its advisors, will share the strategic sale plan with investors, and how the deal is expected to be structured, an official said.

The exercise would be undertaken before the government comes out with the preliminary information memorandum (PIM) and invites expression of interest (EoI) for the IDBI Bank sale, said an official. The investors ...
The share of industrial credit in banks loans, after years of sluggish growth, declined to a record low of 26 per cent during the first five months of FY22, down from 26.6 per cent during FY21. At its peak in FY13, industrial credit accounted for nearly 46 per cent of loan disbursements.

In comparison, personal loans, including home loans, accounted for 26.7 per cent of bank credit during the first five months of FY22, up from 26.1 per cent at the end of March this year and a low of 18.2 per cent in FY12. This is the first time since the Reserve Bank of India started providing sectoral ...
The (RBI) on Wednesday imposed a monetary of Rs 1 crore on for submitting information that did not reflect the factual position, which, according to the central bank, is an offence under Section 26 (2) of the Payments and Settlement Act.

After reviewing the written responses and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, the RBI determined that the aforementioned charge was substantiated and warranted the imposition of a monetary penalty," RBI said.

The central bank has also imposed a of Rs Rs 27.78 lakh on Western Union Financial Services for non-compliance with Money Transfer Service Scheme (MTSS) directions.

WUFSI had reported instances of breach of the ceiling of 30 remittances per beneficiary during the calendar years 2019 and 2020 and filed an application for compounding of the violation. RBI determined that the aforementioned non-compliance warranted the imposition of a monetary after analysing the compounding application, and oral submissions made during the personal hearing," the banking regulator said.
Group Plc chose Jonathan Akeroyd from Italian fashion house Gianni Versace SpA as its new chief executive officer, tapping a proven turnaround expert to continue the trench coat makers push to become a top-tier luxury label.



Akeroyd, a 54-year-old Briton who led the revival of Alexander McQueen before taking over at Versace, will join the British brand in April. Hell replace Marco Gobbetti, who is leaving to run Salvatore Ferragamo SpA.



Akeroyd would earn an annual salary of 1.1 million pounds ($1.5 million) plus bonuses, and would be granted cash and share payments worth about 6 million pounds for incentives he forfeits at Versace, said.



The appointment ends months of uncertainty at the 165-year-old group, which had been searching for a replacement for Gobbetti since June, when he announced his shock departure mid-way into a multi-year turnaround plan to take the brand further upmarket.



Akeroyd will take over in the midst of a turnaround at Burberry, with Gobbettis plan to elevate the labels image showing progress but still incomplete. In the past, the fashion house was seen as a mid-market luxury brand, lacking the diversification of industry giant LVMH, whose products range from Louis Vuitton bags to Dom Perignon Champagne.



Shares in Burberry, which have extended losses since the announcement of Gobbettis departure and were trading down 19 per cent on June levels, were up slightly on Wednesday.



Burberry, known for its trench coats, trademark plaid and TB monogram, said Akeroyd, a 54-year-old Briton, was the right choice to build on its creative heritage.



Jonathan is an experienced leader with a strong track record in building global luxury fashion brands and driving profitable growth, Chair Gerry Murphy said.



Akeroyd accelerated growth during his five years at Italys Versace and oversaw the sale of the house, known for its opulent, ostentatious style, to US group Michael Kors, now known as Capri Holdings, in 2018.



Versaces revenues rebounded in the latest quarter reported, with revenue of $240 million up 158 per cent year on year and a return to profit after the Covid-19 impact a year earlier.



However, its pre-pandemic annual sales of $843 million are still well below a $2 billion target set by Capri for the brand.



Akeroyd, who ran Alexander McQueen from 2004 to 2016, led the brand through the turbulent period following the death of its eponymous founder in 2010, tapping Sarah Burton as creative director. The label got a public boost when Kate Middleton wore an Alexander McQueen dress for her wedding to Prince William the following year. Akeroyd also led an extensive store expansion.



He did the groundwork that allowed Alexander McQueen to take off, said Luca Solca, an analyst at Sanford C Bernstein.

Berenberg analysts said Akeroyd had lots of luxury CEO experience of leading houses  as well as brand turnarounds.

But UBS analysts were more solemn in their note. The timing of his start date suggests Burberry is unlikely to present an updated strategy until Q3/Q4 2022 at the earliest, thus delaying its turnaround even further, they wrote.



Like other luxury brands, Burberry was hit by Covid-19, but it has recovered, driven by demand in Asia.



It said in July its like-for-like sales had risen above pre-pandemic levels, driven by new, younger fans of Riccardo Tisci, the designer who Gobbetti brought in to revitalise the brand and who investors are relieved is staying put.



Gobbettis departure was described as a personal decision to return to Italy, where he will lead the Italian luxury goods group Ferragamo.
Jack Ma, China's billionaire and founder of e-commerce giant Alibaba, has travelled to Europe for an agriculture study tour, his first trip abroad since he ran into trouble with the Chinese government last year over violating anti-monopoly regulations.

Before flying to Europe, Ma was in Hong Kong to spend low-key private time with his family, the Hong Kong-based South Morning Post, which is owned by him, reported on Wednesday.

is currently in Spain for an agriculture and technology study tour related to environmental issues, it said.

He will be in Europe for a series of business meetings and an agriculture study tour. It will be his first overseas trip in more than a year. Previously, Ma spent one of every three days travelling in 2018, the Post report said.

Ma retired as Alibaba's chairman in 2019 on his 55th birthday, sparking speculation about his sudden decision to step down from the helm.

He is lying low right now, his close associate Joseph Tsai, executive vice-chairman of said during the height of the crackdown against the firm, refuting speculative reports about his prolonged absence from public.

went through a stormy 2020, with Ma being summoned by national regulators after he likened traditional Chinese banks to pawn shops and questioned whether the Basel Accords a set of global banking regulatory recommendations were suitable for

In December, Beijing launched an antitrust probe into and slapped a record fine of USD 2.8 billion on the tech giant for monopolistic practices.

Alibaba suffered a major setback last year after the Shanghai Stock Exchange suspended dual listing of the shares of the world's biggest initial public offer of USD 39.7 billion of the group's subsidiary - the Ant Group, 48 hours before the highly-anticipated trading was due to start.

Born in a poor family, Ma, grew up to be one of the country's richest men and the most revered businessman among the Chinese people.

The sudden and surprise announcement by Ma in 2019 to retire stating that he preferred to die at a beach than at his work table set off speculation that he was feeling the weight of the ruling Communist Party of China, (CPC), which firmly exercised its control over China's top businesses prompting him to downsize his business.

(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.)
DBS Group Holdings Ltd. and Plc are among the lenders planning to bid for Inc. consumer banking assets in Asia as the U.S. lender divests units across five markets in the region, according to people familiar with the matter.



Binding bids for Citigroups retail assets in Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand are due Friday, while offers for the India unit are due next week, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is confidential.

The sales offer the buyers a chance to scale up high-end credit card and wealth businesses -- whose appeal to banks lies primarily in their high fees rather than interest income -- in regions that no longer fit in Citigroups refreshed strategy.

Under Chief Executive Officer Jane Fraser, the bank is exiting 13 markets across Asia and Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Its Australia business was sold to National Australia Bank Ltd. in August.

The Asia sales come as the bank reshapes its business around more profitable units like investment banking, and focuses its wealth business around hubs in Hong Kong, London, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. plans to raise $150 billion in new money and hire 2,300 staff in Asia for wealth management by 2025.

Deliberations are ongoing and the prospective suitors could decide not to proceed with offers, the people said. A spokesperson for in Asia said conversations with potential buyers continue with strong interest from a broad range of bidders.

Singapores DBS plans to submit binding offers for both Indonesia and Taiwan, the people said. CEO Piyush Gupta said in August the banks capital levels were high enough to buy more assets without raising extra funds, and expressed interest in several Asian markets. A representative for DBS declined to comment.

Beyond valuation, Citigroup will evaluate the proposals in each market based on other issues such as antitrust, job protection and strategy, one of the people said.

Taiwan



Citigroups Taiwan consumer assets could fetch about $2 billion in a sale, the people said. DBS, Standard Chartered, Cathay Financial Holding Co. and Fubon Financial Holding Co. are set to lodge bids, the people said.

The business could even raise close to $4 billion, depending on which assets are included, one of the people said.

Taiwans government will monitor and prevent Citigroup from transferring high-net worth clients in Taiwan to its units in Hong Kong and Singapore, the islands financial regulator said in April.

A representative for declined to comment. Fubon and Cathay did not immediately respond to telephone calls and emails requesting comment.

Thailand



Bangkok Bank Pcl is planning to make an offer for Citigroups Thai assets, which could be valued at more than $2 billion, the people said.

Bank of Ayudhya Pcl, owned by Japanese lender Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc., is also weighing a bid, they said.

A representative for Bangkok Bank declined to comment, while Bank of Ayudhya didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

India



Citigroup has set a bid deadline next week for its Indian consumer assets, which could be valued about $2 billion in a sale, the people said.

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd., which is controlled by the worlds richest banker, Uday Kotak, is planning to bid for the assets, the people said. HDFC Bank Ltd. and ICICI Bank Ltd. are also weighing bids, they said.

Representatives for Kotak Mahindra and HDFC Bank declined to comment. ICICI didnt respond to emails seeking comment.

Indonesia and the Philippines



DBS is planning to bid for Indonesia, while its Singaporean rival United Overseas Bank Ltd. is considering making an offer, the people said. UOB CEO Wee Ee Chong said in May that the bank would look at the assets.

Malayan Banking Bhd. is also weighing a bid for the Citigroup unit, the sale of which could value the business as much as $1 billion, they said.

A representative for Maybank declined to comment. UOB didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

BDO Unibank, Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., Bank of the Philippine Islands and Union Bank of the Philippines are mulling offers for Citigroups Philippines assets, which could fetch as much as $1 billion in a sale, they said.

Union Bank President Edwin Bautista said in response to a Bloomberg News query that the assets will likely go to one of the countrys big three banks, and declined to comment further. Representatives for BPI and Metrobank declined to comment, while a representative for BDO Unibank couldnt immediately comment.
Jack Ma, the co-founder of Group Holding Ltd., is traveling to Europe for the first time since a bruising government crackdown on his tech empire, according to Hong Kong media reports.



The 57-year-old billionaire is in Spain after a stop in Hong Kong, according to a report in the Alibaba-owned South China Morning Post. Ma is abroad for a series of business meetings, including a tour of the agricultural industry and environmental technology in Spain, the paper said.

An spokesperson declined to comment on Mas whereabouts, referring queries to his foundation. The foundation didnt immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.





Beijing kicked off sweeping reforms of the private sector a year ago by pulling the plug on a planned initial public offering by Ant Group Co., an affiliate also founded by Ma. That was followed by an antitrust probe of the e-commerce giant Alibaba for alleged abuses of its market power. Ma, who typically kept a prominent profile, largely disappeared from public view in the months that followed.

The Communist Partys campaign moved on to other targets, including delivery giant Meituan and private tutoring Alibaba paid a record $2.8 billion antitrust fine and promised to reform its practices.

Alibabas shares -- and China tech stocks more broadly -- have rallied as investors wager that the worst of the crackdown is over. Alibaba shares surged as much as 9.2% on Wednesday and have climbed more than 30% from a low earlier this month.
External Affairs Minister on Wednesday called on Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and discussed ways to enhance the bilateral relationship besides exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual concern.

Jaishankar, who is currently on a five-day visit to Israel, called on the two leaders separately.

This is Jaishankar's first visit to Israel as External Affairs Minister. He is visiting the country at the invitation of Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.

On Tuesday, Jaishankar met with Israeli Parliament Speaker Mickey Levy and the two leaders discussed at length the common challenges faced by the two countries like radicalisation, and took stock of the developments in the region.

On Monday, Jaishankar held "very productive talks" with Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid duringh which the two countries agreed to resume negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) from next month with an aim to conclude the long-pending deal by next June.

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.

(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.)
Pakistan's Opposition parties on Wednesday accused Prime Minister of selling gifts he received from other countries' heads, including an expensive watch worth USD 1 million.

Gifts are routinely exchanged between heads of states or officers holding constitutional positions during a state visit. According to the gift depository (Toshakhana) rules, these gifts remain the property of the state unless sold at an open auction. Rules allow officials to retain gifts with a market value of less than Rs 10,000 without paying anything, The Express Tribune newspaper reported.

" has sold the gifts he received from other countries," PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz tweeted in Urdu.

"Caliph Hazrat Omar (companion of Prophet Muhammad) was accountable for his shirt and robe and you (Imran Khan), on the other hand, looted foreign gifts from Toshakhana and you are talking of setting up a state of Madina? How can a person (Khan) be this insensitive, deaf, dumb and blind?" asked the daughter of deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Opposition alliance -- Democratic Movement (PDM) -- president Maulana Fazlur Rehman said there are reports that prime minister Khan has sold a precious watch he received from a prince. "This is shameful," he said.

Social media is rife with reports that Khan was gifted a watch worth USD 1 million by a prince of a Gulf country. The watch was allegedly sold in Dubai by Khan's close aide and USD 1 million was given to the prime minister. The prince reportedly knows the selling of the watch he gifted to Khan.

Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab president Rana Sanaullah told a press conference on Wednesday that was defamed because of the alleged selling of the gifts received by the premier from the heads of the states of other countries.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Communication, Dr Shahbaz Gill, had earlier said the government was "maintaining secrecy" over details of gifts received by Prime Minister Khan from other heads of states as releasing their lists and "comparing them with those of other countries is considered inappropriate, especially by Islamic countries with whom Pakistan enjoys brotherly relations".

"Usually PM deposits such gifts to the Toshakhana, however, if he desires to retain them with him, he has to pay an amount for it," he 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 Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that a possible in is likely to increase the burden of refugees on and other countries and Islamabad will have to bear a burden of 500 million dollars annually, reported local media.

will have to bear additional costs of 500 million dollars annually, according to the IMF, which based its projection on the possibility that around one million Afghans may leave for neighbouring nations including Iran and Tajikistan, reported Samaa TV.

Tajikistan will also have to bear 100 million dollars and Iran 300 million dollars annually.

The in its regional economic outlook update on Tuesday said that with non-humanitarian aid halted and foreign assets largely frozen after the Taliban seized power in August, Afghanistan's aid-reliant "faces severe fiscal and balance-of-payments crises".

It also said that Afghanistan's is set to contract up to 30 per cent this year and it is likely to further fuel a that will impact neighbours, Turkey and Europe.

Underlining that turmoil in was expected to generate important economic and security spillovers to the region, the emphasised that the current situation's impact could also be seen beyond the region, according to Khaama Press.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Swiss court has dismissed Google's bid to block the award of a government contract worth up to 110 million Swiss francs ($119 million) to rival bidders.

"In an interim decision, the Federal Administrative Court rejects Google's request to grant suspensive effect to its appeal. The Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics may therefore conclude the public cloud contracts with the selected tenderers," the court said in a statement on Wednesday.

The decision may be appealed to the Swiss supreme court.

The government had awarded the contract in June to Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, and Alibaba, Swiss media reported.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The US has condemned the recent violent attacks on temples and businesses in during the Durga Puja celebrations and urged authorities to fully investigate them, saying the freedom of religion or belief is a human right.

Attacks on temples have intensified in since last Wednesday after an alleged blasphemous post surfaced on social media during the Durga Puja celebrations.

On late Sunday night, a mob damaged 66 houses and set on fire at least 20 homes of Hindus in

State Department Spokesperson Ned Price on Tuesday said: We condemn the recent violent attacks on temples and businesses in Bangladesh during the Durga Puja celebrations.

Our thoughts are with the Hindu community as we urge authorities to investigate fully. Freedom of religion or belief is a human right, Price said.

Local media in Bangladesh reported that six Hindus were killed in separate attacks, but the figures could not be confirmed independently.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday instructed Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to initiate immediate action against those who incited violence using religion.

Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the UN Rabab Fatima on Tuesday condemned the "heinous attacks" on the minority Hindu community in her country, and underlined that Dhaka will ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.

(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 are likely to open higher on the back of positive overseas cues. Stock specific action will continue to dominate the proceedings thereafter. At 08:20 AM, the SGX Nifty was up 30 points at 18,448. Here are the top stocks to focus in trade today:



Key Results Today: Angel Broking, Havells India, Jubilant Foodworks, Just Dial, L&T Housing Finance, Reliance Industrial Infrastructure, Shoppers Stop, Taj GVK Hotels and are some of the prominent companies to announce September quarter results on Wednesday.

Fertiliser stocks: Chinese authorities are imposing new hurdles for fertilizer exporters amid growing concerns over surging power prices and food production, move likely to impact India. READ MORE



The private insurance major reported 47 per cent YoY jump in net at Rs 445 crore for the quarter ended September 2021, and total income grew 38.7 per cent YoY to Rs 23,188 crore in the same quarter. READ MORE Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL), a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, has acquired a 52 per cent stake in veteran couturier Ritu Kumar's firm Ritika Pvt Ltd for an undisclosed amount. READ MORE FMCG major reported a 5.15 per cent YoY rise in net profit at Rs 617.37 crore for the third quarter ended September 2021, driven largely by a high single-digit volume and mix growth in the domestic market across brands. READ MORE Posted a 39.1 per cent YoY rise in consolidated net profit at Rs 230 crore for the September 2021 quarter and has raised its dollar revenue growth guidance to 19-20 per cent. Revenue was up 22.4 per cent YoY at Rs 1,607.7 crore.

ACC: Cement maker ACC reported a 23.74 per cent YoY increase in consolidated net profit to Rs 450.21 crore for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021. Total revenue from operations rose 5.98 per cent to Rs 3,749 crore from Rs 3,537.31 crore earlier. READ MORE



Axis Bank: As part of the festive offer, the private banker is offering waiver of 12 EMIs on select home loan products and providing on-road finance without any processing fee for two-wheeler customers. READ MORE



Bank stocks: Global rating agency Moody's has upgraded the outlook on the Indian banking system from Negative to Stable on the back of stabilising asset quality and improved capital. READ MORE



Deepak Fertilisers: Launches qualified institutional placement (QIP) issue at a floor price of Rs 422.48 per equity share.

Rallis India: Q2FY22 consolidated profit drops nearly 32 per cent to Rs Rs 56.49 crore from Rs 82.95 crore in Q2FY21. Revenue, however, was up marginally at Rs 727.80 crore from Rs 725 crore.

Gati: Ramps up its network capacity by 20-25 per cent by adding 100 line haul trucks to its flexi network to connect the demand locations besides scaling up workforce by at least 15 per cent. READ MORE



Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF): ICRA revised credit rating on company's bank facilities to AA from AA- and revised outlook to stable from positive.

Navin Fluorine International: Q2FY22 consolidated net declined 6.8 per cent to Rs 63.22 crore as against Rs 67.81 crore in Q2FY21. Revenue, however, was up 6.3 per cent at Rs Rs 338.95 crore from Rs 318.92 crore in the same period.

North Eastern Carrying Corporation: Companys board approves proposal to raise Rs 49.50 crore through rights issue.

Jagsonpal Pharma: Reports 82.5 per cent surge in September quarter net at Rs 7.3 crore on a YoY basis. Revenue rose to Rs 59.48 crore from Rs 56.35 crore YoY.

In F&O ban today: Amara Raja Batteries, BHEL, Escorts, Voda Idea, IRCTC, National Aluminium, Punjab National Bank, SAIL and Sun Tv.
Astral in a regulatory filing on Tuesday announced its decision to enter in the business verticals of Faucets & Sanitaryware as a part of its growth strategy.

The CPVC pipes and fitting manufacturer aims to leverage the brand ASTRAL and its network of more than 33,000 dealers in pipes and more than 130,000 dealers in adhesives & sealant vertical for its new vertical. Astral said the details of the project will be announced in public domain as and when the legal formalities are completed and investment amount is finalized by the management.

The company said it has appointed Atul Sanghvi, as president (Faucets & Sanitaryware division) to head the new vertical. Atul Sanghvi is a Management Graduate (MBA) and has an experience of more than 37 years. Out of 37 years of experience, he has spent 32 years in building material industry and his longest associations of 22 years was with Cera Sanitaryware where he joined as GM (Sales & Marketing) and left with a position of executive director & CEO. He also served 11 years with Grasim Industries (Cement Division) as a General Manager (Marketing).

Astral further said that the Faucet & Sanitaryware division has a market potential of approximately Rs 15,000 crore in India. Shares of Astral were trading 2.3% lower at Rs 2,200.70 on BSE.

Astral is engaged in the business of manufacturing and trading of pipes, fittings and adhesive solutions. On a consolidated basis, the company posted a 271% jump in net profit to Rs 73.9 crore on a 73.3% increase in net sales to Rs 700.1 crore in Q1 FY22 over Q1 FY21.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The benchmark indices hit fresh intraday low in early afternoon trade. At 12:20 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, dropped 279.40 points or 0.45% at 61,436.65. The Nifty 50 index lost 106.95 points or 0.58% at 18,311.80.

The broader market tumbled. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index shed 1.41% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index declined 1.82%.

The market breadth was weak. On the BSE, 887 shares rose and 2,274 shares fell. A total of 138 shares were unchanged.

Derivatives:

The NSE's India VIX, a gauge of market's expectation of volatility over the near term, jumped 4.57% to 18.1775. The Nifty 28 October 2021 futures were trading at 18,315, at a premium of 3.20 points as compared with the spot at 18,311.80.

The Nifty option chain for 28 October 2021 expiry showed maximum Call OI of 24.3 lakh contracts at the 18,500 strike price. Maximum Put OI of 25.6 lakh contracts was seen at 17,500 strike price.

Buzzing Index:

The Nifty Metal index lost 2.43% to 5,950.95. The index has shed 4.83% in two trading sessions.

National Aluminium Co. (down 5.35%), Hindustan Copper (down 4.36%), Vedanta (down 4.10%), Hindalco Industries (down 3.99%) and Hindustan Zinc (down 3.68%) were the major losers in the Metal segment.

Stocks in Spotlight:

Honeywell Automation India fell 0.24%. The company was selected to lead the Bengaluru Safe City project under the Nirbhaya Fund by the Government of India. The initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs, aims to create a safe, secure and empowering environment for women and girls in public places to enable them to pursue all opportunities without the threat of gender-based violence or harassment. The Bengaluru Safe City project is valued at Rs 496.57 crore (i.e. $67 million).

NBCC (India) declined 2.11%. The firm said that it has been has been awarded the work order for engagement as Independent Engineer for operations, Management and Development of Jaipur International Airport. NBCC is the project management consultant for providing independent engineer services amounting to Rs 12.40 crore.

Separately, the government-backed company also said that it has been awarded the work of construction and Infrastructure Development at University of Delhi. NBCC is the project management consultant for this project, the value of which is Rs 77.91 crore.

Ipca Laboratories slipped 1.08%. The pharmaceutical company said its board will consider 2-for-1 stock split on 13 November 2021. The board will consider splitting each share of face value Rs 2 each into two shares of face value of Re 1 each. On 13 November 2021, the company's board will also consider Q2 results and interim dividend.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Intellect Global Transaction Banking (iGTB), the transaction banking specialist from Intellect Design Arena today announced that Jordan-headquartered Jordan Kuwait Bank (JKB) has signed a transformative deal with iGTB to digitize and streamline its transaction banking offerings. This is the 3rd major digital transformation deal in Jordan for iGTB, making it a significant 50% coverage amongst active transaction banks in the country.

iGTB's integrated transaction banking platform enables banks to be disruptive in the digital financial industry through its fully integrated transaction banking platform. Leveraging the platform, JKB will be able to offer seamless digital experiences across the corporate financial supply chain.

The platform works out-of-the-box, with modulesfor digital cash management, trade finance and payments powered by the award winning omni-channel Digital Customer Experience suite (CBX) and full cycle of mobile banking services covering inquiries and initiations. The digital transformation will help JKB to acquire an advanced position in the Arab region through digitized operations and enhanced products and services. Supported by iGTB, the planned project is aimed at digital transformation of JKB's Transaction Banking platform to further shore up its revenue base. This ensures meeting the diverse and advanced needs of customers, thereby confirming JKB's superior position to become a leading digital bank in the region.

Powered by Capital Market - Live News

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
secretary is not upset with the party, Union Minister of State for Finance Dr Bhagwat Karad told reporters here on Tuesday.

Munde, a former minister, was said to be unhappy after her sister and MP Pritam Munde did not get a berth in the Union cabinet in the latest expansion while Karad, also from the state, made the cut.

Karad was in Nanded to campaign for Subhash Sabne, candidate for Deglur Assembly byelection.

Speaking to reporters, the Union minister said, ' is not disgruntled. Our president J P Nadda had called a party meeting in Delhi and she was at the meeting."



Asked if Munde would campaign in the by-election, Karad said he could not say anything about it.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been detained by police in Uttar Pradesh after she was stopped from travelling to to meet the family of a sanitation worker who died in police custody.

While stopping her, Police told her, "You do not have permission, we cannot allow you."

"Section 144 is imposed... leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is being taken to Police Lines. She will not be allowed to proceed to Agra," Police official said.

Her car had been stopped at the first toll plaza on the Lucknow- Expressway.

Vadra was going to meet the family of a sanitation worker who was nabbed in connection with a theft and died in Police custody.

In response, Vadra said that the moment she tries to visit any other place than the party office, the administration tries to stop her. "The moment I try to visit any place other than the party office, then they (Administration) try to stop me...It is also causing inconvenience to the public," Vadra said.

"They say I can not go to They stop me wherever I go. Should I keep sitting in restaurants? Just because it is politically convenient for them? I want to meet them, what is the big deal?," she added.

A sanitation worker, who was arrested by Police yesterday in connection with a theft of Rs 25 Lakhs from a warehouse on 17th October, died in Police custody.

ADG Agra, Rajiv Krishna said, "Our officers are in contact with his family. They're cooperating. Action will be taken if there was any negligence. The family has filed a complaint, they suspect that he was beaten up by the Police following which he died. FIR registered, matter it will be probed."

"During questioning, he confessed to the crime. Police recovered Rs 15 Lakhs from his home, during recovery he fell ill. Police & his family rushed him to the hospital. The doctor declared him brought dead.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
on Wednesday pulled up the government for delay in recording statements of witnesses before a judicial magistrate in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case, where eight persons were killed, and also told the state government to dispel the impression that it is dragging its feet in the matter.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli told the government counsel, "You are dragging your feet. Please dispel that impression".

Senior advocate Harish Salve, representing the government, submitted that a report on the incident has been filed in a sealed cover.

The bench replied, "No, that was not required and we have just received it now...we waited till 1 a.m. last night for any filing. But we received nothing".

Justice Kant added that the court never said anything about the sealed cover. Salve informed the bench that four out of 44 witnesses in the matter have recorded their statements under section 164 (before a judicial magistrate), and 10 accused have been arrested so far.

Salve said there are two crimes: one where the car was driven into farmers and the other one was in connection with the lynching.

The bench shot back at the Uttar Pradesh government counsel, "Why haven't other witnesses recorded their statements?"

Salve replied that it is going on and added that out of the ten accused, four were in police custody.

The bench queried what happened to the other six accused. It added, "You did not seek custody so they were sent to judicial custody. What is the situation in this case?"

Salve submitted that the statements of other witnesses were being recorded, but the courts were shut.

The bench queried further, "Criminal courts closed for Dussehra vacation?"

The chief justice observed, "This should not be an unending story, this is all we want".

Salve sought time in the matter. After hearing arguments, the bench posted the matter for further hearing on October 26.

The top court had registered a petition on the basis of a letter by two lawyers seeking a probe by the CBI in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.

--IANS

ss/dpb

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Landslides and triggered by heavy rain across have left 48 people dead and 31 missing in the last 48 hours and the army and police have been deployed for rescue and relief operations, officials said on Wednesday.

Ilam, an eastern district, recorded the highest number of deaths at 11 followed by Doti where 9 people were killed, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

According to Home Ministry spokesperson, Phanindra Mani Pokharel, six persons each died in Humla, Dhankuta and Panchthar due to landslides.

Four persons lost their lives in Baitadi, one each in Kalikot, Dadeldhura, Pyuthan and Udayapur and two in Sunsari, according to the Home Ministry official.

A total of 23 people have gone missing in Bajhang while one in Doti, two in Pyuthan and five in Ilam. Twenty-three people sustained injuries due to the natural disaster in different districts, according to the ministry.

Search for the missing and rescue for those trapped in natural disaster incidents is being carried out with the help of the Army, Nepal Police and local people in different parts of the country.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has announced appropriate relief to the families of the deceased and those affected by the and landslides.

During a meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council held in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Prime Minister Deuba decided to provide rescue, relief and compensation to the flood and victims in different parts of the country.

The meeting also decided to effectively carry out relief and rescue work in the affected areas.

(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.)
Smartphone maker on Wednesday said it has elevated Navnit Nakra as its India CEO and Head of India region operations.

As part of this new senior leadership role, Nakra will spearhead the company's business operations and overall strategy for the India region, a statement said.

Nakra, who was previously serving as the Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Sales in India, joined the company in February last year.

Navnit has successfully led the strategy and sales operations at India, and our team has gained immense growth under his leadership. India continues to be an important market for OnePlus, and we continue to focus on our India community's needs as we work towards building a newer, more innovative ecosystem of products and services," Pete Lau, Founder of OnePlus and Chief Product Officer of OPPO, said.

He exuded confidence that Nakra will play a pivotal role in leading the future business operations effectively in the region.

With the next phase of growth, I am excited for the opportunity to further drive the growth of OnePlus, as we continue to deliver the best of our flagship technology and build our affordable premium ecosystem portfolio to bring cutting-edge products to our community in India, Nakra said.

Since last year, OnePlus has been actively investing in its India workforce with recent appointments and hiring of several senior leaders across marketing, strategy, government relations and human resources, as well as offline and online sales divisions.

The company also onboarded several young graduates through active campus placement efforts across colleges including IITs, IIMs, and NITs, to foster and groom young talent in India, the statement 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.)
Electric bike maker on Wednesday said it aims to fully localise its product range by January next year.

The company, which will re-open bookings of its electric motorcycle RV400 across 70 cities from tomorrow, currently has been able to achieve localisation of around 70 per cent.

"The company is working on 100 per cent localisation and by January we would be able to achieve it," Founder Rahul Sharma told PTI.

Revolt currently rolls out its electric bike from a manufacturing facility in Manesar, Haryana. The plant currently has an installed production capacity to roll out one lakh units per annum.

"We are looking to increase the capacity and there would also be new products by next year," Sharma noted but declined to share details.

Lauding the government policies, he said the EV segment in the country was now ready to expand exponentially.

"It will happen sooner than we think. Over the next five years the scenario will change completely," Sharma said.

The revolt also plans to expand its retail presence by entering 64 new cities, including Bangalore, Kolkata, Jaipur, Surat, Chandigarh, Lucknow & NCR by early 2022, from presence in just six cities to cater to the consumer demand.

It would be the third time that Revolt would be opening the bookings for the RV400 since July 2021.

The RV400 is currently available in three colors - Cosmic Black, Rebel Red, or Mist Grey. It comes with a 3KW motor, powered by a 3.24KWh lithium-ion battery that can churn out a top speed of 85km/h.

The bike can be operated through the MyRevolt App, which offers connectivity features such as bike locator/Geo-fencing, customised sounds that you can change with just a tap on the screen, complete bike diagnostics, battery status, historical data on your rides, and KMs done, and also the option of locating the nearest Revolt Switch Station to swap the battery.

(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.)
plans to rebrand itself as a company focused name on building the metaverse, according to The Verge website.

Chief Executive Officer is expected to announce the name at the companys Connect conference on October 28. What is 'metaverse' though?



The term was coined by sci-fi novelist Neal Stephenson in 1992 to describe a future dystopian world of virtual reality, the internet, and other technologies. With focusing on and bringing its properties like Instagram and WhatsApp under one umbrella, one may take the cue that the tech giant is aiming to be more than just a company.

committed in September $50 million towards building a metaverse where people can meet and share space. It has announced plans to create 10,000 new high-skilled positions in the European Union over the next five years to build the metaverse.

Facebook is not the first tech giant to overhaul its identity. Google, in 2015, did an overhaul to become a conglomerate under a parent company which it called Alphabet.

Facebook is under fire from regulators, lawmakers and activists in the US. Whistle-blower Frances Haugen has shared thousands of company documents with regulators and the Wall Street Journal. The documents detailed Facebooks struggle with moderating its content and alleged deleterious mental-health effects of its photo-sharing app Instagram, Bloomberg reported. A rebranding exercise is just what Facebook needs.

A metaverse could change how we see technology. It is likely to be a virtual world connecting work, play, meetings, and more. After Oculus (VR) headsets, Facebook is also building VR apps for social hangouts and for the workplace, including ones that interact with the real world.

We may have seen tiny bits of how the Metaverse experience would be, considering multiplayer games such as Fortnite and Pokemon Go have given us a sneak peek into the virtual world.

Facebook has been experimenting with a VR meetings app called Workplace, and a social space called Horizons, both of which use their virtual avatar systems.

This means that we may have our virtual avatars joining office meetings, meeting people online, and even shopping online but in a new manner. Its not clear how long it all will take but it looks like Facebook wants to hush up the process.

Besides, its not long that other tech giants jump the bandwagon, and Amazon are already investing in innovations that could prove crucial to the development of the metaverse.

Fortnite maker Epic Games recently completed a $1-billion round of funding, including an additional $200 million in strategic investment from Sony Group Corporation, to build its metaverse.
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 20 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Benefits.club, in affiliation with its NBFC partner - Kalandri Capital, has recently launched an innovative platform that allows employees, their social network, HNIs, and institutional investors to invest in the debt of their employer. Through the Benefits.club platform, companies can raise debt at a lower cost compared to traditional avenues such as banks and NBFCs while offering an attractive investment opportunity to the employees.

In their pilot program, Benefits.club has raised more than 30 crores for one of India's newest B2B unicorns. "Benefits.club has allowed us to access a completely new source of funds at a much lower cost. This innovation has the potential to create significant cost savings for companies. It has also given employees, who have been a big part of our growth journey, access to a safe and high yielding instrument which was earlier unavailable," said the CFO of the B2B unicorn. Benefits.club will deploy the raised capital to fund the B2B unicorn's short-term borrowings using a covered debenture structure.

"Employees are often better placed than even bankers to evaluate the future of their company because they live and breathe the business, spend 50 hours a week there - gathering a tremendous understanding of how well their company is doing. It also helps build their affinity for the employer and can act as a tool to align incentives. Moreover, the fact that the employees themselves are invested in the instrument is a massive vote of confidence for external investors", said Akshay Shah, founder of Benefits.club.

The investors, through the invite-only Benefits.club app, can view details of their investments, track their investments, make redemption requests at any time for a small processing fee, view the percentage of investment made by employees, and purchase future instruments. Benefits.club's NBFC partner Kalandri Capital is also looking to insure the payables for future offerings.

Website - (https://benefits.club)

This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)

DISCLAIMER

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Delhi [India], October 20 (ANI/PR Newswire): HarperCollins India presents a sequel to The Wall, The Horizon by Gautam Bhatia, releasing on 10th November 2021.

Gautam Bhatia on publication of his new book says, "The Horizon finishes the story begun in The Wall. It carries forward the themes of revolution and freedom, and I can promise that (most of) the questions raised in The Wall will be answered by the end of the story."

Commissioning editor, Prerna Gill says, "The Wall and its sequel The Horizon are strikingly original works of speculative fiction. Immersive and terrifyingly relevant, these books make for an unforgettable experience that no one should miss out on."

Advance Praise

"The world of The Wall will be irrevocably changed in this delightful, vastly high-concept and relentlessly intense sequel. So will its readers." -- Samit Basu

About the book

Did we not once promise that we would always be honest with each other?'

'I no longer ask for honesty. Just tell me a lie that I can forgive.

After 2000 years, the Wall has been breached. As Mithila steps into a world unknown, her sister Minakshi tightens her grasp on a city bracing for chaos and violence under a red sky. The ghost of an old Revolution stalks the streets, while the shadow of a new one threatens to tear Sumer apart.

Spreading word about this historical transgression, Alvar and Mankala find themselves facing new perils in a City they can barely recognize -- one torn between old fears and new desires, while caught in a deadly power struggle. But soon, they will know that the crossing of the Wall has consequences not just for the City, but for the world.

Praise for The Wall

"A deeply intelligent and thoughtful intellectual adventure that raises some fundamental questions in a strikingly original and provocative way." -- Gary K. Wolfe, Locus

"A significant Indian debut in science fiction on the theme of freedom." -- Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Open

"An exciting new direction for Indian sci-fi." -- The Hindu

"A fast-paced, gripping read, it is an important addition to Indian and world speculative fiction." -- The Hindustan Times

"By rebuking static, formulaic utopias in favour of dynamic, complex societies, The Wall asserts itself a descendant of Ursula K. Le Guin's The Dispossessed ... an unforgettable story and a fantastic addition to contemporary Indian (English) SFF." -- Strange Horizons

"It would be hard to put the book aside, even for a bit, for the last part. The Wall comes across as a deeply imagined, stylish and confident debut of an author who has introduced one new world to us, and will hopefully introduce many more." -- The Wire

'The novel pulls in readers with its thoughtful and detailed worldbuilding.' -- Scroll

About the Author

Gautam Bhatia is a science-fiction writer, reviewer, and an editor of the award-winning Strange Horizons magazine. The Wall, his first novel, was critically acclaimed in places such as Locus, Interzone and TheHindu, and was shortlisted for the 2020 Valley of Words Award in the English fiction category. The Horizon is the sequel to The Wall.

This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)

DISCLAIMER

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], October 20 (ANI/NewsVoir): With the aim to support government agencies and education institutions by building a life skills platform that can aid in the transformation of India's learning ecosystem, 18 organisations have come together to announce the launch of the Life Skills Collaborative (LSC). In the first phase, the LSC will work in tandem with state governments across Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra and Mizoram to bring contextual, social and cultural inputs to the development of life skills among the young people of India.

The Collaborative comprises organisations with diverse and global expertise in education, skill development, health and gender with a commitment to collaborate in deepening the understanding of life skills, designing learning tools that nurture life skills, and developing context-relevant assessments to measure progress, share learnings and inform system change India. The current collaborators include Breakthrough, Center for Science of Student Learning, Children's Investment Fund Foundation, Dream A Dream, Echidna Giving, Gnothi Seauton, ICRW, Kaivalya Education Foundation, Magic Bus, Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, Omidyar Network India, Porticus, Pratham, Quest Alliance, Room To Read, Sattva Consulting, Shantilal Muttha Foundation and The Teacher Foundation.

Speaking about the launch, Vishal Talreja, an LSC Collaborator and Co-founder of Dream A Dream, said, "One in three children in India live in extreme poverty and have stunted and/or wasted growth. Children from vulnerable backgrounds are exposed to a combination of adverse experiences causing an irrefutable impact on their physical and mental health. Empathy-based transformative pedagogy, experiential learning, and mentoring can help young people immensely."

The Life Skills Collaborative will focus on three core areas;

1. Voices, a nationwide engagement with youth, parents, and teachers to capture their voices and translate them to insights that can drive the integration of life skills within public education systems.

2. Glossary, a set of definitions that serves as the vocabulary to discuss life skills in India and establish the foundation for discussing and aligning on outcomes, designing assessments across community, practitioners, and government.

3. Assessments, will focus on creation, establishment, and dissemination of an assessment repository for adolescents, teachers, and the system. At the adolescent level, this will assess student's capacities and strengths in the age groups 11-14 years and 15-18 years; at the teacher level, it will assess the ability of the teacher to foster life skills in an adolescent; at the system level, it will assess the readiness of the system to deliver life skills.

Rathish Balakrishnan, an LSC Collaborator and Co-founder and Managing Partner at Sattva Consulting, said, "Young people often struggle to access education and employment opportunities, limiting their engagement in society and stunting their potential to live a full life. Equipping them with life skills can change this immensely. While there is a lot of interest in life skills, there is a lack of a common vocabulary and effective assessments, which limits its potential. By building credible and system-ready public goods, the Life Skills Collaborative can accelerate the effective adoption of life skills across the ecosystem."

In recent times, the need for developing stronger life skills has become more acute. Focusing on building life skills in the next generation is imperative in enabling them to handle different situations capably. In a country like India, where a vast majority of the population is young, life skill development enables young people to direct and manage their lives positively.

Geeta Goel, an LSC Collaborator and Country Director, Michael and Susan Dell Foundation (MSDF, India), added, "The Life Skills Collaborative is an innovative attempt to solve a wicked problem - the development of life skills among the young people of India. To achieve this goal, it is essential to support organizations, institutions and government agencies in building a more inclusive learning environment suited towards promoting life skills."

The Life Skills Collaborative (LSC) is a collaborative of organisations backed by multi-sectoral expertise, focused on championing life skills for India's young people to thrive, through an extensive on-ground outreach program. Life Skills - or social emotional skills - are guiding principles that help navigate through adversity. These are essential for India's youth to grow, thrive and succeed.

Website: (https://lifeskillscollaborative.in)

Instagram: @lifeskillscollaborative

Twitter: @lifeskills_in

Facebook: @lifeskillscollaborative

LinkedIn: @Life Skills Collaborative

This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)

DISCLAIMER

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bearing hammering continued on the bourses for a second straight day on Wednesday as investors booked profit at record high levels. Besides, a spike in US Treasury yields, which are at their highest level since April this year, coupled with a downgrade of Indian equities by global brokerage UBS soured sentiment on the Street.

UBS, in its Oct 20 report, downgraded India to "underweight" given rich valuations in the market. It says retail investors have played an outside role in the recent market rally, which while difficult to predict in terms of reversing, creates a potential headwind if this demand unwinds. Also, fading earnings momentum, less scope for economic rebound this year, low real yield, and expensive currency are some of the other reasons for downgrade given the vulnerability in a tapering environment.

They have, however, upgraded China from "underweight" to "overweight" on the back of likely bounce back in 2022, earnings growth expectations, and inexpensive valuation.

Against this backdrop, the 30-pack Sensex index ended 456 points lower at 61,260 while the Nifty50 index settled with a loss of 152 points at 18,267.

Bharti Airtel, SBI, Tata Motors, IndusInd Bank, Adani Ports, and Bajaj Finance were the top gainers on the Nifty50 index while Hindalco, BPCL, Titan, Bajaj Finserv, HUL, UPL, and PowerGrid were the top laggards.

In the broader markets, the BSE Midcap index shed 1.9 per cent to close at 25,915, and the Smallcap index tumbled 2.3 per cent to end at 28,879.

Among individual stocks, shares of IRCTC slipped 18 per cent to Rs 4,371 on the BSE in Wednesday's intra-day trade, amid heavy volumes, falling over 30 per cent in the past two trading days on account of profit booking.

The stock of the state-owned travel support services tanked 32 per cent from its record high level of Rs 6,393 touched in Tuesdays intra-day trade amid buzz that the government is appointing a regulator for the rail sector. A sharp decline in stock price has seen the investors lose around Rs 32,352 crore wealth in the past two days. It ended over 17 per cent lower at Rs 4,433 level.

On the contrary, shares of Vodafone Idea ended over 6 per cent higher today after the telecom operator said its board has approved exercise of option of deferment of company's spectrum auction instalments for a period of four years. It's peer firm Bharti Airtel, too, ended 4 per cent higher on the BSE.

Besides, Paras Defence and Space Technologies (PDSTL) shares surged 9.8 per cent at Rs 1,001, on the BSE on Wednesday, on the back of huge volumes.

In the past three trading days, the stock of the defence company has surged 58 per cent after the scrip was shifted under B Group from T2T segment with effect from Monday, October 18, 2021. Further, in the past 12 trading days, the market price of PDSTL has more-than-doubled or has advanced 101 per cent. It is now up 473 per cent higher than its issue price on the BSE.

Sectorally, the trend remained largely negative with only Media and PSU Bank indices ending the day in the green.

Shares of fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, for instance, were under pressure for the second straight day on Wednesday, falling nearly 5 per cent during the period, on concerns of slowing sales in the rural market.

On Tuesday, the country's largest FMCG company, Hindustan Unilever (HUL), posted a 9 per cent year-on-year rise in net profit at Rs 2,187 crore for the July-September quarter (Q2 of FY22). This was marginally lower than the Rs 2,195 crore estimated by Bloomberg. Following the Q2 results, the stock of HUL has declined 9 per cent from its Tuesday's intra-day high of Rs 2,732 on the BSE.

Among other FMCG stocks, Marico, VST Industries, Dabur India, Tata Consumer Products, Colgate-Palmolive (India), and ITC were down in the range of 1 to 3 per cent in the intra-day trade today.

Those of public sector banks, on the other hand, traded higher with the sector giant State Bank India hitting a new high on the expectation that the valuations for the sector would re-rate upwards, driven by an uptick in credit offtake going ahead.

SBI hit a new high of Rs 507.50 as the shares rallied 4 per cent in intra-day trade today. In the past one month, SBI has outperformed the market by gaining 15 per cent, as compared to a 5 per cent rise in the benchmark index.

On the earnings front, shares of Jubilant FoodWorks plunged 10 per cent on the BSE in the intra-day trade but ended 8.5 per cent lower after the company's same-store-sales growth came in at 26.3 per cent for the July-Sept quarter as against Street expectations of over 30 per cent. Overall, its profit came in at Rs 121.5 crore and revenue at Rs 1,100.7 crore

Now, Thursday's session will yet again be guided by global cues, weekly F&O, and corporate earnings. Asian Paints, Lemon Tree Hotels, Biocon, MphasiS, TVS Motors, Concor, Indian Hotel, and Indian Energy Exchange are some of the companies set to report their Q2 results tomorrow.
An Irish owned business established to service the current and future needs of offshore wind farms has announced plans to create 50 jobs over the next 12 months.

Green Rebel say the new positions will include survey vessel crew, technicians and engineers, data scientists and surveyors, ecologists, aircraft mission specialists, project managers, office administrators, AI specialists, software developers and sales and marketing roles.

Green Rebel is headquartered in Crosshaven, Cork and plays a key role in the development of the offshore wind sector. The jobs will be spread across Green Rebel's Crosshaven, Cork Airport and Limerick offices.

Using their fleet of ships, aircraft and innovative technology, the team specialise in the collection, processing, and analysis of marine and metocean data. The company and its team helps accelerate green energy developments in the most sustainable and ecologically responsible manner possible. Plans for offshore wind farms are at an advanced stage with a number of potential fixed and floating operators examining sites along the Irish coastline.

Welcoming the news, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said, "I am delighted to join Green Rebel to announce the creation of 50 jobs over the next 12 months. Having seen the technology, met many of the team, and seen some of the Green Rebel data from what is normally our hidden marine environment, I am excited that this team are having such success and innovative plans are in place to drive our supply chain forward and help Ireland become a world leader in the development of offshore wind."

Founder of Green Rebel, Pearse Flynn said, "Ireland is on the cusp of a green revolution. With an abundance of offshore wind and water available to us, we can produce real fuel alternatives to help deliver Ireland's energy transition. Wind generated offshore will pay a significant role in providing energy security and helping Ireland become a net exporter of green, renewable energy. Wind generation will bring ashore electricity that can be used either directly into the grid, or feed exciting new green energy solutions provided by our sister company EI-H2, who are looking to produce green hydrogen at sites in County Cork and beyond."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
A new survey has found that 52% of small and medium-sized business owners in Ireland have paid a ransom to a cybercriminal. The average ransom amount paid was 22,712. The survey of more than 200 business owners in firms of up to 150 employees was commissioned by Typetec and conducted by independent research company, Censuswide.

The research found that more than a quarter (27%) of those businesses who paid a ransom failed to have all affected data restored. Furthermore, 60% of business owners reported that sensitive data was leaked on the dark web despite paying a ransom. A majority (57%) of small business owners also revealed that they keep a cryptocurrency reserve in case they are needed to pay a ransom.



When asked about their biggest fears in terms of cybersecurity, loss of customers (37%) ranked first, followed by loss of employees (34%) and sensitive data being made available on the dark web (33%).

Furthermore, more than a quarter (27%) of company owners fear going out of business in the event of a successful cyber-attack. Despite these findings and the increased awareness of ransomware and other security threats, only 39% of SMEs in Ireland consider themselves to be very well protected from cyber-attacks.



Commenting on the research, Chief Technology Officer at Typetec, Trevor Coyle said, "Understanding the current security posture of your business is critical and conducting outdated audits is no longer an effective way of measurement, this will lead to a false sense of protection. As the survey results demonstrate, paying out ransoms in response to cyberattacks do not guarantee a successful restoration of data or systems, and it also encourages future attacks."

He added, "Its so important that businesses owners become proactive rather than reactive when it comes to protecting their customers, their employees and ultimately their businesses. These threats are not going away. A clearly defined and well managed cybersecurity strategy - particularly in an increasingly hybrid working world - is an absolute necessity for businesses of all sizes."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
Whats new: Shanghai will support companies in the green industry to list and trade in domestic and overseas markets as part of its plan to become an international green finance hub over the next few years, an official document (link in Chinese) published Tuesday said.

Included in the list of measures are plans for Shanghai to support innovation in carbon emission allowance-based derivatives, assist companies investing in green industries to move to the city, and encourage financial institutions to develop more financial products that take into account environmental, social and governance factors.

The city aims to establish itself as a globally influential center for carbon trading, pricing and innovation by 2025, the document said.

The background: Green finance has been moving up the agenda for Chinas financial regulators and local governments, as the nation has announced its goal to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

The southern island province of Hainan plans to establish an international carbon trading exchange, and Guangdong province (link in Chinese) plans to set up a unified carbon trading market within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to attract overseas investors.

China has the worlds largest green finance market, with $1.8 trillion in outstanding green loans and $125 billion in outstanding green bonds as of the end of 2020, central bank data show.

Quick Takes are condensed versions of China-related stories for fast news you can use.

Contact reporter Zhang Yukun (yukunzhang@caixin.com) and editor Joshua Dummer (joshuadummer@caixin.com)

Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go.

Get our weekly free Must-Read newsletter.
Chinas internet platforms need to do more to comply with regulators demands for changes ordered amid a wide-ranging campaign that started last year to tighten oversight of their financial businesses, the head of the countrys banking watchdog said.

Financial regulators have raised more than a thousand questions during the regulatory moves targeting 14 internet platforms, and most of the questions have received responses (from those firms), Guo Shuqing, chairman of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC), said. About a half of the responses have led to actions and more substantial progress will be made by the end of this year.

Guos comments, made in an interview (link in Chinese) with the official Xinhua News Agency published Tuesday, indicate that the internet and technology companies will announce more measures to restructure their financial services to address concerns that their activities could pose risks to the financial system and have also led to unfair competition.

Ant Group Co. Ltd., whose $34.5 billion international IPO was suspended in November 2020 after regulators raised red flags over its business model, is leading the way. In April, after months of talks with regulators, the company said it had finalized a rectification plan, which some analysts have said could become a template for other fintech giants to follow.

Guo didnt name the 14 companies targeted by regulators, but they cover major players in Chinas digital economy. In addition to Ant Group, they include Tencent Holdings Ltd., ByteDance Ltd., and the financial units of Baidu Inc., JD.com Inc., Meituan Dianping, Didi Chuxing, and Xiaomi Corp.

In April, regulators summoned them for meetings and gave them a series of directives to comply with, including obtaining licenses to conduct financial services, separating payments platforms from their other financial services, applying for licenses to conduct personal credit reporting business, and setting up financial holding companies to incorporate finance-related businesses if they meet the criteria for doing so. Regulators also vowed to improve supervision over their issuance of asset-backed securities and overseas IPO filings.

Read more

In Depth: The Rectification and Remaking of Ant Group

In his interview, Guo said Chinas financial sector is highly competitive and has some problems. These include the disorderly expansion of capital, illegal financial activities disguised as innovation, unfair competition in some financial services that violates laws and regulations, and activities that infringe on consumers rights and interest.

Some large internet platforms have become involved in various financial businesses and engaged in unfair competition, Guo said. Some have built monopolies in certain products and segments and some others activities have increased risks for the financial system through illegal regulatory arbitrage, he added.

Guo said regulators have stepped up supervision of major shareholders of banks and insurers and launched a three-year action plan to improve corporate governance, shown zero tolerance for illegal financial activities, and stopped regulatory arbitrage.

To promote fintech innovation, China granted much freedom and opened many doors for these internet companies previously. However, now we are at a point where proper regulation is needed, Qi Wang, CEO of MegaTrust Investment (HK), a fund management company specializing in A-share equity funds, told Caixin. Doing so (setting up financial holding companies) will help both the regulators and consumers identify the entity within an internet giant thats responsible for the related financial risk.

As well as tightening regulation, the authorities want to create a better financing environment for the development of the private economy by pushing banks to provide more convenient and grassroots financial services to private companies and widening their funding access, Guo said.

Contact reporter Guo Yingzhe (yingzheguo@caixin.com) and editor Nerys Avery (nerysavery@caixin.com)

Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go.

Get our weekly free Must-Read newsletter.
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
The Danville School board and administration spent about an hour of Tuesday evenings regular board meeting listening to concerns and comments regarding the schools universal masking policy as well as engaging in a dialogue with around a dozen distressed parents and community members.
The Facebook Papers project represents a unique collaboration among 17 American news organizations, including The Associated Press. Journalists from a variety of newsrooms, large and small, worked together to gain access to thousands of pages of internal company documents obtained by Frances
Become A Subscriber

A subscription opens up access to all our online content, including: our interactive E-Edition, a full archive of modern stories, exclusive and expanded online offerings, photo galleries from Caledonian-Record journalists, video reports from our media partners, extensive international, national and regional reporting by the Associated Press, and a wide variety of feature content.
Beat the queues and order ahead with Capita3Eats!

Explore your favourite eateries across CapitaLand Malls and order online or via the CapitaStar app for takeaways or deliveries to your doorstep. With a place for every taste, it's that easy to satisfy your cravings when you order from Capita3Eats.
Gov. Pat McCrory, with his wife Ann by his side, tells supporters early Wednesday morning that the governor's race against Democrat Roy Cooper would not be decided until all ballots were canvassed. (CJ photo by Don Carrington)
An independent expenditure group has put out the first negative mailer in North Carolina's 2022 U.S. Senate race.
Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and consider subscribing for only $7 per month to get access to more articles and news as it happens.
Photo: The Canadian Press

A House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection voted unanimously Tuesday to hold former White House aide Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress after the longtime ally of former President Donald Trump defied a subpoena for documents and testimony.

Still defending his supporters who broke into the Capitol that day, Trump has aggressively tried to block the committees work by directing Bannon and others not to answer questions in the probe. Trump has also filed a lawsuit to try to prevent Congress from obtaining former White House documents.

But lawmakers have made clear they will not back down as they gather facts and testimony about the attack involving Trumps supporters that left dozens of police officers injured, sent lawmakers running for their lives and interrupted the certification of President Joe Bidens victory.

The committees chairman, Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said Tuesday that Bannon stands alone in his complete defiance of our subpoena and the panel will not take no for an answer.

He said that while Bannon may be willing to be a martyr to the disgraceful cause of whitewashing what happened on January 6th  of demonstrating his complete loyalty to the former President, the contempt vote is a warning to other witnesses.

We wont be deterred. We wont be distracted. And we wont be delayed, Thompson added.

The Tuesday evening vote sends the contempt resolution to the full House, which is expected to vote on the measure Thursday. House approval would send the matter to the Justice Department, which would then decide whether to pursue criminal charges against Bannon.

The contempt resolution asserts that the former Trump aide and podcast host has no legal standing to rebuff the committee  even as Trumps lawyer has argued that Bannon should not disclose information because it is protected by the privilege of the former presidents office. The committee noted that Bannon, fired from his White House job in 2017, was a private citizen when he spoke to Trump ahead of the attack. And Trump has not asserted any such executive privilege claims to the panel itself, lawmakers said.

Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, one of just two Republicans on the committee, said: Mr. Bannons and Mr. Trumps privilege arguments do appear to reveal one thing, however: They suggest that President Trump was personally involved in the planning and execution of January 6th. And we will get to the bottom of that.

The committee says it is pursuing Bannons testimony because of his apparent role in the events of Jan. 6, including his communications with Trump ahead of the siege, his efforts to get the former president to focus on Jan. 6, the day Congress certified the presidential vote, and his comments on Jan. 5 that all hell is going to break loose the next day.

Bannon appears to have had multiple roles relevant to this investigation, including his role in constructing and participating in the stop the steal public relations effort that motivated the attack" and "his efforts to plan political and other activity in advance of January 6th, the committee wrote in the resolution recommending contempt.

The Biden White House has rejected Bannon's claims, with Deputy Counsel Jonathan Su writing Bannons lawyer this week to say that at this point we are not aware of any basis for your clients refusal to appear for a deposition. Bidens judgment that executive privilege is not justified, Su wrote, applies to your clients deposition testimony and to any documents your client may possess.

Asked last week if the Justice Department should prosecute those who refuse to testify, Biden said yes. But the Justice Department quickly pushed back, with a spokesman saying the department would make its own decisions.

While Bannon has said he needs a court order before complying with his subpoena, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and former White House and Pentagon aide Kashyap Patel have been negotiating with the committee. It is unclear whether a fourth former White House aide, Dan Scavino, will comply.

The committee has also subpoenaed more than a dozen people who helped plan Trump rallies ahead of the siege, and some of them are already turning over documents and giving testimony.

The vote came a day after Trump sued the committee and the National Archives to fight the release of documents the committee has requested. Trumps lawsuit, filed after Biden said hed allow the documents release, claims that the panels August request was overly broad and a vexatious, illegal fishing expedition. Trumps suit seeks to invalidate the entirety of the congressional request, calling it overly broad, unduly burdensome and a challenge to separation of powers. It requests a court injunction to bar the archivist from producing the documents.

The Biden administration, in clearing the documents for release, said the violent siege of the Capitol more than nine months ago was such an extraordinary circumstance that it merited waiving the privilege that usually protects White House communications.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Facebook is paying a $4.75 million fine and up to $9.5 million to eligible victims to resolve the Justice Departments allegations that it discriminated against U.S. workers in favor of foreigners with special visas to fill high-paying jobs.

Facebook also agreed in the settlement announced Tuesday to train its employees in anti-discrimination rules and to conduct more widespread advertising and recruitment for job opportunities in its permanent labor certification program, which allows an employer to hire a foreign worker to work permanently.

The departments civil rights division said the social network giant routinely refused to recruit, consider or hire U.S. workers, a group that includes U.S. citizens and nationals, people granted asylum, refugees and lawful permanent residents, for positions it had reserved for temporary visa holders.

Facebook sponsored the visa holders for green cards authorizing them to work permanently. The so-called H-1B visas are a staple of Silicon Valley, widely used by software programmers and other employees of major U.S. technology companies.

Critics of the practice contend that the foreign nationals will work for lower wages than U.S. citizens. The tech companies maintain that's not the case, that they turn to foreign nationals because they have trouble finding qualified programmers and other engineers who are U.S. citizens.

In principle, Facebook is doing a good thing by applying for green cards for its workers, but it has also learned how to game the system to avoid hiring U.S. tech workers," said Daniel Costa, director of immigration law and policy research at the liberal-leaning Economic Policy Institute. Facebook started lobbying to change the system more to its liking starting back in 2013 when the comprehensive immigration bill that passed the Senate was being negotiated."

The settlement terms announced Tuesday are the largest civil penalty and back-pay award ever recovered by the civil rights division in the 35-year history of enforcing anti-discrimination rules under the Immigration and Nationality Act, officials said. The back pay would be awarded to people deemed to have been unfairly denied employment.

The government said Facebook intentionally created a hiring system in which it denied qualified U.S. workers a fair opportunity to learn about and apply for jobs that it instead sought to channel to temporary visa holders.

Facebook is not above the law and must comply with our nations federal civil rights laws, which prohibit discriminatory recruitment and hiring practices," Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke told reporters in a telephone conference. Companies cannot set aside certain positions for temporary visa holders because of their citizenship or immigration status."

Facebook also agreed in a separate settlement with the Labor Department to expand its recruitment for U.S. workers and to be subject to ongoing audits to ensure compliance.

The company based in Menlo Park, California, said it believes it met the government's standards in its practices. It said it agreed to the settlements to end the litigation and move ahead with its permanent labor certification program  which it called an important part of its overall immigration program.

These resolutions will enable us to continue our focus on hiring the best builders from both the U.S. and around the world, and supporting our internal community of highly skilled visa holders who are seeking permanent residence," Facebook said in a statement.

Facebook says it ended the April-June quarter this year with over 63,400 full-time employees globally and has 3,000 current job openings.

The lawsuit was filed against Facebook last December by the Justice Department under the Trump administration. The alleged violations are said to have occurred from at least Jan. 1, 2018 to at least Sept. 18, 2019.

A $4.75 million fine and $9.5 million in back pay are a trifle for a company valued at $1 trillion with revenue of nearly $86 billion last year. But the announcement comes at a time of intense public discomfort and scrutiny for Facebook.

Public allegations and testimony to Congress from a former Facebook data scientist that the company disregarded internal research showing harm to children have raised a public outcry and calls for stricter government oversight of the company. The former employee, Frances Haugen, accused Facebook of prioritizing profit over safety and being dishonest in its public fight against hate and misinformation.

The company is also awaiting a federal judges ruling in an epic antitrust suit filed against it by the Federal Trade Commission. Calls from critics and lawmakers of both parties to break up the behemoth company are intensifying.
Re.: Time for the 9 p.m. routine (Castanet, Oct. 19)

We are advised to do a 9 p.m. security walk to make sure we are all buttoned up for the night.

Common sense, in this day and age, suggests we hide everything from vandals.

My question is, if my vehicle and possessions are on my propertyand I think trespass comes to mindwhy should I feel that I have to live like in Fort Knox?

Our judicial system is broken. I empathize with the police. They work hard to solve these crimes but its a catch and release judicial system. How demoralizing a job it must be to help the public to then see these criminalsmany who are repeatersbe released to do more crimes before there are any consequences.

I am demoralized with the (belief) perpetrators have more rights and leeway than victims. The victim has worked hard to get their possessions and property. Nobody gave it to them. So what gives these criminals the right to enter their private property and help themselves?

Plus, some (criminals) feel they are owed.

My latest experience was going by the bottle/recycle depot on Bredin Road.

I was sad to see the commercial complex beside the depot is now fenced to protect its customers.

I was aghast to see the ill-gotten gains of previous nights wares being traded. I am not a fence but definitely saw wares that were not purchased legally.

What bothered me was the sheer openness and cavalier way of exchanging goods out in the openno back alley trading there. (It was done in) broad daylight, around 10 a.m.

So now we are asked to do a patrol at 9 p.m. By. 9:05pm its time for the crimes to commence. How sad and depressing.

Kelownas criminals are running this city.

Oops. Time for my 9 p.m. patrol.

Good luck Kelowna

Irene Hawrysh, Kelowna
Photo: Google Street View

A man who exposed himself to a parent by a Burnaby elementary school in January has been granted a conditional discharge with a year of probation.

On Jan. 13 at 2:47 p.m., Burnaby RCMP got a call from Maywood Community School reporting a suspicious male in the alley behind the school who was looking into cars and lunging at parents who were waiting for their children, according to agreed facts read out by Crown prosecutor Louise Gauld in Vancouver provincial court Monday.

A parent waiting for his daughter told the suspect, later identified as Eric Charles Narayan, to go away, Gauld said.

Narayan did but then came back, and an altercation ensued that ended with the parent holding Narayan on the ground.

The parent wanted to hold him there until police came, but a 911 dispatcher told him to let him go, according to Gauld.

He released Narayan, who walked away, turned around and pulled his pants down, exposing his penis to (the parent), Gauld said.

Police arrived shortly after and detained him, and he was charged in March with committing an indecent act in a public place and indecent exhibition in a public place.

Narayan, 37, pleaded guilty Monday to indecent exhibition. The other charge was stayed.

His lawyer, Sarah Grewal, said Narayan regrets his actions and said the incident was out of character for him.

He tells me that the offence occurred because he was intoxicated, Grewal said.

Gauld said Narayan should also be ordered to get counselling, but Grewal opposed that condition.

She said her client has mental health issues, including schizophrenia, but that he takes his medication regularly and is already getting medical help.

Nick Christofides, district principal for safe and caring schools with the Burnaby school district, said Maywood held its dismissal bell for a couple minutes during the incident until police arrived and it was safe for students to leave the school.
Re: Duane Arthurs letter: Heartless and divisive (Castanet, Oct. 19)

I prefer to think that some writers (myself included) are more frustrated than heartless and divisive.

For oneas part of the 82% fully vaccinated B.C. residentsI feel a complete lack of understanding toward those individuals who refuse to work for the common goal and take some of the pressure off our embattled health care workers. If the vast majority of us get a little strident now and then, at least were not picketing hospitals and schools trying to inflict our views on others.

For another, does anyone remember the onset of the virus? We didnt have enough masks to go around and we were praying for anything that medical science could give us that would help save us, our communities and our functioning society. Now we have it.

We survived the lockdowns, although there were protests. Im proud to be a British Columbian and a Canadian because we, as a province and a country, weathered a horrific storm (for the most part) with grace and dignity.

The storm is not over and is showing signs that it might become worse. How is this possible? Masks help but theyre not infallible. Vaccines are a godsend but they also are not infallible. Fully vaccinated people can still get and transmit the virus. But what would happen if we could get a firebreak where we could get the virus down to easily manageable proportions?

If there are no hosts and good barriers to the spread, it might be possible. I say might because we really dont know. But isnt it worth a try?

If we can stop one unnecessary death, or 10, or a hundred simply by upping the number of fully vaccinated and masked people, wouldnt that be a great thing?

So, whats the hold-up? I think we all know.

So please forgive us, the masked and vaccinated, for being frustrated. We are now in a situation where the tail is wagging the dog. Maybe were just tired of turning the other cheek. Maybe were just tired of a few of our neighbours acting like spoiled brats. Maybe it just time for us to let our thoughts and feelings out.

We are the majority and we still love our neighbours. But maybe, just maybe, its time for this horrible pandemic to end.

We can do it. Wear a mask. Get vaccinated. Please.

Gary Lynch
Donna Hubbard McCree, PhD, MPH, RPh, is the Associate Director for Health Equity for the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), CDC. Dr. McCree joined CDC in 2001 and has held a range of positions including serving as the Associate Director for Health Equity in the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention since 2010.

She previously served as CDC Co-Chair for the Health Equity Goal, HIV National Strategic Plan: A Roadmap to End the HIV Epidemic 2021-2025. She is Guest Editor for an AIDS and Behavior Supplement on HIV-related stigma, and was lead Co-Editor of a book focused on HIV in African American communities, African Americans and HIV: Understanding and Addressing The Epidemic and Guest Co-Editor for a theme issue of the American Journal of Public Health. Dr. McCree was recently honored in Hopkins Bloomberg Public Health Magazine. Additionally, she is the recipient of numerous awards including a 2012 prestigious Distinguished Alumna Award from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland; 2018 Outstanding Service and Leadership Award, American Public Health Association, Pharmacy Section; and 2017 HUCOP Alumni Legacy by Decades Award from the Howard University Pharmacy Alumni Association.

Dr. McCree completed her Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Public Health degrees at The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health in Health Policy and Management with a specialty in Social and Behavioral Sciences. She also completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Preventive Medicine with a specialty in sexually transmitted disease prevention at Emory University Rollins School of Public Health. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree, summa cum laude, in Pharmacy from Howard University and is a registered pharmacist in the states of Maryland, Connecticut, and the District of Columbia.
Malabar Cements meets opposition against new mine

20 October 2021

Indias BJP district committee has opposed the move to open a new limestone mine in Walayar forest, Kerala, for Malabar Cements Ltd (MCL).

The current mining permission for MCL will end in 2023. Therefore, moves are reportedly being made to open a new mine in nearby Pandarathumala, with MCL seeking permission from the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment. However, the party has stated that it is an ecologically sensitive area and no mining should be allowed.

In response, employees of MCL noted that the non-availability of limestone threatens the survival the company and would put more than 1000 workers out of a job, according to The Times of India.

Published under
Peru's cement market expands 14% YoY in September

ICR Newsroom By 20 October 2021

Cement dispatches in Peru advanced 14 per cent YoY and three per cent MoM to 1.238Mt in September, according to Asocem, the countrys cement association. Of this total, Asocem members delivered 1.145Mt, up 14 per cent YoY and three per cent MoM.



Cement production increased by 14 per cent YoY and by two per cent MoM to 1.145Mt in September. In addition, clinker output advanced by 50 per cent YoY and by five per cent MoM to 0.901Mt.



Asocem members exported 17,100t of cement, up 33 per cent YoY but down seven per cent MoM, as well as 69,700t of clinker.



Cement imports more than tripled to 72,000t in September 2021 when compared with the year-ago period. In terms of origin, more than 90 per cent of cement imports were shipped from Vietnam. In addition, 161,000t of clinker was importer, of which 74 per cent from South Korea.

Published under
Buena Vista, CO (81211)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun with gusty winds. High near 55F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low 29F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.
This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) and Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) on Tuesday formally issued a call for the third extraordinary session of the 112th General Assembly. As outlined in Article 2, Section 8 of the Tennessee Constitution, this call was at the request of both chambers of the General Assembly. The session will cover a number of issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including "overreaching health care mandates."

The members of the Senate and their constituents have been clear about the need for this session, said Lt. Governor McNally. The Covid-19 crisis - and how various institutions have adapted and reacted to it - has created new and unique legislative challenges. This is an opportunity to make the General Assemblys voice heard on issues regarding masks, vaccines, executive power, and federal mandates.

For several weeks, we have heard from Tennesseans that have significant concerns over the unconstitutional and burdensome mandates being imposed upon them, said Speaker Sexton. As an elected body, it is our responsibility to let the distinctive voices of our communities be heard on these issues. I look forward to working together with Lt. Gov. McNally, the House, and Senate to create solutions that preserve the individual choices, freedoms, and liberties of all Tennesseans.

Signed by over two-thirds of the members of both chambers, the call will bring both the House and the Senate back into session on Oct. 27 at 4 p.m. The call would allow legislation related to vaccines, masks, and other restrictions relative to COVID-19.

Officials said, "Legislation to address the various unconstitutional federal mandates issued by the Biden administration would also meet the call guidelines. Additionally, legislation regarding the independent health departments and restrictions on monoclonal antibodies would also be appropriate under the call."
Mayor Tim Kelly said he will announce the new police chief at the end of February after a public process involving several virtual public input sessions.

He said, "The goal of this process is to select a chief who will ensure Chattanooga leverages innovative, community-led approaches to keep our residents safe.

"My team and I want to hear from engaged residents like yourself to help identify the qualities needed in our next chief, and to take our citizens' public safety priorities into account. My team and I will leverage your feedback to drive the final selection of Chattanoogas next police chief in February.

"That is why the public engagement portion of our police chief search process includes both an online survey and multiple public input sessions to ensure we hear from as many people as possible. You can take the brief (but important) survey and afterwards register for one of our virtual input sessions at cha.city/chiefsearch."

The position is to be posted nationally on Nov. 15 for 30 days.

Semi-finalists interviews will be in late January.

In February the finalists will meet with Mayor Kelly and a community interview panel.

The dates of the virtual public input sessions are:
A man was working on the gas pumps at the Circle K at 2514 Amnicola Hwy. He said he heard a vehicle begin to accelerate at a high rate of speed on Appling Street towards Riverside Drive. As the man looked over at the vehicle, he noticed that a yellow bag was being thrown from it onto the side of the road. The vehicle was described as a dark colored SUV. Once the man retrieved the bag, he looked inside and found what appeared to be a disassembled handgun. Once on scene, the officer was able to confirm that it was a handgun. The firearm is a Jimenez Arms JA Nine 9mm handgun. The serial number was run by dispatch and was not reported as stolen. The firearm will be taken to CPD property.

* * *

An employee of Machine Tech at 971 Pineville Road said sometime in the past three or four weeks someone stole numerous parts off of a company owned 2002 Ford Ranger pickup truck. He said the vehicle was parked to the side of the building.

* * *

A woman on Uptain Road said a previous employee was causing a disorder. She said the employee came to her desk and threw her termination letter down. The miffed woman left in a gold Honda CRV prior to police arrival.

* * *

A husband and wife on Hourglass Point said they wanted a divorce. The wife wanted to get some of her clothes and stay elsewhere. The husband was clear on this. The wife left with some of her belongings without incident.

* * *

Police were dispatched to Hixson Pike to find a black male walking south who was stepping into traffic. Police found the man at the 2700 block of Hixson Pike. He said he was looking for the closest motel. Police assisted him to 4833 Hixson Pike and got him out of traffic.

* * *

An anonymous caller said there was a male without a shirt on headed towards the dam on Highway 153. They said he was riding a bicycle with a purple wagon. An officer found and identified the man just before the dam. He said he was waiting until traffic let up so that he could ride his bicycle across the dam. He consented to a search and nothing was located. The officer ran the man through NCIC and found that he had no active warrants. He was given directions on a safer route to get to Hixson rather than crossing the dam.

* * *

An officer saw a black, four-door truck parked suspiciously behind a residence that appeared vacant on Allin Street. The vehicle returned not stolen to a person out of Antioch, Tn. The vehicle appeared abandoned and ransacked.

* * *

A man said he drove to Walmart at 2020 Gunbarrel Road, parked his truck in the parking lot, and when he returned to his vehicle after shopping, he noticed it was gone. The officer watched video surveillance footage from Walmart and could see faint images of someone, unknown description, walk up to the truck, get in, and drive off. The man said he left his truck unlocked with the keys inside. The 2006 gold GMC Sierra truck has a Georgia license plate. There is damage to the front passenger headlight which makes it point down, and clothes in the truck in garbage bags. A BOLO was issued for the vehicle. The man said the water pump on the truck is bad and the truck may have broken down somewhere. The man will attempt to find the registration and proof of ownership in order to have his vehicle entered into NCIC.

* * *

A man said he was traveling north on Gunbarrel Road and struck a pothole in the far right lane about the area of the intersection of Gunbarrel Road and Landress Drive. He said it damaged his tire and wheel, which is around $550 in value. The man wanted to make a report and have the city of Chattanooga fix the road. The officer notified Public Works and they are clear to investigate the pothole.

* * *

An officer spoke with two females in a suspicious vehicle at East Lake Park. The females were identified and were sitting in their vehicle playing loud music. After the officer spoke with them, they turned down the music and the officer told them that the park is closed and they needed to leave.

* * *

A man said he was inside Bar Watson at 2311 Center St. and, when he came back out to his car, he noticed both passenger side windows were busted. The man said nothing was taken and that it would cost around $800 to replace both windows.

* * *

An officer attempted a traffic stop on a black Nissan Altima for failing to stop at the red light at Broad and 25th. The car fled and was last seen turning into the Westside at 2:23 a.m. At 2:34 a.m. police found the vehicle unoccupied on Grove Street Court. It was towed to A-1 towing for being used in the commission of a felony.

* * *

Police responded to an unconscious person in a car on Highway 153. Upon arrival police spoke to the white male, who had fallen asleep in his vehicle. Medical came to check him out and he refused EMS.

* * *

A man on East Brainerd Road said his nephew has stolen approximately $3,000 worth of personal property while he was living in Dalton. He was informed that he would have to contact the Police Department that has jurisdiction of that residence to complete a theft report.

* * *

Police responded to a disorder at the Best Western Hotel at 3644 Cummings Hwy. The front desk clerk had called in and said the man in room 319 had failed to check out at the proper time and was now refusing to leave the room. Police went to the room and spoke to the man, who said he had been staying in the room for three nights, but was now out of money and had nowhere to go. Police offered to give him a ride to the Community Kitchen and helped him gather up his personal belongings. The man was transported to the Community Kitchen without incident.

* * *

The clerk at Dollar General at 728 Market St. said an older white male stole a natty beer worth $2. He said that he did not want to prosecute but if the officer can find the suspect, he would like him trespassed from the business. The officer checked the area but was unable to locate the suspect.

* * *

A woman on Wauchula Street called police saying she has been receiving bills through the mail for her great-grandson who she has not spoken to in years. The woman said she has been receiving phone calls from a school concerning her great-grandson and she wants them to stop. The woman said she informed Life Alert of the issue, who asked her to file a police report. Due to no crime being committed, no police action was taken.

* * *

A man on East 8th Street and Palmetto Street said he parked his vehicle in the parking lot around 1 a.m. and, when he returned at 11 a.m., he noticed the mirror was cracked and chipped. The man said he was unaware of any surveillance video in the area.

* * *

Police met with the owner of Bio One on Bonny Oaks Dr. who was in the process of cleaning the residence and found a grenade. The grenade was taken for later disposal with no other incident by the bomb squad.

* * *

An officer was called to 728 Market St. for a homeless man who needed to be trespassed due to a prior theft. The officer was able to speak with the man and trespass him.

* * *

A woman on Cassie Lane said a man had come onto her porch saying he left a backpack there and wanted to know where it was. She said she didn't know what he was talking about and that he needed to leave. The man apparently came back and was going through her belongings on her front porch and she called the police. Police were unable to speak with the man but the woman would like him trespassed from her property if police can speak with him.

* * *

A vehicle was parked in front of a residence on Hemphill Circle that did not belong to the residents. It was not documented as stolen at this time. No owner phone number was able to be found or owner/driver description. The car was documented at this location in case owner calls later on.

* * *

A man on Broomsedge Trail called police to say around 11 p.m. his girlfriend heard a loud bag from the door. His girlfriend went to leave the apartment in the morning and noticed the door frame was damaged and there was some damage on the exterior of the door. The man did not believe anyone made entry into the apartment. No suspect information is available.

* * *

A woman on Albany Street called police to say she left her car parked on the street around midnight while she was there attending a party. When she got back to the vehicle around 3:30 or 4 a.m., she discovered that the windshield had been busted out. She said she was not sure of the exact address but she believes she was on Albany Street. She said no estimate has been done on repairs and the car is actually registered to her stepfather. The car is a white, 2012 Toyota Camry.

* *

The Ridgeway Apartments manager at 1204 Poplar St. made a vandalism report for a broken window. She said someone broke the window to unit B sometime during the weekend. There is no suspect information at this time. The total amount of loss comes to $368.

* * *

A woman on South Beech Street said her vehicle was entered overnight. She said it had been left unlocked when it was parked and the driver's side door was cracked open when she discovered the theft. She said her daughter's backpack had been stolen, which had a school laptop inside it, along with other items. The laptop belongs to the Hamilton County Department of Education.

* * *

A woman on Oak Street said she was in a verbal disorder with her husband. The woman reported this all started because the man was saying mean things about her daughter. The woman was very intoxicated and emotional over the argument. The man said he was not bothering the woman and she gets very emotional when drinking and gets upset with him. Police spoke with the person who reported the incident that she was fine and did not appear to need police assistance.

* * *

Police spoke by phone with a man and a woman on Cummings Highway. They said the woman's brother-in-law had been contacting them saying he was going to call the police and report that she was kidnapped. The woman said she has not been kidnapped and she left on her own free will to be with her boyfriend, the man on the phone. The woman said she wanted to be with her boyfriend and that her brother-in-law is always attempting to control what she does. She said there is no power of attorney in place. She was told to block her brother-in-law's phone number.
A bugler playing the above ritual in the military at the end of a day and at a funeral for an honored veteran is an American tradition but was not originated in our country.

The British in the seventeenth century borrowed from the Dutch army the custom of sounding a drum and bugle to inform soldiers that it was time to quit socializing and to retire to their quarters for the night.

This Dutch custom was called tap toe meaning shut off the taps and its abbreviation of taps became a signal for bar operators to turn off the spigots on their beer and wine casks and to discontinue serving military personnel.

After barracks lights were turned out the playing of taps signals that the soldiers are safely at home which is also the intended message for taps being performed at funerals.

(Excerpts from The Little Book of Answers  Author  Doug Lennox  (2003)  MJF Books  New York, NY 1001.)
The Red Bank Commission meeting Tuesday night was the first for the new City Manager Martin Granum. He thanked the commissioners for entrusting and selecting him out of the nationwide search. After the warm welcome by each of the commissioners, the citys staff and the community, he said that so far it has been a wonderful experience and he said that he looks forward to greatness for the city. He said his belief is that leadership means perpetual optimism, and he added, I want to bring energy and optimism to Red Bank.

After much discussion by the commissioners and work by City Attorney Arnold Stulce, an amendment to the Red Bank beer ordinance was passed on the first reading Tuesday night. The newly amended ordinance updated the old ordinance governing beer sales in the city that were considered to be outdated and restrictive. The main changes are in relation to special permits and operating hours. Beer sales will now be allowed from 10 a.m. until 1 a.m. seven days a week. And the ordinance was simplified to specify that there be adequate sanitary facilities as required by the building code occupancy capacity.

The new conditions in the ordinance will allow gatherings such as brunches, parties and weddings that want to serve beer to be held in the city. And it is hoped that because of the changes more restaurants will move into Red Bank.

Commissioner Ruth Jeno voiced her concern about the removal of the previous distance requirement that had been 300 feet from a church or a school to a place selling beer. She also objected to the hours that beer sales will be allowed 365 days a year. Those concerns were the same ones that citizens of Red Bank spoke about. Close to a dozen residents lined up to give their opinions about changes to the beer ordinance. Several expressed their support for the new version, but most wanted to maintain some of the previous restrictions such as a distance requirement or hours of sales. Some felt 10 a.m. was too early and some thought that 1 a.m. is too late.

The first vote to amend the beer ordinance passed four to one with only Commissioner Jeno voting in opposition. The entire ordinance will be available on the Red Bank website under public notes for Red Bank citizens to read before the final vote at the next commission meeting.

The citys operating budget was amended for the fiscal year 2022 to include costs associated with the new city manager search and implementation of the pay of $300 annually for each member of the planning commission, which is compensation for their time and to cover the costs of travel.

A resolution passed that authorized the purchase of 12 sets of body armor in the amount of $10,152. This will replace vests that are expiring for the police department.

The commissioners also voted to authorize the city to apply for and receive a grant from the Tennessee Council on Aging and Disability. The grant for $5,000 will be used for equipment at the Red Bank Senior Center.
Some proceeds from Pistols at the Prison, a recent gun show and live auction at the former Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary, went to non-profit groups.

The proceeds from two Dawn of Defense rifles featured in Pistols at the Prison went to two different organizations located in Morgan County. Brushy Mountain designated MoCo Mutts Rescue Center as its chosen charity, while Compass Auction chose the Morgan County STEM Program as its beneficiary.

MoCo Mutts was founded in 2018 by its current President, Lisa Hill, after she and her husband Jeff moved to Sunbright, Tn., from Washington State. Morgan county lacked an animal shelter and animal control services at the time, motivating Ms. Hill to create MoCo Mutts to fill a void in her new community.

Officials said, Since 2018, MoCo Mutts has helped over 1,000 dogs and puppies with medical care, sanctuary housing, fostering and adoption. We see firsthand the horror that many of these animals encounter every day. We are a small non-profit trying to make a big impact in an area with few resources, but we believe that through caring and education we can change lives one wag at a time!

Officials of Compass Auction, which is based in Chattanooga, said, "We are proud to have taken part in raising funds to help support a great cause like MoCo Mutts, who cares for an average of 80 dogs and 40 cats every day.

The Morgan County STEM program aims to develop education for local students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The program aims to not only engage students with real-world problem solving in the classroom but provides them with the opportunity to develop creative and critical thinking skills that will prepare them for post-secondary success, according to the Tennessee Department of Education.

In 2020, Petros-Joyner Elementary, a school located in Morgan County, received a STEM designation from the Tennessee Department of Education. Compass is humbled to have been a partner in advancing educational programming in its home state of Tennessee and is excited to witness the future development of Morgan County Schools.

For more information on the MoCo Mutts Rescue Center, visit their official website. To learn more about the Morgan County STEM Program, visit the website for Morgan County Schools. For those interested in learning more about Brushy Mountain, visit TourBrushy.com.
Small acorns produce forest giants, and in Tennessee, the white oak is perhaps king. The white oak is a keystone tree species in Tennessee for both wildlife and wood products, but experts are concerned about the long-term sustainability of white oak considering the regeneration difficulties associated with the species.The White Oak Initiative in Tennessee is a joint project of the Tennessee Division of Forestry (TDF), the Tennessee Forestry Association (TFA) and University of Tennessee Extension.The initiative is promoting the reforestation of white oak by placing focus on acorn collection and education to promote the production of seedlings for planting. We hope to keep white oak in the forest landscape with continuous conservation, reforestation and stewardship projects, says Wayne Clatterbuck, UT Extension forester and member of the project team.The White Oak Initiative is asking Tennessee civic organizations, forestry groups, landowners and anyone interested to collect white oak acorns. The acorns will then be planted and evaluated at the East Tennessee Nursery in Delano, Tennessee, and resulting quality, white oak seedlings will be used in reforestation efforts.The White Oak Initiative has produced a YouTube information video that describes the value of the white oak to the forest and to wildlife species as well as our economy. It also is useful to help identify white oak from other oak species.Participation is open to anyone. For information about collecting, processing and delivering acorns or requesting an acorn collection kit, visit the following websites:YouTube Information Video:https://youtu.be/PAE_BapmrlEAcorn Collection Kits:Tennessee Forestry Association615-883-3832Acorn Depository:East Tennessee Nursery in Delano, Tennessee877-868-7337www.PlantTNTrees.orgWhite Oak ID and Acorn Processing:University of Tennessee Extension, Knoxville865-974-7990wclatter@utk.eduOnly white oak acorns are needed. The project will be accepting acorns from Oct. 15 through Nov. 15.
Tennessee Oncology and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee have kicked off an innovative value-based cancer care program to improve treatment coordination for thousands of Tennesseans. This venture launched earlier this month for BlueCross networks P, S, and L and will be one of the most comprehensive value-based arrangements for cancer care in the country, said officials.

As a value-based initiative, the program is designed to support high-quality, cost-effective health care to patients. The initiative follows BlueCross members at all phases of the cancer journey from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up, and providers earn financial incentives or penalties based on how well members care is coordinated and documented. BlueCross and Tennessee Oncology will:

- ensure best practices are followed in care planning and treatment,

- analyze treatment data to make sure care guidelines are met and patients receive the right treatment at the right time, and

- provide patient-centered care throughout the process.



As the clinical partner in the Oncology Medical Home, Tennessee Oncology will maintain key quality designations including the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Certification awarded by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

According to the American Cancer Society, there will be nearly 42,000 new cancer diagnoses in Tennessee in 2021  and its no secret that the cost of treating the disease can be significant. Roughly 18,000 BlueCross members diagnosed with cancer undergo chemotherapy every year, with average claims of $75,000 for six months of treatment. Addressing those costs can help members and employer customers save on care.

This program supports our members peace of mind by enabling access to the highest-quality, patient-centered care for their condition, said Dr. Andrea Willis, senior vice president and chief clinical officer for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.

The prevalence and cost of cancer care makes this initiative extremely valuable to our members and employer customers, said Todd Ray, SVP corporate provider network management and Medicare products for BlueCross. Tennessee Oncologys commitment to demonstrating quality and value for our members, and their investment in the data analytics capabilities needed to support this type of program, have made them a great collaborator in advancing these objectives.

The program was developed through a comprehensive evaluation of the most effective features of other value-based cancer care programs in recent years, including the Oncology Care Model overseen by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. The program also set a high bar for the data and technology infrastructure needed to support quality care throughout a patients cancer care journey, said officials.

Our commitment to innovation and patient-centered care have always been core to the culture of Tennessee Oncology, said Natalie Dickson, MD, president of Tennessee Oncology. The current era of personalized medicine is especially encouraging for our patients and clinicians; however, affordability will continue to be a major challenge. As evidenced by this program, the role of the health plans is becoming increasingly important to enable us to fulfil our mission. This value-based care initiative will serve as a model for how clinicians and health insurers can collaborate to benefit patients.






I am not in favor of the State of Tennessee spending $276 million to basically rebuild Moccasin Bend Hospital. For many years the thought was to relocate the hospital and expand the Moccasin Park to include this tract of land. Does the hospital really need 105 acres of land to operate? Could the state find another smaller site for the hospital, build a new hospital while continuing ... (click for more)

Senator Roger Marshall, a Republican rural doctor from Kansas, is now serving in the Senate and Doc, as he is known, brings forth a most unfortunate fact about the vaccine mandate that we need to know. In a recent address, he pointed out that our armed forced members who shun the mandate will become whats this?  felons. Listen to what he said in a recent speech on the Senate ... (click for more)
Meg Buchanan had first place and was the overall champion of low net with a 68 on the Chattanooga Women's Golf Association Closing Day at the Black Creek course.

Other Results:



Low Net:



Second Place with a 68 - Charlotte Grant

Third Place with a 71 - Phyllis Loftsgard

Fourth Place with a 73 - Kathy Vaughn

Fifth Place with a 76 - Patty Donahoo

Sixth Place with a 76 - Janet Horton

Seventh Place with a 76 - Carlene Ryon



Low Gross Medalist with a 76 - Charlotte Grant



Forward Tees Low Net:

First Place with a 71 - Deedee Raulston

Second Place with a 72 - Pam Potter

Third Place with a 72 - Leslie Nelson



Non-Qualifying Winner with a 79 - Carol Burns



Special Awards:

Most Times Gross - Darlene Werhnyak

Most Attendance - Jeanie Reedy

Most Improved - Katie Young
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Josh Duggar was arrested earlier this year over his reported connection to a child pornography ring

Anna Duggar is very pregnant with her and Joshs seventh child

Duggar family insiders claim Anna Duggar think Josh Duggar is innocent because she is brainwashed

Josh Duggar and Anna Duggar | Kris Connor/Getty Images

Anna Duggars husband Josh Duggar is currently facing charges that could put him behind bars for decades. The former 19 Kids & Counting star was arrested earlier this year in connection with a child pornography ring. The accusations alone have taken Josh away from the very pregnant Anna and their six children. And if hes convicted in court next month, he will most likely do some prison time. Despite all of this, the brainwashed Anna continues to defend her husband.

Anna Duggar supports Josh Duggar after his arrest

In late 2019, federal agents raided the Arkansas used car dealership owned by Josh. At the time, there was speculation he was being investigated for illegal hiring practices. But it wasnt clear exactly why the feds were interested in Jim Bob and Michelle Duggars oldest child.

Counting On fans finally learned the truth in the spring of 2021, when Josh was arrested in connection to a child porn ring investigation. The father of six (soon to be seven) was allegedly in possession of dozens of explicit photos and videos. Some reportedly depicted children who were as young as 18 months old.

Despite all of this, sources claim that Josh still has the support of many members in his family. Including Anna and his parents, Jim Bob and Michelle.

Is the Counting On star is convinced her husband is innocent

When Joshs case first began, sources claim that Joshs wife and parents believed he would ultimately be found not guilty. But in recent weeks, the judge in the case has thrown out four of five motions that Joshs legal team filed.

The reality that Josh is likely going to do some time when this case is adjudicated is reportedly starting to set in. Still, she doesnt think her husband did what hes being accused of. A source told People magazine back in May that Anna thinks Josh is innocent.

Is Anna Duggar defending Josh Duggar because shes brainwashed?

Anna continues to stand by her husbands side with a smile on her face. Which is the image fans saw when the couple was spotted leaving the courtroom in September. One insider told Page Six that Anna should have divorced years ago when he admitted to cheating. But, she stays in the marriage because she appears to be a little brainwashed.

I definitely dont think she should continue to have kids with him, the insider added.

RELATED: Jim Bob Duggars Shady Real Estate Deals Is Reportedly How He Plans to Help Anna Duggar While Josh Duggar Is Behind Bar

While Josh waits for his day in court, he is ordered to stay away from all minor children. He had to move out of the home he shares with Anna, and is only allowed supervised visits with his kids.

Has Anna Duggar left the kids with Jim Bob and Michelle?

Since Joshs arrest, Anna has stayed pretty quiet on social media. TLC has also canceled Counting On, so Duggar updates dont come very often. But sources say that while Josh is fighting the charges against him, Anna has sent the kids to live with their grandparents.

Most of Josh and Annas kids were photographed in September on an outing with Jim Bob and Michelle. It looks like Anna may have separated the six kids and sent them to live with different family members.

Will Jim Bob Duggar take care of Joshs family if he goes to prison?

If Josh is found guilty and sentenced to prison, Counting On fans are wondering what Anna will do for money. According to Cafe Mom, she bought .272 acres of land with a 1,216-square foot mobile home for just one dollar through her business Ravenglass North, LLC a week before Joshs arrest.

RELATED: Anna Duggar Is Reportedly Prepping For Josh Duggar to Spend Some Major Time Behind Bars With a Little Help From Jim Bob Duggar

The speculation is that Jim Bob set up the company in Annas name so he could buy and sell property through it to create an income for his daughter-in-law.

Josh Duggars trial is currently scheduled to begin on November 30.
Is Matt Casey really leaving Station 51? Jesse Spencers character has a huge choice to make in the 200th episode of Chicago Fire, which airs Oct. 20 on NBC. Should he stay in Chicago, or should he move to Oregon to care for the two sons of his late best friend Andy Darden?

A preview for the episode hints that Casey does the latter, but is that really whats going to happen? We dont know for sure, but Chicago Fire showrunner Derek Haas is warning fans to be prepared for anything.

Will Chicago Fire say goodbye to Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer)?

Jesse Spencer as Matthew Casey in Chicago Fire | Adrian S. Burrows Sr./NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

RELATED: One Chicago Fans Think Chicago Fire and Chicago Med Have Turned Into Soap Operas

In the Oct. 13 episode of Chicago Fire, Casey traveled to Oregon to check in on Griffin and Ben, Andys two sons. Their mom is in jail, and the aunt that was caring for them has bailed. With no adults around, the boys are on the verge of being sent to foster care, where theyll be separated.

Casey spoke with the boys social worker and offered to bring them to Chicago, but she thought it would be better for them to stay in a familiar environment. So, Casey was faced with a big decision. Should he step up and help Griffin and Ben, even if that meant leaving his life in Chicago behind  and possibly jeopardizing his new relationship with Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer)?

Chicago Fire showrunner says, We never hold anything back

Casey faces the decision of his life on the 200th episode of #ChicagoFire WEDNESDAY. pic.twitter.com/5PPV7PUY9V  One Chicago (@NBCOneChicago) October 18, 2021

Haas wasnt giving away any spoilers about Caseys future in an interview with TVLine ahead of Wednesdays episode. But he did say that whatever happens will be big.

All I can say is we never hold anything back on Chicago Fire. Sometimes we fake you out, sometimes we dont, Haas said. Thats what makes the show interesting.

There are some big, big things happening, he added. Big things, cinematically, and also emotionally.

Has Casey already made up his mind?

RELATED: Chicago Fire Season 10: Why Adriyan Rae is Leaving the Show, Plus Fan Reactions

Leaving Chicago isnt something that Casey takes lightly. But at the end of the Oct. 13 episode, it seemed like his mind was made up.

Weve always said any firefighters child is every firefighters child, Casey says. Herrmann, I think I have to move to Oregon, take care of those boys.

Meanwhile, a teaser for the Oct. 20 episodes  the shows 200th  shows Casey asking Brett to come with him to Oregon. It also teases some tough goodbyes.

Becoming a father has always been a goal of Caseys, Haas noted. Stepping to become their guardian fits his character that the thing hes going to put first is the health and safety of those boys, he said.

He, certainly, had other things come up over the years that might have cost him his job or suspended his job for a while, and hes overcome them all, Haas said. But were in a little bit of a no-way-out situation here.

Chicago Fires 200th episode airs Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.

Check out Showbiz Cheat Sheet on Facebook!
When Hulus Dopesick Season 1 Episode 4, Pseudo-Addiction, opens, Dr. Samuel Finnix (Michael Keaton) learns about the dangers of OxyContin firsthand. Betsy Mallum (Kaitlyn Dever) struggles with her addiction to the drug. Plus the manufacturer, Purdue Pharma, continues to skirt around allegations as the series explores more of Beth Macys nonfiction book about Americas opioid epidemic.

[Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers from Dopesick Season 1 Episode 4 Pseudo-Addiction. ]

Dopesick Kaitlyn Dever and Nicholas Logan | Gene Page/Hulu

Dopesick Episode 4 opens one year later

Hulus Dopesick Episode 4 begins in 1997, one year after the release of OxyContin. The opening scene is devastating. Teens start crushing up and snorting the Purdue Pharma drug around a bonfire. Chase (Benjamin Perkinson) insists that Elizabeth Ann (Alayna Hester) snort OxyContin. When another teen, Ryder, lies unmoving on the ground, his friends take him home and leave him on the ground despite Elizabeths objections. The episode doesnt return to the teens, but viewers guess he died from an overdose or complication of snorting the OxyContin.

Meanwhile, Betsy works at a local gas station in Finch Creek, Virginia, and sells OxyContin on the side. When her ex-girlfriend, Grace Pell (Cleopatra Coleman), returns to town, Grace tells her about Eureka Springs. After the sighting, Betsy agrees to go to Florida with her drug dealer, Walt (Nicholas Logan), to get more OxyContin. When the doctor examines her, he insinuates that he could work something out if she doesnt have the money for the drugs.

Richard Sackler finds a new expert to help him peddle OxyContin

In Dopesick Episode 4, Richard Sackler (Michael Stuhlbarg) has a discussion with his father, Raymond Sackler (Lawrence Arancio). The older man worries that Richard should not have put the less than 1% addictive label on the OxyContin. Raymond suggests he find a new expert to speak to the doctors about addiction.

Richard quickly finds a new expert, Dr. David Haddox (Aaron Serotsky), who believes that the OxyContin patients have a pseudo-addiction. Haddox thinks that doctors should increase the dosage of pain medication rather than weaning their patients off of it. Purdue Pharma pushes a new pamphlet on their sales representatives. When one of them, Paula Greene (Caitlin Mehner), questions the philosophy, they fire her. Paula insists that Billy Cutler (Will Poulter) knows the dangers of OxyContin, but he denies it.

Dr. Samuel Finnix is addicted to OxyContin in Dopesick Episode 4

Back in Finch Creek, Dr. Finnix begins lowering his patients doses but keeping their leftover OxyContin for himself. He pops two 80mg pills. Later he tries to quit cold turkey.

When Billy meets with Dr. Finnix, the doc asks about the addictiveness of the drug. Billy offers the new theory and pamphlet, but Dr. Finnix insists Billy is selling poison. Then the doctor punches Billy in the face and physically throws him out of his office.

Viewers find out the reason for the name of the series, Dopesick. Its the term used to refer to the pain patients feel during withdrawal from the drug. Later, Dr. Finnix buys drugs from a dealer, Walt (Nicholas Logan), who teaches him to snort the pills instead of swallowing them whole. Thats when the doctor hallucinates dancing with his dead wife, Shelly Finnix (Tricia Hawn).

The 2004 investigation into Purdue Pharma

In Dopesick Episode 4, Rick Mountcastle (Peter Sarsgaard) and John Brownlee (Jake McDorman) see a breakthrough against Purdue Pharma.

Rick calls the New England Journal of Medicine and tracks down Dr. Herschel Jick, who conducted the study saying that less than 1% of OxyContin users become addicted. The study was only a letter to the editor about patients confined to a hospital. It was no official study but only an observation. The letter was five sentences long. Dr. Russell Portenoy (Shane Callahan) co-authored an article in PAIN magazine citing the letter as a study. Hes a significant spokesperson for Purdue Pharma. This admission by Dr. Jick greatly helps Rick and Johns case.

The 2000 investigation by Bridget continues to go nowhere

How many people have to suffer before enough is enough? Catch a new episode of #DopesickHulu tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/dvrHQy5ZOh  Dopesick On Hulu (@DopesickOnHulu) October 19, 2021

Meanwhile, in 2000, Deputy Director of Diversion, Bridget Mayer (Rosario Dawson), speaks to the FDA. She insists that the drug is dangerous, but the FDA refuses to put any restrictions on it. She arranges a meeting with Purdue Pharma. Bridget suggests that the company limit the number of pharmacies that carry OxyContin and doctors prescribing it. The response from Purdue is the same as the FDA, and they plan to take her concerns under advisement. Its no wonder she wants nothing to do with the case a few short years later.

Dopesick Episode 4: Betsy Mallum gets sucked back into using OxyContin

Eric Miller runs an intervention about addiction for Betsy with her entire family. Her parents, Diane Mallum (Mare Winningham) and Jerry Mallum (Ray McKinnon), insist they dont care about anything else; they only want her to get help. Later in the episode, Betsy joins an AA meeting and describes how she went from an OxyContin prescription for her back pain to becoming addicted to the drug. Although shes two days sober, a sweet AA woman (Elizabeth Becka) sells Betsy more OxyContin in the bathroom. The vicious cycle continues.

How many episodes of Dopesick will there be?

At this point in the Hulu series, many viewers want to know how many more episodes of Dopesick they have to look forward to. According to IMDb, Dopesick has eight total episodes. After episode 4, viewers have four more episodes to watch weekly until the finale on Nov. 17. Dopesick drops to Hulu weekly on Wednesdays at 12:01 EST.
Bachelor Nation hasnt had the best of luck with Peters in the past, and some fans are hoping Peter Izzo from The Bachelorette Season 18 with Michelle Young will change that. But it seems like the cast member might be getting the villain edit. So who is Peter on The Bachelorette 2021? Heres everything you need to know about the contestant, including Peters Instagram, age, real job, and what co-hosts Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe have to say about him.

Peter Izzo from The Bachelorette Season 18 with Michelle Young | Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images

[Spoiler alert: This article contains potential spoilers about Peter Izzo and Michelle Young on The Bachelorette Season 18 in 2021.]

RELATED: The Bachelorette: Who Is Brandon Jones? Instagram, Age, Job, and Spoilers About Michelle Youngs Contestant

Who is Peter Izzo on The Bachelorette Season 18 with Michelle Young?

Peter is hoping to find love with Michelle on The Bachelorette Season 18. But are the two a match made in heaven? According to Peters ABC bio, the new reality star is from Port St. Joe, Florida, and hes looking for someone whos honest, committed, and spontaneous. Peter also loves food, and he hopes his future wife will feel the same.

Meanwhile, Peter has been shown getting into an argument with The Bachelorette cast, and he even throws someones jacket in the pool. However, Kaitlyn recently went on Instagram to discuss the upcoming contestants with Tayshia, and she claimed that Peter may not be as villainous as he might seem.

Peters next, and I dont know if I would call him a sweetie, Kaitlyn said. Hes loud. Hes not a sweetie. But hes not a meanie. Hes just loud. I think hes a lot, but not in a terrible way.

RELATED: The Bachelorette: Who Is Joe Coleman? Instagram, Job, Age, and Spoilers About Michelle Youngs Frontrunner in 2021

How old is Peter Izzo and what does he do for a living?

Before joining The Bachelorette Season 18, Peter took his love of food and turned it into his career. Peters job title says hes a pizzapreneur, which makes more sense after reading the 26-year-olds profile. Previously, the contestant moved to Italy to study Italian food. Now, he owns Peters Pizzeria, and hes ready to build his culinary empire with his partner at his side.

Kaitlyn and Tayshia also confirmed that Peter will be talking about pizza a lot during The Bachelorette.

Im pretty sure he yelled a lot about pizza, Kaitlyn said.

Then Tayshia added, This is the man who talked a lot about pizza.

RELATED: The Bachelorette: Who Is Nayte Olukoya? Instagram, Age, Job, Height, and Spoilers About Michelle Youngs Cast Member

What is Peter Izzos Instagram?

The Bachelorette fans can find Peter on Instagram under the handle @peter___izzo. His social media feed is filled with photos of himself with friends and family. Its also clear that hes proud of his work and culinary accomplishments.

Meanwhile, Peter has teased his appearance with Michelle in The Bachelorette Season 18 premiere on Oct. 19. But he didnt say much about the lead in his caption. Rather, Peter simply stated that he will be on the show. So is this a clue about Michelle and Peters ending or is he simply trying to throw Bachelor Nation fans off? Well just have to wait and see.

The Bachelorette Season 18 with Michelle Young airs Tuesday nights on ABC.
Important information

You are currently not logged in to my.chemeurope.com .

Your changes will in fact be stored however can be lost at all times.
Chetek, WI (54728)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 29F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
Memorial service for Kevin Hair, 65, of Chickasha, OK will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, November 13, 2021 at the Southern Oaks Church of Christ in Chickasha. Floyd Kevin Hair was a well loved father, son and brother. He was such a good brother-in-law that he just had to be called "brother." 
Leaders from Irelands main Christian traditions will host a Service of Reflection and Hope in Armagh, Northern Ireland on October 21, 2021, marking 100 years since the partition of Ireland and the formation of Northern Ireland.

But the churches service has become controversial, underscoring tensions that linger on both sides of the border. In September, the president of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, said he would decline his invitation because the events title was not politically neutral.

As an Irish-born academic working at the intersection of religion and international affairs, I believe the commotion over Higgins invitation has overshadowed an important story. Despite a history of sectarian strife, cooperation between the leaders of the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches in Ireland has deepened in recent years, with the churches increasingly speaking with one voice on important social and political issues.

The Church Leaders Group brings together the top leaders of the Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodist churches in Irelandwhose jurisdictions extend across the whole islandas well as the president of the Irish Council of Churches. The five men have been coordinating more closely than ever on issues of peace-building, responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and recent political developments such as Brexit.

More than huddling

Churches have traditionally wielded significant influence in Irish politics and society. All have experienced sizable declines over the past couple of decades, however, as more people say they do not identify with any particular religion. The abuse scandals in the Catholic Church have contributed to the trend. (However, declining attendance does not necessarily mean faith is declining at the same rate, reflecting a phenomenon that British sociologist Grace Davie calls believing without belonging.)

Archbishop John McDowell, head of the Anglican Church of Ireland, told me in a recent interview that the churches increasing cooperation isnt due to their diminishing size or influencethat they are not huddling together to keep warm because it is getting cooler outside. Indeed, despite Irelands long history of conflict along political and religious divides, official relations between the churches have always been collegial.

Rather, the recent increase in ecumenical activities is driven by a new generation of church leaders who grew up during the Troubles, a three-decade era of political violence in Northern Ireland, and share concerns over current issues. A recent analysis by Queens University finds that interchurch cooperation at the national level has been more frequent and united during the pandemic than at perhaps any other time in Irish church history.

An uneasy peace

Britain established the border separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the island in May 1921, and it has loomed over Irish politics ever since.

The north was largely Protestant, while the south was largely Catholic. The south won independence from the UK that same year.

From the late 1960s through the 1990s, the Troubles pitted nationalists who wanted a united Ireland against unionists who wanted Northern Ireland to remain in the UK Most nationalists were Catholic, while most unionists belonged to the territorys Protestant majority.

The 1998 Good Friday Agreement ended most of the violence, which had killed several thousand people. To try to prevent further conflict, the agreement also introduced a form of power-sharing based on a model called consociationalism. While consociational democracy is designed to maintain social peace in societies with deep ethnic or religious divides, it may also entrench division and make it harder to overcome.

Article continues below

Indeed, aspects of Northern Irelands society, such as the educational system, continue to be divided along sectarian lines. More than 9 in 10 children attend schools that are segregated by religion, but this is slowly changing, with a significant majority of the public supporting integration.

Brexit and the border

One aim of the Good Friday Agreement was to make the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland less of a lightning rod. It boosted cross-border cooperation, took down military installations and allowed citizens to travel freely between the north and south.

But the UKs withdrawal from the European Union has returned the border to the center of politics. Under the Northern Ireland protocol negotiated between the UK and the EU, Northern Ireland remains aligned with the EUs single market in order to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland. However, this means that some goods coming from other parts of the UK will have to be inspected upon entry in Northern Ireland. In effect, the Johnson government devised an Irish Sea border in order to keep the land border open, but that idea has angered unionists who see it as dividing Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK

The Church Leaders Group was quick to recognize that Brexit could threaten the fragile peace. As Archbishop McDowell noted in an open letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson in July 2019, the border is not just the actual line demarcating north from south. It is a division that goes through every village and town in Northern Ireland, and in some places in Belfast it is so hard that it takes the form of very high brick walls topped by razor wire.

Church leaders also shared a recognition that the post-Brexit period would involve a difficult economic adjustment. They collaborated on a consultation document to brief local congregations and interchurch groups on the likely local, regional and international impacts of Brexit.

Representatives of the Church Leaders Group tell me that the combination of increasing social and political pressures with the ease of virtual meetingsa byproduct of COVID-19 restrictionsmeant that the group has been meeting much more frequently.

Captive churches

Meanwhile, discussions began in late 2020 over how to mark the centenary of the partition of Ireland and the formation of Northern Ireland. The anniversary provokes very different feelings across the political divides, which is why the church leaders framed the event as a space for reflection and hope, not as a celebration or lament.

On Saint Patricks Day, the Church Leaders Group issued a joint message reflecting on the anniversary. Eamon Martin, the Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, acknowledged how churches had sometimes misused their power in the past, lamenting that Too often we have been captive churches, not captive to the word of God but to the idols of state and nation.

As Archbishop McDowell told me recently, what happened in the past was that the churches tended to take our coloring from the communities that we were in, rather than trying to bring any kind of united message to a divided society.

The continuing controversy over Higgins attendance has exposed a degree of polarization reminiscent of times past. Public support in the south quickly galvanized around the president and has remained high, with 68 percent approving of his decision to refuse the invitation. Irish commentators and academics in the south made forceful arguments that a commemoration of partition could never be politically neutral.

Amid the debate, the Church Leaders Group issued a statement to clarify the intent of the service and ask for prayerful support.

We wish primarily to gather in prayer for healing of relationships, they wrote, and in doing so, to demonstrate a renewed commitment to working together for peace, reconciliation and the common good.

Ger FitzGerald is a political scientist who works at the intersection of religion and international affairs. He teaches at George Mason University in Virginia.
Growing up as a Black American male in a rough Seattle neighborhood almost doomed my future. In many ways I was marked for failure. Even a violent early death.

My mother, a nurse, worked long hours providing for my sister Angela and me after our father left us. Although he lived 10 blocks away, he was never active in our lives, financially or otherwise.

My mother loved us and disciplined us, but I needed a strong and responsible male figure in my life. None of my friends were raised in a traditional two-parent home, either.

Racial disparities surfaced early on. In my preteens I learned how differently teachers disciplined white and Black kids. They singled us out more.

Yet I never crusaded against racial injustice. It just seemed normal for our community. The police hassled us regularly for just hanging out at a bus stop or street corner. Sometimes three or four squad cars pulled up with officers jumping out, yelling and cursing, to search our pockets for no good reason.

Seduced by the streets

In elementary and middle school, I made good grades and obeyed my moms warnings to behave. She never allowed me to stay out late in the streets. I was more or less a loner, rarely getting into trouble.

Things changed, however, when I entered high school in 1981 after being bussed into the suburbs. I began hanging out with the wrong guys. The gang culture, drugs, and partying eventually seduced me. I loved hip-hop music and street dancing. At 16, I joined the Emerald Street Boys Rap group. We performed around the city and made an album. Then I slowly lost interest in school, skipped classes, and quit altogether, worrying my mother.

California gangs began migrating to our neighborhood, where they sold cocaine and bred more violence. I went along with the flow, succumbing to occasional hard drugs but mostly alcohol and pot.

Selling drugs came next, providing a pseudo self-worth. You gained respect if you flashed wads of cash. From my late teens into my early 30s, I earned up to thousands of dollars a week. I bought gold jewelry, expensive gear, and gaudy cars, and I enjoyed clubbing and buying rounds of drinks. I was forever seeking recognition and thirsty for something that never satisfied. Money slipped through my fingers like melting ice in a scalding heat wave.

Random police incidents added fuel to my resentment of authorities. While driving my Caucasian girlfriend on a dinner date, a squad car flashing emergency lights stopped us. Officers ordered us from the car and forced us down on our hands and knees, frisking us. I was utterly embarrassed for my girlfriend, who wore a nice dress. They found nothing illegal and let us go.

Close calls

I had always known God existed from the time my grandmother brought me to Sunday school. But I viewed God through a distorted lens. I believed doing good things outweighed the bad stuff, which led me to sponsor a poor kid in a distant country through World Vision.

God dropped hints that I could be a better person. A police officer who recognized me from the gangs I ran with encouraged me to do something positive with my life. I still recall him coaxing me to straighten myself out.

Still, I kept putting myself in harms way, and I could have ended up dead many times. On one occasion, a friend sitting beside me in my classic Chevy Caprice whipped out his .38 caliber revolver and started shooting at guys on the sidewalk. He held the gun parallel to my face as I was trying to steer. Bullets whizzed past me out the drivers side window, almost collapsing my eardrums.

In another close call, I was driving friends in my pickup truck to hang out in a local park when a rival gangs car tailgated us while firing multiple rounds. Bullets penetrated the rear window, one of which grazed my girlfriends ear before passing through her cheek, spattering blood on the windshield. Another missed wasting my brain by millimeters.

Article continues below

Like other Black men in the neighborhood, I had no goals and no sense of what I could accomplish. Feeling worthless, I related to the angry pessimism many Black kids suffer from. I looked in the mirror and didnt like who I saw. I scared my mother when I told her I didnt expect to live beyond age 21.

Even so, I managed to earn my GED in 1985. I worked in the roofing trade while also dealing drugs. My wild lifestyle in the streets continued, punctuated by stints in jail for misdemeanors and petty assaults.

In 1998, at age 33, I was arrested for fighting with my live-in girlfriend, plus a serious weapons charge. Someone spotted her getting too friendly with other guys at a party, which whipped me into a jealous rage. A neighbor, hearing the ruckus, called the police, who found my semiautomatic Uzi and a stash of marijuana I had been dealing. All told, I was facing a five-year mandatory prison sentence.

One week after my arrest, I got out on bail and returned to roofing. Before the final sentencing date, my sister, a strong Christian, invited me to Lampstand Family Ministries, an independent Pentecostal church in Seattle.

I attended a Sunday service, if only reluctantly. Nevertheless, the pastors heart-wrenching sermon blew me away. It was a life-changing moment. I rushed to the altar crying. My decision to accept Christ as Savior and Lord shocked my gang-member friends. Many of them respected my decision, but others smirked, waiting for me to fall back into the old life.

Soon after, I was rearrested for communicating with my girlfriend in violation of a non-contact order. But this turned into a blessing. Locked up for two months, I devoured the Bible and several Christian books while attending chapel services. Meanwhile, a work-release program allowed me to attend services at Lampstand.

Upon returning to court for sentencing, I accepted a plea deal: a one-year sentence, reduced to eight months because of time already served. The judge said my testimony showed signs of remorse. And the court stenographer wept as she recorded the proceedings.

A new creature in Christ

Before I reported to jail, my pastor encouraged me to take courses from the Bishop A. L. Hardy Academy of Theology in Seattle. I earned a theology degree while incarcerated. Afterward, when I joined Lampstand Family Ministries, my passion for learning and teaching soared. I taught Sunday school and earned a promotion to superintendent. Four years later I joined another church, serving as an associate pastor for educational programs. By 2003, I completed a doctor of theology degree in religious education.

When another four years passed, I took a bold but tentative leap of faith. Seeing a hunger for theological training among the inner-city minority population, I founded Seattle Urban Bible College. The school was aimed at students unable to afford normal tuitions, which meant operating with lean finances. Local pastors taught courses weekday evenings in facilities volunteered by the Miracle Temple Ministries church. We trained about 100 students before dwindling resources forced us to suspend the school in 2011.

Giving up on the Bible college led me to spiritual and professional crossroads.

Praying and seeking advice from wise Christian brothers, I connected with the president of Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, sharing how God had dramatically changed the trajectory of my dead-end life in the streets and planted a desire to teach others in the minority community. He awarded me a presidential scholarship, and I graduated with a masters degree in theology and culture in 2013.

Article continues below

After graduation I joined the homeless ministry of the Seattle-based Union Gospel Mission. Enjoying my work there, I felt a new stirring from God to start an inner-city church. Aided by fervent prayer and the Holy Spirits guidance, that stirring culminated in the 2016 launch of Risen Church. It is located in a South Seattle neighborhood riddled with the very drug use and gang violence that had nearly cut my life short. We are blessed with a diverse congregationBlack, white, Latinomarked by a commitment to mutual love and respect.

Despite the failures and heartaches of my past, I am a new creature in Christ. The old ways are gone. Without his mercy, I would probably be dead today, another sad statistic in the litany of inner-city tragedy. Today, I have the privilege of encouraging young Black men who feel worthless to choose the worth they have in Christ. I considered myself worthless once, but now I am serving the living God, and in him, I am the man God destined me to be.

James D. Croone is lead pastor at Seattles Risen Church, an adjunct professor at Northwest University, and a pastoral care and recovery supervisor at Seattles Union Gospel Mission. Peter K. Johnson is a freelance writer living in Saranac Lake, New York.
Rachel Manders walk to Glasgow began with the Bible.

An evangelical from Sheffield, England, she had long been convinced of the connection between loving God and loving her neighbor. But when she was 19 or 20, she also saw the connection between loving her neighbor and caring for creation.

Then she couldnt stop seeing it.

Its like looking for angels in the Bible, she said. You dont notice how many there are until you actually look and then you see them popping up everywhere. Me and my friends started reexamining Scripture and seeing how being a person of faith means you care for the environment. Suddenly, it was on every page.

Today, 24-year-old Mander is one of the coleaders of a 750-mile relay-pilgrimage from the southwestern tip of the United Kingdom to Glasgow, Scotland, where this years UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP26, will begin opening ceremonies on October 31.

The Young Christian Climate Network (YCCN) has organized about 2,000 people to make the walk. Convicted that the climate crisis is pressing, urgent, and must be resolved in this generation, they are pleading with church institutions, governments, and local congregations to take concrete steps to reduce carbon emissions.

They hope that their journey will raise awareness, rally people to the cause, and put pressure on governments to address the fact that burning fossil fuels has substantially increased the atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, with serious negative consequences around the world.

In 2015, at COP21 in Paris, 196 countries committed to take action that would limit the increase in the global mean temperature to 2 degrees Celsius and to pursue action that would limit the increase to 1.5 degrees. The legally binding international treaty is known as the Paris Agreement.

Mander said that so far, the commitments have failed to materialize and global temperatures continue to rise.

Im both really looking forward to walking into Glasgow with the relay to COP26 and simultaneously terrified of the false optimism of witnessing a conference happy to sleepwalk into a decade of emissions increasing 16 percent, not dropping 45 percent, she said. Id like the church to see taking action on climate change as something for us all to take part in, as a journey we are all taking steps toward together.

On the relay, creation care advocates compared notes on what churches can do, and what they are doing.

We had some great conversations encouraging one another in what we were individually doing in our own churches, said Sarah Moring, who walked with YCCN from Manchester to Leeds.

Moring said that it is easy to feel isolated by concerns about climate change and that theres nothing that one person can do in the face of dire environmental threats. But with other Christians on the relay, she was reminded of the words of the Spanish poet Antonio Machado, who wrote, The road is made by walking. Often adopted as a metaphor for pilgrimage and spiritual journeys, Moring said it was also her clarion call for action. Even if the journey seems impossible, you have to make a start.

Melanie Gish, author of Gods Wounded World: American Evangelicals and the Challenge of Environmentalism, said there has been a small but persistent group of activists since the 1970s who have seen climate change as a gospel issue.

For them, this isnt just activism; creation care isnt just a flimsy term, she said. The cause becomes a religious and civil obligationtheir callinginseparable from their evangelical faith.

The activism has often involved creative negotiation and diplomatic wrestling, according to Gish, but evangelicals have built organizations and institutions to move Christians toward creation care and mobilize them to act. Examples include YCCN, as well as the Au Sable Institute, the Evangelical Environment Network, Young Evangelicals for Climate Action, the Evangelical Climate Initiative, Climate Intercessors, and Care of Creation.

One pioneer in the work that Mander and others in YCCN point to is Care of Creation founder Ed Brown, who has advocated for environmental stewardship for more than 20 years.

Creation care is not optional, Brown said. It flows out of a genuine encounter with the gospel. We should be caring for creation even if it were not in crisis.

It would be easier if there werent a crisis, though. According to a 2015 study from the Program on Climate Change Communication, evangelicals are most likely to believe God expects humans to be good stewards of creation. At the same time, they are the least likely among Christians to believe that climate change is real and human-caused.

There are also evangelicals who actively oppose the idea that burning fossil fuel is causing climate change, despite the extensive scientific evidence, and object to any government measures aimed at reducing emissions. The Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation, for example, founded by evangelical Calvin Beisner and supported by James Dobson, D. James Kennedy, and others, argues a sound environmental ethic would focus on wise use of Gods creation, and not be led astray by erroneous theological and anthropological positions.

The Cornwall Alliance recently published an article calling the latest scientific assessment of climate change silly and warning readers that COP26 would be an excuse for a crescendo of hyperbolic calls for action.

That kind of rhetoric is frustrating to people like Brown.

The calamitous effects of the climate crisis are accelerating more rapidly than we thought they would, and society is uniquely unprepared to cope with waves of refugees, disaster after disaster, and political turmoil, he said. Its on the church to do something.

Despite some strong opposition, though, Brown and creation care advocates are encouraged by growing numbers of Christians around the world who are concerned about climate change and want to do something. Besides the 2,000 people walking a portion of the road to Glasgow, Brown points to the Lausanne/World Evangelical Alliance Creation Care Network and its Global Campaign for Creation Care, which he helps lead. In the last nine years, the campaign has worked with evangelicals in 150 countries.

Another sign of new momentum, according to Brown, is Operation Noahs Bright Now campaign, which has had notable success persuading churches in the UK to divest from fossil fuel.

In Ireland, the Anglican Church was convinced to reduce its investment in fossil fuel companies from 10 percent to zeroa total of 50 million euros, or about $58 million.

Stephen Trew, divestment campaigner for the Church of Ireland, said that kind of change often doesnt come from church leaders, but from the laity. For young people in particular, environmental activism often starts at church.

Help people in your community to connect the dots, he said.

For the YCCN, helping people connect the dots has meant organizing the relay. At the end of October, three months after they began, the group will arrive at COP26.

This is not a photo op, this is the story of my life, and in talking to others on the relay, its the story of our generation, Mander said. Its up to us to put the world on track and to deliver on the climate.

Looking ahead to COP26 and beyond, Mander said she hopes the relay serves as encouragement to others along the road.

As we walk, we show the way, she said. Theres no road to zero emissions unless we start to move toward it together, today.
Editors note: The 400 Mawozo gang has threatened to kill the missionaries if their ransom demand is not met.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti  Negotiations stretched into a fourth day seeking the return of 17 members of a US-based missionary group kidnapped over the weekend by a violent gang that is demanding $1 million ransom per person.

The group includes five children whose ages range from 8 months to 15 years, although authorities were not clear whether the ransom amount included them, a top Haitian official said Tuesday. Sixteen of the abductees are Americans and one Canadian.

Christian Aid Ministries (CAM) said it would hold a day of fasting and prayer for its missionaries Thursday.

We, along with government authorities, continue to work hard to bring them home safely, the Ohio-based group said. This time of difficulty reminds us of the ongoing suffering of millions of Haitians. While our workers chose to serve in Haiti, our Haitian friends endure crisis after crisis, continual violence, and economic hardship.

The abduction is one of at least 119 kidnappings recorded in Haiti for the first half of October, according to the Center of Analysis and Research of Human Rights, a local nonprofit group. It said a Haitian driver was abducted along with the missionaries, bringing the total to 18 people taken by the gang.

The Haitian official, who was not authorized to speak to the press, told The Associated Press that someone from the 400 Mawozo gang made the ransom demand Saturday in a call to a leader of CAM shortly after the abduction.

This group of workers has been committed to minister throughout poverty-stricken Haiti, the Ohio group said, adding that the missionarieswho were returning from visiting an orphanage when they were abductedworked most recently on a project to help rebuild homes lost in a magnitude-7.2 earthquake that struck southwestern Haiti on August 14.

Image: Joseph Odelyn / AP Photo

Yesterday, CAM asked for prayer, stating:

Today, we again commit our workers to Gods care. For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways (Psalm 91:11). Pray that our workers could respond to hatred with Jesus love, overcome the spirit of fear with faith, and face violence with a genuine desire to bless their oppressors. We request prayers for the Haitian and American civil authorities who are working to resolve this situation. We believe the command of the Bible in I Timothy 2:2-3Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

Responding to the recent wave of kidnappings, workers staged a protest strike that shuttered businesses, schools, and public transportation starting Monday. The work stoppage was a new blow to Haitis anemic economy. Unions and other groups vowed to continue the shutdown indefinitely.

In a peaceful demonstration Tuesday north of Port-au-Prince, dozens of people walked through the streets of Titanyen demanding the release of the missionaries. Some carried signs that read Free the Americans and No to Kidnapping! and explained that the missionaries helped pay bills and build roads and schools.

They do a lot for us, said Beatrice Jean.

Image: Joseph Odelyn / AP Photo

Meanwhile, the countrys fuel shortage worsened, with businesses blaming gangs for blocking roads and gas distribution terminals.

Hundreds of motorcycles zoomed through the streets of Port-au-Prince on Tuesday as the drivers yelled, If theres no fuel, were going to burn it all down!

One protest took place near the prime ministers residence, where police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd demanding fuel.

In Washington, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that the FBI was part of a coordinated US government effort to free the missionaries. The US Embassy in Port-au-Prince was coordinating with local officials and the hostages families.

We know these groups target US citizens who they assume have the resources and finances to pay ransoms, even if that is not the case, Psaki said, noting that the government has urged US citizens not to visit Haiti.

It is longstanding US policy not to negotiate with hostage takers, and Psaki declined to discuss details of the operation.

The kidnapping was the largest of its kind reported in recent years. Haitian gangs have grown more brazen as the country tries to recover from the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise and the earthquake that killed more than 2,200 people.

Image: Joseph Odelyn / AP Photo

Christian Aid Ministries said the kidnapped group included six women, six men, and five children. Their heart-felt desire is to share the love of Jesus, it stated. Before the kidnapping, their work throughout Haiti included supporting thousands of needy school children, distributing Bibles and Christian literature, supplying medicines for numerous clinics, teaching Haitian pastors, and providing food for the elderly and vulnerable.

A sign on the door at the organizations headquarters in Berlin, Ohio, said it was closed due to the kidnapping situation.

News of the kidnappings spread swiftly in and around Holmes County, Ohio, hub of one of the largest populations of Amish and conservative Mennonites in the United States, said Marcus Yoder, executive director of the Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center in nearby Millersburg, Ohio.

Christian Aid Ministries is supported by conservative Mennonite, Amish, and related groups that are part of the Anabaptist tradition.

The organization was founded in the early 1980s and began working in Haiti later that decade, said Steven Nolt, professor of history and Anabaptist studies at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania. The group has year-round mission staff in Haiti and several countries, he said, and it ships religious, school and medical supplies throughout the world.

We greatly appreciate the prayers of believers around the world, including our many Amish and Mennonite supporters, said CAM. The Bible says, The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16).

It continued:

Join us in prayer that Gods grace would sustain the men, women, and children who are being held hostage. In a world where violence and force are seen as the solution to problems, we believe in Gods call to Christians to not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Pray that those being held hostage could find strength to demonstrate Gods love. The kidnappers, like all people, are created in the image of God and can be changed if they turn to Him. While we desire the safe release of our workers, we also desire that the kidnappers be transformed by the love of Jesus, the only true source of peace, joy, and forgiveness.

Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Associated Press journalists Matias Delacroix in Port-au-Prince, Matthew Lee in Washington, Peter Smith in Pittsburgh, John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio, and Julie Carr Smyth in Berlin, Ohio, contributed to this report. Additional reporting by CT.
One Nation Under Graham

America, not unlike many countries shaped by biblical religion  from Israel to Ireland, has a history of politicians and preachers making abundant use of apocalyptic rhetoric. More than a decade ago Charles Mathewes and Christopher McKnight (no relation) put together a string of exceptional essays on various periods in American history illustrating this abundance. Their book, with the oddly misspelled title, is called Prophesies of Godlessness (which is a noun in their writing  its a verb with that s  never mind). It should be read by anyone who studies political rhetoric making use of apocalyptic, which unfortunately a recent book didnt.

The book that didnt is by Jonathan D. Redding, called One Nation Under Graham: Apocalyptic Rhetoric and American Exceptionalism. Reddings book is a slice of American history. The slice is Billy Graham in several respects: his apocalyptic rhetoric, which is as American and Graham as it gets; his American exceptionalism if not patriotic nationalism; his anti-communism; his relation to presidents (Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton, George W. Bush, Obama, and Trump); and especially Grahams advocacy for under God being added in 1954 (under Eisenhower) to the Pledge of Allegiance. The decisive sermon was by George Docherty, but he was rooting his sermon and style at the time in Billy Grahams anti-communism American exceptionalism that could only stave off communism if Americans would be born again, get right with God, and commit to being a God-honoring Christian nation.

Scot McKnight is the author of a recent book called To You All Hearts Are Open, a book about learning to pray with the church.

What to say?

First, many have said an evangelical is someone who likes Billy Graham. Theres something to that, or at least there was. Billy Grahams later modification of his previous political advocacy does not mollify the potency of his earlier visions or his over politicking. To be one who likes Billy Graham must still mean his conservative politics. It does not help Billy Graham that his son, Franklin, lacks Billys nuance, grace, and social adeptness. Which is not to say Billy was not harsh. And Im not so sure just how much Billy modified his approach to meeting up with presidents but I am sure he remained a staunch conservative (capitalism, military defense, moral debates, etc..). Franklins politics, it seems to me, are not that far from his fathers. I could be wrong.

I want this to be emphasized because it is not said often enough. Billy Grahams luster and attractiveness from his Los Angeles days onward were created in a pot of national concern, political activism, and political hope. The bigger he got the more he wanted to influence the White House.

Second, Graham was very apocalyptic and never gave it up. He adjusted his apocalypticism over the decades to the current fears and anxieties of Americans, but his earliest evangelism was deeply shaped by anti-communism, anti-socialism, anti-Stalin. Reddings book probes how Daniels apocalyptic material, especially chapter seven, and Revelations visions were read in the church, how they were fertile for ongoing adjustments, and how Graham received the dispensational schemes that were constantly alarmist. Billy many times in his career stated Armageddon was near, and he therefore fed the similar apocalypticisms of Eisenhower and Reagan, to name but two.

Third, Reddings slice is all about the under God addition to the Pledge. Billys apocalyptic theology was so much behind it Redding thinks in many cases after its insertion that one cant say it without hearing some apocalypticism. Here is where Reddings book needed more nuance, though the slice he writes about has more than a few wonderful moments. What I found lacking in this under God slice of American religious, theopolitical history is how prominent church-state themes have been in American history. Philip Gorskis book, American Covenant, is but one exceptional study that would have given Redding more perspective on under God. That is, he gives it too much apocalyptic fervor. One doesnt have to doubt that apocalypticism to admit a much wider angle.

Fourth, American apocalyptic rhetoric has been, is, and will continue to be rooted in American exceptionalism with more than a deep root or two in the waters of Christian nationalism. Redding draws this theme out in his capacity to find so many (varied) uses of under God. The role America plays in the divine plans for this apocalyptic writers is shaped by predictive readings of both Daniel but especially Revelation. It is not just their theopolitical readings that give the approach potency; the claims that prophecies are fulfilled or are about to be fulfilled takes it to the next level of intensity. Graham read the Bible this way his entire career. Dispensationalism, then, gets lots of attention in Reddings book and I think he has a good mastery of the history of dispensationalism.

Redding: American-centric apocalypticism based on interpretations of Daniel and Revelation was a major piece of Grahams rhetorical toolkit (83).

If you want your reading of Daniel or Revelation to draw attention and create intense anxieties, make sure it is predictive and connected to the fate of America (and Israel). His sketch of Grahams sermons and speeches on this theme over and over reveals a Graham taken in by prediction, imminence, and nationalism. I read this chapter with more than one memory of the very sermons and speeches.

Billy Grahams vision then worked like this: the problem was communism (or some social, international ill), his rhetoric of choice was apocalyptic, solution was almost solely being born again, and the benefits of this theopolitical message was not only salvation and heaven but also capitalism and American leadership in the world.
8-month-old baby among 17 kidnapped missionaries in Haiti, charity says

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

An 8-month-old baby is among the 17 kidnapped missionaries in Haiti being held for a ransom of $17 million by the notorious 400 Mawozo gang, Christian Aid Ministries said Tuesday as officials in the troubled Caribbean nation and the U.S. continue negotiating for their release.

Haitian Justice Minister Liszt Quitel confirmed Tuesday that the 400 Mawozo gang, which kidnapped the missionaries Saturday while they were working with Christian Aid Ministries, demanded $1 million each for their safe return.

Many people, including CAM management and Haitian and U.S. authorities, are working diligently to bring our loved ones home safely, Christian Aid Ministries said in a statement.

In an effort to protect the identity of the missionaries, prior to Tuesday, not many details had been released publicly about them except that their group includes six men, six women and five children, of which 16 are Americans and one is Canadian. Christian Aid Ministries revealed in their most recent update on the kidnappings that the youngest member of the group is just eight months old while the oldest is 48.

The ages of the adults being held captive range from 18 to 48. The ages of the children are 8 months, 3 years, 6 years, 13 years, and 15 years. Today, we again commit our workers to Gods care. For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways (Psalm 91:11). Pray that our workers could respond to hatred with Jesus love, overcome the spirit of fear with faith, and face violence with a genuine desire to bless their oppressors, Christian Aid Ministries said.

Minister Ron Marks of the Hart Dunkard Brethren Church in Michigan previously told The Detroit News on Monday that several members of his church  a family of five, including four children  are among the kidnapped missionaries. While he chose not to identify the members he shared that the youngest child is younger than 10.

Since the kidnapping of the missionaries, Haitians have taken to the streets demanding their release. Schools and most businesses were closed for a second consecutive day in Port-au-Prince Wednesday, according to The Haitian Times, following a call for a general strike to protest kidnappings and widespread insecurity which followed the assassination of the countrys late President Jovenel Moise in July.

"Without these missionaries, a lot of the old people you see out here would not have been able to send their children to school. Without these missionaries, a lot of these people would have lost their homes to floods. Without these missionaries, our damaged homes would never have been repaired," a protester who declined to give his name told Voice of America in Titanyen, a village north of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. "It's they who built a road that we can travel on today."

Another Titanyen protester, who identified himself only as Robert, also praised the work of the missionaries in their community.

They asphalted our roads; they helped us protect our homes from landslides and floods. We are asking for their freedom right away. And we are asking the kidnappers to let us live in peace," he told VOA.

Christian Aid Ministries continued calling for prayers for the kidnapped missionaries Tuesday, noting that they were involved in significant ministry work before the kidnappings.

This group of workers has been committed to minister throughout poverty-stricken Haiti. Their heart-felt desire is to share the love of Jesus. Before the kidnapping, their work throughout Haiti included supporting thousands of needy school children, distributing Bibles and Christian literature, supplying medicines for numerous clinics, teaching Haitian pastors, and providing food for the elderly and vulnerable, the international charity said. In recent months, they were actively involved in coordinating a rebuilding project for those who lost their homes in the August 2021 earthquake. When kidnapped, the group was returning from a visit to an orphanage that receives support from Christian Aid Ministries.
Missouri county agrees to pay $150K to settle megachurch's lawsuit over COVID-19 restrictions

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A megachurch in Missouri has been awarded a settlement of nearly $150,000 following a dispute with the local government over coronavirus restrictions.

Jackson County, Missouri, home to the states largest city of Kansas City, agreed to pay $146,750 to Abundant Life Baptist Church in Lees Summit as part of a settlement in a lawsuit filed by the church against the county more than a year ago. The church raised concerns that the county's coronavirus restrictions treated places of worship more harshly than secular entities.

Under the terms of the settlement, Jackson County vowed that in exchange for Abundant Life Baptist Church dropping the lawsuit, it would ensure that future enforcement measures would not impose stricter requirements on religious organizations than their secular counterparts. The Kansas City Star reported that the Jackson County legislature voted to approve the settlement Monday.

Legislator Dan Tarwater explained to the KC Star that the motivation behind approving the settlement was because they believed they were going to lose the case. Tarwater was one of six Jackson County legislators to approve the settlement.

Three of his colleagues voted against approving the settlement, which will be paid by the county government and Truman Medical Centers that runs the countys health department.

In the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri in May 2020, Abundant Life Baptist Church argued that under reopening guidelines that became effective in Eastern Jackson County on May 11, non-essential retail stores, personal services, and restaurants and bars serving food could reopen to the public if they follow CDC recommended social distancing recommendations, adopt a social distancing protocol, and restrict the number of individuals in a building using formulas based on the facilitys occupancy load.

Secular businesses were allowed to reopen at 10% to 25% capacity based on a buildings size. By contrast, the county classified churches as large gatherings and social events in the reopening plan. Businesses in this category could not have more than 10 people in their venue, regardless of its size.

Defendants orders impermissibly discriminate against religiously-motivated gatherings and in favor of commercially-motivated gatherings, the lawsuit asserted. The complaint noted that based on guidance cited by then-Attorney General William Barr, Religious institutions must not be singled out for special burdens.

Specifically, Barr maintained that the First Amendment and federal statutory law prohibits governments from impos[ing] special restrictions on religious activity that do not also apply to similar nonreligious activity. The lawsuit also implied that the coronavirus restrictions imposed in eastern Jackson County ran afoul of the Missouri Constitution, which guarantees that all men and women have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to their own consciences.

The Missouri Constitution also mandates that government shall ensure that any person shall have the right to pray individually or corporately in a private or public setting so long as such prayer does not result in disturbance of the peace or disruption of a public meeting or assembly. The lawsuit asked a judge to declare that: Defendants plan, orders to effectuate the Plan, criteria, guidance, interpretations, policies and practices are facially unconstitutional in that they single out religious activity for disparate and unfair treatment.

The plaintiff also sought an order requiring the defendants, which included Jackson County itself, the Jackson County Health Department, Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr., Jackson County Health Director Bridgette Shaffer and Jackson County Administrator and Emergency Management Coordinator Troy Schulte, to pay its attorneys fees.

In the time between the lawsuit and the announcement that Jackson County would pay Abundant Life Baptist Church nearly $150,000, judges have issued multiple rulings in favor of places of worship seeking relief from coronavirus restrictions. Most notably, in its November ruling in Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down similar worship restrictions that limited in-person worship gatherings to 10 people in certain parts of New York state.

Even in a pandemic, the Constitution cannot be put away and forgotten, the justices concluded. The restrictions at issue here, by effectively barring many from attending religious services, strike at the very heart of the First Amendments guarantee for religious liberty.
New Jersey to allow midwives, nurses perform abortions under new regulation

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has approved a regulation change that allows physicians assistants, nurses and midwives to perform abortions.

Last week, the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners unanimously approved new rules that the Office of New Jersey Acting Attorney General Andrew Bruck insists will eliminate medically unnecessary regulations on abortion in New Jersey and  open new avenues for reproductive healthcare services across the state.

Specifically, the changes repeal the Termination of Pregnancy rule that the agency believes singles out abortion care for targeted regulation by requiring that all terminations of pregnancy be performed only by a physician, and barring office-based terminations beyond 14 weeks gestation.

The change in regulation will also enable Advanced Practice Nurses, Physician Assistants, and Certified Nurse Midwives and Certified Midwives to perform early aspiration terminations of pregnancy.

At a time when other states are creating roadblocks to reproductive health and abortion care, New Jersey is working to expand access to these vital services, especially for communities facing, systemic, economic, and logistical barriers to care, Murphy said in a statement. Reproductive freedom and equal access to health care are the right of all New Jerseyans and I applaud the Board for acting to protect both today.

Bruck praised New Jerseys commitment to ensuring our residents have access to the health services they need. He thanked the Board of Medical Examiners for carefully considering the evidence and reaching a decision that puts the health of New Jerseyans first.

Todays action eliminates medically unnecessary rules that have disproportionately limited healthcare access for people of color and underserved communities, Bruck added.

Sean Neafsey, acting director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, predicted that thousands of qualified and trusted providers in our state will now be allowed to play a role in expanding abortion access. He argues that residents will have enhanced choices and more timely access to essential reproductive health care.

The new regulations are set to take effect in the coming months upon the publication of the adoption notice in the New Jersey Register. The policy changes constitute one provision of the Reproductive Freedom Act, a bill currently under consideration in the New Jersey legislature.

First floated last year as Amy Coney Barretts likely confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court caused concern that the 1973 Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade would be overturned, the Reproductive Freedom Act would codify the right to abortion into state law. Additionally, the bill would require insurance companies to cover abortions and contraception at no cost to patients.

Marie Tasy, the executive director of the pro-life advocacy group New Jersey Right to Life, characterizes the Reproductive Freedom Act as an extreme, shameful bill.

In a recent op-ed, Tasy warned that because the Act is noticeably silent on any gestational limits, the Act will permit these abortions to be performed during all stages of pregnancy, even if these babies are viable and at full-term.

Tasy also expressed concern that the bill would invalidate the long-standing Conscience Clause law for health care workers, forcing them to now perform and assist in abortions even if it goes against their religious, moral or philosophical beliefs.

While New Jersey is an overwhelmingly Democratic state where a majority of residents have expressed support for legal abortions in some or all cases, the Reproductive Freedom Act has stalled. The bill has yet to receive a committee hearing more than a year after its introduction in both chambers and with the legislative session set to conclude in less than three months.

In a previous interview with the New Jersey Globe, State Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, the primary sponsor of the bill, attributed the stall to the fact that some lawmakers dont think we really have to do this now. Senate President Steve Sweeney indicated that a lot of the things in the bill already exist in statute in New Jersey right now.

Murphys approval of the new rules comes as the New Jersey gubernatorial election is set to take place in less than two weeks.

A poll conducted this month by the Democratic polling firm Schoen-Cooperman Research found Murphy leading his Republican opponent, Jack Ciattarelli, by 9 percentage points. New Jersey is one of two states, along with Virginia, holding gubernatorial and state legislative races this year.
Florida pastor, teacher among 125 arrested in human trafficking sting; 5 rescued

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A Florida pastor who launched a new church this fall and a teacher were among 125 people arrested in a 20-day human trafficking sting that resulted in the rescue of four women and a 17-year-old, the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office announced Monday.

Individuals who make a conscious choice and effort to take advantage of others through human trafficking have no room in Hillsborough County, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister declared during a press conference on the arrests. Our approach and efforts year-round are proactive and relentless. Our strong team of detectives will continue to work tirelessly to takedown and put a stop to human trafficking.

Chronister said during the sting operation dubbed Operation Round-Up that started on Aug. 4 and ended Oct. 13, undercover detectives targeted criminals who attempted to prey upon minors, sought sex for themselves or exploited victims through human trafficking.

Among those arrested are Joel Velasco, 38, a teacher at an unspecified Hillsborough school and Pastor Samuel Phillips Jr., 44, who recently launched Be Limitless Church in Riverview.

Throughout this operation our detectives created undercover profiles online and chatted with men who believed they were speaking to minors, created false advertisements for sex, and undercover female detectives posed as streetwalkers, Chronister said.

Chronister said Velasco offered to pay undercover detectives $60 in exchange for sex while Phillips responded to a false ad placed on an escort website and offered to pay our undercover detective for sex.

These men who were all held to a standard of trust and respect were all arrested for soliciting another to commit prostitution, Chronister said.

Be Limitless Church did not immediately respond to a request for comment on their pastors arrest when contacted by The Christian Post on Tuesday. The church also disabled its Facebook page.

In a video on the churchs website, Phillips explained that God gave him the vision for the church in January and he and his wife, along with their two young daughters, have been on a mission: To advance the kingdom of God by transforming communities and bringing hope to the culture, through simplistic and practical biblical teachings that will help them discover purpose and experience the love of God in their everyday life.

Leaders at the church further noted: Launching a new church is a huge opportunity to serve our community and its surrounding areas. We are a group of unified leaders that are focused on making a difference in the lives of others. We believe there is a place here for you, come join us.

Human trafficking survivors, like Connie Rose, who was trafficked by her father in the 1970s, praised the effort to clamp down on the practice by the sheriff's office in a FOX13 interview.

"You're setting this incredible message about, don't buy [sex] in Tampa," said Rose, who runs Victims2Survivors a nonprofit support group. "We are very serious about eradicating human trafficking in our own backyard and these sting operations, the way that he runs them with his teams, are absolutely phenomenal."

Rose also expressed disappointment that a pastor and a teacher were among the arrests.

"What really took me back on this particular one [sting] is that there was a teacher and a pastor. And that these are people that our children look up to, she said.
The real reason the press is obsessing over Hobby Lobby's artifacts

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Over the last three weeks there has been a spate of new coverage of the return to Iraq of an artifact which had been looted from Iraq before it eventually was sold to Hobby Lobby. The coverage is obviously agenda-driven, working hard to get the words "looted' and "Hobby Lobby" into the same headline. But what the headlines leave out and the stories play down is that the Greens had nothing whatsoever to do with the act of looting, nor were they aware of it when they bought it. The coverage is an elaborate exercise in 'blame the victim.' The Gilgamesh "Dream Tablet" was purchased by Hobby Lobby from Christie's, not some guy in Baghdad wearing a trench coat.

The Greens and Christie's were defrauded. And all of this is really old news. The revelation of the origins of the artifact and its being taken from the Greens occurred in 2019. The only new news now is that the artifact in question is currently in the process of being returned by the U.S. government to Iraq, so the heavy coverage of the topic smacks of a desire simply to rehash the same old misleading accusations.

Why is the press to anxious to rehearse two-year-old smears? I think we know why. All these accusations are at base just revenge for the Hobby Lobby case, which got religious liberty reaffirmed by the courts. There are, after all, many thousands of looted relics floating around, held by many art collectors, auction houses and museums, and yet where are the headlines about those other buyers? The other buyers don't get the same play as the Greens because the Greens are a frequent target of the left because of their high-profile stance on behalf of religious liberty and the sanctity of life.

But I'd like to go a little deeper than our politics and look at some of the little appropriately symbolic providences of this case. The Greens wanted this tile because it tells the Babylonian version of the flood story.

But the Babylonian version is different from the Bible version. The God of the Bible sent a flood to wipe out the evil of cascading violence. Why did the Babylonian gods send a flood? Overpopulation. Too many people were making too much noise and disturbing the sleep of the gods. Isn't it appropriate somehow that this is the particular tile on which the media has focused? Not that they know what they're doing, consciously. But at some level, this campaign against the Greens mirrors the worldview in the tablet in question.

The roots of the abortion movement are in Malthusian fears of overpopulation, especially fears of too many of the wrong people. Before abortion/contraception movements were sold as personal freedom and self-actualization, they were founded by our ruling class (our version of the gods,) who were worried about the teeming masses of noisy people marring America, disturbing their peace and power. The Greens are under attack, not because they are artifact thieves, not because they accepted a tablet describing the Babylonian flood myth, but rather because they rejected the philosophy etched into it.

In the end, Gilgamesh is about the supremacy of the state as the only antidote to chaos. The Greens' real "sin" is in rejecting the supremacy of the state and adhering to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This is the tablet which was sold by Christies to Hobby Lobby. But before it was looted, it was held by the Iraqi government. It feels appropriate that the epic poem extolling the tyrannical Gilgamesh was owned by Saddam, who thought of himself as a modern version of the Babylonian tyrant Nebuchadnezzar.

And it also seems symbolically fitting (though unjust) somehow that this is the poem over which the Greens are being attacked. The final message of the Epic of Gilgamesh is that there is no eternal life, and that the city is the closest thing there is to eternal life and that man finds his meaning only in conforming to the role which the state gives him. The Greens resisted that when they refused to fund abortion in their benefits program. Our Gilgamesh class was not pleased and tried to destroy them. But God rescued them, and they prevailed. For this, they are hated, expelled from the City of Man.

And when the persecution against Hobby Lobby was at its most intense, they put a billboard above their corporate headquarters quoting the Bible: "Our God who we serve is able to deliver us." It's a quote from Daniel 3, during an act of persecution from you guessed it Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian state, the heirs of the myth of Gilgamesh.
Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

News of the death of General Colin Powell on Oct. 18 brought back many memories to me personally. When I was commissioned as a new Army officer in the summer of 1990, General Colin Powell was the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the senior military leader. I was branched Infantry and Powell had come up through the Army as an Infantry officer. I considered his career somewhat of a role model to follow.



Desert Shield began in 1990, leading to Desert Storm in early 1991. I was assigned to a Desert Storm spearpoint unit, the 24th Infantry Division, and we were all expecting a much longer and more costly war in which we would serve. In the end, the Hundred Hour War came and went before we finished Infantry Officer Basic Course. General Powell was ubiquitous in the news during that time, and we hung on his words and strategy: Were going to cut it off, and then were going to kill (Saddam Husseins Army).

After the war, Powell was again in the news in 1993 when President Bill Clinton attempted to make major cultural changes to the military. Powell pushed back for the sake of national security. Those of us serving had a great deal of respect for Powells leadership as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and I have thought about the dynamics of that time compared to now.

The first thing that stands out to me is with respect to unity and meritocracy with the service. Powell becoming the first African-American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was more of a story for the civilian media than within the Armed Forces. To those of us serving at that time, the military culture and ethos taught us not to differentiate upon skin color. I had grown up on and around Army bases as the son of a career officer, and that dynamic of colorblindness permeated the culture. Powell was a Ranger School graduate (those of us who graduated that course knew he was tough!), who had proven himself in combat twice in Vietnam as an Infantry officer. That, and his continued service at the various commands in Korea and elsewhere gave him credibility among the troops to lead as chairman; they didnt care about his race.



It is beyond unfortunate today to see outside forces instigate racial division in the US military after decades of our unified meritocracy. Seemingly teaching military members to view the world through race first when it was a non-story for Powell to be promoted to chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff over three decades ago.

The second aspect of contrast between Powell and our current time is regarding the strength of the ethos of selflessness permeating the military. Powell came to the chairman position the year the Berlin Wall fell, and then saw the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The military mentality of the Cold War was utterly selfless. It was a time of facing an existential threat by Communism/Marxism in which pure national security considerations must trump all other considerations, particularly politics and culture. An example of this was seen in the political agenda pushed by President Bill Clinton. When Powell took over as chairman, the military maintained the ban on gay service, and combat arms were all male.

In 1993, Clinton attempted to reverse the ban and integrate genders. Powell and the senior military leadership pushed back under purely national security considerations and regardless of their political views on the subject. Clinton and Powell eventually came to the compromise of Dont Ask, Dont Tell (allowing gay service but preventing potential deleterious effects of openly gay service). General Powell famously differentiated the issue of integration of African Americans from open gay service in a May 8, 1992 letter to Rep. Patricia Schroeder (D-Colo.), and this letter provides insights into the priority placed on national security:

I have given a great deal of thought to my position and continue to hold the view that the presence of homosexuals in the military is prejudicial to good order and discipline. This is the policy of the Department of Defense and is supported by all of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It is also a view held by experts who have studied the sociology of the military for many years ... Skin color is a benign, nonbehavioral characteristic. Sexual orientation is perhaps the most profound of human behavioral characteristics. Comparison of the two is a convenient but invalid argument.

General Powell gave his best military advice against a political tide and even the administration he served. Agree or disagree, this took guts. His sole consideration was national security. For those of us serving at the time, the needs of the military always came first, and that was reinforced at the top. Powell also remained steadfast to the U.S. Constitution. Now consider the contrast of Powells leadership with what we have witnessed in recent years of political and cultural issues continually overriding objective national security imperatives and objective military advice.

General Powell came up as an Army officer of the Cold War, and I am forever grateful to him and others of his generation. A generation that fostered and demanded the ethos of colorblindness, meritocracy, selfless service, and of steadfast adherence to the demands of national security first. Its important to remember that aspect of Colin Powells amazing American journey.
Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

On my social media platforms last week, I said:

If you do not stand with me in 2021 while the government segregates me for being unvaccinated, Why should I believe you would have stood with me in 1921 when the government segregated people like me for being threatening to white people? Is segregation ever justifiable?

That offended many people who support or sympathize with vaccine passports. They were offended I indicated their support for vaccine passports suggests they might not have advocated against segregation 100 years ago.

The most common objection to my words addressed the supposedly different basis or motives for Jim Crow segregation and vaccine segregation. For instance, one person replied to my questions with:



For one, race is an inalienable attribute whereas vaccination is a choice. Second, unlike the racial fear-mongerings of priors decades, in principle unvaccinated people actually pose *some* risk to others.

That argument, however, is destructive. Indeed, there is a difference between our skin color and our personal choices. Every skin color honors God. Not every choice, however, honors God. Nevertheless, that argument prioritizes the wrong inalienable attribute.



Americas Founding Fathers were right when they said:



We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

All people are created equal  that includes black people and it includes unvaccinated people. What made Jim Crow segregation evil isnt that it discriminated against some peoples skin color. No, what made Jim Crow segregation evil is that it discriminated against people who are made in the image of God. In the same way, what makes vaccine segregation evil is that it discriminates against people who are made in the image of God.

Since discrimination against a particular group of people requires an excuse, its always linked with unscientific justifications and characterizations. For instance, Jim Crow advocates defended racial segregation by making the unscientific claim that black people are biologically inferior and a morally corrupt group who threaten the peace and safety of white people.



In a similar sense, some people who support or sympathize with vaccine passports claim, in principle unvaccinated people actually pose *some* risk to others.

That, however, is an unscientific claim. That is discrimination against unvaccinated people. That is partiality.

Unvaccinated people do not pose any risk to others  at least not anymore risk than vaccinated people. Unvaccinated people are not unclean. Unvaccinated people are not threatening. Unvaccinated people are not the virus.

The people who pose some risk to others are people infected with the virus  whether they are unvaccinated or vaccinated. This is basic science. Their vaccination status doesnt matter.

Its disturbing that needs to be said. Unvaccinated people are not the virus. It might be dangerous or risky to be around infected people, but its not dangerous or risky to be around unvaccinated people.



An unvaccinated person isnt an infected person.

However, because of our unscientific and unrighteous justifications for discriminating against unvaccinated people, were destroying so many lives and livelihoods.

Some people claim COVID vaccine passports and mandates are not unprecedented. But thats not true. Indeed, other forms of vaccine mandates exist. However, these other vaccine mandates are not nearly as widespread or as mandatory as the COVID vaccine mandates.

The vast majority of the billions of people around the world have never been asked to show proof of their vaccination statuses in order to live as an average member of society. And from what I understand, these existing vaccine mandates are for serious diseases, not viral infections. Actuallyfrom what I understandvaccines have never been mandated (at least, widely) for a viral infection with a relatively low death rate as COVID-19.

Still, the unscientific and unrighteous issue with vaccine passports and mandates is that they associate unvaccinated people with infected people.

Many of us do not seem to understand  or want to understand  that an unvaccinated person isnt an infected person.

You see, Its not wrong to sequester infected people  whether they are unvaccinated or vaccinated. There is a scientific and righteous basis for that. After all, God instructed ancient Israel to quarantine people with infectious diseases (Leviticus 13:2).



However, God didnt instruct ancient Israel to segregate healthy people. There isnt a scientific or righteous basis for segregating healthy people.

Nevertheless, since I am an unvaccinated person in Canada  by the end of November, I will not be allowed to take a plane (or drive across the border) to marry my fiancee in Ohio. I have to choose between a vaccine I desperately do not need and a wife I desperately need.



In Oakville, Ontario  a city just 20 minutes from my home  unvaccinated couples will not be granted marriage licenses unless they get the vaccine.



In Toronto, Canadas largest organ transplant centers have introduced a policy that bans unvaccinated people from receiving organ transplants.

In Newfoundland, like many denominations and churches across Canada, the Pentecostal Assemblies Of Newfoundland And Labrador have made the COVID vaccine mandatory in their denomination. Every unvaccinated church member and visitor will be banned from entering their churches for worship.

One of these unvaccinated church members is a father of a friend of mine. My friend prayed for her elderly fathers salvation for many years. Her prayers were answered last year when by the grace of God, her father became a believer.

However, his church is now treating him as worse than an unbeliever. She says, hes so defeated.

My friend tells me her father is considering leaving Newfoundland to live with her, her husband, and their children  so they can attend a good church together. However, that could be impossible.

He might need a vaccine passport to leave Newfoundland.

Meanwhile, many of the evangelicals who remain silent about these injustices in 2021 continue to virtue signal about why our evangelical forefathers maintained silence about segregation in 1921.

No one is obligated to speak against every injustice in our society. However, what does is it say about us when were more concerned about addressing the injustices of yesterday than the injustices of today?

Originally published at Slow to Write.
Evangelical churches have higher percentage of 'practicing Christians' than mainline, new poll finds

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

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.
Menlo Church investigation finds no evidence John Ortbergs son abused minors

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Nearly a year after Menlo Church in California contracted the Zero Abuse Project to investigate whether the son of former senior pastor John Ortberg engaged in any sexual misconduct during his time at the church, the abuse prevention organization has found no evidence of wrongdoing.

In a 117-page report, the Zero Abuse Project, which was contracted by Menlo Church in December 2020, said they found no evidence that John Ortberg III  who they refer to as Individual A  abused any children during his time volunteering at the church, despite his admission of having a sexual attraction to minors.

In the course of our 104 interviews, no witness disclosed that they were sexually abused or assaulted by Individual A. Additionally, no witness disclosed being aware of sexual misconduct by Individual A. Some of the witnesses we spoke with acknowledged being alone with Individual A under circumstances where he had the opportunity to harm them but did not, the investigators wrote.

As one example, a witness told us that, as a boy, he had a number of interactions with Individual A, including an instance when he was in a car alone with Individual A. In the words of this witness: I figured that during an hour-long car ride alone or something, that would be the perfect time for someone who may have expressed those desires to make a move or act upon it. But during the whole car ride, we just chatted a little bitI never had a strange or sexual encounter or [had] him touch me in the time that I knew him and when I was around him, the investigators noted.

In 2018, John Ortberg III informed his father of what the church described as an unwanted thought pattern of attraction to minors. Pastor Ortberg, according to the report, did not alert authorities, nor did he inform any other staff or elders at the church.

Individual A had served as a volunteer and part-time employee in various Menlo activities involving youth since 2008 and was volunteering at Menlo Park campus at the time of the conversation with Pastor Ortberg, the report said.

From the date of the conversation until the information was reported to church leaders in November of 2019, Individual A volunteered for Menlo Students at the Menlo Park campus worship services and programs approximately 10 times and participated in Menlos Mexicali trip from February 1419, 2019, it further explained.

John Ortberg III informed Daniel Lavery, Ortberg's estranged daughter, who currently identifies as a transgender male, of his attraction to minors on Nov. 15, 2019.

Six days later, on Nov. 21, 2019, Lavery sent an email to Menlo church leaders informing them of her brothers attraction to boys between the age[s] of 8 and 13. Pastor Ortberg was placed on paid, personal leave the following day, and an investigation conducted by Fred Alvarez of Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass did not find anyone with knowledge of misconduct by Individual A.

Pastor Ortberg was then allowed to return to Menlo Church as teaching pastor by elders. The congregation was informed of the initial investigation in general terms, but they were not told of Pastor Ortbergs personal connection to the volunteer. Pastor Ortberg also did not remove his son from his volunteer role.

On June 28, 2020, as concerns about the nature of the investigation continued, Lavery publicly named her brother as the volunteer. This revelation led to the elder board asking Pastor Ortberg to resign out of a collective desire for healing and discernment.

Officials at the Zero Abuse Project said they even paid careful attention to vulnerable members of the church community who had contact with Ortberg III but still found no evidence of wrongdoing.

Throughout the Assessment, we paid attention to evidence of children who may have been particularly vulnerable at the time of their interactions with Individual A, as offenders often find children with these challenges to be easy targets for abuse, the report said. This included children struggling with their mental health, chemical dependency, or displaying signs of trauma. We spoke to several individuals with these challenges, and those who agreed to speak with us also revealed no sexual misconduct by Individual A.

While no evidence of misconduct was found, investigators made several recommendations to the church, including how to improve the screening of volunteers for service. They also highlighted the deep wounds that were inflicted as a result of this case.

In the course of this assessment, many congregants shared with us their feelings of broken trust, even betrayal, and how the decisions of Pastor Ortberg and the elders impacted themselves and their families. As a result, some congregants have left the church, and some told us that they are choosing to stay in the hope that this report, and the churchs response to it, will move Menlo to a place of healing, they said. Healing, though, does not mean forgetting. If Menlo is to mend its relationship with the congregation and better protect children, it must not forget these events but instead process them with humility and learn from them.
40 Navy Seals push for religious exemption to COVID-19 vaccine mandate: 'Fighting for their careers'

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A group of about 40 Navy Seals is prepared to file legal action against the Pentagon over the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, due to claims that they have been wrongfully denied a religious exemption.

Attorney Michael Berry of the First Liberty Institute, the legal nonprofit that is representing the 40 service members seeking a religious exemption, told Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson in an interview Tuesday evening that he believed his clients are fighting for their careers.

You would think in this country, the Department of Defense would respect religious beliefs, but instead the Navy is using religious beliefs as some sort of ideological litmus test to purge anybody who opposes the vaccine from our military, Berry explained.

Our clients, these Navy Seals, theyve been told that even if their request is ultimately approved, theyre going to be removed from the Navy Seal community.

Berry also took issue with the Defense Department limiting travel for unvaccinated family members of Navy Seals personnel, rhetorically asking: since when does the DoD have authority or jurisdiction over family members?

Berry also voiced concern with a policy that could enable the Navy to force service members to repay the cost of their training and education if they are discharged for refusing the vaccine.

A spokesperson with First Liberty informed The Christian Post on Wednesday that they are planning to file a lawsuit "in the very near future" if the Navy does not lift the mandate, adding that they "are prepared for litigation."

In August, the Pentagon announced that would require U.S. military personnel to receive a COVID-19 vaccine by mid-September, citing combat readiness as a justification.

Now that the Pfizer vaccine has been approved, the department is prepared to issue updated guidance, requiring all service members to be vaccinated, stated Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby.

These efforts ensure the safety of our service members and promote the readiness of our force, not to mention the health and safety of the communities around the country in which we live.

Rear Adm. Bruce Gillingham, surgeon general of the U.S. Navy, released a statement at the end of August voicing support for the Defense Departments vaccine mandate.

The DoDs mandatory vaccination policy is the proven way to ensure the readiness and the safety of our naval force, DoD civilian work force, and the American people and our allies and partners, stated Gillingham.

Vaccinating every eligible service member improves readiness and ensures our Sailors and Marines are equipped with the biological body armor needed to protect ourselves from biological threats.

The Washington Post reported earlier this month there are hundreds of thousands of U.S. military personnel who are either unvaccinated or not yet fully vaccinated.

The percentages of fully vaccinated personnel varied between the services, with 90% of Navy reported as vaccinated versus 72% of the Marine Corps.
A school horror story that didn't fit the narrative

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

When the phone rang, it was every father's worst nightmare. Come to campus, a school official said, your daughter has been assaulted. No one told Scott Smith that she had been sexually assaulted  that a boy wearing a skirt had walked into the girls' restroom and raped his 15-year-old child. Then, imagine your anger as a parent to find out that the school wasn't going to involve the police  that they'd decided to handle the matter (which ended up being two counts of forcible sodomy, one count of anal sodomy, and one count of forcible fellatio) "internally."

For Scott Smith, it was unimaginable. Standing in the Stone Bridge High School office, blind with rage, he demanded they call the police. They finally did  on him. "I went nuts," he remembers. " ... Six cop cars showed up like a ... SWAT team." Later that night, after a hospital rape kit confirmed what his daughter had insisted all along, the school's principal sent out an email explaining the incident with Scott  never mentioning what had happened to his daughter and where. Even when the attacker was formally charged, administrators kept quiet.

A month later, at a local school board meeting, Smith  like a lot of parents  sat in shock as the new superintendent responded to the fury over Loudoun County's radical transgender policies by insisting that nothing harmful had ever come of them. "To my knowledge," Scott Ziegler said, "we don't have any record of assaults occurring in our restrooms. It's important to keep our perspective on this," he went on. "We've heard it several times tonight from our public speakers, but the predator transgender student or person simply does not exist." Smith was irate and tried to debate the point but was hauled out of the meeting by officers and charged with disorderly conduct. "I don't care if he's homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual, transsexual. He's a sexual predator," he argued.

Afterward, Smith and his family tried to stay out of the public eye. That proved impossible last week when another bombshell dropped. Not only did the "predator transgender student" exist, he went on to attack again  this time at another school. Two and a half miles from the place where his daughter had been held and violated, a different girl was brutally victimized. "If someone would have sat and listened for 30 seconds to what Scott had to say," the family attorney said, it could have been prevented. Instead, Loudoun County, whose extreme policies made the abuse possible, tried to cover up the rape  leaving thousands of daughters vulnerable to boys just like this one.

Scott Smith says it's the most helpless he's ever felt. "It has been so hard to keep my mouth shut and wait this out. It has been the most powerless thing I've ever been through," he admitted. Other parents, aghast at the district's negligence, have turned out in mass to blast the county leadership. "I'd rather save one girl from sexual assault than be politically correct," one woman insisted.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration  sensing the national uprising is only growing  has decided to try to drive parents like Scott underground. Desperate to contain the uproar in local districts, the DOJ (egged on or in concert with the National School Board Association) is threatening to treat outspoken citizens like "domestic terrorists," citing the arrest of Scott Smith for speaking out against the assault of his daughter as an example in their six-page letter.

Outraged, 60 members of Congress pushed back, demanding an explanation from Attorney General Merrick Garland for how it could possibly be legal to treat concerned parents as criminals for exercising their constitutional rights. "While some of these meetings may get heated, most of the parents who have been attending these meetings have simply voiced their passions and concerns for their children and their futures," they wrote. "While we agree with you that any threat of violence against these government officials should be condemned and investigated, no government official has the right to claim that a citizen may not speak out against government policies." And yet, the NSBA in a letter to Garland, claims to oppose the president's wildly dangerous transgender agenda is tantamount to a public "hate crime."

Politically diverse states like Louisiana and Virginia were horrified and publicly denounced the organization for "discouraging active participation in the governance process." Separately, both chapters said they weren't consulted about the letter to the DOJ and went out of their way to say the National School Board Association did not speak for them. Others have told news outlets that they're even reconsidering their alignment with the national association. The debates taking place may be challenging, they agree, but they're also necessary.

On what authority, Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) asked, is the federal government even intervening in the first place? They don't have supervision over local school boards  and yet, the "Department of Justice is [going] into the local school districts to basically intimidate parents from getting involved in what their children are going to be taught? It's very disturbing and troubling to me." As it is to all parents, who are starting to see Washington's heavy-handed education policy infused in their districts from the top down. When did it become the FBI's job to investigate parents for speaking up at local board meetings, they want to know? It didn't. This is just a desperate move by the Left to intimidate parents into silence so they can continue the indoctrination of children.

"From where I sit," Rosendale said on Monday's "Washington Watch," "what this looks like is just another tactic of the Biden administration to completely silence those who might question what they're trying to do. And I don't think that there is a more important obligation for parents than to make sure that they are involved in how their children are being educated and what they're being taught."

So what can people do? Well, for starters, you can get your local school board on the record about whether they agree with the National School Board Association's claims. (FRC Action even has a sample letter you can use.) Then, ask whether your state or community is a member of the NSBA. Is your district paying dues to the National School Board Association? Because if you are, you're facilitating this type of attack on parents.

Maybe you don't have children in public schools, so you think this call to action doesn't apply to you. But let's face it: every one of us is a taxpayer, and organizations as radical as the NSBA shouldn't have the ability to fight parents using our own dollars. Beyond that, this is an opportunity to hold the people we elected to represent us accountable. These school boards don't just serve the families who have kids in school  they serve the entire community. So every one of us can  and should  show up to these meetings and demand the truth about what's happening behind classroom doors.

Because, as Scott Smith will tell you, it might not spare his daughter  but it could spare someone else's.

Originally published at the Family Research Council.
California to pay $1.35M to settle Harvest Rock Church lawsuit against gathering restrictions

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

California will have to pay over $1 million in legal fees and attorney costs as part of a settlement reached with Harvest Rock Church over litigation surrounding the states lockdown rules.

Last year, Harvest Rock and other ministries sued Gov. Gavin Newsom over a coronavirus pandemic lockdown order limiting the size and scope of worship gatherings they argued violated their religious freedom.

U.S. District Court Judge Jesus G. Bernal issued an order last week requiring the state to pay the plaintiffs $1.35 million in attorneys fees and legal costs incurred in the case.

The order also prohibited unfair treatment of houses of worship in emergency orders, explaining that the state government could impose capacity or numerical restrictions on religious worship services and gatherings at places of worship that are either identical to, or at least as favorable as, the restrictions imposed on other similar gatherings of similar risk.

This Order does not prohibit the State from issuing recommendations, best practices, precautions, or other measures, as long as such promulgations make clear to the public that they are voluntary and not enforceable, continued the order.

Liberty Counsel Chairman Mat Staver, whose legal nonprofit represented Harvest Rock, said in a statement released Monday that Newsom has now been permanently quarantined and may not violate the First Amendment rights of churches and places of worship again.

We are grateful for Pastor Che Ahn, Harvest Rock Church, and Harvest International Ministry. Pastor Ahns leadership and courage has toppled the tyranny and freed every pastor and church in California, he added.

Last July, Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry, which includes multiple member churches, filed legal challenges to California's gathering restrictions. A three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled 2-1 against Harvest Rock last October, concluding that the limits were justified.

The Orders apply the same restrictions to worship services as they do to other indoor congregate events, such as lectures and movie theaters," the court majority argued. "Some congregate activities are completely prohibited in every county, such as attending concerts and spectating sporting events."

But in December, the U.S. Supreme Court granted injunctive relief for Harvest Rock, in light of the court's 5-4 ruling in Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo.

In April, amid various legal challenges to the state restrictions, California lifted rules requiring houses of worship to adhere to capacity limits, changing the standards on places of worship from mandatory to strongly recommended.

In response to recent judicial rulings, effective immediately, location and capacity limits on places of worship are not mandatory but are strongly recommended, a government website explained. The linked guidance is in the process of being updated. All other restrictions in the guidance remain in place.
Chris Tomlin partners with Sackcloth & Ashes to benefit children nationwide this Christmas

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

To help children in need this holiday season, worship artist Chris Tomlin is partnering with a company that's donating blankets to children at homeless shelters nationwide.

Sackcloth & Ashes, a Salem, Oregon-based company, launched its Blanket the United States campaign in 2018 with the goal of donating 1 million blankets to homeless shelters by 2024. Its eco-friendly blankets are made from 100% recycled material and are manufactured in Italy, India, and the U.S.

Its CEO, Bob Dalton, was inspired to help the homeless when his mother wound up living on the streets in 2013. Every time he called organizations that assist the homeless, he was always told they needed blankets.

Dalton has also released a new children's book, titled Everyone is Someone.

The book aims to teach children about acceptance, and with every book sold, one will be donated to a child in the foster care system. The book's release coincides with the launch of the company's first-ever line of children's blankets. Sackcloth & Ashes practices a one-to-one model, meaning that for every blanket or book purchased one will be donated to a child in foster care.

As our mission at Sackcloth & Ashes continues to be on giving to those who need it most, my hope is to share a sincere message of compassion and acceptance with our kids, who are the future of this country, Dalton said in a statement shared with The Christian Post.

This holiday season, I hope this simple and colorful story can help spread a positive message for all ages  a message that focuses less on labels and more on our common humanity, he added.

In addition to supporting children in foster care and those who are at shelters, the company is contributing to a children's camp.



This week, the company donated 100% of its profits from purchases of books and blankets to benefit Camp Anderson, a nonprofit Christian camp in Florida that serves children in the welfare system.

There are so many organizations that do amazing things for kids in foster care, and one of those is Camp Anderson. Every Christmas they do a Christmas camp for kids who are in the child welfare system, Tomlin said in a press release.

Its so beautiful to watch these kids have a Christmas when they didnt think they were going to have one, he added.

The renowned worship artist whose songs are sung in evangelical churches worldwide brought the Florida camp to Dalton's attention. The three-day camp includes presents under a Christmas tree, with each child receiving three gifts addressed specifically to them.
David Platt blasts 'superficial Christianity: A 'very skewed' version of the Bible is 'being sold'

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Pastor David Platt of McLean Bible Church in Virginia told his congregation Sunday that it's crucial more Christians move away from practicing a false, superficial picture of Christianity and begin to embrace a biblical picture of Christianity."

Believers can do this, he said, "by not shrinking back in fear when faced with challenges that might come when spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to remote places in the world."

During part five of his sermon series, titled "Following Jesus: Faith That Changes Lives in a World of Urgent Need," Platt shared a list of challenges that missionaries often encounter.

The challenges, he said, consist of but are not limited to: natural challenges, geographic challenges, political challenges, conflicts, wars, developmental challenges, economic instability, illiteracy, lack of access to clean water or medicine, social challenges, slavery, trafficking, violence, crime, ethnic tension, refuge relocation, linguistic challenges and persecution.

Weve said before that unreached people are unreached for a reason. They are hard to reach. They are difficult to reach and, in some cases, dangerous to reach, Platt explained in his sermon.

Some of you might look at this list [of challenges faced by missionaries] and be like, OK, you officially talked me out of it.  If thats you, I would just ask the follow-up question, What kind of Christianity have you bought into? Who told you that following Jesus would lead to greater comfort and ease in this world? Because that didnt come from this Book, said Platt while holding up his Bible. That came from a very skewed version of this Book thats being sold all across our culture.

Platt said that many Christians need God to point them to the reality that the ultimate need of every single person in the world is to be forgiven for their sins. However, he said, in order to be reconciled to God, a person needs to first hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Platt emphasized the importance of Christians not being afraid of difficulties that they might face while spreading the Gospel to remote places because, he said, there are 3 billion people in the world who have never heard the Word of God, and they wont have their sins forgiven if they never hear the Gospel.

God made a way for humans to be forgiven for all their sin, to be reconciled to Him, to eternal life, through faith in Jesus, by what He did on the cross, His resurrection from the grave, he maintained. We have been commanded to show Gods love in a world of earthly suffering, and ultimately, we have been commanded to proclaim Gods Gospel to keep people from eternal suffering  to keep people from Hell.

Somebody has to go and tell them. If no one goes and tells them, they will spend eternity separated from Him. Do you see whats at stake here? Do we see the need? Platt asked rhetorically.

Platt said he is convinced that one of the primary reasons more Christians are not praying, giving to others and going to meet the spiritual needs of those who have never been exposed to the Holy Scriptures is because they are not opening their eyes to the reality of the unreached.

So many Christians can spend years in church and never even hear about unreached people in the world, or maybe [they] just hear and think about them every once in a while, but then go on with business as usual, Platt said while following up with a prayer for God to "open the eyes of the audience to see the urgent spiritual needs in the world."

To start somewhere, Platt said Christians can begin by meeting the spiritual needs of the community where they live. He stressed, however, that the work of spreading the Gospel shouldn't stop there.

If we turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to people in urgent need around us, our faith is worthless. It's in vain. Its as good as dead, he said. This is what I mean by surely God is calling somebody to go to the unreached and maybe many [people] to go. It starts with a willingness to open our eyes and not turn away and just go back to business as usual.

Over 7,000 languages are spoken across the world today, and approximately half of them still have little or no Scripture exposure, Platt added, and many of the remote places in the world will not welcome missionaries or anyone in to speak about Jesus Christ.

At some point, these challenges will have to be overcome in order to reach the nations with the Gospel, he concluded.
DC to pay $220K for restricting Baptist church's in-person worship during pandemic

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

The District of Columbia and Mayor Muriel Bowser have agreed to pay $220,000 as part of a legal settlement with a local Baptist church that sued the city over in-person worship restrictions during the pandemic.

Last September, Capitol Hill Baptist Church sued the district over the governments ban on outdoor worship services that had more than 100 people in attendance.

In a settlement agreement and release approved on Thursday, the city agreed to pay $220,000 to the counsels representing the church, which broke down to $210,000 for the law firm WilmerHale and $10,000 for the national legal nonprofit First Liberty Institute.

As explained in the settlement, the district has lifted earlier meeting restrictions so that Capitol Hill Baptist can gather indoors for worship services.

The District agrees that it will not enforce any current or future COVID-19 restrictions to prohibit CHBC from gathering as one congregation in the District of Columbia, explained the settlement.

The District further agrees that, should it decide that new restrictions on religious gatherings are necessary during the current, or any future, COVID-19 (or variant thereof) public health emergency, it will not impose restrictions on CHBC that are more restrictive than the restrictions on comparable secular activities, as defined by the Supreme Court.

Hiram Sasser, executive general counsel for the First Liberty Institute, said in a statement that Capitol Hill Baptist is relieved and grateful that this ordeal is behind them.

All Capitol Hill Baptist Church ever asked is for equal treatment under the law so they could meet together safely as a church, stated Sasser. "Government officials need to know that illegal restrictions on First Amendment rights are intolerable and costly.

In March 2020, as part of the effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Mayor Bowser issued an executive order restricting the capacity for religious services of 10 or more people. The restriction was eventually expanded to no more than 100 people or 50% of the building capacity.

The 850-member Capitol Hill Baptist filed its lawsuit last September, arguing that the restrictions unfairly burdened houses of worship compared to comparable secular entities.

U.S. District Court Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee, granted an injunction in favor of the church last October, arguing that the current restrictions substantially burden the Churchs exercise of religion.

 the District has failed to offer evidence at this stage showing that it has a compelling interest in preventing the Church from meeting outdoors with appropriate precautions, or that this prohibition is the least-restrictive means to achieve its interest, wrote McFadden.

Soon after, the church held its first outdoor service since the litigation began, meeting at Anacostia Park in Southeast D.C. on a Sunday morning.

The attendees wore face masks and maintained social distancing in keeping with the official public health recommendations at that time.

"It is absolutely appropriate to take stock, to give thanks, to give honor to whom honor is due, to recognize the many blessings that our government continually secures and provides for us," Associate Pastor Bobby Jamieson preached at the October 2020 service.

"The only conditions that justify disobedience to legitimate government authority, legitimate earthly authority are when they either command something God forbids or forbid something God commands."
Its deadly and it kills you: Ex-medium was possessed, saw shadow people until exorcism saved her life  and her family

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

The fear was overwhelming. This is just one of the ways in which ex-medium Ivani Greppi described her childhood  a Brazilian upbringing that was deeply steeped in the occult.

Greppi, an ex-medium who once believed her spiritual abilities were a gift from God, is now sharing how her harrowing 38-year journey  which included regular possessions  led to a dramatic deliverance (known as exorcism in some circles) that transformed her entire family.

LISTEN: HEAR STORIES OF POSSESSION, EXORCISM AND HEALING ON THE PLAYING WITH FIRE PODCAST

Greppis spiritual issues were multigenerational, as she said her great-grandparents and grandparents were mediums and healers. Despite calling themselves Catholics, she said the familys real religion was spiritism.

We didnt even have a Bible. We didnt own a Bible. We didnt believe in the Bible, she said on the premiere episode of The Playing With Fire Podcast, a four-part docu-series produced by Edifi. Spiritism is where a medium becomes possessed by a spirit who can either bring healing, bring counseling or a message from a relative that has passed.

Listen to episode one of Playing With Fire:

Greppis experiences with what she called shadow people started early on as a child, and she revealed how these apparitions left her absolutely terrified.

From early on in my childhood, I was able to see what we believed to be spirits, but now I know were demons, she said. The fear was overwhelming.

By the time Greppi was an adult, she said it was normal to see these shadowy figures moving in and out between walls and doors throughout the day. Having been raised to believe that seeing these spirits was a gift, she pushed fear to the side and continued on in her spiritism journey.

Then, as a teenager, Greppi was introduced to Umbanda, a Brazilian religion that engages in the occult and spirit worship  and as the years wore on she involved herself in elements of temple worship, possession and other related practices.

You call on [spirits] to come and take possession of you, she said of the rituals she took part in. For two years  at least once a week I was becoming possessed.

Greppi eventually moved with her family from her native Brazil to the United States, got married, had kids and became a nurse, but she never left behind these religious practices  something that left her trapped in a very dark space.

In 1997, though, something profound happened. Her family had opened a print shop in Florida and a pastor walked in one day and began speaking with her sister, Marli Souto.

Like Greppi, Souto was raised around spiritism, but had never actively participated in Umbanda. Something the pastor said that day truly resonated with Souto.

He introduced her to Christ, Greppi said, explaining that her sister instantly became a Christian. It was a conversion that greatly troubled Greppi. We were afraid of Christians. We thought they were evil.

At Soutos request, Greppi reluctantly agreed to meet with the pastor at her sisters home one day. During the encounter, the preacher clashed with Greppi over faith and religion, as Greppi doubled down on her spiritism and scoffed at the idea that Christianity had legitimacy.

At the end of their conversation, though, something strange unfolded.

At the end, he said, Can I at least pray before we leave? Greppi recalled. As soon as he started praying, I became possessed.  it was something that took over.  I became distorted and I was dancing  backwards. And I did lose consciousness off and on.

Souto, who also appeared on The Playing With Fire Podcast, backed up this account and noted that this was the first of a number of dramatic spiritual interactions with the pastor.

In the moment, Greppi was angry and believed that the pastor was manifesting the experience, though she soon learned that something else far more sinister was afoot: her more than three decades engaging in the occult had brought her to the end of herself.

From there, Greppi said an intense spiritual battle began. On another occasion, the pastor began performing a deliverance at Greppis home and she was once again possessed  an account that three family members recounted and corroborated on the podcast episode.

They started praying and that entity got a hold of Ivanis body, Souto said, revealing some of the dramatic moments that followed. It looked up at my son and my nephew and it said, Help me.

All of this culminated in a third and final deliverance. Greppi, her son, nephew and Souto all appeared on the podcast to verify the details of what unraveled, but one of the more startling moments took place when the pastor placed two crosses near Greppis forehead.

The first cross, which had Jesus pinned to it, sparked a sinister reaction.

He pointed it at Ivanis head and the entity that was in her started laughing and laughing and laughing, Souto said, adding that an empty cross sparked a starkly different reaction. As soon as he put it on Ivanis forehead, the entity started screaming and I started crying because it was so horrible to hear.

After many hours, Greppi was healed and never again experienced any sort of possession. Today, shes a committed Christian  and she shares all of the details on Playing With Fire.

I was born again. That day I was born again and it was beautiful, she said. My heart goes out to these people who are deceived, [who] are in this darkness. Its deadly and it kills you and thats what these spirits want to do.

The impact of Greppis healing was deep and profound on her family, with many of her loved ones later converting to Christianity.

Her son, Andre, said he knows some will be skeptical of the story, but he said what his mother and the family experienced was undeniable.

I know out there theres a lot of doubt about this, he said. The truth is the truth, and once youre faced with it you have to decide.

Listen to the full story on the premiere episode of The Playing With Fire Podcast, a show based on the book, Playing With Fire: A Modern Investigation Into Demons, Exorcism and Ghosts.
Hillsong United Shares Life Changing Experience at California Prison

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Members of the Christian band Hillsong United are sharing the life-changing moment that took place recently when they visited an inmate who wrote to them from a California state prison.

Hillsong United from the Hillsong megachurch in Sydney, Australia, visited Folsom State Prison in Represa, California, after inmate Lothar Preston wrote them a letter to share how much they have inspired him. On July 23 Matt Crocker, Jonathon Douglass and Taya Smith performed "How Great Thou Art," "Amazing Grace," and "Oceans" in a packed prison chapel, according to Serving California, an organization that seeks to encourage prisoners in the state.

Last week, Hillsong United took to their YouTube page to share their feelings about the experience. It was there that Douglass explained why the worship band wanted to visit the prison.

"Today is really special because we also want to go to places and to people who don't have social media. We received this letter a little while ago from an inmate," he explained. "This guy has been behind bars for a very long time but through the music that we've been able to create, it's basically led him to Jesus. So we are going to Folson prison to surprise this inmate and get the opportunity to lead worship."

While his face wasn't shown on camera, Preston's voice was heard in a recording in which he explained how unbelievable it was to have Hillsong United lead worship at the prison. After the prison added the Hillsong channel to its list of TV stations inmates can watch, Preston said his life was changed when he saw the band worshiping at a concert in Miami.

"The reason that I wrote you guys was this. That one day in my cell I heard the Miami concert," Preston revealed. "The music in that concert touched me in such a way that I will never be the same. It's taught me three things ... the Holy Spirit, grace, and how much God loves me."

He added, "I will sing like a man with no sickness in my body and like no prison wall can hold me."

Preston went on to share Isaiah 41:13 while describing how the entire experience was all to showcase the love and glory of God.

"The only word that I can really come up with, it's all about love. Certain concepts, certain words it's all about total surrender and abandonment to the belief that God has a plan for you," he said. "And he says a verse I love in the Bible, 'For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."

The experience was life changing for the band who got a chance to see the world from a wholly different perspective.

"Even though they've got prisoner written on all of their clothes they're like, 'We are not our crime.' I'm so grateful for the grace that we've got from Jesus to be able to give that grace," Douglass said. "It's for you, it's for everyone. And they're everyone, so it's pretty cool."

In June, the worship band sent out a message to fans saying they were willing to make some unconventional tour stops in the United States in July and August.

"We want you to tell us why we should come to you! Basically make us a 1 minute video on what's happening in your town, school, church or if it's your birthday, or even getting married," an Instagram message from the band states. "We are down to hang and come play."
Illinois pastor accused of sexually grooming minor via Snapchat

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A pastor in Illinois has been charged with grooming a minor for sex by sending the teenager sexually explicit messages on Snapchat, according to authorities.

Joseph Krol of Dawson, the 36-year-old pastor of Rochester First Baptist Church, was arrested last Friday and charged with grooming a 15-year-old minor.

Sergeant Roger Pope with the Macon County Sheriffs Office explained in comments published by the Herald Review that Krol appeared to try and erase evidence on his phone of the alleged grooming.

Prior to answering the door, [Krol was] seen grabbing his cellphone and manipulating the buttons while standing in the kitchen area, stated Pope. Deputies immediately located his phone, but [Krol] had factory reset the phone in an attempt to wipe all of the data.

Nevertheless, the parents of the grooming victim provided police with the phone of their child, which included the sexually explicit messages from Krol.

The pastor is accused of having requested nude photos from the minor and having played social media games of a sexually suggestive nature with the child, according to the Herald-Review.

Galilee Baptist Church of Decatur, a congregation that Krol used to pastor, released a statement that was published by WAND News in which they expressed sorrow over the charge.

We are saddened to hear of the recent allegations made against Dr. Krol. We as a church take these allegations seriously and will cooperate with law enforcement in any investigation, stated Galilee Baptist Church leadership.

We are eager to minister to all involved in this situation and will be offering professional counseling services to the victim of the alleged incident. Dr. Krol has not been affiliated with Galilee Baptist Church since June 2021. We are praying for all involved.

A popular social media app for young people, Snapchat has garnered criticism from some for purportedly not doing enough to safeguard users from sexually exploitative content.

In 2018, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation put Snapchat on its Dirty Dozen List of mainstream entities that enable sexual exploitation.

Snapchat's business model facilitates sexual exploitation yielding hefty profits for the company without any regard for the associated harms, stated NCOSE at the time.

While Snapchat has made some minor improvements to allow Discover publishers to age-gate content, Snapchat still does not allow users to opt-out of sexually graphic content or to report Snapchat users that are sending sexually explicit photos and videos, or using their Snapchat app to promote or advertise pornography or prostitution.

For its 2021 list released in February, NCOSE removed Snapchat following some improvements on user safety, but kept them on a Watch List as they felt there remained some issues to be resolved.
Nevada to pay church $175K for legal battle over COVID-19 worship restrictions

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Nevada has agreed to pay a church $175,000 for legal fees incurred during its legal battle against the state's worship restrictions enacted during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Nevada Board of Examiners unanimously approved a request on Tuesday morning from the Office of the Attorney General to pay a tort claim to Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley.

Susan Brown, chief of the Board, explained at the meeting that the $175,000 payment was to comply with the consent decree in this case that requires the state of Nevada to pay a reasonable attorney fees, adding that this cost will come out of the tort claim fund.

From there, no questions on the item were asked by those attending the board meeting in-person or virtually, with a motion to approve the tort claim coming without a nay vote.

Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley filed a lawsuit against Nevada in May 2020, accusing Gov. Steve Sisolak of treating churches worse than secular institutions in the state's COVID-19 rules.

For example, while churches could only have 50 people in attendance regardless of the size of the building, secular businesses like casinos and gyms could operate at 50% capacity.

In June 2020, District Court Judge Richard Boulware II ruled against the Dayton church, claiming that the church had failed to prove that it was facing discrimination.

It is difficult to establish a pattern of selective enforcement directed toward places of worship when new, more restrictive measures have been imposed against secular activities and no similar restrictions were imposed on religious activities, wrote Boulware last year.

Plaintiffs requested relief would require the court to engage in potentially daily or weekly decisions about public health measures that have traditionally been left to state officials and state agencies with expertise in this area.

Last July, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to reject a request by the church to block the restrictions, allowing the district court's ruling against them to stand for the time being.

However, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit sided with the church last December. Judge Milan D. Smith Jr. wrote in the panel opinion that the church has demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits of its Free Exercise claim.

It has also established that the occupancy limitations contained in the Directive  if enforced will cause irreparable harm, and that the issuance of an injunction is in the public interest, concluded Smith.

Accordingly, we reverse the district court, instruct the district court to employ strict scrutiny review to its analysis of the Directive, and preliminarily enjoin the State from imposing attendance limitations on in-person services in houses of worship that are less favorable than 25% of the fire-code capacity.
Pa. school board leaves national association over 'domestic terrorism' claim against protesting parents

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A group representing school boards in Pennsylvania has ended its relationship with the National School Boards Association in response to the national group sending a letter to President Joe Biden equating harassment against school board members to "domestic terrorism."

The leadership of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, an organization that has existed since 1895 and has approximately 4,500 school directors as members, recently voted unanimously to cut ties with the NSBA.

In a statement provided to The Christian Post via email on Tuesday, the PSBA explained that the group's connections with the NSBA have been "questioned numerous times over the past several years."

"The most recent national controversy surrounding a letter to President Biden suggesting that some parents should be considered domestic terrorists was the final straw," stated the PSBA.

"This misguided approach has made our work and that of many school boards more difficult. It has fomented more disputes and cast partisanship on our work on behalf of school directors, when we seek to find common ground and support all school directors in their work, no matter their politics."

The PSBA added that while it "abhors the fact that some boards have been met with threats and violence," the group believes that "attempting to solve the problems with a call for federal intervention is not the place to begin, nor a model for promoting greater civility and respect for the democratic process."

"From financial and pension issues to a never-ending disagreement on a governance model and definition of membership, the problems at NSBA have only become more and more entrenched despite recurring promises for action," continued the PSBA.

"We intend to continue to work closely with other state school boards associations and remain hopeful that following this period of substantial tumult for NSBA, we will find a new national organization ready and able to serve all its member states effectively."

In late September, the National School Boards Association sent a letter to Biden expressing concern over an apparent uptick in threats of bodily harm directed at school boards and school officials by parents and others.

In the letter, the NSBA leadership asked for "federal law enforcement and other assistance to deal with the growing number of threats of violence and acts of intimidation occurring across the nation."

"Local school board members want to hear from their communities on important issues and that must be at the forefront of good school board governance and promotion of free speech," explained NSBA President Viola Garcia and Interim Executive Director & CEO Chip Slaven.

"However, there also must be safeguards in place to protect public schools and dedicated education leaders as they do their jobs."

The national group specifically expressed concern over protests against face mask mandates for students and claims that critical race theory is being taught at the K-12 level.

"As these acts of malice, violence, and threats against public school officials have increased, the classification of these heinous actions could be the equivalent to a form of domestic terrorism and hate crimes," the NSBA letter reads.

Earlier this month, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland sent a memorandum to federal law enforcement agencies to discuss with various authorities "strategies for addressing threats against school administrators, board members, teachers, and staff."

Echoing the NSBA letter, Garland referenced a "disturbing spike in harassment, intimidation and threats of violence against school administrators, board members, teachers, and staff."

Critics, including Missouri's Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt, denounced the DOJ memo as an effort to silence parents with genuine concerns about the operation of their local schools.

In a statement, Schmitt stated that he believes "Biden's Department of Justice is weaponizing its resources against parents who dare to advocate for their children."

Nicholas Tampio, associate professor of political science at Fordham University, criticized the Garland memorandum that claimed that there has been a "disturbing spike" in the harassment of school staff and a "rise in criminal conduct directed toward school personnel."

Tampio argued that "there is no evidence of a rise in the memorandum or references to where one could find evidence of it." He also called out the NSBA letter to Biden.

"If one reads the letter, one finds people clearly raising their voices, which is normal when people are discussing things that matter to them," he wrote. "When parents or community members cross the line into threats, local law enforcement has handled the situation. There is no quantitative data in the letter; instead, there are a bunch of disparate stories strung together to make it look like there is a pattern."

One of the stories cited in the NSBA letter is the arrest of Scott Smith during a Loudoun County School Board meeting in Virginia in June. Smith went to the board meeting to voice his displeasure with a proposed policy that would allow trans-identified students to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity. Smith's 15-year-old daughter is alleged to have been sexually assaulted by a biological male in a girls' bathroom at school.

Smith was arrested during a confrontation with a left-wing activist who attended the meeting and tried to claim that Smith's story was not truthful and vowed to hurt his business by posting online.
Parents sue DOJ over memo urging FBI to investigate threats against school boards

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A group of parents has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland over his recent memorandum calling for greater federal involvement in investigating threats made against school boards and teachers.

The American Freedom Law Center, a conservative legal group, represents an unincorporated association of parents with children enrolled in a public school district in Saline, Michigan. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The lawsuit argues that the Oct. 4 Garland memorandum calling on federal agencies to work with states on "strategies for addressing threats against school administrators, board members, teachers, and staff" is politically driven overreach aimed at silencing parents who express valid objections to certain ideas being in the curriculum.

"Contrary to the Attorney General's false assertion, there is no widespread criminality at school board meetings where parents and concerned citizens have expressed their opposition and outrage to the 'progressive' agenda being forced upon their children in the public schools," reads the lawsuit.

"Yet, the Attorney General considers these private citizens engaging in constitutionally protected activity to be domestic terrorists. Accordingly, the Attorney General labels these private citizens, which includes Plaintiffs, as domestic terrorists."

While the attorney general himself did not explicitly liken concerned parents and community members to domestic terrorists, a Sept. 29 letter from the National School Boards Association compared threats and harassment against school board members to "domestic terrorism."

Garland issued his memo five days after the NSBA sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging the federal government to classify "acts of malice, violence, and threats against public school officials" as "a form of domestic terrorism."

AFLC Co-Founder and Senior Counsel David Yerushalmi said in a statement released Tuesday that he believes the Biden administration "seek[s] a future in which free speech means 'social justice' speech and any and all opposition is criminalized 'hate speech' or 'domestic terrorism.'"

"This is a battle for not just the heart and soul of this country, but its very existence," added Yerushalmi. "AFLC stands strong and tall and will defend our Constitution at every turn."

In his memo, Garland said that there was a "disturbing spike in harassment, intimidation and threats of violence against school administrators, board members, teachers, and staff."

"While spirited debate about policy matters is protected under our Constitution, that protection does not extend to threats of violence or efforts to intimidate individuals based on their views," stated Garland.

"Those who dedicate their time and energy to ensuring that our children receive a proper education in a safe environment deserve to be able to do their work without fear for their safety."

Garland's vow to take action against "efforts to intimidate individuals based on their views" comes as parents and community members have repeatedly confronted school boards in recent months over sexually explicit material available in school libraries or material included in school curriculums.

The mayor of Hudson, Ohio, called on the city's school board to resign or face criminal charges for allowing a book featuring sexually explicit writing prompts to be included in a college-level English class offered at the district's high school.

In Fairfax County, Virginia, an outraged mother read books available in the district's high school libraries that she characterized as promoting pedophilia to the school board at a meeting. She also presented the graphic images featured in the book.
Ravi Zacharias' daughter apologizes for 'serious errors;' brother says she doesn't speak for family

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Sarah Davis, CEO of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries and oldest daughter of the late apologist, has apologized for her initial reaction to the allegations of her fathers sexual misconduct, admitting she made serious errors that only furthered deep wounds.

Her statement elicited a response from her brother, who claimed that she is not speaking for the family.

To the women who are victims of my father's abuse, I think of you every single day. I am utterly devastated," she said in a video message this week. "I am sorry that I did not see you. I am sorry that you were made powerless and rendered voiceless. When you did speak up, I didn't believe you, and I'm deeply sorry for this."

An independent investigation released earlier this year found credible evidence of a long pattern of abusive behavior by Zacharias, one of the most recognizable figures in American Christianity for decades.

The report found that the apologist, who died last May, coerced massage therapists at a spa he co-owned to perform sexual acts. It also uncovered a collection of explicit photos  many of them of much younger women  found in Zacharias possession.

The independent report corroborated accounts made by several women, including Lori Anne Thompson, who Zacharias sued in 2017 for alleging they had an online sexual relationship.

Davis, who became CEO of RZIM in November 2019, admitted that she erred by ignoring allegations against her father and defending his innocence.

I earnestly wanted the truth, but I recognize that the steps I took didn't always show this, she shared. I should have immediately called for an independent investigation in 2017, but I trusted my father fully, and I carried his narrative, both in 2017 and then initially in 2020, when we were first made aware of those allegations. In both of these, I know that I caused pain. I did not serve well, and I did not love well. And for this, I'm deeply sorry.

My goal and my heart were not to attempt to cover up the sins of my father  or any sin  to further a call or a mission," she added. "I believed this man, my father, whom I loved and trusted more than anyone else, could not have done these things  But I was wrong.

When she was presented with evidence that the allegations against her father were true, Davis said she was quaked to her very being.

I still replay memories, over and over in my head. How could this make sense with the man that I knew and what we now know to be true? Was it all a lie? Could he have done these things?" she said. "And if he did do them, why wouldn't he have confessed them, even to his family? For the rest of my life, I will have to hold the tension with this man that I knew and love, with the man that we know now committed these actions.

Davis said she hopes to be a conduit of healing and move forward with truth and transparency. She apologized to the public for RZIM not representing Christ to you.

While we were proclaiming a God who loves and values every person, our leader was not living in the truth of who God is, she said.

While RZIM hopes to return to preaching the Gospel eventually, it must first engage in this very important ministry  to acknowledge, to respond to and to address how these things could have happened at RZIM, Davis concluded.

In response to his sister's statement, Nathan Zacharias wrote a brief response in which he said that that he stands by his father:

My sister, Sarah, recently gave a video statement on the situation with my Dad. There was no new information given, and she did not say anything she has not already said in her previous statements over the past few months. It was the same talking points."

She is not speaking for the family," he added. "As has been clear, we do not share her take on this situation.

In a May 7 blog post, Nathan Zacharias argued that the Miller & Martin investigation was "driven by a predetermined agenda, not actual evidence and truth." He also voiced disagreement with how RZIM handled the allegations.

Since the release of the Miller & Martin report earlier this year, RZIM has announced that it's changing the ministry's name, restructuring to become a grant-making organization supporting evangelism and abuse victims and laid off the majority of its staff. Additionally, numerous publishers pulled Zacharias books.

In a May interview, Abdu Murray, who co-authored a book with Zacharias and has been in the leadership of RZIM since 2017, apologized for how he and the ministry handled their public statements when the allegations arose.

We really cannot afford to elevate ministry above people or certainly above Jesus, Murray said, speaking about what he learned amid Zacharias' gradual exposure over the past few years.

I think that we have this mentality in ministry that somehow ministry is itself sacred, that ministry is itself untouchable. And so when an allegation of abuse happens, we find it unbelievable because these people could not possibly have done it.
Ravi Zacharias daughter launches new apologetics ministry; former employees express concern

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Sarah Davis, the daughter of late apologist Ravi Zacharias and former CEO of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM), has left the organization her father founded to launch a new apologetics ministry.

The news elicited disappointment from one abuse survivor and two former RZIM employees, who believe Davis should be disqualified from leading a ministry.

According to a report from investigative journalist Julie Roys, Davis filed articles of incorporation earlier this month with the state of Georgia for a nonprofit corporation titled Encounter, Inc.

The organization has the stated mission of carrying the Gospel invitation to individuals, engaging their questions and training and disciplining messengers of Christs love for their spheres of influence.

Zacharias' oldest daughter became CEO of RZIM in November 2019. She led the organization amid the posthumous scandal surrounding her father and as an independent investigation detailed serious allegations that the late apologist engaged in years of predatory behavior and sexual abuse.

According to Roys, RZIM also backed a fake humanitarian effort called Touch of Hope, which funneled money to four of Zacharias massage therapists.

On Twitter, Carson Weitnauer, a former RZIM director, said he was disappointed by Davis decision to launch a new organization.

He contends that the new name and the new legal structure do not change that this organization is effectively RZIM. He points out that Davis remains in charge, Encounters office is housed in RZIMs building and argues that Encounter likely is funded by RZIMs donors.

Im also disappointed that Sarah believes herself to be a credible and trusted leader of an apologetics organization, he added. Under her leadership, RZIM mismanaged finances, concealed sexual abuse, retaliated against employees, etc., etc., etc. ... she is disqualified for this role.

Ruth Malhotra, RZIMs former public relations manager, also said she was disappointed in Davis decision to launch a new ministry.

Sarah Davis continually drove key aspects of RZIMs destructive actions which enabled leaders to operate without accountability, silenced victims, maligned internal dissenters, & allowed ministry resources to be severely misusedall actions which significantly harmed many people, she tweeted.

Malhotra also stated that "former RZIM speakers comprise the team" at Encounter and that the organization employs the "same attorney as RZIM."

Lori Anne Thompson, who Zacharias sued in 2017 for alleging they had an online sexual relationship, also expressed dismay over the news.

Breathing in new life (inhaling) is difficult to do if we have not properly processed (exhaled) the old, she tweeted. It is simply not possible to breath well individually or institutionally when your tidal volume is full of trauma. Its a time for respiration and rest  not reproduction.

In the fallout from the scandal, the global apologetics ministry downsized and restructured into a grant-making organization.

Davis announced in March that RZIM intended to change its name and remove all content featuring her father from the organizations website.

In an email to supporters, Davis stated that RZIM cannot  indeed should not  continue to operate as an organization in its present form."

Nor do we believe we can merely rename the organization and move forward with business as usual,'" she added. "That, we are convinced, is not right for numerous reasons.

RZIMs board, whose members remain anonymous, decided to stop accepting donations and hired Guidepost Solutions to investigate RZIMs culture and practice. However, the RZIM board of directors has since moved to limit the scope of the investigation and keep any findings from becoming public, according to sources that spoke with Roys.

In May, Davis apologized for her initial reaction to her fathers sexual misconduct allegations, admitting that she erred by ignoring allegations against her father and defending his innocence.

I earnestly wanted the truth, but I recognize that the steps I took didnt always show this, she shared. I should have immediately called for an independent investigation in 2017, but I trusted my father fully, and I carried his narrative, both in 2017 and then initially in 2020, when we were first made aware of those allegations. In both of these, I know that I caused pain. I did not serve well, and I did not love well. And for this, Im deeply sorry.

My goal and my heart were not to attempt to cover up the sins of my father  or any sin  to further a call or a mission, she added. I believed this man, my father, whom I loved and trusted more than anyone else, could not have done these things.  But I was wrong.

At the time, Davis said she hoped to be a conduit of healing and move forward with truth and transparency.

In response to his sisters statement, Nathan Zacharias, who runs a blog dedicated to defending his father, wrote a brief response in which he said that Davis is not speaking for the family.

As has been clear, we do not share her take on this situation, he wrote. A while back she chose the path of doing what she felt was best, strategically, for the organization. We disagree with her opinions and stance very strongly. And we do so for very legitimate reasons.
RZIM apologist who wrote book with Ravi Zacharias admits shortcomings, says he was deceived

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

An apologist who worked closely with Ravi Zacharias and co-authored a book with him said he was deceived by the late apologist who was embroiled in several sexual abuse allegations that were substantiated by an independent investigation released earlier this year.

In an interview with Josh and Sean McDowell that was streamed online Friday, Abdu Murray, who has been in the leadership of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries since 2017, explained why he believed the late apologists version of events when accusations were made public, and apologized for how he and the ministry handled making statements when the allegations arose.

We really cannot afford to elevate ministry above people or certainly above Jesus, Murray said, speaking about what he learned amid the gradual exposure of Zacharias that took place the past few years.

I think that we have this mentality in ministry that somehow ministry is itself sacred, that ministry is itself untouchable. And so when an allegation of abuse happens, we find it unbelievable because these people could not possibly have done it.

Yet the Bible says otherwise, he continued, as many who had a calling from God committed terrible acts.



Murray co-authored Seeing Jesus from the East: A Fresh Look at History's Most Influential Figure with the late apologist, which was released weeks before Zacharias died after a battle with cancer in May 2020.

When asked what contributing factors led so many to believe Zacharias deceptions for so long, specifically regarding what happened with Brad and Lori Anne Thompson  the Canadian couple at the center of much of the scrutiny of the apologist when allegations of sexual misconduct first emerged in 2017  Murray said he could not answer for what others thought, but that he considered Zacharias unblemished record as proof of his trustworthiness.

Zacharias had portrayed the Thompsons' as a couple who were attempting to extort money from him and denied any inappropriate interactions with them, especially Lori Anne, whom he groomed into an illicit online relationship. Zacharias subsequently filed a racketeering (RICO) lawsuit against the couple.

Adding to his belief that Zacharias was trustworthy was that he believed in and employed women who wanted to study and do apologetics, and he wanted them to be in leadership positions across RZIM.

Zacharias presented an Im not going to hide ... let the truth be known approach to the allegations in 2017, Murray said, noting that he first learned of them when the RICO legal action was announced in the organization.

This is the actions of an innocent man, he said, recalling his thinking at the time.

Ive since learned something very important ... that this can be a tactic to silence people.

Once more damning information emerged, my thinking should have given way, Murray said, to a more critical examination, but the reality of it was that I didnt want it to be true.

Emails obtained by The Christian Post show that Murray wrote to Zacharias in November 2017 to give him encouragement because he believed the allegations amounted to a spiritual attack on the ministry, given its effectiveness worldwide in reaching people for Christ.

Murray elaborated in the interview with the McDowells that realizing that the allegations of misconduct against Zacharias were true presented another irony  that he came to faith in Christ, not wanting the Gospel message and claims of the Christian faith to be true.

When I came to faith, I did so despite my desire for it not to be true. Ive often said that I value truth over comfort. But the reality is this, its that even though youve done that in your life, and I did that in my life, it doesnt mean you cant be vigilant all the time now.

You have to be ever-vigilant, he reiterated, guard your own heart ... Is this true or are you claiming its false because you dont want it to be true? I think thats a big part of why a lot of people were able to believe [Zacharias] side of the story. They just could not possibly fathom it. But I think we have to embrace the truth no matter how inconvenient it is.

The RZIM leader admitted that he was skeptical when additional charges emerged in August 2020 from massage therapists who had repeatedly interacted with Zacharias over the course of several years. But regardless of how uncomfortable it was, he and others within the ministry pushed for an independent investigation and they wanted the truth.

RZIM hired the Atlanta firm Miller & Martin to conduct the review, and its full report was published in February.

During the interview, Murray also addressed a statement that was circulated in the media and attributed to him about him wanting to hire a rough Atlanta ex-cop to investigate women who made sexual misconduct allegations against the late apologist with the goal of discrediting them.

What actually happened, Murray said, was that he was asking a lawyer, Brian Kelly, about potential investigators who were reputable. Kelly told him and the only one he knew of was a rough Atlanta ex-cop who doesnt have a light touch.

When he relayed that to the RZIM team in a meeting amid mounting questions about Zacharias conduct, Murray recalled saying that they could not go that route and advocated not using such a person.

In an email to CP on Tuesday, Steve Baughman, an attorney and author of the book, Cover-Up in the Kingdom, who brought Zacharias sexual misconduct and misrepresentation of his academic credentials to light, said he believes Murray when he said he didn't suggest they hire a rough ex-cop to investigate the women who accused Zacharias of abuse, and that it's a particularly ugly thing to be falsely accused of doing.

Yet, Murrays reputation is widely known as Ravis pitbull, he maintained.

Despite his recent mea culpa, RZIM insiders have revealed that Murray pressured team members who questioned Ravi, he wanted to use attorney-client privilege to keep ugly information from the public, he put a positive spin on Ravis 2016 written suicide threat to Ms. Thompson, he defended Ravi for the false statements in the press release announcing the lawsuit settlement, and more, Baughman said.

Abdu Murray can now plead blindness. But his blindness was knowingly and willingly self-inflicted. Abdu made it his mission to snuff out the red flags.

Since the release of the Miller & Martin report earlier this year, RZIM has announced that it's changing the ministry's name and restructuring to become a grant-making organization supporting evangelism and abuse victims, laying off the majority of its staff.
UK charity raises over $2.5M to build Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A Christian charity based in the U.K. has raised over $2.5 million to fund the construction of an Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer, which, once built, is expected to stand around 160 feet tall.

The Eternal Wall landmark is slated to be built near Birmingham, England, with construction scheduled to begin next year and the goal of finishing the project by late 2023.

The goal is to use 1 million bricks for the monument, which will be shaped like an infinite loop known as a Mobius strip, with each brick meant to represent an answered prayer.

Dave Silber, chief operations officer for the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer charity, told The Christian Post in an emailed statement that they had already raised $2.6 million and are in the final days of their effort to raise the final $1.3 million necessary to begin construction in 2022. The entire project is estimated to cost around $12.4 million.

Weve managed to raise an incredible 450,000 ($620,000) in just four weeks, but we need the public to back us with another 550,000 ($780,000). We want this to be a crowd-funded, crowd-created piece of public art, explained Silber.

Thanks to donations and gifts to date we have been able to acquire the land, achieve an award-winning design, obtain planning permission, build the team and cover all our immediate ongoing costs. So now, every single penny of the Crowdfunding campaign we receive will go directly into construction.

According to Silber, the inspiration for the landmark came from charity founder Richard Gamble, who began campaigning for the monument in the U.K. and abroad back in 2014.

Richard has shared the incredible concept all around the U.K. and beyond, rallying people behind the belief that one individuals answered prayer can be another persons hope. The journey has not been straightforward, but it has been filled with the favor of God, Silber added.

The proposed religious monument has garnered some media attention, with The Guardian reporting on the project in September 2020, in which the publication compared it to the Angel of the North in Gateshead, which stands at around 63 feet tall.

Silber compared the Eternal Wall to the memorial stones built during the Old Testament, which were established to help the ancient Israelites remember their relationship with God.

This wont just be a beautiful landmark to be admired from afar, it will be one of the largest evangelistic opportunities in the U.K. for a generation, Silber said.

Visible from 6 miles away, it will be a striking landmark that will make hope visible in a completely unique way by hosting a million accounts of answered prayer, making it the largest database of hope stories in the world.

In addition to the giant infinite loop landmark, the land on which the Eternal Wall will be constructed will also include facilities such as a 24/7 prayer room, a book shop, a visitor center, a cafe, a center for education, and an exhibition space to showcase Christian beliefs.

The charity behind the Eternal Wall project estimates that the site will generate around $1.3 million a year, which they hope to send to various charities and help fund affordable housing projects.

We have no way of knowing what culture and society will look like in a hundred years time, but we do know that Eternal Wall will still be standing, and that people will still be able to discover its stories of hope, and see that Jesus answers prayer, Silber said.

We know that we will have faithfully sown into future generations and shared with them what Jesus has done in our time. Ultimately, we will make hope visible to the generations, pointing people who need hope to the God who answers.

To learn more about this project, visit: crowdfunder.co.uk/eternalwall
Chinese woman faces federal charges for setting multiple fires at historic Alabama church

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

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.
Florida pastor, husband of North Lauderdale commissioner arrested for domestic violence

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

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.
Pat Robertson says God is not a Republican,' discusses the 'trouble' with 'partisan politics'

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Notable televangelist Pat Robertson, who is known for mobilizing conservative Christians to vote, said during a Fox News interview Sunday that "God is not a Republican."

On the Oct. 17 episode of "Fox News Sunday," host Chris Wallace featured Robertson on the "Power Player of the Week" segment, which included an overview of the 91-year-old's public career mixed with recent interview comments.

The feature comes just weeks after Robertson announced that he is retiring from hosting the Christian Broadcasting Network daily talk show "The 700 Club," a program he started in 1966.

Regarding Robertson's history of rallying conservative Christians to vote for Republican candidates, Wallace asked if there were any downsides to tying evangelical Christianity to the GOP.

Roberston, who ran for the Republican nomination for president in 1988, also founded the Christian Coalition, a lobbying organization that sought to mobilize the Christian vote and distributed voting guides to churches.

"Well, I became to realize without question that God is not a Republican, that God loves everybody," Robertson said.

"The trouble with, you know, getting involved in partisan politics is that half the electorate you're going to make mad at you. And I should be dealing with eternal matters and not secular politics."

Robertson admitted that one of his biggest accomplishments in life was mobilizing Christians "into the political arena."

"It was thought before those politics was something dirty," he said. "We had enormous amount of influence and I think it was important."

Robertson founded the Christian Broadcasting Network in 1960, funded by small donations. In 1966, "The 700 Club" daily news magazine program was launched. The show has become one of the longest-running shows on television in the U.S.

Wallace asked Robertson why he decided to change programming from more formal sermons and revival meetings to a talk-show format.

"People would call in and the things that were going on in their life, people would call in prayer and they would call in answers," Roberston said. "And the interactive format is what we've been using ever since."

Wallace also asked Robertson about some of his past controversial remarks, specifically the televangelist's history of blaming natural disasters on immorality.

"I did say that we had the power to speak to those storms and tell them to go away, like Jesus commanded the waves to cease," he said. "And we commanded them in His name and  and they went away."

Earlier this month, Robertson announced that he is stepping down from hosting the program after decades of serving in that role.

He plans to continue making periodic appearances on the "The 700 Club" and teach at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, a school he helped to found.

"His legacy and the example of his prayer life will continue to lead The 700 Club in the years to come," stated his son, Gordon Robertson, who is tapped to be the show's new host.

"And the best part is, he is just going across the street to Regent University and will be on The 700 Club regularly in the future."

Robertson's long tenure as host was often marked by controversy surrounding comments either he or guests of the program made on various hot-button political and religious issues.

Shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, for example, Robertson interviewed the Rev. Jerry Falwell on the program. Falwell placed some blame for the tragedy on the U.S.' acceptance of homosexuality and liberal activists. Robertson simply replied: "I totally concur."

Right after the broadcast, Robertson released a statement clarifying that he held "no one other than the terrorists and the people and nations who have enabled and harbored them responsible for [the] attacks on this nation."
17 Christian missionaries kidnapped by armed gang in Haiti

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

An armed gang in Haiti abducted 17 Christian missionaries and their family members, including children, as they were leaving an orphanage, according to a former field director for the group, Christian Aid Ministries.

An audio alert seeking prayers, sent by the Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries, says men, women and children connected with the group are being held by an armed gang near Port-au-Prince, The Washington Post reported.

The mission field director and the American embassy are working to see what can be done, the voice on the recording states. Pray that the gang members will come to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

The Christians were abducted Saturday from their vehicle as they were traveling to Titanyen after visiting an orphanage in the Croix des Bouquets area, said CNN, which said three minors are among those abducted, according to Haiti's security forces.

The welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad is one of the highest priorities of the Department of State, a U.S. State Department spokesperson was quoted as saying. We are aware of these reports and have nothing additional to offer at this time.

The incident occurred the day after the U.N. Security Council extended its mission in the Caribbean nation by nine months in a unanimous vote, The New York Times noted.

In April, police in Haiti reportedly fired tear gas at dozens who were participating in a Mass for the freedom of Haiti at the Church of St. Peter in Petion-Ville, a suburb of the capital, Port-au-Prince, led by Catholic bishops as part of a national protest against the kidnapping of five Catholic priests, two nuns and three laypeople in the previous months.

The impoverished nation is struggling in the social and political aftermath of the assassination of President Jouvenal Moise in July, and Haitians have been urging the United States to send troops to stabilize the situation.

The Biden administration declined the request of Haitis Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph for troops, saying the U.S. would only send security officials to assess the situation, The Wall Street Journal reported at the time.

The interim leadership of Joseph, who was an ally of the late president, was being challenged by some Haitian politicians. He took charge after the killing of Moise, which occurred the day after the president appointed a new prime minister, neurosurgeon Ariel Henry. President Moise was also accused of corruption, having ties to criminal gangs, and overstaying his tenure.

Haiti has seen an increase in crime since last year.

The U.N.'s Integrated Office in Haiti stated in a February report that there were 234 kidnappings in the previous 12 months, an increase of 200% from the previous year.

Authorities in Haiti reported 1,380 killings in 2020.

According to the watchdog group Fondasyon Je Klere, over 150 gangs operate in Haiti.

At least 628 kidnappings have been reported in Haiti since January, of which 29 are foreigners, CNN said, citing data released this month by the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights, a nonprofit based in Port-au-Prince.

An earthquake in August killed over 2,000 people in Haiti.
Christian parents fight back against trans policies in British primary schools

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Christian parents who were the first to combat trans-ideology being push in their son's primary school four years ago are now taking legal action against the British government.

Nigel Rowe, 48, and his wife, Sally, 46, are seeking a judicial review over the Department for Educations refusal to intervene in their case and its promotion of what lawyers describe as politically partisan Transgender Guidelines of Cornwall Schools, a Church of England primary school, according to the Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting the couple from the Isle of Wight.

The couple have accused the British government of not protecting their sons and other children from transgender guidelines being implemented at schools nationwide. These guidelines include allowing students to enter opposite-sex bathrooms and teaching children at an early age to affirm cross-dressing and transgenderism.

The objectives of the guidelines, which were published in 2015 by campaigners for transgenderism, include ensuring teachers and governors are dealing with trans matters inclusively; benefiting from professional advice and guidance; promoting inclusion for all within education by improving services for trans children and students; and empowering supporters of trans pupils and students by providing a practical guidance to their experiences.

The guidelines were held up as best practice by other schools and local authorities, and even the Department for Education since 2018, the Christian Legal Centre said in a statement.

In July 2017, the Church of England wrote to the Rowes, giving them a choice of either affirming transgenderism, which they believe is harmful, or being labeled as transphobic, the group added.

Because they felt unable to approve of the trans-affirming approach they were forced to leave the school, the Christian Legal Centre continued. As a result, they have now been homeschooling both their children for the past four years and believe they have been vindicated as the damaging impact of trans ideology in education continues to be exposed.

The parents previously explained that in 2015, a boy in their eldest son's class decided he wanted to dress and identify as a girl, and the school treated him as such.

"There was no consultation with other parents. Our son, like others, was struggling with starting school life, and with the school's suggestion that young children can change gender. So we felt that we could no longer allow him to attend the school," Sally Rowe said.

A similar situation had then happened again, Nigel Rowe added.

"Incredibly, a similar situation occurred again when our youngest son was 6 years old. A child, also aged 6, would come to school one day as a boy, and on another day as a girl," he described.

"Unsurprisingly, we raised our concerns with the school when our son came from school saying he was confused as to why and how a boy was now sometimes a girl!

"The suggestion that gender is fluid, conflicts sharply with our Christian beliefs as a family.

At 6 years of age children are exploring all sorts of new ideas and feelings. They do not have the emotional stability or maturity to make any life-changing decision, even if there was one to be made. This time we really felt that we had to challenge the school.

Also in 2017, the head teacher of the Church of England primary school told the Rowes that if a child wants to do that [identify as the opposite sex], then we just have to accept it.

The headteacher added that she could lose her job if she did not follow the guidelines.

The parents then contacted the Diocese of Portsmouth and the Church of Englands Chief Education Officer.

However, the school, having taken advice from the Diocese of Portsmouth, cited the guidelines to defend its behavior.

The school said it had adopted policies to tackle so-called transphobic behavior, which included refusing to believe that someone can change their gender. The school also cracked down on anyone who refused to use someone's chosen pronouns, or what it deemed as gender inappropriate pronouns.

The school added that it did not require any formal medical/psychological assessment and reporting when a pupil seeks to be treated as transgendered.

Sally Rowe explained, It is not possible for Bible-believing Christians to bring their children up in line with their beliefs under such policies and approach."
Church leaders react to fatal stabbing of British MP David Amess; police say it was terrorist attack

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

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."
Police name suspect in David Amess murder as 25-year-old man on terror watch list

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

Police have identified the suspect in the brutal murder of Conservative British MP Sir. David Amess as a 25-year-old self-radicalized man, Ali Harbi Ali, the son of a former prime ministerial adviser in Somalia.

Im feeling very traumatized. Its not something that I expected or even dreamt of, the suspects father, Harbi Ali Kullane, said at his sisters home in north London, The U.K. Times reported, adding that officers believe the suspect was a lone operative and known to counterterrorism police.

Anti-terrorist police from Scotland Yard had visited the suspect, who was likely radicalized online during lockdown, and referred him to Prevent, the governments deradicalization program, the newspaper said, citing anonymous sources.

The program is for those who have displayed potentially disturbing behavior, such as writing inflammatory posts on social media. The suspect, however, was not being monitored by British intelligence, which is otherwise keeping an eye on more than 3,000 people who could potentially plan a terror attack.

Security services in the U.K. fear that COVID-19-related restrictions might have contributed to many vulnerable people being radicalized online as they remained within their homes.

After stabbing Amess 17 times, the suspect sat down next to his body, waiting for the police to arrive, The Telegraph reported.

Detained under the U.K.s terrorism laws, the suspect will remain in police custody until Friday.

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.

The suspect supposedly booked a slot a week in advance after the lawmaker announced the event on Twitter and on his website.

Southends Muslim community has condemned the murder as an indefensible atrocity.

The Essex Jamme Masjid (mosque) said in a statement that all Southend mosques are praying for the victim's family.

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 read. This act was committed in the name of blind hatred, and we look forward to the perpetrator being brought to justice.

Local Muslim faith leaders remembered Amess as upstanding friend to our Muslim community.

John Lamb, chairman of the Southend Conservative Association, was quoted as saying that Amess' family had recently celebrated the wedding of one of his daughters, Alexandra, and were preparing for the wedding of another.

He was a family man, its just tremendously sad. They cant believe that Sir. Davids gone, the wife cant believe that her husband has gone and that it happened at a place he loved being. He will never go home again. Thats the disbelief.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols said after Amess' murder that he was "shocked and saddened," 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."
Artur Pawlowski: 'I have to lie to the public' to avoid jail for violating COVID-19 restrictions

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A prominent pastor who's had several run-ins with Canadian authorities for violating ongoing coronavirus restrictions was ordered to pay crippling fines and give up his free speech rights as part of a probation agreement to avoid jail time.

Artur Pawlowski, the outspoken pastor of Street Church and The Cave of Adullam in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, avoided being sentenced to time in jail during his sentencing hearing Wednesday, but was ordered to pay $23,000 in fines and undergo 18 months of probation for violating court orders and coronavirus restrictions that prohibited him from holding in-person church services.

The terms of the probation include 120 hours of community service, restrictions on his ability to leave the province of Alberta, and what his lawyer described as suppression of freedom of expression.

In the written decision released Friday, Court of Queens Bench Justice Adam Germain mandated that when [Pawlowski] is exercising his right of free speech and speaking against [Alberta Health Services] Health Orders and AHS health recommendations in a public gathering or public forum (including electronic social media), he must issue an addendum.

I am aware that the views I am expressing to you on this occasion may not be views held by the majority of medical experts in Alberta. While I may disagree with them, I am obliged to inform you that the majority of medical experts favor social distancing, mask-wearing, and avoiding large crowds to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the addendum reads in part.

Most medical experts also support participation in a vaccination program unless for a valid religious or medical reason you cannot be vaccinated. Vaccinations have been shown statistically to save lives and to reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms.

Rebel News, a media organization working to assist Pawlowski with a Save Artur campaign, covered the hearing Wednesday. Pawlowski spoke to Rebel News outside the courthouse following the sentencing, telling the news outlet that, Basically, what the judge is saying is that I cannot be a pastor anymore.

He added: For 18 months, I have to give up my rights, I have to give up my convictions, I have to give up my faith and I cannot participate in anything that I believe in.

Pastor Artur Pawlowski reacts to his sentencing live on air: "every time I open my mouth to the public, I have to lie."



Help us fight for Artur's freedom: https://t.co/5RfUUBxoVx. pic.twitter.com/qRVaYbmNMf  Rebel News (@RebelNewsOnline) October 13, 2021

Every time I open my mouth to the public, I have to lie to the public, he said, noting that he'll be required to assert that vaccinations are saving lives, that masks work, that doctors and scientists are all for the restrictions. He characterized the latter statement as a lie, lamenting that now I have to lie.

I have to become a liar every time I open my mouth in order to appease the corrupted judges and the corrupted court systems and the corrupted politicians, he continued, defending his description of judges, court systems and politicians as corrupt. They are breaking the same rules all the time and theyre caught breaking the same rules, but its one law for the peasants, for the slaves and another for the kings and the judges.

Sarah Miller, Pawlowskis lawyer, elaborated on the sentence during an interview with Rebel News: Every time he expresses some sort of contrary view to whats out there ... in mainstream  AHS-oriented media, he has to say something along the lines of but just so you know, the majority thinks something else.

Miller suggested that the ruling was based on a political vendetta against Pawlowski, who went viral in two recorded exchanges with local law enforcement officials who confronted him at church for violating coronavirus worship restrictions.

It seems wholly ... inspired by Arturs trip over the summer to the United States and the evidence put before the court  on ... his speaking tour and how that  inspired some people to  support him, she added.

I think that Justice Germain  was trying to find a way  to suppress Artur Pawlowski as much as possible while trying to find a way to stay within the confines  of precedential law.

Miller concluded the interview by suggesting she intends to appeal Germains ruling and file an application to stay the order pending the appeal.

In his written ruling, Germain accused Pawlowski of contributing to this ominous health situation by his defiance of the health rules and public posturing, which encourages others to doubt the legitimacy of the pandemic. Additionally, he compared those who do not follow public health orders related to the coronavirus to drunk drivers.

Germain chastised Pawlowski as on the wrong side of science, history, and common sense on this issue. He also took issue with Pawlowski referring to public health officers and government officials as Nazis and electing to air his grievances about Alberta in another country, implicitly referring to his appearances on Fox News and his speaking tour in the U.S.

In the first video that gained him international attention, Pawlowski angrily told police who interrupted a Passover service at The Cave of Adullam to leave, comparing them to Nazis and the Gestapo, the secret police in Nazi Germany. Pawlowski, a Polish immigrant, appeared on Fox News shortly after the confrontation, stating that the actions of his government bring back memories of his childhood, when he lived in Soviet-controlled Poland.

When public health officials arrived at his church again two weeks later, he recorded his exchange with them, where he likened them to brown shirts and Nazi Gestapo communist fascists. On May 8, Pawlowski and his brother were arrested for holding an illegal in-person gathering in violation of a court order. More than four months later, as he returned from a trip to the U.S., Pawlowski was arrested at the airport for not wearing a mask.

In a previous interview with The Christian Post, Pawlowski explained that his legal battles over coronavirus restrictions date back more than a year before the release of the first viral video on March 2020, the very beginning of the pandemic. Pawlowski was informed that he would have to shut down his Street Church ministry, which ministers to the poor and less fortunate in Calgary. As Pawlowski spoke to CP in June, he reported that he had received 29 tickets, three court orders, two injunctions and two court contempt trials over the preceding year.

According to Johns Hopkins University, 28,474 Canadians have died of complications from COVID-19. As of Friday, 27,599,773 Canadians are fully vaccinated, accounting for 73.42% of the population.
War Crime: Aid group condemns torching of Baptist church, entire village in Myanmar

Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment

A human rights group has condemned the burning down of an entire village, including the local church, by Myanmars military in the predominantly Christian and embattled state of Chin, calling it a war crime under international law.

The military, which staged a coup on Feb. 1, attacked Rialti village near the states capital of Hakha last Wednesday and Thursday, Radio Free Asia reported.

The troops initially burned some homes on Wednesday afternoon, before continuing to set buildings on fire, including that of Rialti Village Baptist Church, Thursday morning.

This morning, it was the church and our warehouse  those two were set on fire earlier this morning and at about 9 a.m., the remaining three houses, a local Christian leader was quoted as saying Thursday. All were gone in a short while. The whole village, including the church, was set on fire. Eight houses were torched yesterday. In all, 13 buildings, including the church, were destroyed.

Residents were quoted as saying that they had fled to nearby forested hills when the military arrived Wednesday and watched from afar as the buildings went up in flames.

The anti-junta Chin Defense Force militia, an armed group formed to combat Myanmars military in the western state, had attacked a military convoy of around 40 vehicles and two tanks headed from Falam township to Hakha, RFA said.

While the attack on the Christian village doesnt appear to be unprovoked, the presence of the Buddhist nationalist military in Chin state, which borders India  just as in other conflict-ridden states in Myanmar  makes civilians and militias nervous. The military has been accused of vandalizing places of worship and civilians homes, raping girls and women, abducting civilians to be used for forced labor and shooting civilians to death.

We see this as a war crime because wherever they go, they focus on wherever there are large numbers of people  its a deliberate violation of religious freedom, Salai Za Op Lin, deputy executive director of the India-based Chin Human Rights Organization, was quoted as saying.

Op Lin noted that other Christian communities in Chin state had also been targeted since the military coup in February. Now that the military has started a real operation in Chin state, we can expect a lot of such abuses and acts, and we urge the international community to keep a close eye on this.

Last month, a beloved youth pastor, Cung Biak Hum of Thantlang Centennial Baptist Church, was shot dead as he tried to help one of his congregants save their burning home after it was set ablaze by the military during an attack on civilians in Chin state.

Information on his Facebook page showed that he was married with two sons and was pursuing a master's of divinity degree at MIT Yangon.

United Nations Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, Tom Andrews, highlighted the pastors murder in a tweet at the time, calling on the international community to pay closer attention to the living hell civilians have been experiencing there since a Feb. 1 coup brought back full military rule following years of quasi-democracy.

Myanmars ethnic minorities, including Christians, live in the various conflict zones across the countrys borders with Thailand, China and India. Hundreds of thousands of civilians, many of them Christians, have been displaced due to the escalation of conflicts in the zones since the coup.

Militias in those areas have been morally supporting pro-democracy protesters since the coup, which has led to the use of heavy weapons by the Burmese army. Thousands of civilians in the conflict zones have sought shelter in churches when their villages are under attack.

Prior to the military coup, Myanmars Parliament was scheduled to hold its first session since the countrys Nov. 8 elections in which the countrys leading civilian party, National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won 83% of available seats. The military refused to accept the results of the elections claiming there was fraud and detained the leaders of the National League for Democracy and other civilian officials, including Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint, cabinet ministers, the chief ministers of several regions, opposition politicians, writers and activists The New York Times reported.

Street protests and civil disobedience have been growing since then and more than 1,100 people have lost their lives as a result of the violent repression of protests by security forces.

Christians make up just over 7% of the majority-Buddhist nation. Formerly known as Burma, the country is home to the worlds longest civil war, which began in 1948. Myanmar is ranked No. 18 on Open Doors USAs 2021 World Watch List of 50 countries where Christians face the most severe persecution. The persecution level in Myanmar is very high due to Buddhist nationalism. Burma is recognized by the U.S. State Department as a "country of particular concern" for egregious violations of religious liberty.

The military is notorious for its relations with the ultranationalist ultra-Buddhist group the Ma Ba Tha, International Christian Concern's Southeast Asia Regional Manager, Gina Goh, said in a statement earlier this year. The military together with Ma Ba Tha has targeted the Muslims in the country, but they also go after Christians. Once they get a hold of the power, they might resort to things they were doing before they passed the power to the civilian government. They kill. They rape minority Christians.

The U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom raised concern about violence toward religious minorities after the military coup.

Given the history of brutal atrocities by the Burmese military, our fear is that violence could quickly escalate, especially toward religious and ethnic communities, such as the Rohingya and other Muslims, USCIRF Chair Anurima Bhargava said in a statement at the time. We urge the Burmese military to honor the faith and will of the Burmese people and restore democratic civilian rule as soon as possible.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  The Biden administration dealt a serious blow Wednesday to the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota, ordering a study that could lead to a 20-year ban on mining upstream from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The U.S. Forest Service filed an application with the Bureau of Land Management for a mineral withdrawal, which would begin with a two-year comprehensive study of the likely environmental and other impacts of mining if it were permitted in the watershed that flows into the Boundary Waters.

A place like the Boundary Waters should be enjoyed by and protected for everyone, not only today but for future generations, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement. Today the Biden Administration is taking an important and sensible step to ensure that we have all the science and the public input necessary to make informed decisions about how mining activities may impact this special place.

The Biden administration has taken several steps on the environmental front to reverse the previous administration's initiatives. Earlier this month, President Joe Biden restored the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in Utah, undoing President Donald Trumps decision to open them for mining and other development. Biden also killed the Keystone XL oil pipeline, although he has disappointed environmental and Native American groups by not stopping the Enbridge Energy Line 3 oil pipeline.

The Obama administration tried to block the Twin Metals project by launching a similar mineral withdrawal study in its final weeks, citing the potential threat to the Boundary Waters from acid mine drainage. But the Trump administration cancelled that 20 months into the 24-month process, and reinstated the projects federal mineral rights leases, which the Obama administration did not renew.

Then, as now, one of the key decision-makers was Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who oversees the Forest Service and held the same post under President Barack Obama.

The Boundary Waters area is an irreplaceable natural resource renowned for high quality fishing, wildlife viewing, and recreational opportunities, Vilsack said in the announcement. He said the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management will "complete a careful environmental analysis and engage the public on whether future mining should be authorized on any federal land adjacent to this spectacular and unique wilderness resource.

The decision raises serious obstacles to the Twin Metals project but doesn't kill it outright. The announcement said the order affects land upstream from the Boundary Waters, the country's most-visited wilderness area. It prohibits issuing new prospecting permits or leases for mining-related activities in that area. The agencies said it does not affect valid existing rights or activities on private lands, including Twin Metals' leases in the area, although they are currently the subject of a federal court challenge.

Opponents said Twin Metals could not operate if the study leads to a 20-year moratorium on mining in the area, which is the longest ban the Biden administration can impose. Only Congress could make it permanent. The government will soon begin a 90-day review process that will include participation by the public, state, local and tribal governments, and other stakeholders.

Twin Metals Minnesota is deeply disappointed with the federal governments action to initiate a mineral withdrawal study yet again on nearly 230,000 acres of land in northeast Minnesota, which sits on top of the worlds largest known undeveloped copper-nickel deposit," the company said in statement. We are working to determine the best path forward to continue advancing our proposed world-class underground copper, nickel, cobalt and platinum group metals mine.

When Twin Metals, which is owned by the Chilean mining giant Antofagasta, submitted its formal mine plan to federal and state regulators in 2019, the company said its design would prevent any acid drainage from the sulfide-bearing ore and protect the wilderness from pollution.

Environmental groups disputed that claim and challenged the lease renewals in court. They welcomed the announcement.

This is a great first step on the pathway to permanent protection, Becky Rom, national chair of the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters, said in a statement. "The appropriate next step for the administration is to revoke the two Twin Metals leases that the Trump administration unlawfully reinstated.

This is a win for clean water. A win for science, the law and for the millions of people who have experienced the wonder of the Boundary Waters," Chris Knopf, executive director at Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness said in a statement.

"This national treasure needs to be protected through sound, scientific principles, not the whims of special interests or industry. Today, the Biden administration signaled it would do just that, Knopf said.

But Republican U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, who represents northeastern Minnesota, accused Biden of putting politics over science and reneging on campaign promises to bring more mining jobs the region and secure America's mineral supply chain. He pledged to try to reverse the decision.

Todays announcement further proves that the Biden Administration and Democrats in Congress are incapable of doing whats right for union members and working families across northeast Minnesota," Stauber said in a statement.

Twin Metals is not connected to the proposed PolyMet open pit copper-nickel mine and processing plant at nearby Babbitt and Hoyt Lakes, which is much further along in the approval process. PolyMet, whose majority shareholder is Swiss commodities giant Glencore, would be Minnesotas first copper-nickel mine but the project remains tied up in court and regulatory proceedings.
In the latest trading session, Range Resources (RRC) closed at $24.07, marking a +1.69% move from the previous day. The stock outpaced the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.74%.

Coming into today, shares of the independent oil and gas company had gained 25.97% in the past month. In that same time, the Oils-Energy sector gained 14.41%, while the S&P 500 gained 1.34%.

Wall Street will be looking for positivity from RRC as it approaches its next earnings report date. This is expected to be October 26, 2021. On that day, RRC is projected to report earnings of $0.51 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 1120%. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $729.6 million, up 143.73% from the prior-year quarter.

RRC's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $1.90 per share and revenue of $2.76 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +2211.11% and +40.38%, respectively.

Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for RRC. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the company's business outlook.

Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 10.8% higher. RRC is holding a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) right now.

Digging into valuation, RRC currently has a Forward P/E ratio of 12.48. This represents a premium compared to its industry's average Forward P/E of 10.56.

We can also see that RRC currently has a PEG ratio of 0.46. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. The Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry currently had an average PEG ratio of 0.47 as of yesterday's close.

The Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 15, which puts it in the top 6% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

To follow RRC in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.

Zacks' Top Picks to Cash in on Artificial Intelligence

In 2021, this world-changing technology is projected to generate $327.5 billion in revenue. Now Shark Tank star and billionaire investor Mark Cuban says AI will create "the world's first trillionaires." Zacks' urgent special report reveals 3 AI picks investors need to know about today.

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



Range Resources Corporation (RRC): Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
The world's most famous bounty hunter is coming to San Antonio in 2022.

On Wednesday, October 20, the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts announced Duane "Dog the Bounty Hunter" Chapman will hit its stage at 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 29. Tickets range from $29.50 to $39.50. Meet and greet the man himself for $100.

In its Facebook event description, "An Evening with Dog the Bounty Hunter: From Ex-Con to Icon" will include stories Chapman shares from his troubled beginnings and triumphant transformation.

"Dog will recount the colorful and adventurous life that has led to becoming the most successful bounty hunters and recognizable television stars in American history," the venue stated. "Against all odds, Dog has turned his life around, going from ex-con to American icon in the process."

The show announcement comes at a time when Dog the Bounty Hunter is searching for Brain Laundrie, who is the sole person of interest in Gabby Petito's homicide. Petito, 22, was reported missing in early September by her parents. Officials later found her body and announced her cause of death was strangulation.

She had been traveling with her boyfriend, Laundrie, prior to her disappearance.

According to TMZ, Chapman recently vacated the state of Florida amid his search and headed back to Colorado to recover from an ankle injury he suffered while on the hunt.
Click here to read the full article.

At a school board meeting in Southlake, Texas on Monday night, former student Jake Berman took the mic and uttered these powerful, and unfortunately necessary, words: The facts are that there are not two sides of the Holocaust. The Nazis systematically killed millions of people. He went on to describe his experience, which he said nearly drove him to suicide. I received everything from jokes about my nose to gas chambers, all while studying for my bar mitzvah from a Holocaust survivor as my primary tutor, Berman, 31, told the Carroll Independent School District Board. I still struggle with the depression that started at Dawson Middle School in 2003 to this very day.

Berman was there to share his experiences in light of Texas Senate Bill 3 (SB3), a law that passed this summer to regulate how schools in the state teach social studies  specifically Americas racist history. Last week, his former district found itself in the eye the SB3 storm when leaked audio from a teachers meeting caught an administrator instructing teachers to teach opposing perspectives on the Holocaust, to stay in accordance with the law. Two decades after his traumatizing experience, Berman knew he had to speak up. And in his first interview after the meeting, he explained why he feels a moral obligation to use his voice.

The antisemitism piece obviously hits home for me because Im Jewish, but I really tried to parlay it into what this law really is intended to do, which is whitewash the racism that still goes on in the state and in the country today, Berman tells Rolling Stone the morning after his public comments, which have been viewed more than 65,000 times on Twitter.

I wouldnt have gone up there in a public forum and said what I said if I didnt think it would have some sort of effect or impact, says the 31-year-old, who now lives in nearby North Richland Hills, says. The reception Ive gotten this morning has just been overwhelmingly positive.

If youve heard about any of the fights in schools across the nation over the teaching of Critical Race Theory, its in no small part because of Southlake, Texas. What started as a community response to a widely-circulated video of students chanting the n-word in 2019 ballooned last year in response to the countrys racial reckoning. Much of this came to light because of the NBC News podcast Southlake, which debuted in August and chronicled the feuds origins, plus the contentious school board elections that played out as a proxy for people on both sides of the issue. (The Southlake school board did not immediately respond to a request for comment.)

While Southlake gives extensive examples of racism, and bigotry against LGBTQ/non-binary students, antisemitism never came up specifically on the show. But when school administrator Gina Praddys Holocaust comments went public, it struck a familiar cord with Berman. I hold no ill-will towards her, he says. I dont think shes a Holocaust denier or anything like that. I think she just stepped in a pile of mud.

Berman described himself as the Jewish kid growing up. It wasnt an issue until I got to middle school, he said. But when it got bad, it got pretty bad.

The bullying started slowly, he says, with off-hand jokes about bagels, but eventually turned much darker, culminating in him opening his locker one day to a flurry of small sheets of papers covered in hand-drawn swastikas. While hes quick to note that middle school students dont have the wherewithal to understand the gravitas that a Nazi swastika has, the incident stays with him to this day.

At the time, he wasnt aware of the district taking any action against the bullies or to implement systemic change, but he says they did their best to protect him. And his parents focused on him. Their number one priority wasnt solving any antisemitism issue or bullying issue within the school  it was the safety of their son.

He transferred to a private school the following year, though his family remained in the town. Now, two decades later, problems of race and religion persist.

He hopes that, much like schools that defied the Texas governors mask mandates ban, one school  whether its Southlake or not  will defy the ahistorical law. I think the mic cut off right before I got to say it, but I sort of implied that youre at a crossroads, and you have the opportunity to be a leader as a school district  which youve long seen yourself asIf I were the superintendent, I would say Were not going to take part in this law.

He also hopes this incident will help others around the country will see how weve gone astray in trying to reinterpret history, but he says hes not entirely convinced it can happen. Unfortunately with the state of politics in the whole country, it seems like when you point out facts and logic and reason, for some reason the people on the other side of facts and logic and reason dig in deeper.

Asked point blank if he thinks Southlake has a racism problem, Berman said, I dont know, because I dont live there [anymore]. I would say from the outside looking in, it certainly appears that way.
On Thursday, I was minding my own business when, very suddenly, I thought I was going to die.

Im not a particularly dramatic person, which you might not believe given how I started this story, but Id ask you to take my word for it. The reason my heart was pounding out of my chest was because a jet had flown what felt like 10 feet above my Chinatown apartment. The entire building shook and dozens of car alarms rang at once.

Was this the start of World War III? No, it was some jets farting in the skies for San Francisco Fleet Week, the largest such Fleet Week in the country that Mayor Dianne Feinstein apparently brought here in 1981.

I didnt live in San Francisco for the last Fleet Week Air Show. I'm not interested in a throat clearing routine where I wrap myself in the flag and praise the troops, while issuing one itty-bitty lil' complaint. That insincere fence-sitting is why we still have Fleet Week in the first place  before the San Francisco iteration was officially born, FDR rolled it out elsewhere as a patriotism-indoctrination exercise in the 1930s, when Americans (correctly) didnt give a st about fighting wars in foreign countries.

Then we had the only excusable war in the '40s, and Fleet Week just became one of those things that happens at port cities, no questions asked. Which is stupid. Fleet Week is stupid. Its a waste of time and money, a natural extension of the U.S. military at large. I think its disgraceful to scare the bejeezus out of people trying to live their lives  including, yes, the veteran TROOPS with PTSD who some of you are going to yell at me to respect more.

None of this is new, or news, which is whats so frustrating. Dissenters have previously spoken out during Fleet Week and been summarily dismissed as scolds, as Im sure will happen here. In October 1985, for instance, the Sacramento Bee reported on a coalition of peace groups that protested Fleet Week and military intervention in Central America. Those protesters didnt even have the full story yet: A year later, Oliver North began shredding pertinent documents about the the Iran-Contra scandal, which exposed the Reagan administrations plan to bolster right-wing rebels in Nicaragua. The protesters were totally, completely in the right, more than they knew. And Fleet Week was back in full force in '86, baby.

Fleet Weeks staying power is emblematic of the frustrating rinse-and-repeat cycle the United States constantly indulges in with foreign intervention. Unnecessary war kills countless non-Americans, which we ignore. Scandals about American soldier death tolls arise, crimes against humanity too brazen to push aside are eventually revealed, and the war becomes unpopular across ideologies.

So what happens next? A cut in defense spending? Anything reflecting even the possibility of a military downsizing or perhaps, on a micro level, just less aerial pomp and circumstance at home? Nah. Tiny blips indicating that Americans might actually believe military spending is too high are quickly erased by the arrival of a president who riles up the hogs. (See what happened in Pew polls with both Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump.) Back to square one.

Liberals are far from blameless here, by the way, including in the Bay Area. Their top trait, passivity, is on full display for Fleet Week. Remember all the anger about how Trump went gung-ho on a big, beautiful July 4 military parade in 2019? The Cheeto man splurged Monopoly money on tanks and jets so he could have an extravagant show at the nations capital. It was shameful and gross, we can agree. The same energy has not exactly been kept for the tradition of death machines zooming around San Francisco (tickets still available!!!) at a cost of at least $1.26 million.

That figure was a 2016 estimate for the Bay Area aerial shows alone. The annual cost for the Blue Angels to draw smiley faces and dicks in the sky is something closer to $36 million, according to a 2019 estimate.

But smiley faces are awesome, you say! Dicks are funny! Expensive jets going zoom-zoom are sick! Okay, if you think Im being the anti-fun police, lets at least come to a compromise. How about this: If we simply must set tens of millions of dollars on fire, lets literally do it. That would look cool too.

We can find an agreed-upon spot on the coast where a mound of money set ablaze wont lead to an enormous forest fire, and where the environmental impact cant be any worse than jets putzing about above major metropolitan areas. At least in that case, wed be tossing money away for no reason, as opposed to the Navys publicly stated purpose for this weekends sideshow: a recruiting tool to increase public awareness.

Thats the thing. The Navy is, to its credit, very explicit about why it likes Fleet Week. How does it hit you reading that, knowing the Blue Angels are a recruiting tool so Americas military can stay bloated and stationed basically everywhere on Earth? Why is it that this form of propaganda is an acceptable weekend watching activity, but when other countries do their own stupid military processions, theyre scolded for brainwashed nationalism?

My hot take is these propaganda exercises are awful no matter where theyre happening. Frankly, theyre even worse in the United States, one of the few countries on Earth with the air strike and bombing capabilities to act on its threats  something weve shown a willingness to carry out semi-recently (and this is just off the top of my head) in Vietnam, Cambodia, Libya, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, Pakistan and Syria.

All of which is to say: Its not shocking to me that San Francisco, a bastion of liberal passivity, hosts Americas fanciest fuel-wasting procession  but its inexcusable all the same. Fleet Week sucks.
Black smoke billowed from the Kuhio Beach surfboard lockers along Waikiki Beach in Honolulu late Sunday morning. The two-alarm fire destroyed close to 600 surfboards and was deemed intentional after an initial investigation by the Honolulu Fire Department.

This is the second time this exact city surf rack, which stores surfboards for locals and the adjacent Moana Surfrider Hotel, has been set ablaze in less than two years.

According to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, a 43-year old man was arrested Sunday on suspicion of arson but was released later that night.

In February 2020, an arsonist set fire to the surf rack, but no suspect was ever arrested. It is unknown if the fires were started by the same person.

There was almost $650,000 in damage due to the fires destruction. The surfboard lockers stored surfboards that were used by Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services, part of the City and County of Honolulu Emergency Services department, in case of emergency, and some were collectors items that were handmade by people over 30 years ago. There was also damage to the neighboring buildings, which included the Moana hotel, the Waikiki Beachside Bistro and the Waikiki police station. The police station is located directly next to an alley where the surfboards were stored. Reports say this fire escalated more quickly than in 2020 and the adjacent buildings seem to have suffered more damage this time.

Someone had to dump something on it. Gasoline. Lighter fluid. Not even 10 minutes, this whole place was engulfed, resident Markiss Flathau told Hawaii News Now. Its traumatizing, he said after losing surfboards in both fires.

The fire department responded quickly enough to evacuate people from the nearby establishments. No injuries were reported, according to the HFD.

The investigation into the fires is still ongoing.
Members of the Margaret Montgomery Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution became a part of the ongoing cleanup and renovation efforts Saturday at the Conroe Community Cemetery in Conroe.

The restoration process for the historic cemetery started for historian and researcher Jon Edens in the fall of 2016.

The cemetery exists between the Oakwood Cemetery and Old Normal College property. It is said to be one of the oldest burial grounds in Montgomery County serving as a final resting place for dozens of Black citizens who settled here during the post Civil War era.

On yourconroenews.com: Conroe Community Cemetery gets historic designation

Edens was transcribing graves at the adjacent Oakwood Cemetery in the fall of 2011 when he saw a grave on the north side of the fence of the property. He climbed the fence and discovered several graves among the overgrown property.

The Conroe Community Cemetery Restoration Project was launched and a group of volunteers banded together to clean the property and identify as many graves as possible there.

Mittie J. Campbell, an early educator of Black students, is buried there. As is Montgomery Countys only known Buffalo soldier Luther J. Dorsey. The group is going strong with their fall clean up sessions and over the summer the cemetery was designated a Historic Texas Cemetery by the Texas Historical Commission. The project will receive its marker sometime in 2022.

On Saturday, chapter members placed five unknown markers at graves where the information about the person interred there is not known. The Conroe Community Cemetery Restoration Project received the unknown markers this summer and will spend the fall placing them. Volunteer John Meredith said volunteers have identified about 150 burials where they dont know the names of the people interred there.

The members worked with project volunteer Tommy Cheney to learn how to place the markers while not disturbing artifacts  like pitchers, shells, plates and more  that were traditionally used in the Black burial tradition. They also heard a history of the cemetery and its renovation efforts from Meredith.

The chapter namesake Margaret Montgomery was born in South Carolina in 1773.

Montgomery married Owen Shannon in Wilkes County, Georgia, on Oct. 12, 1792; both Owen and his father had served in the American Revolution and received bounty land in Georgia for their service. In 1827, the couple settled on a league of land granted to Austins second colony by the Mexican government, and Owen established a trading post, calling it Montgomery, his wifes maiden name.

The Margaret Montgomery Chapter NSDAR, organized Oct. 6, 1950 and placed a marker on Montgomerys grave in 1959.

According to Chapter Regent Cindy Amburgey, the chapter focuses on historic preservation, patriotism and service in the community.

Amburgey is also on the board of the Conroe Community Cemetery Restoration Project and she thought the two groups could go hand-in-hand.

On yourconroenews.com: Cemetery volunteers recognized with history award

Chapter members encountered artifacts like a part of a pitcher, its base and metal nameplates for the grave as they placed the markers. Meredith noted in a previous Courier article it was not uncommon to find items like plates, water pitchers and more around a grave indicating that the piece may have belonged to or had special meaning to the deceased when they were alive.

In November, as one of five chapters in Montgomery County, the Margaret Montgomery Chapter will lay a wreath as a part of Veterans Day services at the Montgomery County Memorial Veterans Park at Texas 105 and Interstate 45 in Conroe.

This Saturday, members of the restoration project will host a clean up at the cemetery from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. According to Meredith, there is a large amount of debris left from the last cleanup that needs to be moved and chipped up as well as brush cleared from along the Oakwood Cemetery side of the south fence.

For more information about the Margaret Montgomery Chapter of NSDAR, visit https://www.texasdar.org/chapters/MargaretMontgomery/.

For more information about the Conroe Community Cemetery Restoration Project, visit https://www.facebook.com/cccrp.

shernandez@hcnonline.com
SEATTLE (AP)  As police repeatedly filled her Seattle neighborhood with tear gas amid the racial justice demonstrations of 2020, Nicole Thomas-Kennedy bought a gas mask to protect her 9-year-old daughter from the irritants seeping into their home.

She served as a legal observer of the department's heavy-handed response to the rowdy protests. And she took to Twitter.

Can only tweet about my rabid hatred of the police, Thomas-Kennedy wrote. Over a span of months she called property damage a moral imperative; described law enforcement as scum and militant thugs; and responded to a Christmas Eve message from the police chief by suggesting officers eat COVID-laced" excrement.

Now, the former public defender is one of two candidates to become Seattle's city attorney  a position that involves managing a $35 million budget and 200 employees; advising elected officials; representing the city in litigation; and working closely with police to prosecute low-level crimes.

Thomas-Kennedy's opponent, Seattle lawyer Ann Davison, and many current and former officials say those writings should preclude her from being elected.

Three former Seattle police chiefs weighed in Sunday with a Seattle Times essay warning the city not to embrace anarchy. The department is already down about 300 officers due to retirements and resignations following the protests and talk of defunding, and electing an abolitionist would only make it harder to hire and retain officers, they said.

But Davison has her own baggage in heavily liberal Seattle: She pronounced herself a Republican in 2020.

A lot of people are having significant buyer's remorse that these are the choices we're left with, said state Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle. There is no excuse for anybody to advocate property destruction. It is also extremely problematic, in a deep blue city that just spent four years being traumatized by Donald Trump, for someone to pick that time to align with the GOP.

Davison, 53, and Thomas-Kennedy, 46, each took about one-third of the vote in the August primary, edging out three-term incumbent Pete Holmes to advance in the officially nonpartisan race.

Holmes struggled with criticism from the left he had done too little to advance alternatives to jail for homeless, mentally ill or addicted defendants, and from the right he was soft on street disorder. In 2019, his office prosecuted 7,300 of 13,000 case referrals from police.

As the Nov. 2 election approaches, Davison and Thomas-Kennedy have tried to minimize the politically challenging aspects of their backgrounds while stressing the divergent approaches they would bring. The campaign has largely overshadowed mayor's race in the Pacific Northwest's largest city.

Thomas-Kennedy generally wants to end traditional prosecutions of misdemeanors, which include theft of items worth under $750. Prosecution would remain an option, especially for violence or repeat DUIs, but most cases would be diverted to mental health, addiction or restorative-justice programs, which would need to be expanded to carry out her vision.

Most defendants in Seattle Municipal Court are poor enough to qualify for a public defender, and many cases she handled were crimes of poverty, she says. Prosecuting people for shoplifting a sandwich or sleeping on private property is expensive, ineffective and can further destabilize their lives, she says.

She would seek to create a victim's compensation account for businesses not otherwise able to recoup losses for minor theft.

An attorney for five years, Thomas-Kennedy is endorsed by Democratic party organizations, labor unions, and dozens of criminal defense and civil rights attorneys who wrote in an open letter that Davison would serve as a Republican veto over a progressive Mayor and City Council." She says she would be excited to use the office's civil division to defend progressive city laws such as newly passed renter protections and progressive taxation from legal challenges.

Some of Davison's biggest backers are wealthy tech and real-estate executives who are challenging those laws, Thomas-Kennedy notes.

She says her tweets were sometimes over-the-top or satirical, and were posted before she ever conceived of running for office. She deleted many and said she understands they might scare voters.

It would be weird if I was a middle-aged mom who went to law school, then practiced law for a bunch of years, then decided to run for city attorney because really what I want to do is raze the city to the ground, she said. I think what bothers people is that I'm not adhering to that narrative of more punishment makes more safety.

Still, even last month her campaign posted a photo of Thomas-Kennedy with her campaign manager, who was wearing a shirt featuring an image of a burning Seattle police car with the words, This is a policy proposal.

Davison is making her third run for office in three years, after failed bids as a Democrat for City Council in 2019 and as a Republican for lieutenant governor in 2020. She has been a commercial lawyer for almost 17 years, but has been the attorney of record in few matters and has little criminal law experience.

In recent years, Davison has advocated for sweeping homeless encampments and moving residents into relief shelters set up in warehouses, and she has opposed safe-injection sites.

Saying her views were not welcome among Seattle progressives, she recorded a video about leaving the Democrat Party for the #WalkAway project launched by Trump supporter Brandon Straka. Straka went on to plead guilty for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Davison has stressed she is not a partisan" and would represent the city even to defend laws she disagrees with. She says she voted for Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden for president  not Trump  and considers the attack on the Capitol abhorrent. Former Democratic Govs. Chris Gregoire and Gary Locke have endorsed her, along with 30 former judges who said she would protect the rights of victims as well as defendants.

We can provide strategies that are creative so that we are getting people help and intervening in a way that is compassionate for individuals and is maintaining public safety, Davison said. To dismantle the prosecution of misdemeanor crime, to dismantle police, when were a city of almost 800,000 people, is not putting the safety of the city first.

Matt Humphrey, the owner of Steele Barber, a high-end barbershop with two locations, said he's supporting Davison. He acknowledged he doesn't know much about her, but said he knows more than enough about her opponent.

Last fall, two thieves took goods worth $4,000 wholesale in an early morning break-in at one of his stores. His insurance company paid for the losses  and promptly canceled his policy, forcing him to scramble to find another.

Last week, he said, someone shoplifted $3,000 worth of items. He's trying to figure out how he can afford private security. Any talk of not prosecuting crime concerns him.

Criminals may not watch the news or read the paper, but they sure are good at passing along word that you can get away with this, Humphrey said. And I'm the one who's going to pay the price.
An attorney representing a Laredo cop accused of assaulting his wife over the weekend said his client is the victim in this case.

Juan Angel Leal Jr., 34, was arrested and charged with assault of a family, household member by impeding breath or circulation and assault, family violence. An emergency protective order was also filed against him.

The allegations made against Mr. Leal are false. Officer Leal was actually the victim of a family violence assault and we have evidence to prove it, Attorney Jorge Vela said. Domestic violence is not a gender-specific crime. The fact is males are many times the victims of physical and mental abuse and it goes unreported.

The decision to arrest was made before all the facts were presented. My client is now facing the public fallout of an unjustified arrest. He is entitled to the presumption of innocence. He will be exonerated.

The case unfolded at about 5:11 a.m. Oct. 16, when a Laredo police officer responded to a domestic assault report in the 2800 block of Elm Street. There, the officer met with a 35-year-old woman who would not stop crying. Once she composed herself, she stated that her husband, Leal, had assaulted her, states the arrest affidavit.

She stated they were at the bar Culture. She was upset with Leal and tried to leave with a female friend, but he did not let her, according to court documents. Leal allegedly told her she had to leave with him.

At about 3 a.m., they arrived at their home in the 100 block of Senegal Palm Drive. The wife locked herself in their sons room to avoid Leal. He was unable to unlock the door and told her to go with him to an after party, according to court documents.

She refused and walked past him. As she walked by him, she knocked down a plate of food Leal was holding. She stated to police she did not remember how she knocked down the plate of food. Leal then grabbed her by the neck and hair. Leal allegedly told her that if she did the mess, she had to clean it up, according to the affidavit.

Leal then had her by the neck on the floor, where she was unable to move or breathe. She then pulled on his ears. Leal then threw her on the floor and told her she had to sweep and clean the mess. She told him she would clean the mess if he would leave her alone, the affidavit states.

After cleaning, she sat on the couch. Leal told her to get up or he would get her up. Leal told her she was not in charge when she refused to get up. He again grabbed her by the hair and threw her again on the floor where the mess was. She decided to clean the mess so Leal would not assault her again.

The woman waited for Leal to fall asleep and went to her mothers house, where her mom called the police for her. Police said the woman had scratches to the left side of her face, redness around her neck, a small cut on her upper lip and bruising on her right hand. She added that her head was also hurting, according to court documents.

As per procedure, Leal was placed on administrative reassignment pending the outcome of the criminal and internal investigation. Leal was off duty when the incident occurred, according to police.
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP)  A Connecticut state legislator who works as an aide to the West Haven City Council is accused of creating a company that received more than $600,000 in federal COVID-19 relief funds for services that were never provided.

Rep. Michael DiMassa, a Democrat, was arrested by FBI agents on Tuesday morning and charged with wire fraud. He appeared in federal court in New Haven and was later released on a $250,000 bond. The lawmaker's arrest comes a week after the city's mayor raised concerns about possible fraudulent spending of the city's share of federal pandemic funds.

The arrest prompted calls from legislative Republicans for greater state oversight of the huge sums of federal money being provided to municipalities.

These funds are intended to help residents and communities recover during one of the most challenging times of a generation, wrote state Sens. Kevin Kelly and Paul Formica, the top two GOP senators, in a letter to Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont's budget director.

DiMassa, 30, formed Compass Investment Group LLC. in January with another individual, who was not named in an arrest affidavit unsealed Tuesday. Records show the entity was paid $636,783 by the city of West Haven, from February through September, for hundreds of hours of various COVID-19-related services, including lobbying, consulting and site work for clinics, despite never providing any services to the city's public health department, according to the affidavit.

The legislator wrote checks to himself ranging in value from $11,847.50 to $87,650, and made cash withdrawals ranging from $8,000 to $10,000, bank records for Compass Investment Group show.

The dates of some cash withdrawals coincided with cash buy-ins of chips at Mohegan Sun Casino by DiMassa, according to the affidavit.

Last week, West Haven Mayor Nancy Rossi posted a video on the city's YouTube page saying she had come across several large expenditures that might be fraudulent and had requested a forensic investigation of the city's spending of federal pandemic relief funds. A message was left seeking comment with the mayor, who is also a certified public accountant.

West Havens share of the $2.2 trillion in stimulus funding from the CARES Act has been more than $1.15 million so far, according to the state Office of Policy and Management.

The city's corporation counsel told federal investigators the West Haven Health Department never used, selected, approved, or otherwise engaged Compass Investment Group for any work or services concerning the West Haven Public Health Department, according to the affidavit.

DiMassa was first elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 2016, representing West Haven and New Haven. Upon the news of his arrest, Speaker of the House Matt Ritter and House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, both Democrats, announced they were immediately removing DiMassa from all committee and leadership assignments. The House vice chairman of the Appropriations Committee, DiMassa was sat on the Judiciary and Executive and Legislative Nominations Committees.

Elected officials are rightly held to a high standard of conduct and trust. Even the slightest hint of wrongdoing bruises that trust, Ritter and Rojas said in a joint statement.

A message was left seeking comment with DiMassa's attorney, John Gulash.

Kelly and Formica, the Republican state senators, called for audits of all municipalities by the Office of Policy and Management to ensure they're spending COVID-19 funds properly. The OPM Secretary Melissa McCaw said her agency is hiring an independent auditor and will cooperate with the federal probe. She said the agency previously ordered every municipality to report their spending by Oct. 22, warning they must withstand an audit.

DiMassa has been employed by the city of West Haven for approximately 12 years. The city's employee directory as an administrative assistant to the City Council, according to the affidavit. His legislative website says he works as a legislative aide to the West Haven City Council, as well as the Council's Clerk. He previously worked as an assistant to the mayor until 2013, before being appointed administrative aide to the West Haven Registrar of Voters.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Some conservative Indiana lawmakers wanting to stymie President Joe Bidens planned COVID-19 vaccine mandates for private employers are facing skepticism from their own Republican leaders and the states largest business group.

While Biden has promised federal vaccination-or-testing regulations for all companies with 100 or more workers, bills are planned by some Indiana legislators who want to join other Republican-led states in trying to prohibit private companies from requiring vaccine shots.

Supporters of that action are already preparing to raise the issue again when the new Indiana legislative session starts in January, even though similar bills failed during the 2021 session.

I just dont think that anyone has any right to tell someone else what kind of medicine theyre to take in order to keep their job. Thats just outrageous, said Republican state Sen. Jim Tomes of Wadesville.

Indiana law generally allows businesses to hire or fire non-union workers for any reason unless it is in violation of anti-discrimination laws covering factors such as age, gender or race. State law also requires K-12 students and those at state residential colleges to get immunized for several diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and meningitis.

Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb has opposed Bidens proposed federal mandate as a step too far even though he says he wishes everyone would get the vaccine.

Holcomb, however, isnt joining the push to block businesses from adopting their own vaccine requirements.

Ive always said that I support and respect those companies that have mandates to make sure that their workforce is operational, Holcomb said. Sometimes there are some unintended consequences to that, people walk off the line. But every company that Ive talked to that has gone down that road has said that weve done that risk analysis.

Indiana Chamber of Commerce President Kevin Brinegar said business vaccine mandates in the state have primarily been limited to hospitals and other health care providers.

It should be an employers decision," Brinegar said. "Whether its a presidential mandate or legislators trying to prohibit employers from determining whats best for their workforce, were kind of getting it from both sides.

Indiana Universitys requirement that all students and employees receive COVID-19 vaccine shots unless they receive waivers has so far withstood a court challenge over applying it to students, although it was made less stringent after objections from many Republican legislators. Republican state Attorney General Todd Rokita also opposed IUs initial vaccine requirement and is among several GOP state attorneys general whove threatened lawsuits against Bidens proposed mandate.

Republican House Speaker Todd Huston expressed reluctance about limiting business decisions on vaccines after a conservative lawmaker unsuccessfully tried last month to insert a ban on such mandates into the bill redrawing the states congressional and legislative election districts. He said Republican legislators will talk more about it heading into the 2022 legislative session that starts in January.

I struggle with that, getting into the private business discussion, Huston said. Im sure thatll be a discussion in the next couple of months.

Indiana has lagged behind much of the country in getting COVID-19 vaccine shots, with about 49% of Indiana residents being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the 14th-lowest rate among the states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The state health department has recorded nearly 16,500 deaths in Indiana involving confirmed or presumed COVID-19 infections over the past 20 months.

Many people, however, see vaccine requirements from either the government or businesses as an infringement upon individual liberty, said Tomes, who represents part of Evansville and nearby rural areas in the state Senate.

My whole summer has been filled with phone calls and emails from people coming to me, asking me, What is the Legislature going to do about this? Tomes said. These are people that are looking at being terminated because they dont get vaccinated.

__

This story has been corrected to state that vaccine mandate ban bills failed during 2021 legislative session.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP)  Nebraska U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges that he lied to federal agents who were investigating illegal contributions to his campaign, and prosecutors say they plan to call a top aide to the Republican congressman as a trial witness. Fortenberry made his initial appearance in federal court in Los Angeles via an online video-chatting service. A judge ordered him to post a $50,000 bond and told him not to have any contact with prosecution witnesses outside of his attorneys presence, but allowed him to avoid spending time in jail while the case proceeds.

Prosecutors also revealed that they plan to call Fortenberrys longtime chief of staff, Dr. William Reyn Archer III, as one of at least eight witnesses.

Fortenberry's attorneys, meanwhile, said they will file motions to suppress statements the congressman made because he was misled and to disqualify the case's lead prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mack Jenkins, because they plan to call him as a witness. They also said they will seek to dismiss the charges for lack of jurisdiction, arguing that the alleged offenses filed in California took place in Nebraska and Washington, D.C.

Jenkins said Fortenberry violated his oath of office in a disturbing way, by repeatedly lying to federal agents who were investigating illegal campaign contributions.

This is about an investigation that goes to the heart of our democracy, Jenkins said.

Fortenberry was indicted Tuesday on allegations that he lied to the FBI and concealed information from federal agents who were investigating campaign contributions funnel to him from a Nigerian billionaire.

The nine-term congressman faces one charge of scheming to falsify and conceal material facts and two counts of making false statements to federal investigators. The indictment stems from an FBI investigation into $180,000 in illegal campaign contributions from Gilbert Chagoury, a Nigerian billionaire of Lebanese descent.

The contributions were funneled through a group of Californians from 2012 through 2016 and went to four U.S. politicians, including $30,200 to Fortenberry in 2016.

Fortenberrys attorney, John Littrell, said prosecutors are tarnishing his clients reputation with accusations that are very grave, very serious, something that is very out of character."

Fortenberry was first elected to the 1st Congressional District in 2004. Redistricting last month reduced the districts Republican makeup, but Fortenberry is still likely a strong favorite to win a 10th term if he runs again, and so far, no Democrat has announced plans to challenge him.

Back in Nebraska, local Republicans voiced support Wednesday for the nine-term congressman. Former President Donald Trump weighed in a well, seeking to paint the charges against Fortenberry as unfair.

Isnt it terrible that a Republican Congressman from Nebraska just got indicted for possibly telling some lies to investigators about campaign contributions, Trump said in a statement, before pivoting to his own grievances against political opponents. Is there no justice in this country?

Jonn Orr, a longtime party activist who has known Fortenberry for 30 years, said he was surprised by the charges and suspects they're politically motivated.

This whole thing seems way out of character for Fortenberry, Orr said. He has always very forthright, very honest, never evasive.

Norfolk Mayor Josh Moenning, a former chief of staff for Fortenberry, said the congressman has earned the publics trust through hard work and policy leadership.

Ive always known him to approach the job with the utmost respect for the dignity of the office and its ethical obligations, which makes these charges incomprehensible, Moenning said.

Fortenberrys House counterparts, Republicans Don Bacon and Adrian Smith, both released statements in support of their Nebraska colleague but stopped short of disputing the charges. Smith said he didnt want to rush to judgment and described Fortenberry as committed to serving Nebraskans, and I am confident that commitment has not wavered.

__

Follow Grant Schulte on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrantSchulte
BRUSSELS (AP)  Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who narrowly survived a poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin, was awarded the European Unions top human rights prize Wednesday in a clear slap at President Vladimir Putin.

In awarding the Sakharov Prize to Navalny, the European Parliament praised his immense personal bravery. The 45-year-old activist fell ill from a nerve agent poisoning last year and recuperated in Germany, then was promptly arrested upon his return to Moscow and later imprisoned.

He has campaigned consistently against the corruption of Vladimir Putins regime, and through his social media accounts and political campaigns, Navalny has helped expose abuses and mobilize the support of millions of people across Russia. For this, he was poisoned and thrown in jail, parliament President David Sassoli in a statement.

Sassoli called for the immediate release of Navalny, who is Putin's biggest domestic foe.

There was no immediate reaction to the award from the Kremlin, which denies any involvement in Navalny's poisoning.

Following his imprisonment, authorities unleashed a sweeping crackdown on his groups and associates. In June, a court outlawed Navalnys Foundation for Fighting Corruption and a network of his regional offices as extremist organizations, a verdict that carries long prison terms for those associated with it. Several top allies have fled Russia, and courts have given suspended sentences and restricted travel to some others who remained.

An Interior Ministry wanted notice said Wednesday it is searching for Lyubov Sobol, a top Navalny associate who received a suspended sentence and faced travel restrictions. Her whereabouts are unknown, but Russian news reports suggested she has left the country.

The EU recognition of Navalny will further sour relations between the 27-nation bloc and Russia. These ties have been on the decline for years, especially following Moscows 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula and its support for a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine.

The impact reverberated beyond the EU as well.

Days after Russia suspended its mission at NATO and ordered the closure of the alliances office in Moscow in retaliation for NATOs expulsion of Russian diplomats, the organizations chief said he embraced the news.

I welcome the fact that a strong voice ... in Russia has been awarded this prize, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, adding that the prize also was a call for his unconditional release from prison and to have an international investigation into it.

Stoltenberg recalled that NATO considered the treatment of Navalny as part of a pattern where we see that Russia has become more oppressive at home and more aggressive abroad.

Russia's treatment of Navalny has only exacerbated matters. The EU has called for his immediate and unconditional release in what it sees as a politically motivated imprisonment and has said it holds Moscow responsible for his health.

The EU imposed sanctions last year on six senior Russian officials for their alleged involvement in the poisoning of Navalny. Amid the standoff between Brussels and Moscow, the move by European lawmakers to award Navalny the prize has returned the issue to the heart of the political debate.

It is an important signal, also to the Kremlin, that the EU will not give in to pressure and blackmail or be fooled by empty promises, said Sergey Lagodinsky, a Greens/EFA MEP from Germany.

Navalnys top associate Leonid Volkov said the prize showed that hundreds of lawmakers from different countries and parties agree the fight against corruption is an issue for all of Europe and that Navalny is "political prisoner No. 1 in the world and Putins personal captive.

Europe understands that we are fighting to make Russia a normal European country, which it will become, and supports it, he said in a post on Facebook.

Ruslan Shaveddinov, another member of Navalny's team, told The Associated Press that Russian authorities may want this to be forgotten as soon as possible, but we see that European politicians believe that this issue is important and send quite a clear message that no one forgot and that they demand Alexei Navalnys release.

He said Navalny's associates will do everything possible to win his freedom, and will continue their anti-corruption investigations, political and public campaigns and protests.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borell tweeted the prize is a recognition of Navalnys commitment to defending democracy in Russia, at great personal cost.

Awarding the prize to Navalny will keep his name in the news, which is a priority for his supporters, said Ben Noble, associate professor of Russian politics at University College London.

It's unlikely to improve his conditions in prison or help his position as it currently stands, added Noble, co-author of Navalny: Putins Nemesis, Russias Future?

He told AP that one worrying implication is that the award "could have a negative effect  that this adds to Moscows narrative of foreign interference, of what they claim is a concerted Western attempt to interfere in the countrys domestic affairs.

The 50,000-euro ($58,200) prize will be presented at the Dec. 15 session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

Other candidates had included a group of Afghan women, and imprisoned Bolivian politician and former interim President Jeanine Anez. The fate of Afghan women has taken center stage since the Taliban took power in the wake of the U.S. military departure from the country in August. Despite initial promises to protect the rights of women, the Taliban have come under criticism, including from the U.N., for not sticking to those commitments.

The EU award, named for Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, was created in 1988 to honor individuals or groups who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms. Sakharov, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, died in 1989.

It was the second straight year it has gone to those challenging authoritarian leaders. Last year, it went to the Belarus opposition movement and its leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, for their challenge to President Alexander Lukashenkos rule following a widely disputed election in 2020.

-

Associated Press writers Vladimir Isachenkov and Harriet Morris in Moscow, Thomas Adamson in Paris and Sam Petrequin in Brussels contributed.

-

This version corrects the euro-dollar conversion rate, with 50,000 euros the equivalent of about $58,200.
CHICAGO (AP)  A judge who ordered the president of Chicago's police officers' union to stop publicly encouraging his members to disobey the city's COVID-19 vaccine mandate on Wednesday refused the union's request to recuse herself from the case.

The union wanted Cook County Judge Ceclila Horan to recuse herself because of what its attorney, Joel D'Alba, called the appearance of impropriety. The law firm where Horan was a partner before she became a judge had been involved with a task force that helped create a consent decree  widely criticized by the union  aimed at overhauling the police force a few years ago.

During the hearing, Horan said, "I did not know about the task force report at all when I was a partner at the firm.

The ruling comes amid a battle between the city and John Catanzara, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police lodge in Chicago, over a requirement that all city employees, including police officers, enter their vaccine status in the city's data portal.

On Tuesday, Police Superintendent David Brown said 21 department employees had been placed on no-pay status for refusing to provide the information. He said the department needed to still talk to hundreds of officers who had thus far not provided the information.

With Horan's order set to expire Monday but an attorney for the city told the judge that he would ask her to extend it and expand it beyond union officials during a hearing on Monday.

There have been mass email communications coming from officials other than Mr. Catanzara that we believe, if they do not violate the letter of your honor's order, violate the spirit, said attorney Michael Warner.

On Wednesday, the union's first vice president, Michael Mette, posted a warning on the union website to all you young coppers out there, asking them What issue is next? if they give in and provide their vaccination status to the city.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)  Kansas City will pay a $100,000 settlement to the family who sued after a toddler was injured in the foot when an officer fired several rounds at their car.

The shooting occurred in August 2015 when officer Terrence Brown was pursuing a car that was speeding, according to a lawsuit filed by the family in 2020. Brown fired several shots at the car and 1-year-old inside the vehicle was hit in the foot.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP)  Republican lawmakers outlined their next round of abortion legislation in Kentucky on Wednesday, previewing efforts to strengthen parental consent standards for minors seeking the procedure and create greater oversight of medication-induced abortions.

GOP Rep. Nancy Tate told a legislative panel that the measure is still being crafted for introduction in the General Assembly session starting in early January. She described broad goals of the measure while speaking alongside anti-abortion activists.

Abortion-rights advocates said the measure would lead to greater government intrusion into family relationships. The bill would worsen situations for teens who fear divulging their pregnancies to their families because they have already dealt with abuse at home, they said.

The measure would continue aggressive efforts by Kentucky lawmakers to put restrictions and conditions on abortion since Republicans assumed total control of the General Assembly after the 2016 election. Several of the measures have been challenged in court, including a 2018 law to block a second-trimester procedure to end pregnancies. Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to let him defend that law, which was struck down by lower courts.

Tightening parental consent standards is one priority of the new measure, Tate said Wednesday.

It's very important for us to make sure that these children have the parental consent before they make such a life-altering decision, she told the committee. You know in the schools, we don't even want our children taking aspirin without their parental consent.

Under the bill, physicians would be required to sign an affidavit stating they secured the parental consent before performing abortions on minors. Doctors violating the provisions would face felony prosecution as well as disciplinary action from the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, Tate said.

The bill's opponents said it would overlap with existing Kentucky law dealing with parental consent. They said the measure is intended to stop teens from getting abortions.

Most Kentucky teens already involve their parents in their decisions about whether to get an abortion, said Tamarra Wieder, state director of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates. The new bill would make obtaining that consent more complicated and more time-intensive, she said.

The proposal fails to recognize that some teens living in abusive situations cannot safely disclose their pregnancies to their families, Wieder said.

This bill, as we heard today, would make the already-comprehensive judicial bypass process more onerous and could prevent many young people from obtaining a court waiver to ensure their access to care, she said.

The judicial bypass process occurs in cases where parental consent is deemed to not be in the best interest of the minor.

Tate said the measure also would aim to increase state oversight of medication-induced abortions, which account for slightly more than half of abortions in Kentucky.

That oversight would include tracking the distribution of such medication, by creating an abortion-inducing drug certification program, she said.

It would be very unfortunate for individuals to receive mail-order medication and not to receive advice from their doctors," she said. "They need to understand what the implications are.

Wieder said that was part of the fear-based comments by abortion opponents at the hearing. In Kentucky, the medication-induced procedures occur under the supervision of doctors, she said.

There is no mail abortion happening through providers," she told the committee. "You have to come in, have your appointment, you meet with a provider and you take the pill with a provider in the room, the first round.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  Dr. Alton Cobb, a former Mississippi state health officer who helped create some of the nation's most comprehensive vaccination requirements for children, died Friday. He was 92.

Cobb was the top public health official from 1973 to 1992 in one of the poorest states in the nation. The current state health officer, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, described Cobb as a phenomenal public health leader.

Cobb had a medical practice in the small town of Pickens, Mississippi, in the 1950s before becoming Sunflower County health director. He then went to work for the Mississippi State Department of Health as director of chronic disease services.

Mississippi began offering Medicaid in 1969, years after many other states chose to participate in the government-funded health insurance program for the needy. Cobb became the first executive director of the Mississippi Medicaid Commission.

An obituary published in the Clarion Ledger said that when Cobb was state health officer, he worked with other employees to reorganize the state Health Department; to start a nutrition program for women, infants and children; to set stronger patient protections for nursing homes and stronger licensing regulations for home health care; and to create a statewide emergency medical services system.

In 1987, Cobb testified before a U.S. Senate committee about the importance of family planning services. He said one school near Meridian had 59 pregnancies during one year, and that number dropped to 11 pregnancies two years after the state Health Department started offering family planning through a school nurse program.

We feel strongly that providing these services to teens and to other persons at risk  obviously, the family planning services work, and if they can help these individuals space their pregnancies better and have a smaller number, they are more likely to have safer outcomes, Cobb said. They are better able to have opportunities for educational advancement and generally improve their lot in life.

In 2016, Cobb was inducted into the University of Mississippi Medical Alumni Chapter Hall of Fame. Legislators named a public health building in his honor in 2017. In 2020, the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians gave Cobb its humanitarian award for his work helping people in need.
HO/AP

NEW YORK (AP)  A man whose robbery of a store led to a terrible chain of events" that culminated in a police officer's death in the crossfire of other officers' bullets pleaded guilty Wednesday to aggravated manslaughter and robbery.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said Christopher Ransom, 30, was expected to be sentenced next month to 33 years in prison for the February 2019 robbery, where New York Police Department Detective Brian Simonsen died after being hit once in the chest.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)  A 20-year-old Kansas City man has pleaded guilty to killing another man during a struggle last year.

Thorne McKendrick pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the shooting death of Michael Brown outside an east Kansas City home, according to the Jackson County prosecutor's office.
On Tuesday, the Humane Society of Missouris Animal Cruelty Task Force conducted a rescue of 97 dogs, including many puppies as young as 10-weeks-old, from the facility of a formerly licensed breeder in Urbana, Mo.

The rescue was coordinated in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Attorney Generals office.



The formerly licensed breeder, operating as Cridder Creek Kennel and later Little Miracles Kennel in Hickory County, has been ordered to close for violating a consent judgment entered in the Hickory County Circuit Court in June of 2021. The original lawsuit was filed after the owner had been cited for multiple violations of the Animal Care Facilities Act and for operating without a license since January 2021. After a show cause hearing, MDA officials swiftly contacted HSMO to arrange the rescue of the remaining dogs. The rescue breeds include multiple breeds. The ages and conditions of the dogs differ greatly.



"The severe neglect that these poor animals suffered is abhorrent and inexcusable," HSMO President Kathy Warnick said. "We will do everything in our power to ensure the rescued dogs are rehabilitated and given a second chance at a happier life."
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP)  Missouri Republican state Rep. Tom Hannegan died Wednesday of a stroke at age 51, his campaign treasurer said.

The community has suffered a great loss, said Hannegans campaign treasurer, Scott Mell.

Voters elected Hannegan, of St. Charles, to the state House in 2016. He was one of few openly gay Missouri lawmakers.

Hannegan advocated for criminal justice reform and human rights, and he proposed a ban on discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Hannegan was also an associate real estate broker and and publisher and editor in chief of a local magazine called StreetScape Magazine.

Republican House leaders in a joint statement described him as a strong person of conviction in these chambers, a truly wonderful person and a dedicated public servant who will be greatly missed.

Tom will forever be remembered for his determination to serve those in need, as well as his great love for all people, House leaders said.

Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quade in a statement called Hannegan a kind and thoughtful person who cared about others and always put people before politics.

His sudden passing is a great loss, but he leaves a legacy as a champion for equality under the law for all Missourians, she said.
HONOLULU (AP)  Almost 90% of Honolulu's 10,000 city workers have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The city Department of Human Resources reported it has received 948 requests for an exemption to the city's requirement that all employees be vaccinated. Ninety-four city workers have pulled their exemption requests and have instead gotten at least one dose of the vaccine.

Religious exemptions make up the majority of the requests, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.

First responders are seeking the most exemptions. The Honolulu Police Department submitted 309; the Emergency Services Department, 118; and Honolulu Fire Department, 114.

City officials presented the latest numbers to a City Councils committee on Tuesday.

Noel Ono, the director of the Department of Human Resources, said those applying for a medical exemption must provide a formal letter from their medical provider indicating that the worker is unable to receive the vaccine. For a religious exemption, employees are required to turn in statements explaining their religious belief practices and how they preclude them from receiving the vaccine.

I dont think were being overly overbearing on asking for this information, Ono said. All we ask simply is if we need more, please provide that information.  And generally, we have approved it.

City workers who are granted an exemption are required to test for COVID-19 weekly.

When a request is denied, employees have five calendar days to initiate vaccination or be placed on leave without pay until their employment status is determined. Ono said those placed on leave-without-pay status are given a chance to change their mind until a final cutoff date.

Five workers have been terminated. Four did not turn in their attestation form, and one refused to be vaccinated.
Scientists temporarily attached a pigs kidney to a human body and watched it begin to work, a small step in the decades-long quest to one day use animal organs for life-saving transplants.

Pigs have been the most recent research focus to address the organ shortage, but among the hurdles: A sugar in pig cells, foreign to the human body, causes immediate organ rejection. The kidney for this experiment came from a gene-edited animal, engineered to eliminate that sugar and avoid an immune system attack.

Surgeons attached the pig kidney to a pair of large blood vessels outside the body of a deceased recipient so they could observe it for two days. The kidney did what it was supposed to do  filter waste and produce urine  and didn't trigger rejection.

It had absolutely normal function, said Dr. Robert Montgomery, who led the surgical team last month at NYU Langone Health. It didnt have this immediate rejection that we have worried about.

This research is a significant step, said Dr. Andrew Adams of the University of Minnesota Medical School, who was not part of the work. It will reassure patients, researchers and regulators that were moving in the right direction.

The dream of animal-to-human transplants  or xenotransplantation  goes back to the 17th century with stumbling attempts to use animal blood for transfusions. By the 20th century, surgeons were attempting transplants of organs from baboons into humans, notably Baby Fae, a dying infant, who lived 21 days with a baboon heart.

With no lasting success and much public uproar, scientists turned from primates to pigs, tinkering with their genes to bridge the species gap.

Pigs have advantages over monkeys and apes. They are produced for food, so using them for organs raises fewer ethical concerns. Pigs have large litters, short gestation periods and organs comparable to humans.

Pig heart valves also have been used successfully for decades in humans. The blood thinner heparin is derived from pig intestines. Pig skin grafts are used on burns and Chinese surgeons have used pig corneas to restore sight.

In the NYU case, researchers kept a deceased woman's body going on a ventilator after her family agreed to the experiment. The woman had wished to donate her organs, but they werent suitable for traditional donation.

The family felt there was a possibility that some good could come from this gift, Montgomery said.

Montgomery himself received a transplant three years ago, a human heart from a donor with hepatitis C because he was willing to take any organ. I was one of those people lying in an ICU waiting and not knowing whether an organ was going to come in time, he said.

Several biotech companies are in the running to develop suitable pig organs for transplant to help ease the human organ shortage. More than 90,000 people in the U.S. are in line for a kidney transplant. Every day, 12 die while waiting.

The advance is a win for Revivicor, a subsidiary of United Therapeutics, the company that engineered the pig and its cousins, a herd of 100 raised in tightly controlled conditions at a facility in Iowa.

The pigs lack a gene that produces alpha-gal, the sugar that provokes an immediate attack from the human immune system.

In December, the Food and Drug Administration approved the gene alteration in the Revivicor pigs as safe for human food consumption and medicine.

But the FDA said developers would need to submit more paperwork before pig organs could be transplanted into living humans.

This is an important step forward in realizing the promise of xenotransplantation, which will save thousands of lives each year in the not-too-distant future, said United Therapeutics CEO Martine Rothblatt in a statement.

Experts say tests on nonhuman primates and last months experiment with a human body pave the way for the first experimental pig kidney or heart transplants in living people in the next several years.

Raising pigs to be organ donors feels wrong to some people, but it may grow more acceptable if concerns about animal welfare can be addressed, said Karen Maschke, a research scholar at the Hastings Center, who will help develop ethics and policy recommendations for the first clinical trials under a grant from the National Institutes of Health.

The other issue is going to be: Should we be doing this just because we can? Maschke said.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Tom Fox/AP

DALLAS (AP)  Fire investigators believe a man shot into a Dallas apartment and hit a gas line, causing an explosion that injured seven people, including four firefighters, authorities said.

Police said Tuesday that Phillip Dankins, 28, faces seven felony counts of deadly conduct, according to the Dallas Morning News. They said in a statement that Dankins was associated with the Sept. 29 explosion but declined to provide details.
DENVER (AP)  A Colorado state judge charged with felony menacing is accused of using an AR-15 style rifle to intimidate the alleged victim in the case, according to a court filing released Wednesday.

In the document charging Judge Mark Thompson with one count of felony menacing, prosecutors allege he used the rifle to place or attempt to place the alleged victim in fear of imminent seriously bodily injury on July 25. The name of the alleged victim was redacted from the document and there were no details included about what allegedly happened.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  After two weeks of mapmaking in open meeting rooms, North Carolina senators have presented some proposals to the public on how they might redraw congressional or state Senate district lines for the next decade.

The Senate Redistricting Committee posted several maps online that Republicans or Democrats have produced this month at computer terminals set up in the committee room. More are expected as Senate Democrats worked on plans Wednesday.

The House Redistricting Committee will begin posting on Thursday proposals of state House or congressional plans from any member who drew one in its committee room and wants them considered, according to GOP Rep. Destin Hall of Caldwell County, the committee chairman.

The House and Senate committees will hold hearings Monday and Tuesday to receive public comment on these maps before any votes are taken on specific plans. Citizens will have the option to speak in person in Raleigh, at remote venues or through video conferencing.

The committees held more than a dozen public hearings across the state last month to receive citizen input before mapmaking began.

We want to make sure that the maps that are out there get the full vetting, House Speaker Tim Moore told reporters after Wednesday's floor session.

Legislators are aiming to approve boundaries for General Assembly and U.S. House districts by early next month. Candidate filing is scheduled to begin Dec. 6, with primaries set for March 8.

Since mapmaking rooms opened Oct. 6, the public has been able to view online video and audio of the committee room and activity on computer screens where drawing happens.

The author of each Senate map option posted online late Tuesday is not identified, but Republicans have offered congressional plans that would appear to give GOP candidates a good chance to win at least 10 of the state's 14 U.S. House seats. Plans from Democrats could see their candidates winning seven seats.

Republicans currently hold eight of the state's 13 U.S. House seats. North Carolina is getting an additional seat due to population gains over the past decade.

The proposals that would favor more Republican winners would divide both Wake and Mecklenburg counties into at least three districts. The map used in the 2020 elections had the two most populous counties covering two districts each.

Since Republicans control both the House and Senate, GOP political fortunes are expected to be at least the same if not better should the proposals they embrace be enacted and withstand legal scrutiny.

Redistricting plans are not subject to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's veto stamp. Democrats and their allies have questioned decisions by Republican lawmakers to prohibit the use of race-based statistics in drawing lines, saying they are needed to ensure compliance with the U.S. Voting Rights Act.
ADEL, Iowa (AP)  Unemployed Iowans would be required to meet weekly with state case managers, conduct twice as many weekly work searches and undergo audits to prove they're actively looking for work under a new proposal announced Wednesday by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Unemployment payments could be frozen if unemployed workers fail to meet the new criteria, an Iowa Workforce Development spokesman said.

Unemployment benefits were never intended to provide long-term support and with the current workforce shortage exacerbated by COVID Iowa cannot afford for workers to be disconnected from our states economy, IWD Director Beth Townsend said at a news conference at which she and Reynolds announced the proposed changes expected to be enacted next year.

The event was held at Iowa Spring Manufacturing, a factory in Adel that manufactures springs for garage doors, agricultural equipment and other devices. Tim Bianco, the president and CEO of the company who attended the gathering, has donated to Reynolds and other Republican candidates.

Townsend said more than 86,500 job openings are posted on the IWD website spanning all industries statewide. She said nearly 68,000 Iowans remain unemployed.

Historically, Iowa workforce officials wait for unemployed people to come to them to request assistance, but given today's high demand for workers, the state must be more proactive in helping the unemployed get back to work, she said.

Reynolds was among several Republican governors to cut off extended federal unemployment benefits to jobless workers last spring. The state ended the additional $300-a-week unemployment payment in June even though it was scheduled to run through early September.

Reynolds said the benefits were causing a labor shortage  a charge echoed by conservative groups and Republican governors in Alabama, Arkansas, Montana and South Carolina.

Data released in September by the U.S. Department of Labor suggested there was little difference in job growth in states that ended benefits early and those that kept the benefits in place.

The number of unemployed Iowans actually increased by 300 in August to 67,900, but that was still 18,100 lower than the year-ago level of 86,000. Iowas unemployment rate remained at 4.1% in August, down from 5.3% a year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 5.2% in August.

Townsend said the agency will hire 18 more workers to meet with and monitor the progress of unemployed Iowans.

Sen. Nate Boulton, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Labor & Business Relations Committee, questioned Reynolds' approach.

"Reynolds' idea of having the government assign jobs to Iowa workers is all wrong, Boulton said.

He said the state should be partnering with underemployed and unemployed Iowans to help them find the right jobs for them and their families.

Reynolds also said the state would spend $30 million in federal funds to provide grants to help manufacturers retain existing workers and recruit new employees.
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP)  The United Arab Emirates crown prince received a rare telephone call from Syrian President Bashar Assad in which they discussed strengthening relations and cooperation, Syrias state media reported Wednesday.

The call between Assad and UAEs Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed came as some Arab countries are improving relations with Syria, a decade after the countrys civil war began.

Syrian government forces now control much of the country with the help of Assads strong allies Russia and Iran, who helped tip the balance of power in his favor. The conflict killed hundreds of thousands and displaced half of Syrias population, including 5 million refugees outside the country.

The UAE reopened its embassy in Damascus in December 2018 but relations remained cold since then.

Assads office said the two leaders discussed mutual relations and ways of strengthening them in addition to expanding cooperation. It added that they also discussed regional and international affairs. Assads office did not elaborate.

Last month, Assad called King Abdullah II of Jordan for the first time since Syrias conflict began in March 2011. The two countries also reopened a major border crossing between them.

The UAE was a supporter of the Syrian opposition, which is now largely confined to a small corner in northwest Syria after Assads forces gained control of much of Syria in recent years.

The call comes as Syrias economy is being squeezed by crippling Western sanctions and at a time when Damascus badly needs to boost relations with countries such as the oil-rich UAE. The UAE is home to thousands of Syrians who work in the gulf nation and send money to their relatives at home.

Arab and Western countries generally blamed Assad for the deadly crackdown on protests that erupted in 2011 and developed into a civil war, and supported the opposition in the early days of the conflict.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Republicans who control the Wisconsin Legislature released their redistricting plans on Wednesday, maps that were immediately blasted as rigged because they are based largely on existing districts the GOP drew a decade ago that solidified their majorities.

The courts will likely have the final word in the maps, but the next step will be a public hearing and votes in the Legislature to pass the new legislative and congressional maps in early November.

We are confident these maps are fair for all Wisconsinites, Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said in a statement.

Democrats said the latest maps built upon ones they said were unconstitutionally gerrymandered, but that withstood court challenges. The new maps would maintain GOP majorities in the Legislature and the state's eight congressional districts.

Republicans currently hold a 61-38 majority in the Assembly and a 21-12 advantage in the Senate. Republicans also hold five of the states eight congressional districts. The number of districts do not change under the new maps, based on 2020 population levels.

These new maps are nothing more than gerrymandering 2.0," said Democratic Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz in a statement.

State legislatures are required to redraw political lines every decade based on the latest population figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. Mapmakers can create an advantage for their political party in future elections by packing opponents voters into a few districts or spreading them thin among multiple districts  a process known as gerrymandering.

The GOP maps came on the same day that a commission created by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers released revised maps following criticism that their initial plans didn't have more majority-minority districts. The Legislature does not have to consider those maps, but they could be reviewed by a court that is likely to approve the final district lines.

Republicans back a lawsuit before the conservative-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court, while Democrats have filed a lawsuit in federal court. Given that Evers is unlikely to sign off on the Republican-drawn plans, a court is widely expected to decide on what the maps should look like. That is historically how redistricting disputes have been settled.

Republicans want the new maps, which will be in place for a decade, to be based on the current lines. But Democrats argue those are so gerrymandered that maps must be drawn from scratch.

Sachin Chheda, director of the Fair Elections Project, said because the new maps are based largely on the existing ones, Republicans were trying to rig the maps for another cycle and pull the wool over our eyes.

He said the next critical step was for there to be enough time to fully analyze the maps and have multiple public hearings to gather feedback. He also called for Republicans to take up the maps created by Evers commission.

Vos was dismissive of the governors map commission when it was first announced, calling it a fake, phony, partisan process. But on Wednesday, Vos said the Legislature took into account plans submitted by citizens as well as the governors map commission.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said there was an "unprecedented level of input and influence over the map-drawing efforts. We encouraged Wisconsinites to play an active role in the process, and their participation has fundamentally shaped the way the maps were drawn.

The new Assembly districts would pit six Republican incumbents against each other in new districts. No Democratic incumbents would be placed in the same districts and there would be no incumbent matchups in the Senate.

In the Assembly, Reps. Joe Sanfelippo and Mike Kuglitsch would square off in the new 15th District in the western Milwaukee suburbs; Ken Skowronski would face Chuck Wichgers in the new 82nd District in the southwestern Milwaukee suburbs; and Shannon Zimmerman would face Warren Petryk in the new 93rd District in western Wisconsin.

The maps will be subject to a public committee hearing before the Legislature takes them up sometime in early November.

___ Associated Press writer Todd Richmond contributed to this story.
Midland Health CEO Russell Meyers said the $40 million approved by the Texas Legislature will be the first step in making a comprehensive behavioral health care center for the Permian Basin a reality.

Meyers said Midland Health officials and their counterparts at Medical Center Health System in Odessa came together to pitch the Legislature of the need for the mental health facility in the region. Late Monday night, the Texas Legislature approved Senate Bill 8, a bill making supplemental appropriations of specific funds Texas received under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

According to state Rep. Tom Craddicks Office, SB 8 includes $40 million to expand access to mental health services in West Texas by funding construction of a new mental health focused hospital campus. Upon completion of the construction of the campus it will be operated by a partnership between the Midland County Hospital District and Ector County Hospital District.

Meyers said Tuesday during Midland Healths weekly COVID-19 press conference that community and health care leaders in Midland have been talking about mental health going back to 2015 and even working with the Meadows Foundation about local mental health policies, a comprehensive study and recommendations moving forward.

Thats been clear from that point to this day that we are far short of meeting the needs of our community for behavioral health services of all kinds, Meyers said, everything from entry level counseling for people with anxiety or depression through medical management with easy access to a psychiatrist through inpatient care if it's needed for people who have particularly difficult challenges in their lives.

Russell Tippin, CEO & president, Medical Center Health System, added, "Mental health is the No. 1 public health need in the Permian Basin and this funding is a massive step in the right direction. We are thrilled to partner with our friends at Midland Health to start this venture and be the top provider of mental health care in West Texas."

Both Meyers and Tippin thanks Craddick and state Rep. Brooks Landgraf of Odessa for their work politically.

Craddicks office reported that the comprehensive behavioral health care center will not only include inpatient services but also a crisis stabilization unit, therapeutic spaces appropriate for all ages, counseling offices, community education and residency services.

"Our communities in West Texas have a dire need for quality mental health care, Craddick stated in a press release. The mental health hospital is a great stride toward meeting the mental health needs of West Texas. I am honored to have worked on securing this funding and look forward to this facility being a resource for generations to come.

Meyers said officials in Midland and Odessa have partnered to come up with preliminary plans for a mental health facility. He said that with a big step out of the way that the hospitals can work with the states facilities commission and take care of the particulars, including finding the right piece of land inside Midland-Odessa. Meyers said he expects the facility will be highly accessible to those in Midland, Odessa and other counties across the region.

The campus is expected to be completed before 2024, according to Craddicks office.

Meyers also said the $40 million allocated will probably be a little less than we need to do this. A contact with the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center said the ask for a 100-bed facility for the region was more than double the amount the Legislature approved.

In that respect, this project will probably be like the Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center, which started with a hefty contribution from the state and then relied on funding from those in both communities to finish the project.

Meyers said he is optimistic about the ability to raise money needed for project completion. Options, he said, include asking the philanthropic community for help and capital formation, including the possibility of debt.

It's like more than likely our first approach will be to go those donors in our community who have always supported us, Meyers said. We've been building support for behavioral health initiative for a number of years now and I think we've raised awareness and gotten a lot of people's attention about this.

He added he looks forward to working with other providers in the community and Texas Tech University Health Science Centers Psychiatric Department to put together a behavioral health center that the region can really be proud of.

This will become a very high priority for us immediately, Meyers said.
Solutions to the Bexar County jail's ongoing issues will now come down to dueling reports from two consulting firms.

Bexar County Commissioners Court approved an agreement with Florida firm American Correctional Consultants (ACC) at a contentious meeting Tuesday at a cost not to exceed $20,000, setting up a secondary, if not competing, jail inspection.

In an impromptu news conference last week, Sheriff Javier Salazar announced he hired jail consulting firm Detain Inc. to conduct a inspection and submit a report separate from the county's. Salazar said at the meeting that he will use $49,000 in asset forfeiture funds to pay Detain's bill.

Both firms, commissioners and Salazar say, will evaluate and identify concerns within the jail and present a report laying out improvements recommendations.

Billy Calzada /San Antonio Express-News

Precinct 3 Commissioner Trish Deberry criticized Detain Inc. for what she called a lack of "professionalization," calling the firm out for not having a working website or LinkedIn profiles with photos.

She also called into question Detain's experience with large urban jails of Bexar County's population size of about 4,400 inmates. Bill Bryan, president of Detain Inc., said his largest jail inspection was in Lubbock County, which has about 1,600 beds.

Salazar apologized to Bryan during the meeting for being "insulted" by DeBerry.

DeBerry bristled at Salazar's accusation. She called into question the timing of last week's impromptu press conference after a story about Cody Demond Flenoury appeared in TPR. Flenoury, who is houseless and struggles with mental illness, spent five extra months in jail after he was arrested for punching a store employee while attempting to shoplift, according to TPR.

"So the fact that you just went off and decided that you're basically going to thumb your nose at us regarding an issue that we're trying to help you with, is incredibly, to use your words, insulting," DeBerry said.

ACC Founder Keith Neely, in response to a question from Precinct 1 Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores, said his firm hasn't inspected jails within Texas, nor comparable to the size of the Bexar County jail.

The county has spent years trying to identify the cause of staffing and overtime issues at the Bexar County jail. Commissioners also approved 22,100 of mandatory paid overtime for officers that worked at the jail from September 10 to September 30, and then an additional 60,143 hours of mandatory overtime from October 8 to December 31.

DeBerry said there are 315 open positions within the jail, and the county is now facing a record high of $30 million in overtime. Salazar says the true number is 178, because cadets or recruits are assigned to a portion of those open positions.

A timeline for ACC's inspection and report was not laid out at the meeting, but Bryan says that Salazar is pushing ACC to finish the inspection by the afternoon of October 19, and multiple draft reports will be delivered to the sheriff's office in the coming months.

Salazar did say that he would allow the county's consultant into the jail.
Meeting with supporters in Kingwood, Texas on Tuesday night, Gov. Greg Abbott boasted over conservative policy victories gained by Republicans during the state legislature's third special session. Speaking to members of the Kingwood Tea Party, the governor extolled the passage of House Bill 25, which prohibits transgender K-12 youths from playing on sports teams aligning with their gender identity.

"We will continue advancing laws like [House Bill 25] every single session we have," Abbott said, referring to House Bill 25, which will require student athletes at K-12 public schools to play on sports teams that correspond with the sex noted on their birth certificates. The anti-trans bill was passed by the Texas house last week and approved by the Senate on Friday. It is headed to Abbott's desk to be signed, though it's not clear when.

The governor also crowed over successful redistricting efforts by GOP leaders and the passage of a bill that could funnel federal COVID-19 relief funds to Texas homeownersprized goals for conservative policymakers entering the special sessions.

"Property tax relief, appropriating funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, and redrawing legislative districts were at the forefront of the agenda for the third special session, Abbott said in a statement Tuesday. "Texans tasked the legislature with delivering on these priorities, and I am proud to say not only did we deliver on these priorities, but the Legislature when above and beyond to solve other critical issues to ensure an even brighter future for the Lone Star State."

Despite these victories, the GOP failed to pass legislation to increase the penalty for illegal-voting or Abbott's proposal to restrict entities from mandating COVID-19 vaccinations, according to the Texas Tribune. An election audit bill pushed by former President Donald Trump also failed.

Abbott defended these setbacks to his Kingwood audience, saying the election bill he signed into law was "far tougher and far better than the one [Democrats] abandoned in late May," according to Patrick Svitek of the Texas Tribune. When asked about election audits, Abbott downplayed Texas' decision to forgo new legislation. "If you look at the audit bills that were passed out of the Senate and did not pass out of the House what the Texas secretary of the state is charged with doing is far more aggressive," Abbott said.

The governor also criticized the anti-critical race theory bill introduced in the regular session for not going far enough, calling the policy "completely inadequate" and promising to expand its scope in future sessions.

"There are people in this state that hate America and they despise Texas, and their vision in this next cycle is to win it in a way in which they redesign Texas and redesign the [U.S.A.] into their own socialistic, Marxist agenda," Abbott said. "We cannot let that happen."
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pushed Wednesday for a fourth special session on two elections-related issues that did not get passed in the third special session that ended earlier this week.

In a tweet, Patrick said he supported Gov. Greg Abbott calling lawmakers back to Austin to increase the penalty for illegal voting and approve a "forensic audit bill." Abbott added the penalty increase to the call for the third special session, but it quickly ran into opposition from House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont. Abbott did not include the election audit proposal on his agenda despite pressure from former President Donald Trump.

"TX Senate just finished a strong conservative session," Patrick said in his tweet. "But more needs to be done."

Abbott has not directly commented on the possibility of forcing lawmakers to return again, but his spokesperson told a CBS Austin reporter on Tuesday that there was no plan four a fourth special session "at this time." His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Patrick's tweet.

Abbott placed the illegal-voting penalty increase on the third special session call in what Patrick, the Senate's presiding officer, characterized as a remedy for a last-minute, under-the-radar change that the House made to the GOP's priority elections bill that passed during the second special session. The bill, which Abbott signed into law last month and goes into effect in December, decreased the crime of illegal voting from a second-degree felony to a Class A misdemeanor.

But Phelan swiftly shot down any chance of the penalty increase making it to Abbott's desk during the third special session. He said he did not want to revisit the contentious elections bill, which had prompted a weekslong Democratic quorum break.

One House conservative, Rep. Matt Schaefer of Tyler, was quick to dispute Patrick's telling of how the penalty decrease made it into the elections legislation.

"The simple truth is that the Senate was fully aware of the penalty reduction, and agreed to the change in conference," Schaefer tweeted, referring to the final negotiations between the chambers over the elections bill. "I do agree that we should revisit this issue and wish the House had done so in 3rd special. But lets keep the record accurate."

As for the election audit bill, Abbott resisted adding it to the agenda for the third special session even as Trump badgered him over it  and attacked Phelan for standing in the way of Senate-passed legislation on the topic. In his Wednesday tweet, Patrick similarly put the pressure on the House, saying the lower chamber "needs to pass an election forensic audit bill."

Instead of seeking election audit legislation, Abbott has put his faith in an audit of the 2020 election results in four of the state's biggest counties that he says is already underway by the secretary of state's office. He defended that review during a political appearance Monday in the Houston suburbs.

"If you look at the audit bills that were passed out of the Senate  and did not pass out of the House  what the Texas secretary of state is charged with doing is far more aggressive," Abbott said.

While Patrick is well known for demanding special sessions on unfinished conservative businesses, he initially appeared at peace with the third special session. As the Senate prepared to gavel out early Tuesday morning, he wished members a happy holiday season, and his office did not say Tuesday whether he wanted an additional special session.

Disclosure: The Texas secretary of state has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
When we bought our current home a few years ago, I loved the floor plan but not the floors. The house had everything I wanted and something I didnt want  carpet in the main living areas. After months of bringing home those square flooring samples, I finally decided it was time to rip out all the carpet downstairs and have new flooring installed. It seems great minds really do think alike because my two good friends, Debbie and Maria, recently installed new flooring in their homes, too.

Maria and her husband chose hardwood, French White Oak. Since scratches are inevitable, she recommends asking the flooring company for a brief tutorial on quick fixes. She also reminded me to put felt pads under the furniture to protect and maintain the floors. Good advice that I followed.

Debbie and her husband opted to have glazed porcelain wood look tile installed in their home. Like a lot of homeowners, they wanted something durable. The tile is touted to be waterproof, stain proof, scratch-resistant, UV resistant, and fire-resistant. Debbie told me the project took three weeks which was a lot longer than expected. She explained that because their house was built in 1968, a lot of prep work was necessary. "Some portions of the house were stripped down to the concrete floor, while in other areas, the tile was laid over old linoleum," she said. "A special coating had to be applied over all the old linoleum, in some areas of the house, the floor had to be leveled by grinding." Debbie said each tile had to be glued down and set overnight. They also added all new baseboards.

There are quite a few flooring options out there, all of them have pros and cons, so it's a good idea to do some research. At first, I was going to go with a popular brand of laminate that I saw at a big-box store, but several things changed my mind. For one, those small flooring samples can be misleading because you can't always see all of the tonal variations. Before deciding, I would recommend getting a large sample size. If possible, use a virtual room visualizer so you can get an idea of how the flooring will look in your space. Since we have a 3-year-old Labrador retriever, I also wanted something durable. I ended up choosing luxury vinyl plank flooring.

After making several trips, to two well-known chain stores, I finally found what I was looking for at CW Floors & Lighting off Loop 410 near Castle Hills. Sales representative Troy Strother helped me find what I'd been searching for in about 20 minutes. He explained the difference in the types of LVP flooring the store carried. For example, I knew I wanted the kind with the underlayment attached, but I didn't know that some brands need to be glued down while others can be clicked and locked in place without glue. I chose a no-glue necessary brand called Triumph from Engineered Floors, a manufacturer in Georgia. The company's website states that the flooring is waterproof, pet-friendly, stain resistant, resistant to temperature change, hides subfloor imperfections, and looks and feels like real wood. Troy put in the order, and it arrived in less than a week.

ALSO READ: Pros and cons of shipping container homes

DIY projects are not our thing, so we hired a contractor. I got two estimates and went with the second one. A neighbor recommended All Services, a national home services company, that connected me with a local general contractor, Joseph Klappenger owner of JAK's Building Solutions, LLC. The only part of this project my husband and I tackled was moving the furniture and pulling up the carpet and padding. It was time-consuming, but not hard to do with a utility knife and gloves. When licensed carpenters Sergio Molina and Juan Rangel, who work for Joseph, showed up early the first day all they had to do was remove the carpet grippers, fill in a few small cracks in the concrete and sweep up debris. Once that was done, the installation could finally begin.

We lucked out because our floors are level, and the baseboards didn't need to be removed. It took two days to put most of the flooring down. Sergio and Juan finished adding the trim and transition strips on the third and last day. There are several types of transition strips, so make sure you find out from your carpenter which type you need. Luckily, I bought the strips at a San Antonio retailer, so I had no problem exchanging them after I chose the wrong type and changed my mind about the color. All in all, things went pretty smoothly, and I'm very pleased with my new floors.

For more information about flooring installation or other home services, you can contact Joseph Klappenger with JAK's Building Solutions, 210-314-9744; CW Floors & Lighting, 210-361-6232; Sergio Molina, 210-685-8583; All Services at 800-202-6211.

Lisa.harrison@express-news.net
David and Jose Caceres, the brothers who own the La Panaderia chain of bakeries, travel all over the world to try varieties of bread and pastries  to New York, Los Angeles, Australia, Brazil and European cities such as Milan, Rome and Florence.

At the three bakeries they operate in San Antonio  including the one near The Rim, which they opened earlier this year  they strive to blend the culinary traditions of their native Mexico with those they have sampled during their travels. One of their signature pastries, the tequila almond croissant, combines the French staple of the croissant with a creamy tequila filling reminiscent of Mexico.

You make something bigger when you blend the cultures, David Caceres said. Thats what were trying to do with everything we do here: to create something new thats for everybody.

Bread-baking is a personal matter for the brothers, who note that it helped keep their family together after their father left their mother while they were growing up in the Tlalnepantla neighborhood north of Mexico City. Their mother, Dona Josefina, was an entrepreneur who grew her baking business into a sizable bread manufacturer which supplied a Mexican supermarket chain. She also dabbled in developing apartment buildings.

The brothers took over the business after her death in 1999. Over time, they grew tired of industrial bread-making and yearned to open a chain of restaurants in which they could provide a memorable experience for customers.

After immigrating to the U.S., they began selling bread and pastries at the Quarry Farmers & Ranchers Market in 2013. They opened the first location of La Panaderia on upper Broadway the next year. In 2017, they joined the vanguard of the downtown retail renaissance when they opened a second location on Houston Street. David focuses on the restaurants baking operations, while Jose manages the front of the house.

The downtown bakery faced an existential crisis in 2020 with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

We were about to reopen downtown in the middle of the pandemic, and we wondered a lot whether it was the right decision, Jose Caceres said. We came to the conclusion that we had to do it. If we were the only ones, we had to do it, with even more passion and dedication, because that was the only way to get out of the pandemic.

During the worst weeks of the pandemic, the brothers put together baskets of eggs, bread, black beans and sanitizing wipes, and sold them for $25, which was less than their cost, they said. They now hope to expand into Austin and Dallas, with a goal of eventually operating 25 locations.

The brothers recently sat for an interview to discuss their mothers legacy, their decision to immigrate to the U.S., and their foray into e-commerce. The following has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Q: The way you make bread, did you learn that from your mother?

David: I wouldnt say that. People ask me a lot about that  if your mother taught you to bake, if she gave you the black book with the recipes and everything. And I would say no, thats not the case. She taught me something that is bigger than that. She taught me the passion.

I grew up in the bakery, and obviously the influence of the flavors and the textures, its in me. But no, she taught me something bigger. The passion to be a baker is the passion to make things work. You know, being a baker is not easy. Its working nights, its in the mornings, its holidays, and that passion to do those things in the hardest moments.

Thats the same passion that my bakers have. How do you make someone come here at one in the morning every day? It will never be enough money to pay them  its more about the passion to create someone from scratch, to be part of something bigger than you.

Q: You actually have employees coming in at 1 a.m.?

David: Oh yeah. We have people who come in at noon, midnight, people who come in at 10 p.m., people who come in at 3, 4 a.m.

A lot of companies, what they do is in the afternoon they just mix and bake, and they save it for the next day in the morning. We created this process where it takes at least 48 hours. So it is a very slow process.

Have you tasted raw flour? Is it sweet? No, not at all, right? But its a sugar, its a complex sugar. So what happens is that we try to break down as much as possible of that complex sugar so it creates a flavor that is unique. The process and the freshness are important for us. If you really want to have fresh product in the morning, you have to do work at night.

Q: Where do you get that passion from?

David: For us, food is very important, and bread in particular. For my family, it was the glue, you know? We were a broken family, and it was the glue to the family.

Q: So your mother got sick and you took over the business?

David: Actually it was my brother. He was always the perfect brother, you know? My mom got sick, and he started working with my mom. When my mother passed away, he took control of the business. The day after she passed away, he came to me and told me, David, theres a business there. We can partner, but if you want to partner in the business, you have to come to work.

I was a little bit more immature. I guess he was the one that was more responsible  really the stone in the family that kept us together. But with time I became a very good baker. Im very passionate. I think thats the way that we both create this together, combining these passions.

Q: How is it running a business together as brothers?

Jose: The common ground is the passion we both have. We share the same passion for food, for quality, things that we have learned and we saw from our mom. Those values keep us together with the same vision, right? David runs the production, runs the numbers. I run the front of the house.

David: I think the ballast is the common ground. Honestly, we think very differently, but thats not a bad thing. When I was younger, I was a little bit more of a rebel, but I learned to be more patient, and just try to make my vision a little bit richer with his thinking.

Q: You had a successful business in Mexico. What made you want to move to the U.S.?

Jose: Being on the industrial side, you learn a lot, but do you remember the little hamster on the wheel? Running, running, running? That was us. The real value is facing the guest, facing the customer.

David: The industrial side is not an easy business. Its complicated and its hard to make money. And sometimes, the more you sell, the more you lose money.

Jose: And there is another factor. I would say in 2010, these type of bakeries were having a really good time in some areas of the country here in the U.S., like for instance in California, La Brea (Bakery), Nancy Silverton; and Portos (Bakery and Cafe) in L.A. We went and we saw them.

David: I think also there is a division. You can see my mom everyplace here, thats for sure. But we created this. Part of the dream was to create something of our own  our own legacy, our own part of the story.

Q: So something you got from your mother was being detail-oriented?

Jose: Yeah, she was extremely passionate about quality.

David: Theres always something better that can be done. The bar can be raised. When you reach a certain level and you have a continuous operation, 24/7, its not easy to move the bar. But still we keep moving it, and I think were never going to settle with that.

Q: Apart from the food, are there other concepts you brought over from Mexico with your restaurant?

David: Were from Mexico City, which is different from other parts of Mexico. A lot of people here in Texas or California, when they think about Mexico they think about the border. We feel a little bit bad about it, because mostly they relate, Mexican products, cheap products. Mexico City is not like that. In Mexico City, you can find the nicest setup, the nicest restaurants. I guess that we want to bring a little bit of that experience here.

Q: As you continue to expand your business, will you bring on more executives?

David: Yes, thats something that we have done, and were going to keep doing. At the beginning, it was my brother and myself. Now we have someone who helps us with human resources, someone who helps us with payment, someone who helps us with accounting. We are thinking of bringing more people for e-commerce.

Q: Tell me more about your e-commerce plans.

David: I went to Los Angeles three years ago, and I had this kind of epiphany that we need to be good at marketing and e-commerce. And we start researching, we start developing this project. We launched the project on January 2020. It was one year to get to that point, and it was very slow, and you had something maybe not that relevant. But guess what happened in March 2020? Pandemic hits. And then in one day, we had to switch the whole thing. So e-commerce saved us. If we hadnt done that job before, probably we wouldnt be here.

Q: Looking way forward, do you see this as becoming like Panera, where its in every city?

David: We want to make it as big as possible, but we have certain things that are important for us. We dont care about being the biggest; we care about being the best bakery. We could go to New York, Miami, Las Vegas, whatever city you want, you name it. We will do that with all of our heart, as long as we can handle the quality.
Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

The Houston Astros showed up last night in Atlanta, beating the Braves 9-5 in front of their tomahawk-chopping home crowd. They forced a Game 6 back in the Juice Box for Tuesday night, and hopefully theyll clinch the 2021 World Series title in Game 7 on Wednesday. Tickets are available on StubHub for the World Series Games at Minute Maid Park starting around $400mostly for the upper deck.

If you want to sit in foul ball range at the 2021 World Series, itll probably cost you triple. Premium seatsbehind either dugout or home plate, are fetching price tags around $4600 (to almost $15K) depending on the night. Get your tickets on StubHub now for Games 6 and 7 (if necessary) right here in Houston.
A. A sales tax would have meant visitors contributed to repaving.

B. We already are taxed too much.

C. Money for repaving should be put into the county's annual operational budget.

C. The road resurfacing program is behind schedule so the county needs to act ASAP.

Vote

View Results
The new way Canada classifies occupations will affect some economic class and temporary foreign worker applicants.

Canada has introduced NOC 2021. What will it mean for immigrants in 2022?

Canada has introduced NOC 2021. What will it mean for immigrants in 2022? The new way Canada classifies occupations will affect some economic class and temporary foreign worker applicants.

Canada has introduced NOC 2021. What will it mean for immigrants in 2022? The new way Canada classifies occupations will affect some economic class and temporary foreign worker applicants.

Canada has introduced NOC 2021. What will it mean for immigrants in 2022? The new way Canada classifies occupations will affect some economic class and temporary foreign worker applicants. Kareem El-Assal Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

Sans Font Size A

A

Canadas immigration system will overhaul the way it classifies occupations in fall 2022.



The changes will affect some economic class and foreign worker applicants, although the federal government has yet to communicate which sorts of applicants will be affected.

Canadas system for categorizing occupations is called the National Occupational Classification (NOC). The NOC is reviewed every year, and updated every five years to ensure it reflects Canadas changing labour market. It gets overhauled about every 10 years, making the new edition the biggest upgrade since 2011. Statistics Canada released its new NOC 2021 publication last month.

The NOC is important for Canadian immigration since it is used by federal and provincial governments to manage skilled worker immigration programs and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). An immigrant or temporary foreign worker must meet the NOC eligibility criteria of the program they are applying to.

Get a Free Canadian Immigration Evaluation

For instance, under Express Entry, skilled worker immigration applicants must demonstrate they have work experience in a NOC that falls under one of the following codes:

NOC 0: Skill type 0 jobs are usually managerial in nature;

NOC A: Skill type A jobs are professional in nature and usually require a university degree; or

NOC B: Skill type B jobs are skilled trades occupations that usually require a college diploma or training as an apprentice.

The department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and Canadas provinces and territories, currently use NOC 2016 to assess eligibility for skilled worker immigration programs.

The department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has also been using NOC 2016 to evaluate Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications.

The LMIA is the Canadian governments labour market test. It is required under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). When it evaluates an LMIA application, ESDC must determine whether the hiring of a foreign national will have a positive or neutral impact on workers in Canada. At that point, a foreign worker can take their LMIA and job offer letters in support of their work permit applications to IRCC.

NOC 2021 to be implemented in fall 2022

In an email to CIC News, IRCC stated the federal government expects that it will be in position to introduce the new way it categorizes occupations sometime in fall 2022. It said this will provide IRCC with time to inform stakeholders about the changes and implement the new system across its programs. IRCC is also aligning the rollout with ESDC to ensure consistency across the work permit application process.

New TEER system replaces NOC skill levels

Rather than the current approach of categorizing jobs based on skill type, the Canadian government will now categorize jobs based on a new Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) system.

Currently, NOC skill levels fall under four categories: A, B, C, and D.

NOC 2021 moves away from this approach and introduces the TEER system which has six categories: TEER category 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

TEER 0 Management occupations. TEER 1 Completion of a university degree (bachelors, masters or doctorate); or

Several years of experience in a specific occupation from TEER category 2 (when applicable). TEER 2 Completion of a post-secondary education program of two to three years at community college, institute of technology or CEGEP; or

Completion of an apprenticeship training program of two to five years; or

Occupations with supervisory or significant safety (police officers and firefighters) responsibilities; or

Several years of experience in a specific occupation from TEER category 3 (when applicable). TEER 3 Completion of a post-secondary education program of less than two years at community college, institute of technology or CEGEP; or

Apprenticeship training of less than 2 years; or

More than six months of on-the-job training, training courses or specific work experience with some secondary school education; or

Several years of experience in a specific occupation from TEER category 4 (when applicable). TEER 4 Completion of secondary school; or

Several weeks of on-the-job training with some secondary school education; or

Several years of experience in a specific occupation from TEER category 5 (when applicable). TEER 5 Short work demonstration and no formal educational requirements.

Why the Canadian government is replacing NOC skill levels with TEERs

Statistics Canada explains this change is necessary for several reasons.

First, defining occupations on skill levels is confusing, as the NOC focuses on occupation and not skills. Introducing the TEER system will focus on the education and experience required to work in a given occupation.

Second, Statistics Canada argues that the previous NOC categorization system artificially creates a low- versus high-skilled categorization. This redesign moves away from the high/low categorization to more accurately capture the skills required in each occupation.

What does this mean for immigrants?

Once NOC 2021 is implemented by IRCC and ESDC, immigration and foreign worker applicants must ensure their NOC corresponds with the eligibility criteria of the program they are applying to.

For instance, one major area of interest is seeing how IRCC and ESDC choose to classify jobs that are currently defined as skill level B. According to Statistics Canada, this group grew disproportionately large over time, as it includes occupations that require varying degrees of education and experience. At this point, it is not known which TEER categories will be eligible for Express Entry-managed programs as well as other federal and provincial programs that currently require a high skilled NOC.

For now, immigration applicants will need to wait patiently for IRCC and ESDC to provide more information.

NOC 2016 V1.3 Distribution of Unit Groups by Skill Level NOC 2021 V1.0 Distribution of Unit Groups by TEER TEER Category 0 9% Skill Level A 28% TEER Category 1 19% Skill Level B 42% TEER Category 2 31% Skill Level C 24% TEER Category 3 13% Skill Level D 6% TEER Category 4 18% TEER Category 5 9%

The new TEER system has 516 occupations, up from 500 in NOC 2016. New occupations were created to reflect emerging fields in data science, cyber security and others.

You can view how your current NOC compares to the NOC 2021 by using the following Statistics Canada tool.

Get a Free Canadian Immigration Evaluation

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
Join CanadaVisa and Scotiabank for this live webinar on November 24 at 9 AM Eastern Time.

WEBINAR: Secure a Financially Fit Future in Canada, Brought to you by CanadaVisa and Scotiabank Join CanadaVisa and Scotiabank for this live webinar on November 24 at 9 AM Eastern Time.

WEBINAR: Secure a Financially Fit Future in Canada, Brought to you by CanadaVisa and Scotiabank Join CanadaVisa and Scotiabank for this live webinar on November 24 at 9 AM Eastern Time.

WEBINAR: Secure a Financially Fit Future in Canada, Brought to you by CanadaVisa and Scotiabank Join CanadaVisa and Scotiabank for this live webinar on November 24 at 9 AM Eastern Time. CanadaVisa Scotiabank Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

Sans Font Size A

A

CanadaVisa and Scotiabank are pleased to host a new webinar called Secure a Financially Fit Future in Canada.

The webinar is taking place November 24 at 9 AM Eastern Time.

Sign up to this free webinar!

What will I learn?

Now that you are planning to arrive in Canada as a newcomer, your success needs to be a top priority. This webinar will help you understand banking basics, settlement tips and tricks, and how to leverage newcomer support services to help you transition into your new home.

You will also learn about the types of financial institutions and bank accounts in Canada and how to choose the right banking partner for your financial needs.

Since Canada is a credit-based economy, youll need to know how to build your credit here and how credit scores work. This webinar will also guide you to leverage settlement agencies and bridging programs that can help make your existing skills transferable to the Canadian job market. Lastly, we will introduce you to ScotiaRISE, Scotiabanks 10-year, $500 million initiative to promote economic resilience among disadvantaged groups by helping you feel at home faster.

Join Justin Lee, a Senior Financial Advisor at Scotiabank as he takes you through the basics of banking and finances in Canada. Justin will also be on hand to answer your questions, so please feel free to email them to us after you register, or simply submit them during the live webinar!

Webinar overview

Introduction to Scotiabank

Preparing your finances before moving to Canada

The importance of managing your money upon arrival to Canada

Quick settlement tips for post-arrival

Building a financially fit future

How the Scotiabank StartRight Program can help you

How to connect with Scotiabank

Sign up to this free webinar!

About CanadaVisa

CanadaVisa.com was founded in 1994 as the online platform of the Campbell Cohen Immigration Law Firm. Since then, CanadaVisa has grown to be one of the worlds most trusted sources on how to move to Canada, and settle here. CanadaVisas web properties include cicnews.com and its weekly newsletter, the CanadaVisa Forum, and more. All the resources provided by CanadaVisa are meant to help people around the world access trusted, factual, and timely information to support their Canadian immigration journey.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is one of the top Canadian banks and a leading bank in the Americas. Guided by our purpose for every future, we help our customers, their families and their communities achieve success through a broad range of advice, products and services.

Launched in 2008, the Scotiabank StartRight Program is designed to simplify banking for Canadian Permanent residents, International Students and Foreign Workers who have recently landed in Canada. We can help ease your transition to Canada by getting you started with a Scotiabank International Account that allows you to transfer up to $50,000 before you arrive to help you feel more prepared knowing you have proof of funds ready. We can even help fast track your study permit with the Scotiabank Student GIC Program.

Our Scotiabank StartRight program can also help you start banking in Canada with 12 months of free banking, access to credit with no credit history, unlimited no-fee international money transfers, and expert help from Financial Advisors.

We also launched ScotiaRISE  our new, 10-year, $500 million community investment program designed to help promote economic resilience among disadvantaged people and communities. In particular, the program is centred on using funding and partnerships to increase graduation rates and postsecondary enrolment, help newcomers feel at home faster and secure meaningful employment and senior opportunities for underrepresented groups. Its all part of why Scotiabank is the bank for newcomers.

Legal Disclaimer: This webinar is provided for information purposes only. It is not to be relied upon as financial, tax or investment advice or guarantees about the future, nor should it be considered a recommendation to buy or sell. Information contained in this webinar, including information relating to interest rates, market conditions, tax rules, and other investment factors are subject to change without notice and The Bank of Nova Scotia is not responsible to update this information. All third party sources are believed to be accurate and reliable as of the date of presentation and The Bank of Nova Scotia does not guarantee its accuracy or reliability. Webinar participants should consult their own professional advisor for specific financial, investment and/or tax advice tailored to their needs to ensure that individual circumstances are considered properly and action is taken based on the latest available information.
Like it or not, vendor negotiation is a skill every CIO must perfect to become a successful business executive. Yet, for many IT leaders, reaching a deal thats both favorable and mutually equitable can be a tall order.

Fortunately, expert negotiators have developed an array of tactics  many not widely familiar to CIOs  to seal deals on terms that meet both operational and financial goals. Here are seven of these powerful tips.

1. Highlight the long-term potential

When contacting a vendor for the first time, mention how youre looking for a partner open to establishing a major, prosperous relationship in the years ahead.

Salespeoples mouths water at the perception of a huge opportunity that can pay growing commission checks for years, says Howard Katzenberg, CEO of spend management service provider Glean. Make it in their interest to provide discounts and other accommodations now to secure their potential upside in the future.
Sorry, no valid subscriptions were found for this Publication. Please select from an option below to start a subscription.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

24 Hour Access
You will receive 5-day a week delivery of the Citizen Tribune newspaper to your home or business, plus full, ad-free access to CitizenTribune.com as well as full access to the Electronic Edition of the newspaper.



ONLY $13.99 per month for the first 3 months!

Only $16.00 per month after promotional period.

Or

ONLY $169.99 for a full year

Only $192.00 per year after promotional period.
As recently as six years ago, Minnesotas Cook County News-Herald employed seven full-time staff. Now, there are two working in the office, in addition to some remote help for advertising and layout from staff in New Jersey working on weekly assignments. In a county of 5,400, the paper has around 2,400 subscribers. In 2020, CherryRoad Mediaa subsidiary of a tech company based in New Jerseypurchased the News-Herald.

In the summer of 2021, News-Herald Editor Brian Larsen helped CherryRoad CEO Jeremy Gulban devise an editorial strategy to launch a newspaper in nearby International Falls, Minnesota, after CherryRoad was unable to purchase the newspaper that closed in the town. Since then, CherryRoad has acquired more small-market newspapers, accumulating a total of twenty-six.

The breadth of the local newspaper landscape, and the range of experiences within it, are both an opportunity  and a challenge  for anyone interested in helping to preserve, strengthen, and enhance local journalism in 2021 and beyond, Tow Fellow Damian Radcliffe, a journalism professor at the University of Oregon, wrote in his recent report on the state of small-market newspapers, which found both challenges and reasons for optimism.

In separate conversations with CJR, Radcliffe, Gulban and Larsen discussed the possibilities for small-market newspapers across the country. These conversations have been edited and condensed for clarity.

CJR: Damian, what were some of the primary findings in your research?

Damian Radcliffe, Researcher, Tow Center for Digital Journalism: I didnt think it was as pessimistic as some of the coverage has painted. There was a lot of enthusiasm for a nonprofit future and a nonprofit model for local journalism; that wasnt a conversation that was being had with local journalists four years ago. And a lot of our respondents were publishers, people working on the business side of things. People were most critical of chain and chain ownership, hedge funds, and the sense of asset stripping, lack of investment, efforts to produce sort of identical models of what a paper should look like, which doesnt acknowledge the diversity of the location that each of those papers is based in.

Sign up for CJR 's daily email

CJR: Jeremy, as a business person, why invest in newspapers?

Jeremy Gulban, CEO, CherryRoad Media: What really gave me confidence was the whole International Falls project, launching the new newspaper. The paper had closed, and the people in the community were going to rally around, and we were able to work together to start this new paper in three weeks time.

CJR: How did the International Falls project happen, and what else is happening on the ground with small-market papers?

Brian Larsen, Editor, Cook County News-Herald: I was talking to Tom Bakk, hes an area legislator, second highest in our state. And I asked him to do some legislation that would help newspapers. He casually mentioned that International Falls was losing its newspaper. A hedge fund bought out a bunch of papers, and that was one of them. They kept the St. Paul Pioneer Press and a few of the other bigger ones, but they shut down smaller papers. But International Falls is not a small area! And they dont have great internet either. So I mentioned this to Jeremy.

Gulban: If you look at some of these smaller rural communities, there really is a technology gap. And I think that also became clear last year. Here in the New Jersey suburbs, we have great broadband access. But when I do a Zoom call to some of these communities, they really dont have good internet access. A lot of businesses in these small communities dont have websites. I think theres an opportunity to help all of them move forward into the digital age.

Larsen: He goes, Well, lets see if we buy the Journal. He called, we worked on that for a while. And the hedge fund companyeven after paying very good moneysaid Were just not interested at all. Its just easier for us to close. So now you have a community that has nowhere to put legals, has nowhere to put obits. You know, you can go on and on and on. I think all towns need a paper. Eventually they will be online. Thats where its going. But people need to have the ability to find out whats going on in their local communities.

Gulban: On one days notice, twenty people showed up at the Chamber of Commerce to meet with me to talk about this. And then all the help that was given, all the collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, the business community, the postmaster to pull this off in such a short amount of time, it told me that people want to have a local newspaper. And I heard from a lot of people, I wish we hadnt taken it for granted when we had the paper. Were going to support this new paper going forward. Which is true. Weve gotten back more subscribers locally than I believe the old paper had when it closed.

Larsen: We didnt even have an office up there, so we had our phone number here [in Cook County] printed. We took over 100 phone callsand I mean literallyfrom people who were very happy to get a paper back.

Gulban: Theres still demand in these areas. If youre in the New York metropolitan area, you might never know that. I think a lot of the decisions that are being made in New York and California and Washington dont necessarily reflect the reality on the ground in parts of Middle America. There are cultural differences that exist between a small town and a suburban or urban area. In a small community, theres an office with the newspapers name on it. People want to walk in every day and buy a paper, tell you about their grandmothers 90th birthday, about a trip they just took. And thats not going to go away, in my opinion, even as these communities become more digitally advanced, because thats what small town life is all about. And I think that means the people want that institution to be there. A key takeaway from International Falls was they felt like the community would be less of a community if it didnt have a newspaper.

Radcliffe: COVID has really just reinforced the importance of local news and journalism. Why is there this backdrop of distrust in the media that were seeing with communities? Our research is reinforcing what other studies have found, which is that trust at a local level tends to be much higher. We have lots of examples of people saying, you know, that people will distrust the national news services, or they dislike wire services, but they think very differently about local journalists and locally produced content.

Gulban: Some of these papers do not have anyone working at them, which is impossible to sustain. Its mostly wire service using articles from the other papers.

CJR: What needs to change, moving forward?

Gulban: In some cases, were looking at a hundred percent increase in staff. In other cases, its adding another part time or maybe one additional reporter. And a lot of that, I think, will correlate to the circulation. Over the last five years, if you mapped out the circulation, you would see a correlation between the more that they cut the newsroom and the quality, the lower the circulation went. So as we reverse that curve, that will generate more revenue that will allow for more expansion.

Radcliffe: There can sometimes also be a disconnect between the types of conversations that are taking place at national level, at conferences, for example, or trade publications, versus the conversations that are taking place in newsrooms. Weve seen lots of discussion about creating newsletters, podcasts, webinar series, and so forth, the dropping of paywalls for COVID content. And what our data suggests is that that was just not a conversation that was taking place at many local newsrooms. Many had kept their paywall in place because they couldnt afford to drop it. And they were not necessarily creating these new pop up products, which again, may well be as a result of resource issues. As many of these places saw people laid off or furloughed or working reduced hours during the pandemic, we had many people saying, Well, were supposed to be working reduced hours, but if I do, the hours Im contracted to do, well never get the paper out. So they do whatever it takes to get it done. That sense of duty is very, very strong.

Larsen: One thing about a small paper is you get to do everything: the sports, you do the meetings, you do everything. And thats the draw. Because if you did this just for money you wouldnt do it. I mean, you dont want to break down your hourly rate. Youd just weep. Im quite certain I have bartenders at my family restaurant that make far more than I do.

Radcliffe: Theres definitely a sense for some young people that this just doesnt pay enough. Many of them are also having to do side hustles to be able to earn enough to get by: wedding photography, or copywriting or copy editing, to supplement the salary of a newspaper, to earn enough to meet rent and potentially even save for a rainy day.

CJR: What are some of the other barriers to hiring reporters at the local level?

Radcliffe: One is whether people want to move the locations where some of these roles might be. There might be areas that theyre not familiar with, they dont know anybody. Smaller locations, by default, might not be a very appealing place to start fresh in.

Gulban: You have to find someone who wants to either live in a small town or is willing to relocate there. When all these job cuts were taking place, they drove everybody away. In some cases, people have such a bad taste in their mouth, they are reluctant to even talk to us. So were trying to learn from experience. Okay, were gonna do things differently.

Radcliffe: What are the opportunities [for early-career reporters] to move forward to advance their careers? That can be hard in newsrooms where you may very quickly hit a ceiling. And a lot of people are leaving because they cant afford to do it. They reach a point, for example, where they want to buy a house or they have children. And they find that this is not a sustainable profession for them and that they can parlay those skills in other sectors like PR or communications. They can earn a better salary and have more job security.

Gulban: On the other side of it, we have had people in the community step up and say, I want to do this, even in some cases with no journalistic experience. So theres people out there who want to do it; its just a matter of finding them. I think we have to rebuild the brands a little bit, you know, to be able to attract some talent.

Larsen: It turns out Jeremy is a great owner. I got a new camera to shoot pictures with. We got new computers. We put in a nice picnic area outside with a little alcove, which Id been trying to get something done with for a long time. So passers by can sit down, take a break. Just really nice things for the community. We can pay people for pictures now. I dare say, if you can see our paper online, you tell me whos got better pictures? Our outdoor photography? Bar none, the best. I dont care where you are looking. Its just tremendous. And I actually have benefits now. I havent had benefits for twelve years.

We need more owners like Jeremy Gulban out there, but Im always looking at ways to make some money. The cost of paper is going to go up 15 percent, it goes on and on. Youve got to cover those costs. Youve got to be thinking forward, talking to your legislature about passing laws that dont hurt newspapers and trying to level the playing field a little bit out there with Facebooks of the world. Nothing against Facebook or any of the other modern ways of communicating. But theres got to be ways to make it work for everybody.

Radcliffe: Even if you had all of those elements: a salary that was attractive in a location you want where you can see a progression, you may be writing for an audience that tends to be older and sees the world differently. Or might have different information needs than the ones that youre interested in. Are there opportunities within that paper for the type of innovation and creativity that you want to bring to the table in terms of new formats, new delivery mechanisms, or even the types of stories that you are covering? Gen Z or millennial journalists may well feel that a local newspaper is not addressing those issues in a way that they like. Those papers might have more traditional mindsets around objectivity and advocacy that dont chime with how they see the purpose of journalism.

Gulban: I think the whole industry has to get younger people to engage with the newspaper, because over the last twenty years, almost an entire generation has grown up not really ever even picking up a newspaper. And weve got to reverse that. Otherwise, if you look at the subscriber demographics, youll see that you have a problem happening in the next ten years.

Larsen: Ive got a son, 18, that lives with me. Hes just like, I dont know why anybody would read a newspaper. And he reads; hes a news-aholic. And he thinks that it should be coming in from all these different sources. And I like to have a cup of coffee and sit on the porch and read a paper, and I dont think thats ever going to change.

The Journalism Crisis Project aims to train our focus on the present crisis, and to foster a conversation about what comes next. We hope youll join us. (Click to subscribe!)

EXPLORE THE TOW CENTERS COVID-19 CUTBACK TRACKER: Over the past year, researchers at the Tow Center have collected reports of a wide range of cutbacks amid the pandemic. Theres an interactive map and searchable database. You can find it here.

Below, more on recent local media trends and changes in newsrooms:

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Lauren Harris is a freelance journalist. She writes CJR's weekly newsletter for the Journalism Crisis Project. Follow her on Twitter @LHarrisWrites.
On Sunday, Ben Smith, the media columnist at the New York Times, reported on an investigation that took place earlier this year at Bild, the powerful German tabloid owned by the media behemoth Axel Springer, concerning the conduct of its editor in chief, Julian Reichelt, and his sexual relationships with women at the company. Documents I saw paint a picture of a workplace culture that mixed sex, journalism and company cash, Smith wrote. A former trainee who spoke to the law firm that led the investigation on the companys behalf said that when she was moved around the newsroom, another Bild editor told her he was tired of having to take on women with whom Mr. Reichelt had had relationships. Reichelt stepped back as editor while the probe wrapped up, but was quickly reinstated; Mathias Dopfner, Axel Springers chief executive, said that Reichelt had made mistakes, but he was cleared of any legal wrongdoing. According to Smith, Dopfner messaged a friend around the time of the probe saying that the company needed to be especially careful in its handling of the matter since Reichelt, who had recently spoken out against COVID restrictions, is really the last and only journalist in Germany who is still courageously rebelling against the new GDR authoritarian statea reference to Communist-era East Germany.

This isnt the first time Ive started this newsletter with some variation on the words On Sunday, Ben Smith reportedsince he started at the Times last year, his scoopy weekly columns have frequently set the media-industry agenda. The last time I wrote about one of them here was as a result of its huge impact: Smith reported on deceptive practices at Ozy, an American digital-media company, triggering a remarkable implosion that ended, only a few days later, in its closure. (Ozy has since promised to rise again, like Lazarus, but Ill believe that when I see it.) Smiths Bild column quickly had impact, too. Less than twenty-four hours after it was published, Axel Springer relieved Reichelt of his duties; in a statement, the company said that he had misled its executive board, and claimed that it had learned new details about his conduct from press reporting, even though that reporting seems largely to have been based on the internal probe that it commissioned. Online, regular US-based readers of Smiths column marveled at his reporting superpowers. A number of journalists said that if Smith ever called them, theyd immediately hang upa gambit that Carolyn Ryan, his editor at the Times, said wouldnt work because hell start texting you. NBCs Stephanie Ruhle quipped that Smith has replaced the Grim Reaper as this years Halloween costume of choice.

ICYMI: Vaccines, war, and the death of Colin Powell

In the case of Ozy, it seems fair to say that Smith did play such a rolehes not the only journalist to have reported on that companys odd practices, but no one was otherwise talking about it at the time (indeed, that was the point of Smiths column) and he clearly set its downfall in motion by bringing damning new details to light. He brought damning new details about Bild to light, too. But the cause and effect in the latter case strikes me, in other respects, as more complex. Axel Springer was already a big story in US media circles thanks to its growing footprint in the countrys media market and impending takeover of Politico. More importantly, Smith didnt act alone here, nor did he claim to. (Even if the Times did run with the headline: Powerful German Newspaper Ousts Editor After Times Report on Workplace Behavior.)

As Smith noted in his column, Der Spiegel, a German newsmagazine, became the first outlet to report the existence of the Reichelt investigation in the spring, describing the Reichelt system, as one in which the editor in chief was said to have invited female trainees and interns to dinner via Instagram. Young female employees were sometimes quickly promoted. Their fall from grace was similarly rapid. Reporters at other German titles tried to report on Reichelt, too, only to have their stories killed by higher-ups. Perhaps the most damning revelation in Smiths column concerned not Bild but Ippen Media, a rival outlet whose investigative arm was getting ready to publish a Reichelt expose when Dirk Ippen, its largest shareholder, intervenednot on any legal or reportorial grounds, but, a spokesperson told Smith, to avoid creating the perception that it was trying to harm a competitor. After Smiths column dropped, Der Spiegel published another story containing damning details about Reichelts conduct. Its lead author, Juliane Loffler, had worked on the Ippen piece.

Its unsurprising, then, that the most interesting response to Smiths column has come not from his readers in US media, but in Germany, where the story has sparked something of an industry reckoning, at least in the short term. As Smith and Melissa Eddy wrote in a follow-up article, the revelation about Ippen has made this a press-freedom storya regional paper owned by Ippen published an editorial criticizing the companys decision to kill its Reichelt expose; a reporter even asked a spokesperson for Angela Merkel, the outgoing German chancellor, to weigh in on the matter. (He declined to do so.) Many media-watchers asked, meanwhile, why it had taken a major American news outlet to force action when much of Reichelts conduct was already public knowledge in Germany, which is a very good question. German media never really had a #MeToo reckoning; in early 2017, Kai Diekmann resigned as publisher of Bild, following an allegation of sexual harassment, but a prosecutorial case against him was quickly closed for lack of evidence, and other high-profile examples have been rare. As Caitlin L. Chandler has reported in depth for CJR, this has been a result of both legal and cultural factors; in the case of Reichelt (who has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing), numerous observers have pointed to an incestuous, male-dominated culture across the upper echelons of German media.

Sign up for CJR 's daily email

Some observers likened Smiths reporting on Bild to the fraud scandal surrounding Wirecard, a Germany payments processor, which was also broken open by a foreign outletin that case, the Financial Times. Lionel Barber, the former editor of the Financial Times, noted, in response, that the Wirecard story was on a different scale and was global in scope. His point about scale is correct. But we should keep in mind that the Axel Springer story is global, too. Its hard to divorce the companys decision to fire Reichelt from its global media ambitions, in general, and Politico takeover, in particular. Indeed, Dopfner stressed to Smith that the company would not tolerate a Bild-like culture in the US, saying that we aspire to be the best digital media company in the democratic world with the highest ethical standards and an inclusive, open culture. As Lutz Fruehbrodt, a journalism professor who previously worked at another Axel Springer title, Die Welt, told Bloomberg, Reichelts conduct clearly doesnt fit the global image the company wants to portray. An account that appears to belong to a former editor at Bild went so far as to tweet that Axel Springer had treated Reichelt as a sacrificial lamb at the altar of US capital.

Yesterday, Axel Springers takeover of Politico was finalized. In a Wall Street Journal interview ahead of that moment (and ahead of Smiths column), Dopfner made some eyebrow-raising news about Politicos future, saying that the site would eventually go behind a paywall (even though he reportedly told staffers, when the takeover was announced, that were from Berlin, we dont like the concept of walls) and that its employees would have to commit to the companys stated commitments to free-market capitalism and Israels right to exist, albeit not in writing, as it demands of its German workers. (Anyone who disagrees with these principles, Dopfner said, should not work for Axel Springer, very clearly.) It remains to be seen, of course, how these principles might apply in practice to the work of Politicos journalists, but they are cause for ongoing vigilance and scrutiny. So, too, is Axel Springers suggestion, in its statement on Reichelts firing, that it is planning to take legal action against third parties who attempted to influence and instrumentalize its investigation by disclosing transcripts and other private communications, presumably to Smith and others. A company spokesperson told Smith that it will not go after whistle-blowers or anybody who brings forward complaints. Beyond workers rights, reporters have an interest in holding them to this promise. Takedown media columns typically require sources.

Bild and the broader culture of the German media industry demand ongoing scrutiny as well: will the Smith episode lead to meaningful change in the way powerful executives handle sensitive stories, or will this reckoning pass as interest in Axel Springers global ambitions becomes less immediate? Ozy (at least for now) is no longer around; Bild very much is, and will continue to exert enormous influence over German and European political discourse even without Reichelt in charge. Axel Springer named as his successor a less controversial figure: Johannes Boie, the editor in chief of the Sunday edition of Die Welt. According to Bloomberg, Boie told Bild staffers yesterday that he wants to create headlines rather than be in the headlines. When you have the power to do the former, though, the latter are fair game. Smith and many other journalists, including in Germany, understand that well.

Below, more on Axel Springer and German media:



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: Sean Jacobs on Africa Is A Country

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
In 1977, at the age of twenty-five, Seyoum Tsehaye dropped out of college to join the fight for Eritreas self-rule. He knew how to use a camera; the Eritrean Peoples Liberation Front (EPLF) tasked him with documenting the war. From the front lines, he captured the bloody struggle for freedom during its moments of honor and despair. When the EPLF revealed troubling edges, he showed that, toomuch to the dissatisfaction of his compatriots, who threw him in prison for a year without a trial. In 1991, when Eritrea declared independence, Tsehaye continued his work as a photojournalist, collecting images of his peoples first steps in a sovereign country.

By then, Eritrea, tucked in the Horn of Africa on the border of the Red Sea, had been under colonial control since the late 1800s (by Italy, Britain, then Ethiopia). Under its first president, Isaias Afwerki, the transition to independence proved difficult. Tsehaye became the founding director of Eri TV, the state broadcaster, but it was not long before he was demoted, to a position in the ministry of tourismthe powers that be didnt appreciate it when he aired coverage critical of the government. Over time, Afwerki fell deeper into totalitarianismgrowing paranoid, failing to implement a constitution, refusing to hold electionsand Tsehaye began freelancing for Setit, an independent news outlet, where he reported on womens rights, HIV, and disabled veterans. In 2001, as part of a wider push for democracy in Eritrea, Tsehaye published a piece in Setit urging the regime to support its people. Authorities responded by mandating that independent newspapers be shut down across the country. Tsehaye and other outspoken Eritreans were imprisoned.

Ever since, the press in Eritrea has been effectively shuttered: a dictatorship in which the media have no rights, as Reporters Without Borders has described it. Tsehaye has remained behind bars. But this year, a sign of hope appeared with the launch of 2001 Magazine, started by Seyoum Tsehayes twenty-four-year-old niece Vanessa.

Named for the year the Eritrean press was dissolved, 2001 was produced by Vanessa Tsehayes organization, One Day Seyoum, which advocates for the release of those imprisoned by the government. The inaugural issue reveals the challenges of Eritrean life, in pieces rendered without access to on-the-ground reporting. Were used to working with a country like Eritrea, Vanessa Tsehaye said, but we wanted to create the foundation for people who wanted to learn more.

VANESSA TSEHAYE FIRST LEARNED about Seyoum, her mothers brother, while growing up abroad, in Sweden. Her mother wanted her to know about the family back home. She would just tell us, This is this uncle; this is that aunt; they have three kids; and for himSeyoumshe just at some point was like, And hes imprisoned, but he hasnt done anything wrong. The situation was hard to understand. When Vanessa was in high school, her bafflement grew into frustration. It was then that, along with some friends, she formed One Day Seyoum, to organize against Afwerkis regimeand, as she put it, to do what I was criticizing other people for not doing.

Sign up for CJR 's daily email

The idea to start a magazine came several years later, when the staffall volunteers, based around the worldwas discussing a social media campaign to profile each year of the dictatorship. It occurred to Vanessa that their research could fill a zine. In Eritrea, we dont even know when things get worse or better, because people are so scared of speaking that its really hard to get breaking news or any kind of story that could help raise awareness, she said. So we have to think quite creatively.

Through investigations, interviews, essays, art, and poetry, the resulting magazine explores a theme of Past, Present, and Future. There is a piece on Afwerki and the EPLFs earliest signs of despotism; another details the methods by which the regime has maintained a stronghold on its overseas population (namely, a dreaded 2 percent tax). A story on military conscription describes the conditions at a remote facility called Sawa, which the United Nations has deemed slavery-like. In an article called Tattoo on My Brain, Aaron Berhane, the former editor in chief of Setit, recalls driving through Asmara, Eritreas capital, after authorities announced an end to independent journalism. He describes his staff meeting for what would be the last time. Sometimes I wonder how we even survived for four years, he writes. (Berhane died in May, in Toronto, at the age of fifty-one, from COVID-19 complications.)

Given the governments ban on local reporting, 2001 relied heavily on members of the diaspora, who represent between a third and half of all Eritreans. We were able to use peoples testimony and experiences as a source, Sienna Jacob, an Eritrean-American based in London, and the issues editor, told me. Their accounts reflected the views of people who left the country at different times, yet they shared a sense of connection in their pursuit of a better life. A profile features the work of Meron Estifanos, an Eritrean journalist and activist living in Sweden, who has been a resource for refugees making the perilous journey through North Africas migrant corridors; theres a conversation with Daniela Yohannes, who created the artwork for the magazines cover. I want to confront the truths of our pasteven if violent or painfulbecause I want to understand what I am the result of, Yohannes told 2001.

A lot of the information in the magazine is quite sad and tough to read, Jacob said. But its also imaginative. I think issues like this seem hopeless and, you know, people might not think about aspiring for the future, she continued. Its important for people to realize that this isnt it, and theres things that can be done.

SEYOUM HAS NOT BEEN seen or heard from since he was detained. Vanessa has no way of reaching him, to send him a copy of the magazine or just to talk. Contacting Eritreans inside the country poses a challenge, too2001 is being sold online and in print, but anyone who might try to buy a copy inside the country would face dangerous repercussions if they were found out. Vanessa said its not worth the risk; shes focused on the audience of Eritreans abroad.

In the coming years, 2001 plans to release new issues annually. Our role is to mobilize the diaspora, Vanessa said, to create an informed and engaged diaspora to support efforts at home.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Feven Merid is CJR's staff writer and Senior Delacorte Fellow.
Anybody whos seen a Carfax commercial may suspect that a vehicle thats been involved in a crash is worth less even after it is repaired.

Massachusetts auto insurers are now required to compensate third-party claimants for those losses. The states highest court ruled Tuesday that standard auto policies issued in Massachusetts require compensation for inherent diminished value.

Because the plain language of part 4 of the standard policy does not limit recovery to merely repair or replacement costs, such recovery must compensate a claimant for any loss of value the claimant incurred as a result of a collision, offset by the increase in value that may occur from repairs to the vehicle, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court said in a unanimous decision written by Justice Serge Georges Jr.

The supreme court considered two consolidated lawsuits filed in 2017 against Commerce and Safety Insurance Co. on behalf of three policyholders and all others similarly situated. The trial court rejected the class action and granted summary judgment in favor of the insurers.

The high court reversed those rulings and remanded the case to the trial court determine the amount of lost value, if any.

Commerce Insurance Co. warned during oral arguments that such a decision would cause a seismic shift and economically destabilize the insurance marketplace. The American Property and Casualty Insurance Association and the New England Legal Foundation, which advocates for free market principles, had filed amicus briefs supporting the defense.

But Mansfield attorney Kevin J. Powers, who wrote an amicus brief in favor of the plaintiff for the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys, said the decision simply keeps up with the times. He said his brief specifically mentioned Carfax and the ability of consumers nowadays to quickly look up a vehicles history. Access has been growing over time. Powers brief cites a New York Times article that reported as late as 2003 Carfax had vehicle accident data in only half of the states.

This is a serious change in the technology of the marketplace, Powers said in a telephone interview. As a practical matter, this is the law catching up to technology.

Powers said the Restatement of Torts, a treatise published by the American Law Institute that documents trends in common law, has recognized the right for claimants to be compensated for inherent diminished value since the 1930s.

Insurers had reason to believe they would win the battle. In 2003, the supreme court ruled in Given v. Commerce that a first-party claimant was not entitled to compensation for inherent diminished value.

The supreme courts opinion, however, says the Given decision concerned a first-party claimant who sought coverage under the sixth edition of Part 7 of the standard Massachusetts Insurance policy. The standard policy has been changed since then, and anyway the claimants in the consolidated cases against Commerce and Safety sought compensation under Part 4 of the 2008 standard policy.

Part 7 of the sixth edition required a claimant to choose either to repair the damage or to receive compensation for the difference between the value of the vehicle before the crash and the value after. Part 4 of the 2008 edition permits a third-party claimant to recover the amounts [the claimant] is legally entitled to collect for property damage through a court judgment or settlement, according to the opinion.

The opinion says that Safety admitted that inherent diminished value may be suffered in some cases and that the amount of damage may be quantifiable.

Moreovernumerous other states recognize and permit recovery of IDV damages, the court said.

The opinion does not state whether it applies to first-party claims and Powers said he was not ready to offer an opinion on whether it should.

The ruling wasnt a total loss for the insurer. The court found that Commerces denial of diminished value claims did not violate consumer protection laws because its reasoning was based on its understanding of the meaning of the policy.

The New England Legal Foundation focused on that part of the courts opinion when asked to comment Tuesday.

The court ruled correctly in denying the plaintiffs consumer protection claims because it found that the insurers acted in reasonable good faith when denying the claims for inherent diminished value, staff attorney John Pagliaro said in an email. We are pleased if we helped to persuade the court that the insurers had credible, good faith arguments for taking that position.

Salem plaintiffs attorney Kevin J. McCullough, with Mazow & McCullough, said he was pleased with the high courts ruling

This decision will certainly have a positive impact with respect to Massachusetts consumers who have suffered property damage to their motor vehicles due to someone elses fault or negligence. As such, we believe that the courts decision recognizes and affirms the long standing principal that a tort victim has a right to be made whole, he said in an email.
LUCKNOW, India (AP)  At least 22 people have died and others are missing in floods triggered by heavy rains in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, officials said Tuesday.

The Indian Meteorological Department predicted that heavy to very heavy rain would continue to fall in the state for the next two days.

Jyoti Negi, who heads the states Disaster Management Cell, said 18 deaths were reported in the Himalayan resort town of Nainital, two in Almorah and one each in Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar districts.

At least eight people were missing and several others were trapped under debris, officials said. The army deployed helicopters to help with rescue efforts.

Several days of heavy rain have flooded roads and destroyed bridges in the state. Nainital remained cut off from the rest of the state as roads leading to it were either blocked by landslides or washed away.

Videos shared on social media showed the Ganges River bursting its banks at Rishikesh, and scenic Nainital lake overflowing with floodwaters.

Flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains have already killed at least 28 people in southern Kerala state.

Landslides and floods are common in Indias Himalayan north. Scientists say they are becoming more frequent as global warming contributes to the melting of glaciers there.

In February, flash floods killed nearly 200 people and washed away houses in Uttarakhand. In 2013, thousands of people were killed in floods there.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  A judge in South Carolina denied bond Tuesday for attorney Alex Murdaugh on the second set of charges he has faced since finding his wife and son dead last June.

Circuit Judge Clifton Newman issued the decision after hearing attorneys describe how Murdaugh used portions of $3.4 million in insurance payments to pay off his father, personal credit card bills and checks to himself.

The payments were supposed to go to the sons of his longtime housekeeper, who died in 2016 a few weeks after falling at the familys home. The judge said he was denying bond because of Murdaughs financial resources and unstable mental health. He ordered a psychiatric evaluation for Murdaugh, and said he will reconsider his decision after that is conducted. Murdaughs lawyers asked for a personal recognizance bond so he could go to further drug rehab, but Newman rejected that request.

Murdaugh is already out on a personal recognizance bond after his arrest in September on insurance fraud and other charges after police said he tried to arrange his own death so his surviving son would get a $10 million insurance policy. The would-be fatal shot only grazed his head, authorities have said.

Newman said if he allows bond, Murdaugh will have to put up money to get out of jail. Murdaugh has already spent five nights behind bars after his second arrest in about a month.

Murdaugh, whose wife and son were shot to death months ago in a killing that is still unresolved, stole $3.4 million of insurance money that was meant for the sons of his housekeeper, never having the settlement logged in court records, according to sworn statements by the State Law Enforcement Division.

He stole. He is a liar and a cheat, attorney Eric Bland, who represents the sons, told a judge Tuesday.

South Carolina Assistant Attorney General Creighton Waters said within months, Murdaugh took the money and put it in his personal accounts.

He had been carrying $100,000 credit card balance for months, Waters said. That gets paid off. He writes 300 and some odd grand to his father. He writes a check for 610 grand to himself. He writes a check for 125 grand to himself. Not a dime goes to this family.

Waters asked for a $200,000 bond and GPS monitoring, saying the fact that Murdaugh tried to arrange his own death shows he could become violent and has the ability to run away if he wants. A man who is a danger to himself is a danger to others, Waters said.

Murdaughs attorney Dick Harpootlian asked for another personal recognizance bond, saying Murdaugh needs more treatment for an opioid addiction that has lasted for more than a decade.

Hes not going to run, Harpootlian said. Thats not where he is now. Hes been through six weeks of addiction treatment. He needs more.

The judge said he wasnt considering that at all.

Murdaughs other lawyer, Jim Griffin, added, The Alex Murdaugh who is not hooked on drugs has lived a good, fruitful life  a law-abiding life. Only when he got hooked on opioids did things turn south and he truly regrets his conduct.

Murdaugh is already out on a recognizance bond for a September arrest on insurance fraud charges after state agents said he tried to arrange his own shooting death on a roadside so that his surviving son could collect a $10 million life insurance policy. The would-be fatal bullet only grazed him. He was arrested at a drug rehab center near Orlando, Florida, on Thursday and brought back to South Carolina.

The housekeepers insurance isnt the only six-figure case being investigated by state police. Murdaughs former law firm _ founded by his great-grandfather a century ago _ has accused him of stealing possibly millions of dollars.

Each charge of obtaining property by false pretenses carries a sentence of up to 10 years. The three felony charges from the botched attempt to arrange his own death could bring up to 20 years in prison if hes convicted.

Murdaugh continues to insist he had nothing to do with the June deaths of his wife, Maggie, 52, and their son Paul, 22. Murdaugh said he returned to their rural Colleton County home to find them shot to death. Tight-lipped state police have neither named any suspects nor ruled anyone out.

Murdaughs housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield, died from a stroke and heart attack in February, more than three weeks after being hurt in a fall at the Murdaugh home. No autopsy was performed, and a coroner said her death was improperly described as natural on her death certificate.

Murdaugh told Satterfields sons he would help them get insurance settlements for her death, recommending they hire attorney Cory Fleming without telling them Fleming was a family friend, according to a lawsuit filed by the sons.

Murdaugh negotiated more than $4 million in payments, then had the checks _ minus fees and attorney payments _ sent to his bank account, authorities said.

A lawyer for the sons said they havent seen any money from the settlements.

Fleming has promised to return any money he received to the sons and pay them an unspecified amount from a malpractice insurance policy.

The state Supreme Court has temporarily suspended the law licenses of both Fleming and Murdaugh.

In addition to all of the other cases, state police are looking into whether Murdaugh has connections to a 2015 hit-and-run death and whether he or other family members tried to obstruct the investigation into a boat crash involving Paul Murdaugh that killed a 19-year-old woman in 2019.

The Murdaugh family has dominated the legal community in Hampton County for nearly the past century. Murdaughs father, grandfather and great-grandfather were elected prosecutors and the family founded and built a prestigious law firm known for suing railroads.

About the photo: Alex Murdaugh awaits the beginning of his bond hearing in the Richland Judicial Center in Columbia, S.C., Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. A judge in South Carolina denied bond for attorney Alex Murdaugh on the second set of charges he has faced since finding his wife and son dead last June. (AP Photo/Lewis M. Levine, Pool)

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
As part of its effort to reduce its ballooning exposure level and trim the number of policyholders, Floridas insurer of last resort will increase its property inspections by almost 70-fold over the next four years  with plans to spend an extra $43 million.

Citizens Property Insurance Co., the state-backed insurer that is now one of the largest property and casualty carriers in Florida, also posted new eligibility and underwriting rules, which will make properties ineligible for coverage if inspections show the structure is unsafe. Besides its own inspections, to be done mostly by private inspection firms, Citizens also may require copies of inspection reports done by local or state governments

The rules kicked in Oct. 15 for new and renewal policies, according to an agent bulletin that Citizens posted last week.

The move is a huge shift for Citizens and will take the insurer from inspecting about 1% of its policyholder properties in 2020 to more than 9% by 2025. Ultimately, some policyholders will end up paying higher premiums or spending more on repair work to bring homes up to snuff.

Weve lagged behind the private market in inspection levels, and this will correct that, said Michael Peltier, media relations manager for Citizens.

Citizens spending on inspections will jump from about $1.2 million in 2021 to more than $17 million in 2025, according to information presented at a recent Citizens Board of Governors meeting. In all, the corporation will spend more than $43 million on inspection vendors and staff in coming years. The number of inspections will jump from about 5,200 in 2020 to more than 350,000 by 2025.

Citizens had already begun increasing inspections for this year, as it became clear that the insurer was adding policies at a record pace. The number of policies has increased dramatically, from 420,000 in 2019 to an expected 1 million or more by the end of 2022, a number that threatens to overwhelm the carriers reserves if multiple disasters strike the state, officials have said.

Florida homeowners have flocked to Citizens as they have seen increased premiums and canceled policies in the private market, as private insurers have grappled with hurricanes, fraud and what they call excessive litigation.

The beefed-up inspection plan is a significant increase over Citizens staff members initial recommendation last summer. At the July board meeting, staff recommended a $21 million plan. But by the Sept. 22 meeting, the chief operating officer, Kelly Booten, had doubled the program.

The plan will do three things, staff told the board members:

Reduce loss frequency by insuring sounder properties. Citizens will be able to better guard against adverse selection, or the tendency for people with the greatest chance of losses to be the ones most likely to purchase policies.

Improve premium accuracy. Inspections will likely result in a large number of premium corrections.

Exposure reduction through private insurers assuming Citizen policies. A current inspection is one of the key items private insurers have told us they value when considering which Citizens risks to assume, staff wrote. The more risks we inspect, to validate the exposure they truly represent, the better positioned we are to increase the amount of risk removed from Citizens.

The type and depth of inspections also will improve. Previous inspections focused mostly on the general condition of a property and on mobile home tie-down checks. New inspections will be mostly four-point reviews that look at roofs, plumbing, electrical and air and heating systems.

The reaction that policyholders may have in coming years remains to be seen.

We are in the process of reaching out to agents and policyholders through multiple channels to inform them of these upcoming changes, Peltier said.
HONOLULU (AP)  Surfboards stored next to a historic Waikiki hotel went up in flames Sunday for the second time in less than two years.

Firefighters called to the scene found several storage racks of surfboards at a beach alleyway in flames and evacuated the adjacent buildings: the Moana Surfrider Hotel and the Honolulu Police Departments Waikiki substation.

The blaze scorched the exterior of the hotel, which first opened in 1901, and spread to the substations walls, roof and eaves, the Honolulu Fire Department said.

An investigation is underway. Police arrested a 43-year-old man on suspicion of arson.

Surfer Theresa Strange told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser she lost two boards worth about $2,000 each. She also lost boards during similar fire there in February 2020.

She says the emotional attachment is the biggest loss.

Acting Battalion Chief Elden Tanaka told KHON-TV firefighters said the recent fire was bigger than the 2020 one.

The first fire damaged more than 500 surfboards.

Black smoke could be seen from miles away Sunday.

We were just walking along the sea front over there when we saw masses of black smoke, David Thomas, a visitor from England who filmed the fire with his phone, told Hawaii News Now. It stopped all the action of the beach.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Avis "Darlene" Searan, age 75, formerly of California, passed away at Restwell Home Plus in Oskaloosa, KS, on Tuesday, November 16, 2021. She was born the daughter of Leo Abraham and Avis Amelia (Gabbert) Searan in Claremore, OK, on June 25, 1946. Darlene loved watching baseball, especially,
At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a majority of workers stayed home, rendering physical office spaces useless, at least temporarily. Now that employees are returning to in-person work, what does the current commercial real estate market look like? And what does the future of office space
Last week, a local media outlet reported on the story of a 1969 downtown Cleveland bank robbery mystery that, after 52 years, had finally been solved. According to a news release from the U.S. Marshals Service, On Friday July 11, 1969, Theodore John Conrad walked into his job at the Society
Stay up to date on COVID-19

Get Breaking News

Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 18)  The Philippines began rolling out booster shots for fully vaccinated healthcare workers this week to offer additional protection eight months since the country launched its COVID-19 vaccination drive.

CNN Philippines answers your questions on booster shots, who are eligible to receive them, and why the government is offering them despite ongoing studies on their benefits.

What is a booster shot and who can avail of it?

Booster shots are given to those whose immunity is decreasing over time after completing their COVID-19 vaccination. It is offered three to six months after the first vaccination series, depending if they received a single- or two-dose vaccine.

"Ang booster dose ang layunin nito ay maitaas muli ang sapat na antibody protection, which over time alam natin bumababa ito," Health Secretary Francisco Duque said.

[Translation: The purpose of the booster dose is to bring up the antibody protection again, which we know goes down over time.]

It is currently only being offered to 1.6 million medical frontliners since they are more exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in their line of work. They were also the first ones to be vaccinated back in March.

Healthcare workers who received their primary doses abroad can also get their booster shots in the country, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje earlier said.

The government, however, stressed it is purely voluntary.

The Philippine government also plans to offer additional COVID-19 vaccine doses - not booster shots - to the elderly and people with underlying illnesses before the end of November. Additional COVID-19 shots are given to individuals who never reached the ideal immune response level due to their health status.

How many booster shots can I get?

A person can only receive one booster shot.

The Department of Health (DOH) has approved administering a single dose of Pfizer, Sinovac, and AstraZeneca, and half the regular dose of a Moderna shot.

The booster dose shall be given to frontliners at least six months after if they received Pfizer, Moderna, Sinovac, Sputnik V, and AstraZeneca as their first series, or three months after if they got the single-shot Janssen.

Am I getting the same vaccine brand or a different one?

The DOH said healthcare workers can opt to use the same vaccine brand (homologous vaccine) or a different one (heterologous vaccine) from the initial series they received.

However, those who got Sputnik V and Janssen as their first series cannot receive the same brand as their booster for now. This is because there is not enough supply of Sputnik V vaccine and Janssen has yet to apply for an amendment to its emergency use authorization to include booster shots in its regimen, officials said.

Which vaccine brands can I mix? Is it safe?

If the vaccinee opts to get a different brand as their booster, they may receive the following combination:

- Sinovac: AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna

- AstraZeneca: Pfizer, Moderna

- Sputnik V: AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna

- Janssen: AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna

- Pfizer: AstraZeneca, Moderna

- Moderna: AstraZeneca, Pfizer

While healthcare workers have options, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said those who initially got the mRNA vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna are "not recommended" to receive the inactivated vaccine (ex. Sinovac) as their booster shot.

The DOH official also said those who received two doses of AstraZeneca can be given a shot from the same brand as their booster, but it should be used with precaution due to a possible efficacy issue. She said those inoculated with vector-based vaccines such as AstraZeneca are recommended to get a vaccine from a different brand for their boosters.

But Vergeire cautioned that with heterologous vaccinations, studies point out that more adverse reactions are expected especially with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

Meanwhile, "with homologous vaccinations, there are more consistent studies with regards to its safety with a similar efficacy versus severe or critical COVID-19," she added.

Vergeire further said it may be best for those who experienced adverse reactions to vaccines, to receive a homologous series due to its more consistent safety profile.

Vaccine recipients with "higher risk for adverse reaction" such as the elderly, people with underlying illnesses, and those prone to blood clots, myocarditis, and anaphylaxis should consult their attending physicians for the recommended boosting strategy, she added.

What are the benefits?

While not for everyone, the vulnerable population may need additional shots, according to health experts.

"If your risk is high, if you are in A2 or A3, or your exposure is high - A1 frontliner, we are giving the option," infectious diseases expert Dr. Edsel Salvana previously said in a town hall.

Salvana added that getting a booster dose is voluntary "precisely because we do not know what is the added protection versus the potential risk of side effects with either the homologous or heterologous vaccines." But he noted that boosters might work for certain populations.

Dr. Anna Ong-Lim had a similar view.

"Kung A1 tayo at nabibilang sa mga grupong iyon (senior citizens, immunocompromised individuals), those groups we would encourage - avail of this opportunity now kasi mukhang kakailanganin nila," she said.

[Translation: If we are part of A1 and also belong to the groups of senior citizens, immunocompromised individuals, we would encourage - avail of this opportunity now because they might need it.]

The protection provided by COVID-19 vaccines wanes faster in senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals than the general population, Department of Science and Technology's vaccine expert panel head Nina Gloriani said in a government briefing.

Gloriani said data showed the immunity of senior citizens and people with underlying medical conditions diminishes after three to five months while that of the general population, which she described as healthy people aged 18 to 60, wanes after six to 10 months.

Where can I get my booster shot?

"Preferably," healthcare workers should get their booster shots in the vaccination sites where they got their primary doses, Cabotaje said.

But Cabotaje added they are "open" to the idea of letting medical personnel get their booster shots in a different vaccination center as long as they show their vaccination card, stating they have received their primary doses, as well as proof they are part of A1 priority group.

Will I get a new vaccination card?

Cabotaje said the general policy is there should be another vaccination card for booster recipients.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20)  The Philippine government plans to administer an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose for healthcare workers and those who are immunocompromised starting next month pending a formal recommendation from the World Health Organization.

"Ito po pinagpre-prepare na po namin ni Sec. Duque dahil nagbigay na po ng inclination ang WHO na 'yung ating vaccination for the third dosing, considering that magla-lapse na po 'yung tinatawag nating 'yung immunity," vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said during his televised meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte on Tusesday.

[Translation: Secretary Duque and I are preparing because the WHO issued an inclination (to recommend) the third dose since the immunity is about to go down.]

He said on Wednesday that the government is ready to administer third doses to the vulnerable sectors who were vaccinated against COVID-19 from March to May.

The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (WHO SAGE) earlier advised that an additional dose of all WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccines should be offered to those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. It also said a third dose of Sinovac and Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine should be offered to persons aged 60 and above and those whose immune systems are diminished.

The Department of Health said the Food and Drug Administration must first approve an amended emergency use authorization before a vaccine brand can be given as a third dose.

A third dose is different from a booster shot, according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire. Boosters are given to those whose COVID-19 immunity has waned over time after vaccination while a third dose is for those who did not generate a strong immune response following COVID-19 immunization, she said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20)  The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has proposed the addition of a general provision in this years General Appropriations Act that will entail reversion of unutilized funds to the Treasury by the end of the period.

DBM officer-in-charge Undersecretary Tina Canda told senators during the budget deliberation on Monday that some agencies tried getting around the system by transferring funds to a procuring body or within their respective departments, noting this would consider the amount obligated or disbursed.

The reason that theyre transferring at this point, especially at this period, would be to show a high obligation rate, said Canda, who also cited the Bayanihan law as reference. The measure mandates the reversion of unspent funds once the prescribed period lapses.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon cited the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. TESDA reported a disbursement rate of over 80% during the budget deliberation, only for the Senate Finance Committee to find out that the agency merely transferred funds to its regional offices.

We want the economy to get better. It wont get better if these are just paper transfers or paper releases, said Senate Finance Committee chairman Sonny Angara, as he agreed to the submission of the proposed provision.

Drilon also recalled how state auditors flagged the huge amounts transferred to the Philippine International Trading Corporation, wherein the funds supposedly just stayed there for periods of time without getting returned to the Treasury.

RELATED: Embattled PITC defends receipt of 50B from gov't agencies since 2014

The proposed budget for 2022 is worth 5.024 trillion, which is said to be the highest in Philippine history. Government spending is among those touted to help revive the pandemic-stricken economy, which grew by 11.8% in the second quarter of this year but shrank by 1.3% quarter-on-quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20) The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday released details on 52 cases of deaths in the government's war on drugs  with the panel's review finding lapses in police operation protocols.

The agency's 20-page document showed a summary table of the drug war cases  dates of which ranged from July 2016 to September 2020.

The incidents took place in different provinces nationwide, with majority categorized under buy-bust operations.

The panel's observations

In several cases, police operatives reported that they acted in self-defense after suspects allegedly fired at them.

But the panel found that many of the victims tested negative for gunpowder nitrates. One female drug war suspect, in particular, also yielded "negative results from latent print," indicating that she had not held or used a firearm against the law enforcers.

In another case, the DOJ noted that the paraffin test  which would determine the presence of gunpowder  was done on the firearm itself and not on the suspect.

The probe also discovered that in several cases, there were no ballistics or paraffin test results, Scene of Crime Operations (SOCO) reports, or autopsy reports on record.

Police's excessive force, penalties

For one case, the DOJ said the suspect was part of the drug watchlist and that the police's buy-bust operation "was found to be legitimate."

However, the panel noted that law enforcers on the scene violated standard operating procedures with regards to the arrests, due to what it called "employment of excessive force."

The operatives' use of excessive force was also noted in other cases. In one instance, this led to the deaths of the suspects, who bore multiple gunshot wounds.

But how were the police officers punished? In majority of the cases (35), they were only meted with suspension. The others faced demotion and dismissal from service.

PNP welcomes release of drug war info

The DOJ report was publicized amid the government's bid to uphold transparency in the drug war probe process.

This was echoed by the Philippine National Police (PNP), which vowed accountability among its ranks. Police chief Guillermo Eleazar said they have been continuously cooperating with the DOJ regarding the probe.

"[I]pinaubaya na natin sa kanila ang desisyon tungkol sa mga kasong ito (We leave the decision up to the DOJ regarding these cases) in the interest of truth, transparency, and justice," Eleazar said in a statement.

For its part, Malacanang said the Justice department's findings disprove claims that President Rodrigo Duterte is responsible for the alleged abuses and lapses in his administration's flagship anti-drug campaign.

"[O]n the contrary it proves that the Philippine state has in fact investigated and prosecuted individuals for these killings," Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a separate forum.

The International Criminal Court's pre-trial chamber, which had formally authorized an investigation into the Philippine government's drug war, estimated that around 12,000 to 30,000 people were killed from July 1, 2016 to March 16, 2019.

After the DOJ's review, these cases will undergo the scrutiny of the National Bureau of Investigation for further buildup, and the possible filing of criminal charges against erring police officers.

CNN Philippines' Anjo Alimario contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20) - A former Health secretary raised concern on the government's vaccination pace despite the COVID-19 vaccine supply stabilizing in the country.

Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Source on Wednesday, former Health chief and incumbent Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin questioned the slow inoculation of Filipinos, with over 26 million doses still lying idle in warehouses.

"If you look at the total jabs or number of doses consumed, it's somewhere around 52.7 million. In the reports, we were told around 13 million has been prepositioned," Garin said. "If we focus on the 90 million (total received), we have 26 million doses just lying idle. Nagrerelax ang mga bakuna sa ating mga warehouse (The vaccines are relaxing in our warehouses)."

Garin also said not all vaccines are administered to the provinces immediately since priority groups are not yet finished.

"In the provinces, in Visayas and in Mindanao, although it is being announced here that everybody should be vaccinated, meron pang mga verbal orders, sasabihing, 'ay hindi pa pwede kasi kailangan mauna ubusin yung 50% ng seniors, 'hindi pa pwede kasi dapat mauna muna mga A3.'"

[Translation: There would be verbal orders saying, 'we cannot vaccinate the others just yet because we need to reach 50% of the seniors,' or 'we need to start vaccinating the A3 or persons with comorbidities first.']

More and more residents in Metro Manila are getting vaccinated against the coronavirus after the government expanded the inoculation drive to include minors with comorbidities in select hospitals last week.

Garin earlier said vaccination of minors must not be limited to hospitals due to potential health risks. She added that with more youths getting vaccinated, the bigger the likelihood of the COVID-19 vaccines to prevent transmission because there are lesser breakthrough infections among the younger population.

RELATED: Ex-DOH chief opposes pediatric vaccination in hospitals

She also urged the government to start giving additional COVID-19 vaccine doses to protect health workers, senior citizens, and persons with comorbidities.

A third dose is different from a booster shot, according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire. Boosters are given to those whose COVID-19 immunity has waned over time after vaccination while a third dose is for those who did not generate a strong immune response following COVID-19 immunization.

The government intends to give a third dose to healthcare workers and those who are immunocompromised starting next month pending a formal recommendation from the World Health Organization.

READ: PH eyes third COVID-19 shot for health workers, vulnerable sectors by November
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20)  Children below 18 years old are still not allowed to enter restaurants and shopping malls for leisure activities in areas under Alert Level 3, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority reiterated Wednesday.

"I don't think it is allowed," Abalos told CNN Philippines' The Source when asked if teenagers can freely roam around these establishments.

Abalos stressed that minors can only enter malls if they need to avail of essential services or goods.

"If you are going to a dentist or probably a clinic and that clinic is within the mall, you might probably be allowed," he said.

On Tuesday, the MMDA issued Resolution 21-24 which states that "those below eighteen (18) years of age, and those belonging to the vulnerable population, shall be allowed access to obtain essential goods and services, or for work in permitted industries and offices in accordance with existing labor laws, rules and regulations."

The resolution also said individual outdoor exercises for all ages are now allowed regardless of comorbidities or vaccination status.

But Abalos stressed that minors should always be accompanied by parents or an adult guardian regardless of vaccination status.

MMDA Resolution No. 21-24 states, "The intrazonal and interzonal travel of persons below eighteen (18) years old shall be allowed provided that these persons shall be accompanied by a parent or an adult guardian at all times."

If minors are seen outside with no adult companion, Abalos said authorities will accost them and escort them back to their homes.

RELATED: MMDA issues new travel restrictions for Metro Manila under Alert Level 3

Metro Manila eased into Alert Level 3 on Oct. 16 and this will stay in place until the end of the month. Other areas that were also placed under Alert Level 3 from Oct. 20 to 31 are: Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Siquijor, Davao City, and Davao del Norte.

READ: Govt to implement alert level system in some provinces starting Oct. 20
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20)  The Office of the Ombudsman has proposed an amendment to the law on the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) that would penalize commentaries on it.

A draft of the Ombudsmans proposed amendments to Republic Act 6713 states that the medias use of the SALN "shall be strictly limited to reporting of facts provided in the statement and no further commentaries could be made thereon."

If Congress passes the amendment, violators could face jail time not exceeding five years or P5,000 fine or both.

Under the Ombudsmans proposed revisions, government officials can exclude from their SALNS real properties that are used solely and exclusively as their personal residence.

They will also not be required to declare any transaction solely and exclusively between themselves and their spouse or unmarried children.

A source, who forwarded a copy of the draft bill on Tuesday, said it has not yet been filed. The person also said that according to the Ombudsman, their office will send a final draft after a thorough review and discussion of the proposed amendments.

Access to SALNs

Ombudsman Samuel Martires earlier proposed jail time for people who will comment on SALNs of government officials, which he eventually formalized in the draft bill. He also stood by his memorandum circular that will require consent from the SALN owner before it can be released to the public.

The office of President Rodrigo Duterte has used this memo to defend his refusal to release his annual wealth report since 2018, despite repeated requests from the media.

In the Ombudsman's new proposal, official repositories of government employees SALN have the option to restrict access to the document or redact particular details if revelation of certain information could endanger the government employees lives.

The Ombudsman has also proposed that the period of safekeeping for SALNs be shortened from ten years to eight years with the document destroyed after the period indicated unless it is needed in an ongoing investigation.

Group of journalists reacts

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines slammed the Ombudsman for promoting secrecy instead of championing transparency in the interest of the Filipino people.

"The SALN is just one of the many effective tools we can use against corruption. As the Ombudsman, he should be the first to promote the spirit of transparency and accountability. Why is he the first to prevent us from doing such?" it said in a statement.

CNN Philippines correspondent Xianne Arcangel contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20)  The Palace said Wednesday senators cannot order the deportation of Chinese businessman Michael Yang, who has been identified by executives of embattled Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation as a financier of the company.

"The Senate, per se, does not have the power to deport," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said when asked if senators could tell the Bureau of Immigration to deport Yang, a former economic adviser of President Rodrigo Duterte.

"It is, in fact, an executive function, and the Senate cannot order the executive to perform a purely executive act. That would be violative of the separation of powers and the concept of equality of powers," he added.

Pharmally executives earlier testified that Yang provided funds to their company when it entered into billions of pesos worth of deals with the government.

The firm, incorporated only in 2019, bagged 8.6 billion worth of contracts for medical supplies despite having a paid-up capital of just 625,000. Yang has denied the executives' testimony, saying it was his friends, not him, who provided funds.

Sen. Richard Gordon, who leads the Senate blue ribbon committee, earlier said an action for deportation can be made through a verified complaint against any foreigner for lawful grounds.

The blue ribbon committee on Tuesday recommended several charges against Yang, former budget officials, and Pharmally directors and officers. These include graft and corruption, fraud, estafa, and falsification of public documents, among others.

Gordon listed possible charges to support Yang's deportation. The Chinese businessman is also likely to face charges for disobedience to summons for snubbing Senate hearings.

The panel chair, who has been the target of the President's public rants due to the controversy, had said Yang must be prosecuted in a Philippine court.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20)  The Senate security failed to arrest Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. executives Mohit and Twinkle Dargani who are allegedly in hiding, Senate Sergeant-at-Arms retired Maj. Gen. Rene Samonte said on Wednesday.

Senate security personnel went to the three condominium units owned by the siblings in Taguig and San Juan, but they were nowhere to be found.

Hindi sila naaresto or sumuko so far. As of last night, wala sa tatlong condo na mga address nila....Mukhang in hiding na sila, kaya patuloy naming hahanapin sa mga susunod na araw, Samonte said in a text message to CNN Philippines.

[Translation: They did not surrender nor they were arrested. As of last night, they were not in their condominium units registered as their address...It appears that they are in hiding. So we will continue to hunt them down in the next days.]

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Tuesday cited the Dargani siblings for contempt after they refused to submit documents subpoenaed by lawmakers.

Meanwhile, Pharmally director Linconn Ong has been detained in the Senate for over a month for allegedly making false statements during hearings. His lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, claimed that the upper chamber has no legal authority to arrest Ong and the Dargani siblings outside Senate.

Any attempt by the Sergeant at Arms to arrest Mr. Dargani may subject them to criminal liability, including serious illegal detention which is non-bailable, Topacio said in an online briefing.

Any senator ordering him to arrest Mr. Dargani, and if he is arrested may be liable for the same offense because Mr. Dargani is outside of the jurisdiction of the Senate, he added.

But Blue Ribbon Committee chairperson Senator Richard Gordon said Topacios statement is absurd.

Example: A person had been sent a subpoena to either appear in person or to produce documents necessary for an investigation, in aid of legislation... All that person will need to do is just not enter Senate premises so he/she wont be held accountable for his/her recalcitrance, Gordon said in a text message to CNN Philippines.

This will lead to a really stupid situation where a co-equal branch is rendered inutile because its supposed jurisdiction is restricted to where its building is situated, he added.

Senate President Tito Sotto, on the other hand, noted that the Senate security personnel can take the Dargani siblings into custody as long as they are within the jurisdiction of the Philippines.

The Senate is preparing its comment to Ongs petition urging the Supreme Court to declare as unconstitutional his contempt order, as well as the upper chambers power to punish a witness for testifying falsely.

CNN Philippines correspondent Eimor Santos contributed to this report
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20)  Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said he could still run for senator in next year's polls as a substitute candidate.

"I found out just recently that PRP (People's Reform Party) has apparently asked someone to file by way of substitution, giving me the opportunity to run on or before Nov. 15," Roque told a media forum on Wednesday.

That date is when the substitution period lapses, according to the Commission on Elections.

Substitution is allowed by law in the event any official party candidate dies, gets disqualified, or withdraws candidacy.

Roque, a member of the PRP, said he does not know who the original candidate is.

But he stood firm he will only run for senator if Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte seeks the presidency.

Roque also said the presidential daughter contacted him during the last day of the filing of candidacies on Oct. 8 to push him to run for senator in 2022.

"I told her, 'Ang hirap naman tumakbo na hindi ko talaga alam kung sino man 'yung ulo. How much more an ulo na I do not believe in,'" he recalled.

[Translation: I told her it would be hard for me to run without knowing who the leader will be. How much more a leader I do not believe in.]

"So, although she was persuading me to 'go ahead and run,' I said I will not," the spokesman added partly in Filipino.

Roque then disclosed he has an "unfinished business" with Mayor Duterte, as he expressed hope that she will still change her mind.

"We have to sit down and talk about what to do with her followers," he pointed out. "We've not had the opportunity to discuss, because right after the last day of filing, she developed COVID."

"I still feel strongly [that] I need to have that conversation with her to discuss how to deal with the supporters, who, until now, are hoping that she will run," Roque said.

Roque admitted he lacks resources to mount a political campaign, especially with the crisis brought by COVID-19.

He recalled the time he ran for senator in the 2019 midterm polls, when he had funds as early as the filing period.

"There's hardly any money that came in this time around," Roque confided. "I think it's because times are really hard, and the traditional campaign donors are unable to give any contribution."

"I really want to run for the Senate," he continued. "[But] I was not born rich; I was not born into a political family. I'm an ordinary person, and it's very difficult to run if you are an ordinary person. That's the harsh reality of life."

Ironically, Roque has not been endorsed by President Rodrigo Duterte, who chairs the ruling PDP-Laban party, to run for senator.

The spokesperson said he did not opt for the administration party "because I value my independence."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20)  Former lawmaker Walden Bello is the new running mate of presidential hopeful Ka Leody de Guzman.

Bello will replace Partido Lakas ng Masa's Raquel Castillo as a substitute candidate.

"It's official. I am running for vice president of the Philippines," he confirmed on Twitter.

Bello, a human rights activist since the Marcos era and a staunch critic of the Duterte administration, said he has "no other choice but to enter this fight against the greatest peril the country faces today: the Marcos-Duterte axis of evil."

The vice presidential aspirant filed his candidacy through an authorized representative on Wednesday. He is running under PLM and Laban ng Masa, which he chairs.

Bello was Akbayan party-list representative for three consecutive terms from the 14th to 16th Congress.

But the critical ally of the late former president Noynoy Aquino resigned from his post in 2015, saying he can no longer support the administration. One of his reasons was Aquino's refusal to take responsibility for the Mamasapano clash that killed 44 Special Action Force (SAF) men.

Just recently, Bello criticized Vice President Leni Robredo, who is joining the presidential race, for her "disappointing" senatorial lineup.

He specifically questioned the inclusion of Senators Richard Gordon, Joel Villanueva, and Juan Miguel Zubiri, former vice president Jejomar Binay, and ex-senators Chiz Escudero and Sonny Trillanes.

Bello said although he respects Robredo's personal integrity, "I have also been clear that I have had doubts about her judgment."

"This is the reason people like me who hate traditional politics are forced to go into politics despite the fact that it makes us vomit, so we can rid the arena of these stinking trapos [who] have made life miserable for 99% of Filipinos," he added.

Bello said he partnered with the veteran labor leader "to forward a comprehensive agenda not just for regime change, but also systemic change."

Earlier, Ka Leody said he was open to dropping his presidential bid if he and Robredo would agree on a common platform that she would fight for, unlike President Rodrigo Duterte who, he said, walked back on his promises.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 21)  Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has expressed his frustration over the delayed reopening of schools for limited in-person classes.

In a Senate budget hearing on Wednesday, Duque said in June 2020 the Department of Health already identified areas low risk for COVID-19 where physical classes may be held.

My position from day one has always been to allow the resumption of classes, Duque told senators.

But you know we cannot go against the presidential directive. Ang gusto ni Presidente mabakunahan muna lahat. So ang hirap rin nito na naiipit din kami, he explained.

[Translation: The President wants everyone to get vaccinated first. It was hard for us because we were stuck on it.]

Early this year, President Rodrigo Duterte rejected proposals to reopen schools for limited physical classes. He said he does not want to risk the health of students and teachers because the national vaccination program started only in March.

In September, Duterte finally approved the pilot run of in-person classes in areas with low COVID-19 cases. It will begin on Nov. 15.

The pilot run will only involve 30 public schools in Bicol region, Western and Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Soccsksargen.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the DOH already submitted to the Department of Education a list of 329 areas where schools can reopen.

Duque said the situation may improve now that the inoculation program is being ramped up.

The government recently started vaccinating minors against COVID-19. Since the pediatric vaccination started on Oct. 15, over 3,000 minor aged 12 to 17 have received their COVID-19 shot.

READ: DOH: 25 more NCR hospitals, facilities to serve as COVID-19 vax sites for minors

CNN Philippines correspondent Eimor Santos contributed to this report.
Click on the link "CLICK HERE" below. This will redirect you to a login page. If you have already registered please log in, otherwise you will need to create an online account to proceed.

CLICK HERE!

At Step 3: Login using your Name exactly as it appears on your mailing label and the account number needs to be input without the leading zeros.
Justin Klomp, right, announces that the winner of the raffle for a diamond pendant is Dana Davis. Also onstage are Klomps daughter, Chloe, left; Denver Broncos Cheerleader and pendant model, Darian; and emcee Ed Greene. Western Fantasy, benefiting Volunteers of America, at the National Western Events Center in Denver, Colorado, on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Photo StevePeterson.photo
This year our dine and drink business locations throughout the Gorge have suffered with closures. You can help support your favorites by purchasing take out and gift cards. Many of these business will offer curb-side delivery and some will deliver to your home. Lets keep the Gorge going strong!
Are you a current print subscriber to Columbia Gorge News? If so, you qualify for free access to all content on columbiagorgenews.com. Simply verify with your subscriber id to receive free access. Your subscriber id may be found on your bill or mailing label.
Janet May True, 82, from Covington, IN, a former Danville resident went to be with the Lord at 9:45 P. M. Thursday November 18, 2021 at the home of her daughter in Champaign. She was born December 17, 1938 at Los Angles, CA the daughter of Jack and Vera Mary (Branch) Guyer. She was a homemak
What's Included

With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 319-283-2144 or email circ@oelweindailyregister.com.
What's Included

With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 319-352-3334 or email legals@waverlynewspapers.com.
10/20/2021

Photo (c) Leyla B EyeEm - Getty Images The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken steps to make hearing aids available to consumers without a prescription. The agency said the move is in line with President Bidens executive order to promote competition in the U.S. economy.

Reducing health care costs for everyone in America is a top priority, said Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra. Todays move by FDA takes us one step closer to the goal of making hearing aids more accessible and affordable for the tens of millions of people who experience mild to moderate hearing loss.

To start the process, the FDA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking. During that process, stakeholders can make comments on the proposal. As it would be a major change affecting both manufacturers and medical providers, its likely to draw a large number of comments.

Many hearing aids can be expensive, the FDA said in a press release. The rule aims to facilitate innovation and increase competition by lowering the barriers to entry for new hearing aid manufacturers.

Under the FDAs proposal, consumers would be able to purchase hearing aids in more traditional brick-and-mortar retail stores or online rather than doctors offices or specialty retail outlets. The FDA predicts prices would eventually fall, giving consumers both greater choice and lower prices. That would be a great relief to consumers like Phillip from Wheelersburg, Ohio, who pointed out just how expensive these products can be.

These are the most expensive hearing aids I have ever priced, Phillip wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review of Belltone. After some discounts and a good sales pitch they came in at $7900.00 for a pair.

Industry response

The American Academy of Audiology, which represents the medical practitioners who currently prescribe hearing aids, said the proposal has been in the works for some time. Both Republicans and Democrats supported a bill that became law in 2017 that directed the FDA to create a new category of hearing aids that could be sold over the counter.

The Academy has established a subject matter expert (SME) workgroup to review the proposed rule and new guidance, the group said in a statement. The workgroup will prepare comments for board review, and the Academy will submit comments to the FDA on behalf of the organization.

The FDA estimates that about 15% of adults in the U.S. have some difficulty hearing. But the agency says only about 20% of that group use a hearing aid.

The agency said it believes the rule change would reduce the barriers to use, including cost, access, social stigma related to hearing loss, perceived value of the devices or certain state and federal regulations.

ConsumerAffairs has collected thousands of verified consumer reviews of the top hearing aid brands.
Directbuywarranty.com scored 42 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team

This CoolSocial report was updated on 9 Jul 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want.

The total number of people who shared the directbuywarranty homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. The total number of people who shared the directbuywarranty homepage on Delicious. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the directbuywarranty homepage on Twitter + the total number of directbuywarranty followers (if directbuywarranty has a Twitter account). This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the directbuywarranty homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if directbuywarranty has a Facebook fan page). The total number of people who shared the directbuywarranty homepage on StumbleUpon.

Basic Information

PAGE TITLE Extended Auto Warranty | Direct Buy Warranty DESCRIPTION KEYWORDS OTHER KEYWORDS warranty, auto warranty, direct buy, direct, repair, service, direct buy auto warranty



CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The title found in the head section of the homepage.

Domain and Server

DOCTYPE XHTML 1.0 Transitional CHARSET AND LANGUAGE UTF-8 DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER Apache/2.2.24 (Unix) mod_ssl/2.2.24 OpenSSL/0.9.8e-fips-rhel5 mod_auth_passthrough/2.1 mod_bwlimited/1.4 FrontPage/5.0.2.2635 (PHP/5.3.24) OPERATIVE SYSTEM Linux Linux

The language of directbuywarranty.com as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Type of server and offered services. Operative System running on the server. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) Character set and language of the site.

Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world.

Referring domains for directbuywarranty.com by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines.

Facebook link

FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND

The type of Facebook page. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The URL of the found Facebook page. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file.

Twitter account link

TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND
GET OUT THE VOTE

Opinion: Choosing school board members might be the most important thing you do this year
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  Iowa's privatized Medicaid system has illegally denied services or care to program recipients, and both private insurance companies managing the system have violated terms of their contracts with the state, according to a state audit released Wednesday.

Auditor Rob Sand released a report from his investigation that examined cases from 2013 through 2019. He said his investigators found a massive increase in illegal denials of care by managed care organizations, or MCOs, under privatized Medicaid.

What this means is that privatized Medicaid is less likely to treat Iowans in accordance with the law. It means that the Medicaid MCO's that we have contracted with are not upholding their end of the bargain, Sand said.

The head of Iowa's Medicaid program responded within minutes of the audit's release, rejecting its conclusions and arguing Sand was making an apples to oranges comparison" that mischaracterized the current program.

Former Republican Gov. Terry Branstad in 2016 abruptly shifted Iowa's Medicaid program from management by the Iowa Department of Human Services to private insurers. His successor, current GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds, has continued to support privatization amid complaints that service has suffered, payments to service providers are sometimes delayed, and promised savings never materialized.

Privatization became a popular idea among GOP politicians, who argued private companies would more efficiently manage Medicaid than a state government agency. Private Medicaid managers provide health care for more than 781,000 poor and disabled Iowans.

Sand said after privatization, there was an 891% increase in the number of cases in which a judge restored services to a Medicaid participant, concluding services were unlawfully denied by the private insurers managing the program.

He promised after his election in 2018 that he would conduct a compliance report on Medicaid after service providers and recipients complained about the new system failing to provide comparable care and payment.

This has been a long time coming. It has taken a lot of work. We've reviewed tens of thousands of documents and at the end of the day what this is, is a statement of facts," Sand said. It's telling Iowans what's going on in the state. We're doing our job. It's about the people.

Sand also reported that the two companies managing the Medicaid program, Amerigroup and Centene Corp., operating as Iowa Total Care, violated provisions of the contract established with the DHS.

He said Amerigroup failed to comply with one provision of the contract, and ITC failed to comply with numerous provisions. For example, in multiple documented instances, both companies failed to comply with the contract clause requiring Home and Community Based Services providers to continue providing services to a member switching from one provider to another.

This has resulted in members going without services, such as bathing and wound care, thus violating the contract, and state and federal law, while the company still receives payment for their care, Sand said in the report.

In her statement responding to the report, Medicaid Director Elizabeth Matney called the audit incorrect and flawed."

Matney said the report inaccurately compares the previous fee-for-service" system with a managed care approach in which appeals can be resolved without going before an administrative law judge, who can then focus on more complex cases.

We worked with the Auditor of States team to explain why this was an apples to oranges comparison," Matney said. The process is not the same, so making a comparison without factoring in the improvements we built into the MCO appeals process prior to ever seeing an administrative law judge is just wrong.

She said much more information would be needed to substantiate the claims in the auditor report.

She said the department is reviewing the allegations of contract violations and offered to meet with Sand to discuss in further detail agreeing that contract compliance is something that requires diligent oversight.

A spokesman for Amerigroup said in an email response that the company agrees with Matney's statement questioning Sand's methodology and that the company will continue to work closely with them as we are committed to accountability and transparency with Iowas Medicaid system.
FAIRFIELD  The town is setting aside more than $6 million to help clean up the contamination from the fill pile scandal around town as remediation costs continue to rise.

The $6.3 million comes from a surplus of approximately $9.3 million in the 2020-2021 budget, officials said, which was much higher than usual because revenue that year was more than budgeted.

Even at the low end of the range of costs, the numbers are high and will far exceed the $6 million that I am proposing we set aside for the fill pile fund, First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said at this weeks selectmen meeting. We did put a million aside in the ARPA funds toward the fill pile remediation, and we are waiting for another million coming from the state and bonding.

The fill pile scandal has plagued the town for years and led to the arrests of both town officials and private business owners.

Julian Enterprises is accused of dumping contaminated material into the fill pile on the towns property on Richard White Way, which was shut down in 2016 when lead and polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, were found. The company is also accused of selling the contaminated fill for other construction projects around town.

So far, Kupchick said, the town has spent $2.9 million in testing and remediation fees.

Fill Pile Update

Kupchick said more than 50 contaminated sites connected to the fill pile have been identified throughout town.

My administration has been working over the last two years to clean up this environmental mess and associated public corruption, she said.

Kupchick said she knows the cost ranges she has presented concerning the clean-up efforts are significant, but said they are estimates dependent largely on more testing. She said the town is currently in negotiation with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection about remediation of the fill pile and its future use.

The current estimates of the cost to cap and close that site is going to be in the range of between $4 and $8 million, she said. (DEEP) has to agree to a remedy. Then, we can have a public hearing on the fill pile itself.

The biggest issue now though, Kupchick said, is the Penfield Pavilion  which she noted was the largest site that used contaminated fill. She said more testing is needed beneath the building and parking lot before officials can know the cost associated with cleanup.

The cost to remove and dispose of the contaminated fill is looking to be in the range of $2.5 million, Kupchick said, adding the pavilion was also constructed in violation of FEMA regulations during the prior administration. There is Julian Fill underneath the Penfield parking lot, additional testing still required there. Current estimates to remediate that are between $3 and $5 million.

Kupchick said other sites under investigation are shaping up to cost up to $5 million. She noted that 25 sites out of 50 have been cleaned up, with the towns licensed environmental professionals filing paperwork with regulatory bodies to verify that.

Our remediation continues and we will provide updates as they come available, Kupchick said, noting other sites will be cleaned up by the end of the winter.

Money set aside

While Kupchick would have preferred to use the surplus for many other things, she said she felt it was important to set it aside for the towns fill pile fund toward mounting cost of remediation.

Selectmen Tom Flynn and Nancy Lefkowitz signaled strong support for the move to set the funding aside.

Kupchick said remediation will continue as the state signs off on specific plans, but the actual fill pile and the Penfield Pavilion and Penfield parking lot will take more time because of negotiations with regulators and the testing needed at those sites.

Unfortunately, this entire situation has  Im going to be honest  sucked the living life out of everybody in here, Kupchick said. We are managing a town of 60,000 people with an extraordinary amount of challenges and issues. This takes up so much time and resources.

Kupchick said there can be five to ten meetings between the administration and regulators without any substantial update.

Flynn asked he and Lefkowitz be updated so they can answer questions from the public. He also said it would be interesting to have discussions about putting controls in place to prevent an issue like the fill pile from happening again, noting he knew Kupchick had already removed many of the people implicated in it and changed internal processes.

Kupchick said her administration has done a lot of work with internal controls, but things like that can still happen.

You can have every control in place you want, but if you have someone who is not minding the store, and you have people who are doing things corrupt, theyre not going to follow those internal controls, she said.

joshua.labella@hearstmediact.com
BRIDGEPORT  A campaign volunteer admitted her role in a scheme to obtain public election funds for the 2018 Connecticut State Senate campaign of Dennis A. Bradley, federal prosecutors announced on Wednesday.

Tina Manus, 42, of Stratford, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty to a conspiracy offense related to her role in the scheme in a hearing Tuesday before Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport federal court, officials said.

Manus previously served as a District 10 council member in Stratford.

On May 24, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Bradley, a Democrat who represents Bridgeport and Stratford, and his former campaign treasurer, Jessica Martinez, with offenses related to Bradleys 2018 run for state senate. Each entered a not guilt plea. A judge delayed their trial until December.

Bradley and Martinez, who also served as the former city Board of Education chairwoman, were each charged with multiple counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Martinez was also charged with false statement and false declaration to a grand jury. If convicted, each wire fraud count carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison.

Federal prosecutors said Manus, while serving as a campaign volunteer in 2018, conspired with Bradley, Martinez and others to allegedly defraud the Connecticut State Election Enforcement Commission, the Citizens Election Fund and the state by misrepresenting compliance with state election law and requirements of the CEP, which is a voluntary public election-financing program. The program allows a candidate to apply to the SEEC for grants to fund primary and general election runs.

In court on Tuesday, Manus pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The offense carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison. Manus, who prosecutors said has agreed to cooperate in the ongoing investigation, was released on a $150,000 bond as she awaits sentencing.

The federal grand jury indictment that charged Bradley and Martinez indicated those involved in the scheme fraudulently obtained, or attempted to obtain, $179,850 in campaign grants.

During a court appearance for the two earlier this year, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Francis called the case against Bradley very strong and said the government was claiming an actual loss of $84,000.

Bradley was first elected to represent the 23rd Senate District in 2018.

The SEEC launched an investigation into Bradley after a complaint filed on June 29, 2018, about his campaign, including a March 15, 2018, campaign event at Dolphin's Cove Restaurant & Marina, according to the federal court records. In a letter to the SEEC on Aug. 21, 2018, Bradley denied the allegations and called them frivolous and manipulative, the indictment said.

Bradley and Martinez applied for a CEP grant in May 2018 to fund Bradleys primary campaign. The SEEC issued him $84,140 in July 2018, the indictment said. In June, Bradley won the Democratic primary with about 55 percent of the votes.

The indictment said that CEP rules imposed a $2,000 limit on Bradleys personal funds expenditures, but that Bradley used personal funds to pay Dolphins Cove $5,597.31 for the campaign event, and used personal funds for other campaign expenditures related to the event, including a band and invitations.

Bradley, Martinez and others involved in the scheme allegedly claimed the Dolphins Cove event was a thank you party for friends and clients of Bradleys law firm, the indictment said. At the event, Bradley announced his candidacy for state senate. At least eight individuals gave contributions to the Bradley campaign that night.

The indictment claims two campaign volunteers changed contribution cards from the event with Bradley and Martinezs knowledge.

A little more than two weeks after winning the primary, Bradley and Martinez tried to obtain an additional $95,710 grant for the general campaign. The SEEC denied the request around mid-October 2018. Bradley won the general election with 87 percent of the vote that November. In 2020, he was re-elected.

The indictment, which at the time named Bradley and Martinez, claimed there were four others involved in the scheme.

The other unnamed co-conspirators were identified by prosecutors only as consultants who joined the campaign in February or March 2018 and a senior member of Bradleys campaign staff who started around February 2018. It was not unclear if the others involved will be named or charged at a later time.

Editors Note: An earlier version of this story reported that Manus lived in Bridgeport. She lives in Stratford.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)  Potential human remains were found Wednesday in a Florida wilderness area along with items believed to belong to Brian Laundrie, whose girlfriend, Gabby Petito, was found slain after he returned home alone from their cross-country road trip, according to the FBI.

Michael McPherson, chief of the Tampa FBI office, said at a news conference that it will take time to identify the remains, which forensic teams were examining. McPherson said they were found near a backpack and a notebook linked to Laundrie.

We are working diligently to get those answers for you, McPherson said, adding that the items and remains were found in a swampy area  home to alligators, snakes, coyotes and other wildlife  that had previously been underwater. It's likely the team will be on site for several days.

Laundrie's parents, Chris and Roberta Laundrie, took part in the search Wednesday with the FBI and police from North Port, Florida, more than a month after Laundrie was reported missing after heading to the vast Carlton Reserve park.

After a brief search off a trail that Brian frequented some articles belonging to Brian were found, Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino said in a text to The Associated Press. As of now law enforcement is conducting a more thorough investigation of that area.

The Sarasota County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed it had been summoned to the reserve but would not comment further.

Laundrie, 23, is a person of interest in the killing of Petito, who was reported missing Sept. 11 by her parents while the couple was on a cross-country trip out West.

The case generated enormous public interest but also raised uncomfortable questions over the unequal attention given to the hundreds of cases of Native American and other minority women missing or murdered across the United States. Petito is white.

Petitos body was found Sept. 19 on the edge of Wyomings Grand Teton National Park, which the couple had visited. The coroner there concluded she died of strangulation and her body had been where it was found for three or four weeks.

The couple was stopped Aug. 12 by police in Moab, Utah, after they had a physical altercation, but no charges were filed.

Laundrie returned home alone Sept. 1 in the Ford van the couple took on their trip. He was reported missing after telling his parents on Sept. 14 that he was going for a hike in the Carlton Reserve, a nature preserve in Sarasota County that has for weeks been a key area in the search.

The activity Wednesday was focused on the nearby Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, where television news reports showed numerous law enforcement vehicles arriving and a tent set up inside the woods. The location is where a Ford Mustang that Laundrie drove to the wilderness was found.

Laundrie is charged in a federal Wyoming indictment with unauthorized use of a debit card, which would allow authorities to arrest him if he is found alive.

It alleges Laundrie used a Capital One Bank card and someones personal identification number to make unauthorized withdrawals or charges worth more than $1,000. It does not say to whom the card belonged or what type of charges were made.

_____

Associated Press writer Mike Balsamo in Washington contributed to this story.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  The leading candidates for Virginia governor have gone quiet on commitments both previously made to disclose at least some information from recent tax returns before the Nov. 2 election.

Neither the campaign of Democrat Terry McAuliffe nor that of Republican Glenn Youngkin has responded to recent inquiries from The Associated Press about their plans to share the information with voters.

While it is not required for Virginia gubernatorial candidates to disclose their returns, there is some limited precedent for doing so. The complete documents could give a more nuanced look at a candidates income, deductions and philanthropy than the states mandatory disclosures do.

In July, in response to questions from the AP, Youngkin spokeswoman Macaulay Porter said the former private equity executive and first-time candidate would release information from recent years' tax returns before November.

Christina Freundlich, a spokeswoman for McAuliffe, said the former governor would share a summary of recent years returns before the election.

In 2013, during the race between McAuliffe and then-Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, Cuccinelli allowed reporters to examine eight years worth of complete federal and state income tax returns, including itemized sources of income and deductions.

After more than a week of public pressure, McAuliffe released summaries of three years of federal returns to reporters, withholding all information about the sources of his income and the deductions and exemptions he enjoyed, the AP reported at the time.

Also on the ballot for governor next month is third-party candidate Princess Blanding, an activist and educator who did not respond to the AP's initial inquiry about whether she intended to release any tax return information.

Jeff Thomas, a Richmond native and the author of two books about money, corruption and influence in Virginia politics, said politicians' tax returns should be a matter of public record.

A campaign finance system that prevents the public from knowing basic information about how politicians make their money permits two shady gazillionaires to blanket the airwaves with images portraying themselves as avuncular everymen, he wrote in an email.
MOCKSVILLE, N.C. (AP)  A North Carolina man has been charged after deputies found a woman dead inside a home, a sheriff's office said.

The Davie County Sheriffs Office said deputies responded to a location on Tuesday after being told someone had been shot, WGHP reported. Inside the home, the deputies found the body of Tiffany Dawn Robertson, 29, of Mocksville, the sheriff's office said.

According to the sheriffs office, the caller, Jonathan Edward Myers, 30, of Mocksville, was arrested and charged with voluntary manslaughter. Myers is in the county jail on a $225,000, and its not known if he has an attorney.

The sheriff's office said the investigation is continuing.
Marye Louise Howse, age 71, of Cullman, passed away on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at Hanceville Nursing Home. She was born April 23, 1950, to Rayburn R. and Thelma L. Brown. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Randall Brown. Survivors include her husband, David Howse; son,
Split Rock, with ladder. Photo: Kate Munning of the Land Conservancy of New Jersey

Not long ago, a man named Owl asked if I wanted to accompany him to a sacred site. He picked me up at an NJ Transit train station about 40 miles from Manhattan and drove me down a wooded road near the border of Bergen County, New Jersey, and Rockland County, New York. A lawyer in his early 50s, he wore black cargo pants, a black military vest, and a pair of thick glasses that made him look a little like his namesake. We pulled over near an ordinary-looking suburban home and began walking up an unmarked trail into the woods. About 15 minutes later, we stepped into a clearing scattered with blueberry bushes. There, looming before us, was a spectacular sight. A boulder about the size and shape of a small house sat at the top of the hill. A jagged fissure ran down the middle of it, and two smaller, flat boulders flanked its approach, like columns on either side of the gate to an ancient temple. This is Split Rock, Owl said. For thousands of years, maybe more, people who lived in these woods understood it to be a place of power, a portal to other worlds. We stood there for a moment in silence, listening to the birds and, from farther off, the dull roar of traffic on Route 17. From the Indigenous perspective, these boulders are beings that should be respected, just like the trees, the water, the mountain, Owl said. Just now, in this age, the world is coming to the realization that the Earth itself is alive, but Indigenous people never lost that consciousness.

Owl is a member of the Ramapough Lenape Nation, a community of a few thousand people who have lived in the Ramapo Mountains of New York and New Jersey for longer than anyone can remember. Among their white suburban neighbors, rumors about them have circulated for generations. As recently as 2012, a travel website called Weird NJ alluded to stories of a degenerate race of people who live an isolated existence from the civilized world. Outsiders have posited all sorts of theories about their origins, pegging them as the descendants of fugitive slaves or deserters from the Revolutionary War, but the Ramapough regard these tales as insidious lies. They say that they are among the last remaining members of the Ramapough Munsee band of the Lenape, the first inhabitants of the fields and forests that once stretched across what is now New York City and its suburbs. This land has always been sacred to us, Owl said.

On a recent Tuesday, Owl and a few dozen other tribe members and supporters gathered in a government building in Rockland County for a hearing that would potentially determine the fate of one of the most sacred parts of that land. If the county legislature were to vote in their favor that evening, the tribe would legally take possession of the Split Rock site, protecting it from the encroaching threat of real-estate development. The surrounding hills were too steep and rocky to have attracted much interest from developers in the past, which helps explain how the Ramapough, some of whom can see the New York City skyline from their front steps, have been able to hold on to their ancestral home for as long as they have. But in recent years, an influx of wealth into the area has driven more and more Ramapough out of their houses and off their land. Now there was a danger that they could lose access to Split Rock itself.

For the time being, the mountain property belonged to the Rockland County Sewer District, which operates a wastewater-treatment plant at the bottom of the hill. The District had decided to auction off the undeveloped 53-acre parcel in 2019, but developers had yet to snatch it up. The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, along with the Ramapough tribe and other partners, had swooped in and asked the District to halt the auction. After conducting an appraisal, the Land Conservancy offered to buy the property for $290,000. The environmentalist group had forged close ties with the Ramapough, and had made arrangements to turn the land over to the tribe if the deal went through. Both the tribe and the environmentalists envisioned an unbroken expanse of woodland eventually stretching from the southern tip of New Jersey all the way up to New Yorks Bear Mountain, and thought of the Split Rock land as an important piece of that puzzle. It was now up to the Rockland County Legislature to decide whether to allow the sale to go forward.

At the hearing, Chief Dwaine Perry, the senior leader of the tribe, stepped up to the podium in a gray blazer and a traditional Ramapough Munsee roach, a headdress made primarily from the hair of a deer tail. A Vietnam veteran, he noted that the Lenape had allowed George Washington to use the Ramapo Pass during the Revolutionary War, giving the Continental Army a key strategic advantage over the British. Like all important tribal decisions, this one was likely made at the Split Rock site, he said. Later, I asked if he had spent much time there as a kid. The only thing I really knew about Split Rock was that the women, the elders, would go up there and do something Indian, he said. At the time, what that meant was, You do not ask. He now understood why they had been so careful to keep their ceremonies a secret. In the 1960s, white supremacists burned crosses on the mountain, a deliberate act of desecration, he figured. Less has changed since that time than one might hope. Last year, someone spray-painted an American flag on one of the boulders.

The next speaker was David Johnson, an independent archeologist who said he had studied hundreds of Native American ceremonial sites. Split Rock was one of the most important of all of them, he said. A lifelong resident of Poughkeepsie, Johnson spent years investigating the Nazca Lines, a network of ancient geoglyphs in the desert of southern Peru. Then I came back to New York State and realized I had this in my backyard, he told me. According to Johnson, Split Rock sat at the center of a complex of similar sites  boulders that had been moved by glaciers and modified, in various ways, by human hands. If you knew how to interpret these formations, you could travel across the region from one site to another as though following a Rand McNally map of the Native Americans. The Lenape viewed each of these sites as a portal between the present world, the underground realm of ancestors, and the spiritual world of the sky above, Johnson said. At least once a year, Split Rocks connection to the celestial world would have been especially clear. On the morning of the winter solstice, according to Owl and other witnesses, sunlight shoots through the shaft in the rock, projecting a laserlike beam onto a nearby boulder.

The possibility of developers claiming the property represented just the latest threat to the Ramapough land and people. As a 2007 report by the state of New Jersey had noted, the Ramapough faced blatant discrimination and significant and direct threats to their physical and economic well-being. In just the last few years, an oil company had attempted to thread a pair of pipelines through the mountains; a private homeowners association called the Ramapo Hunt & Polo Club had been trying to shut down the tribes prayer camp; and the Environmental Protection Agency had announced what the tribe considered a dangerously inadequate plan to clean up the toxic sludge that the Ford Motor Company had dumped on their land back in the 60s and 70s. It is a great stain on the history of the United States what has been done to Native Americans in this country, Itamar Yeger, a county legislator, said at the hearing. The proposed measure was one small step that we can take to right the wrongs, he added. The measure was put to a vote, and the legislators, all of them, let out a chorus of ayes.

Afterward, as tribe members mingled outside, some expressed amazement that the hearing had gone so well. Stewart and Joyce DeGroat, cousins, reflected on the long history of real-estate scams that had cheated the Lenape out of nearly all of their land. According to the well-known apocryphal legend, the Lenape sold the island of Manhattan for some trinkets and beads in 1626. We make some of the best jewelry in the world, Stewart said, holding out a beaded necklace that Joyce had made for him. Why would we need beads from you? Joyce told me that she hoped that the perception of the Ramapough was finally changing. I know a lot of people look at us like were in a cult, she said. Were not a cult, all right? We know who we are.

Owl regarded the hearing as a hopeful sign for the planet as a whole. All Indigenous ceremonies are about respecting the environment, and thats part of whats important about this decision, he said. If we listen to Indigenous people and honor our ancestors, perhaps we can live in a better way than were living now. Back when I visited the site with him, he had guided me through a brief meditation, and then had led me to the edge of an escarpment. In the distance, beyond the gray ribbon of the Hudson, rose the hazy outline of Manhattan. I asked Owl if everything that we were looking at had once been Lenape land. It still is, he said.
TikTok challenges

Recently, there has been a series of monthly challenges'' that have surfaced and are spreading nationwide on the popular social media platform, TikTok. Below is a list of challenges that two local school districts provided to parents.

 Mess up a toilet/vandalize a restroom

 Smack a staff member on the backside

 Kiss your friends girlfriend at school

 Show your genitals in school halls

 Jab a breast

 Mess up school signs

 Make a mess in the courtyard or cafeteria

 Grab some eggz (theft/stealing)

 Ditch day

 Flip off front office

 Spray a neighbors fence
Reva Mae Love, age 75, of Dalton, Georgia passed away on Thursday, November 18, 2021. She was born on September 10, 1946. She is preceded in death by parents, Herbert and Lela "Grant" Lawson; brother, Charles Lawson. She is survived by her husband, Bubba (Harold) Love of Dalton; son, Brian F
Unless you served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, you cannot imagine the pressure that British troops faced there. We had to keep our cool in the flames of hell.

Within days of my arrival on my second tour of duty in 1972, I saw an 18-year-old paratrooper, Private Francis Bell, shot dead by a sniper on the Ballymurphy estate.

Within minutes, as news spread, there were crowds on the streets, shouting and celebrating because a teenage boy was lying there lifeless.

It was sickening. But we were not there to retaliate. With my comrades in the Parachute Regiment, I was there as part of a peacekeeping force, to quell the violence. We followed the strictest rules of engagement and we obeyed them, even with our lives in peril every hour of every day.

I am intensely proud of how the British Army conducted itself in Northern Ireland during my seven tours there in the Seventies and Eighties with the Paras, and my subsequent duties with the SAS.

The news yesterday that Army veteran Dennis Hutchings (pictured arriving at the Supreme Court in London in 2019) had died on Monday aged 80, still fighting to clear his name over an incident from almost 50 years ago, fills me with bitter resentment

Bravery

How many coffins I carried, and how many of my friends were killed, some in front of my eyes, I have lost count.

That's why the news yesterday that Army veteran Dennis Hutchings had died on Monday aged 80, still fighting to clear his name over an incident from almost 50 years ago, fills me with bitter resentment.

Mr Hutchings, a former soldier with the Life Guards, was charged with the attempted murder of John Pat Cunningham in County Tyrone in 1974. Mr Cunningham was shot during a chase by an Army patrol, after he was seen acting suspiciously. Mr Hutchings has always insisted he did not fire the fatal shot, but fired three warnings.

Terminally ill with kidney disease and heart problems, he could have asked for his trial to be postponed indefinitely due to his health. His hospital consultant advised him against travelling from his home in Cornwall to Belfast for the hearing.

Instead, determined to prove his innocence and remove the stain on his character, he elected with true bravery to face the court.

Harry McCallion is pictured in Quatan in 1984

It was only when he contracted Covid during the proceedings this month that the hearing was suspended. On Monday he was taken to hospital, where he died.

Dennis Hutchings was betrayed by the country he served. The sight of this undaunted man, wearing his medals in court but refused permission to appear in uniform, is a national disgrace.

When I meet fellow veterans, betrayals such as this one are the foremost topic of conversation. A couple of weeks ago, I was at a memorial service to give the eulogy for an officer who went through SAS selection with me. Many veterans of Northern Ireland were there.

The phrase I heard most often was: 'This is a witch-hunt.' That's what it feels like  false charges, drummed up to feed a collective hysteria, with no connection to reality.

None of us could have imagined, when we signed up to serve, that this is how we would be repaid.

Men like Dennis Hutchings are being systematically stripped of the respect they have earned through their bravery. They should be celebrated as the quietly decent, unflinching heroes they have proved themselves to be on numerous occasions.

Instead, they are too often forgotten or, worse still, have their names traduced. That is hard to bear. But we've been taking it for a very long time.

In 1971, Sergeant Michael Willetts of 3 Para sacrificed his life to save civilians, by putting his body in front of a suitcase bomb in the Springfield Road RUC station. The bomb exploded and he was killed instantly.

His extraordinary courage saved the lives of two children, two adults and several police officers whom he shielded from the blast. His wife June was pregnant at the time.

The following day, a mural appeared on a wall opposite the bombed-out station. It depicted a pregnant woman. Underneath were daubed the words: 'Mrs Willetts ha-ha-ha.'

Taunts

I dread to think what reprisals might have been meted out by the military units of some other countries, less disciplined than the British Army.

We held our nerve, even in the face of daily taunts from known IRA killers who would saunter past us in the street, grinning and sneering. We were certain that these men had the blood of our comrades on their hands, but we kept our anger in check.

We often felt like moving targets. It is inevitable  and the governments of the day knew this full well  that when highly-trained assault infantry are sent into an urban environment and they come under fire, they will defend themselves. That happened to me, for instance, on the Ballymurphy estate in Belfast in the summer of 1971, during Operation Demetrius. Ten civilians were killed, caught in the crossfire.

We held our nerve, even in the face of daily taunts from known IRA killers who would saunter past us in the street, grinning and sneering. We were certain that these men had the blood of our comrades on their hands, but we kept our anger in check. Pictured, Dennis Hutchings

The ultimate findings of the inquest, that those killed were innocent, was in my opinion inevitable. Although why any civilian would be out of doors during a gun battle baffles me. Casualties were tragically inevitable, but they were certainly not intentional.

I was outraged at a Channel 4 documentary in 2018, Massacre At Ballymurphy, that depicted paratroopers as savage, unthinking murderers and every civilian as an innocent.

Subsequently, I was subpoenaed to attend an inquiry, one that wasted millions of pounds of public money. I must make clear that I would not favour any move to put servicemen above the law. But this was not justice  it was a farce.

During seven hours in the witness box, I was denounced as a liar. My public and private life were held up to question and even ridicule.

Still, I am grateful for one moment, when a barrister asked me disdainfully whether I was proud to have served with the Parachute Regiment.

Killers

'This is a regiment,' I replied, 'that won four Victoria Crosses in World War II, two more in the Falklands and another two in Afghanistan  as well as the George Cross awarded to Sergeant Willetts. Who would not be proud?'

Though I am lucky enough to be in good health, that hearing was an ordeal. To drag a dying man, as Mr Hutchings was, through such a debacle is utterly wrong.

These relentless attacks on British soldiers, hounding them to the edge of the grave, must stop. There is no justification. Only the lawyers, who make fat fees from the public purse in every case, see any advantage in them.

To achieve peace in Northern Ireland, veterans have accepted the pardoning of hundreds of IRA terrorists, as part of the Good Friday Agreement. Many of those who walked free, assured that their characters were unblemished, are unrepentant killers. Some still brag of murdering British soldiers.

It defies logic that former soldiers should be dragged into court to face nonsensical charges backed by the most dubious evidence. It serves no purpose. It prolongs the agony of the Troubles and it makes scapegoats of men who served with the greatest honour.

For God's sake, Dennis Hutchings has to be the last to suffer and die like this.
The question is not a new one. In fact, it was being asked nearly four decades back: Are we asking too much of our Queen?

An article in the Times in February 1982, on the eve of the 30th anniversary of her reign, politely suggested that the time might have come for the Monarch to step back and let the younger generation shoulder the load.

The Queen made it pretty clear what she thought of that suggestion soon afterwards by hopping on a plane to Canada to sign a new constitution, having the Reagans to stay at Windsor, welcoming home the troops from the Falklands War and then embarking on a round-the-world trip to the South Seas where she was carried through the capital of Tuvalu in a war canoe.

The Queen (pictured at Ascot on Saturday) has scrapped this week's visit to Northern Ireland

Here we are four months shy of her seventieth anniversary on the Throne. And the very same question is being asked once again in the wake of yesterday's news that the Queen has scrapped this week's visit to Northern Ireland.

To repeat: Are we asking too much of our Queen?

To which the answer is: Yes, but In recent days, we have seen the Queen open the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments, honour the centenary of the Royal British Legion and host a summit of international financiers at Windsor Castle. That's on top of the usual round of diplomatic audiences and the daily (albeit unseen) chore of the red box full of state papers.

She even found time to slip away to British Champions Day at Ascot at the weekend (though we can safely assume that this was pleasure, not business). On paper, this seems a ludicrous schedule for any 95-year-old, even if we were not in the midst of a pandemic.

However, here comes the 'but': The Queen would not have it any other way.

It was suggested the Queen in 1982 (pictured during a tour of Tuvalu with Prince Philip) step back and let the younger generation shoulder the load

She does not just do all these things because they are her 'duty'. That makes them sound like a burden to be tolerated through gritted teeth. She does them because that is what she is for. And she thoroughly enjoys being of use to her nation. Even so, say her doctors, to despatch her to Northern Ireland on top of all this was a tall order too far.

It was to have been a two-day trip, including an overnight stay at Hillsborough Castle, her Ulster residence. And it was going to be anything but straightforward. The centrepiece of her programme was to have been a major service to mark 100 years of the creation of Northern Ireland.

Though the ecumenical ceremony has been painstakingly devised by all the churches to reach across all sectarian divides, there have been endless rows about it.

The event has received a robust thumbs-down from the Queen's opposite number, the Irish President Michael D Higgins. He has denied that his refusal to attend was a snub to the Queen, insisting that the event was not 'neutral' enough and that there was a grave problem with his invitation.

'I was also referred to as the President of the Republic of Ireland,' he solemnly informed the Irish Times. 'I am the President of Ireland.'

The Queen (pictured in Newfoundland in 1997) enjoys performing her duties because she wants to be of use to her nation

Given such acute, hair-trigger sensitivities, here was an event crying out for the calming, benign, common-sensical, soothing influence which the Queen brings to these occasions.

I have no doubt that she and her dresser, Angela Kelly, will have been giving a very great deal of thought to what she was going to wear (red, white, blue, green and orange all being problematic in one way or another at such an event).

The Queen was not merely up for it. She was looking forward to it.

Two words stand out in the short statement from Buckingham Palace yesterday  'reluctantly' and 'disappointed'.

However, she is also wise enough to know when to stand her ground and when to follow orders.

There was another good example of this four years ago when her officials finally managed to persuade her not to take part in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.

She has watched from a balcony ever since. She was very 'reluctant' about that, too.

It has also just been revealed that the Queen has given up her preprandial gin and Dubonnet (pictured raising a toast in 2014)

Equally, she could see that walking backwards in her tenth decade  on live television  was not risk-free.

Yesterday's decision follows a pattern of decisions which should be seen as sensible precautions and not a cause for alarm bells.

One such was last week's appearance of a walking stick at the Legion service in Westminster Abbey.

It has also just been revealed that the Queen has given up her preprandial gin and Dubonnet (a self-imposed decision which has actually been in place for many months, I understand, and was not taken on doctors' orders; nor has she forsworn alcohol altogether).

Her approach to the job has not changed one bit.

Hence this week's decision to turn down the 'Oldie of the Year' award on the basis that she did not feel old enough to receive it.

However, that zest for life and for the job is tempered with an acceptance that if she is going to be on form tomorrow, then there may need to be adjustments today.

Cop26 is coming up fast and she is determined to play her part in that. Ditto her appearance on the balcony at the Cenotaph, the most sacred event in her diary.

She is also very conscious that she needs to be in tip-top shape for next year's Platinum Jubilee. By then, no doubt, we will be asking the same old question all over again.
Gender reveal parties can be a fun way to announce exciting news to loved ones, but as the trend becomes ever more popular, some of the outlandish celebrations are taking things a bit too far.

Hilarious snaps from across the globe collated by Bored Panda show how some parents are embarassing their offspring before they're even born.

From a failed smoke reveal that showed neither pink nor blue to a tacky cake with the words 'we're here for the sex, social media users have shared hilariously cringey snaps of gender reveals gone wrong.

Elsewhere, a car crashed into a shop'd window with words written on the hood that read 'it's a boy', while another snap shows the questionable use of a hot dog toy to signal the upcoming arrival of a baby boy.

Clucking hell! Although this cake with rubber ducks is fairly cute, the allusion to swear words might not be ideal for a family party

Let's hope nobody gets the wrong idea! One mother-to-be was not impressed when her husband came home from the cake shop with this offering

One US partygoer was not impressed by the focus on genetalia at this unusual gender reveal

This poor dog from Pennsylvania not only got dyed blue (and badly) but then seemed to have been abandoned afterwards

Well that's one way to make an entrance! This US driver decided that criminal damage was a great way to celebrate the coming of a child

According to this American parent, their child will either like violent and dangerous machinery or sparkly things...

Holy smoke! While this cake might be an attempt at a joke, the relevance of marijuana and babies doesn't quite seem to add up

These terrifying monstrosities from the US are not only hideously for a gender reveal party, but extortionately expensive unless you enjoy nightmares

This American parent clearly has a sense of humour but unfortunately it was misdirected into an odd rendition of children's genitals

Yet again, girls are reduced to loving bows and apparently American boys all join the police... interesting

Well at least we know a lot of money didn't go into this hilariously straight forward pizza reveal
A Texas man whose gory Halloween decorations prompted multiple police visits last year has defiantly amped up the horror with his lawn display this October, including a refurbished wood chipper that shoots gallons of fake blood across his yard.

Steven Novak, 43, from Dallas, made headlines in 2020 after the bloodbath filled with fake bodies that he artfully installed in front of his home led to neighbors calling 911 out of fear it was a real crime scene.

The artist and engineer behind the infamous 'Dallas Massacre' has since added to the gruesome decor, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at how he created the blood and guts in a series of viral TikTok videos.

'There are lots of new gimmicks to this years caper,' Novak told the Dallas Observer. 'The wood chipper blood fountain being the clear centerpiece and easily the most challenging prop.'

Scroll down for video

Bloodbath: Steven Novak, 43, from Dallas, Texas, has amped up the horror in his infamous Halloween display this October

Whoops! The homeowner made headlines in 2020 after his murder scene littered with fake bloody bodies led to multiple police visits

Clever: The artist and engineer behind the infamous 'Dallas Massacre' has since added to the gruesome decor, including a wood chipper that shoots fake blood across the yard

Can't miss it! Novak has also kept 'last year's hits,' including a dummy impaled by a chain saw

The homeowner said it took him months 'to find an old wood chipper for sale,' admitting that 'the sellers were not pleased with its new purpose.'

The machine, which has a bloody mannequin limb hanging out the top, squirts fake blood across the walkway into a small pool of 'guts' made out of painted insulation foam.

'Its all powered by a submersible water pump inside the [kiddie] pool which then leads back to the wood chipper fountain,' he explained. 'You can turn that pump on with your foot by pressing a hidden pedal switch.'

According to one of Novak's TikTok videos, the fountain blood is a mix of water, food coloring, and cocoa powder, which keeps the liquid from looking too translucent.

'There are lots of new details,' he told the local news. 'Fifty-five-gallon drums are now out by the curb filled up with the shredded party [of guests].

Body count: One mannequin hangs from the roof with a knife through its head while another dummy has its head smashed in by a large safe

Added touch: Novak filled the pool of fake blood surrounding the safe with wig and eyeballs

New details: Novak filled 55-gallon drums with the 'shredded' guests of the party. He included his Venmo account on one of the bins for donations

Brilliant: Another new addition is the fake door he installed to make it look like the house has been broken into by an ax murderer

Yikes: Fake bloody limps were stacked in a wheelbarrow and tossed all over the lawn

Ouch: One of the dummy on the property was impaled by a light sticking out of the grass

'And I made the body parts this year by cutting up mannequins then filling them with skeleton parts and Great Stuff insulation foam.'

Another new addition is the fake door he installed to make it look like the house has been broken into by an ax murderer.

He created the optical illusion by covering the real door with black paint that reflects very little light and mounting a second door swinging open on its hinges.

Novak has also kept 'last year's hits'  a mix of fake bodies and blood that were so gory they had the neighbors dialing the police.

There is still the dummy hanging off the roof with the large knife through its head and the fake body with its head smashed in by a large safe.

Popular: Novak has been giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at how he created the scene in a series of viral TikTok videos. In one clip, he is seen testing out the woodchipper blood fountain

Looks real! The horror lover made the guts in the kiddie pool out of painted insulation foam

Whatever works: Novak told the Dallas Observer that focusing on his over-the-top Halloween decor has helped keep his mind off of the real horror of the pandemic

Keeping it real: 'This year has been rough for a lot of people,' he said. 'I think we can agree that this project is functioning as a pressure release valve'

Wow: The house is even more terrifying at night when the wood chipper is spurting out fake blood across the walkway

Living his life: Novak shared that he wasn't worried about his Halloween display attracting more police attention, saying he welcomes them to come buy and 'take more selfies'

He also included the mannequin impaled by a chainsaw and the gallons of faux blood made out of corn syrup that was splattered all over the sidewalk.

Novak told the Dallas Observer that focusing on his over-the-top Halloween decor has helped keep his mind off of the real horror of the pandemic.

'This year has been rough for a lot of people,' he said. 'I think we can agree that this project is functioning as a pressure release valve.'

Novak is now welcoming donations to help fund his frightful work, and he included his Venmo account on one of the curbside bins.

As for the possibility of his updated massacre scene leading to more police visits, he isn't worried about it in the least.

'All the cops that came out last year were an absolute gas,' he said. 'I welcome them to come out and take more selfies.'
A little-known bay nestled in a national reserve has been described as a breathtaking 'paradise on earth'.



Situated six hours southeast of Perth in Western Australia, Little Beach at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve is a spectacular location that boasts divine scenery views.

The coastline is best known for brilliant shades of turquoise blue ocean waves and crystal white sand with surrounding peaks of greenery.

Little Beach at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve is a spectacular location that boasts divine scenery views

The coastline is best known for the brilliant shades of turquoise blue ocean waves and crystal white sand with surrounding peaks of greenery

The breathtaking bay is situated six hours southeast of Perth in Western Australia (pictured)

Travellers who have visited the incredible area say it's perfect for families and beach goers alike.

Bloggers Davey and List shared imagery of the spectacular beach on Instagram and said it's best to visit the bay in the morning for sunrise.

'Be sure to keep an eye out for the incredible eagles shooting the breeze while scouring the nearby hills!' the pair wrote online.

Travellers who have visited the incredible area said it's perfect for families and beach goers alike

Bloggers Davey and List shared imagery of the spectacular beach on Instagram and said it's best to visit the bay in the morning for sunrise

According to Explore Parks WA , the reserve is also home to the critically endangered Gilbert's potoroo and noisy scrub-bird

According to Explore Parks WA, the reserve is also home to the critically endangered Gilbert's potoroo and noisy scrub-bird.

Both species were presumed to be extinct until being rediscovered at Two Peoples Bay.

Others issued a stern warning to 'not be fooled' by the scenery as there can be strong undercurrents and unpredictable waves.

Others issued a stern warning to 'not be fooled' by the scenery as there can be strong undercurrents and unpredictable waves

One of the 'best ways' to access the small beach is to walk along the Heritage Trail. Alternatively you can drive from the visitor centre to Little Beach

One of the 'best ways' to access the small beach is to walk along the Heritage Trail.

The trail starts at the rear of the visitors centre and winds through woodland then loops along the beach, which is approximately a 4.6km walk classed as 'moderately difficult'.

Alternatively you can drive from the visitor centre to Little Beach.
A bizarre fashion trend is set to dominate offices across Australia as workers dress to the nines after months of lounging in lockdown leisurewear.

Once considered a jaded trend best left in the '90s, 'short suits' enjoyed a comeback in 2020 thanks to designers such as Off-White, Versace, and Saint Laurent.

The quirky twist on the power suit, which makes it easier to wear tailored pieces in scorching summer heat, was seen on guests attending headline events at Milan, Paris and New York Fashion Week in September.

And if the suit has received the coveted seal of approval from the European style set, it's only a matter of time before it's embraced by fashionistas Down Under.

Once considered a jaded trend best left in the '90s, 'short suits' enjoyed a comeback in 2020 thanks to designers such as Off-White, Versace, and Saint Laurent

Hailee Steinfeld wears a Thom Browne suit during New York Fashion Week in September 2021

Poll Are you a fan of the short suit trend? Yes No Are you a fan of the short suit trend? Yes 41 votes

No 98 votes Now share your opinion





Models and influencers are favouring over-sized suits in neutral colours such as grey, taupe, and cream, from big name labels like Calvin Klein and Thom Browne.

But if your budget won't stretch to a $2,000 two-piece, the ever swift fast-fashion industry has already got you covered.

Ultra-fast fashion website Shein is selling trendy sets from as little as $36.95, while Missguided has long tailored shorts for $54.95.

Australian retailer The Iconic stocks more sustainable choices, with linen blazers and matching Bermuda shorts from brands like Aere for $80 a piece.

Meanwhile Gen Z favourite Showpo, the wildly successful clothing site founded by Sydney woman Jane Lu, has sets in bold colours including lime and neon yellow for $139.99.

Shoppers looking for a middle ground have a range of looks to choose from at Oroton, an Australian heritage brand that sells timeless tailored shorts for $174.50.

Models and influencers are favouring over-sized suits from big name labels like Calvin Klein and Thom Browne

Ultra-fast fashion website Shein is selling trendy sets from as little as $36.95 (right), while Australian heritage brand Oroton has timeless tailored shorts for $174.50 (left)

Australian retailer The Iconic stocks more sustainable choices, with linen blazers and matching Bermuda shorts from brands like Aere for $80 a piece (pictured)

The easiest way to make the look office appropriate is to pair the shorts with a matching blazer and white shirt.

On cooler days, stylists recommend wearing the look with chunky combat boots, an ultra-flattering combination that makes your legs appear longer.

Long shorts can also be worn with sleeveless bodysuits and a belt, or with billowy blouses and a low kitten heel for a soft, feminine look that will take your from your desk to a night on the town.
After Travis Barker dropped down on one knee and asked Kourtney Kardashian to be his 'forever', 'Kravis' treated their famous families to an extravagant candlelit dinner at the Rosewood Miramar Hotel in Montecito, California.

Choices from the lavish Italian smorgasbord included 'Penryn Orchard Pears Salad', 'Buratta and Persimmon' or 'Weiser Farm Honeynut Squash Vellutata' to start, followed by 'Lobster Taglioni' and 'Plant-Based Cacio e Pepe' for main.

While many of the dishes left fans scratching their heads, some of Australia's swankiest restaurants are serving even more perplexing creations on their fine-dining menus.

After Travis Barker dropped down on one knee and asked Kourtney Kardashian to be his 'forever', 'Kravis' (right) treated their famous families to an extravagant candlelit dinner (left)

How many of these upscale menu items did you know? Pandanus: a native Australian fruit with an oily, nutty seed best eaten roasted Jamon Iberico de Bellota: free-range Spanish ham Matsutake: a Japanese pine mushroom Kangaroo tsukune: kangaroo meatballs Kombu cracker: crispy seaweed Pickled wakame: sea mustard Before closing its doors due to the crippling impact of the pandemic, MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo's restaurant Orana served things like matsutake, a Japanese pine mushroom (left) and 'Jamon Iberico de Bellota' - free-range Spanish ham Marron: crayfish Nasturtium buds: edible flowers Garum: a fermented fish sauce traditionally popular in Greece Sudachi: a small, round, green citrus fruit of Japanese origin Fleur de sel: sea salt (flower of salt) Vellutata: a savoury sauce made from roux and a light stock Advertisement

Before closing its doors due to the crippling impact of the pandemic, MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo's restaurant Orana served things like pandanus, a native Australian fruit with an oily, nutty seed best eaten roasted.

The upscale Adelaide eatery also offered diners gooseneck barnacles, a traditional Spanish crustacean, 'Jamon Iberico de Bellota' - free-range Spanish ham - and matsutake, a Japanese pine mushroom.

Another popular choice was kangaroo tsukune - kangaroo meatballs.

Further north in the heart of Sydney CBD, five-star seafood restaurant Cirrus is still serving eclectic dishes featuring things like Kombu crackers, which are crispy pieces of seaweed, and pickled wakame - a rare type of sea mustard.

Diners at the waterfront eatery in Barangaroo can also enjoy plates of fresh marron, a species of crayfish from Western Australia.

Gooseneck barnacles (left), a traditional Spanish crustacean, and garum (right), a fermented fish sauce traditionally popular in Greece

Just a few kilometres east, award-winning Quay restaurant has some of the most baffling options of all.

The three-hatted venue serves capers on a bed of nasturtium buds, an edible flower that is a staple in high-end eateries around the world.

Also on the menu are garum, a fermented fish sauce traditionally popular in Greece, and sudachi, a small, round, green citrus fruit of Japanese origin.
A nutritionist has shared a delicious quick and easy chicken taco recipe sure to spice up your weeknight dinner menu,

'Tacos are the ultimate quick meal! I've made mine super fresh and zesty,' Jessica Sepel, the founder of multi-million dollar vitamin empire, JSHealth, said, adding that the dish is best served with a hot sauce for 'extra punch'.

'Dice the chicken into small pieces so it cooks quickly and use a pre-prepared slaw mix if short on time,' she said. 'The chicken can be replaced with fish or, for a vegan option, tofu, tempeh or black beans.'

A nutritionist has shared a delicious quick and easy chicken taco recipe sure to spice up your weeknight dinner menu

Recipe: How to make Jessica Sepel's spicy chicken tacos Ingredients Tacos  1/8 red cabbage, shredded  1 carrot, grated  small handful coriander leaves, finely chopped  1 tbsp apple cider vinegar  1 tbsp sweet paprika  1 tsp ground cumin   tsp chilli flakes  2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil  1 clove garlic, minced  300g chicken breast, diced  6 corn tortillas, or tortillas of choice Salsa   avocado, diced  10 cherry tomatoes, finely diced  1/8 red onion, finely diced   lime, juiced Method 1. To make the salsa, place all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Season with sea salt and black pepper and toss. 2. To make the salad, combine the shredded cabbage, carrot, coriander leaves and apple cider vinegar in a bowl. 3. To prepare the chicken, place the sweet paprika, cumin, chilli flakes, 1 tbsp olive oil and garlic in a mixing bowl. Season with sea salt and black pepper and stir until smooth. Add the diced chicken to the bowl and stir until the chicken is evenly coated. 4. Heat the remaining olive oil in a large non-stick fry pan over a medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the pan and cook for 5 minutes or until cooked through. 5. Whilst the chicken is cooking, prepare the tortillas as per the packet instructions. 6. Fill each taco with the cabbage salad, cooked chicken and top with the salsa and an extra squeeze of lime! Serves 2 - 3 Advertisement

To begin, Jessica makes the salsa by tossing avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion and lime in a small bowl and seasoning with sea salt and black pepper.

She then makes the salad by combining shredded cabbage, carrot, coriander leaves and apple cider vinegar in a bowl.

Onto the chicken, Jessica places sweet paprika, cumin, chilli flakes, olive oil and garlic in a mixing bowl before seasoning it with sea salt and black pepper and stirring until smooth.

Jessica's recipes have been dubbed a 'life-saver' by many fans, with the health expert recently posting her healthy take on a nourishing Mexican bowl

She then adds diced chicken to the bowl and stirs it until it's is evenly coated.

She then heats the remaining olive oil in a large non-stick fry pan over a medium-high heat, adds the chicken and cooks for five minutes or until cooked through.

To finish, Jessica prepares the tortillas and fills each one with cabbage salad, cooked chicken, salsa and an extra squeeze of lime.

Jessica's recipes have been dubbed a 'life-saver' by many fans, with the health expert recently posting her healthy take on a nourishing Mexican bowl.

Recipe: How to make Jessica Sepel's Nachos Nourish Bowls Ingredients 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil  red onion, diced 1 garlic clove, crushed 2 tsp cumin powder 2 tsp sweet paprika 1 400g tin black beans, rinsed & drained 1 head cos lettuce, shredded 2 handfuls corn chips  cup corn kernels, we used frozen  avocado, smashed 3 tbsp Greek yoghurt, optional, or coconut yoghurt for dairy-free 40g (1.4oz) cheddar cheese, grated, omit for dairy-free 6 jalapeno slices Salsa 10 cherry tomatoes, quartered  cucumber, diced 1/8 red onion, diced  lime, juiced 1/8 bunch coriander, leaves shredded Method 1. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a non-stick pan over a medium high heat. Add the red onion, garlic, cumin and sweet paprika and saute for 2-3 minutes or until the onion has softened. 2. Add the black beans to the pan with a splash of water. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Saute for a further 3-4 minutes. 3. To make the salsa, combine all of the ingredients in small bowl and stir to combine. Season with sea salt and black pepper. 4. To assemble your nacho bowl, arrange the shredded cos lettuce and corn chips across the base of 2 serving bowls. Add the bean mix, corn kernels and salsa. Top with smashed avocado, Greek yoghurt, cheddar cheese and jalapeno slices. Advertisement

She combined her two favourite things - Mexican and nourish bowls - together for the delicious dish, describing it as 'zesty, creamy, spicy and fresh all at once'.

To make it Jess heats extra virgin olive oil in a non-stick pan over a medium high heat and adds red onion, garlic, cumin and sweet paprika before sauteing them for two to three minutes.

She then adds black beans to the pan with a splash of water, seasons with sea salt and black pepper and sautes for a further three to four minutes.

To make the salsa, Jess combines all of the ingredients in small bowl and stirs to combine before seasoning the tasty mix with sea salt and black pepper.

Once ready to assemble, she arranges the shredded cos lettuce and corn chips across the base of two serving bowls then adds the bean mix, corn kernels and salsa.

To finish, she tops with smashed avocado, Greek yoghurt, cheddar cheese and jalapeno slices.

Today, a JSHealth product sells somewhere in the world every 27 seconds, Jessica's vitamin range is the second most popular stocked in Australian pharmacies and there are more than 25,000 independent glowing reviews for her products online

Since the launch of her vitamins in 2019, Jessica's JSHealth has gone from strength to strength and she has thousands of loyal fans who follow her for her tasty recipe ideas and simple health advice.

Today, a JSHealth product sells somewhere in the world every 27 seconds, Jessica's vitamin range is the second most popular stocked in Australian pharmacies and there are more than 25,000 independent glowing reviews for her products online.

'Every single product has come about through an issue that's been raised within the community. I've always been more gratified by customer reviews and personal stories more than by hitting KPIs and making millions,' she told FEMAIL.

'While it's obviously great to financially reach a certain level of success, I'm more interested in empowering women and creating a safe space for women to learn more about nutrition and health.'
When high school sweethearts Angela and Elijah Kim launched Bubzi Co in 2016 they had their 'genius' idea would turn over $26 million in just five years.

The Sydney couple, both 36, were inspired to start the business venture after noticing many new millennial parents around the world were turning to Amazon to purchase nursery products of 'low quality'.

The brand's first product was a nasal aspirator - a reusable suction device that relieves babies of nasal congestion and mucus.

But the success didn't come without struggle as Elijah, who was a budding entrepreneur, spent $250,000 on eight separate business attempts that failed prior to Bubzi Co.

Since then they have sold more than 200,000 nasal aspirators worldwide and have landed a deal with Woolworths.

Sydney couple Angela and Elijah Kim (pictured) launched Bubzi Co in 2016 after noticing new millennial parents around the world were turning to Amazon to purchase nursery products

The brand's first product was a nasal aspirator - a reusable suction device that relieves babies of nasal congestion

'We decided to create our own business selling high-quality nursery items that are good value,' Angela told Daily Mail Australia.

'We want to assist parents through the monumental change in their life after having a baby.'

The business idea struck a chord with the pair who were wanting to become parents themselves, and now have a two-year-old daughter.

But the previous failed business attempts left Elijah feeling 'nervous' to start the new brand and the couple decided to invest only $1,000 to get Bubzi Co up and running.

Thankfully the investment paid off after the pair started selling the nasal device on Amazon.

Angela said nasal aspirators are an 'essential product' parents were looking to use to remove 'boogas' from their baby's nose - but many products sold on the market at the time didn't work efficiently and received complaints.

The Bubzi Co $19.95 nasal aspirator is designed with a silicone trip that goes into the baby's nostril and a using breath the parent can gentle inhale through a suction tube to remove the mucus buildup.

A unique mouthpiece also prevents the snot and germs from the nose entering the parent's mouth.

The clever mucus extractor is ideal for infants and can clear the toughest congestions in 30 seconds.

But the success didn't come without struggle, as Elijah spent $250,000 on eight separate business attempts that failed prior to Bubzi Co

The Bubzi Co $19.95 nasal aspirator is designed with a silicone trip that goes into the baby's nostril and a using breath the parent can gentle inhale through a suction tube to remove the mucus buildup

Bubzi Co has achieved majority of their success by selling on Amazon to reach customers internationally, but Angela and Elijah are excited to sell the nasal aspirator to Australian parents in store.

In the first year, the business made $3.2 million, which was reinvested it all back into the brand to grow it further.

From October 18 the Premium Baby Nasal Aspirator will be available to purchase in 308 Woolworths stores, making it the brand's first debut in Australian stores after selling on Amazon.

Angela pitched the product to Woolworths in December 2020 after customers flooded their stall at a pregnancy and baby exhibition.

The brand has achieved majority of their success by selling on Amazon to reach customers overseas. In the first year, the business made $3.2 million

In addition to the nasal buy, the brand has extended their range to 12 products - including sleep soothers, play mats and bed spreads

When asked what's next for the brand, Angela said she and Elijah hope to work with more retailers and turn Bubzi Co into a 'household name' in Australia

In addition to the nasal buy, the brand has extended their range to 12 products - including sleep soothers, play mats and bed spreads.

The most popular seems to be the $34.95 DIY keepsake where parents can create handprints and footprints of their infant using clay.

When asked what's next for the brand, Angela said she and Elijah hope to work with more retailers to turn Bubzi Co into a 'household name' in Australia.

A percentage of the proceeds made are also donated to charities that align with the brand's values - including Postpartum Support International (PSI) and B1G1 to assist pregnant women in rural India.

Australians can purchase the Bubzi Co nasal device from Woolworths and all products on Amazon.
Australian brand Streets has made a huge change to its iconic Viennetta ice cream cake that will sure delight nostalgic shoppers everywhere.

The dessert, which has been a family favourite since the 80s, now comes in a Neapolitan flavour - complete with vanilla, chocolate and strawberry.

The new variant combines three classic ice cream flavours, with layers of chocolate and topped with dark chocolate curls.

The product is set to land in the freezer aisles in Coles supermarket stores for $6.60.

Streets has made a huge change to its iconic Viennetta ice cream cake that will sure delight nostalgic shoppers everywhere. The dessert, which has been a family favourite since the 80s, now comes in a Neapolitan flavour - complete with vanilla, chocolate and strawberry

Many have described the new creation as 'next level' and 'life changing' while others said they couldn't wait to give it a go.

'The regular one was a huge part of our family dinners for many years. The vanilla one is amazing so can't wait to try this one,' one mum wrote.

Another said: 'It's getting fancy,' while one added: 'Now this is a dessert.'

Many revealed they are planning to surprise loved ones with the new ice cream cake on their birthdays or at gatherings over summer.

Earlier this week, Coles sent ice cream fans into a meltdown after unveiling a new range of mini 'Vienna' sticks, inspired by the 80s classic dessert Viennetta.

Earlier this week, Coles sent ice cream fans into a meltdown after unveiling a new range of mini 'Vienna' sticks, inspired by the 80s classic dessert Viennetta

The vanilla flavoured sticks comes in a pack of five for just $5.

'We just have no words. This is not a dream people... Coles has reimagined the iconic Viennetta dessert and created their new Vanilla Mini Vienna Sticks,' The Grocery Geek AU wrote on Facebook.

'Creamy vanilla flavoured dessert and choc layers on a stick... is there anything else you would want in life? We are off to Coles at warp speed.'

Hundreds of nostalgic shoppers responded to the thread, saying they have added the dessert to their shopping list.

'If this isn't our childhood on a stick, I don't know what is,' one wrote, while another added: 'Omg omg omg I need this asap.'

While one joked: 'Birthday cake on a stick.'
Actor David Harewood broke down in tears after discovering the names of his four-times great grandparents and having an extraordinary conversation with The Earl of Harewood, whose ancestors enslaved them.

The Homeland star, 55, who was born in Birmingham to Barbadian parents, travelled to Barbados to see the plantations his relatives worked on and to Harewood House in Yorkshire - the home of an aristocratic British family which was built with the profits made from slavery.

He met with Viscount David Lascelles, 70, the 8th Earl of Harewood who is the Queen's godson and first cousin once removed. The actor's surname is taken from the name of the home. Slaves, who had no record of their ancestry, were given their master's names.

In scenes captured by Channel 5's cameras for the documentary 1,000 Years A Slave, which aired last night, the aristocrat explained that he doesn't feel guilty about his family's past, but does feel 'accountable' to make his family name a force for good today.

Actor David Harewood broke down in tears after discovering the names of his four-times great grandparents and having an extraordinary conversation with The Earl of Harewood, whose ancestors enslaved them in a new Channel 5 documentary (pictured together)

The pair first met in 2007, during celebrations to mark the bicentennial of the Abolition of Slavery Act, but at the time David didn't know the names of his enslaved ancestors. David also visited the home - near Leeds - in his 20s but had no idea of his family's connection to it.

But after meeting with genealogists in Barbados, he discovered that his paternal great-great-great-great grandfather Richard Harewood was born in 1817 at the Fortescue Plantation in St Phillip which helped to fund the English country home.

Richard's wife Betty - David's four times great-grandmother - was also born into slavery at the Fortescue Plantation.

While David had explored some of his family tree, he had never known the names of his enslaved ancestors until meeting with local genealogist Pat Stafford in St Philip.

Before 1854 and the abolition of slavery, enslaved people weren't included in the registry of births and deaths, meaning David couldn't find the names through conventional methods.

The Homeland star, 54, (pictured) who was born in Birmingham to Barbadian parents, travelled to Barbados to see the plantations his relatives worked on and to Harewood House in Yorkshire - the home of an aristocratic British family which was built with the profits made from slavery.

But Pat was able to find name's of David's relatives by looking through slave records, which were introduced in 1817 following the Bussa's rebellion - the largest slave revolt in Barbadian history.

'I'm finding out about my family, it just helps to colour in my identity, and the history of my people. I'm sure it could get a little emotional, it's a very dark chapter in British history,' David explained, adding he was never taught about slavery in schools.

Sitting overlooking a cluster of sugar plantations with Pat, David explained 'I'm aware of some of my family tree.

'These plantations were owned by Leo of Harewood,' Pat explained.

'We found a record for a lady called Betty who had a son called Benjamin.

'I found Richard - aged 17 in 1834 - these people we believe are your four times great grandparents'.

Tearing up, David said 'that's incredible', adding 'it's quite a sad thing to know'.

While David had explored some of his family tree, he had never known the names of his enslaved ancestors until meeting with local genealogist Pat Stafford in St Philip, Barbados (pictured together)

In further upsetting scenes, the father-of-two read the Barbados Slave Code of 1661, a piece of colonial legislation with instructions to slave owners on how to control their 'chattels' with torture. The document instructed plantation masters to whip enslaved people and brand initials into their faces with hot irons.

David Harewood's paternal family tree Great- great-great-great grandfather Richard Harewood, born into slavery in 1817 at Thicket, Fortescue Plantation in St Phillip, later a labourer Great- great-great grandfather Benjamin William, born 1840, St John, Labourer Great- great grandfather, Daniel Harewood, born 1867 in St John (Labourer) Great-grandfather, Nathaniel Harwood born 1867 in St john Grandfather, Herbert Harewood, born 1900 in St John Father - Romeo Harewood, born 1937 in Barbados David Harewood- born 1965 in Birmingham, UK Advertisement

David is one of many British stars exploring their past that featured in the Channel 5 show.

Others included British-Ghanaian actor Hugh Quarshie, Tottenham MP David Lammy, who is of Guyanese and Barbadian descent and Lenny Henry who was born in Dudley to Jamaican parents.

Upon returning to the UK, David went to Harewood house to meet with Viscount David Lascelles, 8th Earl of Harewood, 70.

The Earl is a first cousin once removed of the Queen and a great-grandson of King George V.

Describing the palladium mansion - which was built on the profits of sugar and slavery as a 'monument to white supremacy', David explained the 'emotional toll' of the building up to the meeting as leaving him 'wasted'.

'The opulence, the grandeur, it's like a monument to white supremacy. What I don't see is the other side of the story,' the actor explained.

'I didn't sleep last night, I was thinking a lot about this meeting. I think the emotional toll of building up to it has left me pretty wasted, to actually meet the 8th Earl when it was the 2nd Earl who owned my grandparents, it's quite huge.

Speaking to the Earl, he went on: 'My great-great-great-great grandparents were slaves on your family's plantation, this is a beautiful house, but it was built on the proceeds of slavery, do you feel any guilt or shame about that?

'No, not in a personal way,' Viscount Lascelles replied.

'I don't feel feeling guilty about something you had no involvement with is helpful. I think you need to take responsibility for your own actions.

'But in this day and age I don't feel responsible, but I feel accountable. There's nothing you can do to change the past but you can be active in the present.

'We did a lot in 2007 for the bicentennial of the abolition of the slave trade and subsequently and the programmes we have here.

Upon returning to the UK, David went to Harewood House (pictured) to meet with David Lascelles, 8th Earl of Harewood, 70. The home was built on the profits of slavery

'What I try to do about that legacy, to try in a small way to make that a force for good today.

Breaking down after the meeting, David explained how he was grateful to be able to tell his daughters Maize, 18, and Raven, 16, about their ancestry.

'I underestimated the psychological toll of it, and knowing how much pushback there has been against Black Lives Matter in the press and social media, it's exhausting to deal with the ignorance because it's tangible to me.

'It's something I'm dealing with and working through. And my daughters will be able to know where they came from and understand where they came from in a way that I didn't.

'It's a sense of history and story and longevity and understanding of who I am I now understand who I am, I'm not just this kids that comes from Birmingham - I'm more than that.

'It makes me proud, very proud, I can say to my children, this is your grandparents, this is what happens to them, they survived, they must hold their heads up, they must continue the story, that's a proud line of strong people.'

Watch 1000 Years a Slave on My5
Emma Watson has raised eyebrows over the choice of her ensemble for the second time this week, after opting for a daring two-piece Emilia Wickstead set to interview politician and environmentalist Al Gore.

The actress, 31, was interviewing Al Gore about climate change, and opted for a cropped floral top and matching skirt made from leftovermaterials from the designer's resort 2022 collection.

However the two-piece ensemble - which was handmade in London using leftover fabrics - split opinion, with some followers asking 'where the rest of it' was.

Emma Watson has raised eyebrows over the choice of her ensemble for the second time this week, after opting for a daring two-piece Emilia Wickstead set to interview politician and environmentalist Al Gore

However the two-piece ensemble split opinion, with some followers asking 'where the rest of it' was

One fan joked: 'Where's the rest of the top?', while another said: 'Seems like there wasn't enough'.

Elsewhere one asked: 'Weren't you cold?' And one said: 'It's cute but I feel they could have put a bit more into that shirt - unnecesarily breezy.'

However many followers complimented the look, with one writing: 'I love that it's made from leftover materials'.

Another said: 'You look so pretty!', while one added: 'You're killing it!'.

Emma shared her admiration for Al Gore, the former Vice President of the United States who lost to George W. Bush in a very close race after a Florida recount.

The actress, 31, was interviewing Al Gore about climate change, and opted for a cropped floral top and matching skirt made from leftovermaterials from the designer's resort 2022 collection

Posting a video of their interview about climate change, she wrote: 'It was really surreal to meet and interview one of my idols. I think one of the many reasons I find Al Gore so compelling is that - even though he lost one of the biggest fights of his life to become president in 2000 (by such an unbearably close margin...) he has continued to do the work he set out to do despite humiliation, loss and defeat... the tides have been against him for years and hes kept swimming.

'That to me is a hero. Thankfully climate change action is becoming mainstream and the tides have turned in his direction and now we are all swimming with him. Em xx'.

She then added of her dress: 'Thank you to the loveliest Emilia for making me this beautiful custom piece. It was handmade in London using leftover fabrics consisting of 62% recycled yarn that was locally sourced, woven, and printed in Italy. I will be wearing this a lot!!'.

One fan joked: 'Where's the rest of the top?', while another said: 'Seems like there wasn't enough'

However many followers complimented the look, with one writing: 'I love that it's made from leftover materials'

Earlier this week Emma (left) divided opinion with her recycled Earthshot prize outfit - with one even joking that she was wearing the other half of Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton's 2021 Met Gala outfit, where he sported a lace net skirt over his suit (right)

One social media user joked: 'So that's where the rest of Lewis Hamilton's Met Gala outfit went!' (pictured)

Earlier in the week Emma was ridiculed by social media users over her bizarre Earthshot prize ensemble which was made up of 10 vintage dresses from Oxfam.

The Harry Potter star donned a very quirky backless white tulle dress worn over flared black trousers on the green carpet as she attended Prince William's inaugural award ceremony at Alexandra Palace in London on Sunday.

The Harry Potter star's outfit, which was designed by gender fluid fashion designer Harris Reed, caused quite the stir online - with one even joking that she was wearing the other half of Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton's 2021 Met Gala outfit, where he sported a lace net skirt over his suit.

'So that's where the rest of Lewis Hamilton's Met Gala outfit went!' joked one, while a second commented: 'Emma Watsons outfit is very in your nightie and remembered its bin night so pulled on the nearest trousers.

Emma is no stranger to quirky ensembles, donning a monochrome trouser suit to the MetGala in 2016 (left) and and an Oscar De La Renta dress complete with bow to the 'Beauty and the Beast' film press conference in 2017 (right)

Emma wore a daring black ruffled number revealing a satin-covered leg to the Little Women premiere in 2019 (left) and a pearl-encrusted Burberry number later that year (right)

Emma Watson attends 'The Circle' Paris Photocall at Hotel Le Bristol in 2017 in a printed t-shirt covered by a sheer sequinned ensemble

Emma, who kept to the environmental theme, paired her ensemble with black chunky boots and accessorised with stylish gold rings.

She kept her 'bronde' bob slicked back to the side and showed off a dangling gold and pearl earring.

The floral lace detail framed her bare back adding a feminine touch to her stunning ensemble - but not everybody was convinced by the unusual dress and trouser combination.

'Wtf is Emma Watson wearing?' one penned, while a second wrote: 'If you are watching #Earthshot are you also wondering if Emma Watson was unsure what to wear so went with both?'

Emma Watson was ridiculed by social media users over her bizarre Earthshot prize ensemble which was made up of 10 vintage dresses from Oxfam (pictured)

A third added: 'Im not a fan of it. At all. Emma s been into sustainable fashion for years, but this isnt it. Shes worn some beautiful outfits before. I dont know what happened here.'

Elsewhere, a fourth commented: 'You guys Im sorry but what the f*** in fashion disaster is this? What is your opinion on outfit that she wore to the #EarthshotPrize,' while a further wrote: 'I don't understand this outfit at all. Did someone take remnants from craft room and sew it together?'

Meanwhile, others expressed concerns about possible wasted materials.

'If this dress was made from 10 Oxfam outfits what happened to all the waste materials? I hope it didn't go to landfill or it defeats the object!' noted one.

Some had very differing opinions and praised the creativity behind Emma's outfit (pictured)

A second questioned: 'I love that Emma Watson had to use TEN wedding dresses to make just one outfit for these awards! Talk about wasting material'

However, a select few had very differing opinions and praised the creativity behind Emma's outfit.

'I adore Emma Watson's outfit. Completely adore it. It is no doubt Dior, Chanel, or the like so totally beyond the likes of me but it is divine,' wrote one.

A second penned: 'Emma Watson looks absolutely phenomenal!' while a third added: 'Beautiful.'
The Queen was in high spirits last night as she told US climate envoy John Kerry she 'saw him on the telly' during Prince William's 'Earthshot Prize thing' at a reception last night.

The monarch, 95, welcomed billionaire business leaders, presidential envoys and tech entrepreneurs to Windsor Castle for a lavish reception following a Government investment summit on Tuesday.

Among the guests invited to the Queen's Berkshire home after the day-long conference in London was Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who could be seen leaning forward to shake the monarch's hand, as well as Kerry.

During a line-up, Her Majesty could be heard telling the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate: 'I saw you on the telly the other night doing William's Earthshot Prize thing.'

The Duke of Cambridge, 39, hosted his first ever Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony on Sunday night, with Kerry appearing in a video message during the event.

The Queen was in high spirits last night as she told US climate envoy John Kerry she 'saw him on the telly' during Prince William's 'Earthshot Prize thing' at a reception last night

Prince William hosted his first ever Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony on Sunday night, with Kerry appearing in a video message during the event

Prince William's first Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony was televised to viewers across the UK on BBC1 on Sunday night.

William, who created the Earthshot Prize with the Royal Foundation, closed the event by announcing that the following year's Earthshot event would be held in the United States - where his brother Prince Harry lives with Meghan Markle.

The Prince then introduced Kerry, who appeared by video message, saying: 'The finalists and winners that we recognize this evening remind us that we do have an incredible ability to turn the improbable into reality if we work together.'

During last night's event, the Queen, who looked effortlessly chic in a matching turquoise co-ord with floral detail, completed her outfit with a pair of trusted patent black shoes, dangling pearl earrings and three-strand pearl necklace.

During a line-up, Her Majesty could be heard telling the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate she had seen him 'doing William's Earthshot Prize thing'

Among the guests invited to the Queen's Berkshire home after the day-long conference in London was Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates , who could be seen leaning forward to shake the monarch's hand, as well as Kerry

The monarch also sported the historic Cullinan V brooch which features a heart-shaped central stone - and is the same silver diamond brooch she wore in a photograph released to mark late Prince Philip's 99th birthday in 2020.

She could be seen beaming up at Kerry after shaking his hand during the event, before the two exchanged a few words about the Earthshot Prize.

The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, who were also in attendance, were suited and booted as they met some of the leading figures in the castle's green drawing room before mingling more widely.

US climate envoy Kerry, Poppy Gustafsson, chief executive officer of cyber security firm Darktrace, and Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan managing director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, were among those who met the senior royals.

The Queen put on a stylish display as she welcomed billionaire business leaders, presidential envoys and tech entrepreneurs to Windsor Castle for a lavish reception following a Government investment summit. Pictured, greeting Microsoft co-founder turned philanthropist Bill Gates

The Prime Minister and the Queen exchanged a few words as she met the guests at the lavish reception, pictured

The Queen, Charles and Prince William warmly welcomed the business leaders and members of the Government including Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who donned a cobalt blue ensemble, and International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was due to be introduced first, but he appeared after the Queen began welcoming her guests and took his place at the end of the line.

The senior royals were also joined by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Prince Michael of Kent.

As guests mingled amongst themselves at the reception, the Queen could be seen grinning from ear-to-ear

In a foreword for the Global Investment Summit's official brochure, the Queen said she was 'proud' of how the UK is moving towards a sustainable future but 'there is still much more to do'.

The head of state also urged nations to 'rise to the challenge' and avert the problems associated with climate change.

Her Majesty described how tackling the pandemic had inspired scientific breakthroughs and how innovation in the UK often comes from 'teamwork against adversity' like the Second World War efforts of Alan Turing and colleagues in breaking the Nazi regime's Enigma Code.
Fashion group Burberry has named Versace boss Jonathan Akeroyd as its new chief executive.

The fashion giant has revealed that Mr Akeroyd, 54, will take up the post on April 1 next year, and the British brand is reportedly paying him a '6 million golden hello' to make up for the bonus and share costs he will lose for leaving their rival.

The British national has headed up Milan-based fashion house Gianni Versace since 2016, before which he was chief executive of Alexander McQueen for 12 years - following the death of its eponymous founder.

He replaces Marco Gobbetti, who in June announced unexpected plans to leave Burberry the end of 2021 after nearly five years in the role.

Fashion group Burberry has named Versace boss Jonathan Akeroyd as its new chief executive

The British national has headed up Milan-based fashion house Gianni Versace since 2016 (Donatella seen in 2020)

Mr Akeroyd said: 'I am honoured to be joining Burberry as chief executive officer.

'I have long admired Burberry's position as the most iconic British luxury brand and I have a deep affection for its storied heritage.

'I am looking forward to returning to London, where I first built my career in the luxury industry, to join a talented team with ambitious plans for the future and a strong platform to accelerate growth.'

Jonathan is seen with his wife at the V&A's McQueen exhibit in 2015

Donatella Versace and Gianni Versace pictured before his death

According to The Guardian, Jonathan will be paid a welcome bonus of 6million, a base salary of 1.1 million, an annual bonus of up to 200 per cent of his base and a share plan worth 162.5% of annual salary.

The company told the publication: 'These buyout awards are in line with the type of award and deferral schedule of the awards being forfeited by Jonathan'.

Chairman Gerry Murphy will lead the group on an interim basis until Mr Akeroyd joins in April.

The British national has headed up Milan-based fashion house Gianni Versace since 2016,

Mr Murphy said: 'Jonathan is an experienced leader with a strong track record in building global luxury fashion brands and driving profitable growth.

'He shares our values and our ambition to build on Burberry's unique British creative heritage and his deep luxury and fashion industry expertise will be key to advancing the next phase of Burberry's evolution.'

Mr Akeroyd joins Burberry as it emerges after a tough time during the pandemic, which saw stores closed for many months and European outlets suffering from the lack of international tourists.

In the UK, around two-thirds of sales came from tourists, which have largely been absent throughout the pandemic.

The company also suffered over the stance of the Better Cotton Initiative, of which it is a member, after the group raised concerns over allegations of forced labour camps in the Xinjiang cotton region of China.

But recent figures revealed sales returned to pre-pandemic levels in the three months to June 26 as it sold more products at full price and relied less on discounts.
A woman born with a large underbite has revealed how a painful jaw expansion forced her front teeth nearly 2cm apart - but braces are now reducing the gap.

Kirsten Rendell, 20, from Christchurch, New Zealand, was born with a narrow palate and large underbite that gave her a lisp and made it difficult to eat.

She underwent a painful jaw expansion process where she had to manually twist a metal expander, forcing her two front teeth apart, until she had a 17mm gap.

Four months after the surgery she had braces fitted to pull her teeth back together for $31,000 (15,809) and her top teeth are now only 3mm apart. She will continue to wear her braces until the gap is entirely gone.

Kirsten Rendell, 20, from Christchurch, New Zealand, was born with a narrow palate and large underbite (pictured left) that gave her a lisp and made it difficult to eat. Pictured right, Kirsten's separated front teeth

She underwent a painful jaw expansion which forced her front teeth nearly 2cm apart - but thankfully braces are now reducing the gap (pictured now)

Kirsten said: 'I've never liked smiling, and never used to smile with my teeth. The surgery means everything to me. For as long as I can remember I've always wanted nice teeth.'

Now wearing braces to close the gap, she chose to share her journey with her 41,0000 followers to help other people undergoing a similar life-altering, and scary, surgery know they aren't alone.

She said: 'I want people to know that regardless of how they look, it doesn't define who they are and that everyone is beautiful in their own way. I'm still very self conscious but I'm definitely a lot happier now.'

Kirsten was born with a narrow palate in her upper jaw and as a result grew up with a large underbite.

Kirsten (pictured) underwent a painful jaw expansion process where she had to manually twist a metal expander, forcing her two front teeth apart, until she had a 17mm gap

Four months after the surgery Kirsten (pictured after the procedure) had braces fitted to pull her teeth back together for $31,000 (15,809) and her top teeth are now only 3mm apart

Kirsten (during the jaw expansion process) will continue to wear her braces until the gap is entirely gone

She had to beat off cruel bullies through school, and became insecure with the way she looked.

She said: 'I didn't really know any different, occasionally people would make comments about my jaw.

'I learnt to just ignore the bullying as at that age I didn't think anything could be done to fix my jaw, but of course it wasn't great.'

The shape of her mouth made speaking difficult and she developed a lisp, and could only ever use her back molars to chew.

Kirsten (pictured left, before she started the procedure) said: 'I've never liked smiling, and never used to smile with my teeth. The surgery means everything to me. For as long as I can remember I've always wanted nice teeth.'

Now wearing braces to close the gap, Kirsten (pictured) chose to share her journey with her 41,0000 followers to help other people undergoing a similar life-altering, and scary, surgery know they aren't alone

Kristen in braces to bring her teeth together (pictured left and right). On January 18, she was taken into surgery to have a jaw expander fitted, that she then had to turn twice a day to manually widen her palate

As she got older she started to look for ways that she could get her jaw fixed, as she could only have surgery when it was fully grown.

WHAT IS AN UNDERBITE? An underbite occurs when a person's lower teeth and jaw protrude over their upper teeth. This is usually inherited from a parent who also has the condition. Other causes include thumb sucking, babies using dummies and prolonged bottle feeding. Aside from a sufferer's appearance, other symptoms can include headaches, poor self-esteem and teeth grinding or breaking. Braces are the most common treatment but can make wearers, particularly children, feel self conscious. Specially-made headgears can be effective but are highly noticeable and often uncomfortable. In extreme cases, surgery to shave off the jaw bone is required as a last resort. It is unclear how many people suffer from an underbite in the UK or US. Source: Colgate Advertisement

On January 18, she was taken into surgery to have a jaw expander fitted, that she then had to turn twice a day to manually widen her palate. She did this morning and night for two weeks.

The supermarket worker said: 'I found the turns quite painful, feels like pressure behind your nose and cheekbones, but manageable. I just kept reminding myself that with each turn I was closer to having a better jaw.'

As her jaw expanded, this forced apart her front two incisors, creating a 17mm gap between them.

She said: 'The gap sucked when it was that big, I was very self conscious.

'I always got questions asking "how I lost my teeth" and that I'm "too young to be losing teeth" and when I'd explain I was having jaw surgery they couldn't understand how it was possible to be done.

'It's not a surgery you hear about every day and I want other people with similar issues as me to not feel alone.

'I have had so many people from across the world reach out to me and telling me they're going through similar things.

'I feel as though jaw surgery isn't as common and not many people know about it so it's cool to see so many people around the world getting similar things done.'

In one year, Kirsten hopes to undergo a life changing, five-hour jaw surgery where they bring her upper jaw forward and lower jaw and chin back to ensure it is all symmetrical.

She said: 'Jaw surgery will improve my speech, chewing, confidence as well as future implications if I were to not go through.

'I've never been able to smile with teeth or just smile properly in general so knowing I'm able to have this fixed means everything.'
Advertisement

The Queen underwent eight engagements in just 13 days before cancelling her trip to Northern Ireland following medical advice to rest for the next few days.

Her Majesty, 95, returned to Windsor Castle following her summer break at Balmoral on 6th October and in the time since has been pictured several times meeting the public and dignitaries at events across the country.

The royal - who has been seen using a walking stick at engagements over the past week - is said to be in good spirits but disappointed not to be able to carry out the two-day trip, which was due to begin today.

She has had a busy fortnight, welcoming troops at Windsor on her return to her Berkshire home the day before meeting her son Prince Edward to launch the Commonwealth Games baton relay at Buckingham Palace.

On 10th October, the Queen was seen again at Windsor Castle's Royal Lodge worshipping in public for the first time since the pandemic began.

Two days later, she returned to London for a service of thanksgiving to mark the centenary of the Royal British Legion at Westminster Abbey while on October 14th she travelled to Cardiff for the opening of Welsh Parliament.

She went on to attend Ascot on October 16th and yesterday had a video call with the Governor-General of New Zealand before welcoming business leaders, presidential envoys and tech entrepreneurs to Windsor Castle for a lavish reception following a Government investment summit.

October 6: Queen meets members of the Royal Regiment in her first appearance since returning from Balmoral

Queen met members of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery in her first appearance at following her return from Balmoral

Queen met members of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery in her first appearance at following her return from Balmoral.

Her Majesty was resplendent in blue as she chatted with members of the Canadian Armed Forces, who have been invited to serve as the Queen's Guard in honour of the regiment's 150th anniversary.

October 7: Queen launches Commonwealth Games at Buckingham Palace

Her Majesty launched Commonwealth Games baton relay at Buckingham Palace on 7th October ahead of the event in Birmingham 2022.

The Queen who was joined by youngest son Prince Edward at the event, placed her message in the baton, before Paralympic gold medallist Kadeena Cox set off to carry the symbol on the first leg of its journey.

Her Majesty launched Commonwealth Games baton relay at Buckingham Palace on 7th October ahead of the event in Birmingham 2022

October 10: The Queen attends church at the Royal Lodge

The Queen was pictured worshipping in public for the first time on October 10th as she joined a church service on the grounds of Windsor Great Park for the first time since the pandemic struck.

The royal has been attending private services throughout the pandemic for the last 18 months but as lockdown restrictions have eased, she attended the service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at the Royal Lodge.

The last time the Queen was pictured at the chapel was with late husband Prince Philip in July last year after the lockdown wedding of Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

Pictured: Earlier today, the Queen was pictured being driven to a public service for the first time since Covid began

October 12: Her Majesty uses a walking stick for service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey

The Queen used a walking stick for support on 12th October as she arrived for a service of thanksgiving to mark the centenary of the Royal British Legion at Westminster Abbey.

The 95-year-old monarch, who is the patron of the armed forces charity, was accompanied by her daughter Princess Anne as she stepped out of a car in London in the autumn sunshine this morning.

The Queen is rarely seen with a walking stick, but she has previously been photographed using one on a few occasions including at engagements in 2003 and 2004 - although that was after she had a knee operation.

The Queen used a walking stick for support on 12th October as she arrived for a service of thanksgiving to mark the centenary of the Royal British Legion at Westminster Abbey

October 14: The Queen opens Senedd in Cardiff

The Queen put on a vibrant appearance as she attended the sixth ceremonial opening of the Senedd on 14th October.

The monarch arrived alongside the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall as they visited the Welsh Parliament building in Cardiff.

Dressed in a pink coat and matching hat, the royal cut a colourful figure as she made her way down the red carpet with a walking stick.

The Queen put on a vibrant appearance as she attended the sixth ceremonial opening of the Senedd on 14th October

October 16: Her Majesty attends the races at Acsot.

The Queen looked in great spirits in a traditional blue ensemble as she arrived at his afternoon to enjoy the QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot racecourse

The royal looked perfectly poised in a flattering blue ensemble as she arrived at the Ascot racehorse in Berkshire to watch the racing events unfold.

The Queen looked in great spirits in a traditional blue ensemble as she arrived at his afternoon to enjoy the QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot racecourse

October 19: Queen holds a video call with the Governor-General of New Zealand

The Queen held a video call with the new Governor-General of New Zealand yesterday.

She welcomed Dame Cindy Kiro, the first indigenous woman appointed to the role, with an exclamation of surprise, as she raised her finger and remarked: 'Ah, there you are ... Good evening.'

Dame Cindy, who was speaking from Government House in Wellington, replied: 'Good morning.' The Queen - based at Windsor Castle - smiled and said: 'Oh, of course, it's good morning, isn't it, to you?'

The Queen held a video call with the new Governor-General of New Zealand yesterday.

October 19: Queen meets business leaders, presidential envoys and tech entrepreneurs at Windsor Castle reception

The Queen told US climate envoy John Kerry she 'saw him on the telly' during Prince William's 'Earthshot Prize thing' at a Windsor Castle reception last night.

The monarch welcomed billionaire business leaders, presidential envoys and tech entrepreneurs to Windsor Castle for a lavish reception following a Government investment summit on Tuesday.

Among the guests invited to the Queen's Berkshire home after the day-long conference in London was Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who could be seen leaning forward to shake the monarch's hand, as well as Kerry.

During a line-up, Her Majesty could be heard telling the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate: 'I saw you on the telly the other night doing William's Earthshot Prize thing.'
A staff assistant for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi feared she would be 'tortured, raped and shot' as she hid underneath a table during the attack on the US Capitol last January.

Leah Han, from Washington DC, who is a senior staff assistant at U.S. House of Representatives, was trapped in the building as a mob of Trump supporters rioted, seeking to overturn his defeat in the 2020 presidential election.

After evacuating Pelosi's office, Leah hid in a locked, dark room opposite her office as hoards of marauding protesters roamed the corridors terrified that she and her colleagues would be 'taken hostage' if they were discovered.

Appearing on BBC2 documentary Four Hours at the Capitol which aired tonight, she broke down in tears as she recalled how she 'thought she was going to die' and said she 'couldn't text her parents' because she wouldn't be able to control her emotions.

Leah Han (pictured), from Washington DC, who is a senior staff assistant at U.S. House of Representatives, appeared on tonight's BBC Two documentary and revealed how she feared she would be 'tortured, raped and shot' as she hid underneath a table during the attack on the US Capitol last January

After evacuating Pelosi's office, Leah (pictured) hid in a locked, dark room opposite her office as hoards of marauding protesters roamed the corridors terrified that she and her colleagues would be 'taken hostage' if they were discovered

Leah revealed that around 2pm, when rioters had broken into the corridors, she and her colleagues moved from their office to a room across the hallway.

'We turned off the lights and just settled down and once the commotion got louder we all hid under the table to feel more secure, everyone just held their breath and it was just silent', she said.

As they continued to encroach on the office, Leah explained: 'We knew they were there. We knew they were close by and that was the scary part. I'm in the dark right now and hiding under a table.

'I was thinking, "If they find us, are they going to keep us hostage? Are they going to torture us, am I going to get raped, am I going to get shot, do they have weapons?"

'Then they started banging on our door, they just didn't get in. I still don't know how they didn't, maybe they just didn't think it was worth trying to open because it looks like nothing back there.

'I thought I was going to die, I didn't think I was going to go home that day and I knew if I text my parents to tell them I love them I was going to cry and I just couldn't. I was not going to let myself cry. I figured if I'm going to die my parents will know I love them'.

In January last year, a mob of Trump supporters rioted, seeking to overturn his defeat in the 2020 presidential election (pictured)

Around 2pm that day, protesters (pictured) broke glass windows and into the building

Pelosi was evacuated from House floor at 14.13pm to a secure off-site location as protesters spread across the building looking for the politician while chanting threats.

The 90-minute documentary featured unseen footage from the attack alongside interviews with rioters and police officers who were at the heart of the protests.

Officer Michael Fanone, of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, said that January 6th started off as 'any other day for me.'

He continued: 'It wasn't until I started listening to the speeches that were given at that rally I felt that day was going to be a bad day.

The timeline of the four hour attack on the Capitol 08:17 - Trump tweets claiming Joe Biden's presidential win was fraudulent 10:58 - Members of the Proud Boy right wing group begin marching towards the Capitol 12:00 - Trump begins a speech at his rally inciting his supporters to 'peacefully' protest outside the Capitol building 13:10 - Trump's speech ends as protesters have already broken past the police barrier outside the building. Soon after Capitol police send an evacuation warning 14:13 - Protesters break glass windows and break into the building 14:24 - The House floor debate is suspended and members are soon informed the mob are minutes from the door of the Senate Chamber 14:40 - Ashli Babbit is shot as a number of rioters reach the inside of the Senate gallery 15:00 The mob continue to protest at the Capitol 16:17 - Trump releases a video telling the mob to leave Advertisement

'I could tell, today might be a problem. I've been a police officer for nearly two decades and that day, to think that I and a s**t tonne of my fellow officers nearly lost their lives, pisses me the f**k off.'

Michael was brutally attacked during the protests after being dragged down the Capitol's marble stairs by rioters and beaten with pipes, tear-gassed and tasered at the base of the skull multiple times.

The officer, who entered the scene at around 3pm, said radio communications amid the attack were 'more in line with combat' and recalled being branded a 'traitor' by rioters as he approached.

As Michael protected the building from protesters a member of the crowd dragged him from his fellow officers and into the mob:

He recalled: 'I remember him yelling out "Yeah I got one". Then I knew, yeah I'm f****'.

'I remember kind of getting pounded from every side and I remember people yelling out to get his gun, kill him with his gun, and I started getting tasered at the base of my skull. It was excruciatingly painful.

'I remember yelling out that I had kids, trying to appeal to somebody with humanity and it worked and ultimately I think that led to my survival.'

The attack began at around 12pm, when members of the right-wing group Proud Boy movement started marching towards the Capitol ahead of a speech Trump was delivering to his supporters at a rally in Washington DC.

Eddie Block, a member of the group, said: 'Everyone just started marching on the grass towards the Capitol. They felt the election was stolen. They felt their vote was taken away from them and they felt this was the only way to get their voices heard'.

Tayler Hansen, a freelance reporter who followed the march, says the initial breach of the police barrier was almost 20 minutes before Trump finished his speech, adding that officers were already becoming 'overwhelmed'.

Another member of the Proud Boys group, Bobby Pickles detailed the moment the initial barrier was broken, describing it as 'sheer bedlam, nobody cares, nobody cares about law or anything like that.'

He continued: 'There was no symbol, no sign, it was just everybody acting in unison and that's when all hell broke loose.

'At this moment there was a lot of fighting between patriotic people and Capitol police. When you really believe a tyrannical government are taking over the country some crazy stuff is going to go down. It was us versus them'.

The 90-minute documentary featured unseen footage from the attack alongside interviews with rioters and police officers who were at the heart of the protests. Pictured, scenes in January last year

Hoards of marauding protesters (pictured) roamed the corridors leaving Leah terrified

Officer Winston Pingeon of the US Capitol police who was on the front line as the rioters broke down police barriers said: 'The crowd was very hostile and very quickly we were completely surrounded'.

Tyler explained things began to descend further when a member of the crowd picked up the police barrier and threw it at an office, describing the riot from that point as 'pure anarchy'.

MPD Commander Raymey Kyle admitted he feared for the lives of his officers, while Robert Glover added the riot was like being in a war zone.

'When I first arrived it sounded like a battle was raging, right then I knew we were in for a big fight',' said Kyle.

'I think if we had bore weapons and started shooting there would have been a huge loss of life, maybe on both sides.

Another member of the Proud Boys group, Bobby Pickles (pctured) detailed the moment the initial barrier was broken, describing it as 'sheer bedlam, nobody cares, nobody cares about law or anything like that.'

'It felt like we were 100-to-one. Officers were falling off the line, they were bleeding and injured. I was terrified if they broke our lines they could pick off officers one by one.'

Commander Glover added: 'I remember walking through blood, it came from one of our sergeants who lost a portion of his hand.

'We're civilian police officers, we see trauma every day we see the worst of humanity but nothing can prepare you for that, this is something you would see in combat'.

By 2.13pm, protestors had broken past police protecting the west steps and battled their way into the building and an immediate recess of the Senate was called.

Officer Keith Robishaw recalled how they tried to subdue protesters who were shouting threats as they battled their way through the building.

'Tensions were high', he explained. 'They had to fight their way in. They showed their intent for violence. They're screaming things like, "We're coming for you Mike Pence, you can't hide from us, we're going to find you."'

'If I said I wasn't scared I would be lying, I was terrified, I didn't know what to do.

'Meeting them with violence at this time would not be safe for me or my fellow officers, the sheer number of them and us - there was no way we could all get physical with them.

'So I tried to talk to them, "You're not here to hurt us. We're not here to hurt you, we just want everything to simmer down"'.

Leah (pictured) broke down in tears as she recalled how she 'thought she was going to die' and said she 'couldn't text her parents' because she wouldn't be able to control her emotions

As the mob encroached on the Senate chamber, Democrat Representative Ruben Gallego feared he would have to fight off the protesters himself.

'People were hyperventilating,' he said. 'It was just bad, they were scared, they were really really scared.'

'I was an inventory man in the United States Marine Core, I had to deal with some very aggressive crowds when I was in Iraq, individuals themselves aren't usually a problem. But when they get collectively together and create a mob, the mob is the weapon.

'I was ready to fight, I saw a lot of sh*t back in my day but I was not going to die on the floor on the f***ing floor of the house of representative. I was not going to get killed by some insurrectionist b*****.

'My plan was to stab somebody in the eye and throat and take away their weapon and fight to survive.'

At 2.44pm, rioter Ashli Babbitt was shot by Capitol Police while attempting to force entry into the Speaker's Lobby adjacent to the House chambers by climbing through a window that led to the House floor.

Minutes later, the Governor of Virginia sent the Virginia National Guard to aid the U.S. Capitol, with MPD Commander Kyle saying: 'It was pretty much a fight the entire time.

'We had injured officers they couldn't see they couldn't breathe. I would tell them I'm sorry but you have to get back in the fight we're about to lose this. I didn't want my name going down in history as the guy who gave up the Capitol.

Virginia state police showed up, full gear, that was one of the best sights I've ever seen and we did not lose the door. We were able to hold it until the very end.'

An hour later, at 4:17 pm, a video of Trump was uploaded to Twitter in which he instructed the rioters 'you have to go home now'. He tweeted later in the evening calling the protesters 'great patriots'.
Advertisement

Kate Middleton and Prince William appear to be following in the footsteps of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle by releasing photographs in black and white - and choosing to share their rare moments of public affection.

Royal photographer Chris Jackson, who is married to The Duchess of Cambridge's stylist and close friend Natasha Archer, 34, took to Instagram and explained how he captured a series of behind-the-scene pictures from the Earthshot Prize Awards on Sunday at Alexandra Palace in London.

Among the black and white images, which were shared to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's social media account, include the moment Kate, 39, put a loving hand on Prince William's lower back in a rare display of public affection - as they are captured looking intensely in each other's eyes and smiling at one another.

The couple have always acknowledged the Queen's wishes for royal family members to avoid loved-up displays in public.

However, photographer previously Glenn Gratton told FEMAIL the Duchess of Sussex is putting her own stamp on royal photos by releasing them in black and white.

It comes after Meghan, 40, and Harry, 37, have plumped for black and white pictures on a number of important occasions, including their official engagement shoot and their first Christmas card.

Royal photographer Chris Jackson captured Kate Middleton making a rare moment of affection towards her husband Prince William at the Earthshot Prize Awards on Sunday

In another adorable photograph from the engagement, a dapper dressed Prince William pulls back the curtain as he and Kate are seen smiling and laughing

In another adorable photograph from Sunday's engagement, a dapper dressed Prince William pulls back the curtain as he and Kate are seen smiling and laughing together.

Elsewhere, two poignant individual shots of the pair show them both reflecting before they're about to go on stage on give their speeches on the importance of looking after the environment for several generations to come.

Alongside the series of snaps, Chris penned: 'Some of you may have noticed I was a little quiet after the Earthshot awards

'This was because I had a fantastic opportunity to shoot "behind the scenes" with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the groundbreaking environmental initiative that will do a huge amount to change the narrative over the next few years.'

Prince William and Kate appear to have followed in the footsteps of Prince Harry, 37, and Meghan Markle, 40, with the latest snaps shared behind-the-scenes at the Earthshot Prize on Sunday. Pictured, posing in the grounds of their $14 million Californian mansion in front of a 'tree of life'

Kate Middleton can be seen holding onto the railings as she takes to her seat next to husband, Prince William

Another poignant shot of Prince William shows him reflecting before heading on stage at the end of the event

In another powerful snap, Prince William, can be seen stepping on stage after ditching his usual black tuxedo for a trendy polo neck and green velvet jacket

'It was special to witness the passion and energy that went into this event from close quarters and performances from talented artists such as @teddysphotos @ksi and @coldplay.

'I think these pictures illustrate some the depth of feeling throughout the event.'

To match the event's ethos and highlight on sustainability, the mother-of-three recycled the Alexander McQueen dress she first wore ten years ago in 2011, at a Bafta reception in Los Angeles while she and Prince William were touring America as newly-weds.

The decade-long global environmental competition awards 1million to five winners for an idea to protect the planet.

However, the choice of the monochrome snaps comes after Prince Harry and Meghan chose two black and white family photos to announce Meghan's pregnancy with Lilibet, where the royal couple can be seen posing in the grounds of their $14 million Californian mansion in front of a 'tree of life.'

They also opted for the same style to announce their son's name on Instagram in May 2019, and released a further two from the photocall at Windsor Castle earlier the same day.

Another shot shows Sir David Attenbrough speaking on stage at the first Earthshot Prize awards ceremony

Nigerian Afropop star Yemi Alade, 32, turned heads in a dramatic red mini playsuit with a statement skirt cape

Speaking to Femail, photographer Glenn Gratton said Meghan is 'image conscious' and would have carefully thought through which photos to release of her son to make the best impression.

He added black and white is 'in vogue' and is a way for the royal mother to distance her photos from the high contrast, filtered photos that flood social media feeds.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a statement when they released two of the three official engagement photos in black and white.

The snaps, taken by Alexi Lubomirski, captured the couple looking loved-up in the grounds near their now-home Frogmore Cottage, in Windsor.

The snaps, taken by Alexi Lubomirski, captured the couple looking loved-up in the grounds near their now-home Frogmore Cottage, in Windsor. Pictured, one of the engagement photos

Harry and Meghan also opted to have black and white photos on their wedding day, later choosing this one of them standing with their backs to the camera as their first Christmas card

Harry and Meghan also opted to have some black and white photos on their wedding day, later choosing one of them standing with their backs to the camera as their first Christmas card.

Social media has proved an excellent platform for the couple to showcase their personal take on photography.

The first post on their Sussex Royal account was a gallery culminating in a previously unseen black and white snap on their royal tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji.

They have since shared monochrome snaps to highlight their work and charitable causes.

The Duchess of Sussex showed she is personally a fan of black and white snaps when she shared a monochrome photo of husband Prince Harry rehearsing for an Invictus Games speech during the royal tour last autumn.
BBC podcast presenter Deborah James, who has stage four bowel cancer, has revealed how she was rushed to A&E after experiencing 'spiking 40 degree temperatures' on Tuesday.

The former deputy head teacher and cancer campaigner, 40, from London, headed to A&E in the early hours of the morning after suffering from a fever and dehydration.

Sharing a snap to Instagram where she can be seen in laying in a hospital bed attached to a drip delivering intravenous medicine and fluids, she penned: 'Not how I want to start a Wednesday! Had to go to A&E, was spiking 40 degree temperatures and was so dehydrated from not being able to keep anything in me!'

The mother-of-two continued: 'Have spent the last 8 hours being pumped full of antibiotics and fluids - lots of fluids! Feeling better already! Hope this is a fly by visit!'

BBC podcast presenter Deborah James, 40, who has stage four bowel cancer, has revealed how she was rushed to A&E after experiencing 'spiking 40 degree temperatures' on Tuesday (pictured)

The social media star has documented her battle with cancer online since being diagnosed and campaigned for better awareness around bowel cancer diagnosis

Deborah has been living with stage four bowel cancer since she was diagnosed in December 2016, and was told early on that she might not live beyond five years.

Earlier this summer, she was told she had an aggressive new tumour near her liver that had wrapped itself around her bile duct - requiring a life-saving stay in hospital.

In her recent post, Deborah went on to explain how she was 'gutted' to be back in hospital because she was meant to be on a train to Manchester, where she had planned to attend the launch of an event she's spent 18 months working on.

She noted the event - Cancer Revolution: Science, Innovation and Hope - will run from this Friday until March next year at the Science and Industry Museum.

In her recent post, Deborah went on to explain how she was 'gutted' to be back in hospital because she was meant to be on a train to Manchester, where she had planned to attend the launch of an event she's spent 18 months working on (pictured)

BOWEL CANCER: THE SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULDN'T IGNORE Bowel, or colorectal, cancer affects the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum. Such tumours usually develop from pre-cancerous growths, called polyps. Symptoms include: Bleeding from the bottom

Blood in stools

A change in bowel habits lasting at least three weeks

Unexplained weight loss

Extreme, unexplained tiredness

Abdominal pain Most cases have no clear cause, however, people are more at risk if they: Are over 50

Have a family history of the condition

Have a personal history of polyps in their bowel

Suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease

Lead an unhealthy lifestyle Treatment usually involves surgery, and chemo- and radiotherapy. More than nine out of 10 people with stage one bowel cancer survive five years or more after their diagnosis. This drops significantly if it is diagnosed in later stages. According to Bowel Cancer UK figures, more than 41,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK. It affects around 40 per 100,000 adults per year in the US, according to the National Cancer Institute. Advertisement

The exhibition offers the public the opportunity to explore the science behind cancer care.

The Instagram post comes just hours after Deborah was seen modelling various active wear outfits for her followers - and two days after she revealed her chemotherapy is working.

The podcast host, who admitted she has suffered the 'hardest three months' of her life, posted on social media over the weekend and indicated her battle with the disease had turned a corner, revealing: 'MY CHEMO IS WORKING! Words, I wanted to hear, but didn't allow myself to think might happen.'

She continued: 'I think I've been preparing for the worst actually. I have to say waiting for these scan results has been incredibly hard. In my head I've gone to hell and back.

'These are the first scans since my previous drugs stopped working, my liver packed up, and I got sepsis.

'We started me back on what was my first line 'nuclear chemo' and it's fair to say it's floored me.

'Despite the snippets of smiles and glam dresses I choose to share here (because they are the moments in my day that make me smile), behind closed doors this has been the hardest 3 months since my diagnosis physically (and mentally).'

She revealed doctors have said she is 'stable', adding: ' Essentially the cancer that was rapidly growing and causing my liver to fail, has been halted at least temporarily.

'And my lymnodes are even shrinking! Am I cured? No. Will I ever be - No. Do I still have active cancer - sadly yes.

'But this buys me more time. At least until my next scan!'

Adding she is 'on her knees' after having intensive chemotherapy for years, she said: 'I'm of course over the moon by this news, and know how close I am to have receiving the other side of the coin.

'But it hasn't really sunk in because I've had my head down the loo for the last 3 days due to chemo and been asleep minus the fleeting windows of prancing you might see!'

Earlier this summer, she was told she had an aggressive new tumour near her liver that had wrapped itself around her bile duct - requiring a life-saving stay in hospital

In an emotional Instagram post shared two days ago by the podcast host, she said she had felt 'floored' by

She finished the post by writing: 'But cheers to the blessing of another day, another chance, more options, and more life I didn't think I'd see! One day at a time!'

Weeks earlier, Deborah celebrated her 40th birthday after fearing it was a milestone she would never see.

Posting on Instagram, she wrote she had initially planned a 'low key' dinner and dance party for her closest friends and family last week, adding: 'I'm still blown away by reaching 40, but I really wasn't sure if I'd cope with anything too crazy.'

Snaps shared on Deborah's social media showed her house decorated with a huge array of balloons, with her friends and family sitting down for a candle-lit dinner before the party.

Later she shared clips as she performed a speech which she said she had 'written in the bathroom on her phone' before the event.

BBC podcast presenter Deborah James, who has stage four bowel cancer, has shared snaps from her wild 40th birthday party after fearing it was a milestone she would never see (pictured left, with popstar Sophie Ellis-Bextor who performed at the event)

Snaps shared on Deborah's social media showed her house decorated with a huge array of balloons, with her friends and family sitting down for a candle-lit dinner before the party

Last month, James urged people to see a doctor if they felt something wasn't right following the death from breast cancer of Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding.

She said: 'It's not putting the blame back, I've personally beaten myself up about regretting not getting to the GP earlier.'

Sarah passed away on September 5th, just 13 months after confirming her terminal cancer diagnosis. Her death was announced by her devastated family on social media.

Speaking about Sarah's death, James said it was 'hard-hitting', adding: 'It's not just breast cancer, it's knowing our body and understanding the difference between early and late diagnosis.

'It's tragic it takes these kind of headlines to remind us that none of us are exempt from the one in two of us who will get cancer in our lifetime.
His Italian model wife Beatrice Borromeo became a representative in February and his grandmother Grace Kelly was known to favour the French fashion house, while his aunt Princess Stephanie of Monaco interned with the brand in the 1980s.

So its no wonder that Pierre Casiraghi, the son of Caroline, Princess of Hanover, has become Diors newest menswear ambassador.

An icon of elegance, Pierre Casiraghi becomes Dior's ambassador. The Monegasque businessman embodies the new facet of tailoring constantly reinvented by Kim Jones [creative of Dior's men's line], a timeless modernity, the brand said in a press release.

The 34-year-old businessman, who is eighth in the line of succession to the Monegasque throne, joins his family in the fashion scene - with Dior being amongst the royals favourites.

His wife, Beatrice, 36, who is the daughter of Italian aristocrat Don Carlo Ferdinando and worked as a political journalist and documentary maker, is also an ambassador for the fashion house after being appointed to the role earlier this year.

Pierre Casiraghi (pictured), the son of Caroline, Princess of Hanover, has become Diors newest menswear ambassador

The 34-year-old businessman (pictured with his wife Beatrice), who is eighth in the line of succession to the Monegasque throne, joins his family in the fashion scene - with Dior being amongst the royals favourites

Pierre Casiraghi (right), his wife Beatrice (left) and their sons Francesco and Stefano attend the celebrations marking Monaco's National Day at the Monaco Palace in Monaco, on 19 November 2019

She was awarded the title of most stylish European royal by society bible Tatler in August.

Meanwhile, Pierre's grandmother Princess Grace commonly also wore the brand, including to her 1956 engagement party in New York City, with Prince Rainier III.

The actress-turned-royal also supported its designer, Marc Bohan, on the opening of the first Dior Baby boutique, in Monaco, in 1967.

Pierres mother, Princess Caroline, wore a dress by Bohan for her 1978 wedding to Philippe Junot, while her younger sister Princess Stephanie interned at Dior under Bohan in the 1980s.

Father-of-two Pierre (pictured) has previously modelled for Berluti, but his main pursuit is sailing

Pierres (pictured) mother, Princess Caroline, wore a dress by Bohan for her 1978 wedding to Philippe Junot, while her younger sister Princess Stephanie interned at Dior under Bohan in the 1980s

Even his uncle Prince Alberts daughter, six-year-old Princess Gabriella, has been shown to seemingly have a penchant for the fashion house. She was recently photographed carrying a Lady Dior bag.

Pierres younger half-sister, Princess Alexandra of Hanover, also regularly appears on the front row at Dior shows.

But its not just Dior who the Monegasque royal family are fans of, with fashion seemingly being a passion for many members.

Pierre's sister Charlotte Casiraghi is a brand ambassador for Chanel after being given the role last year, while his cousin Pauline Ducruet owns a gender neutral fashion line, Alter.

His wife, Beatrice (pictured together in 2017), 36, who is the daughter of Italian aristocrat Don Carlo Ferdinando and worked as a political journalist and documentary maker, is also an ambassador for the fashion house after being appointed to the role earlier this year

Father-of-two Pierre, who married his wife in 2015 at a religious service in Lake Maggiore, has previously modelled for Berluti, but his main pursuit is sailing.

He is vice president of the Yacht Club of Monaco and is president of the Sail for a Cause yacht race, which raises money for various charities.

He hit headlines in 2019 when he agreed to help Greta Thunberg make her two-week voyage from the United Kingdom to New York, for the UN Climate Summit.

Pierre owns one of few racing sailing boats in the world with a 'totally neutral carbon footprint.'

He was reported to have approached Thunberg, who wanted an environmentally friendly way of crossing the Atlantic.

Pierre married his wife Beatrice in 2015 at a religious service in Lake Maggiore (pictured)

Pierre (pictured on his wedding day) is vice president of the Yacht Club of Monaco and is president of the Sail for a Cause yacht race, which raises money for various charities

He founded Team Malizia in 2016, initially with a ten meter GC32 catamaran and subsequently a different vessel.

Pierre and his sailing partner Boris Herrman handled the sailing and shared one bunk, while Thunberg, her father, and Grossman occupied the remaining three.

Pierre told The Times about the voyage: 'We are probably one of the few boats in the world that is totally zero fossil fuel.

'They had a lot of questions and they had been exploring different kinds of boats to get across. We explained this is a racing boat, that there is little comfort on the boat, but she seems fine with that.'
Jamie Lee Curtis says the 'hardest thing' about adjusting to her daughter Ruby coming out as transgender has been not using her new name  and not the one she'd been calling her all her life.

The 62-year-old actress revealed this summer that her daughter, who was previously known as Thomas, had told her and her husband, Christopher Guest, that she is a trans woman and now goes by Ruby.

Speaking to People, she now says there were 'tears involved' when Ruby came out, but she is 'a grateful student' when it comes to supporting her daughter.

Curtis admitted that she does 'slip up' with Ruby's pronouns occasionally, though Ruby said she is never 'mad' when that happens, because she knows her mom is doing the best she can.

'It's speaking a new language,' she said. 'It's learning new terminology and words. I am new at it. I am not someone who is pretending to know much about it. And I'm going to blow it, I'm going to make mistakes. I would like to try to avoid making big mistakes.'

Jamie Lee Curtis says the 'hardest thing' about adjusting to her daughter Ruby coming out as transgender has been not using her new name, not the one she'd been calling her all her life

Ruby, a video editor for a gaming personality on YouTube, said that she knew she was different when she was about 16, but due to a negative experience in therapy, she didn't come out 'when I probably should have.'

It wasn't until a few years ago, while she was still going by Tom and dating her now-fiance, that she first admitted she might be trans.

Her fiance said: 'I love you for who you are.'

So last summer, she worked up the nerve to tell her parents, admitting it was 'scary' and 'intimidating' even though she wasn't worried they wouldn't accept her. She had already used the word 'bi' to describe herself, and they'd always been supportive.

When she broke the news, Curtis said there were 'tears involved.' But while she'd never before had an 'inkling' that Ruby was trans, looking back, she could see some signs  like how Ruby would use a female avatar while gaming.

The hardest adjustment, she said, has been not using Ruby's 'dead name.' But she admitted that it 'so doesn't fit anymore.'

Family: Ruby (left)  who was previously known as Thomas  is a computer gaming editor, and Curtis and Guest also have a 34-year-old daughter, Annie, (second from left) who is a dance instructor. The family is seen here at the Halloween Kills premiere in 2018

Ruby (left) attended the premiere of Wreck-It Ralph with Curtis in 2012

'That was, of course, the hardest thing. Just the regularity of the word,' she said.

'The name that you'd given a child. That you've been saying their whole life. And so, of course, at first that was the challenge. Then the pronoun. My husband and I still slip occasionally.

'You slow your speech down a little. You become a little more mindful about what you're saying. How you're saying it. You still mess up, I've messed up today twice. We're human,' she said.

Ruby doesn't get 'mad' when her parents slip up, acknowledging that her mother had 'done the most you can, and that's all I want.'

Curtis also insisted that she is not 'proselytizing' by sharing her family's story or 'trying to force-feed something to people.'

'I'm simply saying, "This is our family's experience." I am here to support Ruby. That is my job,' she said.

Curtis said she know she is going to 'blow it' and 'make mistakes' adjusting to this 'new language,' though Ruby said she is never 'mad' when her mom slips (Curtis pictured carrying Ruby as a baby in 1996)

Ruby admitted she was 'scared' to come out and Curtis said there were 'tears involved' (pictured at the 'One Piece Film: Gold' premiere on January 5, 2017)

Curtis, who also shares a 34-year-old daughter named Annie with her husband, first spoke about Ruby's coming out in an interview with AARP magazine in July.

Curtis said that she and her husband 'have watched in wonder and pride as our son'  who was previously known as Thomas  'became our daughter Ruby.'

In the interview, which was conducted with Ruby's permission, Curtis explained that she has tossed out the 'old idea' that gender is fixed and is instead leaning into the idea that life is a 'constant metamorphosis.'

The actress has previously showed support for trans people going back several years, and in 2017 shared a Huffington Post article on Twitter: 'Dear Trans Kids. The letter we all wish we had written. (from a trans teacher).'

Last year, she also signed on to direct and star in a TV movie about GLAAD Media Institute alum Sara Cunningham. Cunningham is the founder of Free Mom Hugs, which celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community. She also spoke excitedly about Ruby's upcoming nuptials.

Curtis' children are private  and have only attended a handful of events with their mom  but Ruby gave her mom the OK to share two pieces of personal information with AARP, the other being her impending nuptials.

Curtis also insisted that she is not 'proselytizing' by sharing her family's story or 'trying to force-feed something to people' (pictured in 2016)

'She and her fiance will get married next year at a wedding that I will officiate,' the Halloween star said.

Curtis didn't say whether Ruby is marrying man or woman, though in 2019 Ruby shared a photo with a girlfriend.

Gender and sexuality are two different and unrelated things, and Curtis has previously spoken out on the latter being a private matter.

'I dont think its anybodys business what peoples sexuality is, to be perfectly honest,' she told Pride Source in 2019, replying to a question about her own sexuality and her advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.

Though she thinks sexuality is 'nobodys business, it doesnt matter,' she makes an exception if 'you legislate anti-gay legislation but are gay. I fully accept outing those people for the hypocrisy.'

Curtis, who is the daughter of screen stars Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, said she grew up comfortable around gay people thanks to her Hollywood parents.

Curtis also revealed that Ruby (left) will marry her fiance next year. Curtis didn't share any details of Ruby's spouse-to-be, though Ruby did share a picture with a girlfriend in 2019 (right)

'[My mother's] make-up artist was gay, the playwright that she did a play with was a great friend of our family who was gay,' she explained.

But, she added: 'You dont have to have your own experience in order to feel compassion and the need for justice and equality.

'In the LGBTQ world, certainly I have friends and family, but I dont have to have the direct experience in order to feel the compassion that I truly feel for acceptance and equality in all areas.'

Curtis and Guest struggled with infertility and adopted their eldest, Annie, through an agency in 1986. Nine years later, they adopted Ruby.

In 1996, Curtis wrote a book, Tell Me Again About The Night I Was Born, to stress the importance of sharing birth stories with adopted children.

She also told AARP that she is hopeful of one day being a grandmother. When asked if she has grandchildren yet, she said: 'Not yet, but I do hope to.'
Covert cappuccino meetings are the usual starting point. Then follows a flurry of sly, seductive emails before the offers start rolling in.

These include higher wages or perhaps a cash-in-hand deal; designer cast-offs from Mums wardrobe; an upgraded apartment, even. The sort of super-luxe lifestyle a girl can only dream of . . .

Across the country, nanny theft is on the rise. Just like HGV drivers or fruit pickers, as we enter the pre-Christmas flurry of family events and school concerts, theres an acute shortage of childcare workers, which means a good nanny  always a prized possession  is now a seriously fought-over asset. The problem is Covid, of course, with a side order of Brexit.

Travel bans from countries such as Australia and New Zealand mean the number of nannies coming to the UK has fallen to almost zero, while European au pairs, keen to get back to their families as soon as the pandemic struck, are finding new visa requirements make it harder to return. While everyone worked from home, parents muddled through  but the return to the office has created a perfect storm. Just as mums need childcare, theres none to be found.

As the number of nannies coming to the UK falls, the owner of an agency in South-West London reveals families are resorting to nanny poaching. Pictured: Emma Elms, who has had 16 nannies, with her last nanny, Talia, far right

Nowhere is this more evident than in leafy South-West London, where Ive run a nanny agency for the past ten years.

Here, mothers are resorting to nanny poaching to such an extent that families and agencies are starting to go to court over it for breach of contract.

In fact, were preparing a court case right now. One of our clients, a lawyer, used one of our nannies for a few months to help the family during a tricky patch. She then said shed terminated the contract, but continued to use the nanny on the QT at a lower rate (for her  we didnt get our cut).

That ended when the nanny got fed up with the way she was treated by the children and forwarded us the emails outlining this private arrangement, stitched up behind the agencys back, which resulted in us starting legal proceedings against the family for breach of contract.

With nannies so scarce, selfish mums are also pinching nursery nurses. Recently, I heard how two mothers, who both loved the key worker at their childrens nursery, discussed between them how to poach her, only for one of them to dive in suddenly and do it unilaterally.

The nursery worker was offered a huge amount to go and work for her exclusively  to the absolute disgust of the other mum, who previously had been the first mothers best local friend.

(Karma prevailed, however  the new employer turned out to spend most of the day in bed, and the poached nursery nurse, fed up with doing everything, eventually called the other mum and went to work for her instead.)

Another mum spotted a friends nanny at a birthday party  theyre happening again now  and loved how she was with her child. She sidled up to her between rounds of pass the parcel, plied her with fizz and said shed do anything to acquire her services.

Pre-Covid, you could get a decent nanny for about 32,000 to 35,000 per year, but now it costs an eye-watering 46,000 on average to hire a nanny in South-West London

Luckily, the nanny had heard stories (all nannies talk) and knew the grass definitely wasnt greener, so said a polite but firm no.

Like energy bills, childcare wages have been surging  and desperate working mums are paying the price.

It used to be expensive to hire a nanny, but since the pandemic, wages are in another league.

Pre-Covid, you could get a decent nanny for about 32,000 to 35,000 per year, but now it costs an eye-watering 46,000 on average to hire a nanny in South-West London. Great news for young women who want to earn good money early.

In North-West England, its at least 32,500, an increase of 11 per cent year-on-year, while across the UK in general its almost 30,000 for a live-out nanny.

The UK is effectively catching up on pre-Covid salaries that once applied only to London. (In Londons super-rich neighbourhoods, such as Holland Park, its normal to pay a 23-year-old nanny 65,000 plus a 3,000 bonus. Not forgetting the expected perks: holidays by private jet, a personal apartment and a top-of-the-range car for the school run.)

Meanwhile au pairs, once the saviours of cash-strapped, juggling working mums, are virtually non-existent.

Up to 90 per cent of all au pairs come from Europe, and since the end of free movement, with childcare workers categorised as skilled workers who must earn at least 20,480 a year to enter the UK, its all but impossible for them to come.

In order to hang onto nannies, some mums are creating housekeeper jobs  bumping up the childcare hours with ironing and cooking (file image)

Au pairs, after all, traditionally received board and lodging and perhaps 100 pocket money while they helped out and learned English.

Even if you can get one, they can be hard to keep.

One single mum living in Surrey recently had a new 19-year-old French au pair who was quite high-maintenance and struggling to fit into family life.

Two weeks into the role, after a particularly bad day with the child, she went to the house of a neighbour who was a friend of her boss, and burst into tears.

Instead of counselling her on how to cope with British family life, the mum  who had been receiving help with the school run from the au pair  offered her the opportunity to move into her home and au pair for her family instead. So she did. That very day.

Childcare is evolving in other ways, and Covid has also changed the requests we get at the agency.

After-school nannies are at a premium and represent the number one ask we get from working mums.

It sounds simple  pick up the kids after school, take them home for tea and homework and finish when mum breezes in from work at 6pm (or more often 8pm from the wine bar).

But now that nannies are in such short supply, they just wont work for odd hours here and there. In order to hang onto them, some mums are creating housekeeper jobs  bumping up the childcare hours with ironing and cooking. One mum even asked her nanny to paint the house when the family was on holiday.

Some mums are so paranoid about losing their nanny that, when their child goes off to school, they pay to keep them on for the whole day (file image)

Some mums are so paranoid about losing their nanny that, when their child goes off to school, they pay to keep them on for the whole day, doing not very much.

Young nannies can set their terms out, too, these days. One of ours was asked to sleep in the same bed as her four-year-old charge because the high-flying mother could not, under any circumstances, lose her sleep.

Although it was against the terms of her contract, the young nanny was so desperate to hang on to her job that she did whatever it took.

Not so any more. Few nannies want to be a paid servant  theyve usually trained hard at college to be a specialist child carer. Its much easier to say no to over-demanding employers or odd requests.

The key challenge for working mums right now is that, however much you pay them, keeping a good nanny can be out of your control.

The number one reason a nanny leaves is because of the appalling behaviour of the kids theyre looking after.

Its quite common for children to kick and scream at nannies, jump on the table, throw things at them and ignore everything they say. Then Mum gets home and brushes it under the carpet, saying they must have been a bit tired that day.

One of our girls looked after a child who was totally vile. She made the nanny cry every day. The dad was shocked by reports of the childs terrible behaviour and tried to take responsibility, but the mother just laughed it off.

Even if it was true, it was inconvenient  she didnt have time to think about it: she had to work!

The number one reason a nanny leaves is because of the appalling behaviour of the kids theyre looking after, with children kicking and screaming at nannies (file image)

Today, Id advise that nanny to walk out  shell get another job in an instant. Ditto the poor nanny who had to arrive at 5.30 every morning so that Mum could go to yoga at her exclusive gym.

Another good thing about the current nanny crisis is the end of the simply sexist practice of picking a nanny based on looks. Yes, that really happened.

Many mums, heavily influenced by the father, would say they wanted a good-looking, young Australian, New Zealander or South African: someone who would look great around the house and complement their lifestyle.

Other, more insecure mothers wanted a girl who wasnt so beautiful.

I had several who asked for pictures in advance before interviewing a nanny, and when we sent one client a CV with a picture of a gorgeous and very qualified Swedish nanny, she asked for more options.

She ended up hiring a more ordinary-looking, less-qualified young woman.

On another occasion, one larger nanny wasnt hired for the job because the client thought she didnt look fit enough to climb the five flights of stairs in their home. Pre-Covid, some chose nannies with cut-glass English accents because they wanted their child to speak well.

With more requests for nannies than available, the choice we once offered clients has all but gone.

Even if you are lucky enough to find one, it might mean remortgaging to pay her salary.

Ive gone through sixteen nannies... and counting

By Emma Elms

Over 13 years of motherhood, with daughters now aged four, nine and 13, I have got through 16 nannies. I know  Ive thought it, too: is it . . .me?

Well, quite possibly. But the truth is, all mothers will secretly admit that finding exactly the right help is a task of gargantuan difficulty. Which is why I look around at the current nanny options, and the gaping post-Covid shortage, with even greater trepidation than usual.

Until recently, I was the lucky employer of Talia, nanny number 16, and by far the best Ive ever had.

The only person Ive ever given Talias number to is my best friend, for an evenings babysitting, and then only because I know for a fact shes happy being a stay-at-home mum and doesnt need day-care.

Emma Elms said one of her early nannies sealed her fate when she chose to sit in McDonalds for an hour with her first baby, Amelie, who came back smelling of fries. Pictured: Emma with her last nanny, Talia, far right

My other nannies have varied dramatically in quality and approach over the years, from Tina, who once, to my great alarm, allowed three-year-old Amelie and her friend, Claire, to empty an entire bookcase and pile up the books into a teetering Tower of Pisa; to the beautiful Swedish blonde Marisa, who was a natural with babies, but sadly only had two hours of availability a day, starting at 8am (ouch).

The best nannies are always on full-time contracts with high-earning power couples.

One of my early recruits sealed her fate when she chose to sit in McDonalds for an hour with my first baby, Amelie, whose hair and babygrow came back smelling strongly of fries.

Then came Judita, a grade A nanny shared with another parent on my street. Nanny-pooling is a great way to reduce the cost, but Juditas brilliance was ruined by her faithful companion  a growling Alsatian that belonged to the other mum.

I refused to sign a form to say I wouldnt sue

Almost all my nannies have been non-Brits, which makes me even more anxious about my current quest for nanny number 17, just as Covid and Brexit conspire to make it harder than ever to find one.

The fact is, Im still in love with Talia  possibly my partner is, too  but now my youngest has started school, I really need a nanny/housekeeper-in-one who will come to our home, cook the kids dinner and maybe even tackle the mountain of Barbies invading the lounge.

So . . . believe it or not, Im on the hunt again.

This time, hearing from friends how hard it is to find the usual European or Aussie nannies from agency or online sources, I tried a different tactic and tapped up a teacher at my daughters school for ideas.

Emma said almost all her nannies have been non-Brits, which makes her even more anxious about her current quest for nanny number 17

Now  whisper this, I dont want everyone to have the same idea  I have three of her friends lined up to interview, all mature, 50-plus British women.

Its not the first time Ive gone down the teacher route. Aged two, Amelie started attending half-days in a lovely Montessori nursery, and I seized the opportunity to top up my childcare with their staff, recruiting Cara (a kind-faced, 30-something who clearly adored Amelie) and Katia (a glamorous blonde West Londoner).

I clicked with both immediately and attempted multiple bookings with each, but they soon left the world of nursery care for better paid pursuits.

Next came Maria, a calm, confident but startlingly business-like South African of precisely the kind that are so hard to find now.

She stayed with me for over a year  at the time, my personal best!

How am I going to find number 17?

But I grew a little nervous when she kept insisting I sign an insurance disclaimer that if anything happened to Amelie, I wasnt to sue her. I decided it best not to sign.

She quit to leave London and start a family with her husband (and Ill bet shes not signing any disclaimers of her own).

While searching for The One again in 2011, after the birth of my second daughter, Fifi, a lawyer friend offered to share her fun nanny, Lou, who had a baby son, looked after by her female partner.

Full of energy and life, I thought Lou would be the perfect person, but after a while my friend grumbled her house was full of unwashed dishes and wet swim kit left to fester. and switched to a live-in au pair.

In my mobile I have the numbers of two other nannies  Charlie and Gosia, whom I briefly used, but all I can recall is that they were young, pretty, Eastern European and always booked up.

So, I was overjoyed finally to find my Mary Poppins. Talia was a warm, kind, funny, loving, reliable and efficient Romanian mother-of-two, who lives right next door.

She was by my side when I brought home my third daughter, Belle, and it was Talia upon whom I relied to keep my domestic life running smoothly while I juggled with work during lockdown.

Now that Talia looks after children in her home and I want her at mine, its time to look anew. Wish me luck.
The Queen was last night 'reluctantly' under doctor's orders to rest after undertaking 19 official engagements since the start of the month.

Although royal aides stressed that there was no cause for alarm about the 95-year-old monarch's health, they were forced to cancel a two-day visit to Northern Ireland at the 11th hour yesterday.

The Daily Mail understands that the Queen's engagements were only called off in the morning, hours before she was due to arrive by plane.

The decision was so last minute that palace staff were already in Belfast awaiting her arrival.

October 7: Starting Commonwealth Games baton relay at Buckingham Palace

October 10: On her way to a service at the Royal Chapel, Windsor

October 12: Royal British Legions centenary service

Buckingham Palace said the sovereign was in 'good spirits' but it is believed her doctor ordered her to rest after a slew of work commitments this month.

Including her return from Balmoral, where she spent the summer, the Queen has travelled nearly 1,000 miles since the start of October. Last week, she was forced to start using a walking stick in public for the first time, a stark reminder of her advancing years.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: 'The Queen has reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days. Her Majesty is in good spirits and is disappointed that she will no longer be able to visit Northern Ireland. The Queen sends her warmest good wishes to the people of Northern Ireland, and looks forward to visiting in the future.'

Royal sources told the Mail there was no cause for concern, and stressed that the decision was made purely as a 'precautionary' measure.

There was no suggestion that the Queen had fallen ill and it was understood that her decision was not linked to Covid. It is understood she has received her booster jab.

October 13: Giving pianist Imogen Cooper The Queens Medal for Music

October 14: At the opening ceremony of the Welsh Parliament in Cardiff

October 16: Being inducted into the British Champions Series Hall of Fame at Ascot racecourse

But the monarch, who will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee next year, continues to stoically meet hundreds of work commitments each year  30 years after most people have retired  and does suffer from recurrent back pain.

On Tuesday she hosted a summit for global investors and politicians at Windsor Castle, standing and shaking hands for around 40 minutes, the Mail was told.

A source said she was on 'sparkling form', welcoming guests including Microsoft founder Bill Gates and US presidential envoy John Kerry, telling Mr Kerry: 'I saw you on telly the other night doing [Prince] William's Earthshot Prize thing.'

As part of her planned trip to Northern Ireland, she had been expected to stay at Hillsborough Castle and undertake a series of public engagements there yesterday, staying overnight to attend a service to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland today.

It is highly unusual that such a major engagement would be cancelled at the last minute, suggesting staff are taking no chances with the head of state's health, even if it is just precautionary.

Royal commentator Joe Little said the Queen's age meant last-minute cancellations might become more frequent. The managing editor of Majesty magazine said: 'When you get to the age of 95 and you have a role such as the Queen has, there is an inevitability about last-minute cancellations. Unfortunately, I think this is just how it's going to have to be from time to time.'

He added: 'Mentally, the Queen is pin-sharp as ever and when she makes speeches she speaks well. Every now and again there will be this reminder that she is 95 and she can't do what was expected of her ten, 20 years ago.'

October 19: She receives EU Ambassador Joao de Almeida and colleague Ana Jara de Carvalho via videolink from Windsor Castle

October 19: Greeting guests with PM Boris Johnson at a reception for the Global Investment Summit

Mr Little said he believed the Queen would carry out fewer public engagements to mark her Platinum Jubilee than she did for her Diamond Jubilee.

And he said he did not believe she would agree to allow Charles to take over duties as a prince regent unless there was a 'sharp deterioration' in her health.

The Queen is expected to rest at Windsor Castle and aides said there were no plans to cancel her attendance at events for the UN climate summit in Glasgow at the end of this month.

She is likely to continue to hold private meetings at Windsor Castle next week but has no public engagements.

Her doctor's advice will strengthen calls for her and her advisers to reconsider the number of engagements she undertakes. She has made schedule 'tweaks' and has handed over more arduous public duties such as investitures to other senior royals.

But there are some duties that only the reigning monarch can conduct. In recent weeks she has travelled to Holyrood and Cardiff to attend the opening of the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments, taken part in a tree planting at Balmoral and launched the Commonwealth Games baton relay at Buckingham Palace.

Last week she used a walking stick for the first time at a public event  at a service for the centenary of the Royal British Legion. She has also taken part in several audiences at Windsor.

A royal source said: 'With her Platinum Jubilee on the horizon, many are thinking that perhaps her private office needs to look at the diary again.'

Another source said: 'No one is saying that she should take a step back, but perhaps another slight step to one side might be in order.'
Sarah Ferguson cut a stylish figure as she attended a Red Cross charity event during Rome's 16th film festival in Italy on Wednesday evening.

The mother-of-two, 62, recycled a sleeveless floor-length red gown which she first wore when she attended the luminous fundraising gala as part of the BFI London Film Festival 2019.

The ex-wife of Prince Andrew, the Queen's second son, completed her glamorous outfit with a pair of silver dangling earrings, a gold bracelet and wrist watch.

Sarah, who is commonly known as Fergie, was gifted a personalised Red Cross top and flowers on arrival, before dining with the president of the charity, Francesco Rocca.

Sarah Ferguson, 62, stole the show at a Red Cross event in Rome during the 16th Film Festival 2021 at Villa Miani on Wednesday (pictured)

The mother-of-two was gifted a Red Cross Italy top, perhaps as a belated birthday gift, during the event

Despite arriving without a jacket in hand, it seems the chilly temperatures proved too much for the grandmother-of-two, who was later snapped wearing one at dinner.

Sarah, who wore her copper locks loose, opted for glamourous makeup, with a hint of blusher on her cheeks and a dusting of eye shadow.

Later in the evening, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice's mother was seen posing for snaps alongside Italian actor Raoul Bova and event planner Tiziana Rocca.

The engagement comes just days after the royal celebrated her 62nd birthday on Saturday, where she shared snaps of herself relaxing in nature and blowing out candles on a cake.

Sarah, pictured, received a beautiful bouquet of red and white roses, left, which matched her stylish dress, right

Fergie proudly showed the personalised top which she was gifted during the event, which matched her dress, pictured

The royal sat next to Francesco Rocca, the president of Italian Red Cross, during the glamorous event

The mother-of-two recycled the sleeveless floor-length red gown which she first wore when she attended the luminous fundraising gala as part of the BFI London Film Festival 2019 (pictured)

Taking to social media, the mother-of-two thanked well-wishers for their 'kind and thoughtful' birthday messages.

'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, also took to her social media account 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 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.

During tonight's event, Sarah met with event planner Tiziana Rocca, who was wearing a sleeveless black dress
Advertisement

With her hand resting on his lower back as they look into each others eyes, this behind-the-scene glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge is both touching and intimate.

The black and white picture shows William and Kate at the Earthshot Prize awards.

It was one of three images, taken by royal photographer Chris Jackson, that the couple posted on social media following Sundays inaugural eco-event.

The Earthshot Prize is awarded by the Royal Foundation to five winners each year for their contributions to environmentalism.

Guests at the ceremony at Londons Alexandra Palace had included Sir David Attenborough and Dame Emma Thompson. Kate dazzled in an Alexander McQueen dress, estimated to be worth 4,290, while William wore a green velvet jacket and black polo neck.

Kate and William appear to be following in the footsteps of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle by releasing photographs in black and white - and choosing to share their rare moments of public affection.

Mr Jackson, who is married to The Duchess of Cambridge's stylist and close friend Natasha Archer, 34, took to Instagram and explained how he captured a series of behind-the-scene pictures from the Earthshot Prize Awards on Sunday at Alexandra Palace in London.

The couple have always acknowledged the Queen's wishes for royal family members to avoid loved-up displays in public.

However, photographer Glenn Gratton told FEMAIL the Duchess of Sussex is putting her own stamp on royal photos by releasing them in black and white.

It comes after Meghan, 40, and Harry, 37, have plumped for black and white pictures on a number of important occasions, including their official engagement shoot and their first Christmas card.

Royal photographer Chris Jackson captured Kate Middleton making a rare moment of affection towards her husband Prince William at the Earthshot Prize Awards on Sunday

In another adorable photograph from the engagement, a dapper dressed Prince William pulls back the curtain as he and Kate are seen smiling and laughing

In another adorable photograph from Sunday's engagement, a dapper dressed Prince William pulls back the curtain as he and Kate are seen smiling and laughing together.

Elsewhere, two poignant individual shots of the pair show them both reflecting before they're about to go on stage on give their speeches on the importance of looking after the environment for several generations to come.

Alongside the series of snaps, Chris penned: 'Some of you may have noticed I was a little quiet after the Earthshot awards

'This was because I had a fantastic opportunity to shoot "behind the scenes" with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the groundbreaking environmental initiative that will do a huge amount to change the narrative over the next few years.'

Prince William and Kate appear to have followed in the footsteps of Prince Harry, 37, and Meghan Markle, 40, with the latest snaps shared behind-the-scenes at the Earthshot Prize on Sunday. Pictured, posing in the grounds of their $14 million Californian mansion in front of a 'tree of life'

Kate Middleton can be seen holding onto the railings as she takes to her seat next to husband, Prince William

Another poignant shot of Prince William shows him reflecting before heading on stage at the end of the event

In another powerful snap, Prince William, can be seen stepping on stage after ditching his usual black tuxedo for a trendy polo neck and green velvet jacket

'It was special to witness the passion and energy that went into this event from close quarters and performances from talented artists such as @teddysphotos @ksi and @coldplay.

'I think these pictures illustrate some the depth of feeling throughout the event.'

To match the event's ethos and highlight on sustainability, the mother-of-three recycled the Alexander McQueen dress she first wore ten years ago in 2011, at a Bafta reception in Los Angeles while she and Prince William were touring America as newly-weds.

The decade-long global environmental competition awards 1million to five winners for an idea to protect the planet.

However, the choice of the monochrome snaps comes after Prince Harry and Meghan chose two black and white family photos to announce Meghan's pregnancy with Lilibet, where the royal couple can be seen posing in the grounds of their $14 million Californian mansion in front of a 'tree of life.'

They also opted for the same style to announce their son's name on Instagram in May 2019, and released a further two from the photocall at Windsor Castle earlier the same day.

Another shot shows Sir David Attenbrough speaking on stage at the first Earthshot Prize awards ceremony

Nigerian Afropop star Yemi Alade, 32, turned heads in a dramatic red mini playsuit with a statement skirt cape

Speaking to Femail, photographer Glenn Gratton said Meghan is 'image conscious' and would have carefully thought through which photos to release of her son to make the best impression.

He added black and white is 'in vogue' and is a way for the royal mother to distance her photos from the high contrast, filtered photos that flood social media feeds.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a statement when they released two of the three official engagement photos in black and white.

The snaps, taken by Alexi Lubomirski, captured the couple looking loved-up in the grounds near their now-home Frogmore Cottage, in Windsor.

The snaps, taken by Alexi Lubomirski, captured the couple looking loved-up in the grounds near their now-home Frogmore Cottage, in Windsor. Pictured, one of the engagement photos

Harry and Meghan also opted to have black and white photos on their wedding day, later choosing this one of them standing with their backs to the camera as their first Christmas card

Harry and Meghan also opted to have some black and white photos on their wedding day, later choosing one of them standing with their backs to the camera as their first Christmas card.

Social media has proved an excellent platform for the couple to showcase their personal take on photography.

The first post on their Sussex Royal account was a gallery culminating in a previously unseen black and white snap on their royal tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji.

They have since shared monochrome snaps to highlight their work and charitable causes.

The Duchess of Sussex showed she is personally a fan of black and white snaps when she shared a monochrome photo of husband Prince Harry rehearsing for an Invictus Games speech during the royal tour last autumn.
The UK's top scientific advisors have only met twice in the last three months, it was revealed today amid fears a fourth Covid wave is just around the corner.

SAGE, which has guided the Government through the Covid pandemic, last met on October 14.

The October meeting was the second in as many months, with the influential panel last coming together before that on September 9.

The group  which includes England's chief medical officer professor Chris Whitty, Government chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, and 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson, among others  didn't meet in August at all.

Labour today claimed it 'beggars belief' as to why Sage was 'effectively stood down', with cases having soared to a three-month high of around 45,000.

There were 223 recorded deaths from the virus in the UK yesterday, the highest total since March, a month in which Sage met three times alone.

It is understood both Professor Whitty and Sir Patrick have raised the alarm about the figures in recent days, and internal Whitehall discussions have turned to reimposing some of the milder lockdown measures this winter.

The frequency of Sage meetings has declined since February, when the group of scientific advisors met once a week, to generally twice a month from April to July, one a month in September and October, skipping the month of August entirely

Chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty (left) and the Government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance (middle) are two of the highest profile members of Sage which provides prime minister Boris Johnson (right) scientific advice on how best to handle the Covid pandemic. The group has only met twice in the last three months as cases and deaths from the virus begin to rise to levels not seen since the second wave

How often has Sage met since last July? 2021 October: One meeting on the 14th September: One meeting on the 9th August: 0 meetings July: Two meetings, on the 7th and 22nd June: Two meetings, on the 9th and 3rd May: Three meetings, on the 5th, 13th, and 27th April: Two meetings, on the 8th and 22nd March: Three meetings, on the 11th, 25th and 31st February: Four meetings, on the 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th January: Four meetings, one the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th 2020 December: Four meetings, on the 3rd, 10th, 17th and 22nd November: Six meetings, on the 4th, 5th, 12th, 16th, 19th and 26th October: Five meetings, on the 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th September: Six meetings, on the 1st, 3rd, 10th, 17th, 21st, 24th August: Four meetings, on the 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th July: Five meetings, on the 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th Advertisement

There are also concerns about the rise of a new Delta variant of the virus in the UK. The variant called AY.4.2, could be up to 10 to 15 per cent more infectious than its ancestor.

This, combined with a slow rollout of the Covid booster programme, with nearly 5million vulnerable adults yet to receive theirs, indicates there may be some dire weeks to come in Britain's fight against Covid.

SAGE meetings have diminished in frequency since February, when the second wave was just starting to fizzle out. Since then the group has mostly met thrice or twice a month but August this year was the first time the group did not meet at all since the pandemic began.

In comparison, SAGE met four times in August 2020, six times in September 2020, and five times in October last year as the country headed into the colder months and the onset of the second wave of the virus.

It contains some of the UK's leading epidemiologists, virologists and other health experts, with meetings also regularly attended by government officials.

At meetings they analyse the latest trends of how Covid has been spreading in the UK, and the latest research into the virus and how it can be contained and treated.

NHS boss says health service was NEVER overwhelmed in fight against Covid The head of the NHS today said the health service was never overwhelmed by Covid during the height of the pandemic. Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, told MPs expanding critical care, introducing new treatments and rolling out the vaccine prevented wards from being overrun over the last year-and-a-half. However, medics who worked on the frontlines during the first and second waves of immediately slammed their boss, accusing her of 'gaslighting'. Mrs Pritchard also warned the NHS is on course for a 'tough winter' and that a rise in Covid-infected patients would have a knock-on effect on how much other, planned care could be carried out. She suggested pressures on the health service could see thousands more hospital treatments cancelled. More than 1.5million NHS ops were cancelled or delayed due to the chaos of the pandemic. Her comments were echoed by Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who told MPs there is 'huge pressure' on the health service in England. Mr Javid admitted there are 'shortages' of 999 call handlers after ex Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt raised the issue in the House of Commons. Meanwhile, paramedics also warned six-hour waits for ambulances could become 'commonplace' this winter. The College of Paramedics claimed ambulances have been forced to wait outside of hospitals because of packed A&E wards, and warned that the problems will only get larger as winter demand picks up. Advertisement

MailOnline contacted SAGE for comment on the infrequency of meetings in the last few months.

Whitehall sources told the i that the 'meeting rhythm' of Sage was determined by a combination of 'government demand for scientific advice on particular issues' and of the 'emergence of new evidence'.

This rhythm has changed 'continually' during the pandemic, the source said, but there was now a 'reducing tempo given the lessened demand for science advice as our understanding of key science questions improves, the epidemic evolves and capabilities within government increases'.

Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said the apparent standing down of Sage 'beggared belief' considering the Covid situation gripping the UK.

'This week we have seen infections at around 50,000 a day, warnings of waning vaccination and a faltering jabs programme which when combined with fear over flu should be taken as flashing warning lights for ministers,' he said.

'Learning to live with the virus is not the same as pretending the virus doesnt exist. To hear that Sage has effectively been stood down beggars belief.'

A Government spokesperson said they continued to take up-to-date advice on the science surround the pandemic.

'The government continues to regularly receive scientific and technical advice from a wide range of sources, they said.

'This includes from the newly established UKHSA, the JCVI and the Chief Scientific Adviser and Chief Medical Officer as well as SAGE and its subgroups.'

The spokesperson also defended the sporadic Sage meetings, stating it continued to meet as needed.

'SAGE continues to meet as needed and the regularity of SAGE meetings is determined by the Chief Scientific Adviser in consultation with scientific colleagues,' they said.

'The vaccination programme has weakened the link between cases, deaths and hospitalisations, and we are continuing to monitor the scientific evidence and data very closely over the coming months.'

Yesterday, No10 said a further 223 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid  bringing the UK's total death tally to 138,852.

While the numbers are often higher on Tuesdays because of a lag in reporting deaths and cases over the weekend, this is the highest figure for daily reported deaths since March 9.

Meanwhile, the seven-day average for cases is standing at around 44,145 per day  the highest level for almost three months.

SAGE has been slammed in recent weeks, with a damning probe into No10's handling of the Covid pandemic earlier this month finding it failed to challenge the panel's 'groupthink', leading to the virus ripping through Britain.

In a devastating verdict, the report insisted the deadly delay in imposing the first national lockdown was 'because of the official scientific advice the Government received, not in spite of it'.

It added that an 'over-reliance on specific mathematical models'  many of which were later proved to be wildly inaccurate  was a key factor in the UK's disastrous response to Covid.

In the early days of the pandemic Boris Johnson consistently stuck to the mantra that his Government was 'following the science'.

The rise in Covid deaths and cases have prompted some to call for the Government to enforce a a 'Plan B', which would bring back mandatory face masks and more working from home in order to avoid a 'winter crisis'.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation which represents NHS trusts, urged the Government to implement the back-up strategy amid rising Covid cases.

Mr Taylor said the NHS is preparing for what could be 'the most challenging winter on record' and risks 'stumbling into a crisis' after a continued rise on coronavirus cases over the past week amid fears the booster jab rollout is going too slowly.

He also said that the UK should replicate the 'national mobilisation' that the UK 'achieved in the first and second waves'.

Mr Taylor suggested Britain would be unable to tackled the record-breaking NHS backlog of 5.7million patients waiting for routine surgery without implementing the alternative winter Covid plan. Hospital bosses have already warned the waiting list will not be cleared for at least five years.

But Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng today said the Government does not 'feel that it's the time for Plan B right now', echoing No10's official stance yesterday.

Mr Kwarteng said he would continue to urge people to wear face masks in public and conceded the slow uptake of coronavirus booster jabs is 'something that we really need to address'.

However, Politico reported Professor Whitty and Sir Patrick have raised the alarm about rising Covid numbers in recent days with internal discussions turning to the possibility of reimposing some of the milder measures lockdown this winter.
Thousands of women in the UK may be being driven to terminate their pregnancies each year because of a condition that causes severe vomiting during gestation.

A survey of more than 5,000 women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), published today, is the largest study ever into the 'devastating' illness.

It found that 5 per cent of HG sufferers terminated a planned pregnancy because the symptoms become too overwhelming, while more than half considered it.

A quarter of affected women said they experienced suicidal thoughts, while 6.6 per cent regularly considered taking their own life.

HG, which Kate Middleton famously suffered while carrying Prince George, can lead to dehydration, weight loss and serious mental health problems.

Up to one in 30 pregnant women suffer from the HG each year in the UK and US. It causes persistent and excessive nausea and vomiting.

King's College London researchers, who conducted the survey, argued it was critical pregnant women can get rapid access to anti-sickness medication.

The Duchess of Cambridge suffered from the condition when expecting her first child Prince George in 2012 and was admitted to hospital for three days. She

The survey, published today in Obstetric Medicine, revealed 4.9 per cent of women said they terminated a wanted pregnancy because of HG, while 52.1 per cent considered it.

Previous studies have found as many as 15.2 per cent of women with the condition had an abortion.

Women were more likely to get an abortion if HG left them unable to look after their existing children, or felt it was the only way to stop suicidal thoughts, the researchers said.

They survey allowed women to write comments as well as responding to multiple choice questions.

One woman said she doesn't think she will 'ever get over it', but 'had no other option at the time.'

A study of more than 5,000 woman in the UK who suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum revealed five per cent have terminated a wanted pregnancy because their symptoms were so debilitating, while more than half considered it

What is hyperemesis gravidarum? Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a condition that causes persistent and excessive vomiting during pregnancy. Sufferers can be sick lots of times every day and be unable to keep food or water down, impacting their daily life. It is unlikely to harm the baby, but if it causes a women to lose weight during pregnancy there is an increased risk their baby will have a low birth weight. It is different to sickness during pregnancy  often called morning sickness  which is normal and affects eight in 10 pregnant women. For most, this stops or improves around weeks 16 to 20. Meanwhile, HG may not get better by this point and can last until the baby is born. Symptoms of HG include prolonged and severe nausea and vomiting, being dehydrated, weight loss and low blood pressure. Being dehydrated raises the risk of having a blood clot  deep vein thrombosis  but this is rare. It is not clear what causes the condition, or why some women get it and others don't. Some experts think it may be linked to the changing hormones in the body that occurs during pregnancy. And there is some evidence that it runs in families and women who suffered it during their first pregnancy are more likely to have in any subsequent pregnancies. Women suffering from HG can be given medicine to improve their symptoms, such as anti-sickness drugs, vitamins B6 and B12 and steroids. Some women have to be admitted to hospital if their nausea cannot be controlled with medicines at home. They may require fluids and anti-sickness drugs to be administered through an IV. Source: NHS Advertisement

Another described deciding to have an abortion 'to avoid losing my new job and home for my first child, which I had rented after 6-months of homelessness'.

Meanwhile, 25.5 per cent of women said they experienced occasional suicidal thoughts and 6.6 per cent had them regularly.

Women who had support from family, friends and healthcare providers were less likely to have suicidal thoughts.

The study was developed as a collaboration between the BBC and the Pregnancy Sickness Support charity, who sent it to their members.

Some study participants said death 'felt preferable' to constant nausea and vomiting, with 19 women (0.4 per cent) stating that they 'hoped to not wake up each morning'.

And 184 women said they decided not to have another baby because of the condition.

More than two-thirds of sufferers were 'bedridden most of the time' and needed support.

Senior author, Professor Catherine Williamson from King's College London, said: 'This study has confirmed the urgent need for further research into this devastating condition.

'We hope that the work we are currently carrying out at King's College London will allow us to find out more about the effects that hyperemesis gravidarum has on both the mother and developing child and also about what causes this illness.

'By answering these questions, we will be able to develop more effective treatments, improving the care of these women.'

HG had a 'marked and deleterious effects' on affected women's daily lives, the researchers said, as they struggled to work, which increased feelings of isolation and financial strain.

Some 85.7 per cent of women took prescribed medication for the condition.

But around half of these women had to actively request the treatments.

Medicines to treat the condition's symptoms include anti-sickness drugs, vitamins B6 and B12, as well as steroids.

And some women are admitted to hospital to receive hydration treatment through an IV.

Four in 10 women said their experiences with primary and secondary care was 'extremely poor', while nearly a third said it was 'poor'.

Those who reported having bad experiences with healthcare staff were more likely not to have taken medication or received rehydration treatment, compared to those who said they had 'excellent' care.

One commented that 'any requests for help were met with 'you will have to visit your GP' which was impossible as I couldn't leave my bed'.

The researchers noted that many descriptions attitudes from healthcare staff 'were negative and revealed a lack of knowledge surrounding HG'.

And unanswered questions and a lack of clarity around the safety of medication for HG increased anxiety among women about the health of their babies.

At the time the survey was conducted, 18.6 per cent of respondents were experiencing symptoms and 28.3 per cent had suffered from the condition in the last year.

Some 43.7 per cent of women reported severe sickness in one pregnancy, while the remainder suffered it in multiple pregnancies.



Dr Caitlin Dean, chair at Pregnancy Sickness Support, which runs a helpline for the condition, said: 'Sadly, while there are pockets of excellent care for hyperemesis gravidarum and individual staff who treat the condition well, this is still not the norm and the experiences of these women are very much representative of the many calls we receive daily to our charity.

'There remains to this day a persistent stigma around pregnancy sickness which hampers access to treatment and results in women losing their desperately wanted babies.'

The Duchess of Cambridge suffered from the condition when expecting her first child Prince George in 2012 and was admitted to hospital for three days.

In an interview last year, she revealed she was 'not the happiest of pregnant people' and turned to meditation and deep breathing to get through the symptoms.
The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says there is no evidence a new sublineage of the highly contagious Delta variant is impacting the effectiveness of Covid vaccines or treatments.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Dr Rochelle Walensky addressed the AY.4.2 subvariant, which currently makes up nearly 10 percent of all infections in the UK.

It is far less prevalent in the U.S. with just seven cases identified across four states and the District of Columbia.

'At this time, there is no evidence that the sublineage AY.4.2 impacts the effectiveness of our current vaccines or therapeutics,' Walensky said.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky said on Wednesday (above) there is no evidence that the new Delta sublineage AY.4.2 is impairing the effectiveness of vaccines or treatments

She added there have been no clusters identified in the U.S. with just seven cases detected in California, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington state and Washington, DC (above)

According to outbreak.info, AY.4.2, appears to have derived from the Delta AY.4 sub-variant, which itself comes from the original Delta variant.

It is unknown where the sublineage originated, but it has been circulating in the UK since June before increasing in prevalence.

In mid-September AY.4.2 was linked to four percent of cases in Britain. It has more than doubled in the span of a month and is now linked to 10 percent of cases.

It may be why cases and deaths in the UK are now on the rise after weeks of declines.

On Tuesday, 43,738 new infections of COVID-19 were recorded, a 13.5 percent increase from the the 38,520 seen last week.

Additionally, 233 virus-related deaths were reported, up 23.2 percent from the 181 recorded last Tuesday.

The figure is the highest number of fatalities recorded since March 9, when 231 people died from the virus.

AY.4.2 has been circulating in the UK since June and it has since increased in prevalence, making up nearly 10% of all Covid infections in the UK (yellow), double the 4% it accounted for in mid-September

In a tweet thread on Friday, Dr Francois Balloux, director of the University College London Genetics Institute, wrote that AY.4.2 is mostly seen in the UK and 'remains exceptionally rare anywhere else.'

In fact, in the U.S., just seven cases have been detected in California, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington state and Washington, DC.

'There are new variants that continue to emerge as cases continue to spread, and in particular, the AY.4.2 variant has drawn some attention in recent days,' Walensky said during the briefing.

'...We have on occasion identified this sublineage here in the United States, but not with recent increased frequency or clustering to date.'

This map shows the proportion of cases caused by AY.4.2 in the fortnight to October 9, with darker colors equating to more infections caused by the subvariant

On Tuesday, Dr Gregory Poland, a vaccinologist and professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, said the U.S. needs to track the spread of AY.4.2 in the UK because, over the course of the pandemic, what occurs in the UK usually appears three to four weeks later in America.

'We do need to keep a close eye,' he told DailyMail.com.

'Lots of variants arrive every day. The question is are they clinically relevant, meaning do they cause more severe disease, is there an evasion of immunity, are they more transmissible?

'Those are things we are concerned about.'

AY.4.2 does not appear to be overtaking the Delta variant as quickly as the Delta variant usurped Alpha.

What's more, the two mutations seen with this strain - Y145H and A222V - are not seen in other so-called 'variants of concern' and are not generally associated with immunity evasion, increased ability to spread or being able to cause more severe cases, according to Balloux.

Poland says the real test of whether or not to be concerned about this mutation is if AY.4.2 can outstrip the Delta variant.

'It has to compete with Delta and that is very hard to outcompete Delta,' he said.

'We should keep an eye on it, but we shouldn't be concerned until we see signs that it's outcompeting Delta.'

On Tuesday, 43,738 new infections of COVID-19 were recorded, a 13.5% increase from the the 38,520 seen last week.

COVID-19 cases continue to fall in the U.S. to the lowest levels seen since February

As of Tuesday, AY.4.2 has been spotted in nearly every part of England.

Data from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, which sequences thousands of Covid samples in England every week, suggest it is most prevalent in Adur in West Sussex, with 61 percent of all positive samples sequenced in the area linked to AY.4.2.

The subvariant is also highly prevalent in East Lindsey at 46 percent and Torridge at 41 percent.

Poland applauded the UK for its efforts in tracking the variant and said the U.S. needs to do better in its tracking efforts.

'The UK has been absolutely brilliant in collecting samples and performing genome sequencing, far better than in the U.S.,' he said.

'That's why they were able to detect the prevalence of this sublineage.'
Scott Miller (pictured) is Washougal, Washington, based PA that has been suspended after allegations that he harassed hospitals and inappropriately prescribed drugs to patients to treat COVID-19

A Washington state-based physician assistant (PA) has had his license suspended by a medical board for treating Covid patients with the anti-parasite drug ivermectin and 'harassing' hospitals to do likewise.

Scott Miller of Washougal, Washington, had his medical license suspended by the Washington Medical Commission (WMC) over allegations that his 'treatment of COVID-19 patients fell below the standard of care.'

Miller is accused of recommending ivermectin, vitamin D and vitamin C supplements among other non-approved treatment to patients who had contracted the virus.

He also prescribed drugs to at least one patient that he had never examined.

Additionally, the PA is accused of harassing hospitals to treat patients with ivermectin, and even once lied and said he was a patient's brother in order to recommend certain treatments to the patient's doctor.

'Miller began a public campaign promoting ivermectin as a curative for COVID-19, and prescribed it without adequate examination to at least one person, with no reliable clinical studies that establish its efficacy in preventing or treating COVID-19,' the WMC wrote in a statement about the suspension.

'Allegations against Miller also include: interfering with the care of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, engaging in a hostile and and threatening public campaign against both hospitals and individual physicians regarding COVID-19 treatment.'

The commission also alleges that Miller lied on his initial application to get his license by not disclosing that he was previously under investigation by the State of California's PA Board.

Miller (pictured) is an advocate for using the anti-parasite drug ivermectin to treat COVID-19, despite no evidence suggesting the drug can combat the virus

Miller has been suspended after his 'treatment of COVID-19 patients fell below the standard of care', per the Washington Medical Conditions. He has been accused of telling patients that his practice, Miller Family Pediatrics (pictured), does not use masks

The Columbian reports that there have been more than a dozen complaints about Miller.

Complaints include a November 23, 2020 report that Miller gloated about not using masks at his practice, Miller Family Pediatrics; teaching patients not to use masks; and sharing false information about the virus and the pandemic.

Miller is a known critic of masking and vaccine mandates, according to The Columbian, even showing up at school board meetings in Washington to protest mandates and push ivermectin as a 'cure' for the virus.

He previously practiced in California, where he had gotten himself into hot water as well.

Miller was accused by the California medical board of providing care without a supervising physician's authorization, writing prescriptions without examining patients and for failing to document patients' medical records.

He has 20 days to appeal the suspension. His practice did not immediately respond to a DailyMail.com request for comment.

A GoFundMe has been set up by a local resident to support Miller and his family (pictured) after his suspension

Currently, the Miller Family Pediatrics website has a pop up that takes visitors to a GoFundMe set up for the family

The GoFundMe, which was launched of July 23 on behalf of Shelly Miller, Scott's wife. It has raised over $59,000, but is no longer taking donations as of Wednesday afternoon

The practice's website has a popup to 'Support Scott Miller' and links to a GoFundMe page organized by Joshua Brock, a Camas, Washington resident, and with Miller's wife, Shelly, listed as a beneficiary.

The fundraiser is no longer accepting donations, as of Wednesday afternoon, but has collected more than $59,000.

The page says the campaign was launched on July 23, months before the recent allegations came to light.

Miller is among a small group of physicians nationwide who have promoted and prescribed ivermectin as a potential cure for COVID-19.

Ivermectin is an anti-parasite drug with no known anti-viral properties and has not demonstrated an ability to fight Covid in real human subjects.

There are clinical trials underway to determine the drug's effectiveness at fighting the virus, however.

Ivermectin is safe for humans to use, and is approved by regulators to fight parasite related conditions.

But many are hurting themselves, using versions of the drug made for large animals like horses and cows and overdosing.

Ivermectin has been falsely promoted by some as a cure for COVID-19. The anti-parasite drug has no anti-viral properties (file image)
Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine is 90 percent effective at preventing death from the Delta variant, a new study finds.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh, in Scotland, gathered data from the country's national vaccine surveillance platform to determine the effectiveness of the vaccines against death.

The study is the first to show across an entire country how effective vaccines are at preventing fatalities from the Delta variant, which is the most dominant strain of Covid in the UK.

The team also found that the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine was 91 percent effective at preventing death from the virus.

A Scottish research team found that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is 90% effective at preventing death from the Delta variant. Pictured: A vial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

The Pfizer vaccine is the most commonly used jab in the United States, having been administered over 240 million times and fully vaccinating over 104 million people. Pictured: A woman in New York City receives a shot of a COVID-19 vaccine on August 10

'With the Delta variant now the dominant strain in many places worldwide and posing a higher risk of hospitalization than previous variants seen in the UK, it is reassuring to see that vaccination offers such high protection from death very shortly after the second dose,' said Dr Aziz Sheikh, lead researcher and director of the University of Edinburgh's Usher Institute.

'If you still have not taken up your offer to be vaccinated, I would encourage you to do so based on the clear benefits it offers.'

The study, published on Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, analyzed data from 5.4 million people in Scotland between April 1 and September 27 this year.

During this period, 115,000 people tested positive for Covid using a PCR test in the community, rather than in a hospital, and there were 201 Covid-related deaths recorded.

Researchers defined death from Covid as anyone who died within 28 days of a positive PCR test, or with Covid recorded as a cause of death on their death certificates.

No deaths have been recorded in those who have been double vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine in Scotland, according to the data.

Researchers said it is therefore not possible to estimate this particular vaccine's effectiveness in preventing Covid-related deaths.

'This study shows the value of carrying out analyses of routine healthcare data available in near real-time,' said Dr Chris Robertson, a statistics professor at the University of Strathclyde, in Glasgow, Scotland.

'Our findings are encouraging in showing that the vaccine remains an effective measure in protecting both ourselves and others from death from the most dominant variant of COVID-19.

'It is very important to validate these early results in other settings and with a longer follow-up study.'

The Delta variant, which was first detected in India, is a highly contagious strain of the virus that quickly took over the world over the summer.

The virus became the dominant strain U.S. in June, and caused a massive summer Covid surge that proved to be the second largest of the pandemic so far.

While cases and deaths have since declined, the strain remains dominant in the nation.

According to official data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the variant accounts for 99 percent of new cases - and has accounted for 99 percent or more cases in the U.S. since the start of September.

The potential for this strain to be more likely to cause hospitalizations or deaths was also the reason cited by health officials for why Covid vaccine booster shots were needed in the country.

The Pfizer vaccine is the most commonly used jab in the U.S., having been distributed 240 million times, and fully vaccinating 104 million Americans.

In total, 66 percent of Americans have received at least one shot of any Covid vaccine, and 57 percent are fully vaccinated, per CDC data.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized booster shots for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday.

J&J's extra doses will be for all adults aged 18 and older while Modena's third shot will only be for those aged 65 and older or at high risk due to underlying conditions or their jobs.

It comes a week after the FDA's advisory committee recommended that officials approved the two companies' booster doses.

The federal health agency will also allow fully vaccinated Americans to 'mix and match' Covid vaccines and booster shots.

This means people can receive a booster made by a company that is different than the one that made the vaccine they initially received.

The next and final step before the extra doses can be rolled out will be authorization from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) advisory committee, which is expected to occur on Thursday.

The FDA has authorized booster shots for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines. Pictured: Nurse Elyse Isopo receives COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine booster at Teaching Center LIJ Medical Center in New York, September 23

Moderna's (left) third dose is only authorized for those aged 65 and older or those between ages 18 and 64 at high risk due to underlying conditions or their jobs. J&J's (right) booster shot is approved for all American adults aged 18 and older

'Today's actions demonstrate our commitment to public health in proactively fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic,' said Acting FDA Commissioner Dr Janet Woodcock, in a statement.

'As the pandemic continues to impact the country, science has shown that vaccination continues to be the safest and most effective way to prevent COVID-19, including the most serious consequences of the disease, such as hospitalization and death.

'The available data suggest waning immunity in some populations who are fully vaccinated. The availability of these authorized boosters is important for continued protection against COVID-19 disease.'

J&J's authorization comes after the company published data in September looking at the effectiveness of a second dose given 56 days after the first in adults 18 and older.

Results showed a booster shot was 94 percent effective against symptomatic COVID-19 and 100 percent effective against critical illness at least 14 days post-vaccination.

This compares to 70 percent protection seen with a single dose.

There was only one case of COVID-19 in the vaccine group and 14 in the placebo group.

J&J said that a booster given two months after the first dose increased antibody levels between four-fold and six-fold.

When given six months after the first dose, antibody levels shot up nine-fold after one week and 12-fold after four weeks.

In the case of Moderna, the company released data in September showing people who received its COVID-19 vaccine last year are nearly twice as likely to get a breakthrough infection compared to those recently vaccinated.

There were 88 breakthrough cases of COVID-19 among Americans vaccinated from December 2020 to March 2021.

Comparatively, there were 162 cases - 1.8 times as many - among those vaccinated between July 2020 and December 2020.

The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company said the data provided evidence for giving booster doses to fully vaccinated people.

The authorization of 'mix and match' boosters comes after researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) presented data at an FDA advisory committee meeting on Friday showing people who got Johnson & Johnson's Covid vaccine had higher antibody levels if they get a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna booster shot.

The NIH presented data last week showing the J&J booster raised antibody levels in J&J recipients four-fold (left) over two weeks while Pfizer's booster raised levels 45-fold (right) and the Moderna booster spiked levels 76-fold (center)

Moderna's booster was also found to raise antibody levels higher among Pfizer recipients than Pfizer's third dose - 32 fold (center) compared to 21-fold (right)

The report found that when recipients of the one-shot J&J vaccine received a second dose, their antibody levels increased four-fold over two weeks.

Comparatively, when they received a Moderna booster, their antibody levels spiked 76-fold over the same time period.

A booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine also raised antibody levels 45-fold over the course of two weeks - higher than the J&J shot, but not as high as the Moderna shot.

What's more, the Moderna booster was also found to raise antibody levels higher Pfizer recipients.

Americans who received two doses of the Pfizer saw their antibody levels increase 21-fold after a third Pfizer shot.

But those given the Moderna booster had antibody levels raised 32-fold over the span of 14 days.
The Treasury and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) raised the contactless limit from 45 to 100 on October 15, but Money Mail quickly found retailers were reluctant to embrace it.

The limit sets how much can be spent on a contactless bank card  debit or credit  without having to verify your identity by entering a Pin.

In April last year it was increased from 30 to 45 as an anti- Covid measure to reduce contact between shoppers and payment terminals.

Denied: When reporter Amelia Murray (pictured) went to try out her new spending power on London's Oxford Street, she was met with bemusement and suspicion

Now a card can be used to make five contactless payments in a row before the spender is asked to enter their PIN  or up to 300.

But retailers have rebelled against the rollout, fearing fraud and that shoppers could walk off with their goods without realising the transaction had not been processed.

The Post Office says it has no plans to allow 100 contactless transactions. Some national retail chains are also refusing to update their systems at the moment because of a lack of demand from customers, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

The trade body says there are also concerns about contactless walk-offs which could cost shops millions.

This happens if a contactless payment is blocked and a Pin requested, but the customer does not realise and leaves the shop without paying. This is a particular worry for stores with self- service checkouts.

At the 45 limit this problem cost retailers about 33million a year. There are fears losses could now grow significantly.

Other retailers are phasing in the 100 limit while they update their systems. This could take months.

When I tried to spend a three-figure sum with one tap of my debit card on Londons Oxford Street  Europes most popular shopping district  I was met with strange looks or promises that the systems would be updated on Monday.

Stumped: When Amelia asked about the new spending limit in Boots the staff had no idea and said the only way to find out was to test it on the self-service machine

In John Lewis, I was told downstairs that the limit had increased to 100 but at the till on the second floor I had to enter my PIN to approve a 95.10 payment for a bath robe, towel and cushion.

Many staff I spoke to had yet to hear of the change. The sales assistant in H. Samuel told me I could only use contactless to pay up to 45, and the manager of the Apple Store on Regent Street mistakenly told me the limit depended on my bank.

Friday was supposed to bring convenience to shoppers and a boost to the UK economy post-lockdowns. But did anyone get the memo?

When I asked in Boots, staff had no idea. They said the only way to find out if the limit had increased was to test it on the self-service machine.

In Clarks and House of Fraser, I was told systems would be ready on Monday. A Sainsburys staffer said she had heard rumours of the changes but nothing had been updated yet.

The Tesco cashier looked at me like I was making it up when I told her I should be able to pay contactless for some 60 hair straighteners and the payment was rejected. She said: We would have been told if this was happening.

Assistants in TK Maxx told me some contactless payments over 45 had gone through but when I pressed my card to the machine for my 99.98 purchase of a shirt and jacket it requested my PIN.

When I tried again a few days later, stores seemed no more prepared. In Boots, I was told it had not worked that morning. And the limit had still not been raised in Marks & Spencer and TK Maxx.

I began to wonder if staff suspected I was trying to shop with a stolen bank card. This is a genuine concern of many.

The Financial Conduct Authority raised the contactless limit from 45 to 100 as of Friday, but Money Mail quickly found retailers had been reluctant to embrace it

The risk with contactless is that someone could steal your card and go on a spree with no need for verification.

If someone steals your card and makes contactless payments, the money will be refunded  as long as you have not been grossly negligent. If you find your card is missing report it to your bank at once.

The FCA says contactless card fraud did not increase after the hike to 45 last year, and has not risen in countries where the limit is about 100.

A spokesman says: Firms must ensure they work to reduce the risk of unauthorised transactions and fraud and need to have tools in place to monitor for fraudulent transactions. As the limit increases we will continue to keep a close eye on the data.

There are also fears the 100 limit will encourage people to spend more than they should.

Myron Jobson, from platform interactive investor, says: Contactless payments are easy and frictionless. The worry is the new bumper limit could encourage reckless spending, resulting in some customers going beyond their means.

This could lead to debt issues at a time when many are feeling the financial pinch, owing to the pandemic and rising cost of living.

You can also ask your bank to limit your spending power.

Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland customers can set their own contactless limit to between 30 and 95 (in increments of 5) online or via their mobile phone app. They will also be able to turn the contactless function on and off as they please. You can also change your limits in branch or by phone.

Nationwide customers can switch off their cards contactless function online, in branch or via a mobile app. Alternatively, they can request a non-contactless card. NatWest customers can turn off the contactless function using its app but cannot set new limits. HSBC says you can request a non-contactless card.

Nationwide applies the same rules to credit cards, while HSBC customers can call the number on the back of their card and request that the contactless function is switched off.

But Barclays, Lloyds and NatWest will only allow changes made to debit cards.

Tesco says it started bringing in the new limit last Friday and Sainsburys says it should be available in its 600 stores over the next few weeks. Marks & Spencer says it should be in place by today, and Waitrose began on Monday.

All 210 Youngs pubs will accept the 100 limit and B&Q says it will be in all stores from October 28. Boots systems will not be updated until January.

Payment apps on smartphones and smartwatches do not have a spending limit, but require security checks  which might be a PIN, fingerprint or facial recognition technology.

The first contactless credit and debit cards were introduced in 2007 with a limit of 10. The threshold was raised gradually to 20 in 2012, then to 30 in 2015.

a.murray@dailymail.co.uk
Our car broke down on July 26 as my wife and I were travelling home with friends.

When negotiating the busy Canford Bottom roundabout on the A31 there was a bang and I was unable to get the car to move.

We pushed it to the outer lane and I called RAC just before 8pm. For hours I was told it was exceptionally busy and was promised updates in 30 minutes. At 12.23am I was told our case would be escalated.

Police attended in the evening and returned at 3am  they could not believe we were still there.

Stranded: AA took more than 8 hours to get to an elderly couple after the car broke down on the busy A31 at night

They helped us move the car to a safer location and drove us to a friends' house. Our friends then drove us home to Bournemouth.

As we walked through the door at 3.40am a breakdown driver called, so we went out again to take the car key to him.

He told us he had been available for the past five hours but had only recently received a request from RAC.

A. G., Bournemouth, Dorset.

Tony Hazell replies: What a nightmare! It must have been particularly galling to learn that your ordeal could have been curtailed by five hours and you might have been tucked up in bed by midnight.

This was during the pingdemic when staff absence at RAC would have been high.

But you had an awful experience, and its offer of reparation was pathetic  a 50 per cent renewal discount. You were a long-standing customer who had been badly let down.

I pointed this out to RAC and you then received an appropriately grovelling apology: 'Ultimately, we should have attended much sooner than we did and we should have called when we said we would. There is no excuse for how long you waited.'

You were offered 15 months of free breakdown cover, which you happily accepted.

RAC told me: 'The impact of unprecedented UK staycation travel, together with many staff having to self-isolate, put extreme pressure on all breakdown service providers, meaning a small number of customers had to wait longer than usual.

'We're pleased Mr G has accepted our gesture of goodwill.'

A broken gas meter turned of a customer's supply that then hiked their bills by hundreds

Broken gas meter hiked bill by 800

On May 29 our gas boiler stopped working. A central heating engineer traced the problem to the outside gas meter which had somehow turned off the gas supply.

Our supplier, Utility Warehouse, said the meter was irreparable and arranged to change it the following week. We switched off the boiler so no gas was entering our home.

My husband took 15 meter readings over the next three days, and the reading increased from 15,610 to 16,094.

We told the engineer who changed the meter, but he did not pass this on to the firm. Our bills were increasing rapidly so we told Utility Warehouse about the fault.

The provider said our next bill would be adjusted, but we were charged 800 for July.

This meant our debt had risen from 300.19 to 1,328.91 between April and July. Utility Warehouse has closed our complaint and told us to wait until January to see what our usage is on the new meter.

We have been with the firm for three years, so why can't it look at our previous readings?

B. C., Watton, Norfolk.

Tony Hazell replies: That increase in gas usage over the summer should ring alarm bells. I am surprised there was no search for a leak.

You are both in your 80s and had become scared to use gas because of the rising bills. This is no way to treat potentially vulnerable customers.

Your payments from February to August 2020 came to 1,109.08, but over the same period this year you were charged 1,592.78.

Your old meter was faulty, but how long had it been malfunctioning for? After I made contact, Utility Warehouse re-estimated your bills with previous usage details, resulting in a credit of 1,068.67.

This leaves your account clear of any debt. It has also apologised and made a 75 goodwill payment. You are very happy with this outcome.

A former AA employee joined a sharesave scheme but has now been told there is no trace of it

What happened to my AA employee savings?

I joined a three-year sharesave scheme as an employee with the AA. I left the company in 2003, went to live in France and forgot about this.

I have now returned to the UK. I wrote to the AA, Centrica (which owned the AA) and the share service Equiniti. I have been told there is no trace of the account.

P. W., Evesham, Worcs.

Tony Hazell replies: Equiniti has searched microfiche records.

It says you left the AA employee share scheme and cashed a cheque for 900. You can't recall doing this, but it is easy to forget something from nearly two decades ago.

You have approached your bank, but it has told you it can only go back through your transfers from up to three years ago.

Isn't it good to know that, in the age of computerisation, banks are claiming their records are hopeless?

I say 'claiming' because I don't believe what your bank has told you, though whether it could go as far back as 2003 is another matter.
The idea of making money while also saving the planet is appealing to many savers.

So its no surprise the Duke and Duchess of Sussex leapt at the opportunity last week to plunge their fortunes into the sustainable investment firm Ethic.

When we invest in each other we change the world, the couple said in a typically verbose statement.

Influencers: Harry and Meghan are the latest in a long line of famous faces, politicians and brands to start talking about 'ESG' - which stands for 'Environmental, Social and Governance'

Harry and Meghan are the latest in a long line of celebrities, politicians and businesses to talk about ESG  which stands for Environmental, Social and Governance.

In short, it means being more conscious of where your money is invested and what it is funding.

And the trend is filtering down to the High Street banks. The amount of money spent on ethical banking more than doubled to 196.65 million between 2010 and 2019, according to research and campaign organisation Ethical Consumer.

From launching recycled debit cards to boosting women onto their boards, firms are eager to show customers they are the most socially responsible place to look after your money.

But can banking ever be ethical and lucrative? You dont have to delve deep into the murky world of ESG for the threads of these claims to unravel.

Traditionally, these types of accounts meant banks would not invest your money in the likes of weapons, alcohol, tobacco, fossil fuels or fur.

However, firms are increasingly coming under fire over greenwashing  the practice of overstating how sustainable a product really is.

There is no better evidence of this than Ethic  which the Daily Mail revealed at the weekend had invested millions of dollars in a wide range of unethical practices, such as fracking.

Greenwashing: A survey conducted by Triodos bank found that eight in ten consumers want greater transparency around so-called 'green funds'

This trend is not exclusive to wealthy investment funds, however  it trickles right down to ethical accounts being offered by High Street banks.

Often we see banks just rebrand accounts overnight with the term ESG, says Gareth Griffiths, head of retail banking at green firm Triodos. There is minimal accountability.

And for customers, it can be almost impossible to work out which firms genuinely do good and which are simply virtue signalling.

Call to do good

In recent years, everything from meat consumption to air travel has come under scrutiny as the UK moves towards net zero.

But according to Make My Money Matter, making your pension green is 21 times more effective at reducing your carbon footprint than giving up flying, going vegetarian and switching energy provider combined.

Top 10 for ethics 1. Triodos Bank. Joint 2nd: Ecology Building Society and Nationwide Building Society. 4. Leeds Building Society. 5. Skipton Building Society. 6. Co-Operative Bank. 7. NatWest Group. 8. Lloyds Banking Group. 9. Yorkshire Building Society. 10. HSBC.

And customers are wising up. Figures from investment data firm Morningstar show around 27 billion was poured into ethical investment funds in the first three months of 2020 alone.

Triodos bank, which often tops ethical banking polls, saw its customer base grow by 10 per cent in the first six months of this year. That follows a 20 per cent growth in 2020.

Clare Carlile, from sustainability magazine Ethical Consumer, says: There has been a big sea change in how people view their money. Theyre voting with their wallets.

The craze for ethical finances has even led to a boom in green mortgages, which offer buyers of energy-efficient homes lower rates and cashback rewards.

Greenwashing

As interest grows, banks want to cater to new demands. But this can be difficult to balance with their core aim of making money.

And under pressure to be seen as more sustainable, banks are tempted to overstate how green their practices truly are.

For example, Barclays claims to work for the common good under a section on its website titled our approach.

It is our fundamental belief that we can and must do business in a way that does good, it reads.

Yet one look at Barclays Climate Related Financial Disclosures reveals that the bank continues to invest in aviation, coal mining and oil and gas.

Greenwashing has become so widespread that City watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) sent a letter to chief executives this year warning them that funds proclaiming to be concerned with ESG were not of an acceptable standard.

Ms Carlile says: There is a very broad spectrum for what companies are claiming to be ESG. But many are not transparent at all and it can be hard for customers to know whether their accounts are truly ethical.

Start by looking at whether banks publish their ethical policy.

Another tip is that building societies tend to be more ethical because they are structured so that profits go back to members rather than shareholders.

Dirty money: Historically, investing in non-ESG friendly practices such as fossil fuels brings the most lucrative returns

Since 1992, Co-operative Bank has operated with a customer-led ethical policy. It will not provide banking services to organisations that conflict with its views on issues such as human rights, the environment, international development animal welfare, gambling or payday lending.

However, the Co-op has had a reputation for turbulence since it nearly collapsed in 2013 after suffering a 1.5 billion capital shortfall and its then-chairman, Paul Flowers, was caught up in a drugs scandal.

It has since been taken over by U.S. hedge fund owners, which has raised doubts over whether it could retain its ethical stance.

According to rankings compiled by Ethical Consumer, the bank came in sixth on a poll of the most sustainable banks.

This was the highest-ranked mainstream bank on the list. It was followed by NatWest and Lloyds, at seventh and eighth respectively, while Santander and Metrobank were the lowest-ranked.

Eco premiums

Although many companies purport ESG values, there are six main building societies and banks which are exclusively ethical, according to financial analyst firm Moneyfacts.

These include: Tandem Bank, Gatehouse Bank, Oxbury Bank, Ecology Bank, Charity Bank and Triodos Bank.

But being green comes at a price. Savings rates can be low and some firms charge a monthly management fee for current accounts. With Triodos, for example, this is 3.

Its Everyday Savers account pays just 0.15 per cent. That means a 1,000 deposit would earn you only 1.50 a year in interest  far less than you would get with a market-leading deal.

Meanwhile, Charity Bank pays 0.35 per cent a year. However, customers must give 33 days, notice before they can withdraw their money.

Elsewhere, savers can earn 0.7 per cent with a similar account.

Ecology Building Society offers a cash ISA paying just 0.3 per cent, while its regular saver offers 0.8 per cent compared to top deals of up to 3.5 per cent.

Tandems Green Instant Access-Saver offers a more competitive 0.55 per cent for new savers, but those who opened an account before September 18 can benefit from a rate of 0.65 per cent.

h.kelly@dailymail.co.uk
The billionaire brothers who own Asda are facing fresh scrutiny after loading the supermarket chain with yet more debt.

Mohsin and Zuber Issa, who bought Asda for 6.8billion last year, had planned to part finance the deal by selling the grocers petrol stations to another part of their business empire for 750million.

But the sale to forecourt owner EG Group was called off this week  leaving the Issas and their private equity backers TDR Capital with a 750million black hole at Asda.

Mohsin and Zuber Issa (pictured) bought Asda for 6.8bn last year, and planned to part finance the deal by selling the grocers petrol stations to another part of their business empire

To get round the problem, they are putting another 500million of debt on to the supermarket and using 250million of its own cash reserves.

But the move has caused concern over the financial health of Asda under its owners and caused dismay among unions.

GMB, which represents Asda workers, is demanding to meet bosses, saying the move is extremely worrying for its 145,000 staff.

Experts also warned the extra debt  on top of some 3.8billion already thought to have been taken on in the takeover  will ratchet up the supermarkets risk profile.

Nadine Houghton, GMB national officer, said: Asda workers have been through the grinder during the past couple of years.

'The Issa brothers need to reassure them about the long-term future of the profit-making supermarket they have acquired.

The Issas abandoned the planned sale of Asdas 323 petrol stations to EG  which already owns 370 forecourts across the UK and 6,000 globally  after being shown detailed financial information on the business.

The decision to halt the sale to EG will not stop the rollout of Asda convenience stores in EGs petrol stations.

Asda will recruit 15,000 temporary staff over the busy Christmas period. About 500 jobs will be in depots and 1,500 will be home delivery roles. The rest will be in stores across the UK.
Meggitt said it is confident its takeover by will be completed next year

Meggitt said it still expected its 6.3billion takeover by a US rival to complete next year despite a Government intervention.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has ordered a probe by the Competition and Markets Authority into the British defence firm's acquisition by Parker-Hannifin on national security grounds.

Meggitt said it 'looks forward to engaging constructively' with the CMA and expected the deal to be done in the third quarter of 2022.
Credit Suisse has been slapped with a fine of more than 147million by Britains financial regulator over corrupt loans which it arranged for Mozambique in the so-called tuna bond scandal.

The troubled Swiss banking giant arranged debt worth more than 940million for the south east African nation, but these loans were tainted by corruption, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) found.

On top of the fine, Credit Suisse has also agreed to write off 145million of debt which it was owed by Mozambique.

Fined: Credit Suisse arranged debt worth more than 940million for the south east African nation, but these loans were tainted by corruption, the Financial Conduct Authority found

The penalties were part of a 344million global resolution agreement, which also involved the US Department of Justice and US and Swiss regulators.

The affair was dubbed the tuna bond scandal because the loans to Mozambique were designed to be used to set up a state tuna fishing fleet, and to develop a security network after the country discovered offshore natural gas.

Mark Steward, executive director of enforcement and market oversight at the FCA, said: The FCAs fine reflects the impact of these tainted transactions which included a debt crisis and economic harm for the people of Mozambique.

The loans to Mozambique were meant for three separate maritime projects, and the FCA said that though Credit Suisse should have been aware that the country carried a high risk of corruption, it failed to monitor the transactions properly.

One of the contractors involved on the projects, nicknamed the Master of Kickbacks, handed out bribes of around 36million to members of Credit Suisses deal team  including two managing directors  in order to secure the loans at more favourable terms, the FCA said.

Those bankers deliberately concealed the kickbacks  but Credit Suisses control staff still should have spotted them, the regulator added. Credit Suisse said it hoped it can now draw a line under the matter.
The number of subscribers to Netflix has bounced back thanks to the roaring success of Squid Game.

A record 142m people watched the show in its first 23 days prompting analysts to estimate the gory Korean drama is worth 650million to the US streaming giant.

Last night the firm, which is based in California, beat expectations to report it had added 4.4m subscribers worldwide in the three months to the end of September, compared to a net increase of 2.2m in the same period last year.

A record 142m people watched hit Korean drama Squid Game (pictured) in its first 23 days prompting analysts to estimate the gory Korean drama is worth 650million to Netflix

The company said it expects to add another 8.5m subscribers by the end of the year.

The figures show a return to form after a slower first half to 2021, when it added a total of 5.5m subscribers, compared to a record 25.9m additions in the first half of 2020.

Sales rose 16.3 per cent to 5.4billion, helping it to generate over 1billion of profits.

It came as Netflix faced criticism for paying just 4million in UK corporation tax on 1.15billion of revenue from British subscribers in 2020.

In response the firm said it was a major investor in the British film and television industry and expected to employ around 400 staff by the end of the year.

Last month, the company paid over 500million to buy rights to the works of Roald Dahl - its biggest content deal to date.
Mining giant Rio Tinto has pledged to halve its carbon emissions by 2030, in a AU$10billion (5.4billion) push to speed up the pace of green change at the firm.

As part of its accelerated decarbonisation plans, the group said it will switch its iron ore mines in the Pilbara to renewables.

Such a move would see gas phased out at the companys Pilbara mines and coal eliminated from the electricity supply to its aluminium smelters.

Accelerated: Rio Tinto has pledged to halve its carbon emissions by 2030, in a AU$10billion push to speed up the pace of green change at the firm

It said it was also looking at options for the decarbonisation of the power supplies to its Boyne Island and Tomago smelters.

Rio Tinto said it aimed to cut direct emissions from operations and ones from electricity it consumes by 50 per cent by 2030, which is triple its previous target.

It has also brought forward a promise to cut emissions by 15 per cent by five years, to 2025.

The group made no new commitments on 'scope 3' emissions, namely those created by its customers, largely steel mills in China, but executives said the company was working on the problem.

Earlier this year, Rio Tinto said it would work with steel mills to cut their emissions by 30 per cent by 2030, but environmental activists warned the commitment was not enough, and rival BHP pledged to halve its scope 3 emissions by 2030.

The group's boss, Jakob Stausholm, said: 'Rio Tinto is taking action to strengthen our business and improve our performance by unleashing the full potential of our people and assets, working in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders.

'All our commodities are vital for the energy transition and continue to benefit from ongoing urbanisation. We have a clear pathway to decarbonise our business and are actively developing technologies that will enable our customers and our customers' customers to decarbonise.

'We are able to do this, while continuing to provide attractive returns to our shareholders in line with our policy, because we have a strong balance sheet and world-class assets that deliver strong free cash flows through the cycle.

Plans? Rio Tinto made no new commitments on 'scope 3' emissions, namely those created by its customers, largely steel mills in China

Earlier this week, an Australian parliamentary report examining the firm's destruction of the Juukan Gorge sites called for a major overhaul of the country's cultural heritage laws. The shift could include giving indigenous groups the power to sue mining firms.

On Tuesday, the group's head of strategy and development, Peter Toth, announced he was quitting the company after eight years. He is the second member of Rio Tinto's top brass executive team to resign in recent months. Barbara Levi, the firm's chief legal officer, is also quitting the group later this month.

The Anglo-Australian miner, which is holding its first investor day in two years on Wednesday, has seen its share price slip around 0.07 per cent to AU$98.08 today. A year ago the group's share price was AU$95.30, meaning it has risen by 2.92 per cent in the past year.

The share price has been held back by a hefty decline in the price of iron ore, which is the group's key commodity.
The price of bitcoin hit record highs today after the launch of the first ever bitcoin futures exchange-traded fund in the US overnight.

Bitcoin is now trading just below $66,500, significantly ahead of its previous all-time high of $64,800 reached in April and more than double its level in July. In pound sterling terms, bitcoin is now trading at around 48,170.

The ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF, touted by some as a major milestone for the cryptocurrency industry, is trading under the 'BITO' ticker on Wall Street and jumped nearly 5 per cent to $41.94 in its first session.

On the up: The price of bitcoin has reached a record high after the launch of the first ever bitcoin futures exchange-traded fund in the US overnight

Unlike mutual funds, which are traded once a day, ETFs can be exchanged throughout the day's trading session, potentially making them a more popular option for some everyday investors.

As with anything linked to crypto, however, there has been a mixed reaction among experts to the launch of the US bitcoin futures ETF.

Andrey Dobrynin, co-founder and managing director of InvestEngine, said that while the chance to buy into bitcoin futures would 'undoubtedly turn the heads of many investors', the potential risks involved still needed to be carefully evaluated.

Mr Dobrynin said: 'As with all investments - investors should invest at a level or knowledge and risk that they are comfortable with.

'Whilst ETFs traditionally provide excellent diversification and convenient access to markets - there are always things to consider such as the track record of product providers, replication methods and, in this case, the performance of the underlying futures contracts.

Bitcoin ETFs are essentially trading something that mimics bitcoin but without trading the actual coin itself. Antony Portno - Traders of Crypto

'Without forgetting the fact that bitcoin remains largely an unregulated asset class which is still establishing itself on its use.'

He added: 'We'd urge investors to carefully consider whether this investment is suitable for them and for investment platforms to provide the tools and education that support their investors in making informed investment decisions.'

Jodie Gunzberg, managing director of CoinDesk told This is Money: 'Many will think they are getting bitcoin but they are not.

'The problem is they are getting futures, which are contracts that expire so, to stay invested, investors need to sell expiring contracts for later-dated ones. If the price of bitcoin is expected to rise in the future, then the later-dated contracts are more expensive.

'When investors sell the cheaper expiring contracts for the more expensive ones, they lose money.'

New era: This week's bitcoin futures ETF is expected to be followed by three other bitcoin ETFs this month

Simon Peters, an analyst at investment platform eToro, said: 'Proshare's bitcoin futures ETF went live on the NYSE yesterday, and whilst it's not an ETF holding the underlying asset that many in the crypto community want to see, it's still a step forward in the right direction.

'We may not see a wave of investment straight away - naturally there will be some scepticism around a new product. Also, as there are more bitcoin futures ETF applications pending, investors may patiently wait to see which ETF could be best for them going forward.

'Nevertheless, a bitcoin futures ETF now provides a convenient way for investors to get exposure to the bitcoin price movement.

'A word of warning, however, investors who plan to hold for the longer term would need to take into account 'hidden fees' within the futures ETF, as contracts will have to roll every month and this could erode potential gains.'

Freddie Evans, a sales trader at UK-based digital asset broker GlobalBlock, said: 'Bitcoin has been given renewed impetus from the commencement of trading of a US SEC regulated bitcoin ETF, which yesterday saw the second-highest ETF ever in opening day volume.

'It closed on Tuesday evening with around $950million in shares traded.'

Antony Portno, founder of Traders of Crypto, said: 'Bitcoin ETFs are essentially trading something that mimics bitcoin but without trading the actual coin itself, this allows investors to buy into the coin without trading the bitcoin asset.

Predictions: The price of bitcoin reached a new all-time record of over $66,000 today

'It allows investors to invest in the coin without having the issues of storage and complicated security issues.

'The approval of a bitcoin ETF undoubtedly further boosts the credibility of Bitcoin as a global investment.

'However, being based on futures it will not directly increase the demand for bitcoin itself and indeed there is a real possibility that the launch could be bearish for bitcoin in the short term like what happened in 2017 when bitcoin futures were listed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

'Overall these events, like China banning bitcoin are mere temporary blips on the bitcoin market where demand is increasing every year, and supply is limited.'

The UK's finance watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority, opted to ban the sale of crypto-derivatives, including exchange-traded products, to retail investors from January 2021.

Having started 2021 at around $30,000, the world's biggest cryptocurrency has surged over 60 per cent since mid-September, gaining more than 46 per cent in October alone.

Other major cryptocurrencies like ethereum and XRP have also rallied higher in the past month.

This week's bitcoin futures ETF is expected to be followed by three other bitcoin ETFs this month, with some anticipating other cryptocurrencies to follow.
Lloyds Banking Group is shutting 48 more Lloyds and Halifax bank branches across England and Wales.

In total, 41 Lloyds Bank branches and seven Halifax branches will be closed for good with the lender claiming affected customers will still have access to cash 'within a third of a mile'.

All 48 bank branches will be shutting next year, and locations affected include Balham, Christchurch, Dorking, Prescot, Sevenoaks and Windsor.

Unite Union claims that around 178 jobs at Lloyds Banking Group could be affected.

More closures: Lloyds Banking Group has announced it is shutting 48 more Lloyds and Halifax bank branches across England and Wales

The group shut 56 branches between March and April this year, and 44 are closing between September and November. The 48 branches announced today will close between January and April 2022.

Vim Maru, retail director for Lloyds Banking Group, said: 'Like many other businesses, weve seen people using our branches less frequently in recent years, and this decline is continuing.

'Our branches remain a fundamental part of how we serve our customers but we need to ensure the size of our branch network reflects the number of customers wanting to use them.'

According to the lender, all the branches being closed have, over time, had 'significantly fewer customers regularly using them.'

It added: 'This means, like all banks, the Group must continue to adapt for a future where most customers need to visit in person less regularly.

'A face to face presence is the best option for some services which is why alongside branches, the Group also runs a specialist Home Hub for home-buyers, flagship locations in three major cities, and is piloting a new network of Community Bankers to support customers within their communities.'

Going: 41 Lloyds Bank branches and seven Halifax branches will be closed in 2022

The lender said it had around 25million customers, of which 18million were 'active' digital banking users, and over 13million 'regular' mobile app users.

To ensure customers who need face-to-face help with their banking continue to get it, Lloyds Banking Group said it was 'exploring a new Community Banker programme' with a number of towns across the UK.

It added: 'One day each week, a Community Banker will be available in a town centre location (such as a library or bookshop), to support customers with (but not limited to) account enquiries, making payments, PIN requests, online banking queries, and appointment requests. Community Bankers are currently visiting 8 locations.'

Sharon Graham, Unite General Secretary said: 'The announcement by Lloyds Banking Group of closing a further 48 bank branches is a complete betrayal of the communities and staff who have long supported this highly profitable business.

'This sector needs to start taking their corporate social responsibilities seriously and stop neglecting their obligations to their customers and workforce.

'Banks are leaving people behind in the rush to close bank branches and force consumers to go cashless to boost their mega-profits. Its classic example of putting profits before people.'

Unite said the banking industry should have a legal commitment to protect access to cash and bank branches.

In September, Virgin Money announced plans to close 31 bank branches and axing around 112 jobs as it looks to move more of its operations online.

Among others, Virgin Money branches in Beverley, Blackburn, Lincoln, Macclesfield, Nuneaton, Whitby and Wick are all due to close.

Bosses said the move comes as more customers switched to online banking during the pandemic.

Back in March, Santander announced it was closing 111 branches up and down the country by the end of August this year.

The Spanish-owned lender said the 'majority' of branches being axed were under three miles from another Santander branch, with the furthest being five miles away.

It said that all of the 111 closing branches were within half a mile of at least two free-to-use cash machines.

Branches in New Malden, Marlow, Leatherhead, Sale, Surbiton, Twickenham and Wickford were just some of the swathes axed.
Deliveroo founder and chief executive Will Shu is under pressure to give up his 'golden share' in the company.

Investors want the food delivery boss to drop the benefit which gives him 20 times as much voting power as regular shares, a source told the Mail.

The founder of The Hut Group, Matt Moulding, this week said he would give up a similar structure.

Deliveroo investors want chief executive Will Shu (pictured) to give up his 'golden share' which gives him 20 times as much voting power as regular shares

But Deliveroo denied Shu would follow, with a spokesman saying: 'We do not recognise this claim.'

The company has been under scrutiny since its stock market listing turned sour.

The stock fared better yesterday  up 3.8 per cent or 11p to 301.5p  after it said people were still ordering takeaways despite restaurants reopening.

It said customers spent 1.6billion on the Amazon-backed food delivery app in the three months to October.

Deliveroo said it expects yearly growth to be between 60 and 70 per cent, up from predictions.
Rishi Sunak plans to more than halve the tax surcharge on bank profits to help boost Londons competitiveness as a global financial centre.

The Chancellor will announce a cut to the surcharge from 8 per cent to 3 per cent from April 2023 in his Budget next week, according to the Financial Times.

It comes ahead of a hike in corporation tax from 19 per cent to 25 per cent in 2023, which Sunak had cautioned risks making the taxation of banks uncompetitive.

Banking boost: The Chancellor is expected to announce a cut to the surcharge on bank profits from 8 per cent to 3 per cent from April 2023 in his Budget next week

Banks pay 27 per cent tax on profits, of which 19 per cent is corporation tax and 8 per cent the bank surcharge.

They would see their overall corporation tax charge surge to 33 per cent in 2023, if the surcharge was not reduced.

But the expected reduction in the top-up tax would see their overall charge edge up to 28 per cent.

It follows comments by City minister John Glen last month flagging that the surcharge could be cut as he vowed that Britains financial services sector would enjoy competitive tax rates.

The bank tax was introduced by former chancellor George Osborne on profits over 25million in 2015.
A landscaper was left 'deeply shocked and embarrassed' when police officers turned up at his home after a horrifying 'stuff up' caused by a voice-to-text message.

Timothy, 55, left his friend Rich a cheery voice message on Rich's Telstra Belong voice message service on Thursday, October 14, just before 6pm.

But when the message was converted to text it somehow got lost in translation - and the words 'I want to kill myself' were added.

'Hi good afternoon, hope you're going ok. Yeah well I'm going to kill myself. Yeah hope you're going well. Just good to hear you the other day,' the SMS read.

A Sydney landscaper was left 'deeply shocked and embarrassed' when police officers turned up at his home after a horrifying 'stuff up' caused by a bizarre failure of Telstra's voice-to-text message system. The actual SMS Rich received from his friend that prompted him to call the police

When Rich replied to the frightening message to ask if Timothy was ok, he got no response.

He then tried call but Timothy did not pick up.

Rich then called the police on the advice of friends, who quickly tracked Timothy's number to his home, in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs - and sent a car there.

Within an hour of Rich's panicked call, three Sydney police officers were banging on the door of Timothy's home.

His bemused wife led the three officers past their two teenage boys and into Timothy's home office.

'I was deeply shocked and embarrassed, I was minding my own business and then suddenly there's three burly cops standing over me saying 'you know why we're here right?'

Police turned up at the man's home believing his life was at risk - because the Telstra voice-to-message system somehow translated a cheerful check-in between friends as 'I want to kill myself'

Telstra's message service FAIL... and how it responded October 14, 5.54pm: Timothy calls his friend Rich to check in (they are both in a community group). Rich can't answer so Timothy leaves a non-urgent message on Rich's Belong (Telstra) voice-to-text message service. October 14, 5.55pm: The service converts the message to text, but it mishears the voice message, adding a line to the SMS that Timothy did not speak: 'I'm going to kill myself'. October 14, around 6-6.30pm: Rich reads the incoming SMS and worried immediately tries Timothy back, who is now busy with his family. Rich phones mutual friends who say the threat is out of character, but advise calling the police as a precaution. He does. October 14, 8pm: Three NSW Police officers arrive at Timothy's eastern suburbs home, his wife answers and his shocked at their questioning. She shows then into the house, past his alarmed children. An embarrassed Timothy has to reassure police it's a false alarm. October 20: In a response to Daily Mail Australia, Telstra says it uses 'a third party technology platform' which 'translates tens of millions of messages' but 'isn't 100 per cent accurate'. It does not offer an apology. Advertisement

'I said 'no I don't know, how can I help you?''

Timothy managed to reassure the officers the voicemail he'd left Rich was a cheerful check-in.

'I said something like 'Hi good afternoon Rich, hope you're going well, I'm doing well, let's catch up when you're free. It was good to hear you the other night.'

The only possible explanation he can see is that the voicemail message system completely misheard Timothy's slight French accent.

'It was a technological stuff-up, that's for sure,'

Both men are part of a men's community support program that takes mental health issues seriously.

'I didn't leave a voicemail saying I wanted to kill myself. It's completely bizarre and it really upset my family.'

'I'm still in shock, I just don't understand how could that even happen? I thought today's technology couldn't make mistakes like that?'

Belong is a mobile service targeted at millennials and owned and run by Telstra. It uses Telstra's messaging service.

A Telstra spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia 'like many other providers' it uses 'a third party technology platform to assist in the translation of tens of millions of voice to text messages each year'.

'The technology is always improving, but as people may have experienced, converting audio to text isn't 100 per cent accurate,' she said.

'We understand that this would have been a very stressful situation for Rich and Timothy's families, and we are very glad that Rich cared for his friend the way he did.'

For confidential 24-hour support in Australia call on 13 11 14.
President Joe Biden presented a scaled down version of his 'Build Back Better' plans to Democratic lawmakers, which will ax his plans for tuition-free community college.

The $2 trillion government-overhaul package instead focuses $500 billion to tackle climate change and money for middle-class priorities - child tax credits, paid family leave, health care and free pre-kindergarten.

But Biden's vision for free community college for all is falling by the wayside, with his flagship child tax credits scheme also likely to be severely-curtailed.

'There will be something for higher education, but it probably won't be the free community college,' said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who chairs Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

'Its not the robust vision the president wants or that we wanted,' added Rep. Ro Khanna, of California.

The inclusion of free community college for all was a major selling point among progressive Democrats like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ilhan Omar.

President Joe Biden cut free community college from his $2 trillion infrastructure bill

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, center, met with President Joe Biden as he scaled back version of his spending plan

Biden expects negotiations to wrap up as soon as this week.

The president met privately into the evening with nearly 20 centrist and progressive lawmakers in separate groups on Tuesday as Democrats appeared ready to abandon what had been a loftier $3.5 trillion package for a smaller, more workable proposal that can unite the party and win passage in the closely divided Congress.

Likely to be eliminated or seriously shaved back: plans for tuition-free community colleges, a path to legal status for immigrants who are in the U.S. without documentation, and a specific clean energy plan that was the centerpiece of Biden's strategy for fighting climate change.

The details were shared by those familiar with the conversation and granted anonymity to discuss the private meetings.

Biden felt 'more confident' after the day of meetings, said press secretary Jen Psaki. 'There was broad agreement that there is urgency in moving forward over the next several days and that the window for finalizing a package is closing,' she said.

After months of fits and starts, Democrats are growing anxious they have little to show voters despite their campaign promises. Bidens ideas are all to be funded by tax hikes on corporations and the wealthiest individuals, those earning more than $400,000 a year.

The president especially wants to advance his signature domestic package to bolster federal social services and address climate change by the time he departs for a global climate summit next week.

Khanna, a progressive caucus member, said Biden urged the lawmakers to 'get something done now' to show U.S. leadership on climate change on the global stage.

'He really believes American leadership, American prestige is on the line,' Khanna said.

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., a key holdout vote on President Joe Biden's domestic agenda, chairs a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

A key holdout on Biden's proposals, conservative Sen. Joe Manchin from coal-state West Virginia, has made clear he opposes the president's initial Clean Energy Performance Plan.

It would have the government impose penalties on electric utilities that fail to meet clean energy benchmarks and provide financial rewards to those that do - in line with Biden's goal of achieving 80% 'clean electricity' by 2030.

Instead, Biden focused in his Tuesday meetings on providing at least $500 billion in tax credits, grants and loans to fight climate change, much of it likely coming from a package compiled by Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden, of Oregon, the chairman of the the Finance Committee. Those include the tax breaks for energy producers that reach emission-reduction goals.

That clean energy approach could better align with Manchins stated goal of keeping a 'fuel neutral' approach to federal policy that does not favor renewable energy sources over coal and natural gas that are dominant in his state.

Other climate-change-fighting proposals being considered are a tax on carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels such as oil and coal or a methane emissions fee - though Manchin told reporters earlier in the day that a carbon tax was not in the mix.

Failure to act on climate change would have far-reaching consequences in the U.S. and abroad. Inaction, proponents of big efforts say, could cost the U.S. billions of dollars in weather-related disasters and threaten to uproot millions of Americans in hurricanes, wildfires, droughts and floods.

Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan, Wisconsin, another progressive caucus member, called the opposition from Manchin on climate issues 'one of the biggest challenges' threatening to stop a final bill.

On other fronts, Biden and the Democrats appeared to be more readily coalescing around a slimmed-down package.

Biden wants to extend the $300 monthly child tax credit that was put in place during the COVID-19 crisis for another year, rather than allow it to expire in December.

The policy has been praised for sending cash to families most in need. Democrats want to extend the credit for additional years, but limiting the duration would help shave the costs.

It's now to be phased out for single-parent households earning more than $75,000 a year, or $150,000 for couples, but those income thresholds could be lowered to meet demands of Manchin and more conservative Democrats.

He wants a ceiling of $60,000, and a requirement for people to seek work while receiving it.

What had been envisioned as a months-long federal paid family leave program could be shrunk to as few as four weeks.

Democrats are looking to make Joe Biden's temporary increase to the child tax credit under the American Rescue Plan permanent. Under current US tax code the normal maximum child tax credit outside of the pandemic is $2,000

The program received funding for one year in Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package passed in March

Biden also wants to ensure funding for health care programs, including new money for home- and community-based health care services, supporting a move away from widespread nursing home care.

And a new program to provide dental, vision and hearing aid benefits to seniors on Medicare proposed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, the independent from Vermont, is likely to remain in some fashion, said Khanna, a longtime Sanders ally.

Expected to still be included in the package are new subsidies to help families afford child care as well as increased subsidies put in place during the pandemic for people who buy their own health insurance.

Biden told lawmakers that after his top priorities there would be $300 billion remaining, which some suggested could be used for housing aid and racial justice issues. Biden also mentioned money could go for retrofitting homes of low-income people.

At a lengthy and 'lively' lunch of Democratic senators earlier in the day, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said there was 'universal agreement in that room that we have to come to an agreement and we got to get it done.'

Schumer said he, Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are talking daily.

Biden met at the White House for nearly two hours with the first group of lawmakers, progressives, who emerged confident a deal was within reach. Moderate lawmakers met for about 90 minutes into the evening.

'Everybodys talking,' said Manchin, who had his own meeting Tuesday with the president.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., calls on a reporter as he speaks after a Democratic policy luncheon on Capitol Hill

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., spoke to reporters after a Republican strategy meeting at the Capitol on October 19

For months, Manchin and Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, of Arizona, have objected to the scope and scale of Biden's package, testing the patience of colleagues who see a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape government programs. Sinema missed the senators lunch, but had a separate meeting with Biden.

With Republicans fully opposed to Bidens plans, the president needs all Democrats in the 50-50 split Senate for passage and can only spare a few votes in the House.

Time slipping, Congress has set an October. 31 deadline for passage.
Meghan McCain has slammed late night host Seth Meyers for his line of attack on her after she criticized leftie congresswoman Ilhan Omar.

He deliberately tried to make her feel uncomfortable when she was on his show while pregnant with a child she later miscarried, she says in her new audio memoir Bad Republican.

And he kept going back to the same line of questioning even after she had answered, she adds.

Omar had just given a speech in which she had described the 9/11 terrorists as some people who did something, and McCain felt the remark was dangerous.

I found that dismissive to the point of being grotesque, McCain, 36, says in the tape.

She says that to many people, making any criticism of the Minnesota Democrat gives an impression of white privilege.

But she is an elected representative, a public figure. It should be okay to critique action she takes without being called Islamophobic and worse.

DailyMail.com columnist Meghan McCain bashes late night host Seth Meyers for his line of attack over Ilhan Omar in her upcoming audio memoir Bad Republican. Omar had just given a speech in which she had described the 9/11 terrorists as some people who did something, and McCain felt the remark was dangerous.

McCain's audio memoir Bad Republican is available on Audible on October 21

She'd said things that I and many others interpreted as anti-Semitic, including that Israel has hypnotized the world. May Allah awaken the people and help them see the evil doings of Israel.

Playing into a Jewish stereotype, she tweeted that the US Congress's support for Israel was all about the Benjamins.

But Meyers kept telling McCain during the May 2019 show that Omar  who was born in war-torn Somalia and immigrated to the US as a child had apologized and she should just let it go.

I said something along the lines of agreeing to disagree. But he was having none of it. He kept hitting the same question over and over.

To me it seemed like virtue signaling and like a moment choreographed to go viral.

The more awkward I felt, the more he appeared to take in my discomfort. The studio audience stopped laughing. They sat there in silence.

I kept trying to deflect but he wouldn't let it go. I was confused by why this was so important to him that he would tank the audience experience to make his point.

Are you her publicist? I asked.

I would never treat someone that way on my show. In my role as a host, I'll press something twice, but I won't do it more than that if they're not going to play ball, or they're going to spin it, because that basically means it's clearly time to move on and late-night TV is not supposed to be Meet the Press.

McCain says she already felt awful as she was in the first trimester of her pregnancy. I had morning sickness all day and my boobs felt like they weighed 1,000 pounds.

Meyers kept telling McCain during the May 2019 show that Omar  who was born in war-torn Somalia and immigrated to the US as a child had apologized and she should just let it go

When I put on my bra. It hurt so bad that I yelled in pain.

I wanted to cancel but no one knew I was pregnant, so I couldn't use that as an excuse.

When they met, she said Meyers immediately made her feel uncomfortable.

In the bathroom-size green room he approached me with a phony smile and started up the kind of shallow smoothie showbiz conversation that I'm terrible at.

When he asked if I had any children I wondered if he could tell that I'd been throwing up all day.

McCain said she had appeared with other late-night hosts such as Jay Leno and had never had problems, but she felt Meyers hated then-President Donald Trump so much that he would take his anger out on any Republican  even someone like McCain who had frequently spoken out against him.

I felt like Seth Meyers was channeling the anger he felt toward Trump on to me.

He's one of the several snarky, white, generation-X men in comedy, who seem to have me on their dartboards.

The second anyone who's not a liberal comes on the show, they suddenly act like they're on MSNBC  although my sense is that Rachel Maddow is far classier.

When the interview was over, I sat there for a second feeling mortified. Seth jumped out from behind his desk and came around to face me. He grabbed my hand and pulled me close to him.

Tell your mother I said hello, he said, which I thought was bizarre. I don't remember exactly what I said back, maybe: What the hell was that?

I was completely disconcerted and panicked. My heart was racing. I knew those couple of minutes would go viral, and that I would see hundreds of antagonistic messages flooding my mentions if I dared look at Twitter.

To make things worse, McCains husband, Ben Domenech tweeted out an ill-advised comment about her appearance on Late Night.

The Federalist founder may have had a few drinks, McCain admits. He rage tweeted I see that @SethMeyers, the untalented piece of s**t who only has his job because he regularly gargles Lorne Michaels b***s, went after my wife tonight with his idiotic anti-Semitic bulls**t.

I was furious and embarrassed when I saw that. He deleted the tweet but I stayed mad. I called him in the middle of the night, he was in DC, and told him that he was making everything worse.

McCain also tells how she 'burst into tears' after co-host Joy Behar said live on air that she didn't miss her when the new mother returned from maternity leave.

'I had been gone for three months and I assumed they had missed me... I was wrong,' McCain says in her upcoming audio memoir Bad Republican.

In January, on her second day back from leave, she was having a squabble with Behar about the state of the Democratic Party. 'To ease the tension, I said: ''Joy, you missed me so much when I was on maternity leave.''

'I did not,' Joy said. 'I did not miss you. Zero.'

McCain said she felt vulnerable after giving birth, because she suffered from post-partum anxiety.

'Joy seemed to smell that vulnerability like a shark smells blood in the water, and she took after it. When we broke for commercial I burst into tears  not just like tearing up  uncontrollable sobbing,' McCain says in her memoir, available on Audible on October 21.

Meghan McCain says in her upcoming memoir that she 'broke into tears' after co-host Joy Behar said live on air that she didn't miss her when the new mother returned from maternity leave

McCain said she felt vulnerable after giving birth. 'Joy seemed to smell that vulnerability like a shark smells blood in the water, and she took after it,' she says

McCain continues, 'Until that moment it hadn't even occurred to me that Joy hadn't missed me. She texted me to see a baby picture of Liberty and she had seemed happy for me. We chatted in a friendly way. I believe that despite all our differences, deep down we had a mutual understanding of respect for each other.

'Nothing anyone has ever said to me on camera, since I have been giving interviews, since I was 22 years old, has ever hit this hard,' McCain says. 'I felt like I'd been slapped. She yelled out at me sharp and intensely, and I believed her.'

''That's so nasty,'' I said, unable to hide my shock. ''That's so rude.'''

McCain quit the show in July, after, she said, the other hosts especially Whoopi Goldberg and Behar turned on her.

She went to a coffee shop straight after she announced she was going. The Abba song, Take a Chance on Me was playing.

'The people behind the counter were dancing to the song smiling and laughing. Abba was my dad's favorite band. I felt like it was a sign from him. I was making the right decision.'

McCain says in her memoir that she only joined The View at the insistence of her dying father, Senator John McCain.

DailyMail.com's new columnist wanted to turn down the offer of an interview for the leading daytime TV talk show, but as they sat in a doctor's waiting room for an appointment for her dad's terminal brain cancer, he told her she had to do it.

She even told her agent: 'My dad made me call you back. He says you have to go back to ABC and say I'm interested,' she says in the memoir.

'I'm here with him at cancer treatment, so I guess I have to do whatever he wants.'

McCain, 36, had been on the show before as a guest host and she thought that was all the network was going to offer her this time. 'I always was the bridesmaid, never the bride.

'They would say, you can be rotating guest hosts every three weeks. And I would say: ''No way. I'm nobody's fourth choice.'''

She also believed the show was dying as it bled audience to CBS's The Talk and she thought there was too much showbiz content and not enough politics.

'The show is bad,' she told her father. 'They're always talking about celebrities and yelling at each other, plus they have a huge turnover rate, no one survives more than a season.

'That's why they need you,' the Arizona senator replied.

McCain, who had quit her job at Fox News to help look after her father, did eventually join for an rollercoaster three years on the show.

She says that she wanted to turn down the offer of an interview for The View, but her father John McCain, who was getting cancer treatment, said she had to do it. They're pictured on set of The View in 2017

McCain dishes on The View's guests, revealing who she liked and who she didn't.

'James Comey was so slick and rehearsed that he was a terrible guest. Rachel Maddow same thing,' she says. 'Nathan Lane was a d**k. It made me so mad because I loved him before I met him.

'Jamie Lee Curtis is one of the most wonderful angel ladies. Terry Crews has always been an incredible guest. Tyler Perry is lovely, smart and so supportivehe has this miraculous energy about him, it's gravitational.'

But she says the worst guest of all was Fox News personality Jeanine Pirro.

'She came on the show and told us we all had Trump Derangement Syndrome, and when we pushed back, she became instantly enraged.'

Pirro ended up throwing her microphone, hitting McCain on the chest, and claiming she had done more for black women than Goldberg ever had, while throwing around the word c**ksuckers at all of the hosts.

'Who says c**ksucker, much less shouts it 1,000 times?' asks McCain. 'It's the dumbest word.

'I heard Whoopi yelling at her to get the hell out of the building.

'Pirro went on Sean Hannity's show that night and recalled the episode as if she'd been an innocent victim and Whoopi was insane. I yelled at my TV when I saw that.'

Donald Trump Jr. was also awful when he came on for the show's 5,000th episode, the conservative host said.

'It was a disaster. He packed the audience with Trump supporters and brought his girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle who I used to work with at Fox News, before she was fired for allegedly sending around penis pictures.

'It felt a lot like an episode of the Jerry Springer Show or an MMA cage match.'

McCain dishes on The View's guests, leaving no doubt who she liked and who she didn't. 'James Comey was so slick and rehearsed that he was a terrible guest,' she says

McCain said of having Tyler Perry as a guest, 'He is lovely, smart and so supportivehe has this miraculous energy about him, it's gravitational'

McCain says the worst guest of all was Fox News personality Jeanine Pirro. 'She came on the show and told us we all had Trump Derangement Syndrome, and when we pushed back, she became instantly enraged'

McCain tells of how President Trump called her at the height of his attacks on her father. He had just made 'another cruel comment' about the senator. 'I can't even remember which one, because he did it almost compulsively.'

She said she didn't want to take the call and rang her father who told her 'You can't blow off the President of the United States.'

McCain quit the show in July, shortly after returning from maternity leave after the birth of her daughter Liberty, when, she said, the other hosts, especially Whoopi Goldberg and Behar turned on her

'So I took the call. Trump didn't apologize but he said the recording was wrong. I just stayed quiet and listened to him talk. Then Melania got on the line and said: 'We love you. We love your dad.'

'No you don't,' I said. It was the weirdest experience because Trump had said so many things on the record trashing my dad, and now he was telling me that I shouldn't be mad about it.

'He wouldn't change his tactics either. He would go on to talk about my father over and over again, always in derogatory ways.

'For years he made a sport of beating the crap out of my family, and he didn't let up once he got into the Oval Office. Trump had supporters boo my father at a rally. He fought the lowering of the flag in my dad's honor when he died.'

Even as she was writing her manuscript he tweeted that John McCain was one of the most overrated people in DC.

'I thought: Go to sleep a**hole it's 12:30 at night.'

It was the second call she had ever got from Trump. The first was in 2012 when he wanted her to appear on The Apprentice.

'He told me how amazing the show was and how I had to do it. He kept saying if I did the show, I will be a winner. My only distinct memory of the call is that he used the word winner over and over again.

'I never took any of the show offers fortunately because I'm more private than I think the average person on TV is. Still, to this day whenever I see a celebrity embarrassing themselves on a reality show, I think there but for the grace of God go I.'

Meghan McCain, DailyMail.com's newest columnist, makes the claims about her experience on The View and more in her upcoming memoir Bad Republican

At the time she was becoming known as a party girl, hanging out with minor celebrities such as Tila Tequila  who at one stage hinted they were having a lesbian affair.

Her father took her aside and told her 'You're making a jacka** of yourself. I'm getting phone calls and I don't like it.

'You know that everybody's embarrassed for you. They're not saying it because they're being polite, but everyone's embarrassed.

She called the talk a 'sliding doors moment' after the Gwyneth Paltrow movie of the same name, and she did clean up her act.

'It's not like I entered a nunnery, but I stopped being stupid publicly as much as possible.'

Meghan McCain's audio memoir Bad Republican will be available on Audible on October 21.
The House panel probing the January 6 Capitol attack voted Tuesday evening to hold Steve Bannon (pictured) in contempt for refusing to testify

The January 6 committee voted on Tuesday evening to hold Steve Bannon in contempt for refusing to testify before the select panel.

Earlier on Tuesday, the panel probing the attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters rejected an attempt by Bannon to refrain from testifying.

This vote now paves the way for the entire House to vote on whether to recommend contempt charges. A source familiar with the schedule said that the vote was planned for Thursday.

If the House approves the referral, the Justice Department will decide whether to pursue a criminal case, which could lead to jail time.

The progression of the case could set the template for contempt action against other staff from the former Trump administration, with the committee having issued subpoenas to more than a dozen people who helped plan pro-Trump rallies.

'I would just say that what we just saw was a unanimous bipartisan determination by the January 6 Select Committee to ensure that our subpoenas are observed,' Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin, a member of the panel, said to reporters immediately following the vote.

'No one in the United States of America has the right to blow off a subpoena by court or by the United States Congress,' he continued. 'If Mr. Bannon wants to show up and plead the Fifth Amendment because he will incriminate himself, he has that constitutional right. We of course had the authority to offer him use immunity so that we wouldn't use any evidence against him directly, that's been well established by the Supreme Court.'

The House Select Committee (pictured) probing the attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters rejected earlier on Tuesday an attempt by Bannon to refrain from testifying

The nine-member panel includes two anti-Trump Republicans  Representatives Liz Cheney of Wyoming (left) and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois (right)

In a Monday report, the panel argued that Bannon made statements suggesting he knew ahead of time about 'extreme events' on January 6, when Congress was scheduled to certify Democrat Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election against Trump.

Bannon said on a January 5 podcast: 'All hell is going to break loose tomorrow.'

The next day, thousands of Trump supporters descended on the Capitol as part of a 'Stop the Steal' rally in an attempt to overturn Trump's election defeat, which Trump still claims was the result of widespread fraud.

Before leaving office in January, Trump pardoned Bannon of charges he had swindled the Republican president's supporters. Trump has urged former aides subpoenaed by the panel to reject its requests, claiming the right to withhold information because of executive privilege, a legal principle that protects many White House communications.

Heading the January 6 Select Committee is Democratic Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi

President Joe Biden's White House argues Trump has no legitimate privilege claim.

'The former president's actions represented a unique - and existential - threat to our democracy that can't be swept under the rug,' White House spokesman Michael Gwin said. 'The constitutional protections of executive privilege should not be used to shield information that reflects a clear and apparent effort to subvert the Constitution itself.'

More than 670 people have been charged with taking part in the riot, the worst attack on the U.S. government since the War of 1812.

So far, the select committee has issued 19 subpoenas.

When asked about how others who were called to testify may respond, panel member Adam Schiff said he's confident the swift action of the committee will deter further noncompliance.

'I don't think we have perfect visibility on whether these witnesses are going to comply  or we're going to have to go the route we did with Steven Bannon.'

'We made it very clear with how quickly we moved to hold Bannon in criminal contempt that we are not wasting time,' the Democratic California representative said after the Tuesday evening vote.

Trump filed suit on Monday, alleging the committee made an illegal, unfounded and overly broad request for his White House records, which committee leaders rejected.

Many legal experts have said Trump's executive privilege claim is weak because the committee has a compelling need to see the requested materials.

The January 6 Capitol riot was aimed at blocking Congress from certifying the election win for Joe Biden and resulted in five deaths and the second impeachment of Trump

Bannon said on a January 5 podcast, 'All hell is going to break loose tomorrow'  leading investigators to believe he knew about plans for the attack ahead of time

The U.S. Supreme Court said in 1821 that Congress has 'inherent authority' to arrest and detain recalcitrant witnesses on its own, without the Justice Department's help. But it has not used that authority in nearly a century.

In 1927, the high court said the Senate acted lawfully in sending its deputy sergeant at arms to Ohio to arrest and detain the brother of the then-attorney general, who had refused to testify about a bribery scheme known as the Teapot Dome scandal.

The select committee was created by House Democrats against the wishes of most Republicans. Two of the committee's nine members - Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger - are Republicans who joined House Democrats in voting to impeach Trump in January on a charge of inciting the Jan. 6 attack in a fiery speech to supporters earlier that day.

Multiple courts, state election officials and members of Trump's own administration have rejected Trump's claims that Biden won because of election fraud.

Trump appeared rattled by the committee last week, saying in a statement: 'Unselect Committee composed of Radical Left Democrats and a few horrible ... Republicans'.

Banon was a close ally of Trump's throughout the 2016 presidential campaign, having a direct line to the then-candidate and later president.

Divisions soon emerged, however, when he became involved in a power struggle with Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and close adviser, and other senior staff in the White House. Trump, meanwhile, grew frustrated at constant press leaks.

The pair parted ways in acrimonious circumstances, with Trump saying a year later: 'When [Bannon] was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind.'
A mother whose son died in a motorcycle crash has lost a bitter legal battle with his girlfriend over his $566,000 superannuation payout.

Carol Myers said her son Jeremy Plooy had a 'very volatile' relationship with Nicole Mensinga who she described as just another of his 'serial girlfriends'.

Ms Myers said her son told her 'I'm done with this relationship, she is hard work and so friggin' needy,' before he was killed in a collision on the Bruxner Highway in northern NSW in August 2018.

Nicole Mensinga received a $566,000 superannuation payments - including death benefits - after her boyfriend Jeremy Plooy was killed in a motorcycle crash on the Bruxner Highway in northern NSW in August 2018

Ms Myers applied to have Ms Mensinga removed from Mr Plooy's death certificate despite the couple having lived together for 16 months and committing to renting their Ballina home for another year just prior to his death.

Mr Plooy's mother Carol Myers lodged an appeal to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority claiming his relationship with Ms Mensinga was 'volatile'

In a signed affidavit submitted to a NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Ms Myers said her son had undergone a vasectomy during his relationship with Ms Mensinga.

'Carol said he thought of himself as a man without responsibilities and free to do whatever he wished,' a ruling handed down by the tribunal on Tuesday and seen by Daily Mail Australia said.

Mr Plooy was a 39-year-old student nurse who planned to work for Doctors Without Borders after graduating and loved fishing, surfing and music.

Ms Myers claimed Ms Mensinga shared none of his interests and lodged a submission with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority about the $566,000 in superannuation payments - including death benefits - she received as a dependent spouse.

Mr Plooy's father Pieter Plooy, however, told the tribunal his son was in a committed relationship with his girlfriend and she was entitled to his estate.

'He says his other children were telling him that Jeremy was happy in the relationship with Nicole,' the ruling read.

Senior tribunal member Peter Molony found Mr Plooy was committed to Ms Mensinga and the pair were in a genuine defacto relationship, 'despite his gripes about it'.

'I do not accept that Jeremy having a vasectomy is evidence that he was not in a de facto relationship with Nicole,' he said.

Senior tribunal member Peter Molony found Mr Plooy was committed to Ms Mensinga and the pair were in a genuine defacto relationship, 'despite his gripes about it'.

'I do not accept that a man who has had serial live-in relationships with a number of 'girlfriends' over the years, would continue to commit to and bind himself to a relationship that is hard work, demanding and costing him money, if he were not committed to it.

He added Mr Plooy's vasectomy should not count as 'evidence that he was not in a de facto relationship with Nicole'.
Donald Trump wanted to bring in 250,000 troops to the border wall to help secure the U.S. southern border with Mexico during the pandemic, but the idea was struck down due to concerns from then-Homeland Security Secretary Mark Esper, a Tuesday report reveals.

During spring 2020, Trump wanted more than half the active duty Army, which makes up one-sixth of all U.S. forces, to deploy to the southern border, according to The New York Times.

This would have been the largest use of military force within the U.S. since the Civil War.

The plan, which was originally put together by Trump's immigration aide Stephen Miller in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, enraged Esper, Homeland Security officials familiar with conversations revealed.

Donald Trump (left) wanted to send 250,000 troops to mitigate the southern border in spring 2020  during the onset of the pandemic  but DHS Secretary Mark Esper (right) was vehemently against it

Stephen Miller, the architect of Trump's immigration agenda, first had the idea  but didn't push it when Esper wanted to ditch the plan to bring about half to Army to the border

Miller was the architect of Trump's immigration agenda.

Esper believed, according to the unnamed sources, that bringing such a large number of troops to the border would compromise military readiness around the world.

In the midst of the raging pandemic, which was still new at the time, Miller urged DHS to develop a plan to send troops to seal the 2,000-mile border the U.S. shares with Mexico.

Trump himself made claims during that time that 'tremendous infectious disease is pouring across the border' and that troops were needed.

Chad Wolf, who served as acting secretary of homeland security at the time, told the New York Times the agency was working on 'worst-case scenarios' of what they would need to completely shut down the US-Mexico border, but no formal appeal was ever filed to the Defense Department.

It's unclear who came to this conclusion, whether it was the Pentagon or DHS, but it was decided to secure that land mass it would take a quarter million troops.

As part of that plan, Trump also wanted to send U.S. forces into Mexico, one of America's biggest trade partners, to hunt down drug cartels, the officials revealed.

It seemed that Trump only hesitated with that idea after aides told him that Mexico could view the raids as an act of war.

The Biden administration has continued to use Title 42 in the midst of the pandemic and migration crisis. Here Haitian migrants wait on Tuesday to board a boat in their long trek to the U.S. southern border from South America

When Esper confronted Miller over the use of troops to secure the border, the administration was already moving forward with a different plan: implementing Title 42  a rule that is still in place.

So when Esper came to Miller, he didn't press the issue, said a personal familiar with his thinking.

Title 42 gives authority to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during a health emergency to turn back illegal immigrants who cross into the U.S. without proper documentation to where they migrated from.

The current administration has continued using Title 42 during the pandemic, which progressive Democrats have criticized President Biden for.

Since Biden took office, migrants have been surging to the southern border  viewing his campaign promises on immigration as an open borders policy.
Australia can't assume its 28 years of uninterrupted economic expansion will continue forever and must act now to security its, experts warn.

Deloitte warns Australia is complacent and not guaranteed the same success over the next 50 years as it faces challenges coming out of the Covid pandemic.

The report said major structural changes were underway in the global economy and Australian politicians and business leaders needed to adapt to effectively compete in a more complex and fragmented world.

A new report by consultant Deloitte has outlined seven steps for Australia to boost its economic sophistication (pictured, a meat aisle in Coles)

'Out of uncertainty and volatility, we have the opportunity to shape a new future for Australia,' Deloitte Australia chief executive Adam Powick said.

Central to Deloitte's report is its new economic sophistication index that ranks countries based on their value add to the goods and services they produce and how well their industries are connected to global supply chains.

Germany tops the table, followed by Britain with Australia at a mediocre 37th.

'It's a shock to realise we aren't doing as well as we think we are,' head of Deloitte Access Economics, Pradeep Phillip, said.

'With half a century of hindsight, it's little surprise that we have an economy characterised by low manufacturing capabilities and missed opportunities from not commercialising our strong research.'

Australia can create new value by using technology to turn its world-class health research into implementable health and wellbeing solutions,' the report argued

The report states that Australia has not built the business or structural foundations required for a diversified, resilient economy (pictured, a meat section in Woolworths)

Dr Phillip said Australia hadn't built the business or structural foundations required for a diversified, resilient economy.

'Instead, we've been complacent with our success, and our lower value add and weaker connectedness with the global economy compared to our high-income peers is a serious issue for our future prosperity,' he said.

He said this would make Australia vulnerable if geopolitical tensions with China worsened or meaningful action on climate change caught Australia off-guard.

'If Australia's action on climate change continues to lag and, in response, overseas governments introduce limits on our high emission intensity production flows, this too would be devastating for the Australian economy,' Dr Phillip said.

'The world would no longer want what we have, and our Index ranking would drop.'
Donald Trump is planning to countersue a former Apprentice contestant who claimed he had groped and kissed her without consent.

The former reality star Summer Zervos accused Trump of defaming her after he denied her sexual assault allegations, with Trump now planning a counterattack ahead of a December deadlines for depositions in Zervos's case.

Zervos had filed the defamation suit in 2016 nearly a decade after she appeared with the former President on The Apprentice in 2007.

Trump's lawyer requested the court's permission to pursue a counterclaim against Zervos as he had previously refuted her accusations.

The former President's denial of the claims included retweeting a message that called her claims 'a hoax.'

He also described a series of women who accused him of sexual assault and harassment as 'liars' trying to torpedo his White House hopes.

Trump's former lawyers responded years ago that he didn't defame Zervos. They said his statements were true and protected by free speech rights.

Both Trump and Zervos will undergo questioning under oath by December 23.

Former Apprentice contestant Summer Zervos is being countersued by Donald Trump after she filed a defamation case against him in 2016 as she claims he allegedly kissed and groped her while they were on the show together. Zervos is pictured leaving Manhattan Supreme Court on December 5, 2017

Donald Trump had previously denied Zervo's claims along other sexual misconduct allegations as he believed they were trying to diminish his success during the 2016 presidential election He is seen here greeting people on the tarmac as he arrives at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida on December 22, 2017

Now he wants to bolster his defense by drawing on a 2020 New York law that makes it easier to defeat defamation claims involving public communication on issues of public interest.

The law was envisioned as helping journalists, activists and others beat back groundless claims from powerful interests that want to sue them into silence.

Trump lawyer Alina Habba argues it applies to statements the future president 'made at the highest levels of the national stage,' including during a debate.

Zervos sued 'for the sole purpose of harassing, intimidating, punishing or otherwise maliciously inhibiting' Trump and his free speech rights, Habba wrote in court papers filed Monday. They seek unspecified damages, plus attorneys fees.

Zervos lawyers, Beth Wilkinson and Moira Penza, said New York's laws don't 'provide a license for Mr. Trump to avoid accountability for his words.'

'We look forward to taking Mr. Trumps deposition and zealously fighting his unwarranted attacks against our client,' Wilkinson and Penza said in a statement.

They called his filing 'a desperate reaction' to the December deadline for depositions in Zervos's case against him. Depositions are sworn pretrial questioning by the other sides attorneys.

The former President had appeared as the host of NBC's The Apprentice for 14 seasons beginning in 2004

Zervos appeared alongside Trump in Season 5 of The Apprentice but was 'fired' within the first week

Monday's filing came as Trump answered hours of questions in a deposition in a different lawsuit, filed by protesters who say his security team roughed them up in 2015.

He said in a statement after the deposition that the protesters' claim was 'baseless harassment' and that he was glad to tell his side of that story.

Zervos, a California restaurateur, appeared on The Apprentice in 2006, when Trump hosted the show.

She says she contacted him the next year to talk about her career, and is now being represented by Gloria Allred.

According to her, he then made unwanted advances during meetings at his New York office and at a California hotel where he was staying.

Shes seeking unspecified damages, a retraction of his allegedly defamatory statements and an apology.
Two New York City police officers are under investigation after video surfaced of one of them shoving a rider out of a subway platform for allegedly asking them to wear a mask Tuesday morning.

Andrew Gilbert says he was on his way to work when he saw the unmasked officers patrolling the 8th Street station in Manhattan's Greenwich Village.

He started filming the cops and asked them to put masks on, in compliance with the rules of the New York Police Department and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the city's trains and buses.

'The male officer was playing dumb and claimed he couldn't hear me. I kept asking him over and over, "Do you know it's illegal not to wear a mask?" Gilbert told AM New York Metro.

'I kept asking him the same thing and then he said, "You're being disruptive," which I guess is their key word for doing whatever they want if they declare you disruptive.'

A NYPD spokesman told DailyMail.com that the two officers involved in Tuesday's shoving are under internal review. He declined to identify them, citing their 'right to due process,' but said he believes officers are required to wear masks on the train.

Two maskless NYPD officers shoved a masked rider off a subway platform Tuesday morning

The rider, Andrew Gilbert, said he had filmed the cops and asked them to put their masks on

The officers were then seen pushing him out of the 8th Street Station in Greenwich Village

A male officer is seen pushing Gilbert out of the platform with both hands in a 35-second video posted on Twitter just before 9am Tuesday.

Gilbert is heard making unintelligible statements as trains speed by during the busy morning rush hour.

The male officer manages to pin Gilbert against the emergency exit, at which point a female officer pushes the door open to eject him.

The male officer says, 'You're being disruptive.'

It's not clear what Gilbert was saying, though he's later heard asking for the officers' badge numbers from the other side of the door.

Meanwhile, the two officers lean against the platform wall and ignore him.

Gilbert later said: 'He just walked into me, grabbed me and pushed me.

The officers then leaned against a wall and ignored Gilbert's pleas for their badge numbers

The two officers involved, one male and one female, are now under internal review, police say

'He grabbed me by the shirt and pushed me over to the emergency exit and slammed me through it, and was yelling at me how, "If youre not going to ride the train you can get out."'

The MTA requires everyone, vaccinated or not, to wear a face covering while riding a train or bus or waiting for one at an indoor station. Those who don't wear one face a fine of up to $50.

The transportation authority declined to respond to the officers' behavior on Tuesday.

'I cannot speak for the way the NYPD addresses its officers when they are found to violate rules,' spokesman Tim Minton told AM New York Metro.

'We anticipate that anyone who is in public transit will wear a mask for the safety of themselves, fellow New Yorkers, and transit workers.'

Officers have routinely been photographed and filmed not wearing masks on the subway.

In July, a city transit official pleaded with cops to wear masks on the subway.

'Were going to continue to work with our partners and ask our friends at MTA PD, NYPD and other enforcement agencies to wear their masks in the system,' said New York City Transit chief customer officer Sarah Meyer at a July 19 MTA committee meeting.

'Theres nothing more important from my perspective than seeing that happen.'

On top of that, NYPD officers are one of the most vaccine-hesitant groups in city government, even though more than 60 of the city's cops have died of COVID since the pandemic began.

About 68 percent of NYPD workers have gotten at least one dose of vaccine, according to recent data released by the mayor's office and reported by Patch.com.

That's below the citywide rate of 85 percent of adults who have received one dose, according to city health data.

It's also far below more vaccinated city workers like those at the mayor's office and the department of education (95 percent) and the city's hospitals (93 percent).

Gilbert says he regularly confronts officers about not wearing masks.

'Eighty percent of the time they make some lame excuse or put the mask on,' he said.

COVID-19 are coming down after the Delta variant sent them soaring late in the summer

There were 1,075 confirmed COVID-19 cases in New York City in the week ending October 15, down from a summer high of 1,976 in the week ending August 19

'I really wish that we had a police department that was dedicated to public safety They're just standing there, doing nothing, spreading COVID, and flouting the rules as a show of force. They can just do what they want and theres no accountability for it.'

In July, NYPD spokesman Sergeant Edward Riley said: 'We expect our officers to comply with the requirement that masks are worn while on trains and in the transit system.

'When it comes to the public, we continue to provide any rider with a mask if they need one.'

Mask compliance remains high, with 90 percent of subway riders wearing a face covering in the 10-day period ending on October 1, according to MTA statistics.

Compliance is above the 86 percent rate observed the week of June 28, when the Delta variant had COVID-19 cases soaring. It's still below the 98 percent rate observed from February to mid-May.

Cases, hospitalizations and deaths are all decreasing, according to city data.

There were 1,075 confirmed cases in the week ending October 15, down from a summer high of 1,976 cases in the week ending August 19.
Priti Patel will today announce a major tightening of gun laws under which shooting enthusiasts must obtain a doctors report to get a weapons licence.

Under a raft of new requirements, police will also be told to carry out checks of applicants social media accounts.

The Home Secretarys crackdown comes in the wake of the Plymouth shootings in August that left five dead, including a three-year-old, prompting questions over the killers legitimately held gun licence.

Murderer Jake Davison had posted a series of hate-fuelled online rants inspired by the misogynistic incel or involuntary celibate movement.

But his posts  which should have been treated as glaring red flags  appear to have been missed by Devon and Cornwall Police.

After the mass murder, Shaun Sawyer, the forces chief constable, said his officers did not look at social media accounts when someone applied for a gun licence because it would be an invasion of privacy.

Priti Patel will today announce a major tightening of gun laws under which shooting enthusiasts must obtain a doctors report to get a weapons licence

The force suspended a shotgun licence held by Davison after he was involved in an alleged assault.

But it was returned to the 22-year-old just weeks before he launched his attack with a pump-action shotgun, in which he also killed his own mother, before shooting himself.

The new measures mean all 566,000 holders of firearms or shotgun certificates in England and Wales will face additional security checks.

From next month a medical report will be required to obtain or renew a licence, including details of the applicants mental health.

It will also have to disclose whether the applicant has any history of substance abuse or a neurological condition.

Social media checks will be made an explicit part of the application process for the first time.

Police will be required to look at online posts to ensure individuals who want to own a shotgun or rifle have not openly expressed sympathy with the incel movement, Islamism or far-Right groups, for example.

The requirements will be in force for new applicants and for existing holders who are seeking to renew their licences.

Murderer Jake Davison had posted a series of hate-fuelled online rants inspired by the misogynistic incel or involuntary celibate movement

For the first time they will be mandatory for individual police forces  which run gun licensing  to follow after concerns that implementation has been patchy until now.

Police will also be required to look at applicants financial history and check for existing police records with domestic violence or public protection units.

The Home Office will today announce it has reached an agreement with the British Medical Association to introduce the health checks.

Applicants will be required to provide a medical pro forma which has been filled out by a doctor who is registered with the General Medical Council.

This month the Independent Office for Police Conduct said it had launched an investigation into the Devon and Cornwall Police staff member who issued and returned Davisons licence.
Australia's cyber spies would be handed beefed up powers to intervene in major attacks across a wide range of essential services under proposed laws.

The Morrison government will on Wednesday introduce changes to its bill designed to protect critical infrastructure from cyber attacks.

The Australian Signals Directorate would be available as a last resort immediately before, during or following a significant cyber security incident to ensure essential services continue.

The list of critical infrastructure will be expanded to include energy, communications, financial services, defence industry and higher education.

Research, data storage or processing, food and grocery, health care, space technology, transport and water will also be listed.

The Australian Signals Directorate would be available as a last resort immediately before, during or following a significant cyber security incident to ensure essential services continue

Operators of critical systems will be required to report all cyber incidents to the signals directorate.

The changes are in line with recommendations from parliament's bipartisan security committee.

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said the government was committed to protecting essential services including electricity, water, healthcare and groceries.

'Recent cyber-attacks and security threats to critical infrastructure, both in Australia and overseas, make these reforms critically important,' she said on Wednesday.

'They will bring our response to cyber threats more into line with the government's response to threats in the physical world.'

Ms Andrews said the bill would help business focus on delivering goods and services.

She said it was not reasonable for a supermarket to have highly specialised expertise to deal with a major, debilitating cyberattack.

Attacks could misdirect supply chains, shut down payments, and hold customer data to ransom, the minister said.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre annual threat report showed a cyber attack was reported every eight minutes compared with one every 10 minutes last financial year.

About a quarter of reported cyber security incidents affected critical infrastructure organisations.

ASD responded to more than 1630 incidents in the past financial year and received about 500 ransomware reports.

While fewer cyber threats were reported compared with the year before they had a more considerable impact, with a higher proportion being placed in the 'substantial' category.

The change was influenced by an increase in cyber attacks against large organisations including data theft, extortion and taking services offline.
The moment Kim Jong-un's North Korean navy test-fired a newly developed submarine-launched ballistic missile which landed in the ocean off its east coast has been pictured for the first time.

North Korean state media confirmed the launch and said the device, which was launched on Tuesday, had 'lots of advanced control guidance technologies'.

Pictures released by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) showed the black and white missile emerging from calm waters trailing a column of fire and smoke, and a surfacing submarine.

The launch was made from the same submarine that North Korea used to conduct its first submarine-launched strategic missile test in 2016.

A proven submarine-based missile capability would take the North's arsenal to a new level, allowing deployment far beyond the Korean peninsula and a second-strike capability in the event of an attack on its military bases.

But the use of the same '8.24 Yongung' submarine as it tested five years ago indicates that it may only have made limited progress in its launch capabilities.

While North Korea has a large fleet of aging submarines, it is yet to deploy operational ballistic missile submarines beyond the experimental Gorae-class boat used in the tests.

It was 'a bit of flex to launch a new, previously untested missile from a submarine for the first test,' said Ankit Panda of the Carnegie Endowment.

The statement from state media came a day after South Korea's military reported that it believed North Korea had fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile.

The launch took place at 10.17 am local time near Sinpo, North Korea's main submarine-building shipyard, Sourth

The missile travelled around 365 miles at a maximum altitude of 40 miles before crashing down in the East sea, an informed South Korean source said.

The test comes just days after it was revealed that China had tested a new orbital vehicle - thought by analysts to be a hypersonic nuke. Beijing denies this, saying it was actually a civilian spacecraft.

North Korea confirmed it test-fired a newly developed submarine-launched ballistic missile which landed in the ocean off its east coast, as the nuclear-armed country pursues ever more improved weapons

North Korean state media said the device, which was launched on Tuesday, had 'lots of advanced control guidance technologies'

Pictures released by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) showed the black and white missile emerging from calm waters trailing a column of fire and smoke, and a surfacing submarine

A map showing North Korea's main nuclear testing site at Punggye-ri, which was decommissioned in 2019, and its main site for producing nuclear fuel at Yongbyon. The red dots show missile testing sites, including the site of today's launch at Sinpo (right)

Analysts believe the Chinese could have been testing a new version of old Soviet nuclear technology called FOBS, which is designed to evade missile detection and defence systems.

Meanwhile South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said: 'Our military is closely monitoring the situation and maintaining readiness posture in close cooperation with the United States, to prepare for possible additional launches.'

Ending a months long lull in September, North Korea has been ramping up its weapons tests while making conditional peace offers to Seoul, reviving a pattern of pressuring South Korea to try to get what it wants from the United States.

Tuesday's test from the '8.24 Yongung' submarine came as both Koreas build up their weapons capabilities in what could become an arms race on the peninsula, and with Washington-Pyongyang dialogue at a standstill.

The submarine, an experimental vessel, 'appears capable of firing a single ballistic missile' and has to surface every few days, limiting its operational usefulness, according to a 2018 analysis by the US-based Nuclear Threat Initiative think tank.

North Korea last tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile in October 2019, but the Pentagon and analysts say it is likely to have been fired from a submerged platform.

The KCNA said the latest test 'will greatly contribute to putting the defense technology of the country on a high level and to enhancing the underwater operational capability of our navy.'

It said the new missile has introduced advanced control guidance technologies including flank mobility and gliding skip mobility.

Photos released by KCNA appeared to show a thinner, smaller missile than North Korea's earlier submarine-launched ballistic missile designs, and may be a previously unseen model first showcased at a defence exhibition in Pyongyang last week.

A new submarine-launched ballistic missile is seen during a test by North Korea

Photos released by KCNA appeared to show a thinner, smaller missile than North Korea's earlier submarine-launched ballistic missile designs, and may be a previously unseen model first showcased at a defence exhibition in Pyongyang last week

A smaller submarine-launched ballistic missile could mean more missiles stored on a single submarine, although with a shorter range, potentially putting nuclear-armed North Korea closer to fielding an operational ballistic missile submarine (SSB).

'Though a smaller North Korea SLBM design could enable more missiles per boat, it could also enable smaller less challenging SSB designs, including easier integration/conversion on pre-existing submarines,' Joseph Dempsey, a defence researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said on Twitter.

Still, the development was expected to have only a limited impact on Pyongyang's arsenal until it made more progress on a larger submarine that has been seen under construction.

'It just means they're trying to diversify their submarine launch options,' said Dave Schmerler, a senior research associate at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in California.

'It's an interesting development but with only one submarine in the water that can launch notionally one or two of these it doesn't change much.'

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was not reported to have attended Tuesday's test.

Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo condemned the launch, with all three describing it as a ballistic missile.

Kim Jong Un has vowed to keep developing missile in defiance of international sanctions, and showed off his growing stockpile at a recent weapons show (pictured)

Acquiring submarine-launched missiles would be a worrying development because that would make it harder for the North's rivals to detect launches and provide the country with retaliatory attack capability.

Still, experts say it would take years, large amounts of resources and major technological improvements for the heavily sanctioned nation to build at least several submarines that could travel quietly in seas and reliably execute strikes.

Tuesday's launch is the most high-profile weapons test by North Korea since U.S. President Joe Biden took office in January.

The White House stressed that the action was a threat which only underscored the 'urgent' need for dialogue with Pyongyang, with spokeswoman Jen Psaki telling a press briefing: 'Our offer remains to meet anywhere, anytime, without preconditions.'

Within days, President Joe Biden's special envoy for North Korea, Sung Kim, is scheduled to hold talks with U.S. allies in Seoul over the prospects of reviving talks with North Korea.

Nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang have stalled for more than two years over disagreements in exchanging the release of crippling U.S.-led sanctions against North Korea and the North's denuclearization steps.

His government has so far rejected the Biden administration's offers to restart dialogue without preconditions, saying that Washington must first abandon its 'hostile policy,' a term the North mainly uses to refer to sanctions and U.S.-South Korea military exercises.

South Korean artillery pieces are pictured close to the 'demilitarized zone' that separates North from South today

South Korean mobile artillery pieces were seen on routine manoeuvres near the border with North Korea as the test took place

South Korean soldiers prepare to take part in artillery manoeuvres near the border with North Korea on Tuesday morning

A report from the Financial Times, which cited five unnamed intelligence sources, said the Chinese military launched the Long March rocket in August carrying a 'hypersonic glide vehicle' into low orbit. It circled the globe before descending towards its target, which it missed by about two dozen miles. The system would be able to overcome US anti-ballistic missile defence systems that are based in Alaska and set up to shoot down projectiles coming over the North Pole - the Chinese system would be able to strike the US from the south

But while North Korea is apparently trying to use South Korea's desire for inter-Korean engagement to extract concessions from Washington, analysts say Seoul has little wiggle room as the Biden administration is intent on keeping sanctions in place until the North makes concrete steps toward denuclearization.

'The US continues to reach out to Pyongyang to restart dialogue,' Sung Kim told reporters on Monday, referring to the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

'Our intent remains the same. We harbor no hostile intent toward the DPRK and we are open to meeting without preconditions.'

'Even as we remain open to dialogue, we also have a responsibility to implement the U.N. Security Council resolutions addressing the DPRK,' he said.

Last week, Kim Jong Un reviewed powerful missiles designed to launch nuclear strikes on the U.S. mainland during a military exhibition and vowed to build an 'invincible' military to cope with what he called persistent U.S. hostility.

Earlier, Kim dismissed U.S. offers for resuming talks without preconditions as 'cunning' attempt to conceal its hostile policy on the North.

The country has tested various weapons over the past month, including a new cruise missile that could potentially carry nuclear warheads, a rail-launched ballistic system, a developmental hypersonic missile and a new anti-aircraft missile.

But the North in recent weeks have also restored communication lines with the South and said it could take further steps to improve bilateral relations if Seoul abandons its 'double-dealing attitude' and 'hostile viewpoint.'

North Korea is banned from developing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles under Security Council resolutions, and is subject to multiple sets of sanctions as a result.

It says it needs its arsenal to defend against possible US invasion.

Tuesday's launch came after North Korea - which invaded its neighbour in 1950 - in recent weeks tested a long-range cruise missile, a train-launched weapon and what it said was a hypersonic warhead, sparking global concern.

For its part, South Korea last month tested its first SLBM, which put it among the elite group of nations that have demonstrated proven technology, and also unveiled a supersonic cruise missile.

Pyongyang this month also mounted a rare weapons exhibition, showcasing the gigantic intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) revealed last year.

Opening the display, leader Kim - who has overseen rapid progress in the North's military technology - blamed Washington for tensions, dismissing US assertions that it does not have hostile intentions.

Kim met three times with former US president Donald Trump, who boasted of stopping a war but failed to reach agreement on ending North Korea's nuclear program.

Talks essentially stalled after a Kim-Trump summit in Hanoi collapsed in 2019.

China was also revealed to have tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile which orbited the globe before returning to Earth to strike its target in a technological development that would overcome US anti-ballistic missile systems.

Weapons race: A comparison of the most advanced (columns from left) missiles, aircraft carriers, tanks and aircraft possessed by China, the US and Russia

A report from the Financial Times, which cited five unnamed intelligence sources, said the Chinese military launched the Long March rocket in August carrying a 'hypersonic glide vehicle' into low orbit.

It circled the globe before descending towards its target, which it missed by about two dozen miles.

A Chinese government spokesman refuted those claims Monday night, claiming that the missile was in fact an experimental rocket designed to offer a peaceful means of space exploration.

The hypersonic missiles can reach speeds of up to 21,000mph and can strike anywhere on Earth from space within minutes.

The system would be able to overcome US anti-ballistic missile defense systems that are based in Alaska and set up to shoot down projectiles coming over the North Pole - the Chinese system would be able to strike the US from the south.

The incident has left US intelligence officials stunned, sources say, as it shows 'China has made astonishing progress on the development of its hypersonic weapons'.

'We have no idea how they did this,' a person familiar with the test told the FT.

China has since denied these reports with China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zhao Lijian claiming it was 'a spacecraft, not a missile.'

'This test was a routine spacecraft experiment to verify the reusable technology of spacecraft, which is of great significance for reducing the cost of spacecraft use,' Zhao said at a press briefing, according to CNN.

'It can provide a convenient and cheap way for humans to use space peacefully.

'Many companies in the world have carried out similar experiments.'
Advertisement

Sajid Javid will address NHS demands for a Covid 'Plan C' in a Downing Street press conference tonight after Tory MPs today slammed health leaders for urging ministers to immediately re-impose face masks and work from home guidance.

The Health Secretary will lead No10's first Covid briefing in a month at 5pm, with infections having soared to their highest level for almost three months and growing concerns about the country's sluggish booster jab roll-out.

NHS chiefs want ministers to bring out tough back-up restrictions, which include vaccine passports in nightclubs, and start forming a last-resort plan in case the measures fail to curb pressure on hospitals over the coming weeks and months.

Coronavirus deaths in the UK yesterday rose to their highest daily level since early March. Experts fear the growing outbreak may have been exacerbated by an even more infectious offshoot of Delta called AY4.2. The proportion of cases made up by the sub-strain have doubled in a month, official figures show.

Backbenchers today hit back at the NHS demands, claiming that U-turning on freedoms could result in an endless cycle of lockdowns every year.

Health and Social Care Committee member Paul Bristow slammed NHS bosses for trying to 'bounce Government into restrictions'. Steve Baker said: 'We cannot allow the liberties of the people of this country to be a tool of NHS capacity management.'

The Government rejected the NHS pleas, with Kwasi Kwarteng ruling out any lockdown. He claimed the return to normal life was 'very hard won' and insisted that Britain's 'approach is working'. The Business Secretary added the Government does not 'feel it's the time for Plan B right now', echoing No10's official stance yesterday.

Mr Kwarteng said he would continue to urge people to wear face masks in public and conceded the slow uptake of coronavirus booster jabs is 'something we really need to address'. Less than a third of care home residents have received their third dose, according to official data.

No10 is demanding better results on booster take-up with ministers launching a new TV campaign to encourage people to book appointments when they are invited.

Tonight will be the first Covid press conference  which were a mainstay when ministers announced restrictions on freedoms during the height of the pandemic  since September 14, highlighting the escalating fears about the winter crisis.

Last month's presser was attended by Boris Johnson, Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance, when they discussed vaccinating over-12s, the booster programme and the Government's winter 'Plan B'.

It comes after emergency Covid powers used to impose house-arrest, close businesses and schools, and restrict gatherings were extended for another six months yesterday.

Pictured left: Sajid Javid outside Number 10 this morning. Right: Boris Johnson leave number 10 Downing Street today as he heads to Prime Minister's Questions

The above maps show the proportion of Covid cases that were the Delta sub-variant AY.4.2 in the fortnight to June 26 (left) and the fortnight to July 31 (right). Darker colours indicate that more cases of the sub-variant had been detected

The above maps show the proportion of cases that were AY.4.2 in the fortnight to September 25 (left) and October 9 (right). The darker colours indicate that a higher proportion of infections were down to this sub-variant.

Health and Social Care Committee member Paul Bristow (left) slammed NHS bosses for trying to 'bounce Government into restrictions'. Steve Baker (right) said: 'We cannot allow the liberties of the people of this country to be a tool of NHS capacity management'

Timelapse maps reveal how '15% more infectious' Delta offshoot 'Nu' has rapidly spread across England since it was first detected in London and the South East in June The rapid spread of a more infectious Delta variant was laid bare today by a series of maps revealing how it surged across the whole of England. One of the Government's major Covid-tracking projects first spotted the subtype  dubbed AY.4.2  in June, with 19 cases scattered across London and the South East. But within a week, the number of infections had doubled to 47, and the variant was advancing into areas of the Midlands, East of England and the South West. In just over three months it had reached almost every part of England. More than 2,500 cases of the subtype were detected across the country last week, meaning it now makes up almost 10 per cent of all infections. The hotspot is in Adur, West Sussex. Scientists say the strain  thought to be 10-15 per cent more transmissible than its ancestor  likely first emerged in the UK because of the high number of infections here compared to other countries, which gives the virus more chance to mutate. A separate dataset tracking variants globally puts its first emergence in Britain at June 14, followed by Ireland in late June, Germany in July, and Denmark and the US in August. There is no evidence that it makes vaccines less effective or is more likely to trigger hospitalisation and death but No10 has vowed to keep a 'close eye' on AY.4.2. There have been some 20,248 cases of AY.4.2 in the UK to date, data suggests, and 13 in the US. Experts believe that the World Health Organization will elevate the subtype to 'Variant under Investigation' in the coming days. It is likely to be named 'Nu', the next letter in the Greek alphabet. Advertisement

In other coronavirus developments today:

It was revealed the UK's top scientific advisors only met twice in the last three months;

Mr Kwarteng said holidays will not be cancelled again because of rising Covid cases and dismissed the idea of another lockdown;

Figures showed there are nearly a third fewer mass vaccination hubs in operation now compared to when the original two-dose Covid vaccine programme was at the peak of its powers in April;

GPs 'out-and-out rejected' No10's 250million proposals to give patients more face-to-face appointments;

Michael Gove had to be shielded by a ring of police as he was ambushed with no protection by a mob of anti-vaxxer protesters;

NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said complacency among older patients is to blame for the slow Covid booster rollout.

Mr Bristow said reintroducing restrictions now would set a precedent for having lockdowns 'every year'.

He said: 'The NHS Confederation are wrong to try to bounce the Government into restrictions.

'Case rates driven by school return but fewer Covid hospitalisations than last month.

'This will only scare away those needing NHS treatment. If we lockdown now due to winter NHS pressure  it will happen every year.'

And Steve Baker, deputy chair of the Covid recovery group, said the course of society cannot be based purely on managing NHS capacity.

He told TalkRadio: 'I think if we cross that Rubicon we end up prioritising healthcare above everything else. Of course, health care is super-important, it's extremely important to everybody in my constituency.

'But we really have to ask fundamental questions about how we're choosing to live.

'And what I would say is: Yeah okay, if we do have to take some measures, let's do it on a voluntary basis but let's not be shutting down businesses.

'There's a wide range of damage that comes from lockdowns and restrictions and we can't afford to keep propping up businesses.'

Mr Kwarteng dismissed early calls for Plan B, telling BBC Breakfast the return to normal life had been 'very hard won'.

He said: 'What we have to remember in all this is that the vaccination rollout has allowed us to get some kind of normality

'We've had our lockdowns, we've managed to reopen the economy successfully, we've managed to get back to normal life and those gains were very hard won.

'And I don't want to reverse back to a situation where we have lockdowns. I don't think it's necessary. We think the course that we're plotting is the right one.'

There have been suggestions that the variant may be elevated to 'Variant under Investigation'. If this is the case the World Health Organization is likely to give it the name 'Nu', which is the next letter in the Greek alphabet

Matthew Taylor (left), chief executive of the NHS Confederation, has urged the Government to implement the back-up strategy amid rising Covid cases. But Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng (pictured today, right) said the Government does not 'feel that it's the time for Plan B right now'

The graph shows the proportion of cases sequenced in England that are the new subvariant AY.4.2 (yellow) and Delta (blue). Delta became dominant in the UK in May, overtaking the previously dominant Alpha strain (purple)

Only a QUARTER of care home residents have had their Covid booster vaccine Just over a quarter of care home residents have had a Covid booster vaccine, data shows amid fears that millions of elderly Britons will be left vulnerable to the virus this winter. NHS England data shows that just 27.8 per cent of care home residents have received their crucial third dose and only 14.1 per cent of staff have been boosted. That's despite the booster rollout launching over a month ago and care home residents and their carers being highlighted as the top priority groups. The data also shows that little over half of eligible people over the age of 80 in England have been given a booster, while just a third of 75 to 79-year-olds have been revaccinated. Pressure is mounting on the Government to get the sluggish programme up to speed as daily infections approach peak-second-wave levels and the NHS gears up for a harsh winter. Members of No10's own scientists have publicly called for ministers to hurry up with the programme, which prompted Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng to admit today it was 'something that we really need to address'. NHS England boss Amanda Pritchard yesterday claiming the elderly are not coming forward quickly enough for their boosters. But sources close to the booster drive told MailOnline capacity is also an issue, with figures showing there are nearly a third fewer mass vaccination hubs in operation now compared to April, when more than 400,000 extra jabs a day were being dished out. An NHS practice manager said GPs are prioritising clearing the record-breaking backlog of 5.7million patients waiting for routine treatment in the UK over dishing out jabs. Advertisement

But Matthew Taylor, chief executive of NHS Confederation  an organisation that represents NHS trusts  warned the health service is preparing for 'the most challenging winter on record' and risks 'stumbling into a crisis' without urgent action to stem the growing outbreak.

He said the 'consequence of not acting now' would be the NHS struggling to tackle the record-breaking backlog of 5.7million patients waiting for routine surgery. Hospital bosses already fear the waiting list will not be cleared for at least five years.

Mr Taylor told the Guardian: 'We are right on the edge  and it is the middle of October. It would require an incredible amount of luck for us not to find ourselves in the midst of a profound crisis over the next three months.

'The government ought to not just announce that we're moving to Plan B, but it should be Plan B plus. We should do what's in Plan B in terms of masks [and] working from home, but also we should try to achieve the kind of national mobilisation that we achieved in the first and second waves, where the public went out of their way to support and help the health service.'

In a second interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Taylor said the NHS was facing a 'perfect storm'.

'I think the Government needs to look at all those measures which science tells us can reduce the spread of the virus and further down the line the number of people going into hospital and dying,' he said.

'The winter is always tight for the NHS for a number of reasons. You add in Covid patients, then you add in pent up demand of people on waiting lists and those who haven't gone to the doctor and are now presenting with quite challenging symptoms.

'I speak to health service leaders every day and I have literally not spoken to any leader who doesn't say their service is under intense pressure now. We are in October and it is only going to get worse.'

He added: 'The risk of the NHS being overwhelmed is there. At the moment the system is working flat out and those winter pressures are going to grow.

'One of the consequences of not taking action is it will be very difficult to make any progress at all for those people who have been waiting a very long time for treatment.'

On Tuesday, the Government said a further 223 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid  bringing the UK total to 138,852.

While the numbers are often higher on Tuesdays because of a lag in reporting deaths and cases over the weekend, this is the highest figure for daily reported deaths since March 9.

Meanwhile, the seven-day average for cases is standing at 44,145 cases per day  the highest level for almost three months.

Mr Taylor urged the public to 'show extra support for the NHS' by 'behaving in ways that will keep themselves and others safe'.

He added: 'It is time for the Government to enact Plan B of its strategy without delay because without pre-emptive action, we risk stumbling into a winter crisis.

'Also, health leaders need to understand what a ''Plan C'' would entail if these measures are insufficient.

'The Government should not wait for Covid infections to rocket and for NHS pressures to be sky high before the panic alarm is sounded.'

Mr Kwarteng also told Sky News the vaccine rollout had been 'the most successful thing we've done' and urged those eligible to take up the offer of a third dose of the vaccine.

The Business Secretary said: 'The critical thing, as my colleague the Health Secretary has said, is about hospitalisation and also deaths, and, thank God, those figures are much, much lower than they were, certainly, at the beginning of the year.'

He said the Government was 'concerned' about rising deaths, but added: 'You'll remember at the beginning of the year we had hundreds, if not thousands, a day.

'Mercifully that hasn't happened and, as the Health Secretary said, it's something we're going to have to live with and I think we are managing the situation.'

Mr Kwarteng said: 'The infection rate was always likely to go up as we opened up the economy, because as people get back to normal life, the infection rate was likely to go up. But what was critically important was the hospitalisation rate and the death rate as well.'

He insisted the Government was not 'waiting and watching' as those figures rose.

He said: 'We're simply trying to analyse the data as we see it and come up with the right policies. Now, that's something which could change but, at the moment, we think that the course that we're plotting is the right one.'

The map shows the proportion of cases caused by AY.4.2 in the fortnight to October 9, with darker colours equating to more infections caused by the subvariant. Data from the Sanger Institute shows 8.9 per cent of all Covid-positive nose and throat swabs sequenced in England were caused by AY.4.2. It statistics suggests the sub-lineage is most prevalent in Adur, where 61 per cent of all positive samples sequenced were linked with AY.4.2. The subvariant also seems to be highly prevalent in East Lindsey (46 per cent) and Torridge (41 per cent)

The prevalence of the Delta strain, which was first detected in the UK in March and became dominant within two months, grew much faster than AY.4.2 has grown so far. Delta is still responsible for nine in 10 infections in England

Mr Kwarteng was also asked whether he would encourage people to wear face masks routinely.

He told BBC Breakfast: 'I wear face masks in public places, particularly on public transport, and people generally, as I notice on the tube in London, tend to  they do wear face masks and face masks are worn. So, that's something which I think is a good thing.

'I think people should do what they feel is the right thing to do. They've got to, I think, be respectful towards other people, they've got to keep themselves safe and the public as well.'

Government's SAGE scientists have met just TWICE over the last three months The UK's top scientific advisors have only met twice in the last three months, it was revealed today amid fears a fourth Covid wave is just around the corner. SAGE, which has guided the Government through the Covid pandemic, last met on October 15. The October meeting was the second in as many months, with the influential panel last coming together before that on September 9. The group  which includes England's chief medical officer professor Chris Whitty, Government chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, and 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson, among others, didn't meet in August at all. Labour today claimed it 'beggars belief' as to why Sage was 'effectively stood down', with cases having soared to a three-month high of around 45,000. There were 223 recorded deaths from the virus in the UK yesterday, the highest total since March, a month in which Sage met three times alone. It is understood that both Professor Whitty and Sir Patrick have raised alarm about the figures in recent days and that internal discussions in Government have turned to possibly reimposing some of the milder lockdown measures this winter. Though Downing Street is reportedly resistant to this. There are also concerns about the rise of a new Delta variant of the virus in the UK. The variant called AY.4.2, could be up to 10 to 15 per cent more infectious than its ancestor. This, combined with a slow rollout of the Covid booster programme, with nearly 5million vulnerable adults yet to receive theirs, indicates there may be some dire weeks to come in Britain's fight against Covid. SAGE meetings have diminished in frequency since February, when the second wave was just starting to fizzle out. Since then the group has mostly met thrice or twice a month but August this year was the first time the group did not meet at all since the pandemic began. In comparison, SAGE met four times in August 2020, six times in September 2020, and five times in October last year as the country headed into the colder months and the onset of the second wave of the virus. It contains some of the UK's leading epidemiologists, virologists and other health experts, with meetings also regularly attended by government officials. At meetings they analyse the latest trends of how Covid has been spreading in the UK, and the latest research into the virus and how it can be contained and treated. Advertisement

The Prime Minister's official spokesman has previously said Plan B would only be used if there was a 'significant risk of the NHS being overwhelmed'.

The spokesman said: 'There are a number of different factors that would play into that decision.

'Largely it would be required when there was a significant risk of the NHS being overwhelmed.

'We are not at that point. Because of the vaccination programme, the levels we are seeing in both patients admitted to hospital and deaths are far lower than we saw in previous peaks.'

On Tuesday, Professor Neil Ferguson, a leading member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said he thinks 'Plan B' could be implemented in England this winter, but it is unlikely 'we'll ever get close' to the lockdown the country experienced in January.

He added that the UK is no longer in the top rank of European countries in terms of overall vaccination coverage, particularly in vaccinating teenagers.

The UK now has one of the highest weekly rates of new reported cases in the world.

Just over 67 per cent of the UK population has received two doses of vaccine, according to Government figures  compared with at least 75 per cent in Denmark, 79 per cent in Spain and 86 per cent in Portugal.

The weekly rate of new reported cases of Covid-19 in the UK has jumped from 367 cases per 100,000 people at the start of October to its current level of 463 per 100,000.

By contrast, rates have dropped to very low levels in neighbouring countries such as Spain (24 per 100,000), France (48) and Germany (80).

SAGE fears there will be a fourth wave by the end of the year that may cripple the NHS. Ministers are overseeing a rollout of booster jabs to over-50s, healthcare workers and the immunosuppressed to protect the health service as much as possible and prevent No10 having to reintroduce masks and WFH guidance as part of its 'Plan B'.

But experts have warned the top-up jabs are being dished out too slowly, with 5.7million vulnerable adults eligible for a third dose yet to receive one.

Influential Government adviser Professor Ferguson, an epidemiologist at Imperial College London, insisted it was 'critical we accelerate' the booster drive to give ourselves the best chance of avoiding having to bring back curbs.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Sajid Javid warned there is 'huge pressure' on the NHS in England.

The increase in cases has been in part blamed on the new variant, which academics estimate may be up to 15 per cent more transmissible than the original Delta, which rapidly became dominant in Britain in the spring before taking off worldwide.

It has been detected in almost every part of the country, figures show, and it's thought to be behind almost 60 per cent of positive tests sampled sequenced in Adur, West Sussex.

No10 yesterday said it was 'keeping a very close eye' on AY.4.2 but insisted there is 'no evidence' that it spreads easier. Boris Johnson's official spokesperson also warned the Government 'won't hesitate to take action if necessary'.

Experts suggested the uptick of AY.4.2  one of 45 sub-lineages of Delta  may be partly to blame, along with the return of pupils to classrooms from August and workers to offices.

Professor Francois Balloux, director of the University College London Genetics Institute, told the Financial Times the strain could be the most infectious subvariant seen since the pandemic began.

But he noted Britain is the only country where the sub-lineage has 'taken off', so its quick growth could be a 'chance demographic event'.

The World Health Organization will likely elevate AY.4.2 to a 'variant under investigation', which means it would be given a name under its Greek letter naming system, Professor Balloux added.

Cabinet minister rules out any new lockdown Kwasi Kwarteng has ruled out a winter lockdown despite 'concerns' around the slow booster Covid vaccine rollout. The Business Secretary said No10 is concerned about the slow uptake of third jabs in light of rising Covid cases. But he said that ministers 'don't want to go back into further restrictions' and noted there were no vaccines this time last year. Mr Kwarteng told Sky News: 'I think the conversation about restrictions on travel, restrictions on more lockdowns is completely unhelpful. 'The vaccine has changed our total approach to this and has given us a measure of security that is very important. I would rule [lockdowns] out. 'As the Health Secretary said it's something we're going to have to live with and I think we are managing the situation.' A total of 43,738 positive tests were recorded yesterday, a 16 per cent week-on-week increase. A further 223 deaths were registered, the highest single-day reported figure since March. Advertisement

He said: 'The emergence of yet another more transmissible strain would be suboptimal.

'Though, this is not a situation comparable to the emergence of Alpha and Delta that were far more transmissible  50 per cent or more  than any strain in circulation at the time.

'Here we are dealing with a potential small increase in transmissibility that would not have a comparable impact on the pandemic.'

The UK Health Security Agency, which took over from the now-defunct PHE, revealed in a report on Friday that the subvariant is expanding in England.

It includes two mutations  called Y145H and A222V  and is being monitored, the UKHSA said.

Both of these spike mutations have been found in other virus lineages since the pandemic began  but are not present on any current variant of concern.

Professor Balloux said the mutations are not obviously linked with increased transmissibility or evading protection granted by vaccines.

Only three AY.4.2 cases have been spotted in the US, while two per cent of cases in Denmark are caused by the sub-lineage, he added.

Data from the Sanger Institute suggests the sub-lineage is most prevalent in Adur, where 61 per cent of all positive samples sequenced were linked with AY.4.2.

The subvariant also seems to be highly prevalent in East Lindsey (46 per cent) and Torridge (41 per cent).

It comes as the UK recorded 49,156 new Covid infections yesterday, marking another three-month high. Hospitalisations and deaths are also on the rise.

Some experts have said the subvariant may be behind the surge, which other European countries are not seeing to the same extent.

Former US Food and Drug Administration commissioner Scott Gottlieb tweeted on Sunday: 'We need urgent research to figure out if this 'delta plus' is more transmissible, has partial immune evasion.'

Around 3.7million third vaccines have been dished out to over-50s and the immuno-compromised in England as of Sunday (purple line), the latest date data is available for. But some 8.5million people are currently eligible for a booster dose, having received their second jab six months ago (green line). means 4.8million people may be suffering from waning immunity

How much more infectious is AY.4.2? Is it more deadly? Where has it been spotted? How much more infectious is AY.4.2? Experts estimate the newly-emerged AY.4.2 subvariant is 10 to 15 per cent more transmissible than its ancestor. Its prevalence in England doubled in a month from being behind four per cent of cases in September to 8.9 per cent in the two weeks to October 9. But experts will need to keep monitoring the sub-lineage to determine if it really is more infectious. Is AY.4.2 more deadly than earlier versions of Delta? There is no evidence AY.4.2 is more deadly than earlier versions of the Delta strain, which was first identified in India last December. Deaths in England have been relatively flat for months. Due to the time it takes for someone to catch the virus and become seriously unwell, any impact the subvariant has on deaths will likely not be clear for weeks. Where has AY.4.2 been spotted? The subvariant has been spotted in nearly every part of England. Data from the Sanger Institute, which sequences thousands of Covid samples in England every week, suggest the sub-lineage is most prevalent in Adur, where 61 per cent of all positive samples sequenced were linked with AY.4.2. The subvariant also seems to be highly prevalent in East Lindsey (46 per cent) and Torridge (41 per cent). Is it behind the surge in cases? Some experts have said the subvariant may be behind the surge in cases in the UK, which other European countries are not seeing to the same extent. But Dr Jeffrey Barrett, director of the Covid Genomics Initiative at the Sanger Institute, said AY.4.2 alone does not explain the the UK's caseload, which is instead linked to the UK imposing less restrictions than other countries. And as AY.4.2 is still at fairly low frequency, a 10 per cent increase its transmissibility would have only triggered a small number of extra cases. Official figures have shown cases are also being fuelled by youngsters returning to classrooms last month, with as many as one in 12 being infected. Advertisement

But Dr Jeffrey Barrett, director of the Covid Genomics Initiative at the Sanger Institute, told the Financial Times AY.4.2 alone does not explain the the UK's caseload, which is instead linked to the UK imposing less restrictions than other countries.

Professor Balloux said its rapid spread 'could have caused a small number of additional cases', but added: 'It hasn't been driving the recent increase in case numbers in the UK.'

Official figures have shown cases are also being fuelled by youngsters returning to classrooms last month, with as many as one in 12 being infected.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said the Government is 'keeping a very close eye on' the subvariant.

They said: 'There's no evidence to suggest that this variant  the AY.4.2 one  is more easily spread. There's no evidence for that but as you would expect we're monitoring it closely and won't hesitate to take action if necessary.'

Dr Alexander Edwards, an immunologist at the University of Reading, told MailOnline it would be concerning if a variant starts to dominant that evades vaccine immunity.

He said: 'Before the successful rollout of vaccines, this was less likely to happen, but now, with such a high proportion of the population infected, alongside waning immunity, now is the time to be extra vigilant.

'Luckily, we can redesign our vaccines very quickly now, so there isn't yet anything to be afraid of.

'But any efforts made now to reduce cases and improve immunity  through boosters, vaccinating younger people, testing and effective isolating  could pay off if they cut the risk of vaccine evading variants.'

Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at the University of Warwick, told MailOnline the detection of AY.4.2 'highlights the need for continued genomic surveillance of the virus'.

Experts will need to monitor it to determine 'if it really is more transmissible and if it has any impact of the efficacy of vaccination', he said.

Professor Young added: 'The continued spread of the virus at a high level in the UK increases the risk of variants being generated that could be more infectiousness and more able to evade vaccine-induced immunity.'

It comes as official figures show nearly 5million vulnerable adults have yet to receive a Covid booster vaccine, after Downing Street admitted Britain faces a 'challenging' winter.

Despite the NHS top-up programme launching over a month ago, only around 3.7million out of the 8.5m eligible people in England have received the crucial third dose.

No10's scientists approved plans to revaccinate all healthy over-50s, frontline health staff and carers and patients with underlying medical conditions six months after their second dose, after evidence showed it was the 'sweet spot' for immunity.

The lagging rollout has left around 4.8m people with sub-optimal immunity as the country moves into the colder months and faces the double threat of increasing case numbers and flu.

SAGE adviser 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson, an epidemiologist at Imperial College London, yesterday insisted it was 'critical we accelerate' the booster drive to give ourselves the best chance of avoiding having to bring back curbs.

And Sir David King, who was the Government's chief scientific adviser from 2000 to 2007, criticised the rollout for moving 'extremely slowly'.

Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of the NHS, insisted the health service has 'plenty of capacity' to vaccinate all eligible people immediately but said people are not coming forward quickly enough. She told MPs on the Health Committee: 'It's really important that we now absolutely do get the message out that is Covid is still with us.'

But some experts also say the booster programme is going slower because the UK is juggling administering first jabs to children in secondary schools and running the largest flu vaccination programme in history.

Pictures yesterday show clinics lying virtually empty, some of which are not open for booster jab walk-ins  further highlighting the complexity of Britain's current rollout.

It comes against the backdrop of rising cases with 49,156 infections recorded yesterday  the highest daily figure in three months. Downing Street warned that Britons should prepare for a 'challenging few months'

Boris Johnson's spokesman said there were 'currently' no plans to reintroduce Plan B restrictions  which include face masks and working from home guidance  but that ministers were keeping 'a very close watch on the latest statistics'.

Britain led the world in the initial vaccine rollout, but it has now slumped behind Italy, Spain and France in terms of the percentage of the population to be double-jabbed.

This is because it delayed rolling out jabs to healthy children, whereas most EU members approved those plans much quicker.

All over-50s and the clinically vulnerable can get a booster jab from six months after their second dose.

But experts have warned that at the current rate the most vulnerable will not all receive their third vaccination until the end of January.

Asked if Covid booster jabs are the answer to waning immunity, Professor Ferguson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Absolutely, and there's data coming through now, which is not completely clear cut, but good data coming through from Israel, which shows that, if you've had the third booster dose of the vaccine, then you get very high loads, better than even you had after the second dose.

'And so I do think it's critical we accelerate the booster programme.

'The other thing is infection rates are highest in teenagers at the moment and most other European countries are ahead of us in vaccinating teenagers and giving them two doses, not just one dose.

'Two doses really are needed to block infection and prevent transmission, so I think that's the other problem, keep pushing on, getting coverage rates up higher in the teenagers who are driving a lot of this infection.'

He also called for face coverings to be brought back to remind people to be cautious in everyday interactions and 'remind people we're not completely out of the woods yet'.

All legal Covid restrictions were lifted in England on 'Freedom Day' in July, bringing an end to mandatory coverings indoors. However, people are still required by some transport companies and in medical settings  and No10 still advises people wear them in crowded environments.

Ministers are keeping masks, WFH guidance and controversial vaccine passports in their back pocket as part of the Government's 'Plan B', if an expected surge in cases this winter heaps unsustainable pressure on the NHS.

Professor Ferguson, an epidemiologist who sits on SAGE, admitted some measures have to be rolled back, in the event of an uptick in infections.

But speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he ruled out another blanket shut-down. He said: 'I doubt we'll ever get close to [the] lockdown we were in in January of this year.'
Amanda Pritchard, head of the NHS, warned complacency among older patients is to blame for the UK's slow Covid booster rollout

Complacency among older patients is to blame for the slow Covid booster rollout, the head of the NHS said yesterday.

Amanda Pritchard insisted there was no delay in sending out invitations and that nearly two million over-50s will be invited this week.

She added: Whilst its great that people are coming forward... they are not coming forward as quickly when they receive their invitation as for the first jabs.

It is really important that we now absolutely do get the message out that Covid is still with us, it is serious, boosters really do make a difference in boosting immunity.

Another 223 deaths were announced yesterday  the highest daily total in seven months.

Weekly coronavirus cases are up by 16 per cent, with another 43,748 recorded yesterday alone. Hospitalisations are also rising.

Two thirds of care home residents have not yet had a booster jab according to the Daily Telegraph despite the Government setting a deadline of November 1.

And Professor Martin Marshall, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said quite a few GP vaccination centres have shut to allow doctors to tackle the treatment backlog.

He said ease of access was a factor behind the sluggish rollout of booster jabs and first doses for children.

The chief executive of the NHS Confederation said the system was right on the edge and a plan B plus was needed.

Matthew Taylor told The Guardian: We should try to achieve the kind of national mobilisation that we achieved in the first and second waves.

Mr Taylor said this could include the public being encouraged to use the NHS responsibly, volunteer, look out for neighbours or even re-enter the healthcare workforce.

He added: We need that same sense of pulling together over the next few months, trying to avoid risky behaviour.

This is not a question of if we dont do it, something might happen.

'If we dont do it, it would take a miracle for us not to find ourselves in the midst of a really profound crisis in our health and social care systems.

New variant 'is more infectious than Delta' A new Covid variant is spreading and may be fuelling the rise in cases. Named AY4.2, the strain is an offshoot of the Delta variant and is currently seen in nearly one in ten Covid cases. It made up just 4 per cent of UK infections in mid-September but by the first week of October had doubled to nearly 10 per cent. Scientists say it is steadily increasing in numbers and appears to be 10 per cent more infectious than the original Delta variant. A report by the Health Security Agency said it has been spotted in nearly every part of England. Downing Street said it was keeping a close eye on the variant but that there was not enough evidence to prove it spreads more easily. Advertisement

Despite rising case numbers the Sage scientific advisory committee is meeting only once a month when it used to do so weekly.

Sajid Javid admitted yesterday that the NHS was facing a particularly tough winter. Raising the prospect of a return to Covid restrictions, the Health Secretary told MPs there was huge pressure on hospitals and too few staff to respond to 999 calls.

He added: Usually winters are tough for the NHS but this winter is going to be particularly tough. The pandemic is still ongoing, this flu season will be particularly tough.

Boris Johnson has set out a Plan B for further restrictions  including compulsory masks, vaccine passports and working from home.

This is likely to be implemented if hospital admissions consistently top 1,000 a day.

Yesterdays figure was 921, up from 780 a week ago.

The PMs spokesman said: We have seen case rates rising, weve started to see some indications that hospitalisations and death rates are increasing also.

Were keeping a very close eye on rising case rates.

'The most important message to understand is the vital importance of the booster programme and indeed for those children who are eligible to come forward and get our jab.

England is one of the few countries in Europe to have completely scrapped all legal coronavirus restrictions, such as masks.

Later this week the Government will launch a publicity blitz to drive booster uptake.

Latest Office for National Statistics data shows nearly one in ten children aged 12 to 15 have the virus. At the same time just 15 per cent of eligible pupils in England have had a jab.

MPs extended Covid emergency powers for another six months yesterday. Mr Javid told the Commons that the measures were still necessary and proportionate.
Australia's tax commissioner is facing an investigation from a powerful parliamentary committee after refusing to hand over companies' wage subsidy details.

Chris Jordan has been referred to the Senate's privileges committee over rejecting an upper house order to reveal which companies turning over more than $10 million received JobKeeper payments.

The privileges committee has the power to fine or jail the tax commissioner if he is found in contempt of parliament.

Independent senator Rex Patrick has been campaigning for more transparency around the $90 billion scheme.

The motion to refer Mr Jordan passed the Senate 25 votes to 21 on Tuesday evening.

The ATO boss had refused to release the information because he believed it was not in the public interest to abandon taxpayer confidentiality.

ATO boss Chris Jordan will be investigated by the Senate's privileges committee after rejecting an upper house order to reveal which companies turning over more than $10 million received JobKeeper payments.

Mr Jordan said he acknowledged and respected the powers of the Senate.

'The Senate Standing Committee of Privileges will now further consider the Senate's order for information about businesses which received JobKeeper,' he told the ABC in a statement.

'One of my fundamental roles as commissioner of taxation is to safeguard the integrity of the tax and super systems by ensuring the community's confidence in taxpayer secrecy is maintained.'

Senator Patrick and Labor have argued companies that boosted profits pocketed wage subsidies and refused to pay taxpayers back.

Some companies repaid JobKeeper payments after coming under heavy public scrutiny.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has railed against calls to release information about JobKeeper receipts, arguing the program overwhelmingly befitted small and medium businesses.
Advertisement

MPs agreed to extend emergency Covid powers for another six months without a vote yesterday.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid told the Commons that the Coronavirus Act - which includes powers of house-arrest, school and business closures, and restrictions on gatherings - were 'still necessary and proportionate' after 223 Covid deaths were recorded - the highest daily count since March.

Though lockdown-sceptic Conservative backbenchers called the legislation 'dystopian', the Labour Party refused to oppose the renewal of the law until March next year - meaning that the draconian regulations were renewed without a formal parliamentary vote.

A review by the Government published last month outlined how seven of the remaining 27 temporary, non-devolved provisions in the Coronavirus Act would expire as part of the latest six-month review.

These included powers to prohibit or restrict events and gatherings as 'most legal restrictions have been achieved under the Public Health Act, and so these powers have not been required', according to the review.

But with 223 deaths recorded yesterday, the Government is facing calls to reintroduce mandatory facemasks and working from home orders. NHS bosses claim that the restrictions would prevent a 'winter crisis' of resurgent Covid as well as flu and other seasonal viruses.

Top scientists have repeatedly warned of a fourth wave this winter, prompted by the return of pupils to classrooms and office workers, as well as the colder weather and darker evenings driving people to socialise inside where the virus finds it easier to spread.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty claimed this winter will be 'exceptionally difficult' for the NHS, even if there is not a surge of infections. He warned the health service faces tough months ahead due to a resurgence of flu and other seasonal viruses.

Though Transport Secretary Grant Shapps dismissed introducing another lockdown at Christmas, Downing Street has plans in place to bring back restrictions if the roll-out of booster vaccines and jabs to over-12s fail to curb the impact of Covid on hospitals. And Ministers have previously warned they could not rule out another lockdown as a last resort.

It come as Office for National Statistics figures showed that Covid cases in England are now at their highest level since the darkest days of the second wave in mid-January, with one in 60 people infected on any given day last week.

In other Covid developments:

Nearly 5million vulnerable adults have yet to have their Covid booster vaccine, official figures show;

'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson says it's 'critical we accelerate' the booster drive with fears growing over 'challenging' winter which could see return of face masks and work from home guidance;

Professor Ferguson also called for return of face masks and for teenagers to get two Covid vaccines;

The head of the NHS said the health service was never overwhelmed by Covid during the height of the pandemic;

Amanda Pritchard also warned MPs pressures on the health service could see thousands more hospital treatments cancelled;

Her comments were echoed by Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who told MPs there is 'huge pressure' on the health service in England.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid claimed extraordinary measures used to impose house-arrest, close businesses and schools, and restrict gatherings, were 'still necessary and proportionate to help with the pressure'

It comes as 223 Covid deaths were recorded on Tuesday - the highest since March

All children between 12 and 15 will be able to book Covid vaccines online in half-term next week under NHS drive to drastically improve uptake rates Children will be able to book Covid vaccines online from next week as No10 tries to ramp up lagging vaccination rate in teenagers. Health Secretary Sajid Javid told MPs today teenagers between 12-15 will be able to book appointments online from next week during the half-term break. 'To make the most of half-term next week, we will now be opening up the national booking service to all 12 to 15-year-olds to have their Covid vaccinations in existing national vaccination centres, which will offer families more flexibility,' he said. The Government hopes making getting appointments easier while students are not at school will help address the slow roll out of the vaccine to this age group. Only yesterday it was revealed that just 15 per cent of the age group in England have had their first dose, despite becoming eligible for a month. But uptake was even worse in some areas of England, with some regions reporting as few as one in 30 having received the jab. Advertisement

Cases also increased, with 43,738 new infections recorded - up 13.5 per cent on the 38,520 last week. And the number of people being hospitalised spiked to 921 on Friday, the latest date data is available for. It was an increase of 20.2 per cent on the previous week.

The troubling figures come as experts warned a subvariant of the Covid Delta strain could be more infectious than its ancestor on the back of data that revealed the proportion of cases linked to the strain has doubled in a month.

Mr Javid, opening a Commons debate on the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Review of Temporary Provisions) (No 3) regulation, told MPs: 'We do certainly expect more pressure as we head into winter, we've been very open about that and that is why the vaccination programme, both the Covid vaccination programme, the boosters and the flu vaccination programme remain important.

'But there are provisions in this Act which are still, I believe, still necessary and proportionate to help with the pressure... again that is for example the registration of healthcare and social care workers, also the power to discontinue healthcare assessments for people being discharged from the NHS.

'I think it is wise especially heading into the winter when we don't at this stage know just how significant the pressures will be to have that flexibility.'

Conservative former cabinet minister David Davis said: 'This Act alone allows the Government to act without recourse to this House, not true of the Civil Contingencies Bill or indeed the 1984 Act. This is why it's wrong, it's because he doesn't have to come back to the House every time he takes away another piece of British freedom.'

Mr Javid replied: 'Now that this Act is in place, it is important that the Government acts properly and quickly at any time that it can retire measures under this Bill and expire them or in some cases suspend them and that there is regular scrutiny of this and the process and that ministers, myself and others come to the House whenever they can to expire provisions under this Bill and if they do continue, then to justify them.'

Health ministers also appeared to give differing commitments on whether MPs would have a vote prior to any implementation of vaccine passports.

The Government's autumn and winter plan suggested that some measures including the mandatory use of vaccine passports for nightclubs and large events and face coverings could be required in England if cases were putting unsustainable pressure on the NHS.

Mr Javid initially confirmed said there it would be a 'decision for the House', adding: 'We would have to, if that happened, justify that to the House.'

Conservative former minister Mark Harper, who chairs the lockdown-sceptic Covid Recovery Group, pressed the Government to commit to a vote on vaccine passports ahead of any proposed use.

Mr Harper said the Secretary of State 'committed to the House having to make the decision about vaccine passports. And my question was about whether the House was going to be asked to make that decision in advance, not retrospectively.

Around 3.7million third vaccines have been dished out to over-50s and the immuno-compromised in England as of Sunday (purple line), the latest date data is available for. But some 8.5million people are currently eligible for a booster dose, having received their second jab six months ago (green line). means 4.8million people may be suffering from waning immunity

Prof Lockdown' Neil Ferguson calls for return of face masks and for teenagers to get TWO Covid vaccines Face coverings should be brought back to remind people to be cautious in everyday interactions, one of the Government's most influential scientific advisers suggested today. 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson said masks 'remind people we're not completely out of the woods yet'. All legal Covid restrictions were lifted in England on 'Freedom Day' in July, bringing an end to mandatory coverings indoors. However, people are still required by some transport companies and in medical settings  and No10 still advises people wear them in crowded environments. Ministers are keeping masks, WFH guidance and controversial vaccine passports in their back pocket as part of the Government's 'Plan B', if an expected surge in cases this winter heaps unsustainable pressure on the NHS. Professor Ferguson, an epidemiologist who sits on SAGE, admitted some measures have to be rolled back, in the event of an uptick in infections. But speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he ruled out another blanket shut-down. He said: 'I doubt we'll ever get close to [the] lockdown we were in in January of this year.' Advertisement

'So can she confirm that the House will be asked to make that decision in advance of any move to implement vaccine passports, not asked to approve it retrospectively?'

Health minister Maggie Throup said: 'The Covid certification we've brought in under the Public Health Act 1984, which as my right honourable friend is aware, is emergency measures, so we will do our utmost to bring forward the vote in Parliament before any enactment of that, of the need for Covid certification.'

Dawn Butler (Brent Central) said: 'Today does really feel like Groundhog Day. The Government is again pushing through the Coronavirus Act with no scrutiny from this Parliament.'

She described the Act as 'authoritarian' and said 'ultimately it isn't fit for purpose', although added: 'I am pleased that some of the most draconian parts of this Bill have now been expired'.

The Labour MP added: 'I am clear that we need to repeal and replace the Coronavirus Act, not just because it is dangerous in regards to our rights and our liberties, but because it's served the purpose that it was meant to do 18 months ago, but because we must do better. We must learn the lessons.'

Conservative MP David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden) also spoke out against the Act.

He said 'some improvements have been made', but said during the pandemic the Government has introduced 'effectively house arrest for the whole population, schools shuttered, cancelled elections, lone doctors being allowed to section people - an astonishing removal of civil liberties'.

He mentioned the findings of a recent report from two select committees which he said 'made the point that the Government has made mistake after mistake after mistake - mistakes that cost thousands of lives'.

He said: 'Those mistakes might not have been made if the Government had to justify every element of its strategy throughout these last 575 days. The way to do this is to rewrite the whole thing from scratch.'

Conservative MP Steve Baker (Wycombe) criticised the Act as 'dystopian', but added: 'Today I hope it just goes through because it is, as I say, relatively inoffensive legislation, but we are going to need to turn the corner, we are going to need to show the public that we do stand for freedom, that we have coped with the coronavirus crisis of course, but actually in the long run their rights are sacrosanct and we're never ever going to do again to them what we have done over the past couple of years.'

Alba Party MP Neale Hanvey (Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath) said: 'This Bill being brought forward is an indictment of the failure of this Government to manage Covid effectively.'

Health minister Maggie Throup said: 'This pandemic is not yet over. And the steps we're proposing would give us the support we need to continue our fight against the virus whilst restoring yet more of our precious freedoms.'

NHS boss says health service was NEVER overwhelmed in fight against Covid but warns 'tough winter' will see thousands more hospital treatments cancelled The head of the NHS today said the health service was never overwhelmed by Covid during the height of the pandemic. Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, told MPs expanding critical care, introducing new treatments and rolling out the vaccine prevented wards from being overrun over the last year-and-a-half. However, medics who worked on the frontlines during the first and second waves of immediately slammed their boss, accusing her of 'gaslighting'. Mrs Pritchard also warned the NHS is on course for a 'tough winter' and that a rise in Covid-infected patients would have a knock-on effect on how much other, planned care could be carried out. She suggested pressures on the health service could see thousands more hospital treatments cancelled. More than 1.5million NHS ops were cancelled or delayed due to the chaos of the pandemic. Her comments were echoed by Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who told MPs there is 'huge pressure' on the health service in England. Advertisement

Official figures have shown cases are also being fuelled by youngsters returning to classrooms last month, with as many as one in 12 being infected.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said the Government is 'keeping a very close eye on' the subvariant.

SAGE adviser 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson, an epidemiologist at Imperial College London, yesterday insisted it was 'critical we accelerate' the booster drive to give ourselves the best chance of avoiding having to bring back curbs.

And Sir David King, who was the Government's chief scientific adviser from 2000 to 2007, criticised the rollout for moving 'extremely slowly'.

Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of the NHS, insisted the health service has 'plenty of capacity' to vaccinate all eligible people immediately but said people are not coming forward quickly enough. She told MPs on the Health Committee: 'It's really important that we now absolutely do get the message out that is Covid is still with us.'

But some experts also say the booster programme is going slower because the UK is juggling administering first jabs to children in secondary schools and running the largest flu vaccination programme in history.

Pictures today show clinics lying virtually empty, some of which are not open for booster jab walk-ins - further highlighting the complexity of Britain's current rollout.

It comes against the backdrop of rising cases with 49,156 infections recorded on Monday - the highest daily figure in three months. Downing Street warned that Britons should prepare for a 'challenging few months'

Boris Johnson's spokesman said there were 'currently' no plans to reintroduce Plan B restrictions - which include face masks and working from home guidance - but that ministers were keeping 'a very close watch on the latest statistics'.

Britain led the world in the initial vaccine rollout, but it has now slumped behind Italy, Spain and France in terms of the percentage of the population to be double-jabbed.

This is because it delayed rolling out jabs to healthy children, whereas most EU members approved those plans much quicker.

All over-50s and the clinically vulnerable can get a booster jab from six months after their second dose.

But experts have warned that at the current rate the most vulnerable will not all receive their third vaccination until the end of January.

Asked if Covid booster jabs are the answer to waning immunity, Professor Ferguson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Absolutely, and there's data coming through now, which is not completely clear cut, but good data coming through from Israel, which shows that, if you've had the third booster dose of the vaccine, then you get very high loads, better than even you had after the second dose.

The graph shows the proportion of cases sequenced in England that are the new subvariant AY.4.2 (yellow) and Delta (blue). Delta became dominant in the UK in May, overtaking the previously dominant Alpha strain (purple)

The map shows the proportion of cases caused by AY.4.2 in the fortnight to October 9, with darker colours equating to more infections caused by the subvariant. Data from the Sanger Institute shows 8.9 per cent of all Covid-positive nose and throat swabs sequenced in England were caused by AY.4.2. It statistics suggests the sub-lineage is most prevalent in Adur, where 61 per cent of all positive samples sequenced were linked with AY.4.2. The subvariant also seems to be highly prevalent in East Lindsey (46 per cent) and Torridge (41 per cent)

The prevalence of the Delta strain, which was first detected in the UK in March and became dominant within two months, grew much faster than AY.4.2 has grown so far. Delta is still responsible for nine in 10 infections in England

'And so I do think it's critical we accelerate the booster programme.

'The other thing is infection rates are highest in teenagers at the moment and most other European countries are ahead of us in vaccinating teenagers and giving them two doses, not just one dose.

'Two doses really are needed to block infection and prevent transmission, so I think that's the other problem, keep pushing on, getting coverage rates up higher in the teenagers who are driving a lot of this infection.'

He also called for face coverings to be brought back to remind people to be cautious in everyday interactions and 'remind people we're not completely out of the woods yet'.

All legal Covid restrictions were lifted in England on 'Freedom Day' in July, bringing an end to mandatory coverings indoors. However, people are still required by some transport companies and in medical settings - and No10 still advises people wear them in crowded environments.

Ministers are keeping masks, WFH guidance and controversial vaccine passports in their back pocket as part of the Government's 'Plan B', if an expected surge in cases this winter heaps unsustainable pressure on the NHS.

Professor Ferguson, an epidemiologist who sits on SAGE, admitted some measures have to be rolled back, in the event of an uptick in infections.

But speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he ruled out another blanket shut-down. He said: 'I doubt we'll ever get close to [the] lockdown we were in in January of this year.'
AT&T - Only managers must be vaccinated

Alaska Airlines - All US employees must be vaccinated by Dec. 8

American Airlines - All US employees must be vaccinated by Nov. 24 or face termination

Amtrak - All employees must be vaccinated by Nov. 1 and new employees must show proof of vaccination starting Oct. 4. Employees could be granted medical or religious exemptions and will instead undergo weekly Covid-19 testing

Ascension Health - All employees must be vaccinated by Nov. 12, including those working remotely

Capital One - All employees must be vaccinated before returning to work, with offices scheduled to reopen in November

Centene Corporation - All employees must provide proof of vaccination or undergo regular Covid-19 testing and wear masks at all times in the office

Chevron - Expatriate employees, workers traveling internationally, and employees on U.S.-flagged ships must be vaccinated. Offshore workers in the Gulf of Mexico must be vaccinated by Nov. 1

Cisco - All office workers must be vaccinated

Citigroup - All employees working in major cities must be vaccinated

CNN - All employees must be vaccinated and three have already been fired for violating the policy

CVS - Pharmacists must be vaccinated by Nov. 30 and corporate workers must be vaccinated by Oct. 31, with exemptions for medical and religious reasons

Deloitte - All employees must be vaccinated by Oct. 11

Delta Air Lines - All employees must be vaccinated or pay an additional $200 per month for their company-sponsored healthcare plan

Disney - All Disney cast members must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 22

DoorDash - All corporate employees working in person must be vaccinated

Envision Healthcare - All employees must be vaccinated by Nov. 1 with medical and religious exemptions

Equinox - New York City employees and members must be vaccinated beginning in September

Facebook - All US office workers must be vaccinated

Ford - All employees who travel for international business must be vaccinated

Frontier Airlines - All employees must be vaccinated by Oct. 1 or undergo weekly Covid-19 testing

General Electric - All U.S. employees must be vaccinated by Dec. 8, with exemptions for medical or religious reason

Gilead Sciences - All U.S. employees and contractors must be vaccine by Oct. 1 with exemptions for medical and religious reasons

Goldman Sachs - All office staff and visitors must be vaccinated and will be subjected to regular Covid-19 testing starting September 7, with no exemptions

Google - All office workers must be vaccinated

Hawaii Airlines - All employees must be vaccinated by Nov. 1, but could apply for medical or religious exemptions and instead undergo regular Covid-19 testing

Hess - Employees who work in the Gulf of Mexico must be vaccinated by Nov. 1

IBM - All U.S. employees must be vaccinated by Dec. 8, with exemptions for medical or religious reason, or face unpaid suspensions

JetBlue Airways - All US employees must be vaccinated by Dec. 8

Johnson and Johnson - All U.S. employees must be vaccinated by Oct. 4 with exemptions for medical or religious reason

Lyft - All office workers must be vaccinated

McDonalds - All U.S. employees, excluding those at corporate or franchise restaurants, must be vaccinated by Oct. 11

MGM Resorts - Salaried office employees must be vaccinated by Oct. 15 and new office employees must be vaccinated starting Aug. 30. Las Vegas employees must undergo regular Covid-19 testing

Microsoft - All office workers and guests must be vaccinated by Oct. 4

Moderna - All US employees must be vaccinated by October

Morgan Stanley - All employees must be vaccinated by Oct. 1

Netflix - Anyone working in or visiting the company's offices must be vaccinated

Northwestern Mutual - All office workers must be vaccinated with exemptions for medical or religious reason

Norwegian Cruise Line - All crew and passengers must be vaccinated at least two weeks before boarding

Pfizer - All U.S. employees and contractors must be vaccinated or undergo weekly Covid-19 testing

Politico - All employees must be vaccinated

Saks Fifth Avenue - All office employees must be vaccinated

Salesforce - All office workers must be vaccinated

The New York Times - All office workers must be vaccinated

The Washington Post - All employees must be vaccinated by Sept. 13

TJX - Only Home and Regional Office Associates must be vaccinated by Nov. 1 with medical and religious exemptions

Twitter - All office workers in San Francisco and New York must be vaccinated

Tyson Foods - All U.S. employees must be vaccinated by Oct. 1 and other staffers by Nov. 1 with medical and religious exemptions

Uber - All office workers must be vaccinated

United Airlines - All U.S. employees must be vaccinated by Oct. 25 with medical and religious exemptions

UPS - All headquarters and office building employees must be vaccinated by Oct. 1

Walgreens - All workers in support offices must be vaccinated by Sept. 30 or undergo weekly Covid-19 testing

Walmart - All staff at its headquarters and managers traveling within the U.S. must be vaccinated by Oct. 4, with medical and religious exemptions

Walt Disney parks - All on-site salaried and non-union employees must be vaccinated. Union employees have until Oct. 22 with medical and religious exemptions
Fox News Channel anchor Neil Cavuto tested positive for Covid-19, which he said was surprising but made him grateful that he was vaccinated.

Cavuto, who learned of the test results after Monday's episode of 'Your World with Neil Cavuto,' wasn't on the air Tuesday.

'While I'm somewhat stunned by this news, doctors tell me I'm lucky as well. Had I not been vaccinated, and with all my medical issues, this would be a far more dire situation,' Cavuto said in a statement released by Fox News.

'It's not, because I did and Im surviving this because I did. I hope anyone and everyone gets that message loud and clear. Get vaccinated, for yourself and everyone around you,' the journalist said.

Cavuto, who had open-heart surgery in 2016 and was treated for cancer in the 1980s, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1997.

Cavuto's statement came on the same day that CNN's John King revealed live on his 'Inside Politics' show that he also has multiple sclerosis and implored people to 'man up or shut up' on getting the vaccine.

'I am immunocompromised. I have multiple sclerosis,' said King, who went on to thank his co-workers for being vaccinated.

Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto, who is vaccinated against Covid-19, tested positive for the virus earlier this week and released a statement saying he would've been at serious risk had he not been vaccinated due to his multiple sclerosis

CNN host John King on Tuesday revealed on air that he has multiple sclerosis and is immunocompromised as a result, thanking his CNN co-workers who have been vaccinated and imploring people to 'man up or shut up' on getting the vaccine

CNN mandates that all of its employees who work in an office or in the field with other people be vaccinated, while Fox News employees must be tested regularly for Covid-19 if they haven't been inoculated.

'I'm going to share a secret I have never spoken before,' King, 58, said in a segment of Inside Politics on Tuesday. 'I am immunocompromised. I have multiple sclerosis.

'I am grateful my employer says all of these amazing people who work on the floor, who came in here in the last 18 months when we are doing this, are vaccinated now that we have vaccines,' King said during a panel discussion on former Secretary of State Colin Powell's passing from COVID-19 on Tuesday at the age of 84.

'I worry about bringing it home to my 10-year-old son who can't get a vaccine,' King continued, noting: 'I don't like the government telling me what to do. I don't like my boss telling me what to do. But in this case it's important.'

Former Secretary of State Powell died early Monday from complications of the coronavirus, despite being fully-vaccinated.

He was however immunocompromised due to a form of blood cancer called multiple mylenoma, which made him particularly susceptible to the virus.

He also suffered from Parkinson's disease, which does not increase the risk of COVID, but 'does make it harder for you to recover if you contract it,' according to the nonprofit Parkinson's Foundation.

The Pentagon powerhouse, who served as a soldier in Vietnam and went on to become the first black Secretary of State, passed away at Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland, according to his family.

His wife, Alma Powell also had a breakthrough case of COVID but responded to treatment, according to reports.

Despite this, Fox News host Tucker Carlson on Monday evening said Powell's death proved Americans had been 'lied to' about the effectiveness of the vaccines, but conceded at the end of the show that he 'left out that Powell was suffering from a number of different health problems.'
The brazen daylight assassination of two members of Sydney's notorious Hamze family is the latest in a series of brazen hits ordered on the underworld clan.

Salim Hamze, 18, and his father Toufik, 64, were found dead in a red ute on Osgood Street in Guildford in the city's west on Wednesday morning.

The pair are the third and fourth members of the family to be gunned down in the space of a year with the shooting believed to be part of a bloody street war between the Alameddine and Hamze (sometimes referred to as 'Hamzy') clans.

In June, Bilal Hamze, the crime boss cousin of Brothers for Life founder Bassam Hamzy, was executed in a drive-by shooting after leaving the Kid Kyoto restaurant on Bridge St in Sydney's CBD.

Bilal, 34, had a bounty on his head when he was shot twice in the stomach and once in the shoulder in front of shocked onlookers.

Salim Hamze and his father Toufik were found slumped in a red ute (pictured) following reports of a shooting in Guildford on Wednesday morning

Bilal was hiding out in the city amid underworld conflict with members of the rival Alameddine clan.

His public assassination came after his own mother Maha Hamze's home in Auburn was the target of a drive-by shooting in February.

Pictured: Jailed crime boss Brothers 4 Life gang leader Bassam Hamzy

No one inside was injured but a nurse at a nearby hospital was hurt when a stray bullet destroyed a window she was standing near.

In October last year, Mejid Hamzy - Bassam's younger brother - was gunned down in broad daylight outside his Condell Park home.

Two brothers allegedly linked to the Alameddine family have been arrested over the fatal shooting of Mejid, but police believe the gunmen are still at large.

A friend of the Alameddine family was seriously assaulted with a pole in the days before Mejid was shot to death.

In September, police released CCTV footage of two hooded men fleeing from the scene moments after Mejid was shot dead as they continue to hunt for the killers.

Underworld figure Mejid Hamzy (pictured), who was gunned down outside his southwestern Sydney house last year

The CCTV captured the face and distinct blond hair of one the men briefly exposed after his hoodie fell off while fleeing the scene through the reserve before clambering into two luxury cars.

Bassam Hamzy meanwhile is serving a 40-year sentence inside Australia's toughest prison, Goulburn's Supermax, for a spate of crimes including ones he commissioned from behind bars.

In 2007, Bassam established the Brothers 4 Life gang from his jail cell before using a network of secret phones to coordinate their crimes - including a massive drug ring.

Bassam's father Khaled (left) moved his family to Australia in the 1970s and was himself jailed in the mid-1990s on drugs charges. Bassam's cousin Mohammed 'Little Crazy' Hamzy (right) is currently serving time in jail for shooting two men in 2012. He was stabbed in prison last week

Mejid and Bassam's father Khaled Hamzy died last August after a long battle with illness, with the family's most infamous member not allowed to attend the funeral or watch from jail.

Family patriarch Khaled first moved his family to Australia in the 1970s as civil war erupted in Lebanon.

Khaled was himself jailed for his role in a highly sophisticated drug syndicate in the 1990s.

Mahmoud Hamzy (pictured), a fellow Brothers 4 Life member, was shot dead in 2013 in an attempt on another cousin, Mohammed 'Little Crazy' Hamzy

In June Bilal Hamze was executed in a drive-by shooting after leaving the Kid Kyoto restaurant in Sydney's CBD. Dozens of male mourners are pictured carrying his green coffin - emblazoned with Arabic writing - into a Lakemba mosque at his funeral

Bilal Hamzy, the cousin of Bassam, was executed in a drive-by shooting in Sydney's CBD in June (pictured above sequence of events)

His sons were quick to follow in his criminal footsteps, with Bassam Hamzy convicted in 1999 of the murder of a teenage boy outside a Sydney nightclub.

Bassam's cousin Mahmoud, a fellow Brothers 4 Life member, was also shot dead in 2013 as he was caught in the middle of an attempt on another cousin, Mohammed 'Little Crazy' Hamzy.

Mohammed, again a Brothers 4 Life devotee, was stabbed in prison in October 2020 - where he is serving time for shooting two men in 2012.

Retired NSW detective turned Western Sydney University lecturer Michael Kennedy told Daily Mail Australia in June he has seen generations of organised crime groups in Sydney.

He said that despite the hard tactics of police, antagonising these groups is in his opinion not the best way to go about it.

Shady Kanj, 22, was shot and killed in Western Sydney in August in an incident believed to be linked to the Hamzy and Alameddine gangs

'If you use the word "mafia" it gives the wrong idea, but it's essentially the same thing in that you have a close knit system,' Professor Kennedy said.

In August, Shady Kanj, 22, was killed in a shooting in western Sydney understood to be linked to the Hamzy and Alameddine gangs.

Paramedics were called and treated Kanj but he died from his wounds at the scene.

A second man who happened to be sitting in a parked car on Boundary Rd with his brother when the gunman opened fire was also shot.

He was watching sport on a mobile phone when a stray bullet hit him in the head - but he somehow survived.

A suspected murder attempt against Ibrahem Hamze (left) was in August foiled following a police traffic stop in North Sydney

The same month, a suspected murder attempt against a member of the Hamze clan was foiled following a police traffic stop in Sydney's north.

Police believe gangland rivals had been planning to carry out an attack on Ibrahem Hamze, the younger brother of Bilal, when a stolen Mercedes was spotted on Walker Street on August 14.

The driver allegedly refused to stop the vehicle for officers before speeding off and running through a red light.

But the car suffered a flat tyre forcing the driver and another passenger to abandon the vehicle on Miller Street at Cammeray.
Terrorists who travel to war zones or plot to kill multiple people will face a minimum of 14 years behind bars under harsh new sentencing guidelines.

New Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said the new powers would deter 'those who kill and maim in the name of warped and fanatical ideologies'.

It is hoped the move will close a potential loophole that has allowed some terrorist plotters to receive shorter sentences.

New Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said the new powers would deter 'those who kill and maim in the name of warped and fanatical ideologies'

The Sentencing Council will today set out its proposed guidance to judges on how they should apply the new mandatory minimum jail term which became law earlier this year.

The Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 created a new category of 'serious terrorist offences' amid concerns offenders convicted of planning attacks were receiving relatively light jail terms.

It stipulated those who are found guilty under the new category should face a minimum of 14 years' custody - with an extension period to be served on licence of between seven and 25 years - unless there are 'exceptional circumstances'.

In its guidance, the Sentencing Council will say it should apply when a court finds there is 'a significant risk' to the public of 'serious harm occasioned by the commission by the offender of further serious terrorism offences'.

It should also cover cases where the offence 'was very likely to result in or contribute to (whether directly or indirectly) the deaths of at least two people' - the so-called 'risk of multiple deaths condition'.

Haider Ahmed, who planned a knife attack similar to the Bridge and Westminster attacks, was jailed for only six years

The proposed guidance will be subject to a consultation which runs to January 11.

Raab said: 'These proposed guidelines will support judges to pass consistent and appropriate sentences in terrorism cases.

'Those who kill and maim in the name of warped and fanatical ideologies will spend longer behind bars, because public protection is our top priority.'

The council's lead member for terrorism offences, Mrs Justice Maura McGowan, said: 'Terrorism offences are serious criminal acts that are constantly evolving, and the law is regularly updated in line with the changing nature of the offences, requiring a new approach to sentencing.

'The council is proposing revisions to existing sentencing guidelines to reflect the new legislation and ensure that the courts have comprehensive and up-to-date guidance for dealing with these extremely serious cases.'

Safaa Boular had her jail sentence reduced to 11 years in 2019 after she was convicted of plotting a terror attack

The Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act was drawn up after the 2019 Fishmongers' Hall attack by Usman Khan, who killed two people after being released from prison on licence while serving a sentence for involvement in a plan to set up a terrorist training camp.

The youngest woman to be convicted of plotting a terror attack on British soil had her jail sentence reduced to 11 years in 2019.

Schoolgirl Safaa Boular wanted to become a jihadi bride in Syria, but started plotting an attack in London after the ISIS fighter she planned to marry was killed in an air strike.

The 18-year-old wanted to carry out a grenade and gun attack on the British Museum.

The Court of Appeal later said she was a victim of grooming and lowered her 13-year minimum jail term.

That same year, Haider Ahmed, who planned a knife attack similar to the Bridge and Westminster attacks, was jailed for only six years.

Samata Ullah, a jihadi computer hacker who created a 'one-stop online shop' of information for terrorists from his Cardiff bedroom, was jailed for eight years.
A bin strike threatens to turn Glasgow into a giant rubbish dump during the Cop26 climate change summit.

Around 1,500 refuse and cleaning staff are planning a week-long strike from November 1, at the start of the international gathering.

The GMB union has given the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) until Monday to table an improved pay offer.

A bin strike in Glasow (pictured) threatens to turn the city into a 'giant rubbish dump' during the Cop26 climate change summit as staff are planning a week-long strike from November 1

Rail workers have also voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action during COP26 amid a pay dispute with ScotRail.

Fears are growing that the city will be paralysed by transport turmoil and blighted by uncollected rubbish at a time when it will be at the centre of global attention.

One local authority insider said: We could be in a situation where the city is turned into a giant rubbish dump just as its on show to the world.

GMB bosses have rejected an 850-a-year pay increase for staff earning up to 25,000 and are calling for a 2,000 rise.

Around 1,500 refuse and cleaning staff are planning a week-long strike from November 1, after the GMB union rejected 850-a-year pay increase and are calling for a 2,000 rise. Pictured: Street artists paint a mural on a wall in Glasgow

Senior organiser Drew Duffy said: If strike action is to be avoided, then a significantly improved offer must be brought forward to give our key workers proper value.

Glasgow City Council asked the union to reconsider its actions. A spokesman said: These are national, rather than local, pay negotiations and it is difficult to understand why this step has been taken while those negotiations remain ongoing.

Cop26 will undoubtedly be a busy and difficult time for the city and its residents. We urge them to think again about the timing of this.
An explosive memo from a top government adviser saying 'WTF' has rocked the Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry into whether Gladys Berejiklian breached the public trust.

The ICAC also heard from former premier Mike Baird that the revelation of Ms Berejiklian's secret relationship with then Liberal MP Daryl Maguire left him 'incredulous'.

He said it was a 'potential conflict of interest' and that 'I think it should have been disclosed  to myself as the premier'.

In a memo to Mr Baird dated December 12, 2016, Nigel Blunden sarcastically referred to a proposal to fund a clay target shooting venture backed by Ms Berejiklian's then secret boyfriend Daryl Maguire as the 'Maguire international shooting centre of excellence.'

'As Joel Goodson (the character Tom Cruise played in the 1983 film Risky Business) would say, sometimes you have to say WTF,' Mr Blunden said in the memo.

Gladys Berejiklian leaves her home on Sydney's leafy north shore on Wednesday morning as in inquiry into her continues at the Independent Commission Against Corruption

The explosive memo that has rocked the ICAC inquiry into former premier Gladys Berejiklian

Mr Blunden added in the memo that 'Daryl fired up and Gladys put it back on' the agenda.

In the recommendation section of his memo, Mr Blunden wrote 'Oppose. Gladys and Ayres want it. No doubt they've done a sweetheart deal with Daryl, but this goes against all of the principles of sound economic management.'

In evidence on Wednesday, Mr Blunden said 'I can't recall exactly why I used that phrase.' He said he was not suggesting wrongdoing, but it came from a 'sense of frustration' that the gun club proposal kept coming back.

'At the very least let's target one of our marginal seats, not one of our safest,' Mr Blunden said in the memo to Mr Baird.

Asked about whether he would have done anything differently if he had known in 2016 that Ms Berejiklian and Mr Maguire were in a relationship, Mr Blunden said: 'I suspect I would have sought advice from somebody, maybe DPC (Department of Premier and Cabinet) as to whether there may have been a conflict of interest involved.'

Mr Blunden was also asked if he had known about Ms Berejiklian and Mr Maguire's relationship, would it have changed the advice he gave to Mr Baird. 'Yes, I suspect it would have had an impact' he said, adding that his advice was already 'strong' and he was not supportive of the Wagga Wagga gun club proposal.

At the time, the proposal had not been independently reviewed and no feasibility study had been done.

Former NSW premier Mike Baird arrives at the Independent Commission Against Corruption hearing in Sydney on Wednesday, October 20, 2021

The memo was written two days before ERC considered the proposal and ultimately gave the association $5.5 million - a decision which is now at the centre of the investigation into the ousted leader.

In a December 6, 2016 email shown at the ICAC, Mr Blunden asked co-workers about an Australian Clay Target Association (ACTA) funding proposal which was being backed by Mr Maguire.

ICAC is investigating whether Ms Berejiklian 1. Engaged in conduct between 2012 and 2018 that was 'liable to allow or encourage the occurrence of corrupt conduct' by former Liberal MP Daryl Maguire, with whom she was in a close personal relationship between 2015 and 2018 2. Exercised her official functions dishonestly or partially by refusing to exercise her duty to report any reasonable suspicions about Mr Maguire to the ICAC 3. Exercised any of her official functions partially in connection with two multimillion-dollar grants in Mr Maguire's electorate, to the Australian Clay Target Association Inc and the Riverina Conservatorium of Music. Advertisement

'Gents, are we aware of this one - seems like a lot of $$$,' the email said.

'This was the first I'd heard of a submission being put to the ERC [expenditure review committee],' Mr Blunden told the ICAC.

As the then Treasurer, Ms Berejiklian was also chair of the ERC.

Mr Baird began giving evidence on Wednesday afternoon and agreed with Mr Robertson that when he was premier he had an expectation his ministers would declare conflicts of interest to him.

Mr Baird told Mr Robertson that while he can't recall the specific advice he was given about the Wagga Wagga gun club proposal 'My sense was that they - the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Treasury - were probably against' it due to economics and costings.

Mr Baird told ICAC that Mr Maguire keenly followed up on projects he was backing.

'Daryl relentlessly pursued his own agenda' and he 'advocated very strongly' on issues of interest to him,' Mr Baird said.

But he added that Mr Maguire was 'At times aggressive and at times abusive to members of staff and public servants.'

Mr Robertson asked Mr Baird if the support of the Treasurer was a big factor in deciding if a particular proposal would receive the support of the ERC.

'Yes,' Mr Baird said. 'As a principle that would have given me great comfort' but he said he read proposals in detail and did not just rely on the advice he got from others.

Mr Baird was asked when he first knew that Ms Berejiklian had been in a relationship with Mr Maguire. 'When it was revealed here (at ICAC) about a year ago,' he said, adding that he was 'incredulous' when he heard it.

He said 'Certainly I think it should have been disclosed  to myself as the premier' and that it was a 'potential conflict of interest'.

Mr Baird said if the relationship was known about at the time that Ms Berejiklian should have been excluded from the ERC meeting concerning the ACTA project.

He also said that if Ms Berejiklian had disclosed the relationship 'It could have been managed'.

The revelation of former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian's (pictured left) secret relationship with Daryl Maguire (right) was so shocking it caused one of her advisers to spit out the water he was drinking

Mr Blunden, who now works for the federal Department of Health in Canberra, said the time allowed for considering the proposal 'seemed quite tight'. He said usually there was a two week period between lodging a funding submission and it being considered by the ERC.

But in this case, the gun club funding proposal was lodged on December 6, to be considered on December 14.

In a further email, Mr Blunden said: 'Let's hold this one until the business case is finalised and do it once.'

He told the ICAC it was better to have a 'fully rigorous business case' before proposals were submitted to the ERC.

But on December 8, 2016, an email entered into evidence to ICAC on Wednesday suggested the 'PO (Premier Mike Baird's Office) is happy for this to progress'.

Asked what changed in just two days, Mr Blunden said 'Reflecting on that, I'd be speculating. I'm not aware of what may have happened in those couple of days.'

Asked if he gave Mr Baird 'fairly forthright' advice about the merits of the ACTA proposal, Mr Blunden said: 'Forthright, robust, yes.'

In a memo dated December 12, 2016, Mr Blunden sarcastically referred to the proposed 'Maguire international shooting centre of excellence.'

'As Joel Goodson (the character Tom Cruise played in the 1983 film Risky Business) would say, sometimes you have to say WTF,' Mr Blunden said.

At the time, the proposal had not been independently reviewed and no feasibility study had been done.

The memo was written two days before ERC considered the proposal and ultimately gave the association $5.5 million.

It comes after a former adviser to Gladys Berejiklian was so shocked to learn of her secret affair with disgraced ex-Liberal MP Daryl Maguire that he spat out the water he was drinking.

Zach Bentley gave sworn testimony to the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption six months ago, but it has been suppressed until now.

The ICAC is investigating if between 2013 and 2018 the former NSW premier engaged in conduct that constituted or involved a breach of public trust.

As the corruption commission builds its case against Ms Berejiklian before her highly anticipated appearance next week, late last night the watchdog released the transcript of an interview with Mr Bentley, a former close adviser to her.

Counsel for ICAC, Scott Robertson SC asked Mr Bentley on April 29 when did he 'first become aware of the existence of, to use Ms Berejiklian's phrase, or at least the phrase that she adopted, close personal relationship?'

'When I received a text message during the course of Ms Berejiklian's evidence, to which I spat my water out,' Mr Bentley replied. Mr Robertson asked if he 'literally spat your water out?'

He had.

Asked if he was shocked at the revelation, Mr Bentley said 'I can't express to you, Mr Robertson, my horror upon learning that.

'Not horror, sir, but more, these are two people I've known quite well and the fact that I had no knowledge of it, like, yeah, it was quite shocking.'

The extent of how secretive the affair between Ms Berejiklian and Mr Maguire was laid bare when Mr Bentley was asked if there were any 'rumours circulating in the corridors of power as to the existence of such a relationship?'

'I can't stress to you the number of people who have asked me whether I knew or suspected anything, given that I'm the only person who's worked for, actually one of only two that have worked for the two of them. At no point in time did I ever suspect that they were in a relationship,' said Mr Bentley.

A concerned looking Gladys Berejiklian will front the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption next week

Asked if he would have performed his duties as an adviser differently if he had known of the relationship, Mr Bentley answered that Ms Berejiklian is 'very good at siloing certain components of her life, so ... I don't know whether I would have acted differently.'

He added: 'I must say, Mr Robertson, and you surely appreciate this by now through the hearings, (ministerial) staff, by and large, acted ... at the direction of their particular principal.'

Pressed by Mr Robertson if he would have done anything differently if he'd known that his boss and Mr Maguire were in a relationship at the time she was backing a pet project of his in his constituency of Wagga Wagga, Mr Bentley replied 'No, I don't believe so.'

Former NSW premier Mike Baird (pictured right) is set to appear before the ICAC inquiry into another former NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian (pictured left)

In another email entered into evidence at the ICAC, the chief of staff to the then NSW Sport Minister, Stuart Ayres, said 'Wagga Wagga is pushing the barrow' on a proposal to fund upgrades to a gun club in that electorate.

Mr Blunden took this to be a reference meaning the then Wagga Wagga MP, Daryl Maguire was backing the project, but this was not unusual because 'members of parliament are elected to advocate for their electorates'.

Mr Ayres, who is due to give evidence at the ICAC later this week is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Assisting counsel Scott Robertson arrives at the Independent Commission Against Corruption hearing in Sydney. ICAC is in its first week of hearings into whether former premier Gladys Berejiklian breached public trust

Dominic Perrottet, who replaced Ms Berejiklian as NSW Premier after her resignation on October 1, was asked this morning if he was aware of any concerns about the $5.5 million grant by the state government to ACTA in 2016.

The grant is one of two 'case studies' being examined by the ICAC in this inquiry.

'I was not aware of any concern,' Mr Perrottet said, adding that he would not be giving a running commentary on the ICAC proceedings.

A seemingly bland, 18-word email is causing difficulties for former NSW premier Gladys Berjiklian

Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian (front) and her former boyfriend Daryl Maguire

Mr Doorn said he recalled that in conversations with a colleague, Michael Toohey (who gave evidence on Monday) in late 2016, that they had 'concerns' about the project and how they might 'safeguard the government'.

He later added that 'Perhaps compared to other projects it just lacked the detail.'

The commission heard repeated evidence that the Australian Clay Target Association proposal seemed to lack value to the state.

'It would have been towards bottom' in priority, Mr Doorn said, while an email from another public servant said the previous time ACTA sought funding was rated the lowest of 15 proposals in 2013-14 and not funded.

ICAC also heard that a feasibility study option 'disappeared' from the second draft of a funding submission for a grant for the ACTA.

The initial draft featured two potential recommendations. The first was to approve a grant of $500,000 for a feasibility study for upgrading facilities, and the second was to approve a grant of $6.7 million to develop a large clubhouse.

Ms Berejiklian has repeatedly, strenuously denied any wrongdoing and said she always acted in the best interests of the people of NSW.

The Australian Clay Target Association is part of an ICAC inquiry into former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian
AUSTRALIA'S DRUG PROBLEM The illegal substances seized in 2019/20 - 5.2 tonnes of amphetamine type stimulants (excluding MDMA) detected at the Australian border - 12.8 tonnes of ATS seized nationally - 10.6 tonnes of cannabis seized nationally - 121,274 national illicit drug seizures - 39,204 national ATS seizures - 62,454 national cannabis seizures - 2230 national heroin seizures - 5750 national cocaine seizures - 166,321 national illicit drug arrests - 49,638 national ATS arrests - 5393 national cocaine arrests Advertisement

A record haul of illicit drugs was confiscated by authorities in Australia last financial year, with the estimated street value edging $10 billion.

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission's annual Illicit Drug Data Report, released on Wednesday, found 38.5 tonnes of illicit drugs were seized nationally in 2019/20.

It marks a 45 per cent year-on-year increase in seizures and has been attributed to a spike in detections of amphetamine type stimulants (ATS) such as ice and speed.

In the longer term, the weight of national illicit drugs seizures has grown 314 per cent, from 9.3 tonnes in 2010/11.

The estimated street value of all the amphetamines, MDMA, cannabis, cocaine and heroin seized nationally in 2019/20 is about $9.7 billion, of which amphetamines accounted for nearly 90 per cent.

ACIC chief executive Michael Phelan says the illicit drug market remains highly lucrative and demand is growing for a wide variety of substances.

'The trade in illicit drugs continues to be the principal source of profit for serious and organised crime in our country, with criminals at the centre motivated by power and greed,' he said in a statement on Wednesday.

'Despite the harm it causes to families and the broader community, Australians continue to line the pockets of organised crime groups who are deliberately targeting our country.'

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission's annual Illicit Drug Data Report, released on Wednesday, found 38.5 tonnes of illicit drugs were seized nationally in 2019/20.

The ACIC report, which features arrest, detection, seizure, purity, profiling and price data, notes the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions may have impacted domestic and international trends.

It identified the ATS and cannabis markets remain large and are potentially expanding, the heroin market is still small but appears to be growing and the cocaine market continues to expand.

Other drug markets remain small but the intelligence agency is on alert to the expanding trade of hallucinogens such as GHB/GBL and 1-4 butanediol

'There was a record number and weight of these drugs seized this reporting period, and a record number of GHB/GBL clandestine laboratories detected in 2019/20,' Mr Phelan said.
Labor and the Greens have blocked a move to more easily deport violent thugs and sex offenders.

The Federal Government has proposed laws which mean non-citizens guilty of certain crimes that carry a two-year sentence can be deported, regardless of how long they are jailed for.

But a vote on the laws in the senate was tied 25 all after Labor, the Greens and independents voted against over fears 'low-level' offenders who have lives and children in Australia would be kicked out, even if they committed the crime decades ago.

Labor and the Greens have blocked a move to more easily deport violent thugs and sex offenders. Pictured: Labor's Home Affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally

The Federal Government has proposed laws which mean non-citizens guilty of certain crimes that carry a two-year sentence can be deported. Pictured: A criminal is deported last year

Greens Senator Nick McKim said the new laws would have 'given the Minister sweeping new powers to deport people who built lives in Australia, undermined the rule of law and stepped us further down the road to early onset fascism'.

Labor's Home Affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally earlier told the senate she had struck a deal with Immigration Minister Alex Hawke to amend the bill so 'low-level offending' is not captured but he scrapped the deal at the last minute.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister's Office said Labor should support the bill.

'Labor want to vote down protections that would keep stalkers, domestic violence abusers and sexual assault offenders from having their visa canceled or refused. Time's up for Labor,' the spokesman said.

Independent Jacqui Lambie had earlier proposed amendments to the bill to require a minimum six-month sentence and prevent parents who have been in Australia for more than 10 years from being kicked out - but they were not supported by the Government.

Currently non citizens have their visas automatically cancelled if they are sentenced to at least a year in jail - but attempts to deport criminals with shorter sentences can lead to lengthy and costly legal battles.

The vote was on the second reading of the bill, meaning it does not proceed to the next stage.

Labor and the Greens as well as independents Rex Patrick and Sterling Griff opposed the bill.

Sex offenders and violent thugs would be deported more easily in a bid to thwart lenient judges under new laws before Parliament. Pictured: Police arrest a suspect

The Government hopes the change will stop left-wing judges deliberately sentencing migrants to less than a year in jail so they don't get deported.

The law outlines 'designated offences' that can lead to deportation including violent and sexual crimes, breaching personal protection orders like AVOs and using or possessing a weapon.

The Government says the changes, which will apply retrospectively, will allow it to boot out a raft of criminals who previously escaped deportation.

These would include Mauritian stalker Jean Marie Amoorthum who in 2014 was jailed for eight months for trying to force a 22-year-old woman into his car at knifepoint after following her to her boyfriend's house at 2.40am in Melbourne.

According to a tribunal hearing, he held the knife near her throat and said words to the effect of 'be quiet or I will cut you', or 'I will slice you' before her boyfriend emerged from inside and shouted at him and he drove off.

The Government refused his visa but in March 2019 the Administrative Appeals Tribunal said he did not fail the character test and allowed him to stay in Australia.

The new law would also apply to a British man and an Indian man who assaulted women and two illegal immigrants who were allowed to settle in Australia despite various crimes.

Who could be deported if the new laws passes? Jean Marie Amoorthum, Victoria From Mauritius. Jailed for eight months for trying to force a 22-year-old woman into his car at knifepoint. A tribunal ruled he did not fail the character test Naysar Lunavat, NSW From India. Handed a 12-month good behaviour bond for repeatedly punching a woman in the back and head as well as slapping her in the face. A tribunal ruled he did not fail the character test Iraqi citizen An illegal immigrant held offshore was convicted in the District Court of Nauru to two counts of indecent assault and jailed for nine months. A tribunal ruled he did not fail the character test and let him in to Australia Benjamin Harris From the UK. Convicted in the UK of battery (known as assault in Australia) but sentence was suspended for 12 months. Refused a visa to enter Australia but a tribunal ruled he did not fail the character test and let him in Iranian citizen, NSW An illegal immigrant, convicted of assaulting a police officer, stalking and affray but was only given good behaviour bonds and three months in jail. A tribunal ruled he did not fail the character test and let him remain in Australia Advertisement

The law change will be made with an amendment to the Migration Act which passed the lower house in 2019 but has since been stuck in the senate.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke called on Labor to finally back the new laws.

'The Morrison Government takes very seriously the protection of Australians from dangerous, non-citizens involved in criminal conduct,' he said.

'Australians expect us to act swiftly to remove such people, and the Government is working to strengthen its removal powers for this reason.

'However, these laws have been blocked by Labor since 2019, creating an ongoing threat to our community, and to women and children in particular.

'Holding an Australian visa is a privilege that dangerous and violent non-citizens do not deserve. Anthony Albanese needs to back these new laws this week for the safety of the community  or explain to all Australians why he will not.'

Anti-racism and migrant advocacy groups have raised concerns that news laws could mean relatively low-level offending ends in deportation.

Public Interest Advocacy Centre said the bill would 'introduce arbitrary and unreasonably low thresholds' for deportation.

'This change would catch a much wider group of people who may have received only very light sentences or committed only minor offences,' the group said in a statement.

'This Bill could see refugees and people seeking asylum who have been in Australia for years forcibly sent back to their country of origin to face persecution or serious harm when they fail this further widened, discretionary 'character' test.'

But the Government says the new law will be used to target to serious crimes perpetrated by criminals who pose a risk to the Australian community.
Passengers on board a metro Philadelphia train filmed a man raping a stranger for over 30 minutes, cops said, as its revealed that the alleged culprit has been living in the U.S. illegally since 2015.

Fiston Ngoy, 35, was arrested and charged in the horrifying attack last Wednesday on board a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) train near the suburb of Upper Darby.

Police say that as many as 10 bystanders on the train did nothing but pull out their phones to film as Ngoy sexually assaulted the stranger shortly after 9.15pm through 9.52pm - when an off-duty transit worker eventually called 911.

Whether the bystanders would be penalized for recording and not intervening has caused friction between local officials after Upper Darby Police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt said they could face criminal charges.

However, a spokesperson for the Delaware County District Attorney's office told DailyMail.com that the D.A. has no intention of prosecuting witnesses of the crime who could help bring the perpetrator to justice.

Fiston Ngoy, 35, was present in the US illegally when he was charged with raping a woman on a Philadelphia train

SEPTA Transit Police Chief Thomas Nestel III, seen through window at left, stands by during a news conference regarding the horrifying sex attack on a SEPTA train last week

Ngoy sat down next to the woman about a minute after he boarded the train car, shortly after 9.15pm, investigators wrote in an affidavit of probable cause for his arrest, obtained by The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Surveillance video, which police have not released, shows him forcing himself on her as she pushed him away multiple times for over 30 minutes, until he is seen ripping off her pants around 9.52pm.

Upper Darby Police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt said that while there were multiple people on the train, it was ultimately an off-duty SEPTA employee who made the call to 911, which allowed officers to arrest Ngoy.

Bernhardt said officers responded within three minutes following the lone 911 call, which came when the SEPTA employee saw Ngoy forcefully pulling off the victim's clothes.

Police would not disclose exactly how many witnesses were there and how many filmed the scene, but it the train made 27 stops on SEPTA's busiest route in the time Ngoy assaulted the woman.

Bernhardt added that anyone who recorded the assault could face criminal charges, which would be determined by the Delaware County district attorneys office. He did not elaborate what the charges might be, however.

'There was a lot of people, in my opinion, that should have intervened. Somebody should have done something,' Bernhardt said. 'It speaks to where we are in society and who would allow something like that to take place. So it's troubling.'

Meanwhile, a new report revealed that Ngoy, who gave his address as Philadelphia-based homeless shelter the Broad Street Ministry, is a Congolese national present in the US illegally.

He entered the US on a student visa in 2012, but remained after the visa was terminated in 2015 and was protected from deportation by the immigration system despite multiple convictions as recent as this May.

Court records show that Ngoy had multiple arrests dating back to 2015 and two misdemeanor convictions, one for controlled substances and one for sexual abuse.

He pleaded guilty to the sex charge in 2017 in Washington DC and was sentenced to 120 days in jail, and was then placed in immigration detention in January 2018.

However, Ngoy was never deported, because an immigration judge granted him a 'withholding of removal' in March 2019, after an appeals board found that his sex crime was not a 'serious crime' that made him eligible for removal.

Since then, Ngoy, has been free and required only to check in periodically with Immigration and Customs Enforcement under an order of supervision.

Transit officials speak at the 69th Street Transportation Center, Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, in Philadelphia, following a brutal rape on the El, as other riders watched, over the weekend

Nevertheless, he was arrested twice more in the past year, both for disorderly conduct, once in January 2020 and again just this May.

Regarding last Wednesday's incident, Ngoy told police that he recognized the woman and went over to speak to her, according to the affidavit.

However, surveillance video and the victim's account say otherwise. The footage also shows several bystanders standing idle or filming the attack on their cell phones.

'As many as 10 people actually saw some part of the attack on this rider,' SEPTA Transit Police Chief Thomas Nestel III said Tuesday on Philadelphia radio station WPHT.

Describing police review of surveillance video, Nestel said, 'We were watching to see if somebody put a phone up to their ear indicating they might be calling 911. Instead, what we saw was people holding their phone up as if they were recording or taking pictures.'

'It may have been stopped sooner if a rider called 911,' SEPTA spokesman John Golden said in a statement.

But she said that she had never seen Ngoy before he sat next to her, and then attacked her.

The alleged victim told police she remembered getting on the train and then nothing until the cops pulled her assailant off her. She said she had had several beers after work, and got on the wrong train when Ngoy approached her.

She repeatedly pushed Ngoy away, as he attempted to touch her and at one point grabbed her breast, the video showed.

'Throughout this time, the victim is obviously struggling with keeping him off of her,' investigators wrote in the affidavit.

'It's disturbing that there were definitely people on the L, and no one intervened or did anything to help this woman out,' Bernhardt said in an interview with NBC 10.

Other passengers reacted by getting out their smartphones and pointing them at the pair, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

'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

The assault took place in Northeast Philadelphia aboard a SEPTA train

The victim was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was 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.

Nestel urged the public to help his officers by reporting suspicious behavior when they see it. 'Riders don't always know when to contact the police,' he said. 'I'm here to tell you that when you see inappropriate behavior, behavior you wouldn't want your 10-year-old to see, call 911.'

SEPTA issued a statement following the assault, calling it a 'horrific act.'

'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 is currently being held at the Delaware County Prison and his bail is set at $180,000, according to court records, which do not show that he has hired an attorney or requested a public defender.

His next court appearance is a preliminary hearing on October 25 at 9am.
Pedophile Jeffrey Epstein revealed that he was a 'firm believer and supporter of Time's Up' in a Steve Bannon interview that was shot just months before his jail suicide.

The late child sex abuser, 66, told former Trump advisor Bannon he supported the non-profit organization as seen in newly-released interview footage that was included in the trailer for the upcoming documentary The Monsters.

It was shot by Bannon in 2019, months before Epstein killed himself while awaiting trial for child sex crimes. Bizarrely, Epstein also shared his thoughts on solitary confinement for prisoners, saying he believed it drove them to suicide.

'I made my living from old thinking. But the future is for the way women think,' the former financier said to Bannon.

Bannon chuckled at these claims in response to Epstein's inappropriate actions with multiple young women.

'Is that not a sop because of all the depravity you've done against young women?,' Bannon asked. 'Your new sop is that women's thinking is the future?'

'No, Ive been  Ive always believed that women will be, in fact, be able to take over,' Epstein said in response. 'Im a firm believer and supporter of Times Up.'

A newly released interview clip with Jeffrey Epstein revealed that the former pedophile was 'supporter of the Time's Up Movement'

The Time's Up organization was created in response to the sexual harassment allegations being made against high-profile men

The Time's Up movement was created as a follow-on to the #MeToo movement which saw women share their experiences of sex abuse, often at the hands of powerful men.

Epstein became a registered sex offender in 2008 after he admitted procuring underage prostitutes, and was awaiting trial for further child sex charges when he killed himself at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan in August 2019.

The video footage of the interview, obtained by the New York Post, captured Epstein discussing his 'beliefs' on the power of young women with Bannon.

Epstein, who committed suicide in August 2019, spoke to filmmaker Steve Bannon about his belief in the power of young women

Bannon is co-producing Epstein-based documentary The Monsters

Epstein's straight-faced answer to Bannon seemed to contradict his own behavior, which saw him abuse multiple underage girls.

The interview clips were designed to show how Epstein's 'perversions and depravity toward young women were part of a life that was systematically supported, encouraged and rewarded by a global establishment that dined off his money and his influence.'

Spookily, Bannon's interview had also revealed Epstein's attitude on the solitary confinement of prisoners.

'The greatest threat to people put in solitary confinement is they try to kill themselves,' he told Bannon.

'Imagine that. Youre only in a room for 24 hours, you start to go crazy.'

Former Trump chief strategist Bannon had previously told DailyMail.com that he recorded more than 15 hours of interview footage with Epstein for a documentary whose name was announced at the time.

The documentary, The Monsters, is believed to be the Bannon project that he had co-produced.

Epstein's former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell was also arrested in July 2020 for her involvement in his sex trafficking scheme

Epstein's death was ruled a suicide by the New York City medical examiner despite various public disputes over the circumstances of his death.

He was arrested in July 2019 on one count of sex trafficking of a minor and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.

He had previously sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to a felony charge of solicitation of prostitution involving a minor.

Epstein, however, only served 13 months of his sentence at a Palm Beach county jail.

His girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell was also arrested in July 2020 for her involvement in her former boyfriend's sex trafficking scheme.

Maxwell is currently being held without bail as she awaits her next trial on November 29.

She denies claims she helped procure underage girls for Epstein, and allegations that she joined in with his abuse at his luxury homes across the world.
Annastacia Palaszczuk has urged Queenslanders to get vaccinated within the next 11 days because a 'storm is coming'.

The premier said the state's vaccination rate in regional areas needed to be lifted before the state reopened on December 17 to avoid serious cases.

'I can't look after you if you won't hop in the lifeboat,' she said at a press conference in Maryborough on Wednesday.

'We need everyone to get on the lifeboat and we'll be protected. We have 11 days to go to get everyone vaccinated.'

Ms Palaszczuk followed up on Twitter: 'You can't be saved if you don't get on the lifeboat.'

'The storm is coming, we need to be prepared  I can't help you unless you're on the lifeboat,' Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said

Patients wait in a holding area after receiving their Covid-19 vaccine at pop-up clinic at Bunnings Mt Gravatt in Brisbane

The deadline refers to the six weeks needed for a person to receive a second dose of Covid vaccine and be fully protected in time for Queensland's reopening to all interstate visitors on December 17.

The state is expected to have 70 per cent of residents 16 and over vaccinated by November 19, and 80 per cent on December 17.

Ms Palaszczuk said 72.81 per cent of Queenslanders had received a first dose of vaccine and 57.45 per cent were fully vaccinated.

She was in Maryborough as part of her government's push in the state's regions to lift vaccination rates but also to announce a $7 billion investment in the city's train manufacturing industry.

'The storm is coming, we need to be prepared I can't help you unless you're on the lifeboat,' she said.

Queensland will begin a phased reopening once it reaches 70 per cent of its eligible population fully vaccinated on November 19, with a full reopening when the 80 per cent target is reached on December 17

Both Ms Palaszczuk and chief health officer Jeannette Young issued increasingly panicked-sounding warnings about the number of Covid cases rising dramatically in Queensland once the state's border controls are lifted.

They said modelling showed a worst case scenario of up to 1,200 Covid cases a day in the state towards the end of next year.

Dr John Gerrard, the head of infectious diseases at Gold Coast University Hospital, also predicted up to 16,000 serious Covid cases would rip through Queensland when borders are opened in December.

'On the Gold Coast we are projecting perhaps between 4000 and 16,000 symptomatic cases in the first wave,' he told A Current Affair.

'We know that it's the vaccine-hesitant, the people who aren't getting vaccinated now, who will have a big impact on other people who are trying to access hospital services in the coming weeks and months.'

Ms Palaszczuk said 72.81 per cent of Queenslanders had received a first dose of vaccine and 57.45 per cent were now fully vaccinated

On Wednesday, Dr Young confirmed that if a Covid case was detected in the state once it reopened, they would likely be able to home quarantine in a 'virtual ward' if they were fully vaccinated.

'They would be managed in a virtual ward and everyone else in that home will be a primary contact... they will have to quarantine for 14 days.

'But the risk of the risk of you and your family having to quarantine is much. much less if you've been vaccinated.'

Dr Young said overseas arrivals into the state would need to continue to do 14 days quarantine after December 17 until the federal government decided the country they arrived from was not a risk.

'The Commonwealth is responsible for doing that. It assesses countries from around the world all the time and once they assess the risk as being less, then we will assess those risks for Queensland,' she said.

She also announced Queensland would allow 'green flights' from the South Island of New Zealand once more, but not those who had visited the North Island in the past 14 days.

Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young confirmed that if a positive case were detected in the state once it reopened, they would likely be able to home quarantine in a 'virtual ward' if they were fully vaccinated

Queenslanders are not yet permitted to travel to New Zealand.

Dr Young said Queensland's hospitals were prepared for an upsurge in Covid cases once the state reopened, but that they would be under stress.

'They will need to make decisions. If you're in one of our communities still down at 50 per cent [vaccination] and it didn't improve, and the virus gets into that town, and it will, and lead to a large number of cases then the hospital will have to make choices,' she said.

'They'll need to decide, do they need to delay elective surgery or elective outpatients.

'With up to 90 per cent vaccination, those choices don't need to be made.'

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt confirmed on Wednesday morning that more than 70 per cent of Australia's population over 16 were vaccinated.
Canadian author Margaret Atwood has been labelled transphobic for sharing on Twitter an article complaining about gender neutral language.

Atwood, author of The Handmaid's Tale, on Tuesday shared a Toronto Star op ed entitled: 'Why can't we say 'woman' anymore?'

Columnist Rosie DiManno, argued that the adoption of gender-neutral language creates an 'erasure of women,' which leaves 'well-meaning people tongue-tied, lest they be attacked as transphobic or otherwise insensitive to the increasingly complex constructs of gender.'

DiManno claimed that 'woman' was 'in danger of becoming a dirty word.'

She said the word was at risk of being 'struck from the lexicon of officialdom, eradicated from medical vocabulary and expunged from conversation.'

The 81-year-old shared it without comment, but the article sparked an immediate backlash.

Margaret Atwood, pictured on October 6 being presented with the Lattes Grinzane Special Prize in Alba, Italy, sparked controversy on Tuesday with a tweet sharing an article about gender identity

Atwood shared an article by columnist Rosie DiManno, sparking a furious response

Cosmologist Katie Mack replied: 'No one is banning the word 'woman.'

'Many organizations are  rightly  opting for precise language when talking about things that have to do with biological traits rather than gender identity.

'It's not an attack on womanhood to NOT equate gender with specific biology.'

Her tweet was 'liked' more than 11,000 times.

Another person referenced Atwood's most famous work, the Booker Prize-winning Handmaid's Tale, published in 1985. In the dystopian book a group of women are reduced to childbearing machines, controlled by men.

In response to Atwood asking why the word woman can no longer be used, he replied: 'Good news, we still can! big fan of your fiction on the dangers of enforcing extremely rigid bio-essentialist ideas about gender btw.'

Critics of Atwood pointed out that her Booker Prize-winning novel, The Handmaid's Tale, explored a male-controlled society where your sex dictates your entire life

Journalist Amanda Jette Knox told her 69,000 followers: 'I'm disappointed you shared this because it's factually untrue.

'We can still say 'woman' & we can also say 'people' when it makes sense to use more inclusive language.

'I'm nonbinary. I also menstruate and gave birth to 3 kids. Saying 'people with periods' includes women AND me.'

Fellow author Abbie Karlish said: 'You can say woman or women or ladies or girls whenever and however you want.

'We're just also recognizing that, when discussing repro rights, biology, and many other things, saying 'women' is often inaccurate or outright exclusionary.'

Ecologist Karen James said: 'This is *exactly* how many men reacted when feminists used to argue for gender inclusive language like 'congressperson' or 'he or she'.'

Another added: 'What??? You can say woman AND you can also say trans man and non-binary person, or if you want to include all in one word you can say pregnant person.

'Including more people is NOT deleting anyone.'

The row bore echoes of that which engulfed J.K. Rowling in June 2020.

The Harry Potter author responded to a headline on an online article discussing 'people who menstruate' by writing in a tweet: 'I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?'

Critics accused her of being transphobic, but Rowling said she stood by her comments, saying it 'isn't hate to speak the truth'.

She was criticized by some of the film's biggest stars, including Daniel Radcliffe, Eddie Redmayne and Emma Watson.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has revealed death threats against his children as he condemned anti-vaccine protesters pursuing the NT chief minister.

The family of the Northern Territory leader Michael Gunner left their home after his personal address was disclosed at an anti-vaccination rally.

Mr Hunt shed a tear as he reflected on the situation at a Covid press conference in Canberra on Wednesday.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt (pictured) has revealed his family received death threats against his children 'a few years ago'

'I've never really talked about it. There was a period where the lives of my children were threatened quite openly a few years ago,' he told reporters.

'That was a matter of great concern. But we have very fine federal police in this country.'

The Victorian Liberal MP offered strong support to Mr Gunner, the NT Labor leader.

'Let me condemn clearly, absolutely, unequivocally the attack on Michael Gunner's house and what would have been deep concerns for his family,' Mr Hunt said.

'To those that think violence or the threat of violence is acceptable in any shape or form: it is not.'

Mr Hunt shed a tear as he reflected on anti-vaxx protests which took place in the Northern Territory on Saturday (pictured, a NT protester)

Anti-vaxxers shouted Mr Gunner's address at a protest in Darwin on Saturday and threatened to attack him for his Covid vaccine mandates.

'The priority was obviously people knew where we lived, it was at a rally it was on the internet, you had no idea who was watching,' he told Sky News.

'My clear instinct was obviously don't be at the house the advice we received was don't be at the house and so [my wife] Kristy and [son] Hudson got out of the house.

'Obviously precautions had to be taken because of the threats that were made and my address was given out, and not just given out, people were encouraged to go to my house.'

Mr Gunner said his wife, a local ABC reporter, was far less worried than him and had to be convinced to leave.

'Kristy's probably more of a feisty sort, so she obviously left the house but I think there was a temptation to stay and get her point across,' he said.

'Obviously you need to make sure you're not in danger and I can't speak for Kristy but obviously Kristy's a feisty personality.'

The family of territory leader Michael Gunner were forced to leave their home after their address was disclosed at Saturday's rally (pictured, Saturday's rally)

Fringe anti-vaccination protesters and lockdown opponents have engaged in violence at protests around the country in recent months with Melbourne experiencing the worst behaviour.

Mr Hunt said Australians needed to relearn the value of respect.

'I don't mean holding our parliamentarians up on any pedestal,' he said.

'They are not better than anybody but they're not worse than anybody. They are overwhelmingly public servants that seek to serve the nation.

'There will be differing views and differing approaches but this view of national tolerance and mutual respect is something I believe in passionately.'
Rudy Giuliani chose a bizarre way to encourage Virginia voters to elect Republican gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin - by posting an eerie filtered video of himself as Abraham Lincoln.

In a tweet Tuesday night, the former New York City mayor posted a video of himself with a computer-generated Abraham Lincoln filter over himself as he encouraged voters not to pick Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe.

'Virginia, vote against the man who dishonored our past by selling my bedroom hundreds and hundreds of times to scoundrels in a pay-for-play scheme,' he said in his best impersonation of the 16th president.

'In my time, we had a name for people who sold their bedrooms for one night,' he continued. 'In your time the name is Terry McAuliffe.

'End the Clinton sleaze once and for all,' he concluded.

In a tweet Tuesday afternoon, Rudy Giuliani posted a video of himself with an Abraham Lincoln filter over his face as he tried to encourage Virginia voters not to elect Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe

The tweet was meant to get out the vote for Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin, right, who is facing McAuliffe, left, in the gubernatorial election

The video was apparently in reference to a Clinton-era scandal over a plan to let top Democratic donors stay in the Lincoln Bedroom at the White House - a controversy that originated with a memo McAuliffe sent to a White House official.

The former president had been bombarded with questions about reports that dozens of prominent Democratic donors, some of whom gave upwards of $100,000 each, were rewarded with overnight stays in the Lincoln Bedroom, when a memo McAuliffe sent the White House emerged.

One White House official told the Associated Press at the time that the memo, which was signed by Clinton, showed he 'supported the idea that his friends and supporters, especially those who had supported him in the past... should be encouraged to do so in the future with a night over at the White House or attending White House events.

But McAuliffe, then a finance chairman for the Clinton-Gore campaign, said his memo did not specifically propose White House stays.

It did recommend that Democratic donors demoralized after the 1994 mid-term election losses 'get in, whether it be breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee or something else.'

After it came to light, White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry said: 'Terry McAuliffe's memo makes it pretty plain that there was a desire in the aftermath of 1994 to address concerns that contributors had in the party that... no one was being very gracious for the support they gave the party - no one remained in contact with them.

'The president agreed to address the situation,' he said, adding: 'The president was enthusiastic about having his friends and supporters [in] the Lincoln Bedroom.'

Clinton later defended himself in an interview, saying: 'I don't think it's a bad thing for a president to invite his strong supporters to stay in the White House.

'And I think it would be a bad thing for anyone to be told "If you give such and such amount of money, we'll let you spend the night in the Lincoln Bedroom."'

During the Clinton administration, McAuliffe sent the White House a memo encouraging the president to reward top Democratic donors, and he soon started letting them stay overnight in the Lincoln Bedroom

Giuliani, himself, though is facing controversy over his dealings with Ukraine and his statements about Dominion Voting Systems

But Giuliani is not without controversy himself.

In the months leading up to Election Day, Giuliani took on a pressure campaign against the Ukrainian government to force it to open an investigation into the Bidens.

Then, after the November election Giuliani helped spread wild claims about Dominion Voting Systems, a producer of voting machines, was financially backed by 'communist money' from Cuba and China.

And in April, federal agents raided his home, seizing 18 electronic devices belonging to him and his employees. He denies allegations of wrongdoing.

Now, his lawyers are trying to get a defamation lawsuit brought by a former employee of Dominion Voting Systems who claims they cost him his job dismissed.

Eric Coomer, a former director of product strategy and security for the company, filed the lawsuit in Denver, Colorado last December.

The lawsuit claims Coomer was driven into hiding by death threats after the Trump campaign and others publicized an unverified report.

It said that Coomer had told Antifa activists in a pre-election telephone call that the vote could be fixed for Joe Biden.

Attorney Andrew DeFranco, Giuliani attorney Joe Sibley and Trump campaign attorney Eric Holway argued their clients didn't act with malice, that the report was public knowledge, and that Coomer was a public figure.

They say those conditions that should preclude Coomer from prevailing in his defamation suit.

However, Coomer says that their actions have ruined his life.

'Today I have filed a lawsuit in Colorado in an effort to unwind as much of the damage as possible done to me, my family, my life, and my livelihood as a result of the numerous false public statements that I was somehow responsible for 'rigging' the 2020 presidential election,' Coomer said back when he filed suit.
Terry McAuliffe, the Democrat running for Virginia governor, has stormed out of an interview with a local news channel, telling the reporter he should have asked 'better questions.'

ABC affiliate WJLA-TV published in-depth interviews with McAuliffe and Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin on Tuesday, but noted that McAuliffe cut the 20 minute interview short just halfway through after being grilled on topics including vaccine mandates and the teaching of critical race theory.

In the interview recorded last week, a McAuliffe staffer is heard interjecting 10 minutes in to the scheduled 20-minute interview, prompting the candidate to cut short the questioning from reporter Nick Minock.

'Alright, we are over. That's it. That's it. Hey I gave you extra time. C'mon man,' McAuliffe tells the reporter. 'You should have asked better questions early on. You should have asked questions your viewers care about.'

Terry McAuliffe, the Democrat running for Virginia governor, stormed out of an interview with a local news channel, telling the reporter he should have asked 'better questions'

Reporter Nick Minock (above) had promised both candidate an interview of exactly 20 minutes to give them equal time, but McAuliffe cut his interview short and left after just 10 minutes

The station published the full video and transcript of the two interviews on its website, but was compelled to explain to viewers why the Youngkin interview was twice as long.

'We do want to point out that the Terry McAuliffe interview is shorter than our interview with Glenn Youngkin, that was not by our doing,' an anchor explained on-air.

'Nick offered both candidates 20 minutes exactly to be fair, for the interviews. McAuliffe abruptly ended 7 News' interview after just 10 minutes and told Nick that he should have asked better questions,' the anchor added.

In the interviews, seasoned reporter Minock is seen questioning both candidates on similar subjects, addressing debates over critical race theory in public schools, vaccine mandates, and crime in his opening questions.

Controversially, McAuliffe blasted a question on critical race theory in schools, claiming it wasn't being taught in the state, despite notorious school board meetings across the state being besieged by parents angry at divisive racial concepts being pushed on their kids.

He branded the claims about CRT 'offensive' and a 'racist dog whistle' being used by Youngkin. McAuliffe was also asked about comments he made last week saying that parents should not be telling schools what to teach, and claimed he actually believed that parents should have a voice in their children's education.

With Youngkin, Minock also went on to pose a series of tough questions to the candidate, asking whether the Republican is an anti-vaxxer, and whether he wants to ban all abortions.

But Youngkin remained for the entirety of the tough grilling, and his campaign seized on the incident, tweeting that McAuliffe had 'berated a reporter for asking tough questions'.

Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin (Above) remained for the entirety of the tough grilling, and his campaign seized on the incident

Representatives for McAuliffe's campaign and the ABC affiliate station did not immediately respond to inquiries from DailyMail.com late on Tuesday.

Polls show that the gubernatorial contest in Virginia is now extremely tight, despite the state's increasing tendency to elect Democrats to statewide and federal offices.

With the election set for November 2, the RCP average of recent polls shows McAuliffe leading by just 2.2 percentage points.

McAuliffe previously served as Virginia's governor from 2014 to 2018, but was barred from running for a consecutive term by the state's constitution.

The incumbent governor, Democrat Ralph Northam, is similarly term-limited this year.

Youngkin, the Republican candidate, is a businessman who built a career in private equity, and later founded a non-profit focused on job skills training.

The race is shaping up to be the most closely watched of 2021, with major implications for President Joe Biden's agenda and next year's midterms.

A Youngkin win could rattle Democrats uncertain about riding Biden's political coattails - potentially making them less likely to take risky votes to pass his agenda - and would buoy Republicans heading into the midterms.

The race is shaping up to be the most closely watched of 2021, with major implications for President Joe Biden's agenda and next year's midterms

Youngkin needs the support of Donald Trump, the most popular figure in the GOP, but must avoid being tied too closely to someone who is unpopular in much of the state

Both candidates have had to delicately balance their relationships with their party leaders, as they seek support from independents in the swing state.

Youngkin needs the support of Donald Trump, the most popular figure in the GOP, but must avoid being tied too closely to someone who is unpopular in crucial swaths of the state, particularly the suburbs that surround Washington, D.C., and Richmond.

Similarly, McAuliffe has distanced himself from Biden, downplaying the importance of Congress passing the president's agenda before the Virginia election.

Congress now faces a Halloween deadline to resolve a deadlock between moderates and progressives in the party, and reach a deal to pass a $1 trillion infrastructure bill and $3.5 trillion social and environmental spending package.

Democrats believe that if they can push the package through by the deadline, it will boost McAuliffe's fortunes in the election just days later.

But at a campaign stop in the DC suburbs on Tuesday, McAuliffe said he didn't think voters in Virginia were too concerned about the congressional impasse.

'What I'm hearing around Virginia is not what's going on in Washington DC at all. It's, 'What are you going to do for my life?'' McAuliffe told reporters in McLean, according to Yahoo News.

McAuliffe has been surprisingly public in his criticism of the Biden administration's legislative strategy, urging Democrats to pass the infrastructure bill, on its own if necessary, before Election Day to give him something to show voters.

White House officials privately expect McAuliffe to emerge with a narrow win and believe they can ignore worries about a smaller-than-expected margin of victory dampening party support for Biden's agenda.
Facebook is being mocked after it has emerged that the firm plans to rebrand its parent company with a new name next week in a bid to distance itself from a series of embarrassing scandals.

The firm's original, flagship social media site and app - Facebook - is expected to keep its moniker, but Facebook Inc., the parent company that also owns Instagram and WhatsApp, will be given rebrand.

Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg is set to reveal the parent company's new name at its annual Connect conference on October 28, but it could be unveiled sooner, the Verge first reported.

Users took to social media to poke fun at the tech giant, which has faced a string of scandals in recent months and has seen its reputation severely bruised.

One commentator called the plan 'the old rebrand trick', in reference to other companies that have changed their names to avoid scrutiny, while others suggested new names for the company, with 'Fakebook' and 'Wokebook' being popular choices.

Facebook said it does not comment on rumor or speculation over the touted name change, reminiscent of when Google abruptly renamed itself Alphabet in 2015, making Google a subsidiary and allowing it to become a technology conglomerate.

Facebook will change its name as it focuses on a 'metaverse' of different brands. Above, founder Mark Zuckerberg wearing an Oculus Rift virtual reality headset on October 2016 during the Oculus Connect 3 event in San Jose, California

Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg plans to reveal the parent company's new name at its annual Connect conference on October 28, but it could be unveiled sooner, the Verge reported

Joking about the prospect of Facebook Inc. changing its name, one user wrote: 'Facebook is now 17 years old, so this is right on time for deciding a new, cooler name when you get to college.'

Another suggested Facebook change its name to Cambridge Analytica  the company that was found to have collected Facebook user data without their consent. Dont be shy Mark. Youre part of the brand, the user wrote.

One person likened the expected Facebook re-brand to a wolf in sheeps clothing, while another posted a picture of 'The Simpsons' character Mr Burns with a fake moustache, writing Facebook with a new name.

The name change would likely position Facebook's social media app as one of many products under a parent company, which will oversee products like Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus and more.

The change will also help distance the firm's flagship social media brand from future bad publicity, with recent whistleblower testimony from former worker Frances Haugen adding to a list of damaging scandals to the reputations of Facebook and Instagram.

Users took to social media to poke fun at the social media giant, which has faced a string of scandals in recent months and has seen its reputation severely bruised. One commentator called the plan 'the old rebrand trick', in reference to other companies that have changed their names to avoid scrutiny, while others suggested new names for the company, with 'Fakebook' and 'Wokebook' being popular choices

Just yesterday, U.S. officials announced Facebook Inc had agreed to pay pay up to $14.25 million to settle civil claims by the government that the company discriminated against American workers and violated federal recruitment rules.

And today in the U.K., the company was fined 50.5 million ($70 million) after failing to provide enough important information to the competition regulator investigating the firm's takeover of GIF sharing platform Giphy.

Britain's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a probe into the acquisition in June last year, shortly after the deal was announced, over concerns about a 'substantial lessening of competition'.

Facebook responded to the fine, saying: 'We strongly disagree with the CMA's unfair decision to punish Facebook for a best effort compliance approach, which the CMA itself ultimately approved. We will review the CMA's decision and consider our options.'

Facebook has also admitted that users can share information about how to enter countries illegally and about people smuggled on its social media platforms.

The admission comes as Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich urged the Department of Justice and US Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate the social media giant over its 'facilitation' of illegal migration into the United States.

The firm's original, flagship social media site and app - Facebook (pictured, stock image) - is expected to keep its moniker, but Facebook Inc., the parent company which also owns Instagram and WhatsApp, will be given rebrand

Facebook, Inc, which owns Instagram and WhatsApp, is working on Horizon Worlds, a virtual reality space including the virtual workspace Horizon Workrooms

The move could benefit the California-based behemoth's reputation, which has suffered hit after hit in recent years.

It was accused of facilitating the spread of misinformation during the 2016 US presidential election, prompting a a series of congressional hearings and policy changes, including the introduction of third-party fact-checkers and further transparency in political advertising.

In 2019, the Federal Trade Commission fined Facebook $5 billion for allowing 87 million US profiles to be harvested for information used for political advertising by British firm Cambridge Analytica.

Some of the advertising was used to help the 2016 campaign of former president Donald Trump.

Most recently, former Facebook employee Frances Haugen released a trove of documents dubbed the 'Facebook Files' to the Wall Street Journal.

The internal research suggests that Facebook promoted divisiveness as a way to keep people on the site, with Haugen saying the documents showed the company had failed to protect young users.

It also showed that the company knew Instagram harmed young girls' body image and even tried to brainstorm ways to appeal to toddlers by 'exploring playdates as a growth lever.'

'The company's leadership knows how to make Facebook and Instagram safer, but won't make the necessary changes because they have put their astronomical profits before people. Congressional action is needed,' Haugen said at a hearing.

At the hearing, Senator Marcia Blackburn, the top Republican on the Senate Commerce consumer protection subcommittee accused Facebook of turning a blind eye to children below age 13 on its services. 'It is clear that Facebook prioritizes profit over the well-being of children and all users,' she said.

Zuckerberg rejected the criticism. 'The argument that we deliberately push content that makes people angry for profit is deeply illogical,' he wrote.

Last month, Facebook said it was putting on hold a new version of its Instagram photo sharing app for kids.

The plans emerged two weeks after ex-employee Frances Haugen testified before Congress about Facebook's practices, which she believed helped spur the January 6 Capitol riot

Haugen said the Menlo Park, California-based company 'over and over again has shown it chooses profits over safety'. Pictured: Facebook's headquarters in California

Haugen, who anonymously filed eight complaints about her former employer with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, told 60 Minutes earlier this month: 'Facebook, over and over again, has shown it chooses profit over safety.'

She claimed that a 2018 change prioritizing divisive posts, which made Facebook users argue, was found to boost user engagement.

That in turn helped bosses sell more online ads that have seen the social media giant's value pass $1 trillion.

'You are forcing us to take positions that we don't like, that we know are bad for society. We know if we don't take those positions, we won't win in the marketplace of social media,' Haugen said.

She also blamed Facebook for spurring the January 6 Capitol riot.

What is the metaverse? The 'metaverse' is a set of virtual spaces where you can game, work and communicate with other people who aren't in the same physical space as you. Facebook explained: 'You'll be able to hang out with friends, work, play, learn, shop, create and more. 'It's not necessarily about spending more time online  it's about making the time you do spend online more meaningful.' While Facebook is leading the charge with the metaverse, it explained that it isn't a single product one company can build alone. 'Just like the internet, the metaverse exists whether Facebook is there or not,' it added. 'And it won't be built overnight. Many of these products will only be fully realized in the next 10-15 years.' Advertisement

Haugen, who spent two years at Facebook after working at Google, Yelp and Pinterest, testified in Congress on October 5.

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal kicked off the hearing by calling Facebook 'morally bankrupt' and criticized Zuckerberg for going sailing in Hawaii with wife Priscilla Chan instead of answering questions from lawmakers.

Senator Ed Markey also piled on the absent tech billionaire, addressing him by name during the hearing to warn him that 'Congress will be taking action' with or without his help.

'Your time of invading privacy, promoting toxic content, and preying on children and teens is over. Congress will be taking action. You can work with us, or not work with us, but we will not allow your company to harm our children and our families and out democracy any longer,' Markey said.

Haugen told senators that no similar company's CEO has as much unilateral control as Zuckerberg does.

'Mark holds a very unique role in the tech industry in that he holds over 55% of all the voting shares for Facebook. There are no similarly powerful companies that are as unilaterally controlled,' she said. 'There's no one currently holding him accountable but himself.'

A metaverse, which Facebook is now focusing on, refers to shared virtual world environments, which people can access via the internet.

The term can refer to digital spaces, which are made more lifelike by the use of virtual reality or augmented reality.

Zuckerberg has previously suggested it to be future of the company, and has been talking up the metaverse since July.

The company has invested heavily in virtual reality and augmented reality, developing hardware such as its Oculus VR headsets and working on AR glasses and wristband technologies.

The buzzy word, first coined in a dystopian novel three decades earlier, is popular in Silicon Valley and has been referenced by other tech firms such as Microsoft.

The popular children's game Roblox describes itself as a metaverse company. Epic Games' Fortnite is also considered to be part of the metaverse.

The metaverse is 'going to be a big focus, and I think that this is just going to be a big part of the next chapter for the way that the internet evolves after the mobile internet,' Zuckerberg told The Verge earlier this year.

'And I think it's going to be the next big chapter for our company too, really doubling down in this area.'

On Sunday, Facebook announced it was hiring 10,000 people in Europe to build the metaverse out.

'There's no one currently holding him accountable but himself,' Haugen said of Zuckerberg

'The metaverse has the potential to help unlock access to new creative, social, and economic opportunities. And Europeans will be shaping it right from the start,' the company said in a blog post.

'Today, we are announcing a plan to create 10,000 new high skilled jobs within the European Union (EU) over the next five years.'

The tech giant said the new roles will include 'highly specialized engineers' but did not reveal any more detail about its plans for the new metaverse team.

It was announced on Tuesday that the U.S. Senate will hold an October 26 hearing with tech firms Snap's Snapchat, TikTok, and Alphabet's YouTube about their platforms' impact on young users.

'Recent revelations about harm to kids online show that Big Tech is facing its Big Tobacco moment a moment of reckoning,' said Senator Richard Blumenthal, who chairs the Senate Commerce consumer protection subcommittee holding the hearing.

'We need to understand the impact of popular platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube on children and what companies can do better to keep them safe.'

Senator Marcia Blackburn said, 'TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube all play a leading role in exposing children to harmful content.'
A political party that could decide who forms the next government of Australia wants the defence budget cut in half despite China's thundering threats.

The Greens have released a new policy demanding defence spending comprise just 1 per cent of Australia's economy.

Senator Jordon Steele-John, the party's peace and disarmament spokesman, wants defence spending slashed by $312billion by 2026 so more money can be spent on housing commission blocks and mental health services.

The Perth-based senator for Western Australia also wants American military bases in Australia to be closed, including the satellite and missile surveillance complex at Pine Gap near Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.

A party that could decide who forms the next government of Australia wants the defence budget cut in half despite China threatening to fire missiles (pictured is Greens senator Jordon Steele-John with party activists)

Senator Jordon Steele-John, the party's disarmament spokesman, wants defence spending slashed by $312billion by 2026 so more money can be spent on housing commission blocks and mental health services

'We must re-commit to peace, disarmament and demilitarisation. Australia must work to peacefully resolve conflicts around the world,' he said on Facebook.

The Greens have updated their website - under the headline 'Australians want peace', - to call for the Australian Defence Force to focus instead on tackling climate change.

'Close all foreign military bases in Australia,' it said.

'Renegotiate the US alliance with the terms of a new relationship focused on making Australia safer and a better global citizen.'

The Greens are pushing a pacifist line on defence spending despite China, under President Xi Jinping's orders, regularly flying into Taiwanese airspace.

The Communist power is also vowing to control Taiwan by 2025, strongly hinting it would resort to war to achieve this, which would almost certainly force Australia to back a US-led mission.

Dr Andrew Carr, a senior lecturer at the Australian National University's Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, said the Greens were assuming Australia wouldn't need to defend itself.

'The core of the Greens Party new "Defence Plan" is a single gamble: Australia chooses not to try and defend itself, and hopes that it won't need to,' he tweeted.

'That's a valid gamble. Many countries in the world adopt it. But it is still a major gamble, and should be clearly justified.'

The Perth-based senator for Western Australia also wants American military bases in Australia to be closed, including the satellite and missile surveillance complex at Pine Gap near Alice Springs in the Northern Territory

The Greens' announcement was made less than five weeks after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the US and the UK had agreed to share nuclear submarine technology as part of a new AUKUS alliance designed to counter China.

The US hadn't shared its nuclear know-how with another country since 1958 when it formed a Mutual Defence Agreement with Britain.

The Australian government will spend 18 months deciding whether to locally manufacture the American Virginia class submarine or the British Astute-class sub.

The announcement saw the Global Times newspaper, the propaganda arm of the Chinese Communist Party, on September 16 threaten a missile attack on Australia.

'Chinese military experts warned that such a move will potentially make Australia a target of a nuclear strike if a nuclear war breaks out even when Washington said it won't arm Canberra with nuclear weapons, because it's easy for the US to equip Australia with nuclear weapons and submarine-launched ballistic missiles when Australia has the submarines,' it said.

In the increasingly likely event of a hung Parliament, the Greens could decide who forms the next government of Australia.

The Greens have updated their website - under the headline 'Australians want peace', - to call for the Australian Defence Force to focus instead on tackling climate change

Greens leader Adam Bandt safely holds the electorate of Melbourne and the Morrison Government had a bare one-seat majority even before embattled MP Craig Kelly in February quit the Liberal Party.

The most recent Newspoll survey in September showed a 4.5 per cent swing against the Liberal-National Coalition which would see it lose 10 seats.

Opinion polls overestimated Labor's support at the 2019 election.

But even a smaller swing against the Coalition in 2022 would see Labor pick up seats, but not enough to form majority government in its own right.

This would see Labor leader Anthony Albanese seek to rely on Mr Bandt and left-leaning independents to cobble together a minority government, as former prime minister Julia Gillard was forced to do in 2010.

The Greens, who managed to get a carbon tax policy turned into law, could do the same on defence policy.

The Greens announcement was made less than five weeks after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the US and the UK had agreed to share nuclear submarine technology as part of a new AUKUS alliance designed to counter China (pictured is Chinese President Xi Jinping at a People's Liberation Army parade in Hong Kong in 2017)

Dr Andrew Carr, a senior lecturer at the Australian National University's Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, said the Greens were assuming Australia wouldn't need to defend itself

Australia's new AUKUS alliance has led to the scrapping of the $90billion French Naval Group deal to build 12 diesel-powered submarines means Australia's defence industry will need uranium.

The next generation of submarines, to be built in Adelaide, will be nuclear-powered but not nuclear-armed when they are ready in two decades.

In the 2021-22 Budget, Australia's defence spending made up 2 per cent of gross domestic product but the Greens want that slashed to 1 per cent by 2026.

Senator Steele-John argued halving defence spending could see more money spent on social housing and mental health.

'This funding could be used to build 1 million homes, ending homelessness,' he said.

'We could improve ventilation in schools, making our kids safe.

'We could get dental and mental health into Medicare. We could increase income support so no one in the country needs to live in poverty.'
A Covid-infected man who sparked a three-day lockdown in Tasmania after 'walking out the door' of hotel quarantine while infectious has pleaded for residents to 'find it in their heart to forgive him'.

Tim Gunn, 31, arrived in Hobart from New South Wales last week without a valid border pass and was sent to Hobart Travelodge to serve hotel quarantine.

In an interview with Seven, Gunn said he didn't escape the facility, rather he simply 'walked out' and pleaded for forgiveness.

'I would like to say how terribly sorry I am to the state of Tasmania for the trouble I have caused,' he said.

'I did not do this on purpose. It definitely wasn't an act of selfishness or carelessness.

'I would hope that sometime soon Tasmania could find it in their heart to forgive me.'

Tim Gunn arrived in Hobart from New South Wales last week without a valid border pass and was sent to Hobart Travelodge to serve hotel quarantine but left while infectious with Covid

Gunn's actions sparked a three-day lockdown across the state's south, including Hobart, which was lifted at 6pm on Monday

Gunn registeresd 169 contacts after visiting a number of venues in the community, which saw officials lock down 12 LGAs in the island state including Hobart

Police in Tasmania are probing claims by the NSW man, whose hotel quarantine breach sparked a lockdown.

No cases have been recorded since the 31-year-old escaped the Hobart Travelodge early last week and spent about 18 hours in the community.

It sparked a three-day lockdown across the state's south, including Hobart, which was lifted at 6pm on Monday.

Gunn claims he had correspondence with health officials and believed he was free to leave the hotel after producing a negative test.

'I rang Public Health and told them everything and I produced a negative test before I left, and they said I did everything right and that I didn't need to quarantine,' he said.

'I didn't escape or anything like that I just simply walked out. I'm not that type of guy that would just go galivanting around, I've got total remorse.'

Gunn claims he had correspondence with health officials and believed he was free to leave the hotel after producing a negative test

Gunn says he simply 'walked out the door' of Hobart Travelodge after believing he was free to leave after producing a negative test

'I rang Public Health and told them everything and I produced a negative test before I left, and they said I did everything right and that I didn't need to quarantine,' he said

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said the circumstances of the breach are subject to a police investigation.

'I expect to have a report from the state controller in coming days and we'll release that information when it comes to hand,' he said on Wednesday.

Donna Adams, acting deputy commissioner of Tasmania Police, said two scenarios will be examined, that the man left the hotel out a window or via a door.

'The veracity of the claims made by the positive case will be assessed by Tasmania Police,' Ms Adams said.

She said security guards at hotel quarantine facilities don't necessarily have the power to physically detain someone who attempts to leave.

'The expectation would be that security call police. Police are well trained to deal with difficult and non-compliant people,' she said.

'The last thing we want is untrained security guards to be grappling with someone seeking to leave a facility.'

Mr Gutwein says Tasmania is on track to pass the target of 90 per cent by December 1, ahead of a planned reopening by Christmas

As of Wednesday, more than 70 per cent of Tasmanians over 16 are fully vaccinated

Of the 169 contacts of the man, 167 have tested negative and two results are pending.

As of Wednesday, more than 70 per cent of Tasmanians over 16 are fully vaccinated.

Mr Gutwein says Tasmania is on track to pass the target of 90 per cent by December 1, ahead of a planned reopening by Christmas.

He said Tasmania's reopening plan, previously flagged to be unveiled this week, would be detailed on Friday.

He announced support would be provided to businesses impacted by the snap restrictions.
A crazed man begged police to shoot him while waving a knife the size of a sword during a tense standoff after a road rage incident.

Dramatic video shows the shirtless man standing beside the open door of a Nissan Navarra as he swings the long blade back and forth.

Two officers, one armed with a handgun and the other with a taser, aimed their weapons at him while he screamed at them.

'C'mon, c'mon, shoot me!' the man angrily shouts at the officers multiple times. 'Kill me, c'mon! Pull your gun out.'

'C'mon, c'mon, shoot me!' the man angrily shouted at the officers multiple times. 'Kill me, c'mon! Pull your gun out'

At one stage he tells one officer 'you're a disgrace!' while wildly waving the knife from side to side.

The officer with the taser edges towards the man while repeatedly pleading with him to throw the knife away.

At the start of the video, a damaged blue sedan is seen about 50m away from where the man with the knife stands.

A witness tells the person filming that the man had hit her mother's car with his Nissan 4WD.

'It's my mum's car... he's hit it from the passenger's side, driven off, my step-dad's chased him and then he's (the shirtless man) come back,' she said.

'The front of his car is f**ked, he's blown a tyre.'

A witness said the man had run into her mother's car before driving off where he was soon confronted by police

Towards the end of the video more police are seen to arrive on the scene and the man is surrounded by six officers

The incident occurred in Warnbro near Rockingham, about 50km south of Perth.

After four minutes of tense standoff, two more police cars arrive on the scene and the man is surrounded by six officers.

The policeman with the taser eventually fires and the man immediately collapses, the six officers converging on his prone figure to end the confrontation.

Reaction to the video mostly praised the restraint demonstrated by the attending police officers in the face of the man's angry invitations to shoot him.

'A 30-year-old man was conveyed to Rockingham Hospital for a medical assessment after an incident in Warnbro on Thursday, 14 October 2021,' WA Police told Daily Mail Australia in a statement.

'On police arrival the man had [a] sword in his hand and refused to let go of it as directed by them. A taser was deployed on the man, enabling police to take him safely into custody.

'At this time no charges have been laid. Inquiries are ongoing by Rockingham Police.'
Covid-19 vaccinations will be compulsory for three-quarters of Western Australian workers including teachers and supermarket staff by the end of the year.

Premier Mark McGowan on Wednesday said the drastic step was necessary to prepare the state for community transmission of the virus.

The sweeping vaccine mandate will cover three groups representing 75 per cent of the WA workforce.

Employers who are caught using workers who have not been vaccinated will be fined $100,000, and employees risk $20,000 fines for flouting the order.

Covid-19 vaccinations will be compulsory for three-quarters of the West Australian workforce by the end of the year, Premier Mark McGowan has announced. Pictured are construction site workers in Perth

'It is proportionate and reasonable, and is aimed at preparing Western Australia safely for the inevitable community transmission,' Mr McGowan said on Wednesday.

The first group includes port, transport, and freight workers, health and aged care staff, police and FIFO mining workers.

Community workers, fire and emergency services employees, abattoir and meat processing workers, and prison staff are also on the list.

They must receive their first dose by December 1 and be fully vaccinated by December 31.

The second group includes staff at supermarkets, groceries, restaurants, pubs and cafes, as well as childcare, public transport and construction workers.

They must get their first dose by year's end and second by January 31.

All teachers and school staff must be fully vaccinated by the start of term one.

The Western Australian workers who must get a Covid jab First dose by December 1, second dose by December 31: Remaining public and private hospitals and public healthcare facilities Primary and community health Onsite resources sector Border and air transport Staff working in or entering remote Aboriginal communities First dose by December 31, second dose by January 31: Supermarkets, grocery, bakery Restaurant, pub, bar or cafe workers Post office workers Hardware store workers Child care or family day care Boarding schools Financial institution In the event of a lockdown: Bottle shop Newsagent Pet store Critical forestry Critical factories, manufacturing, fabrication and production Government or local government services where working from home is not possible The full list of occupations is on the Western Australian government website Advertisement

The government also outlined a third group of workers who must be fully vaccinated to got to work in the event of a lockdown.

They include government employees, members of parliament, and other retail workers.

Industry roundtables will be held ahead of the policy being implemented to ensure businesses and workers are prepared.

WA is on track to have more than 60 per cent of people aged 12 and over fully vaccinated in coming days, but still trails other states and territories.

Mr McGowan said the rate continued to climb but warned 'people should not wait until the eleventh hour'.

'The time is now,' he said.

'I want to make it abundantly clear that everyone who is eligible should get the Covid-19 vaccine now as we all need to be prepared for the event of community transmission or a lockdown.

'Don't wait for the deadly Delta variant to enter before you consider getting the vaccine. Get the Covid-19 vaccine now.'

Premier Mark McGowan on Wednesday said the drastic step is necessary to prepare the state for community transmission of the virus

Police are seen patrolling outside the District Court of West Australia in Perth on Tuesday.

The premier also dashed any hopes WA would reopen for Christmas, saying he didn't want to impose restrictions such as mask-wearing during the festive season.

Queensland outlined plans to scrap quarantine for fully vaccinated domestic travellers by December 17.

Mr McGowan refused to follow suit, saying WA was on track to reach 80 per cent vaccination in December at which point further certainty would be provided.

He has previously indicated there would be at least a two-month lag between WA hitting an undefined mark between 80 and 90 per cent vaccinated, and the border actually opening.

It means WA's border will almost certainly remain shut to NSW, Victoria and the ACT for the rest of the year.
Melbourne's lockdown is finally coming to an end but celebrations have been put on hold due to the city's strict rules.

Victoria's restrictions will be lifted at 11.59pm on Thursday, allowing for pubs, restaurants and hairdressers to reopen to vaccinated residents.

However, anyone with plans to grab a schooner or a haircut as soon as the clock strikes midnight has had their dreams crushed.

The state's curfew will be lifted at 11.59pm on Thursday as well, meaning Melburnians will have to wait until the end of lockdown to leave home.

While hospitality venues and hairdressers had scheduled to reopen around the city from midnight on Friday, Melburnians will have to wait until the end of lockdown to leave home (stock image)

Victoria's Covid-19 Commander Jeroen Weimar told reporters on Wednesday that the state's curfew will remain in place until the end of lockdown at 11.59pm on Thursday

Victoria's Covid-19 Response Commander Jeroen Weimar told reporters on Wednesday there will be no special passes for keen patrons looking to arrive at a venue before the official opening time.

'The curfew applies until midnight tomorrow night,' Mr Weimar said.

'There is no leave pass between 9pm and midnight tomorrow night, so you'll have to wait for the witching hour to strike and then you can make your way down to the pub.'

When asked whether police would issue fines to people who breach curfew on Thursday night, Mr Weimar said that matter was for Chief Commissioner Shane Patton to decide.

'The real point for me is around what behaviours we want to encourage. We all want to be able to go and have a drink at midnight tomorrow night or after midnight.'

When asked whether police would issue fines to people who breach curfew on Thursday night, Mr Weimar said that matter was for Chief Commissioner Shane Patton to decide (Pictured: people seen wearing masks outside Flinders Street Station)

'We all want to enjoy these new freedoms and I'm sure we all will, but can we all please remember this is one important step,' Mr Weimar added.

'It's not a mass freedom day. It's not a mass 'let's go completely nuts'.'

Mr Weimar further noted that there is still a significant risk, and encouraged people to go out and responsibly enjoy themselves.

Mr Weimar reminded people to enjoy these new freedoms in a responsible way (Pictured: a group having a beer after their meal at the Young and Jacksons pub in Melbourne)

The Covid Commander had also mentioned in the press conference that hospitality workers would not be able to leave their homes until midnight to travel to work.

However, it was later clarified that hospitality staff would be permitted to travel their workplaces before curfew finishes to prepare to reopen to customers.

While Mr Weimar said hospitality workers would not be able to leave their homes until midnight to travel to work, this was later clarified to allow staff to travel before curfew finishes (Pictured: A bartender pouring a beer at the Glenferrie Pub)

Under the state's roadmap out of Covid-19 restrictions, pubs and restaurants will open to 20 double vaccinated people indoors and 50 outdoors.

Ten people, including dependents, can visit a home per day, and up to 15 people can gather outdoors in Melbourne.

Under the state's roadmap out of Covid-19 restrictions, pubs and restaurants will open to 20 double vaccinated people indoors and 50 outdoors (Pictured: People seated at their table at a bar)

Hairdressers and personal care can open for up to five double dosed customers, while weddings and funerals in metropolitan Melbourne can have 20 fully vaccinated people indoors and 50 outdoors.

There will also be no reason to leave home along with the end of curfew, and the travel radius will be lifted.

Travel between Melbourne and regional Victoria will still be restricted as only those with permitted reasons will be able to move between the regions.
In a few damning words, former NSW Premier Mike Baird has condemned Gladys Berejiklian for her secret love affair with Liberal MP Daryl Maguire.

Giving evidence to a corruption inquiry into his one-time close political ally on Wednesday, Mr Baird said Ms Berejiklian should have told him that she was dating Mr Maguire when she was the state's Treasurer.

The first he heard of their relationship was 'when it was revealed here (at ICAC) about a year ago,' he said, adding that he was 'incredulous' when he heard it.

'Certainly I think it should have been disclosed  to myself as the premier' and that it was a 'potential conflict of interest,' he said.

That 'potential conflict of interest' was that Ms Berjiklian was head of a committee deciding on funding for a multi-million dollar project that Mr Maguire was very keenly backing.

Speaking to reporters after his testimony, Mr Baird said: 'I am devastated to be here, giving evidence into events that have taken place.'

'Clearly it's with a heavy heart I had to give my evidence and I've done that and now it's a matter for the commission.'

Former NSW premier Mike Baird arrives at the Independent Commission Against Corruption hearing in Sydney, where he Gladys Berejiklian should have told him she was in a secret relationship with a fellow MP

Mike Baird (pictured right) and Gladys Berejiklian (left) were very close political allies

Mr Baird told ICAC counsel Scott Robertson that while he could not recall the specific advice he was given about the Wagga Wagga gun club proposal.

'My sense was that they - the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Treasury - were probably against' it due to economics and costings,' he said.

He said Mr Maguire strongly followed up on projects he was backing. 'Daryl relentlessly pursued his own agenda' and he 'advocated very strongly' on issues of interest to him, Mr Baird said.

But he added that Mr Maguire was 'at times aggressive and at times abusive to members of staff and public servants'.

Mr Robertson asked Mr Baird if the support of the Treasurer was a big factor in deciding if a particular proposal would receive the support of the ERC.

'Yes,' Mr Baird said. 'As a principle, that would have given me great comfort' but he said he read proposals in detail and did not just rely on the advice he got from others.

Mr Baird was asked when he first knew that Ms Berejiklian had been in a relationship with Mr Maguire.

'When it was revealed here (at ICAC) about a year ago,' he said, adding that he was 'incredulous' when he heard it.

He said if the relationship was known about at the time, Ms Berejiklian would have been excluded from the committee meeting concerning the gun club project.

He added that if Ms Berejiklian had disclosed the relationship: 'It could have been managed'.

'Gladys is a close personal friend, always has been,' Mr Baird said after his appearance at ICAC.

'I think that she has the highest integrity and has a real commitment to public service and public life and public priorities.'

He said he wished she had told him about her relationship with Mr Maguire, but 'as I've given evidence, she didn't, and obviously I'm disappointed, but that doesn't change the way I feel (about her).'

Mr Baird said Ms Berejiklian's secret relationship could have been accommodated if she had told him about it.

'Knowing her, in terms of integrity and character ... she would be able to manage the conflict  she absolutely had the capacity to do it.'

Former NSW premier Mike Baird (pictured right) appeared before the ICAC inquiry into another former NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian (pictured left)

Earlier, an explosive memo from a top government adviser saying 'WTF' rocked the inquiry.

In the memo to Mr Baird dated December 12, 2016, Nigel Blunden sarcastically referred to a proposal to fund a clay target shooting venture backed by Ms Berejiklian's then secret boyfriend Mr Maguire as the 'Maguire international shooting centre of excellence.'

'As Joel Goodson (the character Tom Cruise played in the 1983 film Risky Business) would say, sometimes you have to say WTF,' Mr Blunden said in the memo.

The explosive memo that has rocked the ICAC inquiry into former premier Gladys Berejiklian

Mr Blunden added in the memo that 'Daryl fired up and Gladys put it back on' the agenda.

In the recommendation section of his memo, Mr Blunden wrote 'Oppose. Gladys and Ayres want it. No doubt they've done a sweetheart deal with Daryl, but this goes against all of the principles of sound economic management.'

In evidence on Wednesday, Mr Blunden said 'I can't recall exactly why I used that phrase.' He said he was not suggesting wrongdoing, but it came from a 'sense of frustration' that the gun club proposal kept coming back.

'At the very least let's target one of our marginal seats, not one of our safest,' Mr Blunden said in the memo to Mr Baird.

Asked about the memo by Mr Robertson on Wednesday, Mr Baird agreed that his view, when he was going into the December 14 meeting of cabinet's expenditure review committee (ERC), was more work needed to be done on the proposal, 'certainly before there's a final decision'.

Mr Baird agreed that the Treasurer, then Gladys Berejiklian, was the person who ran that ERC process but the premier could intervene.

He did not intervene to put the Wagga Wagga proposal on the agenda, or to take it off the agenda, he agreed.

Earlier, Mr Baird's former adviser Mr Blunden was asked about whether he would have done anything differently if he had known in 2016 that Ms Berejiklian and Mr Maguire were in a relationship.

'I suspect I would have sought advice from somebody, maybe DPC (Department of Premier and Cabinet) as to whether there may have been a conflict of interest involved,' Mr Blunden said.

He was also asked if he had known about Ms Berejiklian and Mr Maguire's relationship, would it have changed the advice he gave to Mr Baird. 'Yes, I suspect it would have had an impact' he said, adding that his advice was already 'strong' and he was not supportive of the Wagga Wagga gun club proposal.

At the time, the proposal had not been independently reviewed and no feasibility study had been done.

Former NSW premier Mike Baird arrives at the Independent Commission Against Corruption hearing in Sydney on Wednesday, October 20, 2021

The memo was written two days before ERC considered the proposal and ultimately gave the association $5.5 million - a decision which is now at the centre of the investigation into the ousted leader.

In a December 6, 2016 email shown at the ICAC, Mr Blunden asked co-workers about an Australian Clay Target Association (ACTA) funding proposal which was being backed by Mr Maguire.

ICAC is investigating whether Ms Berejiklian 1. Engaged in conduct between 2012 and 2018 that was 'liable to allow or encourage the occurrence of corrupt conduct' by former Liberal MP Daryl Maguire, with whom she was in a close personal relationship between 2015 and 2018 2. Exercised her official functions dishonestly or partially by refusing to exercise her duty to report any reasonable suspicions about Mr Maguire to the ICAC 3. Exercised any of her official functions partially in connection with two multimillion-dollar grants in Mr Maguire's electorate, to the Australian Clay Target Association Inc and the Riverina Conservatorium of Music. Advertisement

'Gents, are we aware of this one - seems like a lot of $$$,' the email said.

'This was the first I'd heard of a submission being put to the ERC [expenditure review committee],' Mr Blunden told the ICAC.

As the then Treasurer, Ms Berejiklian was also chair of the ERC.

Mr Blunden, who now works for the federal Department of Health in Canberra, said the time allowed for considering the proposal 'seemed quite tight'. He said usually there was a two week period between lodging a funding submission and it being considered by the ERC.

But in this case, the gun club funding proposal was lodged on December 6, to be considered on December 14.

In a further email, Mr Blunden said: 'Let's hold this one until the business case is finalised and do it once.'

He told the ICAC it was better to have a 'fully rigorous business case' before proposals were submitted to the ERC.

But on December 8, 2016, an email entered into evidence to ICAC on Wednesday suggested the 'PO (Premier Mike Baird's Office) is happy for this to progress'.

Asked what changed in just two days, Mr Blunden said 'Reflecting on that, I'd be speculating. I'm not aware of what may have happened in those couple of days.'

Asked if he gave Mr Baird 'fairly forthright' advice about the merits of the ACTA proposal, Mr Blunden said: 'Forthright, robust, yes.'

In a memo dated December 12, 2016, Mr Blunden sarcastically referred to the proposed 'Maguire international shooting centre of excellence.'

'As Joel Goodson (the character Tom Cruise played in the 1983 film Risky Business) would say, sometimes you have to say WTF,' Mr Blunden said.

At the time, the proposal had not been independently reviewed and no feasibility study had been done.

The memo was written two days before ERC considered the proposal and ultimately gave the association $5.5 million.

The revelation of former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian's (pictured left) secret relationship with Daryl Maguire (right) left another former premier, Mike Baird 'incredulous'

A concerned looking Gladys Berejiklian will front the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption next week

In another email entered into evidence at the ICAC, the chief of staff to the then NSW Sport Minister, Stuart Ayres, said 'Wagga Wagga is pushing the barrow' on a proposal to fund upgrades to a gun club in that electorate.

Mr Blunden took this to be a reference meaning the then Wagga Wagga MP, Mr Maguire was backing the project, but this was not unusual because 'members of parliament are elected to advocate for their electorates'.

Mr Ayres, who is due to give evidence at the ICAC later this week is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Assisting counsel Scott Robertson arrives at the Independent Commission Against Corruption hearing in Sydney. ICAC is in its first week of hearings into whether former premier Gladys Berejiklian breached public trust

Dominic Perrottet, who replaced Ms Berejiklian as NSW Premier after her resignation on October 1, was asked this morning if he was aware of any concerns about the $5.5 million grant by the state government to ACTA in 2016.

The grant is one of two 'case studies' being examined by the ICAC in this inquiry.

'I was not aware of any concern,' Mr Perrottet said, adding that he would not be giving a running commentary on the ICAC proceedings.

The hearing resumes at 9.30 on Thursday, when public servant Chris Hanger is set to give evidence.

The Australian Clay Target Association is part of an ICAC inquiry into former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian

Gladys Berejiklian (pictured right) is under investigation by ICAC for her conduct while NSW premier in relation to her former boyfriend, ex-MP Daryl Maguire (pictured left)
A teacher indicted over claims she and her husband tried to sell US nuclear submarine secrets to a foreign country complained about her $60,000-a-year salary, and spoke seriously about fleeing the US after Donald Trump was elected, it is claimed.

New details of Diana Toebbe's background and possible motives emerged as she and her husband Jonathan, a Navy nuclear enginner, were indicted by a grand jury in West Virginia on national security charges Tuesday night.

Two dozen friends were interviewed by the New York Times, including one who said Diana had once remarked: 'I'm not doing this for the money' after helping a student work on a paper at the private Key School in Annapolis, Maryland, where she taught.

The Times' investigation paints a picture of a couple who were consistently worried about money for over a decade - among other anxieties - with Mr Toebbe repeatedly telling friends he needed to 'provide for his family' in 2010.

He also joined the navy in 2012 despite being a talented graduate student studying for a PhD at the time, a decision a friend told The Times was made to earn more, and came after the couple lost their house due to the 2008 financial crash.

Legal sources told the Times that cash was a likely incentive for the alleged passing of secrets, with the Toebbes offering nuclear submarine secrets for an initial payment of $100,000 in cryptocurrency.

Jonathan is said to have smuggled information out of his work, with Diana accompanying him to dead-drops. The pair now face life in jail over communicating restricted data and conspiracy charges filed Wednesday.

But self-described feminist Diana's horror of Donald Trump's election win was also noted by multiple acquaintances, who say she became notably more vocal about politics in the wake of his November 2016 win, and even spoke seriously about leaving the US.

Jonathan and Diana Toebbe, both of Annapolis, Maryland, were indicted on Tuesday by a Grand Jury in Elkins, West Virginia, on national security charges

Former student Garrett Karsten said Diana seemed 'genuinely distraught' by the Trump win, and appeared deadly serious about her plans to leave the country.

The Times also reported how the couple were forced to sell their $270,000 home in Aurora, Colorado, for a significant loss because the 2008 financial crisis triggered a foreclosure, amid speculation that experience may have sparked their desire for money and stability.

At the time, Jonathan was working on a Ph.D which came with a stipend of just $20,000, with the loss of the couple's house mooted as a possible reason for his application to join the US Navy, which would have offered a good and rapidly-increasing salary for a scientist as skilled as Toebbe.

They were making a combined salary of $210,000 at the time of their arrest on October 9, with Jonathan Toebbe earning $153,000 for his work at Washington Navy Yard to design nuclear reactors for submarines.

They were arrested in West Virginia on October 9 and previously charged in a criminal complaint with violations of the Atomic Energy Act. The couple is due in federal court Wednesday for a detention hearing.

None of the friends interviewed by The Times said they expected the couple to once day be accused of betraying the United States.

Janet Monge, who worked with Ms. Toebbe as a curator at the University of Pennsylvania Penn Museum, told the newspaper: 'It just seems so out of character. Not very academic and thoughtful at all.'

They were likely motivated by a thirst for money, and dissatisfaction with the United States, particularly the Trump administration, which they expressed vocal despair over

Jonathan Toebbe, a Navy nuclear engineer, is accused of trying to pass information about the design of submarines to someone he thought was a representative of a foreign government, but who was actually an undercover FBI agent.

Mr Toebbe reached the rank of lieutenant and mostly worked in the Washington area on naval reactors, but also did a brief stint at the Pentagon.

According to court documents, he had physical access to information when he was stationed at the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, a government-owned research center near Pittsburgh. He as assigned there for just five months in 2014.

He remained on active duty in the Navy until 2017, at which point he joined the Navy reserve. As a civilian, he continued to work at the Washington Naval Yard designing the reactors for the next generation of nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed submarines - known as the Columbia class.

The project is one of the most important the Navy has, and he earned 153,737 a year, according to The Times report.

Prosecutors are working to learn at which point in his career he began collecting information that he is alleged to have gone on to try and sell.

Court documents do not reveal the identity of the foreign country he is accused of trying to sell the information to, but it is believed to be an ally or neutral state, because the foreign government alerted the US to the plot.

Undercover agents then posed as members of that foreign government to catch the couple out, it is alleged.

Prosecutors say Diana Toebbe accompanied her husband on several instances to pre-arranged 'dead-drop' locations at which he left behind memory cards containing the sensitive information.

After their home went underwater during the Great Recession, and they were forced to sell at a loss, Jonathan Toebbe left his nuclear physics doctoral study to join the Navy, a faster path to higher income.

Diana Toebbe, meanwhile, often lamented about her paycheck as a teacher at an elite private high school, frequently pointing out that she had a PhD, students and colleagues say.

One former colleague said Diana had a flair for history, and expressed disappointment that she hadn't chosen to pursue a career in academic.

Jonathan Toebbe (left) and Diana Toebbe (right) were both charged with spying on the U.S. for an unidentified foreign government and were ordered held without bail during a court appearance Tuesday after it was determined that they pose a 'serious risk' of flight

The couple have two children and lived in their own home in a middle-class neighborhood in Annapolis.

The indictment alleges that on April 1, 2020, just weeks into the pandemic Jonathan Toebbe sent a package to a foreign government, listing a return address in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, containing a sample of classified information and instructions for establishing a covert relationship.

Jonathan Toebbe entered into email correspondence with an undercover FBI agent posing as a representative of the foreign government, and eventually handed over three items of nuclear sub secrets in exchange for $100,000 paid in cryptocurrency, the indictment claims.

The FBI also arranged a 'signal' to Toebbe from the country's embassy in Washington over the Memorial Day weekend. The papers do not describe how the FBI was able to arrange such a signal.

In June 2021, the FBI says, the undercover agent sent $10,000 in cryptocurrency to Toebbe, describing it as a sign of good faith and trust.

Weeks later, federal agents watched as the Toebbes arrived at an agreed-upon location in West Virginia for the exchange, with Diana Toebbe appearing to serve as a lookout for her husband during a dead-drop operation for which the FBI paid $20,000, according to the complaint.

Written communications between Jonathan and an undercover FBI agent posing as a foreign spy show that the engineer had collected the classified military information over several years

The FBI recovered a blue memory card wrapped in plastic and placed between two slices of bread on a peanut butter sandwich, court documents said.

Jonathan also hid encrypted memory cards in a chewing gum packet and Band-Aid wrapper at different drop-off locations.

The FBI provided the contents of the memory card to a Navy subject matter expert who determined that the records included design elements and performance characteristics of Virginia-class submarine reactors, the Justice Department said.

The FBI conducted similar dead-drop exchanges over the next several months, including one in August in Virginia in which Toebbe was paid roughly $70,000 and concealed in a chewing gum package a memory card that contained schematic designs for the Virginia-class submarine, according to court documents.

Only six countries currently operate nuclear-powered submarines  China, France, India, Russia, the UK and the US. The US and UK are set to provide Australia with the technology to deploy nuclear-powered submarines, as part of the first initiative under the new trilateral security partnership AUKUS.

The couple were ordered held without bail during a court appearance Tuesday after it was determined that they pose a 'serious risk' of flight.

In a letter outlining what classified information he had obtained, Jonathan, who spent two years working on nuclear reactors in Arlington, Virginia, is said to have explained how he meticulously smuggled documents over the years.

The leaked secrets contained 'militarily sensitive design elements, operating parameters and performance characteristics of Virginia-class submarine reactors,' according to a federal court affidavit

'This information was slowly and carefully collected over several years in the normal course of my job to avoid attracting attention and smuggled past security checkpoints a few pages at a time,' he wrote.

'I no longer have access to classified data so unfortunately cannot help you obtain other files. But I can answer your experts questions using my own knowledge, if we can establish a secure and confidential means of communication.'

He is also said to have suggested meeting his handler for a drink after their 'mission was complete.

An email prosecutors say was sent by Jonathan Toebbe said: 'Thank you for your partnership as well my friend. One day, when it is safe, perhaps two old friends will have a chance to stumble into each other at a cafe, share a bottle of wine and laugh over stories of their shared exploits.

'A fine thought, but I agree that our mutual need for security may make that impossible. Whether we meet or no[sic], I will always remember your bravery in serving your country and your commitment to helping me.'

And written communications - said to have been shared Jonathan and an undercover FBI agent posing as a foreign spy - show that the engineer and his wife were also prepared to be extracted to a safe country should their plot be exposed.

'I will be forever grateful for your help extracting me and my family,' Jonathan is said to have written in an encrypted email documented in the criminal complaint.

'I surmise the first step would be unannounced travel to a safe third country with plans to meet your colleagues. We have passports and cash set aside for this purpose. I pray such a drastic plan will never be needed, but you are right: it is a comfort to know you are ready and willing to aid us.'

The complaint also revealed that Jonathan had a longstanding relationship with the foreign entity, although the name of the country whose spies Jonathan allegedly thought he was communicating with has not been shared.

Diana, a humanities teacher at a private K-12 school in Annapolis, Maryland, has been placed on an indefinite suspension, a spokesperson confirmed to ABC News on Tuesday.

Matthew Nespole, head of Key School where Diana worked for the last 10 years, said the academic institution was 'shocked and appalled' to learn of the charges against the Toebbes.

'Key School had no prior knowledge of their alleged criminal activities, nor is the School connected to the investigation in any way,' Nespole said. 'Key School supports the administration of justice by the FBI and NCIS, and will cooperate with the investigation if requested through our school's legal counsel to do so.'

One of Diana's former students, Craig Martien, - who collaborated with her on a yearbook and an after-school anthropology club - echoed the school leader's claims, saying he too was shocked to learn of the news.

'She was someone who I really looked up to. I was totally blindsided,' he said in a Wednesday interview on Good Morning America.

Key School is now focusing on 'minimizing disruptions for our students and supporting them emotionally'.
US Rep. Liz Cheney argued that former White advisor Steve Bannon's refusal to cooperate with the January 6 committee suggests he and former President Donald Trump worked together to plan the riot at Capitol Hill.

Cheney's allegations come as the committee voted on Tuesday evening to hold Bannon in contempt for refusing to testify before the select panel about his links to and communications with groups accused of stoking the violence.

If successful, the committee's move to hold Bannon in contempt will pass to the House of Representatives for a vote, and then to the Department of Justice to decide whether to prosecute him, potentially leading to jail time.

The progression of the case could set the template for contempt action against other staff from the former Trump administration, with the committee having issued subpoenas to more than a dozen people who helped plan pro-Trump rallies.

'Based on the committee's investigation, it appears that Mr. Bannon had substantial advanced knowledge of the plans for January 6 and likely had an important role in formulating those plans,' Cheney, a Republican who serves as vice chair on the committee said.

She added that Trump's invocation of executive privilege to try and halt the investigation demonstrates 'that President Trump was personally involved in the planning and execution of January 6, and this committee will get to the bottom of that.'

US Rep. Liz Cheney, a Republican who serves as vice chair on the January 6 committee, argued that Steve Bannon and Donald Trump knew about and helped plan the riot

Steve Bannon, left, was held in criminal contempt for refusing to testify in front of the January 6 committee. Former President Donald Trump said he'd use executive privilege to resist the committee's investigation into the Capitol Hill riot

Cheney also urged her fellow members of the GOP to renounce the claims made by Trump and the organizers of the Capitol Hill riot regarding alleged voter fraud.

'Almost every one of my colleagues knows in your hearts that what happened on January 6th was profoundly wrong. You all know that there is no evidence of widespread election fraud sufficient to have changed the results of the election,' Cheney said.

'You all know that the Dominion voting machines were not corrupted by a foreign power. You know these claims are false.

She added that the claims against election fraud could hurt Republican's chances at future elections as American's could become too jaded to vote in a system they believe is fixed.

'This is a prescription for national self-destruction,' Cheney said. 'll of us who are elected officials must do our duty to prevent the dismantling of the rule of law, and to ensure that nothing like that dark day in January ever happens again.'

Trump appeared rattled by the committee last week, saying in a statement: 'Unselect Committee composed of Radical Left Democrats and a few horrible ... Republicans'.

Banon was a close ally of Trump's throughout the 2016 presidential campaign, having a direct line to the then-candidate and later president.

Divisions soon emerged, however, when he became involved in a power struggle with Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and close adviser, and other senior staff in the White House. Trump, meanwhile, grew frustrated at constant press leaks.

The pair parted ways in acrimonious circumstances, with Trump saying a year later: 'When [Bannon] was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind.'

The House Select Committee (pictured) probing the attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters rejected earlier on Tuesday an attempt by Bannon to refrain from testifying

The nine-member panel includes two anti-Trump Republicans  Representatives Liz Cheney of Wyoming (left) and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois (right)

Earlier on Tuesday, the panel probing the attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters rejected an attempt by Bannon to refrain from testifying.

This vote now paves the way for the entire House to vote on whether to recommend contempt charges. A source familiar with the schedule said that the vote was planned for Thursday.

If the House approves the referral, the Justice Department will decide whether to pursue a criminal case.

'I would just say that what we just saw was a unanimous bipartisan determination by the January 6 Select Committee to ensure that our subpoenas are observed,' Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin, a member of the panel, said to reporters immediately following the vote.

'No one in the United States of America has the right to blow off a subpoena by court or by the United States Congress,' he continued.

'If Mr. Bannon wants to show up and plead the Fifth Amendment because he will incriminate himself, he has that constitutional right. We of course had the authority to offer him use immunity so that we wouldn't use any evidence against him directly, that's been well established by the Supreme Court.'

In a Monday report, the panel argued that Bannon made statements suggesting he knew ahead of time about 'extreme events' on January 6, when Congress was scheduled to certify Democrat Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election against Trump.

Bannon said on a January 5 podcast: 'All hell is going to break loose tomorrow.'

The next day, thousands of Trump supporters descended on the Capitol as part of a 'Stop the Steal' rally in an attempt to overturn Trump's election defeat, which Trump still claims was the result of widespread fraud.

Before leaving office in January, Trump pardoned Bannon of charges he had swindled the Republican president's supporters.

Trump has urged former aides subpoenaed by the panel to reject its requests, claiming the right to withhold information because of executive privilege, a legal principle that protects many White House communications.

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

Heading the January 6 Select Committee is Democratic Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi

President Joe Biden's White House argues Trump has no legitimate privilege claim.

'The former president's actions represented a unique - and existential - threat to our democracy that can't be swept under the rug,' White House spokesman Michael Gwin said. 'The constitutional protections of executive privilege should not be used to shield information that reflects a clear and apparent effort to subvert the Constitution itself.'

More than 670 people have been charged with taking part in the riot, the worst attack on the U.S. government since the War of 1812.

So far, the select committee has issued 19 subpoenas.

When asked about how others who were called to testify may respond, panel member Adam Schiff said he's confident the swift action of the committee will deter further noncompliance.

'I don't think we have perfect visibility on whether these witnesses are going to comply  or we're going to have to go the route we did with Steven Bannon.'

'We made it very clear with how quickly we moved to hold Bannon in criminal contempt that we are not wasting time,' the Democratic California representative said after the Tuesday evening vote.

Trump filed suit on Monday, alleging the committee made an illegal, unfounded and overly broad request for his White House records, which committee leaders rejected.

Many legal experts have said Trump's executive privilege claim is weak because the committee has a compelling need to see the requested materials.

The January 6 Capitol riot was aimed at blocking Congress from certifying the election win for Joe Biden and resulted in five deaths and the second impeachment of Trump

Bannon said on a January 5 podcast, 'All hell is going to break loose tomorrow'  leading investigators to believe he knew about plans for the attack ahead of time

The U.S. Supreme Court said in 1821 that Congress has 'inherent authority' to arrest and detain recalcitrant witnesses on its own, without the Justice Department's help. But it has not used that authority in nearly a century.

In 1927, the high court said the Senate acted lawfully in sending its deputy sergeant at arms to Ohio to arrest and detain the brother of the then-attorney general, who had refused to testify about a bribery scheme known as the Teapot Dome scandal.

The select committee was created by House Democrats against the wishes of most Republicans. Two of the committee's nine members - Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger - are Republicans who joined House Democrats in voting to impeach Trump in January on a charge of inciting the Jan. 6 attack in a fiery speech to supporters earlier that day.

Multiple courts, state election officials and members of Trump's own administration have rejected Trump's claims that Biden won because of election fraud.
Former President Donald Trump has come out in defense of Rep. Jeff Fortenberry after the Nebraska Republican was indicted for lying to the FBI about receiving illegal campaign contributions from a Nigerian billionaire in 2016.

Trump - who's still banned from Facebook and Twitter - released a statement through his Save America PAC Tuesday night, hours after a federal grand jury indicted Fortenberry, lashing out at Democrats and Mark Zuckerberg.

'Isn't it terrible that a Republican Congressman from Nebraska just got indicted for possibly telling some lies to investigators about campaign contributions, when half of the United States Congress lied about made up scams,' Trump asked via his spokeswoman Liz Harrington's Twitter.

'And when Mark Zuckerberg, in my opinion a criminal, is allowed to spend $500 million and therefore able to change the course of a Presidential Election, and nothing happens to them,' Trump added, likely referring to Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan's $400 million donation to help local election offices last year.

A federal grand jury indicted Fortenberry on Tuesday after the lawmaker put out a defiant YouTube video featuring his wife and dog in front of a cornfield where he vowed to fight the charges.

The indictment charges the nine-term Republican with one count of 'scheming to falsify and conceal material facts' and two counts of making false statements to to the FBI, according to the Los Angeles US Attorney's office.

The former president defended Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (second from left) after the Nebraska Republican was indicted on Tuesday for lying to the FBI about illegal campaign donations

Trump leaves Trump Tower in New York Monday after filming a deposition for a lawsuit involving Mexican protesters who said they were beaten by building security guards in 2015

'I did not lie to them. I told them what I knew,' said Nebraska GOP Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, who announced in a YouTube video he expects to be indicted

The office said Fortenberry made the false statements to agents looking into illegal campaign contributions to his 2016 reelection effort.

According to the indictment, Nigerian billionaire Gilbert Chagoury, despite being a foreign national prohibited from donating to US candidates, 'arranged' for $30,000 in contributions to Fortenberry in 2016.

The co-host of the Fortenberry 2016 fundraiser where the money came in, identified only as 'Individual H,' began cooperating with the feds in September 2016, telling agents about the illegal contributions.

When Fortenberry contacted the person again about hosting another funder in 2018, the individual 'told the congressman on multiple occasions that a Chagoury associate - Toufic Joseph Baaklini, who also entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with prosecutors  had provided him with $30,000 cash to route to Fortenberrys campaign at the 2016 fundraiser.'

'Individual H allegedly told Fortenberry that the money - which was distributed to other individuals at the fundraiser so the donations could be made under their names and avoid individual donor limits - "probably did come from Gilbert Chagoury."' according to the indictment.

Trump, banned from Facebook and Twitter, put out the statement via his Save America PAC

On Tuesday, Trump added: 'Comey lied, Schiff lied, Crooked Hillary lied, McCabe lied, the two lovers, Peter and Lisa, lied. They all lied having to do with Russia, Russia, Russia, because they knew it was a SCAM, and they all lied having to do with Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine, because they knew it was a SCAM.

'They made up fairy tales about me knowing how badly it would hurt the U.S.A.and nothing happens to them. Is there no justice in our Country?'

Fortenberry, 60, was initially critical of Trump's 2016 campaign rhetoric and urged vice presidential candidate Mike Pence to incorporate 'additional sensitivity' into their run, according to the Omaha World-Herald.

After the January 6 Capitol riot, the Congressman was one of 35 House Republicans to break ranks with their party and vote to establish an independent commission to investigate the insurrection, in which Trump supporters broke into the US Capitol building to try to stop Congress from certifying the election for Joe Biden.

Tuesday's indictment came after Fortenberry said he expects to be charged with lying to the FBI while federal agents were investigating campaign contributions funneled to him from a Nigerian billionaire, the nine-term Republican said as he proclaimed his innocence and promised to fight the charges.

'The indictment alleges a scheme in which Fortenberry, after learning this information, knowingly and willfully falsified, concealed, and covered up by trick, scheme, and device material facts about the illegal campaign contributions.'

A month after getting the June 2018 warning, Fortenberry made 'additional false statements, including 'denying he was aware of any illicit donation made during the 2016 fundraiser.'

Each of the three felony charges carry a maximum of five years in prison.

In a YouTube video posted Monday night, Fortenberry said he was 'shocked' and 'stunned' by the allegations and asked his supporters to rally behind him. Knowingly making false statements to a federal agent is a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.

In January, Fortenberry was one of 35 Republicans to vote to form a commission to look into the Capitol riot. Above, Fortenberry during a Congressional hearing in March 2019

Fortenberry was also critical of Trump's 2016 campaign rhetoric. Above, Trump in August

'We will fight these charges,' he said in the video, filmed inside a 1963 pickup truck with his wife, Celeste, and their dog, against a backdrop of corn. 'I did not lie to them. I told them what I knew. But we need your help.'

Celeste Fortenberry suggested the prosecution was politically motivated, and said her husband was 'under the impression that the agents needed his help.'

'To be accused of this is extremely painful, and we are suffering greatly,' says Fortenberry, whose wife, Celeste, does her best to keep Pippin in her lap during the video.

'I wanted you to hear from me first,' he said.

A field of corn can be seen out the window of the cab behind him.

The Omaha World-Herald first reported on his expected indictment before it was announced.

The nine-term lawmaker condemned the illegal campaign contribution.

'About five-and-a-half years ago a person from overseas illegally moved money to my campaign  I didnt know anything about this  and used some other Americans to do so.' He said they were 'thankfully' caught and punished.

The expected indictment stems from an FBI investigation into $180,000 in illegal campaign contributions from Gilbert Chagoury. The contributions were funneled through a group of Californians from 2012 through 2016 and went to four U.S. politicians, including $30,200 to Fortenberry in 2016 and $10,000 to then-Rep. Lee Terry, who represented the Omaha area in 2014.

In March, Chagoury, a Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire, paid $1.8 million to 'resolve allegations that he, with the assistance of others, provided approximately $180,000 to individuals in the United States that was used to make contributions to four different federal political candidates in U.S. elections,' according to the Justice Department.

Chagoury, 75, as a foreign national was prohibited from contributing to US political candidates. He 'admitted he intended these funds to be used to make contributions to these candidates' and 'further admitted to making illegal conduit contributions  causing campaign contributions to be made in the name of another individual.'

At the time, the feds announced that Chagoury had agreed to cooperate with the government.

The FBI office in Omaha referred questions Tuesday to the U.S. Attorney's office for the Central District of California. An office spokesman declined to comment.

Fortenberry's campaign has said he didn't know the donations, which the campaign received during a fundraiser in Los Angeles, originated with Chagoury.

Fortenberry, of Lincoln, said FBI agents from California came to his home about 2 1/2 years ago after he had been out dealing with a major storm that had just hit Nebraska. He said they questioned him about the contributions then and in a follow-up interview.

'I told them what I knew and what I understood,' he said.

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry said he was 'shocked' and 'stunned' by the allegations and asked his supporters to rally behind him

The expected indictment stems from an FBI investigation into $180,000 in illegal campaign contributions from Gilbert Chagoury, pictured at a benefit in Beverly Hills, Ca.

US officials including Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) (C) and Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (R), senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee arrive for the funeral of slain President Jovenel MoAse on July 23, 2021, in Cap-Haitien, Haiti

Fortenberry represents the states 1st Congressional District, a heavily Republican area that includes Lincoln, surrounding farmland and small towns in eastern Nebraska. Fortenberry was first elected to the seat in 2004. He won his last election in 2020 with 60% of the vote and has generally defeated Democratic challengers by lopsided margins.

His statement that he expected to be indicted was first reported by the Omaha World-Herald.

His wife, Celeste, said in a statement emailed to supporters that the anticipated indictment 'has all the marks of being a political attack, a bogus charge manufactured to take him out.'

The FBI investigation began during the administration of President Donald Trump, a fellow Republican. Celeste Fortenberry said her husband spoke with the agents voluntarily, without a lawyer, because he was under the impression that the agents needed his help to get to the bottom of the case.

She said he later called his friend, attorney and former congressman Trey Gowdy, for legal representation. She said her husband sat for another interview with agents in Washington and was repeatedly assured that he was not a target of the investigation.

She said they heard only 'radio silence' from prosecutors until the Biden administration replaced the Trump administration in the U.S. attorney's office, and prosecutors notified them that they were poised to seek charges.

She said the U.S. attorney involved is 'in the running for a big promotion, and don't forget the mid-term elections right around the corner for control of the House.'
Arkansas will likely be the next state to ban abortion for women who are more than six weeks pregnant.

Last week, State Sen. Jason Rapert announced on Twitter that he would introduce the Arkansas Heartbeat Protection Act during a special legislative session on October 25.

The bill, he said, will include a 'civil cause of action - just like Texas's,' which includes financial incentives for citizens to seek out and sue anyone who 'aid or abets' anyone trying to get an abortion.

If they successfully sue, they could receive at least $10,000 and have their legal fees covered by the opposing side.

Rapert has called the bill 'absolutely awesome' in an interview with KNWA, and tweeted on Monday: 'It should be easy to pass the Texas-style heartbeat bill in our upcoming special session.'

Arkansas State Legislator Jason Rapert, right, plans to introduce a bill similar to the Texas heartbeat law, which effectively bans abortion at six weeks

He announced his intention to introduce the Arkansas Heartbeat Protection Act in a special session of the legislature in a tweet last week

He also wrote on Monday that it 'should be easy to pass the Texas-style heartbeat bill' in the Arkansas state legislature

The Arkansas State Legislature has previously passed a number of measures limiting abortion access, and in 2020, the state was named the 'most pro-life state in America'

Rapert has previously introduced other measures to limit abortion access, including a near-total abortion ban that the Arkansas State Legislature passed earlier this year.

Rapert has previously introduced a number of anti-abortion bills, including a near total ban on abortions that was struck down by a judge earlier this year

The state also passed a trigger law in 2019, which Rapert also sponsored, that would immediately ban abortion if Roe v. Wade is ever overturned.

And in just the latest legislative session, Huffington Post reports, the Arkansas State Legislature passed 20 abortion restrictions.

Arkansas was named the 'most pro-life state in America' by Americans United for Life, a national anti-abortion group, in 2020.

The organization ranked each state based on 'state laws protecting the unborn, the elderly, the disabled, and the terminally ill,' KNWA reported at the time.

Currently, there are only two abortion clinics in the state, Huffington Post reports, with 77 percent of women living in counties with no abortion clinic.

And if Rapert had his way, he told the Southwest Times Record earlier this month, 'I'd go board-up the abortion clinics in west Little Rock this weekend and be done with it because that's what the people of Arkansas want.

'But I'm working within the system, and we respect the fact that we passed laws, they got struck down, we came at it again.'

He said his proposed heartbeat bill is needed 'because federal judges are trying to strike down our laws time and time again.'

He noted: 'We need to do this before our regular session ends in September.'

Abortion rights activists are pushing back against the measure, as they say they are preparing 'for the worst'

But not everyone supports the heartbeat bill.

According to a recent Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College Poll of over 900 Arkansans, about 50 percent said they opposed Rapert's bill, while 47 percent said they supported it.

Still, abortion rights activists say they are preparing for the worst.

'We are taking this very, very seriously,' Emily Wales, CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains told the Huffington Post. 'We know that we have a number of legislators here in Arkansas who are eager to be on the frontlines of ending abortion access entirely - no matter the impact on the citizens they serve.

'The overwhelming majority of Arkansans would lose access to care' under the bill, she added, saying: 'The reality of what this means for the region is very, very real and present.'

Wales noted that Planned Parenthood Great Plains also oversees Nebraska and Oklahoma, which she said, is seeing 'lots of patients in crisis who are crossing state lines from Texas.'

And Rapert's bill, she said, 'would only increase that crisis to Arkansans who would then be forced to travel, if they can afford to, to states even farther out- potentially overwhelming the neighboring states that are trying to support Texas.'
Todd Rokita coordinated the letter from 17 attorney generals to Biden and Garland

Republican attorney generals representing 17 states have signed a letter to President Joe Biden and Merrick Garland demanding that parents be guaranteed the freedom to speak their minds at school board meetings.

On Monday attorney generals pushed back, urging Secretary of State Garland to guarantee the freedom of speech.

The letter was coordinated by Todd Rokita, the attorney general of Indiana.

'Concerned parents passionate about their kids' education are not terrorists,' he said.

'The Biden administration and its special-interest allies need to dial down the rhetoric and respect the rights of parents to be heard.'

Rokita's letter drew the support of the attorney generals of Texas, South Carolina, Utah, Oklahoma, Arizona, Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia, among others.

He said he was determined that 'Hoosiers' - people from Indiana - should be allowed to express themselves freely.

'Hoosier parents have a First Amendment right to speak their minds to teachers, administrators and school board members,' he said.

'That's why I'm demanding that the Biden administration immediately stop attempting to shut down parental participation through scare tactics and intimidation.'

In the letter, the 17 attorney generals said that any attempt to limit parental interaction at the board meetings violates 'First Amendment rights of parents to address school administrators, board members, teachers, and staff on educational matters by seeking to criminalize lawful dissent and intimidate parents into silence.'

Shelley Slebrch and other angry parents and community members protest after a Loudoun County School Board meeting was halted by the school board because the crowd refused to quiet down, in Ashburn, Virginia on June 22. A group of attorney generals are now demanding that the parents be guaranteed the right to speak out

They said that the National School Boards Association had gone too far, and was stifling legitimate debate.

'To be sure, anyone who attacks or threatens violence against school administrators, board members, teachers, or staff should be prosecuted,' they wrote.

'However, in its letter demanding action, the NSBA fails to document a single legitimate instance of violence.

'And even if it did, there are sufficient criminal and civil remedies already available in all 50 states and territories.'

They concluded that 'the NSBA seems more concerned about suppressing speech with which it disagrees than real threats of violence' and that a 'physical assault on a school administrator, board member, teacher, or staff is just that, a criminal assault and will be addressed under state law.'

The usually mundane school board meetings have become extremely heated in some areas in recent months, amid parental fury at mask policies and the curriculum - in particular the teaching of critical race theory and policies aimed at including transgender students.

Police have been called and arrests made, and in some schools the situation is so intense that parents are now barred from board meetings.

The National School Boards Association (NSBA) on September 29 asked the Biden administration to do an interagency investigation of threats of violence against school board members, and said the threats 'could be the equivalent to a form of domestic terrorism and hate crimes.'

Garland, the attorney general, issued an October 4 memo calling for the FBI to take the lead on a task force to address threats against officials.

Angry community members and parents sing the Star Spangled Banner after a Loudoun County School Board meeting was halted by the school board because the crowd refused to quiet down, in Ashburn, Virginia

Jon Tigges is detained following a controversial Loudoun County School Board meeting on June 22, which included discussion of Critical Race Theory

Biden, pictured on Monday, is facing pressure both to clamp down on unrest at school board meetings and to allow freedom for the parents to speak
Flight Centre is counting on a rebound in demand for travel to help it achieve a return to monthly profitability within the current financial year, but has stopped short of providing a specific guidance.

The travel agency, which was among the worst-affected companies as domestic and international travel collapsed amid the coronavirus pandemic, says the sector is poised to take off again in Australia based on the surge in inquiries and bookings in recent weeks.

'International leisure bookings have now surpassed domestic bookings in Australia for the first time since the start of the pandemic and almost tripled between July and September,' managing director Graham Turner told shareholders in a speech on Wednesday.

'Booking numbers this month have already surpassed the September total with more than a third of the month still to come.'

The stand-out leisure international destinations were the UK, USA, and Fiji, he said.

Flight Centre's demand for international bookings has exceeded domestic flight requests (pictured, passengers at Sydney International Airport earlier this year)

Despite a huge net loss of $364 million for the 2020/21 financial year as lockdowns and travel restrictions smashed the business, Flight Centre are confident they can return to monthly profitability within the current financial year

The company slumped to an underlying net loss of $364 million for the 2020/21 financial year as lockdowns and travel restrictions smashed its business. But it is seeing improved momentum this year.

It is now targeting a return to 'monthly profitability' in both corporate and leisure travel sectors later this financial year, helped by a much leaner cost base and a more efficient operating model.

During the first three months of this financial year, Flight Centre says it has doubled its total transaction value from a year ago to nearly $1.6 billion and 8 per cent improvement on the June quarter, even though the September quarter is traditionally a softer trading period.

Mr Turner said activity increased late in September and escalated in October after positive border reopening announcements in multiple countries including Australia, US and Singapore.

Still, the company's quarterly TTV was just 27 per cent of pre-Covid levels in FY19, and accounting losses have been slightly higher because of customer refunds processed, as well as non-cash depreciation and amortisation costs.

The company declined to provide a profit guidance for FY22 given the uncertainty.

'The exact timing of our return to profitability is uncertain and remains largely in government hands, given that revenue generation opportunities are intrinsically linked to borders re-opening and staying open; and international travel resuming in a more meaningful way globally,' Mr Turner said at the company's annual general meeting.

The US will welcome fully vaccinated international tourists from November 8. Locally, NSW has been the first state to announce it will open up to international travel from November 1.

According to Flight Centre managing director Graham Turner, popular locations abroad leaving Australia include the United Kingdom, the US and Fiji (pictured, the international terminal in Brisbane)

Flight Centre has previously flagged that it could mount a legal challenge against domestic border closures if Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia do not reveal reasonable plans to restart travel soon.

Mr Turner backed Queensland's roadmap this week to open borders by Christmas, but he again criticised WA.

'At least Queensland has a plan, with Western Australia I don't think the reality has hit home they are just trying to bury their head in the sand,' he said.
A city councillor has been slammed for exposing his chest during an important meeting held over video call.

Allan Robinson, 54, was called out by Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes halfway through the meeting when she realised he wasn't wearing a shirt.

'Councillor Robinson, can I just call you to order, you cannot be unclothed on a council meeting,' she said during the Zoom call on Tuesday night.

Allan Robinson, 54, (pictured) was called out by Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes halfway through the meeting when she realised he wasn't wearing a shirt

'Councillor Robinson, can I just call you to order, you cannot be unclothed on a council meeting,' Newcastle Mayor Nuatali Nelmes (pictured) asked halfway through the call

'It's not OK. It brings council into disrepute and I just don't want to deal with it.

'Please don't do it.'

Cr Robinson replied to the Mayor's request, but his message was inaudible.

It is understood that initially only Ms Nelmes' and council members could see the councillor's half-naked appearance, news.com.au reported.

However, when Cr Robinson replied he did appear shirtless on the public broadcast.

After the councillor clothed himself Mayor Nelmes swiftly moved on to the next agenda item in the meeting of the development applications committee.

It is not the first time Cr Robinson, a champion jockey and former NRL Footy Show favourite, has caused a stir during a Newcastle Council video call.

The councillor (top, middle) was heard telling colleagues his wife Michelle had cooked him 'some beautiful salmon' during a meeting in August, before adding 'you little beauty'

The councillor (top, middle) was then informed by a visibly embarrassed council chief executive Jeremy Bath (bottom, right) that the Zoom meeting was not a private affair

The councillor was heard telling colleagues his wife Michelle had cooked him 'some beautiful salmon' during a meeting in August, before adding 'you little beauty'.

What Cr Robinson didn't realise was his jovial antics were being live-streamed to hundreds of confused voters.

The councillor was informed by a visibly embarrassed council chief executive Jeremy Bath that the Zoom meeting was not a private affair.

However the veteran rider wasn't fussed, jokingly declaring to the audience and fellow councillors he 'didn't marry his wife for her looks, it was for her cooking'.

When another councillor then interjected, a blunt Cr Robinson said it would be best to 'stop b***hing and get on with it'.

Cr Robinson (pictured with wife Michelle) was heard declaring to hundreds of voters in a video call in August he 'didn't marry his wife for her looks, it was for her cooking'

Cr Robinson (pictured) rode professionally for over 40 years after starting out with master Newcastle trainer Paul Perry as a 14-year-old

Mr Robinson rode as a professional jockey for over 40 years after starting out with master Newcastle trainer Paul Perry as a 14-year-old.

In 1998, at the peak of his powers, Cr Robinson showed his class in the saddle, riding the most winners in a single season by any jockey in Australia.

He has ridden in a record 2118 races, earning a reputation as a legend in horse racing circles, but has also been at the centre of plenty of controversy.

Affectionally known as Robbo, he was suspended more than 100 times - a world record - and took on countless race stewards in on-track disagreements resulting in negative headlines for the sport of kings.

The veteran jockey began a career local politics as an Independent in the Hunter region, north of Sydney, in 2012.

He was recently abandoned by his party after a series of offensive remarks he made were revealed in a report into code of conduct breaches, released in July.

The controversial councillor labelled the Newcastle lord mayor a 'fatso', said another councillor was a 'big chunky woman', and called an openly gay councillor 'custard'.

The veteran jockey (pictured with his wife Michelle) began a career local politics as an Independent in the Hunter region, north of Sydney, in 2012

When questioned why he called the lord mayor 'fatso' in an email to a ratepayer, he said he 'doesn't think highly of her' and wondered 'how much it costs council to have the makeup done every time you see her on TV'.

He also went onto say Cr Carol Duncan was a 'big chunky woman' with 'legs like Blocker Roach' and was a 'f**king unit'.

The report concluded Cr Robinson's behaviour caused, comprised or involved intimidation or verbal abuse and constituted harassment or bullying behaviour.

He has since been dropped from the Independents' ticket ahead of the next election in Newcastle - and many believe the councillor's time is ticking in Steel City.

Cr Robinson has indicated he will run as a 'rogue independent' in spite of this.
Advertisement

A new law to end the historical prosecution of Troubles Army veterans should be introduced in the wake of Dennis Hutchings' death, according to his solicitor.

The army veteran died in Belfast on Monday after contracting Covid-19 while he was on trial over the 1974 Troubles shooting of John Pat Cunningham.

Aged 80, he was already struggling to breathe and suffering from terminal kidney failure and heart disease when he flew over to Ireland to be tried last month.

Mr Hutchings' solicitor Philip Barden said he hopes the Government will now enact a statute of limitations on Troubles prosecutions in Northern Ireland - and that it should be known as 'Dennis' Law'.

It comes as prosecutors in the case were slammed for attempting to introduce 'bad character' - relating to a 64-year-old assault charge against Mr Hutchings - as the veteran lay dying in bed.

Meanwhile, former Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer today described the trial of Mr Hutchings, and others like him, as a 'gross spectacle'.

The Tory MP, a former Army officer, also accused the Government of 'failing to care' about the plight of veterans like Mr Hutchings.

Mr Hutchings had been charged with the attempted murder of Mr Cunningham in Co Tyrone in 1974. The former member of the Life Guards regiment, from Cawsand in Cornwall, had denied a count of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.

A new law to end the historical prosecution of Troubles Army veterans should be introduced in the wake of Dennis Hutchings' (pictured) death, according to his solicitor. The army veteran died in Belfast on Monday after contracting Covid-19 while he was on trial over the 1974 Troubles shooting of John Pat Cunningham

Mr Hutchings (pictured left in 1978) had been charged with the attempted murder of John Pat Cunningham (pictured right) in Co Tyrone in 1974. The former member of the Life Guards regiment, from Cawsand in Cornwall, had denied a count of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.

Mr Cunningham was shot dead as he ran away from an Army patrol across a field near Benburb. Mr Hutchings accepted firing warning shots above the head of Mr Cunningham, but denied shooting the 27-year-old.

He claimed a fellow solider - who had since died - had fired the fatal shot. Mr Hutchings, who died on Monday, was on trial at Belfast Crown Court.

Mr Barden, from law firm Devonshires, who was representing him at the trial, says a statute of limitation should be introduced to prevent pursuits of Army veterans in Northern Ireland.

He said: 'I had the honour to look after Dennis Hutchings for 10 years. I was with him on Monday shortly before he passed away. What follows is what he wanted me to say on his behalf.

'I hope that the Government will now enact a statute of limitation that will end the shameful pursuit of Army veterans in Northern Ireland.

Philip Barden (pictured), from law firm Devonshires, who was representing him at the trial, says a statute of limitation should be introduced to prevent pursuits of Army veterans in Northern Ireland

'This should be known as Dennis' Law as it is the cause that he fought and died for.'

Mr Barden said that had Mr Hutchings given evidence at his trial, he would have said that he did not shoot Mr Cunningham in Co Tyrone in 1974, but that he had fired 'air shots'.

The solicitor said: 'Dennis fired one warning shot. Mr Cunningham stopped and turned momentarily. This enabled another soldier to move closer to Mr Cunningham in an attempt to arrest him.

'That soldier thought Mr Cunningham was about to produce a weapon and he cocked his rifle, but did not fire.

'Mr Cunningham turned and ran off. Dennis fired two warning shots, as the first had briefly stopped him, in the hope that two more would cause him to halt. At the same time another soldier fired the fatal shots.'

Mr Barden added: 'It was Dennis who applied field dressings to Mr Cunningham and tried to save his life. Those are not the actions of a man who had moments before attempted to murder Mr Cunningham by firing at him as the prosecution allege.

'In Mr Cunningham's final moments it was Dennis who tried to save his life.'

The lawyer continued: 'I hope that no one else goes through Dennis' experience of a process that preoccupied the last 10 years of his life.

'Unless this Government now acts then many others will follow Dennis as there are numerous coroner's inquests and police investigations still under way. It is inevitable that others will follow in Dennis' footsteps unless this is stopped.'

In July, the Government announced plans for a statute of limitations that would end all prosecutions for Troubles incidents up to April 1998. But so far no such law has been introduced.

Downing Street on Monday admitted the 'tragic' case of Mr Hutchings illustrated the problems of pursuing historical allegations through the courts and that it planned to press ahead with the legislation.

Former Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer (pictured with Mr Hutchings on his flight to Belfast for the trial) today described the trial of Hutchings, and others like him, as a 'gross spectacle'

Tory MP Johnny Mercer - who has worked closely with Mr Hutchings during the veteran's campaign to clear his name, has slammed the 'grotesque' experience he has been put through. Today, he paid tribute to his 'polite, kind, generous and strong' friend and slammed those who 'want to rewrite the history of the conflict in Northern Ireland'

It said it wanted to press ahead with legislation to introduce a statute of limitations to stop veterans being charged.

The Government's failure to introduce the legislation led Tory MP Johnny Mercer to quit his role as Veterans Minister earlier this year.

Today Mr Mercer, who had accompanied Hutchings on his flight to Belfast last month, launched an attack on the Government over the issue.

Writing in the Telegraph, he said: 'Politicians have for years promised to end this grotesque spectacle.

'But the harsh truth I've painfully realised of late is that they simply don't care enough to actually do anything about it.

'Not once has the Northern Ireland Secretary ever asked me what to do to sort this out; the Prime Minister can't even be bothered to reply to my letters or make time to see me or others to discuss it.'

It comes as Matthew Jury, who was bringing a legal claim on behalf of Hutchings to the European courts over the prosecution of veterans, said the Army veteran had been 'thrown to the wolves'.

He told the Telegraph: 'Dennis Hutchings was an honourable man hounded to death by the savage politics of Northern Ireland while a cynical and cowardly British Government stood by and did nothing.

Army veteran Dennis Hutchings, 80, died last night after catching Covid-19 midway through his controversial trial for a fatal Troubles shooting almost 50 years ago

'Worse, they threw him to the wolves. His death is a tragedy that shames us all.'

The Public Prosecution Service Northern Ireland said the decision to prosecute Hutchings for attempted murder was taken 'after an impartial and independent application of the Test for Prosecution'.

Meanwhile, Paul Young, of the Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans group, yesterday described the case as 'an absolute disgrace'.

He said: This frail, old, sick man hounded to his grave without being able to clear his name.

'He was absolutely determined to be in court. The justice system was insatiable and wanted his scalp but he died a lonely old man on his own in a Covid ward.'

The serviceman was double vaccinated and had been backed by his partner and a son during proceedings, but stayed out of the limelight.

Reform UK party leader Richard Tice said the government should 'hang its head in shame' for 'hounding' Mr Hutchings during his final years.

Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister said: 'The needless dragging of an 80-year-old soldier, Dennis Hutchings, through the courts has had a very sad end with the passing of Mr Hutchings this evening.

'The strain on this man was cruel, with him requiring regular dialysis, while being brought to Belfast to face a trial of dubious provenance.

Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie called for a 'full and thorough' review into the decision-making of the Public Prosecution Service.

Meanwhile, Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson argued the trial was not in the public interest: 'He was an 80-year-old veteran, in ill-health on dialysis and there was a lack of compelling new evidence.

'There now stands serious questions around those who made the decision that Dennis should stand trial once more. He was honourable. He wanted to clear his name again but was dragged to a court and hounded until his death.'

Mr Hutchings is greeted by a supporter as he arrives to the Belfast Crown court in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on October 4, 2021

The veteran's death generated a wave of anger today including from DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, Steve Aitken of the Ulster Unionists, Tory politician Edward Mountain and Jim Allister, of the Traditional Unionist Voice

Dennis Hutchings (pictured on the far right in this photo) in Germany, 1960

Dennis Hutchings: Army veteran pursued over historical Northern Ireland allegations... for which there was no proof Mr Hutchings was facing trial over the attempted murder of John Pat Cunningham. He was shot running from a British Army patrol in Benburb, Co Tyrone, back in June 1974. The man was said to have been 'startled' by the soldiers and then made off from the scene. Mr Hutchings, who required kidney dialysis twice a week and has heart problems, was in the British Army for 26 years. He served five tours of Northern Ireland when the Troubles were at their worst. The former corporal major was cleared twice over the events which took place in the mid-1970s. In 1975 he got a letter sent to his regiment informing him that prosecutors had decided that no action would be taken against anyone over Mr Cunningham's death. Then in 2011 an Historical Enquiries Team review said there was no new evidence that would prompt any further legal action. Despite no fresh evidence, no witnesses and no new forensic leads, the retired soldier was accused again of attempted murder. In 2015 the Legacy Investigation Branch conducted a new investigation into Mr Cunninghams death. It led to Mr Hutchings being arrested and taken to a police station in Northern Ireland where he was interviewed. He answered 'no comment' and was later charged with two offences: the attempted murder of Mr Cunningham and attempting to cause him grievous bodily harm. In 2019, Hutchings lost a Supreme Court bid to have the trial heard by a jury. Then it had originally been scheduled to commence in March 2020 but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Advertisement

Three days before the trial began, Mr Hutchings was struggling to breathe but told The Times that he wanted to clear his name. Asked if he was well enough to fly, he said: 'I don't know until I can get on the plane.'

The spectacle of a dying veteran sitting in a dock in Belfast wearing his service medals was already hugely embarrassing for Boris Johnson and his government, which had previously vowed to end repeated investigations into those who served in Northern Ireland.

His case was one of two ongoing prosecutions of Northern Ireland veterans who served during the Troubles despite government plans announced in the summer to end all criminal and civil cases relating to deaths during the 30-year conflict. The proposals are yet to be implemented and were met with fierce backlash on both sides of Northern Ireland's political divide.

The veteran sat in the dock in Belfast on alternate days so he could receive gruelling kidney dialysis treatment. Over the weekend, he contracted Covid, and the trial had been adjourned for three weeks. However, last night he was rushed to hospital in an ambulance after complaining that he was struggling to breathe. His condition deteriorated and he later died.

Mr Hutchings had been cleared twice over the shooting and was told he would not be prosecuted in the months after Mr Cunningham's death following an initial investigation, and again in 2011 when the case was reviewed. However, it was reopened by the Legacy Investigation Branch of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in 2015 and he was arrested and taken from his home in Cornwall to Northern Ireland for questioning.

Prosecutors previously told Belfast Crown Court that they had no direct evidence to prove whether the fatal shot was fired by Mr Hutchings or another soldier. Mr Hutchings, a great grandfather, also denied a count of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.

At a hearing in March last year his legal team argued that the trial should be held in England because of concerns for his health and the threat of Covid. Mr Hutchings had appealed to the courts to bring the case forward because he had been warned he could have a heart attack at any moment.

He eventually flew to Belfast on October 3 for the trial, supported by former Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer.

Mr Mercer, himself a former soldier, urged the Ministry of Defence to fly the 80-year-old back to England so he could be near his family until the trial resumed. He had said the MoD had a duty of care, adding: 'I cannot believe we are putting a dying man through this grotesque process.'

Defence barrister James Lewis QC had informed Belfast Crown Court of the development as proceedings in the non-jury trial were due to begin on Monday.

He told judge Mr Justice O'Hara that Hutchings' condition had been confirmed by a PCR test on Saturday.

'I regret Mr Hutchings is not well with regard, as one would expect, with his other comorbidities of renal failure and cardiac malfunction. And we are unable to presently take instructions as he is currently in isolation in his hotel room.'

Hutchings had been suffering from kidney disease and the court had been sitting only three days a week to enable him to undergo dialysis treatment between hearings.

He was charged with the attempted murder of John Pat Cunningham in Co Tyrone in 1974.

The former member of the Life Guards regiment, from Cawsand in Cornwall, had denied a count of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.

He had already been cleared of any wrongdoing twice.

In 1975 he got a letter sent to his regiment informing him that prosecutors had decided that no action would be taken against anyone over Mr Cunningham's death.

Then in 2011 an Historical Enquiries Team review said there was no new evidence that would prompt any further legal action.

Mr Cunningham, 27, was shot dead as he ran away from an Army patrol across a field near Benburb. People who knew him said he had the mental age of a child and was known to have a deep fear of soldiers.

Democratic Unionist Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said it was 'desperately sad news'.

On Twitter, he said: 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hutchings family. We have said all along that Dennis should never have been brought to trial again, not least because of his health but also a lack of compelling new evidence.

'There are serious questions to answer here.'

In a statement, Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister said: 'The needless dragging of an 80-year-old soldier, Dennis Hutchings, through the courts has had a very sad end with the passing of Mr Hutchings this evening.

'The strain on this man was cruel, with him requiring regular dialysis, while being brought to Belfast to face a trial of dubious provenance.

'My thoughts and prayers tonight are with his family and friends who may understandably feel that what he was put through contributed to his decline.'

Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie called for a 'full and thorough' review into the decision-making of the Public Prosecution Service.

'I would like to convey my sincere condolences to Mr Hutchings' family and friends,' Mr Beattie said.

'The decision by the Public Prosecution Service to proceed with a trial given his ill-health demands a full and thorough independent review. The questions must be asked, did this trial hasten Mr Hutchings' death and did it meet the evidential and public interest tests?'

Danny Kinahan, the Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland, said that the news was 'incredibly sad'.

On Twitter, he wrote: 'I got to know Dennis over recent years. An elderly man, in poor health, he was determined to clear his name once and for all. Deepest condolences & sympathies to his wife and family at this difficult time.'

DUP MP Carla Lockhart also described the news as 'awful'.

Sitting in a crown court dock in Belfast this month, service medals pinned to his chest, Mr Hutchings somehow maintained his dignified stoicism

John Pat Cunningham, a 27-year-old with learning difficulties, was shot dead during an Army operation near the village of Benburb on June 15, 1974. Mr Hutchings maintained he only fired aimed warning shots into the air

She tweeted: 'Such sad news that he never got to live out his last days in peace. Awful. Spent last months of his life being hounded by a political show trial.'

Critics of the plans to prosecute Northern Ireland veterans have cited the alleged hounding of soldiers who served in the province, while IRA terrorists were released early from prison or told they would not be prosecuted for Troubles-related offences following the signing of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

Great-grandfather Mr Hutchings was supported in court by his partner of 25 years, Kim, last week, and son John, however the pair returned to England when his trial was postponed following his Covid diagnosis.

Mr Cunningham, a 27-year-old with learning difficulties, was shot dead during an Army operation near the village of Benburb on June 15, 1974. Mr Hutchings maintained he only fired aimed warning shots into the air.

The trial heard that prosecutors were unable to prove whether Mr Hutchings or another soldier, now dead, fired the fatal shots, as no forensic evidence was collected.

Mr Hutchings, who was in the Life Guards, had pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder. He also denied a count of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.

What is the timeline of the Northern Ireland troubles and peace process? Police officers and firefighters inspecting the damage caused by a bomb explosion in Market Street, Omagh, 1998 August 1969 British Government first send troops into Northern Ireland after three days of rioting in Catholic Londonderry. 30 January 1972 On 'Bloody Sunday' 13 civilians are shot dead by the British Army during a civil rights march in Londonderry. March 1972 The Stormont Government is dissolved and direct rule imposed by London. 1970s The IRA begin its bloody campaign of bombings and assassinations in Britain. April 1981 Bobby Sands, a republicans on hunger strike in the Maze prison, is elected to Parliament. He dies a month later. October 1984 An IRA bomb explodes at the Grand Hotel in Brighton, where Margaret Thatcher is staying during the Tory Party. conference Early 1990s Margaret Thatcher and then Sir John Major set up a secret back channel with the IRA to start peace talks. The communications was so secret most ministers did not know about it. April 1998 Tony Blair helps to broker the Good Friday Agreement, which is hailed as the end of the Troubles. It establishes the Northern Ireland Assembly with David Trimble as its first minister. 2000s With some exceptions the peace process holds and republican and loyalist paramilitaries decommission their weapons. May 2011 The Queen and Prince Philip make a state visit to Ireland, the first since the 1911 tour by George V. In a hugely symbolic moment, the Queen is pictured shaking hands with Martin McGuinness - a former IRA leader. Advertisement

Resolute to the end: How proud but frail British army veteran, 80, battled to clear his name in court over Troubles killing despite being given just months to live suffering from kidney failure

By Glen Keogh for the Daily Mail

Dennis Hutchings was a proud man. Proud of his 26 years served with distinction in the Army. Proud of his 22 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A soldier, then company director, then retired family man. Not bad for a boy who grew up squatting with his family in an abandoned Army barracks in Blyth, Northumberland, before becoming a miner at 15.

Sitting in a crown court dock in Belfast this month, service medals pinned to his chest, Mr Hutchings somehow maintained his dignified stoicism even as he listened to prosecutors outline his alleged role in a fatal shooting at the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland almost 50 years ago.

Prior to his trial, Mr Hutchings' regular consultant at the hospital near his bungalow in Cornwall warned him that travel to the province for his long-awaited hearing was not advised owing to his rapidly deteriorating health.

His kidneys  which required three rounds of gruelling dialysis each week  no longer worked. An emergency appointment just days before his flight found fluid on his lungs.

He was given six months to live. He lasted less than one.

Mr Hutchings became the reluctant figurehead of the Northern Ireland veterans' movement, representing around 200,000 ex-servicemen campaigning for an end to the prosecutions of those who served during the conflict.

To the end, remained resolute over his innocence.

He could have taken a medical note from his doctor and had the trial postponed indefinitely.

But, six years on from his initial arrest, his arms black and blue from the regular needles required to keep him alive, Mr Hutchings vowed to let a judge  sitting without a jury in a procedure previously reserved for terrorists  decide his guilt.

That this all played out during the Conservative Party conference served only to highlight the Government's failure to keep to its promise of ending repeated investigations into those who served in Northern Ireland.

Last night, Paul Young, of the Justice for Northern Ireland veterans group, said Mr Hutchings had been 'hounded to his grave without being able to clear his name'.

Many of Mr Hutchings's supporters came out to offer their mental strength during the trial

The former staff sergeant in the Life Guards was accused of the attempted murder of John Pat Cunningham in a field near the village of Benburb, County Tyrone, on June 15, 1974.

Just 36 hours earlier, a patrol led by Mr Hutchings had arrested four IRA suspects in the village but they knew a number had escaped.

He was later mentioned in dispatches for his efforts in apprehending the men without bloodshed.

On the fateful day in question, Mr Hutchings, then aged 33, was leading an Army patrol of two Land Rovers in the area when they came across 27-year-old Mr Cunningham near some bushes.

Mr Cunningham, who was described as 'startled', failed to respond to calls to 'halt' and 'stop' and fled across the field. Mr Hutchings and another member of the patrol, known as Soldier B, gave chase.

Five shots were fired in total. Three from Mr Hutchings' weapon and two from the rifle of Soldier B, who has since died.

Little did they know, that a year before, Mr Cunningham was apprehended by another patrol when he was found in a similar area 'acting suspiciously'.

He was only released when a passing doctor intervened and explained that he was his patient  and suffered from learning difficulties which left him terrified of soldiers.

It transpired that Mr Cunningham had the mental age of a child. Rather than having any connection to paramilitaries, locals said they were unable to even have coherent conversations with him. He was known to wear bailer twine as a belt or a clothes peg instead of a button.

The fatal shot hit Mr Cunningham in the back. Mr Hutchings applied a field dressing to his wound and called for an Army helicopter but he died at the scene.

As Mr Hutchings readily acknowledged, John Pat Cunningham should never have died that day. The soldiers were unaware of his difficulties and he became an innocent casualty of what those who fought for the UK state and those who fought for a united Ireland described as a 'war.'

The veteran always maintained he fired only aimed warning shots into the air in attempts to get Mr Cunningham to stop running and Soldier B fired the shots which killed him, one striking him in the back.

'The soldier made his decision on what he saw,' Mr Hutchings said. 'It was just one of those things that happens in war.'

Of the 3,250 people who lost their lives during the Troubles, only 301  around ten per cent  were killed by the British military. Half of these were civilians tragically caught up in crossfire.

Paramilitary groups including the Provisional IRA were responsible for the remaining 90 per cent, including 722 soldiers.

A total of 1,441 military personnel died as a result of operations in Northern Ireland.

That soldiers are still being hauled to court over alleged offences committed during the Troubles while IRA terrorists were effectively given get-out-of-jail cards as a result of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement is a disparity that many veterans cannot comprehend.
Dan Andrews has made his second major real estate move since 2018 by refinancing his mortgage yet again, with his home now worth around $1million.

The Victorian Premier spent 111 days between March and June this year recovering at his Mulgrave home after he fell on stairs getting out of the shower at a Mornington Peninsula holiday house.

While his deputy James Merlino stood in for him publicly, his recovery from a broken vertebrae and ribs and the state's response to the Covid crises were apparently not the only things on his mind.

The Andrews bought their Mulgrave property for $251,000 in 2002 and have completed two major construction projects.

Dan Andrews and his wife Catherine (pictured) refinanced the mortgage on their Mulgrave house

The property (pictured) has undergone two renovations - one in 2016 and another in 2017

Mr Andrews, 49, and his wife Catherine used the opportunity of some time off to shop around and switch over the mortgage on their $1million plus home to ANZ, reports The Australian.

The refinancing was the second in the space of a few years - with the previous 2018 deal struck when the Reserve Bank cash rate was at a record low 1.5 percent.

His 2021 refinancing was done when the cash rate was lowered even further to an unprecedented 1 per cent.

Mr Andrews broke a vertebrae and multiple ribs when he fell down stairs while walking out of the shower (pictured in hospital)

Mr Andrews posted a picture to Instagram recovering at home with his daughter earlier this year (pictured)

Catherine Andrews posted a pictured praising her husband as a work-from-home colleague (pictured)

The house has had two construction projects, one in 2016 in which the existing property on the site bulldozed and a new house built.

Another in 2017 added a second story to the home.

The premier is facing a state election in Victoria next year, and is also set to be called to appear at two Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission public hearings.

The anti-corruption watchdog is investigating claims of corrupt conduct including branch stacking by Victorian public officials.
A man is fighting for his life after a horrifying knife attack on a London night bus in the early hours of this morning.

Officers rushed to Mile End Road, east London, around 1am today after the stabbing on an N25 night bus.

The incident took place outside Mile End underground station, which has been taped-off by officers this morning.

A 34-year-old man has been rushed to hospital with serious injuries. He is believed to be in a critical condition.

Two other men  aged 34 and 22  were also taken to hospital for treatment to slash injuries. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, police say.

A 34-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. He was taken to an east London police station where he remains in custody.

Police are today investigating a stabbing on a London night bus - with officers seen taping off the double-decker vehicle this morning

Officers rushed to Mile End Road, east London, around 1am this morning after the attack on an N25 night bus

The incident took place outside Mile End underground station, which has been taped-off by officers this morning

A father-of-two who lives nearby and captured the aftermath on video said: 'It must have been about 1am when I went downstairs to make myself a cup of tea.

'I saw these blue lights shining through the window and went out to see what had happened. It was pouring with rain at the time, so I grabbed a jumper with a hood.

'That's when I saw there were about seven police cars and two ambulances. There was a bus outside Mile End station and the police were on it.

He added: 'I spoke to one of the paramedics who said someone had been stabbed on the bus.

'The whole of Bow Road and the station had been locked down.

'One of the underground staff said they had caught one person, but they were still looking for others who had run away. So it was a major incident.'

A Met Police spokesperson said: 'Police were called at 12.48am on Wednesday, 20 October to Mile End Road, E8 following reports of a man seen in possession of a knife on board a Route N25 bus.

'Officers attended and found a 34-year-old man suffering from stab injuries. They immediately provided first aid.

'The man was taken by the London Ambulance Service to an east London hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

'Two other men  aged 34 and 22  were also taken to hospital for treatment to slash injuries; their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

'A 34-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. He was taken to an east London police station where he remains in custody.

A 34-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. He was taken to an east London police station where he remains in custody

Mile End Road westbound is currently closed off while police investigate. A crime scene remains in place and enquiries continue, police say

'A crime scene remains in place. Enquiries continue.'

Mile End Road westbound is currently closed off while police investigate.

In a post on Twitter, Tower Hamlets Police said: 'Due to an ongoing investigation into a serious assault that occurred earlier this morning.

'The westbound carriageway of Mile End Road, and Mile End Underground Station remains closed at this time.'

Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101 quoting reference Cad 244/20Oct. To remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Siwan Hayward, TfL's Director of Compliance, Policing, Operations and Security, said: 'We are extremely saddened that three people have been injured following an assault on a route N25 bus earlier this morning.

'Our thoughts are with the people who have been injured, their family and friends and the operator Stagecoach will be offering support to the driver involved this horrific incident.

'There is absolutely no place for violence on our network and everyone has the right to travel safely.

'We always support the strongest possible action against anyone who endangers our customers or staff and we will work closely with Stagecoach to support the Metropolitan Police as they carry out their investigation.'
A mother caring for a baby boy with a congenital defect poured bleach down his feeding tube so she could get a 'good night's sleep', a court heard.

Brooke Evelyn Lucas, 26, sobbed in the Supreme Court on Wednesday as the facts of the disturbing case were read out.

Her 13-month-old son, William, had been lying in his cot crying late into the evening at their Ellenbrook home on the north east fringes of Perth in December 2018.

The child was born with Pierre Robin sequence, a birth condition which can obstruct oxygen intake and requires around-the-clock care.

Brooke Evelyn Lucas, 26, poured bleach down her son William's feeding tube because she wanted to 'get a good night's sleep' (pictured together)

On that evening she went to the laundry and returned to the cot with a bottle of Exit Mould - a household product commonly used for cleaning bathroom tiles.

She poured the toxic chemical compound into William's baby formula and then drip-fed him down his feeding tube directly into his stomach, 7News reported.

Lucas later confessed to police that she 'needed a break' and 'wanted to get a good night's sleep'.

The court heard that she sat and watched the helpless child struggle as he endured vomiting and seizures, before eventually called an ambulance.

William vomited about a dozen times in the back of the ambulance and had to remain in hospital for 17 nights.

Miraculously, he survived the horrifying ordeal and was taken to live with his grandparents.

William (pictured), who was born with congenital defect Pierre Robin sequence, had to remain in hospital for 17 nights but miraculously survived

Lucas spent time at a secure psychiatric facility after her arrest and will be sentenced for endangering her son's life on Friday

When Lucas called triple-0, she falsely told the operator it was William's older sister who was responsible for the poisoning.

But two weeks after the incident she claimed responsibility, telling police she thought the bleach would help 'settle' him and that she felt 'relieved and relaxed' at the time.

After her arrest, Lucas spent time at a secure psychiatric facility.

She was initially charged with attempted murder but later pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of endangering her son's life.

Lucas was scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday but that has now been pushed back to Friday as the Judge needed more time to consider the verdict in light of the new details.
This is the moment a naughty Labrador totally ignores his owner when he is caught on camera misbehaving.

The pooch, Cash, who was home alone in Harriman, Tennessee, with his two canine companions, is shown carrying in a plastic bottle from another room.

After settling on the sofa to chew his new 'toy', the dog is surprised by the disembodied voice of his owner, who is watching through a video link.

Cash stops chewing the bottle, spooked by the disembodied voice of his owner. The man - from Harriman, Tennessee - had installed a Blink Camera to monitor his dogs while away from home

The mischievous dog tilts his head curiously in response to the phantom voice of his owner, projected over a home security system in the house

Nonplussed by the chiding voice of his owner, Cash continues his mischief, knocking over ornaments and climbing up on the side counter

Speaking through a home home security system, the dog's owner warns: 'No, no, Cash. Not a toy. Go find a toy. That is not a toy.'

Cash stops chewing the item, gets to his feet and gingerly prods the Blink Camera with an inquisitive nose.

The dog's owner becomes increasingly incensed as Cash knocks over ornaments and walks on top of the living room counter.

'Cash, get down, now!' the owner repeats over and over again, eventually breaking into laughter at the dog's intransigence.

The owner - who filmed the footage on October 8 - explained: 'We use the camera to keep an eye on our dogs Cash, Dana, and Bella while we are away.

'We hoped that we could use the Blink Camera to stop our dogs from causing mayhem in our house...

'But they don't listen when we're talking to them through the camera.'

Another naughty dog was caught on his owner's security camera earlier this year escaping from the kitchen in Northwich, Cheshire, while home alone

Sarah Cleavy, 23, set up a camera in her home to find out how her dog was managing to escape from the kitchen in Northwich, Cheshire when he was shut in. It captured Arnie, a seven-month-old Doberman, opening the baby gate with his mouth before pressing down on the kitchen door handle with a paw

Footage shows the Arnie the Doberman tackling the intricate locking mechanism of a baby gate with his mouth, then using his paws to push down on the kitchen door handle and heading on off into the house to have fun.

Sarah Cleavy, 23, had set up the camera because she could not work out how Arnie kept getting out and treating himself to snoozes on her bed while she was at work.

She was stunned to discover that the seven-month-old dog had learned how to open the gate and work the door handle by mimicking her.

She has resorted to installing their door handles upside down so they have to be pulled up to open - in the hope of finally foiling the mischievous mutt.
A rare bombing of an army bus in Damascus and a shelling shortly after of a rebel-held town in northwest Syria killed at least 27 people in total today, in the deadliest flare-up in months.

Two bombs planted on an military bus in central Damascus were detonated early on Wednesday morning, killing 14 people, in the worst such attack in the capital in four years.

Around an hour after the bus attack, a Syrian army shelling struck the rebel-held town of Ariha in Idlib province, parts of which are controlled by groups that have claimed such attacks in the past.

Assad's forces killed 13 people in the shelling with four children among the dead, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The Britain-based war monitor said rockets hit a busy market area and roads near schools as students were heading to classes

The Syrian Civil Defense, also known as White Helmets said 20 more were wounded when dozens of shells landed in the town. Rescuers said they were still searching through the wreckage for survivors.

A rare bombing of an army bus in Damascus and a shelling shortly after of a rebel-held town in northwest Syria (pictured) killed at least 27 people in total today, in the deadliest flare-up in months

At least 14 people were killed and another three wounded after two bombs destroyed a military bus in central Damascus on Wednesday morning

Around an hour after the bus attack, a Syrian army shelling struck the rebel-held town of Ariha in Idlib province, killing 13 people, including four children. Pictured: Syrian White Helmet civil defence workers carry a casualty in the town of Ariha

Pictured: A White Helmets member carries a child victim after the shelling struck roads near schools, and four children were counted among the dead

A member of the Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, tends to a victim in a hospital hallway after the Syrian army shelling of residential areas in rebel-held Ariha

In the first attack on Wednesday, the two bombs detonated underneath a busy bridge in the Syrian capital during morning rush hour, shortly before 7am, destroying the army bus as it passed underneath.

A third bomb was subsequently found nearby and defused by military engineers before it could explode, Syria's state news agency said

There was no immediate claim for the bombing and it was not immediately clear if all the dead were bus passengers.

'A terrorist bombing using two explosive devices targeted a passing bus' at a key bridge in Damascus, the state news agency said, reporting that at least three people were wounded.

Assad's rockets hit a busy market area and roads near schools as students were heading to classes in the town in northwest Syria (pictured, smoke rises from Ariha following the shelling)

The Syrian Civil Defense said 20 more were wounded when dozens of shells landed in the town. Rescuers said they were still searching through the wreckage for survivors. Pictured: Victims lie in a hospital hallway in Ariha

Images released by SANA showed first responders searching the charred carcass of the bus and what it said was a bomb squad defusing a third device in the same area.

SANA quoted a military source as saying the bombs were detonated as the bus passed near the Hafez al-Assad bridge, close to the national museum in the heart of the capital.

'We hadn't seen violence of that type in a long time,' a fruit vendor who gave his name as Salman told AFP at the scene.

'We thought we were done with such attacks. I hope this will be the last bombing.'

In the first attack on Wednesday, the bombs exploded as the bus was passing underneath the President's Bridge in central Damascus, leaving the vehicle completely burned out

Damascus had been largely spared such violence in recent years, especially since troops and allied militias retook the last significant rebel bastion near the capital in 2018.

The attack is the deadliest in Damascus since a bombing claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group, ISIS, targeted the Justice Palace in March 2017, killing at least 30 people.

The shelling in Ariha was the highest civilian toll since a March 2020 truce deal brokered by Turkey and Russia effectively put fighting in Idlib on standby, the Observatory said.

The truce has been repeatedly violated, and government forces often vow to take territories still out of their control.

'At 8 am (0500 GMT) we woke up to the bombardment. The children were terrified and were screaming,' said Bilal Trissi, a father of two who lives nearby.

'They bombed us in our neighbourhood and in the market. There are children who died and people who lost their limbs... We don't know why, what are we guilty of?'

The UN children's agency condemned the shelling, calling it a 'reminder that the war in Syria has not come to an end'.

The Damascus bombing too will challenge the government's assertion that the decade-old war is over and stability guaranteed for reconstruction efforts and investment projects to begin in earnest.

The military initially said the bombs were planted on the highway, but later said it believed they were attached to the bus itself

A third bomb found by army engineers beside the road after the explosion is thought to have originally been attached to the bus, but fell off before it exploded

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Such bombings have become rare in Damascus since the government drove ISIS out of the city in 2018.

The bus attack is notable because it occurred in the very centre of Damascus, underneath the President's Bridge in an area where buses gather before departing for different destinations around the country.

The bridge is a short distance from Syria's parliament building, government offices, and the Four Seasons hotel where many UN officials in the country are based.

'It is a cowardly act,' Damascus police commander Maj. Gen. Hussein Jumaa told state TV, adding that a police force had cordoned off the area immediately and made sure there were no more bombs.

While fighting still rages in the northwest, Assad's forces now control much of Syria after military support from his allies Russia and Iran helped tip the balance of power in his favor. U.S. and Turkish troops, meanwhile, are deployed in part's of the country's north.

One of the last major explosions to take place in Damascus was in 2017 - when suicide bombers hit a judicial office building and a restaurant, killing nearly 60 people. The attacks were claimed by ISIS.

The extremist organization has not held territory in Syria since 2019, but it continues to represent a threat with sleeper cells, mostly hiding in Syria's expansive desert.

Syrian government forces rushed to the scene where the third bomb was defused and the bus debris cleared from the roadside (pictured)

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Such bombings have become rare in Damascus since the government retook full control of the city from ISIS in 2018

Government troops clear away the remains of the destroyed bus, as the hunt begins for the attackers. Several terror groups still operate in Syria, including ISIS

Syrian government workers clean debris from the side of the road after the bombing, in front of a poster of President Assad

Terror attacks have become uncommon in Damascus since Assad retook control of the city from ISIS in 2018, though terror groups still operate in Syria

Syrian municipal workers clean the site of an attack on an army bus, that was targeted with explosive devices, in the Syrian capital Damascus

President Bashar al-Assad's regime has been striving to claw itself out of international isolation and had been making inroads in recent months.

Iran's foreign ministry condemned the 'cowardly' Damascus attack, saying it 'will not undermine the determination of the Syrian government and people in their fight against terrorism.'

Multiple terror groups operate in Syria, including ISIS and Tahrir al-Sham which has links to al-Qaeda but officially denies being a part of it.

Roadside bombings carried out in the northern city of Afrin earlier this year were blamed on YPG/PKK groups, which are largely comprised of Kurdish fighters who were supported by western forces during the country's civil war.

Turkey now administers security in parts of northern Syria where they operate, and considers them to be a terrorist group.

President Bashar Assad's forces now control much of Syria after military help from his allies Russia and Iran helped tip the balance of power in his favor.

Syria's conflict that began in March 2011, with the brutal repression of unarmed protests demanding regime change, has left more than 350,000 people dead and displaced half the country's population, including five million who are refugees abroad.

In August, Syria's state media said a short circuit triggered an explosion in the gas tank of a bus carrying soldiers, killing one and wounding three.
Advertisement

More than 100 people have died in several days of devastating floods that have sparked landslides, sweeping away homes and roads in India and Nepal.

In Uttarakhand, 46 people were reported dead and another 11 missing today, including a family of five whose house was buried in a colossal wave of mud and rocks.

Dramatic footage showed a digger hauling a car with people inside out of a fast-flowing flood stream which had torn across the road.

In neighbouring Nepal, 31 people have been killed in the landslides, which experts say are more common because climate change is melting glaciers in the Himalayas.

A thousand miles south in the Indian state of Kerala, there have been at least 39 killed and dams have been forced to open their shutters as the water rises to the danger mark.

Experts say that intense deforestation for the construction of hydroelectric dams in the region has made the rainfall more dangerous than ever.

Dramatic footage shows a digger being used to rescue people from a car stranded in a flood stream in Uttarakhand. At least 46 people have died in the northern state, another 11 are missing

Soldiers rescue people stranded in floodwaters in Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand state on Tuesday

Indian people pray at the local church for the landslide victims after the heavy rain and landslide at Kottayam Kerala, India

Bride and groom float to a temple in a cooking vessel on a flooded road for their wedding ceremony in this screengrab taken from video, in Alappuzha, Kerala

Soldiers rescue people stranded in floodwaters in Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand state

An under construction bridge is seen collapsed on a river along a national highway between Pithoragarh-Champawat, in Chalthi, Uttarakhand on Tuesday

The Cheruthoni Dam with its shutters open after water levels reached a height 2395 ft. following torrential rains in south India state of Kerala, in Idukki on Tuesday

In Uttarakhand, a landslide in the northern Almora district killed five people after a wall of mud demolished and engulfed their home.

At least six others were killed on Monday in two remote districts of the Himalayan state.

The Indian Meteorological Department extended and widened its weather alert on Tuesday, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall in the region.

The weather office said several areas were drenched by more than 16 inches of rainfall on Monday, causing landslides and flooding.

Authorities ordered the closure of schools and banned all religious and tourist activities in the state.

Television footage and social media videos showed residents wading through knee-deep water near Nainital lake, a tourist hotspot, and the Ganges bursting its banks in Rishikesh.

A statue of Hindu god Lord Shiva is pictured amid the risen water levels of River Ganga after incessant rains in Rishikesh in India's Uttarakhand state on Tuesday

Submerged cars are seen at a flooded hotel resort as extreme rainfall caused the Kosi River overflow at the Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, India, Tuesday

Hotel guests stand on the roof of Lemon Tree hotel, as the hotel gets flooded with the waters from an overflowing Kosi River in Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand state

Indian people clear mud and sludge from their house at Manimala after the heavy rain and landslide at Kottayam Kerala

A general view of a river after the heavy rain and landslide at Kottayam Kerala

An Indian man clears the sludge at Manimala after the heavy rain and landslide at Kottayam Kerala

Rescue work underway after the heavy rain and landslide at Kottayam Kerala, India

A damaged car is seen at Manimala after the heavy rain and landslide at Kottayam Kerala

A damaged house is seen after the heavy rain and landslide at Kottayam Kerala

A car passes a damaged road near a river at Manimala after the heavy rain and landslide at Kottayam Kerala

More than 100 tourists were stuck inside a resort in Ramgarh after the overflowing Kosi river deluged several areas.

In Nepal, disasters management division official Humkala Pandey said: 'In the last three days, there have been 31 deaths from floods and landslides triggered by heavy post-monsoon rainfalls across the country. Forty-three people are missing.'

He added: 'It's still raining in many places. We are still compiling data from the field. The death toll could go up further.'

Landslides are a regular danger in the Himalayan region, but experts say they are becoming more common as rains become increasingly erratic and glaciers melt.

Experts also blame construction work on hydroelectric dams and deforestation.

An Indian man clears the mud from his house at Manimala after the heavy rain and landslide at Kottayam Kerala

A car passes a damaged road near a river at Manimala after the heavy rain and landslide at Kottayam Kerala

Indian men stand near the flooded river after the heavy rain and landslide at Manimala, Kottayam Kerala

The Cheruthoni Dam in Kerala opens its shutters to let water through after torrential rains brought the level dangerously high

In February, a ferocious flash flood hurtled down a remote valley in Uttarakhand, killing around 200 people. At least 5,700 people perished there in 2013.

Forecasters have also warned of more downpours in the coming days in Kerala.

Many dams in the state were nearing the danger mark and authorities were evacuating thousands to safer locations as major rivers overflowed.

India's weather office said heavy rains will again lash the state in the next two days after a brief reprieve on Tuesday.

In 2018, almost 500 people died in the coastal state in the worst flooding in a century.
This is the moment two US aircraft were buzzed by Russian fighter jets in a tense encounter over the Black Sea.

Russia said it scrambled Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets on Tuesday after it detected 'air targets approaching Russia's state border' over the 'neutral waters' of the Black Sea.

Footage released by the Kremlin's defence ministry, apparently filmed from a Russian jet, reveals the 'targets' were two U.S. B-1B bombers and two KC-135 tanker planes that were refuelling them mid-air.

Russia said its planes 'turned away' the American aircraft from their border, before returning safely to base.

It is unclear where exactly in the Black Sea the encounter took place. Russia shares a direct border with the sea on its eastern shore, but also claims Crimea as part of its territory and enforces a border around it.

Western nations, including the US, maintain that Crimea is occupied Ukrainian territory - an assertion that continues to be a point of geopolitical tension.

The encounter came a day after Vladimir Putin launched a huge set of war games around Crimea, involving simulated beach landings and bombing drills using jets.

Two US aircraft were escorted over the Black Sea by Russian fighter jets after diverting them away from their border in the area

Pictured: A a US B-1B bomber - the type of aircraft escorted over the Black Sea by Russian fighter jets

Russia said the encounter took place near its airspace, though it is unclear exactly where. The country shares a direct border on the Black Sea's eastern shore but also claims ownership of Crimea, and enforces a border around it

The latest encounter coincided with a visit to Ukraine by US defense secretary Lloyd Austin who said that Russia was an obstacle to peace in the country's east.

He called on Moscow to end destabilising activities in the Black Sea and along Ukraine's borders.

A similar incident with a B-1B occurred on Sunday over the Sea of Japan, just days after an incident with a U.S. naval destroyer, also in the far east.

B-1B bombers were developed during the Cold War and were originally designed to carry nuclear-tipped bombs, but these days carry conventional munitions.

They are used in exercises with NATO allies across Europe encompassing the Arctic, the Baltics and the Black Sea, Air Force Magazine reported earlier this month.

In the latest incident, the Russian defence ministry added that once the American aircraft had altered their course and the jets had 'escorted them over the Black Sea', the Russian pilots returned to base.

A similar incident occurred on Sunday over the Sea of Japan, just days after a Russian confrontation with a U.S. naval destroyer, also on Russia's Pacific coast.

Russia claimed one of its warships on Friday forced a U.S. Navy destroyer to abandon what it said was an attempt to intrude into its territorial waters in the Sea of Japan.

Video released by the Russian ministry of defense appears to show the moment its anti-submarine vessel Admiral Tributs closed to within 60 yards of the U.S. destroyer USS Chafee in Peter the Great Gulf, to the south of Vladivostok.

The Russian defence ministry released video footage, taken from inside one of their Su-30 fighter jets, showing the tense situation as one of the two US B-1B bombers and a KC-135 tanker plane flew alongside the Russians

But the account was disputed by the U.S. Navy which said the Russian statement was 'false' and that the interaction was 'safe and professional.'

The incident came while Russia and China conducted joint naval drills in the area, and is the latest in a series of close encounters between Russian and Western warships.

Relations between Russia and the U.S. are at their lowest point since the Cold War.

The Russian defense ministry said the Admiral Tributs radioed a warning to the billion-dollar USS Chafee to say she was 'in an area closed to navigation due to exercises with artillery fire.'

The U.S. destroyer failed to change course and instead raised flags indicating it was preparing to launch a helicopter from its deck, meaning it was unable to change course and speed, the ministry said.

'Acting within the framework of the international rules of navigation, the Admiral Tributs set a course for ousting the intruder from Russian territorial waters,' it said.

USS Chafee changed course when the two ships were less than 65 yards apart.

It said the episode lasted less than 50 minutes and denounced what it said was U.S. 'crude violation' of rules on averting ships collisions.

But a spokesman for the U.S. Pacific Fleet contradicted the Russian account.

'The statement from the Russian Defense Ministry about the interaction between our two Navy ships is false,' he said.

The USS Chafee was conducting routine operations in international water when a Russian destroyer came to within 65 yards of the U.S. warship while it was preparing for flight operations.

'The interaction was safe and professional,' he said.

'Although Russia issued a Notice to Airman and Mariners (NOTAM/NOTMAR) in this area for later in the day, the NOTAM/NOTMAR was not in effect at the time of the interaction.

'At all times, USS Chafee conducted operations in accordance with international law and custom. The United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate where international law allows.'

PIctured: A KC-135 tanker plane - the type of aircraft seen in the video footage released by the Russian defence ministry

Pictured in this video screen grab is the guided missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90), which has been deployed in the Sea of Japan, near Russia's territorial waters, for a few days

Either way the diplomatic fallout was swift. The RIA news agency reported that the defense ministry summoned the U.S. military attache in response.

The attache was told about 'unprofessional actions' of the crew of the Chafee, said the report.

It comes as Russia has put tens of thousands of army reservists through retraining as Vladimir Putin authorises a 'record' 10 billion boost in military and security spending.

Spending on nuclear weapons is set to soar 23 per cent to permit the purchase of the most modern missiles, said one report, with the West blamed for an arms race.

New footage shows drills involving 20,000 'Dad's Army' recruits in the country's southern military district which borders Ukraine, where tension remains high.

'Five cohorts of reservists have already sharpened up their military skills,' reported Zvezda TV, owned by the Russian defence ministry.

This follows a barrage of war games and new missile tests - including hypersonic - conducted by Russia in recent months.

Only this week, Russian forces practised 'invasion tactics' in Crimea, annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

New footage shows the country's combat reserve in action at field camps in nine army training grounds going on during September and October.

The Kremlin has boosted remuneration for former conscripts or ex-army officers signing up for the reserve for a state that has more than one million service personnel.

'The reservists underwent a course of combined-arms instruction, shooting from standard small arms, and studied the configuration and capabilities of artillery guns and military hardware,' said a report by the channel.

'They also acquired the principal skills needed to ensure and organise the guarding and defence of military and state facilities.'

Any former conscript can join the reserve from the age of 19 with a maximum age for soldiers and sailors of 50.

But male senior officers - holding the rank of colonel or captain first class - may be aged up to 70.

For women the maximum is 45 for junior ranks, and 50 for officers.

This comes as Russian spending on Russia's defence and security services and law enforcement is 'likely to break a record' for the coming three year period, according to Nezavisimaya Gazeta.

Russia has put tens of thousands of army reservists through retraining as Vladimir Putin (pictured) authorises a 'record' 10 billion boost in military and security spending

New footage shows drills involving 20,000 'Dad's Army' recruits in the country's southern military district which borders Ukraine, where tension remains high

It will 'increase by an aggregate of almost one trillion roubles (10 billion) and will amount to about a quarter of all government spending,' said the paper.

Chairman of the Russian parliament's defence committee Colonel-General Andrei Kartapolov has announced a 14 per cent rise in spending on nuclear weapons.

This will allow 'the purchase of the most modern weapons systems' and research to create 'new types of weapons'.

Kartapolov - formerly a deputy defence minister - blamed the West for Russia's increased spending.

The United States continues the arms race despite Russia's proposals to stop it, he claimed.

Washington had pulled out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, one of the 'cornerstones of the European security system for many years'.

He said: 'You cannot win in the arms race because this is a thing where there can be no victors by definition.

'And our partners should not be complacent about having once defeated the Soviet Union.

'Well, they did. So what? Has it made peace any easier?

'Has the world become a calmer place? Of course not.'

Kartapolov said spending on nuclear weapons would rise by 14 per cent.

But Nezavisimaya Gazeta said the figure over three years was more than 23 per cent.

Military, security and law enforcement spending would amount to around a quarter of government spending, allowing for the boost in reservists,

'This is the best defence budget in modern Russia,' he said.
Brewdog has been rapped by advertising watchdogs over a competition where customers won beer cans wrongly billed as being made of 'solid gold'.

The craft brewer launched two promotions where 15 of the cans were hidden inside multi-packs of their beers and they said each was worth 15,000.

However, it turned out the cans were only gold plated and contained a tiny amount of the precious metal.

The Advertising Standards Authority(ASA) launched an investigation after 25 people complained that the prize was not made from solid gold.

It comes as the ASA also reprimanded Alpro and British Gas for also putting out misleading advertisements.

Alpro was accused of being unable to substantiate the claim that it's almond milk product was 'good for the planet' while British Gas was pulled up for the misleading suggestion that emergency callouts were available to all customers at short notice.

Brewdog told the ASA that the 'solid gold' claim in three social media posts had been made in error and that they had publicly apologised for it.

However the firm, who are based in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, stood by their estimate that the winning cans were worth 15,000.

BrewDog has been rapped by the advertising watchdog after posting ads on social media (pictured) stating customers could win solid gold cans when in fact the prizes were gold plated

The adverts (pictured) were ruled as misleading and have been banned with the watchdog stating they 'caused unnecessary disappointment' for participants of the competition

The advertising watchdog has now banned the adverts, which were posted in November 2020 and February this year, and said they breached the Advertising Code by making misleading claims.

It comes after the company has faced heavy criticism this year after a letter from ex-workers complained about the workplace environment at the brewing giant.

In June the brewer was accused of perpetuating a 'culture of fear' in the workplace by former staff. Mr Watt apologised and pledged to launch an investigation into the claims.

Since the claims were made, the company says it has implemented a full company salary review, introduced an ethics hotline commissioned a vast culture review that is on-going, with a commitment to publish the results when complete.

In a written ruling, the ASA said: 'Each of the ads (a), (b) and (c) stated that the prize included a 'solid gold' can. Ad (a) also stated the can was 'worth 15K'.

'We considered a general audience was unlikely to be aware of the price of gold, how that would translate into the price of a gold can, and whether that was inconsistent with the valuation as stated in the ad.

'However, we understood the prize consisted of 24 carat gold-plated replica cans.

BrewDog was founded by Martin Dickie and James Watt (pictured) and has faced criticism from ex-workers over allegations the company fostered a 'culture of fear' as a workplace

BrewDog was founded by Martin Dickie and James Watt (pictured) and has faced criticism from ex-workers over allegations the company fostered a 'culture of fear' as a workplace

'Therefore, because the ads stated that the prize included a 'solid gold' can when that was not the case, we concluded the ads were misleading.

'We considered that because the awarded prize was not the same as that described in the ads, the promotion caused unnecessary disappointment to participants and therefore breached the Code.

'We told BrewDog not to state or imply that consumers would receive a solid gold can when that was not the case.

'We also told them to conduct their promotions equitably and fairly, and to avoid causing unnecessary disappointment.'

Mark Craig, from Lisburn, Northern Ireland, was among fans of the brewery who snapped up cases of its flagship beer, Punk IPA, to find one of the gold versions inside.

The 32-year-old, who had hoped to fund his wedding by selling the gold, discovered the can was only plated with the metal after asking for a certificate from Brewdog.

Winner Mark Craig (pictured) was hoping to use the prize to help pay off some bills and for his upcoming wedding but was disappointed when he discovered the can was not solid gold

Pictured: Winner Mark Craig's gold plated can among his other BrewDog beer cans at home

Speaking in June, he said: 'I ultimately feel disappointed. When I won I was ecstatic, believing a solid gold can could contribute towards bills and our wedding, which has been postponed until 2022.'

BrewDog said the promotional cans were gold plated and were manufactured by goldsmiths Thomas Lyte using materials of the highest quality.

They provided a certificate from the manufacturer to confirm the cans were plated in 24 carat gold.

They said that they amended the posts as soon as that error was noticed. However, they explained they were unable to amend tweets and therefore rather than delete the tweet, they ensured that subsequent tweets dropped the word 'solid', and all references thereafter were to 'gold cans'.

The company claimed a single 330ml can, made with the equivalent 330ml of pure gold, would have a gold value of about $500,000 at the current gold price of $1,800 per ounce.

They said they could not see 'that any reasonable consumer who entered the competition would assume they were going to win over half a million dollars of gold'.

In response to the ruling, BrewDog launched a new competition offering customers a chance to win diamond encrusted cans, calling the campaign The Sequel: A Gold Plated Apology

The firm said they had never been provided with a valuation which contradicted their estimated value.

Brewdog, which has been valued at up to 1 billion, was founded in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie.

Brewdog responded to the ruling by announcing they were launching a new competition giving people the chance to win one of 10 diamond encrusted gold plated cans.

They said winners will have the option of claiming a can worth 25,000, or they can take 25,000 in cash if they prefer.

James Watt, co-founder of BrewDog, said: 'We hold our hands up, we got the first gold can campaign wrong.

'Whilst we still stand by the valuation, we made mistakes which we've learnt from.

'And now we want to give ten lucky people the chance to win big - way, way bigger than before.

'It'll be a short campaign over ten days, and we'll contact a new winner each day to let them know they've won.'

Previous winner Mr Craig, from Lisburn, Northern Ireland, criticised the company's apology, which he said appeared to be encouraging people to buy more beer in a 'new competition run correctly this time'.

He told MailOnline: 'I'm baffled that they believe this is an acceptable apology. I haven't been contacted by them directly at all.

'It's now a case of them saying their apology is encouraging people to buy more beer, and they promise to do it right this time, without actually apologising to the people who the previous competition screwed over'.

This is the second time this year that the brewing giant has been rapped by the Advertising Standards Authority.

BrewDog was censured by the ASA in July after it used its marketing to mock the fact that it is not officially allowed to describe its hard seltzer  Clean & Press Hard Seltzer  as healthy.

On Instagram, it wrote: 'Even though Clean & Press is only 90 calories per can, with no carbs or sugar and a little bit of alcohol, this is not a health drink. If you are looking for a health drink, do not drink Clean & Press.'

An ad campaign which said almond milk was good for the planet has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority

It comes as both Alpro and British Gas have also been reprimanded for also running misleading advertisements.

A poster for Alpro's almond drink has been banned for making the 'misleading' environmental claim that the product is 'good for the planet'.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) announced last month that it is to shine a 'greater regulatory spotlight' on environmental claims.

The poster for Alpro almond, oat and plain products, seen on the side of a bus last October, read: 'Next stop. Your recipe to a healthier planet!' and 'Good for the planet, Good for you!'.

A complainant, who believes commercial almond farming causes environmental damage, challenged whether the claim 'Good for the planet' was misleading and could be substantiated.

Alpro said consumers would understand that the claims 'Recipe for a healthier planet' and 'Good for the planet' meant that plant-based products had a lower environmental impact than alternative dairy-based products.

Although almonds need more water than soy or oats, the impact on land use and greenhouse gas emissions remains very small, and the environmental impact of almond drinks is significantly lower than that of cows' milk, it told the ASA.

The firm added that its almonds are grown in full accordance with the EU policy to protect bees and pollinators, which is one of the strictest regulatory systems in the world concerning the approval of pesticides.

The ASA said advertising rules require that the basis of environmental claims must be clear and that unqualified claims can mislead if they omit significant information.

The ASA said: 'We acknowledged that Alpro had provided analysis in order to demonstrate the environmental impact of two of the three featured products across their lifecycle.

'We noted that the analysis provided in relation to Alpro's oat drink did not assess the environmental impact of that product's entire lifecycle, including, for example, transport, packaging and retail.

'However, because we considered it was not clear what the basis of the claim 'Good for the planet' was, we concluded the ad was misleading and breached the Code.'

It ruled that the ad must not appear again in the form complained about, adding: 'We told Alpro to ensure that the basis of environmental claims was clear.'

Meanwhile, British Gas were also accused of running a misleading advertisement by the ASA.

British Gas have been accused of running a misleading advert by the Advertising Standards Authority after it suggested emergency callouts were available to all customers at short notice

The adverts for its HomeCare Cover service have been banned for the misleading suggestion that emergency callouts were available to all customers at short notice.

Two TV ads in February showed dark and freezing homes followed by someone using the British Gas mobile app and then a voice-over saying: 'Because with British Gas HomeCare cover, all parts and labour are included. Problem solved.'

The firm's website stated: 'Need ongoing cover? Worried about the boiler, heating, plumbing, or electrics playing up?

'Our HomeCare cover lets you avoid the cost of those unexpected breakdowns,' while a tweet on January 4 said: 'No heating or hot water? Nightmare! With HomeCare we can solve it.'

The ASA received 24 complaints from the firm's customers about the ads, including 21 who had either been waiting for up to three weeks for an emergency callout or were informed that one could not be provided, due to severe limitations on services because of the Covid-19 pandemic and strike action.

Thirteen customers told the ASA they had either been waiting several months for an annual boiler service or were informed that one could not be provided for Covid or strike reasons.

British Gas said they were subject to extensive industrial action from January to March 2021 and, coupled with the pandemic, that meant that some customers had to wait longer than they would have liked for a visit from an engineer.

They said that the TV ads had been commissioned and recorded before the third period of lockdown began and the full impact of industrial action became clear.

They had taken a range of actions to help customers, for example, by paying for customers to purchase their own heaters up to a value of 50 or to cover the cost of transport to a friend's or relative's house.

Upholding the complaints, the ASA said: 'The ads implied that all British Gas HomeCare customers would be able to call out engineers to attend urgent issues at short notice.

'However, we understood that the company's ability to maintain service levels for all but the most vulnerable customers had been significantly disrupted by a combination of Covid-19 lockdown and industrial action by their employees.

'Given the timing of the ads relative to those events, we considered that they were misleading and breached the Codes.'
This is the moment two men stole $1.2 million in gems from a jewelry dealer in Brooklyn on Friday afternoon according to the New York Police Department.

The two thieves, whose identities are as yet unknown, approached the 67-year-old male's car around 12:30pm on 47th Street near Molly's Jewelers in Borough Park, Brooklyn.

CCTV footage released by Boro Park Shomrim, a neighborhood watch alliance, shows the two men approaching the car and stepping up to the driver's window.

The thieves can be seen reaching inside the car, before ripping open the driver side door and threatening the elderly jewelry dealer with a gun, forcing him to open his trunk.

They then removed two bags which contained an assortment of jewelry, before haring off on foot along 47th street and getting into a black Ford Taurus, which police said had temporary New Jersey plates.

Investigators believe the price tag for the jewels stolen is close to $1.2 million.

The robbery, which only lasted 30 seconds, took place between 14th and 15th Avenue on 47th Street by Molly's Jewelers, though it is not immediately clear whether the victim worked at the store.

The victim told police that the jewelry itself was owned by a store in Manhattan according to ABC News.

Boro Park Shomrim published a tweet with the CCTV footage, asking witnesses to contact the NYPD 66th Precinct detective squad at 718-851-5603.

The NYPD says its investigation is ongoing, but no arrests have yet been made.

The men, who are as yet unidentified, can be seen reaching inside the car, before ripping open the driver side door and physically threatening the elderly jewelry dealer

Police said the thieves fled the scene on foot before getting into a black sedan (pictured), which they believe had temporary New Jersey plates

The robbery, which only lasted 30 seconds, took place between 14th and 15th Avenue on 47th Street in Brooklyn, close to Molly's Jewelers (pictured), though it is not immediately clear whether the victim worked at the store
Prosecutors tried to add a 64-year-old minor conviction as 'bad character' evidence against a British Army veteran as he lay dying of Covid in hospital to try and bolster their Troubles case against him.

Dennis Hutchings, 80, was already struggling to breathe and suffering from terminal kidney failure and heart disease when he flew to Belfast to be tried over the alleged attempted murder of John Pat Cunningham in County Tyrone in 1974.

On Monday before he was rushed to hospital with coronavirus Public Prosecution Service Northern Ireland tried to introduce the assault conviction when he was a teenager to their case.

The minor offence saw Mr Hutchings fined just 2 at the time back in 1957.

His lawyer Philip Barden, a senior partner at Devonshires Solicitor, told MailOnline: 'He had to defend himself when they charged him. Even when he was dying the prosecution were in court trying to bring up something to use as bad character. It was spiteful.

'They had lodged an application to introduce a 1957 conviction he had for hitting someone.

'Dennis was an extremely brave man. He was very principled and he was acting in the interest of others.

'He could have stopped the process for him at any time, but he thought it was important no one again should have to go through what he went through.

Army veteran Dennis Hutchings, 80, died on Monday night after catching Covid-19 midway through his controversial trial for a fatal Troubles shooting almost 50 years ago

Mr Hutchings (right) was being prosecuted over the death of John Cunningham in 1974

'He did that in the hope of forcing the Government to protect the veterans that acted for their country.

'He could have stopped it at any time, say he was not well enough to stand trial, but he didn't want that because he was innocent and wanted to clear his name.

'I am sure he could have medical reports that said he could not stand trial.

'He was on borrowed time, he had outlived his life expectancy, he had significant medical problems. He was always going to die like this.

'I saw him on Sunday and he said that he was okay, he had had his dialysis but by then knew he had Covid.

'Before he died he was suing the PSNI for wrongful arrest, that could continue. It is up to his family if that continues.

'He was always going to die like this  but it should have been preventable.'

His case was one of two ongoing prosecutions of Northern Ireland veterans who served during the Troubles despite government plans announced in the summer to end all criminal and civil cases relating to deaths during the 30-year conflict.

The proposals are yet to be implemented and were met with fierce backlash on both sides of Northern Ireland's political divide.

Dennis Hutchings (pictured on the far right in this photo) in Germany, 1960

Over the weekend, Mr Hutchings contracted Covid and was rushed to hospital in an ambulance last night after complaining that he was struggling to breathe. Right: Hutchings in dress uniform at Knightsbridge Barracks, 1978

Mr Hutchings was accompanied to his trial by friend and MP Johnny Mercer who flew with him to Ireland for the case

Dennis Hutchings: Army veteran pursued over historic Northern Ireland allegations... for which there was no proof Mr Hutchings was facing trial over the attempted murder of John Pat Cunningham. He was shot running from a British Army patrol in Benburb, Co Tyrone, back in June 1974. The man was said to have been 'startled' by the soldiers and then made off from the scene. Mr Hutchings, who required kidney dialysis twice a week and has heart problems, was in the British Army for 26 years. He served five tours of Northern Ireland when the Troubles were at their worst. The former corporal major was cleared twice over the events which took place in the mid-1970s. In 1975 he got a letter sent to his regiment informing him that prosecutors had decided that no action would be taken against anyone over Mr Cunningham's death. Then in 2011 an Historical Enquiries Team review said there was no new evidence that would prompt any further legal action. Despite no fresh evidence, no witnesses and no new forensic leads, the retired soldier was accused again of attempted murder. In 2015 the Legacy Investigation Branch conducted a new investigation into Mr Cunningham's death. It led to Mr Hutchings being arrested and taken to a police station in Northern Ireland where he was interviewed. He answered 'no comment' and was later charged with two offences: the attempted murder of Mr Cunningham and attempting to cause him grievous bodily harm. In 2019, Hutchings lost a Supreme Court bid to have the trial heard by a jury. Then it had originally been scheduled to commence in March 2020 but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Advertisement

The veteran sat in the dock in Belfast on alternate days so he could receive gruelling kidney dialysis treatment. Over the weekend, he contracted Covid, and the trial had been adjourned for three weeks. However, last night he was rushed to hospital in an ambulance after complaining that he was struggling to breathe. His condition deteriorated and he later died.

Mr Hutchings had been cleared twice over the shooting and was told he would not be prosecuted in the months after Mr Cunningham's death following an initial investigation, and again in 2011 when the case was reviewed. However, it was reopened by the Legacy Investigation Branch of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in 2015 and he was arrested and taken from his home in Cornwall to Northern Ireland for questioning.

Prosecutors previously told Belfast Crown Court that they had no direct evidence to prove whether the fatal shot was fired by Mr Hutchings or another soldier. Mr Hutchings, a great grandfather, also denied a count of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.

At a hearing in March last year his legal team argued that the trial should be held in England because of concerns for his health and the threat of Covid. Mr Hutchings had appealed to the courts to bring the case forward because he had been warned he could have a heart attack at any moment.

He eventually flew to Belfast on October 3 for the trial, supported by former Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer.

Mr Mercer, himself a former soldier, urged the Ministry of Defence to fly the 80-year-old back to England so he could be near his family until the trial resumed. He had said the MoD had a duty of care, adding: 'I cannot believe we are putting a dying man through this grotesque process.'

Defence barrister James Lewis QC had informed Belfast Crown Court Mr Hutchings was ill as proceedings in the non-jury trial were due to begin on Monday.

He told judge Mr Justice O'Hara that Hutchings' condition had been confirmed by a PCR test on Saturday.

'I regret Mr Hutchings is not well with regard, as one would expect, with his other comorbidities of renal failure and cardiac malfunction. And we are unable to presently take instructions as he is currently in isolation in his hotel room.'

Hutchings had been suffering from kidney disease and the court had been sitting only three days a week to enable him to undergo dialysis treatment between hearings.

He was charged with the attempted murder of John Pat Cunningham in Co Tyrone in 1974.

John Pat Cunningham, a 27-year-old with learning difficulties, was shot dead during an Army operation near the village of Benburb on June 15, 1974. Mr Hutchings maintained he only fired aimed warning shots into the air

Sitting in a crown court dock in Belfast this month, service medals pinned to his chest, Mr Hutchings somehow maintained his dignified stoicism

The former member of the Life Guards regiment, from Cawsand in Cornwall, had denied a count of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.

He had already been cleared of any wrongdoing twice.

In 1975 he got a letter sent to his regiment informing him that prosecutors had decided that no action would be taken against anyone over Mr Cunningham's death.

Then in 2011 an Historical Enquiries Team review said there was no new evidence that would prompt any further legal action.

Mr Cunningham, 27, was shot dead as he ran away from an Army patrol across a field near Benburb. People who knew him said he had the mental age of a child and was known to have a deep fear of soldiers.

Democratic Unionist Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said it was 'desperately sad news'.

On Twitter, he said: 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hutchings family. We have said all along that Dennis should never have been brought to trial again, not least because of his health but also a lack of compelling new evidence.

'There are serious questions to answer here.'

In a statement, Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister said: 'The needless dragging of an 80-year-old soldier, Dennis Hutchings, through the courts has had a very sad end with the passing of Mr Hutchings this evening.

'The strain on this man was cruel, with him requiring regular dialysis, while being brought to Belfast to face a trial of dubious provenance.

'My thoughts and prayers tonight are with his family and friends who may understandably feel that what he was put through contributed to his decline.'

Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie called for a 'full and thorough' review into the decision-making of the Public Prosecution Service.

'I would like to convey my sincere condolences to Mr Hutchings' family and friends,' Mr Beattie said.

'The decision by the Public Prosecution Service to proceed with a trial given his ill-health demands a full and thorough independent review. The questions must be asked, did this trial hasten Mr Hutchings' death and did it meet the evidential and public interest tests?'

Danny Kinahan, the Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland, said that the news was 'incredibly sad'.

On Twitter, he wrote: 'I got to know Dennis over recent years. An elderly man, in poor health, he was determined to clear his name once and for all. Deepest condolences & sympathies to his wife and family at this difficult time.'

DUP MP Carla Lockhart also described the news as 'awful'.

She tweeted: 'Such sad news that he never got to live out his last days in peace. Awful. Spent last months of his life being hounded by a political show trial.'

Critics of the plans to prosecute Northern Ireland veterans have cited the alleged hounding of soldiers who served in the province, while IRA terrorists were released early from prison or told they would not be prosecuted for Troubles-related offences following the signing of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

Great-grandfather Mr Hutchings was supported in court by his partner of 25 years, Kim, last week, and son John, however the pair returned to England when his trial was postponed following his Covid diagnosis.

Mr Cunningham, a 27-year-old with learning difficulties, was shot dead during an Army operation near the village of Benburb on June 15, 1974. Mr Hutchings maintained he only fired aimed warning shots into the air.

The trial heard that prosecutors were unable to prove whether Mr Hutchings or another soldier, now dead, fired the fatal shots, as no forensic evidence was collected.

Mr Hutchings, who was in the Life Guards, had pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder. He also denied a count of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.
Japan's Mount Aso has erupted, flinging a column of hot gas, ash and rocks into the sky and sending hikers fleeing away from the popular tourist spot.

The volcano, located on the southern island of Kyushu, erupted at 11.43am Wednesday while dozens of tour buses and cars were parked at the site.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, but rescue teams say they are still trying to work out whether any hikers got trapped by torrents of ash which ran down the sides of the volcano.

Plumes of ash and smoke rose 11,500ft into the sky after the eruption, in scenes captured by nearby CCTV cameras and on tourist's phones.

Mount Aso, on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, erupted at 11.43am local time - sending a plume of ash 11,500ft into the sky

The eruption was captured on CCTV cameras which have been set up to observe the volcano, which is one of the world's most-active

Mount Aso is a popular tourist spot with trails leading right up to the crater, though it is thought these were closed at the time of the eruption and no injuries have been reported

'Human lives are our priority and we are working with the Self Defence Forces, police and firefighters to effectively deal with the situation,' Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters.

For those near the mountain, 'caution must be exercised for large flying rocks and flows of pyroclastic materials', said Japan's Meteorological Agency.

'Caution is warranted even in far-away areas downwind, as the wind may carry not just ash but also pebbles,' agency official Tomoaki Ozaki told a televised press conference, warning that toxic gases may also have been emitted.

Mount Aso is one of the world's largest and most-active volcanos, consisting of multiple vents and hot springs located inside a wide crater.

The volcano has five peaks, the tallest of which rises 5,200ft above sea level.

Mount Aso frequently erupts, spewing out small plumes of ash several times in 2019.

The last major eruption occurred in 2016, when the volcano shot ash seven miles into the sky before it fell back down and blanketed several nearby prefectures.

Despite its frequent activity, parts of Mount Aso are used for cattle grazing and it is a popular tourist draw.

Aso is a popular tourist spot and dozens of cars and tour buses were parked nearby at the time, though no injuries were immediately reported

Aso is one of the world's largest and most-active volcanos, frequently venting small ash clouds. The last major eruption was in 2016 (pictured, today's eruption)

Mount Aso is made up of five peaks located on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, the tallest of which rises 5,200ft above sea level

There is a museum located around two miles from the main crater, which has a large car park which many tour companies and hikers use to visit the crater.

While tourists are sometimes able to trek to the crater, access is frequently restricted due to increased volcanic activity.

Trails leading to the crater were closed on Thursday last week after a small eruption, with a half-mile exclusion zone established around it.

The threat level was increased again following Wednesday's eruption to three out of five, its highest level since the 2016 blast.

Japan is one of the world's most volcanically active countries.

It sits on the so-called Pacific 'Ring of Fire' where a large proportion of the planet's quakes and volcanic eruptions are recorded.

In September 2014, Japan suffered its deadliest eruption in almost 90 years when Mount Ontake, in central Nagano prefecture, burst unexpectedly to life, killing an estimated 63 people.
pproaches a parked Ford Fiesta from behind as woman opens her car door

An e-scooter rider has filmed the moment he was knocked over while riding illegally down a south London street.

Footage shows YouTuber called Ross Fonteyn slam into a parked car's door after a driver flung it open as he went past.

His pained reaction is caught on a hi-tech 360-degree camera he was using to film himself riding.

In the video, Ross is seen cruising on his e-scooter down the street in Streatham.

Footage shows YouTuber Ross slam into a parked car's door after a driver flung it open as he went past on a street in Streatham, south London

He appears to be riding a privately owned Pure scooter and changes between the road and pavement, both of which are illegal.

The filmer soon approaches a Ford Fiesta, when without warning the parked car's door opens suddenly straight into the path of Ross's scooter.

Ross is then seen crashing into the door and taking a nasty blow, before falling off the scooter.

He winces in pain as he limps to the kerb and sits down. The woman who opened the car door runs over to apologise and helps pick up his belongings from the floor.

The video, which was filmed back in August, was recently uploaded onto Ross's YouTube channel where he documents his travels on his scooter

'I was fine, a couple of bruises and scrapes but nothing too bad,' said Ross afterwards

The woman is apologetic and immediately admits responsibility, but Ross forgives the woman.

Ross said: 'I was fine, a couple of bruises and scrapes but nothing too bad.'

The video, which was filmed back in August, but only just uploaded onto Ross's YouTube channel, The Underachiever's Journal, where he documents his travels on e-scooter.

In the video, Ross appears to be riding a privately owned Pure scooter and changes between the road and pavement, both of which are illegal.

E-scooters are currently illegal to use in the UK, despite them being a common sight in many cities.

However, the could be allowed to use the roads 'within the next 12 months' after the conclusion of a trial scheme in several London boroughs.

Sales have soared 71 percent in the pandemic and police have seized thousands of e-scooters ridden illegally.

Anyone riding their own scooter on the streets now face a 300 fine, six points and confiscation of the machine.
Two creepy clowns were chased down by police as they stood outside homes waving at residents in Manchester.

Olivia Jayyne shared a video of the clowns outside her flat in the city and showed a police car pulling up behind them.

Two police officers lunged at a clown who escaped and fled, prompting a brief chase.

The TikTok user said the clowns were later found 'crying in a bush' around the corner and described them as being teenagers.

Olivia said: 'One of our neighbours said they were a threat and apparently throwing rocks but I think they were just having a laugh.'

According to Olivia, they were trick-or-treating, carrying a Sainsbury's bag for their sweets.

The police caught up with the teenagers and Olivia said: 'They found them crying in a bush round the corner, just little kids.'

Two clowns waves at residents outside homes in Manchester before being chased down by police

The video was filmed in Manchester and posted on the social media app on Monday.

It has already racked up over four hundred thousand views and more than 60 thousand likes.

It comes five years after the 'killer clown' craze that swept across the country, terrorising school children.

The prank involved dressing up as clowns and eerily staring at school children or passersby, sometimes armed with a chainsaw or a hammer.

The police soon cracked down, warning pranksters could be fined for public order offences.

In 2016, an 18-year-old from South Wales was arrested and fined 90 after dressing as a clown and jumping out at pupils as they left school.

The craze of dressing up as killer clowns has been a phenomena in the UK, with people being inspired to dress up in scary outfits and terrorise people.

In 2015, Kent Police said that anyone dressed up as a clown who intimidated people could be prosecuted for public order offences if they caused fear and distress.

It came in the wake of a number of 'clown attacks' in Tunbridge, Kent, which included a group of schoolgirls being chased down the street by a woman dressed up as a clown.
'Smoking kills' warnings could be printed on every individual cigarette and the legal age for buying the tobacco products raised from 18 to 21 under new proposals from MPs.

The measures have been submitted as part of an amendment to the Health and Care bill currently going through Parliament.

Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy, who is behind the amendment, said the updated warnings would help the government achieve its goal of making England smoke-free by 2030 - meaning only five per cent of people would be smokers, as opposed to the current 14 per cent.

The MP for Durham City said 'bold action' was needed to bring down smoking numbers, adding: 'We know that cigarettes are cancer sticks and kill half the people who use them.

'So I hope that health warnings on cigarettes would deter people from being tempted to smoke in the first place, especially young people.

'I hope it would encourage some smokers to give up because if they are putting that in their mouth and seeing that message on cigarettes every time they smoke, I hope it would have the desired effect.'

The amendment is also calling for a new levy on tobacco profits and stricter regulations on e-cigarettes, and has received widespread support from expert bodies, including Cancer Research UK and the Royal College of Physicians.

Conservative peer and former health minister under Margaret Thatcher, Sir George Young, has also introduced a private member's bill into the House of Lords, which would demand that cigarettes also carry the message: 'Smoking causes cancer.'

Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy, who is behind the amendment, said the updated warnings would help the government achieve its goal of making England smoke-free by 2030 - meaning only five per cent of people would light up, as opposed to the current 14 per cent (file photo)

The new smoking laws proposed in the amendment to the Health and Care bill An amendment to the Health and Care bill currently making its way through Parliament hopes to crack down on smoking by introducing tougher laws on consumers and companies. Spearheaded by Labour MP for Durham City Mary Kelly Foy, the amendment demands: The legal age to buy cigarettes be raised from 18 to 21

Every cigarette has a warning printed on it, such as: 'Smoking kills'

The Government is granted the power to introduce a 'polluter pays' levy on the profits of tobacco companies - which will be invested into stop smoking campaigns

E-cigarette companies no longer be allowed to 'entice children' with fruity flavours and cartoon characters

E-cigarette makers be banned from giving away free samples Advertisement

He said back in June: 'As Health Minister I suggested health warnings on cigarettes might help more people quit smoking.

'The tobacco companies told me this would make cigarettes more dangerous, as the ink was carcinogenic.

'Plainly this is nonsense given that tobacco already contains 70 cancer causing chemicals.

'In the intervening years the evidence that warnings on cigarettes would help smokers quit has grown.

'This is a simple measure with minimal cost that could help deliver the Government's Smokefree 2030 ambition.'

In a poll this summer conducted by YouGov for Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), 70 per cent of those surveyed supported the proposal for health warnings to be printed on cigarette sticks, two thirds of them strongly.

Only 8 per cent opposed the idea with the remainder answering that they neither supported nor opposed the proposal or didnt know (22 per cent).

Since October 2008, tobacco companies have been required to display picture-based health warnings on their packaging, including sickly cancer patients and those suffering from other smoking-related diseases.

But Ms Foy also wants firms to be forced to include health information messages inside packets.

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of ASH, said: 'Warnings on cigarettes were suggested over 40 years ago by then health minister George Young.

'The tobacco companies, with breathtaking hypocrisy, protested that the ink would be toxic to smokers.

'The truth is cigarette stick warnings are toxic to big tobacco and this is an idea whose time has come.'

The amendment has received cross-party support, including endorsements from Tory MP Bob Blackman, shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth and shadow justice secretary Alex Cunningham.

Under the proposal, the Government would be granted the power to introduce a new levy on tobacco companies' profits.

The proceeds from the new levy would be funnelled into stop smoking activities.

The amendment has received cross-party support, including endorsements from Tory MP Bob Blackman, shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth and shadow justice secretary Alex Cunningham (file photo)

The amendment also takes a shot at e-cigarette makers, demanding an end to marketing tactics that could encourage children to take up the habit, such as sweet flavourings and cartoon characters.

It also wants to make it illegal for e-cigarette companies to give away free samples.

Mr Blackman, the chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on smoking and health, added: 'As the chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty says, big tobacco is an industry which "kills for profit".

'Profits are obscenely high, two to three times greater than companies selling consumer necessities like food and drink.

'Our "polluter pays" levy is both necessary and justified.'

But the amendment has been criticised by pro-smoking group Forest.

Its director Simon Clark said: 'These stale and tired ideas have been around for years.

Some 14.1 per cent of adults in the UK smoke, the lowest the figure has ever been. However almost 64,000 people died from smoking in England alone in 2019 (file photo)

'Everyone is aware of the health risks of smoking. There are huge, impossible-to-miss health warnings on every pack of cigarettes, including grotesque images of smoking-related diseases.

'Tobacco is sold in standardised packaging and banned from display in shops. Enough is enough.

'If adults still choose to smoke that is a matter for them, not the government.'

Some 14.1 per cent of adults in the UK smoke, the lowest the figure has ever been.

However almost 64,000 people died from smoking in England alone in 2019.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson told Mail Online: 'Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of premature death and while rates are at record low levels in the UK there are still 6.1 million smokers in England and a stark difference in rates across the country and among different groups.

'We will set out how we address this and deliver our bold ambition to be smoke free by 2030 in our new Tobacco Control Plan.'
Advertisement

Attacks by Islamist terrorists who had been referred to Prevent SOUTHEND - October 15, 2021: Tory MP Sir David Amess was fatally stabbed outside Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea near Southend while attending a constituency surgery. The Met declared it a terrorist incident. Suspect Ali Harbi Ali, 25, was referred to Prevent seven years ago. READING - June 20, 2020: Khairi Saadallah, 27, fatally stabbed friends James Furlong, 36, Dr David Wails, 49, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, in a knife attack at a town centre park. He later admitted the murders and was sentenced to a whole life order in prison. The Reading Refugee Support Group warned Prevent officials he could carry out a 'London Bridge-style attack'. However, he was found to not have a 'fixed ideology, the Independent reported. STREATHAM - February 2, 2020: Sudesh Amman was shot dead by police after stabbing two people on a busy street in the south London area of Streatham while wearing a fake suicide vest. He was referred to Prevent but the panel decided his case did not require intervention. LONDON BRIDGE - November 29, 2019: Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, were stabbed to death by Usman Khan, 28, at a prisoner rehabilitation event. A man and two women were also injured before Khan, who was released from prison on licence in December 2018, was shot dead by armed officers on the bridge. An inquest heard his Prevent officers had 'no specific training' in handling terrorists. PARSONS GREEN - September 15, 2017: Ahmed Hassan's homemade bomb partially exploded on a London Underground rush hour train, injuring more than 50 people. He was sentenced to life with a minimum jail term of 34 years. He was referred to Prevent 20 months before he planted the bomb. Advertisement

Prevent is being undermined by activists who are opposed to its very existence being allowed to decide if individuals need to be deradicalised, a review will find - as it emerged Islamists behind four recent attacks were all referred to the scheme.

The review - which will be handed to Priti Patel next month - found that Prevent was ineffective in some parts of the UK because councils were involving Muslim groups with a 'divisive' agenda.

Some authorities in the southeast of England have even appointed Prevent co-ordinators who are against the strategy entirely, sources told the Times.

The review of the government's flagship anti-extremism scheme, by former Charity Commission chair William Shawcross, is set to call on the Home Office to appoint Prevent co-ordinators directly rather than leaving it down to local councils.

Fiyaz Mughal, founder of anti-extremism charity Faith Matters, said the overhaul needed to stop opponents of the programme from undermining it.

He said: 'There is no point in bringing on deeply polarising groups who have no interest in seeing the positive in counterextremism programmes on to Prevent steering groups. This is totally counterproductive and needs to change.'

It comes as critics accused Prevent officials of diverting too many resources towards suspected far-right extremists despite Islamist radicals posing a 'far greater threat'.

Ian Acheson, a former prison governor and senior adviser at the Counter Extremism Project, said the official narrative that the far-right is the fastest growing threat is a 'comfort blanket' obscuring the 'patently more potent threat of Islamist extremism'.

'The body count does not lie,' he said.

Ali Harbi Ali, 25, the suspected terrorist accused of murdering Tory MP David Amess on Friday, was referred to the programme seven years ago but his case was not deemed enough of a risk to be passed on to MI5.

In 2017, right-wing terrorist Darren Osborne drove a van into Finsbury Park Mosque in north London, killing one person. From the start of 2017 to today 36 people have been killed by Islamist terrorists.

A significant number of these terrorists had been referred to Prevent before going on to commit atrocities.

Khairi Saadallah, 27, fatally stabbed friends James Furlong, 36, Dr David Wails, 49, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, in a Reading park in June 2020.

Prevent officials were warned he could carry out a 'London Bridge-style attack', but he was assessed and found to have 'no fixed ideology', the Independent reported.

Another terrorist referred to Prevent was Sudesh Amman, who stabbed two people in Streatham, south London, last February. However, a panel decided his case did not require intervention.

Usman Khan, 28, who stabbed two young graduates to death after a prisoner rehabilitation event on London Bridge, had come into contact with Prevent officers who had 'no specific training' in handling terrorists, an inquest heard.

Parsons Green bomber Ahmed Hassan was also referred to the anti-terror scheme 20 months before he planted a device on the Tube that injured 50 people during rush hour in 2017.

In recent years, much of Prevent's resources have been diverted to tracking suspected right-wing extremists, which made up 43% (302) of cases considered among the most serious last year compared to just 30% (210) concerning Islamism, official data shows.

By comparison, in 2015/16, 262 cases (69%) were for Muslim extremism and 98 (26%) for far right. The number of cases counted as serious far-right extremism has increased year on year since then, while Islamist ones have fluctuated.

In an article for Capex, Mr Acheson warned that allowing Prevent to be run by councils in partnership with local groups was allowing the scheme to be taken over by activists exploiting concerns about Islamophobia to challenge the whole concept of de-radicalisation.

He called for the government to take more control over the programme and to orientate it away from a local 'safeguarding' referral system and towards providing a 'narrower, more muscular security response'.

The Home Office said: 'The safety of the UK is the Government's number one priority. Prevent remains a vital tool for early intervention and safeguarding, and the police and security services work day and night to keep us safe from those who would do us harm.

'Prevent is currently subject to an independent review which will be presented to the Government in due course.'

Ali Harbi Ali, 25, the suspected terrorist accused of murdering Tory MP David Amess on Friday, was referred to the programme seven years ago but his case was not deemed enough of a risk to be passed on to MI5

Reading attacker Khairi Saadallah, 27, (left) was assessed by Prevent officials but found to have 'no fixed ideology', according to reports. Sudesh Amman, who stabbed two people in Streatham, south London, last February. However, a panel decided his case did not require intervention

Usman Khan, 28, (left) who stabbed two young graduates to death after a prisoner rehabilitation event on London Bridge, had come into contact with Prevent officers who had 'no specific training' in handling terrorists, an inquest heard. Parsons Green bomber Ahmed Hassan was also referred to the anti-terror scheme 20 months before he planted a device on the Tube that injured 50 people during rush hour in 2017

This week a new report claimed Prevent had been hijacked by political correctness which was skewing it away from the threat posed by Islamic terrorism.

The devastating analysis accused police and others who oversee the Prevent scheme of allowing its work to be swayed by 'false allegations of Islamophobia'.

The report claimed, as a result, anti-terror resources are being diverted away from the principal terror threat  Islamist extremism.

Prevent is said to be spending growing amounts of time and money combating other types of extremists, such as the far-Right, even though they make up a smaller proportion of the threat to national security.

The report by counter-terrorism think-tank the Henry Jackson Society said the beleaguered scheme was 'failing to deliver'.

Dr Alan Mendoza, of the society, said: 'The Prevent scheme has been hamstrung by political correctness following a well-organised campaign by Islamist groups and the political Left of false allegations of ''Islamophobia'' so that its work is skewed away from the gravest threat  that of radical Islam.'

The report said there is a 'fundamental mismatch' between the threat posed by Islamist terrorism and the attention given to it by Prevent.

Home Office figures show 22 per cent of all referrals to Prevent relate to Islamist extremists while 24 per cent are for neo-Nazi or other far-Right extremists.

Among cases actually taken up by the Prevent scheme in its Channel programme  which mentors individuals to turn them away from terrorist causes  30 per cent relate to Islamists compared with 43 per cent who are far-Right.

The British Muslim academic who compiled the report, Dr Rakib Ehsan, said: 'The Prevent scheme's central aim is to reduce the UK's overall terror threat and maximise public safety. At the moment, it is failing to deliver on this front.'

The UK's flagship anti-terror strategy is being undermined by a politically correct emphasis on right-wing extremism over more dangerous Islamist radicalism, critics have said - as a review prepares to overhaul the 'broken' system

In recent years, much of its resources have been diverted to tracking suspected right-wing extremists, which made up 43% (302) of cases considered among the most serious last year compared to just 30% (210) concerning Islamism, official data shows

Since 2015/16, there has been an 80% drop in the number of initial referrals over concerns of Islamic radicalisation and a steady increase in those concerning far-right beliefs

How does the controversial Prevent scheme work? Under the Prevent programme, local authority staff and other professionals such as doctors, teachers and social workers have a duty to flag concerns about an individual being radicalised or drawn into a terrorism. This report is then be passed to a local official charged with deciding whether the tip-off merits a formal referral. Prevent referrals are handled by expert officers in the local police force. Cases are then categorised depending on the nature of the individual's alleged beliefs - based on evidence ranging from comments they have been overheard saying to their social media history. People who are not viewed as either far-right or Islamist are categorised as having a 'mixed, unstable or unclear' ideology. Less serious reports may be sent to council services, which could include parenting support for families whose children have been watching inappropriate videos online. Serious reports are forwarded on to Prevent's Channel stage, at which a panel of local police, healthcare specialists and social workers meeting monthly will consider the case. At this stage, counter-terror police will be involved and will receive information from counsellors, social workers or theological mentors working with the individual concerned. Advertisement

It comes amid fears of a growing threat from so-called 'bedroom radicals' who have soaked up extreme beliefs from the Internet over lockdown.

Intelligence agencies are struggling to monitor these people because of the difficulty of distinguishing between those spewing hate-filled propaganda and genuine terrorists, security sources told the Times.

Prevent places a duty on local public servants including teachers, doctors and social workers to flag concerns about an individual being radicalised or drawn into terrorism.

Since 2015/16, there has been an 80% drop in the number of initial referrals over concerns of Islamic radicalisation and a steady increase in those concerning far-right beliefs.

It coincides with an increasing focus on far-right extremism following the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox by a white supremacist in 2016. Last year the Met's anti-terror chief Neil Basu warned the far right is Britain's fastest growing terror threat.

After the initial referral to Prevent, cases are categorised depending on the nature of the individual's alleged beliefs - based on evidence ranging from comments they have been overheard making in public to their social media history.

People who are not viewed as either far-right or Islamist are categorised as having a 'mixed, unstable or unclear' ideology.

Reports judged to be serious are then referred onto the Channel process - which sees a panel of senior council officials, healthworkers and anti-terror police decide what action should be taken.

While alleged cases of Islamic extremism were slightly more common for initial Prevent referrals last year - at 24% (1,487 referrals) to 22% (1,387) for far-right cases - they were less common at the Channel phase.

At this point - after cases deemed to be less serious were filtered out - suspected right-wing extremists made up 43% (302) of cases versus just 30% (210) concerning Islamism, Home Office figures show.

Sir David Amess (pictured) was stabbed to death at a constituency surgery on Friday

Joseph Ritchie-Bennett (left), James Furlong (centre) and David Wails (right) were killed during the Reading attack

The Henry Jackson Society argued that counter-extremism professionals had 'lost sight of their duty to prevent terrorism'.

'There has been an under-referral of Islamist cases and an over-referral of extreme Right-wing cases and we are now seeing the deadly consequences,' the think tank said.

'The Prevent review has been derailed by Left-wing groups trying to litigate every aspect of its work and yet a cold hard look at the number of cases in which Prevent has fallen short shows this is only the latest in a long line.'

Ali Harbi Ali - a British-born Muslim of Somali descent who police are continuing to question over the fatal stabbing of Sir David Amess at his constituency surgery on Friday - was referred to Prevent by a concerned member of the community in his late teens over an alleged interest in radical Islam.

A review of Prevent is set to recommend overhauling the panels that assess potential cases to refer to the strategy's intervention phase - known as Channel - to prioritise MI5 and counter-terrorism police officers, who tend to be 'more hawkish' in their approach.

A security source told the Times: 'Police and security-focused agencies are more likely to put people on to support programmes.

'The NHS, schools, local authorities and other agencies are often much weaker at intervention because they don't want to antagonise faith groups.'

Jack Merritt, 25, (left) and Saskia Jones, 23, (right) were stabbed to death by Usman Khan on London Bridge

Sources say the Prevent review, led by former Charity Commission chair William Shawcross, is also expected to recommend that 'inconsistent, disorganised and unstructured' panels of up to 20 people are slashed down to five.

Another likely recommendation will be to place suspected extremists on three-year deradicalisation programmes rather than the current one, it is claimed.

Another challenge facing intelligence agencies monitoring 'bedroom radicals' is extremists are also using anonymous chat sites on the dark web that are hard for spies to penetrate.

Spies believe that Covid restrictions meant a lot of terrorist activity was 'suppressed' as radicals appeared willing to abide by the rules.

Yesterday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab questioned whether it would ever be possible to stop all so-called 'lone wolf' terrorists.

'It is inherently difficult in a world that we find ourselves in, where you have lone wolf attackers, to have an entirely risk-free counterterrorism strategy,' he told Times Radio.
Tough new Covid vaccine rules will see tens of thousands of Australians sacked within the next few months because they don't get the jab.

WA Premier Mark McGowan on Wednesday announced that about 1.1 million people in his state across multiple industries such as construction, teaching, and hospitality must get a vaccine by January 1.

Workers who fail to comply will get a $20,000 fine if they turn up to work without a jab, while employers will cop a $100,000 penalty if they knowingly let them - making keeping on those who refuse to be immunised a huge financial risk.

The new mandate affects about 75 per cent of WA's workforce - which means even if the state achieves very high vaccination rates, the small percentage of those unvaccinated still amounts to thousands of workers.

Even if almost everyone is vaccinated at 99 per cent of the population, about 11,000 people would be still sacked.

While if the state reaches 95 per cent vaccination - the level NSW is striving for - there would be 55,000 Western Australians out of a job.

Mark McGowan (pictured) has announced sweeping vaccine rules requiring 75 per cent of the WA workforce to get a jab

Poll DO YOU AGREE WITH MANDATORY VACCINES FOR SOME WORKERS? Yes - for health care, aged care and hotel quarantine staff Yes - for all workers No - no one should have to DO YOU AGREE WITH MANDATORY VACCINES FOR SOME WORKERS? Yes - for health care, aged care and hotel quarantine staff 974 votes

Yes - for all workers 1835 votes

No - no one should have to 5656 votes Now share your opinion





Mr McGowan says the drastic step is necessary to prepare the state for community transmission of the virus.

The compulsory vaccine rules will be rolled out across three groups.

'It is proportionate and reasonable, and is aimed at preparing Western Australia safely for the inevitable community transmission,' Mr McGowan said.

The first group includes port, transport and freight workers, health and aged care staff, police and fly-in, fly-out mining workers, community workers, fire and emergency services employees. They must receive their first dose by December 1 and be fully-vaccinated by December 31.

The second group includes staff at supermarkets, groceries, restaurants, pubs and cafes, post offices, hardware stores, petrol stations, as well as childcare, public transport and construction workers. They must get their first dose by year's end and second by January 31.

All teachers and school staff must be fully-vaccinated by the start of term one.

Even at very high vaccination rates, tens of thousands of people would still be sacked for not getting a vaccine (pictured: an Australian cafe worker in 2020)

The government has also outlined a third group of workers who must be fully vaccinated in order to attend work in the event of a lockdown. They include government employees, members of parliament and other retail workers such as mechanics, bottle shop staff, and those at pet stores.

Industry roundtables will be held ahead of the policy being implemented to ensure businesses and workers are prepared.

Beauty salons, gyms, hairdressers and universities are excluded from the mandate.

WA is on track to have more than 60 per cent of people aged 12 and over fully vaccinated in coming days, but still trails other states and territories.

Hospitality workers (pictured) are among those required to be vaccinated along with teachers and supermarket staff

Mr McGowan said the rate continued to climb but warned 'people should not wait until the eleventh hour'.

'The time is now,' Mr McGowan said.

'I want to make it abundantly clear that everyone who is eligible should get the COVID-19 vaccine now as we all need to be prepared for the event of community transmission or a lockdown.

'Don't wait for the deadly Delta variant to enter before you consider getting the vaccine. Get the COVID-19 vaccine now.'

Construction workers will be required to get the jab by January 31 in Western Australia

The new rule comes after the premier dashed any hopes WA would reopen for Christmas, saying he didn't want to impose restrictions such as mask-wearing on the festive season.

Queensland has outlined plans to scrap quarantine for fully vaccinated domestic travellers by December 17.

Mr McGowan has declined to follow suit, saying WA is on track to reach 80 per cent vaccination in December at which point further certainty will be provided.

It means WA's border will almost certainly remain shut to NSW, Victoria and the ACT for the rest of the year.
A disturbing new clue in the disappearance of Cleo Smith has pointed to the 'worst case scenario' the little girl was snatched from her tent as her family lay sleeping.

Police have revealed little Cleo was too small in stature to reach the zipper of the tent, which was found hanging open by her mother at 6am, to open it herself.

The four-year-old was last seen by her parents at about 1.30am on Saturday in the family's tent at the Blowholes campsite near Carnarvon on Western Australia's north-west coast.

WA Police Inspector Jon Munday said the height of the zip opening was a major factor in the possibility Cleo was now in the hands of an unknown third party.

'The positioning of that zipper for the flap is one of the circumstances which has caused us to have grave concerns for Cleo's safety,' he said on Wednesday.

The family tent had several entry points that could be unzipped, with the one found open being at the front-facing area of the tent where the little girl had been sleeping.

Cleo vanished from the Blowholes campground near Carnarvon, on WA's remote northwest coast, in the early hours of Saturday morning

The new detail comes after other campers claim they heard the sound of a car speeding off around 3am and police revealed up to 20 sex offenders live near the campsite where Cleo was last seen five days ago.

Police have disclosed that while there are currently no concrete suspects for Cleo's disappearance, but there are 'groups they are interested in'.

Investigators on the complex case are contemplating two scenarios, one that Cleo is still in the area and the other 'worst case scenario' that she has been abducted.

Search teams continued to make headway at the site on Wednesday after spending most of the day searching the marine environment at the Blowholes Campground.

The extensive land, air and sea search efforts for the missing four-year-old has not recovered any items of interest as of yet, Inspector Munday confirmed.

The red and grey sleeping bag Cleo was tucked inside the night she vanished is still missing, with the family tent taken by police to be forensically examined in Perth.

The search for Cleo (pictured with mother Ellie and sister Isla) has entered its fifth day with police saying they will not rule anything out

Search teams will continue to scour the region until they are completely satisfied Cleo is not in the vicinity, as her shell-shocked parents also remain close-by.

'They don't want to leave and that is completely understandable... as you can imagine they don't know what to do, they're distraught,' Inspector Munday said.

Police believe Cleo's mother Ellie Smith and her partner Jake Gliddon have given an 'accurate and truthful' account of the events leading up to her disappearance.

Authorities have been provided with 'technical evidence' that confirms she has been at the campsite, but the specific details of what this was is unknown.

When asked whether Cleo could have been removed from the campsite before police deployed roadblocks, Inspector Munday said it was possible.

He said efforts had moved from looking in 'high probability' places to less likely spots, as the search comes to the end of its fifth day.

'We will be here until we are satisfied that Cleo is not in this area, we have searched thoroughly all the high probability areas,' the inspector said.

'We are now extended into the further reaches of the places where Cleo could have possibly walked herself.'

Cleo was nowhere to be found when her mother and stepdad woke in their shared tent at around 6am on Saturday

Meanwhile, Assistant WA Police Commissioner Darryl Gaunt said on Wednesday police were not ruling any possibilities out about what may have happened to Cleo.

He confirmed there were 'between 10 and 20' known sex offenders around the Carnarvon area.

Mr Gaunt said detectives have been making inquiries about their whereabouts but officers believe that none were involved at this point.

In relation to the car sounds, he told 6PR Radio: 'We haven't ruled it out or in, it's a little bit unsubstantiated but we're not ruling it out.

'We have a lot of information from people within or who have been in the area.

'They have reported certain noises or activities - most have been explained.'

Police roped off the area where Cleo vanished from her tent (pictured) in the middle of the night as they continue to investigate her disappearance

Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed Cleo had asked her parents for a sip of water at about 1.30am on Saturday in the final 'interaction' she had with her parents.

When her mother Ellie Smith and stepdad Jake Gliddon woke up at 6am their daughter was gone.

Meanwhile, police have received information from people 'from around the world' adding police are treating the little girl's disappearance as a 'search and rescue mission'.

'To say we're treating this as an abduction is not correct, we're treating it as a search-and-rescue mission, first and foremost, and that remains our mission,' he said.

He added that as the search enters its fifth day 'the more time goes on the less chances we'll find Cleo alive'.

Meanwhile, police have received information from people 'from around the world' adding police are treating the little girl's disappearance as a 'search and rescue mission'

Mr Gaunt said more resources have been added to the complex investigation.

'At this stage we're not really finding much that tends to give us an impression one way or the other as to what's happened,' he said.

Cleo was not physically seen at the campsite when the family arrived on Friday, Mr Gaunt said, but there was enough evidence to 'reassure' detectives she was there.

Ms Smith told reporters when she woke in the morning the tent zipper had been almost completely opened and that Cleo had been sleeping in a separate part of the tent.

Ellie Smith is seen with Cleo (left) and her baby sister Isla. The mother said when she woke in the morning the tent zipper was nearly completely open

The entire area has been declared a potential crime scene, with the campsite closed and investigators begging for anyone who has been in the area to come forward.

Police are focusing their efforts on investigating the 'worst case scenario' that little Cleo was abducted from the tent while her family slept, with a complex criminal investigation underway.

The important details Cleo Smith's terrified mum revealed in her heartbreaking TV interview - as police focus on 'worst case scenario' that she was snatched while her baby sister slept metres away

Cleo Smith's shell-shocked mother has revealed the four-year-old had been sleeping metres from her baby sister before she disappeared from the family's tent, as police focus on a 'worst case scenario' where the little girl was snatched in her sleep.

Ellie Smith and her partner, Jake Gliddon fronted the media for the first time on Tuesday as the fourth day of the search for little Cleo came to a close.

The four-year-old was last seen about 1:30am on Saturday near the Blowholes campsite north of Carnavon in Western Australia before she seemingly vanished.

Ms Smith said she had woken up around 6am on Sunday to find their tent zipper was nearly completely open and her four-year-old nowhere to be seen.

She revealed Cleo had been sleeping in a separate area of the tent, with her baby sister just metres away.

Police are now focusing their efforts on investigating the 'worst case scenario' that little Cleo was abducted from the tent while her family lay sleeping, with a complex criminal investigation underway.

Police are becoming increasingly concerned that little Cleo (pictured) may have been abducted in the early hours of Saturday morning

Ellie Smith and her partner, Jake Gliddon (pictured) fronted the media for the first time on Tuesday after four-year-old Cleo (middle) went missing near the Blowholes campsite north of Carnarvon in Western Australia five days ago

Inspector Jon Munday said Cleo could 'potentially be anywhere now' given five days have passed since she was last seen.

'We can't rule out the fact that Cleo may be still in the area, we can't rule out the fact she's left the area and if she's left the area that is probably is our worse case scenario because that really paints a sinister picture with what's happened.

'It is a race against time. We're just trying to find answers.'

The entire area has been declared a potential crime scene, with the campsite closed and investigators begging for anyone who has been in the area to come forward.

Investigators called it 'a mystery we're trying to unravel', as they revealed 'quite a lot of people' had been staying at the Blowholes campground that night.

This means it will be even more difficult to check for tyre markings on the sandy road leading up to the ground, amid reports some campers heard a car speed off around 3am on Saturday morning.

Cleo's mum explained her daughter had been inside a red and grey sleeping bag beside the cot of her younger Isla when she disappeared.

'As we passed the (tent) divider, I went into the other room and the zipper was open,' she said. 'She was gone. The tent was completely open.'

Police have not ruled out any theories relating to her disappearance - including the possibility that she was abducted.

Ms Smith (pictured) said she woke up at 6am on Saturday to find their tent zipper was almost completely undone and her four-year-old daughter Cleo nowhere to be seen

The four-year-old was last seen by her parents (pictured with her mum Ellie and partner Jake Gliddon) about 1.30am on Saturday when she woke up and asked for a drink

They are considering the possibility that if she was kidnapped, Cleo could already have been moved interstate.

Her shattered mother said she prays her daughter is still close-by.

'We hold hope that she is still here somewhere. If I think about the idea of her being taken, a million things cross my mind,' Ms Smith said.

She said she doesn't believe Cleo left the tent on her own accord and said she would have asked for assistance unzipping her one-piece sleeping suit.

'She's lazy when it comes to walking. She'd never leave that tent alone,' she said, adding that someone has to know where the little girl is.

The devastated mum said the first thing she said to her partner when she realised her little girl was missing was: 'Cleo's gone, Jake'.

Ms Smith (pictured) has insisted Cleo would never leave the tent on her own and said she would have asked her mum for help unzipping her one-piece sleeping suit

The devastated couple (pictured) have asked the public to report anything they see 'big or small' to police to help bring their beloved Cleo back home

The couple began to frantically search their tent and the surrounding campsite in hopes they would find the four-year-old before notifying police.

Ms Smith said she has no clue what happened to her daughter and despite thinking of 'a million' different scenarios still feels helpless.

'The worst part is that there's nothing more we can do. It's out of our hands now and we feel hopeless and out of control,' she admitted.

She said while her friends, family and the local community had been 'so supportive', all she wanted was her 'beautiful, funny and delicate' daughter to come home.

The couple have asked the public to report anything they see 'big or small' to police.

'I know she can get through whatever she's going through,' a teary Ms Smith said.

'We're going to find her, we have to'.

An intense search for the missing four-year-old (pictured) resumed about midday local time on Tuesday after wild weather and a storm cell forced emergency services to call it quits

It marked the first time the couple have spoken publicly since little Cleo vanished, with Ms Smith issuing an urgent plea for help to social media on Sunday.

'It's been over 24 hours since I last saw the sparkle in my little girl's eyes!' she wrote on Facebook.

'Please help me find her! If you hear or see anything at all please call the police.'

An intense search for the missing girl resumed about midday local time on Tuesday after wild weather and a storm cell forced emergency services to temporarily call off the hunt.

Mounted police officers arrived at the scene to assist with homicide and major crime forensic investigators, as well as local police.

Investigators have searched a number of shacks along the coastline at the campsite, and a helicopter and drones were also deployed.

Cleo Smith woke up in the middle of the night and asked her parents for a sip of water hours before she disappeared

Detectives will continue to 'track and trace' guests at the campsite and comb through CCTV and dashcam footage provided by members of the public.

It has been confirmed that CCTV footage has been seized from roadhouses in the area as part of the investigation.

It comes after Daily Mail Australia revealed Cleo woke up in the middle of the night and asked her parents for a sip of water hours before she disappeared.

Police referenced an 'interaction' between the four-year-old and her parents about 1.30am on Saturday - sparking intense public scrutiny that something sinister occurred.

But Daily Mail Australia confirmed the detective was referring to something as innocuous as 'asking for a sip of water' in the middle of the night, before she rolled over and went back to sleep.

Mounted police officers arrived at the campsite (pictured) on Tuesday to assist with the search

A land search was suspended on Tuesday due to wild winds and an intense storm - but was later resumed in the desperate hope Cleo is still nearby

'There is nothing to suggest anything suspicious occurred in that moment,' a police source said.

'It was just a word. Nothing out of the ordinary took place.'

The detective who initially made the comment has since confirmed he was referring to Cleo asking for water.

'What I can confirm is that the four of them (the family) were in the family tent, Cleo was spoken to about 1.30am when she woke up to get a drink, everyone went back to sleep,' Insp Munday said.

Ms Smith and Mr Gliddon immediately alerted all other campers in the vicinity after waking at 6am to feed Isla a bottle and realising Cleo was nowhere to be seen.

There are fears Cleo (pictured) may have wandered off in the dead of night, only to fall into one of the many holes nearby. But close family friends insisted the four-year-old wouldn't do that

Police Inspector Jon Munday said experts have advised the four-year-old could have wandered up to 5.2km from her last known position if she is lost in the bush

By the time police and emergency services arrived, some guests had sent up private drones to search from the sky and others were using motorbikes to scour the area.

There has been no sign of the little girl since her parents' final brief exchange with her at 1.30am.

Mr Munday confirmed police had interviewed Cleo's biological father Daniel Staines at the Mandurah Police Station on Monday, where he willingly provided a statement.

'It is just normal police practice that we speak to everybody involved in the family,' the inspector said.

Cleo Smith, four, was last seen at about 1.30am on Saturday at the Blowholes campsite on the coast at Macleod, north of Carnarvon, in Western Australia (pictured, the campsite Cleo went missing from)

Police are probing all possibilities of Cleo's mystery disappearance - including kidnapping - and have been scouring bushland and stopping cars and caravans in search of the missing girl

Insp Munday vowed to continue 'throwing everything at this' for as long as it takes to bring Cleo home.

'We're keen to get this messaging out nationally to anybody. She could be anywhere by now which is really concerning.'

The inspector has been leading the search and repeatedly fronted the media to provide an update on Cleo's disappearance and the search efforts.

The camp ground is located 75km from Carnarvon and 875km from Perth with nothing but bushland and scrubs in between.

Some campers reportedly heard a vehicle speed off at about 3am on Saturday, but police have so far declined to comment on the matter.

Cleo's mother Ellie Smith and her partner Jake Gliddon immediately alerted all other campers in the vicinity when they realised she was missing (pictured, four-year-old Cleo left with mum Ellie)

Police say they have grave concerns for the child (pictured) and that 'everything is on the table' in the unusual and disturbing case

Cleo is estimated to be around 110 centimetres tall with honey blonde coloured hair and hazel eyes. She has reportedly visited the area with her mother on camping trips since she was a baby.

There are mounting concerns for her welfare, particularly if the four-year-old did simply wander off and remains exposed to the elements.

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan said his thoughts were with Cleo's loved ones during what undoubtedly was an 'extremely difficult' time.

'To every officer and volunteer involved in search can I say thank you for your efforts on behalf of the Smith family,' the leader state on Tuesday.

'To Cleo's family and on behalf of West Australians, we are thinking of you at this difficult time.'

Anyone with information is asked to contact police immediately on 131 444.
This is the moment a woman was violently arrested in Iran using what appears to be a dog-catching pole for failing to wear a headscarf.

Video of the arrest posted online last week shows the woman being dragged by her hair through the streets of Tehran while seemingly snared by the catch pole, before being bundled into a 'morality police' van.

Masih Alinejad, a prominent Iranian women's rights campaigner who uploaded the footage, said the woman was arrested for failing to wear a head covering - mandatory for women in the Islamic Republic.

She dismissed Tehran police deputy chief Colonel Morad Moradi who said the woman had actually been arrested for being 'insulting and aggressive', saying police often 'make up other charges' for women who breach morality laws.

Iranian police in Tehran were filmed violently arresting a woman using what appears to be a dog-catching pole (circled above)

'Unveiled women [are accused] of prostitution or creating moral corruption,' she said. '[Police] are worried about how these videos causing negative reactions.'

The footage, taken at an unknown location in Tehran, shows the woman - with her head exposed - being wrangled by security officers into the side of a van.

One female officer, who is fully veiled, can be seen grabbing the woman's hair while another holds her arm and a third drags her using what appears to be a dog snare.

The woman is then bundled into the van, hitting her head against the roof in the process, before the door is shut and the vehicle moves away.

Moradi told semi-official news agency ISNA that the woman was being 'aggressive' towards officers before she was restrained, and said further charges had been brought by a local shop owner but refused to give details.

He also declined to say whether the woman was injured during the arrest, though pledged the footage would be investigated.

Ms Alinejad also dismissed those claims, suggesting it is a 'big lie' that officers will be held to account for using excessive violence.

'Last time when morality police savagely beat women, police showed the same reaction,' she said.

'But as soon as the atmosphere calmed down, they prosecuted the woman who filmed it.'

Tehran's deputy police chief confirmed the arrest after the footage went viral, saying the woman was being 'insulting and aggressive' while being taken away

Iran's 'morality police' were established in the wake of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and tasked with enforcing strict social codes on the country's civilians.

Their exact duties and powers have changed over the years, though they largest exist to enforce codes of dress and behaviour that violate the Islamic Republic's interpretation of Islam.

They are often tasked with enforcing laws which state women must wear headscarves in public - a rule that has faced backlash in recent years.

Ms Alinejad has been a prominent voice in a campaign called 'White Wednesdays' which encourages women to remove their headscarves in public.

In 2019, Iran introduced 2,000 more morality officers to the streets specifically to tackle the campaign.

While women have commonly been employed as morality officers, the new recruits included rare all-female squads.
A former Commonwealth Bank clerk illegally moved more than $2.4million out of a customer's account to pay for luxury watches, expensive handbags and a house.

But Hsin-Yu Tsai, 33, denies it was greed that prompted her offending.

She told her sentence hearing at the NSW District Court on Wednesday that she stole the money to appease her controlling and violent boyfriend who came up with the idea and at one stage requested a Ferrari.

'I guess he wanted to join the Ferrari owners club to meet more people,' she said.

Hsin-Yu Tsai, 33, (pictured) faced Downing Centre District Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to several fraud charges

Tsai pleaded guilty to three charges of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, and one for using a false document.

While working as a Customer Service Specialist in 2015 Tsai transferred $2.25m from one customer into a Netbank savings account secretly set up to receive the money.

She also withdrew $150,000 in cash from the same customer's account.

She paid off a Kirribilli home with the proceeds of her fraud and eventually sold this to invest in her current Chippendale apartment.

At the time she had been earning $68,000 from the bank and for some years received regular $3000 monthly payments from her parents, who provided ongoing financial help, she told the court.

She also had access to their trust fund of $3 million which she infrequently withdrew from without asking, she said.

But she was too scared to ask her parents for financial help to leave her partner, and instead accrued a sum of $150,000 without his knowledge.

'I didn't ask them because, if I tell them the relationship is not going well, I think that would make them worry because I was so far away from them,' she said.

Tsai stole more than $2.4million from a Commonwealth Bank customer's account while she was working at a Sydney branch in 2015. She is pictured leaving court on Wednesday

During their relationship, she was attacked on multiple occasions, while the man's former partner has sworn an affidavit saying 'he resorts to violence when things don't go his way,' the court was told.

Prosecutor Jennifer Jayasuriya submitted Tsai was motivated by greed, and simply couldn't resist the temptation of millions to be gained from the victim to bolster her lavish lifestyle.

When the relationship ended she was given $1 million as compensation by her ex-partner and travelled back to see her family in Taiwan, to 'lay low,' Ms Jayasuriya said.

She returned to Australia and resumed her job with the financial institution as a lender, with the same authority over people's money.

But she never stole again because she was no longer pressured by her partner, her lawyer Troy Edwards said.

'This person is a very different person to the one who committed these offences five or six years ago,' he said.

Tsai said her partner came up with the idea to steal the money and she was not motivated by greed

'Her life is completely and utterly different to what it was then when she was putting deposits on Ferraris and getting bashed by (her boyfriend).'

The Crown said Tsai only cared that she had destroyed her reputation following the sophisticated money theft over a long period of time.

'You don't mention the harm you caused your victims,' Ms Jayasuriya said.

'I definitely understand how much anxiety they would go through finding out the money was not there,' Tsai said.

Judge John Pickering will sentence Tsai at a later date.
The leader of New York City's largest police union vowed to sue the city Wednesday after Mayor Bill de Blasio announced earlier in the day that all municipal workers will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or risk being fired.

Patrick Lynch called the mandate an infringement of personal rights in response to de Blasio forcing all city workers to at least receive their first shot by November 1.

'From the beginning of the de Blasio administrations haphazard vaccine rollout, we have fought to make the vaccine available to every member who chooses it, while also protecting their right to make that personal medical decision in consultation with their own doctor,' said Lynch, the president of New Yorks Police Benevolent Association.

'Now that the city has moved to unilaterally impose a mandate, we will proceed with legal action to protect our members' rights.'

Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa also ripped the mandate by the lame-duck mayor as 'draconian,' saying it was unconscionable given that the workers being forced to get vaccinated are the heroes who helped through the pandemic.

'This is like Michael Corleone in The Godfather, on his way out, he's settling all scores,' Sliwa told DailyMail.com. 'There's been no problems in terms of those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons or religious beliefs to be tested once a week. What is the point of all this? If they are not vaccinated or can't be vaccinated, test them. But this just seems like the power that de Blasio wants to exert on his way out.'

Mayor Bill de Blasio announces his new mandate for all public employees, including cops are firefighters, to get the COVID-19 vaccine during appearance on Morning Joe on Wednesday

Pat Lynch, the president of the Police Benevolent Association, has been an outspoken critic of vaccine mandates

The mandate, which immediately impacts about 160,000 employees including cops and firefighters, will require at least one vaccine dose by November 1, with no weekly testing option for those wishing to opt out.

'We've given people a lot of time. It's time to keep moving. We are here to keep you safe so you can keep everyone else safe,' the lame-duck mayor said Wednesday at a press conference. 'We need you to keep everyone around you in the workplace safe, we need to make sure the people you encounter are safe.'

All employees who refuse will be placed on unpaid leave.

Sliwa promised - if elected - to rehire anyone laid off due to the mandates and if the budget allowed for it, compensate them for any lost wages.

De Blasio's decree has lead to an impending uprising on a police force fighting a wave of violent crime that saw assaults soar 18.5 percent and robberies go up 6 percent from this time last year as the NYPD revealed it had made more than 3,400 gun arrests in 2021.

'The mayor has no idea what he's doing. We're going to lose half of our cops and half of our fire department if this goes through, and then what?' an unidentified Brooklyn official told the New York Post.

In an attempt to further encourage public employees to get the jab, any city worker who gets their first shot between now and October 29 will receive a $500 bonus in their paycheck.

The new vaccine requirement will immediately apply to 160,500 workers, of whom 71 percent have already received at least dose, according to the statement.

De Blasio specifically cited the success of getting healthcare workers (95 percent) and education employees (96 percent) vaccinated.

However, the vaccine uptake thus far among the city's law enforcement and fire services is significantly lower.

The NYPD has a vaccination rate of 69 percent among its 55,000 officers and civilian members. The FDNY - which is comprised of 10,951 uniformed firefighting employees, 4,274 uniformed EMS employees, and 2,096 civilian employees - has a vaccination rate at just 59 percent.

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said in an interview with NY1 on Tuesday that he is in full support of the vaccine mandate for cops.

'We lost three members last week, two of them to COVID, and I think it's all unnecessary, to some degree,' said Shea.

'I just think everyone all across this country, really, should be embracing these vaccines.'

The NYPD has a vaccination rate of 69 percent among its 55,000 officers and civilian members

Pat Lynch, the president of the Police Benevolent Association, said in a statement that the union is going to consider legal action

The FDNY - which is comprised of 10,951 uniformed firefighting employees, 4,274 uniformed EMS employees, and 2,096 civilian employees - has a vaccination rate at just 59 percent

The new mandate builds upon an announcement in July that city employees would be required to show proof of vaccination or submit to weekly testing.

'Vaccinations are critical to combating the COVID-19 pandemic. This mandate is a bold step that protects our families, friends, and communities, including those that are not yet eligible for the vaccine such as our City's youngest residents. It builds on our continued leadership and innovative strategies to fighting this pandemic and bring us a step closer to a recovery for all. Thank you to the dedicated City workforce for your continued service throughout this pandemic,' said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Melanie Hartzog.

The deadline for the first jab will be extended to Dec. 1 for uniformed correction officers because of staff shortages at problem-wracked Rikers Island, de Blasio said.

'We need people to come back, and we need to address real situations there, so we've added a month for that small group only,' he said. 'But it's still a mandate.'

The move comes amid sweeping vaccine mandates across America which caused thousands of unvaccinated employees to be suspended or fired, while a slew of high profile companies have also issued vaccine mandates among their workforce.

Critics of the mandate have railed against a perceived deprivation of freedom which forces workers to choose between unemployment or the vaccine, while supporters believe the threat of the virus justifies a mandatory inoculation policy.

The issue has come to a head in Chicago, where the police union has fought against Mayor Lori Lightfoot's Oct. 15 deadline for all public employees to report their vaccination status to a city-run portal.

The police union's website again on Tuesday directed members to not comply, but also has offered an option to comply while providing a form to show they are doing so 'under complete duress and threats of termination,' NBC5 Chicago reported.

'Don't let them confuse you, or bully you, into going onto the portal,' said Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara.

As of Monday, 4,500 police officers did not report their vaccination status by the expired deadline, officials said, with 21 officers being placed on unpaid status as a result of refusing to submit their information to the portal.

In Washington state, nearly 1,900 public employees have either quit or been fired due to a vaccine requirement. That's about three percent of the 63,000 Washington state workers subject to Gov. Jay Inslee's COVID-19 order.

President Joe Biden in September signed an executive order which states companies of 100 employees or more must get their employees vaccinated or introduce regular testing.

In accordance with New York City's current vaccine mandates, healthcare workers and Department of Education staff are required to have been inoculated against COVID-19.

Hundreds of New York City healthcare workers were suspended without pay or fired from their positions just weeks ago, when a state wide vaccine mandate required all workers to be vaccinated by September 27.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education's mandate came into effect on Monday October 1, after the US Supreme Court blocked an injunction from a group of teachers and school workers requesting the mandate to be blocked.

New York City has one of the strictest sets of coronavirus restrictions in America.

Besides the vaccine mandates, a person must show their proof-of-vaccine card to gain access to most public venues, and individuals without proof of inoculation are largely barred from every day places such as bars, restaurants and theatres.

More than 75 percent of eligible Americans have received at least one jab of the vaccine, with about 57 percent of the population fully vaccinated against the virus.

By contrast, data from the CDC released over the weekend suggests that 65 percent of the total population of New York state is fully vaccinated, equating to nearly 13 million residents.

Hundreds of New York City healthcare workers were suspended without pay or fired from their positions just weeks ago, when a state wide vaccine mandate required all workers to be vaccinated by September 27 (pictured: Freedom Rally in Times Square, October 16)

Nearly 1,000 reportedly gathered at Times Square over the weekend to march on streets as part of the rally to protest vaccination mandates in New York City

Tom Sheppard, a member of New York City's Community Education Council, said that enforcing vaccinations will only serve to break people's trust in the government and the healthcare system.

'Overusing heavy-handed mandates that threaten people's livelihoods is seen as cruel,' said Sheppard.

'You may even mean well, but doing it this way erodes trust instead of building it.'

The vaccine mandates have sparked considerable mistrust among disadvantaged and low-income communities who were hit hardest by coronavirus restrictions and can not afford to lose their jobs over the vaccine.

The ever-expanding vaccine mandates and widespread restrictions have triggered a mass-exodus of New Yorkers from the state, heading for the warmer climes and relaxed restrictions of Florida.

More than 33,500 New Yorkers moved to Florida in the 10 months prior to July, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, up 32 percent from the same period in the previous year.

In the private sector, General Electric has become the latest company to require all US-based workers to get their jab, announcing last week their vaccine policy had been updated to instruct all workers to be vaccinated by December 8.

As a federal contractor who sells jet engines and other equipment to the government, GE said its 56,000 employees must comply with the executive order and joins giant firms such as IBM, Alphabet Inc. and Facebook requiring some or all staff to be vaccinated.

IBM, which employees more than 100,000 people in the US, said that all US employees must comply with the vaccine deadline or face unpaid suspensions, while United Airlines and American Airlines have even said they would fire unvaccinated employees.

General Electric will require its 56,000 US employees to vaccinate against COVID-19 according to its newly updated vaccine policy (pictured: GE's Global Operations offices in Cincinnati, Ohio)
Hundreds of schools across England are cancelling assemblies as Covid continues to rip through classrooms.

Primaries and secondaries in Wiltshire and Staffordshire have already scrapped them completely under the orders of their local councils.

Headteachers in the areas have also been advised to bring back other restrictions such as mandatory face masks indoors and staggered break times.

But schools elsewhere in the country are beginning to take matters into their own hands in a bid to clamp down on rising infections.

Thurston Community College in Essex yesterday became the latest to deviate from official guidance, cancelling assemblies and making face coverings compulsory.

There have been similar reports at schools in Oxfordshire, Hereford, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and Suffolk.

Scotland - which has taken a more cautious approach - advises that assemblies and other large gatherings should be avoided. Secondary school pupils must wear masks indoors.

It comes as official estimates suggest nearly one in 10 secondary school pupils in England are carrying Covid.

Education bosses have blamed a slow vaccine rollout in children for the rising rates, with just 3 per cent of 12 to 15-year-olds jabbed against Covid so far in the areas that are lagging most behind.

But many parents are reluctant to get their child inoculated because the risk/benefit ratio is more finely balanced than in adults.

A record 111,000 pupils missed school last week because they tested positive for Covid, official figures revealed today. The number of youngsters absent because they're infected has doubled since mid-September, as coronavirus continues to rip through classrooms

North and south divide. Scotland is roaring ahead with rolling out the first dose of the Covid vaccine to 12-to-15-year-olds compared to England. All 10 of the best performing areas were north of the border with England hosting the bottom 10, the majority of which are in London

The Government has been criticised over the slow rollout of the Covid vaccine to children but the latest figures reveal that the scheme is having mixed success across the country

Headteachers across England and Wiltshire and Staffordshire councils have told teachers to call-off assemblies and other events where the entire school congregates

Health Secretary Sajid Javid yesterday revealed children will be able to book their vaccines online next week as part of a half-term jabbing blitz to get more youngsters protected.

There is a small one in 10,000 risk of myocarditis  an extremely rare form of heart inflammation that is not necessarily serious  in children after two doses of a Covid vaccine.

It is slightly more prevalent in boys and doctors say most cases are treatable. But the long term implications of the condition are not yet fully understood.

The risk of a healthy child being admitted to ICU with Covid, on the other hand, is around one in 500,000. Some studies have suggested, though, that Covid infection itself is more likely to cause myocarditis, which complicates the issue further.

Department for Education data shows 2.6 per cent of pupils  more than 200,000 children, equivalent to 8,000 classrooms  were off school last week due to the coronavirus, with 111,000 testing positive.

And 1.8 per cent of teachers and school leaders were absent due to the virus.

Record 111,000 pupils missed school with Covid last week - TWICE as high as figure last month A record 111,000 pupils missed school last week because they tested positive for Covid, official figures revealed yesterday. The number of youngsters absent because they're infected has doubled since mid-September, as coronavirus continues to rip through classrooms. Department for Education data showed, in total, more than 200,000 children  or 2.6 per cent of pupils  were absent from school in England due to Covid last week. It comes as Sajid Javid today revealed children will be able to book their vaccines online next week as part of a half-term jabbing blitz. No10 is desperately trying to boost inoculation rates in youngsters, with just one in thirty 12-15 year olds jabbed in parts of the country. James Bowen, of the headteachers' union NAHT, said the rise in teachers catching Covid  in many cases from pupils - was causing disruption to classes. 'If the government does not act now, there is a clear and obvious risk that disruption to education will only get worse as we head into winter,' he said. 'Changes should be made to close contact isolation rules so siblings of those who have tested positive for Covid don't continue to go into school and infect others.' The Liberal Democrats pointed out the number of pupils now absent due to Covid-related reasons would fill '8,000 classrooms'. The party's health spokesman Munira Wilson said: 'The government must urgently ramp up vaccinations for 12 to 16-year-olds over the half term holidays. 'Schools have been given the impossible task of keeping children in the classroom whilst also dealing with rising Covid rates. 'As a result, thousands of children are now missing out on vital learning.' Advertisement

Chellaston Academy in Derby called off assemblies and told some years to learn from home last week after a 'significant number of teaching staff' were off due to Covid-related reasons, the i reported.

Heads at Marlbrook Primary School in Hereford have also made the decision to cancel assemblies and permit children to only socialise with other year groups when outdoors.

Meanwhile, Herts and Essex High School in Hertfordshire and Thurston Community College in Suffolk are holding online assemblies to avoid school-wide gatherings.

A primary school in Oxford has also called-off all large school gatherings.

The Government lifted Covid restrictions placed on schools  including face masks and bubbles  earlier this year as part of No10's drive to learn to live with the virus.

But ministers published guidance in August, which set out that some measures could be brought back to manage local outbreaks, respond to variants of concern or prevent the NHS from becoming overwhelmed.

Hundreds of primaries and secondaries in Staffordshire were urged to be 'proactive' and not wait on official guidance from the Government, it was reported last month.

Some schools in Wales were advised last month to cancel assemblies where the entire school was in attendance.

Scotland, which saw record-high infections in August after pupils returned to classrooms, has told schools to avoid assemblies and other large gatherings.

Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said schools are suffering from staffing problems and rising numbers of students missing school due to Covid.

He told the i: 'This is happening despite staff being vaccinated, with the problem exacerbated by an acute shortage of suitably qualified supply staff.

'Leaders are therefore deciding to cancel activity that isn't crucial to the school day, such as leading assemblies, as many of them are having to step up to frontline teaching to cover staff absence.

'They may also consider that cancelling assemblies, attended by large groups of students, could help reduce the risk of further infection.'

Mr Barton said the rollout of Covid vaccines to pupils aged 12 to 15 is 'key' for bringing down cases, 'but this has been slow to get underway in many areas and beset by logistical problems'.

He added: 'The Government had originally hoped to have the vaccination programme complete by the half-term holiday but this is patently not now going to happen.'

But he noted that plans announced yesterday for youngsters to get jabbed at walk-in centres is a 'very sensible' approach.

James Bowen, director of policy for the National Association of Head Teachers, told the i some schools and local authorities have decided to ban students gathering in large numbers.

'Often this means an alternative form of assembly is taking place in individual classes or year groups,' he said.

Mr Brown added: 'Given the significant number of outbreaks we are seeing in schools at the moment, this relatively minor change to the school day seems a sensible short-term measure to protect pupils and staff.

Until the Government gets on top of Covid transmission in schools, disruption like this will only continue.'

It comes after Professor Neil Ferguson, an epidemiologist who sits on SAGE, yesterday called for Britain to follow Europe's lead in giving teenagers two Covid vaccines instead of just one.

He said: 'Most other European countries are ahead of us in vaccinating teens and they are giving them two doses, not just one dose.

'We know two doses really are needed to block infection and to prevent transmission.'
Jair Bolsonaro should be charged with 'crimes against humanity' over his handling of the country's Covid crisis, according to a Brazilian senate report.

A six-month inquiry heard devastating witness testimony from those whose relatives were among the 600,000 Brazilians to have died and from experts who say ineffective medicines were used on 'human guinea pigs.'

The 1,200-page report accuses Bolsonaro of 'quackery' for dismissing the virus as a 'little flu' and for delays in ordering vaccines - a vaccine which he has refused to take himself because he says he has natural immunity after catching Covid last year.

Renan Calheiros, the centrist senator who is the lead author, announced a last-minute withdrawal of 'homicide' and 'genocide' charges, after some infighting within the panel.

The inquiry does not have the power to bring charges, but it could have disastrous consequences: the report will be sent to the public prosecutor, the federal court of accounts, and could even be sent to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, where other complaints against Bolsonaro have already been lodged.

President Brazil Jair Bolsonaro on the phone after a meeting with his Colombian counterpart Ivan Duque at the Palacio do Planalto, in the city of Brasilia on Tuesday

Workers remove the body of a Covid victim from his home in Manaus, in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, in May 2020

While the accusations are serious, the process may be just symbolic since Bolsonaro enjoys enough congressional support to avoid the opening of impeachment proceedings.

Likewise, Attorney General Augusto Aras, an ally appointed by Bolsonaro, could shield him from any indictment.

The report could also ask that several ministers be charged, as well as three of Bolsonaro's sons, including Flavio - who sits on the committee.

'This report will seem like a sentence, but the government is calm. You can criticise the president's attitude, but not incriminate him,' Fernando Bezerra, head of the government's parliamentary bloc in the senate, told the Uol website.

It is yet another headache for the president, whose popularity has plummeted to an all-time low and who trails leftist former leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in polls ahead of next year's general election.

The report was originally due to be presented on Tuesday but had to be put back 24 hours, eliciting criticism from Brazilian media, which have already started leaking details.

Following testimony from several ministers, top government officials, and business and hospital managers, it was the turn of the families of Covid victims to present their statements to the committee on Monday.

Katia Castilho, daughter of a Covid victim, cries as she gives testimony to the committee on Monday at the Federal Senate in Brasilia

Brazilian Senator Renan Calheiros attends a meeting of the Parliamentary Inquiry Committee (CPI) to investigate government actions and management during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, at the Federal Senate in Brasilia

'We deserve an apology from the highest authority in the state. It's not a question of politics, we're talking about lives,' Marcio Antonio Silva, a taxi driver who lost his 25-year-old son to Covid, told the panel, holding back tears.

'What we've seen is the antithesis of what we expected from the president of the republic,' said Antonio Carlos Costa, president of the Rio de Paz NGO. 'We've never seen him shed tears of compassion, nor express his condolences for the Brazilian people in mourning.'

On Monday, the committee also heard the harrowing testimony of a nurse in Manaus who saw dozens of patients dying and had to take care of her sister's four children after she also succumbed to the virus.

The committee investigated the government over the crippling lack of oxygen in the northern city of Manaus during the worst moments of the pandemic, and also the delays in buying vaccines, Bolsonaro's anti-lockdown speeches, and his original belittling of what he called a 'little flu.'

An activist from the Rio de Paz human rights group hangs white scarves representing people who died of COVID-19, in front of the National Congress in Brasilia on Monday

Demonstrators hold a banner and crosses during a protest earlier this month to pay tribute to Brazil's 600,000 COVID-19 deaths and against Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the coronavirus

Senators subsequently discovered irregularities in the acquisition of vaccines, something that generated strong suspicions of corruption.

Another branch of the investigation focused on the relationship between Brasilia and private health insurers accused of promoting 'early treatment' with medications such as hydroxychloroquine, which has been scientifically proven to be ineffective.

One of those insurers, Prevent Senior, is accused of having carried out such treatment on patients without their prior knowledge, and to have put pressure on doctors to prescribe it for 'human guinea pigs.'

'The committee report clearly aims to result in the sanctioning of those responsible, and there are a lot. We cannot allow ourselves to not punish them,' Omar Aziz, the committee's president, said on Tuesday.
A Briton who dropped out of university to fight ISIS in Syria died of a fatal heroin and cocaine overdose after being investigated by police on his return to the UK, an inquest heard.

Former sociology student Joshua Schoolar, 23, had publicly complained of having his home raided and his phone and laptop seized during the three-year probe after volunteering for the International Freedom Battalion (IFB) in Syria.

He had travelled to country in 2017 - first working as a teacher and later taking up arms to fight ISIS in the liberation of Raqqa.

But when he got back home he was subjected to a lengthy DBS check for a job he sought in education and suffered from bouts of depression, an inquest heard.

In June last year, Schoolar, from Ladybarn, Manchester tweeted a picture which said 'Countries where I'm now considered a terrorist' with the caption: 'I'm still under active investigation for travelling to N.Syria in 2017 ahah.'

Two months later, he was found dead in his room having ingested a lethal level of drugs after attending a BBQ with friends.

Josh Schoolar, who dropped out of university to fight ISIS in Syria, died of a fatal heroin and cocaine overdose after being investigated by police on his return to the UK, an inquest heard

Joshua's parents say he was 'driven to do the right thing' from a young age and the 23-year-old (pictured) was interested in politics and sociology which he went on to study at sixth form

This week a conclusion of drug-related death was recorded at an inquest by a coroner who had earlier refused to widen the scope of the inquest to include investigative agencies.

Despite the request from his parents who feared 'a long-standing investigation' could have been a 'causative factor', the coroner ruled there had been 'no breach of systemic duty or operational duty'.

The Manchester hearing was told Schoolar originally from the village of Honley near Huddersfield, West Yorks., had studied at Manchester Metropolitan University but gave up his degree to help freedom fighter defeat ISIS.

His mother Sandra said: 'From a young age, he was always driven to do the right thing for injustices.

'Josh had an interest in 20th century history and an enthusiasm towards history, politics and sociology which he went on to study at sixth form.

'His interest in politics grew and he felt deeply about aspects of it and he believed it was meaningless when something wasn't done.

Joshua tweeted in 2020 that he was still being investigated over his actions in Syria in 2017

'He dropped out of university to go to Rojava in Syria. We could not persuade him otherwise but we did our best to support him in this risky adventure.'

Close friend Imogen Woods told the inquest: 'I met Josh four years ago when he introduced me to a political organisation. On September 19 last year, we all went to a BBQ with friends. We had alcohol and he snorted cocaine but not that much.

'There were six of us there and he seemed pretty sober. We left at 2.45am and got two taxis. We had a chat and he was fully aware of himself. When we got back, he made me a cup of tea and then took himself off to his bedroom.

'I stayed overnight in the next room and was awoken at one point around 6am by his snoring. At one point I thought he was being sick.

'Snoring was not unusual for Josh and we would often laugh and joke about it. I woke up at 10am and had a coffee and he was still snoring.

'I sent Josh a jokey WhatsApp message saying "are you alive?" and the next day sent a text to friend to see if Josh was okay. I knew from the text back that something awful had happened.'

Pictured: Joshua was a trade union activist who dropped out of university to fight ISIS in Syria

Remembrance: Friends and comrades of Josh Schoolar paying tribute after his death last year

Housemate Andrew Nesbitt said: 'We had four or five pints and Josh snorted some cocaine. I could hear him snoring when I went to work the next day, I just thought he was sleeping off a bad hangover.

'It was only when I went into his room when I got back from work later that night that I found him to be unresponsive and I called 999 and started CPR.'

Det Sgt Daniel Woods of Greater Manchester Police told the inquest they found burnt sheets of tin paper in his room which they believed was indicative of smoking heroin or crack cocaine.

He added: 'When police attended and examined his body, we found no concern for assault or traumatic injuries.

'There was no third party involvement. The hypothesis we reached was that he could have died as a result of a drug overdose.'

In making his conclusions, coroner Nigel Meadows said: 'During that night or early the following morning Josh consumed some cocaine and it is reported he had a number of alcoholic drinks.

An inquest heard police found evidence of smoking heroin or crack cocaine in Joshua's room when he was found dead after a BBQ and ruled there were no suspicious circumstances

'There was evidence which could indicate he might have used heroin or cocaine when he died - but there was no evidence of him smoking heroin at the party. Cocaine is an illegal drug, so too is heroin and the combination of both drugs seems to have gone to his airways.

'Unfortunately, there is no such thing as recreational drug use. I accept he may have taken illicit drugs before and not suffered any ill effects but that does not mean he was going to be fine on this occasion. There is clearly a lot more to Joshua then this.'

During his life of political activism Schoolar volunteering for ACORN, a union which represents low-income people.

At a previous hearing, his parents wanted the coroner to widen the scope of the inquest to include investigative agencies amid concerns about how he was treated when he returned home and said it was a 'causative' factor in his death.

At a review hearing in August this year Mr Meadows said: 'Josh was a person of conscience and felt strongly about a number of issues for example social circumstances, injustice to people within the country and he felt strongly about events occurring in other countries, in particular Kurdistan.

'He went there for a period of time because of his principles and beliefs. When he returned to this country after being away, an investigation began into what happened when he was abroad which took some considerable time.

A coroner ruled Josh's death was as a result of consuming a combination of cocaine and heroin

'But there is clear evidence that he had been consuming drugs the day prior to his death and when he was found there was evidence that he was consuming additional drugs.

'The law will not allow a wider inquest. There was no breach of systemic duty or operational duty. The evidence is that Joshua took cocaine and then consumed heroin and died as a circumstance of that.'
Advertisement

Zara Owen said she found a pinprick on her leg the next day (pictured above). She said she had no hangover, but was suffering a sharp agonising pain in her leg

Home Secretary Priti Patel has demanded an urgent update from police investigating the scale of the UK's so-called 'spiking epidemic' today, amid a rise in claims that women have been drugged by men at nightclubs and parties using needles to inject 'date-rape' drugs.

Police chiefs have also been tasked by the Commons Home Affairs Committee to urgently provide more information on their assessment of the scale of the problem after reports of incidents in several parts of the country, including Nottingham, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Groups from more than 30 universities around the UK have joined an online campaign calling for the boycott of nightclubs, with campaigners seeking 'tangible' changes to make them safer, such as covers/stoppers for drinks, better training for staff and more rigorous searches of clubbers.

A petition launched last week to make it a legal requirement for nightclubs to thoroughly search guests on entry has already gained more than 130,000 signatures.

One 19-year-old student in Nottingham said she had blacked out going clubbing, before waking up to find a pin-prick hole in the back of her leg. Police are involved and have arrested a man on suspicion of administering a poison or noxious substance.

Another student in Nottingham, also 19, said how she woke up in hospital with a throbbing pain in her hand after going clubbing. She too believes she was targeted with a needle to the back of her hand.

There have also been as-of-yet unverified reports of incidents in Liverpool and at least two cities in Scotland, where they have been posted by a social media group - sparking a wave of panic on social media.

Police Scotland say they are investigating Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow and Aberdeen, though they do not believe the reports to be linked. Merseyside Police say their investigation did not uncover 'any evidence of criminality'.

And West Midlands Police today said they had received one report where the circumstances 'appear to match the description of someone being spiked by injection'. However, the forces says it is 'unclear exactly what has happened' and they are continuing to investigate.

A Home Office source said: 'The individual case studies are awful but we don't know if there is more of it happening yet.'

Drugs experts, meanwhile, have called for calm on as-of-yet unverified social media reports of injection spiking, saying the use of needles would be difficult for someone without medical training. They also say the kind of drugs needed for a quick and discreet injection are 'highly detectable' within a victim's system for several days - meaning police would be able to verify if the person had been spiked.

Other experts warned against conflating reports of injection spiking with a verified rise in drink spiking cases across the UK.

One spiking victim Zara Owen, 19, (left) said she woke up 'with a limp' before finding a 'pinprick' on her leg the morning after attending Nottingham's Pryzm nightclub. Sarah Buckle, 19, (right) who is also studying in Nottingham, said she discovered she had likely been spiked via a needle to the back of her hand while out in a nightclub

Ms Buckle woke up in hospital with what appears to be a needle mark surrounded by a sore on her hand having been spiked in a nightclub in Nottingham

A petition launched last week to make it a legal requirement for nightclubs to thoroughly search guests on entry has already gained more than 130,000 signatures

What do the experts say on reports of injection spiking? Is it possible? Yes - and there are credible reports where people have woken up with needle marks having been spiked. But the likelihood of it being a widespread phenomena is 'deeply improbable', according to one medical consultant. David Caldicott, an emergency medicine consultant and founder of drug testing project WEDINOS, told VICE News: 'The technical and medical knowledge required to perform this would make this deeply improbable. 'It's really hard to stick a needle in someone without them noticing, especially if you have to keep the needle in there for long enough, maybe 20 seconds, to inject enough drugs to cause this.' Could someone not give the injection really fast? Yes - but they'd need a very powerful drug to do so discreetly, experts say. GHB is one of the most well-known 'date rape' drug and is also self-administered in small doses by people recreationally. But Guy Jones, senior scientist at drugs charity the Loop, told VICE it would be a 'poor candidate' for injection because of the large amounts of fluid needed. 'Therefore (it would require) a thick, painful needle. This means that the substance involved would be something that would be highly detectable for several days in a toxicology screening,' he said. Adam Winstock, director of the Global Drug Survey, added: 'There are very few easily accessible drugs / medicines that could be given intramuscular in a small enough volume that people would not notice and the effects would take some time to come on. 'What you see in the movies is not reality. People need to keep their drinks close to them, avoid taking them from strangers and keep an eye out for their mates.' Can drugs be administered to any part of the body? Yes - but some parts are more effective than others Mr Jones told VICE: 'Where drugs can be injected non-intravenously, there are specific injection sites that do not work well. 'The back is one of these unsuitable sites due to the low fat-muscle content, and high concentration of pain receptors.' What about drink spiking? While injection spiking is still possible, drink spiking is a lot more common. Incidents of drink spiking in the UK increased by 108 per cent between 2015 and 2018, with 179 incidents taking place in 2017 alone. This is only the officially recorded numbers - and is likely to be much higher as it is common for people not to report it to police. Charity Drinkaware advise: 'Don't accept a drink from someone you don't know and if they're available, use drink stoppers, which can be purchased online, for the top of your bottle.' Advertisement

It comes as women have say they are now taking measures to protect themselves amid reports of needle spiking in clubs.

Some women say they are now wearing denim jackets in nightclubs and bars because the material is 'harder to pierce' with a needle. Others are choosing to wear thick clothing in fear of being spiked.

Zara Owen, 19, from Surrey, said she blacked out soon after arriving at a venue last Monday, telling BBC Breakfast: 'I know I didn't drink as much as I usually would on a night-out this night, and the fact that I don't remember anything is terrifying for me because this is something that is a very rare occasion to me.

'I've never suffered with memory loss and then the next morning ... I woke up with a really painful leg.

'I found a pin prick in my leg which was the epicentre of all pain. It made me unable to walk and I was limping around.

'As a young person who's at university, I'm hearing stories of people who have been to nightclubs and they have been injected. I have heard stories of someone having it through their hand or through their back, so this kind of gave me an idea this had happened to me.'

Another 19-year-old, who is also studying in Nottingham, said she discovered she had likely been spiked via a needle to the back of her hand while out in a nightclub.

Sarah Buckle told ITV she arrived at the nightclub around 11pm, but later had to be taken home by friends who though she had drunk too much.

She said: 'The taxi home I started being sick all over myself and my friends could sense something was wrong.'

Her friends called an ambulance and she was taken to hospital where she woke up the next day with no recollection of the night before.

'My hand was throbbing really bad. I also knew I wasn't intoxicated on a stupid level or overly drunk, she sad.

'I knew I had clearly been spiked but it would have never occurred to me it was via injection if my hand wasn't throbbing. I thought how? I never take a drink away from the bar.

'You think spiking is to do with your drink, you don't think something would go into your body.'

Nottinghamshire Police said it has seen a rising number of reports of spiking over recent months and has arrested a man as part of a wider operation.

Superintendent Kathryn Craner, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: 'Over the last few months we have seen an increase in reports where people believe that drugs may have been put in their drink ... But we've also received a small number of reports where people are telling us, as Zara has, that this has been associated with a pain or a mark on a part of their body, scratching sensation, and as though they have been physically spiked.'

The University of Nottingham said it was 'extremely concerned' by the reports and was working with police and venues to 'monitor, review and learn from incidents and experiences in the city centre'.

Police Scotland is also looking into similar reports. A spokesman said: 'Officers are carrying out inquiries and a small number of reports from the Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow areas are being investigated. These do not appear to be linked.'

Larissa Kennedy, president of the National Union of Students (NUS), said: 'It's absolutely disgusting that in the past few days a number of students have reported instances of women being spiked on nights out.'

Sarah Crew, temporary Chief Constable for Avon and Somerset Police who leads the National Police Chiefs' Council's (NPCC) work on rape and adult sexual offences, told the Commons Home Affairs Committee on Wednesday: 'In terms of the injection spiking, I only became aware of that this morning so I know about the reports ...

'I think it's a fair assumption there may be a sexual motive in those, but there isn't an indication.'

Where are the nightclub boycotts taking place? October 25 Exeter October 26 Durham October 27 Southampton Belfast Bournemouth Nottingham Brighton Bristol October 28 Swansea Edinburgh Stirling Aberdeen Newcastle November 3 Leeds Advertisement

It is 'difficult to make an assessment on that particular trend at the moment, in terms of the more general drink spiking we do know that that's a problem,' she added.

Spiking drinks can lead to up to ten years in prison - or even higher if other offences like rape, robbery or another assault has taken place.

Journalist Lucy Ward last night shared a message from her daughter revealing the extent of spiking in UK clubs - along with the recent reports of spiking through injection.

Taking to Twitter, she said: 'The epidemic of drinks spiking targeting young women - students and not - in nightclubs has a horrific new variant: injecting women in the back or leg with the same drugs.

'Young women are going to clubs wearing denim jackets and other thick clothing to try to protect themselves from attackers armed with syringes and an apparent desire to harm young women purely for having fun and freedom.

'I asked my daughter - first year at a UK university - if she had heard of it and she sent me this.'

As part of the Twitter thread, Ms Ward, a former Guardian journalist, goes on to share the message from her daughter, which details the scale of the problem.

In the message, her daughter reveals how she has knows at least 'half a dozen girls' who have been spiked and 'more who suspect having been'.

She says in the message: 'The injections thing is the most recent thing they are doing now and people are more scared than ever.

'But the scariest thing to me is how unsurprised we all are. We go out in groups, we refuse drinks, we keep our phones on and in our hands.

'Girls are wearing denim jackets because the material is harder to pierce. We simply accept the latest horror and come up with new ways to protect ourselves, and of course remain weak and vulnerable anyway.'

Ms Ward said students across the country were now holding boycotts of nightclubs in order to persuade nightclubs to take action to better protect women.

The boycotts are due to take place later this month in cities such as Southampton, Brighton, Bristol, Nottingham, Durham and Belfast.

Ms Ward added: 'I cannot describe the rage I feel at this (situation). These are simply random acts of extreme harm.

'I don't blame universities - my daughter's has worked hard to help when students have sought help. But there is a culture here that we must acknowledge and address.'

A Home Office source told Politico: 'This is absolutely awful. We have asked for an update from the police on this and would encourage anyone to report this behaviour to the police.'

Meanwhile, the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), the trade body for UK nightclubs, has called for an urgent inquiry into the wide issue of spiking.

Michael Kill, CEO of the group, urged the Home Office to look at Devon and Cornwall Police, who have recently launched a drink spiking testing pilot using on-site testing to allow people to get their drinks test.

He said: 'NTIA are very concerned to learn about the reported increase in the number of spiking incidents taking place across the country.

Have you seen, heard or been targeted through spiking by injection? We would like to hear from your story: Contact james.robinson@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement

'We support all those coming forward to speak about their experiences. It goes without saying that everyone should be able to enjoy a night out without fearing for their own safety, and we are saddened to hear that some don't feel this way.

'We have been encouraged to see the progressive approach taken by Devon and Cornwall Police through their drink spiking testing pilot.

'The Home Office should launch a formal inquiry to examine the results of that pilot, and the lessons that can be applied to the industry and policing nationally.'

However experts have warned people not to panic, with one medical expert saying the likelihood that injection spiking is a widespread phenomena is 'deeply improbable'.

David Caldicott, an emergency medicine consultant and founder of drug testing project WEDINOS, told VICE News: 'The technical and medical knowledge required to perform this would make this deeply improbable.

'It's really hard to stick a needle in someone without them noticing, especially if you have to keep the needle in there for long enough, maybe 20 seconds, to inject enough drugs to cause this.'

Meanwhile, Guy Jones, senior scientist at drugs charity the Loop, told VICE most 'date rape' drugs would need to be administered in large quantities with thick needles.

The entrance to Nottingham's Pryzm nightclub, where Ms Owen claims to have been spiked by a needle amid similar reports elsewhere in the UK

What have police forces said about injection spiking? Nottinghamshire Police A 20-year-old man has been arrested by Nottinghamshire Police on suspicion of drug offences and causing or administering a poison or noxious substance following three reports of women being spiked by injection at two nightclubs in the city within the last fortnight. A spokesperson said: 'We are currently investigating reports of individuals suspecting that their drinks have been spiked. 'Linked to this a small number of victims have said that they may have felt a scratching sensation as if someone may have spiked them physically. Consequently, we are actively investigating all these reports. 'We have a dedicated group of officers currently carrying out CCTV enquires at various venues where we have received such reports. 'Our enquiries into these incidents are ongoing but we understand people may be concerned about incidents like this and want to reassure the public we are working incredibly hard to investigate.' Police Scotland A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'We are aware of posts circulating on social media about spiking incidents involving injections in Scotland. 'Officers are carrying out enquiries, and a small number of reports from the Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow and Aberdeen areas are being investigated. 'These do not appear to be linked. 'We take all reports seriously and we would encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of spiking in any form to contact Police via 101.' West Midlands Police A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: 'We're aware of posts circulating on social media about drink spiking, particularly those involving injections. 'At present we've had one report where the circumstances appear to match the description of someone being spiked by injection. However, it's unclear exactly what's happened and we're in the process of trying to speak to the woman to gather more information. 'A separate drink spiking incident involving a Birmingham-based university student is under investigation, and we've had a small number of reports from Birmingham city centre over the last few months.' Merseyside Police Media reports emerged of a woman wearing a backless dress being injected in the back in Liverpool. However, Merseyside Police said it could not find any evidence 'that any criminality occurred'. A spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We have been made aware of a social media post reporting that a woman was injected in the back in a Liverpool city centre nightclub and a report was received by Merseyside Police. 'We have worked closely with the club and examined CCTV footage. We have fully investigated the matter and we can't find evidence that any criminality has occurred. 'No formal statement has been made by the woman and no other persons have come forward.' Advertisement

He said GHB, one of the more well known 'date rape' drugs, which is also used recreationally by some users, was a 'poor candidate' for injection because of the large amounts of fluid needed.

'Therefore (it would require) a thick, painful needle. This means that the substance involved would be something that would be highly detectable for several days in a toxicology screening,' he said.

Adam Winstock, director of the Global Drug Survey, added: 'There are very few easily accessible drugs / medicines that could be given intramuscular in a small enough volume that people would not notice and the effects would take some time to come on.

'What you see in the movies is not reality. People need to keep their drinks close to them, avoid taking them from strangers and keep an eye out for their mates.'

A university club event manager has acknowledged that plans to put cling film over drinks to prevent spiking is not a perfect solution but hopes it will offer 'an extra layer of assurance' to clubbers.

Ben Lewis, who manages the weekly Woo Cambridge event, said the issue 'wasn't on our radar last week as much as it is this week' and more needs to be done at venues across the UK.

Ahead of its event this Wednesday evening, the club is offering a cling film covering for drinks to guests as a 'temporary measure' before more permanent methods of prevention can be put in place.

Mr Lewis, 24, told the PA news agency his team had looked at several different preventative measures that could be implemented quickly ahead of the event.

'We're aware that there's a nationwide problem and people want something done about it... and we wanted to do something before opening tonight,' he said.

'We researched quite a few different measures... but we didn't think any of them would really work properly. So while it's not the perfect solution at all, tonight we'll have cling film, then next week we'll have proper drink stoppers... for free for customers that want them.

'It's a strong cling film and it's more for people when they're not drinking to have a little bit of peace of mind. We know it's not a perfect solution but we simply couldn't get the official measures in time.'

Campaigners from more than 30 universities who plan to join the nightclub boycott say they are seeking 'tangible' changes to address a problem that has become an 'epidemic'.

Mr Lewis said both event and venue staff would be given specialist training and extra security would be put in place to identify and protect those who looked 'tipsy or a little bit vulnerable'.

'It wasn't on our radar last week as much as it is this week... and because it is a nationwide problem I think every venue in the UK has gone and ordered the official measures,' he said.

'(The cling film) was more to reassure people that it was on our minds and we're trying to do something about it... it's not just 'oh yeah, we'll sort it out next week'.

'I don't think it offers concrete reassurance but... I think it makes it at least a little bit more difficult to spike someone and that's the crux of the issue.

'The issue should have been at the forefront of our minds but... after two years of not clubbing, I think it is quite easy for everyone to be comfortable, including customers.'

He added: 'We should really have had a few more awareness posters in the venue and every venue in the UK should have.

'One positive thing is that this campaign has brought it back to the forefront of everyone's minds.

'Everyone's security and safety is always number one.'

A 20-year-old man has been arrested by Nottinghamshire Police on suspicion of drug offences and causing or administering a poison or noxious substance following three reports of women being spiked by injection at two nightclubs in the city within the last fortnight.

Women in Liverpool, Edinburgh and Dundee of victims have reported being pierced with a needle in their leg, hands and back before waking up with no recollection of the night before - symptoms similar to those who have had their drinks spiked with

Detectives say they are currently reviewing CCTV footage as well as toxicological reports to identify what substance was contained within the needles.

A police spokesperson added, though, that the force does not believe the incidents are targeted and they are 'distinctly different' from anything seen previously due to victims disclosing 'a physical scratch-type sensation before feeling very unwell'.

A statement said: 'This is subtly different from feelings of intoxication through alcohol according to some victims.'

The entrance to Stealth, another Nottingham nightclub, which says it also received reports of two women feeling unwell as a result of being spiked with needles

Nottinghamshire Police has said a local male has been arrested, but did not state which incident this is in connection with

Industry body for nightclubs calls for urgent inquiry into wider issue of spiking The industry body for nightclubs has today called for an urgent inquiry into the wider issue of spiking. They have urged the Home Office to look at Devon and Cornwall Police, who have recently launched a drink spiking testing pilot using on-site testing to allow people to get their drinks test. Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, said: 'The NTIA are very concerned to learn about the reported increase in the number of spiking incidents taking place across the country. 'We support all those coming forward to speak about their experiences. It goes without saying that everyone should be able to enjoy a night out without fearing for their own safety, and we are saddened to hear that some don't feel this way.' 'There is a lot that we as a sector are already doing to try to tackle drink spiking. 'In response to recent reports, operators across the country have been working with the police, local authorities and key stakeholders, focusing on safeguarding customers, particularly women, at night. 'It varies by region, but many cities already have well-established networks amongst operators and community support representatives, and work very closely with authorities, communicating on a regular basis to highlight increases in crime or disorder. 'The truth is though, very real challenges still exist. We know this a societal problem, but it is very difficult to say with any real certainty what the scale of this problem is, because drink spiking is currently criminalised under an offence which encompasses many other types of incident, and it is also not possible to ascertain whether incident occurred within a licensed venue or some other setting. 'The result is that police data revealed through FOI requests does not give an accurate picture of what's happening, or lend itself to specifically categorising this particular crime. 'We have been encouraged to see the progressive approach taken by Devon and Cornwall Police through their drink spiking testing pilot. The Home Office should launch a formal inquiry to examine the results of that pilot, and the lessons that can be applied to the industry and policing nationally. 'The scheme found that through having on-site testing available in the night time economy, data could be collected that would provide a more accurate picture. 'Having testing available and clearly communicating this to customers was also found to have de-escalated situations - where tested drinks came back negative - and generally provided reassurance to customers who had spiking concerns. 'We believe the widespread implementation of these measures  to complement existing routine duty of care measures  is an important step in making sure everyone can enjoy a night out safely and without fear, as it should be. The Home Office should work with the industry as part of this inquiry, and also speak to campaign groups and listen to their concerns.' Advertisement

Stealth, another Nottingham nightclub, said it had also received reports of two women feeling unwell within the last fortnight as a result of being spiked.

One 19-year-old woman said she was targeted with a mystery liquid as she left the venue in on October 12.

Ellie Simpson said her sister felt a 'pinch on the back of her arm' before blacking out and being taken to hospital, where blood samples were taken.

Ms Simpson, 21, added that she was 'in shock' and her sister had not been out clubbing since the incident took place.

She told the BBC: 'Normally she's the type of person that would stick up for herself, so I think if it could happen to her it could happen to somebody who is more vulnerable,

'I don't think it's quite yet sunk in what's happened to her. It's really frightening because I don't know how you're meant to prevent it.

'Obviously you can put your hand over your drink but how do you stop somebody stabbing you with a needle?'

A statement from Stealth said: 'We, much like our customers, are concerned by the national news reports about spiking in bars and nightclubs around the UK, and believe it is absolutely unacceptable for women to have tp live in fear of being spiked on nights out.

'Here at Stealth, in recent weeks two of our customers have reported feeling unwell and suspected they may have been spiked. Both were seen by our on site medic who made sure they were appropriately looked after, were able to safely leave the venue, and we are currently liaising with police to aid in their ongoing investigations.

'Customer safety is our top priority and our aim is to create a safe environment for people to come together and enjoy a night out.'

A police spokesperson, speaking about the incident in Lower Parliament Street, involving Ms Owen, said: 'We are currently investigating reports of individuals suspecting that their drinks have been spiked.

'Linked to this a small number of victims have said that they may have felt a scratching sensation as if someone may have spiked them physically. Consequently, we are actively investigating all these reports.

'We have a dedicated group of officers currently carrying out CCTV enquires at various venues where we have received such reports.

'Our enquiries into these incidents are ongoing but we understand people may be concerned about incidents like this and want to reassure the public we are working incredibly hard to investigate.'

The statement continued: 'What we need is that if any person experiences such an incident whilst on a night out that they or their friends make contact with us immediately in order that we can investigate at the earliest opportunity and secure evidence quickly.'

It follows reports from Edinburgh and Dundee, too. Police Scotland said it is also investigating reports of a female being spiked by injection and enquiries were at an early stage.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'We are aware of posts circulating on social media about spiking incidents involving injections in Scotland.

'Officers are carrying out enquiries, and a small number of reports from the Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow and Aberdeen areas are being investigated.

'These do not appear to be linked. We take all reports seriously and we would encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of spiking in any form to contact Police via 101.'

Victims have reported waking up with a pinprick surrounded by a giant bruise, as well as no memory of the night before.

Those targeted with needles also carry the risk of shared or unclean needles being used, posing threats of HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

One woman who claimed to have been spiked said she now has to go for monthly blood tests following a night out with friends last week.

She tweeted: 'So after seeing recent posts and thinking back to the weekend when I was out I phoned my doctor who confirmed it's likely that I was spiked by injection.

'I now need to go for monthly blood tests. Please please just be so vigilant when out. I can't confirm where it happened sadly.'

Another woman also took to social media to report being targeted with a needle.

She added: 'Please be careful on nights out. Last Saturday I was spiked in a club in through an injection in my hand.

'Luckily I was with people I trust who looked after me, but it was terrifying. I was sober when this happened and it shows protecting your drinks isn't enough.

'I don't remember the evening at all but was very unwell the next few days. Please be careful on nights out and if you do not feel right tell somebody.. Stay safe. X'

A petition calling for nightclubs to be legally required to search guests on arrival for weapons and 'date rape' drugs has now reached more than 75,000 signatures following the reports.

@Edi_Anonymous, an Instagram page that publishes anonymous submissions, said it had received multiple reports of women being spiked at nightclub venues

It says: 'There are too many cases of weapons and 'date rape' drugs being used in clubs.

'It begs the question, why aren't nightclubs required to do more to prevent harmful items making it into their clubs?'

Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome added that she is in contact with police following Ms Owen's report of being spiked with a needle.

She tweeted: 'I'm aware of extremely concerning reports of suspected spiking in Nottingham nightclubs, including by injection, and am in discussion with @nottswomenscent.

'If you have any information, please get in touch with @nottspolice, @nottswomenscent or me.'

Social media reports also emerged of a woman wearing a backless dress being injected in the back in Liverpool. However, Merseyside Police said it could not find any evidence 'that any criminality occurred'.

A spokesman for the force told MailOnline: 'We have been made aware of a social media post reporting that a woman was injected in the back in a Liverpool city centre nightclub and a report was received by Merseyside Police.

'We have worked closely with the club and examined CCTV footage. We have fully investigated the matter and we can't find evidence that any criminality has occurred.

'No formal statement has been made by the woman and no other persons have come forward.'
An abandoned baby was found inside a food delivery box in the red-light district in Thailand.

The child was spotted by a motorcycle taxi rider who was travelling in the Thai capital of Bangkok on September 23.

He said the box - normally used for containing food in storage - looked out of place, so he looked inside and found the baby boy, wrapped in a white cloth.

An abandoned baby was found inside a food delivery box in the red-light district in in the Thai capital of Bangkok on September 23

The motorcycle rider who found the baby, Top Chairat, said: I dont normally see a box where we all park motorcycles. I could not believe what I was looking at when I lifted the box open.

Whoever left the baby here is very cruel. The baby could have died. The lid was on the box when I found him so nobody else could see what was in there. He could have been put in a trash lorry or left in the night.'

The shocked rider called for help before using the box lid to fan the infant who was sweltering in the 35C heat.

Locals contacted the emergency services before paramedics arrived and gave the boy oxygen until his condition improved.

The child was spotted by motorcycle taxi rider Top Chairat who called for help before using the box lid to fan the infant who was sweltering in the 35C heat

The baby appeared to be uninjured but was later rushed to a police hospital for a health check-up.

He is believed to have been born within the last 24 hours before being dumped.

Authorities are now investigating to identify the child's mother, who they believe is responsible for leaving the baby on Sukhumvit Soi 6 among the city's notorious bars and strip clubs.
Students have blasted Durham University bosses for a tweet saying they can 'prevent' being spiked.

Durham University Student Wellbeing wrote on Twitter 'don't get spiked' and advised people to protect others by reporting cases to police.

The post, which has now been deleted, read: 'Drink Spiking is dangerous and something that you can prevent from happening to you and your friends.

'#dontgetspiked Contact the police as soon as possible in a suspected case so an investigation can be conducted and others protected.'

Durham Students' Union President Seun Twins was one of the hundreds of people who criticised the post, branding it as 'victim blaming.'

She said: 'This victim blaming messaging is extremely dangerous. What was this supposed to achieve other than to divert attention away from predators and predatory behaviour? Disappointed for the umpteenth time.'

Durham University Student Wellbeing wrote on Twitter 'don't get spiked' and advised people to protect others by reporting cases to police

Durham SU Welfare and Liberation Officer Jonah Graham also admitted being dismayed by the post.

He added: 'Disappointing. Spiking is assault so this hashtag is widely inappropriate.

'The uni should help students to stay safe (e.g. providing drink covers) and report incidents without insensitively blaming victims.

'All guilt lies with perpetrators - the primary focus must be on them.'

The post also provoked a reaction from students at other universities in the north of England.

Fran Heald, who studies at Leeds, told ChronicleLive: 'The tweet said ''don't get spiked'' and I understand what they were trying to do, as there's things you can do to avoid it.

'But those measures don't mean that you won't get spiked and they won't necessarily stop it from happening.'

Durham Students' Union President Seun Twins was one of the hundreds of people who criticised the post, branding it as 'victim blaming.' Pictured: The university's students' union

The 19-year-old added: 'I think it was a bit ignorant, especially coming from such a large institution with such a large number of students.

'I do appreciate them trying to help, because I feel a lot of universities haven't yet. But the way they went about it was completely wrong.'

A spokesman for Durham University said: 'We appreciate the feedback on our recent post about drink safety.'

They added: 'Students have reported concerns to us about drink spiking on nights out.

'We take this very seriously, and work with the police and others on guidance to help people be safe and report incidents.

'We also regularly train staff and student representatives on drug and alcohol awareness.

'We always aim to support our students and take opportunities to learn and improve our messaging on important topics like this.'
Nikolas Cruz, the 'cold and calculated' Parkland school shooter, blamed pot for the 2018 massacre of 14 students and three teachers after pleading guilty and apologizing to the victims' families as he now faces a possible death sentence.

Cruz entered guilty pleas in court Wednesday morning to 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder in the Valentine's Day slaughter at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Now 23, Cruz was a 19-year-old expelled student with a history of mental health and behavioral issues at the time of the 'premeditated' killings, the Broward State's Attorney Office said in court documents.

At the hearing Wednesday morning, Cruz told the judge he was experiencing 'anxiety,' which she then said was 'normal under the circumstances'.

In his apology to victims' families he seemingly blamed pot for the deadly attack, saying that the 'US would do better if everyone stopped smoking marijuana'.

'I hate drugs and I believe this country would do better if everyone would stop smoking marijuana and doing all these drugs and causing racism and violence out in the streets,' he added.

Cruz has previously admitted to using a lot of marijuana and had taken a lot of the prescription tranquilizer Xanax.

Nikolas Cruz entered guilty pleas to 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder in the Valentine's Day massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in a Florida court this morning (pictured in court today)

At his sentencing Cruz addressed the victims and their families. 'May I take off my mask?' he asked the judge before saying: 'I am very sorry for what I did and I have to live with it everyday'

'I know that you don't believe me,' Cruz said to the court as he stared down at the podium, adding that he now 'gets nightmares sometimes and can't even watch TV anymore'

He told Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer that he understood that he would, in the best case scenario, spend life in prison or be sentenced to death, and would not be allowed to appeal his sentence.

Nikolas Cruz's statement to victims and their families in court on Wednesday 'I am very sorry for what I did and I have to live with it every day. 'And that if I were to get a second chance I would do everything in my power to help others. 'And I am doing this for you and I do not care if you do not believe me. And I love you and I know you don't believe me but I have to live with this every day and it brings me nightmares and I can't live with myself sometimes. 'But I try to push through because I know that's what you guys would want me to do. 'I hate drugs and I believe this country would do better if everyone would stop smoking marijuana and doing all these drugs and causing racism and violence out in the streets. 'I'm sorry and I can't even watch TV anymore. 'And I'm trying my best to maintain my composure right now. I just want you to know I'm really sorry and I hope you give me a chance to try to help others. 'I believe it's your decision to decide where I go - whether I live or die - not the jury's. I believe it's your decision. I'm sorry.' Advertisement

The gun violence on February 14, 2018, left 14 students and three staff dead and 17 others injured.

At his sentencing Cruz asked whether he could address the victims and their families, who were pictured in court wearing shirts, pendants and jewelry in honor of their late loved ones.

'May I take off my mask?' he asked before saying: 'I am very sorry for what I did and I have to live with it everyday.

'If I were to get a second chance I would do everything in my power to help others.

'I do not care if you don't believe me,' he told the court, adding that he now gets 'nightmares sometimes... and can't even watch TV anymore.'

Cruz held back tears as he said: 'I hate drugs and I believe this country would do better if everyone would stop smoking marijuana... I'm trying my best to maintain my composure and I just want you to know that I'm really sorry.'

Back in 2018, the killer admitted to cops that he used a lot of marijuana and Xanax after being diagnosed as developmentally delayed at age three, according to government documents.

Cruz also revealed that on more than one occasion, he used substances to try to intentionally overdose.

He stared down at the podium Wednesday throughout the entirety of his statement.

'I know it's your decision to decide whether I live or die,' he said to the judge.

'What I meant was that I believe that they should have the right to choose - the victims - whether I take life or death,' Cruz added, although he clarified to the judge that he understands the law, which says a jury will decide Cruz's fate.

After Cruz's statement former Broward State Attorney Mike Satz recounted the details of every victim's death.

The judge's voice broke and seemingly had to compose herself for several seconds before speaking again. Cruz was then seen being handcuffed as an officer took his fingerprints.

Because prosecutors have vowed to seek the death penalty, his change of plea from not guilty to guilty would open the penalty phase in which a jury would decide whether he should be sentenced to life in prison without parole or death.

If prosecutors are not willing to drop the potential death penalty as part of any plea deal that may be struck with Cruz, then a jury would decide. In Florida, all 12 jurors must agree on the punishment.

Judge Scherer is scheduled to begin jury selection on January 4.

Because Cruz pleaded guilty, his attorneys will be able to argue why they believe their client shouldn't be sentenced to death, including that the killer has taken responsibility for his actions.

The defense is also expected to recount Cruz's history of mental illness and traumatic childhood. His father died when he was five and his mother passed away four months before the massacre.

Prosecutors plan on showing the school's security footage from the day of the massacre, including videos that show some of the victims' deaths in graphic detail, at future hearings. They also plan on presenting testimonies from students and teachers who survived the fatal attack.

Cruz told Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer (pictured) that he understood that he would, in the best case scenario, spend life in prison or be sentenced to death, and would not be allowed to appeal his sentence

After making his statement Cruz was seen being handcuffed (left) as an officer took his fingerprints (right)

Parents of victims of the mass school shooting got emotional in court as Cruz pleaded guilty to all 34 charges

Cruz slouched and hung his head at the court hearing on Wednesday morning

Meanwhile, the victims' families were seen hugging and consoling each other in the courtroom at Broward County Courthouse following Cruz's guilty plea and apologetic statement.

Other relatives of those killed watched the court hearing via Zoom and reportedly broke down in tears as Cruz entered his pleas.

Outside of the courthouse, Tony Montalto said that it was a challenge being in the same room as his daughter's killer.

'It was probably the most uncomfortable thing - well, second most uncomfortable thing - weve ever had to do. First was hugging our daughters lifeless body... Theres no moving on. Theres moving around the pain we feel every day,' he said.

'Today we saw a cold and calculating killer confess to the murder of my daughter Gina and 16 other innocent victims at their school,' he added before condemning the shooter's statement.

'Hes doing it for our families? If you wanted to do something for our families, you shouldnt have killed our loved ones!'

Tony wore a face mask and shirt with his daughter's name printed on them - and a pin with her picture - to honor his daughter Gina Montalto, 14, who was sitting outside of her classroom when Cruz shot her at close range multiple times.

'His guilty pleas are the first step in the judicial process but there is no change for my family. Our bright, beautiful, and beloved daughter Gina is gone while her killer still enjoys the blessing of life in prison,' he added.

Debbie Hixon, whose husband Chris, 49, was the athletic director at Stoneman Douglas when he was killed in the shooting, said: 'I don't want to hear that he's sorry or that he wants to do good.

He should have thought of that on February 13. It's a little too late.'

Fifteen-year-old victim Luke Hoyer's mother Gena (right) was pictured hugging Debbie Hixon, whose husband was the athletic director at the school in 2018 when he was shot dead

Gina Montalto, 14, was one of 17 victims on the Valentine's Day shooting. Her mother Jennifer (right) was pictured during a court recess today

At his sentencing Cruz asked whether he could address the victims and their families, who were pictured in court wearing shirts, pendants and jewelry in honor of their late loved ones. Luke Hoyer's mother Gena wore a necklace with her son's picture (left) and Tony Montalto wore a pin of his daughter Gina (right), who died in the massacre

Fred Guttenberg (pictured), has been a vocal activist against gun violence since his 14-year-old daughter Jaime was killed during the school shooting

Gena Hoyer, whose 15-year-olf son Luke died in the shooting, said she thought Cruz's shoddy apology was 'to keep a violent, evil person off death row'.

'He does not deserve life in prison,' she said of the killer, adding that her son was 'a sweet young man who had a life ahead of him and the person you saw in there today chose to take his life'.

Luke's father Tom Hoyer said: 'Maybe someday well find room in our hearts to forgive him. But thats not the same as mercy. I dont think he deserves mercy.'

Fred Guttenberg's 14-year-old daughter Jaime was also killed the day of the massacre and he has since been a vocal activist against gun violence. But after the court hearing the mourning father didn't have much to say.

'Were one step closer to justice. I'm going to see my daughter,' he said on his way out of the courthouse.

Anthony Borges, a then-15-year-old Stoneman Douglas student who was grievously wounded in the attack, was also seen at the court hearing.

He was shot five times - twice in his right leg, once in his left leg and twice in his torso - while using his body as a human shield to protect 20 other students as they fled the school. He told reporters afterwards that he accepted Cruz's apology and noted that it was not up to him to determine the killer's fate.

Borges said outside of the courthouse: 'He made a decision to shoot the school. I am not God to make the decision to kill him or not. Thats not my decision.

'My decision is to be a better person and to change the world for every kid. I dont want this to happen to anybody again. It hurts. It hurts. It really hurts. So, I am just going to keep going. Thats it.'

During last week's hearing, Cruz pleaded guilty to assault and battery of a law enforcement officer in a separate case in which he was accused of kicking, hitting and punching a sheriff's deputy as well as attempting to remove his taser in a November 2018 jail attack.

Before accepting his plea, Scherer asked him if he understood the impact the assault case could have in the penalty phase of the murder case.

'Sir, I need to advise you that the state is going to be using this conviction in this case as evidence of an aggravating factor for purposes of arguing in favor of the death penalty. Do you understand that?' Scherer asked Cruz.

'Yes, ma'am,' Cruz responded.

Some of the teenagers who survived the deadly rampage formed 'March for Our Lives,' an organization that called for gun control legislation such as a ban on assault-style rifles.

In March 2018, the group held a nationally televised march in Washington that sparked hundreds of similar rallies worldwide.

Anthony Borges (left and right after the 2018 attack) was a 15-year-old Stoneman Douglas student when Cruz shot him five times - twice in his right leg, once in his left leg and twice in his torso. Borges was using his body as a shield as 20 students fled the building when he was grievously wounded. He attended the court hearing on Wednesday morning

Borges told reporters outside of the courthouse on Wednesday morning that he accepted Cruz's apology and noted that it was not up to him to determine the killer's fate

Cruz was just 18 when he legally purchased the semiautomatic AR-15 rifle - used in the shooting - from a licensed gun dealer.

He was not a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High at the time, having been expelled during the 2016-17 school year. But on Wednesday, February 14, 2018, Cruz ordered an Uber to drop him off at the school.

He entered the building with the AR-15 and multiple magazines, just before classes ended for the day. He activated the fire alarm and then opened fire for a total of six minutes, killing 17 - 14 students and three teachers - and wounding 17 others.

He fled the scene but was arrested later that afternoon without incident in nearby Coral Springs and reportedly identified himself to police as the gunman responsible.

In a confession later that afternoon Cruz claimed that a voice in his head told him to do violent things, including buying guns, building fire pits and killing birds.

Judge Scherer has told Cruz's attorneys to disclose soon whether they intend to pursue an insanity defense. Defense lawyers said all but one of their mental health experts have examined Cruz but no announcement was made on the insanity issue.

Cruz has a well-documented history of mental problems prior to the shooting. School and government records showed that the killer was diagnosed as developmentally delayed at age three.

He told cops that he often used a lot of marijuana and took a lot of Xanax, a prescription tranquilizer.

He said during the confession that this menacing voice - which he described as a male around his age and called Demon - instructed him to order an Uber a day of the massacre, which he admitted to planning for up to a week before.

The video also revealed that Cruz attempted to kill himself in an intentional overdose two months before the shooting but failed. It wasn't his first attempt at suicide but he provided no other details beyond the word 'alcohol'.

Surveillance video captured Cruz, now 23, stalking the hallways of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14, 2018, aged 19

Cruz activated the fire alarm and then opened fire for a total of six minutes, killing 17 - 14 students and three teachers - and wounding 17 others (Pictured: Students were evacuated from Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School by police during the mass shooting)

Cruz fled the scene but was later arrested without incident in nearby Coral Springs later that afternoon. He reportedly identified himself to police as the gunman responsible

Further chilling information would later emerge, including a cellphone video in which Cruz is heard bragging about his fatal plans.

Taken within days of the massacre, Cruz is heard in one clip saying: 'When you see me on the news youll know who I am. Youre all going to die. Pew pew pew. I cant wait.'

In the confession video - which was 10 hours and 22 minutes long - Cruz also said that Demon distrusted the man interviewing him, Broward County Sheriffs Detective John Curcio, for being 'too nice'.

Curcio said: 'Personally, I think youre using the demon as an excuse' but Cruz insisted: 'I'm not.'

Then, when left alone in the interview room, Cruz was heard saying that he wanted to die.

Accusations also emerged that he had been abusive to an ex-girlfriend, stalked another girl, was banned from carrying a backpack at school and had previously brought in bullets and knives, hidden in a lunchbox.

On Tuesday, Scherer rejected a motion by defendant Cruz's lawyers claiming that intense media coverage jeopardizes his right to a fair trial.

Scherer did not elaborate on her reasons for denial, saying she would detail them in a written order later.

Cruz's lawyers contended that open hearings might publicly reveal inadmissible evidence that will never be heard at trial and that news coverage could otherwise create bias among jurors.

The Florida Supreme Court ruled in 1982 that pretrial hearings are presumed to be open in most circumstances and can be closed only when there are no alternatives available except moving the trial elsewhere in the state. Prosecutors insist the trial must take place in Broward County.

Cruz (pictured at pre-trial hearing in January 2020) has a well-documented history of mental problems prior to the shooting. School and government records showed that the killer was diagnosed as developmentally delayed at age three

How were at least 16 warning signs missed for Nikolas Cruz? 1. 'I'm going to be a professional school shooter' Nikolas Cruz left a comment on a YouTube video back in September using his own name that simply read: 'I'm going to be a professional school shooter' 2. FBI was warned about the comment but couldn't identify him Vlogger Ben Bennight alerted the FBI to the comment shared by Cruz. The FBI was quick to respond, arriving at his office the next day but only after Bennight called a local field agent, revealing his initial attempts to send in a screengrab of the comment failed when the email address he found listed on the agency's website came back with a domain error saying it did not exist. The FBI was unable to identify the person who posted the comment. 3. Bought an AR-15 age 18 After Cruz's mother died, he eventually moved in the the family of a former classmate, where he brought his AR-15 which was kept in a locked cabinet that he had the key to. He was able to purchase the rifle in the past year and passed a required background check. Federal law allowed people 18 and over to legally purchase long guns. At 21, people can legally buy handguns from a license dealer. Cruz was also studying marksmanship in the Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps. 4. Troubling Instagram page Cruz's Instagram page is filled with disturbing posts of what appears to be himself showing off with weapons with his face covered, asking for advice on buying firearms, and making racist comments about Muslims. 5. Was a member of a white nationalist group and came to training exercises Jordan Jereb claims that Cruz was a member of the Republic of Florida, which aims to make Florida its own white-entho state. Jereb claimed Cruz, who was adopted, was brought up in the organization by another member and he reportedly carpooled to at least two training exercises held by the group. 6. Boasted about hurting animals Students who say they knew Cruz claimed he liked to kill animals. 'He was crazy because he liked to kill small things, like little animals - frogs and other animals like that and he just had a crazy mind,' one told 10ABC news. Another classmate claims he would tell him he shot rats with a BB gun. 7. Took knives and bullets to school Former classmate Joshua Charo, 16, said all he 'would talk about is guns, knives and hunting'. Another student said he started selling knives out of a lunchbox when he started high school, while he was also found to be carrying bullet casings in his bag. 8. Was banned from carrying a backpack Jim Gard, a math teacher, who had Cruz in his class last year, said he believes the school sent out an email warning teachers he shouldn't be allowed on campus with a backpack. 'There were problems with him last year threatening students and I guess he was asked to leave campus'. 9. Expelled for fighting The deeply troubled 'loner' was expelled last year for 'fighting over his ex-girlfriend' with her new boyfriend. 10. Abusive to his ex-girlfriend Students claim the gunman was abusive to his girlfriend 11. Stalked another girl Mr Gard also claimed that he was taken with another student 'to the point of stalking her', while another student who claims to have been friends with Cruz said he had to cut him off because he started 'going after' and 'threatening' a female friend of his. 12. Peeping Tom Neighbor Christine Rosburgh said she, and all the other neighbors, were terrified of the teen who would bang his head against a cement wall if his legal guardians tried to send him to school. She also claims she caught him peeking in her window and when she confronted him, he said he was looking for golf balls. 'I said, "This isn't the golf course". 13. Stopped his mental health treatment Cruz had been getting treatment at a mental health clinic, but stopped about a year ago and dropped off the radar. He was showing signs of depression. Broward County Mayor Beam Furr said: 'It wasn't like there wasn't concern for him. We try to keep out eyes out on those kids who aren't connected... In this case, we didn't find a way to connect with this kid.' 14. Possible fetal alcohol syndrome Natalie Brassard, a program director at the non-profit FASCETS, which works with FASD children, said some of Cruz's characteristics 'suggest that he might have been living with an invisible brain-based condition - it could have been FASD or many others.' Conditions of FASD can range from mild to severe but can include learning disabilities, intellectual disability or low IQ, poor reasoning and judgment and a host of other issues. 15. Orphaned Cruz's adoptive mother, Lynda Cruz, 68, died of pneumonia in November last year. She was one of the only people that was remotely close to Cruz. His adoptive father Roger Cruz died of a heart attack several years ago. After his mother died, he and his brother were left in the care of family friend Barbara Kumbatovich, of Long Island, New York. He is believed to have lived for a few weeks at the Lantana Cascade mobile-home neighborhood with a different family friend before moving in with a former classmate's family in Parkland around Thanksgiving. 16. Disturbing posts on Snapchat Cruz was investigated by state authorities in 2016 after he filmed himself cutting his own arms on Snapchat and saying he wanted to buy a gun. He posted the video on the social media app in September 2016, 17 months before he allegedly committed the school shooting. He posted the Snapchat clip just days after turning 18 year of age and shortly after he broke up with his girlfriend who was cheating on him, his mother told investigators. Advertisement
Advertisement

The Queen is still expected to meet world leaders at the Cop26 climate change conference in Glasgow despite cancelling a trip to Northern Ireland after she 'reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days'.

The 95-year-old monarch - who has been seen using a walking stick at engagements over the past week - is said to be in good spirits but disappointed not to be able to carry out the two-day trip, which was due to begin today.

The Queen has had a busy few days and hosted a major global investment summit at Windsor Castle yesterday evening. She also had engagements last week at the Welsh Senedd in Cardiff and Westminster Abbey in London.

The Queen is now resting at Windsor Castle and is still expected at this stage to host a reception in Scotland on November 1 for the Cop26 conference, although it is likely a view will be taken on this nearer the time.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said in a statement issued shortly after 11am this morning: 'The Queen has reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days.

'Her Majesty is in good spirits and is disappointed that she will no longer be able to visit Northern Ireland, where she had been due to undertake a series of engagements today and tomorrow. The Queen sends her warmest good wishes to the people of Northern Ireland, and looks forward to visiting in the future.'

A royal source said there was 'no cause for caution' about the Queen's health - and her decision is understood not to be related to coronavirus. Her condition has not been revealed.

The Queen is double-vaccinated, having been given her first jab by a household doctor at Windsor Castle on January 9 and her second at the end of March ahead of what was her first public appearance in five months.

Buckingham Palace would not comment on whether the head of state had received her booster Covid-19 jab, but given her age it is likely she has already had it.

Today's news follows reports over the weekend in Vanity Fair that the Queen had been told to stop drinking alcohol by royal doctors, who were said to have advised her to forgo a drink except for special occasions.

The Queen carried out 136 engagements in person or via videolink over 130 days last year despite the pandemic, with only Princess Anne (148 over 145 days) and Prince Charles (146 over 141 days) completing more.

Queen Elizabeth II meets attendees at a reception for Global Investment Conference delegates at Windsor Castle yesterday

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates was among the guests invited to the Queen's Berkshire home yesterday evening

Yesterday -- The Queen appears on a screen via videolink from Windsor Castle, where she is in residence, during a virtual audience to receive the Ambassador from Japan, Hajime Hayashi (centre), and Haruko Hayashi (left), at Buckingham Palace

Prince Charles continued to work today - as he made Mary Berry a Dame Commander during an investiture at Windsor Castle

Yesterday, it was revealed the Queen had turned down the Oldie of the Year trophy because she feels she does not meet the criteria, believing 'you are only as old as you feel'.

The Queen, who is just five years away from her 100th birthday, is due to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee - 70 years on the throne - next year.

Queen's engagements over the past fortnight October 6 -- Meets members of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery to mark the 150th Anniversary of the foundation of A and B Batteries, at Windsor Castle October 7 -- Prince Edward and the Queen attend the launch of the Queen's Baton Relay for Birmingham 2022, the XXII Commonwealth Games, at Buckingham Palace October 10 -- She goes to The Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor as she returns to Sunday morning church October 12 -- The Queen uses a walking stick as she attends a service at Westminster Abbey in London October 13 -- Dame Imogen Cooper is presented with The Queen's Medal for Music at Buckingham Palace October 14 -- She uses a walking stick as she attends the opening ceremony of the Welsh Senedd in Cardiff October 16 -- The Queen is inducted into the British Champions Series Hall of Fame in Ascot Racecourse Monday - The Queen holds a virtual audience with the new governor-general of New Zealand Yesterday -- Virtual audience at Windsor Castle for the Japanese ambassador Hajime Hayashi and EU ambassador Joao de Almeida at Buckingham Palace Yesterday -- Reception for Global Investment Conference delegates at Windsor Castle Advertisement

She still keeps a busy diary of events and audiences and deals with her daily red boxes of official papers.

Since she returned to Windsor from her summer break at Balmoral, the Queen has carried out 15 engagements, listed in the Court Circular, including her audiences, plus an additional trip to Ascot.

Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, said the Queen's autumn schedule had been more crammed than expected, but last-minute cancellations were inevitable in the future.

"Every now and again there will be this reminder that she is 95 and she can't do what was expected of her 10, 20 years ago," Mr Little said.

The Queen held two audiences yesterday via video link from Windsor Castle, greeting the Japanese ambassador Hajime Hayashi and the EU ambassador Joao de Almeida, followed by the investment summit in the evening.

Among those at the Windsor reception for billionaire business leaders, presidential envoys and tech entrepreneurs were Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, US climate envoy John Kerry, Poppy Gustafsson, chief executive of cyber security firm Darktrace, and Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, managing director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

Today, England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty urged people to get vaccinated against Covid-19 or take up the offer of a booster shot.

He also stressed the importance of wearing masks in crowded indoor spaces after the NHS Confederation called for the introduction of 'Plan B' measures which would make face coverings compulsory in some settings in England.

At the weekend, the Queen enjoyed a day at the races at Ascot, and on Monday held a virtual audience with the new governor-general of New Zealand.

Last week, she travelled to Cardiff to deliver a speech at the ceremonial opening of the sixth Welsh Senedd in Cardiff.

The Queen's husband of 73 years the Duke of Edinburgh died in April at the age of 99.

The monarch has been pictured out and about at the Royal Windsor Horse Show and Ascot in the months since, and still enjoys riding her own ponies.

Last week, she used a walking stick for what is believed to be the first time at a major public event when she attended a service marking the centenary of the Royal British Legion.

She had previously been photographed using a cane in 2003, but that was after she underwent knee surgery.

The Queen had been due to arrive in Hillsborough, County Down, today where she was scheduled to meet with locals including schoolchildren after the village was officially named Royal Hillsborough.

October 16 -- Queen Elizabeth II attends Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire

October 14 -- Queen Elizabeth II uses a walking stick attends the opening ceremony of the Welsh Senedd in Cardiff

October 13 -- Dame Imogen Cooper is received by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, London, where she was presented with The Queen's Medal for Music for 2019

October 12 -- Queen Elizabeth II uses a walking stick as she arrives to attend a service at Westminster Abbey in London

It was the first village or town in Northern Ireland to be granted royal status. The Queen was also due to attend a church service in Armagh tomorrow to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland's formation.

Queen faces busy schedule of royal duties six months on from death of her husband Philip The Queen, who is under doctors' orders to rest at Windsor, has a bumper programme of celebrations to prepare for next year. The monarch is gearing up for her milestone Platinum Jubilee, with a weekend of festivities being held next summer. The four-day royal extravaganza in June - with an extra Bank Holiday - includes Trooping the Colour, a service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral, a visit to the Epsom Derby, a live concert at Buckingham Palace and a Jubilee Pageant. The medical advice to the Queen to spend a few days resting comes just six months after the death of her beloved husband the Duke of Edinburgh. The Queen was left bereft at the loss of her lifelong companion Philip, who died in his sleep at the age of 99, and was pictured sitting alone amid Covid restrictions at his funeral. After the duke's death, she quickly returned to official engagements - at an age when most people would have retired more than 30 years earlier. She continued with her duties as she has always pledged to do, and within weeks appeared in public for the State Opening of Parliament. The Queen has kept busy and as the Covid restrictions lifted, she was out and about enjoying her favourite pastimes, visiting the Royal Windsor Horse show and going to the races. In the past two weeks, the monarch has attended a service at Westminster Abbey, opened the Welsh Senedd session in Cardiff, been to Ascot, and hosted a major global investment summit evening reception at Windsor. In the next few weeks and months, the 95-year-old head of state is set to travel to Glasgow for the high-profile Cop26 climate change conference, attend Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph and then record her Christmas Day broadcast to the nation, among other events. Her Cop26 visit is still said to be on the cards, and the announcement on Wednesday is not said to be Covid-related. Buckingham Palace said the monarch was in good spirits and that she was disappointed to pull out of a two-day trip to Northern Ireland on the day it was due to begin. She officially reaches her Platinum Jubilee on February 6 - the date when she acceded to the throne after the death of her father King George VI in 1952. Generally, the Queen is known for her robust health even though she is just five years away from her 100th birthday. In January 2020, she missed her annual visit to the Sandringham Women's Institute due to a slight cold. During the coronavirus pandemic, the Queen retreated to Windsor Castle for her safety, where she was joined by Philip in lockdown. The couple were vulnerable to Covid-19 because of their advanced age, but were protected by 'HMS Bubble' - their reduced household of about 20 staff. The monarch served as a symbol of national stability during the crisis, delivering two rare televised addresses to the nation just weeks apart. She reassured the country that the virus would be overcome, telling those in isolation: 'We will meet again.' Advertisement

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis tweeted: 'Wishing Her Majesty The Queen all the very best as she takes a few days' rest. I look forward to meeting her in Northern Ireland in the future.'

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson also tweeted his best wishes. 'We thank Her Majesty for her good wishes to the people of Northern Ireland and trust that she will keep well and benefit from a period of rest,' he tweeted.

'It is always a joy to have Her Majesty in Royal Hillsborough and we look forward to a further visit in the near future.'

The church service in Armagh became the centre of a row last month after the president of Ireland Michael D Higgins declined an invitation to attend because he believed it was not politically neutral.

The Irish government will be represented at the service by Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney and chief whip Jack Chambers.

The prayer service has been organised by the four main churches in Northern Ireland. Church leaders expressed sorrow after learning the Queen would not be attending.

'We are very sorry to learn that it will not be possible for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to be present for the Service of Reflection and Hope in Armagh tomorrow,' they said in a statement.

'We wish to convey to Her Majesty our good wishes and, in doing so, to acknowledge the significance of her commitment to the work of peace and reconciliation, which has meant a great deal to people throughout this island.

'We hope that tomorrow's service will provide an opportunity to further that work, with an emphasis on our shared hopes for the future.'

The statement was signed by Presbyterian Moderator David Bruce, Church of Ireland Primate John McDowell, Catholic Primate Eamon Martin, President of the Irish Council of Churches Ivan Patterson and President of the Methodist Church in Ireland Sahr Yambasu.

As well coping with the duke's death, the Queen and the royal family have endured some of their most turbulent times in modern history in recent years.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex plunged the monarchy into crisis with their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March, while Philip was in hospital.

Harry and Meghan accused an unnamed member of the family of racism towards their son Archie before he was born, and the institution of failing to help the suicidal duchess.

The pair quit as senior working royals in 2020 in favour of more freedom and the ability to earn their own money in the US.

Harry said he felt let down by his father the Prince of Wales and that 'there's a lot of hurt that's happened' in their relationship, and his long-standing rift with the Duke of Cambridge has continued.

In the aftermath of the Oprah broadcast, the Queen issued a statement saying 'while some recollections may vary', the issues would be taken 'very seriously', but dealt with privately as a family.

The scandal that engulfed the Queen's second son the Duke of York, who was forced to step back from public duties in November 2019, moved up a gear this year.

Andrew had faced mounting pressure and calls to answer the FBI's questions following his 'car crash' Newsnight interview about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein

His friend Ghislaine Maxwell is to go on trial, charged with recruiting girls for Epstein.

Then in August 2021, Virginia Giuffre, who says she was trafficked by Epstein, started legal action against Andrew for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was 17 and still a minor under US law.

Lawyers for Ms Giuffre filed the civil suit seeking unspecified damages at a federal court in New York.

She alleges she was sexually abused by Andrew at Maxwell's home in London, Epstein's New York mansion and at other locations including Epstein's private Caribbean island Little St James.

October 10 -- Queen Elizabeth II is seen on her way to The Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor as she returns to church

October 7 -- Prince Edward and Queen Elizabeth II attend the launch of the Queen's Baton Relay for Birmingham 2022, the XXII Commonwealth Games, at Buckingham Palace

October 6 -- Queen Elizabeth II gestures as she meets members of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery to mark the 150th Anniversary of the foundation of A and B Batteries, at Windsor Castle

October 4 -- The Queen is shown the baton that will carry her personal message at Buckingham Palace in London ahead of the launch of the Queen's Baton Relay for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

October 2 -- Queen Elizabeth II shakes hands with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall looks on at the opening of the sixth session of the Scottish Parliament

October 1 -- The Queen and Prince Charles walk to the Balmoral Cricket Pavilion to plant a tree to mark the start of the official planting season for the Queen's Green Canopy on the Balmoral Estate in Scotland

Andrew categorically denies he had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Ms Giuffre.

Political and church leaders wish Queen well Political leaders have wished the Queen well following the cancellation of her visit to Northern Ireland this week. Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis tweeted: 'Wishing Her Majesty The Queen all the very best as she takes a few days' rest. I look forward to meeting her in Northern Ireland in the future.' DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson also tweeted his best wishes. 'We thank Her Majesty for her good wishes to the people of Northern Ireland and trust that she will keep well and benefit from a period of rest,' he tweeted. 'It is always a joy to have Her Majesty in Royal Hillsborough and we look forward to a further visit in the near future.' Church leaders expressed sorrow after learning the Queen would not be attending. 'We are very sorry to learn that it will not be possible for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to be present for the Service of Reflection and Hope in Armagh tomorrow,' they said in a statement. 'We wish to convey to Her Majesty our good wishes and, in doing so, to acknowledge the significance of her commitment to the work of peace and reconciliation, which has meant a great deal to people throughout this island. 'We hope that tomorrow's service will provide an opportunity to further that work, with an emphasis on our shared hopes for the future.' Advertisement

Despite the royals' problems, there have also been times of celebration, with the Queen welcoming a host of new great-grandchildren.

Princess Eugenie gave birth to her first child, a son called August, in February 2021 and Zara Tindall welcomed her third, Lucas, who was born at home on the bathroom floor the month after.

Harry and Meghan's daughter Lilibet, who the Queen has yet to meet in person, arrived in June, and Princess Beatrice, who wed during the pandemic in a secret lockdown ceremony, had her daughter Sienna in September.

Last night, the Queen welcomed billionaire business leaders, presidential envoys and tech entrepreneurs to Windsor Castle for a reception following a Government investment summit.

Mr Gates was among the guests invited to the Queen's Berkshire home after the day-long conference in London aimed at encouraging foreign funding by showcasing the best of British innovation.

The Queen was joined by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge at the reception, and met some of the leading figures in the castle's green drawing room before the royals mingled more widely.

Neither the royal family nor the guests were wearing masks.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was due to be introduced first, but he appeared after the Queen began welcoming her guests and took his place at the end of the line.

In a foreword for the Global Investment Summit's official brochure, the Queen said she was 'proud' of how the UK is moving towards a sustainable future but 'there is still much more to do'.

The head of state also urged nations to 'rise to the challenge' and avert the problems associated with climate change.

It comes after the monarch appeared to suggest last week she was irritated by a lack of action in tackling climate change.

In an overheard exchange following the opening of the Welsh Senedd she appeared to express her exasperation just a few weeks before world leaders gather in Glasgow for Cop26.
Do you know any of the anti-vaxxers? E-mail jamie.phillips@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement

A group of anti-vaxxers swooped on Buckinghamshire secondary schools and photographed pupils as they were bombarded with leaflets claiming 'taking the #clotshot won't save your granny'.

The mob targeted pupils as young as 11 at three secondary schools shouting that the Covid vaccine would also cause paralysis or give them autism.

Pupils were also 'harassed' with fliers that contained a QR code with a link to an anti-jab song, as well as warnings not to take the vaccine.

A parent of one pupil targeted by the group said that an individual was 'taking photos of every child who took the leaflets from them'.

Police were called to the Sir William Borlase school in Marlow on Thursday, while teaching staff had to intervene at The Beaconsfield School on Wednesday and the Amersham School on Monday.

Pupils were targeted with leaflets that said ''taking the #clotshot won't save your granny' and '#safertowait'

A second leaflet given to pupils asked 'why would you inject an mRNA jab, still on trial until 2023?'. It also contained a QR code with further warnings against the vaccine

Sir William Borlase in Marlow was targeted by an anti-vax group who handed leaflets to pupils warning against taking their Covid jabs

It comes as children aged between 12 and 17 are now eligible for Covid jabs as part of the latest vaccination programme.

Beaconsfield School head teacher Peter Tang said: 'As ever, we are focused on making sure our children are thriving in school, and are safe and well at all times.

'Whilst I recognise the right of anyone to have their voice heard, some of the protesters behaviour caused myself and my staff concern.

'Young people have a right to expect physical and emotional safety from adults and this remains our priority.'

Amersham School head Sharon Jarrett added: 'No child should feel harassed when either coming to school or leaving school - in my opinion.'

One of the anti-vax flyers stated that 'taking the #clotshot wont save your granny'.

A second asked: 'Why would you inject an mRNA jab, still on trial until 2023?'

Teaching staff had to intervene at The Beaconsfield School as children as young as 11 made their way into school

Experts have warned a subvariant of the Covid Delta strain could be more infectious than its ancestor on the back of data that revealed the proportion of cases linked to the strain has doubled in a month

Coronavirus deaths in the UK on Tuesday rose to their highest daily level since early March as cases continue to rise

However, parents reacted with fury after hearing their children had been targeted.

Xocoa Sharma, whose son is at the Sir William Borlase school, said: Anti-vaxxers outside my sons secondary school today after they heard flu and covid jabs were being given. Shouting the Covid jab gives you autism, scaring the kids.

'Police had to intervene. My son and his friends already have autism from...wait for it... BIRTH.

'They were shouting that the covid jab would paralyse them.

'They were also arguing with teachers saying the injections are poison.'

A mum at the Amersham School added: 'Your leaflet has been placed exactly where it deserves to be, in the bin.

'Parents and children can make up their minds.'

Parents reacted with fury after finding out their children had been targeted by a group of anti-vaxxers

One parent claimed the group were shouting that the Covid jab would lead to paralysis and autism

A statement from Thames Valley Police confirmed officers had been called to William Borlase school, saying the group left shortly after officers arrived at the scene.

A police spokesperson said: 'I can confirm that officers did attend Sir William Borlase school in Marlow to reports that there were people handing out leaflets to those entering the school.

'Those who were handing out the leaflets then left.'

Do you know any of the anti-vaxxers? E-mail jamie.phillips@mailonline.co.uk
Boris Johnson's big COP26 moment suffered another blow today as Vladimir Putin confirmed he is snubbing the summit.

The Kremlin said the Russian president will not be attending the gathering in Glasgow at the end of the month.

It comes after China's Xi Jinping made clear he is not intending to travel to the UN event, heightening fears that the summit will fail to make significant progress in the fight against climate change.

Although both countries are expected to send delegations, the presence of national leaders is seen as crucial to add impetus to the process.

Mr Johnson has insisted he is hoping for a 'good' turnout in Glasgow, but pointed to the pandemic as a factor.

The Kremlin said Vladimir Putin (left) will not be attending the gathering in Glasgow at the end of the month. China's Xi Jinping (right) is also not expected to go

Boris Johnson has insisted he is hoping for a 'good' turnout in Glasgow, but pointed to the pandemic as a factor

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Covid situation was preventing Mr Putin from travelling.

'He will also not fly to Glasgow, unfortunately,' the spokesman said. 'We need to work out in what format it will be possible to speak via video conference, at what moment

'The issues that will be discussed in Glasgow right now form one of the priorities of our foreign policy.'

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro have also not committed to attending.

Who is coming to the COP26 summit? Even the Queen has been publicly complaining that she does not know who is coming to the big UN climate summit in Glasgow. CONFIRMED OR LIKELY US president Joe Biden Australian PM Scott Morrison Israeli PM Naftali Bennett Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan French president Emmanuel Macron Italian PM Mario Draghi Colombian president Ivan Duque Swedish PM Stefan Lofven Swiss President Guy Parmelin South Korean President Moon Jae-in Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau OUT OR DOUBTFUL Chinese president Xi Jinping Russian president Vladimir Putin Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Japanese PM Fumio Kishida Pope Francis Advertisement

US President Joe Biden confirmed only last week that he will be there, and Australian prime minister Scott Morrison is coming despite initial doubts.

If China does not commit to new action, the prospect of keeping global warming to 1.5C could well be scuppered. The country is responsible for 27 per cent of global carbon emissions.

Even the Queen has been unable to conceal her frustration at the vague guest list for COP26.

Caught on microphone while attending the opening of the Welsh parliament in Cardiff last week, the monarch said: 'Extraordinary isn't it... I've been hearing all about Cop... still don't know who is coming... no idea.

'We only know about people who are not coming... It's really irritating when they talk, but they don't do.'

Mr Johnson vowed to make Britain the 'Qatar of hydrogen' today as he wooed businesses chiefs including Bill Gates at a glitzy pre-COP26 summit - urging them to invest 'trillions' in tackling climate change.

The PM gave a speech and chatted to the Microsoft billionaire on stage at the Science Museum as he asked industry leaders to commit funding to decarbonising the world economy - insisting 'green is good, green is right'.

He said the UK had a responsibility to act on cutting emissions as 'we were the first to knit the deadly tea cosy of CO2' - pointing to the 'big bets' the government is making on electric vehicles and gigafactories for battery production.

Mr Johnson also played down concerns that the looming COP26 summit in Glasgow will be a failure, saying he is hoping for a 'good turnout' of world leaders despite expected snubs from China and Russia.

He said there were $24trillion represented in the room at the Science Museum conference London.

'I can deploy billions  with the approval of the Chancellor, obviously  but you in this room, you can deploy trillions,' he said.

'I want to say to each and every one of those dollars, you are very welcome to the UK and you have come to the right place at the right time.'

He said hydrogen would be a significant part of the solution to replacing fossil fuels. 'To drive a digger or a truck or to hurl a massive passenger plane down a runway, you need what Jeremy Clarkson used to call ''grunt''  I think there may be a technical term for it  but ''grunt''.

'Hydrogen provides that grunt, so we are making big bets on hydrogen, we are making bets on solar and hydro, and, yes  of course  on nuclear as well, for our baseload.'
Desperate hospitality venues are offering Australians bonuses to ditch Covid disaster payments or JobSeeker as they emerge from lockdown, with borders opening creating a surge of customers.

Chefs, waiters, bar staff and even dishwashers are being offered one-off cash payments of thousands of dollars in addition to regular paychecks in a bid to attract workers.

George Pompei from Pompei pizza and pasta restaurant in Bondi is offering a $2,000 sign-on bonus after struggling to find willing staff, with applicants preferring to stay on JobSeeker payments.

Pompei at Bondi (pictured) is offering a $2,000 bonus to new staff as the pizza restaurant heads into the busy summer period

'Out of three applicants who we actually spoke to over the phone, nobody has turned up for an interview,' he told The Daily Telegraph.

Mr Pompei explained he relies on working-holiday visa holders to backup his permanent staff and fill his roster.

But because of border closures he is so short of staff he's had to close on Mondays and stop lunch service on Tuesdays to Thursdays.

'We're heading to our really busy period in summer... this is really impacting our ability to function,' he added.

He is not alone - with other Sydney venues offering similar incentives.

The Apollo in Potts Point is seeking a floor manager and offering a cash bonus to the successful applicant.

While hospitality companies The Dog's Group and Australian Venue Co. are offering up to $3,500 as sign-on bonuses.

The Apollo (pictured) in Potts Point is offering a similar incentive as customers once again can dine-in

Dianne Dayhew from National Apprentice Employment Network said the $750-a-week Covid disaster payments may have left many hospitality workers not needing to immediately return to work.

She added that the hospitality industry needed to promote the career paths available from entry level positions as another way to attract staff.

'We really do need to build up the capability of our own workforce rather than relying on skilled migration to fill those gaps,' she said.

The desperate businesses may soon be in luck when more than a million NSW residents have the Covid-19 disaster payments scrapped in less than two weeks, with the state no longer declared a 'hotspot'.

With 80 per cent of the population now fully vaccinated, Australian Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly confirmed NSW's hotspot title will no longer apply, which means the related Covid support payments will end two weeks later.

The industry relies on working holiday visa holders but with the borders shut there is a shortfall of workers

Emergency Management Minister Bridget McKenzie said the temporary disaster payment which offered a maximum of $750 per week would wind down in NSW over the next fortnight, with people needing to apply each week to remain eligible.

In the first week after the 80 per cent milestone people can apply for $450 if they have lost 8 hours or a full day's work or more, while in the second week the rate decreases to $320 before ceasing altogether.

The same payments will also be scrapped in other states once the 80 per cent milestone is hit.

Under the national plan agreed by all premiers and chief ministers, the hotspot declaration automatically ends within a particular state or territory once the 80 per cent target has been reached.

The cost of the payments is more than $1billion each week with Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg earlier saying the economy 'is well positioned to bounce back'.
Three people are dead and two others critically wounded following a late night shooting at a home in the southeastern Wisconsin city of Kenosha, police said.

The shooting took place on Tuesday night at a residence near 6th Avenue and 40th Place in Kenosha, though police have not yet released details of what led to the incident.

The Kenosha Police Department said on Twitter that it 'believes this to be an isolated incident with no threat to our community', and that no suspects were actively being sought.

Names and ages of those shot weren't immediately released, and the circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation.

One person was taken from the scene by Kenosha Fire Department paramedics to a high school, where a medical helicopter transported the individual to a hospital.

Kenosha Police Lt. Joe Nosalik said another person was taken to a hospital for treatment. Both were in critical condition early Wednesday.

The shooting took place on Tuesday night at a residence near 6th Avenue and 40th Place in Kenosha (pictured),though police have not yet released details of what led to the incident

Residents of the neighborhood near Lake Michigan were stunned as multiple police officers, squad cars and emergency rescue vehicles converged on the scene near 6th Avenue (pictured)

'We can confirm that three are deceased. Two more victims were transported to hospitals, one via Flight For Life. Both are critical,' the Kenosha police department said via Twitter.

Residents of the neighborhood near Lake Michigan where the shooting took place said they were stunned as multiple police and emergency rescue vehicles converged on the scene near 6th Avenue.

Joyce Johnson said she had been out when she heard the blaring of multiple sirens from police speeding toward the neighborhood.

'We have no problems down here at all. None whatsoever,' she told the Kenosha News.

'Thats why its so shocking, very shocking to see every police (squad) car in Kenosha here.'

KPD is on the scene of a shooting near the 600 of 40th place. We can confirm that three are deceased. Two more victims were transported to hospitals, one via Flight For Life. Both are critical. KPD believes this to be an isolated incident with no threat to our community.  Kenosha Police Dept. (@KenoshaPolice) October 20, 2021

CBS reporter Mugo Odigwe at the scene said that there were up to five police cars left on duty outside the house for hours after the shooting occurred

CBS reporter Mugo Odigwe at the scene said that there were up to five police cars left on duty outside the house for hours after the shooting occurred while several police officers remained in the neighborhood.

Tuesdays shooting is the second this year in Kenosha County involving multiple fatalities.

On April 18, a gunman opened fire at Somers House Tavern just north of Kenosha, leaving three men dead and three wounded.

Rakayo Vinson, of Kenosha, was charged with three counts of first-degree intentional homicide and three counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide in the shootings.
A married Warrant Officer in the British Army shocked a superior female officer by trapping her next to her desk and suddenly kissing her, a court martial heard.

The woman said she was horrified as WO1 Peter Simons wrapped his arms around her, gazed into her eyes and pressed his lips against hers in a kiss which lasted a couple of seconds.

The pair had not long been working together and he had asked for hugs and told her she was cute after she became increasingly stressed due to an increased workload.

After she pushed him away and fled, the court heard WO1 Simons later apologised, telling the female officer he thought she was class and that he was having problems in his marriage.

The woman complained of being assaulted by WO1 Simons but when he was quizzed by Royal Military Police officers he claimed the pair had gazed into each others eyes before sharing a mutually consensual kiss.

He denies one charge of sexual assault.

Warrant Officer Peter Simons denies one charge of sexual assault at court martial today

Bulford Military Court, Wilts, heard WO1 Simons and his superior female officer had been posted together on a British military base for a matter of weeks before the incident.

She told the court: I arrived in the office that morning at around 8am, and I believe WO Simons got in between nine and ten.

I had a talk with my [own superior officer] that morning to let him know I was not coping with my workload.

I went to get a cup of tea and WO1 Simons said, Let me give you a hug because he had also spoken with [my superior officer].

I shrugged it off and accepted it - I assumed it was to try to make me feel better. I got my cup of tea and came back to the room.

About 40 minutes later I got up to go to the shops for some lunch. I knew I needed to work through lunch that day.

The court martial heard he apologised and later told the senior officer she was 'class'

I asked WO1 Simons if he would like anything from the shops. He said he didnt want anything and as I moved around the edge of my desk he then stood up.

He came from his desk and moved to the gap between the two desks. He came to intercept me; I couldnt get past him.

I took a step forward and he moved forward towards me with his arms outstretched, reaching out to me.

I felt my personal space was being encroached upon. He embraced me and offered to give me another hug. I found it weird, as we had already hugged.

As his arms came round behind me I was aware that he was making eye contact and perhaps it felt different to the previous time he hugged me. His head was lowered to make eye contact with me.

I looked up at that point and he kissed me and it lasted for a couple of seconds.

I felt horrified and pushed him away with my hands to his chest. I said, Dont ever kiss me again. I just wanted to get out of the office as quick as possible.

The female officer sent a message to a friend as soon as I was out in the corridor and later reported the incident - having not done so earlier as she was in shock and was concerned about getting him into trouble.

She added: He was at the end of his career... but it was only after I had removed myself that I thought, I have got the right to be upset by this.

The court martial heard WO1 Simons, of 3rd Regiment Royal Military Police, apologised to his alleged victim when she returned to the office later that day - complaining of problems in his marriage but saying she was class.

Prosecuting, William Peters said: He nuzzled his face into [the victims], lunged forward and kissed her on the lips.

She was stunned but managed to push him away and told him not to kiss her ever again. She was left shocked and later that day he said words to the effect of, Sorry for being a d***head.

That night she decided to make a formal complaint.

[WO1 Simons] denied the allegation and said they were gazing into each others eyes and came together in an awkward way.

He says they both apologised to each other at the time.

The trial continues.
Conservative radio host Dan Bongino threatened his employer with an on-air ultimatum Monday, saying he would quit his popular radio show if the company did not do away with an imposed COVID vaccine mandate.

'You can have me, or you can have the mandate. But you can't have both of us,' Bongino told Cumulus Media during an October 18 airing of The Dan Bongino Show.

Cumulus, which owns the network that airs The Dan Bongino Show, announced to employees in August that it would require them to be vaccinated by the end of September in an effort to return to the office on October 11.

Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and congressional candidate whose radio show is syndicated on Fox Nation, argued that the mandate violates workers' constitutional and basic human rights.

'There is a very real thing called natural immunity. There's an even realer thing called freedom and liberty,' Bongino said Monday.

Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and congressional candidate whose radio show is syndicated on Fox Nation, argued that the mandate violates workers' constitutional and basic human rights

Bongino himself is vaccinated after advice from his doctor while he was battling cancer

'This is a constitutional republic. People have the right to make their own medical decisions, and the company has the right to do what it wants, as well.'

He then added: 'But if a company is going to make political decisions - and I believe this was a political decision, I don't believe this is based in any science - I could argue it all day.

'And they should at least recognize that the company is earning a lot of money off people who have the opposite political persuasion.'

Bongino, one of the most prominent right-wing pundits today and the de facto radio replacement for the late Rush Limbaugh, has been vaccinated and is currently receiving treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma.

During Monday's episode, the conservative commentator declared that his opposition to the Cumulus' vaccine policy was on behalf of other, less influential workers at the company, 'so you know I'm not letting it go.'

'But I promise you I have no intention of letting these guys get let go,' Bongino continued, adding, 'or get harassed because they made a private and personal medical decision on only one of the biggest issues of our time.'

.@dbongino publicly calls out Cumulus, who carries his radio show on hundreds of stations, for issuing its own vaccine mandate.



"I'm not letting this go."



Find your local station to listen LIVE: https://t.co/IK6DZpbTzJ



Or watch here: https://t.co/NaTE4NeVLy pic.twitter.com/7fAfJY9FoH  Bongino Report (@BonginoReport) October 18, 2021

Earlier this year, Bongino's talk show took over Rush Limbaugh's lauded radio slot in multiple markets

Cumulus Media is the third largest owner and operator of AM and FM radio stations in the United States.

Earlier this year, Bongino's talk show took over Limbaugh's lauded radio slot in multiple markets.

Now, the company is facing pushback from a variety of personalities working for networks under their umbrella.

Tron Simpson, a weekend host at 'NewsRadio 740' KVOR who also did weekends for the Cumulus' co-owned classic rock station KKFM (98.1), is no longer with the company.

The right-wing radio host in Colorado Springs announced last week that he had 'been terminated' due to his refusal to get the COVID vaccine as required by both radio stations.

Saturday morning 'NewsRadio 740' KVOR host Jeff Crank also left the company instead of getting vaccinated.

The conservative commentator declared his opposition to the Cumulus' vaccine policy was on behalf of other, less influential workers at the company, 'so you know I'm not letting it go'

Crank told the Colorado Times Recorder last week that he quit because the mandate is 'unethical and immoral.'

'Im going to make my medical decisions after consultation with my doctor  and it wont be forced onto me by the CEO of a company that Ive never met or knows nothing about me.'

The pair, however, represents just a small sample of those exiting Cumulus Media in recent weeks, with WDRQ Detroit morning co-host Roxanne Steele and Tim Hill and PD/morning show co-host at WNKT Columbia also opting to leave their respective stations instead of being forced to get the jab.

What's more, in September, company insiders told Inside Radio that most requests for exemptions for the vaccine mandate were denied by Cumulus execs - even those who applied based on religious beliefs and for medical conditions.

Moreover, Cumulus' mandate is also affecting employees who are not on air.

A source within the company told Inside that a slew of board-ops and street team members at various stations across the country have also left the company since the mandate was imposed in August.

Cumulus Media CEO Mary Berner announced to employees in a written statement in August the company's reasoning behind the mandate, citing that operations at the company run smoother when workers are interacting in-person - and argued that vaccinations were necessary to make that happen.

Cumulus Media CEO Mary Berner announced to employees in a written statement in August the company's reasoning behind the mandate, citing operations at the firm run smoother when workers are in the office - and said vaccinations were necessary to make that happen

'Put simply, we believe that Force Cumulus is at our best when we're working together in offices,' CEO Mary Berner said in the statement.

'To do that as safely as we reasonably can, we're requiring that everyone be vaccinated except those legally excepted. It would neither be fair nor do we have the bandwidth to make exceptions based on individual preferences.'

The Bongino Report, a Twitter account linked to Bongino's news-aggregation website, clarified on Monday after the talking head's on-air announcement that Bongino was, in fact, vaccinated.

'He is not resisting the vaccine mandate for himself but for other employees who don't have a platform to fight back as they risk unemployment if they don't comply,' the tweet said.

'Its time for people to stand together against these outrageous vaccine mandates,' the account added in another Tweet, the day after the host's impassioned appeal.

Cumulus did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com regarding Bongino's status as a host on its network, nor did Bongino.
A consumer rights advocacy group has released a report revealing that COVID vaccine producer Pfizer has secret government contracts and used power to 'shift risk and maximize profits.'

Pfizer has 73 formalized deals for its COVID-19 vaccine but of those, only five have been formally published by governments and include 'significant redactions,' Public Citizen found.

The seven known contracts reviewed by Public Citizen are worth more than $5 billion.

The advocacy group - which gained access to several leaked, unredacted contracts - claims the Manhattan-based pharmaceutical giant's contracts 'consistently place Pfizer's interests before public health imperatives.'

The report accuses Pfizer of including secret language blocking donations of its own doses, opposing an intellectual property waiver that could have allowed for the sharing of technology, having 'unilateral authority for other decisions' and more.

Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine - the first to receive emergency use authorization in the U.S. - has become the most popular worldwide, with 3.5 billion doses purchased.

Pfizer has 73 formalized deals for its COVID-19 vaccine but of those contracts, only five have been formally published by governments and are heavily redacted. The known contracts are worth $5 billion and were reviewed by Public Citizen, which outlined its findings (pictured)

Experts predict its sales to double in 2022, the Washington Post reported.

Due to the fact that information in several contracts remains redacted, it is unknown exactly what the total cost of all agreements are.

The details and obligations outlined in numerous contracts also remain undisclosed.

Experts allege that secret contracts poises risks to others.

'Hiding contracts from public view or publishing documents filled with redacted text means we don't know how or when vaccines will arrive, what happens if things go wrong and the level of financial risk buyers are absorbing,' Tom Wright, research manager at the Transparency International Health Program, said.

Public Citizen gained access to Pfizer's contracts with the US, UK, Albania, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Dominican Republic, European Commission and Peru.

'The contracts offer a rare glimpse into the power one pharmaceutical corporation has gained to silence governments, throttle supply, shift risk and maximize profits in the worst public health crisis in a century,' the group's report alleges.

Contract experts, who reportedly analyzed the leaked documents, claim that Pfizer uses 'unfair and abusive' contractual terms in negotiations that give them the right to silence governments.

Public Citizen - who gained access to several leaked, unredacted Pfizer contracts - claims the Manhattan-based pharmaceutical giant's contracts 'consistently place Pfizer's interests before public health imperatives'

The report accuses Pfizer of including secret language blocking donations of Pfizer doses (pictured), opposing an intellectual property waiver that could have allowed for the sharing of technology, having 'unilateral authority for other decisions' and more

Certain contracts, including one between Pfizer and Brazil, prohibits the government from making 'any public announcement concerning the existence, subject matter or terms of [the] Agreement' or commenting on its relationship with Pfizer without written consent from the company.

Similar terminology is found in the US and European contracts, however the terms apply to both parties.

'This is next-level stuff,' Tahir Amin, an intellectual property lawyer who co-founded nonprofit global health organization I-Mak, said.

Sharon Castillo, a spokeswoman for Pfizer, told the newspaper that 'confidentiality clauses were 'standard in commercial contracts' and 'intended to help build trust between the parties, as well as protect the confidential commercial information exchanged during negotiations and included in final contracts.'

The group also accuses Pfizer of controlling supply of their vaccine.

Public Citizen claims the Brazilian government is restricted from accepting Pfizer vaccine donations from other countries or buying vaccines from others without Pfizer's permission.

The country is also restricted from donating, distributing, exporting or otherwise transporting the vaccine outside Brazil without Pfizer's consent.

In at least four contracts, Pfizer has the right to use anyone's intellectual property with consequence, according to the report.

These countries are also required to cover legal expenses if another vaccine maker sued Pfizer for patent infringement in their country.

Pfizer (World Headquarters in Manhattan pictured) has rejected the allegations made in Public Citizen's report

Additionally, the company requires that all disputes be decided through private arbitration, not public courts.

The existence of arbitration, arbitral proceedings, submissions made by all involved parties and decisions made during the process are expected to remain private.

Several contracts state that the government involved 'expressly and irrevocably waives immunity which either it or its assets may have or acquire in the future'. This includes 'immunity against precautionary seizure of any of its assets.'

'It's almost as if the company would ask the United States to put the Grand Canyon as collateral,' said Lawrence Gostin, Georgetown University professor of public health law, commenting to the Washington Post on the 'extreme' clause.

However, Pfizer rejected the claim, saying: 'Pfizer has not interfered and has absolutely no intention of interfering with any country's diplomatic, military, or culturally significant assets. To suggest anything to the contrary is irresponsible and misleading.'

Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine - the first to receive emergency use authorization in the US - has become the most popular worldwide, with 3.5 billion doses purchased. Experts predict sales to double in 2022

Lastly, Public Citizen argues that Pfizer maintains the right to make all key decisions. They claim the company requires governments to give them 'sole discretion' when it comes to vaccine decisions.

'What happens if there are vaccine supply shortages?,' the report reads. 'In the Albania draft contract and the Brazil and Colombia agreement, Pfizer will decide adjustments to the delivery schedule based on principles the corporation will decide. Albania, Brazil, and Colombia 'shall be deemed to agree to any revision.'

Public Citizen has called on the US government to 'use its leverage' to force Pfizer into taking different contractual approaches.

'The global community cannot allow pharmaceutical corporations to keep calling the shots,' Zain Rizvi, the researcher who wrote the report, told the Washington Post. 'The Biden administration can step up and balance the scales.'

Pfizer did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.
The number of migrants arrested at the southern border in the 2021 fiscal year is the highest since 1986, new Customs and Border Protection data shows.

The data, which is still unpublished but was obtained by The Washington Post, shows that border authorities detained more than 1.7 million migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border between October 2020 through September 2021.

The data is expected to be released publicly late this week.

Illegal crossings began skyrocketing in the months after President Joe Biden was inaugurated  and while the administration initially tried to blame Trump's policies for the increase, migrants have repeatedly said they made the trek to the U.S. with the belief the new administration would allow them to stay.

'They weren't wrong,' North Carolina Representative Dan Bishop tweeted of migrants' assumptions about being able to stay in the U.S. illegally under Biden's leadership.

Another pull, migrants said, was the labor shortages in the U.S. exhibiting to them a need for workers.

In another dismissal of the growing crisis, Biden described the rise in spring 2021 as consistent with seasonal norms. That, however, did not remain true as the highest-levels of illegal crossings came during the hottest months of the year, July and August.

More than 200,000 migrants were taken into CBP custody each month.

Biden's team has continued to dismiss the crisis at the southern border, refusing to call it just that  a crisis  even as humanitarian issues emerged with overflowing holding and processing centers that reportedly served undercooked or spoiled food to unaccompanied minor migrants, as well as limited outdoor time and shower use.

In fiscal year 2021, more than 1.7 million migrants were taken into U.S. custody, new numbers being released later this week reveal. Here a group of migrants are process by immigration officials after crossing illegally from Mexico into Roma, Texas on September 30

The total encounters in FY 2021 are the highest since 1986 and far surpass any migration numbers in the surge during Donald Trump's presidency

Haitian migrants wait on Tuesday to board a boat that will take them to Colombia as they trek from South America to the U.S.  in a sign the migration crisis will not cease any time soon

Some slammed the administration for its performance and response to the border crisis.

'It's long past time for President Biden and Vice President Harris to take this border crisis seriously,' Republican North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis tweeted on Wednesday ahead of any official numbers announcement.

Arkansas Senator John Boozman tweeted: 'It should restore the policies that were keeping our border under control and enforce our laws.'

'It couldn't be any clearer that we must confront this crisis,' Louisiana Representative Julia Letlow tweeted. 'Where is the leadership from the White House?'

During the 2020 campaign, Biden promised to make the U.S. more welcoming to immigrants, following four years of Donald Trump's zero-tolerance policies.

But after being elected and during the transition, Biden said he wanted to move more cautiously to avoid ending up 'with 2 million people on our border.'

Immediately after being sworn in, Biden halted border wall construction, ended the so-called 'Remain in Mexico' policy, reversed asylum restrictions and announced a 100-day pause on most deportations.

During a Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Biden's pick to head CBP, Chris Magnus, repeatedly would not call the situation at the border a 'crisis.'

He admitted that 'the numbers are very high' and called the growing crisis a 'big problem' that requires 'urgency.'

During the hearing Tuesday, Republican Senator Todd Young said to Magnus: 'I'd like to start off with a yes or no question. Do you believe we have a crisis at the southern border  yes or no?'

'I'm not sure  does it really matter whether we call it a major challenge, a crisis, a big problem?' Magnus countered.

'I think it speaks to a level of urgency and seriousness of purpose and understanding of the gravity of the situation,' the Indiana senator pushed back. 'Presumably one would answer the call to serve in this position because you understand the importance at this moment in history of being commissioner of CBP.'

Young then reiterated his question: 'So, do we have a crisis at the border  yes or no?'

'Let me assure you that no one believes there is greater urgency to this matter than I do. I have been at the southern border ' Magnus started, but was cut off.

Biden's pick to head Customs and Border Protection, Chris Magnus, refused to classify the situation at the southern border as a crisis

Republican Senator Todd Young of Indiana pushed Magnus on the surge of illegal immigration under Biden during a confirmation hearing on Tuesday but was a unable to get the nominee to call it a crisis

The southern border crisis continues to surge as thousands of migrants head to the U.S. by way of Mexico. Record numbers of encounters have been reached every month of Biden's presidency so far

'So it's urgent  I've heard the characterization,' Young said. 'Urgent strikes the common ear as less than a criss. Are you saying there's not a crisis at the border?'

'Senator, no I don't think  I don't speak to urgent as less serious, at all.'

The Biden administration has repeatedly refused to call the unfolding situation at the southern border a crisis, instead dubbing it a problem or challenge.

Even the president and his press secretary have refused to classify it as a crisis despite record numbers of illegal crossings and horrific and inhame pictures emerging from the border the U.S. shares with Mexico.

On Tuesday, Senator Cruz of Texas proposed a bill that would move processing centers for illegal immigrants around the country in a hope it would hit closer to home for Democratic elites, who he claims are ignoring the crisis.

'If Washington Democrats had to endure even a fraction of the suffering South Texas families, farmers, ranchers, and small businesses have had to face, our nation's immigration laws would be enforced, the wall would be built, and the Remain in Mexico policy would be re-implemented,' Cruz wrote in introducing the legislation.

The Stop the Surge of Unsafe Rio Grande Encampments Act (SURGE) is aimed at alleviating the strain put on southern border state communities as the border crisis prevails.

Cruz said the bill would establish 'new ports of entry in Democrat-led communities such as North Hero, Vermont, where Bernie Sanders spends his summers, and Martha's Vineyard, where Democrat elites host their cocktail parties.'

Notably, Barack and Michelle Obama own a property on Martha's Vineyard  an elite island community located off the coast of Massachusetts. The former president held a massive 60th birthday party there in August.

On Tuesday, Sen. Ted Cruz proposed moving migrant processing centers to Democrat elite communities like North Hero, Vermont, where Bernie Sanders spends his summers, and Martha's Vineyard (pictured), where Barack Obama owns a home

Other areas where Cruz is proposing these centers be set up are Greenwich, Connecticut; Cambridge and Nantucket, Massachusetts; Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where Joe Biden owns a beach home; and Palo Alto, California.

Senator Young continued during Tuesday's hearing to push Magnus on how he views the southern border conundrum considering, if confirmed, he would lead the agency directly involved with mitigating illegal immigration.

'Is there a crisis or is there not a crisis at the border?' Young asked on Tuesday.

'I would say that my highest priority is going ' Magnus started.

'I didn't ask your priority,' Young cut in. 'I asked you to characterize the situation at the border. Is there a crisis at the border?'

'You've been nominated to serve as the commissioner to the Customs and Border Patrol agency at a time that I regard as a crisis. Are you saying there is not a crisis?' he asked for a final time.

'Senator, what I'm certainly trying to convey is how serious I take what's happening at the border and the amount of work that I want to put into addressing it,' Magnus said.

'Noted, noted.'

At the hearing, Magnus admitted that it would be beneficial for some areas of the southern border to be reinforced with a wall.

Montana Senator Steve Daines asked if Magnus feels they should complete the wall that former President Donald Trump started.

'There are some gaps where [a border wall] could make sense,' Magnus said.
A California school district sparked a huge backlash after one of its schools sent an email to parents earlier earlier this week telling them their children would be forced eat lunch outside in the rain due to coronavirus restrictions.

The email from Patwin Elementary School notified parents that 'students are required to eat outside' and instructed families to send kids to school with 'rain gear and warm jackets'.

Parents quickly took to social media to ridicule the instruction from the Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD), while education campaigners and state officials slammed the decision as 'cruel' and 'inhumane'.

'The inhumane treatment of children in California continues from masking all day, even outdoors, to having to sit on hot cement and now eating lunch in the rain,' Reopen California Schools founder Jonathan Zachreson told Fox News.

Republican California state legislator Kevin Kiley tweeted: 'Cruelty to children has been normalized in California.'

The school ultimately decided to U-turn on his instruction amid a torrent of criticism, later sending another email saying the school would stagger lunchtime routines to ensure kids could eat under cover.

The state of California has some of the most strict coronavirus restrictions among schools in the country, with kids and teachers forced to wear masks inside and outside on school grounds and submit to regular testing if they are not vaccinated.

California's controversial governor Gavin Newsom also announced at the start of the month that all elementary and high school students, in both public and private schools, will be required to get the shot once the vaccine is given final approval from the US government for different age groups.

An email from Patwin Elementary School on Monday notified parents that 'students are required to eat outside' due to Covid restrictions and instructed families to send kids to school with 'rain gear and warm jackets', sparking considerable backlash (pictured: Patwin Elementary School, Davis, California)

The state of California has some of the most strict coronavirus restrictions among schools in the country, with kids and teachers forced to wear masks inside and outside on school grounds and submit to regular testing if they are not vaccinated (pictured: elementary students in class in a Los Angeles school in August)

California governor Gavin Newsom announced on October 1 that elementary and high school students will be subject to a vaccine mandate once the vaccine is given final approval from the US government for different age groups (pictured: Newsom speaking during a news conference at a school in San Francisco, October 1)

The first email from the school read: 'Rain is forecasted this week which will present an added challenge to our lunch routines.

'DJUSD [Davis Joint Unified School District] students are required to eat outside at this time due to COVID restrictions. I am asking you to send your children to school with rain gear and warm jackets.'

The email sparked immediate backlash, which prompted the elementary school to send two more emails, ultimately reversing course and permitting students to eat inside via a staggered lunch timetable by grade.

'In collaboration with our District staff, we looked at all of the alternatives. If during lunchtime, we have a heavy downpour of rain it will be challenging to eat under the covered walkways,' the final email read.

'During a heavy downpour, we will have a staggered lunch with one grade level at a time in our MPR for 15 minutes with all 10 doors open and 2 air purifiers running.

'After 15 minutes, students will be dismissed to their classrooms for inside recess. If you prefer that your child remains outside to eat please inform your teacher and we will make accommodations to support your request.'

'The other parents I've spoken to thought it was ridiculous and overkill,' a parent of two at Patwin Elementary School told Fox News. He cited a recent report from the New York Times that revealed the CDC's risk summary of outdoors Covid transmission is greatly exaggerated (pictured: elementary pupils in Los Angeles attend their school in masks, which they are required to wear inside and outside)

Hundreds of parents and teachers in California staged a walkout on Monday over upcoming vaccine mandates for elementary and high school students in the state (pictured: parents in Los Angeles participating in the anti-vaccine mandate protest)

A parent of two children in the Davis Joint Unified School District, told Fox News on condition of anonymity that he was not shocked by the 'ridiculous' instruction, given that state of 'Covid fear in the area.

'The other parents I've spoken to thought it was ridiculous and overkill,' the parent said, citing a recent report from the New York Times that revealed the CDC's risk summary of outdoors Covid transmission is greatly exaggerated.

Meanwhile, hundreds of parents and teachers in California staged a walkout on Monday over upcoming vaccine mandates for elementary and high school students in the state.

Governor Newsom announced on October 1 that elementary through high school students will be required to get the vaccine once it is given final approval from the US government for different age groups.

Students over 12 who do not already have the vaccine are required to undergo regular testing in order to attend classes.
Morocco has today announced a ban on all direct flights to and from the UK due to the coronavirus pandemic as fears grow over the new Delta variant.

The North African country will enforce the restrictions from midnight tonight as it becomes the first country to close its borders to the UK amid soaring Covid infection rates.

Marrakech is a key Moroccan destination for UK holidaymakers and the ban comes into force just days before the school half term break.

Airlines cancelled several flights between the countries today ahead of the suspension. An easyJet flight from London Gatwick to Marrakesh that was scheduled to leave this afternoon has been cancelled.

Latest figures from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control show that the North African nation's weekly rate of reported coronavirus cases on October 14 stood at just 10.4 per 100,000 people. The current rate in the UK is 445.5 per 100,000 people.

Morocco's National Office of Airports said the policy will remain in place 'until further notice'. The country's largest airline Royal Air Maroc said in a statement that flights to and from Germany and the Netherlands will also be suspended.

It added: 'To support our passengers during this period, unlimited changes of ticket date and destination, free of charge until December 15,2021 to the same or another destination are authorised.'

EasyJet cancelled two flights from Gatwick and Manchester to Marrakech on Wednesday, but will operate flights in the opposite direction to bring passengers back to the UK before the ban comes into force.

The airline said in a statement: 'We are still awaiting clarity from the Moroccan authorities as to whether we are permitted to operate repatriation flights beyond midnight today.'

British Airways cancelled flights between Heathrow and Marrakech, which were due to resume on Thursday after being suspended due to the pandemic.

The Foreign Office has now updated is travel advice to reflect the ban, calling it a 'suspension for an unspecified period'.

It added: 'Travellers affected by flight cancellations should contact their airline or tour operator for advice on alternative routes via third countries (eg France, Spain) where flights are operating as normal.'

A flight from London Gatwick to Marrakech (pictured) was grounded this afternoon in the wake of the country's ban on flights to and from the United Kingdom due to high Covid cases

Morocco announced a ban on flights to and from the UK due to Covid pandemic, the country's largest airline Royal Air Maroc said as it also banned flights to Germany and the Netherlands

Coronavirus deaths in the UK yesterday rose to their highest daily level since early March.

Experts fear they may have been exacerbated by an even more infectious offshoot of the Delta variant called AY4.2. The proportion of cases made up by the sub-strain have doubled in a month, official figures show.

The Government said yesterday a further 223 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid  bringing the UK total to 138,852.

While the numbers are often higher on Tuesdays because of a lag in reporting deaths and cases over the weekend, this is the highest figure for daily reported deaths since March 9.

Meanwhile, the seven-day average for cases is standing at 44,145 cases per day  the highest level for almost three months.

An easyJet flight to Marrakech from London Gatwick was grounded this afternoon in the wake of the ban.

A company representative told passengers on Twitter that due to the fact they will be unable to operate the return flight tomorrow, today's flight has been cancelled.

A spokesperson for easyJet said: 'We have been advised this morning by the Moroccan government that flying between the UK, Germany and the Netherlands will be suspended from 11.59pm tonight until further notice.

Cabinet minister rules out any new lockdown Kwasi Kwarteng has ruled out a winter lockdown despite 'concerns' around the slow booster Covid vaccine rollout. The Business Secretary said No10 is concerned about the slow uptake of third jabs in light of rising Covid cases. But he said that ministers 'don't want to go back into further restrictions' and noted there were no vaccines this time last year. Mr Kwarteng told Sky News: 'I think the conversation about restrictions on travel, restrictions on more lockdowns is completely unhelpful. 'The vaccine has changed our total approach to this and has given us a measure of security that is very important. I would rule [lockdowns] out. 'As the Health Secretary said it's something we're going to have to live with and I think we are managing the situation.' A total of 43,738 positive tests were recorded yesterday, a 16 per cent week-on-week increase. A further 223 deaths were registered, the highest single-day reported figure since March. Advertisement

'We have two flights operating from the UK from Manchester and Gatwick to Marrakech which we will operate as ferry flights to return customers due to travel back today.

'We are still awaiting clarity from the Moroccan authorities as to whether we are permitted to operate repatriation flights beyond midnight today.

'As a result of this decision, we will cancel our outbound flying from the UK, Germany and the Netherlands until November 30.

'Pending guidance from the Moroccan government we intend to fly inbound in October to offer passengers repatriation flight options.

'We are contacting all customers whose flights are cancelled with their options which include a free of charge transfer, receiving a voucher or a refund.'

Morocco is the first country to close its borders to the UK due to the country's rising case figures.

According to the Our World In Data website, the rate of new Covid infections in a week per million people last Monday was 639 for the UK and 11 for Morocco.

Zina Bencheikh, managing director EMEA of Intrepid Travel, a leading tour operator for Morocco, said: 'This is disappointing for the travel industry but particularly devastating for local people in Morocco who rely on tourism for their livelihood.

'The UK and Germany are among the most important markets for Morocco. After 18 months with virtually no visitors, tourism was slowly beginning to rebound and this announcement will be yet another setback.'

The Health Secretary is due to lead Downing Street's first Covid press conference in a month at 5pm.

It is the first Covid press conference  which were a mainstay when ministers announced restrictions on freedoms during the height of the pandemic  since September 14, highlighting the escalating fears about the winter crisis.

The UK now has one of the highest weekly rates of new reported cases in the world.

Just over 67 per cent of the UK population has received two doses of vaccine, according to Government figures - compared with at least 75 per cent in Denmark, 79 per cent in Spain and 86 per cent in Portugal.

The weekly rate of new reported cases of Covid-19 in the UK has jumped from 367 cases per 100,000 people at the start of October to its current level of 463 per 100,000.

By contrast, rates have dropped to very low levels in neighbouring countries such as Spain (24 per 100,000), France (48) and Germany (80).

SAGE fears there will be a fourth wave by the end of the year that may cripple the NHS.

Ministers are overseeing a rollout of booster jabs to over-50s, healthcare workers and the immunosuppressed to protect the health service as much as possible and prevent No10 having to reintroduce masks and WFH guidance as part of its 'Plan B'.

But experts have warned the top-up jabs are being dished out too slowly, with 5million vulnerable adults eligible for a third dose yet to receive one.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Sajid Javid warned there is 'huge pressure' on the NHS in England.

The increase in cases has been in part blamed on the new variant, which academics estimate may be up to 15 per cent more transmissible than the original Delta, which rapidly became dominant in Britain in the spring before taking off worldwide.

It has been detected in almost every part of the country, figures show, and it's thought to be behind almost 60 per cent of positive tests sampled sequenced in Adur, West Sussex.

No10 today said it was 'keeping a very close eye' on AY.4.2 but insisted there is 'no evidence' that it spreads easier. Boris Johnson's official spokesperson also warned the Government 'won't hesitate to take action if necessary'.

Experts suggested the uptick of AY.4.2  one of 45 sub-lineages of Delta  may be partly to blame, along with the return of pupils to classrooms from August and workers to offices.

Britain led the world in the initial vaccine rollout, but it has now slumped behind Italy, Spain and France in terms of the percentage of the population to be double-jabbed.

This is because it delayed rolling out jabs to healthy children, whereas most EU members approved those plans much quicker.

All over-50s and the clinically vulnerable can get a booster jab from six months after their second dose.

But experts have warned that at the current rate the most vulnerable will not all receive their third vaccination until the end of January.
All single-use items - not just plastic - could face charges under a new Government initiative to end Britains 'throw-away' culture.

A plan to give ministers new powers to bill consumers for using products that cannot be reused or recycled are set to be announced by the Government today.

This could see the 10p carrier bag charge replicated across a raft of other products including coffee stirrers and cutlery.

A plan to give ministers new powers to bill consumers for using products that cannot be reused or recycled are set to be announced by the Government today. Pictured is an exhibit on waste at the Chelsea Flower Show

The campaign is being spearheaded by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, Labour's Shadow Environment Minister, who passed an amendment to the government's Environment Bill.

The proposed legislation already makes it easier for ministers to bill consumers for single-use plastics but she wants this to be extended to all single-use products.

'This change to the Environment Bill will mean we can put an end to 'here-today gone-tomorrow' throwaway culture and move towards sustainable alternatives,' a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs source told the i.

The number of single-use plastic carriers issued by the stores has been slashed by more than 95 per cent since supermarkets began having to charge extra for them.

The charge increased to 10p from 5p on May 21 and now applies to every retailer, from giant supermarket chains to corner shops, small clothes boutiques, butchers, greengrocers and airport duty-free stores

Previously, the 5p levy only applied only to retailers with more than 250 staff but it has resulted in the average person in England buying just four bags a year from the big store chains  a huge reduction from 140 bags each in 2014.

The initiative could see the 10p carrier bag charge replicated across a raft of other products including coffee stirrers and cutlery

Charges for all single-use products would work in the same way as the carrier bag levy - which sees retailers forced to bill shoppers more with any money raised going to good causes.

However, the detail of the scheme is set to be announced.

Ruth Chambers of the Greener UK coalition said: 'We welcome this change which is more effective for tackling our single use culture.

'While its important to tackle single-use plastics, some alternatives to plastic disposable items actually have a higher carbon footprint or introduce other environmental impacts, so what is needed is a shift to reusable and refillable items.'
A man has been killed in India after a monkey threw a brick at him from the second floor of a building.

Local police confirmed that 30-year-old Mohammad Kurbaan was killed after being hit in the head with the falling brick in Central Delhis Nabi Karim area.

Kurbaan, who sold bags from a shop in the area, collapsed after being hit with the brick and was taken to hospital, where doctors pronounced his dead.

Local police confirmed that 30-year-old Mohammad Kurbaan was killed after being hit in the head by a brick thrown by a monkey in Central Delhis Nabi Karim area. Pictured: Stock image of monkeys in India

A First Information Report (FIR) was handed to an unknown individual by police under sections of causing death by negligence, the Indian Express reports.

While investigating, police discovered that the owner of the building the bricks were thrown from had left two bricks above a water tank to prevent monkeys from opening it.

Police said that a group of monkeys had managed to remove both of the bricks, throwing one at Kurbaan and hurling another onto a nearby terrace.

The incident, earlier this month, comes after the wife of a leader of a major political party in India has fallen to her death while trying to escape a monkey attack.

Sushma Devi, 50, was rushed to hospital but sadly died of her injuries.

She is the wife of Anil Kumar Chauhan, leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The incident took place on September 9 when she was attacked by aggressive monkeys on the terrace of her house in Kairana city.

To avoid the attack she jumped down from the terrace.

Feral monkeys have been causing havoc in the Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh in northern India, with local authorities cracking down.

Kurbaan, who sold bags from a shop in the area, collapsed after being hit with the brick and was taken to hospital, where doctors pronounced his dead. Pictured: Stock image of New Delhi

Municipal commissioner Anunaya Jha for the city of Mathura said: 'Monkeys would be caught from Bankey Bihari temple area Vrindavan, Chaubia para, and Dwarkadhish temple area of Mathura in the first phase of the program and they would be released in the forest areas.'

Local residents claim there has been daily monkey attacks on children too.

Sushma was also a politician and was a district panchayat member, which is a district council in India.

She has been cremated at Mayapur farm.

In November 2019, two attacks claimed the lives of a 12-day-old baby and a 58-year-old woman in the city of Agra.

During the first attack, monkeys broke into a woman's home while she was breastfeeding her child snatched the baby from her, and bit it to death.

In the second attack, a 58-year-old woman was bitten by monkeys as she went to relieve herself outside her home on the outskirts of the city and bled to death.

Monkeys have also inadvertently caused deaths - in January last year a woman hanging washing on her roof died after monkeys attacked and she slipped and fell.
Facebook has admitted that it allows users to share information about how to enter countries illegally, along with how to be smuggled, on its social media platforms.

In a letter responding to the Arizona Attorney General, the company said that while offers to provide or facilitate people smuggling are banned on the platform, Facebook does allow information to be shared freely between users about how to enter the US illegally, and request information about people smuggling.

The Facebook spokesman added that it allows such content in order to not interfere with people's right to seek asylum, and that it is using automated filtering systems to catch paid advertisements for smuggling services.

In response, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has urged the Department of Justice and US Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate the social media giant over its 'facilitation' of illegal migration into the United States.

Facebook has admitted that users can share information about how to enter countries illegally and about people smuggled on its social media platforms. Pictured: A giant digital sign is seen at Facebook's corporate headquarters campus in Menlo Park, California

Facebook's admission comes as Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich (pictured last year in Pheonix, file photo) urged the Department of Justice to investigate the social media giant over its 'facilitation' of illegal migration into the United States

In late June, Brnovich sent a letter to Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg voicing his concern over reports that people smugglers and drug cartels were using Facebook to 'advertise their services to assist migrants on their dangerous journey and unlawful entry into the United States.'

In a response to the letter, more than a month later, Facebook vice president of state public policy William Castleberry admitted the platform allows for users to freely share some information regarding illegal entry and people smuggling.

While the platform does not allow 'sharing content that offers to provide or facilitate human smuggling,' Castleberry said, it does 'allow people to share information about how to enter a country illegally or request information about how to be smuggled.'

Castleberry continued, saying that 'after consulting with human rights experts, we developed this policy to ensure we were prohibiting content relating to the business of human smuggling but not interfering with people's ability to exercise their right to seek asylum.'

'Allowing people to seek and share information related to smuggling can also help minimize the likelihood of them being exploited by human traffickers,' he added.

In reaction to Facebook's reply, Brnovich wrote to Garland with Facebook's letter attached, calling on the DoJ to investigate the company over its 'facilitation of human smuggling at it's southern border and stop its active encouragement and facilitation of illegal entry.'

Facebook vice president of state public policy William Castleberry said while the platform does not allow 'sharing content that offers to provide or facilitate human smuggling,' it does 'allow people to share information about how to enter a country illegally or request information about how to be smuggled'. Pictured: Migrants cross a river from Mexico to the United States, September 22, 2021

In reaction to Facebook's reply, Brnovich wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland (pictured in Mexico on October 8) with Facebook's letter attached, calling on the DoJ to investigate the company over its 'facilitation of human smuggling

'Facebook's policy of allowing posts promoting human smuggling and illegal entry into the United States to regularly reach its billions of users seriously undermines the rule of law,' Brnovich wrote.

'The company is a direct facilitator, and thus exacerbates, the catastrophe occurring at Arizona's southern border.'

Brnovich also drew attention to the fact that 'Facebook's letter does not address the heinous issue of sex trafficking, and actually seems to conflate it with illegal entry,' which he says 'are separate crimes that both take a devastating toll on the victims and our communities.'

In April, the Tech Transparency Project claimed it had first identified 50 pages and private groups on Facebook advertising human smuggling and provided their names to the company after it had asked for them

While some of the pages were deactivated, the group identified a further 40 Facebook pages and 17 Facebook groups that were still openly selling illegal border crossings.

In its letter to Brnovich, Facebook touted its 'rigorous' ad review process, which is done through automation but is supported by human reviewers to process re-review requests. The company added it was 'continuously assessing ways to increase automation.'

Facebook also explained how it will work with law enforcement and report criminal activity to agencies 'when we have a good faith belief that there is an imminent risk of harm.'

Pictured: Examples found by the Tech Transparency Project of pages on Facebook discussing people smuggling

Facebook is planning to rebrand its parent company with a new name next week in a bid to distance itself from a series of embarrassing scandals. Pictured: A Facebook app logo is displayed on a smartphone (stock photo)

How Facebook is fending off multiple scandals As Facebook has grown, so to has the list of criticisms and controversies the company has faced. Facebook's huge scale and reach, as well as that of its Instagram and WhatsApp platforms, has led to issues being raised about internet privacy, excessive use of user data, user addiction, the spread of misinformation and its role in the workplace. As early as 2006, the company faced criticism over privacy issues when it introduced its News Feed, and a year later it had to apologize for telling users what their friends had bought. In 2011, the company settled with the Federal Trade Commission over charges that it didn't keep its privacy promise to users by allowing private information to be made public without giving them any warning. Two years later, a bug in 2013 saw the email addresses and phone numbers of six million of the platform's users be exposed to anyone who had some connection to the person. The bug was exposed by a White Hat hacker - someone who finds weaknesses and bugs for companies to help them find weaknesses. In 2014, Facebook undertook a mood-manipulation experiment that included more than half a million randomly selected users. The company altered the news feed to see how people reacted to more positive or negative posts, leading to an apology from one of its data scientists. The company was criticised for a number of things in 2016, including for removing an iconic Vietnam war photograph, suspending a video of protests over the Dakota Access Pipeline, and other removals that led to users questioning Facebook's policies over content. It also faced heavy criticism over misinformation surrounding the 2016 US Presidential election and how the platform was being used in election campaigns - especially after it was revealed by Buzzfeed that fake news stories outperformed real news. In what was arguabley Facebook's biggest scandal, news of Cambridge Analytica broke in 2018, revealing that the UK-based data-analytics firm had improperly obtained data from tens of millions of users and used to target voters. Later that year, Zuckerberg testified before congress in April 2018. The year also saw reports reveal that the social network was used to incite genocide against the Muslim Rohingya minority in Myanmar. Facebook was fined $5 billion by the FTC in 2019 over violations of privacy - a record breaking fine for a tech firm. The company also announced its intention to released Libra - a cryptocurrency - and in October Zuckerberg again testified in congress. Going into the 2020 election, Facebook was criticised over political ads on the platform. The company at the time said it does not fact check political ads, drawing criticism from politicians and employees. Recently, former Facebook employee Frances Haugen released a trove of documents dubbed the 'Facebook Files' to the Wall Street Journal. The internal research suggests that Facebook promoted divisiveness as a way to keep people on the site, with Haugen saying the documents showed the company had failed to protect young users. Advertisement

But Brnovich told Garland in his letter that Facebook did not outline a method of distinguishing between authorized or unauthorized posts, and called its enforcement mechanism a 'paper tiger'.

'It is the federal government's duty to enforce its immigration and criminal laws, and specifically, the Department of Justice's responsibility to investigate and prosecute these matters,' he wrote.

'Therefore our office requests that your Department investigate Facebook's facilitation of human smuggling at Arizona's southern border and stop its active encouragement and facilitation of illegal entry.'

Speaking to FOX Business on Tuesday, Brnovich criticised the Biden administration and Garland for a perceived lack of action over the issue.

'Instead of trying to intimate parents at local school board meetings for exercising their First Amendment rights, where the heck is the Biden administration and Merrick Garland when it comes to actually enforcing laws where they have the primary jurisdiction? And that includes human smuggling,' he said.

'So shame on Facebook, shame on the Facebook Board of Directors, shame on corporate America that's so interested in being woke and yet they're basically destroying the fabric of this country and undermining the rule of law.'

Brnovich's comments come as a report revealed that Facebook is planning to rebrand its parent company with a new name next week in a bid to distance itself from a series of embarrassing scandals.

The firm's original, flagship social media site and app - Facebook - is expected to keep its moniker, but Facebook Inc., the parent company which also owns Instagram and WhatsApp, will be given rebrand.

Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg plans to reveal the parent company's new name at its annual Connect conference on October 28, but it could be unveiled sooner, the Verge reported.

The name change would likely position Facebook's social media app as one of many products under a parent company, which will oversee products like Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus and more.

It will also help distance the firm's flagship social media brand from future bad publicity, with recent whistleblower testimony from former worker Frances Haugen adding to a list of damaging scandals to the reputations of Facebook and Instagram.

Just yesterday, US officials announced Facebook Inc had agreed to pay pay up to $14.25 million to settle civil claims by the government that the company discriminated against American workers and violated federal recruitment rules.

And today in the UK, the company was fined 50.5 million ($70 million) after failing to provide enough important information to the competition regulator investigating the firm's takeover of GIF sharing platform Giphy.

Britain's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a probe into the acquisition in June last year, shortly after the deal was announced, over concerns about a 'substantial lessening of competition'.

Facebook responded to the fine, saying: 'We strongly disagree with the CMA's unfair decision to punish Facebook for a best effort compliance approach, which the CMA itself ultimately approved. We will review the CMA's decision and consider our options.'

Facebook said it does not comment on rumor or speculation over the touted name change, reminiscent of when Google abruptly renamed itself Alphabet in 2015, making Google a subsidiary and allowing it to become a technology conglomerate.
An American TV personality has gone on a tirade against Australia's 'totalitarian' Covid restrictions and vaccine mandates, saying the policies were similar to 'the early ambitions of Joseph Stalin'.

Conservative commentator Candace Owens even compared Australia to life under the Taliban, before making a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that the US 'deploys troops' Down Under to 'free an oppressed people'.

The 32-year-old TV host, speaking on her late night Candace talk show, said her British husband George Farmer's loved ones in Australia sent him a letter highlighting the 'tyrannical' Covid lockdown conditions they were forced to live under.

Owens explained the letter was from a family friend in Queensland, detailing the 'steep decline' in mental health from living in a state which has mainly been cut off from most of Australia since the pandemic began in early 2020.

Reeling off a long list of draconian Covid restrictions in Australia, including 5km travel limits, household gathering bans and nighttime curfews, she blasted state and federal governments for 'imprisoning citizens against their will' - likening them to policies in communist Soviet Russia and life in Afghanistan under Taliban Islamists.

Conservative US commentator Candace Owens (pictured) claimed Australia is a 'tyrannical police state' and asked when America would 'invade' to bring democracy

Sydneysiders endured a 106 day lockdown from June to October (pictured, police speaking to sunbakers on Bondi Beach to ensure they were from the local area)

Poll HAVE AUSTRALIA'S COVID RULES GONE TOO FAR? Yes - it's tyranny No - they've kept thousands alive HAVE AUSTRALIA'S COVID RULES GONE TOO FAR? Yes - it's tyranny 356 votes

No - they've kept thousands alive 400 votes Now share your opinion





At one point during Sydney's lockdown, police helicopters hovered over beaches and used megaphones to tell crowds to leave, while police patrolled the streets and demanded to see people's ID to ensure they hadn't strayed too far from home.

After detailing international and state border closures and other lockdown rules such as mask wearing in public, Owens accuses Australia of stripping away 'the most basic of individual freedoms'.

'For the last 20 years the United States has spent trillions of dollars fighting a war in Afghanistan... which we were told was necessary because we were fighting a noble cause to spread democracy in a tyrannical land and to free and oppressed people,' Ms Owens said.

'So I'm going to ask those same lecturing politicians and media members a question now. When do we deploy troops to Australia?

'When do we invade Australia and free an oppressed people who are suffering under a totalitarian regime? When do we spend trillions of dollars to spread democracy in Australia?'

The 32-year-old TV host, speaking on her late night Candace talk show, said her British husband George Farmer's loved ones in Australia sent him a letter detailing the 'tyrannical' Covid lockdown conditions they were forced to live under (the couple are pictured with former US president Donald Trump in 2019)

Australians were left outraged in September after footage showed two officers deploying pepper spray at a woman during violent anti-lockdown protests in Melbourne (pictured) - which also drew strong criticism from abroad

More than 650,000 small plastic flags dot the lawn near the Washington Monument in the United States (pictured) in September with each flag, some with personal messages, representing a person who died from Covid. Australia has seen 1,448 deaths from the virus

AUSTRALIA VS THE US ON COVID Deaths US: 728,000 or 2,188 per million Aus: 1,448 or 56 per million Cases US: 45.1 million among 332.8 million Aus: 130,000 among 25.7 million Advertisement

During the 20-year war in Afghanistan, Australia was one of America's major allies.

Launched in the wake of the September 11 2001 World Trade Centre attacks in New York, a wave of allied forces toppled the Taliban ruled Islamic Emirate.

The violent and oppressive regime was widely accused of human rights abuses, subjugating women, and providing a safe-haven for jihadi terrorists.

American troops withdrew from the country in August 2021 allowing the Taliban to regain power following a drawn out insurgency and complex problems within the newly established Afghani government.

More than 39,000 Australian soldiers supported the US in Afghanistan including army, RAAF and Navy personnel, with 41 Australians killed, and more than 260 wounded.

Many who returned suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and some later took their own lives.

Hundreds of Americans staged a mass protest to 'Save Australia' as Covid-19 vaccination mandates were enforced on teachers in New York earlier in October (pictured)

Sydney became a ghost town during its four-month-long lockdown (pictured) with police out in force to uphold tough Covid rules

Despite Australian diggers bravely fighting with US allies against the extremist regime, Owens asked: 'Can anybody explain to me why the Australian government is any better or any nobler than the Taliban?

'Both groups believe they have a right to oppress and a right to imprison people for their own good.

'Currently Australia is a tyrannical police state, its citizens are quite literally being imprisoned against their will, so when do we deploy?'.

Australia has largely escaped the wave of death which has circulated the globe since the Covid-19 pandemic began in March 2020 - with just 1,448 fatal cases of Covid.

The death toll in America stands at 728,000, while the UK has seen 139,000 deaths and Russia 221,000.

The Texas freedom coalition shared this meme to its Facebook group comparing Australian lockdowns to prison (pictured) as critics to Covid restrictions down under pop up all over the world

Protests erupted in Melbourne in recent weeks as the city continues to endure the world's longest lockdown (pictured, an arrest during a protest in the city on October 16)

Her rally cry against Covid lockdowns Down Under comes after protesters in New York staged a huge march to 'save Australia' from mandatory vaccinations.

Crowds filled the streets of the Big Apple early in October as they marched to the Australian consulate in Manhattan, carrying Australian flags and signs that read: 'What is happening in Melbourne?'.

The protesters chanted 'Save Australia' as they marched through the streets and gave speeches emphasising their support for Australians who refuse to get the jab.

'What's going on in Australia is not just going to be Australia. And when it shows up on our doorsteps, we're gonna punch it right in the f***ing teeth,' one speaker told the rally, referencing the recent vaccine mandates for authorised workers in Victoria.

Fox News presenter Laura Ingraham ridiculed the drastic stay-at-home orders that have been enforced across the New South Wales capital

Candace Owens, a prominent Republican supporter of former US president Donald Trump, isn't the first pundit to take a swipe at the controversial policies

Owens, a prominent Republican supporter of former US president Donald Trump, isn't the first pundit to take a swipe at the controversial policies.

Fox News presenter Laura Ingraham earlier ridiculed the drastic stay-at-home orders that have been enforced across Sydney for now four months despite a '0.004 case to population ratio'.

'It's been seven weeks of lockdown in Sydney, Australia and they're still keeping the vice grip on the population,' the TV host said during a news segment in August.

The news anchor held back her laughter as she poked fun at the 'whopping' rise in cases and mocked the state government's reaction to keeping the city locked down.

Owens explained her husband's family friend sent a letter about life in Queensland - which has been cut off from most of the country for the majority of the last 18 months - who said the mental state of everyone around her was 'in steep decline'

'The population of New South Wales: 8.2 million,' Ingraham said.

'Meaning a case-to-population ratio of .004 per cent. They locked down for that.'

She then turned her attention to Canberra calling the city 'insane' after the Australian capital announced it would enforce a seven-day lockdown.

The decision came after the city recorded its first Covid-19 case in a year.

'The capital city has a population of 400,000. They have just entered a snap lockdown over one case. A single case,' Ms Ingraham said before breaking into laughter.
Elon Musk, who recently supplanted his galactic rival Jeff Bezos as the world's richest man, will add another bragging right over the Amazon founder as financial experts predict the Tesla boss will become the first trillionaire due to the exponential growth of SpaceX.

In a note titled 'SpaceX Escape Velocity ... Who Can Catch Them?' Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas said that Musk's aerospace company SpaceX is on track to propel the 50-year-old to trillionaire status.

Jonas wrote that the innovative SpaceX 'is challenging any preconceived notion of what was possible and the time frame possible, in terms of rockets, launch vehicles and supporting infrastructure,' Bloomberg reported.

Elon Musk (pictured with then-President Donald Trump in background) saw his wealth swell after a share sale at SpaceX earlier this month

Musk last week dethroned Amazon founder Jeff Bezos (pictured) as the world's richest person -whose wealth was estimated at $198.7 billion

Currently, SpaceX makes up less than 17 percent of Musk's $241.4 billion net worth, according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which has the Tesla CEO at the top of the list, ahead of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, who had held the No. 1 spot for years.

According to Jonas, SpaceX's advantage is that it functions as multiple companies in one that include space infrastructure, Earth observation, deep-space exploration and other industries.

SpaceX, which Musk owns about half of, is now the second-most valuable private company worldwide behind only Chinas Bytedance, according to CB Insights.

The company's Starlink satellite-communications business is the biggest contributor to his valuation estimate, Bloomberg reported.

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by the company that provides satellite Internet access to most of the world.

SpaceX has already launched 1,740 Starlink satellites to date, currently providing an internet network to over 100,000 users in 14 different countries who are a part of the project's public beta, with service priced at $99 a month.

The success of SpaceX adds to Musk's already massive net worth, which is mostly made up of Tesla shares.

Musk recently saw his and his SpaceX company's wealth swell after a share sale at SpaceX on October 8 worth $100 billion in a secondary offering.

The company had an agreement with both new and existing investors to sell up to $755 million in SpaceX stock from insiders at $560 per share, multiple people close with the deal told CNBC.

The 33 percent increase in its new share price brings the companys valuation to $100.3 billion after initially offering the deal to investors in February, when SpaceX's valuation stood at $74 billion at 419.19 a share.

The first round of offerings raised nearly $1.2 billion, the outlet reports.

After share sale helped push his net worth pass $230 billion last weekend, officially making him the richest man on the planet.

The Tesla CEO became the third person in the world to be worth $200 billion last month, beating Bezos to the top spot

SpaceX Falcon 9 pictured lifting off with NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken in the Dragon crew capsule in May 2020

The highly successful Space X only adds to Musk's net worth, which is mostly made up of Tesla shares which continue to surge

Elon Musk replied to Bezos' tweet with a No.2 medal after surpassing him as the world's richest man

The feat was especially impressive considering that Musk just joined the Forbes top ten billionaire list in the middle of last year.

The South African-born entrepreneur began his career co-founding PayPal before moving on to found SpaceX and Tesla Motors in the early 2000s.

Musk is now currently wealthier than Bill Gates and Warren Buffett combined and upon dethroning Amazon founder Bezos, who previously held the title of world's richest person at $198.7 billion as of 2021, Musk was quick to boast.

The Tesla CEO snarkily tweeted a second-place medal at Bezos after the Blue Origin and Amazon founder shared some motivational words about his company last week, which he previously promised he would do when he surpassed Bezos's net worth.

'I'm sending a giant statue of the digit '2' to Jeffrey B., along with a silver medal,' Musk told Forbes in an email in September.

Forbes Real-Time Top Ten Billionaires List Elon Musk - $241.4 billion 2. Jeff Bezos -$198.9 billion 3. Bernard Arnault and family - $160.5 billion 4. Bill Gates - $132 billion 5. Larry Page - $120.9 billion 6. Mark Zuckerberg - $126.7 billion 6. Sergey Brin - $122.9 billion 7. Larry Ellison- $ 111.9 billion 8. Sergey Brin - $122.9 billion 9. Steve Ballmer- $110.2 billion 10. Warren Buffett - $103.5 billion According to Forbes Real-Time Billionaires List as of October 19, 2021 Advertisement

Bezos became the first person to reach the $200 billion milestone in August 2020 and since then the pair have leap-frogged each other for the top spot in the past.

Bezos is one of a number of billionaire entrepreneurs fueling what has been dubbed the 'new space race', with each pumping billions of dollars into their respective startups with the aim of creating cheap, commercialized space travel.

He founded Blue Origin in September 2000 and is currently funding the company to the tune of about $1 billion per year through the sale of his shares in Amazon.

Musk, meanwhile founded SpaceX in 2002, and has since built rockets capable of shuttling satellites and other cargo into Earth's orbit. The company is now working on creating a spaceship that will take humans to the moon and mars, though Musk himself has not left Earth.

The billionaire's Twitter spat came after Musk said earlier this month that Teslas headquarters were moving from Palo Alto, California, to Austin, Texas to take advantage of the states lack of personal income tax.

He was also following through on a promise he made more than a year ago in response to Californias strict coronavirus guidelines.

Musk has promised that Tesla will expand its operations in Fremont, California, despite relocating its headquarters. The Fremont plant employs more than 10,000 people.

Its not known how many people are employed at the Palo Alto headquarters, but Tesla has previously said that the 350,000-square-foot building could accommodate up to 650 people.

The company has touted itself as one of Californias largest manufacturing employees; it said on its website that it stimulated $5.5billion in sales  and generated $4.1billion in spending- during the 2017 fiscal year.

Musk said that Tesla, which has been in Silicon Valley since 2003, has outgrown its Fremont factory.

Its like were spam in a can here, he said during last Thursdays announcement, adding that theres sparse affordable housing and a lot of workers have a long commute.

But in Texas, Musk said, Our factorys like five minutes from the airport, 15 minutes from downtown and were gonna create ecological paradise right here.

While he did not give a timeline of when Teslas headquarters in Texas will be operational, he noted that it takes less time to build a factory than it does to reach high-volume production.

He said that the plant in Texas will closely resemble Teslas Shanghai plant, which was built in 11 months and reached high-volume production after a year.

Musk personally moved to Texas last December.
Jacob Guerrero, 23, of Rhode Island, was arrested and charged with child porn after he was caught dressing as a woman and filming underage girls in a Massachusetts' mall bathroom with a pen camera attached to his shoe

A Rhode Island Amazon delivery driver attached a pen camera to his shoe and wore women's clothing and a blonde wig to secret film underage girls in a bathroom at a Massachusetts mall and was found with more than 200 videos of women and girls, an investigation revealed.

Jacob Guerrero, 23, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, was arrested by Wrentham Police Department in Massachusetts after he dressed as a woman and entered a women's restroom to take videos of underage girls.

The Wrentham Police Department received a call on August 24 from a customer at the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets about a man who appeared to be dressed as a woman and acting suspiciously in the public women's restroom.

The unnamed woman reportedly photographed Guerrero hanging out near the bathrooms before following a group of young girls in, according to the Sun Chronicle.

Guerrero entered the women's restroom wearing a blonde wig, gray and black sweatshirt, black pants, and sneakers, according to photos released by police. He is suspected of attaching a pen camera - an 'easily concealed surveillance camera that have the ability to record video and photos on Micro SD cards contained within the pen' - to his shoelaces.

Guerrero (pictured dressed as a woman) was photographed by a female customer who noticed he was standing outside the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets women's restroom before following a group of young girls inside. Dressed in black pants, a gray sweatshirt, and a blonde wig, he allegedly would sit in adjacent stalls to those of young girls and video them

He allegedly entered the women's restroom several times between July 11 and August 24 after finishing his shift at Amazon, which has a parking lot adjacent to the outlets, according to the Sun Chronicle.

He 'reportedly entered the Ladies Room and occupied stalls next to adjoining stalls that women and younger girls' occupied, police said. The girls are believed to be between the ages of eight and 15.

The Wrentham Police Department revealed there were 12 victims at the mall and five of them were under the age of 18, some are estimated to be between eight and 11.

He was arraigned in Wrentham District Court on Tuesday for possession of child porn and the Upskirt Law - photographing unsuspecting nude persons

He faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison if convicted

He allegedly did this on multiple occasion between July 11 and August 24 at the mall (pictured) after he got off work as an Amazon delivery driver. Amazon reportedly has a parking lot across from the mall. Amazon confirmed he no longer works for the company

Guerrero left the outlets before police arrived, but was identified by the woman's photograph and mall surveillance cameras captured his license plate.

He was arrested on September 2 after a traffic stop and a warrant was obtained after an investigation, according to police. He was released.

The police later obtained an additional search warrant for his personal vehicle and cell phone. Police found 240 videos and 23 images of women and girls on his phone, according to police.

'That examination recovered approximately 240 photographs as well as 23 videos of individuals in a state of undress,' Prosecutor Chris Cook said in court yesterday.

Among the footage, he was found taking a video of a 10-year-old in Norfolk, Massachusetts, who was changing into her pajamas in her bedroom on March 17, according to the Chronicle.

'In at [least] one case, the evidence suggests the suspect secretly recorded a young girl through her bedroom window as she undressed,' the police department wrote in a statement.

Police arrested Guerrero again on October 18 on charges for possession of child porn and the Upskirt Law - photographing unsuspecting nude persons.

Guerrero was arraigned yesterday. He faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison if convicted.

Amazon confirmed to Boston 25 that Guerrero is no longer an employee.

'This individual is no longer delivering packages for Amazon and well continue to assist law enforcement with their investigation,' they told Boston 25.
A man was shot in the leg outside of a posh Beverly Hills Italian restaurant Tuesday night after his attacker tried to rob him, according to police.

The victim was eating at Via Alloro with his wife and baby - two blocks away from Rodeo Drive - around 8.45pm before leaving to get something from his white Lamborghini SUV parked outside of the restaurant, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal.

On his way back into Via Alloro, two men pulled up and tried to rob the victim and he 'struggled with the suspect.'

The suspect then shot the man in the leg and 'fled the scene (in) a silver Infiniti sedan with dark tinted windows' driven by someone else, the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) said in a news release, adding that 'there is damage to the left rear quarter panel.'

The shooter and the driver have yet to be identified by police and it was not immediately clear if the crime was gang-related.

The attack comes as violent crime in Beverly Hills is on the rise, with reported armed robberies nearly doubling from 2019 to 2020, from nine to 16, according to Justice Department data.

A man was shot in the leg outside of the posh Beverly Hills Italian restaurant Via Alloro (pictured) on Tuesday night after his attacker tried to rob him, according to police

The victim was eating at Via Alloro with his wife and baby (pictured) around 8:45 p.m. when the incident happened

The victim was getting something from his White Lamborghini SUV (pictured), which was parked outside the restaurant, when two men pulled up in a silver Infiniti and tried to rob him

The victim was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance and is reportedly in stable condition with non-life-threating injuries.

'What the suspect was going after, I cant say, but the victim was able to retain all the property. Nothing was taken,' BHPD spokesman Lt Giovanni Trejo told Fox News.

'BHPD will provide additional information as it becomes available,' the department wrote in a Facebook post.

The restaurant was filled with diners when the shooting happened but no one else was hurt.

The Beverly Hills Courier reported that the restaurant turned away new diners after the incident but let those already eating finish their meals.

Videos posted to social media in the aftermath of the shooting showed police SUVs outside the restaurant and a section of the street roped off with tape.

Videos posted to social media in the aftermath of the shooting showed police SUVs outside of the restaurant and a section of the street roped off with tape

The suspect shot and 'fled the scene (in) a silver Infiniti sedan with dark tinted windows,' police said

Happening now: Gunfire at Beverly Hills restaurant Via Alloro. At least one person injured. The restaurant has returned to business while police appear to be conducting an investigation.



The Courier is on the scene and will provide updates as they become available. pic.twitter.com/bYOlaXF57j  The Beverly Hills Courier (@BHCourier) October 20, 2021

Via Alloro is a high-end restaurant located on North Canon Drive and prides itself as being 'the first restaurant in the area to offer more than 100 patio seats,' as stated on their OpenTable profile.

It is one of eight restaurants owned by Chef Giacomino Drago.

Earlier this year a woman was shot in the leg as robbers stormed another one of Drago's swanky Beverly Hills restaurants.

In March, three thieves stormed Il Pastaio on a Thursday afternoon and tried to steal a $500,000 watch from a male diner.

They then shot a female patron in the leg before fleeing.

In March, three thieves stormed Il Pastaio (pictured) on a Thursday afternoon and tried to steal a $500,000 watch from a male diner

The victim was seen talking on her phone as paramedics wheeled her away from the restaurant

Crime scene photos showed a heavy policy presence outside of Il Pastaio after the incident

The two unrelated crimes are just the latest in a string of opportunistic attacks on the area's wealthy residents.

Overall, violent crimes in Beverly Hills are up, according to data from the Department of Justice (DOJ), despite less reported homicides and assaults.

In 2019, there were nine robberies in the city where suspects were armed with a firearm.

In 2020 that figure nearly doubled to 16. Data for 2021 was not yet available.

Statewide in California, crimes were up by nearly 700 between 2019 and 2020 and there were 523 more homicides in 2021 than the year prior. The number of aggravated assaults also increased from 104,756 to 113,539.

Meanwhile, the number of rapes, robberies and property crimes was down, DOJ data showed.
Fugitive Brian Laundrie's parents broke cover for a nearly five-hour shopping trip, dodging questions about their son's whereabouts as they shipped a mysterious package labeled 'meal kit'.



Christopher, 62, and Roberta, 55, remained silent when asked if they are in contact with Brian, the missing fiance of murdered van-life girl Gabby Petito, 22.

The couple emerged from their home in North Port, Florida, at 7.45am Tuesday and climbed into their red Dodge Ram truck for the trip.

After making a few stops, DailyMail.com spotted them at a FedEx store where Christopher went inside carrying a parcel with the intriguing words 'meal kit' stamped on one end.

The addressee could not be seen.

They refused to answer DailyMail.com's questions when asked 'is he in the park, did you help him get there?' in reference to the massive swampland search for survivalist Brian, 23, that started nearly five weeks ago at the alligator-infested Carlton Reserve near their home.

DailyMail.com spotted Brian Laundrie's parents on a five-hour shopping trip Tuesday morning

Christopher was seen stopping at a FedEx store and carrying a parcel with the words 'meal kit' stamped on it

After making a few stops, DailyMail.com spotted them stop at a FedEx store where Christopher went inside carrying a parcel with the intriguing words 'meal kit' stamped on one end

Christopher, 62, and Roberta, 55, remained silent when asked if they are in contact with Brian, the missing fiance of murdered van-life girl Gabby Petito, 22

They also refused to answer DailyMail.com's inquiries of 'is he in the park, did you help him get there?' in reference to the massive swampland search for survivalist Brian, 23, that started nearly five weeks ago at the alligator-infested Carlton Reserve near North Port

First on their five-hour shopping trip the couple headed to their local Walmart superstore, coming out an hour later with cart full of cases of water and bagged up items. As they put their groceries in the truck, they ignored media questions of: 'Is your son still alive, are you in contact with him?'

About a week after Petito was reported missing, Laundrie also disappeared. Police aren't sure whether the 23-year-old - the only person of interest in the case - is dead or in hiding

The pair then made for an AT&T phone store, but it was shut. So they headed to a nearby Bank of America and stood patiently outside until it opened at 9am. Both were very casually dressed, with Christopher in shorts, t shirt and sandals, while Roberta was in blue jeans, sneakers and a floral top.

They were second in line as the doors opened and stayed 35 minutes before hitting the road again and stopping at a FedEx store.

Next they headed north on Interstate 75 to Sarasota where they stopped at another AT&T store. Both went in, with Roberta wearing a mask, and they stayed half an hour.

There has been a lot of speculation about the Laundries and Brian over phones. One is an unsubstantiated claim that Roberta bought him a burner phone before he vanished on September 13, saying he was heading to the Carlton Reserve.

They have told police they did buy a phone on September 4, and that Brian had the contract for it. This was three days after their son mysteriously arrived home in North Port without Gabby, 22, following their cross-country van-life trip to Wyoming and Utah.

The Laundries emerged from the phone store, but it was not possible to see if they had bought anything. They did not have an AT&T bag with them, although Roberta was carrying a large purse.

From there, they meandered back in the direction of their home along US Route 41, stopping at more grocery stores along the way before arriving home at 1.30pm and carting their items inside.

The couple were seen heading to a nearby Bank of America and stood patiently outside until it opened at 9am

Both were very casually dressed, with Christopher in shorts, t shirt and sandals, while Roberta was in blue jeans, sneakers and a floral top

They headed north on Interstate 75 to Sarasota where they stopped at another AT&T store. Both went in, with Roberta wearing a mask, and they stayed half an hour

The couple went back in the direction of their home along US Route 41, stopping at more grocery stores along the way before arriving home at 1.30pm and carting their items inside

There has been a lot of speculation about the Laundries and Brian over phones. One is an unsubstantiated claim that Roberta bought him a burner phone before he vanished on September 13, saying he was heading to the Carlton Reserve

The couple have told police they did buy a phone on September 4, and that Brian had the contract for it. This was three days after their son mysteriously arrived home in North Port without Gabby, 22, following their cross-country van-life trip to Wyoming and Utah

And earlier Wednesday morning Christopher appeared to snap for the first time when confronted by a protestor outside his home.

Andra Griffin - who has previously berated them with a bullhorn - shouted 'so we're torturing you' after the Laundries were on the driveway after arriving back from another short trip out. This was after the Laundries' lawyer Steve Bertolino said: 'They are being tortured in their own home by these protesters outside.'

Christopher appeared rattled and snapped back: 'Who said that, who said that, who said that?' Meanwhile Roberta was at the front door of their home, beckoning him to come inside.

The five-hour excursion came after the Laundries have been merging slightly more often in the face of public condemnation of their silence over their son, still only named as a person of interest in the case of strangled Gabby. Her body was found on September 19 at the Spread Creek camping center in Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming.

They have been seen in the dead of night removing symbolic laundry baskets from their lawn placed by protestors demanding 'justice for Gabby'.

Protester Griffin is suing the couple for $40 for ripping down a sign she had erected, claiming it is damaged. It said 'what if it was Cassie', referring to the Laundries' married daughter who lives about 30 miles away.

Cassie dramatically spoke out earlier this month when she said she didn't know if Brian had killed Gabby - and didn't know if her parents were involved. This was after being confronted by protesters outside her own home.

The FBI-led hunt for Laundrie at the menacing Carlton Reserve appears to have been scaled down this week, after a new flurry of activity in which law enforcement in tactical gear and rifles return there.

Earlier Wednesday morning Christopher appeared to snap for the first time when confronted by a protestor outside his home

Andra Griffin - who has previously berated them with a bullhorn - shouted 'so we're torturing you' after the Laundries were on the driveway after arriving back from another short trip out. This was after the Laundries' lawyer Steve Bertolino said: 'They are being tortured in their own home by these protesters outside'

Christopher appeared rattled and snapped back: 'Who said that, who said that, who said that?' Meanwhile Roberta was at the front door of their home, beckoning him to come inside

Protester Griffin is suing the couple for $40 for ripping down a sign she had erected, claiming it is damaged. It said 'what if it was Cassie', referring to the Laundries' married daughter who lives about 30 miles away

Gabby's grief-stricken mother this week said she wants 'coward' Laundrie to spend the rest of his life 'in a cell', shortly after she returned from collecting her daughter's ashes from Wyoming.

Nichole Schmidt, who reported Gabby missing on September 11 after losing contact with her, said she thought her daughter would be safe with Laundrie on their trip in her 2012 white Ford Transit van. Now she sees him as a cold-blooded killer who is being protested by his parents, who refuse to talk to her.

'Silence speaks volumes,' she told 60 Minutes Australia. 'I believe they know most of the information. I would love to just face to face ask, 'Why are you doing this? Just tell me the truth.'

'He's a coward. I don't want to say he's insane because he went home, he's hiding, he used her credit card. That's not somebody who's gone crazy.

'He knows what he is doing, he knew what he was doing. I just want to get him in a cell for the rest of his life.'

Her husband Jim added: 'We want vengeance. And justice.'

An autopsy revealed last week that Gabby had been strangled. Her mother said she hopes she did not suffer or feel 'any pain'.

'I hope she didn't suffer and that she wasn't in any pain. That she was in a place she wanted to be, looking at the beautiful mountains,' she said. 'This was evil. She was taken at somebody else's hand. It's not fair.'

Nichole Schmidt, Gabby Petito's mother, with her husband Jim in an interview on 60 Minutes Australia that aired on Sunday

Police first turned up at the Laundrie home hours after Gabby's mom reported her missing to her local police on Long Island, New York, on Saturday, September 11

Various people claim to have spotted Laundrie, who has a federal arrest warrant out for him for using Gabby's debit card, at various locations in Florida and in the Appalachian Mountains. None has been verified.

Police first turned up at the Laundrie home hours after Gabby's mom reported her missing to her local police on Long Island, New York, on Saturday, September 11.

Brian's parents refused to let them speak with their son and said officers should speak to their lawyer. North Port police have confirmed to Dailymail.com that their officers did not actually see Laundrie at the home that evening.

Shortly afterwards, Gabby's van was removed by police for forensic examination. Laundrie's silver convertible Ford Mustang was also removed for examination 10 later in an FBI raid on the Laundrie home. It is now back on their driveway.

The Laundries' originally told police their son vanished from their home on September 14, heading to the Carlton Reserve. But they did not mention that until September 16  and then weeks later changed their story to say he went a day earlier, on the 13th.
A slain teenager who has become the latest victim of Sydney's gangland wars 'knew he was a target' before he was gunned down alongside his dad in a brutal daylight shooting, police have revealed.

Salim Hamze, 18, and his father Toufik, 64, were were both killed while sitting in the front of a red Nissan Navara ute on Osgood St, Guildford shortly before 9am on Wednesday.

Police said Salim suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene while his father, who was shot in the head, was rushed to hospital but later died.

The shooting is understood to be the latest escalation in the increasingly bloody Sydney underworld feud between the Alameddine and Hamze families.

Police believe Salim was the intended target and his father was collateral damage.

Salim Hamze, 18, (pictured) and his father Toufik, 64, were found critically injured in the front seat of a red Nissan Navara ute on Osgood St, Guildford shortly before 9am on Wednesday

Paramedics desperately tried to revive Toufik before he was raced to Westmead Hospital, where he later died

Homicide detectives are now on the hunt for two offenders believed to be involved, with a burnt-out Lexus SUV found 1.8km away in Murdock Lane a short time after the shooting suspected to be the killers' getaway car.

Officers are also trying to track down a dark-coloured Ford Mustang spotted leaving that area moments after the SUV went up in flames.

Salim, a low-level member of the Hamze clan, was charged last month after police found a prohibited gun in the door of his vehicle.

NSW Polices Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Bennett said when officers stopped him and seized the firearm, the teenager knew he was 'under threat'.

'He was known to us as a person who was sometimes under threat and known to be involved in criminal organisations,' Supt Bennett said, the Daily Telegraph reports.

'Our main focus is a number of known families involved in serious and organised crime, so well be chasing up every lead in relation to this matter and we will be hoping to interview people in the coming days.'

Salim's lawyer Ahmed Dib said the youth was eager to turn his life around after being charged with illegally possessing firearms

The father and son are among four Hamze family members to be killed within the past 12 months, after gang leader Mejid was shot dead last October and his cousin Bilal was assassinated in June.

It is understood police believe the motive for the latest attack may have been retaliation for a drive-by shooting on the home of Assad Alahmad - the brother-in-law of kingpin Rafat Alameddine - earlier this year.

Police revealed other members of the Hamze crew are known to have prices on their heads.

Meanwhile, lawyer Ahmed Dib, who had been representing Salim over the firearm charges, said the young teenager knew he was heading down a troubled path and was eager to turn over a new leaf.

A burnt-out Lexus SUV was found 1.8km away in Murdock Lane a short time after the shooting

Police secure the crime scene around the red ute where the father and son were shot on Wednesday

Mr Dib said a police officer contacted him last week over a driving matter relating to the teen, prompting him to call Salim.

'The officer said he appeared to be a young man, a good man, who was going down the wrong path and said to maybe have a word with him,' Mr Dib said, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

'So I contacted him and we had a quite open and candid conversation.'

Mr Dib said Salim said he came from a good family and 'he wanted to excel in life in a positive way'.

He told his lawyer he planned to move out of his neighbourhood in southwest Sydney and build a career in construction, like his father.

'I think its absolutely tragic when you have young people who havent even begun their lives yet falling victim to what they say is gang-related crime,' he said.

Law enforcement teams are expected to crackdown on the two gangs as their bloody battle for drug territory continues to spiral out of control.

There were frantic scenes near the site of the execution on Wednesday afternoon as police pulled over residents driving just a block away from the shooting (pictured)

Police forced a Toyota Hilux to pull over and give his phone to officers while officers pored over his vehicle with gloves and torches about 4pm (pictured)

Daily Mail Australia understands Salim and his father were leaving home to go to work when they were assassinated.

The victims carpooled together most morning and police believe their attackers were aware of their morning routine.

There were frantic scenes near the site of the execution on Wednesday afternoon as police pulled over residents driving just a block away from the shooting.

Police forced a Toyota Hilux to pull over and give his phone to officers while officers pored over his vehicle with gloves and torches about 4pm - from the engine to the undercarriage of the car.

His phone was eventually returned and he drove away.

Police pulled over at least two more drivers, but both were released.

Neighbours fear a terrible mistake after revealing how Hamzes and Alameddines lived in peace on same street It was the quiet suburban street where Hamzes and Alameddines lived literally side by side - until the peace was shattered by a deadly salvo of shots on Wednesday morning. Elsewhere in the Sydney's west, the two family names are synonymous with the bloody gangland battle which has seen brutal tit for tat gun battles and executions. On Guildford's Osgood Street however, it was a different story. Father Toufik Hamze, 64, is believed to have lived alone in his humble rented home at number 17 after son Salim, 18, moved out to live in his own home in Auburn. Just across the road however, lived the Alameddines, at their palatial home at number 18. Despite the bitter bloody feud played out by their namesakes, on Osgood Street, neighbours say both families got on well without any hint of trouble. Until Wednesday. Around 8.30am, Salim and Toufik Hamze were gunned down as the son picked up his father in their battered old ute to go to to work. Salim died in the hail of bullets at the scene, his body left in the morning sun, partially hidden under a blue sheet by medics and detectives. His father was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but medics couldn't save him. Salim Hamze and his father Toufik were found slumped in a red ute (pictured) following reports of a shooting in Guildford on Wednesday morning Osgood St (pictured) in Guildford has been cordoned off as a high presence of police investigate the scene of the shooting A burnt out Lexus - believed to have been used as the assassins' getaway vehicle - was found less than 2km from the scene shortly after the double execution. The deaths were instantly linked to the long-running gang battle between the rival crime families - but neighbours fear there has been a terrible mistake. 'Salim and Toufik are not related to the gangster Hamzes,' said one neighbour. 'I'm from Lebanon myself so I know these things. 'They are not from the same family, same village, same part of Lebanon or even the same religion. They had nothing to do with the other Hamzes. A burnt out Lexus SUV (pictured) was found 1.8km away in Murdock Lane a short time after the shooting 'There was never any trouble between the Hamzes and Alameddines on Osgood Street. 'They got on well - there was no hint of any trouble.' He added: 'I think someone has made a terrible mistake. I think there's been a misunderstanding. 'They've been too good together, I've never seen them fight at all.' Jailed Brothers 4 Life gangland boss Bassam Hamzy confirmed to Daily Mail Australia from his Supermax high security jail cell in Goulburn that the dead men were no relation to him. Hamzy is serving a 40 year jail term over murder and gang-related offences, after first being locked up in 1998 over the killing of a Sydney teenager. Mr Hamzy's cousin Bilan Hamze was gunned down outside a Japanese restaurant in Sydney's CBD in June in the latest escalation of the running battle. Six male members of the Alameddine crew are already in jail or before the courts, facing charges related to guns, drugs, violence and organised crime. But another former resident stressed the Alameddines on Osgood Street were good neighbours. 'They have a tree-lopping business,' said one. 'They are good people, a nice family. I've got nothing bad to say about them and I highly, highly doubt they would be involved in anything like this. 'I never saw anything out of the normal with those people.' Advertisement

Dozens of police have arrived at the scene in Guildford to investigate the latest escalation in the long-running underworld feud between Alameddine and Hamze families

Police have confirmed Salim was 'well known' to them and on bail for firearms offences after being arrested by the State Crime Command on September 10.

'He was known to us as a person sometimes under threat and known to be involved in criminal organisations.' Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Bennett said.

Police are unaware of any criminal involvement of the slain father.

He described Wednesday's double murder as an appalling act of violence on the streets of Sydney.

'It's an atrocious crime that shouldn't have taken place,' Superintendent Bennett said.

'It's another appalling crime in a long list of gangland style shootings that have taken place in south-west Sydney.

'The State Crime Command and local police are hand in glove trying to stop to these crimes before they happen.'

Salim Hamze, 18, and his father Toufik, 64 were shot while leaving for work. Pictured are police being briefed at the scene

It remains unclear how Salim and his father are related to the rest of Hamze family. However, the teenager is not believed to be closely related to the heavyweights in the Hamze gang.

Different branches of the family use variations of the 'Hamze' surname including the alternative spelling 'Hamzy', with Salim's name is recorded as 'Hamiz' in police data bases.

Police admitted they're concerned about reprisal attacks.

'We're worried about reprisals, we're worried about family feud and we're also worried about drug and kidnapping turf wars, and they're going on in south-west Sydney all the time,' Superintendent Bennett said.

Sources close to the Hamze clan told Daily Mail Australia family members held an urgent Zoom meeting with a criminal defence lawyer shortly in the wake of the slaying.

'We live in Merrylands but we were driving through this morning at about 9.30 and we saw the police everywhere,' these women (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia

The slain pair are among four members of the extended Hamze family to be shot dead in the last year.

In June, the crime boss cousin of Brothers for Life gangster Bassam Hamzy was executed in a drive-by shooting after leaving Sydney's ritzy Kid Kyoto Japanese restaurant.

Underworld figure Bilal Hamze, 34, had a bounty on his head when he was shot twice in the stomach and once in the shoulder in front of shocked onlookers.

Bilal was hiding out in the city amid underworld conflict with members of the rival Alameddine clan.

His public assassination came after his own mother Maha Hamze's home in Auburn was the target of a drive-by shooting in February.

A burnt out Lexus SUV (pictured) found 1.8km away in Murdock Lane shortly afterwards has since been towed away

Police were called to the Guildford street off Woodville Road shortly before 9am following reports of a shooting.

No one inside was injured but a nurse at a nearby hospital was hurt when a stray bullet destroyed a window she was standing near.

In October last year, Mejid Hamzy - the younger brother of Bassam, was gunned down in broad daylight outside his Condell Park home.

Two brothers allegedly linked to the Alameddine family have been arrested over the fatal shooting of Mejid, but police believe the gunmen are still at large.

In September, police released CCTV footage of two hooded men fleeing from the scene moments after Mejid was shot dead as they continue to hunt for the killers.

The CCTV captured the face and distinct blond hair of one the men briefly exposed after his hoodie fell off while fleeing the scene through the reserve before getting into two luxury cars.

Almost two months later, Shady Kanj, 22, was struck by a bullet while a passenger in a car driving on Boundary Rd, Chester Hill in western Sydney on August 6.

Mejid Hamzy (left), the brother of jailed Brothers for Life gang founder Bassam (right) was gunned down outside his home at Condell Park in October last year

Bilal Hamzy, the cousin of Bassam, was executed in a drive-by shooting in Sydney's CBD in June (pictured above sequence of events)

Kanj was an associate of both the Hamzy and Alameddine gangs,

A week later, a suspected murder attempt against another member of the Hamze clan was foiled following a police traffic stop in Sydney's north.

Police believe gangland rivals had been planning to carry out an attack on Ibrahem Hamze when a stolen Mercedes was spotted on Walker Street on August 14.

The driver allegedly refused to stop the vehicle for officers before speeding off and running through a red light.

But the car suffered a flat tyre forcing the driver and another passenger to abandon the vehicle on Miller Street at Cammeray.

Anyone with information about Wednesday morning's shooting is urged to call Crime Stoppers.
Advertisement

This is the heartwarming moment a boy with learning difficulties clambered onstage to meet the Pope and ask for his cap before being offered a seat next to the pontiff.

Francis shook hands with ten-year-old Paolo Junior who pointed at the Pope's white skullcap, asking if he could wear it.

The Pope, smiling as he did so, invited Paolo to sit down at his right side as the head of the papal household, Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, gave up his chair.

As the boy sat down he started clapping enthusiastically, much to the amusement of His Holiness who later praised the boy for the way he had 'come close and moved around as if he were at home.'

Paolo was eventually granted his wish and given a white cap like the Pope's before walking back to sit with his family as the Paul VI hall erupted with applause.

'I thank this boy for the lesson he has given us all,' Francis said at the end of his audience, praising the 'spontaneity and freedom' of children.

Then noting Paolo's disability, Francis, 84, added: 'May the Lord help him in his limitation, in his growth, because he gave us this witness, which came from the heart.

'Children don't have an automatic translator from the heart to life: the heart just goes forward.'

Ten-year-old Paolo reaches out to the Pontiff's white skullcap during the general audience in the Paul VI hall of the Vatican on Wednesday

The Pope reaches out to shake hands with the approaching boy, left, before waving to him as he goes back to sit down with his own white skullcap one

Paolo sitting beside the Pope in the chair of the head of the papal household, Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza

Paolo walks back to sit down as the Paul VI hall erupted in applause after he finally got his wish of getting a white cap like the Pope's

Paolo appeared drawn to the pontiff's white hat, known as a zucchetto

The boy approaches the Pope, 84, in the middle of his weekly general audience

Ten-year-old Paolo Junior kisses Pope Francis during the weekly General Audience in the Paul VI Audience Hall, in Vatican City

The Pope is embraced by the boy as he meets congregants at the end of the general audience

Speaking at length in his audience on the topic of freedom, the Pope reminded the congregation of the Apostle St Paul who taught that freedom is righteous as long as it is not self-serving.

'Freedom guided by love,' explained Francis, 'is the only one that frees ourself and others.'

'The social dimension is fundamental for Christians,' the Pope continued, adding that 'it enables them to look to the common good and not to private interest.'

He said that understanding liberty was particularly poignant today because the pandemic has emphasised how much people need each other.

The child waves to the Pope as he leaves the general audience

The child is seen sitting in a wheelchair during the general audience

'It is not enough to know this,' Francis said. 'We need to choose it concretely every day.'

He finished his address with an entreaty to the flock, saying: 'Let us say and believe that others are not an obstacle to my freedom, but rather the possibility to fully realise it  because our freedom is born from God's love and grows in charity.'

Francis conducts a weekly general audience either in the Paul VI hall or in St Peter's Square at the Vatican.

It is a chance to meet with members of the public as well as other Catholic officials.
A grandmother who was booted off X-Factor by Simon Cowell has been laid to rest at a Star Wars themed funeral by undertakers dressed as Darth Vader and Stormtroopers in Worcestershire.

Brenda Morris, 78, shot to fame following her flamboyant performance of Pink's So What on the ITV talent show in 2010.

She told judges Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue, Cheryl and Simon that 'I think I could win the X-Factor'.

However, the retired chemistry lecturer was kicked off stage just seconds into her gravelly audition after being told: 'We've already got a Kylie'.

Eleven years later, she said her final wish was for a Star Wars funeral after being informed she could not donate her body to medical science.

Stormtroopers wait outside the hearse to carry the coffin of popular Brenda Morris, a retired lecturer who shot to fame following a flamboyant performance on X-Factor

Undertakers dressed as Darth Vader and Stormtroopers as they led the hearse towards the ceremony

Brenda appeared on ITV talent show X-Factor to perform Pink's SO What at the age of 67 back in 2010

Brenda told relatives she did not want a slow, traditional funeral procession, instead preferring something 'out of this world'.

More than 100 people turned out for the funeral in Redditch to say their farewell, despite efforts to keep the occasion under wraps.

Mark Thomas, of funeral directors Thomas Brothers and who took the role of Darth Vader at the ceremony, described the occasion as 'quite the spectacle'.

He said: 'She decided when the time came that she wanted us to dress up as Star Wars characters.

Brenda, described as having 'a huge personality', told relatives she wanted a funeral that was something 'out of this world'.

The funeral directors purchased the Star Was outfits online and even took part in a dress rehearsal to ensure they 'got everything right'

The hearse driver also dressed as a Stormtrooper, with the funeral directors helping to put on 'quite the spectacle'

'I personally knew Brenda. She had such a huge personality and was a big part of the community.

'We bought the costumes through the internet and did a dress rehearsal so we got everything right.

'I know it may sound strange, but I watched some clips of Darth Vader just to make sure I got everything right.

'The lads stood around the coffin dressed as stormtroopers while I was by the celebrant. It was quite a spectacle.'

Brenda's personality attracted many fans, despite her short-lived singing career.

She had already performed These Boots Were Made for Walking while wearing three-inch spiked heels shortly after a knee replacement.

Mark Thomas, of funeral directors Thomas Brothers, took up the role of Darth Vader and even carried a light sabre

Darth Vader, Stormtroopers and Princess Leia line the hearse to pay their respects to the retired lecturer

Stormtroopers carried Brenda's coffin after she asked for a Star Wars funeral due to being unable to donate her body to medical science

When Cowell wished her luck before her audition, she quipped: 'I think Im going to need it with these boots on.'

Brenda also appeared on Britain's Got Talent the previous year.

Mark added: 'She wanted to go fast down the highway to the crematorium, and although we stuck to the speed limit we were there in about two minutes.'
Advertisement

Buccaneering Mail photographer Gary Trotter, who photographed John Prescott playing croquet on the lawn of his grace and favour mansion when he was supposed to be running the country, has died.

Gary, 65, was a fearless war photographer who covered countless conflicts including the Balkans, both Iraq Wars and Afghanistan after 9/11.

But one of his most inspired scoops was closer to home.

In 2006 when Prime Minister Tony Blair went abroad leaving his deputy, Mr Prescott, officially in charge, Gary trained his camera lens on Dorneywood, Prescott's official country residence, 'on a hunch.'

It paid off when he caught Prescott and his team of civil servants and Labour aides playing croquet on the manicured lawn.

Mail photographer Gary Trotter with Afghan refugee children in Quetta, Pakistan, in September 2001

Gary's picture of John Prescott and his team of civil servants and Labour aides playing croquet on the lawn at Dorneywood, his official country residence, made the front page of the Mail on Sunday and was followed up throughout the media

Mr Prescott, in charge when Tony Blair went abroad, was caught playing croquet on the manicured lawn in 2006

Gary gives Mr Prescott a signed picture of him playing croquet at a book signing at Ruskin College, Oxford in June 2008

Gary takes pictures of the filming of Alexander starring Colin Farrell in the desert near Marrakech in Morocco in 2003

It made the front page of the Mail on Sunday and was followed up throughout the media.

Gary said later: 'With the naked eye, you could clearly see them on the lawn. When I looked through a long lens and saw what they were doing I had to laugh.'

Gary with his wife Liz at their wedding in 2013

Peter Wright, editor of the Mail on Sunday at the time, said yesterday: 'It was a genuine 'hold the front page moment.' Gary's unique talent was that as well as being a superb war photographer, he cared about those he was photographing  and was as good at getting a great picture of a celebrity - or the Deputy PM playing croquet when he should have been at work.'

It is what Gary did after the Prescott photo that marks him out.

He used the freelance earnings from it to campaign successfully for the release from jail in Iraq, his friend, guide and interpreter Tarik Ramadan.

Such was Gary's charm that Prescott posed for a souvenir photograph with him - together with the notorious croquet photo - when they met later.

After starting as a cruise liner photographer, he progressed via his local Slough Express to the Sunday Express, Mail on Sunday and Daily Mail in addition to running his own photographic agency, 'Images Sans Frontieres,' cheekily named after the Medecin Sans Frontieres aid agency he came across on his travels.

Interviewed about his colourful career, he once said: 'I taught myself photography. From early on I was interested in photo-journalism. This was the era of films such as 'Full Metal Jacket' and 'Apocalypse Now' which no doubt had an influence on me. I was drawn to the adrenalin rush and the unconventional lifestyles photographers seemed to have.

'I am best known for photographing wars, riots, and risky situations, but I cover all sorts of news. I photograph royals and celebrities sometimes but they don't really interest me.'

After photographing a one year old boy, Awlia, in an Afghan refugee camp, Gary realised the child was dying from dehydration and diarrhoea.

He paid for him to be treated.

Ever resourceful, unable to get a flight to Sarajevo when it was under ferocious shelling in the 1990s Balkan War, Gary commandeered a Land Rover - which he dubbed the 'Memphis Belle' after the fictionalised film about a WW2 American bomber - drove it into the city, filmed the devastation and suffering, and drove it out again.

After starting as a cruise liner photographer, Gary progressed via his local Slough Express to the national press

Gary was a fearless war photographer who covered countless conflicts around the world

Gary said his 'proudest achievement' was to be among the first to draw attention to the dangers of land mines

Gary ran his own photographic agency, 'Images Sans Frontieres,' named after the Medecin Sans Frontieres aid agency

Asked to define his ideal assignment, Gary said: 'A small war, a beach and a bar that serves Jack Daniels'

A fellow photographer said Gary 'went to the most dangerous places without a thought for his own safety'

Gary covered countless conflicts including the Balkans, both Iraq Wars and Afghanistan after 9/11

Gary was described as a 'superb war photographer' by former Mail on Sunday editor Peter Wright

Gary said his 'proudest achievement' was to be among the first to draw attention to the dangers of land mines, commenting ruefully: 'Before Diana got involved it was almost impossible to get any newspapers to take notice.'

Asked what job he would do if he was not a photographer, he said: 'Aid worker, landmine clearance,' adding mischievously, 'or mercenary.'

Asked to define his ideal assignment, he grinned: 'A small war, a beach and a bar that serves Jack Daniels.'

Gary's motto on his Facebook page was: 'If you are afraid to live your life because you might die, you have already died.'

Gary took this amusing picture of The Coneheads holding their Kodak Brownie cameras

Gary's close friend Tim Page (pictured together), renowned for his photographs of the Vietnam War, paid tribute to him

Gary's motto on his Facebook page was: 'If you are afraid to live your life because you might die, you have already died'

Gary once said: 'I am best known for photographing wars, riots, and risky situations, but I cover all sorts of news'

Gary said about land mines: 'Before Diana got involved it was almost impossible to get any newspapers to take notice'

Gary, who died after a short illness, is survived by his wife Liz, his son and two grandsons

His close friend Tim Page, renowned for his photographs of the Vietnam War, paid this tribute to him:

'An inspirational legacy for a raft of budding shooters (photographers). A champion of those in need. The jester in the pack with the ability to laugh when the cards are down.'

Fellow Mail photographer Les Wilson said: 'Gary went to the most dangerous places without a thought for his own safety. He never followed the pack and went on instinct - and was blessed with the gift of not getting shot.'

Gary, who died after a short illness, is survived by wife Liz, his devoted partner for 30 years, and who is picture editor at the Daily Mail's 'Femail'; his son Luke and grandsons Leon and Ashton.

Gary Trotter: born 7 August 1956 - died 15 October 2021.
Plain clothes Met Police officers will prove they are no threat to women by FaceTiming uniformed supervisors - as the force tries to win back trust lost by killer cop Wayne Couzens.

Lone policemen will now show their warrant cards when approaching females on their own.

Scotland Yard say they will then demonstrate who they are and why they are there by video calling one of the force's police operations rooms.

They will show a uniformed supervisor will check who the officer is and state why they are there as well as provide recorded evidence of the encounter.

If the officer does not have their phone with them he will give then woman the number to call to carry out the verification procedure.

All of the operations rooms have now been set up with a dedicated mobile device to make and receive these calls that utilise a range of popular video calling services including FaceTime, WhatsApp, Skype, Zoom and Google Duo.

It is the latest move by the police to try and restore women's faith in the force after serving Met officer Couzens, 48, kidnapped, raped and murdered Sarah Everard.

The marketing executive, 33, was tricked into getting into his car in a fake arrest made possible by him being dressed in his uniform and showing his warrant card.

Police will be required to video call a control room to prove they are a legitimate officer

It comes in the wave of sadness and disgust over the police officer murder of Sarah Everard

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, Frontline Policing, said: 'It is very unusual for a lone plain-clothed officer to engage with a lone woman.

'It is simply not how we usually operate but there are some rare circumstances where this could happen and we want to give all the reassurance we can.

'We know we need to regain women's trust and we fully accept that the onus is on us to verify we are who we say we are and that we are acting appropriately - that's why we've introduced this system.

'We hope that being able to see and speak to a uniformed colleague in what will very visibly be a police operations room, and know that there is a proper police record of the encounter, will provide the reassurance that we understand is necessary.'

Women can also call 999 directly, to ask for verification of an officer's identification and reassurance from the police control room if they prefer this route - or if video calling is not available for any reason.

The Met said it set up this system after it consulted widely with key partners working to tackle violence against women and girls on this process in order to ensure it provides the reassurance that is needed.

Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick has come under criticism over the force's advice

Serving Met Police officer Wayne Couzens kidnaped, raped and murdered Sarah Everard

Earlier this month the Prime Minister was forced to intervene to plead with the public to 'trust the police' .

Mr Johnson insisted the vast majority of officers across the UK were 'trustworthy' despite the sickening actions of Metropolitan Police constable Wayne Couzens.

Appearing on the BBC's Andrew Marr show at the start of the Conservative Party conference in Manchester over a week ago he said he wanted more action on crimes against women, and a greater number of rape convictions.

But he also backed controversial and criticised advice from the Metropolitan Police for women to flag down a passing bus if they are stopped by an officer they do not trust.

The advice issued in the wake of the Sarah Everard murder also included suggestions to shout, knock on doors or call 999, measures which were put to the Prime Minister.

He replied 'If you are suspicious about the way in which you are being treated by a police officer and you are worried for some reason, then clearly you should seek help in the way you have described.

'My view is that the police do - overwhelmingly - a wonderful job and what I want is the public, and women in particular, girls and young women, women of all ages, to trust the police.

'They are overwhelmingly trustworthy.'
Joe Biden said he was hopeful of reaching a deal on his trillion-dollar congressional agenda as he headed to his hometown of Scranton on Wednesday afternoon, after conceding to Democrats that some of his most ambitious proposals will have to go.

'I think well get a deal,' he told reporters before boarding Air Force One for the short hop to Pennsylvania and a chance to pitch his social spending plans.

He leaves behind a party that remains deadlocked in Washington.

Biden gave Democrats an end of the week deadline to come to consensus on a topline number for his ambitious package of programs, including funds for education, healthcare and to combat climate change.

But to break the stalemate between the moderate and progressive wings of the Democratic Party, the $3.5 trillion plan will be cut nearly in half.

Getting the ax is his proposal for two years of free community college. Other options being considered are cutting back the child tax credit and paid family leave; and removing a clean energy program after Senator Joe Manchin objected to it.

'There will be something for higher education, but it probably won't be the free community college,' said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Joe Biden will return to his hometown of Scranton on Wednesday to pitch his trillion-dollar congressional agenda after conceding it must be cut

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, speaks to reporters after liberals met with Biden for two hours at the White House on Tuesday

A day earlier, Jayapal other progressives met with Biden at the White House as the president tried to bring moderates and liberals to agreement.

They conceded that cuts were inevitable if the measure is to be passed.

'It's not the robust vision the president wants or that we wanted,' noted Rep. Ro Khanna, another liberal.

Biden also held separate meetings with a group of moderate lawmakers and with Senators Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema at the White House on Tuesday as he pushed for Democrats to close a deal.

The president felt 'more confident' after the day of meetings, press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement.

'There was broad agreement that there is urgency in moving forward over the next several days and that the window for finalizing a package is closing,' she noted.

Biden wants a framework for the plan by the end of the week with its topline number looking to be between $1.75 trillion and $2 trillion, about half of the original.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed confidence Wednesday morning negotiations were on track.

'We will be where we need to be in order to reach our goal,' she told reporters on Capitol Hill. She gave a deadline of Halloween to pass both Biden's social plan and his infrastructure proposal.

The president hit the road Wednesday as part of his sales pitch. He'll return to his hometown of Scranton, Pa., for the first time as president. He was last there on Election Day 2020. He lived in Scranton until he was 10.

He will deliver remarks about his agenda items at Electric City Trolley Museum.

'He will talk about growing up in Scranton, and the way he's experienced their values and it's belief that we need an economy that works for working people,' Psaki said.

Part of Biden's campaign pitch was what he called 'Scranton vs. Wall Street,' where he aruged he, as president, would shift the economic playing field back in favor of Americans in places like Scranton.

He will echo that theme on Wednesday and include infrastructure as a large part of his pitch.

The White House pointed out the president's infrastructure plan would give Pennsylvania more than $11 billion for federal-aid highways and $1.6 billion for bridges. The plan would also give the state nearly $3 billion to improve public transportation options.

Additionally, local officials in Scranton want to revive passenger train service between Scranton and New York City, which would be paid for under the infrastructure plan. Biden is a major supporter of Amtrak and lover of trains.

His infrastructure plan has bipartisan support but has become caught up in the inter-party war over Biden's budget package of social programs. Pelosi delayed a vote on it earlier this month as she and party leadership work to bring the two wings of Democrats together.

Joe Biden was last in Scranton on Election Day 2020 as seen above

During that Scranton stop, Biden visited his boyhood home

Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin want Biden's ambitious social packate scaled back and Biden cannot afford to lose their votes in the Senate

Manchin and Sinema want the social package - paid for with a mix of tax cuts - lowered in size and scope. And, in the evenly divided 50-50 Senate, Biden cannot lose a single Democratic vote.

Meanwhile, progressives, led by Jayapal, have said they will not support Biden's infrastructure plan without a deal on the package of social programs.

Now, as both sides gather to discuss how to trim the package, progressives are pushing to reduce the duration of many of the programs in the plan but preserve them all - even if its just for a short duration.

Moderates argue for focusing money on a smaller number of programs for the long term.

White House adviser Cedric Richmond told NBC on Wednesday the focus is on the items in the plan and not its price tag - a comment that came as progressives said Biden agreed to their approach in their meeting on Tuesday.

'The price is not what we're focused on. We're focused on making sure we can deliver the programs and services and investments in families and whatever that adds up to, it adds up to,' Richmond said.

Part of the cuts would be extending the child tax credit by one year instead of the four originally discussed.

Also, Biden's Clean Energy Plan would go and instead be replaced by tax breaks for energy producers that reach emission-reduction goals, which would better align with Manchin's priorities.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emerged from a meeting of Senate Democrats on Monday to note that there is 'universal agreement in that room that we have to come to an agreement, and we've got to get it done, and want to get it done this week.'

'Everyone is going to be disappointed in certain things, but everyone is going to be glad about certain things,' he noted.

A series of events at the end of the month is driving the push to pass the president's agenda: transportation funding runs out at the end of October, Biden needs to head to Rome for the G20 summit and Democrats need a win ahead of the Virginia governor's election, where their candidate Terry McAuliffee is struggling.

The Nov. 2 gubernatorial election in Virginia is being seen a referendum on Biden. The result will be used to forecast Democrats' chances of retraining control over Congress in next year's midterm election.
The sister of a man who was stabbed to death at an illegal rave has urged people to break their silence and come forward with information about his death.

Jason Nyarko, 26, died after an incident at a warehouse in Bermondsey, south-east London, on Saturday June 26.

The Metropolitan Police have said anyone who attended the unlicensed event will not 'get in any kind of trouble' if they come forward.

Officers were called at around 11.45pm following reports that a man had been stabbed inside an industrial unit in Stockholm Road.

Jason Nyarko (pictured), 26, was stabbed to death at an illegal rave in a warehouse in Bermondsey, south-east London, on June 26. Met Police are asking for witnesses to come forward

Despite the efforts of the emergency services, Mr Nyarko was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

Investigators have released images of a number of potential witnesses they would like to speak to, and are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen or filmed any arguments or fights at the warehouse. Those pictured are not suspected of being involved in the stabbing.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said: 'While we have made progress with our investigation, we know there are a lot of people who were there that evening who have not yet come forward.

'We know that there may be some reluctance to speak to us because this was an unlicensed music event which took place during Covid.

Investigators have released images of a number of potential witnesses they would like to speak to, and are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen or filmed any arguments or fights at the warehouse. Pictured: Potential witnesses

The Metropolitan Police have said anyone who attended the unlicensed event will not 'get in any kind of trouble' if they come forward. Pictured: Potential witness

'I have a very clear message for anyone worried about this - you will not get in any kind of trouble for attending this rave.'

He continued: 'You might think what you saw or heard that evening is not relevant to us.

'That is not the case. Any information you have, no matter how insignificant you believe it to be, could prove vital to our investigation.'

Mr Nyarko's family said the incident has devastated their lives and urged people to 'do the right thing'.

His sister, Goldie Nyarko, said: 'It has been extremely difficult to face what has now become our reality and to accept and come to terms with what happened to Jason.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie said: 'You will not get in any kind of trouble for attending this rave'. Pictured: Potential witnesses

Mr Nyarko's family said the incident has devastated their lives and urged people to 'do the right thing' and come forward. Pictured: Potential witnesses

'To be honest we don't think we ever will.

'Losing Jason has ripped apart our family, devastated our lives and has left us heartbroken.

'Words will never be enough to convey how painful each day without our Jason is.

'Not only was Jason a twin, a brother, a son, an uncle, a cousin and a nephew, he was the one who kept the family strong and together.

'He was loved by so many and the impact of his death has left so many broken. Twenty-six years of happiness - that's all we had.

Mr Nyarko's sister Goldie: 'We know a lot of people have not come forward and we need those people to do so. Please just do the right thing'. Pictured: Potential witness

'Even though we will never get Jason back, he deserves justice for what happened to him that evening.

'We know a lot of people have not come forward and we need those people to do so.

'Please just do the right thing. Jason went for a night out and never came back home.

'We never got to say goodbye. Someone chose to senselessly take his life away in the most horrific way.'

Anyone who attended the event and has information can call the Met incident room on 020 8721 4205.
A senior Republican blasted the Biden administration's 'spineless reputation' on the global stage on Wednesday and demanded that President Biden stand up to China after it tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile.

National security experts have warned that the U.S. does not have the ability to track or counter such sophisticated weapons.

And Rep, John Katko, ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, said it effectively brought China's nuclear capability level with the U.S. as he urged the White House not to bait Beijing from the Briefing Room.

'President Biden must strongly condemn this malign behavior and take a much tougher stance in order to protect our homeland and national security,' he told DailyMail.com.

It follows reports that China launched a long-range rocket with hypersonic glide vehicle that circled the earth before returning to a target in Chinese territory.

Beijing denied the Financial Times report and said it was a 'routine test' of a space vehicle.

But it raises the spectre of Beijing stealing a march in the race to develop a new generation of weaponry that can evade existing early warning systems.

'Reports of China testing a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile are gravely concerning,' said Katko.

'This is a clear escalation of the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) malfeasance and essentially brings China to nuclear parity with the United States.'

Rep. John Katko (r), ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, demanded that President Biden take tougher action on China amid reports that Beijing had tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile

China launched the dummy weapon into space on board a Long March 2C rocket (pictured) during a test in mid-August which it did not disclose at the time and was only revealed at the weekend by security analysts assigned to work out its purpose

A report from the Financial Times, which cited five unnamed intelligence sources, said the Chinese military launched the Long March rocket in August carrying a 'hypersonic glide vehicle' into low orbit. It circled the globe before descending towards its target, which it missed by about two dozen miles. The system would be able to overcome US anti-ballistic missile defence systems that are based in Alaska and set up to shoot down projectiles coming over the North Pole - the Chinese system would be able to strike the US from the south

He added that the C.C.P. represented the greatest threat to U.S. interests and economic security for the next 50 years.

'From its military buildup in the South China Sea, to repeated cyber attacks, to its genocide of the Uyghurs in the Xinjiang province, the CCP has shown it will stop at nothing to achieve its geo-political goals,' he said.

The White House needed to get tougher, he continued.

'I would also advise the Biden administration against baiting China from the White House podium, especially when they have already established a weak, spineless reputation on the global stage when it comes to standing up to foreign adversaries in defense of our homeland,' he said.

On Monday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki baffled some observers with her response to the tests as she welcomed 'competition'.

'We have been consistent in our approach with China: We welcome stiff competition, but we do not want that competition to veer into conflict,' she said.

In a sign of the threats facing the U.S., on Tuesday Vladimir Putin showed off Russia's military strength with massive 'invasion' war games in the Black Sea near the Ukraine while dozens more Kremlin warships joined Chinese gunboats off Japan.

More than 40 Russian vessels and 30-plus military planes and 20 helicopters took part in exercises in Crimea, with missile launches, practice bombings and landings by amphibious forces.

Thousands of miles away, a Russian and Chinese fleet sailed through the narrow Tsugaru Strait between mainland Japan and its northern island Hokkaido, putting Tokyo on high alert.

The imperious display comes amid soaring tensions after it emerged this week that China had tested a new hypersonic nuclear-capable missile, taking world powers by surprise with a fearsome technology capable of striking virtually anywhere on the planet.

Counterbalancing the threat posed by China is the new Aukus alliance forged by the US, UK and Australia last month.

BAY OF BENGAL: Warships and warplanes of the new Aukus alliance travelling through the Bay of Bengal on Sunday led by the Royal Navy's new flagship carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, on the fleet's way back from a deployment in the South China Sea

BLACK SEA: BTR-82A armored personnel carriers land from a large landing ship during an exercise in amphibious landing on an unimproved shore held by army corps and naval infantry units of the Russian Black Sea Fleet at the Opuk range on Monday. Over 8,000 servicemen and about 350 items of military hardware and weaponry are taking part in the drill.

BLACK SEA: A BTR-82A armored personnel carrier lands from a large warship during exercises in the Crimea on Monday

SEA OF JAPAN: Russian and Chinese vessels sailing through the Tsugaru Strait, which separates the Sea of Japan from the Pacific

BLACK SEA: Raptor patrol boats take part in an exercise in amphibious landing on an unimproved shore held by army corps and naval infantry units of the Russian Black Sea Fleet

BLACK SEA: PTS-3 amphibious carriers take part in an exercise in amphibious landing on an unimproved shore held by army corps and naval infantry units of the Russian Black Sea Fleet

BLACK SEA: Mil Mi-8AMTSh and Mi-28N helicopters take part in an exercise in amphibious landing on an unimproved shore held by army corps and naval infantry units

BLACK SEA: The Saratov large landing ship takes part in an exercise in amphibious landing on the shore of the Black Sea on Monday

Weapons race: A comparison of the most advanced (columns from left) missiles, aircraft carriers, tanks and aircraft possessed by China, the US and Russia

Warships from those countries were this week sailing through the Bay of Bengal, led by the Royal Navy's new flagship carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, on the fleet's way back from a deployment in the South China Sea.

Washington on Monday said it was 'watching closely' after it was reported that China launched a new hypersonic missile in August, which experts warned indicated that Beijing's arsenal was more advanced than previously thought.

With the world at battle stations, Putin launched a colossal military drill in the Black Sea on Tuesday, reigniting fears in the Ukraine that Russia could annex further territory in the east on the border with Crimea.

The drills - seen on a video from Defence Ministry TV channel Zvezda - involved simulated landings and are the latest in a succession of major military exercises ordered by Putin this year.

'The coastal troops of the Black Sea Fleet worked out practical actions to secure anti-sabotage defence of a section of the coast and fought with naval assault groups and naval landing forces,' said a Black Sea Fleet statement.

Among the ships taking part was the Black Sea Fleet's flagship, the Moskva.

'Su-30SM fighters and Su-24M and Su-34 bombers conducted sorties to the target area at low and ultra-low altitudes operating outside the zone of visibility for radars and surface-to-air missile systems of the notional enemy's warships,' said Russia's southern military district.

'Su-30SM fighters conducted launches of Kh-31A anti-ship missiles from the maximum distance while bombers delivered strikes with high-explosive fragmentation bombs from an altitude of up to 600 meters (1,969ft).'

Separate footage from the Sea of Japan, showed 10 Chinese and Russian naval vessels sailing through a narrow 12-mile straight between the Japanese mainland and the northern island of Hokkaido.

The Russian Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Monday that the sailors performed over 20 different combat exercises, practised tactical manoeuvring and communications during the training missions.

During the practical stages of the exercise in the naval training grounds, servicemen worked out the tasks of mine defence with the execution of artillery fire at mock-ups of floating mines.

The training exercises got Tokyo's attention as vessels from the exercise sailed directly through a strait that separates mainland Japan from the northern island of Hokkaido.

Ships and aircraft from the U.S. Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and U.K. Royal Navy transit in formation as part of Maritime Partnership Exercise in the Bay of Bengal on Sunday

Two USAF F/A-18E Super Hornets, assigned to the "Golden Dragons" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 192, fly over the Bay of Bengal as part of Maritime Partnership Exercise

A USAF E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, assigned to the "Black Eagles" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, flies over the Bay of Bengal as part of Maritime Partnership Exercise

Yoshihiko Isozak, Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, said in a statement: 'The government is closely watching Chinese and Russian naval activities around Japan such as this one with high interest.

'We will continue to do our utmost in our surveillance activity in waters and airspace around Japan.'

Although the strait is considered to be international water, meaning no laws were broken by China or Russia, the region is often a source of tensions between Beijing, Tokyo and Moscow.

Japan and China have claims over tiny islands in the East China Sea that are often the focus of maritime tensions while Tokyo has similar disagreements with Moscow over various territories in the region.

Moscow and Beijing have been warming to one another recently as both countries have seen relations with the West turn increasingly sour.

According to the Warsaw Institute, a think tank focused on geo-politics, Moscow and Beijing have strengthened their military relationship over the last decade based not on common goals but common fears.

The Chinese and Russian navies conducting drills close to the Sea of Japan earlier this week

Ten Chinese and Russian vessels took part in the maritime drills which are annual but were called off last year due to Covid-19

A shot is fired from a gunboat during drills close to the Sea of Japan carried out by Russia and China

Chinese and Russian vessels taking part in war games close to Japan

The think tank reported that the Kremlin is particularly interested in allying with the world's emerging superpower as its ailing economy and position on the world stage is increasingly eclipsed by the US and its allies.

The Warsaw Institute claims that the two countries have never been as close as they are today since they signed their Treaty of Friendship in 2001.

The joint Russian-Chinese naval exercise 'Maritime Interaction-2021' was held in the Sea of Japan between 14th and 17th October.

The training exercise is carried out every year although it was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A top detective who investigated the abduction of British toddler Madeleine McCann has weighed in on the eerily similar disappearance of Cleo Smith, who hasn't been seen since she vanished from a remote campsite in Western Australia.

The four-year-old girl, wearing pink pyjamas, was last seen by her parents at about 1.30am on Saturday in the family's tent at the Blowholes camping grounds near Carnarvon on the remote north-west coast.

By the time her mother Ellie Smith and step father Jake Gliddon woke up at about 6:30am, she was nowhere to be found - with the tent zip leaving the entrance open.

It has since emerged that the little girl wouldn't have been tall enough to open the zip herself with police now focusing on the grim possibility that she was abducted, although there are still no suspects.

But while there are 'grave fears' she was snatched, investigators are not ruling out the possibility she wandered off alone, with a massive land, sea and air search across the area entering its sixth day on Thursday as homicide detectives and missing persons specialists continue to scour the scene.

But UK cop Dr Graham Hill, who flew to Portugal to help in the desperate hunt for three-year-old Madeleine back in 2007, said there is one 'real complication' which suggests Cleo did not just wander off - the fact that her red and grey adult-sized sleeping bag is also missing.

The search for Cleo Smith (pictured) is now entering its sixth day, with police not ruling out any scenarios - but also not identifying any potential suspects

The adult-sized sleeping bag Cleo was sleeping in has also disappeared, police confirmed

'I would say it's a remote chance that she's got up, wandered off and taken her sleeping bag with her. I think that's highly unlikely because there'd be some disturbance. You'd see where she dragged the sleeping bag and how far is a four- year-old child going to get in the dark?' he told the West Australian.

The disturbing worst-case scenario is backed up by a worrying new development revealed by police on Wednesday night.

WA Police Inspector Jon Munday said little Cleo was too short to reach the zipper of the tent entrance, which was found hanging open by her mother at 6.30am.

He said the height of the zip opening on the tent was a major piece of evidence that could point to the possibility Cleo has been deliberately taken from the tent while her parents slept.

'The positioning of that zipper for the flap is one of the circumstances which has caused us to have grave concerns for Cleo's safety,' he said.

'There are circumstances around her disappearance that make it very concerning ... like the fact that the zipper was allegedly up so high (and) the sleeping bag is missing.'

Police have revealed little Cleo (pictured with mother Ellie Smith) was too small in stature to reach the zipper of the tent entrance, which was found hanging open by her mother

Police roped off the area where Cleo vanished from her tent (pictured) in the middle of the night as they continue to investigate her disappearance

Madeleine McCann (pictured) went missing in Portugal during a family holiday in 2007, with a child abduction expert who flew to Praia da Luz to help saying Cleo's disappearance had 'real complications' because of her missing sleeping bag

CLEO SMITH AND MADELEINE MCCANN: THE EERIE SIMILARITIES Age at disappearance Maddie: 3 Cleo: 4 Last seen Maddie: At a holiday apartment in Praia de Luz, Portugal Cleo: In her family's tent during a camping trip in WA Both were sleeping near to younger siblings at the time Cleo and Maddie's parents were all unaware of the exact time their child disappeared Maddie's parents had been eating with friends at a nearby tapas bar, while Cleo's parents were asleep in another area of the tent Advertisement

The family tent had several entry points that could be unzipped, with the one found open being at the front-facing area of the tent where the little girl had been sleeping.

Dr Hill  then a Surrey detective superintendent seconded to the UKs new Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre  lent expert help to the hunt for Madeleine back in 2007.

An expert in the abduction and murder of children by sexual predators, he told her father Gerry that if Madeleine had been abducted - she would likely be dead.

In the majority of cases where a child is taken by a stranger, they are usually killed within three to six hours, with Dr Hill admitting 'the statistics don't lie'.

Other campers claim they heard the sound of a car speeding off around 3am, with police revealing up to 20 sex offenders live near the campsite where Cleo was last seen five days ago.

Investigators have disclosed that while there are currently no concrete suspects for Cleo's disappearance, there are 'groups they are interested in'.

The startling zipper development means that if Cleo was abducted, an intruder would have had to have crept into the family tent in the middle of the night and taken her, along with her sleeping bag, without waking anyone up.

Dr Hill said it's vital for investigators to know who was near the campsite that evening - as a potential abductor would have noticed Cleo and decided to pounce.

'When people abduct children, they have to see them in the first place. They have to know that they exist. So if that little girl turned up at the campsite late last Friday. Was she running around whilst they put the tent up?' he said.

The four-year-old was last seen by her parents (pictured with her mum Ellie and partner Jake Gliddon) about 1.30am on Saturday when she woke up and asked for a drink

Cleo Smith woke up in the middle of the night and asked her parents for a sip of water hours before she disappeared

'Offenders only abduct children they know exist. They don't wander around people's tents at night in the hope they're going to bump into a little child.'

As each hour passes the situation grows more and more concerning for Cleo.

Her shell-shocked parents fronted the media for the first time on Tuesday fighting back tears as they made a public appeal for information.

When Ellie Smith first realised her 'delicate and funny' daughter was missing from their family tent before the sun had even risen, she made a beeline for her old favourite spots to play.

Dr Graham Hill is an expert in the abduction and murder of children by sexual predators, and assisted on the Madeleine McCann case. He said if Cleo has been taken, it is likely by someone who had noticed her at the campsite earlier in the day

Ellie Smith and her partner, Jake Gliddon (pictured) fronted the media for the first time on Tuesday after four-year-old Cleo (middle) went missing near the Blowholes campsite north of Carnarvon in Western Australia five days ago

The mother-of-two has been visiting the Blowholes camping ground since she was a child and immediately thought to go 'everywhere we went as kids'.

It would be at least another three hours before she alerted police, who arrived on the scene 'mid-morning Saturday'.

She hoped to find Cleo hiding out somewhere, although she knew it was unlikely.

'[Cleo] would never leave us. She would never leave that tent alone... She's lazy when it comes to walking,' Ms Smith said on Tuesday.

If Cleo needed anything, Ms Smith is certain she would have woken her up rather than wander out of the tent alone, just as she did when she wanted a sip of water earlier in the night.

Cleo's stepdad Jake Gliddon was frantic, according to a camper on the scene who assisted with the search

Pictured: A timeline of Cleo's holiday with her family, from before she disappeared to the present search

Emergency services and police have been scouring shacks near the scene for five days

Cleo's stepdad Jake Gliddon was frantic, according to a camper on the scene who assisted with the search.

Mr Gliddon started dating Ms Smith two-and-a-half years ago, when Cleo was barely one.

It's understood he has raised Cleo as his own ever since.

'You are incredible and the best dad Cleo could ask for,' Ms Smith said in a tribute post to her partner last Father's Day.

'Thank you for stepping up and being her Daddy. We love you... our favourite man.'

A close friend of the couple said Mr Gliddon 'absolutely adores Cleo [and] took her on as his own not long after she was born'.

'He may be a stepfather but those kids mean the world to him... He's a great dad.'

A close friend of the couple said Mr Gliddon 'absolutely adores Cleo [and] took her on as his own not long after she was born'

A number of touching new photos of Cleo (left) with her family, including mother Ellie (centre) and baby sister Isla (right) have emerged showing a cuddly, affectionate little girl

Police have not ruled out any possibilities and continue to search the scene (pictured, checking a shack at the Blowholes campsite)

Cleo's parents last laid eyes on her at 1.30am on Saturday, hours after they arrived at the campsite about 6.30pm on Friday.

She'd been sound asleep but woke up to ask for a sip of water. Her mum tucked her back in her red and grey sleeping bag and went back to sleep herself.

Four-and-a-half hours later, she was woken again by seven-month-old Isla, Cleo's sister and Mr Gliddon's biological daughter. Cleo was gone.

Ms Smith and Mr Gliddon immediately alerted all other campers in the vicinity.

Some of the guests sent up privately owned drones to search for Cleo from the sky, while others were on motorbikes scouring the area.

Her mum and stepdad, meanwhile, searched high and low.

'We went looking, checking, making sure she wasn't around the tent, and then we got in the car and started driving around everywhere,' Ms Smith said.

Friends of Cleo's family said the smart four-year-old (pictured) 'wouldn't just wander' away from the tent

Pictured: The tent where Cleo disappeared from in the early hours of Saturday

'We literally grew up probably like 100m from literally where our tent was  that was where we stayed at the same age, so we just looked everywhere that we went as kids and we couldn't find her,' she said.

It was only after this that the couple 'realised we have to call the cops because she's not here'.

By the time detectives arrived, the ground search was well underway.

'The mother and stepfather were absolutely distraught,' one of the fellow campers said.

The woman claimed all tin sheds at the site were opened and searched, but that the camp ground wasn't closed 'for hours' after police arrived.

New campers were permitted to arrive well into Saturday morning, while many more left.

Mr Gliddon started dating Ms Smith two-and-a-half years ago, when Cleo was barely one. It's understood he has raised Cleo as his own ever since

All you need to know about Cleo's disappearance Friday 6.30pm: Cleo and her family arrive at the campsite as the sun begins to set. They quickly set up their tent and get settled in, feeding both of the girls. Friday 8pm: Cleo went to bed while her younger sister and parents stayed up for a little while longer. Saturday 1.30am: Cleo woke up asking for a drink of water. Ellie tended to her and checked on Isla, who was in a crib right next to Cleo's mattress in one room in the tent. Saturday 6am: Ellie woke up to Isla wanting a bottle. She passed the divider that separated the two rooms in the tent and immediately noticed the zipper was almost entirely open. Cleo was gone. Saturday 'mid-morning': Police and emergency services arrive to assist with the search, starting with local Carnarvon officers. Sunday: Cleo's mum issues a desperate plea on Facebook to find her daughter. Sunday/Monday: Homicide detectives, bush trackers and more volunteers are brought in to assist with the search. Monday: Police confirm Cleo's grey and red sleeping bag also disappeared. They are yet to comment on whether there were marks that indicate it was dragged from the tent. Police reveal they are not ruling out any possibilities relating to Cleo's disappearance. Tuesday morning: Search is suspended due to wild weather. Daily Mail Australia confirms the 'interaction' Cleo had with her mother was 'not sinister' and simply the four-year-old asking for a sip of water. Tuesday midday: Search continues again as storm passes. Tuesday 1.30pm: Cleo's mum and stepdad, Jake, speak to the media for the first time since she disappeared, revealing key pieces of evidence, including: - The tent they were staying in was left almost entirely open. Cleo and Isla were in the room nearest to the entrance, which was unzipped when Ellie woke up at 6am. Isla remained in her crib unharmed, but Cleo was gone - Cleo is 'not the sort of child to wander off' and would have woken her parents if she needed anything, like when she woke hours earlier to ask for a sip of water Wednesday: Police confirm reports a car was heard 'screeching off' from the campsite at about 3am. Assistant Commissioner Darryl Gaunt revealed there are 'between 10 and 20' known sex offenders in the Carnarvon area, but none are suspects into Cleo's disappearance following inquiries. 'We don't have any concerns about that,' he said on 6PR Mornings. 'I know part of the investigative strategies have included reaching and making inquiries into their whereabouts and movements, and this point in time we're very comfortable where we sit with those inquiries.' Investigators confirm Cleo would be too short to open the tent zip by herself, causing 'grave concerns' she was abducted. Advertisement

Cleo vanished from the Blowholes campground near Carnarvon, on WA's remote northwest coast, in the early hours of Saturday morning

After police arrived, the camper said they were 'very thorough in taking everyone's details who left the site before it was officially closed'.

Police have not ruled out any theories relating to Cleo's disappearance - including the possibility that she was abducted.

Cleo's mum noted the four-year-old was 'terrified of the ocean' and wouldn't wander into the water, but that she was excited about building sandcastles on the beach.

She was also preparing to learn to ride her bike without training wheels.

As the search enters its fifth day, there are mounting concerns Cleo could be anywhere - including potentially interstate.

'We can't rule out the fact that Cleo may be still in the area, we can't rule out the fact she's left the area and if she's left the area that is probably is our worst case scenario because that really paints a sinister picture with what's happened,' Inspector Jon Munday said.

'It is a race against time. We're just trying to find answers.'

Cleo Smith (left) with her mother Ellie, her partner Jake Gliddon and her baby sister Isla (right)

Cleo's mother Ellie Smith revealed yesterday that Cleo had been sleeping in a separate area of the tent, with her baby sister Isla just metres away

Mr Munday vowed to continue 'throwing everything at this' for as long as it takes to bring Cleo home.

Police have also identified up to 20 sex offenders who live near the campsite where she was last seen five days ago.

In a radio interview on Wednesday, Assistant WA Police Commissioner Darryl Gaunt said detectives have been making inquiries about all known sex offenders' whereabouts but do not believe any were involved in Cleo's disappearance.

The camp ground is located 75km from Carnarvon and 875km from Perth with nothing but bushland and scrubs in between.

Cleo's biological father Daniel Staines voluntarily spoke with police at Mandurah Police Station on Monday in relation to his daughter's disappearance.

He was 1,000km away at the time and is not considered a suspect.

It's not clear what relationship he and Cleo had, particularly given Ms Smith referred to her new boyfriend as Cleo's dad.

Mr Staines is yet to comment publicly on her disappearance.

Police say they have grave concerns for the child (pictured) and that 'everything is on the table' in the unusual and disturbing case
A thief has been arrested after he grabbed an Egyptian journalists phone while he was live streaming and broadcast his own face to thousands of viewers as he sped away.

The suspect was arrested hours after the incident as countless Facebook users were able to identify him as the thief.

The initial live stream being filmed by the Egyptian reporter was suddenly switched to being filmed by the thief on his motorbike as he fled away after snatching the device on a bridge in Cairo, Egypt, on 19th October.

A thief has been arrested after he grabbed an Egyptian journalists phone while he was live streaming and broadcast his own face to thousands of viewers as he sped away, leading to his arrest a few hours later

The initial live stream being filmed by the Egyptian reporter was suddenly switched to being filmed by the thief on his motorbike as he fled away after snatching the device on a bridge in Cairo, Egypt, on 19th October

The broadcaster, Mahmoud Raghebv, from the Egyptian newspaper The Seventh Day, had been broadcasting live on Facebook and filming the bridge with his phone when the robbery occurred.

The broadcaster was reporting on a recent earthquake near the bridge when the motorbike approached behind him.

As seen in the footage, the biker grabs the phone from the journalist and then puts the phone between his legs as he rides away.

The thief was apparently unaware it was still running and even looks directly at the camera with a cigarette in his mouth while 20,000 spectators on Facebook watched the bizarre event unfold live.

The thief was apparently unaware it was still running and even looks directly at the camera with a cigarette in his mouth (left) while 20,000 spectators on Facebook watched the bizarre event unfold live. Pictured left: The thief after he was arrested

MiddleEast in 24 said the live broadcast was bombarded with comments showing support for the journalist and warning the thief that they had all seen his face.

The authorities launched an investigation and due to the fact that the thief had clearly shown his face, they were able to track him down within less than 24 hours.

The Ministry of the Interior said the thief had sold the phone on after the livestream ended and the suspect arrested, but it is unclear what charges the suspect will be facing.
A Pakistani-American man has gone on trial accused of raping and beheading his Pakistani girlfriend, who was the daughter of a former diplomat.

Zahir Jaffer, 30, who was born to a prominent family of wealthy Pakistani industrialists, is accused of torturing and killing Noor Mukadam, 27, on July 20.

Mukadam was found dead in a blood-spattered room of Jaffer's home in the posh F-7/4 neighbourhood of Islamabad that evening, and he was arrested at the scene.

Police say Jaffer was wearing blood-covered clothes and carrying a knife which they believe was used to kill and behead her. He denies guilt.

Pakistani law allows the death penalty as a punishment in murder cases, though prosecutors have not said whether they will call for it. Mukadam's parents have said they want a death sentence to be imposed.

Zahir Jaffer, 30, the son of a wealthy Pakistani industrialist, has appeared in court charged with the rape, torture and murder of Noor Mukadam

Noor Mukadam, 27, the daughter of a Pakistani ambassador, was found dead in a blood-spattered room of Jaffer's Islamabad home on July 20

Officers later seized knuckledusters which they alleged were used to torture Mukadam before she was killed, and a pistol.

Police initially said the gun was used in the murder, but prosecutors later backtracked on that claim.

Lawyers claim that Jaffer murdered Mukadam after she refused his marriage proposal and tried repeatedly to flee his sprawling mansion.

Police believe Jaffer may have kept Mukadam hostage for up to two days before killing her, Pakistan's Tribune newspaper reported.

Jaffer has joint American-Pakistani citizenship, though it is unclear what his connection to the US is. He also spent time in the UK, where it is thought he is wanted on suspicion of assault.

Jaffer was brought to court in 2015 accused of assault and granted bail, according to records seen by the Nation newspaper, and was granted bail.

But he fled the country and returned to Pakistan. He has not returned to the UK since and is still wanted in the country, Nation alleges.

Also charged is Jaffer's father, Zakir, who is accused of trying to help his son cover up the murder by sending employees to help get rid of the body.

Police say Noor was beaten with knuckledusters, raped and then butchered with a knife at Jaffer's home (pictured). He denies this

Islamabad cops are pictured inspecting the scene of the alleged killing in July

Jaffer's mother, Asmat, and members of their household staff are also charged in the case - accused of failing to inform police after being asked to help conceal evidence.

'Mukadam's life could have been saved had the accomplices acted otherwise,' a police report presented at an earlier hearing said.

Jaffer was pictured being led into court Wednesday for the first day of the trial.

Unlike at previous court appearances where he was unkempt with long hair, Jaffer appeared well-groomed and wore a smart jumper and shirt - along with handcuffs.

It comes following controversy about supposed 'preferential treatment' Jaffer has received behind bars, including home-cooked meals and frequent visits.

The murder drew attracted national attention to Pakistan's record on violence and sex attacks against women, including calls for reform.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has said he is watching the case closely and expects no leniency to be shown to Mukadam's killer.

According to a government survey conducted between 2017-18, 28 per cent of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence in Pakistan.

However, experts believe the true figure is far higher because the stigma of being abused leads many crimes to go unreported.

The murder of Mukadam, whose father served as Pakistan's ambassador to South Korea and Kazakhstan, is one of the most high-profile cases of violence against women since the government introduced new legislation designed to speed up justice for rape victims.

It is typical for court cases to drag on for years in Pakistan, but prosecutor Khawar said he expected the trial to be concluded within eight weeks.

The case sparked protests across Pakistan with calls for reform of the justice system, as well as the death penalty for Jaffer
GOP Rep. Jim Banks hit back after Rachel Levine became the nation's first transgender four-star admiral, calling her a 'man' and a disappointment for 'little girls.'

The Indiana Republican's remarks drew pushback.

Levine, a Biden appointee, was sworn in as head of US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, which made her the nation's highest-ranking transgender official. She will also continue to serve in her position as Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

'The title of first female four-star official gets taken by a man,' Banks tweeted in response to the news.

'Calling someone that was born and lived as a man for 54 years the first 'female' four-star officer is an insult to every little girl who dreams of breaking glass ceilings one day,' he wrote in a subsequent tweet.

Levine, 63, will lead the nearly 6,000-person force of public health professionals who respond to public health crises, including administering COVID vaccines, and national emergencies on behalf of the federal government.

Although Levine has never served as a sailor, the assistant secretary for health can be ranked as an admiral if they also serve as a uniformed officer of the USPHS Commissioned Corps.

Ruben Gonzales, executive director of LGBTQ Victory Institute, countered that Banks' Remarks were 'an insult to every little girl who dreams of an America where public servants will treat them with respect and judge them by their accomplishments,' according to the IndyStar.

Some Twitter users called out the remarks as 'transphobic.'

'@RepJimBanks is so transphobicwonder why???' wrote one user.

'Why do you care and what would your solution for the problem be? How many "little girls" did you survey to determine your POV?' another user wrote in response.

'One thing women really like is for men to tell us what we think,' wrote another.

Rachel Levine, 63, will lead the nearly 6,000-person force of public health professionals who respond to public health crises

'The title of first female four-star official gets taken by a man,' Jim Banks tweeted in response to the news

Donald Trump Jr. defended the Trump-supporting Republican.

'OUT: Follow the science. IN: Biological facts are "transphobic,"' Trump Jr. wrote, along with clown emojis. Banks retweeted the tweet.

President Biden nominated Levine to the high-ranking position in January, continuing his pattern of selecting a historically diverse slate of leaders for senior administration roles.

The professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at the Penn State College of Medicine led Pennsylvania's response to the novel coronavirus outbreak as the state's top health official.

Levine 'will bring the steady leadership and essential expertise we need to get people through this pandemic - no matter their zip code, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability,' Biden said in a statement.

She then made history in March when she became the first transgender federal official to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Prior to her appointment as admiral of the USPHS Commissioned Corps, Levine served as the Pennsylvania Department of Health secretary. Governor Tom Wolf appointed his deputy chief of staff, Alison Beam, to take over the public health position.

Levine, who was born Richard Levine in Massachusetts in 1957, attended a private boys school outside of Boston. She has talked openly about her transition, recalling that even as a young child: 'All I knew is I wanted to be a girl, or I was a girl, or female.'

Levine began going to therapy about 20 years ago and slowly began growing her hair and coming out to her colleagues, students, patients, friends and family.

She completed her transition in 2013 after undergoing sex reassignment surgery and hormonal treatment, according to PennLive.

Levine said her appointment is 'an extraordinary honor' and noted the immense importance of her job as the world continues to combat the COVID pandemic

Before transitioning, Levine married Martha Peaslee while enrolled at Tulane and started a family. She reportedly remains close to her ex-wife, whom she divorced in 2013, and two adult children, Danya and David.

Moving from one gender to another, especially in your 50s, is a challenge,' Rachel Levine told the Washington Post. 'But it was very rewarding.'

'I'm very confident in who I am.'

In 2017, she was named to NBC Outs national #Pride30 list, for her impact on the LGBTQ community.
House Jan. 6th committee chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson  having served top former aides to former President Donald Trump with subpoenas  is now getting a summons himself dated Tuesday.

The summons informs the Mississippi Democrat that 'a lawsuit has been filed against you' by Trump, who in the document is described as in his 'capacity as 45th president of the United States.'

Trump used the same descriptor about himself in the suit filed by his lawyer Monday. It requires Thompson to provide a response within 21 days of receiving the service of summons. Trump is asserting executive privilege and wants a federal judge to enjoin the nation's archivist from handing over documents to the committee.

Thompson receiving a summons is a turnaround from prior business  when the committee subpoenaed a raft of former Trump Administration officials as part of its probe into the Capitol riot and demanded they appear to provide testimony and documents.

Rep. Bennie Thompson is named in former President Trump's lawsuit, and has a deadline to respond to a summons dated Tuesday once he receives it

The document emerged just after the select House committee voted Tuesday night to hold former chief White House strategist Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress.

That sets up a House vote on Thursday to hold Bannon in contempt, which would trigger a referral to the Justice Department for potential prosecution for criminal contempt.

Democrats, who hold a narrow House majority, are expected to easily approve it. Two Republicans on the committee, Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, both voted for the contempt citation.

House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) at a Wednesday GOP conference meeting urged Republicans to vote 'no' on the Bannon contempt finding, CNN reported.

An Oct. 19th summons for Bennie Thompson following former President Trump's lawsuit

The House is expected to vote Thursday on holding Steve Bannon in criminal contempt

Members of the House select committee investigating the January 6 attack prepare to recommend citing Steve Bannon for criminal contempt of Congress and refer him to DC's United States Attorney for prosecution in the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, DC, USA, 19 October 2021

The summons comes after the committee served several former top Trump aides

Trump has repeatedly blasted the Jan. 6th committee as a 'witch hunt' that he compares to the Russia probe

Scalise this spring urged Republicans to vote against establishing a bipartisan commission to probe Jan. 6th. Its failure in the Senate amid a Republican filibuster led to Pelosi's creation of the select committee.

'Based on the committee's investigation, it appears that Mr. Bannon had substantial advanced knowledge of the plans for January 6 and likely had an important role in formulating those plans,' Cheney said at the hearing.

'Mr. Bannon was in the war room at the Willard [hotel] on January 6th. He also appears to have detailed knowledge regarding the Presidents efforts to sell millions of Americans the fraud that the election was stolen,' she said.

Cheney said Trump's assertion of executive privilege demonstrates 'that President Trump was personally involved in the planning and execution of January 6, and this committee will get to the bottom of that.'

The committee has subpoenaed longtime Trump and White House aide Dan Scavino

Trump in a suit filed Monday in US District Court, names as defendants both the committee itself and Thompson, as well as archivist David Ferriero.

He is asking a federal court in Washington, D.C. to enjoin the National Archivist from handing over troves of information about the inner workings of the White House as part of its probe into the Jan. 6th riot.

'This self-described sweeping request is almost limitless in scope and effectively seeks every presidential record and communication that could tenuously relate to events that occurred on January 6, 2021,' according to the suit.

The filing also attacks President Biden, saying he 'refused' to exert privilege over document requests  following the panel's sweeping requests for records related to events at the White House Jan. 6th, as well as in the days leading up to the riot, which took place as Congress met to count the electoral votes that made Biden president.

The filing blasts a request for information on all of Trump's remarks on Jan. 6th  amid press reports of internal debates as advisors pleaded with him to tell his supporters to go home after the Capitol was breached.

'Issued public statements are one thing, but the notion that Congress is somehow entitled to ask for and review any and all private conversations, remarks, or drafts of public statements considered by the President of the United States and his close advisors, without limitations on (among other things) subject matter, would destroy the very fabric of our constitutional separation of powers and invade fundamental privileges designed to maintain the autonomy and functioning of the Executive Branch,' according to Trump's suit.

The committee said in response to Trump's suit: 'The Select Committees authority to seek these records is clear. Well fight the former Presidents attempt to obstruct our investigation while we continue to push ahead successfully with our probe on a number of other fronts.'
Russian oil tycoon Oleg Deripaska tore into the FBI and 'utter stupidity' of the American government in a lengthy statement on Wednesday, a day after homes linked to him in New York and Washington were raided by the agency.

A spokesman for Deripaska said the searches stemmed from sanctions imposed on him in 2018 and that the homes belonged to his relatives.

But on Wednesday Deripaska indicated both pieces of luxury real estate were 'abandoned.'

'I cannot help but marvel at the utter stupidity of a part of the American establishment as they persist in spinning this story about the supposedly colossal role of Russians in the 2016 US presidential election,' Deripaska said.

'It's time to face the obvious: Trump didn't win on his own, of course!'

But he said it was Washington, DC's own fault for alienating Americans so they voted for an 'operetta character' like Trump.

'He had help from those dumb asses in Washington who had so fed up with their electorate that they were ready to vote for anybody (even an operetta character, but not the bribe-ridden members of the Clinton clan),' he said.

'It is convenient to feed your electorate (brought up on Hollywood movies about horrible Russians) with all sorts of bulls**t for another 10 years.'

The Kremlin vowed to protect Deripaska's interests 'in every possible way.'

Images of FBI agents surrounding the Washington, DC residence connected to Deripaska, a close Putin ally who has been linked to Paul Manafort and Christopher Steele, were first reported by NBC late Monday morning.

A home in New York City's wealthy West Village neighborhood linked to Deripaska was raided by FBI

The raids are reportedly connected to US sanctions against Deripaska, which were levied in 2018 (pictured: Law enforcement outside a Washington, DC mansion linked to the tycoon)

The action was court-ordered, an FBI spokesperson told multiple outlets.

Deripaska mocked investigators, apparently believing there was little relevant information to be found.

'One has to ask: was a shitload of Putin's money found yesterday in these abandoned houses?

'Did they manage to snack on the sour jam from the pantries and a couple of bottles of vodka stolen in the best traditions of the Bolsheviks during the search?'

He added, 'P.S. I'm fed up with the unfunny a**holes...'

The Kremlin said on Wednesday, 'We have heard statements that these real estate assets are not a property of the entrepreneur

The oil magnate is believed to be in Austria, according to one Moscow source.

The law enforcement activity is connected to a federal investigation based in New York, a spokesperson told CNN.

Deripaska (left) is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has been accused of aiding the Kremlin in foreign influence operations

It's not clear whether that would be the Southern District of New York, known for prosecuting some of the most high-profile cases in the country including an ongoing federal probe into Rudy Giuliani's ties to Ukraine and an investigation into Donald Trump's business affairs.

A spokesman for the Southern District of New York declined to comment.

In his Wednesday statement, the powerful Putin ally went on an impassioned rant against the US for a number of domestic and foreign policy issues.

'The US debt is already nearly $30 trillion,' he said. 'China (by force or semi-voluntarily) will reunite with Taiwan, making the Pacific Ocean a Chinese inland body of water.'

'Nuclear technology in peaceful energy is long lost in the US, which means they will continue to burn coal and gas, littering the environment.

'Europe, too, no longer wants to freeze because of NATO fears that the Russians are coming.

He went on: 'And we Russians now want a common economic space from Lisbon to Vladivostok with a prosperous population and pristine nature. But no.

'To please the obscurantists from the US military-industrial sphere and a couple of nutty analysts (through whose fault the US debt has reached astronomical proportions), the show of absurdity goes on.'

FBI agents outside of Deripaska's Washington, DC home on Monday morning

The FBI has not given a reason for the activity but told multiple outlets that it was court-ordered. Deripaska's spokesperson said it's related to sanctions against him

Properties linked to Deripaska in New York include a sprawling $42.5 million mansion in Manhattan's Upper East Side neighborhood. That home was among a number of assets that were frozen by the sanctions.

The New York property being raided on Monday is reportedly in Manhattan's West Village.

Deripaska is a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin who's been accused of helping the Kremlin conduct foreign influence operations.

A 1,000-page Senate Intelligence Committee report released last year also links him to former Trump 2016 campaign chair Paul Manafort and ex-MI6 spy Christopher Steele.

Deripaska and other members of Putin's inner circle as well as 12 Russian businesses connected to them were blacklisted by the Treasury Department in 2018 over alleged international crimes

The next year however, Donald Trump lifted sanctions on three companies connected to him despite objections from Congressional Democrats.

A spokesperson for Deripaska told a Russian outlet that homes of his relatives in Washington and New York are being raided

A source told DailyMail.com that Deripaska hasn't been back to the US since at least 2017 and had no intention of returning

George Conway, husband of former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, was seen snapping pictures of the law enforcement activity outside of Deripaska's DC home

The FBI removes a vehicle from the home of Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska in Washington

FBI agents were also pictured taking a stack of cardboard boxes into the luxurious mansion

At the time Trump's Treasury Department claimed those companies 'have reduced Oleg Deripaska's direct and indirect shareholding stake in those companies and severed his control.'

The billionaire's DC mansion, called the Haft Mansion, is reportedly worth $15 million, according to the Daily Beast.

That house is next door to the home of former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway and her husband George Conway. George Conway was seen snapping pictures of Deripaska's home while law enforcement were at the residence.

He told Politico there that he's never seen Deripaska at home.

In August 2020 the bipartisan Senate report detailed allegations that Manafort collaborated with Deripaska during the 2016 presidential election amid Russia's efforts to interfere in the race.

It claims Manafort worked with Deripaska to funnel internal Trump campaign information to the Russian intelligence community.

It's one of multiple properties that the Russian tycoon owns throughout Manhattan

FBI agents were seen removing multiple boxes from the West Village home linked to Deripaska on Monday

FBI agents remove items during the US law enforcement's raid on Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska's property in Manhattan

Boxes of relevant material could be seen piled high in a law enforcement van as agents continuously worked to fill it

Filed marked 'evidence' can be seen poking out from one of the boxes removed from the Manhattan home

'This is what collusion looks like,' lawmakers wrote of Manafort's ties to Russian actors.

The report said Deripaska 'conducts influence operations, frequently in countries where he has a significant economic interest.'

'The Russian government coordinates with and directs Deripaska on many of his influence operations,' lawmakers alleged.

Documents also revealed that Deripaska gave Manafort a $10 million loan in 2005 to allegedly help sway US news coverage to portray Putin more favorably.

The same report links Deripaska to former MI6 spy Christopher Steele, who infamously authored the Trump dossier.

The nearly 1,000-page Senate Intelligence Committee report released in August 2020 links Deripaska to onetime Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort

Trump's Treasury Department levied sanctions against Deripaska in 2018 and accused him of being tied to organized crime (pictured: Trump getting in an SUV in Manhattan on Monday)

Lawmakers claimed that Deripaska 'had early knowledge of Steele's work' only months before he started putting together the Dossier, which was commissioned as opposition research by Democrats including Hillary Clinton.

In 2016 Steele had dismissed claims that Deripaska was a 'tool' of the Russian government.

But investigators 'found ample evidence to dispute Steele's assessment,' the report stated.

Deripaska was among a group of two dozen Russian oligarchs and officials sanctioned by Trump's Treasury in April 2018.

They were put in place to punish Russia for 'malign activity around the globe.' A statement announcing the economic penalties named a number of specific instances of Russian aggression, including its actions in Crimea and arming the Assad regime in Syria.

It also mentions Russia's work to 'subvert Western democracies' but doesn't detail any specific allegations about the US.

Deripaska's multi-million dollar mansion is located in DC's wealthy Massachusetts Avenue Heights neighborhood

The Treasury accused Deripaska himself of ordering the murder of another businessman and 'threatening the lives of business rivals, illegally wiretapping a government official, and taking part in extortion and racketeering.'

It also claimed he had ties to organized crime.

When the Trump administration lifted sanctions against companies tied to him they left those against him specifically in place.

He sued to have those lifted in 2019 but in June of this year a judge threw out his lawsuit.

Reports from 2018 indicate that Deripaska was denied a visa to the US multiple times.

But recently, NBC reports, the Kremlin gave him diplomatic status to allow him to enter the US with immunity.

DailyMail.com has reached out to one of Deripaska's US-based attorneys for comment.

It appears the tycoon's web of high-power connections extends to the United Kingdom, by way of a former government official in ex-Prime Minister David Cameron's government.

George Osborne served as UK Chancellor and First Secretary of State under Cameron. Since leaving government he's made a living as an investment banker.

A corporate advisory firm he joined in April was recruited to help Anglo-Russian metals company EN+ and its subsidiary Rusal negotiate with the world's largest producer of nickel, the Financial Times reported.

EN+ and Rusal were two of the companies sanctioned and later un-sanctioned by Trump's Treasury, having been controlled by Deripaska when the measures came down.
The Middlesex School, a prestigious Ivy League feeder boarding school in Massachusetts, has blocked Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times writer and founder of the 1619 Project, from speaking on campus due to the 'noise' her presence would create.

Hannah-Jones said she was invited to speak at Middlesex during a planned diversity symposium in February but claims the school has since rescinded the offer.

Posting on Twitter, she shared an email from someone allegedly associated with the school that reads: 'According to my head of school and board, the "noise" associated with having Nikole as the speaker would take away from the overall experience.

'I then suggested that Nikole be a featured speaker for our BIPOC alumni and was told "this is not the right thing for our community."'

The Middlesex School has blocked Nikole Hannah-Jones (pictured) from speaking on campus due to the 'noise' her presence would create

The Ivy League feeder boarding school, located in Massachusetts, (pictured) claims that while Hannah-Jones would provide valuable insight, they were 'concerned that individuals from outside our community might inadvertently distract from the insights and perspective that she intended to share'

Middlesex, founded in 1901 in Concord, Massachusetts, is a traditionally white institution, the Daily Beast reported.

The prestigious school costs nearly $70,000 a year and has educated several prominent figures including actor-comedian Steve Carrell, New York Times Managing Editor Joseph Khan and former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld, among others.

Hannah-Jones said that although the 'president and board canceled my talk, I dont feel canceled."'

'This is clearly the result of the hysteria and successful propaganda campaign that has pretended elite white schools trying to deal with the legacy of racism are stoking the new Salem Witch trials and must be exposed.

'The campaign has been successful here,' she alleged.

'They were likely afraid that by having me  a NYT journalist & college professor  there, theyd invite backlash & another of the woke people are ruining America stories.

'Like I said: Im good. Im done fighting my way in. But the lack of courage in these times is so very sad.'

Middlesex Head of School David Beare issued a statement to the Daily Beast, acknowledging the cancellation of Hannah-Jones' talk:

'While we are confident that her insights would have been valued by our students, we were concerned that individuals from outside our community might inadvertently distract from the insights and perspective that she intended to share.'

Hannah-Jones posted an excerpt of an email to Twitter in which someone allegedly connected to the school claims: 'According to my head of school and board, the "noise" associated with having Nikole as the speaker would take away from the overall experience'

Middlesex Head of School, David Beare (pictured) notes that the school has 'utmost respect' for Hannah-Jones and apologized that they 'did not reach out in a more formal way to express our appreciation for her professional achievements and contributions to the field and discuss the situation with her'

He reportedly added that Middlesex has the 'utmost respect' for her and apologized that the school 'did not reach out in a more formal way to express our appreciation for her professional achievements and contributions to the field and discuss the situation with her.'

The school did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

Last week, the school's Board of Trustees did release a public letter expressing its commitment to diversity and inclusion.



'As an educational institution, we believe an open exchange of viewpoints is vital to student development and intellectual excellence.

'We believe that respectful debate and disagreement are not only healthy, but the very ground upon which a learning community thrives.

'We realize that, at times, that discourse may become uncomfortable,' the letter reads.

'There is no ground, however, for any behavior, policy, or social climate that elevates some individuals over others based on race, class, religion, gender, or identity.

'It is antithetical to our Mission and our desire to develop an inclusive community.

'The Board recognizes the need for increased accountability when an individuals personal identity is used against them.

'The use of power in support of harm is deeply concerning and fundamentally unacceptable at Middlesex.'

The letter also outlines several ways the board and school will work to create a 'truly inclusive community,' including - but not limited to - broadening recruitment efforts to create a more diverse student body, continuing to review curriculum to ensure diverse voices and perspectives are taught and making sure all students are treated equally.

Last week, the school's Board of Trustees did release a public letter expressing its commitment to diversity and inclusion

CRITICAL RACE THEORY: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? The fight over critical race theory in schools has escalated in the United States over the last year. The theory has sparked a fierce nationwide debate in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests around the country over the last year and the introduction of the 1619 Project. The 1619 Project, which was published by the New York Times in 2019 to mark 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived on American shores, reframes American history by 'placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the center of the US narrative'. The debate surrounding critical race theory regards concerns that some children are being indoctrinated into thinking that white people are inherently racist or sexist. Those against critical race theory have argued it reduces people to the categories of 'privileged' or 'oppressed' based on their skin color. Supporters, however, say the theory is vital to eliminating racism because it examines the ways in which race influence American politics, culture and the law. Advertisement

A recent Middlesex alum, speaking to the Daily Beast on the basis of anonymity, claimed that 'black voices on campus were pretty much suppressed.'

'Any time that we were given a platform to speak, we had to make it more palatable for the rest of the school,' the former student alleged.

'Middlesex is definitely a place that has a lot of milquetoast racism. They often censor these kinds of conversations,' echoed Alexandra Jones, a member of the class of 2019.

'[The notion] that the situation would create too much noise is utterly ridiculous to me, because I dont understand how having someone come and talk about history - about real history - is creating too much noise.'

Another graduate, Tom Breyer, class of 1981, said he was 'appalled' by the decision.

'I certainly havent heard the schools side of the story, although its hard to imagine what it would be that would really make it seem better,' he told the Daily Beast.

Middlesex openly touts its commitment to diversity, arguing that the 'one of the primary goals of the Middlesex curriculum is to provide intentional programming that offers a variety of cultural experiences and reflects the diverse nature of our community.'

While the school does not explicitly address the now hot-button topic of critical race theory - a framework centering on the belief that racism is systemic in the nation's institutions and maintains the dominance of whites in society - on their website, they do have courses in various subjects of the curriculum that aim to address race, gender, religion, cultural appropriation, sexuality and class.

Hannah-Jones' 1619 Project, which was published by The New York Times in 2019 to mark 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived on American shores, is at the center of the critical race theory debate.

The project aims to reframe American history by 'placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the center of the US narrative.'

The school also openly touts its commitment to diversity, arguing that the 'one of the primary goals of the Middlesex curriculum is to provide intentional programming that offers a variety of cultural experiences and reflects the diverse nature of our community.'

Hannah-Jones (pictured) argues that educational institutions are 'in this kind of moment of hysteria around "critical race theory," around how were teaching and talking about this point in our history'

Hannah-Jones, who won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 2020 for the projects introductory essay, has faced backlash in wake of the project.

Over the summer, she was the subject of a controversy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill when a wealthy donor objected to her receiving tenure.

Several of her colleagues wrote a letter defending her and asserting the treatment was 'racist.'

Ultimately, Hannah-Jones left UNC Chapel Hill and joined the faculty at Howard University, a historically black research university in Washington, D.C.

Hannah-Jones argues that educational institutions are 'in this kind of moment of hysteria around "critical race theory," around how were teaching and talking about this point in our history.'

She claims it is not surprising that she has been denied tenure or disinvited places, but notes, however, it is 'deeply disappointing.'

'I think its pretty clear that we are in a moment where schools are facing intense pressure not to invite speakers that are considered to be focusing too much on race and racism and the Black experience in American history,' Hannah-Jones told the Boston Globe on Tuesday.

'We know that there have been several very high-profile stories published in the press or by former journalists that are, you know, castigating these elite white prep schools for daring to have anti-racism training or daring to invite anti-racist speakers, so I think Im clearly getting caught up in that.

'And then obviously I, myself, because of a very successful right-wing propaganda campaign, I have become a symbol, as well.'
A Zimbabwean health assistant told a shocked colleague 'I want to have a chocolate baby with you' - then claimed racial discrimination when he was sacked by the NHS.

Farai Hombarume, 53, from Thornaby, Teesside, was considered a sex pest by female colleagues at a psychiatric unit, who dreaded his sexualised 'banter' at work.

He told one colleague he wanted to have a 'chocolate baby' with her and invited her to go outside with him during their break.

The women complained Hombarume was harassing them and one had to go on sick leave for several months due to the stress he had caused her.

Following disciplinary hearings he was fired for gross misconduct in 2019 from the job he had held for nine years.

But he fought back, accusing the Tees Esk and Wear Valley (TEWV) NHS Foundation Trust of discriminating against him because he was black.

Farai Hombarume (pictured), 53, from Thornaby, Teesside, was considered a sex pest by female colleagues at a psychiatric unit, who dreaded his sexualised 'banter' at work

At an employment tribunal in Middlesbrough he brought a case for racial discrimination, unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal from the Roseberry Park unit.

Giving evidence at the tribunal, Homburame said: 'I truly believe these accusations are based on my race, skin colour and mere hatred from the three staff members.

'I'm a family man, I have a partner who is a teacher and daughters of my own at university.

'I would never say the things I was accused of saying, they conspired against me and the reason I was treated the way I was came down to my race and the colour of my skin.

'There was an instance where I was racially abused by a patient, which is something that happens.

'However I expected my colleagues to be supportive but instead they laughed about it.

'The decision of the tribunal is very disappointing and I have written to them asking them to reconsider their findings.

'I had worked for that trust for 10 years on so many different wards and never had a complaint against me.'

Hombarume added: 'It was only on that ward with those particular people that this happened.'

He told one colleague he wanted to have a 'chocolate baby' with her and invited her to go outside with him during their break

Each of his claims were unanimously dismissed as 'unfounded' by the tribunal panel after hearing from three female workers at Roseberry Park.

Hombarume was fired by TEWV head of service Shaun Mayo for gross misconduct after an investigation into his conduct.

In its judgement the tribunal ruled: 'Mr Mayo dismissed the Claimant for gross misconduct, specifically sexual harassment towards female staff.

'In coming to this conclusion, Mr Mayo believed that the following matters occurred and that such acts constituted sexual harassment by the Claimant of the female members of staff.

'Throughout the nightshifts of 27 July, 28 July and 29 July 2018 the Claimant said to a colleague ''I was dreaming about you last night and we were in bed together'', ''I need a woman, are you going to help me out'', ''I like you, why don't you like me, you would like to be with me'', ''I need to have a woman and you are going to oblige me'', that she should go home with him to his bed and that she and he would have cute babies together.'

The ruling continued: 'During the course of three nightshifts from August 3 - August 5, 2018, the claimant said he wanted to have a chocolate baby with her.'

It went on: 'On an unspecified date in 2016, the Claimant said to her 'take your break 4-5 so that we can both round the back together.'

The panel concluded that his sacking had nothing to do with the colour of Hombarume skin.

They ruled: 'There are no facts from which we could properly conclude that Mr Mayo's decision that the claimant had made a number of inappropriate comments to female colleagues was influenced, consciously or subconsciously, by the claimant's sex or his colour or ethnic or national origins and that Mr Mayo would have reached a different conclusion if the same allegations had been made against a white employee, an employee with a different nationality or national origins or if a female employee had been accused of making equivalent unwanted comments of a sexual nature. In any event, we find that Mr Mayo's conclusions were not so influenced.'

The panel added: 'In this case the claimant made several highly inappropriate and sexual comments to female employees over two shifts.

'We are satisfied that, in making those comments, the claimant committed gross misconduct and the respondent was entitled to terminate the claimant's employment without notice.'

Hombarume continued to insist his sacking was racially motivated today, adding he continues to work for NHS Professionals, the largest bank of non contract staff.
A Scottish law student who was investigated for saying 'women have vaginas' during an online seminar on transgender issues is suing her university for an alleged breach of the Equality Act, MailOnline can reveal.

Lisa Keogh, 29, was investigated by Abertay University in Dundee after classmates complained that she made 'inappropriate comments' during a seminar which 'could be construed as discriminatory'.

But after a two-month probe, which took place while the mother of two underwent her final year exams this year, the university's disciplinary board decided not to uphold the misconduct charge against her after finding there was no evidence that she had discriminated against anyone.

In a series of tweets today, the mature student announced that she is now seeking compensation from Abertay University for the 'stress caused at the most crucial part of my university career'.

MailOnline can also reveal that Miss Keogh's legal team, MML Legal Dundee, believe that the university is in breach of the Equality Act 2010 by pursuing her for 'expressing her gender critical beliefs'.

In a statement, she said: 'I can confirm that my solicitors MML Legal Dundee have raised an action by me against Abertay University, Dundee. As this matter is now in Court, I cannot discuss the merits of the case.

'However, I can confirm that I am seeking compensation from them for undertaking a disciplinary process against me for expressing certain gender critical beliefs, which my legal team believe was a breach of the Equality Act 2010 and an infringement of my ECHR rights of freedom of expression.'

An Abertay spokesman told MailOnline today: 'I can confirm the university has received a letter from Ms Keogh's solicitor. We won't be making any further comment at this time.'

Lisa Keogh, 29, said she has decided to take action against Abertay University in Dundee

In a series of tweets today, Miss Keogh announced that she is now seeking compensation from Abertay University for the 'stress caused at the most crucial part of my university career'

Abertay University in Dundee has said it was 'legally obliged to investigate all complaints'

The university previously said that it was 'legally obliged to investigate all complaints'.

Miss Keogh's lawyers are claiming that the disciplinary process was in breach of the Equality Act 2010, and that the university 'directly discriminated' against her 'because of her gender critical beliefs'.

'The pursuer's gender critical beliefs are a protected characteristic within the meaning of sections 4 and 10 of the 2010 Act,' the writ states.

'The pursuer's beliefs: are genuinely held; relate to a weighty and substantial aspect of human life and behaviour; are cogent, serious, cohesive, and important; and are worthy of respect in a democratic society.

'Her beliefs amount to a philosophical belief within the meaning of section 10 of the 2010 Act. The defender, as the governing body of a Scottish University, must not discriminate against students, inter alia, by subjecting them to any other detriment.'

According to the legal documents, her legal team add that she has 'suffered injured feelings, stress, anxiety, and sleeplessness' as a result of these events, and that her GP prescribed her with medication to help with her symptoms.

Miss Keogh was formally charged with 'making offensive comments and behaving in a disrespectful manner during class discussions'.

The charge also claimed she had 'behaved in a disrespectful manner', despite being 'reminded about the university's policy on conduct.'

However the board said that, after reviewing the recordings made available from the lesson, it had found 'no evidence of discrimination'. It also found that the student had 'not intentionally shouted in class'.

The mother of two was hauled before a disciplinary panel after making her comments during a seminar on transgender issues

'As a result, the board found there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations made against you on your behaviour in class and, therefore, decided to not uphold the charge of misconduct,' the board added.

Miss Keogh tweeted today: 'After speaking with legal professionals, I have decided to take action against Abertay University for the stress caused at the most crucial part of my university career.

'Action was initiated last week. I will be raising funds for this.

'I would appreciate your support during this time. I hope that you will donate if you can and share widely. I will post the fundraising page when it has been finalised.'

She added: 'I hope that at the end of this, students won't be scared to voice opinions through fear of action being taken against them.'

Miss Keogh previously said she was the victim of a 'modern day witchhunt' and that she was 'targeted because of her gender critical views'. She called the complaints 'groundless' and the process 'needlessly cruel'.

Speaking about what caused the complaint, she told the Daily Mail in May: 'I was asked to define what a woman was and I said someone with a vagina. A biological fact, I thought - and still think - but apparently it is now unacceptable to say it.

Professor Kathleen Stock is facing calls to quit because of her views on transgender rights

Student protesters at the University of Sussex this month to demand Ms Stock's resignation

'The whole thing descended into a row. It became quite toxic. Because I had dared to question anything about transgender rights, a target was on my back.'

Speaking after her graduation in July, she said the moment was 'bittersweet' as she was 'still upset' with the university.

Miss Keogh said at the time: 'I went through two months of torture and it caused me a lot of mental anguish. I'm still upset with the university and the fact I had to deal with this when I was trying to focus on my degree.

'It is such a big achievement for me and there are some silver linings and positives to take from it. I'm now focused on finding work and hoping to put this behind me.'

It comes as Professor Kathleen Stock, who teaches philosophy at Sussex University, has been left under siege by trans rights activists because she is sceptical of opening up women-only spaces such as prisons to trans people.

Last year, JK Rowling was accused of being 'transphobic' after insisting only women experience menstruation. She had challenged an article entitled: 'Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.'

Taking issue with the phrasing, she copied a link to the article on Twitter and wrote: 'People who menstruate.' I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?'

Amid the backlash she later posted: 'I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn't hate to speak the truth.'

Last September, medical journal The Lancet was accused of using the phrase 'bodies with vaginas' in lieu of the word 'female', which later saw editor Richard Horton apologise for conveying the impression that 'we have de-humanised and marginalised women'.

And this month, Exeter University's Students' Guild resisted calls for an anti-abortion society to be shut down, supporting its members' rights to 'freedom of speech' and to operate without fear of 'intolerance or discrimination'.
Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage has been tricked again by Irish Twitter users into repeating an Irish Republican phrase.

Last week, the pro-Brexit politician used the phrase 'Up the Ra' during a birthday greeting on Cameo.

Earlier today, Mr Farage, 57, posted a video wishing 'Gerard' from Brighton a happy birthday from his friends 'Con' and 'Maggie'.

The latest video, featuring the phrase 'our day will come' in Irish, has been shared widely just hours ahead of a ceremony in Armagh tomorrow to mark 100 years since the partition of Ireland.

The phrase 'tiocfaidh ar la' refers to the unification of the island of Ireland and is commonly used by Irish republicans.

Mr Farage said he was not bothered by any controversy and challenged people to keep sending him money for his messages.

The former MEP is available to provide personal messages to people on Cameo for a cash payment.

According to Mr Farage's profile on the service, he said: 'They call me Mr Brexit... some people say I am controversial, and I couldnt care less.'

In the latest video which is being shared widely on social media, Mr Farage said: 'Well, hello Gerard, its Nigel Farage here.

'Con and Maggie have been onto me because they want to wish you a very happy 71st birthday, and they are looking forward to seeing you and some of the old team at Tiocfaidh ar las in Brighton.

Ive had the full story, you were the team leader there for many years, and they now want to wish you a belated  because we kind of missed it by a couple of days  but a belated 71st birthday.

And they hope youre having a very happy retirement, as do I Gerard, enjoy.

After the video was posted online, some people drew links to former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams who celebrated his birthday earlier this month.

They also referenced Brighton as the scene of the 1984 IRA terror attack on the Conservative Party Conference.

Others suggested the two well wishers, Con and Maggie, were references to the Conservative Party and to Maggie Thatcher.

Ex-Ukip leader Nigel Farage, pictured, said he was happy to keep taking money from people after he was duped for the second time in ten days into saying a pro-Irish republican phrase

Last week, Mr Farage left a message for Brian O Ceileachair after his friend Aidan Hart paid 73 for Mr Farage to read out a congratulatory birthday greeting featuring the phrase 'up the RA'

Today Mr Farage told MailOnline: 'I'm happy to wish Gerry Adams happy birthday, there are many Gerry Adams' out there.

'I have a friend who was christened Michael Hunt, some people call him Mike. These things happen.

'I'm happy to say anything anybody wants as long as they pay me 100.

'They can do this 20 or 30 times a day. They are the fools, not me.'

'As far as I'm concerned [Tiocfaidh ar la - pronounced Chucky arr larr] it was the name of an establishment in Brighton.

'I haven't been in every bar in Brighton to check .

'I have never spoken a word of Irish in my life and nor shall I ever.'

'I once drove past Colonel Gaddafi in London, that doesn't make me his right hand man.'

Mr Farage said he had no regrets and challenged people to keep sending him cash for messages.

Last week, Mr Farage left a message for Brian O Ceileachair after his friend Aidan Hart paid 73 for Mr Farage to read out a congratulatory birthday greeting.

'This message is for Brian O Ceileachair, Brexiteer,' Mr Farage says in the short clip.

'I hope you have a great birthday and this comes from your good friend Aidan,' he continues before raising a cup of coffee to give a toast.

'Now, it's a bit early in the day so all I've got actually is coffee, but I hope you enjoy a few pints with the lads tonight.'

He then says 'up the RA!' before taking a sip.

The phrase is known to be one of 'support or encouragement of the Provisional Irish Republican Army'.

Commenting last week on the earlier controversy, Mr Farage told MailOnline: 'If I saw "up the RA" I would have looked at that as something very innocent, and wouldn't have even known there was an implication to it.

'A lot of messages that I get are friends sending each other messages with their own little jokes or their own little words which I have to judge - and of course I reject some if they are crude or offensive.

Mr Farage added that he does a 'very large number' of videos and is one of Cameo's most popular users.

Asked if he would accept a message request that was supportive of the IRA, Mr Farage replied: 'Are you joking? I had a face-to-face death threat from them.'
The military base in Maryland that houses Walter Reed National Medical Center went on a protracted lockdown Wednesday morning after receiving a bomb threat.

The lockdown at Naval Support Activity Bethesda lasted for nearly four hours, before the commanding officer of the installation lifted the shelter in place order for the entire complex just after 1pm and reopened the gates.

The decision to reopen the facility came after K-9 units cleared the buildings at the military hospital.

According to the naval installation, at around 8:45am, officials got a call from an 'anonymous source,' saying there is a bomb threat at or near Building 10.

Naval Support Activity Bethesda in Maryland was on lockdown for hours as officials investigated a bomb threat that was called in Wednesday morning

The military base is home to Walter Reed National Medical Center

Officials revealed that the anonymous call reporting the bomb threat came in at 8.45am

The base has been sealed off as the investigation into the threat continued

The military base issued a 'shelter in place' order and sealed off all the gates to non-emergency traffic, citing the bomb threat and a possible active shooter threat.

Five minutes later, officials stated that there is 'no indication of an active shooter on the installation,' but the bomb threat is still under investigation.

All patients' appointments at the military hospital have been cancelled, and people were being asked to stay away from the area.

The military hospital complex in Maryland is located just 20 miles northwest of the White House.

Founded in 1909, Walter Reed has treated every US president over the past century, including Donald Trump when he contracted COVID-19 last year, as well as members of the US Congress and justices of the United Stated Supreme Court.

In July 2021, First Lady Dr Jill Biden underwent a procedure on her foot at the hospital.

All patients' appointments have been cancelled at the hospital and only emergency vehicles are allowed on the premises

In addition to dignitaries, the hospital treats members of the military, veterans, and their families.

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, a girls' Catholic school near Walter Reed, also has enacted its shelter in place protocol because of the threat.

In a tweet, the school assured the public that all students were indoors and safe, and that classes were resuming.
Michigan State University is asking its faculty and professors to trade in their chalkboards for a smorgasbord and work in the college's campus dining halls amid struggles to fill the low-paying job posts during an unprecedented staffing shortage.

The desperate plea came in the form of an email to faculty Monday, as students return to the esteemed university after a year of remote learning.

The school, whose motto is 'Go Green,' is not going to give these scholarly substitute workers any 'green' at all: they would be volunteering.

In the email, Vennie Gore, the school's senior vice president for residential and hospitality services and auxiliary enterprises, urged staffers - including professors - to cast aside their self-regard and pick up a serving spoon and an apron.

About 4,000 students typically work in the school's dining halls, but, as of September, only 1,200 were working behind the counter, the Lansing State Journal reported.

In an email sent Monday, Michigan State University brass are asking professors to work in the college's campus dining halls

Michigan State joins a slew of schools and universities across the country experiencing severe staffing shortages

The school, whose motto is 'Go Green,' is not going to give these scholarly substitute workers any 'green' at all: they would be volunteering

'As you know, like other schools and universities across the country, Culinary Services is experiencing severe staffing shortages,' the email from Gore began.

'Many businesses in the local area and around the country are hiring, and we are all competing for the same available talent,' added Gore, whose employer recently raised wages for lunch workers from $12 to $15 an hour in response to languishing amounts of lunch workers.

'Our residential dining halls could use your help to continue serving our campus community,' the message said.

'Faculty and staff from around campus are invited to sign up to assist in the dining halls! We have specific needs during evenings and weekends.'

Gore then provided a link to a criminal background check and tips on how to prepare for the first shift.

Residential and Hospitality Services (RHS) Chief Communications Officer Kat Cooper issued a statement saying this is voluntary.

'We do appreciate those who are able to (volunteer),' Cooper said.

According to the email, MSU's residential services department has already asked 132 full-time employees to work eight hours a week, but it was not enough to address the already pressing issue.

About 4,000 students typically work in the school's dining halls, but, as of September, only 1,200 were working behind the counter

'Lines are long, it takes a while to get my food,' one student griped to Fox 2 Detroit.

'Like the dorm we're in, there is supposed to be a dining hall - but they can't do it because there are no workers,' another student also told the outlet.

Devin Silvia, director of undergraduate studies in MSUs computational math department, told Fox 2 that she found the request to members of the 166-year-old school's esteemed faculty 'astounding,' considering the pay they're offering.

'I am all about supporting the MSU student community and making sure they have a positive experience,' Silvia said.

'But at the end of the day, I'm doing that in my own career and questioning whether I'm being sufficiently compensated.'

Some associate MSU professors make between $20,000 to $30,000 a year, according to university data.

'It's crazy that the request was put out, but they need something to happen,' one student said of the staffing situation.

'I think it's a little crazy - teachers already have a lot on their hands,' added another.

'It's complicated,' said one.

'I know why they are making that request because it is understaffed in the kitchen. But I don't think we should put that stress on them.'

Some associate MSU professors make between $20,000 to $30,000 a year, according to university data

According to the university, several faculty and staff have already answered the call, volunteering their time while they continue to hunt for workers to fill the positions in the cafeteria.

In a statement recently released from the university, school officials said the reason behind the brazen request has to do with past success.

'Faculty and staff have been so generous in volunteering to help with move-in and other important events, we wanted to reach out and provide this opportunity to help relieve some of the burdens from culinary team members who have been working many long hours since school began.'
Secretary Mike Pompeo showed off his newly slimmed-down face on Fox News this week, prompting some to question if he was preparing himself for a run for the presidency in 2024.

The 57-year-old former secretary of state, now nine months out of office, showed off his newly taught neck and face during an appearance on Fox News' Hannity on Tuesday.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Pompeo asking for his secret.

The former secretary is one of a number of big-name Republicans believed to be eyeing up a potential run for the presidency.

 Slide me  Secretary Mike Pompeo showed off his newly slimmed-down face on Fox News this week, prompting some to question if he was preparing himself for a run for the presidency in 2024

In the days since Trump has left the White House, Pompeo, pictured above in April 2021, has worked to keep his name in the Republican party and in the headlines making frequent media appearances

The 57-year-old former secretary of state, now nine months out of office, showed off his newly taught neck and face during an appearance on Fox News' Hannity on Tuesday night

'Mike Pompeo has lost an incredible amount of weight,' media reporter Aaron Rupar commented on Twitter.

'Thats Mike Pompeo???' another incredulous Twitter user, William Legate, commented.

'Like, even his face is structurally different that is some very serious surgery if thats him is all Ill say,' Legate added.

'Youre still not gonna be president, Mike,' commented another user, Brian Tyler Cohen.

In the days since Trump has left the White House, Pompeo has worked to keep his name in the Republican party and in the headlines making frequent media appearances, joining fundraising efforts and showing signs he is rekindling his old campaign committee.

He has been vocal of his criticism of the new Biden administration while promoting and defending the work of the Trump administration.

In June, Pompeo launched a political group, Champion American Values PAC, aimed at electing conservative candidates, and in September, he traveled to Iowa, the first in the nation state to caucus, for the second time since leaving office.

Mike Pompeo leaves the Mandarin Oriental hotel in New York City in June 2021

Pompeo pictured on his Instagram on Oct. 17

Pompeo did not confirm or deny plans to run in an interview in July.

It's literally the case that only the Lord knows what's gonna happen,' he said on 'The Carlos Watson Show.'

'I want to continue to have an impact on the things that I care about, both here and abroad,' Pompeo said.

And in March, when asked by Hannity about his ambitions, Pompeo said: 'Im always up for a good fight.'

Hannity responded that he didn't 'know how to interpret that' and would 'take that as a strong maybe', Pompeo laughed, adding: 'That's perfect.'

Republicans have been left in limbo as Trump regularly teases another run in 2024, as most have said they would not mount a challenge to the former president. If Pompeo launches a bid - and Trump does not - he could be campaigning against GOP heavyweights like former Vice President Mike Pence, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis or South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem.

Pompeo most especially hit out against Biden during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

'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,' he said while accepting an award at the Nixon Foundation earlier this week. '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.'
Scotland Yard chief Cressida Dick finally admitted official advice telling terrified women to 'wave down a bus' if they were arrested by a lone male officer was nonsense today.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner confirmed that the guidance, which sparked outrage when issued in the wake of Sarah Everard's murder by serving PC Wayne Couzens, had been axed.

Scotland Yard was accused of pouring scorn on frightened women earlier this month after the London force's strategy urged them to attract attention if they fear being abducted by police.

It came as Couzens was ordered to spend the rest of his life behind bars for kidnapping, raping and killing Ms Everard in London in March.

Lawyers warned the 'unrealistic and misconceived' guidance could cause chaos and in extreme cases see women Tasered for resisting arrest.

They also suggested bus drivers could end up being arrested if they stopped to help.

Dame Cressida initially defended the advice, saying it had been 'taken out of context'.

But facing the London Assembly's Police and Crime Committee today she said: 'I completely understand why that ended up as the headline.

'It was not intended, and it is not how we see things. Yes we have reviewed it and I think we would address the question differently were it to come again in the future.'

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner confirmed that the guidance, which sparked outrage when issued in the wake of Sarah Everard's murder by serving PC Wayne Couzens, had been axed.

Couzens was ordered to spend the rest of his life behind bars for kidnapping, raping and killing Ms Everard in London in March.

She announced that under a new plan, plain-clothes officers in the capital will video call a uniformed colleague to confirm their identity when stopping a lone woman.

Wiltshire Police has already announced a similar scheme whereby officers will put their personal radio on loudspeaker and ask their control room to confirm their identity.

Ms Everard was raped and murdered by Couzens, a serving officer who used his warrant card and police-issue handcuffs to kidnap the 33-year-old as she walked home from a friend's house in south London in March this year.

He had previously been accused of indecent exposure in 2015 and in the days before the murder, and police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct is considering whether the allegations were investigated properly by Kent Police and the Metropolitan Police.

'What I can say today is that we are launching our Safe Connection, as we call it, which allows a woman who is stopped by such a police officer immediately to have verification that this is a police officer,' Dame Cressida said.

'Because my plain-clothes officers will call into a control room, they will then have a video call with a sergeant in uniform who will say 'yes that's so-and-so, he's PC XYZ'. So a quick and easy way which is instigated by the officer, not by the woman having to ask for this.'

Dame Cressida stressed that the onus should be on the police officer to properly identify themselves, and that the bus advice given was 'if all else fails' when someone may want to try to get help.

She said: 'I want to be clear, the onus is on the officer.

'The onus is on the officer to deal professionally with the person that they are speaking to, and in the very unusual circumstance in which a plain-clothes officer is talking to a lone female, which is likely to be extremely unusual in London, we would expect them to go to every effort first of all to recognise that the woman may feel uncomfortable, to explain themselves well, to identify themselves well.

'It would normally be the case that they would be in a pair anyway.'

The news came as British Transport Police confirmed it is launching a judicial review over a decision to allow an officer who flashed his warrant card and harassed a lone female jogger to keep his job.

Pc Imran Aftab pestered the woman for her phone number and told her she was 'too curvy too be Asian', but only received a final written warning after disciplinary proceedings in York.

On Wednesday a spokeswoman for British Transport Police said: 'We totally agree this was an appalling incident and as is the case in misconduct hearings, the decision not to dismiss PC Aftab was made by an independent panel, led by a legally qualified chair.

'We don't agree with their decision, and as such took legal advice immediately after the hearing in May before instigating a judicial review to appeal this. This is currently ongoing and we await the outcome.'
The sons of Alex Murdaugh's dead housekeeper still don't know how she died from a fall inside his home in 2018 at the age of 57, and they have revealed how Murdaugh promised to take care of them after she died - then swindled them out of $3 million.

Murdaugh is currently in jail awaiting his next court hearing on charges of theft stemming from him taking $3 million of a $4 million settlement that was intended for Tony Satterfield and Brian Harriott, the sons of Gloria Satterfield.

Gloria died mysteriously in 2018 after a 'fall' at the Murdaugh family's home in South Carolina.

To this day, the two sons say they still don't know how the fall caused her such horrific injuries that she died.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating her death now in light of a slew of other allegations against Murdaugh.

In an interview on Tuesday, after Murdaugh was denied bond, the sons' attorney Ronnie Richter cast doubt on the claim that Gloria died by falling down the stairs in the family's home.

'Death was first classified a natural death... there is nothing natural about a 57-year old-woman falling down a flight of steps and dying from a head trauma,' he told CBS in South Carolina.

After Gloria's death, Murdaugh promised to 'take care of' the boys financially.

The two sons, in a lawsuit filed last month, tell how they trusted Murdaugh as a respected South Carolina attorney whose family had been in law offices across the state for more than 100 years.

Gloria Satterfield died in the home of legal heir Alex Murdaugh (left) in February 2018 after working for the family for 20 years. He told her sons that she died of a fall. Now, they say they still don't know if that's what really happened

South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh has been arrested twice in the last five weeks. He was denied bond yesterday over charges he stole more than $3 million from his late housekeepers sons. pic.twitter.com/GDj5AkG6xi  CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) October 20, 2021 Twitter Privacy Policy

Attorney Ronnie Richter said on Tuesday: 'There is nothing natural about a 57-year old-woman falling down a flight of steps and dying from a head trauma'

'Prior to her untimely death on February 26, 2018, Gloria had worked for Alex Murdaugh and his family as a housekeeper and nanny for over two decades.

'Gloria was told she was part of the Murdaugh family, and she believed it to be true. The Murdaughs are prominent and wealthy family based in Hampton County that for generations controlled the prosecutors office in Hampton County and were the prominent legal family in the area,' the sons' lawyer said in their suit.

It was before the murders of Murdaugh's wife Maggie and son Paul, before Murdaugh admitted to having an 'opioid addiction', before he stole money from his own law firm and unsuccessfully tried to have himself killed in a suicide-by-hitman plot to benefit his remaining son Buster.

'Soon after' their mother's funeral, he introduced them to attorney Cory Fleming and encouraged them to hire him.

'Tony and Brian trusted Alex Murdaugh and because of their trust in him, Tony and Brian retained Fleming and MKF to represent them,' the lawsuit states.

Neither son was aware that Fleming was Murdaugh's college roommate and 'best friend'.

Fleming then appointed a banker, Chad Westendorf, to act as a representative on behalf of the sons.

They didn't know him and were also unaware that they could have acted as their own representatives, they said.

All of the wrongful death claims were handled by lawyers and bankers who are friends with Murdaugh, and who were recommended to the sons by Murdaugh. Above left, Cory Fleming, the attorney who brokered the deal. He has had his license suspended. Banker Chad Westendorf, right, served as the personal representative

Westendorf was also the Vice President of Palmetto State Bank at the time and, according to the sons' lawsuit, he had used the bank in business dealings with Murdaugh and Fleming in the past.

The sons were unaware of the professional history between any of them.

Murdaugh was arrested for theft and is in custody. He was denied bond yesterday

Together, they concocted a plan for Fleming and Westendorf to file claims against Murdaugh for Gloria's death. Murdaugh agreed and said his insurance company, Lloyds of London, would pay out the claim.

They - without the sons' knowledge or consent - agreed to $505,000, according to the lawsuit.

On Janaury 7, 2019, Fleming received a check from Lloyd'sfor $505,000. That day, he wrote a check to Forge for $403,500.

Over the next two years, Fleming and Westendorf negotiated payouts of over $4million from the two insurers Murdaugh used - Lloyd's and Nautilus. None of those papers were filed in court, and the sons were never away of them.

'Tony and Brian first learned that money had been recovered from the death of their mother when it was reported in the press.

Unsovled: The murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh (main) remain unsolved. Far left is the only surviving Murdaugh son, Buster

Murdaugh paid Edward Smith to kill him in September but it was a botched job and he survived

'To date, Tony and Brian have not received any monies from any claims or settlements with Murdaugh and his insurance carriers.

'Not one dime,' their attorney says.

The investigation into Gloria's death remains ongoing.

'SLEDs criminal investigation into the death of Gloria Satterfield and the handling of her estate is ongoing.

'No additional information is available at this time while the investigation is ongoing,' a spokesman told DailyMail.com on Wednesday morning.

Murdaugh, 53, has so far only been charged with stealing settlement money from the Satterfield boys but he is a person of interest in the investigation into his wife and son's murders.


A far-Right TV commentator tipped to become the next President of France caused outrage today by pointing an assault rifle at journalists and saying: 'Back off!'.

Eric Zemmour, the 63-year-old independent with a notorious hatred of the press, carried out the stunt at the Milipol arms fair in Paris on Wednesday morning.

In scenes posted on social media, Mr Zemmour can be seen brandishing the weapon, without making any safety checks whatsoever.

Eric Zemmour (pictured speaking at an event on Tuesday), the 63-year-old independent with a notorious hatred of the press, carried out the stunt at the Milipol arms fair in Paris on Wednesday morning

He then mumbles 'Are you joking? Push up, back off!' as he points the gun  one used by French police special forces  at watching journalists.

Citizenship Minister Marlene Schiappa immediately attacked Mr Zemmour, accusing him of gross irresponsibility.

'Aiming at journalists with a weapon and telling them to "back off!" Is not funny,' Ms Schiappa tweeted.

'It is horrifying. Especially after having seriously said that he wanted to "reduce the power of the media."

'In a democracy, press freedom is no joke and should never be threatened.'

Zemmour - a former journalist himself - responded by calling Schiappa an 'imbecile' and accusing her of 'trying to whip up a grotesque controversy.'

Mr Zemmour's stunt led to those watching to point out basic safety procedures, which everybody should observe when handling a firearm.

Rule 1 is that 'A weapon must always be treated as if it is loaded' and Rule 2 is 'never point or let the barrel of a gun point at something you don't want to destroy.'

Mr Zemmour has not officially stated that he will stand for the French Presidency in April, but polls show he has huge popularity among the far-Right.

In scenes posted on social media, Mr Zemmour can be seen brandishing a sniper rifle in the direction of journalists at a Paris gun fair, without making any safety checks whatsoever. Pictured: Still grabs from a video of the incident a Paris gun fair showing Zemmour looking down the scope of the rifle before pointing it at the press on Wednesday

He has two convictions for spreading hatred against ethnic and religious minorities, and regularly blames immigrants for causing all the problems in modern France.

Marine Le Pen, of the far-Right National Rally party, was runner up to Emmanuel Macron in the May 2017 presidential election, but her vote could be eclipsed by Mr Zemmour next year.

Mr Zemmour is an admirer of former U.S. President Donald Trump, and positions himself as anti-elite, anti-immigration champion.

He frequently criticises the 'fake news' mainstream media, despite frequently appearing on TV and writing articles and books.

Like Trump, he has long criticised 'establishment' media and hopes to build a political coalition of white working-class voters and wealthy conservatives.

Beyond the media, Mr Zemmour cites France's justice system and ethnic minorities as 'enemies', calling for their powers to be checked.

Polls currently show Macron ahead in the first round of the presidential election, besting two far-right candidates, Rassemblement National leader Le Pen and maverick Zemmour, whose surge in popularity has shifted the election's dynamics.

Polls currently show France's President Emmanuel Macron (pictured in Poitiers, western France, on October 8, 2021) ahead in the first round of the presidential election

A recent poll showed Zemmour eclipsing traditional French far-right leader Marine Le Pen (pictured left). In the race for the LR ticket, surveys show Michel Barnier (pictured right) trails Xavier Bertrand

A recent poll showed Zemmour eclipsing traditional French far-right leader Marine Le Pen in the first round of next year's election, but later losing to centrist President Emmanuel Macron.

In the race for the LR ticket, surveys show Michel Barnier trails Xavier Bertrand, a centre-right ex-cabinet minister, and by a narrower margin Valerie Pecresse, president of the greater Paris region, both of whom quit LR after Macron's win in 2017.

However, Barnier's popularity is growing among the rank and file LR members who will vote for their party's nominee, and see him - also an ex-cabinet minister - as an erstwhile loyalist as he never left the party.
President Biden's nominee to be U.S. ambassador set himself on a collision course with Beijing on Wednesday, promising to be a vocal critic of China's human rights abuses and aggressive foreign policy if he is confirmed to the post.

Nicholas Burns took a tough line during his Senate confirmation hearing, saying that the U.S. should expand arms sales to Taiwan and demanding that Beijing ended its genocide of minority Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

'If there are atrocities occurring or, in the case of Xinjiang, a genocide is occurring, we have to speak out,' he said.

'And you've seen the president, Secretary Blinken, and all of the officials have been very forthright about that since January 20 of this year.

'I think that will continue and that will certainly be - if I am confirmed - a hallmark of what I try to do: speaking directly to the Chinese government in Beijing.'

Nicholas Burns, President Biden's nominee for ambassador to China, promised a tough line on Beijing when he appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

A Uyghur woman holds her relatives' ID cards during a protest against detentions in 2009 in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region, China. Burns demanded an end to what human rights campaigners have called a 'genocide' of the minority population

The Biden administration is under pressure to do more to stem the rising global and regional ambitions of China.

This week it emerged that the regime had tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile, a new generation of weapons that may be able to evade early warning systems.

Burns, 65, a career diplomat and former U.S. ambassador to NATO, was also asked about his stance on Taiwan, a self-governing island that fears a Chinese attempt to force it to reunite with the mainland.

He said Washington was right to pair its 'one China' policy on Taiwan with opposition to any moves by Beijing to undermine the island's current status.

'Given China's frankly objectionable statements towards Taiwan, I think that Congress and the executive branch have every right to continue to deepen our security cooperation, to expand our arms provisions to Taiwan. That's the most important thing we can do,' he said.

Burns, an experience diplomat and former ambassador to NATO, is not expected to face significant opposition for one of Biden's most important overseas postings.

Republicans and Democrats agree with the need to push Beijing on Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

Human rights advocates say China's treatment of Uyghur Muslims there is a 'genocide,' a characterization embraced by the Biden administration but rejected by China.

In his opening remarks, Burns spelled out a hardline stance, listing the People Republic of China's aggression.

'Beijing has been an aggressor against India along their Himalayan border; against Vietnam, the Philippines, and others in the South China Sea; against Japan in the East China Sea; and has launched an intimidation campaign against Australia and Lithuania.

Burns said the U.S. should expand arms sales to Taiwan to counter Chinese aggression

'The PRC's genocide in Xinjiang and abuses in Tibet, its smothering of Hong Kong's autonomy and freedoms, and its bullying of Taiwan are unjust, and must stop.

'Beijing's recent actions against Taiwan are especially objectionable.'

But he also spelled out Beijing's weaknesses.

'The PRC is not an Olympian power,' he said.

'While the PRC has many strengths, it also faces substantial demographic, economic, and political challenges.

'We should have confidence in our own strengths  our scientific and technological capacities, world-class universities and research institutions, our military power, our first-rate diplomatic corps across both the foreign service and civil service, and, especially, our values that stand in brilliant opposition to Beijing's actions.'

He spoke soon after a senior Republican blasted the Biden administration's 'spineless reputation' on the global stage and demanded that President Biden stand up to China after it tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile.

Rep. John Katko, ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, said it effectively brought China's nuclear capability level with the U.S. as he urged the White House not to bait Beijing from the Briefing Room.

'President Biden must strongly condemn this malign behavior and take a much tougher stance in order to protect our homeland and national security,' he told DailyMail.com.
Pictured: Disgraced former detective Christopher Richards, 45, who has been jailed for six years for child sex offences

A detective who was snared in an undercover police sting boasting about sex with a 14-year-old boy has been jailed for six years.

Christopher Richards, 45, discussed abusing children with an officer posing as an online paedophile called 'Lee'.

Richards told 'Lee': 'I'm just looking for other guys like me to meet up for sex with boys TBH (to be honest).'

He is also said to have asked to meet Lee's son, adding: 'If I get to make love to your step-son, I will appreciate it too.'

Richards, who worked for Leicestershire Police, also described taking part in sex acts with a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old.

He added that he 'never had a chance with younger' children.

Prosecutor Stephen Kemp told Nottingham Crown Court how Richards messaged a 13-year-old boy on Snapchat while he was in a school Spanish class.

Richards told the teen he was 'hot' and asked him to send pictures of himself.

Richards (pictured at earlier hearing) was jailed for six years after being convicted of making indecent images of children and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child

He replied saying he did not send pictures of his bottom, prompting the defendant to reply: 'Oh, okay, I don't mind. I just like boys LOL.'

Richards also downloaded dozens of indecent images of children, including babies, on his Apple Macbook before using data-erasing app Shreddit to delete the files.

The images on the computer - including three in the most depraved Category A - were created between July and August, 2016.

He was arrested on March 11, 2020 at his home in West Bridgford, Notts.

Richards admitted making indecent images of children but denied attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Richards denied attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child but was found guilty by a jury at Nottingham Crown Court (pictured) after a trial and sentenced to prison

A jury found him guilty and on Tuesday Richards was jailed for six years.

He was found not guilty of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Speaking outside court, Detective Superintendent Rich Ward Head of the Professional Standards Department at Leicestershire Police, said: 'Richards should have been a person who the public and force could trust without question to carry out his duty as a police officer and to demonstrate the highest level of personal and professional behaviour.

'He has severely breached this trust we had in him by committing these abhorrent offences.

'This behaviour is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated by us as a force.'
The widow of a barrister whose husband died in a road accident in Egypt has won a protracted Supreme Court fight which lawyers say will have 'significant implications' for Britons injured while travelling abroad.

Lady Brownlie, whose husband Sir Ian Brownlie QC died aged 77 in 2010, wants to recover damages from the operator of a hotel in Egypt which provided the excursion during which the accident occurred.

Mr Brownlie had been one of the world's top international lawyers, having practiced at the International Courts of Justice in The Hague, and being heavily involved in the Augusto Pinochet legal fight in the House of Lords in 1998.

Lawyers representing Lady Brownlie say a ruling by Supreme Court justices in London on Wednesday means that a High Court judge in England has jurisdiction to hear Lady Brownlie's damages claim.

They say the ruling will have implications for Britons injured or killed while travelling overseas.

'This case has significant implications for English nationals injured or killed whilst travelling overseas,' said a spokesman for law firm Kingsley Napley.

'This means that the High Court in England now has jurisdiction to hear Lady Brownlie's claim.'

Sir Ian Brownlie QC (pictured middle) had been one of the world's leading international lawyers before he died aged 77 in 2010 following a road accident in Egypt

He said Lady Brownlie had been seriously injured in the accident and Sir Ian's daughter Rebecca, a former children's nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital, had also died. The driver of the vehicle was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

Lady Brownlie initially launched proceedings against Four Seasons Holdings Inc in 2012, but six years later the Supreme Court ruled that it did not own or operate the Egyptian hotel she was intending to sue.

Lady Browlie had to then restart legal action against FS Cairo in 2018.

During her nine year legal fight, Supreme Court judges said in a written ruling that Lady Brownlie wanted to claim damages from the operator of the hotel in Egypt.

They said she wanted damages for her injuries and damages for Sir Ian's wrongful death.

Supreme Court justices ruled that Lady Brownlie had in fact suffered damages in England - even though the initial action stemmed from an event that occurred in a foreign country. Pictured: The Four Seasons Hotel, Cairo

Judges said it had emerged, during an earlier stage of litigation, that she had named the wrong company in the Four Seasons group as the defendant.

They said the operator of the hotel was FS Cairo (Nile Plaza), an Egyptian company.

A High Court judge had ruled that she could 'substitute that company as the defendant'.

Appeal judges dismissed an appeal by FS Cairo and Supreme Court judges on Wednesday dismissed FS Cairo's appeal against that Court of Appeal ruling.

Instead, justices of the Supreme Court ruled that Lady Brownlie had in fact suffered damage in England - even though the initial action stemmed from an event that occurred in a foreign country.
Republican Virginia gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin mocked his Democratic rival on Wednesday for storming out of an interview.

Businessman Youngkin, who is backed by Donald Trump, said former Governor Terry McAuliffe is 'losing it' after the Democrat powerhouse abruptly ended an interview with a local news channel and told the reporter that he should have asked 'better questions.'

Youngkin said McAuliffe walked out because of a sense of 'entitlement' stemming from having been governor of Virginia from 2014 until 2018.

'This is what Terry McAuliffe does, I guess,' Youngkin told Fox & Friends in Falls Church, Virginia. 'I think he might feel entitled because, he thinks, he was governor - but he didn't do a good job - people shouldn't ask him hard questions.'

'These aren't that hard of questions. How are you going to fix our schools' and what are you going to do to make our communities safe? I mean, these are questions I get every day.'

He compared it to spending his Tuesday at a campaign rally with voters in FairfaxCounty, Virginia.

'We had nearly 1,000 people last night, we were talking about it, I know what we are going to do to make our community safe,' Youngkin said.

'And here is Terry McAuliffe, who won't even answer questions from a local reporter. I mean, he yells at sheriffs, he barks at people all the time. I think he's losing it because he knows this race is slipping away from him.'

Republican gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin sat down with Fox & Friends on Wednesday

He was referring to a September incident in which McAuliffe got into a tense exchange with a sheriff who confronted him about an endorsement from a group that the sheriff claimed want to defund the police. In video of the event McAuliffe tells the sheriff, who has appeared in a Youngkin campaign ad, that he didn't 'care' whether he believed him or not.

At his rally on Tuesday Youngkin attacked Loudon education officials and called for an investigation into a reported sexual assault at one of the county's schools, while also outlining a plan for keeping students safe.

Youngkin accused Loudon County officials of 'gross negligence' on Wednesday and said what happened there 'could happen across Virginia.'

Issues surrounding the deepening divide between the Justice Department and parents opposed to mask wearing and Critical Race Theory in schools has polarized the two candidates even further and focused the race, in its final weeks, on the question of who exactly is the final decision maker on public school education.

McAuliffe, who held a commanding lead over Youngkin earlier this year, has recently seen his poll numbers slipping as the Biden administration cracks down on violent outbreaks at schoolboard meetings and outside education officials' homes.

'Terry McAuliffe is on the wrong side of this issue,' Youngkin said on Wednesday. 'He knows it, he wants government to control our children, and parents aren't having any part of it.'

ABC affiliate WJLA-TV published in-depth interviews with McAuliffe and Youngkin on Tuesday, but noted that McAuliffe cut the 20 minute interview short just halfway through after being grilled on topics including vaccine mandates and the teaching of critical race theory.

Terry McAuliffe, the Democrat running for Virginia governor, stormed out of an interview with a local news channel, telling the reporter he should have asked 'better questions'

Reporter Nick Minock (above) had promised both candidate an interview of exactly 20 minutes to give them equal time, but McAuliffe cut his interview short and left after just 10 minutes

In the interview recorded last week, a McAuliffe staffer is heard interjecting 10 minutes in to the scheduled 20-minute interview, prompting the candidate to cut short the questioning from reporter Nick Minock.

'Alright, we are over. That's it. That's it. Hey I gave you extra time. C'mon man,' McAuliffe tells the reporter. 'You should have asked better questions early on. You should have asked questions your viewers care about.'

The station published the full video and transcript of the two interviews on its website, but was compelled to explain to viewers why the Youngkin interview was twice as long.

'We do want to point out that the Terry McAuliffe interview is shorter than our interview with Glenn Youngkin, that was not by our doing,' an anchor explained on-air.

'Nick offered both candidates 20 minutes exactly to be fair, for the interviews. McAuliffe abruptly ended 7 News' interview after just 10 minutes and told Nick that he should have asked better questions,' the anchor added.

In the interviews, seasoned reporter Minock is seen questioning both candidates on similar subjects, addressing debates over critical race theory in public schools, vaccine mandates, and crime in his opening questions.

Controversially, McAuliffe blasted a question on critical race theory in schools, claiming it wasn't being taught in the state, despite notorious school board meetings across the state being besieged by parents angry at divisive racial concepts being pushed on their kids.

He branded the claims about CRT 'offensive' and a 'racist dog whistle' being used by Youngkin. McAuliffe was also asked about comments he made last week saying that parents should not be telling schools what to teach, and claimed he actually believed that parents should have a voice in their children's education.

With Youngkin, Minock also went on to pose a series of tough questions to the candidate, asking whether the Republican is an anti-vaxxer, and whether he wants to ban all abortions.

But Youngkin remained for the entirety of the tough grilling, and his campaign seized on the incident, tweeting that McAuliffe had 'berated a reporter for asking tough questions'.

Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin (above) remained for the entirety of the tough grilling, and his campaign seized on the incident

Representatives for McAuliffe's campaign and the ABC affiliate station did not immediately respond to inquiries from DailyMail.com late on Tuesday.

Polls show that the gubernatorial contest in Virginia is now extremely tight, despite the state's increasing tendency to elect Democrats to statewide and federal offices.

With the election set for November 2, the RCP average of recent polls shows McAuliffe leading by just 2.2 percentage points.

McAuliffe previously served as Virginia's governor from 2014 to 2018, but was barred from running for a consecutive term by the state's constitution.

The incumbent governor, Democrat Ralph Northam, is similarly term-limited this year.

Youngkin, the Republican candidate, is a businessman who built a career in private equity, and later founded a non-profit focused on job skills training.

The race is shaping up to be the most closely watched of 2021, with major implications for President Joe Biden's agenda and next year's midterms.

A Youngkin win could rattle Democrats uncertain about riding Biden's political coattails - potentially making them less likely to take risky votes to pass his agenda - and would buoy Republicans heading into the midterms.

The race is shaping up to be the most closely watched of 2021, with major implications for President Joe Biden's agenda and next year's midterms

Youngkin needs the support of Donald Trump, the most popular figure in the GOP, but must avoid being tied too closely to someone who is unpopular in much of the state

Both candidates have had to delicately balance their relationships with their party leaders, as they seek support from independents in the swing state.

Youngkin needs the support of Donald Trump, the most popular figure in the GOP, but must avoid being tied too closely to someone who is unpopular in crucial swaths of the state, particularly the suburbs that surround Washington, D.C., and Richmond.

Similarly, McAuliffe has distanced himself from Biden, downplaying the importance of Congress passing the president's agenda before the Virginia election.

Congress now faces a Halloween deadline to resolve a deadlock between moderates and progressives in the party, and reach a deal to pass a $1 trillion infrastructure bill and $3.5 trillion social and environmental spending package.

Democrats believe that if they can push the package through by the deadline, it will boost McAuliffe's fortunes in the election just days later.

But at a campaign stop in the DC suburbs on Tuesday, McAuliffe said he didn't think voters in Virginia were too concerned about the congressional impasse.

'What I'm hearing around Virginia is not what's going on in Washington DC at all. It's, 'What are you going to do for my life?'' McAuliffe told reporters in McLean, according to Yahoo News.

McAuliffe has been surprisingly public in his criticism of the Biden administration's legislative strategy, urging Democrats to pass the infrastructure bill, on its own if necessary, before Election Day to give him something to show voters.

White House officials privately expect McAuliffe to emerge with a narrow win and believe they can ignore worries about a smaller-than-expected margin of victory dampening party support for Biden's agenda.
Sinaloa Cartel

Founded in 1989 by Hector Palma, Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman and Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, the Sinaloa Cartel today stands as one of the most established transnational drug trafficking organizations. While it has carved out a presence in 15 of the 32 Mexican states, the cartel also expanded its operations into the United States, Europe, Asia and South America.

With El Chapo in prison, the cartel has been plagued by internal fighting between Zambada and three of El Chapo's four sons, known as 'Los Chapitos'.

The Drug Enforcement Administration views the Sinaloa Cartel as one of the top two criminal organizations along with its rival, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

The DEA said the Sinaloa Cartel 'exports and distributes wholesale amounts of fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana in the United States by maintaining distribution hubs in various cities.'

How they get drugs into the US: 'Illicit drugs distributed by the Sinaloa Cartel are primarily smuggled into the United States through crossing points located along the [south west border]. The cartel employs gatekeepers assigned to Ports Of Entry and controls Arizona and California area smuggling corridors into the United States.'

Jalisco New Generation Cartel

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel was once allied to the Sinaloa Cartel as El Chapo depended on its firepower to combat Los Zetas.

Commandeered by Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera, the group set itself apart from other cartels in the country butchering its enemies and today is considered by the Mexican government as the most dangerous group in the country.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel is spread out across 23 of the Mexico's 32 states and currently finds itself at war with at least ten cartels.

The group has been known to have increased the power that its members have by purchasing military weapons and parts from the United States.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, according to the DEA, specializes 'in manufacturing and distributing large amounts of fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine.'

How they get drugs into the US: 'The CJNG smuggles illicit drugs into the United States by accessing various trafficking corridors in northern Mexico along the SWB including Tijuana, Juarez, and Nuevo Laredo. The CJNG also has influence over the busiest port in Mexico, the Port of Manzanillo, and utilizes that influence for the distribution of large quantities of drugs.'

Beltran-Leyva Organization

For a while, the Beltran-Leyva Organization [BLO] was born out of the Sinaloa Cartel and became one of the most powerful cartels in Mexico led by the Beltran Leyva brothers: Marcos Arturo, Carlos, Alfredo, Mario Alberto and Hector.

The Beltran-Leyva Organization was involved in a deadly war with the Sinaloa Cartel after the brothers accused their cousin, El Chapo, of being responsible for the January 2008 arrest of Alfredo. The brothers retaliated by reportedly plotting the murder of El Chapo's 22-year-old son, Edgar Guzman, in May 2008.

Alfredo's arrest sparked one of the worst periods in Mexico's war on drugs as the BLO's new ally, the Juarez Cartel, went to war with the Sinaloa Cartel in Ciudad Juarez, a border town across from Texas.

The BLO also expanded its might by going toe-to-toe with the Gulf Cartel, Sinaloa Cartel and La Familia Cartel in the northeastern border city of Reynosa.

While the cartel remains viable today, the organization's members over time split into 11 factions.

How they get drugs into the US: 'BLO relies on its loose alliances with larger cartels for access to drug smuggling corridors along the [south west border].'

Los Zetas and the Cartel del Noreste [Northeast Cartel]

Los Zetas were created by Mexican military deserters who formed an alliance with the Gulf Cartel in 1999 and based its operations in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, across from Laredo, Texas. The group quickly carved out a named for itself through its savage killings. By 2010, Los Zetas split from the Gulf Cartel.

Los Zetas at one point dominated more cities across Mexico than the Sinaloa Cartel, with whom it clashed amidst a threat from the Gulf Cartel to eliminate it completely.

Like some of the other Mexican cartels, Los Zetas saw some of its members split and form their own groups.

Los Zetas role play in the drug trade is enforced by one of its factions, the Cartel del Noreste [Northeast Cartel]. Together, the criminal groups have set up its small, but lucrative, drug trade business into the Texas border cities of Laredo and Eagle Pass while controlling routes and turfs in the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, San Luis Potosi and Zacatecas.

How they get drugs into the US: 'Members smuggle the majority of their illicit drugs through the [south west border] in the areas of Laredo, Texas; Eagle Pass, Texas; and the Mexican states of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and parts of Tamaulipas.'

Guerrero Unidos

Operating in central Mexico, the Guerrero Unidos broke away from the Beltran-Leyva Organization and formed an alliance with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel to traffic drugs into the United States and bring back its profits into Mexico.

The cartel is accused of being behind the September 2014 disappearance of 43 students, who were kidnapped by local police in Iguala, a city in the southern state of Guerrero.

How they get drugs into the US: 'The cartel has a working partnership with the CJNG and uses the same transportation networks to move drug shipments into the United States and to return drug proceeds back to Mexico.'

Gulf Cartel

The Gulf Cartel is considered to be one of the oldest active criminal organizations in Mexico and is believed to have close ties to other gangs in Europe, West Africa, Asia, Central America, South America, and the United States.

The organization started off by smuggling alcohol into the United States during the Prohibition Era. It was not until the 1980 that it got itself immersed into the drug trade.

The DEA believes the Gulf Cartel has been working closely with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel as it ships heroin and cocaine to the Texas border cities of McAllen and Brownsville.

How they get drugs into the US: 'The Gulf Cartel focuses its drug trafficking activities on heroin and cocaine by transporting loads into the United States near the McAllen and Brownsville, Texas, areas.'

Juarez Cartel and La Linea

The Juarez Cartel cemented itself as one of the mayor players in the drug trade business back in the 1970s. It founder, Amado Carrillo, was known as 'El Senor de los Cielos' or 'The Lord of the Skies' due to the massive fleet of planes he owned to transport drugs, especially cocaine from Colombia and other countries in Latin America.

The cartel was once allied to El Chapo before that relationship fell apart after the notorious drug lord declined to pay the Juarez Cartel for the right to use its drug smuggling routes.

The Juarez Cartel has depended on its armed wing, La Linea, to transport heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana between Ciudad Juarez and El Paso, Texas.

How they get drugs into the US: 'These cartels' greatest territorial influence is in the state of Chihuahua near the [south west border]. This area has profitable smuggling opportunities between Ciudad Juarez and El Paso, Texas.'

La Familia Michoacana

La Familia Michoacana was once linked to the Gulf Cartel before it went on its own in 2006.

Between 2009 and 2010, the cartel proposed to the Mexican government that it had plans of laying down its arms as long as its home state of Michoacan was granted protection. However, President Felipe Calderon shot down their offer, which led to the cartel becoming increasingly involved in the funding of political candidates.

La Familia Michoacana today maintains a relationship with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and other criminal groups as part of its drug smuggling operation.

How they get drugs into the US: 'LFM has some ties to the CJNG and also works with other smaller groups to further the cartel's drug trafficking activities.'

Los Rojos

Just like Guerreros Unidos, Los Rojos was formed as an armed wing and broke away from the Beltran-Leyva Organization.

According to a 2020 Congressional report, Los Rojos 'operates in Guerrero and relies heavily on kidnapping and extortion for revenue as well as trafficking cocaine, although analysts dispute the scope of its involvement in the drug trade.'

How they get drugs into the US: 'Los Rojos is involved in heroin trafficking'
Washingtons top prosecutor has named Mark Zuckerberg as a defendant in a lawsuit against Facebook related to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, potentially exposing the social media brainchild to financial penalties.

Attorney General Karl Racine said Wednesday that he added Zuckerberg to a lawsuit filed in 2018 after an ongoing investigation revealed that he was personally involved in decisions related to Cambridge Analytica and Facebooks failure to protect user data.

This lawsuit is about protecting the data of half of all District residents and tens of millions of people across the country, Racine tweeted.

Weve taken our obligation to investigate wrongdoing very seriously - and Facebook should take its responsibility to protect users just as seriously.

If found legally culpable, Zuckerberg could be fined up to $5,000 for any of the 300,000 district residents whose privacy might have been violated in the breach.

Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg (pictured in a file photo) was named October 20 in a lawsuit related to the Cambridge Analytica scandal

Washington Attorney General Karl Racine (shown in a file photo) filed the lawsuit, and said Zuckerberg was named because 'he was personally involved in decisions related to Cambridge Analytica and Facebooks failure to protect user data'

Zuckerberg is worth an estimated $122 billion.

Racine originally filed the lawsuit against Facebook in 2008 for allowing data-mining firm Cambridge Analytica to improperly access data from as many as 87 million users before the 2016 presidential election.

He alleged in the lawsuit that Facebook misled users about the security of their data and failed to properly monitor third-party apps.

The suit came after Cambridge University's Aleksandr Kogan and his company, Global Science Research (GSR), launched an app called 'thisisyourdigitallife' and sold personal information of users to a political consulting firm.

Since the original filing, Racine said his team has reviewed hundreds of thousands of pages of documents produced in litigation and completed a wide range of depositions including former employees and whistleblowers.

The attorney general originally said that the information of about 70 million Americans was collected on the app, including about 340,000 D.C. residents.

Racine said on Twitter that the lawsuit was about protecting Facebook users' personal data

Aleksandr Kogan developed an app that allowed Cambridge Analytica to collect personal details of 80 million Facebook users

The app was promoted as a personality quiz, which claimed to generate a personality profile.

Racine claimed in the suit that only 860 downloaded the quiz yet many more were put at risk with the sharing of their private information.

The lawsuit is the latest blow for Zuckerberg, who was taunted Tuesday after announcing plans to change Facebooks names amidst a storm of scandals.

U.S. officials announced on Monday that Facebook Inc agreed to pay up to $14.25 million to settle civil claims by the government that the company discriminated against American workers and violated federal recruitment rules.

On Tuesday, the company was fined 50.5 million ($70 million) after failing to provide enough important information to the competition regulator investigating the firm's takeover of GIF sharing platform Giphy.

Earlier this month, former Facebook employee Frances Haugen revealed herself as the whistleblower who anonymously filed eight complaints about the social media giant with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Facebook, over and over again, has shown it chooses profit over safety, she said in a 60 minutes interview.

The latest blow Zuckerberg's social media empire came after former Facebook employee Frances Haugen came forward with claims the company 'chooses profits over safety'

She claimed that a 2018 change prioritizing divisive posts, which made Facebook users argue, was found to boost user engagement.

It helped bosses sell more online ads that have seen the social media giant's value pass $1 trillion.

She also claimed Facebook helped instigate the January 6 Capitol riots.

Some social media users on Wednesday celebrated news that Zuckerberg could be held accountable for the Cambridge Analytical scandal.

Thank you, said one Twitter user. It's shocking no one is being held accountable in these companies for using psychometric marketing targeting people based on their private online user data across platforms without our knowledge or consent. It's reported it affected elections in over 100 countries.

Added another: Too bad there are no criminal charges.
A 15-year-old girl in Utah has been arrested for allegedly making explosives and planning a mass shooting at her high school.

The Weber High School student was charged September 30 in 2nd District Juvenile Court in Ogden, Utah, with use of a weapon of mass destruction and a first-degree felony, according to court documents obtained by KSL.com.

The investigation began on September 23 when Weber County sheriff's deputies received a report of messages from an Instagram account 'containing terroristic threats including the act of committing a mass school shooting,' according to several search warrant affidavits.

The FBI had obtained the messages and contacted the local sheriff's office after discovering that the account allegedly belonged to a person in Weber County.

The tip likely came from another student which is the 'number one way' authorities are alerted to shooter plots, according to experts.

The messages 'referenced acquiring firearms, and described the act that she was about to perform 'Like Columbine,' referring to the infamous terrorist event which occurred at Columbine High School,' the warrant says.

The messages claimed the girl, who has not been named due to her age, intended to shoot multiple people and that she was planning a mass casualty incident in April 2024.

Weber School District officials said they were made aware that a student was potentially planning to carry out an attack at Weber High School after contact with local authorities

Police raided the teenage girl's home and she confessed to sending the messages to people she met online. Investigators then seized the girl's phone as evidence.

'On the device I saw a Google search containing photos of surveillance footage of a school shooter,' the investigating deputy wrote in the affidavit.

Investigators also found text messages in which the unidentified girl talked about her plans to '''shoot up" Weber,' and that 'this shooting will be her way to 'make my mark on society.'''

In other messages, she mentioned buying napalm and putting some on her shirt. Later in the conversation, she said that her alleged act of terrorism was planned for April of 2024, the affidavit states.

Detectives also found messages in her digital diary  which had a passcode of 2024  where she wrote down her decisions, including a list of pros and cons of potential co-conspirators and the following statement: 'I need guns. And I need bullets. And I need alcohol. And I need bombs ... And I need to kill all of these (people),' according to the arrest warrant.

While searching the girl's phone, detectives found a video of the girl 'manufacturing napalm in the driveway of her home,' the warrant adds. In a video, the girl had a blue substance on her shirt that she claimed was napalm, and then lit the substance on fire.

The Weber High student was planning to carry out her terror attack in April 2024, according to her diary

'While searching the device further, in a diary entry on the diary application (the girl) stated that she had made napalm, and that it was being contained in a shed until she could attempt lighting it,' the warrant read.

Weber County Sheriff's Lt. Cortney Ryan said Tuesday that investigators couldn't find any napalm despite searching the shed and the girl's home.

However, they believe she did have some at some point.

Ryan credited authorities for working 'through the night for a couple of nights' to resolve the case and make sure 'kids were safe.'

'When we get a threat or a report, we take it very seriously,' he said.

The girl was booked into juvenile detention although her exact location and trial date remain unknown.

On Tuesday, parents of students received a letter from Weber High School about the teenage girl's plan, but said it could not provide details due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.

'The threat involved some planning on the part of the student, but there was never an imminent danger to the school or other students,' the letter says. 'Fortunately, early intervention and action by law enforcement foiled any potential acts of violence.'

The sheriff's office release said, 'Further investigation is taking place, but we are confident at this point that there were no other students, or suspects involved.'
Mr Javid also urged Britons to come forward for their booster jabs in a bid to speed up the sluggish campaign

Health Sec said that while the NHS was seeing 'greater pressure', he was confident it wasn't 'unsustainable'

In his first ever Covid press conference, Mr Javid held batted away calls for winter Plan B to be enforced

Advertisement

Sajid Javid today batted away demands from NHS bosses for the Government to revert to its Covid winter 'Plan B' amid surging infections and a sluggish booster vaccine programme.

The Health Secretary insisted ministers would not reintroduce face masks and WFH guidance 'at this point' as he addressed the nation from the podium at No10's first Covid press conference in a month.

Mr Javid said that while the NHS was seeing 'greater pressure', he was confident the pressure was not 'unsustainable'. He said ministers would 'stay vigilant' because cases could still rise to 100,000 a day this winter.

The decision by the Government to hold its nerve on restrictions will anger NHS leaders who claim hospitals are already buckling under the weight of Covid, flu and backlogs caused by the pandemic.

Mr Javid used the press conference to urge Britons to come forward for their booster jabs in a bid to speed up the sluggish vaccine campaign  which has only seen a quarter of care home residents revaccinated.

He said that the country was still ahead in the race against the virus thanks to the initial Covid vaccination effort, but claimed that waning immunity meant that lead was 'narrowing'.

Pleading with the country to get their booster, Mr Javid added that not only would a booster save lives, it would also 'protect our freedoms'. 'Boosters could not be more important,' he said.

Daily infections are currently on the brink of passing the 50,000 milestone for the first time in months. Department of Health bosses today recorded 49,139 positive tests, up 15 per cent on the previous week.

Meanwhile, hospital admissions rose by 15.3 per cent week-on-week to 869, while deaths jumped by nearly a third to 179. Both measures lag behind case numbers by a few weeks, due to the time it takes for someone to become seriously unwell after catching the virus.

Mr Javid also announced the UK has bought hundreds of thousands of 'game-changing' pills that can be used to treat Brits with Covid at home this winter.

The UK has bought 480,000 antiviral molnupiravir pills made by US pharmaceutical company Merck and 250,000 PF-073 courses from Pfizer. They still need to be approved by the UK's medical regulator before Britons can get their hands on the drugs.

Sajid Javid today left the door open for No10 to adopt its 'Plan B' in the fight against amid growing fears about the situation heading into winter

In other coronavirus developments today:

It was revealed the UK's top scientific advisors only met twice in the last three months;

Mr Kwarteng said holidays will not be cancelled again because of rising Covid cases and dismissed the idea of another lockdown;

Figures showed there are nearly a third fewer mass vaccination hubs in operation now compared to when the original two-dose Covid vaccine programme was at the peak of its powers in April;

GPs 'out-and-out rejected' No10's 250million proposals to give patients more face-to-face appointments;

Michael Gove had to be shielded by a ring of police as he was ambushed with no protection by a mob of anti-vaxxer protesters;

NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said complacency among older patients is to blame for the slow Covid booster rollout.

NHS bosses today called for ministers to bring out tough back-up restrictions  which include vaccine passports in nightclubs, face masks and WFH guidance and start forming a last-resort strategy in case the measures fail to curb pressure on hospitals over the coming weeks and months.

Experts fear the growing outbreak may have been exacerbated by an even more infectious offshoot of Delta called AY4.2. The proportion of cases made up by the sub-strain have doubled in a month, official figures show.

In his first ever Downing Street press conference, Mr Javid said the UK was seeing 'greater pressure' on the NHS but the Government will 'do what it takes to make sure that this pressure doesn't become unsustainable, and that we don't allow the NHS to become overwhelmed.'

Deaths 'remain mercifully low' at the moment, he said, but added: 'We've always known that the winter months would pose the greatest threat to our road to recovery.'

He added: 'Thanks to the vaccination programme, the link between hospitalisations and deaths has significantly weakened, but it's not broken.

'So we must all remember that this virus will be with us for the long term and remains a threat to our loved ones, and a threat to the progress that we've made in getting our nation closer to normal life.'

Mr Javid urged people to have their vaccines, including Covid boosters and jabs for flu, and said: 'If we all play our part, then we can give ourselves the best possible chance in this race, get through this winter, and enjoy Christmas with our loved ones.'

The above maps show the proportion of Covid cases that were the Delta sub-variant AY.4.2 in the fortnight to June 26 (left) and the fortnight to July 31 (right). Darker colours indicate that more cases of the sub-variant had been detected

The above maps show the proportion of cases that were AY.4.2 in the fortnight to September 25 (left) and October 9 (right). The darker colours indicate that a higher proportion of infections were down to this sub-variant.

Timelapse maps reveal how '15% more infectious' Delta offshoot 'Nu' has rapidly spread across England since it was first detected in London and the South East in June The rapid spread of a more infectious Delta variant was laid bare today by a series of maps revealing how it surged across the whole of England. One of the Government's major Covid-tracking projects first spotted the subtype  dubbed AY.4.2  in June, with 19 cases scattered across London and the South East. But within a week, the number of infections had doubled to 47, and the variant was advancing into areas of the Midlands, East of England and the South West. In just over three months it had reached almost every part of England. More than 2,500 cases of the subtype were detected across the country last week, meaning it now makes up almost 10 per cent of all infections. The hotspot is in Adur, West Sussex. Scientists say the strain  thought to be 10-15 per cent more transmissible than its ancestor  likely first emerged in the UK because of the high number of infections here compared to other countries, which gives the virus more chance to mutate. A separate dataset tracking variants globally puts its first emergence in Britain at June 14, followed by Ireland in late June, Germany in July, and Denmark and the US in August. There is no evidence that it makes vaccines less effective or is more likely to trigger hospitalisation and death but No10 has vowed to keep a 'close eye' on AY.4.2. There have been some 20,248 cases of AY.4.2 in the UK to date, data suggests, and 13 in the US. Experts believe that the World Health Organization will elevate the subtype to 'Variant under Investigation' in the coming days. It is likely to be named 'Nu', the next letter in the Greek alphabet. Advertisement

Tonight was first Covid press conference  which were a mainstay when ministers announced restrictions on freedoms during the height of the pandemic  since September 14, highlighting the escalating fears about the winter crisis.

Mr Javid told the Downing Street press conference the Government was concerned about the number of cases, but that vaccines were 'clearly working' when it came to hospital admissions and deaths.

Asked about unsustainable pressure on the health service, he said: 'We don't believe that the pressures that are currently faced by the NHS are unsustainable.

'Don't get me wrong, there are huge pressures especially in A&E, in primary care, for example, as well, but at this point we don't believe they are unsustainable.

'If we feel at any point it's becoming unsustainable then the department, together with our friends in the NHS, we won't hesitate to act.'

Mr Javid reiterated that the Government will not be implementing its Plan B strategy 'at this point'.

He added: 'We'll be staying vigilant, preparing for all eventualities while strengthening our vital defences that can help us fight back against this virus.'

Praising deals for new two antiviral treatments that can cut the risk of death for the most vulnerable as 'great news', he said: 'But we cannot be complacent when Covid-19 remains such a potent threat.'

The Health Secretary said England had reached a 'milestone' of four million top-up jabs on Wednesday, adding: 'None of us want to go backwards now.

'So we must all play our part in this national mission, and think about what we can do to make a difference.

'That means getting the jab when the time comes, whether it's for Covid-19 or flu.'

He stressed that, aside from vaccinations, people can take other - now voluntary - measures such as meeting outdoors where possible, ensuring good ventilation, wearing masks in crowded spaces and taking lateral flow tests.

He said: 'With winter soon upon us, these little steps make a big difference. And they're more important now than they have ever been.'

Dr Jenny Harries, the chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said the UK is going into winter with a 'really high level' of cases.

'What we can see is that the cases now are almost as high as they were in July and actually not far off where they were last winter,' she said.

'What we are not seeing is that dip down again at the other side of the peak and that is really important because we are kicking off the winter at a really high level of cases.

'Fortunately that is not currently working through into serious disease and deaths.'

However, she later said the last two days have seen the highest death rates for some time, adding that the number of deaths are 'moving in the wrong direction'.

There have been suggestions that the variant may be elevated to 'Variant under Investigation'. If this is the case the World Health Organization is likely to give it the name 'Nu', which is the next letter in the Greek alphabet

Matthew Taylor (left), chief executive of the NHS Confederation, has urged the Government to implement the back-up strategy amid rising Covid cases. But Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng (pictured today, right) said the Government does not 'feel that it's the time for Plan B right now'

The graph shows the proportion of cases sequenced in England that are the new subvariant AY.4.2 (yellow) and Delta (blue). Delta became dominant in the UK in May, overtaking the previously dominant Alpha strain (purple)

Only a QUARTER of care home residents have had their Covid booster vaccine Just over a quarter of care home residents have had a Covid booster vaccine, data shows amid fears that millions of elderly Britons will be left vulnerable to the virus this winter. NHS England data shows that just 27.8 per cent of care home residents have received their crucial third dose and only 14.1 per cent of staff have been boosted. That's despite the booster rollout launching over a month ago and care home residents and their carers being highlighted as the top priority groups. The data also shows that little over half of eligible people over the age of 80 in England have been given a booster, while just a third of 75 to 79-year-olds have been revaccinated. Pressure is mounting on the Government to get the sluggish programme up to speed as daily infections approach peak-second-wave levels and the NHS gears up for a harsh winter. Members of No10's own scientists have publicly called for ministers to hurry up with the programme, which prompted Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng to admit today it was 'something that we really need to address'. NHS England boss Amanda Pritchard yesterday claiming the elderly are not coming forward quickly enough for their boosters. But sources close to the booster drive told MailOnline capacity is also an issue, with figures showing there are nearly a third fewer mass vaccination hubs in operation now compared to April, when more than 400,000 extra jabs a day were being dished out. An NHS practice manager said GPs are prioritising clearing the record-breaking backlog of 5.7million patients waiting for routine treatment in the UK over dishing out jabs. Advertisement

Daily Covid figures released today show England recorded 41,498 new infections, 2,768 cases were confirmed in Scotland, while 3,450 were spotted in Wales and 1,423 in Northern Ireland.

An average of 45,800 daily infections have been recorded every day in the last week.

And week-on-week infection rates were rising in every age group in England, apart from 80 to 84-yea-olds, on October 15  the latest date the figures are available for.

Some 8.5million positive tests have been registered across the UK since the pandemic began. But the real infection number is many millions higher, due to the limited testing capacity at the start of the crisis and not everyone who catches the virus coming forward for a test.

Meanwhile, hospitalisations within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test have increased week-on-week for the tenth day in a row.

Some 850 patients have been Covid hospitalised per day in the last seven days on average  the highest figure in a month, but a fraction of the more than 4,000 recorded at the peak of the second wave in January.

And a further 179 coronavirus deaths were recorded, after a six-month high of 223 was recorded yesterday.

The increase in cases has been in part blamed on the new variant, which academics estimate may be up to 15 per cent more transmissible than the original Delta, which rapidly became dominant in Britain in the spring before taking off worldwide.

It has been detected in almost every part of the country, figures show, and it's thought to be behind almost 60 per cent of positive tests sampled sequenced in Adur, West Sussex.

No10 yesterday said it was 'keeping a very close eye' on AY.4.2 but insisted there is 'no evidence' that it spreads easier. Boris Johnson's official spokesperson also warned the Government 'won't hesitate to take action if necessary'.

Experts suggested the uptick of AY.4.2  one of 45 sub-lineages of Delta  may be partly to blame, along with the return of pupils to classrooms from August and workers to offices.

Professor Francois Balloux, director of the University College London Genetics Institute, told the Financial Times the strain could be the most infectious subvariant seen since the pandemic began.

But he noted Britain is the only country where the sub-lineage has 'taken off', so its quick growth could be a 'chance demographic event'.

The World Health Organization will likely elevate AY.4.2 to a 'variant under investigation', which means it would be given a name under its Greek letter naming system, Professor Balloux added.

Earlier, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of NHS Confederation  an organisation that represents NHS trusts  warned the health service is preparing for 'the most challenging winter on record' and risks 'stumbling into a crisis' without urgent action to stem the growing outbreak.

He said the 'consequence of not acting now' would be the NHS struggling to tackle the record-breaking backlog of 5.7million patients waiting for routine surgery. Hospital bosses already fear the waiting list will not be cleared for at least five years.

Mr Taylor told the Guardian: 'We are right on the edge  and it is the middle of October. It would require an incredible amount of luck for us not to find ourselves in the midst of a profound crisis over the next three months.

'The government ought to not just announce that we're moving to Plan B, but it should be Plan B plus. We should do what's in Plan B in terms of masks [and] working from home, but also we should try to achieve the kind of national mobilisation that we achieved in the first and second waves, where the public went out of their way to support and help the health service.'

In a second interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Taylor said the NHS was facing a 'perfect storm'.

'I think the Government needs to look at all those measures which science tells us can reduce the spread of the virus and further down the line the number of people going into hospital and dying,' he said.

'The winter is always tight for the NHS for a number of reasons. You add in Covid patients, then you add in pent up demand of people on waiting lists and those who haven't gone to the doctor and are now presenting with quite challenging symptoms.

'I speak to health service leaders every day and I have literally not spoken to any leader who doesn't say their service is under intense pressure now. We are in October and it is only going to get worse.'

He added: 'The risk of the NHS being overwhelmed is there. At the moment the system is working flat out and those winter pressures are going to grow.

'One of the consequences of not taking action is it will be very difficult to make any progress at all for those people who have been waiting a very long time for treatment.'

The map shows the proportion of cases caused by AY.4.2 in the fortnight to October 9, with darker colours equating to more infections caused by the subvariant. Data from the Sanger Institute shows 8.9 per cent of all Covid-positive nose and throat swabs sequenced in England were caused by AY.4.2. It statistics suggests the sub-lineage is most prevalent in Adur, where 61 per cent of all positive samples sequenced were linked with AY.4.2. The subvariant also seems to be highly prevalent in East Lindsey (46 per cent) and Torridge (41 per cent)

The prevalence of the Delta strain, which was first detected in the UK in March and became dominant within two months, grew much faster than AY.4.2 has grown so far. Delta is still responsible for nine in 10 infections in England

Government's SAGE scientists have met just TWICE over the last three months The UK's top scientific advisors have only met twice in the last three months, it was revealed today amid fears a fourth Covid wave is just around the corner. SAGE, which has guided the Government through the Covid pandemic, last met on October 15. The October meeting was the second in as many months, with the influential panel last coming together before that on September 9. The group  which includes England's chief medical officer professor Chris Whitty, Government chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, and 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson, among others, didn't meet in August at all. Labour today claimed it 'beggars belief' as to why Sage was 'effectively stood down', with cases having soared to a three-month high of around 45,000. There were 223 recorded deaths from the virus in the UK yesterday, the highest total since March, a month in which Sage met three times alone. It is understood that both Professor Whitty and Sir Patrick have raised alarm about the figures in recent days and that internal discussions in Government have turned to possibly reimposing some of the milder lockdown measures this winter. Though Downing Street is reportedly resistant to this. There are also concerns about the rise of a new Delta variant of the virus in the UK. The variant called AY.4.2, could be up to 10 to 15 per cent more infectious than its ancestor. This, combined with a slow rollout of the Covid booster programme, with nearly 5million vulnerable adults yet to receive theirs, indicates there may be some dire weeks to come in Britain's fight against Covid. SAGE meetings have diminished in frequency since February, when the second wave was just starting to fizzle out. Since then the group has mostly met thrice or twice a month but August this year was the first time the group did not meet at all since the pandemic began. In comparison, SAGE met four times in August 2020, six times in September 2020, and five times in October last year as the country headed into the colder months and the onset of the second wave of the virus. It contains some of the UK's leading epidemiologists, virologists and other health experts, with meetings also regularly attended by government officials. At meetings they analyse the latest trends of how Covid has been spreading in the UK, and the latest research into the virus and how it can be contained and treated. Advertisement

He said: 'The emergence of yet another more transmissible strain would be suboptimal.

'Though, this is not a situation comparable to the emergence of Alpha and Delta that were far more transmissible  50 per cent or more  than any strain in circulation at the time.

'Here we are dealing with a potential small increase in transmissibility that would not have a comparable impact on the pandemic.'

The UK Health Security Agency, which took over from the now-defunct PHE, revealed in a report on Friday that the subvariant is expanding in England.

It includes two mutations  called Y145H and A222V  and is being monitored, the UKHSA said.

Both of these spike mutations have been found in other virus lineages since the pandemic began  but are not present on any current variant of concern.

Professor Balloux said the mutations are not obviously linked with increased transmissibility or evading protection granted by vaccines.

Only three AY.4.2 cases have been spotted in the US, while two per cent of cases in Denmark are caused by the sub-lineage, he added.

Data from the Sanger Institute suggests the sub-lineage is most prevalent in Adur, where 61 per cent of all positive samples sequenced were linked with AY.4.2.

The subvariant also seems to be highly prevalent in East Lindsey (46 per cent) and Torridge (41 per cent).

It comes as the UK recorded 49,156 new Covid infections yesterday, marking another three-month high. Hospitalisations and deaths are also on the rise.

Some experts have said the subvariant may be behind the surge, which other European countries are not seeing to the same extent.

Former US Food and Drug Administration commissioner Scott Gottlieb tweeted on Sunday: 'We need urgent research to figure out if this 'delta plus' is more transmissible, has partial immune evasion.'

But Dr Jeffrey Barrett, director of the Covid Genomics Initiative at the Sanger Institute, told the Financial Times AY.4.2 alone does not explain the the UK's caseload, which is instead linked to the UK imposing less restrictions than other countries.

Professor Balloux said its rapid spread 'could have caused a small number of additional cases', but added: 'It hasn't been driving the recent increase in case numbers in the UK.'

Official figures have shown cases are also being fuelled by youngsters returning to classrooms last month, with as many as one in 12 being infected.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said the Government is 'keeping a very close eye on' the subvariant.

They said: 'There's no evidence to suggest that this variant  the AY.4.2 one  is more easily spread. There's no evidence for that but as you would expect we're monitoring it closely and won't hesitate to take action if necessary.'

Dr Alexander Edwards, an immunologist at the University of Reading, told MailOnline it would be concerning if a variant starts to dominant that evades vaccine immunity.

He said: 'Before the successful rollout of vaccines, this was less likely to happen, but now, with such a high proportion of the population infected, alongside waning immunity, now is the time to be extra vigilant.

'Luckily, we can redesign our vaccines very quickly now, so there isn't yet anything to be afraid of.

'But any efforts made now to reduce cases and improve immunity  through boosters, vaccinating younger people, testing and effective isolating  could pay off if they cut the risk of vaccine evading variants.'

Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at the University of Warwick, told MailOnline the detection of AY.4.2 'highlights the need for continued genomic surveillance of the virus'.

Experts will need to monitor it to determine 'if it really is more transmissible and if it has any impact of the efficacy of vaccination', he said.

Professor Young added: 'The continued spread of the virus at a high level in the UK increases the risk of variants being generated that could be more infectiousness and more able to evade vaccine-induced immunity.'

Cabinet minister rules out any new lockdown Kwasi Kwarteng has ruled out a winter lockdown despite 'concerns' around the slow booster Covid vaccine rollout. The Business Secretary said No10 is concerned about the slow uptake of third jabs in light of rising Covid cases. But he said that ministers 'don't want to go back into further restrictions' and noted there were no vaccines this time last year. Mr Kwarteng told Sky News: 'I think the conversation about restrictions on travel, restrictions on more lockdowns is completely unhelpful. 'The vaccine has changed our total approach to this and has given us a measure of security that is very important. I would rule [lockdowns] out. 'As the Health Secretary said it's something we're going to have to live with and I think we are managing the situation.' A total of 43,738 positive tests were recorded yesterday, a 16 per cent week-on-week increase. A further 223 deaths were registered, the highest single-day reported figure since March. Advertisement

Meanwhile, the Government announced today it has bought hundreds of thousands of 'game-changing' pills that can be used to treat Brits with Covid at home this winter.

It has purchased 480,000 antiviral molnupiravir pills made by US pharmaceutical company Merck and 250,000 PF-073 courses from Pfizer, which makes the vaccine currently deployed for booster jabs in the UK.

Officials did not disclose how much the drugs cost the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) but the US in June spent $1.2billion (869million) on an order of 1.7million molnupiravir courses. If the drugs are priced the same in Britain they are likely to have cost around 245million.

At a manufacturing cost of just $17.74 (12.84)  according to a report by the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and King's College Hospital  that would represent a mark-up of 40 times what it takes to produce.

The drugs are pending approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which could come as early as mid-November according to officials, but Merck's pills are expected to be available from 'this summer', according to Mr Javid.

A landmark study at the start of the month showed the drug  taken twice a day  can cut hospitalisations and deaths by up to 50 per cent. It works by disrupting the Covid virus's ability to reproduce in the human body.

Pfizer's treatment  which is a combination of an other antiviral used in combination with ritonavir, which is usually used to treat HIV  has yet to finish clinical trials and is therefore not expected to be approved until later in the year, with officials predicting it will be sanctioned from mid-December at the earliest and January at the latest.

Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock set up the Antivirals Taskforce in April to help add to the NHS's arsenal of treatments for Covid.

It aimed to have two new drugs available by the end of year  something which it will have failed to do should Pfizer's pill not be is not approved before January.

They are committed to finding 'novel antiviral medicines', the Department of Health said, meaning drugs not currently being used by the NHS or sold commercially are being pushed through clinical trials over the summer.

Around 3.7million third vaccines have been dished out to over-50s and the immuno-compromised in England as of Sunday (purple line), the latest date data is available for. But some 8.5million people are currently eligible for a booster dose, having received their second jab six months ago (green line). means 4.8million people may be suffering from waning immunity

How much more infectious is AY.4.2? Is it more deadly? Where has it been spotted? How much more infectious is AY.4.2? Experts estimate the newly-emerged AY.4.2 subvariant is 10 to 15 per cent more transmissible than its ancestor. Its prevalence in England doubled in a month from being behind four per cent of cases in September to 8.9 per cent in the two weeks to October 9. But experts will need to keep monitoring the sub-lineage to determine if it really is more infectious. Is AY.4.2 more deadly than earlier versions of Delta? There is no evidence AY.4.2 is more deadly than earlier versions of the Delta strain, which was first identified in India last December. Deaths in England have been relatively flat for months. Due to the time it takes for someone to catch the virus and become seriously unwell, any impact the subvariant has on deaths will likely not be clear for weeks. Where has AY.4.2 been spotted? The subvariant has been spotted in nearly every part of England. Data from the Sanger Institute, which sequences thousands of Covid samples in England every week, suggest the sub-lineage is most prevalent in Adur, where 61 per cent of all positive samples sequenced were linked with AY.4.2. The subvariant also seems to be highly prevalent in East Lindsey (46 per cent) and Torridge (41 per cent). Is it behind the surge in cases? Some experts have said the subvariant may be behind the surge in cases in the UK, which other European countries are not seeing to the same extent. But Dr Jeffrey Barrett, director of the Covid Genomics Initiative at the Sanger Institute, said AY.4.2 alone does not explain the the UK's caseload, which is instead linked to the UK imposing less restrictions than other countries. And as AY.4.2 is still at fairly low frequency, a 10 per cent increase its transmissibility would have only triggered a small number of extra cases. Official figures have shown cases are also being fuelled by youngsters returning to classrooms last month, with as many as one in 12 being infected. Advertisement

It comes as official figures show nearly 5million vulnerable adults have yet to receive a Covid booster vaccine, after Downing Street admitted Britain faces a 'challenging' winter.

Despite the NHS top-up programme launching over a month ago, only around 3.7million out of the 8.5m eligible people in England have received the crucial third dose.

No10's scientists approved plans to revaccinate all healthy over-50s, frontline health staff and carers and patients with underlying medical conditions six months after their second dose, after evidence showed it was the 'sweet spot' for immunity.

The lagging rollout has left around 4.8m people with sub-optimal immunity as the country moves into the colder months and faces the double threat of increasing case numbers and flu.

SAGE adviser 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson, an epidemiologist at Imperial College London, yesterday insisted it was 'critical we accelerate' the booster drive to give ourselves the best chance of avoiding having to bring back curbs.

And Sir David King, who was the Government's chief scientific adviser from 2000 to 2007, criticised the rollout for moving 'extremely slowly'.

Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of the NHS, insisted the health service has 'plenty of capacity' to vaccinate all eligible people immediately but said people are not coming forward quickly enough. She told MPs on the Health Committee: 'It's really important that we now absolutely do get the message out that is Covid is still with us.'

But some experts also say the booster programme is going slower because the UK is juggling administering first jabs to children in secondary schools and running the largest flu vaccination programme in history.

Pictures yesterday show clinics lying virtually empty, some of which are not open for booster jab walk-ins  further highlighting the complexity of Britain's current rollout.

It comes against the backdrop of rising cases with 49,156 infections recorded yesterday  the highest daily figure in three months. Downing Street warned that Britons should prepare for a 'challenging few months'

Boris Johnson's spokesman said there were 'currently' no plans to reintroduce Plan B restrictions  which include face masks and working from home guidance  but that ministers were keeping 'a very close watch on the latest statistics'.

Britain led the world in the initial vaccine rollout, but it has now slumped behind Italy, Spain and France in terms of the percentage of the population to be double-jabbed.

This is because it delayed rolling out jabs to healthy children, whereas most EU members approved those plans much quicker.

All over-50s and the clinically vulnerable can get a booster jab from six months after their second dose.

But experts have warned that at the current rate the most vulnerable will not all receive their third vaccination until the end of January.

Asked if Covid booster jabs are the answer to waning immunity, Professor Ferguson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Absolutely, and there's data coming through now, which is not completely clear cut, but good data coming through from Israel, which shows that, if you've had the third booster dose of the vaccine, then you get very high loads, better than even you had after the second dose.

'And so I do think it's critical we accelerate the booster programme.

'The other thing is infection rates are highest in teenagers at the moment and most other European countries are ahead of us in vaccinating teenagers and giving them two doses, not just one dose.

'Two doses really are needed to block infection and prevent transmission, so I think that's the other problem, keep pushing on, getting coverage rates up higher in the teenagers who are driving a lot of this infection.'

He also called for face coverings to be brought back to remind people to be cautious in everyday interactions and 'remind people we're not completely out of the woods yet'.

All legal Covid restrictions were lifted in England on 'Freedom Day' in July, bringing an end to mandatory coverings indoors. However, people are still required by some transport companies and in medical settings  and No10 still advises people wear them in crowded environments.

Ministers are keeping masks, WFH guidance and controversial vaccine passports in their back pocket as part of the Government's 'Plan B', if an expected surge in cases this winter heaps unsustainable pressure on the NHS.

Professor Ferguson, an epidemiologist who sits on SAGE, admitted some measures have to be rolled back, in the event of an uptick in infections.

But speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he ruled out another blanket shut-down. He said: 'I doubt we'll ever get close to [the] lockdown we were in in January of this year.'
Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was awarded the European Union's top human rights prize today.

In awarding the Sakharov Prize to Navalny, the European Parliament praised his 'immense personal bravery.'

The 45-year-old activist was poisoned with a nerve agent, known as novichok, last year and promptly arrested upon his return to Moscow from treatment in Germany and later imprisoned.

'He has campaigned consistently against the corruption of Vladimir Putin's regime, and through his social media accounts and political campaigns, Navalny has helped expose abuses and mobilize the support of millions of people across Russia. For this, he was poisoned and thrown in jail,' parliament President David Sassoli in a statement.

Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was awarded the European Union's top human rights prize today

Sassoli called for Navalny's immediate release.

The recognition of Navalny will further sour relations between the 27-nation bloc and Russia.

These ties have been on the decline for years, especially following Moscow's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and its support for a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine.

The impact reverberated beyond the EU as well.

Days after Russia suspended its mission at NATO and ordered the closure of the alliance's office in Moscow in retaliation for NATO's expulsion of Russian diplomats, the organization's chief said he embraced the news.

'I welcome the fact that a strong voice ... in Russia has been awarded this prize,' NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters. He said the prize was also a call for 'his unconditional release from prison' and to have an 'international investigation' into it.

Stoltenberg recalled that NATO considered the treatment of Navalny as part of a 'pattern where we see that Russia has become more oppressive at home and more aggressive abroad.'

Russia's treatment of Navalny has only exacerbated matters. The EU has been calling for his immediate and unconditional release in what it sees as a politically motivated imprisonment and has said it holds Moscow responsible for his health.

The EU imposed sanctions last year on six senior Russian officials for their alleged involvement in the poisoning of Navalny. The Kremlin has denied any involvement.

With the standoff between Brussels and Moscow continuing, the move by European legislators in awarding the prize to Navalny put it back at the heart of the political debate.

'It is an important signal, also to the Kremlin, that the EU will not give in to pressure and blackmail or be fooled by empty promises,' said Sergey Lagodinsky, a Greens/EFA MEP from Germany.

Navalny's top associate Leonid Volkov, tweeted that the prize was 'well-deserved,' and he thanked all those who have supported the opposition leader.

The 45-year-old activist was poisoned with a nerve agent, known as novichok, last year and promptly arrested upon his return to Moscow from treatment in Germany and later imprisoned

'Hoorah!' tweeted another Navalny's ally, Ivan Zhdanov

The 50,000-euro (42,136) prize will be presented at the Dec. 15 session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. Other candidates had included a group of Afghan women, and imprisoned Bolivian politician and former interim President Jeanine Anez.

The Afghan women, who include human rights activists, a journalist and cultural figures, had also been strong contenders.

The fate of Afghan women has taken centre stage since the Taliban took power in the wake of the U.S. military departure from the country in August.

Despite initial promises to protect the rights of women, especially in education, the Taliban have come under criticism, including from the United Nations, for not sticking to those commitments.

The EU award, named for Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, was created in 1988 to honour individuals or groups who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms. Sakharov, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, died in 1989.

It was the second straight year it has gone to those challenging authoritarian leaders.

Last year, it went to the Belarus opposition movement and its leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, for their challenge to President Alexander Lukashenko's rule following a widely disputed election in 2020.
The massive search for Gabby Petito after the Florida woman vanished in September and was later found dead in a Wyoming national park has resulted in at least nine bodies of other missing people being discovered.

Authorities began searching for Petito when she was reported missing on September 11. Her body was found in Wyoming on September 19, two days after Laundrie, the sole person of interest in her death, disappeared from his home in Florida.

The search for Laundrie may have come to an end Wednesday when human remains were found in the Florida reserve where the prime suspect in her death had escaped

But the national manhunt and suspected sightings of Laundrie by police everywhere from Florida to along the Appalachian trail to the West Coast have uncovered other tragic victims.

The most recent body found was that of 22-year-old Emily Ferlazzo in a case with shocking similarities to Petito's. Ferlazzo was reported missing by her parents on Monday after her 41-year-old husband, Joseph Ferlazzo, returned to her parents' house in New Hampshire to tell them he had not seen his wife since Saturday.

The couple were living in a small bus that they had renovated into a home and had driven to Vermont to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. The day after Emily was reported missing, Joseph allegedly confessed to shooting her in the end and dismembering her body in their camper.

Joseph Ferlazzo, 41, has confessed and plead not guilty to shooting and dismembering his wife Emily, 22, while traveling for their first wedding anniversary in the small bus they converted into a living and traveling space

Human remains were found in the Yucca Valley on Saturday, near where New Jersey woman Lauren Cho, 30, disappeared June 28

The remains of Sara Bayard, 55, were found off a highway in El Paso County, Colorado, an area Petito and Laundrie had visited and posted Instagram pictures

Investigators found that Josue Calderon, 33, had been stabbed to death along the Appalachian trail in North Carolina. Rumors quickly began that the body may have belonged to Laundrie

Police located the camper that Joseph had ditched to discover bags of human remains, a handgun, and a handsaw. The human remains were sent to the medical examiner on Wednesday to be identified. Despite his earlier confession, Joseph pled not guilty on Wednesday.

Petito's case can be credited in some capacity for three unrelated bodies that were found in different states on Saturday, October 9.

Human remains were found in a California desert on October 9 during a search for a missing New Jersey woman who disappeared June 28. Lauren Cho of Flemington, New Jersey, was in Yucca Valley, which is where she was last seen, with her friends and former boyfriend.

Friends say she had planned to move out West with her former boyfriend Chris Orell and live a more 'creative' life where she planned to start her own food truck.

The remains found in California currently have no definite connection to the 30-year-old, but coroners are in the process of identifying the body and determining a cause of death which could take weeks. The area where the body was found is near where Cho was last seen before she became 'upset and presumably walked away from the resort, leaving behind her personal belongings,' her friends told Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Renewed interest in Cho's case developed as people began to recognize cases similar to Petito's that were not receiving the same amount of national attention, specifically when involving women of color.

The remains of Sara Bayard was also discovered on October 9 after being reported missing on July 4 but last seen at a gas station in Douglas County on June 28.

Her remains were found off the highway in Douglas county and identified several days later. The investigation into the cause of death for the 55-year-old has stalled due to the lack of body tissue that were found with her remains, which were mostly bones.

Bayard was reported missing in Douglas County the same day that Petito posted an Instagram picture at Monument Rocks, also in Douglas County.

The third body found on October 9, has been identified as Josue Calderon. The body of the 33-year-old man from Rhode Island was discovered stabbed to death on the Blue Ridge Parkway along the Appalachian Trail below the Yadkin Valley Overlook in North Carolina.

Before Calderon was identified, rumors began to circulate that the body may belong to Laundrie who the FBI and other investigators have been searching for along the Appalachian Trail.

Miya Marcano, 19, was found dead on October 2 in Orlando, Florida. Her parents believe her case could have had a different outcome if authorities had given it the same attention Petito's case received

Robert Lowery died by suicide in Grand Tetons National Park, near where Petito's body was found

Kylen Schulte, 24, and Crystal Turner, 38, were both shot and killed at a campsite outside Moab, Utah in August, their case was initially investigated to find potential links to Petito's disappearance

The family of slain 19-year-old college student Miya Marcano have directly called out authorities for putting more effort into Petito's case than they did Marcano's, who went missing two weeks after Petito.

Marcano was reported missing on September 24, after she finished her shift at the Arden Villas apartment complex where she lived and missed her flight home to South Florida.

The sole suspect in her death, Armando Caballero, was a maintenance worker at the apartment complex who investigators said used his maintenance master key fob to break into and wait in her apartment. The 27-year-old was found hanged on September 27.

Marcano's body was later found on October 2 in a wooded area near her apartment building with her mouth, arms and legs bound with duct tape, the cause of death has yet to be determined police reported.

But her family has accused authorities of not treating Marcano's case as a 'high priority' case which they believe could have saved their loved one's life.

'I think it's very interesting that we have two of these cases happening pretty simultaneously. And I think what it does is it really gives the world an opportunity to see sometimes some of the differences that you have in the coverage that each case receives,' Daryl Washington, the attorney for the Marcano family, told Insider.

'This is by no means anything against Gabby's family,' he continued. 'I do think they do deserve the type of attention that they're getting.'

Another body was rumored to belong to Laundrie, when a male body was found in a dumpster at an Alabama Walmart on September 20, the same day police received several reports of potential sightings of the fugitive nearby in Tillmans Corner.

The Mobile County Sheriffs Office denied that the body was connected to the Petito case and later confirmed that the body belonged to an unnamed homeless man.

The search for Petito's body in Grand Teton National Park, where her remains were found, lead authorities to discover the body of a missing Texas father.

Gabby Petito's parents founded the Gabby Petito Foundation to help missing person cases and victims of domestic violence

Brian Laundrie is the sole suspect in Petito's death. Authorities have continued to search for him since he was reported missing on September 17

Robert 'Bob' Lowery, 46, of Houston disappeared on August 20 after he was last seen carrying a black duffel bag, sleeping bag and tent in Bridger-Teton National Forest.

His body was discovered on September 28, nearly a week after Petito was found, following a four-hour search that included three K-9 teams and 25 search volunteers. It has been determined the father of two died by suicide.

When Petito's case first made headlines, authorities were investigating the connection to her disappearance with a recent double homicide of a newly wed couple who were last seen in Moab, Utah at the same time Petito and Laundrie traveled through the area.

One of the women also worked at the Moonflower Community Cooperative where Laundrie was seen hitting Petito before their notorious separation by police.

Kylen Schulte, 24, and Crystal Turner, 38, were reported missing on August 16 and found dead and partially undressed on August 18, an hour outside of Moab where they were shot and killed.

They reportedly had been camping in the La Sal Mountains and told friends of a 'creepy man' that had been bothering them and that 'if something happened to them, that they were murdered.'

The Grand County Sheriffs Office released a statement saying they found no connection between the Schulte/ Turner and Petito case but some, including private investigator Jason Jensen, has not ruled out a connection.

Jensen said that until it can be proven that Laundrie was not in the area at the time of the double homicide, 'he cant be ruled out,' according to ABC 4.

While Petito's case has lead to increased interest in missing persons and domestic violence cases, many families are still searching for their loved ones.

Petito's parents recently founded the Gabby Petito Foundation 'to address the needs of organizations that support locating missing persons and to provide aid to organizations that assist victims of domestic violence situations.'
The government's new social mobility tsar Katharine Birbalsingh today called for a national campaign to stop parents giving toddlers mobile phones.

Ms Birbalsingh, who developed a reputation as one of the country's toughest headteachers, insisted the devices should be off limits.

But the comments, in evidence to MPs, could infuriate struggling parents who have to juggle work and other commitments with looking after their offspring.

Asked about what she wanted to achieve in her new role, Ms Birbalsingh told the Women and Equalities Committee: 'My initial thoughts are that I would like national campaigns on things like phones and not giving them to your toddler.

Katharine Birbalsingh, who developed a reputation as one of the country's toughest headteachers, insisted mobile phones should be off limits for toddlers

Ms Birbalsingh said giving young children phones makes it more difficult for them to engage in reading, because a 'book that's black and white and flat' is less interesting than a tablet (file picture)

The rules at Michaela Community School Follow instructions the first time they are given

Keep to correct uniform and wear it smartly, leaving electronic items, food, drink, gum, and anything else not needed for school, at home

Speak at an appropriate volume

Sit listening silently in the correct place, unless given permission otherwise

School shoes should be black, flat and logo free. Trainers, boots, suede and logos are not allowed at school. Similarly, shoes that are considered to be trainer-like in appearance are not allowed. This ruling also applies to branded shoes.

Hair will be in a conventional style. Hair styles that grow out instead of down, and therefore do not touch the collar, must look professional

If a pupil attends school with a pattern shaved into their eyebrow, they will be banned from attending school until it grows back fully or the school will insist the entire eyebrow is shaved off

Pupils in Year 7 to 11 must not wear any make-up whatsoever

Nail varnish of any description, nail extensions and henna decorations are also forbidden

No jewellery whatsoever except a plain and functional watch

Michaela does not have a prayer room Advertisement

'I would love it if we could get to a point where, (it is considered) in the same way that we know that you should eat four or five fruit or vegetables in a day, or drink eight glasses of water a day.

'We know this because the campaigning has been so clear, and it's happened over time  years and years, it's everywhere  it just becomes part of the national consciousness.

'I would love it if things like 'don't give your child a phone' were to become part of the national consciousness.'

She added that giving young children phones makes it more difficult for them to engage in reading, because a 'book that's black and white and flat' is less interesting than a tablet which has 'all sorts of flashing images and colours and adverts'.

Ms Birbalsingh has been dubbed a 'tiger headmistress', and is the founder and head of Michaela Community School in Brent, North London, where Year 7 pupils are taught how to sit properly on a chair.

New students are also shown how to walk to lessons quickly in single file and how to concentrate on the teacher, to instil good behaviour as soon as they arrive.

They are told to keep their shirts tucked in and to pick up crumbs from the floor after eating at a boot camp, which teaches pupils how to 'behave in the Michaela way'.

She is taking over the role from Dame Martina Milburn, who resigned on May 5, 2020 - telling Boris Johnson the role needed expanding to effectively tackle the issue.

Ms Birbalsingh has been praised by Minister for Women & Equalities Liz Truss for maintaining 'high standards'.

And she said she would use her new position to develop a society that 'provides an equal chance for all'.

Ms Birbalsingh will remain the head of the school while on the commission.

In 2010, Ms Birbalsingh told delegates at a Tory party conference that educational standards have been 'so dumbed down that even the teachers know it' and that schools are bound by too many targets that prevent them from teaching properly.

She credits her father, who received an 'old-fashioned British education in British Guyana', with her success.

She has since spoken out against schools teaching about 'white privilege', saying it gives black British children the impression that the education system and society is pitted against them.

In June, she said teachers should avoid talking about race to students and stick to 'teaching them maths and English'.

Ms Birbalsingh said the secret to success for a child of 'any colour' is to have a family that supports their education, makes them do their homework and will force them 'off their phones'.

Earlier this year, Ms Birbalsingh also took a swipe at at 'woke culture' for 'mercilessly attacking' black conservatives who 'dare to think for themselves'.

Taking aim at those behind the abuse of race report chairman Tony Sewell, Ms Birbalsingh accused 'leftists' of driving their own 'cultural racism' by attempting to shut down opposing views.
Advertisement

A real-life Fawlty Towers hotel where guests have mocked the complimentary tap water and the Pot Noodle displays is up for sale for 400,000.

The Llandudno Hotel on the North Wales coast has been savaged by reviewers on TripAdvisor and will be available for less than the price of many one-bedroom flats in London.

Holidaymakers have given the hotel a 2.5-star rating on the website, with more than half rating it as 'terrible'.

A real-life Fawlty Towers hotel where guests have mocked the complimentary tap water and the Pot Noodle displays is up for sale for 400,000

The Llandudno Hotel on the North Wales coast has been savaged by reviewers on TripAdvisor and will be available for less than the price of a one-bedroom flat in London

Holidaymakers have given the hotel a 2.5-star rating on the website, with more than half rating it as 'terrible'

Guests mocked the hotel for being just like Basil Fawlty's notorious guesthouse with savage reviews about the service

One reviewer said it was an 'awful' experience and commented on the 'complimentary tap water', adding 'the Pot Noodle display topped it off'.

Another wrote about the 12-bedroom guesthouse: 'Fawlty Towers comes to mind.'

One guest offered a more positive review of their stay, saying they had a 'very good experience' at the hotel which had some 'really nice touches'.

The hotel in North Wales sits in the centre of a seaside resort just like the eponymous hotel in John Cleese's classic sitcom.

The Llandudno was originally a pub called the George and the Dragon which opened in the 1830s before it became a hotel in 1842.

One reviewer said it was an 'awful' experience and commented on the 'complimentary tap water', adding 'the Pot Noodle display topped it off'

One guest offered a more positive review of their stay, saying they had a 'very good experience' at the hotel which had some 'really nice touches'

The hotel in North Wales sits in the centre of a seaside resort just like the eponymous hotel in John Cleese's classic sitcom

The resort has suffered during the pandemic but there has recently been a huge influx of visitors heading to the popular holiday destination.

Agent Edward Mellor said this makes it a good investment opportunity for its new owner.

The online auction takes place on October 27.

A spokesman for the hotel told the Daily Post it was in a great location and had massive potential.

He added: 'This could be a real success story for someone in Llandudno.'

The hotel has not responded to requests for a comment about the sale.

The resort has suffered during the pandemic but there has recently been a huge influx of visitors heading to the popular holiday destination

Agent Edward Mellor said it is a good investment opportunity for its new owner and has great potential in a popular resort destination

Families staying at the 12 bedroom guesthouse joked they were offered 'complimentary tap water' during their stay
Two New York lawyers pleaded guilty on Wednesday to federal charges for their roles in a Molotov cocktail attack targeting an NYPD vehicle during the May 2020 Black Lives Matter protests sparked by George Floyd's death.

Prosecutors said one of the lawyers, Urooj Rahman, threw a gasoline-filled bottle into an empty police vehicle, attempted to distribute Molotov cocktails to others, and then fled in a minivan driven by Colinford Mattis.

The incident came during Brooklyn protests after Floyd, a black man, was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis, sparking widespread protests against racism and police violence.

Scroll down for video

New York lawyers Urooj Rahman (left) and Colinford Mattis (right) on Wednesday pleaded guilty to one count each of possessing or making a destructive device stemming from a Molotov cocktail attack targeting an NYPD vehicle

Rahman is pictured holding a beer bottle allegedly containing gasoline and toilet paper at a BLM protest in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, on May 29

Rahman, 32, and Mattis, 34, each pleaded guilty in federal court in Brooklyn to a single count of possessing or making a destructive device.

'I deeply regret my conduct and wish I had made better choices on that night,' Mattis said.

Rahman also expressed regret, and both acknowledged that they would likely be disbarred as a result of their guilty pleas.

US District Judge Brian Cogan set their sentencing for February 8. They face up to 10 years in prison under a terrorism-related sentencing provision.

Rahman and Mattis had agreed not to appeal any sentence of five years or less.

'The terrorism enhancement is going to be a big issue. I have no idea where Im going to come out on that,' Cogan said.

During Wednesday's hearing, prosecuting US Attorney Ian Richardson read aloud Mattis and Rahman's text messages, in which the duo purportedly advocated for the destruction of government property, reported ABC News.

'I hope they burn everything down. Need to burn all the police stations down,' Richardson quoted one message as saying.

In an interview last year, Rahman declared: 'What I saw was targeting a property. No property is above a human life

'Set a police car on fire after a lot of fights and check my story to see the trajectory of burning,' another text, to which Mattis replied, 'Go burn down 1PP,' an apparent reference to NYPD headquarters at One Police Plaza.

Mattis, a Princeton and New York University Law School graduate, worked as an associate at Pryor Cashman until he was furloughed in April 2020 in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, and then suspended following his arrest. Rahman, who earned her degree from Fordham Law School, represented tenants in the Bronx as a public interest lawyer.

The pair had previously defended their actions, saying all they did was destroy property and that they were being made an example of by the very police they were protesting against.

In an interview last year, Rahman declared: 'What I saw was targeting a property. No property is above a human life. Destruction of property is nothing compared to the murder of a human life.

'This is the way people show their anger and frustration. Nothing else works,' she added.

Rahman (left) is a graduate of Fordham Law School. Mattis (right), meanwhile, graduated from Princeton before studying at New York University Law School

On May 29, 2020, surveillance cameras purportedly recorded Rahman hurling what prosecutors described as a Molotov cocktail while she was sitting in the passenger seat of a minivan.

The Molotov cocktail hit an NYPD cruiser, parked near the 99th Precinct in Fort Greene. The pair quickly tried to escape the scene in the minivan - driven by Mattis.

Officers subsequently gave chase and arrested the lawyers.

The cops claimed they found a lighter, a beer bottle filled with toilet paper, and a gasoline tank in the back of the vehicle.

Richard Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, has said the defendants allegedly threw the homemade explosives at NYPD vehicles 'without regard for the potentially deadly consequences.'
Tom Tugendhat today slammed senior civil servants and ministers for going on holiday during the Afghanistan crisis as he grilled the Government's National Security Adviser.

The senior Tory MP clashed with Sir Stephen Lovegrove as he demanded answers on why 'various senior officials stayed on holiday' as the Taliban seized control of the country.

Mr Tugendhat asked Sir Stephen if he would 'expect a platoon commander to go on holiday just before the whistle went' or a general to 'stay on holiday at a time of a major operation'.

Sir Stephen defended the response to the crisis as he insisted there are 'structures' in place across Whitehall 'which allow for the continuity of senior leadership'.

Tom Tugendhat today slammed senior civil servants and ministers for going on holiday during the Afghanistan crisis as he grilled the Government's National Security Adviser

Sir Stephen Lovegrove defended the response to the crisis as he insisted there are 'structures' in place across Whitehall 'which allow for the continuity of senior leadership'

Mr Tugendhat questioned Sir Stephen on the Government's Afghanistan response as the latter gave evidence to Parliament's National Security Strategy (Joint Committee).

Then-foreign secretary Dominic Raab has already been heavily criticised for his holiday in Crete as the Taliban swept across Afghanistan.

But Mr Tugendhat today questioned why other senior figures in relevant departments were also away.

He said: 'I am very pleased at the list of engagements and plans and meetings and NSCs and NSCOs that you have just described.

'I am slightly surprised therefore that we got to August the PUSs [parliamentary under secretaries] of the Foreign Office and the Home Office and I believe I am right in saying you too, Sir Stephen, were away.

'I am particularly surprised that despite the fact that a British embassy was pretty close to being under direct attack, British officials were unquestionably in fear of their lives and the military had to deploy in order to hold the bridgehead to evacuate them that various senior officials stayed on holiday.

'Would you expect a platoon commander to go on holiday just before the whistle went? Or a general to stay on holiday at a time of a major operation?'

Sir Stephen replied: 'We have structures right across Whitehall which allow for the continuity of senior leadership such that we do not have to rely on single points of failure.

'And I cannot remember a moment throughout any of the time that we were doing this that I felt the lack of senior engagement in an entirely empowered way in order to be able to get the best result for the Afghan civilians to whom we owed a debt and to British nationals and indeed many other nationals of any other countries as well.'

The Government has faced criticism over its handling of the Afghanistan crisis after ministers were taken by surprise by the speed of the Taliban takeover.

Allied forces completed their hurried withdrawal from the country on August 30 after thousands of people were airlifted out of Kabul.

Sir Stephen told the Joint Committee that the UK expected a Taliban-led regime to ultimately gain power in Afghanistan from the time then-US president Donald Trump struck a deal on the allied withdrawal.

But he stressed that nobody had expected the Afghan government to collapse so quickly.

A US military aircraft is pictured taking off at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan on Saturday August 28. The Kabul airlift ended on August 30 as allied forces completed their withdrawal from the country

He said: 'Pretty much from the moment at which the Doha agreements were signed (in February 2020) there was an intensive set of activities drawing on many, many different types of information and intelligence to assess what the likely outcome was going to be.

'The central scenario was going to be a Taliban-dominated government, we assessed.

'We thought that there was a considerably lower likelihood  though not negligible likelihood  of civil war.

'But when we were thinking about the Taliban-dominated government and how quickly that would come to pass, we certainly did not have the speed of the collapse as the central scenario, in fact nobody did.

'The Taliban didn't, the Afghan government didn't, the Americans didn't.'
The House Rules Committee voted for a procedure for the House to hold former chief White House strategist Steven Bannon in contempt of Congress  setting up a bitter floor clash for Thursday over the Jan. 6th riot and its aftermath.

A angry debate over the rule in the cramped Rules panel's Capitol hearing room provided a preview for the pyrotechnics, with Republican Liz Cheney of Wyoming testifying about the 'dark day in our history' and urging the panel not to let Bannon ignore a subpoena.

Cheney accused House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of blocking a bipartisan commission to probe the Jan. 6th Capitol riot earlier this year and intimidating fellow Republican lawmakers as a House panel conducts its probe.

'I've heard from a number of my colleagues in the last several days who say they quote just don't want this target on their back. They're just trying to keep their heads down. They don't want to anger Kevin McCarthy, the minority leader, who as been especially active in attempting to block the investigation of events of Jan. 6th, despite the fact that he clearly called for such a commission the week after the attack,' she said.

House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) at a Wednesday GOP conference meeting urged Republicans to vote 'no' on the Bannon contempt finding, CNN reported, signaling the debate will be yet another partisan clash.

President Trump is asserting executive privilege, and has sued the Jan. 6th committee and its chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson, as well as the National Archives, over its record requests. He continues to rail against the inquiry as a 'witch hunt.'

Scalise this spring urged Republicans to vote against establishing a bipartisan commission to probe Jan. 6th. Its failure in the Senate amid a Republican filibuster led to Pelosi's creation of the select committee.

At a Jan. 6th panel hearing Tuesday night, Cheney tore into Bannon.

'Based on the committee's investigation, it appears that Mr. Bannon had substantial advanced knowledge of the plans for January 6 and likely had an important role in formulating those plans,' Cheney said at the hearing.

Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney accused House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of blocking a bipartisan commission to probe the Jan. 6th Capitol riot and said fellow Republicans don't want a 'target on their back'

'Mr. Bannon was in the war room at the Willard [hotel] on January 6th. He also appears to have detailed knowledge regarding the Presidents efforts to sell millions of Americans the fraud that the election was stolen,' she said.

Cheney appeared at a tense House Rules Committee meeting over a measure to hold former chief White House strategist Steven Bannon in contempt for failing to appear before the select committee.

Cheney brought up McCarthy, who she clashed with repeatedly after he backed an effort to strip away her leadership post following her criticism of former President Trump's election overturn effort.

She told fellow Republicans: 'I ask each one of you to step back from the brink. I urge you to know what is right, to think of the long arc of history. We are told that it bends toward justice. But it does so only because of the actions of men and women in positions of public trust,' she said.

She brought up the Capitol riot, and told lawmakers in the televised hearing: 'Will you be able to say you did everything possible to ensure Americans got the truth about those events?' She called the contempt citation against Bannon 'crucial to our investigation.'

Cheney has clashed repeatedly with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who helped push her out as the No. 3 GOP leader

President Donald Trump speaks during the 'Stop the Steal' rally Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington

She and McCarthy have clashed in the days since Jan. 6th, despite press reports that McCarthy got in a telephone screaming match with Trump while the Capitol was under siege.

In July, McCarthy called Cheney and GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger 'Pelosi Republicans.' Cheney called the remark 'pretty childish.'

Cheney told fellow lawmakers Wednesday: 'This contempt citation is crucial for our investigation. Witnesses cannot simply ignore congressional subpoenas, when they prefer not to attend. We must do everything possible to understand that dark day in our history, and to ensure to potential legislative and other actions that such a thing never happens again.'

Former President Trump came in with another statement from his Save America PAC slamming Cheney, a day after trashing the late Secretary of State Colin Powell as a 'RINO.'

'Low-polling Liz Cheney (19%) is actually very bad news for the Democrats, people absolutely cannot stand her as she fights for the people that have decimated her and her father for many years,' Trump said. 'She is a smug fool, and the great State of Wyoming, together with the Republican Party, fully understands her act. To look at her is to despise her. Hopefully she will continue down this unsustainable path and she will soon be gone!'

At the hearing, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) clashed with panel chair Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) over the citation.

'We have condemned violence every stinking time it happened,' said Jordan. 'But it would have been nice if you guys had condemned the violence in the summer of 2020,' referencing protests that broke out nationwide.

'I think many of us did condemn it,' said McGovern.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), like Jordan a Trump loyalist, said 'all of this is ridiculous.'

He brought up Afghan refugees he said had no vetting, said there was a 'turnstile' on the border,' and 'supply chain issues.'

'So many on the left talk about Trump being this savage against our institutions. And that our institutions are all going to fail because of Trump and the insurrectionist Republicans. But truly this is a case of projection. After the 2016 election, Democrats repeatedly called Trump an illegitimate president. They damaged the institution of our electoral process by claiming that Trump was a Russian agent. How phony and fake that all turned out to be.'
Advertisement

The human remains discovered in a Florida swamp during the hunt for Brian Laundrie are in all likelihood those of the fugitive sought as a person of interest in the murder of his fiancee Gabby Petito, an attorney for the missing man's family has admitted.

'The probability is strong that it is Brian's remains, but we're going to wait for the forensic results to come in and verify that,' Laundrie family attorney Steve Bertolino said in a phone interview with CNN host Chris Cuomo on Wednesday night.

The remains were discovered alongside items including a backpack and notebook belonging to Laundrie earlier on Wednesday, five weeks after he disappeared after going on a hike in the alligator-infested Florida swamp, and on the day his parents joined the search together for the first time.

Police activity Wednesday was focused on the nearby Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, where television news reports showed numerous law enforcement vehicles arriving and a tent set up inside the woods. The location is where a Ford Mustang that Laundrie drove to the wilderness was found.

In the interview, Bertolino said the belongings were found near a bridge connecting the the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park and the adjoining Carlton Reserve. The bridge is about four miles north of the Laundrie family home.

'This is the very area of the park that we initially informed law enforcement on, I believe it was September 17, that Brian would be most likely in the preserve in this particular area,' the lawyer told Cuomo. 'It was quite near the entrance. About 30 minutes in.'

The attorney also called any suggestion that the parents planted the items in the swamp 'hogwash,' pointing out that reporters and police followed them into the nature preserve.

He insisted that the family had informed investigators about the exact location within the preserve where the remains and personal items were found a month ago, based on the trails they knew Laundrie to frequent.

'Mr. Laundrie informed me that it was quite near the entrance,' Bertolino said.

'He didn't put an exact distance on it. He put a time frame of about 30 minutes in. But I would guess it could be a mile or two into the preserve.'

Local authorities say the nature reserve was largely submerged in water in September, when police first searched there, which may have hindered the discovery of the items found this week.

When asked why the parents had not joined the search at the park earlier, Bertolino pointed out that it had not been open to the public before Tuesday.

'The parents had assumed that the experts, the FBI and all the tracking teams they had, would be able to locate Brian based upon the information that we had provided them to the specific areas and trails in the park that Brian liked to visit,' he said.

The grim discovery of human remains was made in the Carlton Reserve in Florida, near Laundrie's home, along with a backpack and notebook identified by the FBI as belonging to Laundrie. Bureau investigators are for the first time specifically calling Laundrie a 'a person of interest in the murder of Gabby Petito.'

A police officer is pictured walking in the Carlton Reserve with what appears to be the dry bag discovered by Laundrie's father in the preserve. The discovery was made on Wednesday, five weeks after he went on the run following the disappearance of his fiancee Gabby Petito. She was found strangled to death in September in Wyoming

Chris and Roberta Laundrie (pictured) alerted investigators on Tuesday night that they intended to search Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park for their son on Wednesday morning. The FBI and North Port Police Department agreed to meet them at the park

Brian Laundrie, 23, is the sole suspect in the murder of his 22-year-old fiancee Gabby Petito. Her strangled body was found in September, weeks after she was last seen alive. The pair were on a cross-country camper van trip when she vanished and he went home in September

Pictured: A map showing the location of where Laundrie's belongings were found near a bridge connecting the the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park and the adjoining Carlton Reserve, in relation to the Laundrie family home in North Port, Florida (pictured bottom right). The home is located around four miles south of where the belongings were found

Until Tuesday, the reserve had been sealed off to the public while investigators searched for any sign of the fugitive. It reopened on Tuesday and on Wednesday morning, Laundrie's mother and father, Roberta and Chris, joined the search teams in the morning for the first time together.

Within a few hours, the remains - along with the other items - had been found. In a statement through their attorney, Roberta and Chris said they would reserve public comments until the remains had been identified.

According to Bertolino, Chris was the one to discover a white plastic dry bag belonging to Laundrie, which he found in the presence of a news reporter about 20 feet off the trail, while police discovered the backpack and human remains nearby.

'Chris didn't want to pick the bag up because he wanted law enforcement to see it. This was caught on camera. Chris couldn't find the law enforcement because they were then out of sight, because Chris had been in the woods, so he didn't want to leave the bag there with the news reporter standing nearby, so he picked it up,' Bertolino said.

'He did meet up shortly with law enforcement. They looked at the contents of the bag. At that time, law enforcement officers showed him a picture on the phone of a backpack that law enforcement had located also nearby, and also some distance off the trail. At that point, the Laundries were notified that there was also remains near the backpack and they were asked to leave the preserve,' he continued.

The Laundrie parents have been under a cloud of public suspicion since their son disappeared, including wild theories that they were hiding their son in an alleged bunker under their garden, but Bertolino said that the family informed the FBI on the night of September 13 that their son had not returned from a hike that day.

Laundrie's parents had not spoken publicly or to Gabby's parents about what they may know about her murder, which Bertolino insisted had been on his own legal advice.

'They know it's been hard. But ultimately, you know, this is the advice I gave them. This is the advice they're taking, and that's on me,' he said. 'I'm the one who told them not to talk. That's been on me from day one. That's not on the family.'

The FAA has issued a temporary suspension on flights over the park - that applies to drones and aircraft - until 4pm Friday.

At a briefing at 4.30pm, FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael McPherson identified Laundrie as 'a person of interest in the murder of Gabby Petito.'

It marked the first time that the FBI has called Gabby's death a murder, rather than a homicide, as well as the first time Laundrie was identified as a person of interest. Previously, authorities had been referring to him just as a wanted suspect for theft, for using Gabby's bank card.

If the remains are identified are Brian's, it brings a somber end to a hunt for a killer that has captivated the nation.

Pathologist Dr. Michael Baden told DailyMail.com that it is likely the FBI already know whether the remains are Brian's, and that they would have been able to confirm it immediately, but are waiting for more examination to determine the cause of death.

'Dental is 99.9 percent immediately accurate. They know it's him. But the cause of death might still take a while to determine. The cause of death has to be determined at autopsy, which probably won't be performed till tomorrow or the next day,' he said.

The Sarasota County Medical Examiner's Office is at the scene. It's unclear how long it may take for the remains to be formally identified

The manhunt for Laundrie continued on Wednesday, a day after the park was reopened to the public following weeks of unsuccessful searches for the 23-year-old fugitive

TIMELINE OF GABBY PETITO DISAPPEARANCE AND DEATH July 1: Gabby Petito and her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie left Blue Point, New York for a cross-country road trip August 12: Police in Moab, Utah respond to a domestic incident involving the couple Aug. 17: Laundrie allegedly flies back to Florida to 'clear out a storage unit' Aug. 21: Petito's father, Joseph Petito, has his last FaceTime video call with his daughter who was in Salt Lake City, Utah Aug. 23: Laundrie flies back to Utah to 'rejoin Gabby' on their trip Aug. 24: Petito is last seen at a hotel in Salt Lake City with Laundrie Aug. 25: Petito makes final call to her mother, Nichole Schmidt, saying she was in Grand Teton National Park August 30: Gabby's family receive final text from her phone saying 'No service in Yosemite' Sept. 1: Laundrie returns to his parents' home in North Port, Florida in a van without Petito Sept. 13: Laundrie's lawyer says on October 5 that his parents now 'believe' this was the day they last saw him heading for a hike Sept. 17: Laundrie family attorney confirms his whereabouts are unknown Sept. 21: Coroner confirms remains found in Grand Tetons belong to Petito Oct. 12: Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue announces autopsy findings which show Petito died by strangulation Oct. 16: Petito's parents are seen collecting her ashes from the Valley Mortuary in Jackson, Wyoming October 20: Human remains found in Carlton Reserve Advertisement

McPherson confirmed that human remains had been found, but he would not speculate on the identity of those remains, nor would he reveal how long they had been there.

He told reporters at the scene: 'I know you have a lot of questions but we don't have all the answers yet.'

'We are working diligently to get those answers for you,' McPherson said. 'It's likely the team will be on site for several days.'

Steve Bertolino, an attorney for the Laundrie family, said in a statement: 'Chris and Roberta Laundrie went to the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park this morning to search for Brian.

'The FBI and NPPD were informed last night of Brian's parents' intentions and they met Chris and Roberta there this morning.

'After a brief search off a trail that Brian frequented some articles belonging to Brian were found. As of now law enforcement is conducting a more thorough investigation of that area.'

In a follow-up statement, Bertolino said that the items and remains were found in an area where the parents had previously informed investigators that Brian might be hiding.

'Chris and Roberta will wait for the forensic identification of the human remains before making any additional comments,' he added.

The Sarasota County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed it had been summoned to the reserve but would not comment further.

Authorities have been searching the park for weeks, but the portion where the remains were found on Tuesday was previously underwater, according to NBC.

The area is near where a Ford Mustang that Laundrie drove to the wilderness was found abandoned several weeks ago.

Gabby and Brian embarked on a cross-country trip earlier this summer with a plan to document it all on film for their social media channels.

But their loved-up Instagram persona was a far cry from the combative relationship that was playing out behind the scenes.

Just a few weeks before she vanished, police in Moab, Utah, were called to the pair's van after fellow travelers saw Brian hit Gabby.

They were separated for the night, and Gabby was deemed to be the aggressor. August 26 was the last time anyone saw or heard from Gabby.

Laundrie returned to his parents home on September 1.

At first, they told cops they last saw him on September 14. They later said it was in fact September 13, when he told them he was going on a hike in the reserve and never returned.

He has been on the run ever since and his parents refused to speak publicly about the case or help Gabby's parents.

They retrieved her remains from a mortuary in Wyoming last week.

At a briefing at 4.30pm, FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael McPherson confirmed that human remains had been found, but he would not speculate on the identity of those remains, nor would he reveal how long they had been there

North Port cops block the entrance to the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park Wednesday after items belong to Brian Laundrie and potential human remains were found in a Florida wilderness park during a search for clues

The sprawling park connected to the 25,000 acre Carlton Reserve was locked down following the grim discovery

A coroners van leaves the reserve in North Port where the FBI have been looking for Brian Laundrie. The FBI didn't confirm that the remains found today are Brian's, but they were found along with items belonging to the fugitive suspect

Supporters of Gabby Petito hold up photos of Gabby after a news conference Wednesday at the nature reserve

On Tuesday, a day before the remains were found, Chris and Roberta Laundrie were seen shopping in North Port.

Among the items they were seen carrying was a cardboard box, which they shipped from a FedEx store in Venice, Florida.

Later that night, they said they planned to join Wednesday's search. The pair were photographed on the search on Wednesday by FOX News.

They were seen walking with an officer, who was overheard saying: 'I think we might have found something.'

The officer then emerged with a bag that contained articles belonging to Laundrie.

The FBI and North Port Police Department have closed the park, which just reopened to the public on Tuesday after being closed to the public for nearly a month due to the ongoing search for Laundrie.

The Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park is situated on 160 acres of heavily wooded land and connects to the 25,000-acre Carlton Reserve.

Laundrie was reported missing by his parents on September 17 after claiming they last saw him three days prior. His whereabouts have been unknown ever since.

Federal investigators issued an arrest warrant for Laundrie on September 23 for 'use of unauthorized access device' last month after alleging he used a Capital One Bank debit card that wasn't his.

Until Wednesday, there had been no signs of Laundrie at the Carlton Reserve in Florida, the area his parents cite as the last place he was seen.

Last week, North Port police noted there was 'nothing to suggest' whether Laundrie was dead or alive.

Officials claimed no one had seen him in the reserve and search teams didn't find any physical evidence of his presence in the area.

On Tuesday, Chris and Roberta broke cover for a nearly five-hour shopping trip, dodging questions about their son's whereabouts as they shipped a mysterious package labeled 'meal kit'.

The couple emerged from their home in North Port, Florida, at 7.45am Tuesday and climbed into their red Dodge Ram truck for the trip.

After making a few stops, DailyMail.com spotted them at a FedEx store where Christopher went inside carrying a parcel with the intriguing words 'meal kit' stamped on one end. The addressee could not be seen.

DailyMail.com spotted Brian Laundrie's parents on a five-hour shopping trip Tuesday morning

After making a few stops, DailyMail.com spotted them stop at a FedEx store where Christopher went inside carrying a parcel with the intriguing words 'meal kit' stamped on one end

They also refused to answer DailyMail.com's inquiries of 'is he in the park, did you help him get there?' in reference to the massive swampland search for survivalist Brian, 23, that started nearly five weeks ago at the alligator-infested Carlton Reserve near North Port

Chris and Roberta have been widely criticized for refusing to publicly speak about the case

Gabby's father Joseph Petito clutches the ashes of his murdered daughter, whose remains were found at a nearby campsite on September 19

Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito are shown on August 12 after being pulled over by police in their van. The cops had received reports of a fight between the pair. Witnesses said they saw Laundrie hit Petito. She was however deemed to be the aggressor in the argument, and the pair were separated for the night

They refused to answer DailyMail.com's questions when asked 'is he in the park, did you help him get there?' in reference to the massive swampland search for survivalist Brian, 23, that started nearly five weeks ago at the alligator-infested Carlton Reserve near their home.

The Laundrie family lawyer, Anthony Bertolino, gave a statement attempting to express sympathy to Petito's family on Thursday after her cause of death was revealed.

'Gabby Petito's death at such a young age is a tragedy. While Brian Laundrie is currently charged with the unauthorized use of a debit card belonging to Gabby, Brian is only considered a person of interest in relation to Gabby Petito's demise.

'At this time Brian is still missing and when he is located we will address the pending fraud charge against him.'

Petito's mother texted a reported a curt, blunt response.

'His words are garbage. Keep talking,' she wrote to a reporter from WFLA in Florida.

Gabby's family said earlier this week that they wanted him to spend the rest of his life in a jail cell. She also abhorred Roberta and Chris for not helping them.

'Silence speaks volumes. I believe they know most of the information. I would love to just face to face ask, 'Why are you doing this? Just tell me the truth.'

'He's a coward. I don't want to say he's insane because he went home, he's hiding, he used her credit card. That's not somebody who's gone crazy.

'He knows what he is doing, he knew what he was doing. I just want to get him in a cell for the rest of his life.'

Jim, her husband, added: 'We want vengeance. And justice.'
A therapist has been banned from renting her luxury Edinburgh flat on Airbnb after furious neighbours complained about noise from a lockdown party.

Dubai-based Nassima Gough-Menari used a letting site to offer her 500,000 third-floor property in the city's west end to tourists and visitors.

She said she had banned hen and stag parties and the flat had only been used by businesspeople accessing nearby conference facilities, international tourists and key workers.

But a probe was launched by the City of Edinburgh Council after neighbours complained about noise while the country was under strict lockdown rules.

The council ruled Gough-Menari had breached planning laws and issued a notice ordering her to halt the operation.

She appealed the decision to the Scottish Government but that has now been thrown out after they could not get in contact with her.

But she has now withdrawn the flat from Airbnb.

Dubai-based Nassima Gough-Menari used a letting site to offer her 500,000 third-floor property in the city's west end to tourists and visitors

Gough-Menari said: 'The whole Airbnb thing has been such a headache for me.

'Despite me appealing, I've decided to withdraw the appeal and no longer list on Airbnb as despite the majority of guests being great, there have been a number of disturbances that which have been unfair for my fellow property owners.'

In her appeal letter, she said: 'As an upstanding and law-abiding citizen, I would have absolutely applied for any planning permission required and I categorically would never involve myself in any commercial activity that was forbidden.

'I'm therefore baffled by the fact that I have not been able to receive any information about planning permission, and the property management company themselves could not provide me with any such requirement for listing the property with them.

'I am therefore asking you to kindly give me guidance on how to apply for planning permission as several properties in our building are rented out short term.'

A probe was launched by the City of Edinburgh Council after neighbours complained about noise while the country was under strict lockdown rules (pictured: Edinburgh)

Gough-Menari added: 'I take full responsibility and feel so upset that our neighbours have been caused distress by this.

'The fact that it was not possible to contact me as I live abroad escalated the matter as the neighbours who made the complaint had no way of contacting me.'

Issuing their enforcement notice, the City of Edinburgh Council said: 'The use enables new individuals to arrive and stay at the premises for a short period of time on a regular basis throughout the year in a manner dissimilar to that of permanent resident.

'The resultant effect of a high level of turnover and the ability to access communal areas of the building, is causing disturbance to the established residential character of the building.

'The above represents a material change of use and therefore a breach of planning control has occurred.'

Government reporter Dianne Wakeling said documents had not been received which would allow an appeal to continue.
Harris announced new measures aimed at boosting union membership among federal workers on Wednesday

Vice President Kamala Harris is announcing measures aimed at making it easier for unions to organize the country's more than 2 million federal workers.

She and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh spoke ahead of a Zoom roundtable event on collective bargaining featuring workers representing several US government agencies.

The event occurred against the backdrop of a nationwide labor movement that includes massive strikes and historic numbers of people - 4.3 million in August - leaving their jobs.

Harris and Walsh were joined at the event by Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kiran Ahuja.

The moves will include directing federal agencies to inform job applicants and new employees about unions during the hiring and onboarding process, Harris said.

Unions will also be allowed to participate in new employee training sessions, a source told Reuters.

The vice president added that federal agencies will be required to enhance their communications to current employees and inform them about their right to join a union and the ways they can engage with their union.

'We have folks who have been working in the federal government for years, who during the course of that time may not have been informed,' Harris told reporters.

Currently only 20 percent of federal employees belong to a union.

Harris and Walsh, who are spearheading a White House labor task force established by Democratic President Joe Biden earlier this year, are unveiling the effort during their Wednesday roundtable session.

'All of this is just part of our broader strategy to make the federal government a model employer, and we call on all employers to make similar steps in doing the work of protecting workers,' Harris said.

Harris was joined by workers from several government agencies and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh

The federal government is the largest employer in the country.

Walsh said the Biden administration was the most 'pro-union and 'pro-worker' of his lifetime.

The labor movement traditionally has been a key pillar of the Democratic Party's coalition and a major player on the U.S. political stage, but its pull has waned in recent decades.

The percentage of U.S. workers represented by a union fell almost 15 percentage points between 1979 and 2020, according to the White House. That drop, the White House says, has cost workers $200 billion a year in unrealized wages and benefits.

The new measures will affect 2.1 million non-postal federal employees and be overseen by the OPM, which is an independent federal agency.

The White House labor task force is expected to submit a report to Biden on Saturday.

Meanwhile thousands of workers across multiple industries have at least considered strikes against the massive companies that employ them.

Last week more than 10,000 employees of John Deere staged the first major walkout the farm equipment giant has seen in more than 30 years.

Worker were angered that Deere CEO John May, who earned nearly $16 million in his first year in the role last year, makes 220 times more than the median company salary of $70,743.

They picketed at several of the company's plants in a bid to leverage the tight labor market in order to get higher wages. Deere & Co. has forecast a net income by the end of the year of nearly $6 billion.

Earlier this month more than 1,400 Kellogg's cereal company workers across Nebraska, Tennessee, Michigan and Pennsylvania went on strike after a dispute over wages, benefits and work hours failed to reach an agreement.

That strike is still ongoing.

Members of the United Auto Workers strike outside of the John Deere Engine Works plant on Ridgeway Avenue in Waterloo, Iowa on October 15

A 1,400-worker strike against cereal giant Kellogg's is still ongoing

Kellogg's workers across Nebraska, Tennessee, Michigan and Pennsylvania went on strike after a dispute over wages, benefits and work hours failed to reach an agreement

In California, Hawaii and Oregon, unions representing Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers have authorized a massive strike if an agreement on employee raises benefits and staffing shortages isn't reached.

The negotiations are between Kaiser and the Alliance of Health Care Unions, which represents more than 20 unions covering more than 50,000 Kaiser workers nationwide.

Workers at Nabisco plants in five states went on strike in August to protest plans by Nabiscos parent, Mondelez International, to move some work to Mexico, among other issues, according to the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union, which also represents the Kellogg's workers.

That strike ended last month when workers ratified a new contract.

Just this past weekend, Hollywood averted a major strike when the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) said negotiators agreed to a new three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) hours before the union's 12.01 am Monday deadline.

IATSE represents about 60,000 off-screen film and television workers.

Experts have at least in part attributed the massive movements to a trend dubbed 'The Great Resignation' after August's record number of people leaving their jobs.

The departure was equivalent to nearly 3 percent of the entire US workforce voluntarily quitting.

The new data show that the number of open jobs in the country continues to exceed the number of people seeking work, increasing the bargaining power of workers and giving them more confidence to quit unpleasant jobs.
A senior police officer involved in the investigation into serial killer Stephen Ports first victim has signalled his disappointment that the Metropolitan Polices murder investigation team (MIT) turned down a request to take over the 'complex' case.

Temporary Superintendent Mike Hamer was so suspicious of Ports potential involvement in the then-unexplained death of 23-year-old Anthony Walgate that he emailed colleagues a week into the inquiry, stating it might be a case of 'if and when' Port was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Unbeknown to police at the time, 6ft 5in Port arranged to meet fashion student Mr Walgate for sex at his flat in Barking, east London, on June 17, 2014.

There he plied Mr Walgate with a fatal amount of drugs before dumping his body outside two days later and calling police, pretending to be a passer-by.

A senior police officer involved in the investigation into serial killer Stephen Ports (pictured) first victim signalled his disappointment that the Metropolitan Polices murder investigation team (MIT) turned down a request to take over the 'complex' case

Temporary Superintendent Mike Hamer was so suspicious of Ports potential involvement in the unexplained death of 23-year-old Anthony Walgate that he emailed colleagues a week into the inquiry, stating it might be a case of 'if and when' Port was arrested on suspicion of murder

Bus depot chef Port was only charged with murder the following year when police eventually linked the case of Mr Walgate with the deaths of three other young, gay men, who were found dead in public areas near Ports flat, all with vast quantities of the drug GHB in their systems.

Jurors at the inquest into their deaths are being asked to assess whether the victims lives could have been saved had police acted differently.

Mr Hamer was asked four times by Beatrice Collier, counsel to the inquest, whether he was satisfied that the boroughs request to have the investigation taken over by the more experienced MIT was refused.

Mr Hamer, giving evidence at Barking Town Hall today, eventually replied: 'Its not the answer we wanted.'

Anthony Walgate (pictured) was plied with a fatal amount of drugs by Port after meeting him for sex at his flat in Barking, east London, on June 17, 2014. Port dumped Mr Walgate's body outside two days later and called police, pretending to be a passer-by

Murder detectives turned down the case because evidence was not deemed strong enough to suggest the case was a homicide and so it continued to be treated as an unexplained death, the inquest heard.

Mr Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, 22, Daniel Whitworth, 21, and Jack Taylor, 25, were all found dead near Port's flat during a 16-month period between June 2014 and September 2015.

Port, now 46, was found guilty at the Old Bailey in 2016 of the four murders and sentenced to a whole life order

Mr Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, 22, Daniel Whitworth, 21, and Jack Taylor, 25, were all found dead near Port's flat during a 16-month period between June 2014 and September 2015. Port, now 46, was found guilty at the Old Bailey in 2016 of the four murders and sentenced to a whole life order

Police giving evidence to the inquest have previously apologised for a series of failings, including not sharing intelligence with colleagues about a previous allegation against the suspect, not instructing a search on the police national database about him, and not sending his laptop off for scrutiny until nearly a year after he first struck.

The inquest previously heard the detective in charge of the investigation into Mr Walgate's death admitted making 'significant mistakes' in the case, including not properly looking into Port's history.

The inquest continues.
Chicago is the latest city to be hit by rampant shoplifting and its Magnificent Mile, the once highly-populated retail destination, is now dotted with empty storefronts as businesses are being driven away by the brazen thieves.

The city has been plagued by a string of robberies and a wave of crime in the past few months, as some say that the city's 'soft-on-crime' policies embolden the thieves. The issue may only grow worse as at least 50 cops have been put on unpaid leave for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Shoplifting cases grew more common following a December 2016 motion from State's Attorney Kim Foxx that mandated Chicago prosecutors only issue felony charges for theft of property over $1,000.

Her officer said at the time that the move was meant to shift focus to the driving factors of the crimes instead of low-level offenses. In turn, however, thieves know they can grab armfuls of merchandise without being stopped by store security.

Chicago's most recent shoplifting spree involved a group of men who robbed three 7-Eleven convenience stores downtown in a span of 30 minutes on Monday morning.

Chicago's Magnificent Mile has been the target of rampant shoplifting that caused several stores to close their doors. Above, a gang of three shoplifters were filmed emptying the shelves of a Chicago Ulta Beauty store late last month

The city has been plagued by a string of robberies and a wave of crime in the past few months, as some say that the city's 'soft-on-crime' policies embolden the thieves

State's Attorney Kim Foxx mandates that Chicago prosecutors only issue felony charges for theft of property over $1,000

Four armed men robbed a 7-Eleven on East Lake Street at 8.29am, in which they took an undetermined amount of cash before fleeing in a black vehicle, police said. Five minutes later, police believe the same group wearing masks and hooded sweatshirts, robbed another 7-Eleven and, just before 9am, they made a final stop at a third 7-Eleven and robbed it at gunpoint.

No arrests have been made as of Wednesday afternoon.

'It's a serious problem, and we have to address it,' Alderman Brian Hopkins told CBS Chicago, explaining that the issue affects commercial real estate as well as public safety.

'The commercial brokers tell us that when they get potential interest from a tenant, that's one of the first questions they ask, is what's happening in Chicago to stem the tide of retail shoplifting rings that have been operating with impunity downtown? And we don't have a good answer right now for that.'

Hopkins added, 'I think we have to look at prosecution. Clearly there's a feeling running through the criminal elements that there are no consequences here. We have to look to the courts, and I think we have to just look to all the players in this drama to get Chicago to what it once was.'

The city's approach to prosecuting retail crime is similar to one in San Francisco, where prosecutors only issue felony charges for thefts of property worth over $950. Walgreens cited the shoplifting issue as the reason it closed 17 stores and is planning to close another five throughout the city, the pharmacy chain announced last week.

Stores throughout Chicago's Magnificent Mile are closing in the wake of the rampant shoplifting and since last spring the area lost a Macy's, Disney Store and Japanese retailer Uniqlo

The vacancy rate for the Magnificent Mile has skyrocketed from 11 percent in 2019 to 19 percent this year, according to ABC 7

Top chain stores that closed their doors on the Magnificent Mile Macy's

Uniqlo

Disney Store

Gap

Forever 21

Tommy Bahama

Express

Apple

Dylan's Candy Bar

Na Hoku

Roots

Topshop

Columbia Sportswear Advertisement

Stores throughout Chicago's Magnificent Mile are doing the same as Macy's closed its 170,000-square-foot flagship store in Water Tower Place last spring, Japanese retailer Uniqlo closed its 60,000-square-foot store in August and the Disney Store closed its 7,000-square-foot location on Michigan Avenue last month.

In the past few years, Gap, Forever 21 and Tommy Bahama have also closed stores on the Magnificent Mile. The vacancy rate has skyrocketed from 11 percent in 2019 to 19 percent this year, according to ABC 7.

'We recognize community concerns around crime, and the impact it can have on one's sense of safety as well as the economic stability of a business,' the State's Attorney's office wrote in a statement to CBS Chicago before doubling down on its approach to retail crime.

'We continue to prosecute retail theft cases as misdemeanors and felonies when appropriate to do so based on the facts and evidence,' the statement continued.

The State's Attorney's office said that so far this year, its prosecutors have reviewed and issued 38 total charges for retail theft in areas of Chicago including the Magnificent Mile and Streeterville. Of that number, 18 were approved as felony charges, 10 were prosecuted and six were convicted.

The city's shoplifting issue could grow worse as the Chicago Police Department has started placing officers on unpaid leave for failing to report their vaccination status by Friday's deadline.

So far, about 50 officers have been placed on an unpaid status, according to Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday, however, called the 50 officers a 'very small number' who have had their pay stopped by the city for refusing to cooperate with the mandate.

As of Tuesday, 4,543 officers  a little over one third of the force  have not complied and are being given one last chance to report whether they've been vaccinated or be put on no-pay status.

Meanwhile, the city has started seeking recruits from suburban Illinois to fill the potential staffing shortage.

Robb Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, told CBS Chicago that loss of sales tax associated with shoplifting  on top of the closing stores  further hinder Chicago's post-pandemic recovery.

'The impression around the nation is that Chicago is not a very safe place to be,' he said. 'And the incidents we saw this morning, over the weekend, the episodes before that, only feed that.'

The city's shoplifting issue could grow worse as Mayor Lori Lightfoot ordered the Chicago Police Department to place officers on unpaid leave for failing to report their vaccination status by Friday's deadline

Late last month, a gang of shoplifters was filmed brazenly ransacking UIta Beauty store in the Windy City's Norridge suburb over the weekend. Footage showed a gang of three hooded thieves emptying its shelves of expensive Christian Dior and Armani makeup into black trash bags.

It was shared on social media Monday, with the shocked cameraman, who hasn't been named, saying: 'Look at this, this is insane,' as he films the theft unfolding before his eyes.

It came as CWB Chicago reported Chicago's stores have been targeted by three different organized crime gangs. One of those gangs has been targeting upmarket designer stores on the city's Magnificent Mile, whose businesses were hit by looting in summer 2020 during riots in the wake of George Floyd's murder.

The second has targeted at least three Ulta Beauty stores - although it's currently unclear if that is the same gang filmed at the Norridge location. And a third gang has been raiding Walgreen's drug stores to steal cigarettes.

The first shoplifting crew was stealing from high-end Chicago stores between the Magnificent Mile and Rush Street, according to CWB Chicago. Twelve men were seen involved in a raid of 35 handbags at Bottega Veneta on September 27 - which go for thousands of dollars each- and left in two separate cars, including a gray Honda CRV.

The same crew allegedly attempted to steal from Salvatore Ferragamo an hour before but left after they were believed to be recognized by the store's security guard. They already reportedly stole $43,000 worth of the store's merchandise in August and injured the security guard during the theft.

Above is a file photo of Chicago's Magnificent Mile

A police officer was shot in the face on Monday afternoon, but returned to his precinct, in the 18th District, later that evening - still wearing his hospital gown

Violent crimes are up across the board in Chicago, with murders are up a whopping 56 percent since 2019 and three percent since 2020

'Michigan Avenue is the economic engine of the city of Chicago. Almost 20% of the jobs are in the mag mile district jobs in the city of Chicago,' Jack Lavin, the president and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, said to ABC 7. '$180 million of sales tax revenue is generated by this district, it's the largest neighborhood in the city of Chicago.'

He said that the Chamber is pushing for 'innovative' ways to attract merchants back to the Magnificent Mile, adding that this may involve breaking large spaces up into smaller retail shops.

Meanwhile, the most recent victim of Chicago's violent crime wave was a police officer who was shot in the face on Monday and returned to work that same evening, saluted by his colleagues as he entered the precinct still wearing his hospital gown.

The unnamed officer was shot in the cheek when he confronted Jovan McPherson, a felon on probation, who was threatening and holding a woman at gunpoint at a busy Lincoln Park strip mall, Cook County prosecutors said Tuesday.

McPherson allegedly pulled out a gun and a struggle ensued as the officer tried to take the weapon away, prosecutors said. That's when McPherson fired a shot that struck the officer in the cheek, prosecutors said.

Chicago's pattern of crime and shoplifting mirrors that of other cities like San Francisco, in which Walgreens announced that it is shuttering another five of its stores because of rampant shoplifting by thieves who sell the items outside the drugstore chain's doors.

The national chain has closed 17 of its 70 San Francisco locations in the past two years because of the shelf raiders, who have swiped everything not behind lock and key.

Thefts in the chain's 53 remaining stores are five times the average for their stores elsewhere in the country, according to company officials.

San Francisco and Walgreens officials have cited 'organized retail crime' - in which the thieves sell the swiped merchandise outside the stores - as a main reason for the most recent closures.

'Organized retail crime continues to be a challenge facing retailers across San Francisco, and we are not immune to that,' Walgreens spokesperson Phil Caruso told the Daily Mail last Wednesday.

'Retail theft across our San Francisco stores has continued to increase in the past few months to five times our chain average.'

A video posted to TikTok shows a parade of people casually shoplifting from what appears to be a Rite Aid in New York City

Another smiled and waved at the security guard who filmed the scene as he passed by

Viral videos taken throughout the summer have shown shoplifters brazenly sauntering out of stores with armfuls of stolen goods as witnesses watch in shock.

In one incident, surveillance footage caught a group of thieves in masks and hoodies sprinting out of a San Francisco Neiman Marcus with armfuls of designer handbags and others casually walking out of a TJ Maxx store carrying bags worth of goods.

In another, in June, a prolific shoplifter who had stolen from the same Walgreens on at least four occasions, was seen loading armfuls of Walgreens products into a trash bag, then riding his bike through the store with the stolen goods while the security guard and bystanders looked on.

The suspect, Jean Lugo-Romero, 40, was arrested on June 19 and remains in jail.

Shoplifting has been a problem in the Democrat-run state since 2014 - following the passage of Proposition 47, a ballot referendum known as the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act - that downgraded the theft of property worth less than $950 in value from a felony to a misdemeanor.

Cases have jumped during the pandemic as store staff and security guards choose not to pursue the thieves. Larceny and theft remain the most common crimes committed in San Francisco, increasing by about 8 percent from last year. There were 21,842 cases reported through October 10 of this year, compared with 20,254 cases during the same time through 2020.

The Walgreens locations that will be closing include: 2550 Ocean Avenue, on November 8, 4645 Mission Street, on November 11, 745 Clement Street, on November 15, 300 Gough Street on November 15, and 3400 Cesar Chavez Street on November 17.

New York City stores are also rife with shoplifting incidents and, earlier this month, a TikTok video went viral that revealed brazen thieves stealing from a Rite Aid in front of a security guard before leaving with their stolen items. The security guard, a woman named India who said she worked at a Rite Aid, posted the video to TikTok and dubbed it 'a typical night at work.'

It showed a parade of people taking things off the shelves and walking out with one of the thieves even smiling and waving at her as he passed.

The comment led people to ask her why she isn't stopping the thieves if she is supposed to be a security guard, to which she replied: 'Because it's illegal to touch, grab or use any physical force to stop them.'

Instead, she said, her job is to 'observe and report.'
The Taliban was welcomed in Moscow today during talks on Afghanistan as Russia seeks to exert influence over the new regime.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov opened the talks and emphasised that 'forming a really inclusive government fully reflecting the interests of not only all ethnic groups but all political forces of the country' is necessary to achieve a stable peace in Afghanistan.

Russia had worked for years to establish contacts with the Taliban, even though it designated the group a terror organisation in 2003 and never took it off the list.

The Taliban was welcomed in Moscow today during talks on Afghanistan as Russia seeks to exert influence over the new regime

Any contact with such groups is punishable under Russian law, but the Foreign Ministry has responded to questions about the apparent contradiction by saying ts exchanges with the Taliban are essential for helping stabilise Afghanistan.

Unlike many other countries, Russia hasn't evacuated its embassy in Kabul and its ambassador has maintained regular contacts with the Taliban since they took over the Afghan capital of Kabul in August.

Lavrov commended the Taliban for their efforts to stabilise the military-political situation in the country and ensure the operation of state structures.

'We are satisfied with the level of practical interaction with Afghan authorities, which allows to effectively ensure the security of Russian citizens in Afghanistan and the unimpeded operation of our embassy in Kabul,' Lavrov said in his opening speech.

Russia had worked for years to establish contacts with the Taliban, even though it designated the group a terror organisation

At the same time, he emphasised the importance of respecting human rights and pursuing balanced social policies, adding that he discussed those issues with the Taliban delegation before the talks.

Lavrov said Russia would soon dispatch a shipment of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.

Zamir Kabulov, the Kremlin envoy on Afghanistan who also attended the talks, said the international recognition of the Taliban will hinge on the inclusiveness of their government and their human rights record.

'We expect the Taliban to meet ... the request of the international community about inclusivity and basic human rights, which include broadly all kinds of human rights, and they confirmed that they are working on that, the process of improvement of governance, the process of improving the human rights situation,' Kabulov told reporters.

Deputy prime minister of the Taliban's interim government Abdul Salam Hanafi (left) speaks with acting minister of information of culture Khairullah Khairkhwa

Abdul Salam Hanafi, a deputy prime minister in the Taliban's interim government who attended Wednesday's talks, said 'the meeting is very important for stability of the entire region.'

In a conclusive statement, the participants in the talks noted that 'further practical engagement with Afghanistan needed to take into account the new reality, that is the Taliban coming to power in the country, irrespective of the official recognition of the new Afghan government by the international community.'

'Participating countries call on the current Afghan leadership to take further steps to improve governance and to form a truly inclusive government that adequately reflects the interests of all major ethno-political forces in the country,' they said, stressing the need for the Afghan leadership to 'respect the rights of ethnic groups, women and children.'

The talks' participants called for an international donor conference under the auspices of the United Nations, 'with the understanding that the core burden of post-conflict ... reconstruction and development of Afghanistan must be shouldered by the powers which had military contingents in the country for the past 20 years.'

Unlike many other countries, Russia hasn't evacuated its embassy in Kabul and its ambassador has maintained regular contacts with the Taliban

The Soviet Union fought a 10-year war in Afghanistan that ended with its troops withdrawing in 1989. In recent years, Moscow has made a strong comeback as an influential power broker in international talks on Afghanistan, hosting the Taliban representatives and members of other factions for bilateral and multilateral meetings.

Along with the Taliban and other Afghan factions, the so-called Moscow format talks held since 2017 also include representatives of China, Pakistan, Iran, India and the former Soviet nations in Central Asia.

Wednesday's talks were preceded earlier this week by a meeting of top diplomats from Russia, China and Pakistan. The U.S., which is also part of that 'extended troika' format, didn't attend the meeting.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted there must be no rush in officially recognising the Taliban as the new rulers of Afghanistan, but emphasised the need to engage in talks with them.

At the same time, Putin and other Russian officials stressed the threats posed by the Islamic State group and other militants based in northern Afghanistan, and noted that drug trafficking from Afghanistan will continue to present a challenge.

'Numerous terrorist groups, notably the Islamic State and al-Qaida are trying to take advantage of the instability in the country mounting bloody attacks,' Lavrov said. 'There is a real danger of terrorism and drugs spilling into the neighbouring nations under the guise of migration.'

Russia's top diplomat urged the Taliban 'not to allow the territory of Afghanistan (to be) used against the interests of any third countries, primarily its neighbours, our friends and allies in Central Asia.'

Russia has vowed to provide military assistance to its ex-Soviet allies in Central Asia to help counter the threats, and held joint drills in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, which neighbour Afghanistan. Another sweeping military exercise in Tajikistan involving 5,000 troops, more than 700 military vehicles and combat jets has started this week.
Former President Trump is 'not off limits' to the committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, according to Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a Republican member of the panel.

Trump has asked his aides to stonewall its investigation, triggering possible criminal charges for former White House strategist Steve Bannon.

Kinzinger on Wednesday said he did not know whether the former president would face subpoena.

'I think that we can get to all the information we need without him, but I think were certainly willing to do it,' he told MSNBC.

'Thats something I want to make clear, is, hes not off limits.'

He spoke after the committee voted on Tuesday evening to hold Bannon in contempt for refusing to testify before the select panel about his communications with groups accused of stoking the violence.

The matter now passes to the House of Representatives for a vote, and then to the Department of Justice to decide whether to prosecute him, potentially leading to jail time.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger said he did not know whether the Jan. 6 committee would subpoena former President Trump. 'But I think we're certainly willing to do it,' he told MSNBC

Trump has told aides not to cooperate with the committee's investigation, citing 'executive privilege.' Former White House strategist Steve Bannon faces possible criminal proceedings for refusing to turn over documents and testify before the committee

That could set the template for action against other staff from the Trump administration.

In all the committee has issued subpoenas to more than a dozen people who helped plan pro-Trump rallies.

Bannon's refusal to cooperate led the other Republican member of the committee, Rep. Liz Cheney, to suggest he had worked with Trump to plan the unrest

'Based on the committee's investigation, it appears that Mr. Bannon had substantial advanced knowledge of the plans for January 6 and likely had an important role in formulating those plans,' said Cheney, who is vice chair of the committee.

She added that Trump's invocation of executive privilege to try to halt the investigation demonstrated 'that President Trump was personally involved in the planning and execution of January 6, and this committee will get to the bottom of that.'

US Rep. Liz Cheney, a Republican who serves as vice chair on the January 6 committee, argued that Steve Bannon and Donald Trump knew about and helped plan the riot

Cheney also urged her fellow members of the GOP to renounce the claims made by Trump and the organizers of the Capitol Hill riot regarding alleged voter fraud.

'Almost every one of my colleagues knows in your hearts that what happened on January 6th was profoundly wrong. You all know that there is no evidence of widespread election fraud sufficient to have changed the results of the election,' she said.

'You all know that the Dominion voting machines were not corrupted by a foreign power. You know these claims are false.

She added that the claims of election fraud could hurt Republican chances pin future elections as American's could become too jaded to vote in a system they believe is fixed.

'This is a prescription for national self-destruction,' Cheney said. 'All of us who are elected officials must do our duty to prevent the dismantling of the rule of law, and to ensure that nothing like that dark day in January ever happens again.'

Trump appeared rattled by the committee last week, saying in a statement: 'Unselect Committee composed of Radical Left Democrats and a few horrible ... Republicans'.

Banon was a close ally of Trump's throughout the 2016 presidential campaign, having a direct line to the then-candidate and later president.

Divisions soon emerged, however, when he became involved in a power struggle with Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and close adviser, and other senior staff in the White House. Trump, meanwhile, grew frustrated at constant press leaks.

The pair parted ways in acrimonious circumstances, with Trump saying a year later: 'When [Bannon] was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind.'

The House Select Committee (pictured) probing the attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters rejected earlier on Tuesday an attempt by Bannon to refrain from testifying

The nine-member panel includes two anti-Trump Republicans  Representatives Liz Cheney of Wyoming (left) and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois (right)

Earlier on Tuesday, the panel probing the attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters rejected an attempt by Bannon to refrain from testifying.

This vote now paves the way for the entire House to vote on whether to recommend contempt charges. A source familiar with the schedule said that the vote was planned for Thursday.

If the House approves the referral, the Justice Department will decide whether to pursue a criminal case.

'I would just say that what we just saw was a unanimous bipartisan determination by the January 6 Select Committee to ensure that our subpoenas are observed,' Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin, a member of the panel, said to reporters immediately following the vote.

'No one in the United States of America has the right to blow off a subpoena by court or by the United States Congress,' he continued.

'If Mr. Bannon wants to show up and plead the Fifth Amendment because he will incriminate himself, he has that constitutional right. We of course had the authority to offer him use immunity so that we wouldn't use any evidence against him directly, that's been well established by the Supreme Court.'

In a Monday report, the panel argued that Bannon made statements suggesting he knew ahead of time about 'extreme events' on January 6, when Congress was scheduled to certify Democrat Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election against Trump.

Bannon said on a January 5 podcast: 'All hell is going to break loose tomorrow.'

The next day, thousands of Trump supporters descended on the Capitol as part of a 'Stop the Steal' rally in an attempt to overturn Trump's election defeat, which Trump still claims was the result of widespread fraud.

Before leaving office in January, Trump pardoned Bannon of charges he had swindled the Republican president's supporters.

Trump has urged former aides subpoenaed by the panel to reject its requests, claiming the right to withhold information because of executive privilege, a legal principle that protects many White House communications.

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

Heading the January 6 Select Committee is Democratic Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi

President Joe Biden's White House argues Trump has no legitimate privilege claim.

'The former president's actions represented a unique - and existential - threat to our democracy that can't be swept under the rug,' White House spokesman Michael Gwin said. 'The constitutional protections of executive privilege should not be used to shield information that reflects a clear and apparent effort to subvert the Constitution itself.'

More than 670 people have been charged with taking part in the riot, the worst attack on the U.S. government since the War of 1812.

So far, the select committee has issued 19 subpoenas.

When asked about how others who were called to testify may respond, panel member Adam Schiff said he's confident the swift action of the committee will deter further noncompliance.

'I don't think we have perfect visibility on whether these witnesses are going to comply  or we're going to have to go the route we did with Steven Bannon.'

'We made it very clear with how quickly we moved to hold Bannon in criminal contempt that we are not wasting time,' the Democratic California representative said after the Tuesday evening vote.

Trump filed suit on Monday, alleging the committee made an illegal, unfounded and overly broad request for his White House records, which committee leaders rejected.

Many legal experts have said Trump's executive privilege claim is weak because the committee has a compelling need to see the requested materials.

The January 6 Capitol riot was aimed at blocking Congress from certifying the election win for Joe Biden and resulted in five deaths and the second impeachment of Trump

Bannon said on a January 5 podcast, 'All hell is going to break loose tomorrow'  leading investigators to believe he knew about plans for the attack ahead of time

The U.S. Supreme Court said in 1821 that Congress has 'inherent authority' to arrest and detain recalcitrant witnesses on its own, without the Justice Department's help. But it has not used that authority in nearly a century.

In 1927, the high court said the Senate acted lawfully in sending its deputy sergeant at arms to Ohio to arrest and detain the brother of the then-attorney general, who had refused to testify about a bribery scheme known as the Teapot Dome scandal.

The select committee was created by House Democrats against the wishes of most Republicans. Two of the committee's nine members - Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger - are Republicans who joined House Democrats in voting to impeach Trump in January on a charge of inciting the Jan. 6 attack in a fiery speech to supporters earlier that day.

Multiple courts, state election officials and members of Trump's own administration have rejected Trump's claims that Biden won because of election fraud.
Sajid Javid has urged people to take Covid tests before going to Christmas parties this year, amid fears that surging cases could spark a winter crisis so serious that restrictions would have to be reimposed.

At a Downing Street press conference tonight, the Health Secretary said 'it's really important that people take a lateral flow test' if they go to festive parties with elderly or clinically vulnerable people present.

His colleague Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, had earlier downplayed fears of a return to lockdown this winter by insisting that people should 'absolutely' put down deposits for Christmas parties.

'The other big thing everyone can do more of is to take advantage of that offer of a free lateral flow test,' Mr Javid said.

'Because where we've seen that people are, if they're going to a party perhaps that has relatives there that are elderly there or grandparents, someone who's immunocompromised, then it's really important that you take a lateral flow test.

'That makes that party or what you're doing - you can still go ahead with it - but it makes that a lot safer.'

Anyone over the age of 11 can access a free lateral flow test kit, which are designed for people without coronavirus symptoms who have not been told to self-isolate. A maximum of two kits, which contain seven tests each, can be collected from some pharmacies, community centres and libraries, or ordered for home delivery via the Government website.

Mr Javid also advised people to take rapid tests 'as part of your weekly routine', adding that one quarter of recent positive cases have come from lateral flow tests taken by asymptomatic people as a precaution.

Downing Street is currently resisting NHS demands for a return of curbs including mandatory facemasks and WFH guidance amid surging infections and a sluggish booster vaccine programme.

Asked on Times Radio whether it was wise to pay money towards a party, Mr Kwarteng said: 'Absolutely. I think I already have, we've got some arrangements in place and I look forward to having a Christmas party as usual.'

Health Secretary Sajid Javid speaks during a media briefing in Downing Street

Kwasi Kwarteng today insisted people should 'absolutely' book office Christmas parties despite rising fears coronavirus restrictions could be reintroduced

Downing Street said Boris Johnson does not want to return to 'imposing diktats on people'. (Stock image of a Christmas party)

Timelapse maps reveal how '15% more infectious' Delta offshoot 'Nu' has rapidly spread across England since it was first detected in London and the South East in June - but experts insist it is NOTHING to worry about The rapid spread of a more infectious Delta variant was laid bare today by a series of maps revealing how it surged across the whole of England. One of the Government's major Covid-tracking projects first spotted the subtype - dubbed AY.4.2 - in June, with 19 cases scattered across London and the South East. But within a week, the number of infections had doubled to 47, and the variant was advancing into areas of the Midlands, East of England and the South West. In just over three months it had reached almost every part of England. More than 2,500 cases of the subtype were detected across the country last week, meaning it now makes up almost 10 per cent of all infections. The hotspot is in Adur, West Sussex. Scientists say the strain - thought to be 10-15 per cent more transmissible than its ancestor - likely first emerged in the UK because of the high number of infections here compared to other countries, which gives the virus more chance to mutate. A separate dataset tracking variants globally puts its first emergence in Britain at June 14, followed by Ireland in late June, Germany in July, and Denmark and the US in August. There is no evidence that it makes vaccines less effective or is more likely to trigger hospitalisation and death but No10 has vowed to keep a 'close eye' on AY.4.2. There have been some 20,248 cases of AY.4.2 in the UK to date, data suggests, and 13 in the US. Advertisement

Asked if Mr Johnson agreed with the Business Secretary, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman said: 'We have said that we don't want to be imposing diktats on people.'

Mr Kwarteng said this morning that he would 'rule out' another national lockdown being imposed.

The Business Secretary was asked on Sky News about some experts saying a further shutdown could not be discounted.

He replied: 'No, I would rule that out. Throughout this process, there've been people saying the lockdown was unnecessary, there have been other people saying we should continue the lockdown. We've really plotted a path between those two extremes.'

At the first Covid press conference at Downing Street in a month, the Health Secretary said that ministers would not reintroduce face masks and WFH guidance 'at this point'.

Mr Javid said that while the NHS was seeing 'greater pressure', he was confident the pressure was not 'unsustainable'. He said ministers would 'stay vigilant' because cases could still rise to 100,000 a day this winter.

The decision by the Government to hold its nerve on restrictions will anger NHS leaders who claim hospitals are already buckling under the weight of Covid, flu and backlogs caused by the pandemic.

Mr Javid used the press conference to urge Britons to come forward for their booster jabs in a bid to speed up the sluggish vaccine campaign - which has only seen a quarter of care home residents revaccinated.

He said that the country was still ahead in the race against the virus thanks to the initial Covid vaccination effort, but claimed that waning immunity meant that lead was 'narrowing'.

Pleading with the country to get their booster, Mr Javid added that not only would a booster save lives, it would also 'protect our freedoms'. 'Boosters could not be more important,' he said.

Asked if people face a tightening of restrictions if they do not get boosters or take care indoors, Mr Javid said: 'Am I saying that if we don't do our bit, get vaccinated, all those behavioural changes that we can make, that we are more likely to face restrictions as we head into winter? Then I am saying that.

'I think we've been really clear that we've all got a role to play.

Daily infections are currently on the brink of passing the 50,000 milestone for the first time in months. Department of Health bosses today recorded 49,139 positive tests, up 15 per cent on the previous week.

Meanwhile, hospital admissions rose by 15.3 per cent week-on-week to 869, while deaths jumped by nearly a third to 179. Both measures lag behind case numbers by a few weeks, due to the time it takes for someone to become seriously unwell after catching the virus.

The Government yesterday said a further 223 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 - bringing the UK total to 138,852.

While the numbers are often higher on Tuesdays because of a lag in reporting deaths and cases over the weekend, that was the highest figure for daily reported deaths since March 9.

Meanwhile, the seven-day average for cases is standing at 44,145 infections per day - the highest level for almost three months.

Mr Javid also announced the UK has bought hundreds of thousands of 'game-changing' pills that can be used to treat Britons with Covid at home this winter.

The UK has bought 480,000 antiviral molnupiravir pills made by US pharmaceutical company Merck and 250,000 PF-073 courses from Pfizer. They still need to be approved by the UK's medical regulator before Britons can get their hands on the drugs.

The above maps show the proportion of Covid cases that were the Delta sub-variant AY.4.2 in the fortnight to June 26 (left) and the fortnight to July 31 (right). Darker colours indicate that more cases of the sub-variant had been detected

The above maps show the proportion of cases that were AY.4.2 in the fortnight to September 25 (left) and October 9 (right). The darker colours indicate that a higher proportion of infections were down to this sub-variant.

Emergency Covid powers are extended for ANOTHER six months amid fears of winter surge as UK records highest daily death count since March MPs agreed to extend emergency Covid powers for another six months without a vote yesterday. Health Secretary Sajid Javid told the Commons that the Coronavirus Act - which includes powers of house-arrest, school and business closures, and restrictions on gatherings - were 'still necessary and proportionate' after 223 Covid deaths were recorded - the highest daily count since March. Though lockdown-sceptic Conservative backbenchers called the legislation 'dystopian', the Labour Party refused to oppose the renewal of the law until March next year - meaning that the draconian regulations were renewed without a formal parliamentary vote. A review by the Government published last month outlined how seven of the remaining 27 temporary, non-devolved provisions in the Coronavirus Act would expire as part of the latest six-month review. These included powers to prohibit or restrict events and gatherings as 'most legal restrictions have been achieved under the Public Health Act, and so these powers have not been required', according to the review. But with 223 deaths recorded yesterday, the Government is facing calls to reintroduce mandatory facemasks and working from home orders. NHS bosses claim that the restrictions would prevent a 'winter crisis' of resurgent Covid as well as flu and other seasonal viruses. Top scientists have repeatedly warned of a fourth wave this winter, prompted by the return of pupils to classrooms and office workers, as well as the colder weather and darker evenings driving people to socialise inside where the virus finds it easier to spread. Advertisement

Experts fear the growing outbreak may have been exacerbated by an even more infectious offshoot of Delta called AY4.2. The proportion of cases made up by the sub-strain have doubled in a month, official figures show.

In his first ever Downing Street press conference, Mr Javid said the UK was seeing 'greater pressure' on the NHS but the Government will 'do what it takes to make sure that this pressure doesn't become unsustainable, and that we don't allow the NHS to become overwhelmed.'

Deaths 'remain mercifully low' at the moment, he said, but added: 'We've always known that the winter months would pose the greatest threat to our road to recovery.'

He added: 'Thanks to the vaccination programme, the link between hospitalisations and deaths has significantly weakened, but it's not broken.

'So we must all remember that this virus will be with us for the long term and remains a threat to our loved ones, and a threat to the progress that we've made in getting our nation closer to normal life.'

Mr Javid urged people to have their vaccines, including Covid boosters and jabs for flu, and said: 'If we all play our part, then we can give ourselves the best possible chance in this race, get through this winter, and enjoy Christmas with our loved ones.'

Tonight was the first Covid press conference since September 14, highlighting the escalating fears about the winter crisis.

Mr Javid told the Downing Street press conference the Government was concerned about the number of cases, but that vaccines were 'clearly working' when it came to hospital admissions and deaths.

Asked about unsustainable pressure on the health service, he said: 'We don't believe that the pressures that are currently faced by the NHS are unsustainable.

'Don't get me wrong, there are huge pressures especially in A&E, in primary care, for example, as well, but at this point we don't believe they are unsustainable.

'If we feel at any point it's becoming unsustainable then the department, together with our friends in the NHS, we won't hesitate to act.'

Mr Javid reiterated that the Government will not be implementing its Plan B strategy 'at this point'.

He added: 'We'll be staying vigilant, preparing for all eventualities while strengthening our vital defences that can help us fight back against this virus.'

Praising deals for new two antiviral treatments that can cut the risk of death for the most vulnerable as 'great news', he said: 'But we cannot be complacent when Covid-19 remains such a potent threat.'

The Health Secretary said England had reached a 'milestone' of four million top-up jabs on Wednesday, adding: 'None of us want to go backwards now.

'So we must all play our part in this national mission, and think about what we can do to make a difference. That means getting the jab when the time comes, whether it's for Covid-19 or flu.'

He stressed that, aside from vaccinations, people can take other - now voluntary - measures such as meeting outdoors where possible, ensuring good ventilation, wearing masks in crowded spaces and taking lateral flow tests.

He said: 'With winter soon upon us, these little steps make a big difference. And they're more important now than they have ever been.'

Dr Jenny Harries, the chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said the UK is going into winter with a 'really high level' of cases.

'What we can see is that the cases now are almost as high as they were in July and actually not far off where they were last winter,' she said.

'What we are not seeing is that dip down again at the other side of the peak and that is really important because we are kicking off the winter at a really high level of cases.

'Fortunately that is not currently working through into serious disease and deaths.'

However, she later said the last two days have seen the highest death rates for some time, adding that the number of deaths are 'moving in the wrong direction'.

There have been suggestions that the variant may be elevated to 'Variant under Investigation'. If this is the case the World Health Organization is likely to give it the name 'Nu', which is the next letter in the Greek alphabet

The graph shows the proportion of cases sequenced in England that are the new subvariant AY.4.2 (yellow) and Delta (blue). Delta became dominant in the UK in May, overtaking the previously dominant Alpha strain (purple)

Daily Covid figures released today show England recorded 41,498 new infections, 2,768 cases were confirmed in Scotland, while 3,450 were spotted in Wales and 1,423 in Northern Ireland.

An average of 45,800 daily infections have been recorded every day in the last week.

And week-on-week infection rates were rising in every age group in England, apart from 80 to 84-yea-olds, on October 15 - the latest date the figures are available for.

Some 8.5million positive tests have been registered across the UK since the pandemic began. But the real infection number is many millions higher, due to the limited testing capacity at the start of the crisis and not everyone who catches the virus coming forward for a test.

Meanwhile, hospitalisations within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test have increased week-on-week for the tenth day in a row.

Some 850 patients have been Covid hospitalised per day in the last seven days on average - the highest figure in a month, but a fraction of the more than 4,000 recorded at the peak of the second wave in January.

Only a QUARTER of care home residents have had their Covid booster vaccine Just over a quarter of care home residents have had a Covid booster vaccine, data shows amid fears that millions of elderly Britons will be left vulnerable to the virus this winter. NHS England data shows that just 27.8 per cent of care home residents have received their crucial third dose and only 14.1 per cent of staff have been boosted. That's despite the booster rollout launching over a month ago and care home residents and their carers being highlighted as the top priority groups. The data also shows that little over half of eligible people over the age of 80 in England have been given a booster, while just a third of 75 to 79-year-olds have been revaccinated. Pressure is mounting on the Government to get the sluggish programme up to speed as daily infections approach peak-second-wave levels and the NHS gears up for a harsh winter. Members of No10's own scientists have publicly called for ministers to hurry up with the programme, which prompted Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng to admit today it was 'something that we really need to address'. NHS England boss Amanda Pritchard yesterday claiming the elderly are not coming forward quickly enough for their boosters. But sources close to the booster drive told MailOnline capacity is also an issue, with figures showing there are nearly a third fewer mass vaccination hubs in operation now compared to April, when more than 400,000 extra jabs a day were being dished out. An NHS practice manager said GPs are prioritising clearing the record-breaking backlog of 5.7million patients waiting for routine treatment in the UK over dishing out jabs. Advertisement

And a further 179 coronavirus deaths were recorded, after a six-month high of 223 was recorded yesterday.

The increase in cases has been in part blamed on the new variant, which academics estimate may be up to 15 per cent more transmissible than the original Delta, which rapidly became dominant in Britain in the spring before taking off worldwide.

It has been detected in almost every part of the country, figures show, and it's thought to be behind almost 60 per cent of positive tests sampled sequenced in Adur, West Sussex.

No10 yesterday said it was 'keeping a very close eye' on AY.4.2 but insisted there is 'no evidence' that it spreads easier. Boris Johnson's official spokesperson also warned the Government 'won't hesitate to take action if necessary'.

Experts suggested the uptick of AY.4.2 - one of 45 sub-lineages of Delta - may be partly to blame, along with the return of pupils to classrooms from August and workers to offices.

Professor Francois Balloux, director of the University College London Genetics Institute, told the Financial Times the strain could be the most infectious subvariant seen since the pandemic began.

But he noted Britain is the only country where the sub-lineage has 'taken off', so its quick growth could be a 'chance demographic event'.

The World Health Organization will likely elevate AY.4.2 to a 'variant under investigation', which means it would be given a name under its Greek letter naming system, Professor Balloux added.

Earlier, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of NHS Confederation - an organisation that represents NHS trusts - warned the health service is preparing for 'the most challenging winter on record' and risks 'stumbling into a crisis' without urgent action to stem the growing outbreak.

He said the 'consequence of not acting now' would be the NHS struggling to tackle the record-breaking backlog of 5.7million patients waiting for routine surgery. Hospital bosses already fear the waiting list will not be cleared for at least five years.

Mr Taylor told the Guardian: 'We are right on the edge - and it is the middle of October. It would require an incredible amount of luck for us not to find ourselves in the midst of a profound crisis over the next three months.

'The government ought to not just announce that we're moving to Plan B, but it should be Plan B plus. We should do what's in Plan B in terms of masks [and] working from home, but also we should try to achieve the kind of national mobilisation that we achieved in the first and second waves, where the public went out of their way to support and help the health service.'

In a second interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Taylor said the NHS was facing a 'perfect storm'.

'I think the Government needs to look at all those measures which science tells us can reduce the spread of the virus and further down the line the number of people going into hospital and dying,' he said.

'The winter is always tight for the NHS for a number of reasons. You add in Covid patients, then you add in pent up demand of people on waiting lists and those who haven't gone to the doctor and are now presenting with quite challenging symptoms.

'I speak to health service leaders every day and I have literally not spoken to any leader who doesn't say their service is under intense pressure now. We are in October and it is only going to get worse.'

He added: 'The risk of the NHS being overwhelmed is there. At the moment the system is working flat out and those winter pressures are going to grow.

'One of the consequences of not taking action is it will be very difficult to make any progress at all for those people who have been waiting a very long time for treatment.'

The map shows the proportion of cases caused by AY.4.2 in the fortnight to October 9, with darker colours equating to more infections caused by the subvariant. Data from the Sanger Institute shows 8.9 per cent of all Covid-positive nose and throat swabs sequenced in England were caused by AY.4.2. It statistics suggests the sub-lineage is most prevalent in Adur, where 61 per cent of all positive samples sequenced were linked with AY.4.2. The subvariant also seems to be highly prevalent in East Lindsey (46 per cent) and Torridge (41 per cent)

The prevalence of the Delta strain, which was first detected in the UK in March and became dominant within two months, grew much faster than AY.4.2 has grown so far. Delta is still responsible for nine in 10 infections in England

Government's SAGE scientists have met just TWICE over the last three months The UK's top scientific advisors have only met twice in the last three months, it was revealed today amid fears a fourth Covid wave is just around the corner. SAGE, which has guided the Government through the Covid pandemic, last met on October 15. The October meeting was the second in as many months, with the influential panel last coming together before that on September 9. The group - which includes England's chief medical officer professor Chris Whitty, Government chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, and 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson, among others, didn't meet in August at all. Labour today claimed it 'beggars belief' as to why Sage was 'effectively stood down', with cases having soared to a three-month high of around 45,000. There were 223 recorded deaths from the virus in the UK yesterday, the highest total since March, a month in which Sage met three times alone. It is understood that both Professor Whitty and Sir Patrick have raised alarm about the figures in recent days and that internal discussions in Government have turned to possibly reimposing some of the milder lockdown measures this winter. Though Downing Street is reportedly resistant to this. There are also concerns about the rise of a new Delta variant of the virus in the UK. The variant called AY.4.2, could be up to 10 to 15 per cent more infectious than its ancestor. This, combined with a slow rollout of the Covid booster programme, with nearly 5million vulnerable adults yet to receive theirs, indicates there may be some dire weeks to come in Britain's fight against Covid. SAGE meetings have diminished in frequency since February, when the second wave was just starting to fizzle out. Since then the group has mostly met thrice or twice a month but August this year was the first time the group did not meet at all since the pandemic began. In comparison, SAGE met four times in August 2020, six times in September 2020, and five times in October last year as the country headed into the colder months and the onset of the second wave of the virus. It contains some of the UK's leading epidemiologists, virologists and other health experts, with meetings also regularly attended by government officials. At meetings they analyse the latest trends of how Covid has been spreading in the UK, and the latest research into the virus and how it can be contained and treated. Advertisement

He said: 'The emergence of yet another more transmissible strain would be suboptimal.

'Though, this is not a situation comparable to the emergence of Alpha and Delta that were far more transmissible - 50 per cent or more - than any strain in circulation at the time.

'Here we are dealing with a potential small increase in transmissibility that would not have a comparable impact on the pandemic.'

The UK Health Security Agency, which took over from the now-defunct PHE, revealed in a report on Friday that the subvariant is expanding in England.

It includes two mutations - called Y145H and A222V - and is being monitored, the UKHSA said.

Both of these spike mutations have been found in other virus lineages since the pandemic began - but are not present on any current variant of concern.

Professor Balloux said the mutations are not obviously linked with increased transmissibility or evading protection granted by vaccines.

Only three AY.4.2 cases have been spotted in the US, while two per cent of cases in Denmark are caused by the sub-lineage, he added.

Data from the Sanger Institute suggests the sub-lineage is most prevalent in Adur, where 61 per cent of all positive samples sequenced were linked with AY.4.2.

The subvariant also seems to be highly prevalent in East Lindsey (46 per cent) and Torridge (41 per cent).

It comes as the UK recorded 49,156 new Covid infections yesterday, marking another three-month high. Hospitalisations and deaths are also on the rise.

Some experts have said the subvariant may be behind the surge, which other European countries are not seeing to the same extent.

Former US Food and Drug Administration commissioner Scott Gottlieb tweeted on Sunday: 'We need urgent research to figure out if this 'delta plus' is more transmissible, has partial immune evasion.'

But Dr Jeffrey Barrett, director of the Covid Genomics Initiative at the Sanger Institute, told the Financial Times AY.4.2 alone does not explain the the UK's caseload, which is instead linked to the UK imposing less restrictions than other countries.

Professor Balloux said its rapid spread 'could have caused a small number of additional cases', but added: 'It hasn't been driving the recent increase in case numbers in the UK.'

Official figures have shown cases are also being fuelled by youngsters returning to classrooms last month, with as many as one in 12 being infected.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said the Government is 'keeping a very close eye on' the subvariant.

They said: 'There's no evidence to suggest that this variant  the AY.4.2 one  is more easily spread. There's no evidence for that but as you would expect we're monitoring it closely and won't hesitate to take action if necessary.'

Dr Alexander Edwards, an immunologist at the University of Reading, told MailOnline it would be concerning if a variant starts to dominant that evades vaccine immunity.

He said: 'Before the successful rollout of vaccines, this was less likely to happen, but now, with such a high proportion of the population infected, alongside waning immunity, now is the time to be extra vigilant.

'Luckily, we can redesign our vaccines very quickly now, so there isn't yet anything to be afraid of.

'But any efforts made now to reduce cases and improve immunity - through boosters, vaccinating younger people, testing and effective isolating - could pay off if they cut the risk of vaccine evading variants.'

Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at the University of Warwick, told MailOnline the detection of AY.4.2 'highlights the need for continued genomic surveillance of the virus'.

Experts will need to monitor it to determine 'if it really is more transmissible and if it has any impact of the efficacy of vaccination', he said.

Professor Young added: 'The continued spread of the virus at a high level in the UK increases the risk of variants being generated that could be more infectiousness and more able to evade vaccine-induced immunity.'
The commuters of a Philadelphia train who filmed an illegal immigrant assaulting and raping a woman for over 30 minutes instead of intervening or calling 911 will likely not be facing charges.

Prosecutors pursuing the case against 35-year-old Fiston Ngoy, who is accused of raping a woman last Wednesday aboard a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) train, said they don't anticipate charging fellow passengers for not intervening.

'It's still an open investigation, but there is no expectation at this time that we will charge passengers,' said Margie McAboy, spokeswoman for the Delaware County District Attorney's office.

Police say commuters of a Philadelphia train filmed Ngoy assaulting and raping a woman for over 30 minutes instead of intervening or calling 911

Police currently have 35-year-old Fiston Ngoy (pictured) in custody and have charged him with rape and assault.

District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said prosecutors want witnesses to come forward, rather than fearing prosecution

According to District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, prosecutors want witnesses to come forward, rather than fearing prosecution, and said, 'Pennsylvania law does not allow for the prosecution of a passenger who may have witnessed a crime.'

Police say that last week as many as 10 bystanders on the train did nothing but pull out their phones to film as Ngoy sexually assaulted a commuter shortly after 9:15pm through 9:52pm until an off-duty transit worker eventually called 911.

According to an affidavit of probable cause for Ngoy's arrest obtained by The Philadelphia Inquirer, the 25-year-old sat down next to the woman about a minute after he boarded the train.

Surveillance video, which police have not released, shows him forcing himself on her as she pushed him away multiple times for over 30 minutes, until he is seen ripping off her pants around 9:52pm.

Upper Darby Police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt said that while there were multiple people on the train, it was ultimately the off-duty SEPTA employee who made the call to 911, which allowed officers to arrest Ngoy.

Police were able to respond to the scene within three minutes following the lone 911 call.

According to SEPTA Police Chief Nestel, Philadelphia 911 did not receive any calls about the attack and that operators at Delaware County 911 were still researching whether it received calls.

Nestel said multiple passengers had their phones available to contact authorities, but instead they chose to record the assault.

Describing police review of surveillance video, Nestel said, 'We were watching to see if somebody put a phone up to their ear indicating they might be calling 911. Instead, what we saw was people holding their phone up as if they were recording or taking pictures.'

'It may have been stopped sooner if a rider called 911,' SEPTA spokesman John Golden said in a statement.

During the course of the brazen attack the train made 27 stops on SEPTA's busiest route.

While the lack of interference from commuters has drawn outrage, the passengers were not required to intervene under Pennsylvania law.

SEPTA General Manager Leslie Richards speaks during a news conference on Monday

'Unless they have a legal duty to intervene, like a parent for their child, a person cannot be prosecuted for sitting back and doing nothing,' Jules Epstein, a law professor and director of advocacy programs at Temple University Beasley School of Law told AP.

'Doing nothing may be morally wrong, but in Pennsylvania, without that special duty relationship, it is not legally wrong,' Epstein added.

Police currently have 35-year-old Ngoy in custody and have charged him with rape and assault.

Ngoy is an illegal Congolese immigrant with an extensive rap sheet that include sex abuse and drug charges dating to 2015.

Ngoy entered the US on a student visa in 2012, but remained after the visa was terminated in 2015 and was protected from deportation by the immigration system despite multiple convictions as recent as this May.

SEPTA Police Chief Nestel said Philadelphia 911 did not receive any calls about the attack and that operators at Delaware County 911 were still researching whether it received calls

Court records show that Ngoy had multiple arrests dating back to 2015 and two misdemeanor convictions, one for controlled substances and one for sexual abuse.

He pleaded guilty to the sex charge in 2017 in Washington DC and was sentenced to 120 days in jail, and was then placed in immigration detention in January 2018.

However, Ngoy was never deported, because an immigration judge granted him a 'withholding of removal' in March 2019, after an appeals board found that his sex crime was not a 'serious crime' that made him eligible for removal.

Since then, Ngoy, has been free and required only to check in periodically with Immigration and Customs Enforcement under an order of supervision.

He is currently being held at the Delaware County Prison and his bail is set at $180,000, according to court records, which do not show that he has hired an attorney or requested a public defender.

His next court appearance will be at a preliminary hearing on October 25 at 9am.
A punter who thought he had scooped 2,400 from a winning bet was offered just 360 after making a 'little mistake' on his betting slip.

Mick Keane, 83, from Erdington, Birmingham, said he was overjoyed when four horses he thought he had backed all came in one after the other.

However, his celebrations turned to anger when Paddy Power refused to pay out because of an error Mr Keane had made about the time of one of the races.

The pensioner had mistakenly selected the 4.10pm at Chepstow on Saturday, October 9, when in fact it was the 4.05pm.

As a result, Paddy Power offered Mr Keane 364.48 for picking three winners, instead of four.

Mick Keane, 83, thought he had won a 2,400 bet but was offered just 360 after being told he had made a mistake on his betting slip

Speaking today, Mr Keane said the incident sent his blood pressure 'sky high' and he admitted putting 'on a bit of a show' at the betting giant's One Stop Shopping Centre branch, in Perry Barr, after being refused the full 2,400.

Mr Keane picked the correct winner of the 4.05pm race at Chepstow - Paint the Dream - but as he wrote 4.10pm on his slip, his bet was changed to the 4.10pm at Newmarket instead.

He claimed staff refused to transfer it to the Chepstow race even though he spotted his error before any of the races he gambled on had began.

But Paddy Power said Mr Keane did not dispute the change of venue on the bet at the time and only complained when he returned later to pick up his winnings.

Mr Keane's receipt shows he wrote '4.10 Chep' and backed the number three horse, but the race was in fact at 4.05. Paddy Power said the bet was changed to the 4.10 at Newmarket and claimed Mr Keane did not dispute that before the race started

Mr Keane said: 'I go in Paddy Power as they say the Irish firms are the best.

'I went to their shop at One Stop in Perry Barr at about 11am and picked out some horses. I put the number of the horse, the time on and the race meeting and took the odds.

'I don't write the names as I find it difficult to spell them.

'I left the shop but then noticed I made a little mistake with the time in the bet and went back in an hour before the races started.

'They said they had changed it to Newmarket. I said I wanted to change it to Chepstow. But they wouldn't. No race of mine had gone off at all but they didn't want to know.'

Mr Keane said he went home and when he checked the winners he found four of his horses had come in.

'When I went back in (to Paddy Power) they said they had changed what they put as the 4.10 at Newmarket now as a non-runner but they wouldn't pay me on the 4.05 at Chepstow.

'I have been paid out before when they have said "we knew what you wanted to bet on". But not Paddy Power.

'As a result of this my blood pressure shot through the roof. I put on a bit of a show at the bookmakers.'

Mr Keane says he has refused the 364.48 pay out and claimed he lost more than 2,000 because of Paddy Power's 'refusal' to honour his bet

Mr Keane placed an accumulator on all the horses winning, and various selections which cost him 51.

He said he refused the 364.48 pay out and claimed he lost more than 2,000 because of Paddy Power's 'refusal' to honour his bet.

He said he is a 'regular customer' at bookmakers in the area, adding 'everybody knows me'.

He also said betting 'keeps me alive and gives me a bit of interest'.

He added: 'I am desperate. I needed that money to go on holiday with my son Julian. I got four winners and they will only pay me out on three.

'It's like giving you a cream cake and they have taken the cream off.'

A spokesman for Paddy Power said: 'Where a meeting is stated and there is no time or an incorrect time, with all multiple bets the selection will be void, unless the sequence of selections written on the slip make the intended time clear.'

Paddy Power said the only time Mr Keane disputed the Chepstow/Newmarket issue was when he was told about his winnings at 6pm that day

The firm added that when Mr Keane returned to the shop he was told his incorrect Chepstow selection had been moved to the 4.10pm at Newmarket, which was 'something he did not dispute at that stage'.

Paddy Power said he then returned at 6pm and was told his winnings were 55 and that was 'the only time he disputed the Chepstow/Newmarket issue'.

He was also told of an error on the timing of another of his selections but this was changed and the bet 'retranslated', Paddy Power said.

The Newmarket selection was considered a non-runner, even though the number three horse in that race did run.

This gave Mr Keane winnings of 364.48.

Paddy Power maintained that if Mr Keane had returned to the shop and asked for the bet to be changed 'we would have simply changed the bet'. A spokesman said he agreed to the change.

But Mr Keane said he denies Paddy Power's explanation.
A British shipping and logistics firm say they have increased their operations in Europe 'five-fold' since Brexit.

Brunswick International have operated in the shipping industry for more than two decades throughout their time working from Liverpool Docks before they expanded operations to Salford to cope with soaring demand after Brexit came to pass.

They also opened a new 2million HQ and customs bond facility after reporting extra demand for its services, moving from their Kirkdale HQ on Merseyside this year to open a new 50,000sq ft warehouse in Hunts Cross.

The new site, which also includes 15,000sq ft of external storage, follows a surge in demand from growing numbers of domestic and international clients since the UK left the European Union.

Fred Connolly (left) and Steve Crane (right) are directors of Brunswick International

Yearly the warehouse and logistics company now deals with around 20,000 containers, making the company one of the biggest import and export firms in the UK.

Brunswick International managing director Steve Crane said: 'We are delighted with our new premises which will allow Brunswick to expand business operations. For many years, our core business was with the USA and China but increasingly, we're working throughout Europe moving freight by road, sea and air.

'There has been a surge in business since Brexit. In fact, our business within the EU has increased five-fold since Brexit.

'We've had to make the move to accommodate the increased demand. We've also expanded our operations in Salford and are looking at other possible locations around the UK.

'We enjoyed over twenty wonderful years in Kirkdale but we are looking forward to continued success from our new home. The new premises have everything we need and will be the central hub of operations for the company.'

Brunswick was also granted a highly-valued customs bond facility, which allows businesses to store their goods with the advantage of delaying the payment of custom duties until the goods are released.

The new location adds to Brunswick's Salford warehouse and will be home to the majority of the company's 47 staff.
A 48-year-old Michigan man was killed after being pulled into a woodchipper machine after his jacket may have been caught on a branch.

The man, 48, whose named has not yet been released, is believed to have been pulled into the woodchipper by his jacket after it got caught on a branch going into the machine, police said.

'Every indication at this point is that his jacket may have been caught on a branch that was being fed into the wood chipper,' Deputy Chief Curt Lawson told Fox 2.

It is unknown if the machine malfunctioned.

The man, who was part of a crew of three working on a private residence in Champlain Circle near Middlebelt and Lone Pine Roads in West Bloomfield, Michigan around 9am yesterday.

Champlain Circle near Middlebelt and Lone Pine Roads (pictured) in West Bloomfield, Michigan around 9am yesterday. One of the three crew members called 911 to report a coworker was in the woodchipper

A man, 48, died after his jacket got stuck on a piece of wood and got pulled into a woodchipper, Deputy Chief Curt Lawson of the West Bloomfield Police Department in Michigan reported

West Bloomfield Police Department received a call about 'his coworker' getting stuck 'inside of a woodchipper.'

His coworkers were able to apply first-aid and a tourniquet to the man, who was in and out of consciousness, until paramedics arrived, police reported.

Paramedics transported him to a nearby hospital, but he was pronounced dead before he arrived.

The West Bloomfield Police Department and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating.

The police reportedly took several photos of the machinery and interviewed everyone one the scene.

'Weve taken an extensive amount of pictures of the equipment to make sure it was operating the way it should have been operating.

The crew performed first-aid on the man, who the police did not release the name of, until paramedics arrived. He died on the way to the hospital

The West Bloomfield Police Department said a scene like this was a 'tragedy' for everyone, including his officers and that they would be providing mental health counseling.

'Its something you cant prepare yourself for and those officers you know we have a peer support program here,' he told Fox 2. 'We have individuals for them to talk to. And we also debrief that incident because we have to make sure our officers' mental health is a priority for us.

'Our hearts go out to the workers on the scene and of course the victim's family.'
A former college basketball star has been indicted for the murder of his four-year-old son after the boy's corpse was found in his parents' freezer.

The body of Eliel Aldon Weaver had been left in a plastic bag in the freezer for two-and-a-half years. Police made the grisly discovery after searching the home in Midlothian, Virginia in May after his concerned uncle asked them to conduct a welfare check.

His dad Kassceen Weaver, 49, was indicted Wednesday for felony murder, felony child abuse, aggravated viscous wounding and neglect while the boy's mother, 48-year-old Dina Weaver, has been charged with conspiracy to conceal a body and failing to render aid to a child, according to KFVS12.

Kassceen was also charged with concealment of a body, domestic assault and malicious wounding of an adult woman after he allegedly beat and burned his wife with a curling iron.

In court, his attorney successfully argued that there was insufficient evidence of malicious intent or that he was responsible for concealing the child's body, and the charge of conspiracy to conceal was dropped, according to Law & Crime.

Kassceen is being held without bail at the Chesterfield County Jail ahead of his next court appearance on November 30. Dina is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Monday.

The father was once a promising basketball star, and in the 1990s was a key member of the University of Richmond team before he went on to play professionally in the Netherlands. He later returned to the United States where he started working in finance, and more recently, as a recruiting manager with Robert Half Finance and Accounting, according to the Daily Beast.

Kassceen Weaver, 49 (left), will stand trial for felony murder, felony child neglect and aggravated malicious wounding for the death of his son, four-year-old Eliel Adon Weaver. The boy's mother, 48-year-old Dina Weaver (right) has been charged with conspiracy to conceal a body and failing to render aid to a child

Prosecutors detailed the harrowing discovery of the child's body on Friday, according to WRIC.

Dina's brother called the police and reported his 'concerns' regarding his sister's 'domestic violence situation,' and said that she told him earlier that month that her son had been dead for two years.

Cops found Eliel when they obtained a warrant and searched the family's home on Lookout Point Circle in the Richmond suburb of Chesterfield on May 4.

Deep in one of the freezers, they discovered the child's remains tied up in twine, wrapped in adult clothing and a sheet then stored inside a bag.

That bag was placed in a plastic container, prosecutors said, and the smell of human remains emanating from it led police to call the Medical Examiner's Office.

Charges were filed after an autopsy report from the county's chief medical examiner confirmed Eliel's identity.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Virginia Department of Health's Central Region for more information about the autopsy.

Cops found Eliel Adon Weaver, 4, when they obtained a warrant and searched the family's home on Lookout Point Circle

Chesterfield Police Major Mike Louth told WTVR-TV: 'It's taken a little bit of time to get us to the point right here just for the fact that this isn't your typical type of investigation.'

'We have human remains that had been in a freezer for approximately a year and a half to two years. So you know, we needed to have an autopsy done, and they worked really well with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner,' Louth said.

He added: 'They brought in some specialists, some forensic anthropologists to help us out on this.'

The couple may face more charges after a final autopsy report from the medical examiners office is revealed, according to WWBT.

Dina Weaver has claimed that she suffers a history of physical and mental abuse, according to court records obtained by WWBT. She also allegedly feared for her safety and that of her brother.

Court records show Dina's brother, who was not named by the outlet, had also told cops he was worried his sister was a victim of domestic violence.

Video shows officials unloading the freezer from the home near Richmond

Cops found the body of the boy in the freezer after receiving a tip

The freezer in which the body of the boy was reportedly found is loaded onto a trailer at the home

It is believed that the boy had been in the freezer for as long as two and a half years

Dina's brother claimed she would talk to him using her work phone and that she allegedly told him on such a phone call on May 3 that Eliel had died two years prior

Dina reportedly did not call police when the boy died because of bruising on his body - though does not mention in the court documents how Eliel died

In the complaint, Dina's brother detailed Kassceen's 'manipulative' behavior such as preventing her from owning a car or cell phone. Kassceen also allegedly did not want Dina talking to her family, WWBT reported.

Dina's brother claimed she would talk to him using her work phone and that she allegedly told him on such a phone call on May 3 that Eliel had died two years prior.

She allegedly accused Kassceen of wrapping little Eliel's body up to place it in the freezer, WWBT reported.

Dina reportedly did not call police when the boy died because of bruising on his body - though it is not mentioned in the court documents how Eliel died.

As noted by WWBT, Dina Weaver was also pictured in mugshot with a black eye which she claimed in the court documents were caused by a 'scuffle' with Kassceen.

Dina also detailed a time in which Kassceen allegedly tied her up with an electrical cord and burned her with a curling iron, the outlet reported.

A second child living with the Weavers has been placed into foster care, outlets reported.
Santander card and online payment services are no longer working for some customers.

Bank users have been complaining today that they cannot pay their bills or check out their online shopping.

One disgruntled customer, Antony, vowed to change banks tomorrow, adding: 'This isn't the first time it's happened'.

Website Downdetector, which tracks complaints of services no longer working, shows dozens of complaints shortly after 2pm, before dying down again towards the evening but spiking again at around 7.30pm.

Website Downdetector, which tracks complaints of services no longer working, shows dozens of complaints shortly after 2pm, before dying down again towards the evening but spiking again at around 7.30pm

An outage map reveals complaints coming primarily from London and Glasgow

An outage map reveals complaints coming primarily from London and Glasgow.

A spokesman for Santander told MailOnline: 'We are aware that some customers are currently experiencing issues with card payments.

'We are sorry for any inconvenience and are working hard to resolve this as soon as possible.'

The company issued a statement on Twitter at 7.30pm apologising to customers for the inconvenience.

Bank users have been complaining today that they cannot pay their bills or check out their online shopping. One disgruntled customer, Antony, vowed to change banks tomorrow, adding: 'This isn't the first time it's happened'

Customer Claire Wallis reached out to the company at 2.50pm, saying she could not make any payments with two of her cards.

Santander replied: 'There seems to be issues currently with some Mastercard payments, they hope to have this resolved asap.'

MailOnline has contacted Mastercard for comment.

Donna Randall asked Tesco if there was a problem with their website because she could not check out her shopping, adding: 'Or is there a problem with @satanderukhelp again?'

The bank replied: 'Hello Donna, we're aware customers are experiencing issues using their card and we're truly sorry you've been affected.'
Sec. of State Antony Blinken slyly hit back at Democrats on Tuesday, warning in a speech in Ecuador that packing courts equated to 'chipping away' at democracy.

While traveling to Latin America to meet with leaders and talk about bolstering democracy, Blinken ticked off the ways a society could undermine the democratic system.

'Consider a country where a leader is elected in a free and fair election and then sets about chipping away slowly but surely, at the pillars of democracy  attacking the free press, undermining the independence of the courts, threatening political opponents,' he said.

'Now, imagine that leader then seeks to use the levers of democracy to pass anti-democratic reforms, eliminating term limits, packing courts, firing legislators.'

Outraged Democrats have called on President Biden to move forward with expanding the Supreme Court after Republicans confirmed Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the bench only weeks before the 2020 election, solidifying a 6-3 conservative majority.

Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., said in April that expanding the bench would actually be 'unpacking' the court of its conservative bent.

To assuage the liberal faction of his party, Biden put together a commission to study different paths potentially to right the balance of the court.

That commission, however, did not warm to the idea of court packing.

While traveling to Latin America to meet with leaders and talk about bolstering democracy, Blinken ticked off the ways a society could undermine the democratic system.

Outraged Democrats have called on President Biden to move forward with expanding the Supreme Court after Republicans confirmed Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the bench only weeks before the 2020 election, solidifying a 6-3 conservative majority

The group, though split, seemed leery of the idea in a report released last week.

'Commissioners are divided on whether court expansion would be wise,' the preliminary report read. 'Court expansion is likely to undermine, rather than enhance, the Supreme Court's legitimacy and its role in the constitutional system, and there are significant reasons to be skeptical that expansion would serve democratic values.'

However, the group said it 'does not believe there is a formal legal obstacle to' adding seats.

At different points throughout the nation's history, the court has expanded the number of seats, though the 9-justice bench has remained the same since 1869.

University of San Diego law professor Michael Ramsey said it was not clear whether lawmakers could 'adjust the size of the court merely for the purpose of achieving particular partisan results,' according to the Wall Street Journal.

But more liberal members of the commission said Republicans had already broke precedent, pointing to how then-Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked President Obama from filling a vacancy in 2016, an election year, but pushed through President Trump's appointment of Amy Coney Barrett just weeks before the election.

Nancy Gertner, a former federal judge, said that Thursday's report ' doesnt talk about how unique this moment is for democracy, when one party apparently is seeking to remain in power for years and years to come through voting changes, and where the current Supreme Court, whether intentionally or unintentionally, whether in good faith or not, is enabling that.'

Harvard law professor Andrew Manuel Crespo also spoke out against Thursday's report. He said the report was biased against expanding the bench rather than presenting the pros and cons of doing so.

'The arguments in favor of expansion are presented tentatively and at a distance in the voice of unnamed others. And in every instance theyre teed up, really, just to be knocked down,' Crespo said.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in her daily news briefing ahead of the report's release that Biden would not be commenting on any findings until the final report on November 14.
State Trooper #1

Cuomo is accused of sexually harassed a state trooper, referred to in the report as Trooper #1, who he hired onto his protective detail in 2017 - bending the three-year experience requirement.

Although she had only completed two years on the force, the governor reportedly wanted the unnamed trooper in his inner circle.

He is said to have asked a senior member of his security detail to add her to the team even though she did not meet the standard requirement.

'Ha ha, they changed the minimum from 3 years to 2 just for you,' the senior security member told the trooper in an email, which was included in the AG's report.

Once she was on his team, he allegedly harassed her on a number of occasions, including one where he ran his hand across her stomach from her belly button to her right hip while she was holding the door open for him at an event.

'I felt...completely violated because to me...that's between my chest and my privates,' the trooper said, according to Business Insider.

'But, you know, I'm here to do a job.'

He also ran is accused 'running his finger down her back' while they were in an elevator together and saying 'hey you', and kissing her on the cheek in front of another trooper.

'I remember just freezing, being - in the back of my head, I'm like, oh, how do I say no politely because in my head if I said no, he's going to take it out on the detail. And now I'm on the bad list,' the trooper said.

Cuomo also allegedly asked her to help him find a girlfriend and said he wanted someone who 'liked pain', and asked her why she wanted to get married, saying 'your sex drive goes down'.

'Trooper #1 found these interactions with the Governor not only offensive and uncomfortable, but markedly different from the way the Governor interacted with members of the PSU who were men, and she conveyed these incidents contemporaneously to colleagues,' the report reads.

The trooper said she was afraid of being retaliated against if she were to speak out against the behavior.

The State Troopers Police Benevolent Association said in a statement on Tuesday that it was 'dismayed and disturbed' by the findings.

Tom Mungeer, president of the association, said: 'I'm outraged and disgusted that one of my members, who was tasked with guarding the governor and ensuring his safety, could not enjoy the same sense of security in her work environment that he was provided.'

State Entity Employee #2

A doctor says she was sexually harassed while administering a televised COVID-19 test to Cuomo.

The doctor who administered a COVID-19 test to Cuomo she was sexually harassed during the incident.

On May 17, 2020 Cuomo told the medic, in front of cameras 'nice to see you doctor, you make that gown look good'.

The doctor, who appeared in full PPE gear, did not respond to his comment.

Cuomo is accused of sexually harassing the medic while she administered him a COVID-19 test in front of cameras

Cuomo allegedly made comments towards the medic that were sexual in nature. He said: 'Nice to see you doctor, you make that gown look good'

The report also claims that before the test, Cuomo asked her not to swab him so hard that it 'hit his brain'.

She replied that she'd be 'gentle but accurate' and he said 'I've heard that before,' which the doctor said was 'implied in a sexual nature'.

The medic considered the interaction to be sexual harassment and investigators agreed.

Another unnamed 'state entity employee'

The unidentified employee, identified in the report as 'State Entity Employee #1,' said she attended an event with Cuomo in September 2019.

After giving a speech, Cuomo is said to have posed for pictures with her. While the picture was being taken, he 'grabbed her butt'.

'The employee was shocked and discussed it with a number of friends, family and co-workers,' the report says.

She also 'memorialized the Governor's inappropriate touching' contemporaneously, but the report doesn't say how.

'Executive Assistant One'

Cuomo is accused of groping an executive assistant, whose identity remains anonymous, at an event last November after routinely engaging in a pattern of impropriate conduct that began in late 2019.

The report includes photos of Cuomo with a woman described as 'executive assistant one'

The report says Cuomo repeatedly sexually harassed 'Executive Assistant One' when she worked for him by subjecting her to 'close and intimate hugs', 'kisses on the cheeks and forehead', 'at least one kiss on the lips' and 'touching her butt'.

He allegedly referred to her and one other assistant as 'mingle mamas' and asked her repeatedly if she would ever cheat on her husband.

On December 31, 2019, Cuomo asked her to take a selfies of them as they worked together inside his office at the Executive Mansion.

As she held up the camera, Cuomo 'moved his hand to grab her butt cheek and began to rub it' for at least five seconds, the report alleges.

The assistant 'was shaking so much during this interaction' that the photos came out blurry  and Cuomo suggested the two sit down to take one more, the document says.

That photo, showing Cuomo smirking while he sits back on a couch with the aide, is included in the report.

The governor then allegedly told her to send the snap to another aide, Alyssa McGrath - who has also accused Cuomo of sexual harassment - and said 'not to share the photograph with anyone else.'

The woman said she didn't report what happened because she was terrified.

'[T]he way he was so firm with [me] that I couldn't show anyone else that photo, I was just terrified that if I shared what was going on that it would somehow get around,' she told investigators.

Cuomo admitted that he and the staffer took a photo together, but said it was her idea, because 'he does not like to take selfies.'

In November 2020, he allegedly groped her breast at the Executive Mansion in Albany.

'For over three months, Executive Assistant #1 kept this groping incident to herself and planned to take it 'to the grave,' but found herself becoming emotional (in a way that was visible to her colleagues in the Executive Chamber) while watching the Governor state, at a press conference on March 3, 2021, that he had never 'touched anyone inappropriately.'

She then confided in certain of her colleagues, who in turn reported her allegations to senior staff in the Executive Chamber, the report says.

Cuomo, in a defiant address after the report was published, presented a montage of photos of him being tactile with people such as Bill Clinton, his mother and Robert De Niro. He used the photo show to claim he was never abusive, but merely someone who frequently hugged and touched people

Cuomo, who served as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Clinton administration, is seen above planting a kiss on the cheek of former Vice President Al Gore

Cuomo's montage included another image of him planting a kiss on his mother's forehead

Cuomo included a photo above showing the governor grabbing a young boy's face

The assistant was summoned to the mansion under the pretext of having to assist Cuomo with a technical issue involving his phone, the Times Union reported in March.

The two were alone together on the second floor of the residence when Cuomo allegedly closed the door, reached under the woman's blouse and began to fondle her.

'You're going to get us in trouble,' the woman said she told Cuomo, who replied, 'I don't care,' according to the report.

His demeanor 'wasn't like 'ha ha,' it was like, 'I don't care.' . . . It was like in this - at that moment he was sexually driven. I could tell and the way he said it, I could tell,' the woman testified.

The governor then 'slid his hand up her blouse, and grabbed her breast, cupping her breast over her bra,' the report alleges.

A source familiar with the incident told the newspaper that the victim had asked Cuomo to stop.

This was allegedly the only time he touched her; all other instances involved flirtatious behavior.

Lindsey Boylan

Boylan, who was the first accuser to speak out publicly, said that Cuomo made inappropriate remarks to her when she worked as chief of staff to the CEO of the Empire State Development Corporation.

Boylan is seen in Washington Square Park in Manhattan on March 20 at a rally demanding Cuomo resign

Cuomo said that he found her attractive and that he wanted to play strip poker.

She also said that he physically touched her on various parts of her body, including her waist, legs, and back.

She claimed that once she reported her allegations, she was victimized by his team who ran a smear campaign against her while she ran for office.

The alleged harassment took place between 2015 and 2018.

Reports released earlier this year revealed that Cuomo's top aide tried to discredit Boylan and allegedly called at least six former employees looking for dirt on her.

Lindsey Boylan was the first accuser to speak out publicly against Cuomo. She says he made inappropriate comments towards her and physically touched her on various parts of her body

Charlotte Bennett

Bennett worked briefly for Cuomo as an aide. She was a health policy adviser in the New York governor's administration, hired in the spring of 2019 and swiftly promoted to senior briefer and executive assistant only a few months later.

AG Letitia James says her allegations that Cuomo harassed her with a series of comments are corroborated.

Among his alleged remarks are questions about if she'd date older men, asking her help to find a girlfriend, and apparently quizzing her on a sexual assault she had endured.

Charlotte Bennett, who worked for Cuomo last year, told CBS News she felt 'vindicated' by the report

EXCLUSIVE: I feel vindicated, former Gov. Cuomo aide Charlotte Bennett tells @NorahODonnell after New Yorks attorney general said she believed the women who came forward saying they had been sexually harassed by the governor. pic.twitter.com/O6Iwjndwo8  CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) August 3, 2021

Charlotte Bennett worked briefly as a an aide for Cuomo. He allegedly asked her questions about if she'd date older men, asking her help to find a girlfriend, and apparently quizzing her on a sexual assault she had endured

One of the other comments that he made was that he wanted to ride into the mountains with women.

Bennett had a friendly relationship with Cuomo due to their mutual ties to Westchester County, and saw him as a mentor.

Charlotte Bennett made notes about her experience working with Cuomo which she gave to investigators

In an interview earlier this year, Bennett said her first awkward conversation with Cuomo occurred on May 15, 2020.

The report included text messages between Charlotte Bennett and another aide, and conversations she had with her parents where she had she had a 'great conversation' with the 'Governor', and others where she says he made her feel uncomfortable.

'The governor invited me to lift weights with him,' she wrote in one message. 'He challenged me to a push-up competition'.

She had told her parents how he was surprised to learn that she lifted weights and boxed, and that he had asked her to do push-ups in the office.

In another text chain she said Cuomo 'talked about age difference in relationships,' calling his comments 'explicit'.

Charlotte Bennett saw Cuomo as a mentor, but she says he was clear he wanted more

The report also included messages in which Bennett tells a confidant that she was incredibly uncomfortable following an interaction in the office. Bennett said she was 'shaking' and 'so upset and so confused'.

In texts to another aide, Bennett said Cuomo repeated to her 'over and over' that she had been 'raped'.

Cuomo was also recorded singing the popular 1960s love song Do You Love Me?, by the Contours, to Bennett during a phone call in 2019.

According to the New York Post, Bennett initiated the phone call saying, 'Hi, governor. This is Charlotte'.

Cuomo allegedly answered the call with 'Are you ready? Doo, doo, doo,' and proceeded to ask her if she was familiar with the song.

Bennett told him the song was 'before her time'.

Cuomo allegedly continued singing, 'Do you love me? Do you really love me? Do you love me? Do you care?'

Virginia Limmiatis

Virginia Limmiatis worked for National Grid and was wearing a t-shirt with the company's name written across her chest when she says she met Cuomo.

Virginia Limmiatis worked for the National Grid when Cuomo allegedly groped her

He ran his 'two fingers across her chest, pressing down on each of the letters as he did so and reading out the name of the company as he went'.

The report says he then 'leaned in, with his face close to her cheek, and said 'I'm going to say I see a spider on your shoulder' before brushing the area between her shoulder and her breasts'.

'Ms. Limmiatis came forward in this investigation after she heard the governor state, during the March 3, 2021 press conference, that he had never touched anyone inappropriately.

'As Ms. Limmiatis testified to us, 'He is lying again. He touched me inappropriately. I am compelled to come forward to tell the truth... I didn't know how to report what he did to me at the time and was burdened by shame, but not coming forward now would make me complicit in his lie, and I won't do it.''

Alyssa McGrath

McGrath, 35, was the first current employee to accuse Cuomo, and works as an executive assistant.

'In his interactions with another executive assistant, Alyssa McGrath, the Governor made inappropriate comments and engaged in harassing conduct, including: regularly asking about her personal life, including her marital status and divorce; asking whether Ms. McGrath would tell on Executive Assistant #1 if she were to cheat on her husband - and whether Ms. McGrath herself planned to 'mingle' with men'.

She also claimed he looked down her shirt to compliment her on her necklace, told her that she's beautiful in Italian and kissed her on the forehead during an office Christmas party in 2019.

Alyssa McGrath was quizzed by Cuomo about her marital status and divorce and kissed on the forehead by Cuomo at an office Christmas party

Her attorney, Mariann Wang, said on Tuesday that McGrath and another accuser she represents, Virginia Limmiatis, were relieved.

The two women 'feel profoundly grateful to the AG's team for taking this seriously and examining their reports thoroughly and carefully.'

Wang continued: 'Cuomo's misogyny and abuse cannot be denied. He has been doing this for years, without any repercussions.

'He should not be in charge of our government and should not be in any position of power over anyone else.'

'Kaitlin'

Kaitlin - whose second name is not public - met the governor in 2016 at a fundraising event where they were photographed together in a dance pose.

Afterwards, she was hired by him in a junior position but given a salary of $120,000 - a figure so high she says it was laughed at in her interview.

Ana Liss

Liss, 35, worked in the Executive Chamber between 2013 and 2015, during which time she says the governor subjected her to sexual harassment that included being called 'sweetheart' and 'darling', and placing his hand around her lower waist.

Ana Liss (pictured) worked in the Executive Chamber between 2013 and 2015, during which time she says the governor subjected her to sexual harassment that included being called 'sweetheart' and 'darling', and placing his hand around her lower waist

He also kissed her hands and cheek, she said.

Despite feeling uncomfortable, she says she did not report them because 'for whatever reason, in his office the rules were different.'

She added: 'It was just, you should view it as a compliment if the Governor finds you aesthetically pleasing enough, if he finds you interesting enough to ask questions like that.

'And so even though it was strange and uncomfortable and technically not permissible in a typical workplace environment, I was in this mindset that it was the twilight zone and...the typical rules did not apply.'

Anna Ruch

Ruch was a guest at a wedding, as was the governor, in 2019 when she says he put his hands on a section of her back that was exposed by a cut-out in her dress.

She grabbed his wrist to move it away and he responded by saying 'wow, you're aggressive,' according to the report.

Cuomo then grabbed her face with both of his hands and said 'can I kiss you?'

He was pictured kissing her cheek.

Anna Ruch was a guest at a wedding, as was Cuomo, in 2019. She says he put his hands on a section of her back that was exposed by a cut-out in her dress

Karen Hinton

Karen Hinton, 62, spoke to the Washington Post about an incident in which Cuomo summoned her to his 'dimly lit' hotel room and embraced her after a work event in 2000.

She was not among the 11 women on who the attorney general based her report.

Hinton said that she tried to pull away from Cuomo, but that he pulled her back and held her before she backed away and escaped the room.

Peter Ajemian, Cuomo's director of communications, told the Post that Hinton is a 'known antagonist of the Governor's who is attempting to take advantage of this moment to score cheap points with made up allegations from 21 years ago'.

'All women have the right to come forward and tell their story  however, it's also the responsibility of the press to consider self-motivation. This is reckless,' he added.

Karen Hinton, 62, (pictured above) claims the governor summoned her to his 'dimly lit' hotel room and embraced her after a work event in 2000 before she managed to escape

In response, Hinton told the Post that 'attacking the accuser is the classic playbook of powerful men trying to protect themselves' as she said that watching Cuomo's apologetic press conference 'drove me crazy'.

'I really thought the flirt wasn't about having sex,' Hinton said. 'It was about controlling the relationship.'

At the time of the alleged encounter in the hotel room, Cuomo would have been leading the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Hinton was a consultant after moving to California.

The Post reports that Hinton and Cuomo have a contentious past and that they had a major blow up before she left the agency in 1999, remaining on as a consultant.

She had joined Cuomo in Los Angeles to promote a HUD program and later had dinner in his hotel before allegedly receiving a phone call from him stating: 'Why don't you come to my room and let's catch up?'

Hinton said that she began to think it was unusual when Cuomo asked her to avoid being seen by Clarence Day, his longtime head of security, but that she continued to his room anyway.

'I paused for a second,' she told the Post about noticing the low lights in the room. 'Why are the lights so low? He never keeps the lights this low.'

Hinton said they sat on opposite couches and talked about their work at HUD and that Cuomo asked her personal questions about her life and marriage - including if she would leave her husband.

She claims that she grew self-conscious after speaking so much about herself and went to leave.

'I stand up and say, 'It's getting late, I need to go,' ' she said, describing the embrace Cuomo gave her as 'very long, too long, too tight, too intimate'.

'He pulls me back for another intimate embrace,' she said. 'I thought at that moment it could lead to a kiss, it could lead to other things, so I just pull away again, and I leave.'

Hinton told the Post that she viewed the move as a 'power play' for 'manipulation and control' and that the pair never discussed the incident again, although they have remained in touch.

She has both publicly praised Cuomo and been critical of him, especially when working as press secretary in 2015 and 2016 for New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, with whom the governor has an intense rivalry.

The Post spoke to two people who confirmed that Hinton had told them about the hotel incident after it happened.
Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was grilled about the police murder of Laquan McDonald at a Senate hearing on Wednesday, seven years since the day of the black teen's death.

Emanuel was partaking in a confirmation hearing to become President Joe Biden's ambassador to Japan.

At one point during Wednesday's hearing, Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon confronted Emanuel about his city's decision to force McDonald's family to sign a non-disclosure agreement before they could see video of the teen's murder.

He questioned whether Emanuel knew more than he let on at the time - but the former mayor wouldn't give a direct answer.

'That's a pretty significant decision, you're saying you had no idea of the circumstances of the shooting?' Merkley asked.

'Senator, in that situation, the family approached the city about a settlement, an NDA is standard practice at that time,' Emanuel replied before venturing to explain the bureaucratic red tape that go into such agreements.

But Merkley pushed ahead, clarifying: 'Yes of course, I didn't ask about the NDA, I asked if at that point you had been briefed on the details of the shooting.'

Emanuel came to Capitol Hill for a confirmation hearing to be Joe Biden's Ambassador to Japan, but the 2014 murder of a black Chicago teen at the hands of a white police officer loomed over his testimony

Oregon Senator Merkley pressed Emanuel about his role in the alleged cover-up of McDonald's murder

Emanuel appeared to stare downward as he slowly articulated his answer.

'The details were in the public domain when then - when the corporation council briefed the alderman,' he said.

Merkley stated that Emanuel's role in Chicago's handling of the teenager's death should not be overlooked at a time the country is grappling with 'the challenge of Black Lives Matter' and a nationwide racial reckoning, noting other officials have also spoken out on the issue.

'I think it's important for this committee to actually weigh this,' he said, adding to Emanuel: 'Thank you for addressing this now.'

He concluded, 'Just to clarify - because all of these things happened, the family requested the video, the city attorney reached out proactively before there was a lawsuit to ask for a settlement, the settlement was approved in a less than one minute meeting with no public discussion, it seems hard to believe that all those things happened but you weren't briefed on the details of the situation.'

The former Obama administration official's eight-year tenure as mayor of Chicago was historically unpopular and marked by a number of high-profile scandals involving police shootings.

Laquan McDonald was 17 years old when he was shot 16 times by a white police officer

Emanuel's administration refused to make public police dash cam video of the killing for more than a year and not until being compelled to do so by a state court.

The video's release proved that police lied about the details leading to McDonald's 2014 death, in which the 17-year-old was shot 16 times by Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

He later apologized for his handling of the situation, which sparked weeks of mostly peaceful protests in the nation's third-largest city after the video's release.

Van Dyke was convicted of second-degree murder for McDonald's death and jailed for nearly seven years.

Emanuel didn't mention McDonald in his opening remarks, but at one point in the hearing the former official was given the opportunity to discuss the murder by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Menendez.

'Seven years ago, a young man had his life taken on the streets of the city of Chicago. He had all the promise ahead of him and a police officer took his life, killed him. I said then, Im the mayor and Im responsible and accountable for fixing this so this never happens again,' he said.

'And to be honest, theres not a day or a week that has gone by in the last seven years I havent thought about this and thought about that the what ifs and the changes, and what could have been.'

He defended himself behind 'longstanding protocol' that he indicated could have prevented the video's release earlier but also appeared to take some responsibility.

In this still image taken from a police vehicle dash camera released by the Chicago Police Department on November 24, 2015 , Laquan McDonald walks up a street just prior to being shot by Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke on October 20, 2014

Family members of Laquan McDonald, including his grandmother (center), leave the sentencing hearing for former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on January 18, 2019 in Chicago

Community activist Will Calloway speaks at a rally in front of Chicago Police headquarters on Tuesday, Oct. 19. Calloway is among the activists calling on the Senate to reject Emanuel's nomination

'As you know theres a longstanding protocol and practice that nothings released in the middle of an investigation for fear of either prejudicing a witness or endangering a prosecution. That was the practice, longstanding, not just in Chicago but across the country,' he said.

But Emanuel also admitted that he may not have done enough.

'I made a number of changes that dealt with oversight, accountability, and it is clear to me the changes were inadequate to the level of distrust. They were on the best marginal, I thought I was addressing the issue, and I clearly missed the level of distrust and skepticism that existed, and thats on me,' he said.

Despite his scandal-ridden tenure as mayor Emanuel has been publicly backed by the White House and a number of other senators, both Republican and Democrat.

Former US ambassador to Japan and now GOP Senator from Tennessee Bill Hagerty called Emanuel a 'qualified and capable nominee' on Wednesday.

Democrat Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia thanked Emanuel for discussing the teenager's murder at all.

'You cant be a mayor especially in a city like Chicago without picking up some scar tissue along the way,' he noted.

The biggest Congressional pushback against Emanuel's nomination on Wednesday came from outside of the Senate.

Progressive lawmakers spoke out against Emanuel today and urged the Senate to reject his appointment

A number of progressive lawmakers on Capitol Hill joined Chicago-based left wing activists to urge their colleagues in the Senate to reject Emanuel's nomination over McDonald's murder.

Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri slammed Barack Obama's former chief of staff with back-to-back statements that also commemorated the anniversary of McDonald's shooting.

'7 years ago today, Laquan McDonald was murdered by a police officer in Chicago. 7 years ago today, Rahm Emanuel began his coverup of what actually happened that night. Today, the Senate is considering Emanuel for Ambassador to Japan. I implore my Senate colleagues to vote 'No',' she wrote on her Congressional Twitter account.

Less than half an hour later she posted on her other account, 'Theyre holding the confirmation hearing for Rahm Emanuel on the 7-year-anniversary of the polices murder of Laquan McDonald. A murder that he helped cover up as Mayor. A disgusting disregard for Black lives.'

Rep. Mondaire Jones of New York repeated the accusation that Emanuel 'covered up' the murder, adding that he should not represent the US abroad.

'Laquan McDonald should be alive today. Instead, on the anniversary of his death, the man who helped cover up his murder is being considered for an ambassadorship. Rahm Emanuel has no business representing the United States. I urge my Senate colleagues to reject his nomination,' Jones said.

Jones' fellow New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman said, 'We need justice for Ahmaud Arbery and Laquan McDonald. Confirming Rahm Emanuel a complacent man in the face of Black people dying, should be improper representation of this country. We need justice on every level for every Black person that has died in the hands of the system.
The FBI found a trash bag of shredded documents, thousands of dollars in cash, latex gloves and a 'go-bag' when they searched the home of a Maryland couple accused of trying to sell information about nuclear-powered submarines to a foreign country, an agent testified on Wednesday.

Jonathan Toebbe, a Navy nuclear engineer, and his wife, Diana, were arrested this month on espionage charges. The couple pleaded not guilty in federal court in West Virginia.

They face life in prison if convicted, with new details of their alleged crimes emerging in court Wednesday.

Peter Olinits, a Pittsburgh-based agent specializing in counterintelligence investigations, testified in support of the prosecution that Diana Toebbe was a potential flight risk during Wednesday's proceedings.

He argued that she should remain jailed as the case moved forward. Olinits described how agents on the day of the couple's arrest discovered $11,300 in cash, children's valid passports and a 'go-bag' that appeared prepped for a sudden departure, containing a USB flash drive and latex gloves.

Jonathan Toebbe, a Navy nuclear engineer, and his wife, Diana, were arrested this month on espionage charges. The couple (seen above with their two young children) pleaded not guilty in federal court in West Virginia. They face life in prison if convicted

Olinits went on to cite text messages from 2019 and 2020 in which the Toebbes discussed leaving the country over their anger at Donald Trump's presidency.

But that was met with an objection But Diana Toebbe's lawyer, Edward MacMahon.

He raised the possibility that his 45-year-old client, who worked as a teacher at a progressive private school in Annapolis, Maryland  was referring to her distress over the prospect of President Donald Trump's reelection.

'She's not the only liberal that's wanted to leave the country over politics,' MacMahon told the court, 'That's correct, isn't it, sir?'

Prosecutors allege that Jonathan Toebbe tried to pass submarine secrets to someone he thought was a representative of a foreign government but who was actually an undercover agent.

Court documents do not reveal the identity of the foreign country he is accused of trying to sell the information to, but it is believed to be an ally or neutral state, because the foreign government alerted the US to the plot.

Undercover agents then posed as members of that foreign government to catch the couple out, it is alleged.

Jonathan and Diana Toebbe, both of Annapolis, Maryland, were indicted on Tuesday by a Grand Jury in Elkins, West Virginia, on national security charges

The leaked secrets contained 'militarily sensitive design elements, operating parameters and performance characteristics of Virginia-class submarine reactors,' according to a federal court affidavit

They accuse Diana Toebbe of serving as a lookout for her husband at several 'dead drop' locations at which sensitive information was left behind.

The country Toebbe was looking to sell the information to has not been identified in court documents and was not disclosed in court Wednesday.

To avoid suspicion, Olinits said, the Toebbes would dress as if tourists or hikers and meander around the site, and Diana Toebbe was spotting snapping photographs.

Jonathan Toebbe (left) and Diana Toebbe (right) were both charged with spying on the U.S. for an unidentified foreign government and were ordered held without bail during a court appearance Tuesday after it was determined that they pose a 'serious risk' of flight

Edward MacMahon, a lawyer for Diana Toebbe, argued that since the FBI did not record any of the couple's conversations, agents actually had no proof that his client had any knowledge of her husband's activities or what precisely he was doing.

'Did it occur to you as part of your investigation that maybe Mr. Toebbe was telling her he was up to something other than espionage against the United States?' MacMahon asked.

'I think that'd be a difficult thing to sell, but maybe,' Olinits said.

As the Annapolis, Maryland, couple faces legal peril, more information has emerged about their alleged motive.

Diana Toebbe was reportedly known to complain about her $60,000-a-year salary and spoke seriously about fleeing the US after Donald Trump was elected president in 2016.

Two dozen friends were interviewed by the New York Times, including one who said Diana had once remarked: 'I'm not doing this for the money' after helping a student work on a paper at the private Key School in Annapolis, Maryland, where she taught.

The Times' investigation paints a picture of a couple who were consistently worried about money for over a decade - among other anxieties - with Mr Toebbe repeatedly telling friends he needed to 'provide for his family' in 2010.

He also joined the Navy in 2012 despite being a talented graduate student studying for a PhD at the time, a decision a friend told The Times was made to earn more, and came after the couple lost their house due to the 2008 financial crash.

Legal sources told the Times that cash was a likely incentive for the alleged passing of secrets, with the Toebbes offering nuclear submarine secrets for an initial payment of $100,000 in cryptocurrency.

Jonathan is said to have smuggled information out of his work, with Diana accompanying him to dead-drops. The pair now face life in jail over communicating restricted data and conspiracy charges filed on Wednesday.

They were likely motivated by a thirst for money, and dissatisfaction with the United States, particularly the Trump administration, which they expressed vocal despair over

But self-described feminist Diana's horror of Donald Trump's election win was also noted by multiple acquaintances, who say she became notably more vocal about politics in the wake of his November 2016 win, and even spoke seriously about leaving the US.

Former student Garrett Karsten said Diana seemed 'genuinely distraught' by the Trump win, and appeared deadly serious about her plans to leave the country.

The Times also reported how the couple were forced to sell their $270,000 home in Aurora, Colorado, for a significant loss because the 2008 financial crisis triggered a foreclosure, amid speculation that experience may have sparked their desire for money and stability.

At the time, Jonathan was working on a Ph.D which came with a stipend of just $20,000, with the loss of the couple's house mooted as a possible reason for his application to join the US Navy, which would have offered a good and rapidly-increasing salary for a scientist as skilled as Toebbe.

They were making a combined salary of $210,000 at the time of their arrest on October 9, with Jonathan Toebbe earning $153,000 for his work at Washington Navy Yard to design nuclear reactors for submarines.

They were arrested in West Virginia on October 9 and previously charged in a criminal complaint with violations of the Atomic Energy Act. The couple is due in federal court Wednesday for a detention hearing.

None of the friends interviewed by The Times said they expected the couple to once day be accused of betraying the United States.

Janet Monge, who worked with Ms. Toebbe as a curator at the University of Pennsylvania Penn Museum, told the newspaper: 'It just seems so out of character. Not very academic and thoughtful at all.'

Written communications between Jonathan and an undercover FBI agent posing as a foreign spy show that the engineer had collected the classified military information over several years

Mr Toebbe reached the rank of lieutenant and mostly worked in the Washington area on naval reactors, but also did a brief stint at the Pentagon.

According to court documents, he had physical access to information when he was stationed at the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, a government-owned research center near Pittsburgh.

He was assigned there for just five months in 2014. He remained on active duty in the Navy until 2017, at which point he joined the Navy reserve.

As a civilian, he continued to work at the Washington Naval Yard designing the reactors for the next generation of nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed submarines - known as the Columbia class.

The project is one of the most important the Navy has, and he earned $153,737 a year, according to The Times report.

Prosecutors are working to learn at which point in his career he began collecting information that he is alleged to have gone on to try and sell.

Prosecutors say Diana Toebbe accompanied her husband on several instances to pre-arranged 'dead-drop' locations at which he left behind memory cards containing the sensitive information.

After their home went underwater during the Great Recession, and they were forced to sell at a loss, Jonathan Toebbe left his nuclear physics doctoral study to join the Navy, a faster path to higher income.

Diana Toebbe, meanwhile, often lamented about her paycheck as a teacher at an elite private high school, frequently pointing out that she had a PhD, students and colleagues say.

One former colleague said Diana had a flair for history, and expressed disappointment that she hadn't chosen to pursue a career in academic.

The couple have two children and lived in their own home in a middle-class neighborhood in Annapolis.

The indictment alleges that on April 1, 2020, just weeks into the pandemic Jonathan Toebbe sent a package to a foreign government, listing a return address in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, containing a sample of classified information and instructions for establishing a covert relationship.

The residence of Jonathan and Diana Toebbe is shown on October 10 in Annapolis, Maryland, a day after it was searched by FBI agents

Jonathan Toebbe entered into email correspondence with an undercover FBI agent posing as a representative of the foreign government, and eventually handed over three items of nuclear sub secrets in exchange for $100,000 paid in cryptocurrency, the indictment claims.

The FBI also arranged a 'signal' to Toebbe from the country's embassy in Washington over the Memorial Day weekend. The papers do not describe how the FBI was able to arrange such a signal.

In June 2021, the FBI says, the undercover agent sent $10,000 in cryptocurrency to Toebbe, describing it as a sign of good faith and trust.

Weeks later, federal agents watched as the Toebbes arrived at an agreed-upon location in West Virginia for the exchange, with Diana Toebbe appearing to serve as a lookout for her husband during a dead-drop operation for which the FBI paid $20,000, according to the complaint.

The FBI recovered a blue memory card wrapped in plastic and placed between two slices of bread on a peanut butter sandwich, court documents said.

Jonathan also hid encrypted memory cards in a chewing gum packet and Band-Aid wrapper at different drop-off locations.

The FBI provided the contents of the memory card to a Navy subject matter expert who determined that the records included design elements and performance characteristics of Virginia-class submarine reactors, the Justice Department said.

The FBI conducted similar dead-drop exchanges over the next several months, including one in August in Virginia in which Toebbe was paid roughly $70,000 and concealed in a chewing gum package a memory card that contained schematic designs for the Virginia-class submarine, according to court documents.

The social media posts on Diana Toebbe's Facebook account include one saying 'Women Can Stop Trump'

One retweet from the her account in 2017, just days after Trump's inauguration, shows a photo saying, 'To the rest of the world, due to an insufficient amount of moral courage, America is temporarily out of order. We hope to restore service as quickly as possible. In the meantime, we in the resistance movement join hands with those around the world who realize we are one people. May the forces of good be with us. #TheResistance.'

Diana also retweeted an anti-trump tweet from TED Talk follower and cosmologist Katie Mack, saying the Trump administration suppressed LGBT rights

One post she shared in 2019 is a photo from an unidentified Women's March with the above quote about 'staying angry'

Only six countries currently operate nuclear-powered submarines  China, France, India, Russia, the UK and the US. The US and UK are set to provide Australia with the technology to deploy nuclear-powered submarines, as part of the first initiative under the new trilateral security partnership AUKUS.

The couple were ordered held without bail during a court appearance Tuesday after it was determined that they pose a 'serious risk' of flight.

In a letter outlining what classified information he had obtained, Jonathan, who spent two years working on nuclear reactors in Arlington, Virginia, is said to have explained how he meticulously smuggled documents over the years.

'This information was slowly and carefully collected over several years in the normal course of my job to avoid attracting attention and smuggled past security checkpoints a few pages at a time,' he wrote.

'I no longer have access to classified data so unfortunately cannot help you obtain other files. But I can answer your experts questions using my own knowledge, if we can establish a secure and confidential means of communication.'

He is also said to have suggested meeting his handler for a drink after their 'mission was complete.

An email prosecutors say was sent by Jonathan Toebbe said: 'Thank you for your partnership as well my friend. One day, when it is safe, perhaps two old friends will have a chance to stumble into each other at a cafe, share a bottle of wine and laugh over stories of their shared exploits.

'A fine thought, but I agree that our mutual need for security may make that impossible. Whether we meet or no[sic], I will always remember your bravery in serving your country and your commitment to helping me.'

A bird's eye show of Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory lab, where the FBI claims is the only place where Toebbe could have obtained the classified information on US nuclear subs. Toebbe has worked on naval nuclear propulsion since 2012, including a 15-month tenure in the office of the chief of naval operations

And written communications - said to have been shared Jonathan and an undercover FBI agent posing as a foreign spy - show that the engineer and his wife were also prepared to be extracted to a safe country should their plot be exposed.

'I will be forever grateful for your help extracting me and my family,' Jonathan is said to have written in an encrypted email documented in the criminal complaint.

'I surmise the first step would be unannounced travel to a safe third country with plans to meet your colleagues. We have passports and cash set aside for this purpose. I pray such a drastic plan will never be needed, but you are right: it is a comfort to know you are ready and willing to aid us.'

The complaint also revealed that Jonathan had a longstanding relationship with the foreign entity, although the name of the country whose spies Jonathan allegedly thought he was communicating with has not been shared.

Diana, a humanities teacher at a private K-12 school in Annapolis, Maryland, has been placed on an indefinite suspension, a spokesperson confirmed to ABC News on Tuesday.

Matthew Nespole, head of Key School where Diana worked for the last 10 years, said the academic institution was 'shocked and appalled' to learn of the charges against the Toebbes.

'Key School had no prior knowledge of their alleged criminal activities, nor is the School connected to the investigation in any way,' Nespole said. 'Key School supports the administration of justice by the FBI and NCIS, and will cooperate with the investigation if requested through our school's legal counsel to do so.'

One of Diana's former students, Craig Martien, - who collaborated with her on a yearbook and an after-school anthropology club - echoed the school leader's claims, saying he too was shocked to learn of the news.

'She was someone who I really looked up to. I was totally blindsided,' he said in a Wednesday interview on Good Morning America.

Key School is now focusing on 'minimizing disruptions for our students and supporting them emotionally'.
Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan said Wednesday he can't remember how many times he spoke to former President Donald Trump on Jan. 6th  the day of a 'Stop the Steal' rally where MAGA supporters breached the Capitol.

Jordan brought up the call or calls  he has acknowledged speaking to Trump in the past  at a Rules Committee hearing where he furiously defended the president as the House prepares to vote on a resolution to hold former Trump advisor Steve Bannon in criminal contempt.

'Of course I talked to the president,' Jordan said during heated back-and-forth with panel chair Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.).

'I talked to him that day. I've been clear about that. I don't recall the number of times, but it's not about me. I know you want to make it about that,' he said.

'I talked to him that day. I've been clear about that. I don't recall the number of times,' said Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who has said previously he spoke to former President Trump on Jan. 6th

The confusion comes months after panel vice chair Rep. Liz Cheney said the Jan. 6th select committee may call Jordan to testify as a 'material witness' about what he knows of the president's activities that day.

Jordan in August told Politico he spoke to Trump 'more than once,' that day, when a source said the lawmakers urged the president to tell his reporters to stand down.

The outlet reported that Jordan and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz. both Trump ultra-loyalists, called the president from a safe room after lawmakers were evacuated from the House chamber during the riot.

'Look, I definitely spoke to the president that day. I don't recall  I know it was more than once, I just don't recall the times,' he said.

McGovern read back Jordan's prior quotes on the subject, and asked him whether he was able to respond 84 days after his first comments about it when he spoke to Trump.

'When did you speak with the former president on January 6th? Did you talk to the former president before, during or after the attack on the Capitol or was it all three?' McGovern asked.

'This is about the lack of a proper security presence that day,' he said.

Pressed again, Jordan responded: 'I talked to the president after the attack. And I've been clear about that.' Pressed on his Politico comments, Jordan said: 'No, I didn't speak to the president during the attack.' McGovern told Jordan 'your name comes up again again in regard to efforts to overturn the election' in comments by Trump.

After McGovern read back Jordan's prior quotes, he also agreed that he spoke to Trump from a safe room on Jan. 6th. 'Yeah, after the thing  that's what I said,' he responded.'

Jordan, who was appearing as a witness, then tried to turn the tables by asking McGovern about his own objections to a state's electoral vote count in 2017.

House minority leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy was reported to have had a shouting phone call with Trump where he pleaded with him to tell his supporters to go home while hundreds of people clashed with police and rampaged through the Capitol.

Jordan got into a tense exchange with Rules chair Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.)

In July, Jordan told Spectrum News he spoke with Trump Jan. 6. ''I spoke with him that day, after?' He continued: 'I think after. I don't know if I spoke with him in the morning or not. I just don't know.  I don't know when those conversations happened.'

Cheney told ABC's 'Good Morning America' in July, speaking of Jordan: 'Hes somebody who was involved in a number of meetings in the lead-up to what happened on January 6th, involved in planning for January 6th, certainly for the objections that day as he said publicly, so he may well be a material witness.'

The House Rules Committee voted for a procedure for the House to hold former chief White House strategist Steven Bannon in contempt of Congress  setting up a bitter floor clash for Thursday over the Jan. 6th riot and its aftermath.

A angry debate over the rule in the cramped Rules panel's Capitol hearing room provided a preview for the pyrotechnics, Cheney (R-Wyo.) testifying about the 'dark day in our history' and urging the panel not to let Bannon ignore a subpoena.

Cheney accused McCarthy of blocking a bipartisan commission to probe the Jan. 6th Capitol riot earlier this year and intimidating fellow Republican lawmakers as a House panel conducts its probe.

'I've heard from a number of my colleagues in the last several days who say they quote just don't want this target on their back. They're just trying to keep their heads down. They don't want to anger Kevin McCarthy, the minority leader, who as been especially active in attempting to block the investigation of events of Jan. 6th, despite the fact that he clearly called for such a commission the week after the attack,' she said.

House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) at a Wednesday GOP conference meeting urged Republicans to vote 'no' on the Bannon contempt finding, CNN reported, signaling the debate will be yet another partisan clash.

President Trump is asserting executive privilege, and has sued the Jan. 6th committee and its chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson, as well as the National Archives, over its record requests. He continues to rail against the inquiry as a 'witch hunt.'

Scalise this spring urged Republicans to vote against establishing a bipartisan commission to probe Jan. 6th. Its failure in the Senate amid a Republican filibuster led to Pelosi's creation of the select committee.

At a Jan. 6th panel hearing Tuesday night, Cheney tore into Bannon.

'Based on the committee's investigation, it appears that Mr. Bannon had substantial advanced knowledge of the plans for January 6 and likely had an important role in formulating those plans,' Cheney said at the hearing.

Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney accused House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of blocking a bipartisan commission to probe the Jan. 6th Capitol riot and said fellow Republicans don't want a 'target on their back'

'Mr. Bannon was in the war room at the Willard [hotel] on January 6th. He also appears to have detailed knowledge regarding the President's efforts to sell millions of Americans the fraud that the election was stolen,' she said.

Cheney appeared at a tense House Rules Committee meeting over a measure to hold former chief White House strategist Steven Bannon in contempt for failing to appear before the select committee.

Cheney brought up McCarthy, who she clashed with repeatedly after he backed an effort to strip away her leadership post following her criticism of former President Trump's election overturn effort.

She told fellow Republicans: 'I ask each one of you to step back from the brink. I urge you to know what is right, to think of the long arc of history. We are told that it bends toward justice. But it does so only because of the actions of men and women in positions of public trust,' she said.

She brought up the Capitol riot, and told lawmakers in the televised hearing: 'Will you be able to say you did everything possible to ensure Americans got the truth about those events?' She called the contempt citation against Bannon 'crucial to our investigation.'

Cheney has clashed repeatedly with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who helped push her out as the No. 3 GOP leader

President Donald Trump speaks during the 'Stop the Steal' rally Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington

She and McCarthy have clashed in the days since Jan. 6th, despite press reports that McCarthy got in a telephone screaming match with Trump while the Capitol was under siege.

In July, McCarthy called Cheney and GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger 'Pelosi Republicans.' Cheney called the remark 'pretty childish.'

Cheney told fellow lawmakers Wednesday: 'This contempt citation is crucial for our investigation. Witnesses cannot simply ignore congressional subpoenas, when they prefer not to attend. We must do everything possible to understand that dark day in our history, and to ensure to potential legislative and other actions that such a thing never happens again.'

Former President Trump came in with another statement from his Save America PAC slamming Cheney, a day after trashing the late Secretary of State Colin Powell as a 'RINO.'

'Low-polling Liz Cheney (19%) is actually very bad news for the Democrats, people absolutely cannot stand her as she fights for the people that have decimated her and her father for many years,' Trump said. 'She is a smug fool, and the great State of Wyoming, together with the Republican Party, fully understands her act. To look at her is to despise her. Hopefully she will continue down this unsustainable path and she will soon be gone!'

At the hearing, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) clashed with panel chair Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) over the citation.

'We have condemned violence every stinking time it happened,' said Jordan. 'But it would have been nice if you guys had condemned the violence in the summer of 2020,' referencing protests that broke out nationwide.

'I think many of us did condemn it,' said McGovern.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), like Jordan a Trump loyalist, said 'all of this is ridiculous.'

He brought up Afghan refugees he said had no vetting, said there was a 'turnstile' on the border,' and 'supply chain issues.'

'So many on the left talk about Trump being this savage against our institutions. And that our institutions are all going to fail because of Trump and the insurrectionist Republicans. But truly this is a case of projection. After the 2016 election, Democrats repeatedly called Trump an illegitimate president. They damaged the institution of our electoral process by claiming that Trump was a Russian agent. How phony and fake that all turned out to be.'
Delivery workers from a major courier company are striking for the second time in a month, in a bid to force their employers back to negotiations over a pay and conditions dispute.

An industry-wide strike endorsed by union members last week has been avoided after Linfox, Global Express, Toll and BevChain reached in-principle agreements with staff.

But up to 2000 workers at StarTrack walked off the job at midnight, a week after the company was given an ultimatum to wrap up negotiations.

Workers from FedEx could also strike on Monday, with union members giving the company until the end of the week to reach a resolution.

Deliveries could be delayed after 2,000 FedEx workers walked off the job at midnight

Discussions over a new enterprise agreements at each company have now stretched past the six-month mark.

The Transport Workers Union is pushing for its members to get better job security, with limits on the use of outsourcing.

Contract workers are paid less, which the TWU says makes them more attractive to employers and creates job insecurity for permanent staff.

Strikes have already taken place in recent weeks at both StarTrack and FedEx.

The union argues meeting its demands is the least the companies can do, after profiting off the back of record demand for deliveries amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

StarTrack's owner Australia Post reported record revenues of $8.27 billion last financial year, the TWU says, while FedEx turned over about $115 billion in the same period.

'As December looms, StarTrack expects workers to step up for an enormous Christmas period without certainty over their jobs, pay or conditions,' TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said in a statement.

'That is no way to thank the workers who have generated record revenues while being attacked by their employer.'

Six major transport companies have provided decent proposals, Mr Kaine said, and there's no reason StarTrack and FedEx can't follow suit.

But a StarTrack spokeswoman Michelle Skehan said the union 'continues to move the goalposts'.

The Transport Workers Union wants better job security for workers and limits on the amount of outsourcing (pictured, StarTrack workers striking in Adelaide in September)

'First it claimed it was about job security, and with a largely agreed approach there, it now claims it's about pay,' she said in a statement.

'This is despite repeated public statements from TWU officials that this is not a wages dispute.'

StarTrack is an essential service and it cannot capitulate to a national campaign that is focused on union politics, she said.

'We strongly encourage our StarTrack team members involved in this dispute to look at the facts and not the rhetoric and accept our very fair and longer term offer and return to work to continue serving our communities and customers.'

A spokeswoman for FedEx said it too has tabled an offer which improves current employee entitlements and pay, and addresses job security concerns.

'Where feasible, we have made a number of concessions to resolve approximately 90 per cent of the TWU's claims,' she said.

'Given how close we are to a resolution and our willingness to come to the table with solutions, an industrial action seems unnecessary at this stage.'

Australians are already facing longer than usual wait times for deliveries, with the sector bending under the pressure caused by the spike in online shopping amid months of lockdown.
The Duchess of Sussex has made her most overtly political intervention yet, sending an open letter to two senior US figures on proposed parental and sick leave legislation.

Meghan said she was writing to the Congress members not as an elected official.[nor] a politician but as an engaged citizen and a parent.and as a mom.

The extraordinary 1,030-word letter  given to supportive media to share  asked the Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and the Majority Leader in the US Senate Chuck Schumer, both Democrats, to consider her plea on behalf of my family, Archie and Lili and Harry.

It was written on the Sussexes new post-royal letterhead, which prominently uses their titles but not their official cyphers.

The letter pertains to historic legislation moving through Congress, which would make 12 weeks of paid family and sick leave available to most workers as part of new federal policy.

The US is among a handful of nations that do not guarantee paid sick leave or maternity or paternity pay.

While the issue itself is not controversial and is supported by many in the US, Meghans very public statement is likely to ruffle feathers and add fuel to speculation that she has political ambitions.

Meghan Markle said she was writing the letter to House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate majority leader Charles Schumer 'as a mom' and 'on behalf of millions of American families'

The US parental leave pay debate explained The USA may be among the wealthiest nations in the world, but it does not offer a government-led paid parental leave scheme in 2021. Instead, seven states, including California, New Jersey and Massachusetts, offer their own individual forms of paid leave for new parents. Historically, such decisions have been left for private businesses to decide whether or not employees are offered such benefits. Approximately one quarter of American firms offer paid leave programmes. But in April, President Joe Biden proposed a 163billion package of worker benefits that would see paid parental leave brought in from 2023. If passed, workers could take up to 12 weeks of absence with their newborn while still receiving up to to two thirds of their pay packet. The Democrat-backed policy would be funded by increasing tax on the top 1% of America's highest earners. Advertisement

She writes: Im not an elected official, and Im not a politician. I am, like many, an engaged citizen and a parent.

'And because you and your congressional colleagues have a role in shaping family outcomes for generations to come, thats why Im writing to you at this deeply important time  as a mom  to advocate for paid leave.

Meghan, 40, claims the Covid pandemic has exposed long-existing fault lines in our communities and says millions of women have been forced to drop out of the workforce to look after their children as a result of schools and childcare providers being closed.

In one of the most astonishing parts of her letter, she suggests her family were impoverished even though her father was an Emmy award-winning lighting director and she was educated at private school.

She says: I grew up on the $4.99 salad bar at Sizzler  it may have cost less back then (to be honest, I cant remember)  but what I do remember was the feeling: I knew how hard my parents worked to afford this because even at five bucks, eating out was something special, and I felt lucky.

And as a Girl Scout, when my troop would go to dinner for a big celebration, it was back to that same salad bar or The Old Spaghetti Factory  because thats what those families could afford.

She also details how she had to work at the local frozen yogurt shop from the age of 13 just to make ends meet and, when she was older, to fill up her car.

I waited tables, babysat, and piecemealed jobs together to cover odds and ends, Meghan writes.

I worked all my life and saved when and where I could  but even that was a luxury  because usually it was about making ends meet and having enough to pay my rent and put gas in my car.

Meghan reflected on her family life after the birth of Lilibet earlier this year, saying: 'In June, my husband and I welcomed our second child. Like any parents, we were overjoyed. Like many parents, we were overwhelmed'

Meghan Markle, pictured above with Prince Harry and her first born Archie, made a rare political statement on Wednesday

The standout quotes from Meghan Markle's latest political letter 'I grew up on the 4.99-dollar salad bar at Sizzler - it may have cost less back then (to be honest, I can't remember) - but what I do remember was the feeling: I knew how hard my parents worked to afford this because even at five bucks, eating out was something special, and I felt lucky.' 'I started working (at the local frozen yogurt shop) at the age of 13.' 'I waited tables, babysat, and piece-mealed jobs together to cover odds and ends.' 'I worked all my life and saved when and where I could - but even that was a luxury - because usually it was about making ends meet and having enough to pay my rent and put gas in my car.' 'In June, my husband and I welcomed our second child. Like any parents, we were overjoyed. Like many parents, we were overwhelmed.' 'I know how politically charged things can - and have - become. But this isn't about right or left, it's about right or wrong.' 'This is about putting families above politics. And for a refreshing change, it's something we all seem to agree on. At a point when everything feels so divisive, let this be a shared goal that unites us.' Advertisement

In a more political vein, she says many of the USs economic systems are past their expiration date and too many Americans are forced to shortchange themselves when it comes to what matters to them.

The former Suits actress, who signed off as 'Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex', concluded the letter, by writing: 'If we're going to create a new era of family-first policies, let's make sure that includes a strong paid leave program for every American that's guaranteed, accessible, and encouraged without stigma or penalty.

'I know how politically charged things can  and have  become. But this isn't about right or left, it's about right or wrong.

'This is about putting families above politics. And for a refreshing change, it's something we all seem to agree on. At a point when everything feels so divisive, let this be a shared goal that unites us.

'So, on behalf of my family, Archie and Lili and Harry, I thank you for considering this letter, and on behalf of all families, I ask you to ensure this consequential moment is not lost.'

The duchess concedes that she and Harry are lucky enough not have had to make impossible choices about their work and their family.

No family should be faced with these decisions.

'No family should have to choose between earning a living and having the freedom to take care of their child (or a loved one, or themselves, as we would see with a comprehensive paid leave plan), she says.

I understand that with everything going on these days, people might find it easy to be apathetic about whats happening in Washington DC... but with stakes this high none of us can afford to let apathy win.

So, on behalf of my family, Archie and Lili and Harry, I thank you for considering this letter, and on behalf of all families, I ask you to ensure this consequential moment is not lost.

A spokesman for Meghan said she cares deeply about advocating for families in the US and around the world and had partnered with three campaign organisations on the issue.

The Duchess went on to detail her humble beginnings: 'I grew up on the 4.99-dollar salad bar at Sizzler,' she said

A slice of happy family life: Sitting next to grandmother Jeanette, 12-year-old Meghan tucks into a cake at her cousin Donovan's birthday party in 1993

Meghan on her 11th birthday with mum Doria in 1992, seen in pictures kept by her uncle Joseph Johnson

The Sussexes have established a new life for themselves in the celebrity enclave of Montecito in California, buying a multimillion-pound home and launching a non-profit foundation.

Harry and Meghan have also signed lucrative deals  thought to be worth well over 100 million  with Spotify and Netflix that have given them the capital to pursue their new lifestyle and public goals.

Last week, MailOnline revealed how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's move into the stock market will see them work alongside a band of self-styled Wall Street 'hippies'.

Ethic, a New York-based fintech asset manager, is run by a wealthy British former public schoolboy who starts meetings with 'gratitude sessions' where staff thank each other for their hard work and can pet the office dog given the title 'Chief Smile Officer'.

It is the couple's latest move in their efforts to build what experts believe could be a $1billion brand in the US after quitting the Royal Family for independence and to earn their own money.

Business experts declared themselves flummoxed at what an 'impact partner' is, although the best guess seemed to be a super-charged brand ambassador.

The Sussexes have not said how much of their fortune they have invested in the 1.3billion investment fund, having been introduced to the founders by a mutual friend.

Ethic, which was set up by Briton Jay Lipman - a red-haired Prince Harry lookalike from London now settled in the US having worked for Deutsche Bank - 'loves hippies' to invest with them, because the team, several of whom worked for JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs, consider themselves hippies too.
A fresh attack on an MP in the wake of the killing of Sir David Amess is now deemed likely after intelligence officers upgraded the threat level for politicians to 'substantial'.

Home Secretary Priti Patel urged the Commons on Wednesday evening to take the 'change in risk seriously' following a review by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre linked to MI5.

In a statement to the House, she said that there was no 'specific or imminent threat' but it was understood MPs will now be contacted over how their security arrangements may be altered.

Miss Patel said counter-terror police will ensure the 'change is properly reflected in the operational posture' following the killing of the Conservative MP for Southend West on Friday at a constituency surgery.

The killing of the second parliamentarian in five years - after Jo Cox's murder - has sparked widespread concern over the safety of British politicians.

'While we do not see any information or intelligence which points to any credible or specific or imminent threat, I must update the House that the threat level facing Members of Parliament is now deemed to be substantial,' Miss Patel said.

'This is the same level as the current national threat to the United Kingdom as a whole, so I can assure the House that our world-class intelligence and security agencies and counter-terror police will now ensure that this change is properly reflected in the operational posture.'

While Miss Patel did not specifically state what the increase to substantial means, It is understood that it corresponds with the national guidance, meaning 'an attack is likely'.

It was not clear what the previous threat level was, but there are only two lower levels: low and moderate.

Home Secretary Priti Patel urged the Commons on Wednesday evening to take the 'change in risk seriously' following a review by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre linked to MI5

A fresh attack on an MP in the wake of the killing of Sir David Amess is now deemed likely after intelligence officers upgraded the threat level for politicians to 'substantial'

Ali, 25, was captured on CCTV strolling near his home in Kentish Town on Friday just three hours before Sir David was stabbed to death in a Baptist church as he met constituents

Boris Johnson promises 'criminal sanctions with tough sentences' for people who put 'foul' abusive or extremist material online in the wake of the murder of Tory MP David Amess Boris Johnson promised criminal action against those sharing 'foul' material online today. The premier said there would be 'tough sentences' for those behind abusive and extremist content posted to social media sites, as he faced Prime Minister's Questions in Parliament. He sounded the warning to internet giants as he told MPs the Online Harms Bill will make progress in the Commons before Christmas . The legislation is expected to force the biggest tech firms, such as Facebook and Google , to abide by a duty of care to users, overseen by Ofcom as the new regulator for the sector. However some campaigners including Big Brother Watch have raised fears that it risks stifling the free press, 'silencing marginalised voices' and introducing 'state-backed censorship on a scale never seen in a liberal democracy'. Mr Johnson was pushed by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to use the 'inescapable desire' of MPs, in the aftermath of the killing of Conservative Sir David Amess to 'clamp down on the extremism, the hate and the abuse that festers online'. The Labour leader cited reports that more than 40 hours of video rants by Islamic hate preacher Anjem Choudary are available via searching Google, five years after he was jailed for inviting support for Islamic State. Advertisement

Ali Harbi Ali, a British Muslim of Somali heritage, was arrested at the scene in Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea on suspicion of Sir David's murder and remains in police custody.

The 25-year-old has been detained under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and detectives are expected to continue to question him until Friday after a warrant of further detention was granted.

Miss Patel also announced the Government is looking at the security of other elected representatives, such as councillors.

The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said it would be working with police and parliamentary authorities to review security for MPs following the upgrade to the threat level.

An NPCC spokesman said that Operation Bridger, the security programme set up after Ms Cox's murder by a right-wing extremist in 2016, had contacted every MP since Sir David's killing.

'Many members of Parliament have taken this immediate opportunity to reassess the bespoke security arrangements they have in place, and forces are working with them and their staff to implement any changes,' he added.

'We continue to strongly 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 constituency events safe.'

Labour's Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds asked her to set out if there was updated guidance for MPs and their staff for their safety.

'I know that in the face of such unspeakable hatred we stand united and unshakeable in this House, that those who use violence in an attempt to divide us shall never win and we refuse to be intimated by these dark forces. And yes, that goes for the vile individual or individuals who erected a noose in Parliament Square today,' the Labour MP added.

Earlier in the day, police said a man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence after a mock gallows was erected by a group protesting against Covid vaccines.

The Home Secretary said: 'There are public servants across society and our country who day in and day out do great work representing their communities, but importantly, delivering public services.

'They themselves have been subject to abuse, for example, and that is part of the wider work that is taking place. In terms of the wider review, which is taking place within policing, that is all linked to Operation Bridger, and rightly so, because that is a structure that was set up, and has been set up, and is effective, and we are constantly working to enhance that.

'Our role is to close down any perceived gaps around a security, or even risks around MPs and wider assessments that may materialise.'

She added: 'It is not for us to publicly and openly discuss our security measures. We protect ourselves by working with agencies and policing, we act in a responsible way in terms of the advice and the guidance that we are given.'

Miss Patel also encouraged staff of MPs to seek the support on offer to them to ensure they 'feel assured about their own safety and security' both inside and outside the Palace of Westminster.

It comes as Boris Johnson promised criminal action against those sharing 'foul' material online today.

The premier said there would be 'tough sentences' for those behind abusive and extremist content posted to social media sites, as he faced Prime Minister's Questions in Parliament.

He sounded the warning to internet giants as he told MPs the Online Harms Bill will make progress in the Commons before Christmas.

An Anglo-Iranian community member belonging to National Council of Resistance of Iran leaves flowers at a memorial and wall of condolence for Sir David on October 18, 2021

Ali Harbi Ali (left) is accused of stabbing to death MP Sir David Amess (right) in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex on Friday. Sir David was a father-of-five and committed, backbench Conservative MP

The legislation is expected to force the biggest tech firms, such as Facebook and Google, to abide by a duty of care to users, overseen by Ofcom as the new regulator for the sector.

However some campaigners including Big Brother Watch have raised fears that it risks stifling press freedoms, 'silencing marginalised voices' and introducing 'state-backed censorship on a scale never seen in a liberal democracy'.

Mr Johnson was pushed by Sir Keir Starmer to use the 'inescapable desire' of MPs, in the aftermath of the killing of Sir David, to 'clamp down on the extremism, the hate and the abuse that festers online'.

The Labour leader cited reports that more than 40 hours of video rants by Islamic hate preacher Anjem Choudary are available via searching Google, five years after he was jailed for inviting support for Islamic State.

Sir Keir said closing down anonymous accounts would not have 'saved Sir David', who was killed at a surgery in his Southend constituency, nor prevented other attacks, but 'arrogant' social media firms should be made to take responsibility for their platforms.

Mr Johnson told MPs: 'I've already said that we are willing to look at anything to strengthen the legislation, I've said that we will bring it forward to second reading before Christmas.

'And, yes, of course we will have criminal sanctions with tough sentences for those who are responsible for allowing this foul content to permeate the internet.

'What we hope for also, is that no matter how tough the proposals we produce, that the opposition will support it.'
The 'right to die' campaign received a huge boost last night when a former Cabinet minister revealed he had changed his mind after a deathbed encounter with his father.

Michael Forsyth, who was Scottish secretary under John Major, is speaking out on the eve of a key debate on the issue in the House of Lords.

The 67-year-old peer says that  despite having voted against the reform  he is switching sides because of his father John.

'He had this horrible bladder cancer and was in a lot of pain,' the peer says in an interview with the Daily Mail. 'When I went to see him just before he died I said "I'm really sorry dad, that you are suffering".'

Lord Forsyth, who is close to tears as he recalls the incident, adds: 'He said to me "You're to blame". I was taken aback. I wasn't expecting it and said "What do you mean?"

The 'right to die' campaign received a huge boost last night when former Cabinet minister Michael Forsyth (pictured) revealed he had changed his mind after a deathbed encounter with his father

'He said "You have consistently voted against the right to die; and I want that; and I can't get it and I've got this pain". He wasn't doing it in a nasty way. His view was "Look I'm in pain, I know what I'm doing, why should I be denied this right?"

'I didn't have an answer. He died within a week  it was the last time I saw him. That is why I have changed my mind.'

The Assisted Dying Bill, which would allow the terminally ill to legally seek assistance to end their lives, will have its second reading in parliament tomorrow.

If passed, it will enable adults who are of sound mind and have six months or less to live to be provided with life-ending medication with the approval of two doctors and a High Court judge.

Lord Forsyth recalls the traumatic events leading up to the exchange with his businessman father, who lived in Montrose.

'He was at home, it was the weekend and he couldn't get any morphine because the GP surgery was closed. He had to go all the way to hospital in Dundee 30 miles away to get a prescription,' he says.

'Then they had to find a pharmacist, but they could only provide a limited amount because of rules on controlled drugs.'

Distraught at his father's inability to find relief from his excruciating pain, Lord Forsyth emailed Baroness Finlay, who is leading the attempt to stop assisted dying being made legal, to vent his frustration. This was the appalling 'reality' of preventing people like his father from the right to end their suffering, he told her. 'She replied saying 'This shouldn't happen.' Lord Forsyth fired back: 'Too right it shouldn't!'

Until recently, Lord Forsyth has been a powerful opponent of assisted dying, voting against it twice in the Lords. At one point Baroness Finlay asked him to lead the campaign; now he has 'defected' to the other side.

The 67-year-old peer says that  despite having voted against the reform  he is switching sides because of his father John (pictured)

Lord Forsyth says that when he rehearsed the case against 'right to die' with his dying father, saying it could lead to 'families putting pressure on' the elderly, disabled and terminally ill to end their lives prematurely, possibly for devious motives, his father brushed the arguments aside. He is now 'persuaded', he says, that the proposed legislation contains 'safeguards and reasonable arrangements to ensure people know what they are committing themselves to and that it cannot be abused.' Asked how his father would react if he were alive to witness his U-turn, he replies: 'My dad was very direct. He'd be saying 'It hasn't helped me has it?' Lord Forsyth says he now feels it is wrong to force the terminally ill who want to end their lives to go to the Dignitas clinic, where such medical procedures can be obtained.

It is unfair, he says, to 'ask people to get on an aeroplane  with all the distress it brings to families  and spend a lot of money on going to Switzerland; people who are of sound mind and know what they want'.

He says: 'Imagine if you have motor neurone disease and you know that eventually, you are going to suffocate.'

Lord Forsyth says it would also be 'hypocrisy' for him to carry on voting against the 'right to die'  because he would opt for it himself if he faced the same tragic predicament as his father, who died aged 88, last year.

He adds: 'If, God forbid, I was diagnosed with some horrible wasting condition I would want a way out and I would find my way to Switzerland.'

Assisted dying is an idea 'whose time has come,' he says, and has increasing public support.

He is also highly critical of other methods of treating the terminally ill such as the now abolished Liverpool Care Pathway which involved withdrawing food, fluid and medication from a patient.

'It basically starved people to death,' he says.

Lord Forsyth stresses he had 'huge admiration' for those who care for people like his father and in 2010 he raised 400,000 for the Marie Curie hospice movement with an Arctic expedition.

s.walters@dailymail.co.uk
The booster backlog is likely to grow as more patients become eligible for their third jab, figures suggest.

Around 4.8million who received their second dose at least six months ago are still waiting for their next one  leaving them with reduced immunity from Covid.

The NHS is giving around 1.3million boosters a week, while inviting another 2.2million patients to apply.

It means it could be the New Year until all 30million over-50s, health and social care staff and clinically vulnerable are fully-protected.

Experts warn hospitals risk being overburdened by coronavirus patients if uptake is not rapidly increased.

Around 4.8million who received their second dose at least six months ago are still waiting for their third vaccination. Pictured: An NHS worker receives her third dose at Croydon University Hospital

The AstraZeneca vaccine is 77 per cent effective at preventing infection one month after the second dose but this falls to 67 per cent after six months.

The Pfizer jab also falls over the same period from 88 per cent to 74 per cent.

Earlier this week, Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, said there is 'plenty of capacity' for people to get their boosters, and cited complacency as a key factor. She claimed that 'the crux' of the problem is that people 'are not coming forward as quickly when they receive their invitation as we certainly saw for the first jabs'.

But patients say they are struggling to get them after GP surgeries that administered first and second doses pulled out of the programme to focus on routine care.

It means some have been told to travel miles from home to a mass vaccine centre.

Professor Martin Marshall, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, yesterday admitted the issue was not about supply but 'how one can access it in, in a way that's convenient to patients'.

He told the Radio 4's World at One programme: 'The original vaccination programme  the first two vaccines that people received  75 per cent of those were delivered from general practice and most of the rest were delivered by mass vaccination centres.

'For this booster programme there has been a shift, so more of the vaccinations are going to be delivered by the mass vaccination centres.

'I think it is the case that people at a local level are finding it sometimes more difficult to access the booster.'

He said it is 'concerning' that people are being left with waning immunity and warned it could heap pressure on the NHS.

'We know that the booster vaccination is exceptionally important in order to protect individual patients and indeed to protect the NHS during a winter that we expect to be really difficult.'

The Department of Health will relaunch its booster publicity campaign this weekend, encouraging people to get the jab when invited  a month after the rollout began.

But one Tory MP questioned whether vaccines minister Maggie Throup has the clout to make the rollout a success, like her predecessor Nadhim Zahawi had done.

Sajid Javid today insisted ministers would not reintroduce face masks and WFH guidance 'at this point' as he addressed the nation

The MP said there was 'the issue of does the machinery of delivery require constant ministerial kicking to get it working... I'm not sure Maggie may be as inclined to do the kicking.'

Jonathan Ashworth, Labour's health spokesman, said the Government needs to 'get a grip' to stop the backlog growing.

He said: 'I think ministers have lost their grip of the vaccination programme and perhaps become hubristic. They've boasted that this is our wall of defence  well I'm afraid the wall is beginning to crumble.

'Unless we fix this, we're going to see more infection rates, and in turn more pressure on the National Health Service.'

Dame Kate Bingham, credited with securing the jabs that made the programme a success, stressed it is vital that boosters get into arms. She said: 'Older and vulnerable people should be banging on the doors to get their boosters.'

Caroline Abrahams, of Age UK, said: 'With winter looming into view, we hope that it will be possible to accelerate the booster programme, so that older people can be confident that their immunity is as good as it can be before the cold weather seriously sets in.'
A baby boy is fighting for life after he was pulled unconscious from a backyard swimming pool.

Emergency crews arrived at a home on Lockheed Street, Raby, in Sydney's south-west at about 7.30pm on Wednesday after receiving reports of a concern for welfare.

Officers found the 20-month-old baby unconscious and unresponsive after having been pulled from the pool.

The young boy received treatment on the scene by paramedics and was taken to Westmead Children's Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

Emergency crews arrived at a home on Lockheed Street, Raby, in Sydney's south-west at about 7.30pm on Wednesday where a 20-month old was found unconscious

'A crime scene has been established. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident continue; however, the incident is not being treated as suspicious,' NSW Police said.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
This glamorous robot, designed to create works of art, may seem harmless enough  but she appears to have caused a diplomatic row.

Ai-Da, a British-made humanoid who is named after the 19th century scientist and mathematician Ada Lovelace, has been detained by Egyptian security forces on suspicion of being part of a spying plot.

She and her Oxford-based creator Aidan Meller were on their way to take part in an exhibition next to the pyramids in Giza this week when they were stopped by border guards after landing in Cairo.

A brush with the law: Robot artist Ai-Da (pictured) has been held by the Egyptian security forces in Cairo on suspicion of being part of a spying plot

According to Mr Meller, officials seized Ai-Da and demanded the removal of her eyes, which contain cameras. He claims she is being treated as a security issue, which may include fears that she is part of a broader espionage plot.

Now Gareth Bayley, the British ambassador to Egypt, has been drawn into the row, with Mr Meller saying last night that he is working right up to the wire to secure Ai-Das release.

Mr Meller added: I cant take her eyes out. They are integral [to her drawing, painting and sculpting]. She would also look weird without them.

Created by engineers in Leeds two years ago, Ai-Das robotic hand calculates a virtual path based on what it sees in front of it and interprets coordinates to create a work of art.

She is said to be the worlds first ultra-realistic robot capable of drawing people from life.

She and her Oxford-based creator Aidan Meller (pictured together) were on their way to take part in an exhibition next to the pyramids in Giza this week when they were stopped by border guards who demanded the removal of her eyes, which contain cameras

And her paintings have caused a stir with exhibitions at the V&A, the London Design Festival, the Design Museum and Tate Modern.

The robot was in the process of being transported to Cairo for the Forever Is Now exhibition, which opens today, and was set to feature as one of ten international artists showing their work at the site in front of the pyramids.

The exhibition will run until November 7, with support from Egypts ministry of tourism and antiquities, the ministry of foreign affairs and Unesco.

Mr Meller said: It is the first time in 4,000 years that contemporary art has been allowed so close to the pyramids.

We put in eye-watering amounts of time and energy to create the innovations for Ai-Da to put her hands in clay to enable her to create a huge sculpture.

The British-made humanoid (pictured, with one of her self-portraits) is designed to create art and her paintings have caused a stir with exhibitions at the V&A, the London Design Festival, the Design Museum and Tate Modern

Mr Meller, who owns an art gallery in Oxford, added: She is very much a machine. She is switched off.

But I hope they [the guards] dont knock her. She is the most sophisticated ultra-realistic robot in the world.

He thanked the British embassy in Cairo for the amazing work they are putting in to get Ai-Da released.

Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, founder of Art DEgypt, which has organised the exhibition, said: The pyramids have a long, illustrious history that has fascinated and inspired artists from all over the world.

Im thrilled to share what will be an unforgettable encounter with the union of art, history and heritage.
The tributes were fulsome and lavishly generous, understandably so for someone celebrated by movers and shakers for his erudition and style, a man whose enviably packed address book was matched only by his conspicuous consumption.

For his many friends, the premature death in 2017 of entrepreneur Sir David Tang was a loss they felt keenly.

Hollywood stars, models, celebrities and royals queued up to pay homage to his qualities in their own quirky way.

Australian actor Russell Crowe celebrated his Hong Kong-born friend as witty, charming, intellectual, salacious, hilarious, loving and funny as f***; while Naomi Campbell called him the man who lived life to the fullest.

Ever the eccentric, Sarah, Duchess of York described 63-year-old Tang as my Brother Sun to her Sister Moon.

Others recalled the bon viveurs extravagant, money-no-object lifestyle.

What none of these eulogies mentioned was that this colourful life is said to have been funded by a giant fraud.

Six months after his demise, reports suggested that far from being a billionaire socialite  the label he grandly played up to with his limousines, private jets and first-class everything  by the end of his life Sir David was almost penniless.

Naomi Campbell and David Tang at a book launch in 2016

This emerged after a sale of his personal effects, including a gift from Prince Charles, raised not quite half a million pounds at a Christies auction, begging questions about how the dazzling Tang dynasty had been brought to a state of ruin.

By this time, his spectacular 9 million waterfront home in Hong Kong, where he and second wife Lucy loved to entertain, had gone, along with the family townhouse in Belgravia.

Now, in an extraordinary twist, it is claimed Tangs legendary opulence was founded not on his business ingenuity but apparently on stealing from the companies of which he was a director.

The sensational allegations  first revealed by the Mails Richard Eden yesterday  have been made by ex-Guards officer and oil tycoon Algy Cluff in the latest volume of his memoirs, Off The Cluff, to be published next week.

In the book, Cluff writes that after Tangs death it emerged that for many years he had been plundering the assets of various companies without the knowledge of the shareholders in order to fund his mytho-maniacal life.

The pressure of sustaining this systematic fraud for 20 years must have been terrible and presumably hastened his death.

Tang, who wrote a rich mans agony column for the Financial Times, died after a lengthy battle with liver cancer.

Cluff, who gave Tang his first job in 1980, has no illusions as to why his protege  whom he says possessed a predatory celebrity fixation  may have succumbed to criminality.

David, he writes, possessed exceptional gifts, but also two fatal flaws . . . these were a disarming but ultimately destructive obsession to be not only a celebrity, but also the peer of the grandest in the land.

Keeping up with the [Dukes of] Marlboroughs, the [super-rich] Keswicks and the [land-owning] Northumberlands was beyond his financial abilities and led to his second flaw  gambling  which merely compounded the problem, leaving him to adopt less acceptable tactics.

Somehow Tang, who managed to remain friends with both Princess Diana and Sarah, Duchess of York after the royal sisters-in-law fell out, found himself in financial difficulty

Yesterday, Cluff, 81, was reluctant to speak more of the allegations, observing merely that: I seem to have stirred up a hornets nest.

But friends of the former owner of The Spectator magazine, said he was very much standing by his claims. I understand the allegations refer in particular to two companies set up by Tang, The China Club, a plush establishment with a Michelin-star restaurant housed on the top of the old Bank of China building in Hong Kong, and the Pacific Cigar Company, the exclusive distributor in the Far East of Havana cigars.

Both have been highly successful and are still trading. According to one figure aware of the scandal, the allegations date back to the 1990s.

Somehow Tang, who managed to remain friends with both Princess Diana and Sarah, Duchess of York after the royal sisters-in-law fell out, found himself in financial difficulty.

My only explanation is that he wanted to live the life of a plutocrat but didnt have the means to do so, they say.

In order to spend the huge amount of money he didnt have, he began raiding the treasure of these businesses.

Sir David revelled in his status as a man of fabled generosity, placing his homes, his chauffeurs and his cars at friends disposal and entertaining on an epic scale.

He would rarely allow anyone else up to pick up the bill, and thought nothing of spending tens of thousands on a whim or on the spin of the roulette wheel.

David Tang with Sarah Ferguson at the Royal Academy

Author Simon Winchester, who first met Tang in the 1980s recalled: David was in Hong Kong. He phoned up and said: I am bored  lets go to Florence. So he flew to London and Lucy, David and I then flew on to Florence.

We were staying at some luxury hotel like the Excelsior . . and David said: Id like to go to Cannes. So he got some incredibly expensive car and we drove to Cannes and he paid for everything on the trip.

One night they ended up in a casino and Tang peeled off $1,000 from a wad of money and gave it to Winchester. Put it on any number you like, he later recalled him saying. It was the roulette table and I put it on 23 and, incredibly, I won $35,000.

I said to David that it was his money, but he would not take it. In the end we agreed and he took $30,000 and I got $5,000.

When news of the Christies sale of Tangs belongings became known, interior designer Joanna Wood, who had known Tang both as a friend and client for more than a decade, said: I really had no idea. He always gave the appearance of being very generous and having plenty of staff and money.

I feel very sorry for Lucy  I dont think she knew. If his own wife didnt know, then how the hell should I?

This mystique was at the heart of the David Tang story. With his fruity, loud and exaggerated manner of speech and flamboyant gestures, Tang was a character who could have stepped straight out of a P. G. Wodehouse novel.

He once arranged for Kevin Costner, heiress Isabel Goldsmith and newspaper boss Jocelyn Stevens  the grandfather of model Cara Delevingne  to fly to the opening of his Beijing private members club. Their trip included a picnic on the Great Wall of China, served by white-gloved waiters bearing silver cutlery and crystal tableware.

I sometimes make Icarus look rather unambitious, he liked to say. Theres no point being mediocre at anything.

David Tang and Joan Collins at Collins's book launch party at the Bfi in Southbank in 2011

All in all, the Cluff allegations are an incredible postscript to a remarkable life, which saw Tang  who arrived in Britain aged 13 unable to speak a word of English  become the best-connected person in British society.

While he was growing up, money was certainly no object. His grandfather, who founded the Kowloon Motor Bus company, was knighted by a grateful British Empire.

David arrived in England in 1967 after his father opened a restaurant in Shaftesbury Avenue.

The family settled in Kent and David boarded at fee-paying The Perse School in Cambridge. On his fathers death in 1986, hes believed to have inherited 5 million.

After studying law and philosophy at Kings College London, Tang returned to Hong Kong and began working for Cluff.

He was a natural entrepreneur and opened The China Club in 1991. The club, which had a joining fee of 12,000  was a huge success, and other ventures followed.

In London, he launched China Tang, a restaurant in the Dorchester Hotel. His diverse businesses included oil exploration, gold mining and fashion.

Snobbish and smooth by turn, he was soon collecting contacts in high places.

A friend once explained: David works on the principle that everyone has to eat. If you invite the Queen to dinner often enough, she will eventually accept.

Then, if you give her the best dinner she has ever had, she will come again.

In London, he launched China Tang, a restaurant in the Dorchester Hotel. His diverse businesses included oil exploration, gold mining and fashion

It clearly worked because Tang was a guest at Sandringham, where he taught the Queen one of his famous card tricks.

Coupled with this charm was a knack for revealing titbits of gossip, such as the telegram he received from Princess Diana after he was awarded an OBE: Many congratulations  its more than I ever got.

Gambling was a constant feature. Interviewed by Kate Moss for Vogue, he told her he once lost his home on a bet; and in his book, Cluff tells of a head waiter given a 90,000 tip by Tang after hed had success on the gaming tables.

Today, his legacy as a flamboyant business buccaneer looks somewhat tarnished.

His knighthood was for services to charity. But whose money was he so freely donating?

All in all, it is not the way Sir David Wing-cheung Tang would have hoped to be remembered.
Scott Morrison has performed a celebratory dance on live TV after Australia's vaccination rate hit 70 per cent.

The Prime Minister told Today host Allison Langdon he did 'a little dance' on Wednesday when the key milestone was reached.

When Langdon asked for a demonstration, he initially declined - but at the end of the interview Mr Morrison showed off his smooth moves.

'Ahhhh! That was the dance he did when he heard 70 per cent,' Langdon exclaimed.

Both Victoria and Tasmania - alongside NSW and the ACT - have now reached the 70 per cent double dose rate.

As result, Melbourne's lockdown will end on Thursday night, finally freeing the world's most shut down city.

'I'm really pleased for both Victoria and Tassie. Victoria at 70.51 per cent, fantastic effort, 70.6 per cent there in Tassie,' the Prime Minister said.

'Victoria has had the hardest road when it comes to Covid-19, they've had to go through so much.

'It was great to see those wonderful scenes of people reuniting yesterday, and to see more in the future.'

Melbourne's lockdown will end on Thursday night, finally freeing the world's most shut down city. Pictured: Punters in Sydney after lockdown ended last week

Langdon awkwardly reminded the Prime Minister that at the start of the vaccine rollout in February, when Australia had very little Covid, he said there was no rush to get the nation vaccinated.

'I tell you what, for someone who said it wasn't a race, you're celebrating the victory,' she said.

Mr Morrison replied: 'It's always how you bring it home. That's the challenge. We said at the end of last year we hoped to be in a point that we'd be hitting these vaccination rates in October and we've overcome those challenges'.

The rollout was delayed by changing health advice around the AstraZeneca vaccine and scarcity of the Pfizer jab after Mr Morrison initially only ordered 10 million doses last year.

Mr Morrison said he was delighted that families are being reunited as lockdown restrictions are wound back. Pictured: Melanie and her daughter are reunited in Melbourne after spending two months apart

But he secured an extra 5.5million doses in deals with Poland, Singapore and the UK in August and early September, allowing Australia's vaccine rates to soar.

Also in the interview, Mr Morrison admitted it may be awkward when he 'bumps into' Emmanuel Macron at the Glasgow climate summit later this month.

The French President is furious with the Prime Minister for scrapping a deal to buy French-made submarines in favour of nuclear-powered boats from the US and UK.

Asked if the encounter would be awkward, he said: 'Well, perhaps... It is what it is.'

When stay-at-home orders are wound back on Thursday night, Melburnians will have endured 77 full days in their current lockdown and 263 total days since the beginning of the pandemic - a record for any city across the globe.

Under the new rules, people will be able to leave their homes for any reason and travel anywhere within metropolitan Melbourne.

The curfew will be scrapped, home gatherings of up to 10 will be allowed, and hairdressers and hospitality businesses will reopen for the fully vaccinated.

However, in a last-minute change to reopening plans, all hospitality staff must be fully vaccinated to work.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) has required authorised workers to be vaccinated to do their jobs

This is despite online health directions stating authorised workers, including those in hospitality, must have had one vaccine dose by October 22 and a second by November 26.

Australian Hotels Association Victoria chief executive Paddy O'Sullivan said the government had 'moved the goalposts' and has asked for a grace period to allow staff time to get vaccinated.

But Victoria's Covid-19 Commander Jeroen Weimar said 'there is no wriggle room' on the mandate.

With some pubs in the city to reopen at midnight, staff at hospitality venues will be allowed to go into work after the curfew kicks in at 9pm to get their venues ready, but patrons will need to wait until 11.59pm to leave home.

Victoria recorded 1,841 local Covid-19 cases and 12 deaths on Wednesday, taking the toll from the latest outbreak to 175.
Australian billionaires Mike and Annie Cannon-Brookes have devoted a huge portion of their worth to ensuring the country meets its climate change responsibilities

Australian billionaires Mike and Annie Cannon-Brookes have pledged a slice of their wealth to helping the country fight climate change.

Mr Cannon-Brookes, third on the Rich List for 2021 with a net worth of $33.5 billion, said the government needed to do more to address the 'growing environmental crisis facing the world and Australia'.

The couple are donating $1.5 billion, including $1 billion in financial investments towards cutting carbon emissions and $500 million in philanthropic endeavours, all aimed at limiting global warming to 1.5C.

'The two things required here is the ambition, and the urgency,' Mr Cannon-Brookes told AFR.

'The next decade is the time that really matters, not, not the next 30 years to 2050. And that's what I'd like to see more philanthropists and investments doing, looking at the now.'

The billionaires are devoting the money to help ensure global warming is capped at a 1.5 degree increase, with the environment facing catastrophe if it exceeds that figure

Mr Cannon-Brookes, who has a net worth of $33.5billion, said the government need to do more to address the growing environmental crisis facing the world and Australia

The billionaire founder of software company Atlassian described the Australian Government's approach to climate change as 'shameful' ahead of the Glasgow UN Climate Change Conference.

He noted the responsibility of corporate leaders taking a stand in addressing the world's climate, saying there needed to be significant resources moved towards preventing further environmental destruction.

'Urgency, whether that's at the Australian Government policy level or whether that's at the philanthropic level, or whether it's the investment level, we need to do it now,' he said.

Mr Cannon-Brookes set a target of 2030 for his $1.5 billion investment so he can ensure the money is making an impact, rather than the government target's of net-zero emissions by 2050.

'What I really like about how we set up our own personal goal to do it by 2030. This isn't sort of, "by the time we die we'd like to do this", it's like "no, no, no, the next eight years is critical",' he told AFR.

The billionaire described the Australian government's approach to climate change as 'shameful' ahead of key Glasgow UN Climate Change Conference

Australians are demanding the government place a higher priority on addressing the global climate crisis

He hoped the investment would encourage inventors and forward thinkers to come through with ideas for using the money.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison did not plan to attend the summit, but changed his mind after public backlash and encouragement from US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Mr Morrison said his plan was to push ahead towards net-zero by 2050 regardless of the stalling Nationals, who have backing from the mining sector.

The plan will also have an initial goal set for 2030 that will be agreed by both parties and in National Cabinet.
If not discovered, drugs could have been sold in close to 2.9 million street deals

Police have uncovered a monster 295kg stash of the drug ice which was sent to Sydney hidden inside a digger imported from Hong Kong.

A joint investigation between the federal police and border force allegedly discovered the methamphetamine - worth $184 million - in an excavator.

On Wednesday, Raymond Saab, 25, of Merrylands was charged with importing a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs and attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug.

Antonio De Luca, 26, of Prospect, and Afif Saliba, 30, of Rydalmere were both charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug.

Police launched an investigation in July following the arrival at Port Botany of the construction equipment and subsequent detection of the illicit cargo.

The drugs in the digger (pictured) were concealed in layers of concrete, steel and lead - but were easily spotted following an investigation between the Australian Federal Police and border force

Police have uncovered a monster 295kg stash of the drug ice (pictured) which was imported into Sydney hidden inside a digger sent from Hong Kong

Police talking to one of the men charged (pictured) - the maximum jail term for the offence is life behind bars

In a statement, police confirmed the drugs were concealed in layers of concrete, steel and lead.

Officers removed the drugs and sent the excavator on to its intended destination, a business in Penrith in early August.

It was then allegedly moved a fortnight later to a premises in Arndell Park and examined by the three men who 'spent several days' attempting to access the concealed cargo.

The trio were watched by police as they then purchased tools from a hardware store to cut into the equipment, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Police carried out raids at homes in Merrylands, Prospect and Rydalmere in Sydney's west on Tuesday, seizing $300,000 in cash and a number of encrypted communication devices.

If not intercepted by police, the meth could have been sold in 2.9 million individual street deals.

'Had this drug seizure made its way to Australian streets, countless lives would have been affected,' AFP Acting Commander Matthew Ciantar said.

'Methylamphetamine causes extensive harm to users and the wider community  including health care workers and the families that are torn apart.'

Mr Saab, Mr De Luca and Mr Saliba faced Central Local Court on Wednesday and are listed to return next month and in December.

Three men were arrested in Sydney's west on Wednesday and have faced Central Local Court on a raft of serious charges

AFP officers carried out raids at homes in Merrylands, Prospect and Rydalmere in Sydney's west on Tuesday, seizing $300,000 in cash and a number of encrypted communication devices
Shocking bodycam footage captured the moment a non-verbal black man who has autism and the mental capacity of a four year-old was tased by Florida cops after he was accused by a white woman of trying to break into her home.

Louis Grahai, 20, of Eustis, Florida, was filmed being screamed at by two cops on Saturday, before being tased and restrained as he lay silently on the ground.

Police arrived at the scene after a white woman claimed that Grahai was rattling her door which she had mistook for a burglary attempt.

The confused Grahai was then seen tasered to the ground by two officers after they found him walking barefoot in the neighborhood.

Louis Grahai, a severely autistic 20-year-old man, was captured being tased on the bodycam footage of a Eustic Police officer

The officers were also seen yelling commands at Grahai and even pinned him to the ground as they attempted to put his hands behind his back

Grahai was taken to the hospital with neck and ear damage after he was both tased and pinned to the ground by the officers

The bodycam footage revealed officers pointing their taser guns at the defenseless Grahai as he sat in the middle of the street.

'Get on your stomach dude,' one of the officers was heard yelling in the footage.

'I don't want to do it again, get on your stomach, roll over. Hands behind your back. Put your hands behind your back.'

The officers then ran up to the unresponsive Grahai as they forcibly attempted to put his hands behind his back.

A 911 call was placed to the officers after a woman had complained that the non-verbal Grahai was rattling her door which she mistook for a burglary attempt

Other officers were later seen removing the cuffs of the confused Grahai

Grahai's family later arrived to the scene in shock as they witnessed him being pinned to the ground with blood coming out of his ear.

His family also noted that Grahai, who is over six feet tall and still wears diapers, rarely wanders from home.

'Everybody loves Lou. He's lovable, everybody knows he ain't going to hurt nobody,' Grahai's mother Roberta Crew told WESH 2.

Crew also described to the network what she saw when she arrived at the scene.

'And I seen my baby on the ground with Tasers. One taser in the back of his neck, on the side of his neck, his eardrum is bleeding,' she added.

Grahai's mother Roberta Crew said that she witnessed her son being pinned to the ground by officers with Tasers in his neck and a bleeding eardrum

Crew's son was taken to the hospital as he sustained damage to his neck and ear.

He was released on Tuesday morning and has to wear a neck brace. It is unclear if any criminal charges have been filed - or if the cops involved in the arrest will face disciplinary action.

'He don't speak. I can't imagine. He can't even holler out and cry to tell you you're hurting him,' Crew said.

'If he didn't went down when you tell him to. What is the next thing you're going to to? Shoot him. That's my worst nightmare, something happening to him.'

Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri said that his officers were doing the best they could in the situation

Eustice Police Chief Craig Capri said that the officers were doing the best they could in the situation, but added that had they known that Grahai was severely autistic, they'd likely have approached the encounter differently.

'De-escalation was used here, based on the knowledge they had at the time,' Capri told NBC Orlando.

'Had they'd known this was a severely autistic person, I doubt any force would have been used.

'I think they did everything right. It could have been a lot worse. Thank God it wasn't.'
Thousands of patients are being turned away for vital social care every month as staff shortages hit acute levels, Sajid Javid was warned last night.

The National Care Forum, which represents companies that provide home helps, said firms had turned down nearly 5,000 requests for help over the past six weeks.

It has joined union Unison to demand the Health Secretary takes urgent action to tackle the recruitment and retention emergency in the care sector.

They have written a letter warning of a staffing crisis triggered by chronic underfunding leading to low wages, staff burnout, and mandatory vaccination.

Thousands of patients are turned away for social care as staff shortages hit 'acute' levels in a crisis triggered by 'low wages, staff burnout, and mandatory vaccination' (stock image)

Shortages are at a magnitude that threaten to overwhelm the sector, they say. Both want to see a pay boost to improve recruitment and a retention bonus for those who have gone above and beyond in the delivery of care during the darkest of times.

They are calling for a funding injection in next weeks Spending Review just to keep services at their current level.

.. as boss breaks down over crisis Councillor Sara Pritchard said home helps were exhausted and managers suicidal in a Facebook video A care home owner and Conservative councillor has broken down in tears over the utter crisis in the sector. Sara Pritchard, who runs Executive Carers, said home helps were exhausted and managers suicidal. In a Facebook video, the Lichfield city councillor, said: Nobody is helping us and its so bad. How can I tell my staff I feel like this when most of them are exhausted? We pay well 11 an hour  but it isnt enough. They should be on 15 an hour. Without a shadow of a doubt they should be on more. I know Im not on my own. I read every day that care managers are resigning, that registered managers feel suicidal, that domiciliary care owners are having to close their businesses or lose their homes because they cant afford to do this any more, and its mentally torturing them. Labours local government spokesman Steve Reed said that, despite Boris Johnsons plan to fix social care, it was still in crisis. Advertisement

There are fears that local authorities will have to put up council tax yet again to plug the gaps, despite Boris Johnsons social care reforms unveiled last month.

The letter says: Care providers are already having to hand back contracts, turn down new requests for care, at home and in care homes, as a direct result of the acute shortage of workers.

'The Government must act now because social care matters to us all. This country cannot afford to lose any more care staff.

'Each and every one of us has a loved one who may well need their skill, support and compassion, or require help themselves eventually. Please dont ignore this catastrophe a moment longer.

The letter also urges the Government to scrap or delay mandatory jabs in care homes.

Researchers for NCF and the Outstanding Managers Network found that nearly a fifth of positions are vacant, with backroom staff having to fill in as frontline carers.

More than two-thirds said they were having to stop or limit services. These pressures mean having to turn away patients, including those being discharged from hospital.

One manager said it was heartbreaking turning down ten-plus packages of care that are needed a day. Another said: Sadly, we have not got enough staff to look after them safely, while another was seriously considering having to close.

NCF chief executive officer Vic Rayner said: The Government must act now to ensure those who currently work in the sector feel valued and recognised by providing a retention bonus.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said the Government was providing at least 500million to support the care workforce as part of the 5.4billion social care reforms.

He said: We are also working to ensure we have the right number of staff with the skills to deliver high quality care to meet increasing demands.
Joe Biden showed his frustration with warring Democrats delaying the passage of his Congressional agenda on Wednesday, urging the moderate and progressive wings of the party to come together to pass his trillion dollar package of social programs.

'What are we doing? This is the United States of America, damn it,' Biden said, his voice raising during a speech in Scranton designed to promote both his infrastructure deal and his social spending program.

'These bills are not about left versus right or moderate versus progressive,' he said, acknowledging the interparty war he is dealing with as he tries to pass his agenda. 'Or anything that pits one American versus another.'

He also used his signature whisper - what he does when he wants to make a point - to note the legislation, which is paid for increases in taxes on the wealthy and corporations, will cost zero.

'It does not increase the debt,' he added,

Biden returned to his hometown to promote his plan that would cause a massive increase in federal spendiing. It was his first visit to Scranton as president.

'It's good to be home,' he told the cheering supporters outside the Electric City Trolley Museum, where he made his remarks. Biden, a huge supporter of Amtrak and fan of trains, toured the museum before making his sales pitch.

Biden was last in Scranton on Election Day 2020. He lived there until he was 10.

As he prepared to depart for his home town, Biden said he was hopeful of reaching a deal, after conceding to Democrats that some of his most ambitious proposals will have to go.

'I think we'll get a deal,' he told reporters before boarding Air Force One for the short hop to Pennsylvania.

He leaves behind a party that remains deadlocked in Washington.

Joe Biden showed his frustration with warring Democrats delaying the passage of his Congressional agenda, urging the moderate and progressive wings of the party to come together

President Joe Biden checks out a trolley car with the number 46 - he is the 46th president - during a tour of the Electric City Trolley Museum with its executive director Wayne Hiller

Bidne toured the Electric City Trolley Museum before he made his remarks

Biden gave Democrats an end of the week deadline to come to consensus on a topline number for his ambitious package of programs, including funds for education, healthcare and to combat climate change.

But to break the stalemate between the moderate and progressive wings of the Democratic Party, the $3.5 trillion plan will be cut nearly in half.

Getting the ax is his proposal for two years of free community college. Other options being considered are cutting back the child tax credit and paid family leave; and removing a clean energy program after Senator Joe Manchin objected to it.

'There will be something for higher education, but it probably won't be the free community college,' said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

A day earlier, Jayapal other progressives met with Biden at the White House as the president tried to bring moderates and liberals to agreement.

They conceded that cuts were inevitable if the measure is to be passed.

'It's not the robust vision the president wants or that we wanted,' noted Rep. Ro Khanna, another liberal.

Biden also held separate meetings with a group of moderate lawmakers and with Senators Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema at the White House on Tuesday as he pushed for Democrats to close a deal.

The president felt 'more confident' after the day of meetings, press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement.

'There was broad agreement that there is urgency in moving forward over the next several days and that the window for finalizing a package is closing,' she noted.

Biden wants a framework for the plan by the end of the week with its topline number looking to be between $1.75 trillion and $2 trillion, about half of the original.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed confidence Wednesday morning negotiations were on track.

'We will be where we need to be in order to reach our goal,' she told reporters on Capitol Hill. She gave a deadline of Halloween to pass both Biden's social plan and his infrastructure proposal.

The infrastructure plan has bipartisan support but has become caught up in the inter-party war over Biden's budget package of social programs. Pelosi delayed a vote on it earlier this month as she and party leadership work to bring the two wings of Democrats together.

Joe Biden was last in Scranton on Election Day 2020 as seen above

During that Scranton stop, Biden visited his boyhood home

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, speaks to reporters after liberals met with Biden for two hours at the White House on Tuesday

Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin want Biden's ambitious social packate scaled back and Biden cannot afford to lose their votes in the Senate

Manchin and Sinema want the social package - paid for with a mix of tax cuts - lowered in size and scope. And, in the evenly divided 50-50 Senate, Biden cannot lose a single Democratic vote.

Meanwhile, progressives, led by Jayapal, have said they will not support Biden's infrastructure plan without a deal on the package of social programs.

Now, as both sides gather to discuss how to trim the package, progressives are pushing to reduce the duration of many of the programs in the plan but preserve them all - even if its just for a short duration.

Moderates argue for focusing money on a smaller number of programs for the long term.

White House adviser Cedric Richmond told NBC on Wednesday the focus is on the items in the plan and not its price tag - a comment that came as progressives said Biden agreed to their approach in their meeting on Tuesday.

'The price is not what we're focused on. We're focused on making sure we can deliver the programs and services and investments in families and whatever that adds up to, it adds up to,' Richmond said.

Part of the cuts would be extending the child tax credit by one year instead of the four originally discussed.

Also, Biden's Clean Energy Plan would go and instead be replaced by tax breaks for energy producers that reach emission-reduction goals, which would better align with Manchin's priorities.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emerged from a meeting of Senate Democrats on Monday to note that there is 'universal agreement in that room that we have to come to an agreement, and we've got to get it done, and want to get it done this week.'

'Everyone is going to be disappointed in certain things, but everyone is going to be glad about certain things,' he noted.

A series of events at the end of the month is driving the push to pass the president's agenda: transportation funding runs out at the end of October, Biden needs to head to Rome for the G20 summit and Democrats need a win ahead of the Virginia governor's election, where their candidate Terry McAuliffee is struggling.

The Nov. 2 gubernatorial election in Virginia is being seen a referendum on Biden. The result will be used to forecast Democrats' chances of retraining control over Congress in next year's midterm election.
Advertisement

Doctors have accused the Government of 'wilful negligence' for not to re-imposing face masks and WFH guidance despite warnings Covid cases could surge to 100,000 a day within weeks.

This week NHS bosses, trade unions and a slew of high profile scientists called for the country to take a tougher stance on coronavirus restrictions amid surging infection numbers and a lagging booster vaccine rollout.

But in a Downing Street press conference Health Secretary Sajid Javid held his nerve and insisted the pressure on hospitals was not yet 'unsustainable', in comments that angered health chiefs who warn the NHS is already starting to creak under the pressure of Covid, flu and backlogs caused by the pandemic.

Health Minister Edward Agar echoed his boss this morning, saying the NHS was under 'sustainable pressure at the moment' and that the current plan was 'still working'.

But the Government has been accused of sleepwalking into another crisis and not heeding the warning of Sir Patrick Vallance who said last month that ministers must 'go hard and go early' with coronavirus restrictions this winter if there is a surge in cases.

Dr Chaand Nagpaul, the British Medical Association chief, said last night: 'It is wilfully negligent of the Westminster Government not to be taking any further action to reduce the spread of infection, such as mandatory mask wearing, physical distancing and ventilation requirements in high-risk settings, particularly indoor crowded spaces.

'The Westminster Government said it would enact "Plan B" to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed; as doctors working on the frontline, we can categorically say that time is now.

'By the Health Secretary's own admission we could soon see 100,000 cases a day and we now have the same number of weekly Covid deaths as we had during March, when the country was in lockdown. It is therefore incredibly concerning that he is not willing to take immediate action to save lives and to protect the NHS.'

Doctors are calling on ministers to bring in 'Plan B'  reserved for when the NHS comes under immense pressure  which would see the return of face masks and advice to work from home, as well as the introduction of Covid passports for nightclubs and major events, which are already a staple in Scotland and Wales.

There were suggestions last night that ministers are considering a 'Plan C' if all else fails, which could include banning cross-household mixing at Christmas again. But Mr Agar denied those rumours this morning during a round of interviews.

In other Covid developments:

The booster backlog is likely to grow as more patients become eligible for their third jab, figures suggest;

Mr Javid announced the Government has bought hundreds of thousands of pills to treat Covid;

It was revealed the UK's top scientific advisors only met twice in the last three months;

Mr Kwarteng said holidays will not be cancelled again and dismissed the idea of another lockdown;

Figures showed there are nearly a third fewer mass vaccination hubs in operation now compared to when the original two-dose Covid vaccine programme was at the peak of its powers in April;

GPs 'out-and-out rejected' No10's 250million proposals to give patients more face-to-face appointments;

NHS chief Amanda Pritchard said complacency among older patients is to blame for slow booster rollout.

Dr Chaand Nagpaul, the head of the British Medical Association, yesterday called on ministers to bring back Covid restrictions including face masks and working from home immediately. But Health minister Edward Agar (right) said today that the NHS was under 'sustainable' pressure and that the current plan was still working

Health Secretary Sajid Javid batted away calls to re-impose Covid restrictions last night at his first Downing Street press conference. He said the NHS remained under 'sustainable' pressure

Daily infections are currently on the brink of passing the 50,000 milestone for the first time in months, with Department of Health bosses on Wednesday recording 49,139 positive tests - up 15 per cent on the previous week

Only around 4.05million(purple line) out of the 8.7million eligible people (green line) in England have received the crucial third dose, prompting ministers to urge people to come forward for their inoculations

Mr Agar said today that the current plan for tackling Covid was still working. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'What Sajid (Javid, the Health Secretary) has highlighted now is that we are facing a challenging period  winter.

'People are indoors, infection rates are rising, and I think what hes done is levelled early with people, here is what were seeing, but there are ways you can the single biggest way you can impact on that and mitigate it is to have the jabs, thats the thing.

'Plan A in that sense, if you want to call it that, is still working. But what he highlighted is its a race  and Ive used this phrase with you, I think, before when Ive been on your programme  it is a race between the vaccines, and getting those in peoples arms, and the virus.

At-home Covid pills that can HALVE risk of death to treat infected Brits from next month Sajid Javid revealed the Government has bought hundreds of thousands of game-changing pills to treat Covid that infected Brits can take at home this winter. Officials have bought 480,000 doses of molnupiravir, an antiviral made by US pharmaceutical company Merck and 250,000 courses of PF-073 from Pfizer, the drug giant behind the vaccine currently deployed for the UK's booster drive. Officials did not disclose how much the Department of Health paid but American health chiefs spent $1.2billion (869million) on 1.7million molnupiravir pills this summer. If the drugs are priced the same in Britain they are likely to cost around 250million - even though they are thought to cost just 12 to make. The drugs are pending approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which could come as early as mid-November. However, Pfizer's pills aren't expected to be available until January at the earliest. A landmark study at the start of the month showed molnupiravir - taken twice a day - can cut the risk of infected people being hospitalised or dying by up to 50 per cent. It works by disrupting the virus's ability to reproduce in the human body. Pfizer's treatment - a combination of an experimental antiviral and ritonavir, which is usually used to treat HIV - has yet to finish clinical trials. It works in a different way. Antivirals are treatments used to either treat those who are infected with a virus or protect exposed individuals from becoming symptomatic. Mr Javid said the drugs are likely to be given to people who are infected or those who may have been exposed to the virus in a localised outbreak, for example at a care home. Officials have not yet specified who exactly will be offered the drugs. Advertisement

'Were still winning that race at the moment, but its narrowing, that lead is narrowing. So what we need to do is that sprint for the line.'

Mr Agar said ministers have not set a threshold that infections, hospitalisations and deaths would need to hit before ministers would consider re-imposing restrictions this morning.

He told Sky News it would not 'be appropriate to set an arbitrary figure, X number of infections, X number of hospitalisations'.

'We need to look at all this in the round, we need to look at the death rate, absolutely.

'We need to look at that booster rollout programme vaccination programme vaccination rates in young people, the 12 to 15-year-olds, because were seeing in that school-age population, thats where were seeing actually the biggest increases driving these infections.'

He added: 'I cant give you a simple, here is a sort of black and white answer, here is a binary line, because it takes theres a whole range of factors well take into consideration.'

Asked about reports that they would ban mixing between households as a 'last resort', the health minister told Sky News: 'Thats not something Im aware of, I checked it out and Im told that is not a story with foundation.

'Of course, as a Government, you look at  as weve done with our Plan B  alternatives and ways that you might, if you needed to, start easing that pressure.

'The specifics of that and what was mooted in it as I understand it, as I only glanced at it Im afraid on my way in this morning, about limiting household mixing, things like that is that it isnt something that is being actively considered.'

NHS Confederation boss Matthew Taylor also called on ministers to press ahead with a 'Plan B' yesterday or risk derailing efforts to tackle the record-breaking 5million-strong patient backlog. He said: 'The message from health leaders is clear  it is better to act now, rather than regret it later.'

SAGE member and former chief scientific adviser Professor Sir Mark Walport last night warned the current restrictions were probably 'not holding things'.

He told BBC Newsnight: 'Am I worried? Yes. It's very, very delicately poised. We've got a lot of cases at the moment. Winter is coming, flu is probably coming. It's not a good place to be. The evidence is that the current measures are probably not holding things.'

The boss of NHS Wales has also warned that the country's health service is under the most intense pressure in its history. It is for the Welsh Government to decide whether to re-impose restrictions in Wales.

No10 shelved almost all remaining Covid restrictions in England on July 19 amid a successful vaccination roll out that has seen more than nine in ten adults get two doses.

A booster programme was launched last month to top up waning immunity against the virus in older populations.

But the drive has been sluggish to get going prompting calls to speed up the campaign, including from former Prime Minister Tony Blair who said ministers should aim to deliver 500,000 third doses a day.

On Tuesday, ministers extended emergency Covid powers for another six months  covering the winter  that would give them the ability to bring back restrictions and impose another lockdown.

Yesterday Britain recorded another 49,139 Covid cases, just shy of breaking through the grim 50,000 milestone and a surge of 15 per cent on the same time last week. Deaths jumped by nearly a third to 179.

The above graph shows the pace of the booster vaccination drive. It reveals the number of doses given out by day in October (orange bars) and the total number of boosters given out over time (red line). This is compared against the number of second doses given out in April (blue line). People who got their second dose in April would now be due to get a top up dose

The number of patients waiting for routine hospital treatment hit 5.6million in July, the highest figure since records began in 2007. And health chiefs have warned the backlog is going to get much worse before it gets better, with projections that it could soar up to 13million by the end of the year if no action is taken

Laying into ministers last night, Dr Nagpul said they had 'taken (their) foot off the brake, giving the impression that the pandemic is behind us and that life has returned to normal'.

He blasted the current infection rate as 'unacceptable' and said hospital admissions and deaths were at a level 'unheard of in similar European nations'.

Britain's Covid infection rate currently stands at 446.2 cases per 100,000 people, the highest in Europe, and up by almost half on the same time last month.

Almost five million patients are still waiting for booster Covid jab as fears grow that slow rollout will worsen The booster backlog is likely to grow as more patients become eligible for their third jab, figures suggest. Around 4.8million who received their second dose at least six months ago are still waiting for their next one  leaving them with reduced immunity from Covid. The NHS is giving around 1.3million boosters a week, while inviting another 2.2million patients to apply. It means it could be the New Year until all 30million over-50s, health and social care staff and clinically vulnerable are fully-protected. Experts warn hospitals risk being overburdened by coronavirus patients if uptake is not rapidly increased. The AstraZeneca vaccine is 77 per cent effective at preventing infection one month after the second dose but this falls to 67 per cent after six months. The Pfizer jab also falls over the same period from 88 per cent to 74 per cent. Advertisement

Scientists warned today that because many cases are asymptomatic  display no symptoms  the UK may already be very near 100,000 cases a day.

Dr Chris Smith, a virologist at Cambridge University, told BBC Breakfast the country was 'probably already close to 100,000 cases a day anyway, we just dont know about lots of them'.

He added: 'The trend at the moment in cases is upwards, but the more reassuring trend for the moment is how many people are becoming severely unwell, how many people are losing their lives and that number, thankfully, does remain very, very low, and thats a direct testimony to the performance of the vaccines.'

'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson predicted cases could spiral to more than 100,000 a day in June. But they turned around in early July and started falling.

At the Covid press briefing last night, Mr Javid threatened to reimpose restrictions if people don't get vaccinated and fail to make behavioural changes.

'Am I saying that if we don't do our bit, get vaccinated, all those behavioural changes that we can make, that we are more likely to face restrictions as we head into winter...? Then I am saying that,' the Health Secretary warned. 'I think we've been really clear that we've all got a role to play.

'If not enough people get their booster jabs, if not enough of those people that were eligible for the original offer, the five million I've talked about that remain unvaccinated, if they don't come forward, if people don't wear masks when they really should in a really crowded place with lots of people that they don't normally hang out with, if they're not washing their hands and stuff, it's going to hit us all.

'And it would of course make it more likely we're going to have more restrictions.'

With cases rising, Mr Blair said the Government needed to act 'rapidly and decisively' to avoid the need for another lockdown as winter approaches.

A report by the former prime minister's think-tank, the Tony Blair Institute, said ministers should set a daily target for booster jabs, reactivate the vaccine infrastructure set up earlier in the year and start using the AstraZeneca vaccine for boosters.

It said the Government should also aim to ensure half of all 12 to 15-year-olds are vaccinated by the start of December while making the approval of vaccines for the under-12s a priority.

And it called on ministers to 'urgently explore' the options for introducing a Covid passport while reinstating mandatory face coverings for crowded indoor public spaces.

Mr Blair said that without action now, there was a danger that further restrictions would be required in the weeks ahead.

'Everyone hopes that the damage of Covid-19 is substantially behind us even as we battle its legacy,' he said.

'However, the worst that could happen is that we go back into anything approaching the lockdowns we experienced during the past 18 months. We're not saying this will happen. But the risk is there now.

Tony Blair urges ministers to set target of 500,000 booster jabs every day over fears a Covid wave could cripple NHS Tony Blair today demands ministers set a target of delivering 500,000 Covid booster jabs a day, amid fears a fresh wave of disease could overwhelm the NHS. With cases rising, the former prime minister says the Government needs to act rapidly and decisively to avoid the need for another lockdown as winter approaches. A report by his think tank, the Tony Blair Institute, said ministers should set a daily target for booster jabs, reactivate the vaccine infrastructure set up earlier in the year and start using the AstraZeneca vaccine for boosters. The report said the Government should also aim to ensure half of all 12 to 15-year-olds are vaccinated by the start of December, while making the approval of vaccines for the under-12s a priority. And it called on ministers to urgently explore the options for introducing a Covid passport while reinstating mandatory face coverings for crowded indoor public spaces. Mr Blair says that without action now, there was a danger that further restrictions would be required in the weeks ahead. The 500,000 figure compares to a vaccination rate of about 200,000 now  and is well behind the 600,000 figure over the summer. Everyone hopes that the damage of Covid-19 is substantially behind us even as we battle its legacy, he says. However, the worst that could happen is that we go back into anything approaching the lockdowns we experienced during the past 18 months. Were not saying this will happen. But the risk is there now. Once well ahead of the rest of Europe, were now behind Germany, France and Italy in terms of cases and even vaccinations. So, from an abundance of caution, a sensible sentiment given the history of Covid-19, we believe the Government should rapidly and decisively accelerate measures to give us the best possible chance of avoiding the disease spiralling again. Advertisement

'Once well ahead of the rest of Europe, we're now behind Germany, France and Italy in terms of cases and even vaccinations.

'So, from an abundance of caution, a sensible sentiment given the history of Covid-19, we believe the Government should rapidly and decisively accelerate measures to give us the best possible chance of avoiding the disease spiralling again. '

Yesterday, the Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said that he would 'rule out' another national lockdown being imposed, in the biggest sign that the Government is not planning to pull the trigger on the drastic measure unless the situation changes rapidly.

Asked on Sky News about some experts saying a further shutdown could not be discounted.

He replied: 'No, I would rule that out. Throughout this process, there've been people saying the lockdown was unnecessary, there have been other people saying we should continue the lockdown. We've really plotted a path between those two extremes.'

Sajid Javid also ruled out another lockdown during his first Covid press conference last night.

Mr Javid said that while the NHS was seeing 'greater pressure', he was confident the pressure was not 'unsustainable'.

He said ministers would 'stay vigilant' because cases could still rise to 100,000 a day this winter.

Mr Javid used the press conference to urge Britons to come forward for their booster jabs in a bid to speed up the sluggish vaccine campaign - which has only seen a quarter of care home residents revaccinated.

He said that the country was still ahead in the race against the virus thanks to the initial Covid vaccination effort, but claimed that waning immunity meant that lead was 'narrowing'.

Pleading with the country to get their booster, Mr Javid added that not only would a booster save lives, it would also 'protect our freedoms'. 'Boosters could not be more important,' he said.

Asked if people face a tightening of restrictions if they do not get boosters or take care indoors, Mr Javid said: 'Am I saying that if we don't do our bit, get vaccinated, all those behavioural changes that we can make, that we are more likely to face restrictions as we head into winter? Then I am saying that.

'I think we've been really clear that we've all got a role to play.'

Meanwhile, the seven-day average for cases is standing at 44,145 infections per day - the highest level for almost three months.

Experts fear the growing outbreak may have been exacerbated by an even more infectious offshoot of Delta called AY4.2. The proportion of cases made up by the sub-strain have doubled in a month, official figures show.

Mr Javid said deaths 'remain mercifully low' at the moment, but added: 'We've always known that the winter months would pose the greatest threat to our road to recovery.'

He added: 'Thanks to the vaccination programme, the link between hospitalisations and deaths has significantly weakened, but it's not broken.

'So we must all remember that this virus will be with us for the long term and remains a threat to our loved ones, and a threat to the progress that we've made in getting our nation closer to normal life.'

Mr Javid also announced the UK has bought hundreds of thousands of 'game-changing' pills that can be used to treat Britons with Covid at home this winter.

The UK has bought 480,000 antiviral molnupiravir pills made by US pharmaceutical company Merck and 250,000 PF-073 courses from Pfizer. They still need to be approved by the UK's medical regulator before Britons can get their hands on the drugs.

The above maps show the proportion of Covid cases that were the Delta sub-variant AY.4.2 in the fortnight to June 26 (left) and the fortnight to July 31 (right). Darker colours indicate that more cases of the sub-variant had been detected

The above maps show the proportion of cases that were AY.4.2 in the fortnight to September 25 (left) and October 9 (right). The darker colours indicate that a higher proportion of infections were down to this sub-variant.

Meet outdoors and wear masks in crowded spaces to keep Covid at bay and prevent winter surge, says Sajid Javid Britons should consider meeting outdoors and wearing masks in crowded spaces to prevent a winter Covid spike, Sajid Javid said yesterday. The Health Secretary said people should consider taking lateral flow tests before seeing friends and family at Christmas parties. If they have to meet indoors, they should open windows to let in fresh air, he added. Mr Javid urged everyone to take part in the national mission to ensure the country secures the freedoms it regained in July. He warned that otherwise the Government could be forced to adopt its Plan B for the winter  and that would include making face masks mandatory in some settings. The Health Secretary said: After the decisive steps that weve taken this year, none of us want to go backwards now. 'So we must all play our part in this national mission and think about what we can do to make a difference. That means getting the jab when the time comes  whether its for Covid-19 or flu. Mr Javid said that although vaccinations were the primary form of defence, there were many more things that we can all do to help contain the spread of this virus. Like meeting outdoors where its possible, and if you can only meet indoors, letting in fresh air. 'Like wearing a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, especially if youre coming into contact with people that you dont normally meet, and like making and taking rapid tests and making them part of your weekly routine. With winter soon upon us, these little steps make a big difference. 'If we all play our part, then we can give ourselves the best possible chance in this race, to get through this winter, and enjoy Christmas with our loved ones. Advertisement

Asked about unsustainable pressure on the health service, Mr Javid said: 'We don't believe that the pressures that are currently faced by the NHS are unsustainable.

'Don't get me wrong, there are huge pressures especially in A&E, in primary care, for example, as well, but at this point we don't believe they are unsustainable.

'If we feel at any point it's becoming unsustainable then the department, together with our friends in the NHS, we won't hesitate to act.'

Mr Javid reiterated that the Government will not be implementing its Plan B strategy 'at this point'.

He added: 'We'll be staying vigilant, preparing for all eventualities while strengthening our vital defences that can help us fight back against this virus.'

Praising deals for new two antiviral treatments that can cut the risk of death for the most vulnerable as 'great news', he said: 'But we cannot be complacent when Covid-19 remains such a potent threat.'

The Health Secretary said England had reached a 'milestone' of four million top-up jabs on Wednesday, adding: 'None of us want to go backwards now.

'So we must all play our part in this national mission, and think about what we can do to make a difference. That means getting the jab when the time comes, whether it's for Covid-19 or flu.'

He stressed that, aside from vaccinations, people can take other - now voluntary - measures such as meeting outdoors where possible, ensuring good ventilation, wearing masks in crowded spaces and taking lateral flow tests.

He said: 'With winter soon upon us, these little steps make a big difference. And they're more important now than they have ever been.'

Dr Jenny Harries, the chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said the UK is going into winter with a 'really high level' of cases.

'What we can see is that the cases now are almost as high as they were in July and actually not far off where they were last winter,' she said.

'What we are not seeing is that dip down again at the other side of the peak and that is really important because we are kicking off the winter at a really high level of cases.

'Fortunately that is not currently working through into serious disease and deaths.'

However, she later said the last two days have seen the highest death rates for some time, adding that the number of deaths are 'moving in the wrong direction'.

It comes as the chief executive of the NHS in Wales, which sets its own Covid restrictions, said the service is under the most intense pressure in its history.

Dr Andrew Goodall said Covid had led to the system running 'at the hottest we've seen', with record backlogs of treatments and demands for other care.

Dr Goodall said: 'It does feel this is the most challenging period. And we can see that in the data. Rather than just focusing on coronavirus we've got the NHS trying to restore a range of activities across all its settings.'

He said there were currently 700 Covid patients in hospital beds alongside record ambulance calls, high levels of emergency demand and a busiest-ever primary care sector in Wales.

There have been suggestions that the variant may be elevated to 'Variant under Investigation'. If this is the case the World Health Organization is likely to give it the name 'Nu', which is the next letter in the Greek alphabet

The graph shows the proportion of cases sequenced in England that are the new subvariant AY.4.2 (yellow) and Delta (blue). Delta became dominant in the UK in May, overtaking the previously dominant Alpha strain (purple)

Only a QUARTER of care home residents have had their Covid booster vaccine Just over a quarter of care home residents have had a Covid booster vaccine, data shows amid fears that millions of elderly Britons will be left vulnerable to the virus this winter. NHS England data shows that just 27.8 per cent of care home residents have received their crucial third dose and only 14.1 per cent of staff have been boosted. That's despite the booster rollout launching over a month ago and care home residents and their carers being highlighted as the top priority groups. The data also shows that little over half of eligible people over the age of 80 in England have been given a booster, while just a third of 75 to 79-year-olds have been revaccinated. Pressure is mounting on the Government to get the sluggish programme up to speed as daily infections approach peak-second-wave levels and the NHS gears up for a harsh winter. Members of No10's own scientists have publicly called for ministers to hurry up with the programme, which prompted Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng to admit today it was 'something that we really need to address'. NHS England boss Amanda Pritchard yesterday claiming the elderly are not coming forward quickly enough for their boosters. But sources close to the booster drive told MailOnline capacity is also an issue, with figures showing there are nearly a third fewer mass vaccination hubs in operation now compared to April, when more than 400,000 extra jabs a day were being dished out. An NHS practice manager said GPs are prioritising clearing the record-breaking backlog of 5.7million patients waiting for routine treatment in the UK over dishing out jabs. Advertisement

Daily Covid figures released today show England recorded 41,498 new infections, 2,768 cases were confirmed in Scotland, while 3,450 were spotted in Wales and 1,423 in Northern Ireland.

And week-on-week infection rates were rising in every age group in England, apart from 80 to 84-yea-olds, on October 15 - the latest date the figures are available for.

Some 8.5million positive tests have been registered across the UK since the pandemic began. But the real infection number is many millions higher, due to the limited testing capacity at the start of the crisis and not everyone who catches the virus coming forward for a test.

Meanwhile, hospitalisations within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test have increased week-on-week for the tenth day in a row.

Some 850 patients have been Covid hospitalised per day in the last seven days on average - the highest figure in a month, but a fraction of the more than 4,000 recorded at the peak of the second wave in January.

And a further 179 coronavirus deaths were recorded, after a six-month high of 223 was recorded yesterday.

The increase in cases has been in part blamed on the new variant, which academics estimate may be up to 15 per cent more transmissible than the original Delta, which rapidly became dominant in Britain in the spring before taking off worldwide.

It has been detected in almost every part of the country, figures show, and it's thought to be behind almost 60 per cent of positive tests sampled sequenced in Adur, West Sussex.

No10 yesterday said it was 'keeping a very close eye' on AY.4.2 but insisted there is 'no evidence' that it spreads easier. Boris Johnson's official spokesperson also warned the Government 'won't hesitate to take action if necessary'.

Experts suggested the uptick of AY.4.2 - one of 45 sub-lineages of Delta - may be partly to blame, along with the return of pupils to classrooms from August and workers to offices.

Professor Francois Balloux, director of the University College London Genetics Institute, told the Financial Times the strain could be the most infectious subvariant seen since the pandemic began.

But he noted Britain is the only country where the sub-lineage has 'taken off', so its quick growth could be a 'chance demographic event'.

The World Health Organization will likely elevate AY.4.2 to a 'variant under investigation', which means it would be given a name under its Greek letter naming system, Professor Balloux added.

The map shows the proportion of cases caused by AY.4.2 in the fortnight to October 9, with darker colours equating to more infections caused by the subvariant. Data from the Sanger Institute shows 8.9 per cent of all Covid-positive nose and throat swabs sequenced in England were caused by AY.4.2. It statistics suggests the sub-lineage is most prevalent in Adur, where 61 per cent of all positive samples sequenced were linked with AY.4.2. The subvariant also seems to be highly prevalent in East Lindsey (46 per cent) and Torridge (41 per cent)

The prevalence of the Delta strain, which was first detected in the UK in March and became dominant within two months, grew much faster than AY.4.2 has grown so far. Delta is still responsible for nine in 10 infections in England

Government's SAGE scientists have met just TWICE over the last three months The UK's top scientific advisors have only met twice in the last three months, it was revealed today amid fears a fourth Covid wave is just around the corner. SAGE, which has guided the Government through the Covid pandemic, last met on October 15. The October meeting was the second in as many months, with the influential panel last coming together before that on September 9. The group - which includes England's chief medical officer professor Chris Whitty, Government chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, and 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson, among others, didn't meet in August at all. Labour today claimed it 'beggars belief' as to why Sage was 'effectively stood down', with cases having soared to a three-month high of around 45,000. There were 223 recorded deaths from the virus in the UK yesterday, the highest total since March, a month in which Sage met three times alone. It is understood that both Professor Whitty and Sir Patrick have raised alarm about the figures in recent days and that internal discussions in Government have turned to possibly reimposing some of the milder lockdown measures this winter. Though Downing Street is reportedly resistant to this. There are also concerns about the rise of a new Delta variant of the virus in the UK. The variant called AY.4.2, could be up to 10 to 15 per cent more infectious than its ancestor. This, combined with a slow rollout of the Covid booster programme, with nearly 5million vulnerable adults yet to receive theirs, indicates there may be some dire weeks to come in Britain's fight against Covid. SAGE meetings have diminished in frequency since February, when the second wave was just starting to fizzle out. Since then the group has mostly met thrice or twice a month but August this year was the first time the group did not meet at all since the pandemic began. In comparison, SAGE met four times in August 2020, six times in September 2020, and five times in October last year as the country headed into the colder months and the onset of the second wave of the virus. It contains some of the UK's leading epidemiologists, virologists and other health experts, with meetings also regularly attended by government officials. At meetings they analyse the latest trends of how Covid has been spreading in the UK, and the latest research into the virus and how it can be contained and treated. Advertisement

The UK Health Security Agency, which took over from the now-defunct PHE, revealed in a report on Friday that the subvariant is expanding in England.

It includes two mutations - called Y145H and A222V - and is being monitored, the UKHSA said.

Both of these spike mutations have been found in other virus lineages since the pandemic began - but are not present on any current variant of concern.

Professor Balloux said the mutations are not obviously linked with increased transmissibility or evading protection granted by vaccines.

Only three AY.4.2 cases have been spotted in the US, while two per cent of cases in Denmark are caused by the sub-lineage, he added.

Data from the Sanger Institute suggests the sub-lineage is most prevalent in Adur, where 61 per cent of all positive samples sequenced were linked with AY.4.2.

The subvariant also seems to be highly prevalent in East Lindsey (46 per cent) and Torridge (41 per cent).

It comes as the UK recorded 49,156 new Covid infections yesterday, marking another three-month high. Hospitalisations and deaths are also on the rise.

Some experts have said the subvariant may be behind the surge, which other European countries are not seeing to the same extent.

Former US Food and Drug Administration commissioner Scott Gottlieb tweeted on Sunday: 'We need urgent research to figure out if this 'delta plus' is more transmissible, has partial immune evasion.'

But Dr Jeffrey Barrett, director of the Covid Genomics Initiative at the Sanger Institute, told the Financial Times AY.4.2 alone does not explain the the UK's caseload, which is instead linked to the UK imposing less restrictions than other countries.

Professor Balloux said its rapid spread 'could have caused a small number of additional cases', but added: 'It hasn't been driving the recent increase in case numbers in the UK.'

Official figures have shown cases are also being fuelled by youngsters returning to classrooms last month, with as many as one in 12 being infected.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said the Government is 'keeping a very close eye on' the subvariant.

They said: 'There's no evidence to suggest that this variant  the AY.4.2 one  is more easily spread. There's no evidence for that but as you would expect we're monitoring it closely and won't hesitate to take action if necessary.'

Dr Alexander Edwards, an immunologist at the University of Reading, told MailOnline it would be concerning if a variant starts to dominant that evades vaccine immunity.

He said: 'Before the successful rollout of vaccines, this was less likely to happen, but now, with such a high proportion of the population infected, alongside waning immunity, now is the time to be extra vigilant.

'Luckily, we can redesign our vaccines very quickly now, so there isn't yet anything to be afraid of.

'But any efforts made now to reduce cases and improve immunity - through boosters, vaccinating younger people, testing and effective isolating - could pay off if they cut the risk of vaccine evading variants.'

Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at the University of Warwick, told MailOnline the detection of AY.4.2 'highlights the need for continued genomic surveillance of the virus'.

Experts will need to monitor it to determine 'if it really is more transmissible and if it has any impact of the efficacy of vaccination', he said.

Professor Young added: 'The continued spread of the virus at a high level in the UK increases the risk of variants being generated that could be more infectiousness and more able to evade vaccine-induced immunity.'

Booster backlog: Almost five million patients are still waiting for third Covid jab as fears grow that slow rollout will worsen

The booster backlog is likely to grow as more patients become eligible for their third jab, figures suggest.

Around 4.8million who received their second dose at least six months ago are still waiting for their next one  leaving them with reduced immunity from Covid.

The NHS is giving around 1.3million boosters a week, while inviting another 2.2million patients to apply.

It means it could be the New Year until all 30million over-50s, health and social care staff and clinically vulnerable are fully-protected.

Experts warn hospitals risk being overburdened by coronavirus patients if uptake is not rapidly increased.

Around 4.8million who received their second dose at least six months ago are still waiting for their third vaccination. Pictured: An NHS worker receives her third dose at Croydon University Hospital

The AstraZeneca vaccine is 77 per cent effective at preventing infection one month after the second dose but this falls to 67 per cent after six months.

The Pfizer jab also falls over the same period from 88 per cent to 74 per cent.

Earlier this week, Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, said there is 'plenty of capacity' for people to get their boosters, and cited complacency as a key factor. She claimed that 'the crux' of the problem is that people 'are not coming forward as quickly when they receive their invitation as we certainly saw for the first jabs'.

But patients say they are struggling to get them after GP surgeries that administered first and second doses pulled out of the programme to focus on routine care.

It means some have been told to travel miles from home to a mass vaccine centre.

Professor Martin Marshall, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, yesterday admitted the issue was not about supply but 'how one can access it in, in a way that's convenient to patients'.

He told the Radio 4's World at One programme: 'The original vaccination programme  the first two vaccines that people received  75 per cent of those were delivered from general practice and most of the rest were delivered by mass vaccination centres.

'For this booster programme there has been a shift, so more of the vaccinations are going to be delivered by the mass vaccination centres.

'I think it is the case that people at a local level are finding it sometimes more difficult to access the booster.'

He said it is 'concerning' that people are being left with waning immunity and warned it could heap pressure on the NHS.

'We know that the booster vaccination is exceptionally important in order to protect individual patients and indeed to protect the NHS during a winter that we expect to be really difficult.'

The Department of Health will relaunch its booster publicity campaign this weekend, encouraging people to get the jab when invited  a month after the rollout began.

But one Tory MP questioned whether vaccines minister Maggie Throup has the clout to make the rollout a success, like her predecessor Nadhim Zahawi had done.

Sajid Javid today insisted ministers would not reintroduce face masks and WFH guidance 'at this point' as he addressed the nation

The MP said there was 'the issue of does the machinery of delivery require constant ministerial kicking to get it working... I'm not sure Maggie may be as inclined to do the kicking.'

Jonathan Ashworth, Labour's health spokesman, said the Government needs to 'get a grip' to stop the backlog growing.

He said: 'I think ministers have lost their grip of the vaccination programme and perhaps become hubristic. They've boasted that this is our wall of defence  well I'm afraid the wall is beginning to crumble.

'Unless we fix this, we're going to see more infection rates, and in turn more pressure on the National Health Service.'

Dame Kate Bingham, credited with securing the jabs that made the programme a success, stressed it is vital that boosters get into arms. She said: 'Older and vulnerable people should be banging on the doors to get their boosters.'

Caroline Abrahams, of Age UK, said: 'With winter looming into view, we hope that it will be possible to accelerate the booster programme, so that older people can be confident that their immunity is as good as it can be before the cold weather seriously sets in.'

Slow third dose rollout puts care homes at risk Progress on offering Covid booster jabs to all care homes by November 1 is falling woefully short. Fewer than a third of residents (27.8 per cent) and only 14.1 per cent of staff have so far had their third dose. The slow rollout has raised fears that the virus could rampage through homes now immunity has waned, causing a devastating spike in deaths. Low levels of protection could also force managers to reimpose tough visiting restrictions, separating residents from their loved ones. Many GPs who helped deliver first and second doses of the vaccine have withdrawn from the programme to focus on routine care. Care home groups said there had been confusion about which brand of Covid jab to give and delays getting consent from residents in some areas. Some staff say they are reluctant to get their third shot after suffering side-effects from previous jabs and say they have concerns about being vaccinated against Covid at the same time as flu. More than 40,000 care home residents in England and Wales died after testing positive for coronavirus in the first and second waves. Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: 'It's extremely important that everyone living or working in a care home gets their Covid booster jab as soon as it's due. 'This will not only help to prevent a recurrence of the toll of death and serious illness we saw earlier in the pandemic, it will also give care home managers the confidence to keep visiting going.' An NHS spokesman said: 'GP teams and care home managers should be working closely to vaccinate residents who are eligible for a booster.' Advertisement

Tony Blair urges ministers to set target of 500,000 booster jabs every day over fears a fresh Covid wave could cripple the NHS

Tony Blair today demands ministers set a target of delivering 500,000 Covid booster jabs a day, amid fears a fresh wave of disease could overwhelm the NHS.

With cases rising, the former prime minister says the Government needs to act 'rapidly and decisively' to avoid the need for another lockdown as winter approaches.

A report by his think tank, the Tony Blair Institute, said ministers should set a daily target for booster jabs, reactivate the vaccine infrastructure set up earlier in the year and start using the AstraZeneca vaccine for boosters.

The report said the Government should also aim to ensure half of all 12 to 15-year-olds are vaccinated by the start of December, while making the approval of vaccines for the under-12s a priority.

Tony Blair is set to demand ministers set a target of delivering 500,000 Covid booster jabs a day, amid fears a fresh wave of disease could overwhelm the NHS

And it called on ministers to 'urgently explore' the options for introducing a Covid passport while reinstating mandatory face coverings for crowded indoor public spaces.

Mr Blair says that without action now, there was a danger that further restrictions would be required in the weeks ahead.

The 500,000 figure compares to a vaccination rate of about 200,000 now  and is well behind the 600,000 figure over the summer.

'Everyone hopes that the damage of Covid-19 is substantially behind us even as we battle its legacy,' he says.

'However, the worst that could happen is that we go back into anything approaching the lockdowns we experienced during the past 18 months. We're not saying this will happen. But the risk is there now.

'Once well ahead of the rest of Europe, we're now behind Germany, France and Italy in terms of cases and even vaccinations.

'So, from an abundance of caution, a sensible sentiment given the history of Covid-19, we believe the Government should rapidly and decisively accelerate measures to give us the best possible chance of avoiding the disease spiralling again.'

Government's SAGE scientists have met just TWICE over the last three months

The UK's top scientific advisors have only met twice in the last three months, it was revealed today amid fears a fourth Covid wave is just around the corner.

SAGE, which has guided the Government through the Covid pandemic, last met on October 14.

The October meeting was the second in as many months, with the influential panel last coming together before that on September 9.

The group - which includes England's chief medical officer professor Chris Whitty, Government chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, and 'Professor Lockdown' Neil Ferguson, among others - didn't meet in August at all.

Labour today claimed it 'beggars belief' as to why Sage was 'effectively stood down', with cases having soared to a three-month high of around 45,000.

There were 223 recorded deaths from the virus in the UK yesterday, the highest total since March, a month in which Sage met three times alone.

It is understood both Professor Whitty and Sir Patrick have raised the alarm about the figures in recent days, and internal Whitehall discussions have turned to reimposing some of the milder lockdown measures this winter.

The frequency of Sage meetings has declined since February, when the group of scientific advisors met once a week, to generally twice a month from April to July, one a month in September and October, skipping the month of August entirely

Chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty (left) and the Government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance (middle) are two of the highest profile members of Sage which provides prime minister Boris Johnson (right) scientific advice on how best to handle the Covid pandemic. The group has only met twice in the last three months as cases and deaths from the virus begin to rise to levels not seen since the second wave

How often has Sage met since last July? 2021 October: One meeting on the 14th September: One meeting on the 9th August: 0 meetings July: Two meetings, on the 7th and 22nd June: Two meetings, on the 9th and 3rd May: Three meetings, on the 5th, 13th, and 27th April: Two meetings, on the 8th and 22nd March: Three meetings, on the 11th, 25th and 31st February: Four meetings, on the 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th January: Four meetings, one the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th 2020 December: Four meetings, on the 3rd, 10th, 17th and 22nd November: Six meetings, on the 4th, 5th, 12th, 16th, 19th and 26th October: Five meetings, on the 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th September: Six meetings, on the 1st, 3rd, 10th, 17th, 21st, 24th August: Four meetings, on the 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th July: Five meetings, on the 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th Advertisement

There are also concerns about the rise of a new Delta variant of the virus in the UK. The variant called AY.4.2, could be up to 10 to 15 per cent more infectious than its ancestor.

This, combined with a slow rollout of the Covid booster programme, with nearly 5million vulnerable adults yet to receive theirs, indicates there may be some dire weeks to come in Britain's fight against Covid.

SAGE meetings have diminished in frequency since February, when the second wave was just starting to fizzle out. Since then the group has mostly met thrice or twice a month but August this year was the first time the group did not meet at all since the pandemic began.

In comparison, SAGE met four times in August 2020, six times in September 2020, and five times in October last year as the country headed into the colder months and the onset of the second wave of the virus.

It contains some of the UK's leading epidemiologists, virologists and other health experts, with meetings also regularly attended by government officials.

At meetings they analyse the latest trends of how Covid has been spreading in the UK, and the latest research into the virus and how it can be contained and treated.

MailOnline contacted SAGE for comment on the infrequency of meetings in the last few months.

Whitehall sources told the i that the 'meeting rhythm' of Sage was determined by a combination of 'government demand for scientific advice on particular issues' and of the 'emergence of new evidence'.

This rhythm has changed 'continually' during the pandemic, the source said, but there was now a 'reducing tempo given the lessened demand for science advice as our understanding of key science questions improves, the epidemic evolves and capabilities within government increases'.

Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said the apparent standing down of Sage 'beggared belief' considering the Covid situation gripping the UK.

'This week we have seen infections at around 50,000 a day, warnings of waning vaccination and a faltering jabs programme which when combined with fear over flu should be taken as flashing warning lights for ministers,' he said.

'Learning to live with the virus is not the same as pretending the virus doesn't exist. To hear that Sage has effectively been stood down beggars belief.'

A Government spokesperson said they continued to take up-to-date advice on the science surround the pandemic.

NHS boss says health service was NEVER overwhelmed in fight against Covid The head of the NHS today said the health service was never overwhelmed by Covid during the height of the pandemic. Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, told MPs expanding critical care, introducing new treatments and rolling out the vaccine prevented wards from being overrun over the last year-and-a-half. However, medics who worked on the frontlines during the first and second waves of immediately slammed their boss, accusing her of 'gaslighting'. Mrs Pritchard also warned the NHS is on course for a 'tough winter' and that a rise in Covid-infected patients would have a knock-on effect on how much other, planned care could be carried out. She suggested pressures on the health service could see thousands more hospital treatments cancelled. More than 1.5million NHS ops were cancelled or delayed due to the chaos of the pandemic. Her comments were echoed by Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who told MPs there is 'huge pressure' on the health service in England. Mr Javid admitted there are 'shortages' of 999 call handlers after ex Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt raised the issue in the House of Commons. Meanwhile, paramedics also warned six-hour waits for ambulances could become 'commonplace' this winter. The College of Paramedics claimed ambulances have been forced to wait outside of hospitals because of packed A&E wards, and warned that the problems will only get larger as winter demand picks up. Advertisement

'The government continues to regularly receive scientific and technical advice from a wide range of sources, they said.

'This includes from the newly established UKHSA, the JCVI and the Chief Scientific Adviser and Chief Medical Officer as well as SAGE and its subgroups.'

The spokesperson also defended the sporadic Sage meetings, stating it continued to meet as needed.

'SAGE continues to meet as needed and the regularity of SAGE meetings is determined by the Chief Scientific Adviser in consultation with scientific colleagues,' they said.

'The vaccination programme has weakened the link between cases, deaths and hospitalisations, and we are continuing to monitor the scientific evidence and data very closely over the coming months.'

Yesterday, No10 said a further 223 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid  bringing the UK's total death tally to 138,852.

While the numbers are often higher on Tuesdays because of a lag in reporting deaths and cases over the weekend, this is the highest figure for daily reported deaths since March 9.

Meanwhile, the seven-day average for cases is standing at around 44,145 per day  the highest level for almost three months.

SAGE has been slammed in recent weeks, with a damning probe into No10's handling of the Covid pandemic earlier this month finding it failed to challenge the panel's 'groupthink', leading to the virus ripping through Britain.

In a devastating verdict, the report insisted the deadly delay in imposing the first national lockdown was 'because of the official scientific advice the Government received, not in spite of it'.

It added that an 'over-reliance on specific mathematical models'  many of which were later proved to be wildly inaccurate  was a key factor in the UK's disastrous response to Covid.

In the early days of the pandemic Boris Johnson consistently stuck to the mantra that his Government was 'following the science'.

The rise in Covid deaths and cases have prompted some to call for the Government to enforce a a 'Plan B', which would bring back mandatory face masks and more working from home in order to avoid a 'winter crisis'.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation which represents NHS trusts, urged the Government to implement the back-up strategy amid rising Covid cases.

Mr Taylor said the NHS is preparing for what could be 'the most challenging winter on record' and risks 'stumbling into a crisis' after a continued rise on coronavirus cases over the past week amid fears the booster jab rollout is going too slowly.

He also said that the UK should replicate the 'national mobilisation' that the UK 'achieved in the first and second waves'.

Mr Taylor suggested Britain would be unable to tackled the record-breaking NHS backlog of 5.7million patients waiting for routine surgery without implementing the alternative winter Covid plan. Hospital bosses have already warned the waiting list will not be cleared for at least five years.

But Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said the Government does not 'feel that it's the time for Plan B right now', echoing No10's official stance yesterday.

Mr Kwarteng said he would continue to urge people to wear face masks in public and conceded the slow uptake of coronavirus booster jabs is 'something that we really need to address'.

However, Politico reported Professor Whitty and Sir Patrick have raised the alarm about rising Covid numbers in recent days with internal discussions turning to the possibility of reimposing some of the milder measures lockdown this winter.
As the Queen's grocer, Fortnum & Mason has long been assumed to be a byword for both quality and luxury.

But the verdict on one of its products has left a nasty taste in the mouth, it seems.

Experts at Which? found the chocolate in a 22 Advent calendar was inedible.

Fortnum & Mason's Piccadilly Chocolate Advent Calendar was described as 'inedible' by experts

The consumer group said: 'Fortnum & Mason's Piccadilly Chocolate Advent Calendar is designed to look like the grocer's iconic central London flagship store and is described on the company's website as 'a daily decadence for the most discerning of chocolate lovers'.

'But it was the worst calendar tested, with every single person on our five-person panel spitting out the chocolate due to a "chemical taste" which made it inedible.'

The taste test panel looked at the chocolate treats available from nine top-selling Advent calendars, ranging in price from 9.99 to 68.

As Advent calendars are now a way for the big brands to market everything from Marvel superheroes to cheese, Which? also assessed five gin-themed products and nine items that are designed for children.

Eight of the 23 tested were awarded an Editor's Choice accolade, led by the Hotel Chocolat Grand Advent Calendar (68), which received high praise for its looks, variety and quality.

Butlers Advent Calendar (18) did not have the same variety of gifts yet was still rated highly, as was another in the sweets category, the Love Cocoa by James Cadbury Luxury Chocolate Truffle Charity Advent Calendar (25).

The latter has decorations featuring, among others, Captain Tom Moore, Joe Wicks and James Bond, with proceeds from sales going to the NHS.

Editor's Choice ratings went to the Drinks by the Dram Premium Gin Advent Calendar (84.95)  praised for using products from around the world and small niche distilleries  and the That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar (49.95).

The top accolade also went to three children's products, the Playmobil Pirate Island Advent Calendar (18.29), the Barbie Dreamtopia Advent Calendar (19.99) and Lego City Advent Calendar (19.99).

However, the panel members were less impressed with offerings such as the Hatchimals CollEGGtibles Advent Calendar, which costs 24.99, and the Polly Pocket Advent Calendar, which is priced at 19.99.

As with the Fortnum's calendar, the two products were considered by the experts to be poor in quality and/or value.

Fortnum & Mason did not respond to requests for a comment yesterday.
Little Cleo Smith's mother is holding out hope that the four-year-old will 'come home to her'.

Ellie Smith made a harrowing statement about 6.20am on Thursday morning - exactly six days after she discovered her eldest daughter was missing.

'I miss you. I love you. Please come home to me,' the mother-of-two said.

Cleo disappeared from the family tent at the Blowholes campsite north of Carnavon in Western Australia between 1.30am and 6am on Saturday.

She, along with her mum, stepdad Jake Gliddon and baby sister Isla had only arrived for the weekend getaway hours prior.

Ms Smith has issued several pleas for her daughter's safe return since she realised Cleo was missing, the first on her Facebook page on Sunday and the second to the media on Tuesday.

Ellie Smith made a harrowing statement about 6am on Thursday morning - exactly six days after she discovered her eldest daughter was missing

Little Cleo Smith's mother is holding out hope that the four-year-old will 'come home' to her

Mounted police were called to join the search this week amid concerns that Cleo has been abducted

Early on Thursday morning, she spoke publicly again to share the missing child poster that was created by strangers and distributed widely across the nation.

The poster illustrates the red and grey sleeping bag that disappeared with Cleo along with a number to call police.

She also shared a fresh picture of Cleo enjoying a Cornetto ice-cream in a leopard print jumpsuit. Her pink scooter was visible in the background.

'My sweet girl, come home to me,' Ms Smith captioned the photo.

Cleo's family have told detectives they will remain at the campsite, hopeful the little girl will wander back in.

But detectives fear with every passing hour, there is less of a chance they'll find Cleo alive - or nearby.

'Whilst time is not on our side... there have been instances in the past where even small children lost in remote areas still being found safe and well,' acting Deputy Police Commissioner Darryl Gaunt said.

'There's been some rain that gives us hope that there's water on the ground, those type of things which, you know, we take all of these things on as a positive, and we keep searching with every bit of energy that we have.'

Mother Ellie Smith and step-father Jake Gliddon (pictured) were distraught during their first press conference since the disappearance of Cleo Smith on Saturday

Detectives are preparing for the 'nightmare scenario' that Cleo was abducted from her tent.

They're considering the possibility that she could have already been taken interstate, given the time that has passed.

But search crews, volunteers, local Indigenous bush trackers and mounted police returned to the campsite on Thursday.

We will be here until we are satisfied that Cleo is not in this area, Inspector Jon Munday said.

We have searched thoroughly all the high probability areas that Cleo could be in this campsite. We are now extending into the further areas where Cleo could have walked herself.

WA police have labelled the disappearance of Cleo (pictured) 'a mystery we're trying to unravel'

Ms Smith appeared emotional during a press conference on Tuesday while Mr Gliddon was lost for words as they recounted the last time they saw Cleo.

'In the cases similar to this that I've worked on I've seen much more emotion from both parents. I think she's working hard to keep it together,' body language expert Traci Brown told Daily Mail Australia.

'I heard her voice waiver a bit and that's the only way I could tell real sadness is there. I think his stress response is to shut down so that's what we're seeing.'

She added the couple appeared to be 'wired differently' in terms of emotional responses, pointing out Mr Gliddon gave off a 'heavy energy' despite appearing stiff and less reactive.

'My guess is he's the strong silent type,' Ms Brown said.

Both had their arms crossed, which was a sign the pair were facing 'stress triggers' as the pair exhibited 'self-comforting behaviour' during the interview.

Body language experts have weighed in on the interview analysing the gestures, tone of voice and facial expressions of the couple

Ms Smith has been left distraught since her four-year-old daughter Cleo (pictured) vanished from a campsite in Western Australia

Body language expert David Stephens from Critical Insights told Daily Mail Australia that when someone crosses their arms it can be a way of pacifying or self-comforting in stressful situations.

'The question we always need to ask of course, is why are they seeking comfort - what is it that has them worried?,' he explained.

He added the gesture, tone of voice and facial expressions seen during the interview indicated truth-telling while mirroring the couple's sadness and distress.

The couple (pictured with their family) first appealed for help locating missing Cleo via social media on Sunday

Ms Smith's voice faltered as she relayed the moment she unzipped the tent to discover her four-year-old was missing.

'Her gestures and illustrators, of which there are several, broadly match what she is saying, which is a good indication that she is being truthful,' he said.

'The pitch of her voice, her tone and facial expressions generally match what she is saying verbally, which indicates distress and sadness.'

While Ms Smith fought back tears her partner, Jake Gliddon, sat quietly by her side.

His twitching mouth and the licking of his lips was a sign he was preparing to talk but hesitated during the moment, Traci Brown pointed out.

'His hesitancy to speak comes down to the fact he is not Cleo's biological father,' Ms Brown said.

'He's unsure of how to respond to the situation.'

Ms Smith (pictured) has insisted Cleo would never leave the tent on her own and said she would have asked her mum for help unzipping her one-piece sleeping suit

Cleo's stepdad Jake Gliddon was frantic when he discovered Cleo was gone, according to a camper on the scene who assisted with the search

Mr Stephens agreed noting that while Mr Gliddon showed genuine sadness Ms Smith was clearly the speaker of the couple.

'He wants to say something but is not given the chance or is simply unable to verbalise it,' he said.

'The media obviously like to focus on the mother, so you don't necessarily get a lot of the partner shots especially when it's not the biological father in this case.'

Mr Gliddon was frantic when he realised Cleo was missing, according to a camper on the scene who assisted with the search.

He started dating Ms Smith two-and-a-half years ago, when Cleo was barely one. It's understood he has raised Cleo as his own ever since.

'You are incredible and the best dad Cleo could ask for,' Ms Smith said in a tribute post to her partner last Father's Day.

'Thank you for stepping up and being her Daddy. We love you... our favourite man.'

A close friend of the couple said Mr Gliddon 'absolutely adores Cleo [and] took her on as his own not long after she was born'.

'He may be a stepfather but those kids mean the world to him... He's a great dad.'

Cleo was nowhere to be found when her mother and stepdad woke in their shared tent at around 6am on Saturday

Although investigators have called Cleo's disappearance 'a mystery we're trying to unravel', there is no suggestion that Ms Smith or Mr Gliddon were in any way involved. Police have declared the entire area a potential crime scene.

Mr Stephens said the couple don't appear to be hiding anything sinister from their body language and believes they're suffering from 'genuine sadness'.

'Her gestures and her illustrators - the movements someone makes to illustrate what she's saying - they match what she's saying which are good indicators what she's saying is the truth - it's stuff like that that corroborates what she's saying,' he said.

'Families who are faking it will often try to fake sadness so crocodile tears - and their facial expressions won't match the emotions they are trying to pull off.

'If someone is making it up their illustrators or gestures don't match up with what they're saying - they'll say one thing where 'this is what happened' but they'll be shaking their head or shrugging at the same time,' he continued.

'[Ms Smith] does a lot of head shaking but it's part of her baseline - what she's done throughout the interview - so it's consistent and relating to her trying to come to terms with the situation.'

Meanwhile, police have received information from people 'from around the world' adding police are treating the little girl's disappearance as a 'search and rescue mission'

Ellie Smith is seen with Cleo (left) and her baby sister Isla. The mother said when she woke in the morning the tent zipper was nearly completely open

It comes as a disturbing new clue in the disappearance pointed to the 'worst case scenario' the little girl was snatched from her tent as her family lay sleeping.

Police revealed little Cleo was too small in stature to reach the zipper of the tent, which was found hanging open by her mother at 6am, to open it herself.

WA Police Inspector Jon Munday said the height of the zip opening was a major factor in the possibility Cleo was now in the hands of an unknown third party.

'The positioning of that zipper for the flap is one of the circumstances which has caused us to have grave concerns for Cleo's safety,' he said on Wednesday.

The family tent had several entry points that could be unzipped, with the one found open being at the front-facing area of the tent where the little girl had been sleeping.

The new detail comes after other campers claim they heard the sound of a car speeding off around 3am and police revealed up to 20 sex offenders live near the campsite where Cleo was last seen five days ago.

Police have disclosed that while there are currently no concrete suspects for Cleo's disappearance, but there are 'groups they are interested in'.
Tony Blair today demands ministers set a target of delivering 500,000 Covid booster jabs a day, amid fears a fresh wave of disease could overwhelm the NHS.

With cases rising, the former prime minister says the Government needs to act rapidly and decisively to avoid the need for another lockdown as winter approaches.

A report by his think tank, the Tony Blair Institute, said ministers should set a daily target for booster jabs, reactivate the vaccine infrastructure set up earlier in the year and start using the AstraZeneca vaccine for boosters.

The report said the Government should also aim to ensure half of all 12 to 15-year-olds are vaccinated by the start of December, while making the approval of vaccines for the under-12s a priority.

Tony Blair is set to demand ministers set a target of delivering 500,000 Covid booster jabs a day, amid fears a fresh wave of disease could overwhelm the NHS

And it called on ministers to urgently explore the options for introducing a Covid passport while reinstating mandatory face coverings for crowded indoor public spaces.

Mr Blair says that without action now, there was a danger that further restrictions would be required in the weeks ahead.

The 500,000 figure compares to a vaccination rate of about 200,000 now  and is well behind the 600,000 figure over the summer.

Everyone hopes that the damage of Covid-19 is substantially behind us even as we battle its legacy, he says.

However, the worst that could happen is that we go back into anything approaching the lockdowns we experienced during the past 18 months. Were not saying this will happen. But the risk is there now.

Once well ahead of the rest of Europe, were now behind Germany, France and Italy in terms of cases and even vaccinations.

So, from an abundance of caution, a sensible sentiment given the history of Covid-19, we believe the Government should rapidly and decisively accelerate measures to give us the best possible chance of avoiding the disease spiralling again.
A trusted former family doctor who once laughed and labelled a series of rape and indecent assault charges against him 'stupid' has walked free.

Con Kyriacou, 77, was charged with 34 offences including the rape and indecent assault of patients, including a 16-year-old girl, back in 2019.

The offences were alleged to have happened at the Balwyn North man's Hawthorn clinic between 1981 and 2003.

Scroll down for video

Trusted family doctor Con Kyriacou laughed off rape and indecent assault charges against him as 'stupid' after facing court for the first time in 2019

Kyriacou was charged with 34 offences including the rape and indecent assault of patients, including a 16-year-old girl

On Thursday, Victoria's Director of Public Prosecutions Kerri Judd directed the case against Dr Kyriacou be dumped.

Prosecutor Abbie Roodenburg offered no explanation for the dramatic backflip.

Dr Kyriacou was not present on the County Court of Victoria virtual link to see all 34 charges against him had been discontinued.

The elderly doctor had been confident at his first court appearance in the Melbourne Magistrates Court in January 2019.

He told reporters then that the allegations by 15 women were 'stupid'.

Prosecutors had sought more time to compile the evidence against Dr Kyriacou, noting there was potential for further victims to come forward.

The brief against him had included 29 counts of indecent assault and two charges of rape.

He was also facing two charges of sexual penetration of a child who was 16, and one charge of indecently assaulting the same girl.

The former doctor was also being pursued by the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency which first received the allegations against him in 2016

The former doctor was also being pursued by the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency which first received the allegations against him in 2016.

'We have recently received new complaints from former patients of Dr Kyriacou which we are now investigating,' an AHPRA spokeswoman said in 2019.

The medical board was also pursuing professional misconduct claims against the doctor before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Kyriacou surrendered his medical licence in August 2017 and has been unable to practise since.

In August 2019, The Age reported Dr Kyriacou had been found unfit to stand trial as he was not capable of giving evidence or briefing his lawyer after independent neurological testing confirmed he suffered from cognitive impairment.

Victims then were told victims that a special hearing would proceed that could only make a qualified finding of guilt that did not amount to a conviction.

Had that hearing proceeded, Dr Kyriacou was unlikely to have been jailed if found responsible, but could have been sent for supervision at Thomas Embling Hospital.
Surgeons in the U.S. have successfully transplanted a pig kidney into a human for the first time.

It started working as it was supposed to, filtering waste and producing urine without triggering a rejection by the recipient's immune system.

The procedure, which was carried out at NYU Langone Health in New York, marks a 'significant step' in the decades-long quest to use animal organs for life-saving transplants.

It involved the use of a pig whose genes had been altered so that its tissues no longer contained a molecule known to trigger almost immediate rejection.

The recipient was a brain-dead patient in New York with signs of kidney dysfunction whose family agreed to the experiment before she was due to be taken off life support, researchers said.

Surgeons in the US have successfully transplanted a pig kidney into a human for the first time

How did it work? This graphic shows the process from pig embryo to attaching the organ to a human patient

HOW WAS A PIG KIDNEY ATTACHED TO A HUMAN? Surgeons have successfully transplanted a pig kidney into a human for the first time without it triggering a rejection by the recipient's immune system. The procedure involved the use of a pig whose genes had been altered so that its tissues no longer contained a molecule known to trigger almost immediate rejection. Dr Robert Montgomery, who led the study, theorised with his team that knocking out the pig gene for a carbohydrate that triggers rejection  a sugar molecule, or glycan, called alpha-gal  would prevent the issue. To do this, a pig embryo with one gene modified was implanted inside a surrogate sow by United Therapeutics Corp's Revivicor unit. The sow then delivered a piglet with a modified immune system more compatible with humans. Once an adult, the pig also had surgery to attach its thymus to its kidney. The thymus is a small gland near the top of the lungs, which produces white blood cells. Transplanting the pig thymus along with its kidney is aimed at reducing a person's long-term immune response to the foreign kidney. Surgeons then attached the organ to the human recipient's thigh, giving researchers access to it. In theory, the patient's thymus would then be removed. Advertisement

For three days, the new kidney was attached to her blood vessels and maintained outside her body, giving researchers access to it.

Test results of the transplanted kidney's function 'looked pretty normal', said transplant surgeon Dr. Robert Montgomery, who led the study.

The kidney made 'the amount of urine that you would expect' from a transplanted human kidney, he said, and there was no evidence of the vigorous, early rejection seen when unmodified pig kidneys are transplanted into non-human primates.

The recipient's abnormal creatinine level  an indicator of poor kidney function  returned to normal after the transplant, Montgomery said.

In the U.K., more than 6,100 people are waiting for an organ transplant, according to the latest figures from this month, including 4,584 patients waiting for a kidney.

In the U.S., nearly 107,000 people are currently waiting for organ transplants, including more than 90,000 awaiting a kidney, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. Wait times for a kidney average three-to-five years.

Researchers have been working for decades on the possibility of using animal organs for transplants, but have been stymied over how to prevent immediate rejection by the human body.

Montgomery's team believed that knocking out the pig gene for a carbohydrate that triggers rejection  a sugar molecule, or glycan, called alpha-gal  would prevent the problem.

To do this, a pig embryo with one gene modified was implanted inside a surrogate sow by United Therapeutics Corp's Revivicor unit.

The sow then delivered a piglet with a modified immune system more compatible with humans.

Once an adult, the pig also had surgery to attach its thymus to its kidney. The thymus is a small gland near the top of the lungs, which produces white blood cells.

Transplanting the pig thymus along with its kidney is aimed at reducing a person's long-term immune response to the foreign kidney.

Surgeons then attached the organ to the human recipient's thigh, giving them access to it for monitoring.

The genetically altered pig, dubbed GalSafe, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in December 2020, for use as food for people with a meat allergy and as a potential source of human therapeutics.

Medical products developed from the pigs would still require specific FDA approval before being used in humans, the agency said.

Other researchers are considering whether GalSafe pigs can be sources of everything from heart valves to skin grafts for human patients.

The procedure, which was carried out at NYU Langone Health in New York, marks a 'significant step' in the decades-long quest to use animal organs for life-saving transplants

It involved the use of a pig whose genes had been altered so that its tissues no longer contained a molecule known to trigger almost immediate rejection

The recipient was a brain-dead patient with signs of kidney dysfunction whose family agreed to the experiment before she was due to be taken off of life support, researchers said

The NYU kidney transplant experiment should pave the way for trials in patients with end-stage kidney failure, possibly in the next year or two, said Montgomery, himself a heart transplant recipient.

Those trials might test the approach as a short-term solution for critically ill patients until a human kidney becomes available, or as a permanent graft.

The current experiment involved a single transplant, and the kidney was left in place for only three days, so any future trials are likely to uncover new barriers that will need to be overcome, Montgomery said.

Participants would probably be patients with low odds of receiving a human kidney and a poor prognosis on dialysis.

'For a lot of those people, the mortality rate is as high as it is for some cancers, and we don't think twice about using new drugs and doing new trials (in cancer patients) when it might give them a couple of months more of life,' said Montgomery.

The researchers worked with medical ethicists, legal and religious experts to vet the concept before asking a family for temporary access to a brain-dead patient, he added.
The world needs to cut its production of coal, oil and gas by more than half in the coming decade to even have a chance of meeting strict climate standards established by the 2015 Paris Agreement, according to findings from the United Nations.

Based on industry projections, 240 percent more coal, nearly 60 percent more oil and over 70 percent more natural gas will be extracted by 2030 than is allowed by the accords.

Overall, 110 percent more fossil fuels will be produced than the 1.5 Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) increase limit allows for, according to a report from the U.N. Environment Program released Wednesday

Even at a more modest goal of 2C (3.6F) increase, industrialized nations are slated to go over the limit by 45 percent, the study found.

Scroll down for video

Even as industrialized nations promote efforts to combat climate change, their plans for fossil fuel extraction are more than double allowed to meet the 1.5 Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) increase allowed by the Paris climate accords

'Governments continue to plan for and support levels of fossil fuel production that are vastly in excess of what we can safely burn,' Ploy Achakulwisut, a climate scientist at the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), which produced the report, told New Scientist.

Achakulwisut added that even the more moderate goal of capping global warming by 2100 at a 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit increase compared to before the Industrial Revolution was unrealistic.

Climate experts say the world must stop adding to the total amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere by 2050, and maintain that can only be done by drastically reducing the burning of fossil fuels as soon as possible, among other measures.

The report comes a little more than a week before the U.N. climate summit begins October 31 in Glasgow.

Researchers found most major oil and gas producers  and even some major coal producers  were planning on increasing production until 2030 or even beyond

The difference between global fossil fuel production projected by governments plans and those consistent with guidelines from the Paris Agreement (both 1.5C- and 2C-warming pathways) are expressed in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions released when the extracted fuels are burned

The researchers found most major oil and gas-producing nations  and even some coal countries were planning on increasing production until 2030, or even beyond.

'Despite increased climate ambitions and net-zero commitments, governments still plan to produce more than double the amount of fossil fuels in 2030 than what would be consistent with limiting global warming,' SEI said in a statement.

The report also concluded that since the start of 2020, G-20 countries have invested $300 billion into new fossil fuel projects, far more than into clean energy. (In 2017, $280 billion was spent worldwide on renewable energy, according to the International Institute for Sustainable development, compared to 'trillions' on fossil fuels.)

The disparity between climate goals and fossil fuel extraction plans, known as a 'production gap,' will widen until at least 2040, the report found.

According to a report from the Stockholm Environment Institute, most industrialized nations plan to increase oil and gas production, and a number are continuing or even increasing coal extraction

The larger the gap becomes, the more austere climate-change protocols would have to become to meet the Paris emissions goal, UNEP said.

'There is still time to limit long-term warming to 1.5C, but this window of opportunity is rapidly closing,' agency director Inger Andersen told the Associated Press.

The report examined 15 major fossil fuel-producing countries, including China, Brazil, the U.S. and the U.K., which together make up three-quarters of the industry.

U.S. government projections show coal production is expected to decline by 30 percent overall from 2019 to 2030.

The top 20 industrialized governments (G-20) are collectively projecting an increase in oil and gas production, and only a modest decrease in coal production, through 2040. That will overshoot goals to keep climate change standards by some 110 percent, according to a new UN report

But oil and gas production will increase 17 percent and 12 percent, respectively, over that same time frame.

Much of those fossil fuels would be exported, meaning the emissions from their burning would not show up in the U.S. analysis, although they would obviously add to the global total.

'We must cut with both hands of the scissors, addressing demand and supply of fossil fuels simultaneously,' Costa Rica environmental minister Andrea Meza said.

Costa Rica and Denmark are planning to launch a new group at the Glasgow summit, the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, to promote that effort.
It has long been predicted that Venice will become an underwater city and the invasion of brackish lagoon water into St. Mark's Basilica this summer is a reminder that the projection could eventually become the Italian city's future.

Tides more than 16 feet high rushed through Venice in August, a month that typically does not see flooding, sparking fears about the worsening impact of climate change.

Rising sea levels are increasing the frequency of high tides that flood the 1,600-year-old Italian lagoon city, which is also gradually sinking.

Venice is particularly vulnerable to climate change due to its unique topography of long pointed wooden poles that were driven straight down into the seafloor, along with its 117 canals that flow through the ancient city.

Venice's worse-case scenario for sea level rise by the end of the century is a startling three feet, 11 inches, according to a new study published by the European Geosciences Union.

That is 50 percent higher than the worse-case global sea-rise average of two feet, seven and a half inches forecast by the United Nations science panel.

It is the fate of coastal cities like Venice that will be on the minds of climate scientists and global leaders meeting in Glasgow, Scotland, at a UN climate conference that begins October 31.

Scroll down for videos

It has long been predicted that Venice will become an underwater city and the invasion of brackish lagoon water into St. Marks Basilica this summer (pictured) is a reminder that the projection could eventually become the Italian city's future

The city's interplay of canals and architecture, of natural habitat and human ingenuity, has earned it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its outstanding universal value, a designation put at risk of late because of the impact of over-tourism and cruise ship traffic.

It escaped the endangered list after Italy banned cruise ships from passing through St. Marks Basin, but alarm bells are still ringing.

Sitting at Venice's lowest spot, St. Mark's Basilica offers a unique position to monitor the impact of rising seas on the city.

The piazza outside floods at around 30 inches, and water passes the narthex into the church at 34.5 inches, which has been reinforced up from a previous 25.5 inches.

Tides more than 16 feet high rushed through Venice in August (pictured), a month that is typically does not see flooding, sparking fears about the worsening impact of climate change

Exceptional floods over four feet, seven inches are also accelerating . Two-thirds of those have been registered in the last 20 years, with five, or one-fifth of the total, from November 12 through December 23, 2019 Picture was taken on November 15, 2019 and shows a view of flooded St. Mark's Square

'Conditions are continuing to worsen since the flooding of November 2019. We therefore have the certainty that in these months, flooding is no longer an occasional phenomenon. It is an everyday occurrence,' St. Marks chief caretaker, Carlo Alberto Tesserin, told The Associated Press.

In the last two decades, there have been nearly as many inundations in Venice over three feet- the official level for 'acqua alta,' or 'high water,' provoked by tides, winds and lunar cycles - as during the previous 100 years: 163 vs. 166, according to city data.

Exceptional floods over four feet, seven inches are also accelerating - a mark has been hit 25 times since Venice starting keeping such records in 1872.

Two-thirds of those have been registered in the last 20 years, with five, or one-fifth of the total, from November 12 through December 23, 2019.

'What is happening now is on the continuum for Venetians, who have always lived with periodic flooding,' said Jane Da Mosto, executive director of We Are Here Venice.

A man indicates salts on the St. Mark's Basilica's inside wall, in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. Lashing winds that pushed nearly 6 feet 2 inches of water into Venice in November 2019 and ripped the lead tiles off St. Mark's Basilica for the first time ever shocked Venetians with the city's second-worst flood in history,

A view of the damaged St. Mark's Basilica's mosaic floor, in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021

'We are living with flooding that has become increasingly frequent, so my concern is that people haven't really realized we are in a climate crisis.

'We are already living it now. It is not a question of plans to deal with it in the future. We need to have solutions ready for today.'

Venices defense has been entrusted to the Moses system of moveable underwater barriers, a project costing around nearly $7 billion (6 billion euros) and which, after decades of cost overruns, delays and a bribery scandal, is still officially in the testing phase.

Following the devastation of the 2019 floods, the Rome government put the project under ministry control to speed its completion, and last year start activating the barriers when floods of four feet, three inches are imminent.

The barriers have been raised 20 times since October 2020, sparing the city a season of serious flooding but not from the lower-level tides that are becoming more frequent.

The extraordinary commissioner, Elisabetta Spitz, stands by the soundness of the undersea barriers, despite concerns by scientists and experts that their usefulness may be outstripped within decades because of climate change.

The project has been delayed yet again, until 2023, with another $500 million in spending, for 'improvements' that Spitz said will ensure its long-term efficiency.

'We can say that the effective life of the Moses is 100 years, taking into account the necessary maintenance and interventions that will be implemented, Spitz said.

The damage at columns in St. Mark's Basilica's in Venice, Italy, is seen in this photo taken on Oct. 7, 2021

A damaged column in St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021

Paolo Vielmo, an engineer who has written expert reports on the project, points out that the sea level rise was projected at eight and a half inches when the Moses was first proposed more than 30 years ago, far below the UN scientists current worse-case scenario of a little more than two feet.

'That puts the Moses out of contention,' he said.

According to current plans, the Moses barriers won't be raised for floods of three feet, seven inches until the project receives final approval.

That leaves St. Mark's exposed.

Tesserin is overseeing work to protect the Basilica by installing a glass wall around its base, which eventually will protect marshy lagoon water from seeping inside, where it deposits salt that eats away at marble columns, wall cladding and stone mosaics.

The project, which continues to be interrupted by high tides, was supposed to be finished by Christmas.

It is the fate of coastal cities like Venice that will be on the minds of climate scientists and global leaders meeting in Glasgow, Scotland, at a UN climate conference that begins October 31. Picture was taken in 2020

Now Tesserin says they will be lucky to have it finished by Easter.

Regular high tides elicit a blase response from Venetians, who are accustomed to lugging around rubber boots at every flood warning, and delight from tourists, fascinated by the sight of St. Marks golden mosaics and domes reflected in rising waters. But businesses along St. Marks Square increasingly see themselves at ground zero of the climate crisis.

'We need to help this city. It was a light for the world, but now it needs the whole world to understand it, said Annapaola Lavena, speaking from behind metal barriers that kept waters reaching three feet, five inches) from invading her marble-floored cafe.

'The acqua alta is getting worse, and it completely blocks business. Venice lives thanks to its artisans and tourism. If there is no more tourism, Venice dies,' she explained. 'We have a great responsibility in trying to save it, but we are suffering a lot.'
NASA's $12.2 billion Orion spaceship is ready to be attached to a rocket that could send it to our lunar satellite later this year or in early 2022.

For its upcoming flight, Orion will fly around the moon without astronauts as part of a plan to return humans to the lunar surface later this decade.

The spacecraft was moved between buildings at Florida's Kennedy Space Center on Monday, and is now due to be lifted on to the most powerful rocket in the world, the Space Launch System (SLS).

Orion is part of the Artemis programme  named after the twin sister of Apollo  which aims to create a sustainable human presence on the moon by 2028.

The first mission, called Artemis-1, will fly farther than any spacecraft built for humans has ever flown, as it tests the SLS and Orion before astronauts are allowed to crew Artemis-2 for a loop around the moon at the end of 2023.

Scroll down for video

NASA's Orion spaceship (pictured), which will carry the first woman and next man to the moon, is ready to be attached to a rocket that could send it to our lunar satellite later this year

For its upcoming flight, Orion will fly around the moon without astronauts as part of a plan to return people to the lunar surface later this decade

The spacecraft was moved between buildings at Florida's Kennedy Space Center on Monday, and is due to be lifted on to the most powerful rocket in the world, the Space Launch System

WHAT ARE NASA'S PLANS FOR ORION? NASA's Orion, stacked on a Space Launch System rocket capable of lifting 70 metric tons, will first launch from Kennedy Space Center later this year or in early 2022. The uncrewed spacecraft will travel into Distant Retrograde Orbit, breaking the distance record reached by the most remote Apollo spacecraft, and then 30,000 miles farther out (275,000 total miles). The mission is expected to last 22 days and is designed to test system readiness for future crewed operations. Following the uncrewed space flight test, the first crew will launch to the moon, before astronauts on Artemis-3 land on it again by 2024 at the earliest. Advertisement

It is the first in a series of increasingly complex missions that will enable human exploration to the moon and Mars.

The Orion spacecraft that will be used on Artemis-1 was moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) after being housed at another facility at the Cape Canaveral site.

While it was there, engineers had attached the vehicle's launch abort system, which is used to propel Orion and its astronauts away from the SLS rocket if an emergency occurs during a crewed launch.

The spacecraft made its way to the VAB, a journey of about 6.2 miles, at an average speed of 3mph over approximately four hours. In the next few days, it will be stacked on top of the SLS.

Assembly of the SLS launcher, which is 322ft (98m) tall, has been ongoing since December last year, with Orion the final key part to be attached to it.

Artemis-1 and 2 will be followed by Artemis-3, which will see astronauts land on the moon for the first time since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.

As well as carrying the first woman and next man to the lunar surface, the Artemis programme will also see the first person of colour travel to the moon.

In August, NASA said that despite a string of technical and budgetary setbacks, it is still on target to launch the first landing mission in 2024.

It could launch this year or in early 2022 and is part of the Artemis programme, named after the sister of Apollo, which aims to create a sustainable human presence on the moon by 2028

Artemis-1 is a three-week mission that will fly farther than any spacecraft built for humans has ever flown. It will test the SLS and Orion before astronauts are allowed to crew Artemis-2 for a loop around the moon at the end of 2023

The Orion spacecraft that will be used on Artemis-1 was moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building after being housed at another facility at the Cape Canaveral site

The spacecraft made its way to the VAB, a journey of about 6.2 miles, at an average of 3 mph over approximately 4 hours. In the next few days, it will be stacked on top of the SLS (pictured)

SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM CORE STATS Length: 212 feet Diameter: 27.6 feet Empty weight: 188,000 lbs Material: Aluminium 2219 Engines: 4xRS-24 Max Speed: Mach 23 Capacity: 537,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and 196,000 gallons of liquid oxygen Advertisement

Up to four astronauts will leave the Earth, and two will take the SpaceX Human Landing System (HLS) down to the surface, landing in the southern polar region of the moon and remaining for 6.5 days, performing four moonwalks in that time.

The HLS is based on Elon Musk's Starship craft, which is being tested at a site in southern Texas.

Artemis is the successor to the Apollo programme, which saw Neil Armstrong and 11 other men step foot on the surface of our only natural satellite in the 1960s and 70s.

The deadline of 2024 was already an ambitious one, but has been further brought into doubt because of legal challenges from Jeff Bezos over the lunar lander contract, issues with the spacesuits and budgetary constraints imposed by Congress.

Blue Origin, the space firm owned by Bezos, is suing NASA over its decision to exclusively award a 2.1billion ($2.9bn) lunar lander contract to Elon Musk's SpaceX.

The Amazon founder claims NASA broke convention, and moved the goalposts, by not picking two of the three candidates, out of SpaceX, Blue Origin and Dynetics, to build the vehicle that will put the first woman on the moon.

Assembly of the SLS launcher, which is 322ft (98m) tall, has been ongoing since December last year, with Orion the final key part to be attached to it

These roadblocks have been made worse by Covid-19, which caused a wider range of delays, with many NASA employees working remotely for months at a time.

The Space Launch System rocket has also faced a number of delays, putting the launch window at risk.

NASA administrator Bill Nelson said last month that the agency would be pushing full steam ahead despite the obstacles.

He quoted President John F Kennedy's 1962 speech, by saying: 'We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.'

The last time people walked on the moon was in December 1972, when Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt spent 12.6 days on the lunar surface during the Apollo 17 mission.
Shooting stars from the Orionid meteor shower will delight skywatchers tonight, as up to 20 space rocks are expected to shoot overhead per hour.

Orionid meteors occur every autumn when Earth passes through the stream of debris left by Halley's Comet, and will reach their peak tonight and tomorrow night.

As the comet moves around the sun, it leaves tiny pieces of dust and icy debris behind, and as the Earth passes through this cloud of matter, they burn up in the atmosphere, generating fast, bright streaks of light known as meteors.

The darker the sky, the more you will see, with a maximum of about 20 per hour.

However, the nearly full Hunter's Moon will also peak this evening - the bright light from which could dramatically reduce viewing to just two or three meteors per hour.

The weather will also present a further hindrance to a good viewing of the meteor shower, with rain and clouds expected across much of the UK tonight.

Shooting stars from the Orionid Meteor Shower will delight skywatchers tonight, as up to 20 space rocks are expected to shoot overhead per hour

How to see the meteor shower from the UK The Orionid meteor shower should be visible from anywhere on Earth, and can be seen anywhere across the sky. Look for the shape of Orion the Hunter, and the meteor showers radiant will be near Orions sword, to the north. To make sure you get the best view of the shower, get far away from light pollution  such as city lights. The shower will be most visible at around 1:30am on the early morning of October 20 and 21 . Experts recommend you let your eyes adjust to the dark for 20 minutes. Advertisement

Tonight and through to Friday morning, the meteoroids will strike Earth's atmosphere at a speed of 148,000mph, (238,000km/h).

As they hit the atmosphere they will burn up in streaking flashes of light that can be seen with the naked eye.

Astronomers from the Royal Observatory Greenwich, said this is a 'modest shower' and will only produce 20 per hour under 'absolutely perfect conditions'.

'In reality, you'll see far fewer, because your local conditions are variously less than ideal,' they said.

However, Orionid meteors are known for their speed and brilliance, so the handful visible in any area will look like 'shooting stars' zipping across the sky.'

The best time to see the shower is about 01:30 BST, when the sky is at its darkest.

To make sure you get the best view of the shower, get far away from light pollution  such as city lights.

Experts recommend you let your eyes adjust to the dark for around 20 minutes.

Full moons, or nearly full moons such as the current Hunter's Moon, will significantly reduce visibility, similar to being surrounded by street lights.

The Hunter's Moon is the name given to the October full moon, and is also known as the Blood Moon, Sanguine Moon or the Travel Moon.

The meteors expected to streak across the sky tonight radiate from a point near the raised club of the constellation Orion, EarthSky explains.

This begins rising in the east after midnight  but, as the meteors will be shooting out in all directions, they will appear in all parts of the sky.

As the comet moves around the sun, it leaves tiny pieces of dust and icy debris behind, and as the Earth passes through this cloud of matter, they burn up in the atmosphere, generating fast, bright streaks of light known as meteors

What is the Orionid meteor shower? The Orioinid shower is made up from the remnants of Halley's Comet. The comet itself was last seen in 1986 and is not due to brighten Earth's skies again until 2061. But each year in mid-to-late October, Earth passes through the comet's dusty debris. When this happens the pre-dawn sky can light up with a stunning display of shooting stars. People living in North America, Europe, most parts of Asia, and northern parts of South America can to see the meteor shower by looking towards the south-eastern sky. Those who live in the southern hemisphere can see the shower by looking to the north eastern sky. Advertisement

They are best viewed with the naked eye, preferably while lying on your back to get the widest possible view of the night sky - as they come from all directions.

'If you can brave the cold, make a plan to stay out between midnight and 3am,' astronomers from the Royal Observatory Greenwich advised.

That will 'give yourself the best chance, and enjoy the thrill of seeing tiny flecks of Halley's Comet disintegrate at hypersonic speeds above your head.'

'Meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, though if you have to pick a direction, you might fare slightly better looking east,' they added.

Halley's comet, which left the sand grain-sized particles that produce the Orionids, comes around the inner solar system every 75 or so years.

It was last visible with the naked eye in 1986, and won't appear again until the summer of 2061.

In the meantime, we're left with viewing the meteor shower that comes from its 'comet litter' as it flies through the atmosphere.

The first time this happens is in early May for the Eta Aquarids, while the other is this week, with the Orionids.

They are just one of a handful of meteor showers visible equally in the northern and southern hemisphere, and run throughout October as Earth passes the debris field.
Woolly mammoths may have been driven to extinction not by human hunting but as a result of the climate becoming too wet, a new study has proposed.

The melting of icebergs as the climate rapidly changed wiped out the vegetation on which the mammoths relied, experts led from the University of Cambridge argued.

The researchers sequenced DNA collected from plant and animal remains found in soil samples collected at 535 Arctic sites known to have yielded mammoths fossils.

Key to the study was a new genetic analysis technique that has also recently used to track the spread of COVID-19 by looking at human waste in sewer systems.

This meant that the team was not reliant on bone or teeth samples to recreate an ancient DNA profile  but could use deposits such as faeces, skin cells and urine.

From this, they were able to see how not only mammoths but also the other animals and plants that lived alongside them changed over some 50,000 years.

The team found that woolly mammoths generally lasted longer than was previously thought  with some remaining in mainland Siberia as late as 3,900 years ago.

(Previously, it had been thought that only isolated populations still survived by that time, in locations such as Siberia's St Paul Island and Alaska's Wrangel Island.)

This means that they co-existed with humans for tens of thousands of years, and therefore that hunting was unlikely to have played a significant role in their demise.

Instead, their loss appears to have coincided with the final shift from the 'Mammoth Steppe' environment to peatland, which took away the giant animal's food sources.

Woolly mammoths (depicted in this artist's impression) may have been driven to extinction not by human hunting but as a result of the climate becoming too wet, a new study has proposed

The melting of icebergs as the climate rapidly changed wiped out the vegetation on which the mammoths relied, experts led from the University of Cambridge argued. Pictured: a woolly mammoth tusk seen resting on the bank of the Logata River, in Russia, in the present day

'MAMMOTH STEPPE' Based on their findings, the team have concluded that the steppe environment in which woolly mammoth lived  alongside other megafauna like bison and woolly rhinos  was quite unique. Despite being cold, the steppe was home to a variety of plants on which the giants would have feasted  including grass, flowers and shrubs. Experts believe the mammals likely used their tusks to clear snow, and their trunks to uproot tough vegetation to feat upon. Humans also lived alongside woolly mammoth for tens of thousands of years and are known to have used their remains to produce shelters, harpoons and even bone-based flutes. Advertisement

'Scientists have argued for 100 years about why mammoths went extinct,' explained paper author and evolutionary geneticist Eske Willerslev of St John's College, the University of Cambridge.

'Humans have been blamed because the animals had survived for millions of years without climate change killing them off before, but when they lived alongside humans they didnt last long and we were accused of hunting them to death.

'We have finally been able to prove was that it was not just the climate changing that was the problem, but the speed of it that was the final nail in the coffin.

'They were not able to adapt quickly enough when the landscape dramatically transformed and their food became scarce.

'As the climate warmed up, trees and wetland plants took over and replaced the mammoths grassland habitats.

'And we should remember that there were a lot of animals around that were easier to hunt than a giant woolly mammoth  they could grow to the height of a double decker bus!'

'The most recent Ice Age  called the Pleistocene  ended 12,000 years ago when the glaciers began to melt and the roaming range of the herds of mammoths decreased,' said paper author and zoologist Yucheng Wang, also of Cambridge.

'It was thought mammoths began to go extinct then but we also found they survived beyond the Ice Age all in different regions of the Arctic and into the Holocene, the time that we are currently living in  far longer than scientists realised.

'We zoomed into the intricate detail of the environmental DNA and mapped out the population spread of these mammals,' he explained.

This analysis, he added, showed how the mammoth's range grew smaller and smaller and their genetic diversity [got] smaller and smaller too, which made it even harder for them to survive.'

The researchers sequenced DNA collected from plant and animal remains found in soil samples collected at 535 Arctic sites known to have yielded mammoths fossils. From this, they were able to see how not only mammoths but also the other animals and plants that lived alongside them changed over some 50,000 years. Pictured: the modern Arctic landscape

'When the climate got wetter and the ice began to melt it led to the formation of lakes, rivers and marshes,' Dr Wang continued.

'The ecosystem changed and the biomass of the vegetation reduced and would not have been able to sustain the herds of mammoths.

'We have shown that climate change, specifically precipitation, directly drives the change in the vegetation  humans had no impact on them at all based on our models.'

'This is a stark lesson from history and shows how unpredictable climate change is  once something is lost, there is no going back,' said Professor Willerslev. Pictured, an artist's impression of the Mammoth Steppe, as revealed by DNA analysis

'When the climate got wetter and the ice began to melt it led to the formation of lakes, rivers and marshes,' said Dr Wang 'The ecosystem changed and the biomass of the vegetation reduced and would not have been able to sustain the herds of mammoths. Pictured: just some of the sediment samples studied by the team which were collected over the course of 20 years

'This is a stark lesson from history and shows how unpredictable climate change is  once something is lost, there is no going back,' said Professor Willerslev.

'Precipitation was the cause of the extinction of woolly mammoths through the changes to plants. The change happened so quickly that they could not adapt and evolve to survive.

'It shows nothing is guaranteed when it comes to the impact of dramatic changes in the weather,' he added.

'The early humans would have seen the world change beyond all recognition  that could easily happen again and we cannot take for granted that we will even be around to witness it.

'The only thing we can predict with any certainty is that the change will be massive.'

The full findings of the study were published in the journal Nature.
It has long been argued that it was the Vikings who first 'discovered' North America, arriving in the New World centuries before Christopher Columbus.

But a new study now claims it has evidence showing exactly when this happened.

Tests of wooden artefacts show that Scandinavian warriors were already active on the continent exactly 1,000 years ago.

This suggests they were the earliest humans known to have crossed the Atlantic to the Americas, beating Columbus by 471 years.

Discovery: Tests of chopping wood at a Viking settlement in L'Anse aux Meadows, Canada, has shown that Scandinavian warriors were already active on the Americas 1,000 years ago

It wasn't until 1960 that the world woke up to the fact that the Vikings may well have reached the New World before any other Europeans. Archaeologists were convinced that a site on the northernmost tip of Newfoundland, L'Anse aux Meadows (pictured), was a Viking settlement

L'Anse aux Meadows is located on the northernmost tip of Newfoundland in Canada (pictured)

WHAT IS CARBON DATING AND HOW IS IT USED? Carbon dating, also referred to as radiocarbon dating or carbon-14 dating, is a method that is used to determine the age of an object. Carbon-14 is a carbon isotope that is commonly used by archaeologists and historians to date ancient bones and artefacts. The rate of decay of carbon-14 is constant and easily measured, making it ideal for providing age estimates for anything over 300 years old. It can only be used on objects containing organic material - that was once 'alive' and therefore contained carbon. Radiocarbon dating was first invented in the 1940s by an American physical chemist called Willard Libby. He won the 1960 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his discovery. Advertisement

In 1492, the Italian explorer was the first European to set foot on what later became known as the Bahamas, and then the island named Hispaniola, now split into Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Despite being widely credited for discovering America, there were millions of Indigenous people already living there and he never actually reached what became the United States.

Not only that, but it wasn't until 1960 that the world woke up to the fact that the Vikings may well have got to the New World before any other Europeans.

Archaeologists were convinced that a site on the northernmost tip of Newfoundland in Canada, L'Anse aux Meadows, was a Viking settlement.

Now, 61 years later, an international team of scientists have discovered that the chopping of wood at L'Anse aux Meadows was dated to the year 1021 AD.

The wood has been attributed to the Vikings because it showed evidence of cutting and slicing by blades made of metal  a material not produced by the Indigenous population.

Archaeologists were able to determine the exact year because of a massive solar storm which occurred in 992 AD and produced a distinct radiocarbon signal in tree rings from the following year.

'The distinct uplift in radiocarbon production that occurred between 992 and 993 AD has been detected in tree-ring archives from all over the world,' said Professor Michael Dee, of the University of Groningen, who directed the research.

Each of the three pieces of wood studied showed this signal 29 growth rings (years) before the bark edge.

The Vikings sailed great distances in their iconic longships. To the west, they established settlements in Iceland, Greenland and eventually a base at L'Anse aux Meadows (pictured)

That wood has been attributed to the Vikings because it showed evidence of cutting and slicing by blades made of metal  a material not produced by the indigenous population

VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY 789 AD Vikings begin their attacks on England 840 AD Viking settlers found the city of Dublin in Ireland 844 AD Vikings raid Seville but are repulsed 860 AD Rus Vikings attack Constantinople 866 AD York is captured by a Viking army 870 AD Vikings colonise Iceland 981 AD Erik the Red discovers Greenland 986 AD Bjarni Herjolfsson sights North America after being blown off course 1002 AD Leif Ericsson, son of Erik the Red, explores the coast of North America, named them Karland, Helluland and Vinland 1492 AD Italian explorer Christopher Columbus lands in the New World when he stumbles across the islands now known as The Bahamas Advertisement

'Finding the signal from the solar storm 29 growth rings in from the bark allowed us to conclude that the cutting activity took place in the year 1021 AD,' said author Dr Margot Kuitems, of the University of Groningen.

The number of Viking expeditions to the Americas, and the duration of their stay over the Atlantic, still remain unknown, however.

Current data suggests the endeavour was shortlived, and the cultural and ecological legacy of this first European activity in the Americas is likely to have been small.

The Vikings sailed great distances in their iconic longships. To the west, they established settlements in Iceland, Greenland and eventually a base at L'Anse aux Meadows.

However, it was unclear when this first transatlantic activity took place until now.

Previous dates for the Viking presence in the Americas have relied on the Icelandic Sagas.

But these began as oral histories and were only written down centuries after the events they describe.

It is thought the Vikings first discovered America by accident in the autumn of 986AD, according to one historical source, the Saga of the Greenlanders.

It tells how Bjarni Herjolfsson stumbled across North America after being blown off course as he attempted to sail from Norway to Greenland, but he did not go ashore.

Inspired by his tales, however, another Viking Leif Ericsson then mounted his own expedition and found North America in 1002.

The Vikings (a still from the TV series Vikings is pictured) were feared warriors who raided coastal settlements but also were great sailors, making long arduous journeys over open water, using the stars and the sun to navigate

Christopher Columbus is widely credited with having 'discovered' the New World in his 1492 expedition (depicted in the painting pictured), but growing evidence suggests that the Vikings beat him to North America by several hundred years

Finding it a fertile land, rich in grapes and berries, he named it Vinland.

Eriksson also named two further 'lands' on the North American coast  one with flat stones, which he called Helluland, and one that was flat and wooded, named Markland.

Whilst contradictory and at times fantastical, the Sagas also suggest encounters occurred, both violent and amiable, between the Europeans and the Indigenous people of the region.

However, little archaeological evidence has been uncovered to support such exchanges.

Other medieval accounts also exist, which imply prominent figures on the European mainland were made aware the Vikings had made landfall across the Atlantic.

The study has been published in the journal Nature.
Archaeologists in Israel have identified the remains of a Crusader encampment in Galilee dating to the 12th century, the first definitive evidence of a wartime campsite used by the Christian invaders in the Holy Land.

The Crusades were a series of incursions into the Levant from the 11th through 13th centuries by Christian Europeans intending to take control of the region from Ayyubid Sultan Saladin.

Though the historical record attests to their arrival  as do numerous castles and churches they left behind  there's very little attesting to actual battles between these two medieval world powers.

But preparatory excavations done in advance of expanding Route 79, a roadway connecting Nazareth with the Mediterranean Sea, turned up evidence of a wartime encampment held by Frankish invaders.

Archaeologists unearthed hundreds of metal artifacts  coins, arrowhead and items used to care for horses that point to at least a temporary settlement during the time of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, between 1099 and 1291.

'It was a very exceptional opportunity to study a medieval encampment and to understand their material culture and archaeology,' Rafael Lewis, a researcher at Haifa University, told the Jerusalem Post.

Scroll down for video

Excavations done in advance of expanding Route 79 (above), a roadway connecting Nazareth with the Mediterranean Sea, turned up evidence of a wartime encampment at Tzippori Springs in Galilee held by Frankish invaders

Unlike the Romans, who littered the Holy land with stone and wood structures, these encampments would have been ephemeral by design, making it harder for archaeologists to uncover their stories.

Using a discipline known as 'artifact distribution analysis,' Lewis and Nimrod Getzov and Ianir Milevski of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) reconstructed the landscape as it would have appeared in the 12th century.

'We considered where the artifacts were found; and compared what we learned to historical records,' he told the Post.

Given its access to the sea, the 20-mile route had been used since prehistory, and at this point was the site of both Muslim and Crusader campsites, Lewis said.

Archaeologists unearthed hundreds of metal artifacts  coins, arrowheads (above), and many items used to care for horses that point to at least a temporary Crusader settlement between 1099 and 1291.

Some of the coins found at the site appear to postdate King Baldwins victory over his mother, Queen Regent Melisande of Jerusalem, in 1152.

It's not known when Christians first started amassing around the spring, though historical records and archaeological evidence of their presence goes back to the 1130s.

Some of the coins found at the site date date back to Roman times but others appear to postdate King Baldwins victory over his mother, Queen Regent Melisande of Jerusalem, in 1152.

According to the historical record, about 20,000 Crusaders abandoned camp at Tzippori on July 3, 1187 to aid their allies in Tiberias, which was under siege.

They ran out of water and supplies and were decimated the next day by Sultan Saladin's forces en route in the hills above the village of Hattin.

Tzippori (above) was a strategic spot for Crusader encampmentsfor its access to water and resource, as well as its proximity to both the Mediterranean and Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee

The Battle of Hattin marked Saladin's utter obliteration of Crusader armies, according to Encyclopedia Brittanica, and paved the way for Muslim forces retaking Jerusalem in October of 1187.

Coupled with Saladin's conquest of Crusader states in Tripoli and Antioch, it essentially nullified any gains made by the invading Christians, prompting a third Crusade, which ran from 1189 to 1192.

While the Crusaders technically all fought under the banner of Guy de Lusignan, the king of Jerusalem, they came from different regions and were parts of different factionsincluding the Knights Templar and Hospitaliers.

The Crusades were a series of holy wars launched by European Christians to retake Jerusalem from Moslem forces. While their churches and castles are well-known, almost no evidence of the actual battle sites has been uncovered until now

They would have had individual encampments with unique material cultures, the archaeologists said.

This particular bivouac was led by a Frankish king who probably staked out a mound overlooking the springs.

In addition to bridles, harness fittings, a currycomb and horseshoes, horseshoe nails represented a majority of the artifacts found by the researchers.

'I see an interesting pattern similar to that in contemporary army camps,' Lewis told Haaretz.

'The men are awaiting the fight and are meanwhile bored, fearful and troublesome. In short, it is a dangerous situation and the last thing their commanders want them to do is have the leisure to think.

'And at Tzippori, a major activity seems to have been replacing broken horseshoe nails, which went beyond make-work for its own sake.'

Their style of nails varied greatly, with some similar to local styles and ones more typical of the sophisticated European design found closer to the springs themselves.

'We can probably deduce that those who belonged to a higher socio-economic status encamped by the spring,' Lewis told the Post.

'Changing those nails probably represented the main activity in the camp. Nobody wanted to find himself in the battle on a horse with a broken shoe.'

They also found a large quantity of 'aristocratic artifacts,' Haaretz reported, like hairpins and gilded buckles manufactured in the European style and likely used by knights and other elitesbut little evidence of daily life, like cookery.

The archaeologists believe anything more substantial would have been quickly packed up and taken back to permanent fortifications.

'I'm intrigued to understand more about Crusader encampments,' Lewis said. 'I believe that the study of military camps has the potential to allow us to understand much more about the period and its culture.'

The findings were first published earlier this year as part of the book Settlement and Crusade in the Thirteenth Century.

Just last week, an ancient sword discovered by a scuba diver off the coast of Haifa was determined to belong to a Crusader, who may have dropped in the sea 900 years ago.

A sword found in the waters off Haifa is believed to have been thrown into the Ocean by a Crusader some time in the 12th century

A pair of mass grave containing dozens of 13th-century Crusaders, some decapitated, who were unearthed in Lebanon

Despite being encrusted with rust and marine life, the hilt and handle of the three-foot-long weapon were distinctive enough for an amateur diver to notice, after undercurrents apparently shifted sands that had concealed it for almost a millennia

In September mass graves containing 25 Crusaders slaughtered in the 13th century were unearthed in Sidon, Lebanon.

Wounds on the remains suggests the soldiers died at the end of swords, maces and arrows, while charring on some bones means they were burned after being dropped into the pit.

Other remains show markings on the neck, which likely means these individuals were captured on the battlefield and later decapitated.

Historical records written by crusaders show that Sidon was attacked and destroyed in 1253 by Mamluk troops, and again in 1260 by Mongols, and the soldiers found in the mass graves likely perished in one of these battles.
Many are concerned about the devastation an asteroid would have on life on Earth, but astronomers have discovered the first evidence that a 'giant impact' in deep space 'stripped' away part of a planet's atmosphere.

A group of astronomers, led by those at MIT, have found evidence that the HD 172555 planetary system had a collision between an Earth-sized terrestrial planet and an impactor roughly 200,000 years ago.

The collision in the planetary system - 95 light-years away - occurred at more than 22,000 miles per hour and it may have caused part of the planet's atmosphere to blow away, as evidenced by the carbon monoxide and dust that surround the HD 172555 star.

Astronomers discovered the first evidence that a 'giant impact' in deep space 'stripped' part of a planet's atmosphere. The HD 172555 planetary system (pictured) had a collision roughly 200,000 years ago

The researchers found that carbon monoxide was circling close to HD 172555, roughly 10 astronomical units, or approximately 930 million miles.

A heavy presence of the gas so close to the star suggests it emanated from a collision.

It's likely that the impact was 'massive' and may have involved two proto-planets, similar in size to the Earth.

'This is the first time we've detected this phenomenon, of a stripped protoplanetary atmosphere in a giant impact,' said the study's lead author, Tajana Schneiderman, in a statement.

'Everyone is interested in observing a giant impact because we expect them to be common, but we don't have evidence in a lot of systems for it.

'Now we have additional insight into these dynamics.'

The star is known to have dust that contains minerals unusual for a star, as well as carbon monoxide gas that suggests the giant impact.

'Because of these two factors, HD 172555 has been thought to be this weird system,' Schneiderman explained.

The researchers found evidence of carbon monoxide and dust roughly 10 astronomical units, or 930 million miles, from the HD 172555 star

The impact may have involved two proto-planets, similar in size to the Earth, with the collision occurring at more than 22,000 miles per hour

The star HD 172555 has been an intrigue for some time to scientists.

In 2009, NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope found evidence that a high-speed collision occurred around the star during the early stages of planet formation.

However, the telescope did not detect any evidence at the time the planet's atmosphere was partially stripped away.

The group of researchers used data from the Atacama Large Millimeter Array in Chile and sifted through signs of carbon monoxide around nearby stars to come up with their findings.

A heavy presence of carbon monoxide so close to the star suggests it emanated from a collision

'When people want to study gas in debris disks, carbon monoxide is typically the brightest, and thus the easiest to find,' Schneiderman said.

'So, we looked at the carbon monoxide data for HD 172555 again because it was an interesting system.'

'The presence of carbon monoxide this close requires some explanation,' Schneiderman added.

Carbon monoxide is vulnerable to a process known as photodissociation, or when star's photons break down and destroy the molecule.

However, a heavy presence of the gas so close to the star suggests it emanated from a collision.

'Of all the scenarios, it's the only one that can explain all the features of the data,' Schneiderman said.

'In systems of this age, we expect there to be giant impacts, and we expect giant impacts to be really quite common. The timescales work out, the age works out, and the morphological and compositional constraints work out.

'The only plausible process that could produce carbon monoxide in this system in this context is a giant impact.'

The estimate that the impact occurred 200,000 years ago is a short amount of time  in terms of the universe  that the star has not yet destroyed the carbon monoxide.

The study was published in the scientific journal Nature.
River Mimram in Hertfordshire turned purple with pollution, just hours after environment ministers posed in front of it over plans to restore rare chalk streams.

When environment Minister, Rebecca Pow and members of the Chalk Stream Restoration Group visited the river yesterday, it was a clear looking stream.

Not long after they left, the chalk stream, that runs through North Hertfordshire from Hertford, turned a shade of purple, according to pop star and clean river campaigner Feargal Sharkey, who shared an image of the stream on Twitter.

Campaigners said this highlights the dire state of Britain's rivers, where 53 per cent are in a poor state, and only 14 per cent are in 'good ecological condition.'

The Environment Agency said the river had already returned to normal when it returned to investigate, and found no evidence of any harm to fish from the incident.

They can't say what caused it to turn purple, but campaigners speculate it could be anything from an algae bloom to dyes seeping into water from industry.

River Mimram in Hertfordshire turned purple with pollution, just hours after environment ministers posed in front of it over plans to restore rare chalk streams

When environment Minister, Rebecca Pow and members of the Chalk Stream Restoration Group visited the river yesterday, it was a clear looking stream

WHAT COULD HAVE TURNED THE RIVER PURPLE? The Environment Agency says it can't say what caused the river to turn purple, and had already returned to normal when they investigated. Campaigners put forward a number of ideas for what may have caused the river to become purple. The water should be 'utterly colourless, so clear you can count ever pebble and piece of gravel on the riverbed,' say campaigners. Some speculations for the cause include an algae bloom, the rapid increase or accumulation in the population of algae in freshwater or marine water systems. Another suggestion was dyes seeping into the water from industry. This could be products used within dairy farms, and through to actual dye from manufacturing. Advertisement

Sharkey, who sang with the band The Undertones, took to Twitter, saying: 'Just hours after the great and the good were last seen using the River Mimram (a chalk stream) as a backdrop here what it looks like today. Polluted. It's turned purple.'

He added: 'So much for fine words and speeches all of it devoid of intent and delivering even less.'

The 'great and the good,' as Sharkey called them, including Environment Minister Rebecca Pows, and chair of the Environment Agency, Emma Howard Boyd.

They were at the site to promote the launch of a campaign to clean up chalk streams, like the River Mimram and meet with members of the Chalk Stream Restoration Working Group.

This group has put forward a set of recommendations to protect and restore England's rare chalk streams, which are a 'hugely important' part of Britain's environmental heritage.

The strategy outlines the current issues threatening chalk streams in England and what must be done to protect the three key indicators of ecological health.

These are: water quantity; water quality; and physical habitats, according to the Environment Agency.

It recommends enhanced status for chalk streams to drive investment to prevent pollution and over-abstraction, as well as restoring habitat to boost biodiversity.

Soon after they left the river had taken on a thick, goopy purple colouring.

Sharkey said: 'The water should be 'utterly colourless, so clear you can count ever pebble and piece of gravel on the riverbed, it's supposed to be one of the rarest and greatest ecosystems on the planet.'

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said they returned to investigate the claims the stretch of water had become polluted and turned purple.

'The water was no longer discoloured, and we took water meter readings which indicated no negative impact on water quality or the environment, and we found no evidence of harm to any fish,' the spokesperson said.

Campaigners said this highlights the dire state of Britain's rivers, where 53 per cent are in a poor state, and only 14 per cent are in 'good ecological condition'

'We took further samples of the river [the next day], will visit again and will continue to monitor to ensure the good health of this chalk stream is maintained.'

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said action is in progress wherever possible to tackle the problems facing these vital habitats.

Environment Agency Chair Emma Howard Boyd said 85 per cent of the world's chalk streams are in England, and their future depends on collective action from water companies, farmers, and landowners as well as government and regulators.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said action is in progress wherever possible to tackle the problems facing these vital habitats

'The National Framework for Water Resources encourages water companies to open up new infrastructure to reduce reliance on chalk aquifers,' she said.

Natural England Chair Tony Juniper said these are a unique natural feature, and as most rivers of this type are in England, the country has a 'responsibility to ensure that they are in good health.'

'These habitats are subject to a complex range of pressures, however, from pollution arising from road runoff, agriculture and sewage, to low flow resulting from abstraction for public water supply and physical damage to the water courses.

'We look forward to working with others to ensure this new strategy leads to the kind of joined-up partnership action needed to address these pressures, protecting and restoring chalk streams for future generations to enjoy.'
Remains of an ancient crab frozen in amber for 100 million years have been discovered, making it the oldest modern-looking crab ever to be uncovered.

Previous fossil records, which mainly consist of bits and pieces of claws, suggested nonmarine crabs came onto land and freshwater about 75 to 50 million years ago.

The 55-millimeter crab was discovered in the jungles of Southeast Asia and is the first-ever to be found that lived among the dinosaurs.

'The discovery provides new insights into the evolution of these crustaceans and when they spread around the world,' researchers at Harvard University, who analyzed the amber, shared in a press release.

Remains of an ancient crab frozen in amber for 100 million years have been discovered, making it the oldest modern-looking crab ever to be uncovered. Previous fossil records, which mainly consist of bits and pieces of claws, suggested nonmarine crabs came onto land and freshwater about 75 to 50 million years ago

Javier Luque, a post-doctoral researcher in the Harvard Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, said in a statement: 'If we were to reconstruct the crab tree of life  putting together a genealogical family tree  and do some molecular DNA analysis, the prediction is that nonmarine crabs split from their marine ancestors more than 125 million years ago.

'But there's a problem because the actual fossil record the one that we can touch - is way young at 75 to 50 million years old So this new fossil and its mid-Cretaceous age allows us to bridge the gap between the predicted molecular divergence and the actual fossil record of crabs.'

The specimen was originally found by miners in 2015, which recently shared it with the Longyin Amber Museum in China, allowing the Harvard team to take a deeper look.

The fossil was dubbed Cretapsara athanata, 'the immortal Cretaceous spirit of the clouds and waters,' in honor of the South and Southeast Asian mythological spirits.

Researchers micro-CT scans during the analysis, allowing them to get a clear look at the detail of the crab's delicate tissues like its antennae, legs and mouthparts that are lined with fine hair, large compound eyes and even its gills

Luque and his team used micro-CT scans during the analysis, allowing them to get a clear look at the detail of the crab's delicate tissues like its antennae, legs and mouthparts that are lined with fine hair, large compound eyes and even its gills.

To their surprise, not a single hair was missing, the researchers said.

'The more we studied the fossil, the more we realized that this animal was very special in many ways,' said Luque.

The analysis showed that the crab did not have lung tissue, only well-developed gills indicating the animal did not completely live on land.

'Now we were dealing with an animal that is likely not marine, but also not fully terrestrial,' Luque said. 'In the fossil record, nonmarine crabs evolved 50 million years ago, but this animal is twice that age.'

The researchers hypothesize that the crab was a juvenile that lived in freshwater or it may have been a semi-terrestrial juvenile crab. It may have migrated onto land from water, similar the iconic Christmas Island red crabs, where land dwelling mothers release their offspring into the ocean, before they return to land.

The researchers now believe that an event known as the Cretaceous Crab Revolution when crabs (true or not) diversified worldwide and started evolving their characteristic, crabby-looking body forms  happened more times than previously thought.

This new research brings the tally of when different crab species independently evolved to live outside their marine habitat to at least 12 separate times.



The 55-millimeter crab was discovered in the jungles of Southeast Asia and is the first-ever to be found that lived among the dinosaurs. Pictured is what the crab may have looked like when it walked the Earth

Luque, who has been studying crab evolution for more than a decade, said he first became aware of the specimen in 2018 and has been obsessed with it since.

'They are all over the world, they make good aquarium pets, they're delicious for those of us who eat them, and they're celebrated in parades and festivals, and they even have their own constellation,' Luque said.

'Crabs in general are fascinating, and some are so bizarre looking  from tiny little pea-shaped crabs to humongous coconut crabs.

'The diversity of form among crabs is captivating the imagination of the scientific and non-scientific public alike, and right now people are excited to learn more about such a fascinating group that are not dinosaurs. This is a big moment for crabs.'
The modern dog broke off from its feral cousin, the gray wolf, some 20,000 to 40,000 years ago, but following that ancient family tree has proven difficult, since no living wolf species are genetically very closely related to the domesticated canine.

Now, researchers have found your pet puppy's closest known wild relative: the Japanese wolf, which was hunted to extinction more than a century ago.

Without live specimens to sample, researchers took genetic material from bones of stuffed wolves on display at museums in Europe and Japan, as well as from some skulls kept on roofs as superstitious charms.

Comparing the genome of the extinct species, known in Latin as Canis lupus hodophilax, with a variety of modern wolfs, dogs, foxes and other canids, researchers at the Graduate University for Advanced Studies in Hayama, Japan found the Japanese wolf emerged right at that evolutionary split 20,000 to 40,000 years ago.

The data suggest the two species emerged from a single ancestora since-vanished population of gray wolves that likely lived somewhere in East Asia.

Some of these descendants evolved into Japanese wolves while others gave rise to dogs.

That gives more credence to the theory that dogs first evolved in East Asia, rather than in Europe or the Middle East, as others have suggested.

Scroll down for video

Extinct since 1905, the Japanese wolf is the closest known wild relative of the domesticated dog, according to a new report

Evolutionary biologist Yohey Terai, who led the research, told Science magazine that when he and his team assembled their evolutionary tree, they found that the branch containing the Japanese wolf lineage was closer to that of dogs than to any other animal.

'It's a sister relationship,' Terai said. 'They are distinct from any other wolf or dog.'

It wasn't exactly a clean break between these evolutionary relatives, according to Terai's report in the pre-print server BioRxiv.

There was some interbreeding before the 'Japanese wolf' actually reached Japan, as the DNA of 9,500-year-old Siberian sled dogs still had a tiny percentage of Japanese wolf in it.

Eastern dog breeds like the Shina Ibu (shown) share as much as five percent DNA with the Japanese wolf, while Western breeds lke German Shepherds have much less

Without a living wolf to get genetic material from, scientists used bones from preserved specimens kept in museums around the world

Today, Eastern dogswhich includes modern Japanese breeds like the Shiba Inu, as well as ancient canids like the dingo and New Guinea singing dog  share as much as 5.5. percent DNA with Japanese wolves.

Western dogs, like German shepherds and Labrador retrievers, have significantly less.

Researchers at Japan's Graduate University for Advanced Studies mapped out an evolutionary tree showing the Japanese wolf as having a 'sister relationship' with modern-day dogs

At least since they first appeared in the written record in the first century, the Japanese wolf, or Honshu wolf, was seen as a pest that preyed on horses and other livestock.

Japanese folklore speaks of the okuriokami, or 'escort wolf,' who follows travelers walking alone through the forest at night until they reach their destination safely.

It's believed rabies outbreaks and deforestation of their habitat forced Japanese wolves into more conflict with humans.

By the 18th century hunters were using guns and poison to kill the beasts and in the 1870s, eradicating the wolves became a national policy. The last known Japanese wolf was hunted and killed in 1905

By the 18th century, hunters were using guns and poison to kill the beasts and in the 1870s, eradicating the wolves became a national policy. The last known Japanese wolf was hunted and killed in 1905.

Over the past few years, ideas about exactly where and how often dogs were domesticated has become a matter for debate.

In 2017, DNA analysis of the world's two oldest known dog corpses suggested that all modern pooches descend from animals domesticated by people living in Eurasia during the Upper Paleolithic age.

Those findings disprove previous theories that dogs were domesticated twice by separate groups living in east and west Eurasia

DNA from 2,000-year-old dog remains in Northwest Siberia (pictured) indicate all modern canines descend from animals domesticated by people living in Eurasia during the Upper Paleolithic age

Although the oldest canine remains that can be clearly distinguished from those of wolves dates to about 15,000 years ago.

'The process of dog domestication would have been a very complex process, involving a number of generations where signature dog traits evolved gradually,' Krishna Veeramah, an evolutionary scientist at Stony Brook University, told MailOnline in 2017.

'The current hypothesis is that the domestication of dogs likely arose passively, with a population of wolves somewhere in the world living on the outskirts of hunter-gatherer camps feeding off refuse created by the humans.

'Those wolves that were tamer and less aggressive would have been more successful at this, and while the humans did not initially gain any kind of benefit from this process, over time they would have developed some kind of symbiotic relationship with these animals, eventually evolving into the dogs we see today.'
Archaeologists have discovered three massive statues of ram heads, including at least one that had a cobra on its head, at the famous Karnak Temple in Egypt.

The statues, which have not yet been dated, were discovered south of the temple, which dates back to 2,055 B.C., in Luxor, Egypt.

The statues were discovered during an excavation at the gate built by Ptolemy III, according to a translated statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

Archaeologists found three statues of ram heads, including one that had a cobra on its head, at Egypt's Karnak Temple

The statues, which have not yet been dated, were found south of the temple. The ram heads were part of larger statues, which were of creatures that looked similar to a sphinx

The ram heads were part of larger statues, which were of creatures that looked similar to a sphinx

The gateway was built by Ptolemies, who descended from one of Alexander the Great's generals that ruled Egypt between 305 B.C. and 30 B.C, according to Live Science.

These ram heads were part of larger statues, which were of creatures that looked similar to a sphinx.

In an interview with Egyptian news outlet al-Monitor, Mustafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the statues spanned a distance of 1.7 miles between Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on a sandstone road.

Wazir added that '98% of the works are done' as it pertains to restoring the road.

'The cleaning and restoration of the temples on the site are currently being carried out,' Wazir said.

'So far, the colors that were first used after the construction of the temples by ancient Egyptians have been restored.'

The road, known as the 'avenue of sphinxes,' once had as many as 700 statues, LiveScience added, citing Elizabeth Blyth's book, Karnak: Evolution of a Temple.

The surviving sphinxes date as far back 380 B.C., though there is artwork that suggests they date as far back as the 18th dynasty, or 1550-1295 B.C.

In 2010, archaeologists discovered a second sphinx-lined road in Luxor that dated back to the fourth century.

Once the ram heads are conserved, they will be 'installed on the bodies of the statues along the road,' the statement added.

Karnak Temple (pictured) was built between 4,000 and 2,000 years ago and a significant portion of it is dedicated to the Egyptian sun god, Amun-Ra and Thebes, the capital of ancient Egypt

The temple was built between 4,000 and 2,000 years ago and a significant portion of it is dedicated to the Egyptian sun god, Amun-Ra and Thebes, the capital of ancient Egypt.

According to Waziri's Facebook page, another statue, this of a cobra, was also discovered.

It's likely that the cobra sat on top of the ram's head and will eventually be placed on top by the conservation team

It's likely that the cobra sat on top of the ram's head and will eventually be placed on top by the conservation team.

It's unclear how old the statues are, but Waziri told the news outlet one of them belongs to King Amenhotep III, 'as the ram head contains the horn, the eye and the hole in which the cobra is placed.'

King Amenhotep III was Tutankhamun's grandfather and reigned between 1390 and 1352 B.C.

In April, researchers got their first look at Egypt's 'lost golden city,' a 3,500-year-old settlement found in Luxor, Egypt.
Mauro Icardi has penned an emotional message on Instagram to wife Wanda Nara after the pair reunited following a brief split.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker was given permission to miss his side's crucial Champions League game with RB Leipzig and also was absent from two training sessions following a typically public split from Wanda, who is also his agent.

But the celebrity couple appeared to have patched things up on Sunday and Icardi showed his gratitude to his wife for committing to their relationship after she had accused him of cheating on him the day before.

Mauro Icardi has thanked wife Wanda Nara for getting back with him following a brief split

'Thank you my love for continuing to believe in this beautiful family,' Icardi wrote on Instagram

'Thank you my love for continuing to believe in this beautiful family, thanks for being the motor of our lives. I love you,' Icardi wrote in the Instagram post.

'Look how much it hurts when you harm the ones you love. You only feel right again when the ones you hurt forgive you.'

Icardi's note of gratitude was the latest in a dramatic series of posts made by the husband and wife, who have been together since eloping in 2013 when the Argentine television personality was married to the player's then Sampdoria team-mate and friend Maxi Lopez.

Wanda first took to social media on Saturday night to accuse Icardi of cheating in a furious post where she wrote: 'Another family you have ruined for a s***'.

The couple have been together since 2013 when they embarked on a soap opera-style affair

Wanda Nara said her hand looked better without her wedding ring in a post on Monday

Icardi responded with a post on Sunday showing a picture of him and Wanda, suggesting the couple had reconciled.

But Wanda added more drama to the saga on Monday appearing to suggest her marriage to the striker was over.

She captioned a picture of her hand with her wedding ring with: 'Good day. I prefer my hand without a ring on it.'

The couple have two daughters together, alongside the three sons Wanda had with her previous marriage with Lopez.

Icardi, 28, and Wanda, 34, have been married since 2014.

Mauro Icardi (left) and Wanda Nara have been dealing with marital issues in recent days

They first met through Lopez, who had bonded with Icardi at Sampdoria due to the fact they were the two Argentines playing for the Italian club.

Icardi and Wanda ended up having an affair, projecting the three of them onto the front pages of Italy's gossip magazines and ending any chance of Lopez and Icardi ever playing in the same team again.

Icardi then moved to Inter Milan, facing Lopez the following season when Inter met Sampdoria in what became known as 'The Wanda Derby'.

Wanda began an affair with Icardi when she was married to his then team-mate Maxi Lopez

Icardi and Lopez came face-to-face in a tension-filled match between Inter and Sampdoria
Five people have been arrested by Belgian police as a Manchester City fan fights for his life after a 'cowardly' attack by Club Brugge fans following Tuesday night's Champions League encounter.

A 63-year-old Belgian, who is part of City supporters' group called Blue Moon Belgium, was attacked at a service station at 10.40pm while on his way back from watching the 5-1 drubbing by the English side at the Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruges.

Police have detailed that there was a confrontation in the car-park of the E40 Drongen service station which has left the supporter in 'mortal danger'.

The fan, named locally as Guido, had his Manchester City scarf ripped from his neck and when he went to retrieve it he received a 'heavy blow to the head,' according to his son Jurgen.

Guido was rushed in a coma to the nearby AZ Maria Middelares hospital in Ghent, according to Belgian paper Het Laatste Nieuws.

There were multiple witnesses and the East Flanders Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed five people were arrested last night as part of the investigation.

Jurgen, who is co-chair of the supporters' club, wrote on its Facebook page: 'My father was the victim of a cowardly attack for his City scarf at a stopover in Drugen. We hope the perpetrators are found and punished.

A Belgium-based Manchester City fan, 63, is fighting for his life in a coma having been attacked following the conclusion of a 5-1 Champions League win away at Club Brugge

Jurgen, son of the attacked supporter, hit out at the 'cowardly' and 'senseless' violence in a statement made by Blue Moon Belgium on Wednesday morning after he was 'left for dead'

'We have been everywhere in England and the rest of Europe, never aggression. We come to Belgium once and you will be left for dead.

'Keep on fighting daddy. City love, Jurgen.'

Jurgen explained that his father was waiting for two friends when he was confronted.

He said Guido was approached by a Brugge supporter and the City scarf was taken from him.

'When my dad asked for his scarf back, he received a heavy blow to the head, after which the perpetrators fled and left my dad for dead,' Jurgen told HLN.

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford tweeted one red heart and one blue heart to represent a city united as he responded to the well wishes of City winger Raheem Sterling

Sterling's City team-mates also sent their best wishes after the club addressed the attack

Brugge said they are 'horrified' by the attack and 'strongly disapproves' of the behaviour.

'Club Brugge was horrified to learn of the events at the E40 motorway parking lot in Drongen where a Manchester City supporter, who had previously been a guest at the Jan Breydel Stadium, was attacked,' they said.

'Club Brugge strongly disapproves of all criminal behaviour both inside and outside the stadium and puts tolerance first. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the Manchester City supporter.'

A Manchester City statement added: 'Everyone at Manchester City is shocked and saddened to hear reports of an attack on one of our supporters after the Champions League game in Bruges last night.

'We are currently working with our counterparts at Club Brugge as well as Belgian and Greater Manchester Police to establish more information.

The supporter wore a City scarf before he was attacked at a service station by a rival fan

'Our thoughts and best wishes go out to the family and friends of the Belgian based supporter, who remains in hospital.'

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford tweeted one red heart and one blue heart to represent a city united as he responded to the well wishes of City winger Raheem Sterling towards the stricken fan.

Along with Guido, there were more than 200 Belgian-based Manchester City fans that form part of the Blue Moon Belgium group which attended the match.

City dominated events in Brugge as they ran out 5-1 winners.

Goals from Joao Cancelo, Kyle Walker and Cole Palmer, as well as a brace from Riyad Mahrez, ensured a comfortable 5-1 win for Pep Guardiola's side.
Advertisement

Provence has become a moveable feast. To the south is the glittering Mediterranean; to the north are the Alps, while to the west and east the margins are fuzzy and seem to expand further with each passing year.

Thats because the tourist boards are taking no chances. Provence is big business.

Technically, my husband and I are residents of the Alpes-Maritimes, where we are tucked away on our olive farm overlooking the Bay of Cannes in a corner that is, as yet, rather undiscovered.

Carol and her husband have an olive farm overlooking the Bay of Cannes (pictured)

Property in Provence can cost a fortune if you dont know where to look and a glass of champagne sipped on the pristine whitewashed terrace of one of the seafront hotels in Cannes can set you back the price of a meal in any other establishment.

I have written about Cannes, its film festival, its dizzying night life and its fabulous Forville food market ad infinitum. And about Antibes, where in high season, you might think you were dodging crowds lining the streets for a sale at Harrods.

Carol says that in Antibes, pictured, in high season 'you might think you were dodging crowds lining the streets for a sale at Harrods'

So what do we do when the crowds descend? Well, we grow our own veggies, stay by the pool and give the coast a miss. But should we decide to venture forth, we pick our haunts carefully. Mostly, we head inland, into deep Provence. La Provence profonde.

Every season has its attractions, its delights. Provence off the beaten track offers silence, stillness, sweet scents, eagles, chestnuts, endless avenues shaded by plane trees, fabulous walking, cycle tracks and beaches to die for.

The Camargue is one of my favourite places. But avoid Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, especially in summer, because even if you escape the tourists, the mozzies will drive you to distraction.

Whereas the medieval fortified city of Aigues-Mortes in the slumbering russet-toned months leading up to Christmas is balm to the soul.

Pictured is the medieval fortified city of Aigues-Mortes. Carol recommends walking the city's ramparts at sunset

Carol warns that Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, pictured above, is rife with tourists and mozzies during the summer months

Aigues-Mortes' name - meaning 'dead waters' - comes from the salt marshes that flank the city (pictured)

We treat ourselves and stay at the elegant La Villa Mazarin, with its stylish antique furniture and spacious bedrooms or the family-run Hotel Des Remparts, sited alongside the ancient city walls. Aigues-Mortes translates as dead waters or stagnant waters. Its name comes from the salt marshes that flank the city.

Walk the ramparts at sunset and marvel at those salt flats turning crimson. Overhead will be streams of flamingos sailing silently to feeding grounds beneath a violet sky.

The Camargues Espiguette offers mile after mile of golden sands, with not so much as a shack to spoil its immensity. Drive there on a blustery day, watch the hang-gliders and listen to the calls of the birds.

While filming for Channel 5 this summer, deep in the heart of the Camargue, we crossed from one marshy lake to another on the tiny Bac du Sauvage ferry, powered by two paddle-wheels and guided by a cable.

Right alongside the water, we chanced upon a new restaurant opening that very day. The venue so entranced us, we spent two splendid days in this off-the-beaten-track location where they were serving pike the size of small sharks fished directly from the Rhone river.

'The Camargues Espiguette offers mile after mile of golden sands, with not so much as a shack to spoil its immensity,' writes Carol

Carol reveals that while filming for Channel 5 this summer, deep in the heart of the Camargue, she crossed from one marshy lake to another on the tiny Bac du Sauvage ferry (pictured), powered by two paddle-wheels and guided by a cable

Actress and author Carol pruning the olive trees at her home in Provence

La Cabanette du Sauvage is one of the craziest eateries I have ever encountered but it serves delicious food and very drinkable rose, produced from vines grown in the sand. The local blond beer is Montcalm. It hits the spot on a hot summers day.

White Camargue horses grazed in the fields directly behind us, swishing their tails. Locals arrived for lunch on horseback. They tied up their mounts on wooden rails. All that was missing was Clint Eastwood.

After the Camargue go north to the medieval village of Bonnieux and then turn south towards the A8 close to Brignoles, the Green Heart of Provence.

Deep within this wine belt lies the sleepy village of Correns. This has been vine-growing territory since the Benedictines produced their own bottles in the 13th century. I absolutely love Correns, with its pastel-painted shutters. It is quintessentially Provence, with Citroen 2CVs parked by splashing fountains, carmine-red geraniums tumbling from boxes everywhere. There is a bucolic vibe, with utter tranquillity.

A few miles outside the village you might glimpse Chateau Miraval, bought in 2008 by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The wine produced on this estate is organic.

Correns is renowned for being the first village in France to become entirely organic. This is thanks to one of its most visionary inhabitants and winemaker extraordinaire, Michael Latz. I first met Michael in the 1990s during his 25-year tenure as mayor. It was in this period that he was working to persuade local agriculturalists, from beekeepers to goatherds, to go organic. Or bio, as the French term it.

The battle was a hard one; he encountered plenty of resistance. Today, not only the village, where he has lived for 60 years, but the whole region has climbed aboard the bio bus. And it is evident everywhere. The river that runs through Correns is unpolluted now. Fish have returned to its waters. Birds and butterflies are everywhere. The wines, cheeses, olive oil and honey are exceptionally good.

Drive deep into the sloping vineyards to Domaine Aspras, Michaels holding.

Pictured is the river running through the village of Correns, which Carol describes as 'quintessentially Provence'

After exploring the Camargue region, go north towards the medieval village of Bonnieux (pictured)

Bucolic: The square at Bonnieux. After visiting the village, Carol advises turning south to the commune of Brignoles

Buy a bottle of chilled rose for 12 euros, carry it to the river, find a shady spot, and listen to the bubbling water while you munch a warm-from-the-oven baguette stuffed with goats cheese.

Next, head east to the 11th-century pilgrimage village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. You wont be disappointed and you might very well have those steeply cobbled lanes and passageways to yourself while the world and his wife are battling crowds in the popular Gorges du Verdon river canyon nearby.

Moustier sits between two towering limestone cliffs. A metal star hooked to an iron chain hangs like an angel on high between them. It is a truly magical sight.

The 11th-century pilgrimage village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, pictured above, sits between two limestone cliffs

Tourists should expect to battle the crowds in the popular Gorges du Verdon river canyon (pictured), according to Carol

'Stay at La Bastide de Moustiers [pictured],' says Carol, 'where the bed linen is scented the old Roman way: with sachets filled with lavender'

TRAVEL FACTS Doubles at La Villa Mazarin from 151 (villamazarin.com), doubles at Hotels Des Remparts from 296 (remparts-aiguesmortes.fr), doubles at Bastide de Moustiers from 152 (bastide-moustiers.com). Ryanair has Stansted to Nice return flights from 20 (ryanair.com). Advertisement

Legends abound as to why the star is there. Some say a grateful crusader, home safely from the wars, hung it as thanks to God.

Others recount the sad tale of thwarted lovers who jumped to their deaths from the cliffs. Their parents hooked up the star in memory of their lost offspring.

How it originally found its place is anybodys guess. Today, on the rare occasions it needs to be cleaned or replaced, the job is done by helicopter.

This enchanting little settlement is famous for its pottery shops.

The art of ceramics was introduced to the village in the 17th century by an Italian monk, called Lazzaro Porri. Many of the local pieces are decorated with a bird, signature of the village.

Stay at La Bastide de Moustiers where the bed linen is scented the old Roman way: with sachets filled with lavender.

It was once the country estate of a rich pottery dealer. Today, Alain Ducasse is the proprietor. Relish his sublime Provencal dishes. Every morsel produced is grown in the region. I promise, you wont want to leave.

The colours, flavours and scents of Provence will bewitch you  at any time of year.
Serenade of the Seas' spectacular round-the-world cruise will set sail from Miami on December 23, 2023

Advertisement

Here's how to get away from it all - for 274 days in a row.

Royal Caribbean says its raising the bar for world cruises with an 'epic' trip billed as the longest and most comprehensive world cruise out there. The cruise line's Serenade of the Seas will visit seven continents, anchoring in more than 150 destinations in 65 countries.

The first leg of the voyage - Round the Horn: Americas and Antarctica Expedition - begins in Miami on December 10, 2023, and runs until February 2024. Serenade of the Seas will venture to the Caribbean and South America before continuing towards glacier studded' Antarctica and around Cape Horn.

Passengers aboard the Serenade of the Seas, pictured, will visit all seven continents on the round-the-world cruise

Highlights of the Round the Horn: Americas and Antarctica Expedition include seeing Christ the Redeemer (pictured above) in Rio de Janeiro

Highlights of this expedition include seeing Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro and visiting Machu Picchu and the largest waterfall system on the planet, Argentinas Iguazu Falls.

Next up? Its the Wonders of Asia and the Pacific Expedition. Between February and May, passengers will discover three continents and 40 destinations.

After exploring Hawaiis mountains and black sand beaches, theyll travel to Moorea and Tahiti in French Polynesia, before setting off for New Zealand.

Visit the largest waterfall system on the planet, Argentinas Iguazu Falls (pictured), on the Royal Caribbean world cruise

Next on the tour is Australias Great Barrier Reef, followed by Bali, the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China. Wrapping up the expedition, passengers will visit Japan, where theyll pop along to Shimizu  the gateway to Mount Fuji - and enjoy the unparalleled culture in Tokyo, street food in Osaka and the tropical beaches of Okinawa.

Between May and July is the 'Middle East Treasures and Marvels of the Med Expedition'. It begins in Dubai, then passengers will discover ancient wonders like Jordans lost city of Petra, the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt and the Colosseum in Rome.

Rounding out the trip, passengers will enjoy a taste of Provence, including a trip to Cannes on the French Riviera.

Australias stunning Great Barrier Reef, pictured, features in the Wonders of Asia and the Pacific Expedition

The Capitals of Culture expedition signals the final quarter of the voyage. Kicking off in the Mediterranean, Serenade of the Seas will sail to Barcelona, where passengers can marvel at splendours like Antoni Gaudis famed Sagrada Familia and whimsical Park Guell.

Stopping off in St Petersburg, Russia, passengers will have the chance to attend theatres and wander through the citys galleries, before travelling to Norway to see larger-than-life fjords.

The ship will also call at Casablanca, Morocco, where guests can have a dinner of tagine and mint tea.

The last hurrah is a visit to the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland before passengers make the journey back to Miami.

Passengers can see Rome's Colosseum, pictured, on the 'Middle East Treasures and Marvels of the Med Expedition'

Serenade of the Seas, which made its maiden voyage in 2003, is 294m (965ft) long, 32m (106ft) wide, and weighs a staggering 90,090 gross tonnes. It can carry a total of 2,476 passengers, with 832 crew members on board.

Onboard, Royal Caribbean promises that adventurers will stay close to the action as they cruise from one destination and continent to another thanks to the ships 'acres of glass', which will offer panoramic views.

Speaking about the world cruise, Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International, says: This is the world cruise of world cruises.

Pictured is a swimming pool aboard Serenade of the Seas, which made its maiden voyage in 2003

Now more than ever, people have resolved to travel the world and make up for lost time. Royal Caribbean is making that a reality with the ultimate holiday that welcomes those seeking adventure and exploration to taste, dance and dream with us around the world. To travellers asking themselves where they should go next, we say everywhere.

You can book either the entire world cruise, or pick an individual expedition - Round the Horn: Americas and Antarctica Expedition; Wonders of Asia and the Pacific Expedition; Middle East Treasures and Marvels of the Med Expedition, or Capitals of Culture.

Guests interested in booking can call Royal Caribbeans dedicated line for the Ultimate World Cruise on 800-423-2100 (US toll free) or their travel advisor.
Australian model Eileen Cassidy has pleaded guilty to driving while having a suspended licence, claiming she made an 'honest' mistake because of her jet-setting lifestyle.

The glamorous influencer, 30, faced Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Tuesday after she was pulled over by police in April 2019, The Herald Sun reports.

The incident saw Ms Cassidy charged and her car impounded for 30 days at a cost of almost $900.

Guilty: Australian model Eileen Cassidy, 30, (pictured) has pleaded guilty to driving while suspended, claiming she made an 'honest' mistake because of her jet-setting lifestyle

Ms Cassidy, who boasts over 200K Instagram followers, works as a model in Australia and Bali and runs an online fashion brand called Reveuse Collective.

At Tuesday's hearing, Ms Cassidy's lawyer Brett Tait argued that his client had the 'honest belief' that her licence was not suspended when she was charged.

He explained that Ms Cassidy often travels overseas due to her modelling work, and therefore did not receive a letter from VicRoads informing her of the suspension.

Charged: The glamorous influencer, 30, faced Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Tuesday after she was intercepted driving with a suspended licence in April 2019, The Herald Sun reports

'Miss Cassidy works as a model, as an influencer, she's recently started her own clothing label and she does a lot of work and has done over the years in Bali, she relocated for much of that period to Bali,' Mr Tait said.

'She was going backwards and forwards between Melbourne and Bali and the address her VicRoads licence advice was being sent to is a former flatmate, she wasn't residing there, she wasn't really residing anywhere permanently  and was receiving mail intermittently.'

Mr Tait implored the court to consider Ms Cassidy's actions as a reasonable mistake and to not 'interfere' with her licence any further.

Jet-setter: At Tuesday's hearing, Ms Cassidy's lawyer Brett Tait explained that Ms Cassidy often travels overseas due to her modelling work, and therefore did not receive a letter from VicRoads informing her of the suspension

Popular: Ms Cassidy, boasts over 200K Instagram followers, works as a model in Australia and Bali and runs an online fashion brand called Reveuse Collective

He also argued that VicRoads should change its mailing policy to avoid this situation in future, by sending registered rather than unregistered post when the nature of the correspondence has serious consequences.

Magistrate Hayley Bate rejected the notion that VicRoads was to blame, explaining that it was Ms Cassidy's responsibility to keep on top of her mail.

'Hopefully she's learnt from this experience,' Magistrate Bate said, but chose not to further strip Ms Cassidy of her licence.

'Hopefully she's learnt from this experience': Magistrate Hayley Bate rejected the notion that VicRoads was to blame, explaining that it was Ms Cassidy's responsibility to keep on top of her mail

However, she was placed under a nine-month good behaviour bond and ordered her to donate $200 to Road Trauma Support Services Victoria.

It was the latest in a string of legal woes for serial driving pest Ms Cassidy.

Ms Cassidy has been charged with several driving offences dating back to 2010.

Consequences: Ms Cassidy was placed under a nine-month good behaviour bond and ordered her to donate $200 to Road Trauma Support Services Victoria

In July 2020, she was charged by Victoria Police for using her phone while driving.

Ms Cassidy was spotted by officers looking at her phone while stopped at an intersection in St Kilda when they pulled her over.

At the time, Ms Cassidy claimed she was merely 'playing with her rings', however the police rejected this argument and claimed they'd seen a phone in her hand.

She received a fine and four demerit points.
Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult were seen going tit-for-tat in the new trailer for the upcoming second season of the historical comedy series The Great, which was released on Tuesday.

In the clip, the 23-year-old actress and her costar, 31, appeared to be vying for the leadership of Russia and anticipating the birth of their child while portraying Catherine the Great and Peter III, respectively.

The forthcoming run of episodes is currently scheduled to make its debut on the Hulu streaming service in the near future.

Round two: Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult were seen going tit-for-tat in the new trailer for the upcoming second season of the historical comedy series The Great, which was released on Tuesday

The trailer begins with Catherine attending a coronation ceremony, where her husband questions her new title as 'the Great,' which he describes as an 'arrogant' decision.

After one of her advisors questions the figure about having taken control of Russia, Peter points out that she cannot 'run Russia without bloodshed,' which she brushes off.

When Count Orlo, portrayed by Sacha Dhawan, suggests that the Emperor of the country has to be assassinated, Catherine rebuffs his idea, expressing that 'reason and compassion can win any argument better than violence.'

General Velementov, played by Douglas Hodge, then bluntly states that they should 'just behead him like civilized men.'

Unhappy: The trailer begins with Catherine attending a coronation ceremony, where her husband questions her new title as 'the Great,' which he describes as an 'arrogant' decision

Not having it: When an advisor suggests that Peter be assassinated, Catherine insists that 'reason and compassion can win any argument better than violence'

When Orlo mentions that the country's population expects Catherine to 'only last a year,' she counters by noting that she is pregnant with Peter's child and that she is 'safe until the baby is born.'

The unhappy couple is then seen having a meal together, and when the Emperor asks his wife if she is afraid of their unborn baby possessing a weapon in the womb, she also shuts his idea down.

An advisor later speaks to Peter and insists that he and Catherine have more children in an effort to 'protect the family line,' although the royal figure later notes that she would rather 'choke to death' than sleep with her husband.

After another figure suggests to the Emperor that he should kill his wife, he proposes that she should be 'imprisoned until Paul is born,' after which he is called a 'good dad' for bringing up the idea.

Striking: Gillian Anderson seen in the trailer chatting with Elle's character

In character: Gillian seen for the first time in the series

Good timing: When Orlo mentions that the country's population expects Catherine to 'only last a year,' she counters by noting that she is pregnant with Peter's child and that she is 'safe until the baby is born'

Solid opportunity: An advisor later speaks to Peter and insists that he and Catherine have more children in an effort to 'protect the family line'

Ouch: The royal figure later notes that she would rather 'choke to death' than sleep with her husband

A group of royals is then seen causing a disturbance in what appeared to be a palace, and Peter points out that, with regard to the throne, 'I was chosen by God. You were chosen by mail order.'

Catherine hits back at her husband's comments, and expresses that she 'had a busy day running Russia, the country I just took from you.'

Fanning's character is then shown leading a manhunt, during which a man is shot, much to her surprise.

Making his authority known: Peter points out that, with regard to the throne, 'I was chosen by God. You were chosen by mail order'

Putting him in his place: Catherine hits back at her husband's comments, and expresses that she 'had a busy day running Russia, the country I just took from you'

Peter subsequently steps out from behind a column, and incredulously asks the soldiers, 'Are you kidding?! That could have been me!'

The trailer ends with the Emperor insisting that his wife genuinely loves him, and Catherine makes a point of telling him that 'I look at you and go dry like sand,' much to his chagrin.

The Great initially premiered on the streaming service in May of last year, and it was met with a positive critical reception upon its debut.

Marital woes: The trailer ends with the Emperor insisting that his wife genuinely loves him, and Catherine makes a point of telling him that 'I look at you and go dry like sand'

The program was created by Tony McNamara, who previously wrote a play based on the historical figures involved in the show.

Following the premiere of the first season, the series and its cast were put up for numerous awards, with Matt Shakman and McNamara being nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards during last year's ceremony.

The second season of The Great is currently set to make its debut on the Hulu streaming service on November 19th.
Former Cruising Yacht Club commodore Hugo van Kretschmar and his wife Karen have sold their Darling Point apartment for more than $25million.

The sale sets a new property record as the highest in the Darling Point area for more than 18 months, beating the previous $16.8million apartment sale record set in June, reports Domain.

The exact sale price of van Kretschmar's home is undisclosed, but it had a $25million price guide when it was listed by 1st City Double Bay's Julian Hasemer.

Pricey: Yachtie Hugo van Kretschmar has set a new property record after selling his Darling Point apartment for more than $25million

A social media post by the agency later confirmed the home had indeed sold for more than $25million and had been snapped up very quickly upon its listing.

Van Kretschmar and his wife purchased the two-storey block where the property sits with another apartment back in 2004 for $7million.

The pair employed Allen Jack+ Cottier Architects to design the two apartments as they built up the block.

Setting the benchmark: The sale sets a new property record as the highest in the Darling Point area for more than 18 months, beating the previous $16.8million apartment sale record set in June, reports Domain. Pictured: the kitchen

History: Van Kretschmar and his wife purchased the two-storey block where the property sits with another apartment back in 2004 for $7million. The pair employed Allen Jack+ Cottier Architects to design the two apartments

The sold apartment, located on the upper level, was used by the couple before they listed it.

It features five bedrooms, several spacious living areas with plenty of sunlight, stunning harbour views, a swimming pool and an internal lift.

The top apartment has 375 sqm of internal living space, which means, according to the sale price, it roughly sold for $68,000 per sqm.

Inclusions: The apartment features five bedrooms, several spacious living areas with plenty of sunlight, stunning harbour views, a swimming pool and an internal lift

The van Kretschmars had already sold the lower-level apartment in 2007 to Thelma Levin, the wife of Park Lane Fashions boss Mervyn Levin, for about $7.4million.

The apartment was still being completed at the time, but the offer was apparently too good for the yachtie to refuse.

Hugo van Kretschmar is the former Cruising Yacht Club commodore, a civil engineer and property developer.

He is known for heading the Cruising Yacht Club Australia investigation and report into the devastating 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race where six men lost their lives.
Charlize Theron made an impassioned plea for pet adoption in a post shared to her Instagram account on Tuesday.

The 46-year-old actress informed her 7million followers that animal shelters across the country are currently 'overwhelmed at capacity,' which is putting the lives of homeless pets in jeopardy.

She also shared images of the four dogs she's rescued and welcomed into her home over the years, including a selfie snap with an adorable Shih Tzu mix.

Making her voice heard: Charlize Theron made an impassioned plea for pet adoption in a post that was shared to her Instagram account on Tuesday; she is seen in June

Theron began her statement by sharing an anecdote from her childhood where she made her love for her four-legged pals clear.

'As a kid growing up on a farm in rural South Africa, my only friends were animals. I'm not kidding, my best friend was my goat, Bok,' she recalled.

The Academy Award-winning actress then noted that, following her move to the United States, her love for livestock changed to more conventional pets.

Adopt don't shop: The Monster star informed her 7million followers that animal shelters across the country are currently 'overwhelmed at capacity,' which is putting the lives of homeless pets in jeopardy

Her babies: The 46-year-old actress shared images of her four rescue dogs hanging out in various settings, as well as a sweet selfie she snapped with one of them

'Once I moved to the US, it became clear that I couldn't move my pet goat into a NYC apartment.....but dogs were everywhere I looked  and I haven't been without one since,' she said.

Theron went on to give a shout-out to her favorite rescue center and encouraged her followers to stop shopping for pets.

'@bestfriendsanimalsociety is ALWAYS the first place I go when I need a new furry heart in my life. If you ask me, pet adoption is the only way to go.' she wrote.

Letting everyone know: Theron went on to give a shout-out to her favorite rescue center and encouraged her followers to stop shopping for pets; she is seen at the 92nd Annual Academy Awards in 2020

The performer also noted that a great number of potential pets were still waiting to find their forever homes and called on her friends to adopt new pets.

'This fall, animal shelters across the country are overwhelmed at capacity, putting tons of lives of homeless dogs and cats at risk. If I could save them all, I would (trust me), but this is gonna take all of us,' she stated.

Theron concluded her message by imploring her followers to adopt any pets 'who need saving from a local shelter near you.'

Expressing her opinion: The performer also noted that a great number of potential pets were still waiting to find their forever homes and called on her friends to adopt new pets

The actress has shared several images of her various dogs to her Instagram account on several occasions.

In her most recent pet shot, which was shared last September, her pampered pooches, Leo and Cleo, were seen celebrating their very first birthday with a canine-friendly cake.

The performer also wrote a short message that was dedicated to her dogs and expressed that she loved them, 'even when you destroy all my furniture.'
She looked lovely in white as she exchanged her vows with Chris Marek at their outdoor wedding in Oregon in August.

But Little People, Big World star Amy Roloff revealed recently that her otherwise jubilant nuptials were tinged with sadness after her rescue dog Felix died two days prior to the ceremony.

In an Instagram post shared Friday, the 57-year-old reality star shared some heartbreakingly cute photos of her late pooch while struggling to put her loss into words.

He missed her big day: Little People, Big World star Amy Roloff revealed last week on Instagram that her rescue dog Felix had died just two days before her August wedding

Amy included a beaming closeup of herself with Felix panting in the background, while another photo that appeared to be from the same day showed him relaxing in the grass.

'This is a hard post for me. Im not even sure what to say,' she began her caption. 'My little fella Felix fell suddenly ill and past [sic] away the Thursday Before our wedding in August.

'With my wedding two days away I didnt have time to grieve,' she continued. 'I was devastated and couldnt believe he was gone. After a month and a half Im still so sad. I miss him so much.

She added that Felix would 'always be the best dog and furry friend.'

'You were loved [heart and paw emojis] and always will be #myrescuedog #loveyouforever #hewassixyearsold #bestdogsever #willmissyou.'

Taking her time: 'With my wedding two days away I didnt have time to grieve. I was devastated and couldnt believe he was gone. After a month and a half Im still so sad,' she admitted

On August 28, Amy married Chris at her farm in Hillsboro, Oregon, with nearly 150 guests in attendance.

She had previously been married to her Little People, Big World costar Matthew Roloff, whom she tied the knot with in 1987 after they met at a convention for little people earlier that year.

Amy, who has achondroplasia, a condition that causes people affected with it to have an unusually short stature, shares twins Zachary and Jeremy, 31, daughter Molly, 28, and son Jacob, 24, with her ex.

The couple first went in front of the cameras for their TLC series Little People, Big World in 2006, and the series is still going strong after 22 seasons.

Amy and Matthew announced in 2015 that they were divorcing, though the couple had broached the possibility of a divorce previously.

Joyous event: On August 28, Amy married Chris Marek (pictured) at her farm in Hillsboro, Oregon, with nearly 150 guests in attendance

Moving on: Amy and her ex-husband and costar Matt Roloff announced they were divorcing in 2015. The reality stars married in 1987 after meeting at a little person convention earlier that year

The TLC star shared with People that she was overjoyed after Chris proposed to her in 2019.

'I'm excited, Im so surprised, Im thrilled!' she gushed at the time. 'I never in a million years thought Id be getting married again, but I also hoped for it! Now that its happening, I couldnt be happier or more excited.'

After her future husband popped the question, Amy showed off the sweet heart-shaped diamond ring he gave her, which Chris said he got because he 'knew thats what Amy wanted.'
Radio host Kyle Sandilands tore into Lisa Wilkinson's new autobiography on Wednesday, insisting the book sounded 'boring'.

And while he was on the subject of trashing her memoirs, the shock jock also took a swipe at her husband, Peter FitzSimons, for his questionable fashion sense.

The author and journalist, 60, is known for wearing a trademark red bandana, which he previously said represented his emotional transition into middle age.

Mockery: Kyle Sandilands has made fun of Peter FitzSimons (right, with wife Lisa Wilkinson) for wearing a red bandana all the time, saying he spent years thinking the author had cancer

But Kyle clearly missed the memo.

'For five years I thought he had cancer,' he said on The Kyle and Jackie O Show.

His co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson replied: 'No, he just likes to wear a bandana, Kyle.'

Kyle added: 'And then I saw him at a car wash somewhere and I thought, "He doesn't look sick at all!" [He looked like] quite a tall, big, striking man.'

Not a fan of the do-rag? 'For five years I thought he had cancer', Kyle (left) said on Wednesday, adding: 'And then I saw him at a car wash somewhere and I thought, "He doesn't look sick at all!" [He looked like] quite a tall, big, striking man'

'Yeah, some guys like to wear bandanas,' Jackie added, to which Kyle responded: 'No, they do not. That is not a thing in the guy world.'

'Yeah, but I'm saying... some guys,' insisted Jackie.

Bursting into laughter, Kyle said: 'Some guys? Yeah, very rare!'

The hosts also joked that it was 'cultural appropriation' because bandanas are associated with street gangs in Los Angeles.

Accessory: FitzSimons is known for wearing a trademark red bandana, which he previously said represented his emotional transition into middle age

Style: Kyle and co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson also joked that it was 'cultural appropriation' because bandanas are associated with street gangs in Los Angeles

Lisa has previously defended her husband's decision to wear a do-rag every day, saying she 'deeply admires' his confidence.

She wrote on Instagram in 2016: '[Peter's] bandana was actually a very sweet thank-you present from our kids after a fabulous family holiday we all had in Cuba.

'It was all they could afford and it meant the world to Pete that they went to the effort. And the kids are so chuffed that after all these years he's still wearing it.'

Lisa said there was also a very practical reason why Peter insists upon wearing it.

Origin story: Lisa (right) said in 2016: '[Peter's] bandana was actually a very sweet thank-you present from our kids after a fabulous family holiday we all had in Cuba'

'It also provides excellent sun protection in the harsh Australian sun,' she said.

'And finally, simply, the reason he wears it is because he like it, and because - I love this - because he doesn't give a stuff what anyone else thinks.

'It puts a smile on his face - and in a world where criticism and judgement are too often the default positions of far too many, it's an attitude I deeply admire.'

In 2017, Lisa let slip that Peter had purchased 'around 30' red bandanas in the years since receiving his first scarf as a gift.

Quite the collection: In 2017, Lisa let slip that Peter had purchased 'around 30' red bandanas in the years since receiving his first scarf as a gift

'We have about 30 of them floating around the house now... and occasionally one of them makes it into a washload of whites,' she said.

Elsewhere on Wednesday's Kyle and Jackie O Show, Kyle took a dig at Lisa's forthcoming autobiography, which will document her rise to fame in the Australian media and dissect her bitter exit from the Today show.

Kyle acknowledged Lisa, 61, was 'very good at her job' as host of The Sunday Project, but claimed her book sounded 'boring' and even questioned why she'd written one, asking: 'How exciting could her life be?'
EastEnders spoilers reveal that Sharon Watt will give pregnant Chelsea Fox some friendly advice following her decision to raise her child alone.

The beautician (Zaraah Abrams) is currently pregnant with ex-boyfriend Gray's (Toby-Alexander Smith) baby, but is determined that the solicitor has nothing to do with their unborn child.

And after a tense showdown with Gray in upcoming scenes on Thursday, the same episode sees Chelsea turn to Sharon (Letitia Dean) for guidance, with the gym owner giving her some harsh truths about being a single parent.

Words of wisdom: EastEnders spoilers reveal that Sharon Watt will give pregnant Chelsea Fox some friendly advice following her decision to raise her child alone

With Chelsea having told Gray that she wants him to have nothing to do with her baby, she later heads to the gym for a heart-to-heart with Sharon, who is raising her son Albie alone following her split from Phil Mitchell.

And Chelsea is left with food for thought when Sharon gives her an eye-opening account of the practicalities of raising a child as a single mother.

Will Sharon's words lead Chelsea to make a huge decision about Gray?

Choice: The beautician (Zaraah Abrams) is currently pregnant with ex-boyfriend Gray's (Toby-Alexander Smith) baby, but is determined that the solicitor has nothing to do with their unborn child

It comes as serial killer Gray is set to issue a warning to Chelsea after she tells him that she's pregnant with his child.

The dodgy solicitor was left stunned when his former flame dropped the bombshell, making it abundantly clear that she doesn't want him involved in the child's life.

And in spoiler images for Thursday's upcoming episode, Gray is still reeling in shock as he and Chelsea have a heated exchange at Ruby's club.

Advice: after a tense showdown with Gray in upcoming scenes on Thursday, the same episode sees Chelsea turn to Sharon (Letitia Dean) for guidance, with the gym owner giving her some harsh truths about being a single parent

The truth: Chelsea is left with food for thought when Sharon gives her an eye-opening account of the practicalities of raising a child as a single mother

As things become tense between the former lovers, Gray is quick to forewarn her that motherhood is far from easy.

The pair briefly dated earlier in the year but Chelsea broke things off after Chelsea grew concerned over Gray's aggressive behaviour towards her.

She's of course still unaware that Gray has three kills under his belt, including the murder of his wife Chantelle Atkins.

Chelsea had initially planned to keep her pregnancy a secret from Gray and have a termination.

Baby bombshell: It comes as serial killer Gray is set to issue a warning to Chelsea after she tells him that she's pregnant with his child

Shock: The dodgy solicitor was left stunned when his former flame dropped the bombshell, making it abundantly clear that she doesn't want him involved in the child's life

However, she was persuaded by Whitney Dean (Shona Garty) to tell him the truth, insisting that he was a good dad.

But with the serial killer now in the know, Chelsea will now have to contend with Gray being a part of her life whether she likes it or not.

It comes as Chelsea actress Zaraah Abrams recenltly revealed that she would love it if her character were the one to expose Gray's killer crimes.

Showdown: And in spoiler images for Thursday's upcoming episode, Gray is still reeling in shock as he and Chelsea have a heated exchange at Ruby's club

Warning: As things become tense between the former lovers, Gray is quick to forewarn her that motherhood is far from easy

She told Inside Soap: 'I would love that! As long as there are no repercussions for her!

'Chelsea is very nosy, she's always going to be investigating because she's quite a selfish person. So I think she will always be up in any of her boyfriends' business.

'But if she found out about Gray, that would be very explosive!'

The tense scenes between Chelsea and Gray air Thursday 21st October at 7.35pm on BBC One.
He and his wife Beyonce recently returned from a luxe Italian getaway, which saw the pair lounging on yachts and attending Alexandre Arnault's lavish wedding.

But Jay-Z was back in work mode as he exited his office in New York City on Tuesday afternoon.

Before getting into his chauffeured SUV, the 52-year-old music mogul proved his devotion to his fans by stopping to sign autographs outside the building.

In the zone: Jay-Z was back in work mode as exited his office in New York City on Tuesday afternoon

With a pen on hand, Jay-Z happily signed copies of his 1998 album Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life.

The Young Forever rapper rocked a red flannel shirt over a plain black tee and a pair of black pants.

He lets his dreads poke out from under a cozy beanie and kept his eyes hidden behind a pair of designer shades.

He completed the look with some black and white sneakers.

Casual: The Young Forever rapper rocked a red flannel shirt over a plain black tee and a pair of black pants

Fan service: Before getting into his chauffeured SUV, the 52-year-old music mogul proved his devotion to his fans by stopping to sign autographs outside the building

Jay-Z, born Shawn Corey Carter, was joined by several members of his entourage and a suited bodyguard.

Though the hitmaker was back to work on Tuesday, Beyonce was still reminiscing about the pair's recent overseas vacation.

Taking to Instagram, the 40-year-old songstress shared several snapshots of herself and her husband of over a decade hanging out on a boat in Venice.

Classic: With a pen on hand, Jay-Z happily signed copies of his 1998 album Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life

Entourage: Jay-Z, born Shawn Corey Carter, was joined by several members of his entourage and a suited bodyguard

Effortlessly cool: He lets his dreads poke out from under a cozy beanie and kept his eyes hidden behind a pair of designer shades

Beyonce showed off her sensational legs in a split sky blue gown, which featured a plunging neckline that flashed her matching bra.

Sharpening her features with makeup. she looked ready for her closeup. She also draped herself in jewels including multiple necklaces and drop earrings.

In her album she included not just a picture of herself stretching languorously across a bench, but also a snap of Jay-Z taking that picture.

Once they were off the boat Beyonce was pictured wearing a black coat flung fashionably over her shoulders, matching her mask.

Vacation: He and his wife Beyonce recently returned from a luxe Italian getaway, which saw the pair lounging on yachts and attending Alexandre Arnault's lavish wedding in Venice

Glamorous: Taking to Instagram, the 40-year-old songstress shared several snapshots of herself and her husband of over a decade hanging out on a boat in Venice

Sensational: Beyonce showed off her sensational legs in a split sky blue gown, which featured a plunging neckline that flashed her matching bra

Beyonce's accessories for the wedding included a glittering jeweled round handbag, as well as a pair of sleek narrow sunglasses.

They were in Venice to see Alexandre Arnault marry Geraldine Guyot who founded the high-end fashion accessory brand DEstree.

The father of the groom is the chairman and CEO of Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), with a net worth that was estimated in May to be at 135billion ($186 billion).

Looking fab: Sharpening her screen siren features with makeup she draped herself in jewels including multiple necklaces and drop earrings

Perspectives: In her album she included not just a picture of herself stretching herself languorously across a bench - but also a snap of Jay-Z taking that picture

Alexandre himself went from being CEO of the luggage manufacturer Rimowa to now being executive vice president of LVMH brand Tiffany & Co.

Less than three years ago Beyonce traveled to India for the nuptials of Isha Ambani whose father Mukesh Ambani is the richest man in Asia.

Isha, who had just been Priyanka Chopra's bridesmaid, had an extravagant array of pre-wedding functions including a paid performance by Beyonce.

Swanking about: Beyonce's accessories for the wedding included a glittering jeweled round handbag, as well as a pair of sleek narrow sunglasses
Johnny Depp cut a dapper figure when he promoted his new TV series Puffins in Serbia on Tuesday.

Posing for photographers at a promotional event in a typically edgy ensemble, the actor, 58, wore a tailored waistcoat beneath a pinstripe jacket and accessorised with a scarf, patterned necktie and tinted sunglasses.

Johnny posed with actor Milos Bikovic alongside producers Monika Bacardi and Andrea Iervolino at the event.

Dapper: Johnny Depp, 58, cut a dapper figure when he promoted his new TV series Puffins in Serbia on Tuesday

Johnny rocked a crisp pair of satin trousers teamed with polished black shoes and accessorised with an assortment of statement-making jewellery.

Attached to the star's trousers were wooden beads and a knotted material scarf.

The father-of-two's impressive collection of hand tattoos could be seen poking out from the sleeve of his jacket.

The actor's new project, Puffins, was produced in Serbia.

Edgy: Posing for photographers at a promotional event in a typically edgy ensemble, the actor wore a tailored waistcoat beneath a pinstripe jacket

The show takes viewers on the adventures of a group of little birds who are the minions of a sly walrus.

Johnny plays central character Johnny Puffin in the animated series, which is available to stream on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.

Elsewhere, Johnny famously lost a libel trial against The Sun's publisher last year over an article that branded him a 'wife-beater' following his acrimonious, ill-fated marriage to actress Amber Heard.

Friends: Johnny posed with actor Milos Bikovic who looked smart in an all-beige ensemble

High spirits: Johnny and Milo were in high spirits and beamed for photographers ahead of the screening

Producers: Producers Monika Bacardi and Andrea Iervolino also stood next to Johnny for photos

According to the Metro, Johnny is now suing his former wife over a 2018 Washington Post op-ed.

She wrote: 'I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our culture's wrath for women who speak out.'

In August, a judge ruled that the actor will be allowed to have a second libel trial despite losing the first one.

Johnny's appearance comes after he condemned the cancel culture movement.

Trial: Johnny famously lost a libel trial against The Sun's publisher last year over an article that branded him a 'wife-beater'

During an appearance at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain, last month, he expressed his fear that his stint at the festival would 'offend people'.

'It can be seen as an event in history that lasted for however long it lasted, this cancel culture'.

'This instant rush to judgement based on what essentially amounts to polluted air,' he said.

'It's so far out of hand now that I can promise you that no one is safe. Not one of you. Not anyone out that door. No one is safe.'

Ruling: The ruling came in the wake of Johnny's ill-fated marriage to actress Amber Heard (pictured)

'It takes one sentence and there's no more ground, the carpet has been pulled.

'It's not just me that this has happened to, it's happened to a lot of people. This type of thing has happened to women, men.

'Children have suffered from various types of unpleasantries. Sadly at a certain point they begin to think that it's normal. Or that it's them. When it's not.'

'It's so far out of hand now that I can promise you that no one is safe. Not one of you. Not anyone out that door'.

'No one is safe. It takes one sentence and there's no more ground, the carpet has been pulled.'

'It's not just me that this has happened to, it's happened to a lot of people.

'This type of thing has happened to women, men. Children have suffered from various types of unpleasantries.'

'Sadly at a certain point they begin to think that it's normal. Or that it's them. When it's not.'
Bec Judd has publicly stood by her best friend Nadia Bartel following her infamous white powder scandal.

The queen bee WAG, who has had a close bond with Nadia for years, showed her support for the embattled social media influencer when she returned to Instagram on Tuesday night after a six-week hiatus.

Nadia shared a video of herself modelling new pieces from her Henne label.

Support: Bec Judd has publicly stood by her best friend Nadia Bartel following her infamous white powder scandal. The queen bee WAG showed her support for the embattled social media influencer when she returned to Instagram on Tuesday night after a six-week hiatus

'Yassssss - love the light denim,' Bec wrote under the clip.

She joined a chorus of other stars who also praised Nadia.

'HEAVEN' former Neighbours star Olympia Valance wrote.

'Looks so goooooood,' Geelong Cats WAG Emma Hawkins added.

'Yassssss - love the light denim,' Bec wrote under a clip of Nadia modelling new denim pieces from her Henne collection

'Looks Amazing,' Krystal Hipwell also wrote.

Nadia return to Instagram was purely business-related, with the mother-of-two endorsing a denim collection from her label.

She wrote in her caption: 'We have been working hard on our denim collection all year and it's finally here! I am so excited to share @henne_ denim officially dropping tomorrow, 2 styles in 4 must have colours.

Nadia's last post before the Henne advertisement was an apology for her 'snorting' scandal', made on September 3.

Friend: 'Looks Amazing,' Krystal Hipwell (pictured) also wrote

She's back: Nadia return to Instagram was purely business-related, with the mother-of-two endorsing a denim collection from her label

'Hi everyone, I have let you all down by my actions. I take full responsibility and I am committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure I make better choices in future,' she wrote.

'To my family and friends, my business partners and the public health workers trying to keep us all safe, I am embarrassed and remorseful.

'I am truly and deeply sorry. I hope I can earn your forgiveness and, in time, your trust.'

All work: She wrote in her caption: 'We have been working hard on our denim collection all year and it's finally here! I am so excited to share @henne_ denim officially dropping tomorrow, 2 styles in 4 must have colours'

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.

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.

She managed to pocket some cash in the wake of her scandal with one major brand offering her a $50,000 'golden handshake'.

A source within the lucrative 'wellness' industry claims Bartel was quietly given the five-figure settlement by vitamin company JSHealth in exchange for dropping any affiliation with them after her scandal.

Apology: Nadia's last post before the Henne advertisement on Tuesday was an apology for her 'snorting' scandal', made on September 3

Caught on camera: Damning footage showed the former WAG attending an illegal gathering in Melbourne during the Covid lockdown on September 2

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.

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.
Advertisement

Bill Clinton (Clive Owen) proclaims to the world, 'I did not have sexual relations with that woman,' referring to Monica Lewinsky (Beanie Feldstein) in Tuesday's episode of Impeachment: American Crime Story.

The new episode - entitled The Assassination of Monica Lewinsky - shows how the world reacts to the President's affair after it has become headline news in the mainstream media.

While Clinton can simply deny the years-long affair didn't happen, Lewinsky's life is torn apart after footage of her is shown hugging the President.

Did not: Bill Clinton (Clive Owen) proclaims to the world, 'I did not have sexual relations with that woman,' referring to Monica Lewinsky (Beanie Feldstein) in Tuesday's episode of Impeachment: American Crime Story

Torn apart: While Clinton can simply deny the years-long affair didn't happen, Lewinsky's life is torn apart after footage of her is shown hugging the President

The episode begins in January 1998 as Bob (Christopher McDonald) asks Bill if he wants to go over the list of women again for the Paula Jones trial, but the President insists he's ready.

Paula Jones (Annaleigh Ashford) gets to the deposition as Susie (Judith Light) tells her that she can't go with her but she'll be right outside.

'To think a woman like you can look the President of the United States in the eye and get justice,' Susie tells her before she goes in.

January: The episode begins in January 1998 as Bob (Christopher McDonald) asks Bill if he wants to go over the list of women again for the Paula Jones trial, but the President insists he's ready

Paula and Susie: Paula Jones (Annaleigh Ashford) gets to the deposition as Susie (Judith Light) tells her that she can't go with her but she'll be right outside

Justice: 'To think a woman like you can look the President of the United States in the eye and get justice,' Susie tells her before she goes in

The President enters shortly thereafter, thanking the judge for flying in from Arkansas and the rest of the staff for making themselves available on the weekend.

They sit down and swear the President in, as Jim Fisher (Teddy Sears) asks the President if he's aware his testimony is subject to perjury.

Fisher asks if he's aware of the term 'sexual relations,' since the term was defined in the Violence Against Women Act, which he signed into law last year.

Judge: The President enters shortly thereafter, thanking the judge for flying in from Arkansas and the rest of the staff for making themselves available on the weekend

Jim: They sit down and swear the President in, as Jim Fisher (Teddy Sears) asks the President if he's aware his testimony is subject to perjury

Sexual relations: Fisher asks if he's aware of the term 'sexual relations,' since the term was defined in the Violence Against Women Act, which he signed into law last year

Fisher starts asking Clinton questions about Paula Jones and he denies everything, even meeting her, which causes Paula to run out of the deposition crying, telling Susie that he's just, 'lying about everything.'

Fisher then asks Clinton about Kathleen Willey, and he says that, 'In my lifetime, I have never sexually assaulted a woman.'

Fisher asks about Monica Lewinsky, and Bob objects, bringing up the affidavit that Monica signed, but the judge overrules it.

Lying: Fisher starts asking Clinton questions about Paula Jones and he denies everything, even meeting her, which causes Paula to run out of the deposition crying, telling Susie that he's just, 'lying about everything'

Never: Fisher then asks Clinton about Kathleen Willey, and he says that, 'In my lifetime, I have never sexually assaulted a woman'

Overruled: Fisher asks about Monica Lewinsky, and Bob objects, bringing up the affidavit that Monica signed, but the judge overrules it

He explains that Monica brought things to her on the weekends, but when asked if he gave her any gifts, he says he doesn't remember.

Fisher asks if she has had an extramarital affair with Monica Lewinsky, he says he has not, but when he keeps pressing, Fisher says he thinks this will come to light shortly and he will understand.

The President leaves the deposition with Bob, who tells him he did so great the judge will, 'probably throw the whole thing out,' but Bill looks quite angry as he heads back into the Oval Office and looks at a portrait of George Washington.

Weekends: He explains that Monica brought things to her on the weekends, but when asked if he gave her any gifts, he says he doesn't remember

Come to light: Fisher asks if she has had an extramarital affair with Monica Lewinsky, he says he has not, but when he keeps pressing, Fisher says he thinks this will come to light shortly and he will understand

Office: The President leaves the deposition with Bob, who tells him he did so great the judge will, 'probably throw the whole thing out,' but Bill looks quite angry as he heads back into the Oval Office and looks at a portrait of George Washington

The episode continues with Monica and her mother Marcia (Mira Sorvino) meeting with their lawyer William Ginsburg (Fred Melamed), with Monica asking if she can really go to prison for 28 years.

The lawyer insists she's going to be free and clear, but Monica wants to call Betty and let her know, but the lawyer says she can't.

He says that she has to cut everyone off before the press gets a hold of it, which Monica wants to know when that will happen.

Dinner: The episode continues with Monica and her mother Marcia (Mira Sorvino) meeting with their lawyer William Ginsburg (Fred Melamed), with Monica asking if she can really go to prison for 28 years

No calls: The lawyer insists she's going to be free and clear, but Monica wants to call Betty and let her know, but the lawyer says she can't

Naturally, we cut to Newsweek with Mike Isikoff (Danny Jacobs) pleased that they are going to run his story until his boss says that they're going to wait.

They want more sourcing and they'll run it in the next issue, but Isikoff thinks they have their own personal Watergate, but the boss says, 'Sometimes it's not worth it to be first.'

Back at the White House, Bill calls Betty Currie (Rae Dawn Chong) and asks to 'refresh' his memory about her, essentially insinuating that whatever happened with Monica didn't happen, making sure she's on his side, in a rather chilling manner.

Wait: Naturally, we cut to Newsweek with Mike Isikoff (Danny Jacobs) pleased that they are going to run his story until his boss says that they're going to wait

Watergate: They want more sourcing and they'll run it in the next issue, but Isikoff thinks they have their own personal Watergate, but the boss says, 'Sometimes it's not worth it to be first'

Reminder: Back at the White House, Bill calls Betty Currie (Rae Dawn Chong) and asks to 'refresh' his memory about her, essentially insinuating that whatever happened with Monica didn't happen, making sure she's on his side, in a rather chilling manner

He then asks her to check in on Monica to see if she's doing OK, and Monica keeps getting pages from Betty, saying it's an emergency.

Matt Drudge (Billy Eichner) calls Isikoff and asks him to comment on a story he's running tomorrow about Newsweek spiking his story about Monica Lewinsky.

Ginsburg and Monica went to the lawyers and they don't have a deal, revealing that the story is already up on the Drudge Report.

Check in: He then asks her to check in on Monica to see if she's doing OK, and Monica keeps getting pages from Betty, saying it's an emergency

Spiking: Matt Drudge (Billy Eichner) calls Isikoff and asks him to comment on a story he's running tomorrow about Newsweek spiking his story about Monica Lewinsky

No deal: Ginsburg and Monica went to the lawyers and they don't have a deal, revealing that the story is already up on the Drudge Report

Linda starts reading the Drudge Report story at home and asks her kids Allison (Emma Malouff) and Ryan (Ryan Nassif) to have a meeting.

'We're at the precipice of a change. Very soon the country is going to discover something about a friend of mine,' she says, telling her kids to prepare themselves.

She says some people will say nasty things about her, but some will 'cheer her on' and call her a 'hero.'

Drudge: Linda starts reading the Drudge Report story at home

Change: 'We're at the precipice of a change. Very soon the country is going to discover something about a friend of mine,' she says, telling her kids to prepare themselves

She asks the kids if they know who John Dean is, saying he risked everything to defend this country, and he did the right thing.

'I want you to know I did the right thing,' Linda says.

Monica wakes up at 5 AM and picks up the Washington Post, which Bill starts reading as well, while Hillary (Edie Falco) is still asleep.

Right thing: She asks the kids if they know who John Dean is, saying he risked everything to defend this country, and he did the right thing

Paper: Monica wakes up at 5 AM and picks up the Washington Post, which Bill starts reading as well, while Hillary (Edie Falco) is still asleep

He wakes her up and says Kenneth Starr (Dan Bakkedahl) is expanding his inquiry into the Paula Jones lawsuit.

He tells her that Starr must have gotten to Lewinsky, as Hillary asks if there is anything he needs to tell her.

He says there is nothing to tell her, saying he doesn't even think he was alone with the girl, saying she can ask Betty, she saw the whole thing.

Expanding: He wakes her up and says Kenneth Starr (Dan Bakkedahl) is expanding his inquiry into the Paula Jones lawsuit

Nothing: He says there is nothing to tell her, saying he doesn't even think he was alone with the girl, saying she can ask Betty, she saw the whole thing

The whole time she's looking at him with an intensity, but when he brings up Betty, she eases up.

Monica and Marcia are watching CNN news reports when they get a call from William, who says the 'hyenas' have the whole Watergate surrounded, as Marcia closes the blinds.

Linda says she has to go to a meeting with her lawyer, finding hordes of press waiting for her, but she won't comment on anything before taking off.

Eases: The whole time she's looking at him with an intensity, but when he brings up Betty, she eases up

Hyenas: Monica and Marcia are watching CNN news reports when they get a call from William, who says the 'hyenas' have the whole Watergate surrounded, as Marcia closes the blinds

Linda: Linda says she has to go to a meeting with her lawyer, finding hordes of press waiting for her, but she won't comment on anything before taking off

White House press secretary Mike McCurry (Scott Michael Morgan) tells the President's senior advisor Sidney Blumenthal (Patrick Fischler) he's seen nothing like this, adding that CNN won't even cut to a commercial.

McCurry says they have to issue some sort of response and they have to figure out if it's even true or not.

'Do you honestly think he decided to risk his presidency on a complex perjury scheme involving a 24-year-old and the Revlon Corporation?' Blumenthal says.

Sidney and Mike: White House press secretary Mike McCurry (Scott Michael Morgan, background) tells the President's senior advisor Sidney Blumenthal (Patrick Fischler, foreground) he's seen nothing like this, adding that CNN won't even cut to a commercial

Perjury: 'Do you honestly think he decided to risk his presidency on a complex perjury scheme involving a 24-year-old and the Revlon Corporation?' Blumenthal says

McCurry tells Blumenthal that he has to ask him if he 'f***d' the intern, but when they tell the President that they're gonna ask about her, he says, 'Let them ask. I've got nothing to hide.'

Monica is freaking out, thinking that the President will have to resign because of her, as her mom tries to spin it.

'He goes away, all of it goes away,' Marcia says.

Nothing: McCurry tells Blumenthal that he has to ask him if he 'f***d' the intern, but when they tell the President that they're gonna ask about her, he says, 'Let them ask. I've got nothing to hide'

A report from Dan Rather reveals that Revlon did offer Monica a job that Vernon Jordan set up, which has now been rescinded.

Mike goes into the press room, saying he's going on live television and he can hear direct from him.

They ask about him suborning perjury regarding Lewinsky, with Clinton saying there is no improper relationship.

Report: A report from Dan Rather reveals that Revlon did offer Monica a job that Vernon Jordan set up, which has now been rescinded

Perjury: They ask about him suborning perjury regarding Lewinsky, with Clinton saying there is no improper relationship

'It means there is not a sexual relationship, an improper sexual relationship with that young woman,' he said.

'What I'm trying to do is contain my natural impulses and get back to work,' he added.

He asks again, so there is no ambiguity, about Monica, with Bill saying, 'I did not urge anyone to say anything that's untrue.'

Mike and Sidney are watching the whole thing, as Sidney turns to Mike and says he'll talk to him, as he goes to see Bill and says they need to release a statement, adding that there are tapes, which surprises Bill.

Not improper: 'It means there is not a sexual relationship, an improper sexual relationship with that young woman,' he said

Talk: Mike and Sidney are watching the whole thing, as Sidney turns to Mike and says he'll talk to him, as he goes to see Bill and says they need to release a statement, adding that there are tapes, which surprises Bill

'What tapes?' Bill asks.

Dick Morris (Brent Sexton) comes in, as Bill says he 'messed up with this girl,' adding he doesn't know what Starr has and what Monica is going to say.

Bill says he can't go out like Nixon, saying he should just admit it, but it would kill Hillary and she might leave him.

Morris gives him an RDD poll with a 'small sample size' that basically says his numbers go way down if he admits to the affair and admits to perjury, he says he would have to resign.

'Well, then it's simple. We just have to win,' Bill tells him.

Tricky: Dick Morris (Brent Sexton) comes in, as Bill says he 'messed up with this girl,' adding he doesn't know what Starr has and what Monica is going to say

Can't admit it: Bill says he can't go out like Nixon, saying he should just admit it, but it would kill Hillary and she might leave him

Sample: Morris gives him an RDD poll with a 'small sample size' that basically says his numbers go way down if he admits to the affair and admits to perjury, he says he would have to resign

Blumenthal asks if he knows this girl at all, telling him that she was 'troubled' and that she 'came from a broken home' and he was 'trying to help her out,' but she 'got the right idea.'

He says she started calling Betty at all hours, telling him that when the ladies at the office saw how she was acting, he moved her.

At the CNN offices, they find the tape of Monica hugging Bill, with one saying he has never seen anyone that happy to see Bill Clinton.

Troubled: Blumenthal asks if he knows this girl at all, telling him that she was 'troubled' and that she 'came from a broken home' and he was 'trying to help her out,' but she 'got the right idea'

CNN: At the CNN offices, they find the tape of Monica hugging Bill, with one saying he has never seen anyone that happy to see Bill Clinton

The show cuts to the writer's room of The Tonight Show, all pitching jokes about Monica for Jay Leno.

Monica is in her apartment at the Watergate, watching news reports, where one claims Monica had a sexual fantasy as Marcia says no one would believe that.

'Everyone will believe that. That's me. There I am, waiting for him. Like a crazy f***ing stalker,' Monica says, as Marcia goes to turn off the TV, which upsets Monica.

News reports: Monica is in her apartment at the Watergate, watching news reports, where one claims Monica had a sexual fantasy as Marcia says no one would believe that

Crazy: 'Everyone will believe that. That's me. There I am, waiting for him. Like a crazy f***ing stalker,' Monica says, as Marcia goes to turn off the TV, which upsets Monica

'That is my only source of information,' but Marcia says, 'these are lies about my daughter, and I'm sick of hearing them,' but Monica says they're all true.

'I did have an affair with Bill. And I did go to fat camp. And my parents did break up. And I guess, one night, I told Linda that you raised me in a house of lies, and now the whole world knows that, too,' Monica says.

She adds that everyone she's ever met, 'is apparently just waiting for a phone call to just go on live TV and tear me apart.'

Tear: She adds that everyone she's ever met, 'is apparently just waiting for a phone call to just go on live TV and tear me apart'

Monica adds she messed up so bad she can't turn off the TV, 'because if I turn off the TV, I'm just gonna imagine the horrible things that people are saying about me, and that's worse.'

Meanwhile at Linda's home, she's opening mail while watching the same reports, getting one letter that reads simply, 'Die c**t.'

Marcia leaves the room and calls William, saying it has to end right now, and he says they are close to an immunity deal.

The next report brings Monica to tears, with Andy Bleiler (Payson Lewis) - the man she told Linda about - coming forward in a press conference with his wife Kate (Nicole Leanne Nelson).

Mail: Meanwhile at Linda's home, she's opening mail while watching the same reports, getting one letter that reads simply, 'Die c**t'

Andy: The next report brings Monica to tears, with Andy Bleiler (Payson Lewis) - the man she told Linda about - coming forward in a press conference with his wife Kate (Nicole Leanne Nelson)

He tells the press that she exaggerates the truth and there is a lot the world should know about Monica.

Monica and Marcia prepare to leave the Watergate for the first time in quite some time, meeting Bill in the lobby, as they see all the press waiting outside.

They snap dozens of photos as she walks to the car and they leave, as press keep running alongside.

Exaggerate: He tells the press that she exaggerates the truth and there is a lot the world should know about Monica

Leave: Monica and Marcia prepare to leave the Watergate for the first time in quite some time, meeting Bill in the lobby, as they see all the press waiting outside

Monica and William meet with Mike Emmick (Colin Hanks) and Jackie Bennett (Darren Goldstein) saying they have a deal and Judge Starr will sign off. Monica signs the paper.

Monica gets back home and gets into bed, as her mother insists it will all be better, but she just wants to go to sleep.

Linda is at home with her kids, when they watch Saturday Night Live, wondering who will play her in the sketch as they learn it's John Goodman.

Sign: Monica and William meet with Mike Emmick (Colin Hanks) and Jackie Bennett (Darren Goldstein) saying they have a deal and Judge Starr will sign off. Monica signs the paper

Bed: Monica gets back home and gets into bed, as her mother insists it will all be better, but she just wants to go to sleep

John as Linda: Linda is at home with her kids, when they watch Saturday Night Live, wondering who will play her in the sketch as they learn it's John Goodman

After the SNL episode, Linda is sitting alone in the kitchen, drinking from a bottle of brandy, when her daughter Allison finds her.

Allison asks if she's OK after the SNL sketch, with Linda revealing the popular kids at school called her Gus after basketball player Gus Johnson, who was, 'a gigantic man.'

She reveals she's been, 'teased my whole life,' adding that she can 'take it,' as Allison tries the brandy and doesn't like it.

Brandy: After the SNL episode, Linda is sitting alone in the kitchen, drinking from a bottle of brandy, when her daughter Allison finds her

Gigantic man: Allison asks if she's OK after the SNL sketch, with Linda revealing the popular kids at school called her Gus after basketball player Gus Johnson, who was, 'a gigantic man.

Brandy: She reveals she's been, 'teased my whole life,' adding that she can 'take it,' as Allison tries the brandy and doesn't like it

'I love you. It's gonna be okay,' Linda tells her daughter.

Kenneth Starr starts flipping through the channels and sees Ginsburg on practically every Sunday morning talk show, before he calls Mike Emmick.

He asks about the Lewinsky deal and said she signed, but Starr says he's not going to sign anything.

OK: 'I love you. It's gonna be okay,' Linda tells her daughter

'Ginsburg appears to be breaking the laws of metaphysics, gloating on every single Sunday show. I know what's he doing. He's signaling to the president that she isn't going to tell us anything,' Starr says.

Emmick says they gave them their word, but Starr says he has made up his mind, 'No deal.'

Hillary goes into the Oval Office and says it has been 'five news cycles,' telling him that the public needs to hear from himself.

Laws: 'Ginsburg appears to be breaking the laws of metaphysics, gloating on every single Sunday show. I know what's he doing. He's signaling to the president that she isn't going to tell us anything,' Starr says

Hillary says Syd and her have a plan, when Marcia gets a call from Emmick saying the deal is off, as she tears up saying, 'Why is this happening.'

The 'plan' is a surprise appearance at the White House about education and child care, where Hillary introduces Bill, calling him, 'the greatest champion to working parents and working families this country has ever seen, my husband Bill Clinton.'

Bill thanks The First Lady, as Linda's daughter asks if he's about to resign.

Plan: The 'plan' is a surprise appearance at the White House about education and child care, where Hillary introduces Bill, calling him, 'the greatest champion to working parents and working families this country has ever seen, my husband Bill Clinton'

Plan: Hillary says Syd and her have a plan, when Marcia gets a call from Emmick saying the deal is off, as she tears up saying, 'Why is this happening'

First Lady: Bill thanks The First Lady, as Linda's daughter asks if he's about to resign

Bill says he has to go back to work on his State of the Union speech, but he says, 'I did not have sexual relations with that woman Miss Lewinsky.'

A tear rolls down Monica's cheek as he continues that he needs to 'go back to work for the American people.'

Linda and her daughter watch in horror as well, as Emma just adds, 'Oh my God.'

When Marcia tries to comfort Monica, she just says 'No' and goes to her bed, as the episode comes to an end.

Did not: Bill says he has to go back to work on his State of the Union speech, but he says, I did not have sexual relations with that woman Miss Lewinsky'

Tear: A tear rolls down Monica's cheek as he continues that he needs to 'go back to work for the American people'

Horror: Linda and her daughter watch in horror as well, as Emma just adds, 'Oh my God'

No: When Marcia tries to comfort Monica, she just says 'No' and goes to her bed, as the episode comes to an end

The preview for next week's episode teases President Clinton coming face to face with Kenneth Starr, while also showing Bill getting ready to presumably tell Hillary the truth about Monica.

He's heard saying he will take 'complete responsibility for all my actions' and he's going to do whatever it takes to put it right.'

Hillary is seen throwing a vase at Bill, telling him, 'You are chaos. You are mayhem. You lit our life on fire.'

Impeachment: American Crime Story returns with the eight of 10 episodes, Stand By Your Man, on Tuesday, October 26 at 10 PM ET on FX.
Advertisement

Ciara, Halle Berry and Hailey Bieber took the red carpet by storm at ELLE's 2021 Women In Hollywood Celebration.

The songstress, 35, put on a captivating display in a very leggy look whereas Halle, 55, took the plunge in a stunning black-and-purple frock.

Hailey, 24, opted for a slightly more demure black-and-white ensemble which showcased a hint of her runway body.

The women were among a slew of stars commanding attention at the Los Angeles event on Monday evening.

Va va voom! Ciara, Halle Berry, and Hailey Bieber took the red carpet by storm at ELLE's 2021 Women In Hollywood Celebration

Ciara dropped jaws in a very leggy dress which also showcased plenty of side boob.

The dress left very little of her toned body to the imagination as she posed up a storm on the red carpet.

She piled her curly hair up into an elegantly messy bun which allowed for several loose ringlets to dangle over her eyes.

A dramatic coat of eye shadow, pink lip gloss, and rosy dusting of blush upped the glam factor.

Commanding attention: There was no missing the superstar in her sexy ensemble

Heavenly: The beauty looked divine hitting the red carpet with her legs on full show

Eyes up here: She changed up her look with some color contacts

Further accentuating her legs, she rocked a strappy pair of white heels.

Halle, meanwhile, stole the show in a plunging black and purple number that cinched into her toned torso.

She brought the razzle dazzle with an array of gold jewelry, including a matching handbag with metallic tassel.

There was no missing the smile on her face either, which was undoubtedly brought on in part by her handsome boyfriend Van Hunt.

Double trouble! The hit-maker was joined by Women In Hollywood honoree Jennifer Hudson

Wow: Halle, meanwhile, stole the show in a plunging black and purple number that cinched into her toned torso

The duo were couples goals as they linked arms whilst clad in mismatching shades of purple.

Meanwhile, Hailey rocked the red carpet in a black-and-white frock which showcased her sculpted abs.

She upped the glam factor with her trademark gold hoop earrings and a shimmering emerald green manicure.

Tonight marks the first time since 2019 that ELLE has been able to honor the leading ladies of Hollywood after last year's Women In Hollywood bash was cancelled due to COVID.

Couples goals! There was no missing the smile on her face either, which was undoubtedly brought on in part by her handsome boyfriend Van Hunt

Toned and terrific! Despite being modest, the dress put her sculpted abs on display

Nailed it! She added a splash of color with her shimmering emerald green manicure

Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Jodie Comer, Gemma Chan, Jennifer Hudson, Rita Moreno, Lauren Ridloff, Gal Gadot and Salma Hayek are this year's Women In Hollywood honorees.

Jennifer brought the style as she cut a heavenly figure in a smart white suit with matching button down shirt.

The Dream Girls star dressed up her already beautiful complexion with a bold red lip.

Fellow honoree Gal Gadot was a vision in a hot red halter dress with floral adornment.

The Wonder Woman actress looked picture perfect flashing a bright smile for the camera.

It's an honor! Hudson wowed in a white suit whereas fellow Women In Hollywood honoree Gal Gadot rocked hot red

Celebrate! Hollywood legend Rita Moreno is being honored at the event

Classic look: Demi Moore went for classic all-black punctuated by her bold red pedicure

Leggy lady! Addison Rae put her body front and center in a very revealing black frock

This year's nine women were honored their creative and cultural contributions, and were each given their own ELLE cover as part of the Women In Hollywood Issue.

In the issue, Jolie - who is an advocate for refugees - discusses her upcoming movie Eternals and praises the film's director, Oscar-winner Chloe Zhao for her choice of casting.

'A lot of times as an actress, youre that individual strong woman, or you have one sister; you dont often have this family where you really get to know women and see all the different strengths,' Jolie explained.

Praising her co-stars, Jolie continued: 'Gemmas grace and elegance and the way she walks through the world. Salmas motherhood and power, and Laurens connection and intelligence. Everybody came as themselves.

'Maybe theres something to that, that the characters werent as far off [from ourselves]. I think theres a secret that we dont know that our director knows, because if you look at her films, she casts a lot of real people as their roles and it shapes her films.'

Showstoppers! Jordana Brewster and Mj Rodriguez put on a head-turning display with their sexy looks

Smart and sophisticated! Eva Longoria, Lucy Hale and Lena Waithe commanded attention in their smart ensembles

She reveals in the issue that when she was first contacted about the movie, she thought it was going to play a 'grandmother' type role.

'I never thought I was going to be one of the Eternals. It doesnt happen. Its never happened to me like that before without a fight and like, I can do this, please hire me! When she told me I was one of them, I was like, Me, Mexican, Middle Eastern? Me, in my fifties? Im going to be a superhero in a Marvel movie? Sometimes as a woman, as a woman of color and with the age, you feel so overlooked,' she said.

Commending Zjao for 'having balls', she championed the director for 'acknowledging' her within the industry.

Ridloff, whose character Makkari is deaf like her and the first deaf superhero within the Marvel universe, reveals she jumped at the chance to 'show representation' on screen in a 'refreshing' way, while Chan praises Marvel for showing diversity on a global scale with its movies.

Hello gorgeous! Alexandra Daddario wowed in a cream hippie chic dress

Showstopper! Jurnee Smollett showcased major leg in a dramatic black dress which she toyed around with on the red carpet

All that glitters! Terri Seymour shone in a dazzling sequin mini dress

As well as The Eternals cast, the Women in Hollywood issue also features Killing Eve star Jodie Comer, who gets a stellar review from her co-stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in the accompanying interview for her portrayal of Marguerite in The Last Duel - a woman who accuses her husband's best friend of rape.

Damon describes Comer as 'truly incredible', while noting her ability to better a filmmaker's writing with her take on a character, while Affleck gushes: 'Im just proud to be a footnote in the Wikipedia page of her career.'

She touches on how her 'confidence' has grown over the years within the film industry and the lessons she's learned as she poses for a series of playful snaps that see her kicking back in a bathtub in one shot and stepping out in front of a wind machine in a grand bedroom.

Also included in the issue is Justice League star Gadot who reflects on the mistreatment she endured on set of the 2017 release and her decision to speak out against it.

Fashion forward! Lexi Underwood wowed in an elegant champagne dress while Demi Singleton rocked a jean dress

Simply stunning: Debbie Allen wowed in a plunging black top with edgy jacket

Gadot accused director Joss Whedon, who has refused to comment on any allegations of mistreatment and abuse, of verbally abusing her on set and threatening her career.

She questions whether she would have received the same treatment 'if I had been a man' and how she felt inclined to publicly address how she was treated in order to show people 'that it's not okay'.

Berry, meanwhile, reflects on starting out her film career 'when Black women didn't really have a prominent place in the industry' and how her fight for her career has inspired the stories she wants to tell on the big screen. She is the only Black woman to have won the Academy Award for Best Actress to date.

Hudson, who turns heads with her cover shot in a revealing leopard print swimsuit and colour block blazer, shares what it was like to land the iconic role of playing Aretha Franklin in the legendary singer's biopic and how Aretha had handpicked her to appear as her in the movie.

While Moreno - the first Latina to win an Oscar (for Best Supporting Actress) - recalls her experience of being an activist throughout her movie career, as she calls out Hollywood for showing ageism towards older actors and actresses with typecasting.

All nine women included in the stunning issue are praised for 'breaking barriers' and using their fame to actively campaign against important global issues and injustices.

Date night! Gadot was joined by her dashing husband Yaron Varsano

Having a wonderful night! Wonder Woman director Petty Jenkins wowed in a floral number

Party time! The leading ladies mingled as they enjoyed a decadent meal amongst the stars

Having fun: Gadot and Moore were seen flashing wide smiles while spending time at the event

Good company: At one point, the performers were seen laughing heartily during the function

All together: Longoria, Jenkins, Moore, Ciara and ELLE's Editor-in-Chief Nina Garcia were seen posing for a shot together

Sharing the stage: Berry and Waithe looked as if they were enjoying each other's company at the Celebration

Sharing the spotlight: The director and performers appeared to be enjoying their time at the celebratory event

Making an appearance: The Wonder Woman star was seen smiling while she addressed the crowd in attendance

Powerful group: Longoria, Gadot, Moreno, Berry, Hudson and Garcia all posed together for a shot
She's best known for heading into battle in a skimpy set of armor in the blockbuster Wonder Woman films.

But Gal Gadot went all in on glamour on Tuesday evening when she hit the red carpet at ELLE's 2021 Women in Hollywood Celebration at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in a stunning pink dress

The 36-year-old Israeli actress was among the nine women being honored at the event, including Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Halle Berry and Rita Moreno.

Legs for days: Gal Gadot showed off her long legs in a striking pink halter dress at the ELLE 2021 Women in Hollywood Celebration on Tuesday in Los Angeles

Gal showed off her trim figure in the slim dress, which featured a high slit to highlight her toned legs.

The sleeveless look had a thick ruched halter collar, and she contrasted the colorful look with a lustrous black plastic flower nestled against her neck.

The 5ft10in beauty elevated her stature with a set of black open-toe heels with several crisscrossing straps, and she had her brunette tresses styled in a chic shoulder-length cut with her hair swept behind one ear.

She added some more sparkle to her look with a stunning Knot Double Row Hinged Bangle from Tiffany & Co. that featured 18K gold.

Glamorous: The sleeveless look had a thick ruched halter collar, and she contrasted the colorful look with a lustrous black plastic flower nestled against her neck

Elegant: The 5ft10in beauty elevated her stature with a set of black open-toe heels with several crisscrossing straps, and she had her brunette tresses styled in a chic shoulder-length cut with her hair swept behind one ear

Back in black: Joining the Justice League star on the red carpet was her husband Yaron 'Jaron' Varsano, who looked dapper in a black suit and a matching shirt sans tie

Joining the Justice League star on the red carpet was her husband Yaron 'Jaron' Varsano, who looked dapper in a black suit and a matching shirt sans tie.

Gal and the real estate developer  who later ventured into producing with her  have been married since 2008 and share three daughters: Alma, nine; Maya, four; and baby Daniella, whom the actress gave birth to in June.

In announcing the action star as one of its honorees for the evening, ELLE focused out reports that she had stood up to 'on-set mistreatment' from Justice League replacement director Joss Whedon.

The publication cited a Hollywood Reporter article detailing how Gal stood up to Whedon after he was allegedly verbally abusive after she came to him with concerns over some of Wonder Woman's dialogue in Justice League.

The actress stood up for herself over some of Whedon's dialogue she thought was too aggressive to match with the character who had been seen in the first Wonder Woman film, and he reportedly threatened that 'he can make her look incredibly stupid in this movie,' a source claimed.

Although she told ELLE she was scared after the confrontation, Gadot held her ground, and she and Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins even met with thenWarner Bros. chairman Kevin Tsujihara to sort the issue out.

Standing up for herself: In announcing the action star as one of its honorees for the evening, ELLE focused out reports that she had stood up to 'on-set mistreatment' from Justice League director Joss Whedon; seen with (LR) Ciara and Lena Waithe

Her own best advocate: The actress stood up for herself over some of Whedon's dialogue she thought was too aggressive to match with the character who had been seen in the first Wonder Woman film; Gadot seen on the set of Justice League

'Oh, I was shaking trees as soon as it happened. And I must say that the heads of Warner Brothers, they took care of it....' Gal said. ;

Going back to the sense of righteousness that I have...youre dizzy because you cant believe this was just said to you,' she continued. 'And if he says it to me, then obviously he says it to many other people. I just did what I felt like I had to do. And it was to tell people that its not okay.'

Next up, the A-lister will star with Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Ryan Reynolds in the action comedy Red Notice, which will be distributed by Netflix in November.

She's also gearing up to star as the Egyptian queen Cleopatra in an upcoming film that will reunite her with Jenkins.

The pair will be returning at least one more time for a third Wonder Woman film.
Television presenter Grant Denyer and his wife Chezzi have categorically denied a report suggesting he is having an affair with a woman half his age.

New Idea published photos of Denyer, 44, with his hand on the thigh of dancer Lily Cornish, 22, in between rehearsals for Dancing with the Stars: All Stars in Sydney.

Other images showed the pair - who are partners on the upcoming season of the Channel Seven show - smiling as they walked down the street.

Television presenter Grant Denyer and his wife Chezzi have categorically denied a report suggesting he is having an affair with a woman half his age

Chezzi posted screenshots of the article on Instagram on Wednesday and blasted the publication for fabricating such a 'gross and mean' story.

'What the actual hell is this front-page crap, New Idea,' she wrote, adding that the images had been completely taken out of context.

'Lilz [Cornish] is like our adopted daughter. We grew extremely close during her month long stay with us here in Bathurst. We absolutely adore her!

New Idea published photos of Denyer, 44, with his hand on the thigh of dancer Lily Cornish, 22, in between rehearsals for Dancing with the Stars in Sydney. Chezzi posted screenshots of the article on Instagram and blasted the publication for fabricating a 'gross and really mean' story

Other images showed the pair smiling as they walked down the street. Chezzi said Lily was 'like an adopted daughter' to her and Grant and there was nothing untoward going on in the photos

Denyer and Cornish are pictured behind the scenes of Dancing with the Stars this week

'Poor Lilz doesn't deserve this defamation of character New Idea, you should be ashamed.'

Chezzi went on to claim the photographer who took the photos had apologised to her for the images being 'taken out of context'.

She also pointed out that Cornish's long-term boyfriend Jock White had been pictured visiting her during rehearsals for DWTS.

Chezzi also pointed out that Cornish's long-term boyfriend Jock White had been pictured visiting her during rehearsals for DWTS. Pictured on September 29 in Sydney

Denyer later issued his own blistering statement, calling the article a 'brutal' attack on a '22-year-old kid' and a 'dad of three girls'.

'My wife and I are used to fabricated stories from these type of magazine, we've had a life of it but for Lily, she's a 22 yo kid!!' he wrote on Instagram.

'This kind of treatment is brutally unfair and disgusting.

Denyer (pictured with Cornish during DWTS rehearsals on September 26) later issued his own statement, calling the article a 'brutal' attack on a '22-year-old kid' and a 'dad of three girls'

While the magazine is still on newsstands, the online version has been taken down

'I'm a Dad of 3 girls. And if any friend is having a bad day or a tough time in their life, I'm going to be there for them. End of story.'

While the magazine is still on newsstands, the online version has been taken down.

It's not the first time Denyer has denied allegations made by a tabloid magazine.

In February 2014, Woman's Day accused him and Chezzi of checking into a rehab facility to address a '$200,000-a-year meth addiction' - claims the Denyers have always strenuously denied.

An alleged 'source' described the Channel 10 presenter as being '45 kilos, really drawn around his face and look[ing] sick. It was a shocking sight.'

It's not the first time Denyer has denied allegations made by a tabloid magazine

While Denyer admitted he and his wife did visit The Cabin in Thailand, he strongly denied they were there to treat meth addictions and threatened to sue Woman's Day.

At the time, he released a statement via his then-manager Titus Day rubbishing the allegations.

'Claims that the couple have a drug addiction and that Grant recently lost his Channel Seven contract are both false,' the statement read.

In February 2014, Woman's Day accused him and Chezzi of checking into a rehab facility to address a '$200,000-a-year meth addiction' - claims the Denyers have always denied

'Grant and Chezzi Denyer are saddened by the highly defamatory article in this week's Woman's Day magazine.

'The couple have been under immense stress in recent months due to Grant dealing with chronic fatigue brought on by exhaustion and an ongoing unknown stomach illness.

'Chezzi has also been dealing with PTSD and anxiety issues resulting from Grant's condition.'
Mel Greig has teased an upcoming appearance on Dr. Phil's famous talk show.

The former radio presenter, 38, made a cryptic post on her Instagram on Wednesday, showing a Zoom call setup with the popular American program.

'It was an incredible opportunity to be a special guest on @drphil one of America's Biggest Talk Shows, we filmed from 1am to 4am so I have no idea what words came out of my mouth as I was a real life zombie,' joked the PR and Media manager.

Exposure: Mel Greig has teased an upcoming appearance on Dr. Phil's talk show. The former radio presenter, 38, made a cryptic post on her Instagram on Wednesday, showing a Zoom call setup with the American talk show

'I'll be sure to share the air date in Australia when I know and yes one of my ring lights in sitting in a mop bucket, only the best setups for me'.

She then added the hashtags '#drphil #americantalkshow #specialguest #advocacy #awareness #helpingothers #drphil'.

The 'advocacy' hashtag is likely a reference to Greig's advocacy work with vulnerable youth and for endometriosis and cyberbullying.

Early start: 'We filmed from 1am to 4am so I have no idea what words came out of my mouth as I was a real life zombie,' joked the PR and Media manager

Hitmaker: 'It was an incredible opportunity to be a special guest on @drphil one of America's Biggest Talk Shows,' said Greig. Pictured: Dr. Phil McGraw

Greig made headlines and faced plenty of scrutiny for her part in the tragic 2012 royal prank scandal.

In the years since, she has rebuilt her life and moved forward after resigning from 2DayFM in 2013.

Mel now works for PR agency BrandiT, based on Queensland's Gold Coast, as a PR and Media manager and shared news of career change back in July.

Inside Mel Greig's new life nine years following the tragic royal prank scandal: Former Hot30 Countdown host now works a 9 to 5 job for a PR company after quitting radio and moving to the Gold Coast. Mel is pictured

On Instagram, she posted a photo of herself with exciting job title and wrote in the caption that she was 'pumped' for the 'three-day a week' gig.

She told followers her areas of expertise included digital marketing, branding, business strategy as well as Public Relations and Media.

While Mel she is still working on 'other side projects' and 'media appearances coming up', her new role with the company would be her 'big focus'.

New gig: The 38-year-old now works for PR agency BrandiT as a PR and Media manager and shared news of career change back in July. She told followers her areas of expertise included digital marketing, branding, business strategy as well as Public Relations and Media

Media queen: While Mel she is still working on 'other side projects' and 'media appearances coming up', her new role with the company would be her 'big focus'

'I couldn't be happier and luckier with the team I get to work with,' she added.

More recently on Friday, the former radio star smiled for a selfie along with her boss, Michelle Fragar, each posing with a bottle of G. H. Mumm champagne.

Mel showed her followers that she was very happy with the role and wrote in the caption: 'Find a job where they appreciate you.

'Find a job where they appreciate you': More recently on Friday, the former radio star shared smiled for a selfie along with her boss, Michelle Fragar, each posing with a bottle of G. H. Mumm champagne. Mel showed her followers that she was very happy with the role

Devastated: In 2012, Mel and 2Day FM co-host Michael Christian (left) posed as the Queen and Prince Charles to gain information about the Duchess of Cambridge during a hospital stay. Pictured right is Mel with her former co-host Michael Christian

'I've never been more grateful and happy to be working with such an incredible agency,' she said before going on to praise her boss and clients.

'It's on ice ready for the weekend,' she graciously added of the champagne.

In December 2012, Mel and 2Day FM co-host Michael Christian posed as the Queen and Prince Charles to gain information about the Duchess of Cambridge during a hospital stay.

Tragic end: Jacintha Saldana (pictured) was the nurse who took the call at King Edward Hospital in London. She took her own life two days later and mentioned the prank in the note she left behind

Fallout: Mel said the fallout from the stunt left her 'in the most fragile mental state' and that at its height she was receiving over 1,000 threatening messages a day. She is pictured here in a 2012 interview about the incident

Jacintha Saldana was the nurse who took the call at King Edward Hospital in London. She took her own life two days later and mentioned the prank in the note she left behind.

Mel said the fallout left her 'in the most fragile mental state' and that at its height she was receiving over 1,000 threatening messages a day.

She resigned from the job with 2DayFM in 2013 and took time away from radio, and did a short stint on season four of The Celebrity Apprentice Australia in 2015.

Career: She resigned from the job with 2DayFM in 2013 and took time away from radio, and did a short stint on season four of The Celebrity Apprentice Australia in 2015. She returned to radio in 2016 with Illawarra's Wave FM 96.5, but resigned two years later

Single life: In 2014, Mel married her partner Steven Pollock however they split up 2016 and finalised their divorce in 2017

In 2014, Mel married her partner Steven Pollock however they split up 2016 and finalised their divorce in 2017.

She returned to radio in 2016 with Illawarra's Wave FM 96.5, but resigned two years later.

Back in February, Mel revealed she was in the process throwing out her old 'skinny clothes' as she prepared to Queensland, where she is originally from, to be based on the Gold Coast.
Love Island and SAS Australia star Eden Dally has been hospitalised after being involved in a horrific car accident in Sydney this week.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, the 29-year-old reality star recalled the terrifying four-car pile up and said he had injured his back.

'My body hurts like hell... I have a very sore back and a headache,' he said.

Love Island and SAS Australia star Eden Dally has been hospitalised after being involved in a horrific car accident in Sydney this week

Sharing shocking pictures from the scene, Eden explained his van was hit from behind and he then crashed into a blue sedan.

In the images, Eden's van looks like a squashed tin can while the blue car's boot is completely smashed in.

Eden had sparked fears for his health on Monday when he shared footage on Instagram of himself in hospital.

The former prison guard wore a surgical mask and gown while lying in a hospital bed in a Boomerang clip that lasted just a few seconds.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, the 29-year-old reality star recalled the terrifying four-car pile up and said he had injured his back

Sharing shocking pictures from the scene, Eden explained his van was hit from behind and he then crashed into a blue sedan

In the images, Eden's van looks like a squashed tin can while the blue car's boot is completely smashed in

In his original post, he did not caption the video or offer any explanation for why he'd been hospitalised.

It is not yet known if anyone else has been impacted by the accident.

Eden is best known to Australian audiences as a former Love Island star as he entered the villa in season one of the show in 2018.

Eden had sparked fears for his health on Monday when he shared footage on Instagram of himself in hospital

At the time, he was paired up with Erin Barnett, with the couple coming in at second place on the island.

However, shortly after their stint on the show, Erin and Eden Dally called it quits, with the couple taking to Instagram to announce their split after a whirlwind three-month romance.

Since then, he has gone on to find love with former Married At First Sight bride Cyrell Paule.

They welcomed their son Boston, their first child together, in February 2020.

Case of the ex: Eden is best known to Australian audiences as a former Love Island star as he entered the villa in season one of the show in 2018. At the time, he was paired up with Erin Barnett, but the two split a few months after the show wrapped up
The women of Marvel's upcoming superhero film The Eternals are skipping out on ELLE's 2021 Women in Hollywood Celebration after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19.

Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Gemma Chan and Lauren Ridloff were all among the honorees at the high-profile event on Tuesday, but it was revealed during the event's opening remarks that the four wouldn't be attending out of an abundance of caution.

'Those superheroes are now in super isolation,' ELLE Editor-in-Chief Nina Garcia shared from the stage, adding that it's 'the new reality,' according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Safety first: The Eternals star Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Gemma Chan and Lauren Ridloff sat out ELLE's 2021 Women in Hollywood celebration on Tuesday after they were exposed to Covid-19 the day before; still from The Eternals

The actresses, along with the rest of the principal cast of The Eternals, all attended the world premiere of The Eternals, which was held Monday night at the El Capitan theater in Hollywood.

Despite the exposure, none of the stars have so far tested positive for Covid-19, according to a Disney spokesperson in a statement shared with the publication.

'Earlier today we were made aware of a possible exposure to Covid-19, and while all of our talent have tested negative, out of an abundance of caution, we are pivoting to virtual appearances rather than in-person events,' they said.

It's not known if another member of the cast had tested positive, or if it was someone else who came into close proximity with the four women at the Hollywood premiere.

Those superheroes are now in super isolation, Elles EIC Nina Garcia announcing that @TheEternals cast members and #ELLEWIH honorees Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Gemma Chan, Lauren Ridloff were exposed to COVID-19 and now are unable to attend tonight out of abundance of caution pic.twitter.com/SRO1CjM7ur  Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) October 20, 2021

Fortress of solitude: 'Those superheroes are now in super isolation,' ELLE Editor-in-Chief Nina Garcia shared from the stage. A Disney spokesperson said they were currently negative despite the possible exposure; Jolie and Hayek pictured on Monday in Hollywood

The four women made up a large chunk of the honorees at the Women in Hollywood event, which was also celebrating Halle Berry, The Last Duel star Jodie Comer, Jennifer Hudson, Rita Moreno and fellow superhero star Gal Gadot.

ELLE was celebrating the cast for breaking new ground in Hollywood, with Ridloff becoming the first deaf woman to play a Marvel superhero.

Jolie has long been an advocate and activist for refugees when she isn't on set, while Hayek launched a campaign last year to battle domestic violence, which surged amid coronavirus lockdowns.

Earlier this year, Chan took a stand to try to end discrimination against people of Asian origin as disturbing hate crimes against Asian rose in the wake of the pandemic.

Standing for something: ELLE was celebrating the cast for breaking new ground in Hollywood. Chan has spoken out against AAPI hate, while Jolie is an advocate for immigrants and Hayek has stood up for domestic violence victims; Chan seen Monday

Breaking new ground: Ridloff became the first deaf superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe; seen Monday

In their new Marvel film The Eternals, the quartet are joined by an all-star cast featuring Kumail Nanjiani, Richard Madden, Brian Tyree Henry, Barry Keoghan and Kit Harington.

They play a race of immortal beings who have watched over the Earth for thousands of years to keep it safe from another alien race known as the Deviants.

The film features a particularly diverse cast for the mostly white and male Marvel universe.

The Eternals is co-written and directed by filmmaker Chloe Zhao, who won Oscars for Best Director and Best Picture for her critically acclaimed drama Nomadland.
Kerry Washington was seen attending ELLE's 27th Annual Women In Hollywood Celebration on Tuesday evening.

The 44-year-old actress cut a very fashionable figure while posing for photos outside of the yearly event, as she wore an eye-catching outfit that accentuated her impressive form.

The Django Unchained cast member was later seen addressing a crowd while giving an animated speech inside of the function's main area.

Part of the magic: Kerry Washington was seen attending ELLE's 27th Annual Women In Hollywood Celebration on Tuesday evening

Washington wore a lovely striped dress that clung closely to her shapely frame and sparkled brightly in the spotlight as she posed for photos at the event.

The Primetime Emmy-winning actress added more elements of sparkle to her outfit with numerous articles of jewelry.

Her voluminous and eye-catching dark brown hair fell onto her backside as she spent time in front of the cameras, and several strands made their way onto her shoulders while she addressed the figures in attendance.

Stylish: Washington wore a lovely striped dress that clung closely to her shapely frame and sparkled brightly in the spotlight as she posed for photos at the event

Gorgeous: Her voluminous and eye-catching dark brown hair fell onto her backside as she spent time in front of the cameras

The performer also shared a shot of herself wearing the eye-catching dress to her Instagram account on Tuesday evening.

The actress was seen posing against a wall in her first shot, and added a close-up picture to give her fans a closer look at her lovely earrings.

She also wrote a short message to express that she was happy to be 'dressing UP on a Tuesday.'

Showing off: The performer also shared a shot of herself wearing the eye-catching dress to her Instagram account on Tuesday evening

Washington has become well known for expressing her views publicly, and previously spoke to Elle about the optimism she felt prior to the 2020 United States presidential election.

She specifically expressed that seeing American citizens registering to vote and doing so early showed her that more people were becoming politically involved.

'It fills me with a lot of hope, because I feel like we're really looking out for each other right now, and we're starting to understand that our voices and our votes really do matter,' she said.

Making her opinion known: Washington has become well known for expressing her views publicly, and previously spoke to Elle about the optimism she felt prior to the 2020 United States presidential election

Feeling reassured: The performer spoke about American citizens registering to vote and doing so early, noting that seeing the reaction of the people 'fills me with a lot of hope'

She added that 'if we show up, and we say out loud that every single one of our votes matters, that every vote counts, that is part of how we protect the idea of democracy.'

Washington went on to remark that, although she understood why many Americans doubted the effectiveness of their own political structure, she was happy to see ordinary people taking an active role in their own governance.

'Even when we are struggling with having faith in our system, we can have faith in each other to hold those systems accountable,' she stated.

Tried and true method: Washington previously expressed that 'if we show up, and we say out loud that every single one of our votes matters, that every vote counts, that is part of how we protect the idea of democracy'

The Golden Globe-nominated performer then pointed out that, while she knew that her status as a public figure may have pegged her as uninformed in some individual's eyes, she was actively paying attention to the political sphere.

'I don't speak out as a "celebrity." I speak out because I live in a democracy,' she said.

The performer also spoke about how she was happy to vote for issues other than picking the right person for a specific office.

Making it clear: The Scandal actress also told the media outlet that 'I don't speak out as a "celebrity." I speak out because I live in a democracy'

'I show up to vote because I'm passionate about my family and my community and what matters to me, not necessarily because I'm passionate about a particular candidate,' she said.

Washington added: 'I think we still have a lot of work to do to convince everybody of how much each and every single one of us matters.'

She then told the media outlet about her long history with activism and noted that she had become particularly interested in merging her professional and political interests.

Doing her civic duty: Washington expressed that she enjoyed voting 'because I'm passionate about my family and my community and what matters to me'

The actress recalled: 'I've always been really involved in civic engagement and have since I was 13. So for me, the decision was not as much, "Do I want to express my values?" It was more, "As my career continues to unfold, will I choose to silence myself?"'

Washington spoke about being a supporter of the Biden-Harris campaign and remarked that she became outspoken about her political views in an effort to be open with the public.

'It was more of a decision to not silence myself out of fear that I may not continue to work or be able to cultivate fans or whatever that looks like,' she said.
She just got back to the states following a whirlwind trip to Europe.

And on Tuesday night, Demi Moore dressed to the nines as she attended the 27th Annual ELLE Women in Hollywood Celebration at Dolby Terrace at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.

The 58-year-old actress wowed in a black ruched dress featuring a gold chain detail over one shoulder.

Lovely: She just got back to the states following a whirlwind trip to Europe. And on Tuesday night, Demi Moore dressed to the nines as she attended the 27th Annual ELLE Women in Hollywood Celebration at Dolby Terrace at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles

The mother of three wowed in a black frock that featured a ruching detail along her waistline.

Demi's gown had a large chain accent originating from her waist and up and across her shoulder.

She paired the piece with strappy black heels with layers of sparkling jewelry and statement earrings.

Demi finished off her chic look with her brunette locks pulled back into a updo with pink glossy lips and bronzed cheeks.

Beaming beauty: The 58-year-old actress wowed in a black ruched dress featuring a gold chain detail over one shoulder

So pretty: The mother of three wowed in a black frock that featured a ruching detail along her waistline

Her red carpet appearance comes just days after she indulged in a 'photoshoot' while visiting Christos 'LArc de Triomphe, Wrapped' on its final day in the City Of Love.

In one fun Instagram snapshot, Moore jumped into the air in front of the historic French monument, which was magnificently transformed for a total of 16 days from September 18 to October 3.

Demi, who also made sure to snap a couple of selfies, looked chic in a grey wool coat, a white dress shirt, and jeans during her day out.

'Photoshoot in front of Christos LArc de Triomphe, Wrapped on its last day!! When youre witnessing art history, you make the most of it,' captioned the Ghost star, who boasts 2.6million followers.
She landed a new unscripted series for Snapchat, which will be about her return to her Louisiana roots, according to Variety.

And on Tuesday, Addison Rae hit the red carpet for the 27th Annual Elle Women in Hollywood Celebration at Dolby Terrace at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.

The 21-year-old social media star showcased her toned abs in a black dress featuring a cut-out detail and thigh-slit.

Glowing: She landed a new unscripted series for Snapchat, which will be about her return to her Louisiana roots, according to Variety . And on Tuesday, Addison Rae hit the red carpet for the 27th Annual Elle Women in Hollywood Celebration at Dolby Terrace at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles

Addison chose a one-shoulder black gown that showed a hint of underboob as well as her sculpted midsection as well as her thighs.

The star paired the racy look with strappy black heels with sparkling earrings; she pulled her brunette locks back into a chic updo.

Earlier this week, Addison looked like she was having the time of her life during her recent getaway to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

The TikTok triumph couldn't hide her smile while enjoying the sun and sand South of the border.

Wow factor:

Gorgeous: Addison chose a one-shoulder black gown that showed a hint of underboob as well as her sculpted midsection as well as her thighs

Beaming: The star paired the racy look with strappy black heels with sparkling earrings; she pulled her brunette locks back into a chic updo

Fun in the sun: Addison soaked up the sun in Cabo San Lucas on Instagram this week

Peachy keen: The beauty revealed her backside while taking a photo perched on the deck of a luxury yacht

Addison appeared to be savoring the vacation before getting to work on a brand new unscripted series for Snapchat, which will be about her return to her Louisiana roots, according to Variety.

The social media sensation showed off her curves in an array of slinky bikinis.

She looked radiant in a blue two-piece teamed with a flowy navy cover up.

Flaunting her flexibility, Addison teased her taut tummy and toned legs as she did a modified headstand on the sand.

Later on, the beauty revealed her backside while taking a photo perched on the deck of a luxury yacht.

Flex appeal: Flaunting her flexibility, Addison teased her taut tummy and toned legs as she did a modified headstand on the sand

Looking good: The social media sensation showed off her curves in an array of slinky bikinis

Mean green: She turned heads while exploring the city in a body-hugging neon green dress and matching highlighter yellow shoes

She also turned heads while exploring the city in a body-hugging neon green dress and matching highlighter yellow shoes.

'STAY HYDRATED,' Rae captioned the array of snaps.

Addison's trip comes amid news she'll be starring in the upcoming unscripted Snapchat series Addison Rae Goes Home.

Thirsty? 'STAY HYDRATED,' Rae captioned the array of snaps

Calm before the storm: Addison appeared to be savoring the vacation before getting to work on a brand new series for Snapchat, which will be about her return to her Louisiana roots, according to Variety

New side: According to Snapchat: 'Addison will reveal a more personal side than fans have ever seen before'

According to Snapchat: 'Addison will reveal a more personal side than fans have ever seen before.'

The series is scheduled to premiere in 2022 and is being produced by Maven Screen Media, which was founded by Sting's wife Trudie Styler and Oscar-winning producer Deline Rattray.

Snapchat has been keen on snapping up key TikTok talent. They also have a competition show hosted by Dixie and Charlie D'Amelio in the works.

Meanwhile, Addison recently made her feature film debut in Netflix's He's All That, a gender-swapped version of the 1999 high school rom-com She's All That.
Tom Sandoval blew up after Lisa Vanderpump asked how involved Katie Maloney-Schwartz was going to be at his new bar on Tuesday's episode of Vanderpump Rules.

The argument started after Sandoval, 38, told Lisa, 61, that he was worried his new restaurant would be short staffed which was why she suggested Katie, 34, and Ariana Madix, 36, could help out.

Sandoval did not think working with Katie was a good idea. He told Katie that he didn't think she was friendly and that she would have an angry outburst at the bar.

Ugly argument: Tom Sandoval blew up after Lisa Vanderpump asked how involved Katie Maloney-Schwartz was going to be at his new bar on Tuesday's episode of Vanderpump Rules

He reminded Katie about how he yelled at him in public at a restaurant and called him a 'piece of sh**' and an 'a**hole.'

'This is two years ago. Get the f*** over it,' Katie yelled back.

Sandoval reminded both Katie's husband Tom and Ariana there were times in the past when he was Scheana Shay, 36, and witnessed a barrage of Katie's angry texts coming into her phone. Ariana said she hadn't heard of a Katie rage text in years.

'I have a reason to feel insecure about having you involved because you have a tendency to feel very f***ing entitled with your feelings,' Sandoval said to Katie. 'And I have receipts Katie.'

Past conflict: 'This is two years ago. Get the f*** over it,' Katie yelled back as Sandoval carried a grudge from a past conflict

Schwartz told him to take a walk. Sandoval stormed off and said he was tired of feeling cornered about this.

The episode began on a lighter note between the friends. It picked up after James Kennedy, 29, popped the question to his girlfriend Raquel Leviss, 26, and her friends launched confetti cannons congratulating them.

James said he would never forget what Sandoval did to help him pull off the perfect proposal. Raquel was excited about her 'Tifffany's ring' and she said in a confessional that the jewelry store was where all the princesses get their jewelry .

Smoke break: Tom Schwartz told Sandoval to take a walk and cool off and he stormed away to smoke a cigarette

Ariana was moved by the proposal. Sandoval later said the event inspired to do something really special for Ariana if and when they decided to get married.

After the group got back to their Palm Springs rental, Scheana Shay, 36, said she needed to go home to her daughter.

'Welcome to parent life,' said her boyfriend Brock Davies, 30.

Getting married: The episode picked up after James Kennedy, 29, popped the question to his girlfriend Raquel Leviss, 26

Sandoval later revealed to Schwartz, 38, that the proposal cost $25.,000 Schwartz was stunned because they were trying to raise money for their bar.

'I don't know how to do tiny,' Sandoval told him. 'I don't know how to do that.'

Sandoval said in a confessional that he split the $25,000 with James because nothing brought him more joy than helping a friend. He said also that he was getting a home equity loan to finance the bar opening.

High price: Sandoval said in a confessional that he split the $25,000 with James because nothing brought him more joy than helping a friend

Schwartz told him he decided that he wanted Sandoval to name the bar. He told him that he liked the name ;Schwartz and Sandy'. The next morning Schwartz told Katie that he told Sandoval that he could name the bar.

'Way to be assertive,' Katie told him.

Katie expressed her anger in a confessional and said that her husband 'got steamrolled.'

Bar name: 'Way to be assertive,' Katie told Schwartz after he let Sandoval name their bar

The group then worked together to clean up the house and then drove back to Los Angeles.

James called Lisa who was driving her white Rolls Royce and told her about the proposal.

Lisa wanted to know all the details and asked him about the ring. He said it was from Tiffany's but then told her that he got it from his friend, a diamond dealer downtown.

Catching up: James called Lisa who was driving her white Rolls Royce and told her about the proposal

'So you didn't get it at Tiffany's,' said Lisa.

'No, it's a Tiffany diamond,' said James. 'I never said I got it at Tiffany's,'

James told her that everyone was at the proposal there except for Lisa's son Max. James also told her that he was going out with some of Raquel's family and Lisa told him to behave himself.

Newly engaged: James said the engagement ring was from Tiffany's but then told Lisa that he got it from his friend, a diamond dealer downtown

Over at Katie and Schwartz's house they read about infertility treatments. She said in a confessional that they had really tried to get pregnant but it didn't happen. She said they decided to see a fertility doctor to make sure they were both healthy.

Schwartz told her that he asked Sandoval to come over to help deliver his semen.

Sandoval came over to his house and brought over a bunch of items to help including Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop 'This Smells Like My Vagina' candle. Sixteen minutes later, Schwartz brought out his sample and they left.

Scented candle: Sandoval came over to his house and brought over a bunch of items to help including Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop 'This Smells Like My Vagina' candle

At Lala Kent, 31, and her husband Randall Emmett house, Katie came over and did an EMS workout with Lala. Afterwards, they sat down to talk. Katie told her about how she was going to a fertility doctor. She told him that Schwartz had to make a sperm sample.

Katie asked Lala how it went spending time with Scheana and Brock in Palm Springs.

Lala told her it got 'a little weird.' She told Katie that Brock hadn't spoken to his kids in four years. Lala said she was worried for Scheana now that she had a baby with Brock.

Fertility doctor: Katie told Lala Kent about how she was going to a fertility doctor

Family talk: Lala told Katie that Brock hadn't spoken to his kids in four years

Sandoval and Schwartz met with Lisa at her Tom Tom restaurant and told her about their weekend. Sandoval also said that Schwartz had been seeing a fertility doctor and then pulled out and handed her what he said was his sperm sample. He later admitted that it was only yogurt.

Lisa said in a confessional that she knew it wasn't sperm. She said she had been married for 39 years and had seen a little in her experience.

Later, Scheana met with LaLa to shop for baby clothes. Scheana said her baby Summer Moon was already verified on Instagram and 'would never wear the same outfit twice.' Lala asked how she found out that Brock had two kids but that he hadn't seen them. Scheana told her that Brock had been very open with her about the situation.

Some experience: Lisa said in a confessional that she knew it wasn't sperm

'I don't want you to be stupid,' said Lala. 'I know people do change, but I'm not going to turn a blind eye and be a dummy.'

Scheana said Brock wanted to be involved in his kids' life. She cried and said it was really sad that he didn't get to see them.

James and Raquel have to have lunch with both their families. James told them about how he got in that horrible fight with Max and how now he was trying to make up with him. Raquel told them how he gave Max an apology gift from James. Raquel's older sister Kate said she didn't think that Raquel needed to apologize for James.

Vanderpump Rules will return next Tuesday on Bravo.

Tough question: Lala asked how she found out that Brock had two kids but that he hadn't seen them

Getting emotional: Scheana said Brock wanted to be involved in his kids' life and got emotional while talking about it

Horrible fight: James told Raquel's family about how he got in that horrible fight with Max and how now he was trying to make up with him
Her ex-boyfriend is reportedly 'going crazy' after Travis Barker proposed to his ex-girlfriend Kourtney Kardashian.

And Amelia Hamlin looked laid back as she grabbed a juice in Hollywood on Tuesday in an eye-catching pair of neon green sweatpants.

The 20-year-old model cut a casual figure in grey vest top and a monochrome checked shacket as she stepped out for a drink in the sunshine.

Chill: Amelia Hamlin looked laidback as she grabbed a juice in Hollywood on Tuesday in an eye-catching pair of neon green sweatpants

Amelia looked effortlessly cool as she scrolled on her phone in the cosy botton-front shirt and large dark sunglasses.

She accessorised with a chunky silver necklace and completed her outfit with a pair of simple white trainers.

The model wore her long raven tresses in a sleek straight style and showcased her natural beauty as she kept makeup to a minimum for the outing.

Amelia and Scott Disick dated for 11 months, splitting in September 2021, with Amelia pulling the plug on their relationship.

Stylish: The 20-year-old model cut a casual figure in grey vest top and a monochrome checked shacket as she stepped out for a drink in the sunshine

Her outing comes just hours after it was reported that her ex-boyfriend, 38, is reportedly 'going crazy' after Travis Barker proposed to the mother of his children, Kourtney Kardashian, at sunset on Sunday night in Montecito.

Insiders told Page Six that Disick is not in a good place after hearing the news of the engagement despite having split from the eldest Kardashian daughter more than five years ago.

'Scott is going crazy,' an insider told the publication. 'He's going to go off the deep end. It's really bad. It's about to get dark.'

Reports: Her outing comes just hours after it was reported that her ex-boyfriend Scott Disick, 38, is reportedly 'going crazy' after Travis Barker proposed to the mother of his children, Kourtney Kardashian, at sunset on Sunday night in Montecito

Former: Amelia and Scott dated for 11 months, splitting in September 2021, with Amelia pulling the plug on their relationship

The Blink 182 drummer dropped down to one knee and proposed to Kourtney on the beach overlooking the sunset in Montecito on Sunday night with her famous family looking on from the Miramar hotel.

Scott then became a trending topic after fans were curious about his reaction following his disastrous leaked direct message to her ex, Younes Bendjima, where he criticized Kourtney for too much PDA with Travis on their trip to Italy.

'Yo is this chick ok!??? Broo like what is this. In the middle of Italy,' Scott wrote as he sent a photo of Kourtney kissing and straddling the Blink-182 drummer on an inflatable boat.

Younes, 28, responded back: 'Doesn't matter to me as long as shes happy. PS: i aint your bro.'

All the small things: The Blink 182 drummer dropped down to one knee and proposed to Kourtney on the beach overlooking the sunset in Montecito on Sunday night with her famous family looking on from the Miramar hotel

Kourtney and Scott dated on and off for nearly a decade and had three children together  Reign, six, Penelope, eight, and Mason, 11  before officially ending things romantically in 2015.

He's remained an active co-parent and friend of the family appearing on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and at every major familial event through the years despite his relationship status.

Travis' ex-wife, Shanna Moakler was certainly in her feels as well when she took to Instagram on Sunday night hours after the engagement with a dramatic reaction as she admitted to being 'temporarily closed for spiritual maintenance.'

The 46-year-old former pageant queen has had a contentious time with Travis, and even at one time admitted that their romance was 'putting a wedge' between her relationship with her kids.

The way they were: Amelia reportedly 'ended things' with Scott in September after nearly one year together

Yikes: Things were certainly tense leading up to the split, when just last week, the Talentless designer sent Kourtney's ex Younes Bendjima a direct message about her PDA-packed behavior with boyfriend Travis Barker

Travis famously filed for divorce from Shanna in 2006 after just two years of marriage following claims that she had been unfaithful.

Earlier this year, Shanna decried her exes very public new romance and told Us Weekly that it's negatively affecting the bond she has with her two kids.

'The Kardashians are buying my kids Prada every other day,' the former Miss USA told the publication.

'They're going on lavish trips. They're doing all these things, which is fine. I think it's nice that they're being kind to my kids. I want that for my children.'

In the past: Kourtney and Scott dated on and off for nearly a decade and had three children together  Reign, six, Penelope, eight, and Mason, 11  before officially ending things romantically in 2015; seen in 2015

She noted that there's 'severe distancing' between her and Alabama, 15, and Landon, 18, and noted: 'I don't think it's great when they put a wedge in between their biological mother.'

Kourtney went public with her new romance at the beginning of the year, and has Reign, six, Penelope, eight, and Mason, 11, with Scott.

Shanna also recently told US Weekly that his infidelity with Kim Kardashian was the catalyst to finally end their relationship.

'I divorced my ex because, I saw them  I caught them having an affair,' she said.

Shanna added that she 'saw text messages' between the pair and alleged the 'affair' took place before Keeping Up With The Kardashians premiered in 2007.
Shanna Moalker seemingly shutdown speculation regarding her thoughts on ex husband Travis Barker's recent engagement to Kourtney Kardashian.

'I haven't made a comment on anything going on in the world period,' the 46-year-old declared in a post shared to her Instagram Story on Tuesday.

She continued: 'So [thank you] to all my new found psychologist, family therapists, spiritual counselors, momsters and desperate housewives'

Setting the record straight: Shanna Moalker seemingly shutdown speculation regarding her thoughts on ex Travis Barker's recent engagement to Kourtney Kardashian; seen in 2019

Shanna went on to call out 'trash sites' for their 'unsolicited opinions,' something she's personally 'noted' in recent days.

'Whatever would I do without your fortune cookie wisdom?' concluded the model, followed by a peace sign emoji.

Shortly after her 'PSA,' Shanna uploaded a photo of herself looking out at the beach set to the tune of Jorja Smith's song Be Honest, as well as a snap of her adorable Sphynx.

It was reported by Buzzfeed on Tuesday that photos of Moakler and Barker's two children - 18-year-old son Landon and 15-year-old Alabama - were nowhere to be found near the top of the model's Instagram feed just days after the kids celebrated the Blink-182 member popping the question to Kourtney.

No comment: 'I haven't made a comment on anything going on in the world period,' the 46-year-old declared in a post shared to her Instagram Story on Tuesday

Engaged: Travis popped the question on Sunday in Montecito, California

Landon and Alabama also joined the rest of the Kardashian-Jenner clan for a celebratory dinner after the proposal where they posted videos with their 'new family.'

Landon captioned the post 'so happy for me and my new family!' while Alabama wrote 'So happy for you guys I love u both! @kourtneykardash @travisbarker'

Buzzfeed even reports that fans had noticed that a recent photo posted On October 8 by Shanna with her son Landon was mysteriously absent from her Instagram in addition to another recent sap with Alabama.

Cryptic: Shortly after her 'PSA,' Shanna uploaded a photo of herself looking out at the beach set to the tune of Jorja Smith's song Be Honest, as well as a snap of her adorable Sphynx

Travis and Shanna were married from 2004 to 2006 and reunited briefly in 2009 before splitting up for good.

Back in May, Moakler had accused the Kardashians of destroying her family amid her estrangement from her children.

Asked by TMZ if she had anything she wanted to tell Kourtney and her sister Kim, Shanna replied, 'thanks for destroying my family, twice'.

Shanna, who previously accused her ex of having an affair with Kourtney's sister Kim - sparking their divorce in 2006 - hit out at the Kardashian family.

Interesting: Shanna Moakler has wiped recent photos of their children from her Instagram feed as she is seen in a TikTok posted by daughter Alabama

Buzzfeed reported on Tuesday that Moakler, 46, and Barker's two children - 18-year-old son Landon and 15-year-old Alabama - were nowhere to be found near the top of the model's Instagram feed just days after the kids celebrated the Blink-182 member popping the question to Kourtney Kardashian

Family first: Travis is seen with his Alabama (left) and Landon (right) at Universal Studios Hollywood earlier this month

Nowhere to be found: Buzzfeed even reports that fans had noticed that a recent photo posted On October 8 by Shanna with her son Landon was mysteriously absent from her Instagram in addition to another recent sap with Alabama

'My family's broken because of this family and now my kids and I are alienated from each other because of another sister in the family, so yay for me,' she told TMZ while out for dinner in Woodland Hills on Friday.

She explained how everything was fine with her kids; Alabama, 15 and Landon, 17, until recently.

'We just had dinner with our kids and all their friends three weeks ago. So, you know, this has all started since my ex started dating a certain person.'

Moakler took to Instagram on Sunday night hours after Travis and Kourtney's engagement with a dramatic reaction as she admitted to being 'temporarily closed for spiritual maintenance.'

The former pageant queen has had a contentious time with Kravis, and even at one time admitted that their romance was 'putting a wedge' between her relationship with her kids.

Living in the past: Shanna Moakler and Travis Barker were married for two years before splitting in 2006

Talk about it: Shanna Barker took to Instagram on Sunday night hours after the engagement with a dramatic reaction as she admitted to being 'temporarily closed for spiritual maintenance'

The Blink 182 drummer dropped down to one knee and proposed to Kourtney on the beach overlooking the sunset in Montecito on Sunday night with her famous family looking on from the Miramar hotel.

And while the happy couple were certainly in celebration mode, her ex, Scott Disick, became a trending topic after fans were curious about his reaction following his disastrous leaked direct message to her ex Younes Bendjima where he criticized Kourtney for too much PDA with Travis on their trip to Italy.

Travis famously filed for divorce from Shanna in 2006 after just two years of marriage following claims that she had been unfaithful.

Earlier this year, Shanna decried her exes very public new romance and told Us Weekly that it's negatively affecting the bond she has with her two kids.

Kravis forever! The Blink 182 drummer dropped down to one knee and proposed to Kourtney on the beach overlooking the sunset in Montecito on Sunday night with her famous family looking on from the Miramar hotel

In the past: Travis famously filed for divorce from Shanna in 2006 after just two years of marriage following claims she had been unfaithful; seen in 2005

'The Kardashians are buying my kids Prada every other day,' the former Miss USA told the publication.

'They're going on lavish trips. They're doing all these things, which is fine. I think it's nice that they're being kind to my kids. I want that for my children.'

She noted that there's 'severe distancing' between her and Alabama, 15, and Landon, 18, and noted: 'I don't think it's great when they put a wedge in between their biological mother.'

Kourtney went public with her new romance at the beginning of the year, and has Reign, six, Penelope, eight, and Mason, 11, from her previous relationship to Scott Disick

'The Kardashians are buying my kids Prada every other day,' the former Miss USA told the publication. Travis and Shanna share Landon, 18, and Alabama, 15, in addition to her daughter, Atiana, from her previous relationship with Oscar de la Hoya

'I divorced my ex because, I saw them  I caught them having an affair,' she said (seen in 2009)

Shanna also recently told US Weekly that his infidelity with Kim Kardashian was the catalyst to finally end their relationship.

'I divorced my ex because, I saw them  I caught them having an affair,' she said.

Shanna added that she 'saw text messages' between the pair and alleged the 'affair' took place before Keeping Up With The Kardashians premiered in 2007.

She claimed mutual friends of the trio told her of the alleged affair, stating 'they sent me all their [text] conversations and I'm also close friends with people who were there, while things were happening.'

According to Shanna's timeline, Kim was still working alongside Paris Hilton as her 'closet organizer' when she first came in contact with Travis.

So happy together: Kourtney and Travis celebrated their engagement with their families while cameras were rolling for their new Hulu show

'Congratulations @kourtneykardash and @travisbarker I'm so happy for you guys love you guys so much,' Landon wrote on Instagram

She said: '[Travis] had already had an affair with Paris Hilton. And at the time Kim was Paris' closet organizer, they were best friends. And he started using [Kim] as a model for [his clothing company], Famous Stars and Straps.'

She added that she had asked her former husband to 'not to use' Kim as a model due to her direct ties to Paris, and that she and Travis had been 'working on our marriage and trying to heal through that affair', that but he continued to work with Kim despite her wishes.

Shanna continued: 'Then I received all the text messages and the other third parties kind of let me know. It's something I was well aware of.'
Former Bachelor star Abbie Chatfield recently took her fans on a trip down memory lane with a sweet photo from her childhood.

But on Wednesday, she turned up the heat with a raunchy photo of herself soaking up the sun while on a yacht in Sydney Harbour.

The 26-year-old flaunted her ample cleavage in a multi-coloured pastel bikini with a ring detail that accentuated her assets.

Bikini babe! Abbie Chatfield (pictured) turned up the heat on Wednesday when she flaunted her ample cleavage on Sydney Harbour

She accessorised her look with peachy toned sunglasses and a pair of gold hoop earrings.

'Boat + tits + Harbour Bridge + Opera House = work? Somehow?' she wrote in the caption, hinting that her yacht ride was work rather than play.

The blonde beauty's day out on Harbour comes after she shared an adorable throwback as a six-year-old, in an Instagram post on Monday.

Disney princess: The blonde beauty's day out on the Harbour comes after she shared an adorable throwback from her childhood on Instagram. The newspaper clipping from 2002 (pictured) saw a young Abbie announced as one of six winners from a nationwide competition

Current-day: She shared that newspaper clipping alongside her editorial in The Sunday Telegraph's Stellar magazine

She shared that newspaper clipping alongside her editorial in The Sunday Telegraph's Stellar magazine from over the weekend.

Abbie, who is now a host on Love Island Australia's Afterparty show, revealed in the post's caption how her mother would 'no doubt' have saved both articles.

The newspaper clipping from 2002 saw a young Abbie holding a Winnie-the-Pooh toy as she was announced as one of six winners from a nationwide competition.

Cute throwback: She wrote in the caption, 'In the paper age 6 v in the paper age 26. Mum's saved both no doubt. Exactly 19 years apart'

Abbie placed in the top six of Disney's Princess for a Day competition, where she got to attend a masquerade ball and was escorted in a horse-drawn carriage.

She accompanied the clipping with a screenshot of Sunday's Stellar magazine, where she posed in a lime green blazer dress and a chic black two-piece ensemble.

'In the paper age 6 v in the paper age 26. Mum's saved both no doubt. Exactly 19 years apart. Cute,' Abbie captioned the post.
Great British Bake Off viewers have taken to social media to express their distaste at Matt Lucas imitating a German accent.

It was German Week on Tuesday's episode which saw the contestants bake dishes originating from Germany.

But some viewers were left unimpressed with co-host Matt's accent, particularly as contestant Jurgen, 56, is German.

Not happy: Great British Bake Off viewers have taken to social media to express their distaste at Matt Lucas imitating a German accent

One viewer wrote: 'Can someone tell Matt Lucas that his German accent is not funny'.

Another wrote: 'Starting to find the mock German accent both irritating and inappropriate. Would this be allowed if it were another nationality?'

Another said: 'Putting on a false German accent for German week isn't funny.'

One viewer added: 'How difficult would it have been to have done some research into how you say "you have 15 minutes left" in German, rather than this outdated "allo allo" mock accent. Genuinely disappointing choice from Channel 4 here.'

Unimpressed: Some viewers were left unimpressed with co-host Matt's accent, particularly as contestant Jurgen, 56, is German

Challenge: It was German Week on Tuesday's episode which saw the contestants bake dishes originating from Germany

Another wrote: 'Jurgen half-heartedly laughing at Matt Lucas' German accent is a metaphor for EU-British relations'.

The episode proved to be a disaster for Freya as she became the latest person to be eliminated from the tent on Tuesday.

In a shock for viewers and contestants, Italian baker Giuseppe was crowned star baker, beating off stiff competition from Jurgen - who was heavily tipped to come out on top.

After Matt announced Freya's fate, the 19-year-old, who is the show's first ever vegan baker, burst into tears and was comforted by her fellow contestants.

One viewer wrote: 'Starting to find the mock German accent both irritating and inappropriate. Would this be allowed if it were another nationality?'

This week, the remaining bakers were tasked with impressing the judges with their tasty German bakes, with the first round signature challenge seeing them asked to make 24 German biscuits.

While the technical challenge proved a difficult one for all as they had to whip up an eight-layered Prince Regent chocolate cake (prinzregententorte).

But it was the final showstopper challenge in which they had to make yeast leavened cake that saw Freya come unstuck with Paul and Prue calling her wine-soaked fruity cake 'doughy' and 'under-baked', with too much dough compared to topping.

Following her exit, Yorkshire native Freya said that taking part was the 'best experience of my life', before saying how proud she was of her achievements due to her 'lack of experience' with baking.

While Paul also remarked that as someone so young and with the extra difficult task of producing vegan bakes, she should be proud to have made it to week five, noting that she did an amazing job.
Strictly Come Dancing star Tilly Ramsay has lashed out at LBC's Steve Allen after he referred to her as a 'chubby little thing' on his radio show.

The daughter of Gordon Ramsay took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a lengthy statement in which she expressed her hurt and shock at having her appearance criticised 'by a 67-year-old man on national radio'.

In the post, Tilly, 19, revealed that she was 'learning to accept' herself but had still been left 'hurt' by the shocking remarks.

The CBBC presenter is competing on Strictly with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin and is simultaneously featuring on the pre-recorded Celebrity MasterChef Australia.

'I won't tolerate people scrutinising my weight': Strictly's Tilly Ramsay, 19, hits out after being called a 'chubby little thing' by LBC's Steve Allen, 67

Alongside the statement she shared a soundbite from Steve's show, in which he read out a comment from a listener alerting him to the fact Tilly was taking part in Celebrity MasterChef Australia.

Steve - who is on air between 4am and 7am - then remarked: 'Is she? Well, she can't blimming well dance!

'I'm bored of her already. She's a chubby little thing isn't she. Have you noticed? Probably her dad's cooking I should imagine.'

In response to the remarks, Tilly penned: 'I try not to read and listen to comments and negativity however recently being called out on a national radio station by a 67-year-old man is a step too far.

'Steve please feel free voice your opinions however I draw the line at commenting on my appearance. It's such a shame that someone is trying to make such a positive experience negative.'

Shocking: Steve (pictured in March) read out a comment from a listener alerting him to the fact Tilly was taking part in Celebrity MasterChef Australia

Shock: In the post, Tilly, 19, revealed that she was 'learning to accept' herself but had still been left 'hurt' by the shocking remarks

Tilly continued: 'This isn't the first and definitely wont' be the last comment made about my appearance and I accept that and I'm learning to accept myself.

'But please remember that words can hurt. And at the end of the day I am only 19 and I'm so grateful for all the amazing opportunities I have been able to take part in.

'And I understand that being in the public eye obviously comes with it's own repercussions and I've been aware of this from a young age.

'However, I won't tolerate people that think it's okay to publicly comment and scrutinise anyone's weight and appearance. Love Tilly xx'

She captioned the post '#bekind'.

MailOnline has contacted LBC for comment.

Two of a kind: Tilly is partnered with Nikita Kuzmin on this year's Strictly

Strictly stars flooded the post with support for Tilly with Janette Manrara writing: 'How fast we forget what hurtful comments can do for someones mental health. You are a POWERFUL young lady! Wear your crown w/ your head held high'.

Giovanni Pernice penned: 'Some people are very nasty !! Dont listen to this crap .. we love You girl ! #bekind'.

GBBO star and Strictly contestant John Whaite penned: 'Hes a piece of old sandpaper love, worn and used and has nothing to offer the world. And his vicious scratching has only left you polished and more fabulous. Love you.'

Her sister Holly meanwhile wrote: 'Very well said x #bekind', while their sister Megan echoed: 'Love you Tills'.

Elizabeth Hurley's son Damian reached out to Tilly to write: 'what a total w**ker. bloody uncalled for. cant wait for you to have the last laugh and keep winning. sending you love'.

Support: Strictly stars flooded the post with support for Tilly

Chef, social media influencer and TV presenter Tilly has over 9.5 million followers on TikTok, where she regularly posts funny videos of herself and dad Gordon.

She presented Matilda and the Ramsay Bunch on CBBC, which saw her cooking and having adventures along with her family, for which she received three Childrens BAFTA nominations.

In 2017 she published her first cookery book, inspired by the show, titled: Matilda & The Ramsay Bunch: Tilly's Kitchen Takeover.

Tilly and her Dad also hosted a regular cooking item on This Morning, Big Chef Little Chef.

Famous father: Chef, social media influencer and TV presenter Tilly has over 9.5 million followers on TikTok, where she regularly posts funny videos of herself and dad Gordon

Meanwhile, Steve has hosted the early morning breakfast show on LBC since 2000.

This isn't the first time the presenter has come under fire for making controversial comments.

Back in 2018, Steve was rapped by Ofcom after he mocked a blind journalist who became the first person in the UK to use a miniature guide horse.

Mohammed Salim Patel from Blackburn, Lancashire, was using two-year-old American miniature horse Digby because of his fear of dogs - until the horse grew too big.

In a broadcast on October 1, Steve said he'd 'never heard of anything so stupid' while discussing a story on Digby.

He also said on air: 'Well if he's blind, tell him it's a rabbit or something. I've never heard of anything so stupid.

'This is the blind man scared of dogs hoping that a horse will guide him on his commute. Where are you going to take that for goodness sake?'

In December, communications regulator Ofcom upheld a complaint that the comments had been offensive.

Following in her father's footsteps: Tilly is currently featuring on the pre-recorded Celebrity MasterChef Australia

In its ruling, Ofcom said: 'Mr Allen seemed to be implying that people who are blind cannot differentiate between a rabbit and a dog.

'We considered that this remark could have been interpreted as belittling blind people and offering a highly pejorative view of them.

'Further, Mr Allen repeatedly questioned, in dismissive terms, the practicality of using a guide horse and emphatically dismissed what was an individual's choice to equip himself in this way as "ludicrous".

'He also concluded that the man in question should be denied this choice ('He's afraid of dogs. Why? Why's he afraid of dogs? Well don't give him - don't give him anything at all then. Just give him a white stick').

A step too far: Tilly said of Steve's remarks, 'I try not to read and listen to negativity however recently being called out on a national radio station by a 67-year-old man is a step too far'

'In our view the potential offence was exacerbated by Steve Allen mocking the idea that the BBC had employed a blind cameraman.'

LBC said in its response to Ofcom that the programme is 'centred around (Steve Allen's) unique and acerbic take on the news of the day'.

The response added that he 'provides fast-moving opinions on the headlines and rarely dwells on one topic for any significant amount of time' and said his comment on the Mr Patel's story 'had a total duration of less than a minute'.

Earlier this year, Steve took an extended leave of absence from his radio show due to illness.

He did not front the show from February 17 to March 15.

On March 3, following calls from fans to know how the presenter was doing, LBC responded with a tweet which gave fans an update on his health.

They said: 'Thank you to everyone whos got in touch to ask about Steve Allen.

WHO IS STEVE ALLEN? Steve, 67, first worked as a nightclub DJ where he met long-time friend Dale Winton and subsequently joined the United Biscuits Network, a radio station broadcasting to workers in the United Biscuits factories UBN closed in 1979, and Allen joined LBC as presenter of the Night Extra programme. He then moved on to present The Night is Young on the station. When LBC was separated into two stations- 1152 AM and 97.3 FM, Steve presented the afternoon show for London Talkback Radio and Saturday Night Out. Currently, Steve presents the early breakfast show on LBC between 4am and 7am from Monday to Friday. The show involves discussion of stories from the day's newspapers, and his personal anecdotes and gripes about daily life. In 2015, Allen released a book entitled So You Want to be a Celebrity? The man behind the voice: Steve (pictured in 2012) presents the early breakfast show on LBC between 4am and 7am from Monday to Friday Advertisement

'Steve is still feeling unwell and taking a few more days off. Hes asked us to thank you for all your kind messages.'

Steve responded by tweeting: 'I am truly humbled by the amount of messages of support and promise you all I am doing my very best to be back with you all ASAP, a million thanks from the bottom of my heart.'

Steve's exact illness was never disclosed.
It appears Channel 10 is on a tight budget when it comes to The Bachelorette.

During Wednesday night's premiere episode, Brooke Blurton's contestants were forced to rideshare to the mansion in limousines.

Fans couldn't help but notice an editing fail which saw another contestant scoot over to the car window as Carissa Croft made her way towards Brooke.

Budget Bachelorette? Brooke Blurton's suitors were forced to rideshare to the mansion on Wednesday night's premiere - after Jimmy Nicholson's season of The Bachelor tanked in the ratings. Pictured, Brooke Blurton

Moments later, Kurt Herzog and Taje Fowler were seen arriving for their red carpet introductions with Brooke in the same limo.

While it may be common for contestants to travel together on the franchise, suitors have never been spotted sharing limos before - until now.

It comes after Jimmy Nicholson's season of The Bachelor recorded the lowest ratings in the franchise's eight-year history.

The dating show had its lowest-ever premiere ratings in July, with just 482,000 metro viewers tuning in to meet Jimmy.

Did you notice it? Fans couldn't help but notice an editing fail which saw another contestant scoot over to the car window as Carissa Croft made her way towards Brooke

Who knew? While it may be common for contestants to travel together on the franchise, suitors have never been spotted sharing limos before - until now

Need a lift? Moments later, Kurt Herzog and Taje Fowler were seen arriving for their red carpet introductions with Brooke in the same limo

This number collapsed to a new record low of 360,000 a week later, following the start of the Tokyo Olympics on Seven.

But despite the reality TV franchise's declining viewership, Channel 10 confirmed that The Bachelor and The Bachelorette would both be returning next year.

It was announced that both shows would air in 2022 during the network's upfronts on Tuesday, while Osher Gunsberg was also confirmed to return as host.

Lucky you! Returning contestant Jamie-Lee Dayz appeared to be riding solo

'We redefined dating shows with The Bachelorette Australia this year, and it's set to be even better next season as we head to a major moment for this landmark franchise,' Gunsberg said in a statement.

Next year's season of The Bachelor will also mark the show's tenth anniversary.

The Bachelorette continues Thursday at 7.30pm on Channel 10
Kevin Bacon and his wife Kyra Sedgwick put on a cosy display as they attended a screening of Belfast at the New York Special Screening of Focus Features event on Tuesday evening.

Actor Kevin, 63, posed with his arm around his actress partner, 56, as he wore a slate grey jacket over a ruby red jumper.

The star wore a pair of black-rimmed glasses while Kyra showed off her casual glamour in a leopard print coat and beige jumper.

Loved-up: Kevin Bacon, 63, and his wife Kyra Sedgwick, 56, put on a cosy display as they attended a screening of Kenneth Branagh's Belfast in New York on Tuesday night

She held her beau's hand as he rested her arm on her shoulder, with her curly hair tumbling down either side of her face.

Kyra wore some simple make-up to highlight her pretty features while Kevin displayed a salt and pepper wisp at the front of his head.

The couple were seen chatting to Belfast director Kenneth Branagh, 60, before the screening, with the northern Irish filmmaker wearing a navy jacket over a dark jumper.

In style: Kevin posed with his arm around his actress partner as he wore a slate grey jacket over a ruby red jumper Kyra showed off her casual glamour in a leopard print coat and beige jumper

Famous friends: The couple chatted to Belfast director Kenneth Branagh, 60, before the screening, with the Northern Irish filmmaker wearing a navy jacket over a dark jumper

Drawing on the past: Belfast is Kenneth's semi-autobiographical story of growing up in Northern Ireland in the late 60s

Kenneth wore a pair of glasses in a similar style to Kevin's and could be seen with a neatly cropped beard on his face.

Belfast is Kenneth's semi-autobiographical story of growing up in Northern Ireland in the late 60s.

It is billed as 'chronicling the life of a working class family and their young son's childhood during The Troubles in Belfast, Northern Ireland in the late 1960s.'

Real life: It follows family life during The Troubles in Belfast, Northern Ireland in the late 1960s' and stars (left-right) Jamie Dornan, Ciaran Hinds, Jude Hill and Dame Judi Dench

Young star: The film is not a straightforward biography of Kenneth's childhood, and sees Jude (pictured with Dame Judi) take on the lead role under the name of Buddy

The film is not a straightforward biography of Kenneth's childhood, and sees Jude Hill take on the lead role under the name of Buddy.

Jamie Dornan, 39, plays Buddy's father in the new film, with Outlander star Caitriona Balfe, 42, taking on the role of mother.

Hollywood heavyweight Dame Judi Dench, 86, portrays his grandmother, with Ciaran Hinds, 68, starring as Kenneth's grandfather.

Belfast will be released in be in the United States on November 21 and in the UK on February 25.
Dr. Dre was allegedly served with divorce documents at his grandmother's funeral this Monday in Los Angeles.

When a process server reportedly approached him on behalf of his estranged wife Nicole Young, Dre, 56, is said to have refused to take the papers in hand, prompting the process server to let them fall to the ground.

Insiders in Dre and Young's camps told TMZ conflicting stories about where exactly at the funeral the encounter took place.

Rough moment: Dr. Dre was allegedly served with divorce documents at his grandmother's funeral this Monday in Los Angeles; pictured in 2018

Sources close to Young said the process server went up to Dre in the parking lot, dropping the documents to the ground there when Dre would not accept them.

Meanwhile the sources close to Dre insist that the entire situation unfolded within the graveyard while he was near the coffin.

Dre, real name Andre Young, saw his parents split up when he was a little boy and was largely brought up by his late grandmother.

The funeral came a month after Dre was ordered to pay an 'extra $1.55million' in attorney fees to his estranged wife.

The way they were: A process server reportedly approached him on behalf of his estranged wife Nicole Young whom he is pictured with in 2017

A judge recently issued a 'temporary order' in the pair's ongoing divorce case laying out how much Dre is expected to pay Young, including spousal support and legal fees.

According to court docs obtained by The Blast, the judge cited the 'disparity' of assets between Dre and Young, as well as 'attorney's training and experience in family law,' as reasons for the uptick in fees.

'Ms. Samantha F. Spector and Lisa Helfend Meyer, certified family law specialists, have significant years of experience in family law and have extensive practical experience in complex family law matters,' the judge writes.

Details: The funeral came a month after Dre was ordered to pay an 'extra $1.55million' in attorney fees to his estranged wife whom he is pictured with in 2016

'Considering the level of the case's complexity, and the issues involved, an attorney of their level and skill is reasonably necessary; and therefore, the various hourly rates of the primary and secondary attorneys participating in this litigation are reasonable and justifiable.

In regards to the heft nature of the fees, the judge continued: 'Considering what is just and reasonable and using the Courts own experience and knowledge that the payees reasonable fees are $3,000,000.00 and costs are $ 550,000.00.'

Dr.Dre is being ordered to 'pay all of the lawyer's fees based on the "disparity" that exists between the two parties' assets and income.

Order: A judge recently issued a 'temporary order' in the pair's ongoing divorce case laying out how much Dre is expected to pay Young, including spousal support and legal fees; Dre seen in 2018

'Nicole has assets totaling "approximately 39 million dollars" and Dr. Dre has approximately "243 million dollars,"' the court order states.

It is also noted that the payments Nicole is to receive are 'only good through July of 2021' and that she and her former spouse, who are now declared legally single, are 'being asked to meet and confer over what the costs might be to take the case to trial.'

There is also no budging on the already declared $300,000 a month in spousal support Dre is expected to pay Nicole, a decision that was reiterated in the judge's recent court order.

The Blast stated that Dre may not have to fret over the payout since much of his 'fees are being offset by living expenses and other payments for the couple's homes, security, and other expenses.'

Back in January, The 56-year-old rapper/producer agreed to pay Young $2million to 'cover all' of her bills, as well as an additional $500,000 for legal fees, as reported by TMZ.

Nicole had originally asked for $5million to pay her lawyers and $2million in monthly spousal support, neither of which were granted or agreed upon.

Disparity: According to court docs obtained by The Blast , the judge cited the 'disparity' of assets between Dre and Young, as well as 'attorney's training and experience in family law,' as reasons for the uptick in fees; the pair pictured in 2017

Reiterating: There is also no budging on the already declared $300,000 a month in spousal support Dre is expected to pay Nicole, a decision that was reiterated in the judge's recent court order; Dre seen in January

In court documents obtained by DailyMail.com in April, Dre was ordered by the judge to hand over another $500,000 to his former spouse's attorneys.

In July, it was ruled that Dre would pay nearly $300,000 per month to his ex in spousal support for the foreseeable future, instead of the proposed $5million she was seeking.

The recent order from the court comes just weeks after Dr. Dre filed a lawsuit accusing Nicole of 'embezzling' funds from his recording studio business.

He is suing her for allegedly taking money out of accounts for his Recording One music studio in Los Angeles' Sherman Oaks neighborhood, according to legal filings obtained by The Blast.

The legal filings indicate that Recording One was formed in 2015 to operate as a recording studio.

Both Dre (who was born Andre Young) and his then-wife were in charge of 'maintenance and control' of the studio assets, and Recording One claims that Young was in charge of writing charges and transferring money for the business.

The studio contends that she 'decimated' its bank accounts by withdrawing $353,571.85 in the early stages of her divorce from from Dre, which she filed for in June of 2020.

Amid the divorce proceedings, she was removed from the studio's trust.

Lawsuit: The recent order from the court comes just weeks after Dr. Dre filed a lawsuit accusing Nicole of 'embezzling' funds from his recording studio business; seen in 2015

In its filing, the studio argues that Young 'egregiously' failed to uphold her fiduciary interest by 'embezzling and stealing money from (the company's) bank account, and using the money for her own, personal obligations.'

Young could find herself in serious legal trouble if the studio's allegations are found to be true.

The business accuses her of violating Penal Code 496, which states: 'Every person who buys or receives any property that has been stolen or that has been obtained in any manner constituting theft or extortion, knowing the property to be stolen or obtained, or who conceals, sells, withholds, or aids in concealing, selling, or withholding any property from the owner shall be punished by imprisonment in county jail for not more than one year.'

Back in October 2020, TMZ reported that the Los Angeles Police Department was investigating Young for the withdrawals, though she claims that she had a right to withdraw the funds because her name was on the account.

Sources claimed to The Blast that Young has already paid back the money, though that wouldn't necessarily absolve her of any potential legal wrongdoing.

Legal trouble? Young says she had a right to withdraw the funds, and sources say she already paid back the money, but the matter was referred to the LAPD in October; seen in 2015

In addition to the former NWA member's nearly $300,000 per month spousal support payments  which are almost as much as the amount Young is accused of embezzling  he will continue to pay for the couple's homes in Malibu and Pacific Palisades, as well as for her health insurance.

Young had initially requested $1.9 million per month, so he's only paying a fraction of that amount.

Young filed to divorce Dre in June 2020, citing irreconcilable differences.

She claimed in her filing that the musician and businessman threw her out of their home on April 2 of that year following 'a night of Andre's alcohol-induced, brutal rage, which included, but was not limited to, his screaming at her to 'get the f*** out.''

She also claimed that their marriage was 'earmarked by all types of abuse,' and she accused him of punching her and holding a gun to her head on multiple occassions.

Dre has denied all of the allegations of abuse, but he has been accused of abusing women multiple times throughout his career.

Contentious: Young filed for divorce in June 2020. She claimed that Dre threw her out of their house in April of that year and had previously abused her multiple times, which he denies despite having a documented history of abusing women; seen in 2014

In 1992, he pleased no contest to assaulting the rapper and journalist Dee Barnes.

She claimed that he assaulted her at a party by repeated slamming her head and body against a brick wall before attempting to throw her down a staircase and then kicking her in the ribs and hand.

She said he also grabbed her by the back of her hair and punched her in the back of her head.

While the assault went on, Dre's bodyguard allegedly pulled a gun on the crowd to prevent anyone from rescuing Barnes.
Kourtney Kardashian already has three children with ex-partner Scott Disick: Mason, 11, Penelope, nine, and Reign, six.

But the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star, 41, is allegedly interested in welcoming another child with her fiance Travis Barker, who was seen popping the question on the beach in Montecito, California on Sunday.

'She can't wait to marry Travis and she would also love to have a baby with him,' a source told the new issue of People magazine on Wednesday.

In March, the siren told Ellen DeGeneres that she froze her eggs at age 39.

Another kid? Kourtney Kardashian is interested in welcoming another child with her fiance Travis Barker, according to People. Seen in NYC on Saturday

Travis, 45, already has two children with his ex-wife, former Playboy model Shanna Moakler. They are Landon, 18, and Alabama, 15.

And he is very close to the daughter Shanna shares with former boxer Oscar De La Hoya, model Atiana, 22.

If they welcomed a child together, Kourtney and Travis would have a combined total of six children. That is the same number of kids Kourtney's mother Kris Jenner has.

Kris has four with the late Robert Kardashian: Kourtney, Kim, Khloe and Rob. And two with ex Caitlyn Jenner: Kylie and Kendall.

When on Ellen DeGeneres' show in March Kourtney told OBGYN Dr Sherry Ross that she froze her eggs when she was 39-years-old.

She said she was not sure if she wanted a fourth child, but thought it was better to be safe and freeze her eggs in cast she really wanted to pursue it down the road.

She said yes: The rocker was seen popping the question on the beach in Montecito, California on Sunday

Bling babe: The Blink 182 drummer presented the Poosh founder with an oval-shaped diamond ring he designed with celebrity jeweler Lorraine Schwartz. It is said to be worth $1m

And the star added that she also did it because her sister Khloe froze her eggs as well.

Things are going so well with Travis that she may revisit getting pregnant again. After all, the People source also said that Travis is head-over-heels in love with the petite star and would do anything for her.

'Travis just adores Kourtney. He treats her like a princess and is a great guy,' it was shared.

And he had planned for a long time to propose, it was added: 'The question was never if they would get engaged, it was more like when.'

Her three: She already has three children with ex Scott Disick: Mason, 11, Penelope, nine, and Reign, six

His kids: Travis, 45, already has two children with his ex-wife, former Playboy model Shanna Moakler. They are Landon, 18, and Alabama, 15. And he is very close to the daughter Shanna shares with former boxer Oscar De La Hoya, model Atiana, 22. Seen in 2019

It was also revealed in the new report that Barker was feeling his nerves at the weekend proposal.

'Travis was nervous, but Kourtney didn't hesitate for a second before she said yes,' said the source.

Another source told the site, 'Kourtney did not stop smiling.'

It was added that him proposing was a 'complete surprise' for Kourtney even though Hulu cameras were rolling. They have been dating for one year.

But her family knew first and they kept the secret. 'Kourtney's family loves Travis,' it was shared.

They have chemistry: It was also revealed in the new report that Barker was feeling his nerves at the weekend proposal. 'Travis was nervous, but Kourtney didn't hesitate for a second before she said yes,' said the source. Another source told the site, 'Kourtney did not stop smiling.' Seen in September in Brooklyn

They got engaged on the beach at the Rosewood Miramar resort in Montecito.

There was a heart-shaped red rose arrangement on the sand.

The Blink 182 drummer presented the Poosh founder with an oval-shaped diamond ring he designed with celebrity jeweler Lorraine Schwartz. It is said to be worth $1m.

After the proposal, Kardashian's mom, Kris Jenner, and sisters Kim, Khloe, Kendall and Kylie joined them at the hotel for a dinner, shared People.

Also there was Alabama, Landon and Atiana.

'It was a beautiful celebration,' said the source. 'Everyone is very happy for them.'

After the proposal: On Tuesday Kourtney shared new images to her Instagram account. One of them saw her in a glam chair as she got her lips made up by a makeup artist as the star seemed to be shirt free

On Tuesday Kourtney shared new images to her Instagram account.

One of them saw her in a glam chair as she got her lips made up by a makeup artist as the star seemed to be shirt free.

Another shot showed off some of her Halloween decorations inside her Calabasas, California mansion.

There was a skull next to a bouquet of pink roses.
She has been a brand ambassador for the clothing brand Shein for two years.

And Georgia Toffolo showed off her fashion credentials as she modelled their new collection in sizzling snaps released on Wednesday.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 26, wowed in an ab-flashing pink co-ord before changing into a sexy leggy leather dress.

Wow! Georgia Toffolo showed off her fashion credentials in an ab-flashing pink co-ord as she modelled her latest Shein range on Wednesday

She looked incredible in the bright two piece which featured a long-sleeved crop top and ruched mini skirt.

Georgia accessorized her party look with a glitzy silver handbag and wore her blonde tresses in a perfectly curled style while lounging on some stairs.

For her second dazzling look, the author slipped into a brown leather minidress which featured double-breasted button detailing and was teamed with long white boots.

Stunning: For her second dazzling look, the author slipped into a brown leather minidress which featured double-breasted button detailing and was teamed with long white boots

Looking good: The former Made In Chelsea star, 26, looked incredible in the bright number which featured a long-sleeved crop top and ruched mini skirt

Work it: Georgia accessorized her party look with a glitzy silver handbag and wore her blonde tresses in a perfectly curled style while lounging on some stairs

For another more casual look she wore a bright pink shirt and baggy denim jeans, before changing into black leather trousers and a sheer zebra-print top.

The SHEIN X GEORGIA TOFFOLO collection features chic separates and show stopping mini dresses, while also offering cool daytime looks and elegant evening outfits.

It comes after Georgia appeared to be reunited with her ex George Cottrell during a night out at upmarket hotel-restaurant Chiltern Firehouse in London's Marylebone last month.

Stylish lady: For another more casual look she wore a bright pink shirt and baggy denim jeans

Toned pins: The collection also features a clingy green minidress which Toff teamed with see-through heels

She's said to have previously split up with financier George, who was once jailed for fraud.

He is a former aide to Nigel Farage and allegedly worth 300 million.

George, who calls himself 'the bad boy of Brexit' was jailed in the US over a drugs money laundering scandal.

Sexy: She then changed into black leather trousers and a sheer zebra-print top for another look

Confident: Georgia worked all her best angles for the camera as she posed up a storm during the shoot

In July 2016, Cottrell was arrested by FBI agents while with Mr Farage at Chicago's O'Hare airport after the pair had attended the Republican National Convention, where they reportedly met Donald Trump's aides.

Cottrell spent eight months in a US jail after advertising his services on the 'dark web', offering to launder money through offshore accounts to what he thought was a gang of drug traffickers.

Before his arrest, he allegedly played a key role in the 2016 EU referendum, running Mr Farage's private office and handling all media enquiries for the pro-Brexit politician.

Classy: In another trendy look she wore a checked blue and white blazer as she fixed the camera with a sultry stare

Lounging around: She perched on a retro sofa as she modelled one of the more casual looks
Milla Jovovich embraced a brisk Los Angeles fall day with a cardigan and jeans on Tuesday.

And the 45-year-old actress added a youthful touch to her look by way of an eye-catching Hello Kitty purse.

The Fifth Element actress was seen heading into a business meeting while chatting on the phone.

Working woman: The 45-year-old Fifth Element star was seen jazzing up a jeans and cardigan look with a colorful Hello Kitty tote bag on Tuesday as she headed into a business meeting in Los Angeles

Milla was seen strolling into an office building in cuffed blue jeans with a studded belt and an orange shirt.

She layered a classic red, white and blue cardigan over her frame and added a designer touch with chic Chanel sandals.

Her purse featured a large image of Sanrio's Hello Kitty in one of her many forms and she added even more color to her ensemble with a turquoise face mask.

The Ukrainian born model/actress had her brown locks slipped into a low ponytail and she had revealed last week that she and daughter Ever Anderson had gotten 'mommy daughter haircuts.'

On the go: Milla was seen strolling into an office building in cuffed blue jeans with an orange shirt and a striped cardigan and slipped Chanel sandals onto her feet

She shares three daughters: Ever, 13, Dashiel, six, and Osian, one, with husband of 12 years Paul WS Anderson.

The pair first met on the set of the Resident Evil film in 2002 and he proposed a year later. They were engaged on and off for four years before they committed to each other in 2007 and got married two years later.

The couple still collaborate on cinematic projects, and their last film Monster Hunter's recent video game adaptation is currently raking in big numbers and is the second most popular title on Amazon Prime.

Recently Jovovich made her return to the runway as she walked in Balmain's Paris Fashion Week show in late September.
Professional daredevil Jonathan Goodwin has finally broken his silence after breaking multiple bones in both his legs, and suffered cuts and burns on his face when he plummeted 40 feet while performing a risky stunt featuring exploding cars during a rehearsal for America's Got Talent: Extreme.

The 41-year-old Welsh escapologist updated fans by posting a silly selfie while laying out in a hospital bed on Tuesday morning.

Burns could be seen all over his face as his right hand was completely bandaged in the funny snap which was accompanied by a lengthy caption which read: 'You can't say you don't get out what you put in.

'Ive tried my hardest over the years to be kind, thoughtful, honest supportive and good. A couple of days ago my life took a complete left turn and the out pouring of love from all the corners of the world; from people I didnt even think would know or remember me has just been astonishing. Truly incredible.'

'I have been to the very brink': Professional daredevil Jonathan Goodwin has finally broken his silence on Instagram Wednesday after breaking multiple bones in both his legs, and suffered cuts and burns on his face

Goodwin went on to acknowledge the thousands who have sent their well wishes,

He continued: 'I will have a lot to say on that matter and the benefits of being kind in the future.. but thank you.

'Thank you to everyone who has reached out and sent their love and support. It literally has been a lifesaver. There are a few people who should not remain nameless.'

He then listed out individual friends and family for all their love and support before thanking his fiancee Amanda.

Harrowing: The 41-year-old escapologist plummeted 40 feet while performing a risky stunt featuring exploding cars during a rehearsal for America's Got Talent : Extreme and as part of the stunt, Goodwin was suspended in midair between two hanging cars

Goodwin explained: 'Then most importantly my fiance and the best thing to ever happen to me, Amanda.

'I have been to the very brink and dodged the worst that a human being can, without fearbecause I was protected by love. Love is all you need, so make sure you get some, cos its good s***. '

He then referenced his silly pose in the selfie before reflecting on his road to recovery.

Goodwin concluded his lengthy message by writing: 'To death I say nananana boo boo and to the rest of you watch this space.

'The best thing that ever happened to me': He then listed out individual friends and family for all their love and support before thanking his fiancee Amanda

'There is a long road to recovery and that wont look like what it didI may leave the daft s*** alone for a while, but I have a lot left to do in this world. Maybe we can make something good together?'

The near-fatal mishap took place in Atlanta last Thursday, but the extent of Goodwin's injuries only emerged on Monday, when TMZ obtained an incident report from the police.

According to the document, despite suffering severe injuries in the fall, Goodwin, 41, remained conscious and alert, and responding paramedics noted that he had good vital signs.

Goodwin was airlifted to a hospital and underwent surgery. A spokesperson for America's Got Talent: Extreme said in a statement that the injured stuntman is continuing to receive medical care, but he did not comment on his condition as of Monday afternoon.

Stuntman Goodwin suffered multiple broken bones in both his legs, cuts and burns all over his face after falling during an America's Got Talent: Extreme rehearsal

Goodwin, an escape artist, was supposed to free himself and fall onto an airbag underneath the vehicles before they collided

Goodwin miscalculated the timing and ended up being crushed between the cars

The crash set off an explosion, and Goodwin fell 40 feet and hit his head

An on-scene media call 911 to report that Goodwin landed on the head

NBC has temporarily suspended production of the reality TV competition.

'Our thoughts and prayers remain with Jonathan Goodwin and his family as he continues to recover from his accident on Thursday,' the spokesperson stated. 'In order to focus on the wellbeing of our crew, we will be temporarily pausing production on Americas Got Talent: Extreme and will resume the last few days of filming at a later date.

Goodwin was airlifted to the hospital and underwent surgery

'The health and safety of our cast and crew continue to be our priority.'

Goodwin's botched stunt was caught on video at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on Thursday night.

The recording begins with the Welsh escape artist suspended in midair as two cars are seen coming together.

The stunt was supposed to see Goodwin free himself and fall underneath the vehicles before they collided.

But he miscalculated his timing and ended up being crushed between the two hanging cars, which then exploded in a huge fireball.

Goodwin fell 40 feet to the ground and hit his head.

A recording of a frantic 911 was published by The US Sun on Friday, in which a medic at the scene said: 'We are at the Atlanta Motor Speedway at the America's Got Talent filming location. We had a man suspended from a cable with cars that were supposed to slam into each other, and he didn't drop in time and they slammed into him.

'He's about a 40-year-old white male. He fell about 40 feet. He missed the airbag and landed on his head.'

The accident took place just days after Goodwin sparked engagement rumors by adding a ring emoji to his Instagram bio, after being outed on social media as British actress Amanda Abbington's new boyfriend.

Goodwin, pictured above performing a stunt with Jello, remains in the hospital

Goodwin is a familiar face to fans of America's Got Talent, where he has performed a string of scary stunts

Abbington has confirmed her romance to The Daily Mail's Richard Eden, gushing: 'Jonathan sets fire to himself and catches bullets for a living, but is also grown up, sensitive, and considerate. I'm completely besotted.'

Abbington, 47, who shares two children with her Sherlock co-star and ex-husband Martin Freeman, has not publicly commented on Goodwin's condition as of Monday.

According to her most recent Instagram posts, the loved-up couple spent about a week in Vienna before Abbington returned home to London.

Goodwin is a familiar face to fans of America's Got Talent, where he has performed a string of scary stunts over the years.

In 2013, he wore a straightjacket and dangled from a blazing rope over the River Thames in London.

He was suspended upside down from the London Eye and managed to escape, which was all part of his TV series The Incredible Mr Goodwin.

In early October, Goodwin and Sherlock star Amanda Abbington went Instagram official

The performer has also successfully completed other risky stunts in the past for the the flagship AGT series and has also been featured on its sister series in the UK, Britain's Got Talent.

During his Season 15 performance, Simon Cowell and his fellow judges Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara kept Goodwin in the competition through the semifinals.

His most dramatic stunt for AGT involved Godwin covering himself in flammable liquid and shackling himself up while put his head in a box so that he couldn't see.

He had to escape from the restraints in less than 20 seconds after he was set on fire.

Goodwin successfully completed the stunt, which set several of the judges on edge, despite it being the first time he had ever attempted the death-defying act.

In contrast to his fiery stunts, Goodwin went underwater for the BBC special How Not to Become Shark Bait, in which he demonstrated by allowing a Caribbean reef shark to attack him.

AGT's Terry Crews also hosts the new Extreme version of the competition series, while Cowell, pro wrestler Nikki Bella and stuntman Travis Pastrana are judges.

Contestants on the new series are vying for a $500,000 prize, but NBC has yet to announce a premiere date.

California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health is now looking into Goodwin's accident.

Prior to the failed stunt, NBC promoted Goodwin's episode by saying it featured 'the most outrageous, unique and jaw-dropping acts of enormous scale and magnitude that simply cannot be confined to a theater stage,' according to People.
Danny Dyer has hit out at The Only Way Is Essex, insisting the show is 'highly irritating' after it emerged his daughter Dani Dyer's ex Jack Fincham is joining.

Jack, 30, who won Love Island alongside Dani, 25, in 2018 filmed scenes for the ITVBe reality show earlier this month, which resulted in a 'huge row' between him and his most recent ex, Frankie Sims, 26.

And EastEnders actor Danny, 44, mocked outrage when Dani asked her father if he had the programme on series link, exclaiming: 'Don't be f***ing ridiculous.'

Unimpressed: Danny Dyer, 44, has hit out at The Only Way Is Essex, insisting the show is 'highly irritating' after it emerged his daughter Dani Dyer's ex Jack Fincham is joining

During an episode of their podcast Sorted with the Dyers, Danny hit back: 'Don't be f***ing ridiculous. Don't you f***ing ever say s**t like that around me.

'The first rule about watching TOWIE is that you never speak about watching TOWIE, OK?

'You don't f***ing declare it to no other human being, unless you want all of your credibility to completely vanish in front of your eyes.

Screen star: Jack, 30, who won Love Island alongside Dani, 25, in 2018 filmed scenes for the ITVBe reality show earlier this month

'So let me reiterate, I haven't got that f***ing show on series link.'

Danny added he was annoyed by the language used on the show, saying he was exasperated with the cast's use of 'East London words like "ag" and they've turned it into "aggy"'.

The soap star's remarks come after it emerged Jack is set to confront ex-girlfriend Frankie in upcoming scenes on TOWIE following the couple's split.

Ex: Jack faced up to his ex Frankie Sims, 26, while filming after they went their separate ways in July following a string of arguments

The former Love Island star has already filmed for the reality show and faced up to his ex after they went their separate ways in July following a string of arguments.

A source told MailOnline last week filming 'ended in a huge row between the two of them' after they reunited in front of television cameras earlier this month.

MailOnline contacted ITV for comment.

Besotted: In May, Jack and Frankie confirmed their romance, sharing loved-up social media snaps after being spotted passionately embracing after a night out

The couple, who started dating in April, parted ways in July after fighting, with insiders telling OK! at the time: 'Jack and Frankie have split. They've had a couple of rows and have unfollowed each other on Instagram.'

The pair sparked speculation of a reunion when they were spotted linking arms at the National Television Awards in London last month.

However, there was a decidedly frosty air to things when they met up on the set of TOWIE.

In May, Jack and Frankie confirmed their romance, sharing loved-up social media snaps after being spotted passionately embracing after a night out.

When they went public with their union, there were concerns Frankie's feud with her love rival Chloe Brockett, 20, would reignite as it was rumoured at the time that Chloe had been dating Jack in recent months.

However, fellow TOWIE star Chloe insisted she's completely fine with her nemesis Frankie and ex beau Jack's relationship when she took to Instagram to reassure fans there are 'no bad feelings' and to wish the new couple 'all the best'.

Past: Jack and Dani won Love Island in 2018, walking away and splitting the 50k prize, however their relationship ended in 2019 after nine months together (pictured on the show)

Chloe and Jack were rumoured to have been dating earlier in the year, while the brunette beauty had previously fallen out with her co-star Frankie over Harry Lee.

Jack, who has one daughter with ex Casey Ranger, was previously in a relationship with Love Island co-star Dani.

Meanwhile, Frankie has recently been linked to another Love Island star, Joe Garratt.

The pair hit it off during a romantic first date - and agreed to go on a second - during an episode of TOWIE earlier this month.
Quentin Tarantino has suggested that Kill Bill 3 could be his next film.

The acclaimed director has admitted that he has 'no idea' what his next project will be but hinted that he could make another movie following Uma Thurman as assassin The Bride, according to Variety.

Speaking about the possibility at the Rome Film Festival  where he was honored with a lifetime achievement award  Tarantino said: 'Why not?'

What if?: Quentin Tarantino has suggested that Kill Bill 3 could be his next film while speaking at the Rome Film Fest where he was given a lifetime achievement prize

Blood-spattered: Uma Thurman is pictured playing the leading lady The Bride in the first Kill Bill movie which came out in 2003

The filmmaker also explained that he is keen to delve into comedy as he described an unspecified Spaghetti Western project that he is planning.

However Tarantino, who was given his award by Italian filmmaker Dario Argento, suggested that the western might not be a film.

He said: 'It's not like my next movie. It's a piece of something else that I'm thinking about doing - and I'm not going to describe what it is. But part of this thing, there is supposed to be a Spaghetti Western in it.'

The director, whose credits include Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction - continued: 'I'm looking forward to shooting that because it's going to be really fun.'

Possibilities: He hinted that he could make another movie following Uma as assassin The Bride (pictured on the screen behind him), according to Variety

Legends: Tarantino, who was given his award by Italian filmmaker Dario Argento (right), suggested that his upcoming western might not be a film

He spilled: 'Because I want to shoot it in the Spaghetti Western style where everybody's speaking a different language.'

Tarantino elaborated: 'The Mexican Bandido is an Italian; the hero is an American; the bad sheriff is a German; the Mexican saloon girl is Israeli. And everybody is speaking a different language.'

Tarantino also discussed how he decided to become a director when he realized his passion for film while doing acting classes.

Ready for anything: Uma is pictured in Kill Bill Vol 2 which was shot simultaneously with the first film and came out just six months later

The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood filmmaker said: 'I realized that, not only did I love movies more than other kids in the class. But I cared about them, whereas I think they only cared about themselves.'

Tarantino, who is known for his unfiltered takes, added: 'And the reason why is that I loved movies too much to be an actor.

'I didn't just want to appear in them: I wanted the movie to be my movie.'
Ore Oduba sat down with four young black cancer patients for Black History Month, hailing the discussion 'the most incredible conversation'.

The presenter, 35, took part in the virtual discussion in partnership with charity Young Lives vs Cancer - of which he is an ambassador.

Ore spent an hour hearing about the experiences of cancer patients, Enkay, Yvonne, Tawanda, and Crystal and shared that the chat 'really opened my eyes up to some of the challenges that young people going through cancer face on a daily basis'.

Important conversation: Ore Oduba, 35, sat down with four young black cancer patients for Black History Month, hailing the discussion 'the most incredible conversation'

Virtual chat: Ore took part in the virtual discussion in partnership with charity Young Lives vs Cancer

Ahead of the call, Ore explained: 'In the last 12 months, so much has happened about visibility. Black Lives Matter was a movement, there was a sea of change.'

He added: 'I felt like anything that I've been through now counts even more because I know there's a spotlight. There has been a long time it hasn't been shining and now it's here.'

Revealing that growing up she felt that a cancer diagnosis had to be 'dealt with by yourself', 25-year-old Enkay Rockson-Rapu - who was diagnosed with sarcoma in her foot when she was just 22 - told Ore: 'Growing up not many people spoke about cancer.'

She continued: 'It was something that you dealt with by yourself and then you showed everyone you were fine.'

Ore explained: 'In the last 12 months, so much has happened about visibility. Black Lives Matter was a movement, there was a sea of change'

Enkay said it took three years for her to start sharing her story and hopes it will open up a larger dialogue about cancer within her community.

She added: 'I've noticed that people are really happy to hear about it and they're happy to see that transparency that I was scared to show.'

Enkay also told Ore how important it had been to meet other young black cancer patients through the charity's events.

She explained: 'I was like ''wait, there's other black people like me?''...When I met other young people I realised that there's nothing wrong with me, it could just happen.

Difficulties: Revealing that growing up she felt that a cancer diagnosis had to be 'dealt with by yourself', 25-year-old Enkay Rockson-Rapu - who was diagnosed with sarcoma in her foot when she was just 22 - told Ore: 'Growing up not many people spoke about cancer'

Survivor: Fellow cancer survivor Crystal Marshall (pictured) spoke to Ore about the lack of representation she saw when she was being treated for facial sarcoma aged just 18

'It wasn't a me thing, it's just a cancer thing. Cancer doesn't care if you're young or old or black or white.'

Fellow cancer survivor Crystal Marshall spoke to Ore about the lack of representation she saw when she was being treated for facial sarcoma aged just 18.

She shared: 'I already felt isolation because of my facial difference so it was especially hard whenever I looked at commercials or posters and I only saw these young white cancer patients.

Important work: Young Lives vs Cancer provide specialist social workers who help young people to find the strength to face everything cancer throws at them

'I felt even more isolated not seeing black girls.'

Crystal also touched upon the support she received from her Young Lives vs Cancer social worker, who helped her to feel at home while she was having hospital treatment.

'He was from Jamaica, we would speak about Jamaican food and play some reggae music and it was a bit of home,' she explained.

Young Lives vs Cancer provide specialist social workers who help young people to find the strength to face everything cancer throws at them.

Ore and his wife Portia have been supporting the Young Lives vs Cancer charity since 2019.

Young Lives vs Cancer is the UK's leading cancer charity for children and young people and Ora and Portia became ambassadors in February 2021.
Actress Ruby Rose has claimed she was subjected to bad working conditions on the set of Warner Bros. series Batwoman and accused her former co-star Dougray Scott of 'abusing women' amid a torrent of scathing allegations.

Rose, 35, who was fired from her role as Kate Kane after only one series, claimed that former Warner Bros. Television chairman Peter Roth 'forced' her back to work following surgery from a neck injury and hired a private investigator to dig up dirt on her.

The Australian actress also hit out at showrunner Caroline Dries, as well as Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter of the shows production company Berlanti Productions, promising to 'come for you so what happened to me never happens to another person again.'

Warner Bros. Television group condemned the claims as 'revisionist history', instead declaring it declined to renew Rose's contract for a second season as they received 'multiple complaints about her workplace behavior'.

Scott meanwhile has strongly denied Rose's allegations, labelling them as 'defamatory' and describing her account as 'made up claims that never happened'.

Ruby Rose has blasted former Batwoman co-star Dougray Scott, Warner Bros. Television and the show's production company over abusive work conditions (pictured: Rose in August 2019)

The 35-year-old Australian actress claimed Dougray Scott had 'abused women' and said she was forced back to work just days after neck surgery by former WBTV chairman Peter Roth (pictured: Rose in character as Kate Kane)

Scott, 55, released a statement in which he said: 'I absolutely and completely refute the defamatory and damaging claims made against me by her; they are entirely made up and never happened' (pictured: Scott in character during a Batwoman production shoot)

Rose (right) turned on her former co-star Scott (centre), who played her character's father Jacob Kane until his exit earlier this year, saying he abused women on set

Rose, who rose to fame in 2015 for her performance in the Netflix series Orange Is The New Black, launched into a volley of allegations on Wednesday morning via Instagram, detailing the difficult working conditions to which she claims she was subjected.

She began the series of posts by tagging showrunner Caroline Dries and Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter of the shows production company Berlanti Productions, writing: 'Enough is enough.

'Im going to tell the whole world what really happened to me on that set. I will come for you so what happened to me never happens to another person again. And so I can finally take back my life and the truth. Shame on you.'

Rose claimed Dries, who she described as having 'no heart', had only came to set four times in a year and accused her of pressuring her to comply with unfair demands.

She then turned on her former co-star Scott, who played her character's father Jacob Kane until his exit earlier this year, saying he abused women on set.

'Dougray hurt a female stunt double, he yelled like a little b***h at women and was a nightmare.

'He left when he wanted and arrived when he wanted. He abused women and in turn as a lead of a show I sent an email asking for a no yelling policy, they declined.'

She also made a number of claims against former Warner Bros. TV chairman Peter Roth, who left the position earlier this year.

'Not sure if you left after getting promoted to the highest position because you just couldnt stop making young women steam your pants, around your crotch while you were still wearing said pants or if you left after putting a private investigator on me who you fired as soon as the report didnt fit your narrative,' Rose wrote.

'Either way, when it comes to you, theres already an army waiting for u.'

She began the series of scathing posts by tagging showrunner Caroline Dries and Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter of the shows production company Berlanti Productions

She wrote: 'Im going to tell the whole world what really happened to me on that set. I will come for you so what happened to me never happens to another person again. And so I can finally take back my life and the truth. Shame on you'.

Actress Ruby Rose accused her former co-star Dougray Scott of 'abusing women' amid a torrent of scathing allegations in which she claimed that former WB Television chairman Peter Roth (left) 'forced' her back to work following surgery from a neck injury

She turned on former co-star Dougray Scott, writing: 'Dougray hurt a female stunt double, he yelled like a little b***h at women and was a nightmare'

Rose also speculated about Peter Roth's recent decision to step down as chairman of WBTV, saying: 'Not sure if you left after getting promoted to the highest position because you just couldnt stop making young women steam your pants or if you left after putting a private investigator on me who you fired as soon as the report didnt fit your narrative'

Rose claimed that showrunner Caroline Dries (pictured), who she described as having 'no heart', had only came to set four times in a year and accused her of pressuring her to comply with unfair demands

Warner Bros. TV were quick to respond to Rose's allegations, labelling them as 'revisionist history' and blaming her exit from the show on poor workplace behavior.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, WBTV said: 'Despite the revisionist history that Ruby Rose is now sharing online aimed at the producers, the cast and crew, the network, and the Studio, the truth is that Warner Bros. Television had decided not to exercise its option to engage Ruby for season two of BATWOMAN based on multiple complaints about workplace behavior that were extensively reviewed and handled privately out of respect for all concerned.'

Dougray Scott also strongly denied Rose's claims, saying: I absolutely and completely refute the defamatory and damaging claims made against me by her; they are entirely made up and never happened.'

After railing against her former co-star and Batwoman colleagues, Rose shared several snaps of x-rays she said were related to a neck injury she sustained on set which required surgery in 2019.

She also alleged Peter Roth forced her to return to work just 10 days after the surgery and cited this as the reason for her 'stiff' performance.

'To everyone who said I was too stiff on Batwoman, imagine going back to work 10 days after this.

'10 DAYS! (Or the whole crew and cast would be fired and Id let everyone down because Peter Roth said he would recast and I just lost the studio millions (by getting injured on his set), instead of spending half a day to rewrite me out for a few weeks to heal.'

Rose shared several snaps of x-rays she said were related to a neck injury she sustained on set which required surgery in 2019

'To everyone who said I was too stiff on Batwoman, imagine going back to work 10 days after this,' Rose wrote. 'To my dear, dear fans still asking if I will return to that awful show, I wouldnt return for any amount of money nor if a gun were to my head'

Rose continued: 'To my dear, dear fans still asking if I will return to that awful show, I wouldnt return for any amount of money nor if a gun were to my head NOR DID I QUIT.

'I DID NOT QUIT, they ruined Kate Kane and they destroyed Batwoman, not me.

'I followed orders, and if I wanted to stay I was going to have to sign my rights away. Any threats, any bullying tactics or blackmail would not make me stand down.'

On Wednesday, co-star Camrus Johnson took to Twitter to side with the show, hinting that Rose's behavior was egregiously bad and led to her firing.

'Batfam ya know I couldnt go the whole day without saying something! I love yall, dont think I havent seen all the love today. But yea fam, she was fired,' he penned. 'And it is VERY hard to be fired when youre the lead. Imagine what u have to do for that 2 happen'

Ruby starred in the show as Kate Kane, who is the cousin of Batman's alter ego Bruce Wayne and later becomes Batwoman.

Calling her out: Co-star Camrus Johnson took to Twitter to call out Ruby Rose and tell fans she was, indeed, fired from the series, hinting that her behavior was egregious

She was replaced in the second season by actress Javicia Leslie, whose character is named Ryan Wilder.

When the news was announced in July 2020, Ruby congratulated Javicia, 34, on Instagram, writing: 'OMG!! This is amazing!!

'I am so glad Batwoman will be played by an amazing Black woman. I want to congratulate Javicia Leslie on taking over the bat cape.'

She added: 'You are walking into an amazing cast and crew. I cant wait to watch season 2 you are going to be amazing!!'

Javicia is the first black actress in TV history to play the iconic comic book role.
The rights to Saorise Ronan and Normal People star Paul Mescal's project together has been picked up in a massive deal with a media giant.

Ronan, 27, and Mescal, 25, are set to star in a sci-fi thriller - titled Foe - as the film has been obtained in a deal worth over $30million according to Deadline on Wednesday.

The two Irish thespians aren't the only talented names attached to the film as the publication reports that rising star Aaron Pierre will be joining the two of them.

Dynamic duo: Saoirse Ronan, 27, and Paul Mescal, 25, are set to star in a sci-fi thriller - titled Foe - as the film has been obtained in a deal worth over $30million according to Deadline on Wednesday

The 27-year-old London native has replaced LaKeith Stanfield on the project.

Pierre recently landed a role as Mufasa in the prequel for The Lion King and will the the lead in Netflix's Rebel Ridge in place of John Boyega.

The site reports that the property was a hot commodity at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year but Amazon was already in exclusive negotiations with sellers FilmNation, CAA and UTA.

Foe will be directed by Lion filmmaker Garth Davis as he also co-wrote the script.

Dapper: The two Irish thespians aren't the only talented names attached to the film as the publication reports that rising star Aaron Pierre (seen in November 2019) will be joining the two of them

Cash to spare: The site reports that the property was a hot commodity at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year but Amazon was already in exclusive negotiations with sellers FilmNation, CAA and UTA

The movie is based on the 2018 novel of the same name written by Iain Reid who also wrote the screenplay alongside Davis.

According to Deadline: 'Foe is set in a near future when corporate power and environmental decay are ravaging the planet. Junior (Mescal) and Hen (Ronan) are a young couple married seven years and living a solitary life on their isolated farm.

'One night, a stranger named Terrance (Pierre) knocks on their door, bringing news that throws their lives into turmoil: Junior has been randomly selected to travel to a large, experimental space station orbiting Earth.

'The most unusual part? Arrangements have already been made so that when he leaves, Hen wont have a chance to miss him, because she wont be left alone  not even for a moment. Hen will have familiar company that pushes her to make a life-changing decision.'

Working relationship: The movie is based on the 2018 novel of the same name written by Iain Reid who also wrote the screenplay alongside Garth Davis

Filming is set to take place in Australia.

Saoirse is currently acting on stage in London for The Tragedy of Macbeth at The Almeida Theatre as she looked fashionable as always on the red carpet of the premiere last week.

Fans will be able to see Saoirse in action until 20 November, with the star set to head overseas in the New Year to begin production on the new sci-fi movie.
Karl Stefanovic may not have intentionally 'snubbed' his Today co-host Lisa Wilkinson when he failed to attend her vow renewals with husband Peter FitzSimons in October 2017.

Wilkinson, 61, claims in her new autobiography that Stefanovic's no-show was the final straw for their troubled relationship - even going so far as to imply he refused the invitation because he knew she was about to get sacked from Channel Nine.

But this narrative has been disputed by guests who attended the ceremony, many of whom told The Australian they didn't know it was a wedding until they arrived.

Karl Stefanovic may not have intentionally 'snubbed' his Today co-host Lisa Wilkinson when he failed to attend her vow renewals with husband Peter FitzSimons in October 2017. Pictured together at the TV Week Logie Awards in Melbourne on Sunday, May 3, 2015

If this was the case and Stefanovic hadn't been told ahead of time the event was to celebrate Wilkinson and FitzSimons renewing their vows, then his decision to pull out at the last minute arguably wasn't the snub Wilkinson is making it out to be.

It's unclear if Stefanovic, 47, was made aware his co-anchor and her husband of 25 years were planning to renew their vows, or if he was simply told it was a party.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment.

Wilkinson, 61, claims in her new autobiography that Stefanovic's no-show was the final straw for their troubled relationship - even going so far as to imply he refused the invitation because he knew she was about to get sacked from Channel Nine. Pictured: Wilkinson and her husband Peter FitzSimons at their vow renewal ceremony on October 6, 2017

This narrative has been disputed by guests who attended the ceremony, many of whom told The Australian they didn't know it was a wedding until they arrived. (Wilkinson and FitzSimons are pictured at the ceremony with their children, Billi, Jake and Louis)

Regardless of what he knew, Wilkinson took Stefanovic's last-minute cancellation to heart, and it effectively marked the end of their personal and professional relationship.

It comes after she lifted the lid on her final days working at the Today show in an excerpt from her new book, published in The Sunday Telegraph.

She claimed Stefanovic had given her the cold shoulder in the weeks prior to her sacking, which was prompted when she asked for a significant pay rise.

She alleged she and FitzSimons had invited Stefanovic and his partner, Jasmine Yarbrough, to attend their 25th anniversary vow renewal ceremony in October 2017.

If this was the case and Stefanovic hadn't been told ahead of time the event was to celebrate Wilkinson and FitzSimons renewing their vows, then his decision to pull out at the last minute arguably wasn't the snub Wilkinson is making it out to be. Pictured on June 28, 2007, in Sydney

Two days before the event, however, Stefanovic supposedly contacted FitzSimons to say they wouldn't be attending because they'd extended their overseas holiday.

'In the ten days since [the ceremony] Karl hadn't contacted me, his co-host of almost eleven years, at all. No phone message, no text, no apology, not even a simple congrats. Just complete silence,' Wilkinson alleged.

After returning to work, she claimed Stefanovic did not ask her about her holidays, nor did he apologise for being a 'no-show at the wedding'.

'For the next two hours, I exchanged not a single word with Karl outside of what was scripted  because for the first time, I just didn't trust myself to "play nice",' she said.

However, her recollection of her last show has also been disputed, with resurfaced footage showing Stefanovic had in fact said to her: 'It's a big welcome back to Lisa. Nice to see you again. How was your honeymoon?'

Wilkinson went on to claim in her book she was 'quietly fuming' because 'nearly every interview that day was being done by Karl alone'.

'For two hours, I sat there feeling completely useless. The Today Show was now The Karl Show. What was the point of me even being there?' she said.

Upon learning she had been sacked later that day, Wilkinson wondered: 'Was this why [Karl] didn't attend the wedding and hadnt spoken to me since? Was this why he never said a word about the shows strange rundown that morning?'

This isn't the first time key facts in Wilkinson's autobiography have been disputed. The book, which is released next week, includes a chapter alleging the gender pay gap between them 'was so off the charts that no-one would have believed it'

Meanwhile, this isn't the first time key facts in Wilkinson's upcoming autobiography, It Wasn't Meant to Be Like This, have been disputed.

The book, which is released next week, includes a chapter dedicated to her sacking from Channel Nine and falling out with Stefanovic over a pay dispute.

She alleges Stefanovic proposed in August 2015 they join forces to renegotiate their Nine contracts - not unlike how the cast of American sitcom Friends famously worked together to broker better deals with NBC.

But she claims he ended up ditching this idea and instead played rival networks Nine and Seven off against each other in order to secure a better deal for himself.

'Weeks later... the media became awash with stories that Stefanovic was restless at Today and looking for greener pastures  and more civilised working hours  at Channel Seven,' she wrote.

Stefanovic was soon at the centre of a bidding war between Nine and Seven that resulted in him re-signing a five-year deal with Nine worth at least $2million per year.

Wilkinson's deal was worth significantly less, about $780,000 a year, and was only for two years.

'There was no doubt about it: Karl certainly knew the art of the deal,' she wrote, adding that the resulting pay disparity between them 'was so off the charts that no-one would have believed it'.

However, this allegedly doesn't tell the full story, with News.com.au reporting this week Wilkinson had in fact earned more than Stefanovic for years when they first joined forces on Today, and it was only at the end of their partnership that the roles reversed. The article, by journalist Samantha Maiden (pictured), reportedly sent the book's publisher into a major spin

However, this allegedly doesn't tell the full story, with News.com.au reporting this week Wilkinson had in fact earned more than Stefanovic for years when they first joined forces on Today, and it was only at the end of their partnership that the roles reversed.

This damning article - which challenges Wilkinson's most significant claim about her exit from the Today show - reportedly sent the book's publisher into a major spin.

Harper Collins Australia demanded a preview copy of the memoir be returned by the news website following publication of the story, sources told Daily Mail Australia.

In the piece, written by respected political journalist Samantha Maiden, sources at Nine disputed Wilkinson's claims that Stefanovic was 'paid double' what she earned.

Harper Collins Australia demanded a preview copy of the memoir be returned by the news website following publication of the story, well-placed sources told Daily Mail Australia

In fact, they claim it was Wilkinson who was paid much more than Stefanovic for 'many years' after the pair first teamed up on Nine's breakfast flagship in 2006.

'News.com.au understands that when she first signed with Nine in 2006 she was earning more than $700,000. The fresh-faced Stefanovic, who had just returned from a reporting stint in Los Angeles, earned less than half that amount for years as the TV couple co-hosted Nine's breakfast TV program,' the article states.

It was only several years later that Stefanovic would negotiate his way into a now-infamous pay rise that saw his salary explode to $2million a year.

But it seems the contrary claims about Wilkinson's original Nine contract did not go down well with her book publisher, with one insider claiming news.com.au was ordered to return the company's only preview copy.

'They blew up and asked for their copy back,' said an insider at the website.

News.com.au editor Lisa Muxworthy declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. A spokesperson for Harper Collins declined to confirm the allegation.
The Real Housewives of Orange County passed on casting Kristy Swanson and Mariel Hemingway, according to Dave Quinn's new tell-all book Not All Diamonds and Rose.

While the Buffy the Vampire Slayer star, 51, and Oscar nominee, 59, would have been among the most famous faces to appear on Bravo's hit reality show, Dawn Stroupe revealed why they did not make the cut.

Speaking of Swanson, the casting director said she was 'interviewed for the show back in Season 12' after they began a hunt for 'celebrities who might have ties' to Coto de Caza.

Surprising: The Real Housewives of Orange County passed on casting Kristy Swanson and Mariel Hemingway, according to Dave Quinn's new tell-all book Not All Diamonds and Rose; seen in 2018

'In searching for folks, I found out that Kristy Swanson was from Orange County,' Stroupe told readers. 'She lived in L.A., but her mother and brother still live there, so I reached out to her agent.'

Before Stroupe could even speak with Swanson directly, however, she posted on her Twitter: 'Hi fans! I've been contacted to do Real Housewives of Orange County. Should I?'

Evolution Media presidents and executive producers, Douglas Ross and Alex Baskin were not pleased by the actress' stunt as the casting process is confidential.

Not cast: Despite earning a Golden Globe nomination at just 14 for her role in Woody Allen's Manhattan, Hemingway was passed on 'for one reason or another' (seen in 2016)

On Ross and Baskin's direction, Stroupe called Swanson's manager 'non-stop' until he told his client to delete the post, which she did.

Her consideration, however, came to a screeching halt when Swanson wore 'a puffy vest and a sweater and jeans' to the sit-down interview.

'She just didn't look like the glam they wanted for Housewives,' Stroupe explained.

Not interested in reality TV: Despite repeated efforts to 'pursue' Vanessa Bryant, casting director Jennifer Redinger said she turned them down every year

'The little info that I share about my life via Instagram photos is enough for me,' she wrote on Instagram in 2014. 'Any rumors about me ever considering being on a reality show aren't true'

'What we learned when talking to her is that her ex, Alan Thicke, had just died the day before and she was very upset. And ultimately, she didn't get cast,' he added.

The series creator and executive producer Scott Dunlop also spoke to Quinn about another shocking star that didn't make the cut back in 2012 or 2013.

Despite earning a Golden Globe nomination at just 14 for her role in Woody Allen's Manhattan, Hemingway was passed on 'for one reason or another.'

No way: Another casting decision that would have surprised RHOC viewers is that Vicki Gunvalson's daughter Briana Culberson almost made the cut (season 15 cast pictured)

One star they have 'pursed' every year, but has always declined the offer is Vanessa Bryant, who wrote that she would 'never be on a reality show' in 2014.

'The little info that I share about my life via Instagram photos is enough for me,' she wrote on Instagram at the time. 'Any rumors about me ever considering being on a reality show aren't true.'

Another casting decision that would have surprised RHOC viewers is that Vicki Gunvalson's daughter Briana Culberson almost scored the gig.

Pictured are The Real Housewives of Orange County, including Shannon Storms Beador, Kelly Dodd, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson and Braunwyn Windham-Burke

'That was something we threw around at Evolution, but the network never seriously considered it. It never got traction,' Ross disclosed.

Jerry Leo, who previously served as the Executive Vice President of Program Strategy at Bravo, said talk of Briana joining was 'discussed a lot' but then she 'moved away.'

'And we knew there was no way her husband would want to do it,' he concluded.
In a new interview Selma Blair discussed living with chronic illness.

With the release of her new documentary Introducing, Selma Blair, the 49-year-old actress has been on a press tour speaking about her multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

'I'm scared because it's a lot,' the mother-of-one recently told People about the new project.

Speaking out: In a new interview Selma Blair opened up about living with chronic illness; seen in early October

Introducing, Selma Blair follows the Hollywood vet over 25 days as she endures the struggles of the incurable degenerative neurological disease.

The show hones in on the star's 2019 stem cell treatment, which reset her immune system.

Blair told the publication, 'It was a really hard time in my life, but I want to tell the truth about MS. It is important to me that people see what living with a chronic illness is like.'

The feature portrays the transitions in the petite beauty's life pre, mid, and post treatment.

Sharing her experience: With the release of her new documentary Introducing, Selma Blair, the 49-year-old actress has been on a press tour speaking about her multiple sclerosis diagnosis

Rachel Fleit, who directed the film, also spoke with the media outlet, weighing in on her experience working with the subject.

'Nothing was off-limits,' Fleit said about getting involved. 'There was nothing we couldn't show or couldn't talk about. She didn't even do hair and makeup the whole time.'

The two women connected over both having hair loss. 'We have a lot in common, spiritually, emotionally,' said the filmmaker, who has alopecia.

'But then, the first thing she said to me, which has become a little joke that we tell people, is that she has actually alopecia of the eyelash, and she showed me on FaceTime.'

Nervous: About sharing the project, the mother-of-one recently told People, 'I'm scared because it's a lot'; seen in an outtake from the doc

Snippet: Introducing, Selma Blair follows the Hollywood vet over 25 days as she endures the struggles of the incurable degenerative neurological disease; seen in the film with her son Arthur

The intimate documentary premiered at the 2021 SXSW Film Festival, and won the Special Jury Award for Exceptional Intimacy in Storytelling in the Documentary Feature Competition.

Fleit added, 'I found this incredible, remarkable subject who was going through something quite intense and extremely painful and difficult that needed to be shown to the world.

'There's emotion and pain, but it isn't a sad story. It's actually quite an inspiring one.'

Vulnerable: The inside look hones in on the star's 2019 stem cell treatment, which reset her immune system

The Cruel Intentions actress first came forward with her diagnosis in 2018 and has openly shared about it on social media.

Produced by Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon and Troy Nankin, the film earned three Critics Choice Award nominations including Best Documentary Feature.

Introducing, Selma Blair is currently available in select theaters and will be released on Discovery+ Oct. 21.
Scott Disick feels like 'an outcast' since ex Kourtney Kardashian began dating Travis Barker and even avoids family events to stay away from the Blink-182 drummer.

Disick and Kourtney have remained close co-parents since their split in 2015 and though insiders told Us Weekly the Kardashians still 'adore Scott,' he has been keeping his distance.

'He avoids family get-togethers that Travis is at, and he has refused to be in the same room with him at times,' the source said.

'Outcast': Scott Disick 'feels like an outcast' since ex Kourtney Kardashian started dating Travis Barker and has even been avoiding family gatherings in order to ignore the drummer

'The Kardashians adore Scott and tell him he's part of the family no matter what, but he feels very distant and feels like an outcast more than ever,' they explained.

'It's fair to say the holidays this year are going to be rough and will be a battle over the kids,' they added.

Scott and Kourtney share Mason, 11, Penelope, nine, and Reign, six.

The tension is probably at an all time high following Kardashian's engagement to Barker over the weekend.

On Tuesday, insiders told Page Six that Disick, who recently broke up with ex-girlfriend Amelia Hamlin, 20, is 'going crazy' after hearing the news, despite having split from the eldest Kardashian daughter more than five years ago.

'Scott is going crazy,' an insider told the publication. 'He's going to go off the deep end. It's really bad. It's about to get dark.'

Cold shoulder: 'He avoids family get-togethers that Travis is at, and he has refused to be in the same room with him at times,' the source said. Kardashian and Barker are seen in September above

All the small things: The Blink 182 drummer dropped down to one knee and proposed to Kourtney on the beach overlooking the sunset in Montecito on Sunday night with her famous family looking on from the Miramar hotel

The Blink 182 drummer dropped down to one knee and proposed to Kourtney on the beach overlooking the sunset in Montecito on Sunday night with her famous family looking on from the Miramar hotel.

Disick then became a trending topic after fans were curious about his reaction following his disastrous leaked direct message to her ex, Younes Bendjima, where he criticized Kourtney for too much PDA with Travis on their trip to Italy.

'Yo is this chick ok!??? Broo like what is this. In the middle of Italy,' Scott wrote as he sent a photo of Kourtney kissing and straddling the Blink-182 drummer on an inflatable boat.

Bendjima, 28, responded back: 'Doesn't matter to me as long as shes happy. PS: i aint your bro.'

The way they were: Amelia Hamlin reportedly 'ended things' with Scott in September after nearly one year together

Yikes: Things were certainly tense leading up to the split, when just last week, the Talentless designer sent Kourtney's ex Younes Bendjima a direct message about her PDA-packed behavior with boyfriend Travis Barker

Kourtney and Scott dated on and off for nearly a decade and had three children together  Reign, six, Penelope, eight, and Mason, 11  before officially ending things romantically in 2015.

He's remained an active co-parent and friend of the family appearing on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and at every major familial event through the years despite his relationship status.

Travis' ex-wife, Shanna Moakler was certainly in her feels as well when she took to Instagram on Sunday night hours after the engagement with a dramatic reaction as she admitted to being 'temporarily closed for spiritual maintenance.'

The 46-year-old former pageant queen has had a contentious time with Kravis, and even at one time admitted that their romance was 'putting a wedge' between her relationship with her kids.

In the past: Kourtney and Scott dated on and off for nearly a decade and had three children together  Reign, six, Penelope, eight, and Mason, 11  before officially ending things romantically in 2015; seen in 2015

Travis famously filed for divorce from Shanna in 2006 after just two years of marriage following claims that she had been unfaithful.

Earlier this year, Shanna decried her exes very public new romance and told Us Weekly that it's negatively affecting the bond she has with her two kids.

'The Kardashians are buying my kids Prada every other day,' the former Miss USA told the publication.

'They're going on lavish trips. They're doing all these things, which is fine. I think it's nice that they're being kind to my kids. I want that for my children.'

Love lost: Travis famously filed for divorce from Shanna in 2006 after just two years of marriage following claims she had been unfaithful; seen in 2005

She noted that there's 'severe distancing' between her and Alabama, 15, and Landon, 18, and noted: 'I don't think it's great when they put a wedge in between their biological mother.'

Kourtney went public with her new romance at the beginning of the year, and has Reign, six, Penelope, eight, and Mason, 11, with Scott.

Shanna also recently told US Weekly that his infidelity with Kim Kardashian was the catalyst to finally end their relationship.

'I divorced my ex because, I saw them  I caught them having an affair,' she said.

Shanna added that she 'saw text messages' between the pair and alleged the 'affair' took place before Keeping Up With The Kardashians premiered in 2007.
Rita Ora took to Instagram on Wednesday to dedicate a gushing Instagram post to her sister Elena on her 33rd birthday.

Sharing a slew of snaps of herself and her sibling, including rare family photos taken when they were little, Rita, 30, told her older sister: '[I] couldn't live without you.'

The hit-maker called Elena - who is also her manager - her partner in crime, adding: 'Here's to the next chapter.' In one photo, the siblings could be seen licking enormous lollipops while another snap saw them as children wearing identical yellow dresses.

Sisterly love: Rita Ora, 30, took to Instagram on Wednesday to dedicate a gushing Instagram post to her sister Elena on her 33rd birthday

Throwback: One snap saw Rita and Elena as children wearing identical yellow dresses

Elsewhere, Rita and her sister worked their best angles while posing in a lift.

Elena was also seen as a young girl doting on her younger sister, sweetly placing her hand on little Rita's head.

Rita also uploaded various pictures of them having fun at glamorous events together.

She captioned her post in full: 'Happy happy happy birthday to my sister, manager, partner in crime @elenaora couldn't live without you here's to the next chapter.'

Best angles: Elsewhere, Rita and her sister worked their best angles while posing in a lift

Adorable: Elena was also seen as a young girl doting on her younger sister, sweetly placing her hand on little Rita's head

Sweet tooth: The siblings could be seen licking enormous lollipops while posing on a bed for a photoshoot

Best of friends: The Ora sisters' close bond was easy to see in the fun pictures shared by Rita on social media

It comes after Rita and her Oscar-winning screenwriter Taika Waititi enjoyed a glamorous movie date to the Hollywood premiere of Marvel's Eternals at El Capitan Theatre this week.

Taika, 46, and Rita reportedly began their romance Down Under in early March before going Instagram official the next month.

'I'm in a great place in my life, that's all I'm going to say about that,' Ora told Vogue Australia last month when asked about the relationship.

'I just think, respectfully, privacy is important. Yeah, I learned a lot in my 20s.'

Before dating the What We Do in the Shadows creator - Rita has had romances with Andrew Garfield, Lewis Hamilton, Travis Barker, Justin Bieber, Calvin Harris, Evan Ross, A$AP Rocky, Rob Kardashian, and Bruno Mars.

Nights out: Rita also uploaded various pictures of them having fun at glamorous events together

Rita wrote: 'Happy happy happy birthday to my sister, manager, partner in crime @elenaora couldn't live without you here's to the next chapter'
Issa Rae was spotted making her way to a New York City office building with a gold bottle of champagne in hand on Wednesday.

The 36-year-old producer has reason to celebrate, as the final season premiere of her wildly successful series Insecure is Sunday, October 24.

The LA-born entertainer wore an all black look consisting of billowing pants, a turtleneck, and a leather jacket.

Seen in the city: Issa Rae was spotted making her way to a New York City office building with a bottle of champagne in hand on Wednesday

The former YouTube star's pants were tied at the ankle and she wore black open-toe heels that showed off a white pedicure.

Her fitted shirt was tucked into her statement-making trousers, and she put a spin on the classic biker jacket with a modern cropped and flowy cut.

Issa's light brown locks were secured in a high ponytail that flowed out into long coils.

The Photograph actress rocked large silver-toned hoop earrings and carried a black bag.

Celebratory: The 36-year-old producer has reason to celebrate, as the final season premiere of her wildly successful series Insecure is Sunday

Fashion factor: The LA-born entertainer wore an all black look consisting of billowing pants, a turtleneck, and a leather jacket

The Stanford University graduate donned a face of natural-looking makeup while smiling and walking through the Big Apple.

This year has been a busy one for the creator. She quietly tied the knot in the South of France with businessman Louis Diame in July.

And in August she debuted Sweet Life: Los Angeles, an unscripted HBO production about a group of Black friends in South LA.

Rae, who's full name is Jo-Issa Rae Diop, is now wrapping up 2021 with the final season of the show that skyrocketed her to fame.

Thankful: On Tuesday she took to her media company Hoorae's Instagram platform to thank fans and friends who took part in the recent string of Insecure watch parties

Connecting with her audience: 'Love to all of the fans and friends who attended our watch parties, both in-person and at-home. #InsecureHBO Season Byeve premieres THIS SUNDAY,' she wrote in the caption to the account's 201,000 followers

Star quality: Rae, who's full name is Jo-Issa Rae Diop, is now wrapping up 2021 with the final season of the show that skyrocketed her to fame

On Tuesday she took to her media company Hoorae's Instagram platform to thank fans and friends who took part in the recent string of Insecure watch parties.

'Love to all of the fans and friends who attended our watch parties, both in-person and at-home. #InsecureHBO Season Byeve premieres THIS SUNDAY,' she wrote in the caption to the account's 201,000 followers.

The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl writer posted several images from the various events, including one with Gayle King.
Karl Stefanovic has been dragged into the headlines this week as his former Today co-host Lisa Wilkinson prepares to address their feud in her tell-all autobiography.

But the 47-year-old doesn't seem bothered by the coming storm and is instead looking forward to reuniting with his wife Jasmine and daughter Harper.

Shoe designer Jasmine, 37, will soon return to Sydney with Harper, one, after they spent several weeks in Queensland.

Family first: Karl Stefanovic doesn't seem bothered by his former Today co-host Lisa Wilkinson's upcoming book, and is instead looking forward to reuniting with his wife Jasmine and daughter Harper

Jasmine had flown to the Sunshine State to spend time with her ailing 96-year-old grandmother, and subsequently attended her funeral in Brisbane.

The Mara & Mine co-founder shared a throwback photo to Instagram on Wednesday of her husband reading their daughter a storybook, and captioned it: 'We miss you Daddy .'

Karl confirmed the family's reunion in the comments section, writing: 'See you Monday. Yaaaaaaay.'

Excited: The Mara & Mine co-founder shared a throwback photo to Instagram on Wednesday of her husband reading their daughter a storybook, and captioned it: 'We miss you Daddy '

Sweet: Karl confirmed the family's reunion in the comments section, writing: 'See you Monday'

Sweet: The Stefanovics have spent several weeks apart, after Jasmine obtained an exemption from Queensland Health to travel from Sydney to Brisbane with her daughter in August

The Stefanovics have spent several weeks apart, after Jasmine obtained a special exemption from Queensland Health to travel from Sydney to Brisbane with her daughter in August.

Karl revealed on the Today show at the time that Jasmine's grandmother was 'really, really, really sick'.

She was fortunately able to spend time with her grandmother before she died.

It comes after Karl's former co-host Lisa Wilkinson lifted the lid on her final days working at the Today show in an excerpt from her new book, It Wasn't Meant to Be Like This, published in The Sunday Telegraph.

Exemption: She had flown to the Sunshine State to spend time with her ailing 96-year-old grandmother, and subsequently attended her funeral in Brisbane

Making headlines: It comes after Karl's former co-host Lisa Wilkinson lifted the lid on her final days working at the Today show in an excerpt from her new book, It Wasn't Meant to Be Like This, published in The Sunday Telegraph

She claimed Karl had given her the cold shoulder in the weeks prior to her sacking, which was prompted when she asked for a significant pay rise.

She alleged she and husband Peter FitzSimons had invited the Stefanovics to attend their 25th anniversary vow renewal ceremony in October 2017, but Karl was a no-show.

Two days before the event, Karl supposedly contacted Peter to say they wouldn't be attending because they'd extended their overseas holiday.

Claims: Lisa claimed Karl had given her the cold shoulder in the weeks prior to her sacking, which was prompted when she asked for a significant pay rise. She alleged she and husband Peter FitzSimons (left) had invited the Stefanovics to attend their 25th anniversary vow renewal ceremony in October 2017, but Karl was a no-show

'In the ten days since [the ceremony] Karl hadn't contacted me, his co-host of almost eleven years, at all. No phone message, no text, no apology, not even a simple congrats. Just complete silence,' she alleged.

Lisa claims in her new autobiography that Karl's no-show was the final straw for their troubled relationship - even going so far as to imply he refused the invitation because he knew she was about to get sacked from Nine.

But this narrative has been disputed by guests who attended the ceremony, many of whom told The Australian they didn't know it was a wedding until they arrived.
Grant Denyer has refused to let false accusations of infidelity get him down.

The television host, 44, and his wife Chezzi, 41, publicly denied a New Idea magazine report on Wednesday suggesting he was having an affair with his Dancing with the Stars partner Lily Cornish, 22.

By Thursday, Grant had already shrugged off the hurtful claims, returning to Instagram with a heartwarming video of himself doting on his eight-month-old daughter Sunday.

Staying strong: Grant Denyer (right) shrugged off false accusations of infidelity by posting a heartwarming Instagram video on Thursday - a day after he and wife Chezzi (left) categorically denied rumours he was having an affair with his Dancing with the Stars partner Lily Cornish, 22

In the clip, Grant is seen playfully pretending to eat Sunday's toes during dinner as she sits in her high chair.

'I want to eat your sausage feet... I'm going to cook up those little sausage toes,' he sings, before turning the camera to film Chezzi standing nearby.

'Don't look at her. [She's] not going to save you!' he jokes.

Cute: In the clip, Grant playfully pretends to eat Sunday's toes at dinner as she sits in her high chair. 'I want to eat your sausage feet... I'm going to cook up those little sausage toes,' he sings

Mum to the rescue! He turns the camera to film Chezzi standing nearby, then jokes: 'Don't look at her. [She's] not going to save you!'

Hours earlier, Grant had left a friendly comment on Lily's latest Instagram post, which featured a photo of the brunette posing alongside her former Dancing with the Stars partner Christian Wilkins.

'You two are the reason I did DWTS in the first place!' Grant commented, adding: 'You both made it look so fun and fabulous. Greatest duo ever!'

On Wednesday, New Idea published photos of Denyer with his hand on the thigh of dancer Lily in between rehearsals for Dancing with the Stars: All Stars in Sydney.

'You two are the reason I did DWTS in the first place!' Hours earlier, Grant had left a friendly comment on Lily's latest Instagram post, which featured a photo of the dancer (right) posing alongside her former Dancing with the Stars partner Christian Wilkins (left)

Other images showed the pair - who are partners on the upcoming season of the Channel Seven show - smiling as they walked down the street.

Chezzi posted screenshots of the article on Instagram on Wednesday and blasted the publication for fabricating such a 'gross and mean' story.

'What the actual hell is this front-page crap, New Idea,' she wrote, adding that the images had been completely taken out of context.

On Wednesday, New Idea published photos of Denyer with his hand on the thigh of dancer Lily in between rehearsals for Dancing with the Stars in Sydney. Chezzi posted screenshots of the article on Instagram and blasted the publication for fabricating a 'gross and really mean' story

Other images showed the pair smiling as they walked down the street. Chezzi said Lily was 'like an adopted daughter' to her and Grant and there was nothing untoward going on in the photos

'Lilz [Cornish] is like our adopted daughter. We grew extremely close during her month long stay with us here in Bathurst. We absolutely adore her!

'Poor Lilz doesn't deserve this defamation of character New Idea, you should be ashamed.'

Chezzi went on to claim the photographer who took the photos had apologised to her for the images being 'taken out of context'.

Grant and Lily are pictured behind the scenes of Dancing with the Stars this week

She also pointed out that Lily's long-term boyfriend Jock White had been pictured visiting her during rehearsals for DWTS.

Grant later issued his own blistering statement, calling the article a 'brutal' attack on a '22-year-old kid' and a 'dad of three girls'.

'My wife and I are used to fabricated stories from these type of magazine, we've had a life of it but for Lily, she's a 22 yo kid!!' he wrote on Instagram.

Grant (pictured with Lily during DWTS rehearsals on September 26) later issued his own statement, calling the article a 'brutal' attack on a '22-year-old kid' and a 'dad of three girls'

'This kind of treatment is brutally unfair and disgusting.

'I'm a Dad of 3 girls. And if any friend is having a bad day or a tough time in their life, I'm going to be there for them. End of story.'

While the magazine is still on newsstands, the online version has been taken down.

While the magazine is still on newsstands, the online version has been taken down

It's not the first time Grant has denied allegations made by a tabloid magazine.

In February 2014, Woman's Day accused him and Chezzi of checking into a rehab facility to address a '$200,000-a-year meth addiction' - claims the Denyers have always strenuously denied.

An alleged 'source' described the Channel 10 presenter as being '45 kilos, really drawn around his face and look[ing] sick. It was a shocking sight.'

It's not the first time Grant has denied allegations made by a tabloid magazine

While Grant admitted he and his wife did visit The Cabin in Thailand, he strongly denied they were there to treat meth addictions and threatened to sue Woman's Day.

At the time, he released a statement via his then-manager Titus Day rubbishing the allegations.

'Claims that the couple have a drug addiction and that Grant recently lost his Channel Seven contract are both false,' the statement read.

In February 2014, Woman's Day accused him and Chezzi of checking into a rehab facility to address a '$200,000-a-year meth addiction' - claims the Denyers have always denied

'Grant and Chezzi Denyer are saddened by the highly defamatory article in this week's Woman's Day magazine.

'The couple have been under immense stress in recent months due to Grant dealing with chronic fatigue brought on by exhaustion and an ongoing unknown stomach illness.

'Chezzi has also been dealing with PTSD and anxiety issues resulting from Grant's condition.'
James Gandolfini aggressively objected to filming a scene for The Sopranos' sixth season in which his character Tony Soprano masturbated in the bathroom of a gas station.

The late actor's creative differences in that instance resulted in his 'longest and strongest tantrum' amid his time on the show, according to excerpts of a new book titled Tinderbox: HBO's Ruthless Pursuit of New Frontiers, published in New York magazine.

Gandolfini 'erupted over a script that called for Tony to dash into a gas-station bathroom and masturbate during a period when Tony was having an affair with feisty Realtor Julianna Skiff, played forcefully by Julianna Margulies,' according to the book, penned by James Andrew Miller.

Details: The late James Gandolfini aggressively objected to filming a scene for The Sopranos' sixth season in which his character Tony Soprano masturbated in the bathroom of a gas station. The actor was snapped in 2007 filming the final season of the show

Eventually, 'Gandolfini relented and played the scene as written,' according to the book, but 'the gas-station sequence was shot but then edited out of the finished episode.'

Gandolfini did not complain to the show's creator David Chase about the scene being cut, according to the book.

According to the book, the actor had 'fitful bouts of disruptive incredulousness as he reacted to certain scripts he was handed' for the show.

The actor 'would sometimes balk at a particular scene and instead of asking Chase, "Do I have to do this?" he would wonder out loud, "What the f*** is this?" and then declare flatly, "Im not doing it."'

Gandolfini was seen at an event in NYC in April of 2013, about two months before his tragic passing

The actor was snapped alongside co-star Michael Imperioli at the Emmys in 2003

Gandolfini's portrayal of the New Jersey mob boss is hailed as one of the most iconic in the history of TV, as he went on to win three Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series over six nominations in his time on the show.

Gandolfini died following a heart attack during a Rome vacation on June 19, 2013 with his son Michael, then 14.

Michael recently took over the role of Tony Soprano, playing the younger incarnation of his father's character in The Sopranos prequel film The Many Saints Of Newark.

Tinderbox: HBO's Ruthless Pursuit of New Frontiers is due out November 23.
Ranvir Singh showed off her sensational figure in an elegant dress on Wednesday.

The TV host looked radiant in a chic geometric gown during an appearance on Good Morning Britain, with her tiny waist taking centre stage.

Taking to Instagram shortly after the show, the stunner, 44, reposted stylist Debbie Harper's image showing her modelling the dress backstage.

A vision: Ranvir Singh showed off her sensational figure in an elegant dress on Wednesday

Ranvir looked incredible in the dazzling snap as she posed behind the scenes.

Standing with her hands in her pocket, the brunette beauty wowed in the dress which cinched at her waist to show off her assets and tiny waist.

She boosted her height with a pair of sky-high red heels which complemented the autumnal hues in the geometric dress for her stint on the show.

The star wore her brunette locks in tumbling curls while her make-up was flawlessly applied for her turn on the breakfast news show.

Wow! The TV host looked radiant in a chic geometric gown during an appearance on Good Morning Britain, with her tiny waist taking centre stage

Her latest Instagram snap comes just days after Ranvir gave a rare glimpse into her private life while speaking in a new interview.

Ranvir and her ex Ranjeet split after marrying in 2012, and share son Tushaan.

She said: 'I keep my private life private, mainly to protect Tushaan. Im not ruling it out, but for me, there would have to be a wider purpose for discussing it.

She added: I struggle with an enormous amount of guilt with my son and not being there when he goes to school. Were very attached to one another because its just me and him.
One bitterly cold morning in December 1386, a crowd of thousands including the young French king Charles VI and his court gathered behind a monastery in Paris to watch two knights duel to the death.

On the feast day of St Thomas Becket, they enthusiastically lined a walled field ringed by guards within which the two men in full plate armour would fight with lance, axe, sword and dagger to defend their honour.

Jean de Carrouges, a Norman knight, accused his former bosom friend, Jacques Le Gris, of raping his wife and had been granted the right to a trial by combat, a legally-sanctioned death match in which God, it was assumed, would favour the righteous party with victory.

However, if this brutal form of case resolution  also known as a judicial duel  wasn't barbaric enough, there was an added twist.

Overlooking the field, a black-draped scaffold had been set up where a beautiful woman, Marguerite de Carrouges, sat surrounded by guards.

The Last Duel, which was released in the UK last Friday, stars Matt Damon and Adam Driver as Carrouges and Le Gris, Ben Affleck as their liege lord the Count of Alencon, and British actress Jodie Comer  who came to fame as the psychopathic Villanelle in Killing Eve  as Marguerite

If her husband lost the duel, that would mean she had unjustly accused Le Gris of rape and would be summarily burnt alive.

The epic battle between Carrouges and Le Gris is well-known in France where it became so infamous that it pretty much put an end to judicial duels.

And it is now famous around the world because it is the subject of Sir Ridley Scott's latest blockbuster feature film.

The Last Duel, which was released in the UK last Friday, stars Matt Damon and Adam Driver as Carrouges and Le Gris, Ben Affleck as their liege lord the Count of Alencon, and British actress Jodie Comer  who came to fame as the psychopathic Villanelle in Killing Eve  as Marguerite.

The film is based on a 2004 book of the same name by a U.S. academic, Eric Jager, who conceded it was impossible to know for certain if Marguerite had rightly accused Le Gris. Her husband's former friend vehemently denied the rape charge and, citing witnesses, said he had been many miles away at the time.

However, Hollywood has never had much time for historical uncertainty and, with its stirring tagline  'One woman defied a nation and made history'  the film leaves little doubt who it believes.

Adam Driver as Jacques LeGris and Matt Damon as Jean de Carrouges

And, intriguingly, it was co-written by Damon and Affleck, old friends and collaborators who were both mauled by #MeToo activists for being too supportive of the disgraced film director Harvey Weinstein and for making tone-deaf comments about sexual harassment in their industry.

In what seems like a Tinseltown version of medieval knights doing penance for their sins, the pair have been sounding off about the terrible subjugation of women in medieval times. As further penance, they also subjected themselves to some of the most dreadful haircuts ever seen on screen. But at least they and Sir Ridley don't need to do much to spice up the story in terms of drama.

As Jager's research uncovered, Jean de Carrouges and Jacques Le Gris were not particularly fine fellows. The former, a hardened warrior, was irascible, suspicious and jealous.

The latter was vain and cunning, a squire whose relatively low-born family had muscled its way up the social ladder and become rich. He was also a notorious womaniser.

The men had once been close friends but while Le Gris's fortunes had risen as he became a favourite of their lord, Count Pierre of Alencon, Carrouges's star had waned  and he blamed Le Gris.

In 1381, Carrouges married Marguerite de Thibouville, a noblewoman whose beauty and family money helped to compensate for the fact her father had once committed an act of high treason that had left her family under a cloud.

Three years later, it seemed the two men had settled their differences when they met at a mutual friend's christening party. Jean told his wife, who was meeting Le Gris for the first time, to kiss him as a sign of peace  which, according to custom, she did on the lips.

Eric Jager has little doubt Le Gris was very struck, like everyone, by Marguerite's beauty.

The encounter which led to the duel occurred in 1385 when Carrouges left Marguerite under the watchful eye of his mother, Nicole, while in Paris. But one day Nicole  with most of the household in tow  had to leave her to give evidence in a court case. It was then, say Le Gris's accusers, that he arrived at the nearly deserted castle and, together with Adam Louvel, an underling who had fought under Carrouges and would have been trusted by his wife, gained access.

The wealthy squire is said to have employed his usual tactic of offering money in a bid to get Marguerite to sleep with him. When she refused, he and Louvel allegedly resorted to force, dragging her to a bed chamber where she was bound and gagged before Le Gris raped her.

Afterwards, he told her that if she breathed a word she would be dishonoured and only add to her woes. He had a point. Le Gris was a favourite of Count Pierre, in whose court the case would be tried, while Carrouges had long since become an irritant.

Many rape victims kept quiet but not Marguerite. Her decision to speak out may have been influenced by her pregnancy. Given she and Carrouges had remained childless during five years of marriage, there was a strong possibility that Le Gris was the father.

Matters were complicated by the fact it was widely accepted at the time that a woman could only become pregnant if she'd had an orgasm during conception  in other words, she couldn't have conceived from a rape.

Could Jean have suspected that Marguerite (who would later give birth to a son) gave herself willingly to his worst enemy? If he did, he kept it to himself, furiously taking his wife's part and demanding justice which the count was duty-bound to provide. However, the Carrouges' failure to appear at a hearing for reasons unknown gave Count Pierre the perfect excuse to exonerate Le Gris.

Carrouges then went to Paris and appealed directly to the king. The king's parliament proved unable to rule on the case after hearing evidence in which Carrouges cast Le Gris as a ruthless philanderer who'd lusted after his wife since that first chaste kiss, while Le Gris countered that Carrouges had forced Marguerite to lie.

Successive monarchs had discouraged judicial duels as a distortion of justice but Charles VI, who adored jousting, may have had few reservations about granting Carrouges's demand for trial by combat. And in front of the king and court, the knight followed protocol, hurling a glove at Le Gris's feet which his rival picked up.

Both were aged around 50, not young by medieval standards, but on the appointed day the two men set about each other with a will  after Le Gris was quickly knighted to abide by duel rules that they be the same social rank.

First they rode at each other with lances. When they were broken on the knights' respective shields, they resorted to pulling out battle axes. The two men circled each other on horseback before Le Gris managed to cut down his opponent's horse and send him crashing to the ground.

When Carrouges managed to dispatch the other warhorse, the pair drew their swords and attacked each other on foot. I won't ruin the film by revealing who prevailed.

Suffice to say, both men were wounded, one fatally, before the victor rode off the field in triumph, later finding fame and fortune. The loser's body was stripped and dragged through Paris before being hanged from a gibbet.

French chroniclers over the centuries have not always been convinced by Marguerite's fateful accusation, some suggesting it might even have been mistaken identity. The case's notoriety did, however, ensure neither a French king nor the Paris 'Parlement' ever again allowed a trial by combat.

Astonishingly, trial by combat is still on the statute books in the U.S. but sporadic requests  some more serious than others  have got nowhere as duelling remains illegal. No judicial system is perfect, but hinging it on the swing of a battle axe has thankfully not stood the test of time.
Ahead of Halloween Nicole Richie, 40, attended Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights in Hollywood.

On Thursday, October 14, the mother-of-two dressed warm in a dark cable knit sweater with a blue-hued scarf wrapped around her neck.

She posed in front of the famous Universal Studios globe as the fountain glowed in neon lights.

Spooky season: Ahead of Halloween Nicole Richie, 40, attended Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights in Hollywood

Richie beamed in barely-there makeup as she posed with her shoulder-length hair falling in face-framing golden ringlets.

Days later the creative director was seen out and about in Los Angeles as she made her way to a meeting at The Beverly Hills Hotel.

Nicole rocked a black paperboy hat over her blonde curls and donned a black disposable face mask as she valeted her black Mercedes.

The fashion-forward star wore a long black coat over light wash blue jeans.

On the move: Days later the creative director was seen out and about in Los Angeles as she made her way to a meeting at The Beverly Hills Hotel

The former reality TV star had gold hoop earrings in her ears and carried a beige bag with a thick, burgundy strap.

She rounded out her ensemble with a pair of classic black loafers accented by a gold pendant.

Earlier this month the House of Harlow 1960 founder shared a set of photos to Instagram as she got into the fall spirit.

Fashionable: Nicole rocked a black paperboy hat over her blonde curls and donned a black disposable face mask as she valeted her black Mercedes.

'The moment October arrives,' she wrote under the collection of gorgeous images from a soiree.

Her 5.3 million followers were treated to photos of the bombshell wearing an elaborate white headdress that masked her eyes and extended over her head with a bundle of ornate butterflies.

It was paired with a dazzling white dress that boasted a sleeveless asymmetrical design with one strap draping below her shoulder.

The gown had detailed white on white embroidery and arranged delicately over the petite stunner's frame.

The designer appeared to be thoroughly enjoying the gathering as she held an antique glass and smiled for photos.

Social share: Earlier this month the House of Harlow 1960 founder shared a set of photos to Instagram as she got into the fall spirit

Statement: 'The moment October arrives,' she wrote under the collection of gorgeous images from a soiree

Dressed up: Her 5.3 million followers were treated to photos of the bombshell wearing an elaborate white headdress that masked her eyes and extended over her head with a bundle of ornate butterflies

Ensemble: It was paired with a dazzling white dress that boasted a sleeveless asymmetrical design with one strap draping below her shoulder

Monochrome: The gown had detailed white on white embroidery and arranged delicately over the petite stunner's frame
Thousands of Ghanaian nationals have flocked to the Ghana Police Services Facebook page to jeer Dancehall artist Shatta Wale, following news of his arrest for creating public mischief in his home country.

The Blow Up deejay had posted on his Facebook page on Monday, that, among other things, his life was in danger and he was on the run and that the Ghanaian police were not assisting him in his time of distress.

Shatta had linked threats on his life to a man he described as a fake pastor who had prophesied on a local radio station that he would be killed. However, the Ghana police placed him under arrest hours after he posted the message, which caused panic across his country.

The Police have arrested Charles Nii Armah Mensah popularly known as Shatta Wale, the post read. After we publicly declared him and one other person wanted, the suspect, Shatta Wale, turned himself in today Tuesday 19th October, 2021, at 8.59pm.

The police also noted that the artist had been arrested to assist them in investigations for his alleged involvement in the creation and circulation of information intended to cause fear and panic.

As stated in previous statements, the public is advised to desist from publishing false information, capable of disturbing the peace of the country or risk being arrested and prosecuted, the statement read.

Meanwhile, Ghanaians galloped to the police departments Facebook page to jeer, rebuke and recommend punishment for Shatta Wale, with whom they claimed they had grown tired, due to his numerous pranks.

Some of the comments praising the Ghana Police Services for nabbing Shatta, were sheer comedic.

Because of this arrest, I support Ghana Police Service with 100 bags of cement , Krom Ha Asem quipped, while RaYgee DaTin Gyamfi teased: I feel like donating my kidney to Ghana Police.

There were others who recommended some rather stiff penalties for Shatta, many of them outside the remit of the police.

GRA should take over after his arrest and release from the Police. GRA should raise his taxes and this foolishness will stop, Clem Addo declared.

Dont even give him food to eat until tomorrow next. He fool too much. Asap this he made a statement that the government should legalize the LGBTQIA+ question him Abt that one too and bill him accordingly, Jacques Chirac added.

Others described Shatta as a noisemaker, who records substandard music, which only amounts to noise pollution, claiming they were happy he was being locked up so they could be at peace.

Jail him 59 years for also producing unwanted and disturbing music its really affecting our health and well-being pls thank you. Charge: Noise/sound pollution, Nana Kojo Betadayz mocked.

Some people wish to enter the Police Cells to witness the conversation between Funny Face and Shatta Wale. Two comedians and noise makers detained. Tomorrow is declared Ghana most peaceful Day. Thank u Ghana Police, David Nectar Bunbun added, while Samuel Opoku Agyapong agreed, noting that; Now that the two guys @ Wale and funny are in police custody we can now have noise free tomorrow.

As the celebrations over Shattas arrest continued Teacher Kwadwo had a funny suggestion for the police.

Ghana Police, this is going to be your most engaged post ever. U for screenshot and frame it, she quipped.

Others commented on the fact that Shatta Wale looked rather frail in the photograph the police took of him in handcuffs, in which they claimed he was wearing pajamas.

But why is he looking small here anaa its my phone, untie Eyram Lokko said, while Obaa Kukky added: He has grown old all of a sudden.

Some Ghanaians said that the police should beat Shatta, while other compatriots said the police should have waited until Friday to arrest him, so he could spend the weekend behind bars.

However, Bismark Styles contended that Shatta Wale had deliberately made the fake post, as a promotional tactic for the release of his upcoming album.

Thanks to Ghana police service for this hype for his up coming album. Man this is show bizz. Create the news and disburb them. After all Agraadaa,Owusu bemoan and Funny face all were part of this show bizz., he said sarcastically.

One commenter, Khing Eric said he was waiting to see the reaction from Shattas fans, as she was certain they would defend his actions.

Hmmmm. I know most of his fans will complain and insult Ghana police forgetting their man lacks common sense, he wrote.

On Monday Shatta had taken to Facebook, and in a long epistle stated how his life was under threat due to a false prophet and that nobody in Ghana cared.

THIS IS WHAT I HAVE TO SAY. Psychological, or emotional trauma, is damage or injury to the psyche after living through an extremely frightening or distressing event and may result in challenges in functioning or coping normally after the event, he began.

The statement made by this false prophet has gotten me in a mood of violence since no one in this country cares, he added.

He had also taken aim at the Ghana Police Services claiming they were derelict in their duties. So the police of this country want to tell me none of them saw those threatening statement online to take Action?

This pastor said 18th October shatta wale will be shot and you want to tell me you didnt see from you cyber crime department nor did u hear or came across anything like that online? he wrote.

I wont wait for Ghana police to call my father and tell my father his son got shot this afternoon; I wont wait for Ghana stupid media houses to spread news to my fans about me being shot because all we wish in this country is for dead people and funerals, he continued.

He added: If my life can be threatened and there is no law to take actions on that then I guess I will do what is right in the eyes of God.

He then went to say that his life had been threatened before and that he had gotten no support. This is not the first time I have had these threats in this country am now I am going these emotional trauma alone, My dad has even defended me on radio on this same issue .why ? Why ? Ghana ? Why ?

Yes ,my life is in Danger and am on the run till this country shows me there are LAWS To my fans am sorry but I will have to fight this fight alone and get it done the youths of these country are tired of religiousness ,we know god already and that is that. If this will make me stop music like how many want me to stop, then so be it cuz i am tired of the negativity in this country
Vybz Kartel has weighed in  lyrically that is  on the Pathway International Kingdom Ministries alleged human sacrifice ritual, which took place in Albion in Montego Bay on Sunday night.

On Wednesday morning the Gaza boss teased the line to a song titled Temptation 2  False Prophets, a follow-up to Temptation, a track he released a few weeks ago, which was centered on him being approached by the Devil to sell his soul, or rent it to him if he was not so inclined, during which he hurled expletives at Lucifer and chased him away.

Kartels clip consisted of a segment of a Television Jamaica newscast featuring Archbishop of the West Indies Reverend Howard Gregory calling for greater oversight of religious groupings, in light of the bizarre incident in which two people were reportedly killed as part of a human sacrifice during a ritual by members of what the police theorize to be a religious cult.

Coming soonTEMPTATION2-FALSE PROPHETS Kartel captioned the post, an indication that he would be raining lyrical blows at persons who falsely claim to have the gift of prophecy or heavenly inspiration, or to be Gods spokesmen, as a guise under which they carry out evil deeds.

Mi nuh waan guh to hell, mi believe inna Jesus, the song starts of before abruptly ending. However, even with the sudden end the Gaza Nation could not contain their excitement, and called for the songs immediate release.

Ayee Drop this before friday #fullygaza  darkskin_melani51 appealed.

Talk the things teacha! Jamaica needs a day of prayer! We are a blessed country this cannot begin to fester! goddessariola said, seemingly happy that Kartel had taken the matter in hand.

However, a seemingly amused bosslady33_876, referencing the Temptation track lyrics, quipped: Wonder if a them did waah rent the boss soul .

Vybz Kartel joins Bugle as artists who have recorded songs about deviant religious leaders. In 2015, Bugle released False Prophets, a song that took aim at snakes in lion clothes who were running the churches and whorehouses, and whom the Almighty would overthrow in due course.

Since the story broke, some members of the Dancehall and Reggae fraternity have also expressed revulsion at the unfoldings, among them Spragga Benz, Foota Hype, CeCile, Mr Lexx, Lila Ike and director of the Reggae Studies Unit, at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Dr. Sonjah Stanley Niaah.

The community of Albion in Montego Bay was thrown into the spotlight on Sunday night, when a joint team of Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldiers and members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) stormed the church at about 7 o clock, after receiving reports from a member of the congregation, that leader of the religious cult was in the process of sacrificing some of its members.

Upon infiltrating the premises, the security forces reportedly came under gunfire from members of the cult. When the gunfire ceased, the soldiers and police searched the building and found the body of a woman clad in white, who had been sacrificed, lying face down with her throat slashed, allegedly by a member of the church.

According to Nationwide News Network, a male member of the church who was discovered lying in the prone position with stab and gunshot wounds to his back, reportedly said that he was shot and stabbed by church members, who were in the process of sacrificing him.

A male member of the church who allegedly attacked the lawmen with a knife was shot dead by the security forces, while the pastor was also captured and taken into custody.

Most of the members, including a throng of women who were detained, were charged with various offences relating to the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA) after being interrogated by the police.

On Tuesday night news also broke that a laptop that had been confiscated from the property, had a document outlining a plan to kill 144 people as human sacrifices.
ATLANTA (AP)  A man killed a woman and then died during a shootout with police at an apartment building in Atlanta's midtown neighborhood early Wednesday, police said.

Police got calls of a shooting inside the luxury high-rise shortly before 3:30 a.m. and officers responded within five minutes, Atlanta police Chief Rodney Bryant said during a news conference.

Officers determined that shots were coming from the building's 21st floor, according to a Georgia Bureau of Investigation news release. Approaching officers saw a man firing a rifle at them from a balcony. At least one officer returned fire, the GBI said.

Officers found a woman dead inside the apartment where she lived in the Atlantic House Midtown, which at 32 stories is one of the city's tallest residential buildings. The man who shot at police, identified as 32-year-old Jarvis Jarrette of Milledgeville, was found dead on a balcony, the GBI said.

Police said it appears the man and woman knew each other and that there was no forced entry. Police were trying to determine whether the man also lived in the building or whether he was visiting, Bryant said.

We have one individual that is deceased inside the apartment, and the person that we believe is the assailant also has been killed, Bryant said.

Deputy Chief Charles Hampton said several rounds were fired, entering multiple units. Police have been able to check the other units and havent found any other victims, he said.

Since Atlanta police engaged in a shootout with the man, the GBI has been called in to handle that part of the investigation. That is standard procedure when officers use force during encounters with the public. The underlying shooting incident, including the death of the woman, is being investigated by Atlanta police.

Bryant said police used a drone to be able to assess the scene and to help us out through this process. He did not elaborate on exactly how the drone was used.

A number of people called 911 and police are also aware that a number of people were recording video while the incident was unfolding, Bryant said. He encouraged anyone with additional information to get in touch with police.

Speaking during the news conference, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms reminded residents to call 911 when they see something dangerous happening.

We did start receiving phone calls, but social media received information and has received more information, quite frankly, than we have received through our 911 center," she said. So for us to be able to appropriately respond and assess, we just ask if you can put down your camera, put down your phone and call 911 and then allow us to do what we do.

Police had closed streets around at least four square blocks of office and apartment buildings in response to the gunfire. The heavy emergency response included an armored vehicle, an ambulance and multiple squad cars with officers carrying long guns.
Gov. Ned Lamont criticized protesters Tuesday who greeted President Joe Biden last week in Hartford with cussing and angry chants.

Biden visited Capitol Child Development Center in the city Friday to advocate for his Build Back Better Agenda. Across the street were some supporters waving and cheering, but more critics brandishing flags for former President Donald Trump and chanting expletives.

Lamont said you could hear it loud and clear from the playground of the daycare center.

In a press conference Tuesday on voting and absentee ballots for the Nov. 2 municipal elections, Lamont took the podium to address the importance of voting in another way by recalling Fridays events.

We saw the president on one knee surrounded by some parents and teachers and 35 kids - something these kids will never forget for the rest of their lives, and right across the fence were angry protesters - yelling, cursing, dropping the F-bomb - and it was embarrassing, Lamont said.

Protesters Friday said they were exercising their First Amendment rights.

Lamont said he wouldve said the same thing if Trump was in the daycare center as well.

Thats not who we are as Americans, thats not who we are as Connecticut, he added.

Lamont contrasted that moment with eulogies for former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell, who died Monday at the age of 84 from coronavirus complications. In the eulogies, Lamont recalled they said Democracy and American democracy is the last great hope on earth.

We have many, many faults, but go out and fix those faults. Dont curse the faults, fix the faults, he advised. Get involved in your local community level, get involved in public service, get involved in a not-for-profit, run for office and for Gods sake vote.

Id like people to know their vote makes a difference, I want you to have a stake in the election, I want you to have a stake in the outcome, because thats how we make this a better state and a better country, he added.

The local municipal elections take place Nov. 2. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Oct. 26. To register to vote online, visit www.VoterRegistration.CT.gov/OLVR.

To view other ways to register to vote, sample ballots or other election information, visit www.MyVote.CT.gov.

liz.hardaway@hearst.com
Best and Tie will work for every child

I have written a few versions of my letter in support for Democratic Board of Education candidates Julie Best and Stacey Tie. Truthfully, there are too many positive attributes to discuss in such a limited amount of space. However, after the incidents of hate were displayed earlier this fall, I had an aha moment for the focus of my letter: Julie and Stacey will work on behalf of EVERY single child within the Darien Public Schools, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender and sexual identity, ability, popularity, socioeconomic status and parent political affiliation.

I have known Julie and Stacey for almost seven years, ever since meeting them on the Council of Darien School Parents. Though we started as colleagues, I now consider them both friends. I have seen firsthand how Julie and Stacey advocate for all students.

Obviously, every Board of Education member should support every student, but that is not the case with the Republican Board of Education candidates. These candidates are running a divisive campaign. Rather than focus on the needs of our children in Darien, as Julie and Stacey have been doing, the Darien Republicans are mirroring Republican campaigns across the country. Theyve even co-opted their campaign language.

Supporters of the Republican Board of Education candidates may find themselves on the bad side of these candidates in the future, just when you need them the most. Do you want A) someone who will support you throughout their tenure, or B) a fair weather friend to represent you? I choose A, which is why I am voting for Stacey Tie and Julie Best on Nov. 2.

Amy Zerbe, Darien
Hate has no home here

Symbols matter.

The pride flag was raised at Pear Tree Point Beach; our entire communities were acknowledged and welcomed.

The pride flag was removed at the beach by someone who has not faced penalties for their malicious actions; our communities were slighted.

The first selectman of our town made no public response or show of support to indicate that this theft was discriminatory. The first selectman simply acknowledged that the theft occurred.

Words matter.

Symbols matter.

Bigoted incidents occurred at the middle and high schools.

We are scared for the kids who were targeted by the vandalism, said one slate of candidates. The other candidates signaled support for the perpetrators by saying, Navigating life at this age and especially during this moment in time is confusing and difficult.

Words matter.

Symbols matter.

One candidate for the Board of Education made a white power symbol during the League of Women Voters candidates debate. For more than 3 minutes. Watch it yourself.

One party called him out for it; the other complained that the first party was wrong to believe that a persons actions reflect their beliefs.

Character matters.

Symbols matter.

Words matter.

One party stands out for empathy, responsibility, and action; the other practices divisive behavior.

Votes matter.

Elections matter.

If hate has no home here, then it is obvious we need to elect Tara Ochman, Mike Burke, Sarah Neumann, Julie Best and Stacey Tie this November. Please join me in welcoming them to Town Hall and 35 Leroy.

Abigail Hornstein, Darien
Shopping for a sleeping bag can be overwhelming. There are numerous things to take into consideration: synthetic or down, mummy or rectangle shape, temperature rating, and packable weight and size. All of these options contribute to the most important (and basic) function of any sleeping bag: providing a comfortable sleeping experience after a long day of adventuring in the outdoors.

For me (and I suspect most people), sleeping comfortably and well hinges on not being too hot or too cold. No one wants to wake up in the middle of the night shivering or sweating. So how do you decide which kind of sleeping bag to buy and how important, really, is the temperature rating?

The short answer is: Pretty important, but like most things in life, making the best decision youre able to requires weighing multiple factors and combining those results with your personal preferences. In order to do that, you first need to have a basic understanding of how temperature ratings are calculated in sleeping bags.

EN/ISO temperature ratings

If they are rated (and not all are), sleeping bags will have either an EN (European Norm) or ISO (International Organization for Standardization) rating. The good news is that the tests conducted by both use essentially the same criteria: a heated mannequin dressed in a base layer and hat on a foam sleeping pad. The test results produce the following limit temperatures - which are what you will find printed on the inside of your bag.

Upper limit

Upper limit refers to the highest temperature that an adult male would sleep comfortably without excessive sweating.

Comfort limit

Comfort limit uses the temperature that an adult woman would need in order to achieve a comfortable nights sleep.

Lower limit

Lower limit takes into account the lowest temperature an adult male would be able to sleep in comfort.

And the extreme limit is the absolute lowest temperature an adult woman could survive. This rating shouldnt be used for purchasing bags in general as this it assumes a very high risk of hypothermia.

These ratings are most often displayed in a combo graphic of text that goes from highest to lowest temperature. One of my Rab bags lists the comfort limit as 39F, the limit of comfort as 30F and the extreme as 1F. What this means is that the average adult woman would find the bag comfortable down to 39F while the average male would probably be able to use the same bag in temperatures as low as 30F. The extreme limit of 1F is the lowest possible temperature at which the bag should be used at all (but only in cases of emergency).

The rating systems use of male and female is based on scientific data that shows that women tend to feel cold at higher temperatures than men do and adult males often run hotter than adult females. One reason for this, according to studies, is that lower muscle mass to body surface usually makes a person feel colder.

Another reason (if youre into science) which was just published in an October 2021 study suggests that the whole women feeling colder than men thing is actually an evolutionary characteristic related to having and caring for children (and it extends to other species besides humans).

In order to figure out which temperature range you want, consider where youll be using the bag. If youre sleeping outside in the summer and staying at a low elevation (not climbing any mountains) a bag rated at 32 degreest Fahrenheit and above should work just fine. If youll be somewhere where night temperatures could drop below freezing or on an extended multi-month trip, a 3-season sleeping bag that falls into the 20 degrees to 32 degrees Fahrenheit range would be better suited. And, if youre doing some serious mountaineering where there will be snow, youll need a true winter bag rated for temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Many people I know always add at least a 10 degree buffer zone when deciding on what bag to take where. For instance, if they think theyll be camping in 32 degrees Fahrenheit weather, theyll opt for a 3-season bag as opposed to a summer bag. You should also obviously take into account your own body temperature tendencies.

Summer/low elevation: 32 degrees Fahrenheit and above

Not all bags have temperature ratings and the common wisdom is to assume a bag without one will fall into the summer/low elevation category  especially those made by mid-range or budget brands. The old adage you get what you pay for is often true for sleeping bags.

My go-to bag in this category is the Rab Neutrino Pro 200 with a 32F comfort rating.

Rab Neutrino 200 Sleeping Bag - 349.95

Rab Neutrino 200 Sleeping Bag Rab moosejaw.com $349.95 Shop Now

Neutrino Pro 200 Down Sleeping Bag - $400.00

Neutrino Pro 200 Down Sleeping Bag rab.equipment $400.00 Shop Now

The Neutrino Pro is a down-filled, mummy shaped bag with an internal collar and drawstring. It packs down very small (12.6 x 6.2 inches) and weighs 21 ounces. Made with a water resistant and durable outer fabric, this bag remains warm even during mornings when there is condensation or dew.

I used mine on numerous bikepacking and backpacking trips, including a five month sojourn through May to September across Central Asia from Mongolia to Turkey. Many mountains and desert regions played a part in this adventure, and, while there were a few stifling nights in Turkmenistan where I slept on top of the bag with a frozen water bottle, I obtained adequate comfortable sleep during the majority of the trip.

Most notable were a few below freezing nights on the Mongolian steppe where, though I had to don my Patagonia insulated coat as well, I was still able to sleep.

3-season sleeping bags: 20 degrees Fahrenheit to 32 degrees Fahrenheit

The Big Agnes Star Fire UL 20F Down bag, which features body mapping and vertical sidewalls to trap warmth close to the body, is a popular 3-season sleeping bag among my hiking and bikepacking friends.

Big AgnesStar Fire UL Sleeping Bag: 20F Down - $499.95

Star Fire UL Sleeping Bag: 20F Down big-agnes backcountry.com $499.95 Shop Now

As is the Sierra Designs Nitro 800:

Sierra Designs Nitro 20 Degree Sleeping Bag - $319.95

Sierra Designs Nitro 20 Degree Sleeping Bag Sierra Designs amazon.com $319.95 Shop Now

One of the best features about the Sierra bag is its self-sealing foot vent for when youre a bit too toasty. You simply pull your knees up, then insert your toes in between two overlapping layers of fabric to expose them to the outside air. When you pull them back in, the flaps close back up without drafts  or so Ive been told by many users of this bag (sleeping bag functionality is often a topic of camp breakfast conversations).

As for the Star Fire, two of its biggest selling points include its warmth to weight ratio and especially form fitting, cozy hood. Some of my male friends who have this bag do say that the dimensions (60 inches at the shoulder and 54 at the hips) dont allow for people with bigger frames to sleep on their sides so if thats you, this particular bag may not suit your needs.

Winter/cold weather sleeping bags: 20 degrees Fahrenheit and below

Because Im one of those people who finds a brand that I like and sticks with it, my favorite winter sleeping bag is the Rab Neutrino 800 which has a -8F temperature rating.

Rab Neutrino Down Insulated Lightweight Sleeping Bag - $399.95

Rab Neutrino Down Insulated Lightweight Sleeping Bag RAB amazon.com $514.95 Shop Now

This is a mummy shaped bag with a water resistant outer shell great for alpine adventures and mountaineering. I took this bag with me on my K-2 trek and was happily warm while sleeping in one of the most beautiful (and chilly) places Ive ever camped.

I also polled some of my mountain trekking friends and one winter sleeping bag mentioned quite a few times was the Northface Inferno 0F degree bag.

The North Face Inferno 0 Sleeping Bag - $520.00

The North Face Inferno 0 Sleeping Bag The North Face rei.com $520.00 Shop Now

According to those who recommend it (and other REI online reviewers) one of the best things about this bag is that it is roomier than other mummy style ones while not sacrificing warmth. One reason for this is that the 800 fill down is enhanced with a hydrophobic finish that improves warmth by allowing it to dry faster and repel moisture ten times longer than your normal run of the mill down. Good on Northface for managing to improve on mother nature.

All the sleeping bags included in this article are mummy style bags with down filling. In general, mummy bags are warmer because there is less space inside to heat and the warmth that your body generates remains trapped close to you.

The fact that they are all down-filled bags correlates with me being a hiker, trekker and bikepacker who usually carries all my gear on my person. Down is lighter than synthetic materials and packs smaller. Down bags always have a higher warmth to weight ratio than those made from something synthetic.

Down, measured by fill power or its ability to loft (fill space) refers to the plumage underneath a duck or gooses feathers. This means that every ounce of down inside my Neutrino 800 sleeping bag fills 800 cubic inches of space. The downsides (ha) of down include price and the fact that if your down sleeping bag gets excessively wet it will take a long time to dry (and wont insulate well when wet.

Synthetic insulations, on the hand, tend to weigh more and take up more space. They also break down (lose their warming capabilities) every time they are stuffed into a sack which makes them less durable than down bags.

If youre worried about how the geese and ducks fare in this scenario (as I am), know that most manufacturers, including Rab, The Northface, and Big Agnes, have adopted the Responsible Down Standards (RDS) in the making of their sleeping bags. So, go confidently forth into the wilderness with your down-filled bags and cheers to a good nights sleep.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription and are still unable to access our content, please link your digital account to your print subscription If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
Chief Minister KCR wanted appointment of special advocates to deal with illegal drug cases so that criminals might be punished expeditiously. (Photo: Twitter)

HYDERABAD: The police and excise officials brought to the notice of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao on Wednesday said that ganja was being cultivated in the Andhra-Odisha border region and it was supplied to Telangana from Chintur and Bhadrachalam, later to Karnataka and Maharashtra. They said in Chhattisgarh, ganja was being produced and supplied.

Among those using ganja are migrant labourers, youth, auto drivers and hamalis. They opined that along with the police and excise departments, the forest department checks posts should also increase the surveillance.

Director-General of Police (DGP) Mahender Reddy asked the officials to take stringent measures to identify the hotspots of the ganja consumption and take stringent measures to control them. Measures will be taken to coordinate with the Vizag and Malkangiri police.

The Chief Minister wanted appointment of special advocates to deal with illegal drug cases so that criminals might be punished expeditiously. He also wanted special programmes to be conducted to create awareness among the youth about drug abuse.

The Chief Minister handed over the responsibility of making short films and video ads on the ill effects of the drugs to the Chief Secretary. He wanted lessons to be included in the school curriculum on the ill effects of drugs. He instructed OSD Desapthy Srinivas to include special lessons on drug abuse and its adverse effects in the syllabus.

For those cultivating ganja, their permits would be cancelled and schemes like Rythu Bandhu, and Rythu Bima would not be extended to them, the Chief Minister said.

He said another high-level meeting with the officials concerned would be convened to finalise the full-time strategy shortly.
Hyderabad: YS Sharmila, sister of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, on Wednesday began her 4,000 km padayatra in Telangana covering 90 assembly constituencies out of the total 119 in the state.

Sharmila recently launched the YSR Telangana Party in the state.

The march, 'Praja Prasthanam', began from Chevella near here, YSRTP sources said.

"The aim of this Praja Prasthanam is to bring back YSR rule (former chief minister and her late father YS Rajasekhar Reddy) in the state. The aim is to ensure women and backward classes get their due share in Parliament and Legislative Assemblies," she said.

She alleged that the state's youths are deprived of jobs pushing them into distress.

Sharmila had earlier walked more than 3000 km as part of her padayatra during 2012-13 in undivided Andhra Pradesh in support of her brother.
Fire started in the north block of Gandhi Hospital on the ground floor near the ante-natal and labour wards. (DC photo)

HYDERABAD: A huge fire erupted at the north block of Gandhi Hospital triggering panic among patients, attendants and staff in the morning hours of Wednesday. However, no casualties were reported with the timely action of the hospital staff, fire brigade and the police.

Fire brigade officials reached within 15 to 20 minutes and doused the fire but the electricity supply could not be restored and there is still no power till the fourth floor of the north block.

Evacuation of more than 200 patients had to be carried out as there were mothers with newborn babies and pregnant women. The first floor had paediatrics and orthopaedic wards. These patients were escorted out in the open area for a half-an-hour along with their attendants. Each patient has two attendants with them. With the help of police, fire brigade officials and nursing staff moved the patients out and then shifted them to the south block.

On the second floor, there were acute cases of Covid-19 of which some were on ventilators and they were shifted directly to the emergency block. Later, they were moved to the in-patient areas in the south block. On the third floor, there were intensive care unit patients and they were also moved out to the south block.

The fourth floor is an ENT block with patients suffering from black fungus and neurology patients. They were moved to the in-patient department. The fourth floor also has a pathology and microbiology department.

Gandhi Hospital beds are full and there are a total of 1,200 patients in the hospital. It took time for the staff to adjust and create space for extra patients from one block to another.

RMOs and junior and senior doctors were pressed into service to shift the patients smoothly without creating a hassle.

Fire started in the north block of Gandhi Hospital on the ground floor near the ante-natal and labour wards. It started from the electric supply room and it went up to the first, second and the third floor vertically along the electric cables.

Excess load on electricity supply due to the operation of 500 ventilators in the hospital is considered as the reason for the short circuit that occurred in Gandhi Hospital at 7.20 am on Wednesday, according to sources.

A short circuit in the electrical panel boards is said to have led to the fire. Fire brigade officials said there was a voltage fluctuation in the panel board which resulted in fire. We immediately rushed a fire tender and it took us about 20 minutes to douse the flames and get the situation under control, said an official from the fire department. The damage estimation in the mishap is reportedly under assessment. We were told that the management will be replacing wiring and restoring electricity in the block where the mishap was reported, added the official.

There was an electric box which was lying on the floor in the electric supply room. Alert resident medical officers (RMO) on the ground floor switched off the main power supply as the fire started and called the fire brigade. The RMOs also alerted the nursing staff and doctors as there were attendants sleeping in corridors and smoke engulfed the three floors. There was a major hue and cry in the corridors and complete darkness in all the three floors as the power was shut down.

The Telangana State Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation (TSMSIDC) officials are checking the electric cables and what has gone wrong. Office of the superintendent, resident medical officers on the ground floor and wards till fourth floor have been shut for safety purposes.

Dr Raja Rao, superintendent of the hospital says, "Mock drills and training to our staff by the fire department helped as they were aware of the safety protocols. There has not been any injury and all the patients, their attendants and staff are safe."

Director of health and medical education Dr Ramesh Reddy also visited the hospital and gave instructions to the administration and doctor's team.

The TSMSIDC officials are assessing the cause and also re-establishing the damaged cables to start electric current in the ward. According to sources, it will take time, as the cables have been burnt till the fourth floor.

The building has eight floors and there are patients from the fifth floor to the eighth floor.
Punjab Police and the BSF have recovered a huge cache of weapons near the India-Pakistan border. (Representational image: ANI)

Chandigarh: The Punjab Police and the BSF have recovered a huge cache of weapons near the India-Pakistan border in the Khemkaran area of Tarn Taran district, an official said on Wednesday.

In a joint operation, the Counter Intelligence wing of the Punjab Police and the Border Security Force (BSF) recovered 22 pistols, 44 magazines and 100 rounds of ammunition, the police official said.

One kg of heroin was also recovered, he added.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao on Tuesday announced that the enovated Yadadri temple complex would be inaugurated on March 28, 2022, with the conduct of the Mahakumbha Samprokshana.

Addressing the media at Yadadri after a seven-hour inspection of the renovation works, the Chief Minister stated that the inauguration would be preceded by eight days of Ankurarpana from March 21 including Mahasudarshana Homam.

The Chief Minister donated one kilogram and 16 tolas of gold to the temple on the occasion, on his family's behalf, for gold-coating of the 'Vimana Gopuram' on the lines of the Tirumala temple. He also sought donations from all as it requires 125 kg of gold worth nearly Rs 65 crore. He said donations were being sought to create a sense of participation among all sections of people. Even donations as small as Rs 11 will be accepted. Everyone should feel that Yadadri is their own temple with their contributions, he said.

Ministers, TRS MLAs, MLCs and MPs also announced donations on the occasion.

Rao said about 6,000 Ritviks along with 4,000 assistants would perform the Mahasudarshana Homam when the temple reopened, and the entire proceedings would be supervised by Sri Tridandi Chinna Jeeyar Swamy for which 1.50 lakh kilograms of pure ghee was required.

The Chief Minister spent seven-hours on the temple premises and thoroughly inspected all the elements in the temple that underwent an almost magical transformation since 2015. He recently announced in the Legislative Assembly that the temple would be inaugurated by the first week of December.

Explaining reasons for the delay, Rao said, "Fixing muhurats for inauguration of temples involves several religious and spiritual things. It is not in our hands. The present period is called dakshinayanam which is not suitable. Uttarayanam period is suitable, which falls in March. Moreover, a lot of arrangements need to be done for performing rituals and homams on such a large scale. Seers of various peethams and religious heads need to be invited. All these require at least two to three months."

Rao asked officials to expedite works for the construction of 250 cottages for the accommodation of pilgrims. Each cottage will have four suites with an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore. He said plots would be allotted to those who want to construct cottages and donate to the temple. Rao said a TSRTC bus stand would be constructed at a cost of Rs 6 crore and free bus services would be provided to visit the temple.

Inspired by the CM donation to the temple, labour minister Ch Malla Reddy and TRS Nagarkurnool MLA Marri Janardhan Reddy announced donations of 2 kg gold each. Donations of one kg gold were announced by Kaveri Seeds MD G. Venkata Bhaskar Rao, Namasthe Telangana CMD D. Damodar Rao and seer Chinna Jeeyar Swamy. Several TRS MLAs and MLCs pledged to donate gold soon.
The GO stated that prior permission of the CM must be taken if any retired government servant or any other person is to be inducted on contract basis with such high salary. (Representational photo: AFP)

Vijayawada: In violation of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddys directive and a related government order, several persons are working on contract basis with hefty wages in various corporations and societies in AP without proper academic or other qualifications. This is causing a severe strain on the exchequer.

The state government issued GO-Rt 2323 in November, 2019 to dispense with the services of retired government officials and other personnel working on contract/outsourcing basis and drawing a remuneration of Rs 40,000 and above, from March 31 that year. The order was aimed at optimising and reorienting the available human resources and to ensure transparent, accountable and honest governance.

The GO stated that prior permission of the CM must be taken if any retired government servant or any other person is to be inducted on contract basis with such high salary. However, ignoring the CMs call and GO, several societies/corporations like the Andhra Pradesh Technology Services, the AP Skill Development Society, the AP Non-Resident Telugu Society, the AP Information Technology Academy and the e-Pragati have recruited many persons on contract basis. Some of these are getting monthly pay as high as Rs 2.5 lakh or more.

Several of these persons are not having the requisite academic qualification and some are not even provided a job chart as to what they should do on a daily basis.

Highly placed sources said a contract employee identified as Sureshkumar Reddy working with APTS is drawing Rs 2.50 lakh while another by name Shivasankar Reddy draws Rs 2.36 lakh. Several of these contract employees are drawing more than Rs 1 lakh on an average every month.

The sources said their mode of payment is either via the Comprehensive Financial Management System or through the treasury. They are allegedly bribing staff at CFMS and treasury to get their wage bills cleared without any trouble and getting support from the top brass to remain in service by flouting all norms.

Regular government employees complain about these contract employees drawing hefty wages with no proper work. One employee noted, Even for a Group-1 officer, it takes several years of experience to draw Rs 1 lakh per month as salary. These contract employees have no proper academic qualifications and work allotment. It is high time such illegal practices are curbed.
New Delhi: Cementing a new four-nation arrangement that is being spoken of as yet another Quad, this time in the Middle East, the United States on Tuesday said the foreign ministers of the US, Israel, India and the United Arab Emirates, who met at a virtual conference late Monday night, had discussed expanding economic and political cooperation in the Middle East and Asia, including through trade, combating climate change, energy cooperation, and increasing maritime security.

Announcing that the intention is to hold an in-person meeting of the (four) ministers in the coming months at Expo 2020 in Dubai (that is being held from October this year till March next year), Israel, in its separate statement, said the four ministers decided to establish an international forum for economic cooperation and had held a discussion on the possibilities for joint infrastructure projects in the fields of transportation, technology, maritime security, and economics and trade, as well as for additional joint projects. Stating that its foreign minister (and Alternate PM) Yair Lapid had initiated the meeting during his visit to Washington last week, Israel also said that at the end of the conversation, it was decided that each minister will appoint senior-level professionals to a joint working group that will formulate options for cooperation in the aforementioned areas.

External affairs minister S. Jaishankar, who participated in the meeting during his ongoing five-day visit to Israel, tweeted that the four ministers had a fruitful first meeting and had discussed working together more closely on economic growth and global issues while also agreeing on an expeditious follow-up.

The new arrangement has been formed at a time when China has been expanding its infrastructure projects, including the Belt and Road Initiative from Asia to Europe to Africa.

In a statement on Tuesday (IST), the US state department said: Secretary Blinken spoke today with Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Israeli Foreign Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid. The Secretary and the Foreign Ministers discussed expanding economic and political cooperation in the Middle East and Asia, including through trade, combating climate change, energy cooperation, and increasing maritime security.

The US state department added: Secretary Blinken and the Ministers also discussed people to people ties in technology and science, and how to support global public health in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Secretary reiterated the Biden Administrations support for the Abraham Accords and normalisation agreements and discussed future opportunities for collaboration in the region and globally.

Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid said at the meeting: Around this virtual table -- there is a unique set of capabilities, knowledge, and experience that can be used to create the network that we all want to see created. I think the word were looking for here is synergy, because this is what were going to try and create starting with this meeting. Synergy that will help us work together on infrastructure, digital infrastructure, transport, maritime security and other things that preoccupy us all. He added: The key to success is how quickly can we move from government-to-government to business-to-business? How quickly can we turn this into a working process that will put boots on the ground, changing infrastructure around the world.

The virtual conference has sparked off enormous speculation on the new arrangement but some questions still remain unanswered. Of the four nations, India is the only one with close ties to Iran and these ties have become even more crucial with the fall of Afghanistan to the Pakistan-backed Taliban. Also, the UAE is seen to always act in tandem with Saudi Arabia, which is still hesitant to be seen openly on the same platform as Israel. But the US statement on the four nations expanding political cooperation in the Middle East and Asia and expanding maritime security is seen by observers as a very significant one. All four nations also have very close ties with each other. India had also welcomed the full normalisation of relations between the UAE and Israel in August 2020 and had then pointed out that both nations are its key strategic partners.
Centuries-old historic and valuable artifacts, sculptures and antique pieces of the Buddhist period and various dynasties of AP are showcased at British Museum Gallery No 33A in London. (Photo: British Museum Gallery)

ANANTAPUR: Centuries-old historic and valuable artifacts, sculptures and antique pieces of the Buddhist period and various dynasties of AP are showcased at British Museum Gallery No 33A in London. Calls are being made to the Centre by historians to get them back to India.

The shrine of Amaravati of 280 BC, ancient Buddhist monuments of India and several sculptures known as Amaravati marbles are with the British Museum. Historians and devotees are urging the Centre to get these back to Amaravati. They point out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had, in a similar fashion, helped get back some artifacts and antique pieces from the US.

The PM, during his recent visit of the US, convinced the US Administration to hand over several artifacts and antiquities. Among them, around 71 artifacts were of cultural importance while 60 were connected to Hinduism, 16 to Buddhism and nine to Jainism of the 11th and 14th Centuries.

Now, historians want the Centre to concentrate on priceless relics of the Buddhist dynasty lying with the British Museum. In fact, Gallery 33 A in the British Museum has valuable objects named as Amaravati --a Buddhist shrine with Amaravati Stupam that was established in Guntur district in the 3rd Century BC.

After the Stupam gained attention in the 18th Century, Colin Mackenzie excavated the area and another British researcher removed parts of the sculpture and kept them in the Madras Museum by 1845. However, the relics were shifted to London in 1859.

Though the repatriation of objects has gained public attention for many years, there was considerable success in retrieving these objects from other countries during the past few years. ASI sources say the government has been able to get back 40 art objects between 2014 and 2020, and a few more objects are set for return.

Historian Dr.Jasti Veeranjineyulu had recently visited the British Museum and observed the valuable antique pieces of Buddhist era, Jain dynasty and ancient idols of Hindu gods that were placed in the separate gallery.

A letter was sent to PM Modi by historian Jasti Veeranjineyulu, seeking his intervention to retrieve the objects from the British Museum, to restore the majesty and grandeur of the Amaravati museum. Priceless curios were taken away from Amaravati especially the relics of Buddhist and Satavahana dynasties during the British rule and they have been showcased in the British museum gallery 33 A, he stated in the letter.

Along with Amaravati sculptures, there were also those of Lord Budda, a Lord Nataraj bronze statue and the Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati statues of 1100 AD in the gallery.

In addition, large numbers of archeological remains linked to the Buddhist Stupam of Amaravati are in the custody of the National Museum in New Delhi and the Indian Museum of Kolkata. They would do well to transfer these to the Amaravati Museum, he proposed.

The Under Secretary to the government had called for a report from both museums four years ago but it did not materialize.
KARIMNAGAR: The announcement of Dalit Bandhu scheme by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao not only created waves in the state political circles because of its timing but has also raised several doubts about its implementation as many such schemes and promises made earlier have been pushed to the backburner.

Ostensibly meant to empower Scheduled Castes and dalits, the state government is facing criticism even as there are doubts about the rationale behind the scheme. The reactions have been mixed, including from dalit associations, while opposition leaders have termed it as a political stunt to lure dalit voters ahead of the Huzurabad by-election.

This was the finding of Deccan Chronicle after visiting various villages and interacting with dalits and other Huzurabad locals.

One Manda Anil said that unlike the previous governments which released limited funds for self-employment schemes, Rao is embarking on a major forward step for the overall growth of dalits, although dalit families never made any lofty demands. With Rs. 10 lakh sanctioned for poor families, the scheme can usher in golden days in every dalit household, he said.

Chinta Lingaiah of Ellandhakunta mandal said that TRS leaders visited their village and prepared the list of beneficiaries. They said that the scheme will be allotted first to only 20 members and that too to those who do not have any source of income and are living under miserable conditions.

The TRS leaders were unclear when asked about the second phase, he said.

Burra Kumar, an unemployed youth of Gudur village, said that he got married and was living separately with his wife and son in a rented house. But the leaders entered the name of his father in the list.

My father lives in his house with my siblings. If they short-list the names of beneficiaries, my fathers name will definitely not figure in the list. Is it not unfair denying the scheme to a dalit like me with no job, he asked.

Principal secretary of Telangana social welfare department, Rahul Bojja in a recent review meeting at Karimnagar had said that Dalit Bandhu scheme was meant to uplift dalit families, both economically and socially.

Yerra Ramesh of Vangapally village expressed doubts about the nature of units that will be preferred. Though, the government has asked dalits to select units of their own choice, it did not give any clarity if it will extend the scheme benefits if around four or five persons opt for a similar unit in a single village. Can having so many units in the same village make economic sense to the beneficiaries, he wondered.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India sought details of Dalit Bandhu scheme following a complaint lodged by Forum for good governance, which said that the scheme is to be implemented in Huzurabad Assembly constituency.

The EC issued orders to the Chief Electoral Officer Shashank Goel to submit a report while clarifying whether the scheme was a newly introduced one or has been in existence, whether it is meant to lure Huzurabad electorate and whether it will maintain transparency.
HYDERABAD: Although TRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao ruled out the possibility of early Assembly polls in Telangana, it has only triggered more speculation and debate not just in the ruling party but in the political circles across the state.

The TRS holding a mega public meeting in Warangal on November 15 with over 10 lakh people is being viewed as the first step towards early polls in 2022-end against the original schedule of 2023-end.

There is a buzz in the TRS circles that there is a 'multi-pronged strategy' behind Chandrashekar Rao raking up early polls issue on his own when no party is talking about this and holding a mega public meeting in November.

A TRS insider said, "No political party will organise such a massive show of strength two years before the Assembly elections. There is a multi-pronged strategy behind it. It is to gear up the party for early Assembly polls sometime during 2022-end. It is also to negate the resurgence of the BJP in the event of the BJP winning the Huzurabad bypoll. This mega rally will help the party to send a strong message to people and the Opposition parties that the TRS roots are strong and Huzurabad result was only a minor aberration."

Political circles recall a similar strategy adopted by the CM while forcing early Assembly polls in December 2018 against the original schedule of April-May 2019. They say Chandrashekar Rao had ruled out early Assembly polls in 2018 and announced to hold a mega public meeting with over 10 lakh people at Kongarakalan on city outskirts on September 2, which triggered speculation that he will make an announcement on early polls.

However, in his speech, Rao said although people were expecting him to make an announcement on early polls, he had no such plans. Within four days, Rao dissolved the Legislative Assembly on September 6, nine months in advance, forcing early polls in December 2018 while the Assembly tenure was supposed to end on June 2, 2019.

Against this background, it is widely speculated that Rao has plans to go for early polls by 2022-end and if not, there was no need for him to rake up this issue on his own when no party is talking about it.

While the TRS leaders on record claim that Warangal public meeting is being held to mark completion of two decades of formation of the TRS in 2001, they see a big political strategy behind it.
HYDERABAD: The high-voltage campaign by the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) in Huzurabad Assembly constituency since July will come to an end with a huge public meeting to be addressed by party president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao on October 27, where the TRS is engaged in a fierce fight with the BJP.

However, TRS sources said the actual date of the Chief Ministers public meeting was yet to be finalised as he was considering both October 26 and 27 but were hopeful that he might choose October 27 as it is the deadline prescribed by the Election Commission of India (EC) to end campaigning for the bypoll scheduled to be held on October 30.

Normally, EC mandates 48-hour 'silence period' before polling but in Huzurabad it prescribed 72-hour silence period. TRS leaders and cadre are pinning all their hopes on the Chief Ministers public meeting that it will boost their party's winning chances in Huzurabad. Raos election rally will be held in the bordering area of Huzurabad as the EC capped public gathering at 1,000 for election rallies in Huzurabad.

TRS leaders identified a 25-acre ground on the outskirts of Penchikalpeta village in Elkathurthy mandal in Hanamkonda district which falls under Husnabad Assembly constituency. This village has been selected as it is just 5 kilometres from Huzurabad in Karimnagar district and does not attract EC's norms on public gatherings. The TRS wants to mobilise one lakh people for the Chief Ministers meeting. TRS Husnabad MLA V. Satish Reddy and senior leader E. Peddi Reddy have already started making arrangements for the meeting at the venue.

The TRS campaign in Huzurabad is being led by the party's senior leader and finance minister T. Harish Rao all these days, who has been camping in the constituency since July. He is being assisted by ministers from undivided Karimnagar district Gangula Kamalakar and Koppula Eshwar, besides scores of TRS MLAs, MLCs and senior leaders. The TRS has pitted Gellu Srinivas Yadav against BJP's Etala Rajender.
Sonia Gandhi seems to have settled the question for now: she is a hands-on president of her party, no question. Her bold performance at the last meeting of the Congress Working Committee on October 16 can leave no room for doubt on that score, although leading issues still remain.

The impact of her forceful words on the party ranks cant but be positive. The continual degrading of all Indians due to the Narendra Modi governments disastrous economic policies, the insecurity caused to the minorities and dalits, and the countrys humiliation by China in Ladakh were noteworthy reminders of whats going badly wrong.

If the Congress performance is above par in the next round of Assembly polls, the party will doubtless retain its primacy in any national grouping of anti-BJP forces in the country in spite of its recent poll performances being dispiriting.

The immediate context of Mrs Gandhis speech was framed by Priyanka Gandhi Vadras recent strong showing in Uttar Pradesh, where she was in fighting mode as she met farmers after the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, and addressed an impressive rally in Varanasi, Mr Modis parliamentary constituency.

In contrast stands the G-23, the Congress ginger group whose urgings led to the calling of the CWC meet in the first place. It has no leg to stand on in terms of star power or the vote-catching quotient. Also, the caucus can never become a breakaway group and chart its future as a group. Its members present at the CWC didnt find the voice to raise the sort of questions they frequently do in the media. They are quite clearly not in the mould of (former Prime Minister) Chandra Shekhar and his Young Turks who, when in the Congress, had frequently challenged Indira Gandhi even when she was at the height of her powers. The limits of the G-23 are therefore quite obvious.

The principal reason the G-23 dont cut much ice with the partys rank and file, although many of them are high-profile individuals with liberal values, is that their members were silent spectators and enjoyed the fruits of power dispensed by the Gandhis when the Congress held office. They didnt then raise questions about democratising the party or the importance of holding regular elections  as they do now when the party is not in sight of power. Yet, has the fundamental question the G-23 posed gone away?

The plain answer is no. This is why the CWC deemed it fit to announce a schedule for internal elections down to the lowest organisational level, and not just for Congress president. The pith and substance of the G-23 demand was not brushed under the carpet when it could easily have been since there is no challenge to Mrs Gandhi from within.

The ginger group constituted itself and has been active in the past year. This is due to the context -- the Congress has been losing elections, causing demoralisation, even disenchantment, in the party fold. If the Congress does reasonably in the coming state Assembly elections in UP, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa early next year, and then in Gujarat, the party should be able to project optimism for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. If the Congress misses the boat yet again, Banquos ghost will be back, one way or another, even if the G-23 dissipates.

At the CWC, Mrs Gandhi called herself a full-time and hands-on president. In doing so, she exculpated Rahul Gandhi, who was blamed for the partys fadeouts, and for regrettable decisions like privileging Navjot Singh Sidhu in Punjab, in the process destabilising a Congress government and siding with a particular faction, that is historically alien to the Gandhis way of doing things. By keeping themselves above the fray, the Gandhis had grown into an automatic adjudicatory role, and kept the Congress from being buffeted by factional pressures.

Although Mr Gandhi resigned as Congress chief in 2019, bravely taking responsibility for the Lok Sabha defeat, he remained the prime mover in the party -- perhaps because his mothers health was a cause for concern. Now it is his mother who has tried to bail him out by stepping forward to take the rap for things that had gone wrong. Its hard to read Mrs Gandhis self-description of being a full-time, hands-on party president differently.

No matter how unkind the circumstances, and how ferocious the attacks by the establishment on the Gandhis, this isnt the best way to run the Congress, which has an organisational, political and ideological history as hallowed as any party in the democratic world, with the added richness of leading India to victory in prolonged anti-colonial combat. The Congress deserves different.

Sonia Gandhi and her children Rahul and Priyanka have weathered the onslaught of the sectarian far right of the majority community (which is in power) as no other Congress leader before them, and of the three it is Mr Gandhi who stood up to false and perverse personal attacks through the social media day after day. The Gandhis have faced the salvos with elan, single-handed -- with no support from other non-BJP quarters, who have singularly failed to appreciate that they will be next once the Gandhis go down.

Mr Gandhi has indeed taken the battle to the enemy camp, ideologically, on a near daily basis, lately winning admiration among an influential intellectual and political tradition that had previously been dismissive of the Nehru-Gandhis and the Congress. Nevertheless, if the Gandhis step back and encourage others to play the role of the partys organsiational pivot, they may be leading a historic turnaround of their party.

Whether imaginary or real, there has existed the fear that without the glue the Gandhi name provides, the Congress would tear itself apart. This a priori assumption has no firm basis, even allowing for the dismal Sitaram Kesri interregnum. But even if the Congress, as we have known it, capsizes, the set of values that make the party will remain a totem against the dynamics and processes of the far right in a very diverse country.

If Rahul Gandhi is a candidate for the Congress presidency next August, as per the announced schedule, those wishing to contest for the position are likely to hold back. In that case, the Congress will be back to where it is, with a Gandhi on top. The way out of the conundrum is for the CWC, for now, to name preferably two working presidents, letting Rahul Gandhi extricate himself from being the chief instrument of the Congress president in day-to-day. When it is time to elect a new president, Mr Gandhi could continue to keep out and back the new leader with the solidity of his experience.
Facebook said it does not comment on "rumor or speculation." (Photo: AP/File)

Washington: Facebook Inc, under fire from regulators and lawmakers over its business practices, is planning to rebrand itself with a new name that focuses on the metaverse, the Verge reported on Tuesday.

The name change will be announced next week, The Verge reported, citing a source with direct knowledge of the matter.

The move would likely position the flagship app as one of many products under a parent company overseeing brands such as Instagram and WhatsApp, according to the report. Google adopted such a structure when it reorganized into a holding company called Alphabet in 2015.

Facebook said it does not comment on "rumor or speculation."

Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg has been talking up the metaverse, a digital world where people can move between different devices and communicate in a virtual environment, since July and the company has invested heavily in virtual reality and augmented reality, developing hardware such as its Oculus VR headsets and working on AR glasses and wristband technologies.

The buzzy word, first coined in a dystopian novel three decades earlier, is popular in Silicon Valley and has been referenced by other tech firms such as Microsoft. The popular children's game Roblox describes itself as a metaverse company. Epic Games' Fortnite is also considered to be part of the metaverse.

Zuckerberg plans to talk about the name change at the company's annual Connect conference on Oct. 28, but it could be unveiled sooner, the Verge said.

The move would come at a time when Facebook is under wide-ranging scrutiny from global lawmakers and regulators over its content moderation practices and harms linked to its platforms, with internal documents leaked by a whistleblower forming the basis for a U.S. Senate hearing last week.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
New Delhi: The Pakistan Navy on Tuesday claimed that it had allegedly detected and blocked an Indian submarine from entering Pakistani territorial waters last week. According to reports in the Pakistani media, that countrys military said in a statement that the incident had occurred on October 16 when an Indian submarine was detected by a Pakistan Navy patrol aircraft. The Pakistan Army also released a short footage of the purported incident to the media.

While there was no official statement by the Indian Navy, sources said the claims by the Pakistani military were incorrect. If you will see the video released by the Pakistan military, it shows that the position of the submarine, or whatever it is, is around 250-260 km from Karachi port, which is in international waters. The territorial waters of a country is around 20-21 km, a source said.

The Pakistani statement came as the Indian Navys top commanders are attending the Naval Commanders Conference from October 18 to 22 in New Delhi. This is being attended by the Indian Navys operational and area commanders and is discussing major maritime security threats.

In the past too, the Pakistan military has claimed that it had blocked Indian submarines from entering its territorial waters. The last such statement was made in March 2019, when Pakistan had released video footage saying it was that of an Indian submarine.

Over the past several days, we have witnessed Pakistan indulging in false propaganda and spread of misinformation. The Indian Navy does not take cognisance of such propaganda, the Navy had then said.
Jack Ma, China's billionaire and founder of e-commerce giant Alibaba, has travelled to Europe for an agriculture study tour, his first trip abroad since he ran into trouble with the Chinese government last year over violating anti-monopoly regulations.

Before flying to Europe, Ma was in Hong Kong to spend low-key private time with his family, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, which is owned by him, reported on Wednesday.

Jack Ma is currently in Spain for an agriculture and technology study tour related to environmental issues, it said.

He will be in Europe for a series of business meetings and an agriculture study tour. It will be his first overseas trip in more than a year. Previously, Ma spent one of every three days travelling in 2018, the Post report said.

Also Read | Billionaire Alibaba founder Jack Ma reappears in Hong Kong

Ma retired as Alibabas chairman in 2019 on his 55th birthday, sparking speculation about his sudden decision to step down from the helm.

He is lying low right now, his close associate Joseph Tsai, executive vice-chairman of Alibaba said during the height of the crackdown against the firm, refuting speculative reports about his prolonged absence from public.

Alibaba went through a stormy 2020, with Ma being summoned by national regulators after he likened traditional Chinese banks to pawn shops and questioned whether the Basel Accords  a set of global banking regulatory recommendations  were suitable for China.

In December, Beijing launched an antitrust probe into Alibaba and slapped a record fine of $2.8 billion on the tech giant for monopolistic practices.

Alibaba suffered a major setback last year after the Shanghai Stock Exchange suspended dual listing of the shares of the world's biggest initial public offer of $39.7 billion of the group's subsidiary - the Ant Group, 48 hours before the highly-anticipated trading was due to start.

Born in a poor family, Ma, grew up to be one of the country's richest men and the most revered businessman among the Chinese people.

The sudden and surprise announcement by Ma in 2019 to retire stating that he preferred to die at a beach than at his work table set off speculation that he was feeling the weight of the ruling Communist Party of China, (CPC), which firmly exercised its control over Chinas top businesses prompting him to downsize his business.

Check out latest DH videos here
Netflix Inc. posted its best subscriber growth of the year, beating Wall Street estimates thanks to the popularity of Squid Game, its breakout drama from South Korea.

The company added 4.38 million subscribers in the third quarter, according to a statement Tuesday, exceeding projections of 3.72 million. Netflix expects to sign up 8.5 million customers in the final three months of 2021, compared with Wall Street estimates of 8.32 million, thanks to an unprecedented slate of upcoming shows.

A busy programming slate in the final four months will help Netflix recover from a slow start to the year. The service added just 5.5 million customers in the first six months of 2021, the least since 2013. Analysts had worried the slowdown would drag on after July and August passed without the return of popular shows. But new seasons of La Casa de Papel and Sex Education, as well as Squid Game, a show about a deadly contest, brought in millions of new customers in September.

About 142 million member households started watching Squid Game, making it the most-viewed new show in Netflix history. Executives wore track suits inspired by the show during a prerecorded earnings call for investors. The company finished the quarter with 213.6 million subscribers.

As the quarter continued, we saw an acceleration in our growth, Chief Financial Officer Spencer Neumann said on the call. Neumann said he hoped the company had escaped the uncertainty of the pandemic, which made it harder to forecast results. Netflix is on pace to add more than 18 million customers this year, though thats the least since 2016.

Also Read | Megahit 'Squid Game' puts focus squarely on Netflix's overseas growth

Shares of Netflix were down more than 1 per cent in extended trading after the results were announced. The stock has been on a tear lately as investors hopes for faster growth took hold, rising 34 per cent from its 2021 low in May.

The question for investors is whether Netflix can sustain its growth in Asia and Europe in the years ahead.

Those two regions supplied most of the new customers in the quarter, pulling in almost 4 million subscribers. Asia has been Netflixs fastest-growing territory in recent months, and Squid Game bolstered that trend. Europe, the Middle East and Africa had been the fastest-growing market the past couple years. The company is investing millions of dollars in productions for South Korea, India and Japan, as well as Africa.

Netflix didnt address the controversy over comedian Dave Chappelles jokes about gay and trans people in a new stand-up special. It has spawned worker unrest and the leak of company documents. Some of Netflixs creative partners planned to protest outside of its Hollywood offices Wednesday in solidarity with those communities.

Also Read | Netflix estimates Squid Game to be worth almost $900 million

Investors have worried that competition will slow or even reverse Netflixs growth, but the company has insisted it has plenty more room to grow. Netflix said Tuesday third-quarter sales increased 16 per cent to $7.48 billion, aided in part by price increases. Profit rose 83 per cent to $1.45 billion, or $3.19 a share.

Netflix has already proved skeptics wrong on many other points. It said it will be cash flow positive next year and annually moving forward, and it has started to make popular shows and movies in-house, in addition to using outside producers.

Netflix estimates it can reach 450 million customers or more all over the world. For that to happen, it will need to sign up customers in poorer countries, since its growth at home has slowed. Just one quarter after losing 430,000 customers in the US and Canada, Netflix added 70,000 subscribers in those countries. The company started testing a free plan in Kenya that it hopes can entice people to upgrade to a full subscription.

No one is really sure if Netflix can return to the levels of subscriber growth it saw before the pandemic, co-founder Reed Hastings said on the call. But the company is confident in the short term because it has a stacked lineup in the final three months.

Netflix has a deep slate of films with big names arriving in the next couple months, including Red Notice, starring Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds, and The Power of the Dog, featuring Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst. It will also release new seasons of hit shows The Witcher and Cobra Kai.

We are in uncharted territory, Hastings said. We have so much content coming in Q4 like weve never had.

Check out latest DH videos here
Future Retail must take part in arbitration over a commercial dispute with Amazon.com Inc, a Singapore arbitration panel ruled on Wednesday, rejecting the Indian retailer's bid to avoid the process.

Amazon is trying to block Future's $3.4 billion sale of its retail assets to Indian market leader Reliance Industries, accusing it of breaking contracts. Future denies any wrongdoing.

After the Singapore arbitrator put the deal on hold last year in an interim decision, Future argued it should be excluded from arbitration because Amazon had initiated it incorrectly under a contract it signed with another Future group company.

Also read: Future group firms convene shareholder, creditors meetings to seek approval for RIL deal

In an order on Wednesday, which is not public but has been reviewed by Reuters, the panel disagreed with Future. It said the three agreements at the heart of the Future-Amazon dispute must be read together, and not separately, as Future argued.

The three agreements were of "composite nature", "wide and comprehensive enough" and the tribunal "has jurisdiction over FRL (Future Retail) in this Arbitration," said the 69-page order.

Future and Amazon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The main arbitration proceedings will now begin in due course, people familiar with the matter said.

The dispute started after Future, India's second-largest retailer with over 1,700 stores, entered into a deal last year to sell its retail, wholesale, logistics and certain other businesses to Reliance, after Covid-19 hit its operations hard.

Amazon had its sights on ultimately owning some of Future's retail assets itself. It has argued a 2019 deal it had with a Future unit contained clauses prohibiting the Indian group from selling its retail assets to anyone on a "restricted persons" list that included Reliance.

Amazon brought proceedings against Future before a Singapore arbitration panel, and the dispute is also being fought at various Indian legal forums.

The outcome of the tussle involving two of the worlds richest men, Amazons Jeff Bezos and Reliances Mukesh Ambani, could reshape Indias pandemic-hit shopping sector and help determine whether Amazon can blunt Reliance's dominance of India's almost one trillion-dollar retail market.

Check out latest videos from DH:
It's been barely a day since Google announced an in-house designed Tensor silicon-powered Pixel 6 series. During the presentation, Google said its engineer could not incorporate better photography capabilities on Pixels due to reliance on the third-party chipset used in the devices. So, it developed a proprietary processor similar to what Apple does.

Even Samsung and Huawei too have their own respective chipsets Exynos and Kirin but haven't reached the potential they aspire to be. It should be noted that the performance of the devices does come close to those with Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipset.

Now, popular smartphone-maker Oppo has plans to bring 3nm-class silicon in collaboration with contract manufacturer Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), reported Nikkei Asia citing reliable internal sources.

By the way, TSMC makes processors for Apple too. With more control over the hardware and software, the company's engineers will have more freedom to push boundaries and become standout among rival brands.

Nikkei report says that the Chinese company has been investing in developing its own silicon after the US sanctioned trade curbs on Huawei with Google, Microsoft, and Qualcomm a couple of years ago.

It added Oppo has hired top talents related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and chipset developers from MediaTek, Qualcomm, Huawei in the US, Taiwan, and even Japan.

Oppo is also said to be working on its own AI-based algorithm and custom Image Signal Processor to enhance the photography experience on its future devices.

So far, Oppo has not made any official comment with regard to the report.

Get the latest news on new launches, gadget reviews, apps, cybersecurity, and more on personal technology only on DH Tech.
Tesla Inc has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office to slash import taxes on electric vehicles before it enters the market, four sources told Reuters, ratcheting up demands that faced objections from some Indian automakers.

Tesla wants to begin selling imported cars in India this year but says taxes in the country are among the highest in the world. Its request for tax cuts - first reported by Reuters in July - prompted objections from several local players, who say such a move would deter investment in domestic manufacturing.

Tesla executives, including its head of policy in India, Manuj Khurana, took the company's demands to Modi's officials last month in a closed-door meeting, arguing that the taxes were too high, four sources familiar with the discussions said.

During the meeting at Modi's office, Tesla said that India's duty structure would not make its business in the country a "viable proposition", according to one of the sources.

Read | 'PLI for auto sector to attract Tesla into India'

India levies an import duty of 60% on electric vehicles that cost $40,000 or less, and 100% duty on those priced over $40,000. Analysts have said that at these rates Tesla cars would become far too costly for buyers and could limit their sales.

Tesla has separately also put in a request for a meeting between its Chief Executive Elon Musk and Modi, three of the sources said.

Modi's office and Tesla, as well as its executive Khurana, did not respond to a request for comment.

It is not clear what Modi's office specifically told Tesla in response, but the four sources told Reuters government officials are divided over the US automaker's demands. Some officials want the company to commit to local manufacturing before considering any import tax breaks.

Concern about the impact on the local auto industry is also weighing on the government, the sources added.

Indian companies such as Tata Motors, which recently raised $1 billion from investors including TPG to boost EV production locally, has said giving Tesla concessions would be contrary to India's plans to boost domestic EV manufacturing.

One of the sources, who has direct knowledge of the government's thinking, said: "If Tesla was the only EV maker, decreasing duties would have worked. But there are others."

The transport minister said this month Tesla should not sell made-in-China cars in India and should manufacture locally instead, but Tesla has indicated it first wants to experiment with imports.

Musk said on Twitter in July that "if Tesla is able to succeed with imported vehicles, then a factory in India is quite likely."

The Indian market for premium EVs is still in its infancy and charging infrastructure is scarce. Just 5,000 of the 2.4 million cars sold in India last year were electric.

One government official said lowering duties for a limited period to pave the way for Tesla's entry could "boost India's investor friendly image and green credentials" while also attracting more investments.

Watch latest videos by DH here:
British fashion house Burberry named Jonathan Akeroyd as its new chief executive officer from next April, poaching the boss of Milan-based Gianni Versace and former Alexander McQueen head to succeed Marco Gobbetti.

The 165-year-old group had since June been searching for a replacement for Gobbetti, who is leaving four years into his plan to take the brand further upmarket. The announcement of his departure sent Burberry's shares down 10 per cent.

Burberry, known for its trench coats and trademark plaid, said in British national Akeroyd, 54, was the right choice to build on its creative heritage.

"Jonathan is an experienced leader with a strong track record in building global luxury fashion brands and driving profitable growth," Chair Gerry Murphy said.

During his five years at Italy's Versace, Akeroyd had accelerated growth and elevated product, Burberry said. Before that, from 2004-2016, he led the turnaround of British luxury brand Alexander McQueen.

While Covid-19 has over the last months hurt Burberry's sales by closing its stores across the world, the brand has since recovered.

It said in July its like-for-like sales had risen above pre-pandemic levels, driven by new, younger fans of Riccardo Tisci, the designer who Gobbetti brought in to revitalise the brand and who investors are relieved is staying put.

Gobbetti's departure has been cast as a personal decision to return to Italy, where he will lead the Italian luxury goods group Ferragamo.

Gobbetti will leave Burberry on Dec. 31. The group said that Murphy would chair the executive committee for the four months until Akeroyd joins on Apr. 1.

Watch the latest DH Videos here:
An avant-garde Design District will come up in Bengaluru on the lines of Dubais d3, IT/BT Minister CN Ashwath Narayan said on Wednesday.

The proposed Bengaluru Design District will be set up with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore, the minister told reporters after returning from his 4-day trip to the Dubai Expo.

Karnataka is an ideal destination for investments and investors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) agree on this. As a result, Bengaluru will soon get a world-class Design District. This will be way ahead of the one in Dubai in terms of quality, Narayan said.

The Bengaluru Design District will come up on an area spread over 100-150 acres. Here, everything businesses need at a global level will be designed. It will be a place where design, art and fashion will meet, Narayan said, adding that a Bengaluru Design Festival will also be held here.

The Dubai Design District (d3) claims to be home to the biggest global, regional and local brands within the art, design and fashion industries.

Narayan also said fruitful talks were held with investors, especially Decker & Halabi, on establishing a water theme park in the state.

A delegation of GCC will visit Karnataka in November to sign investment agreements, Narayan said.

According to him, the Evolvence Group, Crescent Group, Decker & Halabi, Aster DM Healthcare, Meitra Hospital and Mubadala Investment Company among others have shown interest to invest in Karnataka. This will help create jobs in logistics, health, education, ports, wellness and other areas, Narayan said.

The Gulf Islamic Investment Group alone will invest Rs 3,500 crore in India over a 3-year period. The group will open an office in Bengaluru and an agreement was signed with them in Dubai, Narayan said.

Narayan, who is also the higher education minister, said several foreign universities are interested in setting up campuses in Karnataka. Agreements will be finalised soon, he said.

Check out DH's latest videos:
Two weeks after the debut of Dave Chappelles standup special The Closer on Netflix, the streaming giant is still grappling with internal backlash as a group of staffers prepare to stage a virtual walkout Wednesday.

The walkout is the latest episode of employee unrest surrounding the special, leading to the kind of tough news coverage normally aimed at other tech companies like Facebook and Google.

Many Netflix staffers were angered by Chappelles special, criticizing it as transphobic and harmful to transgender people. Reed Hastings and Ted Sarandos, Netflixs chief executives, have been steadfast in their support of Chappelle in multiple communications with staff, and have argued that his special has been popular with subscribers and would not lead to real world harm.

Read more: Free speech or hate speech? Netflix at eye of LGBTQ+ storm

On Wednesday morning, a rally is scheduled for outside Netflixs Los Angeles headquarters, as a kickoff to the walkout, according to a social media post announcing the protest. The rally will include activists and public figures, and a list of firm asks will be sent to Sarandos, according to the post.

One Netflix staffer, Terra Field, a software engineer who has been outspoken in her opposition to The Closer, wrote a blog post on Medium on Monday detailing her whirlwind experience since posting a viral thread on October 6 that said Chappelles special attacks the trans community, and the very validity of transness.

In the post, Field, who is transgender, said she was not asking that The Closer be removed from Netflix. Rather, she hoped executives would take concrete actions, including to stop pretending that transphobia in media has no effect on society. Field said she hoped Netflix would attach a warning to The Closer and other series on the streaming service that have been criticized as transphobic, and to promote other queer and trans content after people consume that content.

Of The Closer, Field wrote: It doesnt feel good to have been working at the company that put it out there. Especially when weve spent years building out the companys policies and benefits so that it would be a great place for trans people to work.

A place cant be a great place to work if someone has to betray their community to do so, she added.

There have already been several moments of tension between rank-and-file Netflix employees and top executives in recent days. At an emotional companywide meeting on Friday, several staffers asked tough and persistent questions of Sarandos about the special and the companys response to the criticism of it. After the meeting ended, Netflix said that it fired a staffer for leaking documents to the news media.

We understand this employee may have been motivated by disappointment and hurt with Netflix, a company representative said, but maintaining a culture of trust and transparency is core to our company.
A Scottish biotech company has found a way of turning on its head the adage that drinking and driving should never mix  by developing a fuel for cars that uses the by-products of whisky-making.

Scotland's national tipple comprises barley, yeast, and water, and the manufacturing process leaves behind spent grains, known as draff, and a sugary liquid called pot ale.

This waste is often used as animal feed or even pumped into the sea, but it can also be converted to produce acetone, butanol, and ethanol -- chemicals used in everything from fuel and food production to medicine and cosmetics.

Known as ABE fermentation, that process was long considered uneconomical due to the cost of the raw materials used to produce the chemicals, a problem Celtic Renewables says it has solved by using organic waste.

"We can take residues from industries such as the whisky industry and convert them into high-value products, namely butanol, which is actually being used to power this car," company owner Martin Tangney said.

He spoke while driving through the Campsie Fells, north of Glasgow where, in less than two weeks' time, Britain will welcome global leaders to the United Nations climate summit, COP26.

For Tangney, that gathering has to be much more than just another exercise in setting targets.

"This has to be the COP where we stop talking about why we need to tackle climate change and tell everybody how: how we do it, how we pay for it, how's it going to happen. A roadmap. A strategy," he said.

Celtic Renewables sees itself as firmly part of that solution.

"We take the low-value residues that are left behind in making this masterpiece and we turn them into something of more value," Tangney said the previous day while cradling a glass of whisky in an Edinburgh pub.

"We bring sustainability to an iconic industry."

The company's nearby demonstration plant in Grangemouth can produce 1 million litres of sustainable biochemicals from 50,000 tons of draff and pot ale and other raw materials.

It plans to build five large-scale refineries worldwide in the next five years, and is calling for backing from governments and other investors.
IMF's Chief Economist Gita Gopinath will leave her job in January next year and return to the prestigious Harvard University's Economics Department, according to the global financial institution.

The 49-year-old prominent Indian-American economist had joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the Chief Economist in January 2019.

She was the John Zwaanstra Professor of International Studies and Economics at Harvard University when she joined the Washington-based global lender.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Tuesday announced that the search for Gopinaths successor would begin shortly.

Gitas contribution to the Fund and our membership has been truly remarkable - quite simply, her impact on the IMFs work has been tremendous, Georgieva said.

Mysuru-born Gopinath is the first-ever woman Chief Economist of the IMF. She was also the Director of the Research Department of the IMF.

Harvard University had extended her leave of absence on an exceptional basis by one year, which has allowed her to serve as Chief Economist at the IMF for three years.

She made history as the first female Chief Economist of the Fund and we benefited immensely from her sharp intellect and deep knowledge of international finance and macroeconomics as we navigate through the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

Gita also won the respect and admiration of colleagues in the Research Department across the Fund, and throughout the membership for leading analytically rigorous work and policy-relevant projects with high impact and influence, Georgieva said.

The IMF said that as part of her many significant initiatives, Gopinath co-authored the Pandemic Paper on how to end the Covid-19 pandemic that set globally endorsed targets for vaccinating the world.

This work led to the creation of the Multilateral Task Force made up of the leadership of the IMF, the World Bank, the World Trade Organisation and the World Health Organisation to help end the pandemic and the establishment of a working group with vaccine manufacturers to identify trade barriers, supply bottlenecks, and accelerate delivery of vaccines to low- and lower-middle income countries, the IMF said in a statement.

Among her other key accomplishments, Gopinath helped set up a Climate Change team inside the IMF to analyse, among other things, optimal climate mitigation policies.

I would like to express my personal appreciation to Gita for her impressive contributions, her always wise counsel, her devotion for the mission of the Research Department and the Fund more broadly, as well as her widely recognised inclusive and accessible approach to colleagues and staff, Georgieva added.

Later, in a tweet, Gopinath thanked her colleagues for making her stint at the IMF truly gratifying.

"My immense gratitude to all my amazing colleagues at @IMFNews who make working at the IMF truly gratifying. I look forward to continue working with them the next few months before my return to @Harvard," she wrote.

Born in December 1971 to Malayalee parents, Gopinath had her schooling in Kolkata and graduated from the Lady Shri Ram College of Commerce in Delhi. She did Masters from the Delhi School of Economics as well as from the University of Washington.

Gopinath did her Ph.D in economics from Princeton University in 2001 and she was guided by Kenneth Rogoff, Ben Bernanke and Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas.

She joined the University of Chicago in 2001 as an Assistant Professor before moving to Harvard in 2005. She became a tenured Professor there in 2010.

She is the third woman in the history of Harvard to be a tenured professor at its esteemed economics department and the first Indian since the Nobel laureate Amartya Sen to hold that position.

Check out the latest DH videos:
Former President Donald Trump wants to countersue a former Apprentice contestant who accused him of defaming her when he denied her sexual assault allegations.

Saying that Trump is being harassed to keep him from speaking freely, his lawyer asked a court's permission Monday to pursue a counterclaim against Summer Zervos.

The request comes as Zervos' nearly five-year-old defamation suit is nearing an important phase. Both he and she are due to undergo questioning under oath by Dec. 23.

Zervos says Trump hurt her reputation by saying she lied in accusing him of unwelcome kissing and groping in 2007  claims she aired publicly during his 2016 presidential campaign.

His denials included retweeting a message that called her claims a hoax. He also described a series of women who accused him of sexual assault and harassment as liars trying to torpedo his White House hopes.

Trump's former lawyers responded years ago that he didn't defame Zervos. They said his statements were true and protected by free speech rights.

Now he wants to bolster his defense by drawing on a 2020 New York law that makes it easier to defeat defamation claims involving public communication on issues of public interest.

The law was envisioned as helping journalists, activists and others beat back groundless claims from powerful interests that want to sue them into silence. Trump lawyer Alina Habba argues it applies to statements the future president made at the highest levels of the national stage, including during a debate.

Zervos sued for the sole purpose of harassing, intimidating, punishing or otherwise maliciously inhibiting Trump and his free speech rights, Habba wrote in court papers filed Monday. They seek unspecified damages, plus attorneys' fees.

Zervos' lawyers, Beth Wilkinson and Moira Penza, said New York's laws don't "provide a license for Mr. Trump to avoid accountability for his words.

We look forward to taking Mr. Trump's deposition and zealously fighting his unwarranted attacks against our client, Wilkinson and Penza said in a statement. They called his filing a desperate reaction to the December deadline for depositions, a legal term for sworn pretrial questioning by the other side's attorneys.

Monday's filing came as Trump answered hours of questions in a deposition in a different lawsuit, filed by protesters who say his security team roughed them up in 2015. He said in a statement after the deposition that the protesters' claim was baseless harassment and that he was glad to tell his side of that story.

Zervos, a California restaurateur, appeared on The Apprentice in 2006, when Trump hosted the show. She says she contacted him the next year to talk about her career. According to her, he then made unwanted advances during meetings at his New York office and at a California hotel where he was staying.

She's seeking unspecified damages, a retraction of his allegedly defamatory statements and an apology.

The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted, unless they come forward publicly, as Zervos has.

Check out the latest DH Videos here:
At least 31 people were killed while 43 others are missing as incessant rain and landslides since last week has caused havoc in many parts of Nepal, media reports said on Wednesday.

Nepal's Disaster Management Division said that rain-related incidents have also injured 22 people in various parts of the country, My Republica website reported.

"Till now the rain and incidents related to it have taken the lives of 31 people. Seven people were killed in Ilam, six in Panchthar, seven in Doti, six in Dhankuta, three in Sunsari, and one each in Kalikot and Dadeldhura," Humkala Pandey, the chief of the Disaster Management Authority, told reporters here.

He said 43 people of different districts, including 6 in Humla, 23 in Bajhang, and 4 in Kailali have gone missing in the landslides.

"A total of 700 people have been rescued so far in various districts," he said.

Some bridges collapsed and highways were obstructed. Some cities and airports are inundated and in some districts, some human settlements were submerged under the floods, another report in The Himalayan Times newspaper reported.

According to the officials, 19 districts of Nepal have been badly impacted by the rain-related incidents.

Watch latest videos by DH here:
Canadian parliamentarians will need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to serve in the House of Commons starting in late November, Speaker Anthony Rota said Tuesday night.

"Effective Monday, November 22, 2021, individuals must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to be allowed within the House of Commons Precinct," he said in a statement.

The new requirement will apply to members of the House and their staff, but also to office workers, journalists, contractors and consultants.

The directive comes about a month after an election campaign in which mandatory vaccinations were hotly debated.

Also Read | Trudeau vows new Canada govt will move 'faster, stronger' on priorities

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced last week that his cabinet will be unveiled on October 26 and that Parliament will reconvene on November 22, had spoken out in favour of a vaccine mandate for Liberal candidates.

Other political parties have followed suit, but Conservative Party leader Erin O'Toole has not made vaccination a criterion for candidate selection and refuses to say how many candidates are vaccinated.

In the September 20 election, his party won 119 of the 338 seats in the House of Commons.

Rota's statement said that people who cannot receive the Covid vaccine for medical reasons will have the option of submitting a "recent negative Covid-19 rapid antigen test result".

In addition, the Canadian Parliament remains closed to visitors, and the requirement to wear a mask has been extended until January 2022.

Check out latest DH videos here
When Nabila was a judge in Afghanistans Supreme Court, she granted divorces to women whose husbands were sometimes jailed for assaulting or kidnapping them. Some of the men threatened to kill her after they had served their time, she said.

In mid-August, as the Taliban poured into Kabul and seized power, hundreds of prisoners were set free. Men once sentenced in Nabilas courtroom were among them, according to the judge. Like the other women interviewed for this story, her full name has been withheld for her protection.

Within days, Nabila said, she began receiving death threat calls from former prisoners. She moved out of her house in Kabul and went into hiding as she sought ways to leave Afghanistan with her husband and three young daughters.

I lost my job and now I cant even go outside or do anything freely because I fear these freed prisoners, Nabila said by phone from a safe house. A dark future is awaiting everyone in Afghanistan, especially female judges.

Read | As women flee Afghanistan, brain drain hits economy and girls' hopes

More than 200 female judges remain in Afghanistan, many of them under threat and in hiding, according to the International Association of Women Judges. Taliban officials have recovered their personal information from court records, several former judges said, and some have had their bank accounts frozen.

They are women who had the effrontery to sit in judgment on men, said Susan Glazebrook, president of the judges association and a justice of the Supreme Court in New Zealand.

The women judges of Afghanistan are under threat for applying the law, she added. They are under threat because they have made rulings in favor of women according to law in family violence, custody and divorce cases.

The plight of female judges and lawyers is one more example of the Talibans systematic unraveling of gains made by women over the past two decades. Female judges and lawyers have left the courts under Taliban pressure, abruptly erasing one of the signal achievements of the United States and allied nations since 2001.

The women have not only lost their jobs, but also live in a state of perpetual fear that they or their loved ones could be tracked down and killed.

Afghanistan is an open-air prison for these women, said Kimberley Motley, an American lawyer who has worked in Afghanistan for several years. She said she is representing 13 female lawyers and judges who are trying to leave the country.

A Taliban spokesman, Bilal Karimi, said no decision had been made about a future role for female judges and lawyers.

Right now, they are on hold, Karimi said.

But the judges and lawyers say they have been effectively fired because it is too dangerous for them to continue their work, given the Talibans disapproval of women who sit in judgment of men.

Women judging men is anathema to the Taliban, Glazebrook said.

Before the Taliban takeover, more than 270 female judges served in Afghanistans corrupt, male-dominated justice system. Special courts with female judges, along with special police units and prosecution offices, were set up in many places to handle cases of violence against women. A little more than a decade ago, nearly 90% of women experienced some form of domestic abuse in their lifetime, according to a 2008 study by the U.S. Institute of Peace.

These judges helped to bring some reform to many courts, particularly in urban areas, delivering justice to growing numbers of women and girls beaten and abused by husbands or male relatives.

The women defied a legal system that favored husbands, granting divorces to Afghan wives who in many cases would previously have been doomed to stay in abusive marriages. Among those now in hiding are former lawyers and judges who defended abused women or pursued cases against men accused of beating, kidnapping or raping women and girls.

Now many former judges and lawyers said their relatives or neighbors have been beaten or accosted by men demanding to know the womens whereabouts.

We have lost everything  our jobs, our homes, the way we lived  and we are terrified, said Wahida, 28, a former judge.

Behista, 25, a former defense lawyer who represented victims of domestic abuse, said she had not left her home in Kabul since the Taliban takeover on Aug. 15. She is trying to leave Afghanistan with her mother and two brothers, one of them a former government soldier, she said.

I lost my job, and now my whole family is at risk, not just me, Behista said.

Nabila said she continued to receive threats even after replacing the SIM card in her cellphone.

Even before the Taliban takeover, female judges and lawyers were sometimes threatened or attacked. In January, two female judges on the Afghan Supreme Court were shot and killed on their way to work in Kabul.

Male judges and police officers often resisted reforms to the justice system, and pressured women to rescind their complaints from the court. A Human Rights Watch report released in August said the system had failed to provide accountability for violence against women and girls and had undermined progress to protect womens rights.

The report said landmark legislation passed in 2009, the Elimination of Violence Against Women law, was often sabotaged by male officials despite some progress in bringing justice to victims under the law.

Now, many female former judges and lawyers who were responsible for this progress are not able to evacuate because they do not have national ID cards or passports, said Motley, the American lawyer. According to the World Bank, more than half of all Afghan women lack national ID cards compared with about 6% of men. And for many of the women who do have documents, their efforts to escape are complicated by a husband or child who does not.

To assist Afghan women, Motley suggested reviving Nansen Passports, first issued in 1922 to refugees and stateless people after World War I and the Russian Revolution.

Some female judges and lawyers have managed to escape Afghanistan. Polish authorities recently helped 20 women and their families leave, Glazebrook said, and 24 female judges have been evacuated to Greece since August, according to the Greek foreign ministry.

Friba, 40, was an appeals court judge from Mazar-i-Sharif, a city in Afghanistans north, before she fled to Greece. She has convicted numerous men for domestic violence and also presided over the trial of two Taliban members found guilty for the November 2016 suicide bomb attack on the German consulate.

I was getting threats for the past five years, Friba said.

In 2014, she secured a divorce for her sister who had been forced to marry a Talib at age 17 under the movements first regime. Her sister has since fled to Egypt with their three children. He is still after her, she said.

Karimi, a member of the Taliban cultural commission, denied that the former judges and lawyers were at risk. He said they were covered by a general amnesty for all Afghans who served the previous government.

To those people who are living in hiding: We are telling them that they should feel free, we wont do anything to you, Karimi said. Its their own country. They can live very freely and easily.

Glazebrook rejected this.

These women believed in their country, believed in human rights and believed in the importance of the rule of law and their duty to uphold it, she said.

As a result, she said, They are at risk of losing their lives.

Watch latest videos by DH here:
At least 42 people died and more than a dozen were missing after landslides and flash floods triggered by several days of heavy rain hit Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, officials said Tuesday.

Officials in Uttarakhand said 35 people were killed in fresh landslides on Tuesday after six died in similar incidents a day earlier. Reports said that four fatalities were witnessed in Uttar Pradesh.

At least 30 of them were killed in seven separate incidents in the worst-affected Nainital early Tuesday, after cloudbursts -- an ultra-intense deluge of rain -- triggered a series of landslides and destroyed several structures.

"So far 30 people have been confirmed dead, while many people are still missing," Nainital senior civil officer Ashok Kumar Joshi told AFP.

Also Read | Over 300 people rescued from flood-affected Uttarakhand: NDRF

Joshi said several remote areas in the hilly region witnessed widespread damage in the intense rainfall.

Five of the dead were from a single family whose house was buried by a massive landslide, another local civil officer Pradeep Jain told AFP.

Another landslide in the northern Almora district killed five people after huge rocks and a wall of mud demolished and engulfed their home.

At least six others were killed on Monday in two remote districts of the state.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) extended and widened its weather alert on Tuesday, predicting "heavy" to "very heavy" rainfall in the region over the next two days.

The weather office said several areas were drenched by more than 400 millimetres (16 inches) of rainfall on Monday, causing landslides and flooding.

Authorities ordered the closure of schools and banned all religious and tourist activities in the state.

Also Read | Kerala floods: Shutters of Idukki dam opened, orange alert in 11 districts

Television footage and social media videos showed residents wading through knee-deep water near Nainital lake, a tourist hotspot, and the Ganges bursting its banks in Rishikesh.

More than 100 tourists were stuck inside a resort in Ramgarh after the overflowing Kosi river deluged several areas.

Landslides are a regular danger in India's north, but experts say they are becoming more common as rains become increasingly erratic and glaciers melt.

Experts also blame construction work on hydroelectric dams and deforestation.

In February, a ferocious flash flood hurtled down a remote valley in Uttarakhand, killing around 200 people. At least 5,700 people perished there in 2013.

Forecasters have also warned of more downpours in the coming days in Kerala where floods have already killed at least 27 people since Friday.

Many dams in the state were nearing the danger mark and authorities were evacuating thousands to safer locations as major rivers overflowed.

India's weather office said heavy rains will again lash the state in the next two days after a brief reprieve on Tuesday.
In view of the improved Covid-19 situation in Uttar Pradesh, the state government on Wednesday lifted night restrictions between 11 pm to 6 am, a senior official said here.

"On directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Corona curfew between 11 pm to 6 am) is being lifted in the state," Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Awanish Kumar Awasthi said here.

CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL COVERAGE ONLY ON DH

The order in this regard has been issued to all the officers concerned.

The state reported 11 fresh cases on Wednesday and there are 112 active cases, a senior health official said, adding that 16,87,048 patients have recovered from the virus till now.

After the lifting of Covid-19 lockdown, the state was continuing with night restrictions which it called 'Corona curfew'.

Check out latest coronavirus-related videos from DH:
The air quality in Delhi deteriorated to the "poor" category on Wednesday with the number of stubble-burning incidents going up, authorities said.

According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences' forecast body SAFAR, the national capital's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 222 and it is likely to degrade further over the next two days due to an expected rise in the number of stubble-burning incidents.

"Delhi's AQI is in the poor category. Fire count's share in PM2.5 is 12 per cent. Fire emission from upwind region enhances PM2.5 concentration as winds at transport level are from the northwest region.

"Stubble burning share is likely to increase in the next two days if there is no rain. The overall AQI is likely to further degrade to the higher-end of the poor category for the next three days," it said.

Also read: India occupies top spot globally in emissions related to crop burning: Report

According to the data from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), a total of 969 farm fires were recorded in the six regions with Punjab accounting for 788, Haryana for 155, one in Uttar Pradesh, four in Rajasthan and 21 in Madhya Pradesh. No fire was recorded in Delhi.

On October 19, 562 farm fires were recorded collectively in the six regions with Punjab accounting for 496, Haryana for 55, five each in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, and one in Madhya Pradesh. No fire was recorded in Delhi.

On the previous day, 60 farm fires were recorded in the six states, of which Punjab recorded 57 incidents, Haryana one and Rajasthan two. There were no fires in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

However, the IARI said detection of burning events by satellites was hampered due to clouds over eastern Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

A total of 4,768 burning events were detected in the six states between September 1 and October 19, which are distributed as 2,942, 1,082, 625, zero, 34 and 85 in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh respectively.

Overall, the total number of burning events recorded in the six states is 56.7 per cent less than in 2020 till date. Punjab recorded a 65.4-per cent reduction, Haryana recorded a 6.9-per cent reduction, Uttar Pradesh recorded a 25.5-per cent increase, Delhi recorded a 100-per cent reduction, Rajasthan recorded a 88.8-per cent reduction and Madhya Pradesh recorded a 83.7-per cent reduction in the current season as compared to 2020.

Scattered rainfall over north India had significantly brought down pollution in the national capital on Tuesday with the AQI in the "good" category at 82.

Stubble burning in the neighbouring states significantly contributes to the air pollution in Delhi.

The active fire events due to rice residue burning were monitored using satellite remote sensing, following the new "Standard Protocol for Estimation of Crop Residue Burning Fire Events using Satellite Data".

Punjab and Haryana attract attention during the paddy harvesting season in October and November.

Farmers set their fields on fire to quickly clear off the crop residue before cultivating wheat and potato. It is one of the main reasons for the alarming spike in pollution in Delhi-NCR.

Check out latest videos from DH:
Several foreign dignitaries, including Sri Lankan minister Namal Rajapaksa, on Wednesday hailed the inauguration of the Kushinagar International Airport, and said it will boost the number of Buddhist tourists visiting India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the new international airport at Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh, and said his government has taken a number of steps to instil new energy in the aviation sector.

"Tourism between India and Sri Lanka has always been very robust. We have a lot of Indians coming to Sri Lanka and also Sri Lankan pilgrims coming to different states (in India), especially Varanasi, Prime Minister's constituency," Rajapaksa told reporters at the inauguration event.

Also read: PM Modi inaugurates Kushinagar international airport in Uttar Pradesh

"So now we believe that opening up Kushinagar will increase the number of pilgrims (coming to India) from Sri Lanka and also Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world," the Sri Lankan Cabinet minister said.

Ambassador of Thailand to India Pattarat Hongtong said the Kushinagar airport will improve tourism between the two countries and facilitate Buddhist travellers.

Ambassador of Vietnam to India Pham Sanh Chau also said that the Kushinagar Airport will give a boost to the numbers of Buddhist tourists visiting India.

The Kushinagar airport has been built at an estimated cost of Rs 260 crore and will facilitate domestic and international pilgrims to visit the 'mahaparinirvana' site of Lord Buddha and is an endeavour to connect the Buddhist pilgrimage holy sites around the world, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

Check out the latest DH Videos here:
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said that the government will ask all vehicle manufacturers to make flex-fuel engines under the Euro VI emission norms in the next six-eight months.

Flex-fuel, or flexible fuel, is an alternative fuel made of a combination of gasoline and methanol or ethanol. Addressing an event, Gadkari further said in the next 15 years, Indian automobile industry will be worth Rs 15 lakh crore.

"We were planning to submit an affidavit in the Supreme Court to allow manufacturing of flex-fuel engines under the Euro IV emission norms...But now I feel that we will ask all vehicle manufacturers to make flex-fuel engines (that can run on more than one fuel) under the Euro VI emission norms in the next 6-8 months," he said.

Gadkari claimed that the cost of vehicles won't rise after making it mandatory for all vehicle manufacturers to make flex-fuel engines. The minister predicted that in the coming days, India will be able to export green hydrogen. The government in January, 2016 has decided to leapfrog directly from Euro IV emission norms for petrol and diesel to Euro VI standards.

An inter-ministerial group headed by Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on January 6, 2016 had taken the decision to advance the date by four years to April 1, 2020 for implementation of Bharat Stage VI (equivalent to Euro VI norms followed globally) for supply of cleaner auto fuel, by altogether skipping the Euro V grade norms.

Check out DH's latest videos
The government on Wednesday clarified that India does not export genetically modified (GM) rice as there is no commercial variety of such crop in the country and its cultivation is also banned here.

The clarification from the commerce ministry came following a news report regarding food recall linked to alleged GM rice from India.

"It may be clarified that there is no commercial variety of GM rice in India, in fact the commercial GM cultivation of rice is banned in India. There is no question of export of GM rice from India," the ministry said in a statement.

It further said in the particular incident, which was reported through Rapid Alert by EU (European Union), the GMO contamination is suspected to have been found in the rice flour which was processed in EU and they themselves are not sure of the exact source of the contaminant.

Also Read | Farmers worry as India's 'illegal' GM rice is pulled from EU shelves

The broken white rice exported from India, which is allegedly one of the possibilities, has passed through many hands before reaching to the actual processors in EU, it said.

While there is always a possibility of mixing or cross contamination at every stage, the exporter has confirmed that the rice exported was non-GM.

"Since, there is no commercial variety of GM in India, proper testing was also done before shipment of the consignment. The possibility of GMO contamination due to white rice exported by India is not possible," it said.

India is exporting strictly non-GM rice, the ministry said, adding the incident could be a conspiracy to malign the country's image as a reliable supplier of quality rice to the world.

Experts in India both from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) and agricultural experts from IARI as well as other rice experts, are however investigating the matter but re-confirming that commercial GM variety of rice is not grown in the country, it added
India on Wednesday reached out to GenNext of the first family of Sri Lanka and sought to consolidate its connection with the predominant Sinhala-Buddhist nationalism in order to claw back the space it lost to China in the Indian Ocean island nation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis government played host to a delegation of Sri Lankan Buddhist monks, who arrived on the first flight that landed at the Kushinagar International Airport in Uttar Pradesh. Modi inaugurated the airport and took part in the rituals marking Abhidhamma Day at the Mahaparinirvana Temple in Kushinagar  the final resting place of Lord Buddha. He also had a meeting with Namal Rajapaksa, nephew of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and son of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who led the delegation from the island nation.

The greatest gift Sri Lanka received from India is Buddhism! We have always shared a close relationship between our nations & our people! It is the vision of HE President @GotabayaR & HE PM @narendramodi to strengthen this bond between our nations & (and) our people, tweeted Namal. India-Sri Lanka ties are getting stronger and stronger across different sectors. This augurs well for the people of our nations, Modi replied to Namal on Twitter, adding that he was happy to meet the neighbouring nations young leader in Kushinagar.

The greatest gift Sri Lanka received from India is Buddhism! We have always shared a close relationship between our nations & our people! It is the vision of HE President @GotabayaR & HE PM @narendramodi to strengthen this bond between our nations & our people.  pic.twitter.com/Y4iU59XhWw  Namal Rajapaksa (@RajapaksaNamal) October 20, 2021

Namal is seen as the next generation leader of the Rajapaksa Clan, which returned to power in Colombo in November 2019 riding on a Sinhala-Buddhist nationalist wave that swept Sri Lanka after a series of blasts killed over 260 people across the island. The government led by Gotabaya and his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa since then allowed Beijing to expand its influence in the Indian Ocean nation, causing unease in New Delhi.

The BJP government in New Delhi is now trying to reach out to the powerful Sri Lankan Buddhist monks, who have been opposing New Delhis traditional support to the clamour for more political power for the islands minority Tamils. Modi conveyed to Mahinda Rajapaksa during a virtual summit in September 2020 that New Delhi would provide a grant assistance of $ 15 million to develop Buddhist ties between India and Sri Lanka.

Namal on Wednesday handed over the first copy of the English, Sinhala and Tamil translations of the Bhagwad Gita to Modi. The translation of the sacred text was commissioned by HE @PresRajapaksa as a symbol of our people to people friendship & (and) our cultural similarities, he tweeted. This is a great initiative undertaken by my friend, @PresRajapaksa. The teachings of Lord Buddha unite our nations and make our planet better.

Not only with Sri Lanka, the Modi Government used the inauguration of the international airport in Kushinagar to reach out to other nations with significant population of Buddhists, inviting diplomats from Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Lao PDR, Bhutan, South Korea, Mongolia, Japan, Singapore and Nepal.

Check out DH's latest videos
The whereabouts of former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh were not known, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday told the Bombay High Court. As the IPS officer was not traceable, it did not wish to continue its assurance that no coercive action (such as arrest) would be taken against him in an Atrocities Act case, the government said.

Senior counsel Darius Khambata, appearing for the state, told a division bench of Justices Nitin Jamdar and Sarang Kotwal that the circumstances had changed. "He isn't traceable. In these circumstances, we do not want to continue our earlier statement where the government said it would not take any coercive action against him," Khambata said.

Param Bir Singh's counsel Mahesh Jethmalani said he had not been declared as an absconder yet. "In this case, he was summoned twice and both the times he responded," Jethmalani said. The high court was hearing a petition filed by the senior IPS officer seeking to quash the FIR lodged against him under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and relevant IPC sections on a complaint filed by police inspector Bhimrao Ghadge.

The judges adjourned the hearing to the next week. Ghadge, presently posted in Akola district, has leveled allegations of corruption against Singh and some other officers when Singh was Thane police commissioner. Singh pressurised him to drop the names of some persons from a case and when he refused, he was framed up in false cases, Ghadge claimed. The FIR was registered under the Atrocities Act as the complainant belongs to an SC community as well as for extortion and some other Indian Penal Code offenses.

Singh's lawyer claimed that the FIR was a backlash over Singh's allegations of corruption against former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh. The IPS officer is also facing at least four extortion cases in Thane and Mumbai.

He was transferred from the post of Mumbai police commissioner in March after the arrest of police officer (now dismissed) Sachin Waze in the case of an SUV with explosives found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence and the murder of businessman Mansukh Hiran. Singh then accused Deshmukh of asking Waze to collect Rs 100 crore every month from bars and restaurants in Mumbai. The NCP leader, who denied the allegation, soon stepped down as minister and is facing CBI probe.

Check out DH's latest videos
The Supreme Court on Wednesday told the Uttar Pradesh government that the investigation into the Lakhimpur Kheri case -- related to mowing down of protesting farmers -- cannot be an unending process and the State must dispel the impression that it was dragging its feet.

Taking up a PIL in the matter allegedly involving Ashish Mishra, son of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra, a bench presided over by Chief Justice N V Ramana asked senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the state government, to ensure statements of witnesses were recorded before a magistrate and adequate protection was granted to them.

The court queried the state government counsel over the delay in recording of statement of witnesses before a judicial magistrate.

The investigation should not be an "unending story", the bench said, adding recording of statement for a judicial magistrate got far better evidentiary value.

Read More | Lakhimpur violence case: SIT releases photos of six suspects

Going through a status report, the court noted that of 34 witnesses, only four witnesses' statement were recorded.

"We feel you are dragging your feet. Please dispel that," the bench, also comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli told Salve.

The counsel, for his part, said that two FIRs were lodged into the matter, one related to killing of farmers and another on lynching of other persons.

He said as many as 10 accused had been arrested in the matter and four were in police custody for interrogation. Salve also said the second FIR lodged in the matter related to lynching was a little difficult to investigate.

He also pointed out several videos of the incident have been received and sent for forensic examinations.

He sought further time to file a fresh status report, detailing the steps taken for investigation into the case.

The court, allowing his plea, put the matter for consideration on October 26.

At the outset, the bench also ticked off the state government counsel for last minute filing of its status report in the case. Salve assured the court to file its next status report on Monday.

As many as eight people, including four farmers, were killed on October 3, when a car allegedly ferrying the Union Minister's son ran over a group of protesters gathered to oppose a programme attended by Uttar Pradesh's deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya. The minister's son was arrested in the case subsequently after the top court took up a letter petition filed by advocate Shiv Kumar Tripathi and pulled up the UP government over the delay.

Check out the latest DH videos here:
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa hit out at Amarinder Singh on Wednesday, calling him an "opportunist", a day after the former chief minister announced he would launch his own political outfit.

Randhawa also accused Singh of betraying Punjab for the last four and a half years.

On Tuesday, Amarinder Singh said he would soon announce his own political party and was hopeful of a seat arrangement with the BJP if the farmers' issue is resolved in their interest.

The two-time chief minister added that he will not rest until he secures the future of "my people and my state".

Reacting to this, the deputy chief minister said, "Captain Amarinder Singh is an opportunist leader who only thinks about himself, his family and his friends."

Read | Open to alliance with those who put nation first: BJP

Referring to Singh's meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah last month, Randhawa asked he did not attempt to resolve the ongoing farmers' stir.

He also blamed Amarinder Singh for the enhancement of the BSF's jurisdiction in Punjab.

"He (Amarinder Singh) says Punjab is a border state. I want to remind Captain Sahib that if it was a border state then why were tiffin bombs and drones coming (from across the border). Why smuggling of arms and drugs could not be stopped, he asked.

Randhawa accused the former chief minister of betraying Punjab and siding with those who never thought about the welfare of the state.

"Punjab does not fear Pakistan or China. If Punjab today faces any threat, then it is from Amarinder Singh," he said.

Randhawa further said when Amarinder Singh did not get the power he desired, he got upset with the Congress.

Amarinder Singh resigned as the chief minister of Punjab last month after a bitter feud with Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu and infighting in the state unit. The party replaced him with Charanjit Singh Channi.

Watch latest videos by DH here:
Track DH's latest updates of news in India and across the world!
A Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant involved in the killing of a carpenter from Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur recently was among two utltra killed, while three security personnel were injured in an encounter in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, officials said.

IGP, Kashmir zone, Vijay Kumar, said one of the slain ultras has been identified as Adil Wani, who was involved in the killing of the carpenter Sageer Ansari on Saturday last.

Giving details of the encounter, officials said security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Dragad area of Shopian district following information about presence of militants there.

The search operation turned into an encounter after militants opened fire on the security forces who retaliated.

The officials said two ultras of The Resistance Front (TRF) , a shadow outfit of Lashkar-e-Toiba, have been killed while three security force personnel sustained injuries in the operation.

In a tweet, the IGP said, "One of the killed #terrorists has been #identified as Adil Ah Wani, active since 7/2020... So far, 15 terrorists have been #neutralised in 2 weeks".

Also read: NIA conducts raids at 11 places in Jammu and Kashmir

"Killed #terrorist Adil Wani was #involved in #killing of a poor carpenter namely Sakir Ah Wani S/O Gulam Kadir Wani R/O Saharanpur UP. Adil Wani was District Commander Shopian of proscribed #terror outfit LeT(TRF)," Kumar tweeted.

However, in another tweet, the Kashmir Zone Police clarified that the name of the carpenter was Sageer Ahmad Ansari.

"Kindly read, Sageer Ahmad Ansari S/O Bindo Hussain Ansari R/O Saharanpur, UP. Inconvenience regretted.@JmuKmrPolice," it said in the tweet.

Ansari was gunned down on Saturday in a south Kashmir village where he had been working as a carpenter for the last couple of years.

Kashmir has witnessed a spate of targeted civilian killings that has triggered an exodus of migrant labourers who are queuing up outside bus and train stations to return home.

Check out latest DH videos here
Congress on Wednesday made light of Captain Amarinder Singh's announcement about launching his party, saying the former Punjab Chief Minister has "destroyed himself" by talking about plans to enter into a seat-sharing with the BJP that has earned the ire of farmers.

Congress General Secretary Harish Rawat, who is also party in-charge of Punjab, said Singh's statement was "really shocking" and it seemed that he has killed the "secular Amarinder within him".

"If he wants to eat crow and go with the BJP, he can. Who can stop him if he cannot stay with his old commitment to secularism? He was considered a symbol of 'Sarvdharm Sambhav' AND connected to Congress' traditions for long. If he wants to go, he should," Rawat said.

Also Read | Amarinder Singh an 'opportunist', betrayed Punjab, says Deputy CM Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa

Referring to Singh's statement that his new party hopes to enter into a seat-sharing arrangement with the BJP if the farmers' protest is resolved, he said, "who can forgive the BJP that has kept farmers at the borders for 10 months? Can Punjab forgive them for the manner in which farmers' agitation has been dealt with?"

Rawat expressed confidence that the Congress would "not suffer any loss" and it would actually divide the votes of the party's rivals.

"Congress will not be affected. Our votes will depend on performance of Channi government, the way Channi has started, it has created a good impression before Punjab and the entire nation," he said.

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder S Randhawa said Amarinder has destroyed himself with this announcement. "BJP should hold an enquiry on Amarinder Singh over his whereabouts after the resignation in 1984 and his relation with Pakistan," he alleged.

Randhawa claimed that there must be some pressure on him. "We have no fear of Amarinder's decision," he added.

Check out DH's latest videos
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had yet another brush with the Uttar Pradesh police on Wednesday while trying to proceed to Agra to meet the family of a youth from SC community, a sanitation worker, who died in police custody there on Tuesday.

Priyanka was detained at the toll plaza on the entry point of the Lucknow-Agra Expressway after she insisted on going to Agra despite being told by the cops that section 144 had been promulgated there and that her visit could cause law and order problems there.

"They (cops) want me to remain confined to the guest house....it suits the government politically...do I have to take their permission every time I want to go to someplace?....how can my visit to the family which has lost one of its members be a law and order issue?," Priyanka told reporters.

Read | Lakhimpur Kheri case: Investigation can't be unending, State must not drag its feet, SC tells UP govt

"Today is the birth anniversary of Valmiki...the youth (Arun Valmiki) died in police custody.......his family wants justice....I am going to meet his family...why is the UP government scared?," the Congress leader said in a tweet later. She also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the teachings of Lord Buddha at Kushinagar but his teachings were not being followed in the state.

According to the sources, Arun Valmiki was taken into custody by the police in Agra on charges of stealing Rs 25 lakh from the Jagadishpura police station in Agra. The police said they recovered some cash from his possession.

Police said that Arun suddenly fell sick while being in custody and was rushed to the hospital but died there a little later. His family alleged that he was tortured to death by the cops.

Earlier this month also, Priyanka had a clash with the police when she tried to reach Lakhimpur Kheri on the day eight people, including four farmers, were killed during a protest by the farmers against union minister of state for home Ajai Mishra. Mishra's son Ashish was arrested on charges of mowing down four farmers with his SUV.

Check out the latest videos from DH:
The Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside the order of the Gujarat High Court granting a 14-day furlough to Narayan Sai, son of self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, undergoing life imprisonment in a rape case.

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and B V Nagarathna allowed the appeal of the Gujarat government challenging the June 24 order of the High Court granting furlough to Sai.

The top court said that furlough is not an absolute right and it depends on various factors.

It said the jail superintendent has given a negative opinion for the grant of furlough to Sai as a mobile phone was found from his cell.

The court relied upon the report of the jail official order, listing a number of circumstances that cumulatively indicated that the release of the respondent on furlough may lead to a violation of public peace.

"The order refers specifically to the threat he and his followers pose to the complainant and other persons who deposed at the trial. An attempt has been made to threaten and suborn the investigating team and the witnesses. The respondent and his father have a mass following of persons who owe loyalty to them and there is a reasonable apprehension of a disruption of public peace and tranquillity," the bench noted.

The court also pointed out during the trial that attempts have been made to bribe public officials and the conduct after the trial in jail has not been shown to be above reproach.

It also said the convict was released earlier to accommodate a genuine need to attend to his mothers health.

On August 12, the top court had stayed the Gujarat High Court order giving two-week furlough to Sai.

Check out DH's latest videos
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has declared an all-out war against the drugs menace in the state.

Rao instructed for the constitution of a special cell headed by a Director General of Police level officer to eradicate the problem, while assuring the police-excise officials of all the support in making Telangana a drugs free state.

The CM held a high-level meeting on Wednesday with the two department officials to formulate a stringent strategy to control the illegal transport and sale of the banned drugs and other intoxicants.

With reports showing that the use of cannabis (ganja) is on the rise, the CM instructed for a comprehensive action plan to totally eradicate its availability and consumption, before the situation goes out of hand.

We are making rapid development strides in agriculture, drinking water, and the power sector. We have also successfully controlled extremism in the state. Because of the excellent law and order situation we are able to attract huge investments, the CM said while commending the Telangana police.

However, it is unfortunate that the availability of ganja, other banned drugs has increased in the state.

The CM's review comes in the wake of the opposition parties attacking the TRS government over the drug menace. Some localities like the Singareni Colony in Hyderabad have reportedly turned into hubs for ganja and drug addicts. Several Tollywood celebrities too were under probe for allegedly consuming drugs.

Last month, Telangana Congress chief Revanth Reddy initiated WhiteChallenge, under which the opposition leader wants celebrities, politicians etc to undergo a test proving that they do not take drugs, and to send out a strong message to the public especially the youth against the menace.

I have convened this meeting with a lot of pain and concern. If we do not remove this malady, there is a danger of our achievements going to waste. The police and excise department officials should take serious note of these warning bells, CM Rao said on Wednesday.

The CM noted that WhatsApp groups are being formed by some youth to exchange information on drugs. Innocent youth are falling prey to drug peddlers and damaging their health; some are even ending their lives, Rao said, adding that de-addiction is a long, complicated process.

The CM instructed the excise department to strengthen their enforcement wing and flying squads and keep a constant surveillance at educational institutions.

The CM wants more check posts at the state borders to check ganja, drug transport, strengthening of the police-excise intelligence and communication network with provision of required vehicles too.

Officers showing good results in eradicating ganja-drugs will be given cash awards, rewards and special promotions. Our government is ready to provide anything to you to decimate this threat. Eradicate the ganja mafia and do not spare the criminals whoever they may be, the CM assured the law enforcement officers.

Watch latest videos by DH here:
The Taliban on Wednesday claimed that India was ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, where an acute food crisis was unfolding with nearly 14 million people facing starvation.

Two senior diplomats of the government attended a meeting hosted by Russia in Moscow. The meeting was also attended by the officials of Pakistan, China and Iran, in addition to representatives from the new dispensation the Taliban set up in Afghanistan. New Delhis representatives also had a separate meeting with the delegation of the Taliban.

This was the first such occasion when serving diplomats of India attended a plurilateral meeting with attendance of the leaders of the Taliban, which returned to power in Afghanistan a couple of months back through a swift blitz across the country, taking advantage of the withdrawal of troops by the United States and its NATO allies.

The Indian envoy to the Moscow Format meeting said that the people of Afghanistan need humanitarian assistance, Afghanistan is going through a difficult situation. India is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, the Talibans spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, posted on Twitter.

Also Read | Russia recognises Taliban 'efforts' to stabilise Afghanistan

The government officials in New Delhi, however, did not confirm or deny the Taliban spokespersons tweet.

The TASS news agency quoted Russian Presidents special envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, stating that the participants of the meeting in Moscow on Wednesday called on the United Nations to convene an international conference of donors on providing socio-economic assistance to the war-ravaged country.

India had sent two retired diplomats to attend a conference hosted by the Russian Government in Moscow in 2018. A delegation of the Afghan Taliban had also attended the conference in the capital of Russia. India had also sent its ambassador to Qatar to attend the ceremony that marked the signing of the US-Taliban deal in Doha in February 2020.

New Delhi also had some back-channel engagements with the Taliban over the past few months before the militant organisation returned to power in Kabul. Finally, Prime Minister Narendra Modis government on August 31 for the first time publicly acknowledged its engagement with the Taliban as New Delhis envoy to Doha had a meeting with Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the head of the militant organisations political office in the capital of Qatar.

Though PM Modi himself called out the Talibans interim government in Afghanistan for lack of inclusivity, his government has been considering supporting the UN and its World Food Programme in responding to the crisis in Afghanistan. The WFP has also been discussing with Prime Minister Imran Khans government in Islamabad the possibility of the consignment of wheat donated by India being transported to Afghanistan through Pakistan.

Even before the Taliban took over Kabul, a humanitarian crisis was already unfolding in Afghanistan, as a result of continued conflict, severe drought, Covid-19 pandemic, failing health system and economic slowdown. It worsened after the government of President Ashraf Ghani collapsed on August 15 and the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan through a swift military blitz taking advantage of the withdrawal of troops by the United States and its NATO allies. The WFP estimated that one in every three Afghans had already been facing severe hunger and now 95 percent of families were not consuming enough food. The conflict-ravaged country is on the brink of economic collapse, with the local currency at an all-time low and food prices on the rise.

Acute malnutrition is above emergency thresholds in 27 out of 34 provinces, and is expected to worsen, with almost half of children under five and a quarter of pregnant and breastfeeding women needing life-saving nutrition support in the next 12 months, the WFP stated in a global appeal for support for Afghanistan. It estimated that it would urgently need US $ 200 million to help people in need across Afghanistan between now and the end of the year.
A smartphone spyware has put personal data of hundreds of thousands of users at risk, like call records/recordings, text messages, photos, browsing history and precise geolocations, according to a report by TechCrunch.

The personal data can be pulled from a person's phone because of a security issue in widely used consumer-grade stalkerware or spyware, as per the report. "We can't name the spyware or its developer since it would make it easier for bad actors to access the insecure data," the report said on Tuesday.

It said that efforts were on to contact the spyware developer because the security and privacy of thousands of people are at risk until the issue is fixed.

Stalkerware apps are generally disguised under a fake app name with suspicious access to messages, call logs, location and other personal activity. Once downloaded, these apps could be repurposed by people to spy on others' smartphones.

The spyware security issue was discovered as part of a wider investigation into consumer-grade spyware.

Codero, the web firm that provides hosting for the developer's spyware infrastructure, was contacted but it did not respond, the report mentioned.

Earlier this month, Google said that it has purged several "stalkerware" ads from its Play Store, promoting apps that violated its policies. "We do not allow ads promoting spyware for partner surveillance. We immediately removed the ads that violated our policy and will continue to track emerging behaviours to prevent bad actors from trying to evade our detection systems," a Google spokesperson was quoted as saying.

Several stalkerware apps used a variety of techniques to successfully evade Google's ban on such apps.

Google in October last year updated its Play Store policies to impose a ban on stalkerware apps. "In short, it's spyware beloved by creeps, jealous ex-partners, and those who have no qualms about invading someone's privacy in the hope of tracking what they're up to and with whom," security writer Graham Cluley had said in a blog post.

A recent report by cyber security firm Kaspersky claimed that as some people try to digitally control the lives of their intimate partners, nearly 4,627 mobile users in India were found to be the victim of stalkerware. In 2020, a total of 53,870 mobile users were affected globally by stalkerware. In 2019, Kaspersky discovered 67,500 affected mobile users.

Watch the latest DH Videos here:
The Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside the order of the Gujarat High Court granting 14-day furlough to rape convict Narayan Sai, son of self-styled godman Asaram Bapu.

A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and BV Nagarathna allowed the appeal of the Gujarat government challenging the June 24 order of the high court granting furlough to Sai.

The top court said that furlough is not an absolute right and it depends on various factors.

It said the jail superintendent has given a negative opinion for grant of furlough to Sai as a mobile phone was found from his cell.

Also Read | SC rejects plea by Asaram Bapu for interim bail for Ayurvedic treatment

On August 12, the top court had stayed the Gujarat High Court order giving two-week furlough to Sai.

The top court had issued a notice to Sai on the Gujarat government's plea challenging the high court's single-judge order of June 24 and stayed it till further orders.

It had said that the proviso to Rule 3(2) of the Bombay Furlough and Parole Rules 1959, provides that a prisoner sentenced to life imprisonment may be released on furlough every year after he completes seven years actual imprisonment.

The single-judge bench of the high court ordered the release of Sai on furlough for two weeks on June 24, 2021, but the division bench had stayed it till August 13 and thereafter the state has moved the top court challenging the June 24 order.

The state government has contended that under the rules and even in a judgement of this court, it has been held that furlough is not an absolute right and it depends on various factors.

It had said Sai and his father were arrested for offences under rape charges and they wield considerable influence with money and muscle power.

On April 26, 2019, Sai was convicted under the Indian Penal Code sections 376 (rape), 377 (unnatural offences), 323 (assault), 506-2 (criminal intimidation), and 120-B (conspiracy) by a Surat court and sentenced to life imprisonment.

In 2013, Asaram was arrested for allegedly raping a girl in Rajasthan after two Surat-based sisters had accused Asaram and his son of sexual exploitation.

The elder sister had accused Asaram of sexual assaulting her between 1997 and 2006 when she lived at his Ahmedabad ashram.

The younger sister had accused the godman's son of sexual assault when she lived at Asaram's ashram in the Jahangirpura area of Surat between 2002 and 2005.

The incidents of multiple sexual assaults and unnatural sex with the victim had taken place between 2002 and 2005, but the case against Sai had been filed only in 2013.

Sai was arrested from the Delhi-Haryana border in December 2013.

When Sai was in jail, the Surat police had claimed to have unearthed elaborate plans to bribe police officers, doctors, and even judicial officers to weaken the case against him.

Check out latest DH videos here
Goa Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar on Tuesday said the state does not want tourists "who consume drugs" and "spoil" Goa's name.

He further added that they dont want tourists "who come to Goa and cook food inside a bus".

"We dont want tourists who consume drugs and who spoil Goa. We dont want tourists who come to Goa and cook food inside a bus. We want richest tourists (sic). We welcome all tourists but they should enjoy themselves while respecting Goas culture," Goa Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said.

We dont want tourists who consume drugs& who spoil Goa. We dont want tourists who come to Goa& cook food inside a bus. We want richest tourists. We welcome all tourists but they should enjoy themselves while respecting Goas culture: Goa Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar y'day pic.twitter.com/5eL2fvW0fj  ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2021

Two weeks back, an NCB team led by its zonal director Sameer Wankhede, had raided a Goa-bound Cordelia cruise off Mumbai coast and allegedly seized drugs. Several persons, including Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, were arrested in connection with the case. Last Saturday, the NCB had conducted searches at film producer Imtiyaz Khatri's residence and office in suburban Bandra.

Watch the latest DH Videos here:
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said work on 11 new airports, including two international aerodromes, is progressing in the state.

Speaking at the event for the inauguration of Kushinagar International airport, the chief minister said this will be the ninth airport in Uttar Pradesh. The inaugural Sri Lankan Airlines flight landed at Kushinagar international airport on Wednesday.

The airport was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Adityanath said work is also progressing for Ayodhya airport and that air connectivity in the state is getting strengthened, which will provide an impetus for development.

Also Read  PM Modi inaugurates Kushinagar international airport in Uttar Pradesh

From 1947 to 2014, he said that only two airports were functional in Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow and Varanasi, and air connectivity of the state was confined to around 16 cities.

"Kushinagar airport has become operational as the 9th airport of the state whereas there is direct air service from the airports of Uttar Pradesh to 75 major cities," he said.

Later, Adityanath along with Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and other Union ministers addressed the media at the airport.

"With the Kushinagar airport, it will be easier for people to visit from places like Japan, Korea and Cambodia," he said at the briefing.

Scindia said the number of UDAN air service routes will be increased in the state, adding that the target is to have 1,000 routes across the country.

Kushinagar airport, built at a cost of Rs 260 crore, has a runway length of 3,200 metres and a width of 45 metres.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Union ministers Kiren Rijiju, G Kishan Reddy, Arjun Ram Meghwal, V K Singh and Meenakshi Lekhi, among others, were present at the event.

Watch the latest DH Videos here:
The murder of Lakhbir Singh at the farmers' protest site on the Singhu border between Haryana and Delhi had the potential to disrupt the movement by implicating its leaders. The incident, according to a report by The Tribune newspaper, is the latest in what now appear to be acts of deliberate provocation. Each such attempt in the last ten months has come unstuck pretty quickly.

The first such attempt was to suggest that Khalistani separatists had infiltrated the farmers' agitation. It unravelled within hours of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sympathiser, Deep Sidhu, hoisting the Sikh religious flag (Nishan Sahib) on a flagpole meant for the national flag at Red Fort on Republic Day. The emergence of Sidhu's photographs with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP's Gurdaspur MP Sunny Deol put paid to the canard that extremists were manipulating the agitating farmers. The Lakhimpur Kheri incident was also initially portrayed as lynching by violent farmers. This, too, was soon turned on its head by a series of videos establishing that it was the SUVs in the cavalcade of a Union minister's son that had run down peaceful protestors.

Read | Singhu lynching: Tomar's photo with Nihang triggers row

The latest attempt to paint the agitators as unstable religious zealots has also failed miserably. One can be sure that further revelations in the days to come will shed more light on the murder at Singhu and the role of the Nihangs in it.

A new spin on the crime has been put by a media expose that the leader of the Nihang Sikh group responsible for mutilating and murdering a Dalit Sikh, Lakhbir Singh, ostensibly for disrespecting the Sikh holy book, was part of 'behind the scene efforts' by the Centre to end the farmers' agitation. Prima facie, it seems to vindicate the position of the leaders of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) that the crime was a conspiracy by government agencies to defame and derail the farmers' stir.

The link between the government and the Nihang group responsible has been revealed by photographs published by The Tribune of the Nihang leader Baba Aman Singh with BJP leaders where he is being honoured with a saropa (scarf) by Union Minister for Agriculture, Narendra Singh Tomar. The meeting, ostensibly to end the farmers' stir, took place in late July this year at the residence of Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary in New Delhi. It was reportedly also attended by BJP Kisan Morcha leader Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal and a dismissed Punjab policeman and murder convict Gurmeet "Pinki".

Baba Aman Singh is neither a farmers' leader nor has he ever been a part of their negotiations with the government. He is the head of one of many Nihang Sikh groups and also one based in Ontario, Canada. However, some members of his group have been camping at the protest site of their own accord. The Nihangs are groups of self-styled Sikh militia bands habitually armed with swords, daggers, spears, steel arrows, chakrams (war-quoits) and other sundry medieval weapons. They live off donations from the faithful to the gurudwaras they control. The weapons they carry make them intimidating, and their behaviour is unpredictable. Their presence at the site of protest could imaginably have been threatening to protestors.

After the media expose, Baba Aman Singh has claimed that he was offered "Rs 10 lakh and horses for vacating the Singhu border site." Some of the farmers' leaders have claimed no sacrilege at the site, and the entire incident was engineered. The victim's presence at the Singhu border where he was staying with the Nihangs is itself inexplicable. His family claims that he was an alcoholic and a drug addict who never strayed far from home. The last they knew of him was that he left his village to look for casual work at the local grain market. People in his village are sceptical that he would go all the way to Singhu, near Delhi, to commit sacrilege or participate in the farmers' sit-in. They suspect that he was taken there rather than having gone by himself.

Other questions also deserve credible answers. It is unclear why the agriculture minister and his deputy were hobnobbing with a Nihang leader who is neither a farmer nor associated with the farmers' agitation. Shouldn't they have re-engaged instead with the collective leadership of the farmers in a dialogue? At whose instance then was the Nihang leader there, and was the mutilation and murder of an innocent person a deliberate act of provocation to vacate the protestors forcibly? Unless he is lying, it is also unclear who among those present in the meeting allegedly tried to bribe Baba Aman Singh to vacate the site.

The farmers' agitation is perhaps the longest such agitation in the world. A handful of Nihangs leaving the protest site would have made little difference to the ongoing agitation even if they had made the kind of noises that the establishment might have wanted them to make. Nothing would have worked short of implicating the SKM leaders in the gruesome murder. That, too, did not happen. It would, therefore, seem that using the Nihangs was one more attempt to somehow erode and discredit the farmers' agitation.

(The writer is a journalist based in Delhi)

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the authors own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.

Watch latest videos by DH here:
Earlier this week, Congress leaders of all hues gathered at Haldwani near Nainital to pay tributes to N D Tiwari, the late three-time chief minister of the undivided Uttar Pradesh. Fresh from his recent Punjab exploits, Harish Rawat lit a joss stick in front of a garlanded picture of N D Tiwari, who had passed away on October 18, 2018. N D Tiwari also holds the record of being the only chief minister of Uttarakhand, the state carved out of UP in 2000, to complete a full five-year term in office.

About a furlong or so from the venue of this remembrance meet, the new kids on the block -- Aam Admi Party (AAP) volunteers donning trademark inverted boat-shaped caps were knocking on the doors to canvass for their party. This would be AAP's first election in the hill state where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress have taken turns at power for the last two decades.

In a state which has seen massive outward migration of its youth in search of jobs, the AAP seems to be focussing on this same voter group to make inroads. It has promised a dole of Rs 5,000 for all unemployed youth between 18 and 40.

Also read: Nearly a third 'not satisfied' with CMs of poll-bound states: Survey

It is issuing employment guarantee cards to lay its hands on precious data and phone numbers of voters, which will come in handy for micro-messaging and targeted online campaigns closer to the elections early next year. The party has also declared its chief minister candidate in an army officer turned social worker Colonel Ajay Kothiyal.

Freebie apart, does Uttarkhand offer space to a third-party intervention as is being attempted by Arvind Kejriwal, an encore of sorts after its success in replacing the Congress as the alternative to the BJP in Delhi?

Like its treacherous terrain, the youngest hill state carved out of UP offers unique challenges -- both historical and contemporary -- to political hikers. To understand the complexities of this region as they have shaped up in post-Independence India, we may have to travel back in time by a good four decades and more.

The demand for a separate hill state of Uttarakhand comprising the two administrative divisions of Kumaun and Garhwal was raised in 1979 when a small group of activists and intellectuals met in the hill station of Nainital. The then vice-chancellor of Kumaun University, Prof D D Pant, chaired this convention called in to discuss the socio-economic situation in the region.

The Nainital conclave was the precursor to the formation of Uttarakhand Kranti Dal, or UKD -- a political party seeking to represent the political aspirations of the people of the hills. It was a time when the strong winds of change were blowing in other parts of the country. The Janata experiment, though on its last leg, had given a fillip to regional aspirations. It was also the year All Assam Students Union (AASU) was born out of public discontent against the influx of Bangladeshi migrants in the north-eastern state. It was also the same period when Shibu Soren mobilised tribals, trade unionists and others to consolidate the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha in south-Bihar.

In retrospect, some of these experiments tapping regional and sub-regional experiments were highly successful in mobilising the masses and providing political alternatives to hegemonic power structures. In Uttarakhand, however, that was not to be. Why and how regional political identity has failed to take roots in the hill state is an interesting case study unto itself.

Scholars who have studied the socio-economic and political landscape of the twin divisions of Kumaun and Garhwal as part of the undivided Uttar Pradesh provide a fascinating peek into the alienation experienced by the region in the first three decades after Independence. Though recognised as backward and under-developed, no planned strategies were initiated by either the Centre or the state to develop the region. After the 1962 China War, the sudden spurt in growth activities aimed primarily at securing borders complicated the situation further.

The government acquired land, built roads, felled trees as skilled and semi-skilled workers travelled up the hills with private contractors. The development activity coinciding with the Third Five Year Plan was primarily confined to work taken up for strategic fortification of the borders. It did not benefit the local population by any stretch. The alienation was perhaps more accentuated and complete with the exclusive rights to forest resources granted to the non-local entrepreneurs and the promulgation of the New Forest Policy of 1976. The Chipko movement in Chamoli district was a direct reaction to the government's policies on forest management.

So, the situation was just ripe for a player to step in to fill in the political vacuum against a well-entrenched Congress. The genesis of Uttarakhand Kranti Dal in 1979 was thus an impending event waiting to happen. Jaswant Singh Bisht was the first UKD MLA to enter the UP Assembly in 1980. The young and redoubtable Kashi Singh Airy followed suit, winning consecutive terms from the Didihaat seat.

However, the UKD has remained on the fringes of state politics despite being the first political entity to demand a separate hill state. According to some scholars, the UKD's marginalisation is because Uttarakhand's inherent centripetal tendency gravitates towards the political centre and thus towards national parties. The reasons for this are both social and religious.

Firstly, as a territorial segment of politically significant Uttar Pradesh, its integration with national politics was reinforced as a part of the large Hindi heartland belt. The fact that leaders from this region with less than 10 per cent representation in the undivided UP towered over the state and national politics underscores this fact. From Govind Ballabh Pant to N D Tiwari, the list is long.

Paradoxically, while the region faced economic alienation in the initial years, a parallel cultural integration at the subconscious level was always on. Interestingly, Pant, the first chief minister of UP and hailed from the hills, contested and won elections from Bareilly in the plains. Conversely, Chandra Bhanu Gupta, the Congress CM of UP in the 1960s, who was from the plains, represented Ranikhet in the hills. Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna, from the hilly region, shifted base to Allahabad in the plains quite early in his political career.

Secondly, integration of the hill region with the national mainstream is also on account of the annual pilgrimage lakhs of Hindus make to the religious places in the hills. The larger national identity and affinity to the political centre is reinforced by the state's characteristic demography overwhelmed by upper-caste Hindus.

In 1994, the separate statehood demand gained ground as a reaction to the decision by the Mulayam Singh Yadav government to implement a 27 per cent OBC reservation in the erstwhile UP. The upper caste dominated hill divisions rose in protests which later crystallised into agitation for a separate hill state.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee government created three states in 2000. Uttarakhand, along with Jharkhand and Chattisgarh, thus came into existence. Ever since, the two national parties, the BJP and Congress, have settled down to a cosy arrangement taking turns to govern the state.

In 2021, the AAP is attempting to make the contest triangular. Apart from the novelty factor, it has a certain advantage vis a vis the UKD of the yore. Though confined to Delhi and Punjab, the AAP has sought to project itself as a national player or a party with a national outlook. Unlike the Congress, it has not conceded the right of the centre space to the BJP, which gives it enough elbow room to manoeuvre past attempts at polarisation. With Kothiyal as its chief ministerial candidate, it has tried to reach a large population where nearly every household sends a person or two to the armed forces.

And finally, the AAP is willing to experiment both in content and form its campaign as the Congress tries to put its house in order. The Congress party's most significant challenge this election is to project itself as a credible alternative to the BJP, to convince its cadres and people that it has a chance to return to power. The AAP as a third player offers a choice and creates doubt in the minds of the electorate. A division in the anti-BJP votes will only make the Congress's task more difficult this election.

(The writer is a journalist)

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.
By James Patterson and Marie Claire Brisbois for The Conversation

Ambitious action is needed to stop average global temperatures rising above 1.5C. But some measures to cut fossil fuel use and develop alternative industries have provoked resistance. Wind farms can be a common source of public ire, and so can carbon taxes  as large protests in France and Australia show.

Opposition to climate action can also arise when people are faced with the consequences of moving away from fossil fuels in everyday life, whether its changes to how we travel, eat, and heat or cool our homes. Even where people are broadly in favour of doing something about climate change, that support can evaporate when it involves changes to their daily routines.

So whats the secret to making climate action popular? Scholars have converged on two key ingredients: equity and participation.

Equity

The costs and benefits of climate action should be fairly distributed, and people who are likely to struggle to cope with any changes need support. In British Columbia, Canada, resistance to broad-based carbon taxes on fossil fuels in transport and electricity generation has been mild. One reason for this is that the provincial government offered low-income residents tax credits to balance out the financial hit.

Also Read  CoP26: Climate has changed, the hypocrisy hasnt

The yellow vests movement (gilets jaunes in French) led a very different response to a fuel levy increase in France in 2018-19. This price hike would disproportionately affect people already struggling financially. Failing to fairly distribute the costs of climate action risks sparking a public outcry and alienating people who might otherwise support such measures.

Theres an opportunity when crafting climate policy to not only avoid this kind of backlash, but to also make people enthusiastic about the wider benefits of decarbonisation. This idea is at the heart of the concept of the green new deal. For instance, insulating homes and building low-carbon, affordable housing could slash energy bills and emissions at the same time. Creating nature-friendly farming offers healthier food and enriched wildlife. Expanding and improving public transport would help ease congestion and allow people to breathe cleaner air.

Participation

Sometimes the people contesting a policy are not against taking action on climate change, they simply want things to be done differently. For example, in the case of the yellow vests, new research suggests many protesters were demanding that processes for deciding climate action be made more inclusive. Climate assemblies and other kinds of consultation that allow the public to have a say in the direction of national and regional climate policy have been used in France, Ireland, and the UK.

Research shows that participation must be meaningful for the public to accept the results. When people are invited to develop policy, governments that fail to act on their recommendations risk eroding trust.

The same issue can occur when governments fail to make clear how the decisions of citizens assemblies will be used. The advice that members of the public arrive at in these deliberative processes may be set aside if it competes with the influence of powerful figures like industry lobbyists. Ultimately, public participation should not be used by politicians to outsource, delay or deflect responsibility for difficult decisions.

So, while there are no easy answers for how to make a governments climate agenda legitimate, paying close attention to equity and participation is important. That will mean tackling inequalities in wealth distribution and strengthening democratic processes so that theyre capable of the long-term planning necessary.

In countries around the world, surveys suggest that people are more worried about climate change than ever. Channelling public concern towards concrete actions that improve lives is the best course of action that research recommends. But as governments roll out climate policies, its also very important they continue to learn from the experience.

Large-scale public investment and industrial policies to manage the transition from fossil fuels are increasingly part of the climate debate. This would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. New and creative ways of dealing with climate change that invite ordinary people into the process can generate further enthusiasm and shift the focus away from limits and sacrifice.

(Patterson is an Assistant Professor of Institutional Dynamics in Sustainability, Utrecht University and Brisbois is a Senior Lecturer in Energy Policy, University of Sussex)
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday assured the Valmiki community that he would try his best to meet their demand for a hike in reservation while stressing that it was not easy and full of challenges.

Bommai was speaking at a function on the occasion of Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti.

The Valmiki (ST) community has demanded a hike in quota from the existing 3% to 7.5%. This, along with similar demands made by other communities, is being looked into by a 3-member committee headed by former High Court judge and Upa Lokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi.

We are looking at ways to resolve this under the legal framework and an expert committee has been constituted. I will try my best to do justice to the aspirations of all communities. But, its not easy and full of challenges. I need everybodys cooperation to arrive at a decision that will be unanimous in the interest of social justice, Bommai said.

Bommai pointed out that all reservations should be under 50%.

With the increase in population and aspirations, we need to relook and re-examine this nationally, he said.

The state government has earmarked Rs 7,600 crore for ST welfare, Bommai said.

In my first Cabinet meeting, we decided to create a separate secretariat for ST welfare, he said. Theres a land ownership scheme under which I have asked officials to give government land wherever available or purchase new land that can be given to SC/STs, he said.

Bommai said his government is working on a new programme for the self-employment of SC/ST and OBC women.

We havent been able to encourage SC/ST women to the extent that they deserve. Im talking to NABARD and in the coming days we will help women with self-employment. There will be social change only when SC/ST and OBC women become financially independent. Were designing a programme keeping this aim in mind, he said.

Valmiki community pontiff Prasanandapuri Swami urged Bommai to act on the reservation demand soon.

I dont know how youll do it. There are challenges like you said, but it should be done as soon as possible, he said.

On this occasion, the government gave the Maharshi Valmiki award to achievers from various walks of life.

Check out latest videos from DH:
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday said he has offered to help the neighbouring Kerala with support on relief and rehabilitation measures in the wake of heavy rains and landslides.

Read | Nature's fury leaves behind stories of misery in Kerala

Spoke to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan & expressed deep grief over the loss of lives due to heavy rains & landslides, Bommai said in a tweet. I have asked the Chief Secretary to be in touch with Kerala Chief Secretary for all support in relief & rehabilitation. Our prayers are with Kerala in this hour of crisis, he said.

At least 35 people have died due to floods and heavy rainfall that has disrupted life in Kerala. The southern state has received 135% excess rainfall from October 1 to 19.

Watch latest videos by DH here:
The Cottage Coffee shop has bagged two awards at this years The Dairy Council Best Scones awards held at the Merchant Hotel in Belfast on October 18.



The cafe, situated in Derrys craft village, took home best cafe and the overall best scones in Northern Ireland.



It was the first time the event has taken place with over 107 businesses entering the competition.



Henk Swiegers, owener of the The Cottage Coffee shop, and his team were shortlisted to 15 finalists for the final round after customers voted for their favourite applicants.



Three judges visited all those shortlisted to try their scones as well as decide the three main categories, best cafe, best hotel and best restaurant.



Michelle Devine, an employee at the cafe and the person behind baking the award winning scones said: We won a plaque for the best cafe as well as the overall Best Scone Northern Ireland plaque.

"We also won 1000, which will be used to treat all of the staff who worked extremely hard throughout the pandemic.



We are extremely thankful to all our customers who voted for us and got us through to the final in this competition.

"We are also very grateful for their continued support throughout the pandemic.

We are delighted to have won these awards considering the stiff competition from long established businesses.



Hopefully these awards will help us to continue to flourish in these difficult times.



The Cottage opened in March of 2019. It opened as mainly a craft shop but the coffee shop is part of the main business.
Police were called out to the Foyle Street area of Derry on Saturday October 16 where a teenage girl was taken to hospital after her drink was believed to have been spiked.



The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service attended the scene and transported the young girl to Altnegelvin Hospital for treatment.



Inspector McManus said: We are aware of a related post on social media, which states that several individuals had their drinks spiked in the city during the weekend.



Drink spiking can, of course, result in the most serious of harm. Im keen to encourage the individuals, and indeed anyone who believes they have been the victim of drink spiking to make a report to the police by contacting 101



Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle, Sinead McLaughlin MLA said: Im petrified for those women. I am the mother of two young women and its always something that Ive been afraid of, I'm always telling my girls to be aware when they're out in the evening, and thats not entirely fair; because youre putting the onus on your daughters.



It really is something that we all as parents need to be concerned about.



We have to believe young women when they tell us this. When we get contacted in our office, I dont question those that have come to me with this because they have obviously experienced something really unique to them.



This was not a normal night out. This is not just a few drinks. They were left feeling shaken and vulnerable. They had symptoms of nausea, they lost their balance, they lost their visual sense.



It really is a very, very scary thing to happen."



She added on her Twitter: Recent reports of drink spiking are concerning & frankly frightening.



I'll be raising it in my meeting with the PSNI this week and have asked the Justice Minister to review legislation.



Bars must also take this very seriously and consider measures that could help make venues safer.
A County Derry secondary school has been celebrating after they picked up an award at the prestigious National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education (NAPCE).

Limavady High School was announced as 'Pastoral School of the Year' for 2021 last month, coming out on top of a number of schools across the UK.

The awards, founded in 1982, recognise schools, educational professionals and agencies who have an interest in pastoral care and personal-social education, as well as the welfare of students of all ages. Principal Mr Darren Mornin said they were delighted to receive their award.

The standard of schools nominated was excellent, from all around the UK, and to come out on top is such a fantastic achievement, he said.

This award is fantastic recognition of the outstanding pastoral care the school has in place to support all our pupils.

I would like to pay tribute to Miss Fisher, Vice Principal - Pastoral Care, her team of Pastoral Leaders and all staff, Teaching and Non-Teaching for all their dedication and support to our pupils.

The school was nominated in recognition of its dedication to promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing.

Judges were impressed by the schools focus on Trauma Informed Practice and supporting pupils at risk of underachieving.

The work of the PTA, who provided 60 hampers during lockdown, was praised as was the relationships the school has created with external agencies who provide workshops and mentoring.

Staff at the school were also nominated as finalists in three further categories.

Miss Fisher was a finalist in the 'Pastoral Leader of the Year' in recognition of her work on diversity and inclusion.

Mrs McCartney was nominated for 'Pastoral Member of the Year' due to the support she provided for Sixth Form students during lockdown.

The schools Heads of Year and Heads of Key Stages also received a final nomination for 'Pastoral Team of the Year' for their focus on wellbeing and personal relationships.

Mr Mornin said further work was underway to ensure the school continued its high standard of pastoral care.

Our school has always been well known for its strong ethos on Pastoral Care and we have continued to invest in resources to further enhance the facilities and support we can offer, he said.

Recently we have opened our new wellbeing room and updated our sensory room for pupils to use. We have also just started work on the Investors in Pupils and wellbeing accreditation programmes.
A Limavady man has won a top award at the North's largest tourism and hospitality event.

Derek Wylie, who works at Best Western Plus White Horse Hotel, scooped the Hotel and Hospitality Hero award at the recent Hospitality Exchange.

The awards ceremony has been a highlight of the tourism and hospitality industry calendar for the last two decades, and the inclusion of the Hotel and Hospitality Hero Awards, only added to an already exciting programme this year.

Taking place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on October 12 and 13, the two-day conference offered a cocktail of analysis, advice and support for the hotel and hospitality industry following possibly the most challenging period in recent history.

Organised by the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation (NIHF), the 2021 event had three central themes: Reflect, Recruit and Restore.

The programme considered the previous success of the sector, the challenges of staffing in a new era and how to restore trading to its 1bn pre pandemic levels of spend.

This years high-profile and experienced speaker line-up ensured that delegates got practical guidance with insights covering this years three themes.

Explaining the importance of recognising industry talent and celebrating Hotel and Hospitality Heroes, Stephen Meldrum, President of the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, said: People are without doubt our greatest asset. In many ways, they are the unique selling point for local hotels, helping visitors to discover a collection of new and unique Northern Ireland experiences.

"The role that employees play is integral to the success of the business and the sector as a whole. The Federation recognises this and that is why staff were the star of the show at Hospitality Exchange 2021.

As part of this years event, we asked employers to nominate a person who has made an exceptional contribution to the sector, or gone above and beyond the call of duty, for a Hotel and Hospitality Hero Award.

Over the last eighteen months, the mettle of staff has really been tested. I am immensely proud of the contribution they have made in helping the sector on its road to recovery.

Hospitality Exchange 2021 is very much about looking to the future. Our plan is to acknowledge the challenges and impact of COVID-19, while looking at solutions and learn how businesses are addressing them and moving forward.
Sinn Fein's Ciara Ferguson has said huge increases in energy prices will hit hardest on those already least able to afford it.

The Foyle MLA was commenting after the Utility Regulator warned that gas bills could increase by further 50 per cent in December, with electricity prices set to increase by up to 20 per cent in January.

Utility regulator John French said unprecedented increases in international wholesale prices were to blame.

He said: Unfortunately, there has been a rapid and sustained acceleration of wholesale gas prices.

When we agreed to firmus energy and SSE Airtricity Gas Supply's new regulated tariff at the end of August, the wholesale cost of natural gas was 1.15 per therm (a unit of heat)  a then record high.

However, with continuing supply constraints, mainly from reduced gas supplies from Russia, wholesale prices peaked at a new record high of nearly 4.10 per therm in early October.

In the last week, the wholesale price has reduced slightly to around 2.40 per therm, but this is still a 109 per cent increase from the end of August.

However, Ms Ferguson said that the price hikes will hurt the most vulnerable in society and called upon the Conservative Government in Westminster to make funding available to help those in need.

She said: News that energy prices are set to increase again is another huge blow for already hard-pressed families.

Many families, workers and pensioners here are still reeling from the British governments attack on their livelihoods by increasing national Insurance contributions, ditching pension protections and cutting Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit.

These hikes in energy costs will hit hardest on those already least able to afford it.

Its particularly concerning that this latest hike comes at the beginning of winter when the demand for fuel will increase significantly.

The British government must recognise the scale of the cost-of-living crisis and make additional funding available to support workers and families, and to help businesses and protect jobs.
Kriti Sanon calls Adipurush co-star Prabhas 'warm' and 'easy to work with' says, "I think we look good together on screen"

Kriti Sanon is one of the busiest actress in Bollywood currently. The actress is gearing up for her next Hum Do Humare Do while having a packed schedule ahead with multiple releases in the future with stars like Varun Dhawan, Prabhas, Akshay Kuamr, Tiger Shroff among others.

One of the biggest films in her kitty at the moment is her first pan-Indian film Adipurush where Kriti will be essaying the role of goddess Sita opposite Bahubali star Prabhas. Talking about the actor in a recent interview with Spotboye Kriti spoke about Prabhass shy demeanor and shooting for the Om Raut film.

Kriti while talking about the star told the portal, "Ive been shooting with him in chunks, but hes a lot of fun. Hes a warm, genuine, rooted person, very easy to work with. Hes shy in the beginning, but otherwise hes talkative and happy. Theres no stress and I think we look good together on screen."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kriti (@kritisanon)

Adipurush is currently shooting one of its biggest schedules in Mumbai and also features actor Sunny Singh and Saif Ali Khan in key roles playing Laxman and Ravan respectively. The film is touted to Om Rauts magnum opus and has a lot of fans looking forward to this adaptation of the Ramayan.

Among other film Kriti has in her kitty at the moment are Shehzada, Bachchan Pandey, Ganapath, and Bhediya.
Bigg Boss 15: Wild cards to enter the show this weekend; Anusha Dandekar breaks silence on rumors of her participation

Just yesterday social media buzz suggested that three celebrities will be entering Salman Khans Bigg Boss 15 house as wild card contestants. These names were Bigg Boss OTT star and Shamita Shettys connection Raqesh Bapat, Roadies and Splitsvilla contestant Aarushi Dutta and VJ Anusha Dandekar, who is Karan Kundrras ex-girlfriend. However, no confirmation about the same was shared. Well, reports have now revealed that the wild card contestants of season 15 might become a part of the reality show on this weeks Weekend Ka Vaar episode.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bigg Boss Khabri  (@mr_khabri)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bigg Boss Khabri  (@mr_khabri)

While Raqesh and Aarushi have not commented on these reports yet, Anusha took to her official social media handle last night to clear the air. Denying the rumors, she wrote: So again this is my life, my happy place. And for the love of god please stop this nonsense about me going on Bigg Boss to fill some page in an article, to stir up some more drama, which Im not even a part of. I told you my truth, every quote or picture I post now is not about my past, its about MY growth! This is about ME!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anusha Dandekar (@vjanusha)

She went on to state: Stop undermining my achievements as a self made woman. I am the Boss of my own life, I dont need to be in any house to prove it. So sleep easy the people that are so unhealthily obsessed with it. Thankyou to all of you who just let me live and spread happiness. Well, thats that.

Can you guess which celebs will enter the house as wild card contestants this weekend?
NEWS RELEASE Release Number: 2021-105 Date: October 20, 2021

California Labor Commissioners Citations of $8.5 Million Issued to Owner of Six Residential Care Facilities Upheld

Los Angeles A hearing officer has upheld the Labor Commissioners wage theft citations issued to Adat Shalom Board & Care, Inc. and owner Angelica Reingold in 2018. The citations were to compensate 148 workers who cared for elderly residents 24 hours a day, six day a week, yet were only paid for six hours each day. Reingold, who owns six facilities in Los Angeles, appealed the citations and after a 17-day hearing, the unpaid wages and penalties were upheld with some modifications. Adat Shalom Board & Care, Inc. owes more than $8.5 million for the violations, with $8,356,018 payable to the workers in unpaid wages, overtime, meal period pay, liquidated damages and interest.

This decision affirms that the wage theft violations were systemic and egregious, said California Labor Commissioner Lilia Garcia-Brower. These workers provided a valuable service to the residents in the face of long hours and challenging conditions. They must be properly paid for their labor.

The Labor Commissioners Office opened the initial investigation after receiving a report of labor law violations from the Pilipino Workers Center.

During the hearing, 13 former live-in caregivers testified about their work schedules, duties and wages. Throughout the day and night, they monitored and cared for elderly residents and hospice patients, many of them suffering from Alzheimers or dementia. The caregivers were paid fixed amounts ranging from $1,500 to $1,800 per month.

In a September 30 decision, the hearing officer upheld the citations with modifications to decrease the amount of minimum wage owed and increase the amount owed in overtime and meal period premiums. As three years have passed since the citations were first issued, prejudgment interest has also been added to the citations, as required by statute, for a total of $8,356,018 payable to workers in unpaid wages and damages:

$1,623,384 for minimum wages owed to 148 workers

$2,540,675 in liquidated damages (as of September 30, 2021)

$1,939,112 for overtime pay

$152,441 for meal period premium pay

$2,100,405 in prejudgment interest (as of September 30, 2021)

An additional $77,600 in civil penalties were assessed for the minimum wage, overtime and meal period violations with another $97,000 for itemized wage statement violations, for a total of $8,530.618. Adat Shalom Board & Care, Inc., and Reingold, as CEO and sole corporate officer, are jointly responsible for the full amount of wages and damages owed to the workers. Prejudgment interest is continuing to accrue at a rate of $1,018 per day while interest on the liquidated damages is accruing at a rate of $442.83 per day.

The defendants have 45 days from the decision to file an appeal. To appeal, defendants must post a bond equal to the total amount of minimum wages, liquidated damages and overtime due and owing. In this case, the total bond would equal $6,103,171.

When workers are paid less than minimum wage, they are entitled to liquidated damages that equal the amount of underpaid minimum wages plus interest.

Enforcement investigations typically include a payroll audit of the previous three years to determine minimum wage, overtime and other labor law violations, and to calculate payments owed and penalties due where violations are found. Civil penalties collected are transferred to the States General Fund as required by law.

The Department of Industrial Relations Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (California Labor Commissioners Office) combats wage theft and unfair competition by investigating allegations of illegal and unfair business practices.

The Labor Commissioners Office in 2020 launched an interdisciplinary outreach campaign, Reaching Every Californian. The campaign amplifies basic protections and builds pathways to impacted populations so workers and employers understand legal protections and obligations, and the Labor Commissioners enforcement procedures. Californians can follow the Labor Commissioner on Facebook and Twitter.

Contact: Communications@dir.ca.gov, (510) 286-1161
Shannon & Wilson

Troost

Shannon & Wilson, a geotechnical and environmental consulting firm, announced that Kathy Goetz Troost, LG, Ph.D., has rejoined the company's Seattle office as a senior consultant. Goetz Troost has a doctorate in geology and 42 years of experience conducting in-depth applied geologic studies in Quaternary stratigraphy and applied geological research, engineering geologic consulting, and serving as a liaison between consultants, research scientists, and decision makers. Goetz Troost is an associate teaching professor with the University of Washington Department of Earth and Space Science focusing in the Applied Geosciences Masters program. She is the former director of GeoMapNW, a group that produced highly detailed geological maps and hazard maps that help city planners, builders and homeowners better understand the geology of a particular area. She works closely with numerous agencies, including the United States Geologic Survey, Washington Department of Natural Resources, city of Seattle and King County. She is considered an expert in the geology of the Puget Lowlands and Washington, having published many geological maps and papers about Quaternary geology and geological hazards, including the Geology of Seattle and the Seattle Area.




Subscriber content preview

PORTLAND (AP)  Oregon's central administrative agency inadvertently released the COVID-19 vaccination status of more than 40,000 state employees to two media outlets.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports a spreadsheet sent to them and the Statesman Journal was supposed to contain the latest vaccination rates and vaccine exemption rates for each executive branch agency overseen by Gov. Kate Brown.





. . .
Charles Skinner was maybe 18 or maybe 19 when he entered the Army in 1951. At 89 and in fragile health with Parkinsons, his memory isnt what it used to be . . . he has good days and bad days.

Last Thursday was a good day.

It turned out to be a very good day.

Not only was Charles having a good mental day, he was about to get the surprise of his year. Larry Kloster with Casper Hospice Program showed up at his house to honor him his service in the Korean War.

Kloster was able to speak with Charles about his time in the service, then presented him with a pillow that was made from a retired flag that flew above Perkins in Casper. Charles also received a Challenge Coin from the United States and U.S. Sen. John Barraso, R-Wy, a star off a retired flag, a red-white-and-blue afghan, a We Honor Vets pin, a small flag and a framed We Appreciate Our Veterans certificate.

He was pretty proud to be honored by Larry, Charles daughter, Sue Asselin, said in an email. Thats when he got his old uniform jacket out and tried it on so Larry could see him in it. He had no idea how special that little ceremony was going to be. I had no idea, either.

Asselin said the impromptu event turned into a ceremony of sorts that Charles truly appreciated.

Larry asked my dad to stand and my mom (Shirley), my husband (Rex), Larry and I saluted him. He saluted back, and he was very happy to think that anyone would recognize him for his service that many years ago, she said.

I know he said going into the service was something he never thought about as anything special, Asselin said. Its just what you did. He has so many stories, about how cold it was over there and how they kept warm. Wish I could remember what he said on . . . what they had to do with their boots to keep from freezing. And he still doesnt think it was anything special.

He always wears his hat that says Korean war veteran and has many people thank him for his service. As soon as Larry left, he went and got his hat and put the pin he received on it immediately.

He also found his old Army jacket and put it on. It still fit, though Asselin said that is because hes lost some weight.

Luckily this was a good day for him so he could acknowledge and appreciate all the time that was put into this ceremony.
Louth Fianna Fail Senator Erin McGreehan has welcomed the launch of Speak Out - the anonymous violence and harassment reporting tool for higher education institutions.

Speak Out is an online and anonymous reporting platform for incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, discrimination, hate crime, coercive behaviour/control, stalking, assault, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape.

Senator McGreehan said: I welcome the launch of this incredibly important initiative.

"The creation of this innovative and supportive online platform will provide a safe and anonymous medium for students and staff to report incidents of bullying, assault or sexual violence in a trauma-informed environment.

Speak Out represents a national approach to tackling these issues by raising awareness, and by providing a means of recording instances, which will assist in achieving a zero-tolerance culture.

The project, led by the Psychological Counsellors in Higher Education Ireland (PCHEI), and funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, will be rolled out across 18 higher education institutions throughout this academic year for students, staff and visitors.

The 2019 Framework for Consent in Higher Education Institutions: Safe, Respectful, Supportive and Positive  Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Irish Higher Education Institutions outlined the need for data to be collected on the incidence rates of sexual harassment and violence across our higher education sector.

The data collected through this tool will be used to inform policy and targeted educational initiatives. It is the goal of PCHEI to provide a trauma informed tool which will provide users with support services relevant to their experience.

This project, which has been supported by the HEA Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, is a ground-breaking initiative which is underpinned by an ethos of cross-institutional collaboration in response to such incidences within higher education institutions.

An online anonymous reporting tool  Report and Support  is already in operation in University College Dublin, and UCD staff and students can access this here https://reportandsupport. ucd.ie/
Louth County Council have said that they expect to issue the tender for the Narrow Water Bridge in Omeath towards the end of 2022.

Chief Executive of Louth County Council, Joan Martin, told Sinn Feins Antoin Watters that they expect to issue the tender in Q4 of 2022, telling councillors that there is progress being made on the project.

There are currently consulting engineers examining previous tender documentation from when the project had previously been brought to tender in 2013, according to Ms Martin.

The Chief Executive said that this would require several months of work to ensure that the previous tender was up to current regulatory standards, and that the 3 million funding from the Shared Island Fund within the Department of the Taoiseach would be used for this.

Ms Martin also said that the council are receiving monthly reports and that they will continue to update local councillors on the progress of the project.

Earlier this year, the government said that they expected that the project would begin construction in 2023.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh OBrien visited the site in Warrenpoint where the Narrow Water Bridge is set to be constructed in Northern Ireland last week.

Fianna Fail Senator for Louth, Erin McGreehan welcomed the governments commitment to the cross-border project during his visit.

Speaking at the event Senator McGreehan said:  It feels now that this beautiful area surrounding Carlingford Lough is being seen for what it is, a beautiful place to live and work. "If this was in any other part of the country there would have been a bridge long ago, it is only because it's on the border that it has been forgotten.

"It feels like we are finally beginning to move on and people are believing in this region and I for one am very proud to be pushing this entire region at a national level.
The Dundalk Institute of Techology are setting new gender balance with more female than male students studying agriculture.

Female students dominate the agriculture programme at the Dundalk institute in a traditionally male dominated industry.

DkIT entrants on the BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Agriculture/Agri-Food Production comprises of 60% female, 40% male which is phenomenal representation of females in a traditionally male dominated industry.

Head of Department of Agriculture, Food and Animal Health at DkIT Breda Brennan said: Its great to see the shift in gender balance that we have experienced over the past 10 years on our Agriculture programme.

"It indicates that perhaps in the future, women will have an even stronger role to play in the Irish Agriculture sector.

The BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Agriculture/Agri-Food Production is a collaborative programme delivered jointly with Teagasc, Ballyhaise Agricultural College, Cavan and leads to a DkIT award at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

The programme is very practical in nature, providing opportunities for students to develop their animal and crop husbandry skills, laboratory-based skills and a range of student-centred field trips and site visits, a DkIT spokesperson explained.

On completion of this course, students also meet the requirements of a qualified farmer for the purposes of all Revenue and Department of Agriculture (DAFM) schemes, traditionally known as a Green Cert qualification.

The aim of this four-year Honours Degree course is to produce graduates with knowledge, skills and competencies to respond effectively to current and future developments in Agriculture and the Agri-Food Industry.

This is a common entry B.Sc. (Hons) in Agriculture programme, with students specialising in third year to graduate with either a BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Agriculture or Agri-Food Production.

The DkIT has also recently received the prestigious award for gender equality which was presented by the international Athena SWAN by AdvanceHE in recognition of its commitment to advancing gender equality in academia, and in promoting diversity and inclusion for staff and students in higher education.

Athena SWAN is Advance HEs Gender Charter, and acknowledges the actions undertaken by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with relation to gender equality issues. The Athena SWAN Charter was first launched in Ireland in 2015 in a major national initiative supported by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has revealed a plan to trial a Universal Basic Income (UBI) during the lifetime of his government.

He spoke about the concept after appointing a new chairman to a Commission responsible for examining its feasibility in Ireland.

Dublin Bus Chairman, Ultan Courtney, has been appointed to the post at the Low Pay Commission, which makes recommendations on the rate of minimum wage to the Minister for Enterprise.

Speaking about UBI, Tanaiste Varadkar said, "As well as fulfilling its usual role in making recommendations to government on the minimum wage, the Commission will be undertaking the really important work of developing a Living Wage for Ireland. The Commission is also carrying out an examination of the Universal Basic Income, with a view to a pilot being undertaken in the lifetime of the Government."

UBI is the concept of a regular payment given to every citizen regardless of circumstances (without any means test or work requirement), replacing social welfare payments and the State Pension.

No information about the date or circumstances of the proposed pilot are available at this time.

Speaking about his new role, Mr Courtney said, "I look forward to working with the other members [sic] to examine issues affecting low pay in Ireland and to bring forward recommendations on the living wage and on universal basic income."
Students walk to and from classes on the Indiana University campus, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. College communities such as Bloomington are exploring their options for contesting the results of the 2020 census, which they say do not accurately reflect how many people live there.
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
 

Ukraines Chornomorsk Port to boost its competitiveness with a public-private partnership

EBRD and IFC to assist the government in preparing the tender and liaising with investors

New concession follows the success of PPP contracts for Olvia and Kherson ports

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) are supporting the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority in structuring and tendering a public-private partnership (PPP) to modernise the countrys Chornomorsk Port on the north-western shore of the Black Sea.

Private sector-led investment and modernisation of the port, one of the largest in the Black Sea region, could increase Ukraines import and export capacity, boosting its trade competitiveness and economic growth.

The EBRD and IFC will help the Ukrainian government to prepare a comprehensive contractual framework, set bidding criteria and tender rules, and liaise with potential investors, paving the way for a successful tender. Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov and Mark Magaletsky, EBRD Deputy Head of Ukraine, Sustainable Infrastructure, formalised an agreement to this end.

Mr Kubrakov said: Regarding the development of ports, we focus on working with investors. Our partners, IFC and the EBRD, provide full support to this process. The Chornomorsk Port is the third-largest in terms of cargo volume in the country, so this concession project is especially important. In Ukraine, container transport has great potential for development, as it currently accounts for only 8.5 per cent of the total volume. After finding an investor for the Chornomorsk Port and modernising the container terminal, it should be possible to almost double its capacity. This will be a powerful stimulus for the development of the regions economy and increase the competitiveness of Ukraine as an infrastructure hub.

Mr Magaletsky added: We are very pleased to reach this new milestone in our PPP advisory work. Together with IFC, we recognise how critical port infrastructure is to the competitiveness of Ukraine. The benefits of thorough project preparation and a well-run PPP tender are significant. We look forward to bringing the Chornomorsk Port to the market with the involvement of further private-sector investment. 

The Chornomorsk container terminal and railway-ferry complex concession will help to modernise the terminals existing assets, improve and optimise its operations and develop additional services for carriers and cargo owners. Improving the port by optimising cargo logistics and providing higher-quality services is expected to boost the attraction of Ukraine to leading international shipping operators.

The EBRDs engagement in Chornomorsk follows two recent successful tenders in the countrys maritime infrastructure sector. In 2020, the Bank  in partnership with IFC and the Global Infrastructure Facility  supported Ukraines Ministry of Infrastructure in structuring concessions for the ports of Kherson and Olvia, two mid-sized Black Sea ports.

The upcoming concession of the Chornomorsk port terminals is a huge step in the development of Ukraines port industry, driving economic growth and increasing the countrys competitiveness in the global market, said Mehita Fanny Sylla, IFCs Manager for the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in Europe. The modernisation of Chornomorsk Port, along with the success of the concessions in Kherson and Olvia, will prompt the further private sector-led transformation of the sector.

Ukraine is a top-three investment destination for the EBRD. In the past two years alone, the Bank has committed 2 billion to the economy. The EBRD finances infrastructure, energy efficiency, energy security, agricultural and industrial projects, as well as projects for smaller businesses. It combines these investments with support for policies that promote a more enabling business environment.
Cork University Maternity Hospital has introduced unrestricted visiting from 7am to 11pm daily for one nominated person.

The new measure is effective immediately and nominated visitors can self-schedule daily visits now by following a link that will be texted to them.

The announcement, made on Monday, marks a significant shift in visiting restrictions at the hospital, which has had to put strict limitations in place since the beginning of the pandemic.

Nominated visitors will need to complete a Covid-19 screening survey before visiting. Upon completion, they will receive a barcode that will allow fast-tracked entry into the hospital.

The hospital is "urging" all patients and their partners to avail of the Covid-19 vaccine, and added that children cannot visit at this time.

Outside of the new visiting hours, partners are welcome to attend early pregnancy scans, the 12 week scan, the anatomy scan at 21 to 26 weeks, and will be allowed entry to the hospital when the patient is in established labour.

There are also unrestricted visiting hours for the hospital's high dependency unit and neonatal unit, which parents can both visit but must continue to do so separately.

CUMH Visitor Restrictions Update: From Tuesday 19th October, there is inpatient visiting from 7am to 11pm daily for nominated partner/visitor only. Full details at https://t.co/6jyewOlZdc  Ireland South Women & Infants Directorate (@IrelandSouthWID) October 18, 2021

According to the hospital's website, partners will also be allowed entry in any other situation where there is reason to anticipate that the visit is "likely to be associated with particular stress or to involve communication of particular emotional significance".

Social media users welcomed the announcement after it was shared on the Ireland South Women and Infant Directorate's Twitter page, with some wondering if the same measures will put in place at the directorate's other units, which include University Hospital Kerry, University Hospital Waterford and Tipperary University Hospital.

For more information see the Cork University Maternity Hospital website.
By Dominic McGrath, PA

Gardai still believe that there are people out there with information about Paul Quinns death, ahead of the 14th anniversary of his murder

The 21-year-old, from Cullyhanna, was beaten to death by a gang of around a dozen men in a farm shed across the border near Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, on October 20th 2007.

His family blame members of the IRA, but Sinn Fein has long denied republican involvement.

Gardai belive that there are still people with information in the local community who have yet to come forward.

Superintendent Gary Walsh, of Carrickmacross Garda station, said: Personal relationships and circumstances of individuals will change over time. People who have information about Pauls murder may now be better placed to come forward and speak with gardai.

Paul Quinn (PA Media)

Twenty-three people have been arrested as part of the investigation, which gardai say is ongoing.

Fourteen people have been arrested in the Republic of Ireland, while nine have been arrested by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

In a statement on Tuesday, a Garda spokesperson said that gardai were still working with PSNI officers in a bid to solve the murder.

In August, garda detectives and officers from the PSNIs major investigations team carried out inquiries in South Armagh as part of the investigation.

Gardai on Tuesday described solving the murder as of the utmost priority.

Police for anyone with information to come forward no matter how small or insignificant it might seem.
Trinity College Dublin (TCD) has defended its continuos use of year-old pre-recorded lectures for students in some courses this year.

As reported in The Irish Times, a spokesperson for the university confirmed that TCD has been using the pre-recorded lectures in some circumstances as an alternative to face-to-face teaching.

An article about the university in the UK publication VICE claimed at least eight courses have reused lectures recorded during the 2020 lockdown.

Other Dublin universities, including UCD and DCU, have resumed in person teaching with up to 500 students per lecture with masks.

However, TCD reduced the number of students per lecture to 150.

The spokesperson for TCD said the use of prerecorded lectures could be a sensible use of lecturers time, freeing them up to spend additional time on engaging with smaller class groups where lecture material can be discussed.

Some schools have long had a standard practice of recording lectures to make them available for students, they said.

Many students have reported that they welcome the ability to review material in their own time, the spokesperson added.

That this practice has continued for some, (by no means all), lectures, in no way contradicts the fact that intensive planning has been undertaken for this year to maximise face to face teaching in line with the relaxation of public health restrictions.
By David Young, PA

Northern Ireland is in the dark ages when it comes to equality laws, MPs have been warned.

Geraldine McGahey, chief commissioner at the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, said the region was falling so far behind legislative changes made elsewhere in the UK it was in danger of no longer being viewed as a developed country.

Ms McGahey claimed political disagreements and a fixation on orange and green issues had resulted in a two-decade long failure to enhance legal protections for minority groups.

The chief commissioner was giving evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on the experiences of minority ethnic and migrant people in the region.

She said her claims of political inaction applied to all aspects of equality legislation.

Bearing in mind that we are all part of the United Kingdom we are in the dark ages currently with the legislative framework that we have, she said.

We are in the dark ages in comparison to what is being operated in GB across the entire equality legislative framework, not just in terms of race.

It is, I think, to our shame that we havent updated our legislation. To have been calling for strengthening of legislation and legal reforms since 2008 to 2021 without any movement is absolutely shameful.

We are so caught up in orange and green issues and trying to maintain peace in line with the Good Friday Agreement that the focus does not spread out over other issues in our society.

We get to a certain point in terms of consultation or promoting legislative reform and then our parties cant agree and it gets put on the back burner.

'Not a developed country'

The chief commissioner added: As a society, we need to sit back and take a look at where we are and what really needs to be done to bring us up into the modern age.

Northern Ireland had a long history of being at the forefront in terms of its equality framework and its legislative basis.

We have lost that position and we are at serious risk of falling way behind, to being not a developed country.

The chief commissioner told MPs she had witnessed some green shoots of attitudinal changes at the Stormont Assembly.

Ms McGahey hailed the influence of the Black Lives Matter movement (Yui Mok/PA)

She said the impact of the Black Lives Movement last year had generated some momentum in regards to taking action on equality issues.

During the evidence session, MPs were told that Northern Ireland was also lagging behind the rest of the UK in the terms of the data it collected on its migrant population.

Ms McGahey said a failure to gather detailed data on the regions minority communities was having significant consequences.

She cited the example of Covid statistics.

We cant even start to look at the impacts of Covid on ethnic minority communities and I think thats a real disservice that were doing to a very strong and vibrant part of our society, and we are actually breaching our moral obligations, said the chief commissioner.

Michele Janes, head of Barnardos NI, highlighted the same concern around data as she gave evidence to the committee on the regions migrant young people.

What sort of message do we give our children, our young people and their families here in Northern Ireland that we dont know who they are, where they are and what they need, she said.

How can we plan to meet those needs if we dont know who they are, where they are and what they need? What value do they take from us not having that sort of data available?


Enterprise IT Lead Generation Services

Fuel Your Pipeline. Close More Deals. Our full-service marketing programs deliver sales-ready leads. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee! Learn more.

You are young -- as in under 30 -- are smart, and have financial support. That makes you a great candidate to start your own business and most likely to meet with astounding success. Right?

Do not yet quit your day job! The numbers borne out by ample research say you could be wrong.

So how old should you be when you take that entrepreneurial plunge?

Come back when you are aged 35 or over. By your mid-thirties, you will be in a better position to handle the financial challenges that come with owning your business. By taking the knowledge and skills you have acquired over the years, and applying them to a new professional venture, you are more likely to enjoy success.

Again, that is what the preponderance of research offers. Of course, successful young entrepreneurs challenge that rationale. But still, so many fewer startup businesses led by owners under age 30 belie anything but exceptions to the rule.

Take, for instance, a 2018 study by the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University overturns this notion. Based on researching 2.7 million company founders, the best entrepreneurs tend to be middle-aged.

That research showed among the fastest-growing new tech companies, the average founder was 45 years old. The analysis suggested that 50-year-old entrepreneurs are nearly twice as likely to be successful as 30-year-olds.

The Kellogg research, along with more recent studies, tends to negate the common myth that most successful entrepreneurs are younger when they launch their companies. Other studies show that middle-aged business founders -- think in terms of 35-to-45 years of age -- are two to three times more likely to succeed than those founders under the age of 30.

But one of the newest global surveys on the optimum age for starting a business defies the conventional thinking that older is better when success occurs. It shows that younger millennials -- those born between 1981 and 1997, putting them in the 24 to 40 age range -- are starting to buck that older age trend for business ownership, according to John DeSimone, president of Herbalife Nutrition.

"When we think about entrepreneurs, we probably imagine people who have been in the workforce for many years, who have honed their craft, and chose to venture out independently. According to a new survey, the surprising news is that people worldwide think the optimum age to start a business is 28 years old," he told the E-Commerce Times.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T





Pushing the Limits

Research -- particularly the Kellogg-Northwestern University report -- pegs the reason for middle-aged founders doing statistically much better is that the founders have more experience in navigating around pitfalls. The report also concluded that older founders may have access to more startup funds. They also may have a larger professional network.

Further evidence from a 2020 Kaufmann Foundation study of 5,000 start-ups shows the firms that survived after four years had a primary owner older than 45.

Yes, there are obvious exceptions such as Steve Jobs, who launched Apple in his 20s, and Mark Zuckerberg, who launched Facebook as a youthful college student. But the research overwhelmingly shows such wild successes are clearly anomalies.

Of course, starting a business at any age is a dauntless challenge. But the numbers confirm that those who have runaway success at exceptionally young ages are blessed with unusual talent, a hefty measure of smarts, and an uncanny insight into business and technology.

A recent survey commissioned by Herbalife and conducted by OnePoll produced what DeSimone called "surprising results." Herbalife Nutrition surveyed more than 25,000 people, ages 18 to 40, across 35 countries.

Of the respondents interested in starting a business, 51 percent worry they will not be taken seriously because of their age. But they also see their youth as a positive factor. Half of the global entrepreneurial hopefuls said their age would increase their chances of success, reported De Simone.

"This information may defy common small business owner stereotypes, but makes sense when you understand that millennials are a lot different than previous generations and have the ingredients that make leaving a 9-to-5 job an intelligent decision," he said.

Survey Insights

The survey also found that younger respondents are less likely to be supporting a family or have mortgage payments. This enables a more adventurous and explorative approach to be their own boss, added DeSimone.

"This desire was the top motivating factor reported by respondents who desired an entrepreneurial career followed by the ability to follow their passion. And that passion is important, as we have found with our independent distributors who have started a nutrition business," he said.

Nearly 75 percent of respondents in the survey report that they dream of becoming an entrepreneur. That statistic underscores how enticing the ability to be a boss is and the freedom to set your hours.

Of those U.S. respondents who have been employed previously who are now interested in entrepreneurship, over 60 percent said one of the reasons was that they are tired of being told no by older employees and managers. One-third sought more flexibility in their job.

Other survey responses in the Herbalife research revealed that technology literacy matters. Millennials see themselves as having an upper hand in that regard.

One of the advantages that younger entrepreneurs possess, according to the survey, is their tech smarts, said DeSimone.

Six in 10 (61 percent) respondents said they are better at adapting to new technology than other generations;

43 percent said they are more likely to have fresh, unexplored ideas; and

29 percent of those who want to open a business said they are less afraid to fail than other generations.

Beyond the Dream

Building a business is a lot harder than it may appear to the young entrepreneur, according to James Crawford, co-founder of DealDrop. It may look easy if you read about successful businesses and entrepreneurs in the media, but it is very different in reality.

"Young people do have wonderful ideas. That cannot be doubted. They have their fingers on the pulse and are ideally placed to pick up on new trends and fashions. Even the most basic of education systems now prepares them for a life working with technology," he told the E-Commerce Times.

To build a successful business is a full-time commitment that needs personal dedication solely to building your business with no time reserved for anything else for a considerable stretch of time. Younger people usually have interests outside of work, raising a family for instance, and these duties cannot be avoided, said Crawford.

"There is much to learn in running your business. Previous experience will be of great benefit as you attempt to launch. A young person will not have this experience and will either have to learn on the job or seek advice and help from outside sources," he cautioned.

Young people have in the past proved that they can successfully launch a business. These, however, appear to be the exception.

"It is difficult to argue with the results of the surveys which found the optimum age to be between 35 and 50, although I would veer towards the lower end of the scale. By our thirties, most of us have settled down to a relatively secure family life and have gained valuable experience. We still have that thirst for adventure and are prepared to take controlled risks," he advised.

Realigned Expectations

The Herbalife research suggests that younger respondents have a much different view of surviving a business start-up today. De Simone gives that altered view some credence.

"It is a realistic view, with 29 percent of those respondents who want to open a business saying they are less afraid to fail than other generations. As the survey uncovered, younger respondents are less likely to be supporting a family or have mortgage payments, enabling a more adventurous and explorative approach to being their own boss," he countered.

This desire was the top motivating factor reported by respondents who desired an entrepreneurial career followed by the ability to follow their passion. That passion is important, he added, as reflected in his own company's independent distributors who have started a nutrition business.

In this transition time into a post-pandemic business world, working from home may have affected young entrepreneurs' openness to starting their own business in the short term, observed DeSimone.

For example, 60 percent of younger adults in the U.S. reported that they are "sheltering in the job" or staying put in their current job for the moment, he noted.

The survey also showed that the desire for entrepreneurship does not mean respondents are jumping into it. The average survey respondents said they believe someone should have five-and-one-half years of experience before starting their own business, according to DeSimone.

"Americans were a bit more cautious, recommending seven years of experience," he added.

Factors for Success

Despite new millennial leanings and determination backed by financing, younger wannabee company owners often lack one or more of the potentially required traits found in successful new business owners. Just ask Trudy Rankin, director of West Island Digital and founder of Online Business Lift-Off, both based in Australia.

Rankin has worked with hundreds of people in the Online Business Lift-Off program teaching careers/caregivers and people 50+ how to start their own online business. She observed four key things needed to start a business successfully.

"A willingness to help people solve problems they want solved with solutions that work for the customer and not just the solutions you want to sell them," is the top of her list, Rankin told the E-Commerce Times, adding that this is the opposite of the philosophy that states: build it and they will come.

Second, successful startup owners need sheer persistence. She even goes so far to say "stubbornness" because you have to be willing to keep going even when people around you are saying "why bother?"

The third is a learning mindset accompanied by a willingness to try stuff, learn from what didn't work, then try again.

"All too often we call that 'failure,' when we should really be calling it 'research,'" she said.

Perhaps the most important necessity is the very thing that can only elude potential successful startup owners. They need to draw from their life experience in dealing with hard things so other people can solve their challenges with your help and guidance.

Jack M. Germain has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His main areas of focus are enterprise IT, Linux and open-source technologies. He is an esteemed reviewer of Linux distros and other open-source software. In addition, Jack extensively covers business technology and privacy issues, as well as developments in e-commerce and consumer electronics. Email Jack.




B2B Lead Generation Service

Reach key decision makers with sales-ready leads that shorten your sales process. Move the needle by delivering funnel qualified leads to your sales team. Learn more.

For years, affiliate marketers, social media companies, online marketplace platforms, and search engines alike have enjoyed the seemingly ubiquitous tax-free landscape from their digital activities afforded to them by the United States' Internet Tax Freedom Act of 1998. However, that could all be changing soon.

On the horizon, taxpayers should prepare themselves for the next evolution in state taxation: digital advertising taxes. As policymakers and tax practitioners eagerly look to Maryland spearheading the first-in-the-nation digital advertising tax (DAT), legal concerns have been raised about the validity of Maryland's recently enacted tax.

Poised as a gross receipts tax on in-state digital advertising revenues, Maryland's DAT takes aim at large technology companies that have benefited from years of digital advertising as the catalyst for generating insuperable amounts of wealth.

Maryland's digital ad tax applies a graduated rate that escalates based on the taxpayer's global annual revenues. The tax brackets are as follows:

2.5 percent of the assessable base for persons with global annual gross revenues of US$100 million through $1 billion

5 percent of the assessable base for persons with global annual gross revenues of more than $1 billion through $5 billion

7.5 percent of the assessable base for persons with global annual gross revenues of more than $5 billion through $15 billion

10 percent of the assessable base for persons with global annual gross revenues exceeding $15 billion

Currently, Maryland's DAT applies to taxpayers with at least $1 million of annual gross revenues derived from digital advertising services within Maryland and taxpayers with global annual gross revenues of $100 million or more.

Taxpayers subject to the tax are expected to file an annual declaration of estimated tax and make quarterly estimated tax payments. Maryland's first declaration of estimated tax is due April 15, 2022. In addition, taxpayers must maintain books and records of their digital advertising services provided in Maryland to validate the basis for their apportionment and, ultimately, the taxpayer's calculated digital ad tax.

The Maryland Comptroller has issued proposed regulations to provide clarity on the calculation. The Comptroller proposes to calculate the numerator of the apportionment factor by determining whether the device showing the advertising is in Maryland. The denominator is the number of devices that have accessed the digital advertising services from any location. This fixes one of the issues with the statute in which the denominator was only devices in the U.S., but the revenues were worldwide revenues.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T





Constitutional Challenges

Expanding on the legality of Maryland's digital ad tax, the law presents unique constitutional challenges at the federal level that will undoubtedly be an uphill legal battle for the state. Maryland's DAT law creates a legal inequity, in that, the law unfairly targets online advertisers, while not applying the same rules to other forms of advertising in the state, such as, radio, television, and print.

The Internet Tax Freedom Act was created over twenty years ago to prevent this type of digital discrimination. However, similar to the surprising outcome for many tax practitioners in the Wayfair case, it's entirely possible the federal law will evolve to service the ever-changing e-commerce landscape.

The legal battles include the complaint filed in federal district court by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and various trade groups. Their complaint states that the new law violates the dormant Commerce Clause, the Fourteenth Amendment Due Process Clause, and the Internet Tax Freedom Act. They argue that the tax is discriminatory in that it favors in-state companies, and it punishes out-of-state activities as the tax base specifically includes gross receipts from outside the state of Maryland.

In addition, Comcast and Verizon have filed a separate complaint in state court. Their complaint challenges the tax on grounds similar to the federal district court case and on additional grounds that it violates the Supremacy Clause and the Declaration of Rights in the Maryland Constitution.

New York, Connecticut, Indiana, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon and Washington, have all drafted or proposed similar legislation for gross receipts consumption-based taxes on digital advertising services. In 2021 alone, twelve DATs or similar tax-type data bills were introduced in various states.

However, many of these bills have not been enacted because state legislators are waiting on how Maryland's digital advertising tax will be implemented amidst the administrative, economic, and legal challenges.

Is California Next?

Maryland's new law has put many California tech companies on notice. Moreover, the question is: "Will California enact its own DAT?" Admittedly, it's too early to make any reasonable predictions. While it's possible California could enact a DAT, or something similar, it's unlikely to happen anytime soon.

First, the Internet Tax Freedom Act would need to be challenged by state lawmakers, adjudicated by the Supreme Court, and changed. This is no easy feat. Next, California would need to pass its own law either through California legislative and executive branches, or potentially through a state proposition.

Given that California is already seen as an unfriendly business state compared to Texas, Tennessee, and Florida, a California DAT could create more incentives for companies to leave the state or cease to do business in California altogether.

Additionally, tech is a prominent and influential business sector in California. The industry contributes to the state's corporate income tax revenue, and it creates jobs, leading to an echo revenue stream generated by individual California resident taxpayers.

From a state sourcing perspective, determining where to source digital ad revenues can be problematic, especially, when an ad's reach, impression location, and impact are unknown to the advertiser.

By California regulations standards, Section 25136-2 provides cascading rules on how to source services and intangibles, including digital ad revenue. In situations where either the benefit of the service or intangible is indeterminable, California allows taxpayers to use a reasonable approximation approach, whereby, sales are bifurcated by jurisdiction based on a common variable, such as census data population, ad impressions, unique user IDs, customer quantity, sales metrics, etc.

Furthermore, California's sourcing regulations are soon changing. Proposed amendments to the sourcing of sales other than tangible personal property go into effect starting 2023.

What does the future hold for online advertisers? At this point, it's unclear. Many of the DAT and sales of personal data laws currently proposed are targeting Big Tech, but there will certainly be a ripple effect amongst small businesses who use their services. Online marketplaces will need to adapt, and more importantly, stay educated on this constantly evolving issue.

Brandon Gillum is a State and Local Tax Manager with accounting and advisory firm BPM. Email Brandon.


Mabel Emmaline Kibler age 92, passed away Saturday, November 13, 2021 at her home in rural Newton. Mabel was born on April 19, 1929 in Champaign County, Illinois the daughter of Rual and Chlora Mae (Chapman) Warfel. On October 5, 1947, Mabel married Orville R. Kibler. He survives. Mabel spen
Just when it seemed that Xavier Garcia Albiol would manage to see out the rest of his term as mayor of Badalona, the appearance of his name in the so-called Pandora Papers, with power of attorney over an account in the tax haven country of Belize, has placed him halfway out the door as mayor of the third largest city in Catalonia. Although making predictions about political agreements in Badalona has become a high-risk sport, in the light of the convulsions of recent years, sheer necessity has led the Catalan Socialists (PSC) and Guanyem Badalona to bring their positions closer together, when a while back this seemed impossible - and taking the mayoralty out of Albiol's hands is almost the only option left to them.

Badalona's complex electoral arithmetic, with its own distinct distribution of voters - of the 27 city councillors, the PP has 11, the PSC 6, the left-wing coalition Guanyem Badalona 4, ERC 3, Badalona en Comu-Podem 2 and Junts 1 - led to the Socialists winning the mayoralty in an alliance against Albiol after the 2019 municipal elections. Mayor Alex Pastor, in April 2020, during the Covid state of alarm, was arrested in Barcelona by Mossos d'Esquadra with signs of alcoholic intoxication - he even assaulted one of the officers. A few hours later, he resigned and the parties that had been capable of reaching agreement after the 2019 municipal elections were unable to repeat the pact, and Albiol, as head of the most voted candidature list, returned to the mayoral role he had already held between 2011 and 2015.

Albiol has already announced that he will not resign and will cling to the position that cost him so much to regain, with the excuse that his power of attorney in Belize existed, but that he had never used it, and that it dates back to a time in his life when he held no government or executive office of political representation. In any case, there is such a thing as political attrition, and no one comes out unscathed from a situation like this. However, the PP leader's electoral strength in Badalona is so obvious that he will not shy away from running in the next municipal elections in 2023 and turning the no-confidence motion that the PSC and Guanyem Badalona will present to his own advantage in a campaign to recover the mayoral staff.

Apart from Badalona, it is clear that the shady issue in Belize directly compromises the Popular Party and its leader Pablo Casado, who maintains an eloquent silence that is scarcely compatible with his public discourse. The Catalan PP has aligned itself with Albiol, as it is not just due to good luck that his is the only significant mayoralty which the party maintains in Catalonia, even asserting that, whether he continues as mayor or is separated from office, he will be the conservative party's candidate in 2023.

The PP is waiting for the storm to subside and praying that the opposition will not reach an accord. However, in the last few hours, after the PSC gave the green light to Ruben Guijarro on Monday to seek agreements to regain the mayoralty, everything has accelerated and only unacceptable demands by Guanyem Badalona to the Socialists seem to have any chance to derail an agreement that, for now, everyone considers an odds-on bet.
Arnaldo Otegi's gesture is unprecedented: the Basque pro-independence left has acknowledged the pain caused by the violence of ETA and has stated that it should never have happened. The declaration was even celebrated at the party headquarters of the PSOE and Unidas Podemos, with the former lehendakari (Basque president) Patxi Lopez leading the praise. But the Spanish government is moderating this applause, as is current lehendakari Inigo Urkullu. From the Moncloa government palace in Madrid, the official line is that the gesture is "insufficient" and that the Basque pro-independence movement must go "much further", going "from words to deeds". On the other hand, when it comes to the Spanish state's own terrorist acts - the GAL death squads of the 1980s - they continue to look the other way.

At a press conference after the Spanish cabinet meeting this Tuesday, spokesperson Isabel Rodriguez took charge of watering down the previous day's response. First of all, she expressed "respect and remembrance for the victims of ETA", who will never be forgotten. Secondly, she stressed that today is a day to "celebrate" that ten years ago "democracy defeated ETA". Finally, in the third place, she described the declaration of the so-called abertzale, the Basque pro-independence left, as "insufficient".

"There is a need to ask for forgiveness and to move from words to deeds," said the Spanish government spokesperson, also demanding that the Basque pro-independence parties give "condemnation" when "tributes are paid to ETA convicts", in reference to the controversial welcomes when former members of the armed organization return home after being released from jail.

All in contrast to the words that came out of the Spanish Socialist party headquarters yesterday. Despite the questions that were asked and asked again by the press in Madrid, Patxi Lopez was determined to emphasize that, for the first time, the abertzale has "recognized that violence was a mistake". The former lehendakari and new PSOE secretary for memory was jubilant because "there is finally recognition of the victims," and contrasted it with a "detestable" statement made three years ago, which referred to "collateral victims" of the Basque conflict.

However, Isabel Rodriguez was also asked about Otegis interview on Catalunya Radio, in which he brought up the issue of recognition of the victims of state terrorism by the Spain's 1980s anti-ETA death squads, the GAL. The spokesperson received the question by shaking her head, and avoided answering it: There are probably people in this country who do not want us to celebrate today that ten years ago we defeated the terrorist group ETA. I will not make any statements."

Regarding agreements that have been reached and may be reached with EH Bildu in the Congress of Deputies - with the abertzale party's votes being important in the Pedro Sanchez government's parliamentary majority - the spokesperson also rejected criticism: "There may be ideological discrepancies, but the will of all the Spanish people who obtain parliamentary representation must be respected."

Meeting with Belgian prime minister

Nor did the government palace offer any clarification on what prime minister Pedro Sanchez discussed yesterday in Madrid with his Belgian counterpart Alexander de Croo. Asked if they addressed the situation of exiled Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, Rodriguez gave no answer. She referred simply to the public words of the Belgian president "recognizing the path we are taking in dialogue and re-encounter" undertaken by Pedro Sanchez.
Thank you for reading!

Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.
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
The robotic artist known as Ai-Da was scheduled to display her artwork alongside the great pyramids of Egypt on Thursday, though the show was nearly called off after both the robot and her human sculptor, Aidan Meller, were detained by Egyptian authorities for a week and a half until they could confirm that the artist was actually a spy.

The incident began when border guards objected over Ai-da's camera eyes, which it uses in its creative process, and its on-board modem. I can ditch the modems, but I cant really gouge her eyes out, Meller told The Guardian. The robot artist, which was built in 2019, typically travels via specialized cargo case and was held at the border until clearing customs on Wednesday evening, hours before the exhibit was scheduled to begin.

The British ambassador has been working through the night to get Ai-Da released, but were right up to the wire now, Meller said, just before Ai-Da was sprung from robo-jail. Its really stressful.

Ai-Da is slated to participate in the Forever is Now exhibit, which is slated to run through November 7th and features a number of leading Egyptian and international artists, is being presented by Art DEgypte in conjunction with the Egyptian ministry of antiquities and tourism and the Egyptian ministry of foreign affairs.

She is an artist robot, lets be really clear about this. She is not a spy," Meller declared. "People fear robots, I understand that. But the whole situation is ironic, because the goal of Ai-Da was to highlight and warn of the abuse of technological development, and shes being held because she is technology. Ai-Da would appreciate that irony, I think.
NASA doesn't just want adults learning how to work with lunar soil. The space agency has launched a Lunabotics Junior contest that tasks K-12 students in the US with designing (but not manufacturing) a Moon-digging robot. They have to envision a compact (3.5ft by 2ft by 2ft) automaton that can dig and move lunar regolith while dealing with the stickiness of that soil.

Kids have until January 25th, 2022 to submit both an image of the robot and a summary of how it's meant to operate. The two winners for the K-5 and 6-12 categories will each get a virtual classroom chat with Kennedy Space Center director Janet Petro, while four finalists in each group will have virtual sessions with a NASA expert. Ten semifinalists will get an unspecified prize pack. NASA will announce the semifinalists on March 8th, the finalists on March 22nd and the winners on March 29th.

No, NASA isn't trying to crowdsource Artemis program ideas from children. This is more about inspiring a new wave of engineers who could one day lead Moon colonization efforts. It's a relatively modest investment that could pay dividends for NASA's long-term plans.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has said he "screwed up" communication with employees following a backlash over Dave Chappelle's The Closer, according to Variety. At the same time, he stood by the show, saying the company heavily values "artistic expression." His comments come just ahead of a planned walkout organized by LGBTQ+ staffers, creatives and allies.

After debuting earlier this month, The Closer was met by a storm of criticism from the LGBTQ+ community, who called it transphobic. At the time, he told employees that Netflix would never allow titles "that are designed to incite hate or violence, and we dont believe The Closer crosses that line."

Now, Sarandos has said he regrets the way he handled the situation with employees. "Obviously, I screwed up that internal communication," he said in an interview with Variety. "First and foremost, I should have led with a lot more humanity. Meaning, I had a group of employees who were definitely feeling pain and hurt from a decision we made. And I think that needs to be acknowledged up front before you get into the nuts and bolts of anything."

Obviously, I screwed up that internal communication. First and foremost, I should have led with a lot more humanity. Meaning, I had a group of employees who were definitely feeling pain and hurt from a decision we made. And I think that needs to be acknowledged up front before you get into the nuts and bolts of anything.

At the same time, Sarandos said in a separate interview that "my stance hasn't changed" regarding to the decision to stream the special. "We do tell our employees upfront that we are trying to entertain our members, and that some of the content on Netflix youre not going to like," he told The Hollywood Reporter. "The inclusion of the special on Netflix is consistent with our comedy offering [and is] one of those times when theres something on Netflix that youre not going to like."

As part of the walkout, employees will reportedly have a list of demands for Netflix, and Sarandos has been meeting them to hear their views. He said that while the company is "deeply committed to inclusion," it's equally committed to "supporting artistic freedom with the creators who work at Netflix." He added that Netflix would not add a disclaimer in front of the special as employees requested, reasoning that Chappelle himself gives a warning at the beginning.

Sarandos also addressed the issue of transparency in the company after an employee was fired for leaking internal company documents showing viewer figures for Netflix shows, including Chappelle's previous special. "Were deeply committed to the culture of transparency," he told THR. "And it also depends upon a great deal of trust with our employees that we continue to secure, but we dont plan on changing any of our internal operations around that."
Senator Richard Blumenthal is again calling on Mark Zuckerberg to testify about Facebooks research into Instagram and child safety. It is urgent and necessary for you or Mr. Adam Mosseri to testify to set the record straight and provide members of Congress and parents with a plan on how you are going to protect our kids, the Connecticut lawmaker wrote in a letter addressed to Zuckerberg.

Blumenthal is the chair of the Senate subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security thats been holding hearings on social media and child safety in recent weeks. Earlier this month, Blumenthal said that a series of whistleblower disclosures about Facebook was the companys big tobacco moment.

Since then, pressure has mounted on Facebook to address internal research that shows Instagram can have a negative impact on some teens mental health. The company has already paused work on a forthcoming Instagram Kids app, but lawmakers have said the company should end the project altogether.

In his letter, Blumenthal said that Facebooks head of safety, Antigone Davis, who testified at a previous hearing , appears to have provided false or inaccurate testimony to me regarding attempts to internally conceal its research. He also said that Facebook has continued to demean impactful and independent investigative reporting and downplayed its own research.

Facebook didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.
The union representing film production crews has avoided a strike with an agreement that will see its members paid up to 30 percent more on streaming productions, The Verge has reported. The deal represents a win for International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) workers, who have typically been paid less for streaming shows than theatrical film productions and broadcast TV series in the US.

In an informational brief, IATSE tweeted that wages will increase for long-form, episodic and mini-series at up to 30 percent, depending on the classification. Those boosts depend on the size of the streaming company, with rates higher for services with 20 million or more subscribers. Longform productions between $20 and $32 million used to get discounts if they were headed to streaming services, but that will no longer be the case.

NEW: We are releasing our first three one page documents explaining how the new tentative Basic Agreement addresses the priorities members identified early in the bargaining process.



This is a non-exhaustive set of member priorities, more soon.



1. STREAMING IMPROVEMENTS pic.twitter.com/ACLP5cbLiv  IATSE // #IASolidarity (@IATSE) October 20, 2021

On top of higher wages, members will also see improved workplace conditions. That includes employer funding of health and pension plans, along with revised terms for producers that tend rely a lot on overtime. In addition, "workers under the IATSE Basic Agreement across the US will be entitled to the same sick leave benefits as California members," the union stated.

IATSE had warned that it would be taking a hard line with streaming services. "The most profitable companies on the planet do not need cut rates that were negotiated to address a once emerging distribution method. Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Facebook should all pay industry standard wages to the professionals who crew their productions," the union told Deadline in July.

IATSE members unanimously voted to strike this week if contract negotiations stalled, but that was narrowly avoided by a tentative agreement between the union and AMPTP group representing producers. However, it still needs to be ratified by union members, who could vote against it and send the parties back to the table.
Enid, OK (73701)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun with gusty winds. High 57F. Winds S at 25 to 35 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 38F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.
Kim Seon Ho has been embroiled in a damaging allegation after his ex-girlfriend penned a lengthy confession in a Korean online community.

Following the success of "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha," Kim Seon Ho immediately lost everything after a Korean woman outed his dark past. In response, his fans seemingly had a change of heart and expressed their disappointment toward the Korean star who they initially believed to be an innocent and kindhearted person.

On Twitter, former fans called out those people who remain "loyal" to Kim Seon Ho despite his recent issue. They also urged them not to tolerate him, especially when he forced the woman to kill his child.

One fan shared the whole translated post and said, "after reading what that poor woman went through, how can anyone sit there and cast blame on her while still defending kim seonho? I hope she'll be able to move on, hopefully have another baby and live a happier life."

"My heart is broken and I feel betrayed need time to process everything.1st time to stan an actor and I ended up with heartache. Will go on offline mode and recuperate. Please take care and face the consequences of your action," another added.



Former supporters of Kim Seon Ho launched petitions to remove him from his current movies and shows. As of the writing, his brands have already dropped him from their ads. His variety show "2 Days & 1 Night" also axed him from the cast members.

What Kim Seon Ho's Ex-Girlfriend Claimed

It all started with a post in an online community where a female citizen targeted "Actor K," who pressed her to abort their child.

She reportedly conceived after having one unprotected intercourse with the actor. From being a sweet guy, Kim Seon Ho reportedly changed after learning about her pregnancy.

He even tried to trick her into marriage so that she could abort their child. After months of being in a relationship, Actor K reportedly broke up with her through phone as he could not risk his fame and career because of her.

READ ALSO: Lori Loughlin, Mossimo Giannulli On Verge of Divorcing Following Damaging College Admission Scandal?

Kim Seon Ho has since offered his apology over the issue. Though he did not acknowledge whether he truly forced her to abort their baby, he admitted that he indeed had a relationship with her.

The woman's identity remains unknown. But multiple outlets revealed that she used to work in the broadcasting industry before focusing on her business and becoming a social media star.

READ MORE: Brian Laundrie's Obsession With Gabby Petito Reveals Tendency To Kill People? Early Signs of Abuse Explored
ESSEX  If separation comes to fruition in Essex next year, both City of Essex Junction and Town of Essex residents can expect a change in their municipal taxes.

For future city property owners, the change is almost certain to be a decrease, while residents of the town outside the village (TOV) face a challenging increase.

Thats all because a plan to merge the two communities failed in April by 27 votes, sending village leaders to go for Plan B  becoming an independent city.

There are very deep emotions about this, Town of Essex selectboard chair Andy Watts told the Reporter. [Weve] been incredibly impacted by the rapid turn from Let's merge to Let's separate.

If Essex Junction voters adopt the proposed new charter on Nov. 2, villagers would become city residents and separate themselves from the Town of Essex. That would result in saving those residents money because they no longer would financially support both local governments.

Residents can continue to expect the same high level and quality of municipal services and pay less in taxes, Village President Andrew Brown explained during a public hearing on Oct. 12.

Trustees say village property owners can expect a 7.25% decrease in municipal taxes under separation because they would no longer be paying for duplicate services from the Town of Essex like parks and recreation and public works.

For the owner of a $300,000 home, that savings equates to $195 annually.

The city would cost approximately $800,000 less than what we are currently paying, Brown said during the Oct. 12 hearing.

TOV residents, though, would need to make up for a 42% loss in the tax base, according to an analysis by finance director Sarah Macy.

To compensate for this loss, Watts told the Reporter the TOV will have two choices: a sharp increase in the tax rate or a decrease in services.

Even if village voters approve of separation next month, the charter still needs to be approved by the Vermont Legislature and eventually the governor. The selectboard, Watts said, is to some degree waiting for that final word from Montpelier to solve its tax problem.

Were waiting to see how things flesh out with the Legislature before we talk about the possibility of cuts  the things we might discontinue doing or figure out a different way to do, he said.

City: Saving on services

By becoming independent, the village would experience budget savings in 12 of its 19 cost centers  the most significant of those being public works, recreation, fire, library and community development.

Cost increases, though, would occur in categories like senior services, of which the city would need to create its own, and police.

The village contributes to the budget of the Essex police department based on its portion of the grand list, which equates to 42% of the entire town of Essex. In the police services contract the trustees are working on with the selectboard, the future city would instead be charged per capita, or 48%.

This means as an independent city, Essex Junction would spend approximately $400,000 more on police services than it currently does.

At a public hearing on Sept. 28, a handful of community members expressed concern about the reliability of the tax decrease.

Are you close to 100% confident the taxes are going to go down that 7% you are talking about? Andy Suntup asked. If you arent approaching 99% confidence  it just doesnt make sense, when its one of the only things people really do care about.

Speaking for myself, yes, I am 100% certain based on the information that we have that taxes would go down by that amount, Brown responded.

Trustee George Tyler followed by emphasizing that the taxes raised would also stay local, within the city, a consideration that he thinks is important.

Easing transitions for TOV

The selectboard has been working with the village trustees to mitigate the ramp rate of any tax increase by negotiating agreements for shared services.

If the vote passes and the Legislature takes up the separation conversation next session, the town anticipates being invited to hearings and asked how it will be impacted.

Thats a potential additional point of negotiation, Watts said.

The town can explain that the merger plan that was posed to voters in March had a 12-year plan for the gradual equalization of tax rates between the village and the TOV.

This separation plan makes that shift in taxes much more abrupt, Watts said.

In addition to sharing the police department for at least 10 years, the village has asked for four or five years of transitional support from the town finance department. In that case, villagers would continue to pay some portion of the cost for a still-undetermined period of time.

Because the town expects to soon be asked by the state to conduct a reassessment, the village has agreed to contribute to the budget of the assessors office.

If [reassessment] starts before the separation actually happens, it's likely to span into a period of time after separation, Watts said. Well want continuity throughout that whole process.

Information technology services will also likely be shared between the two municipalities for some time, and the town is looking to get compensation for that too.

Work is going to be required of town employees to enable the villages transition to a new IT system, Watts said.

UPCOMING COVERAGE The Essex Reporter will delve deeper into this topic in future weeks. Check back for more coverage on the following dates: What happens if separation fails?  Oct. 27 FAQs from TOV residents and villagers  Oct. 29

FURTHER READING
HAMBURG, Germany, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jungheinrich and Nico Rosberg will join forces to advocate electric mobility and sustainability. The sustainability entrepreneur and 2016 Formula 1 World Champion will represent the leading global solutions provider for the intralogistics sector as a brand ambassador.

"Nico Rosberg is not only a motorsports icon  as an investor and a visionary, he shares Jungheinrich's passion for climate-smart, sustainable technology", explains Dr Brzoska, Chairman of the Board of Management of Jungheinrich AG. The former racing driver is a co-founder of the Greentech Festival, a global platform for future-oriented technologies in the fields of mobility, nutrition, agriculture, finance, fashion and energy. Since his retirement, Rosberg has been a prominent advocate of electric mobility and sustainable business practices. "We need new visions and smart technologies for our planet. This means driving electrification and decarbonisation forward in all areas of our economy  specifically in mobility", says Rosberg. "I'm taking the driver's seat with Jungheinrich in the race to e-mobility".

Jungheinrich has been counting on electric mobility since its foundation and is a pioneer and innovation driver of lithium-ion technology. Exactly ten years ago, Jungheinrich was the first material handling equipment manufacturer in the world to launch a series-produced truck with lithium-ion technology.

"Our aspiration to create sustainable value unites us with Nico Rosberg", explains Dr Brzoska. "Nico gives a face to our dedication and our work. More than that, we want to develop ideas together and work on concrete solutions and applications for electrification solutions, energy efficiency and sustainability to demonstrate what is possible in the warehouse of the future. Together with our new brand ambassador Nico Rosberg, we will make this commitment to our customers and the public even more central to our work".

For full press release please read: https://www.jungheinrich.com/en/press-events/press-releases/nico-rosberg-1034840

- Picture is available at AP Images ( http://www.apimages.com) -

If you have any queries, please contact:

Benedikt Nufer, Spokesman Phone: +49 40 6948 3489Mobile: +49 151 277 912 45benedikt.nufer@jungheinrich.de
Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Fear is So Last Year!

The Arizona Healthcare Financial Management Association is holding their 9th Annual Women Lead HERe Conference on Friday, November 5th, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time as a live, virtual event. The theme of Fear is So Last Year will be reflected in Gail Rubins presentation at 11:00 a.m. in Arizona, noon in New Mexico (where Gail is based).

Her presentation is Laughing in the Face of Death: Funny Films for Funeral Planning. Gail, who has a license to use film and television clips in her presentations, will show film clips that let you laugh and learn about what you need to know before you go.

The 9th Annual Women Lead HERe conference is live and will be digitally delivered through Whova. The best and brightest speakers will present a blend of general and breakout session opportunities to help you overcome personal and professional fears. Registration includes access to all sessions, a networking hour, and a swag box to maximize the digital experience. Get a 20% discount on your registration with the code GAIL20. Agenda and registration through this link.

About Gail Rubin, CT

Gail Rubin, Certified Thanatologist and The Doyenne of Death, is a pioneering death educator. She uses humor, funny film clips, and outside-the-box activities to teach about end-of-life topics. She authored three books on end-of-life issues and coordinates the Before I Die New Mexico Festival. Shes also a Certified Funeral Celebrant and was recognized by Albuquerque Business First with their 2019 Women of Influence Award. Download a free 50-point Executors Checklist from her website, AGoodGoodbye.com.

A doyenne is a woman whos considered senior in a group who knows a lot about a particular subject. Gail is a Certified Thanatologist (a death and grief educator) and speaker who uses humor and films to get end-of-life conversations started. Her 2015 TEDx talk, A Good Goodbye, focuses on the importance of starting end-of-life conversations before theres a death in the family.

Gail is the author of the award-winning books A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Dont Plan to Die, Kicking the Bucket List: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die (Rio Grande Books), and Hail and Farewell: Cremation Ceremonies, Templates and Tips.

Shes a member of the Association for Death Education and Counseling, the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association, Toastmasters International and the National Speakers Association. Her motto is: Talking about sex wont make you pregnant. Talking about funerals wont make you dead.

Related
President Joe Bidens administration is proving itself no more capable of slowing rapid inflation in health care than the previous team.

Our premiums, co-pays, deductibles and taxes will continue to rise faster than our income or the national economy. Staying healthy will consume a higher proportion of our income as long as the current system remains in place.

Some Democratic lawmakers are firmly in the pocket of Big Pharma and blocking Bidens attempt to curtail the industrys profiteering. Biden had hoped to help pay for his infrastructure plan by allowing the Center for Medicare Services to negotiate the prices of some drugs and reduce costs by at least $5 billion over 10 years.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: There's a big problem with Medicare Advantage

New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez has blocked efforts to slow the flood of taxpayer money to his home states biggest corporations, including Merck and Johnson & Johnson. He calls them Unamerican price controls, even though Medicare has long negotiated prices paid to physicians and hospitals.

Big Pharma only needs one Democrat to derail Bidens plan in the Senate. But for good measure, three members of the House also voted against the bill in committee, making it clear that negotiated Medicare drug prices will not make it through either chamber.

Former President Donald Trump promised to pass a similar measure when he took office. But faced with Republican opposition, his administration settled on trying to make sure Medicare pays the same prices as national health care systems in other wealthy nations. Big Pharma scuttled that plan, too.

The pharmaceutical industry argues they need someone to pay high prices to finance new drug development. Since foreign governments, private insurance companies and state-funded Medicaid programs for the poor negotiate steep discounts, drugmakers want Medicare to foot the bill.

Meanwhile, Little Pharma keeps sticking it to patients with huge semi-annual price increases on old drugs. Public outrage over price-gouging died down after Turing Pharmaceutical founder Martin Shkreli landed in federal prison, but other companies are following in his footsteps.

The Axios news agency recently reported on how drug companies have raised the price of an arthritis drug from $198 in 2008 to $10,350 this year. The current owner, Assertio, took a page out of Shkrelis playbook: buy the rights to a drug that people need, but has little competition, and jack the price every six months.

Bidens drug pricing bill would limit how fast pharmaceutical companies can raise prices, but that measure has as much chance of passing as the Medicare drug negotiation effort.

The pharmaceutical industry, though, is only a small part of American health care spending that generates hundreds of billions for investors. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, insurers and hospitals also raked in the cash last year.

UnitedHealth Group, a national insurer that also owns doctors practices, reported a net profit of $4.3 billion on $71.3 billion of revenue in the second quarter. Earlier this year, outgoing CEO David Wichmann earned $42.1 million and his replacement Andrew Witty took home $17.8 million.

After the American Hospital Association blasted UnitedHealths "jaw-dropping" profits, Axios took a look at the financial data for 24 major tax-exempt hospital systems that generated roughly $72 billion of revenue.

The nonprofit institutions made nearly three-times what UnitedHealth did, registering net income of $11.9 billion.

Hospitals often point to their operating incomes when referring to slim margins without taking into account the benefits from their investments, Axios reported. Health care has been as profitable as ever during the pandemic. That has been true for both hospitals and health insurers.

Trump did manage to sign a law requiring hospitals to post their prices, including the discounts negotiated with insurers. But researchers say hospitals are making it difficult for employers, who pay most of the hospital bills for insured people, to find the best deal.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: Medical debt becoming a pandemic

Many hospitals are not yet complying with the new transparency requirements set by the federal government, and the data posted has been in many cases hidden from web search engines or provided in a format that complicates analysis, Georgetown University Health Policy Institute researchers reported, with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The authors recommended increasing penalties for hospitals that do not report their prices and establishing an official format for reporting them that includes grades for quality of care. Employers can then determine which facilities offer the best care at the best price, forcing hospitals to compete.

Whenever companies make outsized profits, though, they have incentives to game the system and cash to invest in politicians. Neither Democrats nor Republicans are immune, and until the public becomes sufficiently outraged, our lawmakers will force us to bankroll health cares out-sized profits.

Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and politics.

twitter.com/cltomlinson

chris.tomlinson@chron.com
Halloween is not canceled, but itll look different this year.

Claude Jacob, director of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, advised residents during a televised COVID-19 briefing Tuesday to keep safety in mind this holiday to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

Metro Healths guidance: Stay home if youre sick. Dont hand out candy if someone in your household is sick. Wear face masks not just costume masks, use hand sanitizer, wash hands frequently, only accept prepackaged treats and only go out trick-or-treating with people within your own household or family.

For adults, Metro Health recommends you dont go out if you feel sick  even if you think its just allergies. If you attend or host a party, plan for outdoor gathering instead of indoors. Avoid crowded indoor parties and skip haunted houses where you will be close to people outside of your household.

Another suggestion that is just sound advice: Dont drink and drive.

Ronald Cortes/Contributor

As the number of infections and positivity rate in the community recedes, the city and county has scaled back its live updates from twice weekly to only Tuesday.

Metro Health reported that COVID-19 hospitalizations have now dipped below 300 and the crisis has reached a manageable level.

More Information Alternative Activities to Celebrate Safely Carve or decorate pumpkins outside with neighbors or friends. Have a "Halloween treat" hunt in your backyard with your kids. Celebrate with a pinata in your backyard for your children. Have a movie night with your immediate family; if inviting others, consider an outdoor gathering. For people who are mindful of consuming too much sugar on Halloween, use healthy food alternatives at home like prepackaged fruits and vegetables. Source: San Antonio Metropolitan Health District See More Collapse

Were clearly on the right path, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said, noting that the regional COVID-19 antibody infusion center also has seen fewer patients seeking early treatment after infection.

Currently, there are 297 people being treated in area hospitals with COVID-19, including 11 children. Of those hospitalized, 121 of them are in intensive care units and 59 are on ventilators.

Jacob said that 85 percent of patients being treated for COVID-19 in San Antonio hospitals are not vaccinated.

On ExpressNews.com: COVID-19 hospitalizations drop under 400, while vaccinations creep up

Dr. Bryan Alsip, chief medical officer at University Health, cautioned that while these are good trends, people need to be careful to avoid another deadly surge during the winter.

Weve seen that before so we know that could change, he said.

Alsip also said that as the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients have declined, the staff is busy treating sick patients who delayed care during the pandemic.

Metro Health reported two new deaths that happened within the past two weeks, plus a backlog of 79 deaths related to COVID-19 that occurred between Aug. 18 and Sept. 29.

This has pushed the overall death toll to 4,735 in Bexar County.

laura.garcia@express-news.net
As the weather cools and the outdoors beckon, theres no better place for bike riders than the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trails System. The 84 miles of wide and smooth hike-and-bike trails have slowly encircled the city like a necklace since construction began in 2007.

The trails are designed so they can be navigated by all but the most inexperienced bike riders. They have mostly gentle slopes, are paved with either concrete or asphalt and usually are wide enough for two bikers to ride abreast.

Most run along the river banks or on utility rights of way, providing a safe haven for cyclists uncomfortable about riding in traffic. They can, however, get pretty crowded on weekends and holidays, especially in the spring and fall.

They also provide a unique view of the city  under highway bridges, along hidden wetlands, through scrub land and thick woods  that will be surprising even to longtime San Antonians.

The trail system also protects some of the citys most sensitive environments from development.

Weve preserved about 1,600 acres of land along the creeks and floodplains of the city, said Brandon Ross, parks and recreation manager. Having people using the trails also discourages people from dumping trash and four-wheeling in these delicate habitats.

Although the Parks Department doesnt track numbers, Ross said there was a definite uptick during the pandemic. We estimate usage almost doubled between the spring and summer of 2019 to 2020, he said.

On ExpressNews.com: Editorial: Greenway system is a jewel, fund it in bond

Trails are open during daylight hours for walkers, runners, bikers, roller skaters bird watchers and others. There are more than 65 trailheads, most with parking and many with amenities such portable toilets and bike tools. For cyclists, the speed limit is 15 miles per hour and e-bikes are allowed on trails. Dogs must be leashed.

While plans call for all the greenways to be linked, for now the system is still a work in progress, with trails often ending abruptly where work has been stopped. Theres a map of the system at most trailheads and on the Parks Department website, although as new sections open, this is frequently out of date. The current map, for example, doesnt reflect the recent connection between the Leon Creek and Salado Creek Greenways.

Because they often run through various watersheds, trails will sometimes be closed due to flooding. Check the departments website at sanantonio.gov/ParksAndRec for a complete list of closures.

Heres a a guide to each of the trails and what you should know before you go.

Leon Creek Greenway

2 1 of 2 William Luther, Staff / Staff Show More Show Less 2 of 2 William Luther /Staff photographer Show More Show Less



Runs from: West Military Drive near the intersection of Texas 151 and Loop 410 to Eisenhower Park

Distance: 24 miles

This is the most popular of the greenway trails, according to Ross, and the Valero Park Trailhead, near the intersection of Interstate 10 and Loop 1604 on the Northwest Side is the most used trailhead.

Because this trail is so heavily trafficked, cyclists need to be extra careful, especially during weekends and holidays when there are plenty of walkers, runners and small children out and about. For those who enjoy off-roading, there are several marked and unmarked trails scattered along the route, including the Oxbow Kids BMX Trails and the Monkey Loop Pump Track, both near where the trail crosses Prue Road.

The trail is fairly flat, with only some gentle slopes and is passes several small ponds, including Earl Scott Pond, a favorite of birders located just south of Bamberger Nature Preserve.

And for those who rely on public transportation, the trailhead at the VIA Ingram Transit Center toward the southern end of the trail provides ready access.

Medina River Greenway

Runs from: The southern end of the San Antonio River Walk Mission Reach to the Medina River Natural Area

Distance: 17.5 miles

Stretches of this trail are so remote, its like youve gone back in time and might run into Santa Annas army on its way to the Alamo. While its mostly flat, there are several steep drops that require navigating some sharp switchbacks. Dont feel bad about walking your bike through these sections.

The trail runs along Mitchell and Cassin lakes, both popular rest stops for migratory birds, making it popular among two-wheeled birdwatchers.

For history buffs, the trail also runs along a portion of the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail. Look for slight depressions on either side of the trail, which were created by countless travelers, horses and wagons that passed this way over hundreds of years.

And for those who like their history a little more gory, the trail also goes right past the Donkey Lady Bridge, said to be haunted by the disfigured wife of a murderous farmer.

On ExpressNews.com: West Side residents hope creek restoration, more trails will revitalize community

Salado Creek Greenway

Runs from: Southside Lions Park to Eisenhower Park, with a break near Fort Sam Houston

Distance: 30 miles

Ross calls the Salado Creek trail the most beautiful of the greenway system. It has the greatest variety of scenery, from the shady understory south of the Tobin Trailhead east of the airport off Loop 410 between Harry Wurzbach Road and Starcrest Drive, to the open climbs that skirt the airports northern border to the 0.6-mile Morningstar Boardwalk which runs along a wetland area and lets riders get almost eye-to-eye with the many deer who inhabit the area.

The trail passes through many of the citys largest green spaces, including McAllister Park, the Voelker Homestead, Phil Hardberger Park, and Walker Ranch Park.

The Salado Creek and Leon Creek Greenways were recently connected with the opening of a 2-mile linking trail, meaning cyclists can now complete 40 interrupted miles along both.

More good news, the Parks Department is working with the Department of Defense to build a trail that skirts Fort Sam and will join the two currently disconnected segments of the trail. Ross said he hopes construction on the linkage will begin sometime next year.

Westside Creeks Greenway

Encompasses: Portions of Apache, Alazan, Martinez, San Pedro, Zarzamora and other creeks

Distance: 7.5 miles, with another 4.5 miles set to open in November

This is the most urban of the greenway systems, passing through some of the citys most populous and poorest neighborhoods. It offers a quiet respite from the traffic and noise above while providing a safe way to travel between the West Side to downtown.

Until the 1960s, the creeks on San Antonios West Side would often flood following heavy rains, destroying property and sometimes killing residents. Finally, the federal government stepped in and began channelizing these creeks. The flooding was controlled, but the result was miles of barren concrete cutting through the heart of these neighborhoods.

The greenway project is helping restore these waterways to a more natural state, while still slowing and controlling deadly flood waters. The jewel of the system is the San Pedro Creek Culture Park running along downtowns near west side, which is transforming a blighted trickling stream into a waterway of murals, ceramic art, tiled benches, text and poetry.

rmarini@express-news.net | Twitter: @RichardMarini
San Antonio Zoo

The San Antonio Zoo on Monday announced it will unveil an exhibit this fall featuring animals native to places like Southern Mexico, the Caribbean and South and Central America.

The new realm will be named Neotropica and will include a one-of-a-kind catwalk for jaguars that will allow the wild cats to roam above the exhibit and visitors. The walkway has been named Pantera Walk, the zoo said.
Jerry Lara /Staff photographer

The Interfaith San Antonio Alliance is asking for the publics help to support Afghan refugees in San Antonio.

The organization is asking for landlords help to find available rental homes and apartments for families, ideally on a long-term basis so they dont have to move again, according to the alliance.
San Antonios police chief is asking the City Council, starting with its Public Safety Committee, to consider a new ordinance that would impose up to a $500 fine on people who observe so-called street takeovers.

The proposed street racer spectator ordinance was heard Tuesday for a second time since March during a meeting between Police Chief William McManus and the committee at City Hall. The committee voted to continue discussion on the proposed ordinance and have the chief present more data on takeovers and specifics on how such an ordinance would be enforced at its next meeting.

Street takeovers made headlines last year as groups would gather and block traffic at intersections, race along busy streets and become combative with police who attempted to have them disperse.

McManus said similar incidents have occurred in other parts of Texas, particularly in Dallas and Houston.

They organize pretty quickly. They organize over social media, McManus said. Once they get together in large numbers, there are assaults on officers, assaults on each other participating in the race. Theres alcohol involved, and you have injured participants and spectators.

On ExpressNews.com: Two people severely injured lighting fireworks at street racing meet up, police say

In San Antonio, police created a task force to track takeovers, shared intelligence with other agencies and monitored potential developments on social media.

Billy Calzada /Staff photographer

Currently, people involved in takeovers face any of 20 class C misdemeanors, including speeding, impeding traffic or public intoxication, as well as class B misdemeanors, such as racing on highways, criminal mischief and party to offense. Also, some property owners have signed criminal trespassing affidavits to prevent takeovers from occurring in parking lots, McManus said.

The issue has gotten statewide attention, as the Texas Legislature this year enacted two laws  Senate Bill 1495 and House Bill 2315  to increase penalties for such incidents.

SB 1495, which went took effect Sept. 1, increases the penalty for obstructing a highway, raising that offense to a class A misdemeanor or a state jail felony if committed during a reckless driving exhibition. It also created a class B misdemeanor offense for people who interfere with a peace officers investigation of racing or reckless driving exhibitions.

HB 2315, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2022, allows police to seize vehicles, recording equipment and other items used in street races as contraband.

McManus said the proposed city spectator ordinance combined with the new state laws will help deter people from congregating at such events.

Part of what fuels these events is that the racers are amped up by the sheer spectators  by the spectators that videotape them, which would later be put up on social media, McManus said.

District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval questioned what effect the new state laws have made on such gatherings.

McManus said there has not been a significant takeover since May, when the police made several key arrests, including a ringleader of sorts responsible for many of the meetups.

He said the people responsible for the takeovers were from out of town, whereas the one-on-one races are mostly between local residents.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio's street racing now fueled by parties and social media - but most charges in an ambitious police crackdown were tossed

Since September 2020, police have responded to 213 street racing incidents, defined as incidents in which two or more cars are involved in a race on a public street, McManus said.

Billy Calzada /Staff photographer

The department has issued 276 citations and towed 81 vehicles as a result at a cost of 2,336 personnel hours.

Sandoval pointed out, however, that no statistics were shown of actual street takeovers and questioned how necessary a new ordinance is considering how much time has passed since the last recorded exhibition.

I think we should be as careful when we pass an ordinance that regulates peoples behavior, Sandoval said.

Although there hasnt been an officially recorded takeover, Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda said many constituents continue to raise concerns about street racing. Other council members present said the same of their districts.

And the chief and council members agreed that there is a difference between legitimate car clubs that gather to appreciate custom and vintage vehicles, versus destructive impromptu meetups.

The proposed ordinance is identical to one that was adopted in Dallas, McManus said, adding that the chief there sent him statistics showing that it has made a difference.

Councilmembers Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and Cabello Havrda also questioned how police would discern between spectators and passersby who happen to stop and observe a mass gathering.

McManus said officers can easily distinguish actual participants from bystanders.

These people are often bunched up into groups, he said. He also noted that they do not disperse when police tell them to leave.

jbeltran@express-news.net
Nowhere more than in states like Texas were results of the 2020 Census likely to fuel debates and legal challenges.

Texas Republicans have redrawn congressional maps that dont reflect population shifts as much as their tenuous grip on power.

A number of lawsuits already have been filed accusing them of producing maps that discriminate against communities of color and violate the Voting Rights Act.

In the meantime, the accuracy of the census data is in question. Every census has the potential to produce an overcount or an undercount, more likely the latter.

But in 2020, the stars were aligned against a count conducted during a pandemic and under the Trump administration. The adminstration cut short the census timeline and attempted to add a citizenship question, against a constitutional requirement to count all people residing in the country.

The census still delivered the expected data, showing the U.S. population grew as did Texas, Bexar County and San Antonio.

But an analysis by demographer Rogelio Saenz of the University of Texas at San Antonio shows the bureau was way off in either 2020 or 2019.

The American Community Survey, or ACS, a highly regarded demographic instrument, estimated San Antonios population in 2019 at 1,547,250.

One year later, the census counted 1,434,625, or 112,625 fewer people, a 7.3 percent decline in San Antonios population.

It sounds wrong, doesnt it?

Saenz looked at national counts, in which the bureau estimated 328.2 million people in the country in 2019 and 331.4 million in 2020, a 1 percent increase.

In Texas, the 2019 survey estimated 28.9 million people in the state, while the 2020 Census counted 29.1 million, a difference of 149,624, up 0.5 percent.

Saenz also looked at eight Texas communities: four big cities (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin) and four border cities (El Paso, Laredo, Brownsville and McAllen).

His analysis shows all but Brownsville came in with lower 2020 counts as compared to 2019 estimates.

San Antonio showed the biggest population dive.

Houstons 2020 count was 0.5 percent lower than its 2019 estimate; Austins was 1.8 percent lower; Dallas was 2.9 percent lower; and Laredo was 3.4 percent lower.

If history serves, San Antonios population may be higher than both its 2019 estimate and 2020 count, given the pattern of undercounting in a predominantly Mexican American city with a high rate of poverty, renters and the young.

Saenz and Texas state demographer Lloyd Potter, also from UTSA, agreed the figures are confounding.

To be sure, the 2020 census shows San Antonio and Bexar County expanded since 2010.

San Antonio grew by more than 107,000 people during the last decade, but that number does look too low, given the growth weve undergone.

Potter says we dont know how on target the 2020 count was because the bureau has yet to produce that analysis.

Its post-enumeration survey may still be in the field or recently completed and hasnt been processed, he said. Several other issues may impede efforts to assess a potential undercount.

It doesnt help that the state has never been interested in promoting or funding census campaigns, leaving such work to cities and counties, even when Democrats were in charge.

The city is concerned about this as well, Potter said, as are other cities that saw similar differences between 2019 estimates and the 2020 count.

There have to errors, he said, given what a massive undertaking a national census can be, coupled with a pandemic. Anyone that says different is lying.

Weve suggested to cities and counties to look at housing units, such as apartment complexes, dorms and other large housing quarters, he said. Thats where the miscount is going to occur.

There have to be errors, Potter said, either in the 2019 estimates or the 2020 count, or both. The question is which one is more wrong.

A recent Washington Post story quoted experts who said the 2020 Census may have more errors than in 2010 and 2000.

It looked at two new analyses that suggest an undercount of Black populations at a significantly higher rate than usual, raising concerns about whether minority communities could lose out on fair representation and funding over the next 10 years.

A National Urban League official said the 2020 Census might have produced the greatest undercount of the Black population since 1960, or 1950.

The bureau has methods to correct course, UTSAs Saenz said, but results of its post-enumeration arent expected until next year.

Potter says it wont impact redistricting, or the first release of census data used to redraw political maps.

He also said any city, county or state can contest the census count, but it may take two to three years to get a resolution.

eayala@express-news.net
San Antonio didnt get a new congressional seat in this latest round of Texas redistricting. But in a way it did.

Liberal lion Lloyd Doggett, who has spent the past two decades fending off relentless GOP efforts to gerrymander him out of Congress, will once again seek a new political home.

The newly created 37th Congressional District is centered in Doggetts hometown of Austin, a development that has prompted him to move out of the 35th Congressional District, the seat he has held for nearly nine years.

The District 35 vacancy presents San Antonians with a fresh opportunity to get their own representative in that seat.

The heavily Democratic district  which runs up the Interstate 35 corridor from San Antonio to Austin  has its largest share of votes in Bexar County, with most of the rest being split between Travis and Hays counties.

As of last years general election, 42 percent of District 35s eligible voters were based in Bexar County, compared with only 30 percent in Travis County.

The first test of District 35s voting patterns came in 2012, an election that started out as a battle royale between a young Latino state lawmaker from San Antonio, Joaquin Castro, and a veteran Anglo congressman from Austin: Doggett.

The dynamics of the race were so fascinating that CNN committed to producing a documentary about it.

That contest was never consummated, however, because Castro shifted over to the 20th Congressional District when then-Rep. Charlie Gonzalez announced that he wouldnt seek another term.

Doggett pushed hard to build support in Bexar County and had an easy time in the primary with his two San Antonio-based opponents: then Tax Assessor-Collector Sylvia Romo and 2006 Democratic lieutenant governor nominee, Maria Luisa Alvarado.

Doggett won 54 percent of the Bexar County vote in that election and 73 percent in the entire district. He never again faced a serious challenge from a San Antonio candidate.

Even with recent map tinkering that took the Alamo and the Alamodome out of District 35, San Antonio will retain a slight plurality of the districts population.

Nonetheless, political observers tend to see the 35th Congressional District map as friendlier to Austin candidates, because they are likely to have a connection with Hays County voters based in Austin suburbs.

Sure enough, within hours of Doggetts Monday announcement that hed be vacating District 35, two prominent Austin Democrats stepped up to express their interest: state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez and Austin Councilman Greg Casar, a favorite of young progressives in that city.

The first San Antonians whose names popped into my head were Trey Martinez Fischer, Diego Bernal, Ina Minjarez (all members of the Texas House) and County Commissioner Tommy Calvert.

Bernal doesnt want to run for Congress because life on Capitol Hill would force him to spend too much time away from his young daughter.

There are lots of good people in the city to do that job and only one person can do this job, Bernal said.

At least for now, Minjarez seems focused on a potential run for county judge.

Calvert told me that hes fully committed to his re-election campaign for county commissioner and isnt looking elsewhere.

Martinez Fischer, the dean of the San Antonio delegation and one of the true alpha-dog personalities in the Texas House, is definitely interested.

This is a district thats going to require serious engagement and long-standing relationships, he said Tuesday.

As I seriously consider this, to make sure that we have fair representation for San Antonio, Im one of the few folks that has established relationships in San Antonio, Central Texas and Austin.

State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, made a point of stating that, at Martinez-Fischers request, the new District 35 now includes his residence.

Of course, members of Congress are not required to live in the districts they represent. In fact, Doggetts East Austin home is not located in District 35.

I would imagine Joan Huffman would say anything if it meant they can get me out of the Texas House, Martinez Fischer joked. But if I knew that it was that easy to convince her, I would have taken her a Medicaid proposal.

More seriously, he said his big interest when it comes to District 35 is fulfilling the promise that the district offered to San Antonians when it was conceived.

The 35th was created 10 years ago because of San Antonios growth, because of the Latino growth in San Antonio, Martinez Fischer said.

My argument was that now that Lloyd Doggett has his district back, then the 35th needed to live up to its legacy of providing fair representation for San Antonio. That has nothing to do with my house. That has everything to do with my community.

The San Antonio-Austin battle deferred a decade ago might just play out for real in 2022.

ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470
During his campaign, Joe Biden promised that if elected president, not another foot of the border wall would be constructed. And many property rights attorneys, like myself, believed him. In fact, we considered it one of the defining moments of the 2020 presidential race. Not just because it affirmed the importance of property rights and their protection generally, but because we were eager to share the good news with our clients, some of whom were the victims of the federal governments condemnations along the border.

You can imagine our surprise then to find out that now-President Biden has not kept his promise.

Not only have many feet of border wall been added since Biden entered the Oval Office, but the federal government has steadfastly continued the process of condemning land in Hidalgo and Starr counties for future stretches of the border wall under its right of eminent domain. The explicit purpose of the continuation of this project being to construct, install, operate and maintain the exact wall Biden swore to stop.

This position reversal is both confusing and violative of his campaign promises. Moreover, it belies common sense and reasoning. Although I never agreed with Bidens campaign decision not to tear down the parts of the border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border that had already been built during President Donald Trumps administration, I at least understood it. Why not let sleeping dogs lie where taxpayer money had already been spent and legal rights fully litigated?

But that is far from the case here. Construction has not yet begun on much of the land subject to the federal governments current border wall condemnation cases, and taxpayer checks have not yet been cut.

Unlike the segments of the wall that were completed during the Trump presidency, Bidens administration is in a perfect position to reverse both the physical harm and the emotional pain inflicted by the prior administrations border wall construction.

Bidens decision to continue building the border wall is especially frustrating in light of the relative ease with which he could remedy the situation. With respect to the cases where condemnation suits have been filed by the federal government, but construction has not yet started and land has not yet been taken, nothing prevents the government from dismissing those cases outright.

And for those few where legal title to their land has already been transferred to the government but the condemnation process has not yet been finalized or payment made, our federal laws allow for revestment of the land to those property owners  with the imposition of costs for the time the property owners were deprived of their land.

Eminent domain takes far more away from someone than just their land. It often also takes their community, economic opportunity and identity. Considering these high stakes, the Biden administration needs to reverse course, keep its promise and stop condemning more land along the border. Truth and justice demand it.

Emilio Longoria is an assistant professor of law at St. Marys University whose practice focuses on defending property owners against unjust takings.
A frequent evil emanating from majority rule occurs every redistricting cycle in Texas. That should not be the case because the drafters of our nations Constitution, mindful of the negative effects of people lacking an effective voice in their government, provided for an equitable distribution of power through proportional representation in the House of Representatives. The Supreme Court interpreted this requirement by declaring that our votes be essentially equal: One person, one vote.

Sadly, redistricting has brought out the worst in past decades. And this time, during a third special legislative session called by the governor, is no different. Since the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965, Texas has been found to have discriminated against its African American and Latino citizens with every redistricting effort, regardless of the political party in power.

White conservative Texans apparently fear becoming the racial minority in Texas and, as a result, in the political minority. Texas is now 41.2 percent white, with people of color making up 58.8 percent of our states population. The states voter population differs, with white voters and voters of color about evenly split. Thus, non-white voters are being denied their equal right to an equal vote and equal representation by white conservatives, violating our laws and Constitution to make their 41 percent greater than the non-white 59 percent.

One tool white conservatives are using to maintain power is packing, which refers to clustering substantially more voters of color in a district than are required to elect their candidate. This results in a decrease in representatives elected by non-white voters, while making sure that white voters are in safe districts.

Another practice used by these map drawers is cracking, or splitting minority populations into several different districts so they cannot elect the candidate of their choice in any election. We see this, for example, in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, where fingers spread into Dallas County are so small that parts of minority populations there are joined with rural populations, though they lack common interests.

On ExpressNews.com: Coleman: Redistricting deeply affects communities

Packing in that sense allows conservative white rural voters to control elections and defeat the candidate of choice of the minority community. Texas again is using these and other illegal tools to ensure that white voters in Texas will control a majority of state seats: 19 of 31 Senate; 89 of 150 House; and at least 24 of 38 Congressional seats. That is particularly egregious to Latinos, who are responsible for a majority of growth over 20 years.

Racism has driven this illegal redistricting: from the Southern Strategy by Democrats in Texas through Republican-driven redistricting currently. Today it seems that conservative whites fear losing absolute power and control of our government if they no longer control the levers of power. That fear, based on an irrational belief that people of color would discriminate against conservative whites if African Americans, Latinos, Asians and Native Americans were in power, has driven conservative whites to extreme actions not seen in decades.

We can and should reject racial supremacy as a required element of redistricting.

White conservatives have drawn Texas congressional map as well as the state Senate and House maps. That exclusivity flies in the face of what the drafters of either the U.S. Constitution or Texas Constitution envisioned. What is at stake is whether current leaders can adopt extreme maps that preserve rule for a shrinking white population, pushing Texas ever so close to an apartheid system of minority rule. Our state is better and more respected with peaceful collaboration between groups.

Last decade, Texas made the same argument  the state discriminated against minorities due to politics, not race. However, the courts did not buy that baseless argument then and they should not do so now.

Gary Bledsoe is a Texas attorney who is president of the NAACP of Texas and a member of its National Board of Directors. He is the former acting dean of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University and has been involved in the last three cycles of redistricting in Texas.
Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz says he has a plan to deal with the surge of people attempting to enter the U.S. through its southern border by relocating them to Cambridge, Nantucket, Marthas Vineyard and anywhere else the Democrat elites host their cocktail parties.

The so-called Stop the SURGE Act calls for 13 new ports of entry to be established by the Department of Homeland Security where immigrants entering the U.S. illegally would be transferred for processing. The bill does not say how officials will transport immigrants or who will pay for it.
A day after lawmakers left Austin and closed out the year's third special session, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick put pressure on the governor to call them right back to pass two voting bills that made it out of the more conservative Senate but not the House.

TX Senate just finished a strong conservative session, Patrick tweeted Wednesday. But more needs to be done. Senate added felony penalties for illegal voting, but the House cut to a misdemeanor. House needs to pass an election forensic audit bill. I support @GovAbbott calling us back to pass both.

Gov. Greg Abbott quickly shot down the idea, his office saying in a statement that it was not necessary.

Texans tasked the Legislature with delivering on key priorities for the state in this most recent special session, including property tax relief, redistricting and the nearly $16 billion American Rescue Plan Act funding, and we went above and beyond to deliver on those priorities, as well as solve other critical issues for Texas, spokeswoman Rene Eze said. Because of the Texas House and Senates efforts to get these priorities across the finish line, there is no need for another special session at this time.

House Speaker Dade Phelan did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The bill raising the illegal voting penalty was an item Abbott had added to the special session agenda at the last minute, but the other, which would have made it easier for election audits to be requested, is one that Abbott has plainly and repeatedly rejected. Both are bills that former President Donald Trump had urged Abbott and Phelan to advance, and he criticized the two Texas leaders when they stalled.

Texas GOP Chair Matt Rinaldi said in a statement Wednesday that the party agrees with Patrick that another session is needed to accomplish those goals, as well as to pass bans on vaccine mandates and gender modification treatment for children.

We commend the Texas Legislature and governor for delivering numerous significant and substantive conservative victories this year, Rinaldi said. But more needs to be done.

READ MORE: 'The limitation of Donald Trump': Election audit bill fails to pass in Texas Legislature

Some House members took issue with Patricks framing of the situation surrounding the illegal voting bill. That bill would have elevated the crime to its prior status as a second-degree felony, a reversal from when both chambers approved of lowering it to a Class A misdemeanor in the sweeping elections bill that Republicans passed this summer. Phelan has said he has no desire to re-litigate the bill.

The simple truth is that the Senate was fully aware of the penalty reduction, and agreed to the change in conference, said state Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler.

The elections audit bill would have required county clerks to convene an election review advisory committee to examine 2020 election results from randomly selected precincts if a state or county party chair requested it. Other provisions would have made it easier for candidates and others to request audits from their county clerk or the secretary of state.

Abbott has insisted the audit bill isnt worth passing because an effort he commissioned from the secretary of states office to go over the 2020 election results in the states four largest counties will go even further. The review entails routine checks that ensure voting machines and other equipment worked correctly, as well as reviews of whether the counties followed procedures.

BACKGROUND: Former President Trump gets his way in the Texas Senate as audit bill moves on

Texas is conducting the largest forensic audit in the country to ensure the integrity of the 2020 election, as well as the integrity of elections going forward, Abbott spokeswoman Renae Eze said in late September.

The record for the most special sessions was set in June 1990 when the Legislature met for a sixth time to deal with workers compensation reform.

taylor.goldenstein@chron.com
Robert Kaplan resigned abruptly last month as president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, on the same day as his Boston counterpart Eric Rosengren.

Both cited personal reasons for their unexpected departures, but the public understood them to be a necessary response to a Wall Street Journal investigation of large personal stock trades theyd made during critical moments when the Federal Reserve intervened in markets in response to COVID-induced turbulence.

You might see these abrupt resignations as a failure of ethics and governance at the nations central bank. But I think thats the wrong interpretation. Their resignations are actually a success of governance. It's a good sign that the Federal Reserves code of ethics  and Fed Chairman Jerome Powell  prompted swift and decisive resignations in response to even the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Powell then promised a further review of ethics rules for Federal Reserve employees, as he should. It matters whether people see the Federal Reserve as an ethical institution.

All of this is good and noteworthy.

It also serves as our periodic reminder of how awful the governance and ethics rules and practices are for stock trading by members of Congress.

In short: They can get away with way too much. They should not be allowed to trade individual stocks. But they do, and they disclose way too little about it, and its gross.

There is a law, first passed in 2012, called the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012 (STOCK Act). It requires officials to disclose any stock transactions within 45 days of trading. Dozens of members of Congress this year ignored or violated this law with late disclosures. Sometimes, elected officials make no disclosures at all. The penalties under the STOCK Act for these types of violations are tiny  like in the hundreds of dollars.

In late September, the ethics watchdog group Campaign Legal Center cited seven members of Congress for massive failures to disclose their stock trades.

This is a bipartisan problem. The Campaign Legal Center report named and shamed House representatives Cindy Axne (D-Iowa), Warren Davidson (R-OH), Lance Gooden (R-TX), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Thomas Suozzi (D-NY), Roger Williams (R-TX) and Michael San Nicholas (D-Guam)

These seven engaged in hundreds of thousands of dollars in stock trading without reporting them. Five of the seven sit on the House Committee on Financial Services, which seems like a particularly egregious violation of trust.

In June, Business Insider reported that Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX) failed to disclose 93 stock trades worth between $7.8 and $17.5 million between January and April 2021. Fallon is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and was trading Boeing stock, which is obviously not OK.

After receiving COVID-19 briefings in February and March 2020, Georgias two senators at the time, Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue  both Republicans who later lost their seats in special elections  reportedly traded millions of dollars worth of shares.

Earlier this month, Business Insider reported on 37 members of Congress who violated the STOCK Act.

The other Texas elected officials cited by Business Insider for STOCK Act violations include representatives August Fluger (R) and Dan Crenshaw (R).

Do we know for sure whether House and Senate members are profitably trading stocks using inside knowledge or their regulatory power? Not exactly. Could these just be cases of overlooking details and failure to disclose, as the elected officials generally claim? Of course.

But thats missing the point. The point is that even the appearance of elected officials taking advantage of the system undermines trust in government and in markets.

Eliminating individual stock trading would not solve all instances of self-dealing, insider trading or influence peddling in Congress.

But the sheer ethical audacity of senators and representatives  having access to relevant insider information and exercising extraordinary voting and regulatory power to influence outcomes, and then being able to invest accordingly  is nuts. They shouldnt be able to do this.

Clear ethics rules forbid journalists from writing about stocks they have an interest in. Doctors have to periodically declare they have zero financial stake in companies associated with the prescriptions they write. Lawyers, Realtors, corporate and nonprofit board members have codes that forbid obvious conflicts of interest when it comes to investing. The list of professionals covered by restrictive ethics rules goes on and on.

Its so obvious that members of Congress should not be able to trade in shares of companies over which they have regulatory oversight  or about whose industries they receive privileged information  that their latitude to trade stocks seems ludicrous. This cant really be going on, right?

Surely there are tough rules in place to stop this?

Not really. It is going on. And it is hardly ever punished by Congress itself.

Incidentally, the executive branch has to follow much stricter financial ethics rules. High-ranking officials  especially with significant investment portfolios  typically put their investment in a blind trust for the duration of their service. (President Donald Trump was a notable and unfortunate exception to this practice.) Lower-ranking employees of the executive branch have to disclose even things like gifts received over $15 in value. This signals to everyone, especially the voting public, that their decisions will not have even the appearance of being made for personal gain.

This is not true for members of Congress, who make their own rules  which also allow them to ride in other peoples privately-owned jets with few restrictions, unlike executive branch employees.

It's like an inversion of the cynical Golden Rule: He who has the gold makes the rules.

In the case of Congress, its instead: He who makes the rules makes the gold.

I understand theres a biblical Golden Rule as well, but Im in a cynical mindset today.

Michael Taylor is a columnist for the San Antonio Express-News and author of The Financial Rules for New College Graduates.

michael@michaelthesmart

money.com |twitter.com/michael_taylor
BRIDGEPORT  The state attorney generals office will not involve itself in the foreclosure action against the Prayer Tabernacle Church of God and Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, the East End churches run by Rev. Kenneth Moales Jr. and founded by his father, Bishop Kenneth Moales, Sr.

Cathedral of the Holy Spirit is a vital community institution in Bridgeport, Elizabeth Benton, communications director for Attorney General William Tong, told Hearst Connecticut Media in a statement. Attorney General Tong has spoken to members of the Bridgeport delegation and intends to continue those discussions to identify ways to support the Bridgeport community and church. As to allegations of lending fraud and abuse, those allegations were considered by the court and the Office of the Attorney General cannot legally intervene.

All eight of Bridgeports state lawmakers, after meeting with Moales, a prominent faith leader and political figure, on Sept. 23 wrote fellow Democrat Tong asking his office open a case into the pending eviction of the East End religious institution by its bank, Foundation Capital Resources.

Pastor Moales indicated the church and related properties were under siege from what he is describing as a predatory lender. The dilemma has been ongoing for several years and the properties are now in foreclosure, wrote state Sens. Marilyn Moore and Dennis Bradley, and state Reps. Andre Baker, Jr., Antonio Felipe, Jack Hennessy, Christopher Rosario, Steve Stafstrom and Charlie Stallworth. As background the church has been a beacon of light in Bridgeport and this week is celebrating its 52nd year anniversary. Its founder, the late Bishop Kenneth Moales, Sr. was a well- respected, nationally known leader both in the secular and faith communities.

Foundation Capital has denied the allegations against it.

In September 2017, according to court documents, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Meyer, after a more than four-year legal battle initiated in state court, issued a foreclosure order against Moales for failure to pay a debt of $12,630,230. That amount has since increased to more than $15 million.

Meyer recently granted a temporary stay to Moales of the eviction order pending an appeal of the eviction to the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.

Willinger, Willinger and Bucci, the law firm representing Moales, in a statement to Hearst Connecticut Media, said it respects the attorney generals opinion but Moales will continue to do whatever is necessary to remain an active and vital part of the Bridgeport community.

More recently Moales was arrested and charged with issuing a bad check of $2,821.40 in July for catering services at Testos Restaurant, the North End establishment owned by veteran Democratic Town Committee Chairman Mario Testa and that organizations usual gathering spot.

Moales was released on a promise to appear in court last Thursday but did not show. So Superior Court Judge Peter McShane ordered a bail commissioners letter be issued, warning Moales to appear in court Nov. 15 or face rearrest.
It seems so hard to believe that its only been five months since we lost our close friend Lynn to stage four lung cancer. And I know the focus this month is mainly on breast cancer awareness and advancements in that area, but I hope youll indulge me as I share how special Lynn was and how much we will miss her.

Ironically, I had done a column more than a year ago about the importance of not ignoring phone calls from loved ones and friends we havent heard from in awhile. Fortunately, I had answered one of those calls from Lynn, who lived in Mecungie, Penn., near Allentown. Call it a gut reaction, but I was so glad I picked up.

I expected one of our great catch-up calls, but well over an hour later I had the whole story of her serious illness. Lynn and her husband Mickey had gone on a ski trip with friends when she began to feel shortness of breath and severe fatigue. At first, Lynn thought it was nothing serious, but she planned a trip to the doctor immediately.

Lynn received news she never expected to hear. Apparently she was already in stage four lung cancer and the doctor could not give her any firm information about her future. He ordered an immediate battery of other tests and chemotherapy.

Despite her diagnosis, Lynn was a fighter and, COVID pandemic aside, she said she was determined to beat this cancer and live. She explained that she was tired from the chemo treatments and worried more about COVID complications, but she ended our conversation by saying that we should plan a trip to Mecungie sometime in the spring of 2021.

I was choking back the tears when I hung up, but Lynns usual strength and determination fueled my hopes that we would make that trip to Mecungie. I stayed in touch with her over the next eight months that followed, sending her upbeat, inspirational books and lots of humorous cards.

Our last conversation was in March of this year and Lynn was absolutely euphoric.

Im in remission! she told me. The doctor is very encouraged and optimistic. Lets talk soon about when you and the family can come for a visit. I am just hopeful and all of you, including Lucas and Caleb, can come but that will depend on COVID and whether my immune system is strong enough. I cant wait. Lets talk soon.

Sadly soon never came. I tried texting Lynn several times and finally decided to just wait for her call or text. I figured if there was anything to be concerned about I would hear from Lynn about it.

Then, just before Mothers Day, our daughters sent us the Facebook link about Lynns passing. Somehow, knowing the unpredictability of this deadly disease, I wasnt surprised, just so very sad. Lynn had died two days shy of her 60th birthday on Mothers Day weekend. The funeral would be the following week in Mecungie. The light of this lively, giving person had been snuffed out, leaving a real void for so many.

As I reflected on the Lynn we knew, there were only smiles. We worked together for several years in the same public relations firm in Manhattan and I watched Lynn climb higher and higher in the organization. She started as our receptionist and ended as a vice president and account manager.

I learned early that she was actually living just a few blocks away from us in Fairfield, so we often commuted together on Metro North. When the house she and her friends were renting was sold, we told Lynn we had a spare room and she moved in with us for awhile as she searched for a place in Queens.

Lynn and her sister Diane, who also died of cancer several years ago, eventually took an apartment near LaGuardia airport and my wife and I and our daughters enjoyed spending many Saturdays or Sundays with Lynn doing things in the city.

She finally reconnected with Mickey, an old friend, after dating a wide range of the wrong kinds of guys, and soon we received an invitation to their wedding in New Jersey. It was a beautiful event.

As the years went by, we began hearing about Lynns and Mickeys growing family  eventually there were three. And later, it seemed like we were always receiving invites to communions and graduations. So we always remained in touch.

When Lynn became a public relations consultant, she was kind enough to involve me in a couple of the projects she was working on, so I did more traveling to Pennsylvania and she came to Connecticut as well. I really enjoyed the experience of meeting her clients.

Our last visit had been about five years ago when we drove out to Mecungie on a warm summer day to talk with Lynn and her daughter Melissa about a quilt Melissa wanted to have made. Of course, we had a great visit, promised another very soon and headed back.

Once the funeral arrangements were set, I decided to be there to say a final goodbye. My wife wasnt up to making the trip to Mecungie for the funeral, but I was so glad I came. After the funeral, Mickey and the family were so grateful I came and asked me to come back to the house for a little reception. I was so glad I did that, because I reconnected with Lynns sister and niece, met other relatives and had a chance to chat with some of Lynns friends.

On the trip home, I wondered quietly whether I would ever see these folks or Lynns immediate family again. But just a few weeks later, I received a touching, gracious note from her daughter, Melissa, hoping we could stay in touch, based on our long-time friendship with her mom. That letter meant so much to my wife and me. I recalled how beautifully Mickey and the family had eulogized Lynn, capturing the essence of this amazing woman.

My wife and I will always keep a warm place in our hearts for Lynn and her family, and I hope well have a chance to see them in the future. Meanwhile, I made a point of remembering Lynn in the recent Swim Across the Sound fundraiser for cancer this past summer.

Cancer robbed all of us of a very special human being when Lynn died. But well never forget the great times we spent and the valuable friendship we forged. Hers was a life so well lived.

Steven Gaynes is a Fairfield writer, and his In the Suburbs appears each Friday. He can be reached at stevengaynes44@gmail.com.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  The Wisconsin Senate on Wednesday approved a package of Republican-authored bills designed to discourage abortion in the state.

Republicans control the Senate and passed all four bills without any votes from a single Democrat.

The measures now go to the Assembly but they appear doomed. Republicans passed the proposals last legislative session only to see Democratic Gov. Tony Evers veto them. Evers is almost certain to veto any abortion restrictions that reach his desk this session and the GOP doesnt have enough votes to override him.

Senate Democrats warned Republicans during debate that none of the bills would become law. They decried the proposals as nothing more than a cynical attempt to energize the conservative base heading into the 2022 elections.

We're just interested in making abortion as difficult, as dangerous, as onerous as possible, said Democratic state Sen. Kelda Roys, a former executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, a group that advocates for access to abortions. Thank you for giving (Evers) the opportunity to once again show he's on the side of the people.

One proposal would defund abortion providers by prohibiting them from participating in Medicaid except in cases of sexual assault or incest or if the woman's life is in danger.

Another bill would require doctors to tell any woman seeking an abortion through a regimen of drugs that she could still change her mind after ingesting the first dose and could still continue the pregnancy.

A third bill would require doctors to ensure parents of unborn children who test positive for a congenital condition to receive information about the condition. A fourth bill would prohibit abortions based on an unborn child's sex, race or national origin.

The bills come as abortion rights supporters are concerned that the U.S. Supreme Court could overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that essentially legalized abortion before a fetus can survive outside the womb. The Biden administration on Monday asked the Supreme Court to block a Texas law that bans abortions once cardiac activity is detected, usually around six weeks and before some women know they are pregnant. The law is the strictest curb on abortion in the nation.

Senate President Chris Kapenga, the chief sponsor of the drug dose bill, defended that measure as a way to give women more information. He was the only Republican who spoke about any of the bills on the floor.

___

Follow Todd Richmond on Twitter: https://twitter.com/trichmond1
Above, from McKinsey's 'Diversity Wins' research, which is drawing skeptical scholarly scrutiny.

By Richard Bernstein, RealClearInvestigations

October 14, 2021

At last year's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the head of Goldman Sachs announced a new policy for the richest investment bank in the world: It would refuse to underwrite the stock offerings of any private company that did not have at least one woman on its board of directors  and that the minimum would move up to two in 2022.

This decision is rooted first and foremost in our conviction that companies with diverse leadership perform better, the Goldman CEO, David Solomon, declared. Companies that have gone public with at least one female board director outperformed companies that do not.

Solomon gave no source for this assertion, and Goldman did not reply to a request for comment. But much of the authority for claims like his rest on three studies done between 2015 and 2020 by the consulting company McKinsey, which were trumpeted as proof that large companies can boost their profits significantly by adding women and people of color to their boards of directors. Companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25 percent more likely to have above average profitability than companies in the fourth quartile, the 2020 report says, while those in the top quartile for ethnic diversity are 36 percent more profitable than those in the bottom quartile.

What our data show is that companies that have more diverse leadership teams are more successful, the 2020 report concludes, recalling the two-word phrase in the title of an earlier report: Diversity Wins!

That line has been given credibility in major media outlets. Diversity isn't just a feel-good measure; it has bottom line benefits, the Wall Street Journal reported in a 2018 piece on the McKinsey study. That conviction has inspired policies at large companies such as Goldman, and new state laws, including one in California that requires corporations headquartered in the state to have at least one director from an underrepresented group by the end of 2021, two by 2022  and three such directors if the board consists of more than nine people.

Even as the McKinseys conclusions have become conventional wisdom in Americas power centers, there has been little outside scrutiny of its claim that companies enjoy bottom line benefits when they replace white men in leadership positions with women and people of color. But a new academic paper  the first detailed, independent analysis anybody has made of McKinsey's findings and methods  concludes that while there is nothing wrong with diversity per se, McKinsey provides no evidence that it wins.

Our results suggest that despite the imprimatur often given to McKinsey's (2015, 2018, 2020) studies, caution is warranted to support the view that U.S. publicly traded firms can deliver improved financial performance if they increase the racial/ethnic diversity of their executives, the authors report in a summary statement of their findings.

The study, carried out by Jeremiah Green, an associate professor of accounting at Texas A&M University, and John R.M. Hand, distinguished professor of accounting at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, also suggests that McKinsey has misleadingly characterized its own findings to make the case for diversity.

McKinseys studies are a little strange, Hand said in a Zoom interview, because they're not structured to detect any causal evidence [that diversity generates profits]. They're silent with regard to the fundamental causal question.

The McKinsey study, written by four of the company's consultants in its London, Chicago and Atlanta offices -- gives each firm that it studied a diversity score, based largely on pictures and descriptions of executives on that company's website and reports. It then measures each company's economic performance. But as McKinsey acknowledges in the methodology section of its 2020 report, the financial data it collected on companies came from the period 2014 to 2018, while the data on diversity was compiled from Dec. 2018 to November 2019 -- showing that the diversity data comes after or at the same time as the financial data, not before.

In other words, McKinsey's own data shows, if anything, the likelihood that profit leads to more diversity, not the other way around. Green and Hand didn't study the causes of such a direction of causality, but in his Zoom interview Hand cited one likely reason: More successful firms are able to spend more money on aspects that would appeal to customers and respond to internal pressures from employees or boards  that would be the idea.

McKinsey acknowledges this possibility in its 2020 report. We are not asserting a causal link, the methodology section states. It is theoretically possible that the better financial outperformance enables companies to achieve greater levels of diversity.

Nevertheless, as Green and Hand point out, the company's public interpretations of their results seem to set aside this crucial problem. They quote Vivian Hunt, McKinsey's managing partner in the United Kingdom and one of the study's four authors, saying: What our data shows is that companies that have more diverse leadership teams are more successful. Companies are implementing diversity, she continued, because it's a business imperative and driving real business results.

Similarly, the main body of the McKinsey report repeatedly and enthusiastically makes the business case for diversity, even as it encourages companies to purposefully tackle inclusion, but there are no caveats or qualifications until the technical aspects of the report are disclosed at the end. McKinsey claims to have conducted longitudinal analyses of 365 companies in the United States and the United Kingdommeaning that its studies were carried out over periods of time, years in typical cases. The McKinsey study does look at the companies' degree of diversity over time, but that does not seem to be the case with financial performance as a function of racial or ethnic representation among the companies' executives.

The business case for diversity is growing stronger and clearer, McKinsey's 2020 report says nonetheless. The experience of the diversity winners we have studied suggests that it's time to be bold in deploying a systematic approach to I[inclusion] & D[iversity]. The coronavirus epidemic has made doing business harder than ever, it says, but [c]ompanies whose leaders welcome diverse talents and include multiple perspectives are likely to emerge from the crisis stronger. In short, diversity wins, now more than ever.

Asked for comment on the Green-Hand conclusions, a McKinsey spokesperson said in an email that the academics' study defined diversity differently, gathered data using a simplified analysis and looked at a significantly smaller data set focused only on U.S. data. ... It's not surprising that with different methods, they ended up with different results, although we would note that their results are directionally similar to ours.

In fact, it's debatable whether Green and Hand's conclusions are "directionally similar" to McKinsey's, but on the matter of the size of the study, McKinsey is correct that it examined more companies than Green and Hand, in all 1036 of them in 15 countries, compared with the 497 in the S&P 500 examined by Green and Hand. The large majority of those 497 companies were American, compared with the 322 American companies in the 2020 McKinsey study.

Addressing the Green-Hand argument that the McKinsey study was not longitudinal, the spokesperson said, Throughout the report and in multiple exhibits, we compare the 2019 data that we describe in our methodology with our 2017 and 2014 datasets.

Green and Hand find other problems with the McKinsey report, including its assumption that the single factor of diversity could lead to the remarkable outcomes its study proclaims  a 36% improvement in the likelihood of having financial returns above the national industry medium for companies with the highest diversity indices. That's an astonishing improvement to attribute to a single factor. Could having a few underrepresented minorities among a company's executives really be solely responsible for such an immense difference?

The output of high firm financial performance causally depends on a vast number of inputs, not just racial/ethnic diversity, Hand said in an email. This 'vast number' aspect is important, he added, because, among other reasons, it plausibly means that any one of the vast number of inputs is unlikely in and of itself to be a, or the, huge driver of financial performance. Green and Hand also question the measure of diversity used by McKinsey to create what it called its diversity score. What they call the key weakness here is that the score given by McKinsey to any study doesn't benchmark against anything"  not against the actual representation of various ethnic groups in society, or what that representation was when the current generation of executives was graduating from college.

As a result, McKinsey's score doesn't say much about what diversity actually means in any given company. As Green and Hand point out, a company whose executives match the American population  ranging from 61% white down through to 1% Native American  would have the same diversity score as a company that had the reverse representation (61% Native American down through to 1% white).

This counterintuitive diversity metric, as Green and Hand put it, means that McKinsey gives no indication of whether a high diversity score means a significant representation of the groups that are of most concern to the social justice movement, namely blacks and Hispanics. McKinsey simply doesn't say whether diversity means larger numbers of blacks and Hispanics or larger numbers of ethnic Koreans and Chinese.

"The McKinsey diversity score is blind to what people are most interested in, Hand said, namely the fractions in executive positions of specific racial and ethnic groups. They get to diversity in a very generic and not very meaningful way, and certainly not in the way that both business people and diversity advocates actually care about.

While the Green and Hand study is particularly robust  they tested all of McKinseys data for the hundreds of Americans companies it included to see if they could reproduce the consulting firms findings (the researchers could not)  they are not the only scholars to challenge the assertion that diversity is good for the bottom line. Getting Serious About Diversity: Enough Already With the Business Case is the title of an article last year in the Harvard Business Review by Robin J. Ely, a professor of business administration at Harvard, and David A. Thomas, a professor emeritus at Harvard, now the president of Morehouse College. There are plenty of reasons to promote diversity, they argue, but higher profits is not one of them.

Business leaders and diversity advocates alike are advancing a simplistic and empirically unsubstantiated vision of the business case, Ely and Thomas write. Taking an 'add diversity and stir' approach ... will not spur leaps in your firm's effectiveness or financial performance.

Asked specifically about the McKinsey studies, Ely said in an emailed response, They are correlational and don't control for much of anything as far as I can tell. They are also cross-sectional as opposed to using data over time, and, she added, the latter kinds of data sets (longitudinal) are really the only ones from which one can reasonably test hypotheses about x causing y. She and Thomas argue in their Harvard Business Review article that having company directors from different sexes or ethnicities doesn't automatically mean a diversity of perspectives, as diversity advocates often claim, since women in business don't necessarily see things differently from their male counterparts, and, indeed, when there are different perspectives, things often get worse, because increasing diversity can increase tension and conflict.

There are other reasons for skepticism about the McKinsey conclusions and the use put to them by those claiming the diversity-profit connection. Among them is a comparison with ethnically homogeneous countries whose companies, despite their lack of diversity, have been successful and highly competitive on the international business scene.

It's not likely, for example, that Chinese giants like Tencent or Alibaba have many ethnic Tibetans or Uighurs in senior corporate positions, and women are severely underrepresented on Chinese corporate boards. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, as of 2018 only 21% of Chinese companies had even a single woman in a senior managerial position.

Similarly in Japan, according to McKinsey itself, only 15% of managerial positions are held by women, well below the world average, and yet many Japanese companies are highly successful, including against their American competitors.

Of course, the drive for diversity can be justified in many ways besides some supposed financial benefit, as matters of fairness, equal opportunity, social justice, and others. But the claim that diversity leads to profitability has been used by powerful companies like Goldman Sachs and state legislatures like California's as a main reason not just to pursue their own diversity programs but require them on the part of others -- diverse boards for companies to be approved for underwriting in the case of Goldman, or to be in compliance with the law in the case of California.

Since California imposed its requirement on local companies to have both women and underrepresented minorities on their boards, there's been a whole literature asserting that this has led to improvements in these companies' bottom lines.

Women on boards are good for California business, was the headline of a recent opinion piece in the Times of San Diego by Betty T. Yee, the state's controller, but Yee, while citing McKinsey and earlier studies on the supposed benefits of gender diversity, cites no data on the financial performance of California companies since the gender equality law went into effect. She seems, like many people, to take it for granted that having more women on corporate boards will illustrate that McKinsey headline: Diversity Wins.

But is this conclusion based on real data examined over time, or is it a kind of corporate magical thinking, or perhaps a calculated effort by companies like McKinsey to show publicly that they are signing on to a fashionable trend?

Ely and Thomas, who have actually studied the question in detail  not specifically in California but among the largest companies nationwide  have a very different point of view. We know of no evidence that replacing, say, two or three white male directors with people from underrepresented groups is likely to enhance the profits of a Fortune 500 company.
(The Center Square)  The Biden administration is making changes to its plan to require banks to report to the IRS on all accounts with at least $600, but banks say those changes are not enough.

Biden has pitched increasing federal tax revenue through more auditing and a stricter IRS as a way to help fund his proposed trillions in federal spending. His initial plan to require reporting of all $600 accounts sparked major controversy.

Biden is now expected to release more details of a revised plan that would raise the threshold from $600 to $10,000.

"Todays new proposal reflects the administrations strong belief that we should zero in on those at the top of the income scale who dont pay the taxes they owe, while protecting American workers by setting the bank account threshold at $10,000 and providing an exemption for wage earners like teachers and firefighters," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said.

Banks, though, have said this change would make little difference and millions would still qualify for reporting requirements.

Today marks another attempt by the administration and congressional leaders to explain to the American people why the government needs more information on them, said Rob Nichols, president and CEO of the American Bankers Association. Even with the modifications announced today, this proposal still goes too far by forcing financial institutions to share with the IRS private financial data from millions of customers not suspected of cheating on their taxes. The exclusion of payroll and federal program beneficiaries does not address millions of other taxpayers who would be impacted by the proposal. Not every non-wage worker is a millionaire. How about self-employed hair stylists, convenience store owners and farmers just to name a few?

Lawmakers, businesses, trade associations and nonprofit groups have all raised the alarm about the plan, saying it is a major invasion of privacy that sweeps up far more data than is required to catch wealthy tax cheats.

Banks have also pointed to the major expense of tracking and reporting such a large amount of information to the IRS.

If enacted, this new proposal would still raise the same privacy concerns, increase tax preparation costs for individuals and small businesses, and create significant operational challenges, particularly for community banks, Nichols said. Given the IRSs own recent history, the privacy and data security concerns for Americans are real and should not be taken lightly. That is why Americans across the country have expressed their strong opposition to this proposal. We firmly believe that everyone should honor their tax obligations, but this blunt instrument is not the right tool to solve this problem.
Every October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month reminds us to reflect on the state of domestic violence in our nation and our communities.

At the state level in Pennsylvania, a recently introduced bill, H.B. 686, would improve data and reporting of domestic violence injuries. Specifically, hospitals would be expected to report findings to the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV).

According to PCADV's 2020 Fatality Report, 70 victims were shot, 22 stabbed, six beaten, six strangled, four died of other causes, and one was poisoned.

In 2020, 109 victims lost their lives to domestic violence in Pennsylvania, according to the Fatality Report.

Regional reports from Wise Options, a YWCA NorthcentralPa resource for domestic violence victims, reveal regional statistics and community efforts to improve the lives of victims.

In an annual report from 2019-20, Wise Options reports supporting 1,341 individuals, providing over 9,000 nights of safe shelter, training over 3,000 individuals in prevention tactics, and filing Protection from Abuse Orders (PFAs) for over 400 clients.

Current statistics reveal an upward trend  much like the 8.1% national spike in domestic violence cases during COVID-19 lockdowns. In 2020-21 so far, Wise Options has served over 1,300 individuals and provided over 550 screenings for PFAs, according to Amber Morningstar, Wise Options program director.

The Wise Options webpage expands statistics to a global scale: "A staggering one in three women and one in four men have been victims of physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime, and nearly one in five women and one in seventy-one men have reported experiencing rape at some time in their lives."

These statistics do not account for repeat occurrences  a common experience amongst victims. "Victims of domestic violence attempt to leave their abusive partner on average of 8 to 10 times before leaving for good. The highest risk for serious injury or lethality occurs when a victim leaves as the abuser feels a loss of control," said Morningstar.

Morningstar spoke of the circumstances which lead to a domestic violence situation, and offered sympathy for those who suffer. "Individuals choose to stay in abusive relationships for various reasons: fear of retaliation, fear of breaking up their family, embarrassment, religion, and financial reliance are just a few," said Morningstar.

"We want the community to know that help is available 24-7 through Wise Options. We are ready and equipped to assist victims at any point in their journey."

According to their website, Wise Options provides comprehensive crisis and counseling services to victims of violence, including a crisis hotline, emergency shelter, individual and group counseling and medical and court accompaniments. In operation for nearly 50 years, Wise Options provides shelter to victims fleeing a violent situation.

Each year, a vigil is held to honor the lives lost to domestic violence and to "raise awareness for those who may be suffering in silence," said Morningstar.

NCPA covered this year's vigil:
NORTH PORT  What to know about the homicide of Gabby Petito:

1 THE CASE

Gabby Petito, 22, was reported missing Sept. 11. The North Port resident had been on a months-long journey with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, 23.

The couple had dated for years and were, at one point, engaged. They lived with his parents in the 4300 block of Wabasso Avenue.

Laundrie returned from the trip on Sept. 1, driving Petitos Ford van.

Her body was discovered Sept. 19 in the Spreading Creek area of Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming. An autopsy in Teton County, Wyoming, concluded she died in a homicide.

Laundrie has been deemed a person of interest in her disappearance.

2 LAUNDRIE IS WANTED BY THE FBI

The search continues for Brian Laundrie, who is now the subject of an FBI wanted poster. The FBI is charging him with bank fraud, according to FBI Denver authorities. A grand jury indicted Laundrie for use of unauthorized access devices after she died, according to FBI statements.

The investigation continues in Utah, Wyoming and other areas where Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito spent August.

The warrant is related to Mr. Laundries activities following the death of Gabrielle Petito, the FBI stated.

While this warrant allows law enforcement to arrest Mr. Laundrie, the FBI and our partners across the country continue to investigate the facts and circumstances of Ms. Petitos homicide, FBI Denver Special Agent Michael Schneider said.

The FBI also hopes anyone with information from those in the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area between Aug. 27-30 or who had contact with Petito or Laundrie  or saw their vehicle, the release states.

Their vehicle is a 2012 white Ford Transit van outfitted for camping.

3 CARLTON SEARCH

Local and state authorities spent days in the T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Memorial Reserve near Venice and Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in North Port searching for Brian Laundrie.

It is the area where Laundries parents claim he went hiking on Sept. 14. They didnt reveal that until they reported him missing from their Wabasso Avenue home on Sept. 17. They later revised their statement, saying he went out there Sept. 13.

Personnel from more than a dozen agencies have taken part in the searches.

It is in an unforgiving terrain in the Carlton Reserve where authorities are looking for Laundrie. Investigators are using dogs, four-wheelers, dive teams and drones, among other tools.

Still, they must cover horizonless ground, said Debbie Blanco, the former Carlton Reserve land manager who knows that vast space like the back of my hand, she said.

Blanco said it would be hard to locate Brian Laundrie in such a vast location.

There are more than 80,000 acres, she said. But its not like (theyre) wading up to their necks in swamps.

The 25,000 acres of the Carlton Reserve abuts other wild lands, including the vast Myakka State Park to the north, the Walton Tract, the Orange Hammock property and others  all acquired over the years by different government and conservation entities in an attempt to give wildlife a link from the Myakka River into the west, all the way to the Peace River in the east.

Florida Wildlife Commission, FBI, Sarasota County, North Port and K-9 teams had run a weekend ground and aerial search that hadnt yielded answers in the hunt for Laundrie, a North Port police spokesperson said.

Please be aware, the Carlton Reserve is a vast and unforgiving location at times. It is currently (waist) deep in water in many areas, North Port Public Information Officer Josh Taylor said.

4 PUBLIC RECORDS

In a recent public records request on the Laundrie family and Gabrielle Petito, the North Port Police Department provided nearly 40 fully redacted reports.

The request was made Monday for Brian Laundrie, Christopher Laundrie, Roberta Laundrie, and Petito dating back three years.

There were virtually no police interactions with the families until earlier this month, aside from a traffic citation.

The reports returned to The Daily Sun on Sept. 21 are dated between Sept. 10, 2021, and Sept. 20, 2021.

North Port Police cites the Florida Statute Active criminal investigative and intelligence information as the reason behind the nearly complete redactions.

An attorney for The Daily Sun disputes those redacations.

One redacted report  incident No. 21-053269, at 2:42 p.m. dated Sept. 14  is filed as an abandoned vehicle report at the address of 6968 Reisterstown Road, in North Port, where the Mustang was left.

Brian Laundries parents then picked up the Mustang the next day. The FBI towed the Mustang from the familys home Monday.

Another redacted NPPD report  incident No. 21-05411, at 6:47 p.m. dated Sept. 17  is filed as a missing person report from the Laundrie familys home address.

A third redacted report incident No. 21-054246, at 11:22 p.m. dated Sept. 18 notes a suspicious incident at the intersection of Balboa Terrace and Delmar Drive in North Port.

Delmar Drive is a bit of a beaten trail of a road that drags along Big Slough in the middle of North Port. There are no homes on Delmar Drive; and only a handful along Balboa Terrance.

5 MOAB INCIDENT

Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie were involved in an incident Aug. 12 near Arches National Park.

Body camera footage from Moab City Police, and the subsequent release of the 911 call, suggest different situations were considered.

A 911 caller said Laundrie had been slapping Petito. A Moab City Police officer pulled over the couple just outside Arches National Park and said on the video he had seen her slapping him.

How much of the 911 call information was given to on-scene police has led to questions about the reality of what was taking place.

The couple was told to sleep separately that night; no arrests were made.

Moab City Police is now launching an investigation into how that situation was handled.

6 REWARDS OFFERED

The Boohoff Law firm announced a $20,000 a reward for information that leads law officers to Brian Laundrie, 23, of North Port, according to Kate Shakira, an employee of the firms North Port office.

Shakira said the reward will be paid once the investigating law enforcement agency supplies Boohoff Law written verification that a tip helped lead to locating Laundrie.

Other rewards are being offered as well.

7 POLICE CRITICISMS

North Port Police have been subjected to criticism in the case of Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie.

The investigation dating to Sept. 10 had drawn worldwide media, bloggers, podcasters, analysts, anyone with insider-like speculation on the disappearance of the 22-year-old North Port resident and how North Port police reacted to the sudden fury of attention.

North Port Mayor Jill Luke is defending city police to armchair detectives second-guessing city police

Our (police) abide by the law, Luke said, lashing at those throwing shade at the North Port Police Department. They cannot jeopardize a case  (they) have done exactly what they were supposed to do. This is crazy.

North Port Public Information Officer Josh Taylor has received much of the brunt of the criticism.

We understand the publics concern, he said. But they dont know all the facts. We cant release all of the facts.

8 THE LAUNDRIE FAMILY

There are other aspects that are being looked at in regards to the parents of Brian Laundrie.

Wabasso Avenue neighbors, Charlene and William Guthrie, told Fox News they saw Laundrie and his parents, Chris and Roberta Laundrie, leave for a short trip on Sept. 11  the day Petitos family reported her missing.

It is unknown if he returned with them.

The Laundrie family called authorities on Sept. 17 to file a missing person report on Brian Laundrie, saying they had not seen him since Sept. 14.

They said he drove a Ford Mustang out to Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park on Sept. 14 to go for a hike. Authorities towed that car away Sept. 20 and returned it Sept. 23.

The Laundries have not spoken to the media. They have an attorney, Steven Bertolino, in Islip, New York. Bertolino has spoken for the family exclusively.

Bertolino said Sept. 23 that he met with the couple in Orlando. Through his firm, they have sent out a message of condolences after it was revealed that the remains of Gabby Petito were identified in Wyoming.

9 ANGER

Some members of Gabby Petitos family are stating in public their anger with the Laundrie family.

According to neighbors, Chris and Roberta Laundrie reportedly left with Brian Laundrie for a short trip on Sept. 11  the day Petitos family reported her missing.

His parents gave him a head start, Jill Hengel said.

Hengel is the great-aunt of Petito.

When they went camping the three days, that was the head start, Hengel said. They just left the car there to throw everybody off  and its not just me saying that; a lot of other people are saying that, too.

Gabbys mother, Nichole Schmidt, told Sean Hannity that they dont believe the last text message they received from Gabby was actually from her. In it, it states that the couple is in Yosemite and that text messages would be tough because of the area.

It was received on Aug. 30.

You do the math, Nichole Schmidt said Sept. 17. We know that she didnt send it because he was home Sept. 1. They never went to Yosemite; they never had plans to go to Yosemite  so its obvious.

10 MEMORIALS

In late September, Long Island residents are being asked to light a candle and put it at the end of their driveway for Gabby Petito; Hengel encouraged that to happen around the world, she said.

Then, the next night, a similar event will take place in North Port in front of North Port City Hall, 4970 City Hall Blvd. T

Memorials have been taking place at the North Port City Green in front of North Port City Hall starting Sept. 17 and are continuing. Teddy bears, candles and candle-lighting events have happened as people stop by on their own or in groups, with some praying and some dropping off cards of condolences.

It has since been removed; the items being held for the Petito family. A permanent memorial is slated to be created in the area for Gabby Petito.

WHO IS BRIAN LAUNDRIE?

Brian Laundrie is 23 years old and known for hiking. He is described standing about 5-foot 8-inches tall and weighing 160 pounds. He has short brown hair, trimmed facial hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a hiking bag which had a waist strap, the news release said.

Anyone with information on Brian Laundrie should contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL FBI or tips.fbi.gov.
Late last month, 86 of Montanas 98 Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Senate President Mark Blasdel and House Speaker Wylie Galt urging the creation of a special legislative committee to probe the security of Montanas elections. A memo produced Friday by a staff attorney at the states Legislative Services Division now reveals that GOP leadership alone does not have the authority to heed the request of its caucus  at least not in the manner requested.

According to the memo, prepared by legislative staff attorney Jaret Coles, the limitation stems from a 2019 rule change requiring that the creation or appointment of a special committee by the House speaker must be approved by a majority of the House. Obtaining that approval would necessitate a special session of the Legislature, which can only be convened by the governor or by a majority of legislators. Coles memo estimated that the cost of a special session would be $108,003 for the first day and $56,685 for each day after, plus overtime pay following the fourth legislative day.

Coles noted that his memo reflects only his legal opinion and analysis. It was prepared in response to an Oct. 5 letter from Blasdel and Galt asking for clarification on the processes for creating a special committee. In the letter, Blasdel and Galt wrote that they also wanted guidance regarding other mechanisms that might allow a group of legislators to conduct hearings, take testimony, examine public records and draft legislation regarding a specific topic.

Coles memo in response outlined a number of such mechanisms, beginning with the Senate presidents ability to create a special committee to review Montanas election laws. The makeup of such a committee would be limited solely to members of the state Senate, though Coles stated that House members could comment and participate in the same fashion as the public. However, Coles also wrote that the investigative power of such a committee is not absolute.

If the Legislature or a legislative committee reviews Montanas election laws and processes, it would need to focus on a valid legislative purpose, the memo reads. For instance, investigating past violations of state election laws is an executive branch function. However, the Legislature could investigate past election processes for the purpose of drafting legislation to increase the security and integrity of future elections.

That type of review could also be conducted by two separate committees that are already conducting business between sessions: the State Administration and Veterans Affairs interim committee and the Local Government interim committee. The former has legislative oversight of the Montana Secretary of States office, which, according to Coles memo, grants it the ability to conduct hearings and draft legislation on specific election issues at the state level. The latter committee could act as a liaison to local government agencies in discussing election improvements, but does not have authority to compel a local government to do anything not permitted by state statute. Coles noted that in both cases the interim committees lack the ability to examine confidential records  more specifically, individual ballots  or perform investigative activity beyond the scope of their legislative authority.

Coles further pointed out that while the Legislative Audit Committee and Legislative Audit Division do have statutory authority to determine whether the secretary of states office is carrying out election activities and programs effectively, such an audit would be limited to state agencies and not extend to local governments.

Among the signatories to the Sept. 29 letter requesting creation of a special committee was a group of Republicans who have promoted questions and claims about the 2020 election. Those claims include allegations of irregularities in Missoula Countys election results, and suggestions that President Donald Trump lost the election last fall due to widespread, orchestrated voter fraud perpetrated nationwide, including in Montana. No evidence has been produced supporting claims of nationwide fraud on the scale alleged by Trump and his supporters. Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen has not directly addressed any allegations specific to Montanas election.

Kyle Schmauch, spokesperson for Montanas Republican legislative leadership, told Montana Free Press that Coles memo was forwarded to all members of the Montana Legislature. He added that Blasdel and Galt are still in the process of reviewing the document and that their response will take a couple days. Though neither Blasdel nor Galt has taken a public stance on the creation of a special committee, Schmauch pointed out that both voted for several changes to election administration law this spring.

They also obviously are elected by their caucus, so certainly take very, very strongly any requests made (by) the caucus, he said. Its just a matter of looking at what the options are at this point, and also what any goals would be coming out of the process.
A new 17.5m fund to support farmers to embrace innovative new ways to maximise productivity and drive sustainability has opened for applications today.

The Farming Innovation Programme will support on-farm projects to boost productivity and environmental sustainability whilst driving the sector toward net zero.

Defra has opened the programme for applications on Wednesday (20 October), making 17.5m available for the first round, the 'Industry-led R&D Partnerships Fund'.

For this round, farmers can bid for funding to develop new technologies and practices, such as artificial intelligence, low-emission machineries and climate-resilient crops.

Early next year, the Farming Futures R&D Fund will be launched for projects aimed at tackling climate change by reducing the environmental impact of farming.

The third of the funds, called Projects to Accelerate Adoption Fund, will launch later in 2022 to support projects to trial the viability of new innovations on-farm.

Announcing the new programme, Defra Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Jo Churchill, said innovation was vital to address the challenges facing the farming sector.

"New ideas, technologies and processes will play a key role in helping farmers, growers and businesses to become more productive," he said.

The Farming Innovation Programme will enable the sector to be more environmentally sustainable and resilient, whilst helping it achieve its net zero ambitions."

Three of the four competitions within the first round - the Industry-led R&D Partnerships Fund - open to applications today (20 October).

The competitions will be open to applications for 5-6 weeks, Defra explained, with the fourth to be rolled out in early 2022.

Information on the competitions - Research Starter Projects, Feasibility Projects, Small R&D Partnership Projects - are available on the Innovation Funding Service.

Defra has made 17.5 million available for the first round in partnership with UK Research & Innovation (UKRI).

UKRI Challenge Director, Katrina Hayter, said: As the UK gets ready to host COP26, it is timely that we can unveil projects in the vital area of agriculture that will help meet our net zero goals.

Working closely with farmers in the innovation process means that pressing challenges are identified."
New technology could reduce the powerful greenhouse gases released by livestock to help agriculture reach carbon emissions targets.

The project, between Durham University, sustainable technologies leader Johnson Matthey, Nottingham University and NFU Energy, will prevent methane from being released into the wider atmosphere.

The 250,000 collaboration will test the feasibility of catalytic equipment to safely decompose methane in barn air, where it is most concentrated.

Methane, released when livestock belch and pass wind, is about 30 times as effective as carbon dioxide in trapping heat over a 100 year timescale.

The methane released by animals such as cows accounts for about 50% of agricultural GHG emissions and represents a barrier for the industry to meet net zero targets.

If successful, the team hopes that the project could pave the way for a new 'farm-ready' technology which could have a significant impact on livestock emissions.

Dr Simon Beaumont, of Durham University, said: Methane from livestock  or moothane accounts for about 50% of greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector, and around one third of this is released indoors.

Whilst moothane is a significant challenge for the farming industry, there is also a real opportunity to solve this challenge and in doing so, help this industry take a big step towards carbon-reduction.

The project brings together experts from academia and industry to take a multidisciplinary approach to tackling the moothane problem.

Johnson Matthey, a leader in sustainable technologies, has existing methane-catalyst technology - COMET technology - for use within underground mining operations.

He hopes to re-configure the technology through the new project to help address the needs of the livestock farming industry.

The concentration of methane emitted in the ventilation air from mines is low, typically less than 1%, which makes performing any useful chemistry challenging.

The concentration of methane in dairy barns is even lower than air from mines, presenting even greater technical challenges.

Durham University will be leading on testing the catalysts within this existing technology, to understand if it can work in cattle barns where the methane in the air is very diluted.

Experts there will also investigate what impact other variables, such as barn design, time of year and other components in barn air, may have.

Researchers from the University of Nottingham will assess the financial viability and overall climate impacts of deploying catalytic technologies to manage livestock methane emissions in the UK.

As a leading energy consultancy with a particular focus on agriculture, NFU Energy will be bring specialist knowledge around industry and market constraints to the project.

The hope is that by combining expertise from industry and academia, this project will help accelerate progress towards a potential solution that can be easily deployed by farmers to help reduce the climate impacts of livestock farming.

Speaking about the project's funding, Defra science and innovation minister, Jo Churchill said: Innovation is a vital way to address the challenges currently facing the agricultural and horticultural sectors.

"New ideas, technologies and processes will play a key role in helping farmers, growers and businesses to become more productive.

"They will also enable the sector to be more environmentally sustainable and resilient, whilst helping it achieve its net zero ambitions.
2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning --

4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS.

We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover.

We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come.
The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike.

We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve.


Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
A new McKinley Heights cafe recently rolled out its first set of fall offerings. Gather, A Neighborhood Cafe, debuted in May, featuring coffee, pastries and casual fare with seasonal specials for breakfast and lunch.

As reported by Feast in April, the concept comes from Megan King-Popp and Monica Croke, who also own neighboring business Urban Fort Play  an indoor play space for families with young children. Last spring, Gather replaced what used to be the cafe portion of the play space in an effort to rebrand and retool its offerings.

According to King-Popp, the building is approximately 4,500 square feet with the cafe taking up about one-third of the space. She refurbished the cafe with a warm and welcoming boho-chic design, including tables by local company Rustic Grain; a large front patio is also available for outdoor seating.

Gathers menu includes sandwiches, pastries, seasonal soups and salads, plus kid-friendly options, Living Room coffee, Blueprint Coffee espresso drinks, beer, wine, canned cocktails and more.

As moms, we find that most family-focused places have food that is very simple and often bland including sub-par coffee and things like that, King-Popp says. One of our main goals was to make sure that parents knew they were our number one focus. We wanted our menu to be interesting and delicious.

Choose from highlights such as a housemade buttermilk biscuit topped with turkey sausage or grilled tomato, American cheese, scrambled egg and mustard aioli. Autumnal specials include curried butternut squash and lentil bisque as well as a chicken-apple melt with grilled chicken, apple, white Cheddar, caramelized onion, arugula and hot honey on a Union Loafers hoagie roll. From the pastry case, choose from treats such as freshly baked chai morning buns, Danish with housemade jam and blackberry-lavender vegan scones.
Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release

SubCategory Select Sub-Category
Mason Cooley once said, Clothes make a statement, costumes tell a story. The cuts and stitches of a costume can take visual representations of characters a notch higher. Costume designing in Indian cinema has always been a larger-than-life affair. None know it better than Neeta Lulla. Shes a brand when it comes to costume designing and has proved her mettle time and again with films like Devdas, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Manikarnika, and her latest film, Thalaivii. Shes a perfectionist and believes in the power of a costume elevating the entire persona of a character on screen. Sharing her three-decade-long journey at the movies, Neeta Lulla reminisces about the time gone by and discusses the way forward for the fashion industry.





Your latest film, Thalaivii is receiving a lot of praise for Kangana Ranauts look. Tell us what kind of work and research went into making Jayalalithas looks come to life for the screen?





I thought it would be an easy ride because we had so much pictorial evidence of Jaya Maa, right from the time she entered films at 16. Despite all of that, I was wrong because for every recreated outfit that we worked on, I had to see the original song at least sixteen to seventeen times to get it right. Every time we would watch the song, there would be a new detail, implementation or accessory thatd crop up and wed had to rework, restructure and restyle the outfit again, whether it was for Kangana Ranaut or Arvind Swamy. When you work on films that do not have structured looks and evidential images, it becomes easy to walk a thin line of making things believable working with the imagery and research you have on you. But with this, to be able to create to the T, every aspect of her life was an amazingly difficult task. Recreating the inner structuring of her inner saree for the last half of the film was not an

easy task. What I feel blessed about is that I could pull this off to the best of my abilities.





Youve worked with Kangana in Manikarnika, how much has she changed as an artiste?



In Manikarnika, I saw Kangana giving her hundred per cent into creating the character and working on the character to the best of her abilities. But during Thalaivii, I saw that go upto two hundred per cent. As an artiste, you can see that she enjoys her work and involves herself completely in the process of bringing her characters to life. Shes evolving and getting better with time.





Youve designed for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in both real and reel life. What kind of designer-artiste dynamics do you share with her?





With Aishwarya, I have shared a real and reel life bond for almost sixteen years. She has been a stickler for perfection and she is someone who carries off her clothes with a great deal of style. I feel like I always know what I have to give her for her to carry off a particular look. That is something that is very important in a designer-muse relationship where you understand the stance, structure, personality of your muse and can dress them aptly.





Which are some of your favourite films from both Hollywood and Bollywood that you think had exceptional costume design?





In Bollywood, a film that has always been an inspiration has been Amrapali. In the recent past, Black and Guzaarish have been my favourites in terms of costumes. In Hollywood, its been Mank and Mulan which I have really enjoyed watching. As a person I am a dreamer, so looking at Disney costumes is a visual treat. However, I must mention Alice In Wonderland, Maleficent and The Glorias for their costumes for the technical work that went into them.



Creating looks for period dramas and non-fictional characters too are a big part of the job now. How does a costume designer adapt to that?





To be in any kind of vocation or field and especially in fashion designing, a person needs to have an in-depth understanding of fashion and therefore an education is a must. Understanding the techniques of fashion, of garment constructions, embroideries, the history of garments in India and around the world gives you access to use fabrics and styles and also create new concepts. Understanding cuts and figure types is very important. As far as period dramas are concerned, it comes with a lot of experience. If you are inclined towards doing costume dramas, and if youre educated in fashion, you understand it better.

What has been the most difficult outfit to design in your career?



With every film, Ive always felt that the previous one was much easier than the one I currently have on hand. For instance, today, looking back at Jodhaa Akbar, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam or Panipat, it feels like an easy ride as compared to Thalaivii with Kangana Ranaut or Shakuntalam with Samanatha Akkineni.





Whats your most cherished memory of working on a film?



The entire process for me is something I cherish. Right from reading the script, creating illustrations, fabrics to sitting with the production team and creating new cuts for the character, working on sourcing things that I require for garments, the recces, the procurement of the little things like embellishments and fabrics for my work, all of this I cherish in each film.

Youve got some iconic outfits in your career, do you feel the pressure of living up to your own legacy as movies evolve?



I am blessed to have worked on outfits that have gone on to become iconic in my career. But no, I do not feel the pressure of living up to my own legacy. Every movie I have worked on, I have looked at it with a new perspective. I keep my mind open to creating something new and keeping it as wondrous as a newcomer has helped me go beyond what I have done in the past. If your work is your passion, it doesnt put pressure on you. It de-stresses you and gives you an absolute high.







How has costume designing evolved since the time you started out?



The aspect of larger-than-life has remained constant over the years. But being able to get an insight into the fashion scenario and inspirations, all that has changed because we have easy access to a lot of the things that are required to design costumes. Be it materials, inspirations, brands, or shoes, everything is at easy reach. When I started, even if we did a photoshoot with an actor for promotions or a magazine, everything had to be designed and made from scratch, even the shoes. The designer was the stylist and had to create concepts for the look and style it. Today we have it easier because things are available to us. That has to be the biggest difference. When I joined there was Xerxes Bhathena who started doing cutting edge styles for films. Prior to him, there were Mani Rabadi ji and Bhanu Athaiya ji who were the stalwarts of the industry. We all looked up to them. Post that, the entire era of friends and family doing costumes came about. Then was the generation of designers who took over and started styling, designing and creating looks for films, promotions, events and shoots. Today we see stylists who handle the promotions and styling for movies. So there is a distinctive demarcation between stylists, fashion designers and costume designers.







What have been the good additions to the industry and what are the things you dislike now?



The good additions to the industry have been that things are easier now. You have access to better materials and styles. One can contact a fashion designer directly if one wants to use their garment for styling in a film or a particular assignment. This is not only India centric, its a global phenomenon. You can speak to anyone around the world and access garments. Another great addition is that being a part of the fashion industry and having digital media, you have access to inspirations from around the world. The world is becoming much smaller. But this has a flip side too. Everything is so easy that we see a lot of self-proclaimed fashion stylists and designers who have come on the scene. Despite not having an education and because of the easy accessibility, you see people who take inspiration from digital media and this has resulted in a kind of stagnancy. When you see designs that are available to you and what brands have to offer, there are times you end up styling different people in similar clothes. This was not the case earlier. Everything was unique to the person it was made for. I do not say that there is no creative sensibility today but to some extent the stagnancy in fashion sets in when you are using the same garment others are using too. Fashion has to be about creating a larger-than-life aspect for the viewer and serving to them something that they cant get right out of their wardrobe.

With sustainability becoming a big dialogue in the industry, how sustainable is costume designing now and whats the way forward?



If you create looks which are coordinated and there is an aspect of reusability that could come in

when styling a character or the entire film. Thats the only way we can bring sustainability in costume designing for a film. As a designer, I incorporate these measures to stay sustainable when working on a film.

With the pandemic, the fashion industry has had to change a lot. Where do you see the world of costume designing heading from here as films get more realistic and less escapist?



Yes, the fashion industry has seen a lot of changes. Many realistic films have been made but with the theatres gradually reopening and OTT channels making it big, we do see films with larger-than-life aspects and period dramas are coming back. I believe these have started to serve as history books to the young generation because they document and research history like a student would read history.

Analita Seth interviews iconic costume designer Neeta Lulla and comes away impressed.
SEOUL, South Korea and WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The toy brand Mecard, which is developed with proprietary and patented technology owned by Korean toy-content company Choirock Contents Company Co., Ltd. (CEO: Jong-il Choi), prevailed on an appeal case filed by Spin Master, Ltd., a Canadian global toy company, in the United States. This victory likely puts an end to a series of global patent disputes between the two companies.

On October 12, 2021, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the final written decisions of the United States Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) that invalidated all of the challenged claims of three "Bakugan" patents owned by Spin Master in inter partes review petitions filed by Choirock. Both the PTAB and Federal Circuit agreed with Choirock that Spin Master's patents are invalid.

In 2018, Spin Master sued US toy company, Mattel, Inc., in the United States, Canada, and Australia, among other jurisdictions, alleging that Mecard toys infringed Spin Master's "Bakugan" patents. Mattel was distributing Mecard toys in those countries through its license obtained from Choirock. Despite the PTAB's rulings that invalidated its "Bakugan" patents, Spin Master continued to obstruct Mecard's entrance into the global market by appealing the PTAB's rulings to the Federal Circuit. Spin Master's prolonged litigation against Choirock has obstructed Choirock's Mecard business for many years, and further caused Choirock to spend an immense cost to defend the Spin Master litigations.

In addition to its victory in the United States, Choirock has won all of its other global patent disputes with Spin Master in China and Europe. An Italian Court (EU) and the Supreme Court of China also ruled that Spin Master's EU patent is unpatentable and that Mecard toys do not infringe Spin Master's Chinese patent, respectively. These rulings effectively put an end to the parties' legal fights in China and the EU. The recent ruling of the Federal Circuit in the U.S. re-confirmed that Spin Master's "Bakugan" patents lack patentability because they are nothing more than a combination of previously developed or known toy technologies.

Having successfully lifted Spin Master's obstruction of Choirock's global toy business, the Mecard brand now likely secures even more dominance in the toy-content market with the addition of its latest product, MecardBall. Inspired by "Marbles Shooting," one of Korea's popular traditional games, MecardBall utilizes a high-tech skill for causing an instant transformation of a toy from a car into a robot when the car embraces a marble. MecardBall is continuing the success of TurningMecard.

Choirock owns intellectual property rights associated with the Mecard brand. Choirock announced that "with our recent victory on the US appeal, we have successfully overcome all of the legal barriers that were raised by Spin Master. Mecard was awarded 'The Best Selling Toy in Korea' (Certified by Korea Record Institute) and has various lines of products. With the addition of MecardBall, which is already drawing attention in the toy industry, the company will accelerate its plan to launch Mecard in the global market and expects to see a positive response from the industry."

Like "Squid Game," a drama series streaming on Netflix that introduced Korea's traditional play culture and games to the world, the company hopes that Mecard brand also contributes to spreading Korea's traditional play culture and games to the world. Mecard brand is similar to "Squid Game" in the sense that Mecard has been applying Korea's play culture and games since its inception.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1663754/Logo.jpg
LONDON, Oct. 20, 2021 PRNewswire/-- The Commonwealth of Dominica is continuously proving itself to be a leading nation regarding its tourism product. Conde Nast reaffirmed this in its Travellers Readers' Choice Awards which included Dominica'sSecret Bay as part of its top 40 list of resorts in the Caribbean.

Renowned internationally for its architecture that seamlessly combines luxury with sustainability, Secret Bay offers holidaymakers a means of buying into the award-winning property and a gateway to Dominica's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. CBI enables vetted investors to purchase a share of the property in exchange for second citizenship.

As much of the world begins to recover from the pandemic, it has become evident that having a second home is a necessity rather than a luxury, especially during times of crisis. Second citizenship can facilitate you and your family with safety, security, and abundant travel and business opportunities.

Asian investors have long shown interest in CBI as a tool to empower their future with the real estate route being of most interest. The return on investment that comes with purchasing government-approved property is an attractive incentive for investors who are looking to secure second citizenship. Secret Bay, one of a handful of government-approved real estate options under the CBI Programme, recently celebrated its 100th ROI payment to its CBI clientele, demonstrating its popularity amongst foreign investors.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said: "Investing in Secret Bay, you can be assured of your investment. You can be assured of a return on your investment. It is a project that cannot be compared to any other in the Caribbean."

Operating for over two decades, Dominica's CBI Programme offers families a trusted Plan B with life-changing benefits. Applicants can either invest in a government fund designed to support national development or purchase a select property. Aside from Secret Bay, investors can choose seven other real estate options from hoteliers like Marriott, Hilton and Kempinski or boutique resorts like Jungle Bay.

The Programme has also been consistently ranked as the world's best offering for second citizenship by experts at the Financial Times' PWM magazine. The researchers have continuously highlighted the Programme's affordability, meticulous due diligence standards and efficiency as reasons for its global appeal.

Those who become citizens of the island gain a second home in a stable economy with a currency pegged to the US dollar, visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to roughly 75% of the globe and access to some of the world's top education and healthcare institutions.

+447867942505, pr@csglobalpartners.com, www.csglobalpartners.com
- The slogan highlights healthy and natural shine of skin, and shining confidence in one's life

- The brand plans to evolve into a differentiated skin solution brand based on lifestyle research.

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- LANEIGE, a functional beauty brand that delivers a new beauty experience, unveiled its new brand slogan, 'FEEL the GLOW, LANEIGE'.

Today, LANEIGE announced the new brand slogan on its official Instagram accounts. The new slogan, 'FEEL the GLOW, LANEIGE', represents LANEIGE's willingness to bring positive energy and radiance to the skin and life with its special solution. The brand explained that the 'Glow' means healthy and natural shine of one's own skin as well as beauty and confidence from inside.

LANEIGE plans to evolve from a brand as a skin hydration specialist into one that offers a differentiated skin solution based on the study of lifestyle. As part of this plan, LANEIGE is looking into the relation between customer lifestyles and their skin condition through its research group, 'LANEIGE Beauty & Life Lab'. The brand is also offering innovative functional products and solutions across five categories: moisturizing & hydration, brightening, anti-aging, sleeping care, and base makeup.

Kim Hyo-jyong, the head of the LANEIGE Marketing Division, said, "LANEIGE has been pinpointing the exact needs of customers in step with the changing times and has provided differentiated solutions. The change of slogan also shows our agility and ambition to make a change without any fear of new challenges."

Having entered the markets of more than 30 countries worldwide, LANEIGE is beloved by global customers for its five functional solution products-Water Bank Line (moisturizing), Radian-C Cream (brightening), Water Sleeping Masks (sleeping care), Perfect Renew Youth Retinol (anti-aging), and Neo Cushions (base make-up). Recently, LANEIGE has introduced its products in over 1,370 Sephora stores in the U.S., Canada, and 19 European countries including France, Italy, Germany and U.K., thus further expanding its presence as a global beauty brand.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1664057/1.jpg
BOLOGNA, Italy, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the China Forum organized in MacFrut, the companies involved in the project The European Art of Taste had the opportunity to present themselves to the Asian market with a webinar that saw the participation of 111 Chinese companies and professionals and buyers in the fruit and vegetable sector.

Federico Milanese, Marketing Manager, presented Jingold, one of the most important kiwifruit companies all over the world. Jingold's strength lies precisely in varietal research and in the continuous improvement of its production processes. The extension and spread of crops in both hemispheres in fact guarantees differentiated production (green, yellow and red) and availability throughout the year.

Born in 2001 as the exclusive licensee of Jintao, Jingold today counts on the production of 800 farmers all over the world, with a total extension that, for the yellow kiwifruit (Jintao and Jryan), is 1500 ha in Europe and 500 ha in the rest of world including South America and China, for a total of 20,000 tons. The production of green kiwifruit (Hayward and Boerica) is of 50,000 tons. The red kiwifruit, winner of the Fruit Logistica Innovation Award 2019 for its tropical taste and a longer shelf life, has a production area of 100 ha.

Jingold has focused on China by increasing the extension up to 800 ha and launching the GoodWave brand. "Increasing production in China," said Federico Milanese, "is one of our main objectives for three reasons: proximity to our consumers, increasing availability in Asia and reducing the climate impact by reducing distances. This is also demonstrated by the launch of GoodWave, the Shanghai-based brand dedicated to the Asian market which has shown continuous growth in terms of sales and appreciation for quality."

Jingold is one of the world's kiwifruit specialist, guaranteeing excellence in terms of taste, quality and food safety through sustainable production processes and innovative strategies that allow the well-being of producers and the good health of consumers.

The European Art of Taste project will continue to promote the masterpieces of nature and art throughout 2021, involving consumers, journalists and professionals in incoming, in-store events and fairs, in partnership with European Union and the companies Apofruit, Origine Group, Jingold, King Fruit and RK Growers.

For further information and details: www.europeanartoftaste.com; www.europeanartoftaste.ch
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 19, 2021) - Pinestar Gold Inc. ("Pinestar" or the "Company") announces that it has filed amended and restated annual financial statements for the financial year ended March 31, 2021, and unaudited interim financial statements for the three months ended June 30, 2021 (collectively, the "Amended Statements") and related amended and restated management's discussion and analysis for each period. The Amended Statements were required to correct material errors and deficiencies identified during a review by the Company's counsel and auditors.

The Amended Statements have been restated to disclose the following:

The number of shares of the Company issued and outstanding as at March 31, 2021 was adjusted to 40,124,502, to reflect the issuance of 20,000,000 shares on January 28, 2021. The effect of the adjustments is as follows:



As originally reported Adjustment



As Restated

Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Deficit as at March 31, 2021

Issuance of units for cash 16,800,000 20,000,000 36,800,000 Balance at March 31, 2021 20,124,502 20,000,000 40,124,502 Total Equity (Deficit) (94,925) 89,850 5,075 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity 80,239 100,000 180,239

The total cash held by the Company as at March 31, 2021 was adjusted from $79,103 to $179,103 to account for the $100,000 proceeds from the January 28, 2021 share issuance. The weighted average number of shares outstanding (basic and diluted) for the year ended March 31, 2021 was adjusted from 3,324,502 to 6,721,762. The proceeds on issuance of units for cash and net cash flows from financing activities for the year ended March 31, 2021 was adjusted from 100,800 to 200,800. Working capital as at March 31, 2021 was adjusted from $36,658 to $136,658. The number of shares of the Company issued and outstanding as at June 30, 2021 was adjusted to 40,124,502, to reflect the issuance of 20,000,000 shares on January 28, 2021. The effect of the adjustments is as follows:



As originally reported Adjustment



As Restated

Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Deficit as at June 30, 2021

Balance at June 30, 2021 20,124,502 20,000,000 40,124,502 Total Equity (Deficit) (137,554) 100,000 37,554 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity 24,937 100,000 124,937

The total cash held by the Company as at June 30, 2021 was adjusted from $16,732 to $116,732 to account for the $100,000 proceeds from the January 28, 2021 share issuance. The weighted average number of shares outstanding (basic and diluted) for the three months ended June 30, 2021 was adjusted from 20,124,502 to 40,124,502. Working capital as at June 30, 2021 was adjusted from $5,971 to $94,029.

In connection with the filing of the Amended Statements, the Company is also filing (i) amended and restated management's discussion and analysis in compliance with the requirements of National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations, and (ii) CEO and CFO certifications in compliance with national Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers' Annual and Interim Filings.

Until the re-filing of the amended documents has occurred, investors should not rely upon the accuracy of the June 30, 2021, first quarter (Q1) interim financial statements and MD&A.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Michael Lerner

Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer & Director

T: 416-710-4906

E: mlerner10@gmail.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward- looking information or statements. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis that is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward- looking statements included in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/100273
ZIYANG, China, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 19-20, 2021, the 2nd Chengdu-Chongqing Double-City Economic Circle Chamber of Commerce Cooperation Summit, organized by the Ziyang Municipal Party Committee, was held in Ziyang.

Ziyang, located in the center of Sichuan, connects the two national-center cites of Chengdu and Chongqing. Situated in the middle of the Chengdu-Chongqing double-city economic circle, it is an important part of the Chengdu and Chengdu metropolitan areas' economic region.

Additionally, Ziyang has a strong human atmosphere with a long history. About 35,000 years ago, the ancient people in and around modern Ziyang began Sichuan's history of human civilization. Currently, more than 100,000 exquisite ancient Anyue stone carvings from this era still exist today. And the Anyue gas field has been proven to have a reserve of 1.1 trillion cubic meters. The Anyue lemon makes up 80% of the domestic lemon industry, in terms of both scale and market. Ziyang, as the hometown of the famous and respected modern politician Chen Yi, is making numerous efforts to build itself up to be a national 5A scenic spot. Moreover, beyond this modern acclaim as Chen Yi's hometown, this city has the honor of being the place of origin of the Shu people, as well as being a city of centenarians, stone carvings, and lemons.

In June of this year, Tianfu International Airport, only 18 kilometers away from the main urban area of Ziyang, was completed and opened its doors. In addition, the construction of a three-dimensional integrated transportation network with "8 highways, 11 railways, and 16 fast tracks" has been accelerated. This network realizes a vision of "providing each county with 3 highways and 2 railways", and has already meant that it takes Ziyang people just 10 minutes to arrive at Tianfu International Airport, 30 minutes to reach the main urban area of Chengdu, and an hour to travel to the main urban area of Chongqing.

It is reported that in recent years, Ziyang has continued to strengthen its economic and trade exchanges with South Korea, Singapore, Germany, and other countries. It has successively signed contracts with and introduced 58 different Top 500 enterprises (Fortune 500 enterprises, top 500 Chinese enterprises, and China's top 500 private enterprises), as well as 98 investment cooperation projects. Those enterprises include 25 "Global 500" enterprises, such as South Korea's Hyundai, Budweiser, Crown Holdings, and Germany's KaVo.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1664055/349c4747be25d69ee71100ee92282bc.jpg
People from all walks of life gathered on Thursday at the foot of Xiandu Mountain in Jinyun County in east China's Zhejiang Province to attend the ceremony worshipping Xuanyuan Huangdi, the Yellow Emperor, who is revered as one of the common ancestors for all Chinese.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211019006258/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

The ceremony was held both online and offline. Chinese from across the globe can attend activities such as presenting flowers and saying prayers through a simultaneously-opened online offering platform.

The sacrificial ceremony to Huangdi in Jinyun County dates back to as early as the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420 AD)

Sacrificial activities to Huangdi resumed in 1998 when Huangdi Temple was rebuilt in the county. In 2011, the ceremony to Xuanyuan Huangdi in Jinyun County was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211019006258/en/

Contacts:

Liu Huanzhen

Email: 448400864@qq.com

Tel: +86137 7745 0310
MELBOURNE (dpa-AFX) - BHP Lonsdale Investments Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of BHP, has increased its all-cash offer for Noront Resources Ltd. (NOT.V) to C$0.75 per share, representing a 36% premium to its previous offer, a 7% premium to Wyloo Metals Pty offer. The Noront Board, considering the superior C$0.75 per share cash purchase price in the amended Offer, has determined that the proposal from Wyloo Metals Pty Ltd., at a price of C$0.70 per share, has ceased to be a 'superior proposal', and recommends the Noront shareholders tender their shares to the BHP offer. In order for Noront shareholders to receive the C$0.75 all-cash offer price for their shares, at least 50% of shares not owned by BHP must be tendered. The BHP offer will be open until on November 9, 2021. Shareholders have 22 days to decide to accept the full and immediate value offered by BHP. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Deenova announced today it continues its record-breaking market momentum started during Covid-19, by winning 2 mechatronic competitive public tenders this Summer for a total of 4 ACCED robotic medication solutions to be operated around the clock at Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Marie Rodez in Occitanie, and Hospital of St Die-des-Vosges near Strasburg.

Loic Bessin, Managing Director of Deenova in France stated: "When I joined Deenova 3 years ago, the company was a small unit dose specialty business only present in 2 of the Top 5 European markets, having had customers only in France and Italy. I am extremely proud that over the last year alone, we have grown to become the dominant force in the GDP Top 5 healthcare European mechatronics markets for unit-dose, by establishing close partnership with key customers."

Christophe Jaffuel, Deenova Chief Commercial Officer, stated: "After Deenova multi-million and multi-year recent entries into the two largest European GDP healthcare markets in Germany and the United Kingdom, it is very reassuring to see the continued market success in one of our established countries such as France. Both in terms of total number of customers and number of mechatronic devices, I am very proud that France continues to pave the way for Deenova's international growth for 2 consecutive years and counting, highlighting Deenova main differentiating characteristics over our competition in France: patient care crafted for compliance, better safety and therapy control, and 24/7 availability, a key component of customer needs".

Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Marie Rodez in Occitanie takes care of people with mental illness in Aveyron (4 out of 5 psychiatric sectors) and has 311 beds and complete hospital places (CHSM Rodez, Clinique de Bourran and Clinique de Villefranche-sur-Rouergue) and 115 partial hospitalization beds.

Hospital of St Die-des-Vosges. A benchmark establishment in a hospital community serving a population of 90,000 inhabitants, the Hospital of St Die-des-Vosges constantly strives to improve the quality of care provided to patients. The hospital is committed to carrying out common orientations and activities between the establishments in order to optimise the care and health coverage of the inhabitants of the territory of the Deodatie, serving the community with 452 beds.

Deenova is the undisputed leading supplier of combined mechatronics (robotic and automation) solutions for closed loop medications and RFID-based medical devices traceability in the healthcare industry, anytime and anywhere. Deenova's unique, patented, and fully integrated solutions have and will greatly contribute to ease healthcare providers' growing pressures to: simultaneously improve patient safety, reduce therapy errors, minimise waste and controlled substance diversion, contain costs, and diminish the gap between rising patient volume/acuity and scarce medical staff. Deenova guarantees the simplification of all processes related to the management of medications and implantable/disposable medical devices with an expected cost savings range between 15% and 25%.

Please visit www.deenova.com for additional information on its market leading solutions.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211019005648/en/

Contacts:

Contacts at Deenova:

Loic Bessin, Christophe Jaffuel, Martina Buccianti

m.buccianti@deenova.com, +39 0523 785311
Financial commitment aims to secure dedicated, low-cost supply of molnupiravir, if the drug is authorized by regulators; builds on long-term efforts to increase access to tests, treatments, vaccines

SEATTLE, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced today a commitment of up to $120 million to accelerate access to the investigational antiviral drug molnupiravir for lower-income countries as part of its COVID-19 response effort. The funding will be allocated based on consultations with partners, and will support the range of activities required to develop and manufacture generic versions of the drug, which is being developed by Merck & Co in collaboration with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics.

This commitment builds on the foundation's ongoing efforts, including $1.9 billion in funding, since the start of the pandemic to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and tests by supporting R&D, regulatory work, at-risk manufacturing, and product delivery.

"To end this pandemic, we need to ensure that everyone, no matter where they live in the world, has access to life-saving health products. The unjust reality, however, is that low-income countries have had to wait for everything from personal protective equipment to vaccines. That is unacceptable," said Melinda French Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation. "Today's commitment will ensure that more people in more countries get access to the promising drug molnupiravir, but it's not the end of the story-we need other donors, including foundations and governments, to act."

Initial data reported by Merck suggest that molnupiravir, a broad-spectrum antiviral, can cut the risk of serious disease and death due to COVID-19 by half. Molnupiravir would be the first oral outpatient drug authorized for use in treating COVID-19 patients with mild and moderate disease-a critical breakthrough to prevent hospitalizations and save lives in combination with increased vaccination coverage and existing treatments for severely and critically ill patients. The decision on whether to authorize the drug for use sits with regulatory agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and national governments.

"Africa CDC and the Africa Union have been tracking the exciting developments on the antiviral, molnupiravir," said John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "In order to make sure that Africa is not left behind, we have been working with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation colleagues on various mechanisms they can facilitate, once all of the regulatory processes are completed and the drug is officially made available to the world."

This commitment leverages the resources of the foundation's Strategic Investment Fund, which uses a suite of financial tools-including loans and volume guarantees-to address market failures and incentivize private enterprises to develop affordable and accessible health products. The foundation's previous work to lower costs and increase access to life-saving drugs includes dolutegravir, an HIV drug. In 2017, the foundation established a volume guarantee with two generic suppliers that has brought therapies containing the drug to more than 18 million people in lower-income countries, in coordination with the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Strive Masiyiwa, African Union special envoy on COVID-19 response, said, "We applaud the foundation for its commitment and look forward to continuing our collaboration to ensure this potentially lifesaving treatment, upon regulatory approval, is accessible to as many Africans as possible. This would be a step forward in balancing the inequities seen to date in availability of innovations during the pandemic."

The foundation has already provided expertise and funding to help strengthen generics manufacturers, including $1.3 million to Medicines for All Institute (M4ALL) and the University of Manchester to develop low-cost manufacturing processes that dramatically reduce the cost of raw materials and increase product yields. Several generics manufacturers are investigating these improvements already as they plan to scale up production following regulatory authorization. The foundation has also provided $2.4 million in grants to expedite generic company readiness to apply for WHO prequalification and start manufacturing when prequalification is granted.

"Merck has taken important steps to make this drug available as a COVID-19 therapy, including negotiating licenses with generics manufacturers to increase supply. We are pleased to work alongside these efforts to ensure affordability and availability in lower-income countries," said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation. "Making life-saving drugs like these available to everyone who needs them is what is necessary to end the acute phase of the pandemic, and open pathways to recovery."

The goal is to significantly reduce the time it takes for a new drug to reach low-income countries after it becomes available in high-income markets. The standard gap in rolling out global health products can be 12 months or more.

"We have a unique set of resources and expertise that we dedicate to ensuring that everyone, everywhere has access to life-saving health interventions," said Mark Suzman, chief executive officer of the Gates Foundation. "This is what the foundation does best. We will work with companies, procurement agencies, and donors to make molnupiravir available to low-income countries. Our funding is part of what's needed to ensure equitable supply. We call on other donors and partners to help mobilize the multiples of additional resources required."

Since the start of the pandemic, the foundation has worked closely with a range of partners on R&D and delivery of COVID-19 tools. These partners include philanthropic and government donors that are part of the COVID-19 Therapeutics Accelerator and global organizations in the therapeutics pillar of the access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) partnership, including Unitaid, UNICEF, WHO, the Global Fund, Wellcome, and the Africa Medical Supplies Platform. The foundation will continue to work with multilateral organizations, nongovernmental organizations, governments, and other partners to ensure that clinical, regulatory, and delivery pathways are ready once molnupiravir and its generic versions become available.

About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people-especially those with the fewest resources-have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates.

Media contact: media@gatesfoundation.org
LONDON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Caribbean island of Dominica is presenting its sustainability practices and welcoming international investments on the global stage of the Dubai 2020 Expo. The six-month-long event showcases 191 countries based on the belief that bringing the world together can bring about new perspectives and deliver solutions to global challenges, a feat mastered by this small but exemplary nation.

According to the Dominican Embassy in the United Arab Emirates, the Dominica pavilion showcases "Dominica's dynamic rich culture and heritage," including tourism attractions, products from small businesses and creole and indigenous dance. The delegation also highlights a new airport currently under construction that will facilitate direct flights from all parts of the world to the island. The nation also plans to produce geothermal energy by 2023.

Ian Douglas, Dominica's Minister of Trade, Commerce, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Business and Export Development, said: "The people of Dominica are a resilient lot, as proven by their ability to recover from devastating cyclones that hit the country from time to time. Expo is the right place to raise awareness about our people, as well as the investment opportunities available, including the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. Through our exposure at Expo 2020, we aim to reach out to new markets, including those in the Middle East and Asia."

Although halfway across the world, many multinational expats living in the Emirates are now also Dominica citizens. To better accommodate its citizens in the region, the island established a new embassy in the capital, Abu Dhabi, in January 2020. The office provides consular services to Dominican nationals, issuing documentation, emergency notices, tourism advice and other services. The Embassy is "a crucial link between what is in effect the Dominican diaspora here in the UAE and the homeland," the Prime Minister said during the office's opening ceremony.

As a result of the success and good reputation of the CBI Programme, investors' trust in both Dominica and its Programme remains unshaken. For five consecutive years, Dominica's Programme has ranked best in the world by the Financial Times' PWM magazine. The country grants successful CBI applicants valuable citizenship benefits like family security, visa-free and visa-on-arrival travel to 75% of the world and growing business opportunities.

Middle Eastern families and single individuals can obtain Dominican citizenship upon investing in the island's economy, but only if they pass all the due diligence checks. Applicants choose from either making a minimum US$100,000 contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund or an investment worth at least US$200,000 in pre-approved real estate, comprising a selection of luxury hotels.

pr@csglobalpartners.com, www.csglobalpartners.com
OSLO, Norway (19 October 2021) - TGS, a global provider of energy data and intelligence, in a consortium with CGG and BGP, today announced the signature of a multi-client agreement with Staatsolie, the state-owned company leading the development of the energy industry in the Republic of Suriname. The agreement allows the consortium to acquire, promote and license multi-client seismic programs, including new 3D acquisition and legacy data reprocessing, in the shallow water acreage offshore Suriname.

Suriname's shallow offshore acreage includes three blocks recently awarded, and current open acreage is slated to be offered in a competitive bid round for 2023. The new seismic data from the consortium's multi-client programs will be instrumental in accurately delineating the prospectivity and potential of this underexplored area and is on trend with the recent material discoveries announced on the prolific block 58.

Plans are in place to start acquiring the new 3D seismic data in the shallow offshore area from Q4 2021 with first products being made available during H1 2022.

Kristian Johansen, CEO at TGS, commented: "We are pleased to announce entry to Suriname to continue successful evaluation of the region's potential. With this exciting multi-client agreement, the consortium will play a key part in encouraging and enhancing future exploration in Suriname, ultimately helping our customers de-risk their investment opportunities."

Sophie Zurquiyah, CEO, CGG, said: "CGG brings its multi-client expertise and high-end imaging technology to this major new program that marks our return to the Guyana-Suriname basin after our successful campaign in the Stabroek block. The resulting exceptional data will bring new insight and potentially extend the trend of recent significant discoveries to the shallow waters of Suriname."

Luo Junchao, President of BGP Offshore, commented, "We are excited to be part of this innovative and pioneering consortium with TGS and CGG providing the industry with a world-class "drill ready" dataset. BGP Offshore will deploy its state-of-the-art 3D vessel BGP Prospector on phase 1 of this project."

About TGS

TGS provides scientific data and intelligence to companies active in the energy sector. In addition to a global, extensive and diverse energy data library, TGS offers specialized services such as advanced processing and analytics alongside cloud-based data applications and solutions.

Forward Looking Statement

All statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, and are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove accurate. These factors include TGS' reliance on a cyclical industry and principal customers, TGS' ability to continue to expand markets for licensing of data, and TGS' ability to acquire and process data product at costs commensurate with profitability, as well as volatile market conditions, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the severe drop in oil prices. Actual results may differ materially from those expected or projected in the forward-looking statements. TGS undertakes no responsibility or obligation to update or alter forward-looking statements for any reason.

For more information, visit TGS.com or contact:
Ghent, BELGIUM, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Press release -inside information

Biotalys Awarded Multi-Year Grant to Develop New Biological Solutions for Cowpea and Other Legumes

Company to receive $5.98million in total from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to leverage its AGROBODY technology platform

Ghent, BELGIUM,and Research Triangle Park (NC), UNITED STATES- 20October2021, 07:00 CEST -Biotalys, an Agricultural Technology (AgTech) company focused on addressing food protection challenges with protein-based biocontrol solutions, today announced it has been awarded a multi-year grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to discover novel antifungal biocontrols for deployment to smallholder farmers. The project, identified as "Agrobodies for Crop Protection", focuses on leveraging Biotalys' AGROBODY Foundry technology platform to discover novel protein-based biofungicides with the ability to control Cercosporacanescens, the causative agent of leaf spot disease, an important devastating disease of cowpea and other legumes.

Cowpeas - often referred to as "black-eyed peas" 1 after one of its subspecies - are a subsistence crop, often intercropped with sorghum, maize and pearl millet, providing millions of mainly African farmers, many of whom are women, an affordable source of proteins. According to estimates, cowpeas are cultivated on 14.5 million hectares of land, have a worldwide production of 6.2 million tonnes and are consumed by over 200 million people on a daily basis.2 While the broad range of cowpea varieties has enabled to access more resistant varieties in certain growing regions, the impact of the leaf spot disease (Cercosporacanescens) can still decimate up to 40% of the production for smallholder growers.

During the course of the four-year project, Biotalys will receive a $5.98 million (5.14 million) grant in non-refundable instalments to achieve, by the end of 2025, proof-of-concept of effective on planta protection of the cowpea crop from leaf spot by an AGROBODY bioactive with potential cross-efficacy against other Cercospora diseases (such as C. beticola) for broader application across different crops.

Patrice Selles, CEO of Biotalys, stated: "We are delighted to receive this support from the Gates Foundation to apply our knowledge and technology to develop new biological solutions for the protection of cowpeas and other legumes, important subsistence crops for millions of smallholder farmers worldwide. Providing these growers with innovative and affordable tools to protect the yield and quality of their crops without compromising the health of their soils and the safety of their families creates an economical and societal benefit that cannot be achieved with existing chemical pesticides."

"This is an incredible opportunity for the Biotalys team to leverage the antifungal know-how that we have built with our AGROBODY Foundry platform while developing our current product pipeline," saidInge Van Daele, Regulatory Head at Biotalys. "The scope of this new project goes beyond innovation and technology development. This work is about sustainability and making a difference to the lives and health of millions of smallholder farmers and we are proud to have been selected by the Gates Foundation to make an impactful contribution."

The project is aligned with Biotalys' strategy to become an agricultural technology leader by developing unique proprietary protein-based food protection solutions and addresses various Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations, such as Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Life on Land (SDG 15).

About Biotalys

Biotalys is an Agricultural Technology.

For further information, please contact:

Toon Musschoot, Head of Investor Relations & Communications

T: +32

ImportantNotice

This announcement contains statements which are "forward-looking statements" or could be considered as such. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words 'aim', 'believe', 'estimate', 'anticipate', 'expect', 'intend', 'may', 'will', 'plan', 'continue', 'ongoing', 'possible', 'predict', 'plans', 'target', 'seek', 'would' or 'should', and contain statements made by the company regarding the intended results of its strategy. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and readers are warned that none of these forward-looking statements offers any guarantee of future performance. The Biotalys actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements. Biotalys makes no undertaking whatsoever to publish updates or adjustments to these forward-looking statements, unless required to do so by law.

1https://www.britannica.com/plant/cowpea

2 Kebede & Bekeko,).

Attachment
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - October 20, 2021) - Since the online launch on 15th October 2020, the distributed storage space reached a state-of-the-art level, resolving issues from data storage and data loss to different uncertainties ahead. Currently, Filecoin is one of the largest distributed storage networks worldwide.





Figure 1

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8247/100290_9fbf9797e4f298b4_001full.jpg

The Filecoin Foundation is dedicated to developing and supporting the ecosystem setup to ensure the goals of storage service providers, developers, and end-users are aligned. The Filecoin network comprises a total storage service of more than 12EIB with 3,404 active nodes including Cloud Rush's.





Figure 2

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2 please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8247/100290_9fbf9797e4f298b4_002full.jpg

With the establishment of the headquarters in Los Angeles in 2021, Cloud Rush is one of the emerging digital technology companies that was funded by CR Capital VCC, Singapore. Cloud Rush also has offices located in Asia like Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Malaysia to date.

Cloud Rush uses artificial intelligence (also commonly known as AI) to create a super-arithmetic aggregate one-stop service mining platform to realize the constant rapid changes in blockchain technology. The underlying construction of blockchain technology, projects, and mining pool incubations also aids in the strong economic growth of the industry.





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8247/100290_9fbf9797e4f298b4_003full.jpg

The setup of the IPFS distributed mining and server storage allows 24/7 support for hosting, maintenance, and operations of the mining machines. In addition, digital asset trading and consultancy services can be accessed using the Cloud Rush mobile application.

Cloud Rush identifies IPFS & Filecoin as the key factors between underlying cyberspace communications and cyberspace 3.0. With this, it has partnered with Cyxtera, the second-largest data centre in the United States, to create a premium Filecoin storage service.

Today, Filecoin has accomplishments in areas like data storage, file transmissions, online videos, social media, as well as in decentralized trading. The whole cyberspace has undergone unprecedented innovation; with the continuous improvement and renewal of technology iterations, this industry as well as the number of people, making an appearance to be more value-added over the long term. In terms of data growth, Filecoin has created a self-perpetuating economic system. Despite Filecoin being newer in the market compared to both BTC and ETH, it presents a significant value in itself.

With long-term stability and ecological development as the ultimate achievement, Cloud Rush will continue to strive in the contribution of the future era by becoming the largest storage service provider in North America.

David Koh

marketing@cloudrush.io

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/100290
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - October 20, 2021) - The AP UNIQUE Moments Collection, a series of historic news photos has captured the attention and enthusiasm of NFT collectors around the world.

The NFT works minted October 19, 2021 by AP and MetaList are offered to collectors in both auction and valuable mystery boxes. The images chosen for this unique, global collection feature beautiful and historic moments delivered on the famous AP newswire over the past 100 years.





Figure 1

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7987/100293_35b134cfb4dceb5f_001full.jpg

After the sale started, the mystery boxes were sold out in a short period of time.And the auction works are still under continuous bidding.

NFTs with Both Historical and Aesthetic Value

"We've always thought of photojournalism as an art form,"said Sharona Lee, co-founder of Metalist.,"A good NFT has multifaceted collectible value, while its artistic and aesthetic value are the most intuitive and core. If there is a better story or more important commemorative meaning behind the aesthetic expression, the collection will be even more important to history."

One example of the important pieces in this collection is a rare photo NFT of Soviet cosmonaut Major Yuri Gagarin, the first person in space, whose bravery and curiosity led humanity into space and the enormously important discoveries in the decades that followed.





Figure 2

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7987/100293_35b134cfb4dceb5f_002full.jpg

The incredible photograph of Edward White II, who conducted the first American spacewalk, is also featured in the auction. For most of humanity, this was the first time seeing planet earth from space, an awesome experience forever captured for history.





Figure 3

To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7987/100293_35b134cfb4dceb5f_003full.jpg

Arizona's super blue blood moon, photographed in 2018, is eerie, quiet and rich with incredible colors. The photo of the super blue moon total lunar eclipse, which occurs once in 150 years, is both an important news photo NFT but also one of the most beautiful ever minted.





Figure 4

To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7987/100293_35b134cfb4dceb5f_004full.jpg

Dwayne Desaulniers, Director of Blockchain for The Associated Press, said, "This AP NFT series is a tribute to world history and to some of the most important achievements of humanity. For 175 years, AP has been reporting facts to the world and this Unique Moments collection tells some of the biggest stories and achievements. These are stories every person on the planet needs to see and be aware of."

More Works for Auction: Famous Faces and Historical Events of Global Impact

In addition to great and unique moments in our history, this NFT collection from AP also features some of the greatest news makers in history. The series explores the events and individuals who changed world history. Among the rare photos are historic figures such as Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and many more individuals who helped shape the society we have today.

Popular NFT Mystery Boxes

Apart from the valuable NFT works on auction, Metalist has also introduced AP NFT mystery boxes, which sold out shortly after dropping. The mystery boxes have three themes: human conflict, scientific exploration and equal rights for all. Many of the successful collectors have opened and posted the historic content of their mystery boxes. In the series dedicated to human conflict, included are important moments in history such as the Nuremberg trials that delivered justice to the Nazis, the assassination of President Kennedy that shocked the world and a remarkable photo of the revolutionary Che Guevara in 1964.

Sharona Lee, co-founder of MetaList added, "There are still some rare NFT mystery boxes that have yet to be opened, such as the pictures of US President Joe Biden signing important equal rights declarations, some of the more recent advances in space exploration and historic images of Nelson Mandela, among others."

About MetaList Lab:

Metalist Lab is based in Australia, and is a world-leading publisher of NFTs. It brings countless outstanding NFT designers together with the top names in encryption technology, and has worked with game companies such as NetEase, news and communications agencies such as the Associated Press, as well as many high-level artists and their IPs. Recently it's been distributing NFTs for NetEase's globally-popular game Naraka: Bladepoint, as well as the The AP Unique Moments NFT series.

Media Contact

Company Name: Metalist Lab

Contact: Sharona Lee

E-Mail: Rona@metalist.io

Telephone:+61-0401029450

Official websoite:https://metalist.io

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/100293
LONDON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

Dear Fellow Shareholders,

Metage Capital seeks support from shareholders of Third Point Investors Ltd

Metage Capital acts as investment manager to Metage Funds Limited, one of the four shareholders in TPIL who jointly requisitioned the Company in both July and August, seeking to allow its shareholders an opportunity to vote on its future. Whilst we await a response from the Board to the 30th September letter from the lead requisitionist AVI, we wanted to put some thoughts to our fellow shareholders. If you share our views on the importance of good corporate governance, we urge you to reach out to the Board in support of being allowed to vote on these requisitions.

The Board rejected the July requisition on the grounds that it was ineffective because it infringed on their powers. As we understand it, the August requisition was deemed ineffective because it failed to bind the Board to any particular course of action. One cannot help but wonder what type of requisition the Board would need to see before they felt obliged to put it to the vote. It is also worth noting that in respect of both requisitions the Board was perfectly entitled to put the resolutions to shareholders, but in each case simply chose not to.

This blatant disregard for the rights of shareholders stands in stark contrast to the views frequently expressed by Dan Loeb when an investor himself. Mr Loeb is quite happy turning up on a company's register as a new investor and promptly starting to tell them how to run their affairs. The Boards of The Walt Disney Co, Prudential PLC, Sony Group, Nestle and Intel Corp have all benefitted from his unsolicited advice in recent years. The fact that he holds himself out to be a specialist in dealing with companies whose stock trades at a discount to fair value is an irony that cannot be lost on many of them. Unfortunately, he is rather less willing to listen to this advice himself. Those lucky enough to have been present at the Company's Q4 Investor Update webinar on the 2nd February this year will have seen Dan when the mask slipped. In response to a question about his own discount he lambasted "short-term profiteers" looking to "game the system for quick bucks", even boasting at one stage that TPIL's "dual share classes and voting protection" made it immune to attack. Disappointingly, investors who only heard the call through the officially released recording will have missed this, as the tape seems to have run out just before this extraordinary rant.

To be absolutely clear, we are not opposed in any way to the manager's style of activist investing; in fact we are very supportive of it. So why should the board of Sony (to pick one example) follow the advice of a small shareholder such as TPIL? Because sometimes the right course of action is so self-evident that only by being too close to the problem can one fail to see it. Because whilst Third Point may not know as much as Sony does about the manufacture of electronic products, they do know how to work a balance sheet effectively.

Perhaps the most powerful argument why the Company should put in place a mechanism such as that suggested by the two requisitions, has been made by the Board itself. In their 13th July response to the first requisition, they state that the proposed actions were rejected by the Board for various reasons, including principally that they would "meaningfully reduce the trading float and overall size of the Companyand threaten its long-term viability". To paraphrase: "We shouldn't do this, because it's what too many of our investors want"! This manager and Board appear to have forgotten that they work for us, the investors.

In conclusion, we would like to say the following. To the members of the Board, you are not the puppets of the manager; it is unlikely that the right course of action for shareholders is going to make the manager happy. And to Mr Loeb, toughen up and take some of your own medicine, it's not actually that bad. Who knows? You may even feel better, knowing that you have done the right thing for your investors.

Richard Webb,

CEO

Metage Capital Limited

70 Colombo Street

South Bank

London, SE1 8DP

E-mail: Info@Metage.com

Tel: +44 (0)20 3813 8590
New survey finds that one-third of UK dialysis patients still not offered the choice of home haemodialysis despite NICE guidelines for COVID

ALCESTER, England and BEVERLY, Massachusetts, 20 October 2021: Quanta Dialysis Technologies Ltd ("Quanta" of the "Company"), a medical technology company committed to making kidney care more accessible with its SC+ haemodialysis system, announced today the results of the UK Dialysis Patient Experience Survey, showing the wide variance in care experienced by UK dialysis patients, as well as challenges faced in assessing self-care and home haemodialysis (HHD). The survey revealed:

1 in 3 (34%) respondents who receive their dialysis care in-centre stated that they had not been offered the choice of HHD by their renal unit.





HHD delivers notable physical and mental health benefits, with 74% of HHD patients reporting positive changes to their physical wellbeing and 94% reporting improvements to their mental health since starting to dialyse at home. 97% of patients would recommend HHD to in-centre dialysis patients.





A wide range of perceptions around safety when dialysing in-centre during the COVID-19 pandemic, with two thirds (66%) of in-centre patients concerned about receiving dialysis during the pandemic. 47% of in-centre patients said they were unable to maintain social distancing and 27% of in-centre patients reported concerns about travelling to receive treatment.

Many patients who are currently dialysing in-centre are not able to make informed, evidence-based decisions about the future of their care despite the Rapid Guidelines (https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng191) produced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) at the start of the pandemic advising that healthcare professionals should 'thinkaboutwhetheritispossibletoincreasehomedialysisprovision'. Despite this, of patients that were successfully dialysing at home, nearly a quarter (23%) had to ask their centre to discuss HHD as an option.





Physical and mental benefits of home haemodialysis

The survey revealed that 74% of HHD patients experienced positive changes to their physical wellbeing. HHD gives patients choice and flexibility around their personal dialysis schedule, enabling them to prioritise their lives and not their treatment.

Dialysing more frequently at home means that patients do not have to restrict food and drink intake so much, which is required with standard thrice-weekly dialysis.

These daily restrictions also have a major negative impact on mental health1. 94% of HHD patients told the survey that their mental health had improved since starting dialysis at home. Wider clinical evidence shows that patient safety can be significantly improved, with HHD patients having up to 13% lower risk of death2 compared with in-centre dialysis patients, as HHD enables the option of longer and more frequent sessions3 carried out flexibly to fit around patients' lives.

The survey found that 29% of in-centre patients were concerned about safety when travelling to and from the dialysis centre during the pandemic, adding to their mental health burden, with 66% concerned about the pandemic whilst receiving treatment in-centre. The average patient spends a total of 52 days (14%) each year travelling to the dialysis centre, waiting for appointments and dialysing4. Despite the COVID-19 rapid guidelines on dialysis service delivery advising that kidney units should think about whether it is possible to increase home dialysis provision for patients5, only 7% of patients surveyed had started dialysing at home in the last 12 months.

Future of haemodialysis care

Of the respondents who were not offered HHD, 32% were interested in getting more information on suitability. Responses also showed that when patients were offered the choice in their dialysis care, it was typically at the start of their dialysis journey and not always properly explained - meaning that making informed, evidence-based decisions was more difficult.

Despite the ambition of the NHS Long Term Plan6 to promote self-management across a whole range of care settings, 60% of respondents who receive their dialysis in-centre had never been offered the choice to self-care in centre, and 43% would like to be offered the choice to consider self-care.

Reflecting on the findings, John E. Milad, Chief Executive Officer of Quanta said:

"EverypatientintheUKshouldhavetherighttomakeaninformed,evidence-basedchoiceabouthowandwheretheydialyse.Oursurveyresultsrevealthat,atpresent,there is unequal opportunity for patients to make these choices, which can havedevastatingconsequences.Empoweringpatientstoconducttheirdialysissessionsathome, at a time that suits, allows them to fit dialysis around their lives. This providesfargreateropportunityforeducationandwork,whichcanmeanthedifferencebetween full-time employment versus relying on long-term benefits. Transitioning tohomehaemodialysisalsocarrieslargeeconomicandsocialbenefitsforworking-agepatients,andcanhelpreducetheburden on familymembershavingtoprovideadditional care andsupport.

1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2813124/

2 https://jasn.asnjournals.org/content/23/5/895

3 https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2015/01/a06-serv-spec-haemodialysis-renl-fail r-home.pdf

4 https://www.kidney.org.uk/home-dialysis-the-advantages

5 https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng160/resources/covid19-rapid-guideline-dialysis-service-delivery-pdf-66141894031045

6 https://www.longtermplan.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/nhs-long-term-plan-version-1.2.pdf

WhilstnoonecouldhavepredictedthedevastatingimpactthatCOVID-19wouldhave on dialysis patients, this survey data has reinforced how crucial it is to bringaboutchangestoensurethatthelessonslearntfromthepandemiccansupportthegreatestpossibleimprovementsinhealthandwellbeingforeverydialysispatientintheUK."

-Ends-

For more information about Quanta, please contact:

Consilium Strategic Communications

Amber Fennell / Matthew Neal / Lindsey Neville

E: quanta@consilium-comms.com

T: + 44 (0)203 709 5708

About Quanta Dialysis Technologies

Quanta Dialysis Technologies is reinventing kidney care to be more accessible to every patient in every setting with its SC+ haemodialysis system. With performance comparable to larger, traditional machines, SC+ is a modular and powerful solution that provides the clinical versatility needed to deliver dialysis care across multiple settings. As a portable system with an intuitive simple user interface, SC+ is designed to be operated by a broad range of users to bring dialysis directly to patients.

SC+ is commercially available in the United Kingdom for home and hospital use and in the United States is FDA-cleared (K210661) for use in chronic and acute care settings.

For more information, please visit: www.quantadt.com .

Survey Methodology

This survey was undertaken by 81 UK dialysis patients in March 2021 on Microsoft Forms by Quanta Dialysis Technologies. The survey was completed online. A copy of the dataset can be provided on request.
Oslo, 20 October 2021:Yara delivers improved returns reflectinghigher prices in third quarter.Net income was a negative USD 143 million, compared with a positive USD 340 million a year earlier. The negative net income includesa USD 355 million impairment ofSalitre assetsin line with Yara'sregulatory release dated1 August 2021,and a currency translation loss of USD 148 million. Excluding currency effects and special items, the basic earnings per share was USD 1.33 compared with USD 0.88 per share in third quarter 2020.

The main elements of the third-quarter results are:

Improved returns reflecting higher prices

8.3% ROIC 1 , up from 7.9% a year earlier

, up from 7.9% a year earlier 40% ammonia curtailment in Europe due to natural gas price spike





"Yara delivers solid third quarter results, with EBITDA2 excluding special items up 37%, mainly thanks to improved margins. However, the gas price spike in Europe has led to Yara curtailing around 40% of its European ammonia production," said Svein Tore Holsether, President and Chief Executive Officer of Yara.

"European nitrogen production is essential to global food security, and we are therefore concerned about the impact current European natural gas prices will have, especially for the world's poorest regions. However, Yara will do its utmost to supply farmers and support global food production. The current situation clearly demonstrates the need for more resilient food supply chains, and I call on authorities, international organizations and food value chain players to work together to secure global food supply," said Holsether.

Third-quarter operating income was USD 121 million, compared with USD 384 million a year earlier. Earnings per share excluding currency effects and special items was USD 1.33, compared with USD 0.88 per share in third quarter 2020.



Yara's leading food solutions and ammonia positions are well placed to both address and create business opportunities from global challenges, as the twin demands of increased resource efficiency and lower environmental footprint require significant transformations within both agriculture and the hydrogen economy.

Link to report, presentation and webcast 20 October at 12:00 CEST:

https://www.yara.com/investor-relations/latest-quarterly-report/



1) Return on invested capital, for definition and reconciliation of ROIC see APM section in 3Q report page 30

2) For definition and reconciliation of EBITDA excl. special items, see APM section in 3Q report page 29



Note on Alternative performance measures: Alternative performance measures are defined, explained and reconciled to the Financial statements in the APM section of the Quarterly report on pages 29-34.





Contact



Silje Nygaard, Acting Head ofInvestor Relations

Mobile:



Josiane Kremer, Director External Communications

Mobile:





About Yara



Yara grows knowledge to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet. Supporting our vision of a world without hunger and a planet respected, we pursue a strategy of sustainable value growth, promoting climate-friendly crop nutrition and zero-emission energy solutions. Yara's ambition is focused on growing a climate positive food future that creates value for our customers, shareholders and society at large and delivers a more sustainable food value chain.

To achieve our ambition, we have taken the lead in developing digital farming tools for precision farming, and work closely with partners throughout the food value chain to improve the efficiency and sustainability of food production. Through our focus on clean ammonia production, we aim to enable the hydrogen economy, driving a green transition of shipping, fertilizer production and other energy intensive industries.

Founded in 1905 to solve the emerging famine in Europe, Yara has established a unique position as the industry's only global crop nutrition company. We operate an integrated business model with around 17,000 employees and operations in over 60 countries, with a proven track record of strong returns. In 2020, Yara reported revenues of USD 11.6 billion.



www.yara.com



This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

Attachments
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 20, 2021) - Graph Blockchain Inc. (CSE: GBLC) (OTC Pink: REGRF) (FSE: RT5A) ("Graph") or (the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the cryptocurrency Cardano and the Company's position through its wholly owned subsidiary Babbage Mining Corp. in Cardano's native token ("ADA").

The Company exited from its position in ADA and is pleased to announce that it generated capital gains and yield of $703.7K or 88% in a 7 month period beginning on March 29, 2021. The subsidiary had purchased a total of CDN $800k in digital assets.

Paul Haber, CEO of Graph Blockchain Inc. commented, "The company is extremely gratified with the growth we have made so far with the appreciation of our growing crypto portfolio. In the weeks and months ahead, we will continue to watch the basket of crypto assets in the portfolio as we further monetize our cash position and continuously innovate in the decentralized finance market."

With the ongoing maturity of crypto finance, the Babbage Mining team offers high performance and ample decentralized finance knowledge and has an incredible perspective on the cryptocurrency market focused on growing the value of the portfolio.

By mining altcoins through Proof of Stake, Babbage can provide to its investor's exposure to the vast emerging market of cryptocurrencies with the significant technological disruption and potential gains that altcoins represent.

About Graph Blockchain Inc.

Graph Blockchain provides shareholders with exposure to various areas of Decentralized Finance (DeFI). Focusing on altcoins through its wholly owned subsidiaries Babbage Mining Corp., a Proof of Stake ("POS") miner, and Beyond the Moon Inc. an IDO focused company, Graph gives investors exposure to the vast emerging market of cryptocurrencies with the significant technological disruption and potential gains altcoins represent. In addition, through its investment in New World, Graph is providing its shareholders with exposure to rapidly growing and emerging NFT market.

Additional information on the Company is available at www.graphblockchain.com , www.newworldinc.io and www.babbagemining.com

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations

Jamie Hyland

Phone: 604.442.2425

Email: jamie@graphblockchain.com

Media Relations

Joshua Greenwald / Kristin Cwalinski

Phone: 646.379.7971 / 603.475.3550

Email: gblc@kcsa.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking statements.

Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the continued growth of the art-focused NFT market. Forward-looking information in this news release are based on certain assumptions and expected future events. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the potential inability of the Company to continue as a going concern; the potential inability of New World to continue as a going concern; the risks associated with the blockchain and NFT industry in general; increased competition in the art-focused NFT market; the potential future unviability of the NFT market in general, and the art-focused NFT market in specific. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions, or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

###

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/100212
Capri Holdings Limited (NYSE:CPRI), a global fashion luxury group, today announced that Jonathan Akeroyd will be stepping down as Chief Executive Officer of Versace to pursue another opportunity that will enable him to return to the United Kingdom and be closer to his family. Mr. Akeroyd will remain with Versace through March 31, 2022, and will work with John D. Idol, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Capri Holdings, to provide full support to the executive leadership team and ensure an orderly transition. Capri Holdings will immediately begin a search for a new Chief Executive Officer of Versace.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211019006250/en/

Versace (Photo: Business Wire)

John D. Idol, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Capri Holdings commented, "I would like to thank Jonathan for his leadership and tremendous contribution to Versace. We wish him the best in his new role. He leaves Versace at a time when there is strong momentum for the brand and we are executing on our clearly defined strategic initiatives. Versace has an exceptional management team in place, led by the innovative design vision of Donatella Versace, and we remain confident in the luxury house's long-term growth potential."

Jonathan Akeroyd, Chief Executive Officer of Versace commented, "I am honored to have led Versace and to have worked with the hugely talented management team to grow and strengthen the brand. I would like to thank all of the Versace employees, Donatella and John for their partnership. I am fully committed to ensuring a smooth transition, and am confident that Versace remains well-positioned to achieve continued success."

About Capri Holdings Limited

Capri Holdings Limited is a global fashion luxury group, consisting of iconic brands that are industry leaders in design, style and craftsmanship. Its brands cover the full spectrum of fashion luxury categories including women's and men's accessories, footwear and ready-to-wear as well as wearable technology, watches, jewelry, eyewear and a full line of fragrance products. The Company's goal is to continue to extend the global reach of its brands while ensuring that they maintain their independence and exclusive DNA. Capri Holdings Limited is publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker CPRI.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains statements which are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the management of Capri Holdings Limited (the "Company") about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release may be forward-looking statements. Without limitation, any statements preceded or followed by or that include the words "plans", "believes", "expects", "intends", "will", "should", "could", "would", "may", "anticipates", "might" or similar words or phrases, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future financial performance. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect expected results and are based on certain key assumptions, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors are set forth in the reports that the Company files from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 27, 2021 (File No. 001-35368). Any forward-looking statement in this press release speaks only as of the date made and the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking or other statements contained herein other than in accordance with legal and regulatory obligations.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211019006250/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations:

Jennifer Davis

+1 (201) 514-8234

Jennifer.Davis@CapriHoldings.com

Media:

Dinesh Kandiah

+1 (917) 934-2427

Press@CapriHoldings.com
LONDON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- illycaffe presents the new illy Art Collection and, for the first time, matching decorated cans signed by Mona Hatoum. With an artistic background spanning four decades, visual artist Mona Hatoum is internationally recognised for her poetic and political oeuvre, which is realised in a diverse and often unconventional range of media, including installation, sculpture, video, photography and works on paper. Hatoum first became widely known in the mid-1980s for a series of performances and video works that focus intensely on the body. Since the early 1990s her work has shifted towards large-scale installations and sculptures that aim to engage the viewer in conflicting emotions of desire and revulsion, fear and fascination. Since then, she continues to develop a language in which familiar, domestic everyday objects are often transformed into foreign, surreal or threatening things.

The distinctive pattern of the keffiyeh, the traditional Arab headscarf, which has become associated with the Palestinian cause, has been a recurring motif in Hatoum's oeuvre. From embroidering its pattern on fabric using long strands of human hair, to morphing its grid pattern into a chain link fence in several of her diverse works on paper, the keffiyeh appears in various examples of her work. For the illy Art Collection and the iconic aluminum decorated cans, Hatoum has used an abstraction of the fishnet grid and olive leaf pattern of the Arab scarf long associated with histories of labour and human interconnectedness, giving it a new twist that allows it to assume a new life as a 100% Arabica coffee cup.

"illy coffee being a 100% Arabica blend, made me wonder what could be considered a 100% Arab object or symbol. The Keffiyeh came to mind as I have often referred to it in my work, either directly or indirectly. The fishnet pattern with knots is often seen as the joining of hands and therefore symbolizes the connection between people and the olive leaf pattern along the border, could be seen to stand for peace. So, this is not just a beautiful abstract pattern, it also has interesting symbolic meaning. And, of course, the Keffiyeh has become a potent symbol of the Palestinian cause." - says Mona Hatoum.

"Mona Hatoum is a sophisticated and thoughtful artist who has successfully dared to create a very authentic interpretation of the illy Art Collection project - explains Massimiliano Pogliani, CEO of illycaffe - Through her characteristic geometric style, Hatoum has represented the social function of coffee, an elixir that has transformed the coffee break into a ritual able to connect the world".

The illy Art Collection signed by Mona Hatoum will be unveiled at Frieze London, Fiac Paris, Artissima Tourin and on the illy website in the illy.com/monahatoum section.

The limited editions collections of decorated cans will be available from November 2021 while cups will be available from December 2021 in different formats:

6 espresso cups (red, black and silver decorations) from 115

6 cappuccino cups (red, black and silver decorations) from 141

2 espresso cups (red and black decorations) from 43

2 cappuccino cups (red and black decorations) from 52

The illy Art Collection and the limited edition 250g can of the iconic 100% ground Arabica illy blend, available in both Classic and Intense roasts, will be available via the illy e-shop, stores (illy Caffe and illy Shop), large-scale retail channels, and indirect e-commerce channels.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1664754/ILLY_ART_COLLECTION_BY_MONA_HATOUM.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1499472/illy_Logo.jpg


ZURICH (dpa-AFX) - Swiss lender Credit Suisse (CS) announced settlements with US, UK and Swiss regulators for legacy issues with regards to Mozambique.



The total monetary aspect of the United States Department of Justice or DOJ and Securities and Exchange Commission or SEC settlements, taking into account various credits for overlapping penalties, is approximately $275 million.



In the resolution with the UK Financial Conduct Authority or FCA, Credit Suisse agreed to pay a penalty of approximately $200 million, and the bank has also agreed with the FCA to forgive $200 million of debt owed by Mozambique.



As a result, the company expects to take $230 million in charges in the third quarter 2021.



The company said the settlements resolved inquiries into the bank's arrangement of loan financing for Mozambique state enterprises and related securities transactions that took place between 2013 and 2016.



Credit Suisse also noted the announcement by FINMA that it has concluded its enforcement proceedings related to past observation activities. The bank condemns any unjustified observations and has already taken decisive steps to strengthen its relevant governance and processes.



In terms of loan financing for Mozambique, Credit Suisse Group has entered into a three-year Deferred Prosecution Agreement or DPA with the DOJ and consented to the entering of a Cease and Desist Order by the SEC. Under the terms of the DPA, Credit Suisse will continue its compliance enhancement and remediation efforts, report to the DOJ on those efforts for three years, and undertake additional measures, as outlined by the resolutions.



In the resolution with the FCA, Credit Suisse agreed that in respect of these transactions with Mozambique between 2013 and 2016, its UK operations had failed to conduct its business with due skill, care and diligence and to take reasonable care to organize and control its affairs responsibly and effectively, with adequate risk management systems.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

CREDIT SUISSE-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de
BRUCHSAL, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Volocopter, the pioneer of urban air mobility (UAM), has joined the Osaka roundtable, an institution eager to bring UAM to one of the busiest cities in Asia. As part of the engagement, the German eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) developer also committed to fly during the Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai. Together with long-term partner and investor Japan Airlines (JAL), who recently reserved Volocopter aircraft, Volocopter accelerates its commitment in Japan and plans to conduct public test flights as early as 2023.

On 1 October 2021, Volocopter partook in the Osaka Roundtable. Osaka Prefecture has one of the largest industrial bay areas in Asia, an ideal location to test over various environmental conditions. As host of the Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, Osaka has strong ambitions to kickstart UAM businesses from this event onward.

Since 2018, Japan has been proactively shaping its future of air mobility and set an ambitious target to achieve full commercialization of eVTOLs by 2030. Japan boasts a comprehensive roadmap for UAM businesses to achieve these goals.

Furthermore, Volocopter is strategically joining forces with local partners and regulators early in the commercialization process to strengthen its position within the market. Recently, JAL reserved 100 Volocopter aircraft (VoloDrone and VoloCity) units for its future use. Additionally, Volocopter has started direct communications with local government offices to discuss how Volocopter products can support the local ecosystem.

Florian Reuter - CEO, Volocopter: "We are honored to be seated at the Osaka Roundtable and take flight at an important milestone of the Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai. Japan's and Osaka's commitment to UAM commercialization and its open approach allows us to be involved in pioneering them into the future of mobility. As the world's first and only eVTOL developer with successful public flights in several continents and a family of multi-functional aircraft, we are confident that we will become an integral part of Japan's future UAM ecosystem. We aim to improve lives in densely populated areas with our sustainable UAM services."

Volocopter has committed to air taxi services in Singapore within the next three years and announced the delivery of 150 of Volocopter products to China's Geely.

About Volocopter

Volocopter is building the world's first sustainable and scalable urban air mobility business to bring affordable air taxi services for goods and people to megacities worldwide. Volocopter leads and cooperates with partners in infrastructure, operations, and air traffic management to build the ecosystem necessary to "Bring Urban Air Mobility to Life." Volocopter has offices in Bruchsal, Munich, and Singapore. The company has raised a total of 322 million in equity form investors including Daimler, Geely, BlackRock, and Intel Capital. www.volocopter.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1664852/Velocopter.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1664853/logo_Logo.jpg
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - PageGroup Plc (PAGE.L), a specialist recruitment consultancy, on Wednesday, said David Lowden will retire from his role as Chair before the company's 2022 Annual General Meeting or AGM. Lowden has been appointed as an independent non-executive director and Chair-designate of Diploma Plc, a supplier of specialized technical products and services. He is expected to assume the role of Chair with effect from January 19, 2022. The nomination committee of the UK-based PageGroup has initiated a process, led by the Senior Independent Director Patrick De Smedt, to identify and appoint Lowden's successor. Lowden joined the PageGroup's board in August 2012, becoming Chair in December 2015. On LSE, PageGroup Plc had closed at 666.50 pounds per share on Tuesday, a rise of 0.91 percent, compared to its previous close. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Managed cloud services are proven to provide the best digital infrastructure and platform, while allowing IT administrators to focus on revenue-generating needs. Sangfor is proud to announce the launch of the much-awaited Sangfor Managed Cloud Services at the upcoming Sangfor EPIC 2021, putting professionally managed and protected cloud services within reach of every enterprise.

Sangfor Managed Cloud Services (MCS) means more personalization for both regional businesses and global enterprises. MCS provides the convenience and flexibility of public cloud, and security, control and service of private cloud.

Sangfor MCS offers Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Security-as-a-Service (SECaaS). Customers choose to have their own dedicated cloud host, storage and networking, or choose private cloud, data and recovery services, or all of the above.

Sangfor works closely with local partners across APAC, EMEA and Americas to deliver end-to-end, 24/7 managed services, simplifying and safeguarding customer's digital transformation journey.

Sangfor MCS is available at over 100 globally distributed datacenter sites and comes packed with powerful built-in security capabilities. Businesses love the easy emphasis on local and even international compliance standards. Sangfor also works closely with partner through a convenient partner portal for the ultimate professional services.

Sangfor MCS Has Developed Unique Solutions Including:

Elastic Compute Storage

Dedicated Compute-as-a-Service

Private Cloud Container-as-a-Service

Management of critical applications and data

Disaster recovery and Backup-as-a-Service

Host services for on-premises HCI-based infrastructure

Managed Security Services (MDR)

The TCO of Sangfor MCS is 30% less than public cloud and is the solution of choice for enabling a hybrid cloud strategy with increased security and flexibility. Its cloud native security capabilities are designed to reduce overall investment on network security solutions and manpower, achieving security goals of MTTR within 5 minutes and at least 35% saving of security TCO.

Sangfor MCS Partners are located across China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Italy and other regions around the world, hosting over 1,000 enterprise-level data centers for customers.

Sangfor Managed Cloud Services is truly a trust-worthy and worry-free decision. Join Sangfor EPIC 2021 to learn more about Managed Cloud Services, and Sangfor's broad range of cloud and network security solutions. Special thanks to our Sponsors INTEL and SUNDRAY for making Sangfor EPIC 2021 possible.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sangfor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sangfor-technologies

Sangfor ManagedCloud CloudComputing ManagedCloudServices ManagedServices

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005380/en/

Contacts:

Media

Tanya Quan

Email: tanya.quan@sangfor.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 20, 2021 / Commerce Resources Corp. (TSXV:CCE)(FSE:D7H0)(OTCQX:CMRZF) (the "Company" or "Commerce") is pleased to announce that it has completed its 2021 field campaign, which has focused on the remaining field components required to support the ongoing Prefeasibility Study (PFS) on the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit, located in northern Quebec.

In addition to the diamond drill program of 2,814 metres over 12 holes recently completed (see news release dated August 25, 2021), the Company has also successfully completed the anticipated remaining field data collection for the PFS as well the remaining Qualified Person (QP) site visits. Collectively, this field data and QP assessments will feed into the Project's final desktop evaluation and design.

Highlights of the field work include:

Download of various lake, drill hole, and on-site weather station data loggers

Hydrology Study over the proposed mine-site infrastructure layout

Expanded bathymetry survey over Centre Pond

Site characterization of the short-listed tailings facility sites, ahead of final selection

Site visits of Qualified Persons (QPs) for the Ashram Project's PFS

Drone and bathymetry survey over the proposed marine facility site

Company president Chris Grove commented: "The 2021 summer/fall field season for the Ashram REE/ Fluorspar Deposit has been very busy, with several key components of the PFS completed following the drill program. Our objective is to release a robust and comprehensive PFS, without shortcuts and without unnecessary assumptions, in order to position the Ashram for long-term success."

During September-October, the Company completed various field surveys, by third party service providers, to evaluate potential tailings management facility sites and collect data to confirm construction design criteria for site infrastructure in support of mine development design for the PFS. This included site visits by the lead QPs for tailings management, geology-resource, and mineral processing, which were completed from Sept 19th to 21st, 2021. In addition, high-resolution drone surveying (photogrammetry), as well as bathymetric surveying, was completed at the proposed marine facility site. This data will allow for a design scenario to be drafted for the site, and feed into the overall base case for the Ashram Project's PFS development scenario.

The core samples from the 2021 drill program have all arrived at Activation Laboratories' facility in Ancaster, ON, for geochemical analysis. Current industry turn-around time for sample geochemistry is six to eight weeks. In addition, the Company continues to advance its flowsheet development at Hazen Research, CO, with a focus on confirming design criteria (see news release dated September 28, 2021), as well as other desktop components of the PFS being advanced by third party consultants (BBA Engineering, CIMA+, etc).

The Ashram Deposit ranks as one of the largest REE (and fluorspar) deposits globally, consisting of a monazite dominated, single mineralized body outcropping at surface, and has a footprint approximately 600 m along strike, over 350 m across, and 600 m deep, remaining open in several directions. The deposit hosts a measured resource of 1.6 million tonnes (Mt) at 1.77% rare earth oxide (REO) and 3.8% F, an indicated resource of 27.7 Mt at 1.90% REO and 2.9% F, and an inferred resource of 219.8 Mt at 1.88% REO and 2.2% F, at a cut-off grade of 1.25% REO (Effective Date July 5th, 2012). Note, mineral resources are not mineral reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the Mineral Resources will be converted into Mineral Reserves.

NI 43-101 Disclosure

Darren L. Smith, M.Sc., P.Geo., Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., a Permit holder with the Ordre des Geologues du Quebec and Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, supervised the preparation of the technical information in this news release.

About Commerce Resources Corp.

Commerce Resources Corp. is a junior mineral resource company focused on the development of the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit located in Quebec, Canada. The Company is positioning to be one of the lowest cost rare earth producers globally, with a specific focus on being a long-term supplier of mixed rare earth carbonate and/or NdPr oxide to the global market. The Ashram Deposit is characterized by simple rare earth (monazite, bastnaesite, xenotime) and gangue (carbonates) mineralogy, a large tonnage resource at favourable grade, and has demonstrated the production of high-grade (>45% REO) mineral concentrates at high recovery (>70%) in line with active global producers. In addition to being one of the largest rare earth deposits globally, Ashram is also one of the largest fluorspar deposits globally and has the potential to be a long-term supplier to the met-spar and acid-spar markets.

For more information, please visit the corporate website at www.commerceresources.com or email info@commerceresources.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

COMMERCE RESOURCES CORP.

" Chris Grove "

Chris Grove

President and Director

Tel: 604.484.2700

Email: cgrove@commerceresources.com

Web: https://www.commerceresources.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information which is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements in this press release include our plans to become a low-cost long-term supplier of mixed rare earth carbonate and/or NdPr oxide. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Risks that could change or prevent these statements from coming to fruition include that the methods proposed don't work as well as expected, the drilling may not go as planned or start when expected, we may experience difficulties in drilling and carrying out environmental work; changing costs for mining and processing; increased capital costs; the timing and content of upcoming work programs; geological interpretations based on drilling that may change with more detailed information; potential process methods and mineral recoveries assumption based on limited test work and by comparison to what are considered analogous deposits that with further test work may not be comparable; testing of our process may not prove successful and even it tests are successful, the economic and other outcomes may not be as expected; the availability of labour, equipment and markets for the products produced; and despite the current expected viability of the project, conditions changing such that the minerals on our property cannot be economically mined, or that the required permits to build and operate the envisaged mine can be obtained. The forward-looking information contained herein is given as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Commerce Resources Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/668826/Commerce-Resources-Corp-Completes-SummerFall-Field-Campaign-at-the-Ashram-REEFluorspar-Deposit-in-Support-of-the-Ongoing-Prefeasibility-Study
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 20, 2021 / FALCON GOLD CORP. (TSXV:FG)(FSE:3FA)(OTCQB:FGLDF); ("Falcon" or the "Company") is very pleased to announce the company has signed a Memo of Understanding (MOU) to acquire the Viernes project located 122 km SE of Antofagasta City in Northern Chile. The claims encompass 13 claim blocks covering 3,300 Ha. The west portion of the project offers prospectivity for epithermal gold veins as evidenced by outcrops of the Chile-Alemania Paleocene volcano-stratigraphic sequence, which is the same host rock at the El-Penon Gold Mine owned by Yamana Gold. Additionally, large Eocene Monzodiorite rocks are also highly prospective for porphyry gold-copper mineralization.

"The Viernes Project has the makings of a contender in a world class district, not only is it adjacent to majors such as Yamana's El-Penon Gold-Silver mine, which produces 160,000 ounces of Gold per year and 5,000,000 million ounces of silver. It's also just 30kms from the Escondida porphyry Copper-Gold-Moly cluster, the largest copper producing hub in the world operated by BHP and Rio Tinto. It's a very competitive area as it's controlled by the majors and almost impossible to get ground of this size," states Karim Rayani Chief Executive Officer.

The Viernes project is located at moderate elevation of approx. 2000 meters above sea-level and is 5 km east of Yamana Gold's highly profitable El-Penon low sulfidation gold and silver mine, and 35kms southeast of the world class Zaldivar - Escondida Copper Hub. The project has year-round access via paved and gravel roads from the mining capital of Chile, known as Region II, Antofagasta.

The Viernes project presents Falcon a tremendous opportunity to explore for potential bonanza -grade with epithermal low to intermediate sulfidation gold-silver, and porphyry copper-moly mineralization in one of south Americas greatest mineral endowed Paleocene-Eocene belts. The project is located within a world class cluster with extensive development by Yamana, BHP-Rio Tinto, Antofagasta Minerals amongst others. The property is highly prospective and is adjacent to the epithermal vein-hosted Gold-Silver producing El-Penon mine in which the property may host similar geochemical and structural features.

Since the 1990's this area has produced 30.6 million tons of copper - 57 times the annual Canadian production, 9.2 million Ounces of Gold - 1.5 Times the Canadian production, 129.3 million ounces of Silver - 8.6 times the Canadian annual silver production and has generated multiple discoveries.

Qualified Person

Dr. Daniel Rubiolo, P. Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release.

About Falcon Gold Corp.

Falcon is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on generating, acquiring, and exploring opportunities in the Americas. Falcon's flagship project, the Central Canada Gold Mine, is approximately 20 km southeast of Agnico Eagle's Hammond Reef Gold Deposit which has currently estimated 3.32 million ounces of gold (123.5 million tonnes grading 0.84 g/t gold) mineral reserves, and 2.3 million ounces of measured and indicated mineral resources (133.4 million tonnes grading 0.54 g/t gold). The Hammond Reef gold property lies on the Hammond shear zone, which is a northeast-trending splay off the Quetico Fault Zone ("QFZ") and may be the control for the gold deposit. The Central Gold property lies on a similar major northeast-trending splay of the QFZ.

The Company holds 8 additional projects. The Esperanza Gold/Silver/Copper mineral concessions located in La Riojo Province, Argentina. The Springpole West Property in the world-renowned Red Lake mining camp; a 49% interest in the Burton Gold property with Iamgold near Sudbury Ontario; and in B.C., the Spitfire-Sunny Boy, Gaspard Gold claims; and most recently the Great Burnt, Hope Brook, and Baie Verte acquisitions adjacent to First Mining, Benton-Sokoman's JV, and Marvel Discovery in Central Newfoundland.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Falcon Gold Corp.

"Karim Rayani"

Karim Rayani

Chief Executive Officer, Director

Telephone: (604) 716-0551

Email: info@falcongold.ca

Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, etc. Forward looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

This news release may contain forward looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, etc. Forward looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Falcon Gold Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/668825/Falcon-Signs-MOU-to-Acquire-Viernes-Project-Next-to-Yamanas-El-Peon-GoldSilver-Deposit-in-Chile
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 20, 2021 / Pampa Metals Corp. ("Pampa Metals" or the "Company") (CSE:PM)(FSE:FIRA)(OTCQX:PMMCF) is delighted to announce its participation in the Uranium, Strategic and Precious Metals Live Virtual Investor Conference that takes place from the 19th to the 21st of October.

The Company's executive team will be answering questions starting at 4:00 pm EST on October 20th, 2021.

Please use the link below to register for free.

Individual investors, institutional investors, advisors, and analysts are invited to listen to the executive management of metals and mining companies discuss their property positions, development schedules, market opportunities, and investment highlights.

About Virtual Investor Conferences

Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to meet and present directly with investors.

A real-time solution for investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences is part of OTC Market Group's suite of investor relations services specifically designed for more efficient Investor Access. Replicating the look and feel of on-site investor conferences, Virtual Investor Conferences combine leading-edge conferencing and investor communications capabilities with a comprehensive global investor audience network.

Registration Link

ABOUT PAMPA METALS

Pampa Metals is a Canadian company listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE:PM) as well as the Frankfurt (FSE:FIRA) and OTC (OTCQB:PMMCF) exchanges. Pampa Metals owns a highly prospective 59,000-hectare portfolio of eight projects for copper and gold located along proven mineral belts in Chile, one of the world's top mining jurisdictions. The Company has a vision to create value for shareholders and all other stakeholders by making a major copper discovery along the prime mineral belts of Chile, using the best geological and technological methods. For more information, please visit Pampa Metals' website www.pampametals.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Julian Bavin | Chief Executive Officer

www.pampametals.com

INVESTOR CONTACT

Ioannis (Yannis) Tsitos | Director

investors@pampametals.com

Neither the CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements." All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Pampa Metals expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential," "indicate" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Although Pampa Metals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Pampa Metals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/668817/Pampa-Metals-to-Attend-the-Forthcoming-Uranium-Strategic-and-Precious-Metals-Live-Virtual-Investor-Conference
STOCKHOLM, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Klarna, a leading global retail bank, payments, and shopping service, has announced its investment of over 1 million USD into innovators such as Heirloom and Climeworks selected from the climate transformation portfolio (CTP), using donations platform Milkywire. The company has also disclosed its Greenhouse Gas emissions for the 2020 period in its Climate report 2020/2021 released today.

The funds are invested in eleven high impact projects, including permanent carbon removal, reforestation and forest protection, and decarbonization projects among others. The portfolio focuses on selecting effective and transformative projects in all these areas, reflecting the needs for climate finance. This is in addition to Klarna's announcement from earlier this year to pledge 1% of all future funding rounds to planet health initiatives via Give One.

Salah Said, Head of Sustainability at Klarna, says: "During the last year, our focus has been to look beyond our own operations at how we can create real, lasting change. In 2020, Klarna achieved carbon neutrality across all operations. We have since realized that this is not enough, and have shifted our focus to supporting projects which actively remove carbon emissions. We believe that this strategy will contribute to driving positive change for people and the planet."

Unlike previous climate reports, it will not just offer a retroactive disclosure but provides the most comprehensive overview of Klarna's approach to climate change to date. Highlights include:

Commitment to a target to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and an aim to operate at net zero by 2040.

$16m pledged to planet health action initiatives through Give One (1% Pledge).

pledged to planet health action initiatives through Give One (1% Pledge). Commitment to using 100% renewable energy sources in all locations by 2025 (latest).

Launch of theCO2 tracker feature in the Klarna app (Finalist in Fast Company's 2021 Innovation by Design Awards).

A core element of the company's climate strategy is the ways in which Klarna can enable its 4,000+ employees, 90 million+ customers across 17 markets, and 250,000+ retail partners serviced across 13 different product categories and industries to drive lasting change.



David Sandstrom, Chief Marketing Officer, says: "The existing and planned pledges and initiatives documented in this report are just the beginning. We are fully committed to transparency at every step of the way, and to keeping our customers informed as we move forward to positively impact the climate crisis together".

You can find the report here



Press contact:

Emma MacKenzie

E: press@klarna.com

T: +49 151 174 067 95

ABOUT KLARNA



At Klarna, we make shopping smoooth and allow customers to buy now and pay later, so that they can get what they love today. Our offering to customers and retailers includes payment solutions, social shopping experiences, and better ways to manage personal finances. Over 250,000 merchants, including H&M, IKEA, Expedia Group, Samsung, ASOS, Peloton, Abercrombie & Fitch, Nike and AliExpress, have enabled Klarna's innovative shopping experience online and in-store. And today, we are one of the most highly valued private fintechs globally with a valuation of $45.6 billion. Founded in 2005, Klarna has over 4,000 employees and is active in 17 countries. For more information, visit klarna.com.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

The following files are available for download:
BOLOGNA, Italy, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cirio has signed a partnership with ALMA - La Scuola Internazionale di Cucina Italiana (The International School of Italian Cuisine), which has chosen it as official tomato. The partnership lasts three years and provides that Cirio products are sponsors in the product category of tomato in the many cookery classes organised by the School both in Italy and abroad.

"We are very proud to have signed this partnership", explains Pier Paolo Rosetti, General Manager at Conserve Italia, the cooperative consortium owner of the brand. "What unites us to ALMA is a common vision inspired by high quality, respect for raw material and exaltation of the Italian food and wine tradition that the whole world envies us."

ALMA school, founded in 2004 in Colorno (Parma) in the heart of the Italian Food Valley, is the most authoritative training center for future chefs, bakers and sommeliers as well as for those wanting to manage restaurants or accommodation facilities.

The partnership between Cirio and ALMA, which aims to affirm the quality of Cirio among professional operators of haute cuisine and chefs, will also be supported by a series of online and offline initiatives that will be carried out abroad, in the various countries where the School organizes distance learning courses in collaboration with local cooking schools.

"The collaboration with ALMA will give prestige to our brand wherever we export our tomatoes", comments Diego Pariotti, Commercial and Marketing Director of the Export Department at Conserve Italia. "This is a very important partnership for us because it is an addition to all the other precious collaborations already enjoyed by Cirio, such as those with the FIC, Federazione Italiana Cuochi (Italian Federation of Chefs), which has over 20.000 members, and with AVPN, Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (Authentic Neapolitan Pizza Association), which embraces Pizzamakers following the historical traditional recipes and procedures for the true Italian pizza.

Now the partnership medal collection is enriched with ALMA, allowing us to cover the entire range of catering professionals, from cooks to pizza makers to starred chefs".

Cirio tomato

The name Cirio has always been synonymous with top quality Italian tomatoes: with a history of more than 165 years, it is one of the oldest and most famous brands of the Made in Italy food industry. It has recently been recognized as a "historical brand" and has been included in the Register of the historical brands established by the Ministry of Economic Development.

Acquired in 2004 by Conserve Italia, Cirio is now sold in over 80 countries around the world, also through offices in France, the UK, Germany, the United States and Australia. On the European market, Cirio brand is the 1st true Italian brandmark sold in UK and in Romania, and has remarkable market shares in France, Belgium and Switzerland. For years, Cirio sales have consistently been growing in the United States and throughout South East Asia.

***

For more information, images or interviews please contact Zarya Williams at Panache PR on zarya@panachepr.com

Notes to Editors:

Cirio is a deliciously Iconic Italian brand delivering 100% truly Italian tomatoes, harvested and processed within 24 hours of picking with dedication, passion and skill by our farmers. All Cirio products are "guaranteed from seed to fork" which means every process is put under rigorous analysis and quality control to bring the truly authentic taste of Italy into every home in more than 80 countries around the world.

Cirio, the biggest Italian cooperative agri-food company, delivers the highest quality and most sustainable farming practices in the market. It sells its products at the best price possible whilst ensuring fair trade for its cooperative of farmers and respecting its ethical and environmental policies. Cirio is a champion of sustainability using renewable energies, reducing waste and emissions and leading the way environmentally. Its people are treated with respect which means the 14.000 associated farming companies all throughout Italy that make up the cooperative have a history of care and respect for the land. Farming skills and knowledge have been handed down from generation to generation and nowadays perfected with new advanced techniques advised by the specialised expert agronomists that work in the company's headquarters and also by means of advanced technologies such as phone apps, drones, weather forecasts and satellite visions. Across 10 production sites, over 550.000 tons of product is processed each year: tomatoes, fruit and vegetables.

No product has defined Italian cuisine more than the tomato and this is where the expertise of Cirio lies, since 1856, ensuring more than 160 years of passion bring versatility, intense vibrant colour and deep flavours - infusing Italian intensity and authenticity into every dish every day.

Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1664807/CIRIO_ALMA_15__A___REV_5.mp4

Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1664808/CIRIO_ALMA_38____REV_5.mp4

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1664461/cirio_payOff.jpg
Intelligent property search portal property.xyz has secured a seed round of angel investment of 268,000 from eleven, experienced investors in the fields of technology, finance and real estate.

Co-founders Robert Jones and Dr Simone Di Cola started development on property xyz in 2019, which entered a beta phase in August 2020. With the portal having been vigorously user-tested by agents, homebuilders, property investors and buy-to-let landlords the next year of the roadmap has now been announced. This includes plans to allow investors to place 'bids' and 'buy now' on properties selected by agents with both on and off-market property investments,

Creating the 'Amazon Prime of property', combining seamless search and frictionless purchase.

Throughout the user testing process it became clear that there is a very active community of house buyers and sellers, of an investor class, who are under-served by the existing property portals, who focus on typical homeowners.

Property xyz has a clear USP. While presenting properties for sale it also supplies all the property data investors need to make a quick decision about a purchase, all available for free.

The next stage of the roadmap lays out a path to deepening established partnerships with some of the best agents, homebuilders and data providers in the UK and growing partnerships with other proptech companies, all in service of providing property investors more options for researching and purchasing properties, seamlessly, on an intuitive platform built with modern technology.

Of all the new developments outlined in the roadmap, the 'buy now' and 'bid' features have received the most interest from buyers and agents. In the coming months, agents and homebuilders will be able to decide which properties they would like to sell early and off-market and registered buyers will be able to bid through a fully transparent process. All of this will be achieved without those agents sacrificing any control over the terms of sale.

Robert Jones, said: 'We are delighted to announce this development. We have raised the funds, from some fantastic investors, to begin the next chapter for property xyz. What we have learned from our user feedback, we can now act on, to provide our clients with richer data and a more seamless property-buying experience. Our upcoming off-market property opportunities are particularly exciting. Genuine off-market opportunities are incredibly hard to come by and the process is often somewhat opaque. It's great to be part of helping connecting genuine property buyers with agents in this space'

'Our collaborative approach with agents and buyers and our technology-first approach will enable total transparency and registered buyers will coming-up be able to access high-quality off-market properties, not seen anywhere else.'

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005046/en/

Contacts:

Robert Jones

Co-founder

rob@property.xyz

https://property.xyz/
SENSEI Achieved 100% Detection of Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Prostate Cancer Surgery and Detected More Sentinel Nodes than a Conventional Gamma Probe

CHESHAM, England and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lightpoint Medical, a leading medical device company developing and marketing innovative technologies for intra-operative cancer detection, announced clinical trial results today to support the use of the company's miniature surgical gamma probe, SENSEI, in prostate sentinel lymph node detection.

The interim results from the multi-center clinical trial, which involves cancer centers at Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain; Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France; and UZ Leuven, Belgium; demonstrate a 100% detection rate of sentinel lymph nodes using SENSEI in minimally-invasive and robot-assisted prostate cancer surgery.

The results also indicate that SENSEI performed better than standard rigid gamma probes, as SENSEI found additional pelvic sentinel nodes in anatomically restricted areas which could not be detected by the rigid gamma probe. The final study results, expected in Q1 2022, will provide further insights into the performance differences between SENSEI and rigid gamma probes.

The trial results will be presented today at the Annual Congress of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine.

The clinical trial results demonstrate the ease of use and performance of SENSEI in prostate cancer surgery and signal potential application in other surgical procedures across major cancer types.

Principal Investigator, Dr. Lluis Fumado, Hospital del Mar, Barcelonasaid "These clinical trial results demonstrate that the use of SENSEI in prostate cancer surgery dramatically enhances our surgical management of prostate cancer patients and is shown to effectively detect sentinel lymph nodes. We look forward to using SENSEI in more procedures and evaluating the probe in combination with the new targeted imaging agent, 99mTc-PSMA, for direct detection of disease metastasis in pelvic lymph nodes."

Lightpoint Medical CEO, Graeme Smith, added "There are active clinical studies at multiple cancer centers evaluating SENSEI in prostate, cervical, and colorectal cancer with studies in lung and endometrial cancer in the pipeline. These positive and highly encouraging results from our multi-center study evaluating SENSEI in prostate cancer surgery demonstrate the ease of use and performance of SENSEI and signal potential application in other major cancer types to detect cancer intra-operatively. All of us at Lightpoint Medical are incredibly grateful to Dr. Lluis Fumado and the team at Hospital del Mar for leading this study and to all the clinical centers and patients who are working with us."

About SENSEI

Lightpoint Medical has developed SENSEI - a miniaturized surgical gamma probe for minimally-invasive and robot-assisted cancer surgery. The device is approved for sale in the US, EU, UK, and Australia. SENSEI can detect gamma emissions from radiopharmaceuticals. The first application of the device is sentinel lymph node detection in prostate and cervical cancer surgery. It is anticipated that SENSEI will also have application in the direct detection of lymph node metastasis using breakthrough imaging agents such as 99mTc-PSMA in prostate cancer surgery and in radio-guided occult lesion detection in lung cancer surgery.

About sentinel lymph node detection

The intra-operative detection of sentinel lymph nodes is necessary when performing a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) procedure. The sentinel node is the first lymph node draining from the primary tumor. By identifying and removing the sentinel node during surgery, it is possible to determine whether cancer has spread through the lymphatic system. SLNB is commonly used in multiple cancer types. However, performing SLNB in minimally-invasive and robot-assisted surgery is challenging due to usability limitations when using conventional long rigid gamma probes. SENSEI is a small, flexible gamma probe designed for minimally-invasive and robotic surgery and has the potential to improve SLNB in intra-cavity procedures such as those of the pelvis.

About Lightpoint Medical

Lightpoint Medical develops and markets innovative technologies for intra-operative cancer detection. The company is addressing the urgent medical challenge that despite technological advances in robotic platforms, surgeons lack the tools to accurately detect cancer intra-operatively. As a result, cancer is often left behind or more healthy tissue than needed is removed, increasing the need for adjuvant therapies, causing post-surgical complications, and escalating healthcare costs.

Lightpoint is headquartered in the UK with offices in Boston, Massachusetts; Barcelona; and Amsterdam. The company recently signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Telix Pharmaceuticals to combine SENSEI with Telix's portfolio of breakthrough cancer targeted imaging agents.

For more information visit: www.lightpointmedical.com ; www.senseisurgical.com and follow Lightpoint on LinkedIn and Twitter .

Media Contacts:

Jo O'Shea

Head of Communications

Lightpoint Medical

joanne.oshea@lightpointmedical.com

Helen Shik

Shik Communications

Shik.helen10@gmail.com
NICOSIA, Cyprus, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CAPEX.com, leading global broker operated in Europe by Key Way Investments Ltd, announces the release of a powerful portfolio builder aimed at experienced market traders who wish to gain an edge over the market by using the newest technological advancements.

QuantX is designed to eliminate the burdens of guesswork and extensive analysis processes through smart portfolio builder capability and the integration of sophisticated analytical tools.

Devised to create fully customized investment portfolios in a matter of minutes, QuantX empowers clients to select their optimum blend of stocks according to their preferences, trading styles and interests, saving them time and energy. Additionally, QuantX gives customers a real-time overview of their portfolio while providing constant feedback on their investments' performance.

A few weeks back, CAPEX launched StoX, their proprietary 0-commission, unleveraged stock trading product.

QuantX is another step in the brand's strategy of extending its product range. The mission of the "X" branded line of services is to disrupt and change the global perception of what online trading means in 2021, making complex products and markets more accessible to investors.

We spoke to Christina Koullapi, Executive Director at Key Way Investments Ltd, the company operating CAPEX under its CySEC regulation, about this new release.

"In a market where you can see the same products everywhere, we're focusing on offering our clients something different. Making investing more straightforward has always been our focus, and with QuantX, we're taking this philosophy one step further.

We strongly believe investing doesn't need to be time-consuming or complicated. Instead, it should be time-efficient and accessible. QuantX is a straightforward and smart builder helping traders create a diversified portfolio in a few simple steps.

As an award-winning broker, CAPEX will continue to innovate and improve the way people can trade the financial markets."

About CAPEX

CAPEX is a leading global trading platform providing its users with expert insights, tools, and resources to make markets accessible to a worldwide audience and offering a tailor-made trading experience. Its professional trading platforms, robust technological infrastructure, and transparent trading conditions have propelled it as one of the most respectable brokers on the international stage.

Anchored by a global presence and regional expertise, CAPEX holds operating licenses from CySEC, ADGM FSRA, FSA and FSCA.

Visit the CAPEX website and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram for more insights.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1664886/1.jpg
LONDON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Airshield is set to facilitate face-to-face medical appointments that are safe for patients and doctors having just obtained a UK trademark for its patented technology.

Airshield protects patients and doctors by creating an invisible wall of air which captures 99%* of the aerosol particles that can transmit the virus between people when they breathe, cough or sneeze, even when vaccinated. Independent testing has shown that Airshield gives better protection than surgical masks.*

Airshield is a unique air protection device that creates a downward-moving laminar flow of air which captures the potentially virus carrying aerosol particles, and then removes these particles with proven HEPA filtration, followed by UVC light sterilisation to make any virus inactive. The cleaned air is then returned to the room.

Airshield's managing director and inventor Nigel Shepherd says, "At the beginning of the COVID epidemic, the perceived wisdom was that sanitisation and wiping surfaces was the way to control the virus. It is now widely known that the danger lies in transmission via people's breath and that the closer they are too each other, the riskier it is. Airshield will make face-to-face consultations safer for patients and doctors."

There is concern amongst GPs at the increasing demand from the NHS, the government and patients for the number of face-to-face appointments to increase. This uneasiness is driven by several factors including:

The risks of spreading Covid-19 to and from doctors and patients

The number of GPs and other medical professionals and healthcare workers across the world losing their lives to Covid-19 while in the line of duty

Ongoing issues surrounding resourcing the required capacity expansion

Airshield provides a highly effective solution that gives a higher level of safety than masks, visors or screens**, so that patients and doctors can be confident that they achieve the advantages of consultations in person without the inconvenience or discomfort of masks or whilst minimising the risk of virus transmission.

Airshield will be manufactured in the UK under licence by ventilation specialists Vent-Axia.

*Research conducted by Nottingham Trent University's Medical Technologies Innovation Facility

**This research showed that while visors and masks reduced the abundance of potentially virus carrying particles by around 80%, Airshield reduced these particles by 99%.

www.airshieldhealth.com

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1665393/Airshield_in_doctor_surgery.jpg
Universities, like the University of the Free State (UFS), need to deliver graduates who will build a better society, and through engaged scholarship change the lives of people

Bloemfontein, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- South Africa is in trouble. No matter what your political or ethical persuasion - this much is abundantly clear. And if some of the opinions expressed lately by prominent economists are anything to go by, many are losing faith in whether we can still turn around a downward economic trajectory.

But before we make up our minds either way, it is important to first face a truth that lies at the core of it all: It is impossible to build a thriving economy on the back of a divided society. This makes societal reform a logical departure point for any economic relief efforts.

And here the higher education sector has a definite and vital role to play, says Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS).

On the battlefield of unexpected calamities, the South African economy can be compared to a soldier who has taken too many hits. First, the devastating impact on so many sectors of our society caused by COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions; followed by the question over misspent or missing pandemic support funds; and then the final agonising blow - the looting and destruction in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal in July, leaving a gaping hole of around 50 billion rand in damages.

Equally heart-breaking and disconcerting as the physical damages and loss of life, is the damage caused to the nation's psyche, with racist and classist fault lines reappearing, fuelled by the divisive rhetoric of unscrupulous leaders.

Looming ominously over this crowded battlefield, are the murky clouds of corruption at the highest level and of the most disturbing kind, which have been systematically and painfully laid bare by the Zondo Commission over the past three years.

"We truly find ourselves at a very low point as a nation. Financially, morally, and mentally. And, like all other sectors of society, higher education needs to ask itself what it can do - if anything - to help fix what is broken," says Prof Petersen.

Changing role of universities

According to him, universities used to have a rather narrow focus on education and the creation of new knowledge. This role has, however, evolved considerably over the past decade or two. Their function nowadays is very much a societal one, where the focus on using skills and knowledge to make a real difference in the societies they serve and draw their students from - the engaged university.

"Let's be clear: Higher education cannot solve poverty and inequality. That is the domain of government, which needs to ensure that appropriate policies are in place that will constructively stimulate investment and assistance from the private sector and industry.

"The higher education sector needs to focus on its strengths. And that is to do research; to offer advice and come up with possible solutions; to educate and to provide skills that will help uplift individuals, families, and communities," says Prof Petersen.

In short: universities, like the University of the Free State (UFS), need to deliver graduates who will ultimately build a better society, and through engaged scholarship change the lives of people.

What has become abundantly clear, though, is that education alone is not enough. The corruption implications and moral dilemmas that many of our highly qualified politicians and leaders are embroiled in, prove that more is needed than just academic aptitude.

The purpose of universities should therefore not only be to deliver good workers or thinkers. Universities need to deliver good citizens. Citizens that possess unshakeable values and ethics, enabling them to become good leaders.

During a recent 2021 University of the Free State Thought-Leader webinar titled Is South Africa falling apart - where to from here? panellists stated that the role of universities is to create a culture of active citizenry, to play a part in the holistic transformation of society, to ensure the sharing of research and discoveries, and to ensure inclusive academic excellence. These are no small feats and something higher education institutions should strive for.

Creating a new generation of leaders

Prof Petersen continues by saying while young people spend time on university campuses, it is vital that - along with academic knowledge - universities educate them about the norms and values that form the bedrock of a healthy, thriving society. Not only teaching these values of social justice, respect, tolerance, and care - but also demonstrating how they find practical application.

"Universities should be microcosms of an ideal society, where respect for human rights and diversity, equality, and care underpin all our policies, communication, and interactions. Universities should consistently use discourse platforms to promote these values and to speak out against things that threaten them, such as corruption, injustice, and prejudice in any form.

"But once again, it goes further than that. Not only do we need to teach and encourage our students to speak out. We need to educate them on how to speak out. Unfortunately, so many of the student protest actions on our university campuses often fall short in this aspect, as valid concerns and demands are regularly overshadowed by disrespectful rhetoric, accompanied by unwarranted destruction of property and endangering lives," according to Prof Petersen.

The UFS had the opportunity to recently host a book launch by Helen Zille, the Federal Council Chairperson of the DA. Among the guests was EFF leader Julius Malema.

Afterwards, some Political Science students remarked how surprised they were to witness the very civil interaction between Zille and Malema - in the light of their very public political spats and differences.

And here lies an important lesson for young South Africans: that there is a level of maturity that needs to be displayed if we want to take our country forward together.

We can differ from someone - and passionately express our differences - but retain an atmosphere of tolerance and mutual respect. Our young leaders of tomorrow need to understand that, in the absence of such an atmosphere, reasonable negotiations become impossible, and they run the real risk of thwarting the very cause they are fighting for.

Interconnectedness of our society

"As much as higher education has a clearly defined role, it can only fulfil this role effectively if it is part of a well-functioning, larger system. As higher education, government, private sector, and industry, we are interconnected and unable to function properly in isolation.

"Universities can, for example, teach young people the value of entrepreneurship and equip them with the necessary skills to contribute to the economy. But without an enabling environment created by government, policies, and commitment, as well as buy-in and support from industry, it all falls apart. As much as I cannot thrive if my neighbour is suffering, we cannot rebuild our economy if we don't acknowledge our interdependence and find new, innovative ways to collaborate to move ahead together.

"The age-old principles of ubuntu need to find a renewed, modern application in South Africa today," says Prof Petersen.

Involving our youth

Whatever form economic rescue efforts take, it must involve the young people of our country. Making decisions that will profoundly influence our youth without involving them in the process, is downright irresponsible.

We simply cannot afford to alienate our leaders of tomorrow and then expect them to be ready to take over the baton and not repeat the mistakes of their predecessors.

Prof Petersen concluded: "At the University of the Free State, our student participation in university governance structures was at an all-time high of 70% last year. We see this as an important accomplishment - we hope to build on and expand this even further. In most of my dealings with our young leaders of tomorrow, I certainly get the impression that they are keen to make a positive contribution to our country. But they yearn for guidance, encouragement, and opportunities.

"'Nothing about us without us', is a slogan used widely in various contexts nowadays, with its roots tracing back to South African disability advocates in the 1980s. It is equally applicable to young people in our current South African predicament.

Our youth needs to be turned from apathy to active involvement. Without them, no economic 'rescue efforts' will have long-term sustainability. After all: it is their future that is at stake."

Attachment
DAEJEON, South Korea, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 2, 2021, a scientific paper from GenKOre on the new hypercompact CRISPR system called CRISPR/Cas12f-GE was published in an online issue of Nature Biotechnology (IF 54.9), one of the world's top-tier biotechnology journals.

For effective gene therapy, it is absolutely essential that the genetic payload be delivered to the desired location inside a patient's body. The best method for accomplishing this is to use the Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) as a vector. AAV is a non-enveloped single-stranded DNA virus that penetrates cells that either divide or do not divide. AAV replicates only when a helper virus is present and thus it is non-pathogenic to humans. Because of these traits, AAV is an effective and practical method to deliver genes into various types of cells and is used as a vector in gene therapy. However, with the CRISPR/Cas9 technology, the size of the scissor gene is large and it is difficult to transport the gene inside the human body using the virus (AAV) carrier. For this reason, the clinical use of CRISPR/Cas9 as a gene therapy is very limited.

Because the size of the gene in the 'CRISPR/Cas12f-GE' system developed by GenKOre is one-third that of Cas9, it is an ideal payload for AAV delivery. GenKOre demonstrated its potential utility as the best gene therapy by improving the editing efficiency. In addition to high editing efficiency, it has proven to be effective and safe as gene scissor technology with respect to the off-target issue, a chronic weakness of CRISPR gene scissors.

The hypercompact CRISPR system Cas12f-GE has revealed its value as a therapeutic agent that can be widely used for developing medical treatments for patients who chronically suffer from life-long illnesses or diseases due to the lack of fundamental remedies.

GenKOre, which successfully developed this new technology, is a spin-off company of the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology (KRIBB), a research institute funded by the South Korean government.

Dr. Yong-Sam Kim, CEO of GenKOre remarked, "I hope that our achievements based on our research will bring about a revolution in gene therapies utilizing this genome-editing tool. Our technology can be seen as a breakthrough by resolving the major obstacle linked to the original CRISPR technology, and I am optimistic that in tandem with existing gene scissors, our technology will contribute to the human health and welfare."

With the successful development of CRISPR/Cas12f-GE, GenKOre plans to step up its development of gene therapy and new products through its unique gene scissor technology and collaborate with other companies in becoming a market leader in the realm of gene therapy and new plant biotechnology.

For more content on GenKOre's paper published online by Nature Biotechnology, refer to https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-021-01009-z.

The website of GenKOre is www.genkore.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1665213/gene_scissor_technology.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1665214/GenKOre.jpg
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 20, 2021 / Element79 Gold Corp. (CSE:ELEM)(OTC PINK:ELMGF)(FSE:7YS) ("Element79 Gold", the "Company") is pleased to welcome Mr. Antonios Maragakis to the position of Chief Operating Officer.

Mr. Maragakis holds a distinguished resume, including management and director-level positions overseeing multi-billion dollar project portfolios internationally at organizations such as:

Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE Listed), where he lead project controls in North America across a portfolio of 70+ projects worth over $2.3 billion.

(NYSE Listed), where he lead project controls in North America across a portfolio of 70+ projects worth over $2.3 billion. Skeena Resources Limited (TSX Listed), where he worked closely with executive leadership to develop the Eskay Creek Project and corporate processes and management systems.

(TSX Listed), where he worked closely with executive leadership to develop the Eskay Creek Project and corporate processes and management systems. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE Listed), where he helped develop the $3 billion Indonesian Copper Smelter Project which includes a 2 million ton/annum smelter and precious metal recovery plant.

(NYSE Listed), where he helped develop the $3 billion Indonesian Copper Smelter Project which includes a 2 million ton/annum smelter and precious metal recovery plant. Eldorado Gold Corporation (TSX, NYSE Listed), where he was Project Director for the over $1 billion Skouries Project as well as leading the operational turnaround of the Kassandra Mines.

(TSX, NYSE Listed), where he was Project Director for the over $1 billion Skouries Project as well as leading the operational turnaround of the Kassandra Mines. Koch Industries (the largest privately held company in the U.S.), at its subsidiary, Koch Ag. & Energy Solutions where he helped execute the Enid Expansion Megaproject, at the time the largest capital project ever undertaken by the entire Koch Industries conglomerate.

(the largest privately held company in the U.S.), at its subsidiary, Koch Ag. & Energy Solutions where he helped execute the Enid Expansion Megaproject, at the time the largest capital project ever undertaken by the entire Koch Industries conglomerate. Mochica Resources and Calipuy Resources (private Peruvian gold mines) where he oversaw the development of various project portfolios.

"It's a tremendous vote of confidence when a highly seasoned director such as Mr. Maragakis, with his wealth of experience overseeing multi-billion dollar projects, makes the decision to dedicate his valuable time to a junior mining company such as Element79 Gold," said James Tworek, President and CEO of the Company. "The expertise that Mr. Maragakis brings to the table will be invaluable to the development of our growing portfolio of properties."

Mr. Maragakis completed his Ph.D. at the University of Delft, M.Sc. at the University of Bath, as well as his B.Sc and B.A. at the University of Nevada, and Executive Training at the London Business School. He brings with him 15+ years of experience leading some of the largest mining megaprojects in the last decade.

"Based on my international experience, especially in Nevada and Canada, I am confident in my ability to deliver significant value across such a diverse set of properties at Element79 Gold," commented Mr. Maragakis. "I look forward to working with the team on this unique opportunity, particularly at such early stages of development."

Element79 Gold Receives DTC Approval

The Company is also pleased to announce that the DTC has completed their Eligibility Review and approved Element79 Gold under the ticker symbol "ELMGF". DTC is a subsidiary of Depository Trust & Clearing Corp., a U.S. company that manages the electronic clearing and settlement of publicly traded companies. Securities that are eligible to be electronically cleared and settled though DTC are considered DTC eligible. Element79 Gold's common shares have been made eligible for book entry delivery and depository services of DTC to facilitate the electronic settlement of transfers of its common shares in the United States. DTC eligibility will simplify the process of trading and is expected to enhance the liquidity of the company's common shares on the OTC (over-the-counter) markets. The Company is pursuing an application for full listing on the OTCQB.

About Element79 Gold

Element79 Gold is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mining properties for gold and associated metals within the mining-friendly jurisdictions of Nevada, British Columbia, and Ontario. In Nevada, the Company is closing on its acquisition of the flagship Maverick Springs Project, which consists of 247 unpatented mining claims on the border of Elko County and White Pine County, Nevada, and the Battle Mountain Portfolio, which consists of 2,203 unpatented mining claims in Elko County, Eureka County, Humbolt County, Lander County, and Nye County, Nevada. In British Columbia, the Company has executed a Letter of Intent to acquire a private company which holds the option to 100% interest of the Snowbird High-Grade Gold Project, which consists of 10 mineral claims located in Central British Columbia, approximately 20km west of Fort St. James. In Ontario, the Company has an option to acquire 100% interest in the Dale Property which consists of 90 unpatented mining claims located approximately 100 km southwest of Timmins, Ontario, Canada in the Timmins Mining Division, Dale Township. For more information about the Company, please visit www.element79.gold or www.element79gold.com

Contact Information

For corporate matters, please contact:

James C. Tworek, Chief Executive Officer

E-mail: jt@element79gold.com

For investor relations inquiries, please contact:

Investor Relations Department

Phone: +1 (604) 200-3608

E-mail: investors@element79gold.com

Sources

Element79 Gold makes no warranty as to the completeness, accuracy, verifiability, or suitableness of any of the information contained on the following third-party links and expressly undertakes no obligation to update the following links.

(1) CV provided to the Company by Mr. Maragakis

(2) https://www.forbes.com/sites/andreamurphy/2020/11/23/americas-largest-private-companies-2020-koch-industries-at-no-1-for-first-time-in-13-years/'sh=2f968c38fa5f

(3) https://news.kochind.com/CMSPages/GetFile.aspx?guid=78b12cd6-3070-4b7a-9901-afeb74356301#:~:text=Koch%20Nitrogen%27s%20facility%20in%20Enid,largest%20in%20Koch%20Industries%27%20history.

(4) https://www.tudelft.nl/en/about-tu-delft

(5) https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/bath-takes-top-10-position-in-the-times-and-sunday-times-good-university-guide-2022/

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Technical Disclaimer

This news release and related maps contain information about adjacent properties and properties with similar characteristics on which the Company has no right to explore or mine. Readers are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties or properties that share similar characteristics are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties. Readers are also cautioned that this news release contains historical technical information which is based on prior data prepared by previous property owners. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to confirm such information; significant data compilation, re-drilling, re-sampling and data verification may be required to do so.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" under applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management made in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the Company's business strategy; future planning processes; exploration activities; the timing and result of exploration activities; capital projects and exploration activities and the possible results thereof; acquisition opportunities; and the impact of acquisitions, if any, on the Company. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Consequently, forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed. As such, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, assumptions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "forecast", "potential", "target", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements".

Actual results may vary from forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the duration and effects of the coronavirus and COVID-19; risks related to the integration of acquisitions; actual results of exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; commodity prices; variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; actual performance of plant, equipment or processes relative to specifications and expectations; accidents; labour relations; relations with local communities; changes in national or local governments; changes in applicable legislation or application thereof; delays in obtaining approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; exchange rate fluctuations; requirements for additional capital; government regulation; environmental risks; reclamation expenses; outcomes of pending litigation; limitations on insurance coverage as well as those factors discussed in the Company's other public disclosure documents, available on www.sedar.com . Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included herein should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.

SOURCE: Element79 Gold Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/668842/Element79-Gold-Welcomes-Barrick-Gold-Alumnus-and-Experienced-Mining-Executive-as-Chief-Operating-Officer
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The global dermatology CRO market size is expected to reach USD 7.04 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2021 to 2028. The rise in demand for topical dermatological medications, such as anti-inflammatory agents, anti-infective, local anesthetics, cleansers, and emollients, to treat acne is a major factor driving the market. Furthermore, increased awareness regarding skin diseases, high demand for speedy diagnosis, and an increase in the prevalence of skin cancer and other skin problems are all driving the industry forward.

Key Insights & Findings:

Based on type, the clinical segment grabbed the largest revenue share of over 75.0% in 2020 owing to technological advancements, globalization of clinical trials, and the need for dermatology CROs to conduct clinical trials

In the clinical type segment, the phase III segment accounted for the largest revenue share of over 50.0% in 2020 as phase III clinical trials are the most expensive and involve a large patient pool

By service, clinical monitoring held the largest revenue share in 2020 owing to an increase in the number of clinical trials and the need to monitor those trials efficiently

Asia Pacific captured the largest revenue share of over 40.0% in 2020. This is due to the high prevalence of skin disorders, diversity in populations, the ease with which patients may be recruited and retained, and improving regulatory framework

Read 120 page market research report, "Dermatology CRO Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Preclinical, Clinical, Drug Discovery), By Service (Clinical Monitoring, Regulatory/Medical Affairs), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028", by Grand View Research

The COVID-19 pandemic shook the economy in 2020 and has an ongoing impact on various industries across the globe. The market for dermatology contract research organizations (CRO) was largely unaffected by the repercussions of the pandemic owing to the emergence of virtual clinical trials and government initiatives to sustain the disrupted supply chains in healthcare. Moreover, with the ongoing vaccination drives and lifting of shelter in place mandates, the bottlenecking of clinical trials is improving. Thus, the future seems good for the market.

Factors such as increased investment in R&D programs, a preference for outsourcing tasks due to time and cost constraints, and patent expiration in the dermatology industry are some of the key factors expected to drive the market over the forecast period. Contract research outsourcing collaborations provide cutting-edge services, thus pharmaceutical players and government agencies prefer to delegate projects to dermatology CROs, allowing the market to develop.

Grand View Research has segmented the global dermatology CRO market on the basis of type, service, and region:

Dermatology CRO Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Drug Discovery



Target Validation





Lead Identification





Lead optimization



Preclinical



Clinical





Phase I





Phase II





Phase III





Phase IV

Dermatology CRO Service Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Project Management/Clinical Supply Management



Data Management



Regulatory/Medical Affairs



Medical Writing



Clinical Monitoring



Quality Management/Assurance



Bio-statistics



Investigator Payments



Laboratory



Patient and Site Recruitment



Technology



Others

Dermatology CRO Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

North America



U.S.





Canada



Europe



Germany





U.K.





France





Italy





Spain



Asia Pacific



China





Japan





India





Australia





South Korea



Latin America



Brazil





Mexico





Argentina





Colombia





Chile



Middle East & Africa

&

South Africa





Saudi Arabia





UAE





Iran





Israel

List of Key Players of Dermatology CRO Market

IQVIA HOLDINGS INC.

Covance Inc.

Pharmaceutical Product Development, LLC (PPD)

Parexel International Corporation

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.

Icon, Plc

Syneos Health

Wuxi AppTec

Bioskin

Proinnovera

Browse through Grand View Research's coverage of the Global Medical Devices Industry:

Drug Discovery Outsourcing Market - The global drug discovery outsourcing market size was valued at USD 3.1 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4% over the forecast period.

The global drug discovery outsourcing market size was valued at in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4% over the forecast period. Clinical Trials Market - The global clinical trials market size was estimated at USD 44.3 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% from 2021 to 2028.

The global clinical trials market size was estimated at in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% from 2021 to 2028. Anti-infective Agents Market-The global anti-infective agents' market size was valued at USD 111.1 billion in 2018 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 3.4% during the forecast period.

Gain access to Grand View Compass, our BI enabled intuitive market research database of 10,000+ reports

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com



Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com

Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661327/Grand_View_Research_Logo.jpg
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- One stop business payment solution provider, Safenetpay, Financial Supervisory Authority, following the establishment of a Danish subsidiary.

Being granted this EMI licence will give Safenetpay the freedom to promote and provide services across the EU/EEA (subject to passporting), without the need to negotiate arrangements and obtain separate licences in other member states countries. Furthermore, establishing a Danish subsidiary and obtaining a new EMI licence and will allow Safenetpay to expand its operations in Europe and provide SMEs and sole traders across the continent with smarter business solutions.

As with many UK-based FinTechs, Safenetpay was looking for European base to continue their ambitious growth plans post Brexit. Safenetpay initially considered Ireland, the Netherlands, France and Cyprus, but ultimately opted for Denmark.

Sanjar Mavlyanov, Founder and CEO, Safenetpay, says:

"We chose Denmark as our European base because it is home to one of the most thriving start-up cultures in Europe and is has one the most digitalised economies in the world. The Danish regulators encourage Entrepreneurial spirit, collaboration and the pursuit of innovative solutions to complex problems."

Safenetpay will be hiring a local team to oversee its entry into to the Danish market, with a focus on targeting domestic SMEs and sole traders before branching across Europe in the future. The team will work under the Danish subsidiary of Safenetpay, with UK operations continuing to be managed from their London headquarters.



About Safenetpay

Safenetpay Services Company Ltd is an Electronic Money Institution authorised by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority for issuing electronic money and providing payment services. Safenetpay ApS is an Electronic Money Institution authorised by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority for issuing electronic money and providing payment services.



Safenetpay provides an all-in-one payment processing, acquiring and business banking service for SMEs, sole traders and freelancers. Safenetpay offers multi-currency business accounts, international payments in over 150 currencies, card processing and merchant accounts.

For more information visit: www.safenetpay.com

Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1664895/Safenetpay_EU_EEA_Customers.mp4
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 20, 2021) - Euro Asia Pay Holdings Inc. (CSE: EAP) ("EAP" or the "Company"), a leading fintech solutions provider, is pleased to announce that the Company has signed a binding letter of intent dated October 19, 2021 (the "LOI"), to acquire NexPay Pty Ltd., an Australian next-generation fintech company for "edutravel" payments ("NexPay"), in an all-equity transaction. Both EAP and NexPay are among the leaders in providing innovative and convenient payment solutions for the global education market and expect the proposed acquisition to further enhance their respective offerings.

The Transaction

The LOI outlines the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Company will acquire all the issued and outstanding equity securities of NexPay in exchange for 14,800,000 common shares of EAP at a deemed price of $0.25 per share, for an aggregate transaction value of $3,700,000 (the "Proposed Transaction"). The Proposed Transaction will be at arm's length and is expected to be structured as a contractual share exchange, plan of arrangement, amalgamation or other similar form of transaction as may be agreed upon by the parties. The final structure of the Proposed Transaction is subject to the receipt of tax, corporate and securities law advice by both EAP and NexPay.

The common shares of EAP issuable in the proposed transaction will be issued subject to applicable securities laws, the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") and such escrow, pooling, voluntary stock restriction, earn-out or similar agreements as the parties may agree upon. No finder's fees are payable by either EAP or NexPay in connection with the Proposed Transaction.

The parties currently anticipate entering into a definitive agreement in respect of the Proposed Transaction (the "Definitive Agreement") by no later than December 17, 2021, and completing the Proposed Transaction during the first quarter of 2022. No concurrent financing is required; however, EAP anticipates completing a non-brokered private placement in advance of the closing date for general working capital purposes. The pricing and other terms of that financing are still to be determined.

The Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, the parties successfully entering into the Definitive Agreement; the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the CSE; the delivery of any required financial statements by NexPay; and certain other closing conditions, including the completion of satisfactory due diligence by both the Company and NexPay.

In connection with the Proposed Transaction, EAP has agreed to grant NexPay the right to appoint one director of the Company at the closing, presently anticipated to be Piew Yap, NexPay's Chief Executive Officer. In addition, EAP has agreed to provide the sum of AU$80,000 to NexPay in order to, in part, assist NexPay with its legal and other expenses related to the Definitive Agreement and the closing of the Proposed Transaction. The advance is expected to be in the form of a secured loan with a term of 12 months that bears interest at the rate of 5% per annum, but will be repayable upon demand within 30 days in certain circumstances, including if NexPay enters into a competing acquisition proposal.

NexPay Pty Ltd.

NexPay is a global payments company specialising in education-related payments. With offices and a team located in Australia, the UK, Europe, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Chile, NexPay has processed tens of thousands of payments totalling close to $200 million since the company's inception. NexPay has seen its monthly revenue close to triple since the start of 2021 as it successfully transforms and pivots its business in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

EAP will issue further new releases in accordance with the policies of the CSE providing further details in respect of the Proposed Transaction, the insiders of NexPay and other material information as it becomes available.

"At Euro Asia Pay, we continue to diversify our business, our addressable market and the industries that we service," commented Peter MacKay, CEO of EAP. "Having previously collaborated with NexPay on various projects, joining forces will allow both parties to accelerate and meet their full potential in the market through synergistic efficiencies. We are confident that this transaction will add great value to both companies' subscriber base, stakeholders and the global education market as a whole. We are thrilled with the possibility of working more closely with the NexPay team and to welcome them to the EAP family."

"The tech stack and banking infrastructure of EAP will enable us to fast track our growth plans and improve our payment speed and efficiency," said Piew Yap, CEO of NexPay. "We are experiencing a consistent growth in volume in the past eight months with the lifting of travel restrictions. With Australian borders set to reopen by year end, a quick and seamless integration with EAP will enable us to hit the ground running just as colleges and universities around the world prepare for the new intake of international students especially in the North America region. The team at NexPay is excited to join an innovative and high growth company like EAP."

About Euro Asia Pay Holdings Inc.

Euro Asia Pay Holdings Inc. is a developer of innovative financial solutions for the next generation of consumers. Its first product, SideKick, enables parents to transfer, control and monitor payments to their children in a simple, intuitive manner. The product includes a student-facing mobile application, a prepaid student payment card and a parent portal, among other features.

To learn more about EAP's products and services, visit www.euroasiapay.com.

About NexPay Pty Ltd.

NexPay is an Australian fintech company founded in 2011 which offers unique payment services to education agents, schools and students-both, locally and globally. By understanding the synergy between education providers, agents and students, NexPay allows its users to streamline their payments quickly and safely. NexPay's innovative split solution helps both education agents and schools organize and transform their payment experience. NexPay offers students an easy way to pay for their educational globally through a highly secure payment platform with competitive exchange rates and no bank fees.

To learn more about NexPay's products and services, visit www.nexpay.com.au.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Peter MacKay

Chief Executive Officer & Director

For further information, please contact:

Peter MacKay

Chief Executive Officer & Director

(800) 508-8813

ir@euroasiapay.com

For all media queries, please contact:

Swati Mehta

PR Associates

(403) 804-0768

smehta@prassociates.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release include forward-looking statements or information (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. The Company is providing cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause its actual results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "may", "anticipates", "is expected to", "estimates", "intends", "plans", "projection", "could", "vision", "goals", "objective" and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. The Company has based the forward-looking statements largely on its current estimates, assumptions and projections about future events and trends that it believes may affect its business, financial condition and results of operations.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, which contribute to the possibility that the predicted outcomes may not occur or may be delayed. The risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, include, but are not limited to: the ability of the Company to establish a market for its products; competitive conditions in the mobile payments industry which could prevent the Company from becoming profitable; the ability of the Company to complete the Proposed Transaction; the ability to obtain any required regulatory and other approvals or satisfy any other conditions to the completion of the Proposed Transaction; the potential impact of the announcement or completion of the Proposed Transaction on relationships, including with regulatory bodies, employees, suppliers, customers and competitors; the diversion of management time on the Proposed Transaction; the effectiveness and efficiency of advertising and promotional expenditures to generate interest in the Company's products; dependency on continued growth in the adoption of mobile payment technology; volatility of the market price of the Company's securities; the inability to secure additional financing; the Company's intention not to pay dividends; claims, lawsuits and other legal proceedings and challenges; conflicts of interest with directors and management; and other relevant factors.

Factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements include its history of losses from operations; technology risks; its ability to obtain the additional financing required to meet long-term goals; its dependence on key personnel, including its executive officers; and uninsured risks. These factors are not exhaustive.

Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/100259
- New US-based innovation hub marks another important step in StoreDot's global expansion, supporting mission to enable automotive manufacturers to accelerate electric vehicle adoption with fast-charging technologies

- Facility to use US-based talent to drive the development and mass production of solid-state extreme energy density (XED) battery technologies

- US facility will support StoreDot's Israel-based global R&D headquarters

- StoreDot gives automotive manufacturers a clear and risk-free technology roadmap for seamless and rapid transition to electrification, creating a cleaner world

HERZELIYA, Israel, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- StoreDot, the pioneer of extreme fast charging (XFC) technology for electric vehicles, continues its global expansion and the development of future solid-state batteries with the opening of an R&D innovation hub in California, USA.

The new US-based innovation hub is being established to help StoreDot in its mission to promote a zero-emissions world, providing automotive battery technologies that will significantly enhance the electrified vehicle ownership experience, eradicating range anxiety. It will work alongside StoreDot's Israel-based R&D headquarters, enabling its revolutionary XFC automotive battery technologies to be mass produced by 2024. It will also immediately commence research into next-generation extreme energy density (XED) solid-state capabilities and materials, with the aim of scaling-up these advanced technologies for mass production by 2028.

Dr Doron Myersdorf, StoreDot CEO "This new US R&D innovation hub signals that our business is rapidly expanding, as we are scaling up our extreme fast charging technologies. Establishing a facility in California will allow us to harness the world-class talent pool that's available there, with many people and organizations at the forefront of next-generation advancements. This will bolster the development of our world leading XFC technologies and onto XED solid-state batteries. We are also actively considering establishing a manufacturing partnership in the US, as it's essential that major automotive manufacturing centers have captive capacity, redressing the current imbalance in favor of Asian manufacturers and making batteries where electric vehicles are made."

"Our new US team will work in tandem with our rapidly expanding global network bringing new skills and ideas in order that we can execute our clear technology roadmap, enabling automotive manufacturers to develop vehicles that overcome range and charging anxiety."

StoreDot is now in advanced discussions with many of the world's leading automotive manufacturers and is already shipping samples for real world testing.

About StoreDot:

StoreDot is a pioneer and leader of extreme fast charging (XFC) batteries that overcome the critical barrier to mainstream EV adoption - range and charging anxiety. The company has revolutionized the conventional Li-ion battery by designing and synthesizing proprietary organic and inorganic compounds, making it possible to fully charge an EV in just five minutes - the same time it takes to refuel a conventional combustion engine vehicle. StoreDot's battery technology is optimized for best driver experience with XFC in Li-ion batteries, as well as future technologies for extreme energy-density (XED).StoreDot's strategic investors include BP, Daimler, Samsung Ventures and TDK. In 2019, the company achieved a world first by demonstrating the live full charge of a two-wheeled EV in just five minutes. In 2020, the company demonstrated the scalability of its XFC batteries for other industries, by fully charging a commercial drone in five minutes in another world first. Moving XFC battery technology from the lab to a commercially-viable product for the first time, StoreDot has launched engineering samples of its first-generation batteries that are designed to be manufactured at scale on traditional Li-ion production lines.

For more information see: www.store-dot.com .

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1665554/StoreDot_US_expansion.jpg
HANGZHOU, China, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 15, the complete collection of the 15-year book series, Textiles from Dunhuang, was finally launched at Donghua University. Led by Prof. Zhao Feng, director of China National Silk Museum and professor of Donghua University, the team collaborated with specialists from four countries to complete this historical masterpiece.

It includes 10 volumes of Chinese and English versions of Dunhuang textiles from UK, French, Russian, and Chinese collections in Lushun and Dunhuang Academy, with multiple texts and over a thousand pieces from large banners to small fragments. Completion of the vast Textiles from Dunhuang project benefited from its strong international team from cultural institutions across the world, including British Museum, British Library, Victoria and Albert Museum, Musee Guimet, National Library of France, State Hermitage Museum St. Petersburg, Dunhuang Academy, and Lushun Museum based on research from the China National Silk Museum and Donghua University.

From 2004, Donghua University and China National Silk Museum jointly established a Dunhuang Textile Research Team, which started studying Dunhuang textiles in a comprehensive and systematic way. In 2006, Prof. Zhao Feng was invited to UK, France, and Russia to study fabric remains from the Library Cave (Cave 17) in Mogao Grottos, Dunhuang. Since the end of 2013, another team from China National Silk Museum carried out systematic analysis and conservation of textiles mainly from the northern part of Mogao Grottos.

For the first time, this book series takes Dunhuang textiles as a complete object for research and publication that fills the gap in Dunhuang studies. As Mikhail Piotrovsky, director of the State Hermitage Museum said, "Thanks to these studies and the ensuing publications we can reconstruct the complex history of silk and its production in the 1st millennium AD -- the material that became the symbol and gave the name to the great trade route." Textiles from Dunhuang is a work of excellence signifying, "It shows the importance of rigorous training, experience with historical materials and mutual collaboration at the highest level, and it has opened the way for further research and understanding in the future", Helen Wang, the curator from the British Museum added.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1665650/China_Silk_Museum.jpg
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 20, 2021 / Accelerated Technologies Holding Corporation (OTC PINK:ATHC), Has released a legal opinion letter covering 12/31/2018 - 6/30/2021, and takes another step closer to achieving "Current" status with OTCiq. ATHC a rapidly emerging leader in providing consulting and enterprise-level technology services and operates disruptive technologies products in the sectors of artificial intelligence, short-term alternative funding platforms, electronic payment solutions, social engagement, health, and wellness solutions. ATHC announced it has taken another necessary step towards achieving "Current" status. We have provided a Legal Letter from our attorneys and continue to support the process and provide additional information as required by OTCiq in order to achieve our goals.

Once all the information submitted by the Company to OTC Markets has been reviewed, it is expected that ATHC will be upgraded to "Current Information" status. All documentation including financial statements and the required legal opinion are completed, and all fees have been paid and uploaded for its anticipated up-listing approval. The Company now awaits Yield Sign removal and further direction from OTC Markets.

In addition, Accelerated Technologies Holding Corporation Announces Use of Social Media Sites for Corporate Disclosures effective November 1st. 2021.

Corporate Web Site: https://athc.com/

While not all of the information that the Company posts to the Company website or to its Social Media accounts above is of a material nature, we believe some information could be deemed to be material. Accordingly, the Company encourages clients, resellers, investors, the media, and others interested in the Company to review the information that it shares and to sign up for and regularly follow the Company's Social Media sites. Investors and others should also review the Company's public filings with https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/ATHC/disclosure.

Social Media Links

https://twitter.com/ATHCOTC

https://www.facebook.com/ATHCOTC

https://www.instagram.com/accelerated_technologies/

For further information, please contact the company, info@athcorp.com.

About ATHC

Accelerated Technologies Holding Corporation (OTC PINK:ATHC) is a publicly traded full-service end-to-end business solution and technology company that specializes in cloud-based disruptive technologies. ATHC provides consulting and enterprise-level technology services and operates disruptive technologies products in the sectors of artificial intelligence, short-term alternative funding platforms, electronic payment solutions, social engagement, health, and wellness solutions. ATHC's expertise lies in consumer Internet, cloud computing and software-as-a-service (SaaS), mobile software and services, software-powered consumer electronics, infrastructure and applications software, networking, storage, databases, and other backend systems. ATHC's infrastructure can accommodate most business sectors ranging from small local business to national conglomerates.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this press release, including any information as to our strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance and other statements that express management's expectations or estimates of future performance, constitute "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. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "expect," "will," "anticipate," "contemplate," "target," "plan," "continue," "budget," "may," "intend," "estimate," "project" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, certain delays beyond the company's control with respect to its plans or operations. Our actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation those set forth as "Risk Factors" in our filings with the SEC which can be found at www.sec.gov. There may be other factors not mentioned above or included in the Company's SEC filings that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

For further information, please contact the company at info@athc.com .

Related Links:

athc.com

rompos.com

SOURCE: Accelerated Technologies Holding Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/668923/ATHC-Submits-Legal-Letter-Covering-12312018--6302021-and-Takes-a-Step-Closer-to-Current-Status-with-OTCiQ
Singapore, Singapore--(Newsfile Corp. - October 20, 2021) - SevenX Ventures, an Asia-based blockchain fund, recently announced that they had raised $30 million in the second phase of their fund. This development came on August 16 when SevenX was able to add LPs from the likes of family offices, hedge funds, blockchain industry veterans, and internet companies to their list. The firms said they would be moving towards Venture Fund II which will specifically focus on DeFi, NFT, WEB3.0, Polkadot ecosystem, NEAR ecosystem, and the new ecology of the data storage paradigm represented by Arweave.

Needless to say, since its inception in 2020, crypto investment firm SevenX has directed these investments towards the benefits of several companies including DODO, YGG, and Acala, among others. With the help of fundings coming from SevenX Ventures, these companies have seen immense growth. In their very first year, SevenX's first phase of funding saw a 20-fold increase, breaking a new record.

Mapping out SevenX Ventures' Portfolio

SevenX looks for long-term value projects that can make the real world better using a long-term development mindset and underlying logic perspective. There are a number of success stories among SevenX's portfolio and the following statistics demonstrate some of such outcomes:

In the DeFi space, as one of the first investment funds specializing in DeFi, SevenX is an angel investor in Opium, Shield, Kine, InsureAce, DODO. In addition, they were also the first investor in Furucombo and had made a strategic investment in Zerion in 2020;

In the NFT field, SevenX has carried out a matrix layout under its own logic framework. Starting with the core technology system, it has co-led the Rangers Protocol investment with Framework and Pantera, and then went on to invest in NFT Alchemy.

In the middle layer (content and application layer), SevenX invested in MintGate, BeeperDAO, and ShowMe; Whereas in the upper layer of "NFT+DeFi," SevenX invested in Taker and NiftyPay.

In the top traffic layer of the wallet, SevenX also invested in Blocto, YGG, and Whaleshark- one of the world's largest collector communities, Moreover, SevenX also invested in MYNFT, an interconnection platform with East and West creators.

As for the Arweave, SevenX has been investing in this area as a frontier since 2020. "There will be an extraordinary wave of breakthroughs in the Arweave ecosystem over the coming years, " stated Eraser Li, the founding partner of SevenX Ventures. Koii and Everpay are building a storage-based computation paradigm based on Arweave; ARGO, the appless augmented reality solution provider, allowing developers to deploy DAPP to AR instantly, while ArDrive enables customers to use AR as their own data storage solution as easy as using an Internet network disk. These are the SevenX portfolio.

Immersion Investing

The blockchain ecosystem is highly autonomous and for a startup to grow in such uncertain conditions, funding is not the "do-all." Blockchain startups need much more than just money - they need the resources, tools, and knowledge necessary to execute plans and strategies. This is where the role of SevenX comes into play.

SevenX doesn't just provide blockchain startups with the bucks, but also strategic consulting services. The entrepreneurs get an opportunity to understand the industry as an omniscient spectator - an external view. Furthermore, SevenX attempts to understand the problems and challenges that the entrepreneurs face, thereby finding solutions and opportunities accordingly. And that's where SevenX provides all-around help and why SevenX has come up with an "immersion investing" strategy.

The team's bid to provide growth opportunities and foster entrepreneurs has helped shape its "immersion investing" strategy. Take DODO as an example, a decentralized exchange platform powered by the Proactive Market Maker (PMM) algorithm. As the angel and private round investor, SevenX has provided DODO with consulting services, including strategy, community, fundraising, and token economic design. Just one year after the product's launch, it has become one of the top 15 trading volumes of DEX. SevenX also assisted Maskbook in the global market, connected with leading crypto funds; helped Darwinia reposition as "Polkadot's Golden Gate Bridge" to enhance market awareness.

Looking Forward

The rise of any industry is due to the efforts of countless entrepreneurs, and SevenX Ventures will further capitalize on the next wave of crypto innovators and entrepreneurs. In doing so, the crypto company appreciates the efforts of all and welcomes more and more entrepreneurs to join the SevenX family and be a part of the miraculous change that the world is witnessing at the moment.

Media Contact

Jenny Sun

E-mail: info@7xvc.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SevenXVentures

Website: http://www.7xvc.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/100333
3DEXPERIENCE VAR: +19%, of which +16% organic

VISIATIV PLATFORM: up +6% at constant scope and exchange rates

Recurring revenue up +5%, of which +13% for SaaS subscriptions

Lyon, 20 October 2021 - 6:00 p.m. Visiativ, a creator of digital platforms to accelerate corporate transformation, is listed on Euronext Growth in Paris (FR0004029478, ALVIV).

Visiativ maintained a sustained pace of growth in Q3 2021, generating consolidated revenue of 42.1m, up +16%, of which +15% at constant scope and exchange rates, versus Q3 2020. Over the first nine months, Visiativ's consolidated revenue came in at 133.8m, an increase of +13% (+12% organic1) versus the same period in 2020, and up +5% versus the first nine months of 2019, i.e. before the health crisis.

In line with Q2, the 3DEXPERIENCE VAR division enjoyed buoyant growth in the wake of solid commercial success underpinned by dynamic corporate investment trends. The division's growth over the first nine months now stands at +19% (+16% organic1). For its part, the VISIATIV PLATFORM division achieved growth of +4% over nine months (+6% organic1), with double-digit growth for Innovation consulting (+16%) and +4% for Software (Moovapps), with sales in SaaS mode up +13% since the start of the year.

For the first nine months of FY 2021, recurring revenue was up +5%, representing 63% of business. International sales were particularly strong, up +22% over nine months (+19% at constant scope and exchange rates), and now account for 27% of the Group's revenues.

Consolidated revenues - unaudited data

 m - figures at 30/09 9 months

2020 9 months

2021 Change Organic growth 3DEXPERIENCE VAR (Dassault Systemes) 65.9 78.7 +19% +16% VISIATIV PLATFORM 52.8 55.2 +4% +6% o/w Software (Moovapps) 20.8 21.6 +4% -1% o/w Consulting 24.2 28.1 +16% +14% o/w Cloud services 7.8 5.4 -30% 2% Total revenues 118.7 133.8 +13% +12% o/w recurring revenue 80.7 84.3 +5% +3% % recurring revenue 68% 63%

Performances by division

After a particularly upbeat Q2, the 3DEXPERIENCE VAR division (Value-added reseller) maintained a sustained pace of growth in Q3 (+23% of which +22% organic). Visiativ benefits from solid commercial success as a result of investment projects in new technologies, hydrogen and renewable energies, both in France and Internationally, where the growth rate exceeded +25% over the quarter.

The VISIATIV PLATFORM saw its revenues increase by +9% (+7% excluding the impact of the disposal of the Valla subsidiary in 3D printing) in Q3 2021.

Sales of software applications (Moovapps) in SaaS mode continue to gain ground (+13% in year-to-date 2021 after +11% for the entire year in 2020), now amounting to 56% of the Software business's recurring revenue (versus 50% in 2020), including maintenance services.

Consulting (innovation, operational excellence and transformation) continues to advance at a double-digit pace of +23% in Q3 (+17% organic).

Cloud Service activities, refocused on the cloud and on managed services following the disposal of Valla at the beginning of the year, remain stable at +2% at constant scope over nine months.

Recurring revenue (software maintenance, SaaS contracts and subscriptions) increased +5% over the nine-month period (+3% organic), accounting for 63% of Visiativ's total billing.

Q3 was also marked by very brisk international business, with revenues outside France up +34% (+29% at constant scope and exchange rates) with, in particular, organic growth of more than 50% in the United States. International business now accounts for 27% of the Group's sales since the beginning of 2021 (versus 25% in 2020 over the same period).

Outlook

Visiativ's Q3 performance confirms the acceleration in organic growth observed in Q2 2021, now back to double-digit growth rates. The Group has taken full advantage of the positioning of its offers, focused on companies' digital transformation in a context of strong corporate investment.

Based on this dynamic, Visiativ confirmes its 2021 objective for a level of business similar to 2019 before the health crisis, while improving its operational performance.

Thereafter, Visiativ will continue to execute its CATALYST strategic plan, and reiterated its EBITDA target of 30m for 2023.

2021 financial agenda

Events Dates FY 2021 revenues Wednesday 26 January 2022 FY 2021 results Wednesday 23 March 2022

These dates are given as an indication and may be subject to change if necessary. All publications will be issued after close of trading on Euronext Paris.

About Visiativ

A true platform of human and digital experiences, Visiativ is a global player with multiple areas of expertise (consulting, software editing and integration, platform creation, IT outsourcing). Through its unique value proposition, it helps accelerate companies' innovation and digital transformation. Working with mid-caps since its foundation in 1987, the Visiativ Group posted 2020 revenues of 190 million and boasts a diverse portfolio of over 18,000 customers. Covering all of France's business hubs and with operations worldwide (Belgium, Brazil, Canada, USA, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Morocco, UK and Switzerland), Visiativ has over 1,000 employees. The Visiativ share (ISIN code FR0004029478, ALVIV) is listed on Euronext Growth Paris. The share is eligible for the PEA and PEA-PME personal equity plans.

For further information, visit www.visiativ.com

VISIATIV CONTACT

Lydia JOUVAL

External communication

Tel.: +33 (0)4 78 87 29 29

lydia.jouval@visiativ.com INVESTOR CONTACT

ACTUS

Mathieu OMNES

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 92

momnes@actus.fr PRESS CONTACT

ACTUS

Serena BONI

Tel.: +33 (0)4 72 18 04 92

sboni@actus.fr

1 growth at constant consolidation scope, restated for the consolidation of MSC Associates (on 01/03/20), AJ Solutions (on 01/04/21), Ma Sauvegarde and IFTC (on 01/07/21) and at constant exchange rates.

2 With the sale of the Valla subsidiary, the Business Development Division was renamed Cloud services, grouping Visiativ's cloud and managed services businesses.

Appendices

Consolidated revenue Q1 - unaudited data

 m - figures at 31/03 Q1 2020

3 months Q1 2021

3 months Change Organic growth 3DEXPERIENCE VAR (Dassault Systemes) 24.2 25.1 +4% +3% VISIATIV PLATFORM 18.1 18.7 +3% +8% o/w Software (Moovapps) 7.0 7.4 +6% +5% o/w Consulting 8.4 9.4 +12% +14% o/w Cloud services 2.7 1.9 -30% +1% Total revenues 42.3 43.8 +4% +5% o/w recurring revenue 27.9 28.6 +3% +3% % recurring revenue 66% 65%

Consolidated revenue Q2 - unaudited data

 m - figures at 30/06 Q2 2020

3 months Q2 2021

3 months Change Organic growth1 3DEXPERIENCE VAR (Dassault Systemes) 22.1 29.5 34% 26% VISIATIV PLATFORM 18.2 18.4 1% 9% o/w Software (Moovapps) 7.0 6.7 -4% -2% o/w Consulting 8.4 9.8 17% 20% o/w Cloud services 2 2.7 1.9 -28% 3% Total revenues 40.3 47.9 19% 18% o/w recurring revenue 27.8 29.1 5% 4% % recurring revenue 69% 61%

Consolidated revenue Q3 - unaudited data

 m - figures at 30/09 Q3 2020

3 months Q3 2021

3 months Change Organic growth1 3DEXPERIENCE VAR (Dassault Systemes) 19.6 24.1 +23% +22% VISIATIV PLATFORM 16.5 18.0 +9% +7% o/w Software (Moovapps) 6.7 7.5 +11% -3% o/w Consulting 7.4 8.9 +23% +17% o/w Cloud services 2 2.4 1.6 -34% +1% Total revenues 36.1 42.1 +16% +15% o/w recurring revenue 25.0 26.7 +7% +5% % recurring revenue 69% 63%

1 growth at constant consolidation scope, restated for the consolidation of MSC Associates (on 01/03/20), AJ Solutions (on 01/04/21), Ma Sauvegarde and IFTC (on 01/07/21) and at constant exchange rates.

2 With the sale of the Valla subsidiary, the Business Development Division was renamed Cloud services, grouping Visiativ's cloud and managed services businesses.

------------------------

This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ".

- SECURITY MASTER Key:

xnBxYpRoaWeZxnBrlMlmmmNlaWqVmJWWbZOcnJScl8fJbmtnlm+Ub5qeZnBimmtr

- Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com.

------------------------



 Copyright Actusnews Wire

Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free

Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-71565-visiativ-pr-q3-2021-20211020-en.pdf
WYNNEWOOD, PA / ACCESSWIRE / October 20, 2021 / For a hospital system to be a hub of medical invention runs counter to preconceived notions of its role as a healthcare provider. Then again, the person most responsible for infusing that goal throughout the Main Line Health system www.mainlinehealth.org set the tone by defying preconceived notions herself.

Two years ago, George Prendergast, president and CEO of Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, part of Main Line Health, and L2C Partners founder Merle Gilmore asked Barbara Wadsworth, COO, Main Line Health executive vice president and chief nursing officer, whether she believed Main Line Health nurses had ideas to improve patient care from daily experience that could become patentable inventions.

She not only said yes but became point person for the effort. Under Wadsworth's leadership, word disseminated systemwide to Main Line Health's 3,000 nurses that the organization wanted their ideas - and would empower those with the best concepts to become inventors. Today, Main Line Health has applied for patents on behalf of nurses - as well as doctors and other team members - for a half dozen devices and software that could help patients in areas ranging from preventing falls in the bathroom to innovations in electronic records. One of the inventors would prove to be Wadsworth herself.

The devices and software are being developed and commercialized by a joint venture called Lankenau Ventures-formed by LIMR, Early Charm Ventures and L2C Partners. Lankenau Ventures' https://bit.ly/2Zg1T4d efforts complement LIMR's continuing acapreneurialTM (academic/entrepreneurial) efforts to license biotech developments, drug candidates and blood assays developed by Main Line Health employees and spin off companies to develop them.

"Merle and George said they really felt front-line nurses would have ideas for inventions because they run up against problems needing solutions every day," Wadsworth said. "I thought that was a great idea. So I arranged a session for Merle to meet some of our talented nurses. From there, I had nurse leaders and other nurses including our Nursing Research Council get the word out throughout the system. I'm thrilled with the results."

"Barbara has done everything we've asked of her and more," Prendergast said. "At LIMR, we've been making great strides in becoming known for our acapreneurial approach, but she has helped us take it a new level. Her tremendous work ethic, vision and enthusiasm are key reasons why so many quality inventions are coming out of Main Line Health."

Wadsworth has been with Main Line Health in executive roles for nine years, but she has been a nurse for about 35. "Once a nurse, always a nurse," Wadsworth says. From her experience, she knew Main Line Health's nurses would deliver.

Once given the information on how to proceed, Wadsworth coordinated with Dr. Amy Callahan, a nurse who serves as system director for magnet quality and professional excellence who runs Main Line Health's research fellowship. They decided to introduce Gilmore at Main Line Health's annual research day for nurses, then instructed to those in attendance to get the word about inventions all the way to the bedside nurses.

"Our staff always has good ideas and suggestions," Wadsworth said. "I think they saw this as something different and innovative on its own. Nobody walks around asking nurses for inventions. But we did, and they really responded."

Under Wadsworth's leadership, Main Line Health history was made with the American Nurses Credentialing Center announced the 2019 achievement of becoming one of only 22 health systems in the nation to achieve Magnet status, recognizing overall excellence. Main Line Health repeated in 2020.

Wadsworth put on her inventor shoes by seeking a patent for a portable airbag/cushion-deployment device with a sensor that would detect if a patient is falling. The compact device could be mounted or stabilized in the bathroom or other high-risk areas for falls.

Colleen Rogers, a nurse with Main Line Health's Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, has come up with a support device that can be used to cradle a patient's limb when changing a dressing rather than having a second nurse or staff member help when the patient is too weak. Many diabetic patients stand to benefit.

Michelle Gray, who was a nurse for 12 years and is now an informatics specialist, came up with a work-saving device of shared electronic medical charts, allowing nurses to enter information once in cases of mother and newborn baby rather than typing out all the data twice.

"I give Barbara a lot of credit," Gray said. "Barbara was an inventor and she really wanted to encourage the staff to spark their ideas. It was great to know that Main Line Health is listening to us."

Wadsworth received her doctorate in Nursing Practice, Health Systems Leadership, from Vanderbilt University in 2014. She also became certified as a Nurse Executive, Advanced; a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing; and a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

About Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR):

LIMR is a nonprofit biomedical research institute located on the campus of Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa., and is part of Main Line Health. Founded in 1927, LIMR's mission is to improve human health and well-being. Faculty and staff are devoted to advancing innovative new approaches to formidable medical challenges, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal disorders, autoimmune diseases, and regenerative medicine, as well as population health. LIMR's principal investigators conduct basic, preclinical and translational research, using their findings to explore ways to improve disease detection, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. They are committed to extending the boundaries of human health through technology transfer and training of the next generation of scientists and physicians. For more information, visit www.limr.org.

About L2C Partners:

L2C Partners, founded in 2015 by Merle Gilmore, provides outsourced technology transfer and commercialization services in the pharma, bioscience and tech categories for educational institutions and research centers. www.l2cpartners.com/

About Early Charm:

Early Charm is a venture studio based in the Charm City (Baltimore) that creates, owns and operates companies in four different industry verticals: Advanced Materials, Drug Discovery, AG Tech and Engineered Products. Early Charm continuously engages with industry to identify current market needs. Once those market needs are assessed, we source cutting-edge technologies that fulfill those needs and develop and commercialize the resulting products and services. www.earlycharm.com/

Contact:

Larry Hanover

484/476-8425

hanoverl@mlhs.org

SOURCE: Lankenau Institute for Medical Research

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/668941/At-Main-Line-Health-Drive-for-Invention-to-Improve-Patient-Care-Starts-with-COOChief-Nursing-Officer
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 20, 2021) - Canada Computational Unlimited Inc. (TSXV: SATO) (the "Company", "CCU.ai" or "SATO") is pleased to announce that as part of its commitment toward renewable energy and sustainability, it has taken part in the Bitcoin Mining Council's ("BMC") Q3 Data Review. SATO is one of 29 participants in the survey representing 33% of the entire Bitcoin Mining Network and currently uses 100% renewable energy for all its mining operations.

The Bitcoin Mining Council, formed by Michael Saylor from MicroStrategy, is a voluntary and open forum of miners committed to the network and its core principles. BMC promotes transparency, shares best practices, and educates the public on the benefits of Bitcoin and Bitcoin mining.

The Company's CEO, Romain Nouzareth, represented SATO at the BMC discussion series which covered progress on sustainable Bitcoin Mining as well as insight into the future vision and usage of the lighting network.

Romain Nouzareth, CEO and Chairman of CCU.ai, commented, "Bitcoin blockchain technology applications are vastly evolving, as are the worldwide mining operations that support the infrastructure that make it possible. BMC provides the network with the opportunity to ensure that we are on the right trajectory toward sustainability. I am encouraged by the data we have compiled, and that we are part of an industry that is so environmentally conscious. As per the presentation, the Bitcoin network only uses 0.12% of the world's energy production and we have one of the highest usage of sustainable mixed energy of any industry. I believe we are on the right track and look forward to seeing this industry thrive."

For the full BMC presentation please follow the link:





If you cannot view the video above, please visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPai5uoN2tg

On Behalf of the Company,

Romain Nouzareth,

CCU.ai CEO and Chairman

About CCU.ai - SATO

CCU.ai operates a state-of-the-art, carbon-neutral bitcoin mining center with a contract of 20 MW of stable, eco-friendly energy. The company's high-density calculation centers are built for high-grade cryptocurrency mining, AI data processing, and fintech infrastructure.

Founded in 2017, CCU.ai is led by technology entrepreneurs, electricity and ventilation experts, network specialists, and Canadian industrialists. Since its inception, the company has pursued a vision of environmental stewardship throughout the mining process. The excess supply of renewable energy in the province of Quebec has made this endeavor feasible and a great base for growth.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

The information and data contained in this release are for informational purposes only and are not an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities.

For additional information, please contact:

Caroline Klukowski,

Tel: 604.260.5490

ir@ccu.ai

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/100341
The winners of the 13th Gaia Research campaign were announced on Tuesday 19 October 2021.

Aubay was invited this year to join the podium in 3rd place for companies in the 150m-500m revenue category.

The Gaia ranking recognises France's top 70 SMEs and SMIs in terms of environmental, social and governance performance. Aubay has been participating in this initiative since its launch in 2009.

This result rewards the Group's continuous efforts in this area since 2004, the year it joined the United Nations Global Compact, and which today are now focused on three areas divided into quantified targets presented below.

Reduce our environmental impact by improving our carbon footprint and adopting a Green IT approach.

Achieving net zero emissions by 2030

Powering 60% of sites of the Group by renewable electricity by 2025

Reducing energy consumption per employee in 2025 in relation to 2018

Recovering 100% of our waste electrical and electronic equipment by 2025

Reducing by 15% paper consumption per employee in 2025 in relation to 2018

Being a responsible employer by attracting talent and increasing the value of our employer brand, by retaining our employees, ensuring their well-being and guaranteeing equal opportunities.

Exceeding a target of more than 80% of our trainees hired each year at the end of their studies

Meeting a target of 40% of women in management positions by 2025

A rate of 3.5% of employees with disabilities in France by 2025

Building partnerships with positive impacts by ensuring quality of service, responsible purchasing, establishing solidarity partnerships and promoting digital inclusion.

Obtaining ISO 9001 certification for 90% of our sites by 2025

Having 100% of our strategic suppliers become signatories of our Responsible Purchasing Charter by 2025

Reaching a 60% target for our social impact partnerships contributing to digital responsibility in France by 2025

Developing close relationships with stakeholders in the sheltered employment sector in France in 2025

"We are honoured to have been selected to join the Gaia Research podium this year by achieving 3rd place in the ranking. Aubay has been committed to CSR for over 17 years and it intends to ramp up its efforts even further in this area in the coming years.This year's commitment to 12 medium-term objectives offers further proof that Aubay's CSR ambitions are an important cornerstone of its strategy. As a leading digital services company, our goal is to continue our collective efforts by adopting a Green IT approach". Philippe Rabasse, Chief Executive Officer of Aubay Group

Read Aubay's 2020 non-financial statement on pages 53 to 98 of the 2020 URD by clicking here.

About AUBAY

Group Aubay is a digital services company working alongside some of the biggest names in the Banking, Finance, Insurance, Manufacturing, Energy, Transport and Telecoms sectors. With 7,103 employees in 7 countries (France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom), Aubay generated revenue of 426.4m and 2020.

Euronext, Compartment: B - ISIN FR0000063737-AUB - Reuters AUBT.PA - Bloomberg AUB:FP

Contacts

Amaury Dugast - Actus Finance - Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 74 - E-mail: adugast@actus.fr

David Fuks - Co-Chief Operating Officer - Finance Department - Tel.: +33 (0)1 46 10 67 67 - E-mail: dfuks@aubay.com

------------------------

This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ".

- SECURITY MASTER Key:

mplpZ51saWbGmGqaZpqWbpOWbJiVm2HFa5THxGGalZ6XaGyRyptjb5THZnBimm1n

- Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com.

------------------------



 Copyright Actusnews Wire

Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free

Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-71581-aubay-advances-to-the-gaia-research-2021-podium-eng.pdf
DGAP-Ad-hoc: Aroundtown SA / Key word(s): Tender Offer/Delisting

Aroundtown SA decides on launch of public delisting tender offer to the shareholders of TLG IMMOBILIEN AG



20-Oct-2021 / 19:18 CET/CEST

Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION (IN WHOLE OR IN PART) IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Art. 17 Sec. 1 of the Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation - MAR) Aroundtown decides on launch of public delisting tender offer to the shareholders of TLG IMMOBILIEN AG



Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, October 20, 2021 - Today, the Board of Directors of Aroundtown SA ("Aroundtown" or "AT"), with its registered office in Luxembourg (City), Luxembourg, decided to submit a public delisting tender offer (the "Delisting Offer") pursuant to Section 39 para. 2 sent. 3 no. 1 German Stock Exchange Act (Borsengesetz) in the form of a cash offer to the shareholders of TLG IMMOBILIEN AG ("TLG"), with its registered office in Berlin, Germany, to acquire all no-par value bearer shares in TLG, each with a notional interest in the share capital of EUR 1.00 (ISIN DE000A12B8Z4) (the "TLG Shares") not already held by AT. Aroundtown currently holds a share of approx. 79.89% of the share capital of TLG. Under the Delisting Offer, AT will offer EUR 31.67 in cash as consideration for each TLG Share tendered for acceptance, subject to the determination of the minimum price and the final determination in the offer document. Due to non-tender agreements entered or expected to be entered into, the expected maximum offer consideration is approx. EUR 145,000,000 pursuant to the provisions of the German Stock Exchange Act (Borsengesetz) in conjunction with the German Securities Acquisition and Takeover Act (Wertpapiererwerbs- und Ubernahmegesetz). The offer will not include any closing conditions. The Delisting Offer will otherwise be made on the terms and conditions set forth in the offer document. To the extent legally permissible, AT reserves the right to deviate from the basic information described herein. TLG has undertaken towards AT to apply for the revocation of the admission to trading of the TLG Shares on the Regulated Market (Regulierter Markt) (General Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Frankfurter Wertpapierborse) (so-called Delisting) prior to the expiration of the acceptance period of the Delisting Offer.

Contact:

Timothy Wright T: +352 288 313 E: info@aroundtown.de http://www.aroundtown.de Important Notice: This announcement is for information purposes only and neither constitutes an invitation to sell, nor an offer to purchase, securities of TLG. The final terms and further provisions regarding the delisting tender offer will be disclosed in the offer document after its publication has been approved by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt fur Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht). To the extent legally permissible, AT reserves the right to deviate in the final terms of the delisting tender offer from the basic information described herein. Investors and holders of securities of TLG are strongly recommended to read the offer document and all announcements in connection with the delisting tender offer as soon as they are published, since they contain or will contain important information. The offer will be made exclusively under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, especially under the German Securities Acquisition and Takeover Act (Wertpapiererwerbs- und Ubernahmegesetz), the German Stock Exchange Act (Borsengesetz), and certain provisions of the securities laws of the United States of America applicable to cross-border tender offers. The offer will not be executed according to the provisions of jurisdictions other than those of the Federal Republic of Germany or the United States of America (to the extent applicable). Thus, no other announcements, registrations, admissions or approvals of the offer outside of the Federal Republic of Germany have been filed, arranged for or granted. Investors in, and holders of, securities in TLG cannot rely on having recourse to provisions for the protection of investors in any jurisdiction other than the provisions of the Federal Republic of Germany or the United States of America (to the extent applicable). Subject to the exceptions described in the offer document as well as any exemptions that may be granted by the relevant regulators, a public tender offer will not be made, neither directly nor indirectly, in jurisdictions where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of such jurisdiction. AT reserves the right, to the extent legally permitted, to directly or indirectly acquire further shares outside the offer on or off the stock exchange. If such further acquisitions take place, information about such acquisitions, stating the number of shares acquired or to be acquired and the consideration paid or agreed on, will be published without undue delay, if and to the extent required by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany or any other relevant jurisdiction. To the extent any announcements in this document contain forward-looking statements, such statements do not represent facts and are characterized by the words "will", "expect", "believe", "estimate", "intend", "aim", "assume" or similar expressions. Such statements express the intentions, opinions or current expectations and assumptions of AT and the persons acting together with AT. Such forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and forecasts, which AT and the persons acting together with AT have made to the best of their knowledge, but which they do not claim to be correct in the future. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and usually cannot be influenced by AT or the persons acting together with AT. These expectations and forward-looking statements can turn out to be incorrect and the actual events or consequences may differ materially from those contained in or expressed by such forward-looking statements. AT and the persons acting together with AT do not assume an obligation to update the forward-looking statements with respect to the actual development or incidents, basic conditions, assumptions or other factors. 20-Oct-2021 CET/CEST The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.dgap.de


Regulatory News:

Eutelsat Communications (Paris:ETL) (Euronext Paris: ETL) Chief Executive Officer Rodolphe Belmer has notified the board of directors of his intention to step down at the beginning of 2022.

Rodolphe Belmer has been CEO of Eutelsat since March 2016, during which time he has successfully implemented a strategy of strict operating and financial discipline and set the company firmly on its strategic path to address the opportunities of the connectivity sector.

The process of recruiting a successor will begin immediately. In the meantime, Rodolphe will remain fully at the helm and focused on the development and performance of Eutelsat.

Dominique D'Hinnin, Chairman of the Board of Eutelsat: "Rodolphe has made a fantastic contribution to the development of Eutelsat during his more than five years at its helm, putting the company on the strong financial and strategic footing on which it finds itself today. It has been my great personal pleasure to work alongside Rodolphe, and I thank him warmly for his contribution to Eutelsat on behalf of the entire Board. We are fully focused on finding a successor to Rodolphe who will continue to lead the company on this strategic path."

Rodolphe Belmer commented: "It has been my great pleasure to lead this fantastic company for the last six years and to executing its telecom pivot. It has been an exciting time both professionally and also personally. The women and men of this company have shared with me their passion for space, their attachment to the European industry and their full commitment to the great, collective project that is Eutelsat."

About Eutelsat Communications

Founded in 1977, Eutelsat Communications is one of the world's leading satellite operators. With a global fleet of satellites and associated ground infrastructure, Eutelsat enables clients across Video, Data, Government, Fixed and Mobile Broadband markets to communicate effectively to their customers, irrespective of their location. Around 7,000 television channels operated by leading media groups are broadcast by Eutelsat to one billion viewers equipped for DTH reception or connected to terrestrial networks. Headquartered in Paris, with offices and teleports around the globe, Eutelsat assembles 1,200 men and women from 50 countries who are dedicated to delivering the highest quality of service.

For more about Eutelsat go to www.eutelsat.com

www.eutelsat.com Follow us on Twitter @Eutelsat_SA

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020006021/en/

Contacts:

Media

Anne Meaux

Tel.: +33 6 89 87 61 76

ameaux@image7.fr



Joanna Darlington

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 31 07

jdarlington@eutelsat.com



Marie Sophie Ecuer

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 32 45

mecuer@eutelsat.com



Jessica Whyte

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 46 21

jwhyte@eutelsat.com



Investors

Joanna Darlington

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 31 07

jdarlington@eutelsat.com



Cedric Pugni

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 31 54

cpugni@eutelsat.com



Alexandre Illouz

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 46 81

aillouz@eutelsat.com
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - October 20, 2021) - Author Bruce Calhoun recently released his captivating retelling of a favorite classic and the first installment of a planned series, Ardennia: The Unlikely Story of Cinderella's Prince. Combining Chaucer-like satire and an expanded cast of memorable characters, Calhoun's version of Cinderella as told through the eyes of her prince is a refreshing new take.





Book cover of Ardennia

Unknown to many is that Cinderella had its origins in 9th Century China. Through the years, Cinderella has been retold in an unimaginable number of ways until it changed into the versions that we are familiar with today. For those who do not believe this to be true, there are more than 500 Cinderella books recorded by the American Library Association and more than 100 film adaptations of Cinderella.

Ardennia follows the life of Prince Charming from the chaos of the Battle of Paris to his first moments with Cinderella at the masquerade ball. His quest to discover her true identity takes him through strange lands inhabited by creatures like pixies and goblins. Along the way, he meets an extraordinary group of people, including a bean counter who bets his gold tooth in games of chance and pilgrims who argue over which of them is the most pious.

Unlike traditional versions of Cinderella's story, Ardennia strikes a realistic balance between the magic and brutality of the medieval era. By blending the fairytale of Cinderella with an analysis of the Ardennes region of France, Calhoun's work is reminiscent of Don Quixote and other works that use humor to reflect on past historical ages.

Although Ardennia is a young adult historical fantasy novel, many elements will appeal to an adult audience as well. Early reviewers applaud the author's ability to flesh out a childhood classic "with a great deal of historical and geographical background along with a bit of the family tree of both protagonists."

At its core, Ardennia also contains valuable lessons and themes for young adult readers. Calhoun's unorthodox retelling emphasizes that real magic is often hard to come by, but the world is still a magical place. Despite adversity and doubt, Prince Charming perseveres on his journey to find love in the unlikeliest of places.

Ardennia: The Unlikely Story of Cinderella's Prince is available for purchase on Amazon.com or wherever books are sold. Sequels are currently in development.

Bruce Calhoun is an author and award-winning playwright. From teaching marine biology in Puerto Rico to filming lowland gorillas in Africa, he has always believed in the power of adventure. Now in his golden years, Calhoun enjoys writing and serving as the president of Save the Rainforest, an organization that he founded in 1988. He lives with his wife in southwestern Wisconsin. Visit him online at www.literaryworksbrucecalhoun.com/novels.html.

Media contact:

Lisa Quinn

eBook or Print

lisa.quinn[at]ebookorprint[.]com
MAPLEWOOD (dpa-AFX) - Industrial conglomerate 3M Co. said it reached a settlement in the lawsuit that it contaminated the Tennessee river with toxic chemicals. The company agreed to pay around $98.4 million in settlement claims. The lawsuit was filed by an environmental group Tennessee Riverkeeper and a separate class action was also filed by residents of Morgan County in Alabama. The company also arrived at a private settlement with Morgan County, the city of Decatur, where the company's local facility is set up and also with Decatur's utility provider. All the three settlement agreements revolve around the company's manufacturing and disposal of polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, at the Decatur industrial site in Morgan County. The 3M settlements follow in the footsteps of the U.S Environmental Protection Agency statement that it would be setting limits on PFAS, which can cause diseases like kidney cancer. PFAS are known as 'forever chemicals' because they do not break down easily. These chemicals are being used household products such as non-stick cookware since ages. 3M said that it did not agree with the charges of pollution and the settlement agreements need to be submitted for final approval. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - October 20, 2021) - ApartmentLove Inc. (CSE: APLV) ("ApartmentLove" or the "Company"), a leading home and apartment rental marketing platform serving landlords and renters nationwide and around the world, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a marketing and consulting contract with an at arm's length Toronto-based digital marketing and consulting firm, North Equities Corp. ("North Equities") (the "Engagement").

North Equities specializes in creating general company awareness on social media and other digital platforms for growth-oriented and scalable public companies. "Delivering greater awareness and more widespread dissemination of the Company's news, North Equities will increase the reach and capacity of our marketing programs designed to educate and excite the retail community," explained Trevor Davidson - President & CEO of ApartmentLove. In signing the 6-month Engagement with North Equities and committing to $100,000 in marketing support of ApartmentLove Mr. Davidson noted, "Adding further exposure of our company to new audiences is of particular importance to our growth. As evidenced by the size of our commitment, we are very pleased to have retained North Equities to assist us in our ongoing marketing efforts."

When asked what separates North Equities from its peer group, Jason Coles - CEO of North Equities shared, "We identify as a team who grew up using social media and believe ourselves to be ahead of the curve. Sharing cool and exciting news about good and growing companies faster than traditional outlets is one example of what sets us apart." Prioritizing platforms like Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, Online Forums, YouTube, Discord, and Telegram, North Equities has a proven record of building company awareness and a respected and well-known brand in the fast-changing landscape of marketing in today's digital first and on demand environment.

About ApartmentLove Inc.

ApartmentLove Inc. (CSE: APLV) is a leading provider of residential rental marketing services to landlords and property managers nationwide. Promoting rental properties in every major rental market in Canada and the United States, ApartmentLove has active rental listings in 30-countries on 5-continents around the world and is among the largest home and apartment finder websites online today. Having proven its ability to scale as a fast-growing technology company in the hot "PropTech" industry, ApartmentLove is executing its growth and expansion plans as promised by acquiring good assets in choice rental markets at attractive multiples.

For more information visit www.ApartmentLove.com or contact:

Trevor Davidson

President & CEO

ApartmentLove Inc.

tdavidson@apartmentlove.com

(647) 272-9702

Reader Advisory

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

ApartmentLove | the feeling of home

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/100407
FRANKFURT, Germany, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The 73rd Frankfurt Book Fair will be held in Frankfurt, Germany from October 20 to 24, 2021. China National Publications Import & Export (Group) Corporation (CNPIEC) is helping 51 Chinese publishing companies to participate in the event where they will exhibit 1,007 titles and 1,495 volumes of high-quality publications at a joint exhibition booth for Chinese publishers. During the book fair, Chinese publishers will hold 59 events in a combination of offline and online ways, including book recommendations, a Sino-foreign copyright trade fair, and new book promotions, with the aim of spreading China's classic stories to the world.

A rich array of outstanding China-themed books to be displayed at the fair

During the book fair, CNPIEC will present foreign language editions of excellent books and key copyrighted books from 51 domestic publishing houses at the 56 square-meter joint booth for Chinese publishers, covering China themes, literature, social science, traditional culture, children's and language learning. In addition, as part of the event, a series of new China-themed books will be released online, including Zhejiang Photographic Press' De Qing Qing Di Liu that shows the successful completion of the establishment of China as a well-off society, and Guangdong People's Publishing House's English edition of new book Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area: Planning and Global Positioning that outlines the prospects of the Greater Bay Area and the important role that it plays in fueling the growth of the global economy.

59 events to be held during the book fair

During the exhibition, the Chinese publishers will host 59 informative events that will take place in various forms, including:

1. An online promotion themed "China Book News" and 5 online copyright promotions, each of which will promote high-quality major books that cover China themes, social science, literature, science and children's, with President Xi Jinping and College Students, Comic Stories of Celebrities, I Am Hua Mulan, Yun Zhong JiandYu Lu Ma serving as prime examples.

2. An online Sino-foreign copyright trade fair;

3. Online new books and copyright promotions that showcase Chinese publishers' achievements in exporting copyrighted books to foreign countries.

The 51 Chinese publishers that have confirmed to take part in the exhibition include China Publishing Group and People's Publishing House.
Shlomo Kramer, CEO and co-founder, Cato Networks

Cato Networks, a Tel Aviv, Israel-based provider of a Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platform, raised $200M in additional funding at a valuation of $2.5 billion.

The round was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners with the participation of existing investors Greylock, Aspect Ventures / Acrew Capital, Coatue, Singtel Innov8, and Shlomo Kramer.

The company intends to use the new funds to accelerate sales, technology, and business growth to further support the security and global networking needs of large enterprises.

Led by Shlomo Kramer, CEO and co-founder, Cato Networks is a SASE platform, converging SD-WAN, network security, and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) into a global, cloud-native service. The solution optimizes and secures application access for all users and locations.

Using Cato Cloud, customers migrate from MPLS to SD-WAN, optimize connectivity to on-premises and cloud applications, enable secure branch Internet access everywhere, integrate cloud datacenters into the network, and connect mobile users with Cato SDP client and clientless access options.

The Cato SASE Cloud, built on the proprietary Cato SPACE technology, is a SASE platform that can connect and secure all enterprise edges  sites, mobile users, and cloud resources  with one global cloud-native platform. The Cato SASE Cloud is distributed across more than 65 PoPs worldwide.

FinSMEs

20/10/2021
Mage, a Santa Clara, Calif.-based collaborative AI tool for product developers, raised $6.3m in seed funding.

The round was led by Gradient Ventures, Googles AI-focused venture fund, with participation from firms such as Neo and Designer Fund and angel investors such as Unity CEO John Riccitiello, Behance founder Scott Belsky, Lennys Newsletter author Lenny Rachitsky and James Beshara.

Co-founded by Tommy Dang and Xiaoyou Wang, Mage is a low-code tool built for product developers, making it easy for product teams to build, train, and integrate AI into their apps. Its design allows product developers to import and transform data from anywhere; train, enhance, and deploy models quickly, without relying on data scientists. While Mages tool can serve many use-cases, the team is currently focused on optimizing customer product engagement and revenue growth

Still in beta with plans to launch in early 2022, Mage is focused on serving small to medium-sized companies. The startup is actively hiring for a variety of roles in product design and engineering and plans to use the new capital to build AI tools that enable product teams to train a new model or leverage an existing one without AI experience.

FinSMEs

20/10/2021
Multiverse Computing, a San Sebastian, Spain-based quantum computing startup dedicated to finance, closed a seed funding round of 10m (USD $11.55m).

The round was led by JME Ventures and also included Quantonation, EASO Ventures, Inveready, CLAVE Capital (Mondragon Fondo de Promocion), Ikerlan, LKS, Penja Strategy, Seed Gipuzkoa and Ezten Venture Capital Fund.

The company intends to use the funds to consolidate growth and globalization strategy as well continue to advance its technology and marketing, to gradually enter into new markets such as energy, mobility and smart manufacturing.

Led by Enrique Lizaso, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO, Roman Orus, Ph.D., co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer, and Sam Mugel, Ph.D., co-founder and technical director, Multiverse Computing provides Singularity, which enables financial professionals to run quantum algorithms on any quantum computer from a simple spreadsheet to address complex problems, such as portfolio optimization and fraud detection, without requiring any knowledge of quantum computers.

The company, which was founded in March 2019 with the help of the Basque Government-Spri and the Provincial Council of Guipuzkoa through the Txekintek / Ekintzaile program, collaborates with technology partners in quantum computing such as IBM, Microsoft, Xanadu, D-Wave, IonQ, Rigetti, Pasqal, Alpine, Quantum Technologies, Strangeworks, Orca, Amazon AWS, Fujitsu, among others.

The company will also increase support for its global expansion which currently includes a fully operational office in Toronto and two recent office openings in Paris and Munich. By the end of the year, Multiverse Computing expects to have at least 24 quantum algorithm international patents.

FinSMEs

20/10/2021
Picus Security, a San Francisco, CA and Ankara, Turkey-based Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) technology company, closed a $24m Series B funding round.

The round, which brought total funding to $33m, was led by Turkven with participation from existing investor Earlybird Venture Capital, as well as cyber security veteran Nathan Dornbrook.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate expansion in North America as well as across EMEA and APAC.

Led by H. Alper Memis, Co-founder and CEO, Picus provides a Complete Security Control Validation Platform that simulates real-world cyber threats, including ransomware and APT groups, to enable enterprises to continuously assess and improve the effectiveness of their security controls. The platform includes more than 11,000 attacks and 70,000 actionable mitigations, and is updated daily to reflect the latest adversarial techniques and behaviors.

Picus validates controls at prevention and detection layers, including NGFW, SIEM and EDR tools, and supplies vendor-specific mitigation content that enables security teams to swiftly address threat coverage and visibility gaps.

As security teams and business leaders shift from a reactive to a proactive approach to security, the company has introduced its Purple Academy, which offers free online training to help learners of all levels improve their knowledge of the latest cyber-attack methods and defense strategies. To date, more than 4,500 students in 160 countries have completed courses.

FinSMEs

20/10/2021
RevOps, a San Francisco, CA-based sales automation platform for quote-to-cash deal management, raised $5m in a follow-on seed round, bringing its total seed funding to $6.7m.

The round was led by Caffeinated Capital, Coatue Management, and Googles AI-focused venture fund Gradient Ventures. They joined angel investors like Jeff Lawson of Twilio and executives from Airtable, GitHub, and Twilio.

The company intends to use the funds to expand the executive bench and the team as well as invest resources in integrations and programs for early stage startups.

Founded by Adam Ballai and and John Solis, RevOps is a sales automation platform featuring tools for businesses to configure, price, quote, and sign deals. The company, which serves high growth, early stage startups, will be launching its Agreement Automation integration into the HubSpot marketplace to give HubSpot CRM users the tools they need to scale.

FinSMEs

20/11/2021
Flagler College Theatre Arts to perform French Revolution era play The Revolutionists

Director Elaina Wahl-Temple sits behind a table as her cast rehearses The Revolutionists, taking notes in a binder with a sticker on the front that says "Women Who Behave Rarely Make History." The quote encapsulates the show, presented by Flagler College Theatre Arts in Lewis Auditorium, November 10-14, 2021.

The Revolutionists by Lauren Gunderson is a play that brings together playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, Haitian Revolutionary spy Marianne Angelle, and queen Marie Antoinette during the Reign of Terror in the French Revolution. However, something that makes this piece different is it's a comedy. "It's a play that features these women dying by guillotine and the horrors that came with being a woman during the French Revolution, but it's still a comedy. We've all seen so many tragedies on topics like this, but a comedy makes the audience think and feel in a different way," says Wahl-Temple.

Wahl-Temple quickly fell in love with Gunderson's play after reading it in 2018, seeing that while women aren't being executed by guillotine in the modern era, they are still fighting for many of the same rights these women were. Though the cast is adorned in 18th-century gowns, they speak in modern vernacular; it may seem out of touch for the modern-day, what these women say isn't far from what is heard in media today. We've had over two hundred years to back progress in, but we still have so far to go. And this show and these women are the perfect examples of that."

The Revolutionists performs Nov 10th-13th at 7:30 pm and Nov 14th at 2 pm in Lewis Auditorium, located at 14 Granada Street in downtown St. Augustine. A Q & A following the Thursday performance will include a talkback session with the director, actor, and faculty member Dr. Lorna Bracewell.

Tickets are $15 for General Admission. Admission is free for Flagler College faculty, staff, and students, and non-Flagler students can purchase $5 tickets at the door. The box office will be open Monday through Friday 35 pm the week of the show and 1 hour before curtain. Tickets can also be purchased online at Flagler.universitytickets.com.

For more information, please call 904-826-8600.

Tagged As
Two individuals have filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Pikeville challenging the Pike County Schools Districts mask mandate.

The lawsuit, filed Oct. 13, names the Pike County Board of Education, Superintendent Reed Adkins in his official capacity, as well as board members Stephany Lowe, Shane Hurley, Jimmy Dwayne Abshire, Rexel Nee Jackson II and Ireland Blankenship in their individual capacities and in their capacities as members of the Pike County Schools Board of Education.

It is filed on behalf of N.R., a minor, by and through her parent, Mikey Ratliff; and Levi Newsom, a resident and taxpayer in the Pike County School District.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs claim that the board and board members individually violated the United States and Kentucky constitutions through their commission of, unauthorized restrictions of liberty; identification of a minor as a potential public health risk with no jurisdiction; identification and declaration of a minor as a potential public health risk with no jurisdiction; declaration of mandates to restrict a minors liberty with no legal jurisdiction; declaration of mandates that have no legal jurisdiction to restrict civil liberties; declaration of mandates restricting liberties with no prior public comment; declaration of mandates imposing dress code that does not align with dress code regulations; declaration of mandates as medical experts; and deprivation of students and parents civil liberties with no authority.

According to the lawsuit, the district, on Aug. 4, issued an email to staff saying that masks would be optional, but changed policy after an Aug. 10 executive order by Gov. Andy Beshear and an Aug. 12 administrative regulation by the Kentucky Board of Education, both of which were ultimately overturned by the Kentucky Legislature in a special session.

As evidence for the ending of the mandate, the plaintiffs provided documentation they allege backs up assertions that the masks are ineffective and may be harmful for children.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs are asking that the court vacate the mandate; declare the policy is void and without legal force or effect; restrain the board from taking such actions and; grant other and further relief as may be just, equitable, and proper including without limitation, an award of attorneys fees and costs to plaintiffs.

No attorney is listed on the case, but Ratliff is listed as the representation for the plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs have also filed a motion asking for a temporary restraining order, which, in its title correctly identifies Lowe, Hurley, Abshire, Jackson and Blankenship, but identifies them as members of the Mayfield City School District Board of Education.

No answer had been filed as of presstime.

In response to the lawsuit, Superintendent Reed Adkins said that the district has multiple options available for students to learn, including virtual learning if students are uncomfortable attending school in person with a mask. Also, he added that the school district allows students to bring in a doctors note if they have a medical reason for not wearing a mask.

Weve offered different options that accommodate all students in reference to the mask mandate, Adkins said.
 Unlimited website access 24/7

 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7

 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more!

With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime.
Friends and family members

Living in the United States

The reduction of new coronavirus cases

All of the above and more

Vote

View Results
Bayou La Batre Police need the public's help finding two bandits who robbed a woman at a haunted house.

That frightful encounter happened at the South Bay Nightmare Haunted House Saturday night.

The victim Lynn Harris says she volunteers with the South Bay Alliance.

Harris says most of the money they raise goes back to the community, so she can't understand why anyone would want to steal it.

"All I remember seeing is hands going into that cash box and I really don't remember a whole lot other than looking up and I saw the gun in my face," Harris recalled. "And I dove down behind the desk."

Harris says the men ran out getting away with almost $1,200.

The South Bay Alliance is a volunteer non profit organization that raises money for the community.

Harris says what they took was much more valuable than money.

"It was a big impact. With the year round expenses that we have and then what we try to do for our community, you know, it made a big impact on us," Harris said.

Harris says changes will be coming to keep someone else from experiencing another horrific incident like this including the installation of security cameras, security, and police officers patrolling more frequently in the area.

The two people that police are looking for may have been in a gray or tan Chevy or Dodge truck.

A $500 reward is being offered to anyone with information.
Please either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
Keep the conversation about local news & events going by joining us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Recent updates from The News-Post and also from News-Post staff members are compiled below.
In this Oct. 18 photo, the Supreme Court is seen in Washington. Texas is urging the Supreme Court to leave in place its law banning most abortions and telling the justices theres no reason to rush into the case. The state filed its response Thursday to the Biden administrations call on the high court to block the law and rule conclusively this term on the measures constitutionality.
Fort Wayne, IN (46808)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 28F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 28F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
A Colorado man has been arrested in Benton County after an alleged robbery in which he is accused of helping himself to coffee at a Downtown Corvallis bakery and then later confronting an employee at knifepoint.

Clyde Johnson, 39, was arrested by the Corvallis Police Department on Oct. 13 and booked into Benton County Jail.

He was arraigned in Benton County Circuit Court on Thursday, Oct. 14 for charges of first-degree robbery, unlawful use of a weapon, menacing and third-degree theft. Johnson pleaded not guilty to all charges.

According to court documents, on or about Wednesday, Oct. 13, Johnson allegedly used a knife or blade during a robbery after he allegedly stole coffee valued at less than $100 from New Morning Bakery in Corvallis.

A probable cause affidavit lays out the day's events. It states that a Corvallis police officer was dispatched to the bakery at around 8:29 a.m. New Morning Bakery owner and manager Tristan James reported that Johnson entered the store several times and asked patrons for coffee. James alleged Johnson had been seen doing the same thing the day before and appeared to be disturbing customers.

According to James, per the affidavit, Johnson grabbed a cup and poured himself coffee. This is valued at approximately $1.95. He did not pay for the drink and left the store. James, who followed Johnson out of the building and down the street, confronted the suspect while trying to take his photo.

Johnson allegedly stopped and confronted James, pulled out a blade and said: If you get any closer, Ill stab you, according to the affidavit. James said he believed Johnson was going to cut him.

The affidavit says the officer found Johnson at Northwest Fourth Street and Northwest Van Buren Avenue, and Johnson admitted to being involved in the alleged confrontation. However, Johnson told the officer that it was James who was threatening him. Johnson also denied pointing the blade at James.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Corvallis Gazette-Times.

Later the same day, at about 1 p.m., the police officer contacted an employee of the bakery who was present during the incident. The employee said a man with white hair paid for Johnsons original meal and coffee. However, refills are not free, and the staff was certain that Johnson did not pay for his refills.

In an email, James said this is not the first time the bakery has been a victim of this kind of crime.

We strive to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all of our customers and staff, (and) occasionally we find ourselves in harm's way when trying to maintain that environment, James wrote. Such incidents have certainly become more frequent in the last few years; however, we have always had excellent support from the Corvallis Police Department and community at large in supporting us, in keeping our space safe for patrons and employees.

During an arraignment on Oct. 14, Judge Joan Demarest set Johnsons bail at $50,000 and ordered the defendant to not have any contact with victims or possess any dangerous weapons.

Corvallis-based attorney Thomas Hill is representing Johnson, and Steven Thiel is serving as prosecutor for the state.

Johnsons next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 25.

Maddie Pfeifer covers public safety for Mid-Valley Media. She can be contacted at 541-812-6091 or Madison.Pfeifer@lee.net. Follow her on Twitter via @maddiepfeifer_

Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 9

Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Despite millions of dollars paid out by a federal deadline of Sept. 30, thousands of Oregonians continue to await emergency rental assistance as their applications slip past state and local grace periods intended to avert evictions.

The backlog remains greatest in the three Portland metro area counties, where 42.1% of completed applications have been paid through Monday Oct. 18 compared with 54.5% statewide.

Still, the Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services and 18 community action agencies paid out a total of $133 million by a Sept. 30 deadline set by the U.S. Treasury for states to commit at least 65% of their initial shares of rental assistance. Oregon's initial share was $204 million, and Oregon is in line for more money that will be reallocated from other states failing to spend their full amounts.

According to the state agency's dashboard, 20,968 of 38,474 completed applications for rent and utility assistance have been "paid and obligated" statewide as of Oct. 18  the figure includes payments approved by agencies but not yet redeemed by landlords  for a total of $165.6 million. Requests total $300.8 million.

Director Margaret Salazar said the state agency and others will need that extra federal money both for the backlog and a continuing flow of 1,000 to 2,000 new applications each week. She said more than a quarter of Oregon renters are considered "severely rent burdened," which under federal definition means they pay 50% or more of their income for rent.

"We continue to feel the weight of the unprecedented need for rental assistance," Salazar told members of the Legislature's housing committees. "Every single person who has applied is counting on us and community action agencies to process applications so they can remain safely and affordably housed."

She said no application should be older than 60 days  90 days in Multnomah County, which has a longer grace period  by mid- to late December.

Oregon ranked eighth nationally for the share of rental assistance money committed by the deadline of Sept. 30, which also is the end of the federal budget year. Except for Connecticut and Washington, D.C., the other states ahead of Oregon have far larger populations, starting with New York.

Landlords could proceed with evictions, but they probably would forego any chance of collecting any rental assistance from agencies, which pay landlords directly.

Longer grace period?

The committees' Democratic leaders, Rep. Julie Fahey of Eugene and Sen. Kayse Jama of Portland, called on Gov. Kate Brown to extend those grace periods by executive order.

"While we have sufficient resources, there shouldn't be anyone evicted for inability to pay," Fahey said near the close of the informational meeting Oct. 4.

Housing advocates told lawmakers their best estimates were that 7,700 applications for emergency rental assistance were past the 60-day grace period allowed under 2021 legislation (Senate Bill 278), and 4,210 more applications were past the 90-day period set by Multnomah County. That total could result in 12,000 potential evictions. Some estimates peg the number even higher, given the number of pending applications that are complete.

The figures do not take into account recent actions by Washington County commissioners and the Beaverton City Council to extend grace periods to 90 days, similar to Multnomah County. Washington County's extension applies only to unincorporated areas outside cities. They also exclude incomplete applications.

Becky Straus, a staff attorney for the Oregon Law Center, said 1,299 eviction cases were filed between July 1 and Sept. 30, after the end of a six-month eviction moratorium that lawmakers passed on Dec. 21. That total compares with around 200 between April 1 and June 30.

Brown issued an executive order for an evictions moratorium starting April 1, 2020. The Legislature wrote that into law in a June 2020 special session, and extended it for six more months in a Dec. 21 special session. During its 2021 session, in addition to setting a 60-day grace period for tenants who show proof they have applied for emergency rental assistance, lawmakers approve a separate bill to bar evictions for past-due rent until Feb. 28, 2022. But that applies only to past-due rents from April 2020 through June 30 of this year.

Neither bill forgives any past-due rents.

"If we fail, all of our work to protect housing stability during the COVID pandemic will have been for naught," Sybil Hebb, a staff attorney for the Oregon Law Center, said.

"Eviction, with millions of dollars available for emergency rental assistance on our watch, is preventable. A moratorium would extend stability. ... It would ensure that tenants have a roof over their heads while landlords get paid."

Unlike foreclosures, which lawmakers gave Brown the authority to extend a moratorium through Dec. 31. it is unclear whether she can extend the grace period for evictions by executive order  although she did so at the outset of the pandemic in spring 2020. It is also unclear whether lawmakers themselves would meet in another special session to take action.

The most recent special session ended Sept. 27 in partisan acrimony over congressional and legislative redistricting plans. Lawmakers will be in Salem for committee meetings Nov. 15-18 and Jan. 11-13. Their 2022 session starts Feb. 1 and is limited to 35 days.

Payments accelerate

The Housing and Community Services Department has added staff, hired an outside contractor (Public Partnerships LLC) and relied on Oregon's network of 18 community action agencies to gear up for payments they have not had to make before.

On Sept. 16, they had paid out just under $48 million. By a federal deadline of Sept. 30, however, the total topped $133 million, which Scott Cooper, president of the Community Action Partnership of Oregon, said was nothing short of a miracle.

"We have all heard the concern about the possibility of an eviction tsunami in the wings," said Cooper, who also is executive director of NeighborImpact, the community action agency for Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties. "Obviously, that is the last thing a state plagued by lack of affordable housing and homeless crisis needs. That being said, there is no current surge happening; there is only a fear for what might happen."

Cooper said aside from the Portland metro area, community action agencies have been able to manage applications and even improve on the initial flow of money from state-funded rental assistance that lawmakers approved Dec. 21. The Legislature created a separate state fund of $150 million when it was unclear whether there would be federal assistance. Congress then approved some money after Christmas 2020 and more money in the pandemic recovery plan that President Joe Biden signed on March 11.

"I'm unclear as to whether a statewide solution is needed to fix what is a local problem," said Cooper, who also spent eight years as the elected chief executive (judge) for Crook County government. "I also realize that there are competing interests between landlord groups and tenants' rights groups and there are political considerations and geographic considerations. It's not my job to balance all those: It's yours."

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
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

Vote

View Results
Gillette, WY (82718)

Today

Mainly cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine possible. High around 50F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy. Low 32F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
LONDON, Oct. 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to The Business Research Companys research report on the biomass electricity market, the rapid growth in investments in renewable power generation capacities is expected to drive the utilities market during the forecast period. A large number of power generation companies are investing in renewable energy sources, especially in the USA and European countries.



For instance, according to the World Energy Investment Report, 2021 by International Energy Agency (IEA), renewable energy for new power generation capacity is estimated to attract 70% global energy investment in 2021, with most of the investment flowing towards power and end-use sectors, shifting out of traditional fossil fuel production. Also, the Government of India has set a target of installing of installing 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by the year 2022 through thermal, hydro, nuclear, wind and bio-mass power projects. The increasing investments in renewable power generation is expected to drive the market in the forecast period.

Western Europe is the largest region in the biomass electricity market, accounting for 37.5% of the total in 2020. It is followed by Asia Pacific, and then the other regions. Going forward, the fastest-growing regions in the biomass electricity market will be the Middle East and South America, where growth will be at CAGRs of 14.4% and 12.4% respectively. These will be followed by Africa, and Eastern Europe, where the markets are expected to grow at CAGRs of 11.3% and 10.5% respectively.

The Business Research Companys report titled Biomass Electricity Global Market Report 2021 - By Feedstock (Solid Biomass, Biogas, Municipal Solid Waste, Liquid Biomass), By End-User (Households, Industrial Sector, Government Sector), By Technology (Anaerobic Digestion, Combustion, Co-Firing, Gasification, Landfill Gas), COVID-19 Impact And Recovery covers major biomass electricity companies, biomass electricity market share by company, biomass electricity manufacturers, biomass electricity market size, and biomass electricity market forecasts. The report also covers the global biomass electricity market and its segments.

Request For A Sample Of The Global Biomass Electricity Market Report:

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/sample.aspx?id=3864&type=smp

The global biomass electricity market is expected to grow from $33.11 in billion 2020 to $35.43 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%. The growth is mainly due to the companies rearranging their operations and recovering from the COVID-19 impact, which had earlier led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities that resulted in operational challenges. The market is expected to reach $50.26 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 9%.

Power generation companies are increasingly using alternate sources of energy such as natural gas, nuclear power and renewables to produce clean and sustainable electricity, driving the biomass electricity market. The decreasing cost of installation of renewable sources of energy is also driving the use of these sources for power generation. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the coals share of the total world energy consumption is expected to decline from 25% in 2015 to 22% in 2040. Renewables are expected to be the fastest growing energy source, with their consumption increasing at an average rate of 2.3% per year between 2015 and 2040. The continuous shift to alternative sources for power generation is expected to act as a driver for the biomass electricity market.

TBRCs biomass electricity market report is segmented by feedstock into solid biomass, biogas, municipal solid waste and liquid biomass. The solid biomass market is the largest segment of the biomass electricity market segmented by feedstock, accounting for 63.1% of the total in 2020. Going forward, the solid biomass market is expected to be the fastest growing segment in the biomass electricity market segmented by feedstock, at a CAGR of 10.2% during 2020-2025. The biomass power market is also segmented by end-user into households, industrial sector, government sector, others and by technology into anaerobic digestion, combustion, co-firing, gasification, landfill gas.

Biomass Electricity Global Market Report 2021  COVID-19 Impact And Recovery is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provide market overviews, analyze and forecast market size and growth for the whole market, segments and geographies, trends, drivers, restraints, leading competitors revenues, profiles and market shares in over 1,000 industry reports, covering over 2,500 market segments and 60 geographies. The report also gives in-depth analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on the market. The reports draw on 150,000 datasets, extensive secondary research, and exclusive insights from interviews with industry leaders. A highly experienced and expert team of analysts and modelers provides market analysis and forecasts. The reports identify top countries and segments for opportunities and strategies based on market trends and leading competitors approaches.

Here Is A List Of Similar Reports By The Business Research Company:

Biomass Electric Power Generation Global Market Report 2020 - By Feedstock (Solid Biomass, Biogas, Municipal Solid Waste, Liquid Biomass), By End-User (Households, Industrial sector, Government Sectors), By Technology (Anaerobic Digestion, Combustion, Co-Firing, Gasification, Landfill Gas)

Electric Power Generation, Transmission, And Distribution Global Market Report 2021 - By Type (Electric Power Transmission, Control, And Distribution, Power Generation), By End-User (Residential, Commercial, Industrial), By Type of Operator (Public Operator, Private Operator), COVID-19 Impact And Recovery

Utilities Global Market Report 2021 - By Type (Water And Sewage, Natural Gas Distribution, Electric Power Generation, Transmission, And Distribution), By Type of Operator (Public Operator, Private Operator), COVID-19 Impact And Recovery

Interested to know more about The Business Research Company?

The Business Research Company is a market intelligence firm that excels in company, market, and consumer research. Located globally it has specialist consultants in a wide range of industries including manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, chemicals, and technology.

Get a quick glimpse of our services here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC24_fI0rV8cR5DxlCpgmyFQ

The Worlds Most Comprehensive Database

The Business Research Companys flagship product, Global Market Model, is a market intelligence platform covering various macroeconomic indicators and metrics across 60 geographies and 27 industries. The Global Market Model covers multi-layered datasets which help its users assess supply-demand gaps.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM , Oct. 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tekcapital Plc (AIM: TEK), (OTCQB: TEKCF), the UK intellectual property investment group focused on creating valuable products from investing in university technology, that can improve peoples lives, is very pleased to announce that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just released voluntary sodium reduction goals for the food industry.

According to the FDA, these targets were introduced to provide measurable voluntary short-term (2.5-year) goals for sodium content in commercially processed, packaged, and prepared foods to reduce excess population sodium intake.i

Dr. Jennifer Ashton, ABC News chief medical correspondent said The news from acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock and Susan T. Mayne, director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, could be the biggest, most important intervention in a generation for public health."ii

This is a significant milestone for Salarius for the following reasons:

We believe the FDA guidelines will encourage snack food manufactures to reduce sodium levels in their products across the board;

Salarius anticipates this should have a positive impact on both B2B sales of MicroSalt and retail sales of SaltMe! snacks;

MicroSalt could be viewed as a timely, nationwide solution, to help food companies meet these guidelines without sacrificing the full-flavour of their snack foods, which is key to their successful on-going sales.

MicroSalt aims to revolutionize the food industry with its patented sodium microparticle, that delivers the full-flavour experience of salt with roughly half the sodium. MicroSalts salt particles are approximately 100 times smaller than regular table salt, allowing them to rapidly dissolve, producing a large sensation of saltiness. MicroSalt is all-natural, non-GMO, and Kosher.

Were very excited to see the FDA take a leadership role in encouraging the food industry to embark on meaningful sodium reduction programs for their products, said Victor Hugo Manzanilla, CEO of MicroSalt. This is a major milestone for the country, and we are ready to partner with food manufacturers to help them comply with the new guidelines whilst maintaining the full-flavour of their snacks.

About Salarius Ltd.

Salarius, is the developer and manufacturer of a proprietary low-sodium salt called MicroSalt. We are passionate about improving peoples lives with better-for-you snacks by taking the lead in the industry by providing the best low-sodium salt solution, based on the mechanical transformation of the salt particle itself. This solution is the only one that delivers real salt flavor because it is salt. Our new patented technology produces salt crystals that are approximately one hundred times smaller than typical table salt, delivering a powerful saltiness as the micro-grains dissolve in the mouth, with approximately 50% less sodium consumption. Additionally, the ultra-small particle size enhances product adhesion, which reduces waste and provides improved flavor consistency. MicroSalt and SaltMe are registered trademarks of MicroSalt Inc.

To learn more about MicroSalt please visit https://Salarius.co /.

To learn more about SaltMe! snacks please visit https://saltme.com/ .

Tekcapital owns 97.2% of the share capital of Salarius Ltd. and 87.1% of the share capital of MicroSalt Inc., its U.S. subsidiary.

About Tekcapital plc

Tekcapital creates value from investing in new, university-developed discoveries that can enhance peoples lives and provides a range of technology transfer services to help organisations evaluate and commercialise new technologies. Tekcapital is quoted on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: symbol TEK) and is headquartered in the UK. For more information, please visit www.tekcapital.com .

Forward Looking Statements & Disclaimer

This press release is for informational purposes only. The information herein does not constitute investment advice nor an offer to invest and may contain statements related to our future business and financial performance and future events or developments involving Tekcapital that may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by words such as "expect," "look forward to," "anticipate" "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "estimate," "will," "project" or words of similar meaning. We may also make forward-looking statements in other reports, in presentations, on social media, in material delivered to customers, stakeholders and in press releases. In addition, our representatives may from time to time make oral forward-looking statements. Such statements may be based on the current expectations and certain assumptions of Tekcapitals management. Please note that these are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and factors, including, but not limited to those described in various disclosures. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying expectations not occur or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements of Tekcapital may vary materially from those described explicitly or implicitly in the relevant forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements express, as at the date of this release, the Companys plans, estimates, valuations, forecasts, projections, opinions, expectations or beliefs as to future events, results or performance. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Companys control, including those associated with COVID-19, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. No assurance is given that such forward looking statements or views are correct or that the objectives of the Company will be achieved. Further, valuations of Companys portfolio investments and net asset value can and will fluctuate over time due to a variety of factors and this could have a material negative impact on the Companys financial performance. Tekcapital neither intends, nor assumes any obligation, to update or revise these forward-looking statements in light of developments which may differ from those anticipated.







i https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/guidance-industry-voluntary-sodium-reduction-goals

ii https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/food/story/fda-recommends-restaurants-food-manufacturers-cut-back-salt-80554477




SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GPS Capital Markets, Inc. (www.gpsfx.com), a leading Fintech firm offering foreign exchange services, will be exhibiting at the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) Annual Conference in Washington DC, November 7th-10th.

The AFP Annual Conference is the largest networking event for corporate finance professionals in the world. The AFP Conference regularly sees several thousand treasury and finance professionals in attendance. Financial professionals meet to network, learn of new products, attend continuing education classes and to have the opportunity to hear world-renowned business speakers.

GPS Capital Markets Head of Sales, Michael Barnett said, GPS is excited to be back again for an in-person conference. We are excited to see our friends and colleagues that we have been missing. AFP is an excellent opportunity for us to learn more about what has been happening in the industry and connect with our clients to discuss current best practices.

GPS has attended and exhibited at the AFP Annual Conference for over a decade. Many of GPS clients came from connecting at the Annual Conference. It is a great platform for GPS to demonstrate its product suite and for its consultants to educate corporations on foreign exchange strategies that will benefit them.

About the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP):

As the certifying body in treasury and finance, the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) established and administers the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) and Certified Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis Professional (FPAC) credentials, setting the standard of excellence in the profession globally. AFPs mission is to drive the future of finance and treasury and develop the leaders of tomorrow through certification, training, and the premier event for corporate treasury and finance.

ABOUT GPS CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.:

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, GPS Capital Markets, Inc. provides corporate foreign exchange services that help companies manage their foreign currency risk and execute foreign currency transactions. Founded in 2002, GPS brings together a senior management team rich in international banking experience from the world's leading financial institutions. GPS has several offices throughout the United States, as well as in Australia, Canada, the European Union and the United Kingdom. It combines competitive exchange rates with a host of tailored international financial solutions for its clients. Learn more at www.gpsfx.com .

Press contact:



GPS Capital Markets

Lindsey Wing

801-979-6114

lwing@gpsfx.com




English French

ST. CATHARINES, Ontario, Oct. 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals (CARSP) is excited to announce the release of its latest online resource entitled Road Safety Information.



On October 28th, 2021, the United Nations and the World Health Organization will launch the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety, which aims to reduce global road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% by 2030. In preparation for this launch, this webpage will feature content so the media and public can gain value from basic, credible road safety information and FAQs.

This resource covers 13 important road safety topics, including Canadas Road Safety Strategy 2025, Vision Zero and the Safe Systems Approach, Safe Speeds, Emerging Technologies, and Road Safety During Covid-19. The Road Safety Information webpage will be updated at least every year in English and French.

Road safety professionals, or whoever wishes to dig deeper, will appreciate links to additional resources and detailed reference lists, states CARSPs Executive Director, Brenda Suggett. This resource is sponsored by Transport Canada and developed by a team of road safety experts within CARSP. Different resource components are intended for different audiences, so there will be content for various stakeholders in road safety.

CARSP envisions that this information will be used to advance the road safety agenda across multiple Canadian stakeholders, including governments (federal, provincial/territorial, municipal), non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.

Across Canada, people realize the toll that motor vehicle crashes take on families and communities. In response, road authorities and partners are developing plans and programs aimed at reducing crashes. Some communities are adopting Vision Zero, a philosophy where no loss of life on our roads is acceptable, and policies that support this direction. Therefore, there is a growing demand for an online resource of road safety knowledge for the media and the public. While Canada does have Canadas Road Safety Strategy 2025, and some progress has been made, much work remains to be done by multiple Canadian Stakeholders.

About the Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals (CARSP):

CARSP is a national organization dedicated to enhancing road safety at home and abroad.



CARSP supports Canadas road safety community by providing access to multi-disciplinary information, research and networking opportunities.



CARSP is a diverse group of professionals involved in the research, management, delivery and promotion of road safety programs.

Contact:

Brenda Suggett, Executive Director

CARSP

brenda.suggett@carsp.ca




Toronto, Canada, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

The Toronto companys newly updated services will ensure that businesses will never need to worry about their technology malfunctioning and losing valuable productivity time as a result. Their managed IT services will protect the businesss IT infrastructure by monitoring their computers, servers, network and cybersecurity 24/7.

More information can be found at https://www.vbsitservices.com

VBS IT Services recently updated their managed IT service solutions with a guarantee that all of the businesss technology systems will always perform at maximum capabilities via proactive 24/7 monitoring and computer management. Clients will also have access to fast and professional technical support for all of their technology support needs and concerns.

Managed IT services are critical for all businesses as a security breach could result in a huge monetary loss for the company as well as a reputation damage. Furthermore, these services provide a proactive approach to computer and technology maintenance. Constant monitoring will reveal potential disturbances, vulnerabilities, and threats. As a result, issues can be resolved immediately and proactively without disrupting the workflow of the business and increasing employee productivity.

The companys award-winning IT solutions offer complete security, reliability, and predictability for the clients business. Skilled and experienced experts can perform proactive maintenance on both PCs and MACs in order to avoid costly system downtime and maintain dependable network infrastructure to boost connection speeds and enhance cyber security.

Clients can count on 24/7 help desk support, computers that are fully protected against cybersecurity threats, and reliable patched software to prevent issues. Knowing that all of their businesss technological aspects are being handled by professionals, the clients business will be able to focus solely on revenue-generating activities to expand its growth.

VBS IT Services is dedicated to ensuring businesses can concentrate their efforts on increasing efficiency. The companys solutions will facilitate that goal while providing innovative solutions to meet an organizations budget requirements. In addition to their managed IT services, they also offer other solutions including cybersecurity consulting, IT consulting, and business continuity planning.

A satisfied client said: Miguel and his team at VBS IT Services are great to work with. They provided customer-centric and tailored services that were suitable for our needs. They also make sure to check in with us every step of the way. Our team likes the cybersecurity training platform, and we look forward to continuing our cybersecurity work together.

Interested parties can find more information by visiting https://www.vbsitservices.com



Website: https://www.vbsitservices.com
Oslo, Norway  October 20, 2021: REC Silicon ASA (REC Silicon) reported third quarter 2021 revenues of USD 36.2 million versus USD 35.6 million in the second quarter of 2021 and an EBITDA loss of USD 3.7 million versus positive USD 7.9 million in the prior quarter.

The Company reported EBITDA contributed by the semiconductor materials segment of USD 1.8 million for the third quarter compared to USD 11.5 million for the second quarter. Second quarter results included other income related to the forgiveness of a loan provided by the US government under the C.A.R.E.S. Act. Excluding this item, EBITDA decreased by USD 5.2 million. This decrease can primarily be attributed to higher electricity prices and lower production caused by the completion of planned maintenance activities and a delayed restart to mitigate high electricity prices.

Silicon gas sales volumes for the third quarter were 728 MT compared to 819 MT during the prior quarter. Total polysilicon sales volumes for the quarter were 397 MT and polysilicon inventories decreased by 101 MT.

In addition, the Company reported USD 13.4 million in profit from discontinued operations during the third quarter due to the settlement of the indemnification loans on October 18, 2021. This transaction also resulted in a decrease in liabilities of USD 13.9 million to USD 10.8 million at September 30, 2021.

REC Silicon reported cash balances of USD 126.3 million on September 30, 2021 compared to USD 123.6 million on June 30, 2021.



The semiconductor market continues to strengthen from a demand perspective, but our results were unfortunately impacted by high power prices and challenges caused by the global supply chain backlog.

REC Silicon is pleased with the successful resolution of the indemnity loans, which reduced the Companys debt and removed the remaining uncertainties associated with legacy obligations, said Tore Torvund, CEO.

For more information, please see the attached first quarter 2021 report and presentation.

The company will host conference call to present the results at 8:00am CET. Following the presentation, it will be opened for questions from the audience. The presentation will be in English. To join the videoconference, use the following link.

https://channel.royalcast.com/hegnarmedia/#!/hegnarmedia/20211020_1

Audiocast participants need to register to post questions.

For further information, please contact:

James A. May II, Chief Financial Officer

Phone: +1 509 989 1023

Email: james.may@recsilicon.com

Nils O. Kjerstad

IR Contact

Phone: +47 9135 6659

Email: nils.kjerstad@crux.no

About REC Silicon

REC Silicon is a leading producer of advanced silicon materials, delivering high-purity polysilicon and silicon gas to the solar and electronics industries worldwide. We combine over 30 years of experience and proprietary technology with the needs of our customers, with annual production capacity of more than 20,000 MT of polysilicon from our two US-based manufacturing plants. Listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (ticker: RECSI), the Company is headquartered in Lysaker, Norway.

For more information, go to: www.recsilicon.com

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

Attachments
PARIS, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Talentia, a leading software supplier of Human Capital and Financial Performance Management (www.talentia-software.com), selects UBPartner (www.ubpartner.com), a leading XBRL software developer, to deliver a simple solution to help listed companies report under the European Single Electronic Format (ESEF) framework.

ESEF reporting requires that all European listed companies publish their annual report in a fully digital format, Inline XBRL ('iXBRL'). This means that Financial reports will be able to be read as an HTML document via any web browser, while the XBRL 'tags' enable investors and analysts to extract the key data to other computer applications and review it in detail.

Using XBRL also enables finance departments to automate the embedding of their key financial statements in the Annual return and keeping these up to date throughout the editing and review process, plus enables full validation of the data against the IFRS model defined in the ESEF XBRL taxonomy before publication.

Modernizing the way companies report financial information

Talentia's goal was to provide a solution that made ESEF reporting and the XBRL requirements as simple as possible for the different players involved in the generation and publication of an Annual Report, i.e., board members, finance department, marketing/media designers and auditors.

"The solution had to fit with our current system and processes. Most of our customers prepare their Annual Reports in Microsoft Word, integrated within the Talentia CPM solution, so the XBRL software had to be fully integrated. It also had to be flexible to the changing requirements and had to deliver 100% correct ESEF reports. We selected UBPartner for their expertise and deep understanding of XBRL systems. Completing our existing CPM expertise, we have delivered a best in class & collaborative ESEF solution," commented Beatrice Piquer, Chief Marketing Officer of Talentia.

"When we met Talentia, we quickly realised that we shared a common vision to make XBRL reporting a simple process for companies. We are very proud to have been chosen by Talentia to help them develop their ESEF reporting solution and making it simple and easy to use. Both companies worked hard to make it happen, developing a new Word Conversion process that maintains the XBRL tags throughout the process. This provides users with familiar and easy-to-use tools to build content and check results," said Roger Haddad, President at UBPartner.

Simple, yet flexible ESEF reporting software

Talentia's ESEF solution allows Users to generate their XBRL report model and ESEF extension taxonomy using another familiar environment, Excel. The ESEF tools use an expert system to help guide the user through the process and ensure that a 100% compliant taxonomy and reporting model is created. The final document is converted to inline XBRL and fully validated against the ESEF filing rules.

"UBPartner convinced us that we needed to build our ESEF solution on a solid foundation, one that allows the data to be validated at each step of the process. This approach enables the financial department to start testing as soon as it wants and to continue to improve it throughout the year so that when the final statements are ready, the XBRL report model is ready and tested," added Beatrice Piquer, Chief Marketing Officer of Talentia.

About ESEF (European Single Electronic Format)

ESEF is the electronic reporting format in which issuers on EU regulated markets shall prepare their annual financial reports with start dates after 1 January 2020. The objectives of the provision are to make reporting easier for issuers and to facilitate accessibility, analysis, and comparability of annual financial reports. For further information, visit https://www.ubpartner.com/eurofiling/#fndtn-esma

About XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language)

XBRL is fast becoming the market standard for financial information exchange and reporting. Leading organizations such as the European Banking Authority (EBA), the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA), and numerous government agencies are driving XBRL programs. The XBRL standard is maintained by XBRL International: www.xbrl.org.

About Talentia

Talentia, a trusted partner to make HR & Finance Complexity easier thanks to HR and Finance software fitted to mid-size companies' complexity. There are 430 employees, 3,600 customers and offices in 9 countries. Our best-in-class HR and Finance software is perfectly suited to the needs of CHROs and CFOs managing mid-size companies' financial needs. We allow them to reach their business goals and become a strategic player in their company.

For further information, visit www.talentia-software.com

Talentia's iXBRL solution: https://www.talentia-software.com/en/financial-suite/talentia-cpm-corporate-performance-management/financial-close/talentia-ixbrl

Talentia's CPM solution: https://www.talentia-software.com/en/financial-suite/talentia-cpm-corporate-performance-management

About UBPartner

UBPartner is a privately-owned company with headquarters in Paris and offices in London. It provides a full suite of solutions and services that enable companies and regulatory agencies to realize the benefits of XBRL.

For further information, visit www.ubpartner.com

UBPartner's ESEF solution: https://www.ubpartner.com/esma-esef

Contact information:

For further information contact:

Beatrice Piquer, Chief Marketing Officer of Talentia: bpiquer@talentia-software.com

Martin DeVille, VP Business Development: mdeville@ubpartner.com

Related Images











Image 1: ESEF Made Simple





1+1=3









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment
Pune, India, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global cosmetic surgery market is likely to gain traction from the ever-increasing number of patients undergoing procedures, such as chin augmentation, breast reduction, and breast augmentation. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) declared that in 2018, breast reduction (18%) and chin augmentation (20%) were two of the most popular surgical procedures in the U.S. This information is given by Fortune Business Insights in a recent report, titled, Cosmetic Surgery Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Surgical Procedures, and Non-Surgical Procedures), By Gender (Males, and Females), By End User (Spas & Cosmetic Surgery Centers, and Hospitals & Specialty Clinics), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026. The report further states that the cosmetic surgery market size was USD 50.67 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 66.96 billion by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period.





Key Players Aim to Launch New Products to Upsurge Sales

The market is highly fragmented with the presence of numerous organizations that are striving persistently to gain the maximum share. They are doing so by conducting research and development activities to unveil products with cutting-edge technologies. Below is one of the latest key industry developments:

April 2018: Merz Pharma GmbH & Co. KGaA, a privately-held pharmaceutical company, based in Germany, launched its new product named Belotero Lips to treat perioral lines and enhance lips.





Request a Sample Copy of the Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/cosmetic-surgery-market-102628





Expansion of Medical Tourism to Favor Growth in Asia Pacific & Latin America

Geographically, the market is segregated into Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, North America, and Asia Pacific. Out of these, in 2018, North America generated USD 15.43 billion in terms of cosmetic surgery market revenue. This growth is attributable to the increasing number of surgical procedures performed in the U.S.

The International Society of Aesthetic and Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS) stated that in 2018, approximately 4.3 million cosmetic procedures were performed in this country alone. It is combined with the rising per capita expenditure of the populaces in North America. Asia Pacific and Latin America are set to grow considerably in the forthcoming years fueled by the expansion of medical tourism in both these regions.





For more information in the analysis of this report, visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/cosmetic-surgery-market-102628





Report Scope & Segmentation

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2019 to 2026 Forecast Period 2019 to 2026 CAGR 3.6% 2028 Value Projection USD 66.96 Billion Base Year 2018 Market Size in 2020 USD 50.67 Billion Historical Data for 2015 to 2017 No. of Pages 125 Segments covered Procedure, Gender, Provider and Geography Growth Drivers Growing Awareness among General Population Towards New Cosmetic Procedure Surgical procedures is expected to be the leading segment in this market Presence of an Unregulated Market to Hamper Growth





Rising Emphasis on Reduced Post-surgical Interventions to Propel Growth

The market consists of several prominent companies that are presently focusing on capitalizing their market share by delivering new instruments and products to the masses. Besides, the demand for unique products with reduced post-surgical interventions and adverse effects is aiding these companies in investing huge sums in research and development activities.

Furthermore, patients and healthcare providers are nowadays looking for state-of-the-art products. Coupled with this, the rising emphasis on removing the harmful effects of implants and other similar cosmetic procedures would contribute to the aesthetic surgery market growth in the near future. However, the emergence of non-licensed facilities worldwide may hamper the market growth.





Quick Buy - Cosmetic Surgery Market Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/check-discount/cosmetic-surgery-market-102628





List of the Companies Profiled in the Global Market:

S.TETIK

Westlake Dermatology

Long Island Plastic Surgical Group, P.C.

ALLERGAN

Merz Pharma

Galderma Laboratories

Cleveland Clinic

Other key market players





Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/cosmetic-surgery-market-102628





Table of Contents:

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities

Key Insights Statistics: Key Procedures, By Key Countries, 2018 Pricing Analysis, Key Procedures, By Key Countries, 2018 Technology Advances, Cosmetic Procedures Recent Developments, Key Mergers/ Acquisitions, New Product Launches, etc.

Global Cosmetic Surgery Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2015-2026 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Procedure Surgical Procedures Non-surgical Procedures Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Gender Male Female Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Provider Spas & Cosmetic Surgery Centers Hospitals & Specialty Clinics Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Region North America Europe Asia pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa

North America Cosmetic Surgery Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2015-2026 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Procedure Surgical Procedures Non-surgical Procedures Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Gender Male Female Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Provider Spas & Cosmetic Surgery Centers Hospitals & Specialty Clinics Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Country U.S. Canada



TOC Continued!





Get your Customized Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/customization/cosmetic-surgery-market-102628





About Us:

Fortune Business Insights delivers accurate data and innovative corporate analysis, helping organizations of all sizes make appropriate decisions. We tailor novel solutions for our clients, assisting them to address various challenges distinct to their businesses. Our aim is to empower them with holistic market intelligence, providing a granular overview of the market they are operating in.





Contact Us:

Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd.

308, Supreme Headquarters,

Survey No. 36, Baner,

Pune-Bangalore Highway,

Pune - 411045, Maharashtra, India.





Phone:

US :+1 424 253 0390

UK : +44 2071 939123

APAC : +91 744 740 1245
Pune, India, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the report by Fortune Business Insights, the global Eyewear market size to Grow from USD 114.95 billion in 2021 to USD 172.42 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 6% in the 2021-2028 period. owing to increasing cases of deteriorating eye health and trendsetting launch of eyewear products by the manufacturers across the globe. Fortune Business Insights. The rise in CAGR is attributable to this markets demand and growth, returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

The emergence of COVID-19 has brought the world to a standstill. We understand that this health crisis has brought an unprecedented impact on businesses across industries. However, this too shall pass. Rising support from governments and several companies can help in the fight against this highly contagious disease. There are some industries that are struggling and some are thriving. Overall, almost every sector is anticipated to be impacted by the pandemic.

We are taking continuous efforts to help your business sustain and grow during COVID-19 pandemics. Based on our experience and expertise, we will offer you an impact analysis of coronavirus outbreak across industries to help you prepare for the future.





Request a Sample Copy of the Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/eyewear-market-101749





Eyewear is an integral part of everybodys life. Whether it is for that so-called nerdy look, or style statement, they have always been in demand across the consumers. Additionally, they are beneficial for enhancing ones eyesight and protect against the harmful effects of pollution. The most common type of eyewear is the numbered glasses or the spectacles, contact lenses, and sunglasses, among others. Furthermore, there are googles too that protect the eyes from the harmful UV rays by offering a UV protection film. With celebrities advocating new fashion style by mounting several types of eyewear, the demand keeps on soaring among the people once it is witnessed as a fashion statement.

Increasing Incidents of Eye Health to Foster Growth

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 2.2 Billion people are suffering from eye blindness and vision impairment. Additionally, over a billion people across the globe suffer from vision impairment owing to be deprived of the care they require to treat conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and short and far sightedness, among others. An increasing number of people suffering from ocular disorders is expected to boost the sales of eyewear products in the forthcoming years. Furthermore, the increasing number of geriatric population in developed and developing regions will bode well for the growth of the market during the forecast period.





Click here to get the short-term and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on this Market. Please visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/eyewear-market-101749





COVID-19 Crisis to Surge Exponential Demand

Amid the mayhem caused by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, the market is expected to witness a surge in the near future. Several government agencies have announced lockdown to contain the spread of the global pandemic that is resulting in increasing screen time by the people confined to their home spaces. Additionally, the digital overload is taking a toll on the eyes and people are therefore looking to invest in glasses that protect from the harmful blue light. According to a survey by a non-profit organization, Common Sense Media, amid coronavirus on an average the Americans will be spending over 13 hours and 35 minutes on several media platforms a day. Furthermore, several companies are coming forward to support frontline workers during the torrid time. For instance, in April 2020, Fitz, a direct-to-consumer eyewear brand, announced its support by introducing a custom-fit glass technology that facilitates to build protective and prescribed spectacles for the frontline workers.





Quick Buy - Eyewear Market Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/101749





Spectacles Segment with 79.0% Market Share to Bolster Growth

The segment Spectacles (By Product Type) generated maximum revenue and held a 79.0% market share in 2018. Additionally, the segment is likely to dominate owing to increasing cases of hypermetropia and myopia among the population across the globe. This is likely to be followed by the contact lenses and sunglasses segment owing to increasing consumer base across the developed and developing economies during the projected horizon.

Increasing Demand for Premium Eye Care Products in North America to Spur Demand

Among the regions, the market in North America is anticipated to remain dominant and generate high global eyewear market revenue in the forthcoming years. In addition to this, the region was worth USD 35.60 Billion in 2018 and is likely to foresee massive growth. This is ascribable to factors such as increasing acceptance for eye care products in the region. Europe, on the other hand, is expected to witness growth backed by increasing awareness for ocular disorders and high demand for premium eye care products. Furthermore, affordable sunglasses in countries such as the U.K., France, and Germany will contribute to the growth of the market in Europe.

The market in Asia-Pacific is likely to be the second-most leading region during the forecast period. This is attributable to factors such as increasing geriatric population in countries such as China, Japan, and India. Moreover, high disposable incomes and availability of cheaper eyewear products in Asia-Pacific will drive the market growth between 2019 and 2026.





List of the Companies Operating in the Market:

Alcon (Part of Novartis AG) (Switzerland)

EssilorLuxottica (France)

CooperVision (U.S.)

Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. (U.S.)

Bausch Health Companies Inc. (U.S.)

Carl Zeiss (Germany)

Fielmann AG (Germany)

Safilo Group S.p.A (Italy)

Other Prominent Players

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2021 to 2028 Forecast Period 2021 to 2028 CAGR 6% 2028 Value Projection USD 172.42 billion Base Year 2020 Market Size in 2021 USD 114.95 billion Historical Data for 2017 to 2019 No. of Pages 120 Segments covered Product Type, Distribution Channel, and Geography Growth Drivers Rising Incidence of Eye Health Issues to Propel Market Growth Increasing Awareness among People Regarding Harmful Effects of Ultraviolet Rays to Augment Growth





Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/eyewear-market-101749





Global Eyewear Market Segmentation:

By Product Type:

Spectacles

Sunglasses

Contact Lens

By Distribution Channel:

Retail Store

Online Store

Ophthalmic Clinics

By Geography:

North America (USA, Canada)

Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia and Rest of Europe)

Asia Pacific (Japan, China, India, Australia, Southeast Asia and Rest of Asia Pacific)

Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Rest of Latin America)

Middle East & Africa (South Africa, GCC, and Rest of Middle East & Africa)





Get your Customized Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/customization/eyewear-market-101749





About Us:

Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them to address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in.

Our reports contain a unique mix of tangible insights and qualitative analysis to help companies achieve sustainable growth. Our team of experienced analysts and consultants use industry-leading research tools and techniques to compile comprehensive market studies, interspersed with relevant data.

At Fortune Business Insights we aim at highlighting the most lucrative growth opportunities for our clients. We, therefore, offer recommendations, making it easier for them to navigate through technological and market-related changes. Our consulting services are designed to help organizations identify hidden opportunities and understand prevailing competitive challenges.





Contact Us:

Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd.

308, Supreme Headquarters,

Survey No. 36, Baner,

Pune-Bangalore Highway,

Pune - 411045, Maharashtra, India.

Phone:
Pune, India, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global high voltage cables market is expected to witness robust growth on account of increasing demand for power generation in order to supply electricity to the increasing population. For instance, a preferred supplier agreement or PSA was signed by NKT for the delivery of high voltage DC for both offshore and onshore locations. Here, NKT would act as the main contractor and export cable systems from the Doggerbank Creyke Beck A and B offshore wind farms.

Request a Sample Copy of Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/high-voltage-cable-market-100794

Fortune Business Insights in their report titled, High Voltage Cables Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Installation (Overhead, Underground, Submarine), By Voltage (100 kV  250 kV, 251 kV  400 kV, Above 400 kV), By End-User (Industrial, Utility) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026. foresees the global market to exhibit a CAGR of 7.11% and reach a value of USD 54.97 Billion by 2026 from USD 31.89 Billion in the year 2018. On the basis of installation, the overhead installation segment is dominating the market because of the low transmission losses and easy installation processes.

Some of the players operating in the high voltage cables market include:

Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.

General Cable

Prysmian Group

Dubai Cable Company - Ducab

Schneider Electric

Universal Cables Ltd

Riyadh Cables Group Company

ZTT

Nexans

NKT

ABB

Jiangnan Group Limited

Tratos

Brugg Cables

Synergy Cables

Report Scope & Segmentation

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2019 to 2026 Forecast Period 2019 to 2026 CAGR 7.11% 2026 Value Projection USD 54.97 Billion Base Year 2018 Market Size in 2018 USD 31.89 Billion Historical Data for 2015 to 2017 No. of Pages 130 Segments covered Size, Share, Installation, Geography Growth Drivers Replacement Of Aged Grid Infrastructure And The Growing Number Of Smart Grids Growing Penetration Of Renewables In Power Generation Easy Installation And Economical Advantage Will Help The Overhead Segment Dominate The Market Pitfalls & Challenges Increasing Electricity Demand Will Augment The Growth Of Utilities

The report is based on an in-depth analysis of the high voltage cables market. It offers details about major factors propelling and repelling growth, along with major high voltage cables market trends and opportunities. Such insights will help players invest accordingly and strategize their moves in order to maintain their position in the competition. The report is available for sale on Fortune Business Insights website.

Click here to get the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on this market: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/high-voltage-cable-market-100794

Rise in Greenhouse Gas Emission is Fueling Demand for Renewable Sources Energy, thus Boosting Market

The increasing population, coupled with the rise in urbanization and industrialization are important factors boosting the market for high voltage cables. In addition to that, age old grid infrastructures are being replaced by the new ones, and this requires high current carrying capacity over long distances in order to satisfy the power transmission and distribution throughout. This is anticipated to promote the growth of the market in the forecast period.

On the other hand, the increase in greenhouse gas emission concerns have urged various nations to look for alternative ways of extraction energy from renewable sources of energy. This created the demand for alternative sources of energy such as solar and wind energy. All factors mentioned above are further prognosticated to promote the growth of the market in the forecast duration.

On the flipside, high cost of materials used for making cables such as steel, aluminum, copper, and others may act as a hindrance to the market in the future. Nevertheless, active participation of government in building of smart grid technology, coupled with the rise in the number of offshore power projects are likely to create lucrative growth opportunities for the market in near future.

Speak To Our Analyst: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/customization/high-voltage-cable-market-100794

Asia Pacific to Hold High Market Share on Account of Increasing Demand for Renewable Power Sources

As per Fortune Business Insights, the market for high voltage cables is expected to attract high revenue from Asia Pacific owing to the rising population and surge in demand for power generation to serve various residential, industrial and commercial purposes. In 2018, the Asia Pacific held a high voltage cables market share of USD 11.50 Billion. On the other side, North America currently holds a small high voltage cables market share due to the ongoing replacement of the age old grids. However, the oil and gas exploration activities are also driving the regional market.

Quick Buy: High Voltage Cables Market Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/100794

Major Table of Contents:

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities

Key Insights Key Emerging Trends  For Major Countries Latest Technological Advancement Regulatory Landscape Industry SWOT Analysis Porters Five Forces Analysis Value Chain Analysis

Global High Voltage Cables Market Analysis (USD Billion), Insights and Forecast, 2015-2026 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Installation Overhead Submarine Underground Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Voltage 100 KV - 250 KV 251 KV - 400 KV Above 400 KV Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By End-User Industrial Utility Market Analysis, Insights, and Forecast  By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa

North America High Voltage Cables Market Analysis (USD Billion), Insights and Forecast, 2015-2026 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Installation Overhead Submarine Underground Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Voltage 100 KV - 250 KV 251 KV - 400 KV Above 400 KV Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By End-User Industrial Utility Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Country U.S. Canada

Europe High Voltage Cables Market Analysis (USD Billion), Insights and Forecast, 2015-2026 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Installation Overhead Submarine Underground Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Voltage 100 KV - 250 KV 251 KV - 400 KV Above 400 KV Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By End-User Industrial Utility Insights and Forecast  By Country UK Germany Italy Spain France Russia Rest of Europe



TOC Continued!

Speak To Our Analyst: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/high-voltage-cable-market-100794

Have a Look at Related Research Insights:

Alkaline Water Electrolysis Market Size , Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (<10 m3/h, <30 m3/h, <50 m3/h, <80 m3/h, and >80 m3/h), By Application (Power Plants, Steel Plant, Electronics and Photovoltaics, Industrial Gases, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2021-2028

Hydrogen Generation Market Size , Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (On-site and Portable), By Technology (Steam Methane Reforming, Water Electrolysis, Partial Oil Oxidation, and Coal Gasification), By Application (Ammonia Production, Petroleum Refinery, Methanol Production, Transportation, Power Generation, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2021-2028

Bio CHP Market Size , Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Feedstock (Food Waste, Plastic Waste, Agriculture Waste, Wood Waste, Animal Waste, Paper Waste, and Others), By Prime Mover (Steam Turbine, Gas Turbine, Microturbine, IC Engine), By End-User (Healthcare, Hospitality, Commercial Buildings, Airports, Education Institutes, Recycling Facilities, Manufacturing Industry, Waste Treatment Plant), and Regional Forecast, 2021-2028

Green Hydrogen Generator Market Size , Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Traditional Alkaline Electrolysis, PEM Electrolysis, and Solid Oxide Electrolysis), By Application (Power Plants, Steel Plant, Electronics and Photovoltaics, Industrial Gases and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2021-2028

Power Rental Market Size , Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Power Rating (Below 75 kVA, 75-375 kVA, 375-750 kVA and Above 750 kVA), By Fuel Type (Diesel, Gas, and Others), By Application (Continuous Load, Standby Load, and Peak Load), By End-user (Mining, Construction, Utility, Events, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, and Others) and Regional Forecast, 2021-2028

About Us:

Fortune Business Insights delivers accurate data and innovative corporate analysis, helping organizations of all sizes make appropriate decisions. We tailor novel solutions for our clients, assisting them to address various challenges distinct to their businesses. Our aim is to empower them with holistic market intelligence, providing a granular overview of the market they are operating in.

Contact Us:

Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd.

308, Supreme Headquarters,

Survey No. 36, Baner,

Pune-Bangalore Highway,

Pune - 411045, Maharashtra, India.

Phone:

US :+1 424 253 0390

UK : +44 2071 939123

APAC : +91 744 740 1245

Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fortune-business-insights

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FortuneBusinessInsightsPvtLtd
Toronto, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Boyden, a premier leadership and talent advisory firm with more than 75 offices in over 45 countries, is delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Lewis as Partner in its Toronto office. Michael joins Boydens global financial services practice and will work with local, regional and international clients to help them secure next generation talent in financial services and real estate.

The team also welcomes Jonathan Finless, appointed Associate in Boydens Toronto office and member of the global financial services practice. Jonathan was previously Solution Developer  Consulting & Financial Transformation at Deloitte, advising mid-sized and multinational clients on technological change.

Under Michaels leadership, Boyden Canada will continue to strengthen services in banking & capital markets, financial consulting, fintech, institutional asset management, insurance, real estate, wealth management and private banking.

Michaels understanding of these sectors and access to fast-evolving global talent is a critical advantage to our clients as they seek to align talent to organizational strategy in light of the pandemic and shifting market opportunities, said Trina D. Gordon, President & CEO, Boyden.

With over 20 years experience as an executive search consultant and senior executive in banking and real estate, Michael works with banks, credit unions, financial institutions, private equity and real estate firms, from early-stage start-ups to large private and public companies.

Michael is a great addition to our financial services practice, bringing next generation and rare talent to the table through his executive search, banking and real estate experience, commented Carlos Dafauce Global Co-Leader, Financial Services Practice and Partner, Spain. He and his clients suit Boydens global values and qualities, and his flair and entrepreneurial style will foster and enhance cross-border teaming from Toronto.

Michael started his career at TD Bank where he worked for 10 years across retail and commercial banking. Previously, he served as Managing Director, Financial Services and Real Estate at an executive search firm specializing in financial services. Prior to that, he was Director, Origination at Timbercreek Asset Management; Vice President at Raymond James Corporate & Real Estate Banking; and Manager, Commercial Real Estate Lending at Equitable Bank. Michael is also Chair, Talent & Leadership Subcommittee and Co-Chair, Mentorship & Sponsorship Committee, Black North Initiative; Co-Founder, Black Opportunity Fund; and a longstanding supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters, where he served as a Big Brother, Chair of Finance of Younger Leaders, and Finance Committee Member. He holds an MBA from Schulich School of Business, York University and a BSc (Hons) from University of Toronto, and is a CFA Charterholder, Chartered Financial Analyst Institute, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States.

About Boyden

Boyden is a premier leadership and talent advisory firm with more than 75 offices in over 45 countries. Our global reach enables us to serve client needs anywhere they conduct business. We connect great companies with great leaders through executive search, interim management and leadership consulting solutions. Boyden is ranked amongst the top companies on Forbes Americas Best Executive Recruiting Firms for 2021. For further information, visit www.boyden.com.

Attachment
Sydney, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just released, this edition of BuddeComm report outlines the latest developments and key trends in the telecoms markets. - https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Argentina-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?utm_source=GNW

The countrys economic challenges have been exacerbated since 2020 by the Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant austerity measures, coupled with a drought, lower export sales, and an economic slowdown in Brazil  Argentinas main trading partner.





Nevertheless, the mobility restrictions, rising unemployment, and an overall decline in productivity have had a minimal adverse effect on the telecom sector. Fixed-line teledensity continues on its slow, gradual decline year upon year, but at a much gentler pace than has been seen in other parts of the world. The fixed broadband segment has penetration levels only slightly higher than the fixed-line teledensity; nearly a quarter of the countrys broadband connections are via DSL, although fibre is starting claim an increasing share of that market as networks expand across most of the main cities.





Mobile broadband continues to be the preferred platform for internet access, supported by high mobile penetration levels and nationwide LTE coverage. The first 5G service was launched in February 2021 using re-farmed LTE frequencies. The anticipated 5G spectrum auctions should drive even stronger uptake in mobile broadband services.





While the various fixed, mobile, and cable operators push to expand and enhance their services, the government is also making an active contribution towards boosting broadband connectivity around the country. Its national connectivity plan Plan Conectar, launched in September 2020, provides funding for a range of programs to increase coverage. In August 2021, the telecom regulator announced the release of a further ARS671.6 million in funding to help operators accelerate the rollout of their broadband infrastructure and services.





This report includes the regulator's market data to March 2021, telcos' financial and operating data updates to June 2021, Telecom Maturity Index charts and analyses, assessment of the global impact of Covid-19 on the telecoms sector, and other recent market developments.







Key developments:





Argentinas government declares TV, internet, and mobile as being essential public services, preventing operators from raising prices.

5G is launched by Telecom Personal using Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) on re-farmed LTE frequencies.

Ministry of Public Innovation approves passive infrastructure sharing regulations.

Regulator launches consultation on the use and allocation of the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi services.

Roaming charges are abolished between Argentina and Chile.

Movistar and IBM launch Open RAN proof of concept network in Puerto Madryn.

Telecom Argentina to phase out its Fibertel and Cablevision brands, integrating them into the Personal and Flow brands respectively.

GlobeNets 2,500km Malbec submarine system linking Rio de Janeiro with Buenos Aires is lit.



Companies mentioned in this report:





Movistar, Telefonica de Argentina, Telecom Argentina, Grupo Clarin, Claro, Telmex, Telecom Personal, Nextel Argentina, IPLAN, ARSAT, Cablevision, VeloCom, Fibrenet, Arnet, MercadoLibre.







Read the full report: https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Argentina-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?utm_source=GNW
ST PETER PORT, Guernsey and NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In order for a proposed CBDC or other Global Digital Currency to function as a globally acceptable medium of exchange  as opposed to being just an internal mechanism within a country  there will first have to be global agreement among countries on principles to govern this new form of money. In particular, there will have to be confidence among all participants relating to the solvency of all currencies.



Without this, a Global Clearing System with all major countries participation will not be able to be set up. Without a Global Clearing System  which must precede global CBDCs or Global Digital Currencies  no international global CBDC or Global Digital Currency issued by countries can, or will, ever come into being.

However, there are currently rival power groupings of major countries internationally, and these rival power groups have very divergent geopolitical views and aims. One of the primary drivers of these divergent geopolitical aims and views is economic rivalry.

The rivalry exists primarily between the old economies of the Group of Seven or G7 countries (the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and Japan), and the new economies of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China). The reasons for these rivalries existing can be clearly seen in the snapshot economic comparison below:

G7: Population = +/- 775 Million

BRIC: Population = +/- 3.196 Billion

G7: Total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) = USD 43.996 Trillion

BRIC: Total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) = USD 44.898 Trillion

G7: Total National Debt = USD 59.480 Trillion

BRIC: Total National Debt = USD 13.4 Trillion

G7: Percentage of Global Population = +/- 10%

BRIC: Percentage of Global Population = +/- 41%

G7: Percentage of Global Debt = +/- 73%

BRIC: Percentage of Global Debt = +/- 16%

G7: Average National Debt of every G7 countries' citizen = USD 76 748.00

BRIC: Average National Debt of every BRIC countries' citizen = USD 4 192.00

(National Debt is incurred by governments on behalf of citizens, and citizens have to repay it  in tax)

This situation is further compounded if one examines some key data, as illustrated in the snapshot below:

Agriculture: G7  Declining / BRIC  Expanding





Industry / Manufacturing: G7  Declining / BRIC  Expanding





Oil and Gas: G7  all Net Importers / BRIC: Russia is a Net Exporter





Financial Services: G7  Declining (slowly but steadily) / BRIC  Expanding (slowly but steadily)





Poverty Levels: G7  Increasing (slowly but steadily) / BRIC  Decreasing (slowly but steadily)





Real GDP: Only 3 of 7 in the top 8 internationally / All 4 in the top 8 internationally

(See the Resources section of this article for details on Real GDP and national Debt)

The stark economic differences between these two groupings of major powers and their divergent potential growth trajectories already create international instability in even arms-length relations between them  as evidenced by their constant vetoing of one anothers motions at the United Nations Security Council.

Consequently, the likelihood for agreement between them on a matter as crucial as their own economies  and information sharing in respect of matters to do with their own economies and currencies (as is a prerequisite for setting up a new Global Clearing System) would be very slim indeed. Without the Global Clearing System, it is not possible to ever have globally exchangeable CBDCs or Global Digital Currencies (as currently envisaged).

However, there was  and is  a solution that would facilitate a fully functional Global CBDC-equivalent and Global Digital Currency despite divergent geopolitical rivalries between countries and power blocs.

At the Bretton Woods Conference held towards the end of the Second World War, the English Economist John Maynard Keynes proposed the creation of an International Clearing Union. This would be a neutral Global Clearing System  free of political and geopolitical baggage  through which the countries of the world would conduct their trade. It would use as its medium of exchange an instrument that he termed the Bancor. The Bancor would be a form of substitute currency that would be valid and convertible.

This system of International Clearing Union and Bancor was not adopted.

Had it been, the current overload of debt in national economies and the global economy may not have been able to arise. This is because this system makes fiscal irresponsibility much more difficult to obscure, and it promotes (and rewards) balance of trade and fiscal discipline  while at the same time making it difficult for opaque financial structuring to take place unseen.

It is upon this International Clearing Union with Bancor system that the Webtel.mobi Global Clearing System with TUV is based.

Indeed, it is largely an upgraded replica of the structure that Keynes proposed  just significantly upgraded due to the possibilities that 21st Century Artificial Intelligence capacities and the globalization of the world in the internet age have provided.

Webtel.mobis Global Clearing System has within it all functionality, processes and facilities that are required for  and that exist in  a Global Financial System. It enables and facilitates every type of transaction that is possible  on a global basis.

Moreover, Webtel.mobi  due to the capacities and global reach of its system  adopts a completely neutral stance towards all entities worldwide. This is to act in a capacity as a Supranational Entity, allowing for the free flow of trade and transactions across its system without fear or favor (subject to internationally agreed laws, conventions, and restrictions)  as must be the case in respect of global money flow / global economic traffic.

Moreover, Webtel.mobis TUV Digital Currency fulfills the same role as the proposed Bancor in its Global Clearing System. It facilitates conversion of any countrys currency into a globally valid, recognizable, acceptable, transferable, exchangeable, convertible, FX convertible and redeemable store of value and medium of exchange. It does this without interfering with any countrys or Central Banks Monetary Policy or Currency Sovereignty.

The only primary ways that Webtel.mobis TUV differs from Keyness Bancor (other than that the TUV is Digital in format) are as follow:

A TUV does not need to be acquired by gold. It can be acquired by any currency, and its value will be denominated in that currency  with the currency being held in a regulated bank account to act as security and a guarantee of the TUVs value*



The funds acting as security and guarantee for the TUV can be redeemed for the TUV on demand.



Given the democratization of the world over the past 70 years, TUVs are available not just to governments worldwide, but also directly to people worldwide.

* Note: The Secured TUV  already completed  will be secured by physical gold



Webtel.mobis Global Clearing System and TUV Digital Currency were, moreover, tested in full worldwide operations for nine years with its Platform 1 to refine their working and viability to fulfill their roles worldwide, in a secure manner. Thereafter, Webtel.mobi rebuilt its systems Platform 2 over three years to incorporate all the lessons learned in those nine years of full operation, and complete a refined and fit-for-purpose system.

After the completion of Platform 2, Webtel.mobi granted access to it, to the Levy Economics Institute  one of the worlds foremost economics research organizations, and among the most authoritative world organizations in respect of the policies of John Maynard Keynes.

The result of the year-long review of the Webtel.mobi Global Clearing System and TUV Digital Currency were that the Head of Research at the Levy Economics Institute  Professor Jan Kregel  issued five research papers on the system. One was entitled Keyness Clearing Union is Alive and Well and Living in your Mobile Phone, and another Another Bretton Woods Reform Moment: Let us Look Seriously at the Clearing Union. These papers illustrate what the Webtel.mobi System and TUV are, and what their capacities are (links to these research papers are in the Resources section of this article).

The Webtel.mobi Global Clearing System and TUV cannot cure the debt problems of the developed world. They can, however, mitigate the future rise of debt to such levels and reform aspects of the current Global Financial System.

More importantly, while doing so  or whether or not it does so (because it will be up to individual governments to choose to use it or not), it will  and does  assist ordinary people worldwide. It does this by providing them with a safer, more secure, instant, multicurrency and zero cost global digital currency and clearing system, which enables them to save exponential amounts of money and time, and also provides a hedge for them against inflation and their own currencies potential depreciation.

Resources:

Media Contact:

Nick Lambert: wm@thoburns.com

International Clearing Union:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Clearing_Union

Bancor:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bancor

Research Reports on the Capacities of the WM System:

Keyness Clearing Union is Alive and Well and Living in your Mobile Phone

http://www.levyinstitute.org/pubs/pn_21_1.pdf



Another Bretton Woods Reform Moment: Let us Look Seriously at the Clearing Union

http://www.levyinstitute.org/pubs/ppb_154.pdf



New Dimensions for the TUV in the Webtel.mobi System

https://webtel.mobi/media/info/new-dimensions-for-the-tuv-in-the-webtelmobi-system.pdf



Addition Research Papers on Webtel.mobis Global Clearing System and TUV:

https://webtel.mobi/pc/info/research/

Video on the Capacities of the WM System:

https://youtu.be/XYBrCikUhn8

Characteristics of WMs TUV Digital Currency:

https://webtel.mobi/info/tuv-characteristics

WMs urls:

https://webtel.mobi/pc (Tablets / Laptops / Desktops)

https://webtel.mobi (Smart Phones)

https://webtel.mobi/wap (Pre-Smart Mobile Phones)

List of Countries by Real GDP (aka PPP GDP):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)

World Debt Clocks:

https://worlddebtclocks.com/

https://usdebtclock.org/world-debt-clock.html

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0358b9a0-7597-433a-a2ac-517b2eba7dc5

The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pegasus Resources Inc. (TSX-V: PEGA; Frankfurt  0QS2, OTC/Pink Sheet symbol SLTFF) (the Company or Pegasus) is pleased to announce the acquisition of four Uranium properties located immediately northwest of the prolific Athabasca Basin of northern Saskatchewan which includes a historical resource estimate of 204,200 tons at 0.119% U 3 0 8 at an average width of 15.8 feet (4.8 metres), containing 535,718 pounds of uranium*. Cumulatively the properties encompass about 54,026 ha in 13 mineral claims, as follows:



Wollaston Northeast: 7 claims, 34,721 ha;

Bentley Lake: 3 claims, 12,397 ha;

Mozzie Lake: 3 claims, 6,908 ha, and

Pine Channel: 1 claim (previously announced).

Charles Desjardins, CEO of Pegasus Resources, states, "We are incredibly excited to have acquired the 20A Zone uranium deposit in northern Saskatchewan and a large land position in the prolific Wollaston Domain, where recent uranium discoveries have brought renewed interest to uranium exploration. The 20A Zone has remained virtually unexplored for 50 years and now represents an opportunity to re-examine an old showing in the context of other modern uranium discoveries in and around the Athabasca Basin.

Figure 1, Athabasca Basin is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a5cfdc13-0347-4a0f-99fc-bdb6d396a3a2

Wollaston Northeast Uranium Property

The Wollaston Northeast Property is situated outside the northeastern edge of the Athabasca Basin, about 45 km northeast of the Eagle Point Uranium Mine. The Eagle Point uranium deposits are entirely hosted by basement rocks of the Wollaston Domain.

Highlights:

Extensive land position within the Wollaston Domain where several recent uranium discoveries have led to renewed exploration activity;

Wollaston Domain is host to numerous mines and uranium showings such as Key Lake, Rabbit Lake, Eagle Point and others;

Prospective for basement hosted uranium mineralization, with at least five documented uranium occurrences and at least eight known base metal showings;

Historic exploration successfully identified numerous uranium/base metal showings, including an unresolved radioactive boulder train at Gallagher Lake with up to 0.244% U 3 O 8 .

Bentley Lake Uranium Property

The Bentley Lake Property is situated approximately 35 km northeast of the edge of the Athabasca Basin. It is located at the transition zone between the Wollaston and Mudjatic geological domains.

Highlights:

Located on the transition zone between the Mudjatic-Wollaston domains is a notable trend as several notable deposits such as Roughrider, Midwest, Cigar Lake, McAurthur River and others;



Figure 2, Bentley Lake and Wollaston NE is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7405a7de-ba32-4a5e-8f51-43e73cb2e989

Mozzie Lake Uranium Property

(20A Zone)

The Mozzie Lake Property consists of two claim blocks that are situated approximately 25 and 40 km northeast of the edge of the Athabasca Basin. It is located within the Charlebois-Higgingson Lake Uranium District.

Highlights:

Historical resource estimate at the 20A zone with 204,200 tons at 0.119% U 3 0 8 at an average width of 15.8 feet (4.8 metres), containing 535,718 pounds of uranium*.

0 at an average width of 15.8 feet (4.8 metres), containing 535,718 pounds of uranium*. The mineralization is hosted within pegmatite intrusions. The pegmatite deposits of the Charlebois-Higgingson Lake Uranium District have remained largely dormant since it was first explored in the 1940s to 1960s era. There are historical references to rare-earth-element (REE)- bearing minerals in the region, including at the Pinkham Lake prospects on the Mozzie Lake property. The Company believes that a re-evaluation of the district with respect to REE mineralization should be conducted to potentially bolster the uranium potential of the project(s).

Figure 3, Charlebois - Higginson Lake Uranium District is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/638a71bf-3daf-4b06-83c3-54fe6eb0f2eb

*The historical resource estimate was completed by Trigg, Woollett & Associates Ltd. on behalf of King Resources Company in 1968 (Sask. assessment report 74P07-0043).

a) Grade of individual sample widths within the blocks outlined is 0.05% U 3 0 8 or greater. b) Ore has been projected up to 50 feet in both directions from diamond drill intersections, and up to 50 feet beneath surface showings.

c) Grade of blocks having no available assays, but whose existence has been confirmed by radiometric surveys, have been taken to be the average ore reserve grade. d) Tonnages have been calculated using a factor of 12 cubic feet per ton of solid rock. e) Tonnages have been calculated to the nearest 100 tons.

The historical mineral resource estimates listed above either use categories that are not compliant with National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) and cannot be compared to NI 43-101 categories, or are not current estimates as prescribed by NI 43-101, and therefore should not be relied upon. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the estimates as current resources and Pegasus is not treating the estimates as a current resource estimate. However, the estimates are relevant to guiding the Companys exploration plans and provide geological information regarding the type of mineralization that could be present in the Mozzie Lake area. The QP has reviewed the historical report and the historical resource estimate was prepared within a high-quality report which stated several key assumptions and criteria.

The company intends to review and compile all historical information on the properties in preparation of future exploration programs. Further information on the projects and planned exploration activities will be released in the coming weeks.

Deal Terms

A 100% interest in the four properties (one previously announced  see news release dated October 7, 2021) was acquired from a staking syndicate by reimbursing staking costs of approximately $35,000 and issuing 1.2 million shares of Pegasus Resources. A 2% NSR will be granted to the vendors with 1% purchasable by the Company at any time for $1,000,000. A finders fee of 150,000 common shares is payable on the transaction, which is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Neil McCallum B.Sc., P.Geol. of Dahrouge Geological Consulting, who is a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101.

About Pegasus Resources Inc.

Pegasus Resources Inc. is a diversified Junior Canadian Mineral Exploration Company with a focus on zinc and base metal properties in North America. The Company is also actively pursuing the right opportunity in other resources to enhance shareholder value. For additional information please visit the Company at www.pegasusresourcesinc.com or contact Charles Desjardins at charles@pegasusresourcesinc.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Charles Desjardins

President and Director

Pegasus Resources Inc.

700  838 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC V6C 0A6

PH: 1-604-369-8973

E: info@pegasusresourcesinc.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements included in this announcement, including statements concerning the Companys plans, intentions and expectations, which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words including anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, expects and similar expressions. The Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the Companys future operations and business prospects, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canada Carbon Inc. (the Company) (TSX-V:CCB), (FF:U7N1) announces that its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Olga Nikitovic, will be resigning from this position effective December 15, 2021. Olga also fulfills the role as the Companys Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and will be resigning from this position on December 15, 2021 as well. The Company acknowledges the significant contribution to Canada Carbon Inc. that Olga made during her 14-year tenure as CFO.



Olga accepted the position of interim CEO for Canada Carbon upon the death of her husband, the Companys former CEO, R. Bruce Duncan, last year. She has communicated to the Board of Canada Carbon that personal family matters is the reason for her pending departure.

The Board of Canada Carbon assures shareholders that, in conjunction with Olga, it will immediately commence planning for Olgas succession and a positive go-forward strategy for the success of Canada Carbon Inc. Olga will remain active within Canada Carbon as its CEO until December 15.

The Company will miss Olga immensely. She did an excellent job of keeping Canada Carbon on track with its objectives and working hard for its shareholders, following the sudden death of her husband Bruce last year.

Respectfully,

The Board of Directors

Canada Carbon Inc.

For further information:

Olga Nikitovic

CEO

Canada Carbon Inc.

info@canadacarbon.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The MidWest Eye Center is Cincinnati and Northern Kentuckys leader for complete eyecare, from diagnosis to surgical and non-surgical treatments of cataracts, glaucoma, dry eyes, blepharitis, floaters, flashes, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration. The specialists at MidWest Eye Center offer a wide range of procedures, including LASIK vision correction, laser-assisted cataract surgery, and oculoplastic cosmetic reconstruction. The addition of these five doctors  Stephan G. Dixon, M.D.; Alexander Kuley, M.D.; Jenny McKenzie, O.D.; Aaron R. Noll, M.D., and Trisha Volmering, M.D.  will instantly deepen the expertise and broaden the skill set of the MidWest Eye Center medical staff.

According to Stephan G. Dixon, M.D., graduate of St. Xavier High School, University of Cincinnatis Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP), and University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, All five of us have ties to the Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky region. For three of us it has always been home and for all us it is a homecoming. Speaking on behalf of my new colleagues it is great to be back and we look forward to serving our neighbors.

Stephan G. Dixon, M.D.

Dr. Dixon is a Cincinnati native who graduated from St. Xavier High School, the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning at the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Digital Design before obtaining his Medical Degree from the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine. His recognitions during medical school include the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, the Gold Humanism Honor Society, and the Outstanding Alumni Award.

Dr. Dixon is a glaucoma specialist having completed his Ophthalmology Residency at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and a Glaucoma Fellowship at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute associated with Indiana University. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Glaucoma Society. Dr. Dixon specializes in Comprehensive Ophthalmology, Cataract Surgery, and Glaucoma.

Alexander Kuley, M.D.

Dr. Kuley is a Cincinnati native. He attended St. Xavier High School before graduating cum laude from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. He received his Medical Degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine with honors in Medical Education. He then went to Georgetown University to complete his Medicine Internship. He completed his Ophthalmology Residency at the University of Cincinnati, where he served as Chief Resident and was awarded special commendation for leadership. Dr. Kuley is a retina specialist having completed his Retina and Vitreous Surgery Fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, where he earned The Henry Ford Star Award for Outstanding Fellow across all specialties.

Jenny McKenzie, O.D.

Dr. McKenzie is thrilled to be back in her hometown practicing alongside her father Dr. Mike Halpin, whom she credits with stimulating her interest in eyecare at a young age. She is a 2004 graduate of Notre Dame Academy, received her undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky and then went on to receive her Optometry Degree from Indiana University. Dr. McKenzie completed an Ocular Disease Externship at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute as well as an Ocular Disease and Low Vision Residency at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky.

Aaron R. Noll, M.D.

Dr. Noll graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He received his medical degree from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, where he was the co-director of a free ophthalmology clinic for under-served populations. Dr. Noll moved to South Carolina for his internship at Spartanburg Regional Hospital before completing his ophthalmology residency training at the University of Florida, where he received the Resident of the Year honor. This latest move to Cincinnati will enable Dr. Noll to reconnect with his extended family, by practicing alongside his aunt Dr. Jean Noll. He specializes in Cataract Surgery, Comprehensive Ophthalmology, Laser Surgery, and Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery.

Trisha Volmering, M.D.

Dr. Volmering is a comprehensive eye physician and surgeon, caring for patients with cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and dry eye. She performs cataract surgery, femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), laser treatments for glaucoma, and in-office cosmetic procedures such as dermal filler and Botox injections.

Dr. Volmering completed her undergraduate education at Valparaiso University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science as well as a Christ College Scholar distinction in the humanities. She earned her Doctor of Medicine at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and received membership into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Dr. Volmering completed her ophthalmology residency training at SUNY Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse.

We are excited to be adding these five specialists to our growing team, said Rebecca K. Taylor, CPC, Director of Operations. Their combined patient experience and their potential contributions to MidWest Eye Centers clinical research capabilities will enable our organization to continue advancing the field of ophthalmology.

MidWest Eye Centers continued growth, with the addition of these five accomplished doctors, demonstrates the organizations commitment to bettering the sight of those across the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region. Through a wide range of procedures, including LASIK vision correction, laser-assisted cataract surgery, and oculoplastic cosmetic reconstruction, our board-certified Ophthalmologists, Retina Specialists and Optometrists are dedicated to delivering the best eyecare possible. Thousands of patients each year choose MidWest Eye Centers surgeons for successful laser eyecare services because of their dedication to their community and their unrivaled patient care.

###

About MidWest Eye Center  www.MidWestEyeCenter.com

MidWest Eye Center is a Cincinnati-based, locally-owned-and-operated, comprehensive eyecare center with nineteen locations across the greater Cincinnati region. Our surgeons and staff are dedicated to providing excellent patient care and exceptional eye surgery results. Our centers offer a wide range of eyecare services for patients of all ages from routine eye exams to the treatment of eye disease to LASIK. Our twenty-eight board-certified ophthalmologists and optometrists provide expert diagnosis and treatment. MidWest Eye Center operates two state-of-the-art surgery centers in Kenwood and Eastgate providing cataract, dry eye, eyelid, glaucoma, pediatric, retinal and LASIK treatments.

Visit our site at: www.MidWestEyeCenter.com.

Midwest Eye Center is a proud, verified, partner of the Refractive Surgery Council program.

Attachments
TORONTO, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Every year, socio-economic barriers prevent some young Canadians from getting the full benefit of a quality education. This is particularly true for students from racialized communities, whose families are newcomers to Canada, and who come from low-income families that cannot afford extra educational support for their children.



In fact, only 31% of youth from the bottom income quartile attend post-secondary education, compared to 50.2% from the top quartile.

Yet, without a quality education, what chance do these disadvantaged students have to compete in a high-tech world, earn a decent income, and create a rewarding life for themselves and their families?

Twenty years ago, a group of concerned Canadians recognized this challenge, and with the help of their first patron The Honourable Lincoln Alexander, established a peer tutoring, student mentoring and educational support program.

Called Licensed to Learn (L2L), the program launched in 2002 by training a handful of student tutors at a single school in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), who went on to work with students at a neighbouring elementary school. From the start, L2Ls goal has been to make academic support accessible to all Canadian students at both the elementary and secondary school levels by empowering young leaders and implementing free peer-tutor programming in schools nationwide.

L2L programs include tutor training and structured peer-tutoring sessions which are hosted at schools and community agencies at no cost. The program is proven to benefit youth by improving academic success, building confidence, and providing leadership and skill training opportunities.

While highly effective and roundly praised, the program struggled to grow over the first 10 years due largely to insufficient funding.

But in 2013, L2L joined forces with IDRF (the International Development and Relief Foundation), and together they began to expand the program. At the time, IDRF believed L2L had tremendous potential for growth if it diversified its operating model, secure more funding, and expanded its collaboration with school boards and community agencies to target schools and students with the greatest need of support.

L2L typically operates out of 100-120 schools. Within each school, there are two teachers and/or administrators who oversee the program. Overall, some 220 teachers and administrators dedicate their time and make it possible for L2L to run each year. Their roles and responsibilities include working alongside an L2L educator/trainer, recruiting youth, organizing and supervising tutoring sessions and matching tutors with peers based on their academic strengths and needs.

Since being absorbed by IDRF and falling under its operational oversight, L2L has expanded nationally and increased its capacity. For example, 35,336 students have participated in the L2L Program over the last 19 years, with 16,984 of them completing the L2L Tutor Training Certification and going on to support 18,352 academically at-risk peers at their schools. In total, L2L tutors have provided over 203,808 hours of free tutoring to students through the program.

L2L Tutors complete 4-5 hours of tutor and leadership training, and dedicate a minimum of 10 hours to supporting their assigned peers. They meet with their peers regularly over the course of the semester or school year. They work closely with the school coordinator and L2L Trainer to monitor the progress of their assigned peers and to respond to potential issues and challenges.

In addition, IDRF has enhanced the monitoring, impact reporting and efficiency of L2L programs. For example, on average the L2L program provides 216 hours of free tutoring and mentorship to students via 18 certified tutors and 18 peer support mentors at each school at a total cost of just $4,537 per school.

More recently, with the support of Royal Bank of Canada through an innovative program called RBC Future Launch, L2L has been able to grow the program and impact even more students in need. For example, in the 2018-19 school year, the programs impact grew by over 25%, supporting more than 4,500 students. While L2L is most active in Ontario, support from RBC is helping the organization to expand its programs in British Columbia, Alberta, and Nova Scotia. The program is offered at no cost to schools, with all materials, including Tutor Training Manuals and learning resources, provided through funding by RBC and IDRF.

RBC Future Launch is about preparing young Canadians for the jobs of tomorrow, says Mark Beckles, RBCs Vice-President of Social Impact and Innovation. This is particularly true for disadvantaged students who face more obstacles to obtaining quality education and the self-confidence required to find meaningful and sustained employment. L2L is helping to level the educational playing field for disadvantaged students, and we are pleased to be their partner in this vital mission.

In the 2019-20 school year, L2L was on track to reach a record 5,000 students, but the program was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic which caused many school closures. In response, L2L made a quick pivot away from in-person learning to online learning by digitizing all program materials, launching a new website, and rebranding itself to better reflect the new cultural reality in Canada.

The new website was designed to serve as a hub with activities, information and resources that the dedicated team of L2L Trainers, teachers, administrators and youth could access 24/7. L2L worked closely with the school boards, schools and students in developing these materials, and was able to provide essential support and address the resource gaps created by the pandemic. The adapted L2L program includes virtual tutor training, leadership conferences and additional support for school and students.

In consultations with students and teachers, many voiced their concerns around the increased difficulty in accessing mental health support services. As a response, L2L developed a leadership training on resilience and how to overcome obstacles. The aim of the workshop was to enhance the internal strengths of youth and share information about free resources available to them in the community. The L2L program became an important resource as youth, parents and teachers transitioned into the new virtual learning environment.

"Due to the pandemic, I noticed that a lot of students were struggling with their mental health and dealing with isolation from their friends, explains one of the programs tutors. I joined the L2L program because I wanted to make a difference in my school."

Despite a major disruption caused by the pandemic and a radical overhaul of the L2L program, the organization continued to meet most of its impact targets for students and tutors. For example, 4,217 students were supported in the 2019-20 school year, which is just 10% less than the previous year. And before in-school learning was halted due to COVID-19, the program was on track to support more than 5,000 students. Throughout pandemic the program has helped make academic supports offered through school and community-based homework help clubs, student tutoring clubs and groups and youth leadership programs, more sustainable. The program has become integrated into the support resources offered through the school boards and been a pivotal resource for students impacted by pandemic.

After the pandemic, we recognize that virtual programming will continue to be an important part of the education system moving forward, says Nabil Ali, Director of Programs at IDRF. It is essential that L2L continue to build on the digital content created this year, and that we further enhance the programs ability to handle increased demand from students in future.

What will that future look like for Licensed to Learn?

Thanks to RBC Future Launch, L2L is on track to reach a significant milestone in 2022  40,000 students assisted over its first 20 years of operation. And with a goal of reaching more than 5,000 students each year in future, that number could reach 100,000 by its 30th anniversary in 2032.

We are working hard to sustain the growth of L2L, and to increase the number of students we can help each year, says Mahmood Qasim, the CEO of IDRF. Young people represent the future of our country, and every student should have equal access to a quality education regardless of their race, religion or socio-economic status.

Media contact:

Jey Pakeerathan, Media, PR and Government Relations Coordinator

Tel: 416-497-0818 (# 523) or Cell: 226-456-0038

jpakeerathan@idrf.ca

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/12cf9737-7e7c-4c95-87c8-3d9a4158369b

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c8dca6a1-13de-469c-a960-a727e200f609
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fitting in the palm of a hand and weighing as little as a AA battery, LifeFone's voice-in-pendant VIPx medical alert system offers 24/7 protection both in the home and while on the go. It works throughout the U.S. on AT&T's or Verizon's cellular networks (it works with LifeFone's cell service). It's an all-in-one solution, worn as a necklace or belt clip and provides both subscribers and caregivers peace of mind. The optional Caregiver Mobile App offers maximum Caregiver Support by providing helpful information directly from a mobile device.

VIPx Features:

Small & Lightweight - One of the smallest & most powerful medical alert systems on the market.

- One of the smallest & most powerful medical alert systems on the market. Nationwide Use - Using Verizon and AT&T's 4G LTE cellular networks, it works wherever it goes.

- Using Verizon and AT&T's 4G LTE cellular networks, it works wherever it goes. Water Resistant - Wear it in the shower for continued protection.

- Wear it in the shower for continued protection. Location Tracking Technology - Using GPS, Cellular & Wi-Fi, your location is always available.

- Using GPS, Cellular & Wi-Fi, your location is always available. Extended Battery - Up to 12 days on a full charge while receiving a text or email when the battery starts running low.

- Up to 12 days on a full charge while receiving a text or email when the battery starts running low. Optional Fall Detection - An added level of protection.

- An added level of protection. Caregiver Mobile App - Tracks motion, location, battery & more.

- Tracks motion, location, battery & more. Color - Available in black, white & silver.

According the National Institutes of Health, the senior population in the U.S., age 65+, is expected to nearly double over the next few decades. The CDC notes that nearly 36 million seniors fall every year. As the senior population ages, the need for caregivers and their ability to monitor loved ones will grow rapidly. The optional fall detection can provide additional protection while the VIPx Caregiver Mobile App now offers caregivers the option to receive valuable notifications and information in real-time regarding a loved ones daily activities.

VIPx Caregiver Mobile App

The optional VIPx Caregiver Mobile App enhances the experience for both subscribers and their caregivers. Offering additional protection along with valuable information right from a mobile phone, subscribers & their loved ones can have an increased sense of safety and monitoring ability. Features include:

First Motion of the Day

Current Location Tracking

Daily Step Monitoring

Battery Level

Alerts & Notifications

Lost Device Assistance

"We continue our commitment to protect our customers with innovative products and services to help ensure, that in any emergency, our subscribers receive the help they need when every second matters." - Ron Maggio, LifeFone's President

About LifeFone

Founded in 1976, LifeFone has been an innovator in providing 24/7 security and peace of mind to thousands of people throughout the United States. Utilizing the latest technology and commitment to "personal" response, LifeFone is the first service provider to have consumer-friendly service policies, maintaining that philosophy throughout everything they do. LifeFone has been rated the #1 Best Medical Alert System of 2021 by U.S. News & World Report and has a A+ BBB rating. Visit LifeFone.com or call 1-800-882-2280 Ext. 300 to learn more.

Related Images











Image 1









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment
Los Angeles, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WWP Beauty, a world-class, full-service supplier to the global beauty industry, has launched its new, Refill Revolution collection featuring a series of refillable packaging solutions that reduce carbon emissions, promote a more circular design system, and sparks joy for environmentally-conscious brands and consumers through reduced waste and packaging.

Each of the components in this collection features a refillable design with measured carbon emissions reduction targeting different categories of beauty.

Refill Revolution Airless Pens: Features touchless, sensorial, and integrated applicators that reduce carbon emissions by up to 60% after three refills. The applicator options include a cooling metal roller ball applicator for spot treatments and eye serums, a triple micro rollerball applicator for targeted eye and lip treatments, and an oval brush applicator for concealers and liquid complexion products. The smart, low-profile design of these pens makes them an easy refill system to integrate into an existing cosmetic line.

Refill Revolution Multi-Use Face Stick: A patented, award-winning design that produces 72% fewer GHG emissions after three refills when compared to a standard, non-refillable face stick of the same size and shape. Additionally, this component features a multi-purpose, direct-apply design that produces minimal refill waste and can be made with PCR content. A great option for color cosmetic and skincare formulations.

A patented, award-winning design that produces 72% fewer GHG emissions after three refills when compared to a standard, non-refillable face stick of the same size and shape. Additionally, this component features a multi-purpose, direct-apply design that produces minimal refill waste and can be made with PCR content. A great option for color cosmetic and skincare formulations. Refill Revolution Multi-Use Body Stick: A patent-pending, award-winning design featuring an intuitive, easy-to-use refillable system with a mono-material refill cartridge and the option to add PCR content. This component reduces GHG emissions by up to 71% after three refills and is an ideal option for body care, personal care and hygiene products, and skincare.

A patent-pending, award-winning design featuring an intuitive, easy-to-use refillable system with a mono-material refill cartridge and the option to add PCR content. This component reduces GHG emissions by up to 71% after three refills and is an ideal option for body care, personal care and hygiene products, and skincare. Refill Revolution Powered Up Pump: A keepsake design that preserves formula integrity is easy to refill, and has the option to add PCR content for increased sustainability claims. Can be used for color cosmetics, skincare, and haircare products.

A keepsake design that preserves formula integrity is easy to refill, and has the option to add PCR content for increased sustainability claims. Can be used for color cosmetics, skincare, and haircare products. Refill Revolution Refill & Go Bottle: A portable, compact design that can be easily refilled and taken on the go. With this component, the options for refilling are endless, and it can be used for a wide range of cream or gel-based formulas in color cosmetics, skincare, body care, personal care, and haircare.

This collection of intuitive refillable packaging was designed with components that could be used across all categories of beauty to show brands the possibilities of applying a refillable program to their existing line, said Michael Tognetti, Senior Director, Global Sustainability, WWP Beauty. Using our Eco-Analyzer tool, we have generated validated sustainability claims and carbon emissions reduction percentages to show our customers the sustainable impact refillable packaging has.

The new Refill Revolution collection further demonstrates WWP Beautys commitment to producing new solutions for its customer and working towards creating a more sustainable, clean, and inclusive future.

# # #

About WWP Beauty

WWP Beauty is committed to developing future-focused, sustainable solutions for the global beauty industry through close collaboration, exceptional agility, and unparalleled scale. The companys full-service offering of formula, packaging, and accessories, paired with their in-house manufacturing capabilities allow them to stand out as the source for everything beauty. Through a worldwide team of beauty experts that span across North America, EMEA, and APAC, WWP Beauty offers their customers global support at the local level. To learn more, visit our website at www.wwpbeauty.com.

Attachment
English French

PRESS RELEASE

Paris, 20 October 2021

Final annual results at the end of June 2021

Confirmation of data published at the end of August 2021

Strong financial results demonstrating the relevance of our strategic move as a global health provider in Continental Europe, in a Covid context where Ramsay Sante has kept on playing a critical role to take care of patients.

More than 11,000 COVID patients were treated in France during the current financial year, including more than 4,000 in critical care, well above our market share. In Sweden, we have throughout the pandemic handled close to 20% of all COVID inpatient care in the Stockholm area. The Group has also contributed through both COVID-19 testing and vaccination efforts to support the governments to get the pandemic under control.

Full-year turnover amounted to 4,022.6 million, up 7.4% on a reported basis. Adjusted for changes in the consolidation scope and at constant currency exchange rates, turnover for the full-year ended 30 June 2021 was up with a very solid 8.3% organic sales growth;

Increase in the reported EBITDA of 17.7%, to 643.8 million (last year 546.8) with a margin of 16.0% (last year 14.6%). EBITDA and margin development were positively impacted by realized synergies from the now fully integrated acquisition of Capio, which was well above our initial objective of 20 millions, as well as from the organic sales growth in the business. Development was also supported by measures to compensate the additional COVID costs incurred during the first three waves of the pandemic both in France and in the Scandinavian countries out of which some were related to the first wave in the last financial year. The revenue guarantee scheme put in place by the French government resulted in additional revenue of 103 million in the year ended 30 June 2021;

Net profit for the Group share was 65.0 million, benefiting from the higher business activity and improved results;

Net financial debt at the end of 30 June 2021 amounted to 3,231 million, including 2,139 million of IFRS 16 liabilities. On 22 April 2021, the Ramsay Sante Group successfully refinanced its entire syndicated debt (TLB 1, 2 and 3) with improved terms and for the first time, introduced social and environmental objectives to its debt. The syndicated debt now matures in April 2026 and April 2027.





Pascal Roche, Chief Executive Officer of Ramsay Sante, says:

"It is with great pride that the Ramsay Sante Group has continued to play a critical role in Europe caring for COVID patients and preparing the vaccination of our fellow citizens. Our financial results are solid, with an improved financial EBITDA margin at 16.0%, stemming from a solid organic growth, a Capio integration delivering synergies above expectations and supported too by taking into account Covid subventions of extra costs that were incurred during the first wave (March-May 2020). It demonstrates the pertinence of our current strategic move as a global health European operator, orchestrating patients pathways, in and out of hospitals. Thus, out of 9.2 millions of patients we took care of in FY 2021, 6.3 millions were out of hospitals and digital patients

The Board of Directors approved the consolidated accounts as of the end of June 2021 at its meeting held on 20 October 2021. The audit procedures have been carried out and the audit report will be issued after the review of the management report.

The accounts and reports will be available to the public when the company's registration document is published at the end of October 2021.

Synthetic results

In M From 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 Variation from 1 July 2019 to

30 June 2020 Turnover 4,022.6 +7.4% 3,746.2 EBITDA (IFRS 16) 643.8 +17.7% 546.8 Current Operating Result 272.0 +47.3% 184.7 As a % of Turnover +6.8% +1.8 point 4.9% Operating Result 250.6 +42.2% 176.2 Net income, Group share 65.0 13.4 Earnings per share (in ) 0.59 0.12

Breakdown of revenue by operating segment

In M from 1 July 2020 to

30 June 2021 from 1 July 2019 to

30 June 2020 Variation Ile-de-France 1,000.8 932.7 +7.3% Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes 561.7 508.1 +10.5% Nord - Pas de Calais - Picardie 380.6 352.8 +7.9% Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur 161.4 155.5 +3.8% Bourgogne Franche Comte 107.4 99.2 +8.3% Other regions 645.0 563.2 +14.5% Other activities 10.3 53.0 -80.6%  Nordics  1,155.4 1,081.7 +6.8% Published Turnover 4,022.6 3,746.2 +7.4% Including:

- Revenue on a like-for-like basis and at constant exchange rates

3,945.8

3,644.5

+8.3% - Changes in scope of consolidation and exchange rates 76.8 101.7



Note: the table above details the contributions of the various operating segments to the Group's consolidated revenue.



Significant events of the financial year:

Pandemic-related health crisis COVID - 19

The financial year ending 30 June 2021 was significantly impacted by the continuing health crisis linked to the global COVID-19 pandemic in all countries where the Group operates.

In France, private hospitals have throughout the financial year maintained their action plans to fight the COVID-19 epidemic and their investment, in conjunction with and in support of public hospitals, according to the national health system.

In compliance with ministerial directives, relayed by the Regional Health Agencies, private clinics and hospitals have cancelled their non-urgent medical and surgical activities to cope with the first three waves, in order to free up capacity in hospital accommodation and technical facilities to meet local health needs. Staff and private doctors have been mobilised and integrated into the plans to prevent and fight the epidemic.

As the health situation evolved, the activity of private hospitals has been able to resume gradually but still under constraints, in compliance with government or regional directives and depending on local health conditions. The acceleration in the spread of the virus during the year during the second and third wave has necessitated further adjustments in the programming of hospital activities at our sites.

The financial impacts are diverse and variable depending on the specific situation of each facility. They mainly concern:

Loss of earnings (loss of healthcare turnover and/or ancillary income) due to deprogramming and reduced activity;

Additional costs incurred to deal with the crisis, including the following: Medical purchases (medicines and medical devices), Payroll (carers) and incidental expenses (travel expenses, staff protection costs, ), Investments or rental of equipment.



a) Cash advances :

To provide short-term support to healthcare institutions, and to avoid any cash shortages, a system of repayable advances was introduced in March 2020 as a completely exceptional and transitional measure. Thus, at their request, private health facilities can benefit from a reimbursable advance on subsequent billings to the Compulsory Health Insurance Scheme. This adapted advance system was still in place on 30 June 2021.

At 30 June 2021, advances received by the Group are recorded as liabilities on the balance sheet, for a total amount of 121 million euros net of accrued income yet to be received.

b) Revenue guarantee :

2020 revenue guarantee  6 May 2020 decree

This guarantee is put in place for all activities carried out by all health care institutions, which are normally financed in whole or in part on the basis of activity output.

The guarantee covers revenues for the period March 2020 to December 2020. The principle is to guarantee health care institutions, for this period, a minimum revenue (from the social security insurance scheme) at least equal to the revenue received for 2019 activity (prorated over 10 months to have a comparable period).



The scope of the guarantee concerns:

Medicine Surgery and Obstetrics (MSO) : health insurance receipts (excluding fees) on hospitalisation services in accordance with Article R.162-33-1 (GHS, daily supplements, GHT, ATU, SE...), remuneration of salaried doctors invoiced by the facility and the treatment of patients benefiting from State Medical Aid and Emergency Care,

: health insurance receipts (excluding fees) on hospitalisation services in accordance with Article R.162-33-1 (GHS, daily supplements, GHT, ATU, SE...), remuneration of salaried doctors invoiced by the facility and the treatment of patients benefiting from State Medical Aid and Emergency Care, Follow-up and rehabilitation care (FCR) : health insurance receipts from hospitalisation benefits under Article R.162-31-1 and the remuneration of salaried doctors invoiced by the facility ( La Dotation Modulee a lActivite  has its own guarantee mechanism) excluding the fees of private practitioners,

: health insurance receipts from hospitalisation benefits under Article R.162-31-1 and the remuneration of salaried doctors invoiced by the facility ( La Dotation Modulee a lActivite  has its own guarantee mechanism) excluding the fees of private practitioners, Mental Health: health insurance receipts on hospitalisation benefits under Article R.162-31-1 and the remuneration of salaried doctors invoiced by the facility, excluding the fees of private practitioners.





The guarantee level is calculated on the basis of 2019 revenues (excluding IFAQ grant quality funding) and takes into account:

the unfreezing of the prudential coefficient, which is passed on to healthcare institutions, at the end of 2019,

specific situations (grouping of facilities, transfer of activities, ) of certain facilities whose 2019 activity may have been impacted,

price effects: MSO: +0.2% excluding External Consultation Acts; Hospitalisation at Home : +1.1%; Follow-up and rehabilitation care (FCR): +0.1%; Mental health: +0.5%.







The group facilities received in May 2021 from the Regional Health Agencies (ARS) on which they depend the initial guarantee regularisation amount, being the difference, if positive, between the guaranteed revenue and the corresponding cumulative billings. A final true-up of this net amount of guarantee regularisation will be notified in March 2022 pursuant to the legislated mechanism.

2021 revenue guarantee  13 April 2021 decree





A similar but separate guarantee has been enacted to prolong the government support to healthcare facilities revenue after the expiry of the initial scheme on 31 December 2020. A new decree issued on 13 April 2021 essentially applied the same revenue guarantees for a new 6-months period from 1 January to 30 June 2021 to the facilities performing the same activities defined in the first scheme.

The revenue guaranteed corresponds to 6/12th of the 2020 billed revenue, inclusive of the 2020 revenue guarantee if any, and indexed as follows:

2/12 th is indexed at 0,2% corresponding to the base indexation from the 2020 ONDAM,

is indexed at 0,2% corresponding to the base indexation from the 2020 ONDAM, 4/12th is indexed at a rate corresponding to the increase in tariffs applied from 1 March 2021 for the relevant activity.

Impact on the financial statements at 30 June 2021:





The amount of the financing guarantee income recognised by the Group for the financial year ended 30 June 2021 is based on actual activity carried out and amounts to 103 million. It is recognised in the income statement under "Other operating income".

c) Subsidies for additional COVID costs :





In parallel with the revenue guarantee scheme, the government has also adapted the funding of health institutions to compensate the additional costs related to the COVID crisis that would not otherwise be covered.

As at 30 June 2020, the methods for calculating and bearing these additional costs had not been finalised, making it impossible for the Group to estimate precisely the amount of subsidies to be recognised in relation to the very significant additional costs actually incurred and recognised in the financial year ended 30 June 2020. The Regional Health Agencies have since notified and paid the relevant Group's facilities the subsidies extended to them in the form of Contractualisation Assistance or Regional Intervention Fund grants. Thus, as at 30 June 2021, the amounts recognised in respect of the funding of additional costs arising over the period from March to June 2020 amounted to 14.5 million and are recognised in the income statement under "Other operating income". During the financial year additional cost compensation funding of 58.4 million has been received and recognised in the financial statements.

d) S e gur de la Sante :

Mechanism:

Further to the governments commitment at the start of the pandemic to upgrade the status of professionals and managers in health facilities and EHPADs (aged care facilities), negotiations led to the signing of the Segur de la Sante agreements on 13 July 2020 by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Solidarity and Health, as well as by a majority of representative union organisations.

In particular, these two agreements dedicate 7.6 billion a year towards salary increases for medical professions in health and medico-social facilities in the public and private sectors.

This translates into:

183 net monthly increase for medical professionals in public and private not-for-profit health facilities and EHPADs (+160 net/month for the private for-profit sector), i.e. 1.5 million professionals excluding doctors that benefit from specific agreements;

35 net per month on average in additional remuneration for staff in contact with patients: care assistants, nursing staff, rehabilitation and medical-technical staff thanks to the upgrading of their pay scales;

A collective commitment bonus increased to 100 net per month to reinforce team projects aiming at improving the quality of care and enhance collective commitment;

Improvement of the organisation of working time by giving more room for manoeuvre to actors in the field, and dedicated funding to develop local agreements and pilot projects and better pay for overtime;

Development of negotiation and promotion of social dialogue in facilities.





Thus, as far as the private for-profit sector is concerned, this agreement provides for a historic wage increase of 206 gross per month (or 160 net per month) to be paid to the 150,000 medical employees and midwives in private hospitals and clinics.

The salary increase was introduced in two steps (as for the public). The first payment, corresponding to half of the total increase (80 net) was paid in November 2020 with retroactive effect to 1 September 2020. The second step occurred in December 2020 with the payment of an additional 80. The additional 35 increase in remuneration will start to apply sometime during the next financial year.

The Group has been compensated for the real overall impact of these wage increases either through a specific tariff adjustment for the MSO activity from 1 March 2021 and through subsidies for MSO until end February 2021 and for the entire period for the Follow-up, Rehabilitaion and Mental Health activities.

Impact on the financial statements at 30 June 2021:





As of 30 June 2021, the grants recognised in respect of the financing of the Segur de la Sante amounted to 34,0 million and are classified in the income statement under "Other operating income". The 2021 Segur costs of the MSO facilities are funded through a dedicated 6.2% increase of their tariffs applicable since 1 March 2021 and accounted for as turnover. These incomes offset the actual costs of salary increase granted to all eligible populations.

e) Impacts outside France:





Outside of France, the Group's facilities actively took part in patient care and screening, in support of public institutions and in close collaboration with the supervisory authorities. Nevertheless, business was logically strongly impacted by the effects of the health crisis. Indeed, the scheduled non-emergency surgical operations for a large part of the business had to be cancelled from mid-March until end August 2020. Subsequently further such periods of cancelled elective surgery took place also during wave two and three of the covid pandemic. Despite these disruption periods, production and results have been solid as the business has been strong in the periods during which business has been normal. This in combination with staff being supporting other units with COVID-19 care during periods of need.

In Sweden, the Sankt Goran hospital, operated by the Group in Stockholm, plays a key role in managing the epidemic, with more than 150 beds dedicated to COVID patients and an almost threefold increase in its intensive care capacity at the peak during the first wave. Sankt Goran in combination with the geriatric hospitals in Stockholm has throughout the pandemic treated close to 20% of all COVID inpatients in the Stockholm region. The strong increase in contamination, mainly in Sweden, led the Group to adjust its activity in order to further increase its capacity to screen and care for COVID+ patients. From late December 2020 the Group has significantly contributed to the vaccination effort.

While in Norway and Denmark no accompanying measures have been implemented, our facilities in Sweden and Germany have received subsidies covering additional operating costs, the provision of nursing staff and beds. The Sankt Goran Hospital has been allocated a specific compensation package in view of its involvement. In total, the amount of aid received by our facilities in Scandinavia amounts to 61.5 million over the period.

Scope of consolidation

During the financial year Ramsay Sante has completed 9 smaller bolt-on acquisitions in France and the Nordics. These acquisitions are complementary to the current business as well expands the scope of services as well as geographical footprint. In total these acquisitions added goodwill and other acquisition surplus values to the total amount of 68.5 million. The Group also divested two clinics in France.

The Ramsay Sante Group sold all of its activities in Germany during the last quarter of 2020. Ramsay Sante Group's strategy, aimed at strengthening its presence in territories where it has the capacity to become a leader in the health sector, has carefully assessed the situation in Germany and this has led it to conclude that it would be very complex for this to be the case. As of 30 June 2021, the profit from the disposal of activities in Germany amounted to 0.8 million and are recognised in Other non-current income and expenses.

Comments on the annual accounts

Activity and turnover:

In the financial year ended June 2021, Ramsay Sante Group reported a consolidated turnover of 4,022.6 million, compared with 3,746.2 million for the period from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020, up 7.4%. For information, the financing guarantee scheme in the Group's financial statements has no impact on published revenue as it is recognised in the income statement under "Other operating income".

On a like-for-like basis and at constant exchange rates, the Group's sales increased by 8.3% with one additional working day.

Changes in the scope of consolidation is due to the divestment of the German business combined with acquisitions and other divestments made during the financial year.

For the financial year ending 30 June 2021, the total activity of Ramsay Sante's French entities was impacted by the consequences of the COVID crisis. Main effects were related to the cancellation of certain scheduled medical and surgical activities during both wave two and three but also from limiting the number of patients per room. In total the number of patient admissions increased to last year by 7.0%. The breakdown by business line is as follows:

+8.8% in Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics

-6.7% in Follow-up Care and Rehabilitation

+5.9% in Mental Health





As part of its public service missions, the Group recorded a 3.9% drop in the number of emergencies over the past year, with around 650,000 visits to the emergency services in our establishments in France. The drop was mainly a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic which impacted the willingness of patients to seek care.

Organic sales growth in the Group's Nordic activities for the financial year ended 30 June 2021 was +9.4% compared with last year. Organic sales growth in the Nordics was positively impacted by both greenfields/new care contracts, additional work in relation to covid-19 testing/vaccination and a continued positive organic sales growth in the underlying business.

Results:

EBITDA reached 643.8 million for the financial year ended 30 June 2021, up 17.7% on a reported basis. Group EBITDA as of 30 June 2021 includes 103.0 million related to the revenue guarantee scheme described in the paragraph "Significant events of the financial year" above. EBITDA further also include cost compensations related extra incurred by the businesses in both France and Sweden. EBITDA development was also positively impacted by the underlying business growth as well as from the realization of synergies above plan for now fully integrated Capio acquisition. On a like-for-like basis, at constant consolidation scope and exchange rates, EBITDA increased by 15.3% during the year.

The EBITDA margin as a percentage of sales was 16.0%, up from 14.6% for the same period last year on a reported basis. On a constant scope and considering exchange rate changes the EBITDA margin improved from 15.0% to 16.0%.

Current operating result amounted to 272.0 million between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021 (or 6.8% of revenue), up 47.3% over the previous financial year demonstrating solid leverage on the improved sales and EBITDA growth.

Other non-current income and expenses represent a net expense of 21.4 million for the period ended 30 June 2021, consisting mainly of impairment of fixed assets and acquisition/divestment related costs. From 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020, other non-current income and expenses represented a net expense of 8.5 million.

The cost of net financial debt amounted to 123.2 million for the financial year ended 30 June 2021, compared with 130.2 million the previous year. It comprises interest on the Senior debt and, in accordance with IFRS 16, the Group recorded an additional financial interest expense of 71.1 million related to the lease debt. As the group refinanced the debt during the financial year previously capitalized borrowing costs of 11.4 million was expensed in the income statement.

Groups share of net profit reached 65.0 million at 30 June 2021 versus 13.4 million for the period from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020.

Financing :

Net financial debt at 30 June 2021 decreased to 3,230.5 million compared with 3,372.5 million at 30 June 2020. Net debt includes 1,673.6 million in non-current borrowings and 38.1 million in current borrowings, offset by 608.4 million in a positive cash position.

IFRS 16 to operating leases contributed to net financial debt at 30 June with 2,139.1 million including 1,940.2 million in non-current lease debt and 198.9 million in current lease debt.

On 22 April 2021, the Ramsay Sante Group successfully refinanced its entire syndicated debt (TLB 1, 2 and 3) with improved terms and for the first time, introduced social and environmental objectives to its debt. The syndicated debt now matures in April 2026 and April 2027.

The Group complies with all commitments relating to the financial documentation in place. The application of IFRS 16 has no effect on the methods used to calculate the financial aggregates referred to in these debt agreements.

About Ramsay General Health

After the acquisition of Capio AB Group in 2018, Ramsay Sante has become one of the leaders of the private hospitalization and primary care in Europe with 39 000 employees and 8 600 practitioners serving 9 million patients in our 350 facilities in five countries: France, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Italy.

Ramsay Sante offers almost all medical and surgical specialties in three business areas: general hospitals (medicine  surgery  obstetric), follow-up care and rehabilitation clinics, mental health. In all its territories, the group contributes to missions of public service and to the territorial sanitary disposal, as for example in Sweden with more than 100 proximity care units.

The quality and security of care is the groups priority. As such our group is today a reference in terms of modern medicine, especially in outpatient care and enhanced recovery.

Every year, the group invests more than 200 million in innovation whether it is in new surgical or imaging technologies, in building or modernizing its facilities The group also innovates in its organization and digitalization in order to deliver care in a more efficient way to the benefit of the patient.

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/RamsaySante

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/ramsaysante

Twitter : https://twitter.com/RamsaySante

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/ramsaysante

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/c/RamsaySante

ISIN code and Euronext Paris: FR0000044471

Website: www.ramsaygds.fr

Investor Relations/Analysts Press Relations

Marcus Nord Brigitte Cachon

Tel. +46 733 97 72 57 Tel. +33 6 12 29 56 52

Marcus.Nord@capio.com b.cachon@ramsaygds.fr

Glossary

Constant perimeter

The restatement of the scope of consolidation of the incoming entities consists of: For the current year's entries in the scope of consolidation, subtract the contribution of the acquisition of the current year's aggregates; For prior year acquisitions, deduct in the current year the contribution of the acquisition of aggregates from the months prior to the month of acquisition.

The restatement of the scope of consolidation of entities leaving the Group consists of: For deconsolidations in the current year, the contribution of the deconsolidated entity is deducted from the previous year from the month of deconsolidation. In the case of deconsolidations in the previous year, the contribution of the deconsolidated entity for the entire previous year is deducted.



Change at constant exchange rates reflects a change after translation of the current period's foreign currency figure at the exchange rates of the comparison period.

Change at constant accou n ting standard reflects a change in the figure excluding the impact of changes in accounting standards during the period.

Current operating income means operating income before other non-recurring income and expenses consisting of restructuring costs (expenses and provisions), capital gains or losses on disposals or significant and unusual impairment of non-current assets, whether tangible or intangible; and other operating income and expenses such as a provision relating to a major dispute.

EBITDA corresponds to current operating profit before depreciation and amortisation (charges and provisions in the income statement are grouped according to their nature).

Net financial debt consists of gross financial debt less financial assets.

Gross financial debts are made up of: loans from credit institutions including interest incurred; loans under finance leases including accrued interest; lease liabilities arising from the application of IFRS 16; fair value hedging instruments recorded in the balance sheet, net of tax; current financial debts relating to financial current accounts with minority investors; bank overdrafts.

The financial assets are made up of: the fair value of fair value hedging instruments recorded in the balance sheet, net of tax; current financial receivables relating to financial current accounts with minority investors; cash and cash equivalents, including treasury shares held by the Group (considered as marketable securities); financial assets directly related to borrowings contracted and recognised in gross financial debt.





Annual financial results of 30 June 2021

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (In EUR million) From July 1, 2020

to June 30, 2021 From July 1, 2019

to June 30, 2020 TURNOVER 4,022.6 3,746.2 Personnel expenses and profit sharing (2 115.7) (1,991.1) Purchased consumables (818.6) (731.6) Other operating income and expenses (226.8) (273.2) Taxes and duties (131.8) (114.1) Rents (85.9) (89.4) EBITDA 643.8 546.8 Depreciation (371.8) (362.1) Current operating profit 272.0 184.7 Restructuring costs (10.6) (8.3) Result of the management of real estate and financial assets (10.8) (0.2) Impairment of goodwill -- -- Other non-current income and expenses (21.4) (8.5) Operating profit 250.6 176.2 Gross interest expenses (52.9) (59.2) Income from cash and cash equivalents 0.8 0.6 Financial interest related to rental debt (IFRS16) (71.1) (71.6) Net interest expenses (123.2) (130.2) Other financial income 0.6 6.3 Other financial expenses (24.7) (7.1) Other financial income and expenses (24.1) (0.8) Corporate income tax (29.5) (27.1) Amount attributable to associates -- -- NET PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD 73.8 18.1 Revenues and expenses recognized directly as equity - Retirement commitments (25.1) (5.8) - Change in fair value of hedging financial instruments 10.3 (5.6) - Translation differential 4.1 2.9 - Other -- 0.6 - Income tax on other comprehensive income 3.5 2.6 Results recognized directly as equity (7.2) (5.3) TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE PERIOD 66.6 12.8 PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO (In EUR million) From July 1, 2020

to June 30, 2021 From July 1, 2019

to June 30, 2020 - Groups share of net earnings 65.0 13.4 - Non-controlling interests 8.8 4.7 NET PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD 73.8 18.1 NET EARNINGS PER SHARE (in euros) 0.59 0.12 NET DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE (in euros) 0.59 0.12 TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO (In EUR million) From July 1, 2020

to June 30, 2021 From July 1, 2019

to June 30, 2020 - Groups comprehensive income for the period 57.8 8.1 - Non-controlling interests 8.8 4.7 TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE PERIOD 66.6 12.8





CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET  ASSET (In EUR million) 06-30-2021 06-30-2020 Goodwill 1,762.6 1,735.5 Other intangible fixed assets 241.2 245.5 Tangible fixed assets 918.0 894.9 Right of use (IFRS16) 2,079.8 2,106.8 Investments in associates 0.3 0.3 Other long-term investments 85.6 88.9 Deferred tax assets 125.4 91.4 NON CURRENT ASSETS 5,212.9 5,163.3 Inventories 111.4 108.5 Trade and other receivables 323.4 312.9 Other current assets 406.4 569.3 Tax assets 7.6 12.3 Current financial assets 11.6 10.0 Cash and cash equivalents 608.4 538.2 Assets held for sale -- -- CURRENT ASSETS 1,468.8 1,551.2 TOTAL ASSETS 6,681.7 6,714.5





CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET  LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (In EUR million) 06-30-2021 06-30-2020 Share capital 82.7 82.7 Additional paid-in capital 611.2 611.2 Consolidated reserves 311.4 305.2 Groups share of net profit 65.0 13.4 Groups share of equity 1,070.3 1,012.5 Non-controlling interests 28.4 24.7 TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY 1,098.7 1,037.2 Borrowings and financial debts 1,673.6 1,730.5 Non-current rental debt (IFRS16) 1,940.2 1,973.8 Provisions for retirement and other employee benefits 157.6 136.9 Non-current provisions 176.9 171.1 Other long term liabilities 32.6 33.0 Deferred tax liabilities 51.2 29.7 NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 4,032.1 4,075.0 Current provisions 51.7 43.6 Accounts payable 343.8 342.0 Other current liabilities 901.8 982.2 Tax liabilities 16.6 20.0 Short-term borrowings 38.1 24.8 Current rental debt (IFRS16) 198.9 189.7 Bank overdraft -- -- Liabilities related to assets held for sale -- -- CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,550.9 1,602.3 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 6,681.7 6,714.5





consolidated statement of changes in equity (In EUR million) SHARE CAPITAL ADDITIO-

NAL PAID

IN CAPITAL RESERVES RESULTS RECOGNISED DIRECTLY AS EQUITY TOTAL

COMPRE

HENSIVE

INCOME FOR

THE PERIOD GROUPS SHARE

OF EQUITY NON CONTROL-LING INTERESTS SHARE-HOLDERS EQUITY Shareholders equity at June 30, 2019 82.7 611.2 352.5 (58.9) 8.2 995.7 42.8 1,038.5 Capital increase (including net fees) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Treasury shares -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Stocks options and free share -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Prior year appropriation of earnings -- -- 8.2 -- (8.2) -- -- -- Distribution of dividends -- -- -- -- -- -- (6.9) (6.9) Change in consolidation scope -- -- 8.7 -- -- 8.7 (15.9) (7.2) Total comprehensive income for the period -- -- -- (5.3) 13.4 8.1 4.7 12.8 Shareholders equity at June 30, 2020 82.7 611.2 369.4 (64.2) 13.4 1,012.5 24.7 1,037.2 Capital increase (including net fees) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Treasury shares -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Stocks options and free share -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Prior year appropriation of earnings -- -- 13.4 -- (13.4) -- -- -- Distribution of dividends -- -- -- -- -- -- (5.0) (5.0) Change in consolidation scope -- -- -- -- -- (0.1) (0.1) Total comprehensive income for the period -- -- -- (7.2) 65.0 57.8 8.8 66.6 Shareholders equity at June 30, 2021 82.7 611.2 382.8 (71.4) 65.0 1,070.3 28.4 1,098.7





statement of income and expenses recognized directly in equity (In EUR million) 06-30-2019 Income and expenses

July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 06-30-2020 Income and expenses

July 1 2020 to June 30, 2021 06-30-2021 Translation differential 7.7 2.9 10.6 4.1 14.7 Retirement commitments (48.3) (4.6) (52.9) (19.0) (71.9) Fair value of hedging financial instruments (18.3) (4.2) (22.5) 7.7 (14.8) Other -- 0.6 0.6 -- 0.6 Results recognized directly as equity (Groups share) (58.9) (5.3) (64.2) (7.2) (71.4)





CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (In EUR million) From July 1, 2020

to June 30, 2021 From July 1, 2019

to June 30, 2020 Total net consolidated profit 73.8 18.1 Depreciation 371.8 362.1 Other non-current income and expenses 21.4 8.5 Amount attributable to associates -- -- Other financial income and expenses 24.1 0.8 Financial interest related to rental debt (IFRS16) 71.1 71.6 Cost of net financial debt 52.1 58.6 Income tax 29.5 27.1 Gross operating surplus 643.8 546.8 Non-cash items relating to recognition and reversal of provisions (transactions of a non-cash nature) 7.9 (19.6) Other non-current income and expenses paid (36.4) (40.9) Change in other non-current assets and liabilities 9.3 (20.6) Cash flow from operations before cost of net financial debt and tax 624.6 465.7 Income tax paid (21.2) (39.9) Change in working capital requirement 48.9 303.8 NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: (A) 652.3 729.6 Investments in tangible and intangible assets (176.4) (168.7) Disposals of tangible and intangible assets 2.5 4.6 Acquisition of entities (73.6) (23.7) Disposal of entities 65.5 1.1 Dividends received from non-consolidated companies 0.6 0.5 NET CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: (B) (181.4) (186.2) Capital and share premium increases: (a) -- -- Dividends paid to minority interests of consolidated companies: (b) (5.0) (6.9) Net interest expense paid: (c) (52.9) (58.6) Financial income received: (d) 0.8 -- Financial interest related to rental debt (IFRS16): (e) (71.1) (71.6) Debt issue costs: (f) (9.2) -- Cash flow before change in borrowings: (g) = (A+B+a+b+c+d+e+f) 333.5 406.3 Increase in borrowings: (h) 1,560.3 0.2 Repayment of borrowings: (i) (1,622.5) (61.6) Decrease in rental debt (IFRS16): (j) (191.0) (178.7) NET CASH USED FOR FINANCING ACTIVITIES: (C) = a + b + c + d + e + f + h + i + j (390.6) (377.2) NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS: ( A + B + C ) 80.3 166.2 Currency differences in cash and cash equivalents (10.2) 3.6 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 538.3 368.5 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 608.4 538.3 Net indebtedness at beginning of period 3,372.5 1,641.7 Cash flow before change in borrowings: (g) (333.5) (406.3) Capitalization of financial leases -- -- Loan issue charges fixed assets 7.0 5.4 Assets held for sale -- -- Fair value of financial hedging instruments (2.4) 0.5 Change in scope of consolidation and other (8.5) 0.9 Rental debt (IFRS16) 195.4 2,130.3 Net indebtedness at end of period 3,230.5 3,372.5

Attachment
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KEVANI, Inc. (KEVANI)  L.A.s market leader in digital out-of-home media sales and development  has today announced the debut of the Sunset Limelight ad display on Sunset Boulevard following the signing of a 20-year media sales and development agreement.



The Sunset Limelight pays homage to the neighborhoods past while providing a huge impact for advertisers and brands with an unmatched location that offers a clear line of sight, said Kevin Bartanian, CEO and Founder of KEVANI. Our selection to handle Sunset Limelight reinforces KEVANIs presence as one of the largest premium outdoor advertising companies in Los Angeles, and represents our continued dedication to providing powerful, creative, and sustainable solutions that benefit our advertisers as well as the community.

The Sunset Limelight display was designed to complement the historic character of this stretch of Hollywood. A retro-style, open-panel roof sign  paired with its highly desirable location at 6630 Sunset Boulevard  produces an ad space that captures the attention of visitors and locals coming into Hollywood from the west, and into West Hollywood from the east.

The display was approved by the City of Los Angeles as part of the Hollywood Signage Supplemental Use District. This District was created to maintain the distinctive aesthetic of the area. All signage must fit with the historical character of the architecture while also reflecting the modern Hollywood image.

KEVANIs growing collection of premium advertising locations across L.A. also includes The Towers , i10 Beacon , 405 Pillar , and 2nd & PCH . For more information, please visit www.kevani.com .

About KEVANI

KEVANI is an out-of-home (OOH) media sales organization that promotes national and local brands through innovative outdoor advertising destinations. Our inventory provides a unique opportunity for our brand and agency partners to captivate their audience. We started KEVANI because we want to bring value to our medium, from the development of new destinations to the way the medium is sold. Simply put, our mission is to transform our industry and we do so by adhering to our Mission Statement.

Media Contact

Matt Caldecutt

Blast PR for Kevani

matt@blastpr.com

(347) 687-3721

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/34271281-f5d1-4adf-af62-13d44a6493e3

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4abf675c-b4fe-40cf-bc61-d2ddeed0a35c

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/886bab0b-20b8-47d3-9da6-9d0516e5c89f


BANGOR, MAINE, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At the height of the pandemic, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and licensed pharmacy students helped save lives by inoculating Maine citizens against COVID-19. Thanks to their efforts and the efforts of others, Maine now has the fourth highest percentage of state residents who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the CDC.

These unsung heroes performed this valuable service without seeking public acknowledgement or accolades. In an effort to show appreciation for their past and current service to our state, Husson University pharmacy students will be sending thank you cards to members of the Maine pharmacy community.

This activity is especially poignant since October is American Pharmacists Month. According to the American Pharmacists Association, American Pharmacists Month recognizes the important dates, timelines and stories associated with pharmacy heroes.1 This year, the month is dedicated to celebrating the courage of pharmacists and their willingness to stand by their patients throughout the pandemic and beyond.2

A card-signing event where students will be sending personalized expressions of thanks to pharmacy professionals will be taking place in the Gracie Theatre at Husson University on Thursday, October 21, 2021 starting at 1 p.m.

As healthcare professionals who administered vaccines, pharmacists deserve our thanks, said James D. Nash, PharmD, MPH, BCPS, dean of Husson Universitys College of Health and Pharmacy. Even though many of them were inoculated themselves, they risked putting their own personal health on the line as breakthrough cases in order to make sure others had the life-saving protection of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The importance of the services provided by members of the pharmacy community was not lost on the students at the Husson University School of Pharmacy. One of the things I look forward to after I graduate is being on the front lines of delivering healthcare and having the chance to make a difference in peoples lives, just like pharmacists in Maine did during the pandemic, said Dylan Johnston, a pharmacy student in the third year of his professional studies. Even though the work pharmacists do is personally rewarding, the people they serve often dont stop to think about how theyve benefited from the years of study and hard work pharmacists put into becoming practicing professionals. Our small expression of appreciation will hopefully let pharmacy professionals, who gave so much to us, know that their efforts were valued and appreciated.

An in-depth pharmacy education, like the one available through Husson Universitys School of Pharmacy, is the key to making sure our nation has the necessary knowledgeable and qualified professionals it will need to address future public health crises, continued Nash. I want to personally thank every pharmacy professional in our state for the efforts they made to serve the public during the pandemic. Individuals and families across Maine owe you a debt of gratitude.

Husson Universitys School of Pharmacy prepares students for rewarding careers in the diverse field of pharmacy through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on practical experience. The school offers a wide range of local experiential placements, access to modern and dedicated labs and a robust advisor program. With one of the best student-to-faculty ratios in the nation, students receive individualized attention from dedicated faculty from the very beginning. Students have the opportunity to enroll in one of three different degrees programs. They include a Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Pharmacy degree, a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD), and/or a dual Master of Business Administration (MBA)/Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.

The School of Pharmacy is just one of several schools that are a part of Husson Universitys College of Health and Pharmacy. Others include the School of Nursing, the School of Occupational Therapy and the School of Physical Therapy.

About Husson University

For more than 120 years, Husson University has shown its adaptability and strength in delivering educational programs that prepare future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has come to represent a superior value in higher education. The hallmarks of a Husson education include advanced knowledge delivered through quality educational programs in business; health and education; pharmacy studies; science and humanities; as well as communication. According to a recent analysis of tuition and fees by U.S. News & World Report, Husson University is one of the most affordable private colleges in New England. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu.

# # #





1 American Pharmacists Association, October is American Pharmacists Month, https://www.pharmacist.com/About/Leadership/American-Pharmacists-Month, Accessed October 14, 2021.

2 Ibid

Attachments
SALISBURY, N.C., Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Starting today, neighbors in Quinton can nourish their families at Food Lions newest location at 561 New Kent Hwy., Quinton, VA 23141. The new store is open daily from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m.



The new store features an extensive product assortment, including a self-service hot wing bar, in-store fresh-cut fruit, and a wide variety of easy grab-and-go options to help make any meal easier. The store also offers a wide variety Food Lions Natures Promise-brand beef, pork, poultry, milk, eggs, bottled water, cereal, coffee and other items. Natures Promise is Food Lions affordable brand of wholesome and organic products made with no artificial flavors.

Having been a part of the greater Richmond community for nearly 23 years, Im very excited to welcome our Quinton neighbors into their new Food Lion, said Selvedin Dokic, store manager of the new Quinton Food Lion. My team and I look forward to supporting our community and helping nourish families with the products they need at the low prices they expect from us. Our neighbors can count on us to offer a great assortment and variety of products that make it easy for them to get everything they need in one shopping trip.

The store is proud to also offer a wide variety of great local offerings, such as an expansive assortment of Ukrops items in the Deli/Bakery, great local produce from Mechanicsvilles Kirby Farm and fresh locally sourced seafood delivered direct to the store. A list of additional Virginia-based suppliers that may be featured in the store can be found here.

Furthering Food Lions commitment to sustainability, the new store features energy-efficient LED lighting overhead and in refrigerated and freezer cases; doors on all beer, dairy and lunch meat cases; and motion sensors on all frozen food cases that dim the lights to 20% output when not being shopped by a customer. Food Lion is the only retailer in the country to receive the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy for 20 consecutive years. Additionally, the retailer recently received additional recognition from the EPA for its efforts to reduce refrigerant emissions which impact the ozone layer and climate change.

In another commitment to the Quinton community, Food Lion donated 20,000 meals to nearby New Hope Church Food Agency through Food Lion Feeds, the retailers hunger relief initiative. The organization will also collect food from the store nearly every day to distribute to neighbors in need through Food Lion Feeds industry-leading food rescue program. Food Lion Feeds has donated more than 750 million meals to neighbors in need since 2014.

About Food Lion

Food Lion, based in Salisbury, N.C., since 1957, has more than 1,100 stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states and employs more than 82,000 associates. By leveraging its longstanding heritage of low prices and convenient locations, Food Lion is working to own the easiest full shop grocery experience in the Southeast, anchored by a strong commitment to affordability, freshness and the communities it serves. Through Food Lion Feeds, the company has donated more than 750 million meals to individuals and families since 2014 and has committed to donate 1.5 billion meals by 2025. Food Lion is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA, the U.S. division of Zaandam-based Ahold Delhaize. For more information, visit www.foodlion.com or job applicants may visit www.foodlion.com/careers .

CONTACTS:

Food Lion Media Relations

704-245-3317

publicrelationsteam@foodlion.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0fff1454-e5ff-4adc-a252-3ab0cdb9a6be
Beverly Hills, CA, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aigo founder Peter Voss began his career as an electronics engineer, leading him to eventually build a brand that delivers hyper-personalized conversational experiences between companies, employees and customers.

Listen to the complete interview of Peter Voss with Adam Torres of Mission Matters Innovation Podcast.

"I started my company providing electronics for industrial applications, and then I fell in love with software, Voss says. The company turned from an engineering firm to an ERP software comprehensive system. We went from the garage to 400 people and an IPO. That was super exciting," he recalls.

"When I exited the company, I decided to embark on a mission, to see how we can make software intelligent: how can we give it common sense? I spent five years studying intelligence to understand it deeply, he says. Then, I developed an intelligence model and built an AI that can think, reason, and learn. And that's what has been consuming me for the last 20 years."

The difference between AI and AGI

In 2001, Voss coined the term AGI, short for artificial general intelligence, to create an intelligent system that can think, reason and learn like a human after several years of studying epistemology, cognitive psychology, AI, hardware and software development, as the Aigo website explains it.

I think AI is quite interesting, Voss says. The idea of building a thinking machine transformed into a problem-solving device. However, there's something much deeper going on here. After studying intelligence, one of the realizations was that we want to get back to our original ambition. I got together with some other people who were sort of thinking along the same lines.

We wrote a book on the topic, and we coined the term AGIArtificial General Intelligence, he says. AGI is where the intelligence resides in the program. Of course, we use our (human) intelligence to build that machine that can have (its own) intelligence, but the whole idea is that you end up with a machine that by itself can learn to play chess and checkers, and, you know, solve medical problems and do all sorts of things like that over time. So this is a full circle, going back to the original dream.

What is Aigo.ai?

Aigo.ai is a chatbot with a brain, Voss explains. It uses the full context of what has already been said to incorporate what the conversation is about, what the person already knows, and other bits of memory. It can do a certain amount of reasoning about things and has common sense, you know, a certain degree of common sense, not a human level, yet close, Voss says.

For businesses wishing to communicate more effectively with employees and/or customers, Aigo.ai drives its chats with a cognitive engine, offering a superior experience to the usual process of engaging with a typical chatbot.

To learn more about Peter Voss and Aigo, visit https://www.aigo.ai/

Media Communications

Inquiries: adamtorres@missionmatters.com

Publicist for Adam Torres and Mission Matters Media KISS PR Brand Story PressWire

Brand Publicity Partners KissPR.com

For more details, visit Kisspr.com. KISS PR Digital PR & Marketing powers the Mission Matters Business podcast with brand storytelling. T: 972.437.8942

Attachment
English French

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Samsung Electronics Canada today announced the Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition: the latest way for Canadians to express their unique personality through their mobile device. Delivering up to 49 new customizable colour combinations, the Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition brings the Bespoke experience to mobile for the first time, complemented by the Canadian launch of the Galaxy Watch4 Bespoke Studio for a complete bespoke Galaxy experience.

Todays customers are multi-faceted, and we believe their technology should reflect their unique lifestyles, said Stephanie Choi, SVP & Head of Marketing of the Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition opens new experiences for customers to reflect who they are, through the technology they use the most.

Since the launch of Galaxy Z Flip3 5G in August, users have been drawn to the devices unique customization abilities, its flexible form factor, a creative array of accessories, and the ability to optimize their mobile experience with One UI. With Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition, Canadians can now design and custom order their Galaxy Z Flip3 device, choosing between a Black or Silver phone frame and Blue, Yellow, Pink, White or Black front and back colours to create a device that best reflects their personal style. Samsung tested thousands of colours to identify hues that complement each other, for a total of 49 combinations through the Bespoke Studio exclusively available on Samsung.ca.

Galaxy Watch4 Bespoke Studio

A smartwatch is a powerful way to showcase your personal esthetic as a subtle means of self-expression thats visible right on your wrist. Now exclusively available on Samsung.ca, Canadians can customize their own Galaxy Watch4 series device through the Galaxy Watch4 Bespoke Studio by mixing and matching from a variety of Galaxy Watch4 colours, sizes and strap styles. By selecting and combining body and strap components as they wish, Canadians can build their unique Galaxy Watch4 with over 1,000 potential combinations1 available.



In addition, Galaxy Watch4 Series users will also get more opportunities for personalization through an upcoming software update2, delivering new customizable watch face styles and a new knock, knock wrist motion that activates favourite or most-used apps and features.



About the Galaxy Z Flip Series

For those who want style that comes with function, the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G  together with the Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke edition  are stylish, sleek, compact, and feature an iconic design, enhanced camera features, and a larger Cover Screen3 built for quick use on the go. Unfold and snap a stunning selfie with studio-quality camera features with Flex mode, then add to your social feed. Scrolling is smoother now thanks to a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.4

Canadian Availability

The Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition and Galaxy Watch4 Bespoke Studio are available in Canada starting October 20, 2021.



Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition : Available in 256GB in Black or Silver phone frame options and front and back colours of Blue, Yellow, Pink, White, or Black, for $1,399.99 (our regular price).



: Available in 256GB in Black or Silver phone frame options and front and back colours of Blue, Yellow, Pink, White, or Black, for $1,399.99 (our regular price). Galaxy Watch4 Bespoke Studio: Available for Galaxy Watch4 Bluetooth models and Galaxy Watch4 Classic Bluetooth models with over 50 watch straps to choose from. Pricing starts at $329.99 (our regular price) for the Galaxy Watch4 40mm Bluetooth model and $459.99 (our regular price) for the Galaxy Watch4 Classic 42mm Bluetooth model.

Customers can design and purchase their Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition at Bespoke Studio, or Galaxy Watch4 Bespoke Studio for Galaxy Watch4 users, exclusively on Samsung.ca. Bespoke Studio offers a fun and engaging experience with previews of combinations and ways to download an image of the selections for easily shareable social content. Once the order is placed, devices are tailor-made and arrive in special edition packaging.

For more information please see:

Trade-In Offers

Canadians can trade in their old smartphone until December 31, 2021 and receive a credit of $150 towards the purchase of Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition.5 This trade-in program is supported exclusively on Samsung.ca.

Canadians can also trade in their old smartwatch or fitness band until January 1, 2022 and receive a credit of $50 towards the purchase of a Galaxy Watch4 or Galaxy Watch4 Classic, including devices customized through the Galaxy Watch4 Bespoke Studio.6

Peace of Mind with Samsung Care+

With a Samsung Care+ Plan, Canadians can experience a total care service for their new Galaxy Smartphone, Laptop, Tablet or Wearable device. Users will be protected for up to two years against physical or liquid damage and mechanical malfunction or defects, with a team of dedicated Galaxy experts available to help them get back on track.7

Canadians who purchase the Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition on Samsung.ca between October 20 and December 31, 2021 will receive a Bonus Samsung Care+ 1 Year plan which can be selected at checkout.8

To learn more, please see https://www.samsung.com/ca/offer/samsung-care-plus/ .

Premium Care Service

Your Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition device comes with dedicated customer care services designed specically to deliver the best customer service experience to our valued customers. Specially trained experts are available 24/7 via live chat or by phone 9am-9pm EST at 1-888-970-FOLD to provide you with personalized and exclusive support for your device. Visit www.samsung.com/ca/support for more information

Door to Door Repair Service Across Canada

Enjoy convenient pick-up, speedy repair, and contactless delivery to your home. If you need service support for your Samsung devices, you can arrange convenient Door-to-Door service pick-up through 1-800-SAMSUNG, Live Chat or text us at WECARE (932 273). Customers can also request a self-service repair and book simply through the Your Service portal found online at www.samsung.com/ca/galaxy-repair to arrange a convenient Door-to-Door device pick-up to their home. Pick-up and return of the Galaxy device is free of charge. Service is available for both In- and Out-of-Warranty customers. Coverage may vary. For more information on Door to Door Repair Service, please visit https://www.samsung.com/ca/galaxy-repair

For more information about the latest Samsung Galaxy devices including specifications: www.samsung.com/ca/

About Samsung Electronics Canada Inc.

Samsung Electronics Canada inspires Canadians to reach their full potential through a transformative ecosystem of products and services that deliver innovation and distinct design to every aspect of their connected lives. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, virtual reality and wearable devices, tablets and digital appliances. In 2021, Samsung was ranked as one of Canada's "Most Reputable Companies" in Leger's Corporate Reputation Study. Dedicated to helping make a difference in the lives of Canadians, Samsung's award-winning corporate giving initiatives support public education and health-related issues in communities across the country. To discover more, please visit www.Samsung.ca.

Follow Samsung Canada at facebook.com/SamsungCanada, or Instagram @samsungcanada or Twitter @SamsungCanada.

1 The number of combinations available may vary depending on the country or region in which the Galaxy Watch Design Studio is available.

2 Availability may vary by market or operator. The update will initially be available on Bluetooth versions of the Galaxy Watch4 series and will roll out to LTE versions shortly thereafter. Requires the latest version of the Galaxy Wearable app and Galaxy Watch4 plugin.

3 Compared to Galaxy Z Flip 5G.

4 Available only on Main Screen.

5 Certain conditions apply. Receive a trade-in promotional credit of $150, in addition to the trade-in value of the Eligible Trade-in Product, when you:

(i) purchase eligible Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition device between October 20th, 2021 and December 31st, 2021 (the Offer Period) online at http://www.samsung.com/ca/; and

(ii) complete the trade-in of your eligible old smartphone (the Eligible Trade-In Product) by December 31st, 2021; and

(iii) ship the Eligible Trade-in Product within 14 calendar days of receiving the waybill

Selection and availability may vary. While quantities last. No rain checks. No cash value. $150 credit based on completing the trade-in of an Eligible Trade-In Product and purchasing Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition. Offer is subject to change or cancellation without notice, cannot be combined with any other offer and is available to Canadian residents only. Offer provided by Samsung Electronics Canada Inc. See https://www.samsung.com/ca/offer/ for Full Terms and Conditions.

6 Certain conditions apply. Receive a trade-in promotional credit of $50, in addition to the trade-in value of the Eligible Trade-in Product, when you:



(i) purchase eligible Galaxy Watch4 Classic / Galaxy Watch4 device between October 6th, 2021 and January 1st, 2022 (the Offer Period), from a participating authorized Canadian retailer or carrier, a Samsung Experience Store in Canada or online at http://www.samsung.com/ca/; and

(ii) complete the trade-in of your eligible old smartwatch / fitness band (the Eligible Trade-In Product) by January 1st, 2022; and

(iii) ship the Eligible Trade-in Product within 14 calendar days of receiving the waybill

Selection and availability may vary. While quantities last. No rain checks. No cash value. $50 credit based on completing the trade-in of an Eligible Trade-In Product and purchasing Galaxy Watch4 Classic / Galaxy Watch4. Offer is subject to change or cancellation without notice, cannot be combined with any other offer and is available to Canadian residents only. Offer provided by Samsung Electronics Canada Inc. See https://www.samsung.com/ca/offer/ for Full Terms and Conditions.



7 Terms and Conditions apply. For full Terms and Conditions, please see https://support-ca.samsung.com/secaew/consumer/ca/terms

8 Terms and conditions apply. Offer available exclusively at Samsung.com/ca. Offer available October 20, 2021  December 31, 2021. Now when you purchase any Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition (SM-F711W1BEXAC, SM-F711W1CEXAC, SM-F711W1DEXAC, SM-F711W1EEXAC, SM-F711W1FEXAC, SM-F711W1GEXAC, SM-F711W1HEXAC, SM-F711W1IEXAC, SM-F711W1JEXAC, SM-F711W1KEXAC, SM-F711W1LEXAC, SM-F711W1MEXAC, SM-F711W1NEXAC, SM-F711W1OEXAC, SM-F711W1PEXAC, SM-F711W1QEXAC, SM-F711W1REXAC, SM-F711W1SEXAC, SM-F711W1TEXAC, SM-F711W1UEXAC, SM-F711W1VEXAC, SM-F711W1WEXAC, SM-F711W1XEXAC, SM-F711W1YEXAC, SM-F711W4AEXAC, SM-F711W4BEXAC, SM-F711W4CEXAC, SM-F711W4DEXAC, SM-F711W4EEXAC, SM-F711W4FEXAC, SM-F711W4GEXAC, SM-F711W4HEXAC, SM-F711W4IEXAC, SM-F711W4JEXAC, SM-F711W4KEXAC, SM-F711W4LEXAC, SM-F711W4MEXAC, SM-F711W4NEXAC, SM-F711W4OEXAC, SM-F711W4PEXAC, SM-F711W4QEXAC, SM-F711W4REXAC, SM-F711W4SEXAC, SM-F711W4TEXAC, SM-F711W4UEXAC, SM-F711W4VEXAC, SM-F711W4WEXAC, SM-F711W4XEXAC, SM-F711W4YEXAC - regular price $1,399.99) (each an Eligible Galaxy device), youll receive a bonus Samsung Care+ 1 Year Bonus Plan for your selected Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition device ($200 value) (Samsung Care+ 1 Year Bonus Plan) with your purchase. While quantities last. No rain checks. Offer has no cash value and is not transferrable. Limit of one (1) Samsung Care+ 1 Year Bonus Plan per Eligible Galaxy device purchased. To redeem this offer, visit Samsung.com/ca and add your Eligible Galaxy device to your cart, and then add the Samsung Care+ 1 Year Bonus Plan at time of checkout. Open to Canadian Residents only. Samsung reserves the right to change or cancel the promotion without notice.

Full terms and conditions for the Samsung Care+ 1 Year Bonus Plan are available at http://pages.samsung.com/ca/promotions/English/samsungcareplus_bespokeoneyearoffer_EN.pdf and French is available at http://pages.samsung.com/ca/promotions/French/samsungcareplus_bespokeoneyearoffer_FR.pdf

CONTACT:

Katelin Onishi

North Strategic

Tel: +1-613-883-4684

katelin.onishi@northstrategic.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8ff4b85d-01d2-4857-8a7e-53e0f36bd477
We're sorry, you encountered a page that doesn't exist.
THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISSEMINATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR UNITED STATES PERSONS

CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Chief Executive Officer and President of Questerre Energy Corporation (Questerre or the Company) (TSX,OSE:QEC), Michael Binnion, responded to the recent Quebec throne speech and the potential ban on hydrocarbons.

When I was somewhat younger, I was captivated by a business associate who said our natural gas well in Quebec could change the upcoming referendum. Energy independence and financial strength would answer the economic argument for Quebec autonomy he said.

It was late in 1993 and while I was neither YES nor NO for the referendum it made me realize the transformational potential of energy independence.

More than a decade later, Forest Oil Corporation and Talisman Energy Inc. made announcements that they had found a large natural gas field in Quebec. My company was a partner in those wells.

I will remember forever the feeling of knowing we had actually done it  we had found energy independence in natural gas for Quebec. It seemed evident we would have such great support because in addition to independence, jobs, and taxes it would be a major reduction in environmental impacts  it seemed perfect. And our stock price agreed running to over $6 per share.

I met with the leaders of the environmental groups to explain the benefits and was surprised to find they mostly knew already. I was told that as Quebec environmental organizations they cared about Quebec emissions, and that reducing emissions outside Quebec did not count for them. Seeing that I was flummoxed by this answer, one of them kindly explained that I was a businessman offering pragmatic ways to reduce emissions, but they were idealists, and they could only support zero by 2050 or before.

I often say if there had not been a moratorium, I never would have learned French  and came to understand Quebec a lot better after I learned French at the age of 54. As an Anglophone I did not understand how much the French language is part of who a Quebecer is. I also learned that Quebec as a distinct society is merely a statement of fact. I learned my view of history from the youngest part of Canada in Alberta, was not wrong, but far from complete. I came to adopt the French part of my Canadian history as my own. Most importantly, I also made many close friends in Quebec that have made my life richer.

It changed my perspective, and it changed my approach. I started listening to Quebecers about how they wanted to develop instead of telling them how us experts do it in Alberta. We stopped rushing.

Our company embarked on a mission to meet what seemed like an impossible challenge. Produce natural gas not just with a lot less emissions but with zero emissions. With that purpose we recommitted to the regions and local acceptability.

This led us to the amazing new world of carbon technology. This is an emerging market that Forbes and BBC among others have reported could be worth trillions of dollars. The simple idea is that carbon dioxide can go from being a waste product to being a valuable feedstock. We can make fertilizer from captured carbon dioxide emissions as well as other industrial products and high-tech products like carbon nanotubes. We can also store it underground. I am convinced it is the future of energy and that we are already seeing an energy transformation worldwide.

Montreal Economic Institute has written on this but there have been very few stories in the Quebec media, even though billions are being committed to it and Elon Musk announced a XPrize for Carbon Removal. There are many groups in Norway and Alberta, among others, that are looking to accelerate carbon technologies to market.

Unions, towns, farmers, and First Nations are interested in working on this with us. Industrial consumers are very interested in the more reliable, lower cost and cleaner energy.

Finally, we see energy shortages spreading around the world and Quebec is not immune to them. Natural gas prices have more than doubled recently. A manufacturing trade group in the United States is urging the Department of Energy to reduce exports of natural gas to ensure sufficient supply for local demand. Oil and gas make up over 80% of the Quebec trade deficit so in these uncertain times, it is good to look at energy independence again.

It is disappointing after these last ten years working with a target of delivering the zero emissions result environmentalists asked for, to hear the Government saying a formal ban is under consideration in the throne speech yesterday. We believe the fundamental transformation of the Quebec economy that the Premier is calling for, is only realistic with carbon technology and the circular economy.

However, our collaborative approach will not change. We are working in Quebec with the idea we can cooperatively contribute to a positive difference for Quebecers on environment, energy security and wealth. We trust the Government will keep international norms on investment protection consistent with the Expropriation Act (Quebec), the Civil Code of Quebec and the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and we are committed to working with the Government and the people in the regions, no matter what final decision is made.

We would be delighted to have meetings with the Government and all interested stakeholders on our proposal for a zero emissions circular economy in Quebec.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- International Cobalt Corp. (CSE:CO) (the Company or International Cobalt) and General Magnesium Corporation (GMC) (collectively, the Companies) are pleased to announce that Laurentian Bank Securities Inc., (Laurentian Bank Securities) has been engaged as Financial Advisor, to the Companies.



In accordance with a press release dated August 11, 2021, International Cobalt announced the terms of a definitive Business Combination Agreement (the Agreement) with GMC and 2857695 Ontario Inc. (Subco), a newly incorporated, wholly-owned subsidiary of International Cobalt. Pursuant to the Agreement, International Cobalt will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of GMC in exchange for shares of International Cobalt (the Transaction). The Transaction will constitute a reverse takeover of International Cobalt by GMC and will be a fundamental change of International Cobalt pursuant to the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE), requiring approval from the CSE. Approval of the shareholders of International Cobalt and GMC will also be required.

Laurentian Bank Securities has been engaged to advise the Companies on the execution of a private placement of up to $4,000,000 in gross proceeds, through the issuance of securities of GMC, a portion of which may be issued on a Flow-Through basis pursuant to subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada). The proceeds of the private placement will be held in escrow and released to the Combined Company on close of the Transaction. The proceeds of the private placement will be used to fund the development of the Whitney Talc-Magnesite project and for general working capital purposes.

GMC asserts an extraordinary level of value can be facilitated through the achievement of our pending financing goals. Our ideally situated, Timmins project, hosts two (2) high-value industrial minerals, Talc and Magnesite:

both Talc and Magnesite represent growth opportunities that are finding new niches, through R & D initiatives, in multiple industries, globally.

Our name, General Magnesium Corp., reflects our ultimate objective of refining our abundant magnesite resource into Magnesium metal.

Magnesium metal prices are experiencing unprecedented upward price pressure, as China supply, representing 80% of global supply, falters.

The main growth segment for Talc is thermoset plastics for automotive and aerospace.

We have every confidence that Laurentian Bank Securities will provide significant strategic advice to GMC in their capacity as Financial Advisor. We look forward to engaging with investors and institutions, as we prepare to move our advanced stage Timmins project, through our fully scoped Definitive Feasibility Study, to be undertaken by a highly specialized team, of world-class industry professionals, states GMC President & CEO, Michael Nikiforuk.

About General Magnesium Corporation

GMC is a private company incorporated in Ontario, Canada, whose principal asset is the 100% owned Whitney (Talc-Magnesite) property, located in Whitney Township, situated approximately 3 km south of the town of Porcupine and 12 km southeast of the city of Timmins, Ontario. The property covers a total of 161.27 hectares (398.50 acres) that are contained in 4 mining leases that include surface rights.

To date, GMC has expended approximately $12,000,000 in development capital at the Whitney project that resulted in a (2012) resources estimate, for the South Zone (the core zone of the Whitney project). Although carried out with professional rigor this 2012 resource was not publicly released and is not NI43- 101 compliant and should be considered historical in nature. It reported Measured and Indicated resources totalling 54,076,357 tonnes at 34.44% magnesite and 47.40% talc, and Inferred resources of 43,000,000 tonnes at 34% magnesite and 47% talc.

About International Cobalt Corp.

International Cobalt is a Canadian-based mineral exploration and development Company focusing on the burgeoning battery metals sector. The company seeks to add shareholder value by sourcing and developing projects in safe, progressive jurisdictions adhering to strict environmental and social standards.

On behalf of:

International Cobalt Corp.

Eugene Beukman

Eugene Beukman, Director 604-687-2038

The CSE has not, in any way, passed upon the merits of the Transaction and associated transactions and has not, in any way, approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Information

Certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking information under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Transaction, the completion thereof and the use of proceeds. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as will or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results will occur. Forward looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including the receipt of all necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals. Although management of the Company have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Statements in relation to resources are deemed to be forward-looking statements, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves described can be profitably produced in the future.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists of risks, uncertainties and other factors are not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this news release or in any other documents filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement
TORRANCE, CA, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alpharidge Capital (the custodian), a Shareholders' rights activist, building Shareholders' Value through Custodianships, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Entrepreneurship Development, is pleased to announce the beginning of a live Conference Call series with Shareholders Custodianship Updates, with the live Shareholder Meeting/Conference Call scheduled for Monday, October 23th, 2021 at 12:30pm PST on Zoom.



The calls would be limited to only shareholders of the following companies:

NOUV: 12.30 to 12:55 pm PST

FCGD: 1:00 to 1:25 pm PST

PRDL: 1.30 to 1:55 pm PST

MNDP: 2:00 to 2:25 pm PST

Topics to be reviewed:

Cancelation of improperly issued Shares.

Mergers and acquisition processes and updates.

OTC Market processes and updates.

Custodianship status and updates.

Termination of custodianship.

Live review of questions submitted directly by Shareholders.

If you have any questions, please email AskCEOfrank@gmail.com by Saturday, October 23th at noon PST. Alpharidge will answer as many questions as time permits.

"Theres been a whirlwind of events at Alpharidges over the last couple of months, and were looking forward to sharing updates directly with Shareholders in the live Zoom conference call this October 23th . Feel free to email your questions and Ill try to answer as many as possible. We look forward to meeting you and hearing your questions in the Shareholder Zoom Conference Call. Frank Igwealor. President & CEO

About Alpharidge Capital, LLC

Alpharidge Capital, Inc. is a Shareholders' rights activist, building Shareholders' Value through Custodianships, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Entrepreneurship Development. With a commitment to empower at-risk youths, women, and black persons in the United States through financial tools and resources, Alpharidge acquires assets, properties and opportunities as redistributes same to its entrepreneurship development participants to create jobs for self, families and friend in a self-sustaining and healthy environment. A subsidiary of Givemepower Corporation (GMPW), Alpharidge also fulfills GMPWs mission of (1) creating and empowering local black businesses in urban America; and (2) creating real estate properties and businesses in opportunity zones and other distressed neighborhood across America.

For more information, please check the latest updates on the company's Twitter account https://twitter.com/Alpharidge_Cap

Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements that include the words believes, expects, anticipate or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Contact:
Sydney, Oct. 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Proactive, provider of real-time news and video interviews on growth companies listed in Australia, has covered the following companies:

AVZ Minerals Ltd (ASX:AVZ) has progressed its transaction with Suzhou Cath Energy-Technologies (CATH), with CATH paying the break fee of US$20 million to an escrow account. Click here

Imugene Limited (ASX:IMU, OTC:IUGNF) collaborator City of Hope  has dosed its first patient in its Phase I clinical trial of oncolytic virotherapy candidate, CHECKvacc. Click here

has dosed its first patient in its Phase I clinical trial of oncolytic virotherapy candidate, CHECKvacc. Click here MMJ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX:MMJ, OTC:MMJJF)s portfolio companies continue to execute on their business plans and are in a better financial position than they were a year ago. Click here

Blue Star Helium Ltd (ASX:BNL, OTC:AZZEF) has progressed a water well drilling program designed to provide water to local ranch holders and generate new data near its Las Animas landholdings in Colorado. Click here

Aurumin Ltd (ASX:AUN) will undertake exploration beyond the historical mining footprint with the aim of identifying repeats of Mt Palmer-style mineralisation at the 100%-owned Mt Palmer Project in the well-endowed Southern Cross Greenstone Belt in Western Australia. Click here

Polymetals Resources Ltd (ASX:POL) hit a new record high on returning bonanza-grade gold intersections in a second phase drilling program at the Alahine Gold Project in Guinea, West Africa. Click here

Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX:PDI) has made changes to its board and management as the company enters the next phase of growth, with parallel aims of developing the Bankan Project while continuing to explore its large exploration licence holdings around Guinea. Click here

Horizon Minerals Ltd (ASX:HRZ) has welcomed the results from its recent drilling programs testing high priority projects and new discovery targets across its 1,100 square kilometre portfolio within the Kalgoorlie-Coolgardie region of Western Australia. Click here

Lithium Australia NL (ASX:LIT, OTC:LMMFF) has been busy this morning announcing that investee Envirostream Australia Pty Ltd has signed a collection and supply contract in regard to used batteries with none other than Bunnings. Click here

Lithium Australia NL (ASX:LIT, OTC:LMMFF) has been busy this morning announcing that investee Envirostream Australia Pty Ltd has signed a collection and supply contract in regard to used batteries with none other than Bunnings. Click here

ioneer Ltd (ASX:INR, OTC:GSCCF) joint venture partner Sibanye Stillwater Limited has received approval from the Financial Surveillance Department of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) in relation to its US$490 million investment for a 50% interest in INRs Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project. Click here

Vango Mining Ltd (ASX:VAN) has received further strong gold results as it continues to strengthen open-pit potential at its flagship Marymia Gold Project in the Mid-West region of Western Australia. Click here

BlackEarth Minerals NL (ASX:BEM) has strengthened its partnership with India-based company Metachem Manufacturing Company Pvt Ltd by executing a joint venture (JV) agreement to develop an expandable graphite plant in India. Click here

Zelira Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:ZLD, OTCQB:ZLDAF) has raised a total of US$5 million from a US-based family office fund to accelerate its growth initiatives. Click here

Kinetiko Energy Ltd (ASX:KKO) is ready to start a major new exploration program with a three-well program at Korhaan Project in southern Africa, including the first new gas wells being drilled in more than eight years. Click here

Firefinch Ltd (ASX:FFX) continues to progress the Goulamina Lithium Project in Mali with an extensive drilling campaign and infrastructure upgrades planned while the next conditional steps of a joint venture (JV) with Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co Ltd (Ganfeng) for the project take place. Click here

Caspin Resources Ltd (ASX:CPN) is encouraged by early indications from reverse circulation (RC) drilling completed at Yarabrook Hill within the Yarawindah Brook PGE-Nickel-Copper Project in Western Australia. Click here

Sipa Resources Ltd (ASX:SRI) continues to progress exploration programs across its portfolio of Western Australian precious and base metals projects. Click here

Argonaut Resources NL (ASX:ARE) has highlighted a potential eastern extension to the Nyungu copper-cobalt deposit in Zambia with Nyungu East defined by an intense copper in soil anomaly revealed in recent soil sampling. Click here

Castillo Copper Ltd (LSE:CCZ, ASX:CCZ) has reviewed a comprehensive surface sampling campaign carried out at Litchfield Lithium Project in Australia's Northern Territory, becoming the only third party to date to do so. Click here

Sunstone Metals Ltd (ASX:STM) made considerable progress during the September quarter and is well-funded with A$13.2 million in cash to drive exploration at its Ecuadorian gold-copper projects. Click here

Nexus Minerals Ltd (ASX:NXM) has been initiated by Euroz Hartleys with a buy recommendation and a price target of 80 cents per share (current share price: 46 cents). Click here

About Proactive

Proactive is a unique tech-enabled platform providing companies globally with a comprehensive investor engagement solution across their business lifecycle

With six offices on three continents, Proactive works with innovative growth companies quoted on the worlds major stock exchanges, helping executives to engage intelligently with investors

In 2020, Proactive featured in 809 million search results, our content was viewed over 165 million times and our readers spent over 10 million hours on our websites. Proactive has produced over 300,000 articles and 20,000 executive interviews since it was established in 2006

For more information on how Proactive can help you make a difference, email us at action@proactiveinvestors.com
English French

LILE-DES-SURS, Quebec, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB) has just released its quarterly residential real estate market statistics for the province of Quebec, based on the real estate brokers Centris provincial database.



In total, 22,333 residential sales transactions were concluded in the third quarter of 2021, a sharp 30 per cent drop compared to the third quarter of last year when there was a historic rebound in sales after the market was on pause due to the lockdown.

Sales

In total, 13,899 single-family homes (-36 per cent), 5,835 condominiums (-24 per cent) and 2,505 plexes

(+3 per cent) changed hands in Quebec in the third quarter of the year.

(+3 per cent) changed hands in Quebec in the third quarter of the year. Geographically, the agglomerations of Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts (-54 per cent), Saint-Sauveur (-50 per cent), Rouyn-Noranda (-45 per cent), Rimouski (-44 per cent) and Joliette (-41 per cent) saw their residential sales decrease substantially compared to the phenomenal rebound in activity in the third quarter of last year.

Among the province's six census metropolitan areas (CMAs), the Saguenay CMA registered the largest decrease in sales, falling by 37 per cent, followed by the Quebec City CMA (-32 per cent), the Montreal CMA (-29 per cent) and the Gatineau CMA (-24 per cent). The Trois-Rivieres CMA registered the smallest drop in sales, at 8 per cent. However, it is important to put these statistics into perspective and remember that the Trois-Rivieres CMA registered the smallest surge in sales in the third quarter of 2020, at 16 per cent.

Prices

For the province as a whole, the median price of single-family homes increased by 18 per cent to reach $365,000.

As for the metropolitan areas, the largest price increases for single-family homes were in the Trois-Rivieres (+28 per cent), Gatineau (+24 per cent) and Sherbrooke (+21 per cent) CMAs.

Outside of the metropolitan areas, the agglomerations of Lachute (+44 per cent), Sorel-Tracy (+35 per cent), Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts (+27 per cent), Drummondville (+25 per cent) and Rimouski (+23 per cent) posted the largest price increases for single-family homes.

Provincially, the median price of condominiums increased by 18 per cent to reach $334,000, while that of plexes rose by 5 per cent to reach $450,000.

Active listings

The downward trend in supply continued for a 23rd consecutive quarter. From July to September, there were an average of 24,939 properties for sale in the real estate brokers' Centris system, which is a 31 per cent decrease compared to the same period last year. This is the lowest level of active listings on record since 2003, when the size of the residential housing stock was much smaller than it is today.

This situation largely explains the sharp slowdown in sales, as transactions are limited by the shortage of properties for sale on the resale market.

All of the province's CMAs thus saw a significant drop in the number of properties for sale compared to last year. The Saguenay (-43 per cent), Quebec City (-38 per cent) and Sherbrooke (-35 per cent) CMAs registered the most significant decreases in supply.

Market conditions and selling times

The significant decrease in supply resulting from continued strong demand in most areas of the province led to record-setting tight market conditions, which are extremely favourable to sellers.

As is the case across the province for condominiums, market conditions for this property category on the Island of Montreal tightened significantly compared to last year. Remember that this segment was the only one that saw a significant easing of market conditions in the third quarter of 2020.

Provincially, it took an average of 45 days (-49 days) to sell a single-family home, 51 days (-11 days) to sell a condominium and 68 days (-26 days) to sell a plex.

The return to a pre-pandemic level of sales was primarily due to a lack of properties on the market, both for single-family homes and condominiums. With less than three months of inventory, the Quebec resale market hasn't experienced such a shortage of supply since the real estate brokers' Centris system began compiling data back in the year 2000. This puts constant upward pressure on prices, said Charles Brant, director of the QPAREB's Market Analysis Department. "Only plexes are experiencing higher activity than last year, as they are benefiting from less tight market conditions and a renewed interest in their many advantages."

Click here to view market statistics for the entire province.

About the Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers

The Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB) is a non-profit association that brings together more than 13,300 real estate brokers and agencies. It is responsible for promoting and defending their interests while taking into account the issues facing the profession and the various professional and regional realities of its members. The QPAREB is also an important player in many real estate dossiers, including the implementation of measures that promote homeownership. The Association reports on Quebec's residential real estate market statistics, provides training, tools and services relating to real estate, and facilitates the collection, dissemination and exchange of information. The QPAREB is headquartered in Quebec City and has its administrative offices in Montreal. It has two subsidiaries: Centris Inc. and the College de l'immobilier du Quebec. Follow its activities at qpareb.ca or via its social media pages: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

The QPAREB released an important study on real estate overheating on September 13, 2021. This brief was presented to the Quebec Minister of Finance as part of the consultation on the supervision of real estate brokers in the context of an overheated market. Click here to read this analysis (in French).

About Centris

Centris is a dynamic and innovative technology company in the real estate sector. It collects data and offers solutions that are highly adapted to the needs of professionals. Among these solutions is Centris.ca, the most visited real estate website in Quebec.

Click on the links below to consult the regional press releases:

Montreal CMA

Quebec City CMA

RMR de Gatineau

RMR de Sherbrooke

RMR de Saguenay

RMR de Trois-Rivieres

Agglomeration de Granby

Agglomeration de Joliette

Agglomerations des Laurentides

Agglomeration de Saint-Hyacinthe

Agglomeration de Drummondville et de Victoriaville

Agglomeration de Val-dOr et de Rouyn-Noranda

For more information:

Marie-Rose Desautels

Morin Relations Publiques

media@apciq.ca

Image bank (credit QPAREB) available free of charge.
RENO, Nev., Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U.S. News & World Report recently released their 2021 Best Hospitals rankings naming Renown Regional Medical Center as the number one hospital in Nevada. No other hospitals in the state met their stringent standards for the 2021 rankings.

The 2021-22 Best Hospitals rankings are drawn from a universe of 4,523 facilities, representing nearly all U.S. hospitals providing inpatient care. Hospitals are evaluated across a wide range of conditions and procedures, including 16 medical specialty areas of care. U.S. News & World Report evaluated 58 hospitals in Nevada. Only one, Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, NV, met the high U.S. News standards to rank as the #1 hospital in the state.

We constantly strive to be among the best in the nation for quality, safety and patient experience, said Tony Slonim, MD, DrPH, FACHE, president and CEO of Renown. This ranking confirms what the Renown Health team has always been dedicated to  providing the best patient care possible. Quality and safety are the responsibility of every employee and physician at Renown, and we are proud that Renown Regional Medical Center has been chosen as the best in the state and among the best in the nation.

We thank the incredible physicians, nurses, employees and volunteers across our organization for their dedication to excellent patient care. We know that our patients and our community who benefit from our care are the true award winners, said Erik Olsen, FACHE, MHA, CEO of Renown Regional Medical Center. We applaud the Renown team and our Medical Staff as being not only the best in the state, but among the best in the nation.

In addition, Renown Regional Medical Center is rated High Performing, the highest rating possible, in eight procedures and conditions, ranking in the top 10% nationally, and earning the highest recognition in Nevada for the following specialty areas:

"The ability to have a positive impact on people's lives through the care we provide, investing in improving the health of our community and working in service to others, is a tremendous gift," said Sy Johnson, MBA, Chief of Staff for Renown. To be national recognized as being a leader in caring for others is a tremendous honor for our entire team.

In an innovative, public-private partnership, Renown Health and the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine recently established Nevada's first integrated health system to advance health and health care through world-class medical education, clinical research and patient care.

We are humbled by this national recognition, says Thomas Graf, MD, Chief Clinical and Quality Officer for Renown. Our goal is to produce the greatest value by working with physician partners to deliver care of highest clinical quality. Renown has a national reputation for delivering excellent care using approaches that are creative, innovative and maximize technology, and it is exciting to see the team recognized for their extraordinary contributions across the medical center and in eight specialty areas including cancer care, cardiac care, surgery and neurosciences.

A hospital's score is based on multiple data categories, including Patient Outcomes and Experience (48.2%), Professional Recognition (36.1% of score), including endorsements by respected national organizations demonstrating high standards, and Key Programs, Services and Staff (15.7% of score), for care of challenging patients demanding hands-on attention and highly specialized expertise. Higher numbers suggest better survival odds, fewer complications and more patients treated. Hospitals earning a High Performing rating were significantly better than the national average. Hospital rankings are determined by an extensive data-driven analysis combining performance measures in three primary dimensions of healthcare: structure, process, and outcomes. The data source for most structural measures is the American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Survey.

US News & World Report selected Renown South Meadows Medical Center as the #1 hospital in 2020.

Renown Health has been recognized by several national organizations for excellence and quality. Awarded by the American College of Surgeons for the 30th year, Renown Regional Medical Center is northern Nevada's only designated Level II trauma center. Renown Regional earned America's 250 Best Hospitals Award (2021), for being top 5% in the nation for consistently delivering clinical quality. Other national recognition and accomplishments are listed below.

###

About Renown Health

Renown Health is the regions largest not-for-profit integrated healthcare network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 7,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a childrens hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the regions largest, locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. Renown is currently enrolling participants in the worlds largest community-based genetic population health study, the Healthy Nevada Project. For more information, visit renown.org.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. A digital news and information company focused on Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars and News, USNews.com provides consumer advice, rankings and analysis to serve people making complex decisions throughout all stages of life. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is head quartered in Washington, D.C.

Attachment
Phoenix, AZ, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- InnSuites Hospitality Trust (NYSE American: IHT) experienced a sharp increase in Hotel Operation earnings for both the second Fiscal Quarter and first half of Fiscal 2022 (February 1, 2021, to January 31, 2022). In addition, the IHT efficient clean energy innovation diversification investment targets its first prototypes under development since January 2020, to be in operation within the next six months.



IHT reported Fiscal 2022 Second Quarter profit of $401,564, for the most recent three months, which is an increase of over $1.6 million from the same prior year period of ($1,267,385). Earnings Per Share based on this Consolidated Net Income amount were $0.04, up from prior year loss of ($0.14).

Revenues were approximately $1.7 million for the 2022 Fiscal Second Quarter Ended July 31, 2021, an increase of over 81% or greater than $750,000 from revenues of approximately $925,000 for the same prior year period. The substantial increase in revenue and earnings in Fiscal Q2 was largely attributable to the continuation of the solid start the Trusts operations are off to in the current Fiscal Year 2022 (February 1, 2021-January 31, 2022), along with the decreased impact of Covid-19, and decreased travel restrictions. These extremely solid results have continued to accelerate in Fiscal Q3 of the current year.

These are all positive signs, and indicative that things continue to progress positively and remain heading in the right direction as the Travel Industry, the Economy as a whole, and InnSuites Hospitality Trust (IHT) specifically, continue to rebound and recover. Economic conditions continued to improve for the Trust for the third consecutive Quarter. Q2 and Q1 of Fiscal Year 2022, as well as Q4 of Fiscal Year 2021 have all shown increased elevated signs of strength, growth, and continued positive profit improvement.

Our hotel operations continue to perform substantially better Year to Date for the first half of Fiscal Year 2022, with Consolidated Net Income of approximately $560,000, which is an increase in excess of $2.1 million compared to the first half of Fiscal Year 2021. Earnings Per Share based on this Consolidated Net Income amount were $0.06, up from prior year loss of ($0.18). Additionally, The First Half of Fiscal 2022 (February 1, 2021-July 31, 2021), profits far exceed their pre-Covid counterparts of Fiscal Year 2020 and Fiscal Year 2019 by over $1.2 million each year.

InnSuites Hospitality Trust (IHT) has made a diversification investment in excess of $1 million in privately held UniGen Power, Inc. (UniGen), a company developing a patented, high profit potential, efficient clean energy generation innovation. The UniGen profit potential is promising, as evidenced by UniGens current pursuit of three additional valuable patents. IHT holds convertible bonds and warrants that, if fully exercised, could potentially result in IHT holding up to an approximate 25% ownership stake in UniGen. IHT is informed that UniGen has made progress to date on development of this innovation, with the first two Prototypes now scheduled to be operational within the next six months in Fiscal in Q1 of 2022.

Said James Wirth President, CEO, and IHT Board Chairman:

IHT hotel profits continue their strong recovery and rebound to levels higher than previous pre-Covid comparable periods, as IHT continues to execute our strategic plan of maximizing current hotel operating profits while redeploying hotel real estate profits; and moving toward IHTs high potential diversification investment in the efficient, clean-energy power generation UniGen innovation, a positive move that is increasingly recognized by investors.

UniGens high profit potential is encouraging for IHT investors, with 22 months of design and development work now complete.

IHT Management has long believed, as indicated in past IHT SEC Filings, that the investor community continues to value IHT well below its full potential true underlying value (both real estate equity/hotel operations, and clean energy opportunity potential).

Fiscal Year 2022 extended IHTs uninterrupted, continuous annual dividends to over 50 years, with semi-annual dividends paid in July 2021, and scheduled for January 2022, continuing this impressive uninterrupted annual dividend record.

For more information, visit www.innsuitestrust.com and www.innsuites.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

With the exception of historical information, matters discussed in this news release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements regarding IHTs review and exploration of potential strategic, operational and structural alternatives and expected associated costs and benefits are forward-looking. Actual developments and business decisions may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, that could cause IHTs actual results and future actions to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements include the uncertain outcome, impact, effects and results of IHTs review of strategic, operational and structural alternatives, IHTs success in finding potential qualified purchasers for its hospitality real estate, or a reverse merger partner, the success of and timing of the UniGen clean energy innovation, the continuation of semi-annual dividends in the year(s) ahead, and other risks discussed in IHTs SEC filings. IHT expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date hereof, all of which are expressly qualified by the foregoing, other than as required by applicable law.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Marc Berg, Executive Vice President

602-944-1500

email: mberg@innsuites.com

INNSUITES HOTEL CENTRE

1730 E. NORTHERN AVENUE, #122

Phoenix, Arizona 85020

Phone: 602-944-1500
Portland, Maine, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For the sixth year in a row, Portland-based marketing agency, Trueline, has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Maine.

The company was one of 100 businesses on this years listNo. 32 in the Medium Employer category (denoting businesses with 50-249 employees). Specific rankings, which are based on employee reviews, were revealed earlier this month and will be featured in a special publication of Mainebiz, which endorses the contest. Last year, Trueline was ranked No. 18 in the small business category.

Conducted annually by a third-party group of Maine businesses and state agencies, the survey-based contest uses anonymous responses from employees to quantify a companys work culture, management, office accommodations, policies and more.

According to CEO Haj Carr, Truelines inclusion on this years list highlights the companys creativity in finding new cultural connections during a difficult time.

Maintaining our spot as one of Maines best places to work after deciding to permanently shift to a 100% remote model is a big achievement that we are all proud of, Carr said.

Endorsed by Mainebiz, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and the Maine HR Convention, the Best Places to Work in Maine list is comprised of 100 companies in three size categories: small (15-49 U.S. employees), medium (50-249) and large (250-plus). This year was the 16th year of the competition.

Founded in 2007, Trueline offers strategy, content and design services to companies from across the industry spectrumboth in Maine and around the world.

In July, Trueline announced it was closing its downtown Portland office and moving to a 100% remote work environment. With 40% of the workforce living outside of the Portland metro area, company leaders are continuing to design unique programming and cultural initiatives to keep employees connected. Since the beginning of 2021, the company has held virtual happy hours, trivia games, a diversity and inclusion speaker event and monthly company-wide meetings and social gatherings.

For more information about Trueline, visit wearetrueline.com.

For more information on the Best Places to Work in Maine program, visit BestPlacestoWorkME.com.

Attachments
Investors can contact the law firm at no cost to learn more about recovering their losses

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises SolarWinds Corp (SolarWinds or the Company) (NYSE: SWI) investors that the firm has initiated an investigation into possible securities fraud, and may file a class action on behalf of investors.

Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy, by phone 310-692-8883 or email: lesley@portnoylaw.com, to discuss their legal rights, or click here to join the case via www.portnoylaw.com. The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors options for pursuing claims to recover their losses.

On October 20, 2021, SolarWinds fell sharply after company reported in a premarket filing that it made errors in reporting its total annual recurring revenue and core IT management total annual recurring revenue for the quarter ended June 30.

Corrected total annual recurring revenue was $973.9 million, whereas the Company had reported $992.5 million in its 10-Q.

Corrected Core IT Management Total ARR was $621.1 million, whereas the Company had reported $639.7 million in the August filing.

Please visit our website to review more information and submit your transaction information.

The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims against caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firms founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq.

Admitted CA and NY Bar

lesley@portnoylaw.com

310-692-8883

www.portnoylaw.com

Attorney Advertising
VICTORIA, British Columbia, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The US CDC estimates that around 64% of working-aged Americans (under 65) have private health insurance. The peace of mind that comes from knowing they don't have to assume all out-of-pocket costs for prescription medication is something they will be thankful to have. This is especially true of people with chronic health conditions and need to fill prescriptions on an ongoing basis. Many of the drugs needed to manage diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism and other conditions are expensive, but an online Canadian pharmacy like Canada Pharmacy can provide the savings people need.

Individuals who do not have private health insurance are going to be more affected by the high costs of prescription drugs in America, and obviously more so than someone who is in that 64% group with private health insurance. It has been estimated that around 19 million Americans import medication to save money, and that works out to about 8% of the population. It is safe to assume that a large portion of that group are the ones who are ordering drugs online from Canada. This is to make it so that their cost is not so high that it becomes difficult to afford needed medications.

There is much more in the way of regulations on the pharmaceutical industry in Canada, including caps on how high a drug can be priced and the industry as a whole is not geared primarily for profit quite to the same extent it is in America. There is more to it than that, but the only big-picture understanding that many Americans - ones with OR without health insurance - may want to know is they can pay less for drugs, and if ordering from online Canadian pharmacies is the best way to do that. Keep in mind as well that fewer medications are covered under Medicare Part D in the USA.

Americans without health insurance are encouraged to look into what they would pay ordering their medication from Canada. Those who have private insurance that lowers what they pay for prescription drugs may want to do the same, and customers can verify the reputability of any online pharmacy in Canada by using the CIPA-certified online pharmacy checker.

About the Company

Canada Pharmacy is a Canadian online pharmacy among those recommended for Americans who shop at a pharmacy in Canada to save money on medications. It is able to source medications in a way that allows for the best prices on prescription drugs from Canada. All orders require a prescription and are dispensed by a licensed pharmacist, in the same way it would be with any pharmacy in America. Pay less when you order drugs online from Canada.

Contact Canada Pharmacy:

https://www.canadadpharmacy.com/

Toll Free: 1-800-891-0844

Related Images











Image 1









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment
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
Waukesha, WI (53187)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. High 37F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies. Low near 30F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
Amos R. Miller, 74, of Goshen, died Thursday, Nov. 18, at Goshen Hospital, after a brief illness. He was born Sept. 15, 1947, in Goshen, to Robert and Lizzie (Hershberger) Miller. On Oct. 19, 1967, in Middlebury, he married Polly Ann Bontrager. She survives. Survivors in addition to his wife
Kathryn Jean Lopez is senior fellow at the National Review Institute, editor-at-large of National Review magazine and author of the new book A Year With the Mystics: Visionary Wisdom for Daily Living. She is also chair of Cardinal Dolans pro-life commission in New York.
Governor Northam Announces $2 Billion Public-Private Broadband Investment

Virginia on track to close digital divide by 2024

RICHMONDGovernor Northam announced that Virginia has received a record number of local and private sector applications to match state broadband investments, putting the Commonwealth on track to become one of the first states to achieve universal broadband access by 2024. Virginia anticipates more than $2 billion in total broadband funding, thanks to local and private sector matching funds that go beyond the $874 million in state appropriations since the Governor took office in 2018.

Broadband is as critical today as electricity was in the last century, said Governor Northam. Making sure more Virginians can get access to it has been a priority since I took office, and the pandemic pushed us all to move even faster. Virginia is now on track to achieve universal broadband by 2024, which means more connections, more investments, easier online learning, and expanded telehealth options, especially in rural Virginia.

The Virginia Telecommunication Initiative is the Commonwealths broadband program. It was started in 2017 to fund public-private partnerships to extend broadband service to areas unserved by an internet service provider. When the most recent application round closed last month, the program received 57 applications from 84 localities, requesting $943 million to connect more than 250,000 Virginia homes and businesses. These applications leverage $1.15 billion in private and local matching funds. The Department of Housing and Community Development is reviewing applications and expects to award the funds by the end of the year.

Virginia has taken dramatic steps on broadband since Governor Northam took office in 2018, as Virginias first rural Governor in a generation. He set out a clear goal: achieve universal access to broadband within 10 years. The goal was bold, as Virginias broadband program was investing just $4 million a year and 660,000 Virginians did not have access to high-speed internet.

Since then, Governor Northam and the General Assembly have awarded $124 million in grants to connect more than 140,000 homes, businesses, and community organizations. The Virginia Telecommunication Initiative has awarded 39 projects in 41 different counties, supported by over $94 million in matching private and local funds. Along with private investment and federal broadband grants, the Commonwealth has reduced the digital divide by 65 percent. Plans accelerated further in August, when Governor Northam and the General Assembly allocated $700 million in American Rescue Plan funding to broadband, moving the original goal for achieving universal access to 2024.

Ensuring that rural Virginians have access to broadband is the number one way we can make sure they have equal access to the economic, educational, and health opportunities that broadband provides, said Broadband Advisory Council Vice-Chair Delegate Roslyn Tyler. No Virginian should be left behind. Thanks to Governor Northams commitment to get universal broadband done, were seeing record levels of public and private sector matching funds, and well have this critical infrastructure available to all Virginians more quickly than we imagined.

Broadband a vital resource for communities across the Commonwealth, said Broadband Advisory Council Chair Senator Jennifer Boysko. Broadband access allows our citizens to connect to their workplaces, schools, and doctors, and broadens their opportunities and choices about where to live and work. The Northam administrations investment in broadband, paired with these matching funds, will get universal broadband access to Virginians in record time.

The overwhelming response to this years Virginia Telecommunication Initiative grant round demonstrates that Virginia has built an innovative and successful model for bridging the digital divide.

# # #
On Tuesday, in the morning, at Government House, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC CVO received Chief Justice of Queensland, the Honourable Catherine Holmes AC.

In the afternoon, at Parliament House, Brisbane City, His Excellency attended a luncheon for Australian War Widows Queensland, and addressed guests.

Following, at Government House, His Excellency received Chairman, The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Queensland, Mrs Elizabeth Gilchrist AM, former National Chair, The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Australia, the Honourable Larry Anthony.

Following, at Government House, His Excellency hosted an afternoon reception in support of Vice-Regal Health, Youth and Education Patronages, and His Excellency addressed guests.
The United States Grand Prix has rarely disappointed since the inauguration of the Circuit of the Americas. This weekend the circuit in Texas is the next battleground in the exciting title fight between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Who will come out on top? You can read all about the upcoming Grand Prix in this preview from GPblog.

American Grand Prix

In 1908 a Grand Prix is organised for the first time in America. In Savannah Frenchman Louis Wagner wins on behalf of the Fiat team the first 'Grand Prix of America' as the race is called at the time. Through the years also Milwaukee, Santa Monica, San Francisco and Riverside are visited for such a race, before the American Grand Prix really appears on the F1 calendar in 1959.

After an attempt at Sebring and Riverside, in 1961 Watkins Glen is found as a circuit where F1 will run for years. It's mainly a British affair, with only British winners of the American GP between 1960 and 1968. Graham Hill and Jackie Stewart are immediate winners at this circuit, but later on, James Hunt and Lewis Hamilton will also be successful in America.

At the end of 1980, Watkins Glen and the American GP are said goodbye, after which the F1-circus returns to Phoenix in 1989. They don't race there for long though, because after three years the plug is pulled. Again there is no American GP for eight years, after which Indianapolis is turned into an F1 circuit.

Indianapolis is a big name, but F1 is not alive in America. When the race is run with six cars in 2005 due to a problem with the Michelin tyres, the fans show up less and less. In 2007 the last race is held at the legendary circuit. The winner was the then young Lewis Hamilton.

In 2012, F1 soon returns to America, at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Hamilton continued his run and won the first edition. After one victory from Sebastian Vettel, four more victories followed from Hamilton, giving him six American victories to his name. This makes him an instant record holder.

Due to the coronavirus, Formula 1 came to America for the last time in 2019. In fact, the race was cancelled in 2020. In 2019, it was Valtteri Bottas who drove to victory on behalf of Mercedes. The Finn started from pole and did not relinquish that lead. Lewis Hamilton finished second and became world champion for the sixth time. Max Verstappen finished in third place.

Circuit of the Americas

The Circuit of the Americas is 5.514 kilometres long and has 20 corners. The circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke. The house architect of Formula 1 was assisted by Miro Rivera Architects. The circuit has some unique corners and also some height differences, so it is not the typical Tilke circuit.

The most striking of this circuit is the first sector. It looks like a mix of the technical sector in Japan and the Maggotts and Becketts corner combination at Silverstone. The height differences in this section make it a challenge for the drivers to drive here, but it also provides beautiful images for the viewers at home.

Besides the fast technical sector one, there is a second sector where the power of the engine is the most important factor. In the final sector, there is another technical sector with some slow off-camber corners and a long twisty section similar to the one in Turkey. The Circuit of the Americas thus contains an ideal mix.

Read more Will this American racing talent join Andretti in Formula 1?

Formula 1 in 2021

Mercedes won five of the eight races on the Circuit of the Americas and on top of that Hamilton's first win at this circuit was in a McLaren-Mercedes. So it's clear that power plays an important role here, as Kimi Raikkonen's 2018 victory for Ferrari also suggests. However, it doesn't mean everything.

Indeed, as mentioned, the circuit is also technically challenging. Not just for the drivers, but also for the cars and that could well be to Red Bull Racing's advantage. In 2021, Mercedes has had the upper hand on the high-speed circuits and medium and high-speed corners, but Red Bull is very strong in the slow corners and when more grip is needed.

Mercedes and Red Bull are much closer to each other all this year than they were during the last editions in Texas. However, despite the big difference back then, Verstappen was always able to perform well at the Circuit of the Americas. Despite the track showing signs of a Mercedes circuit, Red Bull and Verstappen can also be successful here.

Weather forecast

After many rain races, the drivers can finally prepare for a dry race again. At least, that seems to be the case for the time being. According to Weather.com the chance on rain in Austin on Friday is only seven percent and for Saturday and Sunday also only 24 percent.

In case of rain, there is still no problem, because during the last races in Europe it often didn't get warmer than 20 degrees. In Texas, it will be warmer than 30 degrees all weekend. If a few drops fall, the chance that it will have an effect on the race is zero.

Prediction for the American GP

With the last two Grands Prix in the back of their minds, Mercedes must be the favourite in America. The speed that Valtteri Bottas and Hamilton have been able to achieve with their new engines has raised many questions for Red Bull Racing. There is a small chance that Red Bull could close that gap now and at the Circuit of the Americas and that could hurt.

Although Mercedes are expected to be the strongest, Red Bull and Verstappen should not be ruled out as winners. Verstappen has done very well in the past in America and has also competed for victory with a less competitive package. Red Bull's car in 2021 is better than in previous editions, so anything is possible.

Another team to keep an eye on is McLaren. The team from Woking took a 1-2 in Monza and Lando Norris was leading for a long time in the Russian Grand Prix. In these warm conditions on a circuit where high speed is rewarded again, McLaren is again a team to keep an eye on for the top two teams.

Schedule for the 2021 United States Grand Prix

Friday

First free practice: 17:30-18:30

Second free practice: 21:00-22:00

Saturday

Third free practice: 19:00-20:00

Qualification: 22:00-23:00

Sunday

Race: 20:00-22:00

Read more Takeover of Alfa Romeo: Andretti seen at the Sauber factory
Legislation offers tax credits to subscribers, businesses, and news organizations

Attorney General Bob Ferguson led a bipartisan coalition of 15 attorneys general Thursday calling on Congress to pass legislation supporting local journalism.

High-quality, independent journalism is critical to our democracy, Ferguson said. Local outlets have been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic  ironically, just when their role as distributors of reliable information has rarely been more crucial. We must do all we can to save local journalism.

The letter calls on key leaders to support and pass the Local Journalism Sustainability Act of 2021 (H.R. 3940 and S. 2434). The act would provide:

 Up to $250 in tax credits to local newspaper subscribers to offset subscription fees;

 Up to $5,000 in tax credits for some local businesses for buying ads in local newspapers; and

 Up to $25,000 for local newspapers to hire local journalists.

The letter reads: Local newspapers are responsible for half of our countrys original reporting, although they only account for one-quarter of media outlets. In many rural communities, local news organizations provide the only information and updates about issues impacting the community.

Regional journalism is critical, as is journalism by and for Black, Indigenous, and people of color, including ethnic media organizations, the letter continues. These organizations are best positioned to identify, investigate, and report on issues of concern to their respective communities, and Congress should take action to support and strengthen them.

The attorneys general joining Washingtons letter are: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, the District of Columbia and Guam.
The Reporter's Notebook

My brother David turned Texan on me.

Of my three brothers, I was closest to Dave. He and I were both red headed when young and seemed to be more like our Norwegian mother than like our father.

Shortly after he returned from serving in the air force in World War II, he moved to Texas.

I visited him in Houston a number of times, but not just recently. He passed on a number of years ago.

When I visited Texas it was always a relief when I left the state and entered into New Mexico. New Mexico never looked so good.

Ive heard it said that the U.S. offered to return Texas to Mexico but they turned it down saying they had enough problems the way it was.

Of the 35 states I have visited, Texas is the most racist state I have ever been in.

While visiting once, I went to Galveston with my brother to attend an auction only to hear the auctioneer make a string of racist comments. The crowd had great fun.

I determined early on that a weeks visit was too long.

Texas has been in the news a lot lately.

First it had to do with the pandemic where the governor did, and continues to do, everything he can to let the spread of the virus kill off as many Texans as he can.

No remorse here, hes speaking to his base.

Then a bunch of legislators, mostly men, gathered in darkened rooms to make decisions on what women can do with their lives. Their decision on abortion takes us back to the dark ages.

More recently a Texan school administrator let it be known that Texas schools teaching anything about the holocaust had to give similar time to those who contend that the holocaust never happened.

That bunch has more than their heads buried in the sand.

The only way to deal with such thinking is to vote them out of office.

It is thought that Texas governor has his eyes on running for president.

We have already experienced the damage that can happen when a person with that type of thinking occupies the White House.

Hundreds of thousands of pandemic deaths could have been avoided, except for far-right philosophy.

Now get back to my brother. He was a really a nice guy. He would drive to Seattle every year to see us and was a large contributor to our mothers welfare. He always thought of family first.

But he had this flaw, influenced by life in Texas.

Texans take such pride in not having very many restrictions. Thats why you find blocks with high rises next to single-family houses.

Well, Texas has seen the last of me, and vice versa.

I only hope that enough educated people have moved into the states suburbs to make a difference in the next election.
An ultra-white paint incorporating barium sulfate (BaSO 4 ) particles that is up to 98.1% reflective, developed by engineers at Purdue University, has earned a Guinness World Records title for the whitest paint. The record appears in the 2022 edition of Guinness World Records.

The 98.1% reflectivity compares to a reflectivity of 8090% for other white paints designed to reflect sunlight that are currently available. Such paints are considered to be a potential technology for keeping cities cooler and reducing electricity use; buildings with a coating of this would need to rely far less on energy-hungry air conditioning. The Purdue team published its latest findings in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces earlier this year.





An infrared camera (right panel) shows how a sample of the whitest white paint (the dark purple square in the middle) actually cools the board below ambient temperature, something that not even commercial heat rejecting paints do. Credit: Purdue University/Joseph Peoples

Xiulin Ruan, a professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue, invented the paint with his graduate students. The idea was to create paint that would reflect sunlight away from a building. Making this paint really reflective, however, also made it really white. Because the paint absorbs less heat from the sun than it emits, a surface coated with this paint is cooled below the surrounding temperature without consuming power.

Using this new paint formulation to cover a roof area of about 1,000 square feet could result in a cooling power of 10 kilowatts, the Purdue researchers showed. Scaling that up, the scientists estimated that it would only require 0.51% of Earths surface to be coated in this paint (e.g., by painting roofs) to reverse global warming to date.

This white paint is the result of research building on attempts going back to the 1970s to develop radiative cooling paint as a feasible alternative to traditional air conditioners. Ruans lab had considered more than 100 different materials, narrowed them down to 10 and tested about 50 different formulations for each material.

Two features make this paint ultra-white: a very high concentration of barium sulfate and different particle sizes of barium sulfate in the paint. What wavelength of sunlight each particle scatters depends on its size, so a wider range of particle sizes allows the paint to scatter more of the light spectrum from the sun.

The researchers have partnered with a company to scale up the paint and put it on the market. Patent applications for this paint formulation have been filed through the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization.

This research was supported by the Cooling Technologies Research Center at Purdue University and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research through the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (Grant No.427 FA9550-17-1-0368). The research was performed at Purdues FLEX Lab and Ray W. Herrick Laboratories and the Birck Nanotechnology Center of Purdues Discovery Park.

Resources
Support local journalism

We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free.

Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story.


GREENWICH  Blasting work at a large construction site has been disrupting the peace and tranquility on Milbank Avenue for weeks, residents said, pushing them to seek relief  or at least some warning about the noise and vibration.

The construction project  for a two-building apartment complex with 30 units at 255 Milbank Ave., will require a few more weeks of blasting work.

We werent expecting any of this, said Tabitha Young, a resident of 233 Milbank Ave. and president of her buildings homeowners association board. We had no idea and no warning. And when the first blast happened, I actually ran out of my house thinking that a car had crashed into my neighbors home. I ran out thinking that someone was hurt. I was walking down the stairs when it happened and the blast was so strong I had to grab hold of the banister.

The blasts are so powerful they have rattled windows and even set off home alarms, Young said.

Its more what we feel rather than what we hear. On Friday, we heard one and the room literally shook. The pictures shook on the wall. It felt like an earthquake, resident Joe Kaliko said. My wife said it scared the hell out of her. She lost her breath and was really shaken. Im concerned this will cause damage to the foundation, and I dont know what recourse we have.

Town Fire Marshal Chris Pratico said his department has tested the sound level at the site and said the blasting appears to be within the legal limits.

But resident Roger Lob, another association board member, compared it to the sound of a bookshelf repeatedly crashing down.

The one we felt last Friday was more than disturbing, Lob said. The builders had to go through hoops to get approval for this project, but now it feels like theyre operating with no supervision.

The blasting needs more supervision, Lob said. And Young said neighbors need more information about the timing of the work.

The residents are worried about potential physical damage to their homes foundations or windows, they said. The sudden noise and vibrations can take an emotional toll as well, Young said.

Part of the problem is we dont know when to expect (the blasts), said Young, who has lived through earthquakes in Southern California. So when youre not prepared for it, its a shock. Weve heard this from other residents. Youre afraid when it happens. Your heart feels like its in a vise. You cant catch your breath. You dont know whats happening. For some of our elderly residents, theyre afraid to be home because they dont want to be here when it happens.

Response from developers

First Selectman Fred Camillo said he has heard from Kaliko and plans to check out the situation this week.

The project has been a controversial one since it was first proposed in 2017. The towns Planning and Zoning Commission initially turned the development down but the developer filed suit and as part of a settlement a revised proposal was accepted two years later.

The developer is listed as Milbank Development in conjunction with Belpointe Capital. Belpointe did not return multiple phone calls asking for comment about the project and the blasting complaints.

The company conducting the blasting is Maine Drilling and Blasting. Residents can be added to the list of alerts by calling the company at 860-906-3907.

Margarita Alban, commission chair, said the plans achieved a transition between the downtown commercial district and the nearby residential neighborhood. She also pointed out that theres a need for units of housing for young families, she said.

The proposal combined that lots at 71 Havemeyer Place and at 255, 257, 259, 261, and 263 Milbank Ave. into one property.

Noise at Agnes Morley Heights

The construction site is next to Agnes Morley Heights, a senior living complex overseen by Greenwich Communities and the home of the offices for Greenwich Communities.

Its very unnerving to the residents and to some of our employees, said Anthony Johnson, executive director of Greenwich Communities. Its jarring for me, too.

Johnson and Terry Mardula, Greenwich Communities deputy director, said they have heard complaints from their residents.

You know a bomb is going to come and when it hits you still feel it. Its like, Oh man, whats that? I dont know if its better to know or not to know, Johnson said.

Their office gets a phone call warning of each blast, Mardula said, and sign are posted at the site.

At least that allows us to be prepared for it, he said.

That warning goes only to the office  not to residents or neighbors. The warning calls usually come 10 to 15 minutes before the blasting starts, he said.

It can be very disturbing to all those people, Mardula said. Its very loud at times and it shakes you up even when you know its coming.

The noise complaints are not unusual said Pratico, the fire marshal. Residents who want a warning can reach out to the blasting company to be placed on a call list.

Any time there is blasting people are always concerned, he said. I dont think a blasting job ever goes off without generating a few phone calls here and there.  This has generated phone calls from people who are naturally concerned about their residences, but its nothing out of the ordinary.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
WEST HAVEN  State Rep. Michael DiMassa was arrested Wednesday on a federal criminal complaint charging him with one count of wire fraud in connection with what authorities say was a scheme to steal federal funds intended for COVID-related expenses.

DiMassa, 30, a Democrat, also is an employee for the city of West Haven and a resident of the city. He was among the city employees assigned to oversee pandemic relief spending, authorities said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller said the government believes in excess of $636,000 is missing.

DiMassa appeared at 11:30 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Sarah A.L. Merriam in New Haven. He was released. He did not speak to reporters. The judge said she understands DiMassa is in treatment for a gambling addiction.

He did not enter a plea and his next court date is scheduled for Dec. 10.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media

He was ordered to have no contact with any municipal employees of West Haven. He was also ordered to seek employment; Merriam said she does not believe he will continue in his employment currently. The court did not impose any location monitoring.

In a statement, federal officials allege that DiMassa and another individual in January formed Compass Investment Group LLC. Then, beginning in February, Compass Investment Group LLC fraudulently billed the City of West Haven and its COVID-19 Grant Department for consulting services purportedly provided to the West Haven Health Department that were not performed, the statement says. From February 2021 through September 2021, the City of West Haven paid Compass Investment Group a total of $636,783.70.

It is further alleged that DiMassa made several large cash withdrawals from the Compass Investment Group LLC bank account, some of which were made shortly before or after he was recorded as having made a large cash buy-in of gaming chips at the Mohegan Sun Casino, the statement said.

On May 7, 2021 Mohegan Sun Patron Gaming records reflect Michael Dimassa executed a cash Buy-In of chips for $9,800, the warrant affidavit notes.

The complaint charges DiMassa with wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

According to court documents made public after DiMassas appearance in court, DiMassa was one of two individuals listed as a principal for Compass Investment Group LLC, formed on Jan. 27. The affidavit does not name the other individual.

DiMassa and the unnamed business partner are listed as signatories on a bank account for Compass Investment Group, opened on Feb. 5. An FBI special agent reviewed the bank account from Feb. 5 to April 30 and allegedly found seven checks between Feb. 12 and April 30 made payable to Compass Investment Group from the city of West Haven.

The checks ranged in value from $11,847.50 to $87,650. These funds were then used for twenty-one cash withdrawals that were conducted by Michael DiMassa, ranging from $8,000 to $10,000, for a total of $178,150, the affidavit alleges.

The investigator said on May 5, a payment voucher was submitted for $85,595 for COVID-19 Legal + Lobbying + Site work for COVID-19 Clinic provided to the citys Health Department. That invoice listed 305 hours for consulting on legislative review of executive orders, 483 hours of consulting for support staff services, 305 hours for security and 102 hours of consulting for federal lobbying. The next day, a check was issued in that amount to Compass Investment Group by the city.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media

The day after the check was issued, it was deposited into the Compass Investment Group bank account and DiMassa allegedly withdrew $8,200. On May 10, 11, 13, 17 and 18, DiMassa made more withdrawals, all between $8,000 and $10,000, according to the affadavit.

On May 7, the day DiMassa reportedly made his first withdrawal from the Compass Investment Group bank account, investigators said be bought $9,800 in chips at Mohegan Sun; he reportedly made further purchases of chips at Mohegan Sun on May 10, 12, 13, 15 and 17.

On May 19, two weeks after the first payment voucher, an invoice was submitted to the West Haven Health Department for $84,650 for hundreds of hours of COVID-19 Legal + Site work that reportedly was performed by Compass Investment Group. The following day, the city issued a check to Compass Investment Group for $84,650. The day after, the check was deposited into the Compass Investment Group bank account and DiMassa withdrew $9,200.

Investigators allege DiMassa withdrew amounts over $9,000 twice on May 24 and June 1 and once on June 7. On May 21, DiMassa reportedly bought $4,000 in chips at Mohegan Sun, with further purchases of chips made on May 23, 28 and 29.

The investigator said the citys corporation counsel told officials that the citys health director never used, selected, approved, or otherwise engaged Compass Investment Group for any work or services concerning the West Haven Public Health Department. As of September 2021, investigators say $636,783.70 was paid to Compass Investment Group by the city of West Haven.

The FBI recently visited West Haven City Hall.

Federal authorities had not previously said there was a connection to any specific probe ongoing at City Hall.

Mayor Nancy Rossi recently announced that she had found potentially fraudulent activity in use of federal CARES Act money.

Rossi has cited an investigation, without specifying who was investigating or what they were investigating, as the reason she could not be more forthcoming with information beyond an announcement about potentially fraudulent activity.

At least this time we know that its definite. Its hard, Rossi said Wednesday. ... We have to let the judicial system do their job  and if found guilty, he has to be punished.

DiMassa has simply been absent from his two City Hall jobs for the past several days, Rossi said.

Now that hes been arrested, hell be on (paid) administrative leave, she said. She said shes required to put him on paid leave and it was not her choice.

Rossi later said, I want to commend the Federal Bureau of Investigations...on their speedy investigation and arrest of DiMassa.

If DiMassa broke the publics trust and his oath to protect and serve his constituents, and is found guilty of fraudulent activity, I am demanding that he and any other individual(s) involved be held accountable and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. If convicted, all individuals involved should go to jail, she said in a statement.

As I stated when I found and reported this probable fraudulent activity, I will update our residents when information becomes available and when its (released) will not compromise the ongoing investigation.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media

DiMassa, a West Haven resident who works as an administrative assistant for the City Council, was first elected to his state position in 2016.

City Council Chairman Ronald M. Quagliani, D-At Large, said Wednesday, This is the first confirmation of the federal investigation.

We (the council) have been waiting for information, Quagliani said. This is the first time we can confirm there is an active federal investigation and that is a good thing.

We still dont know the facts and circumstances of the arrest and right now the record is sealed, he said.

In a joint statement, state House Speaker Matt Ritter and Majority Leader Jason Rojas said: Elected officials are rightly held to a high standard of conduct and trust. Even the slightest hint of wrongdoing bruises that trust.

We have significant concerns about Rep. DiMassas arrest but we dont have information on the charges or additional details, the lawmakers said. We will be monitoring this story closely to see when and if more facts emerge. In the meantime we are immediately removing Rep. DiMassa from all committee and leadership assignments.

DiMassa had served as vice chairman of the Appropriations Committee and as a member of the Judiciary Committee and Executive & Legislative Nominations Committee, according to his legislative profile.

He is a 2009 graduate of Notre Dame High School where he was awarded the Man of the Year title, the profile says. DiMassa attended Albertus Magnus College, graduating in 2013 at the top of his class, the profile says.

DiMassa has been a representative on the West Haven Democratic Town Committee on behalf of the citys 7th District.

City spending on overtime paid to employees with COVID-19 relief funds  in some cases thousands of dollars  also is under review, as the state Office of Policy and Management said it will bring on outside auditors.

OPM Secretary Melissa McCaw announced the move early this month during a meeting of the Municipal Accountability Review Board, a state commission that retains approval authority over the citys finances in exchange for state funding to help the city reach financial stability.

Some salaried supervisors and managers received thousands in overtime with relief funds, according to DiMassa, who received such a payment. Rossi said the overtime expenditures were appropriate.

According to figures provided by the city for fiscal year 2020-21, the city spent $1.34 million on COVID-related overtime and compensatory payments.

DiMassa has said he received approximately $14,000 above his pay since the start of the pandemic through compensatory time payouts.

Rossi and other West Haven officials have defended how the city spent its allocation of federal COVID-19 funding from the CARES Act, saying an austere City Hall staff rose to the challenge of addressing the pandemic.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  New airstrikes hit the capital of Ethiopia's Tigray region and another community on Wednesday, as video from Mekele showed injured people with bloodied faces being rushed to vehicles and thick black smoke rising in the sky. Ethiopia's government said it targeted facilities to make and repair weapons, which a spokesman for the rival Tigray forces denied.

Meanwhile, the United Nations told The Associated Press it is slashing by more than half its Tigray presence as an Ethiopian government blockade halts humanitarian aid efforts and people die from lack of food.

The war in Africas second-most populous country has ground on for nearly a year between Ethiopian and allied forces and the Tigray ones who long dominated the national government before a falling-out with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize winner.

At least 14 people were injured in the airstrikes in Mekele and three were in critical condition, Hayelom Kebede, the former director of Tigrays flagship Ayder Referral Hospital, told the AP.

Indeed there have been airstrikes in Mekele today, Ethiopian government spokesman Legesse Tulu told the AP, saying they targeted facilities at the Mesfin Industrial Engineering site that Tigray forces use to make and repair heavy weapons. Legesse said the airstrikes had no intended harm to civilians.

Another airstrike hours later hit Agbe between the communities of Hagere Selam and Tembien, he said, describing the site as a center of military training and heavy artillery depot.

A Tigray spokesman denied the Mekele site was related to weapons. Not at all, Kindeya Gebrehiwot told the AP, calling it a garage with many old tires. That is why it is still blazing.

Amit Abrha, who said she was a worker at the site, said she didn't hear the airstrike coming and collapsed when the attack occurred. People picked me up. And when the explosions continued, I went out and saw a person that I know injured and on the ground, she said in video footage obtained by the AP, as the smoke billowed behind her and fellow residents tried to control the flames.

The attack came two days after Ethiopia's air force confirmed airstrikes in Mekele that a witness said killed three children. The air force said communications towers and equipment were attacked. Mekele hadn't seen fighting since June, when Tigray forces retook much of the region in a dramatic turn in the war.

The airstrikes have caused fresh panic in a city under siege, where doctors and others have described running out of medicines and other basic needs.

Despite pleas from the U.N. and others to allow basic services and humanitarian aid to Tigrays 6 million people, Ethiopias government this week called those expectations absurd while the Tigray forces now fight in the neighboring regions of Amhara and Afar. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced there, widening the deadly crisis.

Although not all movements have yet taken place, there will probably be a reduction from nearly 530 to around 220 U.N. staff on the ground in Tigray, U.N. humanitarian spokesman Saviano Abreu told the AP. The decision is directly linked to the operation constraints we have been faced with over the last months along with the volatile security situation, he said.

The lack of fuel and cash because of the governments blockade on Tigray has made it extremely challenging for humanitarians to sustain life-saving activities at the time theyre needed most, Abreu added.

Some 1,200 humanitarian workers including the reduced U.N. presence will remain in Tigray, he said.

The AP in recent weeks has confirmed the first starvation deaths in Tigray under the government blockade.

Humanitarian workers are also trying to reach the displaced and often hungry people in the Amhara and Afar regions, where communications blackouts and active fighting challenge efforts to confirm claims by the warring sides. Witnesses have told the AP that some Tigray forces are killing civilians, the latest abuses in a war marked by gang-rapes, mass expulsions and widespread detentions of ethnic Tigrayans.

This week's airstrikes in the Tigray capital appear to be part of efforts to weaken Tigrays armed resistance, which has recently made further gains in the eastern Amhara region, with fighting ongoing in some areas. Along with superior manpower, control of the skies is one of the few remaining areas of military advantage for the federal government, International Crisis Group analyst William Davison said in a statement. The bombing of urban areas, however, reinforces the impression that Addis Ababa is willing to risk civilian lives in Tigray as part of its military efforts."
GREENWICH  Car thieves in Greenwich are trying a new tactic  stealing vehicles at a local country club, according to police.

Police said they received reports that two Land Rovers had been stolen mid-morning Sunday at a local country club, which was not identified. The cars both had been left unlocked with the ignition devices inside, said police.

For cars thefts, that was something new, police Lt. Martin OReilly said. Well get the word out to country clubs to make sure their members dont leave their keys in their cars. He said police were concerned that thieves would try a similar approach in the future at other sites.

A Prius that had been reported stolen in New Jersey was recovered at the club, police said. The thieves traveled in it to steal the cars in Greenwich, a common pattern, according to authorities.

Obviously, we cannot stress enough that residents need to lock up their vehicles and remove the keys or fobs whenever they are away from the vehicle. As long as the car thieves are successful with stealing cars here, they will keep coming back, OReilly said.

Most of the stolen cars in Greenwich  and there 115 stolen vehicles last year in town  were taken from residential driveways, police said. Some have also been stolen from restaurant parking lots or business areas, police said.

The report of car thefts on Sunday was not the first time this fall that town police have been dispatched to a local country club.

Police said they arrested two men from Queens, N.Y., on Oct. 3 on charges of stealing items from cars at the Round Hill Club. They were in possession of a stolen credit card and a ring taken from a vehicle when they were apprehended, according to the arrest report. A witness spotted them trying to open car doors and called police about the suspicious activity, the report stated.

Two other cars were reported stolen this week, a 2013 Dodge Durango that was taken from Laddins Rock Road in Old Greenwich, and a 2006 Toyota Prius that was stolen from Mary Lane, also in Old Greenwich, police said. The Prius was later recovered in Stamford, police said.

Greenwich police have joined a task force with other regional law-enforcement agency to crack down on the continued wave of car thefts across the area. The member agencies will share real-time intelligence about stolen cars and repeat offenders.
Android 12 is already official but some new details emerged via the official Android 12 Compatibility Definition Document (CDD) which reveals a new native app clone feature for Pixel users. This allows users to have separate instances of the same app say an instant messaging client for example.

I've been giving the Android 12 CDD a *very* thorough read, and I just discovered something quite interesting.



Looks like Android 12 quietly added a new profile type called "Clone." Android seems to finally natively add app cloning support, without the weird work profile hack!  Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) October 18, 2021

As elaborated by Mishaal Rahman, the native cloning feature will allow users on stock Android to have more than one instance of the same app without having to go through making a separate work profile on their phone. Googles CDD document describes the clone profile feature as a user profile type used to run second instance of an otherwise single user App (e.g., messengers)". Only the primary user is allowed to have a clone profile. It remains to be seen what apps will be compatible with this feature.

Source
The Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro were announced yesterday and immediately went on pre-order. Shipping will start on October 28, at least for some.

The Pixel 6 series is officially available only in nine countries, so we checked how their local online stores are doing. Long story short, the Pixel 6 is pretty easy to get everywhere, though in places the 256 GB option was missing either completely or for some color options.

The situation with the Pixel 6 Pro is worse. It is already out of stock in some countries, in others you can only get the 128GB version and some colorways were sold out. Again, not every color/storage combo was available, so you may have to make some tough choices if you want to order now. By the way, we didn't see the 512 GB option offered anywhere.

Availability Pixel 6 Pixel 6 Pro US Available Limited (only Black, 128 GB) Canada Available Out of stock UK Available (only 128 GB) Available Ireland Available (only 128 GB) Limited (only Black, 128 GB) Australia Available Out of stock Germany Available (only 128 GB) Limited (only Black, 128 GB) France Available (no Kinda coral) Out of stock Japan Available Available (128 GB only) Taiwan Available Limited (no Cloudy White, no 256 GB)

Its not yet clear what is making the availability of the Pro model so bad  lower production number or higher demand? It is certainly the more advanced phone of the two with its LTPO display and 4x periscope lens, but it also costs $300 more, a massive jump in price over the vanilla model.

Speaking of money, there are some promos to help soften the blow. In the US, you can order Pixel Buds A alongside the phone and save $100. Same in Canada, except what you save is CAD 140.

The UK gets one of the better deals  a free pair of Bose 700 wireless headphones normally worth 350. The same goes for Ireland, Germany and France too. Australias deal is simple, AUD 100 store credit for the Pixel 6, AUD 150 for the Pro. In Japan both get you JPY 11,000 store credit. Alas, Taiwan gets nothing.

Keep in mind that the availability status will shift over the next few hours and days - and it will probably get worse before it gets better. And don't forget that some Pixel 6 models have mmWave 5G and cost more for it.
Senators at 10 a.m. this Friday will be debating bills to support health care education for students, renovate the historic former Francisco Q. Sanchez Elementary School, and legalize firearm suppressors on island.

Dubbed the Birada Act, or Return Act, Bill 158 is aimed at funding health care education for students. It is meant to encourage them to come back and practice on Guam after graduation.

Local students would gain access to the Professional Student Exchange Program, which provides tuition assistance for health care programs at 60 universities across the country. Savings for the 10 programs, from dentistry to medicine, range from $32,000 to $160,000.

The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education hosts the program.

The bill also would allow students to be sponsored by the government of Guam or private healthcare facilities, provided they agree to return and practice on the island for no less than five years after graduation.

The bill was introduced be Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes.

The old F.Q. Sanchez Elementary School in Humatak would get a facelift, if Sen. Joe San Agustins Bill 172 were to pass.

While the school has been closed since 2011, the Guam Preservation Trust wants to renovate the building and possibly allow a charter school to operate in the facility, according to Guam Preservation Trust Director Joe Quinata. Humatak Mayor Johnny Quinata said the community also wants to use it as a senior citizen center and village museum. The measure would provide $3.5 million for renovations.

Bill 73, meanwhile, would remove a ban on the possession and distribution of any device meant to deaden the sound of a gun firing. Called the Hearing Protection Act of 2021, its sponsor Sen. James Moylan intends to allow registered gun owners to use suppressors, commonly known as silencers, while hunting or training with a gun, in order to prevent damage to their ears. The devices currently are legal in 42 states. All but two of the states where they are legal allow suppressor use while hunting.

Other bills on the legislative agenda include:
The Guam Board of Education unanimously voted to adopt the Smarter Balanced Assessment System on Tuesday as the state-wide assessment, replacing the ACT Aspire after six years, according to a news release from the department.

In January, ACT notified the Guam Department of Education that they would discontinue the ACT Aspire, so the department had to search for a new standardized test that would be accepted by the U.S. Department of Education.

The assessment tests students in third through eighth grade, as well as one high school grade, in English, language arts, and math. Standardized testing is required by the Every Child Succeeds Act.

In addition to the end of the year assessments, the Smarter Balanced Assessment System provides a set of interim assessments to use throughout the year. Educators can monitor student progress, and a variety of teacher resources and sample tests are provided, the release stated.

The assessments also measure college and career readiness skills, in line with the Common Core State Standards.

The Smarter Balanced Assessment System was developed and made available through the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, a collaboration of 15 states and territories who partnered together. The consortium includes Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and others.

Guam Department of Education will start the transition to the new assessments starting in summer 2022, so they can be in use at the end of the 2022-23 school year. The ACT recently informed Guam DOE that they will be able to provide the test for one more year to support the transition to a new system, the news release stated.
National Weather Service forecasters are monitoring a disturbance northeast of Pohnpei that is expected to bring wet weather to the Marianas this weekend.

Although there is uncertainty about how the system will affect the Marianas, locally heavy rainfall of between 3 and 6 inches is expected, according to Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense.

The rain could lead to localized flooding and the potential for flash flooding.

Flooding will be possible in low-lying and poor drainage areas, and flash flooding could occur in areas with especially heavy rainfall.

A flash flood watch may be issued if conditions warrant, according to the Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense.

To prepare for any circumstance, the community is reminded to:

 Stay up to date with the latest information. Watch for flash flood advisories.

 Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action; clear drainage areas and unblock clogged storm drains in your area to minimize the chance of flooding.

 In inclement weather, do not camp, park, or hike along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.
Legal experts on Wednesday weighed in on the current status of the U.S. territories, describing them as being in limbo for more than 120 years, and that their relationship with the U.S. is guided by controversial U.S. Supreme Court decisions which describe the territories as home to savages.

Its undeniable that America has a colonies problem. Its equally undeniable that Americas colonies problem is deeply rooted in a legacy of systemic racism in the United States that extends to this very day, said former Guam resident Neil Weare, president of the nonprofit organization Equally American, which advocates for equality and civil rights for residents of the territories.

Equally American on Wednesday hosted the first of three online panel discussions. The topic was Separate and Unequal: The Insular Cases, Race and Discrimination in the U.S. Territories.

The Insular Cases are six U.S. Supreme Court cases decided in 1901, related to the tax status of Puerto Rico and whether its part of the United States or considered a foreign port.

The court said Puerto Rico belongs to, but is not a part of, the United States, and the same then went for the Philippines and Guam, said panelist Christina Ponsa-Kraus, professor of legal history at Columbia Law School. The court eventually gave these territories a label  they were the unincorporated territories.

Being an unincorporated territory meant being in limbo, trapped in ambiguity, neither a part of nor separate, Ponsa-Kraus said. And subordinate, subject to the power of Congress under the territory clause to govern territories as colonies.

High court case

The Supreme Court on Nov. 9 will hear oral arguments in a case related to the rights of U.S. citizens in the territories to participate in federal programs.

Justices in March granted a petition for writ of certiorari in United States v. Vaello-Madero, which involves Jose Luis Vaello-Madero, a person with a disability, who lost his federal Supplemental Security Income payments when he relocated from New York to Puerto Rico.

Congress excluded residents of Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands from the SSI program.

Vaello-Madero, who argued his constitutional rights were violated, won his case in a federal appeals court in April 2020, prompting the federal government to appeal to the Supreme Court.

A similar federal case, filed by Guam resident Katrina Schaller, currently is on hold, pending the Supreme Courts decision in the Puerto Rico case. Schaller, who has a disability, lost her SSI benefits after she moved to Guam to live with family.

Human story

The human story is really whats important in this, Guam Attorney General Leevin Camacho said during Wednesdays discussion. (In the Schaller case) you have a woman whos having to decide between moving to be with family and not being able to support herself. Those are the choices that people, millions of people in the states, are facing, where they probably would prefer to move back to Guam or move to Puerto Rico, but they cant because they know theyre not going to have enough to support themselves.

Panelist Karl Racine, attorney general for the District of Columbia, said the federal government treats D.C. and the territories differently, for no good reason.

Congress simply cant irrationally include some territories in benefits programs and exclude others, especially from anti-poverty programs, Racine said. Poverty rates in the territories range from 22.6% in Guam to 56% in American Samoa  well above the national poverty rate of 10.5%. So you can see the real impact of being treated as a second-class citizen. It actually perpetuates poverty.

Inconsistent

What the United States did 120 years ago, with the Supreme Courts rubber stamp, is fundamentally inconsistent with U.S. democracy, said panelist Adriel Cepeda Derieux, a senior staff attorney for the ACLU Voting Rights Project. And it did so for purely racial reasons, which is something that needs to be recognized and acknowledged.

Camacho noted that 90% of the people who live in the territories are ethnic minorities.

There are important battles to be fought and won (in the courts). Vaello-Madero is absolutely one I hope we win, Ponsa-Kraus said. But the truth is that  we are trapped in a situation in which its the political process that can get us out of this, and yet we dont have a voice in the political process.  The courts will only help us at the level of the battle, not at the level of the war.
Manuel Tedtaotao was appointed a new attorney to defend him against charges connected to assaulting and burning a man alive.

In a hearing before Magistrate Judge Jonathan R. Quan, Tedtaotaos attorney, Earl Espiritu of the Public Defender Service Corporation, requested a withdrawal due to conflict of interest.

Espiritu revealed Tedtaotao is the victim of two open cases where the Public Defender Service Corporation is representing the defendants.

Quan accepted the withdrawal and appointed an alternate public defender to represent Tedtaotao.

Tedtaotao is scheduled to plead guilty or not guilty to the charges at 2 p.m. on Oct. 27.

Tedtaotao became a primary suspect in an aggravated assault investigation after a man was found with several lacerations and life threatening third-degree burns over a significant portion of his body, court documents state.

The man said Tedtaotao and other individuals allegedly assaulted, tied up and kidnapped the man before setting him on fire.

After the incident, the man was transported to Guam Regional Medical City where an attending physician said he had a 5% chance of surviving the injuries, documents state.

Tedtaotao allegedly bound, kidnapped man in Dededo burning, stabbing case Manuel Junior Cabrera Tedtaotao has been charged with attempted murder as a first degree fel

Police arrest Manuel Junior Cabrera Tedtaotao in Dededo stabbing, burning case Police have made an arrest in an August aggravated assault case in which a man was found sta

Tedtaotao is being charged with the following:
There were 122 new cases of COVID-19 out of 1,187 tests performed Oct. 19 reported by the Department of Public Health and Social Services.

Of those, 30 cases were identified through contact tracing.

Guam has had 17,276 officially reported cases of COVID-19 on Guam; 2,690 are in active isolation.

The island is on a steady downward trend in COVID-19 cases, according to the latest surveillance report from Public Health. The average number of weekly cases has dropped by 20, and the seven-day average of daily new cases, which was at 112 Oct. 14, is below 100.

The data is on track and remains consistent with Guams CAR Score which is 16.7.

Hospitalizations

Hospitalizations for the virus also are on a downward trend, along with the number of people in the intensive care unit, which has been the same for the last two weeks.

There were at least 49 people hospitalized, including 12 in intensive care and seven on ventilators, the Joint Information Center reported.

Of the COVID patients in island hospitals, 29 were at Guam Memorial Hospital, including three pediatric admissions, eight in the ICU and six on ventilators. There were 18 people at Guam Regional Medical City, with four in the ICU and one on a ventilator. Naval Hospital Guam had two hospitalized.

Of those hospitalized, 22 were vaccinated, 26 werent and one was ineligible.

Child casesWith recent pediatric admissions, cases in children have also been closely monitored. Children ages up to 11 now have the highest positive case rate of any age group on island. The age group is the only one with a case rate not on a downward trend.

A decrease in cases among 12- to 17-year-olds likely correlates with increased vaccination in that group, the report stated. The Guam Department of Education Wednesday said 72.1% of that group is vaccinated.

Guam DOE

Guam DOE reported 24 new COVID-19 cases in students and employees Oct. 13-19.

Three at Adacao Elementary.

Four at Astumbo Elementary.

One at Capt. Price Elementary.

Four at D.L. Perez Elementary.

One at Finegayan Elementary.

One at L.B. Johnson Elementary.

Two at Maria A. Ulloa Elementary.

One at PC Lujan Elementary.

Two at Upi Elementary.

One at Wettengel Elementary.

Three at George Washington High.

One at Simon Sanchez High.

There were 25 active cases among students and eight for employees as of Oct. 19. All cases are from community spread, Guam DOE reported. There are still no confirmed school transmissions of the virus, according to Public Health.

BreakthroughsBreakthrough cases are continuing, the report stated. Territorial Epidemiologist Dr. Ann Pobutsky last week said those averaged at about 45% of all positive cases.

Theres no reason to be concerned based on which vaccine you received; the number of breakthroughs is similar across the three available brands when adjusted for the number of people who got them.

While Pfizer has the most breakthroughs at 2,233, it is also the most widely distributed vaccine on Guam. It has 36 breakthroughs per 1,000 people vaccinated with it, compared to 30 per 1,000 with Moderna, and 41 per 1,000 for Johnson & Johnson.
My dad called me this last week to ask how I was doing. In a normal year, I am the family gathering coordinator and the gatherings are usually




Haiti - Security : Emergency landing of a plane in Jacmel





Tuesday evening at around 8:50 pm a Rockwell N-265 Sabreliner 60 plane, registration XB-ETV, from Mexico, which was carrying passengers to the Dominican Republic made a forced landing at Jacmel airport (Southeast Department).



According to the first information all the passengers and Dominican pilots are safe and sound. In a very short time a crowd invaded the plane on the airstrip in Jacmel, to get there they destroyed the fence, under the helpless eye of the agents of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) who with the emergency services of the airport was present on the scene.



Let's recall that on July 2, 2021, 6 people were killed in a plane crash in Leogane while on their way to Jacmel https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34136-haiti-security-a-small-plane-crashes-near-leogane-6-dead.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Health : Advice to prevent breast cancer





On the occasion of the International Day against breast cancer, yesterday Tuesday, October 19, 2021, the leading cause of death from cancer in women in the world, the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) salutes the courage of all women and men (rare, less than 1% of all breast cancers affect men) around the world who are fighting this disease, especially those in Haiti.



The MSPP invites the population to put into practice the following advice to prevent breast cancer :



- No smoking

- Significantly reduce alcohol consumption

- Play sports

- Eat fruits and vegetables regularly

- Control your body weight

- Practice regular breast palpation using appropriate techniques

- Do a mammogram from 40 years of age or older

- Consult your doctor regularly for the early detection of cancerous lesions



In 2018 alone, of the 12,366 new cases of cancer, all cases combined, recorded in Haiti, 6,566 were women, and 16.8%, or 1,015 cases concerned breast cancer, which makes this disease the most common cancer in wife.



S / HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Murder of a Haitian in Tijuana

The Mexican Haitian Diaspora Federation condemns the assassination of Johnson Omega, a Haitian national, on October 16 in Tijuana, Mexico. In a press note, the federation asks the Mexican authorities to launch an investigation into this murder. The 34-year-old victim was shot dead in his residence.



10% of Digicel antennas no functional

"The diesel shortage is increasingly affecting Digicel's operations. Over 1,500 branches nationwide already more than 150 are out of diesel," Maarten Boute informed Tuesday.



Towards a stop of fuel distribution

The Association of Petroleum Products Drivers (ACPPH), informs that given the growing rise in insecurity throughout the national territory, which causes many victims (kidnapping, rapes, beheaded etc...) and which decapitalizes our society by paying ransoms; the association informs the Haitian people that a work stoppage will be taken throughout the national territory from October 21, 2021, to say no to the phenomenon of particularly insecurity (kidnapping) which puts citizens out of all freedom.



Meeting between PM and Deputy Secretary of the United Nations for Safety and Security

On Monday, Prime Minister a.i. Ariel Henry, discussed several topics relating to the current socio-political situation in Haiti with Gilles Michaud, the United Nations Deputy Secretary General for Safety and Security.



Construction agreement

As he had undertaken during his visit to Jeremie following the earthquake, the PM, Ariel Henry, attended, yesterday Tuesday, the signing by the Minister of TPTC, engineer Wilson Edouard and the Groupement firms Matiere/Eccomar, of the construction agreement for the "Pont Estime" on the Grand-Anse river.



USAID supports vulnerable farmers in the South region

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID-Haiti) supports vulnerable farmers in the South region. Working with community members, the Agency reduces soil erosion, protects water sources and improves farmers' access to local markets. USAID has so far built or repaired 1.5 km of stone walls, which has provided jobs for 1,111 workers. These walls protect farmers' land by preventing the soil and its rich nutrients from being washed away in the rain. With fertile soil, farmers will be able to improve the growth of their crops and provide for their families.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Update Required

To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
By William Schwartz | Published on 2021/10/19

Soo-han (played by Kang Seok-chul) is a reasonably buff, soft-spoken dude who works in the loan shark industry in Gangreung. Soo-han doesn't seem well-suited to the work, where the main clients are bad people at worst and bad people picking fights with other bad people at best. But Soo-han gets a chance to do something that actually makes his life feel less aimless and pointless when he spots Ye-jin (played by Yoo Ye-bin) accosted by suited thugs at the coast, agreeing to protect her with only a fancy watch as collateral.

Advertisement

"Bodyguard - 2020" is a pretty straightforward movie. Soo-han gains his purpose in life again by picking a fight with Ye-jin's persecutors to right past wrongs. What makes "Bodyguard - 2020" slightly more interesting than the typical direct to video flick is that there's no forced romance. Soo-han respects Ye-jin, not because she's pretty, but because shes a woman of her word who maintains her dignity. Ye-jin doesn't start drama, or even ask for help. She just prefers to mind her own business.

Soo-han comes to appreciate Ye-jin as a noble client for these reasons, the finer points of the inheritance dispute she's wrapped up in not really being that important. Ye-jin doesn't need to actually be a good person for the narrative to progress. She just needs to be one who doesn't act like a jerk all the time for no reason. As Ye-jin's persecutors dip into the Gangreung criminal underworld to smoke her out, it's clear that everyone is just motivated by toxic masculinity rather than honor.

In this way "Bodyguard - 2020" functions as a reasonably interesting origin story for a character archetype you've probably seen in other movies. Specifically, the loyal chief henchperson who's willing to go above and beyond for their boss in a way that defies the promise of a mere paycheck. Soo-han is grateful to Ye-jin for giving his life purpose. Even if that purpose is just protecting her, Soo-han is happy just to be able to protect something so as to atone for his past cowardice.

This metatext is about the only serious praise I can give to the movie. It's not that "Bodyguard - 2020" is especally bad, it's just unremarkable in every other way. The fight scenes are workmanlike and competent. Despite obvious budget limitations there's a nice smattering of big fight scenes where various suits go after each other. But the fights themselves are quite generic. The acting, commonplace as it may be, outshines the action in most cases.

"Bodyguard - 2020" is the kind of movie where I can at least appreciate that it exists, even if I'm not very impressed by it. This is the sort of the movie that had to be made, in this case by writer/director Son Seung-hyun, by sheer force of will. "Bodyguard - 2020" is also the rare showcase of semi-urban oceanfront Gangreung- a pretty distinct if underutilized location in South Korean film, although I'm not sure that many people aside from myself can notice the difference between it and any other random seaside South Korean location.

Review by William Schwartz

___________

"Bodyguard - 2020" is directed by Son Seung-hyun, and features Kang Seok-chul, Yoo Ye-bin, Ji Hye-in, Kim Jin-Woo-VIII, Choi Cheol-ho, Han Kook-in. Release date in Korea: 2020/04/30.



DVD TW
Login or sign up to follow actresses, movies & dramas and get specific updates and news

Login Sign Up

Email

Password

Password Username Your E-mail will only be used to retrieve a lost password.

Stay logged in

Help
Published on 2021/10/20 | Source

New poster added for the upcoming Korean documentary "Shadow Flowers" (2019)

Advertisement

Directed by Yi Seung-Jun

Synopsis

Kim Ryun-hee, a North Korean housewife, was forced to come to South Korea and became its citizen against her will. She tried to smuggle herself out and even sought political asylum at the Vietnamese Embassy but all in vain. As her seven years of struggle to go back to her family in North Korea continues, the political absurdity hinders her journey back to her loved ones. The life of her family in the North goes on in emptiness, and she fears that she might become someone, like a shadow, who exists only in the fading memory of her family.

Release date in Korea : 2021/10/27
Published on 2021/10/20 | Source

New stills added for the upcoming Korean-Japanese movie "The Asian Angel" (2021)

Advertisement

Directed by Yuya Ishii

With Sosuke Ikematsu, Choi Hee-seo, Joe Odagiri, Kim Min-jae, Kim Ye-eun,...

Synopsis

Tsuyoshi (Sosuke Ikematsu), who recklessly flew to Korea with his son believing in the words of his brother Toru (Joe Odagiri), who said he was doing well as a business in Seoul, is on the verge of throwing himself on the unfamiliar streets of Seoul because his brother was scammed by his partner.

Then Toru seduces Tsuyoshi, who was frustrated by saying that he had a brilliant business item, and heads to Gangneung, and meets three siblings Sol (Choi Hee-seo), Bom (Kim Ye-eun), and Jung-woo (Kim Min-jae) who are filled with stories on the train to accompanies him.



A fate that happened in a life full of bad luck!

When we're desperate for miracles, we meet!

Release date in Korea : 2021/10/28
Published on 2021/10/19 | Source

Actors Yoon Kye-sang and Go Ah-sung have strong synergy.

Advertisement

Olleh TV original "Crime Puzzle" released stills of Yoon Kye-sang (Han Seung-min) and Go Ah-sung (Yoo Hee). The stills show the change in the relationship between the two.

"Crime Puzzle" is a tracking thriller drama. Criminal psychologist Han Seung-min confesses to murder and gets himself locked up in prison. His ex-lover Yoo Hee is his investigator in charge and she tracks down the truth.

In the picture, Seung-min and Yoo Hee display a tragic change in their relationship. When they're working together, they look around the crime scene and give of professional charisma. When they're alone, they smile happily at each other.

However, their relationship takes on a drastic change. Seung-min and Yoo Hee face each other in prison. Seung-min confesses that he killed Yoo Hee's father. Yoo Hee digs into him for the truth.

Yoon Kye-sang said, "Go Ah-sung is flexible in any given situation. Whatever she talks about with her co-actor, she manages to persuade the other person. Working with her was great in every way".

Go Ah-sung said, "Working with Yoon Kye-sang was really great. Thanks to him, I managed to pull off even the longest lines. He gave me many suggestions and they helped me a lot".

Director Kim Sang-hoon-I who helmed the drama is known for his meticulousness. The script was written by Choi Jong-gil.

"Crime Puzzle" is made up of ten episodes in total. The first two episodes will be released on Olleh TV and Seezn on the 29th. It will then be broadcast in SKY on the 1st of November from 10:30PM.
Thank you for reading!

You have reached our free-content limit. If you are a current subscriber, please log in to continue viewing content or purchase a subscription by clicking the Subscribe button below. Thank you for supporting independent Journalism.
What's Included

With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 574-583-5121 or email cgrace@thehj.com.
Hastings, NE (68901)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. High 51F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low around 30F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Submit
From MSU News Service

BOZEMAN  High school students can register for free mathematics contests set for Wednesday, Nov. 10, and Tuesday, Nov. 16, at Montana State University.

The American Mathematics Competition 10/12 contests, hosted by the MSU College of Education, Health and Human Developments Science Math Resource Center, are part of the American Mathematics Competition series developed by the Mathematical Association of America. The series provides an opportunity for students to develop positive attitudes toward analytical thinking and mathematics that can assist in future careers. Students apply classroom skills to unique problem-solving challenges in a low-stress and friendly environment.

The AMC 10 exam covers the high school curriculum through grade 10. AMC 12 covers the high school curriculum, including trigonometry, advanced algebra and advanced geometry, excluding calculus. Both are 25-question, 75-minute tests.

The 10/12 A test will be given Nov. 10 and the 10/12 B test is Nov. 16. Both the A and the B versions have the same number of questions, the same scoring and the same rules for administration. The only differences are the competition dates and that each version has a distinct set of questions, although the two examinations are designed to be equal in difficulty and distribution of topics.

Registration is free and will remain open until spots are filled. Students up through 10th grade and under 17 1/2 years old on the day of the competition are eligible to participate in AMC 10; students up through 12th grade and under 19 1/2 can participate in AMC 12. A contest for middle school students will take place in January.

The Science Math Resource Center will award gift cards to the top scorers.

For more information or to register, people can visit http://montana.edu/smrc or follow the Science Math Resource Center at facebook.com/msusmrc.
Press release

Montana non-profit Producer Partnership is calling on the help of farmers and ranchers who want to work together in ending hunger in Montana.

Since foundation in 2019, the Producer Partnership has donated nearly 80,000 pounds of beef to the Montana Food Bank Networks .

We are local producers, local meat processors, and local food centers working in partnership to provide Montana meat to those individuals and families with food insecurity. This is the spirit of Montana neighbors helping one another in times of trouble, Producer Partnership President Matt Pierson said.

Producer Partnership announced in the spring the construction of Montanas first federally inspected non-profit processing unit for their usage and the communitys. Although the unit is set to open its doors by the end of 2021, the Partnership is still eagerly accepting animals for processing at existing plants.

Right now, we are accepting pigs, cows and sheep. Once we get the unit up and running, we can process anything from a goat to a bison, Pierson said.

Pierson added that although most producer partners have donated beef in the past, the addition of pigs and sheep to the Partnerships stock is exciting and will feed the same Montanans in need as beef does. He also stated adding pork and lamb to the Producer Partnership menu benefits more producers across the state.

Adding pigs and sheep to our list of processed animals helps a great number of other producers. Pig and sheep producers can also get the opportunity for the tax benefit, and we would love the chance to give a variety of protein to the Montana Food Bank Network, Pierson said.

People who are producers looking to donate a cow, pig or sheep to the Producer Partnership can follow these three steps:

Step 1: The producer, a farmer or rancher selects an animal(s) from their herd. This may be a cull animal.

The producer contacts Pierson or one of the local volunteers to offer the donation of the animal to the partnership. If the animal meets Producer Partnership strict health and condition criteria, the process moves to Step 2.

Step 2: The producer or an approved partnership volunteer loads the animal and transports it to a USDA or state processing facility that has been vetted and selected by the partnership. When an approved processor is not available locally, the partnership will pick up the animal from the producer and transport it to an approved holding corral.

When ready, the animal is processed into hamburger and the partnership pays the bill.

Step 3: When the frozen meat is ready for pickup, the partnership contacts the local food bank, community center or other approved non-profit agency. The meat is either delivered by a partnership volunteer or picked up by the receiving organization for individual distribution to those with food insecurity.

Its a win-win-win for everyone: the producer, the Montana Food Bank Network, and hungry Montanans who are eager to serve their family protein, Pierson said.

To learn more about Producer Partnership, people can visit http://www.producerpartnership.com . To donate an animal, people can contact Pierson at 406-220-7223 or Program Administrator Mayzie Purviance Cremer at 903-905-6029.
Senators Legislation brings back mandatory country-of-origin labeling, MCOOL

Note: This was provided by the office of Sen. Jon Tester

As a part of his continued effort to level the playing field for Montanas beef producers, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester met Friday in Great Falls with community leaders and ranchers from Cascade County to discuss the importance of his bipartisan American Beef Labeling Act.

Tester was joined in Great Falls by Montana Farmers Union President Walter Schweitzer and Conrad rancher Lisa Schmidt.

Montana beef is a cut above the rest, and folks deserve to know if their beef was raised in the United States before they buy it, Tester said. Beef raised in the U-S-A faces the strictest standards to ensure the highest quality of meat. My bipartisan legislation will level the playing field for Montanas family farmers and ranchers and guarantee American families the choice of the highest quality beef by making sure they know where their food is coming from.

The American Beef Labeling Act is also sponsored by Sens. John Thune, R-S.D., Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Mike Rounds, R-S.D.. Tester has fought to reinstate MCOOL since its 2015 repeal, and in 2020 introduced a bipartisan resolution urging the U.S. to enter into necessary trade negotiations to allow the United States to re-implement it in a manner that is compliant with WTO regulations.

As the only working farmer in the U.S. Senate, Tester has long been an advocate for increased market transparency and more competitive practices for Montana producers. He recently introduced his bipartisan Meatpacking Special Investigator Act which will create a new dedicated office within the Department of Agricultures Packers and Stockyards Division, addressing anticompetitive practices in the meat and poultry industries. He also recently introduced his bipartisan Livestock Disaster Relief Act with Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., to ensure that Montanas ranchers receive necessary relief to recover from future disasters. In response to this years extreme weather, he has also secured USDA relief for Montana producers through the authorization of haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program acres, LFP funding, and ELAP funding.

The American Beef Labeling Act will reinstate mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef. The legislation will require the U.S. trade representative, in consultation with the U.S. secretary of agriculture, to develop a World Trade Organization-compliant means of reinstating MCOOL for beef within one year of enactment. If USTR fails, MCOOL will automatically be reinstated.

Testers bipartisan legislation also came in the wake of reports of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, or mad cow fisease, cases in Brazil, a notable exporter of beef to the United States. Ensuring American beef is labeled as a product of the USA will give consumers clarity and peace of mind when buying beef, guaranteeing the highest standards of safety and quality are met.

Cattle groups praised Testers legislation when it was introduced.

During the nearly seven years since MCOOL for beef was repealed, U.S. cattle producers experienced lower cattle prices and were deprived the means to build demand for their U.S.-produced cattle, said Bill Bullard, chief executive officer of R-CALF USA. Sens. Thune and Testers bill to restore MCOOL for beef will now provide that means, and for that we are extremely grateful.

We greatly appreciate the work of Sens. Thune and Tester in continuing to push forward solutions to define what constitutes a U.S. beef product, said Justin Tupper, vice president of the U.S. Cattlemens Association. From the perspective of the U.S. Cattlemens Association, that label should pertain only to beef that was born, raised and harvested in the U.S.A. This legislation provides a pathway for achieving clear, accurate labels so that consumers can continue choosing to put high quality American beef on their plates.

On behalf of Americas family farmers and ranchers, we applaud Sens, Thune and Tester for introducing common sense legislation to help consumers know where their food comes from, said Rob Larew, president of National Farmers Union. We have long fought for mandatory Country of Origin labeling for food products, recognizing consumers want this information so they can make educated decisions in grocery store aisles.
SANA said that two explosive devices exploded during the passage of a military dormitory bus at the President's Bridge in Damascus.

The Agency added that the "terrorist bombing" resulted in a number of deaths and injuries, and that "engineering units dismantled a third device that was planted in the same location."

Russia's network said today that 13 people were killed in the bombing in central Damascus.

T/S

ANHA
The occupying Turkish army, which was defeated in front of Guerilla in the occupation attacks it launched on Basur Kurdistan, continues to use chemical weapons.

A member of the Kurdistan National Congress, Adam Ozun, stated that the genocide pursued by the occupying Turkish state fails in the face of the guerrilla resistance. He explained to our agency that the Turkish state follows before the eyes of the world dirty methods of war and chemical weapons against the guerrilla forces.

Ozun emphasized that the Turkish state wants to exterminate the Kurdish people, and said, "The Turkish state uses chemical weapons against the Kurdish people as a dirty and illegal method of war. It is also trying to evacuate many areas of Basur. The PKK is the only force that stands against the genocide by the occupying Turkish army.

"The Turkish army is using chemical weapons in the occupation attacks in order to break the great resistance of Guerilla and terrorize the people," he added.

Ozun said that if the Turkish army advances, It will seek to expand war in Basur Kurdistan and advance towards Mosul, Kirkuk and Shingal. "In its attack on Basur, the Turkish state uses all techniques. In front of these technologies, the Guerilla, using the tactics of the new era, is implementing a great resistance against the occupiers.

He added that the Turkish state seeks to control the Kurdish people with chemical gases, and continued, "Guerilla is waging great resistance, and despite all the appeals and evidence from many international organizations that the Turkish army used chemical weapons against the guerrilla, human rights organizations are being obstructed by their countries." This shows the interests of states and international human rights organizations."

Ozun indicated that the leaders of the Kurdistan Community Union and the PKK have called on many organizations, such as the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and UNICEF, to investigate the use of chemical gases in the occupation attacks. Now. I have sent letters to Britain, Germany, France, Canada, the USA and Russia for investigation. Both Britain and Germany have made it clear that they have received the letter and are following the process closely. The Turkish state is committing a crime because it attacks the territory of another country and the countries that support it are also complicit in this crime. ...disregard international treaties in a way far from legal and universal principles. These countries make peoples victims of their pragmatic policy, and we see that the peoples living in these countries stand against occupation attacks at every opportunity."

He emphasized that civilians in the surrounding villages are also affected by these chemical attacks. Recently it was announced in the media that the chemical gases also harmed the villagers. Civilian bodies should go to the region to investigate this matter. Recently, the bodies, including bodies, wanted Europeans go to Basur, but they were prevented by the Kurdistan Democratic Party.In this regard, the government of Iraq is still silent in the face of the occupation attacks so far.It also continues with various military agreements with the Turkish state.The government of Iraq and the government of Basur are partners in Turkish state war crimes.

While he noted Saddam Hussein's use of chemical weapons against the Kurdish people as well, between 1986 and 1990, he said, "Thousands of our people were killed in chemical attacks. today's Erdogan and the Turkish state use the same methods.

The international powers remained silent then, and now. They did not interfere for the sake of its interests at that point? They tied her hopes at the time to Saddam Hussein, but when her interests ended. They immediately launched an operation against him.

This time, it is the Turkish state that is using these weapons against the Kurdish people, and the silence of these countries means at the same time questioning their legitimacy. The Kurdish people must revolt against this silence everywhere, and demand that the Turkish state be punished for its use of chemical weapons.

He also explained that the attacks of the occupying Turkish state are not only against guerrillas; Rather, against the entire Kurdish people, he concluded, "You want to liquidate the Kurdish people with these attacks. We must block the way for them.

The Turkish state also wants to open the way for a new destabilization in the Middle East, and if it advances against the guerrillas, it will start a new phase of war in all of Kurdistan and the Middle East. Our people must embrace the continuous resistance of guerrilla and spread this resistance from the battlefronts everywhere. We must also reveal the people involved in these attacks at the same time, no one can turn a blind eye to these attacks at a time when peace has approached the neck of the Kurdish people to this extent (at a time when the danger surrounds the Kurdish people to this extent)."

What happened?

On October 13, the occupying Turkish state targeted civilians in Serekaniye with banned phosphorous gas. The attack resulted in dozens of injuries, including children.

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons announced that it would investigate the information on the site of the event, but on October 17, the Turkish ambassador in The Hague offered 30,000 euros to this organization.

A

ANHA
JOHN HOWELL says he wants to continue speaking to his constituents face to face.

The Henley MP was speaking after his Conservative colleague Sir David Amess was stabbed to death by a man during a surgery in his constituency of Southend on Friday.

The tragedy came five years after Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death in Birstall, West Yorkshire.

Mr Howell, who worked with Sir David for about six years, called his death shocking but said he was comfortable to continue holding his own surgeries.

He said: I was actually in the middle of a parish meeting when I heard, so I too was out and about talking to constituents.

Im still very comfortable going out and talking to constituents and I will continue to do so.

Security is being reviewed at the moment by the Commons speaker and the Metropolitan Police and that is linking into individual police forces.

I think that its good that they are taking it seriously but its very sad that we have to take it so seriously these days. I dont want any security put in place that is going to come between me and constituents.

Mr Howell, who was first elected in 2008, had concerns for his safety in 2012 when he received death threats after an email exchange about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with one of his constituents was posted on the internet.

Three years later, he received more threatening emails after he voted for air strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria.

Mr Howell said the experience was unpleasant but he hadnt feared for his safety.

I spoke to the chief constable about that at the time and we made arrangements but the one thing we cant have is security that interferes with MPs speaking to constituents, he said.

Its not particularly pleasant being told youre going to be shot but nevertheless that is part of being an MP.

I think the most important thing that can happen is collective change. We have got to move away from the aggressive hatred that a selection of the population has for MPs of all parties.

We have all come with the best intentions in the world to legislate for what we see is in the interest of the people. It will create debate but its all with sincerity.

Mr Howell said he had learned a lot from 69-year-old Sir David and enjoyed working with him on the Industry and Parliament Trust, which is an independent charity that aims to provide engagement between Parliament and UK business.

He said: I worked with David a great deal as we were both members of the trust and I succeeded him as chairman only last year.

He had a great way of working and I learned a lot from him  not that I follow his style.

He was a man with a great sense of humour and very kind.

It is for his family that I feel the greatest sympathy as theyve lost a great husband and father.

A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of the murder of Sir David and is being held at a London police station under the Terrorism Act 2000.
A MAN who was found guilty of sending a racist Christmas card has received a community order.

Bryan Olliver, 48, of Bensgrove Way, Woodcote, sent a card with a picture of a smiling monkey to Michael Reads home on Christmas Eve 2019.

Mr Read said he thought his family was in danger as the card was racist towards his partner, Heidi Price, who is half Jamaican.

Olliver was convicted of malicious communication following a trial at Oxfordshire Magistrates Court last month.

He was also found guilty of assault by beating for spitting on Mr Read and of assault by spitting at his mother, Angela.

During the sentencing hearing today (Wednesday) magistrates said that as part of the 18-month community order, Olliver must complete a 32-day activity requirement and 120 hours of unpaid work in the community.

He was also handed a restraining order, which prevents him from contacting Mr Read, his mother, or his partner for 18 months.

Olliver must also not enter Croft Way, the street on which the couple live, for the same period and must pay prosecution costs of 775.

During the trial, the court heard how police found that the card had been bought online from Red Frog Designs, which confirmed that the payment details and delivery order came from Olliver.

Olliver denied that he was responsible and claimed that a friend of his teenage son, who was staying with him at the time, could have accessed his laptop. He told the court that the boy had been underpaid by Mr Read for a days work and was not happy about it.

For the full story, pick up a copy of the Henley Standard, out on Friday.
Free access for current print subscribers

As a home delivery subscriber, you get free unlimited digital access to premium content on HenryHerald.com, including local news, local sports, obituaries, legal notices, local features, and the e-edition.

All you need is your print subscription account number and your last name.

Don't know your subscription number? Email access@henryherald.com with your delivery address.

Activate your account now.
Anderson, IN (46016)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low near 30F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low near 30F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
BENTON HARBOR  The Michigan Senate Oversight Committee has asked the state to turn over a list of documents on its response to the elevated lead levels in Benton Harbors drinking water.

Committee Chair Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, requested records Monday from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, according to a letter obtained by The Detroit News.

McBroom is seeking correspondence among officials on the use of corrosion controls in Benton Harbors water, on testing of the citys water and on the elevated lead levels. The chairman is targeting communications that occurred between Jan. 1, 2019, when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took office, and Oct. 15, 2021.

The documents requested herein will help us learn and understand how the department established, implemented and executed policies and initiatives to address the water crisis in Benton Harbor over the past three years, McBrooms letter stated.

In the letter, the chairman asked the department to provide the requested documents and information within 10 days.

McBroom wrote that a thorough review of the departments response to this tragedy is necessary and will help strengthen and preserve the departments effectiveness moving forward.

EGLE Communications Manager Hugh McDiarmid Jr. told several media outlets Tuesday the department received McBrooms letter and intends to comply with the request.

A hectic month

Elevated lead levels were first detected in Benton Harbor in 2018 during routine testing.

However, the state urged Benton Harbor residents to use bottled water for drinking, cooking and baby formula on Oct. 6. The order came nearly a month after more than 20 organizations filed a petition to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for emergency action under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

As of Monday, the state says it has delivered more than 47,000 cases of free bottled water to Benton Harbor. This week, Meals on Wheels began delivering water.

On Tuesday morning, Whitmer met privately with city officials and community leaders in Benton Harbor, where she called on the state Legislature to help fund lead line replacements with a $11.4 million appropriation in unused American Rescue Plan funding.

The media was not informed about Tuesdays community meeting beforehand. However, Whitmers office issued a news release afterward.

Today, I visited Benton Harbor to hear from community leaders doing the work on the ground and residents living through water challenges every day, Whitmer said in the release.

Last week, Whitmers office pledged to remove all of the citys lead service lines in 18 months  by April 2023  and continue bottled water delivery as long as it remains necessary. The cost to remove the lines is estimated at $30 million.
Copyright  2021 at Sun Newspapers/ APG Media of East Central Minnesota. Digital dissemination of this content without prior written consent is a violation of federal law and may be subject to legal action.
Copyright  2021 at Sun Newspapers. Digital dissemination of this content without prior written consent is a violation of federal law and may be subject to legal action.
Anchor/Multimedia Journalist

Hello! I am the weekend anchor as well as a reporter for Your News Now! You can reach me with news tips (or just to say hello!) at khonigford@wlio.com.
Pipeline

20 October 2021

Marriott will debut its Westin brand in the UK capital next month, with the opening of the Westin London City.

Plans for the 220-room hotel were unveiled in 2018, and marriott.com now confirms that the property will open in November 2021.

The hotel is located on the site of the redeveloped Queensbridge House on the North Bank of the River Thames, opposite the Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

Marriott's website also now carries details of the property's food and beverage outlets, which will include "convivial city all-day dining venue" Mosaic, "featuring global dishes, nutritious recipes and local favourites sat alongside the Westin Eat Well menu".

There will also be a champagne bar in partnership with Taittinger, and Hithe + Seek wine bar will be located on the third floor, with panoramic views over the River Thames.
Pipeline

20 October 2021

The countdown is on to experience the new Sofitel Adelaide, Australia's most anticipated hotel launch for 2021, with Thursday 4 November now confirmed as the official opening date.

Sofitel Adelaide's General Manager Rachael Harman said with doors set to open in one month's time, the hotel - which is the city's first internationally recognised five-star address to be built in 30 years - is now in its final stage of preparations.

"It's almost show time, and we couldn't be more excited as we countdown to welcome our first guests next month," said Ms Harman. "Each Sofitel draws inspiration from local culture while celebrating innovation and imparting a French sense of hospitality, and Sofitel Adelaide will proudly continue this tradition. We aim to deliver a one-of-a-kind, luxurious hotel experience, but with a distinct Adelaide feel."

Located in the true heart of the city on Currie Street, the $150 milion flagship hotel offers guests a selection of 251 luxurious guest rooms and suites (Superior, Deluxe, Luxury, Luxury Club, Prestige and Opera Suites), with a choice of city and Adelaide Hills views.

Stunning fully open concept bathrooms with luxurious vanities and free standing bathtubs maximise a sense of space, with Balmain Paris room amenities providing an additional indulgent touch.

The piece de resistancefrom an accommodation perspective will be Sofitel's palatial Presidential Suite. The embodiment of luxury living, Sofitel Adelaide's Presidential Suite includes an extensive dining room and open living room concept, walk-in wardrobe, private study and a grand bedroom with an additional ensuite bathroom.

All Luxury Club rooms and suites at Sofitel Adelaide provide guests with access to additional complimentary facilities and services as part of Club Millesime - the first hotel club lounge facility of its kind to be launched in Adelaide. Situated on level 10, Club Millesime features a private lounge serving complimentary a la carte breakfast, afternoon tea and evening drinks and canapes, as well as offering personalised check in and check out.

Sofitel will also open a new Champagne bar, D eja Vu, and Garcon Bleu - a French re-imagined restaurant set to become Adelaide's newest gourmet destination on 4 November. Garcon Bleu's 90-seat dining room boasts an open kitchen, an extensive wine wall, and an up-lit oyster and raw seafood bar. Expansive windows flood the dining room with natural light, stunning patterned timber parquetry lines the floor and a mirrored ceiling and glistening gold surfaces deliver refinement and luxury.

Every Sofitel around the world is culturally linked with a city or region in France that shares similar attributes in terms of culture, landscape and design and Sofitel Adelaide is culturally linked with Bordeaux - a city that epitomes viniculture and gastronomic refinement, as well as history and fine art.

Indeed, art will play an important role at the Sofitel with the hotel currently installing artwork from more than ten local and international artists, including photographers Emmaline Zanelli and Drew Lenman; painter and ceramicist Michael Carney and glassblower Nick Mount- who all hail from South Australia.

An original piece by Australian fine-art photographer, Alexia Sinclair, titled Field of Dreams, will form the centrepiece of the hotel lobby and segments of this historic French-inspired artwork will appear on lightboxes to illuminate the entire porte cochere ceiling, acting as a bewitching teaser of what's inside. In the lobby, a striking flowing red wine-inspired chandelier has been suspended, representing the flow of wine and the shape of the nearby Torrens River, to reflect two of the most appealing aspects of destination South Australia.
Reopening

20 October 2021

Today marks the official UK announcement of the reopening of the 144-room 5-star Hotel Reisen, now as part of the exclusive Unbound Collection by Hyatt. The reopening represents a significant milestone for Hyatt as the debut of the Unbound Collection in Scandinavia and will join the planned Grand Hansa Hotel in Helsinki, Finland and Hyatt Centric Reykjavik, Iceland.

Hyatt's Unbound Collection demands the highest in quality, atmosphere and uniqueness, and Hotel Reisen exceeds these expectations; it's an historic gem which brings the spirit of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt to life in the capital of Sweden.

Hotel Reisen is centrally located in the Old Town on Stockholm's scenic waterfront. Dating back to the 17th century, Hotel Reisen is one of the capital city's oldest hotels, it began as a meeting place for sea captains, merchants and sailors, and staying true to its origin the refurbished hotel pays homage to the building's extraordinary past as a destination for travellers from all around the globe. Decorated with ornaments from centuries-past including a 350-year-old footprint in the bricks of the hotel lobby, the building offers guests the opportunity to discover the hotel's rich history and experience a one-of-a-kind stay.

More than 850,000 British nationals visit Sweden from the UK each year, with many flocking to Stockholm for its rich cultural experiences and its leading business scene. Guests to Hotel Reisen have the city's many museums located just a short ride away, including the refurbished National Museum boasting premier art and design and the Nobel Prize Museum. Just a short walk away, guests can revel in the grandeur of one of the largest, historic palaces in Europe, The Royal Palace, which remains the official residence of His Majesty the King of Sweden.

Guestrooms

Each of the 144 newly renovated, spacious guestrooms feature outstanding views of the sea and islands of Stockholm. There are 12 room types, all have walk-in showers, while many also include private saunas. Commonly known as "bastu", the sauna has a long tradition in Scandinavia and is a great way to relax after an eventful day in the city.

Food and Drink

The new Restaurant Reiss serves classic Swedish cuisine with a modern twist and exceptional drinks to the hotel's restaurant for guests who are looking to make memories and tell their tale afterwards.

Meeting and Event Space

Hotel Reisin's pristine location in the heart of Stockholm's Old Town offers the perfect venue for beautiful wedding day celebrations or bespoke meetings and events. The Per Brahe conference room features the original interior of a 1908 steam ship. Whilst the Banquet Hall in Inre Baren is perfect for mingle, party, presentation or dinners for up to 80 persons.

Wellbeing

The hotel boasts a 24-hour fitness center, offering a range of equipment, a state of the art exercise bike, treadmill, multi-gym system, free weights and kettle bells, allowing guests to stick to their daily routines. Alternatively, guests can take a memorable running journey through Stockholm. Excitingly, guests can now take their beloved pet on their adventures, with the hotel offering a doggie care package.

For more information about the hotels, please visit: Hotel Reisen - In the Unbound Collection by Hyatt.

Guided by its purpose of care, Hyatt's multi-layered Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment further enhances its operational guidance and resources around colleague and guest safety and peace of mind. More information on Hyatt's commitment can be found here: hyatt.com/care-and-cleanliness
Now Open

20 October 2021

Swiss-Belhotel International recently announced the opening of Swiss-Belhotel Cendrawasih in Biak, Papua. This is the International chain's first 4-star hotel on the island that opens its door for discerning business and leisure visitors to Biak on October 1st, 2021.

The hotel is located on Jl. Imam Bonjol No. 46, Biak, adjacent to Hadi supermarket and department store - the largest shopping center on the island. It is a downtown accommodation, near essential transportation options, such as Frans Kaisipo International Airport (less than 4km away) and Biak seaport (less than 2km away). The hotel provides convenience to leisure travelers who love staying close to the city center, local attractions, shopping, and tourism spots, as well as easy access to the business and government districts for business travelers.

This affordable Swiss-Belhotel Cendrawasih Biak offers exceptional service and friendly staff. It features 102 comfortable rooms with the charm of local heritage combined with personalized amenities and modern facilities, including the all-day dining Swiss-Cafe restaurant, seven meeting rooms for up to 200 guests, and a ballroom that can accommodate up to 800 guests, a swimming pool, gym, and massage.
Pipeline

20 October 2021

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the signing of an agreement with Baron Nathiagali (Pvt) Limited to open the upscale DoubleTree by Hilton Nathiagali. Located in the picturesque Galiyat mountain resort town of Nathiagali and approximately 85 kilometres from Islamabad, the new-build hotel is expected to open in 2025.

The property will benefit from spectacular views across the Galiyat mountain range and will feature three dining outlets including a pool cafe, an on-site shop as well a temperature-controlled swimming pool, spa and fitness facilities. The property will bask in natural daylight with floor-to-ceiling windows and an impressive central courtyard area. Many of the 111-guestrooms will feature private balconies. It will be equipped with three state-of-the-art meeting rooms, two 300 square metre ballrooms and an events lawn, perfect for weddings and large gatherings.

Mumtaz Muslim, owner and investor, said: "We look forward to working with Hilton to bring the renowned DoubleTree by Hilton brand to Nathiagali. We are confident the hotel will become a top choice for travellers to the resort town, raising the bar for hospitality in Nathiagali and providing opportunity for local people as well as a wonderful leisure option for guests."

The hotel will be located approximately 70 kilometres from New Islamabad International Airport, the largest airport in Pakistan. Hilton recently announced its re-entry into Pakistan with the signing of an agreement to open a DoubleTree by Hilton in Islamabad - adding to a global portfolio of more than 600 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels across 48 countries - including destinations such as Dubai, Riyadh and Istanbul.

About The Baron Hotels

For more information about The Baron Hotels please visit https://www.thebaronhotels.com/.
Appointment

20 October 2021

Tambourine, the Fort Lauderdale-headquartered digital marketing technology company serving hotels, resorts, and tourism destinations worldwide, is delighted to announce the promotion of Mariano Ceballos to the position of Creative Director. In the role, he will be responsible for all aspects of creative across the company's portfolio of travel and hospitality clients.

Prior to joining Tambourine, Ceballos worked for agencies, studios, and private clients in Argentina, Mexico, England, France, Spain, Greece, Kuwait, Canada and the U.S.
Appointment

20 October 2021

Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown, the award-winning destination hotel in Manhattan's TriBeCa neighbourhood, has appointed Eric Smith to the position of Spa Director. A nearly two-decade veteran of the luxury spa industry, Smith brings a refreshed and globalised vision to the role, set to further solidify the award-winning reputation of The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown, a Forbes Five Star Spa.

A Washington, DC native, Smith began his hospitality career at The Mandarin Oriental, where as a cultural exchange ambassador, he assisted in the pre- and post-opening of six locations globally including Shanghai, China and Taipei, Taiwan. Most recently serving as spa director for Equinox Hotels, Smith has also held executive positions at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, The Rittenhouse Hotel, and Trump International Hotel, providing him a rounded background and understanding of the elevated spa experience both operationally and from the guest perspective
Author

Catherine Rey joined EHL Advisory Services as Sales & Marketing Manager in 2015. Her role involves developing and implementing the EHL Advisorys Sales & Marketing plan and promote the Advisory portfolio around the globe. Prior to EHL she worked in the International Education industry for over 5 years both in Mexico and Switzerland, where she moved with her family in 2013. She represented in Latin America prestigious wine and spirit brands within the Hospitality industry for over 10 years. She worked closely with International Hotels, government institutions and corporate executives and multinationals and had to support them in the international implementation of their educational projects. She is a graduate in International Business from the University of Blaise-Pascal in Clermont-Ferrand France and spent her last year of study in the University of Oklahoma Price College of Business USA. She followed several wine and spirit training both in France and Mexico. She lived in 5 different countries and enjoy multicultural environments where relationships, new ideas, innovation and original concepts are valued. She appreciates being challenged and strongly believe in enhancing the customer experience to growing the business.

More about Catherine Rey
Press Release

20 October 2021

SINGAPORE - Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte Ltd is pleased to announce that with effect from 22 October 2021, outbound travellers may schedule an appointment for the COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) pre-departure test at the time of booking their flights through the Trip.com App or website.

Advertisements

This comes after Trip.com signed an agreement with Raffles Medical Group (RMG) to provide the following pre-departure swab and serology services for its travellers:

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and IGM test

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) - Express

This is the first agreement RMG has signed with an online travel agency to provide pre-departure tests for outbound travellers.

Director of Commercial for Raffles Medical Group, Dr Morrison Loh said that RMG is honoured to partner leading and reputable travel companies as Singapores borders gradually re-opens to allow safe travel.

The partnership builds on the deep expertise in curating travel experience and products at Trip.com and RMGs extensive experience in healthcare and support for Singapore's Covid-19 initiatives. RMGs operations extends air-border screening and pre-event testing to include vaccination centres, on site Covid testing services, pre-departure swabbing, traveller arrival testing, tests for those exposed to new Covid-19 clusters as they emerge, and the entire gamut of healthcare services in accordance with the prevailing pandemic advisory in Singapore, Dr Loh added.

Ms Ru Yi, General Manager of Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte Ltd, said, Trip.com has seen an increase in enquiries and bookings since the launch of the first Vaccinated Travel Lane last month. With the expansion of the VTL scheme, coupled with more countries finalising preparations to reopen their borders to fully vaccinated tourists, we anticipate a strong demand for flight bookings in the coming months.

We are therefore delighted to partner Raffles Medical Group, a leading healthcare provider with extensive experience in managing national Covid-19 projects from the start of the pandemic. Through this collaboration, Trip.com users will enjoy the seamless convenience of booking a bundled deal that includes flight tickets, accommodation and the required outbound pre-departure tests  with the click of a mouse, and within minutes. In addition, our customers will also benefit from having instant access to the travel and specific testing requirements for their destination, she adds.

Going forward, Trip.com will work closely with Raffles Medical Group to further enhance the safety and well-being of our customers before and during their trips. At the same time, we will continue to launch new campaigns and products and enable our customers to travel safely and conveniently.

Travellers may take their pre-departure tests at any of the 36 clinics in the Raffles Medical clinic network, and they may book their appointment through Trip.com, Raffles Connect or Raffles Website.

For more information, please visit:

Trip.com: https://sg.trip.com/w/pcrtest

Raffles Website: https://www.rafflesmedicalgroup.com/raffles-connect/covid-19-swab-test/

Raffles Connect: https://carehealth.app.link/covid19-test-travel

About Raffles Medical Group

Founded in 1976, Raffles Medical Group (RMG or the Group) is one of the leading integrated private healthcare providers in the region, providing a continuum of services from primary and tertiary care to health insurance for people across Asia. A proudly Singaporean brand, RMG is listed on the mainboard of the Singapore stock exchange (SGX: BSL) and operates in 14 cities in five countries in Asia. This network includes three tertiary hospitals and over 100 multi-disciplinary clinics, offering services such as health screening, specialist care, diagnostic radiology, dental and traditional Chinese medicine. Together with over 2,700 employees, RMG brings more than 45 years of trusted healthcare expertise and care to over 2 million patients annually across our network as their trusted partner for health. For more information, please visit rafflesmedicalgroup.com.

About Raffles Medical

Raffles Medical is the primary care network of Raffles Medical Group operating over 60 practices and clinics in Singapore providing family medicine, health screening and dental services. Raffles Medical also has Japanese clinics and/or clinics offering Japanese services in Singapore, Osaka, Tianjin, Beijing, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, servicing its Japanese patients with family medicine and dental services. In Singapore, Raffles Medical represents one of the largest networks of primary care clinics and services over 7,000 corporate clients, supporting the healthcare needs of businesses and employees. Through Raffles Medical International, the Raffles brand of quality and affordable care is available to patients in 13 cities outside of Singapore, including Greater China, Japan as well as Cambodia and Vietnam.
Press Release

20 October 2021

San Clemente, CA - Evolution Hospitality, the lifestyle operating division of Aimbridge Hospitality, welcomes Le Meridien Tampa, Florida, to its distinctive portfolio of boutique, soft brand and independent lifestyle hotels. The 130-room historic property blends classical features with state-of-the-art technology and a modern, comfortable design. It is set in one of the citys most iconic buildings, the century-old former federal courthouse listed on the National Registry of Historic Places with stunning architecture, marble hallways and original oak doors.

Advertisements

We are delighted to assume management of the Le Meridien Tampa, said John Caparella, President of Evolution Hospitality. The Evolution Hospitality team values creativity and an individualized focus that will bring long lasting impact to Le Meridien Tampa and its ownership.

The hotel features over 4,800 square feet of elevated meeting and conference space in areas that once served as courtrooms, including the Courtroom Ballroom, a 2,200 square foot beautifully transformed elegant space with vaulted ceilings floor-to-ceiling windows. It is the ideal venue for weddings and social events.

Bizou Brasserie, an upscale bistro and bar, features American Nouveau cuisine with a French flair and seasonal, locally sourced offerings. Other recreational amenities include two bars, a 24-hour fitness center, an outdoor pool with patio space for outside events, and pet-friendly accommodation.

Le Meridien Tampa is centrally located, less than a ten-minute drive from the airport and just over half a mile from the University of Tampa. In a partnership with the Tampa Museum of Art, guests receive complimentary admission to the museum, adding more historical value to their stay. For more information, click here.

About Aimbridge Hospitality

Aimbridge Hospitality is a leading, global hospitality company offering best-in-class hotel management services across a broad spectrum of franchised branded full service, select service, luxury hotels, destination resorts, convention centers and lifestyle hotels. Aimbridge's premium portfolio represents approximately 1,500 properties in 49 states and 20 countries, inclusive of pipeline. With the most robust brand diversity in the industry, Aimbridge and its affiliates represent 84 lodging brands, in addition to more than 82 independent boutique/lifestyle hotels in the portfolio. As the world's largest third-party operator, Aimbridge is dedicated to its mission to leverage its scale to add value for owners and opportunities for associates better than any hospitality operator. Aligned with a concentrated focus, agility and expertise for each vertical, Aimbridge drives market success for hotels and optimizes investment returns for owners. Aimbridge Hospitality's global headquarters is based in Plano, Texas, with additional corporate offices in Atlanta, Calgary, Fargo, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. Evolution Hospitality, Aimbridge's Lifestyle Division, is based in San Clemente, Calif. Aimbridge's International Division, Interstate Hotels & Resorts, has supporting offices across Europe in Amsterdam, Birmingham, Glasgow and Moscow. The company's division in Mexico, Group Hotelero Prisma, has offices in Monterrey and Mexico City. For more information on Aimbridge Hospitality, please visit www.aimbridgehospitality.com.
Opinion Article

20 October 2021



Prior to March 2020, the tourism industry was booming worldwide. Hotels benefited from year-on-year growth in tourism and the continuous onslaught of guests during peak holiday seasons. As hotel business thrived, no one gave much thought to where their revenue was coming from, considered long-term investments, or clearly understood the implications to profitability.

As the industry bounces back by capitalizing on the revenge travel trend, its important that hoteliers remember the lessons learned from the recession, and apply them to their business for a stronger tomorrow. In this article, we analyze the lessons from the past 2 years, and what best practices hotels should implement in 2022 and beyond.

5 Hard Lessons Hotels have Learned from the Covid-19 Recession

By 2019, travel and tourism had ballooned into one of the most important sectors of the global economy. At the time, the industry accounted for 10% of global GDP and more than 320 million jobs worldwide. In that year alone, 1.5 billion people booked trips abroad, according to the International Monetary Fund. Hotels benefited significantly from the tourism boom, and in 2019 was worth over $570 billion, with over 700,000 hotels and resorts and 16.4 million hotel rooms worldwide.

But what goes up must come down, and by March 2020 Covid-19 poked a pin in the balloon of exponential economic growth for hotels. It also highlighted some painful truths about the loyalty (or lack thereof) of certain distribution partners, the unhappy consequences of short-term thinking in terms of cost and revenue, and just how much hotels had to upgrade their technologies to respond to rapid market changes.

Below are 5 significant lessons Hoteliers learned over the course of nearly two years since Covid-19 became a global economic crisis:

1. A Lack of Data-Driven Distribution at the expense of Revenue and Profitability

According to Phocuswright, global hotel gross bookings amounted to $523.7 billion in 2019. Online sales represented 42% of the total, and the OTAs captured two-thirds of that  approximately 50% for markets where hotel chains were present, and up to 80% for independent hotels.

OTA commissions can scale up to 30%, making them an expensive distribution channel, particularly when you consider how many hotels listed inventory for lower rates on OTAs compared to their hotel websites. According to pre-pandemic research by RateGain, up to 98% of 4-star hotels offered their rooms cheaper on OTA sites rather than on their own.

Revenue declines at the start of 2020 forced Hoteliers to take a closer look at managing costs and rethink their distribution strategies in tandem. According to research by STR published in February 2021, US revenue per available room plunged 47.5% year over year to $45.48 in 2020. Occupancy fell to 44%, and room rates declined 21% to $103 per night.

As a result, instead of selling discounted rooms to OTAs and incurring distribution costs as high as 15% to 20% of revenue, many hoteliers chose to keep distribution down to the 8% to 10% it costs to sell rooms on their own websites.

2. OTAs gave Hotels visibility and guests when times were good but did not help Hotels when the going got tough

At a time when hoteliers were fighting for the survival of their businesses, both Expedia and Booking.com abolished cancellation charges and introduced a blanket refunding of prepayments. As Hoteliers desperately tried to negotiate with guests and encourage them to postpone bookings rather than cancel, OTAs appeared to only be worried about catering to their service users, at the expense of their hotel partners.

In 2020, the major OTAs Booking and Expedia came under fire for these policy changes and for imposing extraordinary circumstances to make it easy for customers to cancel even non-refundable bookings at no cost.

By August 2020, The Bed & Breakfast Association in the UK called upon the Competition & Markets Authority to look into changes OTAs made to their terms and conditions since the coronavirus outbreak, which the Associations Chairman David Weston highlighted as damaging to small businesses.

Many hotels subsequently rebelled against these practices by offering more flexible cancellations and refundable policies for customers who booked direct. Hotels also communicated directly with their clients, and travelers soon realized that the process of getting a refund via an intermediary website was considerably more complicated than directly with the hotel.

3. The pandemic forced Hoteliers to be creative with marketing their assets and diversify revenue sources

The idea of non-room revenue is by no means a new or groundbreaking concept, but when the pandemic triggered mass cancellations across the globe, Hoteliers were forced to creatively market their assets and diversify revenue sources.

According to Guestcentric research, the sale of vouchers increased significantly during the first year of the Covid-19 recession. By October 2020, over  600Ks worth of romantic getaways, SPA, and monetary vouchers had been sold by over 1,000 hotels within the companys portfolio.

Hotels also tapped into their F&B products to diversify revenue streams. At the Profit Talks Webcast hosted by HotStats in August 2021, Janine Williams, CEO, and founder, Impulsify, which creates grab-and-go spaces for hotels, said: The hotel pantry was considered an amenity or even a cost-center before the pandemic, but in full-service, it has become an essential offering.

According to Williams, this shift generated a reasonably healthy income for hoteliers in a time where room sales plummeted. She added, Were seeing food service running about $35,000 to $50,000 a month in sales from [grab-and-go outlets] at about 60% profit, and our select-service hotels are running $4,000 to 10,000 a month.

4. With Nothing to Lose, Hoteliers upgraded Hotel Technology to Respond to Changing Market Conditions with Agility

When times were good, Hoteliers were content to sell rooms and watch business pour in, without considering the need to rethink or upgrade their tech solutions in response to guest demands. With change comes risk, and why would anyone want to risk investing in a new solution when the current one seems to be doing a well enough job?

But when the Covid-19 crisis triggered ever-changing and uncertain market conditions, the recession gave Hoteliers time to rethink their solutions and adapt them to the changing climate.

Hoteliers who have participated in our monthly Hotelier PULSE live panel, co-hosted with Techtalk.travel, have highlighted how the pandemic drove them to invest in upgrading their tech stack in response to changing market conditions. At our March 2021 live panel, Steffi Breitsprecher, Director of Revenue & Distribution at MEININGER Hotels, said: We introduced a number of key projects in 2020, strongly focused on digital optimization for our website and IBE.

Joining our Live Panel in June 2021, Ben Thomas, Chief Commercial Officer at Penta Hotels said: Given the ongoing market uncertainty, we saw booking pace decrease drastically from 28 days to just 5 days or less. With mobile bookings on the rise, one of our first steps was to deploy a new mobile-first website. From there, we identified where prospective guests were searching for us online and implemented steps to increase visibility in these channels. All of our efforts have holistically focused on funneling the customer journey from search to the transaction.

Highgate Ventures Principal, Kurien Jacob, said during the 2021 Hotel Data Conference, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the digital transformation of hotels throughout the world. He also pointed out that hotels have had to embrace tech that enabled automation from the point of selling their rooms  distribution, pricing, revenue management  all the way up to contactless check-in. Hotels have also had to do more with less, so staffing at hotels has become a big issue. Hotels have figured out how to use technology  to help drive certain results with much less staff, he said.

5. More Guests Reached out to Hotels Directly, fueling Direct Channel Resiliency and a Stronger Recovery in the Upturn

The crisis triggered a significant shift in guest booking behavior. Typically, price-conscious guests book with the OTAs because they expect these channels to deliver the most cost-effective deal. However, mass travel bans and cancellations highlighted a series of problems with OTAs, in terms of refunds and customer service.

These problems became evident in a report issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation. OTAs received 14,604 complaints from January to December 2020. Of those, 94% were about obtaining refunds for unused or lost tickets, fare adjustments, or bankruptcies.

Following unsatisfactory customer service and refund experiences with the OTAs, more and more guests began reaching out to hotels directly. Many hotels did an excellent job of responding with flexible options for guests to postpone bookings, and also in communicating what guests could expect at their booked destinations.

As a result, Guestcentrics ongoing Hotelier PULSE Research shows the continuous direct channel resilience and growth in the recovery when benchmarked against leading OTAs, including Booking and Expedia. The majority of Hoteliers who participate in the monthly survey also continue to forecast direct channel growth in the industrys recovery and beyond and intend to prioritize direct channel growth to become the top source of reservations in the future.

Hotel Business Looks Brighter in 2022, But Hoteliers should Not Forget the Hard Lessons from the Downturn

In line with growing vaccination rates worldwide, revenge travel is rapidly increasing on a global scale and market conditions are changing again. In September 2021, booked nights across all channels reached 118,69% of those over the same period in 2019, of which, 68% were international hotel bookings.

As we approach the end of this year, 75% of hoteliers surveyed for Guestcentrics October 2021 Edition of the Hotelier PULSE Report expect to significantly increase revenue in 2021 vs 2020. Of those who shared this sentiment, 20% expect revenue to increase by 50% or more compared to 2020.

With business steadily picking up and projected to significantly and sustainably exceed pre-pandemic levels, its important that Hoteliers do not forget the hard lessons learned from the pandemic and fall back to old bad habits. Hotels must be agile enough to respond and capitalize on the post-covid travel boom while also contributing to long-term business growth and profitability.

Stay tuned for our next article about how your hotel can apply these lessons to your 2022 business strategy.
Investing in programs that reduce Texans energy consumption could cut demand by the same amount of power expected to be generated by a proposed fleet of gas-fired power plants and cost almost 40 percent less, according to a new report.

The findings from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a nonprofit, independent research group based in Washington, D.C., show that if the state invested in seven energy efficiency and demand-response programs  like creating incentive programs that encourage homeowners to switch to smart thermostats and heat-pump water heaters  could reach about 9 million Texas households and could slash about 11,400 megawatts of demand in winter months and 7,650 megawatts of demand in the summer. One megawatt is enough electricity to power about 200 homes on a hot summer day.

The studys authors and other experts have said addressing Texas soaring demand for electricity will be crucial to make the states grid more stable and less susceptible to outages like those seen during the February freeze. Texas consumes much more electricity than any other state, using more than 429.3 million megawatt hours in 2019, the equivalent of 11 percent of the nations total energy consumption.

Addressing that demand, however, has taken a back seat within the Public Utility Commission's discussions on how to overhaul Texas deregulated power market to improve grid reliability, said Alison Silverstein, an Austin-based energy consultant who worked for the PUC from 1995 to 2001 and with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from 2001 to 2004. She said commissioners have been in a super hurry to come up with a market overhaul before the coldest parts of the coming winter. Commissioners are expected to unveil a blueprint of the market redesign this month.

BATTERY POWER: Texas wants to strengthen the power grid. Are batteries the answer?

They prioritized issues the governor and Legislature told them to tackle, which was on the supply side, Silverstein said. It looked to them like energy efficiency priorities would take longer, so they wouldnt be on the top of the list.

Among the proposals the commission is considering: an $8 billion fleet of gas-powered plants that can be switched on in an emergency or during tight grid conditions. Silverstein said ratepayers would be on the hook to cover the cost, even though the plants would only be used a few times a year.

While the energy efficiency programs also would likely lead to higher rates and cost about $4.9 billion, Silverstein and the ACEEE argued that they would deliver the most benefit to individual ratepayers, who would see their electricity use and energy bills decrease if they were induced to retrofit their homes and appliances. Rolling out the programs could take as long as five years, but the reports authors said it would have a longer-lasting benefit.

Texas is now at a crossroads. The state can continue on the same path that led to the massive power curtailments in February 2021 and more limited ones in June 2021, the report said. Or Texas can diversify its portfolio by tapping its huge resource of inefficient homes, buildings, and appliances to create energy efficiency and demand response resources that save money and improve reliability for all Texans.

shelby.webb@chron.com
After poring through thousands of records, a Rice University researcher claims there are now nearly 300 victims of the convict-leasing program who died in Sugar Land and are possibly buried in the area.

Its a dramatic increase from the 95 bodies in unmarked graves, known as the Sugar Land 95, which were found on a construction site of a new Fort Bend Independent School District school in 2018.

The scale is much larger than previously thought. There are actually graveyards of convicts everywhere in Texas. I didnt discover something new. I only uncovered the scale, said Serena Barbieri, a Ph.D candidate and physician who relocated to Houston from her native Italy in 2015 to pursue a career as a historian.

On HoustonChronicle.com: African-American remains awaken history of convict-leasing system

Barbieri became involved in researching convict leasing after attending a Rice University symposium in 2019. It featured activist Reginald Moore, founder of the Convict Leasing and Labor Project, who initially warned officials at Fort Bend ISD that they might be building on the graves of prisoners.

Once the graves were exhumed, researchers discovered most of those buried were Black and ranged in age from teens to seniors.

Its sad and maddening what happened to so many Black men, Barbieri said. When we think about memorializing the past, we have to memorialize the scale and how many men were buried. There has to be accountability beyond the 95 bodies originally discovered.

NEWSLETTERS Join the conversation with HouWeAre We want to foster conversation and highlight the intersection of race, identity and culture in one of America's most diverse cities. Sign up for the HouWeAre newsletter here.

The convict-leasing program began in Texas and other Southern states after the Civil War. Barbieri said records indicate that the convicts were white immigrants and Mexicans before the Emancipation Proclamation. After slaves were freed, there was dramatic increase in Black convicts.

Sewing: Afro Latinos often feel invisible. Changing that starts with Hispanic Heritage Month

After Black people were free, many were employed by the plantations where they were enslaved. They were employed as sharecroppers, and there is evidence throughout the South many were accused of theft, so the plantation owners didnt have to pay them. Their work ended up being their death, she said.

JUNETEENTH: Lessons from the legacies of Houstons Black elders

Barbieris research also revealed some of the convicts may have been of Mexican descent, since skin color, not race, was indicated. So a man designated as light brown or copper might have actually been Hispanic, she said. White convicts, who were often German immigrants, were deemed highly skilled because of their whiteness and employed on the railroad system, not as plantation labor.

America was built on slave labor, but slavery didnt end. The South and Texas participated in the exploitation of Black people. This is important because the modernization of Texas and how it became the new South was based on exploitation, Barbieri said. Im not Black, but I share the disgust for what happened. Im also a scientist, so Im not biased in my conclusions at all. The numbers dont lie.

joy.sewing@chron.com
The Downtown Management District is ready to bring people back to the heart of the city this Christmas, with plans for a holiday light experience  Winter Wanderland  on Bagby Street Nov. 19-Jan. 2.

On Nov. 19, Bagby, between Lamar and Franklin streets, will glow with more than 100,000 lights distributed between an 80-foot arched tunnel over the new bicycle and pedestrian walkway across from the Hobby Center, and more constellation arches on the boardwalk at Sam Houston Park and across from Downtown Aquarium. There will also be 3D trees at City Hall and giant illuminated angel wings at Central Library.
The dairy farm on the Greek island of Mykonos is high up in the rolling hills, away from the world-class beaches and tourist-packed roads.

Yiorgos Syrianos, who looks a bit like George Clooney, is telling our band of travelers about the local cheeses he makes with his business partner, a childhood friend who went to business school in the States. Together they are Mykonos Farmers.

Syrianos is a third-generation cheesemaker, and his passion for the local kopanisti is contagious. After we taste a variety of cheeses and drink a bit of his homemade wine, Syrianos and his daughter, who is in culinary school, get cooking. Theyre teaching us to make pastitsio  Greek lasagna with layers of ziti noodles, meat sauce, bechamel and Mykonos cheeses. While thats cooking, Syrianos shows us how to whip up tsimpita, little cheese pies sprinkled with cinnamon, honey and sesame seeds.

He says his grandmother taught him to cook; he was making yogurt and baking bread when he was just a boy. More than that, though, she taught him to get his work done  milk the cows, tend the sheep  before he could head to the beach. I use what she taught me every day, he says. He loves farming as much as he enjoys making cheese; he calls his sheep my girls.

After cooking, eating and drinking wine all afternoon, our group parts like old friends.

This is our last excursion on a whirlwind, 10-day cruise through the Greek islands and Cyprus aboard the Silver Moon, Silverseas new ship tailored to foodies. We go to sleep each night and wake up the next morning ready to eat our way through the next island  a gourmands dream.

Silversea, a luxury cruise line that specializes in small ships with spacious accommodations, has created a culinary program called S.A.L.T.  Sea and Land Taste  to emphasize the role of food in the culture of each destination  the brainchild of food writer Adam Sachs, who serves as the programs director. On board, that means serving a different menu each night in S.A.L.T. Kitchen, one of the ships nine restaurants; mixing up cocktails from local ingredients in S.A.L.T. Bar; and offering cooking classes in the S.A.L.T. Lab.

Were lucky to experience a cooking class in the lab with Yasmin Khan, whose new cookbook, Ripe Figs, features recipes and stories from Turkey, Greece and Cyprus. Fresh figs transport you to the Mediterranean, she says. Khan is a storyteller, and food is an introduction to the people and places she visits. In the Eastern Mediterranean, she often meets with migrants at refugee camps and womens shelters. Their stories are woven into her food and travel writing.

Melissa Aguilar / Staff

Khan teaches us how to make a proper mezze plate  a collection of small, savory side dishes from the Eastern Mediterranean. Typically, youd want at least four dishes to make up a mezze, but you can mix and match, she says. Her cookbook offers suggestions such as Spicy Red Pepper and Walnut Smash, Garlicky Eggplant Salad, Tzatziki (yogurt with cucumber and mint) and Halloumi Saganaki (fried cheese). The secret to great cooking? Surround yourself with beautiful ingredients, she says.

The journey

My friend Alicia Reitman and I had begun our voyage in Athens, following strict COVID protocols. While Greece does not require a vaccine card (only a negative test 72 hours before arrival), Silversea passengers must be fully vaccinated two weeks prior to boarding, and the ship tests each traveler before they step on board. The ship was built for 600 passengers, but its only two-thirds full. There are hand-sanitizer stations at the boarding dock, handwashing stations at the entrance to restaurants and masks must be worn indoors. Tours are conducted via cellphone, using a smart guide system.

Syros: Our first stop is Syros, with its white-sand beaches and medieval villages. Bougainvillea spills over the walls and terraces as we wind our way through the stone streets of the capital city, Ermoupolis. On our walking tour, we stop in at the Church of the Assumption to see El Grecos Byzantine painting, Dormition of Virgin Mary, which dates to the 1560s. Father Kostas greets us and warmly welcomes us into this magnificent Orthodox church, filled with baroque architectural elements, stained glass and gilded details. The shopping is great here, too.

We head back a little early because this is a formal dining night on the ship. For women, that means cocktail or long dresses. For men, a dark coat and tie. As long as were dressed to the nines, we splurge and dine on salinkari (snails) and lobster at La Dame, one of two restaurants that arent included in the cruise rate. We end the meal with personalized souffles.

Paros: Paros must be paradise. With Mykonos to the north and Santorini to the south, its a relatively undiscovered postcard-perfect setting. Picture turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea, a harbor filled with colorful fishing boats and white-washed houses with blue doors and magenta blossoms. On our S.A.L.T. excursion, we spend the morning at Kamarantho, a verdant organic farm, and snack on olives, fresh figs and raki. Then its off to the beach for lunch. Thalassamou Restaurant and Oyster Bar is a lovely taverna with an outdoor oven and seaside tables under the tamarisk trees. Our hosts Marios and Anna Salmaltanis make sure we dont go hungry, with calamari, fava beans and spanikopita, but we still fight over the last bites of tomatoes and cheese with our freshly baked bread. Lingering over a glass of wine at the table, then wading out into the crystal clear water, its our most memorable meal of the trip. After the bus ride back to the dock, were not ready to go back to the ship, so we hire a taxi and ask the driver to deliver us to his favorite beach. Faragas Beach, with its brilliant blue, calm waters and craggy rocks did not disappoint.

Patmos: St. John is said to have written the Book of Revelations in a hillside cave here in Patmos, and the island does have a kind of reverent beauty. High above the port sits the village of Chora. Its narrow, white alleyways open up to intimate taverna patios and quiet shops. These are some of the most scenic spots well encounter in Greece  red-roofed churches, bountiful bougainvillea, white-washed walls. The path ultimately leads to the Monastery of St. John the Theologian. Dating to the 11th century, it looks more like a fortress than a monastery.

Back on board, we try out the menu in S.A.L.T. Kitchen. I cant decide which is my favorite: the briam (roasted zucchini, potatoes, tomatoes and onions, layered and baked and served with feta mousse) or the astakomakaronada (lobster and pasta with fresh tomato, fennel and thyme). Lets call it a draw.

2 1 of 2 Melissa Aguilar / Staff Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Melissa Aguilar / Staff Show More Show Less



Rhodes: Well dive into history in Rhodes. First, well climb up to the Acropolis of Lindos. Its well-preserved columns have a backdrop of cobalt blue sea. The ruins of the temple to Athena stand in the distance. Athena is revered all over Greece. Not only was she born out of King Zeus head, she also gave the Greeks the olive tree. A walk around Old Town and a tour of the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes impresses. Its fun to think of knights riding these streets.

Tonight we try the S.A.L.T. Bar, which we decide could be our new hangout. Carlos, the mixologist, experiments with local flavors, including cardamon, rose water and thyme. And, of course, the theater is important. He has elevated shaking a drink to an Olympic sport.

Melissa Aguilar / Staff

Day at sea: The two days at sea offer time to explore all the options on board: Cooking classes, casino games, Zagara Beauty Spa services, a gym workout, lounging and dining by the pool, taking in a show at the Venetian Lounge, relaxing in the Dolce Vita piano bar and, finally, dancing in the Panorama Lounge.

Melissa Aguilar / Staff

Cyprus: We didnt know much about Cyprus, other than it is divided into two parts with a U.N. buffer zone in between. We visited the Greek side, and were blown away by the friendly and helpful people of Limassol. Shopkeeper Christina Papavassiliou runs a dress boutique / copperware store called the Copper Store; her elderly father is the last coppersmith in Limassol, she says. His vessels are beautiful works of art. She makes us a cup of Cypriot coffee and tells us what to order at a nearby taverna. We end up buying dresses and copperware.

2 1 of 2 Melissa Aguilar / Staff Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Melissa Aguilar / Staff Show More Show Less



Crete: We dock in Heraklion, a large port guarded by a fortress. Our excursion takes us out of the bustling city and up to the mountain vineyard, Lyrarakis, for a wine tasting. Melissaki is my personal favorite varietal. (Melissa is honeybee in Greek.) Our guide points out all the capers, thyme and St. Johns wort growing wild along the highway.

For authentic Cretan cuisine, theres no better restaurant than the elegant Peskesi. The produce and meat come straight from the owners farm. A standout dish is kreokakavos, Minoan roast pork served on hanging skewers.

Mykonos: We dont want to miss a minute in Mykonos, so were the first ones off the ship. We find a lovely seaside spot for coffee that overlooks the famous windmills. We order yogurt for breakfast and it tastes like heaven, gilded with honey and fruit. Checking out the island boutiques, we follow a beautiful ibis wandering through the town. A walk over to the windmills offers a bit of a show as an influencer is having her photo shot with the train of her red evening gown blowing in the wind. Beautiful young tourists stand in long lines waiting for the buses headed to the beach. We decide to take a taxi, but there are none to be found. Finally, we see a scraggly Jeff Bridges-as-the-Dude look-alike sitting in a three-wheeler with a vinyl cover over it, like a little surrey. We negotiate a ride, and it turns out to be a great way to get around, see the island and arrive at the beach. Our driver squeezes through all sorts of jams, albeit heavy on the horn.

More Information Silversea Cruises Rates for a Mediterranean cruise on the Silver Moon start at $5,400 for a seven-day cruise, airfare included, and go as high as $20,000 for the Owner's Suite. (The starting rate for a 90-day cruise from Athens to Stockholm is $90,000.) The cruise line also recently returned to Antarctica travel. silversea.com See More Collapse

We pack it all in  a walking tour of the white-washed corridors of the town and its upscale shops, breakfast on the bay, a swim at the beach, the trip to the cheesemakers farm  and we head back to the Silver Moon, wondering whats for dinner in S.A.L.T. Kitchen.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Army has begun hiring more agents and support staff for its criminal investigations, as the new civilian director works to correct widespread failures that surfaced last year after a string of murders and other crimes at Fort Hood, Texas.

Gregory Ford, who took over as head of the Army Criminal Investigation Command, or CID, about a month ago, told reporters Wednesday that he visited Fort Hood last week. He said the hiring process for more than 90 positions has begun, and the Army is already getting a good response from individuals interested in joining CID.

A review late last year found CID was understaffed and badly organized, with too few experienced investigators. The findings came amid heightened scrutiny after the death of Vanessa Guillen, a soldier whose remains were found about two months after she was killed.

More than two dozen Fort Hood soldiers died in 2020, including homicides and suicides. Guillens death and the other cases prompted an independent review, which found that CID investigators lacked the acumen to identify key leads and connect the dots in investigations. It said they were victims of a system that failed to train them and often had them doing administrative tasks.

The Army earlier this year decided to put a civilian in charge of CID, which to date had been led by a general officer. The decision was in line with the review recommendations in an effort to revamp the command.

Ford said he is moving ahead with Army plans to increase the number of civilian agents so they would make up about 60% of the investigators, while military agents make up the remainder.

In addition, he said, Ive been taking a very hard look at our policy and the administrative burden we place on our workforce and have directed a further review to eliminate the duplication of effort and some of the unnecessary policy requirements that may exist.

Fort Hood, Fort Bragg in North Carolina and Fort Carson in Colorado are part of a pilot project that will see some of the early changes and staffing improvements. Ford said the Army has already given agents the opportunity to move to the three bases.

He said a key goal is to ensure timely and aggressive investigations that are approached with a sense of urgency in the critical early hours after crimes are reported.

The level of interest in the job openings, he said, has surpassed everybody's expectations. The posts are a strong draw for individuals who may have been in the military and left to go into law enforcement and are looking for a way to return to service, said Ford.

He did not give details on the cost of the changes, but said the Army has been providing what is necessary to begin the transformation. Officials have said funding will be provided over the next five years.

The decision to replace a military leader of CID with a civilian mirrors a similar shift by the Navy in 1992, in the aftermath of the Tailhook scandal, when Navy and Marine officers sexually assaulted dozens of women at a hotel in Las Vegas. As a result of sweeping condemnation of the Navys investigation into the matter, leaders transformed the military-led Naval Investigative Service into the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and appointed a civilian director.
Years ago, when she traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the Congressional Black Caucus conference for the first time, Shekira Dennis had a goal in mind: she would meet Colin Powell, the former Secretary of State, and get him to sign her copy of his new book.

I got up super early to catch him, Dennis recalled Tuesday, with a laugh.

It was a brief meeting, she explained, on the floor of the conferences expo center--but a meaningful one nonetheless. She was, at the time, a senior at Texas Southern University, having just finished her term as student body president; today, shes the founder of Next Wave Strategies, a Houston-based consultancy.

He was extremely warm, welcoming, very encouraging, Dennis continued. General Powell cared about empowering individuals to see and own their space in this world no matter how big or small.

Tributes along those lines have poured in since Powell died on Monday, at age 84.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Death of Colin Powell brings Texas lawmakers from both parties together in mourning

Many of them have come from national leaders on both sides of the aisle, and many have made mention of Powells personal qualities--his integrity, his good humor, his friendship--as well as his professional accomplishments, which were staggering.

Powell, the son of immigrants from Jamaica, served in the Army for 35 years, retiring as a four-star general after stints as national security advisor to President Ronald Reagan and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. He then became Secretary of State under President George W. Bush--the first Black American to hold that post. Along the way he, among other things, founded the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at his alma mater, the City College of New York.

General Powell was much more than a brilliant strategist, wrote James A. Baker III, who served as secretary of state in the first Bushs administration, in a statement Monday for Rice Universitys Baker Institute, of which he is honorary chair. He was a beautiful human being.

In August, Powell wrote to Erin Mathe, the principal of Colin L. Powell Elementary School in The Woodlands, to ask how she, her colleagues, and the schools students were doing.

Assuredly this last year has been challenging in many ways for your faculty and staff as well as your students, Powell wrote, after noting that the school--the first to be named after him, though not the last--would always hold a special place in my heart, because he was able to attend its 1995 dedication. Please accept my best wishes for success as you continue to reach, nurture and teach our young people.

Its even more poignant to read this letter knowing that its authors health was failing at the time. Powell, who was fully vaccinated, died of COVID-19. Predictably, but disappointingly, some right-wing loudmouths have therefore tried to cast his death as proof of the futility of COVID-19 vaccines. It would be more accurate to say that Americans should get vaccinated to protect friends and loved ones who are vulnerable to breakthrough infections, as Powell was. In addition to his age, he was dealing with health issues including Parkinsons disease and multiple myeloma, a blood cancer.

In a July interview , he told longtime Washington journalist Bob Woodward he was a regular visitor to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, making the commute in his Corvette--I have to get all kinds of exams and Im a former chairman, so they dont want to lose me, so they make me come there all the time.

Dont feel sorry for me, for Gods sakes! Im [84] years old, Powell added. I havent lost a day of life fighting these two diseases.

He had, at that point, used many of his days for our common values. In 2008, after endorsing Barack Obama for president, he chided those Republicans who were openly questioning the Democrats religious beliefs, among other things.

Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim; he's a Christian. He's always been a Christian, Powell said, in an interview on NBCs Meet the Press. But the really right answer is, 'What if he is?' Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's no, that's not America. Is there something wrong with some 7-year-old Muslim American kid believing that he or she could be president?

Obama himself highlighted these comments in the wake of Powells death, noting that he helped a generation of young people set their sights higher.

To be sure, Powell made his missteps along the way, including helping the younger Bush make the case for the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in a 2003 speech to the security council of the United Nationsa consequential address, given Powells considerable reputation, and one that he came to regret.

Former President Donald J. Trump made note of those missteps in his own ill-tempered statement on Powells death, which doesnt bear repeating here. Suffice it to say that the resentment Trump expressed in his statement is understandable, in light of the contrasts between Powell and the disgraced former presidentthe formers integrity, and the latters pathologies.

Indeed, there was a time when Republicans looked to Powell as the man to lead their partyin the 1996 presidential race, as the GOP nominee. Woodward, who spoke to Powell many times over the years, wrote at the time that some on the right had come to Powell with a particular plea: that he was their only hope of beating Clinton in 1996 and, by extension, saving the country from two terms of a Democratic presidency.

Many political leaders would be flattered by such a pitch, and easily persuaded of its accuracy. To Powell, it was both incorrect and not right--to borrow the wise distinction he drew in his comments about Obamas trailblazing candidacy.

He felt he was not being invited to the GOP for any purpose other than to dig the party out of the hole it had dug for itself, Woodward wrote, explaining why Powell had decided not to run.

Todays Trump-led GOP is a party that would purge Americans like Powell, sadlyor alienate them, at least. While Powell himself was never a doctrinaire partisan, he formally announced this year, in the wake of the deadly Jan. 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, that he could no longer consider himself a Republican.

But even in the 1990s, the GOP was a party that would give Americans like Powell pause, if not put them off entirely. Republicans reflecting on his legacy should recall one of Powells 13 Rules for Life: Be careful what you choose. You may get it.

Powell learned those rules himself over the course of his singular and illustrious lifetime, and presented them as an introduction to his 2012 memoir, It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadershipthe same book Dennis, and doubtless many other young Americans, asked him to sign.

erica.grieder@chron.com
Investigators entered the Harris County Jail eying Chris Roddy for one homicide cold case but by the end of the interview  the 30-year-old had confessed to that death and one more, they said.

Police found a soda can with Roddys DNA on it while investigating the April 2017 death of Kithy Pagett, found fatally shot in the back of the head in her Greater Greenspoint apartment, authorities said. The two were neighbors and knew each other. But there was not enough evidence at the time to tie Roddy to the case.

On HoustonChronicle.com: 7 killed, more than a dozen wounded in Houston-area shootings over weekend

Sgt. Michael Burrow went to the jail last week with an elaborate line of questioning to link Roddy to the killing. Within minutes, he chucked his plan.

He asked if I was there about Kithy Pagett and he said, Yeah, I did that, Burrow said.

Neighbors saw Roddy argue with Pagett, 34, the day of her death, court records show. He did not approve of Pagett bringing what he believed to be prostitution customers to the apartment that she shared with her child, the detecive said. He prayed before killing her.

The childs aunt found Pagett dead in a bedroom, records show. The child was unharmed.

He believed that God was leading him to kill her on behalf of the child, Burrow said.

But Roddy had more to say.

Theres another one, Roddy continued, according to the investigator. Do you want to hear about that one?

The confessions prompted charges in Pagetts death and the March 2016 killing of a man whom authorities had never considered him responsible for, police said.

It caught me off guard, Burrow said. He had a religious conversion recently and he wanted to get it off his chest.

The second case involved a man whose body authorities found on the sidewalk at the same apartment complex where Pagett was later killed. Burrow, knowing nothing about the case, returned to the jail the next day with a cold case investigator. Roddy went on to describe details in the killing of Dantrell Burks that only the suspect would know, he said.

Roddy said he passed Burks, who was riding a bicycle, and that he flashed a gang hand signal. He accused him of falsely claiming to be a member of that gang, according to court records. He then shot Burks multiple times, police said.

Police have tried reaching the families of those killed but have not been successful.

Roddy appeared in the 178th District Court on Wednesday to face a judge in both murder charges. Judge Kelli Johnson ordered that bail be set at $500,000 on each of the charges. A defense attorney for Roddy voiced his worry in the legality of the confessions and asked that law enforcement go through him first to question his client further.

Who knows if this confession was trully made or coerced, Roddys lawer, Jason Sosa, said in court.

Johnson quizzed the prosecutor on whether Roddy used the same weapon in both cases.

Roddy shook his head and the judge reminded him to remain quiet.

Dont do that  dont help the state with their case, Johnson said.

The detective said a different weapon was used in both homicides.

Prior to the killings, Roddys criminal history in Harris County consisted of four arrests for possession of marijuana and trepassing  both misdemanors  and felony aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and unauthorized use of a vehicle.

The rap sheet continued after the deaths. He picked up burglary charges out of East Baton Rouge Parish in Louisiana, records show, followed by arrests for forgery and more trespassing in the Houston area. Prior to a 2019 arrest, authorities in Harris County concluded that Roddy had a mental illness or was someone with an intellectual disability, records show.

Roddy has been jailed since July on charges unrelated to the killings. Through a DNA sample, authorities linked him to the February 2020 robbery and sexual assault of a female jogger in MacGregor Park.

He has claimed to have attacked other women under similar circumstances, Burrow said. Armed with a knife, Roddy would scout jogging trails just before dawn. He would hide in bushes and wait to ambush women as they passed him, he said.

Authorities have not found additional police reports to collaborate the assertion. He has a lazy eye, Burrow noted, should potential accusers remember him.

Ive found no others that match but that doesnt mean theyre not there, Burrow said.

nicole.hensley@chron.com
Houston firefighters found a person dead with a gunshot wound while responding to a fire in north Houston Tuesday night, police said.

Officials from the Houston Fire Department were dispatched around 8 p.m. to Birnamwood Boulevard at Richey Road. When they arrived, Eric Martinez of HPD's homicide division said responders found a fire with a "human in the rubble."

On HoustonChronicle.com: Man shot, killed by woman in northeast Houston

They put out the fire, finding the person was dead and had an apparent gunshot wound, according to Martinez.

Martinez said shell casings were at the scene.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
When Chelsea Geegans 11-year-old son had a sore throat and low-grade fever, she couldnt find a rapid COVID-19 test in her neighborhood.

His throat was hurting, and he had a fever, so I thought it was strep throat because he gets that about three times a year, Geegan said of her sons September illness. We went to the doctor and it wasnt strep or flu, but his doctor didnt have COVID testing equipment.

When the pandemic started, Geegan said testing sites were set up all over Houstons Northside and Humble, where she lives with her family. But since the school year started in August, she hasnt been able to find many locations open or operating.

As negative COVID tests have become requirements when children are sent home sick from school, some Houstonians say rapid or quick-result PCR COVID tests have become difficult to find in the last few months. Still, Houston Health Department and Harris County Public Health say their sites are operational and have capacity to test hundreds of people per day.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Lucrative contracts give nurses big raises to fight COVID - unless they already work in Texas

COVID testing is available at 30 sites affiliated with the Houston Health Department, Curative and United Memorial Medical Center, according to Scott Packard, chief communications officer. For now, the city-affiliated testing sites will operate to full capacity for the foreseeable future, he added.

Testing demand tends to follow positive case rate and hospitalizations, Packard said. Before the highly-transmissible delta variant became the dominant COVID strain in Houston, HHD conducted an average of 1,086 tests in July; in August, that number jumped to 3,703.

Harris County Public Health has capacity for 3,000 tests per day at its four test sites, which include two federally-supported sites in Katy and Pasadena, said Jennifer Kiger, COVID-19 division director. The turnaround for a PCR molecular test  considered the most accurate in detecting COVID-19  is currently 48 hours, and no rapid tests are available at HCPH-affiliated testing sites.

When schools reopened, the county launched a program to test students on-site at a number of schools.

But the Geegan familys school was not on the list.

Instead, Chelsea Geegan tried to find a testing appointment at CVS, Walgreens and other pharmacies. But everything was already booked.

More than 32 million COVID-19 tests have been administered at CVS pharmacies nationally, according to Monica Prinzig, company spokesperson. We continue to be able to meet the demand for COVID-19 testing in most locations even with increasing numbers of patients seeking out tests, Prinzig said in an email.

She didnt try to find an appointment at either a city or county site, she said. Geegan made the choice for the family to quarantine until they could find tests at a pharmacy, a process that took about 10 days. I canceled events I had that week because I couldnt risk it. We had all been in contact, Geegan said.

COVID Help Desk: What do I need to know about Merck's new COVID pill?

Drive-through and rapid-result testing is available at most locations, as well as tests provided to long-term care facilities and community sites, Prinzig said.

Results from a rapid COVID test, which doctors say are less accurate than PCR molecular tests, can be available within hours, she said. PCR test results, which are handled by third-party laboratories, typically take a day or two to return. CVS Health provides 70 percent of retail COVID-19 tests nationwide.

Over-the-counter COVID test kits are sold at CVS stores across Houston, Prinzig said. But demand is so high, the chain had to introduce a limit on the number customers can buy.

Were continuing to work with our suppliers to meet customer demand, Prinzig said.

Eleven days  10 days looking for a test and one day waiting for results  after her sons symptoms appeared, Geegans family received negative test results for COVID-19. But she was frightened at the prospect of having to go through the same situation again since her children are not old enough for the COVID vaccine.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Vaccine mandate drama fades among Houston-area providers as deadlines pass for Baylor, Texas Children's

She wanted to be an aid to her communities  in the Northside and Third Ward  by expanding her sanitation business to offer free COVID tests at well-known neighborhood locations. Currently, her business Geegan Alliance Health Group, operates one pop-up testing location on North Wayside Drive, which has capacity to test 300 people per day.

Geegans business receives testing supplies  nasal swabs, collection kits, tubes and gloves  from Genview Diagnosis, a Houston-based laboratory which also handles the testing result process. The small business owner said offering free COVID tests is not expensive once you secure a partnership with a local laboratory.

Soon, she hopes to open a testing site closer to Humble where she lives with her family.

When we couldnt find a rapid or a PCR test, that frightened me  we needed to know (if we were infected), Geegan said. Around the holidays, it might be spiking again. Now, we can know.

julie.garcia@chron.com

Twitter.com/reporterjulie
Much has unfolded since Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner was accused last month of steering an affordable housing development project to benefit a certain developer. It was later revealed by the Chronicle that Turner had ties to a co-developer with a stake in the deal.

Here is everything Houstonians should know about the ongoing scandal.

Former Houston Housing and Community Development Director Tom McCasland publicly accused Turner in late September of maneuvering the city's competitive process for affordable housing money to a specific developer. A company listed as "co-developer" on the deal, Harbor Venture Group, is run by Turner's longtime former law partner, Barry Barnes, the Chronicle reported.

Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Against staff recommendations, Turner allegedly moved to approve his former partner's project  a $15 million development called Huntington at Bay Area that would have provided 88 affordable units to seniors  instead of four other projects that would have cost $16.2 million and provided 362 affordable units to families.

Turner denied the allegations and said even though he did not know of Barnes' involvement at the time, he did not find it problematic.

Theres no reason why he should excuse himself, Turner said. Theres no conflict.

Turner fires McCasland

Turner fired McCasland the same day of the allegations, calling them "puzzling, inflated, and wrong.

Turner argued he vouched for the Huntington project because it is in an area that has not placed an affordable development in six years.

Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Turner names interim housing director

One day after firing McCasland, Turner announced his replacement would be Keith Bynam. Bynam wrote in an email to staff following the announcement that more eyes will be on the department than ever before.

City of Houston

"It will feel like we are under a microscope, and we will be; every governing agency will want to review our procedures, and everyone who has had an issue with the department will become more critical and more vocal. We cannot let any of that deter us from our goal of continuing to provide the very best service to the citizens of this great city."

Turner orders legal review

Shortly after the allegations, Turner requested his legal department review the affordable housing deal to determine "whether there were any illegalities, fraud, conflicts of interests, violations of procedures, practices, and policies.

Some argued the investigation should be turned over to outside counsel or the citys inspector general to avoid any conflict of interest, while others called the review a damage control move.

Turner later suggested McCasland's comments were a cover for his own mismanagement of the housing and community development department due to cost overruns on the Hurricane Harvey recovery program. Officials said the housing department faces a potential $23.5 million deficit for money it already has spent through the program if the state chooses not to reimburse it.

In addition to the shortfall, Bynam said the department allegedly used a program led by McCasland's wife to help applicants bridge financing gaps. That program was not approved by the state, and the mayor's office was unaware of it as well, he added.

McCasland has denied any wrongdoing under the department.

DA investigation

In the weeks after the allegations, the Harris County District Attorneys office started investigating the deal, according to sources.

District Attorney Kim Oggs office would not confirm the investigation, but the mayor's office said it did make "an informal request for all city policies and procedures related to procurement and the letting of contracts."

It is important to note that the Huntington recommendation process is not a procurement nor have contracts been let," said Mary Benton, Turners communications director.

The GLO is also reviewing the matter and is expected to deliver a draft report next week.

City's legal review moved

City Attorney Arturo Michel announced in early Oct. his legal review would be outsourced to a private law firm. After another delay, City Council is expected to vote on whether to hire the firm Butler Snow to lead the investigation next week.

Turner drops project

Three weeks after the bombshell allegations, Turner dropped the project, claiming it had become "too much of a distraction" for his administration and the city.

City moves to fix budget hole

City housing officials on Tuesday announced a six-item corrective plan to address the multi-million budget hole in the Hurricane Harvey recovery program, including reviewing administrative costs, reducing future spending, re-evaluating all staffing decisions McCasland approved before his firing, aligning future expenditures with program spending and restructuring the communication lines between housing officials and the mayor's office.

The Texas General Land Office is reviewing the city's process for awarding Harvey funds and is expected to have a draft report available next week, after which the city will have 30 days to comment.

Mike Morris and Dylan McGuinnes contributed to this report.






Border Patrol agents found 39 migrants, including one girl, held in two different stash houses in the upper Rio Grande Valley on Monday, according to officials.

Agents working with the Hidalgo County Sheriffs Office found the first stash house on Monday afternoon, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection press release.

Authorities approached a run-down home in the small South Texas city of Penitas and discovered a group of 26 migrants inside.

Authorities say the migrants were held there with limited access to basic necessities. The migrants were from Mexico as well as El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

Officials did not find someone responsible for the house during the operation.

Monday evening, Border Patrol agents joined the Roma Police Department at an abandoned apartment that had been reported as suspicious by a concerned citizen.

Law enforcement officials discovered 13 migrants at the apartment, including one female minor who was there without a legal guardian.

Migrants were from the same countries as in the first house and were found without a caretaker on site. Officials say they are in good health.

At the border: 6-year-old migrant found abandoned at Brownsville Walmart

Border Patrol agents took the migrants into custody, where they are being processed.

Even with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, human smugglers continue to try these brazen attempts with zero regard for the health and safety of migrants or the citizens of the U.S. they may encounter, Customs and Border Protection said in the news release.

The agency has encountered some 1.5 million migrants along the Southwest border in the 11-month period from October 2020 through August 2021.

elizabeth.trovall@chron.com
The Fort Bend ISD school board voted this week to denounce Trustee Denetta Williams and call for her resignation, accusing her of harassing a district employee, violating the Texas Open Meetings Act, deriding constituents on social media and referring to at least two board members as Nazis.

Trustees voted 6 to 1 Monday night in favor of a resolution to declare Williams not fit to hold public office in response to an investigative report by an outside attorney, which found Williams treated the boards former executive assistant in an abusive and discriminatory manner. The investigation was prompted by a complaint filed against Williams in June claiming she created a hostile work environment with inappropriate behavior including questioning an employees sexuality.

Williams voted against the resolution.

The resolution also accuses the Position 5 board member, elected last November, of repeatedly misrepresenting district facts, publicly sharing confidential information from executive sessions and violating the Texas Open Meetings Act by sending emails to a quorum of trustees regarding the school systems operations. The resolution also claims Williams tried to coerce other board members to make the employees grievance go away.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Challengers defeat incumbents in Fort Bend ISD trustee election

Williams, a real estate broker, denied the allegations during Mondays meeting and said the employee complaint filed against her was false and retaliatory. She also claimed some of the emails included in the investigation were falsified.

Williams did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

According to the resolution, Williams, who defeated incumbent Allison Drew last November, also is accused referring to board president Dave Rosenthal as Hitler, another trustee as a Nazi, staff members as crooks, and responding to citizens by calling them toddler brains and using offensive emojis. Williams also is accused of calling other trustees and staff garbage, sewage and trash.

According to the findings of the investigation, witnesses confirmed hearing Williams yelling at the former executive assistant to the board in an abusive manner.

Williams indefensibly stereotyped (the employee), admitting she believed he was doing a womans job and questioned whether he might be homosexual, the report reads.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Fort Bend ISD trustee position 5 candidates share views in election survey

The boards resolution noted that Williams alleged actions were discriminatory and based on gender stereotypes.

The investigation alleged Williams discriminated against the white male employee based on his race. At the board meeting, Williams called the allegation disgusting.

You can call me a whole lot of things, but how dare you, as a board, stand up there and call me a racist, she said. Someone who you know, Ive put every kid, every teacher, every principal on my back.

The executive assistant resigned from his position because Williams willfully and deliberately campaigned an attack on him in retaliation to the grievance he filed, according to the investigative report.

As part of the resolution, the board requested Superintendent Christie Whitbeck to offer the former executive assistant his old job.

The rest of the board also accused Williams of failing to attend meetings, not participating in the search for a new superintendent and skipping out on important training events.

According to the resolution, Williams did not attend a school leadership event in Sante Fe without explanation, despite representing she would attend on social media.

Williams posted about the event on her social media, saying, I think a trip with the Klu Klux Klan (sic), serial killer and or rapist would be more suitable, according to the resolution.

Rick Garcia, a parent of two students in Fort Bend ISD, said he believes Williams should resign.

Shes smart and shes made a lot of really good points, said Garcia. But the few good things shes done dont outweigh the negative environment shes created.

Williams ran for the board seat as an advocate for underserved students.

Her heart might be in the right place, but the profanity and her attitude toward her colleagues is just unacceptable, said Garcia. As a parent, I cant get behind that.

Fort Bend ISD mother Kym McMorries said she believes Williams could accomplish a lot with a different approach.

I believe she truly cares about underserved children and wants to do right by them, McMorries said. Its just that shes so combative that shes ineffective.

McMorries said she does not think Williams will resign or change her conduct.

Its incredibly embarrassing, she said. Its already been a terrible 20 months with COVID. We have enough to deal with without having this circus.

hannah.dellinger@chron.com
Nearly 500 people accused of violent crimes have been arrested following a joint effort of the U.S. Marshals Service and 20 other law enforcement agencies. The suspects include alleged gang members and fugitives with outstanding warrants.

Operation Triple Beam, an annual effort spearheaded by the Marshals, was conducted over the past 10 weeks, said T. Michael OConnor, U.S. Marshal for the south Texas district. The goal, he said, was to round up individuals with outstanding violent warrants for crimes such as aggravated assault, homicide, weapons offenses, sex offenses, robberies, narcotics and vehicle thefts in the Gulf coast region.

This violent federal fugitive task force came together when we partnered with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate, locate and apprehend suspects wanted for violent crimes, explained Assistant Chief Yasar Bashir of the Houston Police Department. We go after some of the most dangerous, violent criminals that cause havoc to our community.

More by Claire Goodman: Fort Bend County Judge gives State of County address, discusses area growth and future

As investigators followed up on outstanding warrants, OConnor added, agencies made new arrests as more crimes were discovered.

This years operation netted 471 arrests, of which 72 were documented gang members, Bashir reported. As a result of the sting, eight missing children were recovered and 95 firearms, 541 kilograms of narcotics and $421,000 in U.S. currency was seized.

The investigations were augmented by narcotics and firearm initiatives as well as proactive street patrols, said Alfredo Perez, public information office for the Marshals Service. The name of the operation refers to three critical aspects: focused areas, target gangs and collaborative law enforcement.

Tracking down warrants is one of the more dangerous aspects of law enforcement, Bashir noted. Last month two Houston Police Department officers were shot  one wounded and one killed  while serving warrants in north Houston.

Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan believes that cracking down on violent crime will bring comfort to victims and relief to residents. Fort Bend County, you're a lot safer now. Houston, you're a lot safer. The entire state of Texas is a lot safer now because of this operation.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Downed plane with 21 aboard erupts in flames in Waller County, injurin

The law enforcement agencies collaborated with district attorneys offices to make sure the arrests led to proper sentencing, said Fort Bend County District Attorney Brian Middleton. .

Middleton noted that many fugitives will not be eligible for bond due to their criminal history and parole violations.

One thing I want the people to know is that we will not be letting these criminals back out on the streets. Our jails have plenty of room, and well be locking these dangerous criminals up, he said. I want these criminals to know that when we get a hold of you, we're not going to let go. We're coming for you. Justice is coming.

said OConnor: By working together, we will find and arrest fugitives wherever they go.

claire.goodman@chron.com
Houston police are seeking information about the fatal shooting of a woman who last weekend was withdrawing money from an ATM in southeast Houston.

According to Sgt. Mark Holbrook of the Houston Police Department, a male suspect robbed, shot and killed Mary Jane Gonzalez early Sunday morning on the 2900 Woodridge Drive.

We scoured the neighboring businesses, Holbrook said. All businesses were very cooperative and gave us a lot of surveilance footage.

Holbrook added that police had a still shot they were going to release of the suspect walking into the area a few minutes before he robbed Gonzelez.

The vehicle shown on the security footage is a light colored Dodge Charger sedan. Authorities belive the suspect robbed Gonzalez after he parked around the block from the Chase ATM and scouted to wait for a victim.

Holbrook said that lighting is on a timer around that particular ATM turns off which contributed to the nature of the attack.

I would not say that its ideal, Holbrook said about the lighting at the location. What we tell always tell people is that if its late at night and you need to use the ATM go inside a business, go inside the HEB and use the ATM where no one really sees that you are withdrawing cash.

7 shot in northwest Houston shootings: police call them 'problematic'

Anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.

joel.umanzor@chron.com
The SpaceX rocket being developed in South Texas is either a God-given use of natural resources or a stain on the environment, depending who you ask.

The companys Super Heavy rocket and Starship spacecraft have become a massive silver beacon in an otherwise undeveloped area outside of Brownsville. It lures supporters excited for economic growth, innovation and the exploration of space. And it draws criticism as an unnatural, often explosive intruder in an area beloved for birdwatching and the beach.

On Monday, both sides met via Zoom to lobby federal regulators. Super Heavy and Starship are being developed to carry people to the moon, Mars and beyond.

RELATED: Elon Musk brings exploding rockets and real estate to South Texas. Not everyone is happy.

More than 50 people  many of whom do not live in South Texas  provided comments on a draft environmental review that was released last month by the Federal Aviation Administration. Another virtual public hearing will be held Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Pearl Smith used her three minutes to cite Scripture from the Bible.

How can we see what lights are in the sky or what are beyond the lights of the fourth day of creation if we dont allow SpaceX to go into outer space? she asked. We are not created for the Earth. The Earth is created for us human beings.

Others pleaded with the FAA not to impede SpaceXs rapid pace of innovation. And some worried about humanity not being prepared for an asteroid like the one that killed the dinosaurs.

We have an opportunity to look beyond the small environmental impact that is a few bangs and a few booms, said Mitchell Maxey, and we should look beyond to a bigger bang and a bigger boom that might happen here on Earth.

SpaceX neighbors, however, detailed disruption to their lives. Environmental groups described explosions and fires that have already damaged the sensitive habitats of rare, threatened and endangered species. They argued that the environmental review lacked important information and called for a more rigorous review.

This is not an episode of freaking Star Trek, Brownsville resident Emma Guevara said. This is our lives. This is our home. I can see the explosions from the rockets from my window. The last time that there was an explosion here, they could not clean up our beach. The beach where I played as a child. The beach where my family has gone fishing.

Those opposed to the project want a more rigorous environmental impact statement rather than the environmental assessment SpaceX prepared under FAA supervision.

Guevara said the beach is one that thousands of people have used as a both a place of recreation and for food.

SpaceX cannot launch the combined Super Heavy rocket and Starship spacecraft into orbit until the FAA, which issues commercial launch licenses, completes its licensing process. The environmental review is part of this process.

This review outlines how SpaceX might impact the regions air quality, noise level, wildlife, water and more. It also provides insight into the companys operations in Boca Chica.

The combined Super Heavy and Starship are expected to be 400 feet tall. The Super Heavy could have up to 37 Raptor rocket engines, and the Starship could have up to six of them. To date, the Starship prototypes have conducted high-altitude flights in South Texas using three engines.

REGULATORY DRAMA: Inside the FAA-SpaceX regulatory saga that delayed Starship SN9

Once operational, the combined rocket and spacecraft could launch to orbit five times a year.

Launches and tests could be more frequent while the company develops the vehicles. Starship could take suborbital flights, in which the vehicle climbs to a high altitude and then lands without circling the Earth, up to 20 times a year. Super Heavy could launch three times a year, suborbital or orbital, with or without the Starship on top.

During the development phase, Texas 4, the only road leading to the SpaceX facility, could be closed for up to 500 hours a year for nominal operations, which means everything is going as planned. SpaceX is seeking an additional 300 hours a year to clean up debris after explosions, crash landings or other anomalies.

Ellen Tyma lives off Texas 4 and is 12 miles from the launch facility. She described reckless driving and said she often sees dead animals on the side of the road.

Sharon Almaguer said her house in Port Isabel shook when the three-engine Starship prototypes launched and is concerned about widespread property damage when the Super Heavy lifts off.

What is the worst-case scenario if Starship/Super Heavy explodes on or above the launch pad? asked Jim Chapman, president of the Friends of the Wildlife Corridor, a support group for Santa Ana and the Lower Rio Grande Valley national wildlife refuges. The draft (environmental assessment) does not contain a launch failure analysis.

Brownsville resident Bekah Hinojosa was unhappy with how the FAA has interacted with residents in the Rio Grande Valley. She said the FAA should have issued a 30-day notice in Spanish that the public hearing should have comments translated in Spanish.

Jeronimo Reyes-Retana said the environmental review needed to better consider impacts on nearby Tamaulipas, Mexico.

The document exposes lack of trans-boundary concern, Reyes-Retana said, never stating SpaceXs intentions to build a horizontal dialogue with the neighboring Mexican communities.

QUESTION: Do you take Elon Musks money and run?

Many people from outside of Texas voiced support for the company. They said SpaceX was essential for returning to the moon and giving the U.S. national security capabilities, and that the companys footprint was small compared to the surrounding natural areas.

You should really, in your evaluation, look beyond just Boca Chica and see all the beneficial impacts that SpaceX can have and Starship can have on the rest of the worlds environment, said Markus Mobius, who is planning to visit Boca Chica with his family. I hope that you will find imaginative solutions that will not slow-walk this project to death.

Some Brownsville-area residents support the project.

Austin Barnard, who has developed a social media following by taking photos and sharing updates of the SpaceX progress, said the company has provided the community with hope for the future. I find it really awe-inspiring and just, honestly, beautiful, he said.

And Brownsville Commissioner Jessica Tetreau-Kalifa said the Brownsville area was once named the poorest community in the United States.

Were no longer in that position, she said. We are now one of the most sought-after ZIP codes to live and raise your children in. I dont just ask you, I beg you to give (SpaceX) that permit. There are so many people here in the Brownsville area who have befitted from this project.

The FAA will accept written comments through Nov. 1. The final environmental assessment will reflect the FAAs consideration of comments and provide responses to substantive comments.

If the FAA determines the potential environmental impacts would be significant  and not properly mitigated to less-than-significant levels  the agency would conduct the more intensive environmental impact statement.

andrea.leinfelder@chron.com

twitter.com/a_leinfelder
Regarding Dwight Silverman: Facebook is despicable. So why can't I quit? (Oct. 13): I found the article by Dwight Silverman to be spot on. Facebook and social media is quite useful for viewing pictures and videos of friends and relatives, especially those who live long distances away.

On the other hand, it has been a place for conspiracy theories, uninformed opinions, professional influencers who manipulate public opinion, advertisers and foreign and domestic malefactors intent on destabilizing democracy and creating chaos. A 2018 MIT study found that false news stories are 70 percent more likely to be retweeted than true stories are and that it takes true stories about six times as long as false stories to reach 1,500 people.

However we, the subscribers, are complicit in this toxic and corrosive mix. Every time we share a post without confirming its accuracy we potentially spread misinformation and cumulatively do it at a rate in the hundreds of millions per day. Professional manipulators know this and exploit it. We are indeed partners in crime.

Doug Verret, Sugar Land

Lethal partisanship

Regarding Opinion: Greg Abbotts vaccine demagoguery: Welcome to lethal partisanship, (Oct. 14): I believe that Gov. Abbott is acting from a place of spite, stubbornness and selfishness. He is behaving in a childlike, reactionary manner in response to Bidens ruling. Abbotts politically motivated ban goes against all that he has previously stood for, which does nothing but hurt his credibility and campaign. The governors interference may cause a rise in COVID cases within the workplace due to people likely opting out of the vaccine. If politicians continue to play this petty, politically driven tug-of-war game with the COVID vaccine, our country will never heal from this pandemic.

Cullen Avent, Missouri City, high school sophomore

Regarding Opinion: Abbotts mandate ban seeks to protect businesses from federal overreach, (Oct. 14): As a Republican myself, I know that most other Republicans are not in favor of government involvement in many things. Not allowing businesses to enforce vaccine mandates goes entirely against that. For example, businesses such as Southwest Airlines are not in favor of his position, as it goes against their policies to keep their employees and customers safe.

Although our individual rights and freedoms are important, there are limitations. Namely, when peoples individual rights come at the cost of the wellbeing of others. It is at that point when the government should take action to protect our communities. Abbott is doing the exact opposite of that. His completely irresponsible and immature actions will just add to an even higher number of deaths in the United States. On top of that, his selfishness will create an even greater struggle to get the economy back to normal. My hope is that in the upcoming election in November 2022, Abbott will be voted out of office and replaced with a new Republican leader that looks out for the best interests of the people of Texas.

Diego Orellana, Richmond, high school sophomore

Regarding Editorial: Abbotts ban on vaccine mandates is still a mandate, (Oct. 17): It frustrates me that people in positions of power seek to oppose their opposite just because they can. The people who hold these positions are supposed to make the decisions that are best for the nation as a whole, or in this case, Texas. But instead, some politicians are so blinded by power and their party that they discard the middle ground and, of course, have to do the opposite of what their opponents do.

If we are to end the COVID pandemic, its time for Abbott to grow up and do whats best for Texas and the United States as a whole. Medicine shouldnt be political at all, it should be common sense. Schools and places of employment already require other vaccines, so why cant they require another one? Maybe we should start listening to the facts and doctors in the field who know what theyre talking about, rather than obnoxious politicians who will say whatever is necessary to win the next election.

Tucker Martin, high school sophomore

Renaming streets

Regarding Opinion: Our street should honor a local hero, not a Confederate with a tainted legacy, (Oct. 14): It is a bad idea to rename streets and the like after people, regardless of their present popularity or fame, as in all likelihood they will be found wanting and the name will have to be changed. The best idea is to choose a name with no association to anything. In so doing we may be spared such rituals in the future.

David Morrison, Conroe
WASHINGTON  Senate Democrats latest effort to pass sweeping new voting laws aimed at states like Texas  where Republicans have worked to restrict voting access and redrawn electoral maps in their favor  again ran aground against unified GOP opposition on Wednesday.

Not a single Republican voted to begin debate on the legislation, a pared-down version of a voting bill that the GOP has deemed a federal takeover of elections, despite weeks of outreach by U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, a moderate West Virginia Democrat who party leaders had tasked with winning over some Republican senators.

The vote makes clear that if Democrats in D.C. are going to pass new voting rights legislation  lobbied for by their colleagues in Texas who spent weeks in Washington in the summer to delay new state voting restrictions  theyll have to amend Senate rules to do it on their own.

RELATED: Latinos sue against 'racist' redistricting maps in Texas

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer vowed to do so, saying, Republican obstruction is not a cause for throwing in the towel and announcing he would bring a separate voting bill to the floor for a vote as soon as next week.

Senate Democrats have made clear that voting rights is not like other issues we deal with in this chamber, he said. This isnt about regular old politics.

But Republicans argue its just that. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said hes just about lost count of how many times Democrats have tried to pass the same takeover with new trappings.

The latest umpteenth iteration is only a compromise in the sense that the left and the far left argued among themselves about exactly how much power to grab and in which areas, McConnell said.

He derided provisions of the bill that he said still subjects popular, common sense election integrity protections like voter I.D. to the whims of federal bureaucrats and still puts Washington in the middle of states redistricting decisions.

The same rotten core is all still there, McConnell said.

Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

Many of the provisions in the bill read like direct responses to Texas Republicans new voting laws and electoral maps.

Experts say the legislation would stop the newly drawn Texas maps  already the target of lawsuits  in their tracks, rather than waiting for a court to side with one of the groups suing. A coalition of Latino organizations and individuals filed a lawsuit this week, saying the new maps intentionally discriminate against Hispanic voters based on race and national origin.

The bill would automatically halt maps that produce high partisan bias in legislative districts, measured by how people voted in any two of the presidential and Senate elections going back to 2016. Texas new maps would fail the test in all four of those elections, said Michael Li, an expert on redistricting who serves as senior counsel for the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University.

The Brennan Center earlier this year sued Texas over new voting restrictions passed by the Legislature.

It would not be surprising to see it be 2025 or 2026 and Texas still be in litigation over these maps  and using the maps all the while, Li said.

He said the provisions against gerrymandering would be important in blue states, as well, saying maps recently proposed by Illinois Democrats would also fail, four out of four.

The bill would also prohibit states from imposing conditions or requirements to vote by mail, strengthen protections for voters who need assistance, including those with disabilities or with limited English proficiency, and limit what partisan poll watchers are able to do, including setting an 8-foot buffer zone between the watchers and voters, among other things.

BACKGROUND: Texas Democrats cheer as U.S. House passes federal voting rights bill

Senate Democrats vowed to continue pushing, calling the legislation urgent.

The first primary for the 2022 elections is in a little over four months in Texas, said U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat who led the bill. We must act now.

Schumer said he would soon bring to the floor Democrats other major elections bill, named after former U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon who died last year. That bill would restore sections of the Voting Rights Act that the Supreme Court has chipped away at, including provisions that required Texas and other states with a history of discrimination to get approval from the U.S. Department of Justice before enacting new voting laws.

But the fate of that bill will almost certainly be the same. With the Senate evenly split, at least 10 Republicans would need to join Democrats to overcome the filibuster, and moderate Democrats remain opposed to eliminating or tweaking the rule, even as calls from the left intensify.

Its the filibuster or democracy, former Senate candidate Beto ORourke of Texas tweeted after the vote.

Members of this body now face a choice, Schumer said. They can follow in the footsteps of our patriotic predecessors in this chamber or they can sit by as the fabric of our democracy unravels before our very eyes.

ben.wermund@chron.com
As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content.

When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to.

After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS!

OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK

The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those.
Whats next in music tech? Midemlab names 20 finalists

Global music industry conference Midem has named the 20 finalists in this years Midemlab music tech startup competition. Winners will be announced during this years free Midem Digital Edition being held November 16-19.

OUR PICKS: Nominees Ristband, Enjoy, and LAIFE led the list of promising music tech startups that were now tracking.

20 new members of Midems exclusive club

Previous Midemlab winners include Soundcloud, The Echo Nest which was acquired by Spotify, Next Big Sound (acquired by Pandora), BandPage (acquired by YouTube), and Asaii (acquired by Apple).

Audoo raised $6.M soon after the 2020 competition and Super Hi-Fi closed a major deal with SONOS. Since last years competition, Midemlab 2020 finalist TRASH has been acquired by VSCO.

Midemlab is always the place to discover fantastic music tech startups with the potential to disrupt, improve and enhance our industry. This year is no exception, said Midem Director, Alexandre Deniot. We received 203 incredible submissions from 34 countries, a testament to the fact that the dynamism of entrepreneurship in the music industry is still intact and in great shape, despite the difficult time weve been through these past 18 months.

Midemlab 2021 Finalists

This years 20 finalists were selected by Midemlab partners Music Ally, Panache Ventures, and TheLynk.

Music Creation & Education

Amptrack Technologies (Sweden), an Online Music Creation app

(Sweden), an Online Music Creation app Audio Design Desk (USA), an AI-assisted DAW, smart sampler and sound library in one simple app

(USA), an AI-assisted DAW, smart sampler and sound library in one simple app Enjoy (China), an AI music training partner

(China), an AI music training partner HyVibe (France), a solution that turns the world into a speaker

(France), a solution that turns the world into a speaker Infinite Album (USA), a copyright-free, AI-powered, custom game soundtracks for livestream gamers

Music Distribution & Discovery

Hidden Bands (Canada), a free music discovery app

(Canada), a free music discovery app Moonai (Spain), an app that uses science-based & personalised sounds to alleviate menstrual pain

(Spain), an app that uses science-based & personalised sounds to alleviate menstrual pain Music Traveler (Austria), a platform for musicians to find a place to be creative

(Austria), a platform for musicians to find a place to be creative Reveel (USA), the Business OS for Content Creators

(USA), the Business OS for Content Creators Rippla (UK), social platform allowing fan communities to connect around their passion for specific artists

Music Marketing & Data/Analytics

ANote Music (Luxembourg), marketplace for investing in music royalties]

(Luxembourg), marketplace for investing in music royalties] LAIFE (Germany), AI Music to relieve mental health issues and enhance performances

(Germany), AI Music to relieve mental health issues and enhance performances Rightsholder (USA), a solution that creates insanely simple tools to facilitate synch music licensing

(USA), a solution that creates insanely simple tools to facilitate synch music licensing Secret Chord Laboratories (USA), a music forecasting for creators and their teams

(USA), a music forecasting for creators and their teams Westcott Multimedia (USA), an automated advertising solution that dynamically launches campaigns for catalog music

Live Music Experiences

Anything World (UK), a platform where everyone can create their wildest 3D dreams

(UK), a platform where everyone can create their wildest 3D dreams Instrument of Things (Germany), a music technology company that uses the Internet of Things to turn electronic musical instruments into virtuoso experience

(Germany), a music technology company that uses the Internet of Things to turn electronic musical instruments into virtuoso experience Live Now (UK), broadcasts exceptional online ticketed concerts to fans at home

(UK), broadcasts exceptional online ticketed concerts to fans at home Mach1 (USA), unifies spatial and multichannel audio for creators & developers

(USA), unifies spatial and multichannel audio for creators & developers Ristband (UK), the bridge between real-world concerts and gamers

Bruce Houghton is Founder and Editor of Hypebot and MusicThinkTank and serves as a Senior Advisor to Bandsintown which acquired both publications in 2019. He is the Founder and President of the Skyline Artists Agency and a professor for the Berklee College Of Music.

Share on:
As internet adoption continues to grow worldwide, more and more governments want to control what internet users can see and assert their authority over tech firms. These trends have resulted in a significant decrease in internet freedom and more restricted access to content.

According to the recent findings by the Atlas VPN team, almost 40% of internet users globally dont have internet freedom. While Icelanders have the most liberty online, Chinese internet users suffer the most from content limitations and censorship.

The data is based on Freedom on the Net 2021 report released by Freedom House. The organization is non-profit, and it conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom, and human rights. Each country received a score from 0 to 100 based on a checklist of questions.

As per the findings, internet freedom is not available to 39% of internet users in 2021. Complete loss of internet freedom includes the governments decisions to block specific applications and technologies, technical filtering, and website blocking, as well as other forms of censorship. In addition, violations of user rights and restrictions on free speech are also common.

Elsewhere, the internet is partly free to 28% of internet users. For example, India, considered partly free, ordered blocking apps developed by China-based companies and deliberately disrupted internet connection during protests. Similar internet control practices can be seen in other nations with partial web freedom.

Following up, 21% of the worlds internet population has access to internet freedom. No critical internet controls were observed by researchers in Canada, Costa Rica, Estonia, France, Iceland, Japan, and the United Kingdom. People in such countries can freely express their opinions without being persecuted and access content with no or minimum restrictions.

Internet freedom rankings

Restrictions of internet freedom especially can be felt in authoritarian or communist regimes. Censorship of world news and website blockage is used to hide criticism of the government administrations, leaving people uninformed about the actual violations committed in their country.

Iceland ranks the highest in internet freedom global rankings, achieving 96 points. Users in this island country benefit from worldwide connectivity, few limitations on online content, and robust protections for their rights online. Media and government websites have not been subjected to cyberattacks in a couple of years.

Estonia is second in internet freedom by accumulating 94 points. The Estonian government is well-known for its innovative approach to e-government with low restrictions on internet access and online content. Despite that, in December 2020, researchers found that the Estonian government was a client of surveillance company Circles that allows monitoring phone data.

Furthermore, Canada and Costa Rica share third place on the global internet freedom ranking, each scoring 87 points. Finally, Taiwan closes out the top 5 with 80 points.

On the flip side, China is rated last in internet freedom as they received only 10 points. China remains one of the most oppressive countries to its internet users. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has tightened its control over media and online speech, censoring criticism about authorities response to the pandemic and Chinese-produced vaccines.

Iran ranks as the second-worst country globally in internet freedom with 16 points. During anti-government rallies, the Iranian administration imposed localized internet shutdowns. They continued to limit access to independent news sites and a variety of social media and communication platforms.

Continuing the list, next is Myanmar, which suffered a significant decrease in internet freedom score since last year, going from 31 to 17 points in 2021. In February, the military coup influenced the decline of internet liberties, as the military junta shut down internet services. Cuba and Vietnam round out the list with 21 and 22 points, respectively.

As the world becomes more digital, governments want to have more control over peoples online presence. Some governments have taken complete control of what people should see on the internet. A shared global vision of free and open internet for everyone is a must if people want to keep their digital privacy safe.

Source: https://atlasvpn.com/blog/almost-40-of-internet-users-globally-dont-have-internet-freedom
The Internet Governance Forum ( MIGF ) will be held in Chisinau on October 19-20. It will be attended by representatives of government agencies, international, non-governmental and expert organizations, digital business, technology companies, digital development experts from Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Canada, the United States and a number of other countries.

The discussion of current problems of the digital agenda and the development of the Internet will be focused on 4 main tracks: trust and security, digital Inclusion and bridging the digital divide, digital rights and freedoms, digital data. Forum agenda consists of 8 plenary sessions and panel discussions, including special events, jointly organized with Freedom House and SecDev Foundation.

In 2021, MIGF sets itself the task of strengthening open multilateral discussion of the development of the Internet in Moldova, the countrys participation in the formation of the global digital agenda, and a joint search for a balance between security and development. The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn special attention to the needs of digital development, the need to empower digital rights and opportunities against the backdrop of serious difficulties that society and the state face during this period, said MIGF Coordinator Alexei Marciuc.

According to him, the holding of MIGF 2021 in Chisinau will serve to actualize the tasks of the digital agenda in the post-pandemic crisis, determine the prospects for multilateral dialogue on the sustainability of the global Internet and the priorities of a common digital future.

The forum will host expert discussions, speeches and presentations both online and offline. It is planed the participation of representatives of UN IGF, ICANN, RIPE NCC, Internet Society (ISOC), SecDev Foundation, Freedom House, Microsoft, SEEDIG, etc. Among the national partners of the forum are the Investment Agency Invest Moldova, the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova, non-governmental organizations, companies RTS and MUK in the field of IT-consulting and security. Special guests of the event: Deputy Prime Minister for Digitalization Iurie Turcanu, members of Parliament, representatives of key government agencies, national and international organizations.

As part of the main tracks, expert discussions will be held on the topics:

Digital inclusion and multistakeholder cooperation in managing the digital future

Trust, security and stability in the digital space

Digital accessibility for people with disabilities and special needs

Internet freedom in Central and Eastern Europe. Trends and hallenges, lessons for Moldova

ICT regulatory in times of digital transformation

Data sovereignty and trusted online identity

E-learning as a road to online universities. National and regional experience

The Rationale for a culture of digital safety in civil society organizations

The Moldova Internet Governance Forum is a national initiative of the global IGF of the United Nations, which in turn is convened by the UN Secretary General and is an international multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue on Internet governance issues.

Since 2020, MIGF has become an annual event where representatives of the expert community discuss global and national approaches to Internet governance, cybersecurity and digital resilience, regulation, expanding Internet access and bridging the digital divide, innovation and digital development strategies.

To register for participation in the MIGF, use the online form on the website www.igf.md. Registered attendees will receive an email connection information to participate in this event.

Source: https://www.moldova.org/en/migf-2021-moldovas-digital-future-in-the-covid-19-era/
The six candidates for at-large seats on the Pittsfield City Council debated topics ranging from homelessness to bike lanes at the Berkshire Athenaeum on Tuesday night. PreviousNext

PCTV & iBerkshires Debates Conclude With At-Large Candidates



PCTV Executive Director Shawn Serre reads the first question. The questions were placed in numbered envelopes and candidates took turns choosing a number.

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The six candidates running for the City Council's four at-large seats debated in person for the first time on Monday.

Yuki Cohen, Pete White, Peter Marchetti, Craig Benoit, Earl Persip III, and Karen Kalinowsky debated important city topics such as homelessness, crime and violence, and housing. Cohen, White, Marchetti, and Persip are incumbents.



The candidates had varied positions on projects such as the North Street bike lane reconfiguration, Pittsfield's trash system, and mosquito spraying.



The forum was held by Pittsfield Community Television in partnership with iBerkshires at the Berkshire Atheneum and was moderated by PCTV's Executive Director Shawn Serre and iBerkshires Editor Tammy Daniels.



This was the last of a series of three debates that began on Thursday featuring eight City Council candidates running for the four contested wards.



On Monday, seven candidates running for the School Committee tackled issues within the district.



This event was dedicated to longtime publisher of the Pittsfield Gazette Jonathan Levine, who began this series of televised debates 30 years ago, and local human services advocate Daniel Dillon, who moderated many of Levine's debates in that three-decade span. Both men died earlier this year.

To address violence both in the schools and on the streets, all candidates the candidates said they supported an increased police presence in term of student resource officers and patrol officers.



Kalinowsky was a school resource officer for 13 years at Reid Middle School and emphasized the importance of the officers in schools from a personal standpoint.



"Does the school need them? I believe so, yes. Are they the overall end-all to what's going on in schools? No, they are not," she said.



"Our job as a resource officer is to be part of the school community, it was not to be someone there in the school that is going to progress kids to make it on the pipeline to jail, that is not our role."



As a former beat cop on North Street, Kalinowsky also said there need to be more officers on the streets talking to people and doing crime watches. She said the city also needs to talk to the youth to discourage crime from a young age.



Cohen and Persip pointed out the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion training for SROs in the schools.



"I think we still need to have a conversation about how children of color really don't feel comfortable with police officers in the school," Persip said. "As a person of color, I did. I have a different experience than some other kids, so I think it's important that we address that, and really talk about the role that our officers are doing in the schools because that's important."



Persip also called for the need to have an adequate staff of police officers rather than an understaffed force that is working on a large amount of overtime.



Cohen said her daughters feel comfortable having an SRO in school with them but added it is alarming how enforcement can be skewed negatively toward more vulnerable populations and people of color.



Candidates expressed a need for housing and mental health services to address the uptick in homelessness that has occurred in Pittsfield since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.



Persip said the city needs transitional housing and to address the underlying factors that contribute to homelessness. He added that American Rescue Plan Act funds should be used to keep people in their homes.



Kalinowsky said that in her experience, she had encountered some people who choose to be homeless because of substance abuse or mental health issues and emphasized the need for a detox center in the city.



Cohen had similar sentiments to Persip and added that in her experience being a business owner on North Street, she hasn't met anyone who has chosen to be homeless.



Marchetti first brought up the need for transitional housing when asked if the city needs more low-income, affordable or market-rate housing.



"I am going to say something strange and then explain it: none of the above," he said in response to the question, adding that transitional housing is needed to address the homeless community.



He also called for a better definition of housing terminologies.



"People of the community say 'What does affordable housing mean? What does low-income housing mean?' and 'What does market-rate housing mean?' and I think I may get different answers from different people and I think some of the terms may be misleading and some of the terms have stigmas too, so when you talk about low-income housing all of a sudden people get a message about what type of person that is in low-income housing," he explained.



"I was talking to one of my employees this morning, and he just got a new apartment and he says it's affordable housing. And he's paying $1,300 a month without utilities for his housing, and I just kind of went 'wow,' because for another $95 you could pay my mortgage payment for me, and so affordable housing market-rate housing, low-income housing, I would say transitional housing to help our homeless people get where they need to be, and better define what these housing terminologies are."



During the rebuttal period, Kalinowsky suggested remodeling city houses in disrepair for people who cannot find a place to live and Persip stressed the need for all types of housing in the city.



Tuesday's debate was the last of three for council and School Committee candidates sponsored by PCTV and iBerkshires.com.

When asked about the reconfiguration of North Street into one-lane traffic for the addition of bike lanes, a majority of candidates did not agree with the change.



Benoit said it is overkill and expressed public safety concerns with emergency vehicles being able to pass down the corridor. He said he has spoken to many residents who are confused with the change.



Marchetti apologized to Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales, who attended the debate, to say he doesn't support the changes even though he understands the concept.



White was the outlier, supporting the second reiteration of the bike lanes with a new traffic pattern, and said he supports extending it across the city.



In her rebuttal, Kalinowsky said she has not met one person who likes the bike lanes.



The candidates were also asked a series of lightning questions that were to be answered in a "yes" or "no" format.



When asked if they support the Springside Park pump track proposal, all of the candidates were in support besides Cohen and Benoit.



The panel was then asked if they support a vaccine mandate for municipal and school employees, which was split down the middle with White, Persip, and Cohen supporting it and the rest opposed.



Similarly, they were asked if they support a mask mandate in the city and Marchetti and Persip were the only ones to vote in the affirmative.
Williamstown Police Sergeant Wants Disciplinary Hearing Made Public

UPDATE: Interim Town Manager Charlie Blanchard reported Thursday morning that the disciplinary hearing has been postponed to Wednesday, Oct. 27. The Select Board held an emergency executive session on Thursday morning to discuss strategy "with respect to collective bargaining or litigation on a police matter" and did not return to open session.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The town Thursday will hold a disciplinary hearing against a police sergeant who has filed a discrimination complaint against the town with the commonwealth.

The attorney for Sgt. Scott McGowan on Wednesday announced that McGowan has filed a new complaint against the town with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, alleging that he was placed on administrative leave last winter as retaliation for allegations he raised in a 2019 MCAD complaint and subsequent federal lawsuit against the town, the former town manager and the former police chief.

The town, meanwhile, has scheduled a disciplinary hearing for McGowan for Thursday. McGowan's attorney said Wednesday in a news release that McGowan is exercising his right to make the virtual hearing open to the public.

At press time, the town did not respond to requests about how the public will be able to access the hearing, and no link was available in the calendar section on the town website.

The hearing and the new MCAD complaints are the latest steps in a contentious relationship between McGowan and his employer that has ramifications for town government and public conversations about race and policing in the town of 7,500.

In November 2019, McGowan filed an MCAD complaint against the town that he later withdrew and used as the basis for a federal lawsuit against the town, former town manager and former police chief for allegedly violating his rights as a whistleblower.

In December, he withdrew the federal lawsuit after the then police chief announced his departure.

McGowan's 2019 claim alleged the town denied him a promotion to lieutenant because he blew the whistle on various incidents of sexual misconduct and racist behavior at the Williamstown Police Department.

Those incidents, some of which went undenied by the town in court filings, sparked a community conversation about conduct at the WPD and ultimately led to the departure of the former chief and town manager.

"On Dec. 15, 2020, Sgt. McGowan voluntarily withdrew his complaint from federal court, in the hope that under new leadership, the town would be able to move forward and build a stronger and more productive working environment at the WPD," reads a news release from Boston attorney David A. Russcol.

"Instead, the [new] charge states that the town retaliated against Sgt. McGowan for his legally protected activity in filing discrimination and and retaliation complaints. The charge states that, after Sgt. McGowan dismissed his complaint in court, the town used a complaint filled with misunderstandings, misstatements and inaccurate allegations as the basis to place Sgt. McGowan on an extended period of administrative leave and ultimately seek his termination."

The complaint charges that the town's action against McGowan  taken after former Police Chief Kyle Johnson's departure from the town service and while Jason Hoch was continuing to serve as town manager under a separation agreement  was more harsh than the disciplinary action it took against those involved in the misconduct alleged in his original MCAD complaint.

At the time McGowan was placed on paid administrative leave, Hoch said the move was "not disciplinary" and was intended to to allow time to investigate allegations against the sergeant.

This month, McGowan received notice of disciplinary charges against him and was informed the town had scheduled a hearing "to consider whether or not [McGowan] should be terminated from [his] position as a police officer," according to the MCAD filing.

McGowan alleges that claims of misconduct alleged by fellow officers that the town cited as reasons for the administrative leave are "false," "retaliatory" and "ridiculous."

McGowan's filing with the MCAD alleges a complaint filed on behalf of other WPD officers was tied to McGowan's exposure of illegal use of the Criminal Justice Information Service by members of the department.

"This misconduct resulted in investigations by [acting Police Chief Mike] Ziemba and state authorities, and led to discipline against multiple officers only days before the complaint was submitted," McGowan's MCAD complaint reads. "On information and belief, at least one department employee observed McGowan looking for CJIS manuals and policies just before the CJIS abuse became public, and other officers soon came to understand that McGowan was responsible for the discovery of the issue."

McGowan's complaint to the commonwealth alleges that members of the WPD leaked the allegations against him to The Berkshire Eagle and denied the leaks during a subsequent internal affairs investigation by then acting [now interim] Chief Ziemba.

"At least some of these denials were false, indicating that some of the full-time officers sought to damage McGowan's reputation and were willing to break the rules to do so and lie about their actions to the police chief," McGowan's latest MCAD filing reads. "This should call both their motivations and credibility into question."

McGowan's new MCAD complaints indicates he is seeking unspecified damages for "lost wages and benefits, reduced future career opportunities, reputational harm, and other damages."

Interim Town Manager Charles Blanchard did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the town about the latest MCAD complaint.
The new urgent care center on State Road is set to open Nov. 1.

North Adams Urgent Care Center Ready to Open in November



The center will offer a variety of services for urgent, non-life-threatening illnesses, including labs, vaccinations, X-rays and pharmacy. NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Southwestern Vermont Health Care and ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care are teaming up to bring convenient care options to the Northern Berkshire community. The organizations have formed a joint venture to build and operate an urgent care center under the identity of SVHC Urgent Care powered by ClearChoiceMD.

The new center located in the Stevens Plaza next to Stop & Shop was approved by the Planning Board in December 2020.

This is the first urgent care center to serve North Adams and the surrounding communities. Up until now, people with urgent medical needs had to seek care in the emergency room or drive 20 miles to the nearest urgent care clinic. The partnership between ClearChoiceMD and SVHC will meet a need in this community.

"Partnering with ClearChoiceMD was an easy decision for us," stated Stephen Majetich, chief financial officer of Southwestern Vermont Health Care. "Not only are our missions aligned  to provide our communities accessible, affordable, compassionate, exceptional patient care; they are also the Northeast's leader in developing physician-led urgent care centers focused on patient-centered care."

SVHC Urgent Care powered by ClearChoiceMD is equipped to treat urgent non-life-threatening medical needs. Additionally, it offers physicals, vaccinations, and occupational health services. The facility has onsite laboratory and X-ray services, as well as prescription medications.

"We are honored to be partnering with SVHC," said ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Hampers. "The people of Northern Berkshire County deserve immediate and convenient access to quality, non-emergency medical care. We are united in our missions of providing compassionate, quality medical care to our communities. Working together allows us to offer alternative cost-effective options, at the highest quality of care consistent with what people are accustomed to receiving from SVHC."

ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care is based in New London, N.H., and currently operates 14 walk-in centers across the region. The new co-branded urgent care center, located at 856 State Road is slated to open Nov. 1. This will be the first ClearChoiceMD facility in Massachusetts.


Viewed of

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
Family loses their jobs at hospital in Wenatchee; they joined Tuesdays large rally to protest in the shadow of their former employer
Moses Lake police awarded more than $10,000 grant through U.S. Dept. of Justice
Global Conference on Improving the Protection, Security, Integration and Mental Health of Refugee Journalists

UNESCO and the International Federation of Journalists cordially invite you to participate in the Global Conference on Improving the Protection, Security, Integration and Mental Health of Refugee Journalists which is scheduled for Friday 5th November from 8:30am -11:30am (Costa Rica time.)

The start time may differ depending on the time zone in which you are located.

The event will generate debates and recommendations concerning improving the welfare of refugee journalists who were forced to flee their homes and countries due to high levels of impunity, insecurity, physical and digital attacks, aggressions and other complex challenges.

The international event which will be transmitted live in Spanish and English is being organized to commemorate the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. The event is supported by international and national partners including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the Refugee Journalism Project, the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma, and the Press and Freedom of Expression Institute (IPLEX).

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, will be among the speakers.

More details including the agenda can be accessed via the UNESCO webpage.

To participate in the event via zoom (in English and Spanish), kindly register here:

https://unesco-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8o9anbLHQPi1S0n4djv4hw

On the other hand, the event can also be accessed live (in Spanish) via the webpage of the UNESCO Cluster Office in Costa Rica: https://www.facebook.com/UNESCOsanjose/

Kindly contact Mr. Jamion Knight - j.knight@unesco.org - should you have questions or require additional details.
Sony, in partnership with its Authorized Camera Dealers nationwide, is offering a 10-day special promo on select cameras, lenses, and accessories from October 15 to 24. This is on top of Sonys Early Holiday Deals this month, so this is the perfect chance to score your dream Sony gears for less!

You can get exciting cash discounts, premium promo bundles, and an installment payment scheme when you purchase select new Sony cameras during this period.

Level up your vlogging and pet photography game with Sonys Alpha 7C for a hassle-free shooting! It is the worlds lightest full-frame camera and is perfect for one-hand shooting especially when paired with the GP-VPT2BT Bluetooth shooting grip.

The A7C kit package is available in colors black and silver, now retailing for only Php104,999 PLUS a promo bundle of a 64GB SD card, Peak Design strap, Bellroy bag, NP-FZ100 battery, and a Pawgraphy premium merchandise. What a sweet Php20,000 off its original price and you may also opt to pay it for 12 months with 0% interest!

For those who are fond of shooting short and casual videos, Sonys ZV-1 is the perfect gear for you. Its very easy to use and you wont miss special moments because you can just grab it and go.

If youve been waiting for a sign to get this chic and compact camera, this is it. The ZV-1 unit only is now Php37,999 while the kit package (with VCT-SGR1 grip) is currently priced at Php40,999. You also get a promo bundle of a 64GB SD card, limited-edition windscreen and pouch, and a Pawgraphy premium merchandise. Its also available in an installment scheme of 6 months with no interest.

Meanwhile, the lenses in the Grand Year-End deals such as the SEL70200GM, SELP18105G, SEL85F18, and SEL50F18F can all be bought now and paid later for 6 months and enjoy a 0% interest PLUS cash discounts up to Php20,000 off and a promo bundle of a 32GB SD card.

Complete your essentials with Sony accessories like flash, microphone, grip, and extra batteries and charger discounted from 15% to 30% off!

Dont miss this limited chance to avail the Sony gears that youve been eyeing for. Hurry and avail these Grand Year-End Deals from Sony Authorized Camera Dealers nationwide, click here to locate stores near you. Promo is valid up to October 24, 2021.

For full promo catalog, visit: www.sony.com.ph/microsite/CameraPromo.

Dont miss out on any promos, follow Sony Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.
Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community!

Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region.
In a press conference with Gov. Dan McKee Tuesday afternoon, Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott of the Rhode Island Department of Health announced that the state of Rhode Island has expanded eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to all adults over the age of 18. Citing rising case numbers in the state, Alexander Scott and state officials are hoping to encourage residents of the state to get the booster shots ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday and winter months. Are you planning on getting a COVID-19 booster shot? Why or why not? Let us know below.

You voted:
Send to Email Address

Your Name

Your Email Address

Post was not sent - check your email addresses!

Email check failed, please try again

Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.


remaining of

Thank you for Reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
Indiana, PA (15701)

Today

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low near 25F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low near 25F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Do you love Goa as much as we do? Are you a frequent traveller to the coastal state? If yes, you should know what Goa's tourism minister said recently.

Goa tourism minister Manohar Ajgaonkar said that the state welcomes rich tourists and does not want low-budget travellers "cooking food inside buses". You read that right!

BCCL

"We want richest tourists"

He said that tourists consuming drugs were not welcome in Goa. We dont want tourists who consume drugs. We dont want tourists who spoil Goa. We dont want tourists who come to Goa and cook food inside a bus. We want the richest tourists. We welcome all tourists but they should enjoy themselves while respecting Goas culture, he said.



We dont want tourists who consume drugs& who spoil Goa. We dont want tourists who come to Goa& cook food inside a bus. We want richest tourists. We welcome all tourists but they should enjoy themselves while respecting Goas culture: Goa Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar y'day pic.twitter.com/5eL2fvW0fj  ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2021

'Not allow cruise ships with drugs to dock in Goa'

Goa ports minister Micheal Lobo on Tuesday said that he will write to the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) not to allow cruise ships found with drugs to dock in Goa.

Lobos comments come in the light of the Goa-bound cruise ship that was raided by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on October 2 after which Aryan Khan, son of actor Shah Rukh Khan was arrested in Mumbai.



Representational Image

Last year, the Goa government banned budget tourists cooking in public spaces and made it a punishable offence.



He also welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to award five lakh free visas to international tourists. "Tourism is going to open up. The PM has announced five lakh free visas. Charter flights will begin now. We have already waived fees to the tune of 50 per cent related to shack and hotel licences," The Ahmedabad Mirror quotes Ajgaonkar also as saying.



Similar statements made in the past

Feb, 2018

But this isn't the first time bizarre statements regarding tourists in Goa have made headlines. Earlier, in Feb 2018, calling Indian tourists scum of the earth, Goa Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai, had cautioned particularly against North Indians who he claimed wanted to create a Haryana in Goa.



The minister was speaking at the Goa BizFest in Bambolim. At the business event, he also contradicted Chief Minister Manohar Parrikars target of one crore tourists and asked the government to attract foreign and upper-class Indian tourists.

BCCL

Jan, 2018



In Jan 2018, state minister for agriculture and town and country planning Vijai Sardesai said that Goa needs to reorient its tourism policy towards high-end foreign tourists while seeking ways to discourage domestic tourists who come in buses and do not contribute to the state's economy.

"Goa should become so expensive that tourists should say that it is not worth coming to Goa. Which tourists ... the Indian tourists. We must have high end facilities and get high end tourism, which benefits the sons of the soil," Sardesai said.


In the past few weeks, several states in India, mostly in the southern part of the country were hit by heavy rains and floods. But, out of these, two have stood out, Kerala and Uttarakhand.

The deluges in the southern and northern states were among the worst this year in the country and the sudden onslaught of it caught everyone by surprise.

AFP

Weather patterns are changing

One reason for this is the timing. Heavy rains and flooding in peak monsoons are not anything new in Kerala, but that is usually in July and August. But this time, the floods and mudflow hit the state in October, when the monsoons are receding, which is not normal.

It should also be noted that even after the southwest monsoon, which is between June and September, Kerala never stopped getting frequent rains.

Throughout September and October Kerala had been getting moderate to heavy rains, due to the formation of low-pressure areas both in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.

AP

Last week's freak rains in Kerala are blamed on two simultaneous low pressures in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal along with minor cloudbursts, a rare occurrence, but one which experts say may become common in the days ahead.

That is because the weather patterns in Kerala have changed vastly in the past few years and the intensity and frequency of heavy rains have gone up.

Reuters

This became visible in 2018 when the state was hit by what has since been described as the flood of the century.

In 2019 too there was a similar flood, though it did not last as long as the previous year, two major landslides that buried entire villages once again showed there is something wrong.

In 2020 the floods were comparatively less intense, but again disaster struck in the form of a landslide in Munnar.

This year, there were two deadly landslides and mudflows last week in Idukki and Kottayam districts which killed nearly 40 people.

AP

Destruction of the Western Ghats

While it is not much discussed outside, people of Kerala were warned a few years ago that the weather patterns as they knew it is going to change, due to the destruction of the Western Ghats.

The Gadgil Committee Report which suggested leaving the Western Ghats untouched in certain areas, bringing in conservation efforts in some others and opening only a few for developmental activities has been put on the back burner by all six states, including Kerala due to political compulsions.

Uttarakhand from 2013 floods

Similarly, in Uttrakhand, starting from 2013 the hill state too has been on the receiving end of some deadly weather events.

Uncontrolled construction and mining activities even in ecologically fragile zones are blamed for the frequent occurrence of flash floods and deadly landslides in Uttarakhand.

AFP

Last week the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued warnings for 'extreme weather events'.

As per IMD predictions, the extremely heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand on Monday and Tuesday was a result of interaction between a Western Disturbance and a low-pressure area over Madhya Pradesh. As per the IMD glossary, Western Disturbance (WD) is a storm that originates over the Mediterranean Sea, Caspian Sea and Black Sea and moves eastwards towards north India.

AP

Frequency of Western Disturbances is maximum in the months of December and January, but throughout the year, there are WDs. "In monsoon season too, there is WD. In 2013, on June 16, it was an active WD like the current one. The low-pressure area was laying over Uttar Pradesh. Both interacted and it caused extremely heavy rainfall leading to the Kedarnath tragedy," recalled IMD Director General, Mrutyunjay Mahapatra.

Climate change is here

However, Mahapatra refused to directly attribute the frequency of WD or the extreme weather event to climate change as he said, interaction between WDs and low-pressure areas led to this extreme weather episode, and this has happened earlier too.

Reuters

"The frequency of heavy rainfall events is increasing due to climate change, especially in association with low-pressure areas."

It has been widely accepted that Climate Change will bring more extreme weather events, and if we look at what is happening in the country, it is already here.

"There are two different stories for climate change -- one at the regional level and the other at the global scale. But what is important is that the experts have warned how climate change will have an unequal impact in a given area. Localised extreme weather events are a cause of worry," a senior meteorologist from IMD Pune, KS Hosalikar said.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News.


Heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand brought life to a standstill not just for the residents of the state, but also the tourists. The state has been receiving heavy rains since Sunday night. Over 45 people were killed and many injured and 11 missing after heavy rain hit the state. The state government has advised pilgrims not to visit Himalayan temples until the weather improves. "There is huge loss due to the floods ... the crops have been destroyed," Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami told agencies. "The locals are facing a lot of problems, the roads are waterlogged, bridges have been washed away." Here are some pictures of the damage it has caused:
Science keeps winning! Scientists recently transplanted a pig's kidney into a human being without immediate rejection by the immune system.

A step in the right direction, the achievement could help ease the shortage of human organs for transplant by using animal organs.

Performed at the NYU Langone Health in New York City, the procedure used the kidney of a pig whose genes had been modified to get rid of a particular molecule which causes human immune systems to reject animal organs.

According to Reuters, the recipient of the pig kidney is a comatose patient who was experiencing kidney dysfunction. The subject's family consented to the pig kidney transplantation before she was set to be taken off life support.

Reuters

How was the procedure done?

In the pilot phase of the transplant, the pig kidney was attached to her blood vessels but kept outside the body. This gave researchers access to the kidney for three days in case things were to go awry.

Also read: Israeli Doctors Recreate Jaw Of Badly Injured Soldier Using 3D Tech

The kidney function after the transplant appears to be normal so far. Turns out the kidney is also making as much urine as expected from a kidney. In fact, Dr. Robert Montgomery, the lead researcher of the study told Reuters that it's working akin to a human kidney.

Reuters

The most telling sign of the pig kidney working? The recipient's kidney function has become normal again. Earlier, the subject's creatinine levels were abnormal and now they appear stable.

Kidney shortage in India

Researchers across the globe have been working for decades to transplant animal kidneys into humans. Unfortunately, the immediate rejection has remained extremely high among recipients. With this new pig kidney transplant, things may be headed for a shake-up.

Also read: Indian Doctors Fuse Robotic Surgery And 3D Imaging To Save Two Teenage Girls' Lives



According to NarayanHealth, almost 200,000 patients in India are awaiting organ donation with only 15,000 available donors. This gap could be filled with animal transplants modelled around this one.

Reuters

What do you think about this fantastic scientific feat? Share the joy with us in the comments below. For the latest and the freakiest in the world of tech and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.

Citation

Lapid, N. (2021, October 20). U.S. surgeons successfully test pig kidney transplant in human patient. Reuters.

Narayan Health (2021, April) The current scenario of kidney transplants in India. Narayan Health.
'Justice for Harambe' took over the world in 2016 when a gorilla was shot dead by a zoo worker after a three-year-old boy had climbed into the primate's enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo in the US. The incident received a lot of backlash and the gorilla's death was not taken lightly by activists.

YouTube

Soon after, Harambe became an internet sensation and now, a seven-foot-tall statue of the animal has been installed opposite the Charging Bull in Manhattan's Financial District in the United States. It now accompanies the statue of Bull which was surrounded by 10,000 bananas.

A 7-feet tall statue of #Harambe & 10K bananas in front of #ChargingBull statue put by Sapien Network.They say it's to highlight wealth disparity & how 'bananas' #WallStreet has become. Harambe,a Cincinnati Zoo gorilla was killed after a kid climbed into its exhibit in 2016.#USA pic.twitter.com/WEfsQEI6qZ  Rishi Darda (@rishidarda) October 19, 2021

This has been done by the founders of Sapien Network - a social media platform that describes itself as 'dedicated to putting the needs and welfare of human beings first'.

According to an NBC report, the bananas will be donated to local food banks and community fridges to feed the underprivileged.

The founders of Sapien Network - Robert Giometti, Tejay Aluru and Ankit Bhatia - said Harambe is a symbol to represent millions of Americans who struggle due to the US capitalist system which "enriches wealthy elites and leaves the average person behind."

Harambe's death brought in the conversation about the parents should have been held accountable for their child's actions but eventually, they were let off the hook. Protestors claimed that Harambe never behaved aggressively with the child but was still given a fatal end. There were some who also said that it looked like Harambe was protecting the toddler.

Twitter

Giometti said that they want to compel the audience to think about what they aspire to be as human beings.


Rep. Pramila Jayapal (center) speaks alongside fellow progressive lawmakers  Rep. Ro Khanna can be seen at the far right  following a meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House on Oct. 19, 2021 in Washington, DC. The group of lawmakers met with Biden as negotiations on the infrastructure bill continue. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Real-time social media posts from local businesses and organizations across Northern Virginia, powered by Friends2Follow. To add your business to the stream, email cfields@insidenova.com or click on the green button below.
A pair of tornados have been confirmed in western Pennsylvania over the weekend, forecasters said.

The National Weather Service says an EF-0 tornado with estimated winds up to 85 mph touched down in the town of Shippingport before dawn Saturday. The storm uprooted a few trees and broke off some branches and also ripped the roof off a pavilion behind the municipal building.

Another EF-1 tornado touched down in Monaca shortly before 6:30 a.m. Saturday and traveled two miles with estimated maximum winds up to 95 mph. It uprooted trees, sending one onto the windshield of a car, and ripped the roof off a mobile home before crossing the Ohio River into Freedom and causing more damage.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Pennsylvania Numbers
A former publication company executive was sentenced to more than six years in prison Monday in a $48 million embezzlement plot.

A federal judge sentenced Nestor Charriez to 75 months and also ordered him to pay $43 million in restitution.

The 60-year-old Scotch Plains resident pleaded guilty last year to one count of wire fraud. Charriez worked for Hoboken-based Harrison Scott Publications, a publisher of business news.

According to the U.S. attorneys office, Charriezs responsibilities included overseeing and managing its payroll, which was handled by an outside contractor.

From at least 2002 through June 2019, Charriez embezzled millions of dollars through unauthorized bonus payments to himself, prosecutors said. He submitted false payroll instructions to the contractor, indicating that he was entitled to massive bonuses  hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time  which his employer had not approved, prosecutors said. Specific details on how Charriez spent the money were not disclosed.

Robert Stahl, an attorney representing Charriez, said in an email that his client had an addictive disorder that manifested as an obsessive-compulsive need to acquire things of value.

He is a good husband, father and grandfather who deeply regrets his actions and the effects that his actions have had on so many people close to him, particularly his employers and co-workers, Stahl said.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics New Jersey
Coverys European Holdings (CEH), a leading underwriting vehicle that invests in speciality managing general agencies in Europe and the UK, announces the expansion of its AEC underwriting agency with the launch of AEC Europe in Barcelona.

AEC Europe underwrites a suite of products including professional indemnity, directors and officers (D&O), medical malpractice, and cyber.

AEC Europe will execute a pan-European underwriting strategy drawing on the collective experience of the assembled team and, taking advantage of buoyant market conditions. A select panel of insurers, reinsurers and Lloyds syndicates provide the capacity.

Cutting-edge technology underpins the new MGA by providing instant quotation, straightforward electronic placement, improved policy administration, and real-time risk and claims insights to deliver an enhanced customer experience.

Ana de Oliveira leads AEC Europe, drawing on a wealth of casualty expertise. Having started her career in her native South Africa, de Oliveira has extensive experience running her own underwriting agency, as well as, holding various director positions. Prior to joining AEC Europe, she led the Iberian team and assisted in growing the European portfolio, as professional lines senior underwriter at ANV Global Services.

AEC Europes launch marks the next phase in the evolution of Coverys European MGA network, which includes casualty underwriting offices launched or acquired in Italy, Ireland and the UK.

We are delighted to expand our European network yet again, and embrace the clear opportunity to present a real, dynamic challenge to the status quo. The sum of technology and the local teams expertise will quickly establish AEC Europe as a leading casualty insurance provider across the continent, commented Doug Robare, chief underwriting officer of Coverys Europe Holdings.

Under Anas expert leadership, we have built a team of skilled underwriters who have identified gaps in their chosen markets. They will exploit those opportunities with their substantial expertise, underpinned by supportive capital and cutting-edge technology, said Robare.

From our regional bases in Italy and now Spain, we are ideally located with local expertise to provide the coverage they truly need, and to tap into the resources of CEHs expanding MGA network to complement the offer, said De Oliveira.

The launch of AEC Europe is a key milestone for our rapidly expanding business. We are now developing the capabilities to expand our footprint across Europe, bringing together a combination of recognised expertise both locally and internationally that will increasingly set us apart, according to Elisabetta Ibba, CEO of AEC Wholesale Group.

About Coverys and Coverys Europe Holdings

Coverys is a leading provider of medical professional liability insurance protection to physicians, hospitals, dentists, podiatrists and advanced practice providers. Emphasizing patient safety and physician education, Coverys is acknowledged as a leading provider of supportive risk management services, including interactive continuing medical education activities to healthcare providers across the country. Coverys European Holdings Ltd. (CEH) is an agency platform and network investing in specialty managing general agencies throughout Europe and the UK.

Source: Coverys

Topics Europe Insurance Wholesale Casualty
German reinsurer Munich Re doubled its profit in the third quarter, despite big losses from storms in Europe and the United States, it said on Tuesday, but left its forecasts for the year unchanged.

Profit rose to around 400 million euros ($466.24 million) in the period, compared with 199 million euros a year earlier and better than analyst expectations for a small loss of 10 million euros, Munich Re said.

The company said it was sticking to its profit target of 2.8 billion euros for the full year as the industry bounces back from 2020 and the burdens of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Floods from storm Bernd in Germany and elsewhere will result in around 600 million euros in losses, while Hurricane Ida in the United States caused damages of around 1.2 billion euros, the company said.

Munich Re published the preliminary figures ahead of schedule. Full results are due on Nov. 9.

($1 = 0.8579 euros) (Reporting by Tom Sims; editing by Riham Alkousaa, Emma Thomasson and Louise Heavens)

Topics USA Profit Loss Windstorm Europe
Aston Lark, the Goldman Sachs-backed broker, announced the acquisition of Absolute Products Ltd., its 40th deal since its formation in 2018 and its 24th in 2021 alone.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Related: MGAs Can Build Broker Relationships  Even in a Hard Market: Aston Larks CEO

Established in 2002, insurance broker Absolute Products provides a bespoke service to private clients as well as a range of commercial insurances for businesses. Based in Leighton Buzzard, England, and led by Nicki OGorman and Paul Szirbik, the Absolute Products team strives to deliver exceptional customer service.

Aston Lark announced on Oct. 13 that it will also be acquired  by Howden Brokers.

Nicki OGorman, director at Absolute Products, commented: We are delighted to be joining the Aston Lark group. We pride ourselves on offering clients first-class advice along with excellent customer service, and Aston Lark shares the same ethos. It is exciting that our clients will be able to benefit from the wide-ranging services and resources this great company can offer. Aston Lark is the ideal partner as we continue on our journey and were very much looking forward to the future as part of the group.

Our primary philosophy is to provide our clients with a personal and professional service, and we believe becoming part of Aston Lark will bring additional benefits to our clients, said Paul Szirbik, who also is a director at Absolute Products.

About Aston Lark

With more than 1,600 employees across more than 55 offices in the UK and Ireland, 200,000 customers and more than 900 million of GWP, Aston Larks expertise spans all commercial sectors, industry-specific schemes, employee benefits consultancy, and a wide range of private client solutions.

Source: Aston Lark

Topics Mergers Agencies
MOSCOW  Russias Renaissance Insurance Group will reduce the size of its IPO to $250 million from an initial $290 million, two sources told Reuters on Wednesday, selling only new shares plus an over-allotment option.

The group has covered its IPO book at the lower end of the indicative price range, which had been set 120 to 135 roubles ($1.69-1.90) per share, a financial market source and a person familiar with the companys plans said.

Russias Renaissance Insurance Seeks $1 Billion Valuation in IPO

The group said last month that it planned to list its shares on the Moscow Exchange and raise up to $290 million.

It then said the offering size was expected to total up to 25.2 billion roubles ($355 million) when setting the indicative price range this month.

Pricing at the lower end of the range would imply a market capitalisation of around 67.2 billion roubles, in line with the initial plan that a person familiar with the matter shared with Reuters in September.

Renaissance Insurance Group is one of a number of Russian companies that have decided to list shares as Russias IPO activity has picked up pace recently after being hit by the pandemic last year.

($1 = 71.0350 roubles) (Reporting by Olga Popova; writing by Alexander Marrow; editing by Katya Golubkova and Jason Neely)

Topics Russia
A highway worker was killed and a co-worker was seriously injured when a vehicle struck them as they were working along a rural road in eastern Indiana, state police said.

The two Union County Highway Department employees were working about 9 a.m. on Oct. 18 along a road near U.S. 27 when a vehicle struck both of them, a preliminary police investigation shows.

Justin Moore, 42, of Brookville, was pronounced dead at the scene, while Douglas Scaggs, 62, of Liberty, was airlifted to a hospital in Dayton, Ohio, with serious injuries, police said.

The 37-year-old woman motorist was not injured in the crash, which occurred about 70 miles (112.7 kilometers) east of Indianapolis, and a few miles north of the Union County seat of Liberty.

Police said she was taken to a Richmond hospital for toxicology tests required under Indiana law.

Once state police complete their crash investigation, their findings will be forwarded to Union Countys prosecutor to determine if the motorist will face criminal charges.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Indiana
A Louisiana physician agreed to pay more than $600,000 to resolve allegation that he accepted kickback payments for referrals of home health patients.

The U.S. Justice Department said Dr. Llewelyn Simon, an internal medicine physician from Monroe, will pay $640,000 to resolve allegations that he accepted kickbacks.

According to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Louisiana, Dr. Simon, who served as a medical director for the now defunct United Home Care home health agency, accepted monthly payments that exceeded the fair market value of the services he provided. It is also alleged that the excess fees Simon received were for referrals of patients, many of whom were Medicare beneficiaries.

Simon was charged under the U.S. Anti-Kickback Statute, which was created to prevent financial incentives from improperly influencing medical decision-making which can lead to excessive and unnecessary services. Specifically, the Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering or paying anything of value to induce the referral of items or services covered by federal health care programs.

The investigation was conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Theriot handled the case.

Source: U.S. Justice Department

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Louisiana
A Louisiana House leader offered blistering criticism Monday of Gov. John Bel Edwards temporary housing program for people with severe home damage from Hurricane Ida, slamming the effort as moving too slowly to assist suffering residents.

Though more than 1,000 trailers have been purchased, only a handful have been distributed to residents.

Rep. Tanner Magee, the Houma Republican who is the second-ranking House leader, sent a letter to Edwards homeland security chief, James Waskom, outlining complaints about the program unveiled by the governor on Oct. 4.

Magee accused Waskom of a sense of complacency about the slow placement of trailers and said the contractor hired to manage the program was providing no information to people who applied for temporary housing. He said Waskom appeared bothered by requests for information and had almost a sense of contempt in your interactions with me.

I hope this letter finds you better than the majority of Terrebonne Parish residents who are still suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, Magee wrote of his hard-hit home parish.

Waskoms office _ the Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness _ said the state has bought more than 1,100 temporary trailers for Ida victims. By midday Monday, 13 of those trailers had people living in them. Others were being cleaned and inspected to ready them for move-in, agency spokesperson Mike Steele said.

We should have received hundreds of trailers to date, Magee said in his letter.

Waskoms agency didnt immediately respond to the complaints cited in the letter, but the governors office said a statement would be released Monday.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder and House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zee Zeringue, both Republicans, also signed onto the complaints.

The Edwards administration estimated nearly 13,000 households could need sheltering assistance because of Ida _ 10,000 of them in Terrebonne Parish.

The Democratic governor announced the state-run Hurricane Ida Sheltering Program five weeks after the Category 4 storm roared ashore Aug. 29 and ravaged southeastern Louisiana. Edwards said the states program will dovetail with temporary housing efforts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and aimed to move quickly to get people into homes near their property, as they repair or rebuild houses wrecked by Ida. FEMA is paying most of the costs.

Louisiana hired contractor APTIM, an engineering and construction management firm, to run its temporary housing program in a $9 million contract.

Magee said his office is getting complaints from residents waiting to hear from the contractor about their housing applications.

The people of Louisiana desperately need to know a timeframe of when they can expect a response to their applications from your sheltering program, Magee wrote to Waskom. Despite receiving $9 million from the state, Aptim does not appear to believe providing a response to desperate people is necessary.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation Louisiana
Elevators across Georgia may be long overdue for safety inspections, but regulators have no way to know, thanks to a poorly set up computer database and a system that relies on self-policing.

The revelations came to light after an 18-year-old student athlete was trapped between floors in a balky elevator in an Atlanta apartment complex in August. The elevator had stopped between floors and JauMarcus McFarland was crushed when the car fell as he tried to crawl out.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the state Insurance Departments database allowed regulators to view individual records of elevators but the system could not produce a list of elevators that were overdue for inspection, officials said. The result is that regulators had no idea the elevator that killed McFarland was overdue for inspection, the newspaper reported.

Staff with Insurance Commissioner John Kings office blamed the computer system that was installed a decade ago by a former commissioner and was kept in place by Jim Beck. Beck was elected commissioner in 2018 but was removed from office in 2019 after he was indicted in an embezzlement scheme. Beck was sentenced last week to 7 years in prison but has appealed the sentence.

Insurance Department officials say they installed new software in July that is capable of tracking systems due for inspection, but they are starting from scratch in developing an overdue list. Regulators wont know until July 2022 which regulated systems have not been inspected.

Owners of the building where McFarland died have been fined. But that was only because the overdue inspections and repairs came to light after the accident. Despite repeated complaints about the faulty elevator, owners did not make needed repairs or call for inspections, residents have said.

The local building code notes that the owner has the duty to ensure that it is operating in compliance with state law and must proactively contact a state regulator for an inspection.

But relying on self-policing is a recipe for trouble, critics said.

Where else is this happening? said Georgia state Rep. Matthew Wilson, who sits on the House Insurance Committee and plans to run for insurance commissioner in 2022. Because this isnt the only building in Georgia where the elevator inspection is out of date. And what are we doing to prevent additional tragedies just like this one rather than waiting for them to occur and just imposing fines?

Topics Georgia
Tokio Marine American Insurance has filed a lawsuit against the owners of a Georgia warehouse, where 50,000 tons of wood pellets caught fire in May and burned for days.

Tokio had insured the biofuel pellets, and it alleges in the suit that Logistec, a stevedoring company, was negligent in storing the material. Authorities believe some of the pellets decomposed and spontaneously combusted, starting the fire that devoured the warehouse and threatened nearby homes in Brunswick.

Logistec made almost every mistake it could make in storing wood pellet biofuel, a clean and safe biofuel manufactured by Fram, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit claims Logistec improperly stored pellets in tall cones and loaded wet pellets into the warehouse; scooped pellets from the top of the pile, leaving a bottom layer to degrade and overheat; and let flammable wood dust accumulate, all contributing to spontaneous combustion. It also alleges that Logistec had flawed sprinklers. More than $4.5 million of the material was lost in the fire.

State investigators said Logistec responded with a private fire brigade and waited a full day before calling the fire department. No one was injured, but firefighters shut off gas lines to nearby homes and remained at the scene for weeks.

The company declined comment on the suit.

The warehouse that burned had replaced two buildings destroyed by a 2015 fire that also was blamed on spontaneous combustion.

Logistec says it remains committed to its 45-worker Brunswick operation. It began storing less flammable peanut hulls at the site in August after meeting stricter fire prevention rules set by the state. Logistec has said it doesnt currently plan to resume handling wood pellets there.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits
Industrial conglomerate 3M Co on Tuesday said it had agreed to pay about $98.4 million to settle claims that it contaminated the Tennessee River with toxic chemicals.

3M agreed to resolve a lawsuit by environmental group Tennessee Riverkeeper and a separate class action by residents of Alabamas Morgan County. It also negotiated a private settlement with Morgan County, the city of Decatur, where 3Ms local facility is based, and Decaturs utility provider.

The three agreements all involve 3Ms manufacturing and disposal of polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, at its Decatur industrial site in Morgan County.

The settlements come a day after the Environmental Protection Agency said it would set limits on PFAS, which scientists have associated with illnesses such as kidney cancer.

PFAS have been dubbed forever chemicals because they do not break down easily. They have been used for decades in household products such as non-stick cookware.

The agreements are subject to final approval, 3M said in a statement. The company did not admit wrongdoing.

3Ms Decatur site director, Michelle Howell, said in a statement that she hoped the deals would strengthen Decatur for the future.

Tennessee Riverkeeper in a statement called the settlement just a start.

Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling said in a statement the settlement will fund improvements that will make the environment in Decatur and Morgan County healthier.

(Reporting by Sebastien Malo; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Stephen Coates)

Topics Claims Numbers Tennessee Chemicals
The state of Georgia has settled a whistleblower lawsuit brought by three Insurance Department employees who reportedly leaked information about disgraced former Insurance Commissioner Jim Beck.

I think the primary lesson here is that these ladies are heroes or should be heroes, the workers lawyer, Ed Tarver, told Atlanta TV station Fox5 News.

The three longtime department workers filed suit in 2019, claiming that Beck fired them after he took office early that year. They will now split about $870,000 from the state.

The suit notes that Beck blamed the employees for giving information to a news reporter about Becks allegedly suspicious activity, including an arson fire that destroyed a house he owned. The TV station found that two weeks before the arson, Beck nearly doubled his insurance coverage, from $95,000 to $186,000.

Beck said the increased coverage was needed because of renovations he was doing. No one was charged in the arson.

The station also reported that Beck, while serving as manager of a state-created residual property insurer known as Georgia Underwriting Association, also took a full-time job as victim-witness advocate for a west Georgia district attorneys office.

Beck was elected state insurance commissioner in 2018 but was removed from office a few months after he took over in 2019. He was convicted this year of embezzling more than $2.6 million from the underwriting association while he managed it from 2012-2018. He was sentenced to seven years in federal prison earlier this month, but he has appealed the sentence. He also must pay restitution to Cincinnati Insurance Co., which covered the losses the association incurred in the fraud scheme.

The three women who settled the lawsuit are Loranda Allen, Candice Sprague, and Sherry Mowell. They issued a joint statement: We hate that this convicted felon destroyed so many careers when he came into office. That is sad for all Georgians.

Topics Georgia
(The Center Square)  The Michigan House Elections and Ethics Committee heard testimony on four election bills on Tuesday.

Rep. Damoose, R-Harbor Springs, sponsored House Bill (HB) 5335, which aims to require city and township clerks to provide challengers in that precinct or absent voter (AV) counting boards with a visible identification badge that includes the word challenger and could include the precinct location or number but not the challengers name, the name or logo of a political party, or any other identifying mark not authorized in the bill.

Damoose said requiring badges for challengers would ease tracking challenges, and reduce overall confusion on election day.

Rep. Ann Bollin, R-Brighton, said the bill would validate the process of being a poll challenger.

HB 5268 seeks to prohibit election officials from sending unsolicited absent voter ballot applications. Under the bill, AV ballot applications could not be sent out or made available to electors more than 75 days before an election unless they specifically requested them. Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson sent out absentee ballot applications before the 2020 presidential election, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a reason to make socially distanced voting easier. The move cost the state $4.2 million in federal funding.

SB 302 aims to modify a voter registration application to include a claim of one residence for voting rights. The bill would require a voter registration application to include a statement that the elector understood that it is a felony to or attempt to vote more than once at the same election either in the same or another voting precinct.

HB 4286 aims to revise the deadline for a write-in candidate for precinct delegate to file a declaration of intent. Currently, the deadline for write-in candidates for most offices to file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate is on or before 4 p.m. on the second Friday immediately before the election.

The deadline for write-in candidates for precinct delegates is on or before 4 p.m. on the Friday immediately before the election. The bill would delay the deadline for those write-in candidates a week to align it with the deadline for other offices. The bill would keep a requirement that clerks maintain a supply of declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate forms in the clerks office, but remove a requirement that they are made available at polling places during the August primary.

The bills are part of a bigger GOP push to ensure what they are depicting as election integrity. Last week, hundreds of people protested in front of the Michigan Capitol, calling for a "forensic audit" of the 2020 election. Meanwhile, Democrats say the bills are a recourse to appease voters after former President Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has promised to veto any bills that she believes suppress voting rights.
Shares in Irish exploration company Providence Resources fell as much as 8% after the company announced the resignation of its chief executive Alan Linn after less than two years in charge.

Providences chief asset is the Barryroe oil and gas field, which lies off the coast of Cork. Mr Linn, who replaced Tony OReilly Jr as Providence boss early last year, said he was leaving to concentrate on his other business interests.

He said it was the opportune time to leave and that Providence is well-placed to progress the Barryroe project. Providence said it has immediately started to look for a new chief executive.

In the meantime, James Menton  who was appointed non-executive chairman at Providences recent AGM  will take over the running of the company, on an interim basis, as executive chairman.

Providence began a strategic review of how best to develop Barryroe, in September. That review is expected to complete towards the end of the year.

Earlier this year, Providence said it was retaining its 80% ownership of Barryroe and would lead the funding of the fields development after terminating a proposed development partner deal in April.

That was a result of its prospective partner  a consortium headed by Norwegian company SpotOn Energy  failing to meet farm-out conditions.

Last year, Mr Linn said Providence was aiming to fast-track production at Barryroe, saying the field needed to be brought to production stage as early as possible. The initial plan was to begin a drilling round at Barryroe late next year.

Meanwhile, Irish exploration company United Oil and Gas and its partners have been granted approval to fast-track their latest discovery in Egypts onshore Abu Sennan licence, after it was deemed a commercial discovery.
Philippa Ryder began her life with a different name and, to the outside world, as a different gender.

Born in the 1960s, Ryder grew up in a time when the word transgender hadnt entered the vernacular. It would be another 38 years before the Dubliner discovered a chat forum for gay men, lesbians, and transvestites and began her journey to who she was born to be.

Her memoir, My Name is Philippa, is a story of transitioning from one gender to another in a country that has undergone dramatic changes within her lifetime.

Its an honest, unflinching memoir that at times, doesnt present its narrator or those at the heart of the story in the best of lights - something that isnt an easy feat in a time when we are all so afraid of saying the wrong thing or being viewed as regressive.

As publication day approaches, Ryder admits she has had some sleepless nights. But, I have told a true story and I feel it was necessary to tell it.

At the heart of My Name is Philippa is the relationship between Ryder and her wife Helen. The pair met in 1980 at a Star Trek convention in Leeds and there was an immediate spark.

They married six years later, in August 1986, and more than four decades later, they are still together, having renewed their vows as wife and wife in a ceremony in 2009, 23 years after they first said I do.

But the transition from husband and wife to wife and wife was not without its challenges. Ryder writes that the effect on the partners of transgender people is sometimes ignored even by the trans people themselves, and admits she feels she too was selfish at times during her transition.

I was pushing, pushing, pushing for Helen to understand and to accept me immediately. I think one of the things to emphasise is the fact that I had 40 years to come to terms with who I was.

Helen, although she knew from a very early stage of our relationship, she hadn't really processed it. She didn't really understand the depth of my desire to transition.

In addition to Ryders transition, there was also the realisation that she was bisexual - which in some ways was an even bigger challenge to overcome.

That was a very difficult conclusion to come to for me, Ryder says. Her sexuality is explored in the book, in ways that one can imagine was difficult for Helen to read.

Helen knew everything before she read the book, Ryder says, but it was a different story for their 25-year-old daughter, Jenny.

She was a little bit shocked, Ryder says, but when asked for her reaction to the book recently, she recounts that her daughter said simply: "It shows my parents are human, and I'm really happy about that.

Philippa Ryder, My Name is Philippa.

What shines through in this memoir is the strength of Ryders family, and the writer says she views the book as a love story between herself, Helen and Jenny.

It is also a love letter to her mother, though she sadly passed away some years ago without fully accepting that, though she had raised a boy, her child was destined to be a woman.

I put it down to a generational thing, Ryder says.

While the pain of her mothers unacceptance is palpable, Ryder says she knows how lucky she is that her wife Helen and daughter Jenny have fully embraced her.

I know of other trans people, especially trans women who are estranged from their families, sisters, children. It's not an easy journey."

While her mother ultimately didnt accept her for who she was, many others have come around with time, and Philippas nugget of advice to anyone transitioning is allow those around you time to process the change.

Your work colleagues, your family, your friends - give them time. Don't expect them to immediately accept you. It is a very traumatic experience for everybody.

Ryder says she is impressed by the current generation of young trans people, in particular their confidence and ability to express themselves.

"The knowledge that they have about the whole issue is just incredible. It's wonderful to see. When I came out, originally, I was tongue-tied, I didn't know what I was saying, I didn't have the information, but now they've got the information, they've got the competence, it gives you a lot of hope for the future.

Basically, we just want to be accepted for who we are. And the teenagers and the early 20s trans people are not accepting the fact that society is not going to let them be who they are, they are fighting for their rights, and one of the reasons that I wanted to publish the book is I want to show the older trans person as well, that they can do this, that they can keep their family together.

As one of the original members of the Steering Committee of Transgender Europe, a board member and chair of Transgender Equality Network Ireland and COO of social enterprise Under the Rainbow, Ryder has a long track record in promoting and campaigning for trans rights.

But, unlike some of the other non-fiction books on this topic that have landed in bookstores in recent weeks, her memoir does not feel like a political manifesto or a call to action. Instead it achieves what Philippa says her aim was in telling her story - proof that love and time can heal almost anything.

I wrote this book as a beacon of hope, she says. Helen and I stuck together, Jenny is incredibly supportive and as time went on, more and more people came to accept me for who I am. "

Ive had such a successful transition and I wanted to share it with the world.
Eighties pop wunderkind Kim Wilde is to join Classic Hits radio station as a DJ, broadcasting from her base in Britain.

The Kim Wilde 80s Show will air at 6pm Monday to Thursday from Monday, October 25, and promises to hit all the beats you might expect from an '80s pop excursion, including tunes from all the big names of the age, plus traffic and travel updates for the drive-time audience.
Discriminatory new public health measures have been announced for the hospitality and events sectors that have left the industries with less clarity than ever.

Although the hospitality, entertainment and night-time economy sectors can fully reopen on Friday, they can only do so with the full range of protective measures in place.

Impacted industries have slammed these "confusing" measures as "nonsensical".

They include allowing full capacity for indoor and outdoor live events but requiring the audience to be seated. People can only stand, or dance, at their seats at these venues.

But nightclubs allow dancing, unmasked. And table service will still be required for all hospitality venues other than nightclubs.

Shane Dunne, MD at Corks Indiependence music festival and promoter with MCD Productions, described the new measures as discriminatory. Today is a devastating day for the commercial live music business in Ireland, he wrote on Twitter.

It just gets more and more ridiculous. You can [have] 300 people on the dancefloor of a club but not the floor of Whelans?

Can anyone explain the science behind standing in a club being okay and standing at a gig not being okay? he asked.

DJ Stevie Grainger, aka Stevie G, said that he was even more confused about what was expected from his sector following today's government announcement.

Although the measures should not impact his free gigs in the River Lee Hotel in Cork on Friday and Sunday night during the Cork Jazz Festival, he said that the announcement has made life difficult for music promoters all over the country.

If the people running shows cant understand whats going on, how can they explain it to others? Its very confusing. Theres less clarity than ever now.

Ed OLeary of The Good Room which has gigs including Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def) booked for this weekend in Cork, also said that the measures are confusing.

Theres a lot of mixed messages. You can dance in a nightclub but you cant in a venue unless youre next to your seat. Again, it hasnt been thought out properly.

It is good news though that we can operate at full capacity. But its very late now.

Mr OLeary and his team now have to email all ticket holders to explain that if they do not have a Covid Pass, they cannot come to the venue as the requirement to show a Covid pass before entering indoor venues has been extended.

Well have a number of refunds to do no doubt, he said.

People from all over the country are coming to Cork for the Jazz Weekend. People have booked a show and theyre not sure if they can go now. Its very frustrating."

Ger Kiely, owner of Corks Cyprus Avenue music venue and the Old Oak bar said that his sector is in chaos following the Governments nonsensical decisions.

Its decisions being made by people who have no understanding of the industry, he said.

We were told we can operate at full capacity but you cant seat standing gigs at full capacity, it would be a fire hazard.

Seating gigs reduces capacity to less than 50%. You cant operate the gigs at less than 50% capacity, you just cant cover your costs," Mr Kiely said.

What do we do with the acts weve booked this weekend? What do we tell our staff? Do we tell them all we cant afford to pay you?

"What do we do with all the people whove booked tickets with us? Do we just refund everyone, sit on our hands and do nothing?

Months and months of work have gone into this weekend alone. We need an income, we havent had an income in 18 months.

How are we going to survive?"

Booking events manager Eoin Aherne outside CyprusAvenue in Cork, standing next to acts they have booked for the Jazz weekend. Picture Dan Linehan

However, concerns that Christmas parties may have to be cancelled, as no more than 10 adults can be seated at a table in hospitality venues, were somewhat allayed by Adrian Cummins of the Restaurants Association of Ireland.

If you can have black tie events of up to 100 people for business events, which happened in the past with IBEC, surely the Christmas parties can go ahead now if they call them business events. People will use their own ingenuity to comply with the guideline, he said.

He called for Failte Ireland to step aside from negotiations with the Government on the hospitality sectors behalf and let the professionals in there to liaise with decisionmakers instead.

The announcement that pubs must continue with mandatory table service while not permitting customers sit or stand at the bar until February at the earliest is a devastating blow to a sector that was expecting to see all restrictions removed this week, the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) said.

And maintaining restrictions will result in further pub closures as mandatory table service significantly reduces capacity in venues, the VFI warned.
As the phased return to the workplace continues, workers are reevaluating whether their current job provides them with the supports they need.

New research shows that over the course of the pandemic employees' overall mental wellbeing has deteriorated and many are looking to find work in an environment that prioritises good mental health.

Among 18-34 year olds, 45% are planning to change their jobs in the coming year and one in three of these are seeking an employer that provides adequate mental health resources to support better mental wellbeing.

Mental health issues are a serious and widespread problem in the workplace with Laya Healthcare's latest Brave New Era report revealing 46% of referrals into occupational health are for mental health reasons.

Almost half of workers reported feeling lonely and isolated in the past year while 46% have struggled to get a good night's sleep and almost a quarter have experienced sustained levels of anxiety.

During 2021, HR leaders have reported an increase in productivity but the report suggests that this has come at the cost of employees' mental health, morale and motivation.

Since the last Brave New Era report in September 2020, overall mental wellbeing has decreased by 19%, morale is down 23% and motivation has reduced by 17%.

With 60% of employers hoping to increase the number of new hires made over the coming months, they are being urged to take the mental health concerns of their staff into account.

"Supporting the mental wellbeing of employees can no longer be a nice to do; it is essential to building a healthy and sustainable workforce that is able to support businesses growth ambitions, said Sinead Proos, Head of Health and Wellbeing at Laya Healthcare.

The findings of this latest report paints a stark picture, says UCC professor, John Gallagher.

"It is clear that employers need to do more to intervene at the very earliest signs of a mental health issue to offer supports that can help a person to get back on track and reduce further deterioration of their mental health," said Prof Gallagher, Specialist in Occupational Medicine.

Among the main issues that needs to be addressed is the perceived stigma surrounding mental health in the workplace.

Almost 60% of employers stated that there is still stigma while 40% of employees agreed with this view.

The issue was found to be more prevalent in the manufacturing industries where three-in-five workers admitted they hadn't sought help for anxiety or other mental health issues.

Chartered psychologist Dr Sarah O'Neill said the perceived stigma is a barrier for many people when it comes to seeking support.

"In addition to providing mental wellbeing support services, the existence of the benefits provided needs to be communicated to employees. Employees need and expect mentally healthy workplaces," said Dr O'Neill.

The head of a HR platform has said that employers need to be mindful that a return to the workplace will bring up feeling of anxiety and stress for many employees.

Employers will have a plethora of Covid-19 safety duties to address if they opt to bring people back to the office, said David Kindlon, CEO of Eppione, and key among these is the duty to provide the proper mental health supports.

Employers should begin consulting with their workforce to understand attitudes towards attending the workplace, something he said should be done sooner rather than later.

Mr Kindlon said doing so will give businesses the opportunity to redefine a Return to Work policy that is in line with the needs of their unique workforces and allowing for a smooth transition back to the workplace that is as safe and stress-free as possible.
We are very helpful, we get on better with our parents, Jack is still the most popular boy's name while Murphy remains the most popular surname for a baby born in Ireland.

This is according to the Central Statistics Office, which also says there are fewer teenage mothers, more Dubliners, and people who live in the South-West of Ireland are among the unhappiest in the country.

The latest CSO Statistical Yearbook of Ireland also notes the country's population rose by 34,000 in the year to April 2021.

But while that was the smallest increase since 2014, the CSO says Ireland's population breached the 5m mark for the first time since the 1851 Census.

Our population was estimated to be 5.01m in April 2021, while the comparable population in 1851 was 5.11m.

Dublins population increased by 8,300 in the year to April 2021, bringing the capital's population to almost 1.43m to 28.5% of the State total.

The Midlands, with just over 307,000 people (6.1%), was the region with the smallest population in April 2021.

When it comes to life events, births to teenage mothers continue to decrease, with 830 births to women under 20 recorded in 2020, compared to 1,199 in 2015.

Grace pipped Fiadh to the most popular baby name spot for girls in 2020.

And Jack retained the top spot as the most popular boys name, while the top three surnames were Murphy, Kelly and OBrien.

Marriage rates halved

Marriage rates more than halved in 2020, most likely as a result of the pandemic.

In the labour market, a ripple effect from Covid-19 can been seen in 184,100 people who were classified as unemployed in 2021  a surge of 53,200 or 40.6% from 2019.

The unemployment rate rose from 5.4% to 7.3% over the same period.

When it comes to our health, CSO surveys found the South-West reports the highest levels of some form of depression (mild to severe) at 18% of people aged 15 years and over.

The West region reports the lowest levels of some form of depression at 10%, a full eight percentage points lower than the South-West region.

Three-quarters of people aged 15 years and over report they find it easy or very easy to get practical help from neighbours, and persons with disabilities report the same level for getting practical help (75%)

Rural households were more likely to report having some or great difficulty accessing a bank (44.2%) or post office (33.1%), compared with urban households at almost 17% and almost 9% respectively.

Of respondents that moved back with both parents since the onset of the Covid-19 crisis, 22% said their relationship with their father had improved, while 31% said their relationship with their mother had improved

This year, the CSO split its Statistical Yearbook series into three parts to make it easier for people to find the information they are looking for.

The first was Wednesdays Statistical Yearbook of Ireland 2021: People and Society.

Next is Business & Economy, which will be published on Thursday and lastly, Travel, Agriculture, Environment, and Covid-19 on Friday.
A Garda alert for an ambulance driver suspected of drink-driving was based on a criminal complaint by a senior HSE nurse manager that was wholly without foundation.

That is according to Judge Brian OCallaghan, who has ordered the HSE to pay 32,500 in damages to paramedic, Gary Fitzpatrick, 46, of Murroe, Co Limerick, after finding he was defamed by a senior HSE nurse manager four years ago.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge OCallaghan said assistant director of nursing at Ennis General Hospital, Carol Cotter, in making the criminal complaint concerning Mr Fitzpatrick was "reckless" in doing so under the meaning of the 2009 Defamation Act and did do so "almost without abandon".

Judge OCallaghan said Ms Cotter made the allegation without honest belief from the point of view of the Defamation Act.

Judge OCallaghan said if Mr Fitzpatrick had not self-presented at Killaloe Garda Station to take a breath test to disprove the allegation on the day of being a drink driver of an ambulance, undoubtedly, he would have been stopped at some stage by gardai, arrested and brought into a station.

The judge said when Mr Fitzpatrick did present himself to a garda at Killaloe Garda Station on Sunday, March 26, 2017, for a breath test, the garda said into his radio: Stand down, the ambulance has self-presented.

Stationed at the ambulance station in Scariff at the time, Mr Fitzpatrick later presented for a blood alcohol test at University Hospital Limerick after the breath test outside the Garda station didnt provide a printed record of the negative result. The blood test was also negative for alcohol.

Judge OCallaghan said before Mr Fitzpatrick received a phone call from his line manager advising him to go for a breath test, it was unknown to him that there was a Garda call out to get the man on his ambulance on suspicion of drink-driving.

'Reputation without blemish'

Assessing damages in the case, Judge OCallaghan said the alleged drink-driving complaint made against Mr Fitzpatrick is one of the most negative complaints that could be made about a paramedic.

Judge OCallaghan said Mr Fitzpatricks reputation as far as this court is concerned is without blemish.

Judge OCallaghan said that there were many steps that Ms Cotter should have taken before taking the drastic action in phoning Limerick gardai with the allegation.

Ms Cotter phoned Henry Street Garda Station, Limerick, on Sunday March 26, 2017, after two nurses at the minor injuries unit at Ennis General Hospital told her there may have been a smell of alcohol from Mr Fitzpatricks breath.

However, Judge OCallaghan said the two nurses concerned were "angry" after a stand-off they had with Mr Fitzpatrick over an elderly patient they refused to treat due to a HSE by-pass protocol in place for patients with head injuries.

Judge OCallaghan said Mr Fitzpatrick and his colleague had brought the patient to the unit from a Clare hurling match at Cusack Park after being provided with a letter do to so by a doctor in order to apply sutures to a wound over the mans eye.

The two paramedics brought the man on a stretcher to the minor injuries unit but brought him back out to go to University Hospital Limerick after the nurses refused to treat the man.

Judge OCallaghan said for some inexplicable reason, the systems within the HSE collapsed on the arrival of the ambulance containing the patient at Ennis General on that Sunday afternoon.

Judge OCallaghan said Ms Cotter wholly and completely relied upon the veracity of two of her nurse colleagues and did not make basic further inquiries that she should have made.

Complaint 'wholly without foundation'

The judge said in evidence, Ms Cotter didnt have a feeling one way or the other when she learned that, in fact, Mr Fitzpatrick had no alcohol and that the complaint she made to the gardai was wholly without foundation.

Judge OCallaghan ruled the HSE defence of qualified privilege didnt apply in this case.

In evidence, Mr Fitzpatrick said that when he was informed of the allegation I thought it was a wind-up.

He said when he realised it wasnt, I felt mortified, humiliated and undermined.

Counsel for Mr Fitzpatrick, Peter Klein BL said not a scrap of evidence was presented to court that his client had any drink taken.

Mr Klein pointed out the two HSE nurses who claimed that there might have been a smell of alcohol from Mr Fitzpatrick were not put forward as HSE witnesses in the case and were not available to be cross-examined. The only HSE witness in the case was Ms Cotter.

Mr Fitzpatrick said as he was working a weekend shift that weekend, the most recent time that he may have been drinking alcohol was the previous Wednesday night.

Mr Fitzpatrick said he was a paramedic for 18 years before the March 2017 incident and has since left the National Ambulance Service.

Partner paramedic's evidence

Mr Fitzpatricks partner paramedic on the day, Tina Owen, said the "drink" allegation was "unbelievable". Ms Owen said "it made no sense" and there was absolutely nothing that would give her the slightest concern over Mr Fitzpatrick on the day.

She said the horrible thing from her point of view concerning the allegation was that I would tolerate Gary driving an ambulance if he was under the influence and expose a patient to that as well.

In her evidence, Ms Cotter told the court that if she was presented with the same set of circumstances again she would take the same course of action.

She told the court: When something of that nature is reported, I didnt have any other option but to take the course that I did.

Ms Cotter told the court she felt compelled to act on the information that she had received from the two nurses.

She said: I felt that the situation was time critical and the ambulance had left with the patient. If something happened to that ambulance or patient on the way to Limerick, and I had not acted immediately

Judge OCallaghan also ordered that the HSE pay Mr Fitzpatricks costs in the case.
The Constitution is not reflective of Ireland today, however, changing it to ensure gender equality "will take time", the Children's Minister has said.

Earlier this year, the Citizens' Assembly recommended that references to a woman's place being in the home should be deleted from the Constitution.

The 99 members of the assembly on gender equality also voted for radical reform in other areas, including the introduction of gender quotas in all elections and across public and private bodies.

Roderic O'Gorman told the Dail the recommendations would require significant amendments to the Constitution and would require "careful consideration for their legal and policy implications".

He said the previous Government had tried to draft alternative language, but did not identify wording which could be used as a replacement clause to reflect the importance of care work in society.

Across the House, I think we can agree that there is language in the Constitution which does not reflect the country Ireland is today.

"My officials are working with the Department of An Taoiseach to find a way forward," Mr O'Gorman told the Dail.

Labour TD Ivana Bacik said it was "extraordinary" that Article 41.2, which states "that by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved", remains part of the Constitution.

'Absurd and discriminatory'

She described the reference as "absurd and discriminatory towards women" and said it is a "perpetuation of gender stereotypes".

However, she said it was also discriminatory against men as it doesn't recognise their paternal role.

Junior Minister Josepha Madigan told the Dail the recommendations to change the Constitution would be "symbolically important" as "there still remains a number of outdated and legally meaningless provisions within its pages".

Sinn Fein's Kathleen Funchion pointed to three of the 45 recommendations made by the Citizens Assembly which specifically call for Constitutional change in the area of childcare.

Stressing the need for a publicly funded childcare scheme, she said a survey she conducted last year showed this as being an issue stopping parents from returning to work.

"The one issue parents had, predominantly women, was that they were simply locked out of work  sometimes it was accessing childcare because there wasn't a space available and sometimes it was the cost and sometimes it was both factors," Ms Function said.

Party colleague Violet-Anne Wynne said women still faced difficulties in being fully valued and recognised across society and said her own path into politics has been described as going from "the dole to the Dail".

Ms Wynne, who is a mother of young children, said the lack of maternity leave for elected representatives remains a "barrier to full and meaningful participation in politics".
There was a day last week when I had to turn everything off  the TV, the radio and the push notifications that push (they are appropriately named) the violent outside into your inside pocket, which is where I keep my smartphone.

Pocket atrocities, I call them not just because that is where they are delivered, but because the rolling headlines make reports of individual misery so banal that they are somehow rendered pocket-sized. Small, forgotten news briefs in an ever-moving cycle.

Is it me, or is the news particularly grim at the moment? Or has everyone, as I did last week, simply shut down? Or become so desensitised that the graphic news stories just dont register?

How else might we account for the lack of response to the stream of violence, very often gendered, being brought to our attention?

To return to that day last week, this was the top story pinging in my pocket: Cork man told wife: Id bate the shit out of you if you were a man, court hears.

It was followed by this: Cork woman tells trial her brother raped her so many times she felt like a robot.

The week before, a headline about a rape chant on a night-time Dart in Dublin was one of the most-read items in my newsfeed.

Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell tweeted that he had heard a group of lads chanting Lets rape her as a woman stepped off the train. He later confronted them at Malahide station in Dublin.

Little wonder that more than half of Irish women say they would not use public transport after dark or late at night, according to a Transport Infrastructure Ireland report, Travelling in a Womans Shoes.

A third of women said feeling unsafe had stopped them going out altogether, while 33% of public transport users said they had seen or experienced some form of harassment or violence while using public transport.

And on and on the stories of violence go. Every. Single. Day.

This week, we got an overall view of that degradation of body, mind and spirit with the publication of figures showing that gardai received 43,500 calls reporting domestic violence in 2020, an average of about 120 every day.

That represents a 17% increase on 2019, according to the Garda Annual Report for 2020.

And that isnt even a complete picture. As CEO of Womens Aid Sarah Benson has said, the figures represent the tip of the iceberg.

They dont reflect the number of male victims of abuse either, who continue to fall under the radar, according to CEO of Mens Aid Ireland, Kathrina Bentley.

Covid-19 has, at least, brought the ongoing suffering of so many into the public consciousness. That prompted the launch, in April 2020, of Operation Faoiseamh, a Garda service that increased contacts made with victims as well as prosecutions against the perpetrators.

Weve also seen the first convictions under new coercive control legislation, which should help to increase awareness that emotional violence can be as, if not more, damaging than physical violence.

And yet, to quote Safe Ireland CEO Mary McDermott, weve just had a budget that ignored the issue. It is bewildering that political and public policymakers have ignored the epidemic of domestic violence, failed to take note of evidence of how to redress the problem, and have not acted to bring [domestic violence] infrastructure up to date.

Protests took place in cities including Cork following the murder of Sarah Everard in London. Picture: Larry Cummins

It is not as if the people closest to the issue havent proposed solutions. During the height of the pandemic, Airbnb teamed up with Safe Ireland to provide emergency refuges for those escaping violence in the home.

Mary McDermott later outlined how everyone, from business, community and workplaces, could take part in a series of initiatives to create a safer future for women and children.

Those are conversations that we need to have if we are to begin to tackle the violence that has become so commonplace in our society that we have almost become numb to it.

Conversations like the one prompted by High Court Judge, Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy, when she called for access to internet pornography to be addressed at primary school in a case where a teenager was given a suspended sentence for raping his niece. He was, the court thought, playing out pornographic scenes he had been watching since the age of nine or ten.

Justice Murphy said there was no point talking about consent at third-level if young people were watching pornography at primary level.

Rape Crisis Network Ireland wholeheartedly agreed, saying the case was a wake-up call to face the reality that, in Ireland, the majority of boys first access pornography before the age of 13.

While it is certainly time to talk about internet porn in schools, we might start with empathy. We seem to have forgotten what it means.

Barnardos already delivers Roots of Empathy to some primary-school children. It has shown significant effect in reducing levels of aggression among school children by raising social-emotional competence and increasing empathy.

Imagine what might happen if that were available in every primary school in Ireland?

Meanwhile, the inspiring Activating Social Empathy programme is nurturing empathy skills at second-level where it helps students to build a strong sense of connectedness to their school and to their community. But the course, developed by Dr Ciara Boylan and Professor Pat Dolan in 2017, needs to be nationwide.

Empathy is just as important as Maths, Science or English, according to Prof Pat Dolan, joint founder and director of the Unesco Child and Family Research Centre at NUI Galway.

We might also question our heavy reliance on formal education at the expense of social and emotional learning, which has the potential to build a better world by fostering empathy, social responsibility and civic behaviour.

The evidence from neuroscience shows that when children and young people are taught empathy and understanding, their academic achievements improve. That alone should be enough for schools to embrace it, says Prof Dolan.

More importantly, he continues, in a world where narcissism, hate speech, racism and self-centred behaviours are increasing the solution of developing altruism in youth through empathy education in school and community settings may be key to the future stability of Irish society.

The research, across a range of disciplines, is conclusive. It shows that the presence of empathy is related to positive academic, social, psychological and personal developmental outcomes.

Why, then, arent we willing to embrace a system that teaches us not just to have sympathy for others, but to understand them and emotionally identify with them? Imagine the world we might create if empathy was a subject on every school curriculum?

Just as I finish this article, my smartphone pings another update: Passengers used phones to record rape on US train without intervening.

Im tempted to turn off again but instead lets start to think about ways to increase empathy in this indifferent world.

Lesson one might recall the name of the Transport Infrastructure Ireland report and encourage people to think about what it is like Travelling in a Womans Shoes.
The United Kingdoms prime minister, Boris Johnson, may not appeal to everyone  especially European Union leaders put off by Brexit. But the UK is hosting the latest round of global climate negotiations, COP26, in Glasgow next month, so the EU must put aside its issues with Johnson and come ready to work.

Up to this point, the history of the global climate talks held under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is a tale of two European cities: Copenhagen and Paris.

The failure in Copenhagen

In 2009, world leaders and their national negotiators came together in Copenhagen to conclude a comprehensive treaty that would commit the entire world to far-reaching action to prevent the worst ravages of global warming. It didnt happen.

Too many of the big players (and emitters) arrived without any viable proposals for reducing greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions, and EU leaders found themselves hanging around in the corridors while the United States, China, and India crafted a non-binding agreement that left many issues unresolved. Representatives from the most vulnerable countries looked on in despair as their interests once again were sidelined.

A key political miscalculation doomed the Copenhagen meeting to fail: While the EU is the champion of its own people, it is also a vital partner to those countries most affected by the terrifying consequences of climate change. Without European partnership  and by that I mean real political, practical, and financial aid  the most vulnerable are left with no role in negotiations and no choice in terms of the sources and conditions of the support available to them.

The Paris climate agreement

But the EU learned from this experience. In 2011, at COP17 in Durban, South Africa, the EU led the way with a roadmap to ensure a voice for those most at risk. That initiative delivered an outcome that paved the way for the Paris climate agreement at COP21 four years later.

In 2015, when world leaders came to Paris, the Europeans again played a leading role. The EU helped form the High Ambition Coalition, an informal group of developed and developing countries committed to supporting the common goal of a genuine transition to a green economy. This time, the US and China signaled that they understood the shared interest in climate action.

The target of limiting global warming to 1.5 Celsius relative to pre-industrial levels was established, and developed countries pledged to fund the poorest countries efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change and achieve sustainable economic growth. The onus was on the major economies to act fast and share the benefits of their wealth and knowledge.

The Paris agreement was signed, and suddenly the future looked a little brighter. But in the six years since, annual global GHG emissions have continued to climb, even in the pandemic-stricken year of 2020.

Read More How to stop feeling powerless in the face of climate change

Climate models have proven devastatingly accurate, as floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and killer heat waves grow in frequency and intensity. And this, as we know, is only the beginning.

While discussions of the climate crisis once were considered a problem for future generations or those already living in extreme conditions, now Europe is suffering, too. Germans and Belgians are being killed by floods, and extreme temperatures are upending entire communities across the Mediterranean.

Glasgow must not be another Copenhagen

And so, we arrive at Glasgow. This is the year all Paris agreement signatories, having assessed their progress, were meant to return to the table prepared to increase their ambition for action at home and, in the case of richer countries, deliver support to poorer ones.

But there is not enough new money being offered. And the UKs decision to reduce its historic 0.7%-of-GDP overseas aid commitment just months before taking over the COP presidency sent the wrong message.

Meanwhile, parts of the British government seem to be more focused on spectacle than substance, and the US and China seem more interested in goading each other than in focusing on their respective contributions to the fight against global warming. The tasks for the worlds two largest emitters, jointly responsible for almost half of global emissions, are clear: The US must follow through on its pledge to provide climate finance, and China must phase out its use of coal. Each is as important as the other.

But where are the Europeans? Few, if any, EU governments are engaged in serious diplomacy to reconstitute the High Ambition Coalition that was critical to success in Paris, and the EU is not exerting any real pressure on the US to deliver its share of the annual $100 billion promised to poor countries to help them adapt and thrive.

Read More China's hard climate stance with US imperils Glasgow talks

If COP26 is to take its rightful place in history as the moment the world truly decided to work together to address our greatest-ever threat, the EU must stand up. The EU is the worlds richest trading bloc, most established diplomatic force, and leading example of the power of tolerance and fairness. Unless it plays a key role, COP26 will fail.

Everyone, everywhere will benefit if the EU, its leaders, and its diplomatic machinery move now to avert disaster and secure victory for global, inclusive, and ambitious climate action. Real money and real emissions reductions need to emerge from Glasgow. The world cannot afford another Copenhagen.

Connie Hedegaard served as European Commissioner for Climate Action (2010-14), and as Denmarks Minister for the Environment (2004-07) and Minister for Climate and Energy (2007-09).

Project Syndicate
A man charged with raping a woman on a commuter train just outside a US city harassed her for more than 40 minutes while multiple people held up their phones to seemingly record the assault without intervening, authorities said.

More than two dozen train stops passed as the man harassed, groped and eventually raped the woman, the police chief for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority said at a news conference.

Police do not believe a single witness on the train just outside Philadelphia dialled 911.

They are investigating whether some bystanders filmed the assault.

Both the man and woman got on the train at the same stop on Wednesday night in North Philadelphia.

Officers pulled the man off of the woman at the last stop.

They responded within about three minutes of a 911 call from a transport authority employee, authorities said.

Septa general manager Leslie Richards speaks during a news conference as Septa Transit Police Chief Thomas Nestel III stands by (Tom Gralish/PA)

What we want is everyone to be angry and disgusted and to be resolute about making the system safer, Septa Police Chief Thomas J Nestel III said at the news conference.

Arrest records show Fiston Ngoy, 35, was charged with rape and related offences.

The affidavit of arrest for Ngoy detailed times of the assault, including that during those 40 minutes the woman appears to repeatedly push Ngoy away.

Mr Nestel would not give an approximate number of witnesses and it was unclear from the affidavit how many passengers were present for those 40 minutes.

Authorities have not released the surveillance video.

I can tell you that people were holding their phone up in the direction of this woman being attacked, he said.

it was actually somewhat of an aberration in this case that somebody did not step forward to help this individual Elizabeth Jeglic, psychology professor

Elizabeth Jeglic, a psychology professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, researches sexual violence prevention.

She said if people feel uncomfortable physically intervening, there are other options like calling the police.

When we have multiple people, people dont necessarily intervene, she said.

However, more recent research actually suggests that looking at video footage of more extreme circumstances that up to 90% of cases we do see people intervening.

So it was actually somewhat of an aberration in this case that somebody did not step forward to help this individual.

Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt, of the Upper Darby Police Department, has said surveillance footage showed other riders were on the train and someone should have done something.

The New York Times reported that Mr Bernhardt said that people who recorded the attack and failed to intervene could possibly be charged, but that would be up to the Delaware County District Attorneys office to determine.

There were no calls made to 911 in Philadelphia.

Mr Nestel said police were still waiting for Delaware County 911, which covers the last two train stops, to determine if it received any calls.

Investigators said in the affidavit that Ngoy sat down next to the woman about a minute after he boarded the train car, shortly after 9:15pm.

The video shows her pushing him away multiple times until he is seen ripping her pants down at about 9:52pm.

Mr Bernhardt said officers arrived at the 69th Street terminal on the Market-Frankford Line, the busiest route on SEPTA, around 10 p.m.

A Septa employee who was in the vicinity as the train went past called police to report that something wasnt right with a woman aboard the train, Mr Bernhardt said.

Septa police waiting at the next stop found the woman and arrested Ngoy, who they had pulled off of the woman.

She was taken to a hospital.

According to the court documents, the woman told police that Ngoy ignored her pleas to go away.

Ngoy claimed in his statement to police that he knew the victim, but could not remember her name and said the encounter was consensual.

Ngoy, who listed his last address as a homeless shelter, remained in custody on 180,000 US dollars bail.

His initial court appearance is scheduled for October 25.

Septa issued a statement calling it a horrendous criminal act and urged anyone witnessing such a thing to report it to authorities by calling 911, pressing an emergency button on every train car or using the authorities emergency safety app.

There were other people on the train who witnessed this horrific act, and it may have been stopped sooner if a rider called 911, the authority said.
Retired Pope Benedict XVI has said he hopes to soon join a beloved professor friend in the afterlife, in a sign that the 94-year-old pontiff is not only accepting his eventual death but welcoming it.

Benedict penned an October 2 letter to a German priest, thanking him for letting him know of the passing of the Reverend Gerhard Winkler, a Cistercian priest and academic colleague of the former Joseph Ratzinger.
Ithaca, NY (14850)

Today

Cloudy with a mixture of rain and snow this evening. Becoming partly cloudy overnight. Low 28F. WNW winds shifting to SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precip 70%..

Tonight

Cloudy with a mixture of rain and snow this evening. Becoming partly cloudy overnight. Low 28F. WNW winds shifting to SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precip 70%.
Alibaba Cloud, a major unit of the Alibaba Group, has announced an in-house processor design for use in its data centres.

In a statement on Tuesday, the company claimed the Yitian 710, built by its own chip development business, T-Head, would enhance its cloud services along with its new proprietary servers, Panjiu.

Alibaba Cloud is the biggest cloud provider in China and offers elastic computing, database, storage, network virtualisation services, large-scale computing, security, management and application services, big data analytics, a machine learning platform and IoT services.

Customising our own server chips is consistent with our ongoing efforts toward boosting our computing capabilities with better performance and improved energy efficiency, said Jeff Zhang, president of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence and Head of Alibaba DAMO Academy during the Apsara Conference, Alibabas annual technology flagship event.

We plan to use the chips to support current and future businesses across the Alibaba Group ecosystem. We will also offer our clients next-generation computing services powered by the new chip-powered servers in the near future.

Together with our global partners including Intel, NVIDIA, AMD and Arm, we will continue to innovate our compute infrastructure and offer diverse computing services for our global customers.

Jeff Zhang speaking at the Apsara Conference on Tuesday. Courtesy Alibaba Cloud

The Yitian 710 is built on advanced 5nm technology and has 128 Arm cores with a top clock speed of 3.2GHz.

"Each processor chip has 60 billion integrated transistors" the company said. "Yitian 710 is the first server processor that is compatible with the latest Armv9 architecture and includes 8 DDR5 channels and 96-lane PCIe 5.0, providing high memory and I/O bandwidth.

"Yitian 710 achieved a score of 440 in SPECint2017 (a standard benchmark to measure CPU integer processing power), surpassing that of the current state-of-the-art Arm server processor by 20% in performance and 50% in energy efficiency."

Zhang also announced that Alibaba would open the source code of its XuanTie IP core series. The XuanTie series are custom-built processors based on RISC-V instruction-set architecture.

The source code will be made available on Github and the Open Chip Community. The source code of XuanTie-related software stacks, which support multiple operating systems, including Linux, Android, RTOS and Alibabas own AliOS, will also be released.

By opening up the IP cores of our in-house IoT processors as well as related software stacks and development tools, we aim to assist global developers to build their own RISC-V-based chips in a much more cost-effective way, Zhang said.

We hope this move can encourage more innovation among the thriving RISC-V software community, and as a result help people enjoy the benefits of a connected world in the digital era.

Calista Redmond, chief executive of RISC-V International, said: "Alibaba supports the RISC-V community through their continuous contributions, technical leadership, and deep collaboration with RISC-V stakeholders.

Alibaba leads by example and has inspired the global RISC-V community to increase innovation in chip development with benefits to the entire RISC-V ecosystem."
La Trobe University is preparing to reopen its Bundoora campus and meet an ambitious 'net zero' target with the aid of technology.

According to La Trobe University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Susan Dodds, the university is applying technology to help safely reopen its Bundoora campus and also to meet sustainability goals including that of becoming carbon neutral by 2029.

La Trobe's regional campuses are on track to achieve carbon neutrality be 2022, she noted.

Measures include the adoption of LED lighting, photovoltaic panels (which also shade car parks), on-site composting, energy analytics, reduced travel thanks to online collaboration, and a $500,000 fund to support research towards net zero.

Cisco-La Trobe Centre for AI and IoT director and Cisco Research Chair Professor Wei Xiang said the centre is the only one that combines research into AI and IoT. A massive amount of data can be collected by IoT devices, so it should be put to work.

The centre is focussing on areas including digital health, agriculture, industry 4.0, and smart manufacturing.

Furthermore, Innovation Central Melbourne  a collaboration between La Trobe and Cisco  supports collaboration between industry and scientists.

Achieving net zero by 2029 is an "ambitious goal", he said, and research is needed to create solutions. Topics include the visibility of emissions, realtime monitoring and reporting (eg, by combining Wi-Fi and building management system data), and modelling the impact of interventions (eg, though the use of digital twins).

The safe return to campus is being supported though technologies such as Wi-Fi analytics to determine how many people are in any particular area, and air quality monitoring.

This work is part of the university's $5 billion La Trobe City of the Future/Living Lab project.

La Trobe University is unveiling a significant technology investment, partnering with Cisco and Optus Enterprise, to transform its digital infrastructure and underlying network to become a resilient digital university.

Another part of the University City of the Future project is the The Digital Innovation Hub funded by the Victorian Government and due for completion in 2022.

The university is also transitioning to a next-generation software defined network (SDN) in collaboration with Cisco and Optus.

This will allow greater control and ease of management, as well as the optimisation of the network to suit the applications running over it.

Expected benefits include improved responsiveness to changing demands, greater cybersecurity resilience, and greater capacity for innovation.

La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor John Dewar said "La Trobe's decision to transform its underlying technology infrastructure is a major step towards creating a university that is more resilient and adaptive to the changing landscape of higher education.

"The way we teach, learn, work and operate is fundamentally changing, and technology innovation is rapidly evolving to support this change," Professor Dewar said. "La Trobe has ambitious goals to further improve student experience, achieve net zero emissions by 2029, increase our research impact and continue to improve our global reputation.

"None of these goals are achievable without a commitment to digitally transform the University, and I look forward to working with our partners Cisco and Optus to help make this a reality."

Cisco ANZ vice president Ben Dawson said, "The pandemic has accelerated the pace of digitisation in every industry sector, and education is no exception. That includes a need to review hybrid work and learning, improving security posture, expanding digital capability throughout buildings and enabling new innovative digital services."

"Research commissioned by Cisco revealed that the list of must-have technologies and digital services is growing, whether that be in teaching and learning, research or administration. The research indicated many Australian universities considered digital upgrades to be a priority."

Optus Enterprise managing director Chris Mitchell said "Optus is excited to partner with La Trobe University and Cisco to usher in a new era of digital transformation that will have a positive impact on the students, faculty and staff. As we've learned over the past year, universities, just like businesses must be able to adopt a hybrid way of learning. La Trobe's investment into a next generation network will ensure their staff and students have a seamless digital experience on campus and remotely in regional campuses."
COMPANY NEWS: Tribal Group, a pioneer world-leader of education software and services, has announced the signing of a five-year contract with Laidlaw College for the deployment and ongoing management of Tribals student management system (SMS), ebs, and ontrack portals for staff, students and prospective students.

Laidlaw College has campuses in Auckland and Christchurch, a number of partners delivering Laidlaw programmes, and a strong distance learning cohort of students. It offers qualifications from certificate to postgraduate level to around 1,000 students. In 2022 the College celebrates its centenary  100 years of training Christian leaders to work for the renewal of communities, Church and Society across Aotearoa and beyond.

Designed specifically for vocational education and training providers, ebs and ontrack were selected following a rigorous evaluation process and will replace the colleges legacy student management platform, Artena. Laidlaw College has begun implementation with go-live expected for July 2022.

ebs, Tribals market leading SMS, coupled with its integrated portal functionality using ontrack, will enable the college to feature rich student and staff portals, and support online applications and admissions. ebs, delivered in the Tribal Cloud, will provide an enhanced student experience and will also modernise several interfaces including Public Trust, Moodle and the colleges finance system.

Laidlaw College COO Phil Newman said As we turn the page on 100 years of Laidlaw College, were looking to build on that legacy and position the college for the future. Tribals ebs emerged as the right SMS solution for our needs, enabling the delivery of improvements to systems, enhanced user experience, and seamless integration with current and future platforms. Were excited to move into implementation mode, working closely with Tribals team.

Tribal New Zealand general manager Steve Exley said "We are delighted that Laidlaw College chose Tribals ebs student management system. Several members of our team have already met the team at Laidlaw during the procurement phase and we look forward to continuing to work with them on a successful implementation over the coming months. Laidlaw joins a growing user community of Private Training Providers that have chosen ebs as their preferred SMS.

About Laidlaw College

Laidlaw College/Te Wananga Amorangi, is a Christian tertiary education provider offering programmes from certificate to postgraduate in counselling, teacher education, christian and community leadership, theology, and foundation studies. We provide a dynamic learning environment for students throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world, with two campuses in Auckland, one in Christchurch and great distance learning opportunities too.

About Tribal Group

Tribal Group is a pioneering world-leader of education software and services. Its portfolio includes student information systems; a broad range of education services covering quality assurance, peer review, benchmarking and improvement; and student surveys. Working with higher education, further and tertiary education, schools, government and state bodies, training providers and employers in over 55 countries, Tribal Groups mission is to empower the world of education with products and services that underpin student success. Visit www.tribalgroup.com @tribalgroup.
In what is a snub to the technology industry at large, the Coalition Government has re-introduced the Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure) Bill 2020 into parliament for a second reading, not long after three major tech industry bodies urged a significant revision of the bill before it is voted on.

But the government has ignored this plea and followed the advice of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security which, on September 30, recommended that the bill be split in order to pass what it characterised as "urgent reforms".

The PJCIS made 14 recommendations about the bill, including that it be split into two parts, saying:

"Bill One for rapid passage  to expand the critical infrastructure sectors covered by the Act, introduce government assistance measures to be used as a last resort in crisis scenarios as well as mandatory reporting obligations; and

"Bill Two for further consultation  including declarations of systems of national significance, enhanced cyber-security obligations and positive security obligations which are to be defined in delegated legislation."

Last Thursday, the Information Technology Industry Council, the Australian Information Industry Association and the Cybersecurity Coalition wrote to Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews, saying that while their members shared the government's commitment to protecting critical infrastructure against cyber threats, the bill remained "highly problematic and largely unchanged despite extensive feedback from our organisations".

The bill expands greatly the sectors covered by the law, adding communications, financial services, data storage and processing, defence industry, higher education and space technology.

Companies which operate in these sectors would have to compulsorily report to the government if they suffered cyber attacks and also allow government security experts to step in and do what whatever was deemed necessary to stop an attack progressing.

This power is similar to what the FBI exercised in April this year, when it accessed servers to clean up the mess left by attacks on on-premise Microsoft Exchange Server installations.

But the FBI only acted after obtaining court orders; it then accessed hundreds of vulnerable machines in the US and removed Web shells.

The Australian bill does not require any court order for intelligence agencies to act in this manner.

Technology firms have pointed out, during the PJCIS hearings, that government intervention of this kind could often make matters worse. But that appears to have fallen on deaf ears.

The Opposition Labor Party backed the bill, with its defence spokesman, Brendan O'Connor, saying on Wednesday: "In supporting this legislation, Labor is relying upon the intention stated in the bill and as given by the department and indeed by agency heads  that these powers will only be used as a last resort.

"With that in mind, it is very important to emphasise that the PJCIS will be notified and briefed each and every time the government enacts this power and will conduct a full review of the legislation when additional critical infrastructure reforms are introduced by government.

"In evidence provided to the committee, witnesses overwhelmingly indicated their willingness to co-operate with the Australian Signals Directorate."

Vince Connelly, the Liberal member for Stirling in Western Australia, expectedly backed the bill, saying: "Entities will also now be required to report cyber security incidents to the ASD, which will enable the latter to build a better picture of the threat environment surrounding Australia's critical infrastructure.

"This, in turn, will allow government to provide better advice and assistance to entities about how they can safeguard critical infrastructure. The public expects the Australian Government will protect the nation if a cyber incident affects Australia's critical infrastructure and results in serious threats to Australia's interests.

"Even if a critical infrastructure entity is doing all it can to protect itself and the services that it provides, we recognise that there are some threats that are beyond the capabilities of critical infrastructure operators themselves to mitigate."

Labor's Tim Watts, the shadow assistant minister for Communications and Cyber security, cited comments made by an Amazon Web Services representative during the PJCIS hearings, pointing out that a company representative had said, "... there is a deeper underlying assumption in the entire bill here that seems to be this: if something bad happens to a critical piece of Australia's infrastructure, then the government is capable of stepping in and fixing that bad thing. In many instances, we think there's a really big risk of the government stepping in and misunderstanding how the regulated entity operates, and maybe making things worseso creating more or new problematic security incidents than are at risk in the process."

He also referred to comments made by a Microsoft representative during the hearings: "Microsoft explained the risk of installing foreign software on a network and said: 'Doing so in the context of the data storage or processing sector with hyperscale cloud providers  these are interdependent systems. They will introduce vulnerabilities. We think it's going to potentially be a source of substantial third-party risk that we may have to mitigate for from the government if there is uncertainty on how these powers may be used'."

Watts referred to what Google had said during the hearings as well: "Similarly, representatives of Google said: 'What we need is information and collaboration, because the only software that's safe to operate in a Google or hyperscale cloud environment is our software and our systems that have been tested and vetted'."

However, Watts did not raise any objection to the passage of the bill.
An American lawyer appointed as an independent monitor for ZTE Corporation, after it pleaded guilty to exporting US technology to Iran and lying about it, is trying to get his term extended beyond March when it expires and is allegedly using threats to try and get his way.

The Wall Street Journal reported that James Stanton had said he would use his friendship with the judge overseeing the case to get his term extended.

Stanton had earlier certified that ZTE had met the terms of its settlement agreement, but started pushing for an extension of his term from June onwards, claiming he now had evidence that ZTE violated the terms of the deal.

ZTE agreed to pay more than US$2.3 billion to 211 American suppliers in 2017 as part of its settlement. The company was banned from trading in the US for seven years, and then shut down operations in the country.

But following the intervention of then US President Donald Trump, a deal was worked out for ZTE to return to business by paying a fine of US$1 billion, changing its management team and depositing US$400 million in an escrow account against possible future transgressions.

US District Judge Ed Kinkeade appointed Stanton as monitor. According to the WSJ report, Stanton was now saying he had a close personal friendship with Judge Kinkeade and that the pair would do "what's needed" to ensure that ZTE complied with the settlement.

The WSJ said Stanton had accused it of making extensive inaccurate statement about him and refused to say anything more, as the matter was under seal. The judge also refused to talk to the WSJ.

ZTE has said that there are no grounds for extending Stanton's term, during which period he has been paid millions of dollars.

The report said Stanton was appointed after Judge Kinkeade rewrote the plea agreement, adding that he had no experience in sanctions law. Stanton had been made a special master in a medical-device product-liability case by the same judge.

The WSJ quoted David Laufman, the former Justice Department official who oversaw ZTE's plea deal, as saying: This train wreck is a long time coming. While it was entirely appropriate for ZTE to submit to a rigorous monitorship, its also essential that the process for appointing monitors be above reproach and that monitorships are conducted in a responsible manner with appropriate oversight and accountability.
This Week in Review

A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Smith County Jail shows William George Davis. Davis, a Texas nurse has been convicted of capital murder in the deaths of four patients who died after prosecutors say he injected them with air following heart surgeries. The Smith County jury deliberated for about an hour Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, before it convicted William George Davis, of Hallsville, of capital murder involving multiple victims. (Smith County Jail via AP, File)




Donate Now As a public service during this pandemic, the Jewish News is providing free, unlimited access to all articles. Jewish News is a nonprofit publication that is owned by the community and relies on community support.
Peace Church Cemetery is one of the oldest in the area. Local history experts will lead walking tours of the cemetery at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday. GLOBE | FILE
Joe Hadsall is the digital editor for The Joplin Globe. He has been the editor of the former Nixa News-Enterprise and has worked for the Christian County Headliner News and 417 Magazine.

Follow Joe Hadsall 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
Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a public charity. It can be found at missouriindependent.com.
Betty Jean Pulley, 95, passed away November 4, 2021, at Windridge Nursing Home, Miami, Oklahoma. Betty was born September 7, 1926, at home in Riverton, Kansas, to Albert Petty Cutright and Alta Elizabeth (Newkirk). She graduated from Riverton High School Class of 1944, and attended Joplin Ju
Opinion Columnist

Chris Powell has worked for the Journal Inquirer since 1967, first as a reporter, then as an editor, and now as a columnist. He was managing editor from 1974 until retiring from that position in 2018.
WATER TIMELINE

 December 2019: Suffield receives letter from Aquarion about improvements to facilities, including chlorination of the water.

 Early 2020: Town inquires about need to chlorinate. Aquarion states it is required to do so by the state.

 June 2020: Aquarion notifies West Suffield customers that it would begin chlorinating water that month.

 July 2020: Town receives complaints from residents about strong, unpleasant smell and taste of chlorine in water.

 Fall 2020: State Department of Public Health clarifies that chlorination of drinking water is not mandated.
A Brazilian senate committee on Wednesday recommended that President Jair Bolsonaro face at least 10 charges, including crimes against humanity, over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a report published in local media.

Following six months of hearings, with emotional witness statements and chilling revelations, the committee of inquiry requested charges against around 60 people, including five ministers or ex-ministers, and three of Bolsonaros sons.

Brazil is one of the worst affected countries in the world by the pandemic with more than 600,000 deaths.

Bolsonaro has repeatedly played down the seriousness of the virus, calling it a little flu at one point, promoting treatments that scientists said were ineffective, railing against lockdown measures to slow the spread and speaking out against vaccinations.

Renan Calheiros, the centrist senator who is the lead author of the 1,200-page report, will read it out in congress later on Wednesday.

He will ask that Bolsonaro be charged with intentional crimes including quackery and crimes against humanity.

But he announced a last-minute withdrawal of homicide and genocide charges, after some infighting within the panel.

The report says that the committee has gathered evidence that the federal government  acted slowly in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, deliberately exposing the population to a real risk of mass infection.

While the accusations are serious, the process may be just symbolic since Bolsonaro enjoys enough congressional support to avoid the opening of impeachment proceedings.

Likewise, Attorney General Augusto Aras, an ally appointed by Bolsonaro, could shield him from any indictment.

Bolsonaro  who faces a tricky general election next year  has dismissed the committees report as a masquerade.

This report will seem like a sentence, but the government is calm. You can criticize the presidents attitude, but not incriminate him, Fernando Bezerra, head of the governments parliamentary bloc in the senate, told the Uol website.

 We deserve an apology 

The inquiry does not have the power to bring charges, but its revelations could have a political impact: the report will be sent to the public prosecutor, the federal court of accounts, and could even be sent to the International Criminal Court in the Hague, where other complaints against Bolsonaro have already been lodged.

It is yet another headache for the president, whose popularity has plummeted to an all-time low and who trails leftist former leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in polls ahead of next years vote.

The report was originally due to be presented on Tuesday but had to be put back 24 hours, eliciting criticism from Brazilian media, which have been leaking details.

Following testimony from several ministers, government officials, and business and hospital managers, it was the turn of the families of Covid victims to present their statements to the committee on Monday.

We deserve an apology from the highest authority in the state. Its not a question of politics, were talking about lives, Marcio Antonio Silva, a taxi driver who lost his 25-year-old son to Covid, told the panel, holding back tears.

What weve seen is the antithesis of what we expected from the president of the republic, said Antonio Carlos Costa, president of the Rio de Paz NGO. Weve never seen him shed tears of compassion, nor express his condolences for the Brazilian people in mourning.

 Harrowing testimony 

On Monday, the committee also heard the harrowing testimony of a nurse in Manaus who saw dozens of patients dying and had to take care of her sisters four children after she also succumbed to the virus.

The committee investigated the government over the crippling lack of oxygen in the northern city of Manaus during the worst moments of the pandemic, and also the delays in buying vaccines, Bolsonaros anti-lockdown speeches, and his original belittling of what he called a little flu.

Senators subsequently discovered irregularities in the acquisition of vaccines, something that generated strong suspicions of corruption.

Another branch of the investigation focused on the relationship between Brasilia and private health insurers accused of promoting early treatment with medications such as hydroxychloroquine, which has been scientifically proven to be ineffective.
A Brazilian senate committee on Wednesday recommended that President Jair Bolsonaro face at least 10 charges, including crimes against humanity, over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 66-year-old leader quickly rejected the accusations, insisting he was guilty of nothing. Brazil is one of the worlds hardest hit countries with more than 600,000 deaths from the pandemic.

Following six months of hearings, with emotional witness statements and chilling revelations, the committee of inquiry issued a report that seeks charges against around 60 people, including four ministers and two ex-ministers. Three of Bolsonaros sons are among the accused.

We know that we are guilty of absolutely nothing. We know that we did the right thing from the first moment, said Bolsonaro, during a visit to northeastern Ceara state.

Bolsonaro has repeatedly played down the seriousness of the virus, calling it a little flu at one point. He promoted treatments that scientists said were ineffective, railed against lockdown measures to slow the spread, and spoke out against vaccinations.

Next week lawmakers will vote whether to approve the 1,200 page report.

It describes Bolsonaro  who faces a tricky election next year  as the main person responsible for the governments mistakes during the pandemic.

Besides crimes against humanity, the president is accused of quackery, inciting crime and violation of health measures.

The president has committed numerous crimes and will pay for it, said the committees president Omar Aziz.

 Symbolic charges 

While the accusations are serious, the process may be just symbolic since Bolsonaro enjoys enough congressional support to avoid the opening of impeachment proceedings.

Likewise, Attorney General Augusto Aras, an ally appointed by Bolsonaro, could shield him from any indictment.

This report will seem like a sentence, but the government is calm. You can criticize the presidents attitude, but not incriminate him, Fernando Bezerra, head of the governments parliamentary bloc in the senate, told the Uol website.

The inquiry does not have the power to bring charges, but its revelations could have a political impact: the report will be sent to the public prosecutor, the federal court of accounts, and perhaps the International Criminal Court in the Hague, where other complaints against Bolsonaro have already been lodged.

It is yet another headache for the president, whose popularity has plummeted to an all-time low and who trails leftist former leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in polls ahead of next years vote.

The report says that the committee has gathered evidence that the federal government  acted slowly in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, deliberately exposing the population to a real risk of mass infection.

It says Bolsonaros crimes were deliberate and accuses his government of refusing to take necessary precautions to prevent the viruss spread, instead favoring a high-risk strategy of aiming for herd immunity among the population.

 Harrowing testimony 

After hearing testimony from several ministers, government officials, and business and hospital managers, the investigation ended with harrowing testimony on Monday from a nurse in the Amazon city of Manaus who saw dozens of patients dying and had to take care of her sisters four children after she also succumbed to the virus.

The committee investigated the government over a crippling lack of oxygen in Manaus during the worst moments of the pandemic, and also delays in buying vaccines, Bolsonaros anti-lockdown speeches, and his original belittling of the virus.

Senators subsequently discovered irregularities in the acquisition of vaccines, something that generated strong suspicions of corruption.

We deserve an apology from the highest authority in the state, Marcio Antonio Silva, a taxi driver who lost his 25-year-old son to Covid, told the panel, holding back tears.

Antonio Carlos Costa, president of the Rio de Paz NGO, blasted Bolsonaros lack of remorse.

Weve never seen him shed tears of compassion, nor express his condolences for the Brazilian people in mourning, he said.

Flavio Bolsonaro, a lawmaker who is the presidents son and among the accused, said the report was an instrument of revenge against Bolsonaro and his family.

Its clear, neither my brothers, nor I, and even less so the president, have committed any crimes.
From Justluxe Content Partner CarExpert

Mitsubishi became the first mainstream car brand in Australia selling a plug-in hybrid SUV when it launched the Outlander PHEV in 2014. Now the company is expanding its range with plug-in derivatives of the smaller, edgier Eclipse Cross, ostensibly targeting a younger buyer than its bigger sibling.

The pitch for the Eclipse Cross Plug-In Hybrid  Mitsubishi doesnt use the PHEV moniker anymore because its non-descriptive  is that it promises daily electric commuting and petrol-fuelled road tripping.

Throw in trick two-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) and an interesting design, and you have what looks like an intriguing gateway to electrified motoring. But does it deliver? And what of its competitors? This is our launch review, focused on the middle-of-the-range Aspire grade.

How much does the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-In Hybrid cost?

The entry-level Eclipse Cross Plug-In Hybrid ES is listed at $46,490 before on-road costs, the Aspire $49,990, and the Exceed $53,990.

A petrol-only Exceed with AWD wears a before on-road price of $40,790, so the rough price of the PHEV system is $13,200 over the closest equivalent.

Neither the petrol-only Eclipse Cross ES nor Aspire come with AWD, hence why we used the Exceed for comparative purposes.

On a side note, at launch, the brand is selling the PHEV ES for $49,990 drive-away nationally without advertising any deals on the Aspire and Exceed.

* listed prices are for cars sold in Australia

In the context thats reasonable. A smaller Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid also costs $49,990 in base form, and the MG HS Plug-In Hybrid $47,990  both drive-away. The latter is bigger and more powerful, but Mitsubishi as a brand has more runs on the board.

The Eclipse Cross Aspire is also priced alongside mainstream EVs like a Nissan Leaf, without the range anxiety of course. However, theres no denying that PHEV technology is still held back by cost. You can also pick up a larger Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV in runout for $51,990 using an identical drivetrain to the Eclipse Cross tested here.

The downside of that is the Outlander is due to be replaced in early 2022 by a more luxurious, longer-range (and more expensive) new-generation PHEV.

A technologically different competitor that Mitsubishi considers key is the Toyota RAV4 Cruiser AWD Hybrid at around $51,000 drive-away (keep in mind there are stock shortages).

While a larger vehicle, a RAV4 Hybrid cannot be recharged from a PowerPoint and therefore lacks the capacity to drive fully electric (zero-emission) for daily errands. Its a simpler piece of kit, in other words.

2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-In Hybrid pricing:

Eclipse Cross PHEV ES: $46,490 ($49,990 drive-away)

Eclipse Cross PHEV Aspire: $49,990

Eclipse Cross PHEV Exceed: $53,990

Prices exclude on-road costs unless specified. * listed prices are for cars sold in Australia

What do you get?

The ES comes with halogen projector headlights (eurgh), 18-inch wheels, paddle shifters, LED daytime running lights, a rear spoiler, cruise control, cloth seats, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, digital radio, climate control, and a reversing camera.

All grades also work with a smartphone app that allows you to remotely check the cars status, location, charge schedule, or pre-engage the A/C and headlights. The Aspire adds privacy glass, roof rails, micro-suede, and synthetic leather seat trim, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, dusk-sensing LED headlights, heated front seats, a powered drivers seat, an upgraded audio system, a 360-degree camera system, front and rear parking sensors, auto wipers, and adaptive cruise control.

The flagship Exceed finishes off with extras such as a glass head-up display, TomTom satellite navigation, a panoramic glass sunroof, leather seats, front passenger seat power adjustment, a heated steering wheel, and black headlining.

Is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-In Hybrid safe?

All Eclipse Cross grades including the PHEV hold a five-star ANCAP crash rating based on 2019 testing  97 percent for adult protection, 78 percent for children, 80 percent for pedestrians, and only 58 percent for safety assist features.

All grades come with seven airbags (driver and passenger front and side, two-row curtains, drivers knee), two rear ISOFIX anchors, and three top-tether points.

Active safety tech as standard includes forward autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane-departure warning.

The Aspire and Exceed add blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Exceed alone adds a system that stops the vehicle if the driver inadvertently presses the accelerator near an obstacle, called ultrasonic mis-acceleration mitigation.

What is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-In Hybrid like on the inside?

The interior isnt all that different from the petrol-only Eclipse Cross. The Exceed with its dual-pane glass roof and the head-up display have some glitz and glam, but the Aspires interior is more subdued.

There are a lot of piano black and silver plastic trims to add some variety, but it feels very much like a regular mainstream SUV in terms of materials. The extra money covers the drivetrain, not the cabin.

The steering wheels buttons for cruise control and audio functions are simple to figure out, and the fixed metallic paddles are really lovely. The instruments are analog with a small centered trip computer  and unfortunately, theres no digital speedo unless you go for the Exceed.

Along the tunnel is a distinctive PHEV gear shifter flanked by mode buttons and a rocker switch to mess with the motor/ESP modes.

The 8.0-inch touchscreen uses basic tiles on the home screen and managed phone mirroring without any glitches, and houses a 360 parking camera. The lack of a wireless charge pad, USB-C ports, and sat-nav is notable though.

The screen has some PHEV-specific menus such as energy/power flow screens, real-time power delivery, and electricity consumption. Some struck me as useful (what percentage of a given hybrid drive was EV only, for example) whereas others seemed nigh-on useless for everyday driving.

Along the tunnel is a distinctive PHEV gear shifter flanked by mode buttons and a rocker switch to mess with the motor/ESP modes.

The 8.0-inch touchscreen uses basic tiles on the home screen and managed phone mirroring without any glitches, and houses a 360 parking camera. The lack of a wireless charge pad, USB-C ports, and sat-nav is notable though.

The screen has some PHEV-specific menus such as energy/power flow screens, real-time power delivery, and electricity consumption. Some struck me as useful (what percentage of a given hybrid drive was EV only, for example) whereas others seemed nigh-on useless for everyday driving.

Still, it doesnt hurt to be informative and its a very Mitsubishi trait, going right back to the first Pajeros with their dash-top binnacle gauges. While the orange-lit ventilation system looks dated, the PHEV runs a trick electric heater to supplement the standard system, powered by the drive battery and therefore able to be activated by the Remote Control app externally.

The back seats offered sufficient legroom for my 194cm behind my own preferred driving position, but the headroom is impacted by the design.

The slim side windows and chunky C-pillar make outward visibility inferior to the airier Outlander.

The boot, at 359 liters, is 46L smaller than petrol versions, and theres not even a temporary spare wheel fitted as standard, let alone a proper one, on account of the battery. The back seats fold downwards to house longer items.

With five seats in use the boot measures 677mm long by 745mm high by 1000mm wide between the arches. With the backseats folded the length grows to 1541mm.

Whats under the bonnet?

Its an Outlander PHEV in shinier wrapping.

The drive system comprises a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder Atkinson cycle petrol engine, a generator unit, a 13.8kWh lithium-ion battery, and electric drive motors on each axle allowing direct all-wheel drive (AWD).

The outputs of each are in the table below. Mitsubishi doesnt offer any peak system outputs anymore, and its not always as simple as adding up the peak outputs of the engine and two motors.

So long as the battery has sufficient charge and youre just driving normally, the Eclipse Cross will default to electric EV drive mode for a range of 40-45km. Mitsubishi claims 55km on the NEDC cycle but this would be difficult to achieve.

For many people, this would cover their daily errands. One benefit of the small battery is that its quick to recharge  6.5 hours from a regular PowerPoint, 3.5 hours from a wall box, and 25 minutes on a public charger.

For longer trips, once the batteries are depleted, the PHEV system enters Series Hybrid mode  where the combustion engine operates at high efficiency by generating charge for the battery, which in turn spins the motors.

Theres also brake-energy recuperation which can be adjusted through the paddle shifters.

Finally, theres a Parallel Hybrid mode for punchier driving at a low charge, or for hard overtaking at highway speeds any time, in which the combustion engine drives the front wheels directly through a clutch while generating battery charge for each motor. This is all systems go.

You can simply leave the car in its default mode and let its electronic brain operate the vehicle, but you can also toggle through all manner of targeted driving modes such as EV, Save and Charge that well explain later.

The upside of all this is an arbitrary combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of just 1.9 liters per 100km, however, this is only remotely achievable if you start with a charged battery and cover the first part of your trip with zero emissions.

My fuel consumption reflective of average driving  when starting with 100 percent charge and covering 222km of mixed urban and highway roads, was 5.7L/100km including the first 40km of pure electric driving.

In other words, you get the upside of pure EV errands, but on longer commutes when youre reliant on the petrol engine/generator, the fuel consumption is closer to that of a Toyota-style normal hybrid  with some added battery weight.

How does the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-In Hybrid drive?

It should be clear from all this that you really are best served by charging after every drive  from your garage PowerPoint using household solar panels in the best-case scenario. If youre not going to use the PHEV in this optimal way it loses traction.

For some people, though itll tick a lot of boxes, and theres no doubt its clever stuff  if entirely familiar from the existing Outlander PHEV. Theres a bit to it, but it all operates very seamlessly.

Put your foot down with a charged battery, and you experience steady and silent propulsion like a relaxed non-performance EV. Theres a button that 100 locks in battery power, otherwise the cars brain might tap into petrol at constant speeds where the engine is most efficient.

Once depleted the PHEV generally behaves as a series hybrid  a process you can watch following the active diagram on the touchscreen if you like. Initially, you get typical electric power joined by the sound of the engine quietly revving into the generator.

Mash your foot to punch up a hill or overtake though, and the clutch quickly hooks up the engine to the wheels alongside the motors and you overtake more quickly, without overt thrashing. While no speed demon, a 9.4-second 0-100km/h dash is acceptable.

Its worth noting that Mitsubishis Super All-Wheel Control system is controlled by two electric motors, offering a degree of response to requests for traction that a mechanical system just wont match. This AWD capability is a real selling point that Mitsubishi must hone in on.

So far, so simple. Just get in, flick the little shift-by-wire toggle to drive, and let the cars brain juggle the disparate systems. However, some of us like to exert more control, and the Eclipse Cross, to its credit, allows for this.

You can toggle through tarmac, snow, and gravel modes which adjust the motor torque delivery and the slip parameters of the ESP to suit expected traction levels. This is a competent soft-roader, happy on trails or in snow.

There are two extra sub-modes controlled by buttons. Save will ensure the battery charge stays roughly fixed as you drive, thereby leaning on more petrol power. This is designed for Europe where some cities tax non-EVs.

The Charge mode lets you use the engine to charge up the battery to 80 percent rather than just putting in enough power to turn the motors. This is possibly the least efficient and CO2-friendly way imaginable to zap up the battery so wed rarely bother with it.

Finally, you can change the degree of brake energy recuperation through the Lancer Evo-style fixed paddle shifters on the column, which trickle-charges the batteries though never really makes a dent in recharging it  by design.

I think one of the fun things about running a PHEV is the degree to which you can mess with the different settings. On the flip side, it all becomes rather complicated and contingent on charging. If youre lazy it isnt for you.

How about the dynamics? You sit up quite high but the design creates blind spots only partially offset by the cameras and radars. The steering is feather-light and the noise suppression is acceptable.

Because the added complexity adds about 300kg (Eclipse Cross PHEVs curb weight minus the petrol Exceed AWDs), it thumps a bit over sharp things like potholes and steep bumps, while the springs/dampers work hard on compression and rebound.

Despite the branding, its no corner-carver, with somebody lean and rather wooden brakes, but overall its quite a passive and benign vehicle thats very easy to drive the majority of the time.

Theres one final benefit: bi-directional charging. Its capable of putting power into a building by connecting a V2H-enabled device to its CHAdeMO DC port.

Since a plug-in hybrid can generate its own power when fuelled, it is also a short-term generator on wheels in instances when power fails such as natural disasters. Will you use this feature? Doubtful now, but perhaps V2H will become common.

How much does the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-In Hybrid cost to run?

If you service at a dealer the warranty lasts for 10 years and 200,000km. If you service at an independent, the warranty is five years or 100,000km.

Servicing intervals are 12 months or 15,000km. The first 10 visits have published pricing, with an average per-visit cost of $479 (each visit sits between $299 and $799 depending on how major the service is).

Thats an average per-visit cost of $100 higher than the non-PHEV 1.5-liter Eclipse Cross petrol. Another added cost to consider, if you live in Victoria, is the new mileage charge that affects EVs and PHEVs but not mild hybrids.

CarExperts Take on the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Plug-In Hybrid

Its price premium means any argument in favor of the PHEV cannot be solely economic. Thankfully the Eclipse Cross Plug-in Hybrid is a more competitive car than the 1.5-liter petrol model in numerous other ways.

Mitsubishi has certainly got the art of making a PHEV drivetrain well-honed after all these years, and its impressively refined. The Eclipse Cross is also a good size with a characterful design and clever dual-motor AWD.

If you fit the profile of someone whod get the most out of the daily EV range, can charge nightly at home, and like the idea of combustion backup for longer trips where cheap short-range EV risks going flat, then it might work for you.

However, this is a car that necessitates a level of homework. Make sure you can make the technology work for you, by matching your behaviors to its strengths.
From Justluxe Content Partner CarExpert

440kg. Thats roughly how much a thoroughbred horse weighs. Its also how much the new Caterham Seven 170 weighs.

That makes the 170 the lightest production Seven of all time and the lightest production car on sale, and it even tips the scales at around 10kg-20kg less than the Renault Twizy quadricycle.

The boutique British brand says it has made its long-running Seven compliant with Japanese Kei class regulations by popping in a smaller engine, which in turn has reduced the cars weight.

A spokesperson for Caterham Cars Australia said the Seven 170 wont be sold in Australia.

Unfortunately, the Seven 170 is based on the Series 3 chassis, which is not ADR compliant. It is too small to satisfy the ADR! said the spokesperson.

We can only get the larger SV chassis, which accommodates drivers up to 6 6 in height.

Presently we offer the Seven 485 S and the Seven 485 CSR only. The next available production slots are in 2023.

The Seven 170 is powered by a Suzuki-sourced 660cc turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 63kW of power and 116Nm of torque, resulting in a power-to-weight ratio exceeding 126kW-per-tonne (or 170hp-per-tonne, hence the name).

Its also smaller than the standard Seven, if thats at all possible, due to new front and rear wings. Overall width is just 1470mm, or 125mm narrower than a Kia Picanto.

Its tires are also skinny, with the Seven 170 riding on Avon ZT7 185/60 R14 footwear.

The only transmission is a five-speed manual, while theres still a live axle at the rear.

Its available in two variants: the road-going S and the more track-focused R.

The S comes standard with leather seats, side screens, a heater, and a windscreen, while the R scraps those and features a sportier suspension tune, limited-slip differential, composite race seats, and four-point race harnesses.

In the UK, the Seven 170 S rings in at 22,990 ($43,234), with the R costing an extra 1000 (A$1880). That means undercuts the next cheapest Seven by around A$18,000.

Caterham has long used Ford-sourced engines for its Seven, which makes the Seven 170s Japanese powertrain somewhat of a departure.

However, it makes more sense when you consider the company was purchased by Japanese vehicle distributor VT Holdings earlier in 2021.

VT Holdings had been the companys importer in Japan since 2009. It claims to sell around 120 Caterham vehicles annually in the region and also imports vehicles from Lotus and Royal Enfield.

VT Holdings is proud to welcome Caterham to the group. We have not only purchased a globally renowned performance car manufacturer but [also] become custodians of a motoring legend, said VT CEO and former race car driver Kazuho Takahashi in April 2021.

We will protect and develop the Seven to meet the legislative challenges that lie ahead.
LAFAYETTE, La. -Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Burnell Gabriel Zachary, 37, of Arnaudville, Louisiana,has pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Carol Whitehurst to receiving Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments to which he was not entitled.

According to information presented to the court, agents with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General (USDA), began an investigation in October 2020 after receiving information that Zachary submitted a fraudulent application to obtain monetary benefits through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). The CFAP was established to provide monetary benefits for agricultural producers whose operations weredirectly impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. Eligible producers included those who suffered a 5% or greater decline, or who had losses due to market supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19. The CFAP provided direct relief to livestock producers.

The investigation concerning Zachary revealed that he had submitted a CFAP application via email on June 15, 2020 claiming that his livestock business sustained significant losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Zachary made false and fraudulent claims as to his cattle inventory at Zacharys Ranch, LLC, and received payments from the USDA of over $70,000 due to those claims. Zachary admitted to making the false misrepresentations in the CFAP application and receiving over $70,000 in benefits and depositing them into his checking account.

The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program and others similar to it were created to assist those who are truly in need of financial assistance following the difficulties that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused, stated Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. When individuals try to defraud the system like this, it takes benefits from others who have suffered genuine losses. COVID-19 fraud is one of the top priorities of this office and we will continue to work with our federal agency partners to hold thesedefendantsaccountable for their cheating ways."

The USDA COVID-19 food assistance programs were meant to keep food on tables during this unprecedented time, said Dax Roberson, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General. This prosecution should send a strong zero-tolerance message to those opportunistic fraudsters who would take advantage of a national emergency to enrich themselves.

Zachary faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, 3years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General,investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danny Siefker prosecuted the case.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Departmentof Justices response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justices National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Statement from Hooters of Louisiana, LLC:

Hooters of Louisiana, LLC, who owns and operates 9 Hooters locations since 1991 in New Orleans, Slidell, Baton Rouge, Bossier City, Houma, and Lafayette, will not be changing their iconic uniform shorts & uniform tops that has made the brand universally famous.

The famous uniform has been worn in all Louisiana Hooters locations for the last 30 years and we gave no consideration to changing this uniform and there are no plans to change the uniform in the future.

NBC NEWS - A change to the Hooters uniform at some locations has prompted a handful of the restaurant chain's servers to share their concerns on TikTok.

In the videos, which have racked up millions of views since popping up on the platform last week, Hooters servers hold up the new black shorts while sharing their thoughts. Some even describe the shorts as more like underwear.

One server, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear she could be fired, said that when she and others were notified about the new uniform last week, some liked the change, while others were less pleased.

The girls with more meat on their bones, it kind of just rides right up, the server said. You have a wedgie all the time.

The videos have reignited criticisms of Hooters for fostering an outdated concept centered around sexualizing servers bodies.

Many of the servers who shared their experiences on TikTok said theyll continue to work for the company, meaning they will wear the new shorts. However, the TikTok videos that garnered the most views were those that featured women who seemingly joked that they plan to quit rather than resort to wearing the new outfit.

The TikTok video of the Hooters employee who jokes that she will quit and says the new shorts are "like underwear had more than 1.3 million likes and 14.8 million views, as of Thursday.

nother video, posted by user @ggnguyen, has more than 3 million likes and has been viewed more than 16.8 million times. She captioned the video, Whats that supposed to fit?!?

Several Hooters servers who posted about the new shorts on TikTok declined to speak on the record out of fear of risking their jobs. But their videos remain public on TikTok, and continue to amass more views.

Hooters locations are operated by one of two companies: Hooters of America and The Original Hooters group. And not all Hooters locations are updating the uniforms.

Hooters of America, LLC, operates more than 420 Hooters restaurants in 42 states and 29 countries, according to its website. The Original Hooters Group  which has a total of 25 locations in Chicago, New York, and Tampa Bay, Florida  has nearly identical branding but operates separately from Hooters of America.

Hooters of America rolled out the shorter shorts in its Texas locations before distributing them to a wider range of locations. Locations operating under the Original Hooters franchise, however, still require servers to wear longer shorts for more coverage.

A representative for the Original Hooters Group said that its locations will continue using the same uniforms that servers have worn for decades.

The Original Hooters Restaurants located throughout Tampa Bay, Chicagoland, and Manhattan ... will not be changing their iconic uniform of orange shorts and white uniform tops that has made the brand universally famous, the spokesperson said in an email statement.

Hooters of America said it appreciates feedback both positive and negative, regarding a more accommodating and inclusive image policy on tattoos, jewelry, nails, hairstyles as well as new uniforms  to include new top styles, shorts and the addition of socks.

The new uniforms were the result of a collaboration with Hooters Girls, Hooters of America said in its email statement. These uniforms have been worn for months in several Texas markets and have received overwhelmingly favorable reviews from both Hooters Girls and customers.

In an updated statement sent to NBC News on Saturday, Hooters of America said that Hooters servers would be allowed to choose to wear either their classic uniforms or the new one.

"They can determine which style of shorts best fits their body style and personal image," the statement read.

The statement went on to say that the "Hooters Girls" are the company's "most valuable asset" and that they remain committed to empowering the women who work for them.

"Were excited to see a national trend toward self-expression and inclusivity that bodes well for our marketplace. We work continuously with our Hooters Girls to refresh and update the image of our brand ambassadors and to empower them to feel their best while at work," the statement reads.

Uniforms have long been a contentious issue for Hooters, and were once the center of litigation against the company.

In 2010, the restaurant chain was sued by roughly 400 at-the-time current and former employees in the Sacramento area as part of a class action lawsuit over the uniforms, hours and pay. The suit was settled after the restaurant agreed, among other things, to relax the uniforms, according to NBC News affiliate KCRA3.

Hooters said it plans to work with staff to make sure the uniforms are comfortable while reflecting current style.

The server who spoke to NBC said the shorts havent been a problem for her. However, she understands that for other women the shorter shorts could be uncomfortable.

When they were first rolled out at several Texas locations, the shorts were seemingly well received, the server said. However, as the new uniform has made its way to more locations across the U.S., its seemingly been less popular, she said.

One of the girls was like, Oh yeah, theyre super cute. I love them, the server said. And the other girls were like, This is way too short. My privates are hanging out.
Overall graduate school enrollment is up this fall by 11 students, totaling 7,635, according to annual data, following years of decline.

Fewer students have enrolled in graduate programs at the University of Kansas the last few years, but the numbers have started to improve, Amanda Ostreko, thedirector of Graduate Enrollment Managementsaid.

During the 2019-2020 school year, there was a decrease of 276 graduate students. Last year, enrollment in grad school decreased by 10 students, according to KU Analytics.

Ostreko said they have noticed the decrease and efforts are being put in place to help enrollment on all levels through the universitys Jayhawks Rising strategic plan.

Graduate enrollments, especially at the masters level, are often connected to employment rates, Ostreko said.

As unemployment levels decline, so do graduate enrollments, she said. As unemployment or concerns about job prospectus rise, so do graduate enrollments.

Due to higher unemployment rates in the initial months of the pandemic, more undergraduate students chose to go on to graduate school due to a tight labor market and improved the universitys enrollment numbers, she said.

As the economy has bounced back, enrollments have declined as job prospects are very favorable, particularly in certain fields, Osteko said.

Kaitlyn Kuhl, a second-year graduate student studying speech-language pathology, had planned on going to grad school since she started the speech pathology program at Kansas State University her freshman year of college.

However, she said her experience in grad school has not been what she expected. If she had known she would be doing her graduate-level classes online, she may have considered a different route, she said.

I never would have chosen an online grad school, Kuhl said. I know that's what some programs offer, and I never would have chosen that, that's just not really my thing, but I've adjusted to it. Now it's like a norm for me.

Taylor Norden, a first-year graduate student in the accounting program, had a similar situation, during his undergrad he planned to earn a masters in accounting.

After all of his classes senior year were online, he continued in the program because he was promised his graduate-level classes would be in person.

If that wasnt the case, it would have been a different story, Norden said. Its a lot harder to justify the cost of graduate hours for online classes.

Ostreko said a big challenge for enrollment numbers during the pandemic was how many international graduate students were not able to start their programs last year since many were still abroad. Many of those students were able to travel and start this year, she said.

Ostreko also said programs that have been primarily face-to-face in the past are now competing with other institutions in the market that have learned from the pandemic and expanded online program offerings.

Graduate students are increasingly looking at program format and flexibility in their decision-making process, which may differ somewhat from the traditional undergraduate student, Ostreko said. Thus, online, hybrid, accelerated and flexible program formats are an increasingly important aspect to the overall enrollment strategy.
It's Deja Vu all over again: How the Spanish Flu and COVID-19 relate
The Overland Park Police Department offense report just came to light, but was filed by Principal David Ewers on Nov. 8 at 1 p.m., a couple of hours after hundreds of students walked out while holding signs saying things like, "Protect the victims, not the assailants," "It's not a joke," and
Your morning routine could be getting a little pricier. Procter & Gamble, one of the largest consumer goods manufacturers, is raising prices on some grooming, beauty and oral care products.

Here's what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.

(You can also get "5 Things You Need to Know Today" delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.)

1. Coronavirus

The FDA plans to allow a "mix and match" approach to Covid-19 booster shots, meaning people can get a different vaccine for their booster dose than they did for their original dose. Last week, FDA vaccine advisers reviewed research from National Institutes of Health that suggested it didn't really matter which type of booster people got -- it still provided more protection. Some hope it may encourage people to get boosters and cut down on brand confusion. So far, Pfizer's is the only Covid-19 booster authorized for some Americans, but that could change when advisers meet this week to discuss Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters. While boosters have been recommended for people 65 and over and some who are immunocompromised, a source says boosters for Americans as young as 40 could be recommended soon.

2. Congress

President Biden has dictated the first cuts to the pared-down economic spending bill. Tuition-free community college is out, despite being a major White House priority. The child tax credit, another key priority, would likely be extended for only one more year, which is much shorter than many Democrats wanted. Other provisions for elder care, disability care and paid leave benefits may also be on the chopping block. The cuts are an attempt to pare the proposed $3.5 trillion price tag down to about $1.9 trillion to appease moderate Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who holds a critical vote. However, Biden said they plan to keep an expansion of Medicare to keep more progressive members on board.

3. Capitol riot

The House committee investigating the January 6 insurrection has formally approved holding ex-President Trump ally Steve Bannon in criminal contempt of Congress after he defied a subpoena to appear before the panel. The full House is expected to vote on the resolution tomorrow. As serious as criminal contempt sounds, the process of prosecuting it could take years and may not result in hard consequences. It's seen by many as more of a warning shot to discourage similar action by other Trump allies. One committee member said Congress will use "all of the tools" available to force Bannon to testify, even if he just shows up and uses his constitutional right to plead the Fifth Amendment.

4. Supply chain

The global supply chain crisis could result in fewer discounts and deals as the holiday shopping season approaches. Because of backups and shortages, stores are already having trouble keeping products on shelves, and some may not get the inventory they need before Black Friday-type bargain shopping begins. Supply chain challenges aren't just a result of backed-up ports and manufacturing shutdowns. There's also a shortage of workers to unload and transport products. The trucking industry needs about 80,000 drivers, a reported record high and about a 30% increase since the beginning of the pandemic. Worker shortages are why some efforts to alleviate backlogs, like Biden's recent directive that some ports operate 24/7, aren't fully solving the problem.

5. Haiti

The gang that kidnapped a group of 17 American and Canadian missionaries in Haiti has asked for $17 million for their release -- $1 million for each person. The 16 American citizens and one Canadian were kidnapped Saturday by the powerful 400 Mawozo gang and are reportedly being held outside a Port-au-Prince suburb. The missionaries, affiliated with an Ohio-based ministry, include four children and an 8-month-old. A wave of brazen kidnappings has hit Haiti as the country deals with political unrest and severe poverty. Such kidnappings have increased 300% since July, and many are at the hands of the 400 Mawozo gang, according to a Haitian nonprofit. The kidnappers usually demand ransom for their hostages, which in this case is another calling card of gang activity.

BREAKFAST BROWSE

A judge grants Kanye West's request to change his name to just Ye

OK, Ye.

'Squid Game' Halloween costumes are topping internet searches

Comfortable and unsettling!

See Nicole Kidman as Lucille Ball in first trailer for 'Being the Ricardos'

Featuring the iconic grape-stomping scene.

Taco Bell is giving away free breakfast burritos

See, it's totally fine to say things like "I'm going to Taco Bell for breakfast!"

How AirPods became Apple's hottest product

Next time: How AirPods actually stayed in my weirdly shaped ears.

TODAY'S NUMBER

$14 million

That's how much Facebook will pay to settle a case brought by the Justice Department that alleged US workers were discriminated against in favor of foreign workers with temporary visas in 2018 and 2019. The tech giant is also planning a rebrand with a new name focused on the development of a virtual and augmented reality "metaverse," according to a Verge report.

TODAY'S QUOTE

"Addiction is not a choice. No one chooses to become an addict. But it can happen to any one of us. None of us are immune."

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, on the realities of addiction and mental health at the launch of the "Taking Action on Addiction" campaign by the Forward Trust, a British charity of which she's a patron.

TODAY'S WEATHER

Check your local forecast here>>>

AND FINALLY

Hello, bees!

Ever seen some bees hatching? Well, you have now! (Click here to view.)

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
TALENT, Ore.  Administrators at Talent Middle School sent a brief letter to families after an incident involving a knife on a school bus Tuesday morning.

The letter said that a student riding on the 7803 school bus brought a knife aboard the bus and showed it to other students.

"Another student reacted strongly to secure the knife," Principal Kent Vallier said. "The knife was not used to harm anyone and no one was injured as a result of the knife's presence."

Principal Vallier said in the message that he was working closely with all of the students involved, their parents, and the School Resource Officer to ensure that "appropriate steps are taken" to resolve the situation and prevent something similar from happening again.

NewsWatch 12 contacted Phoenix-Talent School officials on Tuesday evening and learned that the incident is now a police investigation and the involved students have been suspended pending that investigation.

This is a developing story and will be updated with more details as they emerge.
WOLF CREEK, Ore. -- Multiple fire departments responded to the scene of a structure fire at the 76 gas station in Wolf Creek, arriving to find the market building in flames.

The exact cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but fire officials said that Oregon State Police was heading out to conduct interviews for an investigation.

A 911 call came in early Wednesday morning when someone heard an alarm go off. When Rural Metro Fire arrived, the building was about three-fourths of the way involved in flames.

Firefighters said that they knew it was a total loss when they got to the scene. Their main concern was keeping flames away from the nearby gas pumps. After the initial response, officials said that they were not worried about the flames spreading from the building.

Mere yards away from the 76 station sits the fire house of the Wolf Creek Rural Fire Protection District, but there were no volunteer firefighters from the district on hand to fight the fire when it broke out Wednesday morning. According to Austin Prince with Rural Metro Fire, the chief and all of Wolf Creek's firefighters resigned last week for reasons that remain unclear.

The lack of a local response at least partially accounted for the response from multiple fire departments as far away as Medford, Jacksonville, and Ashland.

Prince said that the Wolf Creek Rural Fire Protection District board planned to convene an emergency meeting Wednesday night in order to address the issue.

The same gas station that burned down on Wednesday previously caught fire in February of 2020. NewsWatch 12 spoke to the owner of the store who was at the scene, and she said that they had been ready to move forward with plans to renovate the building when this fire happened.
SALEM, Ore.  The union for Oregon State Police officers excoriated state officials and hinted at legal action after an employee of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services accidentally shared personal vaccination notes for thousands of state executive branch employees with at least two media outlets this week.

The Statesman Journal and the Oregonian reported on Monday night that they had requested vaccination data from ODAS for various state agencies after the COVID-19 vaccine mandate deadline arrived. Adam Crawford, the external relations director for ODAS, reportedly responded with a spreadsheet that included the requested information, but also the names and personal vaccination status for 40,000 state workers.

Both outlets reported that Crawford took the blame for the release and said it was a mistake. The Statesman Journal said that it would not publish the data and had deleted it. The Oregonian said that it would not publish the data in line with existing policy.

On Tuesday, the Oregon State Police Officers Association  which has been fighting the state in court over the vaccine mandate  released a statement saying that its "worst nightmare has been realized" with the release of personal medical and religious information belonging to members.

"Apparently, the State felt it was appropriate to allow the DAS public relations director access to sensitive personnel information," OSPOA said. "One wonders who else has access. The data breach is one more example of the States failure to take into consideration the concerns of its employees."

The Associated said that it has asked the state to identify who received the information and "take steps to recover" it, in addition to sending letters to the Oregonian and the Statesman Journal to "return the information" and delete it from their files.

"The Association should not have to make this request, but the Association at this point cannot depend on the Department of Administrative Services to follow up on their error," OSPOA continued. "The Oregon State Police Officers Association remains committed to looking after its members and will take the appropriate steps to remedy this situation."

The union said that it has filed a complaint under their contract with the state of Oregon, and is also exploring other legal remedies.

Republicans in the Oregon Senate also put out a statement on Tuesday, pointing the finger at Governor Kate Brown for implementing the vaccine mandate in the first place.

I have been opposed to this overreach since the day Kate Brown announced it," Senate Republican Leader Fred Girod said. "Government should never coerce people into having medical procedures let alone keep track of this information. It proves to Oregonians they should not trust the government with their private health information or with this much power over their day-to-day lives."

Sen. Girod referenced staffing shortages from the vaccine mandate that have yet to materialize in most cases. OSP released data on Tuesday indicating that the vast majority of employees are in compliance with the mandate, either through vaccination or an exception. Only 11 employees had been placed on leave, and four had resigned.
GRANTS PASS, Ore.  Police in Grants Pass arrested a man on Tuesday after he allegedly made death threats against a woman online when she refused to have sex with him.

On Monday, Grants Pass Police said that they received a complaint from a 21-year-old woman who said that she'd received threats from an unknown man she had met online. The victim said that the man, later identified as 35-year-old Boris Deleon, had contacted her earlier in October to "solicit her for sexual contact for a substantial amount of money."

When the woman refused Deleon, GPPD said, he started making death threats and claimed to be part of the Sinaloa cartel. He also admitted to "catfishing" people online thousands of times.

"The Grants Pass Police Department would like to remind citizens to practice sound judgment when communicating online," the agency said. 'Catfishing' is when someone poses as another person while communicating electronically. While catfishing itself is not illegal, there are circumstances when the conduct can become criminal."

The agency encouraged anyone who has been subjected to online threats to participate in sex, propositions of money for sex, or threats to publicly shame another person because of sexual activity to report those activities to police.

Anyone with further information related to the case is asked to call the Grants Pass Police non-emergency number at 541-450-6260.
FILE - In this March 29, 2018, file photo, the logo for Facebook appears on screens at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York's Times Square. Facebook is paying a $4.75 million fine and up to $9.5 million to eligible victims in a settlement announced Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, to resolve the Justice Departments allegations that it discriminated against U.S. workers in favor of foreigners with special visas to fill high-paying jobs. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
The City of West Kelowna should consider offering a subsidy to help homeowners buy a $30 radon detection device, Coun. Rick De Jong says. Two-thirds of West Kelowna buildings have radon levels that exceed World Health Organization guidelines, according to a recent sample.
A sign opposing coal development in the eastern slopes of the Livingston range south west of Longview, Alta., Wednesday, June 16, 2021. A report detailing how Albertans feel about open-pit coal mining in the Rockies will be delayed by a month, says the head of the committee preparing the document. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Former Tk'emlups te Secwepemc chief Manny Jules, who is now chief commissioner of the First Nations Tax Commission, poses for a photograph in his office at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, in Kamloops, B.C., on Friday, June 4, 2021. Senior members of a British Columbia First Nation have issued an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that petitions him to formally commit to seven steps he could take to show he is serious about reconciliation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
SOMERS  The University of Wisconsin-Parkside is hosting a Gallery Night from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 21 in the Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center for Arts and Humanities on the west side of the UW-Parkside campus, 900 Wood Road.

The reception, free and open to the public, celebrates the opening of two gallery shows:

Carey Watters' work is on display in the Foundation Gallery through Nov. 12.

An associate professor of graphic design at UW-Parkside, Watters weaves together concepts regarding feminism, historic map making and religious and pagan symbolism in her paper works.

Her art is described as "mythical in nature. Insect pins and needle and thread connect age-old imagery and iconography to her personal narratives in a process that is time-consuming and labor-intensive."

Watters dissects collected cast-off printed materials into thousands of tiny cut pieces of paper, each one "a precious fragment of a lost whole." From this collected ephemera, Watters "conjures the feminist histories of forgotten saints and unknown women whose stories twist and turn in complex ways."

Working in her basement studio, she slowly builds her paper reliefs. She "translates her obsessive thoughts, desires and feelings of marginalization into distress signals that are sent out into the world."

Carlotta Miller and Hans Habeger are exhibiting their paintings in a two-person show in the Fine Arts Gallery, through Dec. 10.

Both artists render landscapes "that are filled with evidence of human intervention while feeling incredibly lonely. Meditations on isolation, both rural and (sub)urban, these works elevate what is left behind by past endeavors."

Miller, who has a studio in Racine, is a signature member of Watercolor USA Honor Society and Red River Watercolor Society and has exhibited in many national and local juried shows.

Habeger is an associate professor of art at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, Ill. He has shown his work in national and regional juried shows.

Coming up: Habeger will give a free Artist Talk at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 26) in the Fine Arts Gallery.

The galleries are open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday or by appointment. For more information about the UW-Parkside galleries, go to www.uwp.edu/therita/artgalleries.cfm. Note: Masks are required inside all UW-Parkside buildings.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0

Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
A majority of western Kenosha County schools saw an increase of students when the official Third Friday count was taken last month. The data was recently released by the state Department of Public Instruction.

Overall, statewide enrollment saw little change, with the total school district headcount coming in at 814,101, a decline of 0.5% from September 2020.

The Third Friday count helps determine overall school district membership. Membership is a full-time equivalent value used for school finance purposes. For example, students in special education, 4K and part-time kindergarten are counted as less than 1.0 full-time equivalent. Revenue limits are based on a three-year rolling average of September membership.

Of the 11 rural Kenosha County districts, six districts saw an increase in enrollment, four experienced a decrease and one had a student count that remained unchanged.

Wilmot sees decrease

Wilmot Union High School recorded the largest decrease, down 51 students, according to DPI figures. The two-year enrollment data for Wilmot shows a decline from 2019 to 2021 of 70 students.

The decline in enrollment is a combination of large graduating classes (the class of 2021 had 261 students) and smaller incoming classes (the class of 2026 has 215 students) over the last few years, Marianne Judson, Wilmot school registrar, said. We have no significant difference in our open enrolled in versus open enrolled out numbers.

David Betz, Wilmots director of business services, stated that declining enrollment leads to decreasing revenue limit authority and decreasing state aid, which can put more pressure on local property taxes.

We have never used an operating referendum to increase funding like many other districts in Wisconsin, Betz said. Over the past 20 years, we have been able to maintain a somewhat steady tax levy. The current budget uses federal stimulus funds to balance our budget for this year. In the future, there may be a need for our community to vote on an operating referendum.

Betz said an operating referendum would provide additional funding to maintain programming while freezing or possibly decreasing the total tax levy due to retiring debt.

Here is the following Third Friday headcount data for western Kenosha County, released by the state DPI:

Westosha Central High School: Increase of 39 students, from 1,136 to 1,175.

Wilmot Union High School: Decrease of 51 students, from 953 to 902.

Brighton School: Decrease of nine students, from 201 to 192.

Bristol School: Increase of 22 students, from 801 to 823.

Lakewood School: Increase of two students, from 270 to 272.

Paris School: No change, 280 students.

Randall School: Decrease of three students, from 664 to 661.

Riverview School: Increase of 10 students, from 466 to 476.

Salem School: Increase of 68 students, from 942 to 1,010.

Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated: Decrease of 19 students, from 510 to 491.

Wheatland Center School: Increase of 13 students, from 570 to 583.

WCHS sees increase

Westosha Central High School (WCHS) experienced the largest three-year, consecutive increase in September enrollment, increasing from 1,099 in 2019, to 1,136 in 2020, to 1,175 in 2021. The 2021 count is the highest at the school over the last five years.

WCHS Administrator John Gendron said the district was prepared to handle the influx.

Westoshas count is up in 2021-22, and the pattern looks to continue for the foreseeable future, Gendron said. The updated facility and new additions projected to be completed for the 2023-24 school year will accommodate the expected growth.

The good news is that the growth will be consistent, but manageable.

Salem School reported the largest one-year increase, up 68 students, from 942 in September 2020 to 1,010 in September 2021. However, the 2021 count is below the 2019 Third Friday count of 1,018.

The district has experienced this yo-yo effect since 2017, with Third Friday enrollment ranging from the mid-900s to just over 1,000 pupils.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1
Carol Leavell Barr died at the age of 39, due to sudden cardiac arrest most likely brought on by a ventricular arrythmia. She was the wife of U.S. Rep. Andy Barr.
Ketchikan, AK (99901)

Today

Rain and snow this morning. The rain and snow will change to all rain by the afternoon hours. High 41F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Cloudy. Snow showers developing late. Low 33F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
Since the first documented COVID death in the U.S. in February 2020, over 726,000 Americans have died. The number of deaths eclipses the death toll of any other American tragedy, whether war or the Spanish influenza epidemic of 1918, and health care providers have been involved with the care of many people who have died. However, grief among physicians over the death of a patient is not something that we routinely address or even acknowledge.

Most people either understand firsthand what it means to lose a family member or close friend or can imagine that aspect of the human experience, and are sympathetic to the grief and sadness that follow. We understand what it is to lose an acquaintance  someone we know, perhaps peripherally or incidentally, but are not deeply connected to. But a physicians experience of the death of a patient is much less well understood, partly because the relationship between physician and patient is unique  and partly because we tend not to consider the humanity of physicians in their roles as doctors. A patient isnt a close friend or family member (hopefully), but we often know intimate things about them and their bodies that even the closest people in their lives do not. We are invested in their health and well-being in ways that mere acquaintances are not. And in the setting of COVID hospital care, doctors may know next to nothing about who their patient is as a person, but will have invested tremendous time, energy, thought, compassion, and worry on that persons behalf.

Physician grief in response to patient death is poorly studied and poorly understood. A 2014 literature review found only twelve articles that addressed services available to grieving health care providers, and explorations of the scope and universality of physician grief have been scarce. I believe that is largely due to physician grief over patient death being disenfranchised. Disenfranchised grief was first described by Ken Doka as grief that follows a loss that isnt openly acknowledged or publicly supported and the person, therefore, feels they dont have the right to grieve or get support. Physicians arent supposed to grieve following a patient death because of professionalism. Its just a part of our jobs, after all. Our medical education specifically trains us to suppress emotional reactions to our work and to power through stressful and traumatic situations. Unfortunately, it doesnt teach us how to address the emotional reactions afterwards.

Deborah Lathrop argued pre-pandemic that we had a physician workforce already mired in disenfranchised grief from a multitude of losses. I agree. The pandemic has drastically exacerbated the problem, and physicians are suffering. When not addressed and validated, grief contributes to depression, burnout, and anxiety, and adds to the trauma some doctors are experiencing. More physicians than ever are burned out, and an astonishing 37 percent reported they would like to retire in the next year when surveyed in 2020.

We need to begin to address physician grief by validating it and acknowledging that grief following a patient death can happen and is normal. We can support doctors who grieve the loss of a patient, even one they didnt know personally. We can offer empathy to each other and give struggling doctors the space to process, vent, and regroup emotionally. Doctors who need extra support should seek counseling with a provider familiar with the challenges of medicine and the impact of disenfranchised grief. We need to remember that physicians are human, and grief is as much a part of the human experience as love. There are ways to support physicians both emotionally and professionally. We just have to make the effort.

Vickie Mulkerin is a family physician and owner, White Coat Counseling, LLC.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
175 Shares Share

In March 1630, John Winthrop delivered the treatise A Model of Christian Charity at Holyrood Church in Southampton, England, prior to leading the first settlers of the Massachusetts Bay colony on their to journey to the New World. In his address, he referred to the new community they would found as a city upon a hill with the eyes of all people upon them. This reference to a portion of Jesus Sermon on the Mount underscored the importance of committing the colonists to brotherly love and unity, setting the needs of others and the community above ones own needs.

I first heard this reference to a shining city on a hill at the moment of my political awakening and at the close of Ronald Reagans presidency in his farewell address in January 1989:

Ive spoken of the shining city all my political life, but I dont know if I ever quite communicated what I saw when I said it. But in my mind, it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors, and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here. Thats how I saw it and see it still.

I was never much a fan of Reagan but did recognize his desire to lead all of us as a nation of different people who had unique talents to share and whose commonality of purpose exceeded partisan divisions. I also recognized that this vision was as aspirational as the source that inspired it. North stars have their role if only we faithfully chart our course by them.

As Reagans farewell words washed over me, I looked ahead at my immediate future and recalled my recent past. I would graduate from college a few months later and start medical school. I had just completed an idyllic nine months of study in Hamilton, New Zealand, an experience that still influences me today. I witnessed a nation of diverse people that cared about each other meaningfully. The Kiwi culture is exemplified in their national sport, rugby, emphasizing the team over the individual.

That promise of the shining city seemed more tangible as we witnessed the close of the 1980s and experienced the bliss of the 1990s. I and my contemporaries moved through those years, getting married, starting families, starting jobs, and acquiring mortgages. The demons of our nation still seemed to be suppressed by our angels for the most part. We could not know that the seeds of the cataclysm that was 9/11 and the divisions that would follow were germinating beneath us.

The number of years since that horrible day has verily seen the transformation of who we are and how we are. No longer do we have a presumption of goodwill toward those who are politically, religiously, or philosophically different from us. Yes, we have always borne the demons of racism and intolerance through our nations shared history, but there was almost always the patina of unity among us save for the years of the Civil War. Rather, we are now in a season of distrust and tribalism where each partisan seeks to win leverage for the sake of power alone only for those of like mind and mission.

The most insidious part of this darkening of our nation is the democratization of truth and the obfuscation of our understanding of reality. A lie told a million times on social media becomes fact. No longer can we count upon rationality, logic, and evidence to be the measures we employ to discern truth. Truth has been abducted to serve the mission of elevating influence, gaining advantage, and exercising power. It is a rot that is destroying us and creating many victims. The internet, formerly and quaintly referred to as the information superhighway, has become our road to perdition and the chief means of the purveyance of agenda-driven disinformation coming from both extremes of the political spectrum. The algorithms move us into our demagogic poles and obliterate the common ground where consensus suffocates from lack of oxygen.

This organized perpetration of deception has taken on more meaning as we have faced the last centurys most critical public health threat. Freedom which was once defined as something that required a personal sacrifice of individual concerns in deference to the needs of others and the community has now become rebranded as solely within the province of individual liberty. The simple acts of individuals wearing masks or getting vaccinated to protect all of us and ending the pandemic for our towns, cities, states, nations is too much for many among us who have distilled their catalyzed grievances into refusals to sacrifice their personal freedom.

Indeed, as I write these words, state legislatures, including our own in my state, are codifying this movement into law with bans on companies including hospitals, nursing homes, and medical facilities from requiring COVID-19 vaccination for their employees. And, those legislators are doing it not because of some sincerely held principles, but because they know which way the wind blows and cynicism Trumps all other considerations in getting reelected.

The victims of this now distorted concept of liberty are ones that we physicians encounter every day. The one that inspired this essay for me is an 11-year-old boy that I saw three weeks ago. He is a patient of mine in my pediatric practice who came to see me with typical respiratory symptoms that led to a diagnosis of COVID-19. While he recovered uneventfully, his father got sick the next day and died from the same illness five days later. Like the vast majority of people who die from COVID-19 now, he was unvaccinated, believing that getting vaccinated was unnecessary and part of a greater effort to undermine his personal liberty. His son is now dealing with the unimaginable grief of losing a parent at such a tender age and asking his mother if he killed his father by getting sick and causing his death. This happens every day now in our communities across our nation. These are wounds that will never heal for this generation of kids.

We have no hope of exiting this pathway to darkness unless we can collectively rise above our manufactured grievances and reductive individualism to truly witness and love each other. We must recognize and reconcile the real harms done to each other in the evil pursuit of purely selfish interests. Only then can we renew and rekindle the true light of a successful community and our city on the hill.

Jason V. Terk is a pediatrician.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
EUGENE, Ore. - One Oregon State Police union is putting up a fight over the vaccine mandate, saying they have concerns about the security of the statewide database.

Senior Trooper Joshua Wetzel, president of the Oregon State Police Officer's Association, said the union didn't sign a letter of agreement with the state regarding the vaccine mandate. One reason is the database they would have to input vaccination status.

"It's not secure. We are putting vaccination records online, which we don't put vaccination records for anything online at this point. Right? Any medical stuff we have is from a doctor verifying that we've met proper medical conditions for being a police officer, and it's very generic like that. With a vaccine card or our exemptions, we are putting very detailed information onto a system that anybody has access to," Wetzel said.

This comes after thousands of state employees accidentally had their vaccination status released to two media outlets this week.

A spreadsheet of more than 40 thousand employees was sent to The Oregonian and The Statesman Journal. It was supposed to contain the latest vaccination and exemption rates for each executive branch agency overseen by Governor Kate Brown.

Instead, an Oregon Department of Administrative Services director emailed a file to the outlets containing vaccination status by employee name.

The newspapers said they wouldn't publish the data.

Wetzel said the state has assured them that the system is secure and that only a small amount of people have access.

Other unions did sign an agreement, which he said gives them an extension to Nov. 30 to be fully vaccinated and past two weeks of their final dose.

Wetzel said around 10 of his union members got their shots, but they were not past the two-week mark when the deadline hit. Meaning, they can't come into work and are currently on administrative leave. They now will have to individually undergo a formal investigation in the coming months.

"It's kind of weird that people are in compliance, but because they weren't in compliance of the date with what the governor said, Oct. 18, then the state is treating them as if they aren't in compliance," Wetzel said.

The Department of Administrative Services reported today, 778 Oregon State Police members are associated with OSTOA.

OSP said out of their 1267 employees, 78% are fully vaccinated.

15% received an approved exemption. 96% of those are religious exemptions, and 4% of those are medical. 7% of submitted exemptions are still pending.

Wetzel said their union believes that before the state can change a fundamental condition of employment, it must be negotiated.

The union said the members of the association shouldn't be threatened with the loss of their job without first being given an opportunity for input into the process.
This police camera video provided by The Moab Police Department shows Brian Laundrie talking to a police officer after police pulled over the van he was traveling in with his girlfriend, Gabrielle Gabby Petito, near the entrance to Arches National Park on Aug. 12, 2021. The couple was pulled over while they were having an emotional fight. Petito was reported missing by her family a month later and is now the subject of a nationwide search. (The Moab Police Department via AP)
Do you know a person or family who is in need of a new ride? Submit them here and they could win a pre-owned 2018 Chevrolet Trax LT AWD.
Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading.

To subscribe, click here. Already a subscriber? Click here.
Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan last week represented Ireland at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) on the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

Held virtually this year due to Covid-19, Minister Noonan pledged Irelands commitment to high level goals on biodiversity called the Post 2020 Global Framework and joined his European Ministers in pledging an EU wide approach to nature conservation and restoration.

It was an honour to represent my country at this important high level summit. This is the first of two meetings, the next will take place in April next year. I was in a position to highlight Irelands high level ambition on nature conservation and to ratifying the Nagoya Protocol on the protection of genetic resources from nature. said Minister Noonan.

Biodiversity loss

Minister Noonan said that the rate of biodiversity loss, destruction of habitats and pollution of water is on a scale unparalleled in human history and that people, particularly young people want action to halt this trend.

Here in Ireland we are losing species at a worrying rate. We have had a really poor year with our curlew conservation programme and similarly with the corncrake; two iconic species. Much of this trend is down to the declining state and range of habitats. By signing up for such high ambition in China, I am committing Ireland to leading on tackling biodiversity loss and committing extra resources and staff in NPWS to meet the challenge.

Minister Noonan also met with his EU environment and biodiversity counterparts in Luxembourg recently to outline support for high level ambition towards the post 2020 Global Framework.

I will be committing additional resources to nature conservation, towards tackling wildlife crime and working with my colleague Minister Darragh O Brien to bring forward plans for marine protected areas and improving water quality over the next number of years. It is vitally important that we work collaboratively to conserve, expand and restore good habitats for nature over coming years, he concluded.
Local Kilkennyman, Brendan Bolger, who is originally from The Rower but has been living in Singapore for the last 4 years with his wife and two children, has written a children's book for ages 4 to 8 years old. The publication and release of the book will take place on March 3rd 2022, World Book Day.

World Book Day is always widely celebrated throughout Kilkenny, with many events taking place to encourage children and adults of any age to pick up a book and read.

Mr Bolger has decided along with his family that 100 percent of the profits made from the book will be going to a number of charities, including Amber Womens Refuge in Kilkenny, Children's Health Foundation Dublin and many more.

As well as being available in bookshops and online, Mr Bolger is also running a Donate a Book initiative where he will be reaching out to businesses to buy books that will be donated to a school of their choice. "To date we have had loads of interest and very positive feedback from individuals and businesses (including Kilkenny) willing to make donations from 250-500 euro." Most companies that have committed to date have bought a set ranging from 25-35 books to donate to the local school.

Mr Bolger has personally pledged 35 books to be donated to St. Patricks Special Needs School in Kilkenny, and these books will be delivered to them on World Book Day.

Beat FM will also be covering this event as Solas is their partner charity and there is also potential to be covered by RTE Radio 1.

"It is not only the funds we are keen to raise but also awareness regarding the amazing work the charities carry out as well as letting local Kilkenny people know that these charities are there to help if required, says Mr Bolger.

Unfortunately, we are all aware that the recent lockdowns saw a dramatic rise in domestic abuse, and so the need to support a charity such as Amber Women's Refuge is now greater than ever.

Mr Bolger will be giving publicity to all of the donating businesses via his website and social media which will be launched sometime around the New Year. There are more very well known public figures who are happy to endorse the book, which will open up to a global audience.

There has already been contact made with two bookstores in Kilkenny who have agreed to sell the book and there will be discussion of possible special events later in March to celebrate the release of the book.
A brand new car is one of the raffle prizes this year as Down Syndrome Ireland prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

As part of the celebrations, they are holding a national raffle, through their 25 local branches within Ireland, with some amazing prices, including a Hyundai I10 car, pictured here at the Michael Lyng Motors showroom.

The Kilkenny branch provides a range of supports/therapies, and activities for children and adults with Down syndrome and their families.

The added benefit of this event is that 70% of the proceedings will remain within the Kilkenny branch ensuring that the provision of these services can continue for its members and families.

Its also very fitting that its occurring in October which also happens to be Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

Representatives of the branch will be selling tickets in MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre in Kilkenny City over the bank holiday weekend, October 24 and 25.

Please pop in to support this worthy charity and be in with a chance to win a Hyundai I10.

Lockdown has greatly impacted fundraising efforts as well as having a negative impact on the progress of many of our members with services and therapies, school etc, being unavailable for long periods, says  Margaret Raggatt Chairperson, DSI Kilkenny.

Any funds raised from this raffle will be used to make services and activities available to all of our members.

The publics support will make a real difference to the lives of children and adults with Down syndrome in Kilkenny.
MASON CITY, Iowa - A review of an officer-involved shooting following a Mason City homicide found that the officer's actions were "entirely legally justified."

The Winnebago County Attorney's Office released its findings Wednesday of the shooting in downtown Mason City earlier this month that resulted in Jelani Faulk, who was later charged with first-degree murder, being briefly hospitalized.

The attorney's office said officer Noah Friese "had no alternative option other than to shoot Faulk to avoid potential injuries to himself or innocent bystanders. Had Faulk complied with officer Friese's commands to get on the ground, officer Friese would not have had to shoot. Instead, Faulk chose to ignore the commands and point a firearm at officer Friese."

Authorities said Faulk shot and killed Christoper Tucker on Oct. 3.

Officer Friese was in the area at the time of the shooting and identified two males who were running at him following Tucker being shot.

Friese ordered the subjects, Faulk and 24-year-old Kristopher Keys, of Dubuque, to the ground. Keys complied with the officer's commands while Fault pointed a handgun at the officer.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  The Biden administration dealt a serious blow Wednesday to the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota, ordering a study that could lead to a 20-year ban on mining upstream from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The U.S. Forest Service filed an application with the Bureau of Land Management for a mineral withdrawal, which would begin with a comprehensive study of the likely environmental and other impacts of mining if it were permitted in the watershed that flows into the Boundary Waters.

A place like the Boundary Waters should be enjoyed by and protected for everyone, not only today but for future generations, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement. Today the Biden Administration is taking an important and sensible step to ensure that we have all the science and the public input necessary to make informed decisions about how mining activities may impact this special place.

The Obama administration tried to kill the Twin Metals project when it launched a similar process in its final weeks, citing the potential threat to the Boundary Waters from acid mine drainage from the underground mine near Ely.

But the Trump administration cancelled that mineral withdrawal study 20 months into the 24-month process, and reinstated the projects federal mineral rights leases, which the Obama administration had decided not to renew.

The full practical impact of the new decision on the Twin Metals project wasn't immediately clear. The announcement from the Agriculture and Interior Departments said the order affects lands upstream from the Boundary Waters in the Superior National Forest. It prohibits issuing new prospecting permits or leases for mining-related activities in that area. The agencies said it does not affect valid existing rights or activities on private lands including Twin Metals leases in the area, although they are currently the subject of a federal court challenge.

Twin Metals Minnesota is deeply disappointed with the federal governments action to initiate a mineral withdrawal study yet again on nearly 230,000 acres of land in northeast Minnesota, which sits on top of the worlds largest known undeveloped copper-nickel deposit," the company said in statement. We are working to determine the best path forward to continue advancing our proposed world-class underground copper, nickel, cobalt and platinum group metals mine.

When Twin Metals, which is owned by the Chilean mining giant Antofagasta, submitted its formal mine plan to federal and state regulators in 2019, the company said its design would prevent any acid drainage and protect the wilderness from pollution.

Environmental groups disputed that claim and challenged the lease renewals in federal court, in a case thats still pending. They welcomed the announcement.

This is a great first step on the pathway to permanent protection, Becky Rom, national chair of the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters, said in a statement. The appropriate next step for the administration is to revoke the two Twin Metals leases that the Trump administration unlawfully reinstated.
CLEAR LAKE, Iowa - The Courtway Park project aims to transform the primary entrance into the community, anchored by a Fairfield Inn hotel that's set to open soon, as well as the Starboard Quare retail space and adjacent lots, and an under construction Old Dominion terminal.

City Councilperson Bennett Smith says there has been plenty of interest with the site.

"We've had some ongoing discussions I know our city staff has with potential people there and with the developer. We'll look forward to hearing in the future what works out there."

Now, a new development project on the other side of Interstate 35 aims to do the same.

As part of changes to Clear Lake's Urban Renewal Area, city council approved a letter of intent with Texas-based Embree Development Group for a 50,000+ sq. ft. space anchored by Hy-Vee.

Smith says having an anchor project that's funded by private sector investment and leadership can help spin off further development, while coming at no risk to taxpayers.

"It's really important to get an anchor project that's funded by private sector investment and leadership, while on the public side, we can come along and incentivize the completion and catalyze further economic development, and make sure there's no risk to taxpayers in how we incentivize that development. That's really crucial because the incentives we provide are on the back end and are based on performance."

Smith notes that public support for the project, an $8 million investment, has been overwhelmingly supportive because of the addition of jobs, have a significatn payroll and potential for further development. For those who feel that smaller businesses may be affected, he feels Hy-Vee would serve as a complement as opposed to a competitor.

"Our small business community has a very strong, loyal following. We believe in our small businesses in Clear Lake, we support them, and I would encourage people to continue to do that."

Groundbreaking is expected to start next month.
KIMT-TV 3 NEWS - A North Iowa native has retired after a 41-year career with the U.S. Navy.

"I started as a nuclear trained machinist mate," says Captain Gary Rogeness. "The job involves operating complex machinery, monitoring equipment, doing repairs to mechanical equipment and supervising other sailors. After commissioning, my job involved leading sailors, driving a submarine to accomplish missions important to national security, taking care of my sailors families and furthering their education and careers. I ended my career providing advice to senior members of the Navy and government in areas of policy, defense cooperation and Navy structure to accomplish strategic goals."

Captain Rogeness is a 1978 graduate of Forest City High School and earned a masters degree from Iowa State University in 1998.

Throughout his 41 year career, Rogeness served aboard USS Mahan, USS Florida, USS Hyman G. Rickover, USS Rhode Island, USS Oklahoma City and USS Cheyenne and has shore assignments at Naval Reserve Officer Training Unit, Iowa State University, Submarine Force Atlantic, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. Embassy Oslo, Norway and Secretary of the Navy.
ROCHESTER, Minn.  The man arrested after a five-hour standoff with Rochester police is pleading guilty.

Nathan Joel Titus, 39, was arrested on August 2 and charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, terroristic threats, and three counts of domestic assault.

Police say they were called to the Extended Stay America hotel on Wood Lake Drive SE around 3 pm. The hotel manager reported hearing a female screaming stop, get off me, and dont point the gun at my face.

Officers evacuated a part of the hotel and say they tried to communicate with Titus in a hotel room by using the phone and talking through the door. Investigators say Titus would not respond and members of the police departments Emergency Response Unit forced open the door around 8 pm and arrested him. Police say they found a 35-year-old female victim in the hotel room with injuries.

Titus has now entered a guilty plea to second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. His sentencing is scheduled for November 30.
MASON CITY, Iowa - What began as a person telling a driver to slow down resulted in a man being arrested for pointing a loaded gun at a person before he was apprehended and charged with distributing methamphetamine.

Spencer Graves, 32, of Mason City, is facing charges of intimidation with a dangerous weapon, controlled substance violation, failure to affix a tax stamp, intent to distribute meth and OWI following an incident early Wednesday in the 900 block of 16th St. NE.

Police said it began when a witness told Graves to slow down as he drove by. Moments later, the person saw Graves on his property before Graves told the victim he had a loaded firearm pointed at him.

A 911 call was then received and Graves was located near the intersection of 14th St. NE. and N. Hampshire Ave. A loaded rifle was found in the vehicle along with a loaded CO2 steel storm umarex gun along with additional ammo.

Graves was also found to have 13 grams of methamphetamine.
MASON CITY, Iowa - After 15 months of construction, the Mason City VA Outpatient Clinic has officially moved into a brand new space.

The clinic, located behind Tommy's Express Car Wash and Clear Lake Bank & Trust just off 4th Street Southwest, offers a 'one stop shop' for auditory, optometry, dermotology, chiropractic, cadiology, accupuncture, tele-health, primary care and physical therapy services. Clinic Administrator Anne Marie Wadle is glad to have a lot more space; at their former location, there was a lot of shared space, which lead to frequent schedule overlapping.

"We have a lot of space to be able to schedule patients as they need the care, instead of how we schedule based on our needs."

Physical therapist Curt Cheslog agrees.

"The spaces are much...airier, much wider, much more user friendly. Physical therapy generally has a window instead of four blank walls. It's a brighter, happier experience."

Cheslog, an Army vet himself with the 101st Airborne Division, became interested in physical therapy after sustaining an injury, and wanted to give back to his fellow veterans to be able to live healthier lives free of pain after their service. He sees roughly 50 patients a week through in-person, in-home and tele-health care. One of the things he likes the most about the new space...having state-of-the-art equipment.

"Having a dedicated supply room just for physical therapy supplies so we can actually have here more on hand to hand out to veterans that they need. We have less wait time to have stuff shipped up from Des Moines."

Wadle has heard from veterans who are upbeat about the larger clinic.

"The veterans are so excited to be in the new space, and to have something dedicated just to their care in this area that is so welcoming, so inviting, and so perfect just for them."

The clinic is open to all veterans; with eligibility requirements changing, staff encourages veterans to check out the clinic, and staff will check your eligibility status.

The Mason City clinic is one of five satellite community-based outpatient clinics within the Des Moines VA.
MASON CITY, Iowa - A Mason City man is facing a felony weapons charge after allegedly shooting a handgun several times inside a building.

Dylan Mitchell, 29, is being held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail on a charge of intimidation with a dangerous weapon.

Authorities said Mitchell was inside a building with the victim and shot "several times" with a handgun before changing the magazine and shooting more.

The victim felt she was in danger of being seriously hurt, court documents state

The shooting was reported at 11:47 p.m. in the 500 block of 6th St. NW.
WINNESHIEK COUNTY, Iowa - A search warrant executed Tuesday afternoon in Decorah could lead to drug charges against multiple individuals.

The sheriff's office said the warrant was executed at 309 John St.

The Winneshiek County Sheriffs Office was assisted by Iowa DNR, Decorah Police Department, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Department of Human Services, and Winneshiek County Attorneys Office.
Two Easy Ways To Subscribe!

The Kodiak Daily Mirror offers full-service, five-day a week subscriptions with home delivery in addition to unlimited access to our online services (including our e-Edition). Online-access-only subscriptions include unlimited access to the Mirror's online services without delivery of the printed newspaper.

(Note: New users: You must register and login before purchasing a subscription.
Kim Jong-nam / Yonhap



By Yoon Ja-young



Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who was murdered in Malaysia in 2017, was linked to South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS), according to a report by South Korean broadcaster SBS, Tuesday.



SBS reported that it had confirmed from a number of former and current NIS officers that Kim Jong-nam had been providing information on top North Korean officials including Kim Jong-un for at least five to six years before he was killed.



The estranged half-brother was the eldest son of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, and was once regarded as the heir apparent to the regime. However, he lost his father's trust after he was involved in a series of problematic incidents, including trying to enter Japan on a false passport in 2001. At that time, he said he was attempting to visit the Tokyo Disneyland; and since then, he had been living in Macau, and traveling to other countries.



In February 2017, Kim was in Kuala Lumpur International Airport when two young women  one from Indonesia and the other from Vietnam  suddenly approached him and smeared the lethal XV chemical agent on his face. He died within an hour, and the brazen attack that occurred in broad daylight among a large crowd shocked the world.



According to SBS, NIS agents contacted Kim in "third-countries," and provided him with monetary compensation.



The report added that the NIS had basic information on Kim's whereabouts and that he sometimes directly contacted the spy agency through email.



At the time, there was speculation that Kim might have been seeking asylum in South Korea, but SBS reported that the former and current officer whom it contacted dismissed this, saying it would have put a considerable burden on inter-Korean relations.


By Melvin A. Goodman



Why is the United States  its president, its politicians, its pundits  hellbent on creating a cold war environment and arms race with China?



CIA Director William Burns has created a new center with the sole function of collecting intelligence on China and countering that country's espionage against the United States. And President Joe Biden, who has assembled a hard-line national security team on China, has continued the bombastic policies of Donald Trump, leaving tariffs in place over the opposition of American business leaders.



There are bipartisan majorities in the Congress supporting increased defense spending and modernization of nuclear weapons, even though the size of the U.S. military is already disproportionate to the Chinese threat. And in a further effort to counter China, the president also entered into a deal to provide nuclear submarine technology to Australia, even though the United States hasn't provided such technology to any nation since the late 1950s and the Australian treaty violates the spirit of the Non-Proliferation Treaty of the late 1960s.



China's response to the surprising submarine deal was quick and forceful. Last week, nearly 150 Chinese warplanes were flown into Taiwan's air defense identification zone, placing military tensions between China and Taiwan at their worst level in four decades. China's President Xi Jinping didn't mention the flights in his speech commemorating the 1911 revolution that overthrew China's last imperial dynasty, but he did vow to achieve a peaceful "unification" with Taiwan.



Meanwhile, the Department of Defense prepares for confrontation with China, and issues worst-case assessments of Beijing. The recent war scare in China required several calls from former secretary of defense Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, as well as the postponing of a naval exercise in the South China Sea, to calm waters. An underwater collision involving a U.S. nuclear attack submarine in the South China Sea last week should serve as a wake-up call to the policy and political communities mired in group think on China. Chinese foreign policy experts have compared the dispute in the South China Sea to the Cuban missile crisis.



We hear nothing from the departments and agencies of government that could address the issue of China more realistically with measures to enhance bilateral relations and temper the public atmospherics. The Commerce Department should be focused on economic security and civilian technology to counter the Pentagon's emphasis on military security and technology.



According to a recent Politico article, the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security  central to technology trade with China  suffers from a lack of strategic direction and insufficient resources. There is no discussion of returning to the Washington-inspired Trans-Pacific Partnership, a regional trading association best suited to competing with China in East Asia.



The Department of State remains understaffed, and there is no hint of arms control measures that could address tensions in U.S.-China relations. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has surrendered his role in bilateral diplomacy to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, the administration's public voice on relations with Beijing. There is ample basis for a significant strategic dialogue between the United States and China; they share many concerns in East Asia, particularly regarding North Korea's missile program.



The key to establishing an effective dialogue with China could be arms control, but the Department of Defense recently removed its assistant secretary of defense for arms control and disarmament. The two powers need rules of the road for navigating the South China Sea. The United States could limit its aircraft carrier deployments; China could limit its anti-ship forces.



And both sides need to stop the China-bashing/America-bashing syndromes that have worsened over the course of the pandemic. The agency of government that we sorely need is the one that President Bill Clinton eliminated 25 years ago: the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.



The U.S. strategic position is still unassailable, even in East Asia, with military superiority in various domains. China lacks strategic allies. The United States has important relations with Australia, Japan, India, South Korea and various Southeast Asian states, a grouping that resembles an anti-China partnership. China is making no effort to project power into regions outside of its neighborhood; the United States has hundreds of facilities and bases the world over. President Biden needs to end the militarized approach to Asia, and institutionalize a serious bilateral dialogue.





Melvin A. Goodman is a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy and a former CIA intelligence analyst from 1966 to 1990. This article appeared in the Baltimore Sun and was distributed by Tribune Content Agency.


PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) - Doctors in the Gateway neighborhood in northeast Portland are asking city leaders for help with the homeless camps lining the streets.

Both Providence and The Oregon Clinic have offices in the area on Northeast 99th Avenue, not far from the Gateway MAX Station. The doctors who work in those clinics took time from their practices Wednesday to tell Portland city commissioners via Zoom about the problems, and to ask them to make the area safe for their patients and their staff.

Many of the patients are low-income, elderly and medically vulnerable, and live on the eastside. Doctors are calling the situation in the Gateway neighborhood urgent.

"Tents blocking entire sidewalks, going into the streets with active drug injections and drug sales in clear, broad daylight - erratic behavior," said Dr. Elizabeth O'Neill. "These do not create a safe environment, and literally prevent status to our clinic for those patients whom driving is not an option."

Dr. O'Neill said health care is in crisis and the situation with the houseless is a humanitarian crisis. She asked commissioners to create more beds for the homeless and provide more support to help with drug addition and mental illness, and they asked that patrols be increased and the area be cleaned up. The commissioners pledged to help.

Lately, city commissioners have been hearing more and more Oregonians, from Old Town to Gateway, that the homeless camps are dangerous and keeping people from visiting areas of town, whether it's to do business, visit a cultural institution, or simply see their family doctor.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV)  The Guardian Angels, a group of community volunteers dedicated to making their neighborhoods safer, is weighing in on the new epidemic of gun violence gripping Portland.

The organization became well known in the 1980s and 1990s for their dedication to stop gun violence. They were seen across Portland in their red berets and red bomber jackets, walking the streets and riding the MAX. During that time, Portland saw scores of shootings in the northern part of the city, mainly gang related.

Lisa Campos is the chapter president and has been with The Guardian Angels for 35 years. She said the violence back in the 1980s and now is very similar.

Its not much as a difference as in the sense that, it seems more random because theyre all over the place, Campos said. Before they were basically all in North Portland, but now theyve been spread out.

Portland passes 1,000 shootings in 2021 PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV)  The Portland Police Bureau announced the city has hit a grim milestone: 1,000 shootings so far this year.

Campos said in the 1980s and 90s, gangs were in turf wars. She believes many Portlanders have forgotten the past and the new generation has not been educated on what happened in the city during that time.

No matter what, things are cyclical, she said. But at the same time, you feel frustrated because you already know. Youve been there, done that. Why are we going there again? Didnt we learn?

Kristin Bloom joined the Guardian Angels two years ago right before the spike in violence. She said she wanted to be a part of something that made on an impact on her community.

Over the weekend, Portland Police said the city had reached 1,000 shootings in 2021. Its a number that shocked Bloom.

It breaks my heart to see everything thats happening, Bloom said. I think so much of it is preventable. We all have to work together to make that change

To make that change, Campos and Bloom said there needs to be more resources across the board. That includes more funding for police and more funding for social services.

We need more officers. We need more resources, which costs money, Campos said. If people want them retrained. Lets get them the resources to get them retrained. But we also need other resources outside of that. Outside organizations that reach out to the gang members, where they have a rapport and that can work with police officers hand and hand. Thats how it used to be.

Campos and Bloom are the last two Guardian Angels in the Portland chapter. Theyre asking for more people to help. If you would like to get into contact with the Guardian Angels, you can reach them on their Facebook page.
TUALATIN, Ore. (KPTV) - The deadline came and went for state employees, healthcare workers and educators in Oregon and Washington to get vaccinated against COVID-19, get an approved exemption, or lose their jobs.

As weve been checking in with agencies, hospitals and school districts in our area, the vast majority of people complied with the mandates, in most cases more than 90 percent.

Tuesday, Governor Kate Brown thanked Oregonians for getting vaccinated.

"From health care workers to K though 12 educators, first responders and state employees, thousands more Oregonians have been vaccinated to protect against COVID-19 over the last several weeks," Gov. Brown said. "You have helped to protect some of our most critical workplaces from the disruptions caused by COVID-19."

Still, there are thousands of people who are now out of work because of this.

Jennifer Brooks, now a former ICU Nurse for Legacy Meridian Park in Tualatin, is one of them.

She said after weighing the risks and benefits of the vaccine, she decided she wasnt going to get it and didnt apply for an exemption.

So on Monday, she lost her job.

"I live a healthy lifestyle, Im young, I have no comorbidities and given that the injections, all of them were very new, very quickly produced and mass vaccinated in the public, I didnt feel it was the wisest decision for myself," she said.

Federal regulators have said that extensive testing has shown the three vaccines are safe and effective.

We asked Brooks, especially as a healthcare worker, why not make this personal sacrifice for the greater good.

"My healthcare career started in the Army, I was a combat medic so thats not a foreign concept to me; however there is a difference to being willing to sacrifice personally for something you believe in versus selling yourself, selling your integrity and autonomy in order to meet a demand," she said.

Just a couple miles away from the hospital where she once worked, a small group gathered to show support for people in her situation and stand up against the vaccine mandate.

Firefighter Scott Steiner is vaccinated but said everyone should be able to make that choice for themselves.

Concerns with fire department coverage emerge in wake of vaccine deadline PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV)  The Portland Firefighters Association is raising concerns over 14 unvaccinated Portland Airport Fire and Rescue firefi

"That was my choice. I'm really glad I made that choice, I support the choice, but people that are being forced to do this and having their choice taken away, thats what Im fighting for, thats why Im here," he said.

Brooks said its a financial hardship, and healthcare has been her entire career, but that its worth it even though shes not sure what shell do next.

"It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make to stand up for myself and to stand up for all the other nurses, doctors, firefighters, police officers, teachers who do not choose to do this and they shouldnt be forced to," she said.

Many of the people at the rally Tuesday evening are part of the groups Free Oregon and Mandate Free Oregon, who've been outspoken on this issue.

They filed a motion against Oregon's vaccine mandate last month but that was denied last week.
GRESHAM, Ore. (KPTV)  A big Oregon deadline has come and gone.

Now, all the states healthcare workers are vaccinated, as Gov. Kate Browns compliance mandate expired Monday. Those whove refused the vaccine have been fired.

In a video released Tuesday, Brown thanked Oregonians for getting the vaccine.

Youve helped to protect some of our most critical workplaces from the disruptions caused by COVID-19, Brown said.

OHSU projects COVID-19 herd immunity by mid-December PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) - In a new COVID-19 forecast, OHSU projects we should reach herd immunity in Oregon by mid-December.

Healthcare workers and teachers are among those required to be vaccinated on the job. The vast majority of those workers received the vaccine, but thousands opposed to it are now without jobs.

Its really emotional to not go back to what you know, to what you feel safe in, Robyn Robinson, a Gresham nurse who didnt get vaccinated, said. Youre not safe anymore. To just not know one day to the next and to know youre not the only one.

Robinson said shes on medical leave currently as she rushed into getting a foot surgery before losing her healthcare.

Hoping to retire with Legacy Health, Robinson said shes spent the last nine years working in a surgical unit. For Robinson, nursing is her passion and calling from God. But He also told her to avoid getting the vaccine through prayer.

I am no more of a threat today than I was when I was working, using all the same PPE, that was policy, she said.

Robinson said her religious exemption was denied, leaving here disappointed and angry, with tough choices to face.

Am I going to be able to stay here? Do I have to (uproot) and move? Do I leave my kids? Do I leave my grandkids? Robinson wondered.

Its something nearly 500 other Legacy Health employees might also be wondering, now that they too, have lost their jobs. Legacy Health Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Kecia Kelly said she doesnt take it lightly.

Were sad to see members of our family leave the organization, but on the flip side, theres a sense of safety that the staff feel, Kelly said.

According to Legacy, overall, 96% of employees chose vaccination. Initial vaccination rates within the hospital system were 85 percent.

Oregon Nurses Association proposes new policies to retain employees SALEM, Ore. (KPTV) - As the health care staffing shortage continues to impact the state of Oregon, the Oregon Nurses Association is proposing 

Everything weve done, weve done through the lens of safety and our commitment is to be a safe place for our patients to receive care and also to be a safe place to work, Kelly said.

The loss of so many employees has forced Legacy to temporarily consolidate some of its services, Kelly said. That includes temporarily closing some of its GoHealth Urgent care clinics.

Any Legacy workers let go are still welcome to come back, if they decide to go ahead with the vaccine, according to the hospital system.
BILLINGS  A Billings man who admitted to defrauding local businesses by passing stolen and forged checks and to illegally possessing a firearm was sentenced to five years and five months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

In April, 47-year-old Carl Mark Madden pleaded guilty to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and felon in possession of a firearm.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Judge Watters also ordered $7,536 restitution.

According to a release, the government alleged in court documents that Madden was involved in a scheme to defraud local businesses by passing stolen and forged checks throughout Billings.

In order to pass the checks, Madden used the identification of multiple victims and forged the signatures of real people. He was also recorded on surveillance video at Shiptons Big R East forging the signature of a victim on a check.

Madden confessed the scheme to law enforcement on Nov. 17, 2020.

Prior to the confession, a Billings Police Department officer saw Madden walking down State Avenue and asked if Madden would voluntarily go with him to police headquarters for questioning about the scheme. Madden agreed and during a safety pat down, the officer found drug paraphernalia.

Madden consented to a search of a briefcase he was carrying, and the officer found a loaded .45-caliber pistol that had been reported stolen. Madden later admitted to buying the gun from an associate. Madden was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of felony convictions in South Carolina.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin M. Rubich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the BPD and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
HELENA, Mont. - Alongside Director General Daniel Chen of the Seattle Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office, Governor Greg Gianforte officially opened the Montana Asia Trade Office in Taipei, Taiwan on Wednesday.

One of our greatest sources of pride as Montanans is the world-class products grown, raised, or made here in the Treasure State, and were fortunate to have a trading partner and friend in Taiwan that recognizes the superior quality of our commodities, Gov. Gianforte said. By reestablishing our physical presence in Taipei, our producers and manufacturers will have even greater access to this important market, ushering in new opportunities for Montanans and the people of Taiwan.

The Montana Asia Trade Office is set to reestablish Montanas presence in Taiwan to grow and expand trade in a critical region for the state, according to a release from the Governor's Office.

Taiwan became one of Montana's largest trading partners in 2019 and 2020 after purchasing more than $175 million of Montana goods. Recently, the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee estimated that over 70% of our state's wheat goes to markets in the Pacific Rim.

We are gathering here today to pave the way seeking more export and market shares for Montanans. And now is perfect timing to arrange Montanas market access for the post-pandemic era, Director General Daniel Chen said. I am proud to tell everyone here today, the friendships and partnerships will continue to carry on for decades and decades.

The reopened Montana Asia Trade Office will focus on generating new business opportunities and expanding sales and investments across the wheat, pulse crops, machinery, education, optics, coal and pharmaceutical sectors.

As we continue implementing the governors Montana Comeback Plan, were focused on forging relationships that will grow our economy and create greater opportunity for Montana businesses, Commerce Director Scott Osterman said. Commerce is thrilled to be managing the Taiwan Trade Office and looks forward to the opportunities and relationships this office will help create with one of our largest trading in a critical region.

Mei Mei Wang, who led the office prior to its closure in 2012, will serve as the official representative to the new office in Taipei.

Senators Steve Daines, Jon Tester and Representative Matt Rosendale expressed their support:

Agriculture is Montanas biggest economic driver, and in Montana, we produce some of the best beef, wheat, barley and other commodities in the world. I applaud Governor Gianfortes work in establishing this new Taiwan Trade Office that will strengthen the partnerships that our farmers and ranchers enjoy with the Taiwanese. I look forward to this new office opening even more doors and new markets for Montana ag, Sen.Daines said.

Im grateful to General Chen and the Taiwanese people for working with Montana to reinvigorate our trading partnership, Sen. Tester said. Montana grows some of the best ag products in the world, and Taiwan produces some of its most cutting edge technology. Were both better off when were working together, and Im excited to see what this relationship will bring to the Treasure State.

Im pleased to see Montana reopen its Taiwan Trade Office after its sudden closure in 2012. Taiwan and Montana have benefitted from a positive trade relationship for years now, Rep. Rosendale said. The return of this office will further assist Montana farmers and ranchers to ensure their products get to market in a more efficient manner, while allowing Montana to benefit from Taiwans electronic exports. Governor Gianforte and Montanas Department of Commerce deserve a lot of credit for the great work theyve done in facilitating the office's return.
BILLINGS - For those who are refusing a COVID-19 vaccine, an anti-parasitic medication commonly used in the livestock industry is now being looked at as a treatment for the virus.

You may have heard of Ivermectin, but is it really something that should be used to cure COVID?

We spoke with Dr. Brad Fuller, owner of Fuller Family Medicine. He tells us some patients have asked about the drug, but he will not be prescribing it to COVID patients because it has not been approved by the FDA.

According to the doctor, Ivermectin has been used for years to treat Scabies and parasitic infections, but right now there are no studies suggesting it is safe for COVID patients to use.

The same drug is also used to treat livestock animals, but in much higher doses.

Dr. Fuller is concerned people seeking Ivermectin are using the incorrect dosage. He says people can overdose, leading to brain and cardiac abnormalities.

Dr. Fuller believes there are studies being done on the drug's effects on COVID, but like our new vaccines, he says they need to be rigorously tested on tens of thousands of patients.

"We've got that for the vaccines, we've got that for different antibodies, we've got that from different medications that we are using for COVID, but is not there yet for Ivermectin. And heck, if it did work so well why wouldn't it be approved? We want to save lives, the government wants to save lives, so if it's a conspiracy people are concerned about... It just doesn't hold water for me. It's an unsafe medicine, potentially, and it hasn't been studied," he said.

Dr. Fuller says studies could come out proving Ivermectin helps treat COVID-19 patients, but to be safe, he says listen to your doctors and get vaccinated.
BILLINGS - St. Vincent Healthcare celebrated Monday morning, after entering into a partnership with Intermountain Healthcare's Maternal Fetal Medicine team.

Hospital leaders held a ceremonial ribbon cutting to mark the occasion.

Vicki Birkeland, with St. Vincent, says the partnership allows for them to bring a depth of providers and resources to pregnant women in rural parts of Montana.

According to Birkeland, the number of women having high risk pregnancies has increased over the past few years.

She says many women drive from across the state to Billings to receive vital specialty care. Now, with resources coming to them, women in any part of the state can feel safer about their pregnancies.

"This allows that specialty to be a resource to physicians, midwives that provide delivery services for these women in prenatal care, for these women in rural communities, and they'll have more access to this specialty to help manage those more complex pregnancies," Birkeland said.
MISSOULA, Mont. - The retirement of one Missoula Municipal Court judge and the creation of two new judgeships means that more attention than usual is focused on this falls judicial elections.

At City Club Missoulas October forum  October 18, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., via Zoom  candidates vying for three seats on the local bench will make their case to the voters.

The forum is free, but advance registration is required at cityclubmissoula.com.

Angela Marshall, news anchor/reporter for ABC FOX Montana/Montana Right Now will serve as moderator.

Missoula Municipal Court Judge Kathleen Jenks is retiring, creating one vacancy in Department 1. Formerly, Judge Jenks could appoint two part-time assistant judges; now those two positions  in Departments 2 and 3  have been elevated to full time, with a new law signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte requiring the election of all Municipal Court judges.

Candidates include the following:

District 1: Jennifer Streano and Sam Warren

District 2: Thorin Geist and Eli Parker

District 3: Jacob Coolidge and Ethan Lerman

To RSVP, go to CityClubMissoula.com
Union Pacific and its unions sue each other over vaccine
Ruling: Agency must identify workers to be used as witnesses
Have you seen the proposed redistricting maps for New Hampshire? What do you think of the plans?
Members of the Lake Geneva Tourism Commission have agreed to give the city $200,000 to help pay off borrowed money for the Riviera renovation project and to reduce a projected tax rate increase for 2022.

The tourism commission unanimously approved, Oct. 18, to transfer about $200,000 from the tourism fund to the debt service fund for the citys 2022 budget.

The citys debt service is set to increase in 2022, which also means the tax rate will increase.

City council members approved last December to sell about $9.42 million worth of bonds to borrow that same amount of money during the next three years to help pay for the Riviera renovation project and other upcoming projects.

About $4.36 million of the borrowed money is set to be used to pay for the Riviera renovations. Another is to be spent on capital improvement projects, and another $1.2 million will be used to purchase equipment and vehicles.

Comptroller Karen Hall proposed that the tourism commission transfer the $200,000 to the debt service fund to help pay down the debt and reduce the projected tax rate increase.

Hall projected the citys tax rate would increase from $5.12 per $1,000 equalized assessed valuation in 2021 to $5.43 per $1,000 equalized assessed valuation in 2022, but with the $200,000 fund transfer the tax rate probably would increase to about $5.31 per $1,000 equalized assessed valuation next year.

Since weve borrowed, now we have to pay it back. We have to levy more for debt service, Hall said. The tourism commission can give money to the debt service fund, which would bring this down.

Alderman Richard Hedlund, who also is a member of the tourism commission, said transferring the money to the debt service fund would be a benefit to residents.

The citizens of Lake Geneva thank you, Hedlund said. It affects every citizen.

Hall said since the Riviera is considered a tourism-related building and convention center, the city could use money from the tourism fund to help pay off the debt from the Riviera renovation project.

She said the tourism fund is projected to have about a $539,924 fund balance at the end of 2021 and about a $843,552 fund balance at the end of 2022.

It will be giving the city $200,000 to help pay off the debt at the Riviera, Hall said. Because its a convention center, you can do it.

Hedlund said the tourism commission awarded the city a $75,000 grant two years ago to help pay for the Riviera roof replacement project. He said the commission cannot award the city a grant to help pay for other capital improvement projects or to purchase equipment.

Its the citys convention center, which qualifies under tourism, Hedlund said. You cant give money to pay for firetrucks or the emergency command vehicle only the convention center.

Brian Waspi, chairperson for the tourism commission, said the tourism fund should have enough money during the next two years to give the city the $200,000.

The tourism fund is getting a lot more money than what we anticipated this year, and the budget for next year has a surplus, Waspi said. Its not really a question of if we have enough money to do this. Theres plenty in here and even for next year.

Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
RACINE  Astronomy fanatics interested in seeing the Orionid Meteor Shower this year may or may not be disappointed: experts are saying the sky could possibly be clear but the moon could overpower the shower, while some locals have already reported seeing it Tuesday evening.

However, the glowing, flying light over Lake Michigan may also have been a failed Russian satellite crashing back to Earth.

Seeing the spectacle

Some area residents on social media reported seeing a glowing light flying across the sky Tuesday night.

Racine resident Kristen Voss said she saw something passing through the sky at about 11:45 p.m. She had just come back home to her Georgetown residence after going out with some friends.

It was nice out, so I was standing in my backyard, Voss said. I had music on my phone in my garage, and all of the sudden I see this really bright object.

Voss' first thoughts were that it could be something burning or a moving airplane. Her husband James thought it might be a fireball.

Voss pulled out her phone to snap some pictures and noticed how slow it was moving. She figured it wasnt a shooting star either because it looked too big.

Initially I said, Oh my God, whats going on? It was so low, Voss said. I got the camera, I could zoom in on the camera and I could tell it wasnt a plane.

It was really amazing because you could see so much of it for so long, Voss said. It was just fascinating. It was kind of cool because how often are you going to see that?

If it were a satellite

At 11:43 p.m. Central time, astronomer and satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell, who's based at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, tweeted that was about the same time a Russian satellite was falling back to Earth.

McDowell said that a Russian reconnaissance satellite, named Kosmos-2551, launched early last month but then failed for some reason. It only weighed about 1,100 pounds, so all of the debris was expected to burn up before reaching the ground.

According to a report from Space.com: "A failed Russian spy satellite crashed back to Earth early this morning (Oct. 20), burning up in a brilliant fireball spotted by many observers in the American Midwest. The American Meteor Society has so far received more than 80 reports about the fiery display, from people as far south as Tennessee and as far north as Michigan."

Video posted on social media of the light in the sky in Racine looks similar to videos of the falling satellite shared by people in other states.

Space.com further reported "Such incidents are becoming more common as humanity launches more and more satellites to orbit. This satellite boom concerns many experts, who stress that action is needed to make sure the space-junk issue doesn't get out of hand."

If it were a meteor

This year may not be great for seeing the Orionid Meteor Shower due to interference from the full moon, according to a full moon guide from NASA. This shower is expected to be active from Oct. 2 to Nov. 7, peaking the morning of Oct. 21, the day after the full moon.

"The Orionids are going to, frankly, suck this year  the moon will be up all night, from sunset to sunrise," NASA meteor expert Bill Cooke told Space.com.

The Orionids are named after the direction from which they appear to radiate, which is near the constellation Orion, the hunter. In October, Orion is best visible around 2 a.m.

According to GlobeAtNight.org, "The easiest way to find Orion is to go outside in the evening and look in the southwest sky if you are in the northern hemisphere."

Orionid meteors are visible from anywhere on Earth. After finding the shape of Orion, the meteor shower's point of origin will be near Orion's sword, slightly north of his left shoulder, Space.com reported.

Taylor Patterson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sullivan, told The Journal Times theres a chance for areas in far southern Wisconsin to have clear skies or partly cloudy skies, which have a better chance of seeing the meteor shower.

The early morning hours, from 1 to 5 a.m., would be that window, Patterson said. There will be some clouds that linger but it shouldnt be completely overcast skies.

And as far as the moon?

If the moon was full yesterday, its probably still going to be full tonight, the faces dont change that quickly, Patterson said Wednesday. It still could potentially impede if its super bright out.
A dispute over plans to build a snowmobile trail through Blue Mound State Park has spawned more legal action against the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources by the parks volunteer supporters, who say agency officials threatened them and then tried to cover it up.

The Friends of Blue Mound State Park sued the DNR in June in an effort to stop construction of a snowmobile trail they say could damage ecologically sensitive habitat.

Top parks officials warned they would sever ties if the group did not drop its case, and when an attorney for the group later sought records about the relationship, the DNR withheld a key memo detailing the threat, according to a new lawsuit.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Iowa County Circuit Court, accuses the agency of violating the Friends groups rights of free speech and due process, as well as the states public records law.

The Friends group is asking the court to block the DNR from retaliating over the lawsuit and to force the agency to fully comply with its records request. The group is also seeking to block construction of the trail until the legal cases are resolved.

DNR spokesperson Sarah Hoye said the agency is committed to continuing our work with Friends of Blue Mound State Park, as well as our other partners, toward our shared goal of supporting Wisconsins state parks.

Accountability and transparency are an essential part of our everyday work at the DNR, Hoye said. We dispute the allegations of retaliation and intimidation, and we deny the department has failed to comply with Wisconsins public records law.

It was the second open records case filed against the DNR Tuesday.

Midwest Environmental Advocates sued the DNR, its policy board and board chair Fred Prehn, claiming they failed to release Prehns text messages regarding his decision to hold onto his seat after his term expired.

Meeting at park

The Friends dispute involves a new master plan for the 1,153-acre park on the Dane-Iowa county line. Approved by the Natural Resources Board in May, the plan includes a 1-mile snowmobile trail through the park to connect the Military Ridge State Trail to trails to the north. Currently, snowmobilers can ride on the shoulders of roads to get between trail systems.

The Friends asked the court to review the plan, arguing the 12-foot-wide trail could damage ecologically important habitat and threaten the federally endangered rusty patched bumblebee, favoring a sport with waning popularity to the detriment of hikers, bikers and other users.

DNR parks director Steven Schmelzer and Missy VanLanduyt, the recreational partnerships section chief, set up an Aug. 5 meeting at the park with two representatives of the Friends group, according to court documents and DNR records.

Our intent is to hopefully meet at the park on Tuesday or Thursday afternoon with just Steve and I, with you and perhaps one or two other board members if youd like, VanLanduyt wrote in an email to Friends president Willi Van Haren. We dont intend to bring our attorney and would like to keep this a casual conversation.

At the start of the meeting, according to the complaint, Schmelzer said if the Friends did not drop the groups court challenge by Aug. 17, the agency would terminate its operating agreement, ending a decades-long partnership through which the Friends have raised more than $1 million to support the park.

There are a lot of words to describe the WDNRs conduct at this meeting: intimidation and retaliation are a couple that come to mind, the Friends attorney, Brian Potts, wrote in an August letter to Gov. Tony Evers and state Attorney General Josh Kaul. The bottom line is that this kind of behavior is not just illegal; it should have no place in our state government.

Silver bullet memo

Hoye maintains the DNR did not attempt to retaliate or intimidate the group, but a meeting memo released to the Wisconsin State Journal in response to an open records request outlined an agenda that begins with review of existing agreement followed by bullet points that included, We will be initiating our 30 days with an opportunity to cure if necessary and Only way to cure is to drop the suit.

The memo goes on to outline why the agency believed the Friends had breached the operating agreement, which says such groups are organized to support the Property and its visitors and will focus and limit their official and fundraising activities to those that benefit the Property and the Department.

It also says the DNR can terminate the agreement with 30 days notice, confiscate the groups assets and that the Friends may be responsible for the DNRs legal fees.

When the Friends filed an open records request for documents relating to the case, the DNR released 33 records  but not the memo, which Potts called a silver bullet confirming the threats, according to court documents.

According to the complaint, the agency released it to the Friends only after Potts informed DNR attorneys of its existence and the blatant open records violation.

The Plaintiff and this Court now have documentary proof that high-level WDNR officials made illegal retaliatory threats against the Friends Group, then denied doing so through their counsel, and finally withheld documents pursuant to an open records request that proved that the retaliatory threats occurred, the complaint states. This sort of behavior should have no place in our state government.
West Town Bank's executive vice president and chief operating officer Melissa Marsal talks about her experience working with hemp farmers and the things hemp farmers have had to resort to in lieu of reliable banking. She talks about what hemp farmers need to consider when looking for a bank, and what kinds of questions they should be prepared to answer when theyre in discussions with a bank.
Eric Hurlock is digital editor at Lancaster Farming and host of the Lancaster Farming Industrial Hemp Podcast. He can be reached at (717) 721-4462 or ehurlock@lancasterfarming.com
New Delhi, Oct 20 (PTI) India-Sri Lanka ties are getting stronger and stronger across different sectors and this augurs well for the people of the two nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday after meeting Lankan minister Namal Rajapaksa.

The two leaders met in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar where the prime minister inaugurated an international airport.

Also Read | Exclusive Interview of Dan Hawkins, Founder & CEO, Summit Leadership Partners.

In a tweet, Rajapaksa said the greatest gift Sri Lanka received from India is Buddhism.

"We have always shared a close relationship between our nations and our people! It is the vision of HE President @GotabayaR & HE PM @narendramodi to strengthen this bond between our nations & our people," the Lankan Cabinet minister said.

Also Read | Corporate Journey of Cyndie Martini, CEO of Member Access Processing.

Responding to Rajapaksa's tweet, Modi said, "Happy to have met you in Kushinagar, @RajapaksaNamal. India-Sri Lanka ties are getting stronger and stronger across different sectors. This augurs well for the people of our nations."

During his meeting with Modi, Rajapaksa also handed over the first copy of the English Sinhala and Tamil translations of the Bhagavad Gita to the prime minister.

"The translation of the sacred text was commissioned by HE @PresRajapaksa as symbol of our people to people friendship and our cultural similarities," the Lankan minister tweeted.

Responding to Rajapaksa's tweet, Modi said, "This is a great initiative undertaken by my friend, @PresRajapaksa (Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa). The teachings of Lord Buddha unite our nations and make our planet better."

Earlier, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla greeted the Sri Lankan delegation led by Cabinet Minister Rajapaksa with over 100 Buddhist monks and dignitaries, carrying the Holy Buddha Relics for exposition.

Giving a push to the government's Buddhist tourism circuit initiative, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Kushinagar international airport in Uttar Pradesh and said a slew of measures are being taken to boost the country's aviation sector.

(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 20: India reported 14,623 new COVID-19 cases, 19,446 recoveries and 197 deaths in the last 24 hours, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday. Of these new infections, 7,643 cases were reported in Kerala on Tuesday.

With this, the country's active caseload stands at 1,78,098, which is the lowest in 229 days and accounts for less than one per cent of total cases, currently at 0.52 per cent.

The recovery rate is currently at 98.15 per cent and is the highest since March 2020.

Also Read | UP Shocker: Retired IAF Officer Injected Poison by Brother-in-Law, Dies.

According to the health ministry, more than 59.44 crore samples have been tested so far in the country.

Meanwhile, under the nationwide vaccination drive, over 99.12 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far in India.

(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, Oct 20 (PTI) The NIA on Wednesday conducted searches at multiple locations in four districts of Jammu and Kashmir and arrested four alleged terror associates in connection with a terrorism conspiracy case, an official said.

The searches were carried out at 11 locations in Srinagar, Pulwama, Kulgam and Baramulla districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Also Read | UPSC Launches Helpline Number To Assist Candidates of SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD Categories.

Suhail Ahmad Thokar of Kulgam; Kamran Ashraf Reshi, Rayid Bashir and Hanan Gulzar Dar from Srinagar, have been arrested by the premier investigation agency, the NIA official said.

The case relates to conspiracy for undertaking violent terrorist acts in Jammu and Kashmir along with other major cities by cadres of the proscribed terrorist organisations Laskhar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Al Badr and similar other outfits and their affiliates including The Resistance Front (TRF), People Against Fascist Forces (PAFF) among others, the NIA official said.

Also Read | TS Inter Hall Ticket 2021 for First Year Exams Released, Candidates Can Download Their Admit Cards Online at tsbie.cgg.gov.in.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered the case on October 10 and has so far arrested nine accused.

The searches have led to the recovery and seizure of electronic devices and incriminating jehadi documents/ Posters among others, the official said.

The four accused are terror associates/OGWs (Over Ground Workers) of various proscribed terrorist organisations and have been providing logistical and material support to terrorists, the NIA official said, adding that further investigation in the case continues.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], October 20 (ANI): A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the allegations of the sister of Lakhbir Singh, whose mutilated body was found hanging at the Singhu border.

According to an official statement issued by the Punjab Government, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota on Wednesday constituted the SIT to probe the allegations.

Also Read | UPSC Launches Helpline Number To Assist Candidates of SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD Categories.

The SIT has been constituted under the Chairmanship of ADGP-cum-Director, Bureau of Investigation Punjab Varinder Kumar. DIG Ferozepur Range Inderbir Singh and SSP Tarn Taran Harvinder Singh Virk are its members.

As per the information, Raj Kaur, a resident of Kassel in District Tam Taran, had alleged that her brother Lakhbir Singh, was allured by some unknown persons and taken to Singhu border, where "he was murdered by some Nihangs on October 15 on sacrilege charges".

Also Read | TS Inter Hall Ticket 2021 for First Year Exams Released, Candidates Can Download Their Admit Cards Online at tsbie.cgg.gov.in.

"ADGP-cum-Director Bureau of Investigation Varinder Kumar may co-opt any other police officers posted in the State for the inquiry as per needs and requirements," read the statement adding that he would also be at liberty to obtain the support and assistance of any other Wing/Unit of the Punjab Police in this regard.

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 was registered in the case, said the DSP.

The man was 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, had no criminal record or affiliation with any political party, informed the police.

Three Nihangs were detained by Haryana Police on Saturday in connection with the incident.

The first accused was identified by the police as Sarvajeet Singh who was earlier detained from Kundli in Sonipat on Friday evening.

The second accused in the Singhu Border incident was arrested by Amritsar Rural Police on Saturday outside a Gurudwara in Rakh Devidass Pura, Amarkot village, Punjab. The accused was identified as Narayan Singh. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], October 19 (ANI): Union Health Ministry reviewed the status and progress of the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive with states and union territories (UTs) on Monday.

As per the ministry, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan reviewed the progress of COVID-19 vaccination with Health Secretaries and National Health Mission MDs of states and UTs, through a video conference yesterday.

Also Read | Zomato Issues Apology After Its Customer Care Employee Refers Hindi as National Language.

Highlighting that the nation is close to administering a billion doses, the Health Secretary congratulated the states and UTs on their effort to vaccinate all citizens. It was highlighted that a sizeable number of beneficiaries who are eligible have not received their second dose. States and UTs were urged to focus on these second vaccination doses in the review meeting.

It was pointed out that many states have adequate doses to vaccinate those people who are awaiting their second dose. As per the ministry, over 10.42 crore balance and unutilised COVID vaccine doses are still available with the states and union territories to be administered.

Also Read | Kochi: More Trouble for Fake Antique Dealer Monson Mavunkal, Kerala Police Register POCSO Act Case.

The ministry said that the Central government is in a position to provide additional vaccine doses to the states and UTs so that they can complete the aforesaid task. They were also exhorted to improve the momentum and accelerate the vaccination drive.

States and UTs were advised to identify and prioritise districts having low coverage for focused action and explore requirements for mobilisation efforts, addressing local challenges, the need for additional Covid Vaccination Centres (CVCs) and improving access in rural areas. They were also requested to share their strategies to enhance second dose coverage.

India's COVID-19 vaccination drive was launched on January 16, 2021. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed that the cumulative COVID vaccination coverage crossed 99 crores on Tuesday.

The Health Ministry said that it has issued various SOPs over the last one year for international travel. It is in the process of reviewing the guidelines in consultation with all stakeholders including the Ministry of Home Affairs, Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of External Affairs. States and UTs were also requested to share their suggestion or feedback. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chennai, Oct 20 (PTI) Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) chief Vaiko, who once parted ways with the DMK over the projection of late Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's son then, on Wednesday announced the appointment of his son Durai Vaiko as the party's headquarters secretary.

Also Read | Busting a Major Drug Racket Between #Rajasthan and #Maharashtra, the Mumbai Polices   Latest Tweet by IANS India.

The appointment, which signalled the political entry of his son, is purely the choice of the party members, he asserted.

Also Read | RBI Imposes Monetary Penalty on Paytm Payments Bank Limited, Western Union for Deficiencies in Regulatory Compliance.

"Despite my efforts to keep him away from politics, the party members have been urging to anoint him with a position in the party. It has been the party members' wish since the last two years," Vaiko told reporters here.

"No, this is not dynasty politics. The situation now is different from what it was in 1993. Our party members want to see him as a leader, though I have been against him (his son) entering politics since the last two years," the MDMK chief said in reply to a specific question.

He wanted to ensure the appointment was democratic and hence suggested a secret ballot system. Of 106 votes polled, 104 favoured conferring a party position to Durai while two had opposed, he said.

Vaiko had parted ways with the DMK in 1993 during the reign of former Chief Minister, the late M Karunanidhi, over the issue of projecting M K Stalin, now Chief Minister, as his successor. He later floated the MDMK, and strove hard to develop the party on his own. He is now in alliance with the Stalin-led DMK and on Wednesday asserted it would continue.

With this latest development in Tamil Nadu, the MDMK joins the bandwagon of political parties viz; the DMK and S Ramadoss-led PMK which have seen rising sons.

Asked if his age compelled Vaiko, who entered the Rajya Sabha in 1978, to accord a prominent role for his son in the party, the 77-year-old MDMK chief shot back, "I am younger than you. I can play volleyball (even now). Are you ready?"

The real powers in the party hierarchy were conferred with the general secretary (i.e. Vaiko) and not with the headquarters secretary. In his capacity as headquarters secretary, Durai could tour the State to interact with party cadres and leaders and communicate party related developments with them, Vaiko said.

The 49-year-old Durai Vyapuri, a businessman, has been the party's star campaigner and has been politically active. He is a social and environmental activist, too.

"Of late, he has been involved in extending healthcare and relief to the Coronavirus affected persons. He has also been interacting with the party members," Vaiko said about his son.

(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, Oct 20: Shares of agrochemicals firm Rallis India on Wednesday tumbled over 6 per cent after the company reported a 32.53 per cent decline in consolidated profit after tax (after exceptional items) during the quarter ending September 30. The stock declined 6.10 per cent to Rs 285.15 on BSE. On NSE, it tumbled 6.28 per cent to Rs 285.

Rallis India, a Tata group company, on Tuesday reported a 32.53 per cent decline in consolidated profit after tax (after exceptional items) during the quarter ending September 30, to Rs 56 crore mainly due to erratic monsoon season.

Also Read | Facebook Reportedly Planning To Rebrand the Company With a New Name.

The PAT for the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year stood at Rs 83 crore, Rallis India said in a statement.

The company recorded a modest growth of 0.4 per cent in revenue during the quarter under review at Rs 728 crore compared to Rs 725 crore in the same period of 2020-21.

"The erratic monsoon season this year was not favourable to agri input companies in the last quarter. In this backdrop, our domestic crop care business grew by 3 per cent, but the seeds business declined by 65 per cent.

"The overall good cumulative rainfall witnessed in Kharif also augurs well for the upcoming Rabi agricultural season," Rallis India Managing Director and CEO Sanjiv Lal said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Athens [Greece], October 20 (ANI): Activists protesting against the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics were arrested in Athens on Sunday as they attempted to hang a banner from the Acropolis, media reported.

The protest was held on Sunday, ahead of ceremonies to light the Olympic flame and begin its journey from ancient Olympia to Beijing. The Beijing Olympics 2022 is set to start from February 4, reported Politico.

Also Read | Gender Equality and Educational Opportunities Need To Be Addressed if Africa Is To Join the Global Physics Agenda To Tackle Issues Such As Climate Change.

Police said that a man and two women were arrested. Authorities said that they were arrested "for violating the law on the protection of archaeological sites".

Students for a Free Tibet, a New York-based campaign group, said that the two of those arrested were Tibetan student Tsela Zoksang, 18, and exiled Hong Kong activist Joey Siu, 22.

Also Read | Taliban Beheaded Mahjabin Hakimi, A Member of Afghan Junior Womens National Volleyball Team: Report.

UK-based Hong Kong Watch, another group, said in a statement: "We call on the Greek authorities to resist any pressure from the Chinese Government to extradite these activists", according to Politico.

During Greece's long financial crisis, China invested heavily in the country, raising concerns about Beijing's undue influence in the country.

Greece drew criticism in 2017 when it vetoed a planned European Union condemnation of China's human rights record at the UN Human Rights Council, reported Politico. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, Oct 20 (PTI) IMF's Chief Economist Gita Gopinath will leave her job in January next year and return to the prestigious Harvard University, according to the global financial institution.

The 49-year-old prominent Indian-American economist had joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the Chief Economist in January 2019.

Also Read | Taliban Agree to New Polio Vaccination Across Afghanistan, UN Agencies Gear Up To Vaccinate All Kids Under Age 5 Against Polio.

She was the John Zwaanstra Professor of International Studies and Economics at Harvard University when she joined the Washington-based global lender.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Tuesday announced that the search for Gopinath's successor would begin shortly.

Also Read | COVID-19 Vaccination: Will Make Life Very Difficult for Unvaccinated Citizens, Says Malaysian Health Minister.

Gita's contribution to the Fund and our membership has been truly remarkable - quite simply, her impact on the IMF's work has been tremendous, Georgieva said.

Mysuru-born Gopinath is the first-ever woman Chief Economist of the IMF.

Harvard University had extended her leave of absence on an exceptional basis by one year, which has allowed her to serve as Chief Economist at the IMF for three years.

She made history as the first female Chief Economist of the Fund and we benefited immensely from her sharp intellect and deep knowledge of international finance and macroeconomics as we navigate through the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

Gita also won the respect and admiration of colleagues in the Research Department across the Fund, and throughout the membership for leading analytically rigorous work and policy-relevant projects with high impact and influence, Georgieva said.

The IMF said that as part of her many significant initiatives, Gopinath co-authored the Pandemic Paper on how to end the COVID-19 pandemic that set globally endorsed targets for vaccinating the world.

This work led to the creation of the Multilateral Task Force made up of the leadership of the IMF, the World Bank, the World Trade Organisation and the World Health Organisation to help end the pandemic and the establishment of a working group with vaccine manufacturers to identify trade barriers, supply bottlenecks, and accelerate delivery of vaccines to low- and lower-middle income countries, the IMF said in a statement.

Among her other key accomplishments, Gopinath helped set up a Climate Change team inside the IMF to analyse, among other things, optimal climate mitigation policies.

I would like to express my personal appreciation to Gita for her impressive contributions, her always wise counsel, her devotion for the mission of the Research Department and the Fund more broadly, as well as her widely recognised inclusive and accessible approach to colleagues and staff, Georgieva added.

Born in December 1971 to Malayalee parents, Gopinath had her schooling in Kolkata and graduated from the Lady Shri Ram College of Commerce in Delhi. She did Masters from the Delhi School of Economics as well as from the University of Washington.

Gopinath did her Ph.D in economics from Princeton University in 2001 and she was guided by Kenneth Rogoff, Ben Bernanke and Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas.

She joined the University of Chicago in 2001 as an Assistant Professor before moving to Harvard in 2005. She became a tenured Professor there in 2010.

She is the third woman in the history of Harvard to be a tenured professor at its esteemed economics department and the first Indian since the Nobel laureate Amartya Sen to hold that position.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Tel Aviv, Oct 20 (PTI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday discussed expanding academic research and technology collaboration between India and Israel to drive the future of the bilateral ties during his meeting with presidents and senior leaderships of various Israeli universities here.

Jaishankar, who arrived here on Sunday, is on a five-day visit to Israel as part of India's efforts to further enrich the strategic ties besides exploring new areas of bilateral collaboration. This is Jaishankar's first visit to the country as the External Affairs Minister.

Also Read | Gender Equality and Educational Opportunities Need To Be Addressed if Africa Is To Join the Global Physics Agenda To Tackle Issues Such As Climate Change.

"Expanding our academic research and technology collaboration through meetings with University Presidents and senior leadership in Tel Aviv today," Jaishankar tweeted, sharing a series of photographs of the meeting.

He also tagged several Israeli institutions, including Tel Aviv University, Hebrew University, Technion Israel (Israel Institute of Technology) and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, in his tweet.

Also Read | Taliban Beheaded Mahjabin Hakimi, A Member of Afghan Junior Womens National Volleyball Team: Report.

"Together our collaboration will drive the India-Israel partnership in the coming years," Jaishankar added.

On Wednesday, Jaishankar called on Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and held wide-ranging discussions with them on bilateral ties and on regional and global issues.

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.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bucharest, Oct 20 (AP) U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Romania Wednesday as part of a three-country tour to reassure Black Sea allies on security issues amid ongoing tensions with Russia.

Austin met with his Romanian counterpart Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca, and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, and paid a visit to Romania's eastern Mihail Kogalniceanu airbase.

Also Read | Gender Equality and Educational Opportunities Need To Be Addressed if Africa Is To Join the Global Physics Agenda To Tackle Issues Such As Climate Change.

The security and stability of the Black Sea are in the U.S.'s national interest and are critical to the security of NATO's eastern flank, he said . The region, it goes without saying, is vulnerable to Russian aggression.

Austin added: We've seen evidence of that by ongoing actions in eastern Ukraine, the occupation of parts of Georgia and the militarization of the Black Sea and provocative actions in the air and at sea.

Also Read | Taliban Beheaded Mahjabin Hakimi, A Member of Afghan Junior Womens National Volleyball Team: Report.

The Pentagon said Austin's tour  which has included visits to former Soviet republics Ukraine and Georgia  is a way to reassure allies and partners of America's commitment to their sovereignty in the face of Russian aggression.

In the coming days Austin will join a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Lucknow, October 20: In another political development, Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) President and former UP minister, Om Prakash Rajbhar, had an hour-long meeting with Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Rajbhar said that he had invited Akhilesh Yadav to his rally in Mau on October 27 and he had agreed.

"I urged him that we should all contest together to defeat the politics of hatred which is being practiced by the BJP and he agreed. He also said that farmers, youth and weaker sections of society were unhappy with the state government," he said. Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022: RLD Chief Jayant Chaudhary Rules Out Alliance With Congress.

Asked about seat adjustment, he said: "Even if he does not give us a single seat, we will still be with the SP." Rajbhar, however, was evasive when asked if the AIMIM of Asaduddin Owaisi was still a part of his Bhagidari Sankalp Morcha.

"All your questions will be answered on October 27," he said. The AIMIM had reacted very strongly last week when Rajbhar said that if the BJP accepted his demands, he had no qualms about returning for an alliance.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 20, 2021 04:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
These days, you may be thinking about traveling to Europe or beyond, but you find yourself faced with obstacles when applying for a visa.

Most people who have attempted to obtain a visa say the same story; applying for a visa in different embassies has many struggles from being treated inappropriately by some of the officials to using brokers who misuse their authority and make huge profits. The root of these issues most likely lies in the economic sanctions currently placed on Iran.

Ali Maleki, a young and well-known figure in social media, adds Many of whom have been rejected from different embassies find no rational reason for refusal, and they wonder why man-made borders causes them so much restriction. Many of those who have been rejected want to know the reason for their refusal, especially those who are seeking to attend scientific conferences or travel for medical purposes. The claim worldwide is that universities and medications are not part of the economic sanctions. The reality of the situation seems to contradict this?

He continues one of the drawbacks that Iranian tourists face is obtaining a visa. At times they may rely on a broker whom on most occasions are not reliable and end up going off with the persons money without helping them obtain a valid visa.

Iran has been suffering from economic sanctions for several years now. The sanctions include the inability to obtain internationally recognised debit and credit cards such as a VISA or a mastercard. Unfortunately, the banks system in Iran has not had any improvement in the field of international credit cards either and has failed in providing people with better services. In this instance the challenge seems to rest more domestically. What it does mean for Iranian tourists though is that they will either need to carry cash or exchange on the go. The problem with not having an internationally recognised credit card does not just cause pain for the Iranian tourists abroad but also foreign tourists visiting Iran as not many facilities are available to them for using their cards, leading to frustration on both sides.

When able to travel, Iranian tourists spend large amounts of money, often in cash. Popular overseas destinations such as Malaysia or Turkey benefit from millions of dollars from Iranian tourism in traveling costs, purchasing goods, and necessary services. However, an issue Iranian tourists face are non-cash payments. Without an international debit/credit card the tourists fall for the extra costs of currency exchange or financial losses as a result of robberies etc.

Another problem with Iranian tourism, Ali Maleki adds [is] SIM cards! Iranian SIM cards do not work in over 75% of the worlds countries. If they do they are roaming at extortionate prices assigned by Iranian domestic networks and basically render it worthless.

Brief biography of Ali Maleki

Ali Maleki, known as Ali Columbus, was born on 31/05/1985 in Iran. He is a well known tourist who loves travelling and adventures. His Instagram ID is @mr_columbus. Mr Columbus has managed to attract many followers which mainly stems from his passion in his travels and informative and lively content he presents on his online platform. Ali is a warm, gentle and knowledgeable traveller interested in experiencing life in many countries around the world in particular the little town and cities in Europe. One of his favourite places in Netherlands is the city of Leiden. He ranks it amongst one of the most beautiful cities he has travelled to due to its historical architecture and nostalgic atmosphere.
#Namibia all-rounder #DavidWiese said he was happy to contribute to his side's come-from-behind win over the #Netherlands at the #SheikhZayedStadium on Wednesday. He added that he wanted to prove his worth and have a good impression in his first tournament with Namibia. pic.twitter.com/vOGvH9ljsu IANS Tweets (@ians_india) October 20, 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.)
Some see them as saviors who opened their home to a grieving young man after his mother died. Others say they were naive or negligent and failed to properly supervise a dangerous 19-year-old and his cache of guns.

James and Kimberly Snead let Nikolas Cruz move into their Parkland, Fla., home for the 2 months before he was charged in the attack on Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that killed 17 people and injured 17 others. They say their act of kindness had tragic consequences they never imagined.

The Sneads, who say they felt sorry for their sons 19-year-old friend after he was left orphaned, have already been named as defendants in two civil lawsuits connected to the Feb. 14 attack at the Parkland school.

One is a wrongful death claim filed by the estate of 18-year-old Meadow Pollack. The other is a negligence complaint filed by the parents of Anthony Borges, the 15-year-old who survived five bullet wounds.

Advertisement

The Sneads anticipate they will be named in more lawsuits in the coming weeks and months. They say they fear the litigation will rapidly drive them into bankruptcy and they dont have the money to even hire an attorney to defend them.

Were like many other families in America today. We live paycheck to paycheck, James Snead said in an interview Thursday.

Since the shooting, the family has been commended by some.

People nationwide have sent them cards and letters, praising them for taking Cruz into their home and commiserating about how it all went horribly wrong. The Sneads said they knew only that Cruz was depressed by his mothers death, that he had been involved in fights at school and that he seemed immature and quirky.

But theyve also been scorned as ludicrously naive or willfully blind for letting their sons relatively new friend move into their home with his collection of guns, including the AR-15 he used in the slayings.

The lawsuits filed against the Sneads allege they should have known Cruz was mentally ill and posed a threat to others. The Pollack and Borges families are seeking damages. Also named as defendants in the Pollack lawsuit, for now, are former Broward Sheriffs Deputy Scot Peterson, the estate of Cruzs mother, Lynda, and two mental health agencies that may have treated Cruz. The Borges suit names the Sneads, the two mental health agencies and the estate of Cruzs mother. The sheriffs office, school district, FBI and others may be sued later.

The Sneads said they rent their home and dont even have renters insurance. They said theyve been told it would cost them about $20,000 up front  and a lot more down the line  to hire an attorney to defend them against the lawsuits.

Though their critics dont believe them, Snead says he and his family saw no warning signs that Cruz would turn violent. They said he was pleasant and followed their house rules. They tried to get him re-enrolled at Stoneman Douglas, but officials declined to take him back so they enrolled him at an off-campus learning center, run by the district, at Rock Island Professional Development Center in Oakland Park. They said he seemed to be doing well there and district officials never gave them any warnings about Cruzs behavior.

Stones and beer bottles have been hurled at their home on a quiet road in Parkland. Some drivers yell obscenities and insults as they drive by. On occasions when theyve been recognized in public, picking up groceries or running errands, some people have muttered negative things under their breaths. Theyve also had to try to defuse encounters with others who want to take them to task and debate the matter with them.

Questions have also been raised publicly about their actions and motivation.

A woman who called the FBIs tip line on Jan. 5  less than six weeks before the massacre  reported her concerns about Cruzs gun ownership, his disturbing social media posts and the potential that he might carry out a school shooting. The FBI has admitted the call, from a close friend of the Cruz family who has not been publicly identified, was mishandled and the information she provided was not investigated until after Cruz struck.

According to a transcript of that recorded call, the woman also gave the FBI Sneads name, address and phone number: I have the mans name who uh-I-weve, the family and I have tried to call this gentleman and he refuses to return any phone calls.

And um, an aunt of his has, had called him. Another woman who was taking care of Nikolas, uh, who had already spoken to him tried to call him. I tried to call him just to find out how Nikolas was and to make sure he understood the problems  he has. And he just doesnt return any phone calls, which if youre going to help somebody and you know theres family involved, at least return the phone calls and talk to them about it. Or, you know, return the phone call and say mind your own business.

Snead says nobody from law enforcement contacted him about Cruz until after the shooting. He said he spoke several times with a woman he thinks was a distant aunt of Cruzs who lives in New York, but nobody else. The relative expressed concern only about Cruzs bereavement and his depression and also appeared to be checking on whether the Sneads were appropriate housemates, he said.

The aunt in New York called several times and left messages and I called her back and we talked several times. She was genuinely concerned for his wellbeing and what was going on with him, Snead said. I dont recall her saying anything negative about him at all.

Snead said he does not recall receiving any voicemails or messages from other relatives or family friends and thinks he would have returned them at the time if he did.

The woman who called the FBI also indicated that Cruz had declined to communicate with her. She told the FBI she knew that Cruz was expecting to inherit at least $25,000 and had told someone that Snead was going to invest it for him. The woman expressed concern about if that was appropriate and also said Cruz gets crazy and suspicious about his money.

Snead said he never tried to get his hands on Cruzs inheritance but did offer to take Cruz to a bank and have him meet with a professional financial advisor: I didnt want him to go out and blow it.

Cruz didnt pay rent but occasionally contributed $50 to household costs, they said.

Snead is an Army veteran who now works for a construction management firm. His wife is a neonatal nurse. Both grew up around guns and are comfortable with them.

Their son, a junior at Stoneman Douglas, was on campus during the shooting and fled with other survivors. Snead already knew his son was safe and was driving to pick him up when law enforcement called to ask where they might find Cruz. When Snead figured out Cruz was the shooter, he asked police to rush to his home immediately because he feared Cruz might have killed his wife, Kimberly, before embarking on his rampage.

Their son, whose name they dont want published, knew Cruzs younger brother Zachary before he met Nikolas, Snead said. Their son and Nikolas were both in ROTC at the school and met through a mutual friend. That friend and his dad took the teens on hunting trips, Snead said.

When Cruz asked if he could bring his guns to their home, they said he could but they made him buy a locking gun cabinet and said he would need their permission to take out the guns. Snead said he thought he had the only key to that cabinet but now believes Cruz  an adult who legally bought the guns  had another key. Snead said the gun safe he bought for his own weapons has only one key.

Other critics have questioned how the family didnt know about Cruzs disturbing postings on social media before the tragedy. The parents said that theyre not savvy about social media and that Cruz had multiple accounts. Some of the accounts had only innocuous postings and some had disturbing postings, which were reported to law enforcement by at least two people who saw them before the killings.

The FBI and BSO went through my sons phone and realized that the only account my son knew about was basically I guess what youd call the good account. These other accounts that he had, I didnt know about, my son didnt know about, and my wife didnt know about.

Snead said the familys biggest fear after the tragedy was about whether it was safe and appropriate for their son to return to his junior year at Stoneman Douglas. Staff and students have been incredibly supportive to his son, he said.

The Snead family set up a GoFundMe page on Tuesday to solicit donations to a legal fund. By lunchtime on Friday, $1,230 of the $100,000 goal was raised.

Snead said his family has had no communication with Cruz since the last time they saw him  when he was being led into the sheriffs office headquarters hours after the shooting.

The Sneads said they had some tough decisions to make about possibly moving out of Parkland, though they still consider themselves very much a part of the grieving, devastated community.

Snead said he didnt want to say anything that might cause any further pain or upset to the families whose children were killed, injured or affected in any way: We think about them and pray for them every day.

McMahon writes for the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
The Haitian gang that held missionaries composed of Americans and a Canadian demanded $1 million ransom for each of the captives, said a top Haitian official on Tuesday.

Despite the amount, Associated Press reported that authorities were not clear whether the said amount of ransom included the five children that were kidnapped by the 400 Mawazo gang.

If confirmed, the gang requires at least $17 million in exchange for the freedom of the American missionaries.

READ NEXT: Haiti Kidnapping: Haitian Gang Blamed for Abducting 17 American and Canadian Missionaries, Including 5 Children

According to the official, someone from the Haitian gang demanded the ransom on October 16, Saturday, shortly after the missionaries were held captive by their group, Al Jazeera reported.

Meanwhile, the $1 million ransom for each of the missionaries was confirmed by personnel from the Christian Aid Ministries, the group where the missionaries belong to.

It can be recalled that a group of missionaries from the United States and Canada was abducted while they return from an orphanage in Haiti. The group was composed of adults aging 18-45 years old, and five children aging eight months old; three years old; 13 years old; and 15 years old. One of the captives was known to be a Canadian, while the rest are Americans.

The missionaries were not the first victims of the 400 Mawazo gang this year. Haiti Justice Minister Liszt Quitel noted that the gang kidnapped a group of Catholic priests in April, where five priests, two nuns, and three relatives were given freedom after ransom was paid for two of the priests.

Abduction of Missionaries Prompts Protests in Haiti

As the group remains in the hands of the 400 Mawazo gang, Haitians engaged in protests to free the missionaries.

"They [missionaries] built our schools. They pay our bills... they do everything for us. So now we can't do anything because they kidnapped them," protester Zachary Celsus said.

Strike called by transportation industry leaders shuttered schools and shops in Port-au-Prince on Monday, Reuters reported. By afternoon, they began burning barricades on the streets of Haiti's capital.

On Tuesday, a peaceful demonstration occurred in the streets of Titanyen, with people carrying signs "Free the Americans" and "No to Kidnapping."

"This strike is our way of saying that we can't take it anymore... we live in fear," one protester said.

According to a report from United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, at least 328 kidnappings were reported to Haiti's National Police in the first eight months of 2021, a higher number compared to last year's 234 recorded reports of abduction.

FBI Works to Free Missionaries

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed on Tuesday that the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) is part of the efforts of the U.S. government to free the missionaries from captivity.

"We know these groups target U.S. citizens who they assume have the resources and finances to pay ransoms, even if that is not the case," Psaki said.

Meanwhile, State Department spokesperson, Ned Price, said on Monday that the U.S. dispatched a small team to Haiti to give aid in efforts of locating and free the missionaries.

Aside from missionaries, Haitian gangs were accused of abducting police officers, school children, bus passengers, and doctors. The gangs were reported to demand ransoms ranging from hundreds to millions of dollars.

READ NEXT: Florida High School Massacre Families Get $25 Million Settlement From School District Over 2018 Shooting That Killed 17

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written BY: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Gang Demands Millions of Dollars in Ransom After Kidnapping 17 Missionaries - From ABC News
The authorities in Portugal have seized more than 5 tons of cocaine with an estimated worth of $232 million, recovering the illegal drugs from a 79-foot or 24-meter yacht floating in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday.

Portugal's Largest Drug Seizure in the Last 15 Years

According to the New York Post, the Portuguese authorities shared one of the biggest drug busts in Europe in recent years as they consider it as their nation's biggest in 15 years. The Spanish-flagged sailing yacht in the Atlantic Ocean was cornered by the Portuguese police with assistance from its countries' navy and air force. Portugal's law enforcement overall recovered 183 bales of cocaine during the seizure.

The drug interception was dubbed as "White Tide." The operation involved police from several countries like Portugal and Spain. The interception was also participated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom.

During the inspection at the vessel, three men were arrested. Based on the initial investigation by Portuguese authorities, officials believed that the individuals are part of a major international drug pipeline between Latin America and Europe.

Portugal's Judiciary Police said the three individuals arrested were strongly suspected of being part of a powerful transnational criminal organization. The Portuguese authorities stated that the group was dedicated to the trafficking of large quantities of cocaine.

The authorities in Portugal said that the illegal drugs were entering the continent through the Iberian Peninsula.

Moreover, two of the suspects who were detained were Spanish and the other one was Peruvian, Euro News reported.

READ MORE: Mexican Drug Cartels Recruit Children as Young as 10 and Groom Them to Be Killers

Portuguese Authorities Ready for More Drug Interceptions

Based on the report of Reuters, Portugal's Judiciary Police Chief Luis Neves said during a press conference on Monday that they are always expecting more drug trafficking, and the recent drug interception was the message that they wanted to send to the criminal organizations.

Neves also warned the groups running the drug trafficking in the area. The Police Chief of Portugal emphasized that they are waiting for them and would capture them. He also said that the latest haul represented the largest amount of cocaine ever seized from a sailboat globally.

"Those who have to fall will fall because this amount of drugs is an immense fortune and a huge blow for criminal groups," Neves said at the press conference.

Furthermore, the head of Spain's police narcotics unit, Antonio Duarte, stated that the three men who were arrested had been on authorities' radar and an arrest warrant had been issued for one of them.

The seizure came after new gangs continued to muscle into cocaine markets in the continent of Europe. They recently set up smuggling networks directly linking producers in Latin America to European consumers, according to Lisbon-based EU drugs agency, EMCDDA or the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

The agency added that cocaine is the second most commonly used illicit drug in Europe.

READ NEXT: Pablo Escobar's 'Cocaine Hippos' 'Sterilized' After Bringing Threat to Humans; Colombian Government Makes Cocaine Hippos Infertile Due to Alarming Population

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Portugal seizes 5 2 tonnes of cocaine from sailing ship -Sharjah24 News


Actress Alysa Milano was arrested on Tuesday outside the White House amid the voting rights protests she took part in.

The actress announced her arrest on social media while she was protesting with the group People for the American Way, The Hill reported. The group is known to be a progressive nonprofit organization that promotes constitutional liberties and equal rights.

READ NEXT: Latino Groups File Lawsuit Against Texas Redistricting; Emphasized Diluted Voting Rights by Latinos

Alyssa Milano Arrested Over Voting Rights Protests

Milano took to Twitter to announce her arrest while she was taking part in the protests.

I was just arrested for demanding the Biden Administration and the Senate to use their mandate to protect voting rights. Stand with me and @peoplefor and tell the Senate and White House that voting rights shouldnt depend on where you live. #DontMuteOurVote  Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) October 19, 2021

"I was just arrested for demanding the Biden Administration and the Senate to use their mandate to protect voting rights," Milano said in her tweet.

The actress then urged the public to join her and the People for the American Way to tell the White House and the Senate that "voting rights shouldn't depend on where you live.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Park Police did not issue an official statement regarding the arrest that included the actress, Deadline reported. However, an officer from the said department warned the demonstrators that they risked arrest under a misdemeanor law on the District of Columbia that forbids crowding, obstructing streets or sidewalks.

NOW: People For Board Member @alyssa_milano explains why she's risking arrest today in the fight for voting rights. The protest is starting how - tune in to help us tell President Biden: no more excuses. #VotingRIghtsNOW! https://t.co/NX8G31ldCN pic.twitter.com/PBOQsZ5iOE  People For the American Way (@peoplefor) October 19, 2021

Before her arrest, Milano said in a video that she is protesting with the People for the American Way because of the 425 bills that were introduced in the previous year, which according to the actress restrict voting rights.

In a statement, the actress also referenced the words of late Representative John Lewis in her push for the voting rights bill.

Our vote is powerful - and states across the country are trying to take it away in a cynical power grab. we can't let that happen, says @Alyssa_Milano. #VotingRightsNow pic.twitter.com/nUfq14aruU  People For the American Way (@peoplefor) October 19, 2021

"John Lewis told us, 'The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it," Milano said.

Milano also added that voting rights are sought to be taken away by the states across the U.S., contending that federal law needs to protect it for all Americans. "It's a cause that's worth getting arrested for," Milano furthered.

Aside from Milano, People for the American Way president, Ben Jealous, was also arrested amid the voting rights demonstrations outside the White House.

The Freedom to Vote Act has to pass now if we are going to protect voting rights in the next election for all of us: for Black voters and Brown voters, for women, for younger voters and older voters, voters with disabilities and working people of all backgrounds.  Ben Jealous (@BenJealous) October 19, 2021

Before his arrest, Jealous issued a statement saying that the "Freedom to Vote Act" needs to be passed to protect the voting rights for the upcoming elections.

The president needs to step up, or voting rights will die on his watch.  Ben Jealous (@BenJealous) October 19, 2021

"The president [Biden] needs to step up, or voting rights will die in his watch," Jealous emphasized.

Now: Protesters, including @BenJealous, @Alyssa_Milano, faith leaders, and civil rights leaders, are being arrested outside the White House for calling on President Biden to lead on voting rights.



No more excuses. #VotingRightsNow. pic.twitter.com/KLJfJjxvDV  People For the American Way (@peoplefor) October 19, 2021

Aside from Jealous and Milano, civil rights and faith leaders were also arrested by the authorities over voting rights protests.

Senate to Hold Vote on Voting Rights Bill

Milano's arrest came a day after the Senate is gearing up to hold a vote on the voting rights bill, also known as Freedom to Vote Act.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer moved on Monday to set up the vote that will likely take place on Wednesday, as Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnel promised that the measure "will go nowhere," calling the bill a move to "micromanage elections across America."

If passed, the Freedom to Vote Act would set minimum standards for voting access in all states such as same-day and automatic voter registration and two weeks of early voting. The bill will also establish Election Day as a public holiday.

"I hope Republicans now join us in common cause to protect the integrity of our democracy," Schumer said despite the GOP opposition on the voting rights bill.

READ NEXT: Kirstie Alley Says Brian Laundrie Hiding Inside Home 'Crawlspace' as Search for Gabby Petito's Fiance Enters 5th Week

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Voting Rights Protest Near the White House - From NowThis News
Brazil's Senate panel has concluded that President Jair Bolsonaro is guilty of both genocide and old mass murder due to his administration's COVID response.

Legislators noted in a draft report that Bolsonaro deliberately let the COVID pandemic impact the Brazilian population, which had killed hundreds of thousands as a plan to achieve "herd immunity," according to a Gizmodo report.

Herd immunity is when many people have been infected by a pathogen that struggles to find new hosts who haven't already fought it off. However, through the pandemic, many advocated that the way to get there was to sit and let the virus take control.

The said Senate report strongly suggests Brazilian authorities lock up Bolsonaro and 69 other administration officials.

READ NEXT: Brazil Hospital Chain Allegedly Tested Unproven Drugs on Elderly COVID Patients: Whistleblowers

Brazil's Senate Panel Report

A draft report from a senate inquiry into Brazil's COVID response has recommended that Bolsonaro should face murder charges for the COVID death toll in the country. The draft report had painted a portrait of neglect, incompetence, and anti-scientific denialism, according to The Guardian report.

The report also noted Bolsonaro's "deliberate and conscious" decision to delay buying COVID vaccines, which had led thousands of citizens to early graves. The document says that the calculation of the situation was clear, showing the more infections, the more death.

The Senate panel's report accuses Bolsonaro of a total of 11 crimes, including crimes against humanity, incitement to crime, and charlatanism for his promotion of ineffective remedies such as the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine.

The most notable allegation is that Bolsonaro's shunning of offers from vaccine manufacturers during the first year of the pandemic in Brazil, amounting to murder.

The draft report said that the decision not to acquire vaccines between July 2020 and at least January 2021 ended up claiming the lives of thousands of Brazilians, who would have made use of such vaccines.

Renan Calheiros, the centrist Brazilian senator who was the lead author of the report, said that many of the deaths were preventable, according to The New York Times report. Calheiros added that he is personally convinced that Bolsonaro is responsible for escalating the slaughter.

Meanwhile, Bolsonaro's office did not comment on the matter. However, he criticized the Senate's investigation into his COVID response. Bolsonaro said that the investigation was politically motivated.

He asked his supporters after the first details leaked out if they did know he was indicted for homicide today.

The Brazilian president called Calheiros "dirty."

One lawmaker had worn a bulletproof vest to testify that some vaccine purchases had included kickbacks.

Vaccine Procurement

Bolsonaro's administration has caused a delay in the distribution of vaccines in Brazil by ignoring more than 100 emails from Pfizer.

Brazil, instead, has opted to overpay an unapproved vaccine from India, according to the Senate report. However, the Indian vaccine deal was later canceled over suspicions of graft.

Pfizer has also been accused of holding Brazil "to ransom" over demands to shield itself from possible vaccine side-effect lawsuits in its supply contract, with 100 million COVID vaccine doses, according to another The Guardian report.

READ MORE: Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro Says Only God Can Remove Him From Power Amid Rallies, Supreme Court Fight

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Brazil Senate investigating Bolsonaro's handling of COVID-19 - from Al Jazeera English






Colorado teachers are accused of taping face masks to middle school students' facesafter a sixth-grader sent a selfie to her mother with a mask taped to her face using a blue painter's tape.

The young girl's mother, Stephanie Butler, said that she posted the photo on Friday to make other parents aware of the strict mask policy, as well as to see if other students were "being taped," according to a Daily Mail report.

Butler noted that it was a type of restraint for her. She added that her daughter explained that her teacher gave her one warning to keep the mask over her nose or she would have to tape it.

Butler's daughter explained to her that the rule went into effect weeks ago and teachers have been imposing it.

Her daughter wrote in a text message that it's a new thing, adding that if they can't keep their mask on their noses, they get taped.

A Monument, Colorado representative, Darcy Schoening, saw the photo circulating on Facebook.

Schoening posted on Facebook her views regarding the matter, saying that "may these teachers seek the mental health treatment" that they needed. She ended her post, saying "child abuse."

Schoening is a Monument City councilwoman. She noted that she looks out for students by pressuring the district to open up discussions about the mask mandate.

However, she noted that those school districts did not.

READ NEXT: Treasury Department Reprimands Arizona, Says Can't Use Federal COVID Funds for Schools Without Mask Mandates

Investigation on Colorado Teachers Taping Up Masks on Students' Faces

A Colorado Springs school district has launched an internal investigation in response to claims that staff members were taping masks to students' face at one of its schools.

Part of Academy District 20, Chinook Trail Middle School, had received a complaint from the parent of a student on late Friday afternoon, according to The Gazette report.

District spokeswoman Allison Cortez said that the parent told a staff member that the student reported teachers were securing masks to students' faces with tape.

Cortez said that they decided they need to investigate the said allegations.

District officials are eyeing to interview more than 100 students and staff members to determine the credibility of the allegation. She added that they will complete them as quickly as possible.

Colorado Schools Mask Mandate

Colorado's schoolchildren were seeing the highest rates of COVID infection among any age group in the state. Health officials noted in September based on their data that requiring kids to wear masks while in school can be linked to lower COVID infection rates.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment had recommended that all schools implement mask mandates for students, staff, and visitors despite their vaccination status, according to a Colorado Sun report.

Dr. Rachel Herlihy, the state epidemiologist, said that lower cases are associated with districts that are requiring masks in schools again.

Meanwhile, children who are generally not yet in school, those up to age five, have the lowest infection rates in the state.

READ MORE: More Than 5,000 Students in a Single Florida School District Quarantined or Isolated Due to COVID

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Substitute teacher removed from class after allegedly taping masks to the faces of students - from FOX 5 Las Vegas






Southwest Airlines backpedaled on their decision to put their employees who are seeking vaccine exemptions under unpaid leave in early December.

The changes on the airline's vaccine mandate were announced by Southwest Airlines executives Steve Goldberg and Julie Weber through a memo on Friday, The Daily Wire reported.

It can be recalled that the airline previously mandated that unvaccinated staff members and those who will not receive exemptions by December 8 will be placed under unpaid leave, The Washington Examiner reported.

"This is a change from what was previously communicated. Initially, we communicated that these employees would be put on unpaid leave and that is no longer the case," Southwest Airlines executives said in the memo acquired by CNBC.

READ NEXT: U.S. Navy SEALs Who Seek Religious Vaccine Exemptions Harassed and Threatened - Source

Southwest Airlines to Allow Unvaccinated Employees Seeking Exemptions to Work Past December 8

The change announced by the executive of Southwest airlines would allow unvaccinated employees seeking vaccine exemptions to work for the company, while they wait for the result of their request.

A spokesperson from the airlines also said on Tuesday that unvaccinated staff members would also be allowed to report to work after the vaccination deadline, highlighting that they need to abide by the masking and social distancing guidelines applicable to their position.

The spokesperson also underscored that if the vaccine exemption request is not granted by the company, Southwest Airlines will give workers "an adequate time" to become fully vaccinated while permitting them to work provided they adhere to the safety protocols.

Weber and Goldberg also added in their memo that employees who were declined for vaccine exemptions can reapply for the status, pointing out that workers need to provide "new information or circumstance" they want the airline to consider.

Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly said in an interview on Friday that they are not going to fire any employee from their company over the vaccine mandate.

"We are urging all our employees to get vaccinated. If they can't get vaccinated, we're urging them to seek accommodation." Kelly pointed out.

It can be recalled that United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said that they will fire the remaining unvaccinated employees despite the vaccine mandate imposed in their company.

Southwest Airlines on Texas Vaccine EO

Southwest Airlines, which is based in Texas, sounded its opposition to the executive order by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, that blocks any entities to force showing proof of vaccination.

CEO Gary Kelly said in a statement that their company will join their industry peers in complying with President Biden's COVID-19 vaccination directive.

It can be recalled that Biden mandates all businesses with more than 100 employees to require vaccination or proof of negative COVID-19 tests for workers. The said mandate is stricter for companies with federal contracts like Southwest Airlines.

Despite sounding their decision to abide by Biden's vaccine mandate, Southwest Airlines did not provide details on the rate of their workers who already got vaccinated.

READ NEXT: Texas Governor Greg Abbott Issues Executive Order Rebuking President Biden's Vaccine Mandates

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Southwest Airlines Workers Protest COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate - From WFAA
Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso has declared a 60-day nationwide state of emergency on Monday evening in response to a wave of violent crime and drug trafficking in the country.

Lasso said the police and the armed forces would be mobilized, and their presence would be felt "with force" in the streets, the BBC News reported.

Lasso noted that under the state of emergency, the armed forces and the police would carry out "arms checks, inspections, 24-hour patrols, and drug searches," among others.

Official data showed that the number of murders in the first eight months of 2021 has doubled compared to the same period last year.

READ NEXT: Mexico Creates National Guard Special Team to Recover Stolen Archaeological Pieces

Drug Trafficking in Ecuador

Guillermo Lasso also highlighted during his national broadcast that there is only one enemy, and that is drug trafficking, The Guardian reported.

The president said that Ecuador has gone from being a trafficking zone to a country that also consumes drugs. Lasso noted that the number of crimes in Ecuador now have a "direct or indirect relationship" with narcotics' sales.

The president of Ecuador said drug trafficking had been the main reason for the rise in homicides. Many burglaries of homes, thefts, and robberies have also been reported.

Aside from giving power to the police and armed forces, the state of emergency also allows restricting the freedom of movement, assembly, and association, among others.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken commented on Ecuador's state of emergency, saying that "democracies at times" need to impose exceptional measures to ensure the safety and security of their citizens, France24 reported.

However, the state secretary said the operations need to be very focused on what they are seeking to achieve and follow procedures in a way that upholds democratic principles.

Blinken further noted that Lasso had assured him that his government is committed to upholding those standards, which are important to the Ecuadorian people.

Crime in Ecuador

Due to drug violence, the country has seen an uptick in violent acts, particularly in its prisons.

The prison violence at Guayaquil in Guayas province ensued after a fight between rival mafia gangs in prison, who were connected to Mexican drug cartels. Around 230 people have been killed in the prison compounds, according to The New York Times report.

Meanwhile, a 13-year-old boy having ice cream with his family in Guayaquil died over the weekend after he was caught in the crossfire between gunmen and a police officer.

The increase in homicides in Guayas province has been reported to be upped by 70 percent. This year alone has recorded 641 homicide cases.

Guillermo Lasso said the national government would be positioning law enforcement to bring security. He added that they would take the battle to the underworld wherever it hides.

The president also announced the creation of a legal defense unit to defend uniformed officers facing lawsuits for doing their duty. Lasso said judges should guarantee peace and order, "not impunity and crime."

READ MORE: Parts of Amazon Rainforest in Brazil Are Being Illegally Offered for Sale on Facebook Marketplace

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Marines Patrol Guayaquil After State of Emergency Declared in Ecuador - From VOA News






A man has reportedly seen Brian Laundrie from a surveillance video pedaling an old bike along a road in Dunnellon, Florida, which is about three hours away from North Port, the fugitive's hometown.

The witness told TMZ that the footage was taken from a surveillance camera on rural land behind his property on October 9. The witness noted that the guy, who has an uncanny resemblance to Gabby Petito's fiance, was cruising down a rugged sugar sand trail on a bicycle with an oversized backpack and heavy clothing.

The property owner said the footage was submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for review as he felt it was enough of a match to flag it.

A Brian Laundrie lookalike was recently questioned by federal investigators at gunpoint and was handcuffed while authorities worked to confirm his identity.

U.S. Marshals reportedly broke into the hotel room of the Laundrie lookalike, who had been hiking along the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Virginia since the end of September with his girlfriend.

Severin Beckwith and his girlfriend, Anna Brettman, were taking a break and napping at the Lodge at Fontana Village Resort in North Carolina when federal investigators came knocking and bursting through the door before they could unlock it, Washington Examiner reported.

Beckwith was later released, and the couple was reportedly given a free night's stay and breakfast at the Lodge for their troubles before resuming their hike on the Appalachian Trail.

The manhunt for Gabby Petito's fiance has already entered its fifth week. According to Laundrie's parents, they last saw him on September 13, leaving home to go to the Carlton Reserve area for a hike.

A nature park near Carlton Reserve, where authorities have also been searching for Laundrie since last month, has reopened to the public, the New York Post reported.

The city of North Port announced on Twitter on Tuesday that the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park has reopened. The FBI and North Port police reportedly refused to comment whether the move signals an end to the search for Laundrie at the Myakkahatchee.

On the other hand, Carlton Reserve remains closed at this time, according to the Sarasota County government's website.

READ NEXT: Dog the Bounty Hunter Believes Brian Laundrie Becomes a Murderer as He Took Books About Serial Killers to Heart

Brian Laundrie's Parents Go on Extended Errand Outing

Brian Laundrie's parents in North Port, Florida were seen out on an extended errand run on Tuesday. According to Crime Online, the couple stopped by at two AT&T stores, Walmart and a FedEx store.

The couple bought bottled water and several other items. They also went to a local bank after dropping off a package at FedEx.

After an initial trip to a close AT&T store, the elder Laundries drove to an open AT&T store in Sarasota. As they left AT&T, a reporter asked if there were any "more burner phones, but the couple remained mum.

FBI agents pulled security footage from an AT&T store last month in North Port. The law enforcement agents discovered that Laundrie and "an older woman" went into the store on September 14.

The two reportedly bought a new phone from the store on that day. The elder Laundries had changed the date of their son's disappearance from September 14 to September 13. They announced that Laundrie was missing on September 17.

The elder Laundries claimed that their son has purchased a new phone but left it at their home. The whereabouts of Laundrie and Petito's original phones remain unknown.

Pinterest Account of Gabby Petito's Fiance

An internet sleuth reported that she had seen a "weird" detail on Brian Laundrie's Pinterest account, suggesting that the Florida fugitive may still be alive.

Shaynah Dodge, a blogger from Minnesota, has been closely following Petito's case. She told her followers on Monday that three weeks ago, Laundrie was following 145 people.

But "tonight," she said she noticed that Gabby Petito's fiance now follows 146 people, New York Post also reported.

"That's weird, right?... Someone could have had a private page and changed their settings? Not sure, but seriously, I cannot stand this guy on the run," Dodge noted.

Last week, a North Port police spokesperson said there had been "nothing to suggest" whether Laundrie is dead or alive.

Gabby Petito disappeared on a cross-country road trip with Brian 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.

On September 19, Petito's body was found at the Spread Creek Dispersed Campground near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

A Teton County, Wyoming coroner 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: 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: Florida Homeowner Believes They Spotted Brian Laundrie - From FOX 13 Tampa Bay






Despite Dog the Bounty Hunter's widely publicized manhunt for Brian Laundrie, a professional bondsman said an official bounty has yet to be issued for the Florida fugitive.

Professional bondsman Mike Harrison of Florida's Harrison Bail Bonds told Newsweek that Gabby Petito's fiance needs to be arrested and released on a bond and then skip trial before a bounty can be issued.

According to Harrison, a bond is what gets a person out of jail, and if the person fails to appear on a bond hearing, a warrant is issued for the person's arrest for failure to appear on the court date.

While a federal arrest warrant has been issued for Laundrie over debit card fraud, Harrison said the Florida fugitive has not violated any bond conditions since he has not been arrested. Thus, no judge has set a bounty.

READ NEXT: Kirstie Alley Says Brian Laundrie Hiding Inside Home 'Crawlspace' as Search for Gabby Petito's Fiance Enters 5th Week

Dog The Bounty Hunter Has No License to Capture Brian Laundrie in Florida

Online records collected by the New York Post showed that Dog the Bounty Hunter, whose real name is Duane Chapman, does not have a bail agent license required in Florida to apprehend fugitives.

The report noted that Florida has strict laws for people who want to go after fugitives. This means that the 68-year-old reality star could possibly face kidnapping charges if he manages to track down and detain Petito's fiance.

Harrison said Duane Chapman should be a licensed bondsman or a law enforcement officer in Florida to apprehend a fugitive like Laundrie.

Harrison noted that the reality star would never be a licensed bail agent in Florida because anyone with a felony criminal history is not allowed to have such a license under state law.

"[So] If he finds him, he's going to have to call law enforcement," Harrison told The Post.

Dog the Bounty Hunter was reportedly sentenced to five years in Texas State Penitentiary after he was found guilty of first-degree murder in 1976. However, he only served 18 months before his release.

Duane Chapman was allegedly waiting inside a vehicle when his friend shot and killed Jerry Oliver, a drug dealer.

Meanwhile, Chapman's spokesperson told The Post the reality star is still "covered to apprehend multiple ways" if he comes across Petito's fiance.

"There is a warrant for Brian. Any citizen who sees him can detain him and turn him over... There also are licensed people working with Dog and also off-duty police," the spokesperson noted.

Dog The Bounty Hunter Continues to Search for Gabby Petito's Fiance

Dog The Bounty Hunter has doused the rumors that he has pitched a show about the search for Brian Laundrie to the A&E network. He said the search for the Florida fugitive would not give him a show.

Dog the Bounty Hunter has been searching for Petito's fiance since late last month. Last week, he said he would no longer go to Colorado to meet his doctor after injuring his ankle while searching for Laundrie in Florida's Fort De Soto Park.

Chapman noted that he has decided to remain in Florida to continue his search for Laundrie. Dog the Bounty Hunter has already offered reward money for information leading to Laundrie's arrest, in the absence of an official bounty. His team has told Newsweek that it added $10,000 to the previous $170,000.

Authorities are still trying to locate Petito's fiance after he was reported missing on September 17. Laundrie's parents said they last saw him on September 13, leaving home to go to the Carlton Reserve area for a hike.

Brian Laundrie was named a person of interest by North Port police after returning home on September 1 or 10 days before Gabby Petito was reported missing by her family.

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.

Petito's body was found at the Spread Creek Dispersed Campground near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming on September 19.

A Teton County, Wyoming coroner said Gabby Petito was strangled to death by "human force," and the manner of death was homicide.

READ MORE: Dog the Bounty Hunter Tells Brian Laundrie 'Let Me Have You' as He Furiously Calls for Gabby Petito's Fiance to End the Chase

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Florida Homeowner Believes They Spotted Brian Laundrie - From FOX 13 Tampa Bay
A man accused of murdering an then decapitated body was found in woods near Edenderry, has declined to continue attending his trial and the case will proceed in his absence, the jury has been told.

The Central Criminal Court jury also heard today that Stephen Penrose (38), who was representing himself in his murder trial having dismissed his legal team, has now hired new lawyers.

Mr Penrose, of Newtown Court, Malahide Road, Coolock, Dublin 17, has pleaded not (NOT) guilty to murdering Philip Finnegan (24) at Rahin Woods, Rahin, Edenderry, Co Kildare on August 10, 2016.

On the opening day of the trial on October 13, Mr Justice Alexander Owens told the jury of eight men and four women that the accused Mr Penrose was entitled to dispense with the services of his legal team and they should not draw any inference from that.

However, this morning Mr Justice Owens informed the jury that Mr Penrose was now represented by lawyers. The court heard that Mr Michael French is appointed as the accused's solicitor and Mr Anthony Sammon SC alongside Mr Eoghan Weldon BL are representing him.

The judge also told the jurors today that Mr Penrose had declined to attend his trial "in person" and proceedings would continue without him. "He is not going to be physically present [in the courtroom]," he added.

Last Friday, Mr Justice Owens warned Mr Penrose that he would be taken to the cells and banned from participating in his own trial, where he had been representing himself, if he continued to "abuse" and "ballyrag" witnesses.

The judge said he would not allow his courtroom to become "a circus" after Mr 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 last week, before demanding that the witness be "dismissed" from his trial as his "word" could not be accepted.

Today, October 20, prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC told the court that Inspector Aidan Hannon was in the witness box when the "matter broke" last Friday. The barrister said he will call the garda Inspector at a later stage in the trial and asked him to step down for the moment.

The jury spent the day watching CCTV footage from the afternoon of August 10, which included clips from Liffey Valley Shopping Centre and various locations in Kilcock and Leixlip, Co Kildare as well as Edenderry, Co Offaly.

The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Owens and the 12 jurors.

In his opening address, prosecuting barrister 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.
No problems were found at an Abbeyleix school which wreaked with sewage and where leaking roof which caused classrooms to be decommissioned according to Department of Education which has now decided on an upgrade which it wants to take 'learning' from for a national scheme.

The Department has now decided that Scoil Mhuire National School will be a test case a national retrofit programme that may be rolled out to schools built before 2008 if projects like Abbeyleix are deemed to be a sucess.

That is what has emerged in an a reply from the Minister for Education Norma Foley to a Dail question about the status of the almost condemned school that has had to be patched up by management to keep it open.

Laois Offaly TD Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education in September 2021 to detail of the current assessment of a the school by her Department and if her Department would now sanction a new school building.

In her written reply, she said that an Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) application and First Level Education (FLE) application were assessed in 2019.

"At that time, there was no deficit of accommodation identified. The school was advised that if their enrolments increase in the future, it was open to the school authority to make a further application," she said.

The 20019 assesment was made in the same year as classrooms had to be vacated due to leaking ceilings. Shortcomings with the school were raised publicly at an INTO meeting in early 2020. Parents highlighted extensive failings and an engineers report which found that the building was not fit for purpose.

In her latest reply, Minister Foley, who met parents and staff in 2021, said that Department has had a change of mind.

"The school has since been identified as a possible candidate for the Energy Pathfinder Programme to undergo extensive fabric upgrades to improve the energy performance of the building and the installation of renewable energy solutions," she said.

Minister Foley explained what would be involved.

"As part of the 2022 Pathfinder programme, a number of schools will be chosen in rural and urban areas to undergo extensive fabric upgrades to improve the energy performance of the building and the installation of renewable energy solutions. Each school will be assessed comprehensively to ensure that the measures were suitable for that school and would deliver value to both the school and the pilot. Design teams will be appointed to each project, with medium to deep energy efficiency works delivered.

"This Pathfinder programme is paving the way for, and informing, a much larger national schools programme for the energy retrofit of schools built prior to 2008 as included in the National Development Plan. It is facilitating research on a range of typical retrofit options, which will have been tried and tested. It is providing valuable development information for a solution driven delivery strategy which will be founded on a solid evidence base that has proven the robustness and scalability of renewable solutions within the schools sector," she said.

The Minister also revealed to Dep Stanley that Scoil Mhuire would in effect be a guinea pig for the scheme.

"My Department has determined that a potential project at the school in question could be of benefit in identifying learnings that can be rolled out in the national programme," she said.

Minister Foley also revealed where officials were at in terms of advancing the project in Abbeyleix

"I can confirm that my Department's Professional and Technical staff visited the school recently and carried out a technical inspection. A report is currently being finalised and when this is completed, my Departments officials will contact the school authority directly," she said.

Laois Offaly Government Ministers Sean Fleming and Pippa Hackett alongside Government TD Charlie Flanagan have since confirmed that the retrofit option is being pursued over a new building.

Dep Stanley said he believes that it may not be enough to solve the problems.
Laois County Council are appointing consultants to undertake a Strategic Assessment Report relating to the Mountmellick by-pass, Cllr Paddy Bracken was told at the Borris-Mountmellick meeting.

Farhan Nasiem, Senior Executive Engineer, Road Desing outlined in a reply to Cllr Bracken that the report is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2022, and it will then guide the subsequent development process.

Significant pavement renewal works will be undertaken on the N80 between Mountmellick and Portlaoise in 2022 and 2023.

The matter would be raised at a proposed meeting between the elected members representative group and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), at a date yet to be confirmed.

In his motion Cllr Bracken called on the Council, in conjunction with TII and the Minister for Transport to prioritise and address with urgency a by-pass for Mountmellick and a major upgrade of the N80 from Mountmellick to Portlaoise.

Cllr Bracken said he was totally disappointed with the reply.

He said that the road was very narrow, despite it being a link to Rosslare and the west.

''It's not in the National Development Plan for funding. It's not a priority at national level.

''It's crying out to be done. It still is the bog road. There is a 20 foot fall away from it in some places. Every week there is patching taking place on it. It is a disgrace. The horse may have bolted but pressure can still be applied.

''I'm bewildered at this stage. It's been on the agenda so long.

''The whole infrastructure in Mountmellick has been neglected. Laois County Council needs to put its back into it. The emphasis has been put on orbital routes around Portlaoise,'' he opined.

Cllr Conor Bergin noted that 100,000 had been allocated for a traffic survey in Mountmellick. The results went back to TII but nothing had been heard of it since. It should have been in the NDP, he stated.

Cllr Ollie Clooney predicted that the upcoming meeting between councillors and TII would be ''a hot one.''

Cllr James Kelly said that TDs in the county were focusing on the courthouse and garda station in Portlaoise. ''We have two TDs in Government and a Super Junior Minister, and they were part of the putting together of the NDP. They have the ear of Department Secretaries. This NDP runs to 2040.

''We will not see anything on this for the next 18 years, I wager.''

Cllr John King said that elected members have to stand up. ''They have to stand up and be counted or else turfed out at the next election,'' he stated.
Laois actor Robert Sheehan is back in Ireland to launch his first book this weekend.

The Portlaoise native, star of Love/Hate, Mortal Engines, Fortitude and The Umbrella Academy, is regularly out in local pubs when he returns to visit his family, as he is sure to be again this weekend.

He is inviting people to come to the launch of his first book, to be held in Eason, O'Connell Street this Saturday October 23.

"My book. Is finally cooked. DISAPPEARING ACT - A Host of Other Characters - In 16 short stories.

Surreal feeling, to let it go into the world, after so many thousands of hours, just the two of us. It was written with great care. I hope you like it," he says on his Instagram account @rozzymikes

Fans have to book a ticket at 17.99 which covers the price of the book and a spot in the queue. See the link to book below.

In his debut collection of short stories, published by Gill, Robert Sheehan disappears into different characters, challenging everyday experience, often from entirely unexpected angles.

Informed by the authors life, Disappearing Act reflects on the absurdity of human behaviour. Sheehan delves deep into his characters streams of self-talk and self-imposed delusions, exploring the dark impulses that lurk below the shiny surfaces of many outwardly normal lives.

Dark and provocative, the collection is promised to stay with the reader long after the book is finished. It comes with a warning of adult content.

Book a slot here on the Easons website

The actor is among the line-up for this Friday's Late Late Show. See story below.
As the Laois capital town Portlaoise celebrates winning the official title of the cleanest town in Ireland, ambitions are already set on another award, a National Tidy Towns Gold Medal.

This week Portlaoise reached the top of the ladder for cleanliness in the Irish Business Against Litter survey, just over a decade since it was right at the bottom of their grades.

Portlaoise Municipal District councillors all warmly praised the town's Tidy Towns volunteers as well as Laois County Council staff, at their October meeting.

Town Manager Simon Walton said their sights are set now on gold, a medal previously won by Abbeyleix, Stradbally and Castletown in Laois.

"I acknowledge the support of the elected representatives. It's great news for Portlaoise and county Laois in general. It's great to get to number one. It provides encouragement to keep going and improve. We can't realistically expect to be number one every time, but to retain the 'cleaner that European norms' will be the challenge for us.

"When I came here one of the first things that Gerry Browne said to me was they want to achieve gold medal standard in the Tidy Towns awards. I hope that will be the next goal and key achievement for Portlaoise," Mr Walton said.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said she was so proud of the town, thanking Portlaoise Tidy Towns chair Gerry Browne and all his volunteers, as well as the council team and the recently established Portlaoise Town Team.

"Their progressive work led to this incredible award. It doesn't come easy, it's a proud day," she said.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said it was important to mention that the efforts started with the late Cllr Jerry Lodge and Cllr Kathleen O'Brien.

Cllr Willie Aird, a farmer in Portlaoise, noted the many new biodiversity areas now in the town.

"I can see a lot of kids from schools now looking at the biodiversity. You'd be really proud now to say this is our town, well done to all," he said.

The Municipal District chair is Cllr John Joe Fennelly.

"I'm on the sub committee with the town team and Gerry Browne is second to none. It is great testament to their work to go from the bottom of the ladder to the top rung," he said.
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.

Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.

If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider subscribing to our ePaper and/or free daily Newsletter .

Support our mission and join our community now.
Rapid antigen testing has been introduced into a selected number of higher-level institutions in Ireland on a pilot basis.

Two separate pilot testing programmes are running across third-level institutions at present.

UniCov is led by the National University of Ireland, Galway, and is running in partnership with Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, and University College Cork.

The scheme is designed to 'apply testing, screening and surveillance strategies used by Public Health to assist with early warning systems for disease'

1,975 participants have signed up to UniCov thus far, with 1,557 of those testing twice weekly for two weeks, and 393 testing twice weekly for 8 weeks.

12,836 tests have been carried out since the beginning of the pilot scheme.

The second pilot programme is running in conjunction with the HSE which involves several further education centres and higher-education institutions.

Students and Staff are being encouraged to sign up and test themselves twice a week voluntarily.

Minister for Higher Education, Simon Harris said on the Pat Kenny Show: "It is not detecting a huge amount of Covid however, when it does detect Covid, in the overwhelming majority of cases it is being confirmed by a PCR test."

Minister Harris is 'encouraged' by this news as 'it is a view he has had for a long time'

"These antigen tests can have a role to play early and rapidly identifying somebody who could be potentially infectious and the PCR testing is tallying with that." He added.

A report will be released to Simon Harris within the next month from experts who will advise if this pilot should be rolled out in third-level institutions across the country.
In a development that echoes Moe falling for one of Bart Simpson's prank calls in The Simpsons, English politician Nigel Farage has fallen for another trick on the site known as Cameo.

Last week, the controversial Brexit proponent and former UKIP leader was tricked into saying the IRA slogan "Up the Ra" as part of a personalised birthday request on the popular site.

The subsequent video went viral, with many users mocking his apparent lack of knowledge about Irish history.

In this new video, which has similarly gone viral, Mr Farage was asked to wish someone named "Gerard Adams" a happy 71st birthday.

Speaking to camera, he wished a belated birthday on behalf of "Some of the old team at Tiochfaidh Ar La's in Brighton."

He added that he "knows the full story", adding: "you were the team leader there for many years."

The video has since been uploaded to Twitter, where the 57-year-old's blunder has once more become the butt of many jokes in the comments section.

Farage has been caught again wishing Gerry Adams a happy birthday and a Tiocfaidh ar la from Brighton pic.twitter.com/YmyTcKdFav  Jimmy Kelly (@jankell21032905) October 19, 2021

Earlier in the week, Farage was criticised by RTE broadcaster Claire Byrne during a phone interview, where she challenged Farage on his knowledge of Irish history during a phone interview on her show last night to discuss Irish nationalism and independence.

In it, Ms Byrne brought up the viral "Up the Ra" video and also told him: "Dont try and lecture the Irish people about the history, culture and precarious nature of peace on this island; you havent got a clue."
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., today announced that the Government has agreed an exchequer contribution of 2.30bn for the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027.

This brings total funding for the plan to 9.8bn.

Commenting at an announcement of the funding this morning, Taoiseach Micheal Martin T.D., said:

The investment of 2.3 billion of national funding in Rural Development measures over the 2023-2027 period emphatically demonstrates the Governments continuing commitment to farmers, to rural areas and to the rural economy.

"It also demonstrates my own, and this Governments, determination to follow through on commitments made in the Programme for Government, for example in relation to the allocation of carbon tax funding to a flagship agri-environment and climate measure to encourage farmers to farm in a greener and more sustainable way, and in relation to the alignment of Irelands organic farming area with the current EU average.

"It is an enormous vote of confidence in the sectors ability to meet the considerable challenges it faces, and to secure an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable future, for farming families and for society more widely.

Commenting at the announcement of the funding, Minister McConalogue said:

The announcement today is a real commitment to our farm families. It will support our farmers in doing what they do best  produce top class, world famous food while helping them make a real impact in meeting our climate ambitions.

"Farm income and environmental sustainability is at the centre of everything I believe in and I know farmers will recognise the range of supports put in place.

I am delighted to announce national funding of 2.30bn for rural development interventions under the CAP Strategic Plan. When combined with EU funding, it will provide for a rural development package of some 3.86bn.

"This funding will place farmers in a very strong position to address climate and environmental challenges while also supporting the economic viability of the agriculture sector and rural communities, while delivering significant public goods.

The Minister noted that:

Agreement on the co-funding element for the Rural Development component of the CAP Strategic Plan is an important milestone in the development of the plan.

"I intend to consult further with stakeholders, including through the CAP Consultative Committee tomorrow, on the indicative allocations for the individual measures that this funding now facilitates, and on which I am also providing further details today.

Minister McConalogue thanked his Government colleagues for their support in honouring the Programme for Government commitment on the allocation of carbon tax funding to agriculture.

He noted: The Government will meet its commitment to provide 1.5 billion in addition to CAP funding over the ten-year period to 2030.

"The funding allocation announced today includes 723m of carbon tax funding, which is a significant first step in this regard, and reflects the incremental nature of carbon tax revenues over the period to 2030.

"I intend to allocate this funding to support sustainable farming practices through a flagship Agri-Environment Climate Measure, as promised in the Programme for Government.

Commenting further, the Minister said:

This funding is a substantial increase on the existing rural development programme.

"When you compare the last seven year programme 2014-2020 with the next seven years 2021-2027, the funding is almost 1.2bn, or nearly 30%, higher. Even excluding the carbon tax funding element, there is an increase of 500m. 

On co-financing, the Minister noted that the exchequer had increased the percentage contribution over the period from 47% in the current RDP to 50% in the CSP with the contribution rising to 60% when the carbon tax funding is included.

On the Pillar I elements, the Minister indicated his current thinking:

I am keen to provide more clarity on the overall package and therefore I am proposing that 25% of funding will be set aside for eco-schemes, 10% for CRISS with the funding redistributed on the first 30ha of every farm.

"I propose to continue internal convergence on an incremental basis over the period, so that all entitlements reach a minimum level of 85% of the national entitlement value by 2026. I am proposing to implement capping of direct payments at 66,000 by utilising the flexibility in the regulation where payments between 60,000 and 100,000 can be reduced by 85% giving an effective cap of 66,000.

"Regarding Young farmers I intend to allocate 3% of the value of the Pillar 1 budget for interventions for Young Farmers on an annual basis. To address the deficit in protein, I propose to allocate 35m to the protein aid scheme over the period.

Minister of State, Senator Pippa Hackett, said:

I want to congratulate Minister McConalogue on securing this funding, which means farmers can be supported as they up their environmental ambition and farm in a way which protects biodiversity and climate as well as supporting their enterprises and their land.

"Over the past 5 years or so, our farmers have been acknowledged and praised internationally for the way they have delivered results through EIPs such as the Burren, Bride and Hen Harrier Projects.

"Through the AECM, this Cap Strategic plan will build on that model and that expertise, while it also provides the support necessary to deliver on our increased organic farming targets.

Minister of State Martin Heydon T.D. said:

We have secured a strong level of funding for the rural development programme to support active farmers across the country. This will allow us to offer a suite of schemes to support those farmers, their incomes, and ensure they remain a cornerstone of their communities.

"There are specific allocations for our vulnerable beef farmers, sheep farmers, and tillage farmers. There is also a commitment to back farmers investing in their farms through a well-funded on-farm investment scheme. And for all farms there will be an opportunity to enter a well-funded agri-environment scheme.
Stephen Penrose, who is accused of murdering a man whose decapitated body was found in a Kildare woods, has declined to continue attending his trial and the case will proceed in his absence, the jury has been told.

The Central Criminal Court jury also heard today that Mr Penrose (38), who was representing himself in his murder trial having dismissed his legal team, has now hired new lawyers.

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.

On the opening day of the trial on October 13, Mr Justice Alexander Owens told the jury of eight men and four women that the accused Mr Penrose was entitled to dispense with the services of his legal team and they should not draw any inference from that.

However, this morning Mr Justice Owens informed the jury that Mr Penrose was now represented by lawyers. The court heard that Mr Michael French is appointed as the accused's solicitor and Mr Anthony Sammon SC alongside Mr Eoghan Weldon BL are representing him.

The judge also told the jurors today that Mr Penrose had declined to attend his trial "in person" and proceedings would continue without him. "He is not going to be physically present [in the courtroom]," he added.

Last Friday, Mr Justice Owens warned Mr Penrose that he would be taken to the cells and banned from participating in his own trial, where he had been representing himself, if he continued to "abuse" and "ballyrag" witnesses.

The judge said he would not allow his courtroom to become "a circus" after Mr 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 last week, before demanding that the witness be "dismissed" from his trial as his "word" could not be accepted.

Today, prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC told the court that Inspector Aidan Hannon was in the witness box when the "matter broke" last Friday. The barrister said he will call the garda Inspector at a later stage in the trial and asked him to step down for the moment.

The jury then spent the morning watching clips of footage from CCTV cameras at various locations around Edenderry, Co Offaly on the afternoon of August 10.

The trial continues this afternoon before Mr Justice Owens and the 12 jurors.

In his opening address, prosecuting barrister 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.

The jury spent the day watching CCTV footage from the afternoon of August 10, which included clips from Liffey Valley Shopping Centre and various locations in Kilcock and Leixlip, Co Kildare as well as Edenderry, Co Offaly.

The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Owens and the 12 jurors.
A Kildare Senator has praised a recent farmer's mart that took place in Kilcullen, but has expressed concerns over the latest news concerning funding for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan.

It follows after an announcement from this morning by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, who revealed that the Irish Government has agreed an exchequer contribution of 2.30 billion for the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027.

This brings total funding for the plan to 9.8 billion.

Fianna Fail (FF) Senator Fiona O' Loughlin attended the three-and-a-half-hour meeting last night in Kilcullen mart with fellow FF politician, Minister McConalogue TD.

She described the meeting as "constructive, open and informative."

Senator OLoughlin elaborated: "I attended and contributed to the CAP meeting at Kilcullen mart yesterday evening, and it was a long but constructive engagement."

"It was clear for the quality of the contributions and the level of expertise on show, that Kildare is home to some of the highest quality farmers and agri-food businesses in the country."

She claimed that many of the issues that were raised were things she has been championing at a Government level for some time: "I raised many of the issues that were discussed at the meeting in the Seanad this morning also; the heavy bureaucratic nature of the entire CAP process needs to be dealt with.

"I am also concerned about the impact of convergence and the 25 per cent eco-scheme on Kildare farmers."

Senator O' Loughlin continued: "It is vital that we support or farmers; We need to ensure that farmers are adequately supported.

"I want to thank and commend all those who attended last nights meeting, and to thank the Minister for being so generous with his time.

"Farmers are ready to step up to the plate, and are ready to be part of the transformation to a clean economy, but they need the support and certainty of a CAP that is fit for purpose," she concluded.

Speaking on Minister McConalogue's announcement, Senator O' Loughlin explained that while it "shows the Governments continuing commitment to farmers, to rural areas and to the rural economy", she is still "very cognisant of the views of local farmers in Kildare."

She continued: "We must ensure that access to the CAP funding is simple, straightforward and streamlined; it is imperative that farmers are supported, ensuring security and quality of food supply nationally and for export purposes."

Commenting on the CAP announcement, Fianna Fail leader and An Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: "The investment of 2.3 billion of national funding in Rural Development measures over the 2023-2027 period emphatically demonstrates the Governments continuing commitment to farmers, to rural areas and to the rural economy."

"It also demonstrates my own, and this Governments, determination to follow through on commitments made in the Programme for Government, for example in relation to the allocation of carbon tax funding to a flagship agri-environment and climate measure to encourage farmers to farm in a greener and more sustainable way, and in relation to the alignment of Irelands organic farming area with the current EU average."

He added: "It is an enormous vote of confidence in the sectors ability to meet the considerable challenges it faces, and to secure an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable future, for farming families and for society more widely."
A well-known news site that reports on technology, science, art, and culture has claimed that the social media website Facebook is considering changing its name.

The Verge has reported that the site, which is worth nearly $86 billion as of last year, is planning to rebrand itself with a new name next week.

It is understood that the site received the information a source with direct knowledge of the matter.

Specifically, the source claimed that Facebook's Chief Executive Officer, billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, plans to talk about the name change at the company's annual Connect conference on October 28.

However, the source added that the new name could be unveiled sooner.

In addition, the source claimed that the name change will signify the company's new mission to on expand the "metaverse," which is believed to its ambition to be known for more than its social media presence.

Previously, Zuckerberg told the site in July, that Facebook "will effectively transition from people seeing us as primarily being a social media company to being a metaverse company" over a number of years.

In response, Facebook said it does not comment on "rumor or speculation."

The rebranding would position Facebook's social media app as one of many products under a parent company, which will also oversee groups like Instagram, WhatsApp and Oculus.

Many news sites, including The Irish Independent and , as well as The Verge itself, have noted that the rumours come at a time when the company is facing increasing US government scrutiny over its business practices.

Earlier this month, a whistleblower named Frances Haugen leaked documents that showed that celebrities, politicians and high profile Facebook users were treated differently by the company.

Reports detailed that these leaks revealed that moderation policies were applied differently, and in some cases not at all, to such accounts - a system known as XCheck (cross-check).

Another leak showed that Facebook was also facing a complex lawsuit from a group of its own shareholders.

Soon after, Facebook and its subsidiaries, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, Mapillary, and Oculus, became globally unavailable for a period of six to seven hours.

A separate whistleblower and former data scientist for the company, Sophie Zhang, recently testified to the British parliament that the social media site is allowing authoritarian governments to manipulate political discourse.
Former Maynooth University (MU) President Professor Philip Nolan has been appointed Director General of the Irish government's science funding agency, it has been confirmed.

The news follows after Prof Nolan announcement his resignation as President of MU last month, a role he had previously held for ten years.

Prof Nolan, who is also currently chair of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), will replace Professor Mark Ferguson as the head of the Science Foundation of Ireland (SFI) in the role early next year.

Speaking on his new role, Prof Nolan said: "It is a privilege to be appointed Director-General of SFI; it has led the transformation of Irelands research landscape, sponsoring outstanding research with global impact."

He added: "The opportunity now is to build on this success, focusing on excellence in research and its translation into tangible benefits for our economy and society, to secure our position as a global innovation leader in science and engineering, and to ensure Ireland plays its part in addressing the complex challenges that face our society."

Minister for Research and Innovation Simon Harris recently welcomed the news about Prof Nolan, describing him as being "a constant and valued source of expertise in that role, for which we owe him a lot."

"Now, hes going to lead SFI in contributing to a strong sustainable economy and society, through supporting the development of a world class research and innovation system, and I and my Department are very much looking forward to working with him," he added.

He added: "If the pandemic has taught us anything, its the value of research and science. Science Foundation Ireland, as our national foundation for investment in scientific research, is a vital part of not only the response to Covid-19, but in our next steps, in the ways we grow our society and our economy."

The Chairman of SFI, Professor Peter Clinch, also welcomed the news.

He said that Nolans role, which is equivalent to that of a chief executive officer, will be to build on the success of SFI "to position Ireland as a Global Innovation Leader for the advancement of Irelands economy and society."

Prof Clinch also paid tribute to Prof Fergusons contribution: "Over his 10-year term, Mark has led SFI out of the economic crisis and to great heights."

"He has been a strong advocate for the importance of investment in science as a key building block of Irelands economy, and its importance for addressing major societal challenges such as Covid-19 and climate change."

Previously, back when Prof Nolan's new role was still being advertised, the president of the Royal Irish Academy, Dr Mary Canning, raised concerns over the duality of the role.

As reported by TheJournal.ie, she said that Irelands chief scientific adviser needs to be an independent office which is not linked to the post of Director General of SFI; as it previously was.

This role was combined with the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser almost 10 years ago, although concerns over a conflict of interest have dogged the position since the dual-role status was first announced.
College students will now be able to anonymously report an experience of sexual assault, rape and harassment, discrimination and bullying following the launch of a new online platform.

Speak Out, the new project that's led by the organisation Psychological Counsellors in Higher Education Ireland (PCHEI), will see 18 colleges and universities in Ireland taking part.

Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris described it as an "incredibly important initiative" and one that would help create a "zero-tolerance culture".

The creation of this innovative and supportive online platform will provide a safe and anonymous medium for students and staff to report incidents of bullying, assault or sexual violence in a trauma-informed environment", he added.

Minister @SimonHarrisTD today launched Speak Out, an anonymous reporting tool for higher education institutions to tackle bullying, sexual harassment and stalking.



Minister Harris said the platform will assist in achieving a zero-tolerance culture.https://t.co/zWCEieoWoo October 19, 2021

Gertie Raftery, chairman of PCHEI, said the project gave a voice for students and staff in higher education to speak out about their experiences of sexual harassment, violence or intimidation of any kind.

It is hoped the initiative will provide officials with data and fresh insight that will be used to inform new policies to support students.

The project has also received the backing of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI).

The unions welfare officer Somhairle Brennan said:

We know from previous research, and what we regularly hear from students and student representatives, that further action is needed to continue to support students who experience sexual violence or harassment or other forms of aggression or bullying.

The launch of the Speak Out tool is a welcome step forward in continuing to destigmatise conversations about consent.

It will hopefully empower students who have had a non-consensual sexual experience to have their voice heard in a way that feels safe for them.
Stephen Penrose, who is accused of murdering a man whose decapitated body was found in Rahin woods in Kildare has declined to continue attending his trial and the case will proceed in his absence, the jury has been told.

The Central Criminal Court jury also heard today that Mr Penrose (38), who was representing himself in his murder trial having dismissed his legal team, has now hired new lawyers.

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.

On the opening day of the trial on October 13, Mr Justice Alexander Owens told the jury of eight men and four women that the accused Mr Penrose was entitled to dispense with the services of his legal team and they should not draw any inference from that.

However, this morning Mr Justice Owens informed the jury that Mr Penrose was now represented by lawyers. The court heard that Mr Michael French is appointed as the accused's solicitor and Mr Anthony Sammon SC alongside Mr Eoghan Weldon BL are representing him.

The judge also told the jurors today that Mr Penrose had declined to attend his trial "in person" and proceedings would continue without him. "He is not going to be physically present [in the courtroom]," he added.

Last Friday, Mr Justice Owens warned Mr Penrose that he would be taken to the cells and banned from participating in his own trial, where he had been representing himself, if he continued to "abuse" and "ballyrag" witnesses.

The judge said he would not allow his courtroom to become "a circus" after Mr 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 last week, before demanding that the witness be "dismissed" from his trial as his "word" could not be accepted.

Today, prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC told the court that Inspector Aidan Hannon was in the witness box when the "matter broke" last Friday. The barrister said he will call the garda Inspector at a later stage in the trial and asked him to step down for the moment.

The jury then spent the morning watching clips of footage from CCTV cameras at various locations around Edenderry, Co Offaly on the afternoon of August 10.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Owens and the 12 jurors.

In his opening address, prosecuting barrister 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.
Commenting on the Irish governments decision to legalise the use of e-scooters on public roads today, Steve Pyer, UK & Ireland Country Manager at e-scooter operator, Spin said: We welcome the governments decision to make e-scooters legal for use in Ireland. Responsible e-scooter programme operators like Spin have shown how e-scooter sharing schemes can be run in a way that promotes safe and responsible use that respects the needs of all road users.

With experience of running such projects across the US, the UK and Europe, he said that companies such as Spin are ready to help people in towns and cities across Ireland to learn how e-scooter use can bring benefits for them and for the economy in their own localities.

Just last month, we organised e-scooter safety demonstration events in both Dublin and Cork where we showed how the latest e-scooter models can be set to sound an alarm once they are illegally ridden on a foot path. The same technology also encourages users to make sure that they park a scooter in a designated area, again through to the use of an audible alarm that sounds until the scooter is parked where it should be," he said.

Mr Pyer also pointed out that one benefit for the the roll out of e-scooter services in Ireland is that authorities can learn from the best practices in running such services in cities and university campuses across the globe, easing the transition for users here.
THE Garda Commissioner has defended the ongoing so-called corruption probe into gardai attached to the Limerick division after hearing a Government TD claim that it is tearing many lives apart.

In Ennis to address the Clare Joint Policing Committee (JPC), Drew Harris said he understands how a crime investigation is stressful for members of the force but this work must be done.

Asked to respond to comments made by Deputy Cathal Crowe on the impact of the investigation into the alleged treatment by certain gardai in the Limerick garda division of fixed charge penalties, Commissioner Harris said: We must make sure that people can trust An Garda Siochana to be entirely trustworthy and honest in their dealings with them.

He said: Any of these investigations we undertake are essential for public confidence in the organisation but also that they are expedited and dealt with as quickly as possible.

At this weeks meeting, Deputy Crowe told Commissioner Harris that he has to move the investigation on and needs to engage with this more effectively.

Deputy Crowe said eight members of the force in Limerick have been suspended as part of an investigation by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation concerning a charge of corruption against many in the Limerick garda division.

He claimed that 60 gardai in Limerick are being investigated over the alleged squaring off of fixed charge penalty notices.

Deputy Crowe told the meeting that the probe encompasses too many people and is harrowing for the families involved.

The Fianna Fail TD told Commissioner Harris that many of the gardai are young gardai and are unable to progress in their career and transfer back to the station in their home patch because there is a cloud of suspicion hanging over them.

He added: Like any judicial process this needs to be speeded up. If they are guilty they need to be found guilty and they need to face the sanctions that are appropriate but if they are not guilty they need that chance to be before a court and to prove themselves.

Deputy Crowe said: This is tearing many lives apart and you as a commissioner need to engage with this more effectively.

The deputy said he was not condoning a culture that may have existed in the past whereby a county hurling star or a politician was pulled over by a garda and fines were waived. That was wrong and I get the reason why An Garda Siochana want to curb that.

On the issue of discretion, he added: The reality was that for many years, gardai were able to square off a charge for a road traffic offence, that seems to be gone now in the Limerick garda division.

Commissioner Harris said he was constrained in what he could say in response to the comments.

He told the meeting that he took very seriously the comments concerning the expediting of the investigation.

He said he is regularly updated on the investigation and told Deputy Crowe I am personally engaged with these matters

Speaking generally, Commissioner Harris said a process is in place where Fixed Charge Penalty Notices (FCPN) can be examined.

The difficulty is the difference between discretion and preference. I would say to every member of An Garda Siochana that properly exercised discretion is available to you but make sure that it is not preference, he said.

Preference is unfair - everyone must be treated equally before the law, he added.

Asked what impact recent incidents putting gardai in a negative light is having on the morale of rank and file members, Commissioner Harris said he has a basic duty to ensure that the organisation conducts itself well and that people have confidence in members of An Garda Siochana in terms of their treatment of all members of the public.

When you are a member of An Garda Siochana going around your duties, it is very stressful to have colleagues that you work alongside, that you have a doubt about and it is my responsibility to support the vast, vast majority of gardai doing their job and to make sure that they are not working alongside people whose standards are not at the required level.

Four serving members of An Garda Siochana and one retired member are currently before the courts accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
MORE than 30 soldiers from Limerick will travel to the Middle East early next month for a six month tour of duty with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Ahead of their departure, the Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, travelled to Sarsfield Barracks in Limerick where he met with members of the Defence Forces who are part of the 119th Infantry Group.

Speaking during the ceremonial review the Minister said: "Ireland has made a huge commitment to supporting peace and security in the Middle East region and has participated in the UNIFIL mission since its establishment in 1978.

Mr Coveney said the commitment to international peacekeeping is a very practical expression of values, which we hold dear as a nation, and of our commitment to the UN and to multilateralism. "One of the central components of our peacekeeping tradition is the building of trust  in communities that for too long have suffered under a cloud of conflict.

Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Fiacra Keyes, the 119th Infantry Battalion has been in training for the past two months and is scheduled to deploy to Lebanon over the coming weeks.

The 119th Infantry Battalion will consist of 352 personnel (including nine Maltese nationals) drawn primarily from Sarsfield Barracks and Collins Barracks in Cork.

It will replace the 118th Infantry Battalion from Athlone which deployed to Lebanon last May.

This week's ceremonial visit consisted of a parade, a ministerial inspection and an address from Minister Coveney to the troops who will undergo a two-week period of isolation, in a Defence Forces installation, prior to their departure.

Of the soldiers who will be deployed, 36 are from Limerick while the remainder of the Irish personnel are from 24 other counties.

Limerick native Battalion Sergeant Major Stan Hurley is the senior non-commissioned officer travelling with the 119th Infantry Battalion for what will be his 18th tour of duty overseas.

BSM Hurley, a member of the Defence Forces Infantry Corps, enlisted with the Defence Forces in November 1980 and will begin his 42nd year of service during his deployment.

Troops travelling to Lebanon range in age from 20 to 59 while 24 are women.
COLIN Powell, the former US Secretary of State, who died on Monday may well have had Limerick roots.

The four-star general who grew up in the Bronx, New York had Jamaican parents. But according to Ray Ryan, writing in The Examiner in 2004, when General Powell arrived for an EU-US summit at Dromoland Castle, one of his forebears was from the Coote family of Ash Hill, Kilmallock.

Genealogists, Mr Ryan wrote, traced the generals family tree back some eight generations to a former Dean of Kilfenora, Rev Charles Coote, who was one of the Cootes of Ash Hill.

The Deans second son was General Sir Eyre Coote (1760-1823), who went to Eton, fought in the American War of Independence and served in the West Indies.

General Coote was Governor of Jamaica for two years, from 1806 to 1808. While there, he fathered a child by a black slave girl, Sally, who was, according to the genealogists, Colin Powells great-great-great-grandmother.

Colin Powell , acknowledged in his autobiography, My American Journey, that his people were originally slaves in the Government House in Jamaica and that one of them had a liaison with Sir Eyre Coote, from whom he claimed descent.

The Cootes were powerful landowners in Ireland for some 300 years, giving their name to Mt Coote in Limerick and to Cootehill in Cavan.

The late General Colin Powell rose through the ranks of the US Army to become the first black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, overseeing Operation Desert Storm.

He also served as US National Security Advisor and as 65th US Secretary of State where he was involved in the controversial Iraq War.

He was being treated for a blood cancer but died from complications relating to Covid-19 on Monday.
PARENTS of children attending two Limerick primary schools have raised concerns about speeding traffic which, they say, is creating "fear and anxiety amongst students at a busy pedestrian crossing.

Garryowen Residents Association has complained to the council about the junction adjoining Dublin Road and Park Road that serves both St Patricks National Boys and St Patricks Girls National school.

Chairman of the Association John Nugent said: It has gotten much worse in the last couple of weeks. Parents are at a stage now where they are slapping cars when they go by, warning them to slow down.

While policed by several school wardens who have done tremendous work over the years, the issue persists during out of school hours.

A few weeks ago, a car turned at this junction late at night and went through the side of a house. It is now boarded up and part of the house had to be demolished. All the children know about it, and it is adding to their own sense of fear and anxiety, Mr Nugent, whos son attends the boys school added.

Parents are calling for Council engineers to call and conduct a survey, in the hope that serious traffic calming measures such as tabletop speed ramps or a roundabout can be implemented at the crossing.

They are also calling for a barrier to be put in place at the side of the road where the car entered the residential dwelling.

At this site, parents have to hold onto their children. They are afraid of their life that they might step out, Mr Nugent concluded.

In response to a query from the Limerick Leader, a spokesperson for Limerick City and County Council said. The provision of physical traffic calming measures on this regional road R445 is prohibited under current guidelines. The stretch of road has a 50km/h speed limit."

However, the spokesperson said the concerns have been noted.

Limerick City and County Council has written to An Garda Siochana at Henry Street about concerns raised at the junction particularly at school times and asked for them to monitor the situation.
ShareJoy is a volunteer-led project that was created to help support young people during the Coronavirus pandemic following the loss of Irish woman Arwen Sullivan to suicide in 2020.

The background of Sharejoy was based on Arwen's love for fashion.

Described as a young woman who 'understood the importance of sustainability. She continually refreshed her wardrobe through sites like Depop and vintage stores.'

The project was founded 6 months after Arwen's passing, and as a memorial was unlikely to take place due to Covid-19 restrictions still in place, her mother Marie wanted to honour her memory.

Sharejoy started with 20 successful Irish women including Laura Whitmore, Louise McSharrey, and Una Healy donating items of clothing that were sold on Depop, and the funds were donated to Pieta House.

Since the successful launch, every month an Irish star will donate an item of clothing to be sold on Depop, and proceeds are donated to Pieta House.

Speaking about Arwen's character, Marie said: "Arwen was always a very lively-spirited girl, she was very bright, clever and beautiful to look at"

Her dazzling smile would 'light up a room' and was often referred to as the 'Julia Roberts smile'

"The whole world stopped and that felt right to me."

Marie Sullivan joined @RyanTubridyShow to share her story of losing her beautiful daughter Arwen to suicide last year. 

Marie is keeping her memory alive by helping others with the initiative https://t.co/Q9Rxjv6fH4 pic.twitter.com/7D0yK5ZpTZ  RTE Radio 1 (@RTERadio1) October 20, 2021

Speaking about how she manages her grief every day, she said: "I just look at the very next thing I have to do, and if I can do that next thing, then I can look to the next little thing."

"I can't go back and change anything. My only choice is to go forward." she added.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ShareJoy (@sharejoy_ie)

Clothing donations can also be made to Sharejoy by anyone who wishes to get involved.

"Everyone has something in their wardrobe that they really love, that might not be worn again. We like to think we are the perfect place for those items." added Marie.

To find out more about Share joy and how you can get involved, click here
Adani group chairman Gautam Adani met UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday at the Global Investment Summit and said that his group will commit USD 70 billion to energy transition via solar and others.

Expressing his gratitude after meeting Johnson, Adani said: "Honoured to meet UK PM Boris Johnson at the Global Investment Summit."

Calling the leadership inspiring in synchronising global climate action, he said that Adani Group will commit USD 70 bn to energy transition via solar, wind and H2.

"Honoured to meet UK PM @BorisJohnson at the #GlobalInvestmentSummit. What a platform! Inspiring leadership in synchronizing global climate action. @AdaniOnline will commit $70bn to Energy Transition via Solar, Wind & H2. Thank you, UK Govt and @TradeGovUK, for the opportunity," Adani said in a tweet.

Honoured to meet UK PM @BorisJohnson at the #GlobalInvestmentSummit. What a platform! Inspiring leadership in synchronizing global climate action. @AdaniOnline will commit $70bn to Energy Transition via Solar, Wind & H2. Thank you, UK Govt and @TradeGovUK, for the opportunity. pic.twitter.com/26FrUCeSTl  Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) October 19, 2021

"Chairman @Gautam_Adani says the battle against climate change must be fought with equitable and pragmatic policies. Speaking on the sidelines of the UK Govt's Global Investment Summit in London, he called for setting practical goals and agendas to overcome the climate crisis," Adani Group said in a tweet on Tuesday earlier. (ANI)

Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.
When flooding inundated a central Chinese metropolis over the summer, the calamity dented a key plank of the countrys much-watched bid to replace paper money with digital currency: reliability.

Heavy July rains pushed rivers over their banks in the city of Zhengzhou, causing widespread electrical outages that immobilized cellular service. Because urban Chinese typically use mobile-phone payment apps like Tencent Holdings Ltd.s WeChat and Ant Group Co.s Alipay instead of cash, suddenly inoperable networks meant many in the city of 12 million had no money, on top of no way to reach emergency responders and loved ones.

China is the global pacesetter among large nations in creating a digital version of its currency. Four days before the Zhengzhou floods, the central bank had published an official strategy for its rollout and cited success with trials so far. Then, the Zhengzhou outages paralyzed the digital-payment infrastructure that forms the backbone of its plan.

Lacking cash, some in Zhengzhou turned to barter, including a man who paid for vegetables with cigarettes, one of thousands of examples shared on Chinese social media about what happens when digital money goes on the fritz.

A 25-year-old dairy company employee, Zhao Jun, says the floods left her stranded far from her Zhengzhou apartment and she sought refuge in a hotel for the nightthen realized she had no way to pay for a room without Alipay and WeChat and no way to contact the outside world. I was very anxious," she said.

The financial interruption was a relatively brief, but stark, illustration of a risk nations may face by adopting digital currenciesmoney dependent on working cellphones. Add cellular reliability to hacks of digital wallets and online exchanges as vulnerabilities as governments get into the volatile sphere until now occupied by bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

The kind of shock experienced during the floods would wreak havoc with any modern digital economy. In Zhengzhou, online maps didnt work and electric cars shorted out. An electronic version of the yuan will only deepen Chinas embrace of technology. An increasingly cashless society has already caused societal problems like elderly people being practically unable to hail taxis without the right apps.

The flooding episode ran counter to specific commitments Beijing made in its July strategy paper that its digital-currency system will have built-in defenses in cases of a natural disaster.

The lowest common denominator that affects everyone is the power grid," says Luke Deryckx, chief technology officer of Seattle-based Ookla LLC.

In tracking internet outages after natural disasters, Mr. Deryckx said, his firm has seen power stations and cellular operators get their central operations restored quickly, only for consumers to disappear from networks as their phone batteries die because there is no place to recharge.

The central bank says the e-CNYthe digital yuans official namehad been tested in more than 70 million real-world transactions since early 2020, with no sign of major snafus in the technology.

The Peoples Bank of China didnt respond to questions about whether the Zhengzhou disaster would have an impact on its digital-currency plans; nor did Alipay and WeChat, or cellular operator China Mobile Ltd. Government officials in China described the floods as a once-in-a-century disaster, while others saw them as a harbinger of climate change.

Many nations, including the U.S., are watching Beijings rollout for indications of whether it makes sense for them to also digitize their currencies.

Beijing is typically cautious with financial innovations and so far hasnt committed to a timetable for formally issuing its digital currency. There is no sign the problems in Zhengzhou have altered the planning, but analysts said Beijing may be on a less hurried timetable to launch than suggested by its extensive testing.

The bar is extremely high. You have no margin for error with this kind of system," says Martin Chorzempa, research fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington. Its really a lot of unknowns here and thats why I think they want to be careful and not rush it out."

The Chinese central-bank official guiding the e-CNY project, Mu Changchun, told an online conference in March that the digital currency is designed in part as a backup to the WeChat and Alipay systems, which together handle 90% of mobile transactions in China.

If something bad happens to them, either financially or technically, that will definitely bring negative impacts on financial stability in China," Mr. Mu told the Bank for International Settlements conference in March.

It isnt clear how the digital-currency system could have functioned much better during the floods. The Peoples Bank of China has made it clear the e-CNY will require apps, including one of its own along with WeChat and Alipay. During the floods, financial regulators in Henan province issued emergency notices ordering banks to respond rapidly to customers affected by the inability to pay with mobile phonesin particular by making cash available. The digital yuan appears designed to one day replace physical money, though Chinas central bank said in its July report that cash will remain in circulation as long as people want to use it.

China says the digital currency has been tested in a range of circumstances, with some solutions designed for users who lack a mobile internet connection. But the offline capabilities appear designed for a relatively small subset of users, like less tech-savvy elderly people, not millions cut off by a natural disaster.

Mr. Chorzempa said making a digital currency work without an internet connection will be one of the knottier technical challenges of the e-CNY, since the system needs to ensure the same yuan isnt spent twice. A payment system keeps track of who has what at what moment," he says.

A widely touted benefit of a digital currency is the potential for authorities to quickly zip aid money to people affected by a natural disasterthough that too would presumably hinge on cell service.

To restore partial telecommunications service to the Zhengzhou area during the over four days it took to repair 62,000 flood-damaged mobile base stations, the government scrambled a squadron of Wing Loong-2H drones from Aviation Industry Corp. of China into the skies as airborne cellular relay stations. Authorities called it an emergency operation that required the drones to fly 750 miles, or four hours, to reach Zhengzhou, where they were able to connect fewer than 650 cellular users at a time, according to state media reports.

To secure herself shelter in the Zhengzhou hotel, Ms. Zhao found a workaround with the help of a stranger. Today, she says doesnt leave home without the cash she got back as her room deposit when she checked out.

Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter.
What is CRISPR?

CRISPR is a powerful tool for editing genomes, meaning it allows researchers to easily alter DNA sequences and modify gene function. It has many potential applications, including correcting genetic defects, treating and preventing the spread of diseases, and improving the growth and resilience of crops. However, despite its promise, the technology also raises ethical concerns.

In popular usage, "CRISPR" (pronounced "crisper") is shorthand for "CRISPR-Cas9." CRISPRs are specialized stretches of DNA , and the protein Cas9  where Cas stands for "CRISPR-associated"  is an enzyme that acts like a pair of molecular scissors, capable of cutting strands of DNA.

CRISPR technology was adapted from the natural defense mechanisms of bacteria and archaea, a domain of relatively simple single-celled microorganisms. These organisms use CRISPR-derived RNA , a molecular cousin to DNA, and various Cas proteins to foil attacks by viruses . To foil attacks, the organisms chop up the DNA of viruses and then stow bits of that DNA in their own genome, to be used as a weapon against the foreign invaders should those viruses attack again.

When the components of CRISPR are transferred into other, more complex, organisms, those components can then manipulate genes, a process called "gene editing." No one really knew what this process looked like until 2017, when a team of researchers led by Mikihiro Shibata of Kanazawa University in Japan and Hiroshi Nishimasu of the University of Tokyo showed, for the very first time, what it looks like when a CRISPR is in action, Live Science previously reported .

Related: Genetics by the numbers: 10 tantalizing tales

Key components of CRISPR

DNA is a double-stranded molecule whose "rungs" are made up of one of two base pairs: adenine paired with thymine or cytosine paired with guanine. (Image credit: Shutterstock)

CRISPRs: The term "CRISPR" stands for "clusters of regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats" and describes a region of DNA made up of short, repeated sequences with so-called "spacers" sandwiched between each repeat.

When we talk about repeats in the genetic code, we're talking about the ordering of rungs within the spiral ladder of a DNA molecule. Each rung contains two chemical bases bound together: A base called adenine (A) links up to another called thymine (T), and the base guanine (G) pairs with cytosine (C).

In a CRISPR region, these bases appear in the same order several times, and in these repeated segments, they form what's known as "palindromic" sequences, according to the Max Planck Institute . A palindrome, like the word "racecar," reads the same forward as it does backward; similarly, in a palindromic sequence, bases on one side of the DNA ladder match those on the opposing side when you read them in opposite directions.

For example, a super simple palindromic sequence might look like this:

Side 1 - GATC

Side 2 - CTAG

Short palindromic repeats appear throughout CRISPR regions of DNA, with each repeat bookended by "spacers." Bacteria swipe such spacers from viruses that have attacked them, meaning they incorporate a bit of viral DNA into their own genome. These spacers serve as a bank of memories, which enables the bacteria to recognize the viruses if they should ever attack again. You can also think of spacers like "Wanted" posters, providing a snapshot of the bad guys so they can be easily spotted and brought to justice.

Related: Going viral: 6 new findings about viruses

Rodolphe Barrangou and a team of researchers at Danisco, a food ingredients company, first demonstrated this process experimentally. In a 2007 paper published in the journal Science, the researchers used Streptococcus thermophilus bacteria, which are commonly found in yogurt and other dairy cultures, as their model, according to the Joint Genome Institute , part of the U.S. Department of Energy. They observed that after a viral attack, the bacteria incorporated new spacers into their CRISPR regions. Moreover, the DNA sequence of these spacers was identical to parts of the virus genome.

The team also manipulated the spacers by removing them and inserting new viral DNA sequences in their place. In this way, the researchers were able to alter the bacteria's resistance to an attack by a specific virus, confirming CRISPRs' role in regulating bacterial immunity.

CRISPR RNA (crRNA): CRISPR regions of DNA act as a kind of bank of viral memories; but for that stored information to be useful elsewhere in the cell, it must be copied, or "transcribed," into a different genetic molecule called RNA. Unlike DNA sequences, which remain lodged inside the DNA molecule, this CRISPR RNA (crRNA) can roam about the cell and team up with proteins  namely the molecular scissors that snip viruses to bits.

RNA also differs from DNA in that it's only one strand, rather than two, meaning it looks like just a half of a ladder. To build an RNA molecule, one part of the CRISPR acts as a template and proteins called polymerases swoop in to construct an RNA molecule that is "complementary" to that template, meaning the two strands' bases would fit together like puzzle pieces. For example, a G in the DNA molecule would get transcribed as a C in the RNA.

Each snippet of CRISPR RNA contains a copy of a repeat and a spacer from a CRISPR region of DNA, according to a 2014 review by Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier, published in the journal Science. The crRNA interacts with the Cas9 protein and another kind of RNA, called "trans-activating crRNA" or tracrRNA, in order to help bacteria fend off viruses.

Cas9: The Cas9 protein is an enzyme that cuts foreign DNA. The protein binds to crRNA and tracrRNA, which together guide Cas9 to a target site on the virus's DNA strand where the protein will make its cut. The target DNA that the Cas9 will cut through is complementary to a 20-nucleotide stretch of the crRNA, where a "nucleotide" is a building block of DNA that contains one base.

Using two separate regions or "domains" on its structure, Cas9 cuts both strands of the DNA double helix, making what is known as a "double-stranded break," according to the 2014 Science article.

There is a built-in safety mechanism that ensures that Cas9 doesn't just cut just anywhere in a genome. Short DNA sequences known as "protospacer adjacent motifs," or PAMs, serve as tags and sit adjacent to the target DNA sequence. If the Cas9 complex doesn't see a PAM next to its target DNA sequence, it won't cut. This is one possible reason that Cas9 doesn't ever attack the CRISPR region in bacteria, according to a 2014 review published in Nature Biotechnology .

How CRISPR works as a genome-editing tool

Here's a breakdown of how Crispr gene-editing works. (Image credit: ttsz via Getty Images)

Genomes encode a series of messages and instructions within their DNA sequences, and genome editing involves changing those sequences, thereby changing the messages they contain. This can be done by inserting a cut or break in the DNA and tricking a cell's natural DNA repair mechanisms into introducing the targeted changes. CRISPR-Cas9 provides a means to do so.

In 2012, two pivotal research papers were published in the journals Science and PNAS , describing how the bacterial CRISPR-Cas9 could be used to chop up any DNA, not just that of viruses. In this way, the natural CRISPR system could be transformed into a simple, programmable genome-editing tool.

To direct Cas9 to snip a specific region of DNA, scientists can simply change the sequence of the crRNA, which binds to a complementary sequence in the target DNA, the studies concluded.In the 2012 Science article, Martin Jinek and his colleagues further simplified the system by fusing crRNA and tracrRNA to create a single "guide RNA." Thus, genome editing requires only two components: a guide RNA and the Cas9 protein.

"Operationally, you design a stretch of 20 base pairs that match a gene that you want to edit," and from there, one can figure out what the complementary crRNA sequence would be, George Church, a professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School, told Live Science. Church emphasized the importance of making sure that the nucleotide sequence is found only in the target gene and nowhere else in the genome.

"Then the RNA plus the protein [Cas9] will cut  like a pair of scissors  the DNA at that site, and ideally nowhere else," Church explained. Once the DNA is cut, the cell's natural repair mechanisms kick in and work to piece the DNA back together, and at this point, edits can be made to the genome. There are two ways this can happen:

According to the Huntington's Outreach Project at Stanford University , one repair method involves gluing the two cuts back together. This method, known as "non-homologous end joining," tends to introduce errors where nucleotides are accidentally inserted or deleted, resulting in mutations that could disrupt a gene.

In the second method, the break is fixed by filling in the gap with a sequence of nucleotides. In order to do so, the cell uses a short strand of DNA as a template. Scientists can supply the DNA template of their choosing, thereby writing-in any gene they want, or correcting a mutation.

Who discovered CRISPR?

Researchers found first found the characteristic nucleotide repeats and spacers of Crisprs in the gut bacteria called E. Coli, shown here as a cluster in a scanning electron micrograph image. (Image credit: Callista Images/Getty Images)

Scientists originally discovered the CRISPRs in bacteria in 1987, but they didn't initially understand the biological significance of the DNA sequences, and they didn't yet call them "CRISPRs," according to Quanta Magazine . Yoshizumi Ishino and colleagues at Osaka University in Japan first found the characteristic nucleotide repeats and spacers in the gut microbe Escherichia coli , and as the technology for genetic analysis improved in the 1990s, other researchers found CRISPRs in many other microbes.

Francisco Mojica, a scientist at the University of Alicante in Spain, was the first to describe the distinct characteristics of CRISPRs and found the sequences in 20 different microbes, according to a 2016 report in the journal Cell. At one point, he dubbed the sequences "short regularly spaced repeats" (SRSRs), but he later suggested that they be called CRISPRs instead. The term CRISPR first appeared in a 2002 report , published in the journal Molecular Microbiology and authored by Ruud Jansen of Utrecht University, with whom Mojica had been in correspondence.

In the following years, scientists also discovered Cas genes and the function of Cas enzymes, and they figured out that the spacers in CRISPRs came from invasive viruses, Quanta reported.

Among these pioneering researchers was Jennifer Doudna, a professor of biochemistry, biophysics and structural biology at the University of California, Berkeley, who went on to share the 2020 Nobel Prize in chemistry with Emmanuelle Charpentier, director of the Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens. The two scientists are credited with adapting the bacterial CRISPR/Cas system into a handy gene-editing tool, Live Science previously reported.

Related: Nobel Prize in Chemistry: 1901-Present

Charpentier initially discovered tracrRNA while studying the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes, which causes a range of diseases from tonsillitis to sepsis. Having uncovered tracrRNA as a previously unknown component of the CRISPR/Cas system, Charpentier began collaborating with Doudna to recreate that system in a test tube. In 2012, the team published their seminal work in the journal Science, announcing that they'd successfully simplified the molecular scissors into a gene-editing tool.

Some thought that biochemist Feng Zhang of the Broad Institute might also earn the Nobel for his own, separate work with the CRISPR system, Science Magazine reported . Zhang demonstrated that the CRISPR system works in mammalian cells, and based on this work, the Broad Institute earned the first patent for the use of CRISPR gene-editing technology in eukaryotes , or complex cells with nuclei to hold their DNA.

How has CRISPR been used?

(Image credit: KEITH CHAMBERS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images)

In 2013, researchers in the labs of Church and Zhang published the first reports describing the use of CRISPR-Cas9 to edit human cells in an experimental setting. Studies conducted in lab dish and animal models of human disease have demonstrated that the technology can effectively correct genetic defects. Examples of such diseases include cystic fibrosis, cataracts and Fanconi anemia, according to a 2016 review article published in the journal Nature Biotechnology. These studies have paved the way for therapeutic applications in humans.

In the realm of medicine, CRISPR has been tested in early-stage clinical trials as cancer therapy and as a treatment for an inherited disorder that causes blindness. It's also been investigated as a strategy for preventing the spread of Lyme disease and malaria from viral vectors to people, and it's also been studied in animal models of HIV as a way to rid infected cells of the virus, Live Science previously reported . One research team in China attempted to treat a human patient's HIV using CRISPR, and while the treatment wasn't successful in curing the infection, the gene therapy also didn't cause any harmful effects, Live Science reported .

"I think the public perception of CRISPR is very focused on the idea of using gene editing clinically to cure disease," said Neville Sanjana of the New York Genome Center and an assistant professor of biology, neuroscience and physiology at New York University. "This is no doubt an exciting possibility, but this is only one small piece."

Related: 10 amazing things scientists just did with CRISPR

CRISPR technology has also been applied in the food and agricultural industries to engineer probiotic cultures and to vaccinate industrial cultures (yogurt, for example) against viruses. It is also being used in crops to improve yield, drought tolerance and nutritional properties.

One other potential application is to create gene drives , a genetic engineering technique that increases the chances of a particular trait passing on from parent to offspring; this kind of genetic engineering derives from a natural phenomenon, where specific versions of genes are more likely to be inherited. Eventually, over the course of generations, the trait spreads through entire populations, according to the Wyss Institute . Gene drives could be used for various applications, such as eradicating invasive species or reversing pesticide and herbicide resistance in crops, according to a 2014 report published in the journal Science .

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CRISPR-Cas9 system has been used to develop various diagnostic tests for the viral infection, BBC News reported .

In addition, CRISPR has recently been used in the following ways:

In April 2017, a team of researchers released research in the journal Science that they had programmed a CRISPR molecule to find strains of viruses, such as Zika, in blood serum, urine and saliva.

On Aug. 2, 2017, scientists revealed in the journal Nature that they had removed a heart disease defect in an embryo successfully using CRISPR.

On Jan. 2, 2018, researchers announced that they may be able to stop fungi and other problems that threaten chocolate production using CRISPR to make the plants more resistant to disease.

On April 16, 2018, researchers upgraded CRISPR to edit thousands of genes at once, according to research published by the journal BioNews.

However, despite its wide range of uses, the tool is not without its drawbacks.

"I think the biggest limitation of CRISPR is it is not a hundred percent efficient," Church told Live Science. That means, in a given experiment, CRISPR may successfully edit only a percentage of the targeted DNA. According to the 2014 Science article by Doudna and Charpentier, in a study conducted in rice, gene editing occurred in nearly 50% of the cells that received the Cas9-RNA complex. Meanwhile, other analyses have shown that depending on the target, editing efficiencies can reach as high as 80% or more.

The technology can also create "off-target effects" when DNA is cut at sites other than the intended target. This can lead to the introduction of unintended mutations. Furthermore, Church noted, even when the system cuts on target, there is a chance of not getting a precise edit. He called this "genome vandalism."

Potential risks and ethical concerns of using CRISPR

The many potential applications of CRISPR technology raise questions about the ethical merits and consequences of tampering with genomes. And in particular, a slew of ethical debates flared up in 2018 when He Jiankui, formerly a biophysicist at the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, announced that his team had edited DNA in human embryos and thus created the world's first gene-edited babies.

He was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison and fined 3 million yuan ($560,000) for practicing medicine without a license, violating Chinese regulations on human-assisted reproductive technology and fabricating ethical review documents, Live Science previously reported . But even after his sentencing, He's experiments raised questions about how the use of CRISPR should be regulated going forward, especially given that the technology is still fairly new.

Related: Here's what we know about CRISPR safety

Illegal experimentation in human embryos represents an extreme misuse of CRISPR, of course, but even seemingly ethical uses of the technology could carry risks, scientists say.

In general, making genetic modifications to human embryos and reproductive cells such as sperm and eggs is known as germline editing. Since changes to these cells can be passed on to subsequent generations, using CRISPR technology to make germline edits has raised a number of ethical concerns.

Variable efficacy, off-target effects and imprecise edits all pose safety risks. In addition, there is much that is still unknown to the scientific community. In a 2015 article published in Science, David Baltimore and a group of scientists, ethicists and legal experts note that germline editing raises the possibility of unintended consequences for future generations "because there are limits to our knowledge of human genetics, gene-environment interactions, and the pathways of disease (including the interplay between one disease and other conditions or diseases in the same patient)."

In the 2014 Science article, Oye and colleagues point to the potential ecological impact of using gene drives. An introduced trait could spread beyond the target population to other organisms through crossbreeding. Gene drives could also reduce the genetic diversity of the target population, potentially hampering its ability to survive.

Other ethical concerns are more nuanced. Should we make changes that could fundamentally affect future generations without having their consent? What if the use of germline editing veers from being a therapeutic tool to an enhancement tool for various human characteristics?

To address these concerns, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine put together a comprehensive report with guidelines and recommendations for genome editing.

Although the National Academies urge caution in pursuing germline editing, they emphasize "caution does not mean prohibition." They recommend that germline editing be done only on genes that lead to serious diseases and only when there are no other reasonable treatment alternatives. Among other criteria, they stress the need to collect data on the health risks and benefits and to maintain continuous oversight during clinical trials. They also recommend that, after a trial concludes, trial organizers should follow up with the participants' families for multiple generations to see what changes persist in the genome over time.

Additional resources

Watch this animation from TEDEd to learn how CRISPR lets scientists edit DNA.

to learn how CRISPR lets scientists edit DNA. Listen to Jennifer Doudna deliver her Nobel Lecture after winning the prize in 2020.

after winning the prize in 2020. Read about the ongoing battle over CRISPR patents in Science Magazine .

This article includes additional reporting by Alina Bradford, Live Science contributor.

Originally published on Live Science.
Early Tuesday morning (July 6), a bear attacked and killed a woman while she was camping in western Montana. Local authorities are still searching for the animal.

The attack took place near Ovando, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) northwest of the state capital Helena, according to KGVO News . A statement from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) noted that, prior to the attack, a video camera at a local business caught footage of the animal, which appeared to be a grizzly bear . Grizzlies are common to Ovando and the surrounding Blackfoot Valley, according to the statement.

As of late Wednesday (July 8), the bear had still not been found, The Washington Post reported. The camper has now been identified as Leah Davis Lokan, a 65-year-old resident of Chico, California, who was passing through the area on a long-distance biking trip. She was accompanied by her sister and a friend, who heard Lokan being attacked by the bear at about 3:30 a.m. local time and drove the animal away with bear spray. The bear initially passed by their campsite about a half-hour earlier, waking the campers and prompting them to secure their food before going back to bed.

"The bear basically came back into the campsite. It wandered into a campsite a couple different times," Powell County Sheriff Gavin Roselles told The Associated Press .

Based on an examination of the bear's footprints and the descriptions of its behavior, FWP determined the animal is likely male and weighs about 400 pounds (181 kilograms), the Post reported. DNA collected at the scene will be used to identify the bear should it get caught in one of the five traps the agency has set so far, according to The Daily Montanan . In addition, helicopters equipped with infrared sensors have already been deployed three times to search for the animal, the agency stated.

Once caught, the bear will be killed, making it the second grizzly to be killed by FWP this summer for fatally injuring a human, FWP official Greg Lemon told the Daily Montanan.

It's not clear why the bear sought out the campsite or attacked Lokan, but Tuesday's attack does not represent "normal bear behavior," Lemon said. "Usually, human and bear conflicts stem from bears protecting food, female bears protecting cubs or surprise encounters that result in the bear feeling threatened and attacking the person.  Going into a campground and attacking a person is not a natural instinct."

This is the second deadly bear attack to occur in the region in recent months. In April, backcountry guide Charles Mock sustained fatal injuries from a male grizzly outside West Yellowstone, The New York Times reported. After the April attack, FWP spokesperson Morgan Jacobsen told the Times that the likelihood of human-grizzly encounters will likely rise as the population of federally protected bears grows and the bears expand their territory. At the same time, the number of people living in the region continues to grow.

In general, conflicts between grizzlies and humans have increased in the Northern Rockies over the past 10 years, as the local bear populations have slowly recovered, according to The Associated Press. Ovando sits at the southern edge of the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem, where an estimated 1,000 grizzly bears live; in total, fewer than 1,500 grizzlies live in the U.S. south of Canada, according to the National Wildlife Federation . (About 31,000 live in Alaska.)

In the last 20 years, there have been about 20 incidents near the Continental Divide in which people required hospitalization after being injured by bears, the AP reported. And in the past 50 years, 11 fatal bear attacks have taken place in the region, making the occurrence fairly rare. Tuesday's attack counts among those 11, while the April attack took place in the nearby Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which hosts a separate population of bears, the Washington Post reported.

Originally published on Live Science.
Depiction of an execution during the Reign of Terror, at Place de la Revolution, now called Place de la Concorde, Paris.

The Reign of Terror, also called the Terror, was a period of state-sanctioned violence and mass executions during the French Revolution. Between Sept. 5, 1793, and July 27, 1794, France's revolutionary government ordered the arrest and execution of thousands of people. French lawyer and statesman Maximilien Robespierre led the Terror, which was caused in part by a rivalry between France's two leading political parties: the Jacobins and the Girondins.

What caused the Reign of Terror?

At the end of the French Revolution, a revolutionary government called the National Convention came into power and formed the first French Republic. The Convention found King Louis XVI guilty of treason in 1792 and beheaded him by guillotine in January 1793. Many areas of France  including Normandy and the city of Lyon  opposed the revolution and rebelled against the new government.

In March 1793, an armed revolt in the Vendee resulted in first several towns and eventually the entire region being captured by a counterrevolutionary army. After a bloody campaign, republic forces defeated the rebellion, resulting in around 200,000 deaths, New Republic reported.

A copperplate engraving of the execution of King Louis XVI on Jan. 21 1792. (Image credit: Public Domain / Georg Heinrich Sieveking)

On March 18, 1793, the French army lost the Battle of Neerwinden against a superior Austrian force, causing further opposition to the Convention's rule. "The new regime had to devise a new executive form to replace the monarchy," Peter McPhee, emeritus professor of history at the University of Melbourne in Australia, told All About History magazine.

Related: How many French revolutions were there?

"The critical military and political situation was felt to require an emergency executive," McPhee said. "In April 1793, the National Convention created a 12-man Committee of Public Safety, with the aim of taking the emergency measures necessary to save the revolution." According to McPhee, the Committee arrested alleged opponents of the revolution, who were then tried by revolutionary courts.

On Sept. 5, 1793, the Committee for Public Safety declared France "revolutionary until peace," according to Anne Sa'adah's book " The Shaping of Liberal Politics in Revolutionary France " (Princeton University Press, 2014). This meant that a state of emergency was in force and that the Committee was prepared to use violence against its own citizens to bring stability to France. This triggered what would become known as the Terror, or Reign of Terror.

When was the Reign of Terror?

On Sept. 17, 1793, the Convention passed the Law of Suspects in order to identify and punish any alleged enemies of the revolution. This law also created the Revolutionary Tribunal, which would try accused enemies of the state and execute them if found guilty, according to Ian Davidson's book " The French Revolution " (Pegasus Books, 2016).

The Storming of the Bastille painting by Jean-Pierre Houel. The prison was attacked on July 14, 1789, during the French Revolution. (Image credit: Wiki/ Bibliotheque nationale de France)

The Law of Suspects also authorized the arrest of anyone who "by their writings have shown themselves partisans of tyranny," according to Liberty Equality, and Fraternity: Exploring the French Revolution , a website run by George Mason University and City University of New York. This prevented any criticism of, or opposition to, the Convention.

On June 10, 1794, the Law of 22 Prairial was passed. It said that those accused of being "enemies of the revolution" were not allowed lawyers for their defense during trial, that there would be no interrogation or evidence presented against them, and that the only possible verdicts were acquittal or death, according to Mike Rapport's chapter in the book " The Routledge History of Terrorism " (Routledge, 2019).

Related: Palace of Versailles: Facts and History

"After June 10, in the six weeks remembered as 'The Great Terror,' 1,376 people were sentenced to death, averaging 30 daily beheadings," Rapport wrote. This continued until the dissolution of the Revolutionary Tribunal in 1795.

Who led the Reign of Terror?

When the Terror began, the most influential group in the Convention was called the Jacobins. The most prominent members of this group were Robespierre (1758-1794), Camille Desmoulins (1760-1794) and Georges Danton (1759-1794), according to McPhee.

"Like so many of his peers, Robespierre saw in the political upheaval of 1788-89 the opportunity to rectify the glaring injustices of absolutism and aristocratic privilege," McPhee said. "Only in July 1793, at the time of the Revolution's greatest crisis, did he enter government as an elected member of the governing Committee of Public Safety, and was widely seen as its key spokesman." Although he occupied no official role in the Committee, Robespierre was the most influential and vocal of its members.

Maximilien Robespierre was one of the main instigators of the Terror, and a leading politician in France's National Convention. (Image credit: Wiki/ Musee Carnavalet)

Victims of the Terror

Most of those arrested and executed during the early Terror were members of the aristocracy, priests, members of the middle class and anyone accused of counterrevolutionary activity, according to historian Sylvia Neely's book " A Concise History of the French Revolution " (Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2007).

One of the most famous victims of the Reign of Terror was Marie Antoinette , the deposed queen of France. She was tried by the Revolutionary Tribunal on Oct. 14, 1793, and executed two days later.

Some members of the revolutionary government were also killed during the Terror, including the Girondins, who were, at the time, the largest faction in the Convention. This group was more moderate than the Jacobins and had been sympathetic toward the monarchy. Some of its members had opposed the execution of Louis XVI.

A contemporary engraving depicting the execution of the Girondins by guillotine. (Image credit: Wiki/ Gallica)

In June 1793, a popular uprising of Parisian workers forced the Girondins from office, leaving the Jacobins as the majority in power. On Oct. 24, 1793, the most prominent Girondin members were put on trial and were executed by guillotine a week later at the Place de la Revolution in Paris.

The executioner took 36 minutes to behead 22 Girondin members, including the corpse of one who had already died by suicide at the trial, according to historian Simon Schama's book " Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution " (Vintage, 1990). A number of other Girondins were later tracked down and either died by suicide or were executed.

Related: What is a coup?

Estimates of the number of arrests during this period range from 300,000 to 500,000, but no one knows the exact number, according to Davidson. "It was certainly tens of thousands and may well have been hundreds of thousands," he wrote.



The number of those executed during the Terror is also uncertain. Official court records of those sentenced to death numbers 16,594, but 18,000 to 23,000 more may have been killed without trial or may have died while imprisoned, according to historian Hugh Gough's book " The Terror in the French Revolution " (Red Globe Press, 2010).

Opposition to the Terror

One of the most prominent opponents of the Reign of Terror was Georges Danton, an influential member of the Jacobins and Robespierre's political rival. By the fall of 1793, Danton argued that the instability threatening the revolution, which had justified the Terror, had ended.

In a speech to the Convention on Nov. 20, 1793, Danton called for an end to the killing. "I demand that we spare men's blood! Let the Convention be just to those who are not proven enemies of the people," he said, according to David Lawday's book " The Giant of the French Revolution: Danton, a Life " (Grove Press, 2010). Danton also co-edited a newspaper that criticized the Terror, the Convention and Robespierre.

French Jacobin politician Georges Danton (1759 - 1794) is led to the guillotine after being convicted of trying to overthrow the revolutionary government, April 5, 1794. (Image credit: Getty)

In March 1794, Danton and his allies were arrested on a range of charges, including attempting to save King Louis XVI, carrying out treacherous transactions with the Girondins and having secret friendships with foreigners.

No witnesses were allowed to give evidence at the trial, and on April 5, 1794, Danton was sentenced to death. As he was led to the guillotine, he reportedly turned to the executioner and said, "Show my head to the people; it is worth seeing," according to Neely.

How did the Reign of Terror end?

On July 26, 1794, Robespierre delivered a long speech denouncing several members of the Convention and claiming there was a conspiracy against the government, according to McPhee. "The rambling, emotional speech of almost two hours was vague to the point of incoherence because by then almost everyone was suspected of conspiring," McPhee wrote in his book " Robespierre: A Revolutionary Life " (Yale University Press, 2012).

When Robespierre refused to name any of the conspirators, the Convention turned against him, booing and shouting him down to prevent him from speaking. "He was silenced with cries of 'Down with him! Down with him!'" McPhee wrote. "Robespierre tried repeatedly to speak amid the general cacophony. Finally, he shouted: 'I ask for death.'"

Contemporary illustration depicting the execution of Robespierre and his accomplices, 1794. Robespierre is shown wearing brown in the cart to the left of the scaffold, holding a handkerchief to his face. (Image credit: Wiki/ Gallica)

The convention voted to arrest Robespierre and declared him and his allies outlaws. At around 2:30 a.m. the next morning, soldiers arrived to arrest the group, and during a struggle, Robespierre was shot in the jaw. Robespierre and his followers were executed on July 28, 1794.

"While most histories link the overthrow of Robespierre and his associates on July 27, 1794, with the end of the Terror, it is more accurate to see a continuing period of 'terror,'" McPhee said. This time, however, it was directed at the Jacobins and lasted until the abolition of the Revolutionary Tribunal on May 31, 1795. This period may have seen up to 6,000 extrajudicial revenge killings across the country, according to McPhee.

Additional resources

- " The French Revolution: A Very Short Introduction ," by William Doyle (Oxford University Press, 2001)

- " The Coming of the Terror in the French Revolution ," by Timothy Tackett (Harvard University Press, 2015)
Relationship with Alibaba Group logistics arm will extend beyond full truckload transport services in Spain to include use of the XPO Connect digital transport platform to enhance visibility, efficiency and sustainability

US-headquartered freight transport major XPO Logistics has announced the expansion of its relationship with Cainiao Network, the logistics arm of Alibaba Group.

XPO has provided Cainiao with full truckload transport services in Spain for the last two years, supporting the delivery of e-commerce parcels of AliExpress, the global marketplace of Alibaba Group. Under the new agreement, XPO will use its extensive experience with omnichannel supply chains to help Cainiao optimise its operations, utilising the XPO Connect digital transport platform to enhance visibility, efficiency and sustainability.

Massimo Marsili, managing director for Southern Europe and Morocco at XPO Logistics, said: Its a source of pride for our XPO team that Cainiao trusts us to provide critical transport services. Together, were supporting their sales growth and environmental objectives, in preparation for the fast-approaching peak season.

David Bu, general manager of Cainiao Network Europe, commented: Spain is one of Cainiaos key markets in Europe, and we are glad to have XPO as our key trucking network partner in the market. XPO has consistently demonstrated flexibility and a commitment to cutting-edge digital innovation. These qualities, together with their ability to deliver reliable truck capacity, provide us with great added value.

XPO Logistics is a leading provider of freight transport services, primarily truck brokerage and less-than-truckload (LTL) services in North America and Europe. The companys global network serves 50,000 shippers with 744 locations and approximately 40,000 employees, and is headquartered in Greenwich, Conn., USA.

Cainiao Network is a global industrial internet company and the logistics arm of Alibaba Group.
Click here to read the full article.

Its hard to be a messiah. Even before he recognizes that this is what he is, the young Paul Atreides of Denis Villeneuves Dune, played by Timothee Chalamet, lets the grief of expectation seep into his body, down to the drowsed slump of his shoulders and the toneless, contemplative wariness of his voice. The actors charm is kept in check; his latent vulnerabilities are in overdrive. Paul is the heir to House Atreides, whose fief is the oceanic planet of Caladan, a stony, rainy, tumultuous world, limited in its purview and power. An unusual home for a family said to descend from the ancient Greeks  but it sure helps to explain why everyone seems a little down in the dumps.

In another kind of movie, this quality would maybe seem less worthy of remark. A moody teen. So what? But Dune, as Villeneuve has ambitiously sought to tell it, is above all a story of empire, to which Chalamets performance lends an interesting texture, soft and uncertain amid the movies hardness. This is Villeneuve, after all. The conspicuous sense of design, the brutalism of its sets and sounds (the latter coming courtesy of Hans Zimmer), the overwhelming aesthetics: None of this should surprise us. Villeneuves Dune is a thick, loud, well-fed spectacle of a movie, towering over the people in it with a brooding sense of intention  even in its quieter moments, even when wrestling through the Herbert novels wide-ranging, learned, quirky mysticism.



But Dune is not just about the bone-rattling heft of its flying machines or its labyrinthine palace interiors or the intergalactic tangle of its imperial politics. Villeneuve must also wrestle with the wide-ranging and quirky mysticism of the Frank Herbert novel on which the movie is based: the Bene Gesserit witches and their strep-throat vocal manipulations; the Fremen warriors of Arrakis with their blue eyes and violent devotion to the land; the gigantic worms with their baleen-like mouths; the psychotropic desert crop called melange  a.k.a. the spice. I will never be able to un-hear Kyle Machlachan, in David Lynchs maligned 1984 adaptation, saying it this way, in a horny whisper that now plays like an early foray into ASMR: The spice. Theres an air of mystery to it when MacLachlan says it. Villeneuves take is, by contrast, far less weird. It takes seriously the challenge of adapting a seemingly unadaptable novel, and keeping all its big-picture implications in full view. It earns its distinction as a faithful adaptation  and proves a satisfying movie, too.

Heros journeys are satisfying by design. But Dune  both the novel and this adaptation  has more going on under the hood than its veneer of hero-myth rehashing would suggest. Chalamets Paul seems to carry the weight of an empire on his shoulders because, well, he does. Heavy weighs the promise of his fathers crown, and an eminent war that Paul senses he will have to fight. Paul is prone to visions of the future in his dreams. But one neednt have ESP to know that there will be a war between House Atreides and their foes, the monstrous House of Harkonnen. The Harkonnens longtime stronghold over the desert planet Arrakis  rich with that so-called spice, which happens to be essential to operating intergalactic machinery  has suddenly come to an end. This is a strategic play, apparently, the workings of an overarching empire thats pulling the strings, and it is meant to set these powerful houses at odds.

There in the middle stands Paul, next in succession for the dukeship of the House of Atreides behind his father Leto (Oscar Isaac). It cannot be coincidence that Paul, with his long coats and inward-looking sorrow, appears onscreen in a crucial moment like a cinematic successor to Caspar David Friedrichs Wanderer Above the Fog, a lone figure staring off into a void of clashing uncertainties. One gets the feeling, just from watching Paul and Leto interact, that no one is under the illusion that any particular reign will get a chance to outstay its welcome. Thats war-torn space imperialism for you. Letos father was a bullfighter. His reign was cut prematurely short by a bull that had the gall to fight back. So: a doomed legacy. It hangs over the wary Atreides clan with an undeniable sense of reality  literally. The head of that bull looms over the familys long-tabled dining quarters, watching over them as they enjoy the spoils of their power.

You could say the bull has been conquered, being a trophy now. Funny how it doesnt feel that way. To say Leto and Paul make for a reluctant line of hero-leaders would be an understatement. Villeneuve renders it overstatement. The movies flashy successes and curious lapses both, often enough, come down to this.

Technically, this Dune is just Part One of the saga. Villeneuves first wise move: splitting the novel in half. He told Vanity Fair that he would not commit to making the movie with Warner Bros. unless he could make it in two parts. He wasnt the first to notice that Herbert was simply doing too much to make sense of in the space of a typical metroplex feature. Alejandro Jodorowsky planned to turn Herberts epic into a 12-hour movie; Lynch compressed it (and/or had it compressed) into a Tangerine Dream-y two-hour saga. Villeneuve has struck something of a bargain between the two. This approach allows him to wind his way through the novels flummoxing heaps of exposition with stylish, procedural efficiency  every shot assured; every special effect made to feel special. Across Dunes many adaptations  including the SyFy TV series from 2000 and the unrealized could-have-beens by directors as varied as Jodorowsky, David Lean, and Ridley Scott  Villeneuves has most firmly cemented itself as a story about the geopolitical morass of war between, as Herbert put it, the polish of civilization and the native outliers, the keepers of the land.

Co-written by the director with Jon Spaihts and Eric Roth, the film leans into the storys clear blockbuster potential, trying where it can to be thoughtful about it. It is the kind of big-ticket, big-idea, big-cast epic the director has been working toward for some time now. It is a worthy attempt to carve out an intelligible path between Dunes opposing halves, with the through-line being Pauls displeasure at being trapped at the crossroads. On the one side, theres the mysticism, that Messianic fate Paul inherits from his Bene Gesserit witch-mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), which has begun to plague his dreams with visions of a young Fremen woman named Chani (Zendaya)  the stuff Lynchs Eighties rendition dove into with unintentionally campy verve. And in the other corner, theres the war-story mechanics, with all the big-budget trappings that come with them.

It all amounts to another chance for Villeneuve to lay out the most consistently impressive feat of his films: the design. From the towering, anonymous allure of the women of the Bene Gesserit, whose beanstalking strides through the film make us instinctively tilt back in our seats; to the vast and varied landscapes (the fog-misted home planet of the Atreides clan, the deadly Arrakis desert, and most especially the temples of the House of Harkonnen, so dark as to seem carved out of a vacuum of ink); to the straightforward excitement of watching giant things go boom. This is the kind of film in which the visual wizardry often has the material splendor of practical effects. Its irresistible on that front. The spice floats through the air like live sparks or miniature jewels, gleaming with mystery and importance. When ships get blown to bits, they crumble apart as if they were wrought from mere clumps of sand. When those sand worms emerge  and everyone who loves the Dune enterprise has something at stake in the movie getting these fearsome beasts right  their desert-cloud fury feels lifelike and ugly, their maws more terrifying for being revealed only sparingly.

But the new Dune has so invested itself in the storys monolithic power that the more down-to-earth ingredients at stake sometimes feel inert. The actual drama isnt as satisfying as the physical world Villeneuve and his collaborators have dreamed up to surround it. Take away the shock and awe of the movies accomplished world-building and his lively action set-pieces, and only a handful of scenes really work as scenes  which feels odd. For as human as it is, Dunes entire story plays out in the far-future, on alien planets, and is overstuffed with costumes and little twinges of detail suggesting that this worlds idea of normal is a far cry from our own. That uncanny power feels segmented from the rest of Villeneuves vision. With the exception of seeing Chalamet get high on the spice in one captivating set piece, its just not quite as convincing.

You cant blame the cast. Stellan Skarsgard as Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, Javier Bardem as the imposingly reticent Fremen leader Stilgar, Josh Brolin as the fantastically trigger-happy Gurney Halleck, and a broader supporting net of supporting players all try to strike the balance that the movie needs, with the war-mongering and spice-huffing and witchery all capably accounted for. David Dastmalchian and Dave Baustista star as the yin and yang of Harkonnens inner circle; Charlotte Rampling brings cruel knowingness to her role as the witchiest Bene Gesserit of them all. And a wonderful set of turns from Stephen McKinley Henderson, Chang Chen, and Babs Olusanmokun, none of whom needs much screen time to sear their characters into our minds, gives the movie a dash of soul. At times it can feel overflowing with showy performances. A bald and bloated Skarsgard really does emerge headfirst out of darkness into a spotlight, rubbing his dome pensively, looking wet and slippery and villainous as a demon seal  a moment out of the Brando playbook that looks stunning but feels obvious. (Brolin, by comparison, gets a lot more mileage out of a performance that verges on Rambo levels of reactionary violence.)

Two of the best turns offer a refreshing counterpoint to the occasional showing off. Theres Sharon Duncan-Brewster as a gender-reversed Dr. Liet-Kynes (played in the 1984 version by the estimable Max von Sydow), with the added benefit an enlarged role compared to the book. And theres Jason Momoa as the irrepressibly charismatic warrior-swordsman Duncan Idaho, whose caring concern for young Paul is the films most convincing emotional thread. If not for the consistent peculiarity and merit of certain actors  Henderson, Duncan-Brewster, Momoa, Bardem  itd be easy to forget what a strange universe Herbert has bestowed on us, flashy movie tricks be damned.

Why does this movie still work? Because its big and breathless and committed, so capably navigated in its finest moments that you cant help but give credit where its due. Its flaws cannot derail the most compelling mark in the movies favor: the pleasure of a big, somewhat silly blockbuster. In a healthier, more robust moment for big-tent Hollywood spectacles, Dune would maybe not feel like such a big deal. But it is a big deal, in its way. The kind of mainstream-visionary deal that Tenet, with its pandemic-marred release, didnt get to be; which Marvel and DC fare isnt quite designed to be (with a couple of exceptions); and which long-promised Avatar sequels 2 through 200 have yet to be.

There are directors who seem to want to make the 2001: A Space Odyssey of their era. No one has. But Villeneuve is unabashedly one such Star Child-aspiring director: a striving visionary whose canvas has grown ever bigger in what feels like a short span of time. If his sure-footed, leaping strides from Sicario to Arrival to Blade Runner 2046 werent enough proof of that, Dune most certainly is. Whats fun and flawed about this new Dune is that, like Blade Runner 2049 before it, it wears its aspiration to once-in-a-blue moon, auteur-anointing spectacle squarely on its sleeve. So it sometimes falls into the trap of an ambition so overwhelming, it eclipses any genuine glimpses of originality or dramatic imagination. The explosive set-pieces make the movie worth watching; Momoa and Chalamet palling around make the movie worth watching. When the movie whittles itself down to the totalizing, sublime power of a well-funded action spectacle, it hits its stride. Its in the grand opera of it all that it hits its boring stretches and false notes.

Ridley Scott  a journeyman director with a few indispensable movies, a handful of really good movies, and a number of whatever efforts that havent been bad enough to dim the auteur cred hes amassed over the years  came to mind each time I saw Dune. Scott was in fact mega-producer Dino De Laurentiis pick to helm a Dune adaptation before the project fell to David Lynch. At times, it feels like Villeneuve is evoking Scott directly, and not for the first time. Its there in his approach to the fortress on Arrakis, which calls to mind the futurist industrialism of Syd Meads Blade Runner landscape, only seen by day, with a lot more dust. And those wandering dead-wife daymares that punctuated Gladiator find their echo, here, in Pauls dreams of Chani, which at their most intriguing recall Afghan Girl, that omnipresent and unforgettable National Geographic cover of an Afghan woman whose green eyes nearly break the skin of the image. Villeneuve, like Scott in Gladiator, overuses the gesture. He comes back to it again and again, selling us on the idea that Paul is haunted (fair enough) while draining Chani of the very magnetism shes meant to impress upon us.

Maybe the lapses only stand out because of whats so accomplished about the movie otherwise. Dune has pretensions to being about something. Hear Chani say: They ravage our lands before our eyes. See, in slow, sculptural montage, the aforementioned ravaging. It is a deliberate choice. And much of what follows, the films stark desert images, its views of the Fremen and the cultural reality of invasive desert warfare that their faces and wary eyes knowingly evoke, are all equally deliberate. Whether Villenueves saga has anything truly of interest to say in that direction, whether its depiction of empire has a backbone of ideas worthy of such grandeur, remains to be seen.

Good thing, then, that well undoubtedly get to see the sequel. All this nodding toward the future means that the moral terrors underlying Part Ones visual wonders feel more outlined and gestured at than rigorous or real  for now. Much of what seems murky in this first chapter feels wrought in anticipation of the terrifying clarity we can expect of the sequel. The sorrows of young Atreides, so pervasive in this movie, may prove a useful aperture. We laugh nowadays at that line from Revenge of the Sith: You were the chosen one! But in effect, something similar seems to lurk ahead for Paul, whose visions have a good track record when it comes to bearing fruit. Given the substance of some of those visions, that makes for a rough prospect. Part One is good enough to make you want to stick around and see it  and to see if Villeneuve really does something with it. This movie reiterates an already-proven point: the guys got talent. It will be up to Part Two to show us how much further hes willing to ride it.

Buy: Stream 'Dune' On HBO Max at

Sign up for Rolling Stone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Click here to read the full article.

What will s new name be?

The social giant, amid one of the worst PR crises in its 17-year history, is expected to announce a new name before the end of the month, according to a report by tech-news site The Verge, citing an anonymous source.

Facebooks new name is supposed to reflect CEO Mark Zuckerbergs positioning of the company as moving beyond social media  into a developer of virtual metaverse experiences, per The Verge.

Zuckerberg plans to talk about the new name at the Facebook Connect conference on Oct. 28, but the new corporate name could be announced before then, according to The Verge report. Facebook is scheduled to report third-quarter earnings on Monday, Oct. 25, after the market closes.

On the companys Q2 earnings call in July, Zuckerberg sketched out his vision for the metaverse  an open, virtual environment where you can share experiences with other people  that will be the successor to todays mobile internet. He said it will be the ultimate expression of social technology and predicted that Facebook will be seen in the future as a metaverse company, not a social-media company.

Conveniently, a corporate name change would give Facebook the opportunity to introduce a new narrative about itself amid intense scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators about its alleged harms. Facebooks business practices have drawn an even bigger spotlight after recent accusations by an ex-employee whistleblower, who said the company has prioritized profits over safety (allegations that Zuckerberg has denied).

Such a corporate rebranding has happened before the tech space. Most notably, in 2015, Google adopted Alphabet as the name of the parent holding company. Similarly, Facebooks new corporate name would encompass its individual apps and business units, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Oculus.

Facebook declined to comment on The Verge report.

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Click here to read the full article.

In a bid to up their game in the Spanish and international arena, Barcelona-based companies Mediacrest and A Contracorriente Films have forged a strategic alliance that will have the latter distribute Mediacrest films and series as well as co-produce a selection of titles with the fast-growing producer.

Said Adolfo Blanco, CEO of A Contracorriente Films: For A Contracorriente, the deal is an opportunity to collaborate with a first-rate team and to be able to offer its clients and partners a number of films and series designed to reach the general public.

By participating in the genesis of the projects, we will be better able to tailor the right model for each of them, he added.

First out the gate is the adaptation of the 1945 Premio Nadal award-winning novel Nada by Carmen Laforet. The literary sensation is narrated by a young orphaned woman who leaves her small town to attend university in post-civil war Barcelona.

Led by Francisco Pou, Mediacrest, which also has offices in Madrid, recently joined forces with top arthouse distributor-producer Wanda Vision on filmmaker Gerardo Olivares docu-fiction project, Lonely Man.

In August, the fledgling company pacted with Chilean producer Maria Elena Wood on Mars-set dystopian series Humanity, which was presented at European TV industry event, Series Mania, in Lille, France. Two Mediacrest productions, Vida and A House on the Beach, have been awarded prizes from the Spanish Film Commission and Spanish pubcaster RTVEs streaming platform Playz at Septembers Pamplona-based industry event, Conecta Fiction.

A Contracorriente is the leading indie distributor in Spain, which also releases self-produced films such as The Distinguished Citizen, a Best Ibero-American film winner of Spains Goya and the Premios Platino in 2017, and Isabel Coixets The Bookstore, winner of three Goya awards in 2018. Since 2014, it has been the main shareholder of the Cines Conde Duque and Verdi exhibition circuits.

At the San Sebastian Film Festival last September, A Contracorriente Films unveiled a new development fund for film and TV projects in tandem with Johnny Depps London-based upstart, IN.2 Films.

In June, the Barcelona-based private investment fund Suma Capital took a 40% stake, estimated at about 15 million ($17.9 million), in A Contracorriente Films, designed to bolster the distributors movie acquisition capacity and make it one of Europes top indie distribution companies.

Founded in Barcelona in 2009, A Contracorriente handles an extensive catalog of more than 1,500 movie and TV series titles, sold across all platforms, including cinemas, pay and free-to-air TV channels and VOD.

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Click here to read the full article.

Chiles Santiago International Film Festival (Sanfic) has unveiled the full list of series projects set to pitch at its upcoming Sanfic Series sidebar, running under the festivals Sanfic Industria banner Oct. 27-Nov. 5.

Receiving these fiction series projects from all the countries of the Southern Cone has been extremely gratifying and demonstrates the potential of the region in terms of creative avant-garde. Our role at Series Lab is to create a bridge to channel that potential and bring it closer to the industry, said Alejandra Marano, Sanfic Series coordinator and Lab mentor.

In addition to the six featured projects, two other series  Paula Parras Allende PUM and Sofia Corsos Fugitivas  have also been invited to participate at the Sanfic Series workshops.

2021 SANFIC SERIES PARTICIPANTS

The Rise of Elisa Lynch Dir: TBC

Set near the end of the 19th century, The Rise of Elisa Lynch is conceived as a limited series about the arrival and ascension of its titular protagonist, a high society woman who leaves Paris in favor of Paraguay, where her political ambitions are hampered by public perception of the lady as a scandalous temptress, unwilling to wed. Eventually, her personality and electric charisma win out though, and she becomes a hero of the lower class, introducing new ideas of culture, education and diplomacy to the people, much to the chagrin of the regions upper class. Award-winning actress, producer and soon-to-be director Maia Nikiphoroff produces.

Passing-Through Stories Dir: Alfonso Lourido

Carajito Films, also participating at Santiago Lab with its feature project Reaching for the Moon, presents this anthology series of stories about travelers passing through rural parts of Latin America. Each episode will tell a self-contained story featuring elements of horror, science fiction, fantasy and humor. The subject matter, half-hour episode length and genre cinema visual cues planned for the show make it ideal for global platforms and younger audiences, according to the series producers. Our proposal is the reformulation of a genre that until very recently was almost exclusively proprietary to North American productions. We will inject Latinidad and Ibero-American customs into the genre, says director Lourido.

Frankie Dir: Rodrigo Susarte

Frankie was a fit, handsome Latino actor stuck working on B-movies where he is best known for his physical elasticity and impressive figure. Hoping to finally break through into more serious, blockbuster fare, he writes a movie for himself to star, loaded with dangerous action sequences. One such sequence goes bad, leaving the actor disfigured and dismayed, thinking his career is finished without his face. However, his agent lands him a role in a popular dark comedy, and he becomes an overnight global hit. Success has its own perils, however, and the most important relationships in his personal life suffer their own disfigurement.

My Queen Dir: Marlene Grinberg

A Buenos Aires Film Commission Incubator winner, My Queen is described by its producers, Cruz del Sur Cine and Far Away Cine, as a grotesque dramatic comedy about Mothers, Children, Sex and Judaism. After the loss of the familys patriarch and her husband, Ruth and her adult children are finally, slowly, recovering as life returns to an uncomfortable normal in their middle-class suburb. When a salacious scandal rips through the family, each member retreats to former unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Rio Tercero Dir: Martin Mauregui

On Nov. 3, 1995, an explosion rocked through a key chemical and weapons facility operated by the Argentine government in the city of Rio Tercero, Cordoba. Seven people died and more than 300 were injured. The official party line, delivered by President Carlos Menem himself, is that the explosion was caused by an accident. In this series, based on those events, Ana and Gaviglio are unconvinced and launch an investigation into the truth behind the explosion, finding evidence that it was caused intentionally by the government to cover up illegal arms sales from Argentina to Croatia and Ecuador. Alejandro Israels Ajimolido Films produces. Pablo Trapero co-scribe Mauregui (Lions Den) is set to direct.

Families Dir: Diego Fierro-Lablee

Described generally as a dark comedy police thriller but in truth a far more avant-garde proposal, Families takes a cynical look behind the curtain of influencer culture. In the show, the Kaufmanns are a well-known TV family, stars of one of the most popular reality shows on TV. The familys shiny public veneer is ruined however, when during their shows Christmas special one of them receives a gift from an anonymous source which unveils a dark secret from their collective past. BlandKrause Studios, a company with extensive experience producing short films and advertisements in the U.S. and Chile, produces.

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Click here to read the full article.

Trumps immigration policy was unfathomably cruel. It was just as unfathomably stupid.

The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Stephen Miller, Trumps unfathomably racist immigration guru, pressed the Department of Homeland Security to provide an estimate of the number of troops it would take to shut down and secure the entire southern border in order to prevent migrants from carrying disease into the United States as the coronavirus was spreading last March.

The number turned out to be 250,000, more than half of the entire U.S. Army.

The idea was taken seriously enough that it was being discussed among top U.S. military command, prompting then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper to blow a gasket, reportedly. He squashed the idea after a brief but contentious showdown with Miller at the Oval Office. The potential plan to send a quarter of a million troops to the border was discussed in meeting at the White House, but according to the Times, never formally presented to Trump.

Trump had his own ideas, though.

Months earlier, the former president tweeted that it was time to wage WAR on the drug cartels and wipe them off the face of the Earth after nine Americans were killed by the cartels in Mexico. He wasnt kidding. According to the Times, Trump repeatedly asked about sending troops into Mexico to hunt down the cartels, with some inside the White House worrying he wanted to do so unilaterally, without the permission of Mexico.

Trumps insistence that troops be sent into Mexico persisted until around the time Miller was pushing for 250,000 troops to be deployed to the border. Trump was eventually talked out of literally invading Mexico after aides rightly informed him that it would look like the United States was going to war with one of its closest allies.

Miller and Trump didnt see their ideas come to fruition, but they were able to finagle a consolation prize. In March, the administration implemented Title 42, a public-health provision that allowed them to essentially shut down the border to asylum-seekers. The provision is based on the idea that migrants posed a unique public-health risk during as the U.S. tried to tamp down the pandemic.

The idea that refugees would exacerbate the pandemic any more than, say, tens of millions of Americans refusing to get vaccinated has been roundly debunked by public-health experts. Nevertheless, the Biden administration has repeatedly defended the policy, and last month used it to deport thousands of Haitians refugees waiting to apply for asylum at the border.
Click here to read the full article.

The premiere of Rons Gone Wrong, 20th Century Studios and Locksmith Animations animated sci-fi film, took place at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood on Tuesday night. Directed by Sarah Smith, the family movie follows socially awkward seventh grader Barney Pudowski (Jack Dylan Grazer) who receives robot Ron (Zach Galifianakis) for his birthday.

In the films futuristic setting, owning a B*Bot is a status symbol among Barneys classmates and the lonely boy is hoping that acquiring a robotic companion of his own will help his efforts to fit in. Though Barney is initially dismayed when his knockoff B*Bot begins to malfunction, a true friendship eventually blossoms between the pair.

During an era in which the issue couldnt seem timelier, Rons Gone Wrong delves into the topic of social media and its effects on its young characters, who are largely defined by their online presence. With the recent revelations that social media giant Facebook was aware that its platform can have negative effects on children and the pause of Instagram Kids, the film is debuting amid an ongoing examination of social medias impact on peoples lives.

Galifianakis told Variety, I think the fact that we have to ask these questions means we dont really know.

He continued, There just havent been enough laws. I think. Not that Im a social critic. But my friends have told me that theyve been in Twitter battles with people and then they realize that they are robots. The whole principle of it doesnt have a lot of validity.

Galifianakis also said that he questions the effect of other modern forms of communication. Even the way that we communicate through texting, even that, and this is going to sound really weird and like Im an old fogey, but there is no sarcastic font.

You interpret what youre reading. You dont hear my voice. I have to call people because texting to me is archaic. Even that has shifted us in a weird way in our communication. There really has been this powered shift and I think we need to be more alert to it.

Though the release of Rons Gone Wrong seems fortuitously timed, the film has been in the works since 2017. Grazer told Variety, It feels like its all paid off. Ive spent a big chunk of my life working on this.

He added, This movie capitalizes on a lot of the issues that I think the youth is facing in regards to social media like feeling insecure and theres a lot of judgment on social media. This movie is really about finding your own and finding the importance and the value of true friendship.

Kylie Cantrall, who voices popular teen influencer Savannah Meades said, Its just finding the delicate balance of not letting it take over your life and knowing who you are and not comparing yourself to other people that you see online.

When asked how he felt about attending a big Hollywood premiere again, Galifianakis said, Im going to be honest with you, I didnt really get into this business for all the red carpet stuff. But its exciting. Its nice to see people out and about. It really is. This is the most people Ive seen in many, many months.

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
On Monday, a large portion of discussion during the city council meeting revolved around the downtown area as proposals for a new convention center were in a tug-of-war between where it would potentially be located. This resulted in plans for a public workshop in approximately 30 days covering the multiple aspects of a downtown convention center and/or its placement elsewhere.

Additionally, as the councilmembers are working to improve downtown, a downtown management district was discussed and saw six members appointed to the board. However, the appointments were made after a councilmember asked several questions regarding transparency and representation.

More Information See More Collapse

Jose Ceballos of the Laredo Housing Authority said that after multiple studies, the choice to build a convention center downtown was always clear. A site analysis showed the downtown site would be the best location for a potential center to fill its true potential.

The initial topic regarding the proposed convention center focused on the viability of it being located in the downtown district. It followed members of the public like LISD board president Hector J. Garcia, who believes the best location would be downtown.

Reasons behind the downtown recommendation were the foot traffic, its historical landmarks, the value the multiple bars and outlet shops have added to the area, and the overall need for investment to help it flourish.

In regards to the downtown investment angle, all of the councilmembers agreed the district needs more attention and investment. Equally, it is believed all councilmembers are in favor of building a convention center for the city rivaling and possibly competing with cities for conventions like San Antonio, Austin and Dallas in the future.

However, one of the key disagreements came from District V Councilmember Ruben Gutierrez, who said  and clarified that it is only part of the discussion  the issue with downtown is the infrastructure and parking in the area.

With the vision of having a large convention center bringing in 1,500-2,000 visitors, how would traffic be handled during conventions and where could these potential visitors park? These questions and more are slated to be discussed during a workshop, but Gutierrez brought up that the cost to widen the downtown streets would be an additional expense still to be determined by the city.

Furthermore, Gutierrez said that after discussion with developers  who may help in the financing of the project  he believes placing a convention center near the arena would fit the needs of the community and would circumvent the issues he raised around the downtown district.

Between Mayor Pete Saenz and Gutierrez, the idea of having two convention centers was shared  with one possibly in the downtown district and the other in another proposed area around the city. This idea was said to be wasteful spending by District IV councilmember Alberto Torres, who said it is vital the city invests in downtown before any other investment and that all other members should show the same enthusiasm for this project as they did for Bridges 4 and 5.

Torres added that the parking issue could possibly be solved by additional discussion with PNC Bank, which three years ago was BBVA and had offered to sell their downtown parking structure to the city.

Despite the long discussion taking up most of the meeting, a key point in the convention center discussion was funding.

As District VI Councilmember Dr. Marte Martinez said and District VIII Councilmember Alyssa Cigarroa referenced, the community in District VI voted against a downtown conference center due to either its tax funding mechanism or the downtown location in general. While the motives of District VI voters are unclear, he believes any tax increase will be rejected by the public, and it may take a private and public partnership to get the project going.

Meanwhile, District III Councilmember Mercurio Martinez offered up his thoughts on the project and questioned who the convention center was for and where would it best benefit that key demographic. He asked if the convention center was meant to attract tourists or its own communities.

As tourists, it may be ideal to construct the conference center in the downtown district to complement the historical aspects of Laredo, he said. But if it is meant to be a community commodity looking to invite weddings, quinceaneraras and other local soirees, a centralized area like the Jacaman/Loop 20 area may be a better fitted location.

Ultimately, the questions will remain until the discussed workshop takes place. There, members of the community, stakeholders and city officials can delve deeper into specific issues and data that can help figure out the best location, funding mechanism and benefits for the entirety of the community.

Other public comments spoke out in favor of a downtown location, saying it could not only be a large investment to the area, but branch out into improving the downtown experience. This includes improvements to the walkability of the district and some aesthetic improvements.

After the convention center discussion, the council moved on to talk about a downtown management district that was presented as a way to create outreach among downtown residents and business owners.

However, Martinez brought up a concern during the council vote of appointing six members to the nine-member committee. With the move to appoint them, he asked if all business owners in the district had been notified in case they would like to join the board.

He added that in not doing so, it would not give them a chance to voice their opinions and under represent those who would be affected by the decision made by those appointed. He was told the meetings would be publicly held and anyone can attend, but the initial focus was to bring in downtown property owners, not residents or business owners into the management district.

Martinez wasnt alone, as District II Councilmember Vidal Rodriguez said fair representation means involvement from property owners, business owners, business workers and residents.

Regardless, a motion to vote was passed, which saw six members approved, leaving three open positions for new members to apply. Cigarroa said the Monday vote would allow the management district to start working and preparing the new district sooner rather than later.

cocampo@lmtonline.com
SCRANTON, Pa. (AP)  In an abrupt change, the White House on Wednesday floated new plans to pay for parts of President Joe Bidens $2 trillion social services and climate change package, shelving a proposed big increase in corporate tax rates though also adding a new billionaires' tax on the investment gains of the very richest Americans.

The reversal came as Biden returned to his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, to highlight the middle class values he says are at the heart of the package that Democrats are racing to finish. Biden faces resistance from key holdouts, including Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., who has not been on board with her party's plan to undo Trump-era tax breaks to help pay for it.

This has been declared dead on arrival from the moment I introduced it, but I think were going to surprise them, because I think people are beginning to figure out whats at stake, Biden said in a speech at Scrantons Electric City Trolley Museum, his first visit home since becoming president.

Negotiations between the White House and Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill are underway on what's now a scaled-back package but would still be an unprecedented federal effort to expand social services for millions and confront the rising threat of climate change. It's coupled with a separate $1 trillion bill to update roads and bridges.

Biden and his Democratic Party have given themselves a deadline to seal agreement after laboring to bridge his once-sweeping $3.5 trillion vision preferred by progressives with a more limited focus that can win over party centrists. He has no Democratic votes to spare for passage in the closely divided Congress, and leaders want agreement by weeks end.

The newly proposed tax provisions, though, are likely to sour progressives and even some moderate Democrats who have long campaigned on undoing the 2017 GOP tax cuts that many believe unduly reward the wealthy, costing the federal government untold sums in lost revenue at a time of gaping income inequality.

Administration officials spoke with congressional leaders on the tax alternatives, according to a person familiar with the private talks and granted anonymity to discuss them. The changes may be needed to win over Sinema, who had objected to plans to raise the rates on corporations and wealthy individuals earning more than $400,000 a year, said the person and several others.

As it stands, the corporate tax rate is 21%, and Democrats want to lift it to 26.5% for companies earning more than $5 million a year. The top individual income tax rate would rise from 37% to 39.6% for those earning more than $400,000, or $450,000 for married couples.

Under the changes being floated that 21% corporate rate would stay the same.

However, the revisions wouldn't be all positive for big companies and the wealthy. The White House is reviving the idea of a minimum corporate tax rate, similar to the 15% rate Biden had proposed earlier this year. That's even for companies that say they had no taxable income  a frequent target of Biden who complains that they pay zero in taxes.

And there could be a new billionaires tax, modeled on legislation from Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the chairman of the Finance Committee, who has proposed taxing stock gains of those with more than $1 billion in assets  fewer than 1,000 Americans.

Sinema has not publicly stated her position, and her office did not respond to a request for comment.

Another key Democrat, conservative Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, has said he prefers a 25% corporate rate. He has been withholding his support for the bill with additional objections to its provisions on climate change and social services.

On the call with the administration and the White House, Wyden said he stressed the importance of putting an end to Americas two tax codes, and finally showing working people in this country that the wealthiest Americans are going to pay taxes just like they do.

The possible shift comes as Democrats appear to have made progress uniting themselves, ready to abandon what had been a loftier package in favor of a smaller, more workable proposal the party can unite around

In the mix: At least $500 billion to battle climate change, $350 billion for child care subsidies and free pre-kindergarten, a new federal program for at least four weeks of paid family leave, a one-year extension of the $300 monthly child tax credit put in place during the COVID-19 crisis, and funding for health care provided through the Affordable Care Act and Medicare.

Likely to be eliminated or shaved back: plans for tuition-free community college, a path to permanent legal status for certain immigrants in the U.S. and a clean energy plan that was the centerpiece of Bidens strategy for fighting climate change.

Nothing is decided until everything is decided, said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus after a morning meeting of House Democrats. Were just trying to get it done.

Democrats are growing anxious they have little to show voters despite their campaign promises and have had trouble explaining what they're trying to do with the massive package, made up of so many different proposals.

It's a tall order that was leading to an all-out push Wednesday to answer the question  Whats in the damn bill?  as a press release from Sen. Bernie Sanders, the independent from Vermont, put it.

The president especially wants to advance his signature domestic package to bolster federal social services and address climate change by the time he departs for a global climate summit next week.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., a progressive caucus member, said, "He really believes American leadership, American prestige is on the line.

Manchin has made clear he opposes the president's initial energy plan, which was to have the government impose penalties on electric utilities that fail to meet clean energy benchmarks and provide financial rewards to those that do.

Instead, Biden is focused on providing at least $500 billion in tax credits, grants and loans for energy producers that reach emission-reduction goals.

On other fronts, to preserve Bidens initial sweep, Democrats are moving to retain many of the programs but trim their duration to shave costs.

Biden wants to extend the $300 monthly child tax credit that was put in place during the COVID-19 crisis for another year, rather than allow it to expire in December, but not as long as Democrats wanted.

What had been envisioned as a months-long federal paid family leave program could be shrunk to as few as four weeks  an effort to at least start the program rather than eliminate it.

Biden also wants to ensure funding for health care programs, including for home- and community-based health care services, supporting a move away from widespread nursing home care.

And a new program to provide dental, vision and hearing aid benefits to people on Medicare proposed by Sanders, is likely to remain in some fashion.

Biden has told lawmakers that after his top priorities there would be $300 billion remaining.

That could lower the overall price tag or be used for other programs.

___

Associated Press writers Kevin Freking and Josh Boak contributed to this report.
The National Merit Scholarship Program has recognized Hector J. Garcia Early College High School seniors Samantha Medina Pow and Ken Yaguchi.

Medina Pow and Yaguchi have been named Commended Students by the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Medina Pow and Yaguchi are among 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation being recognized for their exceptional academic prowess demonstrated by their outstanding performance on the qualifying test used for the program. Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2022 competition by taking the 2020 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

This makes the hours I spent studying for the Scholastic Aptitude Test worth it. Every weekend for the entirety of the junior year, I dedicated several hours of the day completing a practice PSAT to study, Medina Pow said. This award validated all the time and effort that I spent trying to get it.

It genuinely hit me out of nowhere, said Yaguchi. Being selected as a commended student caught me by surprise, but its certainly a welcome one.

Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success, commented a spokesperson for NMSC. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.

Medina Pow and Yaguchi were presented a Letter of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which conducts the program, by Garcia Early College High School Principal Margarita Taboada.

I feel an immense honor to have received this recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Program, added Medina Pow. This recognition is a wonderful addition to my resume I will try to use it to help me get an edge while applying for scholarships.

I know for sure that this recognition is something that could largely benefit my portfolio of achievements, Yaguchi said. I do believe that this will help me in the long run when looking for people to write my recommendation letters.

Medina Pow plans on attending her dream school, Brown University. She plans on majoring in Cognitive Sciences and wants to go into research or social work and become a professor.

Medina Pow is third in her class. She also attended TAMIU and has 40 college hours. She is class president and a member of UIL Literary Criticism, UIL Ready Writing and newspaper club.

Yaguchi, who plans on attending MIT or The University of Texas while majoring in computer engineering or mechanical engineering, wants to become a full-stack programmer for a tech firm or a computer solutions architect. Yaguchi is in the Top 6 of his class. He also attends TAMIU and has 30 credit hours.

Yaguchi is currently a member of Spanish Honor Society, UIL Literary Criticism, UIL Science, and is a team leader in the Robotics Club. He was the 2019-20 and 2020-21 LISD Regional Science Fair Champion and was selected to represent Laredo as an ISEF Finalist in then 2021 Virtual Regeneron International Science Fair.
A Zapata County resident has been sentenced to federal prison for a human smuggling attempt reported near San Ygnacio in April.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo sentenced Larry James Boatright, 60, to 12 months and one day in prison followed by a three-year supervised release. He had pleaded guilty on July 1 to conspiracy to transport migrants within the United States.
Texas Republicans want to use billions in federal pandemic relief to send checks to homeowners just ahead of next years November elections  and call it property tax relief.

House lawmakers are pushing a proposal that would put $525 checks in the mailboxes of some 5.7 million homeowners who claim a homestead exemption  by tapping $3 billion sent to the state under the federal American Rescue Plan Act, the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill aimed at pandemic relief.

Senate Bill 1, which passed out of the House on Friday afternoon, is a roundabout way for Republican legislators to deliver on a longtime pet issue  property tax relief  without running afoul of a federal rule barring the use of stimulus dollars for tax cuts.

The bill originally came over from the Senate as a straight-up tax cut bill. House lawmakers gutted the Senate proposal to use it as a vehicle for the $3 billion in checks for homeowners. Now, lawmakers in both chambers will have to work out a compromise.

House lawmakers have justified the use of federal relief money, saying their plan addresses negative economic impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic including assistance to households.

Not all households would benefit. Excluded from that relief are renters, who make up more than a third of Texans.

Heres the problem: A third of Texans dont own their property, state Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, said during debate on the House floor. So none of this $3 billion would go to the one-third of Texans who rent. Not a penny.

Republicans argued that renters have already been taken care of because Texas has already received $2 billion in federal stimulus money for rent relief, state Rep. Jim Murphy, R-Houston, said.

I think everyone has been hit hard by the pandemic, Mr. Wu, said state Rep. Morgan Meyer, a Dallas Republican who carried the bill in the House. Everyone.

The checks would arrive no later than Sept. 1  about a month before voters head to the polls next year for early voting in the November midterm elections. Dick Lavine, senior fiscal analyst with the liberal-leaning Every Texan, blasted the proposal as a transparent political ploy.

Theyll have to print the check on legal size paper to fit the signatures of all the people who want to take credit for it, Lavine said.

Republicans tried to head off criticism that the checks would be politically timed.

The bill previously gave Comptroller Glenn Hegar until July 1 to identify property owners eligible to receive the money. Meyer amended the bill to move that date up to May 1, possibly allowing homeowners to get paid sooner.

The House proposal is significantly different from a $2 billion tax cut proposal that sailed through the state Senate last month intended to take about $200 off of an average Texas homeowners tax bill.

That measure  authored by state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, a Houston Republican and Lt. Gov. Dan Patricks point person on property taxes  would use $2 billion in state surplus funds to buy down public education funding normally collected by school property taxes, which make up most of a homeowners tax bill.

A homeowner whose property is worth $300,000, the median value of a Texas home, would see $200 in temporary tax relief under the Senate proposal  though that could grow depending on how much the Texas economy grows by next June.

Bettencourt did not respond to a request for comment.

Republicans are under pressure from the partys right wing to tackle the states high property tax burden in one way or another.

Gov. Greg Abbott added property tax relief to the third special session agenda in September  after primary challenger Don Huffines, a former state senator, blasted Abbott for initially leaving it off the table. Abbott had included it in previous sessions this year, but nothing passed.

Patrick, meanwhile, called legislation cutting property taxes his top priority for this special session, which has a packed agenda that includes figuring out how to spend $16 billion in federal coronavirus relief dollars and redrawing the states political maps.
Lockport, NY (14094)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low around 30F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low around 30F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.
The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks!

Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics.

The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc.

The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics.

The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates.

Access to college recruiters and advisors  its harder to line up higher education.

Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family.

Vote

View Results
A Longford publican has warned of an awful lot more casualties facing the county's licensed trade amid heightening fears government bosses will postpone the further easing of restrictions this week.

John Duignan, proprietor of Longford town's Tally-Ho bar, issued the sobering prognosis in the wake of figures released over the weekend that showed Longford is the county with the lowest number of pubs nationwide.

The figures, circulated by Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) and Licenced Vintners Association (LVA), showed how the ongoing fallout from Covid-19 had brought with it a total of seven pub closures from January 2020 to September 2021.

Mr Duignan, while keen to stress his comments were being made from a personal standpoint and not on behalf of Longford Vitners Association, said the crisis affecting the county's pubs industry had never been as grave.

The issues we are facing are unprecedented, we have never dealt with issues like we are facing now, this is too serious and there are so many different opinions, he said.

A large proportion of those issues, alluded to by the Longford publican, have come as a result of a gradual rise in confirmed cases of Covid-19.

Over the past seven days, National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) officials have routinely reported daily case numbers reaching in the region of 2,000.

To add to those anxieties, Longford last week recorded the country's highest 14-day incidence rate of Covid-19 courtesy of 181 cases over a seven day period and a total of 302 over the last fortnight.

Mr Duignan said the rise in case numbers allied to a simmering disquiet among the wider public had led to a sharp fall-off in footfall.

I would have expected the numbers (of pub closures) would have been even higher, he said.

Things are not great, business is not good. Two weeks ago we thought we were on the way back but over the past two weeks things have taken a dramatic turn for the worse.

It's the number of cases, people are still not confident enough to go out, it's a major problem.

Mr Duignan revealed a scarcity of taxis had only served to compound the situation, stressing the onus was now on consumers to come to the aid of hard-pressed publicans and retailers alike.

We are still in a better place than we were last year, but we would be encouraging people to come back and to support those businesses that have adhered to the restrictions, he added.

Mr Duignan insisted those rallying cries were not made impudently or with a view towards grabbing headlines, but rather as a last ditch attempt to aid those businesses that cannot wait for a Christmas rush to save themselves from financial extinction.
A Longford man has been handed a suspended prison sentence for engaging in a street fight outside the door of the towns courthouse with a rivalling family.

Shane McDonnell (24), 34 College Park, Longford pleaded guilty at a recent sitting of Longford District Court to violent disorder along with five other individuals on May 7, 2019.

Sgt Enda Daly, for the State, said the incident arose after Mr McDonnell himself had appeared in court the same day.

He said upon Mr McDonnells exit from court, an altercation broke out when members from another family approached the Longford mans parents.

A dispute arose and the parties started to fight, said Sgt Daly.

The defendant could be seen on CCTV footage running to other members of the family and throwing a number of punches and engaging in violent conduct.

The court heard no injuries or statements of complaint were submitted to gardai, but because the incident was captured on CCTV, charges were handed down to those involved.

Sgt Daly added Mr McDonnell had 24 previous convictions, the most recent being recorded in Tallaght District Court in March.

On that occasion, presiding Judge Marie Keane was told, that Mr McDonnell has been given 120 hours of community service for criminal damage.

Defending solicitor Brid Mimnagh said despite Mr McDonnells previous transgressions, he was a man who was very much intent on making a lasting contribution to society.

He had come down to Longford and was homeless at the time, she said.

He now has a wife and two children and he is living in hotel accommodation in Dublin and since this incident in 2021 he has been in no trouble at all.

Ms Mimnagh said Mr McDonnells parents, who were also charged, pleaded guilty and received a monetary fine for their involvement in the row.

Three other co-accused, she added, had since opted to take their case before Judge Keenan Johnson in the circuit court.

She said Mr McDonnells previous dependencies on alcohol and drugs were firmly in the past as he continued to press ahead with a career as a carpenter.

He became involved in taking drugs and hence the litany of (previous) offences, she said.

The co accused have gone forward to the circuit court and he is off all drugs and he doesnt drink at all.

He apologises and wants to get on and move on with his life.

Judge Keane took those soundings on board, but said she could not ignore how the accused opted to become embroiled in fisticuffs just yards from the courthouses front door.

He (Mr McDonnell) engaged in brawling while there were members of the public coming from court where they would have been entitled to at least some level of civility and not be met with this type of nonsense, she said.

Judge Keane sentenced Mr McDonnell to four months in prison, suspending its duration for two years.

In doing so, she warned him: Be in no doubt Mr McDonald if you commit an offence in the next two years you will serve this sentence.
Inland Fisheries Ireland, the state agency that has responsibility for the protection and conservation of freshwater fish and habitats, has launched an important public consultation on the future management of the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme.

The state agency is encouraging anyone in Longford with an interest in the area to submit their views on how the tagging system, which started in 2001, can be improved and modernised.

It is especially keen to hear from salmon and sea trout anglers in the region, angling clubs, commercial fishermen and those businesses that distribute salmon and sea trout licences, such as fishing tackle shops.

The Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme was set-up twenty years ago to record the issuing of wild salmon and sea trout licences, gill tags and logbooks to both recreational anglers and commercial fishermen and to process details of fish catches on a database for further analysis.

It was part of a series of measures introduced to help with the management and conservation of Irelands wild salmon and sea trout populations, which have been in decline.

Figures from the 2020 Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Statistics Report show that 14,138 salmon and sea trout licences were sold to recreational anglers in the state last year, which were a mixture of virtual licences sold online and hard copy licences sold over the counter in shops. In addition, 78 public commercial licences were made available to commercial fishermen in 2020.

Inland Fisheries Ireland is now carrying out a review of the whole tagging system, to see how it can be made more user-friendly in the future and to ensure that it can provide the agency with real-time, accurate data to assist with the protection, management and conservation of wild salmon and sea trout.

The Head of Business Development with Inland Fisheries Ireland, Suzanne Campion, said:

The Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme was first introduced two decades ago and since then, weve seen a seismic shift towards buying and selling online, with many technological advances along the way that wed like to harness.

"As were undertaking a review of the tagging system, we see this as the perfect opportunity for the public, especially those involved in the angling sector in Longford, to have their say on the management of how licences, tags and logbooks are issued and distributed in the future.

"In other words, how can Inland Fisheries Ireland make the tagging system as user-friendly as possible in the future and a better service for all?
The Labour Party has called for a 'common sense approach for schools affected by outbreaks'

Labour spokesperson for Education, Enterprise, and Trade, Aodhan O Riordain said, The Department of Education has prevented CBS Wexford from providing online education to pupils by insisting the physical building reopen.

"The Department of Education need to realise that ordinary rules dont apply in a pandemic. They need to trust principals who are acting in good faith and in the best interest of children and the school community. No school wants to close, but the principal made a decision, the board of management backed her and the Department should have too." He added.

Deputy O Riordain wants the Department of Education to support schools to make decisions locally.

This comes as some schools have had outbreaks in recent days, in Wexford and Wicklow.

CBS Wexford made the decision to close its doors and revert to online learning this week due to an outbreak of Covid-19 cases, however, the school was forced to reopen the building by the Department of Education.

Speaking to RTE News, CBS school principal Vicky Barron said: "My concern is that nothing will change. A child could be asymptomatic and unwittingly spreading Covid in the classroom and nobody will know until that child transmits it in their own household."

Vicky Barron stands by her decision to close the school and 'acted with the health and safety of our children at the centre of our thoughts'

The current guideline from the HSE states there are no close contacts in schools, and no student who is a close contact can be sent for testing.

Speaking on Newstalk this afternoon, Wexford Labour councilor George Lawlor said: "It is a ludracis situation. It has serious implications and is only the tip of the iceberg."

The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) will meet the Department of Education during the week to 'discuss the latest developments, the very high level of infection among 5-12-year-olds, and plans for safeguarding schools from Halloween to Christmas'
Local News, Business & Finance

By Chris Boyle Published: October 20 2021

As Long Island hotels brace for more than $224 million in losses, U.S. Rep. Suozzi co-sponsors bill to provide targeted relief to ailing hotel employees.

Long Island hotels are projected to lose $224 million in business travel revenue in 2021, down 62.1% compared to 2019 levels, according to a recent report from the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Kalibri Labs. New York hotels stand to lose more than $5.07 billion, while hotels across the nation are projected to end 2021 down more than $59 billion in business travel revenue compared to 2019, after losing nearly $49 billion in 2020.

The new analysis comes on the heels of a recent AHLA survey, which found that most business travelers are canceling, reducing, and postponing trips amid continued COVID-19 concerns.

To extend a lifeline to hotel workers and provide the assistance needed to survive until travel returns to pre-pandemic levels, U.S. Representative Tom Suozzi (NY-03) has co-sponsored the Save Hotel Jobs Act, legislation currently before Congress that would direct 100% of its funding to keep hotel workers on the payroll.

Business travel, which includes corporate, group, government, and other commercial categories, is the hotel industrys largest source of revenue and is not expected to reach pre-pandemic levels until 2024. The lack of business travel and events has major repercussions for employment, and underscores the need for targeted federal relief, such as the Save Hotel Jobs Act.

Hotels are expected to end 2021 down nearly 500,000 jobs compared to 2019, including more than 44,000 lost jobs in New York. For every 10 people directly employed on a hotel property, hotels support an additional 26 jobs in the community, from restaurants and retail to hotel supply companiesmeaning an additional nearly 1.3 million hotel-supported jobs are also at risk nationwide unless Congress acts.

AHLA President and CEO Chip Rogers applauded Representative Suozzi for co-sponsoring this critical legislation to support hotel workers.

Wed like to thank Representative Suozzi for supporting our workforce during one of the most difficult years on record, said Rogers. While many other hard-hit industries have received targeted federal relief, the hotel industry has not. We need Congress to pass the bipartisan Save Hotel Jobs Act so hotels can retain and rehire employees until travel demand, especially business travel, comes back to pre-pandemic levels.

Despite being among the hardest hit, hotels are the only segment of the hospitality and leisure industry yet to receive direct aid. That is why AHLA and UNITE HERE, the largest hospitality workers union in North America, joined forces to call on Congress to pass the bipartisan Save Hotel Jobs Act introduced by Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Charlie Crist (D-Fla.). The Save Hotel Jobs Act would provide critical support to hotels and their workers during this crucial period. Key provisions include:

Supporting Hotel Workers: Direct payroll grants will be utilized for payroll and benefits expenses for workers. The legislation would also require grantees to give laid-off workers recall rights to ensure those who lost their hotel jobs due to the pandemic are able to get back to work.

Allowing Worker-Friendly Tax Credits: Provides a Personal Protective Equipment Tax Credit to promote worker safety measures, which would allow for a payroll tax credit for 50 percent of costs associated with the purchase of personal protective equipment, technology designed to reduce the impact of the pandemic, increased testing for employees, and enhanced cleaning protocols that do not negatively impact the level of work for housekeeping staff.

About AHLA
Ensure you get a print copy of the Loudoun Times-Mirror delivered weekly to your home or business!

Complete online access is included with all print subscriptions purchased online. Plus, up to four other members of your household can share online access through this subscription with their own, individual linked accounts at no additional charge.

(Are you a current advertiser? Ask your sales rep for our special advertiser rate code!)
20th October 2021

Runtime 30:39





We were delighted to welcome the CEO of Helium One Global (HE1), David Minchin to our investor event on Tuesday evening, 19 October. Helium One are exploring for Helium gas in the Rukwa Basin in Tanzania. The Tai1 drill was a partial success and proved up Helium finds.

We had lots of questions from those following the company, and David enjoyed answering some quite incisive questions.

Helium One Global IPOd on AIM last year and are now a well-followed stock on London South East. The company are exploring for Helium in Tanzania and the drilling campaign in the Rukwa Basin has significantly derisked the basin according to the company.

This webinar event was sponsored by PrimaryBid. The best way to hear about their offers is to register on their website at primarybid.com.
GCM Resources PLC - London-based mining company - Says it is in discussions with China Nonferrous Metal Industry's Foreign Engineering and Construction Co Ltd to agree a 12 month extension of the framework agreements. The extension will allow the company to continue its progress in relation to the company's 572 million tonnes high grade coal resources at the Phulbari Coal & Power Project in north-west Bangladesh, it says.

"The board of the company is confident of agreeing such extension terms, and notes the added additional procedures required to complete the extension as a result of recent and as yet unclarified guidance from the Chinese Government in regards to such agreements, and a further announcement will be made once an extension is formally entered into," it adds.

Current stock price: 6.27 pence, up 19% on Tuesday

Year-to-date change: down 26%

By Arvind Bhunjun; arvindbhunjun@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
RABAT, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Moroccan authorities will suspend

direct flights with Britain, Germany and the Netherlands over

COVID-19 concerns starting on Oct. 21, flag carrier RAM said on

Wednesday.

Morocco recently announced that it would impose a mandatory

vaccine pass for access to public places and inter-city travel

after it inoculated most of its adult population.

So far, Morocco has administered two COVID-19 vaccine doses

to 21 million people in a population of 36 million, and has

launched a third dose programme.

(Reporting by Ahmed Eljechtimi, Editing by William Maclean)
(Alliance News) - Chilean miner Antofagasta PLC on Wednesday backed its 2021 copper production guidance, but moderated warned output is set to dip next year.

Shares in Antofagasta were trading down 4.5% at 1,410.00 pence each in London on Wednesday morning.

In the third quarter ended September 30, copper output reached 181,100 tonnes, up 1.5% from 178,400 tonnes in the previous quarter. Higher output reflected increased production at Centinela, offset by lower throughput at Los Pelambres, the company said.

Cash costs before by-product credits in the third quarter were USD1.79 per pound, being 2 cents higher than the second quarter as the energy crisis pushed up input prices.

Net cash costs, meanwhile, were USD1.16 per pound in the third quarter, 2.7% higher quarter-on-quarter from USD1.13 per pound. In the nine months to September 30, net cash costs averaged USD1.15 per pound, up 0.9% year-on-year from USD1.14 for each pound.

"Despite input cost pressures, our net cash costs are now expected to be lower than our original guidance of USD1.25 per pound [for the full-year]," the miner said.

Antofagasta maintained its full-year copper production guidance of 710,000 to 740,000 tonnes. For 2022, however, it now expects slightly lower output of between 660,000 and 690,000 tonnes.

"Since we last reported, there has been no material rainfall at our operations and as we head into the summer months, we do not expect any rain until the next rainy season, which begins in June next year," said Chief Executive Ivan Arriagada.

"The construction of the desalination plant at Los Pelambres is on track for completion in [the second half of] 2022 and we now anticipate group production in 2022 to be between 660,000 and 690,000 tonnes reflecting the previously advised production tonnes at risk at Los Pelambres due to the weather, and lower grades at Centinela concentrates."

By Scarlett Butler; scarlettbutler@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
18 October 2021

Metal Tiger plc

("Metal Tiger" or the "Company")

Kalahari Metals Limited: Commencement of Drilling at Endurance Prospect

Metal Tiger plc (AIM: MTR, ASX: MTR), the AIM and ASX listed investor in natural resource opportunities, is pleased to provide an update in respect of the Botswana Kalahari Copper Belt discovery focused explorer, Kalahari Metals Limited (KML).

The next phase of diamond core (DC) drilling at the Kitlanya East Projects Endurance Prospect (the Endurance Prospect) has now commenced. Further to the Companys announcement of 13 October 2021, Mitchell Drilling International has mobilised two DC drilling rigs to the Endurance Prospect. Drilling will test priority targets identified in the previous round of reverse circulation and DC drilling, with 8 priority holes, totalling approximately 2,350m, planned to test doubly plunging fold targets and anticlines identified from modelling of airborne electromagnetic (AEM) data.

As announced on 12 April 2021, Metal Tiger currently holds a 50.01% interest in KML, with Cobre Limited (Cobre) holding the remainder of the shareholding.

A link to Cobres announcement released today is set out below:

https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02436880-2A1331587?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4

Michael McNeilly, Chief Executive Officer of Metal Tiger, commented:

We are pleased to announce the commencement of the next phase of diamond core drilling on compelling targets at the Endurance Prospect on the Kalahari Copper Belt.

Following the successful exploration vectoring results from the most recent round of drilling at KMLs Endurance Prospect and extensive geophysical depth-conductor modelling of potential copper-silver mineralisation trap sites, work on the planned 2,350m, 8 drill hole, programme has now commenced.

We look forward to sharing further updates as the work progresses.

Illustrative figures for viewing in conjunction with this announcement can be viewed on the Companys website at: https://www.metaltigerplc.com/kml-kit-e-endurance-targets

Endurance Prospect Drill Targets

Seven priority targets for follow-up drill testing have been identified and ranked using a combination of previous drill results, AEM, soil sampling and magnetic data. The targets were then used to plan a set of 8 DC drill holes for the current work programme.

The above linked figures consist of a series of 6 maps and AEM conductivity-depth model sections illustrating the locations (Figure 1) and geophysical setting of each of the drill targets, and a photograph of the drilling equipment (Figure 7).

Three DC drill holes, testing targets 1 to 3, are designed to target copper-silver (Cu-Ag) mineralisation in prospective fold trap-sites along a well-defined doubly plunging anticline. Two DC drill holes, at targets 4 and 5, are planned to test distinct breaks in the marker conductors likely related to fault displacement (see Figures 2, 4 & 5). A further three DC holes, one at target 6 and two at target 7, are designed to target Cu-Ag mineralisation in prospective fold trap-sites, in localities where the folded modelled conductors appear disrupted (Figures 3 & 6).

Project Background

Kalahari Metals Limited, which was incorporated in England & Wales on 3 May 2017, holds interests in 12 highly prospective exploration licences covering a total area of 8,595km2 in the Kalahari Copper Belt of Botswana, comprising two 100% owned exploration licences, five exploration licences subject to a binding earn-in agreement with Triprop Holdings (Pty) Limited (includes the Ngami Copper Project), and five exploration licences held by 100% owned subsidiary, Kitlanya Limited.

As announced on 15 December 2020, KML signed a Share Purchase Agreement with Cobre, which will, following completion of the transaction and subject to obtaining change in control approval from the Minister of Mineral, Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Botswana, result in Metal Tiger owning a 59.57% economic interest in KML (comprising a 49% direct interest and a 20.72% interest in Cobre, which, in turn, will have a 51% interest in KML).

The completion of Cobres purchase of 49.99% of KML occurred on 12 April 2021, resulting in Metal Tiger holding a 50.01% interest in KML. As announced on 15 December 2020, subject to obtaining change in control approval from the Minister of Mineral Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Botswana in respect of the KML group, Metal Tigers shareholding in KML will reduce to 49.00%.

Metal Tiger holds a 2% net smelter royalty over all KMLs wholly owned licences, being seven licences covering, in aggregate, 6,650km2 (together, the Royalties) and the main areas. The five exploration licences owned by Triprop Holdings (Pty) Limited (in which KML has a 51% interest) do not form part of the Royalties.

Further details are available under the Project Investments section of the Companys website at: https://www.metaltigerplc.com/portfolio/project-investments/kalahari-metals.

Qualified Person's Statement

The technical information contained in this announcement has been read and approved by Mr Nick O'Reilly (MSc, DIC, MIMMM, MAusIMM, FGS), who is a qualified geologist and acts as the Qualified Person under the AIM Rules - Note for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies. Mr O'Reilly is a Principal consultant working for Mining Analyst Consulting Ltd which has been retained by Metal Tiger PLC to provide technical support.

For further information on the Company, visit: https://www.metaltigerplc.com/

Enquiries:

Michael McNeilly (Chief Executive Officer) Tel: +44 (0)20 7099 0738 Mark Potter (Chief Investment Officer) James Dance James Harris Robert Collins Strand Hanson Limited (Nominated Adviser) Tel +44 (0)20 7409 3494 Paul Shackleton Steve Douglas Arden Partners plc (Broker) Tel: +44 (0)20 7614 5900 Gordon Poole James Crothers Rebecca Waterworth Camarco (Financial PR) Tel: +44 (0)20 3757 4980

Notes to Editors:

Metal Tiger PLC is admitted to the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange AIM Market ("AIM") and the ASX Market of the Australian Securities Exchange Market ("ASX") with the trading code MTR and invests in high potential mineral projects with a base, precious and strategic metals focus.

The Company's target is to deliver a high return for shareholders by investing in significantly undervalued and/or high potential opportunities in the mineral exploration and development sector. Metal Tiger has two investment divisions: Equity Investments and Project Investments.

Equity Investments invests in undervalued natural resource companies. The majority of its investments are listed on AIM, the TSX and the ASX, which includes its interest in Sandfire Resources Limited (ASX: SFR). The Company also considers selective opportunities to invest in private natural resource companies, typically where there is an identifiable path to IPO. Through the trading of equities and warrants, Metal Tiger seeks to generate cash for investment for the Project Investments division.

Project Investments is focused on the development of its key project interests in Botswana, where Metal Tiger has a growing interest in the large and highly prospective Kalahari copper/silver belt through its interest in Kalahari Metals Limited.

The Company actively assesses new investment opportunities on an on-going basis and has access to a diverse pipeline of new opportunities in the natural resources and mining sectors. For pipeline opportunities deemed sufficiently attractive, Metal Tiger may invest in the project or entity by buying publicly listed shares, by financing privately and/or by entering into a joint venture.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211018005343/en/

Copyright Business Wire 2021
The first small green olives of this years crop are at markets stalls, supermarkets and fruit and veg shops. The olive tree, Olea europaea is its proper name, is an evergreen giving a vast variety of fruits which, like Josephs coat, are of many colours.

In Spain alone there are more than 70 varieties which differ in many ways: size, colour, taste and oil content. And not all of them are for the table. Many olives are grown specifically for extracting their oil and are not suitable for eating. But that still leaves a huge choice when buying olives for the table.

Some of Mallorcas dark-skinned olives are of a black and blue colour and are known as moradas, a word that also means bruise. They are usually very big, very juicy and with a rich unique taste.

A favourite green variety are the bitter trencades, a word that means split. These olives are cracked open with a small stone before being cured in brine, a method that allows the salt solution to penetrate into the olives flesh so they are ready for eating sooner.

Youll find several kinds of black olives, from the plump medium-sized juicy ones to the islands favourite known as panssides  which are left to ripen so that the skins become wrinkled. The panssides word comes from pansa, the Mallorquin for raisin, another fruit with wrinkles.

You can also buy green olives that have had the pit removed. They are especially good for cooking with because the stone doesnt get in the way, which is important for when doing some fish dishes and especially when the olives have to be sliced into little rings.

We can, of course, buy a kitchen gadget that removes the pits. The green olives now on sale have come straight from the tree and are totally unripe. They will remain inedible until given a simple brine cure. It is easy to cure your own olives and also most satisfying, rather like making your own bread.

It is also, however, a time-consuming project and few young Mallorcan housewives these days even give it a thought. We have an enormous variety of excellent green olives that are sold loose and in jars and for busy housewives it is so much easier to buy them than to do their own.

Theres another little problem about curing green olives: the process is a slow one and lasts two or three months, depending on the olives. It could hardly be otherwise: the strong brine solution and herbs take ages to get absorbed and to turn the olives into something that delights the palate.

Dealing with Majorcas black panssides olives is another matter. The wrinkled panssides are the best black olive I know of  those who havent acquired a taste for olives are missing something very special.

Wrinkles on most fruits mean much the same as those on the human skin: a sign of old age, a drying out of essential goodness, a clear indication that the use-by date has passed. But that is not the case with panssides: the wrinkles enhance their beauty. Indeed, the more there are the better.

These black olives, which wont be on sale until next month, are allowed to become overripe so that they lose some of their water content  a process that causes the wrinkles.

Unlike green olives, the panssides are not bitter  they can even be eaten as they come, without being treated in any way. But they are at their best when a little seasoning is added.

They have another advantage over green olives: the preparation process takes days instead of months  and if you follow these instructions you will get superb results every time.

Buy a kilo of untreated panssides at the Mercat dOlivar, the Santa Catalina market or the open-air Plaza Pedro Garau market on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays. The best ones are those from Soller.

Wash your kilo of panssides in a big bowl of water, discarding any leaves, twigs and other debris. Rinse well in a colander and leave to drain. Transfer the olives to a glass dish or bowl or to a greixonera, the Mallorcan earthenware cooking dish.

From this moment on, all cooks and housewives have their own special way of treating the olives. Most Majorcans add all or some of these ingredients: olive oil, paprika, salt, whole cloves of garlic, pepper and lemon juice. Some use a touch of vinegar instead of lemon juice, but I dont recommend it.

The quantities of these ingredients depend entirely on personal taste. Too much paprika (pimenton dulce) isnt a good idea  start with a level teaspoon for a kilo of olives and see how you like it.

And you dont want to add too much lemon juice: it is inclined to have a bleaching effect and the olives may lose some of their intense blackness. If you especially want more lemon taste (most people find it attractive) add tiny pieces of lemon with the rind which also gives a splash of colour to the olives.

But dont include the pips because of their bitter taste.

Go easy on the salt to begin with. You can always add more when the olives have had time to absorb flavours. This is the kind of dish in which the taste of the olive oil is all-important, so use virgen extra.

The olives immediately soak up some of the olive oil and after three or four days, when they will be ready for eating, you may have to add a little more.

When you have dressed the olives to your satisfaction by adding as much seasoning as suits your palate, cover them and leave them in the kitchen where they are visible. This is to remind you to stir them with a wooden spoon a couple of times a day.

The reason for this little chore is that the olives have been dressed, not cured. Unless they are well turned at least once a day, a kind of web-like film grows on them.

But if they are moved around daily this wont happen. This is why you should buy only one kilo at a time. A bigger batch would be sitting around for longer and the olives would become stale.

The panssides are ready for eating as soon as they are dressed but most Mallorcans prefer to leave them in the dressing for three days or more before starting on them.

Always remove the olives with a clean wooden spoon. Dont be tempted to pick one up with your fingers because the bacteria on your hands can easily cause contamination.

The panssides are a superb addition to any kind of salad but try using them as a garnish for other dishes. A few added to a plain fresh tomato sauce for pasta is worth trying. If you are having toasted cheese, stud the surface with panssides for an extra taste sensation.

Spanish housewives also use olives in cooked dishes, although not so often as youd expect considering that olives have had such a special niche in the countrys gastronomy for such a long time.

Youll come across them in some fish and meat dishes that make good use of their unique taste as well as their visual impact.

Black olives are useful for adding a new taste dimension to dishes in which tomatoes are used, especially when the main ingredient is white or of a light colour, such as slices of white fish, chicken, turkey or pork.

The white, red and black combination is always a winner.

A typical dish of this kind is atun con aceitunas negras in which pieces of fresh tuna are sauteed with onions and tomatoes, moistened with sherry, and then slowly cooked until the fish is done.

The first olive I ever tasted was so horrid I couldnt even manage to swallow the first exploratory nibble. It was Italian, green, and I was 10. I was advised to have a nibble every time olives were on the table. I did so and I was quite quickly eating green and black and enjoying them very much.

When I went to Celler Sa Premsa, the day after arriving in Mallorca, and was trying my first bitter olives, the trencades, there was no question of taking a trial bite: I popped one into my mouth and started to chew. I found it so horrible I had to spit it into a paper napkin. But I remembered the advice I was given when I was 10, so I had a nibble of a trencada olive every time they were available. I soon became an incorrigible trencada fan and these olives and the panssides are my favourites.

Many British adults I know still dislike olives of every kind and if you are one of them you should have a tiny nibble as frequently as possible to see if you can acquire the taste. If you start with the panssides and the small Seville green olive, youll probably get to like them quite quickly.

Spanish olives are excellent and although Italy, Greece and Provence also have some superb varieties, the experts agree that Spanish olives top the bill.

Spain has some 300 million olive trees and they are an essential part of the countrys agricultural economy. Thousands of years ago the olive and its oil also played an important part in the economy of the whole Mediterranean coast and in the daily life of its inhabitants.

Although olive groves can be found throughout the Mediterranean, there are none in Egypt. The cultivation of olive trees failed in the time of Ramses III (1198-1176 BC) and he ordered that castor-oil be used for lighting lamps and for anointing.

Good olive oil, which Egypt had to import from Palestine, was kept exclusively for use in the kitchen, on the table, for making perfumes and for religious offerings.

The olive crop in ancient times was even more important than it is today. Apart from the use of olives and olive oil in the kitchen, the oil was also a source of light in temples and homes.

The ancient civilisations used olive oil to cure internal illnesses and external wounds and the methods they used had a sound scientific basis. Because of its medicinal properties, olive oil was used to anoint the bodies of new-born babies.

Then as now, there were different varieties of olive oil, depending on the quality of the fruit and the care with which it was pressed.

The oldest written documents on olive oil date from 2500 BC. They were written on clay tablets and stress the importance of olive oil in the economy of Crete.

Research on the origin of the cultivation of olive tree places it at approximately some 8,000 years ago. Those first olive groves were in what is now Lebanon, Syria and Israel.

Wild olive trees, however, have an even more ancient history and were found in the south of Spain, Italy, Greece, North Africa and other points along the Mediterranean coast.

Olives are frequently mentioned in Greek and Roman writings as well as in the Bible. Following the Flood, the olive leaf brought back by the dove showed Noah that the flood waters had receded.

When the Israelites left Egypt, they were promised a land of oil, olives and honey with vineyards and olive trees that they did not plant.

That final statement is important because the olive tree grows slowly and can take 10 years or more before it starts to give good fruit. That these trees were already growing meant the Israelites could harvest an instant crop.

The signs are that this years crop in Mallorca will be a good one and the quality of the olives and their oil will be high.

Youll find a good selection of green olives in most supermarkets but no more than a couple of the black ones. Mallorcas panssides olives are difficult to find. Some supermarkets have jars of black olives which, according to the label, are panssides but they lack the characteristic wrinkles.

For authentic panssides go to the specialist outlets at the Mercat dOlivar, the Santa Catalina market, the Plaza Pedro Garau market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and to the olives counter at the supermarket of El Corte Ingles in the Avenidas. Youll also find genuine panssides at inland towns and villages.
Since June 2020, Age in Spain has been funded by the UK Government to provide support with the residency process to UK nationals who qualify under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement and who live in Aragon, Asturias, the Balearic Islands, the Basque Country, the Canary Islands, Cantabria, Catalonia, Galicia, La Rioja or Navarra. This support is part of the United Kingdom Nationals Support Fund (UKNSF) and, so far, Age in Spain has supported 2,410 residency applications while over 80,000 people have accessed the information resources available at www.ageinspain.org

There is still time for people who qualify for residency in Spain under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement to access Age in Spains free and confidential support. Until the end of 2021, the organisation will continue to take on new support cases for people wanting to preserve their residency rights. From 1 January 2022, Age in Spain will continue to support existing cases but will not be able to help new people as part of the UKNSF.

Helen Weir, Age in Spains Director, said:

Nows the time to come forward and access our free help. For the next two months we will still be able to guide people of any age through the process of applying for residency or exchanging the old green residency certificate for the new TIE. If youre not sure if you meet the criteria to apply for residency then contact us to make sure you understand your situation. Also, if you know someone who hasnt sorted their residency then tell them that Age in Spain is still here to help. Forget your British reserve and ask your neighbours if theyve got their residency done.

People can contact Age in Spain on info@ageinspain.org , +34 932 20 97 41 or through their website www.ageinspain.org. The website also gives details of the organisations providing support through the UKNSF in other parts of Spain.

While the support Age in Spain provides for residency will change at the end of the year, the organisation will continue to support the English speaking community in Spain with information and resources to help them make the most of their lives here. Age in Spains Casework Service will also continue to support those who find themselves in particularly difficult situations. Check out www.ageinspain.org for more info and to sign up for their newsletter.

For further information on residency and living in Spain visit www.gov.uk/livinginspain
Manchester Center, VT (05254)

Today

Snow this evening will give way to clearing skies late. Low 23F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 80%..

Tonight

Snow this evening will give way to clearing skies late. Low 23F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 80%.
Editor

Darren Marcy, a journalist since 1992, is the editor of the Manchester Journal. A New Mexico native, he previously worked for newspapers in the Land of Enchantment before moving to Vermont in 2004. He joined the Journal in October 2018.
40 YEARS AGO

Sewer opposition

Bear Lake Township residents have expressed opposition to an Onekama Township sewer project which includes the construction of a sewage lagoon in their own township. Last night petitions containing 235 signatures opposing construction of sewer lagoons in Section 19 were presented to the Bear Lake Township Board. Following discussion, the township board agreed to take action and as a first step decided to recreate its zoning board which has been more or less dormant for the last year.

Nash on the move

Shoe repairman Frank Nash of A-1 Shoe Repair, formerly located Greenbush and First streets, is relocating. The business will reopen soon at 129 Washington St., next to Shortys Take Out. Nash has been at the former location for 12 years and has 35 years experience in the trade.

60 YEARS AGO

Road work

The blacktopping of U.S. 31 is now nearing completion, with resurfacing the order of the day in Bear Lake village this coming week. The stretch from Road 600 a mile east, to the south village limits had been left to the last  and the recent strike of the truck drives had caused consternation that this would not be completed by winter.

80 YEARS AGO

Spring is here

The News Advocate received a phone call this morning that disputes the fact that winter is here  in fact, spring is here again. B.R. Hendel, 468 Fifth St., has a forsythia bush in her yard that this morning burst into bloom. This is quite a phenomenon as the forsythia bush with its characteristic bright yellow, bell-shaped flowers, appears in earliest spring before the leaves.

PTA program

Major Ellis and his son, Earl, will appear on the Arcadia PTA program this evening. Major Ellis will speak to the group and Earl will entertain the members with his bottle phones.

Compiled by Mark Fedder at the Manistee County Historical Museum
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
In what is being seen as the first shot across the bow of Newcastle United's new Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund ownership, Premier League clubs have voted overwhelmingly in favour of outlawing club-linked sponsorship deals by a ratio of 18-2.

The two clubs which voted against the measure were Manchester City and Newcastle United, one who has for years benefited by sponsoring themselves and another who had hoped to do the same in the coming years.

According to a report published by the Guardian, there was an emergency meeting held with the 20 Premier League teams, in which Lee Charnley, Newcastle United's managing director, expressed his disagreement with the decision.

Their argument was the rule chance was anti-competitive, whilst Amanda Staveley was also in attendance and criticised the move.

Premier League clubs have been concerned about Manchester City's sponsorship terms with Etihad for years, and they wanted to avoid a repeat scenario with Newcastle United's new owners.
Julia A. Johnston, 68, of Wilburton, OK passed away at her home in Wilburton on Sunday, November 14, 2021. Services will be on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 2 p.m. at the Waldrop Funeral Home Chapel in Wilburton, OK with the burial to follow in the Peachland Cemetery in Bengal, Oklahoma. O
Students interested in visiting MCLA can now preview the campus by walking through it online. MCLAs Office of Admission has released a new virtual tour that lets students explore the campus and tour classrooms, residence areas, and other campus landmarks.

We know so many of our prospective students are unable to get to campus, said Kayla Hollins 12, MCLAs director of admission. We want them to be able to get the tour experience in case they cant visit ahead of applying or enrolling.

Students can click through a full tour of campus, with views inside residence hall bedrooms and common areas, classrooms, labs, dining areas, and the newly constructed fitness center, which was completed in 2020. These views are accompanied by student-shot videos, photo albums, and audio narration.

In addition to the virtual tour, the Office of Admission is hosting in-person tours and events, including open houses on Oct. 23 and Nov. 13. Its exciting that we have prospective students on campus for tours and open houses again, Hollins said. And its great to see our student ambassadors go back to what they enjoy doing, which is giving tours of our campus.

Kayla Hollins, MCLAs director of admission, said its important to offer different ways to experience MCLA. As a student, I came to MCLA from New York City, and was lucky to have my family come with me to visit, she said. I understand that sometimes it can be difficult for students to get here if they lack transportation.

Admission counselors are also hitting the road again this fall, and will visit high schools, college fairs, and community colleges during the fall season. MCLAs six counselors will collectively visit more than 350 high schools and 30 community colleges in New England and New York, connecting with students there interested in learning more about MCLA and its academic programs. MCLA is also planning live virtual admission events this fall.

Upcoming events

Saturday, November 6

Saturday, October 23

Saturday, November 13

Tuesday, November 30

Wednesday, November 10
As a top ten public college, MCLA has a lot to offer: more than 100 scholarships, a liberal arts curriculum that helps students learn across academic disciplines, tons of student activities, and support ranging from student-led tutoring to the TRIO Program, which focuses on helping low-income, first-generation, or disabled students get the most out of their college experience.

These are all important facetsand no doubt part of why MCLA also continues to appear on U.S. News list of best colleges for social mobilitybut the MCLA community, who work here, live here, and learn here, has more to say about why MCLA has been named a Top Ten College for nine of the last 11 years, and keeps climbing the rankings lists each year.

I think MCLA is a top college because of the quality of education it provides, said Domenica Gomez 23, who attends MCLA while working as an admission ambassador, giving tours to prospective students. Throughout my college experience I have had the opportunity to receive one-on-one assistance from professors that genuinely care about your educational success and make long-lasting connections that will help shape my future."

Kayla Hollins 12, MCLAs director of admission, came to MCLA from New York City and has helped thousands of students learn more about the College before they apply. MCLA is a top ten college because it is filled with true trailblazersfirst generation students, students who live far from campus, undeclared students, and more, she said. These are students who took a chance on our small communityand our community continues to deliver a quality education. MCLA is a place for all students to learn how to be a leader. As an alum, I pride myself on being a Trailblazer, and as the director of admission, I hope to recruit more of us to the institution.

MCLA professors bring their classes to experience everything in the Berkshires, from tracking salamanders in the MCLA forest and Mount Greylock State Reservation to working with museum staff on arts and education projects. We have incredible access to the arts, said Professor of Art Melanie Mowinski. MASS MoCA, the largest contemporary art museum in the country, is one of our teaching labs. I think that experiential element related to the arts, the environment, and the beauty of the land is what continues to make us a top ten school.

I think the institution, meaning the people who are at its core, understand and stay true to the ultimate mission: providing a quality affordable liberal arts education to a student population that is not especially advantaged, said Dennis Ducharme 82, president of the MCLA Alumni Association. The college provides amazing support through a great student to faculty ratio and with many layers of services geared to maximize retention and graduation rates. The result is an educational experience that puts our students on an upward trajectory, both financially and as engaged members of their communities.

I am proud to see MCLA recognized again as a Top Public College, but I am more proud of the work weve done to continue to climb these rankings for nine of the last 11 years, said MCLA President James F. Birge, Ph.D. We have an excellent faculty body with expertise and dedication to a liberal arts education. We have staff dedicated to student outcomes at every level and in every department. We have incredible programs that contribute to social mobility, helping our under-resourced students achieve a college education, which will help them earn more in their lifetimes, find fulfilling careers, and live meaningful lives. Public colleges help contribute to furthering economic equity every day, and we are proud to make this part of our mission as an institution.

Want to learn more about MCLA? Talk to our Office of Admission, or plan a visit.
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
Page Content

$2 million grant program for local community organisations working with partners helping on-the-ground in Indonesia

Local Indonesian community groups collaborate to support those affected in Indonesia

A $2 million support package for Indonesia's response to its second wave of COVID-19 is now being used to provide on-the-ground assistance.

The McGowan Government announced the Indonesian COVID-19 Crisis Relief Fund in August this year after daily cases reached almost 60,000.

Administered by the Office of Multicultural Interests within the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, the funding has been allocated as a one-off grant to support crisis relief initiatives in Indonesia.

The funding has now been provided to Kreasi Indonesia Inc., leading a consortium of 22 Western Australian Indonesian community associations and groups, who submitted a joint application for the grant.

Kreasi Indonesia will deliver the relief efforts through its charity partner, Save the Children Australia.

Funding will be used for a range of measures to fight the pandemic and support recovery in Indonesia following the impacts of the highly-contagious Delta variant.

More than 11,000 Western Australians were born in Indonesia or have Indonesian ancestry, with many having family and friends affected by the pandemic.

Comments attributed to Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Tony Buti:

"Western Australia has strong economic, cultural and person-to-person links with Indonesia, and it is important that we do what we can to support the Indonesian community during these incredibly difficult times.

"This $2 million support funding will provide essential on-the-ground assistance to badly affected communities and assist in their recovery.

"The McGowan Government will continue to support and collaborate with the WA Indonesian community to ensure successful delivery of this funding in Indonesia within the next three months."

Minister's office - 6552 6400


Advertisement

To overcome this, the team had earlier found that if children fell asleep in a scanner while it was not working, they could later start the scan and see brain activation in response to songs the children had heard earlier. This may help analyze howThe study team created aFirst, the two-year-olds were introduced to two objects and two puppets, then later after a few minutes they were tested for memory of the names.After one week, the kids were tested again for the memory of names, following which they slept in an MRI scanner overnight. The team then played back the learned words as they slept.It was found that there wasMoreover, this activation directly correlated with their earlier memory performance.says Ghetti.However, young children also lose many memories as they rapidly form new memories. The team anticipates thatand cancel out the unneeded details as some memories are formed while others are lost.Source: Medindia
Javed Akhtar is often in the headlines for his controversial statements and people leave no chance to troll him for his opinions. This time is no different as he is under the radar of trolls for defending Aryan Khans case and comparing it with the Adani Port drug case. Khan was arrested in connection with possession of drugs aboard a cruise ship.

A lot of Bollywood celebs have supported Aryan and highlighted how it's a deliberate attempt to defame Shah Rukh Khan and his family. Now, Javed Akhtar, in one of the press conferences in Mumbai has addressed the issue and said Bollywood is being targeted. Akhtar told reporters, "This is the price the film industry has to pay for being high profile. When you're high profile, people have fun pulling you down, throwing muck at you. If you're a nobody, then who has the time to throw stones at you?"

Without taking names, Akhtar said how Aryan Khans arrest became a National news and media has completely ignored the case of "one billion dollar" drug recovery from a port, referring to the seizure of 2,988 kg of heroin at Mundra Port located in Kutch district of Gujarat.

He went on to say, You find cocaine worth one billion dollars at a port, somewhere else there were 1200 people where ganja and a total sum of 1 lakh 30 thousand is found, according to media reports. Now this has become a big national news but I haven't seen any headline on the billion dollar cocaine.

Heres the video of the event that has been doing the rounds on internet:

#WATCH | I've not seen any headline on recovery of cocaine worth 1 billion dollars at a port but the recovery of charas or ganja worth 1.30 lakh has become national news. This is the price film industry has to pay for being high profile: Lyricist Javed Akhtar in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/OmaO2UsQL7  ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2021

Javed Akhtars statements havent gone down too well with the people on social media who are now bashing him for supporting and defending Aryan. They also said that he should have read the news about the Adani case being investigated before making these comments.

Here are the reactions:

 ANI Twitter

 ANI Twitter

 ANI Twitter

What do you have to say about his statements? Let us know in the comments section below.


Arrangements are currently incomplete at Berry and Gardner Funeral Home for Mr. William "Sonny" McGruder, 71, of Enterprise, who passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, at his residence.
News

State lawmakers ponder over local taxing options

In preparation for next years General Assembly session, a legislative committee discussed amending the states constitution to allow community governments more local taxing options.

Tuesday morning, the interim committee on local government discussed a proposed bill, if approved in Frankfort, would be voted on by the public in the November 2022 election. The constitutional amendment would ask voted if they believe the General Assembly should have authority to allow local governments to have more taxing options.

A similar bill was introduced in the 2020 legislative session but did not pass in the full House.

Local officials have said previously they support home rule that would give more taxing options to Owensboro and Daviess County.

Not all cities have the same taxing authority. For example, only very small cities in Kentucky can have a restaurant tax.

The proposed constitutional amendment wouldnt create any new taxes, but would allow legislators to consider if they want to give new taxing options to cities. Those cities would have to choose to enact a tax.

Jim Henderson, executive director of the Kentucky Association of Counties and former Simpson County judge-executive, said 38 states allow local governments more tax options than are allowed in Kentucky.

I was elected judge in 1998, in Simpson County, and as long as Ive been in local government, there has been talk of tax modernization, Henderson said.

Henderson told committee members, Its virtually impossible at the local level to talk about tax changes without there first being an amendment to the constitution.

Brian Traugott, president of the Kentucky League of Cities, told lawmakers cities must be able to generate sufficient revenue to provide services to residents. Cities are limited in the taxes they can impose, Traugott said.

J.D. Chaney, executive director and CEO of the League of Cities, said the constitutional amendment would merely allow legislators to consider giving cities more tax options.

You dont have that power, Chaney said. If the constitutional amendment is approved, it will allow a robust policy discussion to occur, Chaney said.

We dont have a great desire to overtax city residents, Chaney said, but said cities just want enough revenue to continue providing services.

Rep. Michael Meredith, an Oakland Republican and the committees co-chairman, spoke in support of the constitutional amendment, saying it would allow us to have a meaningful conversation we have never been allowed to have.

During the Kentucky League of Cities presentation, Rep. DJ Johnson, an Owensoro Republican, questioned whether now was the right time to consider more taxes.

Particularly at this time, we need to be thinking about, do we want to burden the private citizens more than we already are?  Johnson said.

Daviess County Judge-Executive Al Mattingly, who watched the meeting, said Tuesday night, I was very appreciative of the committee for local government. At least they are looking at it.

Mattingly said there are revenue issues the General Assembly could enact for local governments that would not require a constitutional amendment.

For example, Mattingly said lawmakers could eliminate the rule that occupational taxes in a city and county offset one another if a county has a population greater than 30,000. Also, legislators could allow all cities to have a restaurant tax, rather than just small cities, Mattingly said.

Mattingly said some of those issues could be addressed without having to do a large tax bill.

You always have people talking about comprehensive tax reform, Mattingly said. Ive been judge for 11 years, and weve done nothing to enact a comprehensive tax bill, he said.

Mattingly said, How long do you wait to do something comprehensive? Lets fix what we can fix now.

James Mayse, 270-691-7303, jmayse@messenger-inquirer.com, Twitter: @JamesMayse
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus V.Makei meets the Ambassador of Egypt

On October 20, 2021 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus hosted the meeting of the Foreign Minister, Vladimir Makei, with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus non-resident, Ihab Nasr, who is completing his diplomatic mission to our country.

The parties discussed the state of cooperation between Belarus and Egypt in a wide range of areas, as well as summed up the development of contacts in various fields.

The issues of expanding political dialogue, mutual support within the international organizations, trade and economic interaction, including the implementation of joint projects in the field of industry and agriculture, were also considered.

The sides gave a positive assessment of the results of the Inter-Ministerial Consultations held in Cairo in September 2021 and discussed the preparations for the upcoming meeting of the Joint Trade Intergovernmental Commission to be held in November 2021 in Cairo.

The parties also emphasized a high dynamics of development of relations between the two countries in the spheres of tourism and education.

In a solemn atmosphere, V.Makei presented the Ambassador of Egypt with the honourable distinction of the Belarusian diplomatic service "Partnership". The Minister noted the Ambassadors special contribution to the deepening of the Belarusian-Egyptian political, trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation, active participation in holding high and high-level visits, as well as assistance in the practical implementation of a number of joint Belarusian-Egyptian projects.

print version
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus M.Barysevich meets the Ambassador of Egypt

On October 20, 2021, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Mikalai Barysevich held a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus concurrently Ihab Nasr.

In connection with the completion of the diplomatic mission by the Ambassador of Egypt M.Barysevich expressed to I.Nasr his gratitude for the efforts to develop the Belarusian-Egyptian cooperation and wished him further professional success.

During the meeting, the parties also discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation in various fields.

print version
There has been a rise in sightings of all-black American flags in Florida and across the country. While not only sinister in appearance, the meaning is even more so: no quarter. Their sharp spike began with a tweet about a police officer in Illinois who hung this flag outside his house and
AG Nessel Commends President Biden's Focus on Addressing Racial Inequities

AG Nessel Commends President Biden's Focus on Addressing Racial Inequities

Attorney General

Media contact: Lynsey Mukomel 517-599-2746

Public inquiries: 517-335-7622

October 20, 2021

LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel released the following statement in response to President Joe Biden's executive order creating an interagency workgroup and presidential commission to improve education for Black students and increase opportunities for members of the Black community:

"I commend President Biden for this proactive approach to tackling racial inequity in our communities, and particularly in our schools. The workgroup and commission will highlight the continued inequities throughout our society and help to increase equal access to opportunities for the Black community. This is certainly a step in the right direction. Especially for Black students, it's my hope more will come from the administration focused on embracing restorative practices that will ultimately foster positive school environments for all students."

Last week, Nessel hosted a meeting with members from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), Department of Justice (DOJ) and Michigan educators to highlight important work being done around the state to address disparities in school discipline.

She also launched the Department of Attorney General Restorative Practices Initiative, which is meant to both promote and encourage the use of restorative practice programs that reinforce equitable learning opportunities for students. The initiative continues Nessel's efforts to address the school-to-prison pipeline in partnership with the National Education Association (NEA) and the Michigan Education Association (MEA).

As part of that ongoing effort, in May, Nessel led a coalition of 23 attorneys general, which urged DOE and DOJ to reissue a guidance package previously withdrawn in 2018. The guidance addressed racial disparities in school discipline. The letter also asked that the reissued guidance be expanded to address the disparate use of discipline against students based on their sex, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

In June, DOE issued a Request for Information seeking information to help DOE determine what policy guidance or related resources it should issue to assist schools improve school climate and safety and ensure the nondiscriminatory administration of school discipline. Nessel led a second coalition of attorneys general in responding to DOE's request in July.

While Biden's executive order does not address the guidance package directly, Nessel is encouraged by this focus on addressing racial inequities and the administrations efforts to improve education for Black students. Nessel will continue to advocate for federal support to bolster equity in the classroom.

###
Michigan Civil Rights Commission Statement on United States Secretary of State Colin Powell's Passing

Vicki Levengood levengoodv@michigan.gov

October 18, 2021

LANSING, MI-Stacie Clayton, Chair of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, has issued the following statement on the passing of former United States Secretary of State Colin Powell.

"The Michigan Civil Rights Commission and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights joins the legion of those who are mourning today's passing of former United States Secretary of State Colin Powell.

We will forever remember General Powell, a four-star general who served as the 65th United States Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005, and was the first African American to hold the position. Powell also served as the 16th United States National Security Advisor from 1987 to 1989 and as the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993.

Gen. Powell was a statesman and fighter. He was not afraid to speak his mind, and chose principle over politics. He was a true powerhouse, and will be sorely missed."

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission was created by the Michigan Constitution to safeguard constitutional and legal guarantees against discrimination. The Commission is charged with investigating alleged discrimination against any person because of religion, race, color or national origin, genetic information, sex, age, marital status, height, weight, arrest record, and physical and mental disability. The Michigan Department of Civil Rights serves as the operational arm of the Commission.

###
US Department of Labor and Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity sign agreement to share information, conduct joint operations

US Department of Labor and Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity sign agreement to share information, conduct joint operations

Memorandum of Understanding promotes dialogue to protect rights of Michigan workers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wed., Oct. 20, 2021

DETROIT, Mich.-The U.S. Department of Labor's offices in Detroit and Grand Rapids and the State of Michigan, Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Wage and Hour Division have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding to provide opportunities for the agencies to conduct joint investigations and joint outreach as well as share training materials and other information as appropriate.

"The U.S. Department of Labor and the Michigan Wage and Hour Division are committed to working together proactively to provide compliance assistance and worker rights information to Michigan's workers and employers," said Wage and Hour Regional Administrator Michael Lazzeri in Chicago. "This agreement will help to promote greater engagement and dialogue to protect workers' rights."

"While independent of one another, these divisions enforce many similar standards sometimes with overlapping jurisdiction," said Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity's Deputy Director of Labor Sean Egan. "We cannot expect working people and employers to fully understand these nuances and by enhancing our working relationship we are better equipped to ensure stronger educational opportunities and more effective enforcement activity."

This is the second Memorandum of Understanding the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour District offices have signed with Michigan government agencies. In January 2020, the offices signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Michigan's Department of Attorney General, Payroll Fraud Enforcement Unit and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Unemployment Insurance Agency.

Learn more about the US Wage and Hour Division, including a search tool to use if you think you may be owed back wages collected by the division.

Learn more about the Michigan Wage and Hour Division.
Gov. Whitmer Meets with Benton Harbor Residents and Local Leaders, Underscores Actions to Provide Safe Drinking Water

Gov. Whitmer Meets with Benton Harbor Residents and Local Leaders, Underscores Actions to Provide Safe Drinking Water

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 19, 2021

Contact: press@michigan.gov

Gov. Whitmer Meets with Benton Harbor Residents and Local Leaders, Underscores Actions to Provide Safe Drinking Water

Governor calls on legislature to fully fund LSL replacement with additional $11.4 million investment, reiterates goal to replace 100% of Benton Harbor lead service lines in 18 months

LANSING, Mich. - Governor Gretchen Whitmer today met with residents and local leaders in Benton Harbor, underscoring the Executive Directive she signed a few days ago implementing an all-hands-on-deck, whole-of-government approach to coordinate federal, state, and local resources to move forward with urgency and ensure that every parent in Benton Harbor can give their kid a glass of water with confidence. The governor reiterated her administration's goal to replace 100% of lead service lines (LSLs) in Benton Harbor in 18 months and called on the legislature to fully fund the cost of replacement with an additional $11.4 million investment.

"Every Michigander deserves safe drinking water," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "Today, I visited Benton Harbor to hear from community leaders doing the work on the ground and residents living through water challenges every day. I called on the legislature to fully fund lead service line replacement with an additional $11.4 million investment, helping us meet our expedited timeline to replace 100% of lead service lines in 18 months. Our work will build on the Executive Directive I signed last week to pursue an all-hands-on-deck approach to protect access to safe drinking water right now and make lasting investments in water infrastructure. I cannot imagine the stress that moms and dads in Benton Harbor are under as they emerge from a pandemic, work hard to put food on the table, pay the bills, and face a threat to the health of their children. That's why we will not rest until every parent feels confident to give their kid a glass of water knowing that it is safe."

"With Governor Whitmer's visit today, our administration continues to lift up the Benton Harbor community in every way that we can," said Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. "Last week's executive directive reaffirmed our strong partnership with Benton Harbor residents and local officials. It implements a whole-of-government approach to the challenges facing this community and commits state government to helping Benton Harbor replace every lead service line with better infrastructure. We must complete these critical upgrades as quickly as possible, and I join the governor in calling on the legislature to work with us to appropriate the funds Michigan has received from the American Rescue Plan."

"Today's listening sessions demonstrated the Whitmer-Gilchrist administration's commitment to the Benton Harbor community and were a welcome chance for residents and community leaders to communicate their concerns directly to Governor Whitmer," said Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad. "I am grateful that Governor Whitmer visited Benton Harbor today, and for our continued partnership with the state of Michigan as we work to protect access to safe drinking water, upgrade our community's water infrastructure, and keep Benton Harbor families safe."

"Clean water is not a luxury. It's a basic necessity," said Rep. Fred Upton. "In 2016, I worked with Representative Dan Kildee, who represents Flint, to require the EPA to immediately notify states of potential lead contamination. Last October, I also helped secure $5.6 million for lead pipe replacement in Benton Harbor. Replacing lead lines is not a partisan issue and I would hope that every Republican and Democrat would work together on this issue confronting our communities."

"The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is committed to partnering with the Berrien County Health Department and other community, state and federal partners to provide safe drinking water to Benton Harbor residents until lead service lines are replaced," said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. "MDHHS will be there for the residents of Benton Harbor - today, tomorrow and until lead has been eliminated from the city's drinking water. We will ensure that residents have an alternative drinking water supply by helping them access free bottled water. And we will work swiftly on a long-term solution by replacing lead service lines."

"It's past time to 'fix the damn pipes.' Our decades-long failure to invest in infrastructure continues to threaten the health and safety of Michigan children," said Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha. "The best path forward to guarantee safe drinking water is the quick replacement of Benton Harbor's lead pipes."

"We commend Governor Whitmer's commitment to the health and well-being of Michigan's families and communities," said We the People of Detroit, a water justice organization. "By working to replace 100% of lead service lines in Benton Harbor in 18 months, she's following through on her responsibility to protect drinking water in the state of Michigan. We will continue working with local and state leaders to replace every lead pipe in every community in our state so that all Michiganders can give our children a glass of clean affordable drinking water and have confidence that it is safe."

"Benton Harbor is a proud community with a rich history and everyone I talk to in Benton Harbor wants to protect their children, neighbors and friends. They just want to know that the water is safe to

drink," said Regina Strong, Michigan's Environmental Justice Public Advocate. "That's why Governor Whitmer's actions today are so important. They reflect what we have committed to do - ensure that everyone in Benton Harbor has access to clean, safe drinking water. Standing with the families of Benton Harbor is an environmental justice priority that we must address with urgency."

Funding

The estimated cost to replace 100% of LSLs in Benton Harbor is $30 million. The State of Michigan has so far delivered $18.6 million with $10 million in the recently signed FY 2022 budget, $3 million from the MI Clean Water plan, and a $5.6 million Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act grant from the Environmental Protection Agency.

With $18.6 million out of $30 million appropriated to date, Benton Harbor still needs at least $11.4 million to replace 100% of their LSLs in the next 18 months. Today, Governor Whitmer called on the legislature to secure the remaining funding by utilizing the billions in federal funding available to Michigan under the American Rescue Plan.

The FY 2022 budget also includes $15 million in water emergency funding currently being used to supply bottled water to Benton Harbor, among other key uses.

Executive Directive (ED)

The ED builds on ongoing efforts underway at various departments and by critical stakeholder groups and community leaders, ensuring state government and its partners are all rowing in the same direction and laser-focused on shared goals.

Here are some of the actions the ED takes:

Residents of Benton Harbor must continue to have access to free bottled water until further notice.

Residents must be offered free or low-cost lead-related services including but not limited to drinking water testing and health services.

The State of Michigan will collaborate closely with federal partners, county officials, city officials, and community leaders to communicate up-to-date information and leverage every available resource to accelerate lead service line replacement.

To view the full executive directive, click the link below:

[EXECUTIVE DIRECTIVE 2021-06]

Lead Service Lines (LSLs)

Under Michigan's Lead and Copper Rule, the strictest nationwide, every community is required to replace 5% of its LSLs every year, meaning 100% replacement in 20 years. However, any community experiencing an action level exceedance, or ALE, is required to replace their LSLs at a rate of 7% per year, meaning 100% completion in just under 15 years.

With additional federal funding expected under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act making its way through Congress, the State of Michigan will receive billions more to fix its infrastructure, including lead pipes.

Lead

There is no safe level of lead. Lead exposure harms brain development in children and it causes both short and long-term health problems for adults. The leading causes of lead exposure are drinking water and paint. About 34 million homes have lead-based paint and around 9.2 million have lead pipes. Michigan's top priority is simple: safe drinking water for everyone. Residents should visit MI Lead Safe (michigan.gov/lead) to see all available resources and guides.

Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration Actions

In the two and a half years since the Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration took office in January 2019, the State of Michigan has invested more in its water infrastructure than the previous five years-from 2014 to 2018-combined. The governor launched the MI Clean Water plan to invest $700 million to build up drinking and wastewater infrastructure while supporting 10,000 good-paying jobs. The plan addresses high water rates, tackles toxic contaminants like PFAS, builds up sewer and septic systems that can't meet demand, and replaces lead service lines. In addition to MI Clean Water plan, Michigan has invested millions in drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater facilities across the state supporting thousands of local jobs.

###
Governor Whitmer Announces $32 Million Investment to Fight Crime by Funding Police Officer Retention and Recruitment

Governor Whitmer Announces $32 Million Investment to Fight Crime by Funding Police Officer Retention and Recruitment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 20, 2021

Contact: Press@Michigan.gov

Governor Whitmer Announces $32 Million Investment to Fight Crime by Funding Police Officer Retention and Recruitment

Second pillar of $75 million MI Safe Communities framework would fund retention and recruitment programs for officers, expand professional development, training, and mental health, and improve violent crime clearance rates

LANSING, Mich. - Today, Governor Gretchen proposed a $32 million investment to ensure law enforcement officers have the training and resources they need to effectively fight crime. The proposal is part of the larger $75 million MI Safe Communities framework the governor laid out in July, which would utilize federal funding from the American Rescue Plan to reduce crime and keep families safe by tackling the court backlog, expanding resources available to law enforcement, and uplifting communities by making investments in jobs programs, counseling, and education.

"We have to work together to fund police and reduce crime because every Michigander in every community deserves to live safely," said Governor Whitmer. "As a former prosecutor, keeping families safe is a top priority, and the MI Safe Communities framework will help law enforcement officers do their jobs more effectively. I will work with anyone to bring down crime and help Michiganders feel safe in their community. Together, we can build a safer, more just Michigan where every family can thrive, where every kid can get a great education, and where every person has a path to a good-paying, high-skill job."

"The member agencies of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police are truly appreciative of the concrete actions the Governor is taking to address the critical issues that our law enforcement officers and departments are currently facing," said Robert Stevenson, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police.

"This represents the first of many necessary steps designed to give communities and law enforcement the resources they need to provide Michiganders the safety they deserve," said Rob Figurski, President of the Michigan Association of Police Organizations.

"Any money spent on making the public safer is money well-spent," said Matt Saxton, Executive Director of the Michigan Sheriffs' Association, "And we look forward to learning more about these grants for law enforcement services, recruitment, and retention."

"Governor Whitmer is right to support additional funding for frontline law enforcement officers, especially for retention and recruitment," said Kenneth E Grabowski, Legislative Director of Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM). "Now more than ever, we need to keep our experienced officers and grow our police ranks with new quality officers. Law enforcement is more challenging than ever, a very complicated profession that needs investment. We look forward to working with anyone who is willing to support Michigan law enforcement as our members work to keep families safe every day. POAM appreciates Governor Whitmer understanding this."

The $32 million investment will go to communities with the highest increases in violent crime. It has four pieces:

1. Retention and Recruitment ($20 million)

Grants up to $10,000 per officer to help local law enforcement departments and correctional facilities retain qualified, experienced personnel, and grants up to $10,000 to recruit or retain future officers enrolled in police academy training programs or new officers who have completed at least 2 years at a department. No department will be eligible for more than 10% of the total funds for a single department receiving funding.

2. Professional Development and Training ($4.5 million)

Funds professional development and enhanced training for current law enforcement and correctional officers and forgive educational debt of recent hires with a matching grant of $5,000, totaling up to $10,000 per eligible officer. No department will be eligible for more than 10% of the total funds for a single department receiving funding.

3. Mental Health ($4.5 million)

Creates a grant program offering behavioral health services for law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, dispatchers, and local corrections officers. No department will be eligible for more than 10% of the total funds for a single department receiving funding.

This investment will build on ongoing efforts from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to set up an officer mental wellness initiative.

4. Solving Violent Crime ($3 million)

Provides grants to local law enforcement departments to hire homicide detectives or other line staff focused on investigating and solving violent crime. This investment would drive down homicide clearance rates in Michigan cities, which are currently some of the worst nationwide. No department will be eligible for more than 10% of the total funds for a single department receiving funding.

MI Safe Communities

The $32 million investment Governor Whitmer laid out today to ensure law enforcement and corrections departments are equipped to do their jobs was the result of hundreds of conversations the governor and her team had with law enforcement officers, community leaders, faith leaders, and families over several months. Based on those conversations, the governor announced the three-pillar, $75 million MI Safe Communities framework in July.

MI Safe Communities would:

Invest more money into Michigan's police departments to strengthen training policies and programs and foster collaboration between the Michigan State Police and local departments on specialty services.

I ncreas e the number of visiting judges with funding for prosecution and defense to tackle the backlog of criminal cases that has piled up during the pandemic, to protect the rights of defendants to appear in person and help the justice system operate more efficiently while maintaining public safety .

Make comprehensive investments to expand opportunity through Michigan's education, jobs, and justice system including Collaborative Community Violence Intervention Programs , counseling, peer support, mediation, and social services to hospital patients recovering from violent injuries and prevent further violence and injuries .

Governor Whitmer will make additional announcements on MI Safe Communities in the coming weeks.

Funding Law Enforcement

Since taking office, the governor has signed budget bills delivering $1.4 billion to local governments to help them fund local police, fire departments, and emergency medical services. She has also delivered $40 million in COVID hazard pay for local officers and first-responders and over $10 million premium pay for MSP troopers. These dollars help ensure police are better equipped to fight crime today and have the resources to fight crime tomorrow.

Budget

Last month, the governor signed the Fiscal Year 2022 budget bill that delivers more resources to state police to help them hire more troopers and expand and improve training. The latest budget also invests in 911 system upgrades and delivers on the kitchen-table fundamental issues that make our communities stronger: putting 167,000 Michiganders on a tuition-free path to higher-education or skills training, expanding low or no-cost childcare to 105,000 kids, repairing or replacing 100 bridges while creating 2,500 jobs, and more.

Earlier this year, Governor Whitmer and legislature worked together to put Michigan students first and passed the largest significant education investment in state history, closing the funding gap between schools in Michigan and including a historic amount of resources for schools to hire more nurses, counselors, and social workers. Early investments in mental and social health help reduce crime in the long run.

###
BIG RAPIDS  Everyone is encouraged to clean out their medicine cabinets and take advantage of free drug take back events this Saturday at Spectrum Health Big Rapids and Reed City hospitals.

This free and anonymous public service is part of the 19th annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration.

Locally, Spectrum Health, Ten16 Recovery Network and the Mecosta Osceola Substance Awareness Coalition are partnering to provide safe and convenient opportunities to dispose of these unwanted items.

The events are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Reed City Hospital Multi Specialty Clinic, 300 N. Patterson Road in Reed City and at Big Rapids Hospital, 605 Oak St. in Big Rapids.

Items accepted include over the counter and prescription medication, liquids, ointments, inhalers, needles and pet medications. Full needle containers can be exchanged for empty containers while supplies last.

Last year, Michigan saw 2,684 opioid deaths and many can be linked to prescription medications, said Dr. Colleen Lane, Medical Director of Addiction Medicine, Spectrum Health. By bringing unused medications to drop off sites in your area, you are playing a critical role in keeping your community safe.

Naxolone (Narcan) will also be available free to community members after education about the overdose prevention medication is received. Naxolone quickly restores normal breathing to someone who may be suffering a life-threatening accidental overdose from prescription and other opioids.

The United States Drug Enforcement Agency advises the public not to flush medications down the toilet or throw them in the trash because doing so poses potential safety and health hazards.

For more information, call 231-592-4204.
Port Austin has been using artwork to offer more options for tourists than just the Lake Huron shoreline. Some of that art comes from the best known art museum in the state.

For the past few years, recreations of artwork from the Detroit Institute of the Arts have been on display at various spots in Port Austin, helping to draw art tourists to the area.

Cindy Patrick of Port Austin Art & Placemaking, had been a tour guide for the DIA for 15 years and she originally applied for Port Austin to take part in the DIAs Inside Out program, which shares reproductions of the museums artwork throughout the state. That was back in 2017, when five pieces were showcased throughout the village.

When we went back a couple of times to apply again, we werent eligible, Patrick said.

She said the program is mainly focused on showcasing the art in the Tri-County area (Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland) that makes up Metro Detroit, along with two Michigan areas outside that region every year.

The first time they did as a courtesy, she said.

To keep the art displays going, the Port Austin Art & Placemaking organization was able to purchase 11 art recreations from the museum, which were first showcased in 2019.

The people loved it so much that we invested for 11 so we could continue the program on our own, Patrick said.

Patrick said that Port Austin Art & Placemaking was able to pick which recreations to display throughout town, with their choices reflecting how Port Austin is a lakeside community.

Watson and the Shark (by John Singleton Copley) in the American wing is one of the most popular works of art we tour, and it has a strong story behind it, Patrick said, with the artwork in question currently displayed at the Village Green.

The artwork is put up in the spring, each in a different location every year, and is taken down at the end of October. Some of the other artwork placed around town include Cotopaxi by Fredric Edwin Church at the Port Austin Welcome Center, Gladioli by Claude Monet at the butterfly house, and Saint Jerome in his Study by Jan van Eyck at the Port Austin Township Library.

Each year that Port Austin Art & Placemaking unveils the new location for these pieces, it holds an event where three tour guides do a walking tour. Each one garners between 75 and 100 people.

I was at the Bank restaurant on Friday and what often happens is where someone says thanks for bringing this art to Port Austin, how theyll see them on their morning walk, Patrick said.

Patrick said that programs like this have helped Port Austin move in the right direction of not just being a resort destination, but also an art destination.

The Inside Out program has existed for the past 12 years after the then-DIA director traveled to London and saw a similar program there. After being received well in the Tri-County area, two locations outside that area, one in the east and one in the west of the state, get to show pieces.

Both Port Austin Art & Placemaking and the Port Austin Artist in Residence programs support this program, which are both 501(c)(3) organizations.
A new Alzheimers drug from Biogen brought in only $300,000 in sales during its first full quarter on the market, extending a slow debut complicated by coverage questions and doctor concerns.

The infused drug, hailed as a potential breakthrough treatment for a fatal disease, has encountered a health care system that remains a major bottleneck in keeping the treatment from patients, CEO Michel Vounatsos said Wednesday.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the drug, named Aduhelm, in June and later said it was appropriate for patients with mild symptoms or early-stage Alzheimers.

Aduhelm clears brain plaque thought to play a role in Alzheimers disease, and regulators made their call based on study results showing the drug seemed likely to benefit patients. But theyve asked for more research.

Questions about the scientific studies behind Aduhelm and how patients will pay for a drug that can cost more than $50,000 annually have made some care providers cautious.

Several major medical centers have yet to decide whether they will use Aduhelm, which represents the first new Alzheimers treatment in more than 20 years.

Vounatsos said Wednesday during a call to discuss the companys third quarter that Biogen is working to improve the communitys understanding of our clinical data.

We continue to believe in Aduhelms long-term potential, he said.

An analyst asked if Biogen leaders have thought about changing the drugs price. The CEO said that while fine tuning the price is always an option, that has not come up as a primary concern in market research.

Biogen, which developed Aduhelm with Japans Eisai Co., also emphasizes that it has financial assistance programs for patients who struggle to afford Aduhelm.

A big factor in patient affordability will be whether or how Medicare decides to cover Aduhelm, a decision expected by next April. The federal program for people over age 65 is expected to cover most of the patients who will be eligible for the drug.

Biogen leaders said Wednesday that they expect Aduhelm sales to accelerate after that decision. But even then, they expect use of the drug to grow gradually.

In the meantime, they report progress as treatment centers figure out how to diagnose, treat and then monitor patients on Aduhelm, an undertaking more complex than what is required for other Alzheimers treatments.

A total of 120 sites have infused at least one patient, which is more than double what the company counted about six weeks ago.

But its also far fewer than the 900 sites the company has said it expected to be ready shortly after U.S. regulators approved the drug.

Other countries and the European Union also are reviewing the drug.

Aduhelm has generated about $2 million in sales so far this year. Company officials attributed the $300,000 recorded for the third quarter in part to drug wholesalers drawing down inventory they had purchased the previous quarter.

Analysts who follow Biogen had been expecting as much as $16 million or $17 million in Aduhelm sales for the quarter, Mizuho Securities USA analyst Salim Syed said, adding that investors anticipated a much lower figure.

Biogen expects Aduhelm to have a minimal impact on its performance in 2021. The drugmaker raised its annual revenue and profit forecasts for the year on Wednesday after reporting a better-than-expected third quarter.

Biogen, which also makes the multiple sclerosis treatment Tecfidera, now expects adjusted earnings of $18.85 to $19.35 per share on $10.8 billion to $10.9 billion in revenue.

Analysts expect earnings of $18.49 per share on $10.74 billion in revenue, according to FactSet.

Shares of Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Biogen Inc. slipped 65 cents to $267.48 Wednesday afternoon, while broader indexes rose slightly.

The stock price had soared about 45% and climbed past $400 after Aduhelm received FDA approval in June. But the shares have since shed most of that gain.

___

Follow Tom Murphy on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thpmurphy
BRASILIA, Brazil (AP)  A Brazilian Senate report recommended Wednesday pursuing crimes against humanity and other charges against President Jair Bolsonaro for allegedly bungling Brazils response to COVID-19 and contributing to the country having the world's second-highest pandemic death toll.

Sen. Renan Calheiros presented the proposal to a committee of colleagues that has spent six months investigating the Brazilian governments management of the pandemic. The decision on whether to file most of the charges would be up to Brazils prosecutor-general, a Bolsonaro appointee and ally.

Bolsonaro has consistently downplayed the threat of the coronavirus and touted misinformation and unproven COVID-19 treatments while ignoring international health guidelines on mask use and public activity. The 11-member Senate panel examined whether his actions caused many of Brazils more than 600,000 COVID-19 deaths.

In a nearly 1,200-page report based on the committee's work, Calheiros called for Bolsonaro's indictment on charges ranging from charlatanism and inciting crime to misuse of public funds and crimes against humanity.

By insisting on so-called early treatment drugs like the anti-malarial medication hydroxychloroquine as practically the only government policy to fight the pandemic, the report states, Jair Bolsonaro strongly collaborated for COVID-19s spread in Brazilian territory and, as such, showed himself to be the main person responsible for the errors committed by the federal government during the pandemic.

The far-right Brazilian leader has repeatedly described the Senate investigation as a political instrument aimed at sabotaging him and denied any wrongdoing.

We know we are not to blame for anything. We know we did the right thing from the very first moment, Bolsonaro said Wednesday from the northeastern state of Ceara.

The office of Prosecutor-General Augusto Aras said in a statement that the report would be carefully analyzed once it's received. Analysts said it was unclear if Aras would charge the president even if there are legal grounds to do so, and that the report was far more likely to hamper Bolsonaro's push for reelection in 2022 than make him a defendant in a courtroom.

The major impact of the investigation is political, because it generated tons of news that certainly will be used by campaign strategists next year, said Thiago de Aragao, director of strategy at political consulting firm Arko Advice.

Calheiros, whom the committee designated to write the report, read a summary to the Senate committee on Wednesday. In addition to Bolsonaro, the report recommends charges for current and former members of his administration, dozens of allies, the president's three sons who are politicians and two companies.

The committee collected evidence that abundantly demonstrated that the federal government was silent and chose to act in a non-technical and reckless manner, the report states.

The document can be modified before the 11-member senatorial committee considers endorsing it; a vote is set for Oct. 26. The committee's approval is needed before the report goes to the office of the prosecutor-general, who has the authority to carry the investigation forward and eventually pursue charges.

Pierpaolo Bottini, a lawyer with the Brazilian Bar Association who has advised the committee members, told The Associated Press that other avenues for bringing charges are available to the Senate if the prosecutor-general doesn't ask the Supreme Court for authorization to investigate the president. But those would run through the speaker of Congress' Lower House, another Bolsonaro ally.

Regardless of whether the report leads to charges, it is expected to fuel criticism of the divisive president, whose approval ratings have slumped ahead of his 2022 reelection campaign. The investigation itself has for months provided a drumbeat of damaging allegations.

Senators obtained thousands of documents and heard testimony from over 60 people. Scandals came to light, such as Bolsonaro allegedly turning a blind eye to possible corruption in a deal to purchase coronavirus vaccines.

Prevent Senior, a Sao Paulo-based hospital chain, also faced accusations that it forced doctors to toe the line on prescribing unproven drugs that Bolsonaro championed for treating COVID-19. The Senate report recommends charging the chain's executive director with four crimes. The company has denied wrongdoing.

Bolsonaro continues to argue that the hydroxychloroquine is effective in treating COVID-19, though broad, major studies have found it to be ineffective and potentially dangerous. On Wednesday, referring to criticism around his push for chloroquine, he portrayed his advocacy as a historical event.

Back then, no one knew how to treat this disease and I had the courage, after listening to many people, especially doctors, to put forward a possible solution.

More recently, the senators heard heart-rending tales from family members of COVID-19 victims.

On Monday, Giovanna Gomes Mendes da Silva, 19, spoke tearfully of her parents deaths and assuming custody of her 10-year-old sister. Her testimony so affected the sign language interpreter for the Senates broadcast channel that he struggled to contain his emotion and had to be replaced halfway through.

We lost the people we loved the most, da Silva told senators. "And I saw that I needed my sister, and that she needed me. I leaned on her, just like she leaned on me.

An earlier draft of the Senate report had recommended the president be indicted for homicide and genocide, as well, though the two proposed charges were scrapped in the face of opposition from committee members and concern that bombastic claims could undermine the reports credibility.

Still, the report concluded that the government deliberately exposed the population to a concrete risk of mass infection, influenced by a group of unofficial advisers who advocated for pursuing herd immunity long after many experts said that wasnt a viable option. ___ Jeantet reported and David Biller contributed from Rio de Janeiro.
WASHINGTON (AP)  For the third time this year, Senate Democrats on Wednesday tried to pass sweeping elections legislation that they tout as a powerful counterweight to new voting restrictions sweeping conservative-controlled states.

Once again, Republicans blocked them.

But amid the ongoing stalemate, there are signs that Democrats are making headway in their effort to create consensus around changing Senate procedural rules, a key step that could allow them to muscle transformative legislation through the narrowly divided chamber.

Sen. Angus King, a Maine independent who caucuses with Democrats, recently eased his longstanding opposition to changing the filibuster rules, which create a 60-vote threshold for most legislation to pass.

Ive concluded that democracy itself is more important than any Senate rule, said King, who acknowledged that weakening the filibuster would likely prove to be a double-edged sword under a Republican majority.

Democrats still face long odds of passing their bill, now known as the Freedom to Vote Act, which Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., excoriated Wednesday as a federal election takeover scheme. But the softening of King's stance on the filibuster amounts to progress, if incremental, for Senate Democrats as they look to convince others in their caucus to support a rule change.

After the vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer invoked the Reconstruction era following the Civil War, hailing the Northern senators serving at that time for going it alone when confronted by minority obstruction.

Members of this body now face a choice, said Schumer, D-N.Y. They can follow in the footsteps of our patriotic predecessors in this chamber. Or they can sit by as the fabric of our democracy unravels before our very eyes.

The Democrats voting bill was first introduced in March in the wake of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. It quickly passed the House at a time when Republican-controlled legislatures  many inspired by Donald Trump's false claims of a stolen 2020 election  were advancing restrictions in the name of election security that will make it harder to vote and could make the administration of the elections more subject to partisan interference.

Trumps claims of election fraud were widely rejected in the courts, by state officials who certified the results and by his own attorney general.

But initial optimism that the measure would swiftly pass the Senate dissipated after several members of the Democratic caucus, including King, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin of West Virginia, among others, made clear their reluctance to change the filibuster rules. Manchin, who has said that any election overhaul needs bipartisan support, also sought changes to the voting bill to make it more palatable to Republicans.

As written, the current compromise version of the bill would establish national rules for running elections, limit partisanship in the drawing of congressional districts and force the disclosure of many anonymous donors who spend big to influence elections.

Other provisions are aimed at alleviating concerns from local elections officials, who worried that that original bill would have been too difficult to implement. And some new additions are aimed at insulating nonpartisan election officials, who may be subject to greater partisan pressure under some of the new state laws.

It also includes a number of changes sought by Manchin, the chambers most conservative Democrat, including a provision that would limit, but not prohibit, state voter ID requirements.

But so far, those changes have not attracted the Republican support that Manchin was seeking.

The latest umpteenth iteration (of the bill) is only a compromise in the sense that the left and the far-left argued among themselves about exactly how much power to grab and in which areas," McConnell, who recently met with Manchin about the bill, said Wednesday. The same rotten core is all still there.

Hours later, Republicans denied Democrats the 60 votes needed to debate the measure on the Senate floor.

That gives Democrats few options and little time to act on a major party priority while their restive base has become increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress on the issue.

"Democracy  the very soul of America  is at stake, President Joe Biden said in a statement. It should be simple and straightforward. Let there be a debate and let there be a vote.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki also hinted that Biden may be softening his opposition to filibuster changes.

Are (Republicans) going to protect this fundamental right? Or are they going to continue to be obstreperous  to use a word the president has used in the past  and put Democrats in a position where theres no alternative but to find another path forward? Psaki said Monday.

But Manchin and Sinema, whose votes would be required for any rule change, have said they remain opposed to changing the filibuster.

Meanwhile, pressure is building from the Democratic base for Biden and Senate Democrats to take greater action.

They have failed to pass substantive legislation, and they are failing to act now, said Joseph Geevarghese, the executive director of Bernie Sanders-aligned group Our Revolution. "It needs to be made even more clear by the President that he is 100% on the side of the American peoples most sacred right, and if that means fixing the filibuster then we must do it for the sake of our democracy.
NEWTOWN - A land use board unanimously denied a request by a Route 6 service station at the Interstate 84 Exit 10 ramps to locate a Dunkin Donuts drive-thru shop in the existing convenience store.

In denying the request, the chairman of the five-member Planning and Zoning Commission said he wanted to prevent similar drive-thru proposals by service stations or convenience stores in the Exit 10 corridor.

The proposal is for a Dunkin Donuts but the text amendment says convenience stores can have a drive-thru window so that definition is a lot broader, said Don Mitchell, the commission chairman, during a hearing earlier this month. (The proposal) can be written in a more limited way (but) I dont want to draft a regulation on the fly for one business specific use.

The land use boards denial put an end for now to plans by the Mobil service station to remove an overhang and pillars to make room for a Dunkin Donuts drive-thru, next door to the Blue Colony Diner.

Service station owner Jaydev Patel and his consultants spent three hearings revising drawings and insisting that there was space on the property for parking, circulation and the extra traffic a Dunkin Donuts would bring, mostly between 6 and 11 a.m.

David Rosen, an alternate member of Newtowns Planning and Zoning Commission, said he had concerns about the service station being chaotic, because there will be drive-thru traffic, gas pumping traffic, convenience store traffic and car wash traffic all leading out onto a busy road.

A Newtown resident who attended the public hearing agreed, saying it was important to protect what Newtown looks like to those coming to visit and to protect small businesses.

This includes having no strip malls, no box stores and no drive-thru windows, said Heidi Winslow. While the applicants say they are within regulations  the applicants are not in compliance or they wouldnt be asking for a text amendment.

The resident was speaking of two changes the service station was proposing to Newtowns zoning that would allow combination filling station and convenience stores to have drive-thru windows in the Exit 10 commercial corridor.

Mitchell said he didnt want to open the door to unintended consequences.

The text amendment shows no limitation on what can be sold through the drive-thru window, Mitchell said.

Its not the first time that Dunkin Donuts has been denied a drive-thru request in the I-84 corridor by a local land use board.

In 2019, a Connecticut judge upheld Danburys decision to deny Dunkin Donuts a drive-thru window on a busy stretch of Mill Plain Road near Interstate 84 Exit 2A.

Dunkin Donuts had applied for special permission to operate a drive-thru at 110 Mill Plain Road, near a small strip mall anchored by Trader Joes, estimating the window would account for 60 percent of the stores business.

Danburys Planning Commission denied the request, in part because fast-food drive-thru windows were not allowed in the zone, and in part because the traffic design was configured in an unconventional way.

In Newtown, Mitchell suggested that the service station was welcome to come back with narrowly tailored language that would make it hard for another service station or convenience store to follow the Mobil stations example.

[D]enying the application will give the applicant time to draft something thats more narrow and bring it back, he said.

rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342
WASHINGTON (AP)  The FBI found a trash bag of shredded documents, thousands of dollars in cash, latex gloves and a go-bag when they searched the home of a Maryland couple accused of trying to sell information about nuclear-powered warships to a foreign country, an agent testified Wednesday.

Jonathan Toebbe, a Navy nuclear engineer, and his wife, Diana, were arrested in West Virginia this month. Prosecutors allege that Jonathan Toebbe tried to pass secrets about sophisticated and expensive Virginia-class submarines to someone he thought was a representative of a foreign government but who was actually an undercover FBI agent. The government accuses Diana Toebbe of serving as a lookout for her husband at several dead drop locations at which sensitive information was left behind.

The couple pleaded not guilty in federal court in Martinsburg, West Virginia to espionage-related charges that carry life in prison. The Toebbes have been jailed since their arrests.

The country to which Toebbe was looking to sell the information has not been identified in court documents and was not disclosed in court during a detention hearing Wednesday. A judge heard arguments but did not immediately rule on whether Diana Toebbe should continue to be locked up. Jonathan Toebbe waived his right to a detention hearing, meaning he continues to be held.

Peter Olinits, a Pittsburgh-based agent specializing in counterintelligence investigations, testified in support of the government's argument that Diana Toebbe was a potential flight risk and should remain jailed as the case moved forward.

He described how agents on the day of the couple's arrest found in their home, among other objects, $11,300 in cash, children's valid passports and a go-bag containing a USB flash drive and latex gloves.

Olinits also cited messages from 2019 and 2020 in which the Toebbes discussed leaving the country, including one in which Diana Toebbe said, I cannot believe that the two of us wouldn't be welcomed and rewarded by a foreign government." Months later, in another message, she said, I think we need to be actively making plans to leave the country," according to Olinits.

But Diana Toebbe's lawyer, Edward MacMahon, raised the possibility that his 45-year-old client, who worked as a teacher at a progressive private school in Annapolis, Maryland, was simply referring to her distress over the prospect of President Donald Trump's reelection.

She's not the only liberal that's wanted to leave the country over politics, MacMahon pointed out. That's correct, isn't it, sir?

The investigation began in late 2020 after an FBI legal attache office in an unspecified country obtained a package that prosecutors say Jonathan Toebbe had sent that nation. In a letter, he offered to sell confidential U.S. Navy information, according to prosecutors.

The letter, sent on April 1, 2020, and bearing a return address in Pittsburgh, says: If you do not contact me by December 31, 2020 I will conclude you are uninterested, and will approach other possible buyers," according to Olinits' testimony.

After receiving the letter, the FBI began using an undercover agent to communicate with Jonathan Toebbe, arranging for the information to be deposited at dead drop locations around the region.

Olinits testified that Diana Toebbe accompanied her husband on three of the four missions. To avoid suspicion, Olinits said, the Toebbes would dress as if tourists or hikers and meander around the drop site. Authorities say Jonathan Toebbe left at the locations memory cards containing government secrets, concealing them in objects including a chewing gum wrapper, a Band-Aid wrapper and a peanut butter sandwich.

Olinits said the FBI has not been able to locate the roughly $100,000 in cryptocurrency payments that the bureau sent the Toebbes in exchange for the stolen government secrets, and that agents have also not yet recovered all the classified documents.

MacMahon, the lawyer for Diana Toebbe, argued that because the FBI did not record any of the couple's conversations, agents actually had no proof that his client had any knowledge of her husband's activities or what precisely he was doing.

He said the couple, who has children, had been planning a family trip, which could explain the bag that agents found and why their passports were being renewed. And he suggested that Diana Toebbe, who has a doctoral degree in anthropology, has no knowledge of nuclear submarines.

Did it occur to you as part of your investigation that maybe Mr. Toebbe was telling her he was up to something other than espionage against the United States? MacMahon asked.

I think that'd be a difficult thing to sell, but maybe, Olinits said.

____

Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP
RIDGEFIELD  The race for a seat on the Board of Police Commissioners features an incumbent, two appointees and two residents who are new to the board but familiar with public service.

Current Chairwoman Marcie Coffin is seeking re-election alongside appointees John Frey, a Republican, and Ralph Money, a Democrat.

Rounding out the Republicans slate is former Planning and Zoning Commissioner Patrick Walsh. Sharon Dornfeld, a parking violations appeals hearing officer and juvenile review board member, joins Money on the Democrats slate.

Hearst Connecticut Media had a chance to speak with each candidate regarding their stance on the most pressing issues facing Ridgefield voters.

Note: Some responses have been shortened for space.

Question: What is the top issue you plan to address if elected?

Coffin: Ridgefields police and fire departments are in need of new headquarters. After careful planning and review, I would like to assist the town in the construction of a new public safety building. Planning considerations should include location, size, cost and ensure the facility will support the needs of the officers and the town for many years to come.

Money: One critical area of public safety where the town has under-invested is in our facilities. As they stand now, our fire and police headquarters are outdated, costly to maintain and no longer serve the needs of our town. Ridgefield needs to take a strategic and practical approach for addressing these shortfalls, (and) a combined public safety facility needs to advance. There are operational synergies and economic advantages of a combined police/dire/911 headquarters.

Frey: The facilities of both the Police and Fire Departments are 100-plus years old. A modern facility is long overdue. (Also), fully integrate body and vehicle cameras usage and continue addressing traffic situations.

Dornfeld: Keeping Ridgefield one of the safest towns in the country with a police department strongly grounded in service, integrity, fairness, caring, justice and accountability.

Walsh: The commission will oversee the design and construction of the new (public safety) facility, (which will) allow the police department to continue to best serve our community. The department is also now issuing body cameras ... and dashboard cameras (for which) the commission will play a very important role in (implementing). Traffic is such a critical issue. If elected, these issues will be my priority.

Question: What is your stance on allowing marijuana retailers to operate in town?

Coffin: Given the infancy of the market in Connecticut, there is not currently enough information available regarding its impact on communities. An evaluation of such data should be considered before (deciding) on whether or not to allow retailers in town.

Money: This is not (within) the purview of the Board of Police Commissioners.

Frey: The town was wise to implement a moratorium while the state determines the regulations. In the meanwhile, possession is legal. Should the town choose to permit a retail establishment, consideration must be given to location due to the traffic that these outlets generate.

Dornfeld: This issue is not within the purview of the Police Commission.

Walsh:  As a private citizen I do not support the sale marijuana in Ridgefield. As a practicing attorney, I see firsthand the profound effects marijuana has on individuals and families. Simply because the state has decriminalized the retail sale of marijuana doesn't mean Ridgefield should permit the sale of marijuana.

Question: What projects or initiatives would you like to see fulfilled using the town's American Rescue Plan monies?

Coffin: Ridgefield should engage members from many different viewpoints in town, Including for-profits, nonprofits and government agencies to discuss appropriate usage of funds. The members should work together in devising a plan to use the monies in a manner that will benefit the townspeople of Ridgefield. Supporting grassroots efforts of for-profits and nonprofits will ultimately benefit the town.

Money: Our town can benefit from ARPA funding to support frontline and essential workers particularly as it relates to training, equipment and facilities. Of particular importance would be additional training for our first responders in the areas of both physical and mental healthcare. In addition, funding should be requested to support the economic stabilization needs of our local businesses, (as) they are an important part of the fabric of Ridgefield.

Frey: The town should seek broad input via the taxpayers since this is a one-time opportunity. Ideally, projects that have a lasting impact. One public safety item may be a pedestrian crossing signal at Adam Broderick on Route 35.

Dornfeld: I would support using a portion of it for the new public safety facility.

Walsh: As an elected police commissioner, I believe the best use of Ridgefield's American Rescue Plan monies includes money spent on our deteriorating roads, upgrading traffic control devices, COVID testing and vaccinations and mental health initiatives to curb substance abuse.

Election Day is Nov. 2.

alyssa.seidman@hearstmediact.com
MOSCOW (AP)  Russia hosted talks on Afghanistan on Wednesday involving senior representatives of the Taliban and neighboring nations, a round of diplomacy that underlined Moscow's clout in Central Asia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov opened the talks and emphasized that forming a really inclusive government fully reflecting the interests of not only all ethnic groups but all political forces of the country is necessary to achieve a stable peace in Afghanistan, a nation of 39 million.

Russia had worked for years to establish contacts with the Taliban, even though it designated the group a terror organization in 2003 and never took it off the list. Any contact with such groups is punishable under Russian law, but the Foreign Ministry has responded to questions about the apparent contradiction by saying its exchanges with the Taliban are essential for helping stabilize Afghanistan.

Unlike many other countries, Russia hasnt evacuated its embassy in Kabul and its ambassador has maintained regular contacts with the Taliban since they took over the Afghan capital of Kabul in August.

Lavrov commended the Taliban for their efforts to stabilize the military-political situation in the country and ensure the operation of state structures.

We are satisfied with the level of practical interaction with Afghan authorities, which allows to effectively ensure the security of Russian citizens in Afghanistan and the unimpeded operation of our embassy in Kabul, Lavrov said in his opening speech.

At the same time, he emphasized the importance of respecting human rights and pursuing balanced social policies, adding that he discussed those issues with the Taliban delegation before the talks.

Lavrov said Russia would soon dispatch a shipment of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.

Zamir Kabulov, the Kremlin envoy on Afghanistan who also attended the talks, said the international recognition of the Taliban will hinge on the inclusiveness of their government and their human rights record.

We expect the Taliban to meet ... the request of the international community about inclusivity and basic human rights, which include broadly all kinds of human rights, and they confirmed that they are working on that, the process of improvement of governance, the process of improving the human rights situation," Kabulov told reporters.

Abdul Salam Hanafi, a deputy prime minister in the Taliban's interim government who attended Wednesday's talks, said the meeting is very important for stability of the entire region.

In a conclusive statement, the participants in the talks noted that further practical engagement with Afghanistan needed to take into account the new reality, that is the Taliban coming to power in the country, irrespective of the official recognition of the new Afghan government by the international community.

Participating countries call on the current Afghan leadership to take further steps to improve governance and to form a truly inclusive government that adequately reflects the interests of all major ethno-political forces in the country, they said, stressing the need for the Afghan leadership to respect the rights of ethnic groups, women and children.

The talks participants called for an international donor conference under the auspices of the United Nations, with the understanding that the core burden of post-conflict ... reconstruction and development of Afghanistan must be shouldered by the powers which had military contingents in the country for the past 20 years.

The Soviet Union fought a 10-year war in Afghanistan that ended with its troops withdrawing in 1989. In recent years, Moscow has made a strong comeback as an influential power broker in international talks on Afghanistan, hosting the Taliban representatives and members of other factions for bilateral and multilateral meetings.

Along with the Taliban and other Afghan factions, the so-called Moscow format talks held since 2017 also include representatives of China, Pakistan, Iran, India and the former Soviet nations in Central Asia.

Wednesday's talks were preceded earlier this week by a meeting of top diplomats from Russia, China and Pakistan. The U.S., which is also part of that troika plus format, didnt attend the meeting.

In explaining its absence from the meeting, the U.S. said it supported the talks, but was unable to attend for logistical reasons. State Department spokesman Ned Price did not elaborate on those reasons but his comments came just hours before the U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad resigned. The resignation was effective on Tuesday and his successor, Thomas West, was not prepared to join the Moscow meeting, officials said.

The Troika Plus has been an effective, a constructive forum, Price said. We look forward to engaging in that forum going forward, but were not in a position to take part this week.

Kabulov, the Kremlin envoy, said West is expected to visit Moscow for talks next month.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted there must be no rush in officially recognizing the Taliban as the new rulers of Afghanistan, but emphasized the need to engage in talks with them.

At the same time, Putin and other Russian officials stressed the threats posed by the Islamic State group and other militants based in northern Afghanistan, and noted that drug trafficking from Afghanistan will continue to present a challenge.

Numerous terrorist groups, notably the Islamic State and al-Qaida are trying to take advantage of the instability in the country mounting bloody attacks, Lavrov said. There is a real danger of terrorism and drugs spilling into the neighboring nations under the guise of migration.

Russia's top diplomat urged the Taliban "not to allow the territory of Afghanistan (to be) used against the interests of any third countries, primarily its neighbors, our friends and allies in Central Asia.

Russia has vowed to provide military assistance to its ex-Soviet allies in Central Asia to help counter the threats, and held joint drills in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, which neighbor Afghanistan. Another sweeping military exercise in Tajikistan involving 5,000 troops, more than 700 military vehicles and combat jets has started this week.

___

AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report from Washington.
LONDON (AP)  Britain agreed to a trade deal with New Zealand on Wednesday, eliminating tariffs on a wide range of goods as the U.K. seeks to expand economic links around the world following its exit from the European Union.

The deal was cemented in a conference call between U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his New Zealand counterpart, Jacinda Ardern, after 16 months of talks by negotiators. Although trade with New Zealand accounts for only 0.2% of the U.K.'s trade, Britain hopes it will help open the door toward membership in the trans-Pacific trade partnership.

The partnership, which includes Japan, Canada, and Vietnam, had GDP of 8.4 trillion pounds ($11.6 trillion) in 2020.

This is a great trade deal for the United Kingdom, cementing our long friendship with New Zealand and furthering our ties with the Indo-Pacific, Johnson said. It will benefit businesses and consumers across the country, cutting costs for exporters and opening up access for our workers.''

In New Zealand, where it was Thursday when the announcement came, Ardern said the deal was among the best ever achieved by New Zealand and would boost the nation's economy by about 1 billion New Zealand dollars ($720 million) as it opens the way for more sales of the country's wine, butter, cheese and beef.

This is a historic but substantial deal and it's been achieved basically in a year, Ardern said. That has never been done before.

Trade officials in the U.K. trumpeted the benefits of the deal, declaring that sauvignon blanc wine, Manuka honey and kiwi fruit from New Zealand would be cheaper for British consumers. Clothing, buses and bulldozers will also no longer face tariffs.

British farmers expressed disquiet, however, saying the deal, together with another signed with Australia earlier this year, would mean significant extra volumes of imported food at a time when labor shortages and rising costs are already hurting many U.K. farmers.

This could damage the viability of many British farms in the years ahead, to the detriment of the public, who want more British food on their shelves, and to the detriment of our rural communities and cherished farmed landscapes,'' National Farmers Union President Minette Batters said.

Instead of repeating the refrain that these deals will be good for British agriculture, our government now needs to explain how these deals will tangibly benefit farming, the future of food production and the high standards that go along with it on these shores, Batters said.

Asked if the deal meant New Zealand would be less reliant on China for its exports, Ardern said diversification would improve options and resilience for its exporters.

There remain some hurt feelings in New Zealand after Britain joined what was then the European Economic Community back in 1973, leaving many New Zealand exporters feeling abandoned.

Ardern said the new deal meant that perhaps it was time to draw a line under that period of history.

Some of the details of the deal are still being finalized, and officials expect it to come into effect next year.

Johnsons Conservative government has been focused on negotiating free trade deals around the world in an effort to boost economic growth following Brexit. The biggest prize would be a trade deal with the United States, although a deal with America seems far off.

___

Perry reported from Wellington, New Zealand.

___

Follow all AP stories on post-Brexit developments in Britain at https://apnews.com/hub/Brexit.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP)  The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to stop the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for Maine health care workers, setting the stage for another 11th-hour appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

A three-judge panel rejected a request for a preliminary injunction, saying a lawsuit brought by opponents of the mandate was unlikely to succeed. The state is due to begin enforcing the mandate on Oct. 29.

The decision was dated Tuesday, the same day the U.S. Supreme Court declined an emergency request to intervene. But the Supreme Court left open the door for another appeal.

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills praised the decision by the appeals court, saying Wednesday that vaccinations are the best tool we have to protect the lives and livelihoods of Maine people.

This rule protects health care workers, their patients and our health care capacity in the face of this deadly virus. Just as vaccination defeated smallpox and vaccination defeated polio, vaccination is the way to defeat COVID-19, she said in a statement.

The 1st Circuit decision comes a week after a federal judge in Maine upheld the vaccination mandate. The 1st Circuit rejected an emergency request to intervene Friday but agreed to allow additional arguments.

The Liberty Counsel, which filed the lawsuit in federal court in Maine, claims to represent more than 2,000 health care workers who dont want to be forced to be vaccinated.

Maines interest in safeguarding its residents is paramount. While we do not diminish the appellants liberty of conscience, we cannot find, absent any constitutional or statutory violation, any error in the district courts conclusion that the rule promotes strong public interests and that an injunction would not serve the public interest, the 1st Circuit concluded.

Most health care workers have complied but several dozen have opted to quit over the mandate, and Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston already curtailed some admissions because of a shortage of nurses. Nearly 97% of Maine emergency medical workers are vaccinated against COVID-19, Maine Department of Public Safety said Wednesday.

State agencies vowed to work with hospitals and nursing homes individually to address issues. That includes working with the facilities on recruitment and retention of workers, said Jeanne Lambrew, commissioner of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

We have seen significant improvements in the vaccine rates in our hospitals and long-term care facilities, she said.



In other pandemic-related news:

SHIPYARD UNION

The largest union at Navy shipbuilder Bath Iron Works said Wednesday it could lose about 30% of its membership  or more than 1,000 workers  over the Biden administration's vaccine mandate for federal contractors.

Machinists Union Local S6 supports the COVID-19 vaccines but contends they shouldn't be required for workers. The union represents the shipyard's production workers, about 4,800 of the shipyard's 6,500 workers.

We believe it is wrong to threaten someones livelihood over the vaccine at a time when valued workers are in such high demand while being deemed essential employees throughout this pandemic, the union said.

All workers are needed to keep shipbuilding on schedule at a time when the Navy faces growing threats around the world, the union said.

___

Associated Press writer Patrick Whittle contributed to this report in Portland.
MILFORD  Milford Public Schools presently has 5,373 students throughout its district  a number lower than a year ago, but not as low as what was predicted for the same time period.

Superintendent of Schools Anna Cutaia, at the Board of Education meeting last week, asked the board to consider the enrollment under three lenses. The lens of actual enrollment of Oct. 1, 2021, compared to Oct. 1, 2020, the actual enrollment compared to projections and a year-to-year retention.

The Elementary schools have the most students coming in at 2,468. The high schools are at 1,662. The middle schools are at 1,243, and Pre-K is at 228 students.

If we were going to talk about the actual 10/1/20 and 10/1/21, we are down by only 24 students, said Cutaia. We anticipated that number to be significantly lower based on projections.

The state of Connecticut requires local school districts to file their Oct. 1 enrollment data. MPS uses the enrollment data as the basis for budget planning for the next school year.

If you take a look at this level by level, we actually have 53 more elementary students this year, Oct. 1 to Oct. 1, Cutaia said. We have a decrease at the middle and a decrease of 59 students at the high school.

At the elementary level, the school with the most student population is Orange Avenue with 343 students, followed by Mathewson with 327 students, Orchard Hills with 310 students, J.F. Kennedy with 297 students, Meadowside with 287 students, Calf Pen with 254 students and Pumpkin Delight with 194 students.

Fourth grade has the most students with 387, followed by fifth grade with 382, second grade with 369, first grade with 362, kindergarten with 361 and third grade with 355 students.

At the high school level, Jonathan Law High School has the most students with 835, followed by Joseph A. Foran High School with 785 students, The Academy with 27 students and Parsons Programs with 15 students.

Ninth grade has the most students with 434, followed by 12th grade with 430 students, 10th grade with 405 students and 11th grade with 393 students.

At the middle school level, West Shore has the most student population with 418 students. East Shore has a total of 415 students, and Harborside with 410 students.

The sixth-grade level is the largest class with 415 students, and both seventh and eighth-grade classes are at 414 students.

Looking at the number under the second lens of actual enrollment compared to projections, Cutaia said when they met with their demographers last year, there was a wild card on what the pandemic was doing to housing and family migration.

I believe all demographers, whether they admitted it to you or not, really struggled through being predictive in nature around what enrollment would look like, Cutaia said. It felt like there were a lot of families moving in with houses selling, so in our projections, we were 21 students above the projection.

Cutaia said in November 2019, they made a presentation to the board of education that shared what enrollment would look like over the next eight to 10 years.

At that time, we talked about a decline of enrollment, and while it would be declining, there was a prediction that it would level off a bit, she said. So we were predicting few students enrolled in Milford Public Schools way before the pandemic hit. So I dont want anyone walking away thinking this reduction in enrollment is a new phenomenon. It is something that was predicted before the pandemic.

Using the third lens, Cutaia said she took a look at the students enrolled last year and compared them to if they moved up to the next year.

If you take last year's K-4 kids, and you compare them with the numbers in 1-5, weve actually gone up 33 kids, she said. Last year's kindergarten to this year's first grade 347 to 362, we actually gained first graders. First graders to second grade, we lost 10 kids. Second grade to third, we increased 13; third to fourth, we stayed the same, and from fourth to fifth an additional 15.

Cohort retention to me demonstrates that we actually have 33 more kids in our elementary if you look at it cohort to cohort, Cutaia added. The story is the same at the middle school. We have an additional 17 kids if you look at 5-7 and 6-8 this year. The story is not as positive at the high school. We had from 8-11, 1,689 and from 11-12, this year, we had 1662. So thats a decrease of 27 kids.

Cutaia said she took a look at the number of students being home-schooled this year.

We went from 38 homes school students to 66 last year, she said. While this year is a little better, if you recall only two short months ago, there was still a high level of anxiety of wearing a mask or not wearing a mask, are we going to social distance or not, what are the mitigating strategies, Cutaia continued. This year home school number is 63, the number went down. There is not fleeing out of Milford Public Schools to home school.

Going one step further, Cutaia said she looked at what people are concerned about of the departure from the public school system to private schools.

Based on the number of records request we received to leave Milford Public Schools to go to (St. Mary School) was 15, she said. Based on our records, 26 kids who enrolled at Saint Marys last year came to Milford Public Schools this year. There is no data to support a fleeing out of our schools.

On the high school side, Cutaia said 11 percent of freshmen decided not to attend a high school in Milford Public Schools.

The number of freshman going to a private school is down to 19 freshmen, she said.
Hygiene may be among the least controversial topics no one wants to talk about. I mean, its assumed, right? You could be of any geographic origin, any age or gender, Republican or Democrat, Giants or Dodgers fan  were all in favor of staying clean. And yet, you almost never talk about it in polite company.

Now, Ive done a little research (in secret, of course) to uncover these items that could fill the gaps in our routines. Excited? I know I am. Feel free to read on. Just burn this when youre done.

Oral Breeze Shower Breeze

Oral Breeze Showerbreeze - $38.95

Oral Breeze Showerbreeze 6' Oral Breeze amazon.com $38.95 Shop Now

Oral Breeze is a manufacturer of oral irrigators, gadgets to clean your teeth with a stream of forceful water, much like the well-known Waterpik. Theyre not Waterpiks, of course, but the concept is the same.

This model allows you to clean your teeth while you clean the rest of you in the shower, which does a lot to keep your bathroom dry.

Heres my personal story: A few years ago my periodontist (gum doctor) was concerned about a certain tooth, warning that unless its circumstances changed for the better, something would need to be done. He wouldnt tell me what, but it was plenty ominous.

When he left the room, the hygienist recommended I try an oral irrigator. I did, and on my very next visit, the tooth had improved dramatically, and I never had to find out what he was threatening me with  all thanks to this little gadget.

Phone Soap 3 Sanitizing Phone Charger

Phone Soap 3 Sanitizing Phone Charger - $74.95

PhoneSoap 3 UV Sanitizer and Dual Universal Cell Phone Charger PhoneSoap amazon.com $69.95 Shop Now

Are you a germaphobe? Get ready to reconsider that question once youve finished reading this.

A recent study suggests our precious cell phones harbor a huge array of bacteria and mold. Are we surprised? After all, we sport our talkative little buddies most everywhere we go. On average, were using them a whopping five hours a day.

So whats the answer? You cant exactly take it with you into the shower. The practical answer could be to sanitize with UV light as you charge it every evening.

BioBidet BB-270 (warm water)

BioBidet BB-270 - $64.00

Bio Bidet BioBidet amazon.com $64.00 Shop Now

Okay, since I have to be indelicate, Im not asking if youve actually used one, but Im going to assume you know about bidets.

The BioBidet BB-270 isnt a real start-to-finish bidet, but an easy-to-fit attachment to convert a conventional American-style toilet to the ultra-personal appliance used throughout Europe and Asia.

This model allows a warm-water hookup. An absolute necessity!

But why switch to something only foreigners use? Lets explore three reasons.

You Wont Need so Much Toilet Paper

Youll still need some, of course. You cant just walk around wet in the wrong places. But going full bidet will save you money, as well as trips to the supermarket

Better for the Environment

If everyone had a bidet we might not flush the equivalent of some 30,000 trees down our toilets every day. And think of the sewage lines unclogged.

Better for Your Butt (What? How would you have said it?)

Lets face it, folks. While bidets might seem a little weird, theyve gotta be more sanitary. You know what Im saying? And if you happen to suffer from any kind of maladies back there, bidets are a kinder, gentler option than paper. So consider it a healthy option, because it is one.

Clearoo Ear Wax Removal Tool

Clearoo Ear Wax Removal Tool - $34.99

Clearoo Ear Cleaner Clearoo amazon.com $34.99 Shop Now

If youre my age, you remember back in junior high (middle school now) when you asked someone to repeat something and they in turn suggested you clean the wax out of your ears. Well, if you ever needed to, now you can  and with a professional-style instrument, no less.

This otoscope/endoscope combination features a 360 degree professional grade lens, along with six LED lights and a 1080p HD camera, to help you (or your help-mate) know exactly where you are inside the ear.

Just download the included app and the Clearoo works with your android or ios device to locate and scoop away that nasty, obtrusive ear wax.

In addition, you can use the Clearoo to inspect areas inside the nose, mouth, or throat. Because the system works with interchangeable ear spoons and cones, you can even examine your pets. And wont that be fun!

Luxice Touchless Bathroom Faucet

Luxice Touchless Bathroom Faucet - $79.99

Luxice Sensor Automatic Touchless Bathroom Sink LUXICE amazon.com $89.99 Shop Now

Alright, I admit it: Im a hopeless germaphobe. I mean, not like Howard Hughes exactly, but yeah  I really like a touchless faucet.

Theyre most appreciated on occasions where I find myself in a public restroom. Sincerely, if I went to bed thinking of the microscopic life doing the boogaloo on a roadside restroom faucet, Id never get a wink of sleep.

Home faucets arent nearly so bad, of course. But if you think about it, we wash our hands to get them clean, right? Next we put a nice clean hand on the faucet handle to turn the water off. Now... where was the last place we had our dirty hands?

We can avoid this scenario without an automatic faucet. It may not be the most popular trend out there, but theyre a real conversation starter and they serve a hygienic purpose.

PEET Ultra Dryer UV Shoe Sanitizer

PEET Ultra Dryer UV Shoe Sanitizer - $59.99

PEET, Ultra Dryer, Sanitizer, and Deodorizer for Shoes PEET amazon.com $59.99 Shop Now

Do you suffer from sweaty, maybe smelly feet? The truth is, almost anyone might benefit from sanitizing their shoes overnight.

As the name declares, the PEET dries and sanitizes your shoes using UV light. It does this silently as you sleep, using no more electricity than an ordinary lightbulb.

It comes down to more than just odor: a 2012 study published by the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association (as cited by HU17.net) showed that UV light reduces by 80% the two common microorganisms that cause nail infection and athletes foot. So maybe check this gadget out.

Kinsman Reach N Scrub

Kinsman Reach N Scrub - $17.95

Reach N Scrub Kinsman amazon.com $17.95 Shop Now

Oh man, what a way to end a piece! Reach N Scrub, where have you been all my life?

Theres not a lot to say here, really. Mesh sponge (great for back-scratching). Twenty-four inch bendable handle (whoopee). Foldable for travel.

You know, a recent study indicates that people who wash their backs thoroughly in the shower are 88% more likely to enjoy their day. That isnt true  I made up that statistic, which is why theres no link. I just really enjoy a thorough back-wash, and the Reach N Scrub is a great way to make that happen.
Three aging Air Force veterans came to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to again tell their strange and extraordinary stories. A fourth veteran was piped into the National Press Club conference by video feed from the Ozark Mountains in Missouri.

Each veteran's story is different, but all share one central claim: In the 1960s, UFOs tampered with nuclear weapons managed by the Air Force, both terrifying and mystifying the airmen who experienced the encounters. Some remained silent for decades, they say.

And none has captured the attention of Washington, even as reports of Navy encounters with unknown flying objects have splashed across national headlines and pushed UFOs back into the political mainstream for the first time in decades.

"I waited 40 years before I opened my mouth, and that's a long time," said David Schindele, a retired captain who served as a nuclear missile launch control officer at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. "I had this terrible secret on my mind for all that time, and I felt such great relief to finally admit to my friends and close relatives what I experienced in the Air Force."

Other accounts, such as the story told by veteran Robert Salas of a glowing red-orange craft hovering at the gate of a Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile silo in Montana, have been told for decades and folded into the growing universe of UFO lore. Salas was part of a similar press conference in the same downtown press club in 2010.

Read Next: 16 Service Members Sue to Halt DoD's Vaccine Order

Through the years, the government remained indifferent at best to decades-old reports of saucer craft toying with the world's most powerful weapons during the Cold War. The Air Force funded a university study commonly known as the Condon Report in the 1960s, which found no evidence to support the claims -- and recommended against further studies.

But it is a different Capitol for Salas and his fellow true-believer veterans in 2021. The UFOs they claim appeared in the 1960s have been eclipsed by the more recent accounts of Navy witnesses and fighter jet footage of what the Pentagon now calls unexplained aerial phenomenon, or UAP.

Salas has spent years gathering other Air Force veterans who have signed witness affidavits describing their own alleged encounters decades ago. He claims the evidence shows UFOs appeared at various times and took 20 Minuteman ICBMs off-line at sites in the central U.S. over an eight-day period.

"Never had we seen a situation like this," Schindele explained.

Schindele said he and his commander visited a missile launch site near Minot in September 1966, and eight airmen there told him that 10 missiles at silos in the vicinity all went down with guidance and control malfunctions when an 80- to 100-foot wide flying object with bright flashing lights had hovered over the site.

Salas, who was a first lieutenant stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, in 1967, said he was on duty as a deputy missile combat crew commander deep in the underground nuclear missile control room. The site's flight security controller called from above ground and was panicked and shouting, Salas claims.

"He said there was a large glowing, pulsating red oval-shaped object hovering over the front gate," according to Salas' affidavit. As he woke his commander, he claims alarms went off showing nearly all 10 missiles shown in the control room had been disabled.

Robert Jacobs, who attended the UFO press conference via video link from Missouri, said he was a first lieutenant in the Air Force and stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, in 1964 when he was asked to set up a telescope video camera to capture an Atlas rocket test.

He claims the video showed a disc-shaped craft flew up to the dummy warhead as it traveled about 8,000 mph over the Pacific Ocean, circled it and shot it with several beams of light.

"It went around the top of the warhead, fired a beam of light down on the top of the warhead," Jacobs said Tuesday. After circling, it "then flew out the frame the same way it had come in."

Jacobs, who once shopped around the story and eventually sold it to the National Enquirer tabloid, said the film footage was cut and taken at the time by two men in gray suits, and his commander ordered him not to talk about it.

Meanwhile, the UAP cockpit footage from Navy encounters in the Pacific in 2004 and Atlantic in 2015 appear to back up eyewitness accounts from pilots who reported a craft that looked like a giant white "Tic Tac" flying without wings or propulsion systems, and a flying cube inside a clear sphere that passed between two fighter jets.

The encounters by naval aviators, first revealed in 2017, were followed by official acknowledgment from the Navy. The disclosures caused alarm on Capitol Hill, where some lawmakers worried China or Russia had leapfrogged U.S. defense technology. Congress ordered a report in June on what was known about UAPs.

The initial assessment from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence was inconclusive, saying not enough data exists to determine the nature of UAPs but that they may present a national security risk.

Salas called it a stunning admission. The veterans gathered at the press conference Tuesday pointed to the ODNI report as a potential breakthrough in their own unacknowledged accounts.

"I have certainly never seen anything like this before," Salas said of the report. "This is real. It's not visionary, it's not swamp gas, and so where do we go from here?"

For the Pentagon, it means reorganizing to better collect and analyze UAP data. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks ordered up a plan and potential overhaul of the UAP Task Force headed by Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro.

The Pentagon has declined to provide any public updates on the process. The Navy deferred any questions for Del Toro this week and said only the Pentagon could speak on the issue.

Whether Salas, Schindele, Jacobs and other Air Force veterans who had made similar claims will succeed in convincing others to take their assertions seriously remains a question mark.

"Have we been ignored? For God sakes, we've been shut up and silenced," Jacobs said. "We've been ridiculed; we've had our lives disrupted. This is more than just being ignored. We've been treated like imbeciles."

-- Travis Tritten can be reached at travis.tritten@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @Travis_Tritten.

Related: US Report Can't Explain UFOs, But Says They're Likely Real and Possibly a National Security Threat
More than 9,000 Afghan refugees who had been living in temporary housing on military bases in the U.S. since the fall of Kabul in August have been resettled in local communities, many with the aid of a makeshift army of veterans groups, military family organizations and immigration agencies.

About 5,800 of the 9,000 Afghans were resettled away from the eight military "safe havens" nationwide with the support of the non-governmental groups, said a U.S. official speaking late Tuesday on the condition of anonymity to provide background on the situation.

Another 3,200 Afghans, mostly U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and Special Immigrant Visa holders who aided the American military in Afghanistan or who already had close ties in the U.S., also left the bases and did not need outside support, the official said.

The official noted that all of the 9,000 Afghans who left the bases went through security vetting by the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense, the FBI, the National Counterterrorism Center and other intelligence government agencies, and were required to receive COVID-19 and other vaccinations before being resettled.

However, the total population of Afghan refugees on military bases remains at about 55,000. That's because U.S. Transportation Command earlier this month resumed flights to the U.S. for refugees held at transit points in the Middle East and Europe from among the estimated 124,000 evacuated from Afghanistan during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal, the official said.

Read Next: Goodbye Tape Test? The Army Is Reviewing Body Composition Assessments, Standards

Housing the refugees on military bases began at Fort Lee, Virginia, and since has expanded to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin; Fort Bliss, Texas; Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey; Fort Pickett and Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia; Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico; and Camp Atterbury, Indiana.

The enormous task of resettling the refugees and giving them continued support as they integrate into local communities has been driven by the sense of obligation, particularly among veterans who served in Afghanistan, to the Afghans who supported the U.S. and its allies through 20 years of war.

A survey, called Pulse Check: Supporting Afghanistan Allies, conducted by Blue Star Families from Sept. 3 to Sept. 7 showed that about 78% of veterans who served in Afghanistan agreed that the U.S. has a duty to help those fleeing the Taliban; 46% of the veterans who shared that belief had already taken action in some form to assist.

On Sept. 14, a nonprofit called Welcome.US was formed to coordinate with the government and fund the efforts of veterans groups; immigration agencies such as Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service; state and local governments; and business organizations ranging from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to vacation rental company Airbnb.

Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton -- along with former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton -- agreed to serve as honorary co-chairs for Welcome.US.

In a statement of support for the nonprofit, retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, former commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, said, "It should be no surprise that our veterans and their families have been among the first to step up to welcome and support the Afghan people as they build their lives here in America."

In an interview last week, John Bridgeland, co-chair of Welcome.US and former director of the White House Domestic Policy Council in the Bush administration, said the group's mission is to provide "a single point of entry for Americans to find ways to donate to the frontline organizations helping with the resettlement, to open their homes through organizations like Airbnb. Thousands of Americans are doing that, and thousands more could do it."

He said about $6 million has already been raised for emergency grants to community-based organizations to meet local needs as the Afghans begin resettlement.

The resettlement effort also could aid in restoring a sense of purpose for Americans outraged by the confusion and chaos of the withdrawal, during which 13 U.S. service members and hundreds of Afghans were killed in a suicide bombing at the Kabul airport and 10 Afghan civilians were killed in a misguided U.S. retaliatory drone strike, Bridgeland said.

"At a time of national division, this is a moment where the country could have something concrete to work on that would help restore a greater sense of unity," he said. "It's just encouraging to see the country come together, and we're just helping to channel the surge in compassion to the place where it's needed most."

To date, 25 veterans service organizations and groups have joined up with Welcome.US, including Blue Star Families, Team Rubicon, the Independence Fund, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, and the Wounded Warrior Project.

Air Force Gen. Glen VanHerck, head of U.S. Northern Command, said on a Sept. 27 visit to Fort McCoy that there is no timetable for the transition of Afghan refugees off the military bases.

"Our top priority remains providing a safe and secure environment for our guests, and the personnel supporting the mission, to enable the completion of the Afghan evacuees' immigration process in order to transition into their new lives in the United States," he said.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.

Related: Afghan Evacuees at Fort McCoy Await Their Chance at the American Dream
The Defense Department has scuttled efforts to merge the Defense Commissary Agency and the military services' three separate exchange systems, finding that the plan would not result in the billions in savings originally projected in 2018.

In a report obtained by Military.com this week and sent to Congress in late August, defense officials said a new business case analysis of the proposal found no economic benefit to the consolidation and that it actually would cost the department an additional $1.5 billion.

"The 2021 business case analysis update shows that all the signs are pointing in the wrong direction for consolidation," stated the report, signed by Virginia Penrod, acting under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness.

For decades, Pentagon officials have eyed the consolidation of the military's resale systems as a cost-savings measure and conducted numerous analyses over the years on the proposal.

In the 2018 report, released in 2019, a task force organized by the Pentagon's Chief Management Office and a contractor, Boston Consulting Group, found that consolidation could save between $700 million and $1.3 billion in the first five years, and $400 million to $700 million each following year.

Read Next: Air Force Veterans Who Are UFO True Believers Return to Newly Attentive Washington

Shortly after that report was published, then-Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist directed personnel to determine what could be done under the law to work towards consolidation.

A complete merger of the four systems -- the Defense Commissary Agency, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, the Marine Corps Exchange and the Navy Exchange Service Command -- would require congressional action.

Last year, the Government Accountability Office found fault with several underlying premises of the Pentagon's business case analysis, saying the report underestimated the costs of creating a new headquarters and building information technology infrastructure and overestimated how many duplicate products could be streamlined across the four systems.

Following release of the GAO report, Congress ordered the DoD to do another analysis. The new review concurred with the government watchdog, finding that the 2018 analysis understated the costs of a merger and overstated the savings it could achieve.

"The updated [business case analysis] also shows that, just like all the previous consolidation studies, those estimates failed to account adequately for the risks, opportunity costs, and second- and third-order consequences of such actions," the report noted.

The 2021 analysis also found the consolidation could rack up an additional $1.5 billion in costs for the factors left out of the 2018 study -- information technology structure, the headquarters relocation and more.

Pentagon officials noted that the exchanges already have realized savings by buying in bulk across the systems and the commissaries.

"The Department determined that it could achieve a significant portion of the projected benefits without the massive upheaval and investments of time, money, and talent that consolidation would consume," the report noted.

The commissary and exchange systems differ significantly in how they are run.

Commissaries are supported by funds appropriated by Congress and sell subsidized, discounted groceries to shoppers, plus a 5% surcharge that is used to refurbish and maintain stores and equipment.

The exchanges, which sell goods and services, operate at a profit to fund military morale, welfare and recreation programs such as fitness centers, child care facilities, outdoor recreation, movie theaters and other quality-of-life benefits.

In 2017, commissary operations cost the Defense Department $1.3 billion, a figure that has prompted calls for eliminating the commissaries or reforming them.

In 2020, however, commissaries saw a surge of patrons and sales, largely due to military personnel, families, retirees and disabled veterans stocking for the pandemic and shopping throughout the year. The Defense Commissary Agency posted record-breaking sales numbers in early March 2020 and finished the year with nearly 1% increases in revenue and sales.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime

Related: Military, Vets' Groups Want Scrutiny of Commissary-Exchange Merger Proposal
A nonprofit veterans legal organization has created a program to help veterans file claims for illnesses related to burn pits and airborne pollutants found in combat zones.

The National Veterans Legal Services Program, or NVLSP, announced Monday that its new Burn Pits Claims Assistance Program will represent former service members seeking disability benefits for diseases that may have been caused by the fumes and chemicals emitted from open-air waste disposal sites used in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, as well as pollution from oil well fires and other hazards in the first Persian Gulf War.

The announcement follows a move in August by the Department of Veterans Affairs to designate three respiratory illnesses as presumed to be related to burn pit exposure: asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis.

Presumptive illness status allows veterans to skip a portion of the process to apply for benefits, eliminating the need for them to prove their injuries and illnesses are directly caused by their military service.

Read Next: Pentagon Abandons Its Support for Merging the Commissary and Exchange Systems

NVLSP leaders say the burn pits were known to emit chemicals and pollutants that caused respiratory illnesses in addition to various types of cancer and, since the VA has denied more than 75% of disability claims based on burn pit exposure, affected veterans need help.

"The Burn Pit Claims Assistance Program is a natural extension of [National Veterans Legal Services Program]'s legal expertise and tenacity in fighting for veterans and their families to ensure they receive the life-changing benefits they need and deserve," Paul Wright, the program's executive director, said in a press release Monday.

The VA maintains an Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry for troops to report their deployment history, exposure and any illnesses they believe may be related to their military service.

The voluntary registry contains the information of 240,000 members deployed during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and New Dawn to 11 countries, the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea and Red Sea.

Open air burn pits were used in the Middle East, Afghanistan and Djibouti to dispose of household garbage, medical waste, plastics and industrial refuse throughout U.S. combat operations during the past 30 years.

Veterans say they have rare illnesses, including constrictive bronchiolitis; cancers that are rare in young people, such as glioblastoma and pancreatic cancer; chronic skin conditions; and other diseases related to living and working near the vast burn pits, the largest of which was 10 acres across.

The VA, however, does not cover as part of its burn pit program other respiratory diseases or many types of cancer that veterans and advocacy groups say also are being diagnosed at high rates in vets.

VA officials say they will consider expanding the list of burn pit-related illnesses that may be eligible for fast-tracked compensation and health benefits but are currently reviewing the science to determine whether there's proof the conditions are linked.

Veterans organizations have worked for years to expand the list of conditions presumed to be related to chemicals used during the Vietnam War as defoliants, most famously Agent Orange, and expand eligibility to more veterans.

Seventeen diseases are now officially linked to Agent Orange, including three that were added to the list this year.

Numerous veterans organizations have employees on staff who can help veterans to file federal disability claims. Groups with veterans service officers include the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, Disabled Veterans of America, Paralyzed Veterans of America and the American Legion.

The National Veterans Legal Services Program originally was established by attorneys to help veterans appeal less-than-honorable discharges. It has represented veterans in various disputes with the federal government, including a ruling that Vietnam vets who served on ships off the coast of Vietnam should receive retroactive benefits for Agent Orange exposure.

The group has created a website for veterans to apply for assistance for burn pit claims and says priority will be given to veterans who contact it before Nov. 30. The organization will send the veteran an application, Privacy Act waiver and form to help its workers obtain military medical records needed to file a claim.

Spokeswoman Patty Briotta said the group will thoroughly review each application received.

"Our organization has been representing veterans in VA service-connected disability compensation cases for 40 years," she said in a press release. "We understand the large burden that navigating the world of VA benefits often places on veterans, and we do not take these cases lightly."

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

Related: Agent Orange Exposure Doubles Risk of Developing Dementia, Study Finds
Update: At 1:15pm the bases commanding officer lifted the shelter-in-place order for all locations effective immediately and authorized two gates to open for outbound traffic, the installation tweeted. At 2:45pm all gates returned to normal operations.

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center was placed on lockdown and appointments were canceled Wednesday after the base where the hospital is located received a bomb threat, officials said.

Naval Support Activity Bethesda in Maryland got an anonymous call at about 8:45 a.m. Wednesday saying there was a bomb at or near Building 10, which is the main hospital building, the base posted on Twitter.

The hospital's Twitter account also said a "hazard exists" at the center, warning personnel and beneficiaries to "stay clear" of the hospital.

"Go indoors into the nearest building and shelter in place," the hospital instructed in a string of tweets. "All patient appointments have been cancelled. More details to come."

The hospital added, "Patients are encouraged to reschedule any appointments that were scheduled for today."

The hospital did not immediately respond to Military.com's request for more information on the lockdown and appointment cancellations. A spokesperson for the base directed Military.com to its social media feeds when asked for comment about the lockdown.

Read Next: Pentagon Abandons Its Support for Merging the Commissary and Exchange Systems

As of 12:45 p.m., a shelter-in-place order remained in effect at Walter Reed, but was lifted in other locations at Naval Support Activity Bethesda, the installation tweeted, adding that two gates were open for outgoing traffic.

The Walter Reed Bethesda shelter in place will be lifted building by building, the base added. Those inside should standby for further clarification.

The base initially said it was also investigating the possibility of an active shooter. But it later posted, "At this time, there is no indication of an active shooter on the installation."

As of noon, K-9 teams were still searching the hospital, the base said. The initial search has been "expanded to additional hospital buildings," it added on Twitter.

-- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at Rebecca.Kheel@Military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ReporterKheel.

Related: Bidens Visit Wounded Troops at Walter Reed
Jeff Hinrichs is a vice president and Financial Consultant with Charles Schwab, and a military reservist with more than 29 years of service.

Whether you're Active Duty, Reserve or National Guard, managing your day-to-day finances can have its unique challenges. However, with smart investing, a financially secure future is attainable.

Given the high degree of uncertainty that comes with being in the military, the steps to achieve life's big financial goals differ from the average person's. Training, permanent change-of-station moves (PCS), mobilizations and deployments can complicate family planning, saving for higher education, homeownership and retirement. Investing wisely at every stage of your career to retirement can help you stay on target to reach your goals.

Before you even consider investing, you need to have an emergency fund set aside. Charles Schwab's 2020 Military Financial Literacy Survey found that 46% of service members said an unexpected expense of as little as $500 would cause financial hardship if they had to pay it in full within 30 days. As a rule of thumb, aim to save three to six months of essential living expenses that you can quickly access in case of emergency, and save more if you're anticipating a major life change in the next year.

Once you've set aside an emergency fund and are ready to invest, it's vital to understand that investing is different from saving. If you don't save, you can't invest. Put differently, if you save $0 you will have $0 to invest. While saving implies setting aside and parking your money in a safe and accessible account without significant opportunity for growth, investing can involve more risk but provides the opportunity to build and grow wealth.

Get Invested as Soon as You Can

When it comes to investing, getting started is the most important step. The sooner you start, the better, thanks to something called compound growth. By investing small amounts of money consistently over time, you'll be on the right track to financial independence.

You can do this by taking advantage of workplace retirement benefits with the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which is a part of the Blended Retirement System (BRS) and includes a traditional pension if you retire from the military. The TSP offers several investment options to choose from, including target-date or "Lifecycle" funds based on your age. The U.S. government will match up to a 5% contribution of your basic pay to the TSP under the BRS. If you can, contribute even more. A good goal would be to target a total of 10% to 15% of your salary.

You don't need to be wealthy to be an investor, and getting started doesn't have to be difficult. As a new investor, it's important to understand these three general types of investments and how they can help you strike a balance between risk and reward.

Cash investments offer lower returns, but they're smart for shorter-term goals, day-to-day expenses and emergency funds. They include checking and savings accounts, which are good for daily purchases and an emergency reserve; shorter-term certificates of deposit (CDs); and U.S. Treasury bills, which tend to pay slightly more interest but typically must be held for periods of three to 12 months. Money market funds, ultra-short bond funds and stable value funds are also options to consider.

investments offer lower returns, but they're smart for shorter-term goals, day-to-day expenses and emergency funds. They include checking and savings accounts, which are good for daily purchases and an emergency reserve; shorter-term certificates of deposit (CDs); and U.S. Treasury bills, which tend to pay slightly more interest but typically must be held for periods of three to 12 months. Money market funds, ultra-short bond funds and stable value funds are also options to consider. Bonds are investments that offer a predictable income stream. It's a loan you make to a government, municipality or corporation that in return promises to pay you a specified rate of interest and to repay the face value after a certain period of time, barring default. Bonds generally pay bondholders interest twice a year and are useful for preserving capital. As with any investment, bonds have risks but tend to be less volatile than stocks.

are investments that offer a predictable income stream. It's a loan you make to a government, municipality or corporation that in return promises to pay you a specified rate of interest and to repay the face value after a certain period of time, barring default. Bonds generally pay bondholders interest twice a year and are useful for preserving capital. As with any investment, bonds have risks but tend to be less volatile than stocks. Stocks are investments that represent ownership in a company. Stocks are relatively risky because the stock price may decrease, and there is no guarantee you'll be paid dividends. However, as a shareholder, you can achieve returns if the price of the stock increases and you sell at a profit, and if the company distributes some of its earnings to stockholders in the form of dividends.

You also can choose to mix and match different types of investments based on your risk tolerance, time horizon and personal preferences, and by using individual securities, fractional shares, mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Stay Invested Throughout Your Military Career

If you've been investing for a while, you may be looking at nearer-term financial goals, like purchasing your first home or starting a family. However, a military career comes with unique challenges, such as moving every so often with PCS orders. Continuing to invest will help you reach your financial goals sooner despite the interruptions from the unique challenges you face in the military.

The best way to do this is by diversifying your investments so you're not putting all your eggs in one basket. For the uncertainty that comes with having a military career, diversification  while not a guarantee against loss  allows you to weather market ups and downs and stay in the fight. You can diversify your options to lower your risk by spreading your money across and within different asset classes, such as stocks, bonds and cash.

As your rank and pay increase, so should your savings. For those receiving bonuses for reenlisting or extending their service, investing is a great opportunity to put that money to work. One way to do this is by investing in your future retirement. While retirement may seem far away, the earlier you start, the more prepared you'll be.

Opening an Individual Retirement Account, either a Roth IRA or Traditional IRA, and contributing monthly is an additional cushion that can prepare you for retirement or extend your money while in retirement.

Keep Investing After Military Service

For those who are transitioning out of the military, keep in mind that, while your service is coming to an end, your investments shouldn't. Whether you're pursuing a new career path or starting retirement, investing can continue to help you reach your new goals.

Your investment strategy should be tailored to the life path you choose to take after leaving the military. Speaking with a financial adviser about your individual needs can help you determine your options to maximize your money in the next chapter of your life. New subscription financial planning services make accessing personalized investment management and financial advice more affordable and more accessible.

If you're starting a second career, you'll be introduced to different benefits and options, such as a 401(k) plan. If your company offers a 401(k) and employer match in investments, enrolling and setting up automatic deductions from your paychecks is an easy way to contribute to retirement. If you're able, consider contributing at least up to the employer's match in order to capture that benefit the company offers.

No matter what your next stage in life is, transitioning out of the military comes with new opportunities. Keep learning, and keep investing.

With smart investments, you can live comfortably and set yourself up for a financially secure future. Visit Schwab Moneywise to learn more about financial planning and how Schwab can help you achieve financial security.

The information here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The type of securities and investment strategies mentioned may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review a security transaction for his or her own particular situation.

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions.

Investing involves risk including loss of principal.

Diversification strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets.

Brokerage Products: Not FDIC-Insured  No Bank Guarantee  May Lose Value
As a current print subscriber, you receive 24/7 access to our website and online e-edition at no additional charge. All you have to do is activate your access. To activate digital access, you will need your account number. You can find your account number on any recent subscription notice or bill.
Coming down heavily on tax officials, the Bombay High Court (HC) has warned that it will impose substantial cost if the income tax (I-T) department continues to pass orders "without application of mind."

In a strongly worded order, the bench of justice KR Shriram and justice Amit B Borkar says, "Respondents are put to notice, and Akhileshwar Sharma (counsel for National Faceless Assessment Centre-NFAC- set up by the Central Board of Direct Taxes-CBDT) to circulate this order right from the revenue secretary to everybody in the finance ministry, that if such orders are continued to be passed, this court will be constrained to impose substantial costs on the concerned assessing officer (AO) to be recovered from his or her salary and also direct the department to place such judicial orders in the career records of such assessing officer."

Mumbai-based Mantra Industries Ltd had approached the HC against the I-T department's initialisation of penalty proceedings against it under Section 274 read with Section 270A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Mantra Industries contended that the assessment order was passed without following the principles of natural justice in as much as its request for an adjournment had not been considered and a request for personal hearing had not been considered. Most importantly, the reply and objection filed in response to the show-cause notice with the draft assessment order, had not been considered, the company contended.

On 22 April 2021, Mantra Industries received a notice for assessment year (AY) 2018-19 asking the company why the assessment should not be completed as per its draft assessment order. The company was asked to submit its reply by 23.59 hours on 24 April 2021.

The next day, Mantra Industries responded to the notice stating that travelling was a problem due to an increase in COVID-19 cases and its staff was unable to attend work and offices in Mumbai were generally closed. It also informed the tax authorities that the company wished to object to the modification and also, a request to give personal hearing was made. It sought 20 days to fulfil the requirements as per the notice.

On 27 April 2021, the company provided quantitative details sought by the I-T department in the show-cause notice. While the company was given only two days to respond, almost after six weeks, the tax authorities passed an assessment order on 8 June 2021.

The bench observed, "The assessment order is an exact reproduction of the draft assessment order except for one sentence which has been added 'Regarding this show cause notice issued to the assessee on 22 April 2021, but assessee has not given any justification for non-furnishing of quantitative details in form 3CD'."

"This itself shows that tax authorities have passed the assessment order without application of mind, without considering the two replies dated 23rd April and 27 April 2021 filed by Mantra Industries and without considering the request for personal hearing also sought by the company," it says.

Strangely, the bench says, "in the affidavit in reply filed by one Yashpal Singh and affirmed on 29 July 2021, it is stated that 'the noting records show that the submission dated 23rd April and 27 April 2021 both taken on record and considered'. But the assessment order does not reflect this. We wonder how does the affiant (a person who makes an affidavit) know something, which the assessment order does not reflect."

In its affidavit in reply, the I-T department submitted that Mantra Industries has not furnished the quantitative details in item 35(b) in form 3CD and also not given any justification for non-furnishing quantitative details form 3CD. On failure of the company to furnish the details in the prescribed form 3CD, the assessment was completed as per the provisions under Section 144 of the I-T Act on 8 June 2021, it stated.

The HC, however, pointed out that this was contrary to what was stated in the same affidavit that the noting records show that the submission dated 27 April 2021 has been taken on record and considered.

Mr Sharma, the counsel of NFAC, tried to justify the stand by stating that the quantitative details filed on 27 April 2021 are not strictly according to the format prescribed.

The bench says, "We have compared the details provided by Mantra Industries and form 35(b) annexed to the affidavit in rejoinder. We do not find any difference except that in the response dated 27 April 2021, the product manufactured, wet grinders, is mentioned. We have also to note that this is not the case in the assessment order, which has proceeded on the basis that no response at all has been filed to the notice dated 22 April 2021. There cannot be anything far from the truth."

The HC says it is compelled to set aside the impugned order passed on 8 June 2021 and also the consequential notices issued by the tax authorities. "Sub-section 9 of section 144B of the I-T Act provides that any assessment made shall be non-est (the return of a writ or process) if such assessment is not made in accordance with the procedure laid down under this section.

"Therefore, the impugned order being non-est, the AO may take such steps as advised in accordance with the law. We are not making any observations on the merits of the case," the bench says while disposing the petition.
Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
October 20, 2021

Open Thread 2021-81

I've got nothing ...

Posted by b on October 20, 2021 at 17:54 UTC | Permalink

Comments

next page 
Moultrie, GA (31768)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High 68F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 43F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
ODESSA -- In addition to rows of exhibits and swag bags, this years Permian Basin International Oil Show features Angie Jordan, an artist who travels the world drawing digital caricatures.

Jordan said she drew her first caricature in the late 80s while she was serving in the U.S. Army as a drafter. Soldiers began asking her to create portraits of their family members, and one day she was asked to draw a caricature as a going-away present for a retiring general.

My style started to develop more and more and then I met The Caricature Society, she said during the oil show on Tuesday. Thats what opened doors for me with this.

After getting started with traditional caricature drawings on paper, Jordan began the transition to digital while she was working as a CAD (computer-aided design) operator for an engineering company. She got used to drawing with a computer mouse before purchasing one of the first Wacom pen tablets in the early 2000s.

The concept took off, and Jordan wrote a book teaching other artists to draw caricatures on tablets. Now, the Pennsylvania native travels from Italy to Australia, drawing on an iPad when clients hire her for events like trade shows and weddings.

Jordan said she can draw about eight to 10 caricatures an hour, which can be printed out instantly for attendees and also downloaded online.

While many believe the nose is the focus of a caricature drawing, Jordan said she homes in on whatever the most prominent feature is on a persons face.

Its just like taking a balloon and pushing your air into the biggest thing on someones face, but you have to take away air from the smallest (feature) to make it a caricature, she said. The more you do that, the more exaggerated it is.

It can be a challenge to balance the comic nature of caricature art with the insecurities of the person sitting for a portrait, Jordan said. She said all caricaturists have accidentally offended someone at some point.

It all depends on what they expect in their mind, she said. If a person asks Jordan not to highlight something about them, she knows they want a really happy Disney style.

Jordan will be at the Permian Basin International Oil Show until Thursday in the main building of the Ector County Coliseum.
Sun Valley, ID (83353)

Today

Cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High around 40F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 22F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
age 95, a long time resident of Beggs, OK, transitioned in her grandsons home in Tulsa, OK with family at bedside. Arrangements are pending with House of Winn Funeral Home-Okmulgee.
Steve Johnson Jr., known as Sparky, yelled at his customers to get down as a large armed man dressed in grey and sporting what appeared to be dreadlocks, a white cloth mask and a black bag burst into the Waccamaw Bingo Hall that Johnsons family operated in the Forestbrook section of Horry County along U.S. 501.

It was about 9:45 p.m. on July 26, 2019, and the bingo parlor was filled with customers.

Teresa Holyfield, a family friend whos worked at the bingo hall for more than a decade, testified Tuesday that she ducked under a table as the armed robber made his way into the office to confront Steve Johnson Sr.

I just walked out of the office. A man runs in the back door hollering. And it was so fast, it startled me, Holyfield said. I hollered Sparkys name. I look over to Sparky and hes already on the floor with a gun and tells everybody to get down.

Sparky, armed with a small silver .32 caliber pistol, ran toward the office and toward his dad, who was armed with .45 caliber pistol. A scuffle ensued, wrecking the office. The video recording system was knocked over and the video cut out before the shooting.

The assailant fired his weapon, which police never recovered. Neither Sparky nor his dad ever got a shot off.

I looked up to see why they wasnt going after him, Holyfield said. I didnt see them coming out of the office so I ran in the office. I saw Steve sitting on where I have my paper inventory. He was sitting on the end of the table and I could see where he was shot. He said Help Sparky. I went around the corner, looked down at Sparky, and he was still breathing. So I bent down to grab Sparkys hand, to see if he would even hear me, trying to tell him, keep breathing. He got sick and he didnt squeeze it.

Steve Johnson Sr. 73, and Steve Sparky Johnson Jr., 46, never saw the next day.

But who killed them? The state of South Carolina has charged two men from Georgetown: Derrick Rivera, who was 29 at the time of the murders, and Bradford Britton. Britton has pled guilty to armed robbery and accessory after the fact to murder, 15th Judicial Circuit Chief Deputy Solicitor Scott Hixson said, but he has not been sentenced. His case is next on the court roster after Rivera, who is being tried this week on two counts of murder and one count of armed robbery. The case is being tried before Judge Benjamin Culbertson.
A man who barricaded himself after sheriff's deputies attempted to serve an eviction notice was later found dead Wednesday, the Horry County Sheriff's Office said.

Nearly four hours after arriving on scene, authorities said a man and a dog were found deceased in the building. After the man barricaded himself, the incident then turned into an arson investigation after a structure fire, causing heavy smoke, broke out at the scene, said Horry County Chief Deputy Tom Fox.

"During [firefighters'] entry into the area to look at the hot spots, they did locate one person in the building and a dog, and they are deceased at this time," Fox said.

Horry County Fire Rescue has the fire under control at this time, he said.

The public is asked to avoid the area between Long Bay Road and S.C. 90 near Water Tower Road due to the active investigation.

Deputies arrived on scene about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday when the suspect barricaded himself in the home.

Horry County Police Department and SWAT are assisting.

The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division is taking over the investigation, Fox said.

The Horry County Coroner's Office is en route to the scene. The name of the subject will be released after the next of kin is notified.

Check back for updates.
Horry County Council on Tuesday rejected a proposal to pledge up to $126 million to I-73, signaling that county leaders wont be willing to contribute to the interstate until they see financial commitments from state, federal and even city governments.

The vote was a narrow 6-5 split. Councilman Tyler Servant, an I-73 supporter, wasnt at the meeting, though his vote wouldnt have made a difference; a majority would have been needed to pass the measure.

I dont have any problem supporting I-73, but I do have a major problem with the county paying for it, councilman Danny Hardee said. Until Congressman [Tom] Rice and Senator [Lindsey] Graham either comes [here] or stands there and says, Heres the money. We want this road built, then why do they want us to put this money in there?

Hardee joined council members Al Allen, Mark Causey, Orton Bellamy, Harold Worley and chairman Johnny Gardner in opposing the I-73 funding pledge. Councilmen Johnny Vaught, Dennis DiSabato, Bill Howard, Gary Loftus and Cam Crawford supported it.

The vote itself was largely symbolic. Even supporters of the interstate have said all along that the resolution was more about showing that local funding is available for the project. They maintained they would not spend any money on I-73 until state and federal lawmakers ponied up their portion for $1.6 billion project.

But the debate on council Tuesday focused on when a local pledge should be made and whether that money would be better spent on local road improvements, specifically S.C. 90, rather than setting it aside for I-73.

Horry County cannot afford to build this highway by itself, Allen said. Thats the bottom line.  Why do we always have to be the Lone Ranger?

The vote came just two weeks after Gov. Henry McMaster visited Myrtle Beach to announce his support for the state dedicating $300 million to the project. McMaster recommended that the projects first phase, a six-mile section between I-95 and U.S. 501, be funded with $200 million in budget surplus and $100 million from federal COVID-relief funds sent to the state.
The Jacksonville District 117 school board is scheduled to meet in regular session at 7 p.m. today in the district office at 211 W. State St.

Among the items on the agenda are:
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP)  El Salvadors congress voted yet again Wednesday to uphold the countrys total ban on abortions.

Womens rights groups had petitioned congress to approve at least exceptions in the case of rape, risk to a womans health or life-threatening deformities. But the body voted 73 to 11 to maintain the current law.

Legislators said the countrys constitutional right-to-life article passed in 1998 made any changes impossible. Congress has been asked three times before to return to the pre-1998 exceptions, but has refused each time.

Populist President Nayib Bukele has backed the ban, which is among the harshest in the hemisphere, along with Nicaragua. Bukele also opposes same-sex marriage.

There are currently 40 women serving prison sentences ranging from 10 to 30 years for convictions related to abortions.
Morgan County

Sheriff

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Joseph W. Hembrough, 32, of 2002 Illinois Route 78 N. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 12:16 p.m. Monday on a charge of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.

Jacksonville Police

ACCIDENTS

 Claudene M. Ridlen, 55, of Jacksonville was cited on a charge of disobeying a traffic control signal after the car she was driving and one being driven by Angel M. Medrano, 43, of Beardstown collided at 11:16 a.m. Tuesday at Main Street and Independence Avenue.

Compiled by David C.L. Bauer
The state is working to increase vaccine booster rates in Illinois.

Illinois Department of Public Health is partnering with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Illinois Department on Aging to increase education about COVID-19 vaccine boosters and provide support to skilled nursing facilities as they work to administer boosters to residents.

Illinois residents 65 or older, anyone 18 or older with an underlying medical condition, and those who work or live in high-risk settings, such as educators and first responders, are eligible to receive a booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine.

The state health department is spearheading the administrations efforts to get booster shots into the arms of residents at long-term care facilities, around 85% of which administered the Pfizer vaccine to their residents.

As of Oct. 12, only 18% of Illinois residents ages 65 or older had received a booster.

 Rochelle Eiselt
For the second consecutive month, Wall Street analysts and media business forecasters badly missed the Bureau of Labor Statistics job creation total.

Dow Jones projected 500,000 new jobs for September, compared to the 194,000 new jobs reported by the Biden administration. Television commentators were aghast at their second straight whiff  in August, the so-called experts predicted 720,000 new jobs, while the economy created just 235,000 jobs.

No surprise that COVID-19 took the brunt of the blame for the steep declines, particularly among workers in education and local/state employment, but also among bus drivers, food service workers and substitute teachers. Another variable that added to the dismal September results was the disappearance from the labor force of many older, low-wage workers still fearful about COVID-19 and its delta variant.

A historic 11 million jobs are open and available. As far as the economy and job creation are concerned, the U.S. is still in COVID-19s grasp.

Were hiring signs are everywhere, yet few workers have stepped up to fill the jobs. Although openings are at or near an all-time record, one hurdle to attracting employees is that many of the positions require in-person work for construction, hospitality, delivery services or warehousing, the exact types of jobs too many Americans shun in the current environment.

Thanks to the pandemic fear the government and scare-mongering media have instilled in the general public, potential workers continue to stay away from close-contact employment. Consequently, most job seekers are hopeful of finding mostly unavailable remote work. A recent review of the ZipRecruiter website found that only one in 10 postings offered remote employment.

When workers are in short supply, the clarion call for more immigration inevitably follows. Bill Kristol, for example, once a conservative, now a Democrat, and always an immigration advocate, put out a tweet which proclaimed that immigration could solve the economys employment doldrums. Kristol wrote: We can debate infrastructure, tax policy, government spending, etc. But its not a close call as to the one thing that would do the most for our economy across the board: More immigration. Both skilled and unskilled. Which the Administration and Congress have done nothing on.

Well  not exactly nothing. Kristol must not be paying attention to the immigration news. Encouraging illegal immigration, bringing Afghan evacuees to the U.S. and raising the refugee cap are definitely something. Soon the U.S. will have a worker surplus. The 15,000 Haitians who surged the border, the 50,000 or more Afghanistan evacuees and the 125,000 refugees that Biden has committed to for fiscal 2021-22, and the 2 million released-at-the-border illegal aliens will inevitably receive employment authorization.

Also on their way to compete for jobs in the U.S. labor pool are the annual 1 million-plus legal immigrants who, as part of their permanent residency, receive lifetime valid work permits. Finally, add about 700,000 guest workers that traditionally enter the U.S. to perform jobs which range from medical doctors to agriculture-based employees.

The approximately 1 million legal and 2 million illegal immigrants, the evacuees, the refugees and the guest workers will go a long way to making Kristol and the immigration lobbys dreams come true. And if Congress passes the reconciliation bill that its kicking around, about 8 million more aliens will be granted amnesty, receive legal status and work permits. COVID-19 restrictions could impact the foreign-born arrivals, but illegal immigrant amnesty candidates already represent several million work permits.

High immigration and the lower wages immigrants earn harm those that can least withstand economic setbacks  American blacks and Hispanics, other minorities, the disabled, recently arrived low-skilled legal immigrants and others without a college degree.

More immigration, regardless of how much it may hurt Americans who fund it, is the blueprint that the Biden administration has, to the disappointment of most, chosen to follow, and is committed to.

Joe Guzzardi is a Progressives for Immigration Reform analyst who has written about immigration for more than 30 years. He can be reached at jguzzardi@pfirdc.org.
The House Springs Rotary Club has already installed a flag and bench along the banks of the pond, now undergoing restoration to reveal its original clear, flowing spring.
US Capitol Christmas Tree 2021 logo View Photos

Sonora, CA  The Mother Lode will get a chance to see this years U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree up close.

While the tree is not from the Stanislaus National Forest like back in 2011, it will be on display for a couple of hours at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds next month. The 84-foot white fir nicknamed Sugar Bear will be harvested from the Six Rivers National Forest near Eureka in a virtual ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 24, at 10 a.m. (Watch the event live at https://www.facebook.com/SixRiversNF)

Organizers say that once wrapped and secured, the Peoples Tree will begin its 3,500-mile journey from Northern California to Washington, D.C., on Oct. 29th. Starting on that date, the public can even track the trees trip in real-time online by clicking here.

The tree is scheduled to visit 19 communities while making the trek. Sonora landed one of those coveted spots on the cross-country tour. We are very excited, noted District 4 Supervisor Kathleen Haff who believes RCRC or the Regional Council of Rural Counties consortium landed the city that honor. She detailed, I think they had something to do with picking the counties and they reached out to me because I am the representative for RCRC for our county and I said a resounding yes, wed love to participate.

The tree will arrive in Sonora on Nov. 3rd. It will be escorted by the Tuolumne County Sheriffs Posse on horseback and followed by Sonoras newest fire engine with Santa Claus on board and engines from both Tuolumne County and Stanislaus National Forest fire departments. To welcome the tree, community members are encouraged to line South Washington Street from Highway 108 down to Stockton Street where it will turn to head to the Mother Lode Fairgrounds. It will remain at the fairgrounds from 5  7 p.m.

There will be plenty of activities for the family including a Walk Through The Forest Experience, which is a 120 ft. guided visual walkway and goody bags provided by the U.S. Forest Service for the kids. Visitors can also leave their mark, as Haff explains, There is an 80 ft. long banner on either side of the trailer carrying the tree that people will be able to sign.

One must-have item to view the tree is a flashlight, instructs Haff, as the fairgrounds lighting is minimal. Visitors are advised to dress warm and follow Tuolumne County Public Health officials COVID protocol recommendations, which are to social distance and bring a mask just in case you are not able to do the latter.

Acknowledging that the pandemic has caused divides in the community. Haff hopes this event will bring folks together to kick off the holiday season, remarking, In these times that weve had for the last year and a half, its been hard on people, and this is something that most people can rally around, asserted Haff. Its something fun, its family-oriented, it doesnt cost anything and its something that most people, I think, can agree on.

Click here for more details on the event and here for the complete tree tour schedule that also includes a stop in Mariposa.
This is the 79th article about Finney Field, which was located six miles north of Plainview.

We have learned much about the history of Finney Field during World War II from June 1, 1942 until pre-glider and liaison training ended there on April 14, 1943.

However, the history of Finney Field dates back several years before then to a time when Plainviewans were interested in learning to fly for fun, adventure, and possibly to attract more business to the area.

In the late 1930s, several aviation enthusiasts led by Truman C. Meinecke, organized the Plainview Flying Club. Others in the group included Hugh and Wynona Tull, Virginia Hinn, J. B. Obethier, Bob Dorris, Robert Tull, Joe and Lyman Newman and E. K. Hufstedler, Jr. They purchased an Aeronca Chief, a two-place aircraft with a 65-hp engine. This information comes from an interview of Mr. Meinecke published in Hale County Facts and Folklore.

After first flying off a stubble field five miles south of Plainview, which was owned by the Hinn family, the Plainview Flying Club moved their operations to a site near the small rural community of Finney, located six miles north of Plainview. At this time, several other persons in the Plainview area had begun flying, as well, including Ralph Brown and Claude Hutcherson.

Since flying was becoming so popular in the Plainview area, the City of Plainview and Hale County jointly decided to purchase a large acreage of land at Finney and build an oval barn on it to serve as the hangar.

Captain Winfield Holbrook, his son, Raymond, and daughter, Betty, also played an important part in promoting early aviation in the area. Betty Holbrook later became a ground school and flight instructor.

Then on September 18, 1940, an article in the Plainview Evening Herald announced that Plainview and Hale County officials had met at the county courthouse and authorized the purchase of 320 acres of land on which the airport at Finney would be located.

Negotiations for acquiring an airport with city-county funds have been carried on for the past several weeks and that action of county commissioners and city councilmen today was the first step toward realization of plans fostered here the past few years by air-minded citizens, said the Evening Herald.

The land purchased was located six miles north of Plainview and straddles the Plainview-Amarillo highway west of the Finney railroad switch. The ground was judged to be best for aviation in that area by aeronautics authorities.

According to County Judge Frank R. Day, Mrs. Annie Maude Settoon of Plainview, sold the 320 acres at $35 per acre to the city-county. The total purchase price was $11,200.

The Plainview Flying Club, Inc., has been using 70 acres of newly purchased land as an airfield for the past six months, explained the Evening Herald.

When the United States entered the Second World War on December 7, 1941, pilot training was accelerated tremendously. Clent Breedlove, an aviator from the First World War and former manager of the Lubbock Municipal Airport, had already begun training pilots in the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) starting in September 1939 at the Lubbock Municipal Airport and later at Breedlove Airport on December 20, 1941.

On May 14, 1942, Breedlove signed a contract with the Federal Government to begin training pre-glider students. The site he chose for this training was Finney Field.

Then on May 27, Breedlove signed a contract with Hale County and the City of Plainview to lease Finney Field from them for $1 for a term of three months and so long thereafter as he may need the use of same in the operation of the Air Corps Training Detachment.

It is understood that the lessee herein will use said Airport for training aviation cadets and that the lessee shall be responsible for all of the operation of said Airport, its maintenance and upkeep, including water, electric lights, gas, telephone and policing, such utility charges to begin from and after the date of this contract, stated the Plainview Commissioner Court Minutes in Volume 6, page 43.

The Plainview Pre-Glider School was a primary, or dead stick, school where student pilots learned the initial steps involved in landing a Piper Cub L-4 aircraft after taking it to an altitude between 1,000 feet and 5,000 feet with an instructor pilot on board.

After reaching the required altitude, the student would turn off power to the engine. With the engine turned off, the airplane was referred to as being in dead stick mode, meaning that the control stick was handling a dead engine. The student would then glide the powerless aircraft to the ground for a landing in a grass field.

Graduates of the Plainview Pre-Glider School would then advance to glider training at bases such as Dalhart Army Air Field, Fort Sumner Army Air Field, or Victorville Army Air Field. The Plainview Pre-Glider School was known officially as the 4th Army Air Forces Glider Training Detachment (AAFGTD).

After pilot training ended in April 1943, local aviation enthusiasts Ralph Brown and Claude Hutcherson took over operations at Finney Field opening an aerial service and offering private lessons and charter flights.

The Raymond Ragle family then moved from Lockney to Finney Field and lived in a small apartment inside one of the hangars. Raymonds wife worked as the bookkeeper in the small office at the airfield and he worked as a mechanic. There was a counter where she would write tickets for gas and oil. She would also collect money from the sale of candy, gum, cigarettes, and such.

Brown and Hutcherson also employed a flight instructor. Brown had a Waco biplane and a Travelair. Hutcherson and Brown also leased space in their hangar for other pilots planes.

In September 1966, David Bye went to work for the Cloverlake Dairy, which had located on the site of the former Finney Field. At that time, both hangars were still standing but flight operations had ceased. However, the larger of the two hangars was blown over during a very high wind storm in 1974.

The concrete foundation of that hangar still exists today, but with a new structure on top of it. It is now used to store seed and grain. Bye also said that after the storm, the concrete foundation was expanded about 3 feet further west and then the new storage building put in place on top of the foundation.

The smaller hangar  which had no concrete foundation  was replaced with a new metal structure years before the windstorm and is still used for the storage of farm equipment today.

Nothing remains of the other buildings of Finney Field. The two runways have long since disappeared after the acreage was turned back into farm land following the conclusion of all flight operations.

In December 2003, Scott and Lisa Horne purchased the land of the former Finney Field from H. W. Garrett, Jr., a local farmer. The Horne family currently farms corn, cotton, and wheat there.

Only July 27, the Texas Historical Commission in Austin approved the Hale County Historical Commissions request for a marker for Finney Field. Once the sign is created at the foundry and shipped to Plainview, it will be placed along Highway 788 close to the former location of Finney Field.

If you would like to contribute to the fund for this marker, please mail your check to Kim Horne at 401 Mesa Circle, Plainview, Texas, 79072. Please make your check payable to the Hale County Historical Commission. Your donation is tax deductible.

More about the history of Finney Field will be revealed in the next article. Readers are asked to visit www.silentwingsmuseum.com for more details about the glider program of WWII.

Anyone with information about the Plainview Pre-Glider School at Finney Field should contact John McCullough at (806)793-4448 or email john.w.mccullough@live.com
All United States flags are to fly at half-staff until Oct. 22.

This has been ordered by President Joe Biden to honor General Colin Powell, who was the U.S. Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005, died on Monday at the age of 84.
3 1 of 3 Provided by Plainview Chamber of Commerce Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Provided by Plainview Chamber of Commerce Show More Show Less 3 of 3





A Plainview Christian Academy Senior and Plainview Independent School District were officially recognized Tuesday morning as the Chamber of Commerces student and business of the month for October 2021.

During an early morning meeting, Angela Duran was presented was presented with a certificate for Student of the Month and Plainview ISD Superintendent H.T. Sanchez accepted a certificate on behalf of the district for Business of the Month.
Texas appears to be tightening restrictions on Delta 8, an alternative to traditional THC strains that's been recently championed as a legal workaround to the Lone Star State's restrictive laws on possessing cannabis and its byproducts. But changes to the Texas Department of State Health Services site, coupled with a recent arrest of an individual in possession of Delta 8 products by Texas police officers, indicates the tables might be turning in the state.

Coming in forms including bud, edibles and concentrated vape cartridges, Delta 8 has maintained a low but growing profile in the grayscale world of semi-legal drugs sold at smoke shops around the U.S. The substance's name comes from its chemical makeup, Delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinols (or Delta 8 THC). It's considered an isomer of Delta 9 THC, the main active ingredient in marijuana.

It wasn't until Friday that the Texas DSHS updated its guidance for hemp manufacturers to broadly announce Delta 8 as an illegal Schedule I controlled substance. The change came days after the Oct. 2 arrest of a woman was charged in College Station for felony possession of a cartridge of Delta 8 concentrate, according to reporter Clay Falls of KBTX.

Tamir Kalifa/NYT

The decision to add Delta 8 THC to Texas' controlled substances list came back in January, but it happened quietly with no input from the public. How we got to this point is a bit in the weeds, but it's crucial in understanding how the law works surrounding Delta 8, and whether you could be held liable if found in possession of the legally confusing green substance.

In 2018, Congress passed a massive overhaul to the agriculture industry allowing the legal possession and sale of hemp, declaring it legal as long as the resulting products contained less than 0.3 percent of Delta 9 THC. A year later, the Texas legislature passed a similar bill regulating hemp. In August 2020, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency updated its list of controlled substances to reflect the changes made by Congress in 2018, paving the way for other types of THC to be legal under the new hemp law  including Delta 8 THC.

Any time the DEA changes its rules on controlled substances, individual states are allowed to choose whether or not to adopt the changes or stick with their existing rules. In Texas, that decision is solely up to the commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Service, currently helmed by Gov. Greg Abbott-appointee John Hellerstedt.

In January, Hellerstedt rejected the DEA's changes in favor of Texas' existing (and broad) restrictions on THC  effectively shutting down Delta 8's path to legality.

Don Ryan/AP

So, while the law in Texas says Delta 8 is considered a controlled substance, the question really turns to this: Will it be enforced? The arrest in College Station is one of the first reported cases, and no law enforcement agency in Harris County has brought any to the district attorney's office for prosecution, according to DA spokesperson Dane Schiller.

It is unclear if anyone caught with Delta 8 will be allowed to participate in the DA's marijuana diversion program.

"What would happen [if someone were arrested for possessing Delta 8], is that prosecutors would review the evidence on a case by case basis, apply the law, and make a determination on how to proceed," Schiller said. "As you can appreciate, it would be inappropriate to speculate on a specific matter that might be actually be brought to prosecutors by police."

Regardless of whether or not it's truly illegal, Delta 8 is still sold in Texas stores. Law enforcement in Brazos County, where the woman was arrested, urged anyone who purchases Delta 8 products to keep them sealed on the drive home, according to Falls, the KBTX reporter.

"It is a really confusing mess and everybody is scratching their head really, of which of these are legal and which of them are not legal," Peter Stout, president and CEO of Houston Forensic Science Center, told KBTX. "Delta 8 THC derived from hemp is kind of this gray area. It may be legal, but Delta 8 derived from marijuana would be still illegal. I cant tell you the difference nor can anyone else."
Edward A. Ornelas /San Antonio Express-News

The Bexar County Jail is trying to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by offering a new incentive to inmates.

On Monday, October 18, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar told reporters in a virtual news briefing on Facebook that his agency has started offering $100 commissary goody bags to the inmates if they agree to get vaccinated.
Halloween is upon us once again, but for horror fans, it might as well be Christmas. The annual abundance of new horror films and shows released around October is ripe for viewing, with just one potential problem: What should you watch from all those choices?

Here are 13 TV shows and movies streaming now that will leave you properly spooked.

Netflix

"Midnight Mass": Following the success of "The Haunting of Hill House" and "The Haunting of Bly Manor," filmmaker Mike Flanagan decided to branch out from the haunted house genre and explore a horror story with a more spiritual bent. Set on an isolated island, a Catholic community is rocked when its usual Monsignor is replaced by a young, charismatic priest who appears to be able to perform miracles, but might also be unleashing darker forces. The series is a slow build, but by the fifth episode, the horrific truth of what is taking place on the island is fully revealed, and the series ends with a terrifying crescendo. Not merely scary, this series is also a beautiful meditation on grief, faith, addiction and death, and the performances will stay with you long after.

"Brand New Cherry Flavor": If body horror or gore is not your thing, avoid this wild, disturbing series. Set in 1990s Los Angeles, a young filmmaker is taken advantage of by a producer, so with the help of a mysterious witch, she seeks her revenge. Violent, hallucinatory and at times deranged, this series also has a pitch-black funny streak. Rosa Salazar gives a fiery performance as Lisa, the vengeful filmmaker, but the series belongs to Catherine Keener, who plays the witch with a long dark past.

The "Fear Street" trilogy: Based on the books of the same name by young adult horror author R.L. Stine, this trilogy of films is all set in the cursed town of Shadyside. The films take place in 1994, 1978 and 1666 respectively, and explore why the town's residents are so susceptible to periods of horrific violence. The films are a funny, nostalgic, and very bloody tribute to the slasher genre, which manage to veer expertly between silly and relevant.

Paramount+

Elizabeth Fisher/CBS

"Evil": Robert and Michelle King's supernatural series originally aired on CBS for its first season before moving to streamer Paramount+, where it was really allowed to stretch its demonic wings. The series follows a team of paranormal investigators who work for the Catholic church looking into purported supernatural occurrences. The series began as a typical horror procedural in the mold of "The X-Files": he's a believer, she's a skeptic, there's palpable sexual tension between them. The series soon became its own creature, dark and wickedly funny, thanks to supporting actors Michael Emerson and Christine Lahti, and unafraid to ask difficult questions about faith, the nature of evil and redemption.

"Ghosts": This brand-new comedy follows a young couple who inherit a mansion, only to discover that it is profoundly haunted after the wife suffers a head injury that allows her to see their spirited co-habitants. Charming and sharply written, "Ghosts" is perfect for a spooky series that won't deliver any actual scares. It is currently airing on CBS as well as streaming on Paramount+.

"The Stand": Admittedly, this might not be the right moment for a series about the post-apocalyptic world left ruined by a deadly virus that wipes out 99% of the population  or maybe it's exactly the perfect moment. This all-star adaptation of Stephen King's classic novel was filmed right before our own pandemic swept over the world, but its take on the allure of charismatic leaders and tyranny might have even deeper real-world resonance.

Hulu

John P Johnson/Associated Press

"What We Do In the Shadows": Now in its third season, this comedy based on the film of the same name has consistently been one of the funniest shows on television. The series follows three traditional vampires and their roommate, an energy vampire, as they interact with the modern world of Staten Island, New York. The show boasts a brilliant cast, writing that is both clever and bawdy, and a universe that never fails to run out of comedic possibilities or supernatural surprises. Stream on Hulu and watch on FX.

Amazon Prime

The Blumhouse Movies: Blumhouse, the movie studio behind some of the biggest horror films in recent memory, including "Get Out," "The Purge" and "Paranormal Activity," has partnered with Amazon to produce original horror films for the streaming service. This year's offerings include "Bingo Hell," in which a diabolical presence takes over a small town's Bingo hall; "Black as Night," a vampire tale set in New Orleans; "The Manor," in which Barbara Hershey stars as a resident of an assisted living facility who believes a malevolent force is killing her fellow residents; and "Madres," in which a Mexican-American couple in the '70s are plagued by nightmares.

HBO Max

"The Outsider": You'd be forgiven if you thought this dark horror series based on a Stephen King novel was actually a true-crime drama, especially in the early episodes. But that's what makes "The Outsider" such an effective horror story: it feels grounded in reality, and the monster looks like us  literally, just like us. The limited series features powerful, unforgettable performances from its leads, Ben Mendelsohn and Cynthia Ervios, and a tautly-written story that unfolds like a waking nightmare.

Peacock

"Halloween Kills": The newest installment of the never-ending Michael Myers saga is upon us. Having somehow freed himself from the trap his sister, Laurie, created for him in the previous film, Michael Myers seeks vengeance on some of his earliest victims who managed to escape him in previous installments. It offers plenty of carnage for fans of the slasher genre, an interesting theory on Myers' dark power and presents a commentary on the dangers of mob violence. Stream it on Peacock, and watch the earlier "Halloween" films on AMC or stream them on Fubo.

Apple TV+

Apple TV+/TNS

"Servant": This gorgeous thriller is just as twisty and unexpected as you would imagine for a series produced by M. Night Shyamalan. In fact, to say too much about the family drama would be to spoil some of its most intriguing surprises, which are well worth discovering for yourself. In short: a couple reeling from a terrible loss brings a nanny into their home, only for her to turn their lives and reality itself upside down. It's not a horror series as much as it is a compelling and terrifying thriller, but the chills are there all the same.

Syfy

Rolf Konow/Getty Images

"Chucky": Based on the now-classic horror franchise, "Child's Play," this new series follows the murderous doll as he finds a new home with a bullied teen. Like the movies it's based on, "Chucky" is campy, savage and features an acidly wicked sense of humor. Brad Dourif, the original voice of the maniacal doll, is back in his original role, a true treat for fans of the movie franchise.

Discovery +

"Haunted Museum": Two superstars of the horror genre, director Eli Roth and "Ghost Adventures" host Zak Bagans have teamed up for this new anthology series, exploring the history of the haunted objects Bagans has collected for his Las Vegas Haunted Museum. Each episode begins with Bagans explaining where he acquired the object that will be the subject of the story, before a fictionalized recreation of the object's terrifying past unfolds. The acting is what you would expect from reenactments (read: not the best), but the stories are spooky, and fans of Zak Bagans might be intrigued. Stream it on Discovery+, along with all seasons of "Ghost Adventures."
Before the pandemic led to closing the U.S.-Mexico border to tourists, New World by Juans  a household goods store only a stones throw away from the international bridge that connects El Paso to Ciudad Juarez  employed seven people. Today its down to three.

And when COVID-19 cases surged again last summer, the owner closed one of his three El Paso stores, which employed six people.

With last weeks announcement by the Biden administration that it will reopen land borders to all vaccinated travelers beginning Nov. 8, business owners who have been losing money and employees who are eager to go back to work full time are counting down the days until they can welcome their biggest spenders: Mexican tourists.

Were happy because the people from Juarez are coming back, said Miguel Resendez, the manager of New World by Juans. He said the bridges reopening just in time for holiday shopping season will be welcome relief for border businesses.

In the same announcement, the federal government said that starting in January, people traveling for essential purposes  such as students, commercial drivers, U.S. citizens and health care workers  will have to start showing proof of vaccination at land crossings to enter the U.S. as well.

In March 2020, in an effort to fight the spread of COVID-19, the Trump administration closed the land borders to all but those essential travelers. From Brownsville to El Paso, pedestrian crossings at ports of entry dropped drastically, according to the U.S. Transportation Department statistics.

In El Paso, there were 3 million pedestrian crossings in 2020, a 60% drop compared to the year before. In Brownsville, pedestrian crossings plunged 53% from 2019 to 2020. Both cities saw vehicle crossings drop by roughly half over the same period.

That was crushing for businesses that depend on Mexican tourists. Some shuttered for good, some temporarily closed and others cut their hours to stave off the losses. Resendez said at the store he manages, sales plummeted by 75%.

Jon Barela, CEO of the Borderplex Alliance, an economic development organization based in El Paso, said Mexican nationals make up 15% to 30% of retail customers in El Paso. The end of restrictions on Nov. 8 should reinvigorate the areas economy, he said.

This decision will help boost our regional and national economies and help return our inextricably linked community to some degree of normalcy, he said.

Thats what Elizabeth Sandrano hopes.

The 42-year-old cashier works at a store that sells home goods and clothing near the bridge in downtown El Paso. She said when the pandemic hit, the store began closing early because of fewer customers, which reduced her paycheck.

Naturally, I was worried that I wasnt going to have a job, she said. But thank God I still have one, even if it means my hours had to be cut.

Sandrano said the pandemic also hurt Mexicos economy, so shes not sure how long it will take before Juarez residents cross-border spending returns to where it was before COVID. This will pick up gradually, she said.

Whenever shoppers come, Guadalupe Jimenez will be ready. During a recent weekday, Jimenez, wearing a black face mask, greeted customers at a womens clothing store near the bridge and helped two women look for a blouse. Jimenez said she was out of a job for six months last year when her boss closed the store because of lack of customers.

Her husband is retired and they were able to survive on his Social Security check, she said.

Theres bills to pay, so its good [that restrictions are ending] because our business comes from Juarez, she said.

At the other end of the border in Brownsville, Chander Buxani has owned a downtown jewelry store for 40 years and said he had to lay off employees because there were fewer customers coming from Mexico and sales dropped 60%.

Before the pandemic, he had a dozen employees working for him; now he has three. Like other business owners, hes looking forward to the bridge reopening.

I hope to get back to normal business and start hiring employees, Buxani said.

Disclosure: Borderplex Alliance has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
A massive 453-acre master planned development recently broke ground just east of the rural, historic town of Castroville, meeting San Antonio's westward expansion at its own doorstep.

Castroville is a town of about 3,000 people that is steeped in its own history  a living monument to the settlers that came from the historical Alsace-Lorraine province of France to colonize the region in the mid-1840s, according to the Texas Historical Commission.

Highway 90 cuts right through that town, passing by several historic landmarks, including a stone marker enshrining the spot where Castroville was founded. It's named for an empresario named Henri Castro who brought about 50,000 settlers to Texas.

Construction crews have begun clearing the land to east of Castroville for an incoming commercial and residential development that is expected to more than double the population.

Mayor Darrin Schroeder says he personally is not OK with such growth. And the city isn't ready for it at the moment.

But growth is already here

Alsatian Oaks will feature 950 homes with neighborhood trails and parks interwoven throughout once complete. The entrance of the subdivision will have over 400,000 square feet of restaurants, retail, and medical office space.

Merit Commercial Real Estate

It represents a $165 million investment into Castroville from San Antonio-based developer Merit Commercial Real Estate, led by CEOs Will Collins and Ryan Harrison. Merit was only recently formed in January 2021 after Collins' Terracor Real Estate merged with Harrison's Freestone Commercial Real Estate.

Collins says the total investment is more than $550 million when including home builders and commercial tenants.

This development has been in the works since 2009 when Collins, who led Terracor Real Estate at the time, purchased the property. It also includes a parcel next to the future Alsatian Oaks where he closed on a transaction with big box retailer Walmart, which opened a store in 2017.

With construction crews breaking ground on development, Collins says the first phase of the residential portion will include 233 residential lots that range 6,000 square feet to 7,200 square feet. The size of the first phase has more than doubled from a projected 100 lots before the pandemic.

Steven Santana | MySA

The first homes will be ready for sale by February 2023, and Collins expects to have 75,000 square feet of commercial space completed by 2022.

That's a lot for a city of Castroville's size, and a population that Collins acknowledges is wary of growth.

Paul Stephen / San Antonio Express-News

"I would say the general sentiment is, if the citizens of Castroville could stop all developments, I think they would generally be in favor of that  just keeping their community intact as it is today," Collins says.

There's just one problem: growth is already at Castroville's doorstep.

With Highway 90 as a corridor, Castroville is also in the highest growth submarket for the San Antonio area, with more than 5,321 new home starts and an average home price increase of over 27 percent in the past year, according to Merit research.

Alsatian Oaks is meeting that growth. And the thing is, Castroville agreed to it.

Little Alsace of Texas

Steven Santana | MySA

I met with Mayor Schroeder on a recent Thursday afternoon at Castroville City Hall, which sits in the old Medina County Courthouse before the county seat switched to Hondo in 1892.

The structure served as many things before it became city hall. Just like any historic building in Castroville, if you were stand outside and admire it long enough someone will eventually stop and tell you all about it.

The wooden floors inside creek and pop as you walk along them because they have been around just as long as the old documents of and Alsatian keepsakes on display.

That's just Castroville. It's a conservative, tight-knight city of people who cherish the history just as much as their family names. It's small enough that any celebration can turn into a citywide party, and it usually does.

Lisa Harrison Rivas

Attend any one of its festivals, including the historic St. Louis Day Festival, you will probably catch the Alsatian Dancers of Texas performing traditional dance from its founder's home region. It holds on tightly to its identity as "Little Alsace of Texas."

It's an identity that Castroville doesn't want to lose when San Antonio comes knocking.

This is something Mayor Schroeder understands when he says he's not OK with growth that could drastically change the makeup of Castroville. But he is also a realist and understands that it can't be stopped.

Schroeder says Castroville is surrounded by land that has been passed down through multiple generations. It's inevitable someone will eventually sell it. "It's their right," he concedes.

Schroeder is also what some would consider an outsider. He comes from San Antonio, a city he also loves. Along with his mayoral duties, Schroeder is Senior Regional IT Program Manager with Microsoft, and moved to Castroville in 2017 when the Microsoft Data Center near the Texas Research Park off Highway 211 began operations. He was elected mayor in May, beating out local Mickey Gallegos with over 77 percent of the vote.

Schroeder  along with the current city council and most of the community  understand that if you can't stop growth, then the next best thing is to help guide it.

Thoughtful expansion

Key to guiding its growth is a development agreement that all five Castroville City Council members approved in September 2019. The agreement was result of collaboration between city leadership, Collins, and Clay Binford, an attorney with Norton Rose Fulbright and Castroville native who represented city during the planning process.

Schroeder says the agreement was instrumental in making sure Castroville was benefiting from a development doubling the population and creating $342 million in total property value. Alsatian Oaks is also predicted to generate more than $13 million per year in property and sales tax revenue for the city and other local taxing jurisdictions within Medina County by 2028.

Steven Santana | MySA

Infrastructure improvements

As it stands, Schroeder says Castroville's infrastructure isn't ready to handle Alsatian Oaks.

Part of that is improving the water and sewer infrastructure to the east of the city. The development agreement ensures that Merit will pay for those infrastructure improvements, which is a more than $13 million investment  $7 million for Phase 1 and $6 million for Phase 2.

Castroville also isn't ready for the traffic. Traffic on Highway 90 has increased to more than 50,000 vehicles per day over the past year, according to research from Merit.

This is why Merit is also building a road through the subdivision that will take drivers on a northern route that connects to Farm to Market 471, which leads back into Castroville. Schroeder dubs it a "northern route." All of this will be supplemented through tax abatements in the area that Castroville annexed in September 2020.

"I do think this is a case study for other smaller municipalities that don't have the resources to fund the necessary infrastructure improvements that need to be made," Collins says. "We all have the same goal in mind, and that is to improve the infrastructure to allow for quality development and city Castroville."

Merit will also provide $1.5 million contribution to the city for a quality of life or public service project.

Schroeder says the end goal is to make sure Castroville's own growth makes the city a self-sustaining entity that isn't swallowed up by San Antonio in the future.

"The goal is to create something that is beneficial to everyone," Schroeder says. "Let's encourage them to grow something nice."
The UK government and the EU are in a stand-off over the Northern Ireland protocol. David Frost, the British minister for EU relations, has threatened to invoke Article 16 of the protocol, which allows either side to take safeguarding measures in response to serious economic, societal or environmental difficulties or diversion of trade. But Article 16 is not the get out of jail free card that it is frequently said to be.

The British side has two sorts of problems with the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol (to give it its proper name): some are practical, and people in Northern Ireland are feeling them directly; some are more abstruse and havent actually caused any difficulties yet. Most of the practical problems can be solved within the terms of the protocol. In contrast, solving the abstruse problems would require it to be rewritten  which just wont happen.

Sausages and Pet Passports

Among the practical problems are issues of customs and regulatory checks and controls. These flow from the fact that the protocol applies the regulations of the EU single market to goods sold in Northern Ireland and also applies both those rules and EU customs rules to goods coming into Northern Ireland from Great Britain.

One important exception to that principle is that goods from Great Britain that are intended to stay or be consumed in Northern Ireland are not subject to tariffs: a joint committee of EU and UK representatives decides precisely what goods benefit from that exception. But even those goods are subject to customs and regulatory checks when they arrive in Northern Ireland.

Those regulatory and customs checks have caused problems, particularly for food and animals  sausages and pet passports  as well as for medicines approved for use in Great Britain or exported to Northern Ireland by pharmaceutical companies based in Great Britain. These problems have been very visible to business and ordinary citizens in Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland protocol does not need to be rewritten, nor Article 16 invoked, to solve these practical problems. In most cases, EU legislation can be tweaked as it applies to Northern Ireland, and the proposals that the European Commission published on Wednesday indicate that this is now very much a possibility (for example, reducing or removing customs or regulatory checks even where EU law would otherwise require them to be carried out at the EU border).

Brexiter Shibboleth

Not so for the abstruse concerns. These include, in particular, state aid and the role of the European Court of Justice (ECJ). Tweaks alone will not satisfy the British governments wishes here. It is hard to see, however, that any real difficulties have yet arisen in these areas.

The issue of state aid is, at its heart, not about Northern Ireland at all: it is about a point that, it appears, the current government failed to spot when it agreed to the protocol but was obvious to any lawyer who knew anything about such matters. Article 10 of the protocol applies EU state aid law to any UK measure that could have an effect on Northern Ireland/EU trade in goods, and so EU law applies to a whole range of UK-wide subsidies, even ones that apply primarily to Great Britain or are limited to Northern Ireland. This is a phenomenon known as reach-back, and it could certainly lead to conflict in time.

As yet, however, no case has emerged where reach-back matters. And if EU state aid law were found to apply to a UK measure that was politically sensitive, the European Commission might well be able to resolve the problem by using its wide powers to authorise state aid.

The British government fluffed its obvious chance to renegotiate Article 10 when it was agreeing on subsidy control provisions as part of the negotiations for the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA): it could, at that stage, have asked for changes to Article 10 to reflect its agreement to those provisions, but appears not to have raised the matter.
(Natural News) An Australian court has ruled that mandates requiring teachers, health professionals and construction workers to be vaccinated or face restrictions on their freedom of movement are legal.

A group of individuals launched a legal action in September against the states vaccine mandate. The subjects of the lawsuit include Health Minister Brad Hazzard, Chief Medical Officer Kerry Chant and the state and federal government.

At the height of the delta outbreak in Sydney, New South Wales, the government mandated that those living within a hotspot should receive one dose of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine before they could leave their local government area to work. The restrictions have since been removed.

Justice Robert Beech-Jones of the NSW Supreme Court says it is the courts function to determine whether health restrictions were valid and whether or not a minister acting reasonably would implement similar measures to deal with a public health crisis.

Judge says health minister has power to overturn rights

Beech-Jones said that the state health minister had the power to overturn rights as the public health orders were doing the very thing which the legislation sets out to achieve.

So far as the right to bodily integrity is concerned, it is not violated as the impugned orders do not authorize the involuntary vaccination of anyone, he says.

Vaccine mandates, in their legal construction, allow residents to opt out of receiving the jab  but at the risk of not being employed or granted access to some venues. As far as the impairment of freedom of movement is concerned, the degree of impairment differs depending on whether or not a person is vaccinated or unvaccinated. Curtailing the free movement of persons, including their movement to and at work, are the type of restrictions that the Public Health Act authorizes.

The judge adds that Australia does not have a bill of rights in response to the plaintiffs argument that the Public Health Act did not authorize interference with a persons rights or freedoms.

Beech-Jones concludes that the public health orders were not construed as unreasonable, stating that only when individuals were differentiated on the basis of race, gender or the mere holding of a political opinion would they be at risk of being invalid as unreasonable. He has dismissed all claims with costs to be agreed to.

This judgment is the first in a series of cases challenging restrictions on unvaccinated individuals in Australia.

With the help of an online fundraiser, Regional Deputy Mayor John Larter is challenging a public health order mandating healthcare workers in the state to receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by September 30, and the second dose by November 30. (Related: Governors vow to fight Biden vaccine mandates.)

The current proceedings have been viewed over 1,412,279 times, with over 390,000 views on the first day of the hearing proper on September 30  indicating significant interest in the case.

In the U.S., the Biden administration also recently mandated vaccinations for federal workers and contractors, while the Department of Veterans Affairs issued mandates for all frontline healthcare workers at its facilities. The military has also been ordered to move toward compulsory vaccinations.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) have ruled that businesses may lawfully require workers to get vaccinated as a condition of returning to the workplace, but must grant legitimate medical or religious exemptions.

As for the federal and state governments, states have the constitutional authority to mandate vaccinations, which the Supreme Court has upheld twice in 1905 and 1922. However, the federal government has limited power to mandate vaccines  it can only do so to prevent transmission of a dangerous infectious disease across state lines or international borders.

Before this year, the federal government has never sought to require nationwide vaccinations, and the courts will probably not allow it to do so.

Read more news related to COVID-19 vaccine mandates at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

ScientificAmerican.com
(Natural News) Out of concern for the safety of her patients, Deborah Conrad, a physicians assistant, reportedly convinced the hospital where she works to start carefully tracking the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination status of every patient admitted. What was discovered as a result is that upwards of 90 percent of all new hospital admissions for covid are occurring in fully vaccinated people.

The area where Conrad works is about 50 percent vaccinated for the Fauci Flu, and yet nine out of every 10 new patients at her hospital are sick, and in some cases dying, despite having gotten jabbed in obedience to the government.

Many of these sick and dying patients are young people who, prior to getting jabbed, were perfectly healthy. Now they have heart problems, blood clots and other health damage that will likely track them for the rest of their lives.

Conrad was so horrified by this revelation that she attempted to reach out to health authorities at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), only to be ignored by both of them.

Conrads hospital employer also barred her from filing reports into VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System) even after being asked to do so by doctors who work there. (RELATED: Read this to learn more about how the FDA and the CDC have been lying about covid numbers to push their plandemic agenda.)

That the CDC and FDA failed to respond is arguably not surprising  they have been cheerleading this vaccine for months, wrote Aaron Siri on his Injecting Freedom Substack blog. Admitting almost any harm now would be akin to asking them to turn a gun on themselves.

Hospitals are overflowing with fully vaccinated patients while the unvaccinated remain healthy

In a letter to Rochelle Walensky and other top officials at the FDA and CDC, Siri explained on behalf of Conrad all the details and science surrounding what was discovered at the hospital facility in question, which is located in New York.

One of the biggies is that the hospital facility is now busier and fuller than it ever was throughout the plandemic. Because of the injections, in other words, the hospital facility is now running out of beds.

Even more troubling is the fact that many individuals being admitted are presenting with complication months after vaccination and the hospital has more admitted patients now on average than it had last year during the pandemic, Siri writes.

Furthermore, Conrad has been roadblocked at every turn in which she has attempted to get this truth out to the public, including by routing it through the FDA and the CDC, which are supposed to be looking out for public health.

Siri explained that a large AHRQ-funded study by Harvard Medical School found that fewer than 1% of vaccine adverse events are reported to VAERS. This is a paltry figure that is only made worse by hospitals like the one where Conrad works that refuses to allow its employees to log covid vaccine-related injuries and deaths into it.

The underreporting of anaphylaxis by the CDC and VAERS is particularly troubling because it is mandatory for medical providers to report anaphylaxis after any COVID-19 vaccine to VAERS, most of these reactions occur within 30 minutes of vaccination, and there has been an intense campaign by health authorities to inform medical providers that they need to report anaphylaxis after COVID-19 vaccination to VAERS, Siri added.

You can read his full letter with all the details at this link.

The latest injury and death tolls for Chinese Virus injections can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

AaronSiri.substack.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) On the latest episode of The Hidden Gateway podcast, host Jesston Williams spoke to Dr. Robert Malone, an internationally recognized medical doctor and scientist who assisted with inventing mRNA vaccines.

(Article by Jeremy Loffredo republished from ChildrensHealthDefense.org)

The wide-ranging discussion covered:

The invention and early testing of mRNA technology, in which Malone was heavily involved.

How governments are employing different forms of coercion to drive vaccine uptake, policies Malone said he believes are illegal.

How public health authorities lack the normally required safety and efficacy information for a global vaccination campaign.

How governments and public health authorities are lying to the public for their own good.

Malone referenced two instances where citizens are being enticed to take what he refers to as the experimental vaccine.

There was a period where West Virginia was trying to get people to get vaccinated, Malone said. And so they had a shotgun lottery. And in Canada, there was a policy of offering free ice cream to children to get them to take the jab even without their parents approval. So those are just two particularly clear examples of unfair coercion  Its not actually legal.

Malone likened whats going on today with COVID vaccines to the illegal medical experiments conducted by Nazi Germany. [During the Second World War], Jews and other ethnic groups were subjected to horrible experimental medical research, Malone said. And they justified it by saying it was for the common good.

Malone said the Western World agreed we werent going to do that anymore. Yet, from time to time we seem to forget, and of course, Tuskegee is one example, and frankly, this is another example.

In an attempt to clear up misinformation coming from the medical establishment, Malone said fully vaccinated individuals can spread COVID. The idea that if you have a workplace where everybodys vaccinated, youre not going to have virus spread is totally false. A total lie, Malone said.

The vaccinated are actually the super-spreaders that everyone was told about in the beginning of the pandemic, Malone argued.

He said:

If you consider the scientific fact that vaccinated people have less symptoms than the unvaccinated, but can still easily spread disease, consider your fellow vaccinated worker, whose unvaccinated son brought the disease home and gave it to him  He might not have any symptoms  but hell definitely be producing the virus. And hes going to say, hey, I can go to work today. But hes going to be spreading the virus like crazy.

Malone also touched on the idea of the noble lie:

If the government isnt going to disclose to you what the [vaccine] risks are, and theyre not going to disclose to you whats really going on because they think that you cant handle the news  this is called the noble lie.

Malone denounced the noble lie as paternalistic authoritarianism. He said the idea of governance-by-lying goes back to Plato and Ancient Greek philosophy which argues that its okay for politicians and people in authority positions to lie to the general public because they have special knowledge and ability to understand things  and the general public cant cope with that level of information. And so its okay to lie to them.

I really disagree with this line of thinking, Malone said. Yet it has been public policy in the United States and worldwide in public health for a very long time.

Listen to the podcast here:

Read more at: ChildrensHealthDefense.org
(Natural News) Cook County Circuit Judge Cecilia A. Horan has ordered Chicago Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara to stop discouraging the citys police force from taking the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine.

In Horans opinion, Catanzara does not have any First Amendment rights when it comes to telling his police officers that getting injected might not be in their best interests.

On Oct. 15 following a lengthy emergency hearing on a request for injunctive relief that was filed by the city early in the day, Horan proclaimed that Catanzara must immediately stop trying to help police officers avoid the deadly clot shot, which stands a good chance of killing them.

Last week, Catanzara urged Chicago police officers to not comply with the citys mandate requiring them to tell the government whether or not they got injected with one of Donald father of the vaccine Trumps Operation Warp Speed injections.

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 anybody  let alone that information about your medical history, Catanzara said in a video posted to the unions YouTube page.

Lori Lightfoot freaks out at Catanzara, accuses him of trying to foment an illegal work stoppage

Chicago Mayor Lori Beetlejuice Lightfoot pitched a fit after catching wind of Catanzaras freedom of speech. She railed against the guy in a statement, falsely accusing him of trying to foment an illegal work stoppage, a strike by trying to protect Chicago police officers.

It was Lightfoot who filed the lawsuit that led to Horans order, prompting the union to respond by filing a motion to dismiss. The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police also filed a separate lawsuit against the city seeking arbitration.

The announcement by Horan came on the same day that all city workers in Chicago, including police officers, were told was the deadline for producing evidence that they received the jabs in obedience to the governments command.

City workers in Chicago who choose to remain unvaccinated are to be punished with mandatory twice-weekly testing with fraudulent PCR tests, which are calibrated to produce false positive test results in the unvaccinated.

These tests will need to be paid for out-of-pocket by city workers, Lightfoot decreed, though Catanzara and others will apparently not be complying with the unconstitutional order.

According to reports, any Chicago city worker who refuses to share his or her vaccination status with the government faces suspension. Come Dec. 31, all employees will need to be fully vaccinated in order to keep their jobs, the only exemptions being for religious or medical reasons.

The restraining order on Catanzara will remain in place until Oct. 25 when there is another hearing scheduled. Immediately following the judges order, Catanzara uploaded a video stating:

With that being said, everybody has to do whats in their hearts and minds, whatever that is.

Catanzara was seen in the same video holding up a sign suggesting that he is planning to run for mayor of Chicago in 2023.

Excuse me, but he is fully entitled to express his personal opinion anywhere, at any time, in any subject, to anyone, wrote one commenter about Catanzaras right to free speech, no matter what Horan says.

See the First Amendment. Literally the first day of judge school. Otherwise now known as Pre-K.

Another commented that the judicial branch does not have jurisdictional authority to order the executive branch to do anything, except in a pending case.

The latest news about the lefts obsession with Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) fascism can be found at Libtards.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) More than 100 lawmakers from 38 states are calling for a nationwide audit of the 2020 election and a decertification of election results where they have been called prematurely and inaccurately.

(Article by Niamh Harris republished from NewsPunch.com)

A New Declaration Of Independence letter to the American people was published on Friday and has been signed by legislators from states including Arizona, North Carolina, Idaho and Kansas has 136 public officials endorsing its message.

Just The News reports: Noting that the Constitution gives state lawmakers plenary powerto oversee the election of the president of the United States, the letter argues that the recent Arizona election audit has indicated a corrupted 2020 election and that all 50 states need to be forensically audited as a result.

BREAKING: 138 Legislators from 38 States Write a Letter to the American People Calling for a 50-State Audit, Decertification Where Appropriate, and Possible Convening of the US House of Representatives pic.twitter.com/ksv1OiEW9C  Wendy Rogers (@WendyRogersAZ) October 15, 2021

We call on each state to decertify its electors where it has been shown the elections were certified prematurely and inaccurately, the lawmakers write.

If we do not have accurate and fair elections, we do not have a country, the letter states.

Read more at: NewsPunch.com
(Natural News) A YouGov-The Economist poll released on Wednesday, Oct. 13, revealed that less than half of Americans believe that the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will be over by the end of 2022 while more than 20 percent are worried that the pandemic will never end.

The poll was conducted from Oct. 9 to 12 and involved 1,500 respondents, 1,266 of which are registered voters. The survey has been carried out via web-based interviews.

Out of all the people surveyed, 39 percent say the pandemic would end after 2022 and 22 percent say it would never end.

The October survey results have increased compared to the results from a previous poll held in August where 35 percent and 21 percent of respondents commented on the pandemic ending and not ending, respectively.

In the October poll, 27 percent of the respondents say the pandemic would end sometime in 2022; five percent thought the pandemic would end by the end of this year; and eight percent considered the pandemic already over. (Related: Del Bigtree tells Mike Adams: The only way the pandemic can end now is through natural infection  Brighteon.TV.)

Surprisingly, people who voted for President Joe Biden are more pessimistic in the poll. At least 50 percent of Biden voters say the pandemic will not end until after 2022. On the other hand, only 29 percent of former President Donald Trumps voters thought the same.

Fauci wants to force more people into getting vaccinated

Vaccination rates in the country have slowed in recent months, likely due to fear caused by the many reports of coronavirus vaccine injuries and deaths. To date, only 56 percent of the population are fully vaccinated against coronavirus.

Back in August, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Anthony Fauci said that America could start to see a degree of normality by spring if more people were strong-armed into getting vaccinated.

In an interview with Anderson Cooper, Fauci calls the coronavirus a very wily virus. He suggests that the more people practiced their right to choose not to get vaccinated, the longer the pandemic could linger on, leading to the development of another variant which could complicate things.

Fauci does not specify what percentage of the U.S. population needs to be vaccinated to reach that threshold. Before the emergence of delta variant, the estimate for herd immunity is believed to be 75 to 85 percent.

According to Dr. Ali Mokdad, professor of Epidemiology at the University of Washington, current estimates for herd immunity are about 85 percent, which means that almost all eligible for the vaccine now need to take it.

In a separate interview with State of the Union host Dana Bash, Fauci says that Halloween is the right time to get vaccinated, playing on the fears of parents who might be worried about their kids going trick or treating.

Fauci encourages people to get vaccinated, claiming that doing so would give people an extra degree of protection. He adds that people who choose not to get vaccinated should use the time to reflect on all the reasons that they should consider doing so.

When asked how long he expects wearing masks indoors to be the standard, Fauci says its difficult to pinpoint an exact date. Fauci says that while numbers were beginning to go in the right direction, he still wants to see more people getting the vaccine before he could support the easing of draconian lockdowns and mandates in the country.

Go to Pandemic.news to learn more about how the government is handling the coronavirus.

Sources include:

WND.com

Docs.cdn.yougov.com[PDF]

CNBC.com

DailyCaller.com
(Natural News) Jennifer Bridges knew what was coming when her director at Houston Methodist hospital called her up in June to inquire about her vaccination status.

(Article by Jon Miltimore republished from FEE.org)

Bridges, a 39-year-old registered nurse, responded absolutely not when asked if she was vaccinated or had made an effort to get vaccinated. She was terminated on the spot.

We all knew we were getting fired, Bridges, 39, told CBS News. We knew unless we took that shot to come back, we were getting fired today. There was no ifs, ands or buts.

Bridges was one of more than 150 hospital workers fired by Houston Methodist hospital.

All last year, through the COVID pandemic, we came to work and did our jobs, said Kara Shepherd, a labor and delivery nurse who joined Bridges and other workers in an unsuccessful lawsuit. We did what we were asked. This year, were basically told were disposable.

Please Send Help Now

Shepherd and her colleagues may be disposable in the eyes of hospital administrators, but they are perhaps not as easily replaced as she or Houston Methodist thought.

Two months after firing unvaccinated hospital staff, Houston Methodist is one of several area hospitals experiencing a severe shortage of medical personnel. Media reports say hospitals have reached a breaking point because of a flood of COVID-19 cases.

In an editorial published Tuesday, the Houston Chronicle said the 25-county hospital area that includes Houston had more patients in hospital bedsmore than 2,700than at any point in 2021. News reports make it clear that hospitals are struggling to keep up.

KHOU-11, a local news station, says medical tents have been erected outside of Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital but are vacant because of a shortage of nurses.

Please send help now, said Dr. George Williams (depicted in main photo), chief ICU medical officer for LBJ Hospital.

While most media reports focus on LBJ Hospital, reports also make it clear other hospitals, including Houston Methodist, are experiencing similar struggles. The Houston Chronicle says Harris Health System (which includes LBJ) is short some 250 nurses, while the University of Texas Medical Branch has requested an additional 100 nurses to help address staff shortages at four hospitals.

Baylor St. Lukes Medical Center, a private Houston hospital jointly owned by Baylor College and a local healthcare system, said the hospital is definitely being impacted by the nurse shortage.

As for Houston Methodist, the hospital is reportedly struggling as wellalthough theyve yet to admit it publicly.

An internal memo at Houston Methodist Hospital said it is struggling with staffing as the numbers of our COVID-19 patients rise,' the Chronicle reports.

Public officials are scrambling to address the shortage, which has created a massive patient backlog throughout the Houston area. More than a week ago, Tex Gov. Greg Abbott requested out of state assistance for the statewide crisis, including 2,500 out of state nurses. LBJ Hospital officials said those nurses have not yet arrived.

The metro-wide shortage of nurses reportedly came to light when an ER doctor emailed a state senator about the dire situation in hospitals.

The combined increase in volume from (COVID and) existing normal volume (and) nursing shortage has made this a terrible disaster at every ER and hospital in the city of Houston, the physician wrote, according to the Chronicle.

Cobra Effects

Its unclear to what extent Houston Methodists decision to fire 150 unvaccinated medical workers exacerbated the nursing crisis. For perhaps obvious reasons, hospital officials have been mum on the issue.

What we know is that Houston hospitals that did not abruptly fire 150 employees struggled to deal with the COVID spike, and in some cases people died as a result. So its safe to presume that Houston Methodists decision to fire 150 employees a few weeks before the Delta variant arrived in force didnt make the situation any better and probably made it much worse.

Some may be tempted to think Houston Methodist was able to quickly replace the workers they lost, but evidence suggests this is unlikely. Apart from the broader shortage, front line nurses are burned out, they say.

We are all tired of this; nurses are tired of this, Texas Nurses Association CEO Cindy Zolnierek wrote in a recent public letter.

That Houston Methodist hospital didnt intend to exacerbate its shortage of hospital staff goes without saying, but its also an important reminder about what economists call the Cobra Effect.

Every human decision brings about consequences, intended ones and unintended ones. Unintended consequences are so common economists often call them Cobra Problems, after an interesting historical event in India that occurred when the British Empire tried to eradicate cobras by putting out a bounty on them. (Can you guess what happened?)

When hospital administrators set their policyget vaccinated or lose your jobtheir goal was to increase vaccination rates of hospital staff. The unintended consequence was a shortage of nurses and other hospital workers during a deadly pandemic.

In June, Houston Methodists president, Marc Boom, sounded confident that his coercive methods were effective, noting that almost 25,000 of the health systems 26,000 workers were fully vaccinated.

The science proves that the vaccines are not only safe but necessary if we are going to turn the corner against COVID-19, Boom told employees in a statement.

Other Houston hospitals saw things differently. Two months before Houston Methodist fired its workers, Harris Health System officials announced they would not be requiring hospital workers to get vaccinated, noting none of the vaccines were fully approved by the FDA.

Americans will of course disagree about which CEOs approach was the correct one. The pandemic, after all, has been bitterly divisive because were deeply divided over this very question: should coercive means be employed to achieve certain desired healthcare outcomes, and if so, to what extent?

In 2020, political leaders around the world said yes to this question, and the results were disastrous. A year later, private companies are playing a different version of the same game: take the vaccine, or get fired.

Like the lockdown champions of 2020, corporate leaders no doubt believe their action is moral, proper, and will achieve their desired result. But as the Cobra Effect reminds us, focusing strictly on desired outcomes and ignoring potential unintended outcomes is a good way to get bit.

Read more at: FEE.org
(Natural News) Americans have been on a buying spree since the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) started to wane. The daily tally of container ships outside the congested ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach shows just how much products are coming in from other parts of the world.

The queue of ships reached a record of 73 on September 19. But as the congestion continues, frustrated retailers complain of the overwhelmed U.S. supply chain.

The ports inability to match the 24/7 operations of their Asian counterparts has been a source of frustration for the Biden Administration, which is now unveiling a series of measures to ease the congestion in the countrys largest port complex and keep the U.S. economic recovery on track.

The White House says it was able to secure pledges from private sectors such as Walmart, UPS and FedEx to extend their working hours to assist with the delivery congestions. It has also gained commitments from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union to add shifts to move toward a 24/7 work schedule at its operations in southern California.

The question remains whether or not the measures will be able to improve the movement of goods through the nationwide network that is already strained toward its breaking point. With an ongoing shortage of warehouse space and truck drivers, the round-the-clock operation will require a lot of coordination between public ports and private sector groups, including large retailers like Walmart and other freight companies.

Gene Seroka, the executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, says that he doubted that 24/7 operations could work without the cooperation of private sectors. If a day comes when we can open 24/7, and other parts of the supply chain orchestra are all doing the same thing, that would be great for all of us, but youve got limitations today, he says.

For reference, the turnaround time for a container in ports nearly doubled in 2021 compared to averages seen in 2017 through 2019. Turnaround time jumped from 3.6 days to 6.4 days, which is nearly five days longer than Asian ports that operate 24/7.

Bidens officials and the ports argue that the commitments from private sector companies could help ease the limitations. However, the extra 3,500 containers that the companies are now expected to move each week only account for a small fraction of the total that is now passing through the ports.

Supply chain woes hurt retailers and manufacturers

This years supply chain pressures have had a ripple effect on the economy, and it is hurting U.S. retailers and manufacturers. Nike warns of inventory shortages while Costco is running low on toilet rolls. Retailer Bed Bath & Beyond calls the current supply chain challenges unprecedented. Other retailers have resorted to chartering ships to ensure their goods get delivered.

With the holidays coming, there is also a sense of urgency for logistics, labor and manufacturing issues that are likely to add some $223 billion to U.S. retailers costs. This could push up the prices for consumers buying holiday gifts, assuming items are available in the market. (Related: West Coast ports logjammed with about container 60 ships still waiting to dock; supply lines continue to suffer disruptions.)

Steve Denton, chief executive of Ware2Go, which helps retailers find warehouse space, says that the White House initiative is not going to resolve the bottlenecks that retailers are struggling with. He says: Youve got a lack of truck drivers and the trains are running at full capacity. Youve got record levels of inventory in the country already. That inventorys got to get cleared out to make room first. Wheres it all going to go?

The supply chain problems are not limited to the United States. Nearly 20 months since the initial outbreak forced export-machine China to close down factories, the global flow of goods remains a mess. The German industry has also been hit by shortages of everything from computer chips to metals for car batteries, while the U.K. has suffered from fuel shortages.

Read more about the port congestions and delays on Collapse.news.

Sources include:

FT.com

BusinessInsider.com
(Natural News) The intentional collapse of American society by leftists exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic is continuing unabated, and will soon affect the 9-1-1 systems in a community near you, if not yours specifically.

A new report from an emergency medical service (EMS) organization warns that there is a burgeoning nationwide shortage of staff that is likely going to imperil Americans if trends continue.

This has been a problem that has been developing over several years because of chronic underfunding shortfalls from Congress for ambulance services, but certainly during the pandemic, things have hit a crisis level, said American Ambulance Association President Shawn Baird in an Oct. 10 interview with Fox News.

In recent months, weve seen a tremendous amount of workforce attrition and schools had shut down paramedic training institutions and stopped graduating new students for the last year, so were suddenly in a severe shortfall, Baird added.

In recent weeks, his group sent a letter to leaders in the House and Senate warning that the countrys EMS system is facing a crippling workforce shortage, adding that its a long-term problem that has been building for more than a decade. The letter also warned that the labor shortage is going to undermine the 9-1-1 emergency response system and as such deserves attention from Congress.

The groups 2019 Ambulance Industry Employee Turnover Study found that the turnover rate for EMTs and more highly trained paramedics was 20-30 percent, but Baird said that number has grown since the COVID-19 pandemic began last year.

The magnitude has really blown up over the last few months, Baird told NBC News on Oct 8. When you take a system that was already fragile and stretched it because you didnt have enough people entering the field, then you throw a public health emergency and all of the additional burdens that it put on our workforce, as well as the labor shortages across the entire economy, and it really has put us in a crisis mode.

And of course, the COVID vaccine mandate is also leading many ambulance and fire personnel out of the industry altogether.

Julie Keizer, the town manager of Waldoboro, Maine, told a local newscast that the vaccine mandate has contributed to the loss of first responders.

I think part of the problem is everybody thought [workers] would conform because nobody wants to lose their jobs, Keizer said. But when you look at the rate of pay for emergency workers, they can make more delivering packages than patients.

Deborah Clapp, executive director of Western Mass Medical Services in Massachusetts, said in an interview with local media in her area that overworked ambulance crews coupled with low wages are creating staffing shortages throughout the country.

What happens if theres a disaster of some sort? And a disaster doesnt need to be very big in western Massachusetts, she told Fox6. We need all these logistics to be able to step into place and handle these events and, meanwhile, 911 is still being called for the heart attack, the baby being born, the car crash.  We have one trauma center in western Massachusetts. One level one trauma center.

Its almost unmanageable, noted Ken Cummings, chief of the Tri-Hospital EMS in Port Huron, Michigan. I dont think any EMS provider wants to go out in public and say that your service might be interrupted, but the reality is that because of the extremely low workforce situation right now, we are going to start to see delays. Were already seeing that throughout the country right now.

His service has more than 1,000 openings.

Sources include:

BizPacReview.com

NBCNews.com

TheEpochTimes.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Drugstore chain Walgreens has recently announced the closure of five more stores in San Francisco. The company confirms to KCBS 106.9 that the stores will close in November due to ongoing organized retail crime. Walgreens says customers who need their prescriptions filled will be redirected to other branches near the affected locations.

Organized retail crime continues to be a challenge facing retailers across San Francisco, and we are not immune to that. Retail theft across our San Francisco stores has continued to increase in the past few months to five times our chain average, Walgreens spokesman Phil Caruso says in a statement. He adds that the pharmacy chain has increased [its] investments in security measures in stores across the city to 46 times our chain average in an effort to provide a safe environment.

Caruso notes that patients with prescription files in the five Walgreens locations do not need to take any action as their records will be forwarded to nearby locations within a one-mile radius. He adds that staff members from the five affected San Francisco stores will be deployed to other locations near their former assignments.

City Supervisor Ahsha Safai has expressed disappointment over the impending closures. He tweets: I am completely devastated by this news. Walgreens is less than a mile from seven schools and has been a staple for seniors, families and children for decades. The supervisor representing San Franciscos District 11 adds that the closures will significantly impact the surrounding community.

The city of San Francisco needs to act with a sense of urgency to reduce and deter the number of incidents of commercial retail theft, Safai says. (Related: San Francisco retail stores cease operations thanks to new law that decriminalizes shoplifting.)

Walgreens locations have long been victimized by shoplifters

In May, Safai said in an interview that organized shoplifting by criminal gangs has forced more than a dozen Walgreens stores to close over the past five years. About 85 percent of the companys loss is committed by organized criminal activity. That to me was just shocking. They will rob about maybe $1,000 to $2,000 worth of goods from 10 stores or more in a single day, Safai said at the time.

One such instance of brazen theft occurred a month after Safai made his comments. The New York Post reported in June that a shoplifter pulled off a heist at a Walgreens branch in San Francisco. The perpetrator put items from the store in a garbage bag right in front of a security guard and another person who both simply took footage.

The footage of the theft has since become viral on social media.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed reacted to the viral video during an Oct. 13 news conference. We all saw the person who rolled into a Walgreens on their bike and robbed that store, and that went viral across the world. What didnt go viral is the fact that this man was arrested by the San Francisco Police Department, is behind bars and is awaiting prosecution, he tells reporters.

The mayor also notes that the closure of the five Walgreens stores puts added pressure on each neighborhood. Thats going to be problematic for our city, Breed says. Well do what we can to improve the quality of life and safety in our city, and hopefully, theyll change their mind and come back. (Related: Businesses continue to shutter in San Francisco due to rampant shoplifting.)

CaliforniaCollapse.news has more articles about the rampant shoplifting that impacts businesses in San Francisco.

Sources include:

Audacy.com 1

Twitter.com 1

Twitter.com 2

Audacy.com 2

NYPost.com
(Natural News) As more businesses and governments in the United States institute Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine mandates, more and more people are standing up to these repressive policies.

One of the latest acts of defiance against COVID-19 vaccine mandates comes from employees of Southwest Airlines. The airline cancelled nearly 2,000 flights on Oct. 9 and 10. On Oct. 11, nearly 350 flights were cancelled and another 300 were delayed.

The company has officially stated that the issues are mainly due to weather and staffing. But many have pointed out that this is most likely due to the companys ongoing battle with its union over a proposed COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

The mass cancellations and delays during the Columbus Day weekend come after the airline announced that it would require all of its employees to be fully vaccinated by Dec. 8 or face termination.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas has directly blamed the cancellations on President Joe Bidens COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Joe Bidens illegal vaccine mandate at work! Cruz writes on Twitter. Suddenly, were short on pilots & air traffic controllers.

Ron Paul, a former Republican congressman from Texas and father of Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, has also blamed the mass cancellations and delays on the vaccine mandate. In an opinion piece written for Eurasia Review, he calls the ongoing event the Great Southwest Airlines Rebellion.

The incredible cruelty and folly of forced vaccines finally came home to roost, writes Paul. The vaccine mandate backlash has been bubbling just under the surface, but now it has spilled out into the open, threatening to completely derail an already crumbling economy and to obliterate a deeply unpopular U.S. president and administration.

Paul has also talked about mainstream medias attempts to deny the fact that the mass cancellations and delays are due to Southwest Airlines employees protesting the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

The mainstream media is doing its best to keep a lid on the expanding rebellion against the vaccine mandates, and Southwest Airlines itself is blaming the cancellations on bad weather and a lack of air traffic controllers, he write. However, the weather problems that Southwest claims to be experiencing seem unique to that carrier. No other airline thus far is reporting such weather-related cancellations.

Democratic Party-controlled states experiencing massive anti-vaccine mandate protests

Many of the anti-vaccine mandate protests are occurring in states controlled by members of the Democratic Party. (Related: LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva says he will not enforce COVID-19 vaccine mandate.)

In Washington state, hundreds of employees of Boeing took to the streets on Oct. 15 against the companys vaccine mandate. The company earlier announced that it will require its 125,000 employees in the U.S. to be vaccinated by Dec. 8 due to Bidens executive order.

The more than 200 employees of Boeing have gathered along a busy road outside of Boeings factory in Everett, just north of Seattle.

Its my choice and its my body, says one avionics engineer. Its an experimental drug given during a pseudo-emergency.

This is America, says another worker, an assembly mechanic. We dont just do what were told because one person says to.

In California, over a thousand parents, students and employees of schools protested outside of the state Capitol in Sacramento on Monday, Oct. 18, against the states COVID-19 vaccination mandate for eligible K-12 students.

We both trust you to protect your children, says organizers Amber Faddis and Tess Van Dusen to the cheering crowd of over a thousand protesting Californians. We are here because you deserve that right. If you choose the vaccine, we stand with you. If you choose not to vaccinate, we stand with you.

Many parents have warned the state that they are prepared to home school their children if the vaccine mandate pushes through. Many school districts in the state are already reporting an increase in the number of absent students.

In the San Juan Unified School District alone, more than 4,600 students were marked absent for one or more class periods on Monday. Thats over 600 more absences compared to the previous Monday.

As more corporations and authorities force people to take the experimental and deadly COVID-19 vaccines, more people like the ones in Southwest Airlines and Boeing, and the concerned parents in California will no doubt organize even more demonstrations.

Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine mandates by reading the latest articles at Vaccines.news.

Sources include:

WakingTimes.com

NYPost.com

FoxBusiness.com

EurasiaReview.com

Reuters.com

SacBee.com
(Natural News) President Joe Biden and his supporters are blaming unvaccinated Americans for the continuous spread of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) and for slowing down the countrys economic recovery. Biden also accuses elected officials of actively trying to undermine the administrations efforts to combat the pandemic.

During the Oct. 14 episode of Byline Anew on Brighteon.TV, host Fior Hernandez shared clips of Americans blaming fellow Americans for the spread of COVID-19 in the country, and how these are infringing upon personal freedoms.

When proven professionals in their field, whether it be in the areas of research, epidemiology, cardiology, natural medicine, theyre trying to inform the public of valuable information that there are alternative treatments, even alternatives to taking any vaccine. According to their research, the mandates are a reason for concern, Hernandez says. Why not at least listen to what they have to say instead of censoring them, mocking them, marginalizing and devaluing their experience?

Discrimination of unvaccinated Americans

In September, President Biden announced far-reaching federal requirements that could force people to get vaccinated. He ordered businesses with over 100 employees to require vaccination and did the same with federal workers and military troops.

Weve been patient, but our patience is wearing thin. And your refusal has cost all of us, he said about unvaccinated people during the September announcement. According to Biden, the unvaccinated minority can cause a lot of damage, and they are [causing a lot of damage].

A distinct minority of Americans, supported by a distinct minority of elected officials, are keeping us from turning the corner. These pandemic politics are making people sick, causing unvaccinated people to die, he said at the time.

Brighteon.TV host Dr. Bryan Ardis doesnt want to overcomplicate things. If you are vaccinated and you believe that the vaccine protects you, stop blaming other people if now youre somehow not protected. Either they work or they dont, its always been that simple.

Ardis points out that blaming unvaccinated individuals is becoming another way to discriminate in the United States. They want to pit families against family members, thats really what theyre doing. Youre going to make them look unequal to you, shame them, discriminate against them.

A wave of companies and governments are announcing vaccine policies and requiring vaccinations for their employees to keep their jobs. While that tactic seems to work, the vaccine mandate has also been questioned as it infringes upon the human rights and civil liberties of the employees.

The freedom to refuse vaccination could be for personal, ideological or religious reasons, while those who worry about the safety of the vaccines may be worried about their right to be protected from harm.

Private business owners have their rights when it comes to shaping their environments and employees have the right to feel safe at their jobs.

The U.S. federal laws prevent businesses from refusing services or denying employment to people based on traits like race, sex and disability. Although the unvaccinated Americans are not in a protected category, vaccine mandates and passes could violate the rights of people who object to vaccines for religious or medical reasons.

There are valid concerns about how vaccine policies can potentially restrict opportunities for people who are already marginalized. What is important, however, is that as the world grapples with the rise of COVID-19 and its variants, people and governments should remain flexible about changing vaccine requirements and policies as circumstances change and as new information comes to light.

Watch the full Oct. 14 episode of Byline Anew with Fior Hernandez in the vide below. Byline Anew airs on Thursdays at 10:30-11 a.m. on Brighteon.TV.

Get more news and updates about COVID-19 at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

USNews.com

QZ.com
(Natural News) Public schools all across America are struggling to keep enough food in stock at the cafeteria for their students, and the root of the problem is fake president Joe Biden.

The reality of the situation is that the plandemic is over, but the Biden regime refuses to stop tyrannizing the public with manufactured shortages and supply chain problems that, to be fair, are also a product of prior administrations the way they globalized the economy for such a time as this.

Mainstream media reports suggest that everything from turkey to chicken to orange juice to the meal trays on which food is served are now in short supply at American public schools. Many districts are unable to find the necessities they need to keep feeing students, and yet many a leftist is still in denial about why this is all taking place.

Much of the blame is still being lobbed at the unvaccinated, who are supposedly the ones blocking all the ports and holding shipments hostage. This, we are told, is why everyone needs to roll up their sleeves immediately so we can enter the new normal.

We cant just hope, lamented Shonia Hall, the current director of school nutrition services for Oklahoma City Public Schools, to NBC News about the problem. We have to be proactive. I cant feed kids without utensils, right?

How many children need to die before Biden is stopped?

Since very little is coming from her usual suppliers, Hall is having to resort to buying some school necessities from local grocery and retail stores to help fill the void.

Its an additional cost to your budget, to your program, she says, noting that the U.S. Department of Agricultures (USDA) National School Lunch Program is helping a little by increasing reimbursement costs to districts like hers that are just trying to meet meal demands.

These Seamless Summer Option meal service waivers were recently extended to run through June 2022, giving schools a little bit of buffer time to try to wait things out and get up to speed.

The waivers allow for schools to offer meals free of charge to students, NBC News reported.

Biden, meanwhile, is promising to get Walmart, FedEx and UPS to up their efforts  as if they are somehow to blame  and get the supply chain moving again, even though it is Bidens own vaccine mandates that are keeping that crimp on the funnel.

Never again should our country and our economy be unable to make critical products we need because we dont have access to materials to make that product, Biden stumbled through a teleprompter reading during a recent appearance.

Because of Bidens fascist policies, it is taking upwards of double the amount of time to deliver some products from their Asian production origins to the United States. There is also a shortage of truck drivers and shipping port workers as many employees are quitting due to Bidens jab fascism.

Well, were struggling, you know, we can get food, but were having a lot of outages and shortages, added Stephanie Dillard, the child nutrition director at Enterprise City Schools in Alabama, about how that area is suffering from supply chain woes as well.

Every week everybody is holding their breath, not knowing whether were going to get a truck or not because we dont know if theres going to be truck drivers or theres going to be employees in the distributors warehouses.

In the end, thousands or even millions of children could go hungry, all thanks to Biden.

The latest news about the total breakdown of society due to Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) fascism can be found at Fascism.news.

Sources for this article include:

NBCNews.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Canadian judge Adam Germain is trying to force Pastor Artur Pawlowski to preach propaganda to his congregation about how the governments Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) plandemic narrative is backed by medical experts.

Artur and his brother Dawid were sentenced this week for supposedly inciting Canadian citizens to violate their governments Chinese Virus obedience laws. Previously, Artur was convicted of contempt of court in Alberta for holding worship services without permission.

Artur is now being fined $23,000 Canadian dollars for his crimes, and is also being told that he must serve 18 months of probation in order to satisfy the Canadian governments vendetta against him.

Part of Arturs punishment also involves him being forced to place the other side of the argument on the record to his congregation, meaning he must now deliver a sermon about how lockdowns, vaccines, social distancing and other tyranny are good for public health.

The second any scientific theory is ordered as a mandatory belief on the part of the state, it ceases being legitimate scientific inquiry and becomes a religion in its own right, writes Richard Moorhead for Big League Politics.

The sentencing judge criminalized the men for encouraging their congregations and members of the public to assemble as citizens of a free country and refrain from wearing a face mask.

Covidism is a religion that proselytizes using force

Unlike the Christianity that Artur normally preaches to his congregation, Covidism is a religion that does not tolerate freedom of choice. You either convert at the governments command or face punishment, including the loss of your profession and livelihood.

Christianity is a religion of peace that affords the proselytized the option to convert if they so choose. Covidism is a religion of coercion and forced compliance where the recipient of its propaganda must convert or else basically be put to death or erased.

For refusing to convert to Covidism himself, Artur is being ordered by Justice Germain to embed Covidist theology into his sermons or else be punished even further than he already has been.

Germain declared that if the three pandemic-denying, anti-mask leaders continued to preach to their followers, they must also present the perspective of medical experts.

Instead of separation of church and state, Canada has merged the Church of Covidism straight into its government. The two are now one and the same, in other words, as Canadas new official religion is Covidism.

Examples of literal compelled speech ordered by governments are rare in democratic societies in modern times, with the judges order more closely resembling occasional edicts attempting to coerce Christians into worshiping the Roman Emperor as a god in Antiquity, Moorhead adds.

Pawlowskis conviction appears to be enough to make the tyrants of Fascist Australia jealous.

Just to be clear, the United States is not much better than this. While Christian pastors are not yet being forced to preach Covidist theology in their sanctuaries, at least not overtly, you can be sure that the Biden regime is working overtime to make this a reality in the land of the free.

Canada and the United States are two turds swirling the drain, wrote one Natural News commenter. No reason to say which one is the bigger or more stinky turd because they are both going to the same place.

The survival of Christianity is at stake, wrote another. But God will preserve a remnant of true followers. Jesus said: I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it Matthew 16:17. Jesus said that the gates of hell cannot destroy the real believers.

The latest news about the governments Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) tyranny can be found at Fascism.news.

Sources for this article include:

BigLeaguePolitics.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Many people are unaware of it, but the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19), also known as SARS-CoV-2, has still not been properly isolated, meaning it does not technically exist.

In response to a request that was made under the Transparency Act of 2013, the Ministry of Health in Spain recently acknowledged that it does not have a SARS-CoV-2 culture in its possession, nor is there a registry of laboratories with culture and isolation capacity for testing.

The response went on to discharge all responsibility for diagnoses and treatment onto health professionals, clarifying that tests, by themselves, are not usually sufficient to determine the disease.

Amazingly, the Spanish newspaper El Diestro reported on September 30 that these so-called tests, which have repeatedly been proven fraudulent, are not usually enough to determine the disease. Despite this, PCR tests have been used to justify government impositions about lockdowns, mask mandates and now, vaccine requirements.

Here in the United States, hundreds of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests have revealed that there is not a single record anywhere in the world of SARS-CoV-2 having been isolated or purified.

Would a sane person mix a patient sample (containing various sources of genetic material and never proven to contain any particular virus) with transfected monkey kidney cells, fetal bovine serum and toxic drugs, then claim that the resulting concoction is SARS-COV-2 isolate and ship it off internationally for use in critical research (including vaccine and test development)? asked The Exposes Christine Massey.

Because thats the sort of fraudulent monkey business thats being passed off as virus isolation by research teams around the world.

When pressed for proof that covid really exists, governments have nothing to show

On Feb. 15, 2021, Kepa Ormazabal, a Spanish researcher, submitted an FOIA request about this very thing. He wanted to see proof that SARS-CoV-2 had truly been isolated and purified, and determined to exist in the way the government claims it does.

The Basque Country Office of the President and Department of Health, along with all other dependent institutions, ignored Ormazabals request because they had nothing to say.

According to the law, they have 30 days to respond, Ormazabals told the media several months later. [Sixty days] if the question is especially complex. Today is May 2nd and I have not heard from them.

On March 30, Ormazabal submitted another FOIA request to the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (Higher Council of Scientific Research), which is considered the flagship of Spanish research. Once again, Ormazabal did not receive a response.

Again, they have not responded and, therefore, their silence is refusing access to the information they may hold in regards to my question, Ormazabal reported.

The CSIC and the Basque government are public institutions and, therefore, must comply with the law of transparency, good governance and access to public information. Article 20.4 of this law states that, if after 30 days there has been no response from the public administration, this silence is to be understood as meaning that the request to access the public information solicited has been refused.

To this day, not a single government or research agency has procured solid evidence that SARS-CoV-2 is real in the way we have all been told. There are no sample cultures available or really anything to show that the China Virus is anything other than a false flag plandemic exercise being used to usher the planet into a new world order.

There is a wealth of information published by The Expose about this subject that is worth your time to look over and consider.

More related news stories about Chinese Virus deception can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

HumansAreFree.com

NaturalNews.com

TheExpose.uk
(Natural News) Companies are now finding ways to get employees to back out of their employment contracts by using their COVID exemption forms against them. Host Dr. Bryan Ardis and guest Paul Romero discussed the issue during the Oct. 13 episode of The Dr. Ardis Show on Brighteon.TV.

Romero talks about how companies in different states make their employees sign vaccination documents, which is illegal. Romero says: They are, in fact, violating their very own non-discrimination clause of their employment/client contract, which is a federal and state law.

By making people back out of their COVID exemptions, Romero says that the employers are not only putting liability on the company, but are also putting individual liability on themselves. He adds: When you discriminate against somebody, you violate the employment [contract].

President Joe Bidens vaccine mandates are ethically questionable, especially considering that federal and state laws warn against discrimination.

The principle of non-discrimination seeks to guarantee that human rights are exercised with no discrimination of any kind based on race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinions, national or social origin, property, birth or other status such as disability, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence and economic and social situation.

Can employers segregate or discriminate against unvaccinated workers?

With Bidens mandate in place, employers can legally separate vaccinated and unvaccinated workers, but lawyers say it is better to be cautious against it. Michael Blickman, a management attorney at Ice Miller LLP, says that it would be a stupendously bad idea to go down that road from an employee-relations perspective.

While most employers can require workers to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, business-wide mandates have been rare, leaving most workplaces mixed with vaccinated and unvaccinated employees.

Companies continue to find strategies for blended workforces, while states grapple with the proof of vaccination requirement.

As such, employers are seeking counsel on the legal implications of separating employees based on their vaccination status. Although it is upon their discretion to divide workers, it isnt a legally protected category, and such policies could be problematic to administer. (Related: The vaccine mandate is a hoax, and no entity or person in America is obliged to follow it.)

Segregating workers pose potential legal risks, as some cannot be vaccinated due to health conditions or religious objections. Workers who refuse vaccination on these grounds can allege bias, especially if they suffer negative consequences as a result of being segregated.

To date, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission still hasnt updated its guidance in addressing the separation of vaccinated and unvaccinated workers. Employers are also told to be mindful to proceed with these moves in a way that preserves the confidentiality of the employees medical information.

In Montana, Attorney General Austin Knudsen has already issued legal guidance on the federal vaccine mandate by the Biden administration, saying that such mandate is illegal in the state.

Knudsens guidance states that the office is preparing to immediately challenge the federal overreach on different grounds.

Supporters of vaccine mandates are also suing. Already, two lawsuits have been filed challenging the new state law that protects Montana workers from discrimination based on their vaccination status.

House Bill 702 is the law in Montana, and it prohibits employers from discriminating against people based on their vaccination status. Two separate lawsuits have been filed attempting to roll back these protections for Montana workers, but these pro-discrimination lawsuits have not changed the law, Knudsen says in a memo.

Discrimination based on vaccination status is illegal in Montana. Violators of the law can  and should  be held accountable.

Watch the Oct. 13 episode of The Dr. Ardis Show with Dr. Bryan Ardis in the video below. Catch new episodes of The Dr. Ardis Show every Wednesdays at 10-11 a.m. on Brighteon.TV.

Get more information regarding the legality of vaccination mandates at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

News.BloombergLaw.com

KULR8.com
(Natural News) The longer the COVID-19 pandemic lasts, the more ridiculous those pushing for various mandates related to it look to rational, thinking people.

When Donald Trump was in office and touting his Operation Warp Speed program aimed at bringing the country COVID vaccines in record time, Democrats  including then-presidential contender Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris  said they wouldnt take a jab developed under his leadership because they didnt trust him.

After he delivered three vaccines instead of just one  and again, were not vaccine fans here, but we are trying to illustrate a point  and then had his reelection stolen from him, Biden, Harris and virtually every other Democrat is now using the vaccines Trump gave them to become tyrants by imposing nonsensical mandates that are not about science but all about power.

They include, of course, vaccine mandates.

In lifting restrictions on non-essential travel to the U.S. from Mexico and Canada this week, the Biden administration announced that foreign travelers attempting to enter the U.S. legally from those nations would need proof of COVID-19 vaccination  even as the administration allows illegal entrants to remain in the U.S. with or without vaccination, Just the News reported this week.

Translated, that means none of the Democratic Partys future voters, once they manage to get an amnesty passed that is hidden inside Bidens gargantuan $3.5 trillion spending bill, have to worry about getting the jab while sneaking illegally into the country. But if their cousins want to come in legally to visit, they will have to show proof of vaccination.

But heythe science.

The regimes announcement comes as more than 1 million illegal aliens have been released into the U.S. since Biden took his stolen office in January and began signing one executive order after another undoing Trumps border enforcement policies, while also instructing Homeland Security to ignore federal immigration laws.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced that he is amending Title 19 regulations to allow for legal entry in two phases, Just the News noted. Beginning in November, foreign travelers arriving from Canada and Mexico may enter the U.S. legally for nonessential travel at land and ferry ports of entry at the northern and southern borders. In January, the policy will expand to cover students, commercial truck drivers and health care workers.

However, under the DHS rules, none of those attempting to enter the U.S. legally will be allowed entry if they cant show proof of COVID vaccination, the outlet continued, adding:

Meanwhile, the thousands illegally entering the U.S. on a daily basis by simply walking across the Rio Grande River are to be allowed to remain in the country  with or without vaccine passport  under a new DHS policy that being in the U.S. illegally is no longer sufficient grounds for arrest, even though criminal under federal law.

In alignment with the new international air travel system that will be implemented in November, we will begin allowing travelers from Mexico and Canada who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to enter the United States for non-essential purposes, including to visit friends and family or for tourism, via land and ferry border crossings, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement.

To further highlight the absurdity, Fox News noted further that while illegals wont have to be vaccinated to sneak in and be let go in the country, the Border Patrol and U.S. Customs agents processing them will have to be under Bidens executive order mandating all federal workers get the jab.

Thats extremely laughable considering the border has been open to unvaccinated illegal immigrants all year, Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa., tweeted.

The Biden Administration will soon open land borders with Mexico & Canada to fully vaccinated travelers only, Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas added. Unvaccinated illegal immigrants are still welcome to cross at any time.

You seriously couldnt make up this farce if you tried.

Sources include:

MSN.com

JustTheNews.com

Vaccine.news
(Natural News) The U.S. is suffering through one of the worst transportation crises in the countrys history, with hundreds of container ships anchored off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts waiting days on end to get into port to be offloaded.

The Biden regime is particularly concerned with getting ports in California back on track because the bulk of the nations imports come into facilities in the Golden State. As such, the claimed president, Joe Biden, announced last week a few measures that he thinks will help, like Port of Los Angeles moving to a 24/7 work schedule.

Only, none of these measures are going to work and its thanks to the left-wing environmental and regulatory insanity imposed over years by the Democrats who run the place.

The conventional wisdom from the left is that COVID is the reason that shipping containers are in the waters off California with no stevedores or truckers available to take care of them. The implication is that if people would stop being selfish and take the vaccines, the whole problem would magically vanish. Thats nonsense, Andrea Widburg writes at the American Thinker.

In fact, the problem is directly related to a pair of laws the Democrat supermajority in the state passed, both having to do with favored issues and constituencies: Climate change hacks and the unions.

Widburg notes further that when you add in additional components  COVID-related benefits payments that discourage work as well as other issues that are simply unique to the seafaring cargo industry, and poof: Empty Christmas stockings.

And speaking of the climate change issue, The Conservative Treehouse has more:

The trucking issue with California LA ports, ie the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) and the Port of Long Beach (POLB), is that all semi tractors have to be current with new California emissions standards. As a consequence, that [means] trucks cannot be older than 3 years if they are to pick up or deliver containers at those ports. This issue wipes out approximately half of the fleet trucks used to move containers in/out of the port. Operating the port 24/7 will not cure the issue, because all it does is pile up more containers that sit idle as they await a limited number of trucks to pick them up. THIS is the central issue. [Their emphasis]

The EPA reached a settlement with the California Air Resource Board to shut down rigs that were not compliant with the states new air quality standards in October 2020:

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced settlements with three interstate trucking companies imposing $417,000 in penalties for violating the California Air Resources Boards federally enforceable Truck and Bus Regulation, Drayage Truck Regulation and Transport Refrigeration Unit Regulation.

In effect, what this 2020 determination and settlement created was an inability of half the nations truckers from picking up anything from the Port of LA or Port of Long Beach, the outlet continued.

And it gets worse: The Biden regime doesnt have anyone in the presidents Cabinet who knows much of anything about how to solve the supply chain bottleneck. In a column for top shipping industry website gCaptain, Captain John Konrad wrote that many of Bidens agencies are led by experts in their field, but not the person in charge of maritime shipping.

The FAA is headed by a pilot, NASA is headed by an astronaut, the US Marine Corps is headed by a Marine but for the fourth time in a row, and during the worst shipping crisis of the century, the US Department of Transportation has appointed someone to the US Maritime Administration (MARAD) who is not a captain and has no commercial shipping experience, Konrad wrote.

Phillips is a highly decorated Navy leader with a long list of accomplishments and is highly respected by everyone gCaptain has interviewed. She was head of the Navys Climate Change Task Force and is a highly sought after consultant on climate security issues. She holds an MBA. She was chairman of a local government Sea Level Rise Preparedness and Resilience project. She once captained a Navy warship, Konrad continued.

The appointment looks great on paper except for one kinda big problem. This is not a warship position. Its a commercial shipping appointment and she has zero experience aboard any commercial ships. She does not even have experience leading navy military sealift ship, he added.

The shipping and supply chain crisis worsened under Biden isnt going to get better anytime soon. Thats just a fact.

Sources include:

gCaptain.com

AmericanThinker.com

TheConservativeTreehouse.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg bought the 2020 election with hundreds of millions dollars in funding that likely handed the White House to Joe Biden last year, according to a new analysis.

(Article by Raymond Wolfe republished from LifeSiteNews.com)

In a report published this week by The Federalist, researcher William Doyle of the Caesar Rodney Election Research Institute (CRERI) said new research from CRERI shows that election funding funneled by Zuckerberg and his wife through two non-profits significantly increased Joe Bidens vote margin in key swing states.

The Center for Technology and Civic Life (CTCL) and The Center for Election Innovation and Research (CEIR) passed a staggering $419.5 million of Zuckerbergs money into local government elections offices, wrote Doyle, a former chair in the Department of Economics at the University of Dallas.

The massive influx of funds essentially created a high-powered, concierge-like get-out-the-vote effort for Biden that took place inside the election system, rather than attempting to influence it from the outside, Doyle said. We call this the injection of structural bias into the 2020 election, and our analysis shows it likely generated enough additional votes for Biden to secure an Electoral College victory in 2020.

Using a machine-learning algorithm, CRERI estimated that the Facebook founders spending increased Bidens vote total by about 200,000 votes in Texas alone. Though the difference wasnt enough to flip the state blue last year, grant money from CTCL and CEIR may have pushed Biden over the top in other swing states, Doyle said.

Our preliminary results in Georgia and Wisconsin suggest a similar impact on Bidens vote margin from CTCL spending, he said. And spending in those states was likely large enough and targeted enough to have shifted them into Bidens column.

Joe Biden was certified the winner of the Georgia presidential election by just 11,000 votes and of Wisconsins election by around 20,000 votes.

We have good reason to anticipate that the results of our work will show that CTCL and CEIR involvement in the 2020 election gave rise to an election that, while free, was not fair.

Shadow election system

According to Doyles report, the Zuckerbucks fueled a shadow election system with a built-in structural bias that systematically favored Democratic voters over Republican voters.

Both organizations were founded by left-wing activists with ties to top progressive advocacy groups.

Although CTCL and CEIR are chartered as non-partisan 501(c)(3) corporations, our research suggests the $419.5 million of CTCL and CEIR spending that took place in 2020 was highly partisan in its distribution and its effects, Doyle said

Nearly 99 percent of CTCL grants of $1 million or more in the battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia went to cities and counties which Biden was certified as having won, for example.

In some places, the funds gave Democrat-leaning areas a more than 10-1 advantage in election resources. A grant program for five Wisconsin cities allowed these Democrat strongholds to spend roughly $47 per voter, compared to $4 to $7 per voter in traditionally Republican areas of the state, the Amistad Project, an election watchdog, revealed in December. Analyses by other groups, like Influence Watch and the Foundation for Government Accountability found similar discrepancies.

Big CTCL and CEIR money had nothing to do with traditional campaign finance, Doyles report added. It had to do with financing the infiltration of election offices at the city and county level by left-wing activists, and using those offices as a platform to implement preferred administrative practices, voting methods, and data-sharing agreements, as well as to launch intensive outreach campaigns in areas heavy with Democratic voters.

In Wisconsin, an investigation earlier this year uncovered that a left-wing activist connected to CTCL gained access to ballot rooms in Green Bay and helped determine how to handle ballots. CTCL agents in Georgia paid ballot counters and trained poll watchers.

In Philadelphia, CTCL pushed the city to deploy ballot drop boxes, allowed for ballot curing unavailable to Republican counties, and even paid election judges, according to a December report from the Amistad Project.

These irregularities existed wherever Zuckerbergs money was granted to local election officials, the watchdog said.

Are our elections for sale?

CRERIs findings have sparked outrage among top Republicans and at least one former election official.

My reaction is that this was a carefully orchestrated attempt to convert official government election offices into get-out-the-vote operations for one political party and to insert political operatives into election offices in order to influence and manipulate the outcome of the election, said Hans von Spakovsky, a former member of the Federal Election Commission.

All states should ban private funding of government election offices no matter the source, Spakovsky urged. He added that Zuckerbergs election process funding violated fundamental principles of equal treatment of voters since it may have led to unequal opportunities to vote in different areas of a state.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also slammed the unprecedented infusion of private money into Americas elections in a news conference this week, calling the tactics of CTCL and CEIR totally unacceptable.

So, Zuckerberg, he spent over $400 million through these, quote, non-profits to, quote, help with election administration, DeSantis said. But what they would do is they would require certain things to be done like mass mail balloting, ballot harvesting, and they would focus on partisan voter turnout, basically. That was totally unacceptable.

In a statement to the New York Post, Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson said that he doubts whether Mark Zuckerbergs highly partisan 2020 election spending was even legal.

While we still dont know all that happened, public reporting on his influence over the 2020 elections in Green Bay and other Democrat strongholds raises enough suspicion, the U.S. senator said.

Are our elections for sale? Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky wrote on Twitter Wednesday, retweeting news about an investigation by the Wisconsin legislature into Mark Zuckerbergs election influence. Did Mark Zuckerberg purchase the Wisconsin Presidential Election? he asked.

Are our elections for sale? Did Mark Zuckerberg purchase the Wisconsin Presidential election?https://t.co/QdyifxMGPD  Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) October 13, 2021

Read more at: LifeSiteNews.com
(Natural News) Seattle schoolchildren are going to have a much more difficult time getting to school thanks to the vaccine tyranny overtaking the state of Washington.

Starting this week, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) are suspending more than 100 bus routes due to a shortage of bus drivers that is largely caused by the states COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Roughly 142 of the 600 bus routes in the district will be suspended in a move that will impact nearly 7,000 students.

Under the vaccine mandate instituted by Governor Jay Inslee, all school district employees must be vaccinated or they face losing their jobs, and this includes third-party contractors like First Student, the vendor that provides bus service to the districts students.

First Student had already been experiencing a shortage of drivers, and the mandate has pushed them into an untenable situation. The district has stated that the impacted routes are suspended indefinitely until more drivers can be hired.

The school district is looking at having students use public transport in order to make it to their classes on time, with SPS Assistant Superintendent of Operations Fred Podesta stating: Its our hope that the staffing shortages faced by First Student will be resolved as quickly as possible so we can resume  and improve upon  all bus service. In the meantime, we are actively looking for alternative solutions to this challenge, such as the expanded provision of ORCA transit passes for middle school students, and other modes of transportation.

The district has said that students whose right to school transport is protected by law can expect to continue receiving bus service. This includes those experiencing homelessness, foster students, students who receive special education services that include transportation, students attending schools at interim sites, students with a 504 plan that includes transportation, and schools serving historically underserved students.

The principal of Seattles Greenwood Elementary School sent a letter to parents explaining that the schools general education bus routes would no longer be in service. Interestingly, the letter said that the problem was caused by the districts bus shortage, but the local media has been quick to point out that the real issue is the vaccine mandate.

Many parents dont have a problem with unvaccinated bus drivers

Unfortunately, many students will now have to walk a far distance to school and cross several dangerous intersections on foot. When Seattles winter weather sets in, it will be even more challenging for students. However, public transportation brings its own set of concerns; many parents are rightfully uncomfortable with the idea of having their children ride a public bus.

The mother of a fifth grader at Greenwood Elementary School told KIRO 7 that she feels its more dangerous for students to have to walk to school than to drive with a non-vaccinated bus driver. Kirsten Finn stated: Its way more of a risk in my opinion for them to be crossing busy intersections to get here than for them to be driving with an unvaccinated bus driver.

Finn, who is a nurse, pointed out that there are other ways that students could be kept safe on the bus: If you dont have a vaccinated bus driver and youre really concerned, you could put in a Plexiglas divider. You know, you could drive the bus with the windows open. All the kids have masks on already.

The situation is yet another example of how vaccine mandates are hitting poorer communities and minorities particularly hard. In more affluent neighborhoods, there may be multiple stay-at-home parents who are able to pitch in and help bring kids to school when bus service is unavailable. This is not the case, however, for many lower-income students.

Sources for this article include:

KING5.com

KIRO7.com

KIRO7.com
(Natural News) An estimated 350,000 of our military service members are being dishonorably discharged for refusing to take a completely unnecessary and experimental mRNA nanotech injection, which is now proven to degrade immune systems and cause many serious side effects.

(Article by David DeGraw republished from GlobalResearch.ca)

Committing Total Force to these reckless injections, which do not protect troops from getting COVID, and, in fact, increase the threat of the spread and result in many provable side effects, is the greatest failure of military leadership in our history, at best. At worst, it is a deliberate treasonous attack against the U.S. military by the top of the Chain of Command.

To make matters even worse, an estimated 450,000 service members have recently been injected with the non-FDA approved Pfizer shot, even though many were falsely led to believe that they were getting the FDA-approved version, which is not even available in the U.S..

The outright lies, confusion and shocking lack of knowledge and incompetence demonstrated over the past week throughout the Chain of Command, which is covered in our 4-hour video here, is a low point in U.S. military history.

As you are reading this, many of these coerced troops are now beginning to experience side effects and COVID infection rates are increasing throughout the force. Many pilots are now grounded because of high risks of blood clots and heart failure while flying.

An estimated 400,000 military service members did not want the nanotech injections but submitted to taking them because they couldnt afford to live without pay, benefits and the devastating scarlet letter of a dishonorable discharge.

A dishonorable discharge has severe ramifications when it comes to being employed throughout the civilian workforce. It is essentially sentencing many of our troops to a life of low-wage work and poverty in the draconian mandate economy, which also now demands injections for many jobs, with all the severe economic sanctions under the guise of public health that they will now face in civilian life.

Based on our assessments, it is now clear the Global Private Military Complex has captured the top of the U.S. military Chain of Command and is systematically degrading the U.S. military as part of a worldwide strategy to weaken national civilian militaries.

Our military is their greatest adversary and primary target.

Make no mistake, to dishonorably discharge thousands of our most elite fighting forces is a blatant Act of War against the American people.

The all-out systemic attacks against the American people are Acts of War.

There are so many outrageously corrupt activities and systemic abuses presently happening under the guise of public health throughout the government that it is now very obvious that the American people do not have any effective representation on the federal level.

The dishonorable discharge policy also makes it likely that many of our most elite fighting forces will now be inclined to take jobs as mercenaries in the Global Private Military Complex to support their young families  how convenient.

The American people are now up against the same imperial playbook of policies that have been strategically deployed to destabilize the Middle East, Latin America and many other nations worldwide. Now, the globalist War on Terror is targeting first world populations. This mandate attack against our military, police, doctors, nurses and other critical sectors is tactical destabilization 101.

Bottom line, there are significant numbers of people throughout the Intelligence Community, military, and Special Forces in particular, who know Rome has fallen.

The New World Order terrorists attacking humanity have become absurdly arrogant. We are experiencing the imperial overreach that occurs when an endangered oligarchys power structure collapses.

The compromised Biden Administration has also launched an attack against all U.S. veterans who do not submit to nanotech injections. As of November 1, all non-injected veterans will be denied V.A. healthcare  another Act of War to add to the long list of abuses.

There is also a new Red Flag gun law that targets veterans and newly discharged troops. If anyone reports them for vague and minor suspensions, they will have their guns taken away from them.

The Biden Administration is even trying to call in the United Nations Blue Helmet troops to be deployed throughout the U.S. to enforce international gun control and undermine our 2nd Amendment rights.

Everything that has happened over the past week is all coming right after a deliberately botched Afghanistan withdrawal, which was strategically designed to destroy troop morale and create division throughout the ranks.

In fact, Lt. Col. Stuart Sheller, who has been fighting this war for 17 years and is the highest ranking Marine to publicly speak out  after 13 of his fellow troops were unnecessarily killed  and demanded accountability from the top of the Chain of Command, is now a political prisoner in pre-trial brig solitary for an indefinite period of time, while no charges have even been filed against him.

Crimes Against Humanity

All of this is happening as more than 7,800 doctors and scientists have signed a Physicians Declaration condemning policymakers for authoritarian strategies that have resulted in needless illness and death, which amount to Crimes Against Humanity.

As we covered in our video, official COVID policies have led to over 500,000 unnecessary civilian deaths throughout the United States. The systemic shutdown of well-proven life-saving, safe and effective treatments, in favor of now well-proven harmful treatments, is blatant systemic medical malpractice.

Based on our assessments, it is clear that COVID is a bio-weapon that has been strategically released, and the spike protein and other ingredients in the mRNA nanotech injections are weaponized.

We also know that lockdowns have done significantly more harm than good, and now, with all these new mandates, our doctors, nurses and millions of essential workers throughout every sector of the economy are losing their jobs.

We are witnessing the deliberate incremental systematic dismantling and destruction of our country. The Global Private Military Complex is tactically turning America into Afghanistan and Iraq.

The amount of military movement throughout and around the continental U.S. is highly alarming. The designation and building of internment facilities under the guise of public health, and the fortification of Walmarts across the country, is also concerning.

The shocking complete opening of our entire Southern border by the Biden Administration is another new major National Security threat. We have credible intelligence that terrorists, drug cartels and global intel-backed mercenaries have entered the country and are being strategically deployed throughout the United States.

They are primarily targeting critical infrastructure and essential services, supply lines and states that are not enforcing injection mandates.

We are also deeply concerned about all the cargo ships that are now overwhelming all of our ports. Our supply lines of essential goods are being strategically disrupted and these ships and their unknown cargo represent an urgent critical National Security threat.

As we covered in our video, weapons systems, missiles and drones are suspected to be in some of these cargo ships. The military must immediately inspect and process every container.

We have a wide-open Southern border and we are surrounded by hundreds of cargo ships. In totality, it is a complete shitshow of systemic breakdown, corruption, incompetence and arrogance, and all this is happening right after the botched Afghanistan exit, which killed 13 troops and left behind $85 billion in weapons  and now we are discharging hundreds of thousands of troops while hundreds of thousands are now injected with a weaponized vaccine.

Clearly, Rome has fallen and rogue forces have compromised the Chain of Command.

The American people are under attack.

The Constitution is under attack.

We are under attack!

Therefore, we are now forced to engage tactical operations to save our nation and our families. We want to maintain peace while being surgical in detaining the terrorists.

Detain The Terrorists: Fauci, Gates, Schwab & Fink

As we highlighted in our video, the two most publicly known terrorists responsible for these systemic Crimes Against Humanity and Acts of War against the American people, and humanity in general, are Anthony Fauci and Bill Gates.

In addition, Klaus Schwab and Larry Fink have been key strategic driving forces behind overall systemic attacks against us.

Markets like totalitarian governments.

Democracies are very messy, as we know in the United States.

China has done a magnificent job of engineering their economy.

~ The Shadow King of Wall Street, Larry Fink, Black Rock CEO, Czar of the Lockdown Economy

We are calling for the immediate detainment and prosecution of those four War Criminals.

Failure to do so, will result in a complete loss of faith in the Intelligence Community and the top of the military Chain of the Command.

We are also calling upon DoD and Intelligence Community Inspector Generals to immediately deploy large-scale wide-ranging investigations into corrupt policy decision-making processes and to conduct a forensic analysis of every move that every agency has made.

If the Office of the Inspector General does not move with immediate overwhelming force, their failure to act will result in a complete loss of faith in our systemic accountability mechanisms.

We want peace and Continuity of Government based on TRANSPARENT processes.

We have a duty and responsibility to protect our nation and our families from these barbaric and vicious systemic attacks.

We know that the Global Private Military is strategically attacking and systematically dismantling the United States and trying to incite division, desperation, confusion and chaos throughout the civilian population.

As the fog of war gets thicker than ever, we will do everything that we can to keep the peace and be a source of stability and critical information throughout the populace.

We are calling upon the American people to unite with their local Sheriff, police and community members to urgently begin full-scale preparations to protect their families.

We believe that the Global Private Military is going to launch terror attacks throughout the U.S. as they increase their asymmetric unconventional warfare against us.

We need to do everything in our power to prevent violent outbreaks.

The Global Private Military wants chaos and violence to erupt throughout our country  thats why they have been proactively systemically undermining our ability to obtain basic necessities and dismantling critical infrastructure and dismissing hundreds of thousands of police, military, healthcare and essential workforces via non-scientific and non-sensical mandates.

They are deploying the same divide and conquer tactics that they have used to destabilize the Middle East; to get us to fight amongst each other and provoke a civil war. They are using their mainstream media companies to exacerbate confusion and division.

Whether it is inciting the vaccinated vs the unvaccinated or identity politics, it is driven by psychological operations (PSYOP) strategies. Identity politics are strategically designed to silo civilian populations off into the smallest possible demographics so they fight amongst each other while imperial forces take over.

Therefore, we need to unite, keep the peace and be surgical in our counter-offensives.

Let it be known to all who perpetrate attacks against the American people that the overwhelming majority of our Special Operations Forces, combat troops and a standing decentralized militia of over 40 million U.S. veterans and well-armed combat-ready civilians are now prepared to defend this country.

The unconventional warfare tactics deployed against us through COVID policies must come to an end now.

Know Your Primary Enemies

The World Economic Forum, Business Roundtable, Black Rock, Vanguard and the most powerful global corporations have used and abused China and its people as a vassal state for low-wage sweatshop labor for decades. What they have done to the people of China they now want to do to the people of the United States.

We are calling upon the people of China and Russia to join us in this fight against our common enemy. The most powerful global imperial interests have been exploiting and abusing all of us. Now they are trying to get us to go to war with each other so they can enforce a tyrannical fascist New World Order.

It is absolutely critical to understand that the war against freedom and humanity is not a battle between nation states. The Global Private Military has no loyalty to any one nation state  the worldwide release of a vaccine (bio-weapon?) and systemic oppression of all nations via draconian lockdown policies and mandates should now make that clear to everyone.

In many ways, COVID is the newest front in the 20-year old imperial power grab known as the War on Terror. Global imperial powers have brutally dominated the third and developing world for many decades. With COVID, the fascist imperial seed has now blossomed, and they are now targeting first world populations.

Bottom line, if we are going to survive all of these ongoing attacks against us, we have to be surgical in our counter-offenses and we must be laser-focused on the heads of the snake.

It is our goal to have them detained and legally prosecuted for Crimes Against Humanity  thats why we are demanding the immediate detainment of Anthony Fauci, Bill Gates, Klaus Schwab and Larry Fink as a first step in restoring faith in our government.

We all have a duty and responsibility to protect the Constitution of the United States against all enemies.

Let it be clearly understood: any government official who continues to be derelict in this duty is committing treason and is an accomplice in a war against the American people.

As the U.S. Supreme Court has made clear, it is up to you, the individual, to disobey unlawful, unconstitutional orders. You cannot legally defend yourself by saying you were just following orders.

It is now time for you to boldly stand up in defense of the American people.

The line is drawn.

What side of history will you be on?

DE OPPRESSO LIBER

~ POGSOF.COM

Here is our video featuring publicly available first-hand accounts from many U.S. soldiers who are now being discharged:

Please share our statement and video as widely as possible.

Given all the suppression and censorship tactics that are strategically deployed against us throughout the mainstream media, Google and social media platforms, it is absolutely vital for you to share them.

Let them be rocks for your slingshot. Lets take down Goliath.

Our Freedom Fighting troops must be heard!!

We will fight for the freedom that the United States was built upon.

We will defeat the global fascist forces again.

We are a decentralized alliance of freedom fighting people worldwide.

Our forces of freedom and justice cover the globe.

We are an overwhelming critical mass of aware and well-armed fighters.

Our allies are the 99.99% of humanity that the fascists are trying to oppress.

Read more at: GlobalResearch.ca
(Natural News) Over a hundred workers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, are suing the federal government due to mandates involving the experimental Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines. Specifically, the workers named the federal contractor Triad National Security LLC, which is paid by the Department of Energy to run the lab.

The plaintiffs in the case include scientists, nuclear engineers, project managers, research technicians and others with high-security clearances. Some employees say that many of those who risk losing their jobs are specialists in their fields and that it would be difficult to replace them immediately.

A state judge has the power to issue an injunction that prevents the workers from being fired as the case is being considered. The workers claim that the management has created a hostile work environment as it tried to induce employees into getting vaccinated.

Some employees have estimated that the lab could lose up to 10 percent of its workforce because of the mandate. The lab says more than 96 percent of its workers have had at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot. The lab employs around 14,000 and is among the largest employers in the state.

Attorney Jonathan Diener, who is representing the workers, says that the case includes scientific information that should be considered. He is hoping that the judge would make the decision soon as peoples lives stand to be upended in the process.

The fact that the vaccines have only been shown to reduce symptoms of the recipient and not prevent infection or transmission is a fact extremely important to plaintiffs claims, the workers state in the lawsuit.

Since the labs vaccination rate is high, forcing the few holdouts to get the vaccine will no longer make an epidemiological difference. If LANL doesnt have herd immunity at this point, there is no basis for the mandate. LANL is not being scientific, the workers point out in the lawsuit.

Biden imposes stringent vaccine rules

Bidens new vaccination requirements could apply to as many as 100 million Americans as he imposed stringent vaccine rules on federal workers, employers and healthcare staff in an attempt to contain COVID-19.

The president has criticized millions of Americans who remain unvaccinated despite the months of availability and incentives. Weve been patient. But our patience is wearing thin, and your refusal has cost all of us, he says. He adds that the unvaccinated are bringing a lot of damage in the countrys recovery process.

Republican leaders and some union chiefs have threatened to sue the Biden administration over the vaccine mandates. (Related: Republicans vow to sue Biden over COVID-19 vaccine mandate.)

Governor Henry McMaster of South Carolina says that Biden has thumbed through the Constitution, and changes like vaccine mandates should be negotiated with bargaining units where appropriate.

Biden has required employers with over 100 workers to be vaccinated or get tested for the virus weekly, which can affect about 80 million Americans. Another 17 million workers at health facilities that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid will also have to be fully vaccinated.

Employees for the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal government are also required to get vaccines, with no option to test out. Several federal agencies have already announced vaccine requirements for much of their staff, especially those in healthcare roles.

Get more news and updates about the COVID-19 vaccine mandates at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

BigLeaguePolitics.com

APNews.com 1

APNews.com 2
A Vietnamese couple, together with their pack of beloved dogs, departed from their province on a motorcycle as Covid illnesses increased.

Covid-19 was later shown to be present in their system. Authorities murdered 12 of their dogs amid fears the animals may transmit the virus. Their experience, which was filmed on the social media platform TikTok, generated widespread outrage in Vietnam, with a petition asking for a stop to the practice amassing over 150,000 signatures.

Ca Mau: Origin of the Possible Covid Outbreak?

The couple traveled to Khanh Hung in Ca Mau province, where a cousin lives, because Covid cases are not as prevalent there.

Many witnesses shared videos of the couple's journey on social media, showing them riding their motorcycle with their pets and possessions stacked on top. Many people on social media congratulated the pair and wished them well on their trip.

When the couple used raincoats to shelter their pets in the heavy rain, several people stated their hearts softened a little. A few even brought them water and snacks.

After entering Ca Mau province, the couple handed two dogs to a volunteer, and one died. The others went on with their lives.

However, after arriving in Khanh Hung, the couple and three relatives tested positive for Covid. Anyone traveling between provinces is required to take a drug test. The animals were quarantined while they were sent to a hospital for treatment.

However, official media said that local authorities murdered their 12 dogs as well as the pets of their relatives without telling them. Later, the piece was taken down. The way the animals were slaughtered remains unknown. An image of them being burnt was published in the official police publication.

The toughest part for Mr. Pham was learning that his beloved animals had been slaughtered by strangers. He is keen about holding the authorities responsible.

"I raised my kids for about six years, I definitely want justice for my kids," he said

Also read: Caught on Cam: Researchers Horrifed as 'Vegetarian' Giant Tortoise Attacks and Eats Seabird

Fast Transmission of New Covid Variant in Vietnam

The most recent Covid-19 outbreak in Vietnam has been the worst since the outbreak began.

Many migrant workers are unable to make a livelihood because of a severe lockdown in recent months, leading at least a million to abandon major cities.

The World Health Organization (WHO) praised Vietnam's fast response and broad contact-tracing as a viral success at the onset of the epidemic. The Delta version, on the other hand, has brought the country to a halt.

In total, 840,000 instances have been documented, with over 20,000 deaths. During the most recent wave, most cases were found.

Even though Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh warned last month that a strategy to "live with the virus" should be in place, Vietnam has been harsh in its virus-control efforts. Many people have been prosecuted with transmitting the virus and convicted, with some serving five years in prison.

A video of six police officers breaking into a residence in Binh Duong Province's southern district went viral last month. As her little kid screamed, they brought out a lady suspected of having been exposed to Covid for a test. It sparked a tremendous public outcry.

Also read: 800 Evacuees Fear for Their Lives and Homes as Volcanic Lava Threatened to Engulf Their Town
China will receive much attention during the forthcoming UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland. China's attempts to decarbonize its energy system as the world's top CO2 emitter will be essential in achieving the aim of limiting global average surface temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

China Going Solar

The Asian giant has already made significant promises to switching its energy systems to renewables, including solar, wind, and hydropower generation. However, many questions remain regarding solar energy's future in China, including its cost, technological viability, and grid compatibility in the following decades. Moreover, recent cost estimates for China's future solar energy potential have relied on obsolete and exaggerated pricing for solar panels and installation and storage technologies such as lithium-ion batteries.

Cost

How much will solar electricity truly cost in China in the following decades, considering the grid's intrinsic variability?

According to Harvard, Tsinghua University in Beijing, Nankai University in Tianjin, solar energy may meet 43.2 percent of China's electricity consumption in 2060 for less than two-and-a-half US cents per kilowatt-hour Renmin University of China in Beijing researchers. In China, coal power tariffs in 2019 varied from 3.6 to 6.5 cents per kilowatt-hour.

The study was featured on the cover of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

"The findings point to a critical energy transition point, not only for China but for other countries, where combined solar power and storage systems become a cheaper and more grid-compatible alternative to coal-fired electricity," said Michael B. McElroy, the Gilbert Butler Professor of Environmental Studies at Harvard's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) and co-corresponding author of the study.

"Today, subsidy-free solar power is cheaper than coal power in most parts of China, and due to technological advancements and cost declines, this cost-competitive advantage will soon extend to the entire country," said Xi Lu, Associate Professor, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, and co-corresponding author of the paper. "Our findings show that solar power's economic competitiveness paired with storage system investments might bring additional grid dispatch advantages, which will be especially essential for the operation of future electric systems in China."

Related Article: Fossil Fuel Investors are Backing Down But Renewables Energy Still Needs More Time



Researchers

Lu earned his Ph.D. from Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and worked as a postdoctoral researcher and research associate at the Harvard-China Project on Energy, Economy, and Environment, housed at SEAS.

The study team created an integrated model to evaluate China's solar energy potential and costs from 2020 to 2060. To assess the physical potential of solar power over space and time, the model first considers aspects such as land usage throughout China, probable tilt and spacing of solar panels, and climatic conditions such as solar radiation and temperature.

Cost

They then factored in investment expenses and the rate of technical progress to determine how solar power compares against coal power now and in the future. Using this as a basis, the researchers created an hourly optimization model to assess the additional costs of power storage devices required to smooth out changes in solar production so that they may be incorporated into the grid to meet energy demand.

The researchers discovered that China's solar PV physical potential, which comprises the number of solar panels that can be placed and the amount of solar energy generated, will reach 99.2 petawatt-hours in 2020. This is more than double the country's overall energy usage, which includes electricity and fuels used directly by automobiles, factories, and building heating systems, among other things. Thus, solar PV is a massive resource for China's decarbonization, according to the research.

The researchers discovered that China's solar PV physical potential, which comprises the number of solar panels that can be placed and the amount of solar energy generated, will reach 99.2 petawatt-hours in 2020. This is more than double the country's overall energy usage, which includes electricity and fuels used directly by automobiles, factories, and building heating systems, among other things. Thus, solar PV is a vast resource for China's decarbonization, according to the research.

Cost-Competitiveness

They then proved its cost-competitiveness, with 78.6% of the potential in 2020 comparable to or cheaper than current coal-fired electricity costs, a percentage expected to rise. Because of this cost advantage, China can invest in storage capacity, such as batteries, and still deliver 7.2 petawatt-hours of power, or 43.2 percent of total demand, by 2060.

"Most people now recognize that addressing climate change necessitates a shift away from fossil fuels," said Chris P. Nielsen, executive director of the Harvard-China Project and one of the paper's co-authors. "Many people are unaware that decarbonizing the electricity system is critical, especially as more sectors become electrified, and that accommodating renewable variability by the grid is the most difficult element of the issue. If storage can make solar electricity grid-compatible at a competitive cost, it will be a significant advance, not only for China."

Also Read: OPEC Member Calls for Change, Urges Oil Producers to Invest More on Renewable Energy

For more news about making the environment sustainable, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
A farmer has been imprisoned after Wildlife conservation authorities detected and retrieved over 200 animals from horrible surroundings in Geoffrey Bennett's property.

The 68-year-old farmer abandoned two starving ponies experiencing parasitic illnesses and a sickly goat that fell in his cage. After officers seized Hurst Farm in Ripley, Surrey, in January 2019, a number of 22 sickly animals had to be executed by veterinarians due too much health problems.

While despite receiving immediate care after the rescue, additional 14 horses debilitated by parasites and illnesses died.

According to the RSPCA, 2 dogs, 1 goat, 1 chicken, and 1 duck also deceased afterwards.

As authorities discovered hundreds of worm-infested horses dwelling in areas with hazardous steel underneath and damaged barriers jutting from deep muck.

Within 2 stables are enclosures full of squished donkeys, goats, alpacas, and ponies sitting over months of garbage and feces.

As per RSPCA, many of the animals were emaciated and had severe medical conditions.

Significant numbers of dogs, including newborn were discovered confined and tethered in the "dirty" yard, whilst others are kept in "cramped little cages" and improvised shelters.

A record of 204 mammals were recovered at the Geoffrey Bennett's property, including 131 horses, 33 dogs, 2 sheep, a donkey, a goat, hens, geese, and birds.

Bennett Pled Guilty of His Crimes

While responders encountered vertebrae of skeletal components hidden in the dirt and covered in cloths, Bennett upon trial acknowledged his wrong doings and short comings to the animals under his care, pled accused to two Animal Welfare Act violations as well as six charges of neglecting to manage of animal by-products.

However due to Bennett's guilty plea, age, and healthcare complications were all taken into consideration by the court when punishing him.

Therefore, convicting him to 19 weeks in jail and barred him from having pets for lifetime at Guildford Crown Court after confessing to a series of cruelty to animals' charges.

Bennett will also be supervised for 12 months after his discharge from the prison, as per Judge Darren Reed.

"The prison service will exhibit you substantially larger duty and compassion than you have shown your pets," Recorder Reed remarked, sentencing him.

Also read: The Age of Snakes: Cold-Blooded Reptiles Thrived After Dinosaur Extinction

UK's Biggest Animal Rescue Mission

While Surrey Police PC Hollie Iribar described the case as "one of most challenging" she world has ever known.

"As a Surrey Police Rural and Wildlife Crime Officer, I had experienced horrific instances of animal abuse throughout the ages," she explained.

"This is among the most challenging problems I've encountered, and I'm thankful to the RSPCA and our other partnerships for all of their efforts in bringing this case to trial. "

"I am overjoyed that this tragic matter was resolved in trial so the wildlife affected were saved and given a decent opportunity to enjoy active lifestyles," Iribar expounded.

Kirsty Withnall of the RSPCA organized the search operation and lead the criminal probe. "RSPCA and World Horse Welfare officials had heard feedback regarding the ranch and had investigated the issues and obtained proofs," she added.

"It was a massive multi-agency relief effort that culminated weeks to prepare and intelligence collecting."

A maximum of 100 people from various organizations handled the case to assist gather up the animals.

Which took 12 hours per day to examine all animals, transport to veterinary vehicles and paramedics, and transport them away from the location, rendering it one of the largest organized rescue efforts the UK has seen since.

Also read: German Scientists Develop a New Breathing Technique for Frogs
New York City is dealing with a rare bacterial disease carried by rat urine. So far this year, not less than 15 people have been infected, with about 13 admitted to hospitals and one dead.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira, which can be transmitted from animals to people or vice versa. However, rats are usually responsible for this disease in New York City.

Domestic and wild animals can become diseased and excrete bacteria in their urine. Infection in humans occurs through direct contact with infected animals' urine and tissues, or indirectly through contaminated water or soil, mucous membranes of the eye, nose, or mouth, or wounds and lesions of the skin.

Particularly, during outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, or water sports, or in workplaces, as an occupational disease for farmers, slaughterhouse workers, and so on.

Although infection with Leptospira does not necessarily result in disease, some animals may be healthy carriers who discharge bacteria in their urine. Rodents are particularly significant in this regard (rats and mice).

Many leptospira infections go unnoticed since they may not create any symptoms or generate generic difficulties (symptoms) similar to the flu that goes away on their own.

In a smaller percentage of cases, the infection can progress to a more severe and life-threatening illness that causes significant damage to several organs, including the liver and kidneys. Leptospirosis is sometimes known as Weil's syndrome when it causes jaundice.

Also Read: Deadly Zoonotic Wildlife Diseases Increase as Nature is Damaged

Cases of Leptospirosis

So far, in 2021, the New York City Department of Health has documented 14 leptospirosis cases (13 indigenous, one travel-related) in the United States. This year's overall number of cases reported to health authorities is higher than past years' totals. Cases were observed in all regions except Staten Island, with no apparent clustering.

Thirteen of the fourteen persons were admitted to the hospital with acute kidney and liver failure, with two of them also suffering from severe lung disease.

The infection resulted in one death. All of the other patients who had been admitted to the hospital had been treated and discharged. The majority of the cases had a history of being exposed to a rat-infested environment or had obvious risk factors.

The Department of Health detected 57 cases of leptospirosis in New York City between 2006 and 2020 (44 natives, 13 related to international travel). The majority of human cases in New York are linked to rat exposure or rodent habitats.

How to Prevent Leptospirosis

According to the Department of Health, one should avoid contact with rats, particularly locations where they may have urinated. If this isn't possible, while cleaning locations where rats have been it is advised to wear rubber gloves and wash your hands after.

After being exposed to danger: Wash wounds with water and disinfect them; if symptoms persist, see a doctor right away letting them know about the harmful activity you did in the past two weeks.

Leptospirosis can be prevented using a vaccine but because its effectiveness is confined to specific types of leptospirosis, it is rarely used in practice and is reserved primarily for professionals.

Related Article: ALERT! Rare Rat-Borne Disease Killing Pets in New Jersey

For more news, updates about bacterial disease and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Space weather - the altering conditions in space which are sun-driven - can heat up Earth's hottest and highest atmospheric layer, according to NASA satellite data.

Data from NASA's Global Observations of the Limb and Disk, or GOLD mission was utilized in the study. It was published in Geophysical Research Letters in July. GOLD, a communication satellite which was launched on the SES-14 in 2018, looks down on Earth's upper atmosphere from geosynchronous orbit.

It was effectively "hovering" above the western hemisphere as Earth rotated. GOLD's unusual position allows it to maintain a stable view of one complete face of the globe, known as the disk. Every 30 minutes, it monitors the temperature of the Earth's upper atmosphere.

GOLD monitors the thermosphere from a geostationary orbit. This geostationary orbit stays in one place on Earth while orbiting and rotating.

"Because of the kind of data we get from GOLD, we were able to find results that we couldn't acquire before," said Fazlul Laskar, the study's leader. Dr. Laskar works as a research associate at the University of Colorado, Boulder's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics.

GOLD observes the thermosphere, a portion of Earth's atmosphere between 53 and 373 miles (85 and 600 kilometers) in altitude. The aurora, the International Space Station, and Earth's hottest temperatures, up to 2,700 F (1,500 C), are all found in the thermosphere.

It achieves such tremendous temperatures by absorbing high-energy X-rays and extreme ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It prevents these types of light from reaching the earth.

Also Read: Martian Noises: Perseverance Rover Recorded Sounds from Mars

Solar Wind

However, the latest findings suggest that some of the warmth is caused by the solar wind - the particles and magnetic fields that constantly escape the sun.

The solar wind is continually flowing, but greater winds can cause geomagnetic activity by disrupting Earth's magnetic field.

When relating days with more geomagnetic activity to days with less. Laskar and his colleagues discovered a temperature increase of approximately 160 F(90C) in the thermosphere. It shows the sun's magnetic disruptions were heating up Earth's warmest atmospheric layer.

In the Earth's poles (where a weak point in the magnetic field allows some solar wind to enter theupper atmosphere), some heating was expected. GOLD's data, on the other hand, indicated temperature rises throughout the world, including near the equator, far from any incoming solar wind.

It may have something to do with altering circulation patterns, according to Laskar and colleagues.

Circulation Patterns

High above us, air flows in a global circulation that pushes air from the equator to the poles and back again at lower altitudes.

The extra energy from the solar wind entering the thermosphere near the poles can change the circulation pattern. This drive winds and atmospheric compression that can boost temperatures even higher.

According to GOLD's data, the amount of heat provided varied depending on the time of day. The researchers discovered that the effect was stronger in the morning than in the afternoon. They believe that geomagnetic activity strengthens the circulation more during the night and early morning hours.

"We used to think that the thermosphere could only be changed by major geomagnetic events," Laskar added. "We're witnessing now that even small actions may have a big impact."

GOLD is painting a picture of an upper atmosphere that is significantly more sensitive to the magnetic circumstances around Earth than previously anticipated, thanks to its continual stream of temperature readings.

Related Article: Space Weather for Proxima B Revealed -- Is it Still Considered Habitable?

For more news, updates about space weather and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Sign up to get breaking news, weather forecasts, and more in your email inbox.

Sign Up Now
Newburyport, MA (01950)

Today

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 29F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 29F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Help support your local hometown newspaper/website. Independent local news reporting matters. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription, for as little as $3, so we can continue to provide independent local reporting on our communities.
HARTFORD  A woman suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound in a shooting early Wednesday, according to police.

Around 3:25 a.m., officers responded to St. Francis Hospital for a report of a gunshot victim arriving for treatment, Lt. Aaron Boisvert said.

The victim, a woman in her 20s, suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the foot, Boisvert said. Investigators are still working to determine where the shooting happened.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call the tips line at 86-722-TIPS.
UpNest used data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments State of the Cities Data Systems to rank the states and Washington, D.C., according to how many new housing permits were issued between August 2020 and August 2021. Click for more.
Reporter

Debra Pressey is a reporter covering health care at The News-Gazette. Her email is dpressey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@DLPressey).
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.
Reporter

Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk).
Our County Editor

Dave Hinton is editor of The News-Gazette's Our County section and former editor of the Rantoul Press. He can be reached at dhinton@news-gazette.com.
Editorial | Remap: What we're getting versus what we could have had
You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

John 15:3
The sudden growth of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to a series of lockdowns around the world. Previous research has highlighted the effect of pandemic-associated lockdowns on mental health.

Image Credit: Cryptographer/Shutterstock.com

The World Health Organization released data that demonstrated that 55% of adults in the United States reported that COVID-19 lockdowns had a negative effect on their mental health (World Health Organization, 2020).

There are many psychosocial consequences of pandemics, with research showing that individuals mental health has been severely affected by COVID-19 and the associated lockdown. Docherty et al., 2021

Due to the out-of-home nature of senior socialization, older adults may be disproportionately affected by the lockdowns and social restrictions that were put in place, relative to younger adults.

In a recent study by researchers from the Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, researchers investigated the effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on senior mental health.

This was published in Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine in September.

Pandemics and mental health

The older adult population is at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and experiencing severe illness from the disease. This is often because many older adults have pre-existing medical conditions. As a result, these individuals were directly impacted by lockdowns and shielding policies.

Members of the older adult population tend to rely on social groups and community centers to have social interactions. This contrasts with the use of social media networks for social interaction in younger populations. It can therefore be suggested that older adults are disproportionally affected by the lockdowns and social distancing laws put in place.

Previous studies have investigated the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns on mental health across all age groups. In a study by Sibley and colleagues (2020), researchers found that adults in Australia and New Zealand experienced increased feelings of mental distress during lockdown.

16.2% of those in the pre-lockdown group reported moderate mental distress, but this increased to 21.1% in the treatment group. Sibley et al., 2020

This data indicates the negative impact of lockdowns on mental well-being and allows suggestions to be made about the disproportionate impact it may have on the elderly, who depend greatly on out-of-home interactions to thrive socially.

What were the aims of the study?

Researchers of this study investigated how the mental well-being of seniors aged 70 and above was affected by COVID-19 lockdowns in the UK. The mental well-being of these individuals was investigated by comparing perceived stress, depressive symptoms, disturbances in mood, sleep quality, and memory pre-lockdown and during lockdown. A follow-up was also carried out post-lockdown to see any further changes.

Due to the unanticipated nature of the pandemic, there are very few studies with data pre-lockdown and therefore do not have a baseline to view changes in mental health as a result of the pandemic. This present longitudinal study is one that collected data before the initial lockdown in the UK in March 2020. This allowed researchers to compare changes in mental health to a baseline pre-lockdown and make more reliable conclusions on the direct effects of lockdown.

Results of the study

The results of this study showed that lockdown led to a significant increase in feelings of depression, anxiety, negative mood changes (e.g., anger, fatigue, and confusion), and a reduction in sleep quality compared to pre-lockdown.

The follow-up showed that mental well-being, depression, and disturbances in mood were still badly affected post-lockdown.

Conclusions and future developments

These results showed, in line with similar studies, that the lockdown negatively affected mental well-being in older adults significantly.

Support for older populations is needed to mitigate the negative effects shown, particularly in light of the endurance of some of these effects post-lockdown Docherty et al., 2021

It is important to note that all the participants in the study were all deemed healthy pre-lockdown. This suggests that the results seen would be on an even greater scale in individuals who have pre-existing clinical mental health conditions. A similar study involving older adults with pre-existing clinical mental health conditions should be carried out to evaluate the extent of any changes in mental well-being.

This current study, unlike others, had pre-lockdown data. This importantly allowed the direct effect of lockdown to be investigated in a section of the population who are known to be disproportionately affected by lockdowns and other social restrictions.

This study is an incredibly important step towards identifying how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected members of the population in ways other than those related to physical health.

Senior mental health is a topic that is not explored enough in psychological literature, as it is often overlooked by other physical ailments. It would therefore be beneficial for more studies surrounding how the pandemic has affected older adults in terms of mental health, outside of studies directly related to COVID-19.

References:

Armitage, R., & Nellums, L. B. (2020). COVID-19 and the consequences of isolating the elderly. The Lancet Public Health, 5(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/s2468-2667(20)30061-x

Docherty, S., Haskell-Ramsay, C. F., McInnes, L., & Wetherell, M. A. (2021). The Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Health and Psychosocial Functioning in Older Adults Aged 70 and Over. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, 7, 233372142110399. https://doi.org/10.1177/23337214211039974

Sibley, C. G., Greaves, L. M., Satherley, N., Wilson, M. S., Overall, N. C., Lee, C. H. J., Milojev, P., Bulbulia, J., Osborne, D., Milfont, T. L., Houkamau, C. A., Duck, I. M., Vickers-Jones, R., & Barlow, F. K. (2020). Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdown on trust, attitudes toward government, and well-being. American Psychologist, 75(5). https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000662

World Health Organization. (2020). Mental Health and Psychosocial Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak. https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf

Further Reading
Although the influenza virus varies a lot from year to year, the flu usually contributes to approximately 1000 deaths a year in Norway. The different measures used to stop the spread of coronavirus brought the flu infection rate way down, but this year scientists expect that we will be facing a tough season.

Recent experiments performed by researchers at NTNU, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and universities in Estonia and Finland have shown that commonly prescribed medications used for completely different conditions can make the flu virus more or less active.

The researchers have identified several of these drugs.

This information is important to know, since many of the patients who die from the flu are elderly people who often rely on these various medications.

Changes how viruses react with cells

We first identified 45 different active drug compounds. We then tested them to see if they influenced the influenza A virus." Denis Kainov, Professor, NTNU's Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM)

The team found that several active ingredients can alter how the virus interacts with our cells. These ingredients include:

Atorvastatin, which reduces blood cholesterol levels and prevents atherosclerosis.

Candesartan, which is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.

Hydroxocobalamin, which is used to treat vitamin B12 deficiency.

These are commonly prescribed medications that are used for common illnesses.

"Some of the medicines amplify the effect of viruses in the cells, while others dampen them. The response depends on the target of the drugs in our cells. If the drug target is important for the spread of the virus, we can curb virus activity. But if the target of the medicine is part of the immune system that protects us from viruses, and we inhibit it with the medicine, the virus activity can increase," Kainov explains.

Consequences for patients not yet known

The results don't show what consequences these interactions might have for patients in practice.

The results from this pilot study provide a good starting point for further research.

"We don't know how the various medications affect the course of the disease or the death rate for influenza patients. Our hypothesis is based on experiments with computer models and in the laboratory," says Kainov.

More research is needed to see exactly how different medications influence disease outcome in patients.

"Well-structured, clinical tests can give us answers," Kainov says.

The results from this pilot study provide a good starting point for further research, since the research group has identified the active compounds that could also affect the course of the illness.
The antiviral properties of lactoferrin makes it a great natural supplement that could also be used as an adjunct for COVID-19 and for various other Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs) according to a team of researchers led by the University of Huddersfield.

Lactoferrin is a protein naturally found in breastmilk, for example in cow milk and human milk, and is also found in fluids in the eye, nose, respiratory tract, intestine, and elsewhere. The benefits are well documented however, it wasnt known if taking the molecule as a supplement would have the same beneficial value, until now.

The findings of the study, headed by the Universitys Dr Hamid Merchant from the Universitys Department of Pharmacy is one of the first meta-analyses carried out on multiple independent lactoferrin clinical trials that is now published in an official publication of the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN). The study has made evident that the administration of Lactoferrin shows promising efficacy in reducing the risk of RTIs, which is proven to be a key ingredient for our natural defense systems against invading viruses.

This is a very promising molecule which can be adopted as an adjunct therapy for COVID-19 and could be part of a daily routine for people to take, along with vitamin C, D and Zinc supplements to keep our immune system healthy.Particularly now winter is almost upon us we need this extra protection a lot more now than during the summer." Dr Hamid Merchant, University of Huddersfield

Lactoferrin - a great supplement

It is this antiviral property of lactoferrin that makes it a great supplement for use as an adjunct for COVID-19 and other respiratory infections, but Dr Merchant believes these are still preliminary findings and warrants further evidence from a large, well-designed randomized controlled trial.

Given the high clinical importance of respiratory tract infections amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we aimed to systematically examine the interventional Randomised Clinical Trials on the efcacy of bovine lactoferrin in preventing the occurrence of RTIs, said Dr Syed Hasan, another of the Universitys researchers involved in the study.

The administration of Lactoferrin showed promising efcacy in reducing the risk of RTIs and may also have a beneficial role in managing symptoms and recovery of patients suffering from RTIs, he said.

Current evidence also favours lactoferrin fortication of infant formula - it won't be long until parents should be able to find lactoferrin fortified infant formulas readily available on the shelves, Dr Merchant added.

Supplements dissolved slowly in the mouth tend to be superior

Lactoferrin is prepared by specialized dairy companies who make milk, infant formulas or milk-based products who isolate this biomolecule from the milk and various other companies then procure it to sell as a supplement.

However, Dr Merchant argues that lots of low cost lactoferrin supplements being sold online are not of desired quality because with it being a biomolecule that is classed as a nutritional supplement, the production of lactoferrin isnt legally enforced to follow the same strict regulatory process as for medicines.

The natural form of lactoferrin isolated from the milk by a specialized filtration process have superior biological properties than the most lactoferrin products that are chemically processed and treated. Moreover, supplements available in the form of orodispersible tablets (dissolved slowly in the mouth) are superior to commonly available lactoferrin products that are meant to be swallowed with water. The buccal tablets not only increase the mucosal concentration of Lactoferrin but also helps with its absorption and avoids its deterioration by the stomach acid.

This is a very promising molecule which can be adopted as an adjunct therapy for COVID-19 and could be part of a daily routine for people to take, along with vitamin C, D and Zinc supplements to keep our immune system healthy. Particularly now winter is almost upon us we need this extra protection a lot more now than during the summer, concluded Dr Merchant.

Members of the team who also helped with the study included international researchers Akbar Shoukat Ali from The Aga Khan University Karachi and Chia Siang Kow from The Monash University Malaysia.
In a recent study published on the preprint server medRxiv*, researchers have used the predictive power of chest computed tomography (CT) scans and plasma cytokines to predict death and severity in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

Study: Quantitative chest CT combined with plasma cytokines predict outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Image Credit: QinJin / Shutterstock.com

Background

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic persisting for almost two years since the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for COVID-19, originally emerged in December 2019, there are currently no reliable predictors that can assist physicians in predicting patient outcomes.

During COVID-19 progression, the cytokine assessment has been useful in the prediction of death. Furthermore, lung CT features have shown high predictive performance for COVID-19 severity.

In the current study, the researchers hypothesized that a combination of plasma cytokines and CT measurements would have a higher predictive power of COVID-19 outcomes than each method would predict independently. To test this, the authors of this study applied a data-driven machine learning approach.

About the study

The study cohort included 152 COVID-19 patients from the Mount Sinai Health System in New York admitted between March and September 2020. Each of these patients had their plasma cytokine levels assessed and a chest CT scan performed within 5 days of their admission into the hospital.

These patients were selected based on the following inclusion criteria for this study:

Hospitalized for COVID-19

Plasma cytokine assessment within 48 hours upon hospital admission

Chest CT scan performed up to 5 days apart from plasma cytokine assessment

In addition to the plasma cytokines of interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor  (TNF-) that were assessed and the chest CT, the researchers collected information on the patient demographics, as well as any clinical and laboratory variables. The researchers took meticulous care to exclude patients whose data may skew the objective of this study. For example, patients with acute conditions overlapping COVID-19 that may affect the cytokines were excluded.

In the study, radiologists calculated a CT qualitative score according to the percentage of lung parenchyma of each lobe affected by ground-glass opacification (GGO) and/or consolidations. This information was then summarized to yield an overall CT qualitative score that was between 0-20.

The CT quantitative assessment, which was performed using the open-source software three-dimensional (3D) slicer (www.slicer.org) and the Chest Imaging Platform plug-in (chestimagingplatform.org), yielded five distinct variables. These variables included total lung volume, well-aerated lung volume, GGO volume, consolidation volume, and GGO to aerated lung ratio. In addition, the researchers also used the ELLA cytokine platform to measure IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-.

To develop a robust tool for patient risk stratification to prioritize them for care, the researchers selected these two as appropriate outcomes, including maximum disease severity during hospitalization and hospital death. The World Health Organization (WHO) ordinal scale (0-7) was also used to assess disease severity prior to death.

All data were analyzed starting from 4 different scenarios, including cytokines, CT qualitative, CT quantitative, and combined scores.

The researchers also evaluated the probability of survival using Cox proportional hazard models to identify potential markers and used elastic net regression for predictive capabilities to separate patients that survive per scenario. Notably, the researchers indicated from the results that oxygen saturation and demographic variables had poor power in predicting death, even though these produce significant prognostic models in assessing the risk of death.

The researchers also increased their model robustness by performing a combination of random testing/training sets and cross-fold validation. A coefficient-based selection was also used to filter the significant models and select the variables relevant for predicting.

Study results

The study found that the hospital mortality rate for this cohort was 17.1%. While there were no significant differences in sex, race, ethnicity, or age between patients who died as compared to those who survived, patients who died had a higher WHO ordinal score and lower oxygen saturation at presentation as compared to those who survived.

The researchers also found that IL-6 and IL-8 levels were significantly higher in patients who died, while no significant difference for TNF-. However, IL-6, TNF-, and IL-8 were all correlated to disease severity.

On predicting COVID-19 death, the researchers showed that a combined model of CT scans based on additional information from cytokine assays increases the predictive power of death prediction. The optimized prediction scenario contained IL-6, IL-8, TNF-, GGO to aerated lung ratio, and age.

Predicting the COVID-19 maximum severity score, the researchers found that the combined scenario performed better than the optimized scenario, CT quantitative, CT qualitative, and cytokines assessments alone. With the use of these variables, the researchers then build a risk prediction nomogram. This nomogram uses selected variables of GGO to aerated lung ratio, age, TNF-, IL-6, and IL-8 to provide a score for risk of death.

The researchers also provided a simple scoring system using plasma IL-6, IL-8, TNF-, GGO to aerated lung ratio, and age as novel metrics, thereby suggesting these may be used as red flags when monitoring the patients. This would help physicians make critical decisions for patients at high risk of death for COVID-19.

Conclusion

Taken together, the combined approach of both chest CT scans with the assessment of plasma cytokines was found to be good predictors of death and maximum severity of COVID-19.

Notably, the CT quantitative was better at predicting severity, while the cytokine measurements better predicted death. The researchers also built a nomogram to predict the risk of COVID-19-related death using a combination of cytokines and CT variables.

Overall, the findings presented here can assist physicians in risk stratification and making critical decisions for individualized therapeutic strategies for patients.

*Important notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Some viral diseases could possibly contribute to neurodegeneration. DZNE researchers report this in the scientific journal "Nature Communications". Their assessment is based on laboratory experiments in which they were able to show that certain viral molecules facilitate intercellular spreading of protein aggregates that are hallmarks of brain diseases like Alzheimer's. These findings may provide clues how acute or chronic viral infections could contribute to neurodegeneration.

Aggregates of misfolded proteins, which occur in so-called prion diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, have the ability to pass from one cell to another, where they transfer their abnormal shape to proteins of the same kind. As a result, the disease spreads across the brain. A similar phenomenon is discussed for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, which also exhibit assemblies of misfolded proteins. Transmission of aggregates could involve direct cell-to-cell contact, the release of "naked" aggregates into extracellular space or packaging in vesicles, which are tiny bubbles surrounded by a lipid envelope that are secreted for communication between cells.

The precise mechanisms of transmission are unknown. However, it is an obvious guess, that aggregate exchange by both direct cell contact and via vesicles depends on ligand-receptor interactions. This is because in both scenarios, membranes need to make contact and fuse. This is facilitated when ligands are present that bind to receptors on the cell surface and then cause the two membranes to fuse." Ina Vorberg, research group leader at the DZNE's Bonn site and professor at the University of Bonn

Experiments with cell cultures

Based on this assumption, Vorberg's team, with support from DZNE colleagues in Munich and Tubingen as well as Belgian scientists, performed an extensive series of studies with different cell cultures. Thereby, they investigated the intercellular transfer of either prions or aggregates of tau proteins, as they occur in similar form in prion diseases or Alzheimer's disease and other "tauopathies". Mimicking what happens as a result of viral infection, the researchers induced cells to produce viral proteins that mediate target cell binding and membrane fusion. Two proteins were chosen as prime examples: SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S, which stems from the virus causing COVID-19, and vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein VSV-G, which occurs in a pathogen that infects cattle and other animals. Moreover, cells expressed receptors for these viral proteins, namely the LDL receptor family, which act as docking ports for VSV-G, and human ACE2, the receptor for the spike protein.

Ligands facilitate aggregate spreading

"We could show that the viral proteins are incorporated both into the cellular membrane and into the extracellular vesicles. Their presence increased protein aggregate spreading between cells, both by direct cell contact or by extracellular vesicles. The viral ligands mediated an effective transfer of aggregates into recipient cells, where they induced new aggregates. The ligands act like keys that unlock the recipient cells and thus sneak in the dangerous cargo," Vorberg says. "Certainly, our cellular models do not replicate the many aspects of the brain with its very specialized cell types. However, independent of the tested cell type producing the pathologic aggregates, the presence of viral ligands clearly increased the spreading of misfolded proteins to other cells. All in all, our data suggests that viral ligand-receptor interactions can in principle affect transmission of pathologic proteins. This is a novel finding."

Potential effects on neurodegeneration

"The brains of patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases sometimes contain certain viruses. They are suspected to cause inflammation or to have a toxic effect, thus accelerating neurodegeneration. However, viral proteins could also act differently: They could increase intercellular spreading of protein aggregates already ongoing in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's", Vorberg says. "Of course, this needs further studies with neurotropic viruses. Clearly, the impact of viral infections on neurodegenerative diseases deserves in-depth investigation."
In the heart of a city, the distances in rural communities may be difficult to envision. The space between neighbors can sometimes be measured in miles rather than blocks; a drive to the nearest hospital may take dozens of minutes rather than a handful.

The trickle-down effect of such distances can impact many aspects of health care, but especially maternal care and delivery, says Mark Deutchman, MD, a professor of family medicine and associate dean for rural health at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

As principal investigator of a study recently published in the journal Birth analyzing the impact of family physicians in rural maternity care, Deutchman and his co-investigators found that of the 185 rural hospitals surveyed in 10 states, family physicians delivered babies in 67% of the hospitals and were the only physicians who delivered babies in 27% of them.

Further, the study found that if family physicians stopped delivering babies in these rural hospitals, patients would have to drive an average of 86 miles round-trip to access maternal care.

The purpose of this study was, number one, to understand the extent of family physicians providing maternity care in rural areas. Number two, and even more important, was to understand what would happen to women if family practitioners did not practice maternity care, and that's the real take-home message: Family physicians are really, really important." Mark Deutchman, MD, professor of family medicine and associate dean for rural health, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Study highlights importance of family physicians providing maternity care

On this topic, Deutchman speaks from experience. For more than 12 years he practiced family medicine in White Salmon, Washington, a town of 2,000 residents on the Columbia River. The local hospital is federally designated critical access, which means it has fewer than 20 beds, among other standards.

"One of the major things I was involved in was maternity care," he says. "I had a lot of OB patients and did a lot of deliveries. I was also one of the major providers of surgical OB, of C-sections when they were needed.

"I'm an advocate for and student of the quality of outcomes in areas where family physicians are a woman's provider of obstetric and gynecologic care. I think that women deserve to have excellent care no matter where they are and no matter who provides it."

After leaving rural practice, Deutchman became a faculty member at the University of Tennessee-Memphis, where he helped train family medicine residents for rural practice. He continued that focus after joining the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 1995. In 2005, he founded the school's rural track, which this year became a full-fledged program.

His recently published research evolved from previous, similar studies he conducted in Colorado and Montana with medical students

"It wasn't a study of quality -; we weren't looking at individual cases and weren't looking at outcomes -; but we wanted to better understand how much and the sort of maternal care family physicians are providing at rural hospitals," he explains.

After refining the survey tool used in the previous studies, Deutchman reached out to colleagues across the country. Those who responded represented 10 states and collected data about rural and frontier hospitals in their states. They gathered data about the hospitals' obstetrics capacity, who delivers babies at the hospitals and what their specialty is, and other data.

"Ultimately, we were looking at how important is it for family physicians to provide maternity care and what would access be if they didn't?" Deutchman says.

Rural program provides specialized training needed for medical students and residents

The study's results, Deutchman says, highlight the importance of comprehensive, specialized training for medical students and residents who are interested in practicing in rural communities.

"Basically, the rural program is a way to attract, admit and support medical students and physician assistant students who want to live and work in rural areas when they finish their training," he explains. "We need to have a program so that people who are interested in rural practice will have their aspirations supported and also have a way to test their assumptions about rural practice and see if it's really right for them.

"The last thing we want is for students to have romanticized ideas, and then they show up in a small town and it wasn't what they had in mind. We also don't want to have that revolving door where physicians go to a small community for only two or three years, which fosters distrust and a lack of attachment between doctors and the community."

Through the rural program, students not only receive on-campus experience in the classroom and clinical training, but they get significant rural clinic experience with partners throughout Colorado. That aspect of the training is vital, Deutchman says, because students learn in-person about rural health care systems and economics, community engagement, health care ethics, and how to practice in a community where physicians might regularly see patients at the grocery store.

Since 2005, Deutchman says, 191 students in the CU School of Medicine have graduated in the rural track, 40% of whom concentrated on family medicine.

"A common question is, 'How do you get people interested in rural practice and providing care like delivering babies?'" Deutchman says. "Partly, we start out with people who are initially interested, then we help nurture that interest with real facts and real practical experience.

"Basically, the whole state of Colorado is short of primary care, especially in rural areas, which cannot support one of every kind of sub-specialist. Rural communities need versatile, broadly-trained and skilled physicians who can share clinical responsibilities with each other to avoid burnout. Family physicians can provide acute care, chronic care, end of life care, deliver babies, put on casts, repair lacerations -; in the most accessible, cost-effective fashion. It's vital we train and support these physicians who go out and support these rural communities."
A new study has added numerous previously uncharacterized viral genomes and genes to the ever-increasing worldwide pool of human gut viromes. The study, published in mSystems, an open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, will prove helpful in investigating the role of the gut virome in human health and disease.

The human gut virome is still vastly underexplored and many novel viruses are to be discovered, some of which could have important influences on processes impacting human health and disease." Jelle Matthijnssens, Ph.D., study principal investigator, professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Transplantation, Rega Institute, Division of Clinical & Epidemiological Virology, Laboratory of Viral Metagenomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

The human gut contains a complex ecosystem of microorganisms, of which bacteria have been broadly studied. Dr. Matthijnssens said studies on viruses in the gut are lagging. The goal of the MicrobLiver project is to obtain understanding of the interaction between the host and gut microbiome in humans and the role of the gut-liver axis in early stages of alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. "In the framework of the MicrobLiver project, we aimed to generate a catalogue of virus genomes, which could be used in subsequent studies on several cohorts of people with early stages of alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease," said Dr. Matthijnssens.

In the new study, researchers used 254 fecal samples from 204 Danish subjects to generate the Danish Enteric Virome Catalog (DEVoC). The pediatric cohort included 50 children and adolescents (6-18 years old) with a body mass index (BMI) above the 90th percentile, together with 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The adult cohort (34-76 years) included 52 patients with alcohol-related liver disease and 52 sex, BMI, and age-matched healthy controls.

The researchers used the Novel Enrichment Technique Of Viromes (NetoVIR) protocol to purify all virus particles from stool samples and sequenced their genomes using deep-sequencing technologies. (NetoVir allows researchers to attain a fast, reproducible, high-throughput sample preparation protocol for next-generation sequencing gut viromics studies.)

Furthermore, they used advanced bioinformatics tool to identify almost 13 thousand (partial) viral genomes, many of which were novel and not present in public databases.

Although gut viromes are known to be very individual specific, the researchers identified 39 genomes which were present in at least 10 healthy subjects. These 39 genomes were further compared with public virome datasets from all over the world showing several age, geography and disease-related prevalence patterns. In particular, 2 genomes showed a remarkably high prevalence worldwide. The first one was a crAss-like phage (20.6% prevalence), belonging to the tentative AlphacrAssvirinae subfamily, whereas the second one was a previously undescribed temperate phage infecting Bacteroides dorei (14.4% prevalence), called LoVEphage. The researchers next screened public databases and were able to retrieve 18 additional circular LoVEphage-like genomes (67.9 to 72.4 kb).

"Our findings further emphasize that the human gut virome is still understudied and that many novel viruses are to be discovered. Especially the identification of novel phages shared by people across the globe is of interest to be studied in more depth," said Dr. Matthijnssens. "Next, the catalogue will be used to further study differences in the virome of various cohorts of patients with early stages of alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. We hope these studies will provide us basic insight into the role the gut virome might have in the development of alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Furthermore, we will look into the virome to identify biomarkers for disease progression or prediction of treatment success."
The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), led to the closure of schools throughout the world.

Study: COVID-19 testing in schools: Perspectives of school administrators, teachers, parents, and students in Southern California. Image Credit: Photoroyalty / Shutterstock.com

Background

Although widespread school closures were meant to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the effect of these closures on the viral transmission of and its associated risk was found to be quite modest in families with school-aged children. Furthermore, the closing of schools was found to have detrimental societal, economic, and psychosocial effects on the children. Therefore, reopening schools with safety precautions has been an important priority.

Although school-based transmission was found to be rare, clusters of transmission have been reported. Therefore, periodic COVID-19 testing in schools, along with mask mandates, maintenance of physical distancing, and improved cleaning procedures, could help to identify and isolate infected individuals easily. More specifically, COVID-19 testing in school would lead to the identification of positive cases quickly and provide a quarantine strategy to mitigate the outbreaks.

Several national organizations have recommended the opening of schools; however, most of these entities have recommended that the reopening of schools is accompanied by mask requirements, social distancing, and thorough cleaning. Many states in the United States have also provided free test kits to schools and obtained state-wide Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) waivers that allowed COVID-19 tests to be performed at schools.

Online tool kits have also been made available to assist schools in selecting an appropriate testing strategy. However, many schools in Southern California did not include COVID-19 testing in their opening strategies, as it was too expensive and difficult to implement.

A new study published in the preprint server medRxiv*, which was guided by the Protection Motivation Theory, involved a qualitative study to examine attitudes of school administrators, teachers, parents, and students towards the implementation of COVID-19 testing as a part of the reopening strategy. The study also examined the threat of returning to school during the pandemic and how COVID-19 testing could respond to this threat.

About the study

The current study took place in Los Angeles, California, and included interviews of school administrators, focus teacher groups, students, and parents. The recruited participants belonged to nine school districts across Los Angeles that did not include COVID-19 testing as part of their reopening strategy. All districts included in the study were urban and mostly included the Hispanic/Latinx population.

Nine school administrators agreed to participate in the study. These individuals sent out emails to teachers, parents, and students to inquire whether they were interested in participating in the focus group.

If interested in participating, teachers and parents were to sign an online consent form, while the students could become a part of the study when their parents signed the consent form. Taken together, the current study included nine interviews from administrators, four focus groups of teachers involving 23 teachers, five focus groups of parents involving 39 parents, and two focus groups consisting of 13 students.

The data for the study was collected between December 2020 and January 2021 online using the Zoom platform. Several interview questions specific for each group were asked for a duration of 45 to 60 minutes.

Based on the Zoom interviews, transcripts were generated. These transcripts were then reviewed and identified for recurring themes by trained coders.

Study findings

School administrators

Four main themes were identified concerning administrators, including willingness to open, the financial impact of testing, concerns regarding students, and staffing and logistical barriers. The school administrators were willing to open schools by following safety precautions that did not involve COVID-19 testing. Since they had already planned their reopening strategies, the administrators considered the testing to be too expensive and inconvenient.

The administrators were also concerned that they did not have enough staff who were willing to carry out the testing. Additionally, the space required for testing and subsequent quarantining of positive cases was not available. School administrators were also concerned about the stigma of students around testing positive and the trauma of being quarantined in a room alone.

Teachers

For teachers, three main themes were identified, including comfort returning to the classroom, support of frequent testing, and prevention of sending sick children to school. The teachers, unlike the administrators, were in favor of frequent testing, as it would provide a healthier school environment.

Many teachers claimed they did not feel safe returning to the classrooms, as the COVID-19 rate was still high. In addition, few of the teachers believed that frequent testing would prevent parents from sending their sick children to the school that would, in turn, prevent further outbreaks in school.

Parents

For parents, four themes were identified: support of frequent testing, prevention of sending sick children to school, stigma regarding testing positive, and concerns regarding the childrens mental health. Most of the parents favored frequent testing, as it would allow them to send their children to school without any concerns. Notably, parents were concerned about the physical discomfort of testing and the stigma if a student tests positive.

Similar to the teachers' opinions, parents also believed that frequent testing would prevent them from sending sick children to school. In addition, this would prevent other children and staff members from falling sick.

Parents were also concerned about the mental health of their children. The parents reported that children felt depressed, anxious, and lonely due to lockdown and the closure of schools. Therefore, some stated that returning to school would improve the mental health of children.

Students

For students, three themes were identified: concern regarding physical discomfort of testing, support for frequent testing, and opinions regarding in-person compared to online school.

Students, like the parent and teacher groups, were in support of frequent testing in school. However, some students were concerned about the physical discomfort of testing and expressed a preference for tests that were not painful.

The students expressed mixed feelings regarding the continuation of online classes or returning to in-person learning. Some students preferred online learning, as it helped them in having more control over their schedules, while some were frustrated with the monotony and difficulty of concentration during online classes. Students were also concerned that returning to school could pose a threat to their families.

Implications

If schools choose to implement COVID-19 testing, several factors must be considered. For example, schools would need to decide which type of tests to implement, the feasibility of the tests, and the appropriate protocols that would reduce physical and emotional trauma.

Schools also need to devise non-threatening ways to inform parents and teachers of positive results and provide guidance on when infected students could return to school if they test positive for COVID-19. Schools also need to consider how to handle families who do not agree to testing, whether they should implement testing weekly or monthly, and how vaccination would affect testing.

The study had certain limitations. It involved a small population who responded to an email invitation. The study results pertained to high school and might not generalize to middle and elementary schools, and attitudes towards implementation of COVID-19 testing might have changed since the data was collected almost a year ago.

*Important notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients don't have an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection or severe COVID-19 disease per se. Still, the risk is elevated if there are comorbidities such as older age, higher disability levels, and ongoing treatment with specific disease-modifying therapies (DMTs).

One of the most critical factors in reducing long-term disability in MS patients is early initiation of treatment with high-efficacy DMT. However, some DMTs are associated with an increased risk of infection. Vaccinating all patients with MS against COVID-19 is highly recommended by experts worldwide.

Among patients treated with anti-CD20 therapy (rituximab, ocrelizumab) or fingolimod, there is increasing evidence of reduced humoral immunity after two doses of mRNA-COVID-19 vaccines. In solid-organ transplant recipients, three doses of mRNA-COVID-19 vaccines seem to be beneficial. However, whether a third vaccine dose will affect anti-SARS-Cov 2 IgG antibody levels in MS patients is unclear.

A clinical study by a team of scientists from Norway aimed to assess the immunogenicity and safety of a third dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in MS patients treated with anti-CD20 therapy or fingolimod. A preprint version of the study, which is yet to undergo peer review, is available on the medRxiv* server.

Multiple sclerosis

In MS, the body's immune system attacks the protective covering of nerves. This causes permanent nerve damage. Treatment options include medications that suppress the immune system. In addition, immunosuppression helps to manage symptoms and slows disease progression. Specifically, patients may be treated with anti-CD20 therapy or fingolimod. Anti-CD20 is a monoclonal antibody against the protein CD20, which is present on B-cells of the immune system. It reduces the number of B-cells by triggering cell death. Fingolimod is a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator. It is an immunomodulator that sequesters immune cells called lymphocytes in lymph nodes. This ultimately prevents an autoimmune reaction.

COVID-19 vaccination of MS patients

Studies have shown that the humoral immunity of patients treated with anti-CD20 therapy or fingolimod after two doses of mRNA-COVID-19 vaccines is reduced. Approximately 80% of MS patients treated with anti-CD20 therapy or fingolimod have low or absent humoral immunity after two doses of mRNA-COVID-19 vaccines.

Humoral immunity is considered low when anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG <70 arbitrary units (AU) and absent when anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG <5 AU.

Humoral immune response in MS patients

A total of 130 MS patients treated with anti-CD20 or fingolimod with low or absent humoral immunity despite full vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 were administered a third dose of mRNA-COVID-19 vaccine (BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273). Inclusion criteria were MS diagnosis, signed informed consent, full COVID-19-vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD IgG <70 AU 3-12 weeks after full vaccination.

The IgG antibody response against SARS-CoV2 Spike receptor-binding domain (RBD), i.e., humoral immunity, was measured using a bead-based flow cytometric assay. Low/absent humoral immunity was assumed when anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD IgG was <70 AU 3-5 weeks after revaccination.

The frequency and characteristics of side effects were collected from all participants 3-5 weeks after revaccination. Patient- and treatment-specific variables were acquired through a digital questionnaire, the Norwegian Immunization Registry and hospital journals.

Revaccination improves humoral immunity

Most MS patients received full vaccination (two doses) with the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine - 83% as the first and 85% as the second dose. With the third dose, 85% received the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine. The mean time between the last dose of full vaccination (two doses) and booster shot (third dose) was 94 days in anti-CD20-treated and 78 days in fingolimod-treated patients.

The development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 SPIKE RBD IgG levels in anti-CD20 or fingolimod treated patients with multiple sclerosis undergoing revaccination. S2-3, antibody sample after second and third vaccine dose, respectively.

The third dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine increased anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD IgG levels significantly. After the third dose, 25% of anti-CD20-treated patients and 7% of fingolimod-treated patients assumed protective humoral immunity (anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD IgG > 70 AU).

Higher absolute lymphocyte and CD19-B-cell counts (in patients receiving anti-CD20 therapy) were significantly associated with developing protective humoral immunity.

Sixty-three percent of anti-CD20-treated and 38% of fingolimod-treated MS patients reported side effects. The most common side effects were transient local pain and fatigue. None of the patients experienced serious adverse effects after revaccination. The lymphocyte count was significantly higher in patients reporting side effects compared to those who did not.

Conclusion and relevance

The third dose of mRNA-COVID-19 vaccine improved protective humoral immunity in anti-CD20-treated or fingolimod-treated MS patients with low or absent humoral immunity despite full vaccination. The effect of a third dose was limited but more prominent among those treated with anti-CD20 therapy. These results indicate that revaccination can be considered safe and can be indicated to reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 in MS patients on immunosuppressive medications.

Limitations of the study

This study involves a short-term follow-up of a limited number of patients. A long-term follow-up would be of greater importance in such a study. This study reports IgG responses as a correlate of humoral immunity. However, the adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2 depends on cellular responses too. This study does not comment on the durability of the antibody response or the clinical effect of revaccinations.

*Important notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
As vaccination programs around the globe are beginning to slow, the transmission of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has risen again, with concern rising over the spread of dangerous variants of concern (VOCs). These variants are known to evade immune responses effective against the original strain found in Wuhan, China. Of particular concern is the Delta variant, which arose in India to quickly become the most dominant strain worldwide, and the cause of most new cases.

Most VOCs are created by mutations that affect the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2019 (SARS-CoV-2), especially the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the S1 subunit, as this is the region that binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), allowing membrane fusion and viral entry into the cell.

In particular, the mutations present in the VOCs alter the conformation of the three monomers that make up the spike protein trimer. For example, in wild-type COVID-19, all three are normally in the down conformation, which helps evade the immune response. However, in the more infectious variants such as the Delta variant, one or more monomers tend to be in the up conformation, allowing greater binding to ACE2 and increased transmission.

Researchers from the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda have been investigating the response of antibodies created against SARS-CoV-2 by the Pfizer-BioNTech six months after vaccination, as well as the differing ability of these antibodies to combat VOCs. The Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 is an mRNA vaccine that produces immunity by providing the cell with the mRNA for a protein, such as the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

The cellular machinery then translates this, producing the protein, and allowing the immune system to develop a response against it without any danger. As no viral structural proteins are involved, and as mRNA is non-infectious and non-integrating, it is safer than more traditional vaccines created from inactive strains of the virus, which can reactivate or cause allergic reactions.

A preprint version of the group's study is available on the medRxiv* server while the article undergoes peer review.

The study

The researchers enrolled healthy adult healthcare workers at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center who presented with no anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein IgG antibodies, showed no history of COVID-19 into the study, and collected serum samples monthly. These samples were then screened for IgG reactivity against the spike and nucleocapsid proteins using multiplex microsphere-based immunoassays.

The ability of the serum samples to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 was determined using a lentiviral pseudovirus SARS-CoV-2 neutralization assay - this was used for both wild-type and the Delta variant. Individuals infected before January 21, 2021, were excluded from the study. In total, 227 vaccinated individuals and 17 non-vaccinated individuals were followed.

All vaccinated individuals showed seroconversion against SARS-CoV-2 when tested a month following the second vaccine dose. Anti-spike IgG bAb and nAb then slowly decreased over a six-month duration. At every point of the experiment, both bAbs and nAbs showed significantly higher binding and reactivity against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 compared to the Delta variant.

This is supported by multiple other studies showing reduced vaccine-induced immune response against the Delta variant compared to wild-type. Two vaccinated patients were found to have symptomatic infection with SARS-CoV-2 post-vaccination, both of which were mild cases that did not require hospitalization. Four non-vaccinated individuals contracted COVID-19, one of whom required ICU care.

Conclusion

The researchers highlight the value of their work in helping to inform vaccine manufacturers and public health policymakers of the responses seen in vaccinated individuals against SARS-CoV-2 wild-type and the Delta strain and how these responses can change over time. In addition, the authors point to the frequency of gathering serum samples and subsequent serological assessments, the use of variant-specific neutralizing antibodies, and the multiplexed antigen-specific IgG detection as factors that greatly increase the strength of the study's strength.

While similar studies have examined larger populations, the researcher's data and analyses could prove invaluable in helping to identify factors that could grow to become larger factors. This study shows that as many people as possible must become vaccinated - strains like the Delta variant capable of evading natural and vaccine-induced immunity continue to arise. With mass vaccination programs in both the United States and the United Kingdom beginning to stall, it could allow time for even more dangerous variants to arise.

*Important notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
New research in the October 2021 issue of JNCCN-;Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network assessed patient satisfaction and preferences for telemedicine, finding 45% of people with cancer preferred telemedicine, while 34% preferred office visits, and 21% had no preference.

The researchers reviewed survey responses from 1,077 radiation oncology patients across NCCN Member Institution Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK)'s main campus and six regional locations across New York and New Jersey. The questionnaires were based on office and telemedicine visits between December 2019 and June 2020. In terms of patient satisfaction, most reported either no difference or improvement with telemedicine overall (91%) compared to office visits, with similar results for their confidence in their physician (90%), understanding their treatment plans (88%), and confidence their cancer will be treated appropriately (87%).

These findings provide some evidence that there is a role for telemedicine beyond the COVID-19 pandemic and that it can be a particularly useful tool for certain patients-;especially those who may have challenges coming on-site for an appointment. Giving patients flexibility and options by being able to see them both in-person and through telemedicine can improve access to care." Narek Shaverdian MD, MSK, Study Co-Lead Author, Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Notably, the survey results found that two-thirds of respondents considered telemedicine to be a superior option when it came to treatment-related costs, such as travel and lost wages.

"An individual visit to the physician's office can be costly-;including transportation, parking, and time off from other activities," said co-lead author Erin F. Gillespie, MD, MSK Department of Radiation Oncology. "Telemedicine takes away most of this cost and inconvenience, and could therefore reduce the overall burden of engaging with the healthcare system. Also, the ability for family and friends to join the conversation from any location can be game-changing."

The researchers found patient responses varied significantly between video conferencing versus audio. Patients who had telephone-only appointments were more likely to say they thought they would benefit more from an in-person visit.

"Telemedicine can be a resource to increase access to care, but only if patients have and can use these video capabilities," said Dr. Shaverdian. "There is so much that you learn just by seeing a patient and using visual cues to guide a discussion. A voice-only encounter with a patient you've never met before is challenging."

"Digital tools like telemedicine have the unfortunate potential consequence of paradoxically increasing disparities in access to care," noted Dr. Gillespie. "But the counter to that is there will be some disadvantaged patients that would not have accessed the system at all, either due to technologic barriers or travel time, and now can connect at least by phone, which is an important and positive change."

"Telehealth has transformed cancer care throughout the United States, with widespread adoption in an incredibly short timeframe in response to the pandemic," commented Anne Chiang, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Yale Cancer Center/Smilow Cancer Hospital, a member of the NCCN Policy Advisory Group who was not involved in this research. "This is such an important study as it collects and analyzes data from more than 1,000 radiation oncology patients to compare telehealth and in-person office visits. From the viewpoint of the patient, there were no significant differences across multiple domains of patient satisfaction between types of visits. In fact, some patients preferred telehealth visits and noted that telemedicine could reduce travel costs and time. The bottom line is that this study supports the use of telehealth as a permanent transformation of the healthcare landscape."

The NCCN EHR Oncology Advisory Group also recently published research in the Journal of Oncology Practice sharing the oncologist perspective on telemedicine. They surveyed 1,038 providers from 26 institutions in the summer of 2020 and found an estimated 46% of post-pandemic visits could be virtual.
Karolinska Institute Implementation of WHO's recommended public health policies on alcohol, unhealthy foods and tobacco has been slow globally, according to a study led by researchers at Karolinska Institute and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, published in the journal The Lancet Global Health. The study found particularly low implementation in poor, less democratic countries and where corporations had more influence for example through corruption and political favoritism.

In 2013, the World Health Organization's 194 member states endorsed a list of so-called 'Best Buy' policies to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease.

The list includes 19 interventions targeted at preventing, monitoring and treating NCDs, with a particular focus on harmful products such as tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy foods. These policies could play a vital role in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal target of cutting premature NCD mortality by a third between 2015 and 2030.

In the study, the researchers examined to what extent WHO member states had implemented the policies and analyzed if national level indicators correlated with the degree of implementation. The analysis is based on three so-called NCD progress monitor reports, where the degree of implementation of NCD policies is reported, as well as a framework of national indicators developed by the study authors.

The researchers note that on average, only a third of the public health policies had been fully implemented in 2020. When awarding a half-point for partially implemented policies, the average implementation score was 47 percent in 2020, up from 45.9 percent in 2017 and 39.0 percent in 2015.

Low scores for alcohol, junk food and tobacco measures

Implementation was lowest for policies targeting alcohol, unhealthy foods and tobacco. For example, around two-thirds of countries had not implemented WHO recommended restrictions on marketing of unhealthy food to children in 2020. Implementation of measures targeting alcohol use, including restrictions on sales and advertising, even eased between 2015 and 2020, while for measures targeting tobacco, it improved somewhat. The most widely implemented interventions were clinical guidelines and national action plans and targets to combat NCDs.

"Our study found slow overall implementation of WHO's recommended NCD policies, especially when it comes to measures targeted at risk factors such as smoking, alcohol and unhealthy foods," says corresponding author Hampus Holmer, researcher at the Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, who conducted the study in collaboration with Luke Allen, research fellow at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, U.K., and Professor Simon Wigley at Bilkent University, Turkey.

This is worrying since non-communicable disease is already the most common cause of death, including premature death, in the world today. Several of these diseases are also linked to an increased risk of dying of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 or tuberculosis." Hampus Holmer, Study Corresponding Author and Researcher, Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute

Progress was especially slow in low-income countries and countries with less democracy. At the bottom of the list are three countries in West AfricaEquatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leonewith one to two partially implemented policies. Norway and Turkey are at the top of the list with 90 percent fully or partially implemented measures.

Correlation with corporate influence

The researchers found that the positive relationship between democracy on implementation was cancelled out in countries with above-average levels of corporate influence. Corporate influence was measured using an existing index with 25 metrics of corporate power, including corruption, bribery, government official favoritism, foreign investments and foreign contributions to political campaigns. Lobbying was not part of the assessment due to a lack of reliable data for many countries, which is a limitation of the study.

"Our analysis shows that corporate political influence is associated with the degree of implementation - the more influence corporations had, the lower the degree of implementation of preventive public health measures," says Luke Allen, the first author of the study. "While we cannot establish causality, our findings indicate that more work is needed to support particularly low-income countries in introducing effective NCD policies, especially around commercial determinants."
Thought Leaders Dr. Justin Wagner Pediatric Surgeon UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital

In this interview, News-Medical speaks to Dr. Justin Wagner about Robin, the social companion robot, and how it is improving childrens hospital experiences.

Please can you introduce your work and tell us about what led you to carry out this study?

Robin is a social companion robot that was designed to support children in healthcare settings. In Armenia, where it was developed, it was preliminarily studied in outpatient clinics and showed promise in reducing childrens anxiety levels.

Prior to the pandemic, we were already interested to bring the most engaging technologies to support our pediatric patients. Our team met with Robins creators and we were struck by the robots capabilities, which seemed to represent the most advanced social support robotics wed read about.

We conceived of a study to introduce Robin in an inpatient pediatric care setting, and we assembled a team of scientists, behavioral health experts, and Child Life specialists. The timing of the pandemic was serendipitous and accelerated the research plan.

As visitor restrictions were put into place, and emotional support services were limited during a time of uncertainty surrounding the transmission of COVID-19, we thought Robin could provide a crucial service in augmenting our Child Life specialists already amazing work.

Image Credit: UCLA Health

Your study found that communicating with children via a social robot improved their hospital experience. How was this study designed?

Under the circumstances of the pandemic, personal visits were restricted and remote interactions were becoming the new norm. We designed our study to compare the type of emotional support Child Life specialists could provide through two types of interactions: video chat with a Child Life specialist via a tablet versus telepresence with Child Life specialists projecting through Robin the Robot.

The children and their parents participated in surveys about the childs positive and negative affect (conscious manifestations of emotion). Child Life specialists also participated in a focus group to discuss their perceptions of the benefits or challenges of operating Robin with their patients in the hospital.

How did you analyze your data and determine that the robot was having a positive effect on childrens experiences?

Our survey questions to children and their parents consisted of the validated Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), which we assessed before and after each visit. We compared the changes in each childs positive and negative affect between those who received a tablet encounter and those who received a visit from Robin.

The PANAS scale was valuable in that we could evaluate the effects of each type of visit upon both positive and negative emotional states. While a boost in positive affect is a great outcome, a concurrent decrease in negative affect is even better.

Why do you think that the presence of the robot improved the hospital experience for children so much?

The way we designed the study, we were able to see how effectively Child Life specialists provide emotional support. When they operated the robot, their effects were amplified. While we are unfortunately unable to conclude from our data the exact reasons for those effects, there are a few that I suspect.

For one, I think children were more engaged by the physical presence of a life-sized being in the room rather than a 2-dimensional projection of a video chat. Robin also has a whimsey factor. The smooth frame, shiny white surface, and soft animated facial features are enchanting.

Robin The Robot on Fox11 Play

How did this method enable children to have more control over their hospital experience?

I have to credit the Child Life specialists for developing an entire persona for the robot, a naive being from an alien planet who is here to learn about the earth. The children taught Robin about where they live, songs they love, and their favorite dance moves.

I think the children felt comfortable to share and confide in this curious companion. They were the experts in this relationship, which is a role they rarely get to experience in the hospital.

How did the positive effects extend to families and healthcare workers?

Our most statistically compelling finding was that patients parents perceived a 75% reduction in negative affect after a visit with Robin and no change in negative affect after a tablet visit. To me, this is an incredibly meaningful finding.

To my patients, a reassured parent is every bit as important as any operation I perform. In the Child Life focus groups, the specialists identified that Robin gave them a greater sense of engagement, intimacy with their patients, patient-centered care, and ease of infection control measures while they provided their services.

Please can you give us some background on the robot, Robin, and how it was developed? How challenging is the operation of the robot?

Robin was developed in Armenia by Expper Technologies, Inc. Its creators intended Robin to provide companionship and distraction for pediatric patients who may be anxious in healthcare settings. They designed the robot to stand 4 feet tall with a frame that is curved to allow for an easy hug. They designed its face to have large, sympathetic eyes and equipped it with a voice modulator so that Robin speaks to its companion with a childs voice.

The robot comes with a remote-controlled software suite that allows its operator to move its wheelbase, or project different emotional expressions, show videos or move its face panel. The Child Life specialists found that the biggest challenges included a learning curve and time commitment required to develop the robots persona and to remotely control it in real-time.

Expper hopes to develop future iterations of Robin driven by an artificial intelligence engine that will be capable of fully autonomous conversation. Robin currently has the capability to recognize and compute the emotional state projected by its companions facial expression, though we elected not to study this feature in our pilot study.

The world has undergone a big shift to using remote interaction more often in the aftermath of the pandemic. How could this study impact the future of doctor-patient interaction?

I see Robin as a creative way to break down barriers to sensitive communication during the pandemic and beyond. Social robots like Robin can be deployed in any healthcare setting to improve access to care via telepresence, or to provide emotional support to those with the greatest need. In its capacity as a pilot, our study was the first of what will hopefully be many following steps in demonstrating how social robotics benefit healthcare.

Importantly, weve shown that, even under the dramatic circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, Robin the Robot augments and enhances the hard work of the people who treat families at Mattel Childrens Hospital. That can and should be replicated and studied further at other centers.

How could these robots be made a regular part of inpatient pediatric care and do you think this sort of practice will become commonplace in our future?

Robin has allowed our Child Life specialists to engage with children who were otherwise inaccessible, either due to emotional factors such as fear, anxiety, and prior trauma, or physical barriers such as strict infection control measures. Even in our well-resourced hospital, Child Life specialists are in high demand.

I suspect we will see robots like Robin providing telepresence visits to children in settings like these where emotional support resources are otherwise restricted or cumbersome.

Image Credit: Phonlamai Photo/Shutterstock.com

How are robotics, in general, improving and aiding the medical sector? How will their influence develop over the next few years?

The whimsey factor is applicable in several aspects of medical care. Robots are used in some settings for smart transport of materials within hospitals, to augment a surgeons hands and instruments during difficult operations, and like Robin for emotional support. Those in emotional support are in their infancy, providing rudimentary functions and physical presence.

As artificial intelligence evolves over the next several years, its integration with robotics will result in an explosion of innovative ways to augment the experience of providing and receiving medical care. Robots may help inform us of the effectiveness of our care, give us more sophisticated assistance in surgical procedures, and expand the reach of our highest quality healthcare to those in remote settings with less access.

What is the next step for this study?

Now that we have demonstrated the feasibility of introducing Robin as a component of inpatient pediatric care, we are looking to expand our focus. We aim to determine how Robins enhanced facial expression recognition features can be used to enhance emotional support.

We intend to scale up the number of patient interactions to be able to draw more detailed conclusions about the extent to which robots augment emotional support. We will also look to other settings within our healthcare system to determine those with the greatest need, such as infusion centers, radiology suites, and even adult and geriatrics care settings.

Where can readers find more information?

About Dr. Justin Wagner

I am a pediatric surgeon at UCLA Mattel Childrens Hospital. I am certified in Surgery and Pediatric Surgery by the American Board of Surgery, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

I am an Assistant Professor and Co-Chair of the Surgery Clerkship at the David Geffen School of Medicine of UCLA. My academic interests are in multimodal and comprehensive pediatric surgical care, domestic and international surgical education, and innovation and multimedia in medical education.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an RNA virus first reported in late 2019 in Wuhan, China. This virus is the causal agent of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Many SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged, which are deemed more infectious and capable of causing more severe infection than the original SARS-CoV-2 strain. SARS-CoV-2 variants have been categorized as variants of interest (VOI) and variants of concern (VOC).

Study: Variation at Spike position 142 in SARS-CoV-2 Delta genomes is a technical artifact caused by dropout of a sequencing amplicon. Image Credit: Immersion Imagery/ Shutterstock

Background

Scientists worldwide are being encouraged to continually perform genomic surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 genome for the early detection of emerging variants. This could prevent further outbreaks of that strain and, thereby, aid in containing the pandemic.

Researchers commonly use the ARTIC Network amplicon protocol to sequence SARS-CoV-2 genomes. It consists of around 100 pairs of PCR primers, and each amplifies a ~340 base-pair section of cDNA from the SARS-CoV-2 genome for subsequent sequencing. In March 2020, the third version of the ARTIC schema was designed using the Wuhan-Hu1 reference sequence (MN908947).

Scientists believe that mutations in the primer site of SARS-CoV-2 could affect genomic amplification. This could hamper the quality and completeness of the resulting genomic sequences. In addition, the increasing frequency of mutation, which might be present in many variants, could significantly affect interpretation when using public sequence datasets. The publicly available genomic sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant shows complex and confusing mutation patterns at Spike codon 142 and codon 95. Researchers hypothesized that such complexities could have occurred owing to recurrent mutations with interesting evolutionary dynamics.

A new study has focused on the effect of a deletion found in the genome of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant that has severely reduced the amplification of ARTIC V3 amplicon 72. The current study's authors have also investigated the effects caused by Spike mutations G142D and T95I on the available amplicon protocol. Both the mutations have been recently found to be consistent with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta lineage and are associated with higher viral loads. This study has been published on the medRxiv* preprint server.

About the study

Researchers revealed that the possible diversity within the Delta variant at Spike 142 and immediately adjacent regions reflect reduced amplification of a sequencing region rather than underlying biology. In the Delta variant, G142D mutation is found consistently in its entire lineage. Similarly, T95I is fixed in AY.4, which suggests no current evidence to expect a biological causative relationship between the presence of G142D or T95I and viral load. However, there are various technical effects in the entire amplicon 72 sequence, so it could be advantageous to mask it out for most analyses of Delta sequences.

Masking out ARTIC V3 primers could be desirable while studying consensus sequences processed with unknown pipelines. For example, D950N is a Delta mutation observed within an ARTIC V3 primer site, exhibiting spurious apparent reversions in global Delta sequences. However, it is not advisable to assume that a particular mutation is absent if it cannot be detected. It could be that sufficient information on a particular site is not available. It is for this reason that regular monitoring of amplicon coverage is advantageous. It may aid in the early detection of mutations at primer binding sites and the artifacts that these may cause.

The generation of consensus sequences has an essential part, which is trimming primer sequences. However, it may well be that the trimming is not performed robustly for most current global sequences. The open deposition of raw reads allowed scientists to examine these effects. They also stated that large-scale correction of erroneous sequences could be carried out if suitable infrastructure were developed. Fortunately, the ARTIC Network has released a new version of the amplicon scheme, which resolves some highlighted issues. Extensive usage by researchers could promote detection across the genome, given that almost all sequenced genomes are currently Delta.

Conclusion

The current study revealed that ambiguity in mutation patterns at Spike codon of the Delta variant and its relationship with the viral loads are related to sequencing difficulties. Researchers highlighted that these sequencing difficulties occurred due to a deletion in the binding site for the 72_RIGHT primer of the ARTIC V3 schema. They also stated that the spike G142D should be considered a lineage-defining mutation of Delta.

*Important Notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Heavy metals like lead, industrial pollution from steel mills, coal-fired power plants or oil refineries, forever chemicals called PFAS that dont break down in the environmenthow much are Michigan residents exposed to these environmental contaminants and what does this mean for their risk of developing cancer?

A new study from University of Michigan School of Public Health and Rogel Cancer Center researchers will describe and quantify the impact of known and suspected environmental exposures on cancer risk. The program, called MI-CARES, or Michigan Cancer and Research on the Environment Study, is funded through a $13 million grant from the National Cancer Institute.

Many communities experience a disproportionate disease burden because of failed governmental stewardship of local environments and the prioritization of private enterprise over health protection. With growing awareness of the health threats of these decisions, its essential to put greater focus on environmental contaminants and public health safety. Celeste Leigh Pearce, principal investigator, professor of epidemiology, School of Public Health

MI-CARES will enroll at least 100,000 people from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds who live in environmental hotspots throughout Michigan. The program will target the Detroit metropolitan area, Flint, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing and Saginaw, but enrollment will be open to all Michiganders ages 25-44. Participants will be followed over time through surveys as well as blood and saliva samples to track environmental exposures and cancer biomarkers.

With MI-CARES, we will examine well-established carcinogens such as certain components of air pollution and metals, but also focus on environmental contaminants with less data available to adequately assess risk, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. We will also study their effects together, said co-principal investigator Bhramar Mukherjee, professor and chair of biostatistics and professor of epidemiology at the School of Public Health and associate director for quantitative data sciences at Rogel.

Michiganders have a long history of tragic environmental exposures, from contaminated animal feed with polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) in the 1970s, to lead and toxin contamination in Flints water supply. Michigan has the highest known PFAS levels of any state due to industrial contamination of lakes and rivers from the 1940s to 2000s.

The Saginaw-Bay City-Midland area, with large Black and Hispanic communities, is the most polluted region in Michigan due to the more than three dozen industrial facilities in the area, including steel mills, coal-fired power plants, garbage incinerators and a large oil refinery.

These exposures are profound and the strong history of community engagement and concern by community members of the impact of these environmental contaminants on resident health makes MI-CARES feasible, said co-principal investigator Dana Dolinoy, professor and chair of environmental health sciences at the School of Public Health. We hope this project will help us understand exposures and develop strategies to modify cancer risk.

The MI-CARES team spans five departments within the School of Public Health as well as the Center for Health Communications Research at the Rogel Cancer Center, demonstrating the broad range of commitment and expertise within U-M. School of Public Health faculty Alison Mondul, Justin Colacino, Ken Resnicow, Sara Adar, John Meeker, Carrie Karvonen-Gutierrez and Nancy Fleischer are co-investigators on the project. In addition, the project will engage community partners across the state.
Barron, WI (54812)

Today

Sunny. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 28F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung today urged Taiwan to allow homicide case suspect Chan Tong-kai's entry, saying he learnt that Chan very much hopes to surrender to Taiwan.

Mr Tang spoke to the media about the case after attending a Legislative Council meeting today.

He noted that Chan had already served his sentence for the offence he committed in Hong Kong, but Taiwan has refused his entry due to political reasons.

"I think for anyone who has served their sentence regarding the offence they have committed, they are as free as anyone else in the city. They are free people. They can do whatever they want within the law, of course.

"But I think the whole issue is that Taiwan does not allow Chan to go to Taiwan to face his responsibility.

"Here I would like to reiterate that no matter what Taiwan does, it will not change the fact that Taiwan is part of China."
Jeffersonville, IN (47130)

Today

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low near 30F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low near 30F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
(Newser)  Update: The parents of Elijah McClain have reached a tentative settlement with the city of Aurora, Colorado over the death of their son after a fatal encounter with police in 2019. The 23-year-old massage therapist was thrown to the ground and placed in a chokehold before paramedics injected him with an excessive dose of ketamine. He died at a hospital six days later. The size of the settlement in the federal civil rights lawsuit filed last year has not been disclosed. In a statement to USA Today, family attorney Matthew Cron said no amount of money could ever compensate mother Sheneen McClain for the devastating loss of her son, and she "would give anything for Elijah to experience the full, long life that he so richly deserved." A grand jury indicted three police officers and two paramedics last month. Our original story from Aug 11, 2020 follows:

story continues below

The parents of Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old Black man who died after officers in suburban Denver stopped him on the street last year and put him in a chokehold, sued police and medical officials Tuesday. With the federal civil rights lawsuit, the McClain family said they were seeking both accountability for the loss of a "beautiful soul" and to send a message that "racism and brutality have no place in American law enforcement," the AP reports. "We have filed this civil rights lawsuit to demand justice for Elijah McClain, to hold accountable the Aurora officials, police officers, and paramedics responsible for his murder, and to force the City of Aurora to change its longstanding pattern of brutal and racist policing," the family said in a statement released by their attorney.

McClain was stopped by three white officers on Aug. 24, 2019, while they responded to a call about a suspicious person wearing a ski mask and waving his arms. Police put him in a chokehold, and paramedics gave him 500 milligrams of ketamine to calm him down. McClain suffered cardiac arrest, was later declared brain dead, and was taken off life support several days later The lawsuit alleges one officer jammed his knee into McClain's arm "with the sole purpose of inflicting pain by forcefully separating Elijahs bicep and triceps muscles." It also says two of the officers reported that all three of them simultaneously placed their body weight on McClain after a chokehold. One officer estimated that the collective weight on McClain, who weighed 140 pounds, to be over 700 pounds. (Read more Elijah McClain stories.)
(Newser)  They have fewer years of experience on this planet than the number of wheels on the truck. But that's not stopping California high school students from learning how to drive an 18-wheeleran opportunity that might help resolve a purported shortage of truck drivers. Patterson High School is one of the first schools in the country offering a truck-driving program for senior students, who learn the ins and outs of truck driving and maintenance through hands-on training, including 30 hours in a driving simulator. It's a small step toward filling what industry insiders say is an increasing void. As instructor Dave Dein tells Inside Edition, "we're short about 63,000 drivers today."

story continues below

The supposed shortage, which is in dispute, could top 100,000 drivers by 2028, Lindsey Trent of the nonprofit Next Generation in Trucking Association tells NPR, which reports 25% of current truckers are at or nearing retirement age. The average truck driver, the outlet adds, is 54 years old. "If we don't start promoting trucking to our youth, they only can make decisions on the information that they have," and trucking "comes with a lot of misconceptions" about low pay, risky work conditions, and insufferable hours, Dein says. But he says he enjoyed trucking so much, even after becoming a teacher, that he kept it up as a part-time career.

Eduardo Dominguez-Sotelo, a senior enrolled in the program, says he may also pursue trucking as a part-time career after graduation. "I didn't think that truck driving was for me" but "it actually ended up being a good fit," he tells NPR. Though a commercial driver's license holder must be at least 21 to move goods across state lines, and many insurance companies require truck drivers be at least 25, a Senate bill aims to welcome younger drivers with the introduction of an apprenticeship program, per the Drive. Still, some doubt the impact of such moves when driver retention, a huge issue for the industry, might be solved with better working conditions and a boost in pay. (Read more truck driver stories.)
(Newser)  Colin Powell died of complications from COVID Mondayand Donald Trump waited until the next day to criticize the former secretary of state as a "classic RINO." "Wonderful to see Colin Powell, who made big mistakes on Iraq and famously, so-called weapons of mass destruction, be treated in death so beautifully by the Fake News Media," Trump said in a statement, per the Hill. "Hope that happens to me someday." The former president, described by Powell as a "national disgrace" in 2016, added: "He made plenty of mistakes, but anyway, may he rest in peace!" Chris Cillizza at CNN describes the remarks as "utterly classless," though Trump wasn't the only one to criticize Powell after the 84-year-old's death. More:

story continues below

He could have stopped "lunatic invasion." Peter Maass at the Intercept looks at what he calls "the most consequential act" of Powell's life: a Feb. 5, 2003 speech to the United Nations Security Council that presented a case for invading Iraq that was based on "false, manipulated, and fabricated" intelligence. While others in the Bush administration had a " higher quotient of intentional malignance," Powell " was perhaps the only public figure who could have stopped the White House from going ahead with its lunatic invasion, and he failed to do so," Maass writes.

Peter Maass at the Intercept looks at what he calls "the most consequential act" of Powell's life: a Feb. 5, 2003 speech to the United Nations Security Council that presented a case for invading Iraq that was based on "false, manipulated, and fabricated" intelligence. While others in the Bush administration had a " higher quotient of intentional malignance," Powell " was perhaps the only public figure who could have stopped the White House from going ahead with its lunatic invasion, and he failed to do so," Maass writes. "A nice man, but..." Maass points to a tweet from Temple University professor Marc Lamont Hill. "At the personal level, Colin Powell was a nice man. He was also a trailblazer," Hill writes. "But he was also a military leader and key strategist of an empire that killed countless people and undermined the sovereignty of multiple nations. In our memorials, we must be honest about all of this."

A mixed legacy among African Americans . The AP reports that Powellthe first Black national security adviser, chairman of the Joint Chiefs and secretary of statehas been criticized by some in the Black community for not speaking out more forcefully against institutional racism. "I think thats why a lot of Black folks never saw him as a leader. There was never a sense that Colin Powell was one of us," says activist Kevin Powellno relationwho criticizes Powell for being "largely invisible in a lot of things that happenedTrayvon Martin, Ferguson, George Floyd." But Sam Riddle, another political activist, argues that the "bullhorns we can use can be simply quiet competency, integrity, and perseverance."

. The AP reports that Powellthe first Black national security adviser, chairman of the Joint Chiefs and secretary of statehas been criticized by some in the Black community for not speaking out more forcefully against institutional racism. "I think thats why a lot of Black folks never saw him as a leader. There was never a sense that Colin Powell was one of us," says activist Kevin Powellno relationwho criticizes Powell for being "largely invisible in a lot of things that happenedTrayvon Martin, Ferguson, George Floyd." But Sam Riddle, another political activist, argues that the "bullhorns we can use can be simply quiet competency, integrity, and perseverance." Vietnam controversies. Months before he began his second tour of Vietnam, one of the units in Powell's battalion massacred hundreds of unarmed civilians. Powell, then a 31-year-old Army major, was accused of whitewashing news of the My Lai massacre after he was assigned to investigate a letter from a soldier detailing war crimes, the Wall Street Journal reports. In his first memoir, he wrote of the Vietnam years: "A corrosive careerism had infected the Army; and I was part of it."

(Read more Colin Powell stories.)
(Newser)  "Oldie of the Year"? No thanks, says Queen Elizabeth. The UK monarch turned down the award for notable older people, which is offered up each year by Oldie magazine and was offered to her this year, the Guardian reports. "Her Majesty believes you are as old as you feel, as such The Queen does not believe she meets the relevant criteria to be able to accept, and hopes you will find a more worthy recipient," her assistant private secretary wrote in a note to the magazine that was published in the latest issue, per the BBC. Her late husband, Prince Philip, was named Oldie of the Year in 2011, when he turned 90. Elizabeth, 95, will celebrate her platinum jubilee next year, marking seven decades as queen. (Read more Queen Elizabeth II stories.)
(Newser)  Africas last three mountain glaciers will disappear in the next two decades because of climate change, a new report warned Tuesday amid sweeping forecasts of pain for the continent that contributes least to global warming but will suffer from it most. The report from the World Meteorological Organization and other agencies, released ahead of the UN climate conference in Scotland that starts Oct. 31, is a grim reminder that Africas 1.3 billion people remain "extremely vulnerable" as the continent warms more, and at a faster rate, than the global average. And yet Africas 54 countries are responsible for less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

story continues below

The new report seizes on the shrinking glaciers of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, and the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda as symbols of the rapid and widespread changes to come, reports the AP. "Their current retreat rates are higher than the global average. If this continues, it will lead to total deglaciation by the 2040s," it says. The New York Times reports the glacier on Mount Kenya could vanish a decade prior, with the report noting that would establish it as "one of the first entire mountain ranges to lose glaciers due to human-induced climate change."

The Times quotes the head of the UN World Food Program as recently describing Africa as "an area of the world that has contributed nothing to climate change, but now, theyre the ones paying the highest price." Indeed, by 2030, up to 118 million extremely poor people, or those living on less than $1.90 a day, "will be exposed to drought, floods and extreme heat in Africa if adequate response measures [to deal with climate change] are not put in place," Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko with the African Union Commission writes in the report. Already, the UN has warned that the Indian Ocean island nation of Madagascar is one where famine-like conditions have been driven by climate change. And it says parts of South Sudan are seeing the worst flooding in almost 60 years. (Read more climate change stories.)
(Newser)  The pandemic has killed at least 603,000 people in Brazil, more than in any country except the USand a panel of senators is accusing President Jair Bolsonaro of killing half of them. After a six-month investigation, the panel plans to recommend charges of mass homicide and genocide of Indigenous people against the president, according to a draft report seen by the New York Times. The senators say Bolsonaro's policies, including a "deliberate and conscious" decision to delay buying COVID vaccines, caused thousands of deaths. The report says Bolsonaro caused a long delay in vaccine distribution by ignoring more than 100 emails from Pfizer.

story continues below

The senators say Bolsonaro, who discouraged mask-wearing and called the virus a "little flu," deliberately let the virus spread in a failed effort to achieve herd immunity. "Many of these deaths were preventable," centrist senator Renan Calheiros, the report's lead author, tells the Times. "I am personally convinced that he is responsible for escalating the slaughter." The report accuses Bolsonaro of a total of 11 crimes, including "charlatanism" for his "obstinate" promotion of unproven and ineffective remedies like hydroxychloroquine, the Guardian reports.

The draft report recommends charges against 69 other people, including three of Bolsonaro's sons. One of them, Flavio Bolsonaro, is among the president's four allies on the 11-member panel. The panel, which includes seven opposition members, is expected to vote on the report next week. If they approve it, Brazil's attorney general will have 30 days to decide on charges against Bolsonarobut since he was appointed by the president and continues to support him, charges are seen as unlikely, the Times reports. Calheiros says the panel will consider taking its case to the country's Supreme Court and the International Criminal Court. (Read more Brazil stories.)
(Newser)  The US has seen a record high in overdose deaths during the pandemic, and an addiction expert says "we can expect even more fatal overdoses" now that a medication that reverses overdoses has jumped up to 30 times in price. The Opioid Safety and Naloxone Network Buyers Club, a collective of 100 harm-reduction programs, has a deal with drug manufacturer Pfizer that allows the purchase of life-saving naloxone at low cost. The club provided 1.3 million doses last year at about $2.50 each. But production issues this year, including a temporary stoppage in supply in April, have created a shortagethe Washington Post described as a "250,000-dose backorder" in Augustwhich has in turn caused prices to soar to between $37 to $75, per the Guardian.

story continues below

The CDC said Wednesday that almost 100,000 people died of overdoses during the first year of the pandemic, for a 30% increase over the preceding year. "Not having this life-saving medication to reduce overdose deaths, during a time when we're seeing the greatest increase we've ever seen, is a public health crisis," Amanda Latimore, director of the Center for Addiction Research and Effective Solutions, tells the Guardian, adding more fatal overdoses will follow. Nabarun Dasgupta, an epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, says he "estimated 12,000 to 18,000 excess deaths if we didn't get the shortage handled, and I think a good chunk of those deaths have already happened."

While Pfizer expects to be back at full capacity by the year's end, Dasgupta says other pharmaceutical companies could fill the need now by lowering their prices, if "profit" didn't stand in the way. Emergent BioSolutions, which produces naloxone under the name Narcan (sold for $75, per the Guardian) says it "provides a discounted price to national, state, and local governmental health and safety entities closest to at-risk populations, including public health clinics, fire departments, and police departments." But harm-reduction groups, which aren't included, say drug users are likely to avoid law enforcement for fear of prosecution. The Buyers Club even argues naloxone is expiring on police shelves, per the Post. (Read more naloxone stories.)
(Newser)  Update: A jury sentenced a former Texas nurse to death Wednesday for killing four patients by injecting air into their arteries after heart surgery at a Tyler hospital. The Smith County jury deliberated about two hours before condemning 37-year-old William George Davis to death, the AP reports. During the trial's sentencing phase, prosecutors played for the jury recordings of telephone calls Davis made from jail shortly after the Oct. 19 guilty verdict. In a call to his ex-wife, Davis, who worked in the hospital's cardiac intensive care unit, admitted that he would find ways to prolong patients' ICU stays so he could work more overtime and make more money. Our original story from Oct. 19 follows:

story continues below

A Texas nurse was convicted Tuesday of capital murder in the deaths of four patients who died after he injected them with air following heart surgeries. The Smith County jury deliberated for about an hour before finding William George Davis, of Hallsville, guilty of capital murder involving multiple victims. Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty during the sentencing phase, which is scheduled to start Wednesday. Davis, 37, was accused of injecting air into the four patients' arteries after they underwent heart surgery at the Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler in 2017 and 2018, the AP reports. During recovery from their surgeries, the fourJohn Lafferty, Ronald Clark, Christopher Greenway and Joseph Kalinasuffered unexplained neurological problems and died.

During the trial, Dr. William Yarbrough, a Dallas-area pulmonologist and professor of internal medicine, explained to the jury how injecting air into the arterial system of the brain causes brain injury and death. Yarbrough said he was able to determine there was air in the arterial system of the victims brains by viewing images from brain scanssomething he said he had never before observed in his decades in medicine. He ruled out blood pressure problems or any other causes of death besides the injection of air, and said it must have happened after the surgeries because the complications occurred while the patients were in recovery.

Defense attorney Phillip Hayes told the jury that the hospital had issues and that Davis was a scapegoat who was only charged because he was there when the deaths occurred. Prosecutor Chris Gatewood said during closing arguments that Davis liked to kill people. And prosecutor Jacob Putman said the hospital hadn't changed any of its procedures and hadn't had any similar incidents since Davis left. (Read more Texas stories.)
(Newser)  A federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted US Rep. Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska, accusing him of lying to the FBI and concealing information from federal agents who were investigating campaign contributions funneled to him from a Nigerian billionaire. The US attorney's office announced that the grand jury in Los Angeles had indicted the nine-term Republican on one charge of scheming to falsify and conceal material facts and two counts of making false statements to federal investigators. Fortenberry is expected to appear for an arraignment Wednesday afternoon in federal court in Los Angeles, the AP reports. Knowingly making false statements to a federal agent is a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.

story continues below

The indictment stems from an FBI investigation into $180,000 in illegal campaign contributions from Gilbert Chagoury, a Nigerian billionaire of Lebanese descent. The contributions were funneled through a group of Californians from 2012 through 2016 and went to four US politicians, including $30,200 to Fortenberry in 2016. Using an analysis of federal election records, Politico has identified the other three Republican recipients as former US Rep. Lee Terry, of Nebraska, in 2014; Rep. Darrell Issa, of California, in 2014; and Mitt Romney during his 2012 presidential campaign. Federal authorities haven't alleged that any of the other three campaigns or candidates were aware that the donations originated with Chagoury.

Chagoury, who lives in Paris, admitted to the crime in 2019, agreed to pay a $1.8 million fine and is cooperating with federal authorities. Prosecutors have said Chagoury made some of the illegal contributions to politicians from smaller states because he thought the amounts would be more noticeable and give him better access. He also drew attention years ago for giving more than $1 million to the Clinton Foundation. The indictment alleges that a cohost of the 2016 fundraiser in Los Angeles told Fortenberry that the donations probably did come from Chagoury, but Fortenberry never filed an amended campaign report with the Federal Election Commission as required. It says he later made false and misleading statements to federal investigators. In a YouTube video posted Monday night, Fortenberry said he was shocked and stunned by the allegations and asked his supporters to rally behind him. (Read more campaign contributions stories.)
(Newser)  After a one-day trial, a 21-year-old Oklahoma woman was on Oct. 6 convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to four years in prisonbecause she had a miscarriage. The case of Brittney Poolaw, who was 19 when she lost her pregnancy at home at between 15 and 17 weeks' gestation, has been generating outrage, CBS News reports. Poolaw, a member of the Comanche Nation, visited a hospital after suffering the miscarriage, and admitted to staff there that she had used methamphetamine and pot recently. A medical examiner cited that as a condition "contributing" to the miscarriage, but also listed were a congenital abnormality found in the fetus and placental abruption, a condition in which the placenta detaches from the womb. Even so, the jury took less than three hours to find her guilty.

story continues below

Advocates are crying foul, with the National Advocates for Pregnant Women pointing out that Oklahoma's murder and manslaughter laws don't apply to miscarriages, defined as pregnancy losses that occur before 20 weeks gestationlong before a fetus has a chance of surviving outside the womb at around 24 weeks. Even in a pregnancy that was further along, the group says, "Oklahoma law prohibits prosecution of the 'mother of the unborn child' unless she committed 'a crime that caused the death of the unborn child,'" and there is no evidence Poolaw's drug use caused the pregnancy loss. Lastly, the group points out, health officials and medical associations have long called for pregnant women with drug dependencies to be treated, not punished.

"That dystopian future everyone keeps warning about is already here," tweeted author Jessica Valenti, one of many similar sentiments to be found on social media. "Poolaws case is an injustice, but it is also a warning," writes Michelle Goldberg in the New York Times. "This is what happens when the law treats embryos and fetuses as people with rights that supersede the rights of those who carry them. And it offers a glimpse of the sort of prosecutions that could become common in a world in which Roe v. Wade is overturned, one we could be living in as soon as next year." Goldberg notes that had Poolaw had access to reproductive health care, she may not have found herself jailed for the past year and a half awaiting trial: She told authorities she wasn't sure she wanted the baby, but didn't know how to get an abortion.

Pregnancy has been criminalized in this way in 413 cases between 1973 and 2005and 1,254 more between 2006 and 2020. According to NAPW, those cases include "women who have been arrested for falling down stairs, drinking alcohol, giving birth at home, being in a 'dangerous' location, having HIV, experiencing a drug dependency problem, or attempting suicide. The majority of women subjected to pregnancy-based prosecutions are low-income women, drug-using women, and women of color." Most of those cases involve women who were not intending to end their pregnancies. If Roe is overturned, there are tens of thousands of crimes in federal and state criminal codes on the books that could put women who do intend to do so in danger. Poolaw's attorneys will appeal her conviction. (Read more women's rights stories.)
(Newser)  Update: Twitter has suspended the account of GOP congressman Jim Banks of Indiana after a controversial tweet about a trans government official. Banks deliberately referred to Assistant Secretary of Health Rachel Levine, who identifies as a woman, as a "man." As a result, Twitter on Saturday yanked his account for "violating our Hateful Conduct Policy." The move affects Banks' congressional Twitter account, and Axios notes that he fired back on his still-active personal account. Banks tweeted that he was penalized for posting "a statement of FACT." He added: "I won't back down. ... Big Tech must be held accountable!" Our original story from Oct. 19 follows:

story continues below

Rachel Levine, the nation's assistant secretary of health and the first openly transgender person to win Senate confirmation for a federal office, made history again Tuesday when she was sworn in as an admiral of the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, which responds to health crises on the federal government's behalf. That makes her the first openly transgender four-star officer in the US, as well as the first female four-star admiral the corps has ever had, the Washington Post reports. On that last note, Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana had something to say for which he is now in hot water.

"The title of first female four-star officer gets taken by a man," Banks tweeted in response to a tweet from the surgeon general announcing the news. Banks later added, "Calling someone that was born and lived as a man for 54 years the first 'female' four-star officer is an insult to every little girl who dreams of breaking glass ceilings one day." But Ruben Gonzales, executive director of LGBTQ Victory Institute, said those tweets were "an insult to every little girl who dreams of an America where public servants will treat them with respect and judge them by their accomplishments," the Indianapolis Star reports.

Banks, a Trump supporter, was also among the conservatives who recently criticized Pete Buttigieg for taking paternity leave. Meanwhile, other conservatives were similarly unimpressed with the honor bestowed upon Levine, though perhaps not in quite as controversial a way: "Biden gang playing quota politics with public health service" was how Tom Fitten, president of the conservative legal group Judicial Watch, put it. (Read more Rachel Levine stories.)
(Newser)  It's a precarious mission in Spain's Canary Islands, one that will require "calm and concentration," but the drone is ready. So says Aerocamaras, the company that will try to rescue several dogs trapped in a yard by lava on La Palma, where a volcano eruption that began last month continues. Drones had already been dropping carefully portioned supplies of food and water to the stranded pups, who haven't been able to be airlifted out because there's too much volcanic ash and hot air for helicopters to safely make their way to the yard in the village of Todoque.

story continues below

Enter one of Aerocamaras' cargo drones, which will use a remote-controlled net to carry the dogs to safety, Reuters reports. Authorities have OKed the emergency rescue mission, which will involve the 110-pound drone swooping in, casting the net over each dog individually, and then carrying it over the lava and to a safe spot about a third of a mile away. "If that's the last option that the dogs have? Then we're going after them," CEO Jaime Pereira tells the news outlet.

There are challenges. The drone, which NPR notes can carry about 50 pounds, will have just four minutes to lure each weakened dog into the net, then another four minutes to fly it out of harm's way before the battery drains. And then there are the dogs themselves, who could be skittish as the drone hovers. "They've been eating very little for weeks," Pereira tells Reuters. "They might come, or become scared of the drone." It's also still not clear just how many dogs there actually are: Reuters has reported three, while local media and Aerocamaras itself says there are four.

"Our pilots are conducting tests with the emergency teams at this time," Aerocamaras said Tuesday in a tweet. "Due to the complexity of the operation, we need calm and concentration." Despite the risks, it seems to be the dogs' only hope. "Either we take them out or they probably won't be [alive] in a few days," Pereira tells Spanish broadcaster Telecinco, via the Washington Post. More than 6,000 people have been evacuated on La Palma since the Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted about a month ago, with no signs of the eruption stopping anytime soon. (Read more drones stories.)
(Newser) 

Queen Elizabeth II has axed a planned trip to Northern Ireland on the advice of her doctors, though Buckingham Palace didn't give much in the way of specifics on Wednesday. Her trip was to take place Wednesday and Thursday; instead, she'll rest "for the next few days," the Guardian reports. The decision is not thought to be COVID-related. The palace noted the 95-year-old monarch is "in good spirits'' though disappointed at the change in travel plans.

story continues below

"The Queen sends her warmest good wishes to the people of Northern Ireland, and looks forward to visiting in the future,'' the palace said. The announcement comes a week after Elizabeth was seen making use of a walking stick at a major public event, a Westminster Abbey service in honor of the centenary of the Royal British Legion. Per the AP, she was last publicly seen with a cane in 2003 following knee surgery, though in this case, it is thought she was using it for ease, rather than a medical reason.

Her schedule was busy as recently as Tuesday: She met with the Japanese and EU ambassadors via video and hosted a reception at Windsor Castle that was attended by the likes of Boris Johnson and Bill Gates. Over the weekend, she attended the races at Ascot. The BBC reports she is still expected to head to Glasgow in late October to attend the COP26 climate change conference. (She may be 95, but don't call her an "oldie.")
(Newser)  There's making an entrance, and there's making an entrance. A determined couple in Kerala, India, traveled to their wedding venue by cooking pot, floating down flooded streets in the huge vessel. The AP reports floods and landslides killed at least 28 as of Monday in Kerala, where angry downpours have caused rivers to swell. "We had fixed the wedding and held it at the auspicious time despite the flooding," the groom's mother said of the nuptials between son Akash Kunjumon, 26, and Aiswarya, 22. Both reportedly work in a COVID-19 hospital ward.

story continues below

NBC News reports video of their Monday journey, in which their pot was pushed through the water by two men, went viral. They reportedly borrowed the pot, which they called their "only option" for arriving dry, per the Guardian. The AFP quotes a bystander quipping, "Should have booked a boat instead of a car." CNN reports they were married in front of just a few guests at a temple as "brown water lapped up at the edge of the building." It's not the worst flooding Kerala has had in recent memory: In 2018 at least 400 people died in floods. (This couple married four times and divorced three times in 37 days.)
(Newser)  Nikolas Cruz pleaded guilty to murder on Wednesday in the 2018 high school massacre in Parkland, Fla., that left 17 dead. Cruz, 23, entered his plea after answering a long list of questions from Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer aimed at confirming his mental competency. Local 10 reports he did tell Scherer he was feeling some anxiety but that he understood all her questions and instructions. Scherer then stated the 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted first-degree murder he's charged with, in each case naming the victim or intended victim in the Feb. 14, 2018, attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, reports the AP.

story continues below

A penalty trial will determine if Cruz will receive a sentence of death or life in prison without parole. Scherer plans to begin screening jurors next month in hopes testimony can begin in January. NBC News reports the Friday announcement by Cruz's defense team that he would plead guilty came as a surprise, and the Miami Herald reports Cruz's attorneys haven't publicly explained why he opted to plead guilty. NBC News notes the pleas carry no conditions and prosecutors still intend to seek the death penalty.

A Miami defense attorney not associated with the case tells the Herald it might be a move designed to help convince jurors to opt for a life sentence instead: "If you're looking at the chessboard, one of the calculations is the argument of remorse and contrition. That's the one thing they could argue to the jury. They couldn't have argued that if they'd gone to the guilt phase." (Read more Nikolas Cruz stories.)
(Newser)  Researchers have long known that a Viking settlement existed in North America centuries before Christopher Columbus was bornand they now have a firm date for it for the first time. Scientists who looked for the impact of a solar storm in tree rings from wood at the Newfoundland site determined that it was inhabited in 1021 AD, exactly 1,000 years ago, the New York Times reports. In a study published in the journal Nature, researchers say they analyzed three wooden items from the L'Anse aux Meadows site that had been cut with metal tools, which Indigenous people in the area didn't use at the time.

story continues below

The researchers say they looked for evidence of a cosmic ray event that caused elevated levels of radioactive carbon-14 in the atmosphere in 993 AD, and found it was exactly 28 rings before all three pieces of wood had been cut. Study co-author Margot Kuitems says the team searched through artifacts for offcuts "basically rubbish"so they could count rings to the bark layer. "If you have an artifact or even a construction beam, often those outer layers are stripped off," she says, per the Smithsonian. Kuitems says previous dates for the settlement were only known through Viking sagas, "oral histories that were only written down in the 13th century, at least 200 years after the events they described took place."

While the study has confirmed a date when the site was occupied, it's not clear whether it was toward the beginning or the end of a Viking occupation believed to have lasted up to 13 years. It's also unclear why the Viking settlers abandoned the settlement in what they called Vinland and returned to Greenland. Sturt Manning, a professor of archaeology at Cornell University, tells NBC that the cosmic ray technique is now being used to establish dates at other historic sites. "Its a clever application," he says. "This is the first clear evidence of Europeans arriving in North America." (Yale's Vinland map is now believed to be a fake.)
(Newser)  With one of the highest rates of COVID infection in the world and one of the lowest vaccination rates in Europe, Latvia has returned to lockdown. Authorities announced a monthlong lockdown after a recent surge in cases, making the Baltic state the first European country to reimpose tough mitigation measures, the Guardian reports. According to European Union figures, around 57% of adults in Latvia have been fully vaccinated, well below the EU average of 74%, reports Reuters.

story continues below

Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said Monday that vaccination is the only way out of the crisis. "I have to apologize to the already vaccinated," he said after the lockdown was announced. Schools and nonessential stores will be shut down and and there is a curfew in place from 8pm to 5am. The country's president, Egils Levits, tested positive last week. Authorities in Latvia say vaccination rates across the country have been very uneven, with a rate of under 25% in some areas, the Guardian reports.

Latvian health minister Daniels Pavluts has accused Russian-language media of spreading vaccine disinformation among the country's Russian speakers. Russia itself is also dealing with a surge in COVID cases. Bloomberg reports that Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has ordered unvaccinated seniors to stay home for the next few months. On Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin ordered most workers to stay off work for a week starting Oct. 30, the AP reports. Only around a third of Russians are fully vaccinated. (Read more COVID-19 stories.)
(Newser)  The US Supreme Court declined Tuesday to block a vaccine requirement imposed on Maine health care workers, the latest defeat for opponents of vaccine mandates. It was the first time the Supreme Court weighed in on a statewide vaccine mandate, the AP reports. The court previously rejected challenges of vaccine requirements for New York City teachers and Indiana University staff and students. Justice Stephen Breyer rejected the emergency appeal but left the door open to try again as the clock ticks on Maines mandate. The state will begin enforcing it Oct. 29. The Maine vaccine requirement put in place by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills requires hospital and nursing home workers to get vaccinated or risk losing their jobs.

story continues below

Opponents tried to block the mandate, but a federal judge rejected the request Oct. 13. The judge said the record indicated regular testing alone wasn't sufficient to stop the spread of the delta variant. That decision set off a flurry of emergency appeals to the 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals and then the US Supreme Court. A three-judge panel of the appeals court in Boston quickly dismissed the emergency appeal but fast-tracked additional arguments. That timetable provides enough time for another ruling before enforcement of the vaccine mandate begins at the end of next week.

Mat Staver, founder and chair of the Liberty Counsel, which challenged the vaccine mandate, said the Supreme Court is ready to consider the case "if we do not get relief from the appeals court in the coming days. The Maine attorney general's office declined to comment. The Liberty Counsel, which filed the lawsuit in federal court in Maine in August, claimed to be representing more than 2,000 health care workers who dont want to be forced to be vaccinated. Dozens of health care workers have opted to quit, and Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston has curtailed some admissions because of an "acute shortage" of nurses. But most health workers have complied.

(Read more vaccine mandate stories.)
(Newser)  Update: The FBI confirmed Wednesday that "what appears to be human remains" have been found in the Florida search for Brian Laundrie. WFLA reports that Michael McPherson, chief of the FBI's Tampa office, told a press conference that the partial remains were found near a backpack and notebook believed to belong to the missing 23-year-old. McPherson said forensic teams are examining the remains, which were found in a swampy area that was previously underwater, but it will take time to identify them, the AP reports. Authorities say Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park and the adjoining Carlton Preserve will remain closed while the find is investigated. Our story from earlier today follows:

story continues below

More than a month after he was last seen, a breakthrough may have been made in the search for Brian Laundrie. NBC News cites a "senior law enforcement official" who says human remains have been found near where items belonging to the missing 23-year-old were discovered in a Florida park Wednesday morning. According to NBC's source, the partial remains were found near a backpack in an area that was previously underwater. CNN reports that the Sarasota County Medical Examiner and a cadaver dog were called to the area.

Laundrie, who was last seen Sept. 13, is considered a person of interest in the death of fiancee Gabby Petito, whose body was found in Wyoming's Bridger-Teton National Forest weeks after Laundrie returned home alone from their cross-country road trip. His items were found in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park a day after the heavily wooded reserve reopened to the public. The park and the neighboring Carlton Reserve had been closed for a month during the FBI-led search for Laundrie. A lawyer for his parents says they went to the park accompanied by law enforcement Wednesday morning. The items were found in an area that apparently hadn't been explored during the search.

"Chris and Roberta Laundrie went to the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park this morning to search for Brian," lawyer Steven Bertolino said in a statement, per Fox 13. "The FBI and [North Port Police Department] were informed last night of Brians parents' intentions and they met Chris and Roberta there this morning. After a brief search off a trail that Brian frequented some articles belonging to Brian were found. As of now law enforcement is conducting a more thorough investigation of that area." (Read more Brian Laundrie stories.)
(Newser)  A government report in 2008 detailed the horrors of the industry that has grown up around dealing with troubled teenagers. The report listed abuse and even deaths among the young people put in the care of the boarding schools, boot camps, and other enterprises that make up the "troubled teen industry." Not much has changed since, Rolling Stone reports, with the industry allowed to operate with little accountability. On Wednesday, Paris Hilton went to Capitol Hill to put a face on the abuse that she and other survivors said they endured, in hopes of congressional action.

story continues below

"I was awakened one night by two men with handcuffs," Hilton, 40, wrote in Monday's Washington Post. "They asked if I wanted to go 'the easy way or the hard way' before carrying me from my home as I screamed for help. I had no idea why or where I was being taken against my will. I soon learned I was being sent to hell." At 17, Hilton was taken to the Provo Canyon School in Utah, the first of four such places where she was held. Her parents, she said, were taken in by the industry's misleading marketing, per USA Today. As many as 120,000 young people are in the system at a time.

While enrolled in the programs, Hilton told NBC on Wednesday, she was deprived of sleep, spied on while showering, choked, and slapped. "Every day, children are being physically, emotionally, verbally, psychologically, and sexually abused," she said. The entrepreneur and reality TV star supports legislation by Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley and Rep. Ro Khanna to combat abuse. The bill, still being developed, would guarantee young people in congregate care have the right to call their parents, not be restrained, and be provided clean drinking water and nutritional meals. There are no such guarantees now.

An advocacy group just released a report on mistreatment in congregate care, including sexual abuse. The problem is nationwide, the National Disability Rights Network said. Overuse of psychiatric medication was another finding; Hilton said she was forced to take medication without a diagnosis. Regulation now varies by state, an inconsistent system that Hilton said isn't working. Federal action is needed, she said, "to bring real reform and true accountability to congregate care." (Read more Paris Hilton stories.)
Please purchase a subscription read this premium content. If you have a subscription, please sign up for a digital website account or log in.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Export Bahrain and Dubai Industries & Exports have signed an agreement to provide solutions to Bahrain based businesses to foster export opportunities, enhance their business and geographically expand the scope of their activities to international markets.

The agreement seeks to consolidate efforts to increase the export of local businesses, enhance the competitiveness of Bahrain-based exporters and accelerate their access to global markets. According to the agreement, the two parties will organize joint workshops, business seminars and other training programs including the exchange of available data on export related activities to benefit Bahrain based exporters and support the promotion of their products and services.

Export Bahrain and Dubai Industries & Exports will work to support businesses from various sectors to explore possibilities in the UAE market and beyond as well as to provide them with solutions to identify potential international partners and buyers.

The efforts of Export Bahrain is geared towards developing partnerships and solutions that will provide Bahrains exporting businesses with every possible benefit and business links in all markets. This agreement is an opportunity to allow more exporters to discover new markets and our mission in Export Bahrain is to facilitate their export journey across a variety of sectors and this collaboration will add great value to exporters to access both regional and international markets, Export Bahrain Acting Chief Executive Officer, Safa Sharif Abdulkhaliq, said.

We encourage businesses to take advantage of this agreement to identify new customers and partners for their products and services in one of the largest regional markets and beyond.

The synergy will also stimulate mechanisms to enhance the export environment and will significantly accelerate trade between the Kingdom of Bahrain & Dubai. This partnership comes at a critical time to assist companies in Bahrain & Dubai to identify new export opportunities for their products and services, thereby expanding the growth horizons for exports and supporting businesses to be able to foray into new markets, which will stimulate trade growth,Dubai Industries & Exports Chief Executive Officer, Saed Alawadi, said.


Thank you for trusting us for your local news coverage. You have reached the maximum number of free articles per month. Subscribe today for unlimited access to News-Press NOW. It's a fast and easy way to support local journalism.
NEW MILFORD  A section of Route 7 was temporarily shut down Wednesday after a box truck driver lost control and caused a multi-vehicle collision in the area of 295 Danbury Road.

Police said the crash happened around 10:50 a.m. when the driver of a box truck traveled onto the northbound shoulder of Route 7 where he lost control and turned sharply across both lanes of travel before striking a northbound utility van.
Dear editor,

As a resident and a public school teacher in Danbury, I am significantly concerned about our education system. Despite claims that teachers are manipulating the information provided to the public, the facts demonstrate the previous and current city administration is failing our children and our citys economic prospects. They have underfunded our school system. Funding by the city to simply keep the lights on is insufficient. In both Norwalk and Stamford, the share of the local education budget is 15 percent higher than Danburys.

Having previously taught in other cities in Connecticut Ive seen first-hand how the failure to fund our school system affects the students, teachers, and the entire school system. Our teachers and administrators deserve credit for keeping a high level of education despite the economic challenges. To teach 21st century skills our schools must have funding to meet those needs.

As a taxpayer, I want our city to attract companies which provide well-paying jobs and revenue for the citys coffers. Yet, when a company sees Danburys school system is among the the worst funded in the state, they reconsider their choice. These companies want to hire quality educated citizens and they, also, have current employees who want excellent school systems for their children. While I recognize the state also must improve its funding for Danbury and other high needs districts, in the end, the destiny of Danbury is in our own hands.

Our schools are in crisis. I do not state this lightly. We must elect a new mayor who recognizes a healthy, strong school system is the backbone of our citys economic prosperity. I endorse Roberto Alves, because he confronts problems head-on, he recognizes it can be solved through community-based strategies and above all he has a strategic plan for addressing the educational needs of our children.

Heather Hierro-Lorenz is a Danbury resident.
Air Canada to offer Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) to its corporate customers; carbon offsets also available for purchase

Deloitte Canada is the first participant to join program

Airline acting on its long-term goal to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050

MONTREAL, Oct. 19, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada announced today that Deloitte Canada will be the first corporate customer to participate in its new LEAVE LESS Travel Program, which offers corporate customers effective options to offset or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to business travel and reduce their carbon footprint.

Corporate customers can now purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), carbon offsets or a combination of both. The LEAVE LESS Travel Program is one of the many comprehensive initiatives being implemented as part of Air Canada's Climate Action Plan and an additional step towards achieving the airline's long-term goal of net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.

"Building a long-term sustainable aviation industry requires a collective effort and companies will play a key role in building greener and more sustainable air travel. We are pleased to see that customers, such as Deloitte, are taking concrete actions by supporting and contributing to innovative solutions," said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer at Air Canada.

"Air Canada has made sustainability a core component of its business decisions. This initiative allows our corporate customers to offset or reduce the GHG emissions associated with their business travel and empowers their employees to make sustainable choices. With this, companies work towards their sustainability goals while they partner with us to advance decarbonization in the airline industry. Our new, industry-leading LEAVE LESS Travel Program shows our strong and ongoing commitment to transition to low carbon alternatives. It represents a meaningful step forward into reaching our ambitions to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050."

"Deloitte is steadfast in its commitments to address climate change by driving environmentally responsible choices within our organisation and beyond," said Anthony Viel, CEO at Deloitte Canada. "Our people and our clients know that stakeholders, customers, investors and shareholders desire more sustainable business strategies and we recognise the important role Canadian businesses collectively play in leading the commitment to transition to a low-carbon economy. We are thrilled to be the first company to jump on board this corporate program to accelerate adoption of a fuel source that can dramatically reduce emissions from aviation. By collaborating with Air Canada to increase the use of sustainable aviation fuel, we hope that we can inspire and help others contribute to a thriving Canada and a greener world."

A Simplified, Sustainable Journey

The LEAVE LESS Travel Program allows corporate customers to choose the offering they want through a customized approach using SAF, carbon offsets, or a combination of both, through four core actions:

Calculate: Air Canada tracks and calculates the GHG emissions associated with customers' business travel.

Air tracks and calculates the GHG emissions associated with customers' business travel. Select: Customers can choose how they want to mitigate their GHG emissions associated with their business travel: SAF and/or carbon offsets.

Customers can choose how they want to mitigate their GHG emissions associated with their business travel: SAF and/or carbon offsets. Purchase :

: SAF

Air Canada purchases the required SAF volumes and to ensure the customer can claim the benefits of its investment, Air Canada will implement a SAF certification system in-line with industry-leading best practices.

Air purchases the required SAF volumes and to ensure the customer can claim the benefits of its investment, Air Canada will implement a SAF certification system in-line with industry-leading best practices.

Carbon Offset:

Air Canada facilitates the purchase of carbon offsets

Air facilitates the purchase of carbon offsets Reduce: Customer contributes to its sustainability goals

The LEAVE LESS Travel Program, supports the airline's commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably goal 13: Climate Action. Through its Climate Action Plan, the airline has committed to investing $50 Million in SAF, and carbon reductions and removals.

The Air Canada LEAVE LESS Travel Program will source SAF from Neste, a leading producer of renewable fuels. In neat form and over the life cycle, Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel reduces GHG emissions from aircraft by up to 80% compared to fossil jet fuel.

Air Canada Climate Action Plan

Air Canada has set ambitious climate targets to realize a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) throughout its global operations by 2050. To reach this, Air Canada has set absolute midterm GHG net reduction targets by 2030 in its air and ground operations compared to its 2019 baseline and has committed to investing $50 Million in SAF, and carbon reductions and removals.

Air Canada has built a solid foundation in energy sustainability through numerous comprehensive initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint. Since 2016, over 115 fuel-efficiency projects have been achieved and contributed to more than 145,000 tCO 2 e saved. Since 2016, the airline reduced more than 145,000 tCO 2 e from its air operations through fuel efficiency initiatives, including participating in eight biofuel flights with ongoing, active support for the development of SAF in Canada including working with the Government of Canada on policy development to support a Canadian-based sustainable aviation fuel industry.

In 2020 and 2019, Air Canada was recognized by Vancouver Airport Authority as the YVR Green Excellence winner for green initiatives on Sea Island including water and energy conservation, waste minimization and the Richmond Ocean Shoreline Cleanup.

Air Canada's ESG initiatives are further detailed in the airline's Corporate Sustainability Report, Citizens of the World.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements may involve, but are not limited to, comments relating to guidance, strategies, expectations, planned operations or future actions. Forward-looking statements are identified using terms and phrases such as "preliminary", "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "predict", "project", "will", "would", and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions, including those described herein and are subject to important risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements cannot be relied upon due to, amongst other things, changing external events and general uncertainties of the business. Actual results may differ materially from results indicated in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including the factors identified herein and in Air Canada's public disclosure file available at www.sedar.com including those factors identified in section 17 "Risk Factors" of Air Canada's 2020 MD&A. The forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this news release represent Air Canada's expectations as of the date of this news release (or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made) and are subject to change after such date. However, Air Canada disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline and, in 2019, was among the top 20 largest airlines in the world. It is Canada's flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax. In 2020, Air Canada was named Global Traveler's Best Airline in North America for the second straight year. In January 2021, Air Canada received APEX's Diamond Status Certification for the Air Canada CleanCare+ biosafety program for managing COVID-19, the only airline in Canada to attain the highest APEX ranking. Air Canada has also committed to a net zero emissions goal from all global operations by 2050. For more information, please visit: aircanada.com/media, follow Air Canada on Twitter and LinkedIn, and join Air Canada on Facebook.

About Deloitte Canada

Deloitte provides audit and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, tax, and related services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. Deloitte serves four out of five Fortune Global 500 companies through a globally connected network of member firms in more than 150 countries and territories bringing world-class capabilities, insights, and service to address clients' most complex business challenges. Deloitte LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership, is the Canadian member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see www.deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms.



Our global Purpose is making an impact that matters. At Deloitte Canada, that translates into building a better future by accelerating and expanding access to knowledge. We believe we can achieve this Purpose by living our shared values to lead the way, serve with integrity, take care of each other, foster inclusion, and collaborate for measurable impact.



To learn more about Deloitte's approximately 330,000 professionals, over 11,000 of whom are part of the Canadian firm, please connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.

Media Resources:

Photos

Videos

B-Roll

Articles

SOURCE Air Canada

For further information: Contacts: [email protected] ;Internet: aircanada.com/media ;Sign up for Air Canada news: aircanada.com

Related Links

www.aircanada.com


The Alberta Labour Relations Board (ALRB) will consider the application for certification and will decide at a later date if a vote should be held to determine whether these workers will be represented by the Teamsters Union.

CALGARY, AB, Oct. 19, 2021 /CNW/ - Today, Teamsters Local Union 987 filed an application for certification to represent workers at Amazon's YYC 1 fulfillment centre, located near the Calgary airport.

The Alberta Labour Relations Board (ALRB) will consider the application for certification and will decide at a later date if a vote should be held to determine whether these workers will be represented by the Teamsters Union.

This is the second application for certification among Amazon workers in Alberta. On September 13, 2021, Teamsters Local Union 362 applied to the ALRB for certification at Amazon's YEG 1 warehouse in Nisku. The Union is waiting for the Board's decision. That application was the first step in the Canadian Teamsters campaign to unionize workers at this American company.

"People at Amazon tell us that job security, the pace of work, discrimination and favouritism are major issues for them," explains Teamsters Canada President Francois Laporte. "We have the resources and the ability to put a stop to those injustices, and that's why these workers have opted for the Teamsters."

For some time now, news reports have confirmed Amazon workers' complaints. More and more people are questioning their work practices and what appears to be inequalities against some of its workers. Some of them in Calgary have also reported that the employer held small meetings to say they knew who had signed union cards.

Teamsters Local Union 987 has filed one unfair labour practice complaint with the ALRB related to Amazon's inappropriate use of security guards since the Teamsters began their organizing campaign, and are likely to file another as a result of the employers continuing illegal actions..

It is common knowledge that former Amazon workers, now social media bloggers, have reported that promotions are left to the discretion of managers who may or may not be competent. In addition, 10 to 12-hour shifts would not be are not conducive to work/family balance. The rate of productivity is strictly measured, making bathroom break a luxury that workers cannot afford. Not to mention the fact that it would be almost impossible for them to sit down during their shifts.

"When I hear workers report things like that, I wonder if we're in the year 2021 or back in the 1950s," states Teamsters Local Union 987 Secretary-Treasurer Jim Haryett. "Those inequalities just back up the promise Teamsters made to these workers: we're going to stand by them and support them, at their pace, all the way through this process, and help them at every step."

The organizing campaign at Amazon was launched at the June 2021 Convention of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. This large-scale drive is being carried out jointly by dozens of Teamsters local unions in the United States and Canada.

"Whatever the outcome of the campaign at YYC 1, the Teamsters support Amazon workers," concludes Teamsters Canada President Laporte. "They're not alone, and we're not backing down."

"We will stand by the workers for as long as it takes."

Teamsters Canada represents 125,000 workers across Canada across multiple industries. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, with which Teamsters Canada is affiliated, has 1.4 million members in North America.

SOURCE Teamsters Canada

For further information: Stephane Lacroix, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Cell : 514 [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.teamsters.ca/index.php?lang=en


Punjab is slated to go to the polls early next year and the Amarinder Singh resigning and deciding to float a new political party months before has added a new dimension to the poll arithmetic in the state.

Former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh will launch a new political party soon to fight the forthcoming assembly polls in the state and is hopeful of a tie-up with BJP if the ongoing protest by farmer unions against three farm laws is resolved in farmers interest.

In a series of tweets by his media advisor Raveen Thukral, the former chief minister also said that he is also looking at alliance with like-minded parties such as breakaway Akali groups, particularly Dhindsa and Brahmpura factions.

Amarinder Singh, who had resigned last month as chief minister and had announced that he will be quitting the Congress, said he will soon announce the launch of his political party to serve the interests of Punjab and its people.

The battle for Punjabs future is on. Will soon announce the launch of my own political party to serve the interests of Punjab & its people, including our farmers whove been fighting for their survival for over a year: @capt_amarinder, Thukral said in a tweet.

Hopeful of a seat arrangement with @BJP4India in 2022 Punjab Assembly polls if #FarmersProtest is resolved in farmers interest. Also looking at alliance with like-minded parties such as breakaway Akali groups, particularly Dhindsa & Brahmpura factions: @capt_amarinder, he added.

Amarinder Singh said Punjab needs political stability and protection from internal and external threats. He said he will ensure peace and security which was at stake in the state.

I will not rest till I can secure the future of my people and my state. Punjab needs political stability and protection from internal & external threats. I promise my people I will do what it takes to ensure its peace and security, which is today at stake: @capt_amarinder, Thukral said in a tweet.

Amarinder Singh had resigned as Chief Minister last month and said he had been let down by the party leadership. He had resigned ahead of Congress legislature party meeting which was called amid unending factional battles in the ruling Congress in the state.

Punjab is slated to go to the polls early next year and the Amarinder Singh resigning and deciding to float a new political party months before has added a new dimension to the poll arithmetic in the state. The former Chief Minister had arrived in Delhi on Monday on a two-day visit.

He had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah last month to discuss the prevailing security scenario in the border state and the ongoing farmers agitation. Amarinder Singh had told the media that he will be quitting the Congress but will not be joining the BJP.

Charanjeet Singh Channi took oath as Chief Minister days after Amarinder Singh stepped down. Amarinder Singh had also taken a dig at Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu after he tendered his resignation. The former chief minister said he had stated earlier that Sidhu is not a stable man and not fit for the border state of Punjab.
The Kushinagar International Airport has been built at an estimated cost of Rs. 260 crore. It will facilitate domestic and international pilgrims to visit the Mahaparinirvana sthal of Lord Buddha and is an endeavour in connecting the Buddhist pilgrimage holy sites around the world.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated Kushinagar International Airport in Uttar Pradesh. Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other dignitaries were also present at the ceremony. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister gave its approval for the declaration of Kushinagar Airport in Uttar Pradesh as an International Airport in June 2020.

Kushinagar Airport is located in the vicinity of several Buddhist Cultural Sites like Sravasti, Kapilvastu, Lumbini (Kushinagar itself is a Buddhist cultural site) and declaration as an International Airport will offer improved connectivity, wider choice of competitive costs to the air-travellers. It will result in boosting of domestic/international tourism and economic development of the regions.

Kushinagar is located in the north-eastern part of Uttar Pradesh about 50 km east of Gorakhpur and is one of the important Buddhist pilgrimage sites. The inauguration of the Kushinagar International Airport will be marked by the landing of the inaugural flight at the airport from Colombo, Sri Lanka, carrying a Sri Lankan delegation of over a hundred Buddhist Monks and dignitaries including the 12-member Holy Relic entourage bringing the Holy Buddha Relics for Exposition.

The delegation also comprises of Anunayakas (deputys heads) of all four Nikatas (orders) of Buddhism in Sri Lanka i.e Asgiriya, Amarapura, Ramana, Malwatta as well as five ministers of the Government of Sri Lanka led by Cabinet Minister Namal Rajapakshe.

The Kushinagar International Airport has been built at an estimated cost of Rs. 260 crore. It will facilitate domestic and international pilgrims to visit the Mahaparinirvana sthal of Lord Buddha and is an endeavour in connecting the Buddhist pilgrimage holy sites around the world. The airport will serve nearby districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and is an important step in boosting the investment & employment opportunities in the region.
Ten people, including Ashish Mishra, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ajay Kumar Mishra 'Teni', have been arrested so far in connection with the case.

The Supreme Court will on Wednesday hear the case relating to the October 3 violence in Lakhimpur Kheri where eight persons, including four farmers, were killed during a farmers protest. A Bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli will hear the matter tomorrow as two lawyers had written a letter seeking a high-level judicial inquiry, also involving the CBI, in the incident.

The apex court had on October 8 expressed dissatisfaction over the steps taken by the Uttar Pradesh government in the killing of eight persons. Ten people, including Ashish Mishra, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ajay Kumar Mishra Teni, have been arrested so far in connection with the case.

The top court had said it is not satisfied with the action taken by the Uttar Pradesh government in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence and also questioned the State on why accused Ashish Mishra was not arrested so far. Ashish Mishra had allegedly mowed down farmers with his car. The police had served a notice to Mishra and summoned him for questioning.

The top court had said that Uttar Pradesh government is not proceeding in manner in which it should proceed against accused while adding that killing of eight people in Lakhimpur Kheri is a brutal murder and law must take its course against all accused.

The top court had asked the Uttar Pradesh government whether in other murder cases the police issue summons instead of arresting the accused. Not arresting the accused is sending a wrong message, the Bench had observed as the police has not arrested Ashish Mishra.

The Bench had further observed that transferring the case to CBI for investigation is also not a solution. The apex court then ordered the DGP of Uttar Pradesh government to protect evidence and other materials in the case and not destroy all in interim by the time another agency takes it over. The Bench had said it hopes the State government will take necessary steps due to the sensitivity of the issue and it expects responsible government, system and police.

During the hearing of case on violence in Lakhimpur Kheri, the top court had expressed apprehension over the fair probe in the case because of officers involved in the case, saying that it has seen details of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), set up to probe the matter, and the DIG, Superintendent of police, Circle Officers etc. all are local people.

The Bench was hearing a letter petition by two advocates  Shiv Kumar Tripathi and CS Panda  seeking punishment for politicians allegedly involved in the ghastly incident. The letter has stated, Having regard to the seriousness of the killing of the farmers at district Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh, it is incumbent upon this Court to intervene in the matter as flashed in the press.

A single-member Commission of Enquiry with headquarters at Lakhimpur Kheri has been constituted to investigate the death of eight persons in Lakhimpur Kheri. Uttar Pradesh government has appointed retired Allahabad High Court judge Pradeep Kumar Srivastava as single member Commission to inquire into the incident and enquiry to be completed within a period of two months.

Earlier, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, party MP Deepender Hooda and Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president Ajay Kumar Lallu, reached the village and visited the victims families.

Local farmers blame Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Kumar Mishra Teni and his son for the violence that left eight dead, including four farmers a local journalist and others. They were mowed down by a vehicle which was part of the convoy of Minister in Lakhimpur Kheri in north-central Uttar Pradesh.

Videos are also being circulated on social media where a Mahindra Thar was seen knocking down protesters from behind. The Minister and his son deny the charges. Ashish Mishra and 20 others have been booked for murder but not arrested yet. The government gave Rs 45 lakh as compensation for each family and announced a judicial probe. Channi and Baghel also announced Rs 50 lakh compensation each to the victims families.
Countries like Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, China, India and the United States were invited to the meeting. However, the US would not attend the meeting, reported the Afghan news agency reported.

An Afghan delegation led by the Deputy second Prime Minister of Islamic Emirates government left Kabul to attend the Moscow meeting on Afghanistan on Wednesday, said local media. According to Tolo News, the delegation includes the acting foreign minister Amir Khan Mutaqi, among other ministers of the Taliban government.

Political and economic issues, as well as humanitarian aid, are expected to be the main topics of discussion in Moscow, the Tolo News report said. Countries like Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, China, India and the United States were invited to the meeting. However, the US would not attend the meeting, reported the Afghan news agency reported.

The US will not attend, and Russias Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said official recognition of the Taliban is not under discussion at the moment. The delegation has gone to Russia to make Afghanistans position clear, the agency quoted Inaamullah Samangani as saying.

The acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mutaqi expressed hopes that the meeting would lead to recognition of the Islamic emirate by international countries, the Tolo News reported citing Mutaqis recent interview. Representatives of many countries will participate in the meeting, so the meeting is important for Afghanistan, said Mutaqi.

At the same time, the US has made it clear that the country will not participate in the scheduled meeting. We will not participate in the Moscow talks. The Troika Plus has been an effective, constructive forum. We look forward to engaging in that forum going forward, but were not in a position to take part this week, US State Dept spokesperson Ned Price said.

Meanwhile, ahead of the Talibans upcoming visit to Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday said the official recognition of the Taliban is not under discussion at the moment.

Official recognition of the Taliban is not under discussion for now, Tolo News quoted Lavrov, adding, Like most of other influential countries in the region, we are in contact with them. We are prodding them to fulfill the promises they made when they came to power.

We encourage them to live up to the promises they made when they came to power, including ensuring that the government is inclusive not only along the ethnic lines but also along the political lines so that the full range of political beliefs of the society is reflected in the governments composition, Sputnik said quoting Lavrov.

This comes after members of the Extended Troika format on Afghanistan met in Moscow on Tuesday and discussed common threats and humanitarian assistance to Kabul.
WASHINGTON  The Gunn Historical Museums 14th Annual Washington Cemetery Tour will be held in person from 6:3-8:30 p.m. Oct. 29. The tour is produced by the Gunn Museum under the direction of local theater luminaries Doug and Martha Winkel of The Dramalites.

The Washington Cemetery Tour is an annual living history event that showcases the rich history of Washington through costumed actors who portray residents from the past. In this years tour, we will be sharing new stories highlighting Residents of The Green; untold, fascinating accounts of those who lived and worked around Washington Green. Costumed tour guides with lanterns will lead groups of visitors along a magical path of 1,000 luminaries, spanning a quarter-mile from the Gunn Museum through the shadowy Washington Green Cemetery, where the town's departed citizens will be stationed at their graves to tell their true tales.

New this year: Tickets are free, and are required to attend. Tickets can only be obtained in advance by online reservation at www.gunnmuseum.org. No onsite tickets will be available as in years past. Attendees must check in at the booth in the museum parking lot 15 minutes before a tour departure time. Print tickets ahead of time, or have them ready on your phone when you check in. If you are late and miss your tour, you cant be added to another one.

The Washington Green Cemetery Tour starts at the Gunn Historical Museum at 5 Wykeham Road, Washington, CT. Tours depart every ten minutes between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. and last approximately one hour. The First Congregational Church at 6 Kirby Road, across the street from the Museum, will be a stop on the Cemetery Tour this year. The Gunn Library and Museum buildings will not be open during the tour this year due to the ongoing pandemic. While there is no fee for this event, donations are greatly appreciated.

We ask that you please be mindful and select a time slot that you are certain you can attend, so that the tours can run smoothly the evening of the Cemetery Tour. No changes can be made to online reservations the day of the Cemetery Tour. If, for any reason, you need to cancel or change your time slot, you must do so online at least one day in advance, tour organizers said.

Tour guests are encouraged to bring a flashlight, dress warmly, wear comfortable walking shoes, and carpool since parking is limited. The Washington Cemetery Tour will adhere to COVID safety protocols; please be mindful of social distancing and we strongly encourage all attendees to wear face masks. The rain date for the Cemetery Tour is Oct. 30.

Parking is limited. Be sure to allocate extra time to find a parking space and check in, and park in one of the following designated parking lots or nearby side streets if the lots are full: Gunn Library parking lot at 5 Wykeham Road or Washington Club Hall parking lot at 92 Green Hill Road.

The Gunn Historical Museum is located at 5 Wykeham Road in Washington, Connecticut. Contact 860-868-7756 or info@gunnhistoricalmuseum.org for information or visit our website: www.gunnmuseum.org.

Nutrition program holding Thanksgiving campaign

TORRINGTON  The Litchfield Hills Northwest Elderly Nutrition Programs Twelfth Annual Thanksgiving x 365 Fundraising campaign has begun.

The LHNW Elderly Nutrition Program oversees meal sites in Falls Village, Harwinton, Lakeville, Morris, Torrington and Winsted providing nutritious meals, socialization, volunteer opportunities and camaraderie, members said. In addition, the program runs Meals on Wheels, which delivers meals to more than 400 homebound seniors living in an 18 town region throughout Litchfield County allowing seniors to age in place at home.

Klebe Fuel has been an important partner in this campaign. As part of their year-long Klebe Cares program, the company has pledged to match donations received through their office. Customers of Klebe Fuel, which has been in business for over 30 years, pledge donations through their regular oil payments. The Klebe Community has raised over $26,600 to date.

Remember that $5 feeds a senior for a day, $1825 for a year. A donation of any size is appreciated.

To help, call the Elderly Nutrition Program at 860-482-4151 or Klebe Fuel at 860-738-1114

Get ready for Medicare enrollment

SALISBURY  On Thursday, October 28th at Noon, Noble Horizons hosts professionals from the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging at noon Oct. 28, who provide unbiased assistance to Medicare beneficiaries seeking the 2022 health and drug plans best suited to their needs.

The annual Medicare Open Enrollment is Oct. 15-Dec. 7, when beneficiaries may join or switch plans which change yearly. Medicare strongly encourages beneficiaries to note any upcoming changes to your plans costs or benefits to ensure that your 2022 Medicare coverage meets your needs for the year ahead.

This free event is open to the public.

The program is virtual - register at www.noblehorizons.org/events or call Caroline Burchfield at 860-435-9851 for more information.
HAMDEN  The community is mourning the death of a 12-year-old Dunbar Hill Elementary School student.

Jay Melton died on Oct. 15, police Detective Sean Dolan confirmed Tuesday.

This has been a very difficult time for our Dunbar Hill community, Superintendent of Schools Jody Goeler said in a statement about Jays death. Our thoughts are with the childs family and friends as they deal with this terrible loss. ... The Dunbar Hill community will continue to pull together to assist the family in every way possible to help them through this very difficult time.

The school also is working to support students and staff affected by the tragedy.

After learning of Jays death, Dunbar Hill Principal Laura Rodriguez opened her school for her staff on Saturday to allow ... everyone to process this tragic loss and develop a plan to address the needs of students when they arrived at school yesterday (Monday), Goeler said.

A team of social workers, psychologists and counselors was at the school Monday morning to provide individual assistance and lead discussion sessions, he said, also indicating that Rodriguez was debriefing with staff every day to assess student needs and plan accordingly.

The Dunbar Hill School Parent Teacher Association indicated in a Facebook post that a therapy dog would be made available to students.

The Dunbar Hill community is deeply saddened by the passing of one of our students, another PTA post said. Please know the PTA is here to provide support and comfort for all our students and staff as they process and deal with this tragedy. Everyone processes grief differently, and we will support our community through this.

A GoFundMe page eliciting support for Jays family also began circulating early this week.

The fundraiser, which can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-jay-melton, had brought in more than $21,900 as of Wednesday afternoon.

Its creators are Tom and Alyssa Figlar, who identified themselves as close friends of the family.

The money raised will go toward the boys memorial service and expenses related to the death, such as lost wages and therapy, according to Tom Figlar.

It was a tragedy and hes gonna be missed, he said. Jay was a great kid.  He was like a son to me and my wife.  He was my sons best friend, and he was just an awesome kid.

Figlar said the Melton family wished for privacy.

Jay leaves behind his father, Greg Melton, as well as a sister, according to the Figlars GoFundMe page.

A Facebook message seeking comment was sent to Greg Melton.

meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com
NEW HAVEN  Mayoral candidates Justin Elicker and John Carlson clashed on a few things, including policing, affordable housing, the citys budget and how best to educate the citys students, but for the most part kept it pretty cordial in a debate Tuesday night at Cooperative Arts & Humanities High School.

It was the first city debate between a Democrat  in this case first-term incumbent Elicker  and a Republican, Carlson, in 14 years, coming in the first election featuring a Republican candidate since H. Richter Elser ran against Mayor John DeStefano Jr. in 2007.

As might be expected, Elicker for the most part talked about what hes already doing. Carlson, pressed for specifics on what he might do differently, offered some possibilities.

The debate was co-sponsored by The Democracy Fund, the New Haven Independent and La Voz Hispana.

Questions came from a panel that included retired New Haven Register reporter Mary OLeary, La Voz Hispana Publisher Norma Rodriguez-Reyes, radio journalist Michelle Turner of WSME radio, WTNH TV Chief Political Correspondent Jodi Latina and New Haven Independent Editor Paul Bass, who also was moderator.

Responding to a question from Latina, who pointed out that Carlson has been outspoken on crime and says he wont handcuff the police, Elicker said, No one is handcuffing the police and that he and Acting Police Chief Renee Dominguez have worked hard to combat the recent rise in violent crime, which has mirrored a national trend.

Our strategy is manyfold and the city is actually increasing the numbers of officers walking on the beat, as well as investing federal recovery dollars it has received in more cameras throughout the city and an expansion of the ShotSpotter electronic gunshot warning system, Elicker said.

Carlson said its true crime is increasing across the nation, but in New Haven, he said, we havent done enough to stop it.

Asked by OLeary how he would accomplish all the things he says he would do for the city, such as paving more streets, which costs money, Carlson said, I would go line by line and implement zero-based budgets ... keep what we need, get rid of what we dont.

Elicker said he was unapologetic about the way he has spent city funds, including creating an all-new city department, the Community Resilience Department, to focus on mental health issues as one way to head off crime.

But throughout his first term, Ive been honest with our city about the challenges we face, Elicker said.

Elicker responded to a question from Turner about whether he should return funds he accepted from The Democracy Fund, New Havens first-in-Connecticut public election financing program, which allowed him to collect donations with a $390 limit per election or primary, only to see the expected primary evaporate when Karen DuBois-Walton withdrew, by saying he followed both the spirit and the rules of The Democracy Fund.

New Haven residents are driving my campaign, Elicker said.

Carlson said allowing candidates to keep funds collected for a primary even if it doesnt take place is a flaw in the rule, and I would have given the money back. The rule should be changed, Carlson said.

Asked by Rodriguez-Reyes what plans he might have for a moderate-income home ownership program at a time when folks from New York are buying every single home thats out there, Carlson said, Theres no need to give big corporations tax breaks.

Elicker said the city already is providing assistance, including a new complex being build at Thompson Street and Winchester Avenue in Newhallville, and the citys down payment assistance program, where we help people pay down payments on their homes.

Asked by Bass whether it matters that no Blacks or Latinos are in any of city governments top five jobs, Elicker said it does matter, but his administration is trying to become more representative of the community, not just among elected officials.

Carlson responded that we have a very diverse city but his administration is not diverse.

Carlson has criticized the citys school system for its spending. Asked by Latina what he would do differently, he said, to begin with, I would cut waste at the top. Theres no need for New Haven to have a public information officer making $120,000 a year.

Elicker took issue with Carlsons suggestion that New Haven spends more to educate its students than comparable cities, but said, We need to do more for our children.

Turner asked Carlson, given that Democrats outnumber Republicans 14-1 in the city, How would you convince those who vote the party ticket to vote for you?

Carlson responded, Dont be politically prejudiced. Just like you wouldnt judge someone by the color of the skin, you shouldnt judge them by what political party theyre in, he said.

Your party is your choice, responded Elicker, his voice rising. The color of your skin is not your choice, so lets not make that comparison.

But I think we need to be honest about politics today, and whats happening on both the local and national levels, and make sure we have values we can share, he said.

Elicker, who is fluent in Spanish, surprised some people  and went over the heads of a majority of the audience  when he responded to a question from Rodriguez-Reyes about how the city can do a better job of educating Hispanics by speaking entirely in Spanish.

He talks the talk but he doesnt walk the walk, said Carlson. His education system doesnt reflect the population, just like the Police Department.

In response to Latinas question about the citys use of increased state PILOT money and CARES Act funds this year to balance the budget, and what it might do in the future, Elicker said weve been honest with our residents, Elicker said.

He pointed out that the $50 million increase in Payments in Lieu of Taxes funds from the state is not a one-time thing. Thats a change in the formula  every year, instead of $40 million, well have $90 million.

Carlson said that PILOT sounds great to everyone, but half of the property we have in the city is not on the tax rolls. The easiest way to fix that, he said, is to pressure the legislature to rewrite our constitution and tax Yale.

The two candidates also differed on COVID mandates, which Elicker supports and has used. Carlson said the vaccinations work. Masks work. But I would not force anybody to get vaccinated.

In response to a question from OLeary about charter revision, Elicker said, its very important that we have four-year-terms in New Haven. Its important to get things done. He also said the city should keep as much of an appointed Board of Education as possible because it keeps politics out of it.

Carlson said the school board should be all elected, so appointed members dont feel pressure from the mayor, who sits on the board. With regard to term lengths, he said, I can get it done in two.

Elicker, 45, former executive director of the New Haven Land Trust and a former East Rock alder, is seeking a second term after defeating former Mayor Toni Harp in both a Democratic primary and the general election in 2019.

Carlson, 52, a Greenwich Avenue resident and Bridgeport teacher who took over as Republican town chairman in March 2020, accepted the GOP nomination after being asked to run at the Republican Town Committees annual nominating convention.

The debate was livestreamed both on the WTNH website and the New Haven Independent Facebook page.

The last time New Haven had a Republican mayor was 1953.
GOLDEN, Colo. (AP)  The trial of a former Nevada prison inmate accused of the 1984 killing of a suburban Denver woman ended Wednesday in a mistrial after his lawyers requested he be evaluated to determine if he is mentally competent to stand trial.

The judge declared the mistrial a day after opening statements in Alex Ewings trial and granted the defense's request. The motion is sealed so it is not known why they requested the evaluation.

Ewing, 61, was convicted in August of killing three members of a Denver area family in 1984, six days after he is accused of killing Patricia Smith, 50, in Lakewood. He was sentenced in August to three consecutive life sentences for killing Bruce and Debra Bennett and their 7-year-old daughter Melissa in Aurora.

On Tuesday, Chief Deputy District Attorney Katharine Decker told jurors that there were numerous similarities between the killings of the Bennett family and Smith, The Denver Post reported.

In both cases, the killer entered through an open garage and rummaged through purses and all the victims suffered blunt force trauma consistent with a hammer being used, she said. Both Smith and Melissa Bennett were sexually assaulted and Ewings semen was found in the same places at both crime scenes, Decker said.

Semen and similarities, she said, employing a phrase shed use multiple times in her opening statement. Thats what this case comes down to. Thats how we know the defendant sexually assaulted and killed Patricia Smith.

However, Ewings attorney, Katherine Powers Spengler, said that some critical pieces of evidence had been contaminated and compromised since the killing nearly 40 years ago and that the DNA found on certain items of clothing do not match Ewings.

The prosecution leads you to believe this case is simple, Spengler told jurors. The prosecution wants you to trust some DNA, ignore other DNA evidence and look no further. Its anything but simple.

Ewing was identified as a suspect in 2018 through DNA evidence while in imprisoned in Nevada, where he was convicted of attacking a couple in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson in 1984 with an ax handle in their bedroom. The results of a DNA sample taken from Ewing were linked with DNA eventually developed from evidence taken from the scenes of the Colorado killings.
3 1 of 3 Viktoria Sundqvist Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Viktoria Sundqvist Show More Show Less 3 of 3





An Arizona man was sentenced to more than a year in prison for trafficking drugs into New Haven, according to federal prosecutors.

The Drug Enforcement Administrations New Haven Task Force and New Haven Police Department began investigating an organization in 2018 that they believed was trafficking kilogram-quantities of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine from Mexico and Arizona into the New Haven area, according to Connecticut Acting U.S. Attorney Leonard Boyle.
BALTIMORE (AP)  A Maryland congressman who is a practicing anesthesiologist said on a radio show that he prescribed a medication typically used to treat parasites in livestock and humans as a treatment for COVID-19.

Republican Rep. Andy Harris, who represents Maryland's 1st District, made the comments during a call-in radio program that he and his wife, Nicole, co-hosted last month on WCBM, an AM radio station in the Baltimore area, The Washington Post reported. However, Harris said on the program that he couldnt find a pharmacist who would fill it.

Its gotten bad. ... The pharmacists are just refusing to fill it," Harris said on the Casey & Company show on Sept. 17. He was responding to a call from a 63-year-old man who said he and his 56-year-old wife had opted not to be vaccinated. The caller said he wanted to use ivermectin a couple of times a week to boost his immune system but his doctor objected.

You can go all the doctor-shopping you want; I dont think youre going to find a pharmacist to fill the prescription. Thats the problem, Harris said, adding that national pharmacy organizations are saying pharmacies shouldnt do it. Its ridiculous.

The Food and Drug Administration has not approved ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19 and has warned people to avoid the drug. Merck, the manufacturer of ivermectin, has said there is no indication the drug is safe or effective against COVID-19.

Also on the program, Harris expressed opposition to both mask and vaccine mandates, specifically asking whether masks do anything.

Earlier this year, Harris was outspoken in support of coronavirus vaccines, even appearing at community centers to administer shots himself. But he subsequently encouraged parents not to allow their children to be vaccinated until the vaccines received full approval for children from the FDA.

Harris wrote letters to the University System of Maryland and Republican Gov. Larry Hogan earlier this year asking them to suspend vaccine mandates on campuses, citing concerns about exceedingly rare side effects associated with Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  A timeline of key moments in the July 15, 2017, fatal shooting of Justine Ruszczyk Damond, who called 911 to report a possible crime, and the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor, who killed her:

July 15, 2017  Damond calls 911 to report hearing a possible sexual assault in the alley behind her home. Officers Matthew Harrity and Mohamed Noor respond and, finding nothing, they prepare to leave when Harrity is startled by a loud noise. Noor, in the passenger seat, shoots past Harrity, striking Damond through the drivers side window.

July 16  Hundreds gather in Damonds neighborhood to mourn. Mayor Betsy Hodges says she is heartsick and deeply disturbed." State investigators say the officers hadn't turned on their body cameras and that squad car video didnt capture the shooting.

July 17  An autopsy shows that Damond, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Australia, died of a gunshot to the abdomen. The officer who shot her is identified as Mohamed Noor, a Somali American with less than two years of experience.

July 20  Police Chief Janee Harteau makes her first remarks about the shooting, saying it should not have happened but defending Noors training.

July 21  Harteau resigns after Hodges says she no longer has confidence in the chief. At a news conference to discuss the change, Hodges is shouted down by protesters who say she should resign, too.

Nov. 18  City Councilman Jacob Frey defeats Hodges in an election that was influenced by police-community relations.

March 20, 2018  Noor is charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter and is fired. A count of second-degree intentional murder is added later.

July 23  Damond's family files a $50 million lawsuit against Noor and the city.

March 1, 2019  Noor pleads not guilty.

April 9  Opening statements are made at Noors trial. Defense attorney Peter Wold says Noor was reacting to a loud noise, feared an ambush and used reasonable force to protect himself and his partner. A prosecutor questioned a key part of one officers account.

April 25  Noor testifies, making his first public statements since Damonds death. He says he saw fear in his partners eyes, then saw a woman appear at his partners window and raise her right arm before he fired his gun to stop the threat.

April 29  Closing arguments are made. Defense attorney Thomas Plunkett argues that Noor was caught up in a perfect storm of events but acted as he was trained. Prosecutors say Noor was responsible for a tragic event of his own making and urge jurors to convict him.

April 30  The jury convicts Noor of third-degree murder and manslaughter and acquits him on the more serious charge of second-degree intentional murder.

May 3  City officials say Minneapolis will pay a $20 million settlement to Damonds family.

June 7  Noor is sentenced to 12 1/2 years for third-degree murder. He apologizes to Damond's family and says he knew what he did was wrong.

Feb. 1, 2021  Minnesota Appeals Court upholds Noor's murder conviction.

Sept. 15  The Minnesota Supreme Court throws out Noor's murder conviction, saying third-degree murder didnt fit the case because Noor directed his actions at a specific person. Noor remains convicted of manslaughter.

Oct. 21  Noor returns to court to be sentenced for manslaughter.
NEW HAVEN  The number of employees in danger of losing their jobs in the Yale New Haven Health System continues to drop, with 86 staffers now either having been terminated or in the process, officials said Wednesday.

Dr. Ohm Deshpande, associate chief clinical officer, said during an online news briefing that of 94 employees who had not been vaccinated as of Monday, eight of them actually got vaccinated at the last minute or submitted vaccination cards.

He said as of Wednesday morning, 49 employees had been let go and 37 were in the process, though some of them may be getting vaccinated as well. He said 0.2 percent of the health systems more than 28,000 employees have not gotten vaccinated, which is really, I think, a wonderful place to be. Obviously, were not happy when anyone leaves the organization when theyre valuable employees, but this is actually a pretty good story.

Deshpande said anyone who has been terminated may return if they get vaccinated and were happy to have them back.

He said while there are just 51 COVID-19 patients in the systems five hospitals, our hospitals are more than full. Our clinical staffs are stressed beyond belief. CEO Marna Borgstrom said 24 of the 51 patients were in intensive care and 18 of those were on ventilators.

She said 29 patients were in Yale New Haven Hospital, six in Bridgeport Hospital, two in Greenwich Hospital and seven each in Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London and Westerly Hospital in Rhode Island.

Deshpande said the health system is only giving boosters for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, but we expect that by the end of today there will be boosters approved for both Moderna and J&J, referring to Johnson & Johnson, and it seems from the current reports that it is likely that there will be some version of permission given to mix and match vaccines, specifically giving mRNA vaccine to someone who got a J&J.

Pfizer and Moderna are mRNA vaccines while Johnson & Johnson triggers the body to create antibodies by delivering part of the coronavirus DNA that creates the spike protein.

Deshpande said about 20 percent of employees eligible to receive the Pfizer booster have gotten it. Thats not because of supply. Thats simply because of demand, he said. And I think were seeing that across the board that while there are folks that are very excited to get boosters, the response is not nearly the same as what we saw in the beginning of the year when we were all getting our initial vaccines.

Deshpande said its possible that giving an mRNA booster to someone who received a J&J vaccine might give more protection. But thats been conjecture, he said. So weve really been waiting for some specific data, and over the last month or so some data has come to light. One in particular showed that the level of antibody response when someone who got the J&J vaccine initially got an mRNA vaccine was considerably higher than if they got another dose of the J&J vaccine.

He said there are many caveats but it does look like mixing mRNA vaccines with J&J is likely to be more effective, although the proof is in the pudding.

Borgstrom said health system officials are concerned about staff shortages but not because of COVID mandates. What were seeing is a supply problem. Just as in other fields, everybody has many open positions and many fewer people seeking interviews and jobs. So were concerned just like every other employer, but we do not believe that the mandate for vaccination has made that problem any more acute for us.

Deshpande said the health system has experienced supply shortages in some areas, but from a PPE standpoint we are in good shape by being creative where we get them, stockpiling.

Deshpande said Halloween trick-or-treating should be safe if children stay outside. Dont go inside. Avoid throngs of people crushed elbow to elbow. Its a fairly low-risk activity. He said plastic costume masks do not protect against the virus and its best to wear the proper surgical-type masks.

He said it is not clear how colder weather will affect the number of infections. Initially we thought that it was just a slam dunk that when we are spending more time inside the infection rates will go up, and I think theres some component to it, he said.

But the other weird thing that weve seen over the past 20 months is that  every two months theres a peak and a valley, so I think its hard to say, he said. A lot of it depends on how prevalent is the virus in our community at that time.  I dont think its a foregone conclusion that its going to be a particularly bad winter and it certainly will not be anything like we experienced in December and January of last year.

Meanwhile, a study by the Yale School of Public Health has found that if everyone were either vaccinated or previously had a case of COVID, unvaccinated people could expect to be reinfected every 16 to 17 months.

Jeffrey Townsend, a professor of biostatistics and evolutionary biology, said it is too early in the pandemic to be able to know for sure how easily people can become reinfected, but said, if nothing more were done to vaccinate the population, we would see reinfections on a year and a half sort of time scale, but ranging from three months to five years.

In other words, someone could catch COVID a second time in three months and a third time in five years, he said. The time would vary just like it does for other viral illnesses.

Data from several common cold viruses, SARS and MERS were used to estimate the reinfection time. Were looking at the most closely related ones. Theyre sisters basically, Townsend said. He said the researchers compared what we know about the waning antibodies with SARS-CoV-2 with what we know about reinfection with common cold coronaviruses and others.

He said COVIDs reinfection rate appears to be a little shorter than the others. It applies to people who have not been vaccinated, Townsend said. However, those who have been vaccinated may become infected as time passes, as well.

Time after time when weve made vaccines ... weve typically not been able to make a vaccine that has a different durability of immunity than natural infection, Townsend said. If our history of vaccine making has a lesson for us, we can expect infection following vaccination on similar time scales.

He added that while evolutionary biology primarily looks at how things evolved, this is a really nice example of an occasion where we were able to use evolutionary biology in an important way.

The study was published in The Lancet Microbe on Oct. 1.

edward.stannard@hearstmediact.com; 203-680-9382
NEW HAVEN  News of state Rep. Michael DiMassas arrest Wednesday surged through City Hall, where he has worked since beginning as a college intern a decade ago, as well as through the quiet neighborhood off Meloy Road where he has lived since he was a child.

Publicly, almost no one in City Hall would talk about it, although several of DiMassas co-workers spoke about their disappointment at seeing one of the citys bright young stars  the 2009 Notre Dame High School Man of the Year  allegedly in trouble.

Were just heartbroken, said City Clerk Patricia Horvath, one of the few in City Hall beside Mayor Nancy Rossi who would talk about the arrest of DiMassa, 30, a Democrat state lawmaker whose current job includes 25 hours a week as administrative assistant to the City Council and 10 hours a week as an administrative assistant in the Corporation Counsels office. Everybodys heart is broken.

Asked whether people were talking about the arrest at work, Horvath said, Everybody is. Nobody is getting any work done.

Horvath said she does not know what DiMassa, who was arrested Wednesday on a federal criminal complaint charging him with one count of wire fraud in connection with what authorities say was a scheme to steal federal funds intended for COVID-related expenses, will do next. State Speaker of the House Matt Ritter announced Wednesday that DiMassa had been stripped of his committee assignments.

If he were to resign his legislative seat, the city would immediately call a special election to elect a replacement to finish out his term, Horvath said.

Few other city employees would comment on DiMassas arrest.

I honestly dont know much about it, said Assessor Ann Marie Gradoia.

Tax Collector Leslie Naizby declined to comment, both on behalf of herself and everybody in her office.

Nobody answered the door at DiMassas home on Putney Drive, in a quiet, well-kept neighborhood off Meloy Road.

Two doors down, Joseph Mongillo  who voted for DiMassa in the last election but doesnt know him well  shook his head.

Mongillo said he knows a relative of DiMassa, who goes by and tells me to vote for him.

Im sorry to hear that  but hes not convicted, he said, holding out hope that perhaps DiMassa would be exonerated.

Yeah, Im surprised, he added. He seemed like a quiet kid  a quiet man. Maybe he didnt do anything. I hope not.

Two other nearby neighbors, both of whom declined to be identified by name, also said they were shocked to hear about it.

Ive lived in this neighborhood for three years but I never knew, said one neighbor, who said she didnt really know DiMassa even though he lives down the street.

I was just shocked, said another neighbor. I really didnt know.

mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com
GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP)  Commissioners of a Wyoming county have suspended all in-person public comment at their meetings amid a furor over library books involving sex and LGBTQ issues.

Campbell County commissioners in recent months have heard hours of public comment about the books in the teen and children's sections of the county library in Gillette.

Starting with a meeting Tuesday, they suspended public comment at meetings, saying they would still accept letters, emails and phone calls, the Gillette News Record reported.

Public comments have "devolved into a session of bullying and threatening our board of commissioners, the library board and library staff, Commissioner D.G. Reardon said at the meeting.

Library officials need time to complete their process for reviewing contested books, commission Chairman Bob Maul said.

Meanwhile, prosecutors continue to consider possible criminal charges against library officials for making certain books accessible to juveniles after a couple brought five books to the attention of law enforcement.

The books are This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson, How Do You Make a Baby by Anna Fiske, Doing It by Hannah Witton, Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg, and Dating and Sex: A Guide for the 21st Century Teen Boy by Andrew P. Smiler.

Campbell County Attorney Mitchell Damsky has requested a second opinion from Michael Stulken, his counterpart in neighboring Weston County, before announcing if he will pursue a case.

Its not clear who specifically could be held legally responsible. Library officials have been trying to be a force of reason and following their policies for reviewing contested books, library Executive Director Terri Lesley has said.

Some local residents objected to not being able to speak Tuesday.

Tyranny. Tyranny. Thats what this is, local pastor Scott Clem said.
Hours before Democratic state Rep. Michael DiMassa was arrested on allegations of wire fraud in connection with an investigation into the misuse of federal coronavirus relief money in West Haven, the top two Republicans in the state Senate called for a probe into how all 169 cities and towns in the state have spent the federal money.

These funds are intended to help residents and communities recover during one of the most challenging times of a generation. To learn that officials may have allegedly diverted funding for other purposes shatters public trust. It is wrong and it is infuriating, Sens. Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford, and Paul Formica, R-East Lyme, said in a letter Wednesday to the states budget director, which referenced the FBI investigation but not DiMassas arrest.

The top state budget official responded by saying state oversight is already under way and that a full review will happen.

DiMassa is also an employee for the city of West Haven. Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced earlier this month that shed come across several large expenditures some of which appeared improper and potentially fraudulent when reviewing the citys federal CARES Act expenditures.

Connecticut and its cities and towns have received several rounds of federal funding during the pandemic. Towns will have received more than $2 billion in all, when the money is full disbursed.

The CARES Act money, approved by Congress in 2020, was intended to offset costs municipalities incurred because of the pandemic such as the purchase of personal protective equipment, cleaning of public buildings, and hazard and overtime pay for workers, but was not allowed to replace lost revenue.

In a statement Wednesday, Melissa McCaw, secretary of the states Office of Policy and Management, promised a thorough review of how municipalities have spent the federal funds.

When we hear of potential misuse of any type of funds we are deeply disappointed and will take action to investigate, McCaw said. Consequently, OPM is already bringing in an independent auditor and will collaborate with the federal investigation to fully investigate these claims in West Haven and wherever else there are allegations.

McCaw said OPM has ordered municipalities to report their federal relief spending to the state by Friday.

They have been routinely cautioned that their use of funds must meet the highest standards and withstand audit, she said.

State Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, co-chair of the legislative Appropriations Committee, said while she appreciates the concerns of her Republican colleagues, the federal dollars are already being audited at multiple levels of government.

In this case, its clear they were paying attention because within just a few months they were able to identify a potential problem, Osten said, referring to the allegations in West Haven.

The West Haven case is not indicative of widespread misuse or fraudulent activity by towns and cities, Joe DeLong, executive director and CEO of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, said after the arrest.

In fact, much like what happened in West Haven, if someone does something improper, its going to be found and come out, he said. The reporting of these funds is really pretty well defined and strict.

julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com
NEW HAVEN  Dont mess with Gabriela Campos  she might just run against you.

Campos, a persistent, well-spoken divorced mother of three, doesnt think residents are being listened to closely enough by Mayor Justin Elicker and his administration. So she is running a write-in candidacy for mayor to make a statement and continue some conversations she thinks need to take place.

She doesnt expect to win  but shes angry enough to run.

Write-in campaigns are sort of impossible, Campos said. Its not really about getting on the ballot. Its about getting in certain conversations.

Campos, 43, is a onetime union political organizer and current real estate agent who lives in the Morris Cove section  and happens to be the ex-wife of Elickers chief of staff, Sean Matteson, although she said thats not part of her motivation.

She didnt like the way she said the city and the Authority pushed through the Board of Alders recent approval of a new 43-year authority lease that opens the door for airport expansion.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media file photo

And she especially didnt like it when Elicker, meeting with 80 people  many of them Tweed neighbors against expansion  at Nathan Hale School on Aug 26 told them that for anyone who just wants to see Tweed gone, tough luck.

Those things combined to activate Campos.

A lot of what I used to do is get-out-the-vote campaigns for the unions, she said. When I was a political organizer, I noticed how frustrated people were with the lack of attention they got from people in power.

When Elicker told us tough luck in a neighborhood where really a lot of folks ... work in City Hall ... he didnt care about what those people thought or might be going through, she said.

His attitude has been dismissive toward everyone and everything, Campos said.

The Tweed situation started her thinking, but her decision to run is a protest vote, she said.

I was furious after the Tweed vote, Campos said. The day after the Board of Alders voted to approve this 43-year monstrosity, (Elicker) just stood there at an unrelated event and agreed with everything these Yale kids were saying about how green we were.

Adding more airplanes at Tweed is not green, she said.

But its not him, she said. Hes just a pawn in a system that puts a people like him in those places. ... Its really just the last cries of capitalism.

Elicker responded that if anyone wants to run for mayor, they should run for mayor. Thats important, he said.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media

Im following my heart and my conscience, Elicker said I find it hard to believe that anyone in this city would doubt my openness and accessibility. Who in this city doesnt have my cellphone number?

He said he has listened to people and made decisions with our team based on that input.

But not every single decision is going to make every single person happy, he said. My job is not to make every single person happy.

Campos said the political process needs to be more fair and inclusive.

Governance needs to be collaborative, she said. We share this land. We share this space. We really need to get along and ... share the space and share food resources.

Born in Lima, Peru, Campos came to the United States as a child and has been here for 32 years, becoming a U.S. citizen a few years ago. Years prior to that, Campos paid cash for her first year at Central Connecticut State University when her residency didnt come through quick enough because I didnt want to miss another year of school, she said.

Ive always been someone who didnt care about the personal consequences if it was the right thing to do, she said this week.

Campos brings the total number of mayoral candidates to four, facing  Elicker, Republican John Carlson and independent candidate Mayce Torres.

She said her decision to oppose Tweed, and now her decision to run a write-in campaign for mayor, have nothing to do with her ex-husband, as some Tweed backers have suggested.

3 1 of 3 Gabriela Campos / Contributed photo Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media file photo Show More Show Less 3 of 3





Actually, Ive been quiet for a really long time because my ex-husband has worked for the mayor  actually, the last three mayors, said Campos, who met Matteson when she was doing an internship at AFSCME, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Together, they are the parents of Liam, 15, Seamus, 14, and Anakin, 9.

I know how to have these conversations  Ive been having these all of my life, Campos said of the conversations she believes are necessary for change to occur. Im just living out on how I was raised to live.

She said she doesnt intend to raise money for her campaign  and doesnt think candidates should have to  although I have someone whos agreed to be my treasurer, in case I need to.

mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com
While Connecticuts COVID vaccine providers push through the early weeks of the booster roll out, focus has fallen on federal regulators who could drastically expand the program with key votes in the coming days.

Currently limited to Pfizer-BioNTech booster, the Center for Disease Control and Preventions panel on immunization practices could open the door as early as Wednesday for booster shots from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, which would quickly scale up the number of eligible residents in Connecticut.

Approvals should not take long to implement as preparations have been underway for months to provide boosters for all three vaccines. If granted, doses could start going into arms as early as Friday, the state Department of Public Health said in a memo to providers Monday.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health will continue to work with our federal partners, vaccine providers, and other stakeholders to be sure we are ready to provide the Moderna and J&J boosters when these recommendations are finalized, the department said in a statement.

Despite increased vaccination and early booster efforts, COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations have remained flat after slowly declining into last month. On Tuesday, the state reported a positivity rate of 2.87 percent for new COVID-19 tests, one of the highest in several weeks. Hospitalizations increased by a net of one patient for a total of 248 statewide.

Uptake for boosters thus far has been steady but the demand has not overwhelmed the supply, officials have said. Eligibility has been limited by federal regulators to those age 65 and older, along with people with certain medical conditions and those living or working in high-risk settings. The booster cannot be administered earlier than six months after the initial course of vaccines, regulators stipulated.

While some of the groups eligible are hard to quantify, the states data showed Monday that about one-third of residents age 65 and older that completed an initial course of the Pfizer-BioNTech had received a booster or third shot.

The Food and Drug Administrations s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee recommended that both Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters last week under identical eligibility criteria.

One small difference was that the FDAs committee recommended that half the initial dose of Moderna be used for the booster.

You may use existing vaccine that you have on hand, but it should be administered at a half-dose when used as a booster, DPH told providers.

In a memo, DPH encouraged providers to watch the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meetings scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, where votes are expected on both boosters from both the vaccine makers.

If either or both are approved, DPH said booster shots for Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccines could start as soon as Friday. However, this timeline is subject to change as more information is released, DPH recently cautioned.

The New York Times reported this week the FDA is considering approving people to mix and match vaccines when they seek boosters. Citing sources, the New York Times reported that regulators are likely to suggest that using the same vaccine is prefered but offers vaccinators some discretion.

The anticipated increase in booster availability comes as Connecticut continues work to close the gap among those not yet vaccinated.

As of Tuesday, CDC data shows that nearly 90 percent of eligible residents in Connecticut have received the first dose and more than 80 percent are fully vaccinated.

While focus has been on the key vote from regulators on boosters, DPH has started to prepare providers for a potential emergency authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to get administered to children age 5 to 11. The FDA was expected to raise the matter next Tuesday.

Approval for this age group has been seen by officials and experts as key to preventing further spread of the virus. While doctors have said that children are often at a lower risk for serious symptoms, they carry the risk of catching the virus while in schools and spreading it to vulnerable family members.
Niagara Falls, NY (14301)

Today

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 31F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 31F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Over 30 passengers have been allegedly kidnapped by armed bandits at Garun-Gabas in Rafi Local Government Council of Niger State. It was gat...





Over 30 passengers have been allegedly kidnapped by armed bandits at Garun-Gabas in Rafi Local Government Council of Niger State.

It was gathered that the victims were abducted Wednesday afternoon along the Zungeru-Garin-Gabas highway on three separate vehicles.

It was learnt that they were traveling in an 18-seater bus and two other vehicles when they ran into the gunmen.

Eyewitness account, the bandits blocked the road shooting sporadically into the air to scare villagers who scampered to various directions before whisking the passengers away to an unknown location..

A resident of the area who did not want the name mentioned, said after kidnapping the travellers the bandits in large numbers ran into the Kundu forest in Rafi to rustle cattles.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, when contacted, promised to get back, but is yet to do so as at the time of filing in this report.
Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, says there is no proof that any protester was killed at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos state...

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, says there is no proof that any protester was killed at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos state in October 2020.





On October 20, 2020, some soldiers reportedly opened fire on protesters in an attempt to disperse them, but some were allegedly killed and wounded in the attack.

The protesters were calling on the authorities to scrap the now defunct special anti-robbery squad (SARS) over cases of brutality, harassment, extortion and extrajudicial killing.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Mohammed described the event at the tollgateas a phantom massacre.





Today marks the first anniversary of the phantom massacre at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, which was the culmination of an otherwise peaceful protest that was later hijacked by hoodlums, the minister said.

At earlier press conferences, I had called the reported massacre at the toll gate the first massacre in the world without blood or bodies.

One year later, and despite ample opportunities for the families of those allegedly killed and those alleging a massacre to present evidence, there has been none: No bodies, no families, no convincing evidence, nothing. Where are the families of those who were reportedly killed at the toll gate? Did they show up at the Judicial Panel of Inquiry? If not, why?





The minister said the military did not shoot at protesters, and that the only shooting was in the social media, hence there were neither bodies nor blood.

The federal government remains proud of the security agencies for acting professionally and showing utmost restraint all through the EndSARS protest and the ensuing violence, an action that saved lives and properties, he said.

The six soldiers and 37 policemen who died during the EndSARS protests are human beings with families, even though the Human Rights Organizations and CNN simply ignored their deaths, choosing instead to trumpet a phantom massacre.
Omoyele Sowore, an activist, says the present administration has failed Nigerians on police reform. Sowore spoke on Wednesday, when he...

Omoyele Sowore, an activist, says the present administration has failed Nigerians on police reform.

Sowore spoke on Wednesday, when he led a group of protesters who gathered at unity fountain in Abuja to commemorate the first-year anniversary of the #EndSARS protests.

Nigerians had protested against police brutality in October 2020  under the #EndSARS movement.

Speaking in Abuja, Sowore said the youths are tired of the current state of affairs in the country.

We are tired of a system that does not work for us. We cannot continue to pretend that the system is working for us, he said.

He added that a system where incompetent and wrong people are in power, they cannot be expected to reform your country for you.

He also countered the comment by Lai Mohammed, minister of information on the Lekki shooting.

The minister had said there is no proof that protesters were killed at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos in October 2020.

Speaking on the development, Sowore said the federal government lied.

Nobody is damaging the image of the Nigeria police more than Lai and his principal, Buhari, he said.

The federal government is lying; it is a federal government of lies. When they killed Shiites even though we saw the bodies, they lied; when Biafra people were killed, they lied about it; when they kill students, they lie about it.

What has the federal government never lied about to you? The job of the minister of information is misinformation and disinformation.
Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Wednesday, revealed that members of a terrorist organization, called FETO, which attempted to ...

Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Wednesday, revealed that members of a terrorist organization, called FETO, which attempted to push him out of power in 2016, via a failed coup, are currently in Nigeria.

President Erdogan, who is on a four-day official visit to Nigeria, made the revelation on Wednesday at a joint press conference with President Muhammadu Buhari.

During his speech, President Erdogan solicited corporation from Nigeria as his country battle terrorism, stressing tyatbhis country has been battling with terrorism for many years.

He said: Distinguished members of the press, as Turkey, we have been closely monitoring the developments unfolding in Nigeria, our brotherly and friendly nation.

So, in order to cooperate further in the fields of military, defense, and security, we are doing everything that will be available

As were probably aware of the fact that Turkey has been fighting against terrorist organisations for many decades, such as the PKK, PYD, FETO, DASH and other terrorist organisations.

The perpetrator of the heinous failed coup of July the 15th, FETO, is still illegally active in Nigeria, and we are continuously sharing our intelligence with the Nigerian interlocutors and authorities.

I hope and pray that our Nigerian brothers will forge a closer solidarity in this field with us, the Republic of Turkey.

The Turkish President expressed hope that their visit to Nigeria would yield the most auspicious results and I would like to thank my distinguished brother, President Buhari, for being such a gracious host for me and for my delegation.

The president arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday night
Lead counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, on Wednesday said the Federal Government must produce his client in court on Thursday. Ejiofor...





Lead counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, on Wednesday said the Federal Government must produce his client in court on Thursday.

Ejiofor made the call while accusing the representatives of the Federal Government of attempting to delay the trial.

Addressing a world press conference on the latest developments regarding Kanus upcoming trials, Ejiofor accused the office of the Director of Public Prosecution of deliberately refusing to present any of its representatives to honour the invitation for an agreement on a convenient date for the trial to commence, despite several reminders.

The counsel also called on the Federal Government to ensure that security operatives deployed to the court are civil.

According to Ejiofor, security agents must not harass Kanus supporters.

Kanu is billed to appear before Justice Binta Nyako-led Federal High Court on Thursday to continue his trial for treason.

Following Kanus rearrest in Kenya and repatriation, the Federal Government had amended the charges against the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

However, Ejiofor said: We, the members of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanus legal team ably led by my humble self, wish to bring to the attention of the public of interesting developments in this case, since our Client was abducted in Kenya on the 19th Day of June 2021, and consequently extraordinarily rendered to Nigeria. His subsequent secret appearance in Court on the 29th day of June 2021, and his non-production in Court on the 26th day of July 2021, as well as what we expect in Court on the 21st day of October 2021.

This press briefing became compelling against the backdrop of the seven-count smokescreen Amended Charge filed against our Client last week Friday, after waiting for the over-advertised/hyped amendment for over three (3) months.

You may recall that upon the abduction of our Client in Kenya on the 19th Day of June 2021, and his extraordinary rendition to Nigeria afterwards, he was secretly brought to Court on the 29th day of June 2021, without our knowledge.

We, his lawyers were not notified of the proceedings of the 29th June 2021, hence, our unavoidable absence. The matter was consequently adjourned to the 26th day of July 2021, for commencement of the hearing.

This matter then came up on the 26th day of July 2021, for commencement of hearing in the case, but our Client  Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was not produced in Court, neither was there any plausible convincing reason(s) for his absence in court on that day. An action which was in flagrant violation of Court Order made by His Lordship  Hon. Justice Nyako, for him to be brought to Court on that 26th Day of July 2021.

Furthermore, in view of the long adjournment of the case already on record, a decision which we believed may have been informed by the annual courts vacation which commenced during the said period, and in view of the Courts disposition to hear the matter during the vacation, we applied to the Hon. Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for issuance of a Fiat, to enable His Lordship to proceed with the hearing on the case.

This application was considered on its merit, and the Honourable Chief Judge in his wisdom, consequently granted our application for Fiat.

Approval of this request by the Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court was communicated to all parties in the case, including the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation via the office of the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation.

Despite being served with the approval for FIAT, and schedule for courts sitting on the case during the period under reference, the office of the Director of Public Prosecution deliberately failed, neglected and/or refused to present any of his representatives to honour the invitation for an agreement on a convenient date for the trial to commence on the authority of the Fiat, even after several reminders.

The hard fact we are compelled to swallow today is that despite the approval for Fiat duly given by the Honourable Chief Judge, and the readiness expressed by the court even in the open court, to proceed with the hearing once Fiat is granted, the Federal Government of Nigeria absconded from Court.

As the world is now aware, tomorrow, being the 21st day of October 2021 is the date on record, collectively agreed in open Court by all parties for the commencement of hearing in our Clients case, we, therefore, demand as follows;

That tomorrow, being the 21st day of October 2021 should be sacrosanct. Our Client  Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu MUST and SHALL be produced in Court to face his trial. Thankfully, the Learned Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, has though belatedly filed a 7-Count Amended Charge, along with an affidavit of completion of the investigation, so there is no excuse or place to hide whatsoever again to justify doing the contrary.

That Security Agents ostensibly to be deployed to man the court and its environs, or detailed to provide security on this 21st day of October 2021, should be manifestly civil in their conduct towards the civilian populace who are expected to throng the Court in their numbers in solidarity.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Partly cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 26F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 26F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Shawn OBriens Mid-City home is directly linked to her love of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest.

This is one of the houses that I had coveted for 25 years, said OBrien, who used to pass it walking down North Dupre Street to Jazz Fest. The self-proclaimed fest fanatic annually attended every day of the event. I love Bayou St. John, and the neighborhood just has this incredibly euphoric vibe to me.

O'Brien, an interior designer, was comfortably ensconced in a century-old white cottage shed revived Uptown when she decided to look for a property in the Bayou St. John area and begin a new empty-nest chapter.

Though she says houses in the area are often handed down through the generations, she hired a Realtor and gave her a checklist of requirements.

It had to be architecturally special  I wanted great bones, she said. It had to need to be renovated; I didnt want to live in someone elses renovation. And it had to have room for my studio.

The Realtor sent her a listing for the 1890s center-hall cottage, which had long been among her favorites, and OBrien felt destined to be part of its history.

Ive always been interested in the stories that old houses tell us, she said.

Competition was stiff. There were 11 bids on the house, which had been cut into four apartments, but OBrien got the house. Having renovated three houses of her own over the years, she knew she wanted to restore original features such as the center hall, doors and windows.

She also wanted to gut and replace the two apartments across the rear of the house with a single casual living space that combines kitchen, living and dining areas; build out the attic for a second-story guest bedroom and bath, and a studio with plenty of room to house her extensive fabric library; and add a back porch for Jazz Fest entertaining. A third apartment on the ground level remains but could easily be absorbed into the main house.

Working with architect Jenny Zurich, she kept the project cost-effective by designing a layout that worked within the existing framework of windows and still accommodated the already well-edited collection of furnishings from her previous cottage of roughly the same era.

She also used creative budget-friendly ways to achieve a high-end look, such as choosing a reasonably priced solid fabric for draperies, then splurging on trim.

You can use the expensive stuff judiciously, she said.

Among her clients, OBrien is known for her emphasis on comfortable seating and charming, colorful fabrics. The living room, which features both in a color scheme of rosy pink, dark gray-green and sage, began, as many of her rooms do, with a fabric  a vintage-inspired floral. OBrien used the fabric for pillows and worked around them.

Shes become an aficionado of wallpaper as well. She looked for several years before choosing the quaint pink and gray paper illustrated with rows of Parisian houses that dresses up the master bathroom, the living rooms pink and green vine-striped floral (as near a match as she could find to the wallpaper that was in her grandmother Ediths dining room) and the painterly Vermeer-esque profusion of blossoms on one wall of the powder room.

The walls in the house are so tall, I knew I wanted to cozy it up, but I waited until I found the exact right papers, she said.

The informal way that OBrien lives adds to the coziness. The parlor at the front of the house retains its original features but is used as the master bedroom with crisp white linens against a backdrop of gray rather than a formal living room.

The same unfussy palette is carried through the masters custom closet, which OBrien designed, literally, to accommodate every square inch of her wardrobe, and to the remodeled bathroom.

Im drawn to elegant furnishings and fabrics, she said. But I prefer them in a cottage where they dont feel as intimidating.

Colorful art, some from Jazz Fest, and the way that pieces are mixed also casualize the decor, OBrien said. Antique Italian painted chairs that might be rarely used in a traditional dining room are used daily around the main living spaces Indonesian dining table.

The neighborhood has been a comfortable fit, like the cottage. OBrien describes her street as the tightest knit block in the city of New Orleans.

When Jazz Fest was canceled, residents banded together to form Bell Fest, a series of block parties with live music. When Mardi Gras was canceled, they created house floats around a Belles of Bell Street theme that included odes to Leah Chase and Chris Owens.

I have to pinch myself, I cant believe I get to live here, OBrien said of her forever home. To me, thats the story of this house. I was meant to be in this house. Im just a block off Ursulines, and I think Ursulines and Esplanade are the two prettiest streets in the city.

"This neighborhood and this house make my heart sing.

HIGH END, LOW COST

O'Briens budget-friendly tips for a high-end look

Choose an inexpensive fabric for big-budget items like curtain panels and slipcovers, then splurge on the trim. The trim market has exploded, OBrien said.

Go for a look-alike fabric like poly-taffeta or Ultrasuede. They stand up better to wear and cost less.

For pillows, pick the fabric you must have and disregard the cost because you need so little of it. One way to save, however, is to use an investment fabric for the front of a pillow and an inexpensive fabric or remnant for the back.

Use a dramatic wall color to give new life to things you already own.

Dress up flat curtain panels on tension rods with a self-valence trimmed with buttons or decorative notions.

Get a custom bedding look by buying inexpensive white matelesse coverlets, prewashing them for shrinkage and having a seamstress stitch them together to fit your bed. OBrien buys two queens for a king bed and has a center panel enlarged with two side panels. The fit is custom and the labor is inexpensive because the edges are already finished.

+2 7 home design guidelines from Tara Shaw Understand furniture. Understand yourself. And find a "hero." Top designer Tara Shaw ticks off some rules for home design.
The likelihood of thunderstorms has silenced the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra's opening community concert, but just for a few days.

The free concert, planned as the ensemble's return to full orchestral programming, will be Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at the Peristyle in New Orleans City Park, with Chelsea Gallo conducting.

Masks are required except when eating or drinking, and social distancing is encouraged. Chairs or lawn blankets are encouraged.

The program for the concert includes a list of familiar works including, Mozart's "Overture to the Marriage of Figaro," "Largo" from "Symphony No. 9  From the New World" by Dvorak, Bernstein's "Symphonic Dances from 'West Side Story'," Stravinsky's Berceuse and Finale from "The Firebird" and "1812 Overture" by Tchaikovsky.

Next week, the orchestra returns again for a free Halloween Family Spooktacular with a selection of seasonal tunes at 11 a.m. at the Reunion Shelter on Friedrichs Avenue. That concert is Oct. 30. Costumes are encouraged.

For more information, visit LPOmusic.com.
ST. MARY'S DOMINICAN HIGH SCHOOL: Maureen Wright has been chosen as vice president, Dominican Catholic identity, at St. Marys Dominican High School in New Orleans. Other administrative appointees new for the 2021-22 school year are Dennis Panepinto, assistant principal, COVID-19 compliance and logistics/student clubs and organizations; and assistant principals Shannon Hauler '01, academics; and Lindsay Huber '08, classroom supervision and curriculum development.



































FREE NOCCA PIANO WORKSHOP: The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts is accepting applications through Oct. 27 for a tuition-free piano workshop led by Hristo Birbochukov, chairman of the NOCCA classical music department. Classes will be at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 2, 9 and 16, with a virtual performance at 4 p.m. Nov. 19. The workshop is open to students ages 11-15 who have a minimum of three years piano lesson experience; YouTube links to one or two audition pieces from the main historical periods are required. To apply, visit nocca.com.

NOCCA AUDITIONS: To stay informed about departmental information sessions being planned for November by the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, join the prospective students' email list by visiting www.nocca.com/admissions.

ST. MARY'S DOMINICAN HIGH SCHOOL: An open house for prospective students in grades five through eight will be from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, at St. Marys Dominican High School 7701 Walmsley Ave., New Orleans. To register, visit stmarysdominican.org.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL OF NEW ORLEANS: An in-person open house at the International High School of New Orleans, 727 Carondelet St., will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21. To register or to schedule a tour, email Demayo Gomez at demayo.gomez@ihsnola.org or call the school at (504) 613-5703.

LSMSA MATH COMPETITION: Registration is open through Nov. 11 for a free math competition to be held remotely Nov. 15-18 for students in grades six through nine. The event is being organized by the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts in Natchitoches. To register, visit www.lsmsa.edu/math-competition.

ST. MARY'S DOMINICAN HIGH SCHOOL: A cheer minicamp for girls from kindergarten through seventh grade and for middle school cheer teams will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at the school, 7701 Walmsley Ave. Online registration is $50 until 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22. The cost for walk-up registration on Oct. 30 will be $60.

ST. MARY'S DOMINICAN HIGH SCHOOL: Girls in grades five through seven can explore their creativity and create crafts at Domini-Design Day, from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 6, at St. Marys Dominican High School, 7701 Walmsley Ave., New Orleans. The $15 fee includes lunch and a Dominican apron. To register, visit stmarysdominican.org.

PRESCHOOL SPECIAL-EDUCATION SCREENINGS: St. Charles Parish Public Schools are offering free preschool screenings for children ages 3 to 5 who are not enrolled in public school and may be in need of special education services. If your child is having problems in speech, language, hearing, vision, behavior, physical movement or delays in development, call the special education department at (985) 785-3157 to schedule a screening. Clinics are held from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the central office, 13855 River Road, Luling. Clinics are scheduled for Oct. 9, Nov. 13, Jan. 8, March 12 and April 30.
Aiming to portray Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams as a free-spending tax cheat at his federal trial scheduled for January, prosecutors asked a judge on Tuesday to let them introduce lifestyle evidence to show a jury that Williams and law partner Nicole Burdett far outspent their purported incomes.

Prosecutors also urged U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman to deny Williams and Burdett the ability to argue to a jury that they are victims of selective, politically motivated prosecution  as they did unsuccessfully to Feldman last year.

In a flurry of legal filings, the government is seeking favorable ground rules as a Jan. 24 trial date approaches for Williams and Burdett. The law partners, both defense lawyers, face an 11-count indictment accusing them of conspiring to reduce Williams tax liability by more than $200,000 over the five tax years ending in 2017.

Five of the charges allege that Williams and Burdett failed to properly report cash receipts for Williams. Burdett faces a separate tax fraud indictment over her own returns.

They were indicted in June 2020, a month before Williams qualified to run for district attorney, a race he won handily in a December runoff. Williams took office in January as a criminal justice reformer.

Williams and Burdett have blamed their former tax preparer, Henry Timothy, for bloating their business expenses, claiming he lied about being a CPA and did the same thing for all his tax clients. Timothy, the governments star witness, has pleaded guilty in his own tax case.

District Attorney-elect Jason Williams' tax preparer pleads guilty to his own tax fraud count The man expected to be a key witness against Orleans Parish District Attorney-elect Jason Williams in the politicians tax fraud trial pleaded

But prosecutors with the Western District of Louisiana say Williams, through Burdett, directed Timothy to insert many of Williams personal expenses, including mortgage payments and gym membership fees, into his tax returns as business write-offs.

They point to a long history of late tax filings and payments by Williams, and they are asking Feldman to let a jury hear about those delays as well.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

On Tuesday, prosecutors highlighted the 2014 tax year, which is included in the charges. They say Williams reported just $85,606 in income that year but spent $95,000 alone on payments for two mortgages, car notes on a BMW and Range Rover, and student loan and life insurance payments. In addition, his personal debit withdrawals that year, his first on the City Council, reached $45,000, according to the feds.

Prosecutors claim Williams business expenses for the previous year and three subsequent years similarly exceeded his reported income. They argue that the records show willfulness and motive.

Attorneys for both Williams and Burdett declined to comment Tuesday, saying they hadnt yet read the government filings.

Feds prosecuting Jason Williams aim to show the jury his lengthy history of tax problems After years paying little in income taxes, Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams claimed a big profit on his 2018 tax return as he s

In a previous filing this month, Williams attorney, Billy Gibbens, argued that Williams' past tax issues were civil infractions, and letting the jury hear about them risked turning the proceedings into a referendum on Mr. Williamss carelessness as a taxpayer and improperly invites the jury to infer from Mr. Williamss previous tax troubles that he is guilty now."

Prosecutors claim Williams reported nearly $800,000 in fraudulent business expenses over the five tax years in question. They also point to Williams' 2018 tax return, which was prepared by a CPA firm. He recorded about $544,000 in income that year, far higher than previous years.

According to the government, the 2018 return didn't include inflated writeoffs because Williams needed to show income to be approved for a loan on a $1.4 million house on St. Charles Avenue.

But Williams has argued that the change only shows that Timothy, the tax preparer, had wildly inflated his business expenses in earlier years.
The U.S. Marshals recovered eight missing children and arrested 18 sex offenders for registration violations in the metro New Orleans area during a two-month operation, authorities said Tuesday.

Another three children returned home on their own, and three more were recovered by a task force which works with the U.S. Marshals.

In a particularly alarming case, one of the children safely recovered was a teen girl who was heading to Las Vegas to meet up with an older man she met online, the U.S. Marshals said in a statement. She was found in Phoenix, Arizona, authorities said. Two others, a 17-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy who had run away together from a group home and a foster home, were recovered in Columbia, Mississippi.

In a telephone interview, Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian W. Fair said most of the recovered children are battling mental health or drug abuse problems that make them particularly vulnerable to human trafficking.

The Marshals' Missing Child Unit also uncovered allegations of human sex trafficking of minors involving one or two children, Fair said. Because the investigation is ongoing, he could not elaborate. Officials also recovered a rifle that had been stolen from New Orleans and possibly used in gang activity, authorities said.

The U.S. Marshals' statement about the operation did not provide any details about how the children went missing.

In a related operation, six adult fugitives wanted by the New Orleans Police Department were also arrested as part of operations that the U.S. Marshals called Return of the School Year and NO Saints and Sinners 2021, respectively. Those suspects are facing charges including sexual battery on a 7-year-old boy and production of child porn on a 14-year-old girl.

The U.S. Marshals did not identify those suspects.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Multiple agencies worked together in the operation, which ran from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30. Besides the U.S. Marshals New Orleans Task Force, along with U.S. Marshals in Mississippi and Arizona, those agencies included the New Orleans Police Department, Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office, Slidell Police Department, Covington Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office, Louisiana State Police, the FBI in New Orleans and the Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services.

This was another example of the results that can be accomplished with continuing law enforcement teamwork," said the top U.S. Marshal in the New Orleans area, Scott Illing. Much of this work was also accomplished while dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in the New Orleans metro area.

From Oct. 1, 2020, to Sept. 30, 2021, the U.S. Marshals New Orleans Task Force recovered 43 children who were considered missing or endangered, or had been victimized by family abductions. Sixteen more children self-returned, and five children were rescued through other efforts.

The U.S. Marshals' Missing Child Unit work is in addition to the operations for which it is better known, such as arresting violent fugitives and ensuring sex offenders comply with registration requirements.

"The recovery of the eight children is substantial. It shows the body of work this group does, on top of the daily work our U.S. Marshals task force is doing," Fair said. "Kids go missing all the time. We think the mission is important."

Carlie Wells and Ramon Antonio Vargas contributed to this report.
A 50-year-old Louisiana woman has accepted a 50-year sentence as part of a plea agreement in the death of her 25-year-old disabled daughter, who died dehydrated and in filth.

Karen Johnson Harrison of the Plainview area pleaded guilty Monday to manslaughter and conspiracy to commit second-degree murder of Cyra Shantelle Marie Harrison, who had cerebral palsy, The Town Talk reported.

The coroner's report described Cyra Harrison's death as homicide. She died from failure to thrive and dehydration due to cerebral palsy and neglect, according to the report, which estimated her weight at death at 65 to 70 pounds (29 to 32 kilograms).

Karen Harrison had been scheduled for trial this week on two cruelty charges and one count of second-degree murder, which carries an automatic life sentence.

"Karen Harrison will be over 100 years old at the conclusion of this sentence," said the prosecutor, Rapides Parish Assistant District Attorney Brian Cespiva. "We've effectively secured a life sentence without the inherent risks of a trial."

Rapides Parish Sheriff's deputies answered a call about a natural death in 2018 but called detectives, who arrested Karen Harrison and a couple who shared the house days later.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

The victim's body was found on a mattress covered with rotting food, dog food and bodily fluids, and the mattress lay on the floor of a house littered with animal feces and infested with roaches and flies, the report said.

The two other suspects, Glen Elva Maricle and his wife, Marilyn Sue Maricle, are still awaiting trial.

All three were indicted on charges of second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit second-degree murder, cruelty to the infirm and cruelty to a juvenile.

District Court Judge Chris Hazel sentenced Karen Harrison to the maximum 40 years for manslaughter and 10 years for conspiracy, to run consecutively. Time spent in jail before trial will count toward the sentence.
An Indianapolis man who traveled to New Orleans to steal prescription drugs from local pharmacies was sentenced in federal court to a little more than 20 years in prison for a stick up at an Uptown CVS that ended in a shootout with New Orleans police.

Alan Parson, 20, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Court Judge Greg Guidry. Parson was one of two men to plead guilty to the botched robbery at the 24-hour CVS at 4901 Prytania St. in 2019. Co-defendant Richard Sansbury is still awaiting sentencing.

Federal investigators have said that Parson came to New Orleans from Indianapolis with two men who had experience sticking up pharmacies. The group drove a rented pickup truck that had previously been used to rob a drugstore in another state. Neither of the other men is named in court records.

Once in New Orleans, Parson and his two companions met up with Sansbury, 28, who arrived in town separately with a girlfriend. The crew was one several based in Indianapolis that have traveled the country stealing valuable pharmaceuticals, prosecutors said.

The four rode around looking for a pharmacy to rob.

The group settled on the Uptown CVS, with Sansbury and Parson charging into the store at 6 a.m. with pistols, hoodies and a phone that appears to have been used strictly as a timer. Parson and Sansbury tied up two employees and began stuffing a bag with hydrocodone, morphine and hydromorphone pills.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

But they didnt realize another person in the store had called the police, and officers arrived much sooner than Parson and Sansbury anticipated. A gunfight erupted between cops and robbers, leaving Sansbury, Parson and an officer wounded.

Parson and Sansbury managed to shoot their way out of the store, but Parson collapsed nearby and was arrested. Officers captured Sansbury after a manhunt that shut down that section of Uptown for hours.

+7 Intense bodycam footage: CVS robbery suspects begin shootout in Uptown store, run through crossfire Two men trying to steal a trove of pills from an Uptown drugstore last week demanded that New Orleans police blocking the exit back up befor

The two other accomplices fled in the pickup. One of the men went back to Indianapolis to return the truck to the rental company, investigators alleged, citing phone records, surveillance recording and other evidence.

After a series of delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Parson and Sansbury pleaded guilty May 25 to three federal offenses: armed robbery of a drugstore, conspiring to rob a drugstore at gunpoint and firing a gun during the robbery. Authorities havent said whether their accomplices could still face criminal charges in New Orleans or elsewhere.

Sansbury is also facing 10 years to life in prison. A sentencing hearing tentatively set for Nov. 30, although federal defendants who plead guilty before going to trial typically do not receive maximum punishments.
The owner of a New Orleans tattoo shop surrendered Wednesday to Alabama authorities who charged him with stealing a Confederate monument during a bizarre ransom plot that threatened to turn the relic into a toilet.

Jason Warnick, 32, faces one count of first-degree theft of the Jefferson Davis Memorial Chair, which was reported stolen from a cemetery in Selma, Alabama. But in a defiant news conference held after Warnick posted a $30,000 bond for his release from custody, his attorney argued that Warnick had never even been to Selma previously.

I dont often stand in front of reporters and proclaim actual innocence of a client,  [but] in this case I have no qualms about it, Michael Kennedy said. My client has never been here before. He did not commit any theft of any item, be it of historical value or not. He has nothing to do with this, and we look forward to proving" it.

+2 In Confederate monument ransom plot, New Orleans police arrest third suspect A third suspect linked to the strange ransom plot involving a threat to turn an Alabama Confederate monument into a toilet was jailed in New O

The district attorney for the county including Selma told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Warnick "did it." Michael Jackson said authorities suspect Warnick or someone he knows learned of the monument during an annual tour of historic homes in Selma, and investigators allege they have a photo of Warnick with the chair.

Though Kennedy now says prosecutors wont commit to an exact date for when Warnick is purported to have stolen the chair, a 500-pound stone relic is estimated to be worth $500,000, news media reports in Alabama initially said it was taken March 19.

Following the theft, a group calling itself White Lies Matter issued threats to urinate and defecate on the chair if its owners, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, did not hang a specific banner outside the organization's headquarters in Richmond, Virginia, by April 9, the 156th anniversary of the Confederate surrender ending the Civil War.

That banner contained a quote from a Black Liberation Army activist wanted in the murder of a New Jersey state trooper in 1973: The rulers of this country have always considered their property more important than our lives.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

The path leading investigators to Warnick began with the public offering of a $5,000 reward for the chair recovery. Authorities received a tip that the monument was being held inside a storage room of a tattoo shop that Warnick and Kathryn Diionno, 24, own in the 1000 block of Touro Street in Faubourg Marigny.

New Orleans police said that on April 8, they moved to arrest Warnick and Diionno on a count of possessing stolen property after finding surveillance video showing several people hauling the hulking chair out of their shop and into the back of a rental van. They booked a third suspect, 35-year-old Stanley Pate, on the same count two days later.

Meanwhile, after someone sent the monuments GPS coordinates to the United Daughters of the Confederacy, police recovered the chair at the intersection of North Galvez and Feliciana streets in the St. Claude neighborhood.

Kennedy, who is working alongside Miles Swanson and Alabama lawyer Hank Sanders to represent Warnick, on Wednesday said that the Orleans Parish District Attorneys Office hasnt decided whether to charge his client or any of his co-defendants on their arrests for possession of stolen property. Nonetheless, prosecutors in Alabama had recently upped the ante against Warnick and secured a grand jury indictment charging him with stealing the Davis chair from the Selma cemetery.

With Warnick standing at his side, Kennedy said he is unsure how prosecutors made that leap, given his assertion that his client has never before been to Selma. Kennedy also said Warnick doesnt belong to White Lies Matter or any other activist group.

Commissioned in 1893, the Davis chair commemorates the Confederates only president, who was also a slave owner. Activists have increasingly attacked such monuments ever since a counter protester was killed in 2017 during a white supremacist rally against the removal of a Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee statue in Charlottesville, Virginia.

An attorney and activist at Wednesdays news conference, Faya Rose Toure, said she believes Warnick is innocent. But, she added, I want to applaud the people who did take that monument of hate from a public cemetery.
New Orleans prosecutors have dropped the case against three people linked to the unusual ransom plot centering on threats to urinate and defecate on a stolen Alabama Confederate monument earlier this year.

Jason Warnick, Kathryn Diionno, and Stanley Pate were each arrested in April on allegations that they were in possession of the Jefferson Davis Memorial Chair after it had been stolen from a cemetery in Selma, Alabama. But on Monday, prosecutors with District Attorney Jason Williams office said they were refusing the charges, criminal court records show.

Warnick is still facing charges in Alabama that he traveled there and stole the chair, a 500-pound stone relic which is estimated to be worth $500,000. Warnick denies ever going to Alabama before he turned himself over to authorities there in June.

Accused of stealing Confederate monument, New Orleans tattoo shop owner declares innocence The owner of a New Orleans tattoo shop surrendered Wednesday to Alabama authorities who charged him with stealing a Confederate monument durin

In a statement Tuesday, Warnicks attorneys said the case in Alabama should meet the same fate as the one in New Orleans.

We said all along that there is no indication our clients were in the possession of this or any stolen item, read the statement from attorneys Michael Kennedy and Miles Swanson. No crime has been committed here. And while we recognize this matter is ongoing in the state of Alabama, we are certainly hopeful that the District Attorney (there) will likewise recognize this.

The Davis chair was apparently taken from a cemetery in Selma in March. After the theft, a group that called itself White Lies Matter issued threats to use the chair as a toilet if its owners, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, did not hang a banner containing words from a Black Liberation Army activist outside the organizations headquarters in Richmond, Virginia.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

The threats deadline was April 9, the 156th anniversary of the Confederate surrender at Appomattox.

After a $5,000 reward was publicly offered for the recovery of the chair, authorities received a tip that the monument was being held inside a storage room at a tattoo shop that Warnick, 32, and Diionno, 24, own in the 1000 block of Touro Street in Faubourg Marigny.

Police ultimately recovered the chair at the corner of North Galvez and Feliciana streets in St. Claude after someone sent the chairs GPS coordinates to the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

But they decided to arrest Warnick and Diionno for allegedly possessing stolen property after finding surveillance video showing several people taking the massive chair out of the pairs tattoo shop and into the back of a rental van. Police also arrested Pate, 35, a couple of days later.

Warnick is out on bond in connection with the case in Alabama.

The Davis chair was commissioned in 1893 to pay tribute to the slave owner who was also the Confederates only president. Activists have increasingly attacked such monuments ever since the killing of a counter protester in 2017 during a white supremacist rally opposing the removal of a Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee statue in Charlottesville, Virginia.
A third suspect linked to the strange ransom plot involving a threat to turn an Alabama Confederate monument into a toilet was jailed in New Orleans over the weekend.

Investigators booked Stanley Pate, 34, on Saturday with a count of possessing stolen property. His arrest came two days after police jailed Jason Warnick, 32, and Kathryn Diionno, 24, on the same count following the recovery of the Jefferson Davis Memorial Chair in the Upper 9th Ward. All three suspects have been released from custody on their own recognizance.

Thieves last month stole the ornately carved, 500-pound stone relic from a cemetery in Selma, Alabama. Its value is estimated at $500,000.

After the chair was stolen on March 19, a group calling itself White Lies Matter threatened to use it as a toilet if its owners, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, did not hang a certain banner outside their headquarters in Richmond, Virginia, by the 156th anniversary of the Confederate surrender ending the Civil War, according to news media reports in Alabama. The banner included a quote from Black Liberation Army activist Assata Shakur, who was linked to a New Jersey state troopers murder in 1973: The rulers of this country have always considered their property more important than our lives.

+2 Marigny tattoo shop owners accused of possessing stolen Jefferson Davis chair from Alabama Two people accused in a bizarre ransom plot that involved a threat to turn an Alabama Confederate monument into a toilet have been arrested in

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

News of a $5,000 reward for the chairs recovery prompted a tip to authorities that the monument was being held inside a storage room at a Faubourg Marigny tattoo shop owned by Warnick and Diionno in the 1000 block of Touro Street. Police said they identified Warnick and Diionno as suspects after finding surveillance video showing several people moving the hulking chair out of their shop and into the back of a rental van.

The chair was ultimately found at the intersection of North Galvez and Feliciana streets on Thursday, after someone sent the GPS coordinates to the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Officers recovered the chair, returned it to its owners and booked Diionno as well as Warnick. They also obtained a warrant to arrest Pate.

Attorneys for Diionno and Warnick said the pairs arrests were a mistake and they were innocent.

The Davis chair honors the sole president of the Confederacy, who was also a slave owner. Such monuments have come under increasing attack by activists ever since a counter protester was killed in 2017 during a white supremacist rally against the removal of a Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee statue in Charlottesville, Virginia.
The three men who killed Lafayette college student Hassan Veal at a Marrero playground had lured him to the parking lot under the guise of selling him a gun, an investigator testified.

They had already received the $666 they asked Veal to pay in advance though a mobile cash app. But instead of the promised firearm, the 19-year-old found himself starting down the barrels of three guns with a demand for his possessions. The encounter turned deadly when the gunmen realized he had nothing else to offer, said Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office detective Steve Keller.

"F--- it. Let's do it," one of the gunmen allegedly said before two of them shot Veal multiple times, Keller recounted in court.

The detective provided the chilling accounts of Veal's death during two court hearings for the men accused of killing the University of Louisiana student. Trenton Tatum, 30, Elijah Augustus, 19, and Tyron Edwards, 20, all of Harvey, were booked with first-degree murder. Tatum is also facing charges of being a convicted felon in possession of a gun and violating his parole.

Tatum's hearing was held Tuesday, while Augustus and Edwards' hearings were held together on Aug. 26.

+4 2 more suspects arrested in murder of UL student shot near Marrero playground A year ago, Toya Veal dropped off her firstborn, Hassan, at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for his freshman year of college.

During the Sheriff's Office investigation, detectives determined it was Augustus who set up the Aug. 5 robbery-turned-homicide, Keller said. He and Veal had been communicating about the sale of a gun, and they met a few hours before the shooting so Veal could pay for the weapon, Keller said.

Augustus instructed Veal to meet again about 10:30 p.m. to pick up the gun, at a parking lot in the 5500 block of Avery Drive, next to PARD Playground, authorities say.

Video recorded by a nearby surveillance camera captured the entire shooting. It shows a dark Honda Accord park in the lot about 15 minutes before Veal arrived, Keller testified. Two armed men got out of the car and hide behind a nearby fence.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

When Veal arrived, accompanied by an unidentified person, he got out of his car and walked to the Accord. The two men hiding, later identified as Tatum and Augustus, rushed over, Keller said.

As Veal moved to flee, Edwards cut him off by opening the driver's side door. He stepped out and fired a single shot in the air, producing a muzzle flash that could be seen on the video, Keller said.

Veal stood with his hands up as Tatum, wearing a ski mask and armed with a rifle-style weapon, walked over to Veal's car and demanded the unidentified person hand over property, Keller said. Tatum walked over to the other two gunmen, and they checked Veal's pocket for valuables.

"When they did not find any additional property, [Veal] was then ultimately shot and killed," Keller testified.

The person who accompanied Veal drove off in his car. The three gunmen got into the Accord and fled.

Detectives got their first big break when they discovered a phone left behind by Edwards. He dropped it while checking Veal's pockets, Keller said.

Detectives tracked the Accord to a person close to Edwards and, in his lost phone, discovered photos of him with the vehicle, Keller said. Edwards even had the car serviced at a repair shop a few days before the homicide.

Edwards identified Tatum and Augustus as his accomplices in the robbery, authorities said. When Tatum was arrested Aug. 11 at a West Bank motel, investigators seized a 40-caliber pistol that was linked through ballistic testing to Veal's shooting, Keller said.

Tatum is on parole for attempted second-degree murder, according to court records. He spending 15 years in prison after pleading guilty in August 2010. He had been out of prison less than nine months when Veal was shot, according the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

Magistrate Commissioner Patricia Joyce, who presided over the court hearings, ruled there was sufficient probable cause to continue holding all three men without bond on the murder charge. They are being held Tuesday at the Jefferson Correctional Center in Gretna.
Dr. Rachel Levine, the Tulane Medical School graduate who is the United States' highest-ranked openly transgender official, achieved a new milestone Tuesday. She became the first openly transgender four-star officer among the country's eight uniformed services, The Washington Post reported.

Levine was sworn in Jan. 19 as the Biden administration's assistant secretary of health, making her the first openly transgender person confirmed by the Senate. With her new appointment, Levine became an admiral and the top official in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, in charge of 6,000 officers.

Levine, who plans to wear the blue uniform of the corps, delivered remarks after being sworn in.



May this appointment today be the first of many more to come, she said. Diversity makes us stronger. pic.twitter.com/JepXrOcFZH  Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) October 19, 2021

Levine is a pediatrician who served as Pennsylvania's health secretary before joining the Biden administration. She has written on medical marijuana, pediatric medicine and immunization for young people.

"This is a momentous occasion, and I am honored to take this role for the impact I can make and for the historic nature of what it symbolizes," Levine said in a speech at her swearing-in ceremony, per The Post. "I stand on the shoulders of those LGBTQ+ individuals who came before me, both those known and unknown. May this appointment today be the first of many more to come, as we create a diverse and more inclusive future."
Jared Brossett will not participate in Wednesday night's New Orleans City Council at-large candidates debate, according to his campaign staff.

The district council member pulled out of the debate after being booked with drunk driving on Monday morning. It was his second DWI arrest in the city in barely a year. He also had a drunk driving arrest in Florida in 2006.

Brossetts future on the council and in the Division 2 at-large race is uncertain. He has not pulled out of the race though.

The debate will take place on Oct. 20 at 6 p.m.

Candidates expected to be present include Xavier University staffer Bart Everson, former state Sen. JP Morrell and District C council member Kristin Gisleson Palmer.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Watch live: Gambit hosts New Orleans City Council At-Large debate tonight Gambit is hosting a debate with the candidates for New Orleans City Council At-Large Division 2 so you can get to know where each of the candi

The debate will be moderated by Gambit editor John Stanton and include questions from Gambit politics editor Clancy DuBos, The Times-Picayune columnist Stephanie Grace and WWL-TV anchor Charisse Gibson. Housing issues, among others, will be the focus of the debate.

The event will be put on by Gambit, The Times-Picayune and WWL-TV and is underwritten by the Solutions Journalism Network.

The primary is Nov. 13 with a potential runoff Dec. 11.
It was probably inevitable that U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy would join the select club of politicians whove earned a disparaging nickname from Donald Trump.

Hes been heading down that road for quite a while now, stopping along the way to acknowledge that Joe Biden won the November election, to vote to certify the results after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and to support convicting Trump after his second impeachment and creating a Jan. 6 commission  all actions that put him at odds with most fellow Republicans.

But its a weekend televised interview by Axios that was apparently the last straw, that spurred the former president  yes, former, officially and according to every norm and law and court decision and even amateur audit designed to cast doubt  to dub the senator "Wacky" Bill Cassidy, and lash out in an email tirade.

Cassidy is a RINO Republican who begged for my endorsement in 2020 and used it all over the place to win re-election, much like Little Ben Sasse, and then voted to impeach your favorite President, he wrote. Now, Wacky Bill Cassidy can't walk down the street in Louisiana, a State I won by almost 20 points. He could not even be elected dog catcher today, the great people curse him.

As insults go, these arent terribly original or clever or personal, but Trump uses attacks as blunt instruments. Youre either an unquestioning sycophant, even when that sycophancy takes you to extremes  see Minority Whip Steve Scalise contorting himself to avoid saying out loud that the election was not stolen from Trump  or youre a no good, worthless traitor.

Nor is it accurate. Yes, Cassidy got the Trump endorsement, but he surely would have won reelection in this decidedly Republican state without it. Appearing on the same ballot, he got almost as many votes as Trump, and a slightly higher percentage of the total cast. There is no sign that he cant walk down the street in his home state, which he seems to do regularly without major incident.

So what did Cassidy say this time that got so under the presidents skin?

Against the backdrop of Trump making moves to run again, and threatening to urge his supporters not to vote in the all-important 2022 midterms and 2024 presidential race if the 2020 election isnt "solved," Cassidy dared suggest the emperor has no clothes.

He didnt come up with his own nickname, but he implied one: loser.

Its an accurate diagnosis by the good doctor, one based on empirically observed fact. A loser is one who loses.

"Trump is the first president in the Republican side at least to lose the House, the Senate and the presidency in four years. Elections are about winning," Cassidy told Axios.

As for Trumps 2024 prospects, Cassidy rejected the conventional wisdom that his popularity among the party faithful would make him a lock for the GOP nomination, suggesting instead that he might lose a future primary battle.

"Well, if you want to win the presidency  and hopefully that's what voters are thinking about  I think he might," he said.

These sensible statements, sadly, put the senator way out on a limb compared to many party leaders. Most of them are afraid to say anything even as Trumps increasingly erratic behavior endangers the GOPs chances of retaking the tightly divided House and Senate, both because his mere presence repels many moderates and stokes Democratic enthusiasm and because the party needs those votes hes threatening to withhold.

It seems Cassidy is perfectly comfortable on his chosen path. He said that he slept well after casting the impeachment vote, and admitted that if Trump is on the ballot come 2024, he wouldnt have his vote (it was unclear whether the question referred to the primary or a hypothetical general election too).

Among today's GOP true believers, those are fighting words. How ironic that theyre coming from a man who seems to care more about the partys future prospects than they do.
Politics Reporter

Reese Gorman covers politics and the COVID-19 pandemic for The Norman Transcript. He started as an intern in May of 2020 and transitioned into his current position as a staff writer in August of 2020.
Stay up to date on local news

Get Breaking News

Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox.
Bloomsburg -- When Bloomsburg University student Alan Bergey left the Husky Lounge a few weeks ago, there was no way to anticipate the series of events that followed, resulting in his earning of the Husky Hero Award from the Dean of Students Scott Kane.

Bergey, a junior secondary math education major from Quakertown, earned the Husky Hero Award in recognition of helping a student who had fallen outside of Kehr Union and suffered a seizure.

"As I was leaving the building, I saw a girl who was walking down the steps fall over," said Bergey, "I thought it was strange, and when I approached her to see if she was okay, noticed that she was having a seizure. Immediately I put my bag under her head and rolled her onto her side before calling for someone to help call 911. I stayed with her until the ambulance arrived."

Bergey has not heard from the student since the incident. However, Bloomsburg University police officer Kenneth Eagan, who was first on the scene, has informed him that she was doing okay.

"I am so proud of how Alan reacted in this situation," said BU President Bashar Hanna. "This is another great example of Huskies helping fellow Huskies. We are a stronger and more caring community because of people like Alan Bergey."

Although no longer certified, Bergey cites his CPR training he received at his YMCA when he was younger as to why he was able to help the student.

Bergey was extremely humble about his involvement in the situation. "I like to think that anyone there would have done the right thing in that situation," said Bergey, "but I was simply in the right place at the right time."




Selinsgrove, Pa.  A few careless moves from a burglary suspect was enough to land her in jail last week in Snyder County.

Crystal Fox, 45, of Middletown, Conn., was arrested by state police on Oct. 14 for allegedly breaking into two residences at the 1100 block of S. Old Trail in Monroe Township.

According to Pennsylvania State Police at Selinsgrove, Fox used a shovel to break the glass door of a residence shortly after 9:45 a.m. Once inside, Fox put several items in a duffle bag. However, Fox left the duffle bag by the door as she left the residence. She also left behind her shoes and jacket, according to state police.

Fox then moved on to a neighbors residence, which was occupied at the time. As Fox entered and made her way into the kitchen, the victim confronted her. Fox then fled the scene, grabbing a pair of the victims sneakers on her way out, according to state police.

Police found Fox a short time later and took her into custody. Fox had a pair of sneakers and keys belonging to one of the victims, according to state police. Fox also reportedly was in possession of controlled substances at the time.

Fox was charged with felonies of burglary, criminal trespass, and a misdemeanor charge of possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Fox was arraigned in front of District Judge John H. Reed who set bail at $100,000 monetary. Fox remains in Snyder County Jail as she awaits her preliminary hearing set for Oct. 27 at Reed's office.

Docket Sheet
Williamsport, Pa.  I-Keem Fogan, convicted murderer, was denied multiple motions that would have granted him a new trial in Lycoming County Court on Tuesday.

Judge Marc Lovecchio denied the following motions: the court erred by playing surveillance video of the murder from several different angles; a potential juror being unable to make a fair decision; testimony from Agent Jeremy Brown after Fogan was taken into custody; an inquiry about death penalty cases in Pennsylvania; and finally, the court erred by not pursuing a third-degree murder charge in the incident.

Related reading: BREAKING: Verdict rendered in I-Keem Fogan Uni-Mart homicide case

Fogans public defender, Nicole Spring, said an appeal will be filed on Fogans behalf within the 30-day time frame.

Fogan was convicted of the 2019 killing of a woman during an attempted robbery of a Newberry convenience store. Fogans trial, which started in late September and concluded in early October, ended with a life sentence and no possibility of parole.

Related reading: Text messages, DNA, video surveillance key elements of prosecution in I-Keem Fogan case

In other matters, Judge Lovecchio waived court costs so that Fogan could begin raising the court ordered $7,000 to repay the family of the victim for funeral costs.

Docket sheet
The legislature is preparing to re-draw congressional district boundary maps, prompting questions surrounding gerrymandering and skewed voter selection.

The state is offering a number of "listening sessions" this October and November to give the public an opportunity to voice their perspective on redistricting. The state also offers a redistricting website. The public can submit proposed maps, outline communities of interest, and submit comments to help shape the outcome of this critical part of our democratic process.

Related reading: Pa. Legislators: We need your thoughts about redistricting our congressional districts.

An advisory redistricting committee has been tasked with planning the redistricting process in the state. Later this year, Governor Wolf is expected to present his redistricting plan with committee's guidance. The governor's office is also encouraging public contributions at this time.

Public meetings on redistricting:

To attend a public listening session please RSVP with your name and event date to the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs at OIARSVP@pa.gov.
View the online version of our 2021-22 Columbia Pacific Get Ready Guide here!
Michael Barone: Bill de Blasio is on the way out, but his mindset lingers
New Market Town Council OKs purchase of land that will house new water tank
While our winners may represent a wide range of industries, they all have created a ripple effect of positive impact in our communities, Feldt said. Also, our advocate category was expanded with the addition of youth entrepreneurship this year. We are honored to showcase how early exposure to an entrepreneurial mindset can really make a difference.
Lakefront property is notoriously pricey.

Who wouldn't want to live steps from the beach, able to lounge out in the sun or dip their toes in Lake Michigan at their whim?

A new study found it's pretty costly to do so along the South Shore in the Indiana dunes.

Buying a house in Dune Acres near the Indiana Dunes National Park is about 328.52% more expensive than buying an average property anywhere else in Indiana, a new study found. That's the second-highest premium for buying a property near a National Park anywhere in the country.

Outforia, an outdoors publication that encourages people to get outside and recreate, did research comparing the average property prices in a state with the price of living in specific communities near a national park in that state.

Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming has the highest property price premium in the country, the Outforia study found. It costs an average of $276,278 to buy a house in Wyoming as compared to $1,353,588 to buy a home in the Moose, Wyoming community near the Grand Teton National Park. That's a 389.94% premium.
The Region's Polish heritage lives on at places like the Cavalier Inn in Hammond, Warsaw Inn in Lynwood, Polish Peasant in Michigan City, Dan's Pierogies in Highland and Big Frank's Sausage in East Chicago.

M.J. Polish Deli claims to serve up "the finest Polish food Hammond, Indiana has to offer."

The deli at 7112 Calumet Ave. has authentic homemade pierogi, stuffed cabbage, stuffed green peppers and sauerkraut and sausage one can take home, heat up and enjoy for dinner. It's also a specialty grocery store filled with imports from the old country, including pickles, sprats, herring, tea, candies, chocolates, soups, newspapers, Christmas wafers and, of course, Polish meats.

It stocks all manner of smoked sausages, soups and other Polish groceries.

M.J. Polish Deli also serves up freshly made sandwiches that are endlessly customizable. The choice of meats includes pork loin, salami, sausage, smoked ham and Krakowska. Cheese options include smoked gouda, Swiss, provolone, and Muenster. They can be finished off with toppings like tomato, onion, cucumber, mustard and horseradish.
There's no argument that fall is the traditional season for straw men.

An army of scarecrows  the straw-stuffed humanoid decoys farmers use to keep birds out of their fields  will take over Hobart in the weeks leading up to Halloween.

The city in east Lake County is hosting its first Chasing Dreams Scarecrow Contest this month. The scarecrow displays will benefit Chasing Dreams Learning Center Northwest Indiana in Valparaiso, which serves people with special needs between newborns and the age of 25, aiming to help them become more independent.

People can decorate scarecrows, which are displayed at 143 S. Hobart Road by the Loyal Order of Moose in Hobart.

The scarecrows will be posted on the Chasing Dreams Learning Center Northwest Indiana Facebook page. People can vote until 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 on their favorite scarecrows.

The winners will be crowned on a livestream on the Chasing Dreams Facebook page that Sunday.
HOBART  A chase from Hobart to Chicago was sparked after a resident was burglarized of valuables by a man claiming to be a utilities worker, police said.

At 7:30 p.m. Friday a senior citizen called police about about a suspicious person in the 7700 block of Dakota Street, said Hobart Police Department Capt. James Gonzales.

A neighbor said he tried to call the woman to tell her that some suspicious men came to his home and asked about his utilities and tried to get him to exit his house.

My grandmother was FaceTiming with her daughter when her neighbor attempted to call to warn her, so she missed the call," said Lauren Cain, the victim's granddaughter.

Then someone knocked on her door.

The resident answered the door and was met with a man who told her he was with the water company and she had to stop drinking her water immediately.

She described the man who came to her door as a "chubby," black male who was more than 6 feet tall with a chipped front tooth. She also noted he was wearing khaki pants and a Bears hat.

The man then came inside her house uninvited and told her to trust him "because he is a Christian man," police reported.
CROWN POINT  An East Chicago man could face 10 to 23 years in prison after pleading guilty Friday to a reduced charge in connection with a homicide earlier this year in Hammond.

Ronald W. Robinson, 34, admitted to robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, a level 2 felony.

Robinson admitted in a plea agreement he and a person he knew as "Fathead" planned to rob Michael Fromm, 53, of Schererville, of marijuana Jan. 18 at a home in the first block of Rimbach Street in Hammond.

A handgun was brandished while Robinson, "Fathead" and Fromm were together, and Fromm was fatally shot in the chest, the plea agreement states.

Robinson admitted he briefly left the home, returned and took marijuana from Fromm and left in a vehicle with "Fathead."

Robinson's co-defendant, Arvell Greer, 36, pleaded guilty in August to felony dealing in cocaine in connection with Fromm's homicide.

Greer admitted in his plea agreement he sold cocaine to several people in the home on Rimbach Street on Jan. 28.

According to charging documents, witnesses told police Fromm arrived at the house with a large amount of marijuana, cash and crack cocaine, which he shared with others.
CROWN POINT  A Hammond man's murder trial was delayed Tuesday because of Lake Criminal Court Judge Diane Boswell's sudden death.

James E. McGhee Jr., 40, has had his trial delayed several times since he was charged in August 2019 in the homicide of 27-year-old Sidne-Nichole Buchanan, who disappeared after attending a Wiz Khalifa concert with him July 27, 2019, in Tinley Park.

Senior Judge Michael Bergerson was expected taken on Boswell's caseload and preside over McGhee's trial until its conclusion or Oct. 29, Lake Criminal Court Judge Salvador Vasquez said.

Opening arguments had been expected Tuesday.

McGhee's trial was adjourned for the day to allow those involved to recover from the shock of losing Boswell, said Paul Stracci, of Stracci Law Group. The firm's attorneys, Michael Woods and Peter Fouts, represent McGhee.

"While Judge Boswell's unexpected passing is a profound loss for us all, it is particularly tragic for her family, her staff and those lucky enough to have practiced in front of her," Stracci said. "We look forward to resuming trial Thursday, and carrying on as Judge Boswell would have wanted."
CROWN POINT  A former Region man pleaded guilty in connection with a triple homicide in 1998 at a suspected crack house in Hammond and agreed to testify against his co-defendant, court records show.

David L. Copley Jr., 47, of Franklin, Indiana, admitted in a plea agreement he helped James H. Higgason III, 52, of Whiting, bludgeon Jerod "Buddy" Hodge, 18, of Chicago, to death Jan. 18, 1998, inside a home in the 4600 block of Torrence Avenue in Hammond.

Elva Tamez, 36, and Timothy W. "Midnight" Ross, 16, of Calumet City, also were killed.

Copley pleaded guilty to one count of murder. If Judge Salvador Vasquez accepts Copley's plea agreement, he would sentence Copley to 45 years in prison.

Higgason has pleaded not guilty to four counts of murder and is scheduled for trial starting Jan. 10.

Copley first spoke with police about the homicides in February 1998, when he admitted he and Higgason had been to the home to buy crack cocaine, charging documents show. He initially claimed they left and did not kill anyone.

Hammond police spoke to him again in May 1998, after he entered a rehab facility in South Bend and "wanted to clear his conscience," according to court records.
"She was special to me individually as she was to so many lawyers, staff members and others around the (Lake County) Government Center who she went out of her way to get to know, befriend and make part of her extended family," he said. "We knew she dedicated her life to improving the lives of others, not because she told us but because we witnessed it every day.

"We saw the kindness she extended to a victim's family and the concern and guidance she provided a young person who found himself in front of her. We are thankful and blessed for having experienced her love and leadership. She had an uncommon warmth and brought a rare humanity to the bench that won't soon be forgotten by all of those lucky enough to have crossed her path."

Attorney Matthew Fech, a past president of the Lake County Bar Association, served as a Lake County public defender in Boswell's court for many years.

"She was just one of the most genuine people that you would have ever met, and she had a genuine care for defendants as human beings and as individuals," Fech said. "It was a regular course that before accepting a plea agreement, she would ask young men and young women what their plans were after their case was concluded."

Boswell wanted to ensure defendants were on a path to a better life, Fech said.
A great base pay is great to get new teachers, but we want to keep them, Chamberlain said.

Prior to five years ago, Portage teachers received bonuses but not raises. Since then, the board has been boosting teachers base pay. Pay for extracurricular duties is calculated according to base pay.

For some teachers, the extracurricular pay could mean increasing their paychecks as much as $8,000 this year, Elwood said.

Porter said the union needs information on whether teachers have masters degrees and whether they had experience elsewhere to calculate an equitable wage proposal.

Chamberlain added that maternity and paternity leave language should be aligned with Indiana code, too.

ISTA President Keith Gambill told the assembled educators, It is time for Portage Township Schools to make good in respecting the work that you do and recognize that you are professionals and should be paid as professionals.

The governor and the legislature, when they moved that money into education, it was to go into the salaries of educators, Gambill said.

We want your loyalty to the district to be rewarded, Chamberlain told the teachers.
Five candidates are competing for the chance to succeed retiring state Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Ogden Dunes, in the Indiana Senate.

Democratic precinct leaders in Senate District 4, which includes the northern third of Porter County and the northeast corner of LaPorte County, are scheduled Thursday to select one of the five to finish the final year remaining in Tallian's fourth term.

The caucus meeting at the United Steelworkers Local 6787 building, 1100 Max Mochal Highway, Chesterton, is not open to the public, according to the Indiana Democratic Party.

The new senator simply will be announced by party officials after he or she prevails in a process that likely will involve several rounds of voting by the district's Democratic precinct leaders, since state law does not permit special elections to fill legislative vacancies.

The approximately 135,000 residents of Senate District 4 will get to have their say on the matter next year when the caucus winner is expected to run in the primary and general elections against other Democratic and Republican candidates for a four-year Senate term.

The candidates are:
Sgt. Glen Fifield, of the Indiana State Police, echoed that sentiment Wednesday. He tweeted: "Hey Chicago police officers, we're hiring! No vaccine mandate. Apply today."

Scheckel also told Fox News any Chicago officers who relocate to the Hoosier State can count on an improved quality of life compared to Illinois.

"Here in Northwest Indiana, in Munster, we have one of the top-rated school systems in the state," he said. "(Officers) can send their kids to public school. It's a low-crime community. Even though we're 30 minutes from Chicago, we're rated one of the 10 safest cities in the state of Indiana. So, it's really just a step across the state line to a better life for the officer."

According to the Indiana Department of Health, the 46321 ZIP code in Munster has one of the highest vaccination rates in the state with 77.5% of eligible individuals 12 and older protected against COVID-19 infection, hospitalization and death.

Drew Anderson, spokesman for the Indiana Democratic Party, said Braun should be celebrating that result, and encouraging more Indiana communities to get vaccinated, instead of "acting like a bully on an issue that has nothing to do with Indiana or Hoosier families."
HAMMOND  An aerospace building company is prepared to pay for some of the work to clean up water pollution at the Gary/Chicago International Airport.

Federal court papers recently disclosed a potential settlement of a pending lawsuit between the City of Gary and Honeywell International.

U.S. District Court Judge Joseph K. VanBokkelen issued a ruling earlier this month clarifying responsibility for who is legally responsible for polluted soil beneath the airports main runway.

The judge disclosed an agreement in which Honeywell, an aerospace building firm headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey, will pay the City of Gary $900,000 cash or provide the airport with aerospace building services of an equal value.

Frank Deveau, an Indianapolis attorney for the Gary airport, confirmed a settlement is prepared to resolve all claims against Honeywell.

Deveau said he cannot comment on the terms of the agreement, which both Gary and Honeywell agreed should remain confidential and unavailable for public view.

There is no indication in court records when the settlement will be final.
HAMMOND  Sir Isaac Newton would have loved the pumpkin toss. Seeking midterm stress relief, Purdue University Northwest students Tuesday proved the man behind gravity correct. Whats tossed into the air has to land somewhere.

In this case, the target was a tarp placed a little more than 50 feet from the PNW 169th Street parking garage. Students perched on the parking lots fourth level decorated a medium-sized pumpkin, then chucked it toward the tarp.

Some pumpkins reached the mark, while others went beyond it. Then again, who was keeping score? It was all about emotional well-being, college style.

Raven Chant, coordinator for student organizations and leadership programs at PNW, explained, Its for fun. We have students dealing with the stress of midterms. Why not give them something goofy to do? Why not throw a pumpkin?

Daniel Sek, a sophomore criminal justice major from Dyer, was going to work at 11:30 a.m., so he had a little time.

It relieves some stress, Sek said. My brother always told me about this event.

Arriana Franco, a senior human resources management major from Hammond, volunteered at the toss and also participated.
But nothing worked except sitting quietly nearby, and occasionally consoling her with words or touch. In the aftermath, Simpson would often ask her daughter what had made her so mad. Shed always say she didnt know, Simpson said.

Meltdowns, common as they are among young children, are a complicated physiological response related to the brains threat detection system. Mid-freakout, its helpful for parents to understand whats going on beneath the surface, then to mitigate the threat by establishing a sense of safety.

The physiology of a meltdown

According to R. Douglas Fields, a neuroscientist and author of Why We Snap: Understanding the Rage Circuit in Your Brain, a temper tantrum involves two parts of the brain: the amygdala, which is primarily responsible for processing emotions like fear or anger; and the hypothalamus, which in part controls unconscious functions like heart rate or temperature. Think of the amygdala as the brains smoke detector and the hypothalamus as someone deciding whether to put gasoline or water on the fire  with hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

When your daughter suddenly starts wailing about sleeping alone in her bed at night, shes probably not consciously being difficult  her amygdala detected a threat and her hypothalamus caused her to snap.

During the stress response, your child might experience a racing heartbeat, sweaty palms and tense muscles (or just an overwhelming urge to punch you). As much as you may want to reason with your writhing child, dont expect her to listen. For one thing, the stress response can dampen a childs already-limited capacity for self-control, a function generally associated with the prefrontal cortex, or PFC.
Whats wrong with the Maldives campaign is the timing, he said, noting that it started before travelers could be vaccinated. Its off. Its not the moment to do that.

When the Maldives shut its borders last March to guard against the virus, it did not make the decision lightly: Tourism employs more than 60,000 of the countrys 540,000 people, more than any other industry in the private sector, according to Nashiya Saeed, a consultant in the Maldives who recently co-wrote a government study on the pandemics economic impact.

When tourism shut down, there was no revenue coming into the country, Ms. Saeed said. Many laid-off resort workers who live in the capital, Male, were forced to moved back to their home islands because they could no longer afford it, she added.

As the health authorities worked to contain local outbreaks, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solihs advisers developed a strategy for restarting tourism as quickly as possible. One advantage was that most of the countrys luxury resorts are on their own islands, making isolation and contact tracing much easier.

We really planned this out, we knew what our advantages were and we played to them, said Mr. Solihs spokesman, Mohamed Mabrook Azeez.

When the Maldives reopened in July, health officials required P.C.R. tests, among other safety protocols, but did not subject tourists to mandatory quarantines. Around the same time, the countrys public relations agency switched its international marketing campaign and urged travelers to rediscover the Maldives.
Antigovernment protesters in Serbia have staged small demonstrations over the weekend closing of restaurants and bars, and public health experts in Hungary have complained about the Orban governments inconsistent response to the pandemic.

In Slovakia, a decision to import vaccines from Russia pushed a coalition government to the brink of collapse early this month after a rift among lawmakers over the move. Slovakias per capita coronavirus death rate is twice that of France and just behind that of the Czech Republic.

The painted crosses that appeared on Monday in Old Town Square in Prague, the Czech capital, were the work of A Million Moments for Democracy, a group of activists who oppose Prime Minister Andrej Babis and have organized large street protests against him. The crosses, numbering more than 20,000, represented the nearly 25,000 people who have died from the virus in the country  a huge number in a nation with a population of about 10 million.

The Czech Republic, like Slovakia, is bitterly split over Russias Sputnik V vaccine. Although published data indicates that it has an efficacy rate of more than 90 percent, critics of Moscow in Europe see it as a tool of hybrid war that is being deployed to divide the West.

The Czech president, Milos Zeman, long known for pro-Kremlin views, said last month that he had asked President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia to arrange deliveries of Sputnik to his country. When the Czech health ministry balked at the idea, Mr. Zeman demanded, without success, that the minister be fired.
Calls to charge Bolsonaro with crimes against humanity

Jair Bolsonaro, the Brazilian president, should face charges of crimes against humanity over his mishandling of the pandemic, according to a forthcoming report from a panel of 11 Brazilian senators. It represents the depths of anger against a leader who has refused to take the pandemic seriously.

The report, excerpts of which were viewed by The Times ahead of its scheduled release this week, asserts that Bolsonaro let the coronavirus rip through the country and kill hundreds of thousands in a failed bid to achieve herd immunity in Brazil and revive the economy. It also recommends criminal charges against 69 other people, including three of Bolsonaros sons.

The panel had initially recommended that Bolsonaro be charged with mass homicide and genocide against Indigenous groups in the Amazon, where the virus decimated populations for months after hospitals there ran out of oxygen. But less than a day after news outlets reported on those plans, several senators said that the accusations had gone too far.

Details: Over nearly 1,200 pages, the report effectively blames Bolsonaros policies for the deaths of more than 300,000 Brazilians, half the nations coronavirus death toll, and urges the Brazilian authorities to imprison the president.
4. The gang that kidnapped 17 people in Haiti associated with a U.S.-based Christian group demanded $1 million for each person, a Haitian official said.

The countrys justice minister said often these gangs know these demands cannot be met and they will consider a counter offer from the families, adding that the gang has not issued a deadline and negotiations could take weeks. The people kidnapped  16 Americans and one Canadian, including five children  were captured in a suburb of Port-au-Prince, the capital, over the weekend.

Separately, the treatment of Haitians apprehended in Del Rio, Texas, last month has galvanized civil rights groups to press for changes to what advocates say is poor treatment of Black migrants that has spanned administrations.
General Electric will require all U.S.-based workers to be vaccinated against Covid-19, citing requirements that federal contractors and their employees be vaccinated, according to a G.E. spokeswoman.

Several other large companies, including American Airlines and JetBlue, have cited the requirement for federal contractors, which President Biden announced in September, when introducing vaccine mandates. The White House has said the deadline for employees of current contractors to be vaccinated is Dec. 8.

G.E., which updated its vaccination policy on Friday, employed about 56,000 U.S. employees at the end of 2020. News of the mandate was earlier reported by W.C.P.O. in Cincinnati.

Mr. Biden has also said that private-sector businesses that have 100 or more employees will have to require vaccination, or mandatory weekly testing, but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is still drafting that rule.
The New York City Board of Health declared racism a public health crisis on Monday, passing a resolution that directed the Health Department to take steps to ensure a racially just recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

The resolution called on the department to work with other agencies to root out systemic racism within policies, plans and budgets on a wide range of matters that affect health, including land use, transportation and education. It also directed the department to improve data-collection practices and examine both the health code and its own history for structural bias.

Dr. Dave A. Chokshi, the departments commissioner, is also one of the 11 medical experts who sit on its board. At the meeting on Monday, he noted that the board was founded amid epidemics of yellow fever, cholera and smallpox in the early 1800s. Advances in sanitation and understanding the links between environmental factors and health helped curb those diseases.

He drew a parallel to the current pandemic, and its outsize toll on communities of color.

Why do some nonwhite populations develop severe disease and die from Covid-19 at higher rates than whites? he said. Underlying health conditions undoubtedly play a role. But why are there higher rates of hypertension, diabetes and obesity in communities of color? The answer does not lie in biology. Structural and environmental factors such as disinvestment, discrimination, and disinformation underlie a greater burden of these diseases in communities of color.
Former President Donald J. Trump was deposed under oath for four and a half hours this week in connection with a lawsuit filed by a group of protesters who said his bodyguards attacked them in 2015.

The questioning took place in a conference room on the 25th floor of Trump Tower in Manhattan on Monday, according to one of the plaintiffs lawyers, Benjamin N. Dictor.

Mr. Dictor said that the former president had been asked about his relationship with other defendants  including his longtime personal bodyguard Keith Schiller  as well as a witness in the case, Matthew Calamari. Prosecutors at the Manhattan district attorneys office have been weighing whether to charge Mr. Calamari, an executive at the Trump Organization, as part of their long-running investigation into Mr. Trump and his family business.

We think that the fact that Donald J. Trump sat for deposition yesterday is a significant point, simply because this is the first time that the former president has been subject to judicial process since taking office, Mr. Dictor said.
Sign up here to get On Politics in your inbox on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

A startling amount of money is pouring into American elections, especially the race for control of Congress in 2022. Every House and Senate candidate in the country was recently required to detail their spending and fund-raising through the end of September. Here are some takeaways, tidbits and trends from those financial reports.

How Trump factors in

Former President Donald J. Trump has been doing a lot of endorsing in Republican primaries ahead of the 2022 midterms. His backing is, by far, the most coveted in the party. But a Trump blessing has not necessarily translated to a cash boom for those Senate hopefuls he backs, the records show.

In Alabama, Mr. Trump is supporting Representative Mo Brooks  who has literally worked the endorsement into his logo  but Mr. Brooks was nonetheless badly out-raised for the second consecutive quarter, pulling in only $670,000 compared with $1.5 million for Katie Boyd Britt, a former chief of staff to Senator Richard Shelby.

In Alaska, Mr. Trump is supporting Kelly Tshibaka, a primary challenger to Senator Lisa Murkowski, who voted to convict Mr. Trump in his second impeachment trial. Ms. Murkowski doubled Ms. Tshibakas haul. In North Carolina, Mr. Trumps preferred choice, Representative Ted Budd, was narrowly edged by former Gov. Pat McCrory.
WASHINGTON  Senate Democrats said on Tuesday that they hoped to reach a compromise on President Bidens sprawling domestic policy plan by the end of the week, toiling to show progress after weeks of public bickering and private negotiations with centrist holdouts.

The renewed urgency came as Mr. Biden privately conceded that key elements of his social safety net and climate proposal were likely to be dropped or substantially pared back to fit in a measure that would be much smaller than the initial $3.5 trillion plan that Democrats had sketched out over the summer.

In a meeting at the White House on Tuesday, the president reiterated that the overall price tag would be about $2 trillion and suggested that it could be as low as $1.75 trillion, said two people who were familiar with the discussion. They also cautioned that the details were still in flux. In recent days, Mr. Biden had previously proposed spending $1.9 trillion to $2.2 trillion over 10 years.

He told Democrats that a plan to provide two years of free community college would most likely have to be jettisoned, according to lawmakers who attended. The concession came days after negotiators began preparing to drop a clean electricity program intended to help rapidly replace coal- and gas-fired power plants, which is opposed by Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, whose concerns about the package are driving the talks.
The rule of law remains under attack right now, said Representative Bennie Thompson, Democrat of Mississippi and the chairman of the committee. If theres no accountability for these abuses  if there are different sets of rules for different types of people  then our democracy is in serious trouble.

Mr. Bannon will comply with our investigation, he added, or he will face the consequences.

Bill Miller, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia, said that if the House certifies a criminal contempt citation, the Department of Justice, as with all criminal referrals, will evaluate the matter based on the facts and the law, consistent with the principles of federal prosecution.

The high-profile confrontation is the first of several that promise to test the boundaries of executive privilege  the presidential prerogative to keep official communications secret  and will determine how far the House committee will be able to go in uncovering the story behind the deadliest attack on the Capitol in two centuries.

Mr. Trump has filed his own federal lawsuit that touches on similar questions, suing both the chairman of the investigative committee and the head of the National Archives, the custodian of his presidential records, to block the release of material the panel has requested.

Many Democrats fear that case, as well as any the Justice Department might decide to bring against Mr. Bannon, may drag on for months, potentially long enough for Republicans to gain the House majority in 2022 and bury the inquiry  and with it, any hope of revealing fresh information about what precipitated the riot.
New York City will require municipal workers to be vaccinated, a shift that covers more than 300,000 employees, and which removes an option to take regular tests instead.

The F.D.A. authorizes Moderna and J.&J. boosters and allows a mix-and-match booster strategy. Image Filling out a coronavirus vaccination card in Jackson, Ala., earlier this month. Credit... Charity Rachelle for The New York Times WASHINGTON  The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday authorized booster shots for tens of millions of recipients of Modernas two-dose coronavirus vaccine and the roughly 15 million who got Johnson & Johnsons single-dose shot, significantly expanding the nations campaign to bolster protection for vulnerable people. The agency also updated its authorizations for all three vaccines  Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer-BioNTech  to allow medical providers to boost people with a different Covid-19 vaccine than the one they initially received, a strategy known as mix and match. That update may dampen interest in Johnson & Johnsons vaccine, which studies have found provides less protection than the other two. Providers will have the option of offering a Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech booster, which could trigger a more substantial jump in protective antibodies. The regulators, who already authorized boosters for high-risk Pfizer-BioNTech recipients last month, did not recommend any one vaccine over another as a booster. They also remained silent on whether it would be preferable to stick with the same vaccine when possible. The latest authorizations arrived in the middle of a busy stretch of regulatory decisions on vaccines. The F.D.A. is expected in the coming weeks to decide on whether Pfizer and BioNTechs vaccine should be authorized for children ages 5 to 11. The agencys independent vaccine committee is set to vote Tuesday to consider the matter and make a recommendation. Regulators may also decide as early as November whether to authorize boosters for younger Americans who are not at high risk. While many vaccine experts have questioned whether younger, healthy people need booster shots, some advisory committee members last week urged the agency to move to expand eligibility. The F.D.A.s move to make a much larger swath of Americans eligible for additional shots on Wednesday followed unanimous votes last week from a key advisory committee to recommend the authorizations. A separate committee advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is scheduled to vote Thursday on its own recommendations for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters. The C.D.C. director typically endorses that panels recommendations as a final step before vaccines are put into use. If the agency agrees with the F.D.A.s decision, booster shots could be offered as soon as this weekend. Eligible Moderna recipients could get a half-dose booster of that vaccine at least six months after their second dose. Like Pfizer recipients, the eligible would include people 65 and older, and younger adults at high risk of severe Covid-19 because of medical conditions or where they work. Johnson & Johnson recipients  all of whom are 18 and older  will be eligible for a second shot at least two months after the first.

Britain resists calls to introduce virus restrictions amid rising cases, for now. Image People lining up for a sold-out opening day screening of the new James Bond film "No Time To Die" last month in London. Credit... Jeremie Souteyrat for The New York Times Despite high and rising coronavirus case numbers, the British government on Wednesday rejected calls for the immediate reintroduction of some restrictions in England, while warning that they might be needed if the rollout of vaccine booster shots failed to contain the worsening situation. Speaking at a news conference, the health secretary, Sajid Javid, said that a contingency plan for tighter rules would not be carried out at this point but added that he would be staying vigilant and warned that new cases could surge to 100,000 a day. We will do what it takes to make sure that this pressure does not become unsustainable, and we wont allow the N.H.S. to become overwhelmed, Mr. Javid said, referring to Britains National Health Service, which is already under pressure. We are concerned. Everyone is right to be concerned, he added. Mr. Javid warned that if the situation deteriorates, he could be forced to activate a contingency plan that would reimpose some restrictions that were scrapped in England in July. Under this plan, mask-wearing rules could return, people could be urged to work from home, and those visiting nightclubs and other venues could be required to show proof of their vaccination status or of a recent negative test. If necessary, he added, we wont hesitate to act. Still hoping to avoid that step, Mr. Javid urged people to meet outdoors where possible and to wear a face covering in confined spaces. He also appealed directly to people to get boosters adding: If you are invited for a vaccine, please take it up. Earlier, Kwasi Kwarteng, the business secretary, told the BBC in a televised interview that an increase in booster shots was what was going to give us more protection, adding that he did not want to reverse back to a situation where we have lockdowns. The government argues that hospital admissions have remained low because of high rates of vaccination. But vaccines are waning in effectiveness at preventing infection, and Britain, which rolled out vaccines early, is now reporting one of the highest rates of new cases in the world. Vaccines still offer robust protection against hospitalizations and deaths. There have been over 40,000 new cases for seven consecutive days  reaching 49,139 on Wednesday  and 869 patients were admitted to hospitals on Oct. 16. While the death toll is still low compared with last winters level, the daily death toll rose to 223 on Tuesday, the highest number since March, before falling back to 179 on Wednesday. Analysts believe cases in Britain are rising because large numbers of children are unvaccinated and schools do not require face coverings. Among adults, mask wearing is less prevalent than in some other parts of Europe, where they are often required indoors and where cases per capita are much lower. Health professionals have recommended the reintroduction of some of the measures  such as mandatory mask wearing in some locations  that were swept away in July, when England lifted almost all of its legal restrictions on what the tabloid media called freedom day. The National Health Service Confederation, which represents organizations that provide health services, asked the government on Monday to immediately introduce mandatory face coverings in crowded and enclosed spaces. Without pre-emptive action, we risk stumbling into a winter crisis, said Matthew Taylor, the confederations chief executive. In recent months, Prime Minister Boris Johnsons strategy has been to focus on rolling out boosters to the most vulnerable people and to vaccinate children ages 12 to 15. But critics say that plan has faltered. The government has said that it is monitoring the rise in cases and that the current rates are not yet sufficient to justify a switch in strategy to help contain the spread of the virus in England. The governments main concern has been preventing Britains stretched health service from being overwhelmed, and so far, vaccinations have kept the level of hospitalizations manageable, officials have said. In September, the government in England put on hold proposals to require those entering nightclubs and attending large events like soccer games to show proof of vaccination or of a recent negative test. Scotland and Wales, however, are requiring it.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story

New York City mandates vaccines for all city workers, with no testing option. Image New York City Sanitation Department workers in May, during a memorial service for workers who died during the pandemic. Credit... Jeenah Moon for The New York Times New York City took one of its most aggressive steps yet to increase vaccination rates in a city that was once the epicenter of the pandemic, requiring almost every member of the nations largest municipal work force to get vaccinated by the end of the month or lose their paychecks. The new mandate by Mayor Bill de Blasio, following similar requirements for teachers and health care workers that led to a surge in vaccinations, is intended to persuade thousands of city workers who have resisted getting the shot to do so before the winter. At least 46,000 police officers, firefighters and other city workers have not yet received the vaccine, and the mandate could lead to staffing shortages at a time when the city is still recovering from the pandemic, when shootings rose. We need to save lives, and we do it with vaccinations, Mr. de Blasio, a Democrat with less than three months left in office, said at a news conference. My goal is to end the Covid era once and for all. It can be done, but only if we keep pressing on. New York is one of the first major American cities to require vaccination for its entire municipal work force without a testing option. San Francisco set a similar vaccine mandate for its 35,000 city workers, which goes into effect Nov. 1, and Los Angeles and Chicago have been pushing public workers to get vaccinated. Among the states, Washington and Massachusetts are requiring state employees to be fully vaccinated. Starting on Nov. 1, New York City workers must have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine and can no longer submit to regular testing as an alternative. The mandate applies to roughly 160,000 city employees. The city has more than 300,000 workers, but nearly half were already required to be vaccinated. Those who get their first doses at city-run vaccination sites between now and Oct. 29 will receive an extra $500 in their paychecks.

Unions are divided in response to N.Y.C.s vaccine mandate for city workers. Image A New York Police Department officer directs traffic in Herald Square in Manhattan on Wednesday. Credit... Benjamin Norman for The New York Times The announcement on Wednesday that New York Citys municipal employees would be required to get vaccinated against the coronavirus was met with a variety of reactions from the unions that represent those workers, from grudging acceptance to pledges to fight it. But there is one thing most of the unions agree on: that the mandate could lead some employees to quit or move up their retirement dates, which could put a strain on some city agencies. Virtually all city workers are required to have gotten at least one dose by Nov. 1. The mandate affects roughly 160,000 employees, who were already required to either show proof of vaccination or submit to weekly testing. The rule announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio on Wednesday removes the testing option. Harry Nespoli, the president of the Uniformed Sanitationmens Association, which represents sanitation workers, said the weekly testing requirement had been working well, and that he believed there was no reason to do away with it. I dont understand why now all of the sudden the city wants to mandate these people, he said. He said that sanitation workers were unlikely to pass on the virus to members of the public while picking up garbage or clearing streets of snow. We dont come in contact with the public, we dont hug the public, said Mr. Nespoli, who is vaccinated and contracted Covid-19 early in the pandemic. We start at 5 oclock in the morning. No ones there, and we do what we have to do and we come in. Mr. Nespoli said he believed that the sudden imposition of a mandate was disrespectful. He noted that his members had turned up for work throughout the pandemic, while many other New Yorkers had been able to work from home. Now youre going to turn around and say Get the shot or lose your job. Thats not right. Thats totally wrong. The union representing rank-and-file police officers in New York City, the Police Benevolent Association, pledged to fight the mandate. Now that the city has moved to unilaterally impose a mandate, we will proceed with legal action to protect our members rights, the unions president, Patrick J. Lynch, said in a statement. But others were less enthusiastic about a legal fight. Gregory Floyd, president of Teamsters Local 237, which represents more than 18,000 municipal workers in New York City, said that he believed Mr. de Blasio had the authority to impose a vaccine mandate and that challenging it with a lawsuit would be fruitless. I understand why hes doing it, he said. I cant say its wrong, because we have a pandemic. Mr. Floyds union represents about 7,400 employees of the New York City Housing Authority, which manages the citys public housing, and has one of the lowest employee vaccination rates of any municipal agency, at 59 percent. Mr. Floyd said he anticipated that many unvaccinated employees would get the shot in the days ahead, noting that the $500 incentive the city is offering to those who get their shots at city-run sites would help. I think with the $500, and needing employment, they will have a conversation with their physician and get vaccinated. Still, he predicted that some of Nychas workforce will probably walk away from the job. He said that rampant misinformation about the vaccine had left many of his members fearful. They dont know what the vaccine is going to do to them  theyre afraid of it, he said. Other union leaders also thought the mandate would lead some workers to retire early or find other jobs. Mr. Nespoli said he feared the mandate could leave the Department of Sanitation short-staffed when the first snowstorm hit this winter. The mandate applies to workers at dozens of city agencies, about 46,000 of whom have not received a vaccine dose yet, city officials said. It requires most unvaccinated city workers to have gotten a first dose by Nov. 1. Henry Garrido, executive director of the citys largest public union, District Council 37, urged City Hall to slow down. The proposed mandate must be collectively bargained and we expect City Hall to slow down and sit down with us, he said in a statement. Eric Adams, the Democratic mayoral nominee, said he supported the mandate, but that more work was necessary to get the unions on board. It is essential we get all of our public employees vaccinated  especially those who interact directly with the public  and I support a mandate, Mr. Adams said on Wednesday. But we must also work with our unions to make sure there is buy-in from our workers to ensure compliance.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story

Brazilian senators back off genocide and homicide charges for Bolsonaro. Image Senators attending a session on the governments management of the pandemic at the Federal Senate in Brasilia on Wednesday. Credit... Joedson Alves/EPA, via Shutterstock Hours before a congressional panel was to announce on national television its recommendation that President Jair Bolsonaro be charged with homicide and genocide for his mishandling of the pandemic, a few senators had second thoughts. Even though they believed Mr. Bolsonaro was effectively responsible for hundreds of thousands of the 600,000 Covid deaths in Brazil, these senators feared that position might not hold up legally, four panel members said. Suddenly the highly anticipated report  which still recommended other serious criminal charges against Mr. Bolsonaro  had lost the support of the majority of the panels 11 voting members. The panel, which had riveted the country with its six-month investigation, had a late-night meeting at one senators apartment, where, over duck and rice, they debated whether pursuing the more severe charges could jeopardize the prospects of Mr. Bolsonaros facing legal consequences. The reports author, Senator Renan Calheiros, eventually realized that he would have to walk back the charges to ensure the report would pass the committee and get to the attorney general, who could prosecute of the president. In the end, the main charge against Mr. Bolsonaro was crimes against humanity. The last-minute shift reflects the polarized and complicated political landscape under Mr. Bolsonaro, whose popularity has plummeted since he took office in 2019 but who still retains enormous power.

White House officials, anticipating vaccines soon for those 5 to 11, will rely on doctors, clinics and pharmacies. Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:04 - 0:00 transcript White House Officials Lay Out Plans to Vaccinate Young Children Health officials anticipate that regulators will make Covid-19 vaccines available for 5- to 11-year-olds in the coming weeks. The campaign to vaccinate kids will rely on doctors, clinics and pharmacies. We have secured vaccine supply to vaccinate every child ages 5 through 11, and as soon as the vaccine is authorized by the F.D.A., we will begin shipping millions of doses nationwide. States, tribes and territories are working to ensure that doses continue to be distributed efficiently and equitably across their jurisdictions. And importantly, we worked with Pfizer to modify the packaging of the pediatric doses to make it easier for pediatricians, family doctors and other providers to provide vaccines to children. We are going to be ready pending the F.D.A. and C.D.C. decision, thatll be based on science, but we want to make sure the operations are ready to accommodate kids. As as we talked about, the needs of kids are different than adults. And at the same time, we need to make sure we have the supply at pharmacies at childrens hospitals, pediatricians offices, family offices, family doctors offices, rural clinics, community clinics. Health officials anticipate that regulators will make Covid-19 vaccines available for 5- to 11-year-olds in the coming weeks. The campaign to vaccinate kids will rely on doctors, clinics and pharmacies. Credit Credit... Shawn Rocco/Duke Health/Via Reuters The campaign to vaccinate young children in the United States against the coronavirus will not look like it did for adults. There will be no mass inoculation sites. Pediatricians will be enlisted to help work with parents. Even the vials  and the needles to administer doses  will be smaller. Biden administration officials, anticipating that regulators will make the vaccines available to 5- to 11-year-olds in the coming weeks, laid out plans on Wednesday to ensure that some 25,000 pediatric or primary care offices, thousands of pharmacies, and hundreds of school and rural health clinics will be ready to administer shots if the vaccine receives federal authorization. The campaign aims to fulfill the unique needs of 28 million people in the United States, largely still in elementary school, while absorbing the lessons from the rollout of vaccines to other age groups. The 5-to-11 range has far more members than the teenage cohort already approved to receive the vaccine. Kids have different needs than adults, and our operational planning is geared to meet those specific needs, including by offering vaccinations in settings that parents and kids are familiar with and trust, President Bidens coronavirus response coordinator, Jeffrey D. Zients, told reporters. So we are going to be ready, pending the F.D.A. and C.D.C. decision that will be based on science. The White House announcement came as regulators greatly expanded the number of Americans eligible for booster shots. The Food and Drug Administration authorized boosters on Wednesday for tens of millions of recipients of Modernas two-dose coronavirus vaccine and the roughly 15 million who got Johnson & Johnsons single-dose shot. The agency also updated its authorizations for all three types  Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer-BioNTech  to allow medical providers to give people a different vaccine as a booster shot, a strategy known as mix and match. Still, with the school year well underway and the holiday travel season approaching, much of the country has been waiting to see when younger children can receive their first dose. This month, Pfizer and BioNTech asked the F.D.A. to authorize emergency use of their vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds. A meeting to discuss the authorization is set for Tuesday, and an F.D.A. ruling could come in the days after, possibly clearing a path for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to make recommendations on a pediatric dose in early November. Regulators have delayed a decision to authorize Modernas vaccine for adolescents over concerns about cases of rare heart problems. Both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have expanded the scope of their trials for children ages 5 to 11 as a precautionary measure to detect any rare side effects. In laying out a plan for distribution before regulators have given their sign-off, the White House is exposing itself to criticism that it is acting before the scientists. Administration officials say they want to make sure that any barriers to access are removed if children are approved to receive the vaccine. Sonya Bernstein, a senior policy adviser for the White House Covid-19 Response Team, stressed that the process was independent of the administrations plans. We know that access is going to be critical here, Ms. Bernstein said, adding that the administration had in recent weeks explored ways to provide a kid-friendly experience that makes sure that were getting shots in arms with trusted providers in ways that makes parents feel comfortable. Other experts said on Wednesday that it made sense for officials to plan ahead.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story

Russia closes workplaces for a week after Covid deaths hit record levels. Image A policeman and a Russian National Guard serviceman on patrol near the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia on May 2, 2021, during a non-working period imposed by President Vladimir Putin to control the spread of the coronavirus. Credit... Photo by Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images With the death toll from the coronavirus continuing to soar, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia announced new restrictions on Wednesday, declaring that a seven-day period starting Oct. 30 would be a non-working week in the country. The measure is intended to combat the rapid spread of the virus in Russia, where known deaths from Covid-19 have recently climbed above 1,000 a day. The Kremlin has hesitated to impose unpopular restrictions because of economic fears and widespread public nonchalance about the pandemic. The non-working week is a new and vaguely defined concept created after the onset of the pandemic. It is not a full lockdown; instead, nonessential workers are encouraged to stay home, while their employers are encouraged to pay them at least the minimum wage to do so. The chosen week appears to be a compromise: four of the days are already public holidays in Russia. The last time the Kremlin announced a similar non-working week was in May, a time when there were also several public holidays. Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova, who first proposed the measure, said she hoped some regions would introduce the non-working week earlier, starting Oct. 23. Mr. Putin said it was possible the week would grow. If necessary, non-working days could be extended beyond Nov. 7, he told his cabinet in broadcast remarks. We only have two ways to get through this  get sick or get vaccinated, he said in a news conference. But its better to get vaccinated. Why wait for an illness or its serious consequences? Ms. Golikova proposed restricting access to certain institutions, including workplaces, to vaccinated, tested or recently recovered people. Moscow introduced and then withdrew a similar measure over the summer. Mr. Putin said that workers should be paid even if they dont work, but did not stipulate who would foot the bill. Details about implementing the decree, including who would be considered an essential worker, will be left to regional leaders. Russian-made coronavirus vaccines, including Sputnik V and the one-dose Sputnik Light, are widely available country, but only 45 million of the countrys 146 million people have been fully vaccinated. Scholars attribute the hesitancy to low levels of trust in the authorities, who have sent conflicting messages about the pandemic since it began last year. Sputnik V has not been approved by the World Health Organization or the European Medicines Agency, the European Union regulator. Russian authorities have been critical of Western-made vaccines, which are not available in Russia, while promoting Sputnik. Analysts say that has also contributed to confusion and mistrust. There is also widespread skepticism about the states pandemic statistics, with allegations that officials are underreporting cases and deaths. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin of Moscow announced on Monday that people who rode the subway without wearing masks would be fined. On Tuesday, he asked Muscovites over 60, who make up 60 percent of all Covid patients in hospitals, to get vaccinated or stay at home. On Oct. 13, Mr. Sobyanin announced he would pay the equivalent of $140 to older residents as an incentive to get the vaccine. Only one-third of people in Moscow over 65 have been vaccinated, lower than the citys average. Andrei Makarov, chair of the lower house of parliaments budget committee, said Tuesday that 1,100 doctors in Russia had died from Covid during the first six months of this year, more than twice the number who died in all of 2020. Officials estimate that more than 225,300 have people died since the beginning of the pandemic, though independent experts say the government has drastically underestimated the death toll.

New virus cases are rising on some Caribbean islands, the W.H.O. says. Image Covid-19 vaccination drives have started slowly in some Caribbean nations. This was a line for shots on Monday at a subway station in Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic. Credit... Erika Santelices/Agence France-Presse, via Getty Images Bucking the trend in much of the Americas, several Caribbean countries are reporting significant surges in known coronavirus infections, World Health Organization officials warned on Wednesday. Reports of new cases are up 40 percent over the last week in the Dominican Republic and Barbados, said Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, the director of the Pan American Health Organization, a division of the W.H.O. In fact, Dr. Etienne said at a news conference, half of Barbadoss cumulative Covid infections since the pandemic began have been reported in the last month. Cases are also rising in Trinidad and Tobago and some smaller island nations and territories in the region, including St. Martin, St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla and the Cayman Islands. Many Caribbean countries have had difficulty moving quickly with vaccination efforts, both because of difficulty obtaining doses and because of widespread public hesitancy. It really troubles me that some of my Caribbean brothers and sisters have been slow to accept the Covid-19 vaccines that have been made available to them, said Dr. Etienne, who is from Dominica. Across Latin America and the Caribbean, 41 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, according to the Pan American Health Organization. New case reports are declining across North America, and infections and deaths are declining in most of Central America. The picture is also improving in South America, with the exception of Bolivia and Venezuela, the organization said. Dr. Etienne said it was important for countries in the region to build up testing even as reports of new cases ebbed, so that any fresh outbreaks could be caught before they developed into widespread surges. More and more, were seeing how local hot spots are driving national trends, she said. A good approach, she said, would be to integrate surveillance for Covid-19 with monitoring of other respiratory viruses. She said her organization was working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States to develop a new protocol for P.C.R. testing that would screen the same samples for both Covid-19 and influenza. Strong surveillance networks, she said, could also help detect emerging pathogens before they spread, and serve as the regions backbone for pandemic preparedness.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story

Egypt imposes a vaccine mandate for all government workers and university students. Image Covid vaccinations underway in Cairo in September. Credit... Khaled Elfiqi/EPA, via Shutterstock The Egyptian authorities, anticipating the delivery of tens of millions of doses of Covid-19 vaccines, have issued a sweeping vaccine mandate that encompasses a broad swath of society, including teachers, other government employees, university students and people seeking any government services. Egypt is the Arab worlds most populous country, with more than 100 million citizens. Its decision to ramp up its vaccination campaign with a mandate follows the model set by wealthier neighbors like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which are far ahead of Egypt in vaccinating their smaller populations. A spokesman for the Egyptian cabinet, Nader Saad, said on Sunday in a television appearance that beginning on Nov. 15, civil servants will not be allowed into their workplaces unless they can show that they have received at least one vaccine dose, or can provide proof of a negative PCR test each week. The tests are taken at the workers expense and cost $58 each, a daunting amount for someone earning government wages. Employees who do not comply will face disciplinary action, he said. Mr. Saad said that beginning Nov. 1, public university students will not be allowed on campus without proof of at least one vaccine dose, and that students will not have a testing alternative. According to the government, slightly more than half of the countrys three million university students and staff members have been vaccinated so far. Of Egypts five million government employees and schoolteachers, Mr. Saad said, about 600,000 had yet to receive a dose of vaccine. By Dec. 1, the proof-of-vaccination requirement will also extend to anyone seeking to enter a government building to access government services. So far, only 6.3 percent of Egypts population is fully vaccinated, and another 6.7 percent have had a first dose, according to the Our World in Data project at Oxford University. Delays in delivery of vaccination doses through the global Covax program earlier this year stalled the governments plan to inoculate 40 percent of the population by Dec. 31. In the spring and summer, many people complained of waiting months to receive a response to their applications for vaccine appointments. But as Egypt began receiving more vaccine doses in recent weeks, the government stepped up its efforts to encourage the public to get the shots, with television ads and bus convoys that offer T-shirts, mugs and flash drives to people who register for the vaccine on the spot. The government also held vaccination drives for civil servants and university students. Still, some Egyptians remain reluctant, and efforts to raise awareness of the vaccines have lagged. Egypts underfunded health system has been hit hard by the pandemic, which is now in a fourth wave in the country. Hundreds of doctors and medical staff members have lost their lives to Covid, and hospitals struggled at the peak of each wave to accommodate patients. The most recent wave began in late July, as the Delta variant was detected and infections and deaths began rising steadily. Egyptian officials say they expect to have received 70 million doses by the end of the month. Figures from Our World in Data show that at least 20 million of the doses have been administered. The government has also begun to produce a Chinese vaccine, Sinovac, domestically, aiming to achieve self-sufficiency and eventually export the vaccine to other African countries. The country has reported more than 300,000 coronavirus cases and more than 18,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic, but experts say the true figures are most likely much higher. Some analysts have raised concerns that Egypt and other authoritarian governments may be deliberately undercounting cases and deaths; Egypts government rejects any such assertion.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story

Iran, turning more to imports, plans to abandon one of its homegrown Covid vaccines. Image An Iranian student receiving a Covid-19 vaccine in Tehran. Credit... Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA, via Shutterstock Iran plans to abandon production of its Fakhravac Covid-19 vaccine for lack of demand, its defense ministry said on Tuesday. Irans five other domestic Covid vaccines could also be in jeopardy, as Iranians have shown they prefer imported vaccines. The Iranian vaccines have been undermined by the health ministrys decision to back away from initial promises to purchase large quantities of doses from domestic manufacturers. We are in the process of planning to end production, because who will we sell it to? Ahmad Karimi, the director of the Fakhravac vaccine program, told Iranian news outlets on Tuesday. He said about a million doses had been stockpiled. A day after the defense ministry announced its plans, the head of the countrys Food and Drug Agency promised to purchase three million doses of Fakhravac and another domestic vaccine. It was not clear whether that would affect the defense ministrys decision about ending production. The Fakhravac vaccine had received emergency use authorization in Iran but was still undergoing clinical trials to obtain full approval, and the defense ministry, which developed it, was having trouble finding enough participants for those trials. Iran has been among the countries hardest hit by the pandemic. The official death toll so far is about 125,000, but health officials and independent experts say the true figure is several times higher. Chaotic planning, lack of transparency and official refusal to lock down cities and impose quarantines early in the pandemic led to major surges in infections, hospitalizations and deaths. When vaccines became available, Iranian officials said they would give priority to domestically made shots, and health officials boasted that they would have the whole population inoculated by the end of the summer and be able to export surplus doses. The countrys supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, banned American- and British-made coronavirus vaccines, claiming that they had been designed to harm Iranians  a decision that many critics say caused Iran to fall behind on vaccination and led to more illness and death from the virus. Iran has sped up imports in recent months, and the health minister said that about 120 million doses had been obtained from abroad. About 59 percent of Irans 85 million people have received at least one dose of vaccine, and about 30 percent are fully vaccinated, according to official statistics; Iran is not yet giving booster shots on a wide scale. The Fakhravac vaccine is named for Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, Irans top nuclear scientist, who was assassinated by Israel in November 2020. It was developed by the research branch of the defense ministry and given emergency use authorization in September, when a major surge in cases in Iran was beginning to ease. Mr. Karimi boasted at the time that the defense ministry would soon produce 5 million doses of Fakhravac a day, but production has never come close to that level. Mr. Karimi said on Tuesday that the health ministry had not delivered on promises to purchase large quantities of domestic vaccines, a complaint that other manufacturers have also raised. Unfortunately, due to the flood of imported vaccines, our policymakers are not paying attention to domestic vaccines, said Abbas Ashtari, the head of biological products at the Razi Research Institute, which produces a vaccine called CovPars.

The Gates Foundation pledges $120 million to help get Covid pills quickly to poor countries. Image Mercks antiviral pill, molnupiravir. Credit... Mercks antiviral pill. The first easy-to-use Covid-19 treatment could be available in the United States by the end of this year, but it is unlikely to reach developing countries, where hundreds of millions of people remain without access to vaccines, until at least the middle of 2022, according to public health officials. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced on Wednesday that it would attempt to expedite the timetable for getting the drug, the antiviral molnupiravir, to low-income countries. It pledged an initial investment of up to $120 million to prompt eight generic drugmakers that have signed licensing agreements with the drugs developer Merck to start producing the medicine now, a sort of insurance policy gambling that it will be approved by regulatory bodies. Molnupiravir was developed in record speed by Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, who have submitted an application to the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use authorization. Merck is already manufacturing the drug in anticipation of that approval, which could come in December. The U.S. government has a pre-purchase contract for 1.7 billion courses of the medication, a simple pill that in a large clinical trial halved the risk of hospitalizations and death from the coronavirus among high-risk people who took it in the first days of infection. Other well-off countries are rushing to negotiate their own deals  on Wednesday the United Kingdom announced an agreement to buy 480,000 courses, pending approval. In addition to licensing the eight Indian manufacturing companies to produce generic versions of molnupiravir, Merck is in discussions with the Medicines Patent Pool, a nonprofit backed by the United Nations, raising hopes the simple treatment could be widely accessible in nations where large numbers of unvaccinated people will continue to die of coronavirus infections. But drug production experts say there are critical challenges, such as the supply of raw materials, regulatory approval and financial investment, that will mean the drug will be available in Omaha long before it is in Zimbabwe.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story

The Olympic torch arrives in Beijing under a cloud of protests and Covid fears. Image The Beijing Communist Party secretary, Cai Qi, lit the Olympic cauldron during a welcome ceremony on Wednesday. Credit... Andy Wong/Associated Press The Olympic torch arrived in Beijing on Wednesday, beginning a countdown to a Winter Games being held under the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic and calls for a boycott over Chinas rights abuses in Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang. The arrival ceremony, like the official lighting of the Olympic flame in Athens on Monday, unfolded without spectators, one of many concessions to Covid-19 that will severely restrict access to the games, which begin on Feb. 4. China, with the full support of the International Olympic Committee, is planning to hold the Games with even greater health protocols than those in place during the Summer Olympics in Tokyo this year. Only vaccinated and screened residents of China will be able to attend as spectators, while athletes, broadcasters, journalists and others working at the Olympic sites will be confined to one of three bubblelike environments for their entire visit. Those not vaccinated face 21-day quarantines upon arrival. Wednesdays ceremonies set the tone for a subdued Games. Only a small delegation at Beijings airport greeted the flight that brought the canister carrying the flame. The ceremonial lighting of the flame took place indoors at Beijings Olympic Park. International journalists were given less than 12 hours notice of the event  and those invited could only attend after a Covid test. The contrast to 2008, when China first hosted the Olympics, was striking. The ceremony then took place in Tiananmen Square in front of thousands of spectators, though under intense security because of political unrest in Tibet. Hu Jintao, Chinas leader at the time, presided. The current leader, Xi Jinping, who was already a rising political force, said that China holding the Games was the realization of a century-old dream. China has taken a zero-tolerance approach to the virus since it controlled the spread last year, keeping its borders largely sealed and squashing periodic flare-ups by locking down entire cities and neighborhoods. The health measures have also given the countrys authorities tools to maintain even stricter control over potential political protests. Calls for an official boycott  or even stripping Beijing of its role as host  have gained little traction. Protesters still hope to use the international spotlight to draw attention to Chinas authoritarian policies, especially against Tibetans and Uyghurs in Xinjiang, where China has carried out a campaign of mass detention and re-education. In Athens on Monday, activists managed to elude security during the lighting of the torch, unfurling a Tibetan flag and a banner reading, No Genocide Games. Such a breach would be nearly inconceivable in Beijing. A traditional relay of the torch  a ritual introduced in 1936 when Nazi Germany was host to the Summer Games in Berlin  has also been scuttled, as it was in Tokyo. In 2008, Chinas monthlong international relay became a lightning rod, spurring large and chaotic protests in several cities, including Paris, London and San Francisco. This time, organizers are planning an abbreviated relay at home on the eve of the opening ceremony in Beijing on Feb. 4. It will pass among the three sites of the games: Beijing, as well as Yanqing and Zhangjiakou, nestled in the hills north of the capital.

New Yorks $2.1 billion fund for undocumented workers is running out of money after a blitz of claims. Image Sharon Pemberton, 52, originally from the island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis, lost her job as a housekeeper during the pandemic and has been ineligible for state and federal pandemic relief programs due to her immigration status. Credit... Desiree Rios for The New York Times Earlier this year, New York created a $2.1 billion fund to help undocumented immigrants and others who weathered the pandemic without access to government relief. The Excluded Workers Fund, by far the biggest of its kind in the country, was intended to provide eligible workers with one-time payments to help cover costs associated with joblessness, such as back rent and medical bills. But just a few months after the state began accepting applications, the fund is about to run out of money, after a blitz in claims and a speedy distribution of aid. The funds rapid depletion could mean that tens of thousands of applicants might miss out on payments, according to organizers and state lawmakers who championed the fund. Soaring demand for the fund has placed pressure on Gov. Kathy Hochul to add more money to the pot in what could be an early test of her progressive bona fides as she campaigns next year. Ms. Hochul, a Democrat, had made it a priority to fast-track the disbursement of the original $2.1 billion when she ascended to the states top job after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo resigned in August. To date, the state has distributed just over two-thirds of the fund, to about 128,000 people, a fraction of the nearly 351,000 claims that were received. Ms. Hochul said last week that $2.1 billion was an extraordinary amount of money, and we dont have that level of money available just to deploy for something like this.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story
It was a window out into the world while we were sheltering in place, said Jonathan Kuntz, a lecturer and film historian at the School of Theater, Film and Television at U.C.L.A. We get a lot of information and distraction from films and documentaries.

The Academy Museums rambling permanent exhibition, Stories of Cinema, takes up three floors and explores the filmmaking process and the international history of motion pictures. It begins with a kaleidoscopic juxtaposition across multiple screens of clips and stills from 700 films and more than 100 years of cinematic history.

The exhibition also pays tribute to the wide variety of artists involved in moviemaking, including many who have been overlooked and underrepresented, a practice for which the Academy has been criticized.

To that end, Dr. Stewart said: The museum is a space for meaningful conversation about the history and future of cinema. And there is an urgency now to conversations about media representation and the power of cinema to shape policy and public opinion, to craft a sense of possibility for the future.
This article is part of our latest Fine Arts & Exhibits special report, about how art institutions are helping audiences discover new options for the future.

Few places in the world are more isolated than the east coast of Skagafjordur, Iceland, a wide tidal inlet at the Arctic Circle, where the Baer Art Center sits on the grounds of a horse-breeding farm outside one of the countrys oldest trading ports.

As a rule, only 10 artists are invited each summer to stay in the monastic white studios during the two residency sessions. Adam Thorman, an abstract landscape photographer, expected to attend in June 2020, on a much-anticipated return to the island after a calamitous trip 13 years earlier, when gale-force winds knocked over his tripod and smashed his prized Mamiya 7 II camera in a still-smoldering lava field.
This article is part of our latest Fine Arts & Exhibits special report, about how art institutions are helping audiences discover new options for the future.

Twenty-five-hundred years ago in a workshop in Athens, a master potter and his apprentice were creating a vase depicting Hercules driving a bull to sacrifice when the potter had a eureka moment  instead of painting figures the usual black, why not red. Red? No one had ever done that before.

Something extraordinary happened to them on that day that changed the course of history, said Alexia Roider, the creative head of Zedem Media, an animation studio based in Cyprus. By applying some different substances to the clay and controlling the temperature inside the kiln, the potter changed the colors and the effects of the paint on the vase. (The creator is believed to be a potter known as Andokides.)
Around the same time in 2017 that the French president, Emmanuel Macron, promised that the repatriation of African artifacts from French museums would be a top priority for his government, Cecile Fakhoury discovered a number that truly shocked and unsettled her: About 90 percent of the sales from her gallery in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, were to international collectors.

Considering that her reason for setting up Galerie Cecile Fakhoury had been to sell West African contemporary art to regional collectors and help strengthen a local art scene, it felt to her that history was repeating itself.

When I got this number, I was like, No, its not possible, the French-born 37-year-old said recently on a video call from Abidjan. My vision at the beginning was to create a platform in Ivory Coast, in West Africa, on the continent. To build something from the continent for the continent, for the artists living and working there, and at this point, it was completely unbalanced.
PHILADELPHIA  Its hard to believe that Suzanne Valadon: Model, Painter, Rebel at the Barnes Foundation is the first American museum show for this sensational French painter.

Born in Bessines-sur-Gartempe and raised in Paris by a single mother, Valadon (1865-1938) began drawing at the age of 9. After a few unsuccessful career attempts, which she later claimed included a circus act, Valadon began modeling for artists in her teens. Gustav Wertheimer made her a siren, floating naked from the wave to entrap sailors with a kiss. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who painted her hung over, nicknamed her Suzanna  a reference to a biblical parable about voyeurism and lust that she liked so much she dropped her actual birth name, Marie-Clementine.

At 18 she gave birth to a son, whom her friend Miguel Utrillo later endowed with a surname, though he may not have been the father. (The child, Maurice Utrillo, also became a successful painter, though he struggled with alcohol and mental illness.) Valadon sold drawings and etchings, befriended Edgar Degas, and carefully studied the painters who painted her, learning from the way they worked. Just shy of 30, she made an advantageous marriage that let her give up modeling and devote her time to drawing. But she didnt pick up a paintbrush herself till 1909, at 44, when she left her businessman husband for the painter Andre Utter, a friend and contemporary of her sons.
Moyers was intrigued. So Gates, the director of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University, started calling writers from his famously vast network, asking them about their intellectual and artistic heroes. He pitched some on particular ideas (Duke Ellington?). Some suggested their own alternatives (Charles Mingus!). Within a few months, he had two dozen authors signed up.

The series will be called Significations, a play on the African-American tradition of wordplay known as signifying (and a callback to Gatess 1988 book The Signifying Monkey: A Theory of Afro-American Literary Criticism). Each book will be 40,000 words, and all writers, Gates said, will receive the same advance.

(Moyers declined to provide any financial details about the deal, but called it an enormous investment.)

Gates said he sees the series as part of the latest bend in the arc of Black studies, which began with projects of recovery and preservation, and has now moved to the phase of explication and interpretation.

And the series, he said, would be a salvo on what he called the last battleground of anti-Black racism.

If you can close your eyes and imagine other forms of racism disappearing, I think the last remnant will be underestimation of Black intellect, which is part of a racist discourse that goes all the way back, he said.
PARIS  Asia Now, a fair dedicated to contemporary Asian art, will be a bit different this year.

The usual list of galleries from China, Japan and Korea is conspicuously thin, so the fair has expanded its scope to bring a selection of Irans contemporary art galleries to a dedicated platform called Tehran Now.

We explore the richness of the art scenes from the Asian continent, and it was important that we looked at art from Iran, said Alexandra Fain, co-founder and president of Asia Now.

This fair counts 40 participants in an in-person format that runs through Sunday in its usual venue, the Salons Hoche, a mansion on the Avenue Hoche a few blocks from the Arc de Triomphe in Pariss Eighth Arrondissement. An online viewing room is available.
Seven years ago, the Wu-Tang Clans one-of-a-kind album Once Upon a Time in Shaolin was created as a protest against the devaluation of music in the digital era. Before long it got caught up in a tale of capitalist villainy when it was purchased by Martin Shkreli, the price-gouging young pharmaceutical speculator who was later convicted of securities fraud.

Now the album has found yet another life on the frontier of digital art and cryptocurrency, having been sold for $4 million to PleasrDAO, a collective that has existed for less than a year but has already built a reputation for acquiring high-profile digital works.

In a complex deal with multiple parties, one of whom remains unidentified, PleasrDAO acquired Once Upon a Time after its sale in July by the federal government, which had seized the album to satisfy the balance of a $7.4 million forfeiture money judgment against Mr. Shkreli that was part of his sentencing in 2018. (Mr. Shkreli is still serving out a seven-year prison sentence.)

When the United States Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York, in Brooklyn, announced the sale of Once Upon a Time in Shaolin this summer, no details about the buyer, or price, were disclosed; prosecutors said that information was confidential.
PARIS  In 1900, a young Pablo Picasso left Barcelona, Spain, for Paris with dreams of triumph. Poor, talented and with the arrogance of youth, he worked tirelessly, lived boldly, experimented with nearly every medium in art and upended French academism. In his lifetime, he gained fame and fortune, and redefined art in the 20th century.

Yet, for more than 40 years, his Catalan connections, his communist leanings and his celebrity made him a suspect in the eyes of the French police and intelligence services. His request for naturalization was denied. He was the target of xenophobia and identity politics.

Picasso came to Paris to be part of an art scene where the Post-Impressionists, the Fauves, and other modern movements were fighting the strict rigors of the Academie des Beaux-Arts, Annie Cohen-Solal, a French cultural historian and biographer, said in an interview.
And then there is Goods daughter Dorothy, a 4-year-old when she was imprisoned, whose pet snake was ruled a familiar spirit. She was later freed, but her mother was convicted and hanged.

Between June 1692, when the first special court was convened, and May 1693, members of the Puritan community in Massachusetts Bay Colony (home to Salem Village, now known as Danvers, five miles from modern Salem) were condemned by their family or neighbors, and many imprisoned or hanged for witchcraft  perhaps the most infamous example in American history of mass hysteria.

At a time when the term witch hunt has gained renewed agency, and a law in Texas that effectively bans most abortions involves deputizing citizen enforcers, the trials have a new resonance. The deliberately non-touristy exhibition at the august Peabody Essex, which has the largest collection of original material related to the trials, reminds us that history can repeat itself.

A lot of people were keenly aware that when those accusations were targeted towards them, it was the end, said Lydia Gordon, a co-curator of the exhibition. These accusations were grounded in fear. They were grounded in jealousy and land disputes and money. And it may look different, but this fear, and this needing to control mostly women, or people that fall outside of a heteronormative society? Well, we see this still today.
Russia imposes a stay-home week

As the Covid death toll and case numbers soar, Russia will shut down for a seven-day non-working period starting on Oct. 30, President Vladimir Putin announced.

The measure is intended to combat the rapid spread of the coronavirus amid low vaccination numbers. The country has been recording more than 1,000 daily Covid deaths for the first time since the pandemic began.

The Kremlin has hesitated to impose widespread restrictions out of fear of disrupting the economy and because of widespread public nonchalance about the pandemic.

We only have two ways to get through this  get sick or get vaccinated, Putin said in a news conference. But its better to get vaccinated. Why wait for an illness or its serious consequences? He added that the non-working period could be extended.
WASHINGTON  As he tries to steer his party toward a vast, once-in-a-generation investment in social programs, President Biden is paring back his ambitions for clean energy, access to college and help for families.

The president proposed abandoning his signature campaign promise of two years of free community college, according to people who attended White House meetings with Democratic lawmakers and others who had been briefed on them. He conceded that negotiators would dump a clean electricity program spurned by Senate centrists. He raised the idea of limiting an extension of payments to families with children to one year. And he said the length of federal paid leave could shrink.

In response to steadfast opposition from Senator Kyrsten Sinema, Democrat of Arizona, Mr. Bidens team is now also wrestling with how to pay for trillions of dollars in spending without relying on increases in the corporate or individual income tax rates.

Pursuing a legacy-making achievement, Mr. Biden has been a mediator, a listener and at times an exasperated negotiator, according to people familiar with the dozens of closed-door discussions, Zoom meetings and many late-night telephone calls with Democratic lawmakers.
The drug maker Biogen reported on Wednesday that Aduhelm, its new Alzheimers drug, brought in $300,000 in revenue from July to September, far short of the companys goals and Wall Street expectations.

The sales figures, which Biogen disclosed in its financial report for the third quarter, the drugs first full period of availability, represented a remarkably slow start for a treatment that was introduced with a $56,000 annual price tag and expectations that it would strain Medicares budget within a few years. Uptake has been substantially slowed by concerns among insurers, physicians and families that the drug is backed by little evidence of effectiveness while coming with significant risk of potentially serious side effects.

Its a huge disappointment, said Brian Skorney, an analyst at Robert W. Baird & Company.

People have for a while talked about this being potentially the biggest drug ever, he added. Theres no drugs that have been successful to that extent that have really had that slow of a start.

Wall Street analysts had forecast that the drug would bring at least $12 million in the third quarter, though expectations had been tempered after the news organization STAT reported last month that just over 100 patients had received the treatment in its first few months of availability. Biogens stock fell about 0.6 percent by the close of trading on Wednesday.
Hardly anyone in the vicinity of the Fayetteville factory knew about the companys pollution until a Wednesday morning in 2017, when The Wilmington Star News reported that chemicals from the plant, which was 90 miles upstream, had contaminated the citys drinking water.

The article highlighted the research of Detlef Knappe, an engineering professor and water-quality expert at North Carolina State University. He warned that the drinking water of more than 250,000 people in the region was contaminated with a cocktail of 17 PFAS compounds, including GenX. It is one thing to say it is in the river, it is another thing to say it comes out of your tap, Mr. Knappe said in a recent interview.

Frightened residents began organizing protests. Local politicians demanded answers.

Inside Chemours, executives rushed to come up with talking points to quell the crisis, according to interviews with former employees and court documents reviewed by The New York Times. The executives decided to say that the levels of GenX found in the drinking water were safe and that much of the pollution happened before Chemours was created.

Even some Chemours executives were skeptical about this strategy of deflection.

Chemours poisoned people for years, and finally stepped up after they got caught, Laura Korte, a global product manager at Chemours who previously worked at DuPont, texted a colleague as they strategized. (The message, which hasnt been publicly reported, was unearthed during a lawsuit against Chemours and recounted to The Times.) That is how it will spin.

In an attempt to shape the story, Chemours sponsored studies that played down the hazards of GenX. Damian Shea, a professor at North Carolina State University, produced research for Chemours that claimed that North Carolinas limits for GenX levels in the water were unnecessarily low. Mr. Shea later said at a public event that he would let his grandchildren drink the water.

A 2019 research report by a consulting firm, ToxStrategies, found that GenX is unlikely to be a human carcinogen. A conflict-of-interest disclosure at the end of the report notes that the research was supported by Chemours, which reviewed the report before it was published.
The most powerful part of President Bidens climate agenda  a program to rapidly replace the nations coal- and gas-fired power plants with wind, solar and nuclear energy  has been dropped from the budget bill pending in Congress, after Senator Joe Manchin III, the Democrat from coal-rich West Virginia, told the White House that he strongly opposes the program.

Mr. Manchins vote is crucial to passage of the broader budget bill, which Democrats are trying to push through with razor-thin majorities in both chambers of Congress.

As a result of his demands, White House and Congressional staffers are now rewriting the legislation without that climate provision, and are trying to cobble together a mix of other policies that could also cut emissions.

But the move comes less than two weeks before President Biden leaves for a major climate change conference in Glasgow, where he is supposed to demonstrate to other world leaders exactly what the worlds largest economy is doing to cut its greenhouse pollution  and to meet his own ambitious target of cutting emissions 50 percent from 2005 levels by 2025.
Nadia Chaudhri, a neuroscientist with terminal ovarian cancer who used her final months to raise money for graduate students of diverse backgrounds and to educate the public about her disease through a widely followed social media chronicle, died on Oct. 5 at a hospital in Montreal. She was 43.

Her husband, Moni Orife, confirmed her death.

Dr. Chaudhri, a professor at Concordia University in Montreal, was in palliative care at Royal Victoria Hospital when she wrote on Twitter in August that she would be embarking on a walk-a-thon: pacing her hospital floor each day in a fund-raising appeal for minority, female, L.G.B.T.Q. and other students from underrepresented backgrounds who are pursuing scientific research at the university. Her own research centered on the neural basis of drug and alcohol addiction.

Her campaign raised funds for the Nadia Chaudhri Wingspan Award, which was established in her honor and announced by Concordia in May. She had previously raised money with a GoFundMe campaign to sponsor students from diverse backgrounds to attend the annual conference of the nonprofit Research Society on Alcoholism.

In the announcement of the award, Dr. Chaudhri recalled the discrimination she had experienced as a Pakistani woman in graduate school. When I gave talks or presentations, people often commented on my accent instead of my science, she said.
Others, like New York and California, and some large nursing home chains have imposed their own mandates. But many nursing home administrators are waiting for the federal government to issue new rules that will govern a mandatory vaccination program for all their staff members that President Biden first announced two months ago. And some facilities and labor groups are still pushing for a testing option in lieu of a shot.

But months of delays and vaccine resistance have had wrenching consequences for families like Mr. Lewiss, who once again are barred from visiting because of outbreaks. Creekside did not return repeated calls and emails seeking comment.

After steep declines earlier this year, Covid cases and deaths in nursing homes climbed in August and September, resulting in about 4,000 deaths  even though nearly 90 percent of the nations nursing home residents were fully vaccinated. Residents are particularly vulnerable to breakthrough infections because so many are older and suffer from serious medical conditions, like the multiple myeloma the former secretary of state Colin Powell was being treated for when he died from complications of Covid on Monday.

It is medically wrong and borders on unethical to have unvaccinated nursing home staff caring for residents, said Dr. Michael Wasserman, a geriatrician and former nursing home executive who has become a critic of the industry. The vaccine works. It has made a profound difference.

The Biden administration has said that nursing homes could face a loss of government funding  the industry heavily relies on Medicaid and Medicare funds  if they do not comply, but the regulations for enforcement of a mandate have yet to be disclosed.
Times Insider explains who we are and what we do, and delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how our journalism comes together.

In early January, I got an email from a writer in Los Angeles named Dawn Dorland. The email was straightforward: She believed shed been plagiarized in a short story by another writer named Sonya Larson. Now they were in court. This dispute, on top of just being surreal, has cost my family a lot of money we didnt have, Ms. Dorland wrote. And, as I am learning now through the legal discovery process, cost me my writing community back in Boston, where I cut my teeth as a writer.

I didnt know Ms. Dorland or Ms. Larson, hadnt read the short story in question and dont travel in the same writer circles as they do. But to be approached in this way is not exactly unusual for me. People involved in lawsuits often want reporters to pay attention to their cases. I have written a lot of narratively driven journalism about complicated, tangled relationships that end up involving lawyers.

I remember thinking that the case was so complex and the issues so insular that it would be hard to get anyone interested. But a week after that first email, I wandered back to it, and the more I read, the more there seemed to be a lot happening  in and out of court, and on both sides of the story.

Over the next several months, I examined the case for the recent New York Times Magazine article Who Is the Bad Art Friend?, which was published earlier this month and became a major subject of conversation online, with readers taking sides. As I reported, I saw how this was, on one level, a story about a friendship torn asunder. But it was also about how people can take details from real life and weave them into their fiction, and the question of whether artists must adhere to a certain set of ethics. Then there was the astonishing nature of what was appropriated: Ms. Dorland had donated a kidney through so-called nondirected donation. Her kidney was not intended for anyone specifically but was part of a donation chain, arranged by doctors to provide a kidney to someone who may not have another living donor. Ms. Larsons short story was about a kidney donation  and, Ms. Dorland maintained, the story used some phrases from a letter Ms. Dorland had written to the person at the end of this surgical chain and posted in a private Facebook group.
Marcus Leng, the chief executive of Opener, standing in front of prototypes of BlackFly, a new kind of aircraft.

Credit... Jason Henry for The New York Times
Being a symbol of racial and cultural optimism is a strange sign to live under. Your beauty signifies the rightness of the coming transition, its aesthetic balance; your flexibility, empathy and intermingled whiteness comfort those who fear the loss of place or privilege in the coming demographic shift. You are a bridge between the genes of your mother and the genes of your father, a bridge between their cultures  a bridge being a structure that others can use to cross something hazardous. You are a link between past and present that somehow carries forward none of the old grudges.

But in the classroom and on the playground, my racial ambiguity didnt feel like something to celebrate. At some times, I felt illegible and unseen; at others, I felt that my inharmonious features  the unusual shape of my eyes, my odd accent and the gaps in my knowledge of either culture  were bizarrely visible. Other children and some adults asked about me, speculated about me, tried to puzzle through my racial and cultural identity. And in the estrangement I felt in the towns we moved to, surrounded mostly by white people and sensing my mothers own melancholia at being stranded far from her home country and the languages she was most comfortable living in, I found little in my racial identity that I could use as an anchor.

One day when I was 16, alone in the school library during lunch hour, I came upon Passing and, like Hall, found it strangely, alarmingly moving. It gave shape and language to the racial ambivalence I experienced that was difficult to place within the optimistic rhetoric that surrounded me. The precarity that Clare and Irene live with, one walking a tightrope between two worlds designated as incommensurable and the other clutching at the apparent safety of a singular, grounded identity, spoke to my own fear of a catastrophic mobility, the feeling that if I didnt find some way to root myself firmly to one world or the other, I might never find a way to belong anywhere. Texts are always haunted by the unseen  in basic terms, they work to conjure in the mind what they can only point at in words  but this entire book was fueled by invisible, scarcely apprehended drives that seemed to come from society, that spectral presence that moves us all in difficult-to-identify ways.

As I read George Hutchinsons In Search of Nella Larsen, the most comprehensive biography of the writer, I found a life that encompassed, at different times, the public-facing dutifulness of Irene Redfield and the lonesome, destructive freedom of Clare Kendry. A mysterious and remote figure who left inconsistent traces in the public record, Larsen struggled all her life to find her place among the categories available to her. The daughter of a white Danish seamstress and a Black cook from the Danish West Indies, Larsen spent her early years in an interracial sliver of Chicago where all kinds of people commingled in saloons and brothels, far from the buttoned-up neighborhoods of elite white and elite Black society. When her mother married another white immigrant from Denmark and gave birth to her second daughter, Larsens skin tone prevented the family from establishing themselves in one of the newer, less precarious neighborhoods dominated by working-class white immigrants. After years of tension navigating an increasingly segregated city, her mother sent her to study at an elite, all-Black teacher-training program in Tennessee, where she was expelled after a year, probably for violating the dress code. She returned to Denmark, where she lived for a time as a child.

With her Scandinavian roots and little direct connection to the legacy of slavery that defined much of the African American experience, and because she came from a poor background, Larsen never felt fully at home in elite all-Black social circles. After she went to nursing school and became the first Black librarian to attend the New York Public Librarys prestigious library school, her first publications were selections of Danish childrens games and songs. The novelist Walter White, part of the literary community she had begun to associate with, encouraged her to write a novel, and eventually, she wrote two: the quasi-autobiographical Quicksand and her second and last published novel, Passing. She became one of the most celebrated  and maligned  writers of the Harlem Renaissance, insisting on a social circle that included the controversial white author Carl Van Vechten, whose writings had been deemed exploitative by many Black critics.

In her work, Larsen complicated traditional notions of morality or race loyalty. She sometimes wrote about white people, as in the unpublished domestic thriller set in Boston that she wrote and rewrote in her last years as a working writer, as if trying to prove that colored people could enter the minds and lives of white people. After years of disappointments  her physicist husband was having an affair with a white co-worker, and one after another the manuscripts she submitted were rejected by publishers  Larsen retreated. Without telling the remnants of her literary circle, she moved to a different apartment down the block and became unreachable to her friends and colleagues. She quietly returned to nursing and died in the company of colleagues who had little idea that she had been a writer at all.

The unusual shape of Larsens story, riddled with holes and obscurities, has led many to misread her. When her work was rediscovered in the 1980s and 1990s and began to appear on syllabuses, biographers claimed she had embellished her Danish heritage in order to distance herself from African American culture and present herself as European, and therefore more sophisticated. Other critics suggested that she left her literary life in order to begin passing as white. In reality, the proof of her connection to Denmark only required more care and effort to unearth, and though she once boasted in a letter to friends of having managed to have lunch in an upscale whites-only Southern restaurant, Hutchinson argues that she never tried to pass in any deeper, more deliberate way. But the misinterpretations of Larsen and her work point to her predicament: Even as she attained significant success as a writer, she left too few traces on paper to ensure that she would be read accurately. She remained enigmatic, illegible to most.
In a galaxy far, far away, a young man in a sea of sand faces a foreboding destiny. The threat of war hangs in the air. At the brink of a crisis, he navigates a feudalistic world with an evil emperor, noble houses and subjugated peoples, a tale right out of mythology and right at home in George Lucass brainpan. But this is Dune, baby, Frank Herberts science-fiction opus, which is making another run at global box-office domination even as it heads toward controversy about what it and its messianic protagonist signify.

The movie is a herculean endeavor from the director Denis Villeneuve (Arrival), a starry, sumptuous take on the novels first half. Published in 1965, Herberts book is a beautiful behemoth (my copy runs almost 900 pages) crowded with rulers and rebels, witches and warriors. Herbert had a lot to say  about religion, ecology, the fate of humanity  and drew from an astonishment of sources, from Greek mythology to Indigenous cultures. Inspired by government efforts to keep sand dunes at bay, he dreamed up a desert planet where water was the new petroleum. The result is a future-shock epic that reads like a cautionary tale for our environmentally ravaged world.

Villeneuve likes to work on a large scale, but has a miniaturists attention to fine-grained detail, which fits for a story as equally sweeping and intricate as Dune. Like the novel, the movie is set thousands of years in the future and centers on Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet), the scion of a noble family. With his father, Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac), and his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), Paul is about to depart for his new home on a desert planet called Arrakis, a.k.a. Dune. The Duke, on orders from the Emperor, is to take charge of the planet, which is home to monstrous sandworms, enigmatic Bedouin-like inhabitants and an addictive, highly valuable resource called spice.
A nanny at an orphanage in Chinas Guangdong Province speaks of the infants she cared for over the years. My heart ached whenever I sent a baby away  What was to become of them? Amanda Lipitzs adoption documentary Found, rife with poignant moments, provides not one simple answer to that plaintive question but three beautifully complex ones  in the cousins Chloe, Sadie and Lily, who travel to China from Arizona, Tennessee and Oklahoma.

When we meet Chloe, she is at her bat mitzvah, her parents beaming. Before that gathering, Chloe (the filmmakers niece) had already met Sadie, via 23andMe, a consumer genetics testing company. Through its website, the two located Lily. The teenagers (with ample parental support) embark on a journey to learn the facts of their origins and perhaps locate their birth parents.
The undead are the coolest kids in town in Adam Randalls Night Teeth, a strangely listless vampire tale that unspools with some style and precious little sense.

The town is present-day Los Angeles, a place lousy with vamps who  according to the movies unpersuasive mythology  abide by the terms of a longstanding truce that allows them to coexist peacefully with humans. Not so down with that is Victor (Alfie Allen), an ambitious midlevel ghoul, who has instructed his two henchwomen (Debby Ryan and Lucy Fry) to assassinate the five vampire bosses who each rule a section of the city. Further plans are not forthcoming.
For example: Roebuck Wright, as played by Jeffrey Wright, resembles James Baldwin in his speech patterns, body language and manner of dress. But the article he contributes to The French Dispatch is more like something A.J. Liebling would have undertaken  an excursion into the arcane (and in this case wholly fanciful) reaches of French gastronomy. The mash-up, like much in the movie, seems both preposterous and somehow touchingly apt.

Its not really possible to spoil any of the major episodes, but its also foolish to try to summarize them. The cast is as enormous and as heterogeneous as the list of names in a New Yorker holiday Greetings, Friends poem:

Mathieu Amalric! Edward Norton!

Elisabeth Moss and Jason Schwartzman!

Adrien Brody, Lyna Khoudri,

Owen Wilson, even Fonzie!

And so on. The shifts in tone from melancholy to antic are an Anderson signature, heightened by switches from black-and-white to color, from live action to animation, and from what could be the 30s or 40s to what might be the 60s or 70s.

After an introduction (with voice-over from Anjelica Huston) and a prose-poem tour of Ennui (conducted by Wilson on a bicycle), we settle into a stretch of what the real New Yorker liked to call long fact pieces. Each feature is, in effect, a double portrait: of the writer at work on the story and of a charismatic, elusive central character, set against a busy backdrop of mayhem and intrigue. Roebuck Wright is paired with a precinct-house chef (Stephen Park); Lucinda Krementz (McDormand) with a rebellious student (Timothee Chalamet); J.K.L. Berensen (Swinton) with a tormented painter (Benicio Del Toro). The fact that both of the women writers sleep with their sources suggests that this love letter to journalism might have benefited from an editor with an eye for repetition and cliche.

In any issue of any publication, some pieces will be stronger than others. The Private Dining Room of the Police Commissioner, Wrights culinary crime story, is hectic and complicated, with a nice, bittersweet payoff. Swintons offering, The Concrete Masterpiece, with Del Toro in a straitjacket and Lea Seydoux in and out of an asylum-guards uniform is, to me, both the silliest of the chapters and the most moving. Revisions to a Manifesto, with McDormand chronicling a May 68-ish student protest (and her affair with one of its leaders, played by Chalamet), struck me as the thinnest and most strenuous in its whimsy, offering a too-clever pastiche of real-world events that flattens and trivializes them.

On the other hand, it reminded me of Masculin Feminin, one of my favorite Godard movies. A certain amount of the delight you find in The French Dispatch may derive from your appreciation of the cultural moments and artifacts it evokes. Anderson expresses a fans zeal and a collectors greed for both canonical works and weird odds and ends, a love for old modernisms that is undogmatic and unsentimental.
On a May night in 2020, two young lawyers  high achievers who had risen from working-class roots to prestigious schools and promising careers  joined thousands of others on the streets of Brooklyn to protest the murder of George Floyd.

What happened next stunned many of their friends: The lawyers, Urooj Rahman and Colinford Mattis, were arrested in an attack using a Molotov cocktail on an empty police car. Federal prosecutors brought stiff charges against them: seven counts, including arson and civil disorder, which collectively could have carried a 45-year minimum sentence. They also argued that the lawyers were dangers to society.

On Wednesday, Ms. Rahman, 32, and Mr. Mattis, 34, pleaded guilty in federal court in Brooklyn to one count apiece of possession of a destructive device, as part of a deal worked out between their lawyers and federal prosecutors in Brooklyn.

They could face up to 10 years in prison when they are sentenced on Feb. 8, though the judge, Brian Cogan, said that the date might change. A lawyer for Ms. Rahman, Paul Shechtman, said negotiations over the applicable sentencing range were still underway. One sticking point is that prosecutors have indicated that they would seek a so-called terrorism enhancement, which has typically been applied in cases related to mass destruction and which can extend a prison stay by decades.
Oct. 20, 2021, 9:40 p.m. ET Oct. 20, 2021, 9:40 p.m. ET Emma G. Fitzsimmons and

Image Eric Adams, left, the Democratic mayoral nominee, and his Republican opponent, Curtis Sliwa, squared off in a spirited televised debate, disagreeing over everything from vaccine mandates to keeping a Thomas Jefferson statue in City Hall. Credit... Pool photo by Craig Ruttle

[Follow our live coverage of N.Y.C. elections.]

Eric Adams and Curtis Sliwa offered different visions for New York City in their first debate on Wednesday night, disagreeing over everything from vaccine mandates to keeping a statue of Thomas Jefferson at City Hall.

Mr. Adams, the Democratic nominee, tried to remain calm while Mr. Sliwa, his Republican opponent, lobbed a barrage of attacks and tried to tie Mr. Adams to Mayor Bill de Blasio, who is deeply unpopular among many New Yorkers.

Mr. Adams criticized Mr. Sliwa for admitting to faking crimes for publicity as the leader of the Guardian Angels  and for not following the rules of the debate, calling Mr. Sliwas confrontational and often random debate style buffoonery.

Beyond trading barbs, there were some substantial policy differences between the candidates ahead of the general election on Nov. 2.

Here are five takeaways from the debate:

A disagreement over a vaccine mandate for city workers

Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:56 - 0:00 transcript Candidates Clash Over Vaccine Mandates The New York City mayoral candidates Eric Adams and Curtis Sliwa offered opposing perspectives over whether city workers, including police officers and firefighters, should be required to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. Do you agree with the new mandate, and as mayor, will you uphold the benching of police officers and firefighters who refuse? You have one minute. Im vaccinated, and I was on the ground during Covid, and I know what happened. I saw family members dropping off their loved ones to hospitals, never to see them again. I saw how it traumatized our businesses, how it destroyed our economy. I believe the mayors action today was correct. I would have handled it differently. I would have sat down with my union members, and I would have sat down with those who are involved, and we have worked out a way we could come to an agreement. I stated this over and over during Covid. Credible messengers  the heads of unions, they are the credible messengers for their members, and I believe that we can come to the appropriate place where we can vaccinate everyday New Yorkers, protect us. We can never go back to where we were when Covid hit the city. Mr. Adams, just to be clear, will you uphold the benching of police officers and firefighters? Yes, I would. I disagree with Eric. I feel that we dont have enough police officers as it is. So now, after establishing the rules which were, get vaccinated, which I am, or get tested once a week, same with firefighters  now what did we do to the teachers? What did we do to the health care workers who were crawling into the belly of the beast during the lockdown in the pandemic? I know, because I and the Guardian Angels with taking care of the emotionally disturbed and the homeless in the subways and in Penn Station. We cheered them at night at 7:00. Then all of a sudden we decided  de Blasio, who has supported Eric Adams here, a better team, that all of a sudden they would lose their jobs  that is a horror  if they werent going to be vaccinated. We should never fire  [Moderator] Thank you, Mr. Sliwa.  for that reason. The New York City mayoral candidates Eric Adams and Curtis Sliwa offered opposing perspectives over whether city workers, including police officers and firefighters, should be required to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. Credit Credit... Pool photo by Craig Ruttle

Mr. Adams, the Brooklyn borough president, said he supports Mr. de Blasios new vaccine mandate for public workers that was announced on Wednesday.

But Mr. Adams said he would have worked more closely with labor leaders to figure out a way to reach an agreement together.

I believe the mayors action today was correct, Mr. Adams said. I would have handled it differently.

Mr. Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels and a former radio host, said he opposed the mandate and worried that it could lead to the loss of some police officers.

I disagree with Eric, Mr. Sliwa said. I feel that we dont have enough police officers as it is.

Attacks over past lies and a Brooklyn apartment

Mr. Adams repeatedly sought to depict Mr. Sliwa as a liar and criticized him for interrupting and not following the debate rules.

Can he please adhere to the rules? Mr. Adams asked one of the moderators.

Mr. Sliwa said that he had apologized for making up crimes during the 1980s to try to attract more attention.

I made mistakes, he said. I was immature at the age of 25 and did things I should not have done. I know my opponent, Eric Adams, similarly has done things that hes apologized for.

Mr. Sliwa sought to rattle Mr. Adams and was mostly unsuccessful. When questioned by one of the moderators, Mr. Adams refused to say how many nights he had slept at the Brooklyn apartment where he claims to have lived during the last six months.

Mr. Adams, who has faced questions over his residency, said he sometimes works at Brooklyn Borough Hall until 4 or 5 a.m.

I dont jot down the number of days Im there, but thats where I lay my head, Mr. Adams said of his apartment.

The men disagreed on another hot topic  the planned removal of the Jefferson statue from City Council chambers. Mr. Adams wants it gone; Mr. Sliwa said it should stay.

Different visions for schools

The candidates offered opposing plans for the citys schools. Mr. Adams wants to set a vaccine mandate for public school students  a departure from Mr. de Blasio.

Mr. Adams said that schools already require vaccines for diseases like measles and that a mandate would help protect students from the coronavirus. For families who decide to keep children at home, Mr. Adams said he was open to a remote option.

Mr. Sliwa, who noted that he has three sons in public schools, said he opposes a vaccine mandate for students because it could cause some students to stay home. We need them in school learning, Mr. Sliwa said.

Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:45 - 0:00 transcript N.Y.C. Candidates Support Gifted and Talented Program Both of the major-party candidates for New York City mayor, Eric Adams and Curtis Sliwa, said they supported continuing the gifted and talented program in city schools, but with some changes. Mayor de Blasio has announced a plan to phase out the existing gifted and talented programs. You both disagree with that decision. The programs include a controversial exam given to 4-year-olds. Will you keep the same test? And if so, how will you address the racial imbalance that results from the process? Theres only 2,500 slots available for gifted and talented out of 65,000 children who go to kindergarten. One of those was my son. I sat in the assembly hall. He went in for his test. He lost out. He did not get into gifted and talented, but we seem to be taking it out on Asian families and Southeast Asian families because theyre doing so well. We need to expand gifted and talented. So its in all schools, even if only three or two children qualify in the Bronx or Brooklyn. There should be gifted and talented in those schools. Education is so important to me. I shared over and over again, going through public school with a learning disability, undiagnosed until I got into college. That is why I believe that not only should we expand opportunities for accelerated learners, make sure its in every district in our city and every ZIP code. But we should also look at those children who learn differently. It doesnt mean they cant learn. We need to do dyslexia screening. We must make sure that we go for children with learning disabilities, so the opportunities and the barriers to education will be removed for all of our children. [Moderator] Mr. Adams, your time is up. But just to pin you down on the question, will you keep the same test that is currently being used? I made it clear that we need to look at that exam. I dont believe a 4-year-old taking the exam should determine the rest of their school experience. Both of the major-party candidates for New York City mayor, Eric Adams and Curtis Sliwa, said they supported continuing the gifted and talented program in city schools, but with some changes. Credit Credit... Pool photo by Craig Ruttle

Both candidates have concerns over Mr. de Blasios decision to end the gifted and talented program for elementary school children and said they want to expand the program.

Mr. Adams said that the city should re-examine the admissions exam for the program while increasing opportunities for so-called accelerated learning to every ZIP code in the city.

I made it clear that we need to look at that exam, he said. I dont believe a 4-year-old taking the exam should determine the rest of their school experience. That is unacceptable.

Mr. Sliwa reiterated his support for bringing the gifted program to all schools, noting that his son was one of thousands of students who took the test and lost out.

Sliwa ties Adams to de Blasio and rich New Yorkers

To hear Mr. Sliwa tell it, Mr. Adams is spending his time hanging out with high rollers, and also Mr. de Blasio.

I am the peoples choice, Mr. Sliwa said. Eric Adams is with the elites in the suites, the TikTok girls, trying to sort of live up to the Kardashians.

Mr. Adams does in fact seem to enjoy New York Citys nightlife. Just days after he won the primary, he was spotted at Raos in East Harlem, one of the citys most exclusive restaurants, dining with a Republican billionaire.

In September, Mr. Adams reportedly spent two nights in a row at Zero Bond, a private club in SoHo. And he has spent much of the post-primary season raising money from the donor class, including from several billionaires. He also took an undisclosed vacation to Monaco, which is known for its high-end casinos and idle rich.

Who goes to Monaco? Mr. Sliwa asked in disbelief.

Mr. Sliwa also sought to tie Mr. Adams to Mr. de Blasio, whose approval rating dropped after his failed presidential run. Mr. de Blasio is, in fact, an ally of Mr. Adams after quietly supporting him during the primary.

How about we do something novel and stop trusting these politicians like Eric Adams and de Blasio? Mr. Sliwa said.

Adams wants to close Rikers; Sliwa says he would move there

Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:55 - 0:00 transcript Adams and Sliwa Debate the Future of Rikers Island Eric Adams and Curtis Sliwa, the Democratic and Republican candidates for New York City mayor, gave starkly differing views on how they would deal with the crisis in the citys infamous detention center. The next mayor will inherit the crisis at Rikers Island. The jail is in chaos: 14 inmate deaths just this year, and many correction officers not showing up to work. Theres a plan to close the jail and replace it with smaller facilities across the city, but that is a long way off. Mr. Adams, you support closing Rikers, but what are you prepared to do more immediately on Day 1? You have one minute. Yes, I do support the plan to close Rikers. We have to look at placing of the new jails and make sure the incoming council persons agree with the locations. But right now, we need to respond to the needs of not only the inmates who are there, but also the correction officers. Sometimes we forget that these correction officers have been warning us for years. What we must immediately do: Stop the bottleneck. Those who are going to court, lets get them to court. So they determine if theyre innocent or if they can serve their time in the state facilities where theyre supposed to do. And then we must immediately tell the officers who are not on duty for whatever reason, that is not inappropriate, we need you back to serve, but were going to provide a safe environment for you. And that is all theyre asking for. There is a wardens house on Rikers Island. January 2nd, thats where Im staying. The wardens house. To supervise what has to be the health and safety of the correctional officers who have the toughest job in the city. Im going to be there to shake every man and womans hand, get an additional 2,000 correctional officers that we need, and get the emotionally disturbed inmates to state facilities for mental health and medication. They should not be on Rikers. And the gangs? The gangbangers know this, because I know the gangs. Theyre all going to be divided up. Trinitarios will not be housed with Trinitarios, Bloods not with Bloods, Crips not with Crips. Thats what allows them to run Rikers Island. And I can say that as Ive been on Rikers Island. Eric Adams and Curtis Sliwa, the Democratic and Republican candidates for New York City mayor, gave starkly differing views on how they would deal with the crisis in the citys infamous detention center. Credit Credit... Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The next mayor will take office with the citys jail system in crisis.

The Rikers Island jail complex has descended into violent chaos, with many correction officers refusing to show up to work. Fourteen detainees have died in city custody so far this year.

Mr. Adams reiterated his support for Mr. de Blasios plan to close the jails on Rikers Island and replace them with smaller jails in different boroughs. But Mr. Adams also suggested uncertainty about the sites where those jails are supposed to go. Mr. Sliwa opposes the de Blasio plan outright.

But replacing Rikers is a long-term plan. More immediately, Mr. Adams said he would stop the bottleneck and get detainees to court so they can be freed or serve their time. He would also tell the officers who are not reporting to duty to return to work, where he would offer a safe environment. He did not specify how.

Mr. Sliwa suggested that he would take a hands-on approach as mayor. He said that on Jan. 2, he would move to the wardens house on Rikers Island and personally supervise the jails and offer support to the correction officers working there. He said he would also hire 2,000 additional officers, relocate emotionally disturbed inmates to state facilities and break up the gangs inside the jail.

I can say that, because Ive been on Rikers Island, said Mr. Sliwa, who claims to have been arrested more than 70 times.

In 1994, for example, the police arrested Mr. Sliwa after he prepared to paint over an art exhibition in a Brooklyn park that depicted assassinated police officers.
New York City took one of its most aggressive steps yet to increase vaccination rates in a city that was once the epicenter of the pandemic, requiring almost every member of the nations largest municipal work force to get vaccinated by the end of the month or lose their paychecks.

The new mandate by Mayor Bill de Blasio, following similar requirements for teachers and health care workers that led to a surge in vaccinations, is intended to persuade thousands of city workers who have resisted getting the shot to do so before the winter.

At least 46,000 police officers, firefighters and other city workers have not yet received the vaccine, and the mandate could lead to staffing shortages at a time when the city is still recovering from the pandemic, when shootings rose.

We need to save lives, and we do it with vaccinations, Mr. de Blasio, a Democrat with less than three months left in office, said at a news conference. My goal is to end the Covid era once and for all. It can be done, but only if we keep pressing on.
My biggest thought was just disappointment, said Mr. Gilbert, who is from Queens. Its an endless stream of incidents like this and every single time its sort of the same thing. Politicians talk about how terrible it is and then nothing happens, theres no follow-up. With the officers involved, theres never any accountability. And the same thing happens a week later.

The Police Department said on Wednesday that the incident in the video was under internal review, and the police commissioner, Dermot F. Shea, called the actions depicted in it absolutely inexcusable at a news conference.

He said that he asked that the patrol officers involved be disciplined, while adding that he would not expect them to be fired, suspended or placed on modified duty.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said at his own news conference earlier in the day that he was troubled by the video. I didnt like what I saw one bit, he said.

Mr. de Blasio noted that he had not seen the full lead-up to the interactions. But I saw the officers not wearing their masks in the subway, thats evident. Thats unacceptable, he said. Weve given this instruction a thousand times: If youre going to be in law enforcement, you actually have to participate in following the law.

His remarks came as he announced that all city workers  including police officers  must be vaccinated by the end of the month or lose their paychecks, removing an alternative option to submit to regular testing.

Earlier this summer, New York City police officials warned that unvaccinated personnel would face discipline if they do not wear masks while on duty. A department spokeswoman said at the time that officers who did not comply would face appropriate disciplinary action, but did not offer details about what penalties they might incur.
The other story is about a campaign to attract big-spending foreign tourists to New York City. The campaign would help hotels and other tourism-dependent businesses and institutions, like restaurants, theaters and museums  all of which were devastated by pandemic shutdowns and restrictions.

First, the fund, known officially as the Excluded Workers Fund.

State officials announced that they would stop taking applications as of Oct. 8. They also warned that those who had applied in the two weeks before that might not be approved.

[A $2.1 Billion Pandemic Lifeline for Undocumented Workers Runs Out]

My colleagues Annie Correal and Luis Ferre-Sadurni write that the cutoff meant that thousands may never get a chance to apply. Among them are immigrants who do not have transportation or convenient access to community-based organizations that have been helping people assemble their applications.

All that has put pressure on Gov. Kathy Hochul to allocate more money  an early test of her progressive credentials. Hochul, a Democrat, made it a priority to speed up the payments after she replaced Andrew Cuomo, who resigned in August. The fund had been a contentious issue during the negotiations over the state budget earlier in the year, with Cuomo saying he was concerned about the risk of fraud.

Since then, community activists have called on Hochul to expand the fund by $3 billion in the next budget. Hochul said last week that her administration was looking at short-term solutions and that the discussion of additional money might be taken up again in time for next years budget.
Mr. Blinken should start in Quito by breathing life into the U.S. trade agenda. Ecuadors president, Guillermo Lasso, is pleading for a free trade deal. We should take him up on that suggestion, and announce similar plans for Uruguay, whose leader, Luis Lacalle Pou, is also hungry for closer trade ties.

The Ecuador visit is also an opportunity to get serious about U.S. infrastructure finance. The region is on its knees: The pandemic dragged 22 million people into poverty, while bankruptcy spread among business. Latin Americas gross domestic product contracted by 7 percent in 2020, the worst of any region.

To ignite recovery, Mr. Blinken should show that the Build Back Better World project  a fledgling competitor to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, backed by the Group of 7 wealthy countries  is serious enough to pay for broadband and bridges, trains, ports and roadways. Multibillion-dollar investments would restore competitiveness, reduce dependence on commodities by making manufacturing more profitable, and raise the capacity to seize nearshoring opportunities by creating a more attractive region for companies relocating from China. Latin America has long underspent on infrastructure, and its post-pandemic debt hangover will make it impossible to fund improvements absent a U.S. helping hand.

The secretarys second stop is Colombia, where Mr. Biden has kept President Ivan Duque at arms length, apparently out of frustration with his mixed record carrying out a peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, an agreement struck by his predecessor, the Nobel laureate Juan Manuel Santos.

The White House is also displeased with Mr. Duques failure to protect social leaders; six have been killed so far this month, bringing the years total to 137. Victims include environmental defenders, and Colombia has failed to ratify the Escazu agreement, a new regional treaty designed to protect such activists. Even so, Colombia is a critical partner; its leadership probably deserves something in between a cold shoulder and a bear hug. In any event, Mr. Duques term is coming to an end, and the United States and Colombia share a variety of interests.
The larger question is whether China can maintain a dynamic economy when its government, under Mr. Xi, seems increasingly intent on meddling in the market. The answer: Despite a desire for more state discipline, China has not rejected markets  dynamism will continue.

Some of this state meddling is prudent. The property crackdown is part of a serious drive to cure the economys addiction to debt. Similarly, the power shortages that have plagued much of industrial China are due largely to efforts to slash the countrys reliance on coal. China has said that its carbon emissions should peak by 2030 and then decline, with a goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2060.

One response to the energy shortage has been a long-overdue deregulation of electricity prices. This has allowed generators to pass on some of the impact of higher coal prices to end users. So it is not true that Mr. Xis government is implacably anti-market. Beijing, as it has for decades, will continue relying on a combination of state guidance and market forces: The state sets the direction for investment, with day-to-day outcomes dictated by the market.

A more serious concern is the yearlong offensive against privately owned big tech companies, notably e-commerce and the financial technology giant Alibaba, and the ride-hailing company Didi. Its unclear whether China can ever become a true leader in innovation if it insists on squashing its most successful entrepreneurial businesses.

Yet even here, the story is not black-and-white. The internet crackdown is not really about crushing private enterprise: Private companies in many sectors, including tech hardware, are doing just fine. Rather, the crackdown addresses  in a very authoritarian way  the same anxieties about big tech that governments around the world are grappling with: unaccountable power, monopolistic practices, shoddy consumer protection and the tendency of a tech-heavy economy to drive income inequality.

One final worry is that these moves toward greater state discipline are driven not by economic motives but by Mr. Xis desire to reinforce his power, ahead of a Communist Party conference in late 2022 where he expects to gain a third term as the countrys leader. In the long run there is a risk that overly centralized power could degrade the governments ability to manage the economy. But Mr. Xi also recognizes that his power will not be worth much unless the economy keeps growing.

China will never run its economy in a way that pleases free-market purists. But it has come up with a mixed model that works. And despite the stresses of the moment, it will keep on working.
On Wednesday, an international group of researchers who work on ancient DNA articulated a set of ethics guidelines to ensure that their work does no harm, either to the once-living people they study or to the modern communities who have a stake in the matter. Their perspective, published in the journal Nature and translated into more than 20 languages, listed 64 authors from 31 countries, and represented every continent except for Antarctica.

The group met virtually starting in November 2020 to hash out the guidelines.

This paper sets the steps toward new policies in aDNA research, Hiba Babiker, a postdoctoral fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Plon, Germany, and an author on the paper, wrote in a message.

The researchers hope the guidelines will be taken up by the wider community engaged in ancient DNA research, Rodrigo Nores, a researcher at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina and an author on the paper, wrote in an email.

The paper specifies five general guidelines for ancient DNA researchers: that they follow local regulations, prepare a detailed plan before any study, minimize damage to human bones, make data available for re-examination and, to ensure respect and sensitivity, engage with all stakeholders before starting any study.

Many scientists who were not involved in the virtual meeting expressed support for the guidelines.

I will say that its encouraging to see a group of scientists like this say we have talked about this standard of behavior and were willing to agree to it, said John Hawks, a paleoanthropologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who was not involved with the paper. Its a step forward for them to say at least were going to follow the law.
Many astronomers were disappointed when NASAs up-and-coming space telescope, the successor to the vaunted Hubble Space Telescope, was named for James Webb, a former NASA administrator who led the agency through the glory years of the Apollo missions. Why not name it for an astronomer, the way other space missions  Hubble, Kepler  have been, instead of a bean counter? But they held their tongues.

After all, the new telescope, which is now scheduled to be launched from a spaceport in French Guiana on Dec. 18, was designed to be bigger and more powerful than the Hubble. Orbiting the sun a million miles from Earth, it will be capable of bringing into focus the earliest stars and galaxies in the universe and closely inspecting the atmospheres of nearby exoplanets for signs of life or habitability.

Now a new objection to the Webb name has arisen, inflaming the astronomical community. In 2015, Dan Savage, a columnist for The Stranger, a Seattle newspaper, called attention to the fact that James Webb, before running NASA, had been the under secretary of state in the Truman administration during the Lavender Scare, a period when thousands of gay men and lesbians lost their government jobs as potential security risks. Was this the kind of person to name a groundbreaking telescope after?

That question gained prominence this spring when four astronomers  Lucianne Walkowicz of the JustSpace Alliance and Adler Planetarium in Chicago, Chanda Prescod-Weinstein of the University of New Hampshire, Brian Nord of the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and of the University of Chicago, and Sarah Tuttle of the University of Washington  published an op-ed in Scientific American under the title, The James Webb Space Telescope Needs to Be Renamed.
WASHINGTON  The attorney general for the District of Columbia on Wednesday added Facebooks chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, to a consumer protection lawsuit, in one of the first efforts by a regulator to expose him personally to potential financial and other penalties. The attorney general, Karl Racine, said that continuing interviews and reviews of internal documents for the case had revealed that Mr. Zuckerberg played a much more active role in key decisions than prosecutors had known.

Facebook is at the center of multiple legal battles with regulators. It is the target of antitrust and consumer protection lawsuits by the Federal Trade Commission and several state attorneys general.

Regulatory pressure is also mounting. U.S. lawmakers are introducing bills to regulate social media companies and technologies that spread harmful content. On Wednesday, Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut wrote Mr. Zuckerberg asking him to testify in a hearing on Instagrams harms to teenagers. Also on Wednesday, Britains antitrust authority fined Facebook $70 million for breaching reporting rules related to an investigation of the companys acquisition of Giphy.

None of those actions have directly addressed the role played by Mr. Zuckerberg, who has more than 50 percent control of voting shares. But Mr. Racines move could result in large financial penalties for Mr. Zuckerberg. The District of Columbia could can seek up to $5,000 for any of the districts 300,000 residents who may have been affected by the Cambridge Analytica data privacy violation.
Digital payments and online shopping go hand in hand. Now PayPal is trying to unite one with the other.

The Silicon Valley digital payments giant has offered to buy Pinterest, the digital pinboard company that enables e-commerce within its app, in a deal valued at about $45 billion, according to people with knowledge of the discussions. PayPal has offered around $70 a share for Pinterest, the people said, a 25 percent increase from Pinterests opening share price on Wednesday.

If completed, the deal would be the largest in the consumer internet industry over the past decade, topping Microsofts $26 billion purchase of LinkedIn in 2016 and Salesforces $27.7 billion acquisition of Slack last year, according to the data service firm Dealogic. It would also be among the largest deals for PayPal, which was spun off from eBay in 2015 and has snapped up payments companies globally.

Buying Pinterest would underline PayPals interest in moving further into e-commerce. In 2019, PayPal agreed to pay $4 billion for the coupon payment platform Honey, which shows people discounts while they shop online. Through Pinterests app, people can save images to digital pinboards and buy goods directly through what are known as buyable pins.
Lets talk about buying an iPhone for $1,000. Tim Cook, Apples chief executive, once compared this eye-popping price tag to buying a cup of coffee a day over a year. No big deal, right?

But financial advisers see this differently. By some estimates, an investment of $1,000 in a retirement account today would balloon to about $17,000 in 30 years.

In other words, $700 to $1,000  the price range of modern smartphones  is a big purchase. Fewer than half of American adults have enough savings set aside to cover three months of emergency expenses, according to the Pew Research Center. Yet one in five people surveyed by the financial website WalletHub thought a new phone was worth going into debt for.

Tech companies fairly argue that our smartphones are our most powerful tools for work and play and thus worth every penny. But they also play numbers games to downplay the costs of a new phone. Samsung, for example, has said the price of its new Galaxy phone is $200  but thats only if you trade in a year-old phone for credit toward the new one. The true price is $800.
MILLBURN, N.J.  Jason Robert Brown is a composer-lyricist who knows how to write the perfect audition song: an entire character arc in a tidy, self-contained package that allows a performer the opportunity to deliver a complete story.

Its a skill that is evident in even Browns first staged show, Songs for a New World, from 1995 and given a new production that opened Sunday at the Paper Mill Playhouse here. Somewhere between theater and song cycle, it is a collection of piano-driven pathos generators with plenty of wistful character beats, loosely structured around watershed moments in which the things that youre sure of slip from your hand.

Directed by Mark S. Hoebee, however, this straightforward revival keeps the shows wide-eyed yearnings intact without taking the past quarter-century of change into account  its new world now seeming older. Each number stands alone, and you dont have to look too closely to notice that the heaviest of them are shouldered by the productions sole Black cast member, Roman Banks. One is titled On the Deck of a Spanish Sailing Ship, 1492; others are about a dead soldier, a basketball player surrounded by disadvantages, a man imprisoned.

To be fair, the casting here follows the same racial lines as the original productions, which featured Billy Porter in Bankss role. But consider the subjects of songs sung by his white male co-star, Andrew Kober: leaving a fiancee, being in love, reuniting with a partner. It makes for a dated artistic vision that plays into tired stereotypes of Black pain in a show that does not otherwise explore race.
In the past, Mr. McGann said, admissions committees had been encouraged to give some preference to qualified applicants who had a parent who graduated from the college. He added that an applicants legacy status was evaluated as one of many factors, and not according to any formula or point system.

Legacy preferences are commonly used at prestigious private universities to give the children and grandchildren of alumni, who are often donors, an advantage in the admissions process. Those universities have said that doing so helps encourage donations that can be used to finance scholarships for others who need them.

But some research suggests that legacy admissions programs do not affect donor funding, and they have functioned as a barrier to diversifying college campuses. Critics say they tend to give white or wealthier students an unfair advantage, ultimately entrenching racial and socioeconomic inequities.

According to a 2018 survey from Inside Higher Ed, 42 percent of admissions directors at private colleges and universities included legacy status as a factor in admissions. About 6 percent of public institutions did the same.

Amherst also announced on Wednesday that it would expand its financial aid program by about $4 million, to $71 million annually, making additional allowances for families expenses and adding more grants for low-income students.
Human remains found in a Florida wildlife area on Wednesday belonged to a man who had been declared a person of interest in the murder of his fiancee, the F.B.I. said on Thursday, ending a search that had drawn intense national interest.

A comparison of dental records confirmed that the remains, which were found in the Carlton Reserve and the adjoining Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in Sarasota County, were those of Brian Laundrie, the F.B.I. said.

The discovery of the remains came seven weeks after Mr. Laundrie returned home from a monthslong van trip without his fiancee, Gabrielle Petito, and about four weeks after she was found dead in a national forest in Wyoming.

Yet the authorities and Ms. Petitos family members were still grasping for answers about what happened during and after the couples cross-country road trip, which Ms. Petito, 22, and Mr. Laundrie, 23, chronicled at length on social media.
A sitting sheriff in Washington State has been charged with making a false claim that a Black man had driven up to his home and threatened to kill him, prosecutors said.

Sheriff Ed Troyer of Pierce County called 911 in January 2021 to report that he had used his S.U.V. to corner a man who was driving in and out of driveways in his neighborhood in Tacoma.

He knows who I am and he threatened to kill me, Sheriff Troyer, 59, who is white, told the 911 call taker, according to a court document filed by the state attorney generals office on Tuesday.

Within minutes, 40 officers descended on the neighborhood, their sirens blaring. When they arrived, they approached the driver, Sedrick Altheimer, who kept his hands on the wheel. He told the officers to look at the seat of his car, where copies of The Tacoma News Tribune were piled.
The owner of the three zebras that escaped from a farm in suburban Maryland in August, delighting residents and stealthily evading efforts to corral them, was charged with three counts of animal cruelty on Tuesday, the authorities said.

The charges against the owner, Jerry Lee Holly, came a month after one of the wayward zebras was found dead in an illegal snare trap, and a day after another zebra that hadnt escaped was found dead inside Mr. Hollys enclosure.

Mr. Holly, 76, of Upper Marlboro, Md., was charged after three of his zebras escaped from a privately owned farm on Aug. 26, Prince Georges County prosecutors said in a charging document. The animals were part of a zeal, as a bunch of zebras is sometimes called, of about 40 that had been brought to the farm from Florida that month.

The authorities accused Mr. Holly in the charging document of failing to provide a zebra with food and proper shelter, and of depriving a zebra of necessary sustenance and inflicting unnecessary pain. Each of the animal cruelty counts, which are criminal charges, carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Heres a look at the failed proposals and why Newsom vetoed them:

Assembly Bill 1238: Decriminalizing jaywalking

This bill would have removed fines for crossing the street outside of a crosswalk unless theres imminent danger. Supporters said that the police used jaywalking laws as pretext to detain people for no good reason.

But Newsom worried the law could unintentionally increase the states already high rate of pedestrian fatalities.

He wrote in his veto that he was committed to working on legislation that addresses the unequal enforcement of jaywalking laws in a manner that does not risk worsening Californias pedestrian safety.

A.B. 122: Allowing cyclists to roll through stop signs

Newsom also made a safety argument for this bill, which would have allowed cyclists to treat stop signs as yields. Supporters had said it was a common-sense measure thats already been put into place in other parts of the country.

But the governor said he feared that the legislation intended to increase bicyclist safety would have the opposite effect.
Armed with a legally purchased semiautomatic rifle, Mr. Cruz, then 19, killed 14 students and three faculty members and injured 17 more people in one of the deadliest school shootings in American history. Youre all going to die, Mr. Cruz said in one of three videos he recorded on his cellphone before the shooting. Outraged Parkland students helped ignite a national movement of young people against gun violence.

The Parkland case will be the rare instance of a mass shooter who lives to see any sort of trial, since many of them end up dying in their attacks. The white supremacist who killed nine members of a Black church in Charleston, S.C., in 2015 was tried in federal court, found guilty and sentenced to death. The gunman who killed 12 people at a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., in 2012 pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in state court, was found guilty and sentenced to life.

From the start, Mr. Cruzs lawyers said he would agree to plead guilty in exchange for life imprisonment. But the top prosecutor in Broward County at the time of the attack, Michael J. Satz, said he would pursue the death penalty. Mr. Satzs term as state attorney has since ended, but he is still leading the case.

Defense lawyers did not discuss the reason for the decision to enter a guilty plea despite the risk of execution, but legal analysts said it could provide advantages. Once a defense lawyer has determined that a guilty verdict is unavoidable, arguing otherwise might only burn good will with jurors, said William N. Nettles, a former United States attorney in South Carolina.

In cases like that, its often the best course of action to decline to fight a losing battle and instead fight a battle that you might win  and thats the sentencing battle, he said.

During sentencing, the defense can present mitigating evidence that would not typically be admissible during the guilt phase, such as background about the defendants childhood or anything they can do to inject to the jury something humanizing, said George Brauchler, a former district attorney in Colorado who prosecuted the gunman in the Aurora shooting.

We get to go to a jury and say, Our client did wrong, and he admits he did wrong, but this young man is redeemable at some level, even though he doesnt deserve to take a free breath again, he said.
R. Nicholas Burns, President Bidens nominee to be U.S. ambassador to China, told a Senate panel on Wednesday that if he was confirmed he would help Mr. Biden pursue a strategy of competition and cooperation with a rising Beijing, which he called the biggest geopolitical test of the 21st century.

A lifelong diplomat who has held senior foreign policy posts in Democratic and Republican administrations, Mr. Burns was appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is considering his nomination. He was searing about Chinas recent international role, saying that Beijing exploits trade rules at the expense of American businesses and workers, intimidates its neighbors, and is smothering democracy in Hong Kong.

He also condemned Chinas treatment of its ethnic Uyghur population, which, in an echo of State Department policy, he called genocide, and he said that the United States should continue to support Taiwans self-defense against a potential Chinese attack  both issues of extreme sensitivity for Beijing.

But Mr. Burns said the United States should not overestimate Chinas power. Beijing proclaims that the East is rising, and the West is in decline, he said. Im confident in our own country.
WASHINGTON  A federal judge has ruled that the United States has no legal basis for holding an Afghan man at Guantanamo Bay because although he fought on the side of a militia in Afghanistan, he was not part of Al Qaeda.

U.S. District Court Judge Amit P. Mehta found that the detainee, Assadullah Haroon Gul, who was captured in Afghanistan in 2007 as a member of an Islamic militia, did not qualify as a member of Al Qaeda or an associated force, the legal basis for detention at Guantanamo Bay.

The ruling on a petition of habeas corpus, however, does not assure his release any time soon. In 2008, a federal judge ruled that 17 Muslims from China of the Uyghur minority were unlawfully detained at Guantanamo Bay but, as an oppressed minority, could not go home. The Uyghurs then languished at the prison for years while the Obama administration sought nations to receive them. The last three Uyghurs were sent to Slovakia for resettlement in 2013.

What the ruling means is that Mr. Guls detention is illegal, Tara J. Plochocki, a lawyer for the prisoner, said on Wednesday. The grant of the writ does not mean the judge can order the government to put him on a plane to Kabul, but the government is required to obey court orders and to comply, it must release him.
WASHINGTON  The quickening pace of Democratic retirements in the House may be the clearest indication yet that the partys hopes of maintaining its narrow majority are fading amid President Bidens sagging approval ratings, ongoing legislative struggles and the prospect of redrawn congressional districts that will put some seats out of reach.

In recent days, Representatives John Yarmuth of Kentucky, David E. Price of North Carolina and Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania have announced they will not seek re-election. In all, a dozen House Democrats have said they will retire or seek other offices next year, including powerful lawmakers like Mr. Yarmuth, the chairman of the Budget Committee, and members from the most politically competitive districts, such as Representatives Ron Kind of Wisconsin and Ann Kirkpatrick of Arizona.

In interviews, the three representatives who most recently announced their retirement said personal issues were paramount in their decisions  they have served 72 years in the House between them. But they also cited three political factors: redistricting ahead of the 2022 elections, Donald J. Trumps continued power over Republicans, and the rising Balkanization of the Democratic Party, that they said had made governance increasingly difficult and frustrating.

None of the three expressed concern about any particular bloc in their fractious party, which includes a growing progressive wing, an ardent group of moderates and the pro-business New Democrats. Rather, they said they were worried that none of the groups was willing to compromise, leaving two vital pieces of President Bidens agenda  a trillion-dollar infrastructure bill and an ambitious social policy and climate change measure  in limbo.
Rahm Emanuel, the nominee for ambassador to Japan, faced the Senate Foreign Relations Committee amid objections to his confirmation by some Democrats over his handling of the police killing of a Black teenager in 2014. Earlier, the panel also questioned the nominee for U.S. ambassador to China.

Rahm Emanuel, Bidens pick for ambassador to Japan, says he will use the post to counter China. Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 0:51 - 0:00 transcript Rahm Emanuel Stresses Japans Role in U.S. Foreign Policy Mr. Emanuel, nominee for United States ambassador to Japan, faced a Senate confirmation hearing where he testified that the partnership between the two countries would determine the future of American foreign policy in the region. We are at a critical juncture in our foreign policy and American foreign policy in this region. What we build in partnership with Japan over the next three years will determine Americas posture for the next 30. The challenges and opportunities we face underscore the imperative of strengthening our bonds with our closest ally, Japan. For more than 60 years, the partnership between the United States and Japan has been the cornerstone of peace and prosperity in a free and open Indo-Pacific. Our alliance advances our shared interests and shared values. If confirmed, my top priority will be to deepen these ties while we confront our common challenges. China aims to conquer through division. Americas strategy is security through unity. That regional unity is built on the shoulders of the U.S.-Japan alliance. Mr. Emanuel, nominee for United States ambassador to Japan, faced a Senate confirmation hearing where he testified that the partnership between the two countries would determine the future of American foreign policy in the region. Credit Credit... Stefani Reynolds for The New York Times Rahm Emanuel, the former mayor of Chicago, appeared on Wednesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as President Bidens nominee for ambassador to Japan  but he quickly made it clear, with trademark bluntness, that he sees the post as a bulwark against China. Mr. Emanuel, who took a hard line against Beijing as President Barack Obamas first chief of staff, delivered a stern warning to China at the start of an otherwise muted hearing, saying he had been alarmed by that countrys provocative actions during the pandemic, referring to military, foreign policy, public health and economic measures. I think the world has learned a lot in Covid  we exposed some of our vulnerabilities, and I think China has been exposed for their venality, said Mr. Emanuel, 61, echoing the message delivered by R. Nicholas Burns, Mr. Bidens nominee for ambassador to China, during his own appearance before the panel an hour earlier. The region is desperate for Americas leadership, he said. The hearing began on a painful and discordant note. Mr. Emanuel was asked about his actions as Chicagos mayor in the aftermath of the 2014 murder of a 17-year-old Black teenager, Laquan McDonald, at the hands of a white police officer  and he conceded he had done too little to address the distrust among members of the citys Black community. That did not entirely satisfy all of the committees Democrats, especially Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, who expressed skepticism of Mr. Emanuels claims that he did not intervene to release the video sooner to avoid prejudicing the judicial proceedings. Yet it seemed clear from the start that the issue would not represent a serious impediment to his confirmation. He received words of support from several Democrats on the committee, as well as the ranking Republican, Senator Jim Risch of Idaho. He was introduced to the committee by Senator Bill Hagerty, Republican of Tennessee and a former ambassador to Japan, who argued for bipartisan approval of Mr. Emanuel. Mr. Emanuel is known for his abrasive personality, fierce partisanship and reliance on profanity. But the hearing showcased the behind-the-scenes preparation of a consummate Washington operator: Mr. Emanuel, who has spent years quietly developing relationships on both sides of the aisle, worked his own nomination with determined focus and was carefully coached to address the McDonald case in a conciliatory, if not entirely apologetic, way. His infamous impatience poked through from time to time, however. He fidgeted in his chair as he listened to the senators opine, and thwacked his microphone to ensure it was working before he launched into an opening statement. While he spoke of the importance of bolstering trade with Japan, and praised the country as a reliable strategic partner, he almost exclusively focused on Japans role as a counter to Chinese expansion. Japan is part of the so-called Quad seeking to rein in China, which, besides the United States, includes Australia and India. For more than 60 years the partnership between the United States and Japan has been the cornerstone of peace and prosperity in a free and open Indo-Pacific, Mr. Emanuel said. If confirmed my top priority will be to deepen these ties while we confront our common challenges, he added. China aims to conquer through division, Americas strategy is security through unity, and that regional unity is built on the shoulders of the U.S.-Japan alliance. The committee is expected to consider Mr. Emanuels nomination in the coming weeks, a source familiar with the plans said. It would then go to the full Senate for a vote.

Emanuel, a former mayor of Chicago, is questioned about the police killing of a Black teenager in 2014. Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:28 - 0:00 transcript Rahm Emanuel Questioned About Police Killing of a Black Teenager Rahm Emanuel, a former mayor of Chicago and President Bidens nominee for United States ambassador to Japan, was asked about the murder of Laquan McDonald during his Senate confirmation hearing. As I noted earlier, Id like to give you an opportunity to address the committee concerning Laquan McDonald. So, take a moment to do so. The grave tragedy occurred seven years ago to this day on the streets of the city of Chicago. And that tragedy sits with me, as it has every day and every week for the last seven years. I see in that, and this is my view, that the last person you want to make a unilateral decision about the release of a video while the F.B.I. and the U.S. attorney, the states attorney and IPRA are investigating, is a politician. It should be made by professionals. The moment a politician unilaterally makes a decision in the middle of investigation, youve politicized that investigation and more, more importantly, you may have endangered the prosecution in bringing somebody to justice. Second, I would say in the first term of my tenure, I made a number of changes that dealt with oversight, accountability. And it is clear to me those changes were inadequate to the level of distrust, they were, on the best, marginal. I thought I was addressing the issue, and I clearly missed the level of distrust and skepticism that existed. And thats on me. Rahm Emanuel, a former mayor of Chicago and President Bidens nominee for United States ambassador to Japan, was asked about the murder of Laquan McDonald during his Senate confirmation hearing. Credit Credit... Stefani Reynolds for The New York Times Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel of Chicago, President Bidens nominee for United States ambassador to Japan, faced a Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday  seven years to the day after a white city police officer murdered Laquan McDonald, a Black teenager, prompting protests and accusations of a cover-up. Theres not a day or a week that has gone by in the last seven years that I havent thought about this and thought about it, said Mr. Emanuel, who cited reforms he instituted at the department after the killing. But he took responsibility for not going far enough, and acknowledged that he greatly underestimated what he described as the widespread and justifiable mistrust of city government by the citys Black community. I made a number of changes that dealt with oversight, accountability, he said. And it is clear to me the changes were inadequate to the level of distrust. They were on the best marginal, I thought I was addressing the issue, and I clearly missed the level of distrust and skepticism that existed, and thats on me. Mr. Emanuel faced questions over his handling of the McDonald case, particularly the delayed release of a police dashboard camera video showing Officer Jason Van Dyke firing his weapon 16 times at Mr. McDonald, 17, on Oct. 20, 2014. The video showed that Mr. McDonald was carrying a knife, walking and veering away from the officer when he was shot. The video was not released for more than a year, and only after a judge intervened. Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, the committees chairman, addressed the issue in his opening statement after welcoming Mr. Emanuel and his family to the Capitol. As you are aware, today is also the anniversary of the murder of Laquan McDonald, Mr. Menendez said. My heart goes out to his family on this day. I believe all of us share that sentiment and to so many other victims and their families as we work to deliver meaningful reforms to the Black and brown communities who endure injustices every day. Opinion on Mr. Emanuel varies widely in his hometown, but bitterness remains over the long delay of the release of the police video. The city agreed to pay Mr. McDonalds family a $5 million settlement, and the officer was eventually convicted of a second-degree murder charge. Mr. Emanuel, 61, who has repeatedly defended his actions, said he never saw the footage until it was released publicly, and told the committee he believed it would have been improper for him to intervene in the case by prejudicing investigators and potential jurors. When a politician unilaterally makes a decision in the middle of investigation you politicize the investigation, he said. Image A still from Chicago police dashcam video showing Laquan McDonald, 17, moments before he was fatally shot by Officer Jason Van Dyke in 2014. Credit... Chicago Police Department, via Associated Press The episode seriously weakened his political standing in Chicago, the nations third-largest city, and might have played in a role in his decision not to seek a third term. Mr. Emanuel, a brash and hard-driving former Democratic congressman from Illinois who served as President Barack Obamas first chief of staff, is expected to be confirmed, with the support of several Republicans, including Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. But several high-profile progressives, including Representatives Mondaire Jones and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Cori Bush of Missouri, have called on Senate Democrats to reject his nomination over his record on race relations and policing during his eight years as Chicagos mayor. Mr. Jones wrote on Twitter Wednesday before the hearing that the former mayors behavior disqualified him for government service. Laquan McDonald should be alive today. Instead, on the anniversary of his death, the man who helped cover up his murder is being considered for an ambassadorship.



Rahm Emanuel has no business representing the United States. I urge my Senate colleagues to reject his nomination.  Mondaire Jones (@MondaireJones) October 20, 2021 Mr. Emanuel, who helped hammer through the Affordable Care Act and financial rescue measures during his tenure in the West Wing, has met with senators during the past week, focusing mostly on trade and security issues, according to administration officials. The former mayor, who spearheaded the Democratic take back of the House in 2006, has the support of the two Illinois senators, Richard J. Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, both Democrats. When pressed by reporters on Tuesday, the White House press secretary, Jen Psaki  who worked closely with Mr. Emanuel during the Obama administration  did not say if Mr. Biden had discussed the McDonald case with him. The president knew his record, longstanding, prior to the nomination, Ms. Psaki said.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story

Burns calls for a mix of competition and cooperation with China. Image R. Nicholas Burns, President Bidens nominee to be ambassador to China, appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday. Credit... Stefani Reynolds for The New York Times R. Nicholas Burns, President Bidens nominee to be U.S. ambassador to China, told a Senate panel on Wednesday that if he was confirmed he would help Mr. Biden pursue a strategy of competition and cooperation with a rising Beijing, which he called the biggest geopolitical test of the 21st century. A lifelong diplomat who has held senior foreign policy posts in Democratic and Republican administrations, Mr. Burns was appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is considering his nomination. He was searing about Chinas recent international role, saying that Beijing exploits trade rules at the expense of American businesses and workers, intimidates its neighbors, and is smothering democracy in Hong Kong. He also condemned Chinas treatment of its ethnic Uyghur population, which, in an echo of State Department policy, he called genocide, and he said that the United States should continue to support Taiwans self-defense against a potential Chinese attack  both issues of extreme sensitivity for Beijing. But Mr. Burns said the United States should not overestimate Chinas power. Beijing proclaims that the East is rising, and the West is in decline, he said. Im confident in our own country. The Peoples Republic of China is not an Olympian power, he said. Its a country of extraordinary strength, but it also has substantial weaknesses and challenges, demographically, economically, politically. He added that America must balance competition with China on matters like its influence in the Indo-Pacific with cooperation on issues like climate change and North Koreas nuclear program. The soft-spoken Mr. Burns is well-regarded in both parties and likely to win broad support in a Senate confirmation vote. But his confirmation could be delayed by procedural roadblocks by Republican Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Josh Hawley of Missouri, who have vowed to hold up all of Mr. Bidens State Department nominees. Mr. Burnss nomination has drawn some positive reactions in China, which has complained about what it calls a sharply hawkish turn in American policy over the past several years. In an August article about his nomination, The Global Times, a nationalist Beijing newspaper, quoted Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, as saying that Mr. Burnss opinions on China are relatively balanced, not as extreme and stiff as the diplomats from the previous Trump administration, such as former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Correction : Oct. 21, 2021 An earlier version of this originally misattributed a quote that appeared in the Chinese newspaper Global Times to Lu Xiang, a research fellow on U.S. studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing. The quote was actually from Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University.

Its a good bet to bet long on the United States and Japan, Emanuel says. Image The moon rising over Tokyo on Wednesday. Japan is a member of the so-called Quad, an alliance that includes the United States, India and Australia, and serves as a strategic counterweight against Beijing. Credit... Kiichiro Sato/Associated Press Rahm Emanuel, President Bidens nominee for ambassador to Japan, said Wednesday that the U.S.-Japan relationship was a good bet and that economic partnership between the two countries could help counter rising threats. The former mayor of Chicago, who was President Barack Obamas first chief of staff, appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday, saying that Japan can help achieve a core element of Mr. Bidens foreign policy: countering the power of a rising China. Japan is among Americas closest allies, and is an anchor of American influence in the Pacific. It is a member of the Quad, an alliance that also includes the United States, India and Australia, and serves as a strategic counterweight against Beijing, which in recent years has staked increasing political, economic and territorial claims across Asia. Everything we do has to send one message one signal: Its a good bet to bet long on the United States and Japan, said Mr. Emanuel. When there is economic integration of the largest and the third largest economy, he added, its a very very strong force  a none-too-subtle warning to China, the worlds second-largest economy. Mr. Emanuels message resonated with Republicans in the room. He was given a major boost at the outset of the hearing: A supportive introduction from Senator Bill Hagerty, Republican of Tennessee, who served as ambassador to Japan under President Donald J. Trump and who is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. I intend to provide him with the bipartisan support that I was fortunate to receive from this committee, Mr. Hagerty said. Chinas rise has particularly unnerved Japan, a nation with limited armed forces that also relies on the United States  which has some 50,000 troops based in the country  for protection against a bellicose North Korea. Japan has also been wary of a shift in American political sentiment, fueled by former President Donald J. Trumps talk of freeloading allies and charging money for U.S. military protection. As ambassador, Mr. Emanuel could be particularly valuable to the Biden administration thanks to recent political upheaval in Tokyo, which saw the surprise departure last year, because of health reasons, of Japans longest-serving prime minister, Shinzo Abe. Mr. Abes successor has already been replaced with another unfamiliar face, leaving the Biden administration in need of fresh and reliable intelligence on the countrys leadership. The United States has not had a Senate-approved ambassador in Tokyo for more than two years. From Tokyos perspective, Mr. Emanuels selection was a generally welcome one. In September, the English-language Japan Times noted that Mr. Emanuel, who was President Barack Obamas first chief of staff, is known for his sharp tongue, but wrote that he is close to Mr. Biden, providing Tokyo with what could amount to a direct line to the White House. The paper noted that his nomination signals the importance the administration places on the U.S. alliance with Japan as Washington continues to lay the groundwork for a strategy to deal with challenges presented by China. Correction : Oct. 22, 2021 An earlier version of this article misstated when Yoshihide Suga, the former Japanese prime minister, was replaced by Fumio Kishida. It was Oct. 4; he is not still in office.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story

Here are the key figures Burns and Emanuel faced on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Image Senator Robert Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey and the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, during a Senate hearing in September. Credit... Pool photo by Kevin Dietsch The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which on Wednesday considered some high-profile diplomatic nominations, has often been a decorous debating society, but Rahm Emanuel and R. Nicholas Burns, President Bidens picks for ambassadorial posts in Japan and China faced a wilder ride. The collision of events  escalating tensions with China and global supply chain interruptions  dominated the questioning of Mr. Burns, who has served as a diplomat under presidents of both parties. Mr. Emanuel, the combative former Chicago mayor, faced the panel on the seventh anniversary of the killing of a Black teenager, Laquan McDonald, by a white city police officer. The committee is chaired by Senator Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat who ripped Mr. Bidens chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. While Mr. Menendez is likely to back both nominees, he was also less inclined to play the human-shield role adopted by other committee chairs in defense of the presidents nominees. Image Senator Jim Risch, Republican of Idaho. Credit... Pool photo by Susan Walsh The ranking Republican on the committee, Senator Jim Risch of Idaho, gets along well with Mr. Menendez and has been working on legislation to stiffen the U.S. response to a range of actions by Beijing, focused on strengthening regional military coordination and a more aggressive approach to intellectual property theft. Image Senator Bill Hagerty, Republican of Tennessee. Credit... Pool photo by Matt Mcclain Mr. Risch has not said how he will vote on either nominee, but he has said his meetings with both have been cordial  and other Republicans on the committee, including Senator Bill Hagerty, Republican of Tennessee who is a former ambassador to Japan, have signaled support for Mr. Emanuel. Image Senator Rob Portman, Republican of Ohio Credit... J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press Mr. Burns faced more intense policy questioning, but is almost certain to garner more support on the Republican side, having known some committee members for decades, including Senator Rob Portman of Ohio, who served with him under President George W. Bush. Image Senator Ron Johnson, Republican of Wisconsin. Credit... Stefani Reynolds for The New York Times Senator Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, grilled Mr. Burns for his previous statements about the origin of the pandemic, which downplayed the likelihood that the virus originated in a lab in Wuhan. That issue has been highly politicized, and the World Health Organization is preparing a second team to investigate the viruss origins, after its first team rejected the possibility. Mr. Burns, echoing recent assessments of Biden administration officials, said he believed the origins of the virus were still unknown, and said he backed efforts to intensify the investigation inside of Chin Jonathan Eric Kaplan, the nominee to be ambassador to Singapore, also appeared before the Senate panel on Wednesday.
During her confirmation hearing in July, Republicans grilled Ms. Lhamon on how she would reshape Title IX regulations, which prohibit sex-based discrimination in federally funded schools. Under Betsy DeVos, former President Donald J. Trumps education secretary, the department bolstered the rights of students accused of sexual misconduct, prompting a backlash from victims rights groups. Ms. DeVos called on senators to reject Ms. Lhamons confirmation ahead of the vote.

Ms. Lhamon denounced Ms. DeVoss rules, although she said she would continue to enforce them until they were rewritten.

The regulation permits students to rape and sexually harass with impunity, she said at her confirmation hearing. The regulation has weakened the intent of Title IX that Congress wrote.

Enforcement of the law has become a contentious issue, especially after the Obama administration issued guidance that advised schools to ramp up investigations of campus sexual misconduct.

Joe Cohn, the legislative and policy director of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, said Ms. Lhamons confirmation does not bode well for those who believe Title IX must be enforced in a manner that takes the rights of complainants and those they accuse equally seriously. He added, however, that Ms. Lhamon could prove us wrong by pursuing policy that respects the rights of accusers and accused alike.

Ms. Lhamon also faced questions at the hearing about her views on transgender women and girls competing in womens sports. Some states have moved to require public schools and universities to have athletes compete according to their sex assigned at birth, rather than their gender identity.

The promise of Title IX is that no person shall be subject to discrimination on the basis of sex, Ms. Lhamon said. So I could not countenance discriminating against any student in the context of Title IX.
In an era of mass texting, automated robocalls, email blasts and 280-character social media posts, deep canvassing seems out of step with modern politics  a sort of slow food movement for the activist set. In typical campaign work, canvassers knock on doors with the intent of getting a voter to talk for a minute or two. In deep canvassing, the idea is to exchange stories  in this case, experiences with the police  and develop empathy for anyone who thinks differently.

And while many modern campaigns on the left and right are designed to engage people who already agree on the issues, deep canvassing aims to preach far outside the choir or even the congregation, to those whose minds would need to be changed for them to support a given policy or candidate.

Minneapolis is an important test case for those eager to bring deep canvassing to communities all over the country. Envisioning tens of thousands of people trained to talk with people who disagree with them, they aim not just to win over converts on policy, but to help restore voters faith in democracy.

Were in an era when many people think the opposition is the boogeyman, said Steve Deline, whose New Conversation Initiative has worked with teams to lead deep canvasses on climate, immigration, jail reform and other issues. This is giving people the space to share what they are feeling and experiencing, and not just tell them theyre wrong, but instead get to a shared place that is relatable and human.

Proponents argue that in a polarized age, the strategy can work to persuade those who have not yet embraced sweeping progressive changes on such issues as immigration, transgender rights and policing. Knocks on doors often lead to conversations that can last as long as half an hour and that often leave both the canvasser and the voter feeling disarmed and more open.

Progressives have a superpower right now, and thats getting a big idea into the national conversation like never before, said George Goehl, the director of Peoples Action, which trains liberal groups like the one in Minnesota. But we think to really get things across the finish line, you have to be in conversation with people who do not see eye-to-eye with you.

The work is both labor-intensive and expensive. Training canvassers takes hours. The vast majority of voters never even open their doors, and those who most strongly disagree are often the least likely to speak to a stranger at their door. In Minneapolis, a city of about 430,000, about 60 volunteers and staff members have reached just 2,400 voters after visiting 6,900 homes and making 49,000 phone calls.
WASHINGTON  Senate Democrats crashed once again on Wednesday into the seemingly impenetrable Republican wall blocking new voting rights legislation, leaving them with a simple question: Now what?

If it wasnt obvious before, it is now abundantly clear that no voting legislation will advance without changes in Senate rules to overcome blanket opposition from Republicans who have filibustered it three times.

Republicans who see new voting restrictions being imposed around the country as playing to their electoral benefit are in no mood to bend on a Democratic proposal that might erase some of that advantage. Not a single Republican joined Democrats in trying to bring up a measure to bolster voting rights. The 50-50 tie left Democrats at least 10 votes short of breaking the filibuster and cast deep doubt on the future of the measure.

But Democrats, confronted with a level of Republican intractability they say puts at risk the very future of democracy  not to mention their own political parity  remained determined to find a way forward and enact some version of their bill. Under mounting pressure from progressive activists who are growing agitated with the inability of President Biden and Democratic leaders to deliver on their highest priorities, they see throwing in the towel as unacceptable.
WASHINGTON  Republicans on Wednesday blocked action for the third time this year on legislation to bolster voting rights, leaving Democrats few options to advance the bill outside of changing the Senate filibuster rule and passing it over G.O.P. opposition.

All 50 Democrats and independents supported bringing the Freedom to Vote Act to the floor, but all 50 Republicans voted against doing so, maintaining a stalemate over a proposal that Democrats say is needed to counter efforts in Republican-controlled states to impose new restrictions on voting in the aftermath of the 2020 elections.

These laws will make it harder for millions of Americans to participate in their government, said Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader. If there is anything worthy of the Senates attention, if theres any issue that merits debate on this floor, it is protecting our democracy from the forces that are trying to unravel it from the inside out.

The tie left Democrats at least 10 votes short of the 60 needed to overcome a filibuster, and there was little evidence that any Republicans could be brought on board. (Mr. Schumer switched his vote to no at the last moment, enabling him under Senate rules to move to reconsider the bill at some point in the future and putting the official tally at 49 to 51.)
He had been entrusted with their care when they were at their most vulnerable, but prosecutors say that William Davis secretly preyed upon recovering heart surgery patients at a Texas hospital where he worked as a nurse by injecting air into their arteries.

Four patients whom Mr. Davis injected later died, their once-encouraging conditions rapidly deteriorating and confounding doctors, the authorities said. He had injected at least seven patients in all, they said.

On Tuesday, a jury in Tyler, Texas, convicted Mr. Davis of capital murder in the deaths of the four men after deliberating for about an hour. The verdict was confirmed by Kaylee Hahn, an administrator for the 114th District Court, who said that the sentencing phase of the trial would begin on Wednesday.

Prosecutors were seeking the death penalty for Mr. Davis, 37, who had worked for Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler at the time that the patients experienced complications after heart surgery in 2017 and 2018. He was fired about a month before his arrest in April 2018. Tyler is about 100 miles east of Dallas.
More than 200 female judges remain in Afghanistan, many of them under threat and in hiding, according to the International Association of Women Judges. Taliban officials have recovered their personal information from court records, several former judges said, and some have had their bank accounts frozen.

They are women who had the effrontery to sit in judgment on men, said Susan Glazebrook, president of the judges association and a justice of the Supreme Court in New Zealand.

The women judges of Afghanistan are under threat for applying the law, she added. They are under threat because they have made rulings in favor of women according to law in family violence, custody and divorce cases.

The plight of female judges and lawyers is one more example of the Talibans systematic unraveling of gains made by women over the past two decades. Female judges and lawyers have left the courts under Taliban pressure, abruptly erasing one of the signal achievements of the United States and allied nations since 2001.

The women have not only lost their jobs, but also live in a state of perpetual fear that they or their loved ones could be tracked down and killed.
In the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, days of heavy rainfall  in one place, the most since 1897  killed at least 46 people and left hundreds more stranded in hillside resorts, with flooded lakes swamping roads.

South Asias monsoons have always arrived with fury. But the scenes of death and destruction playing out in the region are yet another reminder of the urgency of climate change, experts say. A warming climate will mean more frequent extreme rainfall in many parts of the world, scientists have said.

India and its neighbors have struggled to square development projects intended to lift millions of people out of poverty with the risks of a changing climate.

Highways and bridges have been built in remote districts increasingly prone to landslides and floods. And countries, particularly India, are relying heavily on coal to fuel growth, something that is likely to come under the spotlight at the United Nations COP26 climate conference in Glasgow this month.
In January, Ms. Nur Sajat received a summons from the religious department of the state of Selangor, where her wellness and lifestyle business is based. It was the kind of missive that strikes fear in transgender people in Malaysia. With several friends and family, Ms. Nur Sajat went to meet the officials at the Islamic department, who said they had received public complaints about her.

While inside, Ms. Nur Sajat said that at least three men kicked her and pinned her down. They groped her breasts, she said. The same day, she was handcuffed, arrested and officially charged in a Shariah court. She was placed overnight in a male detention facility.

Ms. Nur Sajats mother, who witnessed the assault, confronted one officer, asking how pious Muslims could do something like that. He responded that Ms. Nur Sajat was a man so it was OK. (Her account of the assault was corroborated by an activist who spoke to her mother.)

They think it is justified to touch my private parts and my breasts because they perceive me as a male person, Ms. Nur Sajat said. They didnt treat me with any compassion or humanity.

After the incident, Ms. Nur Sajat made a police complaint, and a few days later the authorities said that a religious department enforcement officer was called in to give a statement. Since then, no further action has been taken. The religious department refused to comment.

Panicked, Ms. Nur Sajat escaped in February to neighboring Thailand, where she was later convicted of illegal entry. That crime could have merited extradition to Malaysia, and the Malaysian authorities made it clear they wanted her back. But Ms. Nur Sajat quietly left Thailand this month and ended up in Australia, where other transgender Malaysians have been resettled through the United Nations refugee process.
BRASILIA, Brazil  On Tuesday night, a Brazilian congressional panel was hours away from revealing on national television its recommendation that President Jair Bolsonaro should face homicide and genocide charges for his mishandling of the pandemic, which has killed 600,000 Brazilians. Then a few senators had second thoughts.

Even though they opposed Mr. Bolsonaro and felt he was effectively responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths, these senators felt that the plans to recommend such charges were on shaky legal ground and might not hold up with prosecutors and judges, said four senators on the panel.

Suddenly the highly anticipated report  which still recommended other serious criminal charges against Mr. Bolsonaro  had lost support from what had been the seven-member majority of the panels 11 voting members.

The leaders of the panel, which had been investigating the governments handling of the pandemic for six months, in an inquiry that riveted the country, called a late-night meeting at one senators apartment. For three and a half hours, they debated over duck and rice. Two senators argued that the crimes of homicide and genocide were so severe  and difficult to prove in court  that they could weaken the reports prospects of carrying legal consequences for Mr. Bolsonaro.
The Egyptian authorities, anticipating the delivery of tens of millions of doses of Covid-19 vaccines, have issued a sweeping vaccine mandate that encompasses a broad swath of society, including teachers, other government employees, university students and people seeking any government services.

Egypt is the Arab worlds most populous country, with more than 100 million citizens. Its decision to ramp up its vaccination campaign with a mandate follows the model set by wealthier neighbors like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which are far ahead of Egypt in vaccinating their smaller populations.

A spokesman for the Egyptian cabinet, Nader Saad, said on Sunday in a television appearance that beginning on Nov. 15, civil servants will not be allowed into their workplaces unless they can show that they have received at least one vaccine dose, or can provide proof of a negative PCR test each week.

The tests are taken at the workers expense and cost $58 each, a daunting amount for someone earning government wages. Employees who do not comply will face disciplinary action, he said.
MOSCOW  Aleksei A. Navalny, who for a decade challenged the Kremlin in street protests and elections, survived an assassination attempt and is now in a Russian prison, on Wednesday was awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, the European Unions top human rights award.

Through it all, Mr. Navalny, Russias most prominent opposition leader, has never let up in his advocacy for peaceful political change in his countrys faltering democracy. He was awarded the prize while serving a more than two-year sentence in a Russian penal colony.

The prize was as much a recognition of Mr. Navalnys decade-long role leading the Russian political opposition as a stinging rebuke of President Vladimir V. Putin, whom Mr. Navalny has accused of subverting his countrys post-Soviet democracy to remain in power. Mr. Navalny has also accused Mr. Putin of ordering his assassination.

Referring to Mr. Navalny, David Sassoli, president of the European Parliament, wrote on Twitter, He has fought tirelessly against the corruption of Vladimir Putins regime.
MOSCOW  President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia will not attend a United Nations climate summit later this month that is seen as pivotal to reducing emissions of planet-warming gasses, but he may deliver a speech by video link, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.

Mr. Putins spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, did not explain the decision on the summit in Glasgow but emphasized that climate change remained high on Russias agenda. The issues that will be discussed in Glasgow right now form one of the priorities of our foreign policy, Mr. Peskov said.

A Russian delegation is still expected to head to Scotland for the conference.

Mr. Putin, speaking at an energy conference in Moscow last week, had said he was reluctant to attend because of the risk of spreading coronavirus. He said his entourage would include about a hundred people and the travel would pose risks. Mr. Putin, who has been vaccinated, had to isolate in September after exposure to the virus.

Russia is the worlds fourth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases but has been seen as dragging its feet on policies to curb pollution. It is also a major exporter of oil, coal and natural gas, the fossil fuels that are the main culprits in climate change. Mr. Putin has suggested that some policies intended to slow climate change are in fact aimed at harming Russias energy exports.
With the death toll from the coronavirus continuing to soar, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia announced new restrictions on Wednesday, declaring that a seven-day period starting Oct. 30 would be a non-working week in the country.

The measure is intended to combat the rapid spread of the virus in Russia, where known deaths from Covid-19 have recently climbed above 1,000 a day.

The Kremlin has hesitated to impose unpopular restrictions because of economic fears and widespread public nonchalance about the pandemic.

The non-working week is a new and vaguely defined concept created after the onset of the pandemic. It is not a full lockdown; instead, nonessential workers are encouraged to stay home, while their employers are encouraged to pay them at least the minimum wage to do so.
MADRID  Spains highest criminal court agreed on Wednesday to extradite Venezuelas former intelligence chief, Hugo Carvajal, to the United States, where he faces drug trafficking charges, according to a court statement.

The National Courts decision came after Mr. Carvajal was denied asylum in Spain. A court official said he cannot appeal the extradition order and could be sent to the United States at any time.

The ruling came just four days after the extradition to the United States of a key ally of the Venezuelan leader, Nicolas Maduro. Alex Saab, a Colombian businessman known as Mr. Maduros financial fixer, had been arrested in Cape Verde, an island nation off the coast of West Africa, on American charges of money laundering.

Mr. Maduro retaliated for the Saab extradition, calling off talks with the opposition and jailing six executives of the Houston-based company Citgo Petroleum, who have been detained in Venezuela since 2017 and had been under house arrest. The events dealt a blow to the Biden administrations hopes that it could ease tensions with Venezuela, and that negotiations between Mr. Maduro and his opponents would lead to free and fair elections.
KILIS, Turkey  Slumbering amid olive and pistachio groves on a hot plain near the Syrian border, Kilis, Turkey, was for many decades a quiet backwater, surviving, but hardly prospering, on cross-border trade and smuggling.

Then 10 years ago, war broke out in Syria, refugees began fleeing across the border and Kilis was changed beyond all recognition. Over the next decade, 3.6 million Syrians settled in Turkey, and Kilis doubled in size, to about 200,000 people.

Even as the influx of refugees put a heavy burden on Kilis, it also delivered a welcome jolt of energy to the formerly sleepy city.

After the Syrians arrived, our lives changed quite a lot, said Kadir Peker, a Turk who had to rebuild his minicab business after it collapsed with the onset of the war. They benefited us in many ways. We are living together.
CAIRO  When 98 women were sworn in this week to serve on Egypts highest administrative court, breaking a barrier and taking seats in an enclave once restricted to men, the moment was celebrated in an hourlong ceremony broadcast on national TV.

But for many Egyptian women seeking to become judges, it was the exception that proved the rule.

The women sworn in Tuesday to the State Council, as the court is known, were appointed at the behest of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and drawn from a pool of administrative prosecutors and lawyers already employed by the state.

Given the irregular path that landed them on the court, there was skepticism that the appointments would do much if anything to chip away at longstanding institutional discrimination against women in Egypt and seed any meaningful change.

A handful of women make it to the bench every few years, but most others, especially newly minted law graduates, get another message: No girls.
Mr. al-Assad has largely managed to defeat those who sought to remove him from power and is gradually restoring ties with his neighbors. But it is a Pyrrhic victory; the economy is destroyed, one-third of Syrias territory remains outside of his control, and harsh economic sanctions by the United States and other countries have deterred investments that could help him rebuild.

According to the United Nations, 5.6 million Syrian refugees remain outside the country and few plan to return because the economy is so bad, their communities are destroyed or they fear arrest or persecution by Mr. al-Assads security forces if they go home.

In a report released on Wednesday, Human Rights Watch said many Syrian refugees who returned to their country were subjected to abuses and struggled to make ends meet.

Out of 65 interviews with Syrians who had returned home from Jordan or Lebanon, or with their relatives, Human Rights Watch found 21 cases of arbitrary detention, 13 of torture, 17 disappearances, three kidnappings and five extrajudicial killings, the report said.

The group concluded that it was not safe for refugees to return to Syria.

The bombing Wednesday morning struck a military bus that was carrying soldiers down a main thoroughfare on the east side of Damascus. SANA, the Syrian state news agency, said that three explosive charges had been stuck to the bus before it departed and that two of them detonated as it drove through the capital.
Are you feeling as if you havent quite leaned into fall baking as much as you would have liked? This recipe from Samantha Seneviratne may be your fix. As the name implies, it comes together in just a few minutes, with most of the work happening in the oven. One reader suggests making much more than the recommended amount of cider glaze, and drizzling it over just about any dessert you want to add instant fall flavor to.
Authorities in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, are worried about the growing popularity of bombe, a new artisanal drug that allegedly turns energetic youths into mindless zombies.

While the rest of the world is battling the Covid-19 pandemic, police in Kinsasha are struggling to contain an epidemic of their own  the rapid spread of a new and dangerous drug that threatens the lives of millions of youths. Known as bombe, which means powerful in the local Lingala language, this dubious concoction is based on a brown powder obtained from crushing the ceramic core of catalytic converters, a car part designed to cut the emission of toxic gases in vehicle exhaust pipes. Mixed with a variety of pills, this powder reportedly puts users into an almost catatonic state, where they will stand motionless for hours, sometimes days, or just move aimlessly like zombies, which has earned them the ominous nickname zombies of Kinshasa.

Once they consume it, young people become like zombies, toxicologist Prof. Ndelo Di Panzu told Radio Okapi. The state of unconsciousness sets in, their gait changes, they sleep standing up, they start scratching their arms. Their facial expression changes as well, sometimes they cry, and sometimes they laugh, for no apparent reason.

The users of bombe behave strangely, they are no longer aware of cleanliness, so they get all dirty, Di Panzu adds. They no longer want to eat, they sleep almost all day, anywhere.

The toxicologists claims are confirmed by a bombe user interviewed by German newspaper Der Spiegel. The man said that they mix the crushed catalytic converter core with appetite-boosting pills, to make sure they eat while under the influence of the drug. If we didnt include them, we wouldnt eat anything for two days, the anonymous youth said.

Since its main ingredient is essentially waste material from a used car part, bombe is very cheap  around $1 per dose  which makes it widely available. And since the long-term consequences of snorting or smoking the brown powder are unknown, not even those youths somewhat concerned about their health worry about it. They just want something to forget about poverty and bombe is a much-needed escape from reality.

Bombe helps us forget everything. In the West, they have bank accounts, I have nothing. With bombe everything is easier, one user said.

While bombe may not be responsible for any fatalities or serious health conditions, thats only because it has only been around for a few months now. Since catalytic converters contain an array of toxic, cancer-causing substances and rare metals, doctors fear that it is only a matter of months before the first serious symptoms become apparent in consumers.

But until that happens, authorities in Kinshasa are struggling to stop the spread of the drug by busting both dealers and consumers. Unfortunately, the hundreds of people they have rounded up so far are merely drops in a bucket that keeps getting larger.
Brianne Miller

In the immortal words of ancient Greek philosopher Hericlitus, the only thing that is constant is change. That was true in 500 B.C. and its a vital guiding principal today.

The worldwide healthcare industry has been irrevocably changed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare communications changed along with it; but no one could have predicted at the start of COVID that wed be struggling with this continuing crisis today. The first cases of COVID were reported in the U.S. in January of 2020. Here we are almost two years later. What have we learned? How do we continue to deal with ongoing change in healthcare communications?

Weve learned that constant and continuing change is a given. Predictions of when COVID ends have morphed into how the pandemic will evolve. Theres no in-between, just a journey. Thats a good lesson for any communications team, especially those that will need to shift from a milestones/launch mentality to on-going integrated programming. Its vital to get comfortable in a new mindset that measures metrics all along vs. at the end of the program. COVID has taught us that programs morph and sometimes theres no end in sight.

This article is featured in O'Dwyer's Oct. '21 Healthcare & Medical PR Magazine

(view PDF version)

Another important lesson is that you must meet your audience where they are. How we work changed in the blink of an eye and theres no going back. While you may previously have expected emails and phone calls to slow down by 5:30 p.m., the 24/7 clock is the new reality. The appetite for information doesnt follow an antiquated nine-to-five work week. If a journalist can count on you to get them vital information for a digital piece that posts at 9:00 p.m., youre a reliable source.

And that leads to  setting boundaries. Just like everyone else, I fell into a constant-work cycle when my office no longer provided a framework to the day. Being a good example for your team means setting boundaries and defining crisis. If a client or colleague calls at 7:30 p.m. with a task that provides value and has to be completed by 8:00 a.m., fine. If they call/text/email with something that could have waited until the morning, protect your valuable home/family time.

Here are my top 10 tips for moving into the next phase of healthcare communications in 2021:

Resource up. Whether youre an agency serving healthcare clients, an in-house team or a vendor to the industry, youre understaffed. If the past two years taught us nothing else, we know that predicting the volume of need for healthcare communications is futile. Resources need to be fluid and flexible. The rise of remote work and robust freelancer communities creates a pool of on-demand help. Find your matches. Marshall your troops. Dip into the pool when needed.

Dont overcommunicate. COVID information fatigue is high. Guidelines change week to week and confusion is the only constant. Communicate when necessary, with complete and compact information. Create a resource for up-to-date information thats user-friendly and dated. Todays Google search of COVID fact sheets for three U.S. markets yielded out of date information each and every time. Dont be that confusing brand or service. Look at your content as a conversation, not as a one-way bullhorn.

Proactively highlight non-pandemic news. All forms of healthcare continue during this worldwide crisis. Maintain outreach to specific condition-related communities, celebrate new hires, launch the product. Create the digital footprint that will serve the organization during and post-COVID. While its not business as usual, dont ignore the business at hand.

Embrace paid + placed. A fractured media landscape necessitates a paid-plus-placed model, especially in healthcare trades. Support the businesses that report your news. You become a partner in everyones success.

Test and learn. This is a pivotal time for healthcare and an opportunity to test new methods of communication with little downside. What works and what doesnt varies by brand/client/organization. Now is the time to experiment. Beta test an app. Get more active on a social network. Create video content with a point of view. Media train and test new spokespersons. Embrace storytelling. Put time and effort behind the methods that perform. Forget the others. Exit COVID with new tools in your belt.

Measure. ROI/KPI/LMNOP  whatever acronym you use, use that measurement method often. You cant assess the effectiveness of any effort without understanding if it worked. Start at the beginning with goals, find a metric to measure against them and report. Even if results were dismal, you learned something.

Support your teams. The workforce has had to embraceand sometimes adhere tonew work styles and methods. What used to be a quick five-minute conversation in the break room is a full screen of back and forth on Slack. Annoying? Maybe. Everyone struggles from time to time. Compassion is a must. Celebrate as often as you can.

Find the story. COVID unearthed stories of amazing courage and resilience, especially among frontline workers. Any brand/organization with people has stories. Find them and share appropriately with your audiences. Theres never been a better time to present an organization as a collective of smart and thoughtful people. The rise of good news journalism presents another opportunity for media outreach.

Redefine healthCARE. What does your client do for people that makes their lives better? Are you struggling to answer that question? Thats your first sign of trouble. Create something that benefits all, whether its as simple as a branded calming music playlist for chemo patients or a partnership with a food co-op to deliver to the underserved. If a corporate social responsibility program doesnt exist, start one now.

Constantly generate ideas. I have a folder on my computer called harebrained schemes. If I think of some crazy pitch or stunt or partnership, I put it in there. When Im struggling to come up with creative concepts, I open those files and invariably come up with something new. Its the pandemic version of no such thing as a bad idea in a brainstorm meeting. Encourage others to think creatively.

Find the opportunities in chaos. Celebrate your successes and learn from methods that underperform. Thank your teams; theyre working harder than ever. And in the words of World Health Organization Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Be safe, be smart, be kind.

***

Brianne Miller is Senior Counselor at Landis Communications, Inc. (LCI).
The extraordinary tale of Edward Hand is one of emigration, war, love, and a life on the frontline. 240 years ago this week, he fought alongside George Washington.

#OnThisDay in 1781, British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered his army of some 8,000 men to General George Washington at Yorktown. General Charles OHara represented Cornwallis at the surrender. Present on the American side was Brigadier General Edward Hand from Co Offaly. pic.twitter.com/rrgtvxeTK4 October 19, 2021

Born in Clyduff, Kings County, as Offaly was known at the time, on New Years Eve, 1744, Edward Hand was baptised in Shinrone, Co. Offaly, going on to Trinity College Dublin, where he studied medicine. Edward was born into a prosperous protestant family, and his parents were John and Dorothy Hand, members of the Anglo-Irish Gentry. They owned land and a manor house in the area. That home is still standing and is currently occupied by a couple who have had the property in their family for 150 years.

We tracked down some of Edward Hands descendants in America, and one of them, 72-year-old April Baily from Colorado recalled visiting Edward Hands ancestral home in Offaly in 2011.

My husband Scott, my sister and brother-in-law, and I made our way to the home intending to request permission to take pictures of the outside of the home. The lady of the house, Rowena, met us outside, and once we had explained our purpose, invited us in, and graciously gave us a tour of the home, made tea, and spent some three hours of her time making us feel at home, April said.

We realised that Edwards family must have been wealthy to have owned such a home and that his decision to join the British Army was likely not motivated by a need to escape poverty, the proud member of the Hand Family Association added.

As the English law of primogeniture forbade the splitting up of estates where the entire estate would go only to the oldest son, younger sons of the gentry often went into law, medicine, the clergy, or acquired a commission in the Army.

Edward Hand did indeed enlist in the British Army in 1767, serving as a surgeons mate in the 18th Royal Irish Regiment. The

young Offaly man sailed to Philadelphia with that regiment in May 1767, and marched with them to Fort Pitt near the Ohio River. He returned to Philadelphia in 1774 and resigned his commission in the British Army, and soon joined the cause for American Independence. He moved to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in that same year to practice medicine, and a year later he married Katherine Kitty Ewing.

Hand did not accept a commission with the Continental Army until the summer of 1775, a full year after leaving his British Army post, so, it is important to point out that he did not resign from the British Army to switch sides as such, but rather to go into private medical practice in Lancaster, Samuel Slaymaker, Executive Director at Rock Ford Plantation, the historical home and centre dedicated to Edward Hand, explained.

He continued: In this regard, it is imperative we bear in mind that some of the most prominent officers in the Continental Army also previously served as officers in the British Army, including Horatio Gates and George Washington himself.

Lancaster was a region noted for considerable early Irish and Scots-Irish settlement, and as a group they were known for their anti-English and revolutionary beliefs. Hand was active in organising a band of colonial militia known as the Lancaster County Associators, and in 1775, when the American Revolutionary War began, he became a lieutenant colonel in the Pennsylvania Line of George Washingtons Continental Army.

Hand saw action in a number of flashpoints of the conflicts, including the Battle of Long Island and The Battle of White Plains, and was heavily involved in the wider American Revolutionary conflict for its duration. He was a member of fellow Irishman Colonel William Thompsons regiment when they were sent to reinforce troops fighting in Canada. Hand was forced to assume command of that regiment following the capture of Colonel Thompson. He would later be promoted to Brigadier General, subsequently being upgraded in rank again to Adjutant General in the Continental Army in 1781.

Edward Hand became a key figure in the ongoing Revolutionary War, and took an active part in the major battles across America. Edward Hand and his regiment, the First Pennsylvania Regiment, took part in the famous Crossing of the Delaware

River, undertaken by George Washington on Christmas Night, 1776.

This was a famous moment in the American Revolution where Washington launched a series of successful surprise attacks on the Hessian Garrison of a Colonel Rall. The battles of Princeton and Trenton followed in the days after the crossing where Washingtons troops continued to fight predominantly Hessian forces. Hessians were German soldiers fighting on the British side during the American Revolution.

The Hessians were defeated in that first surprise attack at Trenton, while the British were defeated days later at Princeton having been shrewdly lured south by Washingtons forces, of which Hand was an integral part.

Often when Hand was away on duty with the Continental Army, he wrote letters to his wife Katherine, the transcripts of

which have been provided by the Rock Ford Historical Plantation. In one of many letters sent in 1776, Hand wrote the following to his wife back in Lancaster: My Dearest Kitty, The day before yesterday a body of the enemy landed on a peninsula on the East River. I suppose they think that movement will induce our army to move back, but I think they will find themselves much disappointed. Our late retreats were dictated by prudence, not by a dread of their arms. By the next good opportunity, you

shall hear from me more to the purpose. May every blessing and happiness attend you, our dear little one, and every one of

our friends and acquaintances. My dearest Kitty, your most affectionate, Edward Hand.

After the gruelling battles of Princeton and Trenton, Hands stock was rising and he was working closely with George Washington and is said to have helped the future President plan the Siege of Yorktown, the operation that would force the surrender of the important British General, Charles Cornwallis, effectively paving the way for the negotiations bringing an end to the conflict. The Yorktown campaign proved to be the final land battle of the American Revolutionary War, and it led to the Treaty of Paris, the signing of which in 1783 formally ended the war.

Edward Hand was promoted to Brevet Major General before retiring later that year at the conclusion of the war. The decorated revolutionary returned to Lancaster and resumed his practice of medicine. He owned and operated Rock Ford plantation, a 177-acre farm on the banks of the Conestoga River, one mile south of Lancaster. The Georgian brick mansion remains today, and is operated as an historic site open to the public where Edward Hands life is celebrated.

Edward Hand remained active in civil affairs, holding numerous official posts, including Chief Burgess of Lancaster, Presidential elector, Delegate to the convention for the 1790 Pennsylvania Constitution, Member of the Congress of the Confederation (17841785), and Member of the Pennsylvania Assembly (17851786).

As a Presidential Elector, Hand would have played a part in the election of George Washington as the first President of the United States. George Washington, just 16 days after becoming Americas first President, made a visit to Edward Hand on July 4 in 1791. One of the numerous newspapers printed in Lancaster at the time recorded the historic visit, which took

place on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

His excellency, the President of the United States, arrived here from Yorktown, amidst the ringing of bells and the cheering of a great many people. Flags were displayed on the courthouse. Before dawn of the next day, Monday, the inhabitants were

reminded that it was Independence Day by the firing of cannon, the ringing of bells and the beating of drums," the paper read.

"General Edward Hand, who had himself achieved distinction and won fame as an officer in the Revolution, was then the most conspicuous citizen of Lancaster County. At a request of the inhabitants, he, with the other officials of the town, waited upon

the President and delivered an address. Washington feelingly responded," the report continued.

Descendant April Baily says she thinks its really interesting that Hand and Washington were good enough friends that Washington visited.

I also understand that this friendship went back several years, dating from the time Edward was at Fort Pitt in 1770. The fact President Washington visited the Hand family makes it clear that the men were not just war comrades, but genuine friends, she added.

These thoughts are echoed through the words of a letter written by President Washington to Edward Hand in 1784, not long after the conclusion of the American Revolution and the vindication of American freedom. Washington wrote: I have it now in my power to make known my sentiments and feelings respecting my military friends. I cannot decline making use of the first occasion, after my retirement, of informing you, my dear Sir, how much reason I have hadto be satisfied with the great zeal, attention, and ability manifested by you in conducting the business of your department; and how happy I should be in opportunities of demonstrating my sincere regard and esteem for you.

Edward Hand lived out his later life with his family at his home in Lancaster. As well as his roles in official life, Hand played a key part in establishing Lancasters first almshouse, which later developed into the Lancaster General Hospital. He experimented in horticulture on the grounds at Rock Ford, and actually developed his own variety of plum, called the Hand Plum. He also admirably continued to practice medicine, offering his services without charge to those who could not

afford to pay.

He passed away from cholera in 1802 at the age of 57 and has been written into the annals of American history, remembered as a true and honourable proponent of American independence.

Samuel Slaymaker from the Rock Ford Historical Plantation describes Hand as one of Pennsylvanias leading figures in both the American War of Independence and during the early years of the American Republic, while April Baily concluded by saying her ancestor was an example of the best of the times; strong in war, civic-minded in peace; a loving husband, father and patriot.

This story was originally published on offalyexpress.ie in 2019
Stephen Penrose, who is accused of murdering a man whose decapitated body was found in Rahin woods, not far from Edenderry, has declined to continue attending his trial and the case will proceed in his absence, the jury has been told.

The Central Criminal Court jury also heard today that Mr Penrose (38), who was representing himself in his murder trial having dismissed his legal team, has now hired new lawyers.

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.

On the opening day of the trial on October 13, Mr Justice Alexander Owens told the jury of eight men and four women that the accused Mr Penrose was entitled to dispense with the services of his legal team and they should not draw any inference from that.

However, this morning Mr Justice Owens informed the jury that Mr Penrose was now represented by lawyers. The court heard that Mr Michael French is appointed as the accused's solicitor and Mr Anthony Sammon SC alongside Mr Eoghan Weldon BL are representing him.

The judge also told the jurors today that Mr Penrose had declined to attend his trial "in person" and proceedings would continue without him. "He is not going to be physically present [in the courtroom]," he added.

Last Friday, Mr Justice Owens warned Mr Penrose that he would be taken to the cells and banned from participating in his own trial, where he had been representing himself, if he continued to "abuse" and "ballyrag" witnesses.

The judge said he would not allow his courtroom to become "a circus" after Mr 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 last week, before demanding that the witness be "dismissed" from his trial as his "word" could not be accepted.

Today, prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC told the court that Inspector Aidan Hannon was in the witness box when the "matter broke" last Friday. The barrister said he will call the garda Inspector at a later stage in the trial and asked him to step down for the moment.

The jury then spent the morning watching clips of footage from CCTV cameras at various locations around Edenderry, Co Offaly on the afternoon of August 10.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Owens and the 12 jurors.

In his opening address, prosecuting barrister 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.
Irish fur farms will receive funding for a phased winding down of operations.

That's according to Tanaiste Leo Varadkar, who this week confirmed the provision of compensation for the farms "that are being forced to close for obvious reasons".

The Tanaiste said, "The legislation to outlaw fur farming in Ireland is progressing and I understand it will be brought to the Cabinet by the end of this month or perhaps early next month with a view to getting it enacted in this House before the end of the year."

However, he stated he did not have any information on the amount of funding available and deferred to Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Deputy Martin Heydon.

Deputy Heydon said, "That is effectively it. The legislation is close, funding provision has been made and that process will conclude in the near future."

Their comments came after Deputy Marc O'Cathasaigh asked for clarity on the amount of funding available, and an update on the progress of the promised legislation.

According to Deputy O'Cathasaigh, fur farmers "should be funded appropriately". He said, "[The funding commitment] is right and appropriate if we are asking people to leave this practice behind."
In 2012, I was rescued, said Marinaldo Soares, a survivor of forced labour from Brazil. Friends of mine who were also working in slavery-like conditions reported the abuse and, thanks to them, we were rescued and received assistance. My rights were recognised and through my experience I learned how to protect the rights of others.



We are still fighting against slavery. We dont want people to experience what we did.

Soares was rescued by the Mobile Inspection Working Group thanks to a complaint received by the Carmen Bascaran Centre for the Defence of Life and Human Rights, based in the State of Maranhao, Brazil. The Centre assists efforts towards eradicating forced labour and assisting victims of human trafficking and slavery, with the support of the UN Slavery Fund. The Centres approach focuses on labour rights and community outreach, aiming to prevent that vulnerable individuals fall victims to exploitative practices.

Four years after he was rescued, Soares went on to win the 2016 National Human Rights Award in Brazil, in the Combating Slavery category.

To prevent people from being pushed into slavery, we need to inform them about their rights and ensure these rights are protected, Soares said. We need to invest in vulnerable communities for their development - people still fall prey to slavery because they are hungry and have nothing in their community. We also need to improve public policies for survivors.

Soares recounted his story during an online webinar organized by UN Human Rights and the University of Nottingham, and co-sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Norway, to mark the 30th anniversary of the UN Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery.

30 years of bringing survivors to the centre of recovery and prevention

The Fund was established by the General Assembly in 1991 (resolution 46/122) to bring relief to those whose human rights have been severely violated as a result of enrolment of children in armed conflict, debt bondage, forced and early marriage, forced labour, traditional slavery, trafficking of persons, the sale of children, the sale of wives, serfdom, sexual slavery, widow inheritance, and the worst forms of child labour.

Since its establishment, the Fund, which receives contributions from States, private or public entities and individuals, has disbursed more than USD 9.5 million, awarding 800 grants in more than 100 countries, providing rehabilitation and assistance to thousands of people worldwide.

The Fund promotes bringing survivors at the centre of action to prevent and end slavery and to restore their dignity More than 80 per cent of all contributions are directly channelled to victims, said the Funds Chairperson, Danwood Chirwa.

The Fund would need a minimum of USD 1.5 million annually to fulfil its mandate but, for the past three years, we have only been able to secure half of this amount, he added, while also appealing to States to continue supporting the Fund and more States to donate in order to reach more victims.

Grassroots organizations advocating for change

During the webinar, several grantees of the Fund were invited to describe the role they play in supporting survivors, and to share good practices that better protect victims and prevent slavery.

Different and Equal is an Albanian-based NGO that provides shelter and comprehensive reintegration assistance to victims of trafficking. Executive Director Mariana Meshi, said although her country has legal and policy instruments for the protection of victims of trafficking, her organization advocates for a specific and more comprehensive anti-slavery law.

Fragmentation of legislation with provisions scattered in different acts makes it very difficult to implement an effective policy for the protection of victims of trafficking, she said.

In Singapore, the Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (HOME) runs a shelter for migrant domestic workers and provides them with humanitarian and legal assistance. Jaya Anil Kumar, Research and Advocacy Manager at HOME, explained that domestic migrant workers are excluded from the Employment Act, the primary labour legislation in Singapore, and their work permits are tied to their employers.

Work permit conditions stipulate that employers shall control and supervise their foreign employees. The Singapore Government further imposes financial burdens on employers to ensure they undertake this obligation, Kumar said.

As a result, migrant domestic workers have to obtain consent from their current employers if they wish to change jobs, and they are often indebted to agencies that charge hefty fees of up to USD 4,000 for work placements.

Kumar recommended that Singapore extend primary labour laws to migrant domestic workers; establish the right to switch employers freely; and to adopt the zero recruitment fees model of the International Labour Organizations Fair Recruitment Initiative and to improve transparency in fees from recruitment agencies.

People on the move facing increasing challenges

Often, Governments provide only temporary solutions for the displaced that do not sufficiently take their needs into account, thus increasing the risk of them being drawn into slavery, said Tomoya Obokata, UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, who presented a report on the nexus between displacement and contemporary slavery to the Human Rights Council in September. Access to the formal job market, is one critical issue surrounding this, he added.

States should grant access to decent work in law and practice to displaced persons, Obokata said. In this way, they could also contribute to the local economy and become self-reliant and less vulnerable to contemporary forms of slavery.

Katarina Schwarz, Associate Director of Nottingham Universitys Rights Lab, pointed out that significant gaps remain in legal frameworks and international laws that result in inconsistent or incomplete implementation at the country level.

Schwarz recommended a number of actions that could be taken at the international, national and local levels to address challenges in the legal infrastructure, including developing international frameworks and standards that deal with areas not codified by law; harmonising domestic law across countries so that norms and protections operate across contexts for people on the move; and addressing the structural conditions that foster contemporary slavery.

Recalling that an element at the core of traditional chattel slavery is the denial of legal personhood, its fundamentally important that we are highly critical of any regime that has as its purpose or its impact the degradation of legal protection and recognition for any person, let alone entire groups, she said.

Madeline Garlick, Head of the Protection, Policy and Legal Advice Section at the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, pointed out that the refugee agencys Executive Committee recognized its role in preventing people under its mandate from falling victim to trafficking and protecting victims, adding that it is also the responsibility of all human rights mechanisms and States to promote accession and implementation of relevant international instruments and work more effectively in partnership to ensure an end to the violations of rights that manifest wherever slavery and trafficking is seen worldwide.

Recalling that Norway had recently launched a strategy to strengthen development efforts to combat contemporary forms of slavery, the Ambassador of Norway and event moderator, Tine Mrch Smith, encouraged Member States to support to the Fund, including through contributions. It is very clear what impact the Fund has for people who are struggling in very difficult situations, she concluded.

20 October 2021
What's Included

With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call our customer service team at 716-372-3121 or email nfinnerty@oleantimesherald.com.
Are you a current print subscriber? You qualify for online access to the Omak Chronicle. To receive your access, create a website account and then verify your print subscription or e-edition subscription with your subscriber number, which may be found on your bill or mailing label.
This report on the global Governance, Risk & Compliance Platforms Market assures a treasure of information on a plethora of growth opportunities. The study includes expansive research by expert analysts. All the growth factors revolving around the Governance, Risk & Compliance Platforms market across the assessment period of 2021-2027 have been systematically included in the report. The research strives to present a granular assessment of the key consumer propositions targeted 
Nuns invent work and find other incomes



Sister Rosamaria manages two elegant hotels on Ortigia island, in the ancient heart of the Sicilian city of Syracuse. Both buildings, complete with a wellness center, are owned by the Ursuline Sisters of the Holy Family. We had to invent a job, so we followed the tourist vocation of the area, explains the nun who in the mid-1990s was determined to realise this commercial enterprise following the spirit, she says, of the founder Sister Angela Merici: Keep the old way but make new life.



The first hotel they opened, called Domus Mariae, was formerly a dormitory, and then, in 1995, it was renovated to provide a more hospitable location. In 2008, the income that they had received permitted them to renovate Palazzo Interlandi, located across the way. This building had been a noble residence built in the fourteenth century, but had fallen into poor condition. Today, it is the Domus Mariae Benessere vacation home, with a spa included.

The management of the two locations is all done by Sister Rosamaria, who in this way puts to good use her degree in Economics which she received from Bocconi University in Milan.

I recognise the criticism of those who think we want to make money, she comments. We offer 3-star prices for a 5-star service, while barely managing to cover our operating expenses and taxes. The state treats us as if were a big hotel chain but thats not the case: we dont have the staff and we dont want to be purely a business. We are a service to the community like the hotel-clinics I was inspired by. Priests who want to stay receive a big discount for their overnight stay and so do families experiencing hardship, and so do disabled people who are able to spend relaxing days here at a very affordable price. Sister Rosamaria also often works as a receptionist to save on expenses: My three sisters are in their nineties and help me with prayer, she smiles. All earnings must go into the common fund of the religious family, which then helps the sisters financially as needed. Their satisfaction are the guests positive reviews on the Booking website, for We receive no salary and no help from the Vatican. We have to make do.

Nuns become managers or entrepreneurs out of necessity. Like the Poor Clare nuns of Arundel, in Sussex, who last winter recorded an album of religious music played with electronic instruments that reached fifth place in the UK charts. The album is available on Amazon, at approximately 17 euros.



Because nuns have to make a living, they are learning to handle the tools of online sales. In France, where the Benedictine nuns of the Saint-Vincent abbey in Chantelle produce creams and lotions with an annual turnover of 1.2 million euros. This money is used entirely for the renovation of the ancient buildings. The monasteries have created the brand, Made in Abbeys that brings together products made by monks and nuns. In Spain, the website declausura.org sells beers, jams, handmade creams, wafers or even capons bred specifically for Christmas lunch. In the United States, specifically in Flint (Michigan), the nuns of the Order of Preachers have started a production of work clothes destined for hospitals and made by women in need. Since they lacked managerial and business skills, they accepted the help of economics students from the local university.

However, business does not always go smoothly. The payoff is meager. It is a harsh concept; yet, it is what is happening everywhere throughout the world where women religious unleash their creativity to keep congregations going.

We dont have anything of our own, specifies Sister Elizabeth of the Worker Sisters of the Holy House of Nazareth, who by charism has chosen to work in a company in the Padua area. All of her salary goes into the communitys account, which includes five religious sisters who refer to the congregation for the management of any expense, even the smallest. If I want to give a wedding gift to a colleague, I have to share the decision with my community and if I receive gifts from my family, the same thing happens, says Sister Elisabetta. This also applies to family inheritances: under canon law, if a sister receives property from her deceased parents, it is now customary for that property to become the property of the congregation.

In our case, this happens very rarely, comments Sister Agnese of the Carmelite Monastery in Carpineto Romano, located a few kilometers from Rome. Here, the main work is the making of scapulars, a tradition that still endures but which yields very little to the conventuals of this monastery. We manage to produce a few thousand scapulars a year, which we sell for 50 cents each so as not to be subjected to competition from the industry, and therefore the income amounts to a few hundred euros. The handicraft work of the fifteen religious currently residing in Carpineto Romano also includes the creation of scapulars painted in gold, the making of stoles and chasubles, tablecloths for Mass both painted and in gold, favors for baptisms or confirmations, rosary beads, bookmarks and small pictures. Requests also arrive online, even from abroad. A commitment of four hours a day to devote the rest of the time to prayer and the concrete management of the monastery. However, the turnover is so meager that in order to survive the nuns must receive food parcels from Caritas or accept donations from family members. There is also a little income from those who stay in the monastery for a spiritual retreat and who are asked, if possible, for a donation.

It is not uncommon for congregations to resort to another useful way of raising funds, i.e. donations in exchange for prayers. The Salesian Sisters in Haledon, New Jersey, ask for financial help for elderly religious in need of expensive care. The program is called Adopt a Sister: As a sign of gratitude for your faith and friendship, the nun you adopt will pray for you every day for a year, the congregation assures in a concrete spirit. But what really helps us is Providence, concludes Sister Agnes.



by Laura Eduati
In this photo from video, the six candidates seeking three seats on the Ottumwa City Council gather for a community forum on Monday at Ottumwa City Hall. The forum was sponsored by the Ottumwa League of Women Voters.
Randy Evans is executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, a 43-year-old nonprofit education and advocacy organization that works for improved government transparency and citizen accountability. He can be reached at IowaFOICouncil@gmail.com.
Netflix posted sharply higher third-quarter earnings Tuesday thanks to a stronger slate of titles, including Squid Game, the dystopian survival drama from South Korea that the company says became its biggest-ever TV show.

The company has ramped up production, rebounding from pandemic-induced delays in the first half of the year. It's also looking beyond movies and TV and said it plans to fund new growth opportunities" such as video games, which are being tested in some markets.

It remains very early days for this initiative and, like other content categories weve expanded into, we plan to try different types of games, learn from our members and improve our game library," the company said.

And as it faces saturation in the U.S. market, Netflix is focusing on growing its international subscriber numbers. For instance, it launched a free mobile plan in Kenya, in the hopes it will get more people in the country to sign up for paid memberships.

In all, Netflix said its subscriber base grew 9% from a year earlier, to 213.6 million, surpassing its own projections.

The increase came about even as Netflix's subscriber growth softened "a little bit" in Latin America after the company increased prices in Brazil, Spencer Neumann, Netflix's chief financial officer, said during a conference call with a Wall Street analyst.

It's a short-term slowdown in growth, but good for our business and we're already continuing to grow through it, he said.

Netflix earned $1.45 billion, or $3.19 per share, in the latest quarter. Thats up from $789.9 million or $1.79 per share, a year earlier.

Revenue grew 16% to $7.48 billion from $6.44 billion.

Analysts, on average, were expecting earnings of $2.56 per share on revenue of $7.48 billion, according to a poll by FactSet.

Shares of the Los Gatos, California-based company fell about 1% in after-hours trading.

Netflix also said Tuesday that later this year it will change how it reports its viewership metrics. Instead of how many accounts watch its titles, it will report the number of hours viewed. Netflix said this is a 'slightly better indicator of the overall success of our titles and member satisfaction.

It also matches how outside services measure TV viewing and gives proper credit to rewatching," Netflix said.

For the current quarter, Netflix said it expects to add 8.5 million net subscribers.

The company made no mention in its earnings news release or call of the fallout surrounding a recent Dave Chapelle special, which premiered earlier this month after the third quarter ended.

Netflix said Friday that it had fired an employee for disclosing confidential financial information about what it paid for the Chappelles comedy special The Closer, which employees and advocacy groups condemned as being transphobic and harmful to transgender people.

The employee, who wasnt named, shared confidential, commercially sensitive information outside the company, a Netflix statement said.

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 doesnt cross the line on hate and will remain on the streaming service.

Transgender employees and their allies planning to stage a walkout Wednesday in protest.

___

AP Business writer Alex Veiga in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
Looking for something to do? Here is a list of local events. The next collection of things to do in Manistee County and beyond is set to run on Oct. 28.

To submit an event, email the time, date and location information to advocate@pioneergroup.com.

SEASONAL EVENTS

 Frankfort Farmers Market, May through October, Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Open Space Park on Main Street, Frankfort

 Iron Fish Distillery Spring Roll Sundays, noon to 5 p.m., 14234 Dzuibanek Road, Thompsonville

 Manistee Historical Museum, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 425 River St., Manistee

 Bear Lake Area Historical Museum, 1-4 p.m. Saturdays through October, corner of Main and Virginia streets, Bear Lake

 Benzie Area Historical Museum, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 6941 Traverse Ave., Benzonia

 Marilla Museum & Pioneer Place, 1-5 p.m. Saturdays through October, 9991 Marilla Road, Copemish

 Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 217 South Lakeshore Drive, Ludington

 Historic White Pine Village, 12:30-5 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 1687 South Lakeshore Drive, Ludington

 The Kaleva Bottle House is open through October from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

OCTOBER

Oct. 22

 11 a.m., Story time with Miss Desiree at Academy Park next to Benzonia Public Library (weather permitting), 891 Michigan Ave. in Benzonia. Info: benzonialibrary.org or 231-882-4111

 6-8 p.m., Republican Women of Benzie County's biennial convention of the Republican Womens Federation of Michigan, Baymont Hotel in Beulah. Info: RWFM.info

Oct. 23

 Peak2Peak Mountain Bike Classic at Crystal Mountain. Info: crystalmountain.com

 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Republican Women of Benzie County's biennial convention of the Republican Womens Federation of Michigan, Baymont Hotel in Beulah. Info: RWFM.info

 1-4 p.m., Authors and illustrators of the newly published Meet The Pets: Presidential Animals from A to Z, will sign copies of the book at The Bookstore in downtown Frankfort.

 7:30 p.m., Irish Night at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, at 101 Maple St. in Manistee. Info: ramsdelltheatre.org

Oct. 24

 4 to 5:30 p.m. Trunk or treat and hot dog dinner at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church

Oct. 28

 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., Pottery workshop for adults, Ludington Area Center for the Arts pottery studio. Register: ludingtonartscenter.square.site/workshops or 231-845-2787

 3:30-5 p.m., Afterschool Kids Multi-Media Art Workshop is for children ages 5 to 15, Ludington Area Center for the Arts pottery studio. Register: ludingtonartscenter.square.site/workshops or 231-845-2787

Oct. 29

 11 a.m., Story time with Miss Desiree at Academy Park next to Benzonia Public Library (weather permitting), 891 Michigan Ave. in Benzonia. Info: benzonialibrary.org or 231-882-4111
As students return to schools after months of lockdowns, many people are worried about the safety of their children and transmission of the virus overall.

The role that schools play in transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 has been difficult to work out, but a University of Michigan epidemiologist is helping to answer that question. Schools do amplify community transmission, but the good news is that some relatively simple mitigation measures can make schools much safer places.

Andrew Brouwer, a mathematical epidemiologist who earned his Ph.D in applied and interdisciplinary mathematics at the University of Michigan, says "K-12 is the largest source of outbreaks in Michigan right now."

"We know that masks effectively reduce the probability of COVID transmission," he continued. "It's true that children generally have milder disease. However, about 50% of children who are hospitalized have no underlying conditions. And, we also have to worry about all the teachers and staff and everyone who's not a child in K-12, as well as all the people these children are going home to  parents and siblings, grandparents and other family members."

Brouwer and other U-Mich epidemiologists, including Marisa Eisenberg, are encouraging layers of defense against COVID-19 in schools because one mitigation strategy is not enough to lower transmission rates in Michigan communities.

The CDC is also recommending prevention strategies to be layered in different ways. And, the number and intensity of the layers can increase if community transmission increases. For instance, as community transmission increases, more holes appear in the defenses, meaning more layers of protection may be needed.

"You know, this sort of Swiss cheese model of COVID exists because no one mitigation measure is good enough, right?" Brouwer said. "Because there's always going to be holes we need to have more and more slices of our cheese to fill the holes. And, because delta is that much more transmissible, it's all that much more important that we're wearing masks, which is part of why CDC guidance evolved from vaccinated people did not need to wear masks to now it's recommended that everyone wears masks in public spaces."

Photo provided/Andrew Brouwer

The Swiss cheese model of COVID defense strategies used by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is not edible, but it can save lives. It starts with promoting vaccination against COVID-19 for eligible staff and students. Next, it moves to correctly and consistently using well-fitted masks that cover the nose and mouth. Then, physical distancing comes into play. The next step involves promoting screening and testing for illness and lastly the model ends with ensuring healthy environments and effective ventilation in schools.

More evidence to support masks in schools

New evidence from epidemiological and modeling studies indicate that communities that established mask mandates generally had reduced disease transmission. Controlled studies examining various masks generally show that masks help prevent the spread of virus-laden droplets. Taken together, current scientific data supports the use of masks to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in the community. You can read the summary of literature here.

Face masks are one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. An investigation into school outbreaks, supported by the CDC, found that schools without an indoor mask requirement were 3.5 times more likely to have an outbreak than schools in which students and staff did have to wear masks.

This is why the CDC recommends universal indoor masking by all children aged 2 and older, as well as teachers and visitors to schools, regardless of whether theyre vaccinated.

Reducing the viral dose: Inoculum effect

Reducing the viral dose you receive also matters. You may ask, "Aren't we all going to get infected anyway?" But, the amount of exposure matters. We can reduce the severity of infections by the inoculum effect, in which vaccination, masking and social distancing all combine to reduce the viral dose, according to Brouwer.

"One other thing that I think is not as well appreciated is that masks not only reduce the probability of transmission, but even if you get COVID, while wearing a mask, you will get less severe disease," Brouwer said.

"We call it inoculum," he continued. "We know that symptoms correlate really strongly with that sort of initial viral load. For a long time, I think we've suspected that, but recently there have been very convincing epidemiological studies where they're able to compare groups of people that were masking, had ventilation and those that didn't, and although the ones with mitigation had less COVID, those that got it also had less severe disease, and so it's really convincing that masking is part of effective mitigation."

For an individual, being exposed to a small viral dose means milder disease than someone exposed to a large viral dose.

For the community, masks, social distancing and vaccinations mean less disease is spread leading to fewer severe cases.

Why do we still need mitigation measures?

The delta variant spreads easily in indoor spaces when people are unmasked and unvaccinated. Because the delta variant is better at evading the immunity that people have, both natural and vaccine derived, there can be more transmission. More transmission means more people infected, more people infected means more opportunity for hospitalization and death. So, we have to combat by better mitigation, Brouwer said.

Here are some more reasons for mitigation measures outlined by U-Mich epidemiologists:

1. To protect unvaccinated individuals, those under 12 and those immounocompromised.

2. To avoid overwhelming the health system by staggering (spacing out) infections. It's important to not let an entire population get infected at once.

3. To protect vulnerable populations. Infections may still be severe in high-risk groups; elderly, underlying conditions.

To determine which mask is best for you, visit the CDC's guidelines on masking here.
Midland County had 84 new COVID-19 cases and two deaths reported from Oct. 19-20.

COVID-19 numbers reported from Oct. 19-20

Midland County: 84 cases and two deaths were added; pandemic total is 9,236 cases, 836 probable cases, 122 deaths and six probable deaths.

Bay County: 121 cases and five deaths were added; pandemic total stands at 13,470 cases, 1,024 probable cases, 370 deaths and 15 probable deaths.

Gladwin County: 31 cases and one death were added; pandemic total stands at 2,662 cases, 533 probable cases, 66 deaths and four probable deaths.

Isabella County: 77 cases and two deaths were added; pandemic total stands at 7,380 cases, 1,363 probable cases, 107 deaths and six probable deaths.

Saginaw County: 181 cases and three deaths were added; pandemic total stands at 24,779 cases, 1,924 probable cases, 641 deaths and 21 probable deaths.

The state added 7,108 cases and 135 deaths between Tuesday and Wednesday. Overall, Michigan is at 1,097,129 cases and 21,744 deaths.

Recovered

According to the Midland County Health Department website, which was updated Oct. 18, 8,695 Midland County individuals have recovered from COVID. The state reported that as of Oct. 15, a total of 962,955 persons have recovered.

Testing

Midland Countys seven-day rolling positivity rate on Oct. 18 was listed at 14.9% and Gladwin County's was listed at 16%. Our 12-county region was listed at 18.4% and Michigan was at 11.3%.

MidMichigan Health statistics

As of Oct. 14, MidMichigan Medical Center in Midland was listed as having an 92% bed occupancy with 45 COVID patients and eight in the ICU. MidMichigan Medical Center in Gladwin was listed as having a 56% bed occupancy with five COVID patients and none in the ICU.

Both medical centers reported having at least 15-30 days worth of personal protection equipment (N95, surgical masks, gowns, gloves and eye protection) on hand.

Schools

As of Wednesday, Midland Public Schools reported 183 staff/students were in close contact to an individual who was confirmed COVID-19 positive, and 50 staff/students currently tested positive for the virus. Schools with one or more staff/students confirmed positive for COVID-19 as of Wednesday include Dow High (13), Midland High (7), Jefferson Middle (7), Northeast Middle (9), Chestnut Hill Elementary (1), Plymouth Elementary (4), Siebert Elementary (10) and Woodcrest Elementary (1).

Bullock Creek School District reported on Wednesday that one staff member and 14 students are current positive cases. There are also 37 students (but no staff members) currently in quarantine. Schools with one or more confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday include Bullock Creek Elementary (2), Floyd Elementary (1), Pine River Elementary (3), Bullock Creek Middle School (1) and Bullock Creek High School (7).

Midland County vaccinations

The Michigan COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard lists Midland's completed vaccine rate is 66.8%. Currently, the vaccines are not authorized to be given to those under age 12.

Midland County Health Department is hosting a weekly walk-in COVID vaccination clinic from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every Tuesday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Friday on the second floor of the Midland County Services Building, 220 W. Ellsworth St., Midland.

Future COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Midland County are listed at www.co.midland.mi.us/HealthDepartment/COVIDVaccineInformation.aspx. Those with questions may call 989-832-6380 or email MCDPH@co.midland.mi.us.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  Nikolas Cruz pleaded guilty Wednesday to murdering 17 people during a rampage at his former high school in Parkland, Florida, leaving a jury to decide whether he will be executed for one of the nations deadliest school shootings.

Relatives of the victims who sat in the courtroom and watched the hearing via Zoom broke down in tears and held hands across families as Cruz entered his pleas and later apologized for his crimes.

Today we saw a cold and calculating killer confess to the murder of my daughter Gina and 16 other innocent victims at their school, said Tony Montalto. His daughter was 14 and sitting outside her classroom when Cruz shot her at close range numerous times. His guilty pleas are the first step in the judicial process but there is no change for my family. Our bright, beautiful, and beloved daughter Gina is gone while her killer still enjoys the blessing of life in prison.

The guilty pleas will set the stage for a penalty trial in which 12 jurors will determine whether Cruz, 23, should be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole. Given the cases notoriety, Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer plans to screen thousands of prospective jurors. Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Jan. 4.

Cruz entered his pleas after answering a long list of questions from Scherer aimed at confirming his mental competency. He was charged with 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted first-degree murder for those wounded in the Feb. 14, 2018, attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, located just outside Fort Lauderdale.

As several parents shook their heads, Cruz apologized, saying, Im very sorry for what I did. ... I cant live with myself sometimes. He also added that he wished it was up to the survivors to determine whether he lived or died.

Parents scoffed at Cruzs statement as they left the courtroom, saying it seemed self-serving and aimed at eliciting unearned sympathy. Gena Hoyer, whose 15-year-old son Luke died in the shooting, saw it as part of a defense strategy to keep a violent, evil person off death row."

She said her son was a sweet young man who had a life ahead of him and the person you saw in there today chose to take his life. He does not deserve life in prison.

Anthony Borges, a former Stoneman Douglas student who was shot five times and severely wounded, told reporters after the hearing that he accepted Cruzs apology, but noted that it was not up to him to decide the confessed murderers fate.

He made a decision to shoot the school, Borges said. I am not God to make the decision to kill him or not. Thats not my decision. My decision is to be a better person and to change the world for every kid. I dont want this to happen to anybody again. It hurts. It hurts. It really hurts. So, I am just going to keep going. Thats it.

Cruzs attorneys announced his intention to plead guilty during a hearing last week.

Following the pleas Wednesday, former Broward State Attorney Mike Satz recounted the details of the murders. Cruz killed 14 students and three staff members on Valentines Day 2018 during a seven-minute rampage through a three-story building at Stoneman Douglas, investigators said. They said he shot victims in the hallways and in classrooms with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle, sometimes returning to the wounded to kill them with additional shots. Cruz had been expelled from Stoneman Douglas a year earlier after a history of threatening, frightening, unusual and sometimes violent behavior that dated back to preschool.

After Satz finished, the judge had to compose herself for several seconds before she began speaking again, her voice breaking.

The shootings caused some Stoneman Douglas students to launch the March for Our Lives movement, which pushes for stronger gun restrictions nationally.

Since days after the shooting, Cruzs attorneys had offered to have him plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence, saying that would spare the community the emotional turmoil of reliving the attack at trial. But Satz rejected the offer, saying Cruz deserved a death sentence, and appointed himself lead prosecutor. Satz, 79, stepped down as state attorney in January after 44 years, but remains Cruzs chief prosecutor.

His successor, Harold Pryor, is opposed to the death penalty but has said he will follow the law. Like Satz, he never accepted the defense offer  as an elected official, that would have been difficult, even in liberal Broward County, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 2 to 1.

By having Cruz plead guilty, his attorneys will be able to argue during the penalty hearing that he took responsibility for his actions.

As at any trial, prosecutors will present evidence of the shooting, including security video that reportedly shows many of the killings in graphic detail. They will also be allowed to show evidence that Cruz had long planned the attack and made threats through cellphone videos. There will be testimony from students and teachers who were in the building, including some who were wounded.

Prosecutors will also present testimony from the victims' parents and spouses to demonstrate the toll the deaths have had on families and the community.

The defense will then present mitigating evidence that will likely include testimony about Cruzs life, including his long history of mental and emotional instability, his fathers death when he was 5 and his mothers death four months before the shootings, when he was 19.

To impose a death sentence, all 12 jurors must agree. If they do, Judge Scherer will make the final decision.
The demolition of the old Holiday Inn property still faces setbacks with asbestos removal.

On Monday, a review hearing for the old Holiday Inn case was supposed to take place, but it turned into more of a planning session. The property owner Jeff Kern appeared in court over the phone, and concerns were raised about the demolition delays as cold weather creeps into Midland.

Midland City Attorney James Branson said Kern recently replaced his previous lawyer, Richard Wolney, with attorney Floyd Gates, who appeared over Zoom during the court session. Kern had previously added and dropped an attorney earlier this year, making this Kerns third legal representative since this case started. Kern also changed his construction contractors, Branson said.

This caused the review hearing to be pushed back about 45 days until December, giving everything a fresh start, Branson said. No demolition progress has been made since the previous hearing on Sept. 20, he said. At the last hearing, the building was reported to be between 55% and 66% torn down.

The remaining portion of the building that is still standing is a hotbed of asbestos.

Gates said he will learn something from Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) sometime within the next 45 days, so Judge Michael Carpenter, of the 75th District Court, set the review hearing at 9 a.m., Dec. 6. The judge will ask how much of the building is torn down and how much of Kerns fines have been paid. Kern must appear in person, Carpenter said.

Gates said the building will not be down by Dec. 6, but said the building needs to come down. He reached out to an asbestos abatement and demolition company and had them conduct a site visit. The company came back and said the building was in horrible condition and was in danger of collapsing. Gates was given two options.

One option was to abate the asbestos, then demolish the building. The second option is to demolish the building as containing asbestos. This means the building would be torn down, then the remaining debris would be treated for asbestos. This would save time by not abating the asbestos, but would add to the removal time, Gates said.

The company said the building could be a candidate for this process, so he reached out to EGLE, and the representative said a local building official needs to determine if the building is in danger of collapsing or receive that opinion from a structural engineer. Gates said EGLE would check the site themselves to see if they will allow Kern to continue demolishing as containing asbestos.

Branson said Kern would have to employ a structural engineer to determine if the building is in danger of immediate collapse. He also said it would be dangerous to send in a city inspector.

Because of this, Carpenter said it doesnt sound like this option is viable, but Gates said its the only viable option. Gates said the company said the building could be down within the next 60-90 days, but it depends on the weather. If the building is torn down with asbestos, it must be wet while doing so, which would be a problem once winter arrives.

Branson said he is concerned about security of the building, with a section of the back gate removed and doors to the building wide open. He said it is a magnet for people to get in there, with new graffiti recently found on the building.

The 142,500-square-foot property has sat condemned since 2018. The city filed a lawsuit against Kern in 2020 after a long period of little action from the owner to tear down the structure located at 1500 W. Wackerly St.

Carpenter said if after a while, no progress is made, Kern could face charges of contempt of court again.

I believe that you are working on it, but I am going to keep reviewing this case until that building is down, Carpenter said.
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriff's Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Andrew Mullin.

Wednesday, Oct. 13:

7:41 p.m. - Deputies stood by while a 26-year-old Larkin Township female retrieved property from her residence. A 62-year-old Larkin Township female was also present at deputies' arrival. The younger female said that the older female would not leave her alone.

7:17 p.m. - A deputy spoke with a Porter Township female who received a vulgar and rude voicemail from a male whom she knew. The female asked that the male be contacted and be asked to not contact her anymore. Contact was made with the male who left the messages, and he agreed to not contact the female again.

6:07 p.m. - Officers responded to a vehicle crash on West U.S.-10 at the Stark Road off-ramp.

4:52 p.m. - Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Joe Mann Boulevard.

4:45 p.m. - Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area of Rodd Street and East Nelson Street.

4:16 p.m. - Deputy dispatched to a Homer Township residence regarding a wellbeing check on a 73-year-old female who missed a Meals on Wheels delivery. The deputy contacted the female at her residence and learned that she had been away from the residence when the Meals on Wheels delivery was attempted.

1:35 p.m. - A deputy was contacted by Isabella County Child Protective Services about a current investigation in Isabella County regarding inappropriate touching between an 8-year-old and a 9-year-old. Due to the allegations possibly occurring in Isabella County and Midland County, and an investigation already starting in Isabella County by Child Protective Services, the call was referred to the Michigan State Police.

7:57 a.m. - A deputy checked on a report of a large hole on Poseyville Road not being barricaded off. The deputy located a section of road that had been dug out for blacktop repair, and the section in question was properly barricaded off already.

2:03 a.m. - Officers responded to a domestic assault and trespassing on Tucker Street.

Tuesday, Oct. 12:

11:41 p.m. - A 41-year-old Jerome Township female reported that her 17-year-old son did not come home from school. The son was angry about not being able to stay after school for a drama club meeting. Deputies searched the area around the school and put out a "be on the lookout" to surrounding agencies. The investigation is ongoing.

7:48 p.m. - Deputies were dispatched to a Lee Township residence regarding a 40-year-old female who was having a civil disagreement with her 58-year-old aunt. The complainant advised the disagreement was over property in her grandmother's estate. The complainant left the residence for the evening and advised the matter would be handled civilly.

5:37 p.m. - Deputy dispatched to US-10/Stark Road regarding a vehicle that was all over the roadway. The deputy located the vehicle and contacted the 73-year-old male driver, who was having a diabetic reaction. The male was given some food/sugar and EMS was dispatched to the scene. EMS monitored the male until his sugar level was normal and he was released from the scene.

5:25 p.m. - Officers responded to an assault on Jerome Street.

5:22 p.m. - Deputies contacted an 80-year-old Hope Township male in regarding to his being a victim of a phone call phishing scam. The suspect tricked him into releasing his medical insurance information, and the complainant became aware of his mistake immediately after the suspect's phone call. Deputies advised the male to inform his insurance company, and the complainant was not able to provide any suspect information. Deputies completed a report of the incident.

5:07 p.m. - Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area of Rodd Street and East Nickels Street.

4:06 p.m. - Deputies were dispatched to a Geneva Township residence regarding a wellbeing check after a 17-year-old male texted a National Guard recruiter in Gratiot County that he was suicidal. Deputies contacted the male, who advised he was not suicidal and only sent the text out of anger because his friend had signed him up for the National Guard. The male was left in the care of his mother.

3:38 p.m. - Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Eastman Avenue.

2:14 p.m. - A 60-year-old Larkin Township male reported his trail camera was damaged and the cost of the camera was approximately $100. There are no suspects at this time.

1:35 p.m. - Deputies were dispatched to a Lee Township residence about a disorderly person. Prior to arrival, the person had left, so the deputies contacted the parents of the suspect. The parents were not interested in pursuing any criminal charges, so the deputies offered suggestions on how to obtain assistance and remove the person from the household.

1:13 p.m. - Officers responded to a case of domestic violence on Fitzhugh Street.

12:36 p.m. - Officers responded to a case of domestic violence on Edwin Street.

11:29 a.m. - Deputies contacted a business owner in Greendale Township about an unwanted person at their business. Upon arrival, the deputies were advised the unwanted person had left the business. They searched the area and did not find the individual. The business owner did not request any further assistance.

8:25 p.m. - A deputy was requested to make contact with a parent whose juvenile children were reportedly involved in a minor physical altercation with one another. One of the children reported that her sister kicked her following an argument. The mother of the girls said that she was made aware of the incident and then spoke with her girls about keeping their hands and feet to themselves. There were no additional issues and there were no related injuries reported by the mother. Nothing criminal in nature was reported.

6:56 a.m. - Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area of South Saginaw Road and Eastlawn Drive.

1:33 a.m. - Deputies were dispatched to a single-vehicle accident that occurred on a Warren Township roadway. The driver was issued a citation.
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Andrew Mullin.

Thursday, Oct. 14:

10:45 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to an Edenville Township residence to speak with a 58-year-old Edenville Township female about a possible larceny. Upon arrival, the complainant found the property that she had thought was missing.

8:47 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Jasper Township residence for a death investigation of a 56-year-old Jasper Township male. Deputies found nothing suspicious, and the death was determined to be from natural causes.

8:28 p.m.  A deputy spoke with a Lincoln Township man regarding stolen game cameras from his property. Missing were two game cameras and three memory cards worth approximately $251.

8:15 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Lee Township residence for a report of criminal sexual conduct. A 35-year-old Hope Township female advised that her 15-year-old daughter was a victim of a sexual assault. This incident is under investigation.

8:04 p.m.  A deputy was dispatched to a Mount Haley Township residence about a hit-and-run that occurred in Midland Township. The suspect vehicle left the scene and there was no visible damage to the complainant's vehicle.

7:58 p.m.  A deputy spoke with a 37-year-old Mount Haley Township woman about a verbal dispute with her 43-year-old husband. No assault occurred.

7:41 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to an Edenville Township residence about a domestic assault between a 38-year-old female and her 28-year-old live-in boyfriend. The male fled the scene prior to the deputies arrival, and a report is being sent to the prosecutors office.

5:13 p.m.  Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Wellness Drive.

5:00 p.m.  Officers responded to a case of domestic violence on Hamilton Drive.

4:28 p.m.  Officers responded to a two-vehicle injury crash in the area of Swede Avenue and East Ashman Street.

3:51 p.m.  An animal control deputy received a complaint of two stray dogs in the area of Tittabawassee and Poseyville roads. The dogs were located by the deputy and the owner was summoned to the scene. The dogs were turned over to the owner.

2:56 p.m.  A deputy was requested to do a wellbeing check on a 9-year-old Mount Haley Township female who had not attended school this week. There was no answer at the door, and the deputy left a message on the girl's mothers cell phone telling her to contact the school regarding her child's being absent.

1:33 p.m.  Officers responded to a weapons violation and a driver operating with a suspended license on Sylvan Lane.

10:37 a.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Jerome Township residence for a reported verbal argument. Prior to deputies' arrival, the caller, a 34-year-old Jerome Township female, advised deputies that she no longer needed them.

10:06 p.m.  Officers responded to a vehicle crash in the area of West U.S.-10 and Jefferson Avenue.

6:59 a.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Jerome Township residence for a suspicious situation. Deputies contacted the caller, a 57-year-old Jerome Township female, who stated she heard her door handle move. The area was checked, but no one was located.

3:36 a.m.  A deputy was dispatched to a Coleman residence about a report of a light seen by a vehicle. The deputy checked the vehicle and the area and did not observe anything suspicious.

1:33 p.m.  A deputy conducted a traffic stop at a Lincoln Township location. The deputy spoke with the 48-year-old male driver who was subsequently arrested. The male was lodged at the Midland County Jail. A report is being sent to the prosecutors office for review.
Director of Content and Operations

Spencer McKee is OutThere Colorado's Director of Content and Operations. In his spare time, Spencer loves to hike, rock climb, and trail run. He's on a mission to summit all 58 of Colorado's fourteeners and has already climbed more than half.
Livingston, TN (38570)

Today

Plentiful sunshine. High 46F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear this evening then becoming mostly cloudy after midnight. Low 26F. Winds light and variable.
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.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan Presidential Council, Commander of the Libyan Army, Head of the National Unity Government and Minister of Defence, Abdelhamid Al-Dbaiba, Wednesday discussed with the 5+5 Joint Military Commission the Plan of Departure of mercenaries and foreign fighters from the country
Cotonou, Benin (PANA) - The Bishops' Conference of Benin (CEB) has again voiced its opposition to the legalization of abortion in the country through the amendment of the law on sexual health
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francophonie and Congolese Abroad, Jean Claude Gakosso, said here Wednesday that "African brothers are eager to help Libya overcome the ordeal it has undergone, and that they are convinced that reconciliation, tolerance and dialogue are Libya's path to security and stability"
Photo: (Photo : LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images)

Young people fascinated with rituals, hexes, seances, witchcraft, and other occult practices during the ancient period are gaining a solid following and reviving the tradition on TikTok, the popular video-sharing platform, under a new niche section called WitchTok.

In the last few months, the hashtag #witchtok has earned over 19.8 billion views, and the main players of this niche have millions of followers. Adam Wethington, 33, Honey Rose, 23, and Kiley Mann, 19, are just some of the familiar names on the WitchTok community.

Many of them have been dabbling in witchcraft since they were in middle school. However, they began to do readings and demonstrated what they knew to a broader audience on the social app to supplement their income during the pandemic.

In an interview with USA Today, Mann said she had connected her Etsy business with her TikTok WitchTok account since she sells crystals, herbs, protection salts, and magical tolls. It's the same with Wethington and Rose, who offer their services like tarot readings to their followers in private.

Since the pandemic, Wethington believes their content clicks on TikTok have forced everyone to look inward and find "the great spiritual renaissance of enlightenment."

Read Also: Facebook Intentionally Created Products to Attract Preteen Users, Research Showed

Appealing to Young People

Emma and Alisha, two Australians who run an online store for crystals, boxes, herbs, tarot cards, and wands, believe witchcraft is "aesthetically pleasing" to young people. Kids are also very attracted to the principles of this practice as it promotes "abundance and healing and positivity" amid a very turbulent time. Because the world seems out of control, performing witchcraft has given them a sense of power to connect to their innate abilities and intuition.

Professor Cristina Rocha of Western Sydney University said that young ones are also keener on searching for their spirituality or veering away from traditional religious practices, which could explain WitchTok's popularity with teens and young adults. She said that when institutions break down or lead to doubts because of politics, the kids look for alternatives to make sense of what is going on in the world.

But Sabina Magliocco, a professor of sociocultural anthropology in London, said that WitchTok is just "a whiff" of rituals and beliefs immersed in witchcraft. Those who study the world of the occult take decades to master their stuff.

"A lot of people don't know about the history or the philosophy beyond the popular ones on social media," Georgina Rose, who runs a Witchtok and a YouTube channel, said. "I went on to social media to make a fun, appealing, attention-grabbing way to introduce these deeper, heavier concepts."

What Parents Should Do

This trend is not new to the experts. Before the explosion on TikTok, young people have also tried their hand at Wicca or paganism, which has been saturated in pop culture. Author Steve Russo, who has written many books on teenagers' obsession with witchcraft, understands that some parents may worry and feel uncomfortable.

However, he encouraged parents to open the lines of communication with their teens and discuss the matter without condemnation. Parents also need to be informed on the subject or be aware of what their kids are doing online.

For some kids, forbidding them to participate might not work as determined young people will always find a way to engage in what they want to do. But if their parents allow them to explore and discover, they can make educated decisions later on.

Related Article: Halloween Canceled: Michigan School District to Forgo Traditional Activities Due to Inclusion Concerns
Photo: (Photo : Boris Gonzales/Pixabay)

"Romy And Michele" stage actress Cortney Wolfson has revealed that she was fired while pregnant on the popular musical as the production prepared to move from Seattle to Broadway in New York City.

In a lengthy post on her social media account, the actress detailed that she initially discussed her decision to expand her family with "Romy And Michele" producers in 2018. Wolfson said that she and her husband, fellow actor Curtis Holbrook, wanted to be sure that her pregnancy's timeline would not get in the way of the show's planned launch in one of the most high-profile stages in the world.

Director Kristin Hanggi assured her that the reading for the show in New York would be in the spring, and it was "all good" if she were in the family way by then. A month after that email exchange, Wolfson became pregnant after months of trying and an early miscarriage.

However, the tone changed when Wolfson informed her director and producer of her pregnancy. According to the actress, she soon received a call from Hanggi to advise her that she would be replaced.

Id like to talk about mothers in this business. pic.twitter.com/PrUidI1urK  Cortney Wolfson (@CortneyWolfson) October 15, 2021

Read Also: Pregnant Women at High Risk of Heatwaves, but Doctors Do Not Give Enough Advice on How to Deal With It

Perfect Time to Be Pregnant

Wolfson admitted that the phone call baffled her. She was expecting a different response since she was previously informed it was the "perfect time to be pregnant" amid the production changes. However, the producers apparently told the actress' agents that they would not be able to do the show with the "maximum effect" because of Wolfson's "condition."

Incidentally, Wolfson also performed for the Los Angeles presentation of "Romy and Michele," but she was ultimately told that they were going to look for a different star for New York. The actress told People that she was "truly, utterly stunned, shocked, very confused, and upset" about losing her role for the Broadway production, but she was determined to move forward after her last performance in Seattle.

The actress, however, has recounted her story since that last show because she felt she didn't advocate for herself and new mothers like her. Now a mom to a nearly three-year-old boy, Wolfson said she still has lingering questions about being fired while pregnant.

"I think that the narrative completely needs to change around pregnant women about what we can and can't do," the actress wrote, adding that Broadway has always been her dream.

Since sharing her story, Wolfson said that she had received messages from mothers in the theater industry. To hear the support from the moms she works with has uplifted her spirits.

Updated Casting for Diversity

In response to Wolfson's statements, the producers said they have always supported the actress's plans to start a family. They did not mention anything about her "being fired" while pregnant.

Following the Los Angeles production, where Wolfson was involved, planning for the New York shows took place in March 2020. However, the pandemic shut down Broadway for many months, and the course of the show has taken on a new direction since. On October 14 and 15, a workshop about the "Romy and Michele" stage play happened in New York with an updated cast "to bring more diversity to the production."

Wolfson and her co-star Stephanie Renee Wall have been replaced by Brittney Johnson and Leana Rae Concepcion as the new leads.

Related Article: Pregnancy Exercises Boost Baby's Lungs and May Help Prevent Asthma, Study Shows
Photo: (Photo : Free-Photos/Pixabay)

A mom from Arizona is bursting with so much joy as she welcomed a big addition to her family after 19 miscarriages. Cary Patonai was expecting to give birth to a large baby, but she and her husband, Tim Patonai, were surprised that they had a 14-pound baby boy.

In an interview, Cary, 36, said that no one at the hospital had seen a newborn quite as big as their son, Finnley. Even her OB/GYN, who did the C-section on October 11, was astounded as Finnley was twice the size of a normal day-old infant.

The baby was an instant celebrity at Banner Thunderbird Hospital as everyone on the staff wanted to take a selfie with him. While there was excitement around Finnley's birth, his conception was also very emotional for the parents. They went through a series of heartbreaks, with 19 miscarriages, before he arrived in their lives.

Read Also: Rainbow Baby: Why Some Moms Are Not Comfortable With Using the Term

The Tough Journey to Have Finnley

Cary and Tim have been trying for a third child since their second baby, Everett, is now two years old. But during the pandemic year, Cary had two miscarriages that piled on the family trauma, especially for Devlen, their eldest, who wished for another brother.

Before having Everett, Cary also suffered 17 miscarriages. Each pregnancy loss broke the 10-year-old boy's little heart just as much as it was difficult for his mother and father. Two of these miscarriages were supposed to be multiple births.

However, the Patonai couple pressed on and was finally blessed with Finnley, their miracle baby. In one of Cary's last few ultrasounds, she was told that the baby inside her womb was already 13 pounds heavy. The nurses thought there might have been an error in the machine, but when he was pulled out during the C-section, everyone gasped because of his size.

Had Finnley been born on his exact due date, he would have been heavier at 16 to 17 pounds. Per the American Pregnancy Association, healthy newborn babies in the 39th or 40th week of gestation normally weigh between six to nine pounds. Incidentally, Devlen weighed 8.2 pounds at birth, and Everett was 11.1 pounds. All of Cary's three kids were delivered by one doctor.

Cary's Multiple Miscarriages

The mother's miscarriages were due to a type of blood clotting and fibroids disorder. Cary and Finnley had to stay in the hospital for a few more days as her condition slowed down the healing process. On the other hand, the doctors had to ensure that Finnley's condition didn't raise any alarm bells or health risks.

After eight days at the hospital, the family is now back in their home in Phoenix. Finnley has been wearing baby clothes for nine-month-old infants and has been feeding twice as much as other newborns since it's what his body needs.

Per the Guinness Book of World Records, the heaviest baby born in the U.S. was from Ohio, who was 22 pounds upon his birth in the late 1870s. However, as hospitals did not have modern technology at that time, the baby passed away after 11 hours.

Related Article: Mom With Osteogenesis Imperfecta Defies Odds With Pregnancy That Could 'Crush' Her Body
Photo: (Photo : Falco/Pixabay)

A group advocating for women has cried foul over the sentencing of a 21-year-old to four years in prison following her manslaughter conviction. Brittney Poolaw was convicted by a jury who believed that she intentionally miscarried her baby by taking methamphetamine, an illegal and addictive substance.

According to reports, the autopsy of the fetus showed that it was positive for the substance, but there was no other evidence indicating that methamphetamine was the actual cause of the miscarriage.

Lynn Paltrow of the National Advocates for Pregnant Women (NAPW) said that the autopsy also showed other complications in Poolaw's pregnancy, including placental abruption and congenital abnormality. She was 15 to 17 weeks pregnant when she lost the baby.

The advocate said that even the medical examiner's report did not indicate that methamphetamine led to the baby's death. If Poolaw's pregnancy were to continue to term, she would likely suffer from stillbirth because of the fetus' viability.

Read Also: Texas Abortion Law: Biden Justice Department Sues for 'Unconstitutional' Ban

State Firm on Manslaughter Charges

Oklahoma has a law that prosecutes a mother who "caused the death of the unborn child." The state has been firm in its stand that Poolaw violated the manslaughter statute, especially because she was drug dependent. However, those who side with Poolaw said that the statute does not apply to a miscarriage, defined as a pregnancy loss occurring before the 20th week of gestation when the fetus is not viable.

Poolaw had her miscarriage at home in early January 2020 and then went to Comanche County Memorial Hospital. She admitted to the staff that she was taking meth and marijuana.

The young woman has been serving her prison time for the last year and a half as her case went to trial during the pandemic. The NAPW said in another statement that the sentencing of the 21-year-old was both "shameful and dangerous" because the state prosecutors failed to look at the science surrounding her miscarriage.

The National Perinatal Association also criticized Poolaw's imprisonment while pregnant and dealing with substance abuse problems. The advocacy group does not support statutes that criminalize drug addiction when the goal, especially for a young mom, is to help her improve the "maternal and neonatal outcomes" of her pregnancy. The group also believes that Poolaw's imprisonment was harmful and ineffective to her health and the baby's condition.

National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

Poolaw's case comes as the nation highlights National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month this October. The advocates said that what happened to her serves as a warning on how some governments treat women. They likened the situation to a "dystopian future" where pregnant moms could soon be arrested for having a glass of wine or failing to take their prenatal vitamins.

The NAPW said that harsh laws against women are not unusual as there are currently over 1,600 criminal cases tied to pregnancy or miscarriage. Some of these cases have been in court for more than 15 years. Aside from drug use, pregnant women have been charged in court for attempting suicide, contracting HIV, giving birth at home, or living in a dangerous location. Most of these are women of color who belong to low-income households.

Related Article: Paid Leave For Miscarriage: Lawmakers Introduce New Legislation for Workers
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!
This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions
Apple TV+ has lined up a star-studded cast for a climate change anthology series. Meryl Streep, Kit Harington and Matthew Rhys will head the ensemble for Extrapolations, an eight-episode drama, according to the Hollywood reporter.

The cast also includes Sienna Miller, Gemma Chan, Tahar Rahim, Daveed Diggs, David Schwimmer and Adarsh Gourav, with additional actors to be announced.

Extrapolations, which is currently in production, will tell interconnected stories about how the upcoming changes to the planet will affect love, faith work and family.

Writer Scott Z. Burns stated that "The only thing we know for sure about the future is that we are all going there together  and were taking with us our hopes, our fears, our appetites, our creativity, our capacity for love and our predilection to cause pain. These are the same tools that storytellers have been using since the beginning of time. Our show is just using them to keep time from running out."

"Snoopy in Space" lifts off for season two on Friday, November 12

Apple TV+ today released the out-of-this-world trailer for season two of "Snoopy in Space," premiering all 12 episodes on Friday, November 12, on Apple TV+. After exploring the moon and visiting the International Space Station in season one, Snoopy and the Gang are ready for their next big adventure, an epic journey across the universe to discover if there really is life outside of Earth.

Join Snoopy on an epic interstellar road trip as our intrepid beagle tackles one of the most compelling mysteries of humankind: is there life out there in the universe? Snoopy and his friends bring NASAs most exciting current research to life, from searching for traces of ice and ancient fossils on Mars, to drilling into oceans hidden inside of distant moons, and even seeking out exoplanets far beyond our own solar system. Of course, like any good road trip, Snoopy and Woodstocks journey includes lots of extra adventures along the way, plus plenty of support from Charlie Brown, Franklin, Marcie, Linus and the rest of the Peanuts gang back at Johnson Space Center. Let the adventure begin!

Archive: Apple TV News
Back in February the 8th Largest U.S. Retailer 'Target' had announced that they were Launching new mini Apple Stores within 17 of their locations. Yesterday after Apple's MacBook Pro event Target announced they were expanding the number of their retail stores that would provide an Apple shop-in-shop section to 36, more than doubling February's announcement. The new locations are located throughout Florida, Texas and Minnesota.

Fox Business News Show went Gaga over New MacBook Pros+

Veteran Fox Business Network host Liz Claman along with Chatham Road Partners director of research Colin Gillis and MarketWatch senior reporter Jon Swartz went gaga over Apple's newly designed MacBook Pro models powered by the new M1 Pro and M1 Max and more in an interview that aired after the Apple event. The video below captures it all.

Watch the latest video at foxbusiness.com
Microsoft said Wednesday that a small number of Android apps will begin rolling out as part of a new Windows 11 beta, adding a feature the company promised at the Windows 11 unveiling but that wasnt available at launch.

About 50 of the new Android apps will be made available via Microsoft and Amazon, including apps like Lords Mobile, Junes Journey, Amazon Kindle and Khan Academy Kids. They are rolling out via a somewhat convoluted arrangement, where the apps will be provided by the Amazon AppStore Previewwhich is its own app, found within the Windows Store. Microsoft originally promised Android apps as feature of Windows 11, but they werent available for the initial release of the OS.

The technology, provided by Intel, will create a Windows Subsystem for Android in much the same way that Windows already creates a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2). Essentially, users will be running the apps within a virtualized Android Open Source Project environment, version 11. Users will be able to move and pin Android apps to their Start menu or Taskbar, interact with them via pen, mouse, or touch, and receive notifications, too. It very much sounds like the way in which Linux apps can be interacted with as part of the WSL2 environment, or how Android apps can be remotely controlled via the Your Phone Companion app for Windows.

Microsoft didnt say when these new Android apps will arrive on the stable release of Windows 11. They will require a new Windows 11 build from the Beta Channel, which should be now supplying builds from next years release of Windows 11, since Windows 11 has now generally released. These new apps are also only available to U.S. customers.

Microsoft has created a short guide on how to enable the new Android apps on Windows 11.

Your PC needs to be on Windows 11 (Build 22000.xxx series builds) and meet these hardware requirements. You may need to enable virtualization for your PCs BIOS/UEFI. Click here for a guide on how to enable this on your PC. Your PCs region must be set to the U.S. Your PC must be in the Beta Channel. If you are new to the Windows Insider Program, click here to get started with registration and joining your PC to the Beta Channel. You will also need to have a U.S.-based Amazon account to use the Amazon Appstore.

At the time of this writing, however, the new build that provided access to the Android apps wasnt immediately available. Microsoft also wont be providing access to Android apps (for now, anyway) to the Dev Channel, which operates on a slightly different code base from the stable or Beta channels.
Energy Minister, Hon. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has asked decision and policymakers in Africas energy sector to harness the natural gas resource in their various countries for the benefit of their people.



Dr. Prempeh made this call when he joined other Energy Ministers on the continent virtually for the launch of a policy brief on natural gas in the African Energy landscape on Monday under the auspices of the African Energy Commission

He said the use of natural gas presents a significant opportunity for Africa to bridge the poverty gap by leveraging on its abundance on the continent, as well as its low cost and efficiency relative to other fossil sources.



He also indicated that Ghanas Gas Master Plan recognises the power sector as the most important sector to channel our natural gas resources as currently over 70 % of our fuel requirement for power generation is met by natural gas.



As the world moves towards creating universal access to electricity as well as transitioning from carbon-intensive energy sources to low carbon sources, natural gas presents itself as the fuel of choice. In Ghana, for example, investments made between 2019 and 2020 alone will contribute to CO2 emission reductions of about 11,000,000 metric tons in the next decade he said.



He continued, Recognising the fact that natural gas is instrumental to the growth of the Ghanaian economy as well as those our sister countries, Ghana is positioning itself to be the hub of natural gas supply in the West African Sub-Region



Our Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal located in Tema, has the potential to supply up to 400 MMscfd of gas, which is enough to meet our domestic requirement as well supply to other neighbouring countries in the sub-region he further stressed.



The natural gas in the African Energy Landscape is the first in series of policy briefs that will be produced this year to shed light on the energy situation of Africa, using data collected by AFREC from the AU Member States.



The Policy Briefs aim to enhance understanding of specific fuels, their production processes, trade and use while serving as a framework instrument to policymakers across all African countries

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The State of Israel has appointed Shlomit Sufa as the new Ambassador to Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone.



Ambassador Sufa replaces Shani Cooper who ended her tour of duty in Ghana in June 2021.



Ambassador Sufa comes to Ghana with 20 years of diplomatic experience after serving in Canada, Switzerland and Ethiopia.



Prior to her appointment, she was a participant in the National Security Programme at the Israeli National Defense Collage.



From September 2019 to August 2020, she served as the Minister-Councilor, South East Asia Department in the Asia and Pacific Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Israel.



In a video [attached below] released by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote her appointment, Shlomit Sufa recounts her journey to becoming a diplomat.



I remember myself reading travel books of world discoverers and looking at atlases, wondering about other countries and cultures. I have always been drawn to this field as well as engaging in work for Israel and for the betterment of the public.



Ambassador Sufa is married to David with three sons.



According to her, Israel is renowned for its capabilities in agriculture, water technologies, hi-tech and medical care and she hopes to promote projects in Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone that are in line with the UNs sustainable development goals and address these three countries needs in food security, water management and digitalization.



She adds that, as a female diplomat and a member of the female diplomatic network in Israel, I see great significance in the empowerment of women and will be happy to find partners in this field to work together on programmes for the empowerment of women and girls.



Israel has a long-term diplomatic and bilateral partnership with Ghana.



Ghana was the first African country to establish diplomatic relations with the State of Israel, the second state in Africa to have an Israeli embassy and the first African state to have a state visit by Israels former Foreign Minister Golda Meir in 1958. In 2011, the State of Israel reopened its Embassy in Accra, which has since strengthened the relations between Israel and Ghana.





Source: Graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
More than 17,000 youth across the continent will focus attention on Ghana to interact with policymakers in search of economic development opportunities.



The 2021 YouthConnekt Africa Summit aims to raise the consciousness of the continents youth towards an Africa Beyond Aid agenda and position young people to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).



Billed to be the largest youth gathering in Africa, the summit will deliberate on ways of leveraging youth innovation and creativity for sustainable development on the continent.



The event, which will commence tomorrow and end on Friday, is an initiative birthed in Rwanda in 2012 to facilitate the economic development of the youth to unleash their creative potential to spur economic transformation on the continent.



It is on the theme: Africa Beyond Aid: Positioning the youth for post COVID economy and AfCFTA opportunities.



Key speakers at this years summit include President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President of Rwanda, Mr. Paul Kagame; the UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director, Regional Bureau of Africa, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, as well as leading business executives on the continent.



African indigenes making an impact in the various sectors, such as agriculture, the creative industry, the environment, climate change, technology, and innovation, as well as young visionary entrepreneurs from across the continent, will also be speaking at the summit.



The event, to be held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), is expected to bring together 2,000 young people physically, while over 15,000 participants will join virtually. Access to capital and connection The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Youth Authority









Source: Graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Former Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan, has vehemently kicked against the decision of the Ghana School of Law to refuse admission of 499 students who passed their entrance exams.



Some two thousand LLB candidates who sat for the Ghana School of Law entrance exams this year failed in the exams.



Only 790 of the students passed representing approximately 28%, while 72% representing those who failed.



New Rules



The General Legal Council (GLC), the body in charge of legal education in Ghana, and the Ghana School of Law (GSL) have come under fire for this development.



They are intensely criticized for not only failing the thousands of students but also for applying new rules requiring candidates to pass 50% in each of the two sections A and B of the exam subjects; a rule that didn't exist prior to the examination and for which the 499 students have been denied admission into the school.



There are reports of some students attaining over 60 percent mark in the examination but not admitted over management's explanation that the students didn't get the required mark as per the new rules, although they passed their exams.



Aggrieved Students' Demands



The irate students have called for a recission of the decision, stating during a press conference on Monday, October 18; Even more bizarre is the fact that, most of us in the 499 group obtained higher marks than some of the admitted candidates in the 790 supposed passed list.



For instance, how can you explain why a candidate who obtains more than 60% in an exam is deemed to have failed and therefore not eligible for admission whereas another candidate who obtains 50% in the same exams is deemed to have passed and therefore offered admissions? Such logic! This certainly can only be one of the wonders of the world, and can only happen in the lexicon of the Ghana School of Law.



If this arbitrary and capricious exercise of discretionary power is not checked, we shouldnt be surprised if next year, the GLC tells us that candidates must obtain more than 70% in the entrance exams to be deemed to have passed. Well, like every well-meaning Ghanaian, we are unable to accept this travesty of justice, and we make a passionate appeal for the reversal of this manifest injustice, for the love of God and Country.''



No Sense In GSL Decision



Addressing the issue during Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', Kwamena Duncan described the Ghana School of Law's decision as "senseless".



To him, it shouldn't matter which sections of the subjects a student managed to get high scores to pass the exam.



He held that it's ridiculous for the authorities to deny the students entry into the school on the basis of the new rule, particularly when a student have attained the passed mark.



''You who are doing this, you have a question to answer some day. We don't live like this in the world. Are you saying that you cannot innovative that you will be able to hire premises to add up to what you have and the young people are ready. They are ready to pay for. There is no sense in it!'', he exclaimed.



He supported the student's call for a reversal of the decision stressing ''I cannot see how I can go to the face of the law and seeking for justice and this is something which is lingering, and nobody is seeking to give justice in this matter''.



''I cannot see; I cannot find justice anywhere. That somebody goes to write an examination, you don't tell him the rules. He knows the rule is that I must get my 50. The person goes to write the exams, he scores 61; then you spring something on him that, look, you must have half of that, half of that.''

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
It is common to hear complaints that election campaigns consist of mudslinging, misrepresentation, lies and other tactics.



Since 2000, elections in Ghana have been lauded by observers both internally and externally as being free and fair. The losing political party, however, has consistently contested the election results.



Editor of the Ghanaian Publisher Newspaper, Yaw Obeng Manu, has claimed that stealing has always been a part of politics.



Speaking in an interview with Sefah-Danquah on the Happy Morning Show, he asserted let nobody misunderstand what I am saying. Finding means of stealing is part of politics. From 1992 to 2020 citizens double vote, they do it all the time.



After the 2004 presidential elections, three key opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) members challenged the results announced by the Electoral Commission (EC), suing the EC to publish detailed data from the election.



Similarly, at the end of the closely contested 2008 presidential election and the subsequent run-off, leading NDC members accused the EC of trying to manipulate results, and their frustrated supporters invaded the EC head office in Accra.



According to him, the political parties sponsor all those things in their stronghold, citing an example I remember the time I went to the Northern Region where children around 8years were made to vote, and they were bold to tell me it is their stronghold when I confronted them. It means the political parties can do whatever they want.



In the aftermath of the 2012 presidential election, the opposition NPP accused the winner, John Dramani Mahama and the NDC of rigging the election, boycotted the inauguration of the president, and asked the Supreme Court to overturn the official results declared by the EC. This also happened after election 2020, where the NDC also accused the NPP of working together with the EC to rig the elections to favour the ruling NPP.













Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said the government is fully committed to the Cape Coast Airport project.



He has, consequently, given an assurance that the sod will be cut for the commencement of the project by the end of March next year.



He, however, said the government was considering an airport that would conveniently serve both the Central and the Western regions.



In an interview on Eagle FM in Cape Coast yesterday as part of his two-day official visit to the Central Region, the President said the project would become a reality as promised.



Manifesto promise



The promise to construct an airport in the Central Regional capital was made during the launch of the New Patriotic Partys (NPPs) 2020 election manifesto in Cape Coast on August 22, 2020.



Outlining excerpts of the manifesto during the launch, the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, said: We will accelerate our investments in roads, railways and ports. And for the people of Cape Coast, I have good news for you  we are building a new harbour in Cape Coast and a new airport in Cape Coast.



It is very critical that we do that. An airport makes a lot of sense in Cape Coast  its a real tourism hub. Among Greater Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast, you have a triangle that is really a hub of economic activities. It is a major growth pole if we put an airport there to drive infrastructural growth, he said.



Post manifesto assurances



Since the manifesto launch, some government officials have given assurances that the project will surely become a reality.



In May this year, the Minister of Transport, Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, assured the people of the Central Region that President Akufo-Addos promise to build an airport in Cape Coast was not an empty one but something that would be done.



Addressing the Central Regional House of Chiefs, the minister said, I am making a firm promise that by the end of the four years, the airport would be built.



In yet another instance, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, delivering the 2021 budget in Parliament on March 12, 2021 in his capacity as caretaker Minister of Finance, said feasibility studies for the development of an airport in Cape Coast had commenced.



No harbour



When the President was reminded of the NPPs manifesto promise to construct a new harbour in Cape Coast, he pointed out that he never promised a new harbour for Cape Coast.



I never said I was going to build a harbour in Cape Coast. I said I was going to build a landing site, he said.



Inception works



While in Cape Coast yesterday, President Akufo-Addo said inception works had been done for the airport and handed over to the ministry responsible, while feasibility studies were ongoing for the project to take off by the first quarter of next year.



"Consultants are being engaged and a feasibility report will be handed to the minister soon to determine the next line of action," he said.



Komenda Sugar Factory



On the Komenda Sugar Factory, he said feasibility studies were ongoing, and that the government was considering working to get the factory up and running by the first quarter of 2022.



President Akufo-Addo observed that while the project had become an albatross on the neck of the current government, considering its faulty planning and start, it would not allow such huge investment to go waste.



He indicated that the contract with the strategic investor who was expected to take over the project had been abrogated, while a committee of technical experts had taken over the feasibility to understand the essentials needed to kick-start the facility.



Wrong plan



President Akufo-Addo described as unfortunate the erstwhile NDC administrations decision to build the facility, without taking into consideration raw materials supply.



"It was like building a house and starting from the roof and not the foundation," he said, adding that the situation had created a lot of problems for the current government.



"The Trade Minister is diligently working to get technical partners for the factory and we are certain by the first quarter of 2022 the factory will start working again. We cannot sit back and watch it rot because a lot of investments have gone into it," he added.



Economic management



President Akufo-Addo said the government he led had managed to improve the economy significantly, even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.



He said he was baffled by former President John Mahamas criticisms of the current government when he (Mahama) had mismanaged the economy when he was President.



Unemployment



During a courtesy call on the Omanhen of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, the Omanhen called for the allocation of some proceeds from tours to the castles to the metropolitan assembly and the traditional council.



He thanked the President for the implementation of the free senior high school policy which, he noted, had made young people more empowered and confident as Ghanaians.



The President said the Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital would be considered for improvement, while the Ameen Sangari factory would be revamped under the One-district, One-factory programme.









Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Former President John Dramani Mahama has stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party will remain indebted to the people of the Volta Region for their overwhelming support in the 2020 elections.



He said although the party lost one of the seats in the region to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the votes of the NDC appreciated by 113,000, an indication of the love the people had for the party. Mr Mahama, who is on a "thank you" tour of the region with the leadership of the party, expressed the party's appreciation to the people when he paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV.



He said despite the intimidation during the registration, the closure of the borders, the Western Togoland issues and the invasion by soldiers, the NDC still had an appreciable vote of 113,000 ballots, with 17 out of the 18 constituencies in the region.



The NDC, he said, lost the seat because of the machinations of the government to prevent the people of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi and Likpe (SALL) from participating in the parliamentary election.



Highest percentage



Mr Mahama said the NDC got the highest percentage of votes in the Volta Region compared to other regions in the country and indicated that the party did not take that for granted.



He said there had been false statements that the Volta Region did not see any development under the NDC government, describing it as a "palpable falsehood" and indicated that every major project in the region was undertaken by the NDC, including water, schools, universities, roads, electricity, hospitals, among others.



"When we came into office, the Volta Region did not have any public university. Any child that wanted to go to the university had to leave the Volta Region to Cape Coast or to Kumasi or Legon. And Professor Mills of blessed memory said no, every region must have a university. Today thank God, we have the University of Health and Allied Sciences and Ho Technical University," he added.



Mr Mahama, however, lamented that everything his government started and could not complete including the Eastern corridor road, the seven new Community Day Senior High Schools that were under construction, and the Sokode-Ho dual carriage had come to a standstill.



He challenged the NPP to show evidence of the work they had done by listing the said projects.



The region, he promised, would have its fair share of the national cake if the NDC came back to power.



2020 elections





Mr Mahama said a lot of things went wrong including the printing of excess ballot papers, people stuffing ballot boxes, among others, during the 2020 polls but because the NDC wanted peace in the country it decided to move on. "Togbe, we went along because we wanted the peace of the country," he added.



He gave an assurance that the NDC would do everything possible in 2024 to ensure that the election was transparent, fair and clean. "We will not want to cheat anybody, we will not make an attempt to cheat anybody, but we will also make sure that nobody cheats us, he said.



Do or die



He explained that when he said the election was going to be a 'do or die' affair, he meant that the NDC would ensure that the right things were done to make the polls transparent.



Border



Togbe Afede said he was still concerned about the closure of the border and the number of abandoned projects in the country and noted that it was time for politicians to focus on development instead of politics.



According to him, joblessness among the youth, the country's growing indebtedness and high levels of corruption were threats to the future survival of the nation, peace and security.



Togbe Afede noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had betrayed the vulnerability of Ghana and all countries in Africa.



"We have done enough politics over the years; it was time that the focus be shifted to our developmental needs. As it has been acknowledged by others in the past, survival is not the same as prosperity, so the fact that our country continues to hold and survive as one country does not suggest that we are that prosperous".



The country, he said, had the resources to turn things around and therefore called on all to support the development of the people.

Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Managing Director of State Transport Corporation (STC), Nana Akomea, has dismissed reports that the appointment of MMDCEs at the Assembly level has been chaotic.



Some nominees named by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo have been rejected while others have enjoyed a safe sail through the elections by Assembly members.



One of the contentious elections at the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) is that election of Takoradi Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) which has been characterized by rejections and chaos.



This trend, to some people is worrying, but Nana Akomea shares dissenting views.



According to him, there is no cause for alarm over the MMDCEs elections.



Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme, he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi that, ''many [many, many] vast majority of the districts, the endorsement has gone on smoothly without any chaos. It's the few ten or fifteen that the media throws light on because that's news, otherwise I think it's a smooth process . . . I don't think there is a problem with the process we have now for the DCEs. I don't think so; there's no problem to be fixed".



He lauded the President's consultative initiative which preceded the nomination of the candidates saying ''once you're consulting, there will be people who will talk for and against. That is not discord. That is not a problem; it's natural''.









Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Managing Director of State Transport Corporation (STC), Nana Akomea, has slammed former President John Dramani Mahama over his recent comments regarding President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his government.



The NDC 2020 Presidential candidate, John Mahama believes soldiers were used to declare the 2020 elections in favour of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in some collation centres.



He explained that the deployment of the Military forced some officers of the Electoral Commission to declare wrong results to favour his opponent, President Akufo-Addo.



He said; We won the majority in Parliament, but you saw what happened on the day. In many of the collation centres they injected soldiers and forced the electoral officers to pronounce results that were not real.



But for a lot of scheming that took place, the NDC would have won the election. I do believe that we did win, but a lot of things went untoward and so even though power did not come into our hands, it does not mean we do not have the prospects of winning.



Mr. Mahama made these claims during an interview on Global FM as he commenced his one-day Thank You tour of the Volta Region.



In reply, Nana Akomea challenged Mr. Mahama to provide evidence to support his claims.



He likened the former President to a serial caller, stating his claims are unfounded.



". . if you say soldiers forced Electoral Commission to declare results in favour of NPP without presenting evidence or you say the Electoral Commission printed 1 million ballots without substantiating it, you have to leave this for serial callers . . . For a whole former President to be saying these things is worrying. And you've accused the Electoral Commission of printing 1 million ballot papers, if you do that, then you're inciting your followers against the Electoral Commission without any basis. That's how unfair it is," he said on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo''.







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
John Mahama, the former President, has lashed out at the National House of Chiefs, saying it has suddenly gone quiet under the Akufo-Addo-led government over the same issues it was very loud about when he was in power.



During a courtesy call on the paramount chief of Asogli Traditional Council in the Volta Region, the Agbogbomefia Togbe Afede XIV, the 2020 presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) said the current leadership of the House of Chiefs is timid.



We admired your frankness and boldness when you were [president] of the National House of Chiefs. Since you left, the voice of that House on national affairs is muted, Mahama told Togbe Afede XIV.



He added: There are a lot of things that are going on in this country and the House of Chiefs is silent. Times are hard. You the chiefs are the ones who are at the grassroot with the people, you know the hardships that the people are going through.



At a time like this, if the House had a bold leader like you, Im sure you would have drawn the governments attention to what is going on in the country.







Source: asaaseradio.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden attend a ceremony honoring fallen law enforcement officers during the 40th annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. They are joined by Jimmy Holderfield, National Secretary of the Fraternal Order of Police, obscured, and James Smallwood, National Treasurer of the National Fraternal Order of Police, left.  Stefani Reynolds/The New York Times
Thank you for reading the Philadelphia Tribune.

You have exhausted your free article views for this month. Please press the "subscribe" button below and see our introductory price of $0.10 per week for 10 weeks. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you next month.
Karolis Sereika Wins First WSOP Bracelet in Event #37: $1,500 Super Turbo ($195,310)

October 20, 2021 Leo Contreras

Karolis Sereika was crowned the winner of Event #37: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Super Turbo at the 2021 World Series of Poker to win his first bracelet. The Lithuanian professional player defeated a 1441-player field including the formidable Brazilian Pedro Padilha in heads-up play to win the $195,310 top-prize and some bounties worth $500 each.

The Lithuanian grinder had a big rail behind him all night and could be heard throughout the Amazon room in every hand he was involved. His previous best finish was second in a $1,100 No-Limit Holdem event in 2018 in which he cashed $159,969. Sereika has cashed for $302,858 lifetime with this being his biggest to date at $195,310.

This is the first live Lithuanian WSOP bracelet so that means a lot to me and all Lithuanian players, Im very happy and very excited. Just so many emotions, I really wanted it with all my heart.

Sereika becomes the first Lithuanian live player to earn a WSOP bracelet, and perhaps as impressive, he eliminated all but one player from the final table. Three other Lithuanian players in Vincas Tamasauskas, Gediminas Uselis, and Vladas Burneikis have all won WSOP Online bracelets at GGPoker.

Final Result Event #37: $1,500 Super Turbo Bounty NLHE

Position Winner Country Prize (in USD) 1 Karolis Sereika Lithuania $195,310 2 Pedro Padilha Brazil $120,700 3 Lorenzo Adams United States $88,435 4 Pierre Calamusa France $65,494 5 Steve Buell United States $49,033 6 Alec Gould United States $37,114 7 Romuald Pycior United States $28,406 8 Alexander Norden Sweden $21,986 9 Wing Yam United States $17,211

A lot of familiar faces gave it a shot to win a bracelet in one day but most of them didn't make it. Qui Nguyen, Greg Raymer, Kenny Hallaert, David Chino Rheem, and Maurice Hawkins all gave it a shot but failed to make the money in this event. Plenty of others did make the money as there were a total of 217 players that ended up winning a piece of the $1,923,735 prize pool.

Some of the fortunate players include Jason Stockfish (19th - $6,025), Jeonggyu Cho (47th - $4,307), Jesse Yaginuma (47th - $3,710), Bertrand Grospellier (54th - $3,710), and Joe Serock (136st - $1,876).

Final Table Action

Wing Yam was ousted in ninth place when he lost a flip with ace-seven suited against the fours held by Alec Gould.

Eliminated in eighth place Alexander Norden after making the call with the better hand pocket Jacks but unfortunately for him, Sereika ran good at the right time and hit a wheel on the turn with his ace-five of clubs and eliminated Norden.

Sereika put on quite the display as after eliminating Norden he sent Lorenzo Adams, Pierre Calamusa, Steve Buell, Gould, and Romuald Pycior to the rail to leave him heads-up with Padilha.

It wasn't smooth sailing for Sereika heads-up despite eliminating a slew of players and holding a 3:1 chip advantage against Padilha. Padilha battled back and took 3:1 chip advantage himself before he doubled Sereika twice to put the Lithuanian back in control

Soon after, Padilha found himself short of a bracelet and had to settle for the runner-up prize of $120,700 plus bounties after he unsuccessfully jammed king-eight suited into ace-nine.

Karolis Sereika and friends

Download the ultimate Las Vegas guide right here!
Michael Noori Captures First WSOP Bracelet and $610,437 in the Monster Stack

October 19, 2021 Shirley Ang

On the fourth and final day of the 2021 World Series of Poker Event #30: $1,500 Monster Stack, Michael Noori was crowned the champion as he defeated Ryan Leng heads-up for $610,437. The two opening flights attracted 3,520 entries to create a prize pool of $4,699,200 with the lion-share of all that money awarded to the remaining players today.

"I feel pretty good, I'm still kind of in shock. The heads-up match went really quick, I'm still processing it and going through it. I had two huge coolers that went my way so I was fortunate enough to win the bracelet today," Noori reflected after the tournament.

Noori was down to 1.5 big blinds at one point today when he three-bet jammed with pocket nines and Daniel Fortier had looked him up with ace-queen. The queen on the river left Noori in bad shape but he tripled up shortly after to stick around to eventually get to his best-ever result after reaching several WSOP final tables in the past.

"I got lucky in the first hand and then I got a couple of shoves and re-jams through. I just kinda battled with 8-12 big blinds for a while, even four-handed. Ryan had all the chips, I stayed focused, never gave up, and kept battling."

Looking back at his previous results, Noori seems to fare better in the mixed games variety.

"I think I am better in mixed games, but I had some deep runs in the Monster Stack before. I finished in the top 1 percent in 2017 or 2018. I've been there before but didn't have the crucial flips go my way and on this final table, everything went my way. It's very fortunate and nice to be here."

Event #30: $1,500 Monster Stack No-Limit Hold'em Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Michael Noori United States $610,437 2 Ryan Leng United States $377,220 3 Rafael Reis Brazil $288,101 4 Christopher Andler Sweden $221,289 5 Charlie Dawson United States $170,943 6 Mordechai Hazan Israel $132,812 7 Daniel Fortier United States $103,784 8 Johan Schumacher Belgium $81,573 9 Anthony Ortega United States $64,490 10 Jaesh Balachandran Singapore $51,286

2021 WSOP Live Reporting Hub Follow all the live-action as it happens from the 2021 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas! Click Here

Start of the Final Day

Ivan Deyra and Raul Martinez were the first two players of the day to bust within the first 15 minutes of the day and that set the pace for the next four hours it took to get the tournament down to the final table. Lee Markholt and PokerNews' own live reporter Dannah Kamp fell before Santiago Plante bubbled the final table.

Leng had a slight chip lead at the start of the final table, followed closely by Mordechai Hazan. If Leng could stay in that position and win the tournament, he'd also jump towards the top of the WSOP Player of the Year leaderboard.

Aces Galore on the Final Table

The final day of this tournament had no shortage of players finding pocket aces in their hands. Christopher Andler first doubled with them through Hazan before Fortier scored his double up with the same pair through Jaesh Balachandran.

Hazan then picked up the aces to eliminate Balachandran in tenth place. Leng and Fortier also picked up aces too to split a pot and before that Anthony Ortega ran his pocket kings into the aces of Andler to bust in ninth place.

Johan Schumacher was eliminated by Rafael Reis to get the tournament to seven-handed at which point the PokerGO stream kicked off.

Leng and Fortier split the pot

From Seven Players to One Winner

Fortier fell to the hands of Hazan before Noori doubled up through him to vault to second in chips when his pocket sevens found another seven to connect with on the flop. Even though Reis came into the stream with the chip lead, Leng claimed a chunk of his stack when he flopped straight over straight against him. Hazan would leave the feature table in sixth place after that thanks to Leng.

Charlie Dawson was next to go with Leng adding those chips to his stack too when the premium hands kept coming his way. After another break, Andler busted in fourth place when he got his last chips in against the pocket tens of Noori. Shortly after, the Brazilian rail left together with Reis in third place when Noori turned a pair of sevens for the come behind knockout.

Leng held a commanding chip lead of 2:1 but Noori doubled up when he turned a straight against the top two pair Leng had flopped. Forty minutes later, Noori claimed the rest of Leng's stack too when all the chips went in on the turn for Leng with the flush draw and double gutshot to a straight. Noori held the overpair and the ladies helped him to the win. Leng also scored his best cash here at the WSOP with this result.

Ryan Leng

"I'm exhausted, we'll probably go out tonight and have some fun." Noori said at the end while looking over to his rail which included Toby Lewis, Ankush Mandavia, Matt Affleck, and Matt Savage with the first two there from the start. "They're two good friends of mine, I really appreciate them rooting me on and helping me out. That was nice. Everyone that was there for the support and cheering me on for my first bracelet was amazing. To win my first bracelet in the Monster Stack was even better."

Michael Noori and friends
Support Local Journalism

Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by subscribing or making a contribution.
DALLAS  The Dallas School District had to quarantine a total of 175 students and 22 staff members at some point between Oct. 1 and Oct. 11.

Kim Kellison, the districts director of teaching and learning, reported during the Dallas School Boards Oct. 11 meeting that the district had 14 students and six staff members with confirmed cases in that time period. Of those, only one staff member had been fully vaccinated. No students in the group had been vaccinated.

Not all of the quarantined individuals were out at the same time, and some were cleared by negative tests during the quarantine period, Kellison said.

She thanked the districts two-person nursing team for its hard work during the spike in cases.

Its really a complicated system to run. I really cannot stress enough the importance of that team in the district in providing a safe environment and trying to keep everything so that it is managed well, Kellison said. Those two people are working extreme hours trying to manage symptoms, and call parents, and give advice. They really are doing an exceptional job and Im really proud of them.

Kellison said the district is in the process of adding a testing system that is free for students to use, but she strongly reminded those in attendance or watching the meeting remotely to keep sick children home from school.

There is an uptick in cases in the district right now, and I want to remind families to make sure that youre not sending sick students to school. That is really important. If you have a question and you want to talk to the district nursing staff, they are always happy to answer those questions, but sick students should remain at home and the same for sick employees, Kellison said. The days where you could go to work with a little sniffle, those are gone. We have to be really vigilant about not working when we are ill, and not coming to school when we are ill because right now that is really complicated.

She said even those who have been vaccinated should be wary of symptoms that are similar to colds or allergies.

The virus has changed a little bit. When we have employees or students who are vaccinated, sometimes their symptoms are a little different. They feel like a head cold or a sinus infection, and its not really obvious that it is COVID-related when youve been vaccinated, Kellison said. Sometimes the symptoms are not what they call primary symptoms. If you have a head cold with congestion, I really recommend that you lay low. Please dont come into our buildings because it is so much harder to trace that.

Superintendent Andy Bellando also updated the board on the districts progress in working toward the states vaccine mandate, which went into effect on Tuesday.

He said of the districts 394 employees, 40 have been given religious or medical exemptions to getting the vaccine and another 13 have started a vaccine series. In total, the district has a 89% vaccination rate, including those who started the vaccine series.

Those granted exceptions remained employed by the district, but with stricter safety protocols. They will have to pay special attention to mask wearing, maintaining social distance, undergo weekly testing and receive additional training.

Overall, though, most employees have been very receptive and appreciative of the fact that they have been able to maintain positions in the school district, Bellando said.

Bellando said that isnt true of all districts in Oregon.

There may be some shifts in assignment, but overall, we have been able to maintain these employees, Bellando said.
Information for the report comes from law enforcement agencies. Not all calls for service are included. The status of arrests reported may change after further investigation. Individuals arrested or suspected of crimes are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Dallas Police Report

Saturday, Oct. 9

At 9:01 a.m., Fred Campbell was lodged in the Polk County Jail for felony warrant, burglary 1, and theft 3.

At 12:45 p.m., a hit and run was reported on Southeast Jefferson Street.

At 8:16 p.m., a hit and run was reported in the 200 block of East Ellendale Avenue.

At 10:36 p.m., report of shots being fired near Southeast Lyle Street and Southeast Washington Street. Police drove the area and searched the nearby parking lot, but found no evidence of shots being fired.

Sunday, Oct. 10

At 9:56 a.m., Tyler Burke was lodged in the Polk County Jail on a felony parole violation detainer.

Monday, Oct. 11

At 10:19 a.m., report of a possible burglary/trespass on Southeast Dimick Street. No items taken, no sign of forced entry.

At 6:33 p.m., a van was keyed on Southwest Filbert Lane.

At 6:58 p.m., a hit and run was reported on Southwest Maple Street.

Tuesday, Oct. 12

At 7:47 p.m., report of a theft from Walmart. Unknown suspects. Under investigation.

Wednesday, Oct. 13

At 12:37 p.m., a suspect had charged about $340 worth of equipment from Van Wells Building Supply after he had been terminated from his job.

At 3:17 p.m., a possible sex offense was reported in the 100 block of Southwest Court Street.

At 4:52 p.m., a minor crash was reported at the DMV, 500 block of East Ellendale Avenue.

Thursday, Oct. 14

At 10:16 a.m., report of a person losing their debit card and someone using it at different locations around Dallas. Under investigation.

At 2:59 p.m., a juvenile was referred to Polk County Juvenile Department for disorderly conduct and was also excluded from all parks for 30 days.

Polk County Sheriffs Office

Monday, Oct. 11

At 11:20 a.m., a resident in the 4000 block of Briarwood Street reported mailboxes appeared to have been gone through Oct. 10, possibly related to an ongoing problem with mail theft in the area.

At 12:39 p.m., a resident in the 21200 block of Savage Road reported someone broke into his shed sometime between Oct. 4-5 and stole his Lincoln Welder, three trickle chargers and a Honda 2000 watt generator.

At 1:50 p.m., the school resource officer investigated a report of a Perrydale student sending threatening texts and physically pushing at school a younger student. The SRO has spoken with the parents and the case is still under investigation.

At 3:15 p.m., a deputy stumbled upon a lost hiker on Rickreall Creek Road who had made his way four miles in the wrong direction from the trail he was on. The deputy showed him back to the trail. He was very thankful.

At 3:19 p.m., a report of a travel trailer stolen at about 4:20 a.m. from a storage facility in the 100 block of 50th Avenue Northwest.

At 5:30 p.m., a deputy made contact with a very friendly male brown chihuahua/miniature pinscher mix that had been wandering the streets of Falls City since August, chasing all the lady dogs around. He has been caught several times by various people but is apparently an escape artist. He has been posted on social media by community members but no one has claimed him. The deputy lodged the dog at the pound and decided to call him Little Bear for the time being.

At 10:54 p.m., a deputy contacted two subjects in the 10900 block of Highway 22 engaged in some sexual activities in their vehicle. They were warned for criminal trespass.

Tuesday, Oct. 12

At 8:39 a.m., a deputy investigated a vehicle that had broken down in the northbound lane on Riddell Road near Clow Corner Road. The driver ended up having a no bail felony warrant for a parole violation out of Polk County. She was arrested and her car towed.

At 8:23 p.m., PCSO deputies arrested for the Yamhill County Juvenile Probation Department a subject in the 7900 block of Rowell Creek Road.

Wednesday, Oct. 13

At 8:35 a.m., a report of a three-vehicle, rear-end crash on Highway 22 at milepost 17.

At 8:44 a.m., two motorists contacted a deputy about an erratic driver. The deputy found the suspects vehicle on Highway 22 near Highway 18 facing westbound in the eastbound shoulder. The driver was initially nonverbal and not following directions exactly. The deputy saw several signs of impairment and arrested the driver for DUII  controlled substances, and reckless driving.

At 4:09 p.m., a resident in the 1100 block of Perrydale Road reported a female subject had a bowl of berries and poured them over his fence line to feed his dog. The resident added when he began walking towards the female she quickly got into her Subaru Outback and drove off.

At 5:15 p.m., someone turned in mail to the PCSO he found discarded on Van Well Road near Highway 22.

At 7:29 p.m., a report of a two-vehicle crash with no injuries on Salem Dallas Highway near Doaks Ferry Road.

Thursday, Oct. 14

At 3:47 a.m., a motorist was stopped for driving without headlights in the 2700 block of Rosevelt Loop. The driver was cited for driving while suspended and fail to install an ignition interlock device.

At 7:50 a.m., a report of a two-vehicle crash in front of the Chevron in the 5200 block of Salem Dallas Highway. One of the drivers was cited for making a dangerous left turn.

At 2:18 p.m., a motorist was stopped for failing to signal when turning onto Yamhill River Road from Highway 18. The driver performed well on a field sobriety test. However, he was cited for driving while uninsured and his swapped license plates were seized.

At 5:39 p.m., the PCSO assisted in a rolling domestic abuse case. The subjects vehicle was located on Highway 99W near Powell Street. The PCSO deputy cited and released the male passenger for giving false information. The IDP took over the warrant, domestic violence and violation of no contact release agreement investigation.

At 10:12 p.m., a motorist enroute to the hospital to be with a friend who was giving birth was nevertheless cited for speeding 87 mph in a 55-mph zone on Highway 22 at milepost 8.

At 10:26 p.m., a motorist came across a road-struck deer that was hit by his friend in the Zena and Wallace Road area. The deputy arrived and found a buck with broken back legs in the southbound ditch of Wallace Road and dispatched it.

At 11 p.m., two bystanders flagged down a deputy to report a crashed truck down a steep embankment on Highway 194 at milepost 3. The deputy found the trucks airbags deployed, but no one inside. The deputy went to West Valley Hospital and found one of the occupants with facial injuries. He was intoxicated but said his sober friend had been driving and had just lost control of the truck. The driver and two other passengers were uninjured.

At 11:27 p.m., a motorist was cited for speeding 80 mph in a 55-mph zone in the 400 block of Pacific Highway.

Friday, Oct. 15

At 5:04 a.m., a motorist was stopped for unsafely passing other vehicles on Highway 22 at milepost 17. The driver was arrested for a felony probation violation warrant out of Marion County.

At 7:11 a.m., a motorist was cited for speeding 81 mph in a 55-mph zone on Salem Dallas Highway near Doaks Ferry Road.

At 8:05 a.m., a motorist was pulled over for speeding on Highway 22 at milepost 15. The driver was cited for driving while suspended and for driving uninsured.

At 10:23 a.m., the owner of property in the 25200 block of Yamhill River Road came up from California to clean up the site and found an RV illegally parked there. The owner of the RV was recently released by state parole board due to a positive COVID diagnosis. Jails would not lodge and state parole would not issue cite and release while his warrant remained active. The deputy advised him to remove his RV and vehicle.

At 11:55 a.m., a resident in the 1100 block of Coventry Court reported the neighbors dogs keep coming onto her property and scaring her kids. The neighbor assured the deputy she had plans to fix the fence and keep the dogs on leashes.

At 12:26 p.m., a subject hunting up Gold Creek just past the old rock pit reported someone started shooting near him. He could not see anyone but did hear voices and was convinced someone was shooting at him with a .22 rifle.

At 4:41 p.m., a report of a sex alter found on Bureau of Land Management property near Gold Creek Access Road. The responding deputy found underwear and lingerie, a headless barbie doll covered in red paint, about a dozen used condoms and actual contraceptives, as well as torn out pages from a porno magazine. Although very, very weird, the deputy found nothing appeared criminal besides the offensive littering charge. The deputy reluctantly cleaned up the mess to avoid further calls.

At 6:09 p.m., a resident in the 300 block of Doaks Ferry Road reported seeing a leopard or cheetah walking towards her neighbors property and was adamant that a deputy contact them for safety concerns. The deputy contacted the neighbor who looked out the window and saw it was just a little bob cat. He disconnected after saying he would handle the issue himself.

At 7:13 p.m., a resident in the 7500 block of Perrydale Loop Road reported an ex-girlfriend was trespassing. The resident wanted a deputy to call her and admonish her for trespassing. The deputy called the female subject and admonished her for trespassing.

At 11:22 p.m., a motorist was cited for speeding 79 mph in a 55-mph zone on Highway 18 at milepost 26 and for failure to display license plates.

Saturday, Oct. 16

At 2:58 p.m., a report of a motorist losing control on 17100 block of Falls City Road, sending vehicle into a ditch/yard and side swiping a power pole. Only minor injuries reported.

At 6:02 p.m., a report of a Suzuki Dr650 Enduro motorcycle stolen from the 9300 block of Steel Bridge Road sometime overnight.

Independence Police Department

Arrests for Oct. 11-18

Stephen Wade Bernier, 33, of Monmouth, was arrested for probation violation and violation of release agreement.

Angel Rosillo-Torres, 25, of Independence, was arrested for Assault 4  Felony.

Joe Carlos Lomeli, 46, of Independence, was arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant.
Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier?

Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop.

Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News N Augusta Breaking News

Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time.

Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up!

Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page.
The National Nuclear Security Administration is now targeting fiscal year 2026 for the start-up of capabilities that will speed the removal of metric tons of plutonium, a nuclear weapons ingredient, from South Carolina.

The new, hopeful date for the Surplus Plutonium Disposition Project, about two years sooner than previously advertised, was included in a presentation made Monday to S.C. Gov. Henry McMasters nuclear advisers.

Theres a large sense of urgency to get this done, and to get it done right, and to fulfill our commitments, said Jason Armstrong, the National Nuclear Security Administrations manager at the Savannah River Site.

The disposal project requires installing at the site three additional glove boxes  sealed vessels in which dangerous material, like plutonium, can be worked with  as well as security, safety and ventilation networks. The National Nuclear Security Administration has described the project as the centerpiece of its dilute-and-dispose strategy, the alternative to the foundered Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility.

NNSA is accelerating efforts to remove plutonium from South Carolina in keeping with our commitment to the state, Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, then the leader of the NNSA, said in early 2020. At the time, there were 11 metric tons of surplus plutonium at the site south of Aiken. This vital mission will ensure the material can never again be used for nuclear weapons.

Dilute-and-dispose, specifically, involves mixing plutonium with an adulterant or inhibitor, packing the mixture into secure containers and trucking them to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in southeastern New Mexico for entombment. Shipments could happen next summer.

Its an extensive effort to get our material over there and get it underground, Armstrong said Monday. One glove box is already in use around the clock; more glove boxes and more worker shifts would mean more throughput.

A preliminary cost estimate for the Surplus Plutonium Disposition Project came in at $448 million to $620 million. Preparations at the Savannah River Sites K-Area, a retrofitted reactor complex where plutonium is stockpiled, included demolition and security modifications, according to the NNSA.

As you can see, theres a lot of things happening, and theres a strong commitment to get things done, and thats being tracked very carefully, Armstrong told the Governors Nuclear Advisory Council.

McMaster and others have been vocal in their opposition to the long-term storage of plutonium in South Carolina.
Moncks Corner, SC (29461)

Today

Mainly clear. Low 38F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low 38F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
A prominent Charleston cybersecurity firm that has raised more than $30 million from investors since 2008 has been sold to a global software company from Minnesota that plans to keep the newly acquired operations intact.

PhishLabs is now owned by HelpSystems, according to an Oct. 19 announcement.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Tony Prince, who was CEO of PhishLabs before the sale and is now general manager, said there are no plans to move operations.

"With more growth comes greater demand and opportunity for talent in South Carolina and our other locations," Prince said in an email.

Phishlabs specializes in rooting out and destroying electronic scams and identifying the hackers and the techniques behind them.

It takes its name from a form of online larceny called "phishing," in which crooks create authentic-looking emails with password-protected accounts. Victims then typically click on a link that takes them to another bogus site where they are instructed to enter personal information, which is then used for illicit purposes.

Phishlabs relocated to Charleston from Washington, D.C., area about a year after John LaCour, who is now its chief technology officer, founded the business in 2008. It is now headquartered in the Pacific Box & Crate development on the King Street Extension and has grown to about 300 employees.

"Our solutions will continue to be sold, supported, and enhanced by the PhishLabs team," Prince said.

The former startup made a splash about three years ago when it raised more than $20 million to acquire a competing cybersecurity firm. Its backers included LLR Partners, a Philadelphia private equity firm, and Charleston-based Alerion Ventures.

That same year, it was credited with uncovering a state-sponsored hacking scheme by Iran that stole academic research worth billions of dollars from universities around the world.

Its new parent is based in Eden Prairie, Minn. It operates about 30 offices worldwide.

We've improved our platform over a decade in collaboration with many of the world's most targeted brands, and we are excited to continue our growth as part of the HelpSystems family," Prince said. Our combined resources and expertise put us in a strong position to partner more strategically with our clients and help their security teams thrive as the threat landscape evolves."

HelpSystems, which is privately held and has been growing through acquisitions, said PhishLabs will pair well with its email security, vulnerability management and data protection" businesses.

Digital transformation has made it critical for security teams to have visibility across the digital landscape and to quickly respond to both internal and external threats," CEO Kate Bolseth said in a prepared statement. "PhishLabs' ongoing intelligence collection, curation and threat mitigation safeguards  critical digital assets and provides peace of mind for customers across the globe.
The restaurant entrepreneur who founded Moe's Southwest Grill and Planet Smoothie is bringing a new dining concept and bar to downtown Charleston.

Martin Sprock recently bought the former site of McCrady's at 155 East Bay St. and the nearby 2 Unity Alley for $3.3 million, according to Charleston Commercial, which handled the sale of the two properties.

The previous owner was Unity Alley LLC of North Charleston.

Sprock is reviving two Atlanta brands into a new dining concept and bar for the 12,000-square-foot space.

They include the nearly 50-year-old Clarence Foster's Cookery & Saloon and the Chameleon Club, a bar and music venue that will take over an upstairs space known as the Long Room.

Both venues are scheduled to open in early 2022.

Cookery & Saloon will occupy the former McCradys with the same entrance on Unity Alley. Sprock said he plans to keep the bones of the building the same but with updates and fresh artwork.

For the new club, Sprock is aiming for something a little more laid-back with a lounge vibe for a slightly older crowd.

"Were trying to hit something completely different. The idea is to fill a void in downtown Charleston  incredible food at an affordable price point," said Sprock, who divides his time between South Florida and Charleston.

Sign up for our real estate newsletter! Get the best of the Post and Courier's Real Estate news, handpicked and delivered to your inbox each Saturday. Email

Sign Up!

"Were really going to have some fun with it," he said. "It will be your go-to place once or twice a week. Our tagline is: 'Dont you people have homes!'"

McCrady's closed in mid-2019, about three years after the longtime fine-dining brand was resurrected by Neighborhood Dining Group.

Sprock said when he first looked at the property, he thought it was too large and considered buying it and turning it over to someone interested in creating a high-end restaurant. The idea didn't gain much traction, he said.

Sprock sold Moe's and Planet Smoothie, but he also launched other fast-casual brands, such as Flying Biscuit Cafe, Leroy Fox and Kid Cashew. He also opened RuRu's Tacos & Tequila at 159 East Bay in 2019.

Separately, Charleston Commercial announced the sale of the building housing oyster bar Pearlz at 153 East Bay, next door to the property Sprock acquired.

Jerry Scheer and Mark Cumins of Homegrown Hospitality Group, which owns Pearlz, bought the building for more than $2 million. They plan to keep the restaurant where it's been operating for the past decade.

Their company also owns TBonz Gill & Grill, Kaminsky's Dessert Cafe, Liberty Tap Room & Grill, Barkdale House Inn and Taco Mundo Kitchen y Cantina.

The property comes with additional space. Scheer said its best use is being determined.

"Breathing new life into historic buildings is what Charleston is all about," said Joshua Schaap, managing partner of Charleston Commercial. "Its also rewarding to see a longtime restaurant like Pearlz transition into ownership. Once again, were seeing just how vibrant Charlestons downtown dining scene is."
Two new nationally branded women's clothing retailers are coming to downtown Charleston.

Aerie, a women's apparel store that's a division of Pittsburgh-based American Eagle Outfitters, plans to open a 4,000-square-foot store at 269 King St. where The Gap clothing chain once operated, according to construction documents.

The new shop, next to men's clothing store Collared Greens at Wentworth and King, is tentatively scheduled to open in late January.

Down the street, New York City-based LoveShackFancy plans to open at 218 King in the space formerly occupied by apparel shop Fresh Produce.

A company representative said the store is expected to open in November but a specific date hasn't been set. The company operates 10 other stores across the U.S.

Market-bound

A Virginia-based restaurant with a bawdy-sounding name is bringing a new venue to downtown Charleston.

Well Hung Vineyard will open in February in a three-story building at 49 S. Market St. across from the City Market, according to owner Anthony Herring.

The restaurant has two locations in Virginia. Herring opened a restaurant in Gordonsville, near the company's base outside Charlottesville, in 2019. He launched another location in Roanoke in February.

Herring bought the business in 2016. It started as a vineyard near Charlottesville in 2008 by three women.

The restaurant's wines come from a winery in the Old Dominion that make them from grapes grown in Washington, Oregon and California.

Herring called the menu "eclectic" and said it will be tweaked every three months. Offerings include salads, sandwiches, pizzas, shrimp and grits, and various other dishes.

The Market Street site will include some seafood choices the restaurants in Virginia do not offer.

The restaurant will be open seven days a week with brunch on weekends. The dining room will include the bottom two floors while the third floor will serve as an office.

New tenants

Four retail tenants are coming to the Jasper development on the Charleston peninsula by next spring.

The ground floor will include Baseline: A Sasser Studio, Form Charleston, Ashley Artisan Suites and Spa Azure, according to the The Beach Co., which developed the 12-story mixed-used building along Broad Street in Harleston Village.

Baseline will occupy 4,700 square feet for its fitness center that will combine strength, functional and resistance training with high-intensity interval training and cardio circuits.

Form Charleston, formerly Verus Pilates, will operate in a 1,700-square foot studio.

Ashley Artisan will provide 25 individual work spaces available for a variety of independent professionals, such as stylists, cosmetologists, artists and designers.

Spa Azure's space in The Jasper will be its second in the Charleston area. Another is in Mount Pleasant. It will offer facial and body treatments, waxing and other services, as well as Biologique Recherche skincare products.

Dan Doyle, chief operating officer of The Beach Co., said the lease-up phase of The Jaspers residential units is complete and that the firm "is focused on curating a mix of retail uses that will service not only our residents and office employees, but all of peninsular Charleston."

An announcement on the first food and beverage providers is expected soon, Doyle said.

The Jasper includes 75,000 square feet of office space and 25,000 square feet of retail space with an enclosed parking garage. Leasing is being handled by The Zuckerman Co.

Second site

A downtown Charleston art gallery will offer a second location by year's end.

Meyer Vogl Gallery will open a new shop at 250 River Landing Drive on Daniel Island in December, according to co-owner and director Katie Geer. It will be open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Geer said it will be the first art gallery on the island.

Driving in

Charleston-based Hudson Automotive Group is expanding its footprint in the state's third-largest city.

The car dealer recently paid $3.5 million for the 31,167-square-foot building at 2150 Morris Baker Blvd. in North Charleston where electronics and appliance store HHGregg once operated, according to the commercial real estate firm NAI Charleston.

The retailer shuttered all of its stores in 2017 after filing for bankruptcy.

The nearly 2.5-acre site is a block or two south of Hudson Nissan's dealership at 7331 Rivers Ave.

Hudson Automotive owner David Hudson said the building will be used to recondition and maintain pre-owned vehicles, but it will not be a sales site.

Representatives of commercial real estate firm CBRE represented the seller, VEREIT Inc.

Wired up

A new wireless telephone store is now open in West Ashley.

Comcast's new Xfinity shop can be found at 1850 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. Customers can buy or exchange equipment, pay bills or get help with account-related questions.

To support social distancing needs, Comcast increased its store appointment capacity and added the option to check-in for an appointment virtually from outside the store. Face masks are not required for fully vaccinated customers, unless otherwise required by federal, state or local mandates.

The shop is open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
MYRTLE BEACH  Former Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark McBride, one of 12 Republicans planning a primary challenge of U.S. Rep. Tom Rice, is raffling off an AR-15 rifle.

McBride is offering a Cormac Carbine AR-15 5.56 "in defiance of Biden, Pelosi, and the rest of the Socialists," he wrote in an email to supporters on Oct. 20.

"The Socialist Democrats HATE that I'm giving away an AR-15 and HATE that I support the police, and Law and Order," McBride added, "and that's why after this one, I'm going to give away a few more."

Firearm giveaways by political candidates are not unheard of in South Carolina.

In 2018, Gov. Henry McMaster raffled off a 9mm pistol during a gun show at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia while seeking a full term in office. State Sen. Lee Bright offered up an AR-15 during his unsuccessful campaign to unseat U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Rice is facing GOP opposition to win a sixth-term for his seat in the state's heavily Republican 7th Congressional District seat because of his vote to impeach President Donald Trump in the wake of the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Rice, a Myrtle Beach accountant and lawyer, was one of 10 GOP House members to vote for impeachment.

The winner of McBride's rifle raffle, chosen on Nov. 24, must follow regulations in their state and could need provide proof of identity, licenses and permits, the contest rules say.

South Carolina laws do not require any permits, registration or licenses to purchase or own a firearm.

The semiautomatic rifle, McBride said, comes from Cormac Arms and Outfitters, a Myrtle Beach gun shop, with a retail value of $1,000.

The raffle comes just a day after McBride's opponent Graham Allen was endorsed by controversial Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, and a few days after his third quarter campaign fundraising fell far short in comparison to Rice and Allen.
A Greenville-based think tank's CEO and co-founder was named a 2021 Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow, participating in a program that aims to drive policy and political agendas around the success of children and families.

Joe Waters of Capita, an independent think tank focused on helping children and families flourish, will spend the next 18 months forming connections with the 18-person cohort while working on an action plan related to Capita's work.

Waters and the other fellows will convene four times for a week each. Three of the meetings will be held in Aspen, Colo., and the fourth will be somewhere else in the world. Founded in 1949, the Aspen Institute is an international educational and policy studies nonprofit.

Waters has a "bit of a strange background" as he termed it since he is formally trained in theology and not public policy. A major influence in his life has been Catholic social teaching, "in particular, the sublime being of the human person, which the state and public policymakers have a responsibility to help not only protect, but also to foster," Waters said.

Waters was born and raised in Greenville. He attended Christ Church Episcopal School and the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities where he was in the first graduating class of its Residential High School.

He attended Furman University and majored in history. After graduation, he worked for a year at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greenville before getting his graduate degree from Duke Divinity School. Waters then returned to Greenville and worked at Prince of Peace Catholic Church before beginning the early stages of the work he does now to help with childhood success.

He worked as the executive vice president of the research and policy organization, the Institute for Child Success, founded by the United Way of Greenville and the Greenville Health System, which focused on helping children in South Carolina thrive.

After leaving the institute in 2017, he and two other Furman graduates, Brandon Hinman and Grady Powell, founded Capita in May 2018. The wanted to take a broad look at the issues facing families and children and to take a long-term look at the environment of the future. Waters gave the example of climate change, which he termed a "crisis multiplier" and Capita considers in its work.

Many of the issues that impact children and families are global trends, so a few of capita's Board of Directors are located outside the U.S. in places like South Africa, Australia and the U.K.

Capita hosts private and public events, conducts research, offers direct consultation and writes short and long form media, such as op-eds in both local and national publications. It is located above Reid's Fine Foods in downtown Greenville and shares an office with consulting firm Openfields, which helps incubate the think tank. Waters is a senior advisor for Openfields.

Quick hits

Furman University's GVL Starts, an eight-week program for participants to learn about launching a business venture, graduated its first class of 25 entrepreneurs. The program ended with a Shark-Tank style competition on Oct. 7 in which the businesses competed for a total of $15,000 in grants. The six finalists competed for technology and product-service grants and the others competed for crowd favorite. In the technology category, Eric Cooperman won for his business Bottle Titan, a beverage monitoring product to bring solutions to beer and wine spoilage. Dionne Standiford won in the product/service category for Comfort Cover, a blanket with a built-in pillow for daycares, disaster relief kits and childcare. Finally, the crowd favorite was Jennifer Spears' The African Violet, a self-care and stress relief company that sells herbal teas, bath products and massage therapy. Furman is currently recruiting for its spring 2022 GVL Starts cohort.

New to town

From restaurants to retail, here are new storefronts and businesses coming to the Upstate.

Eggs Up Grill: A breakfast and lunch chain restaurant, Eggs Up Grill, opened another location at 101 Canoy Lane two miles from Clemson University. Serving omelets, breakfast sandwiches, burgers, salads and other foods, it is open daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. The 2,600-square-foot restaurant can seat 103 customers and plans to employ 35 team members. This is the first of five Eggs Up Grill franchises partners Darby Smith and Jackson Turner plan to open. The partners are looking to Easley, Seneca and Greenwood for future locations. Eggs Up Grill, originally founded in Pawleys Island, has 51 locations and anticipates reaching 100 restaurant locations by 2023.

Real estate spotlight

Highlighting seven-figure homes in the Upstate.

Sold for $1.4 million on Oct. 14: 3 Augusta Walk Avenue, Greenville, 29605. 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, 7,841 sqft lot. Buyer representative: Rachel Dankel of Bluefield of Realty Group. Seller representative: Bobbie Jamison of Real Estate Development Ser. L.

For sale for $5.8 million: 434 Peninsula Ridge, Sunset, 29685. 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 0.85 acres. Presented by: David Hurst of Coldwell Banker Caine.

Thats all for this week. Until next Wednesday, email your thoughts, tips, releases and newsy bits to smirah@postandcourier.com.
GREENVILLE  A $330 million class action lawsuit was filed against Greenville County, the latest in a series of filings across the state by residents seeking refunds for county road maintenance fees.

Similar lawsuits have popped up in Charleston, Florence and Richland counties, but the Oct. 20 filing in Greenville brings the issue back to where the legal challenge began.

The state Supreme Court unanimously ruled June 30 that two of Greenville Countys fees were invalid because the benefits derived  improved roads and telecommunications systems  werent limited to those who paid the fee.

In an opinion that accompanied the ruling, Justice John Kittredge of Greenville said he believed the decision sends a clear message that the courts will not uphold taxes masquerading as 'service or user fees.' "

That decision set off discussions and votes across the state among local governments that charge similar fees.

The most recent lawsuit was filed with the 13th Circuit Court the day after Greenville County Council for a second time declined to give residents an option to request a refund.

Greenville County has collected about $30 million from the fees since 2017. The lawsuit seeks to recover those fees plus 10 times the amount collected, as allowed by state law when a public officer charges an illegal fee.

The total amount sought in the lawsuit is greater than the county's entire annual budget.

Jerry A. Bruce of Greer filed the complaint on behalf of anyone who had paid the countys road maintenance or telecommunications fees since 2017. Columbia attorney William Camden Lewis of Richardson, Thomas, Haltiwanger, Moore and Lewis, and Greenville attorneys David R. Price and Sam Tooker, are representing Bruce in the complaint. It lists Greenville County Council, Greenville County, County Administrator Joe Kernell and County Treasurer Jill Kintigh as defendants.

This is the epitome of bad government; taking money illegally from citizens and after the South Carolina Supreme Court reprimands them, the government actors still refuse to return the ill-gotten fees, the complaint said.

Other lawsuits across South Carolina also seek refunds.

Charleston resident Jasmine Butler filed a lawsuit Oct. 19 against Charleston County Council and the county that seeks a refund with interest for anyone who paid more than $100 to the county for its $40 annual road maintenance fee. Butler is represented by Spartanburg attorneys Charles Hodge and Ryan Langley.

Richland County was sued in July over the $20 road maintenance fee the county has collected on vehicle tax bills since 2002. Two county residents, represented by the Charleston law firm McCullough Khan, brought the class action lawsuit on behalf of residents who have paid the fee and are asking for the money to be refunded, with interest. Richland County has denied the claims, saying in court papers the fee is lawful, and sought to have the suit dismissed.

The same law firm filed a similar class action lawsuit against Florence County in July, arguing the countys $35 road fee is unlawful and asking that residents be refunded. Florence County denied the claims in a response filed in September, saying its fee was lawful and substantially different than the Greenville fee invalidated by the states high court.

Richland County collects more than $6 million each year from its road fee and Florence County more than $3 million, according to the court filings.

After Greenville County raised the amount it charged on vehicle property taxes by $15 in 2017 and added a new $14.95 telecommunications fee to pay for upgrades to its emergency management system, three members of County Council and three state lawmakers filed a lawsuit. That filing initially sought to overturn the vote, and later sought to invalidate the fees. Councilmen Mike Barnes, Joe Dill and Willis Meadows, who is now chairman of the council, were joined by state legislators Mike Burns, Dwight Loftis and Garry Smith in filing the initial lawsuit.

After the state Supreme Court ruled the fees were invalid, Greenville County announced it would no longer collect those fees and county staff created a plan to refund residents. But County Council voted down the refund plan at its Oct. 5 meeting, and an attempt to reconsider the issue on Oct. 19 failed in a 7-5 vote.

In an email to County Council before the Oct. 19 meeting, Councilman Steve Shaw said he expected the county would lose a potential legal case seeking refunds based on the courts decision.

From all of the wits I have, I am convinced that, should we fail to give, at least, this pathway to a refund, that we are going to get our (rears) handed to us (and the county treasury) by highly motivated and well-represented plaintiffs who will take this right back all the way to the Supreme Court, Shaw wrote.

After the councils first vote on Oct. 5, Councilman Butch Kirven, who was chairman when the fees were implemented, said he feared the county would jeopardize its AAA credit rating if it used its emergency fund to pay back residents.

I think the benefits to the citizens will be more for the funds to be spent on infrastructure, Kirven said. I didnt get any calls about the fees in the first place and didnt get any calls from citizens about refunding them.

The lawsuit seeks a jury trial. A judge will decide whether it meets the criteria for a class-action lawsuit, attorney Lewis said. He said they brought the lawsuit because the county had two chances to return the money and didnt follow through.

We just look forward to hopefully getting money back for the citizens of Greenville County that was illegally taken from them, Lewis said.

Reporter Stephen Fastenau contributed from Columbia.
GREENVILLE  In the paraphrased words of Southern rock icons Creedence Clearwater Revival, "theres a bad moon a-rising, said Councilman Steve Shaw after Greenville County Council rejected another attempt to return money to residents following a state Supreme Court decision that ruled two fees invalid.

In a meeting Oct. 5, the council first rejected a plan to refund those who had paid an annual $14.95 telecommunications fee and $15 of the countys road maintenance fee since 2017 after the states top court ruled in June against the county in a unanimous decision. One judges opinion stated local governments have used the fees as a way to avoid politically-fraught tax increases.

Councilman Stan Tzouvelekas motioned to recall that earlier decision to reconsider it Oct. 19.

Please support giving this money back to the citizens, Tzouvelekas said.

Earlier in the day, Shaw sent an email to council members and attempted to get them to change their mind on issuing fee refunds.

Shaw, an attorney, said it didnt matter whether the council thought the fees were well-intentioned or not, the court was the arbiter.

From all of the wits I have, I am convinced that, should we fail to give, at least, this pathway to a refund, that we are going to get our asses handed to us (and the county treasury) by highly motivated and well-represented plaintiffs who will take this right back all the way to the Supreme Court, Shaw wrote.

Without much discussion, the council voted 7-5 against offering the refund. Councilmembers Shaw, Tzouvelekas, Mike Barnes, Joe Dill and Chairman Willis Meadows voted to reconsider the refund program. Three of those members  Barnes, Dill and Meadows  were initially plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the county over the vote to charge the new fees in 2017.

Shaw said the county could allow residents who want a refund to request it through an online portal. Afterward, he said it was arrogant of the council not to make a refund an option for those who were charged the invalid fees.

I dont see how its going to be good that we thumb our nose at the taxpayers, he said. We are thumbing our nose at the Supreme Court who just flat-out told us that was wrong.

In rejecting the refunds, councilmembers have said their constituents had not asked for money back. They felt the best use for the money collected from the fees was to go toward county roads and telecommunications upgrades to the county emergency management system.
State health officials say children between the ages of 5 and 11 in South Carolina could receive a COVID vaccine as early as the first week of November.

Assistant State Epidemiologist Dr. Jane Kelly said the state is anticipating up to 150,000 doses during that week.

"While we will be prepared, it is important to remember the timeline is not set in stone yet and no provider may administer shots to anyone younger than age 12 until the Food and Drug Administration issues emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine," Kelly said.

The state health agency reported fewer than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases on Oct. 20, continuing the downward trend of new cases in the state. The state recorded 50 new deaths due to the virus.

Statewide numbers

New cases reported: 569 confirmed, 254 probable.

Total cases in S.C.: 713,101 confirmed, 175,995 probable.

Percent positive: 7.5 percent.

New deaths reported: 38 confirmed, 12 probable.

Total deaths in S.C.: 11,569 confirmed, 1,799 probable.

Percent of ICU beds filled (with COVID-19 and other patients): 73.13 percent.

S.C. residents vaccinated

In South Carolina, 61.8 percent of people who are eligible for the vaccine have received one shot, and 54.2 percent of eligible residents are considered fully vaccinated.

Hardest-hit areas

On Oct. 20, Greenville (108), Spartanburg (60) and Richland (41) counties saw the highest totals of newly confirmed cases.

What about the tri-county?

Charleston County had 31 new cases on Oct. 20, while Berkeley had 17 and Dorchester 13.

Deaths

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control releases county-level data regarding COVID-19 deaths and the ages of those who have died from the virus on Tuesdays. According to the latest data, at least 272 people in South Carolina died from the virus from Oct. 10 to Oct. 16, and their ages ranged from young adult (18-34) to elderly (65 and older).

Greenville County recorded 52 COVID deaths that week  the highest numbers in the state. Health officials have reported the vast majority of patients who are dying from the coronavirus at this stage of the pandemic are unvaccinated.

Hospitalizations

Of the 933 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of Oct. 20, 286 were in the ICU and 187 were using ventilators.

Variants of concern

DHEC sequences a small, random sample of positive COVID-19 cases each week to determine which variants of concern (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) are circulating in the state. According to the latest data published by the agency on Oct. 13, 3,299 samples have been identified as variants of concern over the course of the pandemic. Of those, 2,053 have been identified as the delta variant, which health officials say is now the dominant strain in South Carolina.

What do experts say?

Experts from the American Medical Association are urging parents to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19 once the shots are available.

We encourage all parents to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19 once vaccines are authorized and recommended for use in this population," said Dr. Gerald Harmon, president of American Medical Association, who is based in Georgetown.

To find a vaccine clinic near you, go to vaxlocator.dhec.sc.gov.
President Joe Biden's administration alerted South Carolina officials on Oct. 19 that the safety protocols laid out for the state's health care workers don't meet federal standards. The agency that licenses and regulates health care workers in South Carolina faces federal interference if it refuses to comply.

The extent to which the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration "may decide to reassert Federal enforcement activities throughout the State will be dependent, in part, on South Carolinas response to these proceedings," according to a federal letter sent to South Carolina on Tuesday.

At issue is a rule requiring personal protective equipment, social distancing and other safety measures for workers at health care facilities that care for people with COVID-19. It also requires paid sick time for employees who contract COVID-19, who need to get vaccinated or who are dealing with vaccine side effects.

Many health care facilities in South Carolina have already issued regulations that align with these federal standards. The Medical University of South Carolina, for example, was one of the first hospitals in the country to issue a vaccine mandate for its health care workers.

Officials in Arizona and Utah were sent similar messages by the U.S. Department of Labor on Tuesday. S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster called the announcement "a preemptive strike by the federal government. With no state regulators in the way, the federal Labor Department will be free to penalize employers who do not comply with President Bidens unconstitutional vaccine mandate."

South Carolina's Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation is granted more than $2.3 million each year by the federal government to enforce regulations laid out by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. With the Oct. 19 announcement, the Biden administration contends that South Carolina's state plan is "less effective" than the federal plan. The federal government argued in its letter that the standards in South Carolina are putting health care workers at risk.

Like other federal programs, the rules regarding OSHA are handled differently from state to state. OSHA has given up its authority to enforce workplace safety laws and regulations for the private sector in 22 states, including Arizona, South Carolina and Utah. In exchange, the states must adopt rules that are as effective or better than the federal regulations at protecting workers.

OSHA officials said they will take the first step toward revoking that authority, which all three states have had since the 1980s, and reclaiming jurisdiction for federal enforcers in the health care sector or others.

"We very much value the partnership OSHA has with its State Plan partners, including South Carolina, and we would like to continue to work cooperatively on all issues impacting worker safety and health," wrote James S. Frederick, acting assistant secretary of the U.S Department of Labor, in the letter to the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. "However, OSHA is taking action at this time due to its obligation under the OSH Act to ensure that State Plans are 'at least as effective' as the Federal program."

The letter on Oct. 19 wasn't the first time the federal government has questioned how South Carolina officials are responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

In August, the U.S. Department of Education opened a civil rights investigation in South Carolina and in four other states over the issue of mask prohibitions in public schools, contending that this state's law discriminates against students with disabilities and underlying medical conditions who are at heightened risk for severe illness from COVID-19 because they are prevented from safely accessing in-person learning.

Likewise, the federal government told Gov. McMaster in February that it would not approve the state's proposed work requirements for beneficiaries of the low-income Medicaid program. The Biden administration argued to state officials that the pandemic made those requirements "infeasible."

On both occasions, McMaster vowed to push back against the federal government's position.
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Clear skies. Scattered frost possible. Low 32F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Scattered frost possible. Low 32F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
CONWAY  Interstate 73 conversations are on hold, again.

During an Oct. 19 Horry County Council meeting, officials shot down a proposed resolution to put up to $4.2 million annually for 30 years or $126 million total towards the construction of the proposed interstate. The money would come from the countys 1.5 percent hospitality fee.

I-73, which would connect Myrtle Beach to Interstate 95 and stretch up to Michigan, has been a point of conversation for the last 20-plus years but recently resurfaced when Gov. Henry McMaster stated he is seeking a $300 million commitment from the state government as a part of $1.6 billion plan to build the long-promised highway.

"I don't have any problem supporting I-73, but I do have major problem with the county paying for it," Councilman Danny Hardee said.

McMaster and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, who are seeking $15 million for I-73, have made commitments to fund the project but they do not have the power by themselves to fund the projects.

McMaster's three-tiered funding approach  which would include funding from local, state and federal leaders  will not receive the green light for the state's portion, $795 million unless the General Assembly approves the funding in the coming months.

Before Oct. 19, Horry County was the first and only local government to have a plan to fund I-73. Though Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach officials are in support of the project, they have not commented on their funding plans.

It's not clear if Horry County's decision to hold off on funding I-73 will cause Myrtle Beach or North Myrtle Beach to do the same.

Conway Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy said the city isn't committing against or in favor of the project until they know more information on how the interstate would impact them.

Additionally, Dillon City Council and the Dillon County GOP stated Oct. 11 they do not support I-73.

Most councilmen agreed during the meeting that, once state and federal leaders had their money in hand, they would be happy to bring back a plan to use Horry County's hospitality fees for I-73.
A judicial ethics complaint against South Carolina U.S. District Judge Joe Dawson over a contract he signed with his former employer Charleston County will be sent to a special committee of judges for further investigation.

In an Oct. 19 order, 4th Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge Roger Gregory ruled the complaint would not be dismissed, but rather "that a special committee must be appointed to conduct an investigation and report its findings and recommendations to the judicial council."

The ethics complaint was filed by Gabe Roth, executive director of the nonprofit advocacy group Fix the Court, in February shortly after The Post and Courier reported on the contract Dawson signed with Charleston County as he departed as its main attorney for the federal bench.

Dawson had been the county's attorney for nearly 20 years and was confirmed for a seat on the U.S. District Court in Greenville in December.

In the contract with Charleston County, which Dawson wrote, according to County Council Chairman Teddie Pryor, Dawson received $216,000 and the promise of 1.5 percent of any settlement Charleston County receives from national litigation over opioid pharmaceuticals. The arrangement was in exchange for a year of his institutional and historical knowledge and insight, it was stipulated.

Dawson was paid $432,000 a year as the county's attorney, and earns about half that much as a federal judge. The focus of the ethics complaint was not the large payment he received from Charleston County when he left his job there, but what he agreed to do for the county in return.

Under the Code of Conduct for U.S. judges, federal judges are not allowed to practice law or provide legal services. The deal raised enough questions for Roth to file an ethics complaint. In response, the county and Dawson amended the deal in May by eliminating the opioid lawsuit provision and seeking to clarify that Dawson would not provide legal advice.

Gregory's order suggests those changes were not enough to resolve the matter.

I was expecting this to be concluded, not continued," Roth told The Post and Courier. I was not expecting the contract to be rewritten three months after I filed the complaint, and I was about 85 percent satisfied with what happened."

Dawson has for years refused to speak with news reporters, and has made no public comments about the monthslong controversy. He did not respond to a request for comment Oct. 20.

University of Pittsburgh Professor Arthur Hellman, an expert on judicial ethics, said Gregory could have decided that amending Dawson's contract was a voluntary action that concluded the matter. Instead, he referred the complaint to a committee of judges.

What it says is that the modifications to the contract are not sufficient to enable the chief judge to say  'Theres nothing there,' " Hellman said. It does escalate it. Only a handful of complaints each year are sent to a special committee."

Hellman said Dawson's amended contract may not have resolved the issue because it still called for Dawson to provide the county with information, even while expressly stating that he would "not provide any services or advice to the county."

It leaves open the possibility that he would be doing something to earn the money that he got back in December," said Hellman.

The complaint process lacks transparency, he said. Gregory's order, for example, does not name Dawson as the judge who is the focus of the complaint, although his order is specifically dealing with that complaint.

As of the afternoon of Oct. 20, Gregory's order had not been posted to the 4th Circuit's online list of judicial complaint orders but was obtained by The Post and Courier. A copy of his order is attached to The Post and Courier's online version of this article.
A nationally renowned civil rights attorney has joined the Jamal Sutherland family in calling for criminal charges against the two detention deputies involved in Sutherland's death in January at the Charleston County jail.

Attorney Ben Crump said at a news conference Oct. 19 that 9th Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson's decision not to press charges against detention deputies Brian Houle and Lindsay Fickett was evidence that two justice systems exist in South Carolina: one for Whites and one for Blacks.

He said evidence showed the deputies acted recklessly in using Tasers, pepper spray and physical force to drag the 31-year-old mentally ill black man from his jail cell Jan. 5. That recklessness justified charging the deputies with involuntary manslaughter, Crump said.

"Prosecutors have great discretion," he said. "The reckless elements are there. If they endeavor to charge these officers, they can charge these officers."

Crump is a civil rights attorney who first rose to national prominence for his representation of the family of Trayvon Martin, a Black teenager fatally shot by George Zimmerman in 2012 in Florida.

Crump has helped secure million-dollar settlements on behalf of the families of Michael Brown, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, Black Americans whose deaths at the hands of law enforcement officers in recent years have ignited protests and national discussions about race.

Crump said at the news conference he has been retained by the Sutherland family, who settled wrongful death claims against Charleston County and North Charleston in May for $10 million. Last month, the family took the initial steps toward suing Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health, the mental health facility where Jamal Sutherland was being treated before his death at the jail.

Wilson announced in July she would not press charges against Houle and Fickett, who dragged Sutherland from his jail cell the morning of Jan. 5 so he could attend a bond hearing.

The solicitor said while there was "clear negligence" by the deputies involved in Sutherland's death, they were following their training, as well as the jail's policies and procedures.

Wilson said if she charged the deputies with involuntary manslaughter, she would need to prove that the deputies showed a "conscious disregard" for the risk that Sutherland could die. She said she did not believe she could prove that.

On Oct. 19, Wilson said in a statement she stood by her decision, but she welcomed the S.C. Attorney General's Office or the U.S. Department of Justice to review the case.

"While I stand by my decision, I welcome the review of other prosecutors, especially those with different statutory options," she said.

Crump was joined at the news conference outside the solicitor's office by the Sutherland family, as well as Columbia-based attorney Carl Solomon and Rev. Nelson Rivers, a vice president for the National Action Network and co-president of the Charleston Area Justice Ministry. Several activists who have organized protests after Sutherland's death also attended the conference.

Rivers said the family sent a letter Sept. 7 to S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson asking that he appoint a special prosecutor in Sutherland's death. He said they also sent a letter to Acting U.S. Attorney M. Rhett DeHart asking that federal authorities investigate the case and file charges.

Neither prosecutor has responded to his letters, Rivers said.

In emotional statements, Sutherland's parents, Amy and James, condemned the solicitor for not pursuing charges against the deputies involved in their son's death.

James Sutherland said his son died from "incompetence."

"Every decision that was made reeks of incompetence," he said. "Up and down the chain of command  incompetence. You paying these people for being incompetent? That is outrageous."

Crump said they would continue to raise awareness about Sutherland's death, with visits by the Rev. Al Sharpton, president of the National Action Network, and the families of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery.

Several dozen people gathered the evening of Oct. 19 for a rally in the Alfred Williams Community Life Center in North Charleston, where they heard speeches by Rivers, Crump and Solomon. Sutherland's parents also offered brief statements at the rally.
A woman was arraigned Oct. 20 on federal charges in connection with the sex-trafficking investigation that ensnared a Mount Pleasant businessman earlier this month.

Jessica Michelle Mills was charged in the U.S. District Court of South Carolina with trafficking a minor for sex and conspiracy to traffic a minor for sex.

Mills, 29, entered a plea of not guilty to the charges at an Oct. 20 arraignment. A bond hearing was scheduled for Oct. 21.

Attorney Thad Doughty was appointed by the court to represent Mills.

Doughty said after the hearing he was new to the case, but he intended to prepare a strong defense for Mills. He said he would argue Oct. 21 that Mills should be released on a bond, with the condition of electronic monitoring, if necessary.

Resources To get help in South Carolina, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888, or text HELP or INFO to 233733. Additional information about human trafficking can be found by visiting polarisproject.org or humantrafficking.scag.gov.

Mills was arrested the evening of Oct. 19 and was held for the federal government at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center, according to jail records.

Mills is the third defendant arrested as part of a sex-trafficking investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations.

Last week, authorities arrested Cederick Riley and Earl Dawson Caldwell IV on charges of child sex trafficking.

At the time of his arrest, Caldwell, 52, was CEO and president of AP Recovery, a global recovery auditing firm based in Mount Pleasant. The company announced late last week that Caldwell had been ousted from his positions.

Prosecutors alleged at the men's bond hearings last week that Riley, 34, was the "handler" of a 17-year-old girl who was plied with drugs and coerced through threats into having sex with grown men, including Caldwell.

The girl first came to the attention of federal authorities in April after she visited a Georgia hospital for appendicitis. While under the effects of anesthesia, the girl revealed she was forced to have sex with 10 to 15 men a day.

The girl was rescued from a hotel in Yemassee a few days later. She was taken into protective custody, where she is receiving treatment for mental health issues and substance abuse, authorities said.

Caldwell is accused of having sex with the girl on several occasions in South Carolina, including at a $1.2 million residence in Beaufort County that he called "The Plantation."

Caldwell also allegedly filmed the girl engaging in sexual acts on three occasions, authorities claim.

Mills has prior convictions in South Carolina for possession of cocaine and neglect by a legal custodian.
Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations.
Voters on James Island will choose between an incumbent who's stressed working with politicians across city lines and a newcomer touting her status as a political outsider in the Nov. 2 election for Charleston City Council's District 12 seat.

Carol Jackson, a retiree and one-term incumbent, is competing against newcomer Caroline Parker, a preschool teacher. According to the most recent campaign finance reports, Jackson has raised $12,885 with $12,245 on hand in the cycle, and Parker has raised $17,225 with $10,798 on hand.

The patchy area of city boundaries covers most of Charleston's jurisdiction on the island.

Like many areas of the city, the James Island district faces major problems with flooding and traffic snarls  issues both candidates have pledged to address. The Swiss-cheese-like nature of District 12 is a legacy of James Island history, as residents there battled against efforts by former mayor Joe Riley to annex the island into Charleston, forming their own Town of James Island.

Jackson said she has prided herself on working closely with officials in the town to solve common problems. She highlighted her work on a task force to clean up pollution in James Island Creek and a plan to swap trash pickup customers between the city and town, so two trucks don't have to travel down streets split by municipal boundaries.

James Island Town Mayor Bill Woolsey agreed that Jackson had been an effective partner in issues that affect the whole island, though he didn't explicitly endorse Jackson.

"I think she has a great vision for James Island, and I think she works well with the town," he said.

Parker said she's running to "restore common sense" to the City Council, and argued that the city should focus on being fiscally conservative by directing its funds to core services.

"From the violent and destructive riots last summer to the calls to reallocate police funds, from the push to raise taxes to the plan of spending $100 million on reparations  Caroline knows the madness must stop," her campaign website reads.

The line references the city's Special Commission on Equity, Inclusion and Racial Conciliation Report, which does suggest a $100 million reparations fund to balance historical inequities. The report was produced by a committee Jackson served on, and it also says the city should provide just a portion of that sum, with the rest raised over five years through private donors.

Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email

Sign Up!

Peter McCoy, who lives on James Island and previously represented the area as a Republican state representative, said he has been impressed by Parker and donated to her campaign.

"This area of Charleston has .. I think always preferred common sense solutions over partisanship," he said. "We've got major flood mitigation issues, and I think (Caroline's) going to do a great job."

Jackson said she has focused on reaching out to voters who've supported her in the past and has not done as much door-to-door campaigning as her first run because of the coronavirus pandemic. Parker said she's working hard to meet as many voters in person as possible. The pair did not appear together at a League of Women Voters forum in mid-October because Parker had a conflicting campaign event on James Island the same day, she said.

One main spat has arisen between the two so far, as Parker knocked her opponent for voting to give initial approval to raise City Council's salaries from $17,500 to slightly more than $20,000.

"It's a little surprising, especially at a time like this during COVID, and having businesses shut down and things like that," Parker said.

Jackson said her goal is to make sure that working-class people could still afford to hold a City Council seat, which is considered a part-time position but involves multiple meetings and other commitments.

"Weve agreed from the beginning that, if we can't raise salaries for our staff, we will not pass this ordinance," Jackson said.

In-person absentee voting is open now, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at the Charleston County Board of Elections, 4367 Headquarters Rd., North Charleston. Election day is on Nov. 2.
In outer West Ashley, voters will decide Nov. 2 whether they want to be represented on Charleston City Council by a controversial incumbent who says he's focused on serving constituents or a challenger who says he would be a more stable presence.

One-term Councilman Harry Griffin, who has a day job working in logistics, is competing against Stephen Bowden, an attorney and public defender. Both candidates are talking about lessening traffic and flooding, and Griffin has touted the city's work during his term in the Church Creek Basin. That huge area is drained by a single narrow stream, and it's the site of some of Charleston's worst flood damage.

But issues of public safety have also cropped up in a recent back-and-forth between the candidates, highlighting different approaches to how to best police the city.

The race is the highest profile of the three city council contests on the Nov. 2 ballot because of several incidents involving Griffin in the past year and a half. He was briefly slated to attend a rally connected to the far-right Proud Boys last year, though he didn't go and later disavowed the group. He was caught on tape insulting some of his fellow council representatives, spurring the council to create a code of conduct for its members.

Griffin was also arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in May, but the case was dismissed after the arresting officer retired from law enforcement.

Asked how he was addressing those past episodes with voters and others who were disappointed by the behavior, Griffin said the focus of the race should be "making sure our needs are addressed, and that's flooding and traffic improvements. So I think we should stick to the issues that matter to the people."

He added, "I'm only concerned about District 10. I'm not concerned about what somebody's opinion was elsewhere."

At one point in 2020, Griffin said he wasn't going to run again, but changed his mind by the end of that year. In an interview, he said he wanted another term to finish out some of the flood mitigation projects the city is working on, and to continue to help his neighbors with day-to-day problems like trash pickup and storm drain cleaning.

Bowden has framed his campaign on the idea that he would provide a steadier hand to lead the district, saying it needs "mature and serious" leadership. He said more work needs to be done to deal with the flooding in the area.

"The other day, we had 3 inches of rain and all of West Ashley was crippled, basically," Bowden said.

He plans to knock on 3,000 doors by the end of the campaign and wants to show voters he would be a more diligent representative.

As of a fundraising report published Oct. 18, Bowden had raised $38,884 in the race, and had $10,379.84 in cash on hand. Griffin reported on Oct. 19 that he had raised $39,220, with $26,160.86 cash on hand.

Policing issues

The biggest conflict that has cropped up between the candidates came at a mid-October forum held by the League of Women Voters and it centered around policing issues and Bowden's job representing criminal defendants.

"I understand Mr. Bowden is a public defender, so I don't know how many murderers or rapists or drug addicts or drug pushers he's helped get off," Griffin said in his answer to a question about a recent report on racial equity the city produced.

Bowden replied that the framing was "a disgusting smear."

"Certainly, representing people who have done bad things is part of my job," Bowden said in an interview. "They deserve fairness like anybody else does."

He said that so much time working in the justice system gives him an advantage in knowing how to improve it. He said the city should hire more detectives and focus more on violent crime than pursuing smaller offenses, like detecting the odor of marijuana.

"We can police in ways that keep our community safe without heavy-handed tactics that end up being discriminatory," Bowden said.

Griffin told The Post and Courier he was "just wondering how (Bowden's) job is going to affect his position on City Council and that he is representing people who are contributing to our extreme violent crime issue."

He also knocked his opponent for an email Bowden sent a year ago, shortly after a racial justice protest devolved into a riot that damaged scores of businesses on downtown King Street. Griffin has in particular criticized Bowden for suggesting those weren't violent crimes.

In a copy of the June 5, 2020, email forwarded to the paper by Griffin, Bowden wrote: "As I watched the protests devolve into significant property crime (still not what I might refer to as 'violent'), I wondered if you and other city leaders would lose sight of the underlying reason for these protests."

Bowden was asking in the message for Griffin to address the complaints of racial discrimination that had been raised in the rally before those crimes. He also wrote, "I think CPD is doing a better job than most departments with its racial bias audit, but I could talk all day about how it isnt enough. ... What concrete steps do you propose to make sure government officials are not killing civilians unjustly?"

Bowden told The Post and Courier he was referring to the statutory definition of a violent crime and that he didn't know all the alleged crimes at the time he wrote it, which would have changed his message.

"(Griffin) didn't respond to the email, he just held it for over a year to, I guess, use against me down the road," Bowden said. "That's frankly pathetic."

Incumbent advantage

As an incumbent, Griffin has name recognition on his side. That's bolstered by traditional low turnout in off-year city elections when there are no state or federal offices up at the same time, and in particular in years like 2021, when there's no mayoral race either.

When Griffin won his seat in 2017, he got 403 votes in the first vote between three contenders, and then won a runoff with 446 votes.

"I think (Griffin) has proven himself to be one of the more conservative members of Charleston City Council," said Maurice Washington, executive chair of the Charleston County Republican Party and a former city council member.

City council elections are non-partisan but that conservative tendency could still prove a positive in District 10, one of the most conservative in a blue city. It went for Donald Trump in the last presidential election almost across the board, according to a detailed map from The New York Times.

Ultimately, Washington said, "He works hard for his constituents and at the end of the day thats the thing I think will matter most to the citizens of City Council District 10."

Bowden, meanwhile, has an endorsement from the Lowcountry Livability PAC, which has helped newcomers win seats on council before. Brady Quirk-Garvan, former chair of the county Democratic Party and an advisor for the PAC, questioned whether Griffin had much of a hand in the flooding work the city has done in his district.

"West Ashley continues to flood, and very little has been done by him to mitigate that," Quirk-Garvan said. "I think there are a lot of people who identify as Republicans who are going to vote for Bowden because they're ready for someone to do the work."

Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg has declined to endorse in any city council race so far this year. Tecklenburg spokesman Jack O'Toole wrote in an email that "The mayor has no announcements at this time regarding the elections, except to say that he encourages citizens to make their voices heard by voting on Nov. 2."

In addition to Election Day, in-person absentee voting is open now, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at the Charleston County Board of Elections, 4367 Headquarters Road, North Charleston.
I will vote for keeping most of them in elected office

I will vote to replace most of them

I will vote to replace some of them

I will vote for just a few, if any

I will not vote

Vote

View Results
It is one year since the historic #ENDSARS protest, a youth-driven anti-police brutality demonstration, shook Nigeria.

The protest, which morphed from social media campaigns into street demonstrations in October 2020, was triggered by the excesses of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a now-disbanded police tactical unit notorious for cruelty against crime suspects.

Although SARS activities and general issues of police brutality, including unlawful arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings, were at its core, the protest became a platform for demanding governments decisive action against insecurity, corruption, economic woes and general maladministration blamed for the suffering of the majority of Nigerians and lack of opportunities for the youth.

The five-point demand

Without a central leadership structure coordinating the protests in different parts of the country, the street demonstrations continued with the agitators widening their requests which came down to the five-point demand.

The demands included compensations for the families of those who died under police brutality, the release of arrested protesters and an increase in the salaries and allowances of police officers.

Protesters also demanded that an independent body be set up to investigate allegations of police misconduct and to prosecute those indicted. They also called for the psychological evaluation of officers of the disbanded SARS before they are redeployed into other units.

PREMIUM TIMES looks at the state of implementation of the five key demands of the protesters.

End SARS

Proscription of SARS was the primary demand of the protesters  the reason the demonstration was tagged #EndSARS. In response to the fast-spreading protest, the Nigerian government acceded to the request and announced the disbandment of the unit. It also announced the establishment of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team to replace SARS.

However, the announcements did not satisfy protesters, who viewed them as just another renaming exercise and vowed to remain on the streets. It was the umpteenth time police authorities had announced the disbandment of the notorious police unit.

Compensations for victims of police brutality

The National Executive Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, with state governors as members, passed a resolution for the setting up of the panels in the wake of the #EndSARS nationwide protest.

The panels, commonly referred to as #EndSARS panels, are chaired by retired high court judges and have members from civil society groups, the police, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and youth groups.

A version of the panel was set up by the NHRC in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to receive petitions on police brutality from across the country.

Aside from Katsina and Kaduna, the five other states in the North-west region, comprising Kano, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara, did not set up the panel, PREMIUM TIMES findings showed.

Adamawa and Yobe states in the North-east too did not constitute the panel.

In the FCT and 29 states that set up the judicial panels of enquiry, over 2,700 petitions were submitted.

PREMIUM TIMES also found out that the majority of the 29 states that set up the panels have concluded hearings. But none has made their findings public. This has fueled accusations that the process was just a charade, according to Confidence MacHarry, a security analyst at SBM intelligence.

Although the panels in various states have awarded compensations over some of the cases, many of the petitioners, apart from in Lagos State, have not been paid.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Abuja panel designed to be the federal governments version of the panel replicated in many states has been crippled by a lack of funds since March. However, the panel resumed sitting on Monday, October 18.

Investigation of police misconduct and prosecution of the indicted

Part of the demands of the #ENDSARS protesters was an investigation of allegations of police criminality and prosecution of the indicted.

The #EndSARS panels were tasked with the investigations.

An early survey by the CSO Police Report that is being coordinated by CLEEN Foundation and NOPRIN Foundation suggested that most of the petitions allege human rights violations such as extra-judicial killings, torture, extortion, harassment, sexual and gender-based violence, indiscriminate arrests, illegal detention, illegal arrests and abuse of power by personnel of the Nigerian police and other security agencies.

The report commended various state governments for engaging qualified professionals as members of the judicial panels, but it noted that there have been questions on the competence and expertise of some members of the panels regarding the technical nature of the assignment.

It added that some petitions filed before the panels across the states have also suffered undue delay as a result of lack of cooperation from the police and other security agencies.

CLEEN Foundation in its report noted that some police and military officers had not been cooperative with the panel.

Uncooperative police and military officers should be subpoenaed to appear before the panel to respond to issues involving them, it added.

With the recommendations of the panels in many states still largely unimplemented, it is doubtful if any of the police officers investigated had been held accountable.

Release of arrested protesters

The Inspector-General of Police at the time of the protests, Mohammed Adamu, agreed to halt the use of force against the #ENDSARS protesters and the unconditional release of those arrested.

Mr Adamu, the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Police Service Commission (PSC) also reaffirmed the constitutional rights of Nigerians to peaceful assembly and protest.

Despite the claims, however, the police and other security agencies continued to use force against the protesters.

Less than a month after the protests, the police announced the release of people taken into custody in police facilities and correctional centres over the #EndSARS protests.

The police, thereafter, promised to constructively engage the protesters in dialogue towards finding lasting solutions to some of the issues they raised. But this was cut short as the federal government started targeting key figures in the protests for punishment.

PREMIUM TIMES reported last November how the government deployed different strategies to punish those who played key roles in the protests.

The development, which involved freezing of bank accounts, confiscation of travel documents and gestapo-like arrests, was contrary to the administrations endorsement of dialogue as the best approach to addressing the protesters call for justice and good governance. The government echoed this choice when the protest peaked and spread across many states.

But a year after the protest, many protesters are still being detained or prosecuted for being part of the protest.

Increase in the salaries of police officers

In their five-point demand, the #EndSARS protesters suggested an increase in the salaries of police officers, partly linking the latters endless extortion of citizens, corruption and viciousness to their poor remuneration, training and welfare.

PREMIUM TIMES has reviewed the poor salary structure of the Nigerian police and findings shows that the police are the least paid among corresponding security agencies in Nigeria, a factor experts believe fuels corruption, extortion, and abuse of power.

In 2018, President Buhari approved a new salary package for police personnel. But there is confusion over the implementation of the new salary structure.

The Police Service Commission declined to speak on the matter. The spokesperson of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, said he was not in the best position to speak. Police spokesperson, Frank Mba, did not answer calls placed to his lines.

Earlier in April, PREMIUM TIMES interviewed several police officers who confirmed that nothing had changed in terms of their remuneration and welfare since the #EndSARS protest.

Psychological evaluation of all disbanded SARS officers before redeployment

Two days after the disbandment of SARS, the erstwhile IGP, Mr Adamu, ordered officers serving in the rogue unit to report to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for debriefing and psychological and medical examination, ahead of their redeployment to other units of the police.

It remains unclear whether this process was carried out. While police vehicles and personnel are no longer seen in public with the SARS inscription, many believe members of the rogue unit have been redeployed without proper evaluation.

The ENDSARS protests

The #ENDSARS protests are arguably the biggest public demonstrations led by young people in Nigerias recent history.

What started as a small campaign after a video went viral of a man allegedly killed by SARS operatives snowballed into a nationwide protest in a matter of days.

The protest was galvanised online with about 28 million tweets bearing the hashtag accumulated on Twitter alone. The ripples of the #EndSARS protest were soon seen around the world.

The protests started peacefully but turned violent especially after a government clampdown. Dozens of people, including peaceful protesters and police officers, were killed while public and private facilities were attacked and torched. Private and public warehouses, where foodstuff including COVID-19 palliatives hoarded by many state governments were stored, were looted by hoodlums who perpetrated all sorts of criminal activities under the cover of the protest.

The highpoint of the violence recorded during the protest was at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos on October 20, 2020, when soldiers shot to disperse peaceful protesters who had gathered there for days.

According to Amnesty International, at least 56 people died across the country during the protests.

What has changed?

Many reform-seeking Nigerians said not much has changed since the #ENDSARS protests. Real change and broad structural reform of the force demanded by the protesters remain elusive, they said.

SARS was disbanded but the police structure remained firm, and the corruption still thrives unabated, said Mr MacHarry, the security analyst at SBM Intelligence.

Unfortunately, things have gotten way worse than they were a year ago, which has led many young Nigerians with talents to leave the country and seek a life elsewhere.

Many like Mr MacHarry believe only little has changed since the protest.

While the police may no longer make daily headlines with acts of brutality, other security outfits, especially the anti-graft agency, EFCC, have taken their place.

And so, the more things change, the more they remain the same, he added.

A human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, was among the strong voices that led the EndSARS protests. Others included Aisha Yesufu and Raphael Adedayo.

Mr Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, is not new to arrest, detention and attack by security operatives. He has been arrested at least three times this year.

Earlier in 2019, he was detained for nearly 150 days for organising the #RevolutionNow protests.

On New Years Eve in 2020, less than three months after the ENDSARS protest, the former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) was arrested alongside five other activists following a peaceful protest in the nations capital, Abuja.

They were initially taken to Abattoir police station, formerly a facility of the disbanded SARS unit, and later arraigned at a Magistrates Court in Abuja where they were denied bail and then remanded at the Kuje prisons.

The activist who narrated his ordeal at the Abattoir to PREMIUM TIMES earlier in October said while the government claimed SARS had been disbanded, members of the rogue unit still ran the dreaded facility.

We were taken to a police cell in Abuja known as Abattoir. Victims of SARS were still locked up there and subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment, the activist narrated, adding that a police officer broke his nose during his detention.

Ive not seen or heard of any of the SARS officers arrested and prosecuted for the atrocities committed by the dreaded unit. And now, the abuse, torture, extrajudicial killings, racketeering and extortions are back in full force, he said.

No reforms or reforms have taken place. SARS personnel and infrastructure is still very intact, the activist said in another interview.

Crackdown on leading voices, mechanisms that propelled ENDSARS protests

Since the #EndSARS protest, the government has targeted some of the activists who played various roles in galvanising the protests, including freezing their accounts.

The platforms and mechanisms used by activists to plan the protests have also been allegedly attacked.

Twitter, whose founder Jack Dorsey vocally supported the #EndSARS movement, was banned in June after it took down a controversial tweet by President Buhari. The ban is seen home and abroad as a manifestation of Mr Buharis administrations little tolerance for critical views, an attribute his stint as a military dictator in the early 1980s is still remembered for.

Many Nigerian users have turned to virtual private networks (VPNs) to circumvent the ban, but activities have yet to return to their peak on the microblogging site.

In all, the freedoms the #EndSARS protest set out to achieve remain elusive.
Amnesty International says the Nigerian government has failed to bring perpetrators of violence and killings of peaceful protesters during the October 2020 #EndSARS protests to justice.

The protests were led by the youth across many Nigerian cities and towns against rights violations and brutality perpetrated by the operatives of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), and other police tactical units.

The global human rights body said it found out that the Nigerian army and the police murdered 12 people at the peak of the protest on October 20 at Lekki Tollgate in Lagos.

Today, the historic protest and the chain of events that led to the alleged killings at Lekki Tollgate and protests are being commemorated, one year after.

The Lagos State #EndSARS panel that was meant to unravel the the circumstances that culminated into the shootings on October 20 at Lekki has said it will submit its findings to the state government, despite the demand for justice for victims of the incident.

#EndSARS panel is the common name referring to the various panels of inquiry set up in about 28 states and Abuja to investigate cases of rights infringements and brutality unleashed on Nigerians by the personnel of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), and other police tactical units.

The federal and state governments had resolved to set up the panels in response to the demands of the #EndSARS protests.

In a statement commorating the protests, Amnesty International said despite claims of broad reforms by the Nigerian government, the police operatives continue to violate the rights of citizens with impunity.

It lamented that in spite of the establishment of #EndSARS panels across the country, victims of police brutality were yet to get justice.

In a desperate move to quell the protests, the government recruited hoodlums who unleashed violence on peaceful protesters with a view to discrediting the genuine concerns raised by the demonstrators.

Lekki Tollgate shooting

As the various panels turn in their findings, Amnesty International says, One year after peaceful #EndSARS protests ended in a brutal crackdown by Nigerian security forces in Abuja, Lagos and other parts of the country, no one has been brought to justice for the torture, violence, and killings of peaceful protesters.

An investigation by the organisation found that Nigerian army and police killed at least 12 people on 20 October 2020 at Lekki toll gate and Alausa in Lagos. Amnesty International was able to establish that pro-government supporters instigated violence at many of the demonstrations, providing cover for the police to use lethal force against peaceful protesters.

The organisation also found that detained protesters were tortured and refused or denied immediate access to lawyers.

A year on, despite the gravity of these human rights violations, not a single member of the security forces has been prosecuted while judicial panels of inquiry set up to investigate abuses by officers have made little progress, the statement said.

Fulfil promise to reform police

Osai Ojigho, director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said President Muhammadu Buhari must fulfill his promise of reforming the police to end the reign of impunity Nigerians have been protesting against for many years.

Failure to bring to justice those suspected to be responsible for the torture and killings of #EndSARS protesters on 20 October 2020 is yet another indication that Nigerian authorities lack the political will to ensure accountability for these atrocities, and end police brutality, Mr Ojigho was quoted as saying in the statement.

Under the pretext of restoring order, horrific injuries were inflicted on hundreds of people and at least 56 people were killed, among them dozens of young people lost their lives as Nigerian security forces used unnecessary and excessive force to disperse peaceful protesters across the country.

It is unacceptable that despite overwhelming evidence, the government continues to deny the use of live ammunition on protesters at Lekki toll gate exactly a year ago, Mr Ojigho added.

Amnesty International said it had documented incidents at Lekki toll gate in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, showing the violent response of the Nigerian security forces to peaceful protests.

The clear aim of the crackdown was to instill fear, discourage peaceful protests and punish those demanding an end to widespread human rights violations by the police, it said.

Excessive use of force

In tracking the use of excessive force, Amnesty International said almost every person arrested during the protests described being beaten with the butt of a gun, whips and fists during their arrests.

The organisation referenced the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), as saying that at least 12 journalists were attacked during the #EndSARS protests by security forces and unidentified perpetrators.

Many of those detained interviewed by Amnesty International said that they were tortured while in detention. In many cases, police abuse continued in detention, in police stations and other holding facilities, and on the way to detention, in police vehicles.

Several such cases amount to torture and other ill-treatment. Delayed or no access to legal counsel.

Amnesty International revealed that it also documented numerous cases in which police denied or delayed access to lawyers and medical care to detainees.

This was despite repeated requests from detainees to see or call a lawyer  and repeated requests from lawyers at places of detention to have access to the detainees. Several lawyers and human right defenders said they spent days moving from one police station to another trying to find out where those who had been arrested were being held.

One person arrested during a protest on 18 October 2020 and held at Lagos state Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Panti, said he repeatedly asked to call a lawyer. He was told by a police officer to shut up. While in detention, he was denied access to a lawyer who had come to see him and was unable to meet with a lawyer until a week after being arrested.

Providing timely access to lawyers is an important safeguard for many human rights, such as the right to a fair trial and ensuring the detainees rights are respected in custody, including the right to access medical care when needed, as well as protection from coerced confessions and torture and other ill-treatment.

#EndSARS panels marred by prolonged adjournments

The foremost human rights body in its assessment of the about 28 #EndSARS panels that were set up by various sate governments and another in Abuja, said there was no commitment to ensuring justice for victims of police violence.

Investigative panels set up to look into police brutality have so far been marred by prolonged adjournments, intimidation of witnesses by police lawyers and the failure of police officers to appear as witnesses, according to observer reports verified by Amnesty International. Panels have failed to sit in some states, and in others have gone on an indefinite break, the statement noted.

What we observed at these panels is discouraging and clearly shows there is no real commitment to ensuring justice for victims of police violence across Nigeria. These panels raised hopes of getting justice but in some states, this is quickly vanishing, Mr Ojigho said.

Amnesty International called on the Nigerian government to decisively end police impunity.

Use of progovernment thugs to violently disperse and undermine peaceful #EndSARS protests must be thoroughly, independently, impartially, and transparently investigated and suspected perpetrators brought to justice in fair trials.

Nigerians must not be denied the constitutionally and internationally guaranteed right to peaceful protest.

All those detained or missing since the #EndSARS protests must be immediately released or reunited with their families. Nigerian authorities must ensure access of victims and their families to effective remedies, including adequate compensation, restitution, and guarantee of non-repetition, Mr Ojigho demanded.
The police in Imo State, Nigerias South-east, have confirmed the killing of two traditional rulers in the state.

The incident happened on Tuesday at Nnenasa in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo, said the spokesperson for the police in Imo State, Mike Abattam, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Mr Abattam, a chief superintendent of police, said the police were investigating the killings to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The slain traditional rulers have been identified as E. Duruebere of Okwudor autonomous community and Sampson Osunwa of Ihebinowerre autonomous community, both in Njaba.

The gunmen were said to have stormed a meeting of some traditional rulers and stakeholders at Nnenasa on Tuesday and opened fire, killing the two traditional rulers instantly.

The shooting caused those who attended the meeting to scamper for safety, said a source who did not want his name mentioned in the report for fear of attack.

The gunmen shot sporadically, hitting the traditional rulers in the process and left the scene almost immediately, the source said.

The source said many people at the scene sustained injuries.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Imo State is regarded as the epicentre of the pro-Biafra group, IPOBs operations in the South-east.

The region has witnessed several killings and destruction of property because of the agitation for an independent republic, Biafra.
Tired of the extra-judicial killing and other forms of police brutalities perpetrated by the notorious arm of the police; Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS), thousands of Nigerian youth, in October last year, trooped out against the body while calling for a reform.

Prior to the movement, many Nigerians had on social media called for the disbandment of the unit over their high-handeness, however, the government turned a deaf ear to their pleas.

By October 4, 2020, a video that would spark a massive protest went viral. In the viral video clip, two officers were filmed and they were accused of killing a man and taking his car. The protest kicked off on social media, thereafter, several Nigerian youths took to the streets for weeks to call for the disbandment of the unit.

A five-point demand, popularly called the #5for5 demands were made, which include the immediate release of arrested protesters, compensation for all victims of police abuses, setting up an independent panel to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconducts, psychological evaluation and retraining of all members of the defunct SARS unit before they are redeployed, and increase in police salaries.

Some of those that supported the protest share their experiences with PREMUIM TIMES, one year after.

RINU ODUALA

Call her one of the arrow heads of the #ENDSARS protest and you would be hitting the nail on the head. The outspoken 22-year-old human rights activist was one of the first to take to the streets of Lagos following the viral video. She set up a camp outside the Lagos governors office on Ocotober 7 demanding the disbandment of the notorious police unit.

PREMIUM TIMES: You were one of those that promoted/supported the #EndSARS movement, can you share with us how it started and your experience?

Rinu Oduala: In sharing my experience, what resonates is the fact that young Nigerians came to protest police brutality. Then the shooting started.

The protests were peaceful in Lagos. I organised the first protest on the 7th of October alongside passionate young Nigerians who were ready to die in the quest for social justice who slept in front of the police headquarters and State house of assembly in Lagos. We were nearly killed by police outside the State House of Assembly in the middle of the night on October 8, sparking widespread protests across the country and beyond. The protests remained largely peaceful until the Nigerian Government decided to hijack the movement through sponsored hoodlums and later ordered military operatives to shoot at protesters.

PT: What motivated you to support the protest?

Rinu: Being a Nigerian alone motivates me to participate in protests because this is about my future, my country, my people.

It is about survival. It was about advocating against oppression and not becoming a victim tomorrow. I am propelled to go out to protest to increase the public awareness,and put a spotlight on injustice and oppression that is happening in Nigeria. It is crucial for me to get involved because the injustice that is happening in the country finally required more than hashtags.

PT: Whats your opinion about the crop of youth that joined the protest?

Rinu: At a young age, we advocate change in a country where people have long lost their voices and where it feels like talking is too much. We are also breaking the norm and doing it together with millions of other young Nigerians like us, young people in the same situation, people who have been mentally oppressed, defeated and complacent for decades. We exuded resilience, unity, empathy, radiated love, transparency and cared for each other in contrast to the labels assigned to us; keypad warriors, lazy, selfish, docile, afraid generation. Its important to note that we are not afraid; we just do not want to die.

PT: Do you think the movement had any positive impact on our policing system?

Rinu: The EndSARS movement has exposed the deep corruption and impunity in the police system in Nigeria and how lax the Nigerian government is on complex policy issues such as criminal justice reform. It brought to the worlds perspective, the climate of authoritarian rule and lack of political accountability in the country that gives the police the right to violate civil rights, injure, maim, torture and kill civilians with impunity.

It revealed more than ever, the ineffectiveness of the Nigerian police system, leading to the recruitment of psychologically and socially unstable individuals who are also understaffed, underfunded and under-equipped in the police force, making them prone to violence in law enforcement

PT: Lessons for future protests?

Rinu: Lessons for future protests can be drawn from the ENDSARS movement.

Religious and tribal lines should never be allowed to divide us again, as we have seen that they do not really matter in the fight for social justice.

Most importantly, the youth of this nation must be involved in any decision that affects their future, as they have chosen to be leaders today rather than expect to be leaders in an unforeseen future.

Demola Olanrewaju

PT: You were one of those that supported the #endsars movement, can you share with us how it started and your experience?

Demola: 2020 was not the first time that we enacted the #EndSARS protests. We have had it in precious years before 2020. However, 2020 happened to be the biggest and most widespread.

It started with multiple reports of police harassment and extrajudicial activities carried out by men of the Nigeria Police Force particularly the Special Anti Robbery Squad popularly known as SARS.

The incident that sparked the 2020 protests was a report on police officers who shot a young man under the guise of fighting cyber fraud, after which they made away with his car.

Triggered by that incident and several others in the same period, the #EndSARS spirit was awakened once again, and that was the beginning of what can be described as one of the biggest civil disobedience events in the history of Nigeria.

PT: Why did you support it?

Demola: I promoted the protest because I have come to realise that conversations around police brutality were yielding no results. I realised that it was time to take action beyond just complaining on the internet with hopes that the government will eventually embark on the much-needed police reforms.

PT: How would you describe the attitude of Nigerian youths and the Nigerian government to the movement?

Demola: I have to be very honest, the attitude of young Nigerians to the protests was inspiring. This would be the first time that I witnessed the ultimate cooperation among young Nigerians. I have never seen anything like it before. Young Nigerians from different walks of life, despite political, ethnic and religious divides came together for the first time in a long time to fight against police brutality.

It can be said that some other young Nigerians took sides with the government during #EndSARS. However, we cannot deny the level of unity among the majority of the youths. It really was a beautiful thing to see young Nigerians come together despite our differences, to stand for a common cause.

The Nigerian government, on the other hand, failed to see the opportunity to sell itself as a listening and responsive government. Instead of listening to the voice of the people and do what is right, the government decided to confront a protest against brutality with more violence and misinterpretation of what the people are really saying. It really was disappointing to see a government that promised to do things differently, do the direct opposite of its promises.

PT: Do you think the movement had any positive impact on our policing system?

Demola: Well, the movement for a bit achieved a tiny percentage of its goals which was the disbandment of the Special Anti Robbery Squad of the police force. However, it failed to achieve total police reforms and restructuring of the policing structure in the country. I would not put the blame of that failure on the Nigerian youths. It is the government that has shown a lack of capacity and interest in reforming the police.

The youths have done what is expected of an active citizenry. The responsibility of reforming the police force still lies in the hands of the government. We cannot abdicate that responsibility to anyone else but the government especially the President.

Deji Adeyanju

PT: You were one of those that supported the #endsars movement, can you share with us how it started and your experience?

Deji: The notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Nigeria has continued to use torture and other ill-treatment to execute, punish, and extract information from suspects with impunity. In the worst cases, they not only tortured and humiliated the individual but also killed them.

Unfortunately, many of those subjected to such inhuman treatment or even killed were innocent. More and more SARS victims have been reported in the news in recent years, eliciting outrage on social media, particularly Twitter, and sometimes resulting in protests.

In recent years, Nigerian authorities have made promises to address the problem and disband SARS. SARS members, on the other hand, continued to extort, rape, torture, and kill with impunity. I lamented and charged the federal government of Nigeria on several occasions on TV, radio broadcast, at public events, and persistently on social media to rise to the challenge and put an end to the gross human rights violation perpetrated by SARS, but they turned a deaf ear.

Then the last straw that broke the camels back happened, just as I had envisaged because you cant pin the masses down and tell them not to revolt. So on 4 October 2020, a video went viral showing SARS officers dragging two men from a hotel and shooting one of them outside. A few days later, #EndSARSNow protests erupted across Nigeria with the demand for immediate disbandment of the police unit.

PT: Why did you promote it?

Deji: To say I promoted it is an understatement. I participated actively because police brutality and senseless killing have gone on unchallenged in Nigeria. Many families have lost their dear ones who were not guilty of any crimes. Extortion and assault on innocent Nigerians was too much. Wole Soyinka wrote that the man in you dies when you keep quiet in the face of tyranny. So I believe that is the right time for me to join Nigerian youths and activists to end this human rights violation by speaking out. And we didnt just want to end police brutality, we are demanding justice for victims of police violence and extrajudicial killings.

PT: How would you describe the attitude of Nigerian youths and the Nigerian government to the #EndSARS protest?

Deji: Many people mistake #EndSARS to be just a protest. Its not just a protest, its a movement. Ive never seen the Nigerian youth united in action as during the protest. They came out massively on the streets and on social media channels to send a clear message to the Nigerian government and the world that this country is ours. Thats patriotism at play. The Nigerian government proved once more that they dont have the interest of the masses at heart. On 20 October, the Nigerian army violently repressed a peaceful protest at the Lekki toll gate, shooting at the protesters and killing at least 12 people. Since that day, the Nigerian authorities have tried to cover up the events of the Lekki Toll Gate Shooting. They froze protests leaders bank accounts and fined news agencies who diffused videos of the shooting. But the Soro Soke (Speak up in Yoruba) generation wont give up the fight for justice. They demand answers. But the body language of the Nigerian government doesnt show seriousness and commitment to right the wrongs that triggered the movement.

PT: Do you think the movement had any positive impact on our policing system?

Deji: Indeed, it has had many positive impacts, on the masses and the government including mental, political and structural reforms. #EndSARS morphed from a protest against police brutality to a movement for social justice and government reforms.

Indeed, the protests have been described as a vector for broader dissatisfaction with Nigerias political class. On 11 October, SARS was disbanded, and subsequently, series of reforms were proposed, which have not been effectively implemented. The movement has largely impacted the Nigerian youth and the government.

On the part of the youth, it has brought us together, it has united our voice against injustice, against bad governance and against human rights violation in Nigeria. On the part of the government, it has sent a clear message that we are wiser now and are fully aware of our rights as citizens of Nigerian.

The movement is so far the only action embarked on by the masses that has put shivers down the spine of the Nigerian government to realize that they need to sit up or face revolution. Now theyre aware that they cant take us for granted or get a way with anything they do.

Let me tell you, the movement is just building, what started in October last year was just to test the waters. The Nigerian army and police killed over 56 innocent Nigerians during the protest and you think its over, its not over. Many champions are still coming up and by the time they start raising their voice and backing it with action, the Arab Spring and 1914 French revolution would be a childs play compared to what will happen. No one will escape it even though theyre no longer in power, the long arm of justice will run them through.

It is also important to know that we started the #EndSARS campaign in 2017 with

Segun Awosanya better called Segalink and led the first protest the same year. We subsequently held several other protests. I and Omoyele Sowore also started the protest that subsequently led to the bigger movement last year. At the peak of attacks by pro-govt thugs, not only did I do all within my power to stop the attacks on peaceful protesters, but I also got security protection gadgets for the protesters like pepper sprays, etc. most obliged.

ORJI Ama

PT: You were one of those that supported the endsars movement, can you share with us how it started and your experience?

Orji: I have always been very vocal with issues that have to do with police brutality and harassment, even while I was in university, while I was in law school and when I started practising law. I also had my own share of police brutality, policeharassment, of which I firmly resisted as an undergraduate. What started the #EndSARS movement was a plethora of cases of police brutality and harassment, it became a recurring decimal, on a daily basis we had issues like that, weeks, and months. It got to a point that youths could not take it anymore. The youths came together, although it started piecemeally, it metamorphosed into a big protest. It just started in Lagos, before you know it, it became nationwide.

PT: Why did you promote it?

Orji: What motivated me to join the protest was the love for my country. I owe Nigeria that obligation, that duty to see that this country works, and I saw the #EndSARS movement as an opportunity to push for a better Nigeria, as an opportunity to propel for a better Nigeria, end SARS and police brutality. I saw it as an opportunity to propel police reform, because the police are also suffering, the Nigerian Police is just a reflection of the society, a reflection of the system. They are not properly taken care of and we have a lot of injustice going on in the police force and they vend this anger on citizens. That was what motivated me, I saw it as a veritable means to push for a better Nigeria.

PT: How would you describe the attitude of Nigerian youths and the Nigerian government to the #EndSARS protest?

Orji: My experience with the youths during the protest was a great one. The Nigerian youths, for once, came together, spoke with one voice, youths from every angle not caring about religion or tribe. It was an eye opener that our differences are just artificial and they have been magnified by our leaders just to keep us divided perpetually for their own gain.

The #EndSARS protest was peaceful, it was well coordinated very peaceful until the government infiltrated the movement with hoodlums. Of course, the governments were afraid of the movement, they could not stop it. Whenever the youths come together in things like, when we actualise our synergy or unity, they are always afraid. During the protest, nobody was talking about being a Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa or being a Muslim, Christian and others. Everybody was united, we were only talking about one thing, a better Nigeria, a Nigeria that works.

Do you think the movement had any positive impact on our policing system?

Orji: Of course, the protest had positive impact on our policing system, you might say they are not quite significant. First, the movement brought to an end the SARS unit; it was disbanded. The movement also led the government to set up a panel to see to police reform. They also set up panel to address police brutality and give victims justice. To a large extent, it has brought succour to the victims of police brutality. Nigerians must brace up for more movements.
The Nigerian government has praised United States President Joe Biden for returning to the global climate change agenda, even as the American government pledged support for Nigerias fight against insecurity.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo gave the commendation on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, when he received a U.S. government delegation led by White House Deputy National Security Advisor, Jon Finer, who is currently visiting Nigeria.

Former President Donald Trump had pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement on climate change in 2017. But earlier this year, Mr Biden restored Americas commitment to the Agreement.

Mr Osinbajo said Nigeria is happy with the development.

We are happy that the U.S. is fully on board with climate change and back to the table on this issue. One has to commend the drive this U.S. administration has put behind climate change, he said.

Mr Osinbajo also reiterated Nigerias position on transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, ahead of the net-zero emissions 2050 target.

We are concerned about what has been going on, especially around gas as an effective transition fuel and how many Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and some countries are insisting that gas projects should be defunded.

This is of principal concern to us. It is one that we have made central to our advocacy and it is one of the issues that we intend to promote at the COP26.

We have done the costing for it and all of what is required to be able to hit net-zero by 2050. Also, what the implications would be, given the constraints, and how realistic it would be to get to net-zero by 2050 or not.

Mr Osinbajo said Nigeria looks forward to participating in the Democracy Summit President Joe Biden would be hosting later in the year.

He also thanked the U.S. government for donating over 3.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Nigeria.

Earlier in his remarks, Mr Finer said the U.S. plans to partner with Nigeria on the G-7 Infrastructure Programme  Build Back Better World, which Mr Biden has made a priority.

Mr Finer was accompanied to the event by the American Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Leonard, and other U.S. senior government officials.

Banditry

Earlier on Monday at a media roundtable he held with some Nigerian editors in Abuja, Mr Finer pledged the assistance of the United States to Nigeria in its fight against banditry.

Well provide technical assistance for justice programming, much of which is dedicated to help Nigeria get a turnaround at this time of banditry challenges, and we will continue to provide programmes like that to help the country, he said.

He said, however, that the Nigerian government also stated that military action is not the only tool it is using to fight insecurity around the country.

Mr Finer said the Biden administration approved of the sale of Super Tucano fighter jets by the Trump administration to Nigeria to support the counterterrorism war in the country.

We are pleased to be able to deepen our security cooperation with the Nigerian government in this way, he added in reaction to the controversy around the transaction.

He disabused fears that the Nigerian government may deploy the fighter jets against secessionists in parts of the country. He said Nigeria was aware of the expectations of the American government that they would be only for security use, particularly in the North-east.

I think weve made clear our expectations on how the fighter jets are going to be used. We are confident they will be used in the right way.

We have those basic concerns and that is true of all our security partners around the world.

Specifically on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr Finer said his delegation had discussed the issue with the Nigeria Government and emphasised the need to address the underlying problem that gave birth to the group.

He said discussions between the delegation and Nigerian officials also covered counterterrorism, maritime and the piracy issue taking place here.

Mr Finer said there was also conversation on hopefully deepening economic relationship, democracy and human rights.

The conversation we had was quite frank about how they are making progress and how we can deepen the cooperation we have in many other areas.

Also at the roundtable was the American ambassador, Mrs Leonard, and the senior director for Africa at the National Security Council, Dana Banks.
The Ogun State High Court has convicted and fined an official of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Idowu Olamide, over certificate forgery.

The convict was charged with using a forged National Diploma certificate to secure an upgrade in his office, according to a statement released by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Tuesday.

The ICPC, who brought the charges against the convict, accused him of knowingly making a false statement to the indictment charges.

The commission said the alleged offence was contrary to Section 25(1) of Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under Section 25(1) (b) of the same Act.

The court was told how the convict presented a forged National Diploma Certificate in Automobile Engineering from Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, to NSCDC to be upgraded to senior cadre.

He had earlier entered a not guilty plea when the charge was read to him in June 2021.

Mr Olamide, however, changed his plea during trial by approaching the court with a prayer for a plea bargain which was granted by the trial judge, A. A. Akinyemi.

The charge was then amended from two counts to one, which centered on making false statement with the intent to deceive a government agency.

Delivering judgment, the judge found the NSCDC official guilty, and following a passionate plea by his counsel, the court convicted him on a non-prison committal sentence of a fine of N100,000.
The police have arrested two men suspected of transporting fuel from Kano to bandits in Katsina State.

State governments in some North-western states have banned the sale of petrol in jerrycans, with a view to cutting supply to bandits operating from forests in the region.

The police spokesperson in Kano, Abdullahi Kiyawa, in a statement on Tuesday, said the suspects were arrested on October 15 in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano.

Mr Kiyawa said a police patrol team intercepted them in a Peugeot J5 bus loaded with foodstuff.

On a stop and search, five (5) jerrycans of 25 litres each filled with PMS concealed inside an empty sack of sugar were recovered from one of the vehicles, the statement said.

The suspects were identified as Musbahu Rabiu, 31, and Jamilu Abubakar, 37, (driver), both of Jibia LGA of Katsina State.

The police said one of the suspect, Mr Abubakar, confessed to buying PMS in jerrycans in Kano and taking it to Jibia where he could sell at higher price.

According to the police, the suspect said he was arrested on his second trip.

The statement said the suspect will be charged to court after investigations.

The police also called on petroleum filling station operators to desist from selling PMS to unknown buyers in large quantities in jerrycans and to report suspicious buyers to the nearest police station.

Rigorous patrol and raids of criminal hideouts and black spots will continue throughout the State, and the Command will sustain the tempo in ensuring safety of lives and properties.

In case of emergency, the Command can be contacted via 08032419754, 08123821575, 08076091271 or log in to the NPF Rescue Me Application available on Play Store,  Mr Kiyawa said.
The senator representing Lagos East Senatorial district, Tokunbo Abiru, has inaugurated four blocks of 24 classrooms with 16 toilet facilities at Aga Primary School in Ikorodu.

The classrooms, a part of federal intervention projects he is attracting to his constituency, were equipped with chairs, tables and modern instructional tools to replace a distressed two blocks of four classrooms in the school.

This was as the senator awarded N50,000 each to 600 indigent and indigenous undergraduates across the 16 local government and local council development areas in his district.

The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Industry, pledged to sustain the bursary.

On school infrastructure

Speaking at the inauguration, the former banker noted that projects like these are ongoing in Kosofe, Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Somolu, among others.

The essence of this is to create a platform where pupils can learn in a conducive environment and develop knowledge that will enhance their education pursuit. This new edifice will enhance the pupils to concentrate fully in their study and everything we are seeing here today was done within four months and it shows a lot of determination, Mr Abiru said.

The senator was applauded by traditional rulers, top clerics, political leaders including council chairmen and lawmakers including a former Lagos State deputy governor, Biodun Ogunleye, Imam of Ikorodu, Seifudeen Olowooribi, council chairmen, among others, who graced the occasion.

The Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Wasiu Adeshina, in his remarks, applauded the donor, describing his performance since his election as uncommon.

Mr Adeshina urged the parents and guardians to take advantage of the donation to enroll their wards in schools, saying education is the best legacy parents can provide their children.

Also, the chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, LASUBEB, Wahaab Alawiye-King, commended the gesture of the senator, saying Mr Abirus resolve to ensure qualitative education for children was highly commendable.

He said, The basic education level is a crucial stage because it is the foundation upon which all other levels are built. It is our desire as a government to ensure that this level of education is strengthened to enhance the future prospects of our children and their ability to cope with the challenges of higher levels of education. So, Senator Abirus effort towards actualising this in Lagos East is quite commendable and laudable.

Mr Abiru succeeded the former Senator Bayo Osinowo who died in 2020. He has worked in the private sector as a banker for 29 years before he became a politician.

In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES in 2020, Mr Abiru said he would work hard to change the face of political representation in the state.
A former Governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, on Wednesday, said his group will not accept the new state executive council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) elected at the state congress of the party on Saturday.

The congress was attended by members o the party loyal to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

Mr Shekarau, who is the sitting senator for the Kano Central district, and many of his colleagues from Kano in the National Assembly held a parallel congress but it was not recognised by the APC national leadership.

He said the aggrieved members have petitioned the National Headquarters of the party to express their dissatisfaction with the conduct of the wards and local governments congresses in Kano State, which preceded the state congress.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the group, sent a petition to the national headquarters of the party. They also accused Mr Ganduje of sidelining them in the affairs of the party in the state.

READ ALSO:

Mr Shekarau, in a statement, said they were standing firm on their earlier decision to pursue justice and would not submit to the newly elected officials of the party in the state until the National Headquarters respond to their request and their members are fairly served.

However, the former governor reaffirmed his loyalty to the party and urged supporters to be cordial with others and not disrespect contrary views.

We will only listen to the National Headquarters of the party whom we earlier reported our grievances to and our factional elected executives under the leadership of Ahmadu Danzago remain, the former two-term governor said.
A coronary inquest into the death of Monsurat Ojuade, an 18-year-old girl who was shot by a police officer in Surulere, Lagos, was adjourned on Tuesday following the absence of the deceaseds lawyer and family members.

According to the registrar of the Ebute-Metta magistrate court, Morris Olatunji, the matter has been adjourned to November 23.

Mr Olatunji told PREMIUM TIMES that the court cannot sit without the presence of the deceaseds relatives and lawyer.

Background

Ms Ojuade was shot in September at her residence at Mogaji Street, Surulere, during a raid by operatives of State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department in the area around 10:30 p.m.

Tosin Ojuade, the deceaseds sister, had alleged that one of the officers tried to force the gate open from the outside and fired shots into the compound, and the bullet hit the deceased on her thighs.

But the police claimed that the deceased was hit by a stray bullet, adding that the erring police officer, Samuel Philips, a sergeant, has been dismissed and detained. But the family through their lawyer, Israel Mbaebie, insisted that the victim was shot at close range.

A magistrate court in Yaba had ordered the officers remand for 30 days, pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution.

During the preliminary sitting, the coroner, Bola-Folarin Williams, explained that the purpose of the inquest is not to level accusations but to investigate why the incident occurred and how to avert a recurrence.

The deceased was buried on October 2.
President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday in Abuja heaped praises on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for opening his countrys borders to accommodate millions of refugees in dire need of humanitarian support.

Speaking at a joint press conference on the occasion of the official visit of the Turkish leader to Nigeria, President Buhari said his Turkish counterpart has set an example to the rest of the world on how to treat refugees.

I commend Your Excellency for your leadership and generosity in receiving and accommodating 4 million refugees fleeing from conflict areas particularly in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. You have indeed set an example to the rest of the world, the Nigerian leader said.

President Buhari described the two-day visit of President Erdogan and the First Lady, Emine Erdogan, as a reflection of the robust, warm and cordial bilateral relation between Nigeria and Turkey.

He noted that it was the second time he has had the pleasure of receiving my Brother in Abuja.

On the accomplishments from the visit, President Buhari said:

During the visit, we held very useful discussions on a number of bilateral issues, aimed at strengthening this cordial relationship between Nigeria and Turkey.

The key issues we touched on included a Series of Bilateral Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding that had been finalised.

As a positive outcome, eight major Agreements/MoUs on a number of the key sectors including Energy, Defense Industry, Mining and HydroCarbons among others were signed today. We have agreed that implementation is to commence immediately.

In the course of our discussions, we also reviewed the travel ban list based on the revised COVID-19 protocols and removed Turkey from Nigerias Travel Ban List. Turkey has indeed achieved remarkable success in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Buhari said President Erdogans meeting with a Joint Session of the Nigeria and Turkish Chambers of Commerce and Industry, before departing Nigeria, would be another opportunity to engage and exchange views on more productive ways of pushing ahead the socio-economic ties between the two countries.

He thanked the Turkish President and the First Lady for commissioning the Turkish Cultural Centre in Abuja as well as opening the newly renovated Government Secondary School in Wuse, Abuja, undertaken by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIIKA).

In his remarks, President Erdogan stressed that Turkey was determined to improve relations with Nigeria to higher levels on all fields.

He said the trade volume between both countries reached 2 billion dollars in 2020, making Nigeria the outstanding and the biggest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa.

However, we still believe that this level of trade we have achieved is far from being adequate. We hope and pray that we will be expanding our trade volume up to 5 billion dollars immediately.

We hope that the relations between the two nations will be further developed on the basis of a win-win scenario and mutual respect , the President, who spoke through an interpreter said.

Commiserating with Nigeria on the attack in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, which claimed several lives, the Turkish leader pledged that his country would further cooperate with Nigeria on counter-terrorism as well as in the fields of military, defence and security.

We are ready to share our ever expanding capabilities with Nigeria especially in the field of defence industry and security, which has been praised by the entire globe.

This sensitivity that we have showcased in fighting terrorism, I hope will be reciprocated by our Nigerian brothers, sisters and counterparts, he said.

The Turkish President announced that his country has increased its diplomatic presence in Africa to 43 missions, adding that the third round of the Turkish-African business forum will be held in Istanbul this October while the third Turkish-African partnership summit will follow in December.

President Erdogan expressed delight that many Nigerian students are currently studying in Turkey and benefiting from scholarships.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

October 20, 2021
The Screening Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has pledged to be fair to all aspirants, ahead of the 30 October national convention of the party.

Chairman of the Committee, Mohammed Adoke, gave the assurance while addressing journalists at the beginning of the screening on Wednesday in Abuja.

A total of 33 aspirants comprising 29 males and four females are vying for 21 elective offices in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the opposition party.

Mr Adoke, a former attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, described the assignment as crucial to the success of the party, because it was the beginning of the process for electing credible Nigerians to steer the affairs of the party.

He said Nigerians had been waiting for a moment where committed democrats with a proven record of service would take over the affairs of the party.

Nigerians have been yearning for the kind of leadership and governance that our party has provided for the country.

The screening process for the election of the national officers of our party marks the beginning of our collective efforts to once more, bestow credible and effective leadership for the country at all levels.

ALSO READ: PDP mocks as APC battles chaotic state congresses

We are conscious of the expectations of members of our party, especially the aspirants to the various elective positions for a free, fair, credible and transparent process.

We, therefore assure you that we shall not only be guided by these ideals in the discharge of our duty, but also, be meticulous in the observance of our party guidelines.

We shall justify the confidence reposed in us and deliver on our mandate in the best interest of our country, Mr Adoke said.

He said the committee would screen every aspirant who bought and submitted his or her form, adding that the exercise was expected to be concluded within 24 hours.
The Chairman of the Local Government election petition tribunal in Ogun State, Rotimi Onafadeji, on Wednesday barred journalists from covering proceedings at the panel.

Journalists had gone to the Court 1 of the Magistrate Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, the state capital, the venue of the panel.

At around 8:46 a.m., journalists had arrived the court room, waiting for the panel members to arrive.

As soon as the panel members arrived and set their eyes on journalists, the chairman instructed journalists not to record or cover the proceeding.

Please, all press men that are here, there is no camera recording, audio recording , phone recording nor reporting of the panel, Thank you, Mr Onafadeji said.

But Monday Mawah, a lawyer representing the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) at the panel, opposed the chairman, insisting that journalists must be a part of the proceedings.

Media is part of the system, they must be allow to see what is going on, the lawyer said.

Because it is all about transparency. It is not all about justice, it must be justice that is seen to be done by the common man and not just we in the court. How will the common man see what is being done here if the media is barred from covering proceedings.

The tribunal begun sitting in Ogun State with the petitions filed by the NNPP and other political parties to seek redress over an alleged electoral fraud in the last council poll in the state.

NNPP, among others, had approached the tribunal with petitions to challenge the LG polls held in the state on July 24.

The council polls, in which the All Progressives Congress won in all the local governments, was marred by allegations of electoral fraud.

Several political parties in the state, including the NNPP and the Action Alliance are challenging the APCs victory at the panel.

Sitting

On Wednesday, Mr Mawah told the panel that the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) has not filed a response to the petition filed by his client, the NNPP.

Responding, the tribunal chairman gave OGSIEC one week to file a response to the NNPP.

Speaking with journalists after the sitting, the NNPP lawyer said the tribunal had adjourned the case till October 29 to allow the respondent reply to the petition.

For today, we are okay. Just as I made it known to the tribunal that there is no need for them to waste anytime in responding, he said.

We expected that by the next date, and I have also told the tribunal not to waste anytime, file everything they need to file, so that we will not waste anytime when we are coming for the trial.

In his reaction, the counsel to OGSIEC, Adeola Olatoye, promised to file all the necessary responses before the next adjourned date saying that the electoral body wants a speedy trial.

The tribunal gave us the whole week and advised us to be time conscious so as to ensure a speedy trial of the petition, he said.

It has been adjourned so that we can do the needful. We have not filed our reply so will do that before the next date, 29th of October. Before then, we will have done the needful and we hope, very soon, the court will decide.
Climate change will expose up to 118 million extremely poor Africans to drought, floods and extreme heat by 2030 if it is not addressed urgently. It could cut gross domestic product by up to three percent by 2050. And East Africas iconic mountain glaciers are disappearing.

These are the dramatic conclusions of a new report published on Tuesday (October 19, 2021) by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in partnership with the African Union Commission, the Economic Commission for Africa and other groups.

In his foreword to the report, the WMO Secretary-General, Professor Petteri Taalas, said Africa was being hit by higher temperatures, a rise in sea levels and extreme weather and climate events such as floods, landslides and droughts.

Unpacking the implications of these developments for the people of the continent, Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture with the African Union Commission, said weather and climate changes were disrupting lives and economies.

By 2030, she wrote, it is estimated that up to 118 million extremely poor people (i.e. living on less than U.S.$1.90 a day) will be exposed to drought, floods and extreme heat in Africa, if adequate response measures are not put in place

In sub-Saharan Africa, she continued, climate change could further lower gross domestic product (GDP) by up to three percent by 2050. This presents a serious challenge for climate adaptation and resilience actions because not only are physical conditions getting worse, but also the number of people being affected is increasing.

Mr Taalas added that East Africas glaciers are shrinking rapidly and are expected to melt entirely in the near future. This, he said, signals the threat of imminent and irreversible change to the Earth system.

The report says that the glaciers have shrunk to less than 20 per cent of their size since 1880. The three mountains which feature glaciers  Mount Kenya Massif in Kenya, the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda and Kilimanjaro in Tanzania are of eminent touristic and scientific importance, it says.

The report estimates that African nations have already spent significant sums  between two and nine per cent of their GDP  on adapting to climate change and the cost will rise to US $50 billion a year by 2050 even if global warming is kept below an additional 2C.

Other features of the report:

Africa has warmed faster than the global average temperature over land and ocean combined. 2020 ranked between the third and eighth warmest year on record for Africa, depending on the dataset used.

The rates of sea-level rise along the tropical and South Atlantic coasts and Indian Ocean coast are higher than the global mean rate, at approximately 3.6mm per year and 4.1mm per year, respectively.

The glaciers rate of retreat is higher than the global average. If this continues, it will lead to total deglaciation by the 2040s. Mount Kenya is expected to be de-glaciated a decade sooner, which will make it one of the first entire mountain ranges to lose glaciers due to human-induced climate change.

Higher-than-normal precipitation  accompanied by flooding  predominated in the Sahel, the Rift Valley, the central Nile catchment and north-eastern Africa, the Kalahari basin and the lower course of the Congo River.

Dry conditions prevailed in the northern coast of the Gulf of Guinea and in north-western Africa and along the south-eastern part of the continent. The drought in Madagascar triggered a humanitarian crisis.

There was extensive flooding across many parts of East Africa [in 2020]. Countries reporting loss of life or significant displacement of populations included the Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Chad, Nigeria (which also experienced drought in the southern part), Niger, Benin, Togo, Senegal, Cote dIvoire, Cameroon and Burkina Faso. Many lakes and rivers reached record high levels, including Lake Victoria (in May) and the Niger River at Niamey and the Blue Nile at Khartoum (in September).

The compounded effects of protracted conflicts, political instability, climate variability, pest outbreaks and economic crises, exacerbated by the impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, were the key drivers of a significant increase in food insecurity. Food insecurity increases by 520 percentage points with each flood or drought in sub-Saharan Africa.

Read the full report here.

(This report was first published by AllAfrica. We have their permission to republish).
The police in Lagos on Wednesday fired teargas canisters to disperse youth who held a procession in remembrance of the #EndSARS protest of October last year and the shooting of protesters at the Lekki tollgate.

What began as a peaceful car procession to mark the first memorial of the Lekki shooting turned into a rowdy demonstration as the security operatives arrested more than five protesters.

Among those arrested was a man armed with a machete and other harmful objects.

Around 8:40 a.m., the protesters in various vehicles flooded the Lekki tollgate despite the heavy police presence holding on to the Nigerian flag while chanting #EndSARS and honking their horns.

Two of the organisers, the Nigerian rapper, Folarin Falana, known as Falz, and a comedian, Adebowale Adedayo, popularly called Mr Macaroni also lent their voices to the demonstration.

Although the police allowed the demonstrators to have their way for about one hour, they began shooting tear gas at the demonstrators.

Hakeem Odumosu, the police commissioner, who was also at the Lekki toll gate on Wednesday said the activities of the youth were already causing a public discomfort and could not be allowed to linger further.

Mr Odumosu said he ordered the firing of teargas to avoid a breakdown of law and order, because the protesters went against the promise earlier made that the procession will start by 8 a.m. and end by 10 a.m.

The protest was between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., anything, after 10 am, is a nuisance.

I discussed with them and they said they will end the protest by 10 oclock. Other people doing it now just causing a nuisance. Some with machete, hammer, are they protesters or miscreants?

The protesters are free; they have done their thing and left. Any other persons remaining are the miscreants, hoodlums that want to capitalise on that to attack innocent people and start robbing people, we will not allow that, Mr Odumosu said.

While the arrests of some of the demonstrators was ongoing, journalists were not spared.

A journalist from the P.M news, Taiwo Okanlawon, was harassed despite identifying himself as a member of the press.

The police earlier arrested a journalist with Legit news, saying he had no means of identification on him.

Meanwhile, Adekunle Ajisebutu, the Lagos police spokesperson, said some of the arrested protesters who had valid means of identification were immediately released by the CP.
The legal team of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) said on Wednesday the Nigerian government must not fail to produce him for his trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.

The State Security Service (SSS) in whose custody Mr Kanu has since been remanded failed to produce him for scheduled proceedings in July.

Mr Kanu is being tried on charges of treasonable felony regarding his separatist activities. The trial is scheduled to resume before Binta Nyako, the trial judge Wednesday.

The separatist, who was granted bail in April 2017, fled the country after the invasion of his home in Afara-Ukwu, near Umuahia, Abia State, by the military in September that year, a situation one of Mr Kanus lawyers, Alloy Ejimakor described as the rule of self-preservation.

Mr Nyako, subsequently revoked his bail for ditching his trial, and ordered his trial to be separated from the rest of the co-defendants.

While the trial of the rest of the defendants has made some progress, Mr Kanus has been stalled since 2017.

On June 29, 2021, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, announced that Mr Kanu had been rearrested and brought back to Nigeria to continue facing his trial.

He said the IPOB leader was intercepted days earlier but did not give details.

Although there has been no official disclosure about where and how Mr Kanu was arrested, relatives and lawyers to the IPOB leader, have described how he was kidnapped in Kenya under controversial circumstances.

His legal team disclosed days ago that the charges against him had been amended to make the counts seven in number.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday in Abuja ahead of Mr Kanus re-arraignment on Thursday, a top member of his defence team, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, in company with other members of the team, said the federal government must produce their client in court.

That tomorrow, being October 21, 2021, should be sacrosanct. Our client  Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must and shall be produced in court to face his trial, Mr Ejiofor said.

He said despite the issuance of a fiat by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, for Mr Kanus trial to be held during the courts annual vacation, the office of the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, deliberately stayed away from court.

Journalists must be allowed to cover proceedings

Appealing to security operatives to allow lawyers and journalists to attend the IPOB leaders Thursday trial, Mr Ejiofor said, The show of shame openly demonstrated by the overzealous security agents on July 26, 2021, should never repeat itself.

At the last proceedings where journalists and lawyers were manhandled, Mr Kanu who is being held by State Security Service (SSS), was not brought to court, a development that was blamed on logistical issues by the prosecuting lawyer, Mohammed Abubakar.

Advising the IPOB leaders supporters, Mr Ejiofor said you all must remain civil in your conduct as you have always been adding that not everyone would be able to access the court room.

Seven-count smokescreen amended charge

Recalling the manner of Mr Kanus arrest in Kenya and subsequent court appearance on June 29, 2021, Mr Ejiofor insisted that his client is being persecuted.

Last week, the Nigerian government slammed an amended seven-count charge against Mr Kanu.

A notice titled, Federal Republic of Nigeria Versus Nnamdi Kanu with suit number: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/15, has been served on Mr Ejiofor and the prosecuting lawyer, Shuaibu Labaran, PREMIUM TIMS confirmed Wednesday.

A copy of the notice seen by our reporter stated that the case would be transferred from the General Cause List to the hearing paper for Thursday, 21st October 2021at 9 oclock forenoon and will come on to be on that day if the business of the court permits or otherwise on some adjustment day of which you will receive no further notice.

If either party desires to postpone the hearing, he must apply to the court as soon as possible for that purpose and if the application is based on any matter of fact, he must be prepared to give proof of those facts.

The parties are warned that at the hearing, they are required to bring forward all the evidence by witnesses or by documents which each of them desires to rely on in support of his own case and in contradiction of that of his opponent.

The proof will be required at the hearing and not on a subsequent day, and parties failing to bring their evidence forward at the proper time may find themselves absolutely precluded from adducing it at all, or at best only allowed to do so on payment of substantial costs to the other side, and on such other terms as the court deems fits to impose.

Parties desirous to enforce the attendance of witnesses should apply at once to the court to issue one or more summonses for the attendance of the witnesses required, the document added.

Other members of Mr Kanus legal team at Wednesdays press briefing included, Alloy Ejimakor, Maxwell Okpara and Bruce Fein, IPOB lawyer in the United States.

Why IPOB sit-at-home order remains effective

Mr Ejiofor explained that the regular Monday sit-at-order in the South-east was still being observed because people are yet to see and believe that Nnamdi Kanu is still alive.

He also lamented the alleged arrest and detention of over 20 indigenes of Ebonyi State who had travelled to the Federal High Court in Abuja to witness Mr Kanus trial on July 26.
Mr Erdogan stated this when he addressed journalists at the end of a closed-door bilateral meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday.

The president, who spoke through an interpreter, expressed the hope that the relations between the two nations would be further developed on the basis of a win-win situation and in the basis of mutual respect.

The Turkish leader also expressed the readiness of his country to partner with Nigeria in tackling its security challenges.

We hope and pray that we will be expanding our trade volume up to 5 billion dollars immediately.

We hope and pray that the relations between the two nations would be further developed on the basis of a win-win situation and in the basis of mutual respect.

As Turkey, we have been closely monitoring the development in Nigeria in our brotherly and friendly nation.

The terrorist organizations, the armed gangs and the marine vendors are continuously active in Nigeria and the Nigerian authorities are continuously fighting them.

In order to cooperate further in the field of military operations, defence and security, we are doing everything that will be available.

We are ready to share our capabilities, even extending capacities as Turkey with Nigeria especially in the field of defence industry and security which are being praised by the globe.

The sensitivity we show in fighting terrorism, I hope it will be reciprovated by our Nigerian brothers and sister and our counterparts.

The perpetrators of the heinous failed coup of July 15, FETO, are still very active in Nigeria. And we are continuously sharing our intelligence with Nigerian interlocutors and authorities..

While commiserating with Nigeria on the attack in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, which claimed several lives, the Turkish leader pledged that his country would further cooperate with Nigeria on counter-terrorism as well as in the fields of military, defence and security.

In his remarks, President Buhari heaped praises on Turkish President Erdogan for opening his countrys borders to accommodate millions of refugees in dire need of humanitarian support.

According to Mr Buhari, the Turkish leader has set an example for the rest of the world on how to treat refugees.

He said: I commend Your Excellency for your leadership and generosity in receiving and accommodating 4 million refugees fleeing from conflict areas particularly in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.

You have indeed set an example to the rest of the world.

President Buhari described the two-day visit of President Erdogan and the First Lady, Emine Erdogan, as a reflection of the robust, warm and cordial bilateral relation between Nigeria and Turkey.

He noted that it was the second time he has had the pleasure of receiving my Brother in Abuja.

On the accomplishments from the visit, President Buhari said:

During the visit, we held very useful discussions on a number of bilateral issues, aimed at strengthening this cordial relationship between Nigeria and Turkey.

The key issues we touched on included a Series of Bilateral Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding that had been finalised.

As a positive outcome, eight major Agreements/MoUs on a number of the key sectors including Energy, Defense Industry, Mining and HydroCarbons among others were signed today. We have agreed that implementation is to commence immediately.

In the course of our discussions, we also reviewed the travel ban list based on the revised COVID-19 protocols and removed Turkey from Nigerias Travel Ban List. Turkey has indeed achieved remarkable success in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Buhari said Mr Erdogans meeting with a Joint Session of the Nigeria and Turkish Chambers of Commerce and Industry, before departing Nigeria, would be another opportunity to engage and exchange views on more productive ways of pushing ahead the socio-economic ties between the two countries.

He thanked the Turkish president and the first lady for commissioning the Turkish Cultural Centre in Abuja as well as opening the newly renovated Government Secondary School in Wuse, Abuja, undertaken by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIIKA). (NAN)
Piracy and armed robbery attacks in Nigerian waters fell 77 per cent in the first nine months of 2021 when compared to the same period in 2020, the International Maritime Bureau said in its latest report.

The entire Gulf of Guinea witnessed a similar decline in criminal activities with only 28 incidents reported compared to 46 last year.

The Gulf of Guinea region recorded 28 incidents of piracy and armed robbery in the first nine months of 2021, in comparison to 46 for the same period in 2020, the report said. Most notably, Nigeria only reported four incidents in the first nine months of 2021, in comparison to 17 in 2020 and 41 in 2018.

The report said crew kidnappings in the region also dropped with only one crew member kidnapped in the third quarter of 2021, compared to 31 crew members taken in five separate incidents during the same quarter in 2020.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) welcomed the report Wednesday.

The Director General of NIMASA, Bashir Jamoh, said in a statement by Edward Osagie, Assistant Director, public relations, the latest figures came following the launch of the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also called the Deep Blue Project, on June 10 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr Jamoh said the agency had put in place measures to sustain the current momentum of security in the countrys waters.

We are delighted by this latest news from the IMB and the trend of progressive reduction in piracy and related incidents on our waters, he said.

But we cannot afford to be complacent about our commitment to the security of our maritime domain.

We will continue to strive for more effective measures to keep Nigerian waters safe and secure, he said. (NAN)
Olayide Babatunde of the Glorious and Divine Calling Ministry in Ayobo, Lagos has stressed the need for mental evaluation of policemen.

Mr Babatunde made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

According to him, the government should take drastic steps in establishing centres where policemen can check their mental health before discharging their duties.

Some police officers and men have tattoos all over their bodies and they carry POS machines around arresting young men they see on dreads or driving cars with tinted glasses.

Most of them are already high on heroin and Marijuana before going about discharging their duties and it has really dented the image of the good ones among them.

The government should also carry out blood tests on every policeman and whoever fails the test should be dismissed from the force.

There are lots of jobless responsible graduates out there who are sane and willing to work for this country, he said.

Speaking on the EndSARS protest in 2020, Mr Babatunde said that it dampened the morale of the police.

According to him, the police became scared of society and did not want to be identified with the profession.

For instance, if you go to a police station to report a case, the police will tell you to go home and settle it among yourself amicably.

They ask those who come to lodge complaints that are you not the ones who said you dont want the police anymore?

The security operatives are scared for their lives that such occurrence will happen again and in the process, neglected their lawful duties.

The pastor appealed to the government to continually sanitise the police and take into consideration what the protesters were agitating for.

The government should work on what the protesters agitated for in terms of unlawful extortion by the police and the likes.

He urged the police to be more professional in discharging their duties.

(NAN)
White Bear Lake, MN (55110)

Today

Plenty of sunshine. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low 31F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
Plattsburgh, NY (12901)

Today

Snow ending this evening followed by clearing late. Low near 25F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 80%..

Tonight

Snow ending this evening followed by clearing late. Low near 25F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 80%.
For effective gene therapy, it is absolutely essential that the genetic payload be delivered to the desired location inside a patient's body. The best method for accomplishing this is to use the Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) as a vector. AAV is a non-enveloped single-stranded DNA virus that penetrates cells that either divide or do not divide. AAV replicates only when a helper virus is present and thus it is non-pathogenic to humans. Because of these traits, AAV is an effective and practical method to deliver genes into various types of cells and is used as a vector in gene therapy. However, with the CRISPR/Cas9 technology, the size of the scissor gene is large and it is difficult to transport the gene inside the human body using the virus (AAV) carrier. For this reason, the clinical use of CRISPR/Cas9 as a gene therapy is very limited.

Because the size of the gene in the 'CRISPR/Cas12f-GE' system developed by GenKOre is one-third that of Cas9, it is an ideal payload for AAV delivery. GenKOre demonstrated its potential utility as the best gene therapy by improving the editing efficiency. In addition to high editing efficiency, it has proven to be effective and safe as gene scissor technology with respect to the off-target issue, a chronic weakness of CRISPR gene scissors.

The hypercompact CRISPR system Cas12f-GE has revealed its value as a therapeutic agent that can be widely used for developing medical treatments for patients who chronically suffer from life-long illnesses or diseases due to the lack of fundamental remedies.

GenKOre, which successfully developed this new technology, is a spin-off company of the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology (KRIBB), a research institute funded by the South Korean government.

Dr. Yong-Sam Kim, CEO of GenKOre remarked, "I hope that our achievements based on our research will bring about a revolution in gene therapies utilizing this genome-editing tool. Our technology can be seen as a breakthrough by resolving the major obstacle linked to the original CRISPR technology, and I am optimistic that in tandem with existing gene scissors, our technology will contribute to the human health and welfare."

With the successful development of CRISPR/Cas12f-GE, GenKOre plans to step up its development of gene therapy and new products through its unique gene scissor technology and collaborate with other companies in becoming a market leader in the realm of gene therapy and new plant biotechnology.

For more content on GenKOre's paper published online by Nature Biotechnology, refer to https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-021-01009-z.

The website of GenKOre is www.genkore.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1665213/gene_scissor_technology.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1665214/GenKOre.jpg

SOURCE GenKOre
Technologies and solutions to make cloud smarter, greener and more inclusive

HANGZHOU, China, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, today unveiled at the Apsara Conference 2021 its plan to set up two new data centers in South Korea and Thailand to assist local enterprises in their digital innovation journey, in addition to unveiling a slew of products and solutions.

Continuous commitment in Asia-Pacific

As APAC's leading cloud service provider, Alibaba Cloud further expands its footprint by announcing plans to set up data centers in South Korea and Thailand in 2022. The data centers will serve as intelligence backbones to support the nations' digital economies, and businesses on their journey to transform and innovate. Local businesses in South Korea of all sizes will be able to deploy mission-critical workloads while enjoying more reliable and secure cloud services with lower latency. While for Thailand, the data center will offer products and solutions that are in line with Thailand 4.0 - the Thai government's 20-year strategy to promote digital innovation and the development of sustainable technologies.

"As one of the world's top three cloud service providers, we are committed to bringing our world-class, hyper-scale cloud infrastructure to South Korea and Thailand, so that we can support local businesses to be at the forefront of digital transformation," said Selina Yuan, General Manager of International Business, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence. "With our business insight serving global customers in multiple key industries from retail to finance, logistics and manufacturing, we believe we can support local customers in South Korea and Thailand to meet their digitalization needs from both a technology and services perspective."

To complement its infrastructure investment, Alibaba Cloud has also unveiled technologies, products and solutions to make public cloud more accessible to enterprises and developers, by enhancing its security, availability and improving its adaptability in both cloud native and on-premise environments.

Smarter and secure platform to support hybrid workload

In order to support customers' ever growing computational needs in the cloud, Alibaba Cloud unveiled its fourth generation of ApsaraCompute Shenlong Architecture that carries leading capabilities in terms of container elasticity, storage, Input/output (IO) performance, latency and chip-level security hardening features.

The self-developed Shenlong architecture is upgraded to support data intensive applications, with storage Input/output Operations Per Second (IOPS) increased by 300% to 3 Million IOPS, network Packets Per Second (PPS) increased by more than 100% to 50 Million PPS, while the storage and network IO latencies are decreased to as low as 30 and 16 microseconds, respectively.

In the fourth generation Shenlong architecture, Alibaba Cloud also unveiled the industry's only large-scale Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) networking capability with a latency as low as 5 microseconds, to further accelerate data intensive applications on the cloud. For example, the updated Shenlong architecture with RDMA can increase the computing performance in data-intensive AI and big data spark scenarios by 30% compared to the mainstream performance of the Transmission Control Protocol(TCP) network on the cloud.

To support enterprises' hybrid cloud needs, Alibaba Cloud has launched a new database platform DBStack (based on Kubernetes) that can bring cloud native database systems to enterprises' on-premise environments. With DBStack, businesses that are not ready to migrate fully onto public cloud can still enjoy the benefits of public cloud securely and conveniently in their on-premise environment, bolstering the digitalization process for finance, transportation, and the telco industries.

Alibaba Cloud has also upgraded its PolarDB to showcase the leading cloud native database that marks three levels of separation, with further decoupling of memory and CPU cores. The three independent layers can be scaled up or down independently with increased elasticity and better availability and scalability.

A greener cloud for businesses and more opensource for developers

Alibaba Cloud has launched a new energy-saving solution for corporate customers that enhances their energy consumption management and carbon footprint reduction. By leveraging Alibaba Cloud's data analytics and machine learning technology, the solution offers tools to help customers track carbon emissions, analyze energy consumption, predict electricity generation from new energy sources, and receive recommendations for carbon emission reduction plans and related trading mechanisms.

To continue encouraging collaboration, Alibaba Cloud has open-sourced PolarDB-X (a MySQL-native distributed database) and AI products including DeepRec and Proxima, for developers to benefit from building cloud native, distributed databases and AI-powered searching and advertising services.

Besides open source key codes, Alibaba Cloud has also launched Alibaba AI, an integrated digital intelligence and AI platform that provides an out-of-the-box setting for enterprises to manage their intelligent assets in a simple, secure and efficient way.The one-stop cloud native system offers a series of AI and digital products, ranging from intelligence production, storage, analysis, and development to management, to help businesses capture and capitalize on new growth opportunities presented by digital transformation.

Propelled by Alibaba Cloud's computing and AI power, companies including those in fashion design, medical research and media are already using the platform to unleash the potential of their digital intelligence.

About Alibaba Cloud

Established in 2009, Alibaba Cloud (www.alibabacloud.com) is the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group. It offers a complete suite of cloud services to customers worldwide, including elastic computing, database, storage, network virtualization services, large-scale computing, security, management and application services, big data analytics, a machine learning platform and IoT services. Alibaba Cloud is China's leading provider of public cloud services by revenue in 2019, including PaaS and IaaS services, according to IDC. Alibaba Group is the world's third leading and Asia Pacific's leading IaaS provider by revenue in 2020 in U.S. dollars, according to Gartner's April 2021 report.

SOURCE Alibaba Cloud
On 1 October 2021, Volocopter partook in the Osaka Roundtable. Osaka Prefecture has one of the largest industrial bay areas in Asia, an ideal location to test over various environmental conditions. As host of the Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, Osaka has strong ambitions to kickstart UAM businesses from this event onward.

Since 2018, Japan has been proactively shaping its future of air mobility and set an ambitious target to achieve full commercialization of eVTOLs by 2030. Japan boasts a comprehensive roadmap for UAM businesses to achieve these goals.

Furthermore, Volocopter is strategically joining forces with local partners and regulators early in the commercialization process to strengthen its position within the market. Recently, JAL reserved 100 Volocopter aircraft (VoloDrone and VoloCity) units for its future use. Additionally, Volocopter has started direct communications with local government offices to discuss how Volocopter products can support the local ecosystem.

Florian Reuter  CEO, Volocopter: "We are honored to be seated at the Osaka Roundtable and take flight at an important milestone of the Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai. Japan's and Osaka's commitment to UAM commercialization and its open approach allows us to be involved in pioneering them into the future of mobility. As the world's first and only eVTOL developer with successful public flights in several continents and a family of multi-functional aircraft, we are confident that we will become an integral part of Japan's future UAM ecosystem. We aim to improve lives in densely populated areas with our sustainable UAM services."

Volocopter has committed to air taxi services in Singapore within the next three years and announced the delivery of 150 of Volocopter products to China's Geely.

About Volocopter

Volocopter is building the world's first sustainable and scalable urban air mobility business to bring affordable air taxi services for goods and people to megacities worldwide. Volocopter leads and cooperates with partners in infrastructure, operations, and air traffic management to build the ecosystem necessary to "Bring Urban Air Mobility to Life." Volocopter has offices in Bruchsal, Munich, and Singapore. The company has raised a total of 322 million in equity form investors including Daimler, Geely, BlackRock, and Intel Capital. www.volocopter.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1664852/Velocopter.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1664853/logo_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Volocopter GmbH
TEL AVIV, Israel, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cato Networks, the provider of the world's first SASE platform, announced its largest funding round to date of $200M at a market valuation of $2.5 billion. The round was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners with the participation of existing investors Greylock, Aspect Ventures / Acrew Capital, Coatue, Singtel Innov8, and Shlomo Kramer. The new funds will fuel Cato's sales, technology, and business growth to further support the security and global networking needs of large enterprises.

Shlomo Kramer, CEO and co-founder, Cato Networks

"Cato is at the forefront of SASE transformation," said Shlomo Kramer, CEO and co-founder of Cato Networks. "Large enterprises are deploying Cato as their global network to reap the operational and business benefits of Cato's proven and mature SASE platform. Cato is rapidly expanding its service capabilities, global footprint, and sales and marketing teams, while preserving our unique DNA of agility, simplicity, and ease of doing business that is so valued by customers and partners."

Market Adoption Grows Among Large Enterprises for Cloud-native SASE Architecture

Secure and optimized access to applications anytime and anywhere is at the heart of digital transformation. It has eluded customers and solution providers because secure optimized access crosses the boundaries of networking, security, and access  the three silos that dominate the legacy IT landscape.

Cato was built to break these silos and is the inspiration for the SASE category. The Cato SASE Cloud, built on the proprietary Cato SPACE technology, is the only proven and mature SASE platform that can holistically, quickly, and easily, deliver on the secure and optimized application access challenge. Only Cato can connect and secure all enterprise edges  sites, mobile users, and cloud resources  with one global cloud-native platform. This is the essence of a true SASE platform.

The Cato SASE Cloud is distributed across more than 65 PoPs worldwide. With such extensive geographic coverage and a proven technology stack, Cato has been able to address the needs of very large global enterprises. Today, dozens of such enterprises spend more than $250,000 in annual recurring revenue (ARR) with Cato, an increase of 163% year-over-year, and several global enterprises spend over $1M in ARR.

"Cato has seen an amazing adoption of its SASE platform by increasingly larger enterprises," said Yoni Cheifetz, a partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners. "What started as a disruptive innovation and a novel idea, is now a fast-growing business that is at the heart of enterprises' mission critical operations. We are delighted to partner with Cato and support its mission of delivering optimal and secure access to all users, locations, and applications  everywhere."

Case in point is Baker Tilly, a leading advisory, tax, and assurance firm. "The Cato SASE platform has transformed the way we connect our enterprise," said Matt Jennings, Director, Enterprise Technology at Baker Tilly. "Cato made us nimble, enabling us to address significant business changes, like M&A, with near zero effort. No more product-by-product configuration, updates, and troubleshooting  just getting things done, quickly. It doesn't matter how many sites or users we deploy or where, I know with Cato they will always get the same secure and optimal access to the resources they need."

And with larger enterprises come new requirements. Some enterprises require greater scale, others deeper security inspection, and still others additional capabilities specific to their industry and business. The new funding will fuel that expansion, enabling Cato to continue leading in the converged remote access, networking, and network security market that is SASE.

"Cato pioneered SASE, creating the category before it existed," said Scott Raynovich, Founder and Chief Analyst at Futuriom, a research and analysis community focused on next-generation cloud technologies. "They saw the need early on for enterprises to deliver global, cloud-delivered networking and security. It's a vision that is now paying off with tremendous growth."

To learn more about the incredible power of SASE and Cato Networks, visit us at https://www.catonetworks.com

Additional Resources

About Cato Networks

Cato is the world's first SASE platform, converging SD-WAN, network security, and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) into a global, cloud-native service. Cato optimizes and secures application access for all users and locations. Using Cato Cloud, customers easily migrate from MPLS to SD-WAN, optimize connectivity to on-premises and cloud applications, enable secure branch Internet access everywhere, seamlessly integrate cloud datacenters into the network, and connect mobile users with Cato SDP client and clientless access options. With Cato, the network, and your business, are ready for whatever's next.

SOURCE Cato Networks
JERUSALEM, Israel, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Yoffi is hosting an exclusive opening party for the postcard exhibition 'Yoffi Shel Israel'.

Yoffi, a family-owned Israeli gastronomic souvenir business, in conjunction with the Jerusalem Post and Roman Abramovich, has invited thirty-six Soviet-born Israeli artists to illustrate postcards reflecting the country through their eyes and present their work at today's event being held at the Jerusalem House of Quality.

VIP guests at the exclusive event will include Anri Amir David, cyber security expert, entrepreneur, and the founder of global cyber-defence company Black Wall Global, along with Arkady Volozh, the founder and CEO of Yandex, the largest Russian technology firm. The event is expected to bring together numerous tech sector VIPs from both Israel & Russia.

David has said regarding the event that: "I will be happy to meet such a technology giant like Arkady and share views & ideas on our industry. I think that Russian-speaking Israelis lead the cyber security sector, and not only in Israel  the effect of their hard work is being seen globally. I'm looking forward to the future and some exciting developments for my new company, Black Wall Global."

Further information can be found at the at the website of the exhibition: https://congress.jpost.com/yoffi

Please RSVP at [email protected]

The event will be held according to the Green Pass System

About Anri Amir David:

Anri Amir David is a cyber-defence expert, entrepreneur, and the founder of Black Wall Global. He is a well-known personality in the tech sector, with over 20 years of experience in artificial intelligence and cyber security.

About Black Wall Global:

Black Wall Global is a cyber-Intelligence & security company that provides solutions for high level intelligence, cyber defence, and the protection of critical infrastructure facilities & big data services to global enterprises with the highest level of safety and security.

SOURCE Anri Amir David
"The 3M Young Scientist Challenge aligns with 3M's commitment to fostering the next generation of science leaders, and exemplifies how a quality STEM education can get young people interested and excited about science as a way to improve lives all around the world," said Dr. Denise Rutherford, senior vice president and chief corporate affairs officer at 3M . "Against the backdrop of an ongoing global pandemic, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists have each shown how grit, determination, resiliency, innovative thinking, and the scientific process come together to create truly incredible innovations with the potential to address major global challenges. 3M is inspired by these young inventors, and we celebrate their accomplishments. Congratulations to this year's winner, Sarah Park, and to all our 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists. We thank you for inspiring us through your efforts."

The global pandemic has had a profound impact on mental health  negatively affecting millions of people and creating new barriers for people already suffering from mental health disorders. For her project, Sarah developed SparkCare+ as an efficient, affordable, portable, and personalized music therapy for mental health improvement. SparkCare+ is made up of two components: a communication with the participant, and a mechanism that uses deep neural networks to select therapeutic music.

The communication component of SparkCare+ asks the participant questions and elaborates on the Hamilton Anxiety and Depression rating scales, providing insight for the AI. Sarah used Arduino (an open-source electronic prototyping platform) so a PPG sensor could gauge indicators regarding the participant's mental state, including their heart rate and blood pressure. The GSR sensor is an additional tool Sarah developed to indicate mental state, and to provide the AI the necessary information to pick suitable music for the participant and sense progress. Sarah envisions developing personalized wristbands for all interests and ages, so that anyone seeking improvement in mental health can be treated with Spark Care+.

The 3M Young Scientist Challenge also named 14-year-old Samarth Mahapatra from Marietta, Ga. as the recipient of the Improving Lives Award, a special recognition award based on online public voting to choose the final project from the challenge that has the greatest potential to make a positive impact on the world. Inspired by his great aunt who had to give up cooking due to glaucoma-induced blindness, Samarth's project, "Accessibility Friendly Guidance System for Optimal Cooking Operations based on Machine Learning," deployed edge computing and advance vision algorithms to help people with vision impairments cook with ease.

Now in its fourteenth year, the 2021 3M Young Scientist Challenge hosted the two-day competition as a virtual event on Oct. 18 and 19, 2021. Sarah Park, an eighth-grader at Bolles School  Bartram in Jacksonville, Fla. at the time of entry, competed against nine other finalists. Each finalist was evaluated through a series of interactive, virtual challenges and the final presentation of their innovation. These ten young inventors, aged 12 to 14, won the top spots in this year's challenge through their innovative thinking, scientific acumen, and exceptional communication skills.

Over the past few months, each 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalist worked with a 3M scientist who mentored and worked one-on-one with them to transform their idea from concept to physical prototype. Sarah Park was paired with Dr. Ann Fornof, a senior research specialist in the adhesives division at 3M.

All ten 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists received a variety of prizes from 3M and Discovery Education. The grand prize winner received a $25,000 cash prize, the prestigious title of "America's Top Young Scientist," and a special destination trip. The second and third place winners each received a $1,000 prize and a special destination trip. These exceptional students at the time of entry are:

In second place, Samarth Mahapatra from Marietta, Ga. , an eighth-grader at Dodgen Middle School in Cobb County High School Area 1. Samarth deployed edge computing and advance vision algorithms to help people with vision impairments cook with ease.

from , an eighth-grader at Dodgen Middle School in Cobb County High School Area 1. Samarth deployed edge computing and advance vision algorithms to help people with vision impairments cook with ease. In third place, Snigtha Mohanraj from West Haven, Conn. , an eighth-grader at Engineering and Science University Magnet School in New Haven Public School District. Snigtha invented Ferro-Sponge, a novel way to remove microplastics and oil from contaminated water.

The fourth through tenth place winners each receive a $1,000 prize and a $500 excitations gift card. These finalists at the time of entry, in alphabetical order by last name, are:

Abhinav Anne from Plainfield, Ill. , a seventh-grader at Clifford Crone Middle School in Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204.

from , a seventh-grader at Clifford Crone Middle School in Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204. Veda Murthy from Herndon, Va. , a seventh-grader at Rachel Carson Middle School in Fairfax County Public School District.

from , a seventh-grader at Rachel Carson Middle School in Fairfax County Public School District. Viraj Pandey from San Jose, Calif. , a seventh-grader at Bret Harte Middle School in San Jose Unified School District.

from , a seventh-grader at Bret Harte Middle School in San Jose Unified School District. Moitri Santra from Oviedo, Fla. , a seventh-grader at Jackson Heights Middle School in Seminole County Public School District.

from , a seventh-grader at Jackson Heights Middle School in Seminole County Public School District. Danielle Steinbach from San Jose, Calif. , a seventh-grader at Harker Middle School.

from , a seventh-grader at Harker Middle School. Aadrit Talukdar from San Jose, Calif. , a seventh-grader at Basis Independent Silicon Valley.

, a seventh-grader at Basis Independent Silicon Valley. Sydney Zhang from San Diego, Calif. , an eighth-grader at Mesa Verde Middle School in Poway Unified School District.

"For 14 years, Discovery Education and 3M have partnered to help empower young people to bring STEM learning to life," said Lori McFarling, president of social impact at Discovery Education. "Every single one of this year's participants demonstrated the power of STEM to change the world and improve lives."

The 3M Young Scientist Challenge inspires and challenges middle school students to think creatively and apply the power of STEM to discovering real-world solutions. America's Top Young Scientists have gone on to give TED Talks, file patents, found nonprofits, make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange, and exhibit at the White House Science Fair. These young innovators have also been named Time Magazine's first Kid of the Year, featured in The New York Times Magazine, Forbes, Business Insider, and on national television programs such as Good Morning America, CNN's Cuomo Prime Time, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and more.

The award-winning 3M Young Scientist Challenge supplements the 3M and Discovery Education program  Young Scientist Lab  which provides no-cost dynamic digital resources for students, teachers, and families to explore, transform, and innovate the world around them. All the resources are also available through the Young Scientist Lab Channel and in the Social Impact Partnerships channel on Discovery Education's recently enhanced K-12 learning platform.

To download images from the 2021 science competition, click here. To learn more about the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and meet this year's winners and finalists, visit youngscientistlab.com.

For more information about Discovery Education's digital resources and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Twitter and LinkedIn.

About 3M

At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily as our employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M's creative solutions to global challenges at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNews.

About Discovery Education

Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 140 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Discovery, Inc., Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

SOURCE 3M

Related Links

www.3m.com


VCCS selected Ancora during a competitive bidding process designed to identify the most qualified vendors to provide CDL training for its member schools. Citing Ancora's ability to meet its stated requirements, program standards, and expectations, VCCS awarded a contract to Ancora in early 2021.

Recognizing a significant need for both truck and bus drivers in the metropolitan D.C. area, NOVA will offer both CDL-A (commercial trailer trucks) and CDL-B (passenger buses) licensing classes to its students. NOVA's 160-hour CDL classes will have course offerings monthly in both weekday and weekend formats to meet the needs of the region. This ensures that students can be on the path to a well-paying career in a little as four weeks.

There is a nationwide shortage of truck drivers, which is having a significant impact on supply chains everywhere as companies scramble to maintain their driver workforce. According to Indeed.com, an estimated 3,000 full-time, entry-level jobs are available in the Commonwealth alone, and the average starting salary for a Virginia CDL driver is above $63,000.

Based in Arlington, Texas, Ancora Corporate Training is quickly becoming a notable player in the corporate training marketplace. Since January 2019, Ancora has partnered with community colleges, government agencies, and Fortune 100 corporations to provide training to thousands of individuals.

For more information about Ancora Corporate Training, please contact Natalie Williams, Vice President of Client Operations. For more information about the CDL training course at NOVA, please contact NOVA Workforce by email [email protected] or visit the College's website, https://www.nvcc.edu/workforce. For Ancora media inquiries, please contact Ms. Williams. For NOVA media inquiries, please contact Hoang Nguyen, public information officer at NOVA.

ABOUT NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Northern Virginia Community College is the largest institution of higher education in the Commonwealth of Virginia and one of America's largest community colleges. NOVA enrolls more than 75,000 students at its six campuses in Alexandria, Annandale, Loudoun, Manassas, Springfield and Woodbridge, and through NOVA Online.

www.nvcc.edu

ABOUT ANCORA CORPORATE TRAINING

Ancora Corporate Training is a division of Ancora Education, a Texas-based group of private, post-secondary schools in convenient locations throughout Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Ancora Education owned brands specialize in allied health, trades, and art and design. Ancora brands include Ancora Corporate Training, Arizona Automotive Institute (AAI), Berks Technical Institute (BTI), Edge Tech Academy, McCann School of Business & Technology, Miller-Motte College (MMC), Platt College, South Texas Vocational Technical Institute (STVT), and The Creative Circus.

www.ancoracorporatetraining.com

SOURCE Ancora Corporate Training

Related Links

https://www.ancoracorporatetraining.com/


According to thierry Ehrmann, CEO and Founder of Artmarket.com and of its Artprice department: " The FIAC online may not be the main event, but this version (which has 40 additional galleries) reflects a profound change in the art world, with the coexistence of two markets: the physical one with the FIAC (and its extra-mural shows/installations including a majestic sculpture by Alexander Calder in Place Vendome), and the other, fully online, that everyone can visit from their homes on fiac.viewingrooms.com".

The art market is not just about NFTs...

For the last six months the art world has been super-excited about blockchain, a technology that made a sensational entry to the auction world in March 2021 with the sale of Beeple's NFT Everydays for $69.4 million at Christie's New York. This was followed by Pak's NFTs at Sotheby's and Mad Dog Jones's NFTs at Phillips, all of which prompted massive media commentary and substantially rocked the notion of what artistic creation is and how it circulates in the early 21st century.

In its H1 2021 Art Market Report (https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-contemporary-art-market-report-2021) Artprice nevertheless point outs that public sales of NFTs only accounted for 2% of global fine art auction turnover, a niche market, divided between New York (90%) and Hong Kong (9%) and represented less than 100 lots in total during the first six months of 2021.

The traditional market for painting therefore remained 35 times larger than that of NFTs. However, in just six months of existence, the latter is already twice as prosperous as the market for photographic art works, which saw 10,000 lots sold, but only generated $66 million (half the NFT market over the same period).

Paris: cautious but not backseat

Like every autumn, the French capital hosts an extraordinary range of exhibitions, covering almost the entire history of art: from Botticelli at the Jaquemart-Andre Museum to Georg Baselitz and Georgia O'Keeffe at the Pompidou Center, through to the Morozov Collection at the Louis Vuitton Foundation and the newly-opened Pinault Collection at the Bourse de Commerce.

At the same time, Almine Rech and Galerie Perrotin are presenting the work of one of the most talented representatives of current French artistic creation, Claire Tabouret. Two other galleries, Levy Gorvy and Nathalie Obadia, are showing work by the African-American artist Mickalene Thomas.

Top 3 living French artists by auction turnover (H1 2021)

1 - Pierre Soulages (1919): $30,680,000

2 - Claire Tabouret (1981): $3,011,000

3 - Robert Combas (1957): $2,820 000

Paris wants to be eclectic and forward-looking as reflected in the award this year of the Marcel Duchamp Prize (which Artprice is very proud to support) to Lili Reynaud Dewar. Meanwhile, the 4th International Digital Arts Biennial is currently taking place at Centquatre-Paris.

Still behind London

The Parisian art market hopes to benefit from Brexit and a number of prominent galleries like Levy Gorvy and David Zwirner have opened Parisian outlets in anticipation of a certain isolation of the UK market and Larry Gagosian is inaugurating a third space in the French capital. But since the UK's official exit from the EU, the balance between the two capitals has not changed that much.

During Frieze Week high-quality works by Basquiat, Richter and Hockney were successfully auctioned in London bringing a measure of reassurance to the local market. And the reappearance of Banksy's Girl with Balloon, re-baptized Love is in the bin (the one that partially self-destructed in 2018 after selling for $1.4 million) generated a spectacular 'event', and a very spectacular result at $25.4 million.

In Paris, no lot offered by Christie's or Sotheby's is expected to reach such heights during the FIAC, despite the sale of some excellent Avant-Garde pieces by Magritte, Manet and Picabia, among others... So while the galleries show the best Contemporary creations at FIAC and in their respective outlets, the auction houses continue reminding us that Paris was long the artistic capital of the world...

Images: [https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2021/10/image1-artmarket-artprice_categories-NFT.jpg]

[https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2021/10/image2-Robert-DELAUNAY-La-Tour-Eiffel.jpeg]

Copyright 1987-2021 thierry Ehrmann www.artprice.com - www.artmarket.com

Don't hesitate to contact our Econometrics Department for your requirements regarding statistics and personalized studies: [email protected]

for your requirements regarding statistics and personalized studies: Try our services (free demo): https://www.artprice.com/demo

Subscribe to our services: https://www.artprice.com/subscription

About Artmarket:

Artmarket.com is listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris, SRD long only and Euroclear: 7478 - Bloomberg: PRC - Reuters: ARTF.

Discover Artmarket and its Artprice department on video: www.artprice.com/video

Artmarket and its Artprice department was founded in 1997 by its CEO, thierry Ehrmann. Artmarket and its Artprice department is controlled by Groupe Serveur, created in 1987.

See certified biography in Who's who :

https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2021/06/Biographie_nov2020_WhosWho_thierryEhrmann.pdf

Artmarket is a global player in the Art Market with, among other structures, its Artprice department, world leader in the accumulation, management and exploitation of historical and current art market information in databanks containing over 30 million indices and auction results, covering more than 770,000 artists.

Artprice Images allows unlimited access to the largest Art Market image bank in the world: no less than 180 million digital images of photographs or engraved reproductions of artworks from 1700 to the present day, commented by our art historians.

Artmarket with its Artprice department accumulates data on a permanent basis from 6300 Auction Houses and produces key Art Market information for the main press and media agencies (7,200 publications). Its 5.4 million ('members log in'+social media) users have access to ads posted by other members, a network that today represents the leading Global Standardized Marketplace to buy and sell artworks at a fixed or bid price (auctions regulated by paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article L 321.3 of France's Commercial Code).

Artmarket with its Artprice department, has been awarded the State label "Innovative Company" by the Public Investment Bank (BPI) (for the second time in November 2018 for a new period of 3 years) which is supporting the company in its project to consolidate its position as a global player in the market art.

Artprice's 2020/21 Contemporary Art Market Report by Artmarket.com:

https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-contemporary-art-market-report-2021

Artprice by Artmarket's 2020 Global Art Market Report published in March 2021:

https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-art-market-in-2020

Index of press releases posted by Artmarket with its Artprice department:

serveur.serveur.com/press_release/pressreleaseen.htm

Follow all the Art Market news in real time with Artmarket and its Artprice department on Facebook and Twitter:

www.facebook.com/artpricedotcom/ (over 5 million followers)

twitter.com/artmarketdotcom

twitter.com/artpricedotcom

Discover the alchemy and universe of Artmarket and its artprice department https://www.artprice.com/video headquartered at the famous Organe Contemporary Art Museum "The Abode of Chaos" (dixit The New York Times): https://issuu.com/demeureduchaos/docs/demeureduchaos-abodeofchaos-opus-ix-1999-2013

L'Obs - The Museum of the Future: https://youtu.be/29LXBPJrs-o

www.facebook.com/la.demeure.du.chaos.theabodeofchaos999

(4.4 million followers)

https://vimeo.com/124643720

Contact Artmarket.com and its Artprice department - Contact: [email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1665856/Artprice_auction_turnover.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1665857/Artprice_Robert_DELAUNAY.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1009603/Art_Market_logo.jpg



SOURCE Artmarket.com
NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BizVibe has added key challenges and trends for all public administration industry groups on their buyer and seller platforms. Within the public administration category, BizVibe's space research and technology industry group consists of 500+ company profiles which now contain 50+ company data points, including a list of potential challenges which are expected to impact market participants over the next few years.

Snapshot of key challenge impacting BizVibe's space research and technology industry group.

One challenge which is being highlighted is the prevalence of investment-intensive projects. The economics and financing of a space program, such as launching a satellite, is complex and capital-intensive. Many ambitious plans and projects do not see the light of day because of unfavorable project economics and financing. Space and satellite companies and their partners are hard-pressed to bring down the overall investment necessary for spacecraft and satellite manufacturing and launches. By identifying such challenges, BizVibe is helping users analyze which suppliers are right for their business, while allowing them to efficiently monitor the risk of doing business.

Get Free Access to all Industry Challenges

Key Insights Provided for Space Research and Technology Companies

In addition to analysis on how key challenges are expected to impact public administration businesses, BizVibe company profiles contain numerous high-quality insights to help users discover, track, compare, and evaluate suppliers or sales prospects. These insights include:

Relevance and influence of industry trends and challenges, segmented by region

Press releases and news coverage referencing key trends and challenges

Risk of doing business score, segmented by operational, financial, compliance, and country risk

Top company competitors at the global, regional, and national levels

Names of top company decision makers, including job titles and social profiles

Company financials such as annual revenue, profitability ratios, and management effectiveness

View 50+ Company Data Points for Free

Space Research and Technology Product and Service Categories

BizVibe's platform provides access to over 10 million buyer and supplier company profiles. Businesses from more than 200 countries are categorized into 40,000+ product and service categories, each providing detailed insights tailored to the needs of procurement and sales teams globally. The space research and technology industry group features 500+ company profiles categorized into multiple product and service categories, enabling clients to identify and connect with potential new business partners across diverse market segments.

Get Free Company Profile Access for all Categories

BizVibe for Buyers and Sellers

BizVibe is a modern B2B platform dedicated to connecting buyers and sellers from around the world. Powered by the latest best-in-class solutions, BizVibe is designed to help companies generate leads, shortlist suppliers, request proposals, and identify global companies. Evaluate companies side-by-side to compare key metrics and initiate productive partnerships.

Buyers use BizVibe to discover suppliers from among more than 5 million companies using advanced search filters and comparison tools. Features for buyers include:

Shortlist potential suppliers

Track and compare companies

Set up custom news alerts

Quickly create and customize RFIs

Explore BizVibe's buyer services: https://www.bizvibe.com/buyers

Sellers can take advantage of BizVibe's smart sales intelligence tools to discover, evaluate, and communicate with prospects across 300+ categories. Features for sellers include:

Identify and qualify sales prospects

Receive customized prospect recommendations

Analyze and evaluate potential buyers

Integrate CRMs for efficient data transfer

Discover BizVibe's seller tools: https://www.bizvibe.com/sellers

About BizVibe

BizVibe has been conceptualized and built by a team based out of Toronto, Bangalore, and London. We are a branch of Infiniti Research and have dedicated units in all three locations. BizVibe helps buyers find the most relevant suppliers from around the world and helps sellers target prospects who need their products and/or services. For more information, please visit www.bizvibe.com and start for free today.

Contact:

BizVibe

Jesse Maida

Email: [email protected]

+1 855-897-5880

Website: https://www.bizvibe.com/

SOURCE BizVibe

Related Links

https://www.bizvibe.com/


RICHARDSON, Texas, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas today announced new choices in health plans for the Medicare-eligible population, while also expanding to 58 more counties, building on the company's commitment to increasing access to quality, affordable care for all Texans in 2022.

The Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan Annual Election Period (AEP) started Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7, 2021 for coverage that begins Jan. 1, 2022.

BCBSTX is offering Medicare plans in more counties than at any point in the company's history, increasing access to new coverage options for more than 542,333 Medicare-eligible individuals, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

The new counties are:

Archer, Austin, Bee, Bell, Blanco, Bosque, Brazoria, Brazos, Brooks, Burleson, Clay, Coryell, Dimmit, Duval, Ellis, Erath, Falls, Freestone, Goliad, Grimes, Hamilton, Henderson, Hopkins, Houston, Jack, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kennedy, LaSalle, Lavaca, Leon, Limestone, Madison, Mason, McCulloch, McLennan, Mills, Nueces, Palo Pinto, Parker, Polk, Rains, Refugio, Robertson, San Jacinto, San Patricio, San Saba, Shackelford, Somervell, Throckmorton, Trinity, Tyler, Van Zandt, Walker, Waller, Washington and Zavala.

New plan offerings include the Open Access Flex PPO plan, in which members can see any provider who accepts Medicare, including primary care physicians (PCPs) and specialists, without a copay. Members will enjoy a high level of cost certainty. For example, the Flex PPO plan offers members $0 copays, coinsurance, and no out-of-pocket maximum.

"Our 2022 Medicare Advantage plans reflect the demand we're seeing for benefits beyond traditional Medicare, and we're focused on closing that gap," said James Springfield, BCBSTX president. "That's why we've added 58 more counties to our coverage area for 2022. It's amazing to see the growth of Medicare Advantage, bringing additional choices and coverage to Medicare eligible individuals throughout our state that can meet their diverse health care needs."

In addition to the new Open Access Flex PPO plan, BCBSTX has additional $0 premium plans with expanded geographical presence throughout the state. These include new Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plan options, as the company focuses on providing affordable health care choices. Plans will also provide access to a telehealth provider, so members can access care where they are and when they need it.

Premiums for BCBSTX's Medicare Advantage health plans and maximum out-of-pocket amounts will remain the same in 2022. Plans will continue to offer competitive benefits for inpatient hospital stays, routine care, and Part D prescription drugs. Additionally, some plans will offer supplemental benefits such as over-the-counter items, travel programs, and dental, vision, and hearing benefits.

There will be multiple in-person and virtual opportunities in the Houston and Dallas regions with enrollment specialists available in English and Spanish to answer questions and simplify the enrollment process. Texans who don't live in those areas can get more information about online seminars by visiting bcbstx.com/medicare.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX)  the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas  is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 80,000 physicians and healthcare practitioners, and 500 hospitals to serve more than 6 million members in all 254 counties. BCBSTX is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) (which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma and New Mexico), the country's largest customer-owned health insurer, and fourth largest health insurer overall. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

BCBSTX.com | Twitter.com/BCBSTX | Facebook.com/BlueCrossBlueShieldOfTexas | YouTube.com/BCBSTX BCBSTX Community Highlights

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

Related Links

www.bcbstx.com


DALLAS, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Brian M. Gillett has joined the firm's Dallas, TX, office as a senior attorney. Mr. Gillett will practice as part of the Litigation team.

"Brian is a highly skilled litigator, and we are pleased to welcome him to our Dallas office and the firm's nationally recognized group of litigation attorneys," said Dallas Office Managing Partner Richard A. Sayles.

Mr. Gillett is a trial attorney with experience handling high-stakes, complex commercial matters on both the plaintiff and defense sides at all stages of litigation in state and federal court and arbitration proceedings, from discovery through trial and appeal.

His practice focuses on business litigation matters, including disputes involving claims for breach of contract, fraud, and breaches of fiduciary duties. He has litigated both individual and class claims involving oil and gas disputes, intellectual property theft and infringement, and antitrust.

Mr. Gillett graduated summa cum laude from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Political Science and a B.S. in Spanish and earned his J.D. with highest honors from the University of Texas School of Law.

About Bradley

Bradley combines skilled legal counsel with exceptional client service and unwavering integrity to assist a diverse range of corporate and individual clients in achieving their business goals. With offices in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the District of Columbia, the firm's nearly 550 lawyers represent regional, national and international clients in various industries, including banking and financial services, construction, energy, healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, real estate, and technology, among many others.

Contact:

Vivian Hood

904.220.1915

[email protected]

Social Media: @bradleylegal, #legalnews

SOURCE Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
EXTON, Pa., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the May 2020 European Medicines Agency (EMA) approval of Bristol Myers Squibb's Zeposia and the May 2021 approval of Janssen's Ponvory, there are now four S1P receptor modulators (including Novartis' Gilenya and Mayzent) available on the European multiple sclerosis (MS) market. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approval of Ponvory in August 2021 created a similar competitive landscape in the United Kingdom (UK).

While all four S1P agents are reimbursed (at least to some extent) in Germany, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has since recommended against the reimbursement of Zeposia (final) and Ponvory (preliminary), leaving only Gilenya for relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and Mayzent for secondary progressive MS (SPMS) currently reimbursed by the National Health Service (NHS).

In the most recent semiannual report included in Spherix's RealTime Dynamix: Multiple Sclerosis (EU) service, data collected from 248 MS specialists and general neurologists in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK between August 6th and September 12th reveal the impact of these different reimbursement environments on the new S1P entrants.

The final NICE decision announced in May 2021 not to reimburse Zeposia appears to have stifled uptake of the brand in the UK compared to prescribing patterns observed in Germany. While physicians in Germany and the UK report similar shares for Gilenya, Mayzent, and Ponvory, Zeposia shares are noticeably lower in the UK. Suggesting that the difference between these two regions will only amplify, stated new Zeposia prescription volume in the past month grew by 63% in Germany compared to Q1 data and contracted by the same percentage in the UK.

Not surprisingly, anticipated efficacy is the most influential driver of Zeposia initiations, with German prescribers especially motivated by a belief in positive outcomes with such treatment. UK prescribers, on the other hand, are equally likely to be influenced by safety and tolerability expectations when deciding to prescribe the Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) agent.

The emphasis on efficacy may risk relegating Zeposia to more of a later line disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for RRMS in Germany. Indeed, prescribers estimate that substantially more of their current Zeposia-treated patients were prescribed the therapy after two or more prior DMT failures compared to prescribers in the UK.

Based upon the opportunity cost to competitor analysis, Zeposia prescribing patterns in Germany will most likely mirror those of Gilenya, indicated for patients with high disease activity despite treatment with at least one DMT. In comparison, UK prescribing seems to be much more varied, with the brand competing with earlier-line therapies, such as platform oral DMTs (i.e., Sanofi's Aubagio and Biogen's Tecfidera) and Roche's Ocrevus.

However, without a positive opinion from NICE, the future success of Zeposia in England and Wales is at risk. The current UK prescriber base is dwarfed by the almost ubiquitous base in Germany. Among the remaining non-prescribers, more than one in six do not believe that they will ever prescribe the brand  up from 0% six months ago.

The most common primary barriers to prescribing (or prescribing more) Zeposia are no or limited access/availability and lack of familiarity/experience. In comparison, barriers to Zeposia uptake in Germany spoke to the continued reliance on the first-in-class S1P agent, Gilenya, with many neurologists selecting patient reluctance or use of an alternative S1P receptor modulator as their primary barriers.

Patient-level data collected in June 2021 as part of Spherix's RealWorld Dynamix: DMT Switching in MS (EU) corroborate the trends observed in the semiannual physician survey. Zeposia's share of recent switches was especially high among the 255 charts reviewed by German neurologists. Whereas dosing profile was typically most influential in the selection of the other oral DMTs, the promise of a highly effective option was key in the majority of Zeposia selection cases. If Zeposia had not been available for the recent switch, the vast majority of these patients would have instead been switched to Gilenya, stressing the within-S1P class competition introduced by the new agents.

So what of Ponvory  the fourth-to-market S1P receptor modulator? An early read on Ponvory's introduction to the German and UK markets from Spherix data suggest important distinctions from patterns observed during the first wave of Zeposia tracking in Q3 2020. However, with NICE firing the first warning shot over Janssen's bow earlier this month with a preliminary decision against recommending reimbursement for relapsing forms of MS, the brand could find itself on similarly divergent trajectories over the next 12 months.

To help answer these and other questions, Spherix will continue to track adoption of Zeposia, Ponvory, and other recent or future launches (i.e., Novartis' Kesimpta, Biogen's Vumerity, TG Therapeutics' ublituximab) through both physician-reported and patient-level data in the EU. With data captured at a consistent cadence since 2017, launch performance can be benchmarked back to the relative successes of prior launches, including Ocrevus, Mayzent, and Merck KGaA's Mavenclad.

About RealTime Dynamix

RealTime Dynamix is an independent service providing strategic guidance through quarterly or semiannual reports, which include market trending and a fresh infusion of event-driven and variable content with each wave. The reports provide an unbiased view of the competitive landscape within rapidly evolving specialty markets, fueled by robust HCP primary research and our in-house team of experts.

About RealWorld Dynamix

RealWorld Dynamix is an independent, data-driven service unveiling real patient management patterns through rigorous analysis of large-scale patient chart audits. Insights reveal the "why" behind treatment decisions, include year over year trending to quantify key aspects of market evolution, and integrate specialists' attitudinal & demographic data to highlight differences between stated and actual treatment patterns.

Learn more about our services here.

About Spherix Global Insights

Spherix Global Insights is a hyper-focused market intelligence firm that leverages our own independent data and expertise to provide strategic guidance, so biopharma stakeholders make decisions with confidence. We specialize in select immunology, nephrology, and neurology markets.

All company, brand or product names in this document are trademarks of their respective holders.

Contact:

Kristen Henn, Business Development Manager

Email: [email protected]

www.spherixglobalinsights.com

SOURCE Spherix Global Insights

Related Links

http://www.spherixglobalinsights.com


"We are positioning 800 Fulton Market as a technology-first new building offering unique amenities, beyond the norm, to tenants of all types," explained Peter McEneaney, Senior Vice President of Development and Construction at Thor Equities. "We chose to work with Buildings IOT based on their understanding of data from multiple systems including but not limited to HVAC and lighting. The advanced analytics capabilities inherent in Buildings IOT's solutions allow us to easily view building health holistically and make modifications as needed, increasing our tenants' comfort and better serving their needs while also conserving energy and expanding the lifespan of our equipment assets."

The onPoint Enterprise platform from Buildings IOT is a cloud application that addresses several use cases at once for commercial office buildings of all sizes. Within the eighteen-story 800 Fulton building, onPoint links 12 different building systems and integrates more than 8,000 data points from operational equipment and IoT sensors present in every part of the 500,000 square foot space. That data is then analyzed and presented through a single pane of glass to help operators identify issues and implement remediation actions where necessary to keep the building running as designed throughout its life.

"800 Fulton is a visionary project, as the building incorporates several systems that we don't typically see integrated into a building management solution," explained Brian Turner, CEO of Buildings IOT. "It is still relatively rare for buildings to install and integrate indoor environmental and occupancy sensors beyond those that typically come in lighting systems. Our system affords Thor's tenants and their employees and customers a safer, healthier, and more comfortable in-building experience."

With building sensors strategically installed throughout the building and API integrations via onPoint's data translation engine IOT Jetstream, owners and operators can monitor the health of their building and use that information to make strategic decisions backed by current and historical data from a variety of systems. Innovative smart building design features present at 800 Fulton include: smart restroom technology for touchless fixtures and up-to-the-minute reporting on the status of supplies; indoor environmental quality monitoring for common area and amenity spaces; occupancy sensing for high traffic areas; and state-of-the-art mechanical equipment calibrated to prioritize fresh air throughout the building.

800 Fulton is LEED Platinum Certified and WELL Certified , two designations that mark the development as one of the leaders in advancing the efficiency and health of the built environment.

In addition to helping provide healthier indoor environments, smart building systems from Buildings IOT help reduce operating costs, increase the lifespan of building assets, and decrease energy waste and carbon emissions from buildings.

About Buildings IOT

Buildings IOT simplifies smart buildings with software, services, and solutions for every aspect of building management. Command-and-control from a single pane of glass, analytics enhanced by machine learning, and a building-domain-centric data management platform, Buildings IOT delivers smart buildings that live up to the hype. We also design and install building controls and automation systems, offer IT-managed services and device testing for cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and provide data-driven maintenance to some of the world's largest building portfolios. For more information, visit https://www.buildingsIOT.com .



About Thor Equities Group

Thor Equities is a leader in the development, leasing and management of office, industrial, laboratory, residential, hotel and mixed-use assets in premier urban locations worldwide. The company operates in major cities around the globe and has a property portfolio totaling $20 billion with a development pipeline in excess of 50 million square feet. Thor has a strong presence on three continents and in addition to its US holdings, the company has assets in European gateway cities including London, Paris, Madrid, and Milan, and is the largest developer in Mexico through its Latin American division with a development pipeline of over 18 million square feet. Thor maximizes returns for institutional investors by recognizing a property's potential, reducing operating expenses, increasing tenant satisfaction, leveraging market trends to maintain a long-term competitive edge. For more information, visit www.thorequities.com .

Media Contact:

Technica Communications for Buildings IOT

Sarah Malpeli

Ph. 408-806-9626 Ext. 6840

[email protected]

SOURCE Buildings IOT
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Lawyers Foundation (CLF), the charitable arm of the statewide California Lawyers Association, has recently granted $274,500 to three organizations to support four different programs addressing access to justice, pro bono programs and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Funds were granted to the following organizations:

Legal Access Alameda for Disaster Legal Services Cooperative (DLAC), a coalition of organizations in California offering free legal services in the aftermath of natural disasters, received $26,500 to support the ABA's California Free Legal Answers Program, a program also co-sponsored by the California Lawyers Association. The organization received an additional $25,000 to support the development of a volunteer database to aid in volunteer management and disaster outreach.

The California Project Directors Association (PDA), whose membership includes the executive directors of the eleven non-profit legal services providers in California funded by the federal Legal Services Corporation, received $158,000 to build and customize a pro bono portal to further facilitate pro bono opportunities throughout the state.

The Legal Education Access Pipeline (LEAP) was granted $35,000 to fund its cohort expansion and the development of Northern California program at Santa Clara University . LEAP works to help diversify the legal profession by "preparing underrepresented students to become successful law school applicants, lawyers, and agents of social change."

"The California Lawyers Foundation was founded to further access to justice and civics education initiatives, and to increase diversity and inclusion in the legal profession," said Ellen Miller, CLF Executive Director. "We are proud to support these important projects. Each organization is working diligently to make a meaningful difference in our state, and we know that our funding will advance their ability to serve even more individuals and make a greater impact."

Founded in 2019, CLF actively develops and supports projects that improve access to justice for people in need and that make the legal system fairer and more efficient for everyone, increase diversity in the profession and help educate Californians about the third branch of government and the role of lawyers and the rule of law. CLF shares a mission with the California Lawyers Association of promoting excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law. This was CLF's second round of funding since the organization's inception.

"This is a pivotal time for our state, and there are few organizations driving change as effectively as the three organizations receiving our support" said Heather Rosing, CLF President. "The work of each organization both aligns with our mission and helps serve the varied needs of California's citizens. Through our grant funding, we are confident each organization will continue to effectuate positive change."

CLF is seeking law firms and corporate legal departments to comprise its "Founding Fifty" membership. Founding Fifty firms, through their financial contributions, will join CLF as a proponent for diversity in the legal profession, improved access to justice, and vital civics education. For more information on CLF, its grant funding process and its Founding Fifty membership, visit www.calawyersfoundation.org

ABOUT CALIFORNIA LAWYERS FOUNDATION

Formed in 2019, the California Lawyers Foundation ("CLF") is the charitable arm and partner of the California Lawyers Association, California's voluntary statewide bar association. While new to the scene, the CLF is a statewide foundation actively developing and supporting projects that improve access to justice for people in need and make the legal system more fair and efficient for everyone; increase diversity in the profession and help educate Californians about the 3rd branch, the role of lawyers and the rule of law. CLF is a tax-exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") Section 501(c)(3). For more information about CLF, please visit calawyersfoundation.org

ABOUT CALIFORNIA LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

Established in 2018, California Lawyers Association is the bar association for all California attorneys. CLA's mission is to promote excellence, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and fairness in the administration of justice and the rule of law.

SOURCE California Lawyers Association
GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cayman Enterprise City (CEC) special economic zones development project has won an Excellence Award in Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) Practices by the Financial Times' fDi Intelligence Magazine. The 2021 Free Zones Awards mark the second consecutive year for CEC to be recognised as a top free zone in the Americas.

fDi Intelligence's annual Free Zone Awards celebrate the most promising free zones across the world. Hundreds of government entities, investment promotion agencies, economic development units, and free zones were invited to compete.

"We are honored that CEC has been recognised by fDi Intelligence for our efforts in developing a sustainable special economic zones project that prioritizes best ESG practices," said Charlie Kirkconnell, Chief Executive Officer at CEC. "The Excellence Award in ESG Practices helps to build trust amongst foreign direct investors, reflects the quality of the CEC project, and is a testament to the importance we've place on our people and environment."

Since its inception in 2011, CEC has helped to strengthen Cayman's economy by attracting knowledge-based businesses in industries such as technology development, media and marketing, biotech, fintech, maritime, and aviation to set up a genuine physical presence in the Cayman Islands. In CEC's first 10 years of operations the development project has had an estimated economic impact of USD $502 million on the Cayman Islands economy and is now home to over 260 special economic zone companies (SEZCs).

"A wide range of multinational companies have made CEC their platform of choice for global growth because we offer world class global mobility services; this includes accelerated business set-up, access to a thriving community of talented business professionals and entrepreneurs, and personalised relocation and operational services and support," said Kirkconnell. "CEC's special economic zones represent the largest innovation ecosystem in the region and include some of the world's most innovative companies, everything from startups to globally established publicly listed companies."

CEC has reported publicly annually since 2013 on how the concessions it and the members of the CEC community receive from the Cayman Islands Government are deployed and how the financial contribution of its activities impacts the wider economy. In 2020, CEC engaged an independent global economist to assess the CEC project. "The level of transparency demonstrates CEC's commitment to proper Governance and the socioeconomic progress of the Cayman Islands," reads the report by Marla Dukharan.

As an added benefit for being a part of the CEC community, special economic zone companies (SEZCs) are given complimentary membership to CEC's corporate social responsibility programme, Enterprise Cayman. The workforce development initiative aims to connect local talent with innovative SEZCs and has facilitated significant knowledge transfer within the local community.

"Despite the global pandemic, CEC has continued to prioritise quality experiences, develop innovative opportunities, and deliver first-rate programming to ensure that zone members and residents of all backgrounds receive the right support and encouragement to develop into tomorrow's leaders and active contributors to our ever-evolving global economy," said Kirkconnell.

www.caymanenterprisecity.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact: Kaitlyn Elphinstone

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: @CaymanEnterpriseCity

Twitter: @CEC_Cayman

Instagram: @CaymanEnterpriseCity

Facebook: @CaymanEnterpriseCity

YouTube: @ceccayman

SOURCE Cayman Enterprise City
NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ceros, the cloud-based, no-code design platform powering the most exceptional interactive digital content, announced today its acquisition of Prague-based Avocode, the revolutionary design-to-code platform used by companies including eBay, Panasonic and Tesla. The purchase allows Ceros to improve the integration of the Avocode Open Design API and eliminate an all-too-familiar pain point for designers  how to bring design files from one platform over to another.

Avocode's technology, with which Ceros previously had integrated, saves designers time by converting design files from sources such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and Sketch into interactive, online content via the Ceros Studio. This process of taking original design files and bringing them to life online is seamless. It requires no coding on the part of the designer, a hallmark of Ceros products.

Avocode's technology is perfectly suited to Ceros' mission of helping the world unlock creativity, Ceros CEO Simon Berg said.

"We are insanely excited about the Avocode team and technology becoming part of the Ceros family," Berg said. "Our businesses and cultures could not be more aligned, and our shared vision of the future is palpable."

Avocode CEO Vu Hoang Anh sees Ceros as a leader in the creative industry and has experienced firsthand Ceros' support for the company's Open Design API. The Avocode team believes Ceros offers the best way to grow the technology and bring it to a wider audience.

"We're thrilled to join Ceros today and even more excited to be able to continue our joint mission to unlock design for everyone. Ceros is undeniably the right home and the best possible team to join," he said. "Not only can we take our mission to the next level, but most importantly, both companies share the same values. We can't wait to see what amazing products we will create together."

Ceros is retaining and expanding the Avocode team members in Prague, many of whom will focus on leveraging the Open Design API to scale the Ceros Studio further, helping users increase time-to-value and reduce time-to-market.

By adding an open design API to its stack, Ceros is accelerating efforts to remove coding from the creative process. This opens up exciting possibilities for semi-autonomous, "headless" design, where content appears via API for display across devices. Plans also include leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to remove laborious and repetitive tasks, all in pursuit of unlocking the creative potential of Ceros clients and the wider community.

"As both a customer and partner of Ceros, I am really pleased to see this move," said Peter Orlowsky, senior vice president of strategic partnerships for Getty Images. "Getty is known for its creative and innovative approach to business and technology. Ceros shares those values. This acquisition only further demonstrates that fact. I'm excited to see what comes next."

Ceros plans to build a roadmap that fully realizes the possibilities of the cross-platform movement of design files. The company's vision is to bring any such file  be it from Adobe, Canva, Sketch or somewhere else  into the Ceros Studio to create interactive, online content quickly and easily.

"Designers don't think in file formats and code; they think in creative and artistic ways. Removing barriers to unlock that creative potential is key," Berg said. "The world at large undervalues the importance of design and creativity, and Ceros is determined to change that. With Avocode's open design API, we are one step closer to a more connected, open and impactful design world for businesses and creatives everywhere."

The acquisition follows more than 18 months of significant milestones for Ceros, including the January 2020 launch of its visual commenting tool, MarkUp, which recently reached 150,000 users; the July 2020 announcement of $100 million in funding led by Sumeru Equity Partners; and the groundbreaking Release 7 in November 2020.

For more information on Ceros, please visit ceros.com.

About Ceros

Ceros is a cloud-based experiential content creation platform that empowers marketers and designers to create rich, interactive content without code or traditional web development. The Ceros Studio is the only platform of its kind with the ability to produce creative content experiences at scale. Founded in 2012, Ceros has offices in New York and London and is used by many of the world's top brands. Learn more about Ceros at ceros.com and follow them online @cerosdotcom.

About SEP

Sumeru Equity Partners ("SEP") is a technology-focused growth capital firm that invests in companies across software, technology-enabled services and hardware. The firm employs a growth-oriented partnership model with technology companies and typically invests $25-200 million per transaction. The firm was founded in 2014 by an experienced team from Silver Lake Sumeru, a private equity fund started in 2007 within Silver Lake. SEP has a longstanding history of investing and partnering with founders and management teams to build growth leaders. SEP has backed leading software companies such as Azuga, Ceros, GoGuardian, MDSL, Social Chorus, Blackline, Talend, Kyriba and Buildium. For more information about SEP and its full portfolio, please visit www.sumeruequity.com.

Media Contact

Erin McCreadie

BLASTmedia for Ceros

[email protected]

317.806.1900 x155

SOURCE Ceros
"At Cherry Bekaert, we are committed to bringing in new digital talent and capabilities, allowing us to deliver digitally-driven and industry-aligned solutions resulting in better business outcomes for our clients," said Srikant Sastry , Managing Principal, Advisory Services. "We are pleased to welcome a forward-looking leader like Luis, who will drive a transformative, integrated approach to the digital platforms and analytics space."

"Through our propriety development of digital analytics tools and working closely with our digital platform alliances, we're confident Luis will help guide our clients in addressing technology challenges through an integrated data-driven approach," said Kevin Baril, Managing Principal, Digital Advisory Services. "Luis' strength lies in leveraging solutions to transform operations, streamline processes, and ultimately, achieve operational excellence which our middle market clients are striving to achieve."

Luis will provide leadership for the Firm's Digital Platform & Analytics Practice greatly increasing Cherry Bekaert's capabilities to empower our client's transformation using technology and data to optimize their business and make timelier, better-informed decisions. He will also work closely with our strategic alliances including, Microsoft, Salesforce, Alteryx, Nintex and Sage Intacct. Luis joins Cherry Bekaert from IBM Services, where he served most recently as their North America Microsoft Practice Leader. He brings nearly 25 years of experience in technology transformation and managed services to the role.

About Cherry Bekaert

Ranked among the largest audit, tax and advisory firms in the U.S., Cherry Bekaert LLP offers solutions in the areas of transaction advisory, risk assurance and advisory, digital solutions, cybersecurity, specialty tax, benefits consulting, and wealth management. With clients in all 50 states and internationally, we have industry knowledge in technology, healthcare and life sciences, industrial manufacturing, private equity, real estate and construction, professional services, hospitality and retail, government and not-for-profit. We exercise a deliberate curiosity to know our clients' industries and work collaboratively as one team to guide them forward.

Cherry Bekaert LLP is a founding, independent member of Baker Tilly International, a top-ten global accountancy and business advisory network. Visit us at cbh.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

 2021 Cherry Bekaert LLP. All Rights Reserved.

SOURCE Cherry Bekaert LLP

Related Links

https://www.cbh.com


SEATTLE, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS) is an effective software application utilized by pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries worldwide to manage clinical trial activities. The application maintains, tracks, and manages clinical trial records, performing various tasks and reporting progress and achievements, as well as patient details and contacts. It also allows for easy administration of medication and track data imports and exports, and provides a platform for clinical study reports and results. By ensuring that trial details are properly managed, it helps reduce costs and improve the quality of the trials conducted. The main purpose of using a clinical trial management system is to provide the necessary infrastructure and tools for trial documentation and data capture. It helps record patient demographics, outcomes, side effects and precautions, and other essential information.

The global clinical trial management system market is estimated to account for 1,941.4 Mn in terms of value by the end of 2027.

Request for Sample PDF @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/212

Market Drivers

1. Strategic alliance among pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations (CROs) is expected to drive growth of the global clinical trial management system market during the forecast period.

Key pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies are forming strategic alliances such as partnerships and collaborations with CROs, in order to accelerate research activities. For instance, in October 2021, Medidata, a subsidiary of Dassault Systemes, entered into an agreement to adopt Medidata's Rave CTMS and eTMF (electronic trial master file) solutions. Furthermore, in April 2021, Praxel collaborated with Veeva Systems to accelerate clinical trials through technology and process innovation.

2. Rising government funding and grants for clinical trials are expected to propel the global clinical trial management system market growth over the forecast period.

Many government and non-governmental organizations are providing rigorous funding for clinical trials related to cancer research, vaccine development, CRISPR technology, orphan drugs development, etc. With a rising number of R&D activities, the demand for CTMS solutions is expected to surge in the near future.

Market Opportunity

1. Increasing outsourcing of research processes can present lucrative growth opportunities in the global clinical trial management system market

Many pharmaceutical companies are increasingly outsourcing various processes involved in clinical trials, in order to reduce expenses. These processes including formulation development, analytical and testing services, API manufacturing, and research process. As a result of this, the demand for CTM solutions across the pharmaceutical industry has increased massively over the years, providing lucrative opportunities for market players.

2. Growing investment in effective digital infrastructure and agility in technological adoption can provide major business opportunities

Across the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sector, the digital infrastructure has witnessed significant upgrades in the recent past with the adoption of the latest technologies. Many companies have started adopting data analysis and CTM solutions, in order to accelerate their R&D activities.

Request for Customization @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/212

Market Trends

1. Mergers and acquisitions

Key companies in the market are focused on inorganic growth strategies such as mergers and acquisitions, in order to gain a competitive edge in the market. For instance, in March 2021, Advarra acquired Bio-Optronics, a clinical trial management system solutions provider.

2. The gradual shift from manual data interpretation to real-time data analysis during clinical studies

Many organizations in the field of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceuticals are increasingly adopting real-time data analysis instead of manual data interpretation solutions during clinical studies. Real-time data analysis provides various benefits including better decision-making, fewer errors, and increased business agility.

Competitive Landscape

Major companies involved in the global clinical trial management system market are Medidata Solutions Inc., OpenClinica LLC., Forte Research Systems, Inc., Oracle Corporation, Datatrak International, Inc., Medrio, Inc., Parexel International Corporation, Bioclinica, Veeva Systems, and Crucial Life Sciences Data Solutions Inc.

Major companies are focused on product launches, in order to expand their product portfolio. For instance, in December 2020, ERT launched Data Insights, a new product to its Trial Oversight Solution portfolio, in order to discover variabilities during collection and manage endpoint data.

Buy This Premium Report Now @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/buy-now/212

Didn't find what you were looking for? Here are some similar topics:

Clinical Trial Supply and Logistics Market, By Service (Manufacturing, Packaging and Labeling, and Distribution), By End User (Pharmaceutical, Medical Devices, and Biologics), and by Region - Global Forecast to 2026

Pediatric Clinical Trials Market, by Clinical Trial Phase (Pre-clinical, Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III), by Study Design (Interventional (Randomized Trial, Non-randomized Trial, and Crossover Trial), and Observational), by Medical Condition (Neuropsychiatric Conditions, Infectious Diseases, Maternal and Perinatal Conditions, Respiratory Diseases, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cancer, Digestive Diseases, Diabetes, Nutritional Deficiencies, and Others), and by Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) - Size, Share, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2020 - 2027

eClinical Solutions Market, by Deployment (Web-based, Cloud-based, and Licensed Enterprise), by Product (Electronic Data Capture, Electronic Clinical Outcome Assessment, Clinical Data Management System, Clinical Trial Management System, Clinical Analytics Platform, Randomization and Trial Supply Management, Electronic Trial Master File, and Others), by End User (Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical companies, Hospitals, Consulting Servicing Companies, Research Organizations, and Medical device Manufacturers), and by Region - Global Forecast to 2026

Contact Us:

Mr. Raj Shah

Senior Client Partner  Business Development

Coherent Market Insights

Phone:

US: +1-206-701-6702

UK: +44-020-8133-4027

Japan: +81-050-5539-1737

India: +91-848-285-0837

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com

Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter

SOURCE Coherent Market Insights
CHICAGO, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Concentric Equity Partners ("CEP"), the direct investing arm for Financial Investments Corporation, and Northaven Capital Partners ("NCP"), a family office backed investment firm, announced the sale of Airway Services LLC ("Airway" or the "Company"), a provider of utility scale wind energy project repair, maintenance, and construction services, to Takkion TP&L Holdings LLC.

Founded in 2009, Airway Services has become one of the nation's top independent service providers for both leading wind energy OEMs and asset owners throughout the U.S. Over the last 12 years, the Airway team has provided on-demand technical staffing, project management, maintenance, and operations solutions for utility-scale renewable energy projects. "Airway has grown rapidly by maintaining its focus on integrity, safety, quality, and customer service" said Adam Lucas, Vice President at Concentric Equity Partners.

The sale of Airway marks the end of a two-year partnership between CEP, NCP, the Company, and its CEO, Chase Hord, where Airway significantly grew its base of skilled technicians and partnerships with leading industry OEMs, entered new end markets in the renewable energy sector, and expanded its mission critical service offering. "Finding, backing and empowering a first-class management team is half the battle" said Barrett Lidji, a Partner at Northaven Capital Partners, "and the Airway team and culture continues to thrive".

"We are proud to have expanded an organization committed to serving both customers and employees and are pleased to have Takkion carry our mission forward," said Rob Swartz, Partner at Northaven Capital Partners and Operating Partner at Concentric Equity Partners.

"We are ecstatic to join forces with the Takkion team," said Chase Hord, CEO of Airway. "The foundation of our success continues to be from the results of having and developing a strong team with best-in-class technicians. We continue to take an 'old school' approach to the service business by exemplifying high integrity, accountability, and transparency with our customers and stakeholders. The combination of our organizations will bring a history of strong customer relationships, unique service offerings, and the ability to leverage strategic solutions to the growing renewable services market."

Cascadia Capital LLC and Foley & Lardner LLP represented and acted as financial advisor and legal counsel, respectively, to Concentric Equity Partners, Northaven Capital Partners, and Airway Services on the transaction. Vinson & Elkins LLP acted as legal counsel to Takkion.

About Concentric Equity Partners:

Concentric Equity Partners is a private investment firm that partners with leading middle market companies by providing capital and strategic advisory to accelerate long term value creation. Concentric's approach is simple: support entrepreneurs and operators by providing the resources required to achieve extraordinary results. The firm's investment team is made up of individuals with distinguished track records as operators and professional investors across a variety of growth oriented middle market companies.

Concentric Equity Partners is the direct investing arm of Financial Investments Corporation, a private asset management firm and family office with over $2 billion in investment commitments under management. Financial Investments Corporation was founded in 1994 by father and daughter Harrison and Jennifer Steans and has been partnering with private companies for more than 25 years.

You can learn more at www.ficcep.com.

About Northaven Capital Partners:

NCP is a multi-family office backed Texas investment firm focused on management buyouts, partner buyouts, and growth capital investing both control and minority equity. Northaven Capital is an operationally focused firm investing in lower middle market companies with strong potential for growth. We focus on collaborative partnerships with experienced, driven, and ethical management teams to build alignment and drive value. Our principals have deep experience as operators and deal professionals across various industries and transaction sizes. Northaven Capital has a long-term investment horizon to support meaningful, long-term growth.

You can learn more at www.NorthavenCapital.com.

SOURCE Concentric Equity Partners

Related Links

ficcep.com


Established in 2020 to honor the memory and legacy of Craig H. Neilsen, the Visionary Prize celebrates influential voices who show great potential to expand or advocate for new ideas for those living with a disability. Prize recipients also reflect many of Craig H. Neilsen's qualities, from being unafraid to take bold risks, to boundless determination and passion, to the ability to inspire others.

"We are honored and excited to award Kim, Wesley, and Alice the 2021 Visionary Prize," said Kym Eisner, Executive Director of the Neilsen Foundation. "All three embody the vision of the Neilsen Foundation and the dreams our founder had to enrich the lives of those affected by SCI. The Prize is awarded for contributions and significant impact they have already made and their potential to continue to inspire all around them as they do."

"My father would be so proud to see Kim, Wesley, and Alice representing his legacy," said Ray Neilsen, Co-Trustee & Chairman of the Board. "The Visionary Prize reflects his limitless ambition, determination, and passion to ensure that anyone living with SCI can achieve their goals as active members of their community, just as he did."

Kim Anderson-Erisman, PhD, is the Director of the Northeast Ohio Regional SCI Model System based at the MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute. She is a Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the MetroHealth Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) School of Medicine. Her research has focused on translational investigations and bridging the gap between basic science, clinical science, and the public community living with spinal cord injury (SCI). Dr. Anderson-Erisman is a founding member and serves as the President of the North American Spinal Cord Injury Consortium (NASCIC), a consumer advocacy group.

Her training spans the spectrum of SCI research, from cellular and molecular studies to whole animal and behavioral studies, to human clinical research. Having lived with cervical SCI for over 32 years, she has leveraged her lived experience to help guide research to be more relevant to the broader population living with SCI. Several of her studies have focused on obtaining the perspective of people living with SCI on various aspects of research, including functional priorities, acceptable benefits and risks, preferences for neuroprosthetics, and exercise participation. She has expertise in SCI outcome measures and has conducted a multi-center clinical study evaluating the reliability and validity of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure in the US healthcare setting, which is now the outcome measure for global function used in clinical trials. In addition to pursuing her own research regarding chronic injury, she was part of the leadership team running the 6 FDA-regulated Schwann cell transplantation clinical trials while a faculty member at the University of Miami. At MetroHealth-CWRU she is continuing her leadership in clinical trials of new interventions for SCI and further developing her independent research efforts addressing issues important to people living with SCI, with an emphasis on translational research to deploy treatments to the clinic and to the community.

Wesley Hamilton is the Founder and CEO of Disabled But Not Really (DBNR), a non-profit with a mission to instill in the underserved "disabled" community, a physically limitless mindset that breeds courage, confidence, and competence. He aims to create an environment where anyone that is limited by circumstances beyond their control has a safe and inspiring place for growth. He accomplishes this through a focus on community engagement events with an emphasis on nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle, promoting a healthy and independent way of living. DBNR also partners with other community events to raise awareness about the role of good mental and physical health in overcoming life's challenges. A scholarship program was created for individuals to have ongoing access to nutrition and fitness classes. DBNR also supports Kansas City's homeless population, providing dignity care packages, water, and food.

Wesley was featured in Season 4 of the Netflix show Queer Eye where he sat with the man who shot him for a conversation. He says that the show "taught me how to be true to myself, and I was humbled by the experience." Wesley has played an important role representing the Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive Clothing Line. With over 130,000 social media followers, Wesley is helping to raise the expectations for a broader range of products that are specifically designed for individuals with disabilities and is forcing other companies to take notice.

Alice Sheppard is an internationally recognized dancer, choreographer, and founder of the disability arts ensemble Kinetic Light. She studied ballet and modern dance with Kitty Lunn and started her career performing with Infinity Dance Theater and AXIS Dance Company.

As Bessie award-winning choreographer, Sheppard creates movement that challenges conventional understandings of disabled and dancing bodies. In 2016, Alice founded Kinetic Light , a disability arts ensemble featuring herself, Jerron Herman, Laurel Lawson and Michael Maag. Working in the disciplines of art, technology, design, and dance, Kinetic Light creates, performs, and teaches at the nexus of access, queerness, disability, dance, and race. In the company's work, intersectional disability is an aesthetic, a culture, and an essential element of artistry.

In addition to performance and choreography, Sheppard is a sought-after speaker and has lectured on topics related to disability arts, race, and dance. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, academic journals, and the anthology Disability Visibility, edited by Alice Wong.

About the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation

The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation is the largest private funder of spinal cord injury research, rehabilitation, clinical training, and programmatic support in the United States and Canada, and draws ongoing inspiration from its founder. The Foundation partners with scientific, charitable and educational organizations conducting spinal cord injury research, training in spinal cord medicine, and supports grassroots organizations providing services to assist individuals affected by spinal cord injury. The Foundation is dedicated to a future where individuals with spinal cord injuries live full and productive lives as active participants in their communities.

SOURCE Craig H. Neilsen Foundation
CHICAGO, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report "Customer Experience Management Market with COVID-19 Impact, by Component (Solutions, Services), Touchpoint, Deployment Type, Organization Size, Vertical (Travel and Hospitality, BFSI, Retail, Healthcare, IT and Telecom), and Region - Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global Customer Experience Management Market size to grow from USD 9.5 Billion in 2021 to USD 16.9 Billion by 2026, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.3% during the forecast period.

CEM has changed the way organizations interact with their employees and customers. It provides insights for day-to-day decision-making, thereby resulting in enhanced operational efficiency, optimized business outcomes, and increased customer satisfaction. The transformation enables innovation and creativity in a particular domain, rather than simply improving and supporting traditional methods. CEM is rapidly gaining traction as enterprises seek solutions, technologies, and platforms to transform operating processes and business models. For example, online services are now firmly established in the banking and financial sectors, resulting in the proliferation of online activities and websites.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Customer Experience Management Market"

312  Tables

54  Figures

282  Pages

Ask for PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=543https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=199732421&utm_source=PRNewswire&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=PaidPR

The services to record a higher growth rate during the forecast period

In the Customer Experience Management Marketby component, the services is expected to record a higher growth rate during the forecast period. The overall services segment has a major influence on the Customer Experience Management Market's growth. These services assist end users in reducing overall costs, increasing overall revenues, and improving business performance. With the help of these services, organizations can track, evaluate, and analyze the requirements of their business to make better-informed decisions.

Large Enterprises are expected to hold a larger market share during the forecast period

By Organization size, large enterprises are expected to hold the largest market size during the forecast period, as compared to SMEs. Large enterprises deploy CEM solutions to enhance their CE and satisfaction. Large enterprises encompass distributed data related to customers scattered across different departments and are, hence, opting for cloud-based CEM solutions to gain valuable insights from this data. The adoption of CEM solutions helps large enterprises enhance customer interaction and loyalty. Large enterprises are keen on investing in new and latest technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and machine learning to automate the customer engagement process.

Cloud deployment mode is expected to have a higher growth rate during the forecast period

By Deployment Mode, cloud is expected to have a higher growth rate in 2021, compared to on-premises deployment mode. Cloud-based CE solutions are preferred over traditional systems as they are effective and compatible in addressing the rising level of customer expectations. Besides reducing costs associated with upgrading and updating CE solutions, cloud deployments also help organizations integrate technologies to provide a better CE to their customers.

Healthcare sector is expected to have a higher growth rate during the forecast period

By Verticals, Healthcare sector is expected to have a higher growth rate during 2021-2026. In the healthcare vertical, consumer expectations and demographics evolve and influence the desire to seek more detailed information about their health. A great difficulty comes when there is a mismatch between the different communication channels consumers use and the limited ways with which healthcare organizations can interact with customers. Many consumers expect a different experience and set of interactions with their health care providers than they have in the past, and this is a fact across age groups and customer segments. If health care providers do not completely use the customer-driven encounters, they can be at a high risk of losing their market share.

Speak to Research Expert: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=543

North America to hold the largest market size duringthe forecast period

North America is expected to hold the largest market size in the global Customer Experience Management Marketduring the forecast period. The region constitutes developed economies, such as the US and Canada, which have fairly adopted the latest instruments in domains such as customer data analytics and real-time reporting, besides incorporating advanced technologies such as machine learning and AI; this makes organizations in these economies excel in the Customer Experience Management Marketspace. North America is a front-runner when talking about digital advancement and technology adoption.

The key and emerging market players in the Customer Experience Management Market include Adobe (US), IBM (US), Oracle (US), Avaya (US), Nice (Israel), Nokia (Finland), SAP (Germany), OpenText (Canada), Tech Mahindra (India), Verint Systems (US), Zendesk (US), Teradata (US), Sprinklr (US), Medallia (US), InMoment (US), SAS (US), Clarabridge (US), Sitecore (US), NGDATA (Belgium), Amperity (US), Mixpanel (US), Segment.io (US), ZephyrTel (US), MindTouch (US), Algonomy (US), and SoGoSurvey (US). These players have adopted several organic and inorganic growth strategies, including new product launches, partnerships and collaborations, and acquisitions, to expand their offerings and market shares in the global Customer Experience Management Market.

Browse Adjacent Markets: Digitalization and Internet of Things (IoT) Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

Customer Data Platform Market with COVID-19 Impact Analysis by Component, Application (Customer Retention and Engagement and Personalized Recommendation), Deployment Mode, Organization Size, Vertical, Capability, and Region - Global Forecast to 2026

Customer Analytics Market by Component, Deployment Mode, Organization Size, Application (Campaign Management, Customer Behavioral Analysis, and Churn Management), Data Source, Industry Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2025



About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions.

Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model  GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve.

MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets.

Contact:

Mr. Aashish Mehra

MarketsandMarkets INC.

630 Dundee Road

Suite 430

Northbrook, IL 60062

USA: +1-888-600-6441

Email: [email protected]

Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/customer-experience-management-cem-market.asp

Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com

Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/customer-experience-management.asp

SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
HOUSTON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cypress Creek Renewables, a leading solar and energy storage company, closed financing on Shakes, a 270MW solar project located in Dimmit County, Texas. The Shakes solar project is currently under construction and expects to reach commercial operation during the second half of 2022. Cypress Creek will be the long-term owner and operator of the project.

Morgan Stanley, through one of its subsidiaries, is the tax equity provider and Nord/LB, Rabobank, Helaba and National Bank of Canada provided the project finance debt. The energy and renewable energy credits generated by the project have been sold to Axpo US, an affiliate of Axpo Solutions, an international leader in the development of tailor-made energy solutions for its customers.

"At 270MW, Shakes is a cornerstone project for Cypress Creek Renewables and demonstrates our commitment to executing on major projects in support of the energy transition," said Sarah Slusser, CEO of Cypress Creek. "We're thrilled to join forces again with Morgan Stanley, Nord/LB, and Rabobank, and new partners for us, Axpo US, Helaba, and National Bank of Canada, to complete financing on a project that will generate enough power for nearly 40,000 homes annually. As the long-term owner and operator of Shakes, we also look forward to continuing to build our relationships throughout the community."

Completing the financing of Shakes required collaboration and innovative solutions. Jeremy Wodakow, Managing Director and Head of Axpo US, said, "Risk appetite and risk mitigation requirements have been evolving following the market dislocation caused by the winter storm in Texas. Working closely together with Cypress Creek, we were able to develop a hedging solution that satisfies all stakeholders involved in the project and enabled financial close. Axpo is committed to employing its significant experience in crafting customized energy solutions to continue to support the energy transition in Texas and throughout the US."

Jorge Iragorri, Head of Alternative Financing and Managing Director of Morgan Stanley, said, "We are pleased to partner with Cypress Creek Renewables to provide the investment for Shakes, as we continue to advance the transformation of the U.S. energy grid towards a lower carbon future."

Sondra Martinez, Managing Director of Nord/LB, said, "Nord/LB is thrilled to support Cypress Creek with the Shakes financing which utilized a very innovative hedge structure. The transaction builds on our long-standing relationship and history of working together on creative financing solutions."

Cypress Creek is a leader in the Texas solar market with 1,380MW developed in the state. The Shakes project is expected to create 320 to 450 construction jobs and generate $35 million in new property tax revenue over the life of the project for local schools and communities.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as Cypress Creek's legal counsel for the project financing, Mayer Brown LLP served as Morgan Stanley's legal counsel, Winston & Strawn LLP served as legal counsel for the lenders and Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP served as Axpo's legal counsel. PCL Construction is the Engineering, Procurement and Construction provider.

Cypress Creek Renewables

Cypress Creek Renewables is powering a sustainable future, one project at a time. We develop, own and operate utility-scale and distributed solar and energy storage projects across the United States. With 11GW of solar developed and 3.8GW under management, Cypress Creek is one of the country's leading solar and storage energy companies. For more information about Cypress Creek, please visit www.ccrenew.com.

SOURCE Cypress Creek Renewables

Related Links

https://ccrenew.com


ST. LOUIS, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- EaglePicher Technologies, a leading innovator of battery power and energy storage systems for defense and aerospace announced today that the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) has awarded their team a contract award for innovative battery technology development.

The strategic partnership includes Conamix, a venture-backed battery materials, early stage development company based in Ithaca, NY, Ionic Materials, Inc. an innovator in solid state electrolyte materials based in Woburn, MA and EaglePicher.

This partnership & IARPA award allows EaglePicher to move innovative battery technology into full-scale production. Tweet this EaglePicher's extensive R&D capabilities and production facilities for cell and battery production moves concepts into full scale, mature product manufacturing.

The multi-year award is part of IARPA's Robust Energy Sources for Intelligence Logistics in Extreme Novel and Challenging Environments (RESILIENCE) program. The team, led by Conamix, will develop advanced high-energy density, long calendar life, sulfur-based batteries.

EaglePicher will design, model, and optimize the electrochemical cells and integrate them into a full battery system utilizing advanced manufacturing capabilities. Conamix will develop a new, nanostructured sulfur metal sulfide (SMS) hybrid cathode system, and Ionic Materials will incorporate its advanced protected lithium-metal anode (PLA) technology into the cell electrochemistry.

The resulting impact will be batteries with extended shelf life, superior energy density, superb low-temperature performance, and high-power pulse capabilities. These key technological features will be extensively used in mission-critical aerospace and defense batteries as well as the commercial vehicle market.

"EaglePicher will utilize our existing and extensive R&D capabilities and production facilities which have established, mature quality systems and ISO certified manufacturing for cell and battery production," commented George Cintra, EaglePicher's Chief Technology Officer. "This partnership and the IARPA award allows us to incorporate Conamix's hybrid cathode and Ionic Materials solid-state electrolytes into full scale, mature product demonstrators."

About EaglePicher

EaglePicher Technologies designs, develops and produces mission-critical power systems for organizations such as the Department of Defense and NASA. Their reputation as an industry-leading producer of batteries, battery management systems and energetic devices stems from over 80 years of meeting the demanding requirements of the defense, aerospace and medical industry's battery applications. The company has nine North American manufacturing and research and development sites and over 800 employees. For more information, visit www.eaglepicher.com.

SOURCE EaglePicher Technologies

Related Links

http://www.eaglepicher.com


Commenting on EcoFlow's product durability for outdoor activities, Thomas Chen, R&D Director at EcoFlow, said, "With the help of our pioneers at EcoFlow, we successfully curated one-stop-shop devices that cater to everyone's needs. Our products are powerful, sustainable, and are perfect for all outdoor activities. One station can power an entire RV whilst remaining durable and dust resistant. Our products allow our customers to explore, wander and sit back freely."

EcoFlow offers a wide range of solutions designed to suit different consumer needs and lifestyles. Starting with the EcoFlow RIVER, a portable power station meticulously designed for outdoor usage. The EcoFlow RIVER uses the market-leading X-stream and is engineered for fast recharging time to maximize usage efficiency, allowing for effortless transport and access to power anywhere utilizing solar & car charging.

The engineers at EcoFlow equipped the RIVER portable power station with a handy 288Wh Battery Capacity, which enables the generator to power devices up to 1800W using the X-Boost technology and is compatible with 80% of essential devices. The generator's battery capacity can easily be expanded from 288Wh to 576Wh by integrating with an extra battery.

Following the success of EcoFlow RIVER, the engineers developed EcoFlow RIVER Max, the expanded version of RIVER. This innovative generator was uniquely designed for those who want to focus on adventuring. The RIVER Max enables consumers to take power anywhere and charge up their devices at record speeds thanks to X-Stream, the world's fastest power station charging technology.

Furthermore, EcoFlow launched RIVER Pro, a powerhouse for off-grid adventures. The ingeniously engineered generator can keep multiple devices powered on simultaneously and recharge in record time via car, solar, or AC outlets. It features the X-Stream charging technology, a colossal 720Wh battery that can be expanded from 720Wh to 1440Wh and charged via both solar and car charging, which can power devices up to 1800W using X-Boost technology.

Finally, for those looking for a durable, compact, and robust power solution, EcoFlow recommends carefully designed portable Solar Panels. EcoFlow's solar panels are foldable and feature a kickstand case that allows for easy transport, set up, and usage anywhere, at any time for easy charging. The portable solar panels are expertly designed to be water and dust resistant; as a result, they can withstand rigorous usage over the years.

For business cooperation, visit: https://ecoflow.com/pages/portable-power-generator-dealer

For more information and individual purchases, visit:

- Kuwait

- United Arab Emirates

- Lebanon

- Israel

About EcoFlow

EcoFlow is a pioneering portable power company that is reinventing the way the world accesses energy. As makers of industry-first, smart and powerful portable power products, EcoFlow designs, creates and sells energy storage products to consumers across the world. EcoFlow's mission is to harness new technologies to foster inclusion and help raise standards of living in areas of the world where power shortages stunt economic growth and development. A privately held multinational company, EcoFlow has offices in San Francisco, CA and Shenzhen, China.

SOURCE EcoFlow

Related Links

https://ecoflow.com/pages/portable-power-generator-dealer


PRAGUE, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In recent years, the online trading sector has grown, as this activity has become more global and widespread. For that reason, leading online trading brand EU-Crypto Bank has recently announced that it is facilitating its services in several more languages, other than English. As of today, the company's services are all available in Polish and Arabic, including the website and interface, as well as the support representatives answering customer queries.

"We are aware of how complex it can be to make trading-related decisions when the information traders have is not in their mother tongue, even if their level of English is good," commented Bohdan Kraus, spokesperson for EU-Crypto Bank. "That's why we've made this effort, and we're just getting started. We plan on adding more languages to our list in the near future, so as to make online trading as accessible and democratized as possible. It is part of our core belief as a company."

Global trading with a local feel

Recent studies show that, despite the global recuperation from the COVID-19 financial crisis, people around the world are still deploying alternative means of income-making, which is why it is important to make venues such as online trading as open as possible to a worldwide population. It is not only about a language barrier, though, as several factors such as culture, norms and trading hours also have to be taken into consideration.

"We know it takes a lot more than just to translate our website," added Kraus, "and that's why we've been planning this move for months now, crossing every T and dotting every I in the process to make sure we offer the best service, no matter in what language. We invite traders from every region to check out our attractive offer and superior conditions."

About EU-Crypto Bank

Based in Europe and serving online traders from around the world, where local regulations permit this type of activity, EU-Crypto bank has grown to be one of the most reputed brands in the industry. This is thanks to its robust trading offer, efficient platform and infrastructure, and high standard of information security, among other factors. Today, traders can choose between six different trading accounts, suited to different budgets and goals. Support is granted on a 24-hour basis and five days a week, through various channels of communication.

SOURCE EU-Crypto Bank
Extra, a financial services company focused on helping 100 million people get access to credit in America, is placing almost 10 million branded fortune cookies across the US and is offering finance advice in the process. One side of the fortune cookie slip will share fun facts and tips about building credit, while the other features a traditional fortune with lucky numbers.

For example, the back of one slip reads, "Buy stir fry, build credit," while another might say, "Did you know? Egg Rolls can help build your credit. Curious?" Each slip also includes a QR code that brings diners directly to the Extra website, offering articles with valuable credit and finance advice and more details on the card benefits.

The Extra Debit Card is the first debit card that lets you build credit history and earn up to 1% back everywhere you swipe.

"Ultimately, our goal at Extra is to make credit building safer and more accessible to everyone, all with the familiarity of a debit card. With OpenFortune, we're able to use the familiarity of a fortune cookie to reach restaurant-goers at such a wide scale, and further inspire them with uplifting fortunes and unique credit advice," said Cyrus Summerlin, Co-Founder and CMO of Extra.

Through this partnership, both brands hope to teach people how they can use the Extra Debit Card to easily build credit through their common everyday purchases- perhaps starting with their takeout meal.

"We are in the business of inspiration, and it is so rewarding to inspire and encourage people to make positive financial choices for their future. Over the next year, we look forward to furthering Extra's mission to reinvent everyday banking tools for the next generation in a fun, creative, and thoughtful way," said OpenFortune Co-Founder and Chief Cookie Officer, Matt Williams.

For more information on the partnership, visit OpenFortune.com .

About OpenFortune

OpenFortune is a media platform that distributes over 1 billion traditional, branded fortune cookies to its network of over 21,000 restaurants across the US. OpenFortune partners include Capital One, Coca-Cola, Mondelez, ZipRecruiter, Zelle, Disney, Purple, Grubhub, IL Lottery and more.

OpenFortune PR Contact

Nicole Christopoul

[email protected]

About Extra Card

Extra is a stealth consumer finance company on a mission to reinvent everyday banking tools for the next generation. Extra's first product, Extra Debit, is the first debit card that lets you build credit history and earn up to 1% back everywhere you swipe. The goal is to help eliminate the $1T in national credit card debt from fees and interest charges. Extra Debit lets you get the best parts of a credit card while rewarding you for using the money you actually have.

SOURCE OpenFortune

Related Links

https://www.openfortune.com


Now in Eight States, Expansion of B NOBLE Partnership Demonstrates Shared Commitment to Advance Social Equity in Cannabis and Provides Opportunity to Those Directly Impacted by the War on Drugs

WAKEFIELD, Mass., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- B NOBLE Inc. and Curaleaf Holdings, Inc . (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf" or the "Company"), a leading international provider of consumer products in cannabis, today announced the continuation of its national roll out of the B NOBLE brand two-pack pre-rolls to dispensaries in Arizona, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, and Oregon. Since rolling out in July 2021 in Massachusetts and Maryland, today B NOBLE is now available in eight states.

B NOBLE was founded in partnership with well-known visual artist, filmmaker and hip-hop pioneer Fab 5 Freddy to raise awareness and create funding to defend people from cannabis-related criminalization. The brand is dedicated to telling the story of namesake Bernard Noble, who was arrested in Louisiana and sentenced to 13 years in prison for possessing the equivalent of two joints. In 2017, Bernard's case began to draw attention across the country, and he quickly became a national symbol for the need to reform the country's unjust drug laws, sparking advocacy and a movement to free him. As a result, Bernard was released seven years into his sentence.

Each B Noble Pre-Roll pack contains two One Gram pre-rolls for a total of Two Grams of cannabis. This number was deliberately chosen for the brand's inaugural product as a reminder of the harsh sentence Bernard faced for possessing the equivalent of two joints at the time of his arrest.

"Our partnership with Curaleaf is our deeper dive into dedicated social equity work," said Fab 5 Freddy. "B NOBLE exists to generate support for the defense of people impacted by the War on Drugs."

Ten percent of proceeds from the sale of each B NOBLE product will be donated to a local organization dedicated to advancing social equity and providing opportunities to those directly impacted by the War on Drugs. The organizations benefiting from B NOBLE include:

Maine , Michigan , Nevada : Changing Perceptions , which prepares the reentry community to successfully participate in 21st-century workforce by helping individuals identify, navigate, and solve personal barriers to success, improve self-confidence, and develop meaningful workforce and entrepreneurial skills in a nurturing, family-oriented environment.

, , : , which prepares the reentry community to successfully participate in 21st-century workforce by helping individuals identify, navigate, and solve personal barriers to success, improve self-confidence, and develop meaningful workforce and entrepreneurial skills in a nurturing, family-oriented environment. Illinois : The North Lawndale Employment Network, which runs multiple programs for returning citizens to find work. These include U-Turn Permitted, a four-week job readiness training program for individuals with felony background. They also run Self-Employment Pathways for Women, a job readiness program for returning women that teaches the skills needed to run a small business.

: The North Lawndale Employment Network, which runs multiple programs for returning citizens to find work. These include U-Turn Permitted, a four-week job readiness training program for individuals with felony background. They also run Self-Employment Pathways for Women, a job readiness program for returning women that teaches the skills needed to run a small business. Arizona : The S.T.A.R.T Project, which advocates for changes to harsh sentencing laws, improved prison conditions, and reentry resources for returning citizens. Our goal is to secure a better corrections experience for incarcerated people and their families through charitable outreach and community involvement.

: The S.T.A.R.T Project, which advocates for changes to harsh sentencing laws, improved prison conditions, and reentry resources for returning citizens. Our goal is to secure a better corrections experience for incarcerated people and their families through charitable outreach and community involvement. Oregon : The Oregon Justice Resource Center was founded in 2011 by Bobbin Singh and Erin McKee with a goal to promote civil rights and improve legal representation for communities that have often been underserved in the past: people living in poverty and people of color among them.

"When you choose B NOBLE, you choose to be a part of the work that rights the wrongs of the past and paves the way for an equitable and inclusive future where non-violent cannabis-related incarceration is erased once and for all," said Curaleaf Chief Executive Officer Joe Bayern.

This partnership with B NOBLE is Curaleaf's first large-scale brand venture in alignment with its dedicated social equity work, as a part of its Rooted in Good corporate social responsibility program. Led by Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility Khadijah Tribble, Rooted in Good delivers social impact by focusing efforts within three key pillars: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Social Equity; and Sustainability, ultimately achieving key goals through the Company's strategic social partnerships.

During MJ Biz Con in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 21, Curaleaf will host a private event celebrating B Noble and other key product launches, with a guest appearance from Fab 5 Freddy.

To learn more about B Noble, please visit: www.curaleaf.com/bnoble.

About B NOBLE

B NOBLE is a for-profit, cause based cannabis brand. Founded by Fab 5 Freddy [Yo! MTV Raps, Grass is Greener], B NOBLE aims to help liberate Americans that are and have been incarcerated for non-violent cannabis related charges. Bernard Noble was sentenced to 13 years of hard labor for carrying less than two joints worth of cannabis and was released after spending seven years behind bars. It is a landmark case that demonstrates the impact of severe U.S. laws on cannabis, and Bernard's story represents one of the 600,000 people each year who are arrested for cannabis possession and suffer collateral consequences as a result of the War on Drugs. For more information, please visit www.B-NOBLE.com.

About Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf") is a leading international provider of consumer products in cannabis with a mission to improve lives by providing clarity around cannabis and confidence around consumption. As a high-growth cannabis company known for quality, expertise and reliability, the Company and its brands, including Curaleaf and Select, provide industry-leading service, product selection and accessibility across the medical and adult-use markets. In the United States, Curaleaf currently operates in 23 states with 111 dispensaries, 22 cultivation sites and over 30 processing sites, and employs over 5,400 team members. Curaleaf International is the largest vertically integrated cannabis company in Europe with a unique supply and distribution network throughout the European market, bringing together pioneering science and research with cutting-edge cultivation, extraction and production. Curaleaf is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol CURA and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol CURLF. For more information, please visit https://ir.curaleaf.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This media advisory contains forwardlooking statements and forwardlooking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forwardlooking statements or information. Generally, forward-looking statements and information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "proposed", "is expected", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forwardlooking statements and information concerning the launch of B Noble cannabis products. Such forward-looking statements and information reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the company with respect to the matter described in this new release. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which are based on current expectations as of the date of this release and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Additional information about these assumptions and risks and uncertainties is contained under "Risk Factors and Uncertainties" in the Company's latest annual information form filed April 28, 2021, which is available under the Company's SEDAR profile at http://www.sedar.com, and in other filings that the Company has made and may make with applicable securities authorities in the future. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as to the date of this press release and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. We caution investors not to place considerable reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release.

INVESTOR CONTACT

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.

Investor Relations

[email protected]

MEDIA CONTACT

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.

Tracy Brady, VP Corporate Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.

SOURCE Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.curaleaf.com


WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fannie Mae (OTCQB: FNMA) priced Connecticut Avenue Securities (CAS) Series 2021-R01, a $1.2 billion note offering that represents Fannie Mae's first CAS REMIC transaction of the year. CAS is Fannie Mae's benchmark issuance program designed to share credit risk on its single-family conventional guaranty book of business.

"We are pleased with the execution of CAS 2021-R01, which was met with strong investor demand across all classes," said Devang Doshi, Senior Vice President, Single-Family Capital Markets, Fannie Mae. "Subject to market conditions, we look forward to returning to market next month with CAS 2021-R02, a high-LTV transaction."

The reference pool for CAS Series 2021-R01 consists of approximately 246,836 single-family mortgage loans with an outstanding unpaid principal balance of approximately $72 billion. The reference pool includes one group of loans comprised of collateral with loan-to-value ratios of 60.01 percent to 80.00 percent, the majority of which were acquired from October through December 2020. The loans included in this transaction are fixed-rate, generally 30-year term, fully amortizing mortgages and were underwritten using rigorous credit standards and enhanced risk controls.

Fannie Mae will retain a portion of the 1M-1, 1M-2, 1B-1, and 1B-2 tranches in order to align its interests with investors throughout the life of the deal. Fannie Mae will retain the full 1B-3H first-loss tranche.

Class Offered Amount

($MM) Pricing Level Expected

Rating

(S&P/DBRS Morningstar) 1M-1 $274.746 1-month average SOFR plus 75 bps BBB+ (sf) / BBB (high) (sf) 1M-2 $240.402 1-month average SOFR plus 155 bps BBB- (sf) / BBB (sf) 1B-1 $377.774 1-month average SOFR plus 310 bps B+ (sf) / BB (sf) 1B-2 $309.089 1-month average SOFR plus 600 bps This class will not be rated

BofA Securities, Inc. ("BofA Securities") is the lead structuring manager and joint bookrunner. Nomura Securities International Inc. ("Nomura") is the co-lead manager and joint bookrunner. Co-managers are Barclays Capital Inc. ("Barclays"), Citigroup Global Markets Inc. ("Citigroup"), Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC ("Morgan Stanley") and StoneX Group Inc. ("StoneX"). Selling group members are Academy Securities Inc. and Blaylock Van, LLC.

With the completion of this transaction, Fannie Mae will have brought 42 CAS deals to market, issued $48 billion in notes, and transferred a portion of the credit risk to private investors on over $1.5 trillion in single-family mortgage loans, measured at the time of the transaction.

To promote transparency and to help investors evaluate our securities, Fannie Mae provides ongoing, robust disclosure data to help credit investors evaluate the program, as well as access to news, resources, and analytics through its credit risk transfer webpages. This includes Fannie Mae's innovative Data Dynamics tool that enables market participants to interact with and analyze both CAS deals that are currently outstanding in the market and Fannie Mae's historical loan dataset. In addition, our robust EU Resources and UK Resources webpages help European Union and UK institutional investors, as well as those managing funds subject to EU/UK regulations comply with EU/UK securitization regulation.

In addition to our flagship CAS program, Fannie Mae continues to reduce risk to taxpayers through its Credit Insurance Risk Transfer (CIRT) reinsurance program.

About Connecticut Avenue Securities:

CAS REMIC notes are issued by a bankruptcy-remote trust. The amount of periodic principal and ultimate principal paid by Fannie Mae is determined by the performance of a large and diverse reference pool. For more information on individual CAS transactions, visit our credit risk transfer website.

About Fannie Mae

Fannie Mae helps make the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and affordable rental housing possible for millions of people in America. We partner with lenders to create housing opportunities for families across the country. We are driving positive changes in housing finance to make the home buying process easier, while reducing costs and risk. To learn more, visit:

fanniemae.com | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Blog

Fannie Mae Newsroom

https://www.fanniemae.com/newsroom

Photo of Fannie Mae

https://www.fanniemae.com/resources/img/about-fm/fm-building.tif

Fannie Mae Resource Center

1-800-2FANNIE

Statements in this release regarding the company's future CAS transactions are forward-looking. Actual results may be materially different as a result of market conditions or other factors listed in "Risk Factors" or "Forward-Looking Statements" in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. This release does not constitute an offer or sale of any security. Before investing in any Fannie Mae issued security, potential investors should review the disclosure for such security and consult their own investment advisors.

SOURCE Fannie Mae

Related Links

www.fanniemae.com


BOCA RATON, Fla., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Atlantic University's College of Engineering and Computer Science (COECS) is rapidly rising in U.S. News & World Report rankings, and is now one of the top three fastest improving engineering colleges in the nation (2020 to 2022). The college also is ranked No. 111 by U.S. News & World Report's "Best Colleges Rankings" 2022, among public engineering colleges whose highest degree offered is a Ph.D.

This rise in rankings is due in large part to numerous achievements during the past four years, which include a 2.6-fold (164 percent) increase in external research funding, a 5.8-fold (480 percent) increase in student internships, and a 40 percent increase in M.S. and Ph.D. degrees awarded.

"Our College of Engineering and Computer Science is soaring to new heights and our latest 'U.S. News & World Report' rankings is evidence that we are getting noticed by peers for our research and development output and for our robust engineering programs, which are continuously progressing, evolving and ascending to align with national priorities for workforce development," said Stella Batalama , Ph.D., dean, the COECS. "Our graduates are sought by leading engineering firms in industry and government, and our innovative programs are preparing both undergraduate and graduate students to be leaders in engineering disciplines."

Research efforts in the COECS are supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the United States Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Education, the state of Florida as well as industry. Eight faculty members have received the NSF Early CAREER award, and two have received NIH MIRA awards, all in support of early-career faculty.

The COECS is trailblazing a path in cutting-edge research and technologies focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy, data science and machine learning. This year, the college launched the Center for Connected Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence ( ca-ai.fau.edu ), a revolutionary effort on networked AI and connected robotics that combines expertise in AI, computing, sensing solutions, big data analytics and autonomous technologies. Supported by the Schmidt Family Foundation, this one-of-its-kind center already has garnered more than $9 million in basic research federal funding. Center projects cover underwater, surface, air and space applications that are supported by autonomous resilient machine-to-machine wireless networking.

The college also is home to several state-of-the-art institutes and centers including the Freight Mobility Research Institute , a Tier 1 University Transportation Center funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, established in 2017. The institute has received more than $15 million in funding to date to help strengthen the nation's economic competitiveness. The college's Industry/University Research Collaboration Center for Advanced Knowledge Enablement ( CAKE ) supported by the NSF and industry and established in 2009, enables close and sustained engagement between industry innovators, academic research teams, and government agencies in the areas of information technology, multimedia and data mining, and cloud computing. CAKE members include companies such as JM Family Enterprises; Motorola Mobility (powered by Google); LexisNexis; Tecore Wireless Systems and Florida Solar Energy. FAU CAKE has received more than $9 million in federal, state and industry funding.

At the forefront of research in sensing technologies is the FAU Institute for Sensing and Embedded Network Systems Engineering ( I-SENSE ), established in 2016 and housed in the COECS. One of the university's four research pillars, I-SENSE is focused on infrastructure systems and smart cities, marine and environment and smart health and behavior.

Located on FAU's Dania Beach campus in Broward County, FAU SeaTech - The Institute for Ocean and Systems Engineering was established in 1997 as a state-funded Type II Research Center. Focused on acoustics, marine vehicles, marine materials, ocean energy technologies, among others, SeaTech has established a long-term partnership with the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center - Carderock Division and its South Florida Testing Facility. SeaTech is consistently funded by the U.S. Office of Naval Research.

The COECS offers 24 graduate degree programs (M.S. and Ph.D.), 13 undergraduate degree programs and 12 undergraduate and graduate certificates. In just four years, the college has launched several future-focused programs including Florida's first Master of Science program in Artificial Intelligence ( MSAI ). The college is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education, and has recently received $1 million from the NSF to provide scholarships to high-achieving low-income engineering undergraduate students to pursue an M.S. degree in AI.

The college also has established Florida's first Professional Master of Science and Ph.D. degree programs in computer science for working professionals with flexible schedules and offers a M.S. and B.S. degree program in data science and analytics. New programs in the college also include a Ph.D. degree program in transportation and environmental engineering and a co-op B.S. degree program in computer science.

The COECS recently secured $3.4 million in graduate student training grants in data science and AI, as well as $4.3 million in grants focusing on population genomics with advanced machine learning and AI tools. In addition, the college hosts a number of undergraduate research scholarship initiatives to enable students to participate in federally-funded research projects, which creates a pipeline for its graduate degree programs.

The most recent point of pride for the COECS is a state-of-the-art Fab Lab (rapid prototyping and small production facility) that officially opens its doors next month to the entire University and broader community.

About FAU's College of Engineering and Computer Science:

The FAU College of Engineering and Computer Science is internationally recognized for cutting edge research and education in the areas of computer science and artificial intelligence (AI), computer engineering, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, civil, environmental and geomatics engineering, mechanical engineering, and ocean engineering. Research conducted by the faculty and their teams expose students to technology innovations that push the current state-of-the art of the disciplines. The College research efforts are supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Department of Education (DOEd), the State of Florida, and industry. The FAU College of Engineering and Computer Science offers degrees with a modern twist that bear specializations in areas of national priority such as AI, cybersecurity, internet-of-things, transportation and supply chain management, and data science. New degree programs include Master of Science in AI (first in Florida), Master of Science and Bachelor in Data Science and Analytics, and the new Professional Master of Science and Ph.D. in computer science for working professionals. For more information about the College, please visit eng.fau.edu .

About Florida Atlantic University: Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses located along the southeast Florida coast. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates. Through the coexistence of access and excellence, FAU embodies an innovative model where traditional achievement gaps vanish. FAU is designated a Hispanic-serving institution, ranked as a top public university by U.S. News & World Report and a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. For more information, visit www.fau.edu .

Media Contacts: Gisele Galoustian

Senior Media Relations Director, Research and Health

[email protected]

Phone: 561-297-2676

Mobile: 561-985-4615

SOURCE Florida Atlantic University

Related Links

http://www.fau.edu


SAN DIEGO, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- From the creators of Sunday Scaries , FOMO Bones , the brand known for its high-quality CBD calming dog treat, launches a newly designed website on Shopify  one of the first CBD-approved merchants on the platform.

Ahead of new product innovation under the FOMO Bones umbrella, launching in 2022, the new design will play an integral role in the brand's strategy, providing their community with an improved user experience. The pet CBD market is expected to be over $4 billion by 2028, according to a report from Grand View Research . With the rising demand for animal therapeutics and increasing approval of cannabis-based products, the FOMO Bones website revamp will also serve as a platform to share helpful tips, tricks, and information regarding dog ownership for today's busy (and often stressed out) modern millennial dog owner.

"Our new website reinforces the credibility of our product and service offering, while providing a robust shopping experience that will help us deliver on our growth strategy for the next five years," says Mike Sill, co-founder of Sunday Scaries and FOMO Bones. "We were one of Shopify's first CBD-approved merchants, which is a testament to our commitment to providing high-quality products and customer service."

FOMO Bones are made with premium ingredients including CBD, Chamomile, Valerian Root, Passion Flower and L-Tryptophan. The brand is on a mission to end FOMO aka a "Fear of Missing Out," for dogs and pet owners all across the globe. With the new web design, FOMO Bones is providing an affordable and convenient way to keep dog owners stocked up on CBD treats, without needing to manually place a new order each month through a subscription-based model. Pet owners will have full control over their CBD dog treat subscription with the ability to change amounts, frequency, pause, cancel and re-start with a simple click of a button.

FOMO Bones CBD dog treats are available for $23 (subscription) and $29 (one-time purchase). For additional information on FOMO Bones, visit www.fomobones.com or follow @fomobones on Instagram.

About FOMO Bones: From the makers of Sunday Scaries CBD products, FOMO Bones are CBD dog treats made with premium ingredients including CBD, Chamomile, Valerian Root, Passion Flower and L-Tryptophan to help soothe nerves of dogs who deal with daily anxieties such as separation anxiety from their owner, social anxiety, digestive distress, thunderstorms, vet visits, firework phobia, joints and mobility restrictions, and much more.

Media Contact:

Power Digital Marketing

[email protected]

SOURCE FOMO Bones

Related Links

http://www.fomobones.com


DUBLIN, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Floor Sealer and Finisher Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The floor sealer and finisher market by revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.58% during the period 2020-2026.

Renovation and remodeling are the significant factors driving the growth of the market globally. Advancements in technologies and stringent government regulations toward VOCs and the usage is fueling the adoption of water-based floor sealer and finisher.

Increasing activities in the construction and infrastructure sectors and rising demand for decorative flooring from residential and commercial sector is expected to boost the market growth. Increased residential and commercial construction sectors investments will drive the demand for floor sealers and finishers in China.

High disposable income in developed nations and strict government regulations has fueled the demand for water-based floor sealer and finisher in developed regions such as Europe and North America. The demand for water-based floor sealer and finisher solutions is increasing due to the stringent regulatory environment. With advancements in the chemical industry and rising concern about the impact of solvent-based sealers on the environment, demand for water-based sealers is significantly increasing across the globe.



The robust nature of concrete and low price has pushed the demand for concrete floor sealers and finishers. Over the estimated period, the increasing need for beautiful flooring needs in driveways, garages, sidewalks, courtyards, and parking lots throughout the world is expected to fuel the growth of the industry. Vendors who can cater to the demand for advance and bio-based concrete floor sealers and finishers are expected to witness a growing market share in the upcoming years.



Residential and commercial sectors are the primary revenue generators for the floor sealer and finisher market share. The rising population in the APAC region is boosting residential construction, along with new housing projects by the government. Hence, the demand for floor sealers and finishers in the residential sector is expected to increase in the region. Existing buildings are estimated to represent up to 80% of the stock in some countries by 2030, and retrofits will play a critical role in the industry.



Vendors in countries such as the US and the UK primarily sell their finished products either in B2B brick and mortar stores, directly through distributors, or through their websites and other online channels. With the rising adoption of digitalization, many vendors focus on capitalizing on online opportunities and reaching out to customers directly via online websites and other digital media.

The online sale is growing at a considerable rate. Although a small contributor to the overall market revenue, it is expected to become a significant distribution channel over the coming years.

INSIGHTS BY GEOGRAPHY



Growing penetration of prefabricated building manufacturers, significantly rising retrofit activities, and rising demand for housing units from developing countries are the major factors for the rising demand for floor sealers and finishers products in the European region. The environment-friendly characteristics of water-based floor sealers and finishers are among the most important trends witnessed in the areas to accelerate the floor sealer and finisher market share.

The floor sealer market in Europe is expected to reach USD 0.89 billion by 2026. Several European nations like Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands are estimated to increase residential and housing construction units by 2025 significantly.

INSIGHTS BY VENDORS



The players are competing on various factors such as cost, product innovations, and technology. Armstrong Flooring, Diversey, 3M, and Sika are the key players in the industry. Vendors will boost profitability through efficient production techniques that will minimize production costs and mitigate associated risks in the future.

Cost-effectiveness is a major point of competition among players to gain an edge over other vendors in the industry. Players are expected to create a high online presence to expand their business in the industry.



Key Vendors

Armstrong Flooring

Diversey

3M

Sika

Other Prominent Vendors

asia mortar

Blackfriar

Coo-Var

Durawax

Fuller Industries

INO Solutions

P&G

Perma

Rainguard

Rust-Oleum

Watco Industrial Flooring

XO2

Zep

Key Topics Covered:



1 Research Methodology



2 Research Objectives



3 Research Process



4 Scope & Coverage

4.1 Market Definition

4.2 Base Year

4.3 Scope of the Study



5 Report Assumptions & Caveats

5.1 Key Caveats

5.2 Currency Conversion

5.3 Market Derivation



6 Market at a Glance



7 Introduction

7.1 Overview

7.1.1 Residential Construction

7.1.2 Commercial & Industrial Construction

7.1.3 Public Infrastructural Constructions

7.2 US-China Trade Issues

7.3 Frequently Asked Questions

7.3.1 At what rate the floor sealer and finisher market will grow? What will be the value in 2026?

7.3.2 What factors drive the water-based floor sealer and finisher market?

7.3.3 What makes water-based floor sealers and finishers different from solvent-based ones?

7.3.4 How does the floor sealer and finisher market vary across different regions?

7.3.5 Who are the key players in the floor sealer and finisher market?

7.3.6 What are emerging applications of water-based floor sealers and finishers?

7.4 Industry Expert View on Market

7.5 Value Chain Analysis

7.5.1 Material Suppliers

7.5.2 Manufacturers

7.5.3 Distributors

7.5.4 Application

7.6 Impact Of COVID-19



8 Market Opportunities & Trends

8.1 Construction Opportunities in Developing Economies

8.2 Growth in Home Improvement Activities

8.3 Growing Demand for Prefabricated Buildings



9 Market Growth Enablers

9.1 Increasing Public Infrastructure Projects

9.2 Growing Demand from Construction Industry

9.3 Mass Township Projects



10 Market Restraints

10.1 Lack of Skilled Labor

10.2 Fluctuations in Raw Material Prices



11 Market Landscape

11.1 Market Overview

11.2 Key Insights

11.3 Demand Insights

11.4 Vendors Analysis

11.5 Market Size & Forecast

11.6 Application

11.7 Distribution

11.8 Product

11.9 End-Users

11.10 Five Forces Analysis



12 Product

12.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

12.2 Market Overview

12.3 Solvent-Based

12.4 Water-Based



13 Application

13.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

13.2 Market Overview

13.3 Concrete

13.4 Wood

13.5 Terrazzo



14 End-User

14.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

14.2 Market Overview

14.3 Residential

14.4 Commercial

14.5 Industrial



15 Distribution Channel

15.1 Market Snapshot & Growth Engine

15.2 Market Overview

15.3 Offline

15.4 Online

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/oo7pl9

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


DALLAS, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on recent research on the Minimal Invasive Procedure market, Lucintel is pleased to announce HistoSonics' Edison platform and novel histotripsy therapy as the recipient of the "2021 Technology Innovation Award in the Minimal Invasive Procedure Market". Lucintel chose HistoSonics for this award because of its advanced non-invasive therapy facilitated by real-time imaging and proprietary sensing technology, which enables the physicians to mechanically destroy targeted tumors using pulsed sound wave energy, without invasive incisions or needles entering the patient's body. Thus, it enables physicians to personalize treatment for each individual tumor and monitor precise tissue destruction under real-time visualization and control, which is something not seen in any non-invasive therapy existing today.

HistoSonics' Edison Platform adopts the novel science of histotripsy, a form of therapeutic that utilizes acoustic energy to mechanically destroy targeted primary and metastatic liver tumors without heat, ionizing radiation or any incisions or needles entering the patient's body. Physicians initiate as well as control the treatment process by monitoring the precision "bubble cloud", only several millimetres in size, and treatment effects in real time.

HistoSonics' Edison Platform possesses the ability to deliver precision medicine by destroying targeted tissue at sub-cellular levels without entering the body, thus providing quality of life to patients and ensuring faster healing and speedy recovery of the patient. It eliminates tumors under direct physician control but with robotic precision and shows promise beyond liver tumors for underserved kidney, pancreas, brain and other underserved diseases. Its unique precision automated delivery and non-invasive, non-thermal, and non-ionizing destructive capabilities set it apart from today's minimally invasive therapeutics and robotic solutions and is designed to be utilized by physicians of many specialties.

Lucintel's awards in innovation and industry excellence recognize outstanding achievements and latest endeavors by companies in various industries, identifying the most successful, innovative, and forward-thinking companies and products in business today. Lucintel awards are based on systematic and detailed research on the relevant markets to identify and recognize the most successful recent innovations. These initiatives enable companies to demonstrate high levels of industry impact and benefits to end users. To know more contact Lucintel at +1-972-636-5056 or click on this link [email protected]

About Lucintel

Lucintel, a premier market research and management consulting firm based in Dallas, Texas, has served over 1,000 clients for over 20 years. With our in-depth analysis and sage advice, Lucintel offers solutions for your growth through game changing ideas and analysis of robust markets and unmet needs. Lucintel has been quoted in esteemed publications, including The Wall Street Journal, ZACKS, and The Financial Times. For further information, visit www.lucintel.com.

About HistoSonics

HistoSonics is based in United States and is a medical device company. It is a leading developer of a non-invasive robotic platform and novel sonic beam therapy. HistoSonics' Edison Platform is designed to deliver personalized and tissue specific treatments with precision and control, and without the undesirable side effects of many of today's interventional and surgical modalities as shown in www.histosonics.com/our-technology/. Company focuses on the power of histotripsy to patients and physicians throughout the world. For further information, www.histosonics.com

Contact:

Sabonn Dammarell

Lucintel

Dallas, Texas, USA

Email: [email protected]

Tel. 972.636.5056

Cell: 208-570-0101

SOURCE Lucintel

Related Links

http://www.lucintel.com


BLOOMINGTON, Ind., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) has approved Indiana Center for Recovery in Bloomington, IN, to provide continuing education credits for licensed addictions and mental health professionals in Indiana. The center will launch the "Indiana Center for Recovery Education Institute" (ICFREI) in winter 2021.

The education institute will focus primarily on substance use disorders and mental health topics and offer Indiana professionals unique training opportunities. Session content will address professional development gaps in the field of behavioral healthcare in Indiana. Subject matter experts from across the country will provide seminars, workshops, training, and an annual symposium. Sessions will take place in Bloomington.

"We are very excited about the opportunity to improve practitioner confidence in Indiana by sharing expertise in the areas of trauma, addiction, and mental health," states Jackie Daniels, Vice President of Community Relations at Indiana Center for Recovery. "The mission of our institute is to facilitate and encourage the application of innovative, quality care in the communities in which professionals serve."

About Indiana Center for Recovery:

Indiana Center for Recovery is a patient-centered substance use disorder and mental health treatment facility. They have been offering treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders in Bloomington since 2016. Visit www.treatmentindiana.com for more information.

SOURCE Indiana Center for Recovery
MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Australian mid-clinical stage antiviral drug development company, Island Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: ILA) is pleased to be attending Pharma Meeting Brazil & Latam 2021, this week and presenting to potential partners.

Island's attendance at the conference is particularly relevant given its lead asset, ISLA-101, a well-known drug, is being repurposed for the prevention and treatment of dengue fever and other mosquito borne viruses, prevalent in Brazil and Latin America. It is anticipated that a Phase II clinical trial in dengue-infected subjects will commence in early 2022.

Dengue fever is the very definition of an unmet medical need. It is endemic in Asia, South America, Central America and Africa. While 390 million people are infected each year, it is thought that around 30-50% people with the disease do not present with symptoms, enabling the virus to spread within communities.

Dr David Foster, CEO of Island commented, "There is no specific pharmaceutical treatment for dengue fever, and the one vaccine which exists is available to a highly restricted audience.

"We look forward to speaking with potential partners about ISLA-101. While a preventative or therapeutic for dengue would be welcome across many parts of the world, given the high prevalence of Aedes mosquitoes which carry dengue and other viruses, a solution would be of particular benefit in the Brazilian and Latam regions."

Potential partners interested in hearing more about Island's development program are invited to contact Dr David Foster via [email protected].

For further information, please contact:

Investors: Jane Lowe IR Department Mobile: +61 411 117 774 [email protected] Media: Juliana Roadley IR Department Mobile: +61 414 889 863 [email protected]

About Island Pharmaceuticals

Island is clinical-stage drug repurposing company, focused on the topical area of antiviral therapeutics for infectious diseases. Our lead asset is ISLA-101, a drug with a well-established safety profile, being repurposed for the prevention and treatment of dengue fever and other mosquito (or vector) borne diseases. The Company is advancing toward a Phase II clinical trial in dengue-infected subjects.

If ISLA-101 achieves FDA approval, and certain other criteria are met, Isla may be eligible to obtain a "Priority Review Voucher" at the time of FDA approval. This means that as well as getting approval to manufacture and sell ISLA-101, the Priority Review Voucher (PRV) would permit Island to expedite the FDA approval process for a new drug or sell the PRV in a secondary market.

Visit www.islandpharmaceuticals.com for more on Island.

SOURCE Island Pharmaceuticals

Related Links

http://www.islandpharmaceuticals.com


NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacksam Corporation dba Convectium (OTCQB: JKSM) (the "Company" or Jacksam/Convectium), a leading provider of automated filling and capping solutions to the cannabis and hemp industry, today announced the launch of the Convectium IFX-100, the Company's first automated pre-roll infusion machine. The IFX-100 is built on the same patent pending technology platform used in the design of its 710Shark automated filling machine, which has been a popular automation solution embraced by cannabis producers and MSOs nationwide. This unique technology platform can fill a wide range of cartridge types including stainless steel, glass, ceramic, plastic, and disposables and has now migrated its capabilities to include pre-rolls.

"The addition of the IFX-100 to our product family comes at an exciting time and is a natural evolution of our existing technology platform," says David Hall, Vice President of Sales at Convectium. "Infused pre-rolls are gaining ground as one of the fastest product growth categories in the industry and companies are looking for automated production solutions to keep up with demand."

According to MJ Brand Insights, in California alone, infused pre-rolls' share of total pre-roll sales spiked from 24% in January 2020 to 34% in September 2020. This growth of infused pre-rolls has continued so far in 2021, with infused pre-rolls accounting for up to 45% of California pre-roll sales in July.

The new IFX-100 has the capability to infuse pre-rolls of all sizes including cones and blunts. Its advanced needle infusion system has the capability of infusing distillate, live resin, shatter, rosin, and Delta-8. The IFX-100 has a throughput of up to 6,000 pre-rolls per hour using a single operator and can provide precise dosing from 50mg-500mg in 10mg increments. Precise dosing results in an even and smooth burn of the finished pre-roll.

According to Hall, "Current solutions for pre-roll infusion continue to be manual or provide automation in very small batches. Having a precision system that can infused pre-rolls in volume will surely be a game changer."

To learn more visit www.convectium.com/IFX-100 or visit Convectium at MJBizCon, Booth #C6346 October 20-22, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

About Jacksam/Convectium

Jacksam Corporation, dba Convectium, designs and markets automated vape, POD and cartridge filling & capping equipment for the cannabis and CBD industry. Convectium is also a distributor of other CBD and Cannabis automation solutions including the "PreRoll-ER" automated pre-roll machine. Its automated equipment is designed and built in the U.S. and carries full UL certification in the U.S. Using its automated equipment, Convectium's customers can increase their output by up to 60 times over hand filling. Convectium is focused on helping its customers automate their workflow and quickly get custom branded products onto dispensary shelves. Over 250 companies, including many dominant brands and multi state operators (MSOs) in the space, rely on Convectium for automation of their production and back-office operations.

SOURCE Convectium

Related Links

www.convectium.com


"Julie is a catalytic leader with deep industry knowledge," said Tate McCoy, chief executive officer of Lockton's Mountain West operations. "Her background and experience will be a tremendous asset to our clients and our people, and I cannot wait to work alongside her as we continue the long-term growth and development of our business."

Marcello is an accomplished insurance industry executive with global management and operational experience. With 23 years of domestic and international experience, Marcello has a background leading strategy, P&L management, underwriting portfolio management, operations, service delivery and team leadership. Most recently, she spent four years as a market leader for Marsh overseeing the Chicago office and leading five additional Midwest offices. Prior to joining Marsh, Marcello spent 18 years with Chubb Insurance in leadership positions around the globe, including Europe, Australia and Latin America. She was named among the Business Insurance 2021 Women to Watch.

"I am excited to join the Lockton team," said Marcello. "In an industry competing for top talent, what sets Lockton apart is the value its independence provides to clients and Associates and the dedication, at all levels of Lockton, to remaining a best place to work. My priority is to create a positive, lasting impact on the growth trajectory of the organization and to inspire an empowered and inclusive culture."

About Lockton

What makes Lockton stand apart is also what makes us better: independence. Lockton's private ownership empowers its 8,000 Associates doing business in over 125 countries to focus solely on clients' risk and insurance needs. With expertise that reaches around the globe, Lockton delivers the deep understanding needed to accomplish remarkable results.

For 13 consecutive years, Business Insurance magazine has recognized Lockton as a "Best Place to Work in Insurance." Lockton was named among the 2021 Best Managed Companies by Deloitte and the Wall Street Journal, a program that recognizes excellence and honors private companies for their strategy, execution, culture, and financials.

SOURCE Lockton Companies
The Phase 2 geochemical survey followed up on multiple anomalous areas of interest defined by the initial regional program (Phase 1) in 2020. A total of 2,121 soil samples were collected for geochemical analysis and 225 till samples collected for gold grain analysis. The results of the Phase 1 and Phase 2 surveys have outlined multiple gold and pathfinder element anomalies within the Deux Orignaux AOI (Figure 1), which will be further advanced with upcoming prospecting and detailed geophysical surveys, including airborne magnetics, radiometrics and induced polarization (IP), in preparation for drill targeting.

Zach Flood, President and CEO, states, "This is another step forward and a significant development in the systematic exploration of the Chebistuan Project, one of the largest contiguous land packages in Quebec. We've effectively screened over 170,000 hectares of ground in just over a year and we now have discrete target areas which will see detailed follow-up exploration, including prospecting and geophysical surveys this fall. We look forward to further advancing these targets with support from Newmont Corporation."

Deux Orignaux AOI

Within the Deux Originaux AOI are several target areas spatially associated with the contact between a clastic sedimentary basin (Opemiska Group) and volcanic rocks along a major structural bifurcation in the geometry of the greenstone belt. Multiple second-order structures at oblique angles to the 1st order basin-bounding structure form "horse-tail splay" structural patterns through the AOI, which is prospective for orogenic gold deposits (Figure 2). A helicopter-borne magnetic survey and an IP survey are planned over the Deux Originaux AOI, as well as follow-up prospecting, to further vector in towards drill targets.

QA/QC and Sampling Protocols

Soil samples were collected from the B-horizon of soil developed on a till substrate. Approximately 1 kilogram of material was collected from each sample site and shipped to Bureau Veritas ("BV") in Timmins, Ontario for preparation. Samples were prepared for analysis according to BV method SS230; sieve individual samples to 230 mesh (-63 microns). Samples were analysed at BV in Vancouver, British Columbia with BV method AQ252_EXT; 30 grams of material digested in aqua regia with an ICP-MS finish.

About the Chebistuan Project

The Project consists of 3,000 claims (161,025 ha) owned 100% by Kenorland. The property covers approximately 100 kilometers of a major east-west trending deformation zone which may represent the continuation of the Sunday Lake Deformation Zone, hosting major gold deposits such as Detour Lake (Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd.) and Fenelon (Wallbridge Mining Company Ltd.). The Chibougamau and Chapais mining camps, which have produced over 6.5 Moz of gold and 1.6 billion pounds of copper historically, are located directly to the east of the Chebistuan property. The project is largely covered with glacial till and is accessed by a large network of logging roads as well as helicopter.

The Project is currently under an Exploration Agreement with Venture Option with Newmont Corporation. The Agreement provides an option for a two-phased exploration earn-in over 3 years, where Newmont can earn a 51% interest in the Chebistuan Project through certain exploration expenditures and cash payments to Kenorland. The initial phase of the agreement consists of a property- wide geochemical sampling program, target definition and testing. Newmont then has the option to earn an additional 29% interest for a cumulative 80% interest (phase two earn-in) in the Chebistuan Project over 6 years by completing a 43-101 compliant pre-feasibility study on a minimum 1.5 Moz Au resource as well as meeting certain cash payments to Kenorland. The parties may continue to explore and develop the property through an 80% Newmont, 20% Kenorland joint venture or, in the case of a construction decision, Kenorland can elect for Newmont to finance its portion of mine development cost. If Newmont elects not to continue with the phase two earn in, then ownership interest in the project will switch to 51% Kenorland and 49% Newmont.

Qualified Person

Mr. Jan Wozniewski, B. Sc., P. Geo., OGQ (#2239) is the "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.

About Kenorland Minerals

Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSX.V KLD) is a mineral exploration Company incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia and based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Kenorland's focus is early to advanced stage exploration in North America. The Company currently holds three projects in Quebec where work is being completed under joint venture and earn-in agreement from third parties. The Frotet Project is held under joint venture with Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. (SMMCL), the Chicobi Project is optioned to SMMCL, and the Chebistuan Project is optioned to Newmont Corporation. In Ontario the Company holds the South Uchi Project under an earn-in agreement with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Barrick Gold Corporation. The Company also owns 100% of the advanced stage Tanacross porphyry Cu-Au project as well as an option to earn up to 70% from Newmont Corporation on the Healy Project, both located in Alaska, USA.

Further information can be found on the Company's website www.kenorlandminerals.com

Kenorland Minerals Ltd.

Zach Flood

President and CEO

Tel: +1 604 363 1779

[email protected]

Kenorland Minerals Ltd.

Francis MacDonald

Executive Vice President

Tel: +1 778 322 8705

[email protected]

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects', "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing these forward-looking statements are reasonable based upon the information currently available to management as of the date hereof, actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Kenorland Minerals Ltd.
CHESHAM, England and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lightpoint Medical, a leading medical device company developing and marketing innovative technologies for intra-operative cancer detection, announced clinical trial results today to support the use of the company's miniature surgical gamma probe, SENSEI, in prostate sentinel lymph node detection.

The interim results from the multi-center clinical trial, which involves cancer centers at Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain; Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France; and UZ Leuven, Belgium; demonstrate a 100% detection rate of sentinel lymph nodes using SENSEI in minimally-invasive and robot-assisted prostate cancer surgery.

The results also indicate that SENSEI performed better than standard rigid gamma probes, as SENSEI found additional pelvic sentinel nodes in anatomically restricted areas which could not be detected by the rigid gamma probe. The final study results, expected in Q1 2022, will provide further insights into the performance differences between SENSEI and rigid gamma probes.

The trial results will be presented today at the Annual Congress of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine.

The clinical trial results demonstrate the ease of use and performance of SENSEI in prostate cancer surgery and signal potential application in other surgical procedures across major cancer types.

Principal Investigator, Dr. Lluis Fumado, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona said "These clinical trial results demonstrate that the use of SENSEI in prostate cancer surgery dramatically enhances our surgical management of prostate cancer patients and is shown to effectively detect sentinel lymph nodes. We look forward to using SENSEI in more procedures and evaluating the probe in combination with the new targeted imaging agent, 99mTc-PSMA, for direct detection of disease metastasis in pelvic lymph nodes."

Lightpoint Medical CEO, Graeme Smith, added "There are active clinical studies at multiple cancer centers evaluating SENSEI in prostate, cervical, and colorectal cancer with studies in lung and endometrial cancer in the pipeline. These positive and highly encouraging results from our multi-center study evaluating SENSEI in prostate cancer surgery demonstrate the ease of use and performance of SENSEI and signal potential application in other major cancer types to detect cancer intra-operatively. All of us at Lightpoint Medical are incredibly grateful to Dr. Lluis Fumado and the team at Hospital del Mar for leading this study and to all the clinical centers and patients who are working with us."

About SENSEI

Lightpoint Medical has developed SENSEI - a miniaturized surgical gamma probe for minimally-invasive and robot-assisted cancer surgery. The device is approved for sale in the US, EU, UK, and Australia. SENSEI can detect gamma emissions from radiopharmaceuticals. The first application of the device is sentinel lymph node detection in prostate and cervical cancer surgery. It is anticipated that SENSEI will also have application in the direct detection of lymph node metastasis using breakthrough imaging agents such as 99mTc-PSMA in prostate cancer surgery and in radio-guided occult lesion detection in lung cancer surgery.

About sentinel lymph node detection

The intra-operative detection of sentinel lymph nodes is necessary when performing a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) procedure. The sentinel node is the first lymph node draining from the primary tumor. By identifying and removing the sentinel node during surgery, it is possible to determine whether cancer has spread through the lymphatic system. SLNB is commonly used in multiple cancer types. However, performing SLNB in minimally-invasive and robot-assisted surgery is challenging due to usability limitations when using conventional long rigid gamma probes. SENSEI is a small, flexible gamma probe designed for minimally-invasive and robotic surgery and has the potential to improve SLNB in intra-cavity procedures such as those of the pelvis.

About Lightpoint Medical

Lightpoint Medical develops and markets innovative technologies for intra-operative cancer detection. The company is addressing the urgent medical challenge that despite technological advances in robotic platforms, surgeons lack the tools to accurately detect cancer intra-operatively. As a result, cancer is often left behind or more healthy tissue than needed is removed, increasing the need for adjuvant therapies, causing post-surgical complications, and escalating healthcare costs.

Lightpoint is headquartered in the UK with offices in Boston, Massachusetts; Barcelona; and Amsterdam. The company recently signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Telix Pharmaceuticals to combine SENSEI with Telix's portfolio of breakthrough cancer targeted imaging agents.

For more information visit: www.lightpointmedical.com ; www.senseisurgical.com and follow Lightpoint on LinkedIn and Twitter .

Media Contacts:

Jo O'Shea

Head of Communications

Lightpoint Medical

[email protected]

Helen Shik

Shik Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Lightpoint Medical
BOGOTA, Colombia and MADRID, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Colombian financial company Proteccion S.A., the second largest pensions fund administrator in Colombia, has chosen Lleida.net (BME: LLN) (EPA: ALLLN) (OTCQX: LLEIF) as its main provider of registered electronic signature, notification and contracting services.

From now on, the Spanish listed company will channel 10,000 transactions per month, in 20 different categories, in an agreement that will allow the company to automate Proteccion S.A.'s processes.

The Colombian financial company has more than 2.5 million members, and also manages unemployment insurance, voluntary pensions and mandatory pensions.

Lleida.net's Click&Sign service will be the basis of the service, which will be used to process membership signatures, pension bonds, legal services, and even contracts with suppliers.

"That a company of the caliber of Proteccion S.A. has chosen Lleida.net as a trusted service provider is another example of the enormous level of presence we are achieving in Colombia, one of our company's main international markets," explained Sisco Sapena, CEO and founder of the company.

The Latin American nation is a key market in the company's international strategy. Just two weeks ago, Colombia's national postal service, 4-72, announced the renewal and extension of its contract with Lleida.net. 4-72 uses its entire catalog of electronic notification, signature and contracting products to serve the country's citizens.

In Colombia, where the Spanish listed company has been operating since 2014, it has three patents and more than 200 customers.

Lleida.net is the European leader in the registered electronic signature, notification and contracting industry. With more than 200 patents received from more than 60 countries internationally, Lleida.net has one of the strongest intellectual property portfolios in the field.

In a statement released last week, the company announced that in the first three quarters of 2021 it has already produced more SaaS services than during the whole of 2020.

Lleida.net's services are used by companies in more than 50 countries. The listed company's technology is proprietary, and has received more than 200 patents in 63 countries on five continents.

Its shares are traded on the OTCQX index in New York, on Euronext Growth in Paris and on BME Growth in Madrid.

SOURCE Lleida.net
WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Variety, nutrition, and taste are some considerations when developing food for astronauts. For NASA's Deep Space Food Challenge, students, chefs, small businesses, and others whipped up novel food technology designs to bring new solutions to the table.

NASA has selected 18 U.S. teams to receive a total of $450,000 for ideas that could feed astronauts on future missions. Each team will receive $25,000. Additionally, NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) jointly recognized 10 international submissions.

NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency's website will air a show on the Deep Space Food Challenge at 11 a.m. EST Nov. 9 with details about the competition, winning solutions, and what could be next for the teams.

Special guests during the show will include celebrity chef Martha Stewart and retired NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, who will announce the winners of two awards honoring international teams that demonstrated exceptional innovation. Other participants will include retired CSA astronaut Chris Hadfield and celebrity chef Lynn Crawford.

"NASA is excited to engage the public in developing technologies that could fuel our deep space explorers," said Jim Reuter, associate administrator for NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate at the agency's headquarters in Washington. "Our approach to deep space human exploration is strengthened by new technological advances and diverse community input. This challenge helps us push the boundaries of exploration capabilities in ways we may not recognize on our own."

NASA, in coordination with CSA, opened the Deep Space Food Challenge in January. The competition asked innovators to design food production technologies or systems that met specific requirements: They would need to use minimal resources and produce minimal waste. The meals they produced would have to be safe, nutritious, and delicious for long-duration human exploration missions.

For the U.S. teams, NASA's judges grouped submissions based on the food they envisioned producing. Among the designs were systems that used ingredients to create ready-to-eat foods such as bread, as well as dehydrated powders that could be processed into more complex food products. Others involved cultivated plants and fungi or engineered or cultured food such as cultured meat cells.

Details about the winning submissions and teams can be found on the challenge website.

"These types of food systems could offer benefits on our home planet," said Robyn Gatens, director of the International Space Station Program at NASA and challenge judge. "Solutions from this challenge could enable new avenues for worldwide food production in resource-scarce regions and locations where disasters disrupt critical infrastructure."

The winning U.S. teams, in alphabetical order, are:

Astra Gastronomy of San Francisco, California

BeeHex of Columbus, Ohio

BigRedBites of Ithaca, New York

Biostromathic of Austin, Texas

Cosmic Eats of Cary, North Carolina

Deep Space Entomoculture of Somerville, Massachusetts

Far Out Foods of St. Paul, Minnesota

Hefvin of Bethesda, Maryland

Interstellar Lab of Los Angeles

Kemel Deltech USA of Cape Canaveral, Florida

of Mission: Space Food of Mountain View, California

Nolux of Riverside, California

Project MIDGE of La Crescenta - Montrose, California

- RADICLE-X of Brooklyn, New York

SIRONA NOMs of Golden, Colorado

Space Bread of Hawthorne, Florida

Space Lab Cafe of Boulder, Colorado

Bites of Carbondale, Illinois

CSA ran a parallel competition with a separate application, judging process, and prize for participating Canadian teams. The agency will announce its winners at a later date.

Teams from outside the U.S. and Canada qualified for recognition but were not eligible for monetary prizes. The 10 international submissions NASA and CSA recognized are:

ALSEC Alimentos Secos SAS of Antioquia, Colombia

Ambar of Bucaramanga, Colombia

Electric Cow of Germany

Enigma of the Cosmos of Ecully, France and Brunswick , Australia

and , JPWORKS SRL of Milan, Italy

KEETA of Bangkok, Thailand

LTCOP of Piracicaba, Brazil

Natufia X Edama of Thuwal, Saudi Arabia

Solar Foods of Lappeenranta, Finland

 of Ghaziabad, India

The Deep Space Food Challenge is a NASA Centennial Challenge. Centennial Challenges are part of the Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing program within NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate at the agency's Headquarters in Washington and are managed at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Subject matter experts at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston and NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida support the competition. NASA, in partnership with the Methuselah Foundation, manages the U.S. and international Deep Space Food Challenge competition.

For more information about NASA's prizes and challenges, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/solve

SOURCE NASA

Related Links

http://www.nasa.gov


BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) calling for "immediate, rapid, and large-scale" changes to limit warming, the search for climate solutions is more urgent than ever. Fortunately, a new report shows that cleantech is gaining momentum in the United States.

Top-40 Cleantech Innovation Hubs

The 2021 Cleantech Innovation Hubs Survey, from Colorado-based venture capital and research firm Saoradh Enterprise Partners (SEP), is the first ranking of cleantech innovation hubs in the US. SEP defines innovation hubs as functioning geographic ecosystems based on research funding, technology development, venture formation, and other metrics. The report ranks the 40 strongest cleantech ecosystems in the nation and characterizes their strengths and weaknesses.

Ahead of the milestone COP26 later this month, SEP aims to provide investors, corporations, policymakers, and other stakeholders with a mission-critical roadmap for where to develop cleantech in the US.

Key insights from the report include:

Climate solutions are emerging in unexpected places: Silicon Valley, Boston , and NYC, although crucial areas for innovation, are far from the only cleantech hubs. Places like Pittsburgh (#18), Salt Lake City (#27), Atlanta (#10), Detroit (#15), Houston (#19), the New Mexico Corridor (#23), and Phoenix (#22) have growing ecosystems.

Silicon Valley, , and NYC, although crucial areas for innovation, are far from the only cleantech hubs. Places like (#18), (#27), (#10), (#15), (#19), the New Mexico Corridor (#23), and (#22) have growing ecosystems. Emerging hubs are being overlooked: Investors still have a narrow focus on California , Massachusetts , and New York . In the US, 75% of cleantech venture capital funding is invested in those three states. At the same time, 74% of innovation funding goes to the other 47.

Investors still have a narrow focus on , , and . In the US, of cleantech venture capital funding is invested in those three states. At the same time, of funding goes to the other 47. This resource gap is putting cleantech in jeopardy: When it comes to climate change, potential solutions can't go ignored. The split between innovation funding (for research and tech development) and invested resources means cleantech innovation is happening in emerging hubs without the crucial investment stage that brings this tech to market.

"Our goal is to illuminate innovation happening across the country," said Paul Nelson, Managing Partner of SEP. "Over the years, we've seen cleantech flourish in our own backyard  what we call the Colorado Clean Range  but it's been under the radar for much of the cleantech community. That experience has motivated us to shed light on other places where innovation is being overlooked."

SEP's data shows that there's a resource gap leaving cleantech innovations with a limited runway to succeed. "With something as urgent as climate change, that's a stunning oversight. We must optimize where resources are going," said Nelson. "If investors and other stakeholders pay attention, we'll be positioned to identify and commercialize untapped tech and direct the resources needed to build a sustainable future."

The Top 10 Cleantech Innovation Hubs

The Bay Area Boston New York Los Angeles The Colorado Clean Range D.C. Chicagoland Seattle San Diego Atlanta

"The Innovation Hub Survey serves as a valuable tool to enable the tracking of innovation and entrepreneurship across the United States. Understanding our current landscape and its gaps will help us inclusively expand and engage with new innovators, which will aid in sustaining our clean energy future," said Kimberlee Ott, Network Innovation Manager at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

"Investing in cleantech innovation, ideas, products, and technologies to help us live sustainably, is an essential part of addressing climate change. The SEP 2021 Cleantech Innovation Hubs Survey is a great tool to help map the potential for stronger cleantech ecosystems across the US and highlights regions where today's investments can build the industries of tomorrow," said Elena Crete, Head of the Climate & Energy Program at the United Nations' Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

The whitepaper summary of the Hubs Survey, with the complete list of the top 40 hubs, can be found at www.saoradh.com/hubs.

About SEP

Saoradh Enterprise Partners (SEP) is a venture capital and research firm focused on technologies for disruptive sustainability across the nine sectors that comprise the cleantech ecosystem. SEP leverages its innovative market and technology research platform to identify cleantech commercialization opportunities in emerging US innovation hubs for its corporate clients and investment funds. The SEP team partners with entrepreneurs, innovators, and leading corporations to develop technology and build companies for a sustainable future.

To learn more, please visit www.saoradh.com.

Media contact: John Metzger, (303) 641-1062, [email protected]

###

SOURCE Saoradh Enterprise Partners

Related Links

http://www.saoradh.com


AUBAGNE, France, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sartorius Stedim Biotech, a leading partner of the biopharma industry, has continued to grow dynamically and profitably. For the nine-month reporting period of 2021, the company recorded significant doubledigit growth rates in sales and earnings.

"In the first nine months of the year, high demand for innovative technologies for efficient biopharmaceutical manufacturing has led to the expected very dynamic development of our business. Additional momentum related to coronavirus vaccine production was significant, but not dominant. We expanded our product portfolio for use in the production of cell and gene therapeutics as well as vaccines by taking over a majority stake in CellGenix and acquiring the cell culture media specialist Xell," said Joachim Kreuzburg, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO. In addition, he confirmed the forecast for the current year. "We are optimistic about the further development of our business, are driving our extensive capacity expansion and recruitment programs full steam ahead, and confirm our fullyear forecast," emphasized Kreuzburg.

Group sales revenue surged by 56.2 percent to around 2,109 million euros in constant currencies (reported: +52.9 percent). The majority of this growth was attributable to strong organic expansion of the core business and in all regions. In particular, business with manufacturers of biopharmaceutical medications performed very well. Beyond this, the ramp-up in coronavirus vaccine production by many customers added a good 24 percentage points to growth in sales revenue. Nonorganic growth contributed by the acquisitions2 was around 5 percentage points. Expanded production capacities at several company sites and overall stable, yet strained, supply chains supported this development.

Order intake1 increased even more strongly than sales revenue, surging 78.4 percent in constant currencies to 2,852 million euros (reported: +74.1 percent). Part of this higher order intake was due to adapted ordering patterns of some customers who in the current situation have been placing their orders further in advance than usual.

Between January and September 2021, underlying EBITDA1 rose by 76.1 percent to 766 million euros and thus at a significantly overproportionate rate in relation to sales. The respective margin climbed year over year from 31.5 percent to 36.3 percent. This increase was driven especially by economies of scale and by partially deferred cost development, for example, as a result of the low number of business trips and underproportionate new hires in non-production areas due to the pandemic. These trends have started to abate as the coronavirus-related restrictions have progressively eased. Relevant net profit1 for the Group surged by 83.0 percent to 509 million euros; earnings per share were 5.52 euros (9M 2020: 3.02 euros).

Business development in the regions

Sartorius Stedim Biotech increased its revenues significantly in all three business regions. Sales in the EMEA3 region that contributes the highest share of around 42 percent to total Group revenue amounted to 884 million euros, up 60.9 percent in constant currencies (reported: +60.6 percent). The Americas region accounted for about 32 percent of total Group sales. Here, business grew by 48.2 percent to 678 million euros in constant currencies (reported: +40.0 percent). Sales in the Asia | Pacific region likewise saw dynamic growth, up 59.7 percent in constant currencies to 547 million euros (reported: +58.7 percent). As a result, this region's share of total Group revenue was 26 percent.

Key financial indicators

The Sartorius Stedim Biotech Group has a very sound balance sheet and financial base. As of September 30, 2021, its equity ratio stood at 44.3 percent (December 31, 2020: 48.4 percent). Net debt to underlying EBITDA1 was 0.4 on the reporting date as a result of strong net cash flow and the increase in earnings, relative to 0.8 at yearend 2020. The ratio of capital expenditures (CAPEX) to sales was 8.8 percent for the nine-month period relative to 5.6 percent in the prior-year period. Overall, cash flow from investing activities rose in the reporting period by 62.1 percent, amounting to -186.2 million euros.

Increase in the number of employees

As of September 30, 2021, Sartorius Stedim Biotech employed a total of 9,619 people worldwide. Compared with December 31, 2020, headcount thus rose by 2,053 or around 27.1 percent. The accelerated increase in the number of employees compared with previous years resulted from the expansion of production capacities that was moved ahead of schedule to some extent. However, due to the pandemic, buildup of the workforce was underproportionate on the whole compared with the company's business development. This trend particularly affected the non-production departments, such as sales and marketing functions, and has begun to subside as a result of additional hires.

Forecast for 2021 confirmed

Management confirms its growth forecast, last raised in July, for the full year of 2021. Accordingly, the Sartorius Stedim Biotech Group projects consolidated sales growth of around 48 percent and an underlying EBITDA margin1 of about 36 percent.

The investment program for 2021 is to remain unchanged and the corresponding CAPEX1 ratio for the Group is projected at about 12 percent. The focus of these substantial investments is on the partly extended and accelerated expansion of production capacities, primarily at sites in Germany, Puerto Rico, China, and South Korea. Net debt to underlying EBITDA1 is expected to be slightly below 0.5 at year-end. Possible acquisitions are not included in these projections.

Mid-range targets updated in January 2021 remain unchanged and assume that for 2025, consolidated sales revenue will increase to about 4 billion euros at an underlying EBITDA margin of around 33 percent.

All forecasts are based on constant currencies as in the past years. In addition, the company assumes that the global economy will increasingly recover, the supply of raw materials and primary products will continue at a good level and that supply chains will remain stable as the current year progresses.

Financial indicators of the comparative period partly restated due to the finalized purchase price allocation for acquisitions made in 2020.

1Sartorius Stedim Biotech publishes alternative performance measures that are not defined by international accounting standards. These are determined with the aim of improving the comparability of business performance over time and within the industry.

Order intake: all customer orders contractually concluded and booked during the respective reporting period

Underlying EBITDA: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and adjusted for extraordinary items

Relevant net profit: profit for the period after non-controlling interest, adjusted for extraordinary items and non-cash amortization, as well as based on the normalized financial result and the normalized tax rate

Ratio of net debt to underlying EBITDA: quotient of net debt and underlying EBITDA over the past 12 months, including the pro forma amount contributed by acquisitions for this period

2Acquisitions of the following entities: selected life science businesses from Danaher; BIA Separations; WaterSep BioSeparations; CellGenix; and Xell

3EMEA = Europe, Middle East, Africa

This press release contains forward-looking statements about the future development of the Sartorius Stedim Biotech Group. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Sartorius Stedim Biotech assumes no liability for updating such statements in light of new information or future events. This is a translation of the original French-language press release. Sartorius Stedim Biotech shall not assume any liability for the correctness of this translation. The original French press release is the legally binding version.

Follow Sartorius Stedim Biotech on Twitter @Sartorius_Group and on LinkedIn.

Conference call

Joachim Kreuzburg, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO, will discuss the company's business results with analysts and investors on October 20, 2021, at 3:30 p.m. Central European Summer Time (CEST) in a teleconference. You may register by clicking on the following link:

https://services.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=P22ZUZu2

The presentation will be available on the same day starting at 2:30 p.m. CEST, for viewing on our website at:

https://www.sartorius.com/en/company/investor-relations/sartorius-ag-investor-relations/presentations

Current image files

www.sartorius.com/en/company/newsroom/downloads-publications

Key performance indicators for the first nine months and the third quarter of 2021

in millions of  9 months 9 months  in % Reported  in % cc2 unless otherwise specified 2021 20201 Order intake and sales revenue







Order intake 2,851.90 1,637.90 74.1 78.4 Sales revenue 2,108.80 1,379.40 52.9 56.2 EMEA3 884.1 550.5 60.6 60.9 Americas3 677.8 484.3 40 48.2 Asia | Pacific3 546.9 344.7 58.7 59.7 Results







EBITDA4 765.5 434.7 76.1

EBITDA margin4in % 36.3 31.5



Net profit5 508.8 278.1 83

Earnings per share5in  5.52 3.02 83





















in millions of  3rd quarter 3rd quarter  in % Reported  in % cc2 unless otherwise specified 2021 20201 Order intake and sales revenue







Order intake 962.1 589.1 63.3 62.9 Sales revenue 757 510.4 48.3 48 EMEA3 304 210.2 44.6

Americas3 258 171.7 50.3

Asia | Pacific3 195 128.5 51.7

Results







EBITDA4 278.1 172.4 61.3

EBITDA margin4in % 36.7 33.8



Net profit5 187.4 110.6 69.4

Earnings per share5in  2.03 1.2 69.4











1 The previous year's figures have been restated due to finalization of the purchase price allocations for acquisitions of 2020

2 In constant currencies

3 According to customers' location

4 Underlying EBITDA = earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and adjusted for extraordinary items

5 Underlying net profit = net profit after non-controlling interest; adjusted for extraordinary items and non-cash amortization, as well as based on a normalized financial result and normalized tax rate

Reconciliation

in millions of  9 months 2021 9 months 20201 EBIT (operating result) 644 348.6 Extraordinary items 15.9 17.5 Depreciation & amortization 105.7 68.7 Underlying EBITDA 765.5 434.7





in millions of  9 months 2021 9 months 20201 unless otherwise specified EBIT (operating result) 644 348.6 Extraordinary items 15.9 17.5 Amortization | IFRS 3 37.4 17 Normalized financial result2 -8 -4.9 Normalized income tax (26%)3 -179.2 -98.3 Underlying net result 510.1 279.8 Non-controlling interest -1.3 -1.7 Underlying net result after non-controlling interest 508.8 278.1 Underlying earnings per share (in ) 5.52 3.02





1The previous year's figures have been restated due to finalization of the purchase price allocation for the acquisition of the Life Science business from Danaher.

2 Financial result excluding fair value adjustments of hedging instruments and currency effects relating to financing activities and change in valuation of earn-out liability

3Normalized income tax based on the underlying profit before taxes and non-cash amortization

in millions of  9 months 2021 9 months 2020 Gross debt 643.1 330.5 - Cash & cash equivalents 226.8 165.9 Net debt 416.3 164.6





Underlying EBITDA (12 months) 935.4 544 + Pro forma EBITDA from acquisitions (12 months) 10.1 11.1 Pro forma underlying EBITDA 945.5 555.1 Net debt to underlying EBITDA 0.4 0.3











in millions of  9 months 2021 9 months 2020 Sales revenue 2,108.80 1,379.40 Capital expenditures 186 77.2 Capital expenditures as % of sales revenue 8.8 5.6





The previous year's figures have been restated due to finalization of the purchase price allocation for the acquisition of the Life Science business from Danaher.

A profile of Sartorius Stedim Biotech

Sartorius Stedim Biotech is a leading international partner of the biopharmaceutical industry. As a total solutions provider, the company helps its customers to manufacture biotech medications safely, rapidly and economically. Headquartered in Aubagne, France, Sartorius Stedim Biotech is quoted on the Eurolist of Euronext Paris. With its own manufacturing and R&D sites in Europe, North America and Asia and an international network of sales companies, Sartorius Stedim Biotech has a global reach. The Group has been annually growing by double digits on average and has been regularly expanding its portfolio by acquisitions of complementary technologies. In 2020, the company employed more than 7,500 people, and earned sales revenue of 1,910 million euros.

Contact:

Petra Kirchhoff

Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations

+49 (0)551 308 1686

[email protected]

SOURCE Sartorius Stedim Biotech S.A.
RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NoviSystems Inc. , a company that empowers data-driven decisionmaking, has commercially launched Fusion Analytics, a platform to help hospitals, drug manufacturers and other complex businesses gain answers and insights that can save them time and money.

NoviSystems has also assembled a distinguished team of senior advisers to help apply Fusion Analytics to one of its top priorities: better diagnosis and treatment of patients with rare diseases.

Mike Kowolenko, PhD - NoviSystems CEO

"The world is awash with diverse data, but there is limited ability to unify and analyze it quickly and easily so that it's actionable," said Michael Kowolenko, Ph.D., founder and chief executive officer of NoviSystems. "Our Fusion Analytics technology can help businesses ingest and interrogate data from multiple sources and in different formats, allowing them to answer key questions, solve problems, gain operational efficiencies and become more profitable."

Powerful analytics, simple interface

Fusion Analytics is a proprietary system that uses patented applied natural language processing and machine learning techniques to integrate, filter and analyze disparate numeric and text data sets.

Annual subscriptions to the platform include hardware, software, training, technical support and consulting.

Designed to be user-friendly, Fusion Analytics presents data graphically in customizable user dashboards. Anyone familiar with a pivot table in Microsoft's Excel software should be able to apply Fusion Analytics to their organizations.

This relative simplicity of use allows users to obtain actionable knowledge from the power of artificial intelligence without the need for programming, data science or database administration skills.

Fusion Analytics is well suited for complex businesses in health care such as hospitals, biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical manufacturers, and contract research organizations.

Hospitals, for example, can use the platform to improve clinical, operational and financial activities. They can:

Justify reimbursement for treatment of a rare disease by finding diseases with similar symptoms that have ICD10 codes (used by physicians to classify a patient's diagnoses, symptoms and procedures) or by finding new treatment protocols described in PubMed, the search engine for accessing references and abstracts on life sciences and biomedical topics.

Create patient dashboards that allow a physician to visualize all data for a patient before an appointment.

View all patient data to correlate various diseases with different combinations of lab test values.

Analyze patient populations through electronic medical records.

University roots

NoviSystems was spun out of North Carolina State University in 2018 when Kowolenko, a faculty member and director of the university's Institute for Next Generation IT Systems, saw a need for commercial innovations in data integration and analytics for complex businesses, particularly those that are highly regulated and process oriented, such as drug manufacturing.

His prior experience as a senior vice president for Biogen Idec and Wyeth's (now Pfizer's) Biotechnology and Vaccine Division also convinced him that more could be done to accelerate data-informed decisionmaking by bringing together operational data from multiple quality systems. He and his staff at the biopharmaceutical companies needed to aggregate and filter complex data to ensure a continuous supply of safe drug products while demonstrating an overall state of control and compliance with various multinational regulatory requirements.

At NC State, Kowolenko and his team of engineers and developers collaborated on innovative software projects with IBM; the biopharmaceutical and healthcare industries; and government agencies. One project, funded by a grant from the University of North Carolina System, resulted in the creation of the Rare Disease InfoHub , an online resource portal that supports rare disease patients and their caregivers.

Advisers for rare diseases

That project inspired Kowolenko to found NoviSystems and to make rare diseases a top priority for the company. He enlisted a team of senior advisers to guide the application of Fusion Analytics to accelerate better diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases. The advisers include:

Charles Hamner , D.V.M., Ph.D., who is the chief bioscience adviser. Hamner had a long career as a scientist, pharmaceutical R&D executive, university medical center leader and president of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. With the emergence of precision medicine, he recognized that artificial intelligence and data analytics would become vital to innovations in the diagnosis, treatment and support of patients with rare genetic diseases and genomic-characterized cancers.

, D.V.M., Ph.D., who is the chief bioscience adviser. Hamner had a long career as a scientist, pharmaceutical R&D executive, university medical center leader and president of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. With the emergence of precision medicine, he recognized that artificial intelligence and data analytics would become vital to innovations in the diagnosis, treatment and support of patients with rare genetic diseases and genomic-characterized cancers. Rick Williams , who is acting chief commercial officer and is working with Chief Operating Officer John Bass to bring NoviSystems solutions to biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and specialty clinical medicine. Earlier in his career, Williams was head of marketing and health economics at Genentech, which he helped to become one of the first biotech companies to address rare diseases. He later contributed to the development of the commercial outsourcing, cell research, pharmacogenomics and organs-on-chips industries.

, who is acting chief commercial officer and is working with Chief Operating Officer to bring NoviSystems solutions to biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and specialty clinical medicine. Earlier in his career, Williams was head of marketing and health economics at Genentech, which he helped to become one of the first biotech companies to address rare diseases. He later contributed to the development of the commercial outsourcing, cell research, pharmacogenomics and organs-on-chips industries. Sharon King , who is the patient advocacy adviser. King is president of Taylor's Tale, a Charlotte -based nonprofit organization dedicated to rare disease advocacy and research. She is also an appointed member of the North Carolina Rare Disease Advisory Council, which advises state government leaders.

, who is the patient advocacy adviser. King is president of Tale, a -based nonprofit organization dedicated to rare disease advocacy and research. She is also an appointed member of the North Carolina Rare Disease Advisory Council, which advises state government leaders. Van Daughtry , who is the community engagement adviser. Daughtry is a past trustee of the Florida -based Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation, a rare disease nonprofit organization, and a leading business consultant. Since the inception of the Rare Disease InfoHub, leaders in the rare disease community like Daughtry have ensured that academic and commercial Fusion Analytics projects meet the needs of patients and families.

Contacts:

Dr. Mike Kowolenko

Chief Executive Officer

[email protected]

John Bass

Chief Operating Officer

[email protected]

Rick Williams

Acting Chief Commercial Officer

[email protected]

SOURCE NoviSystems, Inc

Related Links

https://www.novi.systems


COLUMBIA, S.C., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Obsidio, Inc., a medical device company pioneering groundbreaking therapies in endovascular embolization, today announced the expansion of its clinical advisory board with the appointment of two new members - Jafar Golzarian, MD, and Marc Sapoval, MD, PhD. The new advisors will join existing clinical advisory board (CAB) members Riad Salem, MD, MBA, and Ziv Haskal, MD.

"It is an honor to welcome Drs. Jafar Golzarian and Marc Sapoval, who are distinguished clinicians and thought leaders in their respective disciplines, to Obsidio's CAB," stated Ehsan Jabbarzadeh, Ph.D., MBA, Co-Founder and CEO of Obsidio. "At Obsidio, we have an ambitious vision of developing a novel class of embolic materials that enable new treatment paradigms in interventional radiology and interventional oncology. The experience and insights of our CAB members will be critical to achieving that goal."

The two new members of the Clinical Advisory Board include:

Dr. Jafar Golzarian is a co-founder of the Global Embolization Symposium & Technologies (GEST) and a Professor of Radiology and Director of the Division of Interventional Radiology and Vascular Imaging at the University of Minnesota. He is a pioneer in interventional treatment of peripheral artery disease, endoleak after EVAR, uterine fibroid embolization, hepatocellular carcinoma, and prostate artery embolization for BPH. Dr. Golzarian graduated from Medical School at the University of Brussels, School of Medicine. He was a radiology resident at the Erasme Hospital, Brussels, and completed his Fellowship for Interventional Radiology at the same University. Dr. Golzarian has authored over 150 papers, 14 patents, and 380 abstracts and delivered over 400 invited lectures.

Dr. Marc Sapoval is a co-founder of GEST and a Professor of Clinical Radiology at Universite de Paris, and the Head of the Cardiovascular Radiology Department at Hopital Europeen Georges-Pompidou in Paris, France. Dr. Sapoval is an internationally recognized expert and opinion leader in the fields of renal disease and transvascular embolotherapy. Dr. Sapoval received his medical degree and PhD from Paris Bicetre University. He completed his diagnostic residency at various radiological departments in Paris and completed interventional radiology fellowships at Institut Gustave Roussy and Broussais Hospital. He has authored over 230 papers, 200 abstracts and delivered over 200 invited lectures.

About Obsidio Inc.

Obsidio Inc. is a venture capital-backed medical device company dedicated to the research, development, and commercialization of breakthrough therapeutic embolization products and other innovative medical technologies.

http://obsidiomed.com





SOURCE Obsidio, Inc

Related Links

http://obsidiomed.com/


LOS ANGELES, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- "By signing the California Creative Workforce Act (SB-628) into law, Governor Gavin Newsom has made California the first state in the country to pass a creative workforce bill. This legislation could not come at a more critical time, when the arts economy is still reeling from pandemic closures, and many creative workers remain unemployed. Introduced by long-standing arts champion Senator Ben Allen, the bill will employ creative workers in their communities and provide training to new creative workers, in an effort to continue diversifying the workforce and provide jobs that pay a living wage in order to keep creative workers in their fields. As a network dedicated to the arts  and one that relies on this very talent for everything that makes our business what it is  we applaud Senator Allen and Governor Newsom for recognizing the value of the creative economy and working to fund it. At the federal level, California Congressman Ted Lieu has co-sponsored a similar bill, the Creative Economy Revitalization (CERA) Act, which proposes a $300 million federal grants and commissions program for arts workers. While California is clearly leading the way when it comes to prioritizing and valuing the creative economy, the U.S. will not see a full recovery for the arts post-pandemic without significant federal investment with more programs like this."

Charles Segars

Chief Executive Officer, Ovation TV

Founder, Stand For The Arts

SOURCE Ovation

Related Links

http://www.ovationtv.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Native , the better-for-you personal care company, is excited to announce its charitable funding accumulated from their pledge with 1% for the Planet will go towards The Chyulu Hills REDD+ Project (CHRP). This funding will support CO2e reductions and provide economic and social co-benefits for local communities in the Chyulu Hills ecosystem in south-eastern Kenya. The funding is a testament to Native's continued commitment to investing in partnerships and product innovation as a part of the brand's sustainability focus.

Native's funding to CHRP will be used towards activities that will enhance forest protection, reduce livestock impact, restore degraded land and ensure water protection in the community, deliver community benefits, ensure biodiversity conservation in the Chyulu Hills community.

"The project paves the way for ecosystem-scale conservation efforts to provide important resources and tangible impacts such as education, new infrastructure, health services, and more," said Samson Parashina, Maasai leader and Chairman of the Chyulu Hills Conservation Trust. "These resources not only improve livelihoods, but also help us maintain our cultural link to the land while protecting our natural heritage for future generations to come."

Native continues to use its platform to make strides in sustainability efforts by using their own profits to give back to the planet and encourages other players in the personal care space to follow suit. Native's ongoing partnership with 1% for the Planet pledges to donate 1 percent of their Plastic Free Deodorant sales to environmental non-profits. As such, Native's contribution in 2021 accumulates to $350,000 dedicated to the CHRP.

"It is our duty as a consumer brand to use our profits and voice to take active action towards sustainability efforts in various ways," said Native CEO Vineet Kumar. "Native has outlined specific sustainability goals that are reached through these multifaceted initiatives like our funding to CHRP and our partnership with 1% for the Planet. As a brand, we will only continue to work to exceed these goals and encourage our competitors to do the same. We can make a difference if we work together."

About Native: Founded in 2015, Native is a clean personal care company that makes safe and effective products from simple ingredients, including deodorant, toothpaste, body wash, bar soap, shampoo, and conditioner. For more information, visit www.nativecos.com or you can follow Native on Facebook , Twitter , or Instagram .

About The Chyulu Hills REDD+ Project (CHRP): The Chyulu Hills REDD+ Project (CHRP) is a landscape- level conservation initiative that aims to protect the ecological resources, and provide economic and social co-benefits for local communities in the Chyulu Hills ecosystem in south-eastern Kenya. CHRP forms a component of a broader multi-pronged initiative to conserve this precious ecosystem.

SOURCE Native

Related Links

https://www.nativecos.com/


PHOENIX, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix Indian Center's board of directors announces that Patricia Hibbeler will leave her role as CEO, effective November 3, 2021. She will return to her tribal community in Montana, where she will serve as Executive Director for Tribal Member Services for the Confederate Salish and Kootenai Tribe of the Flathead Reservation. Patricia joined Phoenix Indian Center in October of 2004 and has played a vital role in the Center's growth.

"Phoenix Indian Center has thrived under Patti's leadership over the past 17 years. She has been recognized as one of the top American Indian nonprofit leaders in the country, and she has grown our job readiness, prevention services, language/culture services and youth programs  as well as our staff by 25%, budget has tripled and we have gained investments through purchasing property  all during her tenure and leadership here," said Traci Morris, Phoenix Indian Center board president. "Through her tireless efforts and passion for our community, we have reached more people and elevated our events to now be recognized among the best in the Valley."

"Patti's departure is certainly a loss for Phoenix Indian Center, but we are happy that she is able to take on a key leadership role with her home tribe. We wish her all of the best in her new pursuit," Morris continued. "Now, the Board of Directors will begin the work of finding a new CEO who will match her commitment to the mission of the organization."

Phoenix Indian Center is the oldest non-profit of its kind in the United States, formed in 1947 as American Indian people moved from rural reservation settings to the urban Phoenix area. Today, the center annually services more than 7,000 people through direct services and touches the lives of more than 20,000 people through related outreach; having assisted well over one million people during its existence. The Center is the largest of its kind in the country, serving the third largest and fastest growing American Indian population in the Phoenix-metro area with over 150,000 American Indians.

With 2021 annual budget of $4.5 million, a strong infrastructure, skilled employees and vibrant services provided throughout Arizona, focusing on Maricopa and Coconino counties, the Center is well-positioned for its next chapter in executive leadership. Its annual Silver & Turquoise Ball is one of the Valley's premier fundraising events, supporting Phoenix Indian Center's important work with the urban American Indian population in Arizona, occurs on Friday, where people will have an opportunity to wish Hibbeler well.

"I have thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed my time as CEO of Phoenix Indian Center, where we've worked to assist those in our community with employment, support, and language and culture revitalization," said Hibbeler. "I have every confidence that this important work will maintain relevancy and continue at a high level, and that Phoenix Indian Center will remain committed to educating the larger community on the beauty of our cultures and traditions. I have the utmost reverence and respect for the community and the people I have had the pleasure to work with. Phoenix has been my home for thirty years and will always hold a special place in my heart."

The Phoenix Indian Center Board of Directors has formed a dedicated executive leadership search team to streamline the process of recruitment. Details will be announced in a future press release regarding the search for a new CEO. While Phoenix Indian Center conducts a search for Hibbeler's replacement, Joylana Begay-Kroupa  a member of the organization's executive leadership team  will serve as acting CEO.

About Phoenix Indian Center

Founded in 1947, the Phoenix Indian Center is the oldest American Indian non-profit organization in the United States. Each Year, the Center directly serves more than 7,000 individuals, and more than 20,000 through related outreach, by providing services in the areas of job readiness, cultural enrichment, youth services, and prevention programs. Learn more at www.phxindcenter.org.

SOURCE Phoenix Indian Center

Related Links

http://www.phxindcenter.org


SAN FRANCISCO and ANKARA, Turkey, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Picus Security, the pioneer of Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) technology, today announced the completion of its $24 million Series B funding round. The investment is led by Turkven with participation from existing investor, Earlybird Venture Capital, as well as cyber security veteran, Nathan Dornbrook. The round brings Picus' total funding to $33 million and will be used to help accelerate the company's expansion in North America as well as across EMEA and APAC.

The Picus Complete Security Control Validation Platform simulates real-world cyber threats, including ransomware and APT groups, to enable enterprises to continuously assess and improve the effectiveness of their security controls. The platform includes more than 11,000 attacks and 70,000 actionable mitigations, and is updated daily to reflect the latest adversarial techniques and behaviors.

"For too long, organizations have been forced to make assumptions about the state of their security posture," said H. Alper Memis, Picus Security Co-founder, and CEO. "The Picus platform puts an end to this uncertainty by helping security teams to measure and improve the effectiveness of their security controls to prevent, detect and respond to threats. This latest funding will ensure that we continue to offer customers the most complete security control validation platform - one that not only continuously tests the latest tools but also helps to optimize them with less effort."

Established in 2013, Picus is recognized by Frost & Sullivan as one of the most innovative vendors in the Breach and Attack Simulation market[1] and is the highest-rated BAS company based on reviews submitted to Gartner Peer Insights[2]. With the support of its channel and managed services partners, Picus's international business has grown 400% since 2019.

"Picus is the pioneer of breach and attack simulation, and we are excited to support the company as it takes continuous security control validation to the next level," said Seymur Tari, Turkven CEO. "All corporate boards have to manage the business and reputational risks of cybersecurity breaches. With the Picus platform, they can obtain real-time insights to more clearly assess their security posture, better understand the value of investments, and make more informed decisions."

Earlier this year, research and advisory firm Gartner identified BAS as one of its top security and risk trends[3] - one that is only set to continue as security teams struggle to stay on top of operations and protect a larger attack surface.

"The day-to-day workload of security teams can be overwhelming," said Cem Sertoglu, Partner at Earlybird Digital East. "Picus helps to ease the strain and ensure that security tools are ready to defend organizations against the latest threats as they emerge. We are delighted to support the vision of the Picus team and help them to establish the company as the category leader in the emerging Breach and Attack Simulation market."

As security teams and business leaders shift from a reactive to a proactive approach to security, Picus Security has introduced its Purple Academy. Purple Academy offers free online training to help learners of all levels improve their knowledge of the latest cyber-attack methods and defense strategies. To date, more than 4,500 students in 160 countries have completed courses.

Notes for editors

Images of the team: https://www.picussecurity.com/image-stock

Password: eGyW2PZcScJaN$R



[1] Frost Radar: Global Breach and Attack Simulation Market, 2020

[2] Information correct as of 12th October 2021.

[3] Gartner Top Security and Risk Management Trends 2021, March 2021

About Picus Security

The Picus Complete Security Control Validation Platform safely simulates real-world cyber-threats to continuously assess, measure and help optimize the performance of security controls. Picus validates controls at prevention and detection layers, including NGFW, SIEM and EDR tools, and supplies easy-to-apply, vendor-specific mitigation content that enables security teams to swiftly address threat coverage and visibility gaps.

About Turkven

Established in 2000, Turkven is a leading alternative asset manager with an AUM of $1.5 billion. Turkven advised funds have invested in 30 companies resulting in total placements of over $5 billion and 21 exits. The firm specializes in high-growth companies and has a culture of company-building and industry expertise. Turkven's portfolio currently employs a workforce of over 50,000, of which 46% are women. Further information is available at www.turkven.com

About Earlybird Venture Capital

Earlybird is a pan-European venture capital investor focused on early-stage technology companies. Earlybird Digital East is one of the three autonomous, dedicated, and specialized teams within the Earlybird family, investing in ambitious technology ventures hailing from Emerging Europe. With over $400m in committed capital, the firm's portfolio includes some of the most successful startups in the region, including UiPath. Earlybird currently has over 1.5 billion under management, eight IPOs, and 30 trade sales. Further information is available at https://www.earlybird.com

Gartner disclaimers

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Gartner Peer Insights Customers' Choice constitute the subjective opinions of individual end-user reviews, ratings, and data applied against a documented methodology; they neither represent the views of, nor constitute an endorsement by, Gartner or its affiliates.

SOURCE Picus Security
2,042 were people killed in crashes involving a teen driver;

46 percent of teens who died were not wearing a seat belt;

24 percent of young drivers (15-20 years old) who died were impaired by alcohol while driving; and

258,000 teens were treated in emergency rooms for injuries suffered in a vehicle crash.

These statistics are staggering. While motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of death for teens (15-18 years old) in the United States and globally, there is a veil of hope. Since 2009, the data shows a decline in teen driver fatalities.

Teens in the Driver Seat (TDS), developed at Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), has addressed teen driver behavior through peer-to-peer outreach for 20 years. A recent 2019-2021 survey results of more than 11,300 teens from TDS program schools reveal we are making progress. According to the 2019-2021 TDS survey of teen self-reported behavior, 68% of students reported NOT drinking and driving in the last 30 days and 51% of students reported NOT texting and driving. However, in that same survey, 73% of students believe texting while driving is completely unacceptable, but the gap in these numbers show they still do it. Through this robust research, TDS finds that while students recognize the risky behavior, they need more incentives and positive reasons to change their behavior. The more programs, such as TDS, research to understand what motivates teens to make better choices, the more effective peer-to-peer led outreach can be.

The health and safety of our youngest road users is of utmost importance for groups like Teens in the Driver Seat and General Motors, whose relationship began in 2019. "Together, we can help improve these statistics. General Motors believes programs like Teens in the Driver Seat can help make a difference," said Hal Garling, assistant manager of Corporate Giving at GM. "We envision a future with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion, and by supporting successful programs like Teens in the Driver Seat, coupled with new and innovative technology, GM is working to help make that vision a reality."

Thanks to funding from General Motors, TDS is offering its plug-and-play, extra-curricular safety program to interested high school teen teams across twenty states. The school will receive an educational toolkit with posters, banners, yard-signs, and other items for campus outreach - all at no cost to the schools. Schools will also have access to virtual learning resources for use in- and outside the classroom and are eligible to earn cash for their schools when teens conduct education and outreach.

"Teen drivers today face more distractions behind the wheel  and in the car  today more than ever before.," explains TDS founder Russell Henk, a senior research engineer, and program director of TTI's Youth Transportation Safety Program. "Most teens make the right decisions when they see their peers and parents also making the right decisions and caring enough to speak up. Giving them the best information, encouraging them to share that with their peers, and rewarding responsible behavior is what TDS is all about."

October 18th  23rd is National Teen Driver Safety Week. There is no better time to commit to saving lives on our roads.

Schools may claim their free program kit and sign up at https://www.t-driver.com/signup. Join us today and help us reach the goal of zero deaths on our roadways.

TDS is now accepting high schools in twenty states:

Arizona

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Georgia

Illinois

Indiana

Kansas

Kentucky

Michigan

Mississippi

Missouri

Nevada

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Pennsylvania

Tennessee

Texas

West Virginia

About General Motors:

General Motors is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which will power everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found at https://www.gm.com.

About Teens in the Driver Seat:

Started in 2002, Teens in the Driver Seat is a peer-to-peer safety program that educates teens about the top five dangers of teen driving to help teens develop safer driving habits and avoid crashes. TDS is a recognized peer-to-peer teen traffic safety program by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Thanks to funding from multiple sponsors, including General Motors, program resources, and technical support are available at no cost to schools. | https://t-driver.com

About the Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Recognized as one of the premier higher education-affiliated transportation research agencies in the world, TTI's research and development program has made significant breakthroughs across all facets of the transportation system. TTI research is widely known as an excellent value with a proven impact of saving lives, time, and resources. In the laboratory and the classroom, TTI researchers help prepare students for transportation careers. | https://tti.tamu.edu/

Sources:

NHTSA 2019 Traffic Safety Facts, Young Drivers Data ( June 2021 ) https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813130 NHTSA 2019 Teen Distracted Driving Data ( February 2021 ) https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813078 CDC Teen Drivers Fact Sheet

https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/teen_drivers/teendrivers_factsheet.html

Videos: TDS Goes Digital (YouTube) https://youtu.be/baabuNE18so

SOURCE Teens in the Driver Seat

Related Links

http://www.gm.com

http://t-driver.com

http://tti.tamu.edu


HOUSTON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Raptor Technologies, the leader in school safety software, announced today that Raptor Alert is being implemented within 17 Florida school districts as their panic alert provider for compliance with Alyssa's Law. These districts include Baker, Bradford, Calhoun, Charlotte, Duval, Gadsden, Hamilton, Hardee, Holmes, Indian River, Marion, Nassau, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, and Washington County Public Schools. The majority of these districts have already deployed Raptor Alert within their schools. In addition, over 30 Florida Charter, Private, and State schools have also signed agreements to utilize Raptor Alert. In total, this represents 25% of all Florida districts and nearly 20% of all Florida schools that will implement Raptor as their panic alert solution for the 2021-2022 school year.

Alyssa's Law, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in June of 2020, requires all Florida public schools to have a mobile panic alarm system in place for the 2021-2022 school year. Working closely with each school district, Raptor was able to roll out Raptor Alert in time for the 2021 school year. Five counties selected to deploy a combined solution that integrates Mutualink, Inc. technology and Raptor Alert, providing a robust information and communication sharing network that improves communications and teamwork among first responders. In addition, four districts purchased the full Emergency Management Suite that includes the Raptor Reunification module, which enables schools to reunite parents and students following a campus emergency quickly.

"We needed to partner with a software provider that works both on a mobile phone and in our existing infrastructure of computers and tablets, and one we could implement quickly," said Jim Culbert, the Chief Information Officer at Duval County Public Schools. "Raptor checked all the boxes, and in adding the integrated Raptor Reunification module that will be fully implemented in the 2021/2022 school year to Raptor Alert, we now have a robust suite of tools to help us respond and recover from any emergency."

"With this week also being America's Safe Schools Week, Raptor is excited so many districts in Florida have selected and deployed Raptor Alert," stated Gray Hall, CEO of Raptor Technologies. "It was an honor and a tremendous experience to engage with all 17 districts this summer, working with each county to get them up and running with Raptor Alert for the current school year so Florida families can feel safer sending their children to school this fall."

The Florida Department of Education selected Raptor Technologies' mobile panic alert, Raptor Alert, as one of the approved solutions for school districts to implement before the 2021 deadline. Raptor Alert is part of the Raptor Emergency Management Suite which consists of all the software tools districts need to track and report on safety drills, respond to emergencies big and small, and reunite families after any crisis.

To learn more about the Raptor Emergency Management suite of products, visit www.raptortech.com/emergency-management.

About Raptor Technologies

Raptor is driven by our mission to protect every child, every school, every day. Founded in 2002, Raptor has partnered with over 35,000 K-12 U.S. schools to provide integrated visitor, volunteer, and emergency management software and services that cover the complete spectrum of school safety. To learn more about Raptor Technologies, visit www.raptortech.com.

Media Contact: Matt Maurel, 225-933-0123, [email protected]

SOURCE Raptor Technologies

Related Links

http://www.raptortech.com


GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- At Vitrolife's Extraordinary General Meeting today, the following, amongst other things, was decided:

Non-cash consideration issue in accordance with the board's proposal with the purpose of financing the acquisition of Igenomix.

Vesa Koskinen , partner at EQT, is elected new board member and the board is thus expanded with one member. The board remuneration is increased because of the additional member. The decision is conditional on the non-cash issue being carried out.

Gothenburg, October 20, 2021

VITROLIFE AB (publ)

The Board

Queries should be addressed to:

Thomas Axelsson, CEO, tel 46 31 721 80 01

Mikael Engblom, CFO, tel 46 31 721 80 14

The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 4.00 pm CET on October 20, 2021.

This is a translation of the Swedish version of the press release. When in doubt, the Swedish wording prevails.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/vitrolife-ab--publ-/r/report-from-extraordinary-general-meeting-of-vitrolife-ab--publ-,c3436805

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/1031/3436805/1483649.pdf Report from EGM

SOURCE Vitrolife AB (publ)
NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Europe automotive parts remanufacturing market is set to be valued over US$ 44 Bn by 2031, according to latest research by Persistence Market Research, a research and consulting firm. The report estimates the market to surge at a steady CAGR of close to 7% though the course of 2021-2031.

Government regulatory actions are aimed at gradually increasing resource productivity, potentially leading to environmental pricing. For example, the European Council and Parliament's Waste Directive 2008/98/EC provided a legislative framework for waste management in European countries. Furthermore, it established fundamental definitions, ideas, and concepts such as waste hierarchy and the polluter pays principle. In the near future, Europe's countermeasures are expected to include stronger environmental regulations for products as well as new ways to tax ecosystem services and resources.

These factors are set to drive the industry for automotive parts remanufacturing in the European continent. Besides, market players are frequently involved in collaborations, mergers, and acquisitions so as to increase their footprint and market share.

In May 2021 , Meritor, Inc. collaborated with Hexagon Purus, a global leader in zero-emission e-mobility. These companies will work together to integrate Meritor's Blue Horizon 14Xe integrated ePowertrain into Hexagon Purus' contracted projects, which include Class 6 & Class 7 trucks and Class 8 (6x4) vehicles. Production is scheduled to begin in 2021.

, Meritor, Inc. collaborated with Hexagon Purus, a global leader in zero-emission e-mobility. These companies will work together to integrate Meritor's Blue Horizon 14Xe integrated ePowertrain into Hexagon Purus' contracted projects, which include Class 6 & Class 7 trucks and Class 8 (6x4) vehicles. Production is scheduled to begin in 2021. In February 2020 , PE Automotive GmbH & Co. KG took over the trading business of Monark Automotive GmbH as well as the Monark brand.

Request for sample PDF of report: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/14263

Key Takeaways from Market Study

Based on product, the Europe automotive parts remanufacturing market was dominated by electrical parts such as starters, alternators, and others, as demand for electric vehicles grows in Europe

automotive parts remanufacturing market was dominated by electrical parts such as starters, alternators, and others, as demand for electric vehicles grows in Vehicle longevity has been gradually increasing in commercial as well as electric vehicle because of remanufacturing parts.

The passenger vehicles segment dominated the European market for automotive parts remanufacturing, owing to rising consumer demand for compact and mid-sized cars.

Over the decade, Germany and the U.K. are expected to be extremely profitable markets. Presence of significant automobile OEMs and aftermarket sector in both countries is the primary reason for this.

"Growing awareness and economical prices of remanufactured automotive parts to drive market expansion across the European continent," says a Persistence Market Research analyst.

Get customized report by asking an expert: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/14263

Competitive Landscape in Europe

The Europe automotive parts remanufacturing market is highly competitive at regional levels, and highly fragmented in nature. Some of the key players included operating in this space are Borg Automotive A/S, Caterpillar Inc., ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Carwood Group, Meritor, Inc., Valeo SA, Robert Bosch GmbH, Monark Automotive GmbH, Budweg Caliper A/S, ATC Drivetrain, RECRO Ltd., FZT Unna GmbH, E. & U. Hetzel GmbH, Autrans Transmissions Parts & Service B.V., and Scandinavian Transmission Service AB, VEGE Group.

Top companies operating in the market are occupying a hefty share in terms of revenue. With compliance to governmental standards and regulations, these companies have a strong regional presence. Prime manufacturers are also updating their technologies to improve their market shares.

Conclusion

Strict restrictions enacted by the European Council will continue to reduce the rate at which worn-out car parts are abandoned and disposed into the environment. Such measures are boosting the remanufacturing industry's expansion throughout the region, which is known for its important contribution to the worldwide vehicle industry.

Furthermore, due to unpredictable raw material pricing and fragmented OEM presence in Europe, purchasing new parts is becoming increasingly unfeasible. As a result, reprocessing and testing essential automotive components is gaining traction across Europe, bolstering the market for remanufactured automobile parts.

Get full access of report: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/14263

Find More Valuable Insights

The research report analyses demand for Europe automotive parts remanufacturing. The market has been analysed with the COVID-19 impact, macroeconomic factors, market trends, and market background.

As per Persistence Market Research's scope, the market has been analysed based on product, vehicle, and country. The report gives qualitative and quantitative information on various players in the space. It also tracks the market by both, supply side and demand side.

Related Reports:

About Persistence Market Research:

Persistence Market Research (PMR), as a 3rd-party research organization, does operate through an exclusive amalgamation of market research and data analytics for helping businesses ride high, irrespective of the turbulence faced on the account of financial/natural crunches.

Overview:

Persistence Market Research is always way ahead of its time. In other words, it tables market solutions by stepping into the companies'/clients' shoes much before they themselves have a sneak pick into the market. The pro-active approach followed by experts at Persistence Market Research helps companies/clients lay their hands on techno-commercial insights beforehand, so that the subsequent course of action could be simplified on their part.

Contact

Rajendra Singh

Persistence Market Research

U.S. Sales Office:

305 Broadway, 7th Floor

New York City, NY 10007

+1-646-568-7751

United States

USA - Canada Toll-Free: 800-961-0353

Email: [email protected]

Visit Our Website: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com

SOURCE Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.
Plant Power Fast Food opens Las Vegas Flagship location. Tweet this

This is Plant Power's tenth and the chain has four more locations in active development including a flagship restaurant in Hollywood scheduled to open this December. The Las Vegas location debuted on October 15 to the highest grossing Opening Day in the chain's history.

In keeping with the company's strategy to leverage both corporate and franchise development in order to accelerate growth, the new Las Vegas location is a partnership with Scale x 3 Management, a hospitality and commercial retail real estate group founded by experienced restaurateurs Randy Corrigan, Barry Tu and McKenzie Cox. Plant Power President and Chief Operating Officer Zach Vouga discusses the partnership by stating, "Scale x 3 embodies everything we'd hoped for in a franchisee, both in terms of their commitment to the mission and also the experience and infrastructure required to operate a high-volume concept like Plant Power Fast Food."

Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Harris feels that a rapidly evolving consumer is looking for something more than the one or two plant-based options currently being offered at many fast-food establishments. "We're grateful to see major chains adding plant-based options to their menus, but there's no doubt that consumers are seeking out progressive new brands with an authentic commitment to taste and sustainability," states Harris. "The massive growth that we've experienced since we started in 2016 is proof that the time is right for a major 100% plant-based, cruelty-free, sustainable and healthier option in the fast-food segment."

ABOUT PLANT POWER FAST FOOD

Headquartered in San Diego, California, The Plant Power Restaurant Group, LLC is a privately held company on the cutting edge of plant-based fast food with a goal of driving a convenient, healthy, non-GMO option without sacrificing taste and satisfaction. To learn more, see menu options, learn about the food truck, visit plantpowerfastfood.com

IMAGES

PLANT POWER FAST FOOD LAS VEGAS

Contact:

Jim Amos, Scout 22

T: (818) 216-9122

E: [email protected]

SOURCE Plant Power Fast Food

Related Links

http://plantpowerfastfood.com


NORTHBROOK, Ill., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) announces today that it plans to build and operate a new alkoxylation plant at its existing Pasadena, Texas facility. Alkoxylates are a core surfactant technology critical to the agricultural, oilfield, construction and household end use markets. Stepan's $220.0 million investment is expected to provide a flexible capacity of 75,000 metric tons per year, capable of both ethoxylation and propoxylation, and better position the Company to serve the growing global demand of our Surfactant and Polymer businesses.

"We are excited to expand the alkoxylation capabilities of our North American network at the Pasadena site. This world-scale, state of the art investment will enable Stepan to support the growth in our core markets," said F. Quinn Stepan Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Stepan.

The new alkoxylation capacity in Pasadena, Texas is expected to come online in late 2023. When operational it will bring Stepan's alkoxylation network to three plants and position the Company with a footprint in the globally strategic U.S. Gulf Coast.

Corporate Profile

Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of specialty and intermediate chemicals used in a broad range of industries. Stepan is a leading merchant producer of surfactants, which are the key ingredients in consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfection products and in agricultural and oilfield solutions. The Company is also a leading supplier of polyurethane polyols used in the expanding thermal insulation market, and CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers) industries.

Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, Stepan utilizes a network of modern production facilities located in North and South America, Europe and Asia.

The Company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol SCL. For more information about Stepan Company please visit the Company online at www.stepan.com .

More information about Stepan's sustainability program can be found on the Sustainability page at www.stepan.com.

Certain information in this news release consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include statements about Stepan Company's plans, objectives, strategies, financial performance and outlook, trends, the amount and timing of future cash distributions, prospects or future events and involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict. As a result, Stepan Company's actual financial results, performance, achievements or prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "guidance," "predict," "potential," "continue," "likely," "will," "would," "should," "illustrative" and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Stepan Company and its management based on their knowledge and understanding of the business and industry, are inherently uncertain. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and stockholders should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond Stepan Company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among other factors, the risks, uncertainties and factors described in Stepan Company's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports and exhibits to those reports, and include (but are not limited to) risks and uncertainties related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; accidents, unplanned production shutdowns or disruptions in manufacturing facilities; reduced demand due to customer product reformulations or new technologies; our inability to successfully develop or introduce new products; compliance with laws; our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates and successfully complete and integrate acquisitions; global competition; volatility of raw material and energy costs and supply; disruptions in transportation or significant changes in transportation costs; downturns in certain industries and general economic downturns; international business risks, including currency exchange rate fluctuations, legal restrictions and taxes; unfavorable resolution of litigation against us; maintaining and protecting intellectual property rights; our ability to access capital markets; global political, military, security or other instability; costs related to expansion or other capital projects; interruption or breaches of information technology systems; our ability to retain executive management and key personnel; and our debt covenants.

These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and Stepan Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact: Luis E. Rojo 847-446-7500

SOURCE Stepan Company

Related Links

http://www.stepan.com


NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Summus Global, the leading virtual specialist platform, today announced that Liz Horgan has joined the company as Chief Marketing Officer. Horgan brings more than 20 years of healthcare marketing experience working across all populations in payer, provider and employer markets to her role at Summus Global. She is also a member of the executive leadership team.

"We are on a mission to be the global hub of leading medical expertise and to serve as the digital front door to high quality specialty care," said Julian Flannery, Founder and CEO, Summus Global. "We are thrilled to have someone of Liz's caliber and experience who deeply understands healthcare and has an innovative view on the powerful role virtual care will play in the future. As a member of our executive team, she will play a key role in bringing our unique solution to more families around the world and leveraging technology to restore human connection in healthcare."

Prior to joining Summus, Horgan held senior roles at Aetna, a CVS Health Company, where she was Head of Care Engagement in the Office of the Consumer, focused on the consumer's clinical health journey, as well as senior vice president of marketing and solutions at Silverlink Communications (now Welltok). Her healthcare experience also includes senior positions at Health Dialog, Cigna, Mercer and the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of Northern California.

"Summus helps people navigate specialty care by providing easy and timely access to the most experienced, highest quality specialist physicians across the continuum of care so families can make better, more informed decisions about their care," said Horgan. "I am honored to be part of this team who has a deep commitment and passion for bringing awareness to this important new care model and helping employers see the value of next generation virtual specialty care."

Horgan is a graduate of Harvard College, with an A.B. in English Literature.

About Summus Global

Summus Global, the leading virtual specialist platform, empowers families by providing access to a network of 4,000+ top specialists across 48 leading hospitals -- within days, from anywhere in the world. The Summus model sets a new standard for speed of access to high-quality medical expertise and drives industry-leading engagement with employers. Pioneering the future of corporate health benefits, Summus Global partners with companies across the country to create an elevated healthcare experience for their employees and to support better, cost-efficient outcomes across all health questions and stages of care.

SOURCE Summus Global
RENO, Nev., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters Local 533 has reached a tentative agreement with RTC Contractor Keolis Transit on scheduling, time off and a number of other issues. The members begin to return to work tomorrow after going on strike for the second time in three months, but will continue to negotiate the remaining open contract articles as they work towards finalizing a new collective bargaining agreement.

"Our members have stood strong on the line for 35 days and they are ready to pound the pavement again if provoked," said Gary Watson, Local 533 President. "They educated the passengers and public, they testified at the RTC Board Meetings and most importantly they took care of each other when a fellow brother or sister was down and out."

Local 533 hopes to complete negotiations with the company on compensation, disciplinary rules and other issues within the next two to three weeks; RTC Chair and Reno City Councilmember Neoma Jardon will continue to sit in on the remaining bargaining sessions. Michael Lansborough is a Local 533 Driver and Shop Steward who serves on the negotiating committee.

"Working class people need to know: it's time for us to unite," Lansborough said. "Not only unite individually into unions, but unite as a whole to beat down this corporate attitude that they can just walk all over everybody."

Chartered in 1934, Teamsters Union Local 533 represents about 2,200 workers in various trades throughout northern Nevada and eastern California, including about 200 RTC/Keolis employees. For more information, go to http://teamsters533.org/.

Contact:

Gary Watson, (775-348-6060) Ext. 101

[email protected]

SOURCE Teamsters Local 533

Related Links

http://teamsters533.org


LAS VEGAS, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MJBizCon, the largest B2B cannabis event in the world, returned to the Las Vegas Convention Center this morning.

Celebrating the company's first in-person event since 2019 and 10 years of MJBizCon, CEO and Founding Editor Chris Walsh welcomed attendees with his always anticipated 'State of the Industry and Predictions for 2022'.

"Putting things in perspective since we last gathered, we've all been through a tremendous amount of stress and uncertainty that affects us personally and professionally," Walsh said. "But despite the lockdowns and the political, social and economic unrest, the cannabis industry has prevailed - and been deemed essential."

Over the past 22 months, nearly a dozen states have legalized, retail sales across the country continued to increase, billions of dollars have been invested in mergers and acquisitions, multi-state operators have gained huge traction, psychedelics are emerging, online ordering and delivery are taking off, and even Amazon has joined the cannabis conversation.

There have been challenges as well: the Biden administration hasn't moved on marijuana reform, some medical markets are losing steam, global markets have been on hold, and the industry has lost ground in some key ways when it comes to diversity and inclusion, said Walsh.

As for the future, Walsh offered several predictions for 2022, including:

At least 4 states legalize medical or rec, including 1 "sleeper"

Biggest year for M&A yet; 3-4 mega mergers in the US & Canada

FDA won't pave way for ingestible CBD, but states will lead rebound

No federal change, even on bankingbut stage will be set

One of first big rec markets - CO, WA or OR - will see flat overall sales

Big progress in social consumption

Walsh said Mississippi and Kansas are among the front runners for legalizing medical, with Rhode Island, Maryland, Delaware, Oklahoma and Ohio could be in play for recreational legalization.

"I do not think the FDA will pave the way for ingestible CBD next year, unfortunately. The federal government has shown that it moves glacially slow when it comes to anything to do with cannabis. However, I do think we will see a resurgence in CBD, fueled by states paving their own way and allowing ingestible products. California's new law allowing CBD in food, beverages and other ingestible products could be a game-changer."

ABOUT MJBiz

MJBiz is the leading B2B resource for the cannabis industry. Founded in 2011, it is the most trusted independent publisher and event producer serving America's cannabis industry entrepreneurs and investors. MJBiz produces America's oldest and largest cannabis trade show: MJBizCon. The 2015-2019 events were each named to Trade Show Executive's Fastest 50 list. The 2021 event will return to Las Vegas October 20-22, 2021. The MJBiz team also produces MJBizDaily and other media outlets covering news and analysis of the marijuana and hemp industries. For more information about MJBizCon or MJBizDaily, please visit www.mjbizdaily.com.

CONTACT: Tess Woods, 1-617-942-0336, [email protected]

SOURCE MJBiz

Related Links

http://www.mjbizdaily.com


HOUSTON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new Texas Apartment Renters Security Deposit Law (SB 1783) has gone into effect this falland affords a new, low-cost opportunity for residential apartment owners, managers and renters via a one time insurance (NOT a surety bond) premium.

The new law precludes apartment owners/managers from charging a large, upfront one-time security deposit, traditionally held for the length of the lease.

The concept is called RentSensecreated by a long-time insurance executive Tim Wahl who has been a pioneer in the field of new insurance programs.

And TEXASwith TWO MILLION+ RENTAL UNITSwill be the company's first major focus.

The suite of three offerings begins with the core product, Deposit Plus+, which provides the property manager with 150% of the deposit value, at no cost to them. The tenant pays a one-time low-cost premium which is a small percentage ( about 23%) of the full amount of a traditional security deposit.

"This is a very real opportunity for property owners and tenants of multifamily residential apartments.," explained Wahl, CEO of the company. " Owners receive more protection than a traditional security deposit and receive an admin fee adding to their bottom line. Tenants benefit by securing a great apartment without paying a hefty amount of upfront money. And we can offer it to owners/managers with as few as 25 units."

"It's also very different from a surety bond. The coverage is much more comprehensive and secure," Wahl related. "We offer an insurance policy underwritten by an A-Rated insurance carrier, backed by the States Guaranty Funds. . .a surety bond can't do that."

"It's a unique way of providing additional protection for property owners and managers while helping renters get into an apartment for less money, observed Rick Croasdale, senior vice president of sales and marketing. "The new state law demonstrates Texas's vision and commitment to help businesses and consumers in these trying times. It has opened the door to change the traditional paradigm"

The company also offers two other residential apartment insurance plans: (1) Renters Plus+ ( property owners interests are included and owners may submit claims directly) and (2) Return to Renter (which allows owners/managers to offer cash back to hard-pressed tenants)

"The Texas Senate and House overwhelmingly approved the new law, " said Croasdale, a long-time Texas resident who will implement RentSense's state-wide marketing and sales campaign. "Their action is a boost to anyone who owns or rents residential apartments."

For Information Visit: www.RentSense.us

Contact: George Drucker email [email protected]

818-203-5845

SOURCE RentSense
Taking place in more than 100 cities nationwide, the Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run benefits the more than 54 million Americans (1 in 4 adults), including 300,000 children (1 in every 250), living with arthritis every day. From funding cutting-edge research for new treatments and ultimately a cure, to advocating for health care access, the Arthritis Foundation helps those living with arthritis score everyday victories, one step at a time.

"Jingle Bell Run is a 37 year tradition in Atlanta and known nationally as the original festive race for charity," said Carrie Mapp, Arthritis Foundation Georgia Associate Director. "Our honorees and volunteers are what make this event successful and memorable every year, and this year we're humbled to honor Maria Marino who is a true Arthritis Warrior and continually commits her time to raising awareness and funds for our cause."

Maria was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2009. In 2016, Maria decided she wanted to have an even bigger voice in shaping healthcare policies. To help make a difference she joined the Arthritis Foundation as an advocate in the State of Georgia and recently became the Georgia Vice Chair of Advocacy. She is highly active in getting more people involved in contacting their State and Federal Congress members and advocating bills to help make patient care more accessible. Fundraising for the Arthritis Foundation keeps healthcare issues front and center, allowing the Arthritis Foundation to pass bills that patients deem necessary to make their lives easier.

In addition to Maria Marino, the following people and partners will be honored.

Khalil Echols , Jingle Bell Run Youth Honoree

, Jingle Bell Run Youth Honoree Addie Freeman Jingle Bell Run Teen Honoree

Dr. Cynthia Lawrence Elliot , Jingle Bell Run Medical Honoree

The Jingle Bell Run is nationally sponsored by AbbVie, Jannsen and Novartis. To learn more and register for the Atlanta event, visit jbr.org/atlanta, or contact the Arthritis Foundation at 770-328-1622.

About the Arthritis Foundation

The Arthritis Foundation is the Champion of Yes. Leading the fight for the arthritis community, the Foundation helps conquer everyday battles through life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science and community connections. The Arthritis Foundation's goal is to chart a winning course, guiding families in developing personalized plans for living a full life  and making each day another stride towards a cure.

SOURCE Arthritis Foundation Georgia
Data Capture Platform Saves Time, Money and Hassle with AI-Driven Security Assurance Solution

BURLINGAME, Calif., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tugboat Logic by OneTrust, the leading security assurance company, today announced that Tickit Health, a personal data capture platform, has reduced its questionnaire response time and increased productivity by 1500% since implementing the Tugboat Logic platform.

Click to Tweet: @tugboatlogic Boosts @TickitHealth Productivity by 1500%: https://tugboatlogic.com/resources/customer-stories/boosting-productivity-by-1500 #securityassurance #compliance

Tickit Health captures information that empowers organizations to effectively identify and support every individual they interact with. Partnering with more than 500 organizations across North America and Australia, Tickit serves healthcare, schools, social service organizations and other employers. With 20 full-time employees, communicating policies and capturing evidence from the team's day-to-day activities had become an exponentially complex challenge.

Compliance is central to Tickit's ethos, but the company found it was investing too much time on ongoing compliance needs and needed a better way to manage the frameworks and policies already in place. Tugboat Logic provided a solution that could grow with the company.

Tugboat Logic's platform makes sure Tickit Health is following its controls as they're written and ensures all policies and procedures are routinely reviewed and updated. For example, when the pandemic caused Tickit to pivot to remote work, that created new security risks for the organization, which the Tugboat Logic platform identified. Tugboat Logic helped Tickit Health mitigate risks with the right controls to stay secure and compliant.

Tickit Health also receives dozens of security questionnaires each year from their clients, who are also obligated to manage their vendors for security and compliance. Tickit saved approximately 100 hours in audit prep over a four-month period thanks to Tugboat Logic, simply by having all up-to-date policies, controls and evidence in the same place.

Eric Gombrich, CPSO, Tickit Health, said: "Filling out security questionnaires was a very expensive, manual process for us. But Tugboat Logic uses artificial intelligence to automatically review the questions and propose the best possible answers. Using historical answers has reduced the time and energy needed to respond to these questionnaires without sacrificing accuracy. Tugboat Logic provided us with a single source of truth for our security program."

Ray Kruck, founder and CEO, Tugboat Logic, said: "Companies like Tickit Health must comply with a variety of security mandates, regardless of their size or budget. Our platform provides continuous compliance with AI-driven automation so that customers of all sizes can have security assurance and demonstrate it to both their customers and auditors. This saves time and money, increases productivity and enables companies to get back to the high-value activities that achieve business goals."

About Tickit Health, Ltd

Tickit Health is a privately-held company founded to enhance the communication between patients, students, schools and providers. The organization's award-winning flagship solution, known as Tickit captures data directly fromand communicates withhard to reach populations. Unlike traditional survey and assessment methods, Tickit is based on the science and psychology of Digital Empathy which is proven to improve organizational efficiency, enabling better decision making through increased response rates and quality of data. The company's more than 50 evidence-based and validated assessments, surveys, and questionnaires are used by over 500 organizations including healthcare, education, and social services. For more information on the company, visit www.tickithealth.com, follow us on Twitter @TickitHealth or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/tickithealth

About Tugboat Logic by OneTrust

Tugboat Logic by OneTrust is the Security Assurance Platform that provides continuous compliance. Tugboat Logic provides automated technology to demystify the process of creating and managing an InfoSec program. With Tugboat Logic, companies can quickly get secure and prove it to customers. Powered by AI, Tugboat Logic's patented technology automates InfoSec policy creation, audit readiness, and security questionnaire response so companies can gain trust with customers and sell more. Tugboat Logic helps businesses prepare for audits in half the time and at a fraction of the cost, ensures they can respond to security questionnaires in minutes (not hours), and builds and scales their InfoSec plan in minutes. In 2021, OneTrust acquired Tugboat Logic to give growing companies a platform they can grow into as security programs mature. Website: https://www.tugboatlogic.com/

PR Contact:

Shannon Van Every

Nadel Phelan, Inc.

408-313-9974

[email protected]

SOURCE Tugboat Logic
Episode 1: Wednesday, Oct. 20 th , 2021, at 9am PST / 12pm EST - Lyndon Smith Hosts Gabriel & Co.'s Visual Merchandiser Manager, Asia Smykowski .

, 2021, at / - Lyndon Smith Hosts Gabriel & Co.'s Visual Merchandiser Manager, . Episode 2: Wednesday, Nov. 3 rd , 2021, at 9am PST / 12pm EST - Lyndon Smith Hosts Gabriel & Co.'s Sr. Brand Specialist at Koerber's Fine Jewelry in New Albany, IN , Lindsey Davis .

, 2021, at / - Lyndon Smith Hosts Gabriel & Co.'s Sr. Brand Specialist at Koerber's Fine Jewelry in , . Episode 3: Wednesday, Nov. 17 th, 2021, at 9am PST / 12pm EST - Gabriel & Co. and Lyndon Smith Host Special Guest (guest to be announced).

The Stronger Together initiative is centered around a beautiful circle pendant made from two intertwined strands representing the strength of togetherness. A simple, timeless, and elegant necklace, the bauble can be worn everyday as a reminder of the power of humanity. The attractive and obtainable price point makes it a meaningful gift for a friend or loved one.

The Stronger Together necklace, which retails for $100, will donate 100% of proceeds to Jewelers for Children benefitting the National CASA/GAL Association. Together with state and local member programs, National CASA/GAL supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive. Gabriel & Co. recognizes the unrelenting effects of recent events on countless families, children and non-profits and stands ready to help.

CEO of Gabriel & Co., Jack Gabriel, explains "Our Gabriel Love Foundation is deeply involved with Jewelers for Children, a nonprofit founded more than two decades ago to mobilize the social-consciousness goals of jewelry industry partners. Fine jewelry has enormous potential to improve the lives of the most vulnerable populations and pave the way for a brighter future, especially in difficult times."

"Jewelers for Children has been so fortunate to have this support from Gabriel & Co.," says Executive Director of Jewelers for Children, David Rocha. "Having them step up to support the National CASA/GAL Association and our other charity partners with such amazing, focused campaigns has made a tremendous difference during these challenging times for fundraising."

Join the Gabriel & Co. x Lyndon Smith Instagram live series via @gabrielandco

PRESS CONTACT:

Alyssa Stiles

Michele Marie PR

[email protected]

646.863.3923

About Gabriel & Co.:

Gabriel & Co. is a New York City based jewelry design house which was founded in 1989 by brothers Jack and Dominick Gabriel. Family owned and operated, the company began in New York City and has since evolved into one of the most prolific fine jewelry brands in the U.S., sold at retailers nationwide. The story of Gabriel & Co. is one of passion, integrity, service and trust. Gabriel creates beautifully unique and distinctive pieces that are designed to reflect the true beauty that is unique in all of us. Each piece is passionately designed and created as a crafted personal experience. By infusing human passion into natural elements, Gabriel creates jewelry that enhances and celebrates beauty and personal achievements. Individually numbered, each piece is as unique as the woman who wears it. Gabriel & Co. has consistently won awards since 2011 in both JCK & Instore Magazines for being one of the most innovative and best performing brands in the jewelry industry.

SOURCE Gabriel & Co.

Related Links

https://www.gabrielny.com


SEATTLE, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The inaugural Construction Inclusion Week kicked off this week with multiple days of engagement to promote inclusion and enable conversations regarding diversity within the Construction Industry. The theme for the week is "Building the Foundation for Inclusion."

Construction Inclusion Week invites every member of the construction industry to unite to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. Turner Construction is joining more than 1,100 construction industry firms that signed up to participate online and have received access to materials and resources that help foster conversations and bring awareness to diversity, equity, and inclusion. These resources enable construction companies of all sizes to plan targeted activities for their organization and trade partners.

"At Turner Construction, we're committed to creating and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. We understand that every person at Turner and at a Turner site plays an important role in contributing to something lasting," said Bill Ketcham, General Manager, Turner Construction. "By creating an inclusive environment, we're able to lead with empathy and celebrate our differences and common values, as we continue to educate ourselves on issues like unconscious bias, racism, and privilege."

By working together, learning from one another, and being consistent in commitments and actions towards maintaining a safe and inclusive work environmentfree of harassment, hate, or bigotry of any kind  Construction Inclusion Week will encourage a positive change in the industry for generations of workers to come.

"Construction Inclusion week is a time to educate and engage on topics that may be difficult to discuss yet are needed," said Tamaka Thornton, Community & Citizenship Director, Turner Construction. "The construction industry is diverse, and Construction Inclusion week allows individuals to have conversations in an inclusive and respectful forum."

During Construction Inclusion Week, Turner will hold site-wide events and toolbox talks to discuss Leadership Commitment and Accountability for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Unconscious Bias, Supplier Diversity, Jobsite Culture, and Community Engagement. Turner is also organizing events to connect with trade partners and underrepresented business enterprises to support supplier diversity.

Construction Inclusion Week is organized by Time for Change, a consortium of six general contractors that share the goal to identify ways to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the construction industry. The consortium founding members are Turner Construction Company, Gilbane Building Company, DPR Construction, Mortenson, McCarthy, and Clark Construction Group. Affiliated partners are Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Associated General Contractors (AGC), and Culture of Care.

"Construction Inclusion week gives all minorities in the industry the platform to be listened to, but more importantly, heard." Said Karen Lawton, Self-Perform Superintendent, Turner Construction. "And with these voices raised, improvements to the construction industry can be made to show that diversity equals success."

About Turner Construction

Turner is a North America-based, international construction services company and is a leading builder in diverse market segments. The company has earned recognition for undertaking large, complex projects, fostering innovation, embracing emerging technologies, and making a difference for their clients, employees, and community.

With 10,000 employees, the company completes $12 billion of construction on 1,500 projects each year. Turner offers clients the accessibility and support of a local firm with the stability and resources of a multi-national organization.

SOURCE Turner Construction
PLYMOUTH, Mich., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mark Anderson, President and CEO of United Road, the largest provider of finished vehicle transport logistics in North America, today announced the expansion of its Guaranteed Pay Benefit to all company drivers: first year, tenured and rehires. Guaranteed Pay gives drivers a level of financial assurance and security with the knowledge that they can count on a consistent level of pay. Guaranteed Pay is one way the company can support its professional drivers who are key to United Road's ability to deliver for its customers often through all kinds of weather and adverse conditions.

Guaranteed Pay gives United Road drivers peace of mind, a safety net they can count on each pay cycle. Tweet this United Road President and CEO Mark Anderson (r.) with Tim Sandford, professional carhauler.

The Guaranteed Pay Benefit is a key element in United Road's strategy to attract, train and retain professional car haulers in particular in their first year of driving. See details at Careers I United Road.

"Our drivers haul in all kinds of weather including through and around hurricanes, construction zones, under challenging circumstances  from the pandemic to the chip shortage," said Anderson in a letter this week to company drivers. "We recognize that many elements of carhauling are out of a driver's control including the variability of earnings. Guaranteed Pay is a mind-easing benefit, a safety net that can help mitigate the downswings of pay volatility."

While drivers can and do earn more bi-weekly than the Guaranteed Pay levels, drivers have the peace of mind of knowing that they have a guaranteed income, consistent pay that they can count on each pay cycle.

For drivers in their first year Guaranteed Pay is $2,300 per pay period which over the course of a year equates to a pay of at least $60,000. Tenured drivers, those with one year-plus of employment, will earn a minimum of $2,500 per pay period, at least $65,000 annually. Typically, United Road company drivers earn well-above these thresholds with the top quartile of tenured drivers earning an average of over $100,000 annually.

To qualify for Guaranteed Pay a driver must:

- Be an active employee and operate a seven-car hauler or larger truck

- Be available for, accept all assigned work within a current two-week pay period

- Work a minimum of 100 hours during a pay period

"We piloted the benefit earlier this year with first year drivers and saw a dramatic increase in driver satisfaction and retention," said Anderson. "It was a natural to take this pay stabilization benefit company-wide with our tenured and returning drivers. Our goal is to be the employer of choice for professional drivers. These men and women are the 'front door' of our customers' experience with United Road."

United Road employs approximately 900 professional drivers and has a network of nearly 1,000 independent contractors and 5,000 third party carriers.

About United Road

Founded in 1997, United Road is the premier finished vehicle logistics company in North America. Each year, coast to coast and across borders, United Road manages the transport of over four million vehicles for all major global vehicle manufacturers, car dealers, remarketers, financial institutions, rental companies, fleet owners, auction and on-line sellers/buyers, and individuals. United Road's portfolio of companies includes Team DriveAway, an interstate heavy equipment hauler. Headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan, with operating terminals across the U.S. and Canada, the company has over 1,700 employees and operates an integrated national network that includes a total of 2,500 company-owned and independent contractor units as well as 15,000 power units of dedicated third-party vehicle carriers.

For information, visit About Us I United Road.

SOURCE United Road

Related Links

https://www.unitedroad.com


LONDON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Precision Lighting and Remote Controlled Lighting, two British lighting manufacturers, are pleased to announce that Luminii, a Chicago-based manufacturer of industry leading specification-grade architectural LED lighting systems, has acquired the companies.

Precision Lighting and Remote Controlled Lighting are sister companies under common ownership and management. Bringing both into the Luminii fold allows the companies to broaden their global reach into new territories, while enabling Luminii to further innovate by engineering new LED lighting technologies and products that service commercial and residential markets.

"With Precision Lighting's micro-lighting products and systems, we can now offer a broader range of micro-LED solutions while also expanding opportunities in major hubs including London, Europe, and the Far East," said Precision Lighting and Remote Controlled Lighting founding CEO Alex Ruston. "Remote Controlled Lighting also brings a new category of remote-control lighting solutions, opening doors to be specified into applications we were previously unable to support."

Ruston added, "This strategic company advancement with Luminii helps us further diversify our customer base, expedites our product visibility in the U.S., and gives us the momentum we need to bring our world-class products to new markets."

Precision Lighting

Precision Lighting carefully selects its LEDs, offering industry-leading colour rendering and beam quality as well as flexible features like interchangeable beam angles and distribution options. Precision Lighting features an in-house research and development team committed to manufacturing and developing lighting products that deliver on specifier requirements.

Remote Controlled Lighting

Remote Controlled Lighting is a pioneer and world leader in the design and supply of remote-control motorized luminaires for the architectural lighting market. Remote Controlled Lighting's lighting solutions feature a proprietary iDirect mobile app lighting control system which enables ad-hoc, scene setting, and recall, while Remote Controlled Lighting's products feature high-quality beam control and near-silent motorized movement, offering a high degree of customisation for lighting designers. Precision Lighting and Remote Controlled Lighting will remain fully operational and assume business as usual after the close. As operations evolve, Precision Lighting and Remote Controlled Lighting will integrate operations across all product portfolios and regions. For Precision Lighting, Remote Controlled Lighting, and all other Luminii brands, customers may contact regional sales managers with any questions about the acquisition, pricing, and product availability.

This is Luminii's fourth strategic acquisition in two years. This latest transaction underscores Luminii's determination to tap into new markets while reinforcing the company's strategy to advance its global manufacturing and product capabilities.

ABOUT LUMINII

Luminii is an industry-leading, specification-grade LED lighting manufacturer on a mission to enhance architecture delivering high-performance products in a simply brilliant way. We bring unique visions to life through highly modifiable solutions driven by innovation and delivered with simple processes from specification through installation. Whether you are an architect, designer, or contractor, we are committed to delivering premium lighting products and an experience that is efficient, positive, and memorable. Follow Luminii on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest for more information on lighting solutions, applications, and industry events.

For more information on PRECISION LIGHTING and their product portfolio, visit: http://precisionlighting.co.uk/

For more information on Remote Controlled Lighting and their product portfolio, visit: https://rclighting.com/

MEDIA CONTACTS

Media members interested in more information regarding Luminii may reach out to the representatives identified below.

SOURCE Luminii
MIAMI, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vault Health today published a white paper detailing one of its first active clinical trials. The Live BASIC Trial is studying whether a combination of specific probiotics can help increase immune protection against COVID-19. The pilot clinical trial is being done in partnership with Rutgers University, which Vault has worked with throughout the course of the pandemic through its national COVID testing efforts.

"Probiotics are already thought to have a variety of health benefits. But one specific subset of probiotics - called OL-1 - may have an especially critical role in the fight against the global COVID-19 pandemic," said Hady Khoury, President of Vault's Life Sciences division and Chief Research Officer. "That's because at a molecular level, OL-1 probiotics resemble parts of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19."

Khoury says the trial will hopefully shed light on whether that resemblance might coax the body to mount an immune response helpful in warding off COVID-19.

To test that hypothesis, Vault Health successfully recruited 54 people to participate in the research study over six weeks. Some participants were recruited from Vault's existing patients, while others were recruited through paid marketing. All participants had been infected with COVID-19 in the past and were not vaccinated against the virus. The participants were divided into three groups; one receiving a high dose of OL-1 probiotic, one receiving a standard dose, and one receiving an inactive placebo.

Study subjects could participate in the Live BASIC Trial conveniently from the safety and comfort of their own homes. In addition to taking the probiotics or placebo, subjects provided biological samples by mail and via brief, COVID-safe home visits by Vault's clinical trial staff. They also connected with researchers virtually and reported any symptoms they experienced through an online questionnaire. All study subjects were compensated for their participation.

The biological samples provided by trial participants are being analyzed to determine whether the OL-1 probiotics led to any measurable immune system benefits, such as improved antibody levels.

"We are eager to see the results of this study," said lead investigator, Daniel B. Horton, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at Rutgers School of Public Health. "While this pilot study is too small to say anything definite about whether OL-1 could prevent COVID-19, it may provide early clues about the influence of OL-1 on COVID-19-related immunity. This information will be essential to designing larger, more definitive studies."

Download the full white paper here.

Live BASIC Trial one of many, as Vault Health enters clinical research space

The partnership with Rutgers on the Live BASIC Trial is one of nearly a dozen active clinical trials Vault Health is engaged with. For this trial, Vault led the patient recruitment, logistical planning, coordination for study subjects, and in-home clinical visits.

Jason Feldman, CEO and co-founder of Vault Health, says the trial is a great example of how Vault is truly leading the way on a shift towards virtual trials.

"The industry describes it as 'decentralized clinical research," said Feldman. "It's a more technical way of describing the ability to participate in clinical trials without having to drive to a lab and spend hours in-person. The traditional approach to clinical research simply doesn't provide what we need when it comes to innovating new therapies and treatments.

"The ability to participate in a clinical trial virtually, or through at-home visits with clinical staff breaks down boundaries to participation," continued Feldman. "It enables researchers to cast a wider net in the first place, which increases the pool of potential clinical study participants, building a more diverse, representative cohort."

Since the start of the pandemic, Vault has sold more than ten million COVID tests nationally and administered more than half a million vaccines. As the company continues to find ways to leverage its virtual platform and network of more than 750 medical providers across the country, it is now looking to expand its role in healthcare through its Life Sciences division. The company is partnering with sponsors and service providers to build faster and more efficient clinical research.

"The COVID pandemic really accelerated and cemented the prevalence of virtual trials," said Feldman. "We always knew virtual trials were the way of the future, but when COVID hit, thousands of clinical studies came to a halt, challenging the ability to conduct research safely and efficiently. The FDA's guidance on alternatives for data collection, sample collection, and site visits is truly changing the landscape of clinical research for the better."

Vault recently joined the Decentralized Trials and Research (DTRA) Alliance, which includes more than one hundred life sciences and healthcare organizations seeking to accelerate the broad adoption of patient-focused, decentralized clinical trials and research. The alliance was launched in December 2020 with a singular mission to make clinical trial participation widely accessible by advancing policies, research practices, and new technologies in decentralized clinical research.

To learn more about Vault Clinical Trials, click here.

About Vault

Vault is at the forefront of simplifying the execution of decentralized clinical trials and providing the highest quality patient experience, supported by state of art technology and virtual care. Vault's mission is to accelerate better health outcomes through faster diagnosis, innovative clinical research and digital-first care delivery. Vault works with more than 3,000 world-class customers - including corporate, public health, education, and pharma and biotech - to deliver care to their populations. To date, it has sold more than 10 million COVID tests and administered more than half a million COVID vaccines. Learn more: https://www.vaulthealth.com/

SOURCE Vault Health

Related Links

https://www.vaulthealth.com/


Bank joins Wavecrest Growth Partners, BNY Mellon, Citi Ventures, PostePay (Poste Italiane) and Visa Inc. as investors to fund continued growth and expansion

NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Volante Technologies, the global leader in cloud payments and financial messaging, today announced it received USD 10M in growth funding from Wells Fargo Strategic Capital, bringing the total institutional investment to date to USD 45M. With this investment, the bank's growth capital unit joins a number of global institutional and strategic investors who committed to the previous capital raise led by Wavecrest Growth Partners in August 2020.

2020 was a banner year for Volante with the company doubling its net new logo signings from the previous year and closing 50 sales transactions with marquee customers including multinational banks, global asset managers, stock exchanges and payment networks. These successes led to numerous award wins this year alone, including topping the IBSI Sales League Table 2021 for Wholesale Payments.

At a key inflection point, the company is now looking to further modernize the payments industry and bring the benefits of its technology to a wider range of participants, helping them evolve past their legacy limitations. As part of this mission, it will deepen collaboration with existing clients, and further increase the breadth of its ecosystem partnerships.

"While innovation has accelerated in customer-facing fintech applications, legacy core payments infrastructure has been slower to adopt new technologies due to its complex messaging standards and mission-critical environments," said Basil Darwish, managing director for Wells Fargo Strategic Capital. "Volante solved such challenges by offering a modern cloud-native payments platform that minimizes the complexity while accelerating its customers' payments modernization efforts. We are excited to invest in Volante and join the next phase of its development."

Recently, Wells Fargo initiated a strategic payments modernization effort by migrating to the ISO 20022 financial messaging standard across its global payments operations, for which it selected Volante for ISO 20022 Migration and Modernization.

"We are excited to continue our partnership with Volante with this investment and we look forward to seeing how Volante will continue to innovate and advance their payment capabilities," said Jason Christensen, head of payments and treasury technology, Wells Fargo.

Volante has always had big aspirations. The company pioneered real-time payments in the U.S. and cloud technology in financial services. It also has an extensive track record of innovation in digital transformation. In fact, Volante was offering a 'low code' and 'no code' platform long before they were industry buzzwords, an approach which it will further develop with its strategic investors, including Wells Fargo.

"We're setting a high bar for excellence  one that improves and elevates the entire industry," said Vijay Oddiraju, CEO, Volante Technologies. "If banks can launch payment products in months versus years, then that's a win for everyone. Beyond digital banks and financial institutions, we also want to bring the value of our solutions directly to business and consumer brands."

"But it's about more than innovation and automation," he continued. "As a global citizen, I'm also driven by the ethical imperatives of an industry that manages finances in an age of great global inequality. It's my concern for the next generation that leads me to believe that our products need to help end users achieve a better life. As a customer and an investor, Wells Fargo will further help us on this journey."

Vaibhav Nalwaya, Managing Partner, Wavecrest Growth Partners, said, "Volante has cemented itself as the cloud payments operating system. Tier one banks, regional banks, and credit unions can forget about their multi-year transformation journeys. With Volante, they can update their connectivity to a new payments rail or comply with a new standard delivered over the cloud in a manner similar to how consumers update apps on their phones. Wavecrest is proud to support the Volante journey alongside an ensemble cast of strategic investors."

For further thoughts on how the payments industry must rise to the challenges of our post-COVID world, read Vijay Oddiraju's latest blog post.

About Volante Technologies

Volante Technologies is the leading global provider of cloud payments and financial messaging solutions to accelerate digital transformation. We serve as a trusted partner to over 100 banks, financial institutions, market infrastructures, clearing houses, and corporate treasuries in 35 countries. Our solutions and services process millions of transactions and trillions in value every day, powering four of the top five corporate banks, 40 percent of all U.S. commercial bank deposits, and 70 percent of worldwide card traffic. As a result, our customers can stay ahead of emerging trends, become more competitive, deliver superior client experiences, and grow their businesses through rapid innovation. To learn more, visit www.volantetech.com. Follow us at linkedin.com/company/volante-technologies and twitter.com/volantetech.

SOURCE Volante Technologies, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.volantetech.com


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- West Michigan Seniors who are aging into Medicare or want to review their options for 2022 can attend a comprehensive virtual seminar from the comfort of their own home. The Virtual Medicare Shop & Compare Expo, scheduled for 10 a.m., Saturday, October 23, is a great opportunity for seniors to learn more about the differences in Medicare and Medicare Advantage and the many plan options available to them. To register: AnswerHealthSeniorCareAdvantage.com.

The complimentary webinar will include several sessions, including a physician panel entitled: "The Benefits of Value-Based Healthcare"; Medicare 101 sessions; insurance company and broker presentations; and inspirational comments from West MI 60 Strong Ambassadors who have overcome health obstacles and other challenges and are living life to the fullest.

Don't worry if you miss the webinar. From October 23 through December 7, you can still log on by going to AnswerHealthSeniorCareAdvantage.com to watch the online Medicare information program.

Answer Health is hosting the event and will have representatives available to answer questions about their Answer Health Senior Care Advantage program, which expands the cooperation and coordination between Answer Health and the health insurance plans providing coverage for their senior patients. Answer Health Senior Care Advantage is not a new Medicare Advantage plan -- rather it is a new approach to care delivery. Under this program, patients have more flexibility, but still have access to the quality care provided by their physicians at Answer Health.

Answer Health is the largest network of independent practice physicians in Western Michigan with over 1,000 primary care and specialty providers in more than 200 locations.

SOURCE Answer Health

Related Links

http://www.AnswerHealthSeniorCareAdvantage.com


"It is an honor and a privilege to work alongside Jason, Sarah and Courtney in continuing IIE's mission," said Goodman. "Access to education is more important today than ever before. These three leaders, along with the broader senior team and this new structure, will best enable IIE to continue to innovate and respond to the global needs of students, scholars and the wider higher education community."

Sarah Ilchman has nearly three decades of dedicated service to IIE and oversees the global Fulbright Student and Scholar programs for IIE on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. Ilchman has demonstrated an impressive record of impactful results in program management, building relationships, inspiring ideas and innovation and strategic planning. She previously focused on programming with Africa, South and Central Asia and the Near East. Inducted as an inaugural member of the National Academy for International Education, the first learned society dedicated to international education, she also serves as an executive sponsor of IIE's Leadership Academy and chairs the institute-wide Emergency Management Task Force.

Jason Czyz has served as chief financial officer of IIE since 2016. With a background in grants and contracts and as a lawyer, Jason has worked with multiple governments and programs and has extensive experience leading global initiatives. Prior to joining IIE, Jason worked extensively in Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, and Central and South Asia on legal reform, utility regulation and infrastructure privatization projects for the USAID, the Department of Energy, and others. A French and Russian language speaker, Jason co-chairs the IIE Odyssey Scholarship selection committee and serves on the board of the Indonesia International Education Foundation.

Courtney Temple joined IIE's executive leadership team in 2018. Previously, she served for over two decades as a multi-industry human capital executive with extensive global and regional experience in human resources and business operations. As executive vice president and CAO, Courtney will continue her leadership of IIE's human resources, higher education initiatives and communications and will have expanded responsibility for IIE's diversity, equity and access programming for staff and IIE-administered programs.

"The elevation of Sarah, Jason and Courtney, taken together with Allan's continued leadership, will allow us to continue the mission established by our forebears of transcending borders, widening access to international educational exchange, and affording safe haven to imperiled scholars and students the world over," said Mark Angelson, chair of IIE's board of trustees. "These changes formalize working relationships developed over the past two years, enhance the thought leadership in support of IIE's mission, and will foster continued growth and evolution."

The members of IIE's Office of the CEO will continue to work with the other members of IIE's senior leadership team, including Edie Cecil (SVP, program management - government), Jonah Kokodyniak (SVP, program development and partner services), Peter Young (SVP, chief technology officer), Nina Smith (SVP, chief philanthropy officer), and Amy Eappen (newly appointed SVP, chief financial officer).

About IIE:

Established in 1919, IIE is a global not-for-profit that creates and implements international education programs, conducts research and provides life-changing opportunities for students and scholars worldwide. IIE collaborates with a range of corporate, government and foundation partners across the globe to lead the world's major scholarship, leadership development and scholar rescue programs. 108 of its directors, grantees and alumni of programs administered by IIE are recipients of Nobel Prizes and through its range of emergency support programs, IIE is able to help displaced students and scholars regain access to education. IIE has a network of 17 offices and affiliates worldwide and over 1,450 member institutions. Visit iie.org for more information.

SOURCE Institute of International Education
Historic Sale Includes Mineral Interests Oil & Gas Revenues. Renewable's Opportunity of Wind & Solar - Prolific Water Assets Feature 120-year-old Family Legacy Ranch is - Last of the Great Texas Legacies.

DALLAS, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the May 2021 statement of the owners' intent to sell, the Icon Global Group today announced the official launch of the International Marketing Campaign, disclosing the public list price of USD $200 Million, while concurrently releasing a first of its kind Official Launch Feature Video, the final in a lead up trilogy series of previously released cinematically produced, theatrical style trailers. (Icon Global Flying the Turkey Track \ Turkey Track Global Preview).

Capital Farm Credit, part of the nationwide Farm Credit System, is positioned to underwrite and finance the property in the upcoming sale process. "Our appraisal and lending team recently toured the ranch by ground and air, unanimously reporting its wildlife, livestock and resource diversification as 'best-in-class,'" said Phil Peabody, Capital Farm Credit's chief lending officer.

"After touring the ranch for the first time, I am convinced this is one of Texas' most premier ranches," added Mickey Nixon, one of Capital Farm Credit's lead appraisers. "Its value is unique in many ways. Ranches of this size with a legacy of responsible stewardship, abundant water resources, outstanding recreational potential and historical significance are rare and seldom offered for sale."

The offering includes a 40 % stake of mineral ownership and revenues from a number of existing oil and gas wells, as well as further development potential for more. Wind and Solar Rights will also convey, along with all agricultural and domestic water assets. Operating Equipment and Intellectual Property, name and brand are included in the sale.

Icon's Bernard Uechtritz stated, "I and the team at Icon Global are proud to represent this exceptional family in the sale of their exceptional ranch for the first time in history, and in finding the next steward.

In fact, we've had early offers and more good prospects with scheduled tours. State, National, and International interest has been strong.

Just as in marketing the WT Waggoner Ranch for a record $725 million list price some years ago, I have not valued the Turkey Track in the typical, conventional manner, which is on a per acre basis of comparable sale value; thereafter discounting for its large size as most ranches and their traditionalist brokers mostly do. Conversely, we have instead priced this property by virtue of its one-time opportunity, its singular and unique attributes, and its scarcity, along with add value factors as many other ranches cannot do. Size in my book is always an add value, not a discount. There is no other like it in Texas, and there never will be. Therefore, it is incomparable.

This ranch is a stand-alone and it stands head and shoulders above anything else listed, sold or currently under contract. It is simply a One of One, and possibly the last of the great ones. Once it is sold, its likely to be owned for another 120 years.

In terms of its water and natural resources and as a truly authentic working cattle and wildlife habitat ranch, in my opinion the Turkey Track is the top choice in the state and in fact, the southern plains of Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Any true cowboy, cattleman, conservationist, or experienced broker who has actually seen the ranch will share this opinion.

Water is life, and a means to life of every kind, and the Turkey Track has water assets in abundance. More than any other ranch that I know of. Seven creeks and multiple reservoirs, springs, sub irrigated bottom land and lakes, all leading to some twenty six miles of high value and coveted Canadian River boundary.

Beyond and before its obvious add value components of water, oil, and renewable energy resources, is its history. Long before it was ever a ranch, it was already recognized as fertile, life giving and hallowed ground as evidenced by the Native Americans, early settlers and soldiers, like Kit Carson, whom all vied to occupy its grassy plains and water resources, in the well-chronicled, historic, two battles of Adobe Walls in 1864 and 1874. History is not something you can buy off the shelf and bolt on. You either have it or you don't," he said.

"We have taken an unconventional approach to an incomparable opportunity of a one-of-a-kind ranch in setting the price and in marketing.

Our story telling through an exceptional and groundbreaking style of marketing video, showcases this ranch, its values, authentic history, and operations like no other. It is appropriately dedicated to this family and their great legacy. I am proud of setting a new bar in this marketing accomplishment."

About Capital Farm Credit

For more than 100 years, Capital Farm Credit has supported rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services. Capital Farm Credit is a proud member of the Farm Credit system and serves more than 21,500 members, with loans outstanding totaling more than $9 billion. Headquartered in Bryan, Texas, Capital Farm Credit has offices serving 192 of Texas' 254 counties.

About Icon Global

Icon Global designs and implements strategic, tactical marketing and sales campaigns for unique, high-end properties globally. The company was founded by complex deal maker and International real estate advisor, Bernard Uechtritz. The Australian native most notably led the global marketing and sale of the 535,000 acre W.T. Waggoner Ranch in Vernon, Texas. Listed at $725 million. The largest ranch in North American under one contiguous fence, in a world record sale that still stands today. Icon Global is an Independently Licensed and Internationally Connected Full Service Brokerage Firm.

About Turkey Track Ranch

Historic "Prize of the Panhandle" is legacy of the Coble/Whittenburg empire. Known for natural resources and site of Battles of Adobe Walls of 1864 and 1874 - Decision to sell comes after twelve decades of stewardship.

The Turkey Track Ranch was pioneered in the era of legendary WT Waggoner, 6666 and Goodnight ranches. Boasting almost 80,000 acres under one fence and some 26 miles of Canadian River frontage, the ranch is a rare confluence of natural resources; containing an abundance of water, productive fertile grasslands, and diverse wildlife -set within rolling and rugged topography of mesas, draws, valleys and vistas interposed with open rangeland -epitomizing the western ranch lifestyle and famed fertile buffalo plains of yesteryear.

Family Statement

"It is with careful consideration and great emotion that we announce that, after 120 years of stewardship by our family, we have decided to sell our historic Turkey Track Ranch in the Texas Panhandle. For over a century this American landmark has been an integral element of our heritage. Generations of Cobles and Whittenburgs have created lifetimes of memories on the Turkey Track. We have enlisted Bernard Uechtritz of the Icon Global Group in Dallas to bring the Turkey Track to market in the latter half of 2021. The ranch has and will forever hold not only the monuments, memories, and legacies of our now multigenerational families but, significantly, maintains a very important place within the well-chronicled chapters of early Texas and US history; similarly, the ranch and its past stewards hold a prideful and acknowledged position of contributions to the evolution of modern-day ranching and cattle raising industries, as well as the Oil & Gas sectors of our great state." - The Coble & Whittenburg Family

PHOTOS

Turkey Track Ranch  print photos  photo credits listed per file:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/w14jcpzt8f9lbd8/AABrsamnhWPuME6SVg0mlyWGa?dl=0



Turkey Track Ranch  web photos  photo credits listed per file:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ol6ycu8o534rxqx/AAAYj5HXyICf0tNKF0MKZmR0a?dl=0



VIDEOS

Turkey Track Ranch | Official Launch Feature Video:

https://vimeo.com/633305397



Turkey Track Ranch | Icon Global Flying the Turkey Track:

https://vimeo.com/629332241



Turkey Track Ranch | Turkey Track Global Preview:

https://vimeo.com/585883992



BOOKLET

https://issuu.com/icon66/docs/ig_issuu_2021_ttr_pack_issuu?fr=sNzcwZjMzMjkw



Icon Global | Promo Deck

https://issuu.com/icon66/docs/ig_issuu_2021_marketing_pack_p1?fr=sMjJkMzMzMjkw

SOURCE Icon Global Group
BEIJING, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 20, 2021China-Central and North America International Trade Digital Expo hosted by CCPIT-China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and jointly organized by China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC) and ZhongZhan Information Cooperation Data Service Company opened online on the "CCPIT cloud exhibition platform".

With Chinese enterprises as the main body and the needs of buyers in Central and North America countries as the core, this exhibition has used the digital exhibition platform to provide enterprises with online negotiation opportunities and accurate matching services. It has attracted nearly 1000 Chinese enterprises to participate in the exhibition. The exhibits cover textiles and clothing, products from major cotton producing areas in China, medical devices Hardware and building materials, gifts, office supplies, home appliances and furniture, consumer electronics and other fields. The exhibition also set up 14 exhibition areas, among which the "Chinese brand" exhibition area highlights Chinese brand enterprises, products and services, and establishes a good image of Chinese brand; The "service trade" exhibition area selects service trade enterprises, strives to promote the "Chinese service" to go global and deeply integrate into the global industrial chain, value chain and logistics chain.

At present, the digital mode combining online and offline is becoming the new normal of the exhibition industry. China Council for the Promotion of International Trade(CCPIT) actively plans to continue to help Chinese enterprises "maintain orders" and "stabilize foreign trade" based on its accumulated experience in digital exhibitions, make full use of the advantages of the CCPIT cloud exhibition platform, and focus on China's development achievements, China's economic and trade cooperation with Central and North America, China's achievements in epidemic prevention and control, as well as national business environment guidelines, interpretation of free trade agreements Global economic and trade friction index and other service information. During the exhibition, six industry matchmaking meetings will be held, with themes including textile and clothing and cotton products in major cotton producing areas in China, Consumer electronics, Building materials household, Medical supplies, mechanical equipment, Automobile and accessoriesso as to help Chinese enterprises further communicate online with politicians and businessmen in Central and North America.

The exhibition period of 10 days and will close on October 29, 2021.

SOURCE ZhongZhan Information Cooperation Data Service Company
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As droves of US tourists prepare to travel this holiday season, travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth.com says the lingering impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic are evident in their booking behavior.

Squaremouth analyzed data from thousands of policies purchased for travel between Thanksgiving and New Years Eve to identify four new trends this holiday season.

Covid Concerns Top of Mind (and on the Rise)

Coverage for Covid-19 related concerns has dominated travel insurance sales since the onset of the pandemic. 34% of travelers on Squaremouth.com specifically sought out Covid coverage for trips this holiday season. This is the highest level of interest in Covid coverage that Squaremouth has seen, and is an increase from 21% during the 2020 holiday travel season.

Number of Insured Travelers Quadruples

Earlier this year , Squaremouth reported insuring more travelers than prior to the pandemic. This holiday season, the comparison engine has insured 300% more travelers than last year, and 70% more than 2019.

"Interest and awareness surrounding travel insurance is at an all-time high as we approach the busy holiday travel season," said Megan Moncrief, chief marketing officer for Squaremouth. "Travelers are preparing differently this year by opting for travel insurance, to protect themselves in case travel plans are affected by unpredictable events from cancellations to illnesses."

Caribbean Destinations Outpace European Countries as Most Popular

Despite additional borders opening to US tourists, Caribbean destinations that have largely remained open throughout the pandemic continue to attract the most travelers.

This holiday season, 8 out of Squaremouth's top 10 international destinations are Caribbean countries, with the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos, and the US Virgin Islands joining the list for the first time.

Travelers are Cautiously Confident Traveling Internationally

Prior to the pandemic, close to 90% of trips booked for holiday travel were to international destinations. While border closures forced many travelers to stay stateside last year, Squaremouth reports a 326% increase in the number of US tourists traveling internationally this holiday season.

Travelers can quote, compare, and buy travel insurance for their holiday travel on Squaremouth.com . Squaremouth sells over 90 plans from 20+ providers, and offers the largest portfolio of products offering coverage related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Notes to editors

Available Topic Expert: Megan Moncrief, Chief Marketing Officer, is available for comment and interview. [email protected]

Squaremouth maintains a list of country insurance requirements here: https://www.squaremouth.com/destinations

ABOUT SQUAREMOUTH

Squaremouth.com, and their multi-award winning customer service team, has helped over 2 million travelers save time and money to find the best travel insurance policy for their trip.

Leveraging decades of travel expertise, and industry-leading technology, Squaremouth.com hosts the most intuitive travel insurance quoting and comparison engine on the market today.

Coupled with verified customer reviews and the largest portfolio of products, Squaremouth allows travelers to instantly purchase a travel insurance policy from every major provider in the US.

SOURCE Squaremouth

Related Links

http://www.squaremouth.com


CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new white paper by MIT Technology Review Insights explores how the use of 5G and other digital cellular technologies can enable the decarbonization of three sectors: energy, manufacturing, and transportation.

The white paper, "Decarbonizing industries with connectivity and 5G," is produced in association with Ericsson and draws on in-depth interviews with senior executives and subject matter experts from organizations including Scania, Einride, and Emerson. The key findings are as follows:

Some of the biggest emitting sectors are interconnected. Organizations in the energy, manufacturing, and transportation sectors extract value from digital cellular networking technology because their operational models and business ecosystems are also based on interdependent networks and use connectivity to increase operational efficiencies. In so doing, they create virtuous cycles of shared data and insights that are already enabling a range of climate-friendly outcomes.

Cellular digital transformation increases efficiencyand sustainability. Digital transformation strategies enable organizations in the energy, manufacturing, and transportation sectors to use energy and materials more efficiently, advance circular economy ambitions, and enhance the traceability of their products and services. 5G and other digital cellular technologies are a key part of these strategies: their speed of deployment, lower latency, and their ability to help organizations connect and manage disparate and remote assets are particularly useful capabilities for solving challenges common to all, including reducing costs, improving outputs, and lowering carbon emissions.

Data-based decarbonization. Digital channels are essential to business operations today, and while efficiency gains are usually the most important motivation for their adoption, the increased data and insights that they deliver also make businesses more environmentally and operationally sustainable. Carbon neutrality pledges and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting make it essential that businesses prove their bona fides with analytics that verify their low-carbon operationsperhaps even resulting in formal "no carbon" certification of their products and services. Increasingly, these capabilities are delivered over cellular networks.

Systems empowering systems for radically lowered emissions. Cellular-based technology allows firms to achieve considerable sustainability gains by increasing energy efficiency through better monitoring or reducing waste and material costs through optimized management practices. But the real step-change in reducing emissions globally will come when 5G infrastructure facilitates interconnected systems to allow vast amounts of data sharing across supply chains, logistics networks, and energy grids.

"Sectors like energy, manufacturing, and transportation are some of the biggest greenhouse gas emitters globally," says Francesca Fanshawe, editor of the white paper. "But they are also increasingly interconnected. 5G has the potential to make industries more data-driven and more efficient, helping to reduce carbon emissions."

"Through connected technologies, the private and public sectors can harness all manner of uses and solutions to combat climate change. Efficient logistics and manufacturing, renewable energy systems, and low carbon transportation are just some of the known uses. With a clear challenge in global energy consumption, effects of CO2 pollution, and inefficient use of resources we need to turn to those enabling technologies that can drive change fastest and we believe that 5G is one of our most powerful and scalable tools available to do so," says Erik Ekudden, senior vice president and chief technology officer at Ericsson.

To download the white paper, click here .

Click here to learn more about decarbonizing industries.

For more information please contact:

Francesca Fanshawe

Editorial director

MIT Technology Review Insights

[email protected]

For general enquiries: [email protected]

About MIT Technology Review Insights

MIT Technology Review Insights is the custom publishing division of MIT Technology Review , the world's longest-running technology magazine, backed by the world's foremost technology institutionproducing live events and research on the leading technology and business challenges of the day. Insights conducts qualitative and quantitative research and analysis in the US and abroad and publishes a wide variety of content, including articles, reports, infographics, videos, and podcasts. And through its growing MIT Technology Review Global Insights Panel, Insights has unparalleled access to senior-level executives, innovators, and thought leaders worldwide for surveys and in-depth interviews.

SOURCE MIT Technology Review Insights
ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced financial results for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2021.

Third-quarter sales of $10.9 billion increased 23.4 percent on a reported basis and 22.4 percent on an organic basis, which excludes the impact of foreign exchange.

increased 23.4 percent on a reported basis and 22.4 percent on an organic basis, which excludes the impact of foreign exchange. Third-quarter GAAP diluted EPS was $1.17 and adjusted diluted EPS, which excludes specified items, was $1.40 , reflecting 42.9 percent growth versus the prior year. 1

and adjusted diluted EPS, which excludes specified items, was , reflecting 42.9 percent growth versus the prior year. Abbott projects full-year 2021 diluted EPS from continuing operations on a GAAP basis of $3.55 to $3.65 and full-year adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations of $5.00 to $5.10 , reflecting growth of 38.4 percent at the mid-point versus prior year. 2

to and full-year adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations of to , reflecting growth of 38.4 percent at the mid-point versus prior year. In August, Abbott announced U.S. FDA approval of its Amplatzer  Amulet  device, which offers immediate closure of the left atrial appendage  an area in the heart where blood clots can form.

Amulet device, which offers immediate closure of the left atrial appendage  an area in the heart where blood clots can form. In August, Abbott announced results of the company's GUIDE-HF clinical trial, which showed Abbott's CardioMEMS  remote monitoring system can improve care for more patients living with heart failure. Abbott filed a Premarket Approval (PMA) supplement with the FDA for consideration of an expanded indication for CardioMEMS.

remote monitoring system can improve care for more patients living with heart failure. Abbott filed a Premarket Approval (PMA) supplement with the FDA for consideration of an expanded indication for CardioMEMS. In September, Abbott announced U.S. FDA approval of its Portico  with FlexNav  transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system to treat people with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis who are at high or extreme risk for open-heart surgery.

with FlexNav transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system to treat people with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis who are at high or extreme risk for open-heart surgery. During the third quarter, Abbott acquired Walk Vascular, LLC, a commercial-stage medical device company with a minimally invasive thrombectomy system designed to remove peripheral blood clots.

"We achieved another quarter of strong growth overall and across all four of our major business areas," said Robert B. Ford, president and chief executive officer, Abbott. "We're particularly pleased with the continued advancements of our new product pipeline, including several recent launches in large, high-growth markets."

THIRD-QUARTER BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Note: Management believes that measuring sales growth rates on an organic basis is an appropriate way for investors to best understand the underlying performance of the business. Organic sales growth excludes the impact of foreign exchange.

Following are sales by business segment and commentary for the third quarter 2021:

Total Company

($ in millions)

















% Change vs. 3Q20



Sales 3Q21

Reported

Organic



U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Int'l

Total Total *

4,368

6,560

10,928

31.2

18.7

23.4

31.2

17.0

22.4 Nutrition

919

1,189

2,108

12.3

7.6

9.6

12.3

6.5

8.9 Diagnostics

1,947

1,965

3,912

71.8

30.5

48.2

71.8

28.0

46.8 Established Pharmaceuticals

--

1,265

1,265

n/a

15.1

15.1

n/a

15.3

15.3 Medical Devices

1,496

2,136

3,632

9.7

18.2

14.6

9.7

15.7

13.1









* Total Q3 2021 Abbott sales from continuing operations include Other Sales of approximately $11 million.

































% Change vs. 9M20



Sales 9M21

Reported

Organic



U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Int'l

Total Total *

11,787

19,820

31,607

33.6

31.4

32.2

33.6

27.3

29.6 Nutrition

2,628

3,624

6,252

7.8

10.7

9.5

7.8

8.7

8.3 Diagnostics

4,743

6,430

11,173

69.8

75.3

73.0

69.8

68.7

69.2 Established Pharmaceuticals

--

3,515

3,515

n/a

11.4

11.4

n/a

12.0

12.0 Medical Devices

4,385

6,233

10,618

23.1

25.5

24.5

23.1

19.0

20.7









* Total 9M 2021 Abbott sales from continuing operations include Other Sales of approximately $49 million.









n/a = Not Applicable.



















Note: In order to compute results excluding the impact of exchange rates, current year U.S. dollar sales are multiplied or divided, as appropriate, by the current year average

foreign exchange rates and then those amounts are multiplied or divided, as appropriate, by the prior year average foreign exchange rates.









Third-quarter 2021 worldwide sales of $10.9 billion increased 23.4 percent on a reported basis and 22.4 percent on an organic basis.

Compared to pre-pandemic sales in 2019, worldwide sales, excluding COVID-19 testing-related sales3, increased 11.7 percent on both a reported and organic basis in the third quarter.

Nutrition

($ in millions)































% Change vs. 3Q20

















Sales 3Q21

Reported

Organic

















U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Int'l

Total Total















919

1,189

2,108

12.3

7.6

9.6

12.3

6.5

8.9 Pediatric















586

514

1,100

20.2

(0.8)

9.4

20.2

(2.2)

8.6 Adult















333

675

1,008

0.6

15.0

9.8

0.6

14.1

9.3





























































% Change vs. 9M20

















Sales 9M21

Reported

Organic

















U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Int'l

Total Total















2,628

3,624

6,252

7.8

10.7

9.5

7.8

8.7

8.3 Pediatric















1,622

1,637

3,259

8.9

0.5

4.5

8.9

(1.7)

3.4 Adult















1,006

1,987

2,993

6.0

20.9

15.5

6.0

18.9

14.2

Worldwide Nutrition sales increased 9.6 percent on a reported basis and 8.9 percent on an organic basis in the third quarter. Strong performance of Ensure, Abbott's market-leading complete and balanced nutrition brand, and Glucerna, Abbott's market-leading diabetes nutrition brand, led to global Adult Nutrition sales growth of 9.8 percent on a reported basis and 9.3 percent on an organic basis.

Worldwide Pediatric Nutrition sales increased 9.4 percent on a reported basis and 8.6 percent on an organic basis. Strong performance of Abbott's market-leading oral hydration brand, Pedialyte, and continued share growth in infant nutrition led to U.S. Pediatric Nutrition growth of 20.2 percent.

Diagnostics

($ in millions)

























% Change vs. 3Q20











Sales 3Q21

Reported

Organic











U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Int'l

Total Total









1,947

1,965

3,912

71.8

30.5

48.2

71.8

28.0

46.8 Core Laboratory









291

1,001

1,292

2.4

12.2

9.9

2.4

9.9

8.1 Molecular









162

183

345

(26.2)

(23.1)

(24.6)

(26.2)

(25.0)

(25.6) Point of Care









100

35

135

3.9

1.5

3.3

3.9

(0.1)

2.8 Rapid Diagnostics









1,394

746

2,140

161.4

118.5

144.7

161.4

115.0

143.3

















































% Change vs. 9M20











Sales 9M21

Reported

Organic











U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Int'l

Total Total









4,743

6,430

11,173

69.8

75.3

73.0

69.8

68.7

69.2 Core Laboratory









845

2,935

3,780

0.6

26.9

19.9

0.6

22.1

16.4 Molecular









431

651

1,082

0.5

23.5

13.2

0.5

17.6

9.9 Point of Care









289

112

401

4.0

2.5

3.6

4.0

(1.0)

2.6 Rapid Diagnostics









3,178

2,732

5,910

154.9

280.1

200.7

154.9

266.6

195.8

Worldwide Diagnostics sales increased 48.2 percent on a reported basis in the third quarter and increased 46.8 percent on an organic basis. Global COVID-19 testing-related sales were $1.9 billion in the third quarter, led by combined sales of $1.6 billion from Abbott's BinaxNOW, Panbio and ID NOW rapid testing platforms. Excluding COVID-19 testing-related sales, worldwide diagnostics sales increased 14.1 percent on a reported basis in the third quarter and 12.5 percent on an organic basis.4

Compared to the pre-pandemic 2019 baseline, sales in Core Laboratory and Molecular Diagnostics, excluding COVID-19 testing-related sales, grew 5.8 percent and 14.9 percent, respectively, on a reported basis in the third quarter and grew 4.9 percent and 13.6 percent, respectively, on an organic basis.5

Established Pharmaceuticals

($ in millions)



























% Change vs. 3Q20













Sales 3Q21

Reported

Organic













U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Int'l

Total Total











--

1,265

1,265

n/a

15.1

15.1

n/a

15.3

15.3 Key Emerging Markets











--

936

936

n/a

17.1

17.1

n/a

17.9

17.9 Other











--

329

329

n/a

9.7

9.7

n/a

8.5

8.5





















































% Change vs. 9M20













Sales 9M21

Reported

Organic













U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Int'l

Total Total











--

3,515

3,515

n/a

11.4

11.4

n/a

12.0

12.0 Key Emerging Markets











--

2,672

2,672

n/a

12.4

12.4

n/a

14.2

14.2 Other











--

843

843

n/a

8.1

8.1

n/a

5.4

5.4

Established Pharmaceuticals sales increased 15.1 percent on a reported basis in the third quarter and increased 15.3 percent on an organic basis.

Key Emerging Markets include India, Brazil, Russia and China along with several additional emerging countries that represent the most attractive long-term growth opportunities for Abbott's branded generics product portfolio. Sales in these geographies increased 17.1 percent on a reported basis in the quarter and increased 17.9 percent on an organic basis. Organic sales growth was led by strong growth across several geographies, including China, Russia and India.

Other sales increased 9.7 percent on a reported basis in the quarter and increased 8.5 percent on an organic basis.

Medical Devices

($ in millions)

























% Change vs. 3Q20











Sales 3Q21

Reported

Organic











U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Int'l

Total Total









1,496

2,136

3,632

9.7

18.2

14.6

9.7

15.7

13.1 Rhythm Management









266

305

571

9.6

15.3

12.6

9.6

12.7

11.2 Electrophysiology









192

293

485

(0.1)

17.6

9.9

(0.1)

15.9

8.9 Heart Failure









170

59

229

17.6

28.0

20.1

17.6

25.4

19.5 Vascular









219

425

644

(4.3)

6.3

2.5

(4.3)

3.9

0.9 Structural Heart









177

215

392

11.2

10.9

11.0

11.2

9.2

10.1 Neuromodulation









149

41

190

(12.5)

13.8

(7.9)

(12.5)

11.5

(8.3) Diabetes Care









323

798

1,121

43.1

29.4

33.0

43.1

26.0

30.6

















































% Change vs. 9M20











Sales 9M21

Reported

Organic











U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Int'l

Total Total









4,385

6,233

10,618

23.1

25.5

24.5

23.1

19.0

20.7 Rhythm Management









776

881

1,657

18.5

21.2

19.9

18.5

14.9

16.6 Electrophysiology









580

823

1,403

21.8

26.2

24.4

21.8

20.9

21.3 Heart Failure









483

167

650

17.5

18.7

17.8

17.5

12.5

16.2 Vascular









684

1,292

1,976

8.9

16.7

13.9

8.9

11.2

10.4 Structural Heart









537

654

1,191

39.0

28.8

33.2

39.0

22.3

29.5 Neuromodulation









460

124

584

17.4

28.3

19.6

17.4

20.8

18.1 Diabetes Care









865

2,292

3,157

41.0

32.0

34.3

41.0

24.3

28.7

Worldwide Medical Devices sales increased 14.6 percent on a reported basis in the third quarter and increased 13.1 percent on an organic basis. Strong growth in the quarter was driven by continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and strong growth in Diabetes Care.

Compared to pre-pandemic sales in 2019, Medical Devices sales increased 18.5 percent on a reported basis and 16.1 percent on an organic basis in the third quarter, led by double-digit growth in Electrophysiology, Heart Failure, Structural Heart and Diabetes Care.6

In Diabetes Care, FreeStyle Libre and Libre Sense sales were $968 million in the quarter, which represents sales growth of 41.6 percent on a reported basis and 38.8 percent on an organic basis.

During the quarter, Abbott continued to strengthen its Medical Devices portfolio with several new products, including:

U.S. FDA approval of Amplatzer Amulet Left Atrial Appendage Occluder to treat people with atrial fibrillation who are at risk of ischemic stroke.

U.S. FDA approval of Portico with FlexNav transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system to treat people with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis who are at high risk for open-heart surgery.

U.S. FDA approval of Amplatzer  Talisman  PFO Occlusion System to treat people with a patent foramen ovale  a small opening between the upper chambers of the heart  who are at risk of recurrent ischemic stroke.

Talisman PFO Occlusion System to treat people with a patent foramen ovale  a small opening between the upper chambers of the heart  who are at risk of recurrent ischemic stroke. Abbott acquired Walk Vascular, LLC, a commercial-stage medical device company with a minimally invasive thrombectomy system designed to remove peripheral blood clots.

ABBOTT'S EARNINGS-PER-SHARE GUIDANCE

Abbott projects 2021 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations under GAAP of $3.55 to $3.65. Abbott forecasts specified items for the full-year 2021 of $1.45 per share primarily related to intangible amortization, restructuring and cost reduction initiatives, including expenses to align its COVID-19 testing-related business with changes during the year in current and projected testing demand, expenses associated with acquisitions and other net expenses. Excluding specified items, projected adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations would be $5.00 to $5.10 for full-year 2021.

ABBOTT DECLARES 391ST CONSECUTIVE QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

On Sept. 15, 2021, the board of directors of Abbott declared the company's quarterly dividend of $0.45 per share. Abbott's cash dividend is payable Nov. 15, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Oct. 15, 2021.

Abbott has increased its dividend payout for 49 consecutive years and is a member of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index, which tracks companies that have annually increased their dividend for at least 25 consecutive years.

About Abbott:

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 109,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.

Abbott will live-webcast its third-quarter earnings conference call through its Investor Relations website at www.abbottinvestor.com at 8 a.m. Central time today. An archived edition of the webcast will be available later that day.

 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 

A Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Some statements in this news release may be forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Abbott cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect Abbott's operations are discussed in Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2020, and are incorporated herein by reference. Abbott undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.

1 Third-quarter 2021 diluted EPS from continuing operations on a GAAP basis reflects 69.6 percent growth. 2 Full-year 2021 guidance for diluted EPS from continuing operations on a GAAP basis reflects growth of 44.5 percent at the mid-point versus prior year. 3 In the third quarter of 2019, worldwide sales were $8.076 billion. In the third quarter of 2021, COVID-19 testing-related sales were $1.908 billion. In the nine months of 2019, worldwide sales were $23.590 billion. In the nine months of 2021, COVID-19 testing-related sales were $5.360 billion. 4 In the third quarter of 2020, Diagnostics sales were $2.64 billion, which included COVID-19 testing-related sales of $0.9 billion. 5 In the third quarter of 2019, Core Laboratory and Molecular Diagnostics sales were $1.177 billion and $111 million, respectively. In the third quarter of 2021, COVID-19 testing-related sales for Core Laboratory and Molecular Diagnostics were $47 million and $218 million, respectively. 6 In the third quarter of 2019, Medical Devices sales were $3.065 billion.

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited)





3Q21

3Q20

%

Change

Net Sales

$10,928

$8,853

23.4

















Cost of products sold, excluding amortization expense

4,423

3,966

11.5

Amortization of intangible assets

520

510

1.8

Research and development

672

580

16.1

Selling, general, and administrative

2,767

2,302

20.2

Total Operating Cost and Expenses

8,382

7,358

13.9

















Operating Earnings

2,546

1,495

70.2

















Interest expense, net

123

127

(3.3)

Net foreign exchange (gain) loss

4

(7)

n/m

Other (income) expense, net

(74)

(46)

63.1

Earnings from Continuing Operations before taxes

2,493

1,421

75.3

















Tax expense on Earnings from Continuing Operations

393

189

107.3 1) Earnings from Continuing Operations

2,100

1,232

70.4

















Earnings from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes

--

--

n/m

















Net Earnings

$2,100

$1,232

70.4

















Earnings from Continuing Operations, excluding













Specified Items, as described below

$2,518

$1,760

43.1 2)















Diluted Earnings per Common Share from:













Continuing Operations

$1.17

$0.69

69.6

Discontinued Operations

--

--

n/m

Total

$1.17

$0.69

69.6

















Diluted Earnings per Common Share from Continuing













Operations, excluding Specified Items, as described below

$1.40

$0.98

42.9 2)















Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding













Plus Dilutive Common Stock Options

1,789

1,788









NOTES:

See tables titled "Non-GAAP Reconciliation of Financial Information From Continuing Operations" for an explanation of certain non-GAAP financial information.

n/m = Percent change is not meaningful.

See footnotes below.





1) 2020 Tax expense on Earnings from Continuing Operations includes the recognition of approximately $20 million in excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation.



2) 2021 Net Earnings and Diluted Earnings per Common Share from Continuing Operations, excluding Specified Items, excludes net after-tax charges of $418 million, or $0.23 per share, for intangible amortization and other expenses primarily associated with restructuring actions and acquisitions, partially offset by a change in estimate to the restructuring actions recognized in the second quarter related to Abbott's manufacturing network for COVID-19 diagnostic tests to reflect current and projected demand.





2020 Net Earnings and Diluted Earnings per Common Share from Continuing Operations, excluding Specified Items, excludes net after-tax charges of $528 million, or $0.29 per share, for intangible amortization and impairment expenses and other net expenses primarily associated with acquisitions, restructuring actions and income from a litigation settlement.

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited)





9M21

9M20

% Change

Net Sales

$31,607

$23,907

32.2

















Cost of products sold, excluding amortization expense

13,771

10,510

31.0

Amortization of intangible assets

1,533

1,624

(5.7)

Research and development

1,980

1,722

15.0

Selling, general, and administrative

8,276

7,126

16.1

Total Operating Cost and Expenses

25,560

20,982

21.8

















Operating Earnings

6,047

2,925

106.7

















Interest expense, net

370

373

(0.7)

Net foreign exchange (gain) loss

7

(3)

n/m

Other (income) expense, net

(214)

(25)

n/m

Earnings from Continuing Operations before taxes

5,884

2,580

128.0

















Tax expense on Earnings from Continuing Operations

802

267

n/m 1) Earnings from Continuing Operations

5,082

2,313

119.7

















Earnings from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes

--

20

n/m

















Net Earnings

$5,082

$2,333

117.8

















Earnings from Continuing Operations, excluding













Specified Items, as described below

$7,001

$3,940

77.7 2)















Diluted Earnings per Common Share from:













Continuing Operations

$2.83

$1.29

119.4

Discontinued Operations

--

0.01

n/m

Total

$2.83

$1.30

117.7

















Diluted Earnings per Common Share from Continuing













Operations, excluding Specified Items, as described below

$3.89

$2.20

76.8 2)















Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding













Plus Dilutive Common Stock Options

1,791

1,785









NOTES:

See tables titled "Non-GAAP Reconciliation of Financial Information From Continuing Operations" for an explanation of certain non-GAAP financial information.

n/m = Percent change is not meaningful.

See footnotes below.





1) 2021 Tax expense on Earnings from Continuing Operations includes the recognition of approximately $97 million in excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation.





2020 Tax expense on Earnings from Continuing Operations includes the recognition of approximately $80 million of net tax benefits as a result of the resolution of various tax positions related to prior years and approximately $87 million in excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation.



2) 2021 Net Earnings and Diluted Earnings per Common Share from Continuing Operations, excluding Specified Items, excludes net after-tax charges of $1.919 billion, or $1.06 per share, for intangible amortization and other net expenses primarily associated with restructuring actions, certain litigation and acquisitions.





2020 Net Earnings and Diluted Earnings per Common Share from Continuing Operations, excluding Specified Items, excludes net after-tax charges of $1.627 billion, or $0.91 per share, for intangible amortization expense, impairment charges and other net expense primarily associated with acquisitions, restructuring actions and income from a litigation settlement.

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Non-GAAP Reconciliation of Financial Information From Continuing Operations Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited)





3Q21



As

Reported (GAAP)

Specified Items

As

Adjusted

% to Sales

















Intangible Amortization

$ 520

$ (520)

$ --



Gross Margin

5,985

445

6,430

58.8% R&D

672

(21)

651

6.0% SG&A

2,767

(30)

2,737

25.0% Other (income) expense, net

(74)

7

(67)



Earnings from Continuing Operations before taxes

2,493

489

2,982



Tax expense on Earnings from Continuing Operations

393

71

464



Earnings from Continuing Operations

2,100

418

2,518



Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations

$1.17

$0.23

$1.40





Specified items reflect intangible amortization expense of $520 million and net pretax income of $31 million, primarily associated with a change in estimate to the restructuring actions recognized in the second quarter, partially offset by costs associated with acquisitions and other expenses. See tables titled "Details of Specified Items" for additional details regarding specified items.





3Q20



As

Reported (GAAP)

Specified Items

As

Adjusted

% to Sales

















Intangible Amortization

$ 510

$ (510)

$ --



Gross Margin

4,377

705

5,082

57.4% R&D

580

(21)

559

6.3% SG&A

2,302

63

2,365

26.7% Other (income) expense, net

(46)

(1)

(47)



Earnings from Continuing Operations before taxes

1,421

664

2,085



Tax expense on Earnings from Continuing Operations

189

136

325



Earnings from Continuing Operations

1,232

528

1,760



Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations

$0.69

$0.29

$0.98





Specified items reflect intangible amortization expense of $510 million and other net expenses of $154 million, primarily associated with acquisitions, restructuring actions and other expenses and litigation settlement income. See tables titled "Details of Specified Items" for additional details regarding specified items.

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Non-GAAP Reconciliation of Financial Information From Continuing Operations Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited)





9M21



As

Reported (GAAP)

Specified Items

As

Adjusted

% to Sales

















Intangible Amortization

$ 1,533

$ (1,533)

$ --



Gross Margin

16,303

2,042

18,345

58.0% R&D

1,980

(67)

1,913

6.1% SG&A

8,276

(274)

8,002

25.3% Other (income) expense, net

(214)

30

(184)



Earnings from Continuing Operations before taxes

5,884

2,353

8,237



Tax expense on Earnings from Continuing Operations

802

434

1,236



Earnings from Continuing Operations

5,082

1,919

7,001



Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations

$2.83

$1.06

$3.89





Specified items reflect intangible amortization expense of $1.533 billion and other net expenses of $820 million, primarily associated with restructuring actions, certain litigation, acquisitions and other expenses. See tables titled "Details of Specified Items" for additional details regarding specified items.





9M20



As

Reported (GAAP)

Specified Items

As

Adjusted

% to Sales

















Intangible Amortization

$ 1,624

$ (1,624)

$ --



Gross Margin

11,773

1,895

13,668

57.2% R&D

1,722

(64)

1,658

6.9% SG&A

7,126

(19)

7,107

29.7% Other (income) expense, net

(25)

(111)

(136)



Earnings from Continuing Operations before taxes

2,580

2,089

4,669



Tax expense on Earnings from Continuing Operations

267

462

729



Earnings from Continuing Operations

2,313

1,627

3,940



Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations

$1.29

$0.91

$2.20





Specified items reflect intangible amortization expense of $1.624 billion and other net expenses of $465 million, primarily associated with acquisitions, restructuring actions and other expenses and litigation settlement income. See tables titled "Details of Specified Items" for additional details regarding specified items.

A reconciliation of the third-quarter tax rates for continuing operations for 2021 and 2020 is shown below:







3Q21

($ in millions)

Pre-Tax Income

Taxes on Earnings

Tax

Rate

As reported (GAAP)

$2,493

$ 393

15.7%

Specified items

489

71





Excluding specified items

$2,982

$464

15.5%

























3Q20

($ in millions)

Pre-Tax Income

Taxes on Earnings

Tax

Rate

As reported (GAAP)

$1,421

$189

13.3% 1) Specified items

664

136





Excluding specified items

$2,085

$325

15.6%







1) 2020 Tax expense on Earnings from Continuing Operations includes the recognition of approximately $20 million in excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation.

A reconciliation of the year-to-date tax rates for continuing operations for 2021 and 2020 is shown below:







9M21

($ in millions)

Pre-Tax Income

Taxes on Earnings

Tax

Rate

As reported (GAAP)

$5,884

$ 802

13.6% 2) Specified items

2,353

434





Excluding specified items

$8,237

$1,236

15.0%

























9M20

($ in millions)

Pre-Tax Income

Taxes on Earnings

Tax

Rate

As reported (GAAP)

$2,580

$267

10.4% 3) Specified items

2,089

462





Excluding specified items

$4,669

$729

15.6%







2) 2021 Tax expense on Earnings from Continuing Operations includes the recognition of approximately $97 million in excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation.



3) 2020 Tax expense on Earnings from Continuing Operations includes the recognition of approximately $80 million of net tax benefits as a result of the resolution of various tax positions related to prior years and approximately $87 million in excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation.

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Details of Specified Items Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2021 (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited)





Acquisition or

Divestiture-related (a)

Restructuring and

Cost Reduction

Initiatives (b)

Intangible

Amortization

Other (c)

Total

Specifieds Gross Margin

$ 16

$ (96)

$ 520

$ 5

$ 445 R&D

(4)

--

--

(17)

(21) SG&A

(12)

(23)

--

5

(30) Other (income) expense, net

6

--

--

1

7 Earnings from Continuing Operations before taxes

$ 26

$ (73)

$ 520

$ 16

489 Tax expense on Earnings from Continuing Operations (d)















71 Earnings from Continuing Operations

















$ 418 Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations















$ 0.23



The table above provides additional details regarding the specified items described on table titled "Non-GAAP Reconciliation of Financial Information From Continuing Operations."





a) Acquisition-related expenses include integration costs, which represent incremental costs directly related to integrating the acquired businesses and include expenditures for the integration of systems, processes and business activities. b) Restructuring and cost reduction initiative expenses include severance, outplacement, and other direct costs associated with specific restructuring plans and cost reduction initiatives. Restructuring and cost reduction plans consist of distinct initiatives to streamline operations including the consolidation and rationalization of business activities and facilities, workforce reductions, the transfer of product lines between manufacturing facilities, and the transfer of other business activities between sites. The Gross Margin amount includes a credit associated with a change in estimate to the charges taken in the second quarter for a restructuring plan related to Abbott's manufacturing network for COVID-19 diagnostic tests to reflect current and projected demand. c) Other includes incremental costs to comply with the European Union's Medical Device (MDR) and In Vitro Diagnostics Medical Device (IVDR) Regulations for previously approved products. d) Reflects the net tax benefit associated with the specified items and excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation.

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Details of Specified Items Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2020 (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited)





Acquisition or

Divestiture-related (a)

Restructuring and

Cost Reduction

Initiatives (b)

Intangible

Amortization

Other (c)

Total

Specifieds Gross Margin

$ 16

$ 27

$ 510

$ 152

$ 705 R&D

(1)

(1)

--

(19)

(21) SG&A

(28)

(9)

--

100

63 Other (income) expense, net

(2)

--

--

1

(1) Earnings from Continuing Operations before taxes

$ 47

$ 37

$ 510

$ 70

664 Tax expense on Earnings from Continuing Operations (d)















136 Earnings from Continuing Operations

















$ 528 Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations















$ 0.29



The table above provides additional details regarding the specified items described on table titled "Non-GAAP Reconciliation of Financial Information From Continuing Operations."





a) Acquisition-related expenses include integration costs, which represent incremental costs directly related to integrating the acquired businesses and include expenditures for retention and the integration of systems, processes and business activities. b) Restructuring and cost reduction initiative expenses include severance, outplacement, and other direct costs associated with specific restructuring plans and cost reduction initiatives. Restructuring and cost reduction plans consist of distinct initiatives to streamline operations including the consolidation and rationalization of business activities and facilities, workforce reductions, the transfer of product lines between manufacturing facilities, and the transfer of other business activities between sites. c) Other primarily relates to the impairment of an intangible asset and the costs to acquire R&D assets, partially offset by income from the settlement of litigation. d) Reflects the net tax benefit associated with the specified items, the resolution of prior years' tax positions and excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation.

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Details of Specified Items Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited)





Acquisition or

Divestiture-related (a)

Restructuring and

Cost Reduction

Initiatives (b)

Intangible

Amortization

Other (c)

Total

Specifieds Gross Margin

$ 56

$ 433

$ 1,533

$ 20

$ 2,042 R&D

(9)

1

--

(59)

(67) SG&A

(43)

(22)

--

(209)

(274) Other (income) expense, net

3

1

--

26

30 Earnings from Continuing Operations before taxes

$ 105

$ 453

$ 1,533

$ 262

2,353 Tax expense on Earnings from Continuing Operations (d)















434 Earnings from Continuing Operations

















$ 1,919 Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations















$ 1.06



The table above provides additional details regarding the specified items described on table titled "Non-GAAP Reconciliation of Financial Information From Continuing Operations."





a) Acquisition-related expenses include integration costs, which represent incremental costs directly related to integrating the acquired businesses and include expenditures for the integration of systems, processes and business activities. b) Restructuring and cost reduction initiative expenses include severance, outplacement, and other direct costs associated with specific restructuring plans and cost reduction initiatives. Restructuring and cost reduction plans consist of distinct initiatives to streamline operations including the consolidation and rationalization of business activities and facilities, workforce reductions, the transfer of product lines between manufacturing facilities, and the transfer of other business activities between sites. The Gross Margin amount includes charges associated with a restructuring plan to align Abbott's manufacturing network for COVID-19 diagnostic tests with changes during the year in current and projected testing demand. c) Other primarily relates to the costs related to certain litigation, the acquisition of a research and development asset, the impairments of an equity investment and an intangible asset, and the gain on the disposition of an equity method investment. d) Reflects the net tax benefit associated with the specified items and excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation.

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Details of Specified Items Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited)





Acquisition or

Divestiture-related (a)

Restructuring and

Cost Reduction

Initiatives (b)

Intangible

Amortization

Other (c)

Total

Specifieds Gross Margin

$ 61

$ 57

$ 1,624

$ 153

$ 1,895 R&D

(8)

(9)

--

(47)

(64) SG&A

(83)

(36)

--

100

(19) Other (income) expense, net

(3)

--

--

(108)

(111) Earnings from Continuing Operations before taxes

$ 155

$ 102

$ 1,624

$ 208

2,089 Tax expense on Earnings from Continuing Operations (d)















462 Earnings from Continuing Operations

















$ 1,627 Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations















$ 0.91



The table above provides additional details regarding the specified items described on table titled "Non-GAAP Reconciliation of Financial Information From Continuing Operations."





a) Acquisition-related expenses include integration costs, which represent incremental costs directly related to integrating the acquired businesses and include expenditures for retention, severance, and the integration of systems, processes and business activities. b) Restructuring and cost reduction initiative expenses include severance, outplacement, and other direct costs associated with specific restructuring plans and cost reduction initiatives. Restructuring and cost reduction plans consist of distinct initiatives to streamline operations including the consolidation and rationalization of business activities and facilities, workforce reductions, the transfer of product lines between manufacturing facilities, and the transfer of other business activities between sites. c) Other primarily relates to impairment charges related to certain assets and the costs to acquire R&D assets, partially offset by income from the settlement of litigation. d) Reflects the net tax benefit associated with the specified items, the resolution of prior years' tax positions and excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation.

SOURCE Abbott

Related Links

http://www.abbott.com


OAKVILLE, ON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. ("AQN") (TSX: AQN) (NYSE: AQN) today announced plans to release its third quarter 2021 financial results on Thursday, November 11, 2021, after market close. AQN will hold an earnings conference call at 10:00 a.m. eastern time on Friday, November 12, 2021, hosted by President and Chief Executive Officer, Arun Banskota and Chief Financial Officer, Arthur Kacprzak.

Conference call details are as follows:

Date: Friday, November 12, 2021 Time: 10:00 a.m. ET Conference Call: Toll Free Dial-In Number (833) 670-0721

Toll Dial-In Number (825) 312-2060

Conference ID 3981348 Webcast: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/3406088/345F8859A87CC629179BCF4421DFA83E

Presentation also available at: www.algonquinpowerandutilities.com

About Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. and Liberty

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., parent company of Liberty, is a diversified international generation, transmission, and distribution utility with over $16 billion of total assets. Through its two business groups, the Regulated Services Group and the Renewable Energy Group, Algonquin is committed to providing safe, secure, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy and water solutions through its portfolio of electric generation, transmission, and distribution utility investments to over one million customer connections, largely in the United States and Canada. Algonquin is a global leader in renewable energy through its portfolio of long-term contracted wind, solar, and hydroelectric generating facilities. Algonquin owns, operates, and/or has net interests in over 4 GW of installed renewable energy capacity.

Algonquin is committed to delivering growth and the pursuit of operational excellence in a sustainable manner through an expanding global pipeline of renewable energy and electric transmission development projects, organic growth within its rate-regulated generation, distribution, and transmission businesses, and the pursuit of accretive acquisitions.

Algonquin's common shares, Series A preferred shares, and Series D preferred shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols AQN, AQN.PR.A, and AQN.PR.D, respectively. AQN's common shares, Series 2018-A subordinated notes, Series 2019-A subordinated notes and equity units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols AQN, AQNA, AQNB, and AQNU, respectively.

Visit AQN at www.algonquinpowerandutilities.com and follow us on Twitter @AQN_Utilities.

SOURCE Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.

Related Links

http://www.algonquinpower.com


WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Solidifying its commitment to enabling organizations to rapidly adapt and execute business strategy in the midst of unprecedented, ongoing market changes, Spider Strategies today introduced Spider Impact, Version 5. Spider Impact is Spider Strategies' Software-as-a-Service solution that aligns organization's key performance indicators (KPIs) and initiatives to strategy, engages employees in driving performance, personalizes content and data access, simplifies executive meetings, and provides robust decision support.

"What we're most proud of in this new release are the advantages that Spider Impact provides to organizations that are shifting their strategies to address the changing work environment and market needs in order to adapt and survive," said Conor Crimmins, Founder and COO, Spider Strategies.

Spider Impact's Key Advantages:

Strategy Execution. Achieve strategic alignment by cascading your strategy to everyone in your organization, enabling employees to see how their roles contribute toward achieving big picture goals.

Achieve strategic alignment by cascading your strategy to everyone in your organization, enabling employees to see how their roles contribute toward achieving big picture goals. Strategic Initiatives. Visualize the effect your strategic initiatives are having on business performance, identify underperforming or ineffective initiatives quickly, and rapidly shift budget and resources to initiatives optimized to deliver your desired outcomes.

Visualize the effect your strategic initiatives are having on business performance, identify underperforming or ineffective initiatives quickly, and rapidly shift budget and resources to initiatives optimized to deliver your desired outcomes. Meetings Reinvented. With Spider Impact Briefings, turn every meeting into a data-driven, decision-making interaction without the need for time-consuming prep or costly paper reporting.

With Spider Impact Briefings, turn every meeting into a data-driven, decision-making interaction without the need for time-consuming prep or costly paper reporting. Business Intelligence. Manage operations in alignment with organizational strategy. Detailed data analysis and strategy visualizations come together in Spider Impact's new Datasets Module, helping improve decision-making and providing decision support.

Manage operations in alignment with organizational strategy. Detailed data analysis and strategy visualizations come together in Spider Impact's new Datasets Module, helping improve decision-making and providing decision support. Data Governance & Security. Spider Impact's industry leading data governance and security lets you customize access to performance data tailored to each individual within the organization.

"How we work has changed," said Crimmins. "Over the past year, we've all seen the repercussions of not being able to adapt business strategies to changes in the market. Spider Impact helps put the data and information people need into their hands in a way that makes using it quick, easy, and understandable."

For more information about Spider Impact or Spider Strategies, visit https://www.spiderstrategies.com/ .

About Spider Strategies

Spider Strategies' focus is simple: create software that makes work easier. Spider Strategies helps its customers achieve their best strategic performance through intuitive, powerful, methodology-agnostic, performance management software. Spider Strategies is a privately held U.S. corporation incorporated in Minnesota and supported by a network of partners and resellers across the world.

SOURCE Spider Strategies

Related Links

spiderstrategies.com


TUCSON, Ariz., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to campaigns attempting to discredit physicians who are perceived as undermining the approved COVID-19 public health message, the Board of Directors of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) issued a Statement on Scientific Integrity in Medicine at its 78th annual meeting in Pittsburgh, Pa.

AAPS states that: "Scientific integrity is enforced through the publication of ideas, scholarly debate, and careful observation in clinical practice. The interpretation of science is not the exclusive privilege of any one disciplinary body, advisory committee, professional journal, or forensic expert. Neither the scientific method nor clinical practice require adherence to consensus, because diversity of opinion is the engine of progress. In science, hypothesis and theory are always open to revision as new evidence emerges."

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, AAPS notes that various government agencies have launched public health campaigns to promote specific social and medical responses in attempts to enforce a manufactured public health consensus in professional speech and clinical care. Parallel campaigns have alleged that physicians deviating from these messages are guilty of "professional misconduct." "'Misinformation' has become the pejorative label of choice to disparage differing opinion."

Threats of disciplinary action, including delicensure, from some state medical boards and the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), which is a private entity, have created an environment of fear, AAPS states. This impedes physicians' ability to fulfill their ethical duties to provide fully informed consent to each individual patient.

"No medical code of ethics has articulated a duty to practice consensus-driven medicine in the service of public health to the detriment of individual patients," the statement reads.

"We believe it is unethical for physicians to participate in any process that impedes the free exchange of scientific and clinical ideas through public allegations of misconduct or threats of punishment."

APS states translating medical science into individualized patient treatment plans is a key component of the clinical practice of medicine. "Calculation of medical risk and benefit for individual care is the exclusive province of a patient-physician relationship grounded in trust and fiduciary responsibility."

The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) is a national organization representing physicians in all specialties since 1943. Its motto is omnia pro aegroto (everything for the patient).

SOURCE Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS)

Related Links

http://www.aapsonline.org


BEIJING, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Autohome Inc. (NYSE: ATHM; HKEX: 2518) ("Autohome" or the "Company"), the leading online destination for automobile consumers in China, today announced that Mr. Jun Lu has been appointed as a director on the board of directors of the Company (the "Board"), and Mr. Dong Liu has resigned from the Board due to his other personal commitments, effective as of October 19, 2021.

Mr. Lu Jun (Jeff) has served as the general manager of the Investment Management Center of Ping An Insurance (Group) Co., Ltd. ("Ping An Group") since May 2021, where he managed an investment portfolio of strategically important investments involving a value of over RMB500 billion of Ping An Group. Before joining Ping An Group, Mr. Lu has 26 years of experience spanning the areas of corporate management, corporate transactions and portfolio management. He served as a co-president of Jinsheng Group from May 2020 to May 2021 and the president of Yoozoo Holding Group and chief financial officer of YOOZOO Games Co., Ltd. (SHE: 002174) from July 2017 to April 2020. Prior to that, he worked at PwC Shanghai from January 2002 to June 2017, having served in a number of senior management positions including as senior global partner and a lead partner and co-founder of PwC China's Corporate Finance and M&A department. Mr. Lu received his bachelor's degree in electronic engineering and management from Fudan University in July 1995 and obtained an executive master of business administration degree from China Europe International Business School in March 2005. Mr. Lu is a senior member of the China Appraisal Society.

Mr. Quan Long, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Autohome, stated, "On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Mr. Dong Liu for his services to Autohome. We wish him the best in his future endeavors. At the same time, we warmly welcome Mr. Jun Lu to the Board and are confident that he will be a valuable addition to the Board and the Company."

About Autohome Inc.

Autohome Inc. (NYSE: ATHM; HKEX: 2518) is the leading online destination for automobile consumers in China. Its mission is to engage, educate and inform consumers about everything auto. Autohome provides original generated content, professionally generated content, user-generated content, and AI-generated content, a comprehensive automobile library, and extensive automobile listing information to automobile consumers, covering the entire car purchase and ownership cycle. The ability to reach a large and engaged user base of automobile consumers has made Autohome a preferred platform for automakers and dealers to conduct their advertising campaigns. Further, the Company's dealer subscription and advertising services allow dealers to market their inventory and services through Autohome's platform, extending the reach of their physical showrooms to potentially millions of internet users in China and generating sales leads for them. The Company offers sales leads, data analysis, and marketing services to assist automakers and dealers with improving their efficiency and facilitating transactions. Autohome operates its "Autohome Mall," a full-service online transaction platform, to facilitate transactions for automakers and dealers. Further, through its websites and mobile applications, it also provides other value-added services, including auto financing, auto insurance, used car transactions, and aftermarket services. For further information, please visit www.autohome.com.cn.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "future", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, Autohome's business outlook, Autohome's strategic and operational plans and quotations from management in this announcement contain forward-looking statements. Autohome may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), in announcements made on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Hong Kong Stock Exchange"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Autohome's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Autohome's goals and strategies; Autohome's future business development, results of operations and financial condition; the expected growth of the online automobile advertising market in China; Autohome's ability to attract and retain users and advertisers and further enhance its brand recognition; Autohome's expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its products and services; competition in the online automobile advertising industry; relevant government policies and regulatory environment of China; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Autohome's filings with the SEC and announcements on the website of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Autohome does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

Autohome Inc.

Investor Relations

Tel: +86-10-5985-7483

Email: [email protected]

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Jenny Cai

Tel: +86-10-6508-0677

E-mail: [email protected]

In the United States:

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Brandi Piacente

Tel: +1-212-481-2050

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Autohome Inc.

Related Links

http://www.autohome.com.cn


CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America today announced the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend on Bank of America common stock of $0.21 per share, payable on December 31, 2021 to shareholders of record as of December 3, 2021. The Board also renewed the company's previously announced $25 billion common stock repurchase program.

In April, Bank of America announced plans to repurchase up to $25 billion in common stock over time. Through the end of the third quarter of 2021, approximately $14 billion in stock had been repurchased under that program. Today's authorization replaces the previous program and will provide additional flexibility going forward, in line with the company's commitment to return to shareholders excess capital that is not needed to support economic growth, deliver for customers and communities, invest in the future and sustain strength and stability through the cycle. As with the April authorization, the Board also authorized repurchases to offset shares awarded under the company's equity-based compensation plans.

Bank of America's ability to make capital distributions depends, in part, on its ability to maintain regulatory capital levels above the 9.5% CET1 requirement: the sum of the Federal Reserve Board's regulatory minimum of 4.5% and applicable regulatory buffers; including the Stress Capital Buffer (SCB) of 2.5%; and the Global Systemically Important Bank Holding Company surcharge of 2.5%. As of September 30, 2021, Bank of America's CET1 ratio was 11.1%.

The timing and amount of common stock repurchases made pursuant to the Bank of America common stock repurchase program are subject to various factors, including the company's capital position, liquidity, financial performance and alternative uses of capital, stock trading price, regulatory requirements and general market conditions. Also, it may be suspended at any time. The common stock repurchases may be effected through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, including repurchase plans that satisfy the conditions of Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

The Board also declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $1.75 per share on the 7% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series B. The dividend is payable on January 25, 2022 to shareholders of record as of January 14, 2022.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent the current expectations, plans or forecasts of Bank of America based on available information. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements often use words like "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "targets," "intends," "plans," "predict," "goal" and other similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "may," "might," "should," "would" and "could." Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Bank of America undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statement was made.

Forward-looking statements represent Bank of America's current expectations, plans or forecasts of its future results, revenues, expenses, efficiency ratio, capital measures, and future business and economic conditions more generally, and other future matters. These statements are not guarantees of its future results or performance and involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict and are often beyond Bank of America's control. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, any forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should consider all of the uncertainties and risks discussed under Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of Bank of America's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and in any of Bank of America's other subsequent Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 66 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,200 retail financial centers, approximately 17,000 ATMs, and award-winning digital banking with approximately 41 million active users, including approximately 32 million mobile users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and approximately 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for email news alerts.

www.bankofamerica.com

Investors May Contact:

Lee McEntire, Bank of America

Phone: 1.980.388.6780

[email protected]

Jonathan Blum, Bank of America (Fixed Income)

Phone: 1.212.449.3112

[email protected]

Reporters May Contact:

Jerry Dubrowski, Bank of America

Phone: 1.646.855.1195 (office) or 1.508.843.5626 (mobile)

[email protected]

Christopher P. Feeney, Bank of America

Phone: 1.980.386.6794

[email protected]

SOURCE Bank of America Corporation

Related Links

www.bankofamerica.com


Company Proves Out Successful Merger with Increased Margins and Positive EBITDA,

Driven by Integration and Consolidation of Core Platform Assets

DENVER, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - BellRock Brands Inc. ("BellRock" or the "Company") (CSE: BRCK.U), an industry-leading cannabis multi-state house of brands ("MSHB"), today announced its H1 2021 financial results. All figures are stated in U.S. dollars.

"I am proud to announce the material progress BellRock achieved in the first half of the year related to post-merger integration and consolidation efforts," said BellRock President, Brian Jansen. "The Company focused its resources predominantly on the integration of BellRock's asset base and operating teams. Significant progress was made toward the rationalization and integration of manufacturing facilities, vendor management, license ownership, integration of internal sales and distribution efforts, as well as customer relationships. While year over year revenue growth was flat for the period, our post-merger integration efforts led to enhancing the Company's financial position through increased gross margins and driving the Company EBITDA positive while securing our infrastructure across core states. These synergies serve to demonstrate the value of the BellRock MSHB platform."

BellRock is providing the following unaudited estimates for financial performance for the half year ending June 30, 2021 (solely for comparative purposes, references to financial results in the first half of 2020 are based on estimated pro forma financial results for the first half of 2020 as if the merger between BR Brands, LLC and Dixie Brands Inc. had occurred on January 1, 2020):

Net revenue of $19.8M during the first half of 2021, comprised of Q1 net revenue of $9.3M and Q2 net revenue of $10.5M , flat relative to the same period last year, driven predominantly by lower margin SKU rationalization initiatives and capital constraints delaying certain new market entry and innovation initiatives,

during the first half of 2021, comprised of Q1 net revenue of and Q2 net revenue of , flat relative to the same period last year, driven predominantly by lower margin SKU rationalization initiatives and capital constraints delaying certain new market entry and innovation initiatives, Gross profit of $9.0M during the first half of 2021, comprised of Q1 gross profit of $4.1 and Q2 gross profit of $4.9M , representing an increase in gross margins to approximately 45.0% from 39.0% for the same period last year, and

during the first half of 2021, comprised of Q1 gross profit of and Q2 gross profit of , representing an increase in gross margins to approximately 45.0% from 39.0% for the same period last year, and Turned EBITDA positive during the first half of 2021 relative to an approximate negative EBITDA of $6.5M for the same period last year

Select highlights for the half year ending June 30, 2021 include:

The start-up of new manufacturing facilities in Desert Hot Springs, CA and Jackson, MI , securing the Company's MSHB operating infrastructure across two of the largest cannabis markets in the U.S.

and , securing the Company's MSHB operating infrastructure across two of the largest cannabis markets in the U.S. The announcement of leadership changes to build on the Company's strengths and better position its platform to capitalize on the rapid growth of the U.S. cannabis market.

The naming by BDSA, in August 2021 , of Mary's Medicinals as the Best-Selling Cannabis Brand in the Topicals category for 1H 2021.

, of Mary's Medicinals as the Best-Selling Cannabis Brand in the Topicals category for 1H 2021. Continued innovation to meet the needs of a changing industry and the launch of new products including Dixie Spicy Mango Gummies, Dixie Sour Strawberry Gummies, seven Mary's Tails pet chews, Mary's Medicinals CBG patch, and a new 10:1 Mary's Medicinals Compound.

The expansion of one of the leading pet CBD brands, Mary's Tails, into more than 1,200 PetSmart stores across the country. In Q1, Mary's Tails launched seven new pet chews with PetSmart, which have now surpassed the sales of the existing offerings at PetSmart.

A successful corporate reorganization, achieving more than $1.3M in salary savings.

in salary savings. The consolidation of BellRock licensing partners and the merger of Mary's and Dixie operations in Maryland , Nevada , and Florida , leading to improved margins.

, , and , leading to improved margins. The launch of Mary's Medicinals in Canada , opening BellRock's first international market and 10th THC market.

"As we move towards the end of the year, BellRock's focus is on the continued integration of the combined asset base and becoming free cash flow positive. These efforts will position BellRock to maximize the growth potential of its platform, not only for our existing brands, but also for future strategic partnerships and acquisitions. As we drive organic growth of existing brands, we will balance topline revenue growth with margin expansion and profitability, and focus on accretive growth for our underlying shareholders," said Jansen. "BellRock is emerging as a unique MSHB cannabis platform, built to accelerate brand growth for emerging best-in-class cannabis brands and form factors."

ABOUT BELLROCK BRANDS:

BellRock Brands is a cannabis multi-state house of brands and intellectual property focused CPG operator that possesses one of the industry's broadest branded product portfolios. BellRock consists of two iconic cannabis brands, Mary's Medicinals (a pioneer in the Health & Wellness segment since 2013) and Dixie (a market-leading cannabis-infused edibles brand since 2010). BellRock also includes two growing California-based brands, Rebel Coast and Defonce. BellRock's CBD portfolio includes the brands Mary's Nutritionals and Mary's Tails. With 7 brands and over 200 SKUs, BellRock reaches nearly every key consumer group and addresses the needs of a diverse cannabis consumer base. The BellRock manufacturing and distribution footprint continues to expand and currently spans nine states, and the Company owns or manages production facilities in its largest markets. For more information, visit www.bellrockbrands.com.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

The information provided in this press release may contain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, made by the Company (or its predecessors) that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements preceded by, followed by or that include words such as "may", "will", "would", "could", "should", "believes", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "expects", "plans", "intends", "anticipates", "targeted", "continues", "forecasts", "designed", "goal", or the negative of those words or other similar or comparable words. Forward-looking statements may relate to future financial conditions, results of operations, plans, objectives, performance or business developments. These statements speak only as at the date they are made and are based on information currently available and on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events, which are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from that which was expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to: (I) the regulation of the medical and recreational marijuana industry in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America and other countries in which the Company may carry on its business; (ii) the ability of the Company to obtain meaningful consumer acceptance and a successful market for its products on a national and international basis at competitive prices; (iii) the ability of the Company to develop and maintain an effective sales network; (iv) the success of the Company in forecasting demand for its products or services; (v) the ability of the Company to maintain pricing and thereby maintain adequate profit margins; (vi) the ability of the Company to achieve adequate intellectual property protection; (vii) the availability of financing opportunities, risks associated with economic conditions, dependence on management and conflicts of interest; and (viii) other risks described from time to time in documents filed by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, including the Company's annual information form dated June 21, 2019.

The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on certain key expectations and assumptions, including that: (I) the transaction with BR Brands will be completed on the terms described herein; (ii) there will be no material adverse competitive or technological change in condition of the Company's business; (iii) there will be a demand for the Company's products that the Company has accurately forecast; and (iv) there will be no material adverse change in the Company's operations, business or in any governmental regulation affecting the Company or its suppliers.

With respect to the forward-looking statements contained herein, although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements as no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks, including the risks described above. Consequently, all forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by such cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the anticipated results or developments will actually be realized or, even if realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on the Company. The cautionary statements contained or referred to herein should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that the Company and/or persons acting on the Company's behalf may issue.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

SOURCE BellRock Brands Inc.

Related Links

http://dixieelixirs.com


IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BGG World (BGG) and its subsidiary Algae Health Sciences (AHS) are happy to announce NOP Organic Certification of Astaxanthin supercritical CO2 oleoresin (AstaZine). NOP (National Organic Program) is a federal regulatory program managed by the US Department of Agriculture that develops and enforces consistent national standards for organically produced agricultural products sold in the United States. This certification follows the breakthrough certification of BGG's Astaxanthin farm and its Haematococcus pluvialis Astaxanthin-containing powder in 2016. BGG's Astaxanthin farm (currently the world's largest) became the first Astaxanthin production facility, and the resulting powder, the first Astaxanthin raw material product, to obtain organic certification by any recognized agency worldwide. Based on this additional certification (which now covers the 10% Astaxanthin oil product), BGG can serve any solid formulation, including softgel and liquid-filled hardshell caps, to support brands wishing to market their products in USA and other countries where the NOP program is recognized.

BGG's state-of-the-art, 100% glass tube Astaxanthin farm

"BGG continues to lead the Astaxanthin market in every way, and the timing couldn't be better for this innovation," said Bob Capelli, CEO of BGG Americas and Algae Health Sciences. "We just completed our capacity expansion last month, doubling our potential volume to become the largest algae-based Astaxanthin producer in the world. So we'll have plenty of Astaxanthin in both organic and standard forms for every brand that wants it for years to come."

To view an aerial film of BGG's state-of-the-art, 100% glass tube Astaxanthin farm, please click here: https://youtu.be/ZZke7krZg6E

About BGG

BGG is a global B2B supplier of ingredients sourced from nature that improve consumer wellness. Building on 25 years of innovative leadership, BGG provides consumer product makers with efficacious ingredients of outstanding quality. This is achieved by specialized sourcing, cultivation and production in the best global regions. BGG's extensive portfolio originates from algae, fruits and plants. BGG employs a staff of approximately 450, has six production sites, international branches in North America, Japan, China and Switzerland and manages sales in more over 100 countries. BGG is ISO9001, ISO22000 and GMP certified.

About AstaZine:

AstaZine is Natural Astaxanthin, a clinically-validated, naturally-occurring carotenoid extracted from Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae. Research has shown ten distinct health benefits in over 100 clinical trials for algae-based Astaxanthin. Health benefits include eye & brain health; skin health & "beauty from within;" immune system modulation; cardiovascular support; anti-aging properties; and support for athletes and active people.

Further Information on BGG: www.bggworld.com

Press Contact: Christian Artaria, CEO BGG Europe and Global Chief Marketing Officer: [email protected] 808-345-7711

Please note that the physiological activity of the ingredient described herein is supported by the referenced clinical trial reports. Marketers of finished products containing the ingredient described herein are responsible for determining whether the claims made for such products are lawful and in compliance with the laws of the country in which they will market the products. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

SOURCE BGG World

Related Links

http://www.bggworld.com


As an extension of the brand's Senses Stirred global campaign, Dan's sculpture drew inspiration from the iconic drink, from the way the vibrant flavor of BOMBAY SAPPHIRE dances on your tongue, to the citrus-forward aroma making a grand introduction to your nose, and the finale of the 10 unique, organic vapor-infused botanicals stimulating your tastebuds. Recognized as the ultimate canvas for cocktail creativity that inspires bartenders and drinkers to experiment with flavor and versatility, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE drew on Dan Lam's renowned visual language to spotlight the elevated, balanced and refreshing nature of the Bombay & Tonic.

"Bombay Sapphire has always encouraged modern gin drinkers, bartenders and artists alike to embrace their own creative self-expression  that is the very essence of our Stir Creativity platform and remains at the heart of everything we do as a brand. For us, creativity is essential so to visually showcase the beauty and simplicity of the classic Bombay & Tonic and ignite people's senses, it was natural for us to partner with Dan Lam on our mission to making the art world more accessible," says Jaime Keller, Brand Director BOMBAY SAPPHIRE North America. "After the last year, we found that people were craving outlets and access for creativity more than ever before. We are excited to participate in the conversation to democratize the art world, with the event's focus on passion and conviction as the route to collecting an incredible piece of art instead of access to money."

Held in the bustling arts district in New York's Lower East Side, the Sensory Auction was open to art-lovers through designated time slots which were booked up within minutes. Participants were fitted with state-of-the-art neuro-aesthetic technology to measure their subconscious sensory reactions to determine the most passionate bidder, from electrodes being placed along the scalp for brain wave readings, skin galvanic response technologies to detect even the most minute of sweat drops to eye tracking technology to measure focus and engagement.

The art enthusiasts then viewed Lam's artwork for the first time, which featured materials that were layered on top of one another to reflect the ingredients which comprise the Bombay & Tonic cocktail. The tonic water is reflected in the hints of white swirled in with a deep blue, which is inspired by the hue of blue that encompasses the Bombay Sapphire bottle. The work is finished off with a myriad of spikes to harken back to the complexities of ingredients used in the distilling of Bombay Sapphire gin.

"I'm so excited to be partnering with Bombay Sapphire to award this piece to the person who feels the most joy from my sculpture. It's important to me to share my work with people who might not otherwise get a chance to experience it, especially after the past year. The goal with the Sensory Auction is to help in the efforts to democratize the art world, making it a more inclusive space," says Dan Lam.

In celebration of the Sensory Auction and the brand's partnership with Lam, there is an exclusive cocktail named the Dan & Tonic which will be served at the event and is inspired by Lam's creative process.

The Dan & Tonic Cocktail

1.5 oz Bombay Sapphire

5 oz Fever Tree Lemon Tonic

 oz Edible Blackberry Puree

METHOD: Build Bombay and Tonic in a balloon glass with fresh ice. Serve with the resin in its own paint jar. Pour resin over cocktail and use stir rod to incorporate as much or as little as you would like.

For more information on the Sensory Auction, watch a behind-the-scenes film that delves into the sensorial experience behind the Bombay & Tonic and showcases the recipient of this exclusive piece of artwork HERE.

Link to high-res imagery HERE

Link to YouTube Film HERE

For press inquiries:

Nike Communications

Zara Biggs, [email protected]

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About BOMBAY SAPPHIRE brand

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is the world's number one premium gin by value and volume (IWSR). Based on a 1761 recipe, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin is created by perfectly balancing a unique combination of 10 hand-selected exotic botanicals from around the world. The BOMBAY SAPPHIRE distillery at Laverstoke Mill has won a BREEAM award for sustainability and is the home of the unique Vapour Infusion process, where the natural flavours of the botanicals are skillfully captured, resulting in the fresh and vibrant taste with which BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is synonymous.

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE has recently been awarded the prestigious Double Gold and Gold medal at the 17th San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC).

The BOMBAY SAPPHIRE brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.

Enjoy BOMBAY SAPPHIRE responsibly

For the facts: www.BombaySapphire.com.

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE AND BOMBAY BRAMBLE ARE TRADEMARKS

ABOUT BOMBAY SAPPHIRE AND CREATIVITY

Launching the 'Stir Creativity' campaign in 2018, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is leading a global mission - a call to arms for everyone to engage with their creativity and unlock their creative potential. From advocacy programmes including World's Most Imaginative Bartender competition running in the US for the last 11 years to hosting The Glasshouse Project, a global advocacy programme bringing together the world's top bartenders in a series of creative workshops designed to push the boundaries of cocktail creativity.

For nine years, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE ran The Artisan Series, an art competition created by the brand to provide emerging artists with an international platform. The brand has also partnered with well-known artists and creators such as Tracey Emin, Thomas Heatherwick and Tom Dixon for the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Designer Glassware Competition.

BE BRILLIANT AND INSPIRED. DRINK RESPONSIBLY

2021. BRAMBLE IS A TRADEMARK.

IMPORTED BY THE BOMBAY SPIRITS COMPANY U.S.A., CORAL GABLES, FL. FLAVORED GIN  43% ALC. BY VOL.

SOURCE BOMBAY SAPPHIRE
CANTON, Mass., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Under the safety of the state's whistleblower protection law for healthcare workers, several employees from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) in western Massachusetts, who are unionized with the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), recently sent a detailed letter to the department's commissioner imploring her to intervene in a growing patient-care crisis that is unfolding in many of the region's DDS group homes.

The letter, dated September 21 of 2021, was sent to Commissioner Jane Ryder, but she has yet to reply. Meanwhile, the crisis in care for the state's most vulnerable patients grows.

The clients living in the state's DDS group homes, including those in western Massachusetts, are some of the state's most vulnerable citizens. Nearly all of them have multiple diagnoses with comorbidities, and most are non-verbal. As a result, these clients require around-the-clock care from highly specialized nurses and healthcare professionals.

The lack of staff and a lack of adequately trained staff in these homes are problems that have long plagued the department, and MNA leaders have a well-documented history of trying to address them with management. But the issues have increased exponentially in recent months.

Professional staff and clinicians at the affected homes  which include homes in Hadley, Amherst, Whately, Westfield, South Hadley, and Wilbraham  detailed numerous problems and concerns in their whistleblower letter, including:

Significant increases in DDS clients being sent to the ER; patient falls; and medication errors.

Medication errors have doubled since the staffing crisis began in April of 2021.

There have been 126 documented ED visits by group-home clients through mid-September of this year versus a total of 145 in all of 2020.

Volunteer staff taking open shifts are often not appropriately trained, potentially putting clients' health and safety at risk.

The credentials of volunteers filling open shifts are generally unknown to supervising nurses and clinicians.

Having staff untrained in MAP (the state's Medication Administration Program) violates DDS's policies, but it occurs regularly with volunteer staff and staff who are floated to other homes/facilities without nursing notification.

When there are no volunteers to cover a vacant shift, DDS management "mandates" staff to work overtime, which means staff members are forced to stay beyond their scheduled shift, often without warning or the opportunity to plan accordingly.

One MNA leader inside DDS recently commented that a colleague was mandated to work for 48 hours. Mandated overtime can, and often does, result in errors because affected staff are not rested and alert enough to deliver the best care possible.

MNA leaders at the region's DDS group homes call on the department to bring in more staff or outside support, train all staff appropriately, and work collaboratively with elected MNA leaders on short- and long-term solutions.

MassNurses.org  Facebook.com/MassNurses  Twitter.com/MassNurses

Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 23,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association

Related Links

https://www.massnurses.org


BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE American: LEU) ("Centrus" or the "Company") announced that the Company is commencing today a tender offer to purchase all of its outstanding Series B Senior Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Series B Preferred Shares"), at a price per Series B Preferred Share (inclusive of any rights to accrued but unpaid dividends) of $1,145.20, less any applicable withholding taxes. The aggregate liquidation preference per Series B Preferred Share (including accrued but unpaid dividends) was $1,347.29 as of September 30, 2021. The tender offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on Thursday, November 18, 2021, unless the offer is extended. Tenders of Series B Preferred Shares must be made prior to the expiration of the tender offer and may be withdrawn at any time prior to the expiration time, in each case, in accordance with the procedures described in the tender offer materials. The Company intends to pay for the shares repurchased in the tender offer with available cash.

Stockholders whose Series B Preferred Shares are purchased in the tender offer will be paid $1,145.20 in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes, for each share (inclusive of any rights to accrued but unpaid dividends) after the expiration of the tender offer. As of September 30, 2021, there were 37,847 Series B Preferred Shares outstanding, with an aggregate liquidation preference of approximately $51.0 million or approximately $1,347.29 per share, consisting of (i) approximately $37.8 million original liquidation preference and (ii) approximately $13.2 million of cumulative accrued unpaid dividends.

Concurrently with the tender offer, the Company is also soliciting consents from holders of the Series B Preferred Shares to amend (the "Series B Preferred Amendment") the certificate of designation of the Series B Preferred Shares (the "Certificate of Designation") from and after the effective date of the Series B Preferred Amendment to: (i) cease any obligation to pay dividends on Series B Preferred Shares (other than the payment of accrued dividends in connection with a redemption or distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up), (ii) permit the Company to redeem Series B Preferred Shares during the 90 days following the date of effectiveness of the Series B Preferred Amendment at the same redemption price per share as the tender offer (plus provision for additional accrued dividends), (iii) remove the prohibition on the declaration and payment of dividends on junior stock of the Company, which includes all shares of the Company's capital stock defined as "Common Stock" in the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or the redemption, purchase or acquisition of such junior stock, and (iv) remove the restriction on redemption, purchase or acquisition of capital stock of the Company ranking on parity with the Series B Preferred Shares.

Pursuant to the terms of the Certificate of Designation, the consent of holders of at least 90% of the outstanding Series B Preferred Shares is required to approve the Series B Preferred Amendment. Therefore, one of the conditions to the adoption of the Series B Preferred Amendment is the receipt of the consent of holders of at least 90% of the outstanding Series B Preferred Shares. If the Series B Preferred Amendment is approved, the Company currently intends to redeem all Series B Preferred Shares that remain outstanding following the consummation of the tender offer at the reduced redemption price referred to in clause (ii) above.

D.F. King & Co., Inc. is serving as information agent for the tender offer and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. is serving as the depositary for the tender offer. Once commenced, please direct all questions relating to the tender offer to the information agent, D. F. King & Co., Inc. toll-free at (800) 967-5074; banks and brokers may call D.F. King at (212) 269-5550, or via e-mail at [email protected] .

The tender offer will not be contingent upon the receipt of financing or any minimum number of Series B Preferred Shares being tendered. However, the tender offer and consent solicitation are subject to a number of other terms and conditions, which will be described in detail in the offer to purchase for the tender offer and consent solicitation. Specific instructions and a complete explanation of the terms and conditions of the tender offer will be contained in the offer to purchase, the related letter of transmittal and other related materials, which will be mailed to stockholders of record promptly after commencement of the tender offer.

While the Centrus Board of Directors has authorized Centrus to make the tender offer and consent solicitation, neither Centrus, its board of directors, the depository, nor the information agent makes any recommendation as to whether to tender and consent to the Series B Preferred Amendment or refrain from tendering Series B Preferred Shares. Centrus has not authorized any person to make any such recommendation. Stockholders must make their own decision as to whether to tender some or all of their Series B Preferred Shares and consent to the Series B Preferred Amendment. In doing so, stockholders should consult their own financial and tax advisors and read carefully and evaluate the information in the tender offer and consent solicitation documents, when available.

Additional Information Regarding the Tender Offer

This communication is for informational purposes only. This communication is not a recommendation to buy or sell Centrus Series B Preferred Shares or any other securities, and it is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell Centrus Series B Preferred Shares or any other securities. Centrus has filed a tender offer statement on Schedule TO, including an offer to purchase, letter of transmittal and related materials, with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The tender offer and consent solicitation are only made pursuant to the offer to purchase, letter of transmittal and consent and related materials filed as a part of the Schedule TO. Stockholders should read carefully the offer to purchase, letter of transmittal and consent and related materials because they contain important information, including the various terms of, and conditions to, the tender offer and consent solicitation. Stockholders may obtain a free copy of the tender offer statement on Schedule TO, the offer to purchase, letter of transmittal and other documents that Centrus has filed with the SEC at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or from the Centrus website at www.centrusenergy.com or from the information agent for the tender offer.

About Centrus

Centrus Energy is a trusted supplier of nuclear fuel and services for the nuclear power industry. Centrus provides value to its utility customers through the reliability and diversity of its supply sources  helping them meet the growing need for clean, affordable, carbon-free electricity. Since 1998, the Company has provided its utility customers with more than 1,750 reactor years of fuel, which is equivalent to 7 billion tons of coal. With world-class technical and engineering capabilities, Centrus is also advancing the next generation of centrifuge technologies so that America can restore its domestic uranium enrichment capability in the future. Find out more at www.centrusenergy.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, and often contain words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "will," "should," "could," "would," or "may" and other words of similar meaning. These statements include statements regarding the terms and timing of completion of the tender offer and consent solicitation, including acceptance of purchase of the Series B Preferred Shares, the expected expiration time and the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions to the tender offer and consent solicitation, and the Company's intention to redeem all Series B Preferred Shares that remain outstanding following consummation of the tender offer. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. Particular risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ from those expressed in these financial statements include conditions in financial markets, response by Series B Preferred holders to the tender offer and consent solicitation and other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this report and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Centrus Investor Contacts:

Investors: Dan Leistikow (301) 564-3399 or [email protected]

Media: Lindsey Geisler (301) 564-3392 or [email protected]

SOURCE Centrus Energy Corp.

Related Links

https://www.centrusenergy.com


With an expected completion date of April 2022, the site will become fully operational in Spring 2022. The new 3,663-square-foot facility will provide affordable and accessible infusion therapy for patients in southwest Michigan, including opportuities for future expansion on the east and west sides of the building.

The ceremony saw senior officials from both Infusion Associates and Honor Construction in attendance, including Chuck Jett, CEO of Infusion Associates, and Brad Laackman, CEO of Honor Construction. Southwest Michigan Chamber of Commerce ambassadors also attended the event to welcome Infusion Associates to the community.

Speaking about the company's growth, Chuck Jett commented: "After opening operations in Grand Rapids almost 20 years ago, we have expanded to Grandville, Traverse City and Grand Haven, Michigan over the past few years." continued, "this new site in Portage is the first of six in Michigan to be opened in the first half of 2022. New IA sites are anticipated in East Lansing, Ann Arbor and several Detroit suburbs. Our goal is to serve the infusion needs of Michiganders across the entire state."

Infusion Associates' six new sites will create over 60 new jobs throughout the state of Michigan. The company will begin looking for high-performing and compassionate medical professionals in Spring 2022, including receptionists, pharmacy technicians, registered nurses, medical assistants, research nurses and nurse pratictioners.

"As a long-term growth partner for Infusion Associates," said Honor Construction's CEO, Brad Laackman, "we know the tremendous value they will bring to patients with chronic illness by serving the greater Kalamazoo area. The partnership we have created has vast potential and we look forward to the journey ahead."

Visit Infusion Associates' website for more information on how to join their waitlist to become or refer a patient to the new Portage location: www.infusionassociates.com/patient-lp/

About Infusion Associates

Infusion Associates (IA) provides life enhancing therapies for patients with chronic conditions, such as gastrointestinal diseases or autoimmune disorders, in a warm and comfortable environment. Current infusion centers are located in Grand Rapids, Grandville, Grand Haven, and Traverse City, Michigan as well as Plymouth, Minnesota. Infusion Associates provides both a patient and provider-friendly service that delivers high quality patient care while also being the lowest cost provider of infusion therapy. For more information, please visit www.infusionassociates.com.

CONTACT: Betsy Lipzinski, Marketing Manager

Phone: (616) 954-0600 ext. 133

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.infusionassociates.com

SOURCE Infusion Associates

Related Links

https://www.infusionassociates.com


BOISE, Idaho, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CWAN), ("Clearwater Analytics" or the "Company") will release financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 after the U.S. financial markets close on Wednesday, November 3, 2021.

In conjunction with this announcement, Clearwater Analytics will host a conference call on November 3, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. ET through a live webcast available on the Company's investor relations website. Participants must visit investors.clearwateranalytics.com in advance to register, download, and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Company's investor relations website, in addition to a press release related to the financial results, related financial tables, and the call transcript.

About Clearwater Analytics

Clearwater Analytics is a global industry-leading SaaS solution for automated investment data aggregation, reconciliation, accounting, compliance, risk, performance, and reporting. Each day, the Clearwater solution reports on more than $5.6 trillion in assets for clients that include leading insurers, asset managers, corporations, pension plans, governments, and nonprofit organizations  helping them make the most of their investment portfolio data with a world-class product and client-centric servicing. Investment professionals around the globe trust Clearwater to deliver timely, validated investment data and analytics.

SOURCE Clearwater Analytics
BRUSSELS, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading voice for the global cruise industry, announced the appointment of Marie-Caroline Laurent as Director General for CLIA in Europe, effective as of 15 November 2021.

Marie-Caroline is a transport policy expert who has worked in leadership roles at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for nearly a decade, including serving as Assistant Director for EU Affairs. Previously she worked in policy development for the Association of European Airlines and has also served as a parliamentary adviser at the European Parliament and as senior policy officer at the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU.

Kelly Craighead, President and CEO, CLIA said: "I want to thank Ukko Metsola for his leadership in Europe during a critical transitional period as cruise operations have continued a phased return to service. I'm delighted to welcome Marie-Caroline Laurent who will draw on a wealth of experience within the European transport policy arena to showcase cruise at the heart of sustainable tourism and demonstrate its value to the wider maritime sector. With extensive experience interfacing with EU Institutions, Marie-Caroline will be well positioned to continue to build CLIA's engagement on European policy issues within Brussels."

Marie-Caroline Laurent said, "I'm passionate about the positive impact of transport and tourism sectors supporting businesses and livelihoods in every European country. Transport is one of the world's most innovative industries and cruise ship building is at the heart of the European economy. Cruise lines are at the forefront of green maritime innovation and are well positioned to help the EU to drive green growth. I'm looking forward to working together with cruise lines, our industry partners and policy makers to help drive Europe's leadership in building a truly sustainable transport and tourism industry in Europe."

Ukko Metsola will stay on as adviser to the new Director General until the end of 2021 to support the transition prior to a planned return to the Royal Caribbean Group.

SOURCE Cruise Lines International Association

Related Links

www.cruising.org


NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Colbeck Capital Management supported the 20th Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) Gala on October 14, 2021. The annual event brings together members of the community to provide critical funding and support for the work being done to end melanoma. This year, the MRF celebrated past clinician and research honorees, as well as many brave melanoma patients who have shared their stories over the years. Currently, the Gala has raised more than $1,300,000 from this year's event alone.

In addition to this being the 20th anniversary of the MRF Gala, this was also the 25th anniversary of the MRF itself. Over the last 25 years the organization has been able to raise more than $20 million in funds for research for academic institutions throughout the United States. These funds have directly contributed to helping develop over 16 FDA-approved melanoma immunotherapy treatments.

Colbeck Capital Management was proud to support the 2021 MRF Gala, and the MRF's important mission to fund new melanoma research. This is in line with Colbeck's longtime support of other important advocacy groups, including Pink Aid, the Children's Tumor Foundation, and NEXT for Autism.

About The Melanoma Research Foundation

The Melanoma Research Foundation is the largest independent organization devoted to melanoma. The MRF is an advocate for the melanoma community, helping provide funding for research and raising awareness for this disease, and the need for a cure. The MRF's website is one of the top resources for melanoma information seekers.

About Colbeck Capital Management

Colbeck Capital Management (www.colbeck.com) is a strategic lender that partners with companies during periods of transition, providing creative capital solutions to meet their evolving needs. Founded in 2009 by Jason Colodne and Jason Beckman, Colbeck Capital has offices in New York City and Los Angeles.

SOURCE Colbeck Capital Management
AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Complete Controller announces the debut of its new user experience, CAS-i (pronounced KAS-se), a web-based portal that brings all financial and back-office tools together for its users to experience seamless integration and access. Leveraging Ping Identity for its customer identity and access management (CIAM), the company developed its user experience to deliver a single sign-on (SSO) environment.

"It is the company's goal to deliver a fully customizable experience to its users where they can easily interact with their financial tools and data or simply monitor the work we are performing," says Jennifer Brazer, Founder and CEO of Complete Controller.

As an agnostic provider of client accounting services (CAS), Complete Controller is not beholden to any one brand, allowing its customers to customize their platform experience with the financial apps and solutions that are unique to them. This customization contrasts with other platforms that only facilitate seamless in-app access to their own proprietary solutions.

Jennifer goes on to say, "CAS-i goes beyond providing ease of use and transparency. By making app integration and unified access a part of our offering, we position our company to gain deeper insight into our customer's needs and data. This insight will allow us to make valuable recommendations to our customers at just the right time, which is of great value to our busy entrepreneurial client base."

CAS-i stands for Client Accounting Services intelligence. Complete Controller plans to leverage the data gathered through its CAS-i platform to recognize changes in customer needs and make targeted, individualized recommendations, such as adding specific payroll, insurance, credit building, or business valuation solutions. Rather than relying on customers to self-identify, using CAS-i, the company will be empowered to address situations the customer may not even know are impending. CAS-i facilitates ease of access, security, transparency, and actionable intelligence for the company, its customers, and their financial team members.

About Complete Controller

Complete Controller is a national cloud-based client accounting services SAAS firm that delivers bookkeeping services, audit-ready records, unlimited document storage, and performance reporting to small businesses, households, trusts, and their CPAs. Founder and CEO Jennifer Brazer is a pioneer in the virtualization of professional services and a published author. She is a vocal proponent of financial literacy, entrepreneurial empowerment, and cloud business strategies.

Press Contact:

Jordan Johnson,

[email protected],

866-443-8879 ext. 727

SOURCE Complete Controller

Related Links

completecontroller.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Countable, the enterprise engagement platform, today announced that it has closed $12M in Series A funding. The round serves as a strong endorsement of Countable's vision to build technology to foster more authentic communication and facilitate critical business and social outcomes. Canaan Partners led the round, with participation from New York-based Ulysses Management and Tokyo's Global Catalyst Partners . Countable will use the funds to scale its business operations and product roadmap, including serving as a launchpad for social token community exchange. "Countable is transforming the social network landscape, and we support the revolution," said Marigay McKee, general partner at Fernbrook Capital , an early Countable investor.

Leveraging years of expertise, Countable is a trusted partner for global brands in bringing fragmented communities together and turning audiences into brand advocates. As consumers increasingly expect the brands they buy from to be clear about their values and take a stand on issues, these brands need an owned platform that turns corporate strategy into actionable stakeholder engagement.

"The pandemic is pushing companies to build engaged virtual communities, and while popular social media properties offer options, there hasn't been a brand-owned enterprise platform that brings people together and influences change  until Countable," said Joydeep Bhattacharyya, general partner, Canaan Partners. "As employees, customers and partners increasingly associate with brands whose values and actions align with theirs, Countable has become an essential platform for some of the world's largest companies."

Scalable to millions of users, Countable's platform is uniquely positioned as a brand-safe social network that brings employees, consumers, and/or partners together via a robust menu of engagement features and extended content management services. As a standalone site or integrated with an existing digital web presence, the platform sites are custom-branded, white-labelled, with public, private, or application-based access and provide companies with valuable audience data and analytics, driving increased revenue, retention, and innovation.

"Social media has taught us that engaging your customers as a community can help them become an incredible asset for any brand" said Bart Myers, CEO of Countable. "We started Countable with the mission of bringing customers together in brand-safe online communities and where the benefits  data ownership, access to your audience, privacy, personalized actions  stay with the brand, helping drive their goals. This funding round is a fantastic voice in support of that vision, and we are delighted by the support of our investors."

Countable grew its revenue by nearly 300% this past year, adding enterprise Fortune 100 clients to a roster that already includes Starbucks, Uber, and Levi's. Spanning many geographies, industries, and audiences, customers rely on Countable to power new ways of engaging their customers and partners everywhere, including brand and community awareness, employee advocacy, and influencing public policy and civic engagement.

ABOUT COUNTABLE

Countable's enterprise engagement platform empowers companies of all sizes to establish connected purpose-driven relationships with market, audience, customer, and internal communities. With over 120 successful implementations for clients ranging from Starbucks, Uber, Patagonia, Twitch, and PG&E. Countable leverages the Causes.com audience, as an extended content service offering. For more information, visit www.countable.com

Media Inquiries:

Corey Herscu for Countable

[email protected]

SOURCE Countable

Related Links

https://www.countable.com/


ATLANTA, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CryoLife, Inc. (NYSE: CRY), a leading cardiac and vascular surgery company focused on aortic disease, announced today that third quarter 2021 financial results will be released on Thursday, November 4, 2021 after the market closes. On that day, the Company will hold a teleconference call and live webcast at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss the results, followed by a question and answer session hosted by Pat Mackin, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of CryoLife, Inc.

To participate in the conference call dial 862-298-0702 a few minutes prior to 4:30 p.m. ET. An audio replay will be available November 4 through November 11, 2021 and can be accessed by dialing (toll free) 877-660-6853 or 201-612-7415. The conference number for the replay is 13724263.

The live webcast and replay can be accessed on the Investor Relations section of the CryoLife website at www.cryolife.com and selecting Webcasts & Presentations. In addition, a copy of the earnings press release, which will contain financial and statistical information for the completed quarter and full year, can be accessed in the Investor Relations section of the CryoLife website.

About CryoLife, Inc.

Headquartered in suburban Atlanta, Georgia, CryoLife is a leader in the manufacturing, processing, and distribution of medical devices and implantable tissues used in cardiac and vascular surgical procedures focused on aortic repair. CryoLife markets and sells products in more than 100 countries worldwide. For additional information about CryoLife, visit our website, www.cryolife.com.

Contacts:





CryoLife Gilmartin Group LLC D. Ashley Lee Brian Johnston / Lynn Lewis Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

and Chief Operating Officer Phone: 631-807-1986 Phone: 770-419-3355 [email protected]

SOURCE CryoLife, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.cryolife.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Datatron announced today enhancements to its MLOps and AI governance solution, making it even easier for enterprises to catalog, operationalize, monitor and govern AI/ML models.

Click to Tweet: @datatron adds new functionality to Reliable AI platform for MLOps and AI governance https://datatron.com/platform/ #MLOps #ModelOps

With Datatron, customers experience 15 to 20 times more effectiveness in model deployment, bringing substantial business gains and productivity improvements. Datatron also eliminates the complexity and expense associated with constant iteration and management of many AI models at one time.

Key enhancements to the Datatron Reliable AI platform include:

ML Gateways: ML Gateways provide centralization and orchestration of models and data in complex, multi-tenant environments. It's designed to support a growing number of use cases, helping enterprises overcome challenges, including compliance, differing model technologies, and AI ownership across subsidiaries, partners, and internal data science teams

ML Gateways provide centralization and orchestration of models and data in complex, multi-tenant environments. It's designed to support a growing number of use cases, helping enterprises overcome challenges, including compliance, differing model technologies, and AI ownership across subsidiaries, partners, and internal data science teams Customer-defined KPIs: This enables enterprises to define their own formulas for continuous analysis of statistics and measures, set thresholds for warning and alert conditions, and include KPIs in the central governance dashboard

This enables enterprises to define their own formulas for continuous analysis of statistics and measures, set thresholds for warning and alert conditions, and include KPIs in the central governance dashboard Explainability with confidence: This unique innovation is a departure from many theoretical exercises by others. Datatron builds in a confidence score that is used against explainability, helping customers understand what data was relevant in the results and the level of trust one can place in those results

This unique innovation is a departure from many theoretical exercises by others. Datatron builds in a confidence score that is used against explainability, helping customers understand what data was relevant in the results and the level of trust one can place in those results Native Jupyter support: Supports direct import of Jupyter notebooks by data scientists to silently run alongside current models to get faster validation of fit, making all the governance metrics available before the model goes live

Supports direct import of Jupyter notebooks by data scientists to silently run alongside current models to get faster validation of fit, making all the governance metrics available before the model goes live Rapid setup and deployment: A new five-step guided process allows customers to run a selected model in production as APIs for real-time inferencing or scheduled batches in less than 10 minutes

Zack Fragoso, manager, data science and AI, Domino's, said: "At Domino's, we understood very early on that for our AI initiatives to be successful, it was important to bridge the skill sets gap between the different data scientist teams and IT organizations. Not only does Datatron's platform make this possible, but it also enables us to implement strong MLOps to rapidly operationalize our machine learning models."

Harish Doddi, CEO, Datatron, said: "Despite all the readily available open source MLOps frameworks, building your own MLOps infrastructure from scratch is no trivial task. Constant iteration and management of many AI models can be incredibly complex and expensive. That's why we're dedicated to making it even easier than ever for enterprises to operationalize, monitor and govern a large number of AI models."

About Datatron

Founded in 2016, Datatron's centralized AI ModelOps and Model Governance platform helps organizations unlock the value of their machine learning and artificial intelligence investments. With Datatron's Reliable AI platform, customers harness the power of AI and ML by automating and standardizing the deployment, monitoring, governance, and validation of all AI models developed in any environment. Industry leaders in financial services, insurance, pharmaceutical, and food and drinks rely on Datatron to operationalize and govern AI solutions at scale, producing predictable, rapid and reliable business outcomes. Datatron is a privately held, venture-backed company headquartered in San Francisco, California. For more information, please visit www.datatron.com or follow @datatron .

Media Contact:

Corey Eldridge

[email protected]

SOURCE Datatron

Related Links

https://www.datatron.com


This Summit was organized by the Office of National Brand Project of Xinhua News Agency, co-organized by China News Development Shenzhen, CFBond.com and Cheerland Biologics, sponsored by Shenzhen Investment Holdings Capital, with support from Shenzhen Dapeng New District Management Committee.

Mr. Li Bin, Deputy Director of National Health Commission (NHC) and a member of the Managing Party Council of NHC, headlined the delegate of government officials attending the Summit. Mr. Li applauded the Centralized Volume-based Procurement of Drug Consumables, a major policy of the CPC Central Committee's drug reform efforts starting from 2020. Thanks to this new policy, China's new drug R&D and innovation capability, as well as quality assurance, supply capacity and clinical use have all been remarkably improved.

Mr. Gong Xixiang, a member of the Managing Party Council and Secretary General of Xinhua News Agency, pointed out that Shenzhen, as one of the core engine cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, has aspired to become a leader and innovation hub for biomedicine.

Mr. Xu Jianping, Director of the Regional Opening Department of the National Development and Reform Commission, urged the Greater Bay Area to play a leading role in developing the Health Silk Road, for the benefit of China and other countries involved.



Mr. Liu Ruyin, Founder and Chairman of Cheerland Biologics, expressed that Cheerland, headquartered in Shenzhen, has been striving to become a regional and national leader in biotechnology. It has built a world-class management team with international executives, led by Mr. Michael Garvey, President and Managing Director of the Board. Cheerland also established a biomedicine eco-system consisted of diagnostic labs based on gene sequencing, a drug development platform and pipelines, medical services, and now CDMO (contract development and manufacturing organization). Cheerland is building the first large-scale biologics CDMO (Bio-CDMO) base in China, aiming to provide international standard, low cost, commercial scale Bio-CDMO services to global biotech clients. The global launch ceremony of Cheerland Bio-CDMO, and a service contract signing ceremony were held at the Summit.

A panel featuring academicians and industry leaders discussed how the Greater Bay Area can promote high-quality development of the biomedical industry under the current economic and geopolitical climate.

About Cheerland Biologics

Cheerland Biologics, a co-organizer of the Summit, was established in Shenzhen in April 2016 and elected into the National Brand Project of Xinhua News Agency in April 2021. Cheerland aims to lower significantly the cost of biologics and make biomedicine accessible to everyone, through technological innovation and providing large-scale manufacturing services to the global biotech industry.

Image Attachments Links:

Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=404338

Caption: Global Launch Ceremony of Cheerland Bio-CDMO

SOURCE Cheerland Biologics
BOSTON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) today announced its next open-science collaboration focused on the integration of sensor generated data into data platforms to power clinical research and patient care. The new initiative will develop resources to improve the effective and efficient use of digital health products in clinical research and patient care, enabling researchers and clinicians to use increasingly ubiquitous sensor data to make better decisions, faster.

"In order to expand the use of digital sensor products and fulfill the promise of digital health measurement to redefine healthcare, stakeholders including clinicians, researchers, patients, regulators, and payers must be able to leverage sensor data that is trustworthy, relevant, and accessible," says Ieuan Clay, Chief Scientific Officer at DiMe. "We have identified this as the biggest limitation to scaling digital health measurement and have gathered a best in class project team with regulators, cloud and analytics platforms, healthcare systems, pharmaceutical, and standards organizations to help us design the solutions."

Catalyzed by the COVID-19 crisis, the use of digital health measurement has been growing rapidly across clinical research and patient care. Recent initiatives by DiMe, such as The Playbook which serves as the foundation for digital measurement and remote monitoring, have supported the safe, effective, and equitable implementation of digital health into practice.

However, despite DiMe's Library of Digital Endpoints observing a 665% spike in the number of unique digital endpoints being used in industry sponsored trials of new medical products over the past two years, we have yet to see a new medical product approved using sensor data. Additionally, while the press reported on a 'monumental shift towards remote patient monitoring', only 11% of telehealth visits during the pandemic used remote patient monitoring.

Digital clinical measures and remote patient monitoring cannot become an integral part of clinical research and clinical care if the technical and business processes that combine sensor data with other relevant information cannot render at scale a unified, single view of the data that is sufficiently trustworthy, relevant, and accessible for high quality decision making.

"If we want to keep our current momentum, our industry will require a set of guidelines that address the considerations involved with integrating these data into platforms that manage study data or help clinicians guide patient care. DiMe is thrilled to lead this new initiative to develop a deep understanding of these gaps and begin to address them, " shared Jennifer Goldsack, Chief Executive Officer at DiMe.

Participating organizations include:

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration

Center for Devices and Radiological Health, US Food and Drug Administration

Evidation

HumanFirst

IEEE Standards Association

Medable

Moffitt Cancer Center

Oracle

Open mHealth

Savvy Coop

Takeda

Veterans Health Administration

About the Digital Medicine Society: The Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) is the professional society serving the digital medicine community, driving scientific progress and broad acceptance of digital medicine to enhance public health. At DiMe, our commitment to fully integrating experts from all of the disciplines comprising digital medicine is unwavering. From regulators to white-hat hackers, ethicists to engineers, and clinicians to citizen scientists, we are proud to welcome all experts committed to ensuring that digital medicine realizes its full potential to improve human health. Join us !

Media Contact: Jamie Gray, [email protected] , 310.699.3163

SOURCE Digital Medicine Society (DiMe)

Related Links

http://dimesociety.org


LOS ANGELES, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- El Blunto, California's top blunt producer, announced the release of three special edition pre-rolls that will employ Connected's top-shelf indoor flower. The special edition runs will include an El Bluntito single crafted with the strain The Chemist and two El Bluntos, one with the strain Gelonade and the other with Biscotti.

El Blunto x Connected Collaboration

"At Connected, we always have our eye out for others who make great products in the industry. We are excited to unite our premium indoor flower with a new experience for this limited edition El Blunto Drop," said Craig Lyon, VP of Connected Cannabis.

El Blunto manufactures the highest quality pre-rolls in cannabis. Their products are distributed by Kiva Sales and Services and are available in 400+ dispensaries across California. Their signature product, The World's Finest Cannabis Cigar, is a tobacco free blunt that features 1.75 grams of top-shelf high-testing cannabis. Full flower is hand-broken, never ground, hand-rolled in an all-natural fiber wrap, cured for 72-hours, and finished with a glass filter.

"At El Blunto, we pride ourselves in creating products for the cannabis connoisseur. Connected Cannabis Co shares that same ethos and cultivates some of the best high end designer strains on the market," said Q. Ladraa, CEO of Albert Einstone's, El Blunto's parent company. "We both take a meticulous approach to product development and customer satisfaction, which makes this collaboration a dream come true for cannabis lovers."

Connected Cannabis Co is a multiple-award-winning brand that is the largest distributor of ultra premium indoor flower in the state of California. Driven by over 11 years of focus on breeding and cultivation practices, they continue to set the bar in genetic development with high-end, designer strains created in one of the most advanced breeding programs in the world. In every jar you'll get immaculate terpene profiles that lend you distinct flavor, nose and color.

The El Blunto x Connected collab will be available in dispensaries beginning today.

About El Blunto

El Blunto is a California-based cannabis brand that offers 'The World's Finest Cannabis Experience.' Born from a passion for craftsmanship and quality, El Blunto is an evolution of historic cigar-making tradition. Borrowing age-old techniques from master cigar-rollers, we create products of the highest caliber with the highest level of finishing. Product design and development is approached like a true science, ensuring customers get the same, phenomenal experience every single time. The El Blunto line up includes El Blunto (cannabis cigar), El Bluntito (mini-blunts), El Jointo and El Jointito (joints and mini-joints), as well as jars of full-flower and Roll Your Own Blunt Kits. El Blunto products are available in 400+ dispensaries across California. El Blunto is a subsidiary of Albert Einstone's LLC.

For more information, visit www.alberteinstones.com

Follow us on instagram @Elblunto.ca @Alberteinstones

About Connected

11 years from our humble beginnings as the founders of Fruitridge Health & Wellness in Sacramento, Connected now maintains a portfolio of proprietary top-shelf cannabis genetics cultivated in state-of-the-art grow facilities. We are proud to be the largest grower of premium flower in California. With three retail doors in California, recent expansion into Arizona and national expansion plans in motion, we operate one of the fastest growing, vertically integrated cannabis companies in the country. Our mission has remained the same since day one: To breed, grow and sell the best cannabis in the world. This commitment to deliver at the absolute pinnacle comes to life in the standards we hold our product, our people, and our partners to every day. Proprietary genetics cultivated with cutting-edge technology and over 100 years of combined plant cultivation experience has earned our flower the highest wholesale price in any major legal market. Our continued curiosity can be traced back to an early obsession with R&D that poured resources into what is now one of the most advanced cannabis breeding programs in the world.

For more information, visit www.connectedcannabisco.com

Follow us on instagram @connected.california

SOURCE Albert Einstone's LLC

Related Links

https://www.alberteinstones.com


NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- At the Mortgage Bankers Association's Annual Convention & Expo in San Diego this week, Murfreesboro-based First Community Mortgage learned it is the Winner of the 2021 Residential Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Leadership Award for Market Outreach Strategies.

Keith Canter, First Community Mortgage CEO & Co-founder Miguel Vega, First Community Mortgage Chief Diversity Officer

"We are of course proud and grateful for this recognition," says Keith Canter , CEO of FCM and one of the company's founders. "Plus, this award has special significance for us as FCM is the only company in our industry to have received it for a second time. We take that 'double honor' seriously, as it validates our commitment to provide more families from diverse backgrounds with the opportunity to achieve the American Dream of homeownership."

In 2017, FCM also earned the MBA National Market Outreach Strategies award recognizing its efforts in this area, including a wide array of bilingual information and educational resources for Hispanic potential homebuyers. The annual award recognizes MBA members who have developed innovative ways to foster DEI efforts within their organizations, highlights leaders within the area of DEI in the real estate finance industry, inspires business strategies that reach diverse populations and raises awareness of the importance and value of being a diverse and inclusive industry.

"We are proud of our companywide initiatives to increase outreach, marketing and products to attract customers within the industry's fastest-growing diverse market segments," says Miguel Vega, FCM's EVP of Multicultural Business Development and the company's Chief Diversity Officer. "And even though the growth of our Multicultural Lending Initiative (MCLI) as well as our American Home Opportunity Fund were some of the main elements of our nomination, the award is really a recognition of the individual and collective commitment and intentionality of our incredible team. Our people each take our DEI efforts very seriously."

Vega notes that the MCLI of First Community Mortgage has grown tremendously since 2016. As part of the MCLI, he recruits bilingual Loan Originators and team members across the country. For instance, he recruited top talent leading to the opening of new MCLI locations, like the Houston, TX, branch in October 2020. Also in 2020, Vega says FCM created the new position of Vice President, Community Engagement, to launch its Community Development Initiative, expanding the MCLI to generate even more homeownership opportunities for underserved communities, especially within the Black community, while also fostering generational wealth.

Vega says over a thousand families have been served by MCLI since the first loan closed in February of 2017. In 2019, the MCLI division produced $57.9 million, $101 million in 2020, and is on track to produce $125 million by the end of 2021.

"Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is an ongoing journey," Canter says, "especially to continue being a leader in DEI, so we will keep listening, evolving best practices and investing the time, energy and other resources, further expanding home ownership information and access."

First Community Mortgage, Inc., which does business nationally, is a wholly owned subsidiary of First Community Bank of Tennessee, and includes Wholesale, Correspondent and Retail divisions. FCM is a FNMA, FHLMC, and GNMA seller/servicer and offers mortgage solutions to consumers and financial institutions. FCM funded over $3.5 billion in home loans in 2020. It was recently named one of the Best Places to Work 2021 by the Nashville Business Journal and one of the Top Work Places 2021 by the Tennessean newspaper. First Community Mortgage is an Equal Housing Lender, NMLS ID 629700.

Media inquiries

B. Andrew (Drew) Plant

[email protected]

678-637-5532

First Community Mortgage

Megan Chastain, VP of Marketing

[email protected]

731-610-1504

SOURCE First Community Mortgage
Gateway Centre is positioned on 19.33 acres at 3950, 3800 and 3855 Lewiston St. and 4400 Kittredge St. in Northeast Denver. Just 12 miles northeast of Downtown Denver, Gateway Centre is adjacent to Interstate 70 and Pena Boulevard offering exceptional accessibility throughout the region, including to Denver International Airport and Buckley Space Force Base. Additionally, the property is within walking distance of the Gateway Park light rail station, providing a direct link to Downtown.

Recently renovated, Gateway Centre offers Class A office space alongside tenant amenities, including a state-of-the-art fitness center with locker rooms and showers, a tenant lounge, Wi-Fi enabled patio with fire pit, and a covered garage for executive parking. The Class A property is fully leased to a diverse set of 24 tenants, including Lockheed Martin, Primoris, Billtrust, Leidos, and Boeing.

"Gateway Centre is a perfect fit for our firm and our investors," said Ben Hrouda, Managing Partner at Flywheel. "With our experience in assets like Gateway Centre, especially with regard to defense contractor tenancy, we knew the type of opportunity the asset provided. Key investors in this project include Lightning Tree Capital and International Capital Partners ("ICP"). On behalf of all our investors, thanks to the teams at JLL Capital Markets and Independent Financial for understanding the complexity of this transaction and getting it closed in an efficient manner."

John Fefley, Senior Director at Flywheel goes on to say, "Flywheel and our investors see the Gateway acquisition as a tremendous opportunity to own Class A quality real estate in a growth market within the Denver Metro region. Equus Capital Partners Ltd., who asset managed the property on behalf of an affiliate, did a great job enhancing the property during their ownership. The tenants currently located at Gateway prefer this location over others within the city due to a combination of proximity to the northeast labor force, Denver International Airport or Buckley Space Force Base, and we view these attributes as continuing to strengthen going forward as we come out of COVID. Many tenants within the park continue to utilize their office during the height of COVID due to the nature of their government contract work and their utilization of SCIF ("Secured Compartmentalized Information Facility") space within their suites."

Flywheel worked closely with JLL Capital Markets and Independent Financial to place the $43.69 million financing. "Instrumental contributors in the closing included Senior Managing Director Eric Tupler and Director Rob Bova of the JLL Capital Markets team, and Aimee Love, Senior Vice President, Regional President of Independent Financial, ranked by Forbes as the country's 6th best publicly traded bank, operates as a financial services company with locations throughout Texas and in the Colorado Front Range regions," said Ian Nichols, Senior Director at Flywheel.

Flywheel now has approximately 1.7 million square feet and more than $250 million in assets under management spanning the entirety of Colorado's Front Range.

About Flywheel Capital

Flywheel Capital creates long-term, generational wealth for our clients through insightful and creative investments in commercial real estate. Our results-proven strategy is grounded in sourcing, incubating, and managing hidden-value assets that realize substantial returns over time. Based in Denver, Flywheel Capital collaborates with investors, lenders, and community leaders to craft deals that positively contribute to the economic health of the Colorado community. To learn more, visit flywheelcap.com or visit us on LinkedIn.

About Independent Financial

Independent Financial is a relationship-driven financial services company headquartered in McKinney, Texas, that provides a wide range of banking products and services tailored to meet the needs of businesses, professionals, and individuals. Independent Financial operates in four regions (the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex, Central Texas, and Greater Houston regions in Texas, and the Colorado Front Range region) with over 90 locations across Texas and Colorado. For more information, visit ifinancial.com. (Independent Financial is a trademark of Independent Bank, a subsidiary of Independent Bank Group, Inc. Member FDIC.NASDAQ: IBTX).

SOURCE Flywheel Capital
DUBLIN, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Automated Endoscope Reprocessors (AER) Market Growth Opportunities, 2021" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global competitive landscape comprises about 15 AER manufacturers that offer single-chamber and dual/multi-chamber AERs. Apart from Olympus which reprocesses its own brand of endoscopes, the majority of manufacturers offer AERs that can reprocess all types and models of endoscopes.

While the entire healthcare industry adapts to changes induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, the endoscope reprocessing industry undergoes a major technology transformation. The rise in multiple infection outbreaks from contaminated endoscopes due to faulty endoscope reprocessing and manual errors in cleaning presents huge growth potential for automated endoscope reprocessors (AER), which offer high-level disinfection (HLD) in endoscope reprocessing.

However, the complex design and faulty reprocessing of reusable endoscopes, specifically duodenoscopes which pose the highest risk of patient cross-contamination, have led to a gradual shift toward single-use or disposable endoscopes that require no reprocessing. Following the pandemic, governments are increasingly recommending endoscope manufacturers to simplify endoscope design or shift to disposable ones, especially in the United States.

The shift to disposable endoscopes is further supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid granting reimbursement for such endoscopes. Single-use duodenoscopes are preferred in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures as they offer zero cross-contamination risk and zero reprocessing, repair and maintenance, and labor costs.

Leading participants Boston Scientific and Ambu have already introduced single-use endoscopes. These pose a major threat to endoscope reprocessing stakeholders, specifically AER manufacturers, as AERs could become obsolete. AER manufacturers are seeking ways to retain or strengthen their market share in the endoscope reprocessing market.

More and more endoscopic procedures are being conducted outside hospital premises in ambulatory surgery centers (ASC), ambulatory endoscopy centers (AEC), physicians' own clinics, specialty gastrointestinal clinics, and diagnostic centers. Unlike hospitals that have in-house central sterile supply departments (CSSD) or reprocessing departments, these endoscopy facilities usually engage off-site reprocessing centers for endoscope HLD.

Off-site reprocessing facilities have captured a substantial share of the end-user market for AERs, which can be classified into two major segments: single-chamber AERs and dual/multi-chamber AERs. While dual/multi-chambers AERs remain the preference of hospitals and large-scale reprocessing facilities, single-chamber AERs are increasingly being installed in AECs and physicians' clinics.

The latest features in AERs, such as track-and-trace and networking capabilities, asynchronous operation, and printer-integrated for cycle display, boost the adoption of advanced AERs. As such, software solution providers could potentially enter the AER market to upgrade AERs with innovative software capabilities. Automating the reprocessing workflow using robots in CSSDs and large-scale reprocessing facilities is another growth opportunity in the market.

This research service provides an overview of the global AER market and AER models. The North American and European markets are saturated with AERs from different makers with distinct specifications. The European market has more AER replacement sales but fewer new AER installations, while the market in the United States gradually transitions to single-use endoscopes. On the other hand, markets outside these regions offer untapped growth opportunities to AER manufacturers. The study also compares endoscope reprocessing and single-use endoscopes in terms of cost, efficiency, infection rate, and facility volume.

Potential strategies and business models for AER manufacturers to grow in the industry are listed in the study, including effective collaborations with endoscope manufacturers, software solution providers, reprocessing stakeholders, third-party service vendors, and off-site reprocessing facilities.

AER manufacturers can work with reprocessing stakeholders to offer bundle or reduced pricing for AERs to expand AER installation, while partnerships with endoscope makers can lead to improved endoscope designs and additional disposable components. As regional AER participants dominate the market in developing nations with low-cost, relatively effective AERs, leading global participants could pursue regional collaborations for geographical expansion and technology improvement.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Strategic Imperatives

The Impact of the Top Three Strategic Imperatives on the Global Automated Endoscope Reprocessors (AER) Industry

Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine

2. Growth Environment

AER Usage in Care Settings and Endoscope Procedure Facilities

Endoscopic Procedures With the Potential to Transition to Complete Single-use Endoscopy in the Future

Potential Partnership Roadmap for AER OEMs

Snapshot of the Global AER Market

3. Growth Opportunity Analysis

Key Competitors

AER Usage in Care Settings and Endoscope Procedure Facilities

Key Growth Metrics

Growth Drivers for the AER Market

Growth Restraints for the AER Market

Forecast Assumptions

Competitive Environment

Revenue Share

4. Global Analysis

Market Overview - Flexible Endoscope Reprocessing

Endoscope Reprocessing Cycle

Endoscope Reprocessing Steps and AER Usage

Global Endoscopic Devices Market - A Snapshot

Global Endoscope Reprocessing Market Analysis by Region and End-user Segment

North American AER Market Snapshot - Focus on the US

US Endoscopic Procedural Shifts by Care Facility

European AER Market Snapshot

European Endoscopic Procedural Shifts by Care Facility

APAC AER Market Snapshot

RoW AER Market Snapshot

Global Distribution Channels

US FDA Recall Order for AER

5. AER Analysis by Manufacturer and Model

Summary of Leading AER OEMs and Solutions

Global Market Trends - Software-integrated Features Inclusion and Older AER Models Discontinuation

6. Endoscope Reprocessing and Single-use Endoscopes - A Comparative Analysis

What Positions Single-use Endoscopes Comparatively Higher in Cost Efficiency than Reusable Endoscopes?

Cost Analysis of Endoscope Reprocessing and Single-use Endoscopes

Staff Time and Wages Analysis of Endoscope Reprocessing and Single-use Endoscopes

Quantity and Cost of Materials Analysis of Endoscope Reprocessing in AER

State of Transition from Reusable and Reprocessed Duodenoscopes to Disposable Duodenoscopes

Cost Analysis of ERCP Procedures in the US by Duodenoscope Type and Infection Rate

Cost Analysis of ERCP Procedures Using Reusable Duodenoscopes by Annual Procedural Volume - A Multicenter Study Instance

Boston Scientific Received Additional CMS Reimbursement for EXALTT Model D - A Threat to AER OEMs

Endoscopic Procedures With the Potential to Transition to Complete Single-use Endoscopy in the Future

Overcoming the Threat of Single-use Duodenoscopes

7. Existing and Potential Business Models and Strategies

Olympus's Collaboration Strategy With Leading US Hospitals Enables Exploration of Design Innovations

Cantel Medical Partners With Censis Technologies for an Integrated Reprocessing Workflow Solution With the Latest Features

Steelco SpA Collaborates With Major Endoscope Reprocessing Facilities to Cater to Clinicians' Existing and Emerging Needs

AER OEMs Should Become AER Suppliers and Service Providers to Off-site Reprocessing Facilities to Build Brand Recognition

AER OEMs Should Partner with Third-party Service Vendors and/or Take Complete Charge of Entire Reprocessing Units

AER OEMs Should Collaborate With Endoscope and/or AER Chemical and Disinfectant Manufacturers for Distribution Network Expansion

Potential Partnership Roadmap for AER OEMs

8. Growth Opportunity Universe

Growth Opportunity 1: Software Solution Providers Entering the AER Market to Modify Devices with Innovative Software Capabilities

Growth Opportunity 2: Collaborations between AER OEMs and Reprocessing Stakeholders for Enhanced Bundle or Reduced Pricing to Increase Adoption

Growth Opportunity 3: Automation Penetration Using Robots in CSSDs and Large-scale Endoscope Reprocessing Departments

Growth Opportunity 4: Emphasize Design Innovations in Endoscopes to Overcome the Threat of Disposable Duodenoscopes

Growth Opportunity 5: Global AER Market Participants Should Focus on APAC and Compete With Regional Participants

9. Next Steps

Companies Mentioned

3M (Acelity)

(Acelity) Ambu

Belimed Infection Control

Boston Scientific

Cantel Medical

Censis Technologies

ConvaTec Group

Fortive

Molnlycke Health Care

Olympus

Paul Hartmann AG

Smith & Nephew plc

Steelco SpA

Wassenburg Medical

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/blq5xy

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


DUBLIN, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Filgrastim Biosimilars Global Market Report 2021: COVID-19 Growth and Change to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global filgrastim biosimilars market is expected to grow from $0.72 billion in 2020 to $0.77 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The market is expected to reach $1.04 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 8%.



The filgrastim biosimilar market covered in this report is segmented by application into oncology, chronic and autoimmune diseases, blood disorders, growth hormone deficiency, infectious diseases, others and by distribution channels into hospital pharmacy, retail pharmacy, online pharmacy.



Stringent regulations imposed on approvals of biosimilars is anticipated to hinder the growth of the filgrastim biosimilar market in the forecast period. The governments of different regions impose different rules regarding the production and use of biologics and biosimilars. Further, issues such as patent infringement or agreement issues restrict the manufacturers of biosimilars from commercializing the government-approved biosimilars.

The US Food and Drug Administration requires a double regulatory approval for biosimilars, restricting the use of biosimilars as an interchangeable drug to biologics, whereas, in Europe, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approves biosimilars as interchangeable products for biologics.

For instance, Sandoz got an USFDA approval for its 1st biosimilar ZarxioTM (filgrastim-sndz) of original biologic Neupogen. The consent depended on a comprehensive package of analytical, nonclinical, and clinical information, which verified that Zarxio is highly similar to the US-licensed reference product. To get this approval Sandoz even had to fight a legal battle with Amgen who claims that Sandoz has infringed its manufacturing process. These kind of hurdles can restrict the growth of the filgrastim biosimilar market.



In January 2019, Kashiv Pharma, US-based biopharmaceuticals Research Company, acquired Adello biologics for an undisclosed amount. The new company will be known as Kashiv Biosciences. The deal will help Kashiv BioSciences in expanding its business offering in including drug delivery platforms consolidating delayed-release technology and gastric retention systems that improve the efficacy and safety of known drugs, the pipeline of seven development products targeting unmet clinical needs. Adello Biologics was founded in 2012 and is a biotechnology company that works on developing biosimilars including filgrastims. The company is headquartered in Piscataway, New Jersey.



Government initiatives for the development of biosimilars are expected to drive the filgrastim biosimilars. Governments worldwide are focusing on the development of biosimilars attributing to their cost-effective nature. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched a Biosimilar Action Plan, in July 2018 to increase treatment options.

The Australian government is committed to the Biosimilar Awareness Initiative and in 2018 they improved their commitment by supporting the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association through a grant of $5 million to accept increased general biosimilar education and activities that promote the suitable dispensing, prescription and use of biosimilar medicines. Hence, the government initiatives for the development of biosimilars aids in the increased production and awareness which in turn supported the growth of the filgrastim biosimilars market.



Companies in the pegfilgrastim biosimilar market are increasing their product innovation through strategic collaborations. To sustain in the increasingly competitive market, companies are developing innovative products as well as sharing skills and expertise with other companies.

While companies have long collaborated with each other as well as academic and research institutions in this market by way of partnerships, in or out licensing deals, this trend has been increasing over the recent years.

Major players in the filgrastim biosimilars market are

Cadila Pharmaceuticals

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories

Intas Biopharmaceuticals

Sandoz

Amgen Inc.

Intas Pharmaceuticals

Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Biocon

Aryogen Biopharma

Claris Life Sciences

Adello Biologics

Hospira (Pfizer)

Gennova Biopharmaceuticals

Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

Lupin Limited

Abbott Laboratories Inc.

Reliance Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd.

Novartis AG

Key Topics Covered:



1. Executive Summary



2. Filgrastim Biosimilars Market Characteristics



3. Filgrastim Biosimilars Market Trends and Strategies



4. Impact Of COVID-19 On Filgrastim Biosimilars



5. Filgrastim Biosimilars Market Size and Growth

5.1. Global Filgrastim Biosimilars Historic Market, 2015-2020, $ Billion

5.1.1. Drivers Of the Market

5.1.2. Restraints On the Market

5.2. Global Filgrastim Biosimilars Forecast Market, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

5.2.1. Drivers Of the Market

5.2.2. Restraints On the Market



6. Filgrastim Biosimilars Market Segmentation

6.1. Global Filgrastim Biosimilars Market, Segmentation by Application, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Oncology

Chronic and Autoimmune Diseases

Blood Disorders

Growth Hormone Deficiency

Infectious Diseases

Others

6.2. Global Filgrastim Biosimilars Market, Segmentation by Distribution Channel, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

Hospital Pharmacy

Retail Pharmacy

Online Pharmacy

6.3. Global Filgrastim Biosimilars Market, Segmentation by Type of Manufacturing, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

In-House Manufacturing

Contract Manufacturing Oraganization

7. Filgrastim Biosimilars Market Regional and Country Analysis

7.1. Global Filgrastim Biosimilars Market, Split by Region, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

7.2. Global Filgrastim Biosimilars Market, Split by Country, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2020, 2020-2025F, 2030F, $ Billion

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/9id5bd

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


Key Highlights Offered in the Report:

Information on how to identify strategic and tactical negotiation levels that will help achieve the best prices.

Gain information on relevant pricing levels, detailed explanation on pros and cons of prevalent pricing models.

Methods to help engage with the right suppliers and discover KPI's to evaluate incumbent suppliers.

Get a free sample report for more information

Insights into buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers:

Several strategic and tactical negotiation levers are explained in the report to help buyers achieve the best prices for the Glass Bottle Packaging market. The report also aids buyers with relevant Glass Bottle Packaging pricing levels, pros, and cons of prevalent pricing models such as volume-based pricing, spot pricing, and cost-plus pricing and category management strategies and best practices to fulfil their category objectives.

For more insights on buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers, www.spendedge.com/report/glass-bottle-packaging-procurement-market-intelligence-report

Key Drivers and Trends Fueling Market Growth:

The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants has resulted in the low bargaining power of suppliers.

Price forecasts are beneficial in purchase planning, especially when supplemented by the constant monitoring of price influencing factors. During the forecast period, the market expects a change of 3.00%-5.00%.

Identify favorable opportunities in Glass Bottle Packaging TCO (total cost of ownership).

Expected changes in price forecast and factors driving the current and future price changes.

Identify pricing models that offer the most rewarding opportunities.

Some of the top Glass Bottle Packaging suppliers listed in this report:

This Glass Bottle Packaging procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies.

Central Glass Co. Ltd.

Owens-Illinois Inc.

Gerresheimer AG

To get instant access to over 1000 market-ready procurement intelligence reports without any additional costs or commitment.

Subscribe Now for Free

Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

Appendix

Get instant access to download 5 reports every month and view 1200 full reports. With every purchase, we also offer complimentary research add-ons and Covid-19 impact assessments  Purchase Now!

About SpendEdge:

SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions.

Contacts

SpendEdge

Anirban Choudhury

Marketing Manager

Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340

https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us

SOURCE SpendEdge
Download free sample report

Key Highlights Offered in the Report:

Information on how to identify strategic and tactical negotiation levels that will help achieve the best prices.

Gain information on relevant pricing levels, detailed explanation on pros and cons of prevalent pricing models.

Methods to help engage with the right suppliers and discover KPI's to evaluate incumbent suppliers.

Get a free sample report for more information

Insights into buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers:

Several strategic and tactical negotiation levers are explained in the report to help buyers achieve the best prices for the Pharmaceutical Formulation market. The report also aids buyers with relevant Pharmaceutical Formulation pricing levels, pros, and cons of prevalent pricing models such as volume-based pricing, spot pricing, and cost-plus pricing and category management strategies and best practices to fulfil their category objectives.

For more insights on buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers, www.spendedge.com/report/pharmaceutical-formulation-sourcing-and-procurement-intelligence-report

Key Drivers and Trends Fueling Market Growth:

The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants has resulted in the low bargaining power of suppliers.

Price forecasts are beneficial in purchase planning, especially when supplemented by the constant monitoring of price influencing factors.

Identify favorable opportunities in Pharmaceutical Formulation TCO (total cost of ownership).

Expected changes in price forecast and factors driving the current and future price changes.

Identify pricing models that offer the most rewarding opportunities.

To get instant access to over 1000 market-ready procurement intelligence reports without any additional costs or commitment.

Subscribe Now for Free

Some of the top Pharmaceutical Formulation suppliers listed in this report:

This Pharmaceutical Formulation procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies.

Merck & Co. Inc.

Pfizer Inc.

Mylan NV

Get the Details That You Are Looking for:

Buy our detailed market analysis report to uncover:

Changing market landscape with yearly forecast till 2025.

Analyze the market's competitive and vendor landscape.

How much marketing budget to set aside for geographical market expansion?

Understanding the most adopted procurement strategies by buyers across industries.

Download the FREE sample Report Now!

Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

Appendix

About SpendEdge:

SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions.

Contacts

SpendEdge

Anirban Choudhury

Marketing Manager

Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340

https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us

SOURCE SpendEdge
HONOLULU, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Gov. David Ige today announced the State of Hawaii is safely open to vaccinated residents and visitors who are traveling domestically and between islands for business or pleasure, starting Nov. 1.

The governor made the announcement in Kona today, at the opening of the permanent Federal Inspection Services (FIS) facility at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA).

"I think we are all encouraged by what we've seen over the last several weeks with the continuing trend of lower case counts," said Gov. Ige. "Our hospitals are doing better, and we have fewer COVID patients in them. Most importantly, our health care system has responded, and we have the ability to move forward with economic recovery. Because of this, it is now safe for fully vaccinated residents and visitors to resume non-essential travel to and within the State of Hawaii."

On Aug. 23, Gov. Ige said it was not a good time to travel to Hawaii. "I'm asking all residents and visitors alike to restrict travel, curtail travel to Hawaii to essential activities only," Gov. Ige said.

The state continues to seek information from the federal government about its plans for international travel and will have an appropriate plan in place prior to Nov. 8.

VIDEO can be found here at 1:43 (Courtesy Hawaii State Department of Transportation).

About HVCB

The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau is contracted by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) for marketing management services in the continental U.S. The HTA, the state of Hawaii's tourism agency, was established in 1998 to ensure a successful visitor industry well into the future. Its mission is to strategically manage Hawaii tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with the state of Hawaii's economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, community desires, and visitor industry needs. For more information about the Hawaiian Islands, visit gohawaii.com.

SOURCE Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau

Related Links

https://www.gohawaii.com/


CHICAGO, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Green Courte Partners, LLC ("GCP"), a private equity real estate investment firm, announced today the acquisition of a portfolio of four land-lease communities comprising approximately 700 existing home sites in the greater Rochester, New York, area. The acquisition increases GCP's national land-lease community portfolio, which is internally managed by GCP's operating platform, Windward Communities, to 21 communities containing approximately 7,500 home sites, including approximately 1,900 home sites in the Rochester market. The acquisition also included vacant land adjacent to two of the communities that can accommodate approximately 120 additional home sites. GCP plans to upgrade the amenities at the communities and will implement an active home sales operation to bring in attractive new homes to fill the communities' large, inviting home sites.

Jordan Kerger, Managing Director at GCP, stated, "These communities are a great addition to our rapidly growing land-lease community portfolio and bolster our presence in New York's popular Finger Lakes region. Under Windward Communities' management, these communities will provide appealing and affordable housing to families and seniors in the area. We are aggressively pursuing opportunities to grow our land-lease community portfolio across the country and are pleased to expand our footprint in Rochester with this exceptional portfolio."

Tom Thomas, GCP's counterparty in the transaction, added, "Having developed and operated these communities for the past thirty years, I was highly focused on ensuring I could trust the next owner to continue offering high-quality housing to our residents. I am confident GCP will be an excellent steward of the communities for years to come. GCP was professional throughout the entire sale process, beginning with our first discussion and ultimately closing ahead of schedule at our agreed upon financial terms."

About Green Courte Partners, LLC

Green Courte Partners, LLC is a Chicago-based private equity real estate investment firm focused on building industry-leading companies within niche real estate sectors, including land-lease communities, near-airport parking facilities, and active adult/independent senior living properties. The firm combines focused investment strategies with a disciplined approach to transaction execution, operations, and asset management. GCP's goal is to invest in high-quality real estate assets that will generate attractive risk-adjusted returns over a long-term holding period. For additional information, please visit GCP's website at www.GreenCourtePartners.com

SOURCE Green Courte Partners, LLC

Related Links

http://www.GreenCourtePartners.com


SINGAPORE, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- HistoIndex, a global leading artificial intelligence digital pathology (AI-DP) provider, has announced a collaboration with Galecto, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the development of novel treatments for fibrosis and cancer.

This collaboration expands HistoIndex's portfolio of fibrosis assessment outside of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and other liver diseases. The proprietary stain-free imaging technology, incorporated by Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) along with AI-based algorithms, will be utilized to analyze and quantify collagen-associated parameters as part of Galecto's Phase 2a trial for its oral LOXL2 inhibitor GB2064 in myelofibrosis.

With conventional histopathology being a primary method of myelofibrosis evaluation, issues such as the current scoring system's continued sole focus on reticulin fibers, semi-quantitative evaluation and interobserver variability due to the subjective scoring of stained slides continue to impede the reproducibility of traditional pathology[1]. Journal publications have discussed these limitations along with the need for the additional assessment of collagen fibers, which are associated with advanced myelofibrosis with a poorer prognosis[2], and the adoption of quantitative digital imaging as a potentially suitable resolution for the accurate prognostication and targeted therapy for patients at a higher risk of progression[3]. HistoIndex's stain-free AI-DP seeks to assist and advance myelofibrosis evaluation in this clinical trial by measuring morphological and architectural changes  following the GB2064 treatment  of collagen fibers in unstained tissues, especially minute changes that are unobservable under the human eye. These consequently eliminate interobserver variability and subjective readouts due to staining complications[4].

Says Dr. Hans Schambye, CEO of Galecto, "We are pleased to commence this collaboration with HistoIndex, where we can work together with an AI stain-free approach to better understand the disease behavior and how our drug candidate could work. We are encouraged by the potential of the SHG-enabled collagen parameters and look forward to learning how these parameters can translate unstained bone marrow tissue to histological significance to aid in the investigation of the efficacy of GB2064."

Says Dr. Gideon Ho, CEO of HistoIndex, "We are elated to partner with Galecto. With Galecto's in-depth knowledge on mechanisms that drive fibrosis activity and our strengths in quantifying post-treatment fibrosis changes that are both significant and minute, we aim to empower clinical trials with a reliable and reproducible decision support tool. This will bring patients, particularly individuals with progressive myelofibrosis, closer towards a targeted therapy."

About HistoIndex

Founded in Singapore, HistoIndex is a leading MedTech/Healthcare company that specializes in its proprietary integrated stain-free AI digital pathology platform. Enabled by Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) and Two-Photon Excitation (TPE) along with automated imaging analysis algorithms, the integrated platform accurately quantifies histological features and fine measurements that are critical for the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy in clinical trials. The stain-free AI platform is currently involved in multiple FDA clinical trials for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). In addition, it has benefitted more than 150 research and academic institutes, CROs and biopharma companies around the world in drug discovery and development efforts for fibrotic diseases and cancers.

References

1. Problems and pitfalls in grading of bone marrow fibrosis, collagen deposition and osteosclerosis - a consensus-based study.

Kvasnicka HM, Beham-Schmid C, Bob R, Dirnhofer S, Hussein K, Kreipe H, Kremer M, Schmitt-Graeff A, Schwarz S, Thiele J, Werner M, Stein H. Histopathology. 2016 May;68(6):905-15. doi: 10.1111/his.12871. 2. Bone marrow fibrosis: pathophysiology and clinical significance of increased bone marrow stromal fibres.

Kuter DJ, Bain B, Mufti G, Bagg A, Hasserjian RP. Br J Haematol. 2007 Nov;139(3):351-62. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2007.06807.x. 3. Important Pathologic Considerations for Establishing the Diagnosis of Myelofibrosis

Mohamed E.Salama MD. Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America Volume 35, Issue 2, April 2021, Pages 267-278, ISSN 0889-8588, ISBN 9780323795883. doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2020.11.002. 4. Stain-Free Detection and Quantification of Bone Marrow Fibrosis Using Two-Photon Excitation and Second Harmonic Generation Microscopy

Leslie R. Rowe, Ali Etman, Jessica Kohan, Josef Prchal, Gideon Ho, Dean Tai, Dong Quan Liu, Mohamed E. Salama. Poster Presentation, USCAP 104th Annual Meeting, 2015. Techniques. Mod Pathol 28, 510528 (2015). doi:10.1038/modpathol.2015.30 (Abstract No. 2101).

SOURCE HistoIndex

Related Links

http://histoindex.com


The 2,668-guest Rotterdam was delivered in July 2021 and is the third in the Pinnacle Class series for Holland America Line. Last week the ship arrived at its namesake city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, where it was announced that Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands will be the ships godmother when it is officially named in the spring.

"Rotterdam's maiden voyage has been highly anticipated for months by our guests and team members eager to welcome them aboard," said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. "Rotterdam is a beautiful ship and the fourth in our fleet to begin cruising this year. We are excited to bring her to Florida and the Caribbean soon on her first sailing."

Following the transatlantic crossing, Rotterdam will spend from November through April on its inaugural Caribbean Season, with all sailings roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. The cruises range from six to 11 days and span the entire region on southern, eastern, western and tropical itineraries. Guests looking for a longer getaway can embark on a Collectors' Voyage  combined back-to-back itineraries that offer an in-depth exploration covering more than one area.

Every Caribbean cruise includes a call at Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line's award-winning private Bahamian island. This quaint sanctuary has evolved into a playground for cruise guests and features the finest beaches; two-story villas and private cabanas; delicious dining venues like Lobster Shack; and a variety of fun-filled tours for nature lovers, adventurous travelers and explorers.

About Rotterdam

Rotterdam has the highly successful amenities and innovations introduced with her sister ships, including the 270-degree surround screen World Stage, Rudi's Sel de Mer restaurant and Grand Dutch Cafe. The ship introduces the Half Moon Bar, an immersive experience looking at the history of Holland America Line and cruising through the lens of a cocktail.

Delivering the best of everything, Rotterdam celebrates live music with a collection of world-class performances each night  from Lincoln Center Stage and B.B. King's Blues Club to Rolling Stone Rock Room and Billboard Onboard.

Throughout the ship, Rotterdam showcases Holland America Line hallmarks that drive one of the highest repeat rates in the industry: exquisite cuisine guided by eight of the world's leading chefs; gracious, award-winning service; a museum-quality art collection valued at more than $4 million; and superbly appointed staterooms and suites, including family and single accommodations.

Rotterdam is the seventh ship to bear the name for Holland America Line.

For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

Editor's note: Photos are available at https://www.cruiseimagelibrary.com/c/q4gmpnsi.

Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the home page at hollandamerica.com.

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]

Holland America Line has been exploring the world since 1873 and was the first cruise line to offer adventures to Alaska and the Yukon nearly 75 years ago. Its fleet of premium ships visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world, offering an ideal mid-sized ship experience. A third Pinnacle-class ship, Rotterdam, joined the fleet in July 2021.

The leader in premium cruising, Holland America Line's ships feature innovative initiatives and a diverse range of enriching experiences focused on destination exploration and personalized travel. The best live music at sea fills each evening at Music Walk, and dining venues feature exclusive selections from Holland America Line's esteemed Culinary Council of world-famous chefs.

In light of COVID-19, Holland America Line is currently enhancing health and safety protocols and how they may impact future cruises. Our actual offerings may vary from what is displayed or described in marketing materials. Review our current Cruise Updates , Health & Safety Protocols and CDC Travel Advisories.

SOURCE Holland America Line
Industry Risk Leader Mary-Beth Hahn Joins HUB to Advance the New Multi-Disciplinary Offering to Best Manage Clients' Emerging, Growing Complex Challenges

CHICAGO, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hub International Limited (HUB), a leading global insurance brokerage and financial services firm, announced today the launch of its North American Complex Risk Practice and the addition of Mary-Beth Hahn, one of the industry's top risk experts, to lead the practice. Bringing together and accelerating HUB's already extensive network of specialists from its industry practices, placement, claims, analytics, captives and risk control teams, Hahn will lead the practice to address the growing need of clients seeking guidance on complex risk issues, to help them better assess, understand and quantify their exposures and develop strategies to minimize their total cost of risk (TCOR).

"Whether changing business models as a result of COVID, or confronting emerging risks like cyber, nuclear verdicts or increases in catastrophic weather events, our clients are facing complex risk issues from every direction," said Marc Cohen, President and CEO of HUB International. "Mary-Beth's extensive expertise and leadership combined with HUB's existing boundaryless network of specialists throughout North America will formalize our solutions to transfer risk, retain risk and manage losses for any size organization from Fortune 500 to middle market."

Hahn joins HUB from Wells Fargo/USI where she previously led the risk management practice. She brings more than 30 years of experience providing consultative risk advice and alternative risk solutions. As HUB's Complex Risk Practice leader, Hahn will drive the development of the practice and its overall strategy, enhancing its capabilities with talent development and recruitment, and creating products and resources for complex risk issues.

HUB's Complex Risk Practice represents specialists from multiple industries and product lines with deep expertise and experience in insurance programs and placements, claims, analytics, risk financing and risk control. The new practice's open architecture also includes specialists from wholesalers and reinsurance brokers. The Complex Risk Practice will advise U.S. and Canadian clients on the following:

Loss sensitive / cash flow programs

Excess casualty programs

Enterprise Risk Management

Shared and layered property program

Captives

Global accounts

Data / analytics

Risk purchasing / risk retention groups

Alternative risk financing

Loss portfolio transfer deals

Structured deals

Parametric solutions

Financial lines

Public D&O / cyber / E&O

Reinsurance

Transactional risk

About HUB International

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, HUB International Limited is a leading full-service global insurance broker and financial services firm providing risk management, insurance, employee benefits, retirement and wealth management products and services. With more than 13,000 employees in offices located throughout North America, HUB's vast network of specialists brings clarity to a changing world with tailored solutions and unrelenting advocacy, so clients are ready for tomorrow. For more information, please visit www.hubinternational.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Marni Gordon

Phone: 312-279-4601

[email protected]

Jessica Wiltse

Phone: 312-596-7573

[email protected]

SOURCE Hub International Limited

Related Links

www.hubinternational.com


LONDON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ICIS, a global source of commodity intelligence, today announced that the independent assurance review of its price reporting business has been successfully completed for the ninth successive year.

The Price Reporting Agency (PRA) principles are set out by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) to ensure that commodity benchmark price reporting meets the highest standards.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented level of volatility in many commodity markets. This has made it more important than ever that ICIS benchmarks are produced with the transparency of methodology and consistent credibility and impartiality required by the IOSCO's PRA principles," said Stephen Burns, Editorial Director at ICIS.

"Meeting these standards justifies the confidence that the markets have in the integrity and credibility of the information we provide ensuring fairness and transparency. ICIS is committed to maintaining the highest standards in the quality and independence of our market intelligence enabling customers to make thousands of decisions every week, decisions that shape our world," Burns said.

The IOSCO principles support the ICIS purpose: to connect data and customers to make some of the world's most important markets more trusted and predictable.

The areas assured by BDO LLP include governance structures, controls, maintenance of Editorial integrity, and conflict management processes in relation to the creation of commodity benchmark price assessments.

This external audit continues to comply with the requirements of the Benchmarks Regulation (BMR) for commodity benchmarks (paragraph 18 of Annex II) as outlined by European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).

A full report detailing how ICIS has met and satisfied the IOSCO PRA Principles can be found here.



This report is accompanied by BDO's findings following an independent review of ICIS processes and policies to provide Reasonable and Limited Assurance conclusions.

About ICIS

ICIS is a trusted source of intelligence for the global energy, chemical and fertilizer industries. We are a division of RELX, a FTSE 15 company with a market cap of 42.5bn and an employee base of over 30,000 experts across 40 countries.

At ICIS, we help businesses make strategic decisions, mitigate risk, improve productivity, and capitalise on new opportunities. We make some of the world's most important markets more trusted and predictable by providing data services, thought leadership and decision tools. As a result of our unmatched global presence, we can deliver targeted connected intelligence to influence thousands of decisions across supply chains every single day. We shape the world by connecting markets to optimise the world's valuable resources. With a global team of more than 600 experts, ICIS has employees based in London, New York, Houston, Karlsruhe, Milan, Mumbai, Singapore, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Dubai, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Tokyo, and Perth.

https://www.icis.com/explore/.

About RELX

RELX is a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries. The Group serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs approximately 30,000 people of whom almost half are in North America. RELX PLC is a London listed holding company which owns 52.9% of RELX Group. RELX NV is an Amsterdam listed holding company which owns 47.1% of RELX Group. The shares are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX and RENX. Total market capitalisation is approximately 32bn|36bn|$42bn.

www.relx.com

SOURCE ICIS
BOSTON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Under US sanctions, Huawei's revenue in the first half of 2021 was RMB 320.4 billion, which despite COVID-19 is a 38% decrease from RMB 454 billion in the same period last year; Xu Zhijun, Huawei's rotating chairman, pointed out that Huawei's goal is to survive.

IDTechEx has recently launched the new version of their market research report on 5G - "5G Technology, Market and Forecasts 2022-2032". Some of the findings from the new report are presented in this article.

5G mid-band micro base stations market by region (2020). Source: IDTechEx - "5G Technology, Market and Forecasts 2022-2032". (PRNewsfoto/IDTechEx)

The smartphone business was once one of Huawei's largest sources of revenue. However, under the influence of the U.S. ban, Huawei's smartphone revenue has fallen sharply. Huawei said that in the first half of 2021, the total revenue of consumer products including smartphones was 47% lower than that of 2020. Huawei was forced to shift its strategic focus away from its once most profitable sector.

Huawei first stocked up on nearly a year's worth of chipsets and electronic components to mitigate the impact of the U.S. sanctions on its 5G supply chain, which catalyzed the global semiconductor shortage. Afterwards, Huawei sold its smartphone subsidiary "HONOR" to Shenzhen Zhixin New Information Technology Company in 2020, so that HONOR could get chipset supply from US vendors such as Qualcomm and survive. So far, Huawei's smartphones introduced this year have all been 4G-only, indicating that the company has officially run out of the 5G chipsets it had stocked up before and is struggling to find another. Rumors are saying that Huawei may sell the rest of its smartphone business this year, however, Huawei has denied this. Nonetheless, it is no doubt that Huawei's smartphone business is unlikely to return to its former glory anytime soon.

Because of the huge 5G expansion in the Chinese market, Huawei's infrastructure sector appears to be more solid. China accounts for over 60% of the total 5G infrastructure industry, according to IDTechEx's recently released market research report "5G Technology, Market and Forecasts 2022-2032". Huawei is China's leading 5G system vendor. According to the results of 2021 5G infrastructure bidding auctions published by China Mobile and China Telecom, Huawei secures around 60% of the share. Looking ahead, the 5G infrastructure market will continue to grow in China. It is also important to recognize the Chinese government's impact on emerging countries such as Africa and Southeast Asia. Though 5G growth in those emerging countries is slower than in developed nations, it will happen, and Huawei will play a key part in that since Huawei is able to deliver 5G systems at the lowest market price, as well as thanks to the Chinese government's efforts.

After the breakdown of its smartphone business, Huawei began to significantly invest in two important areas: digital transformation and the automotive sector. The growing need for digital transitions in China, along with the Chinese government's strong push, will allow Huawei to expand in this area. This is proven by the fact that revenue in Huawei's enterprise sector in the first half of 2021 is 18% higher than in the same period in 2020. Furthermore, Huawei is currently investing heavily in software development, which was previously not their primary emphasis. Technologies such as big data analysis and artificial intelligence that will define the future of telecommunications and associated applications are now a significant research priority for them. Autonomous vehicles will require 5G connection to reach their full potential, and China's autonomous vehicle industry is massive. Huawei stated this year that it will invest RMB 28.3 billion in autonomous driving and electric car technologies, and it has already begun to collaborate with local automakers on several projects.

So, will Huawei survive? They are suffering, but there is no indication of Huawei giving up. Given the enormous size of the Chinese domestic market, their role in the booming 5G infrastructure rollout, major technology investments in key future trends, and the Chinese government's financial and political support, Huawei's odds of changing the tide in the future are not bleak.

For further information on 5G including regional development, player analysis, market forecasts, application case studies, and technology benchmarking studies see "5G Technology, Market and Forecasts 2022-2032". Sample pages are available for all IDTechEx reports, please contact [email protected] to find out more.

For the full portfolio of 5G-related research available from IDTechEx please visit here.

About IDTechEx





IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research, Subscription and Consultancy products, helping you profit from emerging technologies. For more information, contact [email protected] or visit www.IDTechEx.com.

Images download:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zle3g6tfaft3e4m/AACkBlxdI7i2QzxcHNsolft_a?dl=0

Media Contact:



Natalie Moreton

Digital Marketing Manager

[email protected]

+44(0)1223 812300



Social Media Links:



Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/IDTechEx

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/idtechex/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IDTechExResearch

SOURCE IDTechEx
Intermountain Healthcare and DeCODE discover genetic underpinnings of vertigo as part of HerediGene Population Study Tweet this

Scientists from Utah-based Intermountain Healthcare and deCODE genetics, a subsidiary of the biopharmaceutical company, Amgen, based in Reykjavik, Iceland, discovered six common genetic variants associated with vertigo.

Results of the findings are reported in the scientific journal, Communications Biology, a publication of Nature.

"We haven't had a clear explanation of the genetic basis of vertigo, so this is a very significant finding," said Lincoln Nadauld, MD, PhD, one of the study's authors and vice president and chief of precision health and academics for Intermountain Healthcare.

"Vertigo is one of the leading causes of emergency room visits across our health system. This discovery means we now have a much better understanding for why portions of our population experience these symptoms," Nadauld added. "Now, scientists all over the world can read about this discovery and develop tests and medicines to help patients  thanks in part to our HerediGene study participants."

For the study, scientists examined nearly 50,000 DNA samples against more than 894,500 controlled samples to discover six common genetic variants (genes ZNF91, OTOP1, OTOG, OTOGL, TECTA, and ARMC9) associated with vertigo.

"Our study revealed sequence variants in genes that may contribute to the pathogenesis of diseases in either the auditory system or vestibular (sensory) system and thus, further our understanding of the biological underpinnings of these two systems," investigators report.

In addition to the six vertigo associations, investigators reported eight vertigo associations with sequence variants that have previously been associated with age-related hearing impairment and motion sickness. However, they did not detect a significant correlation between the effect estimates of vertigo and those two phenotypes.

"Although disorders of the auditory and the vestibular system may co-occur, none of the six genome-wide significant vertigo variants were associated with hearing loss and only one was associated with age-related hearing impairment," scientists noted.

Vertigo, dizziness, and balance-related conditions are among the most common health problems in adults. It's estimated that nearly 40 percent of all adults in the U.S. experience vertigo, with women slightly more likely than men.

The HerediGene: Population Study was launched by Intermountain and Amgen through its subsidiary, deCODE genetics, in 2019 as a major global collaboration and study focused on discovering new connections between genetics and human disease by collecting of a more than a half million DNA samples from people in Utah and Idaho.

Since then, more than 75,000 people have enrolled in the study, which is the largest and most comprehensive DNA mapping effort to date in the U.S. from a single population.

"Our discovery of these genetic variants associated with vertigo is a great example of the types of important findings that we think are to come from the HerediGene: Population study," said Kari Stefansson, founder and CEO of deCODE genetics.

Members of the research team include cardiologists Kirk Knowlton, MD, and J. Brent Muhlestein, MD, from the Intermountain Heart Institute.

Knowlton, chair of the department of cardiovascular research for the Intermountain Heart Institute, said that people experiencing vertigo often come to the emergency department thinking they're having a heart attack or other cardiovascular problem.

"The immediate significance of this finding is its potential in how we take care of our patients," said Knowlton. "Knowing that they may have a genetic predisposition to vertigo will help our clinicians effectively treat them and potentially distinguish the cause of their vertigo from other kinds of syndromes or diseases that are accompanied by dizziness."

David Jones, PhD, chief scientist with Intermountain and one of the study authors who helped analyze HerediGene's participant data, is grateful to the many HerediGene study participants. He thanked the caregivers and study participants who have been critical in launching this discovery  which he believes is the tip of the iceberg of more discoveries soon.

"We're excited by these important findings and believe this is the first of many discoveries from the HerediGene: Population Study that will help us better understand and more effectively treat and ultimately prevent diseases and disorders," added Jones.

Anyone can enroll in the HerediGene: Population Study at no cost by consenting at HerediGene.org and donating a small amount of blood at an Intermountain hospital or clinic. Its goal is to better predict and prevent serious diseases through research and discovery.

SOURCE Intermountain Healthcare

Related Links

intermountainhealthcare.org


DALLAS, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:J) sets its sights on future climate change-makers with the Butterfly Effect, its new Climate Change Education Program, designed to inspire and inform elementary and primary school students to make smart choices and positive impacts on climate change.

As part of Jacobs' commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), the seven-year program works with young people under 12-years old, for eight weeks each year for seven years, giving them the information, knowledge and understanding they need to consider sustainability in every decision they make.

"In order to create a long-term and sustainable behavioral shift toward climate change, we must engage, educate and embed those traits early in our future generations, so they are inspired to do things better," said Jacobs Chair and CEO Steve Demetriou. "At Jacobs, STEAM and sustainability are at the heart of our business  we are united in growing our global approach to STEAM to create inclusive education opportunities and support greater social value, inclusion, diversity and equality."

Working with teachers, the Butterfly Effect covers eight themes aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Water, Plastics, Waste, Carbon, Biodiversity, Food, Human Rights and Lives, and Jobs of the Future. The topics are teacher-led and can be adapted to the needs of each class. Activities are differentiated by age group and are flexible enough to last anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes. Jacobs provides a mentor to work with teachers throughout the topics and provide insight into their experience working in STEAM.

Using this approach, the online program is designed to cover all areas of the relevant curriculum of each region and is intended to be delivered throughout the school summer term. Easy to follow, themed and fully virtual activity sheets encourage fun learning and teachers can tailor activities to suit different needs.

The Butterfly Effect involves the whole school community  engaging parents through homework extension activities and supporting teachers with the latest information and resources. It deliberately drives inclusion by pairing schools from diverse geographies and backgrounds. The classroom gains real life context and relevance, while upskilling teachers in STEAM subjects and climate change topics.

In the initial program roll-out, primary schools participated from diverse urban and rural areas in U.K. cities, including Glasgow, host to this year's 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). As Jacobs' primary core STEAM activity, the Butterfly Effect is available as a resource for Jacobs' STEAM ambassadors globally. For those affiliated with schools interested in the Butterfly Effect, please contact Jacobs for more information.

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good. With $14 billion in revenue and a talent force of approximately 55,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of professional services including consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government and private sector. Visit jacobs.com and connect with Jacobs on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. Statements made in this release that are not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking statements on management's current estimates and expectations as well as currently available competitive, financial and economic data. Forward-looking statements, however, are inherently uncertain. There are a variety of factors that could cause business results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the emergence and spread of variants of COVID-19, and the related reaction of governments on global and regional market conditions and the company's business. For a description of some additional factors that may occur that could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 2, 2020, and in particular the discussions contained under Item 1 - Business; Item 1A - Risk Factors; Item 3 - Legal Proceedings; and Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 2, 2021, and in particular the discussions contained under Part I, Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Part II, Item 1 - Legal Proceedings; and Part II, Item 1A - Risk Factors, as well as the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company is not under any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform to actual results, except as required by applicable law.

For press/media inquiries:

Kerrie Sparks

214.583.8433

SOURCE Jacobs

Related Links

http://www.jacobs.com


The headliner for the group, Jane Fonda , laid out the case for ending not only offshore drilling, but phasing out all fossil fuels in her speech, "Climate scientists have been telling us for quite a while now that it is imperative that we keep warming no higher than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels if we are to avoid catastrophe. What do the scientists mean by catastrophe? They mean not just far worse storms, fires and droughts than we saw this year, it means the irreversible collapse of entire ecosystems. It means we lose control of the systems we rely upon for life. Like the ocean that provides half the oxygen we breathe. That's why the scientists are calling this a code red, existential crisis."

She continued, "We can't just demand an end to offshore drilling, we need to demand Governor Newsom issue no permits for new oil wells, immediately protect vulnerable communities with a health and safety buffer between wells and where people live, work and play and phase out all existing onshore oil and gas production more quickly than he has proposed."

In the continuing aftermath of the devastating Huntington Beach oil spill, which released an estimated up to 130,000 gallons of oil into the ocean and forced closures of beaches up and down Southern California, the group drew distinction between their call to end all offshore oil drilling and production to those calling for only stricter regulatory oversight of oil drilling operations and moratoriums.

"The recent Orange County Oil Spill illustrates once again that offshore oil drilling is a bad deal for Californians," said Senator Dave Min. "Offshore drilling threatens our beautiful beaches, our fragile marine ecosystems, and our $44 billion coastal economy. There is only one way to ensure that California's coastline is never again terrorized by another oil spill, and that is to end ALL offshore oil drilling and extraction.

That means not only a moratorium on new oil leases, but also ending all drilling performed under existing leases. Existing drilling leases, which run in perpetuity, have been responsible for every oil spill for the past 40 years and we must take every action at our disposal to end them immediately. We need to end offshore drilling now, not years from now.

I thank Ms. Fonda, Social Compassion in Legislation and its Founder and President Judie Mancuso, the Center for Biological Diversity, and my fellow state legislators and local elected officials for supporting this effort. I look forward to working with them as we carry this legislation forward when the Senate resumes session in January."

"Here in Laguna Beach, we have taken for granted our pristine coastline. But sadly, our bubble has burst by this horrific and inevitable oil spill," said Judie Mancuso, founder and president of Social Compassion in Legislation. "There is so much at stake already for our threatened marine and wildlife. The world's species are suffering the sixth mass extinction due to our addiction to animal agriculture and fossil fuels. And now, this spill has killed countless animals and will silently kill many more underneath the ocean's surface for months and months to come."

"Whether the spill happened from a misplaced anchor, rusty pipes, human error or technical malfunction, the fact is where oil is extracted and produced, spills happen. So, in order protect our coast, we must end these leases and decommission all these platforms to permanently remove this existential threat."

"The recent oil spill off our coast is a call to action and I am in full support of the efforts of our State Senator Dave Min and other legislative leaders to enact legislation that will end all existing and prohibit any new drilling off the California coast," said Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen. "This is a challenging task but one that we must rise to meet and one that we can meet with determination and perseverance."

Social Compassion in Legislation will continue working to shut down all offshore drilling with stakeholders and elected officials throughout the lead up to the 2022 California legislative session, which begins in January.

SOURCE Social Compassion in Legislation

Related Links

http://www.socialcompassioninlegislation.org


Jaffe represents clients in high-stakes intellectual property litigation, focusing on patent litigation and trade secret litigation. He specializes in working with emerging technologies, particularly autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence; he has also litigated matters concerning touch screen sensor design, cryptography, business intelligence software, network security, graphical user interfaces, object-oriented programming, and wireless network design. He has a national practice and has litigated cases before the International Trade Commission and federal and state courts throughout the United States.

"Jordan is an outstanding trial lawyer with a remarkable practice who has earned a reputation for excellence by representing established and growing technology companies in Silicon Valley and nationally," said Doug Clark, managing partner at Wilson Sonsini. "As we've noted with our most recent partner-level hires involving experienced trial lawyers, our clients need and highly value experienced litigators like Jordan, who not only understand their advanced technology, but also have the skills and first-chair experience that are invaluable in high-stakes disputes. We're pleased to welcome Jordan to our growing litigation practice."

In the last three months, Wilson Sonsini has added three experienced trial lawyers as partners in California. Previously, Susan Kay Leader joined the firm's Los Angeles office as a trial and commercial litigation partner in late September, while Amy Candido joined the San Francisco office in early August. Candido focuses on high-stakes, complex cases involving patents, trade secrets, and other IP issues.

"With the additions of Jordan, Susan, and Amy, we've taken important strides toward our goal of further fortifying our national litigation practice with experienced trial lawyers," said Caz Hashemi, a partner and head of Wilson Sonsini's litigation department. "What really distinguishes us from other firms is that Jordan and others on our team who try cases have been involved in prominent, complex cases and disputes involving novel and disruptive technologies like AI and autonomous vehicles."

"I'm excited to join Wilson Sonsini because there is real momentum within the firm to build an elite litigation practice with an experienced and proven patent litigation team that can offer the firm's amazing technology clients the representation they need, whether it's ongoing legal counsel or representation in disputes they need to resolve through trial or otherwise," said Jaffe. "I'm also looking forward to working with the San Francisco team and other colleagues across the U.S. as clients look to us for counsel as they advance into the post-pandemic period that lies ahead, which we expect to be one of opportunity and continued growth."

Prior to joining Wilson Sonsini, Jaffe was a partner in the San Francisco office of law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, where he was chair of the autonomous vehicle practice. He joined Quinn Emanuel in 2007 and became a partner in 2016. In addition, he maintains an active pro bono practice.

Jaffe earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 2007, where he was executive editor of the University of San Francisco Law Review, and a B.A. degree in computer science and politics from Lake Forest College in 2004. He is admitted to practice in California.

Jaffe is an advisory board member and emerging technologies chair for the San Francisco Intellectual Property Association. In addition, he was selected as a "Rising Star" by Law360, which honors "the top legal talent under 40," in 2019.

About Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

For more than 60 years, Wilson Sonsini's services and legal disciplines have focused on serving the principal challenges faced by the management and boards of directors of business enterprises. The firm is nationally recognized as a leading provider to growing and established clients seeking legal counsel to complete sophisticated corporate and technology transactions; manage governance and enterprise-scale matters; assist with intellectual property development, protection, and IP-driven transactions; represent them in contested disputes; and/or advise them on antitrust or other regulatory matters. With deep roots in Silicon Valley, Wilson Sonsini has offices in Austin; Beijing; Boston; Brussels; Hong Kong; London; Los Angeles; New York; Palo Alto; San Diego; San Francisco; Seattle; Shanghai; Washington, D.C.; and Wilmington, DE. For more information, please visit www.wsgr.com .

SOURCE Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Related Links

http://www.wsgr.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A panel of judges has shut the door on an attempt by Bayer (OTCMKTS: BAYZF) and its Monsanto subsidiary to quietly settle a group of lawsuits under terms that threatened to restrict much larger multidistrict litigation (MDL) over the herbicide Roundup, potentially affecting thousands of cancer victims and even those not yet diagnosed.

The Oct. 8 ruling by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation relates to a group of lawsuits focusing on Monsanto's failure to warn consumers who simply purchased the products. But important terms of the settlement could potentially extend to lawsuits filed by cancer victims. In its order, the judicial panel transferred the lawsuits and the proposed settlement to U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco, who presides over the larger cancer-related MDL. Judge Chhabria has twice rejected settlements proposed by Monsanto.

Trial lawyer Majed Nachawati of Dallas-based Fears Nachawati law firm, which represents thousands of individuals who have developed non-Hodgkins lymphoma after exposure to Roundup, called Monsanto's action a cynical attempt to circumvent Judge Chhabria.

"Judge Chhabria has the experience and knowledge to handle these lawsuits fairly, and Monsanto is scared of that," Mr. Nachawati said. "This gambit shows the lengths that this company will go to limit access to justice for those sickened by exposure to Roundup."

Click here to see video of Mr. Nachawati discussing the developments.

The order notes that defendants like Monsanto are bound by law to inform the panel about such "tag along" litigation and had not done so in this case. The judges ordered Monsanto to make sure the panel is aware of any other such cases.

To date, three bellwether trials have produced multimillion-dollar verdicts, finding that exposure to the glyphosate-based weedkiller caused cancer. All three verdicts have been affirmed on appeal.

The multidistrict litigation is In re: Bayer Roundup Products Liability Litigation, case number 3:16-md-02741.

Fears Nachawati Law Firm represents individuals in mass-tort litigation, businesses and governmental entities in contingent litigation, and individual victims in complex personal injury litigation. One of the largest and most diverse products liability law firms in the nation, Fears Nachawati was ranked No. 1 nationally in products liability filings in federal court over the past three years, according to Lex Machina. For more information visit https://www.fnlawfirm.com.

Contact:

Robert Tharp

214-420-6011

[email protected]

SOURCE Fears Nachawati Law Firm
Market Dynamics

Factors such as rise in the popularity of kefir, rise in demand for gluten-free variants, and the expansion in the retail landscape will drive the growth of the kefir products market from 2021 to 2025. However, the high cost of production might hamper the market growth.

Company Profiles

Some of the companies covered in this report are Babushka Kefir, Carr Foods Ltd., Danone SA, DuPont de Nemours Inc., General Mills Inc., Koninklijke DSM NV, Krasnystaw OSM, Lifeway Foods Inc., Nestle SA, and The Hain Celestial Group Inc.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive scenario provided in the kefir products market report analyzes, evaluates, and positions companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered for this analysis include the financial performance of companies over the past few years, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, and growth in market share.

Market Segmentation

By product, the market is classified into Greek-style, low-fat, frozen, and others. The Greek-style segment contributes the largest share of the market.

By geography, the market is classified into Europe , North America , APAC, South America , and MEA. Europe has the largest share of the market.

Subscribe to our "Lite Plan" billed annually at USD 3000 that enables you to download 3 reports a year and view 3 reports every month.

Related Reports:

Cheddar Cheese Market: The cheddar cheese market has been segmented by distribution channel (offline and online) and geography ( Europe , North America , APAC, South America , and MEA). Download Free Sample Report Now

The cheddar cheese market has been segmented by distribution channel (offline and online) and geography ( , , APAC, , and MEA). Milk Protein Concentrates Market: The milk protein concentrates market has been segmented by product (dairy products, nutritional products, and others) and geography ( North America , Europe , APAC, South America , and MEA). Download Free Sample

Kefir Products Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.60% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 456.07 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 4.37 Regional analysis Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and MEA Performing market contribution Europe at 43% Key consumer countries US, Russian Federation, Germany, France, and China Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Babushka Kefir, Carr Foods Ltd., Danone SA, DuPont de Nemours Inc., General Mills Inc., Koninklijke DSM NV, Krasnystaw OSM, Lifeway Foods Inc., Nestle SA, and The Hain Celestial Group Inc. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, market growth inducers and obstacles, fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio

Related Links

http://www.technavio.com/


The beautiful Advent Calendar includes a decadent assortment of brand new confections from Lady M's exclusive candy line, Lady M Bon Bon. Flavors include Matcha Crunch, Strawberry Jelly, Creme Brulee Almonds, Passion Fruit Pearls, Red Chocolate Dragee, Strawberry Shortcake, Brownie Chocolate, Red Velvet Orbs, Mango Jelly Cheesecake, Rose Jelly, Earl Grey Crunch and Chocolate Cookie Puffs. With many delightful features, the Lady M Merry and Bright Advent Calendar has LED lights for a sparkling twinkle effect, a gold chain to hang the calendar as a wreath, and a flocked red bowgiving the calendar additional depth and allure.

Lady M's Advent Calendar is designed to spread joy and happiness through the end of the year, making it the perfect gift for friends, family, clients, employees or colleagues. As an additional offering this holiday season, Lady M is launching an Advent Calendar Gift Set and Cake Bundle, where customers have the option to purchase a Merry and Bright Advent Calendar Gift Set and Signature Mille Crepes together ($170).

Each Lady M Merry and Bright Advent Calendar is sold complete with a custom gift card and shopping bag ($80). The calendar will be available in US and Canada boutiques and online at LadyM.com and LadyM.ca beginning October 20, 2021.

About Lady M: Lady M is a New York City luxury confections brand with over 50 boutiques worldwide. Created in 2001 and led by CEO Ken Romaniszyn, Lady M is the creator of the world famous Mille Crepes. Lady M marries French pastry techniques with Japanese sensibilities, resulting in delicate cakes that are a touch sweet and perfect for every occasion. All cakes are handmade and prepared fresh without food additives or preservatives. Lady M's recipes have been refined over years to provide the finest quality in taste and appearance. Indulge in a world of cakes and confections at LadyM.com.

About Lady M Bon Bon: Lady M Bon Bon captures the essence and flavors of Lady M New York's famous cakes in the form of candies and confections. Created in collaboration with artisan chocolate and candy makers throughout Europe, CEO Ken Romaniszyn wanted to create a way for customers to bring Lady M home with them. Individual Bon Bon selections are packed in stylish white containers, which can be purchased individually or nestled into luxe 3, 5 or 8-piece Gift Sets to create the perfect Lady M memento.

SOURCE Lady M Confections Co.

Related Links

http://LadyM.com


"More than a quarter of all people in the U.S. have a disability, and organizations leading in disability inclusion can leverage a larger talent pool and create new avenues for innovation and profitability," says report author and CWB Advisor Trish Foster. "Yet only 31 percent of people with disabilities in the U.S. are employed compared to 75 percent of people without disabilities."

Most disabilities  about 62 percent  are invisible, making it harder for employees to disclose and seek accommodations. Common unseen disabilities include autism spectrum disorder, diabetes, ADHD, dyslexia, learning differences, memory issues, chronic pain or fatigue, and disabilities related to mental health.

Barriers to Supporting Employees with Disabilities

According to the report, more than two-thirds of leaders believe their technological arrangements and cultures are supportive of disabled employees, but less than half of those with disabilities agree. Navigating work with an invisible disability such as mental health presents specific challenges, partly because of public fear and stigma.

Some reasons why companies don't leverage talent, according to the American Association of People with Disabilities and Disability:IN, are based on a lack of understanding. Employers often underestimate the depth of the available talent pool and the potential benefits people with disabilities bring to the workplace. Businesses also misconstrue the cost versus the return on investment for disability inclusion, yet 59 percent of accommodations cost nothing to make, and the rest typically cost less than $500 per employee with a disability.

"Disability inclusion is worth the investment," Foster says. "Data shows that organizations working actively to employ and support people with disabilities outperform peers across an array of metrics such as higher shareholder returns, more inclusive products and services going to market and lower voluntary turnover rates."

Workplace discrimination for people with disabilities includes wage gaps, despite the passage of legislation prohibiting pay discrimination over 30 years ago. Foster says there are specific barriers for people with intersecting identities. These include:

Women and mothers face significant mental health pressures, with Black, Hispanic and single mothers being impacted the most

People of color confront long-term structural inequalities that impact mental health

Disabled people who identify as LGBTQ+ report higher rates of unemployment than others

Best Practices to Nurture Disability Inclusion

Today's workforce expects organizations to create inclusive environments for all employees, including those with disabilities. "Many strategies useful for other underrepresented groups can help with disability inclusion, yet there are interventions unique to this community, too," Foster says. "Employers must commit to expanding the scope of accommodations, creating transparency and reducing stigma, and adopting new strategies to recruit and promote people with disabilities."

The report provides numerous recommendations to help organizations, leaders and allies nurture disability inclusion, including:

Addressing unique needs for people of color who are disabled

Mainstreaming universal design to promote better access for everyone  disabled and non-disabled people alike

Using metrics to measure success and ensure accountability

Leveraging employee resource groups (ERGs) where people with disabilities and their advocates can openly discuss issues

Practicing everyday allyship

Becoming knowledgeable about language choice

Addressing the role of artificial intelligence (AI)

Younger workers are impacting the mental health landscape and helping to change attitudes and approaches toward disability in the workplace.

"Up to 75 percent of Generation Z workers have left jobs at least partly because of mental health, but the upside is that current data indicates that employees are more likely to seek help with stress, anxiety, and depression than they were as recently as five years ago."

Leaders who disclose a disability serve as positive role models and can act as catalysts for change and mentor others.

"More than half of CEOs believe talking about their own mental health makes them a better leader, yet they hold back largely because of concerns it will impact their credibility and employee confidence in them," Foster says. "If bosses aren't speaking out about inclusion, if accommodations aren't being made and if employees don't feel they can raise concerns about how they're treated, then secrecy reigns and employees and organizations can't reach their potential."

SOURCE Bentley University
The distinguished team of Stephen V. Levy, Bibiana B. Dykema and John R. Dykema, Jr. are principals of the expanded firm, enjoying a rich history and strong reputation of designing some of the region's most distinctive architectural work. LEVY DYKEMA bring together an award-winning team of architects, interior designers, and more.

"The expansion of LEVY DYKEMA benefits everyone - our clients, staff, and the real estate industry as a whole," says Stephen V. Levy, President and Founder of LEVY. "We offer the best of both worlds, the sophistication of a large firm and the value of personalized attention from the top," added Levy.

The LEVY DYKEMA signature Texas Contemporary brand of architecture is visible across the transformative Central Texas Corridor, Coastal Bend Region, and other areas across the U.S. The firm's diverse portfolio of clients includes office, retail, industrial, hospitality, healthcare, restaurant, residential, and student housing, among others.

"The expansion of LEVY DYKEMA is not only exciting, it's also the right thing to do at a time when our region and country are undergoing unprecedented growth," said Bibiana B. Dykema, AIA, Principal Architect and Interior Designer. "The expanded LEVY DYKEMA team will provide design and architecture innovation to meet the needs of our diverse and growing client base." The history of the Dykema firm was inspired by the father of Bibiana B. Dykema, renowned architect James Micic Bright, a pioneering and visionary leader in architecture for over 50 years.

"The opportunity that the expansion affords us is based on our shared values, a commitment to excellence, and the extraordinary value for our clients and our communities with a larger firm," said John R. Dykema, Jr., AIA, Principal Architect. "These guiding principles define the LEVY DYKEMA expansion."

Both Texas-based firms share an active commitment to community service, supporting various non-profit organizations in the areas of education, family, and community.

Open house events at the new offices in both Austin and Corpus Christi will be announced soon to celebrate the exciting future of LEVY DYKEMA

About LEVY DYKEMA

LEVY DYKEMA is a premier architecture firm that provides integrated products and services including interiors, purchasing, branding, and marketing. With headquarters in Austin and offices in Corpus Christi, LEVY DYKEMA creates an experience of design through a collaborative and personalized process to engage clients in every level of the process, building both strong foundational relationships and creative solutions. With a balance of innovation and sound principles, this unique experience is known as Texas Contemporary. The design-oriented architectural firm views architecture as an art that combines beautiful interior spaces with appropriate expressive materials carefully integrated into the environment. LEVY Dykema designs structures that reflect a fresh contemporary look based on traditional design concepts and sound architectural fundamentals. Learn more at LEVYDYKEMA.com and follow LEVY DYKEMA on Facebook, LinkedIn at @LEVYDYKEMA, and Instagram at @LEVYDYKEMA.

SOURCE LEVY DYKEMA

Related Links

https://www.levydykema.com/


ATLANTA, Ga., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd. ("Liberty" or the "Company") (TSXV: SCAN) (OTCQB: LDDFF) (FRANKFURT: LD2), a leading technology provider for concealed weapons and threat detection solutions, is pleased to announce that it has received a contract award for $500,000 USD as part of the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) On-Person Screening Capability Program for demonstration and evaluation of the HEXWAVE and its expanded capabilities for screening Aviation Workers at a TSA designated location to enhance detection and throughput performance.

Liberty's HEXWAVE product, a next generation, high throughput, contactless threat detection system for concealed metallic and non-metallic objects, uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to provide automated decisions to security operators when screening Aviation Workers accessing secure areas at US airports. HEXWAVE is:

capable of detecting both metal and non-metal threats, such as explosives and plastic weapons;

trained to ignore common benign objects, such as phones, keys, belts, wallets, and watches; and

able to provide enhanced screening detection with fewer false alarms at high throughput rates.

"We commend the TSA for expanding screening of aviation workers to reduce the threat potential at US airports," said Bill Frain, CEO of Liberty Defense. "Liberty Defense will be working closely with the TSA to provide overall screening effectiveness with security being the number one priority, but also improving the throughput for a practical and effective process."

The proposed HEXWAVE solution will detect TSA specific threats and will expand HEXWAVE's existing capabilities to train its Automated Threat Recognition (ATR) system to the TSA's criteria.

For more information about Liberty and to subscribe to company updates, visit: https://libertydefense.com

On Behalf of Liberty Defense

Bill Frain

CEO & Director



About Liberty Defense

Liberty Defense (TSXV: SCAN, OTCQB: LDDFF, FRANKFURT: LD2) provides multi-technology security solutions for concealed weapons detection in high volume foot traffic areas and locations requiring enhanced security such as airports, stadiums, schools, and more. Liberty's HEXWAVE product, for which the company has secured an exclusive license from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as well as a technology transfer agreement for patents related to active 3D radar imaging technology, provides discrete, modular, and scalable protection to provide layered, stand-off detection capability of metallic and non-metallic weapons. Liberty has also recently licensed the millimeter wave-based, High Definition Advanced Imaging Technology (HD-AIT) body scanner and shoe scanner technologies as part of its technology portfolio. Liberty is committed to protecting communities and preserving peace of mind through superior security detection solutions.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although Liberty believes, in light of the experience of their respective officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information in this press release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the parties can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Liberty. There are risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause Liberty's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: currency fluctuations; limited business history of the parties; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; results of operation activities and development of projects; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; and general development, market and industry conditions. The parties undertake no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of their securities or their respective financial or operating results (as applicable).

Liberty cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on Liberty's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Liberty has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Liberty as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Liberty does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

SOURCE Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd.

Related Links

www.libertydefense.com


HAMILTON, Mont., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Breakthrough U.S. indoor agriculture company Local Bounti Corporation ("Local Bounti") and Leo Holdings III Corp (NYSE:LIII) ("Leo"), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, announced today that the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the "Extraordinary General Meeting") to approve the pending business combination (the "Business Combination") between Local Bounti and Leo is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time. Additionally, the meeting of the holders (the "Warrant Holder Meeting") of public warrants of Leo to approve certain changes to Leo's warrants is also scheduled to be held on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time. The Extraordinary General Meeting and the Warrant Holder Meeting will be held in person at the offices of Kirkland & Ellis LLP located at 601 Lexington Avenue, 50th Floor, New York, New York 10022 and virtually via live webcast. Holders of Leo's Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares at the close of business on the record date of October 15, 2021 are entitled to notice of the Extraordinary General Meeting and to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting. Holders of Leo's public warrants at the close of business on the record date of October 15, 2021 are entitled to notice of the Warrant Holder Meeting and to vote at the Warrant Holder Meeting.

Leo filed its definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus relating to its Business Combination with Local Bounti (the "Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus") with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and expects to begin mailing it to shareholders and public warrant holders on October 22, 2021. Leo will mail the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus to shareholders and public warrant holders of Leo as of the record date of October 15, 2021.

Every vote is important and Leo encourages all shareholders and public warrant holders to make their voice heard by voting online or by mail as soon as possible, regardless of the number of shares and/or public warrants held.

If the proposals at the Extraordinary General Meeting are approved, it is anticipated that the Business Combination will close on or about November 17, 2021, subject to the satisfaction of all other applicable closing conditions. Upon the closing of the Business Combination, Local Bounti's common stock and warrants are expected to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the new ticker symbols, "LOCL" and "LOCLW," respectively.

Leo shareholders who need assistance in completing the proxy card, need additional copies of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, or have questions regarding the Extraordinary General Meeting may contact Leo's proxy solicitor, Morrow Sodali LLC, by calling (800) 662-5200 (toll free), or banks and brokers can call (203) 658-9400, or by email at [email protected].

About Local Bounti

Local Bounti is a premier Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) company redefining conversion efficiency and environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards for indoor agriculture. Local Bounti operates an advanced indoor growing facility in Hamilton, Montana, within a few hours' drive of its retail and food service partners. Reaching retail shelves in record time post-harvest, Local Bounti produce is superior in taste and quality compared to traditional field-grown greens. Local Bounti's USDA Harmonized Good Agricultural Practices (GAP Plus+) and non-genetically modified organisms (GMO) produce is sustainably grown using proprietary technology 365 days a year, free of pesticides and herbicides, and using 90 percent less land and water than conventional outdoor farming methods. With a mission to 'bring our farm to your kitchen in the fewest food miles possible,' Local Bounti is disrupting the cultivation and delivery of produce. Local Bounti is also committed to making meaningful connections and giving back to each of the communities it serves. To find out more, visit localbounti.com or follow the company on LinkedIn for the latest news and developments.

About Leo Holdings III Corp and Leo Holdings

Leo Holdings III Corp is a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that seeks to invest in entrepreneurially driven growth companies that seek to disrupt existing industries or business models. The management team has extensive experience owning and operating businesses on a global scale through its private equity vehicle, Lion Capital. Leo Holdings' management team has collaboratively worked together for over 20 years.

Leo Holdings III Corp is part of a special purpose acquisition company initiative, Leo Holdings, which is focused on investing in disruptive, innovative business models. The initiative seeks businesses positioned to thrive in the evolving digital information age where changing consumer behavior creates the opportunity for outsized returns. In 2020, Leo Holdings Corp entered into a business combination with DMS, a disruptive performance marketing business which delivers high-intent customers while de- risking client advertising spend. Leo Holdings Corp II (LHC) and Leo Holdings III Corp (LIII) are currently listed on the NYSE.

Leo Holdings was formed by the principals of Lion Capital, which is led by Founder and Managing Partner, Lyndon Lea. For more information, visit https://leoholdings.com/.

Additional Information

In connection with the Business Combination, Leo filed with the SEC, on July 19, 2021, a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (as amended or supplemented through the date hereof, the "Registration Statement"), which includes the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC and is being mailed to Leo's shareholders and public warrant holders. Shareholders and public warrant holders will also be able to obtain copies of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: Leo Holdings III Corp, 21 Grosvenor Pl, London SW1X 7HF, United Kingdom. Leo shareholders and public warrant are encouraged to read the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, including, among other things, the reasons for Leo's Board of Directors' unanimous recommendation that shareholders vote "FOR" the Business Combination and the other shareholder and warrant holder proposals set forth therein as well as the background of the process that led to the pending Business Combination with Local Bounti.

Participants in the Solicitation

Leo and its directors, executive officers, other members of management, and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of Leo's shareholders in connection with the Business Combination and public warrant holders in connection with the proposed amendment to the warrant agreement that governs all of Leo's outstanding warrants (the "Warrant Amendment"). Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names of Leo's directors and executive officers and a description of their interests in Leo in Leo's filings with the SEC, including the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Shareholders and public warrant holders will also be able to obtain copies of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: Leo Holdings III Corp, 21 Grosvenor Pl, London SW1X 7HF, United Kingdom.

Local Bounti and its directors and executive officers may also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Leo in connection with the Business Combination and the public warrant holders of Leo in connection with the proposed Warrant Amendment. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the Business Combination is included in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus for the Business Combination.

Forward Looking Statements

This communication includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Leo's and Local Bounti's actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as "expect," "estimate," "project," "budget," "forecast," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "may," "will," "could," "should," "believes," "predicts," "potential," "continue," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, Leo's and Local Bounti's expectations with respect to future performance and anticipated financial impacts of the proposed Business Combination, the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the Business Combination and the timing of the completion of the Business Combination. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside Leo's and Local Bounti's control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 17, 2021 (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Merger Agreement"), by and among Leo, Longleaf Merger Sub, Inc., Longleaf Merger Sub II, LLC and Local Bounti, (2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Leo and Local Bounti following the announcement of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein; (3) the inability to complete the proposed Business Combination, including due to failure to obtain approval of the shareholders of Leo or other conditions to closing in the Merger Agreement; (4) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement or could otherwise cause the Business Combination to fail to close; (5) the amount of redemption requests made by Leo's shareholders; (6) the inability to obtain or maintain the listing of the post-business combination company's common stock on the New York Stock Exchange following the proposed Business Combination; (7) the risk that the proposed Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the proposed Business Combination; (8) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees; (9) costs related to the proposed Business Combination; (10) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (11) the possibility that Local Bounti or the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and (12) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus relating to the Business Combination, including those under "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in Leo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2021, and which are set forth in the Registration Statement filed by Leo and in Leo's other filings with the SEC. Some of these risks and uncertainties may in the future be amplified by the COVID-19 outbreak and there may be additional risks that we consider immaterial or which are unknown. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. Leo cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Leo cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Leo does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase, nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, subscribe for or buy any securities or the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Business Combination or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer or securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law.

SOURCE Local Bounti

Related Links

localbounti.com


C$ unless otherwise stated

TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK: 945

TORONTO, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife Financial Corporation will release its third quarter 2021 financial results after market close on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, which will be made available at manulife.com/en/investors.



A live webcast and conference call are scheduled for Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. (ET) where Roy Gori, President & CEO, Phil Witherington, Chief Financial Officer, and other members of Manulife's executive leadership team will discuss the results, followed by a question and answer period with analysts.



To access the conference call, dial 1-800-806-5484 (toll free in North America), using passcode 4854764#. International dial-in numbers are also available. Please call in 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

The archived webcast will be available at manulife.com/en/investors following the call. A replay of the call will also be available beginning at 11:00 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, November 4, 2021 through to February 4, 2022 by dialing 1-800-408-3053 or 905-694-9451 (Passcode: 3295617#).



About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider that helps people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we operate as Manulife across our offices in Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. We provide financial advice, insurance, and our global wealth and asset management segment, Manulife Investment Management, serves individuals, institutions and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2020, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 118,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 30 million customers. As of June 30, 2021, we had CAD$1.3 trillion (US$1.1 trillion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made CAD $31.3 billion in payments to our customers. Our principal operations are in Asia, Canada, and the United States where we have served customers for more than 155 years. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong.

SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation

Related Links

http://www.manulife.com


NEW DELHI, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As per the report "Global Medical Devices Market  Industry Dynamics, Market Size, and Opportunity Forecast to 2027" published by Astute Analytica, the market generated the revenue of US$ 412.4 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% over the forecast period 2021-2027 in terms of value. Factors such as increasing incidence of chronic diseases and rising demand for minimally invasive treatment among others are supporting the estimated revenue generation of US$ 625.3 Bn by 2027.

Request for a sample report: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/medical-devices-market

Chronic diseases are one of the most common and expensive health problems in the United States. Nearly half of all Americans have at least one chronic disease and the number is rising. Cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, respiratory disorders, arthritis, obesity, and oral diseases are all chronic diseases that can lead to hospitalization and long-term impairment, leading to an upsurge in medical device market.

Emergence of new and hassle-free home monitoring medical devices and increasing geriatric population are the other factors that are driving the market. Various countries around the world have a population that is primarily made up of the elderly. The ageing population necessitates long-term care, requiring the development of new medical devices for healthcare. According to the World Health Organization, the number of individuals aged 60 and more was around 900 million in 2015, and it is expected to reach nearly 2.0 billion in 2050, with the majority of the rise occurring in developing nations. Between 2015 and 2050, the share of the population aged 60 and up will double, from 12% to 22%. 80% of the world's elderly will reside in low- and middle-income nations by 2050.

However, the high cost of medical devices and reimbursement issues associated with medical device seems to obstruct the market growth. In many countries, reimbursement rates are determined by pre-determined formulae that are applied to processes or types of devices rather than by the technology or features of the individual manufacturer. This hinders businesses from investing in innovative technologies that can help them save money and improve their results in the long run. The reimbursement procedure for medical equipment is one of the most complicated and opaque processes that stifles medical device innovation. Many people from various countries are involved in the process and contact with manufacturers. Reimbursement choices are frequently ambiguous, time-consuming, and opaque. Manufacturers in various nations confront considerable problems in this area.

Technological Advancements in Medical Devices generates profitable opportunity in the market

The emergence of 3D printing in the healthcare business seems to have had a tremendous impact on the medical device industry. It uses a variety of technologies to quickly build complicated structures, resulting in a surge in advanced medical device manufacture. This is crucial for orthopaedic implant applications because it enables for the development of long-lasting, high-quality, and optimal-fit implants with increased performance and flexibility.

As new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) are integrated to aid in enhanced diagnosis, the market is expected to grow. AI also helps healthcare workers to monitor patients remotely via sensors and automate therapy delivery using mobile apps. Significant advancements in new technologies such as smart sensors, smart gadgets, and other lightweight communication devices are driving medical equipment that create data into care pathways, forging alliances with IoMT systems. These advancements in biological signal monitoring and disease identification without the use of humans are helping healthcare companies improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. Physicians and medical practitioners will have real-time access to the device, which will help to reduce errors, due to several major trends such as the introduction of technologically advanced smart medical devices and the integration of contemporary Bluetooth technology with smart medical devices. Dexcom Inc., for example, announced the release of the Dexcom G6 CGM System in April 2020, which is accessible for remote patient monitoring in hospitals.

Sensors and medical equipment connected to 5G have near-zero latency, allowing them to gather and transfer data almost instantly with improved patient monitoring and patient outcomes. The benefits of combining 5G, healthcare, and robotics are already being considered by futurists. When it comes to medical device innovation, Medtronic, one of the world's top medical technology companies, has already released its next-generation patient monitoring system for pacemakers. Pacemakers can be linked to smartphone-based mobile apps that patients can better understand and use if they are enabled with Bluetooth technology. That, in turn, will improve remote monitoring, and, as a result, patient outcomes.

North America Medical Device Market: Top-tier region in the global market

Geographically, the market for medical devices is divided into five regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). In 2020, North America hold the largest share in the global market, and this dominance is predicted to continue during the forecast period. Increased use of innovative medical device technologies, growing digitalization of medical devices and increased emphasis on improving treatment results, are all driving market expansion in the area.

In the United States, there are over 6,500 medical device companies, the majority of which are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Microelectronics, telecommunications, instrumentation, biotechnology, and software development are just a few of the fields where the medical device business relies on the country's competitive advantage. Collaborations have led to recent advances including stent technologies, neuro-stimulators, robotic assistance, biomarkers, and implantable electronic devices. The industry's future growth is assured, as it is driven by innovation and the constant search for improved ways to cure or diagnose medical conditions.

During the forecast period, however, the Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1%, with China being the largest part in the region's economy, accounting for more than half of all exports in 2020, followed by Japan. The market for medical devices in Asia Pacific is positioned for robust development, owing to rising income levels, increased private sector investment, and government incentives.

Competitive Landscape

Major players covered in this report are 3M Co., Abbott Laboratories, Allergan Inc., Baxter International Inc., Bayer, Becton, Dickinson and Co., Boston Scientific Corp., Cardinal Health Inc., Covidien plc, Cryolife Inc., Danaher, Depuy Synthes, Endologix, Inc., Essilor International SA, Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGAA, GE, Healthcare, Getinge Ab, Johnson Johnson, Koninklijke Philips NV, Medtronic Inc., Novartis AG, Olympus Corp., Roche Diagnostics, Siemens Healthcare, Smith & Nephew PLC, Smiths Medical, St. Jude Medical Inc., Stryker Corp. Terumo Corp., Thermo Fisher Scientific and Zimmer Holdings Inc. Significant contribution of companies in the market growth act as economic pillars to sustain the market's expansion. For instance, in June 2021, life sciences investor Novo Holdings acquired BBI Group from Exponent for an enterprise value of over US$463 million (400 million). BBI Group is a supplier of products and services to the global diagnostics and life sciences industries.

Have Any Query Or Specific Requirement? Feel Free To Ask Our Industry Experts At : https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/medical-devices-market

Segment Summary

Market size analysis based on revenue and volume distribution in several segments is included in the report's market segments. These include product, application, end user and region. Each segment is well illustrated in the report, for instance, in product segment, patient monitoring devices segment holds largest CAGR of 6.8% in the global Medical Devices market owing to its easy-to-use feature, while consumables segment, syringes, needles & catheters holds more than half of the market share in 2020.

Similarly, Cardiology in the application segment holds the major share of 18.9% in 2020 and household segment among all other end users holds highest CAGR of 7.7% in the global medical devices market due to rising trend for in-house health monitoring.

Get Full Research Summary on " Medical Devices Market " https://www.astuteanalytica.com/industry-report/medical-devices-market

The report provides thorough analysis of Global Medical Device Market  Industry Dynamics, Market Size and Opportunity Forecast to 2027, based on the following:

Segmentation Overview of the Global Medical Devices Market

By Product

Diagnostic Devices



Electro diagnostic Devices





Ultrasound Systems







Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)







Electrocardiographs







Scintigraphy Apparatus







Other Electrodiagnostic Devices





Radiation Devices





CT Scanners







Other Medical X-ray Apparatus





Imaging Parts & Accessories





Contrast Media







X-ray Tubes







Medical X-ray Film







Other Imaging Parts & Accessories



Consumables



Syringes, Needles & Catheters





Syringes (with/without needles)







Tubular Metal Needles/Needles for Sutures







Others





Bandages & Dressings





Adhesive Medical Dressings







Non-adhesive Medical Dressing





Suturing Materials





Other Consumables





Surgical Gloves







Ostomy Products







Blood-Grouping Reagents







First-aid Boxes & Kits



Patient Aids



Portable Aids





Hearing Aids







Pacemakers





Therapeutic Applications





Therapeutic Respiration Devices







Mechano-Therapy Devices





Others (Endoscope, Defibrillators, CRT Devices, etc.)





Orthopedics and Prosthetics





Fixation Devices







Artificial Joints







Other Artificial Body Parts





Dental Products





Dental Instruments and Supplies







Dental Instruments









Dental Cements









Teeth and Other Fittings







Dental Care Equipment







Dental Drills









Dental Chairs









Dental X-Rays





Patient Monitoring Devices



Other Medical Device Categories



Ophthalmic Instruments





Hospital Furniture





Wheelchairs





Medical & Surgical Sterilizers





Ultra-violet or Infra-Red Ray Apparatus





Other Instruments & Appliances

By Application

Oncology



Cardiology



Orthopedics



Ophthalmic



Respiratory



Urology & Gynecology



General & Plastic Surgery



Dental



Diabetic Care



Wound Management



Nephrology



General Hospital and Healthcare



Ear, Nose, and Throat



Others

By End User

Hospitals & Surgical Centers



Clinics



Household



Other End Users

By Geography

North America



U.S.





Canada





Mexico



Europe



The UK





Germany





France





Italy





Spain





Poland





Russia





Rest of Europe



Asia Pacific



China





India





Japan





Australia & New Zealand

&



South Korea





ASEAN





Rest of Asia Pacific



Middle East & Africa (MEA)



UAE





Saudi Arabia





South Africa





Rest of MEA



South America



Argentina





Brazil





Rest of South America

Buy Now this Premium Report to Grow your Business https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/medical-devices-market

OR

Find more research reports on Healthcare by Astute Analytica.

About Astute Analytica

Astute Analytica is a global analytics and advisory company which has built a solid reputation in a short period, thanks to the tangible outcomes we have delivered to our clients. We pride ourselves in generating unparalleled, in depth and uncannily accurate estimates and projections for our very demanding clients spread across different verticals. We have a long list of satisfied and repeat clients from a wide spectrum including technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and many more. These happy customers come to us from all across the Globe. They are able to make well calibrated decisions and leverage highly lucrative opportunities while surmounting the fierce challenges all because we analyze for them the complex business environment, segment wise existing and emerging possibilities, technology formations, growth estimates, and even the strategic choices available. In short, a complete package. All this is possible because we have a highly qualified, competent, and experienced team of professionals comprising of business analysts, economists, consultants, and technology experts. In our list of priorities, you-our patron-come at the top. You can be sure of best cost effective, value added package from us, should you decide to engage with us.

Contact us:

Nishi Sharma

BSI Business Park, H-15,Sector-63, Noida- 201301- India

Phone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4251598 (Rest of the World)

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.astuteanalytica.com

Follow US: LinkedIn | Twitter

SOURCE Astute Analytica
"Skyservice has achieved this milestone through the hard work and dedication of our people and our culture of customer service that exists throughout the entire organization," said Benjamin Murray, President and Chief Executive Officer. "This milestone is more than a number. It reflects our commitment to personalized, high quality service to our clients and the deep relationships we have fostered on trust in the industry. Skyservice is poised for continuing growth and is excited to continue to innovate and invest in our people, our communities and in our industry."

To celebrate this milestone, and in support of the regions impacted by wildfires in Canada, Skyservice has made a donation to One Tree Planted to help reforest lost habitat in British Columbia and invited 35 of its employees from across the organization to plant trees in the community on October 6th.

Mr. Murray added, "We asked our employees how best to celebrate our milestone. With our focus on responsible operations and sustainability, the choice was simple. We are proud to donate over 200 trees for each year since our inception and to contribute to reforestation in British Columbia, which suffered significant loss as a result of wildfires this past summer. We hope our efforts will replant over five hectares of land and rebuild lost habitat in the area."

About Skyservice

Skyservice is a North American leader in business aviation dedicated to innovation, responsible operations, safety, and service excellence. Celebrating its 35th successful year, Skyservice is at the forefront of the business aviation industry with best in-class facilities across the United States and Canada. Our skilled maintenance teams, outstanding fixed base operation facilities, first-class aircraft management, charter services, aircraft sales and acquisition provide our customers with an experience that is truly above and beyond. To learn more, visit http://www.skyservice.com/.

SOURCE Skyservice Business Aviation Inc. - Mississauga, ON

Related Links

https://skyservice.com/


CHICAGO, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Morreale Communications has been honored with two Gold Stevie Awards for Community Involvement Program of the Year and Communications/PR Campaign of the Year by the Stevie Awards for Women in Business for their work on the Illinois Public Health Association's Pandemic Health Navigator Program. This represents the highest honor achievable for the Stevie Awards and is the firms 20th award in it's 15-years history.

"Morreale is honored to be recognized with Gold Stevie Awards for our results-oriented work that continues to provide diverse communities across our state with trusted sources of information," said Kim Morreale, President/CEO of Morreale Communications. "We're grateful to be the communications lead for Illinois' Public Health Navigator Program, working with the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA), Illinois Primary Healthcare Association (IPHCA) and dozens of community organizations across Illinois that are providing critical resources to those most impacted by COVID-19."

When IPHA/IPHCA identified a significant need for a strategic solution to help support Illinois' most vulnerable populations, Morreale was tapped to develop a statewide communications strategy that would help mitigate the spread of misinformation related to COVID-19, encourage vaccine participation and connect the hardest hit, underserved populations of Illinois to vital resources.

The Morreale team took careful consideration during research, development, outreach and implementation to create solutions that were culturally competent and tailored to identified vulnerable populations, including rural communities, diverse communities, elderly residents, people at or near the poverty line, undocumented immigrants, people experiencing homelessness, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, disconnected youth, people with limited English proficiency.

"When building the team for the Pandemic Health Navigator Program, we knew communications would serve as a critical component ensuring that our message reached the populations that needed it most. Morreale demonstrated the experience and relationships necessary to strengthen our program in the state's COVID-19 effort and surpassed all expectations," said Tom Hughes, IPHA. "Because of their deep experience and media relationships, coupled with their data-driven, collaborative approach, our program was able to engage with some of the hardest to reach audiences and effectively address the critical public health issues during the pandemic."

The Pandemic Health Navigator Program communications program highlights include:

85+ community-based organizations and federally qualified health centers participated

800+ Community Health Workers hired and trained

300+ million earned media impressions and more than 15 million paid advertising impressions since the start of the program

19,000+ residents have been provided resources across the state of Illinois

"We thought the remarkable stories of achievement we saw in last year's awards couldn't be topped, but we were wrong," said Maggie Gallagher Miller, president of the Stevie Awards. "Women-owned and -run organizations have contributed significantly to the increase in innovation and entrepreneurial activity we've seen globally since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic."

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honor women executives, entrepreneurs, employees, and the companies they run worldwide. The Stevie Awards have been hailed as the world's premier business awards. More than 1,500 entries were submitted this year for consideration in more than 100 categories. Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 160 business professionals around the world, working on eight juries. Winners will be celebrated during the 18th annual virtual awards ceremony on Thursday, January 13, 2022.

About Morreale Communications

Morreale Communications is a leading strategic communications agency working at the intersection of business, media, policy and people. Driven by the desire to empower our clients by elevating their voices during times of change, crisis and opportunity, Morreale offers an integrated suite of solutions. Core capabilities include strategic message development, stakeholder engagement, branding and creative strategy, digital & social communications, diversity & inclusion, policy strategy and media relations. Founded in 2006, Morreale brings unrivaled experience from a wide range of backgrounds to provide deep insights and counsel to our clients. Headquartered in Chicago, Morreale is proud to be a certified WBE/WBENC agency with an all-female executive leadership team and 90% female and minority workforce. They have offices in Chicago and Springfield, Illinois.

About the Stevie Awards

Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.

SOURCE Morreale Communications

Related Links

www.morrealecomm.com


OSLO, Norway, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MPC Container Ships ASA ("MPCC" or the "Company", and together with its subsidiaries, the "Group") is pleased to announce the following measures that will increase the Company's balance sheet flexibility in order to execute on the Group's plan to commence returning capital to investors. These changes are consistent with the Company's guidance in previous quarters:

New bank facility of USD 180 million with HCOB at LIBOR + 335 bps

with HCOB at LIBOR + 335 bps More than 30 unencumbered vessels post-closing

Sale of six vessels between 1,000 and 1,500 TEU agreed for in total USD 135 million

Seven additional multi-year charter fixtures concluded in historically strong charter market

EBITDA backlog from 1 July 2021 onwards currently above USD 700 million

New credit facility

The Company has agreed a USD 180 million five-year senior secured credit facility (the "Facility") with Hamburg Commercial Bank ("HCOB") at attractive terms. The Facility consists of a USD 130 million term loan and a revolving credit facility of USD 50 million.

Constantin Baack, Chief Executive Officer of MPC Container Ships ASA commented: "We have executed on various measures in order to become a low leverage and high dividend paying stock. The new financing with HCOB constitutes another important step of optimizing the balance sheet structure, reducing our cost of debt and extending debt maturities into 2026. In addition, it creates high flexibility and optionality based on more than 30 unencumbered vessels following the refinancing. We appreciate the agility, professionalism and support by HCOB in arranging the Facility, which puts MPCC in a unique position to fulfil corporate goals."

Sale of vessels

In order to optimize the fleet composition take advantage of historically high container ship asset prices, the Group has agreed to sell six smaller vessels with an average size of 1,200 TEU for a total of USD 135 million, which implies a significant premium to the current MPCC share price. MPCC's total fleet will consist of 68 vessels once the six vessels have been handed over to their new owners.

During Q4 2021, the Company intends to use the Facility, together with parts of the proceeds from the agreed vessel sales to refinance the existing DNB acquisition financing, as well as the outstanding USD 204 million bond financing. As a consequence, the previous acquisition financing with DNB and the outstanding senior secured bonds will be repaid in full and a significant number of vessels owned by the Company will subsequently be unencumbered.

Well positioned to return capital to shareholders

"Following our strategy of prudent and rational capital allocation, these measures are important steps for MPCC to transition from a growth phase to a very strong value proposition of significant cash generation, good earnings visibility with strong dividend capacity and a low risk profile. We are very pleased that the Company is now well positioned to return capital to its shareholders", CEO Constantin Baack added.

Subsequent to the Q2 reporting on 19 August, the Company has fixed an additional seven vessels with long periods and attractive rates. The EBITDA backlog has subsequently increased to above USD 700 million, demonstrating a continuously strong charter market.

Once executed, the new financing structure of the Group will allow for high flexibility in capital allocation and a solid foundation for implementing a sustainable dividend policy. Following the sequencing of repayment and successful handover of the sold vessels in Q4 2021, the Company expects to enter a new era of returning capital to shareholders as of Q1 2022 by distributing up to 75% of net profit by way of dividends and/or share buybacks.

Important notice

This press release does not constitute a notice of voluntary early redemption for the outstanding bonds, which will be issued in accordance with the terms of the outstanding bonds.

For further details on the Facility, vessel sales and for an operational update on the Company please refer to the attached presentation. An investor call will be hosted on Wednesday 20 October at 10:00 CEST. Please see below for call-in details. The Facility is subject to customary conditions for documentation and is expected to be completed by the end of October 2021.

This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

This stock exchange announcement was published by Andreas Nguyen, Investor Relations at MPC Container Ships ASA, on 20 October 2021 at 07:00 CEST.

Investor call and webcast:

The Company will host a webcast for the investor call commencing on Wednesday 20 October 2021 at 10:00 hours CEST. The presentation will be made available on the Company's webpage (https://www.mpc-container.com/investors-and-media/press-releases/). There will be a Q&A session after the presentation.

The event is being streamed. It is recommended that you listen via your computer speakers. Please note that for optimal viewing, it is recommended not to use VPN, but instead to connect directly to the internet. Please disable pop-up blockers in order to view the content in its entirety.

The live webcast can be accessed through the following link:

https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/he4xmzxc

Alternatively, participants may dial in to the earnings call using the below dial-in information:

Norwegian LocalCall Dial-In (Oslo): +47 23 96 02 64

US LocalCall Dial-In (New York): +1 (631) 510-7495

International/Toll Attendee Dial-In: +44 (0) 2071 928000

Conference ID: 2055597

Further information and contact:

For further information, please contact [email protected].

About MPC Container Ships ASA:

MPC Container Ships ASA (ticker code "MPCC") is a leading container tonnage provider with a focus on the feeder segment below 5,000 TEU. Its main activity is to own and operate a portfolio of container ships serving intra-regional trade lanes on fixed-rate charters. The Company is registered and has its business office in Oslo, Norway. For more information, please see our website: www.mpc-container.com.

Forward-looking statements:

This announcement includes forward-looking statements. Such statements are generally not historical in nature, and specifically include statements about the Company's plans, strategies, business prospects, changes and trends in its business, the markets in which it operates and its restructuring efforts. These statements are made based upon management's current plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and therefore involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risks described from time to time in the Company's regulatory filings and periodical reporting. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of these factors. Further, the Company cannot assess the impact of each such factor on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially different from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/mpc-container-ships-asa/r/mpc-container-ships-asa-secures-new-financing-facility--agrees-on-sale-of-six-vessels-and-provides-u,c3434592

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Public/17513/3434592/b80e2fa3c8567eab.pdf 211020 Investor Presentation

SOURCE MPC Container Ships ASA
WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA seeks young engineers to help design a new robot concept for an excavation mission on the Moon. The Lunabotics Junior Contest is open to K-12 students in U.S. public and private schools, as well as home-schoolers.

The competition, which is a collaboration between NASA and Future Engineers, asks students to design a robot that digs and moves lunar soil, called regolith, from an area of the lunar South Pole to a holding container near where Artemis astronauts may explore in the future.

As part of the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon and establish long-term lunar science and exploration capabilities that will serve as a springboard for future exploration of Mars. Lunar regolith is instrumental in this development and could be used to create lunar concrete, reducing the amount and cost of materials that need to be transported from Earth.

To enter the contest, students must submit entries, which must include an image of the robot design and a written summary explaining how the design is intended to operate on the Moon, by Jan. 25, 2022.

"Extracting resources in deep space will require innovation and creativity, and students are some of the most creative thinkers," said Mike Kincaid, NASA's associate administrator for the Office of STEM Engagement. "The next generation always brings new perspectives, inventive ideas, and a sense of optimism to the challenges NASA puts in front of them. I'm really looking forward to seeing the designs they submit to Lunabotics Junior."

While students are not tasked to build a robot, they are asked to envision a robot design that is no larger than 3.5 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet and that addresses three main design features: how the physical design of the robot will enable it to scoop/dig and move the lunar regolith; whether the robot will operate by moving large amounts of dirt per trip or by transporting less dirt over more trips; and how the design and operation of the robot will meet the big challenge of lunar dust that is stirred up and can "stick" to surfaces when lunar regolith is moved.

Students can sign up individually or teachers can register their entire class. Entries will be split into two categories  grades K-5 and grades 6-12. Ten semifinalists will receive a Lunabotics Junior prize pack and four finalists from each category will win a virtual session with a NASA subject matter expert. The winner from each category will be announced March 29, 2022, and will be awarded a virtual chat for their class with Janet Petro, director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA and Future Engineers also are seeking volunteers to help judge the entries from around the country. U.S. residents interested in offering approximately five hours of their time over a 10-day period can register to be a judge at:

https://www.futureengineers.org/registration/judge/lunaboticsjunior

Artemis Student Challenges create unique opportunities for a diverse group of students to contribute to NASA's work in exploration and discovery while celebrating their creativity and innovation.

SOURCE NASA

Related Links

http://www.nasa.gov


PASSO FUNDO, Brazil, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NDM Global announced today their expansion into Brazil through their wholly owned subsidiary company (NDM Global Inc.). With a population of over 200 million, Brazil has the largest economy in Latin America and the eighth largest in the world.

The expansion into Brazil opens the door for DocQ, NDM Global's flagship product, to assist businesses across multiple industries who now must comply with LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law). The LGPD creates a legal framework for the use of personal data of individuals in Brazil, regardless of where the data processor is located. LGPD is closely modelled after the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

In addition, NDM Global's expansion in Brazil also allows the company to expand their talent pool. "There is a results driven product development culture in Brazil. The talent pool is made up of world class professionals all operating within a similar time zone," said Anuj Sehgal, CoFounder and CTO of NDM Global.

About DocQ

DocQ, which is NDM's flagship product, assists these businesses with the integration of LGPD. The DocQ application is a robust, cloud-based document management solution. The platform includes a rich API that integrates with a variety of ATS, CRM and HRIS platforms. The software gives users the ability to auto-populate templates, manage document reminders, create custom workflows and collaborate with users. DocQ includes an e-signature component that enables users to meet audits and achieve compliance in any industry.

About NDM Global

We are a global team of software and systems integration experts with a focus on offering the best cloud-based document management platform to help any organization achieve its digital goals. Our global team enables us to deliver maximum results with quality, timely-delivery and cost-effectiveness that has been proven repeatedly.

Media Contact:

Rachel Bucher

[email protected]

512-745-2481

SOURCE NDM Global Inc.
FT. WORTH, Texas, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Historian and author, Deborah Brezina, has now released her new Stones & Bones podcast. Brezina uses knowledge from her extensive travels and research to take us back in time to the trial of Queen Emma of Normandy. Set during the medieval years around 1000 A.D., Queen Emma was accused of the most scandalous crimes of the dayincluding adultery, treason and, worse yet, the murder of a princehelping to craft the Europe we know today.

Deborah Brezina Stones & Bones Podcast logo

"To talk about and imagine the life of a woman who quite literally shifted the tides of history is absolutely enthralling. The podcast touches on so many aspects of her lifefrom monarchy to war to romance and scandalthere really is something to intrigue everyone," says the host of the Stones & Bones podcast, Deborah Brezina.

The backdrop: Emma, Queen of England, was put on trial for treason, adultery and murderthe grisly murder of a prince that altered the line of future European kings. Was Emma, the wife and mother of four English kings guilty of kidnapping, torture and murder? Emma of Normandy was a central and powerfully influential figure in the Saxon, Norman and Viking kingdoms. She had as much influence on the shaping of western civilization as Queens Eleanor of Aquitaine, Elizabeth I, Victoria and Bloody Mary.

The 12-episode Stones & Bones podcast can be streamed on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon, iHeart, and Audible. New episodes are uploaded every Wednesday making it the perfect binge-worthy podcast.

Deborah Brezina stated, "I've poured my life's work into the story of Queen Emma and I am thrilled to be able to share her compelling story through this podcast. If you love palace intrigue, history, passion, treachery, courtroom trials, stories of Viking warriors and French, Danish and English royaltyyou'll love this podcast."

Brezina provides in-depth knowledge of European history and has been studying Queen Emma of Normandy and the Norman, Saxon and Scandinavian kingdoms for much of her adult life. She sheds light on the traditions, myths and legends of a story that has been virtually ignored by most history books and presents a narrative that is engaging and fascinating. The suspense and mystery of the inner workings of the Norman, Saxon and Viking worlds will have you anticipating the next episode.

Take your seat at the trial of the century and stream the show wherever you listen to podcasts or listen on the Stones & Bones website here: https://stonesandbonespodcast.com. Deborah Brezina is available for media interviews and speaking engagements. Please contact her at [email protected] or 865-924-0935.

SOURCE Deborah Brezina: Stones & Bones Podcast
SYDNEY, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Australia is the worst climate performer out of all developed countries, a new report from the Climate Council has today revealed.

'From Paris to Glasgow: A world on the move' (https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/paris-glasgow-world-move), has assessed both Australia's track record on climate and its commitments moving forward against its international peers and found that Australia is the worst performing when it comes to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and moving beyond fossil fuels.

"A commitment to net zero by 2050 would still leave Australia dead last, unless accompanied by a much stronger commitment to cutting emissions this decade," said report lead author and Climate Council Head of Research Dr Simon Bradshaw, who is heading to Glasgow for the summit.

"This is a defining moment in the world's response to climate change, and Australia remains the villain, and an outlier in the international community," said Dr Bradshaw.

Ban Ki-moon, Former UN Secretary General and Deputy Chair of The Elders **See below for more external quotes**: "Australia is falling behind its own states and territories, its trading partners and other comparable nations. The world is now looking to Australia to take its place amongst the international community and lift its national ambition on climate."

Chief Climate Councillor, Professor Tim Flannery who is also headed to COP26 with the Climate Council said: "We know what needs to happen in Glasgow, and we know what Australia must do to help achieve it. Net zero by 2050 is last year's story. Almost all our traditional allies and major trading partners ticked that off long ago and have now set their sights on 2030. It is the scale and pace of action through the 2020s that matters, and which Glasgow's success or failure will be measured by."

Climate Councillor and report author, Professor Lesley Hughes: "The science is clear and for the first time Australia's traditional allies and closest security partners, as well as our neighbours, are universally and explicitly calling for Australia to lift its 2030 emission reduction target. This isn't just about saving face internationally, this is about protecting Australia's economic future and ensuring our children and grandchildren can not only survive but thrive."

Report Key Findings:

Despite new climate pledges and significant international momentum, there remains a major shortfall between what's being promised and the pace of action required. Alongside other countries, Australia must do its part to help close this gap at the next major UN climate talks in Glasgow .

must do its part to help close this gap at the next major UN climate talks in . Emissions in the sectors that matter most have increased in Australia . Electricity emissions have increased by around a third since 1990, while transport emissions have grown by more than half.

. Electricity emissions have increased by around a third since 1990, while transport emissions have grown by more than half. Climate change is now a strategic priority for the world's major powers including the UK, EU and China , as they race to gain advantage in the global energy transition.

, as they race to gain advantage in the global energy transition. A commitment and plan for rapidly cutting our emissions this decade will unlock investment and create new jobs in renewable energy and clean industries, particularly in regional areas.

With world-class renewable energy resources and enviable mineral reserves needed to drive the global energy transition, Australia has the potential to grow new export industries that far exceed the value of our current fossil fuel exports.

"Australia is one of the world's largest exporters of fossil fuels as well as being heavily reliant on them at home. By strengthening our climate commitments and actions this decade, we can have a huge impact on the future of our planet," said Professor Hughes.

There are currently over 80 proposed coal projects in the pipeline for Australia and five new mammoth gas basins, as well dozens of smaller gas projects dotted across the country.

"It will be game over for Australia on ever being taken seriously on climate change again if these polluting fossil fuel projects are allowed to proceed," said Dr Bradshaw.

"There has been a rapid and irreversible shift in the global politics surrounding climate change. Australia must get with the program - to reap the economic and geostrategic benefits of taking stronger action - or get left behind," Dr Bradshaw added.

The Climate Council has calculated that Australia should reduce its emissions by 75% (below 2005 levels) by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2035. As a first step, Australia should match the updated commitments of our key allies - including the US and the UK - and pledge before Glasgow to at least halve national emissions this decade.

Frank Bainimarama, Fiji Prime Minister and Chair of the Pacific Island Forum:

"The upcoming COP26 UN climate conference in Glasgow must secure serious collective action to address the climate crisis. Failure could spell the loss of entire low-lying Pacific nations, and we can only fail if we shrink from our responsibilities. As this important new report from the Climate Council explains, we have reasons to be hopeful."

Greg Mullins, Climate Councillor, former Commissioner of Fire & Rescue NSW and Australia's longest-serving fire chief:

"Adopting strong emissions reduction targets isn't about window-dressing ahead of COP26 or pulling our nation out of the climate action gutter, it's about protecting the lives of Australians."

"Making major cuts to emissions this decade then getting to net zero as quickly as possible are what's needed to tackle worsening extreme weather events like those that drove the catastrophic 19/20 bushfires, heatwaves, then floods.

"Those of us that hold hoses and are in the direct firing line of climate change impacts want to see our government spending more time protecting us and future generations, and less time approving new fossil fuel developments."

Nicky Sparshott, CEO Unilever Australia and NZ:

"Our business has a large and complex value chain and we're already experiencing the challenges and the escalating costs that more extreme weather patterns and long-term climatic changes bring to our operations."

"Governments must commit to establishing policy frameworks that give businesses confidence to invest in a net zero future. Once Australia has clear targets, the whole system will rally behind achieving them. Ultimately resulting in the transformational systems change we urgently need and ensuring Australia is not left behind."

For interviews please contact Brianna Hudson on +61 455 238 875 or Hannah Izzard on +61 475 247 754.

The Climate Council is Australia's leading community-funded climate change communications organisation. We provide authoritative, expert and evidence-based advice on climate change to journalists, policymakers, and the wider Australian community.

For further information, go to: climatecouncil.org.au Or follow us on social media: facebook.com/climatecouncil and twitter.com/climatecouncil

SOURCE Climate Council of Australia

Related Links

https://www.climatecouncil.org.au


JUNO BEACH, Fla., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP) has posted its third-quarter 2021 financial results in a news release available on the partnership's website by accessing the following link: www.NextEraEnergyPartners.com/FinancialResults.

Jim Robo, chairman and chief executive officer of NextEra Energy Partners, Rebecca Kujawa, chief financial officer of NextEra Energy Partners, and other members of the senior management team will discuss the third-quarter 2021 financial results during an investor presentation to be webcast live, beginning at 9 a.m. ET today. The listen-only webcast will be available on NextEra Energy Partners' website by accessing the following link: www.NextEraEnergyPartners.com/FinancialResults. Results for NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) also will be discussed during the same investor presentation. A replay will be available for 90 days by accessing the same link as listed above.

NextEra Energy Partners, LP

NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP) is a growth-oriented limited partnership formed by NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). NextEra Energy Partners acquires, manages and owns contracted clean energy projects with stable, long-term cash flows. Headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida, NextEra Energy Partners owns interests in geographically diverse wind and solar projects in the U.S. as well as natural gas infrastructure assets in Texas and Pennsylvania. For more information about NextEra Energy Partners, please visit: www.NextEraEnergyPartners.com.

SOURCE NextEra Energy Partners, LP

Related Links

http://www.nexteraenergypartners.com


JUNO BEACH, Fla., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) has posted its third-quarter 2021 financial results in a news release available on the company's website by accessing the following link: www.NextEraEnergy.com/FinancialResults.

Jim Robo, chairman and chief executive officer of NextEra Energy, Rebecca Kujawa, executive vice president, finance and chief financial officer of NextEra Energy, and other members of the company's senior management team will discuss the company's third-quarter 2021 financial results during an investor presentation to be webcast live, beginning at 9 a.m. ET today. The listen-only webcast will be available on NextEra Energy's website by accessing the following link: www.NextEraEnergy.com/FinancialResults. Also discussed during the investor presentation will be financial results for NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP). A replay will be available for 90 days by accessing the same link as listed above.

NextEra Energy, Inc.

NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) is a leading clean energy company headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida. NextEra Energy owns Florida Power & Light Company, which is the largest vertically integrated rate-regulated electric utility in the United States as measured by retail electricity produced and sold, and serves more than 5.6 million customer accounts, supporting more than 11 million residents across Florida with clean, reliable and affordable electricity. NextEra Energy also owns a competitive clean energy business, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world's largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage. Through its subsidiaries, NextEra Energy generates clean, emissions-free electricity from seven commercial nuclear power units in Florida, New Hampshire and Wisconsin. A Fortune 200 company, NextEra Energy has been recognized often by third parties for its efforts in sustainability, corporate responsibility, ethics and compliance, and diversity. NextEra Energy is ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry on Fortune's 2021 list of "World's Most Admired Companies," recognized on Fortune's 2021 list of companies that "Change the World" and received the S&P Global Platts 2020 Energy Transition Award for leadership in environmental, social and governance. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com , www.FPL.com , www.GulfPower.com , www.NextEraEnergyResources.com .

SOURCE NextEra Energy, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.nexteraenergy.com


As reported on July 8, 2021 , Nickel Rock has optioned out an 80% interest on certain mineral claims within the Hard Nickel 4 and Nickel 100 exploration project, to Surge Battery Metals (TSXV: NILI) in order to concentrate on its exploration efforts on the Nickel Group Claims directly adjacent to the FPX Nickel Corp. (TSXV: FPX) Baptiste Nickel Deposit. The option transaction remains subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.

On September 3, 2021, the Company announced (News Release) that it has completed the second phase of the its initial exploration program has been completed on its Nickel exploration claims located in northern British Columbia, Canada. The BC Nickel Exploration Project (the "Project") consists of four non-contiguous mineral claims groups held by Nickel Rock Resources Inc. through three separate agreements. The exploration stage project is in the Trembleur Lake area of central British Columbia, partially adjacent to FPX Nickel Corp.'s Decar Nickel Project, which is an advanced project targeting awaruite, a nickel-iron alloy mineral, hosted by serpentinized ultramafic intrusive rocks of the Trembleur Ultramafic Unit.

About the Nickel Project

The subject claims are partially underlain by rocks like those hosting the Decar project of FPX Nickel where mineralization includes nickel, cobalt, and chromium. Previous exploration suggests that at least some of the nickel mineralization occurs as awaruite which is a naturally occurring nickel-iron alloy important in the manufacture of environmentally efficient batteries for the electric vehicle markets globally. The mineral awaruite is both highly magnetic and very dense and is therefore amenable to concentration by mechanical processes including magnetic and gravity separation. This style of deposit is unique and presents considerable metallurgical and processing cost saving advantages.

Significantly, the awaruite found is found in a serpentinized ultramafic rock. In 2018, G. Dipple at the University of British Columbia began the Geoscience BC funded research project "Carbon Mineralization Potential Assessment for BC" scheduled for completion in early 2021. In late 2020 a preliminary assessment report was published. One of the key items from the report was " The use of reactive serpentinite tailings from nickel mining as a carbon sink has the potential to make nickel mining carbon neutral or a net carbon sink. " The presence of serpentinized ultramafic rocks has been repeatedly documented in the areas covered by the claims of the Nickel Rock Projects, as well as at FPX Nickel Corp.'s Decar Project (Dipple, G. et.al., Geoscience BC Report 2020-15).

The Company has seen the commodity spot price for nickel to be in a steady uptrend while world stockpiles have been on the decline and EV manufacturers are calling for more supply of nickel because nickel quantities are increasing in batteries as they increase the amount of charge a battery can hold, thus allowing the EV's to travel greater distances. One such company is Tesla Inc., the world's leading EV manufacturer. Tesla's Founder, Elon Musk, stated that a large contract would be signed if a company could produce nickel with a lowered carbon footprint by using more environmentally friendly ways of mining (Reuters: September 11, 2020). Robert Setter, Company President and CEO comments "Elon Musk's comments made waves in the nickel space and several juniors have benefited from his comments and surged 2 to 3 times their value."

Robert Setter, Company President and CEO continues "We are very pleased with the results from our initial exploration program on the Hard Nickel and Nickel 100 claim group and specifically with the work completed during phase 2 of this initial exploration program. So far, we have recorded some relatively high Ni readings measured via portable XRF on the Nickel S block, as mentioned in our news from June 28, 2021, and our geological team suspects these ultramafic rocks have potential to host awaruite mineralization. This second phase of exploration includes both soil and rock sampling, technical report writing, mapping and assay work, with the remaining work to be done on trenching, geological, geochemical and geophysical surveying."

Recap of the Company's 2021 Work Program

The Company currently has sufficient funds in its treasury to fully fund its 2021 proposed work program and its remaining working capital needs for 2021 and 2022.

The proposed work program consists of trenching, surface exploration, diamond drilling, camp construction, and exploration activities to support drilling and trenching such as soil sampling, rock sampling, prospecting, and geological mapping. The company proposes a 12-man camp to be built in a cirque on the north slope of the un-named mountain west of and adjacent to Mount Sydney Williams, and will be built next to a sub-alpine lake at the headwaters of Van Decar Creek. The location of camp was selected based on past exploration camps at this location and is suitable for supporting exploration. Camp will be used to accommodate field personnel and will be accessed with helicopter. The work program is managed by Jeremy Hansen, P. Geol. and Hardline Exploration Corp.

The Company estimates that this 2021 work program includes a total of $600,000 in exploration expenditures.

Qualified Person

Jacques Houle, P.Eng., a qualified person as defined by NI 43  101, is responsible for the technical information contained in this release. Readers are cautioned that the information in this press release regarding the property of FPX Nickel Corp is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the property of interest.

About Nickel Rock Resources Inc. www.nickelrockresources.com

The Company is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company active in the exploration for nickel-iron alloy in British Columbia and lithium in Nevada. Nickel Rock Resources Inc. is a Canadian based exploration company whose primary listing is on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company's maintains a focus on exploration for high value battery metals required for the electric vehicle (EV) market.

About Clayton Valley Nevada Lithium Project

The Company owns a 100% in 77 lithium placer claims covering over 640 hectares in Clayton Valley. Clayton Valley is a down-dropped closed basin formed by the Miocene age Great Basin extension and is still active due to movement along the Walker Lane structural zone. As a result, the basin has preserved multiple layers of lithium bearing volcanic ash, resulting from multiple eruptive events over the past 6 million years including eruptions from the 700,000-year-old Long Valley Caldera system and related events. These ash layers are thought to contribute to the lithium brines extracted by Albemarle and are also likely involved in the formation of the exposed lithium rich clay deposits on the east side of Clayton Valley. https://nickelrockresources.com/clayton-valley-lithium/

About the British Columbia, Canada Nickel Projects

The Mount Sidney Williams Group consists of five claim blocks in four groups with a total area of 6,125.32 hectares in the area surrounding Mount Sidney Williams, both adjoining and near the Decar project of FPX Nickel Corp., located 100 kilometres northwest of Fort St. James, B.C., in the Omineca mining division. Metallic mineralization includes nickel, cobalt, and chromium. At least some of the nickel mineralization occurs as awaruite. The Mitchell Range Group area claim consist of two contiguous claim blocks covering 3,134.70 hectares with demonstrated metallic mineralization including nickel, cobalt, and chromium. Nickel cobalt mineralization has not been well explored, but the presence of awaruite has been documented. The Company has optioned out an 80% interest on certain mineral claims within the Hard Nickel 4 and Nickel 100 exploration project, to Surge Battery Metals Inc. (TSXV:NILI). The transaction is subject to Exchange approval.

The Company has entered into an Option Agreement to acquire a 100% interest, subject to a 2% NSR, in 6 mineral claims (Funk claims) located approximately 15 km west of Mt Sydney Williams near Fort St James, BC.

The Company also entered into an option agreement whereby the Company may earn an undivided 100% interest in the Klone Group of mineral claims (1,400 ha) adjoining the property of FPX Nickel Corp (TSXV:FPX) located 100km northwest of Fort St. James BC in the Omineca Mining division.

The Company has also entered an option

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Robert Setter"

Robert Setter, President & CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements which include, but are not limited to, comments that involve future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Except for statements of historical facts, comments that address resource potential, upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt and security of mineral property titles, availability of funds, and others are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may vary materially from those statements. General business conditions are factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from forward-looking statements.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1665501/Nickel_Rock_Resources.jpg

Nickel Rock Resources Inc.

1220  789 West Pender Street



Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1H2

604- 428-5690

www.nickelrockresources.com

[email protected]

SOURCE Nickel Rock Resources Inc.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A congressionally mandated council that received input from Nourish for Caregivers delivered recommendations on how to better support family caregivers. The recommendations include a call for culturally-appropriate resources, financial and workplace security, and expanded home and community-based services, congregational care, among other actions.

The RAISE (Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage) Family Caregiving Advisory Council comprised of family caregivers, healthcare experts and others  developed the recommendations after a two-year, multifaceted effort with support and input from Nourish for Caregivers. The recommendations fall under five goals, which include:

Increasing awareness of family caregivers to increase public understanding of the contributions caregivers make, including helping individuals self-identify as caregivers so that they can get the support they need.

to increase public understanding of the contributions caregivers make, including helping individuals self-identify as caregivers so that they can get the support they need. Engaging family caregivers as partners in healthcare and long-term services and support to better integrate family caregivers into healthcare processes and systems.

to better integrate family caregivers into healthcare processes and systems. Improving access to services and support for family caregivers including counseling, respite care, peer support, training on common in-home medical tasks, and practical assistance like transportation. Also included is a recommendation for strengthening the paid caregiver workforce.

including counseling, respite care, peer support, training on common in-home medical tasks, and practical assistance like transportation. Also included is a recommendation for strengthening the paid caregiver workforce. Supporting financial and workplace security for family caregivers to decrease the impact family caregiving can have on the financial well-being and professional lives of caregivers.

to decrease the impact family caregiving can have on the financial well-being and professional lives of caregivers. Generating research, data, and evidence-informed practices to help create policies and interventions that meaningfully help family caregivers.

According to AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 Report, about 53 million people provide a broad range of assistance to support the health, quality of life, and independence of someone close to them each year. An estimated one in six individuals are family caregivers today, and more than two-thirds of people will need assistance with tasks as they age.

Nourish for Caregivers was invited to provide input on this critical topic because of its unique and innovative programs which support caregivers in faith communities across the country. Nourish equips churches with a structured, faith-based curriculum to address the practical, emotional and spiritual needs of caregivers. The program works! In those faith communities where caregivers are supported through Nourish for Caregivers, 97% of participants report their stress level reduced, 93% of all participants find reconnection and support from others, and 97% say their faith and prayer life is improved.

"Family caregivers provide support to a host of individuals, from the ever-growing number of older adults to people with intellectual, mobility and developmental disabilities. Now more than ever, caregivers are needed, and the recommendations of the RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council is a call-to-action with tangible ways to support them," said Kelly Johnson, Co-Founder, Nourish for Caregivers.

"Tens of millions of people living in the United States either care for or are cared for by a family member. These caregivers provide a tremendous amount of unpaid work that comes with personal sacrifice, physical and emotional impacts, as well as spiritual depletion. It's about time we give family caregivers the tools and resources so they can care for their loved ones with dignity and in a way that meets their unique needs," added Deb Kelsey-Davis, Co-Founder, Nourish for Caregivers.

The council's recommendations serve as the foundation of the forthcoming National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers. The strategy will drive increased recognition and support for family caregivers by proposing specific actions that can be taken at the federal and state levels, by local communities, philanthropic organizations and educational bodies, as well as healthcare and long-term services providers. The strategy will provide a roadmap for the nation to strengthen its support and recognition of the critical role family caregivers of all ages play in healthcare and long-term support systems.

The council was established as part of the RAISE Act (Recognizing, Assisting, Including, Supporting, and Engaging Family Caregivers), which passed Congress in 2018.

In addition to the participation and support of Nourish for Caregivers, The John A. Hartford Foundation and the National Academy for State Health Policy provided support for the RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council with resources, technical assistance, and policy analysis.

About Nourish for Caregivers

Nourish for Caregivers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to support and empower caregivers through the gift of faith. In a sea of materials and programs for caregivers, few focus on the whole person and most lack the key element of faith. Nourish for Caregivers is the first of its kind, providing an effective faith-centered program to minister to the practical, emotional and spiritual needs of caregivers. The Nourish for Caregivers program is found in over 80 faith communities across the U.S. and extending into Canada. Nourish also recently launched its healthcare model to address the crisis among health professionals and paraprofessionals and support their practical, emotional and spiritual needs. For more information, visit www.nourishforcaregivers.com.

About the RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council

The Family Caregiving Advisory Council (the Council) was established by the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act and convened for the first time in August 2019. The Council includes representation by federal agencies and 15 voting members, including family caregivers; older adults who need long-term services and supports; individuals with disabilities; health care and social service providers; providers of long-term services and supports; employers; paraprofessional workers; state local officials; accreditation bodies; veterans; and as appropriate, other experts and advocacy organizations engaged in family caregiving. The Council is charged with providing recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on effective models of both family caregiving and support to family caregivers, as well as improving coordination across federal government programs. For more information, visit www.acl.gov/RAISE.

Nourish For CaregiversTM

www.nourishforcaregivers.com

SOURCE Nourish for Caregivers
SAN MATEO, Calif., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NetSTAR , the global leader in OEM integrated solutions for URL, IP Address, and web application categorization and threat intelligence, today is pleased to announce the global release of its next-generation URL categorization and reputation technology, inCompass . New to this major release of inCompass is the value added ability for NetSTAR's OEM partners to address categorization of encrypted traffic and retrieve categorization, threat intelligence and key metadata from that encrypted traffic.

"This next-generation offering is about providing our partners added value and future-proof URL and web categorization from the rise of encrypted traffic," said Daniel Ashby, Senior Vice President of Global Business Development at NetSTAR. "inCompass already provides OEMs the market's most granular, accurate and robust URL categorization solution. Now we have taken it to another level to address the steady rise of encrypted traffic, in many cases over 95% of all traffic on the Internet, while maintaining our industry leading performance and minimal foot-print."

Since 2001, inCompass technology has been embedded into the products and services of more than 260 OEM partners ranging from hardware and software vendors, mobile operators, security solution vendors, and adtech companies. Backed with industry-leading internet categorization technology and telemetry data from over 1.4B endpoints worldwide, inCompass has analyzed and categorized over 36 billion URLs at the domain, path, and page-level in over 200 languages.

NetSTAR's next-generation inCompass is available immediately on a global basis to all existing and future OEM partners. Interested parties should contact us for more information.

OEM Market-Leading URL Categorization and Reputation Scoring Solution Now Incorporates Threat Intelligence and Key Metadata for Encrypted Traffic

CONTACT:

Thomas Ashby

6506003850

[email protected]

SOURCE NetSTAR
WADSWORTH, Ohio, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hardware and software advisor Palitto Consulting Services (PCS) is marking a major milestone this year when they celebrate their 25th anniversary. The company, which has always been headquartered in Northeast Ohio, helps businesses choose and implement the right technology solutions for their needs.

PCS has grown extensively over the years both in number of employees as well as client services. They currently employ nearly 50 team members and have served clients in 46 states and 10 countries. "Our success is a direct result of the work of our people, as well as the trust our clients put in us every day," says PCS founder and CEO Bryon Palitto. "Our business may be technology, but  from day one  we've always been about serving the needs of people. We are very grateful for the many relationships we've built over the years  many of those have been with us for much of our history."

With a focus on serving the needs of the small- to mid-sized business community, PCS is using this year's anniversary as a springboard for the future. Their goal is to continually grow in their ability to help their existing and new clients with an ever-changing and challenging technology landscape. They are also planning a special client appreciation event on November 30 at the Galaxy Banquet Center. All clients, as well as members of the community, are invited to attend the open house between 3 and 5:30 p.m. RSVP by calling PCS. Light refreshments will be provided.

About Palitto Consulting

Founded in 1996, Palitto Consulting Services (PCS) is a proven leader in helping businesses make intelligent use of technology. The company works directly with small- to mid-sized companies to understand their technology needs and capabilities, how they are currently utilizing technology, and how technology can play an integral role in helping them to better achieve their business goals.

To learn more, visit www.palittoconsulting.com

Contact:

Jenna Gasser

Palitto Consulting Services

330.335.7271

SOURCE Palitto Consulting Services

Related Links

https://www.palittoconsulting.com


SANDUSKY, Ohio, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PAO Group, Inc. (USOTC: PAOG) today revealed the company has been working on the development of CBD products for pets and could have its first product ready to introduce before the end of the year.

The pet products market is estimated at over $100 billion per year.

Last year, the company acquired intellectual property derived through research into CBD extracted in association with a patented extraction method (U.S. Patent No. 9,199,960). PAOG is developing both pharmaceutical and nutraceutical treatments for humans based on this intellectual property. Today, for the first time, the company revealed it is also developing CBD products for pets.

On Monday of this week, PAOG announced the launch of its first CBD nutraceutical product, RelaxRX CBD, a sleep aid.

The company plans to launch its second CBD nutraceutical product on Thursday this week, October 21st, 2021.

PAOG is on track to realize its first revenue this year, starting in Q4 2021, since acquiring the extraction technology.

PAOG has confirmed shipping its first and second CBD nutraceutical product to its distribution partner, North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc. (USOTC: USMJ). The product will soon be for sale online at www.USMJ.com.

PAOG expects revenue to grow rapidly following its first and second CBD nutraceutical product launches as the company has follow on products lined up to follow these products adding to overall sales potential.

Learn more about USMJ's ecommerce site at www.usmj.com.

Learn more about PAOG at www.paogroupinc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications, which may arise, could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The Company undertakes no duty to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Contact Us:

Jim DiPrima

(888) 979-2675

[email protected]

SOURCE PAO Group, Inc.
ATLANTA and ERIE, Pa., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Parallel (the "Company"), one of the largest privately-held multi-state medical marijuana operators in the United States (U.S.), announced today the launch of their second goodblend branded retail location in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in Erie, located on the south shore of Lake Erie, marking the Company's 45th retail location in the U.S. Its goodblend brand is a new medical marijuana cultivator, processor, and retailer in Pennsylvania with an initial license to open four additional retail stores across the Commonwealth for a total of six locations. Parallel also has vertical cannabis operations in Florida, Massachusetts and Texas.

The goodblend store opening marks Erie's second medical marijuana dispensary to serve the medical needs of patients in this city. The dispensary is located at 2178 W. 38th St., Erie, PA 16508. Operating hours will be Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT. Patients who are registered in Pennsylvania will be able to begin purchasing medical marijuana products come 9:00 a.m. EDT on October 23, 2021. The Erie opening follows the recent announcement of the launch of the first goodblend retail location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in July.

"We are proud that goodblend is the second location in Erie to be able to meet the needs of medical patients with a wide variety of medical marijuana products and knowledgeable guides on-site. We welcome patients to come visit us for an assortment of high-quality products in a comfortable dispensary environment that will make them want to come back for more," said Elizabeth (Liz) Conway, Regional President, Parallel and goodblend Pennsylvania.

Medical Marijuana Dispensary Opening in Erie

WHAT: Official opening of the goodblend medical marijuana dispensary; second in Erie

WHERE: 2178 W. 38th St., Erie, Pennsylvania

WHEN: Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. EDT

WHY: Opportunity for medical marijuana patients to explore our variety of high-quality product offerings, learn more about medical marijuana and connect with our knowledgeable guides on-site.

Note: goodblend intends to follow all relevant COVID-19 safety protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees and customers.

Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Market

Pennsylvania, with almost 13 million residents, is the sixth most populous state in the U.S. The Commonwealth's Medical Marijuana Program today has 367,925 active registered patients, with 127 dispensaries currently open in the state, as of August 2021.

Goodblend will provide registered medical marijuana patients in Erie with a notable array of high-quality locally curated products that will be available for patients to explore and purchase both in-store and online. To learn more about goodblend, its store locations, product offerings including oils, topical forms and dry leaf, as well as how to order online, visit pa.goodblend.com.

About goodblend Pennsylvania

goodblend Pennsylvania, a retail brand of Parallel, is one of eight vertically integrated Clinical Registrants in the Commonwealth and was granted a license in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in August 2020. In addition to opening the retail facilities in Pittsburgh and Erie, goodblend intends to continue to invest in building a cultivation facility. The goodblend brand reflects Parallel's intent to lead the way to the future of medical marijuana by providing its customers with a trusted, consistent, and seamless way for them to connect and learn, and to access innovative, high-quality medical marijuana products in a variety of form factors. The brand is about welcoming every type of customer and being an approachable source of products and information to support our customers' well-being. The ethos of goodblend is based on Parallel's commitment to compliance, quality, innovation, and to be a great employer and local community partner, as well as its actions to improve diversity, inclusivity, and economic empowerment in the medical marijuana industry. To learn more about goodblend, visit pa.goodblend.com or on Facebook and Twitter.

About Parallel

Parallel is one of the largest privately-held, vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis companies in the United States with a mission to pioneer well-being and improve the quality of life through cannabinoids. Parallel has ongoing operations in five medical and adult-use markets under the retail brands of Surterra Wellness in Florida; goodblend in Texas and in Pennsylvania; New England Treatment Access (NETA) in Massachusetts, and a joint venture with Cookies retail brand in Nevada. It will add a sixth market upon the pending regulatory approval of the planned acquisition of six Windy City Cannabis licenses in Illinois. Parallel has a diverse portfolio of high quality, proprietary and licensed consumer brands and products including Surterra Wellness, Coral Reefer, Float and Heights offered through its retail wholesale business. Parallel operates approximately 50 locations nationwide, including 44 retail stores, and cultivation and manufacturing sites. Through its wholly-owned Parallel Biosciences subsidiary, it conducts advanced cannabis science and R&D for new product development in its facilities in Massachusetts, Florida, Texas and a facility in Budapest, Hungary through an exclusive license and partnership. Parallel follows rigorous operations and business practices to ensure the quality, safety, consistency, and efficacy of its products and is building its business by following strong values and putting the well-being of its customers and employees first. Find more information at www.liveparallel.com, or on Instagram and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Parallel

Related Links

www.liveparallel.com


ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PathO 3 Gen Solutions and Splashblocker, LLC provide leading technology to healthcare facilities throughout the U.S. Continuing to engage in best practices for infection prevention prior to hospitalizations is important to both the patient and caregivers for protection from Healthcare-Acquired Infections (HAIs).

The CDC estimates that, in U.S. hospitals alone, HAIs account for an estimated 99,000 deaths

PathO3Gen Solutions and Splashblocker, LLC provide leading technology to healthcare facilities throughout the U.S. Tweet this

each year, with a dramatic increase of infections (on average 36%) in 2020 4th quarter alone. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other drug-resistant germs are more common in hospital settings.

Five Things to Look For Prior to Hospitalization:

Protecting Yourself from HAIs

#1. Does the hospital look and smell clean? A clean hospital is a safer hospital.

A University of Arizona study found the average shoe carries 421,000 colony-forming units of bacteria. The transfer rate of bacteria from shoes to tiles was 90% to 99%.

study found the average shoe carries 421,000 colony-forming units of bacteria. The transfer rate of bacteria from shoes to tiles was 90% to 99%. These bacteria rapidly transfer to high-touch surfaces.

Bacteria, viruses, and fungi from infected people and toilet flush plumes can be aerosolized and inhaled.

#2. Is PPE (personal protective equipment) readily available and being used properly? Look for:

Gloves

Gowns/aprons

Head coverings

Masks/respirators

Goggles/face shields

Shoe Sanitizing Stations/Toilet Flush Protection/Shoe Covers

#3. Is there a Designated Patient Advocate/Safety Officer?

Some organizations fully commit to safety by designating a dedicated patient advocate/safety officer who promotes action through training staff and implementing proven measures.

#4. Are caregivers washing their hands thoroughly?

If possible, ask caregivers to wash their hands in your presence.

#5. Are innovative technologies utilized?

Proven Biosecurity technologies add an additional layer of protection:

PathO 3 Gen Solutions UVZone Shoe Disinfection Technology

uses a multi-patented combination of Ozone (O3) + UVC light to disinfect shoe soles and reduce the microbial load of indoor environments. Proven to be on average 110x more effective against common disease-causing microorganisms, and over 24x more effective at eliminating coronavirus 229E (the surrogate standard for testing efficacy against SARS-CoV-2), than UVC alone; it eliminates up to 99.999% of common pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, and left zero (0) coronavirus residue on footwear. The UVZone Shoe Sanitizing Station is easily used with any footwear or shoe cover and plugs into a standard outlet. TUV SUD Certified | CE Marked | EPA Registered | ISO 9001 Certified Manufacturer | Made in the USA

About PathO3Gen Solutions

PathO 3 Gen Solutions' sole mission is to create cleaner and safer environments. The privately held Florida-based company holds multiple patents on its technology and equipment.

Splashblocker LLC

Bacteria and dangerous drugs can become aerosolized when toilets are flushed. Splashblocker protects patients and staff by sealing the toilet bowl which blocks toilet plume thereby preventing contaminants from aerosolization.

Splashblocker is committed to improving the safety of patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers by protecting them from pathogen-contaminated toilet plume aerosols created by flushing lidless toilets. Splashblocker was invented by an oncology nurse to lower the risk of exposure to the pathogen and chemotherapeutically-tainted waste that nurses and caregivers are regularly exposed to through direct skin contact and inhalation, resulting in illness and/or infection.

SOURCE PathO3Gen Solutions

Related Links

https://patho3gen.com/


HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters announced they will be endorsing Josh Shapiro for Governor. Shapiro currently serves as the Pennsylvania Attorney General.

"Josh Shapiro has proven himself to be a champion for working families and has earned the support of workers," said Bill Hamilton, President of the Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters. "Josh stands with the Teamsters and we're proud to stand with him as the next Governor of the Keystone State."

During his two terms as Attorney General, Josh Shapiro has made protecting Pennsylvania workers his top priority. He created the first-ever Fair Labor Section of the Office of Attorney General to combat wage theft, tip stealing, misclassification and similar unlawful actions in the workplace. Shapiro also prosecuted the largest prevailing wage criminal case on record  in Pennsylvania or in the United States  and successfully secured restitution for the Central Pennsylvania Teamsters Retirement Income Plan in a case against Citibank after they were found to have committed fraud.

"It's an honor to stand with the Teamsters, and every one of Pennsylvania's unions," said Shapiro.

The Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters represents over 90,000 hardworking men and women in a wide variety of industries throughout the Keystone State. For more information, go to http://www.pacfteamsters.com/.

Contact:

Tim O'Neill, (610) 908-6289

[email protected]

SOURCE Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters
GLENDALE, Calif., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Marketing automation platform Phonexa has hired Amanda Farris as its new Director of Strategic Partnerships.

Farris will be tasked with identifying integration partnerships and engaging a larger network of tech partners in order to strategically fuel the next stage of growth for the all-in-one marketing suite for calls, leads, clicks, email, SMS, accounting, and more. The hiring of Farris is designed to increase the reach of Phonexa's platform and its products while providing an expanded network of features for its clients and users.

Amanda Farris

Phonexa's Partnership Program helps agencies, entrepreneurs, and current customers open the door to even more possibilities and revenue along with exclusive dual-sided rewards, benefits, and premium discounts.

"Phonexa has seen a tremendous amount of growth this year, and as our business continues to trend upward, so do the influential individuals like Amanda who help lead them," said Phonexa CEO Lilit Davtyan. "Amanda is an experienced industry leader who's fostered an extensive network. Her experience in the affiliate marketing, tech and non-profit industries gives her the perfect set of tools to help grow Phonexa's Partnership Program. We're excited to have her join the company and be a contributing factor in further growing Phonexa into an industry leader."

Farris brings a wealth of experience in SaaS, digital marketing, tech infrastructure, architecture and design to her new role. She was formerly the Vice President of Business Development for LeadsPedia and served as a chairperson for the youth organization Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee.

"I'm happy for this new opportunity as Director of Strategic Partnerships for Phonexa and to grow with a rapidly expanding team with such a creative vision for the future," said Farris. "I see partnerships as the avenue to exponentially increase Phonexa's brand presence and reach while also focusing on the development of our internal culture. I look forward to a bright future with the company and bridging together all of our departments to further maintain Phonexa's position at the forefront."

Farris earned her master's degree in mass communications from Middle Tennessee State University and bachelor degree in communication arts from Reinhardt University. She was born in Atlanta and will be working from Nashville.

Farris will be attending LeadsCon beginning on Oct. 21 in Las Vegas and Affiliate Summit West from Nov. 2 to 4 in Las Vegas. To schedule a meeting with Farris, email [email protected] .

For more information about Farris, connect with her on LinkedIn .

Contact:

Manouk Akopyan

818-800-0000

[email protected]

SOURCE Phonexa
While Virginia may rank 11th nationally in terms of installed solar capacity, growth has largely come from utility-scale projects across the state. However, the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which passed the legislature in March 2020, will jump-start over 16 gigawatts of new solar development, including new distributed generation and community solar.

The neighboring towns of Hurt and Altavista are among the first in the state to experience direct benefits of new solar development through the partnership between Pivot Energy and Clean Footprint as they will host the initial eight solar projects. Local leaders in both communities eagerly anticipate the wide range of possibilities renewable energy will bring to their communities, including new jobs and guaranteed land lease revenue for decades to come.

"We are very excited about these upcoming solar projects as they are the first step toward the Town of Hurt going completely green. We are confident that becoming a green community will attract a lot of businesses, especially those in the tech industry since they are typically interested in supporting clean energy," said Hurt's mayor Gary Hodnett.

Altavista will also reap the benefits of solar energy in their community. Not only will the projects provide clean, renewable energy to businesses and households, they will also provide local landowners with stable monthly income for hosting projects on unused portions of their land.

"I'm glad that our land can go toward a good cause. I know we have some environmental problems, and the idea of supplying clean energy to the town of Altavista intrigues me," said local Altavista landowner, farmer, and Vietnam veteran Ralph English.

Pivot Energy and Clean Footprint are thrilled to collaborate on bringing the benefits of solar energy, resiliency planning, economic development, and jobs to these communities. Clean Footprint is leading early-stage development of the solar projects while Pivot Energy will finance, own, and operate the portfolio over the long term.

"Pivot Energy is a well-respected B-Corporation that was founded on strong commitments to both people and the planet. Their values align very closely with ours, which makes them the perfect partner for us to work with, especially in community-oriented towns like Hurt and Altavista that also stand to benefit tremendously from the economic impact of solar energy," said Clean Footprint CEO John Porter.

"Clean Footprint's leadership consistently delivers on doing the right thing and making a positive economic and environmental impact. They prioritize the needs of the local community and put personal relationships front and center, while also continuing to drive the development of more renewable energy. The natural synergies between Pivot Energy and Clean Footprint makes projects like these really special," said Pivot Energy's Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Matt Preskenis.

Both Clean Footprint and Pivot Energy see the Hurt and Altavista projects as an important start to a lasting partnership that has the potential to bring tremendous value to additional towns across Virginia and the broader Mid-Atlantic.

About Pivot Energy

Pivot Energy is a national solar provider that develops, finances, builds, owns, and manages solar and storage energy projects. Pivot offers a distributed energy platform that includes a range of services and software aimed at serving the full solar ecosystem. Pivot operates on a triple bottom line basis, measuring success by the positive impact on people, the planet, and profit. Learn more at pivotenergy.net

About Clean Footprint

Through the extensive background of our management team, Clean Footprint has positioned itself as a leader in the origination and development of solar projects. Our Team, their collective experience, and years of industry knowledge enables Clean Footprint to offer our financial partners solutions that are reliable, cost effective, and sustainable. Learn more at clean-footprint.com

Contact Information

David Ganske

DG+ for Pivot Energy

[email protected]

(424) 209-2394



SOURCE Pivot Energy
SECAUCUS, N.J. and IRVING, Texas and BOSTON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX), the nation's leading provider of diagnostic information services, today announced it has formed an agreement with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to provide COVID-19 Kindergarten through Senior (K-12) school testing services to support safer classroom learning throughout the state of Texas. Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA), through its Concentric by Ginkgo program, will provide support services, such as online reporting and site staffing, for the program through its K-12 school testing collaboration with Quest.

With thousands of schools eligible for the program throughout over 1,150 districts in Texas, Quest Diagnostics will offer COVID-19 testing services to participating public, private and charter K-12 schools for the duration of the 2021-2022 school year. Quest will perform testing using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) technologies through its major clinical laboratories in the Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan areas.

Under the state program, school administrators can elect to implement a testing program that serves students, teachers and staff through pooled testing. Schools and families do not pay for testing. Instead, an Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) ReOpening Schools Grant, through a collaboration among the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and DSHS will cover the costs.

"Quest Diagnostics' expertise in COVID-19 testing can help kids and teachers learn more safely throughout Texas in person this school year," said Chad Richards, Vice President and General Manager, Southwest Region, Quest Diagnostics. "Testing is critical to containing COVID-19's spread and creating safer environments for all of us. We applaud the state of Texas for recognizing the value of testing for children, faculty and staff, and look forward to bringing our high quality and convenient testing capabilities to participating schools in the program."

A national leader in COVID-19 testing for patients and healthcare providers, Quest Diagnostics has deepened its K-12 school testing presence in recent weeks, directly and with collaborators. Quest was named one of the laboratory providers for Ginkgo's recently announced agreement to provide COVID-19 testing in K-12 schools across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania during the 2021-2022 school year. Quest Diagnostics also provides K-12 school testing in over 20 states nationwide.

"Our collaboration with Quest Diagnostics and Ginkgo Bioworks is meaningful because our COVID-19 testing practices are now supported by leaders in the healthcare industry," said Lonnie Morgan, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at ResponsiveEd, which is implementing pooled testing across all 85 of its schools in Texas. "By working together, our students, educators, and families have more peace of mind and our classrooms become better places for learning.

"It's a privilege for us to join with Quest Diagnostics and to work alongside educators and public health leaders across Texas to help keep kids in class and COVID out with this program," said Matt McKnight, Chief Commercial Officer at Ginkgo Bioworks and head of Concentric by Ginkgo. "Testing programs like this provide schools with the freedom and flexibility they need to interrupt chains of transmission and reduce disruption to all the incredibly important activities that happen in school communities every day."

Quest is a major healthcare services provider in Texas, and has approximately 4,200 employees across the state.

About Pooled Testing

Pooled testing, which combines specimens (typically nasal swabs) from all consenting individuals in a classroom and runs them as a single test, can significantly increase testing capacity and lower the cost of testing programs. Quest provides pooled testing for schools and other institutions using high quality, validated PCR grade laboratory tests. Pooled testing is a strategy that builds on many measures undertaken by schools and public health systems, including vaccination (for individuals 12 years of age and older), symptom screening, physical distancing and facilities improvements, masks/face coverings, hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment and monitoring of return to school after illness.

For more information, visit ConcentricByGinkgo.com and QuestBacktoClass.com.

This project is supported by the National Testing Action Program (NTAP) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $10B with 100 percent funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the HHS Coordination Hubs. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by the CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit DSHS.Texas.gov.

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics empowers people to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from the world's largest database of clinical lab results, our diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve health care management. Quest annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our nearly 50,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives. www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

About Ginkgo Bioworks

Ginkgo is building a platform to enable customers to program cells as easily as we can program computers. The company's platform is enabling biotechnology applications across diverse markets, from food and agriculture to industrial chemicals to pharmaceuticals. Ginkgo has also actively supported a number of COVID-19 response efforts, including K-12 pooled testing, vaccine manufacturing optimization and therapeutics discovery. For more information, visit www.ginkgobioworks.com.

Forward-Looking Statements (Gingko Bioworks)

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the provision of certain K-12 COVID-19 testing services. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "potential," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) the effect of the business combination with Soaring Eagle Acquisition Corp. ("Soaring Eagle") on Ginkgo's business relationships, performance, and business generally, (ii) risks that the business combination disrupts current plans of Ginkgo and potential difficulties in Ginkgo's employee retention, (iii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Ginkgo related to its business combination with Soaring Eagle, (iv) volatility in the price of Ginkgo's securities now that it is a public company due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Ginkgo plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Ginkgo's business and changes in the combined capital structure, (v) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the business combination, and identify and realize additional opportunities, and (vi) the risk of downturns in demand for products using synthetic biology. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of Ginkgo's current report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on September 20, 2021 and other documents filed by Ginkgo from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Ginkgo assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Ginkgo does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics

Related Links

www.questdiagnostics.com


JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW) Executive Vice President of Civil Space and External Affairs Mike Gold will testify on Thursday, October 21 at 10:00 am ET, before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Space and Science.

The hearing, titled "International Collaboration and Competition in Space: Oversight of NASA's Role and Programs," will examine the actions needed to promote U.S. civil and commercial space sector competitiveness, attract and maintain strong global partnerships, and preserve U.S. leadership in the wake of rising international competition. Subjects to be discussed include the importance of updating a NASA Authorization bill, the extension of the International Space Station (ISS), commercial low-Earth orbit (LEO) development, and NASA's Artemis program.

In prepared remarks, Gold expressed his gratitude to the Committee for crafting a NASA Authorization as part of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act which was adopted by the Senate stating "Now, more than ever, we need bipartisan leadership, which is why Congress passing a NASA Authorization bill is of paramount importance. It is vital for the U.S. to present a unified vision to both allies and rivals that there is strong and explicit support for the Artemis program."

Gold also highlighted the vital nature of public-private partnerships to support key technologies such as orbital assembly and manufacturing. Gold noted Redwire's capabilities in this area referencing the example of the Archinaut spacecraft, a system that will assemble itself in orbit demonstrating a critical capability to maintain American competitiveness in space. "[T]he U.S. must redouble its efforts to leverage American entrepreneurialism. A free society, grounded in the rule of law, with a diverse population, will always innovate at a greater rate than more homogeneous nations where freedoms are severely curtailed," said Gold. "In order to effectively compete with China, the Congress, NASA, the Department of Defense, and the intelligence community must all embrace public-private partnerships to an even greater degree than what is occurring today. The government must support commercial development, playing the role of both catalyst and customer for innovative technologies."

Additionally, during his testimony, Gold will describe the benefits of developing norms of behavior in space and call for the expansion of the Artemis Accords. Finally, Gold will address the need to avoid a "space station gap" by extending the ISS and supporting the development of a commercial space station.

The hearing will be chaired by Subcommittee on Space and Science Chair Sen. John Hickenlooper and Ranking Member Sen. Cynthia Lummis. In addition to Mr. Gold, other witnesses include the Hon. Jim Bridenstine, Former NASA Administrator; Mary Lynne Dittmar, Executive Vice President for Government Affairs, Axiom Space; and Dr. Patricia Sanders, Chair, NASA Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel.

For more information and to watch a livestream of the hearing, visit www.commerce.senate.gov.

About Redwire

Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW) is a leader in space infrastructure for the next generation space economy, with valuable IP for solar power generation and in-space 3D printing and manufacturing. With decades of flight heritage combined with the agile and innovative culture of a commercial space platform, Redwire is uniquely positioned to assist its customers in solving the complex challenges of future space missions. For more information, please visit www.redwirespace.com.

CONTACTS:

For Redwire:

Media Contact:

Tere Riley

[email protected]

321-831-0134

Investors:

Michael Shannon

[email protected]

SOURCE Redwire
WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Rhea Space Activity (RSA) has been selected by the United States Air Force (USAF) AFWERX program for a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award to continue its effort in the development of an enhanced Lunar Intelligence (LUNINT) Dashboard in support of Space Domain Awareness (SDA).

The award marks an essential next-step for RSA's SDA program. During its recently completed Phase I effort, RSA worked directly with the United States Space Force (USSF) to identify potential national security issues emerging from hard-to-predict cislunar trajectories entering the Earth's geostationary belt. Throughout this next Phase II effort, RSA will further develop critical capabilities that will directly inform operational SDA needs.

The term "cislunar" refers to the area of space between the Earth and the Moon.

"This Phase II effort will build upon the completed Phase I to develop the scientific and engineering infrastructure needed to inform operational SDA needs in cislunar space," said Shawn Usman, RSA's Founder. "Incorporating full visibility and awareness into the U.S government is critical when it comes to monitoring spacecraft entering the geostationary belt via cislunar trajectories."

Purdue University and Saber Astronautics are assisting RSA in this endeavor. Purdue University leads the identification of spacecraft trajectories influenced by "three-body" and "n-body dynamics," and Saber Astronautics develops software for visualizing the space environment. Together, the elements devised by RSA, Saber and Purdue comprise the "LUNINT Dashboard."

Dr. Kathleen Howell, Distinguished Professor in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue University, said, "We have designed multi-body trajectories for NASA missions, and are excited to develop trajectories that aid the USSF in monitoring cislunar space. Purdue has a rich history in supporting U.S. missions in all sectors, commercial and government, and particularly lunar missions. We are excited to contribute to the U.S. military's role in the cislunar domain."

These new capabilities will also have valuable applications to the commercial space economy. Market-leading space investors SpaceFund have co-invested with the US government in this endeavor ahead of what SpaceFund believes will be significant and rapid growth in the cislunar and geostationary markets in the coming years. SpaceFund is a direct backer of RSA.

"We have invested in RSA, and in LUNINT, because we see a significant need for this technology as the 'NewSpace' sector sets its sights on deep space," said Meagan Crawford, managing partner of SpaceFund. "Beyond its immediate defense applications, this capability is essential to support the next giant leap forward as commercial companies move further out into the universe."

About Rhea Space Activity

Rhea Space Activity (RSA) is an astrophysics company that ideates and creates high-risk/high-reward research and development concepts to support U.S. national security objectives. RSA has developed various technologies in the fields of infrared satellites, directed energy, artificial intelligence, Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), astro-particle physics, small satellites, cis-lunar operations, intelligence collection, autonomous underwater vehicles, and for the F35 Lightening II.

For more information, please visit www.rheaspaceactivity.com

About Saber Astronautics

Saber Astronautics' mission is the democratization of space, reducing barriers to space flight, and making space as easy as driving a car. Incorporated in 2008, Saber Astronautics provides space operations, mission design services, and related software. Saber has R&D laboratories and mission control centers in the USA and Australia, being a trusted supplier to traditional space and government customers, as well as NewSpace entrants worldwide.

For more information, please visit www.saberastro.com

About Purdue University

Purdue University has 25 American astronauts among its alumni, and has been associated with 13 Nobel Prizes. The graduates of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics have made significant contributions to the aerospace field and have held positions of high responsibility in government and private industry. Professor Kathleen Howell is actively researching innovative spacecraft trajectory concepts and efficient design tools for analysis and implementation. In support of such plans, current research efforts focus on spacecraft navigation and maneuver requirements, and mission planning, both in the neighborhood of the Earth and in interplanetary space.

For more information, please visit engineering.purdue.edu/AAE

SOURCE Rhea Space Activity
MIAMI, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Adventurers seeking to travel far and wide can now set off on a world tour of their own. Royal Caribbean International is raising the bar for world cruises with the debut of the inaugural Ultimate World Cruise, an epic 274-night adventure that visits all seven continents, more than 150 destinations in 65 countries and 11 great wonders of the world. This rich, immersive experience on Serenade of the Seas is the longest and most comprehensive world cruise out there, sailing roundtrip from Miami on Dec. 10, 2023 and through Sept. 10, 2024. Bookings for the full Ultimate World Cruise can be made by phone starting today, with an exclusive one-week window through Oct. 26 for Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society Diamond status members and above.

Adventurers seeking to travel far and wide can set off on Serenade of the Seas for a world tour on Royal Caribbean Internationals first-ever Ultimate World Cruise. Sailing from Miami on Dec. 10, 2023, the farthest-reaching cruise invites travelers to visit 11 wonders of the world and 150-plus destinations in 65 countries on all seven continents. Adventurers seeking to travel far and wide can set off on Serenade of the Seas for a world tour on Royal Caribbean Internationals first-ever Ultimate World Cruise. Sailing from Miami on Dec. 10, 2023, the farthest-reaching cruise invites travelers to visit 11 wonders of the world and 150-plus destinations in 65 countries on all seven continents Adventurers seeking to travel far and wide can set off on Serenade of the Seas for a world tour on Royal Caribbean Internationals first-ever Ultimate World Cruise. Sailing from Miami on Dec. 10, 2023, the farthest-reaching cruise invites travelers to visit 11 wonders of the world and 150-plus destinations in 65 countries on all seven continents.

Travelers will sail to 57 destinations new to the cruise line and exclusive to the cruise itself. Highlights include Casablanca, Morocco; Qaqortoq, Greenland; and Shimizu, Japan  the gateway to Mount Fuji. Guests can delve deep into many of the world's breathtaking wonders, from Peru's Machu Picchu to the Taj Mahal in India, and experience distinct cultures and picturesque shores at every corner of the world all in one spectacular adventure  only on Royal Caribbean.

"This is the world cruise of world cruises," said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International "Now more than ever, people have resolved to travel the world and make up for lost time. Royal Caribbean is making that a reality with the ultimate vacation that welcomes those seeking adventure and exploration to taste, dance and dream with us around the world. To travelers asking themselves where they should go next, we say everywhere."

Guests ready to traverse the world can book the full Ultimate World Cruise today or choose from any of the four expeditions that will offer a wide range of destinations as soon as December 2021  the Americas, Asia-Pacific, the Mediterranean and Northern Europe:

Round the Horn: Americas and Antarctica Expedition

Dec. 10, 2023 - Feb. 11, 2024  Three continents, 36 destinations, four wonders



The once-in-a-lifetime journey begins in Miami , the cruise capital of the world, and sets course for postcard-perfect Caribbean destinations  like the ABC islands ( Aruba , Bonaire and Curacao )  before heading to glacier-studded Antarctica and around Cape Horn. Travelers can take in four of the world's stunning wonders along the way in Central and South America , including Chichen Itza in Cozumel, Mexico ; the largest art deco sculpture in the world, Christ the Redeemer , in Rio de Janeiro  where they'll celebrate New Year's Eve  and the largest waterfall system on the planet, Iguazu Falls near Buenos Aires, Argentina . One of the most iconic symbols of ancient Inca civilization and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu , awaits in Peru , while sunshine and glamour will welcome guests in Los Angeles .



The once-in-a-lifetime journey begins in , the cruise capital of the world, and sets course for postcard-perfect destinations  like the ABC islands ( , and )  before heading to glacier-studded and around Cape Horn. Travelers can take in four of the world's stunning wonders along the way in Central and , including in ; the largest art deco sculpture in the world, , in Rio de Janeiro  where they'll celebrate New Year's Eve  and the largest waterfall system on the planet, near . One of the most iconic symbols of ancient Inca civilization and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, , awaits in , while sunshine and glamour will welcome guests in . Wonders of Asia and the Pacific Expedition

Feb. 11 - May 9, 2024  Three continents, 40 destinations, three wonders



Guests will venture miles from the ordinary in Oceania, Asia and beyond on the cruise's next showstopping leg. They can discover the beauty and adventure throughout the Hawaiian Islands' world-renowned mountainous landscapes and black sand beaches before sailing south to Moorea and Tahiti, French Polynesia , for sapphire blue skies and crystal-clear waters. The thrills continue with an exploration of New Zealand , before a deep-dive into Australia's Great Barrier Reef  the only living thing on the planet that's visible from space. Pristine natural beauty in Bali, Indonesia , is soon followed by two of the most iconic manmade world wonders, the Great Wall of China and India's Taj Mahal , and gems of the South Pacific  from Vietnam to Malaysia . Rounding out the expedition are endless possibilities in Japan , with unparalleled culture in Tokyo , street food in Osaka and the tropical beaches of Okinawa .



Guests will venture miles from the ordinary in Oceania, and beyond on the cruise's next showstopping leg. They can discover the beauty and adventure throughout the Hawaiian Islands' world-renowned mountainous landscapes and black sand beaches before sailing south to Moorea and Tahiti, , for sapphire blue skies and crystal-clear waters. The thrills continue with an exploration of , before a deep-dive into  the only living thing on the planet that's visible from space. Pristine natural beauty in , is soon followed by two of the most iconic manmade world wonders, the and , and gems of the South Pacific  from to . Rounding out the expedition are endless possibilities in , with unparalleled culture in , street food in and the tropical beaches of . Middle East Treasures and Marvels of the Med Expedition

May 9 - July 10, 2024  Three continents, 44 destinations, four wonders



This expedition begins in glamorous Dubai, United Arab Emirates , and brings many of history's greatest mysteries, myths and legends to life. Adventurers can uncover ancient sites and more world wonders from the times of emperors and pharaohs, like Jordan's lost city of Petra , the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt , Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, Turkey , and the Colosseum in Rome . There are also less-traveled places to explore, such as Greece's Olympia , once a sanctuary site to honor Zeus and the location of the first Olympic games. The journey only continues to even more destinations known for their storied history  like Split, Croatia , and Cannes and Provence in France .



This expedition begins in glamorous , and brings many of history's greatest mysteries, myths and legends to life. Adventurers can uncover ancient sites and more world wonders from the times of emperors and pharaohs, like lost city of , the in , in Ephesus, , and the in . There are also less-traveled places to explore, such as , once a sanctuary site to honor Zeus and the location of the first Olympic games. The journey only continues to even more destinations known for their storied history  like Split, , and and Provence in . Capitals of Culture

July 10 - Sept. 10, 2024  Three continents, 40 destinations



The final leg of the Ultimate World Cruise is an immersive, cultural experience that begins in the Mediterranean and heads north. At travelers' fingertips is the opportunity to discover Barcelona's brilliant architecture, including Antoni Gaudi's famed Sagrada Familia and whimsical Park Guell , and savor new flavors across continents  such as an indulgent lunch in a Parisian bistro and a dinner of tagine and mint tea in Morocco . Museums, theaters and galleries line the streets of St. Petersburg, Russia , while larger-than-life fjords await in Norway . Guests can reflect on their epic voyage in the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland before visiting New York on their way back to Miami .

Globetrotters will explore the world in style on board Serenade, thanks to Royal Caribbean's award-winning experiences and amenities. And adventurers can stay close to the action with the ship's acres of glass, which offer panoramic views, as they cruise from one destination, continent and world wonder to the next. From start to finish, guests who book the full Ultimate World Cruise can expect a seamless, world-class travel experience that includes business class airfare, premium transportation as well as an evening of festivities and accommodations at a five-star hotel before setting sail. Plus, Crown & Anchor Society Platinum status members and above will receive a bonus Seven New World Wonders shore excursion package in addition to other perks, including a Deluxe Beverage package, VOOM Wi-Fi, laundry service and more.

Bookings for the entire Ultimate World Cruise open today for Diamond and above Crown & Anchor Society members. Guests interested in booking can call Royal Caribbean's dedicated line for the Ultimate World Cruise at 800-423-2100 (US toll free) or their travel advisor.

About Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today's adventurous traveller. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean's private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted "Best Cruise Line Overall" for 18 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers' Choice Awards.

Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

Royal Caribbean International is applying the recommendations of its Healthy Sail Panel of public health and scientific experts to provide a safer and healthier cruise vacation on all of its sailings. Health and safety protocols, regional travel restrictions and clearance to visit ports of call, are subject to change based on ongoing evaluation, public health standards, and government requirements. U.S. cruises and guests: For more information on the latest health and travel alerts, U.S. government travel advisories, please visit www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/itinerary-updates or consult travel advisories, warnings or recommendations relating to cruise travel on applicable government websites.

SOURCE Royal Caribbean International

Related Links

http://www.royalcaribbean.com


Being granted this EMI licence will give Safenetpay the freedom to promote and provide services across the EU/EEA (subject to passporting), without the need to negotiate arrangements and obtain separate licences in other member states countries. Furthermore, establishing a Danish subsidiary and obtaining a new EMI licence and will allow Safenetpay to expand its operations in Europe and provide SMEs and sole traders across the continent with smarter business solutions.

As with many UK-based FinTechs, Safenetpay was looking for European base to continue their ambitious growth plans post Brexit. Safenetpay initially considered Ireland, the Netherlands, France and Cyprus, but ultimately opted for Denmark.

Sanjar Mavlyanov, Founder and CEO, Safenetpay, says:

"We chose Denmark as our European base because it is home to one of the most thriving start-up cultures in Europe and is has one the most digitalised economies in the world. The Danish regulators encourage Entrepreneurial spirit, collaboration and the pursuit of innovative solutions to complex problems."

Safenetpay will be hiring a local team to oversee its entry into to the Danish market, with a focus on targeting domestic SMEs and sole traders before branching across Europe in the future. The team will work under the Danish subsidiary of Safenetpay, with UK operations continuing to be managed from their London headquarters.



About Safenetpay

Safenetpay Services Company Ltd is an Electronic Money Institution authorised by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority for issuing electronic money and providing payment services. Safenetpay ApS is an Electronic Money Institution authorised by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority for issuing electronic money and providing payment services.



Safenetpay provides an all-in-one payment processing, acquiring and business banking service for SMEs, sole traders and freelancers. Safenetpay offers multi-currency business accounts, international payments in over 150 currencies, card processing and merchant accounts.

For more information visit: www.safenetpay.com

Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1664895/Safenetpay_EU_EEA_Customers.mp4

SOURCE Safenetpay

Related Links

http://www.safenetpay.com


"It is no secret that the past year and a half have posed unprecedented challenges on the physical, emotional and mental well-being of our communities," said Richard Baker, Executive Chairman of Saks and President of the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation. "With this latest funding, we are well-positioned to support our nonprofit partners that are directly delivering mental health services to those in need. We are grateful to the many partners who make our efforts possible through their generous donations and look forward to continuing this important work for many years to come."

Since the Foundation's founding in 2017, Saks Fifth Avenue and the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation have donated more than $4.5 million to US mental health initiatives and reached over 6.6 million individuals with messages that combat the shame and stigma surrounding mental health struggles.

"The Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation is committed to making mental health a priority in every community," said Marc Metrick, CEO of Saks and Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation Board Member. "We are continuing to work with our nonprofit partners, focusing our funding on programs that train counselors, schools, volunteers and mentors to support the emotional health of the communities they serve. Thank you to our partners for standing with us as we work to make the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation's mission a reality."

The Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation thanks and recognizes key members of its vendor community for their significant contributions, including American Express, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, Capital One, AlixPartners, CBRE, Klarna, LiveArea, a Merkle Company, and ShopRunner.

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

Earlier this month, Saks celebrated World Mental Health Day and National Coming Out Day with a multi-faceted digital campaign in partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation nonprofit partner, The Trevor Project , the world's largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning young people.

As part of the initiative, Queer Eye star Karamo Brown and Chris Bright, Director of Public Training at The Trevor Project, hosted a virtual event on Saks Live , the retailer's digital events platform, to raise awareness of mental health issues and provide support to the LGBTQ+ community. Karamo and Chris had an honest conversation about the importance of celebrating World Mental Health Day and Coming Out Day among the LGBTQ+ community, and how The Trevor Project serves as a resource for LGBTQ+ youth struggling with mental health issues. The virtual conversation is available to watch now exclusively on Saks Live .

Additionally, the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation developed a "Mental Health at Work" guide for employees with support from another nonprofit partner, Bring Change to Mind. The guide serves as a tool to support a culture of openness and support, and provides resources and guidance for Saks employees to support their wellness, to become an ally to a colleague and to demystify paths to a conversation surrounding mental health.

ASSETS

Click here for event imagery, courtesy of BFA for Saks

*Event location must be credited as "L'Avenue at Saks"

ABOUT THE SAKS FIFTH AVENUE FOUNDATION

Launched in 2017, originally as the HBC Foundation in the United States, the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation is the charitable arm of Saks Fifth Avenue. The Foundation is committed to making mental health a priority in every community by increasing understanding, improving access to care, building protective factors and reaching communities that are uniquely affected by mental health issues. For more information about the Foundation, visit saks.com/saksfoundation .

ABOUT SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Saks Fifth Avenue is the premier destination for luxury fashion, driven by a mission to help customers express themselves through relevant and inspiring style. Since 1924, it has delivered one-of-a-kind shopping experiences, featuring an expertly curated assortment of fashion and highly personalized customer service. Saks Fifth Avenue's unique approach combines an emphasis on the digital customer experience with a strong connection to a network of 41 extraordinary stores across North America for seamless, all-channel shopping.

Shop on saks.com and the Saks app, or visit saks.com to find a store location near you.

Follow @saks on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and @thesaksman on Instagram.

CONTACT: Emma Reese, [email protected]

SOURCE Saks Fifth Avenue

Related Links

https://www.saksfifthavenue.com/


"We are extremely pleased to partner with Chart for this very exciting project," said Jeremy Nelson, VP Operations. Tweet this

This award supports Saulsbury's longstanding reputation as a premier EPC provider and one of the leaders for delivering quality projects to the renewable and environmental markets.

"We are extremely pleased to partner with Chart for this very exciting project," said Jeremy Nelson, VP Operations. "This award further solidifies our position in the hydrogen space and establishes Saulsbury's EPC services in this emerging US market. We are excited to further demonstrate the value we provide as we enhance our resume in hydrogen liquefaction."

About Saulsbury Industries

Saulsbury Industries is a full-service engineering, procurement, fabrication, and construction company that specializes in building the infrastructure necessary to fuel the future. Saulsbury serves its clients in heavy industrial markets by designing and building safe, well executed, capital-efficient projects nationwide. Headquartered in Odessa, Texas, the company's national office footprint includes Dallas, Houston, Port Arthur, Henderson, Abilene, Pecos, and Corpus Christi, TX; Carlsbad, NM; Tulsa, OK; and Bismarck, ND. For more information, please visit www.saulsbury.com and follow Saulsbury on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

About Chart Industries, Inc.

Chart Industries, Inc. is a leading independent global manufacturer of highly engineered equipment servicing multiple applications in the energy and industrial gas markets. The company's unique product portfolio is used in every phase of the liquid gas supply chain, including upfront engineering, service and repair. Being at the forefront of the clean energy transition, Chart is a leading provider of technology, equipment and services related to liquefied natural gas, hydrogen, biogas and CO2 Capture amongst other applications. Chart is committed to excellence in environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues both for its company as well as its customers. With over 25 global locations from the United States to Asia, Australia, India, Europe and South America, the company maintains accountability and transparency to its team members, suppliers, customers and communities. To learn more, visit www.chartindustries.com

SOURCE Saulsbury Industries

Related Links

https://www.saulsbury.com/


HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorneys working with The Amistad Project presented arguments before the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania today contending that Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam drastically exceeded her authority by issuing a statewide mask mandate for all schools without promulgating a regulation empowering her to do so.

"This is another example of government abuse of police powers, which has been rampant throughout the pandemic," said Phill Kline, director of The Amistad Project. "Local school districts, in consultation with parents, should be the ones making these sorts of decisions, not an appointed bureaucrat acting at the behest of a governor whose own emergency powers were summarily stripped by voters in response to exactly this sort of overreach."

"The law is very clear that the secretary must rely on existing rules and regulations for authority to implement control measures in response to communicable diseases," said Tom King, lead attorney for Dillon, McCandless, King, Coulter, & Graham LLP. "The government has had more than enough time to implement such regulations since the start of the pandemic, but it has elected not to do so. Instead of going through the process of accepting public input, Acting Secretary Beam unilaterally claimed virtually unlimited authority to make up any rules she pleases."

Judges repeatedly pressed the government's counsel about this argument, at one point asserting that the department's mandate "meets all the criteria of what is a regulation."

The mandate was issued shortly after the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year after most Pennsylvania school districts elected not to impose universal masking policies. The order was issued by the Department of Health because a voter-approved constitutional amendment passed in the spring restraining the governor's ability to issue emergency orders without legislative input.

"There is no rule or regulation authorizing the mandating of face covers, in schools or otherwise," said Amistad Project attorney Tom Breth. "School districts made their choices, and Acting Secretary Beam didn't like their choices, so she took it upon herself to overrule them."

For more information about The Amistad Project, please visit www.theamistadproject.org.

SOURCE Amistad Project

Related Links

http://www.theamistadproject.org


"We are very pleased with the preliminary results of this Phase 2 study, which demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in relevant endpoints, including time to clinical symptoms recovery and normalization of clinical signs. We believe Silmitasertib in its significant potential in treating COVID-19, both as antiviral and anti-inflammatory agent," said Tai-Sen Soong, Chief Executive Officer of Senhwa Biosciences.

"With the current therapeutic options available are infused and require access to healthcare facility, treatments that can be taken at home are critically needed. We are very encouraged by the results from this study and hope Silmitasertib can make a profound impact in controlling the pandemic," said Dr. Chris Recknor, who led the trial at the Center for Advanced Research and Education (CARE) in Gainesville, Georgia.

The efficacy and safety of Silmitasertib was evaluated in a randomized, open-label, 2 arm parallel-group controlled interventional prospective phase 2 study conducted in two sites in the US. Participants were randomized if they had signs or symptoms of moderate COVID-19 and a positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR or equivalent testing. 20 participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive 1,000 mg BID oral dose Silmitasertib in addition to SOC/best supportive care or SOC/best supportive care alone for 14 days. During the study, no patients on the Silmitasertib arm received concomitant COVID-19 therapies.

Currently, Senhwa Biosciences is the only Taiwanese based company to demonstrate human efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 with its investigational anti-COVID-19 therapy. Silmitasertib targets host cell protein, Casein Kinase 2, and this unique and strategic clinical approach is expected to be effective against the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Complete safety and efficacy data will be presented after completion of this Phase 2 study.

Trial Design:

This open-label, randomized, 2 arm parallel-group controlled, interventional prospective study is evaluating the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of Silmitasertib 1,000 mg BID oral dose in patients diagnosed with moderate COVID-19. The trial also seeks to compare time to clinical recovery and other indicators to demonstrate clinical benefit across the treatment groups.

Efficacy Endpoints:

In the Intent to Treat (ITT) population, Silmitasertib showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 133% faster time in recovery of COVID-19-related clinical symptoms (Median: 6 days vs 14 days, p=0.0167, one-sided Type-1 error 0.20), 114% faster in time to reach EQ-5D-5L Q6  90% versus SOC/best supportive care (Median: 14 days vs 30 days, p=0.1835, one-sided Type-1 error 0.20) and 57% faster in time to normalization of COVID-19-related clinical signs versus SOC/best supportive care (Median: 7 days vs 11 days, p=0.0557, one-sided Type-1 error 0.20).

Safety Endpoint:

Silmitasertib was well tolerated with a good safety profile. No SAEs related to Silmitasertib treatment group were observed.

Silmitasertib and SOC/Best Supportive Care:

The efficacy and safety of Silmitasertib was evaluated in a randomized, open-label, 2 arm parallel-group controlled interventional prospective phase II study conducted in two sites in the US. Participants were randomized if they had signs or symptoms of moderate COVID-19 and a positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR or equivalent testing. 20 participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive 1,000 mg BID oral dose Silmitasertib in addition to SOC/best supportive care or SOC/best supportive care alone for 14 days. During the study, the standard of care included treatment with dexamethasone and/or other therapies under an Emergency Use Authorization. No patients on the Silmitasertib arm received concomitant COVID-19 therapies.

Regulatory Discussions and Further Study:

We will be providing the safety and efficacy data of this phase II study to the US National Institute of Health (NIH) for further evaluation under the Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines (ACTIV) Program. The ACTIV public-private partnership has evaluated hundreds of available therapeutic agents with potential application for COVID-19, prioritized the most promising candidates, designed and harmonized adaptive master protocols for ACTIV clinical trials, and selected numerous NIH-supported networks to launch these clinical trials to test prioritized therapeutic candidates.

The Company will also seek funding from The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority of the US Department of Health and Human Services (BARDA) and other agencies to fund the estimated amount of commercial drug to supply the needs of the US population, assuming confirmatory positive clinical results and FDA approval.

About Silmitasertib

Silmitasertib is a first-in-class small molecule drug that targets the CK2 pathway and acts as a CK2-inhibitor. It is safe and well-tolerated in humans. In addition to COVID-19, Silmitasertib is currently under development in several oncology programs in adults and children with recurrent/advanced or metastatic cancer. To date, three Phase I trials and one Phase II trial of Silmitasertib in cancer patients have been completed; currently, there are two ongoing Phase II studies of Silmitasertib. US FDA granted Silmitasertib key drug designations, an Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of Cholangiocarcinoma in December 2016, a Rare Pediatric Disease Drug Designation for the treatment of Medulloblastoma in July 2020, and an eIND for the treatment of a patient with severe COVID-19 in August 2020. All clinical trial data belongs to Senhwa Biosciences and IIT studies do not preclude licensing and partnership opportunities.

About Senhwa Bioscience

Senhwa Biosciences, Inc. is a leading clinical-stage biotechnology company focusing on developing first-in-class, next-generation DNA Damage Response therapeutics for patients with unmet medical needs in oncology. Headquartered in Taiwan, with an operational base in San Diego, California, Senhwa is well-positioned to oversee the development of its compounds.

Development is currently focused on two lead products Silmitasertib (CX-4945) and Pidnarulex (CX-5461) with novel mechanisms of action and for multiple indications. Clinical trials are currently ongoing in Australia, Canada, United States, Korea and Taiwan.

Visit Senhwa Biosciences website for more details: www.senhwabio.com

SOURCE Senhwa Biosciences, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.senhwabio.com


In particular, 'Medical Tourism Live Consultation' will be held for times this year for the first time in a local government. At the conference, medical team form Gangnam partner hospital will consult with local celebrities in CIS (Commonwealth of Independent Sates), including Russia, about the procedure and demonstrate the treatment through video.

In addition, 24 medical tourism creators and foreign power influencers will make promotional content related to this event to promote the excellence of Gangnam medical tourism to the world.

Also, while supporting the production of customized promotional video for partner organization, special lecture on the topic of 'Hospital Marketing in the Post-covid19 Era' will be held on 7th.

More information can be found on the '2021 Gangnam Medical Tourism' official website (https://medicaltour.gangnam.go.kr/festa.do).

The website is available in English, Chinese, Japanese versions in order to help foreigners find information easily.

SOURCE Gangnam-Gu Office
BREA, Calif., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Service Champions Group, a thriving U.S. Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning services business continues to grow its southwestern U.S. presence, announcing today that it has agreed to acquire both Howard Air and Scottsdale Air Heating & Cooling, two premium HVAC companies in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. Howard Air in Phoenix is a second generation, family-owned business serving the Valley of the Sun for over forty years, originally founded in 1977, by William Howard. In 1993, William Howard turned the business over to his son Kevin Howard who continued to grow the organization for nearly three decades. Scottsdale Air has been a Paradise Valley institution since 1947. Current owner, Michael Cross, began as an apprentice in 1986 and quickly worked his way to the top, becoming the owner in 1989. Both companies specialize in HVAC repairs, maintenance and installation with in-house engineers and automated fabrication shops that can design, fabricate, and install everything from the most basic to the most sophisticated solutions. Service Champions is a portfolio company of Odyssey Investment Partners.

"The Phoenix area is very important to us, and we are thrilled to be able to acquire two businesses that expand Service Champions position as a leading provider to more homes in a thriving southwestern marketplace," said Leland Smith, Founder and CEO of Service Champions. "Howard Air and Scottsdale Air are fantastic businesses in an attractive and growing market. The entire Howard family has worked tirelessly to build a business that is as well-known for its extensive capabilities as it is for the outstanding customer service it provides. Scottsdale Air, led by Michael Cross, delivers a genuine, heartfelt, honest and exemplary customer experience. For more than 70 years this company has perfected its processes and systems and takes tremendous pride in the highest level of service, safety and professionalism. These are two companies that demonstrate integrity and a strong commitment to ethics in all that they do," Smith continued. "It is with great pride that we announce partnerships that enable us to continue to grow our footprint in the southwest and carry on with the tradition of excellence set forward by both companies."

At the helm of the Howard Air leadership team is second generation owner and President, Kevin Howard. "We are excited to join the Service Champions Group at this stage of our development. We expect the combination of core-competencies and cultures to create better opportunities for our customers and employees. We are proud to join Service Champions, a company that shares the values my father founded this company on, and together we plan to continue to fulfill our promises and build trust with customers for many years to come," said Howard.

Michael Cross, Owner at Scottsdale Air is equally enthusiastic. "We have been proud stewards of providing the best HVAC services in Phoenix Metro for decades and know Service Champions is the right partner to guide our incredible company into the next chapter," said Cross. This acquisition will infuse Scottsdale Air with the resources and support needed for the company and its talented team to grow. I am honored to join the Service Champions family of businesses and look forward to seeing what great things lie ahead."

"This has been a remarkable year for us," said Service Champions' CFO, Daniel Hamm. "We continue to be focused on strategic growth, by partnering with fantastic businesses at a pace that allows us to service more communities and their residents to the high standards we have established. Acquiring of Howard Air and Scottsdale Air enables Service Champions to further solidify our strength in Phoenix Metro, creating a very strong presence with significant capabilities to further expand our footprint across the United States."

Service Champions' COO, Frank DiMarco is confident the latest acquisition by the distinguished home services industry leader will contribute significantly to the company's plan for national expansion. "With the acquisitions of Howard Air and Scottsdale Air in addition to those of Hobaica and ProSkill Services, our capabilities to service the steady demands of the Phoenix Metropolitan area have quadrupled. These are all best in class, top-rated companies in their markets. We continue to prospect and search for companies like Howard Air and Scottsdale Air that exist throughout the United States. Companies with a shared purpose of delivering exceptional, customized, quality service with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee," said DiMarco.

About Service Champions Group

Based in Orange County, CA, Service Champions is a leading provider of essential home services specializing in heating, air conditioning and plumbing services. With the mission to maintain long term relationships with its customers, Service Champions is dedicated to delivering timely, high-quality services across a comprehensive suite of HVAC and plumbing products. Service Champions goes to market with several trade names including: Service Champions, Bell Brothers, Moore Home Services, ASI, Adeedo!, ProSkill Services, Sierra Air, Hobaica, HELP, Swan Heating & Air Conditioning, and Timo's Air Conditioning & Heating. For more information, please visit https://partnerships.servicechampions.com.

About Odyssey Investment Partners

Odyssey Investment Partners, with offices in New York and Los Angeles, is a leading private equity investment firm with more than a 25-year history of partnering with skilled managers to transform middle-market companies into more efficient and diversified businesses with strong growth profiles. Odyssey makes majority-controlled investments in industries with a long-term positive outlook and favorable secular trends. For further information about Odyssey, please visit www.odysseyinvestment.com.

M&A Contact: Daniel Hamm, CFO

E: [email protected]

Media Contact: Dana Rosenberg

E: [email protected]

P: 310. 702. 1539

SOURCE Service Champions Plumbing, Heating & AC

Related Links

https://servicechampions.com/


Finally, though, on Oct. 18, hospital leadership and community members came together to formally celebrate the start of construction of the new hospital in Plant City. The new hospital is located off Exit 22 of Interstate-4, east of the intersection of E. Sam Allen Road and North Park Road in a highly visible, high growth area less than four miles from the current location. An 85,000 square-foot medical office building will also be at the new site.

The event featured hospital president Karen Kerr, BayCare Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Glenn Waters, St. Joseph's Baptist Board of Directors Chairman Ralph Garcia and South Florida Baptist's Medical Board Chairman Dr. Juli Jeffrey, along with Plant City Mayor Rick Lott and hospital trustee chair Dub McGinnes.

Kerr highlighted changes the current structure has undergone and the need for a new facility.

"As our community continues to grow, we need to do the same. But we've run out of room at our current site. And that's why we're here today," Karen said. "Our new hospital will feature 146 private rooms with the ability to expand. The new building will have 26 ICU beds and a 30-bed emergency department. We're also adding four interventional/cardiac Cath suites and an 8-bed surgery center. It gives us room to add medical office space for outpatient lab services, physician offices, rehab and wound care services, among others."

The shovel that was used in the hospital's first groundbreaking in 1947 was used in today's special event. McGiness noted that the original hospital was built as a result of community support, and that the hospital's partnership with BayCare led to expansion and growth.

"In 1997, South Florida Baptist Hospital joined BayCare and since that time, millions of dollars has been spent on the facility and equipment upgrades. As a result, our hospital has flourished and is the largest employer in the city. So our hospital has an incredible history and an even brighter future," said McGiness.

Mayor Rick Lott highlighted the importance of the hospital to Plant City.

"This hospital brings life into our city and guides along life's journey," he noted. "It's always there for us, even in the hardest moments of our lives. We want to thank you for your dedication. The endurance you have shown in the last two years shows our community the strength of your character. The citizens are excited and thankful for the investment into our city."

The original South Florida Baptist Hospital opened in 1953 and has undergone 12 major additions, renovations and expansions since then. The first addition was in 1969 with a three-story hospital wing and most recent was in 2017 with the expansion of the Heart and Vascular Center.

Construction is underway for the new hospital building, which is expected to be complete in early 2024. The groundbreaking, attended by about 200 people, was streamed live on Facebook, and can be seen on the South Florida Baptist Hospital's Facebook page.

Construction is underway for the hospital and is being handled by Orlando-based Barton Malow.

NEW HOSPITAL FAST FACTS:

Two six-story towers. New hospital will have six floors.

New hospital will have 420,000 square feet. By comparison, the current South Florida Baptist Hospital is 250,000 square feet. The new hospital is nearly twice the size of the current hospital.

146 Inpatient/Observation private hospital rooms. All rooms in new hospital will be private rooms.

Future expansion to 176 rooms

26 ICU Beds

30-bed emergency department

4 Interventional/Cardiac Catheterization suites

8-bed surgery center

Labor & Delivery includes C-section room

15-bed Mother & Baby Unit

Nearly 800 team members and more than 250 physicians will work at the new facility

MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING FAST FACTS:

Three floors

85,000 square feet

Physician offices

Administrative offices

Includes outpatient services for: laboratory, imaging, adult rehabilitation, wound and hyperbaric center, infusion center

About South Florida Baptist Hospital

Since 1953, South Florida Baptist Hospital has served Plant City and surrounding areas as a not-for-profit community hospital. The progressive, acute care facility offers a full range of diagnostic, rehabilitative, surgical, therapeutic and women's services, including obstetrics. South Florida Baptist Hospital is part of the BayCare Health System, a family of health care providers consisting of the 15 leading not-for-profit hospitals in the Tampa Bay region.

About BayCare Health System

BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 15 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. Inpatient and outpatient services include acute care, primary care, imaging, laboratory, behavioral health, home care, and wellness. Our mission is to improve the health of all we serve through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care. For more information, visit www.BayCare.org.

SOURCE BayCare Health System

Related Links

http://www.baycare.org


LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- 3 Mavins', South Florida's newest craft beer sensation, has been selected as the exclusive craft beer at Junior Achievement of South Florida's prestigious 'Ultimate Night Out' sold-out fundraiser event at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL. Junior Achievement is a national non-profit dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for the future and make smart academic and economic choices.

3 Mavins' is an American Style Lager brewed in Lakeland, Florida. The company was founded with the same entrepreneurial principles that Junior Achievement aims to inspire in the youth of today. 3 Mavins' was born out of the idea that simple clean ingredients should take precedence over the infinite supply of craft beers that are either too fruity, sour, bitter or hoppy for the average beer consumer. The American Style Lager with notes of honey, agave nectar, and maple syrup, is the perfect refreshment to pair with meals and share with friends and family to celebrate happy occasions.

"I'm a big believer in experiential learning and fascinated with business innovation," said Kevin Thomas, CEO of 3 Mavins'. "Partnering with Junior Achievement on this exciting event and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs aligns perfectly with our company's mission."

3 Mavins' also believes in giving back to its loyal consumer base and supporting the community at large. Each month the company selects a different inspiring charity to support. Beer drinkers can participate by scanning a special QR code on each can of 3 Mavins' and one lucky beer drinker will be selected to receive a $120 e-gift card. Additionally, 3 Mavins' will make a donation of 3% of that month's profits to the winner's charity of choice. Beer drinkers also can earn the chance to win an exotic, two-week vacation anywhere in the world valued at $10,000 by downloading the 3 Mavins' app found at Apple or Android app stores and scanning the QR code on the can for a chance to win.

"This company has an inspiring story to tell," said Robyn Harper, Junior Achievement of South Florida Development and Events Director. "We are thrilled to have 3 Mavins' at our event. Kevin & his team will not only share their great beer but also some secrets on how education and hard work can turn a great idea into a reality."

3 Mavins' currently has an American Style Lager varietal packaged in a sleek black can that stands out at retail. It has a honey and caramel aroma profile with lite bitterness, sweet and savory character and a clean finish. Each six-pack retails for $9.99 and every 12 oz lager has 188 calories and an ABV of 6.2%. You can find it at The Fresh Market supermarkets and fine restaurants and bars throughout the state of Florida. Visit www.3mavins.com/find-us for a location carrying 3 Mavins' near you.

About 3 Mavins'

South Florida-based craft beer 3 Mavins' was created in an apartment kitchen in Lauderdale Lakes, FL in 2019 and now is commercially produced in Lakeland, Florida. The "Mavin" name comes from a combination of the founders names: Kevin, Maja and their dog Windy. Kevin and Maja have tasted beer in more than 40 countries and applied their knowledge and refined tastes to 3 Mavins' American Style Lager. Mavin is a derivative spelling of Maven -- defined as one who is experienced or knowledgeable and known as an expert. The American Style Lager caters to regular beer drinkers who like to enjoy a fine, simple beer with friends & family. For more information on South Florida's newest craft beer sensation, please go to www.3mavins.com and follow us on Instagram @3mavinsbeer.

About Junior Achievement of South Florida

Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) inspires and prepares youth to succeed in a global economy. JA provides real-world training in financial literacy including budgeting, spending, investing and the use of credit; offers cutting-edge skill-building opportunities that enable young people to explore meaningful, productive careers; teaches students how to start businesses; and introduces entrepreneurial values that strengthen workplaces. Last year, with the help of over 7,100 trained corporate and community volunteers, JA delivered over 20 various programs to almost 50,000 students in classrooms throughout Broward and south Palm Beach counties at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion, a first-class facility housing JA Biz Town and JA Finance Park. For more information about JA of South Florida, visit www.JASouthFlorida.org. Follow JA on social media @jasouthflorida.

SOURCE 3 Mavins'

Related Links

http://www.3mavins.com


DETROIT, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

Pilot to run through first quarter of 2022

Thirteen businesses to participate in pilot, representing geographic diversity and a range of disciplines and commodities

Post pilot, program will develop more than 2.9 million Black businesses for future contracting and procurement opportunities and success in a post-pandemic economy

Stellantis and the National Business League (NBL) today commenced their pilot of the groundbreaking National Black Supplier Development Program.



The pilot, which will run through the first quarter of 2022, is the initial phase of a larger program to develop Black suppliers for future contracting and procurement opportunities in pursuit of greater racial equity in the marketplace.



"The Stellantis-National Business League Black Supplier Development Program is an idea whose time has come," said Mark Stewart, COO, Stellantis North America, during a kick-off event at the company's Conner Event Center in Detroit. "An idea that addresses the need to take direct, decisive and intentional action to bring economic opportunity to communities that have been denied equal access to the marketplace for far too long. To confirm, in a very intentional way, that our ability to realize the full promise of our country is to ensure that its economic systems are open to all, equally."



The Stellantis-NBL National Black Supplier Development Program will support the development of more than 2.9 million Black businesses around the country and internationally for future opportunities within the federal government, and public and private sectors.



The 13 Black-owned businesses selected for the pilot program represent geographic diversity, and a range of disciplines and commodities.



"Equitable access to both international and domestic opportunities by Black businesses is fundamentally important to the future of our economy and opportunities available to Black people and communities," said Marvin Washington, Director of Electrical & Electronics Purchasing, Stellantis North America, who will also serve as National Co-Lead for the program. "This historic leadership by Stellantis and the National Business League will become a model for other Fortune 500 companies to embrace."



About 95% of Black-owned businesses today are mainly solopreneurs  home-based, one-employee enterprises  or are considered micro-businesses. Of these, fewer than 3% are minority or agency certified, and most do not have the capacity, scope and scale to meet the demands of future contracting and procurement opportunities with Fortune 500 companies and the federal government.



In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected Black businesses nationally, and an estimated 40% of Black-owned businesses closed permanently in 2020, according to CBS News, while the digital divide has created a systemic barrier to entry into the marketplace among Black businesses.



"As national trade associations pivot toward a post-COVID-19 economy, the National Business League is launching this critical program to achieve economic equity and justice for Black communities and millions of Black businesses, fulfilling the organization's 121-year-old legacy, founded by Booker T. Washington in 1900," said Dr. Kenneth Harris, president and CEO, NBL. "It is vital that corporate leaders take decisive and measurable steps outside of empty promises and platitudes to bring about commerce-driven activity in Black communities that have been historically denied access to economic opportunities for far too long."



The online virtual procurement and contracting marketplace is expected to realize 20-30% of the untapped business potential of Black suppliers. The goal is to create sustainable Black businesses that will impact the local and global economies, creating jobs through entrepreneurship and growing the number of Black businesses of all sizes.

Meet the Companies

ACE Petroleum

Owner and CEO: Moses J. Shepard

National gasoline provider, Detroit

ACE Petroleum is a leading minority-owned national gasoline provider that serves federal, municipal and privately held businesses. As part of an industry whose primary purpose is to achieve prosperity while maintaining integrity, the company keeps an eye on big U.S. cities and clientele who can help it expand on its already excellent achievements. ACE Petroleum remains a front-runner, thanks to a seasoned logistics team with more than 35 years of expertise, a fleet of 452 available delivery trucks and a passion for entrepreneurship. Adding more companies to ACE Petroleum's family of successful operations produces exponential resultsour success is your success.

Assured Quality Systems

Co-founder and CEO: Brittany Stovall

Co-founder and COO: Paulina Sandoval

Manufacturing support services, Dallas

Assured Quality System provides manufacturing's premier partners with quality, productivity and technology solutions. Corrective and preventative action on nonconforming parts, inventory control, sequencing/kitting management and engineering staff support are all included in our services.

Coltrane Logistics & Trucking

CEO: Adam B. Claytor

Logistics and trucking provider, Wixom, Michigan

Coltrane Logistics & Trucking is a North American asset-based and third-party logistics (3PL) company that provides best-in-class services. Full truckloads, less than truckloads and expedited freight are our specialties. We aim to form long-term, high-quality and dependable relationships with all of our customers.

Devon Industrial Group (DIG)

CEO and President: David Burnley

Co-CEO and General Manager: Stephanie Burnley

Construction management, Detroit

Devon Industrial Group (DIG) is a minority-owned construction management firm. Clients all over the world benefit from the company's unique, forward-thinking construction management. Since 1998, we continue to offer our clients safe, high-quality and cost-effective solutions.

Dunamis Clean Energy Partners, LLC

CEO and Founder: Natalie King

Clean energy lighting and EV charger manufacturer, Detroit

Dunamis Clean Energy Partners, LLC, a woman-owned MBE certified full-service leader in the commercial and industrial cleaning, lighting and electric car charging industries, was established in 2012. For our customers in the manufacturing, government and healthcare industries, we specialize in reducing energy costs. We believe in ethical business methods, treating our employees with respect, giving back to the community, safeguarding the environment and providing the level of service that our customers expect.

GS3 Global

CEO and Founder: Lisa Lunsford

CNC metal bending and assembling, Livonia, Michigan

GS3 is a Tier 1 metal-former that specializes in CNC metal bending and assembling. GS3 was founded in 2010 by Lisa Lunsford and Robert Gruschow with the goal of bringing manufacturing and design together to create innovative solutions. Mobility is our primary business. Our products and services, on the other hand, are used in a variety of industries, including renewable energy, traditional energy, food and furniture, to mention a few.

ISIAH International and One World Pharma

Chairman and CEO: Isiah Thomas

Sustainable hemp and cannabis solutions, Chicago

Isiah Thomas, Chairman and CEO of ISIAH International and Vice Chairman and CEO of One World Pharma (the Companies), leads these ESG businesses that use sustainable hemp and cannabis solutions to achieve their objectives. The Companies not only operate in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), but they also address a majority of the 17 UNSDGs individually.

Multi-Training Systems (MTS)

CEO and Co-founder: Donna Murray Charles

Diversity, equity and inclusion strategies, Southfield, Michigan

Multi-Training Systems (MTS) specializes in helping organizations achieve their goals and drive meaningful change by creating workplaces that are diverse, equitable and inclusive. MTS strategic solutions enable organizations to sustain a workplace and marketplace that actively foster fairness, respect, dignity, equality and caring. Our diversity, equity and inclusion, and leadership training and consulting services address the challenge of sustainability through a best practices combination of strong content, self-awareness, accountability, action tools and measurement. This proven DEI engagement model includes a strategic and collaborative approach that touches all facets and programs within the organization while aligning with organizational practices, policies and programs.

Russell Westbrook Enterprises

Founder: Russell Westbrook

Digital marketing, Los Angeles

Russell Westbrook Enterprises (Digital) - RWD is a prominent programmatic solutions provider that uses proprietary data and optimization technologies to build a meaningful interaction between consumers and marketers, both online and offline. RWD's unified cross-device profiles (2 billion unique profiles globally) and leading third-party data sources allow us to deliver greater results for our clients across all programmatic channels. CPM, vCPM, dCPM, CPA, CPI, CPCV, Guaranteed Demo, and more flexible pricing options are available.

Ryan Industries, Inc. (RII)

President and Founder: Brenda Ryan

Packing and crating services, Wixom, Michigan

Brenda Ryan founded Ryan Industries, Inc. (RII) in 1995 as a leading provider of warehousing, contract packaging, kitting, light assembly, supply chain management and distribution services. RII has two facilities in Michigan, one in Wixom and the other in Novi, totaling over 200,000 square feet. We work with both automotive and non-automotive customers, and are EDI enabled. Ryan Industries is an MBE and WBE certified company that is also ISO 9001:2015 certified.

Simontic Composite Inc.

President and CEO: Dr. Simon Senibi

Composite manufacturing, Greensboro, North Carolina

Composites innovators for the next generation. 3D braided and woven composites, complex shape high-temperature carbon-carbon composites and fire-resistant core materials are among the company's specialties. We design and build composite structures for aerospace, military, marine, automotive, infrastructure, transit, biomedical and niche market applications.

TEN35

Managing Partner and COO: Sherman Wright

Marketing and advertising, Chicago

We are a diverse collection of curious, creative thinkers = "supreme hyphenates"  a company who navigates multiple spheres professionally, socially and culturally. Not only do we understand how to connect with culturally curious audiences, we live it. TEN35 promotes growth for our people and partners by nurturing, championing and rewarding innovation, and a never-ending desire for culture. Cultural consulting, strategic planning, research, integrated communication, crisis management, production, digital, social, influencer strategy and experiential marketing are just a few of the services we provide.

TKT & Associates, Inc.

President: Kimberly L. Bunton

Staffing/managed services provider, Louisville, Kentucky

TKT & Associates, Inc. is a full-service diversity and workforce development agency that works with Fortune 500 companies to help them achieve their diversity goals in their supply chain and workforce.

National Business League

The National Business League, which was founded on August 23, 1900, by the legendary Booker T. Washington, is the first and largest nonprofit, non-partisan and non-sectarian Black business and professional trade association. The NBL, celebrating a 120-year legacy, has more than 120,000 members nationwide and 125 plus Fortune 500 Corporate Partners, with regional offices in Atlanta, GA, Detroit, MI, Los Angeles, CA, and Washington, D.C., as well as more than 367 local league chapters across the country. The organization provides access to 2.6 million Black businesses throughout the United States. Visit www.nationalbusinessleague.org, Twitter @theNBL1900, Instagram @NBL1900, and Facebook @theNBL1900.

Stellantis

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) is one of the world's leading automakers and a mobility provider, guided by a clear vision to offer freedom of movement with distinctive, affordable and reliable mobility solutions. In addition to the Group's rich heritage and broad geographic presence, its greatest strengths lie in its sustainable performance, depth of experience and the wide-ranging talents of employees working around the globe. Stellantis will leverage its broad and iconic brand portfolio, which was founded by visionaries who infused the brands with passion and a competitive spirit that speaks to employees and customers alike. Stellantis aspires to become the greatest, not the biggest, while creating added value for all stakeholders, as well as the communities in which it operates.

Follow company news and video on:

Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Company website: www.stellantis.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/Stellantis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StellantisNA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellantisna

Twitter: @StellantisNA

YouTube: http://youtube.com/StellantisNA

SOURCE Stellantis

Related Links

http://www.stellantis.com


HOUSTON, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stellus Capital Investment Corporation (NYSE: SCM) will release its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021 on Thursday, October 28, 2021, after the close of the stock market.

Stellus Capital Investment Corporation will host a conference call to discuss these results on Friday, October 29, 2021, at 10:00 AM, Central Daylight Time. The conference call will be led by Robert T. Ladd, Chief Executive Officer, and W. Todd Huskinson, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary.

Conference Call Details

Via Phone: Dial 800-353-6461 (domestic). Use passcode 1557192. Starting approximately twenty-four hours after the conclusion of the call, a replay will be available through Saturday, November 6, 2021 by dialing (888) 203-1112 and entering passcode 1557192.

Via Live Webcast: Connect via the Public Company (SCIC) section of our website at www.stelluscapital.com, under the Events tab. A replay of the conference will be available on our website for approximately 90 days.

About Stellus Capital Investment Corporation

The Company is an externally-managed, closed-end, non-diversified investment management company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company's investment objective is to maximize the total return to its stockholders in the form of current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in private middle-market companies (typically those with $5.0 million to $50.0 million of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization)) through first lien, second lien, unitranche and mezzanine debt financing, and corresponding equity investments. The Company's investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Stellus Capital Management, LLC. To learn more about Stellus Capital Investment Corporation, visit www.stelluscapital.com under the Stellus Capital Investment Corporation link.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements included herein may contain "forward-looking statements" which relate to future performance or financial condition. Statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

Contacts

Stellus Capital Investment Corporation

W. Todd Huskinson, (713) 292-5414

Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

SOURCE Stellus Capital Investment Corporation

Related Links

www.stelluscapital.com


NORTHBROOK, Ill., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stepan Company (NYSE:SCL) today reported:

On October 19, 2021, the Board of Directors of Stepan Company approved an increase of $0.030 per share, or 9.8%, on its quarterly cash dividend on its common stock. The dividend of $0.335 per share is payable on December 15, 2021, to common stockholders of record on November 30, 2021. The increase marks the 54th consecutive year in which the quarterly dividend rate on the Company's common stock has increased.

In addition, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the Company to repurchase up to $150,000,000 of its common stock.

"Today's announcement demonstrates our confidence and commitment to deliver stockholder value through a disciplined capital allocation," said F. Quinn Stepan, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Our strong balance sheet and solid cash flow generation will allow us to continue to invest in our current business, pursue strategic opportunities and return capital to our stockholders."

Under the share repurchase program, the Company is authorized to repurchase shares of common stock in the open market, privately negotiated transactions or a combination of the foregoing. The timing and amount of shares repurchased will be subject to the Company's evaluation of market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. The share repurchase program does not have an expiration date and share repurchases under the program may be commenced, suspended or discontinued from time to time without prior notice. The program authorization supersedes the Company's prior share repurchase authorization.

Corporate Profile

Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of specialty and intermediate chemicals used in a broad range of industries. Stepan is a leading merchant producer of surfactants, which are the key ingredients in consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfection products and in agricultural and oilfield solutions. The Company is also a leading supplier of polyurethane polyols used in the expanding thermal insulation market, and CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers) industries.

Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, Stepan utilizes a network of modern production facilities located in North and South America, Europe and Asia.

The Company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol SCL. For more information about Stepan Company please visit the Company online at www.stepan.com.

More information about Stepan's sustainability program can be found on the Sustainability page at www.stepan.com.

Contact: Luis E. Rojo 847-446-7500

Certain information in this news release consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include statements about Stepan Company's plans, objectives, strategies, financial performance and outlook, trends, the amount and timing of future cash distributions, prospects or future events and involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict. As a result, Stepan Company's actual financial results, performance, achievements or prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "guidance," "predict," "potential," "continue," "likely," "will," "would," "should," "illustrative" and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Stepan Company and its management based on their knowledge and understanding of the business and industry, are inherently uncertain. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and stockholders should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond Stepan Company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among other factors, the risks, uncertainties and factors described in Stepan Company's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports and exhibits to those reports, and include (but are not limited to) risks and uncertainties related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; accidents, unplanned production shutdowns or disruptions in manufacturing facilities; reduced demand due to customer product reformulations or new technologies; our inability to successfully develop or introduce new products; compliance with laws; our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates and successfully complete and integrate acquisitions; global competition; volatility of raw material and energy costs and supply; disruptions in transportation or significant changes in transportation costs; downturns in certain industries and general economic downturns; international business risks, including currency exchange rate fluctuations, legal restrictions and taxes; unfavorable resolution of litigation against us; maintaining and protecting intellectual property rights; our ability to access capital markets; global political, military, security or other instability; costs related to expansion or other capital projects; interruption or breaches of information technology systems; our ability to retain executive management and key personnel; and our debt covenants.

These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and Stepan Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Stepan Company

Related Links

http://www.stepan.com


ATLANTA, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stord, the cloud supply chain leader, announced the opening of a new warehouse in Las Vegas. The 177,238-square-foot facility will serve Stord customers in the Southwest and across Northern California and is set to bring hundreds of jobs to Nevada over the coming years.

"We are laser-focused on making the supply chain a competitive advantage for every one of our customers by combining end-to-end logistics with integrated technology and cloud-like speed and flexibility," said Sean Henry, CEO and co-founder of Stord. "Our Las Vegas facility will add much-needed warehouse capacity heading into what is widely expected to be the biggest e-commerce season ever. We are building out a hybrid logistics network to help brands of all sizes operate their supply chains with world-class efficiency."

The new Las Vegas warehouse continues recent company momentum, and in the last two months Stord has:

Announced $90 million in Series D funding, to bring total financing to $205 million

in Series D funding, to bring total financing to Achieved a valuation of $1.1 billion

Surpassed $100 million in revenue, on track to deliver its fourth consecutive year of 300%+ growth

in revenue, on track to deliver its fourth consecutive year of 300%+ growth Acquired Fulfillment Works, a leading DTC fulfillment provider

Opened a new fulfillment center and innovation hub in Atlanta

Las Vegas will be Stord's fourth first-party facility, complemented by a partner network of more than 500 warehouses to serve specialized customer needs such as one-day or same-day shipping in niche markets. Stord already has first-party warehouses in Atlanta, GA, North Haven, CT, and Reno, NV.

Brands are under immense pressure to operate efficient supply chains this holiday season with e-commerce sales expected to hit $218 billion, growing 11% to 15% over 2020's record sales. Consumer expectations, meanwhile, are at an all-time high: two out of five U.S. online customers are much more likely to buy when they know delivery dates in advance, while 70% are less likely to shop again with a retailer if they are not informed about delivery delays.

Organizations are stuck trying to meet that increased e-commerce demand through a patchwork of disconnected 3PLs that function as an inflexible, opaque and expensive logistics network. Stord helps leading brands including Advance Auto Parts, BodyArmor and Dollar General deliver cost-effective, world-class logistics with a scalable cloud supply chain. Stord connects warehousing, freight and fulfillment with intelligent supply chain software to ensure orders are delivered on time to the right location.

Like its Atlanta facility, Stord's Las Vegas warehouse plans to deploy the latest warehouse innovations, including robotics and other forms of automation, and share best practices across its entire partner network. Stord is actively hiring for several positions in the new facility, with expectations to bring hundreds of jobs across Nevada in the coming years. The Las Vegas warehouse will officially open on November 1.

To learn more about Stord's Cloud Supply Chain, visit stord.com.

About Stord

Stord is the cloud supply chain enabling companies to compete and grow with world-class logistics  including warehousing, freight and fulfillment  in a single, integrated platform that's available exactly when and where they need it. Hundreds of B2B and B2C companies like BodyArmor, Advance Auto Parts and Dollar General use Stord to make their supply chains perform with the speed, flexibility and ease of the cloud. Led by former operators from Amazon, XPO and Manhattan Associates, Stord is headquartered in Atlanta and backed by Kleiner Perkins, BOND, Founders Fund, Lux Capital, D1 Capital, Palm Tree Crew, Salesforce Ventures, Susa Ventures and Lineage Logistics.

SOURCE Stord
TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tampa General Hospital's commitment to innovation and research has earned the leading academic medical center recognition as one of Healthcare Global's Top 10 Best Smart Hospitals. Healthcare Global defines "smart hospitals" as hospitals striving for innovation and research within the health care industry demonstrated by providing specialized services and facilities, and redesigned clinical processes that lead to higher patient satisfaction.

Tampa General Hospital is one of only 10 hospitals in the world to be named to Healthcare Global's Top 10 Best Smart Hospitals and one of three hospitals in the United States to be recognized. Hospitals from across the globe were ranked, including Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, South Korea and King's College Hospital, London. Healthcare Global noted that Tampa General is ranked as the highest ranked hospital in the market by U.S. News & World Report for 2021-22 and highlighted TGH's specialization in gastroenterology, orthopedics, diabetes, ear nose and throat, and rehabilitation services.

"As part of our vision to be the safest and most innovative academic health system in America, Tampa General Hospital is honored to be included in this recognition. It is a testament to the world-class work our physicians and team members do every day as we build out an ecosystem of care centered around the patient. This strategy, similar to what Apple has done with their products, is what will continue to set us apart from others in the industry and deliver further value as an organization," said Tampa General President and CEO John Couris.

Tampa General's journey to be the safest and most innovative academic health system in America is well underway through several pioneering, patient-centered initiatives. In August 2019, Tampa General partnered with GE Healthcare to open a clinical command center. Utilizing artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to improve patient care navigation and manage costs, the cloud-based system has been instrumental in managing the impact of COVID-19. One example is the development of an early warning system to help anticipate COVID-19 hotspots in the community. Tampa General then collaborates with health systems in the area to share capacity through each surge of COVID-19 patients to aid in providing care throughout Tampa Bay.

In November 2020, Tampa General Hospital and USF Health Morsani College of Medicine announced the creation of a joint TGH-USF Health Office of Clinical Research to strengthen and expand current jointly conducted clinical trials, including translational studies that bridge laboratory discoveries to benefit patient care.

This year, Tampa General has announced two significant innovation partnerships. In June, the academic medical center formally launched a collaboration with the Florida Israel Business Accelerator (FIBA) to identify innovative technological solutions from Israel.

To spur innovation within the academic medical center, Tampa General founded TGH Innoventures in November 2020 and is transforming the future of health care through the support of early-stage startups and direct investments.

Likewise, Tampa General announced in April 2021 a partnership with Sheba Medical Center, a world-renowned university teaching hospital located near Tel Aviv, Israel with a goal to generate groundbreaking developments in health care services, education, training, and innovation.

"Artificial intelligence, digital infrastructures, data management and a constant quest for innovation provide exponential opportunities to improve the health of the patients we serve. This recognition is a testament to our team's dedication to optimizing processes and management systems for the goal of providing better patient outcomes and more efficient operations," said Scott Arnold, chief information officer, Tampa General.

Tampa General, the primary teaching hospital of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and one of the nation's largest hospitals, is the leading academic medical center on the West Coast of Florida. It is known for performing the most challenging procedures and treating the most complex illnesses.

ABOUT HEALTHCARE GLOBAL

Healthcare Global Magazine covers hospitals, hospital networks, healthcare networks and occupational health  connecting the world's largest community of healthcare executives. Healthcare Global magazine focuses on healthcare news, key healthcare interviews, healthcare videos, the 'HealthTech Podcast' series along with an ever-expanding range of focused healthcare white papers and webinars.

ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL

Tampa General Hospital, a 1,041-bed non-profit academic medical center, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News & World Report's 2021-22 Best Hospitals, and one of the top 4 hospitals in Florida, with five specialties ranking among the best programs in the United States. The academic medical center's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by two prestigious 2021 Forbes magazine rankings  America's Best Employers by State, third out of 100 Florida companies and first among health care and social organizations and 13th nationally in America's Best Employers for Women. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal 2020 provided a net community benefit worth more than $182.5 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It is one of the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant centers and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With five medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center and its 32-bed Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed Level IV neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, TGH Brandon Healthplex, TGH Virtual Health and 19 outpatient Radiology Centers. Tampa Bay residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track network of clinics, and they can even receive home visits in select areas through TGH Urgent Care at Home, powered by Fast Track. As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and open a clinical command center that uses artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org.

Media Contact: Phil Buck

Public Relations Specialist

(813) 844-4666 (direct)

(406) 370-6226 (cell)

[email protected]

SOURCE Tampa General Hospital

Related Links

http://www.tgh.org


GEORGETOWN, Ky., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AcademicInfluence.com, pioneers of the most technologically advanced ranking system for colleges and universities, announces its 2022 selections for undergraduate and graduate schools with the top online degree programs in the United States.

Top 50 undergraduate, Bachelor's degree programs: Best Online Colleges 2022

Which schools stand out for their undergraduate online degree programs? AcademicInfluence.com uses its advanced ranking technology to select the best online colleges and universities for 2022 Considering an online master's degree program but don't know where to look? With its advanced machine-learning technology powering its rankings, AcademicInfluence.com has chosen the best online grad schools for 2022

Top 50 graduate, Master's degree programs: Best Online Master's Programs 2022

The top 10 schools for online bachelor's degree programs:

University of Arizona ( Tucson, Arizona ) University of Iowa ( Iowa City, Iowa ) Arizona State University (Tempe , Arizona ) University of Missouri (Columbia , Missouri ) University of Massachusetts Amherst ( Amherst, Massachusetts ) University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa , Alabama ) University of Kentucky (Lexington , Kentucky ) University of Cincinnati ( Cincinnati, Ohio ) University of Arkansas (Fayetteville , Arkansas ) University of South Carolina (Columbia , South Carolina )

The top 10 schools for online master's degree programs:

New York University ( New York, New York ) University of Michigan (Ann Arbor , Michigan ) Duke University ( Durham, North Carolina ) University of Southern California ( Los Angeles, California ) University of Texas at Austin ( Austin, Texas ) Johns Hopkins University ( Baltimore, Maryland ) Boston University ( Boston, Massachusetts ) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ( Chapel Hill, North Carolina ) Michigan State University (East Lansing , Michigan ) University of Arizona ( Tucson, Arizona )

Click the links above to view all 50 best schools ranked for an online bachelor's and 50 best for an online master's.

Along with the listing of the online degree programs offered, each school ranked includes an entry detailing the institution's historical influence, desirability, tuition and fees, acceptance and graduation rates, student population, and median ACT/SAT scores. Links to school profiles on each entry offer additional school information.

"We at AcademicInfluence.com understand that students want college and university rankings that are more accurate, more objective, and more resistant to the whims of somebody's survey results," says Dr. Jed Macosko, academic director of AcademicInfluence.com and Wake Forest University professor of physics. "That's why we pioneered rankings that use machine learning to measure the impact of a school's faculty, staff, and alumni on the real world. This isn't playing games by manipulating stale statistics like some other higher ed rankings do. We're providing free access to groundbreaking tech that brings real, objective rankings to students so they can make truly informed choices about their ongoing education."

To be considered for the lists, schools must offer degrees that cater to a variety of interests. For the undergraduate rankings, a college or university must have at least six online degrees in at least three fields of study at the bachelor's level. For the graduate rankings, the criteria are the same, except at the master's degree level. This demonstrates a school's commitment to online learning and to making accessible learning options for more students with differing educational desires.

"Two-year or four-year, associate, bachelor's, master's, or even doctorate, AcademicInfluence.com can help you chart a degree path that suits you," says Macosko. "We offer multiple resources to students, from our College Strategist and Desirability Score to our Custom College Rankings and helpful articles on a variety of college-related topics. Visit our site and get the help you need, whatever your next educational step might be."

AcademicInfluence.com is the preeminent technology-driven academic rankings site dedicated to students, researchers, and inquirers from high school through college and beyond, offering resources that connect learners to leaders. (Visit the AcademicInfluence.com About page for further details on the capabilities and advantages of this unique ranking technology and on the people who make it possible.) AcademicInfluence.com is a part of the EducationAccess group, a family of sites dedicated to lifelong learning and personal growth.

Contact:

Jed Macosko, Ph.D.

Academic Director

AcademicInfluence.com

[email protected]

(682) 302-4945

SOURCE AcademicInfluence.com
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the ELISA (Enabling Linux in Safety Applications) Project , an open source initiative that aims to create a shared set of tools and processes to help companies build and certify Linux-based safety-critical applications and systems, announced that Red Hat has upgraded its membership to premier member and welcomes Banma, Lotus Cars and SUSE as the newest members.

Linux is used in all major industries because it can enable faster time to market for new features and take advantage of the quality of the code development processes. Launched in February 2019 by the Linux Foundation , ELISA works with Linux kernel and safety communities to agree on what should be considered when Linux is to be used in safety-critical systems.

"Linux underpins many applications today that have safety-critical and cybersecurity implications," said Kate Stewart, Vice President of Dependable Embedded Systems at The Linux Foundation. "By collaborating together, the ELISA members are defining the best practices for use of Linux in these systems. We look forward to continuing to build consensus and welcoming expertise and collaboration from these new members."

Attend the Fall Workshop

Since its inception, ELISA has hosted quarterly workshops that bring together project members and community contributors to discuss working group updates, trends in functional safety, use cases and more. The next workshop will be held virtually on November 8-10 and is free to attend. Speakers include thought leaders from Arm, Codethink, Elektrobit Automotive GmbH, Evidence Srl, Google, Intel, Mobileye, The Linux Foundation, Red Hat and UL LLC. Register and check out the schedule: https://events.linuxfoundation.org/elisa-workshop/ .

Join the New Working Groups

Since launch, the project has worked to establish a governance model that creates processes and guidance to the focused working groups that aim to provide resources for System integrators to apply and use to analyze qualitatively and quantitatively on their systems. Today, ELISA announces two new working groups:

Open Source Engineering Process Working Group : This working group aims to examine safety-related claims that we might like to make about Linux as part of a system, and to explore how we can gather and present evidence to support such claims.

This working group aims to examine safety-related claims that we might like to make about Linux as part of a system, and to explore how we can gather and present evidence to support such claims. Linux Features for Safety-Critical Systems Working Group: This working group will work to bring together kernel developers and producers of safety critical systems to demonstrate use of such features in real systems, and to learn from these experiences together as a community. Learn more about this new working group in this November Workshop session .

Learn more about the Global Ecosystem

Red Hat , which is known for its leadership in linux and open source, joined ELISA earlier this year and has been very active in the technical community. With their upgraded membership to Premier, Red Hat welcomes Gabriele Paoloni, Open Source Community Technical Leader at Red Hat, as the ELISA Project Governing Board Chair.

"Red Hat announced our intent to expand our expertise in Linux to safety-critical automotive use cases earlier this year as we work to develop a Linux in-vehicle operating system," said Francis Chow, vice president, In-Vehicle Operating System, Red Hat. "As such, we're pleased to extend our participation in ELISA as a Premier member and collaborate with other industry leaders in building up open source software for applications that require extremely high levels of trust and functional safety. We believe a standardized common set of tools and processes can drive innovation toward the software-defined vehicle. "

Additionally, ELISA welcomes Banma , a Chinese startup specializing in automotive software; Lotus Cars , a leader in automotive manufacturing in China; and SUSE , a global leader in open source software specializing in enterprise Linux, Kubernetes management, and edge solutions. These new members join ADIT, AISIN AW CO., arm, Automotive Grade Linux, BMW Car IT GmbH, Codethink, Elektrobit, Horizon Robotics, Huawei Technologies, Intel, Toyota, Kuka, Linuxtronix. Mentor, NVIDIA, Suzuki, Wind River, OTH Regensburg and Toyota.

"Compared with other open software, safety is the key differentiation of automotive OS", said Sean Xiao, Chief Architect at Banma. "The mission of Banma is to help automotive makers deliver intelligent cars by offering advanced vehicle open software. The ELISA Project combines safety and linux, which offers flexibility and openness, and closely aligns with our goals."

"For nearly 30 years, SUSE has been a trusted partner supporting systems and essential workloads in some of the most challenging and critical industries in terms of safety requirements, such as automotive and transportation, government, aerospace and defense, industrial and manufacturing, and healthcare," said Ivo Totev, SUSE COO. "We already collaborate with current ELISA members on important initiatives and are pleased to join ELISA as a formal member to continue to provide innovation in safety-critical domains."

For more information about ELISA, visit https://elisa.tech/ .

About The Linux Foundation

The Linux Foundation is the organization of choice for the world's top developers and companies to build ecosystems that accelerate open technology development and commercial adoption. Together with the worldwide open source community, it is solving the hardest technology problems by creating the largest shared technology investment in history. Founded in 2000, The Linux Foundation today provides tools, training and events to scale any open source project, which together deliver an economic impact not achievable by any one company. More information can be found at www.linuxfoundation.org .

The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see its trademark usage page: www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage . Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

Media Contact:

Maemalynn Meanor

[email protected]

SOURCE ELISA Project
CASTRO VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new research study reveals that the overwhelming majority of employees believe it's important that their company's core values align with their personal values, yet just above half of workers say they actually do align. In fact, this values alignment is so important that 52% of workers say they would quit their job  and only 1 in 4 would accept one  if company values are not consistent with their personal values. What is especially startling is the broad alignment among all employees when it comes to one core value in particular: More than 3 in 4 employees expect business in general and their employer specifically to be a force for good in society.

These are the findings of " Closing the Employee Expectations Gap: The Undeniableand PromisingNew Mandate for Business ," a new study produced by Blue Beyond Consulting and Future Workplace that has far-reaching implications for the Great Resignation, which has seen millions of workers voluntarily leaving their jobs in the last six months. Blue Beyond, a management consulting firm that builds effective organizations where both the business and the people thrive, developed the study in collaboration with human resources research firm Future Workplace.

The study's participants, which included an equal mix of knowledge workers, business leaders and HR leaders, shared clear expectationsand consequencesfor employers:

8 in 10 survey respondents overall say it's important that their company's values align with their own  but only 57% of knowledge workers say they actually do align

More than half (52%) of knowledge workers are likely to quit their job if company values do not align with their own

Only 1 in 4 knowledge workers are likely to accept a job if company values do not align with their own

More than 3 in 4 of all respondents expect their employer (76%) and business in general (77%) to be a force for good in society

That force-for-good expectation extends across demographic groups: Over 70% of all respondents from nearly every age group, region, company size, and demographic group say business in general and their employer in particular have an obligation to be a force for good in society

"Being a force for good is so much more than corporate citizenship. People want their employer to be a force for good in their livesat home and at work," said Cheryl Fields Tyler, founder and CEO of Blue Beyond Consulting. "Employees are showing they're not afraid to make a change if their employer's values don't align with their own."

The study also found that strong agreement exists between employers and employees when identifying the tangible factors that enable a workplace culture to flourish, such as effective communication (89% of all respondents), clear goals and accountabilities (88%), and leaders who serve as good role models (86%). Yet just 1 in 4 knowledge workers strongly agree that their workplace exemplifies these same key factors, marking a significant gap between expectation and achievement.

"Culture is critical to retention, and our work directly informs why 'The Great Resignation' has taken place over the past six months," added Fields Tyler. "The change in employee expectations is permanent, and business and human resources leaders must take stock of their approach to building a strong working culture to make sure they're 'walking the talk.'"

In addition to survey responses, the study incorporated learnings from interviews conducted with senior human resources and management executives at Fortune Global 500, Fortune 500 and smaller companies who represent a variety of industries, including aerospace, technology and engineering, and consumer goods, to name a few. The result is a body of work illustrating the changing employer-employee dynamic, as well as each group's perspective on walking a collective path toward a culture that serves their respective needs.

The research study also provides recommendations for companies on how to avoidor at least mitigatethe effects of the Great Resignation.

"Trust is criticalour employees are thinking, 'If I don't trust you, I don't want to be part of your organization," said Elizabeth Adefioye, Chief People Officer at Emerson, a global, diversified technology and engineering company. "Frankly, as business leaders, we have to understand we are no longer in the driver's seat. Employees can really be more vocal, more demanding and more deliberate about what they want because they can go anywhere. Their options are endless."

To learn more, visit bluebeyondconsulting.com .

About the Study

Seven hundred fifty-three people participated in this survey, conducted across the USA and Canada between July 15, 2021 and August 1, 2021. Sample included 251 business leaders, 251 HR leaders, and 251 knowledge workers around questions about employee expectations as they relate to company values, workplace culture, business as a force for good, and other societal issues.

To help inform our study and recommendations, we conducted individual interviews in April and May 2021 with business executives from Fortune Global 500, Fortune 500 and smaller companies who represent a variety of industries, including aerospace, technology and engineering, and consumer goods, to name a few. Questions focused on the role of business in society and changing employee expectations in the workplace.

About Blue Beyond Consulting

Blue Beyond Consulting builds effective organizations where both the people and the business thrive. Our interdisciplinary team brings deep capabilities in communications, culture, change, DEI, talent management, and organizational effectiveness, partnering with our clients to understand your needs and aspirations and working together to create custom solutions that deliver lasting results. Named to the Inc. 5000 list of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies in 2021 and 2020, Blue Beyond has been certified as a Great Place to Work annually since 2015 and was named one of the US's Best Small & Medium Workplaces by Great Place to Work and Fortune in 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2017. Learn more at bluebeyondconsulting.com and on LinkedIn , Twitter , and Facebook .

About Future Workplace

Future Workplace is proud to be a part of Executive Networks' global family of HR networks and resources devoted to the future of working and learning for global 1000 Human Resources Leaders. Through research, peer networks, and online courses via the award-winning Future Workplace Academy, Future Workplace provides continuing professional development opportunities for global HR, learning, and talent professionals. To learn more, visit futureworkplace.com and futureworkplace.com/academy.

SOURCE Blue Beyond Consulting
Initiatives to bring clean energy to production sites are explored in this new 60-minute program, which breaks down how these renewable energy systems work for viewers, including an explanation on how the energy is captured, stored and used inside the plants. It even goes one step further to explain how any excess, unused electricity is fed back to the regional power grid, which can help benefit nearby communities while lowering the carbon footprint of the manufacturing industry.

"The Power of Solar & Wind  The Road to Carbon Neutrality" zooms in to examine the latest science, learnings and developments undertaken by one of the nation's largest manufacturers aiming to become carbon neutral in its facilities by 2035 in the world premiere set to air on Saturday, October 23 at 6 a.m. (ET/PT) on Discovery, Friday, October 29, at 5 p.m. (ET/PT) on the Science Channel and Sunday, October 31 at 9 a.m. (ET/PT) on MotorTrend TV, timed to match the start of the UN Climate Conference in Glasgow, Scotland.

In addition to installing renewable energy generation equipment directly on its own sites, the world's largest automaker and one of the nation's largest automobile manufacturers, Toyota Motor North America, shows its commitment to have a net positive impact on the environment and society by exploring and entering into Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPAs). VPPAs, where electricity is generated off-site to replace the high emission electricity taken off the grid, create jobs, allow clean energy generation sites to be placed in underserved communities and provide access to clean electricity by other grid customers. Agreements such as this will allow Toyota to reduce emissions from its North American operations by up to 40% over the next three years.

Of course, coming up with the complex plan was not so straightforward; it was the result of more than six years of research into how best to reduce and replace emissions from Toyota's operations, working in partnership with MIT, the National Renewable Energy Lab, the Rocky Mountain Institute and others. The plan to add more renewable energy is part of a wider effort across the company to reduce the environmental impact of enterprise operations as it also works to limit vehicle emissions.

"We know our collective future  our health and well-being  depends on our ability as a society to focus on collective issues like the reduction of carbon," said Kevin Butt, Toyota Motor North America's environmental sustainability director. "To solve our own puzzle on how to more quickly reduce carbon output from our footprint, we have been aggressively exploring a variety of options to find the one that will best meet our needs, and, in this case, it was clear that we would be able to reduce the most carbon most quickly from a combination of solutions."

How can this change to our climate be slowed down? How can we reduce the CO2 released into the air from the industries we rely on? How can we as a society achieve carbon neutrality?

By first understanding the problem and then bringing together experts to pool their knowledge and resources to offer solutions.

In this program, we will look behind the curtains at Toyota Motor North America where the commitment to be carbon neutral in its manufacturing plants in North America by 2035 is in full force  transferring its manufacturing center energy sources to wind, hydroelectric and solar power. As the world's largest automobile manufacturer, Toyota is setting the tone and providing environmental leadership to its suppliers, dealers and customers along with a strong message to its future employees at universities and trade schools.

Viewers will have the opportunity to see it on the following schedule:

(Check local listings)

Discovery Channel: Sat. 10/23 at 67 a.m. ET/PT Science Channel: Fri. 10/29 at 56 p.m. ET/PT MotorTrend TV: Sun. 10/31 at 910 a.m. ET/PT

The Power of Solar & Wind  The Road to Carbon Neutrality is produced by Bader Media Group for Discovery. Mike Leventhal is executive producer for Bader. Hena Cuevas was associate producer and Hilary Lane served as writer. Toyota funded the production.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands plus our 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly employs more than 47,000 in North America. The company has contributed world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 40 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama that begins production in 2021.

Toyota Contact:

Ed Hellwig

Toyota Motor North America

[email protected]

Phone: 469-292-1165

SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

Related Links

https://www.toyota.com/


DUBLIN, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Decorative Coatings Market Resin Type (Acrylic, Alkyd), Technology (Waterborne, Solvent-borne, Powder), User Type (DIY, Professional), Coating Type (Interior, Exterior), Application (Residential, Non-Residential), and Region - Global Forecast to 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The decorative coatings market is projected to grow from USD 71.3 billion in 2021 to USD 91.6 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 5.1% between 2021 and 2026. Environment-friendly characteristics, durability, and better aesthetic appearance drive consumption of decorative coatings in various applications.

Regulatory policies have a significant impact on the paints & coatings industry. Potential changes in regulations can create uncertainty throughout the value chain. This uncertainty refers to the time taken by the manufacturers at each node to accept the new regulation and adopt new technology. Different time-consuming regulatory changes in different regions can affect the raw material producers, formulators, channel partners, and end-users. With the increasing number of governments implementing stringent regulatory policies, decorative coatings producers must constantly evolve their processes to comply with the new policies and reduce VOC emissions.

Residential is projected to be the largest application of the decorative coatings market.

Residential is the largest application segment, in terms of both volume and value, between 2021 and 2026. Economic growth and higher incomes in the last few years have resulted in the construction of several new houses and the remodeling of old ones. Decorative coatings for residential construction applications include new paint and repainting. These coatings mainly include architectural and functional products, such as paints, stains, lacquers, primers, and cleaners. Decorative coatings are used in both interior and exterior applications in the residential sector. Repainting is associated with giving a new look to an old or worn-out interior and exterior of constructions.

Polyurethane is the fastest-growing resin segment of the decorative coatings market.

Polyurethane is the fastest-growing resin segment, in terms of volume, between 2021 and 2026. Polyurethanes are versatile materials, which can be tailored to achieve the required hardness, cure speeds, viscosities, and mechanical and thermal properties for many different applications. There are different types of urethane coatings in the market. Polyurethane resin imparts toughness and abrasion resistance to wood coatings, floor finishes, and coatings for other demanding applications. Other applications where polyurethane coatings can be used are heavy-duty exterior and interior structures, paper mills, power plants, offshore structures, oil field machinery, exterior surfaces of steel tanks, handrails, conveyors, and chemical processing equipment.

APAC is the fastest market for decorative coatings during the forecast period.

APAC is projected to be the largest and the fastest-growing market for decorative coatings during the forecast period. The region has witnessed significant economic growth over the last decade. APAC encompasses a diverse range of economies with different levels of economic development and multiple industries. The development is mainly attributed to the high economic growth rate followed by heavy investment across industries, such as building & construction and furniture. Key players are expanding their decorative coatings production in APAC, especially in China and India. The advantages of shifting production to the region are the low cost of production and the ability to better cater to the emerging local markets.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Introduction

2 Research Methodology

3 Executive Summary

4 Premium Insights

4.1 Attractive Opportunities in the Decorative Coatings Market

4.2 Decorative Coatings Market Growth, by Resin Type

4.3 Decorative Coatings Market Growth, by Technology

4.4 Decorative Coatings Market Growth, by Coating Type

4.5 APAC Decorative Coatings Market, by Technology and Country, 2020

4.6 Decorative Coatings Market: Developed Vs. Developing Countries

4.7 Decorative Coatings Market, by Country

5 Market Overview

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Market Dynamics

5.2.1 Drivers

5.2.1.1 Growth of the Construction Industry

5.2.1.2 Environmentally-Friendly Coating Systems

5.2.1.3 Durable Coatings with Better Performance and Aesthetics

5.2.2 Restraints

5.2.2.1 Stringent and Time-Consuming Regulatory Policies

5.2.3 Opportunities

5.2.3.1 Opportunities in Less-Regulated Regions

5.2.3.2 Investments in Emerging Markets

5.2.4 Challenges

5.2.4.1 Adoption of New Technologies

5.2.4.2 Volatility in Prices of Titanium Dioxide

5.3 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5.3.1 Threat of New Entrants

5.3.2 Threat of Substitutes

5.3.3 Bargaining Power of Buyers

5.3.4 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

5.3.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

5.4 Macro Indicator Analysis

5.4.1 Introduction

5.4.2 Trends and Forecast of Gdp

5.4.3 Trends and Forecast of Global Construction Industry

5.5 COVID-19 Impact

5.6 COVID-19 Economic Assessment

5.6.1 COVID-19 Economic Impact: Scenario Assessment

5.7 Impact of COVID-19 on End-Use Industries

5.7.1 Impact on Construction Industry

5.8 Impact of COVID-19 on Regions

5.8.1 Impact of COVID-19 on APAC

5.8.2 Impact of COVID-19 on North America

5.8.3 Impact of COVID-19 on Europe

5.8.4 Impact of COVID-19 on Middle East & Africa

5.8.5 Impact of COVID-19 on South America

5.9 Value Chain Analysis

5.10 Pricing Analysis

5.11 Paints & Coatings Ecosystem and Interconnected Market

5.12 Yc and Ycc Shift

5.13 Export-Import Trade Statistics

5.14 Regulations

5.15 Patent Analysis

5.16 Case Study Analysis

5.17 Technology Analysis

6 Decorative Coatings Market, by Resin Type

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Acrylic Resin

6.2.1 Flexibility of Acrylic Resins Helps the Segment Witness the Highest Growth

6.3 Alkyd Resin

6.3.1 APAC is the Largest and Fastest-Growing Market for Alkyd Resin Segment

6.4 Vinyl Resin

6.4.1 Vinyl Copolymer is Used in Air-Drying Coatings for Its Excellent Toughness and Good Resistance to Water and Chemicals

6.5 Polyurethane Resin

6.5.1 Interiors & Furniture is One of the Major End-Users of Polyurethane Coatings

6.6 Others

6.6.1 Styrene Acrylics

6.6.2 Epoxy Resin

6.6.3 Unsaturated Polyester Resin

6.6.4 Saturated Polyester Resin

7 Decorative Coatings Market, by Technology

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Waterborne Decorative Coatings

7.2.1 in Addition to Reducing Voc Emissions During the Application, Waterborne Coatings Reduce the Risk of Fire

7.3 Solventborne Decorative Coatings

7.3.1 Solventborne Coatings Provide Almost Immediate Waterproofing Protection After Application

7.4 Powder Coatings

7.4.1 Powder Coating Technology Uses Dry Resin Powders for Coating Substrates with Thermoplastic or Thermoset Films

8 Decorative Coatings Market, by Coating Type

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Interior

8.2.1 Coatings Used to Paint Interiors Have Stain Repellency, Better Hiding Property, Durability, and Long-Lasting Performance with Application Versatility

8.3 Exterior

8.3.1 Coatings are Used on Exterior Surfaces for Decoration and General Maintenance

9 Decorative Coatings Market, by User Type

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Diy

9.2.1 Cost Constraints, Creative Control, and Forced Lockdown Influencing Homeowners to Opt for Diy Painting

9.3 Professional

9.3.1 Increasing Spending Power of Consumers Supporting Market Growth in this Segment

10 Decorative Coatings Market, by Product Type

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Emulsions

10.3 Wood Coatings

10.3.1 Varnishes

10.3.2 Stains

10.4 Enamels

10.5 Others

11 Decorative Coatings Market, by Color Type

11.1 Introduction

11.2 White

11.2.1 The Most Popular Choice of Color Used When Painting a Home is White

11.3 Others

12 Decorative Coatings Market, by Application

12.1 Introduction

12.2 Residential

12.2.1 New Construction

12.2.2 Remodel and Repaint

12.3 Non-Residential

12.3.1 Commercial

12.3.2 Industrial

12.3.3 Infrastructure

13 Decorative Coatings Market, by Region

14 Competitive Landscape

14.1 Overview

14.1.1 Overview of Strategies Adopted by Key Decorative Coatings Market Players

14.2 Competitive Scenario

14.2.1 Market Evaluation Matrix

14.3 Company Evaluation Quadrant

14.3.1 Stars

14.3.2 Emerging Leaders

14.3.3 Pervasive

14.3.4 Emerging Companies

14.4 Strength of Product Portfolio

14.5 Sme Matrix, 2020

14.5.1 Responsive Companies

14.5.2 Progressive Companies

14.5.3 Starting Blocks

14.5.4 Dynamic Companies

14.6 Decorative Coatings Market Ranking Analysis (2020): Competitive Market

14.7 Decorative Coatings Market Share

14.8 Company Revenue Analysis

14.8.1 Ppg Industries Inc.

14.8.2 The Sherwin-Williams Company

14.8.3 Akzonobel N.V.

14.8.4 Nippon Paint Holdings Co. Ltd

14.8.5 Asian Paints Limited

14.9 Competitive Situations and Trends

15 Company Profiles

15.1 Major Players

15.1.1 The Sherwin-Williams Company

15.1.2 Ppg Industries Inc.

15.1.3 Akzonobel N.V.

15.1.4 Basf Se

15.1.5 Asian Paints Limited

15.1.6 Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.

15.1.7 Nippon Paint Holdings Co. Ltd.

15.1.8 Masco Corporation

15.1.9 Jotun A/S

15.1.10 Rpm International Inc.

15.2 Other Companies

15.2.1 Hempel A/S

15.2.2 Daw Se

15.2.3 Cromology (Formerly Materis Paints)

15.2.4 Diamond-Vogel Paint Company

15.2.5 Benjamin Moore & Co.

15.2.6 Kelly-Moore Paints

15.2.7 Brillux GmbH & Co. Kg

15.2.8 Berger Paints India Limited

15.2.9 Carpoly Chemical Group Co., Ltd.

15.2.10 Cloverdale Paint Inc.

15.2.11 Sto Corp

15.2.12 Lanco Paints

15.2.13 Guangdong Maydos Building Materials Co., Ltd.

15.2.14 H-I-S Coatings & Paint Manufacturing Co.

15.2.15 Fujikura Kasei Co., Ltd.

16 Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/89sbc2

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


NORTH CANTON, Ohio, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR; www.timken.com), a global industrial leader in engineered bearings and power transmission products, today released its 2020 corporate social responsibility (CSR) report, detailing efforts to create a more efficient and resilient world.

"Sustainability has been core to our products for more than 120 years, and we're extending that same leadership to the way we view our responsibility as a global corporate citizen. CSR is a priority for all of us at Timken," said Rich Kyle, Timken president and CEO. "In 2020, we continued to make strides towards achieving greater efficiency for a world in motion while creating value for all our stakeholders. This report documents how we are delivering real-world impact."

Key focus areas include the company's dedication to the growth of its global team of engineers and problem solvers, its emphasis on renewable energy and other sustainable practices, as well as its commitment to ethics, governance, communities and STEM education worldwide. Timken is:

Delivering innovative solutions through a culture that encourages knowledge sharing and rewards new ideas. From its engineering co-op program to its associate resource groups, Timken engages with employees from diverse backgrounds and offers many opportunities to develop new skills. The company is committed to ensuring all employees are included, are compensated well and have ample possibilities for career growth.



Making a more efficient world through products that advance sustainability across geographies and industries. For instance, renewable energy now stands as the company's single-largest end-market sector, thanks to its innovative solar tracker and wind turbine solutions. The company has committed over $75 million in capital investments through 2022 to expand its capabilities in renewables across its global footprint. In its own operations, Timken is reducing plastic packaging, energy consumption, emissions and water usage.



in capital investments through 2022 to expand its capabilities in renewables across its global footprint. In its own operations, Timken is reducing plastic packaging, energy consumption, emissions and water usage. Remaining grounded in its commitment to ethics and integrity. The company leads by contributing to the communities where it operates, including its ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and championing the next generation of problem solvers. Timken's philanthropic focus globally is science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and investing in future leaders and innovators.

Timken continues to address tangible problems with innovative solutions that create shared value for all stakeholders. In 2020, Newsweek named Timken one of "America's Most Responsible Companies."

About The Timken Company

The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR; www.timken.com) designs a growing portfolio of engineered bearings and power transmission products. With more than a century of knowledge and innovation, we continuously improve the reliability and efficiency of global machinery and equipment to move the world forward. Timken posted $3.5 billion in sales in 2020 and employs more than 17,000 people globally, operating from 42 countries. Timken is recognized among America's Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek, the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere, and America's Best Employers, Best Employers for New Graduates and Best Employers for Women by Forbes.

Media Relations:

Scott Schroeder

234.262.6420

[email protected]

SOURCE The Timken Company

Related Links

www.timken.com


WARWICK, R.I., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Health officials are giving fully vaccinated Americans the go-ahead to gather for the holidays. As US travelers set their 2021 holiday plans, InsureMyTrip Product Expert, Meghan Walch, is answering the most frequently asked questions.

The vast majority of questions are about the pandemic and what travel insurance will cover. In fact, of those researching Cancel For Any Reason coverage (CFAR) on InsureMyTrip.com between August 10, 2021  October 14, 2021:

86 percent are concerned about needing to cancel a trip due to travel changes around Covid-19 restrictions

are concerned about needing to cancel a trip due to travel changes around Covid-19 restrictions 61 percent are concerned about needing to cancel due to fear of contracting Covid-19

While Covid-19 remains a top concern for would-be travelers, Walch offers expert responses for the top questions received by the InsureMyTrip Customer Care Center:

Top Travel Insurance Questions For Holiday Travelers

Q: Does InsureMyTrip have policies that cover a required quarantine if I contract Covid-19 during a trip?

A: The short answer is "yes". A physician ordered quarantine may be covered by travel insurance. Comprehensive plans can help to reimburse you for additional accommodations if you are required by a physician to quarantine during a trip.

Quarantine would need to be listed as a covered reason in a policy under Travel Delay and Trip Interruption coverage. It is also important to understand how "quarantine" is defined in a policy, the coverage limits provided, and if it will cover certain situations such as self-isolation or stay-at-home orders.

Q: What happens if a county closes during a trip?

A: A country closing prior to departure is not a covered reason under general Trip Cancellation coverage. A policy with optional Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) may be the only way to have any coverage in the event you need to cancel your trip for this reason. CFAR may allow you the most flexibility if canceling at least two days before you leave for a trip due to something other than a covered reason listed in the policy. If borders and/or the country close while you are there, it may be best to seek help from the US embassy at your location and contact the assistance service provider listed on your policy. They may be able to help you arrange emergency transportation (although at your own expense) back home.

Q: Who qualifies for Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage?

A: There are several eligibility requirements for CFAR protection. They may require travelers to insure 100% of their pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs. CFAR coverage must be purchased as part of a comprehensive travel insurance plan, within 10-21 days after making the initial trip payment/deposit. InsureMyTrip has a new tool that makes it easier for travelers to find out if they are eligible for CFAR. (see below for more information on CFAR)

Q: What happens if I contract a breakthrough Covid-19 infection on a trip?

A: Providers offering comprehensive travel insurance plans on InsureMyTrip.com may cover Covid-19 like any other covered, unforeseen illness. So, if you contract Covid-19 before a trip and a physician confirms you are unable to travel, you may have coverage to cancel your trip.

If you become ill while on your trip, there may be coverage if you need to interrupt your trip. Again, you would need proof from a doctor.

Also, emergency medical benefits may be available to help reimburse expenses if you see a doctor or need to be hospitalized related to COVID-19. In all cases, your policy would have to be purchased prior to any covered issues becoming known.

Travelers can contact InsureMyTrip at 1-800-487-4722 to reach a travel insurance expert.

Covid-19 Coverage Tool

Since Covid-19 is top of mind for travelers this holiday season, InsureMyTrip is offering new technology to help put their minds at ease.

A Covid-19 recommendation tool that has been added to InsureMyTrip's quote process. Once travel insurance recommendations pop up, travelers can click on the "Top picks for Covid-19" button and find all the plans that address pandemic-related travel concerns.

MORE: COVID-19 & Travel Insurance Information Hub

To schedule an interview with an expert or to request specific research data on holiday travel plans, please contact [email protected]

Media Contact:

Meghan Kayata

[email protected]

Cancel for Any Reason Coverage:

Cancel For Any Reason (also known as: CFAR) is an optional upgrade. CFAR offers the most trip cancellation flexibility and is the only option available to cover Covid-19 travel fear. Full terms of coverage will be listed in state-specific policy. If eligibility requirements are met, reimbursement is typically 50% - 75% of the insured prepaid non-refundable trip cost if all eligibility requirements are met (available in most states).

Note: coverages are governed by the specific plan certificate. Traditional travel insurance does not offer cancellation coverage for fear of travel, whether related to COVID-19 or not. Cancel For Any Reason is required.

About InsureMyTrip

It's simple. InsureMyTrip finds you the right travel insurance plan, every time. InsureMyTrip is the authority on travel insurance. We are committed to empowering travelers to make the best possible insurance decisions by leveraging our technology, data intelligence, and expertise. InsureMyTrip is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau.

SOURCE InsureMyTrip

Related Links

http://www.insuremytrip.com


BANGALORE, India, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Trade Surveillance Systems Market is Segmented By Component (Solution and Services), Deployment Model (On-Premise and Cloud), Enterprise Size (Large Enterprises, and SMEs), and End User (Banks, Institutional Brokers, Retail Brokers, Market Centers & Regulators and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212028. It is published in Valuates Reports under Security Products & Services Category.

The global trade surveillance system market size was valued at USD 780.26 Million in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 2.25 Billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 14.2% from 2021 to 2028.

Major factors driving the growth of the trade surveillance systems market are:

The increase in the need for surveillance systems to control market manipulation and abuse, as well as demanding regulatory compliance, are the primary drivers driving the worldwide trade surveillance system market expansion.

During the forecast period, the integration of AI and ML in surveillance systems, as well as an increase in demand for proactive trade monitoring systems, are projected lucrative opportunities for the trade surveillance system market growth.

The breakout of COVID-19 is expected to give profitable chances for market expansion throughout the projection period, due to the increased necessity among organizations to limit the impact of many fraudulent trade activities and maintain market integrity during a pandemic.

View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/reports/ALLI-Manu-0Q70/trade-surveillance-systems

TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE TRADE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS MARKET

As the number of financial instruments has increased, trading has become more sophisticated in financial organizations. The rising volume of transactions necessitates the implementation of standards such as MiFID II, MAR, and Dodd-Frank that compel financial service providers to monitor transactions. Financial institutions must implement trade monitoring systems not simply to ensure that they are following the law, but also to reduce the risk of fraudulent behavior and protect their brand. This is expected to fuel the growth of the trade surveillance systems market.

Increased Demand for Trading Activity Safety and Security in Financial Institutions is expected to drive the growth of the trade surveillance systems market. There has been an increase in the number of suspicious trading patterns in recent years, owing to a lack of flexibility in deployment, false positives, and data sources that are not truly integrated as per standard compliance, necessitating the implementation of an effective trade surveillance system in financial institutions. To improve the entire investor interface experience and stay ahead of their competitors in the market in the next few years, trade surveillance providers have enhanced the number of solutions they offer.

An increase in the requirement for insights for business planning is expected to create lucrative opportunities for trade surveillance systems to enable market expansion. As trade surveillance systems enable firms to investigate the elements that influence results and provide the capacity of decision optimization

Furthermore, on various trading platforms, including electronic communication networks, high-frequency trading, and dark pools, buyers and sellers have boosted their trading in exotic derivatives, swaps, and other over-the-counter (OTC) goods. Firms must increase coverage for trade data across marketplaces and use proactive trade monitoring systems to generate better alerts at this rate of expansion. This in turn is expected to drive the trade surveillance systems market growth.

Get Free Sample Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/ALLI-Manu-0Q70/Trade_Surveillance_Systems_Market

TRADE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

During the projection period, the on-premise sector is likely to gain a considerable share due to its ability to provide tailored solutions to on-premise systems and organize vital business data using the company's own IT infrastructure, allowing them to keep data secure. The cloud-based segment, on the other hand, is predicted to grow the fastest throughout the projection period, as it allows financial service organizations to have more control over access to applications and sensitive data from remote places.

Based on enterprise size, the Large Enterprises segment will maintain the lead during 2021 - 2028.

Europe dominated the trade surveillance systems market by region in 2020, and it is likely to continue to do so over the forecast period. The presence of the majority of telecom system integrators is one of the primary reasons driving the growth of the trade surveillance system market in this area. Furthermore, technological developments in security systems, as well as a rise in severe rules and regulator compliance, all contribute to the growth of the European trade surveillance system market.

Inquire for Regional Data: https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/ALLI-Manu-0Q70/Trade_Surveillance_Systems_Market

KEY PLAYERS IN THE TRADE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS INDUSTRY

ACA Group

Aquis Exchange

b-next

Cinnober

CRISIL LIMITED

FIS

IBM Corporation

IPC Systems Inc.

NICE

SIA S.P.A.

Inquire for Customisation of the Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/customisation/ALLI-Manu-0Q70/Trade_Surveillance_Systems_Market

Buy Now for a Single User: https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=ALLI-Manu-0Q70&lic=single-user

Buy Now for Enterprise License: https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=ALLI-Manu-0Q70&lic=enterprise-license

SUBSCRIPTION

We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans.

SIMILAR REPORTS

Click here to see related reports on Trade Surveillance

ABOUT US:

Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. Our extensive report repository is constantly updated to meet your changing industry analysis needs.

Our team of market analysts can help you select the best report covering your industry. We understand your niche region-specific requirements and that's why we offer customization of reports. With our customization in place, you can request for any particular information from a report that meets your market analysis needs.

To achieve a consistent view of the market, data is gathered from various primary and secondary sources, at each step, data triangulation methodologies are applied to reduce deviance and find a consistent view of the market. Each sample we share contains detail research methodology employed to generate the report, Please also reach to our sales team to get the complete list of our data sources.

CONTACT US:

Valuates Reports

[email protected]

For U.S. Toll-Free Call +1-(315)-215-3225

For IST Call +91-8040957137

WhatsApp : +91 9945648335

Website: https://reports.valuates.com

Follow on Twitter - https://twitter.com/valuatesreports

Follow on Linkedin - https://in.linkedin.com/company/valuatesreports

Follow on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports

SOURCE Valuates Reports
BALTIMORE, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Transamerica today announced the expansion of its workplace-focused benefit solutions with the introduction of Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Accounts (ICHRAs). This new solution allows employers to contribute toward premiums and other expenses paid by employees for individual primary medical insurance.

There are many benefits with ICHRAs. For employers, an ICHRA provides a tax-advantaged platform to provide contributions without the administrative burden of providing medical insurance through their organization. For employees, advantages include choosing the medical coverage that best fits their situation and having more control over their health benefits budget. Also, if the plan allows, employees can make additional pre-tax contributions.

Eligible reimbursable expenses may be customized by the employer to include:

health insurance policy premiums,

dental services,

vision expenses,

prescription drugs,

over-the-counter medications, and

doctor visits or medical procedures.

With Transamerica, customers will enjoy a simplified experience when submitting and paying for claims. Options include paying expenses through a Transamerica-issued debit card or submitting receipts for reimbursement through Transamerica's website. The website also provides the customer's current balance and any pending claims.

"The percentage of people with employer-provided health insurance coverage remained at less than sixty percent in 2019, according to a report published by the United States Census Bureau in September 2020. Even so, private health insurance coverage was more prevalent than public coverage," said Kent Callahan, CEO of Transamerica Workplace Solutions. "Transamerica is uniquely positioned to add ICHRAs to our existing menu of workplace-centered offerings. We believe this solution will be particularly appealing to employers wanting to give employees autonomy while providing employer-paid contributions toward costs."

To learn more about Transamerica's ICHRA solution, employers may contact their financial advisor or Transamerica directly at 888-401-5826.

About Transamerica

With a history that dates back more than 100 years, Transamerica is recognized as a leading provider of life insurance, retirement, and investment solutions, serving millions of customers throughout the United States. Recognizing the necessity of health and wellness during peak working life, Transamerica's dedicated professionals work to help people take the steps necessary to live better today so they can worry less about tomorrow. Transamerica serves nearly every customer segment, providing a broad range of quality life insurance and investment products, individual and group pension plans, as well as asset management services. In 2020, Transamerica fulfilled its promises to customers, paying more than $49 billion in insurance, retirement, and annuity claims and benefits, including return of annuity premiums paid by the customer. Transamerica's corporate headquarters is located in Baltimore, Maryland, with other major operations in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Denver, Colorado. Transamerica is part of the Aegon group of companies. Based in the Netherlands, Aegon is one of the world's largest providers of life insurance, pension solutions and asset management products, operating in more than 20 markets worldwide. For the full year of 2020, Aegon managed over $1.1 trillion in revenue generating investments. For more information, visit www.transamerica.com .

Media inquiries:

Email: [email protected]

Hank Williams

(319) 355-7789

Julie Quinlan

(303) 383-5923

SOURCE Transamerica

Related Links

http://www.transamerica.com


BERWYN, Pa., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Triumph Group [NYSE:TGI] and Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) announced today they have finalized the formation of their joint venture (JV) under the name xCelle Americas, to overhaul nacelles for new generation aircraft at Triumph's Hot Springs, Arkansas repair facility.

xCelle Americas will perform maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for "new gen" nacelles on Boeing 787, Boeing 737MAX, Airbus A320neo, and Airbus A350 aircraft for operators in North and South America. Acting through its affiliation with AFI KLM E&M, xCelle Americas will perform Boeing 787 nacelle repairs under Air France's license from Rohr, Inc. (Collins Aerospace), thus expanding Air France's licensed repair capabilities for those nacelles to the Americas.

The formation of xCelle Americas advances important strategic objectives for both Triumph and AFI KLM E&M, expanding the reach of AFI KLM E&M's nacelle MRO capabilities and Boeing 787 license into the Americas and enabling Triumph to be positioned on new gen nacelles business, thus supporting key North and South American customers on the core of their future fleets. With this JV, Triumph and AFI KLM E&M achieve a first step in their strategic partnership and their ambition to provide local support to airlines.

"The announcement of this joint venture is a huge achievement and a sign of confidence in the future. It's an honor to be selected to lead xCelle Americas as its CEO. Together with William Buxton, xCelle Americas COO, we will give our best to make this new JV a success. We are very excited to set up this new product in the Americas and to offer reliable and local solutions on the new gen-nacelles for the operators," said Philippe Martin De Beauce, CEO of xCelle Americas.

"I am very proud of the hard work the teams have done to make this joint venture a reality and we look forward to making it a success," said William Buxton, COO of xCelle Americas. "Triumph and Air France have a great working relationship, and Philippe and I are excited for the opportunity to combine the strengths of our respective companies in order to bring new and unique offerings to our customers."

"This new joint venture with our partner Triumph expands the AFI KLM E&M's extensive network. With xCelle Americas, we continue to meet our main ambition of providing local services to our customers and of continuing to be the benchmark for service level on the MRO market," said Benjamin Moreau, AFI KLM E&M SVP Components Product

"Triumph is excited to partner with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance to form this joint venture, xCelle Americas. We look forward to the opportunities this venture creates by expanding our network and capabilities for existing as well as new customers," said Bill Kircher, Executive Vice President, Triumph Systems and Support

About xCelle Americas

xCelle Americas is a joint venture established by Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance and Triumph Group, dedicated to servicing new generation aircraft nacelles. xCelle Americas is a unique maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) solutions provider, taking the expertise of an airline combined with the experience of a third-party MRO.

About Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance

Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance is a major multi-product MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) provider. With a workforce of over 14,000, AFI KLM E&M offers comprehensive technical support for airlines, ranging from engineering and line maintenance to engine overhaul, aero structure and fan thrust reverser support, as well as the management, repair and supply of aircraft components, structured around a powerful logistics network. AFI KLM E&M supports almost 2,800 aircraft operated by 200 major international and domestic airlines. www.afiklmem.com  Follow us on Twitter @afiklmem

About Triumph

Triumph Group, Inc., headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, designs, engineers, manufactures, repairs and overhauls a broad portfolio of aerospace and defense systems, components and structures. The company serves the global aviation industry, including original equipment manufacturers and the full spectrum of military and commercial aircraft operators. More information about Triumph can be found on the company's website at www.triumphgroup.com.

CONTACT: Contact for Triumph Group: April Harper, Director  Marketing & Communications, [email protected]; Thomas A. Quigley, III; VP, Investor Relations and Controller, [email protected]; Contact for AFI KLM E&M: Derk Nieuwenhuijze, Head of Marketing & Communications, [email protected]; Marie-Agnes de Peslouan, Investor Relations, [email protected]

SOURCE Triumph Group

Related Links

https://www.triumphgroup.com


Dispensary reopening follows the opening of Trulieve's 100th Florida location

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTCQX: TCNNF) ("Trulieve" or "the Company"), the largest multi-state operator (MSO) in the United States, today announced the reopening of a dispensary in Lehigh Acres, Florida. The location is Trulieve's 101st in the state of Florida and was formerly branded as Harvest House of Cannabis.

The Company recently opened its 100th Florida dispensary on October 19 in Tallahassee. This Lehigh Acres location joins the Company's 100 medical marijuana dispensaries statewide, including several in nearby Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, and Englewood.

Trulieve invites the Lehigh Acres community to join in celebrating the reopening of this dispensary with all-day deals and swag giveaways. All patients will be eligible for a 25% in-store discount at the new Lehigh Acres dispensary on opening day, and all first-time Trulieve customers will receive a 50% new customer discount, both at Lehigh Acres and across the state.

ANNOUNCING: Trulieve Lehigh Acres Dispensary Reopening

WHERE: 1315 Homestead Road N, Lehigh Acres, Florida 33936

WHEN: Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 9:00 am

Trulieve employees are trained, knowledgable, and look forward to assisting patients. Trulieve encourages all interested parties to speak to staff about any questions they have regarding applying for a card or Trulieve's wide array of products.

The reopening follows the Company's October 1, 2021 announcement of its closing the acquisition of Harvest Health and Recreation Inc., at which time all Harvest locations in Florida were closed for rebranding to Trulieve. The Company will continue to reopen locations in Florida throughout the month of October.

In stores and online, patients will find Florida's largest selection of THC and CBD products in a variety of delivery methods, including edibles, smokable flower, concentrates, tinctures, topical creams, vaporizers, and more. Trulieve also offers statewide home delivery, convenient online ordering and in-store pickup.

For more information, please visit Trulieve.com.

About Trulieve

Trulieve is an industry leading, vertically integrated cannabis company and multi-state operator in the U.S. operating in 11 states, with leading market positions in Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Trulieve is poised for accelerated growth and expansion, building scale in retail and distribution in new and existing markets through its hub strategy. By providing innovative, high-quality products across its brand portfolio, Trulieve delivers optimal customer experiences and increases access to cannabis, helping patients and customers to live without limits. Trulieve is listed on the CSE under the symbol TRUL and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol TCNNF.

To learn more about Trulieve, visit Trulieve.com.

SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp.

Related Links

https://www.trulieve.com/


BLUE BELL, Pa., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) said today that it will release its third-quarter 2021 financial results on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Following the release, Unisys will host a conference call with the financial community on Wednesday, November 3 from 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results.

The company will offer a live, listen-only Webcast of the conference call on the Unisys Investor Website at www.unisys.com/investor. A replay of the Webcast will be available on the Unisys Investor Website shortly following the conference call.

About Unisys

Unisys is a global IT solutions company that delivers successful outcomes for the most demanding businesses and governments. Unisys offerings include digital workplace solutions, cloud and infrastructure solutions, enterprise computing solutions, business process solutions and cybersecurity solutions. For more information on how Unisys delivers for its clients across the commercial, financial services and government markets, visit www.unisys.com.

Follow Unisys on Twitter and LinkedIn.

RELEASE NO.: 1020/9852

Unisys and other Unisys products and services mentioned herein, as well as their respective logos, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Unisys Corporation. Any other brand or product referenced herein is acknowledged to be a trademark or registered trademark of its respective holder.

UIS-Q

SOURCE Unisys Corporation
PHILADELPHIA and LONDON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- GlaxoSmithKline plc today announced that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted unanimously to recommend two doses of Shingrix (Zoster Vaccine Recombinant, Adjuvanted) for the prevention of shingles (herpes zoster) and its complications in adults 19 years of age and older who are or will be immunodeficient or immunosuppressed due to disease or therapy.

Today's vote means that millions of adults in the US aged 19 years and older who are at increased risk of shingles due to immunodeficiency or immunosuppression are now recommended to receive Shingrix.

Shingrix, a non-live, recombinant adjuvanted zoster vaccine, given intramuscularly in two doses, was initially approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017 for the prevention of shingles in adults 50 years of age or older. The FDA approved Shingrix on July 23, 2021, for the prevention of shingles in adults aged 18 years and older who are or who will be at increased risk of shingles due to immunodeficiency or immunosuppression caused by known disease or therapy.

"Today's recommendation is an important clinical advancement in providing protection from shingles and its complications to adults with immunodeficiency or immunosuppression," said Sabine Luik, Chief Medical Officer & SVP Global Medical Regulatory & Quality, GSK. "The ACIP's vote helps to address an existing unmet need as individuals who are immunocompromised are at an increased risk of the disease."

This approval and recommendation for a new population was based on clinical studies examining the safety and efficacy of Shingrix in adults (18 years of age) who had undergone an autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant (auHSCT) and those undergoing treatment for haematological malignancies (post-hoc analysis). Further safety and immunogenicity data were generated in adults who were, or were anticipated to be, immunodeficient or immunosuppressed due to known disease or therapy, including patients with HIV, solid tumours, and renal transplants.1,2,3,4,5,6

Shingrix combines a non-live antigen, to trigger a targeted immune response, with a specifically designed adjuvant system to generate a Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)-specific immune response. Shingrix is not indicated for prevention of primary varicella infection (chickenpox).

For immunocompetent adults, Shingrix is intended to be administered in two doses, 2 to 6 months apart. However, for adults who are or will be immunodeficient or immunosuppressed due to known disease or therapy and who would benefit from a shorter vaccination schedule, the second dose can be administered 1 to 2 months after the first dose.

The ACIP recommendations will be forwarded to the director of the CDC and the US Department of Health and Human Services for review and approval. Once approved, the final recommendations will be published in a future Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

About shingles

Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox.7 Nearly all older adults have the VZV dormant in their nervous system, waiting to reactivate with advancing age.8 As people age, the cells in the immune system lose the ability to maintain a strong and effective response to VZV reactivation.7,9



Shingles typically presents as a painful, itchy rash that develops on one side of the body and can last for two to four weeks.9,10 The pain associated with shingles is often described as burning, shooting or stabbing. Even once the rash is gone, a person can experience postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), pain lasting from at least three months up to several years.7 PHN is the most common complication of shingles, occurring in 10 to 18 percent of all shingles cases.7,11



There are an estimated 1 million cases of shingles in the United States each year.7 More than 99 percent of those over 50 years old are infected with VZV, and one in three Americans will develop shingles in their lifetime. The risk increases to one in two for adults aged 85 years and older.



About Shingrix

Shingrix is a non-live, recombinant subunit vaccine approved in the United States, Canada, EU, UK, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brazil and Korea to help prevent shingles (herpes zoster) in people aged 50 years or older. It combines an antigen, glycoprotein E, and an adjuvant system, AS01 B , intended to generate a Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)-specific immune response immune response that can help overcome the decline in immunity as people age.

Shingrix was previously approved by the European Commission (EC) and in the UK for prevention of shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) in adults 18 years of age or older at increased risk of shingles and granted marketing authorisation on August 25, 2020.

The updated US Prescribing Information will be available soon at www.gskpro.com.

Important Safety Information for Shingrix

The following is based on the US Prescribing Information for Shingrix. Please consult the full Prescribing information for all the labeled safety information.

Shingrix is contraindicated in anyone with a history of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any component of the vaccine or after a previous dose of Shingrix.

Review immunization history for possible vaccine sensitivity and previous vaccination-related adverse reactions. Appropriate medical treatment and supervision must be available to manage possible anaphylactic reactions following administration of Shingrix.

In a postmarketing observational study, an increased risk of Guillain-Barre syndrome was observed during the 42 days following vaccination with Shingrix.

Syncope (fainting) can be associated with the administration of vaccines, including Shingrix. Procedures should be in place to avoid falling injury and to restore cerebral perfusion following syncope.

In individuals aged 50 years and older: Solicited local adverse reactions were pain, redness, and swelling. Solicited general adverse reactions were myalgia, fatigue, headache, shivering, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms.

In autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients (aged 18 to 49 and > 50 years of age): Solicited local adverse reactions were pain, redness, and swelling. Solicited general adverse reactions were fatigue, myalgia, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms, shivering, and fever.

50 years of age): Solicited local adverse reactions were pain, redness, and swelling. Solicited general adverse reactions were fatigue, myalgia, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms, shivering, and fever. The data are insufficient to establish if there is vaccine-associated risk with Shingrix in pregnant women.

It is not known whether Shingrix is excreted in human milk. Data are not available to assess the effects of Shingrix on the breastfed infant or on milk production/excretion.

Vaccination with Shingrix may not result in protection of all vaccine recipients.

About GSK

GSK is a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer. For further information please visit www.gsk.com/about-us.

GSK Enquiries:













Media enquiries: Evan Berland Sean Clements +1 215 432 0234 +1 215 740 3088 (Philadelphia) (Philadelphia)

Simon Moore +44 7788 387 445 (London)







Analyst/Investor enquiries: Nick Stone +44 (0) 7717 618834 (London)

James Dodwell +44 (0) 20 8047 2406 (London)

Sonya Ghobrial +44 (0) 7392 784784 (Consumer)

Mick Readey +44 (0) 7990 339653 (London)

Jeff McLaughlin +1 215 751 7002 (Philadelphia)

Frannie DeFranco +1 215 751 4855 (Philadelphia)

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2020 and any impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Registered in England & Wales:

No. 3888792

Registered Office:

980 Great West Road

Brentford, Middlesex

TW8 9GS







1 Bastidas A, et al. JAMA 2019;132:123133. 2 Berkowitz EM, et al. J Infect Dis 2015;211:12791287. 3 Vink P, et al. Cancer 2019;125:13011312. 4 Dagnew AF, et al. Lancet Infect Dis 2019;19:9881000. 5 Vink P, et al. Clin Infect Dis 2019. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciz177. 6 Stadtmauer E, et al. Blood. 2014;124(19):2921-2929. 7 Harpaz R, Ortega-Sanchez IR, Seward JF; Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention of herpes zoster: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2008 Jun;57(RR-5):1-30. 8 Gnann et al. Clinical practice. Herpes zoster. N Eng J Med. 2002;347(5):340-6. 9 Johnson RW et al. Herpes zoster epidemiology, management, and disease and economic burden in Europe: a multidisciplinary perspective. Therapeutic Advances in Vaccines. 2015;3(4):109-120. 10 Lal H et al. Efficacy of an Adjuvanted Herpes Zoster Subunit Vaccine in Older Adults. N Engl J Med. 2015;372:2087-96. 11 Yawn et al. Health care utilization and cost burden of herpes zoster in a community population. Mayo Clin Proc. 2009;84(9):787-94.

SOURCE GSK

Related Links

https://www.gsk.com


sir's ingenious battery designs can revolutionize this industry, and US Finance is pleased to be part of this endeavor Tweet this

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem released a video with "Congratulations on this monumental accomplishment," adding "What's impressive is the initial investment of 400 jobs with a bold plan to expand to 1,200 in the coming years."

US Finance, Inc. CEO Phil Bianca said, "US Finance is proud to facilitate financing this vital production plant for two main reasons. First, sir's contribution to the overall workforce by adding so many jobs to the local economy and further affecting the region. Second, our participation and financial partnership in furthering sir's giant leap forward in battery development and the tremendous impact on producing safer methods of energy production while contributing to the overall Green Movement."

"sir's ingenious battery designs can revolutionize and innovate in ways yet unseen in this industry, and US Finance is pleased to be part of this exciting endeavor," Bianca added.

"US Finance has been a linchpin in the process of landing our new gigafactory location in Rapid City, South Dakota," sir Technologies, Inc. President and CEO Randy Moore said. "We're thankful for our partnership with US Finance as that has enabled such an exciting phase in our company's growth. It's a team effort and huge win for employment, economy, environment, and effects on our country's defense and civilian uses."

US Finance, Inc., headquartered in Chicago, with seven additional locations throughout the US and Canada, has been providing quality financing for more than 30 years. "We work globally with an emphasis on North America to serve all of your financing needs with an ability to deliver global funding wherever the US is able to provide business assistance," Bianca said.

Name: US Finance, Inc.

Phone: 815-578-4200

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.usfinanceinc.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/USFinance

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-finance-inc-/

sir Technologies Selects Rapid City, South Dakota, for Gigafactory Location

https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/552072977/aesir-technologies-selects-rapid-city-south-dakota-for-gigafactory-location

Governor Kristi Noem Welcomes sir Technologies to Rapid City, South Dakota

https://vimeo.com/612223302



SOURCE US Finance, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.usfinanceinc.com


WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) is proud to announce Ms. Josephine Ekiru of Kenya as the recipient of the Institute's 2021 Women Building Peace Award.

This prestigious annual award honors women who are building peace in countries impacted by conflict. A council of distinguished experts selected nine finalists among 125 nominations from more than 30 countries.

"If you look around the world, most peace-builders are women," said USIP President Lise Grande. "It's our responsibility to do more to support and celebrate these women."

Ms. Ekiru is the Peace Coordinator for the Northern Rangelands Trust in Kenya, a unique peace group that brings together more than 320,000 indigenous people in Northern and Eastern Kenya as they work together to stop conflict, conserve land, protect wildlife and halt poaching.

The award was presented by U.S. Navy Admiral (Ret.) Michelle Howard as part of a virtual ceremony that featured the other finalists and paid special tribute to the women of Afghanistan.

"Ms. Ekiru is a heroine," said Nancy Lindborg, honorary chair of the Women Building Peace (WBP) Council. "Her work to build peace is northern Kenya is a model for all of us."

"It has been a wonderful experience hearing these women's stories," said Marcia Myers Carlucci, co-chair of the WBP Council. "Their commitment to peace, exceptional leadership and their impact in their communities are nothing short of inspiring."

"These are some of the strongest and most courageous women you'll ever meet," said Megan Beyer, co-chair of the WBP Council. "We're humbled by what they do every single day."

For information on the award, visit www.usip.org/womenbuildingpeace

For information on USIP, visit: https://www.usip.org/about

SOURCE United States Institute of Peace

Related Links

https://www.usip.org


Frequently Asked Questions-

Based on segmentation by deployment, which is the leading segment in the market?

The on-premise LIMS segment is expected to be the leading segment based on deployment in the global market during the forecast period.

The on-premise LIMS segment is expected to be the leading segment based on deployment in the global market during the forecast period. What are the major trends in the market?

Rise in chronic diseases and aging population is one of the major trends in the market.

Rise in chronic diseases and aging population is one of the major trends in the market. At what rate is the market projected to grow?

Growing at a CAGR of 10.04%, the incremental growth of the market is anticipated to be USD 637.40 million .

Growing at a CAGR of 10.04%, the incremental growth of the market is anticipated to be . Who are the top players in the market?

Abbott Laboratories, Accelerated Technology Laboratories Inc., Autoscribe Informatics, Illumina Inc., LabLynx Inc., LabVantage Solutions Inc., LabWare Inc., PerkinElmer Inc., Shimadzu Corp., and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. are some of the major market participants.

Abbott Laboratories, Accelerated Technology Laboratories Inc., Autoscribe Informatics, Illumina Inc., LabLynx Inc., LabVantage Solutions Inc., LabWare Inc., PerkinElmer Inc., Shimadzu Corp., and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. are some of the major market participants. What are the key market drivers and challenges?

Adherence to compliance and government regulations is one of the major factors driving the market. However, the increasing data security and privacy concerns restraints the market growth.

Adherence to compliance and government regulations is one of the major factors driving the market. However, the increasing data security and privacy concerns restraints the market growth. How big is the North America market?

The North America region will contribute 39% of market growth.

View market snapshot before purchasing to get insights on the drivers, trends, and challenges that will help companies evaluate and develop growth strategies for 2021-2025.

The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Abbott Laboratories, Accelerated Technology Laboratories Inc., Autoscribe Informatics, Illumina Inc., LabLynx Inc., LabVantage Solutions Inc., LabWare Inc., PerkinElmer Inc., Shimadzu Corp., and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. are some of the major market participants.

The adherence to compliance and government regulations will offer immense growth opportunities. In a bid to help players strengthen their market foothold, this laboratory information management system (LIMS) market forecast report provides a detailed analysis of the leading market vendors. The report also empowers industry honchos with information on the competitive landscape and insights into the different product offerings offered by various companies.

Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Market 2021-2025: Segmentation

Deployment

On-premise LIMS



Cloud-based LIMS

Geography

North America



Europe



APAC



South America



MEA

Download Now to uncover successful business strategies deployed by Companies of Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Market

Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Market 2021-2025: Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. The laboratory information management system (LIMS) market report covers the following areas:

Get lifetime access to our Technavio Insights. Subscribe now to our most popular "Lite Plan" billed annually at USD 3000. View 3 reports monthly and Download 3 Reports Annually!

Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Market 2021-2025: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025

Detailed information on factors that will assist laboratory information management system (LIMS) market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the laboratory information management system (LIMS) market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the laboratory information management system (LIMS) market across North America , Europe , APAC, South America , and MEA

, , APAC, , and MEA Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of laboratory information management system (LIMS) market vendors

Related Reports:

Electronic Trial Master File Systems Market by Deployment and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025

DNA Forensic Solution Market by Application and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025

Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 10.04% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 637.40 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 8.81 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA Performing market contribution North America at 39% Key consumer countries US, Germany, Canada, China, and UK Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Abbott Laboratories, Accelerated Technology Laboratories Inc., Autoscribe Informatics, Illumina Inc., LabLynx Inc., LabVantage Solutions Inc., LabWare Inc., PerkinElmer Inc., Shimadzu Corp., and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio

Related Links

https://www.technavio.com


On 1 October 2021, Volocopter partook in the Osaka Roundtable. Osaka Prefecture has one of the largest industrial bay areas in Asia, an ideal location to test over various environmental conditions. As host of the Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, Osaka has strong ambitions to kickstart UAM businesses from this event onward.

Since 2018, Japan has been proactively shaping its future of air mobility and set an ambitious target to achieve full commercialization of eVTOLs by 2030. Japan boasts a comprehensive roadmap for UAM businesses to achieve these goals.

Furthermore, Volocopter is strategically joining forces with local partners and regulators early in the commercialization process to strengthen its position within the market. Recently, JAL reserved 100 Volocopter aircraft (VoloDrone and VoloCity) units for its future use. Additionally, Volocopter has started direct communications with local government offices to discuss how Volocopter products can support the local ecosystem.

Florian Reuter  CEO, Volocopter: "We are honored to be seated at the Osaka Roundtable and take flight at an important milestone of the Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai. Japan's and Osaka's commitment to UAM commercialization and its open approach allows us to be involved in pioneering them into the future of mobility. As the world's first and only eVTOL developer with successful public flights in several continents and a family of multi-functional aircraft, we are confident that we will become an integral part of Japan's future UAM ecosystem. We aim to improve lives in densely populated areas with our sustainable UAM services."

Volocopter has committed to air taxi services in Singapore within the next three years and announced the delivery of 150 of Volocopter products to China's Geely.

About Volocopter

Volocopter is building the world's first sustainable and scalable urban air mobility business to bring affordable air taxi services for goods and people to megacities worldwide. Volocopter leads and cooperates with partners in infrastructure, operations, and air traffic management to build the ecosystem necessary to "Bring Urban Air Mobility to Life." Volocopter has offices in Bruchsal, Munich, and Singapore. The company has raised a total of 322 million in equity form investors including Daimler, Geely, BlackRock, and Intel Capital. www.volocopter.com

SOURCE Volocopter GmbH
The virtual panel will focus on the systemic inequities and implicit biases that affect healthcare, how systemic racism relates to the social determinants of health and the importance of increasing diversity in the healthcare workforce. Panelists will highlight how nurses and nurse educators play a pivotal role in championing health equity and the changes nursing professionals can implement to improve patient care.

Dr. Sandra Davis, PhD, DPM, ACNP-BC, FAANP and deputy director for the National League for Nursing (NLN) and Walden University College of Nursing Institute for Social Determinants of Health and Social Change, will moderate the event. She co-chairs the NLN's Taking Aims Committee to raise awareness with nurse educators of societal inequities affecting health and welfare of communities of color. Davis is board certified as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with more than 20 years in faculty, administrative, clinical practice and leadership roles. Prior to joining the NLN, Davis was an associate professor and the inaugural associate dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the George Washington University School of Nursing. As a scholar, Davis' research interests include disparities and inequities in health and social and structural determinants of health.

The esteemed group of panelists include:

Dr. Ernest Grant, RN, FAAN is the 36th president of the American Nurses Association, the nation's largest nurses organization representing the interests of 4.3 million registered nurses. Dr. Grant has more than 30 years of nursing experience and is an internationally recognized burn-care and fire-safety expert. He previously served as the burn outreach coordinator for the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center at University of North Carolina (UNC) Hospitals in Chapel Hill. Dr. Grant also serves as adjunct faculty for the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Nursing, where he works with undergraduate and graduate nursing students in the classroom and clinical settings. In 2002, President George W. Bush presented Dr. Grant with a Nurse of the Year Award for his work treating burn victims from the World Trade Center site. In 2013, he received the B.T. Fowler Lifetime Achievement Award from the North Carolina Fire and Life Safety Education Council.

Dr. Adrianna Nava, MPA, MSN, RN is the president of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) and chief of quality and systems improvement within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). In her NAHN role, she invested in the professional development of Latino nurses by engaging them in community health initiatives in Chicago and inspiring them to reach higher levels of success. Dr. Nava also focused her efforts on building the leadership capacity of nurses, with a focus on Latino nurses. She has been in service to our nation's veterans for most of her nursing career, and within the VHA, Dr. Nava has focused on developing the nursing workforce to improve the quality of care delivered to veterans. Dr. Nava has been awarded the 2020 Secretary of Veterans Affairs Award for Excellence in Nursing and the 2019-2020 U.S. Latino Leadership Fellowship from the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Dr. Mahaman Moussa, DVM, DNP, ARNP, FNP-C is a senior core faculty member in Walden University's Master of Science in Nursing program and the president and CEO of Raouda Medical Center of Tahoua in Niger, Africa. As a certified Family Nurse Practitioner, he has been a faculty member for more than 10 years and worked as a geriatric primary care provider. At the Raouda Medical Center, Dr. Moussa provides free and low-cost care to underserved populations of all ages. He oversees operations for the 50-bed hospital and treats patients through telemedicine and during regular visits to Niger. In addition, he provides free medical services to the underserved and uninsured patients at a free health clinic in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. His research interests focus on global health and health literacy, and he wrote a book titled "An e-health approach to foster diabetes knowledge of African Americans."

The Talks for Good is part of Walden's Mobilize for Good initiative, which celebrates its more than 50-year history of empowering the greater good by recognizing its community's passion and commitment to social change. In addition to Talks for Good, Walden is giving back to local schools and organizations across the country as part of its Acts for Good program. Charitable acts have taken place in Tampa, Florida, Baltimore, Maryland, Houston, Texas, Greensboro, North Carolina, Wilmington, Delaware and the Washington D.C. area.

About Walden University

More than 50 years ago, Walden University was founded to support adult learners in achieving their academic goals and making a greater impact in their professions and communities. Students from across the U.S. and more than 115 countries are pursuing a certificate, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree online at Walden. The university offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs with over 260 specializations and concentrations. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, hlcommission.org. For more information, please visit WaldenU.edu.

About Adtalem Global Education

Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), a leading workforce solutions provider, partners with organizations in the healthcare and financial services industries to solve critical workforce talent needs by expanding access to education, certifications and upskilling programs at scale. With a dedicated focus on driving strong outcomes that increase workforce preparedness, Adtalem empowers a diverse learner population to achieve their goals and make inspiring contributions to the global community. Adtalem is the parent organization of ACAMS, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Becker Professional Education, Chamberlain University, EduPristine, OnCourse Learning, Ross University School of Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and Walden University. Adtalem has more than 10,000 employees, a network of more than 275,000 alumni and serves over 82,000 members across 200 countries and territories. Adtalem was named one of America's Most Responsible Companies 2021 by Newsweek and one of America's Best Employers for Diversity 2021 by Forbes. Follow Adtalem on Twitter (@adtalemglobal), LinkedIn or visit adtalem.com for more information.

SOURCE Walden University

Related Links

https://www.waldenu.edu/


AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Wander.com has raised $7 million in initial funding from Redpoint Ventures and top angel investors to build the infrastructure for people to live and work, anywhere.

Wander's network of smart homes in inspiring locations empowers guests with the freedom to live and work wherever they want  and control every aspect of the experience from their smartphones. Wander's approach is different from traditional travel options because they own and operate 100% of the homes on their platform.

Direct home ownership unlocks the ability for Wander to deploy home automation technology in every home they acquire. With the Wander mobile app, guests can search destinations, book their trip and have total home operation at their fingertips  from unlocking the door, to turning on the fireplace, to adjusting the lights, and even accessing the Tesla in the garage that each Wander home comes equipped with.

In addition to consistent home quality and a personalized experience, Wander is able to provide guests with complete pricing transparency upfront, with no cleaning fees or hidden fees. Taxes are included in one, out-the-door nightly rate that guests can seamlessly split with friends or family.

Wander is initially launching with properties in Lake Tahoe, Mendocino County, Port Orford and Bandon Dunes, Oregon, with more launching in the coming months. "This is the first time in human history where many can live and work anywhere. Yet when we try to escape, we end up crouched over a coffee table, in a house that doesn't look like the photos, with WiFi that barely works," said John Andrew Entwistle, founder and CEO of Wander. "We believe when you control the bits and the atoms, you have the ability to iterate towards perfection and an opportunity to build a lasting company."

Alex Bard, Managing Director at Redpoint Ventures said, "Since the onset of the pandemic we've seen one of the greatest shifts ever in how people live and work, but the physical world hasn't caught up yet. It's in these shifts that transformational companies are born."

Wander is currently taking waitlist reservations at wander.com . For $100, you can become a Founding Member, which includes a $100 credit toward your first stay, a limited-edition Wander hoodie and the ability to invite friends and family to skip the waitlist. Founding Members, if qualified, will also have the potential opportunity to participate in the company's next funding round, giving early believers real ownership.

"Those of us working remotely have tasted freedom from long commutes and being stuck in an office  but the freedom to explore the world while staying connected to our work remains elusive," said Kyle Tibbitts, Wander's Chief Marketing Officer. "Wander is offering people an entirely new way to bring life and work together."

With this initial funding, Wander is well on its way to building the platform for people to more fully experience the world. The company plans to have thousands of homes in beautiful destinations globally, so stay tuned, one may launch near you very soon.

About Wander:

Wander's mission to help people find their happy place. Their network of smart homes in inspiring places empowers guests with the freedom to live and work wherever they want and control every aspect of the experience from their smartphones  from unlocking the door to turning on the fireplace to adjusting the lights. Wander is also partnering with companies interested in offering the experience as a benefit to remote employees. If you're interested in learning more or partnering with Wander, visit wander.com , or you can email the team at [email protected] and follow @wander on Twitter and Instagram for updates.

CONTACT: Ali Moore, [email protected]

SOURCE Wander

Related Links

https://www.wander.com/


WARREN, N.J. and BANGALORE, India, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mindtree, a leading digital transformation and technology services company, announced today that it has been selected as a strategic partner by Western Asset, one of the world's leading active fixed-income investment managers, to help drive innovation and differentiated experiences for the company's global investors. Mindtree will initially partner with the Western Asset team on their IT infrastructure and application portfolio, while also enabling several strategic business initiatives.

As part of this multi-year engagement, Mindtree will enable Western Asset to create a more flexible operating model that can quickly adapt to changing business needs and accelerate time-to-value. By leveraging its deep domain and digital expertise, Mindtree will help Western Asset accelerate the transition to a platform-based operating model, automate enterprise systems, and maintain industry-leading best practices for IT services. This will enable Western Asset to scale overall productivity, agility and delivery.

"Western Asset is excited to partner with a sophisticated managed service provider that has the proven ability to transform IT services using best-in-class tools and platforms to drive efficiency and help us meet our evolving business needs," said Ric Okun, Global Head of Information Technology at Western Asset. "We are very pleased to have selected Mindtree, largely due to the company's proven experience in driving IT transformation and their talented team."

"Mindtree is the right choice to drive our IT transformation program. Mindtree's focus on innovation, digital expertise and team-based culture is a very good match for Western Asset," said Penny Morgan, Head of Business Transformation at Western Asset.

"We are pleased to be a part of Western Asset's technology transformation journey to deliver higher levels of efficiency and effectiveness," said Venu Lambu, Executive Director and President, Global Markets, at Mindtree. "As part of this strategic partnership, we look forward to enabling a fundamental shift in Western Asset's IT operating model. Complementing Western Asset's distinctive client-centric approach with scalable and resilient technology will further boost the firm's ability to continue to meet and exceed client expectations."

About Western Asset Management

Western Asset is one of the world's leading fixed-income investment managers. With a focus on long-term fundamental value investing that employs a top-down and bottom-up approach, the Firm has nine offices around the globe and deep experience across the range of fixed-income sectors. Founded in 1971, Western Asset has been recognized for an approach emphasizing team management and intensive proprietary research, supported by robust risk management. To learn more about Western Asset, please visit www.westernasset.com.

About Mindtree

Mindtree [NSE: MINDTREE] is a global technology consulting and services company, helping enterprises marry scale with agility to achieve competitive advantage. "Born digital," in 1999 and now a Larsen & Toubro Group Company, Mindtree applies its deep domain knowledge to more than 260 enterprise client engagements to break down silos, make sense of digital complexity and bring new initiatives to market faster. We enable IT to move at the speed of business, leveraging emerging technologies and the efficiencies of Continuous Delivery to spur business innovation. Operating in 24 countries across the world, we're consistently regarded as one of the best places to work, embodied every day by our winning culture made up of over 29,700 entrepreneurial, collaborative and dedicated "Mindtree Minds".

To learn more about us, visit www.mindtree.com or follow us @Mindtree_Ltd.

For more information, contact: [email protected]

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1004066/Mindtree_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Mindtree
WICOMICO, Md., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Earlier this year, the Maryland Department of Education announced $780 million in relief funding to local school systems in an effort to close the learning gap due to the pandemic. As a result, Wicomico County Public Schools (WCPS), a district of nearly 15,000 students, today announced a partnership with Air Tutors, an evidence-based virtual tutoring platform, targeted to reach students in grades 4 -12 struggling with math in order to catch them up to grade level in an expedited time.

Amid the national tutoring shortage crisis, Air Tutors offers U.S. school districts like Wicomico County Public School, access to its roster of highly- qualified, bilingual tutors with an average of 9+ years of experience to create and deliver bespoke and outcome-driven high dosage, 1:1 or small group tutoring programs. In addition to aligning with Wicomico County Public Schools strategic goals to accelerate the learning of specific student population groups, Air Tutors reaches students and parents in their native language - either by email, SMS text, or over the phone - in order to drive student engagement and achievement.

"We chose Air Tutors to create a customized math tutoring program because the company has deep and impressive efficacy on its approach, an intuitively designed learning platform, and high-quality educators," said Dr. Brian Raygor, Director of Curriculum, Instructional Resources, & Professional Development for Wicomico County Public Schools. "It's critical to our district that our struggling students have effective tutoring that will move them forward efficiently, especially as school districts recover from pandemic closures."

This is Air Tutors' second specialized tutoring program in Maryland. Through a partnership with NorthBay Adventures, a community-based organization, the Maryland Department of Education also collaborates with Air Tutors to provide a customized tutoring program to accelerate reading outcomes for 6th and 7th graders.

"Air Tutors is proud to work with districts like Wicomico and non-profits like NorthBay Education to offer high dosage tutoring programs that reach and meet the unique needs of its student population," said Hasan Ali, Founder and CEO of Air Tutors. "Our interactive whiteboard and small group programs were tested and perfected before the pandemic hit, so we have been able to provide efficient support to districts at an intensified time of need while also personalizing learning to empower all students to learn and grow."

About Air Tutors

Founded in 2016 in Stockton, California, Air Tutors brings highly specialized 1:1 or small group tutoring in dozens of subjects to struggling students across U.S. school districts. Air Tutors provides an interactive virtual experience through a time-tested learning platform supported by quality, bilingual tutors with 9+ years of teaching experience on average in the U.S. The virtual high dosage tutoring is available seven days a week during and after school to fit busy schedules. Every program is customized to meet students' individual needs and is aligned with the specific requirements of each school district. The measured and consistent student achievement across districts and institutions brought the Air Tutor team to guide Harvard University and Brown University on effective tutoring practices. For more information, visit: https://airtutors.org/

Media Contact:

Alyssa Miller

[email protected]

973-615-1292

SOURCE Air Tutors

Related Links

http://www.airtutors.org


IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobilogix, the leading provider of cost-optimized State of the Art cellular IoT solutions announces the launch of an improved version of the BAT-X as the DEWALT DCE081 Construction Asset Gateway to automate construction inventory working with DEWALT TOOL CONNECT Site Manager

DCE081 is a battery-operated global tracking device utilizing low power LTE CAT-M1/ NB-IoT technology with embedded Bluetooth. Ultimate visibility is provided indoors and outside via full GNSS or WiFi LaaS services for real time no-compromise automated tool inventory audits on demand. Global operation means customers can complete tool audits automatically no matter where their tools may be located on jobsites.

DCE081 seamlessly integrates with DEWALT'S TOOL CONNECT Site Manager asset management platform providing a customizable audit schedule based on jobsite inventory needs. DCE081 is battery operated and rechargeable over time, providing months of tool inventory audits between charges, and can operate on constant power for permanent operation use-cases.

"With the release of the DEWALT DCE081, the challenges of manual tool audits are a thing of the past," said Charlie Williams, EVP - Sales and Marketing with Mobilogix. "DEWALT's industrial and commercial customers are now enabled with the DCE081 to have Total Jobsite Visibility with automated auditing of their tools and equipment, helping them to finish their jobs on time and on budget," said Matt Velderman, Director of Product Marketing.

DCE081 is sold by DEWALT and its distribution partners and is available now. For more information, visit DEWALT: https://www.dewalt.com/products/power-tools/equipment-tracking/construction-asset-gateway/dce081

About Mobilogix

Mobilogix is the world's leading provider in IoT asset optimization and management solutions. The company's solutions are deployed by leading Agriculture, Automotive, Construction, Healthcare, Industrial and Transportation companies to track, monitor, and manage their assets with real-time actionable data. Mobilogix is headquartered in Irvine, California, and has global offices in Brazil, India, Hong Kong and China. For more information, visit Mobilogix: https://mobilogix.com/, call +1.949.748.8895, or email [email protected].

Media Contact:

Greg Oppenheim

+1 (949) 365-6236

[email protected]

SOURCE Mobilogix, Inc.
MURRAY, Utah, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Zarifa USA announced that they would have zero supply chain worries for the holidays. There are no blocks within their supply chains, and they have an entire stock of parts at warehouses to be manufactured or repaired in the US. Zarifa USA CEO Yama Mustafawi made the announcement.

To relax muscles or treat chronic body pains, a reliable massage chair is one of the best purchases for self-care or as a gift for the Holidays. No hassle or wait on supply chains this year as Zarifa USA is fully stocked and prepared for the upcoming season of giving. Deciding to invest in a massage chair is a step towards improving overall health and wellbeing. Massage chairs help with relaxation, mediation, and pain relief. The Company has been a pioneer in the development of high-quality massage chairs for decades. All the massage chairs produced by Zarifa USA provide an excellent massage with guaranteed positive results.

"Massage chairs will be shipped out from our distribution center within five business days of purchase. Depending on the delivery location, the chair will arrive at your destination within five to fifteen business days from the date of pickup. Our freight carriers will reach out to you to confirm shipping details such as specific location, date, time, and to discuss the location to assess the best means of handling the shipment," says Yama Mustafawi, CEO at Zarifa USA. "If you are bogged down from injuries and want to improve recovery and manageability, a massage chair might be a great option for you or as a gift this year for a loved one."

Headquartered in Murray, Utah, Zarifa USA aims to assist and provide relief to the increasing number of over 100 million Americans suffering from chronic pain each year without using addictive substances such as opioids. Zarifa USA is committed to helping customers find pain relief through easily accessible products that deliver positive medical results. The Company supports pain sufferers through their difficult times and provides a positive drug-free massage therapy experience. Product consultations can be done by phone, by private in-store appointments, or by shopping online. For more information, go to www.zarifausa.com, call direct 385-645-0255, or email at [email protected].

Contact: Rosh Sillars

[email protected]

248 672 4901

SOURCE Zarifa USA
WENZHOU, China, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ZK International Group Co., Ltd. (ZKIN) ("ZK International" or the "Company"), a designer, engineer, manufacturer, and supplier of patented high-performance stainless steel and carbon steel pipe products primarily used for water and gas supplies, today announced that the Company's management has proposed to the Company's Board of Directors regarding a potential distribution upon receiving returns from its prior investments of up to 25%. In anticipation of possible liquidity events by ZK's various investments, the Company believes that it has positioned itself well to create value for its shareholders.

Any such distribution will be subject to the review and approval of the Board of Directors. The Company plans to review this strategy on an ongoing basis and may amend or forgo at any time in light of the Company's then current financial position, profitability, cash flow, debt, legal requirements and other factors considered relevant. As such, no assurances can be made that any future distribution will be made.

The Chairman of the Company, Mr. Jiancong Huang, states, "We believe that distributing the returns of up to 25% from the investments we previously made will be a key component of ZK's capital allocation strategy and reflects our confidence in the Company's financial future. We have proposed this to our Board of Directors and hope to have a strong cash balance that remains robust and continues to afford us the flexibility to expand our business both through acquisitions and organic growth."

About ZK International Group Co., Ltd.

ZK International Group Co., Ltd. is a China-based engineering company building and investing in innovative technologies for the modern world. With a focus on designing and implementing next-generation solutions through industrial, environmental and software engineering, ZKIN owns 28 patents, 21 trademarks, 2 Technical Achievement Awards, and 10 National and Industry Standard Awards.

ZKIN's core business is to engineer and manufacture patented high-performance stainless steel and carbon steel pipe products that effectively deliver high quality, highly-sustainable and environmentally sound drinkable water to the Chinese, Asia and European markets. ZK International is Quality Management System Certified (ISO9001), Environmental Management System Certified (ISO1401), and a National Industrial Stainless Steel Production Licensee. It has supplied stainless steel pipelines for over 2,000 projects, which include the Beijing National Airport, the "Water Cube" and "Bird's Nest", which were venues for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. ZK International is preparing to capitalize on the $850 Billion commitment made by the Chinese Government to improve the quality of water, which has been stated to be 70% unfit for human contact.

In 2018, ZKIN established its wholly-owned xSigma Corporation to develop innovative software solutions that support its core operations while exploring new opportunities in smart contracts, distributed ledgers, supply chain management NFTs, and blockchain architecture. The xSigma Labs team is made up of world-class developers and engineers formerly of Facebook, Google, Amazon, Ripple and 1inch, most recently launching its first DeFi project in the Fall of 2020.

For more information, please visit www.ZKInternationalGroup.com. Additionally, please follow ZK International on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Weibo. For further information on ZK International's SEC filings please visit www.sec.gov.

For more information please visit www.ZKInternationalGroup.com. Additionally, please follow the Company on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Weibo. For further information on the Company's SEC filings please visit www.sec.gov.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "could," "estimate" or "continue" or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantee of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of ZK International. Actual results may differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties, as well as other risk factors that are included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Although ZK International believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance that the results contemplated in forward-looking statements will be realized. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by ZK International or any other person that their objectives or plans will be achieved. ZK International does not undertake any obligation to revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Contact Person: Di Chen

Cell Number: +86 15057357883

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE ZK International Group Co., Ltd.

Related Links

www.ZKInternationalGroup.com


Seoul, Oct 20 : North Korea said on Wednesday that it has "successfully" conducted a test-firing of a new-type of submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) a day earlier.

It marked the North's eighth known major missile test this year, Yonhap news agency reported.

"The new SLBM will greatly contribute to our country's defense technology advancement and the Navy's underwater operational capabilities," the North's official Korean Central News Agency said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un did not inspect the firing.

On Tuesday, South Korea's military had said that the North fired a short-range missile believed to be an SLBM from the vicinity of Sinpo, where its main submarine shipyard is located.
Washington, Oct 20 : The US remains ready to engage with North Korea anytime and anywhere, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has said, adding that North Korea's missile tests underscored the urgent need to engage with the reclusive state.

North Korea fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile on Tuesday, marking its eighth missile test so far this year, Yonhap news agency reported.

"These launches also underscore the urgent need for dialogue and diplomacy. Our offer remains to meet anywhere, anytime without preconditions," the White House Press Secretary told a daily press briefing.

"We call on the DPRK to refrain from further provocations and engage in sustained and substantive dialogue," she added, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The State Department earlier condemned the latest North Korean missile test, calling it a "violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions." North Korea remains unresponsive to US overtures. It has also stayed away from talks with the US since early 2019.

Psaki reaffirmed the US' commitment to working with its allies while also reiterating US commitment to the defence of South Korea and Japan.

"Our commitment to the defence of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad," said Psaki, referring to South Korea by its official name.

Her remarks came after US Special Representative for North Korea, Sung Kim met trilaterally with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts in Washington earlier in the day.

"So we remain prepared to engage in diplomacy with the North Korea, and also, of course, to work closely with our allies and partners on addressing this as it proceeds," the White House press secretary said.
Los Angeles, Oct 20 : Actress Megan Fox says it is hard to be a woman and has encouraged other women to wear whatever makes them "feel good" and not to worry about the opinions of other people.

Fox said: "There are definitely some times where mentally, I'm not in a place where I want to be exposed or interact with the world. I think style is a closer reflection of your mood than some people realise, and because of that, it changes constantly.

"Like I change multiple times a day sometimes, don't you? That's my best advice for anyone: wear what makes you feel good and do not worry about what other people say you look like," reports femalefirst.co.uk.

The actress acknowledges that it's easier said than done.

She told Elle.com: "Obviously, that's a really tricky thing for me as well, because I have body dysmorphia, so I see myself differently than how other people see me anyway.

"And bottom line is, it's very difficult to be a woman!" She added: "And I've finally let myself acknowledge that it's hard to be a woman! It's really difficult, right? We are our own worst enemies sometimes, and so my best advice is just to embrace it, and know you have the freedom to express yourself however feels good to you.

"Know that, and then give yourself permission to do so." On the other hand, Megan explained that her body just isn't suited to wearing certain things.

The 'Transformers' star said: "People do not realise how small I am.

"So I'm either in clothes that are really well-fitted or I just get overwhelmed by fabric, which happens very easily." "So if I know I'm going to be photographed, I do tend to pick things with a very close fit. I would love to put on a pair of parachute pants, but it just doesn't work on my body! It wasn't exactly a choice to only wear tight clothes or cutouts."

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Lucknow, Oct 20 : To mark her 74th birthday, Lucknow Mayor Sanyukta Bhatia launched 'Mayor Anusuiya Kitchen' which will provide food to the poor, labourers and attendants of patients in hospitals at Rs 10 per plate.

Stalls will be set up near hospitals from where the food distribution will be done. The food will also be distributed in slum areas, she said.

The Mayor also inaugurated 205 projects and laid the foundation stone of 140 projects related to road repair, interlocking of pavements and drainage construction.

According to officials, all projects collectively cost around Rs 24.8 crore. The projects, officials said, are aimed at improving civic amenities.

Municipal commissioner Ajay Dwivedi said that orders have been issued to complete the projects whose foundation stone was laid, at the earliest.
Kanpur : , Oct 20 (IANS) The highly decomposed bodies of a missing 22-year-old youth and his 16-year-old alleged girlfriend, have been found in a paddy field in the outskirts of the village in Kanpur district.

Both belong to Unnao district.

The bodies of the victims, identified as Balkishan and the alleged girlfriend, were at least four to five days old, according to the police and the identity of the victims will be further ascertained through DNA profiling.

The police said that it appears that the bodies of the couple were burnt by pouring acid.

Police also said they are probing all possible angles, including suicide, as cause of death.

Family members of both the victims identified them on the basis of mobile phones, slippers and clothes recovered from the spot.

The police are trying to procure the call details of both the mobiles and the location after the disappearance of the victims on October 12.

Balkishan's father, Chetram, said that he had lodged a complaint with the police after his son was severely beaten up by the father and brother of a teenage girl of the same village, late on October 12.

"Somehow he escaped and rushed back to his home. After this, on the morning of October 13, while he was going to the fields, the family members of the teenage girl abducted him. Despite a frantic search, no trace of his son was found," he had stated in his complaint.

On the other hand, the father of the 16-year-old girl had given a complaint in the Kotwali police station accusing the youth of eloping with his minor daughter on October 13.

"Investigations are on to ascertain the exact time of deaths of the couple," said Circle Officer, Ashutosh Kumar.
Kanpur : , Oct 20 (IANS) Seema Samridhi, the lawyer who fought for justice in the Nirbhaya case and is also fighting the case of the Hathras rape and murder victim, will now take up the Manish Gupta murder case.

Manish Gupta, a businessman, was allegedly killed during a police raid in a Gorakhpur hotel last month and six policemen have been arrested in the matter.

Seema said that she will fight the case of Manish Gupta without taking any fees. She said the wife of the deceased Manish had requested her for help. She said she will try to get the case transferred to Delhi since the Uttar Pradesh Police personnel are involved in the matter.

Meanwhile, Meenakshi Gupta, widow of the slain businessman, said that despite the state government's recommendation, the CBI has not yet started investigations.

"Now I am preparing to file a petition in the Supreme Court. I do not want to get the investigation done by the Lucknow unit of CBI. In the petition, I will ask for investigation by the Delhi unit of CBI," she told reporters.

Meenakshi also said that she has no complaint against the SIT which is presently probing the case.

"SIT is doing its job but the Gorakhpur police is hell bent on destroying the evidence. If important evidence is destroyed, it will weaken the case and the accused policemen will not be punished for their sins as they should be," she added.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has already given financial help to the family and a job as OSD in Kanpur Development Authority to Meenakshi Gupta.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : Amid reports of migrants fleeing from the Kashmir Valley after targeted killings by the terrorists, Congress leader Manish Tewari on Wednesday cautioned the government and asked not to allow the repeat of 1990 when Kashmiri Pandits had to flee and the government could not provide security.

In a statement on Wednesday he said, "I urge the Prime Minister and Home Minister Amit Shah, do not Under any circumstances allow this ethnic cleansing by another name to take place".

He blamed that the situation has arisen due to the abrogation of Article 370. "Provide security and give confidence to migrant workers. Some will die. That is COST unfortunately for the August 5, 2019 folly. Don't let 1990 repeat itself." He said Punjab was brought back from the brink because the Punjabi Hindus stood their ground and never fled in fear. Hundreds of Hindus were pulled out of buses and trains and shot but they never baulked. They suffered but never surrendered, he added.

"In Kashmir we are surrendering to Terrorists." "This is ethnic cleansing by another name. In 1990 BJP & communist parties supported VP Singh who made a cardinal error by not providing security to Kashmiri Pandits. In 2021, same mistake is being made again by facilitating departure of migrant workers," Tewari said in a statement.

Tewari's comments came after terrorists killed 11 non-local individuals in the Valley in the last 16 days. Due to this an atmosphere of fear has been created there leading to the exodus of migrants.

Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and informed him about the steps taken by the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the Union Home Ministry to improve the security situation there. The two leaders discussed the atmosphere of fear created due to targeted killings by terrorists in Kashmir. The Home Minister also informed the Prime Minister about the exodus of fear driven migrants from the Valley.

Amit Shah will visit Jammu and Kashmir on October 23-25 and will hold important high-level meetings with regard to the security situation in the Valley. This is the first visit of the Union Home Minister to the union territory after the abrogation of Article 370.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
United Nations, Oct 20 : UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland told the Security Council that no progress has been made towards the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Political stagnation is "fueling tensions, instability and a deepening sense of hopelessness," Wennesland said on Tuesday. "We should have no illusions about the current state of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," describing a situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) that continues to deteriorate, with no progress towards the two-state solution, Xinhua news agency reported.

He painted a picture of a situation that is "increasingly desperate" defined by extremists and unilateral actions on all sides, which heightens risks for Palestinians, Israelis, and the region at large.

"Israeli and Palestinian civilians are suffering and paying a steep price for the persistence of the conflict, including the protracted occupation," said Wennesland.

In the meantime, settlement activity, evictions, Palestinian property seizures, and movement restrictions are "further feeding the cycle of violence" as Israeli civilians are killed and injured in Palestinian attacks.

In his report, the UN envoy described "nightly clashes" between Israelis and Palestinians, and stressed the importance of holding all perpetrators of violence accountable and swiftly bringing them to justice.

Wennesland highlighted Israeli plans for construction in E1, located adjacent to and northeast of East Jerusalem, saying that these units would "sever the connection between the northern and southern West Bank, significantly undermining the chances for establishing a viable and contiguous Palestinian state as part of a negotiated two-state solution." "I reiterate that all settlements are illegal under international law and remain a substantial obstacle to peace," he insisted.

In "a welcome development," the special coordinator said that Israeli and Palestinian officials had announced that some 4,000 undocumented Palestinians in the West Bank would be registered in the Palestinian population registry and receive identity documents.

Meanwhile, as expenditures exceed revenues and donor support, Palestine's economic decline continues, with bank loan options "exhausted." He voiced concern that "these negative trends are occurring simultaneously across the West Bank and Gaza" and should not be left unaddressed.

"We can no longer lurch from crisis to crisis... incident by incident, on a short-term day-to-day basis as stand-alone issues," he said, calling for a "broader package of parallel steps" by Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the international community that addresses the "key political, security and economic challenges" that are barring progress.
Belagavi : , Oct 20 (IANS) Karnataka Police have arrested three persons in connection with a moral policing, extortion and assault case in Belagavi district, police sources said on Wednesday.

The accused persons have been identified as Dawat Qateeb, Ayub and Yusuf Pathan. The Police have formed a special team under Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) to nab the other accused persons.

According to Police, the 28-year-old woman from Sankeshwar town and her friend from Raibagh had asked an auto driver to take them to a park. Instead of taking them to a park, the auto driver had taken them to an isolated place in Aman Nagar.

The girl was allegedly beaten up for going out with a boy from another religion. The girl in the complaint said a 20-member group had attacked her and the boy with rods and sticks.

Miscreants also robbed away Rs 50,000 cash, mobile phones worth Rs 20,000, Aadhaar card and ATM cards.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Vikram Amate said the incident had taken place on October 14 and the girl had registered a police complaint in connection with the incident under Malamaruthi police station in Belagavi.

Three accused have been arrested and a special team has been formed under an ACP ranked police officer to nab other accused persons. "We have taken the case seriously. Those aggrieved must contact our emergency response system if they feel threatened," he added.

Another case of moral policing was reported from Belgavi on Tuesday where a group of local people heckled two girls speaking to their friends at Belagavi Bus Stand.

The group tried to remove the 'hijab' (face cover) of the girls and asked phone numbers of their parents from them while objecting for speaking to a boy from another religion. They asked their names and abused them. However, police rushed to the spot and dispersed the crowd. However, the girl did not lodge a complaint in the case.

Recently, Belagavi Police had arrested the girl's parents and a Hindu group leaders for allegedly hacking a youth from another religion to death for being in relationship with a Hindu girl.
Moradabad : , Oct 20 (IANS) In a shocking incident, a former Indian Air Force officer and also an RSS functionary, died after his cousins and brother-in-law allegedly injected poison into his shoulder while he was on his way home after attending an event in Moradabad.

Rakesh Kumar Singh, 40, died during the treatment at a private hospital, said the Police.

According to the victim's relative Arvind, Rakesh's brother-in-law Naresh and two others were following them on their way home on Monday evening.

"They intercepted our vehicle and one of the accused grabbed Rakesh with his arm and injected poison into his shoulder and fled the scene," Arvind told the media.

"Rakesh complained of severe body pain and was rushed to a private hospital but we were told that the ventilator service was not available there. We then visited two more hospitals. Finally, he was admitted to a private hospital in Pakhbara area but died during the treatment," he said.

Moradabad Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar Anand said, "The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was having a property dispute with his relatives. Based on his family's complaint, an FIR has been registered against three people -- Pradeep, Naresh and Ranvir -- under IPC sections 307 (punishment for murder) and 328 (causing hurt by means of poison etc). All three accused have been arrested." According to police, the post-mortem examination has been conducted and further legal action is being taken.
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 20 : Veteran CPI-M leader and former Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan turned 98 on Wednesday.

The oldest living Communist in the country left the mainstream politics and ended his term as a legislator early this year. Since then, he has disappeared from public glare and is leading a retired life at his son's residence, here.

According to a source, the veteran leader spends his time moving on a wheel-chair and is read out the daily newspapers. He keeps himself abreast with the events watching news on the television.

Owing to the pandemic, visitors are generally not entertained in the house, but many of his well wishers often enquire about his health from his son Arun Kumar.

Even though he wished to return to his home base in Alappuzha district, from where he rose to the topmost position in the state, doctors advised him to be in the state capital, last year.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Chennai, Oct 20 : The Tamil Nadu government is reaching out to Oceanographers of repute to assist the government in the archaeological excavation process at Korkai, the ancient port city of the Pandyan empire.

In a statement on Tuesday, the state minister for Industries, Tamil Culture, and archaeology, Thangam Tenarasu said that several artefacts were recovered from the ancient port city of Korkai showing its maritime connect with Rome, China, and Egypt.

The minister said that excavations in Korkai with guidance from oceanographic experts are necessary to prove the town's age and its rich heritage and culture as well as the trade relations it has had with foreign countries.

Thangam Thenarasu in the statement also said that the earlier excavations from the Pandyan port town has proved beyond doubt the maritime connections it has had with other countries and that a scientific excavation with the able guidance of expert oceanographers would open new vistas on the town and its maritime history.

He said that several remains unearthed from the site including drainage pipes remains of old houses, baked tiles, conch bangles, iron coins, and pots, prove that it has had a rich heritage and culture even in 785 BCE.

The minister also said that the materials unearthed from Korkai during excavations would be on display at the Porunai (Thamaribarani) museum coming up in Tirunelveli. He also said that the government is also considering the creation of an onsite museum at Korkai.

The minister in the statement said that the department is also in the process of preparing an integrated document on Sivakalai, Korkai, and Adichanallur civilisations.
Tunis, Oct 20 : Tunisian Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi met visiting German Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office Niels Annen to discuss strategic partnership between the two countries, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The Tunisian-German strategic partnership "is witnessing continuous development that reflects the importance the two countries attach to bilateral relations," said a ministry statement on Tuesday.

On the evolution of the political situation in Tunisia, Jerandi stressed the dynamism launched by the formation of the new government, and determination of the Tunisian leadership to achieve the goals of the exceptional measures adopted by President Kais Saied on July 25 that "came to correct the democratic process in Tunisia in a manner that meets the aspirations of the Tunisian people for development and prosperity," Xinhua news agency reported.

For his part, Annen praised the current high level bilateral relations in various fields, highlighting his country's continuous desire to further strengthen and push them toward wider horizons.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : Three people have been arrested in connection with a murder case in which a woman was stabbed to death on Matiala Road in Delhi's Dwarka area, an official said on Wednesday.

One of the arrested accused was a jilted lover of the 22-year-old victim. The incident occurred on Monday evening when the suspect met the victim through common friends.

Family sources said the victim left the house before 12 a.m., informing her parents that she will stay at her friend's place.

As she met the accused, in a fit of anger, he allegedly stabbed the woman seven times. She was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was declared brought dead due to excessive blood loss.

As per CCTV footage accessed by IANS, the accused could be seen stabbing the woman multiple times. In the video, two men could be seen trying to save the woman, however, their efforts turned futile.

Sources said the woman and the accused were earlier in a relationship, however, they broke up some time ago. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect committed the murder after facing rejection by the woman.

All the three arrested accused have been identified as -- Ankit Gaba, Manish and Himanshu.

According to recent data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the national capital recorded the highest number of crimes against women among all metropolitan cities in the country.
Srinagar, Oct 20 : A gunfight broke out between the terrorists and security forces in the Dragad area of South Kashmir's Shopian district on Wednesday, officials said.

"Encounter has started at Dragad area of Shopian. Police and Security Forces are on the job," police said.

The gunfight started 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 the presence of terrorists.

As the security forces zeroed in on the spot where the terrorists were hiding they came under a heavy volume of fire that triggered the encounter.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : United States President Joe Biden is nominating Donald Armin Blome, an expert on Middle East affairs, as the new Ambassador to Pakistan, Dawn reported.

Donald Armin Blome, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service belonging to the class of minister-counsellor, is currently the US ambassador to Tunisia.

Prior to that, Ambassador Blome was chargA d'affaires at the Libya External Office in Tunisia, consul general at the US Consulate in Jerusalem, and director of the Office of Arabian Peninsula Affairs at the US Department of State.

He has also served as political counsellor at the US Embassy in Kabul and minister-counsellor for economic and political affairs at the US Embassy in Cairo. Earlier in his career, Ambassador Blome served as the civilian co-director at the Multinational Force Strategic Engagement Cell, Baghdad, political counsellor at the US Embassy Kuwait, and as Israel desk officer, deputy director and acting director at the Office of Israel and Palestinian Affairs.

His nomination follows the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, which caused the collapse of the US-backed government in Kabul and forced Washington to move its diplomatic mission to Doha, Qatar.

The US embassy in Islamabad is also expected to play a major role in limiting China's rapidly growing political and economic influence in Pakistan, the report said.

All ambassadorial positions in the US require Senate confirmation.
Mumbai, Oct 20 : The Special NDPS Court in Mumbai is the focus of national attention as the bail plea of Aryan Khan -- son of Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan -- and 7 other youths come up for hearing later on Wednesday.

The arguments in the bail pleas of Aryan Khan, Arbaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha were completed last week and Special NDPS Judge V.V. Patil had deferred the verdict till Wednesday, but the hearing of the remaining accused is pending.

The hearing comes under the backdrop of a senior Shiv Sena leader Kishore Tiwari filing a plea before the Supreme Court Chief Justice N.V. Ramana demanding a high-level probe into the affairs of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the 'violation of Aryan Khan's fundamental rights'.

Meanwhile, the NCB has reportedly found the mention of a heroine in one of the WhatsApp chats of Aryan -- who has been inside the lockup or custody for 19 nights continuously since his detention on October 2 and arrest on October 3.

The NCB has reportedly counselled him and other co-accused, offered them their religious holy books like Bhagwad Gita, Quran or Bible, Aryan reportedly is full of remorse and has promised to 'reform' himself after release.

However, Nationalist Congress Party National Spokesperson and Minister Nawab Malik has challenged these claims and demanded the NCB should release videos of the purported counselling sessions instead of indulging in selective leaks.

In one of the most high-profile operations, Aryan Khan, along with 7 others was caught when the NCB team led by Mumbai Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede swooped on an alleged rave party aboard a cruise ship on October 2 evening.

During subsequent investigations, another 12 persons, including a foreigner have been nabbed in the same case, while some others have been raided or questioned.

Simultaneously, fingers have been raised at the NCB's style of working, the involvement of a fugitive and a politician, friends of the sleuths as 'independent witnesses', capped by the unprecedented plea to the CJI seeking a probe into the central narcotics agency's alleged 'mala fide doings'.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Los Angeles, Oct 20 : 'Eternals' stars Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Gemma Chan and Lauren Ridloff and director Chloe Zhao did not attend Elle's Women in Hollywood event on Tuesday night due to possible exposure to Covid-19.

"Earlier today we were made aware of a possible exposure to Covid-19, and while all of our talent have tested negative, out of an abundance of caution, we are pivoting to virtual appearances rather than in-person events," a Disney spokesperson told Variety.

Elle editor-in-chief Nina Garcia made the announcement during the event, saying that they "were just exposed, so to keep everyone safe those superheroes are now in super isolation." It is unclear how the cast members and director may have been exposed to Covid-19, but they were all in attendance at the Los Angeles premiere of 'Eternals' on Monday night.

Jolie, Hayek, Chan and Ridloff were all honoured with an Elle cover to celebrate their roles in 'Eternals' and other contributions to film and television. Director Zhao was planning to be in attendance at the event to present the honour to Jolie.

However, Chan appeared via video to accept her honour from Jon M. Chu, who said in his speech: "I'm so honoured to know you - wish you were here." "I'm so sorry that I can't be with you this evening, but I am so proud to be honoured alongside such incredible women: Angelina, Salma and Lauren," Chan said in her virtual speech.

"All of you I admire greatly, not just for everything they've achieved in their careers, but for everything they stand for in life and their advocacy." When it came time for Demi Moore to present Hayek's honour, Moore read her acceptance speech aloud to the audience. Eva Longoria did the same with Jolie's remarks.

"I am thinking tonight of all of the women who are bringing us through the pandemic. The scientists, the doctors and nurses, so many others who are showing us what strength and sacrifice are and whose contribution transcends borders," Jolie wrote in her speech.

"One of the best things about being part of 'Eternals' was working with with such a global cast. Women who were born in countries where the struggle for equality and rights is even more challenging than it is here. Women who know that what makes them different is what makes them beautiful, and gives them even more to contribute." In their cover story, the stars discussed what the highly-anticipated film will offer its viewers.
San Francisco, Oct 20 : Video streaming giant YouTube is ready for a larger test of its live shopping platform, with plans to host a week-long live shopping event, "YouTube Holiday Stream and Shop," starting on November 15.

The event will allow viewers to shop new products, unlock limited-time offers and engage with creators and other viewers via Q&As and polls, the company said.

According to TechCrunch, the company first unveiled its plans to invest in live shopping at the beginning of 2021, as part of a larger initiative around integrated shopping on YouTube.

The initial tests had been focused on videos on demand before the livestream pilot kicked off this summer.

Since then, many YouTube creators have tried out livestream shopping with their fans. Other retailers also participated more directly, YouTube noted.

The upcoming Stream and Shop event, which kicks off with the Merrell Twins, will also feature products from top retailers, including Walmart, Samsung and Verizon.

Despite the steps it's been making toward livestream shopping, YouTube hasn't yet made the feature broadly available. Instead, it's continuing to test live shopping with individual creators, the report said.

In the meantime, however, rival TikTok has moved forward with live shopping features of its own.

Earlier this year, TikTok began piloting TikTok Shopping in the US, UK and Canada, in partnership with Shopify.

At an event last month, the company said it was expanding shopping with new partners Square, Ecwid, PrestaShop, Wix, SHOPLINE, OpenCart and BASE.

It also introduced a suite of solutions and features under the brand TikTok Shopping, which includes ways to integrate products into videos, ads and LIVE shopping support.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged the officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to rededicate themselves to abolish corruption from all walks of life. He ask the officials to strengthen new India's policy of zero tolerance against corruption.

Addressing a joint meeting of the CBI and CVC taking place at Gujarat's Kevadia through a video message, Modi said corruption takes away the rights of people and hinders the pursuit of justice for all, the country's progress and affects the collective power of the country.

"In the last six-seven years, the government has succeeded in instilling the confidence that it is possible to curb corruption. Today there is political will to attack corruption and continuous improvement is being carried out at the administrative level," he added.

"New India is no longer ready to accept that corruption is part of the system. It wants its system transparent, efficient process and smooth governance," Modi said.

His government does not mistrust the citizens and that is why many layers of verification of documents have been removed and many facilities like birth certificate and life certificate for pension are being delivered through technology without middlemen, the Prime Minister added.

Modi said this approach of trust and technology has strengthened efficient governance and ease of doing business, adding that many outdated rules regarding permissions and compliances for the businesses have been removed and at the same time many strict laws in accordance with present day challenges have been brought.

Speaking about preventive vigilance, he said it can be achieved with alertness and can be strengthened through technology and experience.

"Along with technology and alertness -- simplicity, clarity and transparency in the processes will go a long way for preventive vigilance which will simplify our work and save the resources of the country," Modi added.

The Prime Minister exhorted the CBI and CVC officers not to desist from taking action against corrupt people and ensure that there is no safe haven for anyone who deceives the country and countrymen.

Modi urged the CVC, CBI and other anti-corruption institutions to remove such processes that come in the way of new India.

"You need to strengthen new India's policy of zero tolerance against corruption. You need to implement laws in a way that the poor come closer to the system and the corrupt move out of it," the Prime Minister said.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Oct 20 : Paresh Rawal has heaped praises on his 'Hum Do Hamare Do' co-star Rajkummar Rao. The veteran actor says he admires him as he got to learn so much from him.

"When you work with so many actors...there are very few actors you admire. Admire why not because they are successful but because you get to learn so much from them. You only admire those from whom you learn things," Paresh told IANS.

He added: "Rajkummar is one of those actors you get to learn so much from and enjoy working with. He attempts different subjects and supports cinema with different movies such as 'Shahid' and 'Newton'. The future of films is good because if actors like him support then it feels good." The family entertainer 'Hum Do Hamare Do' tells the story of a man forced to "arrange" a set of parents to impress the love of his life. It also stars Ratna Pathak Shah, Kriti Sanon and Aparshakti Khurana.

Talking about how he ups his own game when it comes to comedy, Paresh said: "With the help of the writer, director and the help of fellow actors. If the actor with me does not react properly the comedy will fall flat. It's a combination of all three factors It needs help of all." 'Hum Do Humare Do' is directed by Abhishek Jain, produced by Dinesh Vijan, a Maddock Original film, starts streaming from October 29 on Disney+ Hotstar.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Hyderabad, Oct 20 : Malayalam superstar Mammootty has been roped in to play an important character in Akhil Akkineni's upcoming movie 'Agent'. Reports suggest that the megastar is all set to fly to Europe to shoot for the movie.

Mammootty, who wrapped up shooting for his upcoming movie 'Puzhu', is reportedly all set to shoot for the most anticipated Telugu movie 'Agent'.

'Agent' is touted as Akhil Akkineni's espionage-thriller, which is being directed by Surender Reddy. Akhil is to appear as a spy agent while Mammootty plays a military officer.

Telugu's star producer Anil Sunkara is the producer for this upcoming thriller. It is reported that the makers initially considered Malayalam star Mohan Lal to play the role of the military officer. But, as things did not go as planned, Mammootty came on board to play this significant role.

Mammootty seems to be pleased with the role and hence is excited to play the officer in 'Agent'. The next shooting schedule is to happen in the picturesque locations of Budapest, Hungary.

Akhil Akkineni, on the other hand, has got a super hit response for his recently released 'Most Eligible Bachelor', which stars Pooja Hegde as his love interest. He seems to be buoyed by the blockbuster hit and is apparently working on his next, as he needs to prep up for intense action sequences for 'Agent'.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Oct 20 : The Congress party will hold a crucial meet on Gujarat on Friday which will be chaired by Rahul Gandhi. The meeting comes ahead of appointment of new state president and recent debacles in urban local body elections.

The meeting will be attended by important leaders of the state including president, working president and other office bearers of the party. Sources said that this will be a feedback session to take stock of the state organisation which has not been able to defeat BJP in the state.

The recently appointed State In charge Raghu Sharma has tough task to take the veterans and young leaders along to strengthen the party organisation.

The Congress is zeroing on faces for the new state president. Former Union Minister Bharat Singh Solanki and Arjun Modwadia are being considered for the top party job while among the younger lot, Hardik Patel is said to be in the final lap, as he is already working president. However, Modwadia who is campaign committee chairman could be the top choice as he is from Porbandar.

The Congress' experiment with Paresh Dhanani and Amit Chavda have not yielded results and many MLAs have left the party since 2017 elections.

Speaking to IANS Raghu Sharma state in charge had said, "My priority is to strengthen the Congress party in Gujarat, to strengthen its structure, conduct training programs and there are other issues in the state that need to be addressed." The Congress is also facing challenge from AAP and AIMIM in Gujarat and congress leaders admit that one of the reasons for civic poll losses are these parties which are cutting into Congress votes.

While recently in Gandhinagar Municipal poills the BJP scored over arch rival Congress, bagging 41 ward seats out of the total 44 seats. Two seats were claimed by the Congress with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) debuting in the political arena here with one seat.
Varanasi, Oct 20 : The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and department of fisheries and Agriculture Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) have launched an initiative to promote marine product export from the Varanasi region.

A series of roundtable conferences are being organised to discuss the same.

According to APEDA regional officer C.B. Singh, the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of India, has already been taking several key initiatives to sensitise growers, exporters, government officials and other stakeholders for harnessing the export potential of agri-products from the region.

"As the fishery farmers and their production has increased in this region in recent years, there was a demand from them for giving them similar opportunities like agriculture farmers. In view of it, MPEDA officials who operate from Kochi, were asked to hold a meeting here," said Singh.

Fishery farmers were assured by the APEDA officials about initiatives to boost marine-agri product exports from Varanasi region by inviting MPEDA -- the nodal agency for marine product export.

MPEDA director M.Karthikeyan emphasised on the need to build a hatchery in Varanasi and assured that further action in this regard will be discussed with the concerned department very soon.

Deputy director MPEDA Dr Lahiri said that MPEDA is exploring possibilities for developing Varanasi as a fish export hub. He said that the farmers of the area are working on high-end technology, for which capacity enhancement is necessary. There is a need to study and practice the value addition, residual effect on the farmers.

The officials said that a processing unit, packhouse for fish produce, hatchery in Uttar Pradesh, advancement in technology may also be the project which may be proposed in future for promotion of fish and fish produce export from Varanasi.

In the past 10 years, the value of export of fish and fish product export has reached Rs 50,000 crores from Rs 10,000 crores.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : Afghanistan's economic woes could fuel a refugee crisis impacting neighbouring countries, Turkey and Europe, the International Monetary Fund has said, BBC reported.

The economy will contract by up to 30 per cent this year --which could push millions into poverty and cause a humanitarian crisis, the fund warned.

The IMF said Afghanistan's neighbours would be further hit because they rely on its funds for trade, the report said.

Bordering Tajikistan has said it can't afford to take in many more refugees.

With foreign assets frozen and most non-humanitarian aid halted, inflows of cash to Afghanistan have all but dried up.

In its regional economic outlook, the fund said: "A large influx of refugees could put a burden on public resources in refugee-hosting countries, fuel labour market pressures, and lead to social tensions, underscoring the need for assistance from the international community." While it's unclear how many Afghan refugees there would be, the IMF estimates that if there were to be a million more, hosting them would cost Tajikistan $100m (A72m), Iran $300m and Pakistan $500m, the report said.

Last month Tajikistan said it could not afford to take in large numbers of refugees unless it received international financial assistance while other Central Asian nations have said they have no plans to host refugees.

Nearby countries will also be hurt by the loss of Afghanistan as a major trading partner.

The IMF also warned there are concerns that funds going into the country may be used to finance terrorism and launder money.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Bhopal, Oct 20 : Heavy rains have severely impacted farmers in Madhya Pradesh and caused widespread damage to their crops. The state government has, however, assured all possible help to overcome the loss to life and property.

Farmers living in many parts of the state are not able to buy fertilizers these days as the rains caused heavy losses in many parts of the state.

The Congress party has sought the state government's help to compensate for the damage caused by the rains. Farmer leader Dinesh Gurjar alleged that the prices of fertilizers, seeds, electricity etc have become expensive in the state. While the state government supporting mafias.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said crops have been damaged due to rains at several places in the state. Necessary relief will be provided to the farmers affected by the rain for which instructions have been issued to carry out a survey. After the assessment, the affected victims will be provided necessary financial assistance.

Farmers will be provided the benefit of PM Fasal Bima Yojana for which necessary arrangements will be made. The state government is standing firmly with the farmers to overcome this situation and is a 'pro-farmer' government.

State Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development Minister, Kamal Patel has told the farmers that they need not be worried under any circumstances. "There is a pro-farmer government in the state. The problems faced by farmers is the responsibility of the state government, Patel added.

The Minister has said all Collectors have been directed to immediately start conducting a survey to assess the damage caused by rains as well as to assess the damage caused to standing, and harvested crops and crops kept in barns due to unseasonal rains.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Amaravati, Oct 20 : Leaders of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) were arrested across Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday as the day-long shutdown called by the opposition party was underway to protest against the attacks on its offices.

Several top leaders of the party were placed under house arrest in the early hours of the day to prevent them from coming out and attending the protests. The leaders, who came out on streets and tried to enforce the shutdown, were arrested by the police.

Holding party flags and also black flags and raising slogans against the government, TDP leaders and workers hit the streets in all the districts and tried to stop buses of state-owned Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) from plying.

TDP's central office at Mangalagiri here and party offices in some other parts of the state were attacked on Tuesday allegedly by the supporters of ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), who were angry over the use of some abusive words by TDP spokesman Pattabhi Ram against Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

Pattabhi Ram's house in Vijayawada was also attacked and ransacked by the protestors. Terming the attacks 'state-sponsored terrorism', TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu called for state-wide shutdown.

Senior TDP leader and former minister Devineni Uma was arrested at Gollapudi in Krishna district. The TDP leaders also staged a protest at Vijayawada bus stand.

TDP MP K. Rammohan Naidu and other party leaders were arrested when they were staging a protest at the RTC complex at Srikakulam. Former minister and TDP politburo member Kala Venkatrao was placed under house arrest at Rajam.

Top leaders of the opposition party were placed under house arrest in Kurnool district. They included former MLA Meenakshi Naidu, Tikka Reddy, K. Sujatamma, S. Venkateshwarly, K.E. Prabhakar, Bhuma Brahmanand Reddy and MLC Farooq.

MLA G. Butchaiah Chowdary was placed under house arrest in Rajamahendravaram. As a mark of protest, he along with some other TDP leaders sat on the ground in front of his house.

In Tirupati, TDP leaders Sugunamma and Narasimha Yadav were kept under house arrest. Sugunamma had an argument with the police officers who prevented her from leaving the house.

Former minister Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy and Palla Srinivas Rao were placed under house arrest in Visakhapatnam. Protesting party leaders and workers were arrested at various places in the district.

Tension prevailed at the residence of former minister Nakka Anand Babu in Guntur. Police stopped him from leaving the house. There was a heated argument between the TDP leaders and police.
Bhopal, Oct 20 : Two farmers were allegedly killed by unidentified assailants in Prithvipur area in Niwari district of Madhya Pradesh.

According to local police, the incident occurred on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday when the farmers were asleep at a farm to protect their crops.

Prithvipur is one of the three Assembly constituencies in Madhya Pradesh where bypolls are scheduled to be held on October 30. The shocking incident came just 10 days ahead of the bypolls.

The Police told IANS that the incident took place in Ladwari Khas village, which is nearly 25 km away from district headquarters.

"Two farmers were killed by unidentified persons by slitting their throats when they were sleeping at a farm to protect their crops. The reason behind the murder is yet to be known as the matter is still under investigation," said Niwari Additional Superintendent of Police, Surendrapal Singh Dabar.

The deceased farmers have been identified as Suri Kevat (50) and Kashi Kevat (40).

"A case of murder was registered at Prithvipur police station against unidentified persons and efforts are on to nab the assailants," Dabar told IANS.

The campaigning for upcoming bypolls in Prithvipur is in full swing and both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Congress are leaving no stone unturned to gain the support of people.

Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief and former Chief Minister, Kamal Nath held an election rally in Prithvipur on Monday during which he accused the BJP-led state government of influencing Congress candidate.

Recently, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had held a public rally in poll-bound Prithvipur.

Shishupal Singh Yadav is BJP's candidate for Prithvipur Assembly constituency while Nitendra Singh is contesting on a Congress ticket.
Srinagar, Oct 20 : The terrorist involved in the killing of a migrant worker was among the two killed in a gunfight with the security forces in the Dragad area of South Kashmir's Shopian district on Wednesday, officials said.

Sagir Ahmad, a carpenter from Uttar Pardesh was killed by terrorists in South Kashmir's Pulwama district on Saturday.

Police said one of the killed terrorists has been identified as Adil Ahmad Wani, active since July 2020.

"He was involved in killing of one poor labourer at Litter Pulwama. So far, 15 terrorists have been neutralised in 2 weeks," a tweet by J&K Police quoting Inspector General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar said.

"Killed terrorist Adil Wani was involved in killing of a poor carpenter namely Sakir Ah Wani S/O Gulam Kadir Wani R/O Saharanpur UP. Adil Wani was District Commander Shopian of proscribed terror outfit LeT (TRF)." Earlier, the gunfight 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 the presence of terrorists.

As the security forces zeroed in on the spot where the terrorists were hiding they came under a heavy volume of fire that triggered the encounter.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 20 : A recent Facebook post of Cherian Phillip taking potshots at Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan clearly indicates that his hobnobbing with the CPI-M for all practical purposes has come to a close, exactly two decades after he dumped the Congress and became a fellow traveller of the 'red party'.

The 67-year-old Phillip, a bachelor, was once one of the closest aides of A.K. Antony and can be credited with building his brand image, at a time when there were no public relation companies.

Phillip, who quit the Congress in 2001, was one of the highly respected Congressman. Besides being a party functionary, he was also the party ideologue.

In 2001, he revolted against the party on being denied a ticket by Oommen Chandy who ran the affairs of the Antony faction and he left the Congress, only to be fielded by the CPI-M against Chandy in the 2001 Assembly polls.

After Phillip lost, he became a strong fellow traveller of the Left and emerged as the face of the CPI-M backed Kairali TV channel.

He was again given a ticket by the party to contest in the 2006 polls, but failed to win.

His closeness with Vijayan fetched him the coveted post of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation chairman in 2006 and in 2011, he was pitted against K. Muraleedharan in the upcountry Vatiyoorkavu constituency in the state capital but he lost.

After Vijayan assumed the chief minister's office in 2016, Phillip was given a cabinet status post in one of his pet projects.

Phillip continued to enjoy the confidence of Vijayan and was hoping that he will come to his aid amid speculations that he will be nominated for Rajya Sabha. But for the first time, the Chief Minister failed him as he backed his closest aides John Brittas who headed the Kairali TV and V. Sivadasan who was looking after the social media operations of the party from the state party headquarters.

After missing the nomination to the Upper House, a disappointed Phillip started to distance himself from Vijayan.

Even though there were speculations about him returning to the Congress, nothing happened and he was kept away from the media attention.

Incidentally, Vijayan after registering a resounding victory in the April 6 Assembly polls and assuming the office for the second time in a row, offered Phillip the post of Vice Chairman of the Kerala Khadi Board, which he turned down saying he was busy penning a book.

But when Kerala was hit with massive rains and threatening floods, Phillip shared a Facebook post in which he said, "those in power singing elegies and shedding tears at rehabilitation camps after not doing enough to provide solace the problems of the hapless after calamity struck, are definitely betraying the trust of the people".

He went on to ask about the Netherlands model of tackling flooding, which Vijayan, after returning from the country, had said would be implemented in Kerala which has been facing floods since 2018.

And all who knows Vijayan, has for sure concluded that Phillip's hobnobbing with the CPI-M is for certain has ended, as Vijayan is not one who will take this.
Chandigarh, Oct 20 : In an apparent embarrassment for the Congress, its legislator Joginder Pal in Punjab allegedly assaulted a man who questioned him over the work done in the constituency.

A video of the incident has gone viral on social media.

The video shows the legislator, dressed in a white kurta, talking about the development works carried out by him in his Boha constituency in Pathankot district.

When he was publically confronted by the villagers about what exactly has he done for the welfare of the constituency, the legislator was seen trying to beat up villagers.

He can be seen beating up the man who asked, "What have you really done?" Responding to the development, Home Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said the MLA should not have behaved in this fashion.

"We are the people's representatives and here to serve them," Randhawa said.
Aizawl, Oct 20 : Though the Covid-19 positivity rate in Mizoram has reduced to 12.36 per cent from 15.36 per cent in the past two weeks, the state government has announced to continue the 'All Mask Campaign', that was scheduled to end on Wednesday, till October 31, officials said.

A Mizoram health official said that state's Health Minister R. Lalthangliana announced the extension of the campaign at a virtual meeting with the Deputy Commissioners, all Chief Medical Officers and all other concerned officials of all the 11 districts.

Highlighting the importance of continuation of the 'All Mask Campaign', the Health Minister said that the statewide campaign was launched on the advice of the state-level expert team on Covid-19 management, which was formed in September amid the rise in numbers of positive cases and deaths in the state.

The team, led by convener Dr. F. Lallianhlira, had recently submitted 16-point recommendations to the state government, among which an aggressive educational awareness campaign on masks was one of the key advice.

The expert team had also recommended a symptom-based approach in conducting contact tracing and tests in the state, in line with recommendations of WHO, CDC-USA and ICMR. As part of the 'All Mask Campaign', the government has requested all citizens to wear masks in their respective offices, working areas, indoors at all times except while eating meals and not to dine together on a table and have buffet meals instead.

The government also advised people to be more mindful in handwashing and use of sanitizers.

The tiny Northeastern state registered an alarming the Covid-19 positivity rate of 12.36 per cent, -- the highest in India -- even as a four-member multi disciplinary central team recently visited different parts of the state and gave necessary advice to the government.

According to the health officials, a total of 1,14,466 people have so far tested positive and 393 people succumbed to the disease.

The recovery rate in the mountainous state is 90.49 per cent as against the national average of 98.15 per cent.

However, according to the Union Health Ministry data on Wednesday, against the national average of 1.33 per cent, Mizoram's Covid fatality rate is 0.34 per cent, the lowest among all states in the country.

With only 11 lakh population, bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh, the Northeastern state had 10,768 active cases on Wednesday, while 1,03,305 have been recovered of the infectious disease so far.

The Mizoram health officials said the state for the past more than two months has been undertaking mass testing of people mainly through the Rapid Antigen method and might be due to this, the number of positive cases has gone alarmingly high.

The mass testing is being done in each and every habitat and locality in collaboration with the local task force and health workers. Of the state's 11 districts, Aizawl has registered the highest number of cases at 71,723 besides recording 286 deaths, followed by Lunglei (8,888 cases, 25 deaths), Kolasib (7,559 cases, 27 deaths) and Khawzawl is the only district where no death has been reported though 677 people have tested positive there so far.

The Health officials said that the central team, headed by National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) consultant-epidemiologist, Dr Vinita Gupta, had recently visited the most affected districts and held a series of meetings with the chief medical officers of all the 11 districts on Wednesday.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : Delhi Police have arrested a man for allegedly kidnapping a 7-year-old child from the Gandhi Nagar area here in the national capital, an official said here on Wednesday.

According to the official, they received a call at the Gandhi Nagar police station at around 5.39 p.m. about a kidnapping incident and the kidnapper was demanding Rs 1.10 crore for the safe release of the child.

The family informed the police that their son has been kidnapped by their own servant, identified as Monu, who had been employed by them just a month ago.

"He worked with them for 8-9 days and went away. About 5-6 days ago, he was again reemployed with a higher salary as the child has started crying & demanding him back due to more attachment and accused servant Monu started working with them," Deputy Commissioner of Police R. Sathiyasundaram said.

At about 4 p.m. on Tuesday, the accused kidnapper Monu took the victim for a walk after informing the child's mother. After about one hour, when they did not return, she tried to contact her servant but his phone was switched off. After few minutes, the accused servant called back on her mobile phone and demanded Rs 1.10 cr for the safe release of the child.

The police began its investigation after deploying several teams and one family member was attached with every team.

The task became very challenging as the complainant had not done any police verification of the accused servant. Moreover, the accused was always on the move.

Accordingly, several teams, some in civil clothes, were dispatched to Railway stations, nearby metro stations, ISBTs, check posts, etc as well as suspected hideouts of the accused. The team also covered various parks, isolated/abandoned buildings, and parking lots, the police said.

Meanwhile, the family continued negotiation efforts as the ransom amount was huge. Accused was conveyed that the family can pay only Rs 10 lakh as they don't have that much money to pay. However, the accused servant refused to listen to them and instead instructed parents to arrange Rs 1 crore within one hour and switched off the mobile after that.

After a rigorous investigation for three hours, the kidnapper along with the child was spotted near Gokulpuri Metro station at about 8.30 p.m. where the accused was waiting to get a call back from the parents after arranging the money demanded.

The police arrested the accused and safely recovered the abducted child.

During interrogation, the accused confessed that he was planning to buy a flat with the ransom money in Mumbai where he was working as a decorator a few years back.

"Thank You Delhi Police", the mother of the abducted child said. She told IANS that her happiness knew no bounds. "I thank the Delhi Police from the core of my heart for rescuing my child," she said as tears of happiness rolled down her cheeks.

The father of the child said that the Delhi Police extended their extreme support in quickly recovering their child. "I will always remain indebted to all the officials of the Delhi Police," the father said.

However, he regretted not doing the police verification which made the cops' task difficult to find the accused. "Monu had joined just 5-6 days back through one of our known person so we did not consider doing a police verification," he said.

The police officials said that the accused was so cunning that he had infatuated the abducted boy to such a level that when they were arresting the accused, the 7-year-old kid told police that the servant is his uncle and do not arrest him.

The police said the role of other people is also being probed and further investigation is in progress.
Chandigarh, Oct 20 : Punjab Education Minister Pargat Singh on Wednesday termed as unfortunate the decision to keep Punjabi out of the main subjects in the datesheet of Class 10 and 12 released by the CBSE.

He appealed to the central board to reconsider its decision.

In a statement, the minister termed the decision by the CBSE to include all regional languages in the minor subjects as a conspiracy to wean students away from their mother tongue.

He said the step is a gross injustice to the students of the state and is in total contravention to the spirit of the Constitution.

The Minister said at least in the states concerned the mother tongue must be included in the main subjects such as in Punjab it is Punjabi.

"If need be then I would call upon the Union Education Minister to impress upon him to roll back the decision," added Pargat Singh.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : India's premier border guarding force Border Security Force (BSF) will be commemorating the supreme sacrifice made by its valiant bravehearts in the line of duty by organising a day long grand ceremony at the National Police Memorial here on October 23.

According to the Force officials, in the morning session, officers and families of BSF personnel will be joining the families of the martyrs in paying homage at the Wall of Valour at National Police Memorial (NPM) followed by felicitating next-of-kin of the bravehearts.

In the evening session, a grand Shaheed Samman Parade will be conducted at the venue and the Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Misra will be the chief guest to the occasion.

After laying a wreath at the memorial on that day, he will be flagging off of the all-women 'Mashaal' motorcycle rally which will pass through some of the iconic landmarks in Delhi via Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House, India Gate, Red Fort and Raj Ghat before terminating at CGO Complex, New Delhi.

Commemorating the stellar role of BSF in the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh as well as the various operations in Counter-Insurgency, the Force's war veterans and gallantry awardees will be felicitated following a grand band display and an audio visual show displaying the valour and services of BSF personnel to the nation.

Raised on December 1, 1965, the BSF has played a stellar role in safeguarding the national interests.

Many such operational engagements include the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War while deployed both along the Western and Eastern borders, Punjab militancy, J&K, North-East and Left Wing Extremism theatres.

So far, a total of 1,927 personnel have laid down their lives in the line of their sacred duty of upholding the sovereignty and integrity of our motherland since its inception in December 1965.

BSF, along with Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Shashtra Seema Bal (SSB) and Assam Rifle are the border guarding forces in India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Kolkata, Oct 20 : The West Bengal Home Department has put all the districts, particularly those bordering Bangladesh, on high alert after fake videos aiming to create communal tension following the attacks on Hindus during Durga Puja in Bangladesh, went viral.

One particular video from Bangladesh that has been making the rounds in Bengal is a clip having a tagline "how Jatan Saha, a Hindu Grand Alliance activist, was murdered in a temple at Noakhali".

Several BJP leaders, such as Debdas Mondal, general secretary of the party in Bongaon district, shared the video on Tuesday, seeking justice for the deceased.

On the development, Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Tuesday said a group with "vested interests" was circulating fake videos on social media to create communal tension.

Referring to the video, Khan explained that the 30-second clip he was referring to was of the May 16 incident in Dhaka's Pallabi area over a property dispute.

"But a group with vested interests is circulating it, calling it the footage of the killing of Jatan Kumar Saha in Noakhali, who died in the recent clashes. This is being done with the intention of creating communal tension. We condemn such actions," Khan said at a programme titled "Technological Modernisation of RAB (Rapid Action Battalion)".

A senior official of the state home department said that officials had been asked to keep track of all social media posts, as there are apprehensions that some forces might try to use the "assault on Hindus" in Bangladesh to create trouble in Bengal.

"All units are being instructed to keep a sharp vigil on videos that are being forwarded. Even small matters of communal overtures are to be reported promptly at the highest level," he added.

"Any post which is spreading hatred, falsehood or rumours is to be dealt with sternly, as some groups and individuals have launched a concerted effort in the social media to spread communal hatred and create law and order issues," the official said.

The intelligence department has already sent a missive to all the SPs and senior police officers in the state to stay alert, considering the communal unrest in Bangladesh.

In a detailed alert sent to DG, ADG (Law and Order) and all the SPs and Commissioners, the Additional Director General (Intelligence Branch) said, "Input further received reveals that some incidents of vandalism and arson on Hindu temples, Durga Puja pandals are reportedly taking place in Noakhali district and Chittagong district in Bangladesh after completion of Jumma Namaj. Iskcon temple at Noakhali has also been vandalised".

Since October 13, social media platforms have been flooded with posts of vandalism of Durga Puja pandals in Bangladesh.

"Districts bordering the India-Bangladesh border have become hyper sensitive and the leaders of different Hindu fundamentalist organisations in India have become pro-active. They are issuing press statements and urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take steps for immediate relief to the Sanatani people of Bangladesh," the alert said.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : The Central government has set a target of vaccinating the entire adult population of the country by the end of 2021, said Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, here on Wednesday. More than 99 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in the country so far, the Minister added.

"Great responsibility lies on us to achieve the Prime Minister's dream of affordable, accessible, safe and modern healthcare in India," she said, adding that, "The Government of India has launched various nationwide programmes for prevention, control and eradication of communicable and non-communicable diseases and improvement of maternal and child health." The Minister said while working towards the goal of achieving universal health coverage, the government has launched the world's largest public funded healthcare programme 'Ayushman Bharat' Mission.

"The scheme has been expanded to include the Digital Health Mission that aims at converging the various components of healthcare ecosystem on one platform for seamless integration and better healthcare outcomes," Pawar added.

Talking about India's healthcare outcome indicators which have projected consistent improvement in the past decade, the Minister said, "Relentless efforts of the Central government have resulted in launching of various nationwide programmes for prevention, control and eradication of communicable and non-communicable diseases and improvement of maternal and child health." Bharati Pawar was speaking at the FICCI Healthcare Excellence Awards ceremony from Nirman Bhavan on Wednesday. Underlining the efforts made by FICCI in bringing about various transformations and developments in the healthcare sector, she said, "We have great responsibility to achieve the Prime Minister's dream of affordable, accessible and modern healthcare." She appreciated FICCI for contributing immensely to the Covid-19 response in close coordination with the empowered groups, Central and state governments.

Pawar said, "The government has launched numerous financial support schemes over the past couple of years for creating the appropriate environment for growth as well as augmenting public-private infrastructure of hospitals, public funded laboratories across the country. The National Medical Commission and the Paramedics Council have been key achievements in the field of medical education."

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Lucknow, Oct 20 : In another political development, Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) President and former UP minister, Om Prakash Rajbhar, had an hour-long meeting with Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Rajbhar said that he had invited Akhilesh Yadav to his rally in Mau on October 27 and he had agreed.

"I urged him that we should all contest together to defeat the politics of hatred which is being practiced by the BJP and he agreed. He also said that farmers, youth and weaker sections of society were unhappy with the state government," he said.

Asked about seat adjustment, he said: "Even if he does not give us a single seat, we will still be with the SP." Rajbhar, however, was evasive when asked if the AIMIM of Asaduddin Owaisi was still a part of his Bhagidari Sankalp Morcha.

"All your questions will be answered on October 27," he said.

The AIMIM had reacted very strongly last week when Rajbhar said that if the BJP accepted his demands, he had no qualms about returning for an alliance.
Bengaluru, Oct 20 : A Bengaluru man was arrested for allegedly murdering his wife and setting her body on fire on Wednesday, police said.

The deceased woman was identified as Afreen Khan, a resident of Yarabnagar, and her husband as Laalu.

According to police, Afreen was attacked with knife and scissors and stabbed all over her body. After she succumbed, her body was laid on a bed and set afire.

Noticing the fire in the house, which was locked from outside, neighbours broke in and discovered Afreen's body.

Banashankari police are investigating the case and took the husband into custody on suspicion.

The couple was married eight years ago and had two children. However, they fought often and Afreen had asked her mother to take her home.
Lucknow, Oct 20 : Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been detained by Lucknow Police at the Lucknow Expressway while she was travelling to Agra to meet the family of a Dalit man who died in police custody.

Her car was stopped at the first toll plaza on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway.

Earlier this month, Priyanka had been detained in Sitapur while she was on her way to Lakhimpur to meet families of farmers killed on October 3.

After she was stopped, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted: "What is the government so afraid of? Arun Valmiki died in police custody. His family is seeking justice. I want to visit that family. What is the Uttar Pradesh government afraid of? Why am I being stopped? Today is Lord Valmiki Jayanti... Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke big on Buddha but this is attacking his message." The police spokesman said that the Congress leader was stopped as she did not have the requisite permissions.

Chaotic visuals from the scene went viral on the social media showing Priyanka Gandhi surrounded by a number of people, including policemen, as she tried to make her way past the blockade.

Another visual showed a police official standing in front of her vehicle, with both hands placed firmly on the hood.

In a video of the conversation between the Congress leader and the police, she can be heard asking: "Wherever I go, do I have to ask for permission?" to which the officer says it is a "law and order issue".

In another visual, Priyanka Gandhi is seen posing for selfies with a few women police officers as party workers can be heard shouting in the background.

Earlier on Wednesday, Arun Valmiki, a 'safai karamchari', who had been arrested in connection with the theft of Rs 25 lakh from the police strong room, died after his health deteriorated during interrogation.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Agra Muniraj G said he fell sick on Tuesday night while a raid was being carried out at his house. He was then taken to a hospital but doctors declared him dead, he said.

Arun was accused of stealing the money on Saturday night from a building that served as the police station's evidence locker, and where he worked as a cleaner.

Arun's family claimed that he died due to custodial torture.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Seoul, Oct 20 : A ship with nine crewmen capsized in waters off South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo (called Takeshima by Japan), Yonhap news agency reported on Wednesday citing the South Korean coast guard.

The coast guard was informed by Japanese authorities that the 72-tonne ship tipped over at about 2.24 p.m. local time (05.24 GMT) in international waters some 168 km northeast of the Dokdo islets, Xinhua news agency reported.

Crewmen aboard the vessel included four Chinese, two Indonesians and three South Koreans. The nine crewmen were still unaccounted for.

The coast guard reportedly dispatched two patrol ships and a helicopter for search operations.

The Chinese embassy in South Korea said it immediately activated emergency response.

The Chinese embassy urged the South Korean side to make every effort to carry out search operations, share the latest progress of the operations and provide relevant personal information of the Chinese crewmen as soon as possible.
Chennai, Oct 20 : The opposition AIADMK has petitioned Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi to look into the irregularities in the recently concluded rural local body elections in nine districts of the state.

The AIADMK had to bite the dust in the polls held in two phases on October 6 and 9.

The party leaders called upon the Governor to conduct an independent inquiry into the alleged irregularities that had taken place in the elections.

The delegation, led by former Chief Minister and senior party leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, asked the Governor to seek a detailed report on the conduct of the elections and take action against the guilty.

It also pressed the Governor to direct the state government, state election commission, and other constitutional authorities to preserve all documents, including nomination papers, ballot slips, CCTV footage, and other records maintained at the polling and counting centres. The delegation informed the Governor that these documents could be used to carry out a detailed investigation.

Palaniswami, while speaking to mediapersons after meeting the Governor, said, "We have informed the Governor that on October 6 and October 9 when the rural local body elections to the nine districts were held in two phases, several untoward incidents had taken place and want a detailed probe into the same." Former Chief Minister and Chief Co-ordinator of the AIADMK, O. Panneerselvam was conspicuous by his absence, giving rise to rumours that all was not well in the AIADMK.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : The rescue of embattled Chinese property company Evergrande appears to have stalled, leaving the developer on the brink of default and threatening to unleash contagion through the countrys giant real estate sector, home prices and economy, The Guardian reported.

The problems enveloping Evergrande, which has eyewatering total debts of $305 billion, have hung over global financial markets in recent weeks and helped curb China's post-pandemic recovery, the report said.

But the crisis could deepen further if Evergrande fails to meet a deadline of Saturday night to stump up a $83.5 million bond interest payment, triggering an official default.

Evergrande has already been given a 30-day grace period to make the repayment after missing the initial deadline back in September. It has since missed other key offshore, dollar-denominated bond payments worth another $193.3 million. The clock is now ticking on those debts as well, the report added.

The sprawling property-to-electric cars empire founded by former steel executive Xu Jiayin in the mid-90s has been scrambling to offload assets in order to pay back some of its loans. Its Chinese creditors are expected to be prioritised, with foreign investors at the back of the queue.

Shares in its main Hong Kong listing have lost 80 pert cent in the past year and have been suspended since October 4 pending an announcement on how it is going to be rescued.

But there were signs that the process has not been running to plan, raising the prospect that Beijing will be forced to engineer a dismantling of Evergrande, the country's second-biggest developer, by absorbing most of it into existing state-owned enterprises, the report said.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : In its upcoming auction titled 'Heirloom Jewellery, Silver & Timepieces', auction house AstaGuru will showcase a magnificent collection of classic aesthetics represented by vintage Indian jewellery, Art Deco pieces, hallmark silver collectables, as well as exceptional timepieces from top watch brands in the world.

With a total of 133 lots on offer for bidders, the auction will take place October 26-27, 2021.

The jewellery section of the auction will present an elegant assortment of 50 pieces highlighting both traditional Indian and western jewellery aesthetics. The segment also presents a splendid collection of exquisite gemstones like natural pearls, fancy diamonds, Burmese rubies, Zambian emeralds, coloured gemstones, as well as rarely found old-mine Colombian fluted emerald beads. Gold is quintessential to Indian culture; the auction will feature several authentic pieces of traditional gold jewellery.

Jay Sagar, AstaGuru's Jewellery Specialist, commented, "The interest for vintage jewellery among collectors has seen exponential growth in recent times and the upcoming auction with lots dating as far back as the early 20th century is a fantastic opportunity to collect beautiful pieces that are a hallmark of Indian culture and aesthetics. Moreover, the auction collection also includes pieces like bracelets and brooches inspired by western design movements such as Art Deco. It also presents an array of the most desired and highly coveted gemstones from across the world and ones that would make for a worthy inclusion in any important collection." HEIRLOOM JEWELLERY (LOTS 1 -- 50)

The auction will also present a range of vivid fancy diamonds and coloured gemstones. Lot no. 12, is a pear-shaped fancy vivid orange-yellow diamond ring set in 18k gold and will be offered with the estimate of

Rs 77,00,000--90,00,000. A beautiful bracelet, lot no. 42, featuring an array of fancy-coloured diamonds will be offered with an estimate of Rs 42,00,000 -- 52,00,000.

A graceful three-row necklace presented (lot no. 50) is composed of 192 graduated natural pearls interspaced with beautiful seed pearls. The necklace features Art Deco terminals set with old cut diamonds and a platinum clasp set with old cut diamonds and diamond baguettes. The beautiful necklace will be offered at the auction with an estimated value of Rs 1,10,00,000 -- 1,30,00,000.

A beautiful two-row Zambian emerald bead necklace is presented as lot no. 2. The beads of this vibrant necklace have a regal lustre, adding to the magnificence of this piece. Emeralds are usually associated with the goddess Venus and signify spirituality. The necklace is strung together with a chedia, extended with a stylized tassel. The necklace will be offered with the estimate of Rs 1,20,00,000 -- 1,30,00,000 in the upcoming auction.

Lot no. 7 is a vintage gold 'nath' set with Burmese ruby beads, rose-cut diamonds, natural pearls, and emeralds. 'Naths' or Nose rings are popular all across India and are generally worn during special occasions and auspicious ceremonies. This traditional Indian piece of heirloom jewellery will be offered with an estimate of Rs 12,50,000 -- 15,00,000.

A beautiful suite of gold jewellery set with diamonds and emeralds is another highlight of the auction. Comprising a necklace, bracelet, ring, and a pair of matching earrings, this lot no. 15. Will be offered with an estimate of Rs 17,00,000 -- 20,00,000.

Another emerald offering in the jewellery segment, lot no. 16 is an impressive four-row necklace created with rare old-mine Colombian fluted emerald beads. The emerald beads are interspaced with diamond faceted beads. The necklace is affixed with a gold clasp and detailed enamel work. The collection of rare old-mine Colombian fluted emerald beads make this lot a must-have for vintage jewellery collectors. It will be offered in the auction with an estimate of Rs 71,00,000 -- 90,00,000.

Another highlight of the auction, lot no. 46, is a beautiful necklace designed as three rows of graduated spinel tumble beads alternated with natural pearls. The necklace consists of two gold jadau terminals set with diamond polkis with a multi-colour enamel inlay. The tassel consists of spinel tumble beads and natural pearls. The presented lot is estimated to be acquired at Rs 17,00,000 -- 20,00,000.

SILVER (LOTS 51 - 80) A beautiful selection of fine hallmarked silver pieces will also be on offer in the upcoming auction. The antique silver collection retraces the deft metalworking in India and Europe in the bygone era. Creations by iconic silver manufacturers of the 19th and 20th century including Hamilton & Co., Hunt & Roskell, Mappin & Webb, and Carrington & Co. will be showcased. The collection is made of superlative quality classic silver period pieces, including tea sets, trophies, jardinieres, flower vases, candelabras and centrepieces. Several of these lots were executed over a century ago.

A stunning Art Deco, sterling silver trolley, lot no. 57, with two open mirrored glass shelves, will also be offered at the upcoming auction. With oval-shaped galleries and casters for effortless movement, the trolley is perfect for serving while entertaining guests. It will be offered in the auction at an estimate of Rs 12,50,000 --15,00,000.

One of the presented pieces, lot no. 63, is by Hamilton & Co., a celebrated British silver manufacturing company that was established in Britain over 200 years ago. The antique hallmarked Indian colonial silver table service set weighing 21.712 kgs consists of eight large dinner serving pieces decorated with a beautiful Acanthus pattern. It will be offered at the auction with an estimate of Rs 30,00,000 -- 35,00,000 .

A large antique centrepiece accompanied with four crystal bowls (one large and three small). The three crystal bowls on the side are attached to the centrepiece with elongated handles, with deftly executed seahorse figurines. The crystal bowls can be used for a flower arrangement or serving fruit. Created by Horace Woodward in 1874, this antique silver lot no. 59 will be offered with an estimate of Rs 6,75,000 --7,50,000.

TIMEPIECES (LOTS 81 -- 132) A fascinating horology collection with pieces from the world's top watchmaking brands is also being showcased in the auction. The collection from these top brands, including Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Phillippe, IWC, Harry Winston, Frank Muller, Panerai, Jaeger-Lecoultre, and many more, features different timepieces ranging from vintage watches, dress watches, as well as state-of-the-art pieces.

Deepak Krishnamoorthy, AstaGuru's Timepiece Expert, commented, "Luxury and vintage watches have generated immense interest in the collector's community in the last few years. And AstaGuru has excellently catered to these demands by consistently offering exquisite and rare watches in its auction. The upcoming collection consists of 50 wristwatches from the legendary watch brands of the world. Some of these are celebrated limited edition watches that would definitely excite a true connoisseur as well as budding enthusiasts. The collection also includes a rare pocket watch as well as a vintage carriage watch. The auction presents a great opportunity for serious collectors to acquire rare timepieces." The presented lot no. 92 is an 18k White Gold Day-Date Meteorite Dial Wristwatch (Ref no. 118206) by Rolex. To be offered with an estimate of Rs 17,00,000 -- 19,00,000, the watch comes with 48 hours of power reserve, fluted bezel, diamond indexes at 6 and 9 o'clock, and white gold hands indicating the hour, minute and second.

Another beautiful watch from Rolex, an 18k Yellow Gold and Diamond Oyster Perpetual Lady Date just Wristwatch (Ref no. 279458) is a part of the auction. The watch, lot no. 127, has a bezel set with 44 brilliant-cut diamonds and a diamond-paved dial, set with 291 diamonds. It also has three-piece solid links, set with 596 brilliant-cut diamonds. This feminine version of the iconic Datejust watch will be offered at the auction with an estimated value of Rs 30,00,000 -- 35,00,000.

A limited-edition Audemars Piguet Michael Schumacher collection watch, lot no. 133, will also be showcased in the auction. The presented lot is a part of a limited edition of 500 pieces released in tribute to German F1 legend Michael Schumacher. Notable design features include two blue stars and five red stars (on the outer tachy scale) symbolizing the seven titles of world champion drivers. It will be offered with an estimate of Rs 70,00,000 -- 90,00,000.

Another highlight of the auction is a 'Gondolo' wristwatch by Patek Philippe (Ref No. 5109P). The presented watch features a platinum case with a silver dial with applied index batons indicating hours. Functioning with a manual winding mechanism the base calibre is the in-house Patek Philippe calibre 215. With a subsidiary dial for seconds at 6 o'clock position, it is water-resistant up to 25 metres. Presented with a Patek Philippe box the date of manufacture is circa 1993. Founded in 1893, Patek Philippe is one of the oldest watch manufacturers in the world.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)
New Delhi, Oct 20 : After the Supreme Court asked it to bring on record its "success rate" in prosecuting cases across the country, the CBI has told the top court that it has achieved the conviction rate of about 65-70 per cent, and aims to up it to 75 per cent by August 2022.

The central agency pointed out that delay in taking up cases leads to destruction of evidence, and 78 per cent requests for investigation of cases -- mainly pertaining to bank frauds of high magnitude - are pending with eight states.

In an affidavit filed in the top court, CBI Director S.K. Jaiswal said: "The harmonious and synergetic working of executive officers in tandem with the law officers of the Directorate of Prosecution, CBI has resulted in achieving the conviction rate of about 65-70 per cent over a period of time." "It is the endeavour of the CBI to bring the present conviction rate to 75 per cent by August 2022." According to the affidavit, since 2011 till December 31, 2020, the CBI's conviction percentage has been between 66-70 per cent, and 9,757 cases are pending trial. Nearly 500 cases are over 20 years old, 921 cases two to 15 years old, 1,828 cases between 10 to 15 years old, and 2,908 cases between 5 to 10 years old.

Citing bottlenecks and steps taken to strengthen prosecution, the CBI said it either takes up matters on the reference of state government or on the direction of constitutional courts, which results in a significant time lapse between the actual commission of offence and the date on which the investigation is taken up by it.

The CBI is governed by the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 and requires consent of the state government, in whose territorial jurisdiction it needs to conduct investigations.

Presently, eight states -- West Bengal, Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Mizoram -- have withdrawn the general consent previously granted to it under Section 6 of the DSPE Act.

The affidavit cited that CBI has sent over 150 requests to these states during the period 2018 to June 2021 for grant of specific consent for investigation of cases in their territory.

"Requests were granted in less than 18 per cent cases, which were related mainly in cases of trapping of corrupt central public servants. Requests in approximately 78 per cent cases were pending, which mainly pertained to bank frauds of high magnitude impacting the economy of the country," it added.

The affidavit added that delay caused in taking up cases by the CBI due to any of the reasons mentioned above, at times, leads to destruction or dissipation of evidence. "This is detrimental not only for the investigation by the CBI but also for subsequent prosecution of cases," it added.

On the aspect of success of prosecution, the CBI said its investigation report, which includes explanation of the accused and the evidence collected to rebut the defence, is scrutinised by law officers as well as senior formations with a view to assess the quality of evidence for launching prosecution in the matter or otherwise.

It added that in several cases, during the course of trial, proceedings are held up due to stay orders granted by the appellate courts - adversely affecting the pace of the trial.

"In some cases, leave to appeal is not granted immediately and it takes a lot of time for its admission. For instance, in 2G Scam cases, leave to appeal was filed by the CBI within the prescribed timeline in year 2018, but the same has not been granted till date. (This also adds on to the difficulties being faced in prosecution of such cases)," said the affidavit, adding that 13,291 appeals are pending before various courts - sessions, high courts, and Supreme Court.

"It is further submitted that a committee, with the Director of Prosecution as a member, with the involvement of all the senior law officers serving in their respective zones of the CBI, has also been constituted to suggest steps and prepare a strategy for addressing and speeding the pending trials especially those which are pending since more than 20 years," it added.

On September 3, a bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul decided to examine, within the ambit of investigation and prosecution, the CBI's success rate and performance leading a case to its logical conclusion.

The top court sought a complete chart of how many cases CBI have been prosecuting in trial courts and in the high courts.

"We will examine the success rate of the premier investigating agency," it noted.

The top court was hearing a matter arising out of the CBI's appeal from a 2018 judgment of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court. The high court had let off some lawyers from charges of fabricating false evidence against a few security forces personnel to implicate them in a case of rape and murder.

Two girls from Shopian had died due to drowning in March 2009, the CBI had claimed that some lawyers and doctors created false evidence of rape and murder.

(Sumit Saxena can be contacted at sumit.s@ians.in)
Colombo, Oct 20 : Sri Lankan authorities on Wednesday extended an inter-province travel ban till October 31 to prevent further spread of the Covid pandemic.

Sri Lanka's Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said the inter-provincial travel ban had been extended on the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in order to prevent the movement of people from one province to another, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Public behaviour is vital to prevent the spread of Covid-19 but some people are behaving in an irresponsible manner and the decision to further extend the travel restrictions was taken considering the situation," Silva said.

Sri Lankan authorities earlier this week said they had tightened the travel ban to prevent people from crossing the provinces especially as the country commemorates two religious holidays this week.

According to the President's Media Division, Rajapaksa had issued instructions to the security forces to closely and strictly monitor vehicular movement at all provincial borders.

Therefore, security had been tightened at all provincial borders, police said.

Sri Lanka earlier this month lifted a 42-day nationwide lockdown as the country faced a third wave of the coronavirus caused by the highly contagious Delta variant.

Health experts said the spread had now reduced drastically but the provincial ban would remain.

To date, Sri Lanka has recorded 532,766 positive patients while 13,525 deaths have been reported since March last year.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Prayagraj, Oct 20 : The Panchdasnaam Juna Akhara, one of the 13 ancient recognised Hindu monastic orders in the country, is all set to launch an initiative for the conservation of Yamuna river.

The Juna Akhara has decided to organise a 'Kalindi Utsav', under which wide-spread riverbank cleaning exercises and conservation awareness events would be conducted between Karela Bagh and Bade Hanuman temple in Prayagraj on November 14.

"The efforts would be gradually scaled up to a state-level mission," said Mahant Hari Giri, general secretary of the Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP), and chief patron of Juna Akhara.

The Mahant said, "Yamuna is also a sacred river. It is worshipped as a Hindu goddess called Yamuna, also known as Yami in early texts, while in later religious scriptures, she has been called Kalindi. In Hindu scriptures, she is the daughter of Surya, the sun god, and Sanjna, the cloud goddess." He further said, "Aimed at attracting the attention of people as well as the governments towards the need of undertaking Yamuna-specific initiatives to conserve the river, a demand for constructing public toilets on the river banks would also be raised by us. We want basic amenities to be developed first to conserve the Yamuna." People living on the banks of the river would then be sensitised about the need to conserve the river, he said.

The next step possibly could be implementing strict measures by slapping fines on people polluting the river and its banks by dumping waste, garbage and releasing untreated sewage into it.

The Juna Akhara, the largest of all the 13 monastic orders, also plans to undertake massive tree plantation drives along the banks of Yamuna as part of its mission.

"We will involve locals residing on the river banks as well as volunteers for looking after the planted trees. Our saints and seers across the state will use their sermons and discourses to spread the message," the Mahant said.

'Deepdaan' events on the banks of Yamuna during the sacred 'Kartik' month as per the Hindu calendar would also be organised from October 21 to November 19 with cleaning the ghats as part of this initiative.
Chennai, Oct 20 : Citing the ruling DMK's poll manifesto, PMK founder S. Ramadoss on Wednesday urged the Tamil Nadu government to enact a law reserving jobs in both government and private sector for locals.

He also requested the state government to urge the Centre to reserve jobs for locals in its offices and in public sector undertakings.

Noting that the DMK, in its poll manifesto, had promised to enact a law reserving 75 per cent of private sector jobs for locals, Ramadoss noted that Gujarat and Maharashtra have passed laws reserving 80 per cent, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan 75 per cent and Madhya Pradesh 70 per cent jobs for locals.

In Karnataka, all Class C and D jobs are reserved for locals, he added.

Ramadoss also said attempts are being made by private/public/government sectors to "impose" Hindi in Tamil Nadu and the citizens expect such a thing should not happen.

The DMK government can fulfil that expectation by passing a law reserving 80 per cent jobs to locals, the PMK chief said.
Hyderabad, Oct 20 : Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who recently announced her separation from Akkineni Naga Chaitanya, stood up for herself in these tough situations. She has now filed defamation cases against some YouTube channels for streaming malignant content about her.

Suman TV, Telugu Popular TV, and a few more YouTube channels will receive legal notices from Samantha, for defaming her image on their respective channels. Also, Samantha has apparently filed a legal notice against an advocate named Venkat Rao, who had allegedly spoken about Samantha's marital life and had alleged that she had affairs.

Post her divorce from Naga Chaitanya, Samantha has been the talk of the town, while she is being targeted by internet bullies.

In the wake of all the negativity, Samantha had released a personal note asking others stay away from her as she is not going to allow any kind of negativity to break her. Apparently, neither her ex-husband Naga Chaitanya, nor his father Nagarjuna stood by her in these struggles.

On the work front, Samantha has a couple of interesting subjects she would start shooting for soon, while she is also taking her personal space to cope with the recent tumult in her life.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Moscow, Oct 20 : Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the COP26 climate summit at Glasgow in Scotland, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.

No reason was given for the decision not to attend, but a Kremlin spokesperson said climate change was an "important" priority for Russia, the BBC reported.

"Unfortunately, Putin will not fly to Glasgow," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, adding that climate change was "one of our foreign policy's most important priorities".

COP26 takes place in Scotland's largest city from October 31 to November 12.

Russia's decision is seen as a blow to efforts to get leaders to negotiate a new deal to stall rising global temperatures.

Putin has not commented on the official announcement but speaking at an international energy forum in Moscow on October 13, the Russian leader cited the coronavirus pandemic as a factor in his decision to travel.

"I am not sure yet if I will attend (COP26) in person, but I will certainly take part in it," he added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is also unlikely to attend, though Chinese officials have reportedly not entirely ruled out a change of plans.

Earlier in October, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison attracted widespread criticism for suggesting he might skip the summit but he later announced that he would indeed attend.

COP26 is the biggest climate change conference since landmark talks in Paris in 2015. Some 200 countries are being asked for their plans to cut emissions by 2030.
Berlin, Oct 20 : Two former German soldiers have been arrested on suspicion of trying to form a terrorist mercenary force to fight in Yemen's civil war, officials said.

The former soldiers -- Arend-Adolf G and Achim A, face terrorism charges after police raids in southern Germany on Wednesday, the BBC reported.

They allegedly planned to recruit up to 150 men for a private army made up of former police officers and soldiers.

According to prosecutors, they wanted to offer their services to Saudi Arabia's government for illegal missions in Yemen.

Yemen has been racked by a civil war between the Saudi Arabia-backed internationally recognised government and the armed Houthi movement since 2014.

Saudi Arabia entered the civil war in 2015 shortly after the capture of the capital, Sanaa, by the Houthis, who are supported by Iran.

The accused former soldiers wanted Saudi Arabia to finance their private operations in Yemen, prosecutors in Germany said.

The men tried to approach Saudi Arabian government agencies but they received no response and their efforts were unsuccessful.

In a statement, federal prosecutors outlined extensive and serious allegations against the two "ringleaders", who had "military knowledge and skills".

The prosecutors allege that Arend-Adolf G and Achim A decided to set up a mercenary force under their exclusive command at the start of 2021. They planned to pay each member of their unit a wage of about 40,000 euros ($46,400) a month for their services, prosecutors said.

Arend-Adolf G had allegedly already tried to recruit at least seven people.

Germany's Spiegel magazine, which first reported the arrests, said the mercenary force was supposed to attack and capture areas held by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to BBC.

Arend-Adolf G and Achim A "expected civilians to be killed and injured in connection with fighting" in Yemen, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors also suspect the accused men wanted to advertise their military service for deployments in other conflicts.

Citing sources, Spiegel said a tip from Germany's Military Counter-Intelligence Service (MAD) put the investigators on the trail of the men.

One of the accused was arrested in Munich and the other in Germany's south-western Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district.

Their apartments in Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg were searched.

The former soldiers are expected to appear in court on Wednesday for a hearing about pre-trial detention.
Chennai, Oct 20 : Tamil actor Silambarasan, also known as 'Simbhu', is in form, as he shoots for his upcoming movie in Mumbai as the third shoot schedule of the most-anticipated movie 'Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu' has begun.

The team has been shooting for some important scenes at Mumbai's most famous 'Maratha Mandir'. Simbhu, who flew off to Mumbai for the 10-day schedule, earlier took to his social media to keep his fans posted regarding the same. It is reported that the makers are all set to wrap up the shooting soon, to take the project into the post-production phase. The makers recently wrapped up two shooting schedules which were shot in locales of Chennai and Thiruchendur.

Simbhu's first look poster from 'Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu' got all the attention, as Simbhu is featured in a never-before-seen avatar, with an earthy look on the poster. The movie is said to be based on a unique subject, which required Simbhu to lose weight.

'Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu' marks the third collaboration of actor Simbhu with the noted director Gautham Vasudev Menon. Also, Oscar-winner A.R. Rahman collaborates with Gautham Vasudev Menon and Simbhu, after their films 'Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa' and 'Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada'.

The film will release in multiple languages, which is bankrolled under the banner of Vels Films International.

On the other hand, Simbhu will also be seen in 'Pathu Thala', which is to be directed by Obelli Krishna, and another movie titled 'Corona Kumar' directed by Gokul.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Oct 20 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday junked a bail plea by a man, arrested for allegedly collecting funds and recruiting people for international terror organisation ISIS.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana told petitioner Ubed Mirza's counsel that allegations against his client are very serious.

The bench, also comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli, told senior advocate Siddhartha Dave, representing the petitioner: "There is evidence against you. At this stage, there is no reason for us to discard those evidences. You have been working as ISIS agent." The bench further added that petitioner's WhatsApp chats pertain to killing people of other religions.

Dave argued that his client, who was a practising advocate in Surat, has been incarcerated for four years without charges having been framed after being arrested by Gujarat Police in 2017. He emphasised that this is in gross violation of his client's fundamental rights.

Counsel submitted that the only allegation against his client was that he was recruiting some people for ISIS for money. It was further argued that Unlawful Activities Prevention Act has been invoked against the petitioner on the basis of Facebook posts and WhatsApp chats. Dave said not a single paise has been recovered from him and also his client never travelled to Syria.

However, the bench clarified it is not saying that bail cannot be granted, as UAPA has been invoked, but the nature of allegations is very serious.

The top court queried Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Gujarat ATS, over the reason for delay in trial. Mehta submitted it may be due to accused or co-accused had challenged every order passed by the trial court.

After hearing arguments, the bench rejected the petition filed by advocate Farrukh Rasheed on behalf of the accused.

The bench said: "We are not inclined to grant bail. We direct the trial court to complete trial in one year." The accused was arrested on October 25, 2017. He was allegedly found discussing, advocating ISIS ideology on social media or sharing social media links with another accused, Kasim, who was allegedly planning to carry out a 'lone wolf attack' at a synagogue in Ahmedabad.
Agra, Oct 20 : The custodial death of a safai karmachari (sanitation worker) from the Valmiki community, accused of robbing Rs 25 lakh from the 'Maal Khana' (strongroom) of the Jagdishpura police station in Agra district of Uttar Pradesh, has created a huge political controversy on Valmiki Jayanti on Wednesday.

The Valmiki community has decided to boycott all celebrations till a financial compensation of Rs two crore is paid to the family of the deceased victim.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders, including the party's General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, party's Uttar Pradesh President Ajay Kumar Lallu, among others, were set to visit the family of the deceased to express solidarity with the Valmiki community.

The accused Arun was arrested on Tuesday. As he was being taken to his home by the police for recovering the looted cash, his condition deteriorated after which he died on his way to the hospital. The family members of the victim in the FIR said he succumbed to injuries sustained during interrogation.

Agra Senior Superintendent of Police, Muniraj said that the accused had confessed that the stolen money was kept at his house.

An investigation is on and action would be taken if anyone is found guilty, the police added.

The body is being kept in the post-mortem ward at the S.N. Medical College while additional police personnel have been deployed in the Jagdishpura police station area.

The Samajwadi Party and the Congress have demanded a thorough probe into the case and compensation to the deceased's family.

Latest reports say that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been stopped on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway where she sat on a 'dharna' (protest) with other Congress leaders.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat on Wednesday met former Congress President Rahul Gandhi in a move to resign from the post of Punjab Congress in-charge.

Rawat met Gandhi at his residence at 11.30 a.m. He told Rahul Gandhi that he wants to focus on the 2022 Uttarakhand Assembly elections so he should be relieved from the post of Punjab Congress in-charge.

After this meet, Rawat tweeted, "I have recovered from a massive humiliation today. On one hand my duty is towards my 'Janmabhoomi' (Uttarakhand) and on the other my services are for my 'Karmabhoomi' which is Punjab. The situation is getting complicated because as and when elections are nearing, one will have to work full-time at both the places. Unseasonal rains wreaked havoc in Uttarakhand on Tuesday, still I was able to visit only a few places but I wanted to travel everywhere to wipe my tears." The former Chief Minister wrote, "If I do justice to my Janmabhoomi, then only I will be able to do justice to my Karmabhoomi. I am very grateful to the Punjab Congress and the people of Punjab for their continuous blessings and moral support. I have a deep emotional attachment to the land of saints, gurus, the land of Nanak Dev Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Ji. I have decided that I must urge the party leadership that in the next few months I can completely devote all the time to Uttarakhand so I should be relieved of my present responsibility in Punjab." Asked about the news of former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh forming an alliance with the BJP, Rawat said, "If he does so, he will suffer a lot." He said, "The decision of Amarinder Singh joining the BJP will not affect our party since the people of Punjab have made up their minds that the Central government will not be forgiven for passing the three farm laws." "The BJP is not going to gain from the alliance with Amarinder Singh and it will be the latter's loss if he decides to form an alliance with the BJP." On September 18, Amarinder Singh had resigned as the Punjab Chief Minister. Since then speculation is rife that he is quitting the Congress and will form a new party.
Lucknow, Oct 20 : Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has finally been granted permission to go to Agra after being detained for nearly two hours in Lucknow.

The Congress leader has been allowed to proceed to Agra with four persons since Section 144 is in place.

She has left for Agra with Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajay Kumar Lallu, Acharya Pramod Krishnam and Deepak Singh, MLC.

Earlier, she told reporters, "Wherever I go, they stop me. Now they are saying that I cannot go to Agra. Should I sit in a restaurant because it suits them politically?" The Congress leader said that she will go to Agra and meet the family of Arun Valmiki who allegedly died in custody.

She was earlier detained by Lucknow Police at the Lucknow Expressway while she was travelling to Agra to meet the family of a Dalit man who died in police custody.

Her car was stopped at the first toll plaza on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway.

Earlier this month, she was detained in Sitapur while she was on her way to Lakhimpur to meet families of farmers killed on October 3.

After she was stopped, Priyanka Gandhi tweeted: "What is the government so afraid of? Arun Valmiki died in police custody. His family is seeking justice. I want to visit that family. What is the Uttar Pradesh government afraid of? Why am I being stopped? Today is Lord Valmiki Jayanti... Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke big on Buddha but this is attacking his message." The police spokesman said that the Congress leader was stopped as she did not have the requisite permissions.

In a video of the conversation between the Congress leader and the police, she can be heard asking: "Wherever I go, do I have to ask for permission?" to which the officer says it is a "law and order issue".

In another visual, Priyanka Gandhi is seen posing for selfies with a few women police officers as party workers can be heard shouting in the background.

Earlier on Wednesday, Arun Valmiki, a 'safai karamchari', who had been arrested in connection with the theft of Rs 25 lakh from the police strong room, died after his health deteriorated during interrogation.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Agra Muniraj G said he fell sick on Tuesday night while a raid was being carried out at his house. He was then taken to a hospital but doctors declared him dead, he said.

Arun was accused of stealing the money on Saturday night from a building that served as the police station's evidence locker, and where he worked as a cleaner.

Arun's family claimed that he died due to custodial torture.
Bengaluru, Oct 20 : The Bengaluru traffic police are initiating proactive measures to ensure smooth flow of traffic and avoid accidents due to potholes in the city. These include filing FIRs against officers of civic agencies for negligence.

Talking to IANS, Additional Commissioner (Traffic) Dr B. R. Ravikanthe Gowda said: "We have filed a case against an officer of BBMP as the negligence by the officer had cost a life in Pulakeshinagar traffic police limits." "In another case, a pothole was not barricaded and a FIR has been filed against an officer of BWSSB. This pothole cost a woman her life," he said.

"Police are identifying potholes and informing authorities concerned to ensure smooth vehicular movement to avoid deaths and injuries to vehicle riders due to potholes," he stated.

The police are taking photos of potholes, which will be categorised into major, minor and cross roads and updated with photographs online to civic agencies like Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Public Works Department (PWD) and Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA), he explained.

After uploading the photos online, police are following it up with the civic agencies and intimating them about the gravity of the situation. "If potholes are filled, it will definitely reduce accidents," he stated.

The Bengaluru traffic police have filled as many as 500 potholes themselves.
Mumbai, Oct 20 : In a massive jolt to Aryan Khan, a special NDPS court in Mumbai on Wednesday rejected the bail plea of the son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan in the case related to the raid on a rave party aboard a cruise ship on October 2.

Special NDPS Judge V.V. Patil also declined the bail applications of Arbaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha, the two others accused in the drug case lodged by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

"Bail applications 2571/21, 2576/21 and 2583/21 stand rejected. Accordingly, bail applications are disposed off," Patil said this afternoon, though a detailed order is awaited.

Shortly thereafter, Aryan Khan's lawyers, senior advocate Amit Desai and Satish Maneshinde rushed to the Bombay High Court to mention the matter before Justice N.W. Sambre, but the court hours had ended, and now, the matter is likely to come up on Thursday.

Nationalist Congress Party national spokesperson and Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik and Shiv Sena leader Kishore Tiwari have again flayed the NCB and claimed the case will not stand the scrutiny of the higher courts.

Aryan Khan, Merchant and Dhamecha, along with five others were detained on October 2, and placed under arrest on October 3 after the NCB raided the luxury ship preparing to sail on a Mumbai-Goa cruise.

Initially, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate R.M. Nerlikar had sent them to a day's custody which was later extended till October 7, and later sent to judicial custody for 14 days, and transferred the case to the Special NDPS court.

Later, their lawyers moved the special court for bail which was rejected after several days of hearing in which the NCB's counsel, Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh vehemently opposed bail for the accused.

Among other things, the NDPS accused Aryan Khan of being a regular consumer of drugs, dealing in narcotics and the case having international links, etc as evident from his WhatsApp chats.

The NCB's contentions were strongly countered by his lawyers, especially since no drugs were recovered from him and the lawyers of the other co-accused also strongly pleaded for bail.

Singh, however, argued that at least five out of the 20 arrested are drug peddlers and are somehow linked with the other co-accused which the NCB is trying to unearth.

Besides Khan, Merchant and Dhamecha, the others arrested on October 3 include Nupur Satija, Ishmeet Singh Chadha, Mohak Jaswal, Gomit Chopra, and Vikrant Chhoker, and later in swoops another 12 persons were nabbed in connection with the same case.
Mumbai, Oct 20 : Bollywood actor Anshuman Jha who is gearing up for his next action film 'Lakadbaggha' is training with Tsahi Shemesh. Tsahi has also trained the lead cast of the Marvel franchise 'Falcon and the Winter Soldier'.

Anshuman Jha will be seen performing some elaborate stunts in his next hand-to-hand combat action film titled 'Lakadbaggha'.

"Tsahi is an incredible trainer and a self-defence expert who brings forth the best in you. He pushes you, insults you (lovingly) and is one of the best people I have met in my life," said Anshuman.

The film requires intense training and preparation and Anshuman began working with Vicky Arora in July, following which in August he trained with Tsahi in New York to understand the craft of Krav Maga.

Written by Alok Sharma it is to be directed by Victor Mukherjee.

Victor said, "The action sequences are tricky and we needed a physically fit actor who can ace action. Anshuman just didn't want to learn screen action but is aiming to be at his physical best in reality. His self-belief, dedication, and right guidance will hopefully yield the desired results." Anshuman who is currently working with Prashant Sawant on his body transformation said, "Working with all these gurus is an exhilarating experience and learning about my own body and its limits is new for me. Tsahi is a great teacher who motivates you and helps you be your finest version. We are getting there, and I am taking baby steps with the best in the business towards being the best I can be for the film in the time that I have." The film is set in East Kolkata, Chinatown and will go on the floors in December 2021.
Hyderabad, Oct 20 : Telangana will have a special cell headed by an official of Director-General rank to curb the increasing drug menace in the state.

The decision was taken by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday at a meeting with officials of the police and excise departments. He asked them to control the drug menace with an iron hand.

The Chief Minister wanted special surveillance at educational institutions. He directed the officials to increase the number of check posts at the state borders, strengthen the communication network and provide the required vehicles. He wanted the intelligence department to form a special wing for this.

He instructed Excise Commissioner Sarfraz Ahmed to strengthen the enforcement wing and the flying squads.

The CM asked officials to end the cultivation of opium and ganja and their consumption in the state. He stated with reports that the usage of cannabis (ganja) is on the increase, there is an urgent need to declare an all-out war against drug abuse.

Asking them to brace up before the situation gets out of hand, Rao directed the officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan to totally eradicate ganja production.

The CM told the meeting that the officials who help get good results in eradicating ganja cultivation, will be given cash awards, rewards and special promotions.

He suggested that the police officials study those places in the country where ganja cultivation was controlled effectively. "The police and excise department should work in coordination and enhance the state's prestige by totally eradicating the menace. Even the seeds of the cannabis should not be found in the state. Make our state a drug-free state," he told the officials.

Stating that Telangana state was achieved after a long fight, he said all this would go waste if the drug menace was not eradicated." It is unfortunate that while the state is making rapid strides in development, the availability of the banned drugs has increased," he said.

"One can assess the situation based on the reports that the estranged youth are forming WhatsApp groups, exchanging messages and taking drugs. Innocent youth are becoming prey to the drug peddlers. Due to usage of the banned drugs, the mental situation of youth will be harmed and it may lead to some of them committing suicide. De-addiction is a complicated and long procedure. The government is ready to provide anything to you to control this. Eradicate the ganja mafia and don't spare the criminals whoever they may be," the CM added.

He noted that illicit liquor and clubs for playing cards are again mushrooming in the state. He asked officials to take stringent measures against it.

Home Minister Mahmood Ali, Excise Minister V. Srinivas Goud, former minister Kadiam Srihari, Government's Chief Advisor Rajiv Sharma, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, Advisor (Home department) Anurag Sharma, DGP M Mahender Reddy, CM Principal Secretary S Narsing Rao and other officials attended the meeting.
Dhaka, Oct 20 : Bangladesh has received another batch of China-aided Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines to boost the Asian country's vaccination drive.

"The fifth batch of gifted Covid-19 vaccines from the Chinese government to the Bangladesh government, arrived safely in Dhaka on October 19," said a post on the official Facebook page of Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the Chinese embassy, the new batch of vaccines is produced by Sinovac Life Sciences Co., Ltd.

It said a former four batches of China-aided Sinopharm vaccines arrived in Dhaka in May, June, and August of 2021.

In the battle of fighting against the virus, China and Bangladesh have always been standing together, supporting and assisting each other in times of difficulties and challenges, vividly illustrating the profound friendship between the two countries, reads the Chinese Embassy's Facebook post.

Bangladesh began the Covid-19 vaccination drive in January to contain the pandemic that had spread across the country.
Jaipur, Oct 20 : The Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has been issued a notice by the Delhi Police Crime Branch asking him to appear in Delhi in the infamous phone tapping case.

Lokesh Sharma, OSD to Gehlot, has been summoned by the crime branch in Delhi on October 22. Sharma was sent a notice to come to Delhi earlier too but he did not go. He has now been called for questioning at 11 a.m. by sending a notice through e-mail. However, Sharma is taking legal opinion regarding this matter. Earlier, Sharma was called for questioning on July 24 but he did not appear at that time.

Sharma has challenged the FIR registered against him in the phone tapping case in the High Court. Giving relief to the OSD in this case, the High Court stayed his arrest.

Mahesh Joshi, the chief whip of the Gehlot government, was also called for questioning in June before Sharma, but he also did not go.

The case of phone tapping was registered by Jodhpur MP and Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on March 25 this year. While filing the case, Shekhawat had said that an attempt has been made to malign his image via phone tapping.

Sharma has challenged this FIR in the Delhi High Court. So far, this matter has been heard in the High Court 3 times. More recently, Lokesh Sharma has got relief from the High Court on his arrest till January 13. According to sources, the Delhi Crime Branch cannot arrest Sharma till January 13.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : US outgoing special envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has warned that the end of the war is not the final chapter as the people of Afghanistan will confront economic and security challenges, Khaama Press reported.

Khalilzad in a series of Twitter posts officially confirmed his resignation from the post of special representative of the US to Afghanistan's reconciliation and welcomed his deputy Thomas West to the post.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had praised him and expressed gratitude for all his efforts as their special envoy to his native country.

Khalilzad said that it was an honour for him to serve the people of America and added to remain committed to peace and stability in Afghanistan.

"I thank all my colleagues at the State Department, Pentagon, and intelligence community who joined me on this mission," reads a tweet.

He served as US special representative for nearly three years and got the US-Taliban agreement signed but failed to make the Taliban and Afghan government reach an agreement.

Former Afghan officials and Afghan people criticize his mission though the Taliban foreign ministry said that they made progress with Khalilzad.
New Delhi, Oct 20: The Russian Navy has sent one warship and two submarines, which are part of its Pacific Fleet, to Sri Lanka. These include vessels--Corvette Gremyashchiy and submarines B- 603 and B-274.

The Gremyashchiy is a 107 metre long battleship while the submarines are 73 metres each.

The Sri Lankan navy welcomed the Russian vessels, which arrived for replenishments, at the Colombo harbour in accordance with naval traditions and in adherence to Covid-19 protocols, according to Sri Lankan newspaper Daily FT.

Colombo and Moscow are improving trade, defence and tourism ties. Reportedly, Sri Lanka plans to buy Su-30 fighter jets and armoured personnel carriers from Russia. The defence officials of the two countries met recently over enhancing military cooperation through training as well as participation in war games.

Sri Lanka is assuming an important role in South Asia with the navies of several countries making calls in quick succession. The country is also trying to distance itself from China, in an effort to decrease its reliance on one country.

The Russian Navy's visit to Colombo comes soon after the Japanese Navy held exercises with the Sri Lankan navy. These exercises were preceded by Indian-Sri Lankan navy exercises in September.

The Russian military is increasingly asserting itself across the world through naval drills as well as army exercises.

Just a couple of days back Russian naval ships along with Chinese vessels had traversed through the Tsugaru Strait that cuts through Japan, setting off alarm bells in Tokyo. This was the first time that naval vessels from the two countries had sailed through the strait.

An alarmed Tokyo monitored the passage of the ships through surveillance aircraft as the flotilla of ten ships passed through the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido.

Japan also said that it is possible some of the Russian and Chinese ships might have been part of the joint naval exercise between the two countries. The Russian-Chinese navies had held the Sea Interaction 2021 exercise from October 14-17 in the Sea of Japan.

Similarly, Russia has been holding military games repeatedly with Central Asian countries in response to changes taking place in Afghanistan to deter the Taliban from disturbing its allies. Russia, along with members of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO)--Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and Tajikistan--are holding exercises on the border with Afghanistan.

Russia and Sri Lanka are both reaching out to each other keeping in mind the Chinese presence in the region.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
Nuapada : , Oct 20 (IANS/ 101Reporters) In mid-September this year, a group of women from Dharambandha village - situated in the Sadar block of Odisha's Nuapada district - went for a bath in the village canal. Nearby, a shop was serving and selling liquor to some men. Soon, under the influence of alcohol, these men proceeded to molest the women. When the women protested, the drunkards started abusing them.

Although no official complaint was registered with the police, the village's youth decided to eradicate this problem from its roots. They started an alcohol de-addiction campaign in Dharambandha.

"I was present during the [molestation] incident that took place near the canal. I had been protesting against the sale of liquor there. However, no one agreed. But after the incident, a meeting was held in which all the women of the village participated, and the decision to ban liquor was taken," said villager Padma Dewangan.

In several Indian states, the demand for liquor prohibition has been raised from time to time. Complete liquor prohibition is in force in Gujarat, Bihar, Mizoram and Nagaland. However, it's no secret that alcohol consumption continues to plague many places in these states through the black market or illicit liquor production. Andhra Pradesh and Haryana were the states that completely prohibit alcohol in the mid-90s but it was restored in 1997 and 1998, respectively. In Chhattisgarh, the Congress government's promise to ban liquor remains unfulfilled even after two and a half years.

In Odisha, following the May 1992 event in Cuttack in which more than 200 people died and 600 people were hospitalised after drinking spurious liquor, the state imposed a ban on alcohol in 1994. However, the Congress government that came to power in 1995 lifted the prohibition on the grounds that it was causing huge losses in revenue.

A study by AIIMS Delhi stated that "Nearly one in five alcohol users suffers from dependence and needs urgent treatment. Among the 5.7 crore people considered alcohol addicts in India, the number of people who need urgent treatment is pegged to be 3.2 crores." The consumption of alcohol has also been directly linked to crimes against women.

Confronting this reality, the youth of Dharambandha village decided to take matters into their own hands. They initiated an alcohol de-addiction campaign with the cooperation of the village Sarpanch.

As a result, on September 21, the sarpanch called the gram sabha meeting, where the decision to prohibit liquor in the village was passed with mutual consensus.

Plan for the ban Located 20 km from district headquarters, Dharambandha has a population of about 6,000. Here, selling, buying and making any kind of liquor is now prohibited. No one can open a liquor shop or a furnace to brew liquor. If someone is caught selling liquor, they will be fined Rs 51,000 and forced to parade around the village wearing a garland of shoes and slippers. The person caught buying alcohol will be fined Rs 5,100.

An action committee consisting of 25 men and 25 women from Dharambandha has been formed to enforce the prohibition. Five senior members supervise them. The committee's job is to conduct raids on places selling liquor based on the information received. A day after the prohibition, the action committee had raided a place after receiving information about continuing liquor sales. However, no alcohol was found.

An active member of the alcohol de-addiction campaign, Ankit Jain told 101Reporters that villagers also wrote a letter to Dharambandha Police Station, the SP Office and the Excise Department informing them about the campaign. "We got assurance of cooperation from them," Jain added.

No more 'bad water' The ban on alcohol in Dharambandha was not just welcome but also seemed necessary. According to Ramesh Sahu of the village, "People's health deteriorated due to excessive consumption. Most of the deaths in the village were due to sharab." (Sharab is an Arabic word derived from the combination of Shar meaning 'bad' and Aab meaning 'water') Liquor was being sold in the streets, and the villagers had started depleting their savings to buy it. Some villagers suggested that cases of atrocities on women and domestic violence had also increased. Even the village children started drinking alcohol with the money they got for chocolates or ice cream.

Sadanand Majhi, the president of the de-addiction campaign, suggested that crime has reduced in the village after the ban. Earlier, there used to be eight to ten incidents of abuse and assault in the village. However, no such cases have come to light recently. "Now that liquor is not being sold; the focus is on development and cleanliness of the village. Children and youth are concentrating on studies and sports," he told 101Reporters.

The former Sarpanch of Dharambandha, Kusum Sahu resonated with Majhi's statement. She said, "Earlier, it was difficult for women to leave the house. But ever since the ban, the women have been feeling safe. Not only Dharmabandha, but the entire country should also be alcohol-free.' The slogan of prohibition gets its strength from women. Today, all the women of Dharambandha are unitedly involved in the drug de-addiction campaign. However, while women of the village are happy, liquor traders and wine lovers are disappointed with this decision.

Harinder Singh, manager of one of the liquor shops in the village, had opposed the ban, but this had no effect. He said, "With the mutual consent of the villagers, the sale of liquor is prohibited in the village. At present, liquor is not being sold, and everyone is following the rules. Let's see what happens next." Post the ban, there have been no cases of selling liquor in Dharmabandha. "The campaign is going well so far. However, if we don't get continued cooperation, then we are prepared to go directly to the Excise SP and Collector," said Omprakash Kalar, the village sarpanch. This has also created fear among the liquor traders of the surrounding areas.

Dharambandha has set such an example from which the whole country can take a lesson. Nuapada MLA Rajendra Dholakia told 101Reporters, "The people of Dharambandha have taken a historic decision. This step is welcome. I hope their campaign is successful." (The author is a Nuapada-based freelance journalist and a member of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters)
Chennai, Oct 20 : Tiger MDT 23, which was captured after a 22-day search in the forests of Gudalur and Masinagudi in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris district, was on Wednesday put in day kraal at Mysore Zoo rescue centre, officials said.

This is to enable the animal to relax in a private space away from the visitors, officials said.

Veterinarians treating the tiger said that its injuries are healing well.

After it was captured, the tiger was kept in an enclosure at the Mysore animal rescue centre till Wednesday, and the kraal - a fenced open enclosure with lush green shrubs and trees - provides it a private space to roam around.

Talking to media persons, Tamil Nadu's Chief Wildlife Warden Shekar Kumar Niraj said: "The tiger is aggressive on seeing a doctor and has tried to break the wire mesh of its enclosure by biting and has lost one of its canine teeth. This has been recorded and preserved." He said that the health of the animal is improving.

Veterinarians said that the tiger is administered antibiotics and its swollen foot is getting better and that the animal has passed faeces which is normal.

The Mysore Zoo rescue centre, in a statement, said that the tiger ate 8 kg of meat and that its blood haemoglobin levels are improving and that it has gone above 9 for the first time.

The tiger, according to veterinarians, has been administered injections through blow darts or jab sticks and no sedation was given. The doctors also said that the serum levels of the tiger showed slight signs of liver inflammation.

The MDT 23 tiger has reportedly killed four human beings and 12 heads of cattle including cows and goats. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department had ordered "hunting down" of the animal but the Madras High Court had ordered it to capture the tiger alive, on a petition by the animal rights organisation, People for Cattle in India (PFCI).
Gandhinagar, Oct 20 : The Gujarat government on Wednesday announced an over Rs 500 crore relief package for the farmers affected by heavy rain in the four districts of Saurashtra, who suffered crop loss. Compensation of Rs 13,000 per hectare would be paid to each of them for a maximum of two hectares. The government is also in the process of surveying other crop loss- affected areas of the state.

Addressing the media, Education Minister Jitu Vaghani said, "The Gujarat government has come up with a zero percent interest loan from the revolving fund for the farmers who have been affected by crop loss in the heavy rains during the recent monsoon. The government has announced a Rs 546 crore package for them. This package will benefit around 2.82 lakh farmers of 662 villages in 22 tehsils of Jamnagar, Rajkot, Porbandar and Junagadh districts in Gujarat." The minister said that a survey will also be carried out in other areas of the state to assess crop loss due to the heavy rain. "Right now the survey is in progress in Ahmedabad, Botad, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Surendranagar and Chotta Udepur districts for the crop loss. Besides these, there are also reports of crop damage in the Panchmahals and Bharuch districts. We will be conducting a survey there also. After all these surveys, the affected farmers will benefit from the relief package," added Vaghani.

"The farmers will have to apply online to avail the benefits of this package. The Rs 15 application fee for this scheme will also be borne by the government, so that the farmers won't have to pay anything while applying," said Vaghani.

The state government had ordered a survey to assess the damage following reports of crop loss due to heavy showers in Saurashtra in September.

Each eligible farmer would get a compensation of Rs 13,000 per hectare with a limit of two hectares if the crop loss was equal or above 33 per cent as per the Government Resolution (GR) that was issued on Tuesday.

The compensation under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) is limited to only Rs 6,800 per hectare, so the difference of Rs 6,200 per hectare would be paid from the state budget, said the GR.

The resolution also says that if the landholding is less than one hectare, the minimum compensation will be Rs 5,000.

Eligible farmers will have to submit an online application with all required details and scanned documents such as Aadhaar and bank account number before October 25 to get the compensation.
Colombo, Oct 20 : Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers has approved to amend the existing laws to ban cattle slaughter in the island nation in a bid to increase local agriculture and dairy production.

The Cabinet has given nod to amend five laws before presenting the proposal in the Parliament.

The Cabinet had last year approved a proposal to ban cattle slaughter, and subsequently the legal draftsman amended the Cattle Slaughter Ordinance and four other related laws and regulations passed by the local government institutions connected to cattle slaughter.

"The Attorney General has certified that the said bills are not clashing with the provisions of the Constitution. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to the consolidated resolution tabled by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Public Services, Provincial Councils and Local Government, and the Minister of Agriculture," Cabinet spokesman and Media Minister Dulles Alahapperuma told the media.

In February, Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage had said that Sri Lanka produced only about 40 per cent of the annual liquid milk demand and about 300,000 village level suppliers contribute to it.

Sri Lanka spends around $300 million annually for the import of powdered milk and due to the ongoing shortage of foreign exchange and dollar reserves over the last two months, the country is facing a crisis in dairy product supplies. Consequently, the government had to relax the norms to allow the private sector to go for price hikes for dairy products.

However, some legal and human rights analysts are of the view that the government's decision is not about helping the dairy industry, but a distraction against the enormous economic struggles faced by the people.

They also argued that the decision is politically motivated, taking a racist view against the cattle slaughter industry dominated by Muslim butchers.

However, Buddhists, which represent over 70 per cent of the population, and Tamil Hindus accounting for more than 12 per cent, avoid consuming beef for religious reasons. The rest of the population include over 9 per cent Muslims and nearly 6 per cent of Christians.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : As India is set to reach the milestone of vaccinating 100 crore people, the country is currently focused on providing both the doses to all of its adult population and the need for a third or a booster dose does not appear to be an "immediate" one, health experts said on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year announced plans to fully vaccinate India's adult population by the year-end. While India is about to reach 100 crore Covid vaccine doses target this week, worryingly just one-third of the country is fully vaccinated.

Last week, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that over 74 per cent of the eligible population in India has received the first dose of the Covid vaccine, while the second shot has been administered to over 30 per cent of the eligible population.

"The need for booster dose in India is probably not immediate, especially when we still have a considerable population unvaccinated and vaccine availability is not far in excess of the immediate requirement," Dr. Veena P. Menon, Professor, Department of Clinical Virology, Amrita School of Medicine, told IANS.

Menon added that since a significant percentage of the population has some degree of infection acquired natural immunity, "a third dose for the general population is certainly not warranted at present".

"There is a huge vaccination gap when millions are not able to get even the first vaccine shot. India isn't lagging, we are just more focused on how this huge vaccination gap can be reduced. If we see the differences between the two doses -- people vaccinated with a single dose are not taking the second dose on time and are avoiding being fully vaccinated," added Dr Sameer Bhati, Public Health Expert, Member Vaccination Awareness Committee, and Director at Star Imaging Path Labs.

The same has also been echoed by scientists at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) who have not approved a booster dose yet. For India, a booster dose is not the central theme at the moment and getting two doses remains the major priority, media reports quoted Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Balram Bhargava as saying.

"It is essentially a case of demand and supply. We are still not able to make enough doses to vaccinate all above 18 years. We would need 1,500 mn doses (two jabs) for 75 crore population. We have only reached, perhaps, 25 per cent (two doses). If this population has to be vaccinated by December, we need to make at least 300 mn doses per month," Bhargava had said.

Eminent scientist and biochemist Prof G. Padmanaban, last week, told IANS that India may require the third dose of Covid vaccine by the middle of next year, as breakthrough cases even after full vaccination have been prevalent, even though mostly mild.

Anjela Taneja, Inequality Campaign Lead, Oxfam India, said: "We need to immunise more people first before starting universal immunisation with a third dose. Having said so, we should also probably explore booster doses for the small minority of those who are truly vulnerable." "As the coronavirus cases are down sharply, we may think of giving booster doses for maintaining the antibodies developed after existing vaccination plans," Bhati added.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation has also recently recommended the third dose to people with immunocompromised systems like organ-transplant recipients, cancer patients or those of advanced age.

Many countries, including the US, the UK, France, and Germany, have rolled out of Covid booster. India is still weighing the need for a third dose also because there is still little data available on boosters in the country, Bhati said.

"Data from India is lacking. Preliminary data from our hospital suggests waning of neutralising antibody levels in older healthcare workers who were vaccinated in the first phase. However, this in itself does not mean there is no protection. Memory responses would still be able to protect from severe illness," Menon said.

There is a need for more studies in different and special populations which will help us build an evidence base for the need for the next boost, the experts suggested.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Oct 20 : As many as forty six persons have reportedly died and 11 are reported missing in the heavy rains leading to flash floods and landslides in several parts of Uttarakhand.

Rescue and relief operations are still awaited in many remote areas and villages. Nainital, a major tourist destination, remains the worst-affected area in the state where 28 persons have reportedly died and several others are still missing.

According to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister's Office, 28 people have reportedly died due to rain and landslides in Nainital district alone. Ramgarh's Talla area has been the worst-affected area in Nainital.

Nine persons are reportedly trapped under the debris of a house that collapsed. As many as six persons have reportedly died in Almora while another six persons have died in Pauri, Champawat and Pithoragarh. One person lost his life in Bageshwar. The state government has announced financial compensation of Rs four lakh to the next of kin of the deceased.

A child has been trapped under the rubble after a house collapsed in Bhimtal in Kumaon region. In Almora district, three people were reportedly buried after debris from a hill destroyed a house.

Twelve persons received serious injuries and nine houses were destroyed due to the incessant rain. Tourists are reported to be stranded at several places in Uttarakhand. Instructions have been given to the district authorities to evacuate the tourists safely. On Tuesday evening, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inspected the affected areas in Nainital district.

Road connectivity to Nainital has been cut-off due to the torrential rain.

The Uttarakhand Chief Minister has taken stock of the situation by conducting an aerial survey of the disaster-hit areas of Garhwal and Kumaon regions and received information from the Rudraprayag District Magistrate about the travel arrangements and facilities being provided to the people staying at different places.

Roads have been damaged due to heavy rain and landslides in Nainital, Haldwani, Kathgodam, Ranikhet, Pauri, Lansdowne, Chamoli. Bridges and railway tracks have also been damaged at several places and road transport has been disrupted. In Kathgodam, the railway track has been damaged.

Kosi river is flowing above the danger mark in Ramnagar. Many resorts in Mohan and Dhikuli areas have been completely inundated. After hours of relief and rescue efforts, the district administration rescued 150 tourists from a resort located in Mohan.

In view of the incessant rain and landslides, all schools and colleges in Uttarakhand have been closed and people have been advised not to travel. The road going towards Almora and Nainital has been blocked. Several major roads connecting Haldwani in the Terai region of Uttarakhand to the hills have been severely damaged.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : Congress leaders on Wednesday said the exit of senior party leader and former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh -- who announced forming a new party -- will not affect the prospects of the Congress.

The issue was up for deliberation on Wednesday during the meeting between the party leaders and former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Congress' Punjab in-charge Harish Rawat.

The Congress is currently preparing an estimation of the number of leaders who are likely to quit.

However, sources say that people close to Singh are unlikely to quit the party.

The Congress leaders are watching his moves ahead of the new party formation and sources say that all the Congress members have distanced themselves after he worked out a "patch up formula" with the BJP.

Congress' Punjab in-charge Harish Rawat said "his decision will not make any difference to Congress".

"The party's performance will depend on the work of the new chief minister (Charanjit Singh Channi), and he is doing well," Rawat added.

Talking about Amarinder Singh, the former Uttarakhand chief minister said "it seems that he has killed the secular Amarinder within him... and how can he forgive the BJP for keeping the farmers on Delhi borders since the last one year." The Punjab unit has been asked to keep an eye on the movements of the rebels and to pacify them ahead of the elections and dissuade them from joining the former Chief Minister.

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said "we have no fear... if Amarinder goes with the BJP, there must be some pressure on him." Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said that he would soon announce the launch of his own political party to serve the interests of the people, including the farmers who have been fighting for their rights for almost a year now.

He said that he is hopeful of a seat-sharing arrangement with the BJP for next year's Assembly elections in the state, if the farmers' issues are resolved in their interest.

In a series of tweets, his media advisor Raveen Thukral quoted Amarinder Singh as saying: "The battle for Punjab's future is on. Will soon announce the launch of my own political party to serve the interests of Punjab and its people, including our farmers who've been fighting for their survival for over a year."
New Delhi, Oct 20 : The CBI has told the Supreme Court that various state governments' decision to withdraw general consent for a CBI probe is proving detrimental not only for the investigation, but also for prosecution of cases.

CBI Director S.K. Jaiswal, in an affidavit, has informed the Supreme Court that eight state governments -- West Bengal, Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram -- have withdrawn the general consent.

"Now, taking specific consent again on case-to-case basis is time-consuming and at times may be detrimental to timely and prompt investigation," he said in the affidavit.

According to the affidavit, the CBI has sent over 150 requests to governments of Maharashtra, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Kerala, and Mizoram during the period 2018-June 2021 for grant of specific consent for investigation of cases in the territory of these states. These requests were made for investigating trap cases, disproportionate assets cases, cases relating to allegation of cheating, forgery, misappropriation and loss of foreign exchange, and also bank fraud cases.

"Requests were granted in less than 18 per cent cases, which were related mainly in cases of trap of corrupt central public servants. Requests in approximately 78 per cent cases were pending, which mainly pertained to bank frauds of high magnitude impacting the economy of the country," it said.

The affidavit added that delay caused in taking up cases by the CBI, at times, leads to destruction or dissipation of evidence, which is detrimental not only for the investigation but also for subsequent prosecution of cases.

It said the matter of investigation taken by the CBI either on the reference of the state government or on the direction of the constitutional courts, and more often it results in a significant time lapse between the actual commission of offence and the date on which the investigation is taken up by it.

On September 3, a bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul decided to examine, within the ambit of investigation and prosecution, the CBI's success rate and performance leading a case to its logical conclusion.

"We call upon the petitioners to place the year wise data on the cases under prosecution, the time period over which they are pending before the trial courts and the percentage of conviction rendered by the courts at different level," it said.

The CBI filed the affidavit in response to this court order. The top court was hearing a matter arising out of the CBI's appeal from a 2018 judgment of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court. The high court had let off some lawyers from charges of fabricating false evidence against a few security forces personnel to implicate them in a case of rape and murder.

Two girls from Shopian had died due to drowning in March 2009 and the CBI had claimed that some lawyers and doctors created false evidence of rape and murder.
Washington, Oct 20 : NASA has selected a new space telescope proposal that will study the recent history of star birth, star death, and the formation of chemical elements in the Milky Way.

The gamma-ray telescope, called the Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI), is expected to launch in 2025 as NASA's latest small astrophysics mission, the US space agency said in a statement.

NASA's Astrophysics Explorers Programme received 18 telescope proposals in 2019 and selected four for mission concept studies. After detailed review of these studies by a panel of scientists and engineers, NASA selected COSI to continue into development.

"For more than 60 years, NASA has provided opportunities for inventive, smaller-scale missions to fill knowledge gaps where we still seek answers," said Thomas Zurbuchen, Associate Administrator for the agency's Science Mission Directorate in Washington, in the statement.

"COSI will answer questions about the origin of the chemical elements in our own Milky Way galaxy, the very ingredients critical to the formation of Earth itself," he added.

COSI will study gamma rays from radioactive atoms produced when massive stars exploded to map where chemical elements were formed in the Milky Way. The mission will also probe the mysterious origin of our galaxy's positrons, also known as antielectrons -- subatomic particles that have the same mass as an electron but a positive charge.

The mission will cost approximately $145 million, not including launch costs, the agency said adding it will select a launch provider later.

The COSI team spent decades developing their technology through flights on scientific balloons. In 2016, they sent a version of the gamma-ray instrument aboard NASA's super pressure balloon, which is designed for long flights and heavy lifts.

NASA's Explorers Programme is the agency's oldest continuous programme. It provides frequent, low-cost access to space using principal investigator-led space research relevant to the astrophysics and heliophysics programmes.

Since the 1958 launch of Explorer 1, which discovered Earth's radiation belts, the programme has launched more than 90 missions. The Cosmic Background Explorer, another NASA Explorer mission, led to a Nobel Prize in 2006 for its principal investigators, NASA said.
Hyderabad, Oct 20 : Gold donations continued to pour in for Telangana's Yadadri temple as infrastructure major Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL) on Wednesday announced donation of six kg of gold.

Corporate houses, businessmen, public representatives and politicians have so far donated nearly 30 kg gold in response to Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao's call.

After a visit to the renovated temple of SriALakshmi Narasimha Swamy at Yadadri on Tuesday, the Chief Minister announced the first donation of 1 kg 16 tolas gold to the temple on behalf of his family.

The temple, which will reopen for devotees on March 28 next year, requires 125 kg gold for gold plating works of Vimana Gopuram.

"We feel humble and privileged to donate to the Sri Yadradri Lakhsmi Narasimha Swamy temple tower (Vimana Gopuram) gold plating. We will soon hand over six kg of gold or a cheque equal to that. We believe the temple will become one of the most picturesque with the Chief Minister's idea and vision," MEIL Director B. Srinivas Reddy said.

This is the biggest donation announced so far. Hetero Group Chairman B. Parthasaradhi Reddy on Tuesday night announced donation of 5 kg gold.

Prominent businessman S. V. Ramaraju on Wednesday announced one kg of gold on behalf of Jala Vihar. He thanked the Chief Minister for making them partners in the great renovation programme of the Yadadri temple. He praised the Chief Minister saying in less than a decade, he achieved all the greatness of emperors who built magnificent temples.

A public representative and businesswoman from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh also announced a donation of one kg gold for the temple. Jayamma, a member of Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) in YSR Kadapa district, announced the donation.

Several donations were announced on Tuesday. Eminent seer Chinna Jeyer Swamy, who finalised the muhurat for the temple reopening, has committed one kg gold for the temple from his peetham.

Telangana Labour Minister Malla Reddy announced one kg gold to the temple on his personal behalf and another kg gold from people of his constituency Medchal.

MP Ranjith Reddy, MLCs K. Naveen Kumar, Shambhipur Raju, MLAs A. Gandhi, M. Hanumantha Rao, M. Krishna Rao and K.P. Vivek Anand, all from Medchal and Ranga Reddy districts came forward to donate six kg gold.

Nagarkunrool MLA Marri Janardhan Reddy announced donation of two kg gold while Kaveri Seeds MD Bhaskar Rao declared one kg gold donation. 'Namasthe Telangana' MD Damodar Rao also announced one kg of gold.
New York, Oct 20 : US FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr has warned that Chinese drone maker DJI "is collecting vast troves of sensitive data on Americans and US critical infrastructure, potentially operating as Huawei on wings".

Shenzhen-based DJI accounts for more than 50 per cent of the US drone market.

In an FCC statement on Tuesday, Carr wanted the Chinese firm in the 'Covered List', which would prohibit federal US dollars from being used to purchase its equipment.

The FCC also has a proceeding underway examining whether to continue approving equipment from entities on the Covered List for use in the US, regardless of whether federal dollars are involved.

Huawei and four others - ZTE Corp, Hytera Communications Corp, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co, and Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co - are already on the list based on a determination that they pose an unacceptable security risk.

"DJI drones and the surveillance technology on board these systems are collecting vast amounts of sensitive data - everything from high-resolution images of critical infrastructure to facial recognition technology and remote sensors that can measure an individual's body temperature and heart rate," Carr stated.

"Security researchers have also found that DJI's software applications collect large quantities of personal information from the operator's smartphone that could be exploited by Beijing. Indeed, one former Pentagon official stated that 'we know that a lot of the information is sent back to China from' DJI drones." "DJI's collection of vast troves of sensitive data is especially troubling given that China's National Intelligence Law grants the Chinese government the power to compel DJI to assist it in espionage activities. In fact, the Commerce Department placed DJI on its Entity List last year, citing DJI's role in Communist China's surveillance and abuse of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. Add to this information, the widespread use of DJI drones by various state and local public safety and law enforcement agencies as well as news reports that the US Secret Service and FBI recently bought DJI drones, and the need for quick action on the potential national security threat is clear." "After all, the evidence against DJI has been mounting for years, and various components of the US government have taken a range of independent actions - including grounding fleets of DJI drones based on security concerns. Yet a consistent and comprehensive approach to addressing DJI's potential threats is not in place. That is why the FCC should take the necessary steps to consider adding DJI to our Covered List. We do not need an airborne version of Huawei. As part of the FCC's review - and in consultation with national security agencies - we should also consider whether there are additional entities that warrant closer scrutiny by the FCC." In his remarks calling for action, Carr noted that since 2017, US intelligence services have warned that the DJI poses a security threat due to the level of sensitive information it collects and the risk of that data being accessed by Chinese state actors.

Carr pointed to the following evidence: In 2017, an Intelligence Bulletin from a DHS field office stated that DJI is likely providing sensitive US infrastructure and law enforcement data to the Chinese government.

In 2019, the Department of Homeland Security issued an alert regarding Chinese-made drones like DJI, stating that "(t)he United States government has strong concerns about any technology product that takes American data into the territory of an authoritarian state that permits its intelligence services to have unfettered access to that data or otherwise abuses that access".

In 2019, in passing the FY 2020 NDAA, Congress broadly prohibited the Department of Defense from purchasing Chinese-made drones, including DJI drones, based on national security concerns.

In January 2020, the Secretary of the US Department of the Interior issued an order that largely grounded the Department's fleet of drones, most notably DJI drones, based on concerns about cybersecurity and safeguarding access to sensitive data and information.

In October 2020, DOJ's Office of Justice Programmes barred the use of their funds for drones made by a "Covered foreign entity, determined or designated, within the Department of Justice, to be subject to or vulnerable to extrajudicial direction from a foreign government", including DJI.

In December 2020, the Department of Commerce added DJI to its "Entity List," for having "enabled wide-scale human rights abuses within China through abusive genetic collection and analysis or high-technology surveillance, and/or facilitated the export of items by China that aid repressive regimes around the world, contrary to US foreign policy interests".

In January 2021, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order detailing the risks of Chinese-made drones, including DJI, and stated the US policy "to prevent the use of taxpayer dollars to procure UAS that present unacceptable risks and are manufactured by, or contain software or critical electronic components from, foreign adversaries, and to encourage the use of domestically produced UAS".

In July 2021, DOD stated that it remains convinced DJI systems "pose potential threats to national security," and DJI drones are still barred from use by it.

Carr, 42, a Republican lawyer, has led efforts to crack down on the threats posed by communist China. Axios described him as "the FCC's 5G crusader", for leading FCC's work to modernise its infrastructure rules and accelerate the buildout of high-speed networks.

In 2018, Carr urged removal of insecure network gear from our communications networks, a process that is now underway. In 2019, he called for FCC to conduct a top-to-bottom review of every telecom carrier with ties to communist China. The FCC has now launched proceedings to revoke the authorisations of several carriers.

Earlier this year, he proposed that FCC use its equipment authorisation process to safeguard against security threats. The FCC initiated a proceeding to accomplish that in June. Tuesday's call for action marks another step in his efforts to address the threats posed by communist China.

The DJI, the world's biggest in consumer drones, is the creation of Frank Wang, now the world's first drone billionaire. He founded DJI in 2006 and ran it out of his dorm room at Hong Kong University of Science & Technology. Estimates of DJL sales are upwards of $2 billion. In 2018, it raised money at an estimated valuation of $15 billion and is best known for its Phantom Drones, which retail for around $1,000. Forbes estimates that Wang owns about 40 percent of the company.

FCC has a sanctioned strength of five commissioners. They are appointed by the US President. At present one position is vacant. One of them serves as Chairman. No more than three commissioners may be members of the same political party. None can have a financial interest in any FCC-related business. Commissioners are confirmed by the US Senate for five-year terms, except when filling an unexpired term. Carr's term runs out in mid-2023. Commissioners may continue serving until the appointment of their replacements. However, they may not serve beyond the end of the next session of Congress following term expiration.

(Nikhila Natarajan tweets @byniknat)
New Delhi, Oct 20 : Three people have been arrested in connection with a murder case in which a woman was stabbed to death on Matiala Road in Delhi's Dwarka area, an official said on Wednesday.

Furnishing details about the incident, Deputy Commissioner of Police Shankar Choudhary said the incident happened in the wee hours of Tuesday when the deceased girl identified as Dolly Bindra was partying with the three accused people identified as Ankit Gaba, Himanshu and Manish Sharma.

Family sources said the victim left the house before 12 a.m., informing her parents that she will stay at her friend's place. However, she went to the party.

During the party, a heated verbal exchange took place between Ankit and Dolly over some personal issues which turned into a fight and later culminated into Dolly being stabbed to death by Ankit in the presence of his friends.

After that at about 2.15 a.m., an area patrolling ERV (Emergency Response Vehicle) of Bindapur police station was informed by a Zomato delivery boy that a girl was lying in a pool of blood in a narrow street near Gurudwara Sewa Simran at Gali No. 1, Uttam Nagar, Delhi.

The ERV staff reached the place and immediately informed the area police station about the incident. As the police reached the spot, they rushed the grievously injured girl to DDU hospital where she was declared brought dead.

The police registered a case under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code at Bindapur police station and an investigation was initiated. The police with the help of CCTV footage identified all the three accused and deployed several teams to nab them.

The accused had fled to Chandigarh by bus and from Chandigarh they left for Patiala. Meanwhile, police carried out raids at several places in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.

Later, on specific information about their hideouts in Dwarka Mor, Himanshu and Manish were apprehended and based on their information Ankit was caught from the area of Sector-23 police station. The weapon of offence was also recovered.

The prime accused Ankit Gaba who stabbed the woman 7 times was injured while he was being apprehended. "He was hiding in an under construction building and when we reached there to nab him, Ankit jumped from the building and fractured both his legs," DCP Choudhary said.

As per CCTV footage of the crime accessed by IANS, the accused could be seen stabbing the woman multiple times. In the video, two men were also seen trying to save the woman, however, their efforts were futile.

Sources said the woman and the accused were earlier in a relationship. However, they broke up some time ago. The victim was working in an event management company before the lockdown along with Himanshu and Manish while Ankit Gaba was running a pharmacy in the Dwarka area.

According to recent data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the national capital recorded the highest number of crimes against women among all metropolitan cities in the country.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Wednesday directed the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh to withdraw their strike in protest against the killing of an advocate inside the premises of the Shahjahanpur civil court on Monday.

While strongly condemning the incident and expressing its deep anguish at the brutal incident, the BCI said it will take up the matter to the Supreme Court and at all other forums needed in order to have a fair, impartial, and immediate investigation into the incident.

However, even in times of such distress, it is reminded that abstinence/strike or boycott will not solve the problem, the BCI said.

Highlighting the professionalism and the responsibilities of lawyers, the bar body said the common man comes to advocates in the hope that the lawyers will be able to get them justice when all doors are closed for them.

There should not be interference in the judicial and court work, it said.

The lawyer's body urged for a mechanism all over the country especially in Uttar Pradesh to prevent the entry of any person with firearms inside court premises and all possible entry and exit points to the court premises should be manned and guarded properly.

It said that the claim for compensation, for the deceased brother of the advocate, shall be supported by BCI.

A lawyer, Bhupendra Pratap Singh was shot dead inside the Shahjahanpur civil court on Monday.

The incident took place on the third floor of the court and the lawyer was shot dead by a country-made firearm.

The Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh on Monday announced that lawyers across the state will abstain from work on Wednesday in protest against the brutal murder.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : The security agencies probing the recent civilian killings in Kashmir have also been looking at the possible involvement of Pakistan's nefarious Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the sources in the intelligence grid said here on Wednesday.

According to the sources, the killings of the civilians in Kashmir indicated a definite pattern where innocent people were killed to spread panic among the locals.

They also indicated that recently decoded encrypted messages of the new terror outfits like HARKAT 313, United Liberation of J&K, The Resistance Front (TRF) suggest the possible hand of Pakistan's ISI behind these killings. These new terror outfits are considered as the fronts of terror organizations like the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, they added.

Another source close to the security establishment said that these Pakistan-based terrorist groups are using the hybrid terrorists who have not been involved in terror activities in the past to avoid detection. They are from among the common masses.

The sources in the agencies said that the intercepted messages originating from Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) also suggest that the attack on individuals in a lone wolf manner could have been executed at the behest of the ISI.

Though the security agencies had inputs that the terrorists would be targeting people from political parties, Kashmiri Pandits, Sikhs and pro-government voices but they did not have a hint of innocent civilians being killed.

Earlier, the security experts had apprehended that the ISI would use the Afghan mercenaries against India after the Taliban took over in Afghanistan.

Apart from technical surveillance and intercepting chats, the Union Home Ministry has roped in officials from intelligence agency, National Investigation Agency (NIA) and officials from the central security forces who have earlier worked in the valley to nab these hybrid ultras. These officials have also been trying to pinpoint the terrorists by scanning the old cases and history of those involved in stone pelting.

The intelligence inputs and preliminary enquiries into these killings have revealed that these incidents were carried out in lone wolf attacks. Therefore, the team will scan the details of those youths who were pardoned in the stone pelting incidents in the past.
Tawang : , Oct 20 (IANS) The Indian Army has made integrated defence locations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh as the Chinese People's Liberation Army has enhanced military exercises across it.

These integrated defence locations is a mechanism in itself at various places across the LAC. It comprises complete communication, surveillance, operations and logistics system.

It is a total defence mechanism in itself with absolute synergy among all the support system for the troops for the battle. Big guns to military attack helicopters can be mobilised within minutes.

Such integrated defence locations are being created along the LAC across Arunachal Pradesh to thwart any kind of threat or contingencies.

Among big guns, the force has deployed upgraded vintage L-70 air defence guns, bofors and M777 howitzer.

The upgraded vintage L-70 air defence guns have enhanced target acquisition and automatic target tracking capabilities under all weather conditions with high resolution electro optical sensors.

It is effective against swarm drones, low flying objects as the upgraded gun can spew out predictive fire after automatically detecting the threat.

Talking to IANS, Indian Army's Captain Sariya Abbasi said: "The gun is able to take fire and engagement projected duration of time. It can now be integrated with tactical control radar and fire control radar." She also said that the gun is also equipped with a Muzzle Velocity Radar for enhancing the accuracy of fire.

The BEL has upgraded around 200 L70 guns for Rs 575 crore.

The army has approximately 1,180 guns in service. These guns were first bought off-the-shelf in the late 1960s from Swedish company Bofors AB and later licensed produced by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).

Witnessing increased Chinese activities across the LAC, India has enhanced its defence and surveillance capabilities, and also deployed more machines and men to thwart any contingencies.

On Tuesday, Eastern Army Commander Lieutenant General Manoj Pande had said, "Taking note of all these, we have taken number of steps number of measures... foremost is enhancing out surveillance both close to LAC as well as in the depth areas now this we are doing by synergizing efforts of our all surveillance equipment -- right from the strategic level till the tactical level where our soldiers are actually deployed on the LAC." He said that secondly, the focus is on adequacy of troops. "We have adequate forces that are available in each sector to deal with any contingency that may arise and we are also practicing and rehearsing on various contingencies that may come about in certain areas where at deployment are thin." The officer also stated that they have strengthened the deployment but largely where the deployment was thin.

India and China are engaged in border disputes for the last 17 months at the LAC.

(Sumit Kumar Singh can be reached at sumit.k@ians.in)
Srinagar, Oct 20 : Two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists involved in the killing of two migrant workers were killed in an encounter between the terrorists and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on Wednesday, officials said.

"Police and Army neutralised LeT district commander (Gulzar Ahmad Reshi) of Kulgam and one other, who were involved in killings of two poor labourers from Bihar on October 17 at Wanpoh," police tweeted quoting IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar.

Earlier on Wednesday, a terrorist identified as Adil Ahmad Wani involved in the killing of a carpenter from Uttar Pradesh was among the two terrorists eliminated in an encounter between terrorists and security forces at Dragad area in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district.
Amaravati, Oct 20 : Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will sit on a 36-hour long protest from Thursday at party's central office at Mangalagiri, which was attacked on Tuesday allegedly by the supporters of the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).

The protest with the title 'fight against state terrorism' will begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday and will continue till 8 p.m. on Friday.

The Opposition party announced that the former chief minister will sit amid damaged vehicles and ransacked furniture to protest against the attacks on the party's central office, district offices and the houses of party leaders.

The TDP chief alleged that state terrorism was increasing by the day and power has come handy for factionists.

The Leader of Opposition also alleged that the police also colluded with those in power to murder the democracy.

Naidu said Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has started a new tradition of physically eliminating those questioning him through mob attacks.

He said never in the state's history headquarters of the opposition party was attacked. He alleged that TDP offices and leaders were attacked across the state in a pre-planned manner.

He said Tuesday was a dark day for democracy and claimed that the attacks on TDP offices and leaders were carried out at the instance of the chief minister and DGP.

Naidu alleged that unable to digest the untiring efforts being made by the TDP to solve people's problems, the YSRCP government was using repressive measures.

He said it was the responsibility of every citizen to counter this repression. He appealed to people, other opposition parties, democratic forces and people's organisations to come forward for a fight against state terrorism.

Meanwhile, Naidu has reportedly sought appointment to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Saturday. He is likely to apprise him of the situation in the wake of Tuesday's attacks on party offices and leaders.

The TDP chief, who also telephoned Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan to complain about the attacks, has sought protection for TDP offices by the central forces.

Meanwhile, Naidu's son and TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh has blamed the chief minister for Tuesday's attacks. He alleged that YSRCP goons launched surprise attacks when there were few leaders in the TDP office and vanished from the spot in no time. Instead of using such hit and run tactics like a coward, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy should come for direct fight with the TDP's committed leadership, he said.

Lokesh said no action was initiated against anybody even after 24 hours. A DSP was seen asking the attackers to get into the cars and go after the attack. This was clearly a state-sponsored terrorism with active support from the police, he said.

Stating that he has no patience like Naidu, Lokesh warned that when TDP comes to power in 2024 it would pay back with interest to all those crossing their limits now. He said the TDP fought against many gangs in the past. He said in future, the TDP will deal with Jagan Reddy in the same manner as it checked his grandfather and father in the past.

Lokesh also alleged that Jagan Reddy was bringing the old style Tamil Nadu politics into Andhra when the AIADMK and the DMK leaders used to attack each other personally whenever they came to power in turns. Ironically, CM Stalin has said goodbye to those hostile politics by continuing Amma Canteens, the TDP leader said.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday junked the bail plea, on medical grounds, of Amrapali Group's erstwhile Director Shiv Priya, who has been in jail for more than two years for cheating thousands of home buyers.

A bench of Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and C. T. Ravikumar said: "We decline to interfere in this special leave petition as it is not a case of medical emergency as such. For, the prayer for bail on medical ground has been pursued unsuccessfully since September 2020." However, the top court, while dismissing the plea, asked the trial court to decide his regular bail plea within a month.

"In the circumstances, while dismissing this special leave petition, we direct the Special Judge, PMLA/Session Judge, Lucknow to decide the regular bail application filed by the petitioner which is still pending, expeditiously, and not later than one month from the date of receipt of the copy of this order," it said.

The petitioner's counsel assured that he will extend full cooperation for early disposal of the bail application before the trial court. The top court noted that this assurance has been placed on record.

"Copy of this order be forwarded to the concerned trial court through email forthwith for information and necessary action. The special leave petition is disposed of in the above terms. Pending applications, if any, stand disposed of," the top court noted in its order.

Shiv Priya moved the top court challenging the August 4 order of the Allahabad High Court's Lucknow bench, dismissing his petition under Section 482 of the CrPC. The high court had confirmed the order dated January 13, passed by Special Judge, PMLA.

"Vide the order dated January 13, 2021, the Special Judge, PMLA/Session Judge, Lucknow has suo moto recalled its own earlier order dated September 22, 2020, whereby the petitioner herein was granted interim bail to avail medical treatment which is not possible while being in the jail custody as per medical report issued by the jail authority, central jail no 11, Mandoli, Delhi," said the plea.

The Supreme Court, in its July 23, 2019 verdict, had cracked the whip on errant builders for duping thousands of home buyers and ordered the cancellation of the registration of the Amrapali Group under real estate law RERA. Amrapali Group directors Anil Kumar Sharma, Shiv Priya, and Ajay Kumar are behind bars on the top court's order.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : India has told major oil producing nations, in no uncertain terms, that high prevailing oil prices were unsustainable and lowering of energy prices was the only option to speed up post-pandemic recovery.

Addressing the ongoing India Energy Forum by CERAWeek, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri on Wednesday said that if energy prices were not brought under control, global economic recovery could be fragile. "Prices have to be predictable, dependable, and stable. This may also impact the producers in the long run. OPEC+ countries should factor in the sentiments of the consuming countries," he said.

The rise in global oil prices for past few months has already resulted in fuel prices in India shooting up and reaching historic high levels. Not only auto fuels, piped natural gas (PNG), and compressed natural gas (CNG) prices have risen to the highest levels ever because of supply regulations maintained by oil producing nations. The import bill of these items has almost gone up by almost three times in last quarter compared to last year's corresponding quarter.

"The global economy needs clean, affordable, reliable, sustainable energy to speed up the post pandemic recovery. We need to accept that the world needs a reliable supply of oil and gas until we can build new energy infrastructure," Puri said.

He also reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement that India should endeavour to become an energy independent country by 2047, the 100th year of India's independence. "We will do whatever it takes to increase exploration and production in India," he said while emphasising how ramping up domestic production is a priority of the country.

"I hope our friends in OPEC+ will factor in the sentiment that is being echoed. Whilst we are trying to ensure that economic activity accelerates, the fact is that high (oil) prices undermine it. If economic activity slows down, then demand for oil and gas will also," Puri said.

At another session with OPEC Secretary General, Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, Petroleum Secretary, Tarun Kapoor also expressed his concern at high energy prices suggesting that it was not good for both producers and consumers.

Kapoor said that the high prices will make India want to rethink its energy transition plans where natural gas was supposed to act as a bridge fuel from more polluting coal.

"OPEC can very easily raise production and gain confidence of consumers. If the sellers don't come to help, then the reliability goes away. The thinking right now is whether we can rely on any imports at all," he said.
Engaged in a bitter slugfest with the US on economic, technological and strategic fronts, China is taking its fight with the US in the third country, especially Zimbabwe where the alleged expose by the African country's largest daily newspaper 'The Herald' is being used by Beijing to badger the US left, right and centre.

In its report published on September 21, The Herald has maintained that the US is funding and training local reporters to write anti-China stories.

"The United States is sponsoring a strategy to undermine Chinese investment in Zimbabwe by smearing the Asian giant's companies as engaging in widespread labour malpractices, as well as violation of human, community and environmental rights among other ills," the Zimbabwean daily reported.

Considered as the largest read newspaper in the landlocked Southern African nation, The Herald also included Western countries in its sensational report.

"The strategy is part of an intricate plan, also involving some European and Nordic countries, to discredit Chinese businesses through disinformation, lies and sensationalism in the independent media and social platform," The Herald report said.

Surprisingly, the Zimbabwean daily used a cartoon of CGTN (China Global Television Network) as a lead photograph for its story: 'US plan to discredit Chinese investments unmasked.' While it impacted the credibility of the story, for almost three weeks since the publication of the alleged expose by The Herald, China remained silent on the issue. On October 14, all state-backed news outlets of China from CGTN to Global Times to Xinhua to China Daily and others came out with the Zimbabwean daily's story.

A day after Chinese media coverage of the said story, the East Asian country's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian, during a regular press briefing, said: "The US government chose to hire paid posters to spread rumours with the money, which is vile as media outlets put it. For some time, the US has gone to great lengths, including paying for lies, to discredit China and hurt China- Africa relations." There seemed to be a pattern in the Chinese attempt to play up the issue and Beijing apparently did to show the US and the West, whose media outlets have over the years come out with stories of Chinese firms' exploitation of workers and the poor in Zimbabwe, in the bad light.

The Guardian, the well-known British daily, had exposed abuses of local workers hired by the Chinese companies for working in mines and construction businesses in Zimbabwe as far as nine years ago. In the story published on January 2, 2012, the British daily came out with a headline "Workers claim abuse as China adds Zimbabwe to its scramble for Africa." The British daily presented a heart wrenching story of Zimbabwean workers who were made to slog 14-hour a day for seven day on a paltry sum of $4 a day and beaten mercilessly, sometime after undressing them with helmets, for a simple mistake during their work at Zimbabwe National Defence College.

Funded by China, the Defence College was being built by the Chinese construction company, Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Company (AFECC).

"The shadowy military academy is being built by a Chinese contractor whose managers are accused of meting out physical punishments, miserable conditions and meagre pay," The Guardian said in its report nine-year ago.

The trend continued with Western media digging out one after another story of Zimbabwean workers' mistreatment. CNN, the prominent US television channel, had widely covered the shooting of the two Zimbabwean workers by a Chinese firm manager, Zhang Xuen on June 29, 2020. Showing the "systematic and widespread" abuse that locals face in Chinese mining operations, "Zhang Xuen shot an employee five times and wounded another at the mine he ran in Gweru province in central Zimbabwe during a row with workers over outstanding pay," CNN reported last year.

Under US sanctions since 2003, Zimbabwe is heavily leaned towards China politically, militarily and economically. China is Zimbabwe's fourth largest trading partner and its largest source of investment with stakes worth billions of US dollar in everything from agriculture to construction. Result is, China wields such a strong clout on Zimbabwe that despite numerous cases of abuses of local labourers by Chinese employers, the Zimbabwe government doesn't take action against them.

This year in September, the National Union of Metal and Allied Industries of Zimbabwe, which is affiliated to IndustriALL Global Union, took out a protest rally against Chinese-owned Afrochine Smelting Pvt Ltd in Harare for unfair termination of contracts for 33 workers, non-payment of wages and beating up of workers by supervisors. As per media reports, the union members also petitioned the Zimbabwe government for an action against the management of Afrochine Smelting Pvt Ltd, yet no action was taken.

Afrochine Smelting has also been accused of destroying the world heritage site, Mavuradonha in northern Zimbabwe, which is believed to be a sacred place where local Zimbabweans say their ancestors and spirits reside. For the sake of extracting chrome and other mineral resources, Chinese companies in collusion with local authorities, are said to be involved in Mavuradonha which is a restricted area in the landlocked African nation.

The issue of exploitation of Zimbabwean workers by Chinese companies has also been raised by several digital, print and television channels across Africa. AllAfrica.com, a website that aggregates news produced primarily from the African region, on July 8, 2021 reported war of words between Harare-based Chinese diplomats and Zimbabwe's labour unions over allegations that business people from China are abusing their local employees.

Under a headline, 'Zimbabwe: China clashes with Zimbabwean unions over systematic abuse', the website report maintained that the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), the largest labour centre representing private sector employees, recently created a story when used social media to expose the "slave-like working conditions" at a Chinese owned tile manufacturing factory on the outskirts of Harare.

However, now Chinese perpetrated abuses against local labourers seem to have crossed all limits of tolerance. Anti-China sentiments are growing rancorous with people beginning to realize that they are being oppressed to serve vested interests of Chinese. The US and Western media, think tanks are helping in fanning the growing anti-China sentiments; they are openly criticizing Beijing for being complicit in the exploitation of human rights of workers in Africa. A glimpse of this can be seen in the recent report of the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, a London- based nonprofit organization. The report said Africa has the second highest number of allegations of human rights abuses, with 26.7 percent of the claims recorded against Chinese companies operating abroad from 2013 to 2020.

Observers factor such criticism, which sometimes become virulent, for the rise in anti-US or anti- West campaigns by China. They, however, don't hesitate to cast doubt on the impartiality of the local media, including The Herald. They feel that with the current Zimbabwe government in league with China, it is not impossible for the ruling elites to influence editorial lines of Zimbabwe's largest read English newspaper. Whatever may be the truth, the heat generated by the Chinese media and government over the Zimbabwean daily's story on US funding and training of local reporters to write anti-China stories must be properly investigated to differentiate chalk from cheese.
Kolkata, Oct 20 : To iron out corruption at the village level, the state panchayat department has decided to develop an online system where all the projects at the village level will be uploaded giving an access to departmental authorities so that they can have an idea about the developments going on at the village level.

According to senior officials of the state panchayat department, the area of operation of the panchayat department is so vast that it is impossible to keep a track of all the developments going on at the village level.

Naturally, the lack of a coordinated monitoring system allows corruption to pop up. To plug these unwanted corrupt practices at the village level the state government has decided to monitor the functioning of the department through a special portal to check the events of corrupt practices.

Recently, the department has issued a notification outlining guidelines on this issue. The department is of the opinion that lack or delayed information is the source of all the corruption and so it has been decided that minute details like the number of residents in a particular village and their opinion, among others, would be uploaded on the portal.

The department also stressed the need for regular local-level meetings with the people residing in the localities concerned.

Every village panchayat has been instructed to form a 'Planning Facilitation Team' by October 30 this year. Each team will be divided into sub-teams of six to seven members who will conduct these locality-level meetings. The outcome and minutes of these meetings will be uploaded on the portal.

"So, the details of the panchayat-level planning and progress of work will be available at the portals, which in turn will lead to more transparency in the functioning panchayats," a department official said.

On this issue, an official of the state panchayat affairs and rural development department said that the entire monitoring process will be implemented in phases.

"The implementation part will be completed by the financial years 2022-23, the process for which will be started from now onwards," he said. Departmental sources also said that pilot- projects for this portal have already started at the panchayat levels.

According to senior Trinamool Congress leader and the state panchayat affairs and the rural development minister, Subrata Mukherjee, his department is supposed to monitor all the development activities of the 3,299 panchayats in the state.

"A major portion of the fund in different projects of the panchayat department comes from central schemes and so the department wants absolute transparency in the system so that the central government doesn't get an opportunity to stop the funding," a senior official of the department said.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to examine a plea seeking extension of the CBI Director's tenure in emergency situations, in the absence of finalisation of the name of the successor, rather than appointing an interim Director.

Attorney General K.K. Venugopal submitted before a bench of Justices Nageswara Rao and B.R. Gavai that the CBI Director has been appointed and the petition filed by NGO Common Cause, citing the delay in appointment, has become infructuous.

However, advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the NGO, pressed the government should not be allowed to appoint an interim Director, after the superannuation of the incumbent CBI Director. He argued that in exceptional circumstances, the outgoing Director should be asked to continue to function till a regular appointment is made, and there should not be any ad-hoc appointment.

On Venugopal's contention that the NGO's plea has become infructuous, Bhushan argued that he was pressing for another prayer in the petition, which is against the appointment of an interim Director, which is usual practice followed by the Central government.

The AG submitted that the delay in regular appointment happened as the High-Powered Committee could not meet against the backdrop of Covid-19 pandemic. He clarified that at times, there might be difficulties in the meeting of the committee, and in these exceptional circumstances, ad hoc appointments are made.

The bench sought the AG's response on Bhushan's contention, and scheduled the matter for further hearing next week.

Bhushan contended that the top court in the Prakash Singh case had barred the practice of appointment of acting CBI Directors and acting DGPs. He submitted these were being violated.

He alleged since 2017, the Centre took the recourse of appointing interim Director thrice, and this practice should stop, as it affects functioning of the agency.

The NGO had moved the top court alleging the government failed to appoint a regular CBI Director as per section 4A of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, on the expiry of term of Rishi Kumar Shukla on February 2. The NGO had argued that appointment of Praveen Sinha, as an interim Director of the premier investigating agency in violation of the court's earlier direction.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : With an aim to assist the candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PWBD), the Union Public Service Commission on Wednesday opened a toll free helpline number.

The toll free number -- 1800118711 -- will provide assistance to these candidates who have applied or intend to apply for examinations or recruitment.

According to the UPSC officials, the dedicated helpline will remain operational on all working days during the office hours. The candidates of above categories facing any difficulty in filling up the application form of any examination, recruitment or for any queries concerning the Commission's examinations, recruitment, may contact this number for assistance.

The officials also said that this initiative is also a part of the Commission's endeavour of undertaking queries of such candidates in a friendly manner when the Nation is celebrating the "Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav" to commemorate the monumental occasion of the 75th Anniversary of Indian Independence and this step is a part this grand celebration.

The UPSC is the government's main recruiting agency for A grade services in India. It conducts entrance examinations for the prestigious Civil Services, Combined Defence Services, and National Defence Academy.

Apart from these examinations, the UPSC also conducts entrance examinations for the Indian Forest Services and Group A examination for Central Armed Police Force.

The examination pattern however varies but most of the examinations comprise three stages of the selection process. The first stage is the preliminary exam, the second is the mains and the last is the interview.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : One of Indi's leading luxurious Ayurveda skincare brands, Forest Essentials, announces its international foray with the London based Lookfantastic.com, Euroe's premium online beauty retailer. The partnership enables the brand to take significant strides towards its expansion globally starting with the launch in the United Kingdom.

"Our focus and USP at Forest Essentials has always been at delivering high quality Ayurvedic products in a sustainable way, with a global appeal. We firmly believe that the time is right for Forest Essentials to expand to the UK, as our first international footprint with Lookfantastic,' Europe's premium online beauty retailer.

"The UK audience is well aware of Ayurveda and we are certain that the demand for our Made in India luxurious Ayurveda products, is going to continue to grow multifold, as consumers are today looking for moments of self-care, to feel better in this stressful period and we are well positioned to support this type of feel-good indulgence that consumers are seeking today," says Samrath Bedi, Executive Director, Forest Essentials.

The brand's iconic product ranges, across skincare, body care and haircare will be available for purchase in the UK, including the Soundarya collection, crafted with 24k gold. Additional collections offered include the Men's Collection, Madurai Jasmine and Mogra, Green Tea and Oudh, and Nargis, Indian Rose Ab'olute. The brand's vast gifting options are also available via the e-retailer.

A portfolio of over 660 premium brands onsite and revenue share grown 40 percent year on year in the last 4 year makes, Lookfantastic is one of the most successful beauty websites globally. Unrivalled technology, a team of world-class experts, over 30 localized sites in as many languages enables the website to attract millions of visits per month with nearly 71 percent of them being international making it a natural choice as a retail overseas partner for Forest Essentials.

Commenting on the announcement, Bedi added, "Ayurveda has gained acceptance globally and there is an increased need to explore authentic products that are not only luxurious but also high on efficacy. Forest Essentials has been a pioneer in every sense and we're confident that our foray into the UK will enable us to represent India and products Made in India successfully in the international market." (IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)
Bhopal, Oct 20 : A 50-year-old woman was mauled to death by a leopard in Madhya Pradesh's Seoni district, a forest official said on Wednesday.

This was the third leopard killing in the district in one and a half months.

According to the forest official, the incident occured on Tuesday when the woman along with others was busy in cutting paddy in a field in Ugli area of Seoni.

"While the woman was busy in cutting paddy, she was, all of a sudden, attacked by the leopard and was mauled to death. Others, who were also in the field, however, managed to escape from wild animal's attack and raised an alarm," the official said.

Forest officials said that four cages have been set up in the area to trap the animal.

On October 16, a 16-year-old was killed by a leopard in Kanhiwada forest area in the district, while on September 15, a woman was attacked and killed by a leopard in another village of Seoni.

District authorities have written to the forest headquarters to declare this leopard a 'man-eater'.

Following the attack, the Forest Department has advised villagers to stay away from areas where such incidents have occured and remain alert till the animal is captured.
Mumbai, Oct 20 : Busting a major drug racket between Rajasthan and Maharashtra, the Mumbai Police's Anti-Narcotics Cell has arrested a woman with 7.20 kg heroin, valued at over Rs 21.6 crore in the international markets, an official said on Wednesday.

Following a tip-off received by the Ghatkopar ANC Unit head Lata Sutar, the operation was carried out on Tuesday in Sion area when accused, Amina Hamza Sheikh alias Lalli, 53, was caught with the contraband.

According to the ANC intelligence, there have been recent instance of banned narcotics usually originating from the drugs mafia in Pratapgarh and Chittorgarh districts of Rajasthan being transported to Mumbai by trains or inter-state buses.

According to the statement of the accused, the seized consignment was procured from two suppliers in Devaldi, and Navgama in Pratapgarh district.

The contraband was picked up in Mumbai by Sheikh and her associates, with the drugs meant for onward distribution to suppliers and peddlers in Mumbai and her other customers, said the police.

A history sheeter, Sheikh was earlier nabbed in different cases by the ANC units of Worli in 2015 and Ghatkopar in 2018 for dealing in various types of banned drugs.

The Mumbai Police are now investigating her other links among the drugs mafia in the two states and tracking her accomplices.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : As part of the UKs upcoming Carrier Strike Group tour, Rolls-Royce is all set to showcase to Indian Navy customers its capabilities to design, build and deliver customised power and propulsion solutions for Indias naval modernisation requirements.

The company also expressed its keenness to explore opportunities for partnering with the Navy with end-to-end solutions for electrification of India's future warships.

Speaking about the upcoming tour, Kishore Jayaraman, President (India and South Asia), Rolls-Royce, said, "As India envisions the fleet of the future, our commitment to support the country's defence modernisation and self-reliance goals remains as strong as ever. The Carrier Strike Group tour is a significant opportunity for Rolls-Royce to showcase the results of decades of innovation in naval power and propulsion.

"Our experience of supporting the electrification of the Royal Navy's warships over many years is of particular significance, including the design and deployment of the world's first hybrid-electric naval system. We believe that we can bring great learnings and value to any future programme envisioned by the Indian Navy for developing electric warships." Rolls-Royce is the only manufacturer in the world that has provided navalised marine gas turbine generators into front-line integrated full electric propulsion (IFEP) powered destroyers and aircraft carriers. Being a key member of the Power and Propulsion Sub-Alliance, Rolls-Royce was responsible for the design, procurement, manufacture, integration, test and delivery of the Queen Elizabeth Carrier ships' power and propulsion system, which includes the mighty MT30 marine gas turbine and a low voltage electrical distribution system.

Abhishek Singh, Senior Vice President (Defence, India and South East Asia), Rolls-Royce, said, "The HMS Queen Elizabeth visiting India is one of the finest examples of technological excellence in naval warfare. We are looking forward to familiarising our Indian customers with Rolls-Royce's capabilities aboard this majestic warship and to explore areas for collaboration to further strengthen the might and range of the Indian Navy." Richard Partridge, Chief of Naval Systems, Rolls-Royce, added, "Rolls-Royce is well-positioned to partner India for the modernisation of its naval fleet with the right mix of products, experience and capabilities to design, build, deliver and support customised naval systems and solutions. Our technologically superior offerings and expertise provide the ideal solutions for developing integrated hybrid-electric and full-electric propulsion for naval vessels, including the integration of the MT30 that brings the most power dense gas turbine to these next generation warships." The Royal Navy's new Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) aircraft carriers operate an IFEP system that is one of the most advanced propulsion systems offering increased power, flexibility and reliability - best suited for large warships. It provides two MT30 marine gas turbine alternators per ship, rated at 36MW, with the power to propel these vessels beyond 25knots.

The MT30 alone delivers huge design benefits through its power density, significantly reducing the number of gas turbines required to power advanced naval platforms. The MT30 also guarantees its power throughout the 50-year service life expectancy of the ship. The QEC also feature a complete Rolls-Royce low voltage (LV) electrical distribution system that distributes enough electricity to power the equivalent of 5,000 family homes.

As electrical power system integrators, Rolls-Royce provides solutions for both hybrid and all-electric naval vessels, optimising performance to satisfy electrical load demands of the future such as advanced sensor, propulsion and combat systems. It is also an experienced provider of low voltage (LV) electrical power distribution systems for a range of warship and submarine applications.

With over 80 years of naval propulsion experience, Rolls-Royce has pioneered some of the most important technical advances in marine propulsion including the use of aero gas turbines for surface ship propulsion. The company offers a world-leading portfolio of marine products and systems ranging from gas turbines and diesel engines, propulsion, electrical and automation systems, deck handling and innovative unmanned technologies as well as comprehensive customer support for present and future fleets.
Amaravati, Oct 20 : Andhra Pradesh Police on Wednesday lodged an attempt to murder case against Telugu Desam Party (TDP) General Secretary Nara Lokesh and four other TDP leaders.

Lokesh, who is the son of TDP President and former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and others have also been booked under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

An FIR was registered at the Mangalagiri police station against the TDP leaders for allegedly attacking a police officer at TDP's central office in Manglagiri on Tuesday. On a complaint filed by reserve inspector G. Sakru Naik, the police booked the case against Lokesh, Member of Legislative Council Ashok Babu, Alapati Raja, T. Shravan Kumar and P. Srinivas Rao.

According to the police, the officer was abused in the name of his caste and was physically assaulted when he went to the TDP office in plain clothes at around 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday after an attack there by alleged supporters of the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).

The complainant said that though he showed his identity card, the accused assaulted him with an intention to kill and also abused him in the name of his caste. He said he fell unconscious due to the injuries and was rescued by a police officer who shifted him to the Government General Hospital in Guntur for treatment.

Meanwhile, Lokesh said that though he went to the TDP office at 8.30 p.m., a false case of attempt to murder has been registered against him. He said the policeman was caught while suspiciously moving in the TDP office. He was stated to have attacked TDP activists and damaged the furniture along with the YSRCP activists. However, that person was handed over to the police.

Lokesh demanded the DGP to explain why the policeman came to the TDP office premises along with the attackers. No action has been taken so far against the rioters but the police are filing cases against the TDP leaders, he said.

The TDP leader claimed that there are many evidences to prove the nexus between the police and the YSRCP goons.

Meanwhile, the police have also registered a case against 70 people, said to be workers of YSRCP, in connection with the attack on TDP headquarters. The case was booked on a complaint filed by Badri, an employee at the TDP office who received injuries in the attack.

CPI state Secretary K. Ramakrishna on Wednesday visited TDP's central office and described the vandalism as an attempt to murder democracy.

He went round to see the damaged furniture and vehicles in the premises. Lokesh showed him the damages and narrated how the miscreants trespassed, ransacked the premises and caused injuries to people.

Ramakrishna said that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy should tender an apology for what happened at the main opposition party's offices. The attacks were carried out on the TDP offices as per a well-laid plan and under the supervision of the ruling party leadership, he said.

The TDP central office at Mangalagiri and party offices in other parts of the state were attacked by alleged supporters of YSRCP on Tuesday after TDP spokesman Pattabhi Ram used abusive words against the Chief Minister.

Unidentified persons also attacked Pattabhi Ram's house in Vijayawada.
Dhaka, Oct 20 : The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), the elite anti-crime and anti-terrorism unit of the Bangladesh Police, has arrested Ruma Sarkar, an assistant professor at the Begum Badrunnesa Government Girls' College in Dhaka, on charges of spreading a provocative and false video on Facebook.

She was arrested on Wednesday morning from her residence on Baily Road in the capital.

Khandaker Al Moin, Commander of RAB's Legal and Media Wing, said, "Ruma Sarkar posted a video of a murder in Dhaka's Pallabi area claiming it to be the killing of Jatin Saha in Noakhali. She also came on Facebook Live and spread provocative information. We are interrogating her in custody."
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 20 : Four youths, including the victim's boyfriend, were taken into custody for an allegedly raping a 17-year-old Dalit girl in Kerala's Kozhikode, police said on Wednesday.

The incident, according to the complaint made by the victim two days back, took place on October 3, when she, along with her 'lover' and three other friends, went to a tourist centre in Kozhikode.

According to the girl, she was given juice, which she suspects had sedatives in it, and was subjected to abuse after it.

In the evening, she was dropped off and was told not to tell anyone what happened on the threat of facing dire consequences, she said.

Police are probing the matter and questioning the youths.
Jaipur, Oct 20 : The 'Invest Rajasthan-2022' summit will be held on January 24-25 next year at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC).

Investors from all over the world are being invited for the two-day conference, where investment-related decisions will be made on the spot, Chief Secretary Niranjan Arya said while presiding over a meeting on the summit organised by the Industries Department here on Wednesday.

Keeping in view the immense potential for industrial development in the state, domestic and foreign investors would be invited for making investment in Rajasthan, which would also boost employment and tourism in the state.

Arya said that efforts should be made to increase investment in different sectors like electronics, mineral exploration, health infrastructure and medical equipment. He also suggested inviting successful local exporters to the investor summit.

Industries Secretary Ashutosh Pednekar said that the summit will see the participation of non-resident Rajasthani investors, both domestic and overseas.

He said that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and other ministers will invite the investors to take part in the summit.

There will be events like virtual webinars, national and international road shows, and discussions with diplomats from different countries to connect with the investors.
Amaravati, Oct 20 : Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Leader of Opposition in Andhra Pradesh Assembly N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday wrote to President, Prime Minister and Union Home Minister seeking President's rule in the state citing what he called breakdown of constitutional machinery in the state.

The former chief minister also demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into Tuesday's attacks on TDP offices and its leaders. He also sought protection by central police forces for the offices of the principal opposition party and key opposition leaders in the state.

Naidu sent letters to President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with images, video clips and newspaper cuttings pertaining to Tuesday's attack on TDP's central office at Mangalagiri and other party offices and houses of party leaders.

He said state-wide attacks planned against TDP in a span of couple of hours are clear indications of pre-meditated and pre-planned attacks jointly orchestrated by the chief minister, chief minister's office and the Director General of Police (DGP).

He called the attacks state-sponsored terror against people and political parties and alleged that the police colluded with attackers.

"This is not something unprecedented, it is actually the culmination of two-and-half years of intimidation and attacks by the ruling party in Andhra Pradesh on different sections of the society and democratic institutions, be it political parties, legislature, judiciary, bureaucracy and media," wrote Naidu.

"If left unchecked, state-sponsored violence will only escalate further and spill across state borders, threatening national security. Thus, there is a complete failure of law and order along with the breakdown of constitutional machinery in Andhra Pradesh. This current situation of widespread lawlessness constitutes an apt case for the imposition of Article 356," he added.

He said around 200 YSRCP goons attacked the TDP central office which is within a km from the office of the DGP. Never in the history of Indian democracy, did a ruling party henchmen attack the central office of the principal opposition party, he wrote.

Naidu alleged that the state-wide attacks were carried out with a view to curb the opposition with regard to drugs like heroin and cannabis. He also referred to seizure of 3,000 kilos of heroin at Mundra Port with the importing organisation being registered in Vijayawada.

In his six-page letter, Naidu gave a detailed sequence of events leading to the attack on party headquarters. The former chief minister claimed that he personally called DGP around 5.03 p.m but he responded only by saying that he is busy. Sensing danger, the staff of TDP office also called Mangalagiri police but in vain, he said Naidu said ever since YSRCP came to power in 2019, there has been a concerted effort to thwart democracy by crushing dissent and filing false cases against the members of TDP. He also claimed that during the last two years, Andhra Pradesh has turned into a hub for criminal activities and emerged as an epicentre of drugs in general and cannabis. That drugs were being smuggled from Andhra Pradesh was corroborated by police of other states, especially Gujarat, Telangana, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : Coming down heavily on the lackadaisical attitude of Delhi Police and the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) in removing illegal encroachments by street vendors in Connaught Place, the Delhi High Court has sought status reports about the steps they have taken in the issue.

A Division Bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh has also asked the authorities to display permanent boards in Rajiv Chowk and Indira Chowk area mentioning that CP is a no-hawking/illegal vending zone.

Criticizing the NDMC for failing their obligations 'on the ground', the Court said it is not satisfied with the mere paper exercise that the civic body claims to have undertaken.

"In our view, such an exercise is merely undertaken to shun responsibility by the officers and pass the buck on," the bench said.

The Court's response came after seeing photographs, in which it was seen scores and scores of hawkers and vendors who are occupying public spaces on the pavements meant for pedestrian use.

The bench was hearing a petition by shop owners in the area seeking directions to ensure that illegal hawking, squatting, and vending activities be removed permanently.

Large areas have been occupied by them to display their goods and wares which they are vending. Large congregations of crowds can be seen around these vends; the court observed.

The bench also directed the Chairman, Executive Engineers of the NDMC having jurisdiction over the Connaught Place area, as well as the DCP of the area concerned and the SHO of the local police station to remain present before the court on the next date.

Further hearing on the matter will be on November 8, 2021.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : The Central government has told the Supreme Court that granting reservation in promotion to Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe employees would not adversely affect the efficiency of the administration.

The apex court will hear the matter on Thursday.

Justifying its policy in granting reservation in promotion, the Centre, in an affidavit, said the policy instructions already exist in the government, which require maintenance of post-based reservation roster by the concerned cadre controlling authorities and its strict compliance.

"While considering the cases for promotion of employees, the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) is required to determine the merits of those being assessed for promotion with reference to the prescribed benchmark and accordingly grade the officers as 'fit' and 'unfit' only," it said.

Emphasizing promotion would be given only to those officers who fulfil the benchmark of performance, the Centre said officers who are graded unfit will not be included on the select panel, and only those graded fit will be included on select panel in order of their inter-se seniority in the feeder grade.

"If none of the officers included in the DPC, as per composition given in the recruitment rules, is a SC or ST officer, a member belonging to SC or ST, if available within the ministry/department, is required to be co-opted," the affidavit added.

The Centre said if no such officer is available within ministry, then they are required to be take from another ministry. "In the case of departmental qualifying examinations held for promotion, suitable relaxation is provided to SC/ST candidates," it said.

The Centre further emphasized that it is following a policy which is compliant with the top court's ruling in Nagraj case. Following top court's direction, it, in the 96-page affidavit, also compiled voluminous data in connection with representation of SCs/STs in various departments and ministries.

The Centre said the annual performance appraisals reports (APARs) are evaluated while considering cases of confirmation and promotion, which captures assessment of work, output, personal attributes and competency of each officer. "Through APAR system, the performance of the individual officer is reported upon by the immediate senior officer and reviewed by the next higher officer," the affidavit said.

Against the backdrop of non-breaching of the ceiling limit of 50 percent is concerned, the Centre added that in matters of promotion, "reservation is provided only to the extent of 7.5 per cent to STs and 15 per cent to SCs. There is no reservation in promotion to OBCs".

The Centre filed the affidavit in connection with petitions on reservation in promotions to SC/ST employees.

On October 6, Attorney General K.K. Venugopal had submitted before the Supreme Court that it is a fact that even 75 years after gaining Independence, people belonging to SC/ST community in the country have not been brought to the same level of merit as the forward classes.

--IANS ss/vd

Sent from Mail for Windows
Guwahati, Oct 20 : The IIT Guwahati would launch a Bachelor's course in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence to open up several career options like data engineering, data analytics, data architecture, among others, officials said on Wednesday.

According to the IIT Guwahati, the first batch of 20 students would be admitted in the institution through the JEE Advanced-2021 counselling process and the institute looks forward to welcoming them along with all new batch of students to other undergraduate branches of the institute.

This new programme is designed to be holistic in nature and would train students in topics related to Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI), with emphasis on relevant courses from other disciplines of science and engineering such as Computer Science, Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics, an official statement said.

This programme would be offered by the newly-established Mehta Family School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, set up with generous support from the Mehta Family Foundation, Houston, Texas, US, with a track record of having supported several institutes in the fields of education and healthcare.

IIT Guwahati Director, Prof T.G. Sitharam said that this new B. Tech. programme on DSAI being offered by the institution would be very attractive to train next generation data scientists and technologists for future predictions in multiple domains of business, technology implementation, healthcare sector, disaster management, policy formulation and managing large data sets, irrespective of the field they work in their careers.

He said that the vast opportunities that this field offers would fulfil the demands of having sufficiently qualified graduates to serve the nation in the future in areas requiring expertise in AI and data analytics.

There is a growing demand for highly trained professionals in the fields of DSAI, Sitharam said, adding that this newly introduced B. Tech programme would emphasise on extending training in both theoretical as well as practical perspectives.

The programme is expected to prepare the students to involve in major challenges emerging as a result of the business and innovation moving towards a more data-driven setup, contributing towards the growth of a new innovation-oriented India, he added.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : Stating that solving the problem of energy access is very important, India on Wednesday said that the International Solar Alliance (ISA) can enable energy access for 800 million people, who lack energy access, worldwide.

"The International Solar Alliance was founded to bring the global community together, synergise our efforts and leverage our complementarities to overcome such barriers. The ISA can play primary role in providing energy access to all," Power Minister R.K. Singh said in the opening address of the inaugural of the fourth assembly of the ISA virtually, attended by more than 100 countries, according to an official statement.

Singh, also the President of the ISA, reiterated how India has the target to reach 450 GW of Renewable Energy (RE) by 2030 and how it already has 154 GW of installed non-fossil generation capacity and another 67 GW is under construction. "India's non-fossil fuel based capacity is on-track to surpass the 40 per cent target under the India's NDC." NDC is the national action plan to contribute in the global combat against climate change to restrict the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial era.

Initiated by India, the ISA is an alliance of 124 countries, most of which lie either completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, with the primary objective to work for efficient consumption of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

This was an ambitious initiative proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with its global headquarters in India.

US President's Special Climate Envoy John Kerry said: "With 1,000 GW of installed capacity, solar will play the biggest role in a carbon-free electric power sector by 2035. But it's not enough for the US to invest in solar; nearly 90 per cent of GHG emissions are from outside the US and that's why ISA is so critical." "We must take dramatic action during this decade to cut emissions by half worldwide. IPCC & IEA have made it clear that if we don't do enough between 2020 and 2030, we can't achieve net zero by 2050 and limit the rise of the earth's temperature by 1.50," he said.

Kerry also expressed support for India's goal of reaching 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030, saying: "We believe that it's absolutely doable and will be done. India has already set an example for emerging economies by reaching 100GW of renewables." He also called India, "a red-hot investment destination for solar power".

European Commission Executive Vice President for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans announced the imminent launch of a project, worth around 1 million Euro, funded by the EU, aimed at further strengthening the engagement of EU, EU Member States, & EU academic, business and financial communities with the International Solar Alliance, the release added.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : Delhi Police has arrested two proclaimed offenders in two separate incidents, an official said on Wednesday, adding one of the individuals has been involved in 141 criminal cases.

According to the official, both the offenders have been identified as Naveen Kumar alias David Sharma and Sandeep alias Kalia.

Sandeep was involved in 141 criminal cases and the MCOCA Act was also imposed upon him.

In the first incident, on Monday, a secret information regarding a proclaimed offender who was residing at a place by concealing his identity for four years, was received by the Lodhi Colony police station.

The police later conducted a raid and successfully arrested the accused proclaimed offender Naveen Kumar.

He was declared a proclaimed offender in February 2017.

In the second incident, the police received information regarding a desperate criminal who was absconding and wanted in a snatching case.

He kept his identity concealed for the past five years.

Consequently, the information was relayed and through further surveillance, Sandeep was found at Mangol Puri.

Thereafter, a trap was laid and he was arrested.

Sandeep a.k.a Kalia was declared a proclaimed offender in April 2019.

Kalia was previously found to be involved in 141 criminal cases under different heads of crime -- attempt to murder, theft, snatching, Arms Act, House Theft, MCOCA Act, rape and robbery etc in different police stations.
Silchar : , Oct 20 (IANS) Two youths were arrested in Cachar district in Bengali-dominated southern Assam for allegedly defacing a government hoarding in Assamese, police said on Wednesday.

An official said that the Cachar district administration has recently erected a hoarding on the "Jal Jivan Mission", and this had led to protests from various organisations including the Barak Democratic Front (BDF) and the All Bengali Youth and Students' Organisation (ABYSO) for being in Assamese instead of Bengali language.

Police said that on Tuesday night, they arrested Samar Das and Raju Deb, who is the ABYSO district chief, for allegedly for defacing the hoarding though the duo denied the accusation.

BDF's chief convener Pradip Datta Roy said that after the 1961 historic language movement that claimed 11 lives in police firing, Assam's language act was amended making Bengali as the official language of southern Assam's Barak Valley comprising three districts -- Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakhandhi -- inhabited by over four million people.

"Putting government hoarding written in Assamese language violated the language act. Three more people were martyred when massive protests had undertaken in 1972 and in 1986 against the conspiracies of imposing Assamese language in the Bengali-dominated Barak Valley region," Roy told the media in Silchar.

However, the influential All Assam Students' Union objected to the defacing of the hoarding written in Assamese, claiming that it is an insult to the language.

Meanwhile, another hoarding of the Industry Department written in English and Assamese language, put up in the neighbouring Karimganj district, was on Wednesday removed after the protests.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : Delhi Police have rescued three minors who were kidnapped by miscreants in three separate incidents, an official said here on Wednesday.

According to the police, in the first incident, on October 12 a complaint was registered by a man stating that his 14-year-old son had been kidnapped by unidentified people. Based on this complaint, the police registered an FIR under Section 363 of the Indian Penal Code.

A police team was constituted which collected the details related to the kidnapped boy and obtained CCTV footage of the suspected areas where the boy was last seen.

Various shelter homes, NGOs, parks, bus stands and market places in Delhi and Gurugram were searched to get a clue about the missing boy.

During the analysis of CCTV footage, it was found that on October 18, the boy was seen going towards the Chattarpur temple. On getting the lead, the team searched the nearby area and succeeded in tracing the boy. After counselling, the boy was reunited with his family through the Child Welfare Committee.

In the second incident, a complainant had reported that his 17-year-old daughter was kidnapped by some unknown person. As per statement of the complainant, a case of kidnapping was registered and investigation was taken up.

During the course of investigation, the police team obtained CCTV footage of the vicinity from where the girl was suspected to have been kidnapped. The relatives and neighbours were also questioned regarding her whereabouts, and technical surveillance was also launched.

The location of the kidnapped girl was zeroed down and a raid was conducted to trace the kidnapped girl. The girl has been handed over to her parents after counselling.

In the third incident, a PCR call was received about a child aged 8 years sitting alone and weeping in Chandanhulla village. Initially, the child was taken to the police station where he was asked about his whereabouts, but the child was unable to give any details.

After probe, it was found that the child was reported to be kidnapped from Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh. The police personnel from Aligarh, along with the parents of the child, came to Delhi. After completing the required legal formalities, the child was reunited with his family.
New Delhi, Oct 20 : As India is set to achieve the target of 100 crore vaccination dose, the Health Ministry has planned several events to mark the occasion. The milestone is expected to be achieved on Thursday.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will release a song and an audio visual film to celebrate the landmark milestone of administering 100 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses.

According to an official press release, Mandaviya will release the film and song at the Red Fort in the national capital.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Union Health Minister said in a tweet that 99 crore vaccine doses were administered across the country as of Wednesday.

He said: "We are at 99 crore. Go for it India... continue to rapidly march towards our milestone of 100 crore Covid-19 vaccinations." In another tweet, Mandaviya appealed to those not vaccinated yet to get the vaccine and be the part of historical moment.

He said: "To be a part of this golden opportunity, I appeal to the countrymen that those who are yet to be vaccinated should contribute to this historic golden vaccination journey of India by getting vaccinated immediately." India has administered over 99.70 crore vaccine doses so far under the country's vaccination drive.

India needs another 25 lakh vaccine jabs to achieve the 100 crore vaccination mark.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Berlin, Oct 21 : In order to prevent rising illegal immigration, the cooperation between Poland and Germany on the border of the two countries should be strengthened and joint patrols should be carried out, German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer has said.

"These joint patrols have the purpose of identifying possible border crossers on the green border," Seehofer said at a press conference on Wednesday, adding that smugglers should also be caught as a result, Xinhua news agency reported.

However, a closure of the border between Germany and Poland was "not intended by anyone".

According to the minister, the reason for the increased migration across the border was a "state-organised, at least supported smuggling activity" in Belarus. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has refuted the accusations.

Regarding the magnitude of migration figures, Seehofer rejected a comparison with 2015 and 2016 when hundreds of thousands of migrants fled to Germany. By the end of September, only around 80,000 new applications for asylum had been received.
We are committed to building a comprehensive ecosystem for the C-V2X platform, which is key to the successful implementation and uptake of autonomous driving.

Summary:



ADLINK provides AI-focused computing platforms and open-source software support for the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), the first autonomous racecar competition at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with global universities competing for a $1 million first-place prize

As the official edge computing sponsor of the IAC, ADLINK supplies each of the 10 qualified race teams with an AVA-3350 series robot controller for in-vehicle computing

In collaboration with The Autoware Foundation, Boston Dynamics, GAIA Platform, and Kvaser the STEM Garage will showcase a range of interactive demonstrations

ADLINK Technology Inc., a global leader in edge computing, is the official edge computing sponsor of the first autonomous racecar competition at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS)  the Indy Autonomous Challenge Powered by Cisco (IAC). With a $1 million prize, the IAC is challenging universities to program Dallara AV-21 racecars and compete at IMS on October 23, 2021. The primary goal of the IAC is to advance technology that can speed the commercialization of fully autonomous vehicles and deployments of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). It is also a platform for students to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

"We are committed to building a comprehensive ecosystem for the C-V2X platform, which is key to the successful implementation and uptake of autonomous driving," said Joe Speed, Field CTO at ADLINK Technology. "During the IAC, the onsite STEM Garage will display technologies that have been at the center of the IAC from ADLINK and our partners GAIA Platform, The Autoware Foundation, Kvaser, Boston Dynamics, and more."

In the ADLINK STEM Garage, some of the key highlights are:



ADLINK Technology  AVA-3501 and ROScube

The Autoware Foundation  an F1Tenth racetrack in cooperation with UC San Diego

GAIA Platform  Racing simulator robot

Boston Dynamics  Spot the agile mobile robot waving the green and checkered flags

Kvaser  Kvaser DevKit racecar simulator

In partnership with The Autoware Foundation, Open Source Robotics Foundation and the Eclipse Foundation, ADLINK is working to provide the IAC Teams with open source autonomous driving tools and expertise. From ROS / ROS 2 robotics controllers to rugged edge AI solutions, the company is a committed contributor to open source, and a proud supporter of STEM activities, upholding its mission to enable the technology of today and tomorrow to advance society around the world.

ADLINK supplies every IAC university team with an ADLINK AVA-3501 series rugged edge platform for in-vehicle computing. The AVA-3501 employs AI to work through gigabytes of image analysis in real-time to cope with the massive data load of high-speed, autonomous driving. All of this AI work must be done in-car, at the network edge. The ADLINK AVA-3501 combines the latest Intel Core and Xeon processor options with dual-slot full-length NVIDIA RTX graphics for AI acceleration. Depending on the configuration, the system can also provide 3TB of Samsung 970 EVO Plus NVME M.2 SSDs, two 512GB hot-swappable 2.5" SSD SATA 6 Gb/s system drives, dual 40GbE QSFP+ connectivity, and six CAN channels. This is in addition to a standard I/O set including DP++, DVI-I, GbE, 8-channel Digital IO, and six USB ports.

The 21 universities from 9 countries form 9 teams competing in the Indy Autonomous Challenge:



AI Racing Tech  University of Hawaii, University of California San Diego

Autonomous Tiger Racing  Auburn University

Black & Gold Autonomous Racing  Purdue University, United States Military Academy at - - West Point with Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Indian Institute of - Technology Kharagpur (India), Universidad de San Buenaventura (Colombia)

Cavalier Autonomous Racing  University of Virginia

EuroRacing  University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy), University of Pisa (Italy), ETH - Zurich (Switzerland), Polish Academy of Sciences (Poland)

KAIST  Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (South Korea)

MIT-PITT-RW  Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Waterloo (Canada)

PoliMOVE  Politecnico di Milano (Italy), University of Alabama

TUM Autonomous Motorsport  Technische Universitat Munchen (Germany)

For more information about the IAC, please visit http://www.indyautonomouschallenge.com. Visit ADLINKs connected autonomous vehicle solutions to learn more about the edge computing technology used.

About ADLINK Technology

ADLINK Technology Inc. (TAIEX:6166) leads edge computing, the catalyst for a world powered by artificial intelligence. ADLINK manufactures edge hardware and develops edge software for embedded, distributed, and intelligent computing  from powering medical PCs in the intensive care unit to building the world's first high-speed autonomous race car  more than 1600 customers around the world trust ADLINK for mission-critical success. ADLINK holds top-tier edge partnerships with Intel, NVIDIA, AWS, and SAS, and also participates on the Intel Board of Advisors, ROS 2 Technical Steering Committee and Autoware Foundation Board. ADLINK contributes to open source, robotics, autonomous, IoT and 5G standards initiatives across 24+ consortiums, driving innovation in manufacturing, telecommunications, healthcare, energy, defense, transportation and infotainment. For over 25 years, with 1800+ ADLINKers and 200+ partners, ADLINK enables the technologies of today and tomorrow, advancing technology and society around the world. Follow ADLINK Technology on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook or visit adlinktech.com.
In the future, digitalization will become part of the entire value chain. We look forward to exploring how FroXx is currently helping businesses to shape the digital transformation throughout the workplace, said Colin Ferguson, producer for the Advancements series.

Scheduled to broadcast 1Q/2022, an upcoming episode of Advancements with Ted Danson will focus on innovations in Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR).

This segment will look at the impacts of technology and how it continues to transform everything it touches  from the way people interact and communicate to the way business operate.

With a look at FroXx Industries (FroXx), viewers will learn about its vision to unite people, machines, technology, and processes in the Industry 4.0. Spectators will see how FroXx uses technology to facilitate an integrative interaction of people within an organization.

FroXx considers digital transformation as a crucial component for advancing towards Industry 4.0, says CEO and Founder Rodrigo Beyer Fernandez.

Hearing from experts in the field, viewers will also learn how FroXx supports innovation by delivering integrated solutions and improved experiences for identified IT key players.

In the future, digitalization will become part of the entire value chain. We look forward to exploring how FroXx is currently helping businesses to shape the digital transformation throughout the workplace, said Colin Ferguson, producer for the Advancements series.

About FroXx Industries:

Tech start-up FroXx was established in the Greater Berlin Area, Germany, in July 2020. The company fosters seamless interaction between people and technology. In an era in which physical and digital worlds blend, FroXx seeks to go beyond intuitive interactions with data and unlock next levels of user experience. Through 3D remote services, digital products, and consulting, the company will help its customers to be ready for Industry 4.0.

For more information, visit: https://www.froxx-industries.com/.

About Advancements and DMG Productions:

The Advancements series is an information-based educational show targeting recent advances across a number of industries and economies. Featuring state-of-the-art solutions and important issues facing todays consumers and business professionals, Advancements focuses on cutting-edge developments, and brings this information to the public with the vision to enlighten about how technology and innovation continue to transform our world.

Backed by experts in various fields, DMG Productions is dedicated to education and advancement, and to consistently producing commercial-free, educational programming on which both viewers and networks depend.

For more information, please visit http://www.AdvancementsTV.com or call 866-496-4065.
Mark Kash, a retired US Air Force veteran, world traveler, avid photographer, and Kansas native who loves classic rock, foldable maps, an open road and a full tank of gas, has completed his new book The Mice at Amsterdam Centraal Station: a lighthearted story inspired by the sight of a mouse on the train tracks on a visit to the Netherlands.

Clovis grew up in a family that had always worked for the Amsterdam Centraal Railroad. Now that he has graduated from school, his Papa was expecting him to follow in his footsteps. However, Clovis has dreams of his own and wants to leave on the flying trains to be an adventurer. Meanwhile, changes at the railroad just may give Clovis his wish. With his best friend, Ian, Clovis watches and waits for his adventure to begin. In a strange turn of events, Clovis finds himself in an adventure much bigger than himself, right in the heart of Amsterdam. Does adventure mean traveling to faraway places? Could his true calling be right here at home? Follow Clovis as he wrestles with decisions all teenagers face, man or mouse: break away and be your own mouse or follow tradition and give up your dreams. With his Papa, Mama, and Grandpa urging Clovis to make a decision and little brother, Zuri, getting in the way of his plans, Clovis faces his fears and emerges with a decision that will leave you in awe.

Published by Page Publishing, Mark Kashs engrossing book is a n delightful addition to any childrens library.

Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can purchase The Mice at Amsterdam Centraal Station at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing understands that authors should be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Susy J. Cobwebs has completed her new book Betrayal in the First Degree: a fast-paced and thought-provoking literary debut.

Jonea, a future lawyer and highly involved in Angels on Earth, had the opportunity to excel in her life goals. Suddenly, life decided to turn into a diverse hurdle for her. On the flip side, she was engaged with her new set of obstacles that she needed to face on a blizzardy evening. Something that she wasnt expecting.

Evan, a hospital and home health nurse, made a mistake that could wreck his livelihood. He knew that he had to protect his career solely his own way. How could he get out of his own tragedy?

After dealing with her altercations, Jonea couldnt believe that this possibly could be the same person that she got close to during her healing period.

Could Jonea be the trophy girlfriend for Nick? Maybe, she needed to see what she was dealing with Evan. Was he for real?

History in the park presented a neighborhood event that gives twenty-five thousand dollars for the best schools presentation. This seals the deal for Jonea.

Makenzi was finally finding love where she least expected it. Turning into the love of her life, could she be able to keep this relationship alive?

Finding the truth of what really happened puts a wrench into the McKines family plans

Published by Page Publishing, Susy J. Cobwebss engrossing book is an excellent choice for avid young adult fiction readers.

Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can purchase Betrayal in the First Degree at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing understands that authors should be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Tammy Marez, a Texan and first time author, has completed her new book Daniel Still Loves Valentines Day: an endearing tale of a holiday surrounded by love.

When Daniels little brother asks him for help decorating a Valentines Day box, he begins feeling nostalgic. He shares his favorite holiday memories with his brother and decorates his own box as well. Thinking of simpler days of parties in school, Daniel dreams of his teacher throwing a party with cupcakes and decorations.

Published by Page Publishing, Tammy Marezs adorable tale follows a little goy through his dream Valentines Day party until he wakes up to find out he is invited to one for real!

Readers who wish to experience this fun-spirited work can purchase Daniel Still Loves Valentines Day at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Todd and Casey Gent, a father-daughter writing team presently working out of The Swamp in Oak Grove, Texas, have completed their new book Pee Wee and Buddy Have a Visitor: a heartwarming story with an important message of acceptance, patience, and kindness for young readers.

Settling into a new home, Pee Wee and Buddy are introduced to and welcome a new friend.

Published by Page Publishing, Todd and Casey Gents engrossing book is a delightful addition to any childrens library.

Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can purchase Pee Wee and Buddy Have a Visitor at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing understands that authors should be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.


It is our goal for our Binibi books to make bilingualism accessible and sustainable for parents everywhere

Binibi, an early-stage company dedicated to fostering early bilingual education, announced yesterday that it has made pre-orders of its exclusive first book series available on Kickstarter, a popular crowd-funding platform. The company, started last year by two new multicultural moms, seeks to support parents in fostering bilingualism in their children from the earliest stage - when language development matters most.

According to the The U.S Census Office, the U.S. is set to become the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world by 2050 and it is estimated that 1 in 3 kids will be Hispanic. Despite these staggering numbers, data shows that only 1% of books sold nationally in the U.S. are non-English language. Binibi seeks to fill this gap by creating unique, inspiring books that will engage children at the earliest stages of their language development journey.

As new moms, co-founders Ana Sofia Guzman and Luciana Yarhi knew the importance of a bilingual education and wanted to introduce their babies to their native language of Spanish from an early age. Like many parents, they turned to books and quickly realized their children loved books that made sounds, yet they couldnt find any that were bilingual. Thus began their mission to develop an interactive, high-quality sound book to help parents teach their children a second language in a fun and natural way at home.

A second language is one of the greatest gifts you could give a child. A bilingual education is proven to enhance early-stage development and provide a lasting impact through adulthood. We knew a lot of parents would seek to foster this important skill in their children, and in order to learn another language properly, its essential children hear it early and often says co-founder Ana. It is our goal for our Binibi books to make bilingualism accessible and sustainable for parents everywhere.

Binibis first book series, which has been vetted by early education experts, allows parents to effortlessly introduce a new language from day one, through rich, enchanting visuals and thrilling high-quality audio. Whether you speak Spanish and want to practice it with your child, or are seeking to learn together with them, Binibis sound books are ideal for introducing Spanish in an exciting and engaging way.

Language development starts from day one, when babies brains are most absorbent and learning a second language is easier. We want to take advantage of this critical period in a childs development with high-quality tools designed especially with the child and parent in mind says co-founder Luciana.

The companys first board book collection includes four captivating books which feature entertaining sounds as well as popular Latin American nursery rhymes. All of the books are fully bilingual with text in English and Spanish on every page. The melodic sonic content of each book is complemented perfectly by original illustrations, both of which were developed exclusively for Binibi by Latin American artists.

The collection debuted on Kickstarter on October 19th. Like all projects on Kickstarter, the campaign will run for a limited amount of time and must meet its funding goal during that period. The books will retail for $19.99 each, but all early supporters will receive special promotional pricing for the duration of the campaign. To pre-order Binibis exciting first book-series, visit their Kickstarter page: tinyurl.com/binibibooks

###

About Binibi: Founded in 2021 by two moms from El Salvador, Binibi is devoted to early childhood development through bilingual books. But not just any books! We publish board books that make sounds and sing songs We are dedicated to creating reading experiences that are both entertaining and educational, and to encourage parents and caregivers to spend time with their babies through reading together. While our products are designed to help fill the gap in quality Spanish-first boards for babies and toddlers, we hope that they will find homes on shelves of families of all backgrounds who want to foster interest in Hispanic language and culture. To learn more about Binibi visit http://www.binibi.co.

Contact:

Ana Sofia Guzman, Co-Founder

ana@binibi.co

+1(305) 562-9255
BriskHeat announces its partnership with Mulberry to offer protection for products across its catalog of industrial heating solutions. "BriskHeat needed a product protection partner who could deliver a solution which was both agile and scalable for our wide product lines. Mulberry was able to deliver."

BriskHeat, a leading provider of surface and immersion heating products, controllers, and insulators, has announced a partnership with Mulberry, the product protection partner for e-commerce brands, to offer protection for products across its catalog.

BriskHeat has a growing online commercial and retail presence with thousands of SKUs. The company wanted to offer customers a product protection program that was scalable and rapidly deployable.

BriskHeat needed a product protection partner who could deliver a solution which was both agile and scalable for our wide product lines. Mulberry was able to deliver, said Tony Multon, Vice President of Sales, BriskHeat. Mulberrys cutting edge, machine learning technology surpasses a more traditional program.

With a dynamic product identification engine, Mulberry automatically classifies products and offers BriskHeats customers relevant extended warranties in real time.

Customers can add the protection plan to their cart, along with the products they would like covered. Pricing varies depending on the products purchased. Learn more here.

About Mulberry

Mulberry is creating a better product protection experience for shoppers and brands. Mulberrys people-first platform offers affordable plans, better coverage, and a great claims experience for online shoppers. Shoppers can get 12 months of free MulberryCare accident protection wherever they shop online with Mulberrys browser extension available in the Google Chrome store. Mulberry also offers flexible integration options for brands to embed protection plan offers seamlessly into their customer journey, increasing customer engagement and average order value. Learn more about Mulberrys product protection offerings at http://www.getmulberry.com.

About BriskHeat

Since 1949, BriskHeat has provided a full range of surface and immersion heating solutions used for freeze protection, condensation prevention, flow/viscosity control, vacuum bake-out, composite curing, and temperature process control. BriskHeats primary manufacturing facilities and headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio. BriskHeat has a worldwide sales network including sales offices in Taiwan, China, and Germany, as well as a manufacturing facility in Vietnam. In 2017, BriskHeat was named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America. In 2021, BriskHeat became part of NIBE Industrier AB, a global group of manufacturing companies with over 15,000 employees worldwide. Follow BriskHeat on Twitter (@BriskHeat), on Facebook, or on LinkedIn.
Candid's U.S. Social Sector Dashboard is designed to help create an understanding of the surprisingly large segment of U.S. society.

Candid released today the U.S. Social Sector Dashboard to help people better understand the U.S. social sector. This free resource provides data to explain the sectors scope, constraints, and potential.

The U.S. social sectors significantand surprisingreach



There are 1,812,815 nonprofits in the United States. Of the total U.S. nonprofits, 1.3 million are 501(c)(3) public charities, and 126K are 501(c)(3) private and community foundations.

The U.S. social sector employs more than 12 million people.

U.S. nonprofits have $3.7 trillion in aggregate annual revenue and $2.9 trillion in aggregate expenses.

Yet, despite the significant scope of the social sector, many are unfamiliar with what it consists of and how it is structured. Candid created the U.S. Social Sector Dashboard to answer these and other questions regarding the field. This publicly accessible tool includes key data and insights about the makeup and impact of civil society. It also features data that Candid is sharing for the first time on leadership racial identity, funding flows to charities, and more. The dashboard is designed to help create an understanding of this surprisingly large segment of U.S. society.

What is the U.S. social sector?

The social sector is distinct from that of business and government (though there is overlap between the sectors).

Additionally:



In addition to registered nonprofits, the U.S. social sector also includes social businesses, political organizations, religious organizations, unincorporated community groups, and other institutions.

The top public charity subject areas are religion (18 percent) and human services (17 percent). Charities working in the areas of social science, science and engineering, international relations, and agriculture, fishing, and forestry each account for less than 1 percent of public charities.

142K nonprofits have zero employees, while 19K have more than 160 employees.

Montana, Vermont, and Iowa have the highest number of nonprofits for every 10K residents. Utah, Arizona, and Nevada have the lowest number of nonprofits per 10K residents.

Among reporting nonprofits, 60 percent of nonprofit CEOs identify as White; 10 percent of CEOs identify as Black; 5 percent as Latinx; 3 percent as Asian/AAPI; and 1 percent as Indigenous. Twenty-one percent of nonprofit CEOs identify as multiracial/multiethnic, additional ethnicities, or did not disclose.

Jacob Harold, executive vice president at Candid, says, Candid exists to get people the information they need about the social sector to do good. Many of our tools focus on one organization, one grant, or one issue at a time; that kind of focus can be critical for decisionmakers. This new dashboard builds on that focus by offering a fuller picture of the social sector as a whole. We hope that this tool will help people build a better understanding of the nonprofit and philanthropic ecosystem and its central role in our society.

Candid will host a free webinar on the U.S. Social Sector Dashboard on Wednesday, October 27 at 2pm ET/11am PT. Ivonne Simms, program manager, will moderate the webinar. Anna Koob, director of research standards, will provide an overview of the dashboard, and Mary Steyer, director of communications, will highlight how nonprofits, funders, and the general public can utilize the dashboard.

Visit Candids U.S. Social Sector Dashboard at https://candid.org/us-social-sector. The dashboard was made possible by generous support from Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Vanguard Charitable.

About Candid

Every year, millions of nonprofits spend trillions of dollars around the world. Candid finds out where that money comes from, where it goes, and why it matters. Through research, collaboration, and training, Candid connects people who want to change the world to the resources they need to do it. Candids data tools on nonprofits, foundations, and grants are the most comprehensive in the world. In 2019, Foundation Center and GuideStar joined forces to become Candid, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Find out more at candid.org and on Twitter @CandidDotOrg.
"I had done extensive research on various childrens education franchises before purchasing a CompuChild territory and I am really happy that I made the right choice."

CompuChilds TriValley franchisee Ms. Rupal Shah was recognized by franchise research firm, Franchise Business Review, as one of 2021s Franchise Rock Stars. Ms. Shah was selected from nearly 25,000 franchisees, representing 224 brands that participated in Franchise Business Reviews research in the past 18 months. Initial nominations for this competitive award were made by various franchise brand leaderships who were looking for franchisees who set admirable examples when it came to leadership, business acumen, financial and professional success, and contributing to their community.

There are so many success stories out there and thousands of inspiring franchise owners who are living their dreams of business ownership that it was incredibly difficult to narrow down the list, said Eric Stites, CEO of Franchise Business Review. In the end, we chose individuals who are exceptional examples of achieving success through the franchise model and exemplify a strong work ethic and a real commitment to their business and community. The franchise owners on this years list have shown that with hard work, perseverance and the support of a strong franchise system, anyone can find success, no matter their background or previous experience. We are thrilled to recognize these individuals as Franchise Rock Stars.

CompuChilds TriValley, California franchisee Ms. Shah did an amazing job of adapting her business to the new challenges posed by COVID. All her programs were in-person when COVID hit. She went out of her way to make sure that her in-person programs could be completed successfully. In her robotics engineering program, she allowed all her students to check out robotic kits that they could use to build models at home while she and her instructors helped them with programming and engineering concepts remotely via the use of online tools. It was a challenge to disinfect all the robotic kits and to figure out a safe process for parents to check those out for a week. She repeated this process on a weekly basis so every student could continue to enjoy the benefits of her hands-on robotics program. Not only did she put in the hard work with full dedication, she was able to achieve this with a 100% success rate and no infections. As the pandemic prolonged, she was able to pivot to offering her after school enrichment programs in an online format with the help of the CompuChild team.

Talking about Ms. Shahs great success story, a senior spokesperson of CompuChild stated, CompuChild has been franchising since 2001 and the franchise has been a recipient of various prestigious awards and honors over the past two decades, but this award was really special as it came at a time when the whole education system faced a severe challenge due to COVID. We believe Rupal serves as a great example of a woman owned business that has built a reputation through its dedication to quality children's education in technology and entrepreneurship. It's not a surprise that her franchise was the top performing CompuChild franchise in 2020.

Ms. Shah was quite appreciative of the support that she received from the CompuChild franchise brand leadership throughout the pandemic. Acknowledging her outstanding achievement, she mentioned, All our programs were in-person when COVID hit. I approached the CompuChild team to brainstorm about how to minimize the impact of COVID on our ongoing programs. The corporate team was extremely responsive and thought about each franchisees specific situation to come up with tailored solutions. While we were coming up with ways to continue our in-person classes by implementing innovative approaches, it would have been very hard for us to survive if the corporate leadership had not come up with several online courses in a very short period of time. These initiatives broadened our suite of after school technology classes for kids and now we have a plethora of in-person and online programs that we can offer to our students. I had done extensive research on various childrens education franchises before purchasing a CompuChild territory and I am really happy that I made the right choice.

About COMPUCHILD

The CompuChild franchise offers Entrepreneurial STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) focused enrichment programs for children primarily at the pre-kindergarten and elementary school level in the United States and Canada. With its unique focus on entrepreneurial education, strong emphasis on low cost, regular training and constant support to its franchisees, CompuChild strives to be the best childrens education franchise.

CompuChild's enrichment programs help kindle the spirit of constant learning, innovation, critical thinking, and collaboration for the social good at a very young age.
CTZN NUDIVERSAL Lip Duos available in 25 groundbreaking shades of nude

CTZN Cosmetics, the award-winning global cosmetics brand known for their cruelty-free and ultra-inclusive campaigns and offerings, is excited to announce that by mid-October, consumers will be able to shop the collection at JCPenney Beauty in select JCPenney retail stores and JCP.com. This retailers new in-store and online beauty experience reflects customers wants and needs, no matter their age, gender, race, skin tone, hair type, beauty regimen or budget.

JCPenney has partnered with Thirteen Lune, a leading e-commerce shopping platform committed to exclusively carrying Black and Brown-owned brands, and other like-minded brands to promote and champion diversity and ensure everyone feels represented within their stores. This next generation of beauty at JCPenney was developed based on extensive consumer research, conducted to better understand the demands and preferences of their customer. The assortment includes over 170 mass, masstige, and prestige brands spanning across makeup, skincare, haircare, styling tools, fragrance, nailcare, and bath and body products at varying price points.

CTZN Cosmetics NUDIVERSAL and LIPSTROKE collections will initially launch at JCP.com and at 10 pilot locations. The retailer confirmed there will be an ongoing roll-out to remaining brick and mortar locations through to the end of 2023. The initial pilot locations carrying CTZN Cosmetics products include:



Davenport, FL; JCPenney Posner Commons (6200 Grandview Pkwy, Davenport, FL 33837)

Dearborn, MI; JCPenney Fairlane Town Center (18900 Michigan Ave US 12, Dearborn, MI 48126)

Greenville, NC; JCPenney Greenville Mall (714 Greenville Blvd SE Ste 200, Greenville, NC 27858)

McAllen, TX; JCPenney La Plaza (2200 S 10th St, McAllen, TX 78503)

Mesquite, TX; JCPenney Town East Mall (6000 Town East Mall, Mesquite, TX 75150)

Niles, OH; JCPenney Eastwood Mall (5555 Youngstown Warren Rd, Niles, OH 44446)

Springfield, MO; JCPenney Battlefield Mall (2825 S Glenstone Ave Ste 200, Springfield, MO 65804)

Saint Cloud, MN; JCPenney Crossroads Center (4101 W Division St Ste 96, St Cloud, MN 56301)

Trumbull, CT; JCPenney Trumbull Shopping Park (5065 Main St, Trumbull, CT 06611)

Whittier, CA; JCPenney Whittwood Shopping Center (15740 Whittwood Ln, Whittier, CA 90603)

We launched CTZN Cosmetics with the mission to shake up the boundaries around diversity in the industry, and to make products that made everyone feel seen, says Aleena Khan, co-founder of CTZN Cosmetics this is why we are both honored and excited to be working with the Thirteen Lune and JCPenney teams to offer consumers of every age, race, gender, size, and culture a shopping experience that makes them feel considered.

Were proud to partner with more than 170 like-minded brands to create the next, hyper-inclusive generation of beauty at JCPenney, said Michelle Wlazlo, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, JCPenney. From established fan favorites to new cult classics, were excited to champion diversity in beauty and help our customers discover their new favorite products while celebrating their authentic beauty.

Thirteen Lune is thrilled to bring a diverse group of incredible beauty brands, including CTZN Cosmetics, to our Thirteen Lune stores within JCPenneys new beauty space, says Nyakio Grieco, co-founder of Thirteen Lune our mission is to amplify our BIPOC founded and ally brands by giving them a larger platform across the US to reach new audiences and inspire true inclusivity in beauty."

CTZN Cosmetics Hero Products include:



NUDIVERSAL Lip Duo ($25 USD): Available in a ground-breaking 25 shades of nude, these award-winning double-ended lip products feature a matte lipstick on one end and a translucent lip gloss on the other. The lipstick end is infused with wild mango butter to repair dry lips with a smooth texture while the lip gloss creates balm-like softness and a mirror finish. Vegan-vegetarian, cruelty-free, and free from parabens, talc, D5, and fragrance.

LIPSTROKE Lip Pencil ($16 USD): A high-intensity lip liner with major color payoff, long durability, and a velvety texture and finish. LIPSTROKE can be used to contour your lips, but is also pigmented enough to cover your entire lip as a replacement to lipstick. Vegan, cruelty-free, and free from alcohol and fragrance.

Since launching just over two years ago, CTZN Cosmetics has focused on redefining the meaning of diverse and inclusive -- ensuring each product released allows every citizen of the world to feel seen. Their best-in-class products have won multiple awards, including two consecutive Allure Best of Beauty awards for Best Neutral Lip (for dark skin and medium skin tones) as well as a Pure Beauty Award for the Best New Lip Product category.

CTZN Cosmetics is available in North America, Europe, and the UAE.

###

About CTZN Cosmetics:

CTZN (pronounced Citizen) Cosmetics is a revolutionary makeup brand breaking barriers within the beauty industry, co-founded by Los Angeles-born, Dubai-raised, ethnically Pakistani sisters Aleena, Aleezeh, and Naseeha Khan. CTZN Cosmetics aims to disrupt the makeup world by not only addressing what is lacking in the current beauty landscape but also making necessary advancements forward. CTZNs focus is primarily on the underrepresentation of demographic groups by mainstream makeup companies. All products are strictly genderless, clean, vegetarian-vegan, where possible, and free of cruelty, parabens, and talc. The brand began as a DTC brand, and since its launch has expanded into other e-tail platforms. For more information, please visit http://www.ctzncosmetics.com.

About JCPenney:

JCPenney proudly serves customers at more than 650 stores across the United States and Puerto Rico, and at the Companys flagship store, jcp.com. JCPenney is one of the nations largest retailers of apparel, home, jewelry, and beauty merchandise with a growing portfolio of private and national brands. Guided by the Golden Rule, JCPenney employs more than 50,000 associates worldwide and has served customers for over 119 years, playing a vital role in the communities it serves. For additional information, please visit jcp.com and follow JCPenney on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

About Thirteen Lune:

Thirteen Lune is an e-commerce destination designed to inspire the discovery of beauty brands founded by Black and Brown women for all women and products created exclusively for the beauty needs of Black and Brown people. Thirteen Lune is a result of a partnership between Nyakio Grieco, founder of nyakio Beauty which is based on her family's African culture and traditions, and Patrick Herning, founder and CEO of size-inclusive e-commerce platform, 11 Honore. Thirteen Lune seeks to be a vehicle for change and a platform for authentic allyship where the voices of Black and Brown beauty founders are heard and celebrated.
Digital Silence is expanding its senior leadership team with the addition of JT Gaietto, a cybersecurity leader with more than 23 years of experience. He is joining as Chief Security Officer and co-owner.

Gaietto's career has spanned an array of key cybersecurity roles, with an emphasis on the financial services industry. He brings additional breadth to Digital Silences multi-industry expertise, and he offers the unusual blend of technical proficiency plus management and client interaction experience.

JT is an incredible addition to the team, said Dan Nelson, Digital Silence co-founder and COO. He adds another almost 25 years of real-world experience to our security advisory and security consulting, and hes been at leadership levels for a lot of that experience. Hes sat on both sides of the table, and thats incredibly valuable for our clients.

That experience on both sides of the consulting table drives Gaiettos passion for helping cybersecurity clients. He knows the frustration of receiving a massive report detailing every security flaw but offering little direction in terms of which changes would really move the needle.

The Digital Silence leadership team is just incredible, with a focus not only on their craft  practicing cybersecurity  but also on providing quality services to customers Gaietto said. They truly act as trusted advisers.

Todays surging cybersecurity threats are serious, to the point of jeopardizing companies very livelihoods if left unaddressed. But Gaietto is accustomed to collaborating with senior leadership and boards of directors to address parallel goals: boosting productivity and business alignment while maintaining security and regulatory compliance. And he can communicate it all in straightforward language.

Gaietto most recently was executive director of cybersecurity services and virtual Chief Information Security Officer for Richey May & Co. LLP, a technology solutions consulting firm. He also held the CISO role for SquareTwo Financial.

About Digital Silence:

Digital Silence, based in Colorado, was founded with one goal in mind  to do security consulting right. Consistency, commitment to quality, attention to detail, and unsurpassed client care are central to our companys culture and ethos. We strive to be active contributors to the security community, and we have dedicated training and R&D programs staffed by passionate instructors and researchers.

John-Thomas Gaietto, CISSP, ISFCE, JT has over 23 years of experience providing enterprise information security and risk management services to a variety of organizations, with a particular emphasis on the financial services industry. He has been a Certified Information Systems Security Professional since 2003 and holds an undergraduate degree in Computer Information Systems from Northern Arizona University.

Dan Nelson, Digital Silence Co-Founder / COO, is a Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) through the EC-Council and a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) through the International Association of Privacy Professionals. Dans past experiences include 27 years as a trial attorney at Armstrong Teasdale, LLP, where he also co-founded the firms Privacy & Data Security Practice.
Dr Richard Hetzel returns to the publishing scene with the release of Growing Backbone: Twenty-One Keys to Thriving in Extraordinary Times (published by Balboa Press AU). Combining insights gleaned from the authors personal journey and over 40 years of medical practice, this self-improvement book aims to help people manage the full range of problems and challenges of modern life.

Backbone is a symbol of strong character. Having it means possessing the strength and ability to uphold commitments and follow through with decisions. With the recent coronavirus pandemic, the vast majority of people today face unprecedented change on many levels. Providing practical tips and strategies on how to cope in this challenging time is the main purpose of this book.

Growing Backbone discusses 21 keys to thriving in extraordinary times. These keys fall under three main themes: managing challenges, building strengths, and developing a new sense of self. It is the authors hope that approaches and solutions presented in this book will help individuals not just survive but to thrive. There are plans for on-line resources for readers to follow on from the book.

Dr. Hetzel explains the importance of focusing our lives and energies outward by giving of ourselves, to not turn inward to the exclusion of others. This is wisdom indeed. And it is the way to live a more meaningful life. I highly recommend this book for everyone. It begins in simplicity and takes us to new heights of understanding. Laurence Krantz, M.D., founding member of the American Holistic Medical Association and founding president of the Whole Health Institute.

Visit https://www.balboapress.com/en-au/bookstore/bookdetails/827840-growing-backbone to purchase a copy.

Growing Backbone: Twenty-One Keys to Thriving in Extraordinary Times

By Dr Richard Hetzel

Softcover | 6 x 9in | 74 pages | ISBN 9781982291341

E-Book | 74 pages | ISBN 9781982291358

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Dr Richard Hetzel has trained in general medicine and psychiatry and has long been passionate about whole person health care. He was president of the Whole Health Institute in Melbourne, in the 1980s and promoted self-care for doctors as chair of the Australasian Doctors Health Group from 2005-2012. Through workshops, newsletters, books and patient care, he has inspired many people on their journey to wellness.

Balboa Press Australia is a division of Hay House, Inc., a leading provider in publishing products that specialise in self-help and the mind, body and spirit genre. Through an alliance with the worldwide self-publishing leader Author Solutions, LLC, authors benefit from the leadership of Hay House Publishing and the speed-to-market advantages of the Author Solutions self-publishing model. For more information or to start publishing today, visit balboapress.com.au or call 1-800-844-925.
To continue this accelerated success Dynamicweb is strengthening its leadership team with Thea Schmidt Borgholm as COO and Jan Elbaek as CSO.

In just 3 years Dynamicweb has doubled in size and is now operating on several markets across the world. We have grown the team to over 150 colleagues and more partners and customers pick Dynamicweb to be their eCommerce or PIM platform of choice. To support this accelerated growth, Im honored to welcome both Thea Schmidt Borgholm as COO and Jan Elbaek as CSO, shared Christian Beer, CEO & Co-Founder.

With Jan Elbaek joining as CSO Dynamicweb continues the focus on growth and will together with VP Sales, Brede Bjerke drive commercial activities. Jans professional background is within the IT industry, where he acted as a board member, CEO, and part of top management for several companies. More recently Jan served as Executive Vice President at Atea Danmark. Jan will contribute with strong commercial and strategic skills along with a strong network, which is instrumental in accelerating the growth of the company.

Joining Dynamicweb is very exciting. Dynamicweb has invested heavily in product development, systems and growing the partner community. The organization is very talented, diverse and ambitious with a great focus on delivering a positive customer experience. I believe that Dynamicweb has huge growth potential, says Jan Elbaek, CSO at Dynamicweb.

As COO, Thea Schmidt Borgholm will be responsible for Services, Operations and commercializing the Product Management function to drive continued growth. She joins Dynamicweb with profound experience within the software and professional services industry, where she has held various positions in companies like Stibo DX, Columbus, Visiolink and Bytelab.

It is a very interesting time to join Dynamicweb. The company has a high level of experience and market knowledge, and I look very much forward to be part of the future journey to help our customers grow their online business, shares Thea Schmidt Borghom, COO at Dynamicweb.

About Dynamicweb

Dynamicweb offers a cloud-based eCommerce Suite. It enables customers to deliver better digital customer experiences and to scale ecommerce success through our Content Management, Digital Marketing, Ecommerce, and Product Information Management solutions.

Dynamicwebs 300+ partners, 150+ employees in offices all around the globe are proud to support well over 4.000 brands, which includes leading brands like Lego Wear, Vredestein, Unilever, Winnebago, LOreal, Flying Tiger, Toyota, Europcar, and Skanska. Built on Dynamicweb, these customers are empowered to gain lifelong customer relations, increase revenue and grow their brands.

Learn more at Dynamicweb.com.
Gradient Works

Gradient Works has announced its seed funding round, as well as the public availability of its first product, Gradient Works Assignment.

Revenue leaders and operations teams know how hard it is to reliably hit sales targets. Hybrid work models are reshaping sales teams, sales territory models dont make sense in a distributed world, B2B buyers are changing, customer experience hinges on smooth handoffs during the sales process, and increasingly specialized sales teams have more complex rules of engagement. The founders of Gradient Works have also been struggling with these issues for years.

Today, Gradient Works is pleased to share that their first product, Gradient Works Assignment, is now publicly available. Gradient Works Assignment automates rules of engagement to help CROs increase revenue velocity. That includes the ability to intelligently route leads, assign opportunities, and allocate customer accounts, ensuring efficient execution across the entire customer lifecycle. Gradient Works customers already include Upwork, Wordpress VIP, Parse.ly, Pathwire, GoCardless, Luma Health, and more.

With Gradient Works, weve been able to change the way we manage the flow of our entire sales process, said Kevin McKeown, SVP, Global Sales at Pathwire. That includes inbound routing that takes time zones into account, weighted opportunity routing, and account manager assignment so new customers realize value more quickly. Gradient Works has helped us increase our revenue velocity - optimizing whos receiving what and reducing latency across our full sales cycle.

Gradient Works Assignment has quickly become an essential part of our sales and marketing tech stack, said David Cardiel, Vice President, Growth Marketing at Wordpress VIP and Parse.ly. We needed something that could handle the complexity of routing inbounds to two sales orgs post-acquisition, with accurate and flexible lead-to-account matching. We did an early pilot with Gradient Works and after using it for a few months, knew we would be able to replace our existing routing tool with theirs and havent looked back since.

Additionally, Gradient Works is excited to take the next step toward solving those problems with the announcement that they have raised $2M in an oversubscribed seed funding round. The round is led by Houston-based Integr8d Capital, and also includes investment from Valley Oak Investments and New York Technology Capital Partners, as well as notable sales leaders. With this funding, Gradient Works will continue to invest in building the team, including the addition of Lily Youn to lead new business growth.

Gradient Works has recognized a gap in the growing and evolving revenue stack, applying a systems approach to help sales teams hit attainment, increase conversion rates, and best position their teams for success, said John (JR) Reale, Managing Director of Integr8d Capital, who joins the companys board. The companys foundation is built on a unique insight and an inspiring team dedicated to realizing their vision of delivering the CRO operating system.

Gradient Works Assignment is just the first step towards the companys long-term goal of developing a revenue operating system to help CROs reliably and efficiently increase revenue velocity across their organizations. As they scale, B2B revenue organizations add increasingly complex rules of engagement to manage their sales process while still trying to hit their targets. These rules quickly become a drag at every stage of their customer lifecycle and start to reduce revenue velocity, said Gradient Works CEO Hayes Davis. Gradient Works Assignment helps revenue teams automate and optimize their rules of engagement in one place, from routing inbound leads to balancing account books for AMs. Its a pain Ive felt acutely in my career and Im so excited to be solving this for our customers as we build out the CRO operating system.

For more information, visit http://www.gradient.works.

About Gradient Works

Gradient Works was founded in 2020 with the vision of creating a B2B revenue operating system that helps businesses increase revenue velocity. The company was started by Hayes Davis and Jenn Deering Davis, founders of Union Metrics. Gradient Works is based in Austin, Texas and can be found online at http://www.gradient.works.

About Integr8d Capital

Integr8d Capitals mission is to help founders realize their vision, by partnering with extraordinary entrepreneurs driven to build enduring businesses. They invest in seed stage startups creating the future through B2B software. Integr8d Capital is based in Houston, Texas.
Weve taken out the leg work for marketers who want a single source to organize and enrich their identity data through a consumer-centric lens. -- Gary Walter, CEO of Infutor

Just six months after launching its most robust consumer dataset to date, consumer identity management expert Infutor today introduced premium packages for its award-winning Total Consumer Insights solution. Offering additional consumer-centric attributes for auto, property, and health & wellness data as well as additional email and phone identity markers, the premium data packages further enhance the 360-degree view of the consumer.

Extending the multi-sourced, large-scale deterministic dataset that Infutors Total Consumer Insights delivers, the premium packages further amplify consumer profiles, e.g., the cars in Joes driveway, characteristics of the home he occupies, his propensity to be committed to preventative care, and more.

The Total Consumer Insights premium packages also include additional email and phone extensions for seamless data linkage and activation. The result is a powerful dataset that marketers can use to drive segmentation and predictive models but also power omnichannel activation and acquisition campaigns.

Our ability to seamlessly stitch together auto, property, and health and wellness data at an individual consumer level, along with the demographic and behavioral attributes and identity markers we maintain, is unparalleled, said Gary Walter, CEO of Infutor. Weve taken out the leg work for marketers who want a single source to organize and enrich their identity data through a consumer-centric lens.

Infutors Total Consumer Insights makes marketers contact databases more actionable by providing access to supplemental privacy-compliant behavioral and household attributes on 266 million US consumers across 120 million households. These signals coupled with Infutors Identity Resolution capabilities enable marketers to anchor first, second and third-party data sources to the national population with Infutor serving as both the onboarder and enrichment provider.

In August, Total Consumer Insights was named the Best Contact Database Solution in the fourth annual MarTech Breakthrough Awards program conducted by MarTech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global marketing, sales and advertising technology industry today.

About Infutor

Infutor is the expert in data-driven consumer identity management and identity resolution. The company is solely focused on enabling brands to instantly gain access to the most complete and accurate information about consumers, exactly when they need it, to make informed marketing and risk mitigation decisions. Infutor is regularly named to the Inc. 5000 list and recognized by Crains Chicago and Built In Chicago as a Best Place to Work. A privately held company founded in 2003 with strategic investments from Norwest Venture Partners, Infutor is headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. For more information, visit http://www.infutor.com.
J-Lynn Baber & Alex Baber, co-founders of Cold Case Consultants of America We are here to provide answers to the victims of these Circleville crimes. We are the voice for those who cannot speak.

Cold Case Consultants of America (C.C.C.O.A.), a new agency specializing in unsolved homicides, co-founded by investigative husband-wife duo Alex Baber and J-Lynn Baber, has re-opened Ohios infamous Circleville Writer case. Assembling a team of the nations top detectives and specialistsfeaturing Forensic Document Examiner Curtis Baggett, forensic anthropologist Dr. Arpad A. Vass, Detective Patrick Apoian, and investigative journalist Joe CochranC.C.C.O.A. is proud to announce new findings from its active investigation into details surrounding the case, where a perpetrator notoriously taunted residents with hundreds of threatening poison pen letters from 1976  1994. C.C.C.O.A. is going public with its initial findings, which are being revealed to the press and the public via its website, CirclevilleMystery.com.

Baggett comments, Imagine meeting a real modern-day Sherlock Holmes and Watson. I have reviewed first-hand exactly what C.C.C.O.A.s Director Alex Baber and his wife, Forensic Researcher J-Lynn Baber, are unveiling. With the understanding that forensic evidence does not lie, the public will witness the truth as C.C.C.O.A.s Investigative Team works to identify the real author behind the infamous Circleville letters.

Director Alex Baber, who was born at Mt. Carmel Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and whose family resides in Mt. Sterling, just 20 miles from Circleville, says, Its my honor and duty to return to a place I consider home to solve one of Ohios most mysterious cases.

C.C.C.O.A. is releasing findings that track the true culprit and exonerate the late Paul L. Freshour, who was convicted for attempted murder in 1983 and considered to be the notorious letter writer. He served his time and always maintained his innocence, up until his death in 2012.

Assistant director J-Lynn Baber says, These specific correspondences have been re-examined by the nations top Forensic Document Examiner, Curtis Baggett, to identify the true author. Our goal is to bring answers and a sense of closure to the Gillespie and Freshour families.

Director Baber states, The existing 30-year old Circleville narrative is inaccurate, and we intend to show with these new findings that the official explanation is wrong.

The investigative team is reviewing all case files and related evidence collected by law enforcement from December 1976 through December 1994when the letters finally stopped.

Director Baber and C.C.C.O.A. are currently amassing a database of any anonymous letters sent to law enforcement agencies and/or victims nationwide, spanning all 50 states. The investigative team will run a linguistic comparison of these letters within the database, searching for any similarities of context.

Baggett is being assisted in the investigation by highly respected Detective Patrick Apoian, who has been focusing on the Ronald L. Gillespie crime scene evidence from his fatal August 19, 1977 accident.

In addition to Gillespies police reports, both detectives are reviewing Paul Freshours 1983 case file and what led to his prosecution and 10 -year incarceration. They are sharing new evidence substantiating Freshours self-proclaimed innocence.

Highly decorated Detective Apoian, who has received multiple commendations including the Atlanta Officer of the Year Award, states, I am impressed with the new case discoveries that I have been asked to review and even left speechless at times with C.C.C.O.A.s case findings.

Investigative journalist, documentarian, true crime author, and Michigan Broadcasting Hall of Fame inductee Joe Cochran is keeping an accurate account of the new investigation, while C.C.C.O.A. Director Alex Baber and forensic researcher J-Lynn Baber, oversee the investigation.

Cochran says, Getting answers and finding the truth while closing cases for the families is more important to Alex and J-Lynn than anything else. Never doubt them as they continue to bring forth truth and justice.

Director Alex Baber adds, We are here to provide answers to the victims of these Circleville crimes. We are the voice for those who cannot speak.

For more details on the evidence and findings, follow along at http://circlevillemystery.com.

About C.C.C.O.A.

Co-founded in 2021, by husband-wife team Alex Baber and J-Lynn Baber, Cold Case Consultants of America (C.C.C.O.A.), was conceived in the belief that every victim deserves answers, and a cold case is never truly cold. If an unsolved homicide case becomes categorized under this terminology, it is due to a lack of strong evidence, unproductive leads, limited manpower, or that the agency itself did not receive the annual appropriated funding needed to focus on this particular type of case. C.C.C.O.A. mitigates these issues with its service and its Investigative Team has shown the ability to uncover new evidence within these particular types of cases. New findings will be released to the public in the coming months. For more information, visit CCCOA.US.

Company Website: https://cccoa.us

Circleville Mystery Website: http://circlevillemystery.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CCCOAColdCaseC1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cccoa2021
Join Brandon Bir October 21, 2021 for a Coffee Equity Conversation "These types of events are important for the sustainability of our industry, as more and more people who are treated unfairly are leaving coffee altogether. What a loss!" - Brandon Bir, Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea

Crimson Cup Director of Sustainability Brandon Bir will take part in an online panel discussion on Information and Education Access as a Consumer-Side Change Agent on Thursday, October 21, at 12 p.m. CDT.

Im honored to be given a platform to talk about my experience within the industry, Bir said. Bringing attention and equity to all involved in the value chain has always been my underlying goal as a coffee professional.

The talk is part of the Coffee Equity Conversation series hosted by the Coffee Equity Lab at @thewondry at Vanderbilt University.

Other panelists include Cheyenne Xochitl Love, Founder of Queer Wave Coffee; Lori Jones, Owner of Blackology Coffee; and Darrell Baskin, Retail Educator at Groundwork Coffee.

The virtual Equity in Coffee Conversation Series focuses on the theme of understanding how race, gender, socioeconomic class, geographic location, native language and other factors affect coffee professionals access to information, education and professional development experiences.

These virtual discussions are free and open to the public, with advance registration required.

The Coffee Equity Lab combines research, education and practice to pursue meaningful and coordinated resolutions to equity challenges for all actors across the coffee supply chain.

Moderators and speakers will share their unique perspectives and offer insights to create a more equitable coffee sector for all.

My hope is that bringing attention to this subject will spark more conversations and more movement towards a better tomorrow for ALL people involved in coffee, especially for the people least represented, Bir said.

These types of events are important for the sustainability of our industry, as more and more people who are treated unfairly are leaving coffee altogether. What a loss!

With over 14 years of specialty coffee experience, Bir serves as East Regional Coordinator for the Specialty Coffee Association USA Chapter Committee. He joined Crimson Cup in April 2010.

As Director of Sustainability, he travels over 100,000 miles in an average year to grow relationships with coffee farmers and processors.

Through its Friend2Farmer initiatives, Crimson Cup works hand-in-hand to connect farmers and cooperatives to resources that allow them to increase the quality of coffee and life for their communities.

Birs team makes several trips a year to source exceptional coffees, strengthen relationships and help fund community-enriching projects like schools, homes and water filtration.

Crimson Cup maintains over 50 mutually rewarding relationships with smallholder coffee farmers in Central and South America, Africa and Asia.

The initiatives contribute to The Ripple Effect: a focus on good that ripples outward to affect the lives of the companys team, partners and community for years and generations to come.

Bir also teaches classes and judges at coffee industry events, including the Golden Bean North America and Australia/New Zealand coffee roasting awards.

Among other coffee industry qualifications, he is an Assistant Q Instructor for the Coffee Quality Institute, SCA Lab/Campus Inspector, Authorized SCA Trainer (AST), SCA Specialized Instructor and SCA Lead Instructor.

He also serves on the board of the Ohio Culinary Science Advisory Board and volunteers as an SCA Sensory Skills Course Contributor.

He earned a Master of Business Administration in International Business and Sustainability from The University of Wisconsin.

About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea

Columbus, Ohio coffee roaster Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea is celebrating 30 years of Coffee + Community. Since May 1991, Crimson Cup has roasted sustainably sourced craft coffee for consumers and wholesale coffee customers. It is a 2020 Good Food Award winner, 2019 Golden Bean Champion for Small Franchise/Chain Roaster and Roast magazines 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year.

Through its 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program, the company teaches entrepreneurs to run independent coffee houses in their local communities. By developing a coffee shop business plan, entrepreneurs gain insight into how much it costs to open a coffee shop.

Crimson Cup also supports life-enriching projects through its Friend2Farmer initiatives, promoting the education, health, sustainability and economic growth of small-plot coffee farmers and their communities.

Crimson Cup coffee is available through over 350 independent coffee houses, grocers, college and universities, restaurants and food service operations across 30 states, Guam and Bangladesh. The company also operates several Crimson Cup Coffee Houses and a new Crimson retail flagship store. To learn more, visit crimsoncup.com, or follow the company on Facebook and Instagram.
Jill Fouch, Founder of Moxie Texas Real Estate Whether Im leading a professor tour at Texas A&M or helping a new agent learn the confidence and skills they need to be successful, to me, real estate is about service.

Moxie Texas Real Estate today announced its partnership with Side, the only real estate technology company that exclusively partners with high-performing agents, teams, and independent brokerages to transform them into market-leading boutique brands and businesses. The collaboration will ensure that Moxie Texas Real Estate, an inclusive, forward-thinking boutique brand, is powered by the most advanced platform in the industry.

Moxie Texas Real Estate was founded by Jill Fouch, a Texas native with deep local roots and a finance degree from Texas A&M University. Fouch has been a top producer each year since she became an agent in 2007. To maximize her ability to meet clients needs, Fouch has earned her brokers license and numerous certifications, including Graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI) Military Residential Specialist, and Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR). She specializes in unique homes, single-family dwellings, and farm and ranch properties.

The hardworking Moxie Texas Real Estate team has extensive knowledge of the markets, communities, and neighborhoods of Bryan-College Station and the surrounding areas, including Brazos, Burleson, Milam, and Grimes counties. The company is passionate about serving the community, both in how it helps its clients and how it supports the community. Moxie Texas Real Estate is committed to giving back, and it does so through a range of activities and events, such as donating to food banks and collecting supplies for the unhoused.

Partnering with Side will ensure Moxie Texas Real Estate remains on the cutting edge of the evolving real estate market while continuing to deliver premium services to its clients. Side works behind the scenes, supporting Moxie Texas Real Estate with a one-of-a-kind brokerage platform that includes proprietary technology, transaction management, branding and marketing services, public relations, legal support, lead generation, vendor management, infrastructure solutions, and more. Additionally, Moxie Texas Real Estate will join an exclusive group of Side partners, tapping into an expansive network from coast to coast.

Whether Im leading a professor tour at Texas A&M or helping a new agent learn the confidence and skills they need to be successful, to me, real estate is about service, said Fouch. I partnered with Side in Moxie Texas Real Estate so our clients and agents will have the tools, tech, and support to compete in an increasingly digital marketplace while still maintaining our small-town sensibilities and boutique feel.

Side is led by experienced industry professionals and world-class engineers who develop technology designed to improve agent productivity and enhance the client experience. Based on its belief that homeownership is a fundamental human right, Side is on a mission to improve the public good by providing top-performing real estate agents, teams, and indie brokerages with the best system, support, service, experience, and results.

About Moxie Texas Real Estate

With a forward-thinking, friendly approach, Moxie Texas Real Estate anticipates its clients needs to provide the perfect solution every time. Its collaborative, inclusive culture embodies the same bold energy that is thriving in and drawing people to College Station, Texas, and the surrounding communities. The team has expertise in a range of properties, including ranches and land, and serves clients with compassion and commitment. The result is peace of mind throughout the transaction and an ideal outcome. To learn more, visit http://www.moxietexas.com.

About Side

Side transforms high-performing agents, teams, and independent brokerages into successful businesses and boutique brands that are 100% agent-owned. Side exclusively partners with the best agents, empowering them with proprietary technology and a premier support team so they can be more productive, grow their business, and focus on serving their clients. Side is headquartered in San Francisco. For more information, visit http://www.sideinc.com.
Fresno-based recipients' award badge We are proud to honor this distinct group of insurance consultants who have demonstrated a wide range of experience and positive employer feedback on service and quality.

Mployer Advisor, the leading independent platform for employers to research, review and evaluate insurance brokers, is pleased to announce the Fresno, California recipients of its inaugural Top Employee Benefits Consultant Awards for 2021. Mployer Advisors Top Employee Benefits Consultant Award Program evaluates brokers based on industry experience, company size, online ratings and reviews and recognizes esteemed brokers that demonstrate market-leading competencies and a proven track record of success among employers, insurance providers and peers. Our list recognizes consultants who primarily work with mid-to-large sized employers, as well as brokers who work with small businesses.

Who an employer chooses as their insurance broker has significantly more impact on the cost and quality of their benefit plan than who they chose as their insurance carrier, said Brian Freeman of Mployer Advisor. We are proud to honor this distinct group of insurance consultants who have demonstrated a wide range of experience and positive employer feedback on service and quality. The industry has been dependent on referrals and existing relationships instead of data-driven outcomes for too long. With Mployer Advisor, we celebrate this distinguished group of brokers and consultants.

The Fresno, California market is a competitive job market in the U.S. West, employing more than 405,000 people. Offering industry-leading, competitive employee benefits is a critical factor in hiring and engaging top talent for Fresno employers. Finding and partnering with a highly rated insurance consultant is imperative to retaining talent in any market.

The recipients of the 2021 Top Employee Benefits Consultant Awards for Fresno are as follows:



Alliant Employee Benefits

DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance

Gallagher Insurance, Risk Management & Consulting

HUB International

KBI Benefits

The above winners are a brief snapshot of Mployer Advisors matrices and proprietary M Score on June 30, 2021. To determine award winners, Mployer Advisor analyzed each brokerage based on historical data, business experience across employer size, industry and products, as well as relevant online ratings and reviews from employers across several platforms.

To view a full list of consultants in Fresno, visit MployerAdvisor.com.

About Mployer Advisor:

Mployer Advisor is changing the way employers search, evaluate and select insurance advisors. The intuitive platform connects employers and employees to great benefits and insurance plans by providing employers with actionable data to easily evaluate and select the best advisor for a companys specific needs. Most brokerages have a profile on Mployer Advisor, which provides independent ratings of insurance advisors to support employers. Insurance brokers cannot pay to influence their Mployer Advisor rating. Only highly rated brokerages are allowed to advertise on the platform. To learn more about Mployer Advisor, visit https://mployeradvisor.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Disclaimer: Rankings are dynamic, and this report may not reflect the rankings currently listed on Mployer Advisors website. Since Mployer Advisors research is ongoing, interested companies that want to join next years list are encouraged to claim their free profile on Mployer Advisor.

Media Contact:

Jacob Westfall (Public Relations Consultant)

Jacob.Westfall@mployeradvisor.com
Miami-based recipients' award badge The industry has been dependent on referrals and existing relationships instead of data-driven outcomes for too long. With Mployer Advisor, we celebrate this distinguished group of brokers and consultants.

Mployer Advisor, the leading independent platform for employers to research, review and evaluate insurance brokers, is pleased to announce the Miami, Florida recipients of its inaugural Top Employee Benefits Consultant Awards for 2021. Mployer Advisors Top Employee Benefits Consultant Award Program evaluates brokers based on industry experience, company size, online ratings and reviews and recognizes esteemed brokers that demonstrate market-leading competencies and a proven track record of success among employers, insurance providers and peers. Our list recognizes consultants who primarily work with mid-to-large sized employers, as well as brokers who work with small businesses.

Who an employer chooses as their insurance broker has significantly more impact on the cost and quality of their benefit plan than who they chose as their insurance carrier, said Brian Freeman of Mployer Advisor. We are proud to honor this distinct group of insurance consultants who have demonstrated a wide range of experience and positive employer feedback on service and quality. The industry has been dependent on referrals and existing relationships instead of data-driven outcomes for too long. With Mployer Advisor, we celebrate this distinguished group of brokers and consultants.

The Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, Florida market is a competitive job market in the U.S. South, employing more than 2.9 million people. Offering industry-leading, competitive employee benefits is a critical factor in hiring and engaging top talent for Miami employers. Finding and partnering with a highly rated insurance consultant is imperative to retaining talent in any market.

The recipients of the 2021 Top Employee Benefits Consultant Awards for Miami are as follows:

-Brown & Brown Miami

-Gallagher Insurance, Risk Management & Consulting

-HRBenefits

-HUB International

-LaRocca and Associates

-Lockton

-Marsh & McLennan Agency

-Sapoznik Insurance

-USI Insurance Services

-Willis Towers Watson

The above winners are a brief snapshot of Mployer Advisors matrices and proprietary M Score on June 30, 2021. To determine award winners, Mployer Advisor analyzed each brokerage based on historical data, business experience across employer size, industry and products, as well as relevant online ratings and reviews from employers across several platforms.

To view a full list of consultants in Miami, visit MployerAdvisor.com.

About Mployer Advisor:

Mployer Advisor is changing the way employers search, evaluate and select insurance advisors. The intuitive platform connects employers and employees to great benefits and insurance plans by providing employers with actionable data to easily evaluate and select the best advisor for a companys specific needs. Most brokerages have a profile on Mployer Advisor, which provides independent ratings of insurance advisors to support employers. Insurance brokers cannot pay to influence their Mployer Advisor rating. Only highly rated brokerages are allowed to advertise on the platform. To learn more about Mployer Advisor, visit https://mployeradvisor.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Disclaimer: Rankings are dynamic, and this report may not reflect the rankings currently listed on Mployer Advisors website. Since Mployer Advisors research is ongoing, interested companies that want to join next years list are encouraged to claim their free profile on Mployer Advisor.

Media Contact:

Jacob Westfall (Public Relations Consultant)

Jacob.Westfall@mployeradvisor.com
New Orleans-based recipients' award badge Who an employer chooses as their insurance broker has significantly more impact on the cost and quality of their benefit plan than who they chose as their insurance carrier.

Mployer Advisor, the leading independent platform for employers to research, review and evaluate insurance brokers, is pleased to announce the New Orleans, Louisiana recipients of its inaugural Top Employee Benefits Consultant Awards for 2021. Mployer Advisors Top Employee Benefits Consultant Award Program evaluates brokers based on industry experience, company size, online ratings and reviews and recognizes esteemed brokers that demonstrate market-leading competencies and a proven track record of success among employers, insurance providers and peers. Our list recognizes consultants who primarily work with mid-to-large sized employers, as well as brokers who work with small businesses.

Who an employer chooses as their insurance broker has significantly more impact on the cost and quality of their benefit plan than who they chose as their insurance carrier, said Brian Freeman of Mployer Advisor. We are proud to honor this distinct group of insurance consultants who have demonstrated a wide range of experience and positive employer feedback on service and quality. The industry has been dependent on referrals and existing relationships instead of data-driven outcomes for too long. With Mployer Advisor, we celebrate this distinguished group of brokers and consultants.

The New Orleans-Metairie, Louisiana market is a competitive job market in the U.S. South, employing more than 547,000 people. Offering industry-leading, competitive employee benefits is a critical factor in hiring and engaging top talent for New Orleans employers. Finding and partnering with a highly rated insurance consultant is imperative to retaining talent in any market.

The recipients of the 2021 Top Employee Benefits Consultant Awards for New Orleans are as follows:

-Babcock Consulting Group

-Gallagher Insurance, Risk Management & Consulting

-HUB International

-Rogers Benefit Group

The above winners are a brief snapshot of Mployer Advisors matrices and proprietary M Score on June 30, 2021. To determine award winners, Mployer Advisor analyzed each brokerage based on historical data, business experience across employer size, industry and products, as well as relevant online ratings and reviews from employers across several platforms.

To view a full list of consultants in New Orleans, visit MployerAdvisor.com.

About Mployer Advisor:

Mployer Advisor is changing the way employers search, evaluate and select insurance advisors. The intuitive platform connects employers and employees to great benefits and insurance plans by providing employers with actionable data to easily evaluate and select the best advisor for a companys specific needs. Most brokerages have a profile on Mployer Advisor, which provides independent ratings of insurance advisors to support employers. Insurance brokers cannot pay to influence their Mployer Advisor rating. Only highly rated brokerages are allowed to advertise on the platform. To learn more about Mployer Advisor, visit https://mployeradvisor.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Disclaimer: Rankings are dynamic, and this report may not reflect the rankings currently listed on Mployer Advisors website. Since Mployer Advisors research is ongoing, interested companies that want to join next years list are encouraged to claim their free profile on Mployer Advisor.

Media Contact:

Jacob Westfall (Public Relations Consultant)

Jacob.Westfall@mployeradvisor.com
Philadelphia-based recipients' award badge We are proud to honor this distinct group of insurance consultants who have demonstrated a wide range of experience and positive employer feedback on service and quality.

Mployer Advisor, the leading independent platform for employers to research, review and evaluate insurance brokers, is pleased to announce the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania recipients of its inaugural Top Employee Benefits Consultant Awards for 2021. Mployer Advisors Top Employee Benefits Consultant Award Program evaluates brokers based on industry experience, company size, online ratings and reviews and recognizes esteemed brokers that demonstrate market-leading competencies and a proven track record of success among employers, insurance providers and peers. Our list recognizes consultants who primarily work with mid-to-large sized employers, as well as brokers who work with small businesses.

Who an employer chooses as their insurance broker has significantly more impact on the cost and quality of their benefit plan than who they chose as their insurance carrier, said Brian Freeman of Mployer Advisor. We are proud to honor this distinct group of insurance consultants who have demonstrated a wide range of experience and positive employer feedback on service and quality. The industry has been dependent on referrals and existing relationships instead of data-driven outcomes for too long. With Mployer Advisor, we celebrate this distinguished group of brokers and consultants.

The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Camden, New Jersey market is a competitive job market in the U.S. Northeast, employing more than 1.5 million people. Offering industry-leading, competitive employee benefits is a critical factor in hiring and engaging top talent for Philadelphia-area employers. Finding and partnering with a highly rated insurance consultant is imperative to retaining talent in any market.

The recipients of the 2021 Top Employee Benefits Consultant Awards for the Philadelphia area are as follows:



Alera Group

Aon

AssuredPartners

Brown & Brown Philadelphia

Conner Strong & Buckelew

Creative Benefits Inc.

Gallagher Insurance, Risk Management & Consulting

Innovative Benefit Planning

Johnson Kendall & Johnson

NFP

USI Insurance Services

Willis Towers Watson

The above winners are a brief snapshot of Mployer Advisors matrices and proprietary M Score on June 30, 2021. To determine award winners, Mployer Advisor analyzed each brokerage based on historical data, business experience across employer size, industry and products, as well as relevant online ratings and reviews from employers across several platforms.

To view a full list of consultants in the Philadelphia area, visit MployerAdvisor.com.

About Mployer Advisor:

Mployer Advisor is changing the way employers search, evaluate and select insurance advisors. The intuitive platform connects employers and employees to great benefits and insurance plans by providing employers with actionable data to easily evaluate and select the best advisor for a companys specific needs. Most brokerages have a profile on Mployer Advisor, which provides independent ratings of insurance advisors to support employers. Insurance brokers cannot pay to influence their Mployer Advisor rating. Only highly rated brokerages are allowed to advertise on the platform. To learn more about Mployer Advisor, visit https://mployeradvisor.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Disclaimer: Rankings are dynamic, and this report may not reflect the rankings currently listed on Mployer Advisors website. Since Mployer Advisors research is ongoing, interested companies that want to join next years list are encouraged to claim their free profile on Mployer Advisor.

Media Contact:

Jacob Westfall (Public Relations Consultant)

Jacob.Westfall@mployeradvisor.com
Museum of Care at the BPL Caring for others was so important to our survival that we evolved to be really good at it. Sometimes we can forget that humans are hardwired for care.

It is scientifically proven that caring for each other is healthy for us individually and collectively; yet, there are so many barriers to receiving good healthcare. That disconnect was the springboard for the Museum of Care, a new museum exploring the past, present, and future of care. Built by MICRO, an organization whose fleet of tiny museums engage communities in conversations about the natural world, and supported by Johnson & Johnsons Center for Health Worker Innovation an initiative focusing on what individual health care workers need to thrive on the job the Museum of Care is on view through November 30, 2021 at Brooklyn Public Librarys Central Library (10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY) before traveling to New York Public Library branches in Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx followed by a stop in Queens in summer 2022.

About the size of a refrigerator, the special museum takes visitors on an exploration of caring across history and societies, using real stories from the front lines. It asks, If the science is simple our bodies and brains are designed to give and receive care how did healthcare become so complex?

Amplifying and celebrating the voices of healthcare workers as part of its exploration of the challenges plaguing our current healthcare system, the Museum of Care also models the skills it takes to provide care today and aims to empower people to investigate their local systems and make a change.

Despite its tiny size, the Museum delivers big on various facets of the healthcare system and its workers including:



The Beginnings of Care: Sharing scientific anecdotes and evidence about how peoples ability to care for each other drove human evolution; how our bodies and brains are designed to give and receive care; and how the advancement of society has influenced the administration of care.

The Work of Care: Highlighting the skills required to provide care today through the life stories of care workers across the globe: a community health worker from the United States; a midwife working in Africa, and a nurse in the Asia Pacific region.

Care for All: Utilizing quotes of care workers as a roadmap that shows a way forward toward healthcare equity.

Your Role in Care: Emphasizes how the visitor can improve their own health, support the health of their community, and advocate for better working conditions for healthcare workers.

To complement the museums exhibits, BPL librarians have prepared a series of books for children and adults about caregivers and patient advocacy.

Caring for others was so important to our survival that we evolved to be really good at it. Sometimes we can forget that humans are hardwired for care, said Charles Philipp, a co-founder of MICRO, the organization that created the museum. We could not have found a better partner than the Center for Health Worker Innovation to examine the landscape, share these stories, and make it clear to caregivers that we care deeply for them.

"We are excited to once again be working with MICRO to bring their innovative museum model to BPL, said Cora Fisher, Curator of Visual Art Programming at the Brooklyn Public Library. As we emerge from the disruptions of the past year, we are touched and honored to help shine a light on the stories of frontline workers and the challenges they face as we all look for ways to support and care for each other in the new normal.

The Museum of Care was created with the guidance of an advisory team which included Joanne Peter, Director, Social Innovation, Center for Health Worker Innovation; Jerry Lewis Ong, Assistant Vice President, Temasek; Bolu Brea, Medic in General Practice Based in London, Social Media Activist, Founder of The Omo Yoruba Club; Annette Sampson, Registered Nurse, Warm Springs Health & Wellness Center; Lindsay Portnoy, Associate Professor, Northeastern Universitys Doctor Of Education Program; Whitney Schreiber, Diabetes Outreach Nurse; Lisa Fitzpatrick, Physician, Medical Epidemiologist, and Founder at Grapevine Health, Madeline Ballard, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Community Health Impact Coalition; and Margaret Gurowitz, Chief Historian, Johnson & Johnson.

MICRO collaborated with HunterGatherer on graphic design for the Museum of Care. HunterGatherer, a multidisciplinary design studio, focuses on telling its clients stories in ways that are artful, intelligent, elucidating, and sometimes funny. The studio is based in Brooklyn, New York and specializes in art direction, illustration, animation, branding and experience design.

About Brooklyn Public Library

Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nations largest library systems and among New York Citys most democratic institutions. As a leader in developing modern 21st-century libraries, we provide resources to support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.7 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We provide nearly 65,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of lifes greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.

About MICRO

MICRO works with designers, scientists, and storytellers to create and place six-foot-tall museums in high-impact public spaces like libraries, transit hubs, community centers, and hospital waiting rooms. MICROs fleet of award-winning museums expand access to science, creating conversations that everyone can join.

Since launching publicly in 2017, MICRO Museums have reached hundreds of thousands of visitors, and have been recognized with the Tribeca Film Institutes New Media Award, SXSWs Place by Design Award, and two Editors Choice Awards from the World Maker Faire.

For more information, visit http://www.micro.ooo or follow @themicromuseums on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram .

Media Contact:

Meryl Cooper, The COOPERation, meryl@thecooperationinc.com; 917-974-0022

Museum of Care Tour Schedule

October 14-November 30, 2021 - Brooklyn Public Library Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza

Brooklyn, NY 11238

December 7, 2021 - January 3, 2022 - New York Public Library Riverside Branch, 127 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10023

January 4, 2022  January 31, 2022 - New York Public Library Richmondtown Branch, 200 Clarke Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10306

February 1, 2022-February 28, 2022 - New York Public Library Bronx Library Center Branch, 310 East Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10458

March 1, 2022-March 31, 2022 - New York Public Library Kingsbridge Branch, 291 West 231st Street, Bronx, NY 10463

April 1, 2022-April 28, 2022 - New York Public Library Baychester Branch, 2049 Asch Loop North, Bronx, NY 10475

Summer 2022 - Queens location TBA
Velociti technicians install new 4G trailer tracking and in vehicle devices 3G technology sunsetting is a big deal: its real, its happening now, and companies should develop a transition plan now

Recognizing the importance of preparing for the upcoming 3G sunset, Velociti Inc., a global provider of technology solutions, will implement the technology upgrades necessary for Navajo Express to maintain its fleet efficiency during the transition from 3G to 4G.

3G technology sunsetting is a big deal: its real, its happening now, and companies should develop a transition plan now, said Velociti President and COO Deryk Powell.

Navajo Express is one of the many trucking companies that rely on 3G cellular-based devices. These devices, including in-cab communications and tracking systems, will soon face a disruption as the 3G networks on which they are based are phased out and replaced by 4G and 5G networks. The new networks are better able to handle the exponential growth in the use of wireless devices.

Kudos to Navajo for understanding the critical importance of making the 4G transition, especially at a time when trucking capacity is the tightest its ever been and as global supply chain disruptions continue, Powell commented. Now is the time to plan a fast and smooth transition to a network that is faster, more efficient, and better able to handle the exponential growth in the use of wireless devices; I appreciate Navajo valuing Velocitis ability to scale for rapid deployment.

A Denver-based carrier, Navajo Express provides long haul and dedicated transportation services with a fleet of approximately 1000 tractors and 2500 trailers. With a specialization in refrigerated shipping solutions, this year marks the 40-year anniversary of Navajo Express.

By the end of the year, Velociti will replace Navajos ORBCOMM 3G devices with 4G on-board systems, a transition planned to make sure Navajo remains in compliance with the mandated hours of service regulations.

Velociti will both manage and install the technology required by 4G and 5G networks, assuring that Navajo maintains its well-deserved reputation for stellar transportation services, Powell commented.

We have a lot of equipment to transition and with Velocitis ability to expedite our technology installations, we can eliminate service interruptions for our drivers and customers, said Kristen Rogne, manager of analytics at Navajo Express. With trucks all over the U.S. every day, we realized the value in paying more for expedited service to get the technology transition done faster.

At Navajo, drivers are customer number one, so its all about keeping them moving, Rogne added. With Velociti, were not affecting drivers or deliveries for customers or losing revenue. Their comprehensive service streamlines the process, and gets the work done correctly and as quickly as possible. It is great to have Velocitis support.

About Navajo

Navajo Express, a family-owned carrier, strives to bring their clients innovative shipping results that lead to efficiency, on-time shipments and added value. With headquarters in Colorado and terminals in Utah, Arizona, Arkansas and Florida their services include dedicated fleets, specialized equipment, truckload and logistic solutions. As an award-winning carrier, Navajo has been recognized for their industry excellence by publications and professionals such as Commercial Carrier Journal, Heavy Duty Trucking, Colorado Motor Carrier Association, Inbound Logistics, Women in Trucking Association and SmartWay. To learn more about their world-class customer services and advanced shipping concepts visit http://www.navajoexpress.com.

About Velociti

Velociti, a global provider of enterprise technology solutions for more than 25 years, helps meet complex business needs by optimizing technology investments, lowering costs, and improving employee and customer acceptance. Its innovative design, rapid installation and deployment, and proactive support services for a broad range of transportation and networking technologies are provided by a highly experienced full-time team of engineers, project managers, certified technicians and call center staff. Velociti serves transportation, retail, food service, manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, government, hospitality and outdoor venues, including many Fortune 500 companies.

For more information visit http://www.velociti.com or call toll free (855)-233-7210.

Media Contact:

Susan Fall

LaunchIt Public Relations

858-490-1050

susan@launchitpr.com
The late David L. Dozier developed a passion for writing fictional short stories and novels reflecting viewpoints of American historical, current, and futuristic cultural issues. These short stories are now presented in his book titled Stories from the Mind of David (published by AuthorHouse).

This book of short stories covers numerous topics such as human relationships, detective mysteries, racial/cultural issues, politics and life in general. Diverse issues that are universal and timeless. The short stories are a reflection of Davids experiences from being raised and living in the southern region of the country as well as from the experiences and knowledge he gained as a young military enlisted officer living and working in Europe and later as a college and civilian student living and working in New York City.

These stories are relatable to men and women in general regardless of their economic or social status in life. In one or more of the short stories, the reader will be able to identify or recognize various traits and characteristics unique either to themselves and/or others that are familiar in the various characters in the book. Hence, this book of short stories has relevance to readers worldwide on issues/topics that are common in any society or culture.

This is a unique perspective from a person with a diverse background telling stories based on his unique background. A person that was a mathematician, philosopher, computer technology graduate, painter/artist, and athlete. Hence, his approach in writing the short stories is different, Davids brother James says.

When asked what David wants readers to take away from the book, James answers, I think David would want the reader to recognize that as a country, we have accomplished great things. However, we also are falling short in many areas and need to realize collectively that we need to overcome various fallacies to ultimately continue to progress as a nation. For more details about the book, please visit https://www.authorhouse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/833016-stories-from-the-mind-of-david

Stories from the Mind of David

By David L. Dozier

Softcover | 6 x 9in | 80 pages | ISBN 9781665533003

E-Book | 80 pages | ISBN 9781665532990

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

David L. Dozier was a mathematician, computer technology graduate, athlete, painter/artist, philosopher, carpenter/handy man and writer. He was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama. He spent his early adult years in Europe via military service and numerous years in his adopted city/state of New York. He attended numerous colleges/universities (Bishop State Junior College, Mobile, Alabama, University of South Alabama, Mobile Alabama, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama and New York Institute of Technology, New York, New York). He graduated from New York Institute of Technology with a bachelors degree in computer technology in 1974. He was an introverted eccentric individual with a unique sense of humor. He was a rock and foundation for his family and especially beloved by his grandmother, mother, father, uncles, aunts, siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews.

AuthorHouse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is a leading provider of book publishing, marketing, and bookselling services for authors around the globe and offers the industrys only suite of Hollywood book-to-film services. Committed to providing the highest level of customer service, AuthorHouse assigns each author personal publishing and marketing consultants who provide guidance throughout the process. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, AuthorHouse celebrates over 23 years of service to authors. For more information or to publish a book visit authorhouse.com or call 833-262-8899.
SpecGrade LEDs 600W Linea with remote driver The new design allows us to increase the wattage while reducing the physical length of the grow light. Growers can now fit twice the power in the same space.

Now available in 300 Watts, 600 Watts, and 900 Watts, the Linea is customizable to meet the environmental needs of cultivators while virtually eliminating any shadowing. Each wattage is available with an efficacy of up to an industry high of 3.9 mol/J (using SpecGrade LEDs RB1 spectrum). The new Linea is available in multiple spectrums including SpecGrade LEDs A1 Entire Life Cycle and M1 spectrums. The Linea series is IP66 and UL8800 rated for horticulture environments.

"The new Linea takes everything we learned from its predecessor and improves upon it, says Doug Lauk, President of SpecGrade LED. "The new design allows us to increase the wattage while reducing the physical length of the grow light. Growers can now fit twice the power in the same space. The 10-year LED warranty and 7-year driver warranty, the longest in the industry, says volumes regarding the robust construction of this grow light.

Greenhouse cultivators have been asking for more power, higher wattages to replace power hungry HPS lamps for supplemental lighting. The new Linea Series meets that demand and also delivers flexibility not found with our competitors. Cultivators can easily pair or triple the 300 Watt unit to meet their requirements. The new Linea Series is available up to 277V and has a 10-year LED warranty and a 7-year driver warranty.

The Linea is available for commercial orders. Contact us at info@specgradeled.com for more information.

About SpecGrade LED

SpecGrade LED is a US manufacturer of commercial LED horticulture lighting located in Columbus, OH. Our photo-biological performance & innovative engineering excellence makes our grow lights the cultivators new first choice. Utilizing the most current LED technology and drivers, coupled with premium thermal management and modular construction, we have raised the bar. Every SpecGrade grow light seamlessly integrates the spectral, thermal, and electrical components into one sustainable investment. Our fixtures rugged construction tackles demanding cultivation environments head-on ensuring peace of mind.

SpecGrade LED works with cultivators across North America providing cost-effective, energy-saving horticulture lighting solutions for cultivators. Our unwavering focus on innovation, reliability and sustainability provides the professional grower with the highest yields and quickest ROI.

Learn more at http://www.specgradeled.com/grow.
NH Collection Copenhagen Facade

NH Hotel Group welcomes its first five-star hotel in Denmark, set to deliver extraordinary experiences to 150,000+ guests a year from all over the world. NH Collection Copenhagen is located in a unique historical and sustainable building in the picturesque district of Christianshavn, where visitors can enjoy both the vibrant city life but also quiet, relaxing moments. Theres something interesting for everyone: from taking in panoramic views of Copenhagen to exploring its many neighbourhoods and attractions.

Five-star experiences in an extraordinary setting

NH Collection Copenhagen is one of only a few 5-star hotels in Copenhagen. Hotel guests can enjoy personalized services and experience its historic location and authentic design from the very moment they arrive.

The hotel offers a total of 394 rooms and suites, two restaurants, a hotel bar, a lounge area, seven flexible rooms for small-to-large-scale meetings for up to 252 persons in an inspiring environment overlooking the harbour, parking, fitness facilities and a relaxation room, direct access to the waterfront and much more.

In the evening, guests can dine in the hotel restaurant Tablafina, which combines the well-known Spanish tapas with local seasonal ingredients. Tablafina also has a wine bar with specially selected wines from the hotel's own sommelier.

Location with balance of urban life and quietude

With the hotel's unique location by the water at the entrance of the lively Christianshavn in the Danish capital, NH Collection Copenhagen has created an exclusive oasis with room for both the vibrant city life and quiet, relaxing moments. The city's landmarks, cultural offerings and shopping are all within short distance.

Nordic design with a focus on sustainability

The building's facade has been thoroughly renovated and redeveloped by ATP Ejendomme, Arkitema Architects and Henning Larsen Architects, with respect for architect Palle Suenson's original design from 1962 with clean shapes and straight lines.

A large part of the concrete structure has been preserved and sustainability is an important element for the construction and the hotel itself. The facade stones are, among other things, cast from the materials from the interior demolition and shaped into new stones in the same look as the originals. In general, NH Collection Copenhagen has high sustainability standards. This is evident from the green sedum roof, use of seawater to cool the building, intelligent control of light and indoor climate and choice of sustainable building materials.

Interior elegance

Upon entering the lobby, attention is immediately drawn to the large-scale artwork of Danish artist Anna Bak, which complements the hotel's chic and calm interior design. The artwork, made of wood and brass, refers to the building's maritime history as a former administration building for the shipyard B&W.

The interior is inspired by the industrial and cosmopolitan atmosphere of the city and its lively harbour. A warm, friendly, and eclectic mood is united with Scandinavian craftsmanship, using high-quality materials such as fabrics, wooden and brass details. The style is in warm shades with a Nordic expression, where attention is paid to details such as herringbone tiles, elegant colour play in the bathroom and specially designed furniture throughout the hotel. The rooms are decorated with large windows, which in addition to views, also provide a large and natural amount of light.

The interior was designed by Swedish design firm Krook & Tjader and finishing touches were done by the Spanish interior and architecture studio TBC, the interior designer of several NH Collection hotels including NH Collection Munchen Bavaria and NH Collection Amsterdam Flower Market.

(Ends)

About NH Collection Copenhagen

NH Collection Copenhagen is NH Hotel Groups first hotel in Denmark as well as Scandinavia. The five-star hotel is centrally located in the charming neighbourhood of Christianhavn, with many maritime, historical and creative attractions. NH Collection Copenhagen has 394 rooms and suites, a gym, two restaurants, bicycle rental and can accommodate meetings up to 252 persons in an inspiring environment overlooking the harbour.

About NH Collection

NH Collection is NH Hotel Groups upper-upscale brand, noteworthy for its unique and emblematic hotels in principle cities of Europe and Latin America. Based on the chains premium value proposition, these hotels retain their local character to inspire and captivate their guests. Striving for going beyond ordinary, NH Collection Hotels are thoroughly designed for those who want to make the most of their stays and live moments truly extraordinary through unique, creative and innovative experiences.

At NH Collection hotels, the staff provides the utmost attention to detail, attempting that guests wish to relive continuously their extraordinary experiences and get ready to feel in virtue of personalised and superior guest service. Whether for business travels or for leisure, as well as wishing to meet or seeking relaxing moments, the NH Collection hotels offer inspiring, versatile and stimulating venues for maximising creativity and enjoyment.

About NH Hotel Group

NH Hotel Group is a consolidated multinational player, and a leading urban hotel operator in Europe and America, where it operates over 350 hotels. Since 2019, the company works with Minor Hotels in the integration of their hotel brands under a single corporate umbrella with presence in over 50 countries worldwide. Together, both groups have a portfolio of over 500 hotels articulated around eight brands: NH Hotels, NH Collection, nhow, Tivoli, Anantara, Avani, Elewana and Oaks. Find further information and visuals on nhhotels.pr.co and on our Social Media profiles.
Nocturnal Product Development, LLC End-to-end cloud-connected medical device development

Nocturnal Product Development, LLC (Research Triangle Park, NC) has entered into a strategic partnership with Galen Data, Inc (Houston, TX) to provide an end-to-end, secure, compliant, cost-effective cloud solution for its medical device clients.

Were excited to announce this partnership with Galen Data, Inc, as it significantly enhances our ability to develop cloud-connected technologies. The types of medical devices we develop have very specialized requirements, and were pleased to have found a partner that not only provides a state-of-the-art cloud platform that meets these needs, but one that also shares our values and our level of commitment to our clients. This partnership will allow us to bring their cloud connected medical devices to market even faster, says KC Armstrong, President and Founder of Nocturnal Product Development, LLC.

Our partner eco-system brings together the best technology and service providers that support medical device companies, says Chris DuPont, CEO of Galen Data. Bringing a medical device to market requires expertise across a range of disciplines. The Nocturnal team has deep expertise in medical device design and development. We are thrilled to partner with them and work together to support medical device innovation.

Nocturnal Product Development, LLC is a medical device development firm located near Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina. The company specializes in multi-disciplinary technology product development with expertise in: project management, electrical design, mechanical design, embedded software, optics, IOT, wireless, cloud-based applications, clinical & regulatory strategy and is ISO13485:2016 certified.

Galen Data, Inc. provides a turnkey cloud solution for medical device makers that is configurable, secure, and compliant. The company was founded to make device-to-cloud connectivity possible in a matter of weeks instead of months, and at a fraction of the cost. The Galen Cloud collects and securely stores data and includes tools to visualize and analyze that data. Dashboards and alerts for the manufacturer, medical team, and patients are also provided within the platform. The software platform is compliant to FDA, HIPAA, and CE Mark standards, and is ISO13485:2016 certified. All types and sizes of medical device companies, from the early stage to Fortune 500, have partnered with Galen Data to solve their medical device connectivity needs.
As the go-to bank for fintechs, we want to offer cheaper funding options for fintechs through innovative lending solutions.

Piermont Bank, a digital commercial bank headquartered in New York, today announces the launch of BancFi, a comprehensive, industry-first credit platform for fintechs and their end-users. Since the launch of its Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform in early 2021, the Bank has signed more than 30 fintech companies as clients.

I am very proud of what we have accomplished in a short period of time, said Wendy Cai-Lee, Founder & CEO at Piermont Bank. The growth we have experienced since our launch in 2019 validates the digital plus human hybrid banking model we built. We doubled our asset size in the first half of 2021 alone and are now at $347 million in total assets, which is remarkable considering we are only two years old.

In addition to celebrating our current success, we are making additional investments, which includes committing $20 million of newly raised capital into our technology and resources so we can continue moving at the speed of our fintech clients, said Cai-Lee Also, to better serve the fintech ecosystem, credit products are a natural next step. We are excited to take our BaaS offering to the next level with our new BancFi credit platform..

Teaming with API partners such as Treasury Prime, Piermont Bank has designed a startup-forward onboarding and implementation process that enables true speed and scalability. The average time to launch for a fintech client is as little as six to eight weeks.

Piermont Bank has been an exceptional partner to us. They're 100 percent focused on working with fintechs which means they match our start-up timelines, try to find ways to say, yes instead of no, and constantly work to deliver a better experience for the families we serve, said Aditi Shekar, Founder & CEO of Zeta, a financial institution for couples and families. From the very start, Piermont has moved quickly - getting us from our first introductory call to production-ready in four weeks! We're excited to continue building a financial institution for families with them.

Piermont Banks BancFi is a proprietary commercial lending platform for fintechs and their end-users. BancFi provides a comprehensive suite of credit products including working capital, warehouse lines, and a deposit-backed lines of credit for fintechs at different stages of growth. Piermont will customize the credit solution for each fintech to strengthen cash position, valuation, lower credit costs and further enable growth. The platform is currently available by invitation only and will be piloted with a select group of fintechs.

Currently, equity takes prominence in how start-ups pay for their growth, said Cai-Lee. If, as a start-up, you can borrow capital at low and effective rates, it is always better for your companys growth than selling shares in your business. As the go-to bank for fintechs, we want to offer cheaper funding options for fintechs through innovative lending solutions..

Start-ups usually fall outside most banks credit parameters due to a lack of positive cash flow and negative earnings, said Rodrigo Suarez, Head of Innovation at Piermont Bank. It is more synergistic for a bank like Piermont to offer credit solutions because we are part of the fintech ecosystem and have a deep understanding of the space. Since we are already supporting our fintech partners through BaaS for depository services and payments, we have better insights into their business and financial growth. This allows us to take well-measured credit risks that traditional financial institutions would not be able to take.

Innovation banking, through which Piermont offers its BaaS solutions and credit platform, plays an important role in the banks hyper-growth. Its innovation banking team has added four new members, including partnership managers and engineers, in the last month and continues to hire.

Lending is the next big focus in our BaaS product roadmap, and credit is what we know best as bankers, said Cai-Lee.

Learn more about the next wave of disruption in fintech lending in our Capital-as-a-Service (CaaS) webinar series on November 3rd, 2021, at 2pm EST. Register here.

About Piermont Bank

Piermont Bank is a tech-enabled digital commercial bank founded in 2019 with a mission of changing the face and pace of banking. Piermont is women-founded, entrepreneur-led, and technology-fortified. It is also the first multiracial Minority Depository Institution (MDI) certified by FDIC in the United States. Piermont Bank provides an unprecedented experience that blends the best of banking and agile Fintechs. At Piermont, we deliver peer banking  we meet you where you are, reflect your business needs, and act with speed. For more information, visit http://www.piermontbank.com.
We want to show our commitment to customers by sharing a portion of responsibility with regard to attack mitigation.

Throughout the week, Arkose Labs will share insights and information about these threats using hashtags #StopCredStuffing and #CredStuffingAwarenessWeek, company representatives stated.

Marla Ellerman, executive director, The MPC Digital Commerce Event, applauds Arkose Labs for raising awareness about financial crimes. Weve seen a sharp uptick in cyberthreats as digital commerce accelerates, she said. Its great to see Arkose Labs help individuals and businesses protect against emerging threats.

Kevin Gosschalk, co-founder and CEO at Arkose Labs, said, As credential stuffing grows in popularity amongst fraudsters, so too does the need to fully understand this type of cyberattack as well as the tools needed to mitigate it, which is why we created Credential Stuffing Week. Businesses are suffering, and by default, so are their customers and clients, as credential stuffing attacks become more common and sophisticated.

Gosschalk, who delivered a keynote address at MPC21, stated Arkose Labs stopped 285 million credential stuffing attacks in the first half of 2021. A replay of Gosschalks keynote is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsc70VmfIf4

INDUSTRY-FIRST CREDENTIAL STUFFING WARRANTY

Businesses deserve protection and partnership from security providers, Gosschalk stated; Arkose Labs credential stuffing warranty covers up to $1 million in response expenses.

We want to show our commitment to customers by sharing a portion of responsibility with regard to attack mitigation, said Gosschalk.

Arkose Labs will host its second annual Bankrupting Fraud Virtual Summit Nov. 9-10, 2021. Leading companies, including Facebook, Visa, PayPal and more will present at the Summit. Register for free at https://www.bankruptingfraud.com.

ABOUT ARKOSE LABS

Arkose Labs bankrupts the business model of fraud. Recognized by Gartner as a Cool Vendor in Fraud and Authentication, the company offers an industry-first warranty on account protection. Its AI-powered platform combines powerful risk assessments with dynamic attack response that undermines the ROI behind attacks, while improving good user throughput. Based in San Francisco, CA with offices in Brisbane, Australia and London, UK, the company was honored as the 195th fastest growing companies in the United States on the 2021 Inc. 5000 list.

ABOUT MPC DIGITAL COMMERCE EVENT

MPC Digital Commerce Event is the premier annual conference and exhibition on the future of alternative payments worldwide. MPC brings together thought leaders, innovators and decision-makers from financial, technology, government, retail, marketing, and mobile industries to discuss the evolving payments industry. Attendees benefit from access to the worlds foremost experts in emerging payments and commerce, blockchain and digital currencies, cybersecurity and consumer privacy, customer experience and loyalty, and customer engagement and marketing.

ABOUT MPC21 VIRTUAL

MPC21 Virtual, the 11th Mobile & Digital Commerce Event, was held August 17-19, 2021. Themed, Where Digital Commerce and Technology Meet, the conference focused on established and emerging payment technologies. Replays are available on the MM&T YouTube Channel.
President George W. Bush spoke at the ITServe Synergy Conference 2021 held in Dallas, TX as a Special Guest on September 30, 2021. President Bush was welcomed by over 1,200 technology entrepreneurs and CEOs of their member companies on their first day of the 2-day Annual Conference. President Bush met ITServe Alliance leadership and was briefed about ITServes initiatives in creating and promoting IT job growth in the US as well as ITServes CSR activities in communities across the country. President Bush specifically appreciated ITServes help extended to first responders across the US and to various food banks during the pandemic.

During an-hour long discussion moderated by our fellow member Kishore Khandavalli, President Bush spoke about the State of the Country, skilled Immigration, STEM Program and leadership traits. President Bush also spoke at length about his faith, family, work-life balance, and personal fitness. His sense of humor, presence of mind and extraordinary knowledge of world view captivated the audience.

President Bush applauded ITServes core activity of job creation and retention in the US and its positive effects on the communities across the nation. President Bush encouraged ITServe to continue the efforts of creating technology jobs through the STEM programs and help contribute to improving the standards of living across communities. ITServe National President Raghu Chittimalla said, Our leadership and members were elated to hear from President George Bush at the conference and learn from the one of the best leaders. The insights and wisdom he shared with our members was exhilarating.

About ITServe Alliance

ITServe Alliance is the largest association of IT Solutions & Services organizations in the US, representing over 1,400 member companies. The alliance is the voice of all prestigious IT companies functioning with similar interests across the United States. Through the years, ITServe has evolved as a capable and respected platform to collaborate and initiate measures in the direction of protecting common interests and ensuring the collective success of its member companies. Since its inception in 2010, ITServe Alliance has served to strengthen the knowledge, skills, and value of its members across the nation through its 17 country-wide Regional Chapters.

For further information, contact PRMedia@itserve.org

To register with ITServe, click on the link below https://itserve.org/register

Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/itserve-alliance/

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ITServeAlliance/
Strategically, it made perfect sense to double the amount of space which is in line with our expansion with retailers and plans to bring even more new products and limited-editions offerings to chocolate lovers down the road, says Glenn Gardone, President and CEO.

RED Chocolate announces the addition of a second warehouse based in its hometown, a strategic shipping decision to lower its carbon footprint and expand its distribution to meet the growing consumer demand for its better-for-you chocolates. The warehouse doubles the amount of square footage the company currently uses and will be part of the global certification RED Chocolate is known for in the industry.

The site is instrumental in the companys rapidly expanding distribution throughout the eastern U.S. and will better serve its customers with a quick order turnaround. It features state-of-the-art drop shipping capabilities that help partners such as HSN and its own e-commerce site. RED Chocolate has a notable fulfillment record of delivering on time, even during the hardships brought on by the pandemic.

The first chocolate with fewer than 40% calories, RED Chocolate grew exponentially during the pandemic. In 2020, sales increased by 3,000%, an incredible feat when many businesses were negatively affected.

Adding a second warehouse in Exton has numerous advantages, first and foremost reducing our environmental impact by keeping our operations out of a central location while fulfilling customer orders on time, says Glenn Gardone, President and CEO. Strategically, it made perfect sense to double the amount of space which is in line with our expansion with retailers and plans to bring even more new products and limited-editions offerings to chocolate lovers down the road. Were proud of our legacy as a premium chocolatier and are grateful for the consumer reception for our reduced-calorie chocolate.

The Master European Chocolatier has continued to increase sales over the previous year with the help of USA partners like Rite Aid, Walmart, Sams Club and AHOLD, making them one of the fastest-growing premium chocolate companies in the industry. The indulgent yet guilt-free chocolate is available in over 10,000 stores across the U.S. and is also available on their site www-red-chocolate.com and Amazon.

Additionally, RED Chocolate continues to be recognized within the industry, most recently as a must-see at the 2021 Sweets & Snacks Expo, the largest confectionery and snack event in North America.

For more information, visit https://red-chocolate.com.

###

About RED Chocolate:

RED Chocolate has come over from Europe and is taking the US by storm. The chocolate brand was one of the highest performing products on their debut showing on the Home Shopping Network channel, nearly selling out of stock in a short ten minutes. RED Chocolate has also been featured on major outlets such as Life & Style, Spoon University, BuzzFeed and many more. RED Chocolate is available in most major grocery chains, Amazon and their own site, https://red-chocolate.com/.
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) has awarded a grant of $50,000 to the Veterans Medical Leadership Council (VMLC), through their 12% Gaming Grant Program. The VMLC supports Veterans of any era who have a verified and bonified emergency need not supported by the VA. The VAs social workers as well as other charitable entities who have a proven method to validate veteran status can write a check to veteran within hours to help them. Needs may include but are not limited to, shelter, emergency home or auto repair, utility bills, as well as treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injuries.

Our goal is to respect, honor, and remember all who have served in the military and bring about awareness to veterans issues. Importantly, we want to promote overall mind, body, and spiritual wellness of these warriors and their families, said Martin Harvier, President, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. 'LET US NEVER FORGET!' is our motto and we believe the VMLC has done an outstanding job helping veterans in need. We look forward to a successful partnership.

President of VMLC Tom Eisiminger stated, We want to thank the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community for the grant. We appreciate the Communitys generosity and trust in our nonprofit which will enable us to assist more Veterans and their families that are experiencing hardships during this pandemic. When these men and women experience these emergency issues, they dont know who to turn to and unfortunately are the verge of crisis and potential tragedy. One example is; property rentals are skyrocketing and this seems to be an acute problem currently. This grant will certainly make a difference for our Veterans and our community.

About The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community:

The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community is comprised of two tribes: the Akimel Oodham (River People) or the Pima and the Xalychidom Piipaash (People Who Live Towards the Water) also called the Maricopa. Both tribes speak different languages but share the same cultural values. The Pima consider their ancestors to be the Hohokam an ancient civilization who lived in Arizona nearly two thousand years, dating as far back as 300 A.D. The Hohokam farmed the Salt River Valley and created an elaborate canal irrigation system throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Pima are well known for their basket weaving and the Maricopa are known for their red clay pottery work. Both forms of art are made of natural material and can be viewed at the Communitys Hoo-hoogam Ki Museum.

Today the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community is comprised of 53,000 acres of land that is located 11 miles northeast of downtown Phoenix. The Community is located in the heart of the East Valley, adjacent to Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Mesa and Tempe. It holds 19,000 acres as a natural preserve and 11,000 acres are under cultivation for a variety of crops including cotton, melons, potatoes, onions and carrots.

Not long ago, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community was a rural settlement. But today, because the urban area has expanded its growth and development, it is uniquely positioned in one of the most desirable geographic regions of the entire metropolitan area.

About Veterans Medical Leadership Council

The Veterans Medical Leadership Council (VMLC) is committed to connecting Maricopa County Military Veterans to medical, mental health, and general wellness resources and opportunities to ensure no true need is left unmet and exemplary honor is bestowed where it has been earned.

Founded in 1999 with the singular mission of supporting the Veterans of the Greater Phoenix Valley who have a need which cannot be legally addressed by the Veterans Administration, the State of Arizona and other Federal and State Offices, the VMLC works in concert with these organizations to ensure Arizona Veterans needs are not left un-met.

Passionately committed to providing a critical financial safety net on an emergency basis for those Veterans and their families needing a hand up, not a hand-out, during their transition back to civilian society and throughout their post-service journey. This timely assistance ensures the necessities to our veterans.

The VMLC supports Veterans of any era who have a verified and bonified need and are supported through the VAs social workers as well as other charitable entities who have a proven method to validate veteran status. Needs may include but are not limited to, shelter, emergency home or auto repair, utility bills, as well as treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injuries.

###

Media contact:

Al Maag

602-363-6038 al.maag@maagcommplus.com
John has already had such a positive impact on the Boak & Sons employees, said Boak. He is well-known and widely respected throughout the Mahoning Valley and our community and is an active presence for this company.

Boak & Sons, Inc., a residential and commercial exterior contracting company based in Youngstown, Ohio, has a wide range of employment positions from field supervisors and laborers to accountants and contract managers. Sam Boak, president and founder of Boak & Sons, Inc., decided the team needed a position that would further build on the companys reputation for excellent customer service, but also to assist the office employees in better understanding all the benefits that Boak & Sons has to offer. On October 1, 2021, John McNally filled that role.

McNally joined the Boak & Sons team as the General Counsel to provide advice and counsel to Boak & Sons staff on a variety of workplace issues, such as COVID-19 federal regulations and rules, workplace human resource policies, insurance and cybersecurity issues, and unemployment and workers compensation.

John has already had such a positive impact on the Boak & Sons employees, said Boak. He is well-known and widely respected throughout the Mahoning Valley and our community and is an active presence for this company.

McNally was born and raised in Youngstown and graduated from Ursuline High School in 1987. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University in 1991 and a Juris Doctor and Master of Public Administration from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University in 1996.

I look forward to using my legal and governmental experience on a daily basis to help Boak and Sons and its employees to continue to grow and expand our operations in the Mahoning Valley, eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania, said McNally.

McNally has been a licensed Attorney in the State of Ohio since 1996. John served as Assistant Law Director for the City of Youngstown from 1998 to 2002, later serving as Law Director from 2002 to 2004. John served as Mahoning County Commissioner from 2005-2012 and as Mayor of Youngstown from 2014-2017. John has also worked for numerous years in private practice with the firms of John A. McNally, III, Co., LPA and Roth Blair, focusing his practice on employment and human resource issues, criminal defense, domestic relations, and administrative law issues and compliance.

John has a unique perspective as former Mayor and his experience in a workplace of over 700 employees will be invaluable to the 180 employees of Boak & Sons and our customers, said Chris White, vice president, operations of Boak & Sons, Inc. Were thrilled to have him on the Boak team and we look forward to seeing the impact he makes here.

About Boak & Sons:

Boak & Sons, Inc. was founded by Sam Boak in 1974 as an insulation contractor. With the high energy costs of the 70's, Boak & Sons expanded early on into the roofing business. They offered economical roof installations through cutting edge technology and equipment, allowing customers to recoup even more in energy savings. Today, Boak & Sons is a residential and commercial contractor for roofing, insulation, sheet metal, siding, and gutters. Based in Youngstown, Ohio, the company serves customers in surrounding areas from Cleveland, Akron, and Canton to Cranberry and Pittsburgh. For more information on Boak & Sons, visit their website at: https://www.boakandsons.com/.
As our second acquisition in Turkey, Digital Planet reinforces the Sovos commitment to the local and regional market, as we grow our software development organization in Istanbul.

Global tax software provider Sovos today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Digital Planet, which provides cloud compliance solutions for continuous transaction controls (CTCs), including e-invoicing, e-receipts, e-delivery note and e-ledger. Upon completion of this acquisition, Sovos will expand its Istanbul-based product development center of excellence in support of a growing base of channel partners, small-and-medium-sized businesses (SMB), and large enterprise customers in Turkey and across the region.

Turkey is one of only a few countries outside of Latin America with mature e-invoicing and digital tax and regulatory mandates. Following its 2019 acquisition of Foriba, Sovos established its European center of excellence in Istanbul. Since then, the companys local teams have developed solutions for CTC mandates in Greece, India and Saudi Arabia. The Sovos software development team in Turkey also led the modernization of Sovos Advanced Periodic Reporting, which centralizes and streamlines indirect tax compliance processes for businesses operating across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia.

The acquisition of Digital Planet will strengthen our partner channel and significantly increase our customer base of enterprises and SMBs. As our second acquisition in Turkey, Digital Planet reinforces the Sovos commitment to the local and regional market, as we grow our software development organization in Istanbul, said Steve Sprague, general manager, global value-added tax, Sovos.

Digital Planet cloud solutions address e-transformation mandates, as well as customer communication management for banks, telecommunications and insurance companies, which rely on Digital Planet solutions to provide telephone bills, bank receipts, credit card statements, insurance policies and other personalized documents. When Digital Planet joins Sovos, the combined organization will deliver secure, stable and scalable technology products, services and support to meet the complete needs of customers.

Our plans to acquire Digital Planet follow several recent acquisitions in Europe and the Americas designed to scale our solutions for customers of all sizes, because the digital transformation of tax and economies affects businesses of all sizes, said Andy Hovancik, CEO, Sovos. We set out to solve for these complex global challenges, and our acquisition strategy reflects the seriousness of our commitment to do just that.

John Gledhill, vice president of corporate development for Sovos, said, We expect to close the Digital Planet acquisition by the end of the calendar year, which will make it the eighth acquisition for Sovos in 2021. As the Digital Planet team joins Sovos, we will grow our Turkey employee base by 65% with more than 700 employees in Europe, part of a global team of more than 2,000 people working in 13 countries.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Sovos is owned by Hg, the London-based specialist private equity investor focused on software and service businesses, and TA Associates. EY served as financial advisor to Sovos, and Akol provided legal counsel. Ozbek Legal provided legal counsel to Digital Planet.

Completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.

###

About Sovos

Sovos was built to solve the complexities of the digital transformation of tax, with complete, connected offerings for tax determination, continuous transaction controls, tax reporting and more. Sovos customers include half the Fortune 500, as well as businesses of every size operating in more than 70 countries. The companys SaaS products and proprietary Sovos S1 Platform integrate with a wide variety of business applications and government compliance processes. Sovos has employees throughout the Americas and Europe, and is owned by Hg and TA Associates. For more information visit http://www.sovos.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Digital Planet

Digital Planet delivers innovative technologies based on 20 years of experience. The company started its operations in 2000 and pioneered e-invoicing and then e-transformation in Turkey. As the first e-transformation platform with no dependency on any specific ERP software, but with integration to most, Digital Planet continues to further develop its rich product range in line with todays new regulations and business needs. The companys e-transformation suite includes products such as e-Invoice, e-Archive, e-Ledger, e-Waybill, e-Receipt and e-Reconciliation.
The SPH Nithyananda Paramashivam prays to Paramashiva for the atma shanti of lives lost in the orchestrated anti-Hindu violence where more than 80 special shrines set up for Durga Puja. The pain of the Hindus of Bangladesh is real, and must be acted upon by the International agencies for religious harmony and peace.

The historic and ongoing targeted Hindu genocide in various forms including targeted extermination of Hindu culture and tradition, Hindu phobia, forced conversions, massacres, demolitions, desecration and grabbing of worship temples and monasteries, looting of Hindu temples properties, destruction of Hindu educational institutions and Hindu libraries, Hindu liberty, mass execution, rape, looting and enslavement continues till date in many parts of the world including Bangladesh. KAILASAs International Human Rights Council documented the atrocities and brutal attacks unleashed on Bangladeshi Hindus who survived years of tyranny. The archived onslaught on Bangladeshi Hindus includes:

In 26 March 1971, Anti-Hindu extremists killed up to 3 million Hindus with a genocidal rape of 350,000. Years of ethnic cleansing in Bangladesh shrunk the Hindu population from 22.1% to 8.9% within a span of 50 years.

In 1971, during the Bangladesh war for independence, militants and Razakars raped between 200,000 and 400,000 Bangladeshi women and girls in a systematic campaign of genocidal rape. The Hindus in Bangladesh have witnessed brutal demolitions, desecration of temples including the Dhakeshwari temple and the sacred Bholanath Giri Ashram that were attacked.

From 1992 to 1993, around 1,000 temples in Bangladesh were destroyed and looted.

The SPH Nithyananda Paramashivam prays to Paramashiva for the atma shanti of lives lost in the orchestrated anti-Hindu violence where more than 80 special shrines set up for Durga Puja were targeted and attacked during the celebrations by a mob of over 500 people gathered from neighboring districts to vandalize Durga Puja pandals, and disintegrate Hindu deities, reviving disturbing memories of the 1946 Noakhali genocide. Devotees of Hindu organizations were ruthlessly murdered while trying to protect their temples and the statue of ISKCON founder Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami, which was burnt in broad daylight.

The SPH Nithyananda Paramashivam stands in solidarity and support of the Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council that has bravely voiced the atrocities and brutality against the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Further, The SPH Nithyananda Paramashivam sends healing prayers to the 150 Hindus injured during the communal ambush and to the families of the bereaved souls. Radical infiltration of Bangladeshi security forces is one of the many threats Bangladeshi Hindus face. Disturbing accounts of mass rapes go undocumented and unreported due to internet blackouts in many parts of Bangladesh. The pain of the Hindus of Bangladesh is real, and must be acted upon by the International agencies for religious harmony and peace.

KAILASA, the ancient Hindu enlightened civilizational nation, with de facto spiritual embassies operating across 100 countries with a global presence as the largest spiritual knowledge source on Hinduism, spiritually governed with the life positive, all inclusive, universal policies sourced from Hinduism is revived by The SPH Nithyananda Paramashivam. The world needs to firmly and unequivocally denounce all attempts to devalue or minimize these heinous crimes and resolute efforts unanimously towards restoring peace and harmony in areas of conflicts. For the past 27 years, SHRIKAILASA Uniting Nations Against Persecution and Genocide is building relations, bridging dialogs, inspiring leaders, uniting nations towards acknowledging and fostering dialog for religious freedom and harmony.

KAILASA actively guides through various initiatives dispelling myths that religion is to blame for all conflicts, on contrary, these initiatives takes responsibility to educate the role of religion in preventing wars, conflicts, and violence and actively promotes harmony and interfaith dialog. KAILASA reaffirms that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, and that the right to freedom of religion is a universal and inalienable which is a fundamental part of the rights of each human being, recognizing that the right to freedom of religion includes the right to choose, share and change ones religion and beliefs, to manifest, either alone or in community with others and in public or private. KAILASA is committed to ensuring that each human being may exercise the right to freedom of religion, and all rights therein, regardless of race, class, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, nationality or other status or distinction.

Having taken the spiritual responsibility of bringing world peace, by reviving the Enlightened Hindu eco systems, KAILASAs Department of Human Services will be offering Maheshwara Puja at the feet of The SPH for the same on 20th October 2021.

Official Proclamation Attached.
Thelma Johnson, who has the ability to communicate with spirits, has completed her new book Once He Was Lost... Now I'm Found...": a gripping work that describes how the two types of spirits that are earthbound are intelligent and residual. The intelligent spirits can communicate with the physical world, and residual spirits are on repeat every day.

According to Johnson, With the help of my youngest brothers God-given abilities, I slowly learned how to embrace the gift that I have been given. I encourage anyone who senses these abilities to embrace it and pursue it, although it may be difficult to understand this gift. There are many people in the world experiencing similar situations. I gradually learned how to live with my ability, which led me to a solid four years of writing this book so that others will find the courage to express their gifts in their own special form.

Published by Page Publishing, Thelma Johnsons riveting book details how at the age of seven, she heard from God that she would be living with an invisible man. Not knowing what exactly this meant, she continued living her normal life.

At the age of twenty-nine, she moved to Florida where she purchased her first home and raised her three children. Vivid thoughts and a presence of a man whom she learned to call John began to occur in her dreams. Not fully understanding the extent of this man, she remembered what God had told her as a child. Later she realized that this mans spirit was still dwelling on the same property since the 1800s.

Over the years as communication increased from John, her ability became more precise when she was to stay at friends and familys homes as other dwelling spirits would communicate in the same form John would. Therefore, she felt obligated to share her experiences in writing about Johns physical and spiritual life on earth.

Readers who wish to experience this intriguing book can purchase Once He Was Lost... Now I'm Found..." at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Johanna Monon, Esq. We are very excited to have Johanna join our corporate team in our Los Angeles office. Our Los Angeles corporate practice has been growing rapidly since the launch of our LA office and we are fortunate to have Johannas legal talent on our team

Structure Law Group, LLP is pleased to announce the newest member of their Los Angeles corporate legal team, Johanna Monon. We are very excited to have Johanna join our corporate team in our Los Angeles office. Our Los Angeles corporate practice has been growing rapidly since the launch of our LA office and we are fortunate to have Johannas legal talent on our team, said SLG attorney, Michael Saryan.

Ms. Monon has several years of corporate and business law experience. Ms. Monons practice broadly encompasses all aspects of corporate and business law with a focus on business formation, entity restructuring, corporate governance and compliance, private securities offerings, equity financings and mergers and acquisitions. Ms. Monon also handles commercial and real estate transactions and advises companies on general business matters. Ms. Monon received her J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law.

Prior to joining Structure Law Group, LLP, Ms. Monon was a practicing attorney for over six years at a Los Angeles business law firm where she practiced business law, real estate law, and business litigation, where she focused on SEC filings, FINRA compliance, and servicing private equity funds. While in law school, she interned for the California Department of Corporations enforcing state securities regulations.

Ms. Monon can be reached at:

jmonon@structurelaw.com or (310) 818-7500

About Structure Law Group, LLP

Structure Law Group, LLP is a Los Angeles business law firm with a national and international practice that provides legal services to companies of all sizes as well as individual entrepreneurs. SLG assists clients in all areas of business law including start-ups and financing, business litigation, merger and acquisitions, employment law, intellectual property, debtor and creditor rights and commercial real estate. SLG is a dedicated team of legal professionals who have a solid understanding of companies of all sizes as well as businesses and entrepreneurs. SLG is committed to providing an exceptional client experience through innovative and cost-effective legal services and solutions.

Practice areas include:



Blockchain & Cryptocurrency

Business Transactions

Business Litigation

Construction Contracting & Payment Claims

Corporations

Debtor & Creditor Rights

E-Commerce

Employment

Immigration EB-5 Fraud Litigation

Limited Liability Companies

Mergers & Acquisitions

Partnerships

Real Estate

Start-ups & Financing

Technology Licensing & Protection of Intellectual Property

For more information about the firm please go to http://www.structurelaw.com, visit our blog at http://www.sanjosebusinesslawyersblog.com or contact us as shown below:

Krystle Warren

Structure Law Group, LLP

(408) 441-7500

kwarren@structurelaw.com

http://www.structurelaw.com
The Rosemont, Illinois-based Wintrust Community Banks celebrates 30 Chicagoland winners of its inaugural Latinx Community Awards 2021. It's really such a heartful thing to see all of this recognition because you guys do a lot of work in the communities that we serve. And one of the things that helps us separate from the big banks, because people think that we're a big bank, is we are really connected to the community.

In a sold-out event, Wintrust Banks announced 30 winners selected for its inaugural Latinx Community Awards 2021 at its Rosemont headquarters. The event was a collaboration of several Wintrust banks and Fig Factor Media, an international multicultural media company in Naperville.

On behalf of Wintrust's 30-year celebration of presence in Illinois, the awards celebrate Wintrust Banks impact it has made in the Latinx communities and also to celebrate the communities it serves. These winners were nominated for making a difference, instigating positive change, and positively impacting residents.

The winners were the following: former Illinois Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti, Fernando Ramirez, Diana Martinez, Jose Quintero, Marissa Yelenosky, Karina Garcia, Maria Lindsay, Diana Alfaro, Emi Morales Salazar, Jose Gutierrez, Alex Paramo, Veronica Gloria, Cesar Alvarez, Elizabeth Colon, Lorraine Guerrero N., Aida Prado, Tru Bazianos, Andrew Ash, Jorge D. Perez, Giselle Suarez Zuniga, Abigail Silva, Maria Raquel Llangari, Franklin Ortega, Liza Gutierrez, Gregorio Hernandez, Maria Sinkule, Gloria Velez, Adrian Laurean, Armando Perez, and Janelle Silva.

Fig Factor Media CEO Jacqueline S. Ruiz kicked off the festivities by mentioning micro-momentspositive, personal connections with others that can lead to achieving goals and accomplishments.

Every one of you has captured thousands and millions of micro-moments that led you to this moment, Ruiz said. So, whether you were awarded tonight or not, may today be the inspiration that allows you to take off on your next flight. Because like we say, in the world of aviation, taking off is optional, landing is mandatory.

Yaneth Medina, president of Elgin at St. Charles Bank & Trust, a Wintrust Community Bank, expressed her pride in the awardees, the nominees and these six participating Wintrust banks that participated in this event: St. Charles Bank and Trust, Wheaton Bank and Trust, Old Plank Trail Community Bank, Schaumburg Bank and Trust, Village Bank & Trust and Barrington Bank and Trust.

It's really such a heartful thing to see all of this recognition because you guys do a lot of work in the communities that we serve, she said. And one of the things that helps us separate from the big banks, because people think that we're a big bank, is we are really connected to the community. Its wonderful to see all of the leaders that we have in our communities tonight being represented and seeing all of the Latino winners being recognized.

Schaumburg resident Abigail Silva, a speech pathologist who works in Elgin Area School District U-46, was honored for her organization called Conectando Corazones. Silva created this to help Hispanic students from kindergarten to the sixth grade by offering a space to express their feelings and to give parents resources to positively guide their children. The idea came to her a few years ago working with low-income students who had many economic, emotional and social needs.

Known to her families as Maestra Silva, she is happy if she can change just one students life.

They tell me, Thank you, Maestra Silva for that kind word or for that time that you talked to me, she said. Im very happy to accept this award and be recognized for my work. An award like this makes me so happy and proud to keep going with my efforts.

Mexican Cultural Center DuPage President and Founder Fernando Ramirez was noted for his work with the West Chicago-based nonprofits programs which supports artists and promotes Mexicos rich history and culture. One program Ramirez described was Miss Mexican Heritage. This three-month program teaches young Latinas about Mexicos states and traditions while preparing them in different areas such as finances and college. In the end, there is a first, second and third place winners.

Its always nice to get recognized for some of these things; you never are looking for any recognition, he said. For me, Im looking to help somebody and making sure to change their life some way or another. I also want to note that I have a group of people who really do all the work and they give me the confidence to talk what we do at the museum.

About Wintrust Banks:

The Wintrust Community Bank family includes more than 150 locations in and around Chicago, southern Wisconsin, and northwest Indiana. Our banks were built to be true community banks with the resources of a large company, but the personal touch of a small institution.

Wintrust Community Banks are named to reflect the unique communities they serve and are committed to being a true asset to those areas. Many employees not only work in the community, they live locally, and get involved with local events and organizations.

When you bank at a Wintrust Community Bank, you have access to any location in the network so we can provide the best of both worlds: the reach and power of a large organization with the uniqueness and client-focus of a true community bank. For more information, visit https://www.wintrust.com/.
WGC Las Vegas Chapter 5K Dr. Monica Riley, the President of WGC-LV states, "St. Jude's has a special place in my heart and we walked for the kids. September was children's cancer awareness month and no donation was too big or too small. Thank you to our sponsors! For October, let's raise awareness against breast cancer."

Helping people around the world is at the heart of Women of Global Change. The organization is expanding with new International Chapters emerging and National Chapters getting back to hosting in-person events with safety precautions in place.

Each chapter picks a cause and does different service events to support it. Over the summer the Las Vegas Chapter has hosted educational events for children in schools, led a work readiness training and just did a 5k run for the children of Saint Jude, this month they are raising awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

The 5K run was one of first in-person events the Chapter has held in a year and after raising over $3,600+ for their cause, they are ready to go out and do more.

Dr. Monica Bickerstaff Riley, the President of WGC-LV revealed, "St. Jude's has a special place in my heart and we walked for the kids. September was children's cancer awareness month and no donation was too big or too small. Thank you to our sponsors, We NEEDED YOU!

The Chapter is still asking for donations as your gift could help provide:



$10 could help St. Jude provide a new toy for hospital play areas or recreational areas at St. Jude housing facilities.

$30 could help provide a family with meals for one day in the Kay Kafe, the St. Jude cafeteria.

$100 could help provide a platelet count test for two patients.

Click here to make a donation. When you donate to St. Jude you join others like Ariana Grande, Betty White, Mark Cuban and Kourtney Kardashian.

The LV Chapter also hosted their FIRST English 101/Literature Course on the Harlem Renaissance at The College Of Southern Nevada (CSN) with over 20 youths in attendance. Dr. Monica again revealed how helping children is a focus in her chapter and stated. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! A Huge Thanks To Our Founder, Dame Shellie Hunt, For Donating 25 Signed Copies Of Her Bestseller: "The Faces Of Feminine Power," all the students were grateful and happy to read it.

WGC is an international non-profit, social impact organization whose impact has crossed into multiple continents, creating a continually growing international network of members. WGC consistently participates in educational initiatives, business networking events, and national and international projects of betterment through a variety of different programs, missions, and leadership practices. WGC members work together in business, power, and spirit to provide a better world for women, children, and all humankind.

Women of Global Change has been honored by the U.S. Senate and has received five White House awards for the social impact projects it has completed. WGC has a positive impact on communities across the United States and internationally because of the commitment of each region's Chapter President and their teams. Today, WGC focuses its efforts on international and national service opportunities with over 50,000+ families served globally.

Dame Shellie Hunt the founder of WGC encourages chapters to work together as there is strength in numbers. Being able to touch the lives of children positively has the power to create change for generations. Serving each area based on their specific need and having projects guided by the passion of a chapter president and their team is what makes WGC such a successful organization. Connect with WGC at http://www.thewomenofglobalchange.com as we look for more regional and international Chapter Presidents to shine bright and make a difference in their communities.

For the month of October, the Las Vegas Chapter is raising awareness against the fight against breast cancer. It is still the #2 cause of death in women. And, women of color die at a 40% higher rate! Studies show us that the underlying cause of this malignant cellular migration is STRESS! To register for their next upcoming educational in-person event on how to decrease stress, click here.
Premium online access is only available tosubscribers. If you have an active subscription and need to set up or change your password, please click here

New to PW? To set up immediate access, click here.

NOTE: If you had a previous PW subscription, click here to reactivate your immediate access. PW site license members have access to PWs subscriber-only website content. If working at an office location and you are not "logged in", simply close and relaunch your preferred browser. For off-site access, click here. To find out more about PWs site license subscription options, please email Mike Popalardo at: mike@nextstepsmarketing.com.
The Herbert Newby McCoy Award

The Herbert Newby McCoy Award was established in 1964 by Mrs. Ethel Terry McCoy in honor of her husband, a distinguished Purdue University alumnus. A native of Richmond, Indiana, Herbert Newby McCoy studied chemistry at Purdue, earning a BS degree in 1892 and an MS degree in 1893. He received his PhD from the University of Chicago in 1898. McCoy spent the early part of his career as a professor of chemistry, teaching at Fargo College, the University of Utah, and the University of Chicago. He was awarded the Willard Gibbs Medal in 1937 for his contributions to the field of chemistry. During the latter part of his career, he was president of Carnotite Reduction Co. in Chicago, and vice president of Lindsay Light and Chemical Co., also in Chicago. He died in 1945 in Los Angeles.

To support her husbands lifelong interest in science, Mrs. McCoy designated that the Herbert Newby McCoy annual award go to a Purdue student or faculty member making the greatest contribution of the year to the natural sciences.

Nominations are invited from all faculty members. The recipient is selected by faculty representatives from the natural sciences and is approved by the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships and the President of the University.

The Herbert Newby McCoy Lecture has been established to honor the award winner and to present to the Purdue community the nature of the research and its contribution to the field of natural sciences.

The Award

The Herbert Newby McCoy Award consists of a monetary prize of $4,000 plus an additional contribution of $7,000 to support the research of the recipient.

The recipient of the Herbert Newby McCoy Award is notified by the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships.

Recipients

View Recipients

2022 Nominations

Any student or faculty member who has made a recent major impact in the natural sciences is eligible for the award, regardless of college/school or departmental affiliation. The McCoy Award is intended to honor a recent past achievement(s) of major scientific impact; the award is not a lifetime achievement award.

Eligibility, instructions, and review process
Towards the end of the conversation, Purdue President Mithc Daniels invites Steve Koonin to field five student questions.
If you're interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here.

Submit
Among a visible police and fire department presence, Purdue President Mitch Daniels hosted physicist and climate science author Steve Koonin as part of his Fall Presidential Lecture Series. Koonin has caused controversy among Purdue's student body, with some arguing against his beliefs regarding climate change and pleading with Purdue to cancel this lecture.

During his talk Tuesday night, Koonin discussed fundamental errors found in models and simulations that are currently used to study climate change. According to Koonin, models can only study small regions at a time and use assumptions that may be fine-tuned to lead to preferred results. Additionally, he said some scientists do not include a period in the early 20th century that had similar global temperature increase as the period currently occuring.

Close
Hundreds of Purdue students gathered together at Slayter Hill for the #MeToo protest coordinated by Grace Gochnauer, Sarah Whitaker, Beth Kelle and Charlotte Russell. The march and subsequent candlelight vigil was held to spread awareness and support of sexual assault survivors and to hold perpetrators of sexual violence accountable.

Close
WOULD I WRESTLE IN SAUDI ARABIA, USING PUNK, IS REIGNS JEALOUS AND MORE

You can send us questions for the PWInsider.com Q and A at pwinsider@gmail.com.

So I read the Q and A about Punk coming back and pacing himself, not going 100 miles an hour and something Jim Cornette said got me wondering about the other side of it, that hes not pacing himself enough, or Tony Khan isnt pacing him enough. Theres an idea that Punk wrestling competitive 15 minute matches with mid carders regularly is going to eat away at his drawing power and his aura. Your thoughts on that?

I think there is merit in the statement. Punk is a star and if I am booking him, I go in that direction with him. I think it's admirable that he wants to work with everyone and help younger talents. I think there is plenty of time to do that down the line. From here on, I would book him more like Khan booked Jericho when AEW started.

In your opinion, who is a bigger star, CM Punk or Roman Reigns?

I always go with who is the top star for the bigger company so at this moment, it's Reigns. I love all of the progress that AEW has made but right now, WWE is still the top dog.

With all the comments Roman Reigns has said about CM Punk since his return, especially recently, do you sense a hint of jealousy from Roman?

No, not at all. Reigns is one of the few people in WWE that largely gets to set his own course. He has nothing to be jealous of where Punk is concerned. To me, his comments come across as him saying what Vince McMahon wants to hear, kind of like when John Cena was spouting off about The Rock's path to Hollywood before eventually doing the same thing himself.

Instead of Hell in a Cell, Rollins and Edge should compete in a Saudi Embassy Basement Match. Winner leaves in one piece, loser leaves in several. Too on the nose for that country?

That sounds pretty dead on, pun not intended, to me.

If you were a WWE wrestler, would you agree to go to Saudi Arabia?

Honestly? No, I wouldn't. I would never even step foot in the country. Their repression of their people is something that goes against everything I believe in so I wouldn't be a party to any show held there. I realize that the show is also for the people, many of whom don't share the regime's views, but that would not be enough to get me to go there.

You can send us questions for the PWInsider.com Q and A at pwinsider@gmail.com.

If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
The two programmes, a TV Accelerator and Games Accelerator, are looking for TV indies and games studios keen to achieve scale and develop their business.

Indielab West Yorks is delivered in partnership with Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP) and aims to support the growth of the screen sectors in West Yorkshire.

The TV Accelerator is open to 10-to-15 early and mid-stage West Yorkshire-headquartered content creators working in TV, as well as social content, film and animation. The programmes, which represent a first for the region, have been designed to facilitate and accelerate the growth of West Yorkshires creative sector by enabling companies to hone their USP and business vision and explores the growth opportunities that are specific to their businesses.

This is an exciting day for the creative industries across West Yorkshire. This fantastic new initiative, which we are extremely proud to support, is vital to the success of the sector in harnessing and honing skills and boosting growth," said Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire. "Cross-sector knowledge share across content production businesses in tv production and games is an excellent way of building a connected and more buoyant ecosystem. By giving the people in these businesses the opportunity to focus on their objectives and drive their vision forward, we put the power in their hands to help us build an even more resilient content production sector.



Victoria Powell, Indielabs founder and programme director (pictured) said: The creative industries in West Yorkshire are at a pivotal moment as the government and broadcasters continue to deliver on nations and regions investment and the Levelling Up agenda. But as well as the abundance of opportunity out there in the UK and global markets there are significant challenges for small indies today, and these are the issues that these programmes are designed to address. In short, the launch of Indielab West Yorkshire and investment by Channel 4, the BBC, Sky and others in the region are creating significant opportunities for the local creative community, to the benefit of all.
Inside the 2021 College Free Speech Rankings

One of the great values of an American collegiate experience is that students have the chance to engage deeply with differing opinions. To this day, I am grateful for the cornucopia of people, traditions, views, and cultures that I was able to engage with two decades ago when I, then a fairly conservative Jewish teenager, left the East Coast to go West and to college at Stanford University.

I would be lying if I said that there were no evenings when I felt hurt, misunderstood, shocked, and angry when my ideas were challenged and came into conflict with others. But there were far more nights where I was able to connect, learn, and grow in ways unimaginable to me in high school. I certainly remember the frustrations and agony of being challenged, but I remember more powerfully the ecstasy of having my mind opened up to new ideas and changing my opinions when I heard someone or something new. My old dorm even hosted a speakers series where huge turnouts were common for guests on both the left and the right and no one shouted down anyone; we even hosted the frequently-protested Dinesh DSouza without incident.

While I, along with significant numbers of other students, did not like nor agree with the ideas shared by many of the speakers we heard, their perspectives were always worth hearing and then debating late into the night. Sadly, my undergraduate experience of being able to hear, respond to, and then reject or accept a plethora of views is under threat. Today, cancel culture runs rampant on our college campuses, and viewpoint diversity is no longer considered a sacred, core value in higher education.

Thanks to the largest data set ever compiled on students views toward free speech, we now know that students who attend the nations elite schools  those that purportedly thrive in the world of research, innovation and discovery  are actually more likely to try to cancel speech than their peers who attend lower-ranked educational institutions.

New data from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), RealClearEducation, and research firm College Pulse provide empirical insight into this issue. The just-released survey captures the voices of over 37,000 students at 159 colleges, and finds free speech on campuses in a dire state, painting a picture of college life in which shouting down speakers, limiting others from hearing diverse viewpoints, and even the use of violence to prevent speech are viewed as acceptable by many students.

Nationally, two-thirds of students believe there are cases where shouting down a speaker can be justified. This number is even higher at the nations elite schools. Looking at the top 20 colleges and universities ranked according to US News, which includes schools like Yale and Middlebury, close to three-quarters (72%) of students at such schools say there are cases in which trying to disrupt a speaker is justifiable. At schools ranked below 100, such as Texas Tech and the University of Central Florida, the number drops to 62%.

When asked about the acceptability of blocking ones peers from attending a campus presentation, 40% of students nationally state that there are cases where stopping their classmates from hearing someone elses views can be justified. In comparison, 50% of students at the top 20 schools think such behavior is justifiable. The numbers drop from there: 41% of those between schools ranked 41-75, such as Penn State and Syracuse University, believe blocking peers from hearing a speaker is acceptable. Just over a third (35%) of students enrolled in schools ranked below 100  schools which include New Mexico State, and Georgia State  feel there are cases where blocking their peers is acceptable.

Finally, almost a quarter (23%) of students nationwide believe violent acts could be justifiable to prevent speech. This alarmingly high figure is even higher at the nations elite colleges. Thirty percent of students at the top 20 colleges and universities think there are cases where violence is acceptable. The number drops notably for schools ranked below 100, schools which include the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Central Florida  where only 20% accept violence as a means to stop speech.

The data are clear: the more elite the school, the more likely that its students are willing to silence speech. For elite, academically minded schools, this is not only a complete repudiation of their very mission and reason for existence, but is also deeply saddening to watch as a professor. The impulse to cancel in the name of woke, identity-laden, progressive values, is preventing students from growing and learning how to connect with others in a world of real and valid differences.

By coddling students and allowing woke administrators to set the agenda, elite schools are depriving students of a genuine educational experience  one that should be both joyous and, at times, uncomfortable; one filled with ample speech, debate, and discourse.
Texas could surpass California and become the nations dominant solar energy producer by 2030.Achieving this goal will take hard work, smart policies, and better grid connectivity. We must ensure that Texas energy continues to lead the nation and the world: its time for Texas to ride the alternative energy megatrend.

Alexander Mirtchev writes perceptively of The Alternative Energy Megatrend: The ongoing technological revolution bolsters expectations of turning alternative energy from a dream of clean, limitless, and affordable energy into a technologically feasible, commercially viable, and environmentally friendly solution.This paradigm shift could benefit Texas, which enjoys some of the worlds best solar and wind resources. As Mirtchev notes, solar power has the highest theoretical power generation capacity of all renewables.

Texas is already the nations leader in renewable wind capacity, oil and gas production, and refining capacity. Texas trails California in solar capacity, however. The Golden State currently enjoys about 13.4 Gigawatts (GW) of installed, utility-scale PV solar, while the Lone Star State registers only about 5.6 GW, according to the EIA. Texas is poised to rapidly catch up, however: as Texas plans to add about 11.7 GW of new utility-scale solar; California only has in 6 GW in queue. Texas and California are in a competition to determine the solar energy industrys future capital. Do we want solar firms to place their headquarters in Los Angeles and San Francisco, or Houston and Dallas?

The choice is clear: Texas needs to lead the solar revolution. But how? First, Texas shouldnt use the tax code to subsidize oil and gas . While theres a strong economic and social argument for using the tax code to lower emissions and save lives from pollution, these arguments do not apply for hydrocarbon production. Austin legislators should not make hard-working Texans subsidize inefficiency, waste, and pollution.

Second, the state should become a leader in solar-related research, especially storage technology. Solar can only provide electricity during daylight hours, necessitating the ability to store electrons over days and seasons. Storage technology is not a pie-in-the-sky solution: Texas alone has about 1.8 GW of battery storage capacity in development (versus Californias 4.3 GW).Turning Texas into the Silicon Valley of storage technology wont be easy, but the state has already managed to attract some high-end technology, including a Tesla giga factory and, potentially, a Samsung chip factory.

Third, the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the rest of the country need to dramatically expand inter-state and intra-state transmission lines. Solar generation faces economic curtailment, or when output is reduced to balance supply and demand, and physical curtailment, or when the grid cant absorb all the electrons.

Transmission lines can help mitigate solars economic and physical curtailment problems. According to Mirtchev, a lack of adequate transmission infrastructure poses a substantial challenge for the widespread applicability of alternative energy. Greater intra and inter-state transmission connectivity would allow Texas to ship excess solar generation to other states, or even export electricity to Mexico. Connecting ERCOT to the national grid would also improve Texas resiliency, limiting the risk of another disastrous outage.

The Texas solar industry spurs billions of dollars in investment, supports tens of thousands of good-paying jobs for Texans, especially in rural communities, and could help to lower local and state property taxes. Most importantly, the solar industry is only getting started. If Texas can work hard, design the right free-market frameworks, and enhance transmission connectivity, we can ensure that Texas  and not California  remains the energy capital of America and rides the alternative energy megatrend off into the sunset.

Joe Webster is an energy consultant based in Houston, TX. He has consulted for both clean energy and hydrocarbon companies. This article represents his own personal opinion.
President Biden implores us that climate change is an existential threat to humanity. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry preaches to us that [t]he climate crisis as a whole is a national security threat because it is disruptive to the daily lives of human beings all over the world. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez warns us that in 2030, the world is going to end  if we dont address climate change.

Hold on to your wallet. The Lefts global warming Chicken Littles insist that the sky is falling but dont want you to know six key facts.

First, in his new book Unsettled, Obama Administration Department of Energy chief scientist Steven Koonin shows that the models relied upon by the Left to predict future global warming are so poor that they cannot even reproduce the temperature changes in the 20th century.

If these models cannot reproduce past temperatures already known when the models were developed, how can they possibly reliably predict temperatures decades into the future?

Second, Koonins book also documents that the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes own analysis indicates that any negative economic impact that global warming eventually may have will be so modest that it warrants no action.

Third, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the UN IPPC do not claim that a link has been established between global warming and natural disasters.

In 2020, the NOAA stated: it is premature to conclude with high confidence that increasing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations from human activities have had a detectable impact on Atlantic basin hurricane activity, and changes in tropical cyclone activity  are not yet detectable.

The UN IPPC, the Wall Street Journal reported, says that it too lacks evidence to show that warming is making storms and flooding worse.

Fourth, as the earths temperature has risen, natural disasters have become far less deadly.

Since 1920, the planets temperature has risen by 1.29 degrees Celsius and world population has quadrupled from less than two billion to over seven and half billion  yet EM-DAT, The International Disaster Database, reports that the number of people killed by natural disasters has declined by over 80 percent, from almost 550,000 per year to less than 100,000 per year.

Fifth, some of the worlds best scientists believe that global warming will be beneficial rather than harmful.

In 2017, a group of eminent scientists  such as Richard Lindzen of MIT and William Happer of Princeton  wrote that [o]bservations [over the last] 25 years  show that warming from increased atmospheric CO2 will be benign.

Carbon dioxide, they noted, is not a pollutant but a major benefit to agriculture and other life on Earth.

Sixth, global warming saves lives. A study published in 2015 by the British medical journal The Lancet found that cold kills over 17 times more people than heat.

This study by 22 scientists from around the world  which examined over 74 million deaths in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States in 1985-2012, the largest dataset ever collected to assess temperature-health associations reported that cold caused 7.29 percent of these deaths, while heat caused only 0.42 percent.

And small changes in the temperature matter: moderately hot and cold temperatures caused 88.85 percent of the temperature-related deaths, while extreme temperatures caused only 11.15 percent.

We must not let the Left bully us into draconian action with unfounded claims of a looming climate catastrophe. Know the facts. Global warming is not a problem.
Liberal democracy just suffered a major loss, and most Americans dont even know about it.

The recent decision of the World Bank to discontinue the Doing Business report departs wildly from the substantive yet relatively modest recommendations of the independent review it cited to explain the news. Despite 15 consecutive years of democratic decline around the world, the World Bank has summarily eliminated one of the most effective means of encouraging the adoption and preservation of liberal democratic institutions.

I have witnessed the true downstream impact on people on the receiving end of reform that came in response to the Doing Business rankings. I have met them personally. Ending this report is a colossal mistake.

In March 2019, I traveled to South Asia, filming short documentaries featuring real people whose lives have been transformed thanks to market-liberalizing reformsand those who struggled in poor regulatory environments. In the Muslim-majority neighborhood of Zakir Nagar in Indias capital, I met with Zubair Ahmed to learn about his digital marketing agency.

Zubair first tried his luck at starting his company in 2014 but was prevented from doing so because of Indias minimum capital requirement, which forced would-be entrepreneurs to deposit 111.2% of per capita income in order to register a business. To put that in an American context, you would need the equivalent of $37,923 in a bank account just to formally launch a business. The minimum capital requirement in India was a driving force behind the size of its informal economy, with certain projections estimating that 85% to 93% of the countrys workforce operated in the shadows.

Zubairand tens of thousands more would-be entrepreneurscould not conduct business solely because of this requirement. When a firm operates illegally, it has no access to finance. It cannot grow. Potential is capped, and the poorest of the poor are those who suffer the most.

Thankfully, an independent think tank called the Centre for Civil Society chose to use the Doing Business report to structure its market reform proposals, and in 2017 the law changed. The minimum capital requirement was removed. Zubair incorporated AddtoGoogle in 2018. His company now employs a dozen workers. Where would they be without Doing Business?

North of New Delhi, in Dehradun, we filmed the story of Rekha Dey, a woman who runs a company making pre-fabricated homes out of bamboo. This became possible when the Centre for Civil Society swept away another bad law: The 1927 colonial act that rather arbitrarily classified bamboo as a tree. (Botanically, bamboo is a grass.) By categorizing bamboowhich grows in abundance throughout Indiaas a grass, a whole market has been created for tens of thousands of indigenous Indians. More families are enjoying affordable and environmentally friendly housing because of Doing Business.

Its value transcends India. Lithuanias transition to a market economy has been smoother than some of its peers, but it lays claim to a large informal economy. The Lithuania Free Market Institute has published extensive research on the various factors that contribute to the economic activity taking place outside of applicable laws. It is no surprise that the regulatory and business climates loom large.

In September 2019, I trekked to the rural Lithuanian town of Zubiskes to meet Ona Raudeliuniene. Ona bakes traditional sakotis cakes to supplement her income as a librarian by 30% to 40%. She is able to sell these cakes thanks to a simple business license, renewed annually for 210 euros. Ona is one of 100,000 Lithuanians who take advantage of this basic license regime, which operates as a gateway out of the informal economy.

Across the news cycle, critiques of liberal democracy and market solutions are commonplace. But the World Banks Doing Business report served as a valuable reminder that the potential of economic opportunity is limitless in the right regulatory environments. The beneficiaries are real human beings with their own dreams of prosperity. There are now countless stories of people leading their own way out of povertywith dignity.

Doing Business has been one of the greatest forces for strengthening liberal democracy in recent decades, inspiring institutions that promote more equal market participation for historically marginalized low-income populations.

People like Zubair, Rekha, and Ona are catalysts in their communities. Doing Business helped us remember that they need opportunity, not World Bank loans, to thrive. Without Doing Business, the World Bank has shown it is less committed to their success, and to the ideals of liberal democracy that make their success possible.
Jessica Barden is a new mom.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 29-year-old British actress quietly welcomed her first child earlier this year.

Barden shared the news Tuesday on Instagram alongside a belly-baring photo.

"If I didn't reply to you and you felt like I was avoiding you it's because I was pregnant this whole year," Barden captioned the post.

"Thank you to everyone I worked with in Australia, I am so grateful I got to work pregnant and I couldn't of done it without everyone's care and support," she said. "I absolutely love being someone's mum. I will never post my child on here so this is still a meme account."

Actresses Sharon Horgan and Eline Powell were among those to congratulate Barden in the comments.

"Oh man congratulations. That's amazing good news and I'm delighted for you," Horgan wrote.

"Huge congratulations beauty!!!" Powell said.

FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS!

Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source!

Barden is known for playing Alyssa on The End of the F***ing World. She will star in an upcoming Netflix adaptation of the Karin Slaughter novel Pieces of Her.
Lifetime has set three new original movies for winter 2022 that star Amber Riley, LeToya Luckett and Tatyana Ali.

ADVERTISEMENT

Riley will be joined by Raven Goodwin in Single Black Female along with K. Michelle , who makes a special appearance.

Goodwin stars as the new host of an afternoon talk show who hires Riley as her new assistant. The new assistant is harboring a dark secret and wants to take over her boss' life. Shari Carpenter directs based of a script by Tessa Evelyn Scott and Sa'Rah L. Jones.

Luckett stars in Line Sisters, which follows a group of sorority sisters who reunite on the outer banks of North Carolina. Strange and inexplicable things start to happen to the sorority sisters, which threatens to unearth a deadly secret.

Kierra Sheard-Kelly, Ta'Rhonda Jones and Drew Sidora also star in Line Sisters, from director Tailiah Breon and based off a script by Jasmine S. Green and Scott Mullen.

Ali will be taking on the dual role of twins in Vanished: Searching for My Sister. The film follows Ali as she takes matters into her own hands after her twin sister goes missing. Justin Bruening , Jasmine Guy, Carolyn Hennesy and Anthony 'Treach' Criss also star.

Tim Woodward Jr. directs Vanished: Searching for My Sister based off a script by Christina Welsh.

"We are so excited for these upcoming movies -- they are a rollercoaster ride full of suspense, secrets and scandals that our audience just cannot resist," Amy Winer, EVP and head of programming at Lifetime and LMN said in a statement.
CHARLEVOIX  A complaint detailing incidents that took place surrounding a Sept. 7 Board of Health meeting in Charlevoix was filed with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessels office.

The complaint was filed against the Health Department Northwest Michigan Board of Health by its own health Officer Lisa Peacock, who states she and her staff were subjected to aggressive, threatening behavior during the meeting and in emails, social media and phone calls before and after the meeting after posts made on Facebook by a health board member.

The complaint states the health boards actions endangered Peacock, her staff, and members of the public with its attempt to intimidate and bully her into rescinding a public health order issued Aug. 27 that requires masking in schools. The meeting lasted nearly seven hours and included four hours of public comment.

The latest on COVID-19 Continuing coverage of COVID-19 and its impact. If you have a question about the novel coronavirus pandemic and haven't been able to find an a

By state law, only the Michigan health officer and county health departments have the authority to issue public health orders, which cannot be undone by local health boards.

The complaint, filed Oct. 4, also accuses the board of violating the Michigan Open Meetings Act when members had discussions outside of a public venue that concluded in a written statement demanding that Peacock and HDNM medical director Dr. Josh Meyerson rescind the mask order at the Sept. 7 meeting.

The department has been in touch with the attorney representing Ms. Peacock and remains ready to take on cases, if appropriate, in which threats against public officials rise to criminal behavior, Lynsey Mukomel, press secretary from the Michigan Department of Attorney General said in an email statement.

Peacocks Detroit-based attorney, Sarah Prescott, said the complaint was likely leaked to the media. Prescott didnt say who she thought leaked it, but said only Peacock, the AGs office and health board members had copies of it.

The number of people who had it is pretty small, Prescott said, adding that Peacock didnt leak it and shes pretty sure the AGs office didnt.

According to the AG complaint there were three officers from the Charlevoix Police Department in the room who made no effort to maintain order and safety. The deputy chief of police could be seen talking and laughing with some of the main hecklers in the room, it states.

Prescott said the Charlevoix Police Department opened an investigation into the incidents after a complaint was filed by Peacock with that department, which has local jurisdiction.

Its in the hands of the law enforcement, Prescott said, declining to comment on the case itself. What needs to take place is everybody needs to do their job  the police, the board of health, the attorney generals office.

Peacock declined to comment, saying the case is part of an ongoing investigation.

Antrim County Commissioner Jarris Rubingh sits on the Board of Health. He voted in favor of a motion to rescind the mask order and leave masking decisions to parents and local schools, even though the health department attorney explained that the board was violating the Constitution by not upholding state laws.

The motion passed 6-1, with board Chair Karen Bargy voting no. Board member Shirley Roloff left the meeting before the vote was taken.

Rubingh denies seeing any aggressive or threatening behavior toward Peacock or health department staff at the meeting, though he said people were passionate.

When you get excited about something you sometimes say things you later regret, Rubingh said.

According to the complaint, social media posts, emails, voicemails and recordings of public meetings have been retained.

When asked about Peacocks complaint filed with the AGs office, Rubingh said it seems a little strange to me that you would file a complaint against the people that you work for.

Two Board of Health members have resigned since the controversial meeting took place.

Dave Bachelor, an Emmet County commissioner, wrote that he was stepping down due to the current environment, adding that career, family and health commitments require him to discontinue as a health board member.

David White, also an Emmet County commissioner, said he was resigning after much consideration.

I have served almost three years and until recently it has been very rewarding, White wrote, adding that its time for another commissioner with a fresh perspective to represent the county.

The two resignation letters were received through a Freedom of Information Act request. Neither Bachelor or White returned calls for comment.

Peacock stated she did not count the people in the library conference room where the meeting was held, but said the number likely breached the fire marshals order. Many also ignored masking and social distancing guidelines, she stated, which put everyone at risk of exposure.

The public called for Peacocks resignation several times during the meeting, the complaint states, with one calling her a criminal against humanity and others accusing her of violations of the Nuremberg Code written post-World War II.

The OMA violation claim stems from an email Peacock states she and Meyerson got from health board member Rob Pallarito, an Otsego County commissioner, demanding that the mask order be rescinded immediately and that Peacock present the rescission to the board of health at the Sept. 7 meeting, according to the complaint.

The email statement was signed by Pallarito and four board members  Rubingh, Bachelor and Scott Hankins of Charlevoix  with a fifth member discussing the demand via phone and violating the OMA, which says all board business must be conducted in full view of the public, the complaint states.

It was very clear from the discussion at the meeting and the alignment of the letter sent to Dr. Meyerson and myself after the order was issued that there was a great deal of discussion between some board members outside of the open meeting to bring this surprise action item to the meeting on 9/7/21 for a vote, Peacock wrote.

The emailed statement was also posted on Facebook by Pallarito, as well as posts encouraging the public to stand up to Peacock and what he called her overreaching order, the complaint states.

Pallarito declined to comment.
About the author: Dan Hawkins is currently the village manager for the Village of Kingsley and formerly the township supervisor for Blackman Township in Jackson County. He earned a masters degree in public administration from Eastern Michigan University.

About the forum: The forum is a periodic column of opinion written by Record-Eagle readers in their areas of expertise. Submissions of 500 words or less may be made by emailing letters@record-eagle.com. Please include biographical information and a photo.
The new map draft, which was created by the ACC Geospatial Information Office in conjunction with the county Board of Elections, would see changes to the boundaries of Districts 1, 2, 4, 7, 8 and 10.
While opposition to Georgia's new election bill has focused intensely on how it could suppress voting, it is other overlooked parts of the bill that are truly alarming.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Cloudy with rain and snow showers this evening. Clear overnight. Low 24F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 60%..

Tonight

Cloudy with rain and snow showers this evening. Clear overnight. Low 24F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 60%.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Snow showers around this evening. Clearing skies later. Low 23F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 40%..

Tonight

Snow showers around this evening. Clearing skies later. Low 23F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 40%.
STAMFORD  By definition, people expect parades to move. Still, the Downtown Special Services District bets it can keep the festive spirit of Stamfords annual Thanksgiving celebration alive without the pivotal procession.

Instead of holding one of the countrys largest helium balloon parades, the city will host a stationary Parade Spectacular Park Party the Sunday before Thanksgiving. A sampling of the parades typical balloons  potentially including Paddington Bear, Clifford the Big Red Dog and the Very Hungry Caterpillar  will spend the day posted up at Mill River Park surrounded by the customary performers and marching bands.

While we had to cancel what would have been the 27th annual Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular last year, we are so happy that the patience and perseverance of our community will allow us to host this alternative event this year, Stamford Downtown President David Kooris said in a press release. Were confident that those who come Downtown will have an experience that matches their expectations in excitement and joy.

The DSSD expects the stationary spectacular to include approximately five balloons, along with marching bands, performers and, of course, Santa Claus. The entire event will run from noon until 3 p.m. but to accommodate pandemic precautions, the festivities will loop in hour-long segments.

Like in 2010, the Downtown Special Services District will also hold a Thanksgiving meal donation program with the nonprofit Person-to-Person to supplement this years celebration.

The park party marks the second major postponement for the traditional parade in as many years. The DSSD canceled its 2020 parade because of the pandemic since the event would have been out of compliance with Gov. Ned Lamonts limitations on outdoor gatherings at the time. Over the years, the parade, which started in 1993, has become one of Stamfords biggest attractions, featuring up to 30 balloons and drawing 100,000 people or more crowds.

And, the DSSD reassured, residents and parade fanatics can look forward to a future pandemic-free parade.

For those not yet comfortable in joining in the crowd, Kooris said, we look forward to bringing back the Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular in 2022.

veronica.delvalle@hearstmediact.com
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  A Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot an unarmed woman after she called 911 to report hearing a possible sexual assault behind her home is set to be sentenced on a lesser charge after his murder conviction was overturned in a case that drew widespread attention and was fraught with the issue of race.

Mohamed Noor was initially convicted of third-degree murder and manslaughter in the July 2017 fatal shooting of Justine Ruszczyk Damond, a 40-year-old dual U.S.-Australian citizen and yoga teacher who was engaged to be married. With his 12 1/2 year sentence for murder thrown out, he could be out on supervised release within months following Thursday's resentencing for second-degree manslaughter.

Last month, the Minnesota Supreme Court tossed out Noors murder conviction and sentence, saying the third-degree murder statute doesn't fit the case. The justices said the charge can only apply when a defendant shows a generalized indifference to human life, not when the conduct is directed at a particular person, as it was with Damond.

Experts say the ruling means the third-degree murder conviction against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin likely also will be tossed out but that would have little impact because Chauvin was also convicted of a more serious second-degree murder charge in the May 2020 death of George Floyd. He was sentenced to 22 1/2 years.

Noor testified at his 2019 trial that he and his partner were driving slowly in an alley when a loud bang on his police SUV made him fear for their lives. He said he saw a woman appear at the partners window and raise her right arm before he fired a shot from the passenger seat, across his partner, to stop what he thought was a threat.

Noor's remaining manslaughter conviction carries a sentence ranging from 41 to 57 months, with a presumptive sentence of four years, under state sentencing guidelines.

His attorneys, Tom Plunkett and Peter Wold, have asked for a 41-month term, saying the low end of the range would reflect Noors good behavior behind bars and the harsh conditions he's faced during several months in segregation from the general prison population. Legal experts expect prosecutors to seek a sentence at the top end of the range.

Noor, who was fired after he was charged, has already served more than 29 months. In Minnesota, defendants with good behavior typically serve two-thirds of their prison sentences and the remainder on supervised release. If Noor receives the presumptive four years for manslaughter, he could be eligible for supervised release around the end of this year.

If the judge agrees with the defense and sentences Noor to 41 months, he could be eligible for supervised release  commonly known as parole  right away, though in these situations defendants are typically briefly returned to prison to work out logistics of the parole.

Marsh Halberg, a Minneapolis defense attorney who is not connected to the case, predicted Judge Kathryn Quaintance would sentence Noor to four years. However, he said: The right thing to do would be to give him the low end  because hes been in solitary.

Noor has the right to make a statement at Thursdays hearing, though it was not immediately clear if he would. At his June 7, 2019, sentencing, he got emotional as he expressed regret for what he had done and apologized to Damonds family.

I caused this tragedy, and it is my burden, he said at the time, adding: I cant apologize enough and I will never be able to make up the loss that I caused to Miss Ruszczyks family.

Victims are expected to make statements. Prosecutors say Damonds family members, who came from Australia for the 2019 trial, will not appear in person but might appear live via video.

Damonds death angered citizens in the U.S. and Australia, and led to the resignation of Minneapolis police chief. It also led the department to change its policy on body cameras; Noor and his partner didnt have theirs activated when they were investigating Damonds 911 call.

Noor, who is Somali American, was believed to be the first Minnesota officer convicted of murder for an on-duty shooting. Activists who had long called for officers to be held accountable for the deadly use of force applauded the murder conviction but lamented that it came in a case in which the officer is Black and his victim was white. Some questioned whether the case was treated the same as police shootings involving Black victims.

Days after Noors conviction, Minneapolis agreed to pay $20 million to Damonds family. It was believed to be the largest settlement stemming from police violence in Minnesota to that point, with Mayor Jacob Frey citing Noors unprecedented conviction for the large settlement.

But the state Supreme Court ultimately ruled the murder conviction didn't fit the evidence. The decision devastated Damonds loved ones. Her fiance, Don Damond  she had been using his last name even though their wedding was a month away when she was killed  said at the time of the ruling: None of this can hurt my heart more than it has been, but now it truly feels like there has been no justice for Justine.

But others said said it was the right decision.

This shouldve never been allowed to go to trial on that (murder) charge, said Halberg. It may feel good to charge something like that because it sounds like you are being more zealous as a prosecutor, but the law doesnt fit.
MOSCOW (AP)  President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday ordered most Russians to stay off work for a week starting later this month amid rising COVID-19 infections and deaths, and he strongly urged reluctant citizens to get vaccinated.

The government coronavirus task force reported 1,028 deaths in the past 24 hours, the highest number since the start of the pandemic. That brought Russia's death toll to 226,353, by far the highest in Europe.

Putin said he supports the Cabinets proposal to introduce a nonworking period starting Oct. 30 and extending through the following week, when four of seven days are already non-working, including a two-day state holiday. In some regions where the situation is the most threatening, he said the nonworking period could start as early as Saturday and be extended past Nov. 7.

Our task today is to protect life and health of our citizens and minimize the consequences of the dangerous infection, Putin said in a video call with top officials. To achieve that, it's necessary to first of all slow the pace of contagion and mobilize additional reserves of the health care system, which is currently working under a high strain.

Russias daily coronavirus mortality numbers have been surging for weeks and topped 1,000 for the first time over the weekend amid sluggish vaccination rates, lax public attitudes toward taking precautions and the governments reluctance to toughen restrictions. Only about 45 million Russians  roughly a third of its nearly 146 million people  are fully vaccinated.

The nonworking period should help limit the spread by keeping people out of offices and off crowded public transportation, but Moscow and many other cities havent curbed access to restaurants, cafes, bars, theaters and gyms.

When the Cabinet proposed the measure Tuesday, many Russians rushed to book flights to Black Sea resorts to take advantage of the break.

Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, who leads the task force, emphasized that the nonworking week should imply limiting access to restaurants, theaters and other entertainment venues, adding that regional authorities will be expected to impose restrictions.

She particularly urged Russians to refrain from traveling to other regions during the period and emphasized the need for relatives of those infected to stay home.

It wasnt immediately clear what private businesses would be required to stop working in line with Putins decree, in addition to state workers and employees of state-owned companies. During a similar measure early in the pandemic, many private and state-owned companies in vital economic sectors were allowed to keep operating.

The Cabinet has drafted measures on compensation to businesses to help absorb the economic blow, including one-time payments equivalent to a minimum monthly pay per worker and low-interest credits.

In urging Russians to get the shots, Putin said it's a matter of your life and security and the health of your dear ones.

There are only two ways to get over this period  to get sick or to receive a vaccine, he said. "It's better to get the vaccine. Why wait for the illness and its grave consequences? Please be responsible and take the necessary measures to protect yourself, your health and your close ones.

The Russian leader, who got the domestically developed Sputnik V vaccine earlier this year, said he's puzzled by the vaccine hesitancy, even among his close friends, who told him they would get the shot after he does and then kept delaying it.

I can't understand what's going on, Putin said. We have a reliable and efficient vaccine. The vaccine really reduces the risks of illness, grave complications and death.

He approved a Cabinet proposal giving two days of paid leave to those getting the shot to help encourage vaccination.

Even though Russia in August 2020 became the first country in the world to authorize a coronavirus vaccine and has plentiful supplies, there has been reluctance among its citizens to get the shots, a skepticism blamed on conflicting signals from authorities.

While extolling Sputnik V and three other domestic vaccines, state-controlled media often criticized Western-made shots, a message that many saw as feeding doubts about vaccines in general.

Golikova emphasized that most of those who have died recently were unvaccinated. She said 87% of hospital beds allocated for COVID-19 patients are filled, with the number reaching 95% in some provinces.

Rising infections forced some regional authorities to suspend certain medical services as health care facilities were focusing on coronavirus patients. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted the situation is very sad, noting that the level of vaccination in those regions was particularly low.

Putin warned regional leaders against trying to embellish statistics, saying a high number of new infections doesn't mean poor work" by the authorities. It shows the efficiency of regional teams, not the other way round," he said.

Until now, the Kremlin ruled out a nationwide lockdown like the one early in the pandemic that dealt a heavy blow to the economy and sapped Putins popularity, instead empowering regional authorities to decide on local restrictions.

Many of Russias 85 regions already have restricted attendance at large public events and introduced digital codes proving vaccination or past illness for access to restaurants, theaters and other venues. Some have made vaccinations compulsory for certain public servants and people over 60.

In Moscow, however, life has continued as usual, with restaurants and movie theaters brimming with people, crowds swarming nightclubs and karaoke bars, and commuters widely ignoring mask mandates on public transportation even as ICUs have filled.

Medical workers expressed bewilderment over the vaccine skepticism and lax attitude to precautions. I think about sleepless nights when we get a huge number of patients who didnt even bother to use banal protective means, said Dr. Natavan Ibragimova of Moscow's Hospital No. 52, where an ICU was filled to capacity.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said unvaccinated people over 60 will be required to stay home. He also told businesses to keep at least a third of their employees working remotely for three months starting Oct. 25.

Dr. Catherine Smallwood, the COVID-19 incident manager at the World Health Organizations European branch, said vaccination levels at or below 30% in Russia and eastern European countries like Bulgaria and Romania were particularly concerning.

Its very clear that in countries that have lower vaccine uptake, thats where were seeing the serious pandemic effects at the moment in terms of deaths and people ending up in hospital, she said.

The government task force has registered more than 8 million total infections and its official COVID-19 death toll ranks Russia as having the fifth-most pandemic deaths in the world, behind the United States, Brazil, India and Mexico.

However, state statistics agency Rosstat, which also counts deaths in which the virus wasnt considered the main cause, has reported a much higher death toll  about 418,000 as of August.

___

Associated Press writers Jamey Keaten in Geneva and Kostya Manenkov in Moscow contributed.

___

Follow APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Tennessee lawmakers on Wednesday committed to spending nearly $900 million on state incentives, infrastructure upgrades and more as part of a sweeping plan with Ford Motor Co. to build an electric vehicle and battery plant near Memphis.

It took the Republican-led General Assembly just three days to sign off on the economic package after Gov. Bill Lee called them back to the Capitol for a special legislative session that was supposed to focus solely on the Ford deal.

It's exciting to think what it might mean for the next generation of Tennesseans, particularly those in rural West Tennessee, Lee told reporters shortly after the General Assembly advanced the incentive package. There are a few days that feel as significant and as important as today.

Despite the governor's directive, some Republicans attempted to jam a number of measures that would undermine protective measures against the COVID-19 outbreak. Those attempts were ultimately unsuccessful after Senate leaders announced the bills would not receive a hearing. The push won't be dead for long, though, because Republicans mustered enough support to bring the legislature back in Nashville next week to consider a slew of changes in opposition to COVID-19 requirements.

About 10 lawmakers voted against or abstained from voting on the Ford bills.

Ford and South Korean battery maker SK Innovation announced last month that they would spend $5.6 billion to build a factory to produce electric F-Series pickups. The project, located near the small town of Stanton in rural Haywood County, is expected to create about 5,800 new jobs at the West Tennessee megasite by 2025.

When the Ford deal was initially announced, Lee said Tennessee offered $500 million in incentives to help secure the 3,600-acre (1,457-hectare) project. That dollar amount jumped drastically this week when Lee's administration unveiled plans to spend hundreds of millions more on improving the megasite.

Around $138 million has been budgeted for infrastructure and demolition work at the site, including the $52 million announced by the governor this summer before the Ford project was announced. Another $40 million has been proposed to build a new technical college in Haywood County. Another $200 million would be spent on road projects.

The massive investment in the Western Tennessee site sparked praise among Democratic lawmakers who noted the area containing the state's largest Black population had been long ignored by Tennessee's leaders.

We need to think about the union jobs that will be created in rural Tennessee to lift people out of poverty," said House Minority Leader Karen Camper, a Democrat from Memphis. "This was great, this was the first step in where we want to go...we look forward to the thriving economy that's going to come as a result of (Ford) coming here."

Republican lawmakers pointed out that Ford's commitment was further evidence of Tennessee's business friendly policies. Along with Ford, gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson said it would move its headquarters to Tennessee after company officials said legislative proposals in their current Massachusetts would prohibit them from manufacturing certain weapons.

If you compare their northern cities to our southern cities...if you compare all these great companies like Ford Motor Co. and Smith and Wesson coming down South, I think I can tell my grandson the war between the states is still going on and were winning, said Republican Sen. Frank Niceley.

Yet even with Republican support, some GOP members raised concern that Ford's employees will eventually vote for union membership. Multiple lawmakers unsuccessfully attempted to insert language that would force any offer to join the United Auto Workers union by secret ballot.

Currently, Fords national contract with the UAW pledges that the company will remain neutral when the union tries to organize any new factories. It will agree to card check sign-up efforts, which let unions recruit workers to sign cards saying they want to be represented. Once 51% of workers sign on, the plant becomes union.

Before landing the Ford project, Tennessee had invested more than $174 million in the megasite but struggled to lure the big tenant it wanted. Haywood County, meanwhile, saw its population shrink by 4.9% to 17,864 people from 2010 to 2020, one of 14 counties to lose population as Tennessee grew as a whole by 8.9%, according to census data.

Lawmakers also signed off on a new authority to oversee the megasite, which officials say still has another 500 empty acres to market to companies.

What records will be made public or kept secret from the new organization has drawn some scrutiny. For instance, the agency would have the power to keep confidential for five years any sensitive documents whose release would interfere with the groups mission.

Tennessee Coalition for Open Government Executive Director Deborah Fisher said the exemption is overly broad. Members of Lee's administration said the policy mirrors what his Department of Economic and Community Development can already do under state law.
WINSTED  As she continues to campaign for a third term in officer, Mayor Elinor Carbone shared her accomplishments with members of the Torrington-Winsted Rotary Club this week.

The Republican incumbent was joined by City Treasurer Dan Farley, who also is running for reelection.

Carbone, 64, was elected in 2013 and reelected in 2017. She said she grew up learning the importance of public service.

I view public service as a way to return, to give back all that me and my family have received, she said, adding that as a former paralegal, she developed a strong fiduciary responsibility in that role. Running for mayor made sense to me, Carbone said.

Carbone was born in Torrington and attended Torrington High School, where she met her husband, Gerard. She has an associate degree in medical assisting from Naugatuck Valley Community College. Prior to becoming mayor, Carbone worked in Litchfield as a probate paralegal.

The work she does in City Hall, she said, makes her the chief economic development official for Torrington, and she has found many ways use her skills to improve the citys business climate for new and existing owners. Helping them succeed, she said, involves many grant applications as well as promoting programs and incentives that will improve the town as a whole.

Before Carbone and Farkey spoke, club member and past president Matt Pagano delivered his weekly observations, part of the meetings weekly lineup, which included a half-joking complaint about Torringtons roads. The mayor talked about the citys road improvement plan first.

Carbone said one of her first efforts was to improve the citys sidewalks, both downtown and on East Main Street  an effort that now applies to areas throughout the city. It was then that she learned how to apply for funding, working with agencies including state departments including Transportation, Community and Economic Development and Energy and Environmental Protection.

We recognized that the work we needed to do wasnt progressing, so we created a long-range paving plan, in cooperation with utility companies, and presented it to the voters, Carbone said. I am proud that those voters recognized that plan needed support.

Carbone pointed to the citys recently updated blight ordinance, which has allowed her administration to work with property owners to either improve or sell old homes and buildings. We have an aging housing (and commercial building) stock in our town, she said. We have numerous industrial sites. ... Things werent moving forward.

In fact, the mayor said, the city had brownfield grant money it hadnt used yet. When I was elected in 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency was asking for grant money back, because they didnt think we were going to use it, she said. Nine months later, I got that funding committed. I established a relationship with property owners and the DECD. ... They were so impressed with that, that I was invited to speak about how we did it, at a conference in Chicago.

City Economic Development Director Rista Malanca recently invited property owners to apply for a newly established Facade and Building Improvement program, using money from the Building Healthy Communities grant.

Torrington received $750,000, a portion of which is going to local businesses for new sidewalks, signs and interior improvements. The program is part of Carbones plan to make downtown Torrington more appealing to visitors and residents. Another example of her efforts is the funding she obtained for Franklin Plaza, a riverfront park off East Main Street, which has been used for numerous public events since it opened in December 2020

During the Rotary event, members had a chance to look at new marketing materials the city is using as handouts during public events, inviting owners to come work with us, and potential residents to learn more about what the city offers.

The citys top business sectors are health care, construction, retail and manufacturing, according to the citys economic development department. Incentives for new and existing business to move in or expand include new zones for development, tax abatements and deferrals, small business programs, manufacturing innovation funding, exemptions for machinery and manufacturing, lending programs and the citys workforce investment board.

Carbone also addressed the issue of the long-empty Yankee Pedlar Inn, a landmark building on Main Street across from the Warner Theatre, which was sold to a hospitality company in 2015 and has not reopened. Torrington sued the owners earlier this year for abandoning the building, which had fallen into disrepair.

Im intimately aware of the destruction of the Yankee Pedlar property, she said. We took them to court  but the courts are designed to protect the property owners, so its going very, very slowly.

But I remain committed, to the end, to protect this property by any means, Carbone said.

Overall, the mayor said, Torringtons reputation as a city that welcomes new businesses and residents has improved tremendously.

For the first time, developers are calling us, she said. I am running because the voters need a resource-driven leader.
Lebanon, IN (46052)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 29F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 29F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
Shahid Kapoor's wife Mira Rajput Kapoor is among the active celebrities on Instagram. While she is known for her fitness and skincare videos, as well as the tips around it, her social media handle also feature some fun-filled posts. Her latest post was a reaction to Kanye West's decision to change his name.

The rapper got his request to formally change his name to 'Ye' approved by a court a few days ago. As 'Ye' means 'this' in Hindi, a netizens filmy reference to it left Mira in splits. She felt that it would be hard to beat that creation.

Mira Rajput Kapoor in splits after post on Kanye West aka Ye

A netizen created a fun-filled post about a situation of Kanye West informing someone about his name 'Ye' in Hindi. As per the statement, when he would say 'mera naam ye hai' (My name is Ye), the other person would ask what was the 'Ye.'

Out of frustration, the person would then say 'Arre Main Ye Hoon'(I am Ye), but even that would not work out as the response would be 'who was the 'Ye.' When the person would say it was 'Main' (him), the other person would ask 'Tum' (you?) The post ends with the ''main-tum-offo' reference from a song from the Akshay Kumar-Kareena Kapoor-Bobby Deol-Bipasha Basu movie Ajnabee.

Mira was so impressed that she put it on her Instagram stories. Her caption read, 'Some try and trump this.'

For the unversed, Kanye, who has referred to himself as 'Ye' in the past, and also had the name as the title of one of his albums, officially filed to change his name in August. He had cited 'personal reasons.' On Monday, a Los Angeles court approved the request of the name, without any middle or last name.

Meanhile, Mira is currently on a holiday in the Maldives with Shahid Kapoor. Both have been dropping pictures on Instagram and the latest was of them enoying a date night on the beach with the 'full moon' for company.

On the professional front, Shahid will next be seen in the movie Jersey, releasing on December 31.
Indian Institute of Technology- Guwahati is launching a new B.Tech programme in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence from the coming academic year. The first batch of 20 students will be admitted to IIT-Guwahati through the ongoing JEE Advanced 2021 counselling process and the institute looks forward to welcoming them along with an all-new batch of students to other undergraduate branches of the institute.

Key features of the course

This program is designed to be holistic in nature that will train students in topics related to Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI), with emphasis on relevant courses from other disciplines of science and engineering such as Computer Science, Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics. This DSAI programme will be offered by the newly established Mehta Family School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, IIT Guwahati, set up with generous support from the Mehta Family Foundation, Houston, Texas, USA, with a track record of having supported several institutes in the fields of education and healthcare.

Speaking about the programme, Prof. T. G. Sitharam, Director, IIT Guwahati, said, This new B. Tech. program on Data Science and Artificial Intelligence being offered by IIT Guwahati will be very attractive to train next generation Data Scientists and Technologists for future predictions in multiple domains of business, technology implementation, healthcare sector, disaster management, policy formulation and manage large data sets irrespective of the field they work in their careers. The vast opportunities that this field offers will fulfill the demands of having sufficiently qualified graduates to serve the nation in the future in areas requiring expertise in AI and Data Analytics.

"There is a growing demand for highly trained professionals in the fields of DSAI. This newly introduced B. Tech programme will emphasize extending training in both theoretical as well as practical perspectives. The training will prepare students to tackle cutting-edge challenges in areas of Big Data analytics and Management, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, AI, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, Finance, and IoT, among others," reads a press release shared by IIT.

In addition, the students will have the opportunity to earn a Minor in another discipline of the Institute. The program is expected to prepare the students to involve in major challenges emerging as a result of the business and innovation moving towards a more data-driven setup, contributing towards the growth of a new innovation-oriented India. Along with the highly talented newly recruited full-time faculty, many of the associated faculty members of the school have prior experience of nurturing the already existing M. Tech. programme in Data Science, being offered jointly, by the Departments of Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics and Electrical Engineering, and Mathematics. Apart from this, IIT Guwahati has a fully equipped infrastructure for the new B. Tech programme and the facilities are being augmented regularly.
India is set to highlight Pakistan's role at the ongoing Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting in Paris over its inaction against terrorism. According to sources, India will likely raise the issue of the recent terrorist infiltration attempts in Poonch. Moreover, the anti-money laundering watchdog will also review Pakistan's performance in prosecuting and penalising financing of terrorist groups operating from its soil such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and the Hizbul Mujahideen.

After a spate of targeted civilian killings in Kashmir, the Indian Army launched counter-insurgency operations in the forest belt of the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri. During the operations, nine soldiers have been martyred and the role of LeT-backed The Resistance Force (TRF) has also been highlighted in the recent killings of civilians. In addition, the CRPF and

J&K Police have rounded up more than 600 overground workers suspected to be linked to Hizbul Mujahideen and Jamaat-e-Islami.

Internet cut-off in Srinagar

Meanwhile, authorities in Srinagar ordered internet restrictions in areas where terrorists are suspected to be

holed up. The recent encounters in and around the outskirts of Srinagar, frequent cordon-and-search operations and

targeted killings have sent the security grid into a tizzy.

"The state police informed that they are adopting a three-pronged strategy to contain the current cycle of

violence. The security grid has been strengthened and groups responsible for the killings have been identified

while non-locals have been shifted to shelter camps," said a home ministry official.

Additionally, sources aware of the developments informed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit the Union Territory later this week and is expected to hold a review of developmental plans and a security audit with the UT administration.

Officials also said that the home ministry is likely to transfer the probe into the killings of civilians to the NIA

"The investigation in these killings indicates a definite pattern leading to the terror angle. Therefore, the

investigation may be assigned to the national anti-terror probe agency," said a J&K police official

Pakistan may remain on 'grey list' till FATF's next session: Media report

Meanwhile, in an embarrassing setback for Pakistan, the country is likely to remain on the 'grey list' of the FATF till the global money laundering and terror financing watchdog meets for its next session in April 2022, a media report has stated. According to the report, Pakistan is still short of meeting the FATF criterion and it further added that the global body's decision on putting Pakistan off the 'grey list' may be taken in the next session slated for April 2022.

Earlier in June, the FATF retained Pakistan on its 'grey list' for failing to check money laundering, leading to terror financing, and asked Islamabad to investigate and prosecute senior leaders and commanders of UN-designated terror groups, including Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar. It had also asked Pakistan to work to address its strategically important deficiencies. Back in 2018, Pakistan was placed on the grey list by the FATF and was given a plan of action to complete it by October, 2019.

Since then the country continues to remain in that list due to its failure to comply with the FATF mandates. The country's woes have loomed due to its position in the grey list. Pakistan is finding its increasingly difficult to procure financial aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Union. So far, Islamabad has dodged being on the blacklist with the help of China, Turkey and Malaysia.

With PTI inputs
India and the UK held a second multilateral dialogue on Monday, October 18, in London and agreed to work more closely and deepen the cooperation, said the Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday. While the Indian delegation was led by Prakash Gupta, Joint Secretary (UN Political), Ministry of External Affairs, the British side was led by Harriet Mathews CMB OBE, Deputy Political Director for UN, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

MEA said in its official release that the UK side congratulated India over its successful presidency of the United Nations Security Council in August this year. Both countries exchanged views of mutual interest pertaining to the UN reforms, counterterrorism, peacekeeping and climate action. Other discussions also took place on the Commonwealth Strategic Plan and priorities. The UK and Indian delegation agreed to continue to work closely to further elevate the cooperation on multilateral issues.

MEA statement read, The 2nd India-UK Multilateral Dialogue was held on 18 October 2021 in London...The UK side congratulated India on its successful presidency of the UN Security Council in August 2021. Discussions covered issues of mutual interest pertaining to UN reforms, counterterrorism, peacekeeping and climate action.

Both sides exchanged views on the Commonwealth Strategic Plan and priorities. The delegations agreed to continue to work closely to further deepen their cooperation on multilateral issues, it added.

India-UK Multilateral Dialogue

The 2nd India-UK Multilateral Dialogue on October 18, came just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Boris Johnson spoke on Monday, October 11. In a tweet following the phone call, PM Modi informed that both leaders discussed the progress made on the India-UK Agenda 2030 while exchanging views on the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, in Glasgow. Johnson and PM Modi also discussed the situation in Afghanistan which is rocked by socio-economic crisis amid Taliban takeover.

PM Modi informed, "Was a pleasure to speak to Prime Minister @BorisJohnson. We reviewed progress on the India-UK Agenda 2030, exchanged views on climate action in the context of the forthcoming COP-26 in Glasgow, and shared our assessments on regional issues including Afghanistan."

IMAGE: ANI/AP
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, on October 19, held a virtual quadrilateral meeting with his Israeli, American, and Emirati counterparts wherein he agreed to establish a joint forum for economic cooperation. According to a press release, Jaishankar, along with Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid, and UAE foreign minister, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, talked about possibilities of launching collaborative infrastructure programs in the field of transportation, technology, maritime security, economy, and trade. For this purpose, the leaders agreed on appointing senior-level officials to form a joint working group that would be tasked with formulating options on the aforementioned areas of cooperation.

Jaishankar is currently on a five-day official visit to the state of Israel and has already held talks with his zionist counterpart. Tuesdays meeting focussed on bolstering economic cooperation and infrastructure projects further. During the conversation, the Quartet of Foreign Ministers held a discussion on the possibility of joint infrastructure in the fields of transportation, technology, maritime security, economics & trade, and other joint projects, Yair Lapid's desk said in an online statement.

FM @yairlapid: Yesterday we held a Zoom meeting with @SecBlinken, @DrSJaishankar and @ABZayed and we decided to establish a 4 member international forum for economic cooperation. Around this forums table there is a unique array of capabilities, knowledge and experience pic.twitter.com/0NDnGlj8RN  Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 19, 2021

During the conversation, the Quartet of Foreign Ministers held a discussion on the possibility of joint infrastructure in the fields of transportation, technology, maritime security, economics & trade and other joint projects pic.twitter.com/l7KOhtJlzm  Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 19, 2021

Additionally, the four leaders deliberated upon other mutual issues of concern, including the expansion of economic and political cooperation through trade, energy sharing, tackling climate change and increasing maritime security. In a later press release, US State Department said, Secretary Antony Blinken and the Ministers also discussed people-to-people ties in technology and science, and how to support global public health in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, during the video meeting, Blinken also reiterated President Joe Bidens backing for the US-Brokered Abraham Accords between Israel and UAE and touted prospects of further cooperation.

Today, I met with Israeli Foreign Minister @yairlapid, Indian Foreign Minister @DrSJaishankar, and Emirati Foreign Minister @ABZayed about shared issues of concern in the region and globally, and the importance of expanding our economic and political collaboration. pic.twitter.com/imEIM1Cv5d  Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) October 18, 2021

Jaishankar visit Israeli Airfield

Meanwhile, Jaishankar visited the Ovda airfield in southern Israel on Tuesday and spoke with servicemen of the Indian Air Force who are taking part in the Blue Flag 2021 international exercise. He expressed his delight at witnessing the mutual respect and coordination between Indian and Israeli forces. He also emphasised the importance of defence and security in India-Israel relations. EAM Jaishankar announced that he went to Ovda Airbase to meet the Indian Air Force, who are participating in the Blue Flag exercise. According to him, he was pleasantly surprised to discover the mutual respect and synergy between Indian and Israeli Air Force personnel. Along with the tweet, he also shared four pictures of himself with the Indian Air Force.

Image: IsraelMFA/Twitter
In the latest development, Kashmir Inspector-general of police Vijay Kumar on Wednesday said that two terrorists who were involved in the murder of two Bihar migrants on October 17 in Wanpoh have been eliminated. One of the eliminated terrorists has been identified as Gulzar Ahmad Reshi, a Lashkar-e-Taiba commander.

"Police and Army have neutralised LeT district commander (Gulzar Ahmad Reshi) of Kulgam and one other, who were involved in killings of two labourers from Bihar on 17 October at Wanpoh," Kashmir IGP said.

Earlier in the day, two terrorists, including one associated with terror outfit The Resistance Front, were neutralised in the Dragad area encounter in Shopian. The terrorist was identified as Adil Ah Wani, the district commander of LeT-TRF.

"One of the killed terrorists has been identified as Adil Ah Wani, active since July 2020. He was involved in the killing of one poor carpenter namely Sakir Ah Wani at Litter, Pulwama. Wani was the District Commander Shopian of proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba's The resistance Force," he said.

Targeted civilian killings in Jammu & Kashmir

Over the past few weeks, there have been targeted attacks on civilians in Jammu and Kashmir, reportedly by Pakistan backed terrorists. On Sunday, two non-locals from Bihar- Raja Reshi Dev and Yoginder Reshi Dev- were shot dead in Kulgam. Earlier, a hawker from Bihar and a carpenter from Uttar Pradesh were assassinated. Of the 11 people, five were non-Kashmirs and the remaining were Kashmiri residents.

The targeted attacks started with the killing of prominent Kashmiri pandit Makhan Lal Bindroo outside his pharmacy in Srinagar. On the same day, a non-local street vendor a taxi driver were killed. A day later, two teachers were gunned down.

In retaliation, the security forces have launched a major crackdown on terrorists. Last week, the security forces eliminated five terrorists in a day in Shopian. Two were killed in encounters that went on for around two hours in the Feeripora area of the Shopian district. In another instance, three terrorists were killed including one who was responsible for civilian killing in Srinagar. Till now, more than 215 terrorists have been neutralised, the IGP informed.

(Image: ANI/PTI)
New Delhi, Oct 20 (PTI) The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) demanded on Wednesday that a fact-finding team of Indian parliamentarians should be sent to Bangladesh for a probe into the recent incidents of violence against Hindu minorities in the neighbouring country and its report be made public.

The saffron outfit also appealed to the Union government to "act tough" and exert adequate pressure on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government to ensure that the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh are not discriminated against and persecuted.

"The central government should send a fact-finding team of MPs to Bangladesh to conduct a full investigation into the persecution of the indigenous minority Hindus in Bangladesh and make its report public," a VHP statement quoted the outfit's joint general secretary Surendra Jain as saying.

Jain was addressing a protest, organised by the VHP, near the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi against the recent attacks on Hindu minorities and vandalisation of temples and Durga puja marquees in Bangladesh.

"The government of India does not stand so strongly against the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh as it does in similar situations in Afghanistan and Pakistan," the VHP leader said.

"Therefore, the government of India should act tough and exert all appropriate pulls and pressures on the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina so that any sort of persecution and discrimination of the indigenous minority Hindus of her country is proactively disallowed," he added.

Jain and VHP's Delhi unit president Kapil Khanna later called on the Bangladesh High Commissioner and handed a memorandum demanding that safety and security of the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh must be ensured, the saffron outfit said in the statement.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
A Sri Lankan delegation, including a Holy Relic entourage, departed on October 20 for the inaugural international flight to Uttar Pradeshs Kushinagar from Colombo. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Kushinagar International Airport near Lord Buddhas Parinirvana, on Wednesday, and it was marked by the landing of the inaugural Colombo flight. The flight carried the Sri Lankan delegation of more than a hundred Buddhist Monks, dignitaries and a 12-member Holy Relic entourage bringing Holy Buddha Relics for exposition.

The official handle of the High Commission of India in Colombo informed in a tweet on Wednesday that the historic journey commenced with the sacred Kapilavastu relics of Waskaduwa on board along with the blessings of the Ven Mahasangha. The Prime Ministers office has also informed in a statement that the Sri Lankan delegation comprises of Anunayakas (Deputy Heads) of all four Nikatas (orders) of Buddhism in Sri Lanka -- Asgiriya, Amarapura, Ramanya, and Malwatta -- and five ministers of the Government of Sri Lanka led by Cabinet Minister Namal Rajapakshe.

Additionally, prominent monks from Thailand, Myanmar, South Korea, Nepal, Bhutan, Cambodia and ambassadors of several nations also participated in the event to mark Abhidhamma Day. The event was organised by the Union Ministry of Culture, International Buddhist Confederation in association with the Uttar Pradesh Government. The Indian mission in Sri Lanka also hailed the new linkage in a centuries-old connection between both countries as the sacred Kapilavastu relics of Waskaduwa were carried in the inaugural flight from Colombo to Uttar Pradesh.

A historic journey commences with sacred #Kapilavastu relics of Waskaduwa on board and blessings of the Ven. Mahasangha!!! @GotabayaR @PresRajapaksa pic.twitter.com/OC3VQzzWZY  India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) October 19, 2021

"Buddhas relics, Mahasangha and Sri Lanka Cabinet minister Namal Rajapaksa depart on inaugural international flight to Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh)," tweets High Commission of India in Colombo pic.twitter.com/quz9fl3pKN  ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2021

New linkage in a centuries-old connection!!Inaugural international to the sacred city of #Kushinagar from #Colombo is all set to fly. Sacred #Kapilavastu relics of Waskaduwa also being carried . (1/2) pic.twitter.com/WRt13m7OuB  India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) October 19, 2021

Blessed to pay respects to The Buddhas relics and Mahasangha as they and Hon.@RajapaksaNamal depart on inaugural international flight to #Kushinagar. pic.twitter.com/cLTsxjCYyG  India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) October 19, 2021

Sri Lankan delegation led by Namal Rajapaksa

The Sri Lankan delegation which arrived at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is led by Cabinet Minister Namal Rajapaksa, son of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, currently serving as the Minister of Youth & Sports, Minister of Development Co-ordination and Monitoring and State Minister of Digital Technology and Enterprise Development. The delegation who arrived at the sacred city of Kushinagar from Colombo comprises of 100 senior Buddhist monks, four State Ministers and other senior officials.

The State Ministers include DV Chanaka, the State Minister of Aviation and Export Zones Development, Jeewan Thondaman, State Minister of Estate Housing & Community Infrastructure and son of late Minister Arumugam Thondaman, Sisira Jayakody, State Minister of Indigenous Medicine Promotion, Rural and Ayurvedic Hospitals Development and Community Health, and Vijitha Berugoda, State Minister of Dhamma Schools, Pirivenas and Bhikkhu Education.

Notably, the senior monks belong to different sects, prominent temples and represent 22 districts of Sri Lanka. The senior-most monk in the delegation is the Most Venerable Wedaruwe Upali Anu Nayaka Thero. Since Buddhism is central to the civilizational connection between India and Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Modi had announced a sum of $15 million to be invested for the promotion of bilateral Buddhist ties in September 2020.

It is pertinent to note that Kushinagar is already known for its heritage as the Lord Buddha breathed his last in the holy city while also attaining Mahaparirvana in the same place. Other sites of Buddhist significance are Sravasti, Kapilvastu and Lumbini are also nearby. These factors have attracted tourists from nations such as Thailand, Cambodia, Japan, Burma to Kushinagar, who come to offer daily prayers at the Mahaparinirvana Temple. This was also one of the several reasons why the international airport in Kushinagar was essential.

(Image: @IndiainSL/Twitter)
Kolkata, Oct 20 (PTI) The Trinamool Congress on Wednesday questioned the silence of the Union government on attacks on the Hindu population in Bangladesh and asked the BJP to refrain from pursuing "vulture politics" in Bengal by allegedly trying to fan communal sentiments.

Hitting back, the saffron party wondered if TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is generally ahead of others in tweeting posts on every issue, is keeping mum on the violence "to please her vote bank" in the state.

"Why is the union government, central ministers and even our prime minister are silent on the attack on Hindus in Bangladesh? All of us are concerned about what is going on in that country.

"Obviously, we need to maintain good relations with the Sheikh Hasina government, but that does not mean we would not speak out against the atrocities that are going on there," senior MP and TMC spokesperson Sougata Ray said.

It is shocking that nearly a week has passed, but not a single word was heard from the prime minister, though he had visited a temple in Bangladesh during the West Bengal assembly elections, Ray said.

The senior TMC leader was referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to a temple of the Matua community, which is politically significant in West Bengal, in March.

TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh accused the BJP's West Bengal unit of trying to fan communal sentiments in the state and asked the saffron camp to shun the culture of "vulture politics".

"Some of the BJP leaders is saying that the incident in Bangladesh will benefit the BJP. This means the BJP is the beneficiary of this atrocious attack on Hindus in Bangladesh. There should be a proper investigation on the role of the beneficiaries also," he said.

The BJP quickly hit back and wondered why Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had not uttered a single word condemning the incident.

"Why is Mamata Banerjee silent on this issue? Is it to please her vote bank in Bengal that TMC has turned a blind eye to the atrocities against the Hindus in the neighbouring country?" state BJP spokesperson Shamik Bhattacharya said.

Reacting to Bhattacharya's allegation, Roy said why would the chief minister of a state react to issues that could have implications on bilateral ties.

Last week, the Ministry of External Affairs noted that the government in the neighbouring country had reacted promptly to ensure that the situation is under control and said the Indian mission is in close contact with the Bangladeshi authorities over the matter.

Violence had erupted in pockets of Bangladesh over an alleged blasphemy incident at a Durga Puja pavilion at Cumilla, around 100 km from Dhaka, following which paramilitary forces were deployed in many affected areas. However, sporadic clashes broke out between the police and bigots as media reported the vandalization of Hindu temples and Durga puja venues.

At least five persons were killed, and scores of others were injured in the clashes.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said action will be taken again those trying to "disturb communal harmony".

She also said the perpetrators would be hunted down and punished. PTI PNT NN NN

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
The Milky Way galaxy is known for its violent history filled with repeated collisions. Over the Universe's 13.8-billion-year lifespan, the galaxy has subsumed multiple other galaxies and is continually merging with new smaller satellite galaxies. The galaxy is currently merging with the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy and the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. However, a group of astronomers has now found out that the ones being subsumed now has eaten another galaxy in the past.

A team of astronomers led by Alessio Mucciarelli of the University of Bologna in Italy has found evidence that the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is also a cannibal, which merged with another galaxy at some point in its past, which is yet to be learnt. According to the astronomers, the findings represent fascinating support for scientists understanding of how galaxies grow. The galaxies are believed to have grown by consuming other smaller galaxies.

Currently, the Magellanic Clouds orbit each other, and then together they orbit the larger Milky Way. The LMC is about twice the size of the Small Magellanic Cloud and has a total mass of up to 250 billion solar masses. Moreover, four to six small, ultra-faint galaxies have been associated with the LMC, which hints that the galaxy had many other smaller galaxies around it in the past.

Astronomers find proof on assembly history of galaxies

Astronomers in 2018 had found a small number of stars in the LMC orbit counter-clockwise to the grain, against the majority of the stellar flow. This was proof of a giant merger that took place between the galaxies in the ancient past. Now, the team led by Mucciarelli have found a globular cluster named NGC 2005, which comprise hundreds of thousands to millions of stars, tightly bound together by gravity into a spherical shape, with a dense concentration of stars in the centre.

The stars based on their same old age and chemical composition have been thought to be 'fossils' of the early Universe. This has led to hints unlocking the history of star formation. The Milky Way has around 150 such clusters, and the Large Magellanic Cloud has around 60 which powers the study that the galaxies have eaten smaller ones in the past.

Following the new finding, Mucciarelli and his colleagues have compared NGC 2005 to other such clusters and found that its chemical abundance ratios were wildly different from other clusters in the study. According to the researchers, NGC 2005 is the surviving witness of the ancient merger event that involved the Large Magellanic Cloud. The astronomers have claimed that the finding has opened a new way to investigate the assembly history of galaxies beyond the Milky Way.

Image: Twitter
The phenomenon of the Earth tilting on its axis every now and then is known to scientists, however, a new study published in the journal Nature Communications has suggested that these events happened much earlier than what is documented. With evidence found from millions of years old fossils in Italy, the study revealed that the Earth tilted to a massive 12 degrees nearly 84 million years ago, according to a report by The Swaddle. Experts say that the Earth tilts due to the "true polar wander" and this timeline shows that the tilting occurred while the dinosaurs still roamed the Earth. However, our planet quickly mended the mishap, says the study.

A True Polar Wander oscillation is shown between 86-78 Ma, based on a high-resolution palaeomagnetic record for a late Cretaceous limestone in Italyhttps://t.co/itOftIXeZV pic.twitter.com/6GkjM89HMF  Nature Communications (@NatureComms) June 16, 2021

What is the 'true polar wander' (TPW) theory?

According to the experts, this phenomenon occurs when the outer mantle and crust wobble and slide over the liquid metal core of the Earth, reported The Swaddle. Our planet Earth is made up of three layers namely the crust, mantle and core and it is the crust that is comprised of tectonic plates, the foundation of continents and oceans. What this theory suggests is that when the outer components ie. the crust and mantle rotate around the core as a result of wobbling which then causes a shift in the geographical poles and ultimately a tilt.

The findings

As part of the study, researchers analyzed limestone samples from Italy that dated back to 65.5 to 100 million years ago, which is also known as the Cretaceous period. Science Alert reported that the analysis of these samples pointed towards the occurrence of a TPW about 84 million years ago, which was way before the first documented evidence of an Earth's tilt. Moreover, the experts also stated that although our planet underwent this massive tilt, it recovered to its previous state just five million years later.

New findings challenge the previous one

This new evidence about the Earth's tilt during the dinosaur era challenges the notion that the Earth's spin axis has been stable over the last 100 million years and suggests that it may have started during the Cretaceous period. Calling the findings "refreshing", geophysicist Richard Gordon, from Houston's Rice University said that the study has gathered abundant data about the past events, as per The Swaddle.

Image: Unsplash
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) organisation which is at the helm of protests against attacks on Hindu temples in Bangladesh has now questioned Twitter after two of its accounts were apparently unavailable. Taking to the microblogging website, ISKCON has demanded Twitter to issue a clarification on why the accounts of ISKCON Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council are unavailable.

The demand was made by the organisation's Communications Director, Yudhistir Govinda Das. In another tweet, Das also questioned whether the accounts were removed due to pressure from the Bangladesh government. He also alleged that Hindu voices are being stifled amid an emergency.

We call on Twitter to clarify the reason on why @IskconBDH and @unitycouncilBD are currently unavailable: Yudhistir Govinda Das, ISKCON Communications  ISKCON (@iskcon) October 19, 2021

Twitter needs to explain why have they shut down @IskconBDH and @unitycouncilBD amidst the brutal attacks. Is this pressure from #Bangladesh government or @Twitter?



Why are Hindu voices are being silenced in the midst of an emergency. @Iyervval  Yudhistir Govinda Das (@yudhistirGD) October 19, 2021

Speaking to Republic Media Network, ISKCON Delhi Spokesperson Vrajendra Nandan Das called out Twitter's action and said that truth should not be hidden. In addition, he also informed that he will reach out to their Bangladesh counterparts and try finding the truth.

"This should not happen and truth should not be silenced. If we are sharing information through Twitter, people should know. They shouldn't have done this. We will reach out to our ISKCON counterparts in Bangladesh and Twitter and try finding out the truth," he said.

Radharaman Das, Vice President & Spokesperson ISKCON, Kolkata also expressed his anger over Twitter's actions and said that the two Twitter handles that were blocked were connecting the victims to the world. He also claimed that the micro-blogging platform has locked his account on a few occassions. "Twitter has killed our voice. Even my Twitter handle is locked many times. I had to delete some of my tweets and after that I was able to access my account," said Das.



Hitting out at Twitter, Das claimed that the website has become a part of the group attacking the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. He claimed that if people across the world do not know what is happening in Bangladesh, then violence will continue.

"People will continue to suffer. These two accounts were showing the horrific pictures and telling the stories, so that the world can see what is happening," he added.

However, he also acknowledged that the Bangladesh government did take action and transferred many police officers. In addition, the Bangladesh government has also promised compensation for people who lost their houses and properties in the violence, said Das. In his concluding remarks, the ISKCON Vice-President also said that the US government has also issued a strong response, thereby indicating that the world now knows what is happening in Bangladesh.

ISKCON demands strong condemnation from UN Chief

Amid a spate of attacks on Hindu temples in the recent days, ISKCON has demanded a strong response from the United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres. After United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh condemned the attacks, ISKCON temple vice-president Radharamn Das said that the attacks are 'still continuing'. Meanwhile on October 19, Das had written to the UN requesting Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to issue a statement of condemnation and send a UN delegation to Bangladesh for quick action.

Hindu temples attacked in Bangladesh on Dussehra

Devotees at an ISKCON temple in Bangladesh's Noakhali area were violently attacked by a mob, during which one person lost his life, and several others suffered injuries. The temple property was also damaged. Sharing pictures of the vandalised temple, ISKCON had said that there was significant damage to property and informed about the condition of a devotee being critical.

Chinmoy Krishna Das, the divisional secretary of ISKCON temple, Chattagram, spoke about the situation in ISKCON and informed about the death of a temple member in the attacks. "A mob of around 500 people attacked the ISKCON temple on Friday. A member of the temple has succumbed to the injuries after the attack. Apart from that, a large number of people were also injured in the attack and are now admitted to the hospital," he said.
As East African countries including Uganda continue to grapple with COVID, the World Health Organisation urged international organisations to support the country with the vaccines, news agency Xinhua reported on Wednesday. According to the report, WHO representative to Uganda Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam appealed to the nations to donate the COVID vaccines to the country in order to provide the health staff working in the remote areas of the country. While speaking to the reporters at the capital city, Kampala, the WHO official said that the developing countries need support to ensure that vaccines reach everyone including those in remote areas.

He stressed the country had been going through a tough phase due to the spread of the virus as well as the vaccine shortage. Also, he said that the country hds collected some funds for the vaccine program but noted the fund was too little to handle the chaotic situation in the country.

"We need support to take the vaccines to the districts for health workers to be able to do the vaccination, for monitoring, for looking into the adverse effects. All these things require funding and yes the government of Uganda has allocated some funds but the requirement is far higher," Xinhua news quoted the WHO representative to Uganda as saying to the reporters. Notably, the country has been majorly administering CoronaVac, also known as the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine-- an inactivated vaccine developed by the Chinese company Sinovac Biotech.

Distribution of vaccines is costly: Uganda Immunization head

On Wednesday, the WHO representative was addressing the media when the country received the second batch of Sinovac vaccines donated by the Chinese government. He informed the reporters that the first batch of Sinovac arrived in July. Meanwhile, the head of Uganda National Expanded Program on Immunization, Alfred Driwale, during an interview told Xinhua that the administration of vaccines is expensive since contributions are made in small batches. He stressed that the trucks have to ferry several times to distribute the vaccine.

"We have to train them each time on the vaccine type, cold chain requirements. These overheads which are required for safe delivery of vaccines are very expensive," Xinhua quoted Driwale. As per the official figures, the country of nearly four million has received 6.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines so far. As per the ministry of health, the country has registered 1,25,283 COVID-19 cases and 3,187 deaths.

Image: AP
After approximately 150 years, the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland is preparing an official request to return human remains stolen from Finnish burial cemeteries and transported to Sweden for race research, as per the reports of Swedish newspaper Expressen. In 1873, Swedish scholars discovered the remains in cemeteries in Finland, which became known as the Palkaneskallarna. The skulls were transported to Sweden as part of Karolinska Institutet's (KI) racial study project.

There are currently roughly seventy skulls bearing the word "pimple" in the Karolinska Institutet's collection. Several demands for the skulls to be returned to the ground where they were excavated have been made, according to a Finnish broadcasting company, Yle. Many KI students, doctors and other activists in Sweden and Finland demanded that the Finnish remains be returned before the start of the autumn semester this summer.

Karolinska Institutet apologised in 2019

Karolinska Institutet apologised to Finland in 2019 but the remains have not been returned. According to KI, they are looking into the matter because returns follow international norms and there are no laws for returning remains. In light of this, KI will continue to look into the wishes for the return of the Finnish remains, in collaboration with the National Heritage Board and other relevant Finnish authorities and institutions, according to Expressen. The Finnish Ministry of Education is now attempting to determine the exact location of the bodies, with the intention of burying the skulls to the same location from which they were exhumed, when they are returned to them. However, major changes in Finland's geography have occurred in the last 150 years, and what was once Rautalampi parish, where KI discovered the skulls, was much larger in the nineteenth century than the current Rautalampi municipality. According to Government Councilor Joni Hiitola of the Finnish Ministry of Education, their goal is to complete the inquiry into the origins of the skulls by the autumn of 2021, reported Expressen.

'There is no precedent for how to handle return claims'

The activists' initiative is applauded at KI. However, according to Sveriges Radio, the administrator and medical historian at Karolinska Institutet, Maria Josephson, stated that they are delighted that this issue has been addressed, but there is no precedent for how to handle return claims when they come from a collection of private people, as in this case.

Image: Unsplash
Moscow talks are set to take place at 12PM on Wednesday, 20 October with at least ten nations participating including India, China, Pakistan and Taliban-led delegation from Afghanistan. While this will be the second time that India would have face-to-face talks with the extremist group now ruling Afghanistan, the Ministry of External Affairs has previously said in a presser that New Delhi has received the invitation and will be participating in the meeting. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi has said that India's participation will be a joint secretary-level. The United States has said that it would take part in the talks.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday, 19 October that the third meeting of the Moscow format of consultations in Afghanistan will be taking place in the Russian capital. It also added that apart from representatives from ten nations, the meeting will also include a high-ranking delegation of the Taliban representing Afghanistan. The participants will be addressed by the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov.

What will be discussed in the meeting?

The Russian Foreign Ministry has revealed that during the third round of Moscow format talks, it is planned to discuss the prospects for the development of the military-political situation in Afghanistan along with the formation of an inclusive government. The representatives from ten countries including India will touch upon other issues consolidating the efforts of the international community to prevent the humanitarian crisis in the South Asian country. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that a joint statement would be adopted at the end of the meeting.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said, On October 20, the third meeting of the Moscow format of consultations on Afghanistan will take place in Moscow.

During the meeting, it is planned to discuss the prospects for the development of the military-political situation in Afghanistan and the formation of an inclusive government, it added.

Meanwhile, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price told the reporters at the White House on Monday that Washington will not participate in the Moscow Talks. While he noted that Troika Plus has been effective, Price said that the US is not in a position to take part this week...Its just logistically difficult for us to take part this week. The Troika Plus configuration comprises Russia, China and the US.

IMAGE: AP
New Delhi, Oct 20 (PTI) US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry on Wednesday said India's goal of reaching 450 GW of renewable energy (RE) by 2030 is doable as it has already crossed the 100 GW RE mark.

"It is really terrific to see India leading the ISA (International Solar Alliance). India is a close partner and the United States strongly supports India's goal of reaching 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030.

"We believe that it's absolutely doable and will be done. India has already set an example for emerging economies by reaching 100GW of renewables," Kerry said while addressing a session of ISA general assembly.

He further said,"What India has demonstrated with its low-cost solar auctions and build out of the transmission grids and massive solar parts program and other innovative policy tools can be replicated all over the world."

Noting that solar energy is at the heart of the urgent climate action, he urged nations to take dramatic action to keep the 1.5-degree Celsius temperature rise and mid-century net zero emissions targets within reach.

He added that President Joe Biden recognizes the clean energy opportunity of solar in the US' efforts to achieve the newly proposed NDC (nationally-determined contribution) of 50-52 per cent reduction in US economy wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

Kerry said "the US department of energy recently published a roadmap for how solar energy could economically generate 40 per cent of the country's electricity supply by 2035. With 1000 GW of installed solar energy, solar would play the biggest role in a completely carbon free electric power sector by 2035."

Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural ceremony of the ISA general assembly where 106 countries are participating in the discussions, Kerry applauded ISA and the leadership of India, France and member countries of the ISA assembly in their collaboration to advance the global clean energy transition.

He added that ISA is critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and has an opportunity to accelerate solar's growth with member countries blessed with the world's strongest sunlight.

Speaking on India-US ties and calling India, "a red-hot investment destination for solar power," Secretary Kerry shared that, leading countries deploying solar power from India to the US are seeing the need for energy storage to balance the intermittency of renewable energy.

Harnessing the full value of solar energy will require countries to invest in storage, grid infrastructure and in flexibility in both demand and supply. And to connect solar power with parts of the economy that do not currently use electricity, countries must invest in electric vehicles and clean fuels like hydrogen that can be produced using solar power, he said.

Responding to the US Special Presidential Envoy's call to accelerate the momentum in solar, Ajay Mathur, Director General, ISA, said "Secretary Kerry's emphasis on the need to do more is clear. Solar will catalyse the world's transition to a lower-carbon economy, being the lowest cost and most economical solution for increasing power generation capacity in countries."

ISA targets USD 1 trillion of investment in solar by 2030, which would be significant in bringing the world closer to energy transitions needed, he added.

"Through initiatives such as the One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG), which are structured to foster interconnected solar energy infrastructure at global scale, grid interconnection will be key for transitioning to clean energy systems. We look forward to working more closely with the US in combating the climate crisis," he stated.

ISA is an international organisation with 98 member countries. It works with governments to improve energy access and security around the world and promote solar power as a sustainable way to transition to a carbon neutral future.

Its mission is to unlock USD 1 trillion of investments in solar by 2030 while reducing the cost of the technology and its financing.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
In a never-seen-before display, an American photographer coalesced 300 people to raise concerns about the shrinking dead sea. Photographs from the event that took place on Sunda showed some 300 male and female volunteers stripped naked and with white paint all across their bodies. Photographer Spencer Tunick, who had previously done similar installations in other cities, said that with his latest work, he hoped to raise awareness about the popular salt lake.

My visit to Israel was an experience for me and I am always happy to return here and photograph in the only country in the Middle East that allows art such as this, Tunick, who did a similar installation at the Dead Sea earlier in 2011, was quoted as saying by AP.

The three-hour-long shoot was conducted in coordination with the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. Highlighting the expedited shrinkage of the Dead Sea, the organizers said they aim to attract more attention to the issue and encourage people to preserve it. In addendum, the Tourism Ministry said with the photoshoot they hope to bolster tourism-which has been considerably affected by COVID- at the dead sea.

The Dead Sea is disappearing, Tunick told Times of Israel. Asserting that "water is life", he said that people needed to " find a way to sustain the level or to bring freshwater into the Dead Sea, but at the same time, keep all countries surrounding with water." As per the photographer, the models were coated in hite Paint to represent pillars of salt from the biblical story 'Lots wife'. In Genesis 19, it is mentioned that the character turned into a pillar of salt when she looked back at Sodom, the ancient city that was in the Dead Sea region.

Is the dead sea shrinking?

The dead sea is a salt lake located on the borders of Jordan, Israel, and parts of the West Bank. Interestingly, it earned its moniker owing to its high salinity that prevents macroscopic aquatic organisms to survive in it. As per experts, the inland lake is shrinking significantly because of Israel and its neighboring countries drawing freshwater, that fills the lake, for agriculture. More alarming is the appearance of sinkholes. According to a report published by Smithsonian Magazine, more than 1,000 sinkholes have appeared in the past 15 years.

Image: AP

(With inputs from AP)
South Korea has endorsed the UAE's offer to host the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Abu Dhabi in 2023, and UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has applauded their support. Sheikh Abdullah said in a statement that they recognise their friends in South Korea, and they feel that cooperation and coordination are the most effective ways to make progress.

He further stated that they are glad to support the Republic of Korea's invitation to host the 33rd United Nations Conference on Climate Change. According to him, the enormous level of interest in holding the meeting shows the importance of climate action on the global agenda.

Climate action is 'critically vital' in UAE

He also stated that climate action is "critically vital" in UAE, and it is viewed as a strategy of attaining economic growth while limiting the repercussions of climate change. According to him, they have a proven track record of achievements in this area and they look forward to the UAE's official confirmation as host of COP28, where they will focus on achieving real and meaningful progress in climate action to keep pace with global objectives.

During a phone discussion between their senior diplomats on Monday, South Korea and the UAE agreed to back each other's quest to host important UN-led global climate conferences, according to Seoul's foreign ministry. South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong met with his Sheikh Abdullah on Saturday to strengthen their bilateral relationship, according to Yonhap News Agency.

South Korea had hoped to host COP28 but instead decided to bid for the COP33

South Korea had hoped to host the UN COP28 in 2023 but instead decided to bid for the COP33 session in 2028. Chung stated during the conversation that Seoul would instead support the UAE's quest to host the COP 28 meeting, and the UAE promised to assist Seoul's campaign, according to Yonhap News Agency. The two countries decided to expand and strengthen their collaboration in a variety of industries based on their special strategic partnership, according to a statement from the ministry.

(Inputs from ANI)

Image: AP
India and 9 other countries including China, Pakistan and Iran will participate in the Moscow format meeting along with Taliban representatives on Wednesday. The security situation and the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan are likely to feature in the deliberations that will commence at around 12 pm local time. Earlier, the Taliban confirmed that a delegation led by its Deputy PM Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi will attend this Russia-led initiative.

In an interaction with the media on Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made it clear that the possibility of formally recognising the Taliban regime will not come up for discussion as of yet. At the same time, he stressed that Russia shall continue to prod the terrorist outfit to fulfill the promises they made when they seized power in the war-torn country. Reportedly, External Affairs Joint Secretary JP Singh will represent India at the meeting and will mark the country's second formal interaction with Taliban representatives after August 15.

In 2018, India had participated in the Moscow format meeting in a non-official capacity by sending Amar Sinha and TCA Raghavan, former envoys to Afghanistan and Pakistan respectively. Earlier on August 31, India's Ambassador to Qatar Deepak Mittal and the Taliban Political Office head Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai held a meeting at Doha in which the safety, security and early return of Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan came up for discussion. On this occasion, Mittal also raised the concern that the war-torn country's soil should not be used for anti-Indian activities and terrorism.

Taliban seizes power in Afghanistan

After the Taliban stormed into Kabul on August 15, Afghanistan president Ashraf Ghani resigned and fled the country with his associates. Since then, several persons have lost their lives in the chaos at the Hamid Karzai International Airport with thousands of people desperately trying to flee the country. This includes the death of at least 169 Afghans, 11 US Marines, a US Navy sailor, and a US Army soldier in a suicide bombing at the Abbey Gate of the Kabul airport on August 26. This led to US airstrikes on terrorists belonging to ISIS-K which claimed responsibility for this attack.

On August 31, the Taliban gained control of the Kabul airport after the last batch of US troops left Afghanistan. Though the Taliban promised to form an "inclusive" government to run Afghanistan, it announced a caretaker Cabinet that neither has women nor mainstream politicians from previous regimes. While Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the chief of the Taliban's Rehbari Shura, is the new Prime Minister, he has two deputies in Mullah Baradar and Mawlawi Hanafi. So far, the terror outfit's rule has been marked by repression of women's rights, restrictions on media, economic crisis and atrocities on Panjshir residents.
A Taliban spokesperson informed on October 18 that Afghanistan's interim Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi will be meeting his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. The announcement came a day after Muttaqi met China's ambassador to Kabul, Wang Yu. Abdul Qahar Balkhi, a spokesperson for the Taliban Foreign Ministry, informed via Twitter that during the conversation on Sunday, October 17, both sides decided to convene a meeting between the two foreign ministers.

On being translated, Balkhi's tweet read, "IEA Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi met Wang Yu, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Kabul, yesterday evening. During the meeting, both sides agreed on convening a meeting between IEA & Chinese Foreign Ministers, the venue and date of which will be determined later."

         ...                .



                       .



       pic.twitter.com/QaYBbSY8Ca  Abdul Qahar Balkhi (@QaharBalkhi) October 18, 2021

If the meeting takes place, Wang Yi will be the fourth foreign minister to meet with officials from the interim Taliban government, after his colleagues from Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Qatar, ANI reported. Minister Muttaqi and Ambassador Wang Yu discussed the restart of Afghan pine nut exports to China, with the Chinese side promising to complete the necessary arrangements and resume exports as soon as possible. In a subsequent tweet, Balkhi wrote that Muttaqi extended gratitude to Wang Yu for his efforts to recommence pine nuts shipment to China.

China's $2 billion pine nut deal with Afghanistan

Pine nuts form an important part of Afghanistan's export revenue. In 2019, Afghanistan signed a $2.2 billion deal with China for exporting pine nuts to the country through its air freight corridor, in the next five years. That year, Afghanistan's pine nut exports to China stood at 2,000 tons, according to Sayed Zaman Hashimi, the then CEO of the Afghanistan Chamber of Investment and Commerce. Hashimi had told reporters that, in 2018, exports stood at 1070 tonnes. Afghanistan's pine nut exports saw a brief pause in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic, before being completely shut after the Taliban's takeover of the country in mid-August. this year.

Afghanistan Pine Nuts Union's request to ban smuggling

According to media reports, the Afghanistan Pine Nuts Union had, earlier this month, urged the Taliban government to ban smuggling of dried fruits, especially pine nuts, from the country saying that a stop in exports has pushed several to unemployment leading to the practice.

On October 6, Chinese media quoted the Afghanistan Pine Nuts Union as saying in a statement that the Union, according to its strategic plan, wants to export pine nuts to the world markets like it used to before the Taliban's takeover.

It should be mentioned here that only a few countries, including China and Pakistan, have shown interest in collaborating with the Taliban since their takeover of Afghanistan. Others in the international community are opting for a wait-and-see approach.

(With inputs from agencies, Image: @QaharBalkhi/Twitter)
A day after stepping down from the position of US special envoy to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad said that Afghan people are facing 'great challenges' after the US withdrawal from the war-torn country. Through a series of tweets, Khalilzad announced his resignation after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accepted his same on October 19.

"Today, I step down from my position as the Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation. It has been an honor to serve the American people again, (sic)" Khalilzad wrote.

Reflecting on the vulnerable conditions of the Afghan people, Khalilzad mentioned in his tweet, "U.S. forces are out, and the war is over for the United States, but this is not the final chapter. The Afghan people face great challenges ahead, including on the economy and security, (sic)" and added that he will "remain committed" to the possibility of peace and prosperity in Afghanistan and the wider region.

1/5 Today, I step down from my position as the Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation. It has been an honor to serve the American people again.  U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) October 19, 2021

3/5 I remain committed to the possibility of peace and prosperity in Afghanistan and the wider region. It is what the Afghan people have yearned for more than 40 years. The United States stands with them.  U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad (@US4AfghanPeace) October 19, 2021

It is to be noted that Khalilzad had decided to step down in May after US President Joe Biden announced a complete withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. His stepping down also comes amid the State Department Inspector General's announcement of opening a series of investigations into the US' "hasty" withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Khalilzad's role in Doha Agreement

The Afghanistan-born diplomatic veteran Zalmay Khalilzad is well-known for his contributions during the talks with the Taliban in Qatar that resulted in the Doha Agreement under the erstwhile Donald Trump administration. The Agreement was executed by President Biden leading to a chaotic evacuation of US forces and American citizens followed by a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

Citing interviews and his resignation letter, AP reported that Khalilzad lamented that the withdrawal process was far from what had been planned and was conducted in haste. Notably, Khalilzad was a part of the ex-US President George W. Bush's administration that planned to eliminate the Taliban in 2002.

Deputy Representative to Afghanistan to replace Khalilzad

On Monday, US State of Secretary Blinken expressed gratitude to Khalilzad for "decades of service to the United States," adding that he will be replaced by Deputy Special Representative Tom West. In a statement, Blinken asserted that West will work closely with the US's Afghanistan embassy, which is now based in Doha, on US interests in Afghanistan.

West has earlier served on Biden's national security team when the latter was the US vice president under Barack Obama. West is now expected to lead diplomatic efforts, advise the Secretary and Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian affairs, and coordinate closely with the US Embassy, as per an official statement.

(Image: AP)
At least two people were injured in a bomb attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Wednesday, 20 October, the Ministry of Interior confirmed. While taking to Twitter, spokesperson Qari Saeed Khosty informed that a hand grenade was hurled from the Kabul Zoo towards Taliban security forces stationed in Dehmazang Square, Dehmazang locality in Police District 3 of Kabul. Qari said that following the explosion, a search operation is now underway to nab the culprits behind the attack.

While speaking to Xinhua, local residents said that the explosion was an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast targeting a Taliban pickup truck that was passing by the traffic circle near the Kabul police headquarters. The witness reportedly said that the explosion occurred roughly around 7:50 am (local time) with a big bang, causing panic among people and sending grey smoke to the sky. It is to mention that no group has yet claimed responsibility for this attack.

Afghanistans mosque attack

Meanwhile, the security situation in Afghanistan has remained uncertain since the Talibans takeover in mid-August. Deadly bomb attacks have been staged by the IS-affiliated militants in several provinces in recent weeks. Last week, at least 47 worshippers were killed and 90 others injured after two IS militants launched suicide bomb attacks inside a mosque in Kandahar city.

After Fridays suicide bombing, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) strongly condemned the horrendous terrorist attack and underlined the need to bring perpetrators of the attack to justice. In a statement, the UNSC expressed condolences to the kin of the victims and further wished speedy recovery to the ones who have suffered injuries. Separately, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) expressed its anguish over the continual terror attacks in the crisis-hit nation. The United States also condemned the suicide attack in Afghanistans Kandahar province and offered condolences to the victims and their families.

(Image: ANI)


The US is still holding approximately $10 billion of Afghan funds that had been blocked in US banks. The fund is committed to providing humanitarian help to Afghans and want the Taliban to assist in the distribution process.

As per the reports of Khaama Press, US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo highlighted the importance of maintaining pressure on the Taliban while emphasising that the Afghan people should not be hurt. Adeyemo told senators that they will not allow the Taliban to access the money in the ongoing situation.

He emphasised that the United States is dedicated to providing humanitarian aid to Afghans, but that the Taliban must help with the distribution process.

According to him, they will maintain their limits on the Haqqani network and the Taliban, but will continue to provide humanitarian relief to the Afghan people. The Haqqani network is a Taliban-affiliated gang based near the Pakistani border that is accused of some suicide strikes during the war.

Taliban has been pleading with the US to release the funds

According to Khaama Press, the Taliban officials have been pleading with the US to release the funds that have been blocked for over a month. However, their request has always been turned down for numerous reasons. The Taliban have stated that the funds belong to the Afghan people, not any government.

According to the International Monetary Fund's latest regional economic study, freezing Afghanistan's assets and stopping foreign help will result in a 30% reduction in the country's economy, causing a humanitarian disaster.

Adeyemo believes that the Taliban, who grabbed power in Afghanistan in August, will not be given access to the country's central bank reserves, which are mostly kept in the United States. According to Al Jazeera, he said that it is critical that they maintain the sanctions against the Taliban while also ensuring that legal humanitarian aid reaches the Afghan people.

"Washington is there to help the Afghan people"

Adeyemo said that the Treasury Department is doing everything it could under its sanctions system to make it clear to humanitarian groups that Washington is there to help Afghanistan, but warned that the Taliban must allow humanitarian aid to the Afghan people, according to Al Jazeera.

(Inputs from ANI)

Image: AP
Military control operations began Tuesday in Ecuador after President Guillermo Lasso declared a 60-day national state of emergency to combat drug-related violence.

Monday night's announcement came on the eve of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's official visit to Ecuador in a bid to support and expand ties with Latin American democracies.

The president ordered a strong police and armed forces presence on the streets to firmly combat drug trafficking, crime and violence generated by criminal groups.

The state of emergency restricts rights such as association and assembly, among others.

The announcement sparked suspicion and rejection on Tuesday among indigenous people and trade unionists.

The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities, trade unionists, peasants and other social sectors have called for a day of protest on 26 October against Lasso's economic policies, especially the freezing of fuel prices.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
The Moscow format meeting began on Wednesday in Russia, two months after the Taliban seized control over Afghanistan. Russia has said that the representatives of 10 nations and a top-level Taliban delegation are taking part in the meeting. During the discussions, Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the Taliban government needs to be more inclusive and stated that stable peace is yet to be achieved in Afghanistan.

Lavrov said that the interim Taliban government is making efforts to stabilise the political and military situation in Afghanistan. However, he noted that stable peace is yet to be achieved in the war-ravaged nation. The formula to achieve it is the formation of an inclusive government, the foreign minister said, according to Russian news agency Tass.

On terrorism, Lavrov said that terrorist organisations are taking advantage of the instability in the nation, pointing at Al-Qaeda and Islamic State. He further stressed that the situation in Afghanistan after the establishment of a new government cannot be termed stable. He pointed at Taliban's social, economic, and humanitarian challenges, and its lack of international recognition.

Russia also expressed concerns over drug production

"Unfortunately the problem of drug production remains pressing and today real threat is terrorist and drug-related activities including those disguised as migrations spilling over to neighbouring territory this is why we are understandably worried about the central Asian region," Lavrov was quoted as saying ANI.

India's first formal contact with Taliban since formation of interim govt

For India, the Moscow Front meeting assumes great significance as it is New Delhi's first formal contact with the Taliban since it announced an interim cabinet. This is the second time India is interacting with the Taliban after Kabul fell on August 15. Back then, Deepak Mittal, Indian's Ambassador to Qatar, had held talks with Taliban leader Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai.

The United States did not take part in the meeting citing logistic issues. US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that the US is "not in a position to take part this week." He said, "Its just logistically difficult for us to take part this week."
At least two Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets from the Russian Air Force intercepted two US B-1B strategic bombers over the Black Sea, the RIA news agency reported on October 20, citing Russia's Defense Ministry. "Russian fighter crew identified the aerial target as two US Air Force supersonic strategic B-1B bombers, that were accompanied by two KC-135 refuelling planes," the Russian defense ministry said in a statement, as it also shared video footage of US bombers escorted by the Russian fighter jets. It added that the Russian aircraft escorted them over the waters of the Black Sea. "After the foreign warplanes had been turned away from Russia's state border, the Russian fighters safely returned to their home airbase, the statement from the Russian defense ministry further read.

Russian aircraft similarly intercepted the US bombers earlier on Sunday over the Sea of Japan. Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement that it prevented a US Navy destroyer from trying to enter its territorial waters in the Sea of Japan. the ministry stated that the Russian Admiral Tributs approached the US destroyer, USS Chafee after the US destroyer ignored the repeated warning as it attempted to enter Moscow's sovereign waters.

B-1B bombers have been deployed by the United States to conduct a series of exercises with NATO allies across the Arctic, the Baltics and the Black Sea, the Air Force Magazine reported. And just last month, the US Air Force Global Strike Command retired the last of 17 B-1Bs bombers from its inventory, leaving a fleet of 45 aircraft as the last of the aircraft departed Edwards Air Force Base, California. As the Russian aircraft escorted the US fighter planes, the ministry informed that the procedure was carried out safely in strict compliance with international airspace policies. It also added that the US B-1B strategic bombers did not violate the Russian airspace.

[US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is visiting Black Sea countries. Image: AP]

US Defense Secretary says Russia 'obstacle for peace'

During a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, alongside his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Taran, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin who is on an official visit to countries in the Black Sea region said that Russia is the obstacle to peace in eastern Ukraine. He then pledged to bolster the defence cooperation with Kyiv. "Let's be clear, that Russia started this war and Russia is the obstacle to a peaceful resolution," Austin said.

We again call on Russia to end its occupation of Crimea, to stop perpetuating the war in eastern Ukraine, to end its destabilizing activities in the Black Sea and along Ukraines borders, and to halt its persistent cyber attacks. pic.twitter.com/LgXdKWYCfN  Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) October 19, 2021

He further asked Russia to "end its occupation of Crimea, to stop perpetuating the war in eastern Ukraine, to end its destabilizing activities in the Black Sea and along Ukraine's borders." Austin stated that the US aimed to strengthen ties with the Black Sea countries, including Romania and Georgia to counter the Russian influence in the region. Ukrainian forces have been fighting the Russian-backed separatists in Donetsk since February 2014. The Russo-Ukrainian conflict involves a fight around the status of the Ukrainian regions of Crimea, that Russia has annexed, as well as the region of Donbas.

Image: Twitter/@MrPrismakov/representative image
At least 13 phone companies around the world have been hijacked since 2019 by sophisticated hackers thought to be from China, according to a cybersecurity expert organisation. According to CrowdStrike, an organisation frequently referenced by intelligence organisations around the world, the roaming hackers, known as LightBasin, were able to "search and find" particular mobile phones and "target accordingly," The Guardian reported. Hackers were also able to gain personal subscriber information from phone providers, as well as metadata indicating who made and received calls.

"Sophisticated signals intelligence activity" directed at phone company networks has long been seen as a fundamental function of Western intelligence organisations such as the NSA in the US and the GCHQ in the United Kingdom. However, this is one of the first instances its existence by organisations linked to Beijing has been officially exposed in the West. The Guardian reported, LightBasin, according to CrowdStrike analysts, was a "Chinese state-sponsored" group gathering information "likely to be of major interest to intelligence entities."

Cyber-attacks from Chinese hackers at all-time high

The attribution was not conclusive, but Adam Meyers, a senior vice president at CrowdStrike, said there were indications that LightBasin was working in support of other well-established Chinese entities, who normally carry out a hacking activity under the supervision of Beijing. The Guardian reported citing Meyer, "the research group was able to uncover passwords used by the LightBasin cluster which were in Pinyin, romanised Chinese characters." According to Western experts, Chinese hacking is at an all-time high, defining it as a low-level kind of cyberwarfare that has typically focused on intellectual property but also includes basic espionage activity.

Concerns over China's influence in telecoms have also prompted some Western countries, including the United States, to ban Huawei from their phone networks - despite the company's insistence that it never authorises espionage on its customers. Last year, the United Kingdom said that Huawei equipment would be phased out of 5G phone networks beginning in 2027. Despite numerous attempts by the US and other Western governments to call it out, China has always denied any involvement in hacking. China's foreign ministry accused Washington of "ganging up with its allies" and engaged in "smear and suppression out of political motives" in July.

That denial came after the United States, the European Union, NATO, the United Kingdom, and four other countries accused Beijing in March of being behind large exploitation of weaknesses in Microsoft's widely used Exchange corporate server software. It impacted over 250,000 organisations globally, allowing hackers to steal corporate communications for espionage purposes.

(With inputs from agencies)

Image: Pixabay
Itaipu, the gigantic hydroelectric dam straddling the Brazil-Paraguay border on the vast Parana river, is feeling the heat of Brazil's worst drought in nine decades by showing a steep decline in electricity production.

Often described as one of the world's seven modern wonders, Itaipu's river's banks, usually lush and green, have turned rocky and bare.

Hugo Zarate, the plant's superintendent, said power generation is down 15% compared to a year ago and 35% below its best year in almost 40 years.

"We do not expect the crisis of lack of water to be solved before 2022. We will start the year in a rather complicated situation," Zarate told the AP.

Aside from energy production, Zarate said, "it impacts navigation, it impacts fishing, and it impacts tourism."

Sights similar to that of the Itaipu banks can be observed across Brazil, especially in the southeast and center-west regions, where hydroelectric reservoirs have been drained by a decade of lower-than-usual rainfall.

In a country where about two-thirds of power comes from hydroelectric generation, drought is having serious repercussions.

Crops have withered, energy costs and food prices are soaring, and experts warn of possible electricity shortages toward the end of the year.

President Jair Bolsonaro last month said hydroelectric dam reservoirs were "at the limit of the limit," calling for Brazilians to turn off a lamp, take cold showers and stop using elevators when possible.

Lawmakers even discussed bringing back daylight saving time.

But Brazil's dry spell has rippled through the region. The Parana River which fuels the Itaipu plant is one of the main commercial waterways in South America, going through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina.

It has reached its lowest level in nearly 80 years, affecting remote residents with higher electricity prices, but also fishermen, local tourism, and the transport of goods, with ships having to reduce their tonnage to keep navigating.

Reduced water levels are part of natural cycles. But experts have warned human activity is affecting global weather patterns, leading to more frequent extreme events such as severe droughts and floods.

A recent study showed that Brazil, the country with the most freshwater resources on the planet, had steadily lost 15% of its surface water since 1991. The researchers did not include data for 2021.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Hundreds of coca leaf growers in Peru were blocking a road that links southeastern Peru for a fifth day on Tuesday, demanding the government stop the destruction of their crops.

The Ministry of the Interior said in a statement that ambulances are allowed to pass through the Interoceanic Highway. The protest started at the beginning of the eradication of coca fields in Carabaya province, in the Puno region.

In Peru, growing coca leaf is legal as long as it is registered on an official list which hasn't been renewed for 43 years by various governments. Thousands of growers plant it without that permit so their crops are destroyed.

Peru receives support from U.S.-funded helicopters to transport hundreds of workers the government hires to uproot coca leaf bushes from the ground.

According to the authorities, most of these crops serve, through a chemical process, as the main ingredient for the manufacture of cocaine.

On Friday, the first day of the protests, a group of people intercepted three minibuses where the workers who uprooted the crops were being transported in, took their bags to the road and burned them.

The protesters, who mostly voted in the last elections for the current president Pedro Castillo, called on the president to stop the destruction of illegal crops.

Meanwhile on Monday, during the announcement of the arrest of a suspected terrorist, Defense Minister Walter Ayala Gonzales, reiterated his department's commitment to fight terrorism and drug trafficking.

"We will not give a millimeter of space, so that these scoundrels advance," he said.

Peru is the world's second-largest exporter of cocaine, after Colombia, according to the U.S. drug enforcement agency DEA.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
UK Chief of the Defence Staff General Nicholas Carter informed on Tuesday, October 19, that the country intends to establish a "persistent" military presence in the Indo-pacific region. Speaking at a podcast organised by the Centre for a New American Security, Carter said that the visit of the warships to the region will not be on a regular basis but will rather be episodic, news agency Sputnik reported.

General Carter further remarked that the United Kingdom has had a long-standing relationship with numerous countries in the region, dating back to the British Empire and said that London maintained an elite jungle warfare school in Brunei, on the island of Borneo.

"In due course, friends and partners will be able to attend our jungle warfare school in Brunei. We have always had a large number of servicemen and women from these nations, besides having at least 350 Gurkhas as staff. We are going to build on those lengthy associations," Carter was quoted as saying by Sputnik.

He also clarified that the UK's planned expansion to the Indo-pacific region will not be accompanied by any reduction in London's contribution to and participation in NATO.

Meanwhile, India and the United Kingdom had their first maritime discussion, during which they addressed maritime cooperation, as well as Indo-Pacific, regional, and multilateral cooperation.

UK, US and Australia's military pact on Indo-Pacific cooperation

Notably, last month, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States signed a security arrangement, AUKUS, to "ensure peace and stability" in the Indo-Pacific region. The announcement came as Australia unilaterally withdrew from a $66 billion deal with France's Naval Group for the delivery of 12 diesel submarines, opting instead for the provision of nuclear-powered vessels through the AUKUS alliance.

In AUKUS's project, the US and the UK have committed to help Australia in developing and deploying nuclear-powered submarines. The initial talks of the AUKUS deal began at the G7 Summit hosted by the UK in June 2021 and the AUKUS pact was announced on 15 September. The trilateral military pact was signed with an aim to protect the Indo-Pacific from Chinas dominance and shield the post-1945 global order.

(Image: AP/ANI)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a press conference on Tuesday that the Biden administration is not attempting to compel countries to choose between doing business with the US and China, nor is it attempting to limit China. According to him, what they strive for when they are engaged around the world is to uphold the highest possible standards.

Trade and investment with China are crucial for all countries, according to Blinken, and are usually beneficial. However, the US State Secretary also believes that there is no distinction between private enterprise and the state in China, so foreign investors should exercise prudence before investing there.

CIA established a China mission centre earlier this month

The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) established a China mission centre earlier this month in response to alleged Chinese threats. According to a CIA statement shared with the media, the centre was established to confront the worldwide challenge posed by the People's Republic of China. This comes as an increasing number of US Republicans are asking the government to address China's military buildup and caution against cutting the US defence budget, following reports that Beijing tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in August, surprising US intelligence, according to Sputnik.

The White House replied by stating that they welcome the competition. Officials from China, on the other hand, have disputed the reports, calling the test, a "normal spacecraft experiment." After the AUKUS security pact was revealed in September, tensions in the Asia-Pacific area were also high, with many believing it to be a blatant anti-China coalition, according to Sputnik. Mark Green, the representative of the United States took to the microblogging site Twitter and stated that while the United States military is the best in the world, this should serve as a reminder that lowering the defence budget is never the answer. He warned President Biden to hold China in check.

Blinken's recent remark on China's increasing incursions into Taiwan's ADIZ

Recently, Blinken reacted to China's increasing incursions into Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ), US Secretary of State said on October 6 that there is always the potential of miscalculation and misinterpretation, which is dangerous, in an interview with Bloomberg. He also warned China's actions were provocative and potentially destabilising.

(Inputs from ANI)

Image: AP
A Mississippi man has admitted filing a false claim that he was owed $500,000 because an FBI agent and others refused to drop state criminal charges against him.

Robert Earl Henderson Jr., 49, of Jackson, pleaded guilty Monday to a charge of retaliating against a federal employee, according to a news release from the U.S. attorneys office in Jackson and the FBI.

Henderson filed papers in 2018 accusing an FBI agent, the Hinds County sheriff at the time, 20 unidentified officers and his own attorney of mistreatment, the news release said.

Then-Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith went on trial in 2016 on charges of conspiracy to hinder prosecution. Henderson, who had campaigned for Smith, testified that he took bribe money to Smith from three other people who were facing criminal charges. Smith's 2016 trial ended with a hung jury. Smith was tried again in 2017, and a jury acquitted him.

In 2018, Smith was acquitted on a robbery charge, and jurors couldn't decide whether to convict him of stalking.

Henderson filed papers in July 2018 in the Hinds County circuit clerks office after prosecutors refused to drop unrelated state charges of bribery and possessing a firearm as a felon against him, according to the news release from the FBI and the U.S. attorney. Those charges are still pending.

Smith died in September after being injured in a traffic accident.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will pass a resolution at a top political meeting from Nov. 8-11, in what looks to be a defiant message to the international community that the country will continue to "stand up" to foreign oppression in its quest for "national rejuvenation."



State media have reported that the resolution relates to party history, and that the previous two history-related resolutions both heralded significant changes in the party's direction.



However, a summary of its content published by state news agency Xinhua is short on specific historical detail and long on declarations about China's future under CCP general secretary Xi Jinping, and appears to underline the country's increasingly assertive approach to foreign policy.



"Both of the previous resolutions were passed at a critical stage for the CCP, heralding a new era in China," Xinhua reported on Oct. 18.



While previous resolutions on CCP history have signaled major shifts in the party line, they have also signaled the ascendancy of a particular faction within the CCP, according to Patricia Thornton, associate professor of politics at Oxford University.



"Party history resolutions also serve to consolidate the balance of power & *resources* among the partys internal divisions in the hands of one faction, and seek to bring an end to the competition, internal division & struggle," Thornton said via her Twitter account, commenting on the Xinhua announcement.



The wording reported by Xinhua is in stark contrast to the CCP's 1981 "Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party since the Founding of the Peoples Republic of China," in which the CCP under Deng penned a 13-page historical commentary that laid the responsibility for the "leftist errors" leading to the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) at Mao's door, while also lauding his leadership at great length.



The 1981 resolution was largely addressed to the rank-and-file of the CCP and the people of China, who needed to know the likely direction in which Deng would take them following the death of Mao (1976), the power struggle that led to the fall of his designated successor Hua Guofeng, and the trial of the Gang of Four in .



But Xi's 2021 resolution contains a "declaration to the world," suggesting that its target audience is the international community, some of whom may be wondering whether to fall in with Xi's ambition to export China's model of authoritarian governance overseas, or to strengthen defenses against it.



Historic CCP leaders, clockwise from upper left: Mao Zedong, Xi Jinping, Deng Xiaoping, Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin. Credit: RFA More 'Wolf Warrior' diplomacy?

According to Thornton, the language used by Xinhua to describe the resolution also appears to double down on China's recent brand of "wolf-warrior" diplomacy and efforts to extend its political influence far beyond its borders.



"The news release suggests this new resolution is no mere victory lap for the #CCP: it's defiant, even truculent, in tone," Thornton tweeted. "With an affirming nod to the "wolf warrior" discourse of recent months & years, it notes the #CCP has "increasingly consolidated #China's international position."



The inclusion of late supreme leaders Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping, as well as former presidents Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, in a pantheon of political leaders culminating in Xi Jinping appears to suggest that Xi is claiming credit for carrying on their work, while backing away from any appraisal of their actions.



Deng Yuwen, a researcher at the India-based Centre for China Analysis and Strategy, said he reads the language in the report as an insistence on party unity ahead of Xi's likely third term in office, likely to be decided at next year's 20th Party Congress.



"There is definitely a connection between the two: the higher the status of Xi Jinping, as enshrined in this resolution on party history, the greater his claim to legitimacy [for a third term]," Deng said.



Meanwhile, a reference to "people of all ethnic groups" as being united under the leadership of the party suggests that the CCP leadership will likely power ahead with its repressive policies of surveillance, assimilation and cultural erasure targeting Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples, Mongolians, Tibetans and Koreans.



The text also seems to stake Xi's claim to Mao's legacy, with the use of the phrase "flying leap," suggesting that Xi has succeeded in bringing Mao's Great Leap Forward (1958-1962) -- a failed bid to catch up to the economic prowess of the U.K. and the U.S. -- to its successful historical conclusion.



And, far from commenting on, or engaging with the judgment inherent in earlier political appraisals of CCP history, the Xinhua text appears to offer a position statement on China's future; an assurance that China is progressing smoothly towards a predetermined historical outcome, in which resolutions like the 1981 report card will no longer be needed.



Chen Kuide, executive chairman of the Princeton Chinese Society in the United States, said Xi is likely looking to establish his personal place in party history.



"Xi Jinping is leading the third resolution on party history to set in stone the third historical stage [of national rejuvenation] and to ensure his place in history," Chen told RFA.



"[The idea is] to establish himself as the third most important leader in the history of the CCP," he said.



CCP 'Hall of Fame'

The first resolution on party history set in motion the "rectification" campaign while the CCP was still encamped at Yan'an during World War II, before it took power in 1949, Beijing-based independent historian Zhang Lifan said via Twitter on Oct. 18.



It resulted in Mao's ascendancy as lifelong party leader, while the second resolution paved the way for decades of reform and breakneck economic growth under Deng, he wrote.



Bao Tong, former top aide to late ousted premier Zhao Ziyang, tweeted that the resolution would likely focus on singing the party's praises.



"Finally, they're coming out with their Hall of Fame," Bao wrote. "But we can be 100 percent certain that it will be filled with positive major achievements and historical experiences."



"This isn't going to be a list of the negative stuff."



Chen Kuide said the phrasing used in the Xinhua news story echoed that of the officially approved "Brief History of the Chinese Communist Party" published earlier this year.



"I think the tone of the third resolution seeks to demonstrate that, since Xi Jinping took office, his efforts to bring about the realization of the Chinese dream and national rejuvenation have been epoch-making, successful and correct," Chen said.



"This is an attempt to compensate for the fact that China's relations with the rest of the world have deteriorated sharply during the past few years, and also a plethora of problems at home," he said.



"It's an attempt to block out that 'noise'."



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
After four years in detention, human rights lawyer Li Yuhan stood trial in the northeastern Chinese province of Liaoning on for "fraud," and "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble," a charge often used to target peaceful critics of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).



Li, 60, who had previously defended high-profile rights attorney Wang Yu amid a nationwide crackdown on rights lawyers, stood trial at the Heping District People's Court in Shenyang, where an ambulance was parked, amid concerns over Li's poor health.



Wang, who showed up to support Li with fellow rights lawyer Xie Yang, said police had denied access to diplomats from six countries, who asked to observe the proceedings.



"There were diplomats from six countries including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the United States, the Netherlands, and Switzerland," Wang told RFA from the scene. "Some were diplomats from consulates in Shenyang, and some were diplomats from Beijing."



"They asked to observe, but the court said there were no available seats, so there weren't allowed in."



She added: "They are very concerned about this case. I also think that ... the abuse of lawyer Li Yuhan has been inhumane."



Wang said guards had thrown a security cordon some 50 meters from the front gates, and didn't allow her or Xie Yang to pass.



"We saw a lot of lawyers and litigants from other cases trying to get through to submit materials or meet with a judge, but they weren't allowed in either," she said. "Court business was totally suspended."



"We took a few photos from outside the security cordon, then we got driven away by the security guards, state security police and court police," she said.



Retaliation

Earlier this year, the European Bar Association wrote to CCP general secretary Xi Jinping, expressing concerns over Li Yuhan's poor health and situation in detention.



Wang said the charges against Li are retaliatory.



"What the picking quarrels and stirring up trouble charge refers to is that Li Yuhan had made many complaints [about the Heping district police department]," Wang said. "The fraud charge was in retaliation for Li Yuhan representing me during the , 2015 crackdown."



Wang said the authorities have also violated Li's human rights by holding her in detention for more than four years, and delaying an earlier trial slated for .



"This is a total violation of her human rights," she said. "The detention center has been putting pressure on Li to plead guilty, and the police and court have also used various methods including threats, bargaining and abuse."



Lu Tingge, a lawyer from the northern province of Hebei, agreed.



"Her lawyer told the authorities about her poor health and applied for medical parole, but they never approved it," Lu said. "If [her age and poor health] had been taken into consideration, the trial would have been held long ago."



Li has been visited by her defense attorney in the Shenyang No. 1 Detention Center, and found to be in poor health. She has been hospitalized twice and given a number of medications, but applications for medical parole were denied.



She initially went missing on Oct. 9, 2017, and has been "at risk of torture and other ill-treatment" in the police-run detention center, London-based Amnesty International said at the time.



Fellow activists said her detention came after she was particularly courageous in the wake of a nationwide police operation targeting rights lawyers, legal firms, and rights activists since .



Wang Yu was the first of a group of lawyers at the Beijing Fengrui law firm to be detained on the night of -10, 2015, kicking off a nationwide police operation that detained or questioned more than 300 lawyers and their associates.



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Observers said the tough rhetoric could be a response to a recently announced defense agreement between U.S., U.K. and Australia.

Guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain pictured on Oct. 8, 2021, as it transited the South China Sea with the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson during a bilateral exercise with the Royal Australian Navy.

China is demanding the United States stop its freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, and has accused the U.S. of a stupid mistake when one of its nuclear-powered submarines collide with an unidentified object this month.

It is the latest and strongest response made by China to Oct. 2 incident that the U.S. military publicized several days after it happened. Observers said the tough rhetoric could be a response to a recently announced defense agreement between U.S., U.K. and Australia.

It also coincided with a U.S. senate panel endorsing legislation to sanction individuals and companies involved in Chinese activities in the disputed South China Sea.

In Beijing on Tuesday, a Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman said that China is gravely concerned about Oct. 2 collision of the USS Connecticut (SSN-22) during a diving operation, according to a statement from the ministry.

Senior Col. Tan Kefei was quoted as saying that being the responsible party, the U.S. has the responsibility and obligation to elaborate on the circumstances of the incident.

He also demanded that the U.S. stop its close-in reconnaissance of the adjacent seas and airspace, as well as the so-called freedom of navigation operations, or FONOPs, which the U.S. Navy has been conducting.

The U.S. military uses FONOPs to challenge excessive maritime claims by a number of countries worldwide, including China, according to the Pentagon.

The Pentagon has also said as long as restrictions on navigation and overflight rights and freedoms that exceed the authority provided under international law persist, the United States will continue to challenge such unlawful maritime claims.

The submarine USS Connecticut pictured in a file photo at Yokosuka, Japan, July 31, 2021. Credit: U.S. Navy Root cause

The Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman said that for a long time, the U.S. military has frequently dispatched aircraft carriers, strategic bombers, nuclear submarines and other advanced weapon systems to show muscles and stir up troubles in the South China Sea in the name of freedom of navigation and overflight.

He said these activities threatened regional national security and exacerbated regional tensions and are exactly the root cause and harm of this incident."

Tan repeated Chinese claims that the U.S. deliberately delayed and concealed the details of the incident. He said that this behavior could easily lead to misunderstanding and miscalculation.

The U.S. Department of Defense has denied the accusation. The U.S. Pacific Fleet issued a news release about the incident on Oct. 7, five days after the USS Connecticut struck an unknown object while operating in international waters in the Indo-Pacific region. It said there were no life-threatened injuries to sailors and the subs nuclear propulsion plant and spaces were not affected and remain fully operational.

The Global Times newspaper, a branch of the Chinese Communist Partys mouthpiece Peoples Daily, last week cited several Chinese experts as saying that the USS Connecticut may have made a stupid mistake while operating undersea.

One of the experts, Li Jie, speculated that the U.S. submarine had failed to switch to positive sonar needed during offensive maneuvers or when navigating in areas with a complex topography, and that the U.S. was embarrassed to talk about the error.

The USS Connecticut is currently undergoing assessment and preliminary repairs at the Naval Bay in the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam while the Navy conducts an investigation into the incident.

Details remain sketchy about what would have caused such collision. Experts say it could be a shipwreck or a sunken container, or even a mobile object.

Sanctions bill

In his remarks Tuesday, the Chinese Defense Ministry also mentioned last months announcement of AUKUS (Australia-U.K.-U.S. trilateral security pact), which is widely viewed as a pushback against growing Chinese military power in the region.

AUKUS would see Australia develop nuclear-powered submarines in the future. Spokesman Tan called it a violation of the spirit of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and said it would trigger an arms race in the region.

In Washington on Tuesday, U.S. lawmakers took their own steps to respond to what they view as the growing threat from China.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced a bill that would impose sanctions on Chinese individuals and entities involved in activities related to China's territorial disputes in the South China Sea and East China Sea. The South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act of 2021 will now be submitted for the full Senates approval.

Still a few steps from being signed into law, the bill would require that the U.S. president impose property-blocking and visa-denial sanctions on Chinese persons and entities involved in territorial disputes in the two seas.

It would also ban U.S. entities from investing in or insuring projects involving sanctioned entities in either sea.

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, an arch critic of China who sponsored the bill, said it would act as an additional tool to confront Beijing as it continues its effort to unlawfully assert control over maritime territory in the South and East China Seas.
With no senior centers in the country, the countrys elderly live for daily gatherings at local parks.

In this file photo, North Korean men sit and smoke by a river in the North Pyongan Province, North Korea.

North Korea is cracking down on gatherings of elderly citizens, fearing that they will use their abundance of free time to criticize the government and its policies, sources in the country told RFA.

In public parks in both North and South Korea, old pensioners gather daily to pass the time by playing a local version of chess, share a glass of spirits, or discuss the events of the day.

These gatherings are popular in the South among elderly citizens who are on a budget, but in the North, a lack of senior welfare facilities leaves nothing else to do for practically every silver-haired urbanite.

Police have begun dispersing the elderly gathered in parks and other places, warning them not to stay together, sources said.

An order came from the top to take measures to prevent the elderly from gathering because they always criticize the party and the socialist system, an official from South Pyongan province, north of the capital Pyongyang, told RFAs Korean Service.

North Koreas elderly have a lot to complain about these days. Authorities shut down the Sino-Korean border at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in Jan. 2020 and suspended all trade with China, a move that crippled the economy already devastated by international nuclear sanctions.

Commerce in entire towns dried up and food imports could no longer cover agricultural production shortages. Food prices skyrocketed and starvation deaths have been reported, but sources told RFA that the people are resentful of the government for turning its back on them.

RFA reported last month that tests of cruise missiles and submarine launched ballistic missiles angered residents who took the launches as an indication that the government was ignoring their concerns.

In such a breeding ground for dissent, authorities want to silence members of society who have time to complain to each other.

Each jurisdiction is identifying where and when the elderly gather to spend their free time. They are cracking down on gatherings, saying they are illegal under the National Emergency Quarantine Act, which forbids large groups from gathering in public places, the official said.

North Korea has been in an emergency quarantine posture since the beginning of the pandemic. Although Pyongyang has yet to confirm a single case, citizens have had to endure ever-stricter restrictions over the course of the pandemic.

But ending public gatherings could cut the elderly off from the rest of society.

These meetings are a valuable communication space because there are no senior centers anywhere in the whole country, said the official.

So a lot of these old folks go to their meeting places every day, almost as if theyre going to work, the official said.

The official said that the seniors come from all walks of life, and they tend to talk about politics, the economy, culture, and past experiences.

Like-minded people will seek each other out and sitting together to chat and spend time with their friends could be their last joys in life, but if they dont even get to do this, they will have nothing to live for, the official said.

Even though they worked hard for the country, their livelihood is not guaranteed at all. The country is not interested in the difficult living conditions of the elderly and the dissatisfaction of the elderly is bound to grow.

The central government recently ordered cadres to take measures to stop the elderly from coming together to complain about the hardships of life and making anti-party comments, an executive from the city of Hyesan, bordering China in Ryanggang province, told RFA.

The older members of the party said that complaining about the socialist system and griping about party rule is flat out disregarding their duties to the party They told officials with elderly parents to fight on the side of the revolution in their homes by preventing their mothers and fathers from getting involved in such decadent behavior, said the executive.

The park in front of the railroad station in Hyesan is one of the citys most popular spots for seniors, according to the executive, who requested anonymity to speak freely.

My father, who was formerly a mid-level local official, had his cane and was on his way out the door to go to the park at the station. I told him what they discussed at the meeting and asked him not to go to the park, the executive said.

My father told me that a lot of the chats at the park are about the economy and peoples living situation, but they also criticize the regime and blame the leader [Kim Jong Un] and his family for leading the country into this mess, said the executive.

The elderly are however not scared that they could be arrested, according to the executive.

Elderly people have gone through many hardships so they are all well aware of what went wrong The authorities need to think deeply about why old people are so vocal in their criticism of the system and the party.

Reported by Chang Gyu Ahn for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Claire Lee. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
Tired of his hard life as a soldier during the pandemic, he was tempted by the prosperity he saw across the border in China.

North Korean soldiers are seen on the banks of the Yalu River, near the North Korean town of Sinuiju, opposite the Chinese border city of Dandong in this file photo.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the extraterritorial arrest of an armed border guard who was tempted by the bright lights of far wealthier China and fled across the border, sources in both countries told RFA.

The guard was stationed in Musan county, along the border in North Hamgyong province, in the countrys northeast. Armed with an automatic rifle and about 30 rounds of ammunition, he escaped while on night duty on Sept. 30 across the river to Chinas Jilin province, in the vicinity of the city of Helong, sources said.

The deserter was in his 20s and was known to have served in the border guard for the past six years, a resident of the county told RFAs Korean Service Oct. 9.

He didnt have any particular conflict with his superiors and had faithfully performed his military service without even a minor incident, said the source, who requested anonymity to speak freely.

The border guard complained to his peers about North Korea closing the border with China since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020, the source said. The closure, along with a total suspension of trade with China, devastated the North Korean economy and has led to food shortages and starvation deaths.

Fellow soldiers testified that he envied how developed China appeared across the border, right in front of him as he worked every day.

Military Security Command began a two-week-long manhunt to arrest soldier as soon as he turned up missing, but they were unable to find him on the North Korean side of the border.

They then reported the incident to the central government, a military official in North Hamgyong told RFA Oct. 16. It was then that Kim Jong Un issued a priority order to arrest the deserter.

The Military Security Command organized and dispatched an arrest team to China. They thoroughly search every train station and bus stop along the route that the deserter might have traveled, said the official, who requested anonymity to speak freely.

The military authorities also sent an official letter to the Chinese border forces across from Musan and the Chinese police, informing them of the identity and appearance of the armed deserter and requesting their cooperation, the official said.

A resident of Musan confirmed to RFA that North Korean authorities dispatched an arrest team to China.

When the incident was reported to the Supreme Commander [Kim Jong Un], he branded the deserter as a traitor to the nation and ordered that they track him down until they find him, the Musan resident said.

The authorities are sensitive to this case because a few years ago, there was an armed soldier who escaped due to hunger. He entered a Chinese village and robbed and killed an innocent Chinese when he was caught, said the Musan resident.

The incident became a diplomatic issue between the two countries, and it was considered by North Korea to be a disgrace, the Musan resident said.

Since that incident, the leadership has repeatedly emphasized the importance of strengthening border blockades and preemptively stopping the escape of North Korean border guards so that no one can harm the stability of the regime, said the Musan resident.

Because of the seriousness of cross-border escapes, military officials are punished if even ordinary civilians cross the border on their watch, the Musan resident said.

As the escape of a soldier with 30 live ammunition and weapons occurred, the military authorities are treating this case as a political case. So, we dont know what punishment the officials of the deserters border guard unit will face in the future, the source said.

RFA reported in March that a group of six North Korean soldiers guarding the border abandoned their posts and escaped across the river in Ryanggang province, near the city of Hyesan.

Sources in that report said the six decided to leave because they were overworked preventing the spread of the pandemic and underfed because of the border closure.

Reported by Hyemin Son for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Leejin Jun. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
People in need of aid in Myanmar have tripled since coup, says the NGO Refugees International.

Myanmar citizens displaced by fighting in the eastern part of the country carry a sick person in Myanmars Kayah State, June 17, 2021.

Thailand and the United States are considering jointly providing humanitarian aid to the Burmese people via the Thai-Myanmar border, the Thai foreign ministry said Wednesday, while a member of an NGO working along the frontier said she did not believe Bangkok would step up to the plate.

Since the Feb. 1 military coup in Myanmar, Burmese security forces have destroyed scores of villages and homes through bombing, shelling and arson, as their clashes with rebels have increased, resulting in more than 218,000 people being displaced since then, according to the United Nations.

During a two-day visit to Bangkok earlier this week, U.S. State Department Counselor Derek Chollet and an inter-agency delegation from Washington met with the Thai foreign minister and discussed the post-coup crisis in Myanmar, Thai foreign ministry spokesman Tanee Sankrat said at a press briefing.

The two sides have discussed the situation in Myanmar, the handling of the matter by Thailand and ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] and the feasibility of Thai-U.S. cooperation to provide people in Myanmar with humanitarian assistance  possibly handled via the Thai-Myanmar border, Tanee said.

Thousands of displaced Burmese lack food, drinking water, shelter and healthcare in an economy that has all but collapsed since the coup, economists, rights groups and other agencies say.

Burmese are in dire need of humanitarian aid, Dan Sullivan, senior advocate for human rights at Refugees International, told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.

There has been a tripling of those in need of aid since the coup  1 million people to 3 million, said Sullivan, the author of a new report by Refugees International coming out on Thursday, Dire Consequences: Addressing the Humanitarian Fallout from Myanmars Coup.

Khin Ohmar, founder of Burmese rights group Progressive Voice, said civilians were fleeing their homes and the violence and taking shelter in the jungles.

They are living without any basic necessities, such as food and health care. We think it is best that neighboring countries like Thailand and India to open their borders to allow the humanitarian assistance, she told RFA.

The share of Myanmars population living in poverty is likely to more than double by early 2022, compared with 2019 levels, according to the World Bank.

In this scenario, U.S. and Thai officials discussed ways to prioritize needs and potential delivery mechanisms.

They explored possibilities and ways to enhance cooperation between Thailand and the United States in providing humanitarian assistance, including on public health and development of water supply and sanitation system, to the Myanmar people along the Thailand-Myanmar border, the Thai foreign office said in a statement.

The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, in a statement issued Tuesday, said that cross-border humanitarian aid were among issues discussed in talks between the delegation led by Chollet, Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and Gen. Supot Malaniyom, the secretary general of Thailands National Security Council.

 [B]urma is one of those issues where they share a border, and we want to work with Thailand in order to find a way to apply pressure on Myanmar to restore democracy there, but also look at humanitarian efforts and where we might be able to coordinate to assist the people of Myanmar, a senior State Department official told reporters last Friday during a background briefing before Chollet and the U.S. delegation departed for Thailand, the first leg of a three-nation Southeast Asian.

The American delegation was also due to visit Singapore and Indonesia this week.

Using established local networks

If the U.S. plan to provide aid via the Thai border  with Thailands cooperation  works out, it would be very welcome, Sullivan said.

In fact, we have been calling for cross-border aid.

The United States has been working towards getting Burmese humanitarian aid for some months now, Khin Ohmar of Progressive Voice noted.

The U.S. ambassador to the U.N. has visited Thailand and met leaders of civil society groups providing aid to Myanmar migrants  We are very glad and would like to welcome the U.S. for taking these steps, she said.

The main obstacle to getting aid into Myanmar is the military junta, Sullivan said.

The junta has been directly blocking aid getting into certain areas; it has created bureaucratic impediments like travel authorization and visa delays at checkpoints now  all that alongside the huge spike in displaced people are the obstacles, he said.

The benefit to working with Thailand and via its frontier with Myanmar is that there are readily available and long established local networks in that area already, Sullivan said.

Aid workers on the Thai side can and need to tap these networks to just send aid, but to ensure it gets to the people who need it the most, Sullivan said.

A vast majority in need cannot be immediately through the border, but a significant number are near the [Thai] border, so cross-border aid will really help them.

BenarNews wrote to the U.S. State Department for details on the humanitarian aid being considered, but did not immediately hear back on Wednesday. Members of The Border Consortium, a group providing humanitarian aid to Burmese could not be reached.

U.S. State Department Counselor Derek Chollet (L) stands with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai, in Bangkok, Oct. 19, 2021. Credit: Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs Staying in the jungle

Meanwhile, Pornsuk Kerdsawang, a member of Friends Without Borders Foundation, a Thai NGO that works on the Thai-Myanmar border, said that based on its actions so far she does not believe the Thai government will do much in terms of humanitarian aid.

In March, she noted, Thailand sent back more than 2,000 ethnic Karen refugees who fled into the country from military air strikes in Myanmar, although the Thai government said the displaced Burmese went back voluntarily.

The Thai government still has the same approach. Food assistance from the Thai has to be done quietly, Pornsuk told BenarNews.

Refugees Internationals Sullivan said that when the post-coup crisis began, Thailand did not allow access to the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) and also pressed those who fled across the border to return to Myanmar.

Khin Ohmar indicated that the U.S. needed to push Thailand.

We believe the best way to provide the aid to the people is through the border. It is important the U.S. convinces the Thai government to allow aid through Thailand into Myanmar.

Still, Thailand appears to be aware that people in the neighboring country are in dire straits.

On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Don met with a range of local and international stakeholders, all of whom said they were ready to cooperate and coordinate humanitarian assistance for Myanmar, the foreign ministry said.

They exchanged views and experiences, which included the discussion on need assessments, partners, possible transmission routes and coordination modalities in delivering assistance for the people of Myanmar, the ministry statement said.

Naw Htoo, director of the Karen Human Rights Group said the IDPs situation began to worsen immediately after the military coup and the security forces unleashed a brutal crackdown.

Those who are fleeing home and staying in the jungle to avoid the conflicts, they are in need of food supplies, Naw Htoo told RFA.

It would be great if the U.S. can negotiate with Thai authorities to send cross-border humanitarian aid into Myanmar.

Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.
Nomads have been living traditional lifestyles for centuries but must now sign over their land to the state.

A Tibetan sheep herder walks with his herd atop a small hill in a fenced field on the outskirts of Jintan township near the Qinghai Lake in Qinghai province in this file photo.

Chinese authorities are revoking permits for Tibetan nomads in Qinghai province to use their traditional grazing lands, under a 50-year-old agreement that transfers ownership to the state, sources in the area told RFA.

Many Tibetan nomads live almost in the same way that their ancestors centuries ago lived, by following and herding livestock on the Tibetan plateaus lush grasslands.

The Chinese government agreed 50 years ago to allow local nomads near the town of Kyegudo in Kyegudo in the Yulshul (in Chinese, Yushu) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture to use their grazing land without interference, but now their time has expired.

They are forcing Tibetans to sign these ownership documents which transfers proprietorship of these lands to the government, a local source told RFAs Tibetan Service.

The nomadic regions in Trindu [in Chinese, Chenduo] county in Kyegudo are where they are revoking usage permits now and confiscating the land under the Grassland Preservation Policy. The real purpose of confiscating the land is to force the Tibetan nomads to relocate to the city, said the source, who requested anonymity to speak freely.

The government previously revoked permits in other areas of Qinghai on the same premise, according to the source.

RFA reported in August that a Tibetan community leader and his nephew were arrested Qinghais Tridu county after advising local Tibetans not to sign away their rights.

The Chinese government has been confiscating many Tibetan grazing lands in this way in recent years, a Tibetan living in exile told RFA on condition of anonymity.

The confiscation of land in my hometown in Tibet by the Chinese authorities is worse this year than it was last year, the exile said.

Land permits that were given before are now revoked and has become invalid. Therefore, this is affecting the livelihoods of the Tibetan nomads, said the exile.

China wants to extract resources from Tibet and wants the Tibetans out of the way, Pema Gyal, a researcher at Tibet Watch, a UK and India-based organization which promotes the Tibetan human rights.

The Chinese government has long implemented these kinds of policies to force Tibetans to surrender their ancestral land, said Pema Gyal.

One of the main reasons is to exploit Tibets natural resources. Another is to relocate all the Tibetans in a smaller space so that the government can more easily control them, said Pema Gyal.

Development projects in Tibetan areas have led to frequent standoffs with Tibetans who accuse Chinese firms and local officials of pilfering money, improperly seizing land, and disrupting the lives of local people.

Many result in violent suppression and intense pressure on the local population to comply with the governments wishes, with protest leaders frequently detained and charged under cover of a Chinese campaign against so-called underworld criminal gangs in Tibetan areas.

Reported by Sangyal Kunchok for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Tenzin Dickyi. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
Extreme stress and depression can cause a host of medical issues, a former political prisoner said.

Detained Vietnamese activist author Pham Doan Trang is in poor health after a year of pretrial detention, her lawyer said this week after meeting Trang for the first time since her arrest.

Pham Doan Trang was arrested in Ho Chi Minh City in October 2020 and charged under article 117 of the Vietnamese Penal Code, accused of making, storing, distributing, or disseminating information, documents and items against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

With a trial date set for Nov. 4, one of the lawyers, Le Van Luan, was finally able to meet with Trang on Tuesday, and said in a Facebook post that Trang had lost 10 kilograms (22 pounds) over the past year.

In addition, her legs were in pain due to the changing weathers effects on her knees, which were broken in an attack she suffered in 2015.

She also suffers from ovarian cysts and menorrhagia, a condition which has caused her periods to last as long as 15 days. The long periods and her low blood pressure have resulted in constant fatigue, Luan said, but she has not had proper medical checkups or treatment over the past year.

A former prisoner of conscience told RFAs Vietnamese Service that Trangs health issues might be related to living in constant stress for long periods.

I witnessed some of my fellow inmates suffer from menorrhagia. I dont know how serious Trangs menstrual problem is, but its definitely worrisome, said Pham Thanh Nghien, who spent four years in a Vietnamese prison including 18 months in pretrial detention on charges of spreading propaganda against the state.

When I was finally discharged, I went to see some doctors who told me that it can happen from excessive stress, worry or depression while in custody, said Nghien.

Nghien said that most detention centers have clinics, but it is difficult for political prisoners to access medical exams and treatment.

The pre-trial detention is the most stressful time because detainees have to deal with the interrogation and arent allowed to see their families. Those who are detained for political reasons are not even allowed to see their lawyers, she said.

Trang, who authored a book on political engagement that angered authorities in Hanoi, was a cofounder of Legal Initiatives for Vietnam, a California-based NGO.

She also received Press Freedom Prize in 2019 from Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders for her work.

Vietnams already low tolerance of dissent deteriorated sharply last year with a spate of arrests of independent journalists, publishers, and Facebook personalities as authorities continued to stifle critics in the run-up to the ruling Communist Party Congress in January. But arrests continue in 2021.

Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by Anna Vu. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged more defense cooperation among Black Sea allies as he visited Romania on October 20 as part of a three-country tour of the region amid ongoing tensions with Russia.



During talks in Bucharest with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and Defense Minister Nicolae Ciuca, Austin said action was needed by littoral states of the Black Sea amid Russia's "militarization" of the region.



"The security and stability of the Black Sea are in the U.S.'s national interest and critical for the security of NATO's eastern flank," Austin told reporters.



"The region is vulnerable to Russian aggression and we've seen evidence of that by ongoing actions in eastern Ukraine, the occupations of parts of Georgia, and the militarization of the Black Sea and provocative actions in the air and at sea," he said.



Austin was in Bucharest on the third leg of a tour of the region to build confidence among allies, including Georgia and Ukraine, both of which are striving to join NATO, and to promote greater cooperation among military forces.



Austin also visited Romania's eastern Mihail Kogalniceanu air base and met with members of U.S. forces stationed there.



The Pentagon said Austins tour is a way to reassure allies and partners of Americas commitment to their sovereignty in the face of Russian aggression.



Austin will join a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels in the coming days.

With reporting by AFP and AP
MINSK -- Anton Furs, a veteran activist for Belarus's independence and a member of the Union of Belarusian Patriots, a post-World War 2 underground Belarusian youth organization, has died at the age of 94.

Furs' son, Yuras Furs, wrote on Facebook early on October 20 that his father died at his home in the northern town of Pastavy. He did not reveal the cause of death.

While studying in the mid-1940s to become a teacher, Furs and his friends created the underground youth organization with the goal of promoting Belarusian language and culture.

In February 1947, Furs was arrested and charged with anti-Soviet activities. He was sentenced to death for his offences, though the sentence was later reduced to 25 years in prison.

He served his prison term in Russias Urals city of Turin and in Karlag -- a system of notorious Soviet prisons near the city of Qaraghandy in Central Kazakhstan.

In 1955, Furs took part in a famous inmate riot that spread through several prisons of Karlag. He served nine years in the brutal Soviet prison system before being granted an early release.

After that, Furs married Alesya Umpirovich, a Belarusian activist who also served prison time for her beliefs.

Until 1982, the couple lived in Kazakhstan. They then moved to Belarus, where in 1992, Furs and other members of the youth organization were exonerated by a state commission that ruled the Union of Belarusian Patriots did not commit any crimes.

His wife -- whom he met through the youth organization -- was exonerated in 1993. She died in August 2017 at the age of 92.
SARAJEVO  Bosnia-Herzegovinas top judicial body has confirmed the dismissal of the Balkan countrys chief prosecutor, Gordana Tadic.

The Disciplinary Commission of Bosnias High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) announced in July that it had ruled to remove Tadic from the chief prosecutors post, citing professional negligence, among other issues.

The Second Instance Disciplinary Commission confirmed the ruling in September before the October 20 ruling by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council.

Tadic will now perform the function of a prosecutor.

She was appointed chief prosecutor in January 2019 after serving as acting chief prosecutor from September 2016.

A disciplinary lawsuit was filed against Tadic in April, blaming her for failing to assign cases to prosecutors through the automatic distribution system.

She was also charged with failing to ensure the initiation of personal data protection procedures by applying the Law on the Protection of Classified Information, as well as security checks of staff at the Prosecutors Office that handle classified information, among other things.

The defense claimed Tadic had committed no violation.

The HJPC is now set to appoint an acting chief prosecutor to replace Tadic.

The chief prosecutor heads the Task Force on Combating Terrorism and Strengthening Counterterrorism Capacities, as well as the Task Force on Combating Trafficking in Persons and Organized Illegal Immigration, both established by Bosnias Council of Ministers.
Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking Chinas resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia.

Im RFE/RL correspondent Reid Standish and heres what Im following right now.

An Unofficial Military Base And Beijings War On Terror

A secret Chinese base in Tajikistan, Beijings first military footprint in Central Asia, is in full swing, but China finds itself in a bind following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, RFE/RLs Tajik Service and I reported.



Finding Perspective: With drones, patrols, and a collection of outposts, Chinas unofficial base has been in existence for at least five years, but we reported new details about what Chinese personnel are up to and how things are changing since the Western-backed government was toppled in August.



The base relied on cooperation between Chinese, Tajik, and Afghan troops, but since the Talibans return to power, the Afghan contingent has not been replaced and the facilities now only consist of Chinese and Tajik personnel.



The focus of the base is linked to Beijings concerns about Uyghur militants operating in Afghanistan and crossing into the country through Tajikistans porous borders to launch attacks in China.



Chinese personnel have also replaced their Tajik counterparts along lengthy sections of the Tajik-Afghan border where they now patrol on their own.



Why It Matters: While the base is a reflection of Chinas growing influence and power across Central and South Asia, Beijing is also dealing with an increasingly complicated situation on the ground.



Chinese military strategists and policymakers have long been anxious about the potential threats of extremism in the Middle East and Central Asia spreading to China. The situation in Afghanistan and the presence of Uyghur militants, particularly those from the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP), have been high on that list of concerns.



But as China's economic and military presence grows across the region, it also means that its interests are being targeted by a wide variety of groups around South and Central Asia -- something that Beijing will need to adapt to.



You can read the full article here.



Read More



 The CIA announced the formation of a new China Mission Center, highlighting the Biden administrations focus on Beijing.



 My colleagues Farangis Najibullah and Mumin Ahmadi interviewed Afghan pilots who fled the Taliban and found refuge in Tajikistan, where they now are stuck in limbo.

Expert Corner: Taiwan's Europe Tour

Readers asked: Taiwan is sending a diplomatic and trade delegation to several European countries. How significant is this trip?



To find out more, I asked Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, China reporter at Axios:



Its an opportunity for Taipei, but the fact that this trip is happening indicates how much China is changing the status quo.



Only a few years ago, China had few problems in Europe. There wasnt even much of a policy conversation going on, it was just about business and trade. Now there is a conversation taking place and Taiwan is becoming part of it.



Do you have a question about Chinas growing footprint in Eurasia? Send it to me at StandishR@rferl.org or reply directly to this e-mail and Ill get it answered by leading experts and policymakers.

Three More Stories From Eurasia

1. Hungarys China Deals

A court in Hungary ruled that the government must disclose the contracts from a 2014 deal for a Chinese-financed railway project from Budapest to Belgrade, RFE/RLs Hungarian Service reported.



A Quick Look: The disclosure is from a lawsuit launched by Bernadett Szel, an independent opposition Hungarian MP, and the ruling said that the documents must be released by October 22.



The project has been marred in controversy and delays, and is seen by analysts as part of Beijings effort to open new foreign trade links inside the European Union, of which Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been an enthusiastic partner.



China, Serbia, and Hungary signed the original memorandum on the rail route in 2014. Construction in Serbia started in 2018.



In 2020, Hungary took out a 20-year, $1.9 billion Chinese loan. In April of that year, the Hungarian parliament voted to keep all details around the railway project classified, including a feasibility study about its profitability, arguing that it was required in order to secure a loan from the Export-Import Bank of China.



My colleagues in Budapest caution that key details from the documents could still be censored in the coming release, but the episode should provide some added insights into Chinese investments in Hungary.



2. NATO Looks East

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says that the military alliance will be shifting its attention toward China as part of an expanding focus on countering Beijings growing military capabilities and geopolitical heft.



Transatlantic Takeaways: Those comments are from an October 18 interview that Stoltenberg gave to the Financial Times where he outlined some of NATOs reorientation.



The shift toward China marks a new direction for the Western military alliance. NATO has traditionally focused on countering Russia, and, following the September 11, 2001 attacks, also on terrorism.



The turn further east also comes after NATO ended its 20-year mission in Afghanistan and Stoltenberg said that more attention would be put toward confronting the security implications of Beijings rise for North America and Europe.



What we can predict is that the rise of China will impact our security. It already has, the secretary-general said during the interview. China is coming closer to us . . . We see them in the Arctic. We see them in cyberspace. We see them investing heavily in critical infrastructure in our countries.



The Financial Times also reported on October 16 that Beijing tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in August. The move allegedly caught U.S. intelligence off guard and demonstrated that China has made progress faster than believed on its next-generation weapons.



3. China, The Taliban, And a Jailbreak

Pivoting back to Afghanistan, The Daily Telegraph reported about a jailbreak of alleged Uyghur militants during the Talibans August takeover that could have major implications for Beijings relationship with the group.



The Story: According to a former senior security official in President Ashraf Ghanis administration who spoke to the paper, the Taliban helped suspected members of TIP escape from prison as the former government collapsed.



We had 35 [Uyghur] militants in jails all over Afghanistan. All of them escaped after the Taliban takeover, a former official told The Daily Telegraph.



The reported episode gets to the heart of the Talibans strange balancing act under way with Beijing.



The new regime in Kabul has courted China in order to win investment and diplomatic support. In exchange, Beijing has pushed for the Taliban to rein in Uyghur militants in Afghanistan -- and ideally hand them over to Chinese security authorities.



But while the Taliban has refrained from criticizing Chinas policies targeting Uyghurs and other Muslims in Xinjiang and offered assurances to Beijing that it would not allow militants to stage attacks in Afghanistan, cooperation with China is not so straightforward.



As RFE/RL reported earlier this month, the Taliban relocated Uyghur militants from areas close to Afghanistans border with China, but has stopped short of handing them over.



While this shows that the Taliban is willing to accommodate Beijings requests, cooperation with China also has its limits.

Across The Supercontinent

Opening Up: In hopes of boosting trade, Kyrgyzstan announced that it will be lifting the last of its COVID-19 restrictions with China and allow for more trucks to cross the border, RFE/RLs Kyrgyz Service reported.



Coal Crunch: Chinas own energy shortage has led to the country buying up coal from abroad in order to meet its domestic needs, which is leading to knock-on effects elsewhere. My colleague Yevhen Solonyna from RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service looks into how the supply shortages could affect Ukraine this winter.



The Pipeline: Chinas appetite for energy continues to rise and the country is drawing on its neighbors as much as possible. RFE/RLs Turkmen Service reported that gas imports from Turkmenistan to China rose by 23.9 percent in the first half of the year.



Putins Turn: Russia is set to host the Taliban and other factions for talks in Moscow on October 20. Diplomats from Russia, the United States, China, and Pakistan are also set to meet in the Russian capital this month to talk about Afghanistan.



Long Reach: Chinas diplomatic power at the UN has been growing for years. Foreign Policys Colum Lynch reports on how Beijing has grown particularly skilled at derailing Western sanctions regimes.



An Unprecedented High: During an October 8 speech, Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Ruslan Kazakbayev said that relations with China had reached an unprecedented high and that they were exemplary and time-tested, RFE/RLs Kyrgyz Service reports.



China Goes Local: Researchers Dirk Van Der Kley and Niva Yau have a new paper out that looks at how Chinese companies have adapted to local business environments in Central Asia, with increasingly successful results. Read it here.

One Thing To Watch

It wasnt that long ago that the world wrapped up the (long-delayed) Tokyo Summer Olympics, but recent protests in Athens at the Olympic torch-lighting ceremony were a reminder that the Winter Olympics in Beijing are just around the corner.



Greek police detained two human rights activists after they unfurled banners about Tibet and Hong Kong at the Athens Acropolis as the Olympic flame was set to make its long journey to Beijing ahead of the February 4, 2022 opening ceremony.



With pushback against China rising, expect more displays from activists as the Chinese Olympics draws closer.

Thats all from me for now. Dont forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have.

Until next time,

Reid Standish

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox on Wednesdays twice a month.
The Olympic flame has arrived in China for the Beijing 2022 Winter Games as protests over China's human rights record continue to mar the run-up to the Olympics.

State media reported on October 20 that the flame arrived and was expected to go on display at the Beijing Olympic Tower before going on tour.

The flame was lit at a ceremony in Olympia, Greece, on October 18 and transferred the following day to the organizers of the Beijing Games, which begin on February 4, 2022.

Protesters disrupted the lighting ceremony, demanding that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) postpone the event.

The protest was the latest to put pressure on the IOC to postpone the Olympics and relocate it unless China ends gross human rights abuses, including what Washington deems an ongoing genocide of Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and members of Xinjiang's other indigenous, mostly Muslim, ethnic groups in Xinjiang.

The U.S. State Department has said that as many as 2 million Uyghurs and other minorities have been incarcerated in detention camps in the Xinjiang region. Exiles say the Chinese central government practices religious repression, torture, and forced sterilization at the camps.

China has vehemently denied human rights abuses in the region and says the camps are vocational training centers aimed at reducing the appeal of Islamic extremism.

IOC Chairman Thomas Bach has brushed off talks of a boycott, citing the IOCs political neutrality and saying it is up to governments to live up to their responsibilities.

Some veteran U.S. Olympians on October 19 denounced China's track record on human rights but stopped short of endorsing a boycott.

"Every human deserves to be treated equally with respect and dignity and fairness, said two-time Olympic luger Tucker West at a media summit held by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC).

Regarding the boycott, West said it was not his job to decide where the Olympics are held.

Three-time Olympic ice dancer Evan Bates offered a strong denunciation of Chinas human rights record.

"I have no problem speaking for the athletes and saying that what's happening there is terrible and we're human beings too and when we read and hear about the things that are happening there, we absolutely hate that. We hate what's going on there," he said but added that celebrating "what the Olympic movement stands for" is also important.

Figure skater Nathan Chen, who won a bronze medal in the team event at the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, said for change to occur there must be power that is beyond the Olympics. It has to be change at a remarkable scale.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters
TBILISI -- Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who has been on a hunger strike in prison for nearly three weeks, has consented to medical intervention while vowing to continue his protest.

Saakashvili's lawyer, Dito Sadzaglishvili, read out a letter from his client to reporters on October 20, in which Saakashvili said he was "ready to die" for his cause.

"But I want to preserve my consciousness and ability to work to the end, and therefore I agree to allow medical intervention by physicians which will help me keep my sanity and at least, in a limited way, participate in ongoing developments," the letter said.

A day earlier, a group of doctors recommended that prison administrators transfer Saakashvili to a hospital for observation after visiting him.

Saakashvili was arrested on October 1 hours after he announced he had returned to Georgia following an eight-year absence. He immediately went on a hunger strike, while his arrest triggered a protest by tens of thousands of his supporters in Tbilisi last week.

The 53-year-old has said his arrest for what Georgian law enforcement agencies called illegally crossing the border was politically motivated.

Saakashvilis detention in a prison in Rustavi has deepened a protracted political crisis in Georgia. Dozens of European lawmakers and other current and former politicians have called for his release.

Saakashvili served as the South Caucasus country's president from 2004 to 2013.

He was sentenced in 2018 in absentia to a total of nine years in prison after being convicted of abuse of power in two separate cases. The ex-president has rejected all charges as politically motivated.
ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- Dissident Kazakh poet Aron Atabek, who was recently released from prison after spending 15 years behind bars on charges he denied, has been hospitalized and is currently in an intensive care unit.

Atabek's sister, Razia Nutysheva, told RFE/RL on October 20 that her brother was hospitalized over the weekend after his condition worsened.

"His current state of health is worrisome. He is unable to eat. The illness is progressing. After his release from prison, he refused to stay in a medical institution and we treated him at home for some time, but his health state worsened dramatically in recent days," Nutysheva said, adding that Atabek is currently connected to a lung ventilation system. She did not provide any other details and did not say whether Atabek has COVID-19.

Atabek (aka Edigeev), who was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2007 after being convicted of helping organize protests that resulted in the death of a police officer, has maintained his innocence since his arrest in 2006.

He rejected a government pardon offer in 2012 that would have required him to admit guilt.

He was released from a prison in Kazakhstans northern region of Pavlodar in early October amid long-standing concerns over his health. Relatives and friends say he suffers from heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.

For years, Kazakh and international rights organizations demanded that the government release the poet saying that, along with his innocence, he was tortured in prison with guards intentionally splashing water with high concentrations of chlorine on the floor of his cell to damage his health.

Last month, a photograph taken by activists who visited him in prison appeared to show Atabek exhausted and in poor health. The photograph caused a public outcry and put added pressure on officials to release him.

In December 2012, Atabek was transferred to solitary confinement after he wrote an article critical of then-President Nursultan Nazarbaev and his government, and the article was published online.

In 2014, his relatives accused prison guards of breaking his leg, which authorities have denied.
Russia is hosting a high-level Taliban delegation for talks attended by officials from China, Pakistan, and eight other countries, as Moscow seeks to assert its influence on Central Asia amid worries about instability or violence spilling from Afghanistan into neighboring countries.

The October 20 conference in Moscow is one of the Taliban's most significant international meetings since the militants seized control of Kabul from the internationally recognized government in mid-August.

Addressing the gathering, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia recognized the Taliban's "efforts to stabilize the military and political situation and set up work of the state apparatus," as extremist groups such as Islamic State and Al-Qaeda were trying to "take advantage" of instability.

Moscow considers the formation of a "truly inclusive" government in Kabul as the only way to bring "stable peace" to the country, Lavrov also said.

The Taliban delegation at the talks, in which the United States is not participating, is headed by the group's acting Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi and also includes acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

Russia's Foreign Ministry has said one of the aims of the meeting was to consolidate the "efforts of the international community to prevent a humanitarian crisis" in the aftermath of the Taliban's takeover.

The formation of an "inclusive government" in Kabul would be on the agenda, it said.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the group would ask the participants for economic assistance and political support.

"Naturally, the conference will focus on economic and political issues, as well as on the problems of security in the region and in Afghanistan," Mujahid said.

The Russian ambassador to Kabul, Dmitry Zhirnov, told journalists that the issue of recognizing the Taliban-led government wont be discussed at the meeting.

Moscow moved to engage with the Taliban, hosting its representatives in Moscow several times in recent years, but has stopped short of recognizing the group, which is considered a banned terrorist organization within Russia.

Russia and Afghanistans Central Asian neighbors have been wary of an increase of drug trafficking and other security threats emanating from the war-torn country, and the potential for tens of thousands of refugees to pour over the border.

In response, Russia staged military drills alongside ex-Soviet countries neighboring Afghanistan, and reinforced equipment at a military base in Tajikistan.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that the Islamic State (IS) extremist group had about 2,000 militants in northern Afghanistan, and claimed that the alleged IS fighters planned to move between ex-Soviet Central Asian countries disguised as refugees in order to stir up religious and ethnic discord.

Moscow fought a disastrous war in Afghanistan in the 1980s that killed up to 2 million Afghans, forced 7 million more from their homes, and led to the deaths of more than 14,000 Soviet troops.

With reporting by AFP and TASS
For months, the Kremlin has been trying to convince its citizens and others that opposition leader Aleksei Navalny is just a criminal who ran an extremist organization.

It jailed him in February for 2 1/2 years on a parole violation tied to an old economic crime that he denounces as politically motivated.

Then it liquidated his popular Anti-Corruption Foundation -- which battled graft and challenged the pro-Kremlin United Russia party -- on claims it was an extremist organization.

However, the European Parliaments decision to award the 45-year-old Russian activist the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought -- the blocs most prestigious human rights award -- undermines the Kremlins strategy, colleagues and analysts say.

It's a strong recognition that Aleksei Navalny is not an extremist or terrorist, but is, in fact, a freedom fighter, Alina Polyakova, president and CEO of the Center for European Policy Analysis, tells RFE/RL.

The prize elevates him to a "global figure versus just being a Russian figure" and some people will now see him in a totally different light, she says.

Navalny was chosen by European lawmakers on October 20 after being short-listed along with a group of Afghan women and a jailed Bolivian opposition politician.

Previous winners of the award, named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, include former South African President Nelson Mandela and Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani campaigner for womens rights and education.

The prize elevates him to a "global figure versus just being a Russian figure" and some people will now see him in a totally different light.

The Kremlin did not immediately comment on the European Parliaments decision.

Marat Gelman, a Russian activist, tells RFE/RL that the choice of Navalny is probably driving the Kremlin crazy but that it would be able to use its dominance of the media to neutralize any impact at home.

"It will not change opinions of Navalny," he says. People who respect Navalny will be pleased, but "people who watch [Russian state] television...will receive one more affirmation that Navalny is a scoundrel, an American agent."

"The balance of forces will not change," Gelman says.

Russian state TV did not immediately report on the award.

Ruslan Shaveddinov, a Navalny associate, says Putin wants everyone to quickly forget about the activist.

In announcing the decision to award the prize to Navalny, Heidi Hautula, the vice president of the European Parliament, said the Russian activist had shown great courage in challenging the Kremlins increasing authoritarian rule.

For many years, he has fought for human rights and fundamental freedoms in [Russia]. This has cost him his freedom, and nearly his life, she said during a speech to the European Parliament.

Navalny, who had been jailed more than 10 times for short stints prior to his February sentencing, nearly died last year after being poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent in an attack he says was carried out by Russias security services.

Hautula called on the Russian government to immediately release Navalny.

Colleagues, human rights activists, and analysts say that is very unlikely. However, some say the award could help protect Navalny from harm while he's behind bars.

Russian prisons are notorious for their poor conditions.

Right now, the most important thing is for him to survive in prison and get out of it. And such a prestigious award, of course, should be a security certificate, Zoya Svetova, a human rights activist, tells RFE/RL.

Gleb Pavlovsky, a former political adviser to the Kremlin, agrees.

The award "strengthens Navalny's position in prison -- protects him to some degree," he says.

Svetova nonetheless holds out hope for Navalny's early release, pointing out that Ukrainian filmmaker Oleh Sentsov was released by the Kremlin in a prisoner swap with Kyiv about a year after he won the Sakharov Prize in 2018.

Russia arrested Sentsov in 2014 for opposing Moscow's takeover of his native Crimea earlier that year. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison on terrorism charges in a trial criticized by human rights groups and Western governments as politically motivated.

Third Russian Recipient

Navalny is the third recipient of the award to come from Russia since it was launched in 1988.

Anatoly Marchenko, a Siberian-born Soviet dissident, author, and human rights activist -- who spent more than one-third of his life in prison or internal exile -- won the award posthumously in 1988 along with Mandela.

Memorial, the Russian human rights group headed by Sakharov in the late 1980s, won the prize in 2009.

Oleg Orlov, Memorials chairman, said at the time that the prize represented much-needed moral support during a difficult period for rights activists in Russia.

But pressure on Russian rights groups has only increased exponentially since then. The Kremlin has labeled dozens of organizations, including Memorial, as foreign agents, a designation that scares away potential donors and starves them of financing.

Many other Russian rights groups have folded under the pressure. While Memorial was threatened with closure in 2014, it has held on. It is unclear what, if any, role the prestige of the Sakharov Prize has played in Memorials survival.

Polyakova notes that in the late Soviet period the Kremlin didnt make strong moves against dissidents or political prisoners who had global recognition so as not to jeopardize certain economic and political relationships deemed more important than these few individuals.

She says Putin reads from the same script and is prone to use political prisoners to barter for something more valuable. Navalny would be no exception.

The more Navalny is recognized, the more he is internationally known, the more valuable he becomes to the Kremlin as a sort of hostage, and a bargaining chip for future endeavors and future pursuits, she says.

Written and with additional reporting by Todd Prince in Washington
The Kremlin says that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not fly to Scotland for the COP26 climate summit at the end of the month.

No reason was given for the decision, which is being seen as a blow to efforts to get world leaders to negotiate a new deal to stall rising global temperatures.

COP26, which starts on October 31, is the biggest climate change conference since landmark talks in Paris in 2015.

Around 200 countries are being asked for their plans to cut emissions by 2030 and many will be watching to see how far Russia and other major fossil fuel producers are willing to go in order to reduce their dependence on them.

Speaking at an international energy forum in Moscow earlier this month, Putin had cited the coronavirus pandemic as a factor in deciding whether he would travel to the summit in Glasgow, which is being billed as key to the viability of the Paris Agreements temperature goals.

"I am not sure yet if I will attend [COP26] in person, but I will certainly take part in it," he said on October 13.

The announcement on October 20 that the Russian president will not go to the Glasgow summit comes on the same day that a UN-backed study said the world needs to cut by more than half its production of coal, oil, and gas in the coming decade to maintain a chance of keeping global warming from reaching dangerous levels.

Based on reporting by the BBC, AFP, and Reuters
BUCHAREST -- Romania's Prime Minister-designate Dacian Ciolos has failed in his bid to form the next government after his centrist minority cabinet was rejected in a confidence vote, extending the country's political crisis.



The defeat was widely expected. Ciolos's proposed cabinet received only 88 votes from lawmakers on October 20, well short of the 234 needed to be approved.



The political turmoil comes as one of the European Union's poorest states struggles with a huge spike in COVID-19 cases and deaths, a sputtering economy, and rising energy prices.



Regardless of the result of the vote, regardless of the political struggle, we share the good or bad results with the citizens. We are in a time of deep crisis, said the 52-year-old Ciolos, a former prime minister and EU commissioner who is currently the leader of center-right Save Romania Union (USR).



Romanian lawmakers from across the political spectrum on October 5 voted overwhelmingly to topple liberal Prime Minister Florin Citu's center-right minority government.



The move came after the USR withdrew from Citu's National Liberal Party (PNL)-led government last month, complaining about his "dictatorial attitude" after he sacked several USR members of the government, including the justice and health ministers.



The ongoing crisis threatens to further hamper Romanias efforts to tackle an alarming surge of COVID-19 infections in the nation of 19 million.



The country on October 20 confirmed more than 17,000 new coronavirus infections and 423 deaths, a day after a pandemic-high of 18,863 cases and 574 fatalities.



The explosion in infections and deaths prompted President Klaus Iohannis on October 20 to announce a night curfew for all those unvaccinated, the reintroduction of masks both indoors and outdoors, and the requirement of the EU-wide COVID-19 pass for virtually all events.



Iohannis also said all primary, secondary, and high schools are going on an extended two-week vacation from October 25.



Iohannis also said he wants increases in vaccinations and tried to give assurances to skeptical Romanians that the vaccines available are safe and effective.

The measures and the time frame announced by Iohannis came under immediate criticism by medical experts as too mild and bordering on procrastination since they are only going to come into force next week.



Critics and the social-democratic opposition have pointed fingers at both Iohannis and Citu for what they say was a chaotic management of the pandemic over the summer, when they all but declared it "defeated" and dropped mask-wearing regulations while being overly involved in political infighting.



A lackluster vaccination campaign insufficiently pushed forward by authorities has seen Romania rank at the bottom of the EU, together with Bulgaria, with just 34 percent of adults fully inoculated. That compares with the bloc's average of 74 percent.



Romania has also been struggling with a wave of anti-vaccination fake news aggressively promoted by members of the extreme-right AUR party that unexpectedly stormed into parliament in the latest parliamentary elections in December and even by some senior Orthodox church officials.

With reporting by Reuters and AP
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a nationwide week of "nonworking" starting on October 30 as the country reels from a surge in coronavirus cases and deaths.



Putin said on October 20 that regions with the most dramatic COVID-19 situation can bring the period forward to start as early as October 23, adding that the plan may also be prolonged depending on the situation.



A government task force on October 20 reported 1,028 COVID-19-related deaths over the previous day, the highest number since the start of the pandemic.



"Right now, it is particularly important to subdue the peak of a new wave of the pandemic," Putin said in a video call with the cabinet, adding that workers should be paid for the period.



Russia has by far the largest official death toll in Europe -- 226,353 -- and the fourth-highest in the world after the United States, Brazil, and India.



The country recorded 34,074 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours.



Coronavirus cases and mortality numbers have been soaring in Russia for weeks -- with the daily death count topping 1,000 for the first time over the weekend -- amid low vaccination rates.



Only 35 percent of the countrys nearly 146 million people are fully vaccinated, despite the Russia-developed Sputnik V vaccine being widely available.



Putin said he "can't understand" the hesitancy given "we have a reliable and efficient vaccine."



Putin, however, has been criticized often for muddling the message on vaccinations.

RFE/RL's Coronavirus Coverage Features and analysis, videos, and infographics explore how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the countries in our region.

Russia was the first country to approve a COVID-19 vaccine, but it took four months after the jab became widely available for the Kremlin to announce that Putin had been vaccinated. Even then, it did not say which shot he took, nor did it provide video evidence to prove it. Only weeks later did Putin finally confirm he had received Sputnik V.



Observers said he also undermined the vaccination message by declining to strongly support vaccine mandates for some Russians, by suggesting without evidence that Western-made vaccines are dangerous and by underplaying the scale of the vaccination problem more broadly.



The Kremlin has been reluctant to impose a new nationwide lockdown like the one introduced early on in the pandemic that sapped the economy and Putins popularity, empowering instead regional authorities across the country to decide on local restrictions.



On October 19, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said unvaccinated people over 60 will be required to stay home, and mandatory vaccinations will be extended for service workers.



Sobyanin also told businesses to keep at least one-third of their staff working remotely.



Those measures take effect next week.

With reporting by Meduza, TASS, AFP and AP
The finding, by a German military laboratory, set off alarm bells across Western capitals 13 months ago: A powerful Soviet-era nerve agent was found in the tissue of Russian anti-corruption crusader Aleksei Navalny, lying comatose in a Berlin hospital.

Laboratories in France and Sweden followed suit. And the finding was then reconfirmed by the Nobel Prize-winning organization that employs some of the world's best scientists and is charged with regulating, monitoring, and stopping the use of chemicals weapons worldwide.

Two dozen years ago, the world's most sweeping treaty aimed at eliminating chemical weapons came into effect. In addition to establishing The Hague-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the treaty set up a way for its 193 members to raise suspicions and accusations -- and a way to investigate or verify them using inspectors.

That may be about to happen for the first time in the OPCW's history.

A group of 45 countries is pushing Russia to provide a full explanation of the circumstances behind Navalny's illness, which occurred in August 2020 as he was traveling in Siberia. He was evacuated to Berlin, where doctors saved his life and later identified the poison that nearly killed him.

The toxin came from the Novichok family, a group of deadly substances that were developed by the Soviet Union in the 1980s as part of that country's vast, secret, sprawling chemical- and biological-weapons program. Along with the United States, the Soviet Union, and later Russia, developed the world's largest arsenals of chemical weapons.

Russia has pushed back, in a 235-page document that took direct aim at the initial October 5 letter from the 45 OPCW members, as well as attacking some of Navalny's colleagues.

One of the most important tools available under the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention is something called a Challenge Inspection. Essentially, this allows for a country to demand that a team of OPCW inspectors be dispatched to another country to verify whether that country is producing chemical weapons.

It has never been done before.

"If Russia is making small quantities of these agents, and they're using them against people, it's a violation of the convention," Marc-Michael Blum, an expert formerly with the OPCW, told RFE/RL. He added that whether "a Challenge Inspection can reveal that, however, [is] an open question."

Britain, meanwhile, is among the 45 countries leading the charge. That's due to the fact that in March 2018, some two years before Navalny's poisoning, Novichok was identified in the near-fatal poisoning in England of former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia. A British woman named Dawn Sturgess later died after being accidentally exposed to a container that had Novichok in it.

The discovery stunned experts and arms-control advocates who had accepted, and hailed, Russia's announcement the previous year that it had destroyed its entire chemical-weapons arsenal.

London blamed the Skripal poisoning on Russian intelligence agents.

Navalny and his associates have also blamed Russian intelligence, an assertion bolstered by open-source researchers at Bellingcat, who identified the intelligence officers and scientific institutes they alleged were involved in the effort.

In March 2021, after an unexplained delay, and then again in August, the United States imposed sanctions on several of the Russian institutes in question, and Russia's main domestic security agency, the Federal Security Service.

"The poisoning of [Navalny] on Russian soil was a clear instance of a situation causing doubt about compliance with the Convention, and specifically of Russia's observance of its obligations under the Convention," the British representative to the OPCW wrote on October 18.

"The clear message of the 45" countries that have joined the British effort, Blum said, was "'we will not let this rest.'"

Russia's Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to two e-mails sent by RFE/RL seeking further comment.

In its response to the first letter, however, Russia cast aspersions on the German-led investigation, asserting that it was "aggressively pushing a far-fetched version" that Navalny was targeted with a Novichok-related toxin.

"The Russian side has repeatedly and in great detail set out its vision of what is happening around A. Navalny, giving fact-based assessments of the whole situation and presenting a chronology of events for public review," the Russian representative office said in its letter dated October 7.

Western countries have said they don't believe Russia has been transparent or forthcoming with its information or answers.

Few international experts expect Russia to conduct a transparent criminal investigation into the use of a chemical weapon against one of its own citizens. The question, experts say, is then whether a Challenge Inspection by the OPCW is the only tool available.

"Russian obfuscating and telling outright lies, that's nothing new," said one U.S. official with direct knowledge of the international discussions to pressure Moscow under the treaty. "The question is, how do you address that under the treaty structure?"

"Skripal, Navalny: They are attempted assassinations. The treaty wasn't designed for those sorts of circumstances," said the official, who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The 41-member Executive Council of the OPCW is not scheduled to meet until sometime early next year. The larger grouping, called the Conference of State Parties, will be meeting later in November, though few expect any tangible progress to come out of that.

Under treaty rules, meanwhile, a country could force the issue by demanding a special, unscheduled meeting of the Executive Council. It's unclear whether Britain, or any of its allies, is preparing to push that option. Treaty rules also allow a country to demand a Challenge Inspection without going through the Executive Council.

The problem is that the treaty was set up to address the mass-scale production of chemical weapons, for which a country would have large factories or storage facilities to produce and stockpile the materials. With inspections, those are easy to investigate and hard to conceal.

If Russia indeed has a formal system of producing Novichok or other toxins or nerve agents, however, it is likely to be small-scale, experts say: easy to conceal, and easy to hide any traces or evidence of production.

That provides a disincentive for a country to demand a Challenge Inspection; the country must have ironclad certainty that an inspection team will find something. Otherwise, it will severely undermine the credibility of the accusing party, and possibly the OPCW inspectors.

"I don't think there will be a request for a Challenge Inspection," said Gregory Koblentz, director of the Biodefense Graduate Program at George Mason University outside of Washington, D.C. "The Russians have had plenty of time to sanitize sites involved in Novichok production.

"Unless the Brits have exquisite intelligence on where to sample to find traces of Novichoks or degradation compounds, then a [Challenge Inspection] is a high-risk endeavor," he said in an e-mail. "If the Brits actually do have intel that good on the Novichok program, would using it to target the [Challenge Inspection] risk blowing their source or method?"

The U.S. official said Western intelligence agencies had had suspicions about Russia's declarations dating back at least to 2002, when Chechen terrorists took hundreds of people hostage at a Moscow theater. The crisis ended when security forces pumped a secret gas derived from fentanyl into the building, rendering the hostages and their captors unconscious. About 130 hostages died.

"You don't just have large quantities of a fentanyl-based toxin lying around unless you have a production and storage system in place. That was a clear indication" Russia may be continuing such programs, the U.S. official told RFE/RL.

"We've been concerned about a program for a long time," the official said. "We've been surprised, disappointed, to find out now that these chemicals are being used in these sorts of assassination programs."
Jailed Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny has been chosen as the winner of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, the European Parliament's annual human rights prize, for his work to expose corruption and efforts to restrict freedoms in Russia.



Navalny was chosen by European lawmakers as the recipient of the award on October 20, the European People's Party Group said, after being shortlisted along with a group of Afghan women and a jailed Bolivian opposition politician.

He has campaigned consistently against the corruption of Vladimir Putins regime, and through his social-media accounts and political campaigns, Navalny has helped expose abuses and mobilize the support of millions of people across Russia. For this, he was poisoned and thrown in jail, European Parliament President David Sassoli said in a statement announcing the award.

Navalny, one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's most vocal critics, was jailed in January after returning to Russia from Germany, where he was treated for a poisoning he said was ordered by the Kremlin, a charge Moscow denies.



The EU has imposed sanctions on Russian officials over Navalny's poisoning and imprisonment.

The 45-year-old lawyer was subsequently sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison on a parole violation charge that he denounces as politically motivated.

This is a very strong message from Free Europe to Putin. And delivered at exactly the right time, right place. No doubt Putin got the message, and is now raging mad in his bunker, said political analyst Vladimir Milov.

Putin and other Russian authorities have ratcheted up pressure on Navalny, as well as his movement in recent months. The anti-corruption crusader has been designated by prison authorities as an extremist and a terrorist, he says.



Meanwhile in June, a court ruled the activities of his Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) to be extremist.



Since then, many of his allies have had their homes raided or their freedom of movement restricted, prompting some to flee the country, while others have been jailed on dubious charges.



Last month, Russia opened a new criminal case against Navalny that could keep him in jail for a further decade.

"Putin calls Navalny a criminal blogger, but he is alone in this. Aleksei Navalny is a politician who fights for justice despite all the threats and assassination attempts," Navalny's team said on its Telegram channel. "And we are certain that Putin is not pleased to hear about this."

Last year, the prize was awarded to Belarus's democratic opposition, which staged weeks of protests against Alyaksandr Lukashenka following a disputed presidential election that the strongman claimed to have won, but which the opposition and the West said was heavily rigged in his favor.



Other previous winners of the 50,000 euro ($59,000) award, named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, include South African president Nelson Mandela, Venezuela's democratic opposition and Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai.

With reporting by Rikard Jowziak
Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny has won the Sakharov Prize, a prestigious honor awarded by the European Parliament for human rights defenders. For more than a decade, Navalny has targeted Russia's political elite with anti-corruption investigations, led political protests, and run for office. Since March, he has been jailed at a notorious prison in the Russian city of Pokrov. He was detained following his return to Moscow in January after recovering in Berlin from what several Western laboratories determined was poisoning with a military-grade nerve agent. A report by Navalny and other investigators presented strong evidence that the Russian Federal Security Service carried out the poisoning, and Navalny accuses President Vladimir Putin of ordering it in an attempt to kill him. Earlier this month, Aleksei Navalny was designated a "terrorist" by a Russian prison commission.
UFA, Russia -- An opposition activist in Russia's Republic of Bashkortostan has been found alive after going missing for days.

Ilham Yanberdin went missing on October 11.

He issued a video statement overnight after he left a police station in Bashkortostans capital, Ufa, on October 19, thanking all those who were concerned about his fate.

"The situation is complex. As for the rest, I will tell you about it later...I will place [a post] on the Internet and everything will then be clear," he said.

It remains unclear where and how Yanberdin was found.

The Investigative Committee said shortly before his online statement that the activist was found alive but did not give any details.

Late on October 19, Yanberdin's wife, Rasima Manayeva, said police had informed her that he had been found alive "and soon will be transferred to Ufa."

Yanberdin's colleagues, friends, and relatives became increasingly worried about his fate after some of the activists belongings were found in a forest in Ufa on October 17.

Yanberdin, 41, has been known for his opposition activism for years. He has been fined several times, sentenced to community work, and handed several multiday jail terms for taking part in unsanctioned rallies in recent years.

On October 15, while he was missing, a court in Ufa ordered Yanberdin and two other opposition activists to pay hefty fines to compensate police for working during a weekend in January, when the activists organized unsanctioned rallies to support jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny.
South Africa's drug regulator has rejected Russian's Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19, citing safety concerns that the manufacturer wasn't able to address.

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) said in a statement that the request for Sputnik V to be authorized could not be approved at this time.

The statement on October 18 referred to past failed HIV vaccines that used a technology similar to that used to produce Sputnik V. But the review process continues, the regulator said, adding that it is still open to receiving further safety data from the Russian manufacturer.

Peer-reviewed results of a study published earlier this year in the medical journal The Lancet showed Sputnik V to be safe and 91.6 percent effective in preventing people from becoming severely ill with COVID-19. The shot has been given the green light in more than 70 countries, and to date no significant safety problems have been identified.

Sputnik V uses two types of harmless viruses known as adenoviruses to carry the spike protein into the body, which then primes the immune system to produce antibodies against COVID-19. SAHPRA said concerns have been raised about the safety of Adenovirus Type 5, the specific harmless virus used in one of the Sputnik V doses. The other dose contains Adenovirus Type 26, which is also used by Johnson & Johnson.

South African officials pointed to two failed research studies testing an HIV vaccine that also uses Adenovirus Type 5, which found men who were vaccinated had a higher risk of being infected with HIV.

The regulators said they had asked the Russian makers of Sputnik V to provide data proving the vaccine's safety in a country with high rates of HIV but that "the applicant was not able to adequately address (their) request."

The Gamaleya Center, Sputnik V's manufacturer, called the concerns about the vaccine completely unfounded. It said speculation about the link between Adenovirus Type 5 and HIV transmission in high-risk populations was based on small-scale inconclusive studies among volunteers with highly probable risky behavior.

With reporting by AP
The wife of a Turkmen activist being held in Turkey and facing deportation says the government in Ashgabat has handed Ankara a list of more than two dozen people it wants arrested and sent back for their activism.



The Turkmen Helsinki Foundation (THF) said in a report that two more Turkmen opposition activists residing in Turkey -- Ahmet Rahmanov and Kamil Abulov -- had been detained, with Abulov's wife saying police told her they had a list of 28 Turkmen citizens residing in Turkey whom the Turkmen government has asked Ankara to arrest and deport.



According to the Bulgaria-based THF, the 47-year-old Rahmanov went incommunicado on October 18 after he visited a migration office in the southwestern Turkish city of Antalya to prolong his residence permit.



A day later, Rahmanov's friends were informed that he had been placed in a deportation center. Rahmanov has been a longtime administrator of the opposition Democratic Choice of Turkmenistan movement's online chat page.



He also has been critical of authoritarian President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov and his government on YouTube and programs aired by RFE/RL's Turkmen Service.



The THF said Abulov's wife informed it her 35-year-old husband had also been detained and placed in a deportation center, where police revealed the list of those Ashgabat is seeking.



Abulov was detained briefly in early August after Turkmen activists tried to hold a protest in front of the Turkmen Consulate in Istanbul.



Turkmen activists residing in Turkey have faced increased pressure from Turkish law enforcement officials in recent months, while their families at home have also come close scrutiny from local authorities.

On October 16, police in the eastern Turkmen city of Turkmenabat summoned 51-year-old Tazegul Ovezova for questioning about the activities of her son, Azat Hayitbaev, a noted opposition activist residing in Turkey.

Ovezova refused to go to the police station, citing poor health after a recent heart attack. According to the THF, Hayitbaev's name is included on the list of the 28 Turkmen Ashgabat is seeking in Turkey.



Another activist residing in Turkey, Merdan Joraev, told the THF that police had recently visited his relatives in Turkmenistan's eastern region of Lebap to ask about his whereabouts.



Since last year, protests against Berdymukhammedov have been held by Turkmen citizens residing in Turkey, the United States, and Northern Cyprus.



Government critics and human rights groups say Berdymukhammedov has suppressed dissent and made few changes in the restrictive country since he came to power after the death of autocrat Saparmurat Niyazov in 2006.
FILE - Bettye Jo Boone, a 30 year employee of Heaven Hill, pickets in front of Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Ky., Monday, Sept. 13, 2021. Declaring an impasse in contract talks with striking union workers, global spirits producer Heaven Hill said Monday, Oct. 18 it will start hiring permanent replacement workers for bottling and warehouse operations in Kentucky.
Assemblyman Vince Fong: 'I don't think that I can remember a time when I've seen so many crisis happen at one time'
When the call for help goes out: Rotarians learn about China Lake Mountain Rescue Group
Written By

Joe Schulz served as the reporter of the Green Laker in 2019 and 2020, before being hired as a reporter for the Commonwealth in October 2020. He is from Oshkosh and graduated from UW-Oshkosh in December with a bachelor's degree in journalism.

|
Support local journalism

Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution.

Contribute
(jingdaily.com) - For more than a decade, Hong Kong was the Swiss watch industrys number one export market. However, that is no longer the case. According to the Sell-Out Index, which measures the aggregated sales performance of the watch and jewelry industry in selected markets every month, Chinas special administrative region lost half of its hard luxury sales between 2018 and 2021, down to $2.5 billion from $5.7 billion. Previously, the duty-free peninsula was the Mainlands preferred shopping destination for Swiss watches. But a pro-democracy demonstration in 2019 and restricted entry into Hong Kong for non-residents since the pandemic outbreak in 2020 have hammered the citys retail sector. Now, Chinese shoppers are shying away from spending there.
Rutland, VT (05701)

Today

Partly cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 24F. NW winds shifting to SSE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 24F. NW winds shifting to SSE at 10 to 15 mph.
The City is also looking at providing better housing for migrant workers and laborers, and considering on building 300,000 social houses for low-wage workers within a year in Binh Chanh District, in the Southwest part of the City.

Low cost housing

Ho Chi Minh City has 22 industrial parks and export processing zones (IPs, EPZs), two high-tech parks and the Quang Trung Software City with a total of 420,000 employees. Apart from specialists, managers and workers who have housing in the City and neighboring provinces, the rest of about 300,000 workers live in rental accommodations. This number is similar to the figures released by the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies and the Department of Construction. These 22 IPs and EPZs are located in 21 districts of Ho Chi Minh City and Thu Duc City, with ten of the IPs located in District 7 and the suburban districts of Nha Be and Binh Chanh, four in Cu Chi District, five in Thu Duc City, and one in each of the districts of Tan Binh, Binh Tan and District 12.

However, if this housing project scheme is built, the 300,000 houses will be intended mostly for only workers in the Southern part of Ho Chi Minh City, because it is very far and inconvenient for workers from other areas like Cu Chi District and Thu Duc City. Besides, heavy traffic congestion will always be a problem when commuting.

The question is why these houses are not being planned to be built near IPs with a large numbers of workers, such as in Thu Duc City and Cu Chi District. Binh Chanh District may have large chunks of land available, but the poor infrastructure could make it hard to attract people. In Binh Chanh District's Vinh Loc B Commune, where the City is planning to build 300,000 social houses for workers, more than 1,000 apartments meant for resettlement residents have not been used for several years. Other areas like Thu Duc City, Cu Chi District and Hoc Mon District still have unused plots of land where social houses for workers can be built.

Housing management

In other countries in the Southeast region, specialists, managers and office workers at IPs buy houses or apartments on hire purchase basis, while most laborers live in rented houses. Foreign workers in Singapore can rent houses on a three to five-year contract. When the contract expires, they have to return the houses to the housing management authority. In Ho Chi Minh City, industrial workers now pay VND 2 mn to VND 2.5 mn a month for a 14 square meter room for two to four people, and VND 3 mn to VND 3.5 mn a month for a 16 to 18 square meter room with a bathroom attached for a family to live compactly.

Ho Chi Minh City is going to neither provide 300,000 houses for workers for free of charge nor sell them at low prices. Instead, the City will allow workers to rent the houses during the time they work at an IP nearby. When they no longer work at the IP, the housing management authority will take over these houses. The matter is that workers do not earn high wages, so the rent must not be more than 20% of their monthly income. Laborers in Ho Chi Minh City each make an average of VND 6.5 mn a month or they may make VND 10 mn a month if they work overtime.

Funding sources

It is still unclear what sort of social housing scheme plan that Ho Chi Minh City will invest in. Temporary, low cost buildings or prefabricated houses which cost less, have short lifespans, making it easier for the city authorities to change the purpose of land use whenever it is necessary. The City may also go for the construction of high-rise buildings to save land space. If the City uses its budget and accepts losses, everything would be considered fine during the time of construction, but it would not be easy for management and maintenance work purposes.

Singapore can do it because it has an enormous budget for housing, besides there are not many migrant workers there and population management is also excellent. Tenants even receive notification of the house leasing expiry dates, labor contract expiry dates and visa expiry dates.

It is certain that Ho Chi Minh City will not use public budget because it does not have such a big fund amount for such purpose. Therefore, it will call for investments from domestic and international private investors. The government and the City authorities will provide investors with significant incentives like exemption or reduction of land rental, taxes, low-interest loans and legal support. Yet this kind of business can hardly attract big investors, because if they are just simple houses with tin roofs, small private investors in Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong and Dong Nai have been involved in such business for last several years.

If the City builds high-rise buildings for monthly rental of a few million Vietnamese dong per apartment, then capital recovery and profit will be hard for investors, because it would cost huge amounts of money to build high-rise buildings. Even the cheapest high-rise building has to meet the minimum requirements set forth by the Ministry of Construction. They must be built of standard materials and must have elevators, fire prevention and control equipment, besides also parking lots and playgrounds.

These requirements could discourage any investors, and the tenants would have to pay extra costs like fire control, social order, environmental protection, security, lighting and standby generators. To prevent the tall buildings from becoming high-rise slums, it is also essential to take into consideration other factors such as recreational facilities, green areas and garbage collection.

One suggestion from experts that Ho Chi Minh City authorities must seriously consider is that factory owners and companies in IPs should make mandatory contributions to housing costs of their workers. It is strange and surprising that not a single provision in the Foreign Investment Code, which was issued in 1987 and has been revised several times, has ever required company owners to build houses for their workers to live in and provide a stable and steady work force to the companies.

Nguyen Minh Hoa, Ph.D.
Salem - Joanne E. (Roulier) Bomarsi, 81, of Salem, passed away Tuesday morning, November 16, 2021 in Peabody. Born in Salem, MA, Joanne was the daughter of the late Lionel E. and Alice (Frasier) Roulier. A graduate of the former St. Chretienne Academy in Salem, Joanne worked for many years a
Reasons to Consider a Dental School for Your Needs

Within the United States and Canada, there are over 60 dental schools which provide inexpensive dental treatment. With locations all over the US from Louisville, New York City, Ft Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Omaha, and Chapel Hill it is very likely there is a school nearby. The real secret to getting cheap dental care is kept there.

You can go directly to the dental school to save money on your dental needs. Depending on the school nearest you, youll be able to capitalize on many of these perks:

Insurance

Dental schools accept most insurances. It is still a good idea to call the school ahead of time to be sure there are no problems. Going to a school may be a good option if the regular dentist drops insurance coverage.

Expert overseers

You may be thinking, why on earth would I want a student working on my teeth? Well, no dental school allows students to work on teeth without supervision. Professors at dental schools are considered to be expert overseers and will be tracking the entire process of your visit.

Inexpensive

Cleanings, crowns, root canals or even veneers are cheaper at dental schools. Treatment is about half as expensive as a regular dental office. Students are good resources for learning about the best values offered at the school. Ask them if there are any procedures that are particularly cheap at the school. Perhaps tooth whitening kits are particularly inexpensive. It depends on the school.

Possibility for absolutely FREE work

To become licensed as dentists, students must pass the National Board exams. This consists of working on patients that have a specific type of cavity under the supervision of a Board examiner. If you qualify as a National Board patient, your student will love you and fix your teeth for free.

Downsides to Going to a Dental School

When you decide to get work done at a school, expect it to take a while. Heres why:

A couple appointments

Because students are so closely monitored, it normally takes 3 appointments until patients begin treatment. Also, many schools suffer from faculty shortages. Appointments that take 1 hour at a regular dentist office could take 3 hours because the student is waiting for a professor to check their work. Bring a book or something because you might be alone in the chair while the student is waiting for a professor. Sometimes schools even offer evening clinic sessions which offer greater flexibility for patients.

Slow, perfectionist students

Students practice on manikins, plastic teeth, and each other before they are let loose on real human beings. When practicing, good clinical results, not speed, are graded. Students are competent at performing the procedures but they can take a bit more time than professional dentists.

No assistants

Normally students are working solo. So you may be asked to help make the process go faster. Maybe write some numbers or hold the suction in your own mouth. If you cant handle this or the points mentioned above, you may not want to consider heading to a dental school for your needs.

Dental Schools in the United States

However, it is still a great way to save money and if you can get past the downsides, it isnt much different than heading to the regular dentist. Below is a list of the dental schools in the United States where you may be able to get some work done on the cheap:

Alabama

University of Alabama School of Dentistry

Arizona

Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health

Mid-Western University school of dentistry

California

Loma Linda University School of Dentistry

The University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry

The University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry

University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry

The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine

Colorado

University of Colorado Denver School of Dental Medicine

Connecticut

University of Connecticut Health Center School of Dental Medicine

District of Columbia / Washington, D.C.

Howard University College of Dentistry

Florida

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Dental Medicine

Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine

University of Florida College of Dentistry

Georgia

Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University

Illinois

Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine

The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry

Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine

Indiana

Indiana University School of Dentistry

Iowa

University of Iowa College of Dentistry

Kentucky

University of Kentucky College of Dentistry

University of Louisville School of Dentistry

Louisiana

Louisiana State University School of Dentistry

Maryland

University of Maryland Dental School of the University of Maryland at Baltimore

Massachusetts

Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine

Harvard School of Dental Medicine

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine

Michigan

University of Michigan School of Dentistry

University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry

Minnesota

University of Minnesota School of Dentistry

Missouri

University of Missouri  Kansas City School of Dentistry

Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health at A.T. Still University

Mississippi

University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry

Nebraska

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Creighton University School of Dentistry

Nevada

UNLV School of Dental Medicine also known as the University of Nevada at Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine

New Jersey

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Dental School

New York

Columbia University College of Dental Medicine

New York University College of Dentistry

The State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine

The State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine

Touro College of Dental Medicine

North Carolina

The University of North Carolina School of Dentistry

East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine

Ohio

Ohio State University College of Dentistry

Case School of Dental Medicine of the Case Western Reserve University

Oklahoma

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Dentristy

Oregon

Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry

Pennsylvania

Temple University School of Dentistry, Philadelphia

University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine

University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine

Puerto Rico

University of Puerto Rico School of Dentistry

South Carolina

Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine

Tennessee

University of Tennessee College of Dentistry

Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry

Texas

Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry

The Dental School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Dentistry

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine

Utah

Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine

The University of Utah School of Dentistry

Virginia

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry

Washington

University of Washington School of Dentistry

West Virginia

West Virginia University School of Dentistry

Wisconsin

Marquette University School of Dentistry

Remember that if youd like to get a dental exam or get any dental work done at a school you will need to call ahead for an appointment. As mentioned above, you should also be ready to wait. Some schools require you to walk-in, and others are just busy. However, the money youll save will be well worth it.

Check out the video below to learn more about a free dental school at UCSF and get an idea about how dental schools work.

Image courtesy of completosinmallo
A new subtype of the COVID-19 delta variant was detected in the United Kingdom, and experts closely monitor the possible infectious disease. The UK Health Security Agency recently announced a statement regarding the matter last Friday in their Technical Briefing 25, SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and variants under investigation in England. The subtype of the delta variant is called AY.4.2 and was confirmed to have infected a lot of the country's population in the recent public health records.

Delta Variant Subtype AY.4.2

University College London Genetics Institute expert Fancrois Balloux said that the information about the new delta variant might have 10 percent more transmission capacity than the initial and most common delta variants present in the UK, Science Alert reported. According to the statement by the expert, the cases regarding the AY.4.2 are now under investigation.

The Public Health England said in their report that 6 percent of the sequenced tests as of September 27 in the UK are confirmed to be the new coronavirus subvariant AY4.2. However, the health authorities wrote that the estimates of the cases were not yet finalized as the variant's mutation is still challenging to determine among the previous COVID-19 mutations.

Food and Drug Administration's former commissioner Scott Gottlieb said in an Insider report that the new subvariant is not to be taken as an 'immediate cause of concern.' However, Gottlieb insisted that the AY.4.2 mutation should be the top priority for urgent research to identify the capabilities of the virus, including its infection rate and how the immune response will react. Gottlieb added that the characterizations of the new delta mutation and other variants must be plotted as soon as possible since the advanced tools are already at hand. Moreover, the identification of AY.4.2 should be coordinated by leaders and health authorities throughout every country.

ALSO READ: COVID-19 Delta Variant Incubation Period: Why Is It So Dangerous and How Mutations Made This Variant





UK's New COVID-19 Subtype Could Be More Transmissive Than Delta Variant

Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute's medical genomics expert Jeffrey Barrett said that the AY.4.2 is confirmed to be the sole mutation of the coronavirus delta subvariant that can increase in terms of transmission. The AY4.2 is gradually replicating the original delta variant compared to the quick dominance of the first variant over the alpha variant. The subjugation of the AY.4.2 over the delta variant is dangerous, as delta alone was 60 percent more transmissive than alpha. The AY.4.2 mutation is not yet detected nor confirmed in other countries as of today.

The coronavirus that caused the pandemic can transition into two distinct mutations per month. According to the Scripps Research's Outbreak, there are currently 56 delta mutations that are actively infecting people today. The AY.4.2 was discovered to have mutations in the spike protein. Unfortunately, limited data are available on the true ability of the coronavirus.

Balloux said that the new COVID-19 delta subvariant mutation is extremely rare outside the boundaries of the country. In the United States, there are only three detected cases of the AY.4.2 so far.

RELATED ARTICLE: Moderna, Johnson & Johnsons to Offer Booster Shots; What Should We Know About These COVID-19 Vaccines?

Check out more news and information on COVID-19 in Science Times.
With the premise that neuroscience concerns us all, this event that will be held remotely from October 21st to 23rd offers t anyone interested the opportunity to understand, from the hand of experts, the wonders and complexities of the human mind. Neuroscience has traditionally been classified as an area of biology, however, it is a multidisciplinary science interconnected with other areas of knowledge, such as mathematics, linguistics, engineering, computer science, chemistry, philosophy, art, psychology, or medicine.

The Congress will have among its list of guests more than 20 experts such as John O'Keefe, British-American neuroscientist and psychologist who, in 2014, together with Edvard Moser and May Britt, received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for the discovery of cells that constitute a positioning system in the brain.

READ ALSO: Part of Brain That Controls Habits Found Responsible for Encoding New Learnings, Neuroscience Research Reveals





Another guest is experimental psychologist Steven Pinker. His specialty is psycholinguistics, in particular the study of the language acquisition process in children. Author of several books and contributor to The New York Times and magazines such as Time and The New Republic. He was considered one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2004 by Time magazine and one of the 100 most prominent intellectuals by Prospect and Foreign Policy in 2005. He received doctorates from the universities of Newcastle, Surrey, Tel Aviv, and McGill.

William Omar Contreras Lopez, neurosurgeon subspecialist in functional neurosurgery, skull base and spine, professor UNAB, and director of the scientific committee of the Congress, is also part of the list of participants in this new version of the Congress.

In addition to the aforementioned experts, environmentalist and activist Francisco Vera will participate, technical director Jorge Luis Pinto, journalist Angela Posada Swafford, global director of Science and Data Quality of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, Juan Diego Gomez, among others. The complete list of guests and the programming can be found at www.unab.edu.co/congresofacultadsalud.

On the other hand, a celebration of the 25 years of the Medicine Program of the UNAB will be held on the first day of the Congress. "The Congress is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Medicine program, as teachers, students, graduates, strategic partners, converge on the same stage, individuals who have contributed to the growth of our program and the strengthening of processes of research, teaching, and extension to achieve academic excellence," said Laura Chain Afanador, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

The International Congress is aimed at the entire international community through the link www.unab.edu.co/congresofacultadsalud, and it will have simultaneous translation.

RELATED ARTICLE: Neuroscience and Computer Vision Collaborate to Better Understand Visual Information Processing




When Washington voters fill out their ballots for next months general election, theyll be asked to weigh in on new state-imposed taxes by casting what are known as advisory votes.



Advisory votes made their way onto Washington ballots after voters approved Initiative 960 in 2007. That initiative  the brainchild of anti-tax activist Tim Eyman  required any tax increase proposed in the state Legislature be passed with a two-thirds majority in both chambers, among other provisions.



A state Supreme Court ruling later gutted I-960 of all provisions except two, which are still codified in state law today.



One of those provisions requires the state to hold advisory votes on all tax increases not approved by Washington voters. The other requires the state to make public how each member of the Legislature voted on a bill that increases taxes or fees. You can find that list in your Washington Voters Pamphlet.



Advisory votes are non-binding  theyre simply meant to advise state legislators on how the public feels about a new law that increases taxes. On the ballot, voters will be asked whether that law should be repealed or maintained.

There are three advisory votes on this years ballot. Theyre asking voters for their opinions on three bills passed by the Legislature during this years legislative session: ESSHB 1477, SSSB 5315 and ESSB 5096.



The first bill establishes a state hotline for suicide prevention, which will be financed by a small tax on tax on phone lines. The second imposes a premium tax on certain insurance companies. The third is the highly controversial capital gains tax, which establishes a 7% tax on the capital gains of the sale of assets  such as bonds and stocks  above $250,000.



There were four advisory votes on last years general election ballot. In each case, voters said the laws should be repealed by wide margins.


Thank you for reading!

You have reached your 30-day limit of free access to SentinelSource.com, The Keene Sentinels website. If you would like to read two more articles for free at this time, please register for an account by clicking the sign up button below.

We hope you find The Sentinels coverage of the Monadnock Region valuable. We rely on our subscribers to bring you strong local journalism and hope you will consider supporting our work by taking advantage of this special subscription offer here.
A federal judges April 2020 order requiring immigration officials to reassess their COVID-19 detention policies, and consider releasing thousands of detainees who were medically vulnerable, was overturned Wednesday by a federal appeals court, which said the order intruded on government authority over immigration.

The injunction by U.S. District Judge Jesus Bernal of Los Angeles effectively placed the nations 250 immigrant detention facilities under control of a single District Court, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco said in a 2-1 ruling. Although the initial response of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the pandemic may have been imperfect, even at times inadequate, there was no evidence that ICE had been deliberately indifferent to the migrants health, the standard for judicial intervention, the court said.

The opinion by Judges Daniel Bress and Eric Miller, both appointees of former President Donald Trump, drew a heated dissent from Judge Marsha Berzon, a Bill Clinton appointee, who said Bernal had ample evidence that ICE was doing little to protect detainees at risk of serious illness or death. It is unlikely to be the last word on the issue, as lawyers for the migrants could ask the full appeals court for a rehearing before a larger panel.

The lawsuit, filed in early 2020 by inmates at three ICE detention centers, said the agency was failing to protect elderly detainees or those with medical conditions that made them vulnerable to the coronavirus. One inmate said he spent much of the day in crowded rooms, shared his cell with another detainee, and was provided a bar of soap every week or two and no hand sanitizer. The suit quoted an ICE policy statement that social distancing in the facilities may not be possible.

Bernal ordered the agency to immediately review the conditions of aging and medically vulnerable detainees and free those who could be safely released while awaiting hearings on their possible deportation.

He said there was medical evidence that 15% of those detainees who contracted COVID would die and the others would face life-altering consequences.

The injunction has been in effect since then, but Bernal found in October 2020 that ICE was doing little to comply. However, the nationwide population of detained immigrants, which was more than 42,000 in April 2020, is now about 22,000  a reduction attributed largely to border-closing orders by the Trump and Biden administrations, but also to releases of detainees under Bernals order.

In Wednesdays ruling, the appeals court said deficient medical care in immigration facilities is not grounds for judicial interference without evidence of reckless disregard for inmates health.

ICE was taking steps to screen inmates and staff, improve staff training and quarantine those who were infected, and overall was moving as quickly as the many other areas of government that were confronting this challenging new problem at the same time, Bress said in the majority opinion.

Quoting a 1999 Supreme Court ruling, he said, judicial deference to the executive branch is especially appropriate in the immigration context. Even an unprecedented public health issue like the coronavirus does not justify placing a single federal judge at the center of the executives nationwide effort safely to manage immigration detention facilities, Bress said.

Berzon, in dissent, said Bernals injunction was actually limited, modest and deferential and merely required ICE to carry out its own stated policies.

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.

High-risk detainees faced dangerous, deteriorating conditions when the judge issued his order 18 months ago, Berzon said. ICE did little to carry out the broad, deferential directives, and the coronavirus spread deferentially among the medically vulnerable. She said a court-appointed monitor reported this May that there had been an unprecedented surge of cases in the detention centers.

Elizabeth Jordan, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said conditions havent improved.

Staff are not wearing masks, dorms are overcrowded, and COVID-19 is still spreading, she said. That's why release is the safest option.

Still, another plaintiffs lawyer, William Alderman, said Bernals injunction has had some beneficial effects. Even though the government hasnt fully complied in our view, it has achieved releases from custody and reduced risks for medically vulnerable people who remain in custody, he said.

ICE, under the Biden administration, has continued to defend its policies and challenge Bernals injunction. The agency did not respond to a request for comment on the ruling.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
The family of a San Francisco jail inmate says he told his jailers he was a drug user who had recently taken methamphetamine and heroin, but they removed him from a detoxification cell too soon and took him to another cell, where he was found dying later that day.

In a lawsuit filed against the city in federal court last week, lawyers for Brian Alexander Russells 6-year-old son said officers showed deliberate indifference to Russells condition and were negligent in the events leading to his death.

Russell, 36, a San Francisco native who had worked as a plumber, was arrested Feb. 13 on suspicion of illegally discharging a firearm in his apartment, said attorney Adante Pointer. He said no one was injured.

When Russell was taken to the jail at 850 Bryant St., the suit said, he told officers about his drug use, and they placed him in a detox cell, where he could be observed and treated if necessary.

It can take anywhere from 12 to 96 hours for a user of opioids to show symptoms of withdrawal, which can be lethal, facts the guards must have known, the familys lawyers said. But they said officers moved Russell to another single cell after less than 72 hours, then left him alone.

Guards saw him about 12 hours later pacing around his cell and heard him complaining about shortness of breath, both obvious symptoms of drug withdrawal, the suit said. It said officers entered the cell only after Russell suffered a seizure and fell to the floor, where he was found lying face-down, vomiting and unconscious. He could not be revived and was pronounced dead several hours later, on Feb. 16.

Russell, a married man with one child, had been in good health, the suit said, and his death was caused by the failure of San Francisco County Jail staff to provide the level of medical care and supervision necessary during the crucial time window in which opiate withdrawal complications pose the largest risk to life.

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.

Both the World Health Organization and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons have advised law enforcement agencies to keep users of opioids under constant medical observation during the four days when they are at risk of suffering withdrawal, the suit said. It seeks unspecified compensation and punitive damages.

The city attorneys office did not respond to requests for comment.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
Former San Francisco Public Utilities Commission head Harlan Kelly is facing new federal charges of bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud, linked to a wide-ranging bribery scheme in which he allegedly traded insider information on city contracts for free meals, jewelry and international trips.

A federal indictment filed Tuesday also accuses San Francisco real estate investor and former public utilities commissioner and port commissioner Victor Makras of bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Additionally, both defendants face charges of honest services wire fraud and conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud.

The intricate and long-running case has upended several top leaders at San Francisco City Hall, including Kelly and his wife, Naomi Kelly, who resigned as city administrator earlier this year but has not been charged with a crime. It all stems from the January 2020 arrest of former Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru, who was charged with fraud in connection with a failed attempt to bribe an airport commissioner.

Tuesdays indictment lays out the bribery allegations and Kellys long-running corrupt partnership with a person identified as Contractor #1, an executive of a San Francisco construction company and permitting expediter, who ran or controlled multiple entities doing business with the city. According to the prosecutors, Kelly, 59, supplied this contractor with confidential internal documents from the Public Utilities Commission, in exchange for an international vacation, discounted construction work on his home and other gifts.

The allegations against Contractor #1 nearly perfectly mirror the charges previously levied against Walter Wong, a permit expediter and construction firm executive who has pleaded guilty to conspiracies to commit honest services fraud and money laundering. Wong has agreed to cooperate with federal investigators, and has told officials that he facilitated a trip to China for Kelly and his wife.

Harlan Kellys attorney has also confirmed previously that Wong performed construction on his home.

The new indictment supersedes a federal complaint filed in November 2020, which first detailed the alleged bribery scheme, and named Wong as the contractor.

It also describes a new set of allegations against Kelly and Makras, 63, saying they conspired to defraud the mortgage lender Quicken Loans in a $1.3 million real estate loan to Kelly. Seeking to get more funds at a lower rate, Kelly and Makras allegedly falsely inflated the amount of debt that Kelly owed to Makras real estate investment firm, according to the indictment.

Kelly allegedly concealed other outstanding debts, including thousands of dollars for a home remodel and a $70,000 personal loan from Makras. Federal prosecutors allege that Kelly and Makras surreptitiously repaid those debts with the funding from Quicken Loans.

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.

Brian Getz, an attorney representing Kelly, praised the former Public Utilities Commission general manager for his stellar career in public service, saying that he is respected by peers and loved by his family, and that since retiring from the city, he has continued his engineering career in the private sector.

He is a trusted consultant involved in important Bay Area projects, Getz said. We look forward to a public resolution of these charges, which will show that no crimes have been committed.

Makras was not immediately available for comment Tuesday evening.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan
For Wendy Matheny, a San Bruno mother of two, authorization for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds  which is expected within the next few weeks  cant come soon enough.

As soon as the vaccines are ready, we are going to be in line, Matheny said.

First up will be Mathenys older daughter, Evie, who is 6 and just started kindergarten. Her younger daughter, Lily, is 3 and will probably not be eligible until regulators authorize the vaccine for children under 5 next year. Getting Evie vaccinated will bring some long-awaited relief and boost their four-member households vaccination rate from 50% to 75%. Both Matheny and her husband have been fully vaccinated for months.

I want to make sure she is safe, and right now the benefits of a vaccine far outweigh the risks, in my perspective, Matheny said.

Matheny and her husband are among the millions of parents around the country weighing whether to vaccinate their elementary schoolchildren  whod be the youngest group yet to get the shot  once vaccines are available. That day looks to be coming soon: A key Food and Drug Administration committee is slated to review the matter Tuesday, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will likely recommend the shots the first week of November. The White House on Wednesday announced plans to roll out the vaccine to the nations 28 million children in this age group, once regulators sign off. About 15 million doses, with smaller needles, will be shipped to providers immediately after authorization, White House officials said, and kids should be able to get shots at pediatricians offices, drugstores or even schools.

Children are less likely than adults and teens to become very ill with COVID-19, though they can contract and spread the virus. About 6.2 million children in the U.S. have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, accounting for roughly 16% of total cases, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Of the children whove had COVID, less than 2% have been hospitalized and 0.03% have died.

The risk may be lower overall, but the impact of a vaccine that can keep your child from getting a serious medical complication, even if its not as common as adults, is something parents have to weigh heavily, said Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, a Stanford University pediatric infectious disease specialist overseeing the Pfizer trial for children at Stanford, one of dozens of U.S. sites enrolling clinical trial participants. She likened vaccinating children against COVID-19 to having them wear a seat belt or a helmet  even though the risk of a bad car or bike accident is relatively low, its routine to take these preventive measures.

Nationally, just 34% of parents who have children 5 to 11 years old say they plan to get their kids vaccinated right away once a vaccine is available, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey released in September. About 32% say they will wait and see how the vaccines work in children, and 24% said they definitely wont get their child vaccinated. Seven percent say they will get their child vaccinated only if its required.

In Sacramento this week, hundreds of California parents protested the states vaccination mandate for schoolchildren, saying it should be up to parents to make the decision for their own child. Some cited religious objections or concerns that the vaccines are relatively new.

Some evidence suggests vaccine uptake for 5- to 11-year-olds may end up being higher in the Bay Area, which generally has embraced vaccination more than many other parts of the country. In San Francisco, for instance, more than 90% of kids 12 to 17 years old have gotten at least one dose of vaccine  much higher than state and national vaccination rates for this age group.

But Charlie Wray, an internist and health services researcher who plans to get his two sons vaccinated as soon as they can, said he wouldnt be surprised if the Bay Areas rate is not much higher than 34%  at least at first.

People make decisions very differently for children than for themselves, said Wray, who works at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Theres going to be a little more hesitation early on in the decision to vaccinate their children. As time goes on and people start to see kids are doing OK, the side effects arent bad and there are benefits to having children vaccinated, my guess is that percentage will creep up over time.

Wray and his wife, Jennifer Wray, a pediatrician, have seen the difference vaccination has made at their own jobs. At the VA, the most severe COVID cases are now among unvaccinated patients; while some vaccinated patients also get hospitalized, the unvaccinated tend to stay longer and more often end up in intensive care. That firsthand experience  plus the fact that they closely follow vaccine science  gives them confidence that when the time comes, their kids will be first in line to get it.

Thats not necessarily because we think theres some dire threat to them at this point, but mainly because of our faith in science, in the process thats been going on around the vaccines, Charlie Wray said. With over 6 billion (doses of) vaccines given worldwide, the evidence around efficacy is pretty strong. If the same evidence bears true for the childrens vaccine, theres no reason why our kids wont be first in line.

Their sons, Brooks, 7, and Parker, 4, already know its coming. They call it The Vaccine.

In a news release issued in September, Pfizer said its vaccine is safe and well-tolerated in children 5 to 11 years old. The company gave a two-dose regimen, each containing  the amount of vaccine given to people 12 and older, to about 2,300 children in this age group in clinical trials. The vaccine elicited a strong immune response, and the side effects were similar to those experienced by older recipients, according to Pfizer. More detailed data is expected to be publicly available and reviewed by the FDAs vaccine advisory group Tuesday.

Another reason Wray and his wife want their sons to get vaccinated right away is that itll reduce the likelihood theyll get infected and be sent home from school to isolate.

When your kid is sick, you have to take off work, your whole life becomes disrupted, and thats not great for you or your kid, he said. Having our kid vaccinated decreases the probability of having to experience that.

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.

Not all parents agree. Jasmine Flannigan of Hayward does not plan to vaccinate her daughters, who are 5 and 3.

I am not going to get them vaccinated because I am not vaccinated, and I dont trust getting them vaccinated, Flannigan said. A mandate, she added, would cause her to homeschool or seek a religious exemption, if allowed.

Flannigan said she doesnt mind being tested frequently, and, as more businesses and restaurants are requiring proof of vaccination, she and her family will stop supporting those businesses.

Matheny was not always so sure about the vaccines for her kids, and she said she understands why some parents may not be there yet. Last year, when clinical trials for the vaccines were starting to enroll children, Matheny recalls thinking she was not comfortable at that time putting her children in a trial.

Now, Im like, maybe under the right circumstances, maybe I would, she said. That has evolved.

She was aware of rumors that the vaccine affects fertility  which there is no evidence for  and since she has two daughters, she looked into it by talking to doctors and learned thats not how mRNA vaccines work. Ultimately, she decided the benefit of a vaccine outweighed the risk.

I get why parents are hesitant, she said. Its your kid, its your baby. That is a completely valid fear or concern. For me, the personal good outweighs the risk. ... Im ready to take that step, but I recognize others may need some time.

Chronicle staff writer Katie Licari contributed to this report.

Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat_Ho
Glassy-winged sharpshooters, the invasive pests that terrorized Wine Country in the early 2000s, are back in Solano County.

The shimmery brown-and-yellow insects are feared because of their ability to spread Pierces disease, which is devastating to grapevines. The pests were first spotted earlier this month in a residential part of Vacaville, close to where they were found during a particularly disturbing infestation in 2004. Their numbers have since increased, and though they havent shown signs of spreading to agricultural areas either in Solano County or neighboring Napa County, theyre still unwelcome to the local wine industry.

Were extremely concerned, said Ed King, Solano County agricultural commissioner. Its an absolute priority, and we have the entirety of our staff working on this to get ahead of it.

On Oct. 6, the county reported finding five glassy-winged sharpshooters in traps in the Browns Valley Road area of Vacaville. In the weeks since, the county has increased the number of traps and checks them more often. The count of the pests has gone up to 40, along with a number of egg masses, King said, indicating that the bugs are breeding.

Cooler weather keeps the insects fairly dormant, so theyre unlikely to move much this winter, he said, but it could take up to two years to eradicate them.

At this point the infestation is confined in a residential area, and its not impacting agriculture or grapes in any way, he said. We intend to keep it that way.

Native to the southeastern U.S. and parts of Mexico, the half-inch-long glassy-winged sharpshooter typically gets transported from region to region with nursery deliveries, even though all new nursery plants are inspected by agriculture officials. The leafhoppers are capable of quickly spreading Pierces disease, which can take out entire vineyards, leaving them with withered and yellowed canopies. In 1999, grape growers in Temecula (Riverside County) lost 300 acres of grapevines to Pierces disease.

There has never been a known infestation in Napa Valley, but its proximity to Solano County is making winegrowers there nervous.

For us in Napa, its definitely a huge concern, said Tracy Cleveland, agricultural commissioner for Napa County, where roughly 46,000 acres are planted with wine grapes, its largest commodity. Having said that, were very confident in our program and in the states response.

That includes using pesticides as needed and increasing traps and surveillance.

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.

We cant let our guard down, Cleveland said. Its such an important pest.

In Sonoma County, Agricultural Commissioner Andrew Smith also expressed concern about the potential threat to the local wine industry and said as a result that the county would extend its routine trapping for glassy-winged sharpshooters through November, even though it usually ends in October, since the insect typically goes dormant in winter. That could change with warmer winters that come with climate change, he said.

Were aware that climate change could create situations where pests and pathogens may become an issue in parts of the state where they might not have been, he said, or where they might have been prevented in winter because of colder weather and deeper frost.

Tara Duggan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tduggan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @taraduggan
A statewide association of Asian American attorneys authored a letter to San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin that calls on the office to improve communication with victims of potential anti-Asian hate crimes and provide prompt access to language interpreters to victims of such crimes.

The six-page Oct. 18 letter by the California Asian Pacific American Bar Association invoked Vicha Ratanapakdee, the 84-year-old Thai American man and San Francisco resident who died in January after a 19-year-old man shoved him to the ground, causing him to strike his head on the pavement in the citys Anza Vista neighborhood. A Daly City man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and elder abuse in Ratanapakdees death. The letter notes that the district attorneys office has not charged the man with a hate crime.

In Ratanapakdees case, the letter says, his family was told for several weeks by the district attorneys office that it lacked the resources for such an interpreter. The letter says Ratanapakdees family and Asian American and Pacific Islander victims of crimes need interpreters who speak their respective languages, and called on the district attorneys office to commit to providing in-language interpretation for victims.

While this shortcoming has since been rectified for the Ratanapakdees, interpreters should be timely provided to all AAPI victims of violent crimes, the letter read.

The letter calls on Boudin to commit to timely communication with victims of apparent anti-Asian hate, provide interpretation services to victims, and explain what he is doing to protect members of the AAPI community, how the district attorneys office is investigating potential hate crimes and how the office is making charging decisions.

Kasie Lee, the interim chief of victim services for the District Attorneys Office, discussed the concerns addressed in the letter with Charles Jung, the executive director of the California Asian Pacific American Bar Association who authored the letter, on Tuesday, Jung and district attorneys officials said.

We hope its the first of several conversations as we seek to work with community partners to tackle longstanding language access challenges in our courts, District Attorneys Office spokesperson Rachel Marshall told The Chronicle in a statement. The DAs Office cares deeply about supporting victims and survivors, including by expanding language access and support for victims in the courts and in our Victim Services Division.

Marshall said Lee has worked to increase language access for the AAPI community in the legal system throughout much of her career and is continuing this fight as she leads the division.

Jung said he knew Lee from prior volunteer work, and I appreciated her outreach to me.

Ms. Lee and I had a Zoom call this afternoon, Jung said on Tuesday. I will not reiterate everything we talked about on the Zoom call, but I did repeat my desire for a meeting with Mr. Boudin.

The letter asks Boudin to respond by Oct. 25.

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.

Jung told The Chronicle that he had not yet received a response from Boudin. Jung said he emailed the letter on Monday to Boudin and his chief of staff after not receiving a response to correspondence on Sunday and Monday asking to discuss the Ratanapakdee case.

A surge of violent attacks of Asian Americans has been recorded in San Francisco, Oakland and other cities across the Bay Area, and the deadly attack on Ratanapakdee is one of the many violent attacks against members of the Asian community in San Francisco this year, the letter reads.

The letter was signed by co-signed by a number of organizations, such as: Stand with Asian Americans, Asians are Strong, Chinatown Safety Patrol, Delta Chinatown Initiative, Revive SF Chinatown, San Francisco Community Alliance for Unity, Safety and Education, Southeast Asian Development Center, and Stand with Asians.

Lauren Hernandez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByLHernandez
As the Caldor Fire swept through Sierra communities over the summer, Henry Brzezinski helped lead a sprawling team of animal welfare officers and others who rescued roughly 1,800 animals  everything from cats and dogs to lizards, exotic birds and koi fish  that evacuating residents had left behind.

Some were injured, having sustained burns or suffering from smoke inhalation. Other animals, including a burned black bear, died.

Rescue efforts like the one led by Brzezinski, chief of El Dorado County Animal Services, are crucial to prevent animal suffering during wildfires, but animal welfare advocates say more must be done: They want people who start wildfires to be held accountable for the suffering of affected animals.

While most wildfires are the result of natural or accidental causes, hundreds of wildfires each year are intentionally set by arsonists.

If people are deliberately setting fires and they could subsequently be charged with murder or manslaughter, then the implications for the animals need to be considered as well, said Jill Tucker, CEO of the California Animal Welfare Association. Theres still definitely a cost of life and a tremendous amount of suffering.

In recent years, individuals and organizations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have heightened calls for prosecutors to file animal cruelty charges against wildland arsonists, most recently for the Hopkins and Fawn fires, the latter of which a Bay Area woman is accused of starting. But given the way state animal cruelty law is written, legal experts say, filing those charges isnt generally possible.

Injuring or killing wildlife is, in my opinion, a known risk of setting particularly a large-scale forest fire, said Stephanie Bridgett, the Shasta County district attorney, whose office has charged Alexandra Souverneva of Palo Alto with arson on suspicion of starting the Fawn Fire in September. Unfortunately, California law does not support that.

The states animal cruelty statutes dictate that for someone to be criminally charged with animal cruelty, they have to have acted maliciously  with intent to injure or kill animals  or they must have had custody or charge of the animals, Bridgett said. In most wildland arson cases, neither of those two conditions is met.

And while criminal negligence or recklessness can be enough to prosecute an arsonist if the fire they start injures or kills people, that legal standard does not apply to Californias animal cruelty law. According to the Judicial Council of Californias 2020 jury instructions for penal code section 597(a), the animal cruelty statute, defendants can only be found guilty of animal cruelty if they acted maliciously.

El Dorado County Animal Services

Courtney Lee, a professor of law and legal practice at the McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento who has been teaching animal law since 2014, said she thinks state law does not allow for negligence or recklessness to be the determining factor in animal cruelty cases out of deference to defendants, who are innocent until proven guilty.

If recklessness or negligence were the legal standards for animal cruelty, then there would be circumstances in which a person could technically be charged with animal cruelty, even though most people would probably not deem them cruel, such as if a driver hit a dog that ran into traffic.

For the criminal law to hold someone in that situation liable seems to be contrary to the intent of our legal system, really, Lee said. Not that a prosecutor would go after someone in that situation, but the fact that the law would allow it seems a little bit contrary to what the drafters would have intended.

People who neglect to feed or take care of their pets could face animal cruelty charges because they do have custody of the animals and because the abandonment of their own animals can be interpreted as malicious, Lee said. They are typically charged with misdemeanor, not criminal, animal cruelty.

Similarly, someone who sets a house or barn on fire knowing that there are animals inside could face animal cruelty charges for acting maliciously.

In the case of the Fawn Fire, which burned more than 8,500 acres near Redding, the final investigative report had not been completed by early October, and Bridgett, the district attorney, said she did not know whether any animal victims had actually been identified. She said she does not plan on filing animal cruelty charges and has acted similarly after past requests for charges from PETA.

For many animal rights advocates, Californias animal cruelty laws do not go far enough, shielding wildland arsonists from legal consequences for effectively causing injury or death to animals. California is ranked eighth in the nation in terms of the strength of its animal cruelty laws, but there is still room for improvement, said David Rosengard, managing attorney of the Animal Legal Defense Funds criminal justice program.

Paul Chinn/The Chronicle 2020

Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California

In Oregon, for example, a people can be charged with animal abuse if they knowingly, intentionally or recklessly cause serious physical injury to an animal, according to that states statutes. Last year, PETA requested that a man accused of intentionally starting part of the Almeda Fire in Oregon be charged with animal abuse for allegedly causing the deaths of several pets. The man was subsequently charged with eight counts of misdemeanor first-degree animal abuse, according to the Mail Tribune.

A revised version of the California law in which custody and intent are less relevant could facilitate the prosecution of wildland arsonists, which could pave the way for a renewed focus on animal rights, as well as restitution for injured animals medical expenses, Rosengard said.

In some ways, that would be huge, he said. It would send a strong message that we are, as a society and as a legal system, committed to treating animals like living creatures  as beings and not as things  and that were committed to doing that consistently.

We know that in criminal cases there are victims, and the experiences of victims matter, Rosengard said.

At the El Dorado County Animal Services shelter, there are animals that are still notably anxious, weeks after they were recovered from the aftermath of the Caldor Fire. Brzezinski and his staff regularly let some of them out onto their exercise yards to get some much-needed movement and socialization, he said.

There doesnt appear to be any precedent in California for wildland arsonists being charged with animal cruelty, but Brzezinski is hopeful that that could change soon.

Maybe thats what needs to happen; maybe there needs to be a test of the law in that respect, he said. That would be good for the animals and the animal owners, too, because their animals have suffered.

Andres Picon is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: andy.picon@hearst.com Twitter: @andpicon
A flag acknowledging the Ohlone people began flying over City Hall in Albany this month  a first for a Bay Area city, officials said, and one of several recent moves by Albany aimed at recognizing the regions original inhabitants.

Among them, officials will look at making payments or returning land to the Confederated Villages of Lisjan/Ohlone through a land trust, and consider changing city welcome signs to acknowledge the Ohlone.

According to Mayor GeNell Gary, its all part of an effort to make things right  one of several across the East Bay in recent years to support the revitalization of Ohlone culture and stewardship of ancestral Ohlone land.

Albany officials are partnering with the women-led Sogorea Te Land Trust, which has collaborated with several Bay Area cities and organizations to return Indigenous land to Indigenous people and revitalize Ohlone culture since 2014. Among its functions, the land trust provides a legal mechanism to collectively own property.

The flag, created in collaboration with the Confederated Villages of Lisjan/Ohlone, was unveiled Oct. 11 at Albany City Hall on Indigenous Peoples Day, which the City Council in May voted to permanently recognize.

We really honor the city of Albany (for) doing this really important work with us  recognizing that we continue to be here, Corrina Gould, a spokesperson with the Confederated Villages of Lisjan/Ohlone, said during the event as tribe members stood behind her.

The Ohlone people, who have lived in the Bay Area for thousands of years, were colonized, enslaved and killed in the 1700s and 1800s under the Spanish mission system and during the Mexican rancho period and the California Gold Rush. The Ohlone are not a federally recognized tribe and do not have access to the same federal resources as other tribes, or have reservations or protected land.

The Confederated Villages of Lisjan are a group of seven Ohlone tribes whose territory includes Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano, Napa and San Joaquin counties.

Gary said she has been working with Gould since May to establish efforts to recognize the Ohlone people. Instead of me telling her what I would do, I asked her, What would you like us to do? Gary recalled.

In a statement to The Chronicle, Gould said the Confederated Villages of Lisjan and the land trust are both pleased and excited about the new collaboration with the City of Albany, and praised Council Member Peggy McQuaid for working with the tribe to create and fly the Lisjan Tribal flag over the City.

Flying the flag permanently at City Hall was one of several resolutions related to the Ohlone that council members passed at their Sept. 10 meeting.

They include directing the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission to develop a plan with the land trust that would possibly return land to the Confederated Villages of Lisjan, or allow tribe members to use parks and open spaces for ceremonies, harvesting and other gatherings.

A council subcommittee also will prepare a budget proposal to annually pay the Shuumi Land Tax, a voluntary contribution to the Sogorea Te Land Trust.

The city of Alameda reportedly became the first municipality to pay the Shuumi Tax this year. City officials there plan to pay $11,000 per year for the next two years.

Albany also plans to dedicate a park or a section of one to the history and resiliency of Ohlone people, following the lead of Richmond city officials.

In April, the Richmond City Council voted to name a new park Ookwe, which means medicine in the Chochenyo language. The park was designed by artist Masayuki Nagase in partnership with the Confederated Villages of Lisjan/Ohlone and located where shellmounds were discovered during excavation for the Officer Bradley A. Moody Memorial Underpass in 2015, according to city officials.

The Albany council subcommittee also was directed to draft a land acknowledgment with the Confederated Villages of Lisjan that would be read at the start of all city meetings, and to look into creating new welcome signs that acknowledge the city is on Ohlone land.

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.

Albany would be following Berkeleys lead in officially changing its welcome signs by adding Ohlone territory. Berkeley unveiled its 12 new signs in 2019, the East Bay Times reported.

Albany city officials also urged the Albany Unified School District and Albany Library to create a committee that would evaluate their curriculum and programs and ensure the history of the Lisjan people is accurate. During the council meeting, Gary emphasized that she was not asking the council to vote on changing the curriculum, but to increase our partnership with the school district.

Everyone who called in to the virtual council meeting supported the proposals and lauded city officials.

My kids are being educated by AUSD directly on native land, said Jessie Wofsy, an Albany resident who has a first- and fifth-grader at Ocean View Elementary School. I cannot agree more with the importance of undertaking a thorough evaluation of school curriculum, programs and events to ensure that they're accurate and inclusive of the history and resiliency of the Lisjan people.

Jeremiah Garrett-Pinguelo, a volunteer with the UC Berkeley Gill Tract Community Farm, described the set of proposals as a milestone. The Sogorea Te Land Trust has worked with the farms volunteers since 2018 to care for the land, according to the farms website.

This is something that brings the people together. ... This is social justice, said Garrett-Pinguelo.

Gary said the goal was to get city staff to present their findings at a meeting in November for a vote.

Jessica Flores is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesssmflores
The delta variant is still the overwhelmingly dominant coronavirus strain in California and the U.S., but one of its descendants, known as AY.4.2, is starting to gain traction overseas.

Resources on COVID-19 and Californias reopening: For detailed maps and new city-by-city Bay Area data, check The Chronicles Coronavirus Tracker. To get regular updates on our coverage, sign up for our coronavirus newsletter.

Latest updates:

FDA authorizes mix and match boosters: The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday authorized the use of Moderna for certain groups, as well as Johnson & Johnson boosters  and also said that people can mix and match which vaccines they take, a ruling that may cause many Johnson & Johnson recipients to seek a booster from Pfizer or Moderna. The Moderna boosters will be available for those 65 and older and high-risk groups; the Johnson & Johnson boosters are available to everyone who got the J&J vaccine.

The CDC still needs to issue similar guidance before it becomes federal policy.

California says schoolchildren must keep masking: Shortly after the CDC urged mask wearing in schools to continue this winter, even as vaccinations for kids 5-11 approach, California reaffirmed its approach of mandatory masking for schoolchildren and teachers. The state will continue to maintain the universal indoor mask mandate in K-12 schools and will continue to monitor conditions through the winter, two top California health officials said in a statement.

CDC says masks should stay on at schools: The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that children remain masked this winter in school, even with the expected rollout of vaccines for 5-11 year olds looming. California requires masks in schools  a step further than the CDCs recommendations.

FDA expected to announce booster authorizations Wednesday: Food & Drug Administration regulators expect to rule Wednesday on authorizing booster doses of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines, the Associated Press reports. The announcements are expected to include allowing the mixing and matching of COVID-19 booster doses among the three U.S. manufacturers  Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to consider mixing and matching for Johnson & Johnson recipients on Thursday; that would be the final say.

New York issues vaccinate mandate for all city employees  and cops are upset: New York Mayor Bill de Blasio on Wednesday issued a requirement that all city employees to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or be placed on unpaid leave, Reuters reports. The police union said it would fight the mandate in court.

How many younger kids will get the vaccine in the Bay Area? Heres what we know: Millions of parents around the country are weighing whether to vaccinate their elementary school kids once vaccines are available. That day looks to be coming soon: a key Food and Drug Administration committee is slated to review the matter Tuesday, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will likely follow suit and recommend the shots the first week of November. Read the full story here.

White House releases plans to get kids 5-11 vaccinated, pending approvals: Ahead of an expected authorization of COVID-19 vaccines for younger children, the White House on Wednesday released plans that would allow kids aged 5 to 11 years old to get shots in their pediatricians office, pharmacies and perhaps their schools, the Associated Press reported.

More Muni operators are vaccinated, but riders should brace for unexpected gaps in service: With two weeks left before the citys employee mandate goes into effect, more frontline workers at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency have rushed to get vaccinated. But what happens if the transit agency is forced to fire more than 100 transit operators whove not yet complied with the citys vaccination order? Read the full story here.

Where the Bay Area stands apart on the CDCs latest COVID transmission map: All nine Bay Area counties as of Tuesday had moved out of federal health officials worst category for community coronavirus transmission  setting them apart from most other counties in the U.S. and indicating progress toward lifting local mandates on indoor masking. Read the full story here.

In-N-Out blasts S.F. over vaccine mandate shutdown: We refuse to become the vaccination police: California burger chain In-N-Out blasted the city after the Department of Public Health temporarily shut down its Fishermans Wharf location on Oct. 14. for not checking customers vaccine cards. Read the full story here.

S.F. suspends 1,400 unvaccinated city workers: San Francisco officials have suspended just over 1,400 employees with pay as they await a hearing about their vaccination status. City workers will be required to return in-person on Nov. 1, Mayor London Breed said. Some of the hearings for unvaccinated workers  those who had earlier deadlines to get inoculated because they work in high-risk settings. Most of those workers are employed by the citys health department.

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.

Vaccination deadline for L.A. city workers could be extended: Los Angeles city workers may get more time to meet the citys COVID-19 vaccination requirement or request an exemption. Under a plan proposed by city officials, they could have until Dec. 18, an extension of the Wednesday deadline, to get shots or seek exemptions, the Los Angeles Times reports. Until Dec. 18, theyd have to undergo COVID-19 testing twice weekly, with a $65 per test cost deducted from their paychecks. After Dec. 18, those not following the vaccination rules would face corrective action. The City Council first has to approve the proposed plan to extend the Wednesday deadline for vaccination rules to become a condition of city employment. As of Monday, more than 70% of city workers said they were fully vaccinated, the Times reported. Some police and fire employees are suing over the requirement.

California back in second-worst transmission tier: In what has become a weekly ping-pong, the state on Tuesday was once again back in the second-worst, substantial, COVID-19 transmission category, marked orange on the CDC color-coded map, after advancing to the coveted yellow tier on Monday. Mondays short-lived spell in the moderate yellow level was due to a customary lag in reporting data over the weekend. But the state does continue to show improvement as the average rate of new weekly cases has fallen to 60.7 per 100,000 residents, second only to Hawaiis 59.9 cases per 100,000 residents.

Berkeley school buses stop running due to virus exposure: Berkeley Unified parents are on their own to carpool or otherwise get their kids to elementary school this week after many district drivers and transportation employees were exposed to COVID-19 in three separate instances last week. On Monday, the district stoopped running the buses, through Thursday, following last weeks exposure. Based on the length of the quarantine, we expect all student transportation to be running on a normal schedule on Friday, October 22, district Superintendent Brent Stephens wrote to parents. A district spokesperson told Berkleyside that the cases did not appear due to transmission at the school district.

Uptick of older residents without boosters in Marin County hospitals: Marin County health officials and health care organizations are urging older adults to get COVID-19 booster shots, as more residents over 65 are being hospitalized who were vaccinated more than six months ago. People who got Pfizer shots more than six months ago are eligible for boosters, and similar authorization is expected for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters within days. Nearly 95% of Marin residents over age 65 have been fully vaccinated, compared to 92.5% of all residents 12 and older, and local COVID-19 deaths rates have fallen dramatically, a county news release noted: To maintain this protection, Marin County Public Health has set a goal for at least half of all residents over age 65 to receive their booster within the next month. Currently, only 25% of residents in that age group have received a booster dose. Among those hospitalized with COVID-19 since June, close to 8 in 10 were 65 or older. Said county Public Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis: The tragic death of Colin Powell highlights the vulnerability of vaccinated people with weakened immune systems. An additional booster shot can help keep you healthy.

California has just 1% of COVID school closures: California, set to require vaccination for all schoolchildren when federal authorites approve the shots for younger kids,so far accounts for a tiny share of the nations school outbreaks, the New York Times reports. Of the 2,321 COVID-related school closures across the U.S. since August, about 1% have been in California, although the state accounts for 12% of the nations K-12 students, according to data the Times cited from technology company Burbio, which monitors outbreaks. California has one of the nations highest vaccination rates, and strict mask requirements for schools. Children have made up a larger portion of infections even as the fall school semester has coincided with a steady drop in infection rates statewide. Public health experts say the vaccine mandate for kids makes since cases could climb again with new variants afoot and winter months seeing more inside activity. Additionally, infection and vaccination rates vary across the state, with numerous COVID-related school closures occurring in regions that have less vaccine uptake.

Vaccine mandate at Napa Valley College for spring term: Napa Valley College will require students, employees and volunteers to be vaccinated against the coronavirus as a condition of going on campus in spring semester, the Napa Valley Register reports. The community colleges board in a Zoom meeting last week decided students attending classes or taking part in other on-campus activities will need to show proof of inoculation against COVID-19, before Jan. 18, and the staff and volunteer mandate will be effective Jan. 1. Exemptions for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs will be allowed, and those exempted will have to take weekly COVID-19 tests. The UC and Cal State systems and many other community colleges also require vaccination.
BRUSSELS (AP)  Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who narrowly survived a poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin, was awarded the European Unions top human rights prize Wednesday in a clear slap at President Vladimir Putin.

In awarding the Sakharov Prize to Navalny, the European Parliament praised his immense personal bravery. The 45-year-old activist fell ill from a nerve agent poisoning last year and recuperated in Germany, then was promptly arrested upon his return to Moscow and later imprisoned.

He has campaigned consistently against the corruption of Vladimir Putins regime, and through his social media accounts and political campaigns, Navalny has helped expose abuses and mobilize the support of millions of people across Russia. For this, he was poisoned and thrown in jail, parliament President David Sassoli in a statement.

Sassoli called for the immediate release of Navalny, who is Putin's biggest domestic foe.

There was no immediate reaction to the award from the Kremlin, which denies any involvement in Navalny's poisoning.

Following his imprisonment, authorities unleashed a sweeping crackdown on his groups and associates. In June, a court outlawed Navalnys Foundation for Fighting Corruption and a network of his regional offices as extremist organizations, a verdict that carries long prison terms for those associated with it. Several top allies have fled Russia, and courts have given suspended sentences and restricted travel to some others who remained.

An Interior Ministry wanted notice said Wednesday it is searching for Lyubov Sobol, a top Navalny associate who received a suspended sentence and faced travel restrictions. Her whereabouts are unknown, but Russian news reports suggested she has left the country.

The EU recognition of Navalny will further sour relations between the 27-nation bloc and Russia. These ties have been on the decline for years, especially following Moscows 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula and its support for a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine.

The impact reverberated beyond the EU as well.

Days after Russia suspended its mission at NATO and ordered the closure of the alliances office in Moscow in retaliation for NATOs expulsion of Russian diplomats, the organizations chief said he embraced the news.

I welcome the fact that a strong voice ... in Russia has been awarded this prize, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, adding that the prize also was a call for his unconditional release from prison and to have an international investigation into it.

Stoltenberg recalled that NATO considered the treatment of Navalny as part of a pattern where we see that Russia has become more oppressive at home and more aggressive abroad.

Russia's treatment of Navalny has only exacerbated matters. The EU has called for his immediate and unconditional release in what it sees as a politically motivated imprisonment and has said it holds Moscow responsible for his health.

The EU imposed sanctions last year on six senior Russian officials for their alleged involvement in the poisoning of Navalny. Amid the standoff between Brussels and Moscow, the move by European lawmakers to award Navalny the prize has returned the issue to the heart of the political debate.

It is an important signal, also to the Kremlin, that the EU will not give in to pressure and blackmail or be fooled by empty promises, said Sergey Lagodinsky, a Greens/EFA MEP from Germany.

Navalnys top associate Leonid Volkov said the prize showed that hundreds of lawmakers from different countries and parties agree the fight against corruption is an issue for all of Europe and that Navalny is "political prisoner No. 1 in the world and Putins personal captive.

Europe understands that we are fighting to make Russia a normal European country, which it will become, and supports it, he said in a post on Facebook.

Ruslan Shaveddinov, another member of Navalny's team, told The Associated Press that Russian authorities may want this to be forgotten as soon as possible, but we see that European politicians believe that this issue is important and send quite a clear message that no one forgot and that they demand Alexei Navalnys release.

He said Navalny's associates will do everything possible to win his freedom, and will continue their anti-corruption investigations, political and public campaigns and protests.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borell tweeted the prize is a recognition of Navalnys commitment to defending democracy in Russia, at great personal cost.

Awarding the prize to Navalny will keep his name in the news, which is a priority for his supporters, said Ben Noble, associate professor of Russian politics at University College London.

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.

It's unlikely to improve his conditions in prison or help his position as it currently stands, added Noble, co-author of Navalny: Putins Nemesis, Russias Future?

He told AP that one worrying implication is that the award "could have a negative effect  that this adds to Moscows narrative of foreign interference, of what they claim is a concerted Western attempt to interfere in the countrys domestic affairs.

The 50,000-euro ($58,200) prize will be presented at the Dec. 15 session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

Other candidates had included a group of Afghan women, and imprisoned Bolivian politician and former interim President Jeanine Anez. The fate of Afghan women has taken center stage since the Taliban took power in the wake of the U.S. military departure from the country in August. Despite initial promises to protect the rights of women, the Taliban have come under criticism, including from the U.N., for not sticking to those commitments.

The EU award, named for Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, was created in 1988 to honor individuals or groups who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms. Sakharov, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, died in 1989.

It was the second straight year it has gone to those challenging authoritarian leaders. Last year, it went to the Belarus opposition movement and its leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, for their challenge to President Alexander Lukashenkos rule following a widely disputed election in 2020.

-

Associated Press writers Vladimir Isachenkov and Harriet Morris in Moscow, Thomas Adamson in Paris and Sam Petrequin in Brussels contributed.

-

This version corrects the euro-dollar conversion rate, with 50,000 euros the equivalent of about $58,200.
Yes, Colin Powell was a giant figure in American history. What galls me is all the praise he seems to be receiving from across the political spectrum.

Yes, he had many great accomplishments during his service for our country. But do we remember Nixon for his statesmanship with China? No, we will remember him for the shame of his lies and dirty political machinations.

We should remember Powell in the same way: for getting us involved in what seems to be an endless Middle East war by dint of his statements about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The result disrupted the lives of millions, given rise to ISIS and the Taliban, and cost our country countless lives and wealth. His legacy, regardless of positive accomplishments, should be one of shame.

Paul Sheeran, Davis

Manchin errs on energy

Younger generations will remember Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia (not to mention the entire GOP opposition) as being on the wrong side of history when it came to gutting the clean electricity program from the overall Biden climate agenda.

At what point will the human and economic losses from hurricanes, superstorms, flooding and other climate change woes so clearly outweigh the anticipated losses from phasing out coal as a source of Americas electricity generation formula? Sadly, the short-term incentives and the focus of our countrys political system are often at odds with our long-term well-being.

Jay Ashford, Oakland

Sins of past stain future

Regarding Not Responsible for past (Letters, Oct. 16): When John OHare arrived in the U.S. as a 12-year-old in 1958, Giants superstar Willie Mays couldnt even buy a house where he wanted because he was Black. Per Richard Rothsteins seminal book The Color of Law, municipal, state and even the federal government wrote racial covenants preventing home sales to African Americans, and thats where generational wealth comes from.

Reparations are not only for something that happened in the 19th century  theyre for far more recent mistreatment, in his lifetime and mine.

Howard Baldwin, Lake Oswego, Ore.

Dont mix church, state

Regarding Archbishop pushes Pelosi on abortion (Front Page, Oct. 19): Since the Catholic Church, in the form of San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, is insisting on ramming its views on womens rights down the gullets of everybody, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, via political persuasion, why is this church not being taxed?

Cordileone says its not political. Its totally political. Cordileone does not care about any separation between church and state. Im glad Speaker Nancy Pelosi does.

Larry Schorr, San Francisco

Toys are apolitical

Regarding Keep political correctness away from toys (Letters, Oct. 16): Kenneth Jones asks why we have to politicize childrens toys. I fail to see a political agenda in having a toy section that is simply filled with toys that all children, regardless of gender, would feel comfortable exploring.

Mr. Jones is indeed lucky if he has never been made to feel that his choice of toys, or even curiosity about them, was inappropriate or indicative of a fundamental flaw in his character. What could be less political than a toy section without any judgment?

Eric Warren, Oakland

Keep parks free parking

Regarding Parks may charge to park amid steep rise in visitors (Front Page, Oct. 18): This absolutely should not happen. It discriminates against those who have a limited income. They should be allowed to enjoy the open spaces of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It would be better if they restricted the number of cars going into the park.
The final results for the unsuccessful September recall election targeting Gov. Gavin Newsom are in, and the data shows a more polarized California electorate compared to 2018, when Newsom was elected governor.

Counties had to report final vote counts for the recall election to the Secretary of State by last Friday. With no remaining unprocessed ballots, The Chronicle compared the results to Newsoms margin in the 2018 gubernatorial election.

The data shows Newsom increased his margins in counties where majorities voted for him in 2018. For instance, roughly two-thirds of voters (68%) in Contra Costa County voted for Newsom in 2018. That grew 3 percentage points to 71% voting to keep him in office in 2021. Similar shifts occurred in most of the Bay Area counties to varying degrees.

However, this doesnt necessarily mean more Bay Area voters support Newsom. While the governor faced criticism from both parties for his handling of the pandemic, for most Democrats, the recall may not have been a referendum on Newsoms actions or policies. With mostly Republican candidates and no prominent Democratic opponent in the race, a vote for Newsom meant a vote for the Democratic Party  or against the Republican Party. Therefore, its possible that what appears to be growing support for Newsom is simply an increase in the number of Democrats in the Bay Area  a trend for the past 20 years.

Counties that had majorities opposing Newsom in 2018 were likely to further oppose him in 2021. For example, only 38% of the 437,000 voters in Kern County were against the recall. Thats 2.9 points fewer than the share that voted for Newsom in 2018. In neighboring Kings and Tulare counties, Newsom support decreased by 4.3 and 3.9 points, respectively.

Similar patterns emerge in some northern counties, though their populations are much lower. For instance, Lassen County, with about 16,000 registered voters, had the smallest share of voters against the recall at 16%, which is nearly 7 points fewer than the share that voted for Newsom in 2018.

There are some exceptions though. Some red counties saw support for Newsom grow slightly. In northern Shasta County, though only 30% of voters cast no recall ballots, thats up 1.5 points from Newsoms 2018 vote share. Nearby Trinity County had a 1.6 point increase, while support in Placer County in the greater Sacramento area increased 1.4 points.

Few counties with majorities that supported Newsom in 2018 had sizable negative shifts. Imperial County, a historically blue county at the southern border of California between San Diego County and Arizona, had a 2.3 point decrease from 62% to 59%. While that shift is fairly small, its a similar shift to what happened in presidential elections; though Biden won the county in 2020, his margin narrowed by 17 points compared with Hilary Clintons share of the vote in 2016, the largest swing of any California county. Several economic and health factors may have caused these swings. The county was hit hard by the pandemic  it has the highest COVID-19 death rate in the state  and unemployment remains high, at 19%, in the largely agricultural county.

Despite shifting support across counties, the overall state share remained the same from 2018 to 2021  62% of Californians voted for Newsom, and the same percentage voted against his recall in 2021. A slightly higher percentage of Californians voted for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election (64%).

The recall had lower participation than the 2018 election, with 58% voting in the recall, 7 percentage points down from 2018. This was largely expected for an off-year election, but the voting rate was high compared to past special elections in the state, which tended to have under 40% participation.

Nearly all counties had lower participation in the recall than in the 2018 election. However, the counties with the smallest decrease in participation were most likely to oppose Newsom in the recall. Of the 10 counties with the highest relative turnout from 2018, all but two  Contra Costa and Yolo  had majorities voting yes on the recall. These eight counties tend to be small rural counties in Northern California or the Sierra Nevada.

Nami Sumida is a San Francisco Chronicle data visualization developer. Email: nami.sumida@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @namisumida
With two weeks left before the citys employee mandate goes into effect, more frontline workers at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency have rushed to get vaccinated. But the transit agency is still bracing for unexpected gaps in Muni service starting Halloween weekend if it has to fire the more than 100 transit operators whove yet to comply with San Franciscos order.

As of Tuesday, 70 of the transportation agencys 1,470 transit operators remain unvaccinated, and another 48 operators have yet to report their vaccination status, SFMTA Director Jeffrey Tumlin told the agencys Board of Directors.

Those figures are an improvement from what Tumlin provided two weeks ago, when more than 300 transit operators were unvaccinated, but the agency is working against the clock. San Franciscos vaccine deadline for employees is Nov. 1, and Monday was technically the last day for employees to either get the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine or a second dose of the other vaccines to meet the citys deadline, Tumlin said.

The SFMTAs latest figures both reinforce the effectiveness of employee vaccine mandates that more public and private employers are pursuing and highlight the precarious situation facing transit agencies with lower rates of unvaccinated frontline workers.

If the SFMTA has to fire the remaining 118 transit workers who dont get vaccinated, Tumlin said, riders should prepare for unreliable bus times and additional unexpected gaps in service and lower-than-scheduled frequencies on Muni.

The agency plans to lean on overtime to help plug holes in Muni operations after the vaccine deadline, and its e staff will start communicating service impacts to riders.

But the transit service is already grappling with personnel shortcomings: Muni has seen higher rates of missed runs on its bus and rail lines as of late, and is struggling to sustain weekend service despite offering operators overtime to fill in gaps, Tumlin said.

It remains unclear exactly how much of an impact the potential firings of unvaccinated Muni operators will have on service, and it could also push back the agencys ongoing plans to restore 85% of pre-COVID service hours in February.

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.

We are working hard to continue to bring those numbers down and the vaccinated numbers up because we do not want to lose a single employee, and we know that the best way to protect the health and safety of our workforce is getting shots in every single arm, Tumlin said.

Parking enforcement would also be affected by the vaccine deadline  eight of the 200-plus parking control officers remain unvaccinated, and another 24 have yet to report their status.

If those employees are let go after Nov. 1, the agency would likely have to suspend some of its abandoned vehicle and meter enforcement under its worst-case scenario, Tumlin said. The firings could also mean reduced Chase Center events staff.

Ricardo Cano is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ricardo.cano@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByRicardoCano
In recent years, San Francisco has increased the number of people released from jail on ankle monitors as it tries to cut the number of defendants locked up and stop penalizing those who cant afford bail.

But some officials  including Mayor London Breed and a city supervisor  say the system needs reform in light of new data that shows some people are failing to comply with the program, which can land them back in jail.

Electronic monitoring is essential in our work to reduce incarceration, Breed said in a statement. But if it is failing as a tool for deterrence then it is failing those we are trying to keep out of jail and we are failing the public.

Under the system, a judge can order a defendant released from jail to wear an ankle bracelet with a GPS monitor either before trial or as part of a sentence. The sheriff can also release someone to electronic monitoring to complete their sentence.

People released on ankle monitors before their trial usually need to stay within 50 miles of the overseeing agencys facility and are sometimes also ordered to stay away from a specific person or area related to their alleged crime  the idea is to keep people from re-offending.

Those released as part of their sentence are usually put on home detention, which means a curfew and only a few hours a week to run errands outside of pre-approved activities.

The wearer has to comply with a dozen or so rules that differ depending on the overseeing agency, but generally include charging the device, not tampering with it and not breaking any laws. If they dont meet those terms, they can be rearrested and jailed.

Some people on electronic monitoring also receive a case manager, who provides more intensive supervision and referrals to substance use and mental health treatment, education, and employment.

In San Francisco, the Sheriffs Office oversees the largest number of people on ankle monitors in the city  usually around 320 at a time  while Adult Probation and Juvenile Probation departments supervise fewer people.

But recent data found that slightly over half of people on ankle monitors under the sheriffs supervision failed to comply with the terms of their release between June 2020 and June 2021. The reasons vary significantly.

Sheriff Paul Miyamoto said some were technical failures  not charging the device, failing to respond to the department or missing an appointment  and some were more serious, such as tampering with the device or being rearrested for a new crime. The Sheriffs Department couldnt provide a breakdown of the kinds of failures by deadline, making it difficult to determine the depth of the problems.

But the data on the overall failure rate  requested by Supervisor Rafael Mandelman  prompted Breed to take action. Shes requesting that the Sheriffs and Adult Probation departments develop recommendations on how to improve the system.

The debate about the effectiveness of electronic monitoring comes amid a statewide push to find alternatives to incarceration, part of a criminal justice reform movement that accelerated during the pandemic. Three years ago, a California court ruled that detaining a defendant simply because they couldnt afford bail was unconstitutional. Since then, the percentage of cases released to pretrial intensive supervision, which includes electronic monitoring, in San Francisco doubled, one study showed.

While city officials agree that the current system is falling short, they disagree on the reasons and on potential solutions.

Miyamoto said he absolutely believes the program can work, but said the department lacks enough staff to do compliance checks, so that people in the program dont have that extra support to get them back on track. He believes more resources would help improve compliance rates.

But Danielle Harris, a managing attorney at the Public Defenders Office, argued that the system should be eliminated and replaced with case management to provide services. She said the system mirrors racial disparities in incarceration, sets people up to fail and doesnt address the root causes of crime. Nearly 1 in 5 people on ankle monitors under the Sheriffs Department last year were homeless, which could make it harder to charge a device, for example.

Mandelman worries both that the system is failing to provide defendants needed support, and that the approach might be letting dangerous people back into the community. He requested the sheriffs data after two troubling instances of people on ankle monitors repeatedly violating their release terms and re-offending in his district. Hes now asking for similar data from Adult Probation and requesting that the city research how its outcomes compare to those of other California cities.

Mandelman said he needs more information to know whether electronic monitoring can be reformed or should be scrapped. The Board of Supervisors approves the departments contracts for the technology. The data about failure to comply indicates to him that its currently not an effective alternative to incarceration and doesnt give the support and oversight that people need to succeed and that we need for our communities to be safe.

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.

Harris questioned the implication that failures indicate risks to public safety. She said some of her clients have been found to be in violation wrongfully, in situations such as when a wearer under home detention gets permission to leave the house, but the outing isnt correctly entered in the system, triggering a violation alert.

Mandelman and Miyamoto both expressed concern that some people on ankle monitors have been accused of committing serious crimes. Data shows people were charged with an average of four crimes, sometimes a mix of misdemeanors and felonies ranging from violating parole to rape, attempted murder, elder abuse and domestic violence.

But Harris said the charges dont tell the whole picture. If someone is released on ankle monitoring despite a serious charge, she said its likely that the judge will dismiss or resolve the case with a far less serious charge. It could also mean a witness didnt show up for a hearing, she added. If that happens, a judge must either dismiss the case or release the defendant.

Under the Sheriffs Department, most people who failed to comply over the past year failed once or twice, although one person failed nine times.

Some of those who fail to comply get rearrested. As of July 31, more than one third  126  of 328 people on electronic monitoring had a warrant issued for their arrest because of a failure to comply. If the reason for a failure is technical, staff send reminders and check on people, but if failures rack up, the department might ask a judge to approve an arrest, Miyamoto said. The department arrested 43 individuals for compliance failure in July, August and September, and 11 in October so far.

Miyamoto did not report any issues with the technology itself and said he was very happy with Sentinel Offenders Services, the company paid $3.4 million for a three-year contract.

Rachel Marshall, spokesperson for the District Attorneys Office, said in an email that electronic monitoring can be effective at catching people who re-offend but can also land people in jail for technical violations unrelated to public safety.

We believe the public would be well served by increasing resources for housing and community-based support, which we know are essential to successful pretrial release, she said.

Mallory Moench is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mallory.moench@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@mallorymoench
HOUSTON (AP) _ Crown Castle International Corp. (CCI) on Wednesday reported a key measure of profitability in its third quarter. The results exceeded Wall Street expectations.

The real estate investment trust, based in Houston, said it had funds from operations of $767 million, or $1.77 per share, in the period.

The average estimate of six analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for funds from operations of $1.72 per share.

Funds from operations is a closely watched measure in the REIT industry. It takes net income and adds back items such as depreciation and amortization.

The company said it had net income of $351 million, or 81 cents per share.

The operator of wireless communications towers, based in Houston, posted revenue of $1.62 billion in the period, which also topped Street forecasts. Seven analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $1.61 billion.

Crown Castle expects full-year funds from operations in the range of $6.78 to $6.89 per share.

The company's shares have climbed almost 10% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P's 500 index has increased 21%. In the final minutes of trading on Wednesday, shares hit $175, a climb of slightly more than 6% in the last 12 months.

_____

This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on CCI at https://www.zacks.com/ap/CCI
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP)  A judge on Wednesday issued a temporary restraining order that details how picketing workers at the Deere & Co. plant in Davenport must conduct themselves.

In seeking the injunction Wednesday, Deere officials alleged that striking workers had disrupted access to the Davenport Works plant and put others at risk.

District Court Judge Marlita Greve ordered the union to allow only four picketers at a time near the gates of the plant. The order also banned the use of chairs and barrel fires, and prohibited picketers from harassing or intimidating people entering and leaving the plant, the Quad-City Times reported.

Deere spokeswoman Jen Hartmann said the company sought the injunction to provide a safe environment for contractors and employees, including those participating in the strike.

The injunction prohibits picketing or congregating near the Contractor Gate entrance, which is regarded a neutral gate that cannot be picketed, according to Deere.

The United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America went on strike on Oct. 14 after union members overwhelmingly rejected a proposed contract. Contract negotiations have resumed.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack met with striking workers Wednesday at Deere's plant in Ankeny. Vilsack told the union workers that he stood with them, noting the UAW had long supported him in his political career, WHO-TV reported.

A contract would cover 10,000 striking workers at 14 Deere plants, including seven in Iowa, four in Illinois and one each in Kansas, Colorado and Georgia.
This article was first published on NerdWallet.com.

When Maryland-based, NerdWallet editor Erin Hurd rescheduled a 2020 family trip to visit the Christmas markets in Europe to December 2021, she thought the trip would go according to plan. By then, she figured, her family would be vaccinated against COVID-19.

But as 2021 rolled on, her children remained too young to be vaccinated, and the pandemic brought on new variants. She ultimately decided to cancel their trip.

We decided not to go to Europe because the kids can catch COVID while traveling, or my husband or I could get a breakthrough case and then test positive before our flight home. We dont want to get stuck quarantining in Europe and have the kids miss school, Hurd says.

She adds, Good thing we had travel insurance when booking our trip.

Stories like this demonstrate the many moving parts you need to think about when booking international travel during the COVID era. Heres what to know to better prepare for the flexibility required.

Entry requirements vary by country

Due to the pandemic, planning a trip abroad involves familiarizing yourself with different countries specific entry requirements. Though countries generally require a combination of proof of vaccination, a PCR test and/or recovery from COVID-19 before entry, quarantine requirements for the unvaccinated differ, particularly when it comes to age.

COVID-19 vaccinations in the U.S. are currently only available to those ages 12 and older, and children under 12 may undergo stricter requirements before traveling internationally  but the requirements vary widely. For instance, to enter Germany, kids under 12 need to quarantine for five days, but don't need a test. To enter Italy, on the other hand, children six years and older who are accompanied by a parent have to take the pre-departure COVID-19 test, but children under six are exempt.

We might just travel domestically during the holidays so that we can still get away without having to worry about getting stuck abroad, Hurd says.

Borders may close without warning

Travelers must also be prepared for countries to close their borders to Americans, whether they're vaccinated or not.

Former NerdWallet employee Alexis Freund, who lives in Chicago, was invited with her boyfriend to a wedding in Lake Como, Italy. They planned a mini trip across Europe, which included flying to Amsterdam, taking the train to Switzerland and Italy, and then flying to Greece. But a week before departure, the Netherlands issued a notice that anyone arriving from the U.S. is required to quarantine  vaccinated or not. This requirement has since changed.

The couple decided to fly to Germany instead, but due to the fare difference, changing both tickets cost an extra $1,400. Then, the city they planned to visit in Switzerland was hit with a storm.

Freund canceled Switzerland and flew to Portugal instead.

Though we paid for the hotels and trains in advance, we were able to get our money back by using our credit cards travel insurance policy. Without it, we would've lost $1,200 on these expenses, Freund says.

Travel insurance can pad the unexpected

Because Freund had travel insurance and her reason for cancellation was covered, she was able to use the trip interruption perk  which allows travelers to recoup the unused portion of prepaid activities when plans change  to get a refund for those costs.

Similarly, Hurd was able to benefit from the travel insurance provided by her credit card. Our flights were booked with United points, but we paid the flight taxes with a travel rewards credit card. We were protected by its complimentary travel insurance. If we had booked our tickets with cash, we would have definitely bought stand-alone travel insurance, she says.

If youre planning on traveling during the pandemic and dont have a credit card that offers free travel insurance, consider purchasing a comprehensive policy. Then, if you need to change or cancel your travels, your prepaid trip plans will be reimbursed.

The cost of COVID tests can add up

You may need to add a new line item to your travel budget: COVID-19 tests.

As we were researching where to go in Europe, we realized wed need negative COVID tests to enter many countries. Instead of dealing with looking for a COVID testing center in each country we planned to visit  and potentially paying hundreds of dollars for each test  I ordered a six-pack of COVID tests from Abbott for $150, Freund says.

Abbott is just one example of an at-home testing kit that's been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration. These tests can be ordered online and shipped to your home; each test is proctored by a certified health professional during a video call.

Results can be accessed in various ways. For Abbott, test takers need to download an app to securely view a secure digital certificate with a QR code. Ahead of selecting an at-home test kit, confirm that a lab report is provided, which can satisfy certain entry requirements, such as returning to the U.S.

Proof may be required beyond the border

If youre not tech savvy or dont have a smartphone, you may encounter additional difficulties when traveling internationally during the pandemic. Some countries, such as Norway, have already transitioned to accepting only a QR code upon entry as proof of vaccination against COVID-19, a negative test result or recovery from the virus, essentially serving as a digital vaccine passport.

You may also need to keep this digital proof handy even beyond immigration.

We were asked to show our QR codes from the at-home PCR tests before entering Italy and the U.S., and also when visiting restaurants in Lisbon, Portugal, Freund says.

Be sure to pack your physical vaccine card just in case, too.

If youre going to travel abroad, be prepared to be flexible

Freund and Hurd both had to alter their travel plans due to the ongoing difficulties of traveling during the pandemic. If you plan to travel in the near future, consider using a credit card with travel insurance to pay for your trip plans, or purchase a separate trip insurance policy.

Most of all, be aware that you may need to change your plans altogether. It might be wise to book a domestic trip instead of an international one.

Elina Geller writes for NerdWallet. Email: egeller@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @themissmiles.

The article Traveling Abroad During COVID? Be Flexible to Change Plans originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Theres something of an unspoken rule among city residents of many major metropolitan cities, whether it be D.C. or San Francisco or New York City: If youre standing at an intersection with traffic lights, no cars are approaching and youre waiting at a red light, you can cross the street.

Now, this isnt standard practice everywhere  nor is it probably a great idea on, say, an intersection by a highway exit or an extended, dual road. It's also not much of a thing in super car-centric places like Los Angeles, as you'd expect. But in many instances, jaywalking is a relatively harmless act when done appropriately  and whether youd like to admit it or not, youve probably done it.

So, it begs the question: Why did Gov. Gavin Newsom veto a bill that would decriminalize jaywalking? In his veto message, he expressed concern that California still has high rates of pedestrian fatalities, ranking eighth in the nation for every 100,000 people. Newsoms office did not immediately respond to a request from SFGATE for more context on the decision.

I am concerned that [Assembly Bill] 1238 will unintentionally reduce pedestrian safety and potentially increase fatalities or serious injuries caused by pedestrians that enter our roadways at inappropriate locations," Newsom wrote in his veto letter.

But to Assemblymember Phil Ting  and the legions of other proponents for the bill  the decision to veto was a faulty one. And, to be clear, this bill does not entirely decriminalize jaywalking.

Ting, who represents Californias 19th district, including portions of San Francisco, told SFGATE that his primary goal in writing this bill was to encourage more of his constituents to explore their cities by foot. He was, in part, inspired by the fact that jaywalking initially originated as a car manufacturer promotion to establish motor vehicles as the standard mode of transportation in America. (This 2015 Vox explainer dives deeper into that.)

What we wanted to do is make sure that there was fairness in enforcement, and also ensure that we could continue to encourage more and more people to walk to work, walk to school, walk in their everyday life without fear of being unfairly cited, Ting said.

Ting pointed to tickets over jaywalking being outsized relative to the proportion of the crime, and largely affect poor and working-class residents  with a fine costing up to $250.

Assembly Bill 1238 would have banned fines for jaywalking "when there is no immediate hazard" and permitted pedestrians to "use a crosswalk on a yellow light." The bill would still prohibit risky jaywalking, such as on a crowded throughway or on a highway.

It was advocated for by a number of bicyclist and walking groups in the state and the city of Berkeley, many of whom argued that the bill would have leveled the playing field for pedestrians in a heavily car-centric state.

The concept of jaywalking is fundamentally flawed and devalues people walking, said Jodie Medeiros of Walk SF in a statement to SFGATE. It continues the narrative of the driver reigning supreme over people who are not in cars.

But the bill faced significant opposition from law enforcement groups, the most notable of which was the California State Sheriffs Association. The association told the Los Angeles Times that the bill would "cause confusion and remove expectations drivers and pedestrians may have about safe roadway usage." The organization did not respond to a request for comment from SFGATE.

Ting disputed this claim, noting that most Californians who jaywalk don't think they're doing anything illegal. "Right down to this very second, we probably have hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Californians, crossing the street in the middle of the street right now," he said. "I don't think it's creating chaos. I don't think it's creating confusion."

Other experts, such as the Governors Highway Safety Associations Richard Retting, have attributed an increase in pedestrian deaths not to jaywalkers, but to poor, inattentive drivers and larger vehicles like SUVs becoming more popular on the market.

And for other advocates in the legal sphere, the move to decriminalize jaywalking in California would have been an extension of reducing unnecessary police interference, which Ting says disproportionately affects poor and working-class people, and people of color, especially Black Californians.

In 2018, Chinedu Okobi, a 36-year-old Black man, was tased to death by deputies working for the San Mateo County Sheriffs Office after one officer stopped him for jaywalking. The sheriffs were cleared of wrongdoing a year later. Elsewhere in California, Kurt Reinhold, a 42-year-old unhoused Black man, was fatally shot last year by two police officers assigned to be "homeless liaisons after they stopped Reinhold for jaywalking.

Data has found that Black Californians in major cities, including Sacramento and Los Angeles, are four to five times more likely to be stopped by police for jaywalking than their white counterparts.

Progressive legal and political organizations, such as the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (a bill co-sponsor) and the Sunrise Movement's Los Angeles chapter, argued that safety on streets can be achieved without punishing jaywalkers.

We can have safe streets without criminal punishment for walking  and we have seen this to be true in wealthy, white neighborhoods where jaywalking occurs but citations are not enforced," Rio Scharf of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area said in a statement when the bill was initially proposed in March.

And the laws around jaywalking have been changed in other states. Virginia enacted a similar law this year that decriminalized jaywalking by reducing it to a secondary offense  meaning that individuals cannot be cited solely for jaywalking. So, too, did Nevada.

For Ting, the failure of this bill to get passed means that with the increasing popularity of safe streets and other measures to get people walking in their cities, California is getting left behind.

"We're trying to get more people into bikes, more people to walk in public transit, our laws and our bureaucracy needs to catch up and they haven't," Ting said.
This article, Facebook reportedly plans to rename itself, originally appeared on CNET.com.

Facebook is planning to give itself a new name next week to reflect its focus on the metaverse, The Verge reported Tuesday.

The social media giant's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg , plans to discuss Facebook's rebranding at the company's annual Connect conference on Oct. 28, but an announcement could come sooner, The Verge reported, citing an unidentified source with direct knowledge of the matter.

Like Google's creation of its parent Alphabet in 2015, a rebranded Facebook would likely create an umbrella company that oversees the Facebook app, as well as Instagram, WhatsApp and Oculus, among others.

The idea of a metaverse -- a computer-generated environment where people can interact with each other using AR, VR and other technologies -- is something Facebook has been discussing since it acquired virtual reality headset maker Oculus in 2014. Building out the metaverse is of interest to many large tech companies, with developers comparing it to the internet in terms of openness and interoperability.

The concept of a metaverse helmed by Facebook has received some pushback. On Tuesday, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey suggested the idea was dystopian in response to a tweet questioning Zuckerberg's ambitions.

News of the planned rebranding comes a day after the company announced in a blog post that it will be hiring around 10,000 people from within the EU to fill highly skilled roles working on Horizon Worlds, a 3D virtual play space, over the next five years.

It's also kicked off online speculation about what the company's new name could be. Some have reportedly suggested names such as FB or Horizon, though others seem to be getting behind Meta as a contender.

Facebook declined to address the report, saying it doesn't comment on rumor or speculation.
The San Francisco Police Department announced Tuesday that in a joint investigation with federal authorities it confiscated a massive cache of drugs, cash and ammunition and detained 18 alleged drug dealers who face multiple charges, including trafficking of fentanyl and other narcotics.

The seizure consisted of 17 pounds of illegal narcotics  including 12.5 pounds of fentanyl, 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.5 pounds of cocaine base, 1.25 pounds of heroin and 22.8 grams of oxycodone  three firearms and two high-capacity magazines each holding 30 rounds of ammunition, police said in a news release. There was also nearly $27,000 in cash.

The amount of fentanyl seized could theoretically kill 2.85 million people when you consider 2 mg is enough for a lethal dose.

The stash illustrates the unprecedented drug epidemic San Francisco faces as fentanyl floods the streets, intensifying the peril of addiction and leading to a staggering number of overdose deaths.

While myriad other drugs such as cocaine, heroin and especially methamphetamine are part of the city's recreational drug supply, the number of accidental overdose deaths tied to the astonishingly cheap, potent and addictive synthetic opioid went up 483% from 2018 to 2020. Fentanyl was detected in the blood of 89 of the 260 total people who died from overdoses in San Francisco in 2018, while it was present in 519 of the 712 people who overdosed in 2020, data shared by the city with SFGATE showed.

SFPD

The San Francisco Police Department said the fentanyl crisis has triggered an increase in gun violence in the city's Tenderloin neighborhood, where drugs are freely sold and taken on the streets.

The Tenderloin has seen a more than 71% increase in fatal and nonfatal shootings over this time last year  from 21 such incidents in 2020 to 36 in 2021, including one drug-related shooting in April that claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy, police said in the release.

The staggering loss of life weve seen due to drug overdoses is a public health calamity San Franciscans havent witnessed since the height of the AIDS crisis, said Chief of Police Bill Scott said in a statement announcing the latest drug seizure. Our street drug trade has been nearly twice as deadly as COVID-19 in San Francisco. While the primary chemical culprit is fentanyl, drug-related gun violence is beginning to take an increasingly troubling toll."

The recent operation was a joint effort by San Francisco police the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives.

Officers fanned the Bay Area last week over a three-day operation, executing 11 search warrants at nine locations.

Narcotics investigators collected evidence providing insight into the local drug supply chain. What they found suggested that "Southern California-based drug trafficking organizations were bulk sourcing fentanyl and other narcotics to mid-level traffickers based largely in Oakland, Calif., who in turn supplied street-level dealers in San Franciscos Tenderloin District," police said. "In some instances, mid-level suppliers themselves engaged in street-level trafficking."

Eight of the 18 suspects have already been charged federally by the U.S. Attorneys Office, police said. Two suspects were hit with federal Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives (ATF) charges, and eight defendants face state charges in Alameda County, police said.

In a similar operation in June, San Francisco police seized more than 30 pounds of drugs in Oakland and took five suspects into custody (photo above).

At the time, Scott said, "The amount of fentanyl seized in this single operation is enough lethal overdoses to wipe out San Francisco's population four times over."
Theres a line that Bill Murrays Harold Ross-like character Arthur Howitzer Jr, the editor of The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun, says a few times in Wes Andersons new movie that I cant stop thinking about. Just try to make it sound like you wrote it that way on purpose, he gently advises his staff.

Its clever, sure, and just familiar enough to make you wonder if it is some well-known writing advice. But whats especially striking is that it's somehow both confident and self-deprecating - a beautiful quip thats full of insight and contradictions, not unlike Anderson films themselves. And its easy to wonder whether its a kind of window into Andersons mind, something he tells himself or was once told to make sense of his idiosyncratic aesthetic, which lately seems to have become a bit of a liability. For better or worse, Wes Anderson films always look, sound and feel like Wes Anderson films.

The French Dispatch is no exception, but because weve now been living with his films for 25 years and the most surface interpretation of his style has been misappropriated by dilettantes on Instagram, its become easy to write off. And perhaps there is something to the fact that fairly or not, some of the luster has dulled due to familiarity, but  The French Dispatch  remains a highly enjoyable, sophisticated and experimental ode to the romantic, and fictionalized, idea of the midcentury heyday of magazines like The New Yorker and The Paris Review.

This particular magazines reach is significantly more limited than that of its inspirations. The French Dispatch is a weekly insert of the Liberty Kansas Evening Sun. The real Liberty, Kansas, is a town with a population that has barely exceeded 250 in the past century and, more recently, has hovered closer to 100. This makes it all the more amusing that Murrays character would bankroll this magazine out of France (in a fictional town called Ennui-sur-Blase) with a staff of famous longform writers. But its a pursuit that will end with his death, and the final issue provides the structure for this anthology film.

There is a Talk of the Town-like vignette with Owen Wilson as Herbsaint Sazerac describing a day in the life of a small French town, a story about an incarcerated murderer (Benicio del Toro) whose modern paintings become a sensation, one about a reluctant student revolutionary, Zeffirelli (Timothee Chalamet), and another about a food journalist (Jeffrey Wright) sent to profile a celebrated chef (Stephen Park) who is caught up in a wild kidnapping and rescue scheme. It is quirky, delightfully absurd at times and dark  all Anderson's films are, even if thats always forgotten in the bad cover versions.

Anderson has written the screenplay alongside frequent collaborators Roman Coppola, Hugo Guinness and Jason Schwartzman (who also plays a minor role). And it is a uniquely moving experience jumping from story to story (in fitting black and white with the occasional pop of color, presumably to mimic print and photo) with only the loosely connective thread that they all happen to be in the same publication. That you get as invested as you are is a testament to the storytelling and the army of seasoned actors who seem more than happy to pop in for a few minutes of screen time, including but not limited to Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Lea Seydoux, Frances McDormand, Mathieu Amalric, Elisabeth Moss, Henry Winkler and Saoirse Ronan.

If anything, The French Dispatch perhaps suffers because of its abundance which on first viewing can seem like overwhelming excess, but I think will hold up enormously well. These are the details that will make it enjoyable and rewarding to revisit. Or maybe it was just a kitchen-sink kind of endeavor, but it works.

In any case, Anderson made it feel like he did it that way on purpose.

The French Dispatch, a Searchlight Pictures release in limited release Friday, expanding on Oct. 29, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for language, graphic nudity, some sexual references. Running time: 103 minutes. Three stars out of four.



MPAA Definition of R: Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

-

Follow AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ldbahr
Salesforce Park, an urban oasis atop San Francisco's Salesforce Transit Center that's home to plentiful wildlife, has now become the landing place for a rare sight on the West Coast.

On Oct. 11, an ovenbird  which hasn't been reported in San Francisco since 2014  came to rest at the park, drawing birdwatchers by the dozens. It's a special sighting for West Coast birders, who usually must travel far east to check the ovenbird off their lists.

"To my knowledge, it's the first time an ovenbird has been spotted in Salesforce Park," said Thad Mully, who describes himself as an "interested birder." Mully also leads monthly bird walks at the park on the first Wednesday of every month at 8 a.m.

He believes the unassuming ovenbird may be the rarest bird seen in the park since its opening in the summer of 2018. According to Mully, the little brown ovenbird isn't necessarily special for its coloring, but its behavior.

"They're cool because they make this funny little nest that looks like a Dutch oven with a hole on the side," he said. "They're kind of a nondescript bird, but they have a really loud voice."

Corey Hayes/Getty Images/500px

The ovenbird makes a call that sounds like "teacher, teacher, teacher," and Mully says on the East Coast, "they sing all summer long."

On a recent visit to Salesforce Park, the bird was nowhere in sight  and I lacked the birding prowess to find it. But a friendly park security guard, Lorenzo Hudson, said he'd seen the ovenbird  and all the birdwatchers  himself.

"He's a little jumper. He likes to stay on the ground and be around everywhere," Hudson said. "He's not really scared of people, just doesn't care. He just does his little thing."

According to ebird.org, a citizen science app that releases rare bird alerts, the ovenbird was spotted in Salesforce Park as recently as Monday. Another ovenbird was also spotted in Bernal Heights Park last weekend.

A friend of Mully's said the ovenbird appeared to have an injured wing, which may account for why it's stuck around the park for so long.

"One of the big hazards for migrating birds is collisions with plate-glass windows," Mully said. "Especially buildings that are lit up at night... They act as sort of a magnet. It's possible this bird was injured in that way."

Mully's not entirely sure how or why the ovenbird ended up on the West Coast in the first place. His best guess is that the bird's "wires got crossed" during migration, and instead of heading south to Central America, it ended up flying west. "I think this bird is probably one of those that has the crossed migration signals and flew the wrong way," he said.

Mully also took the special ovenbird sighting as an opportunity to encourage budding and seasoned birders to get out in nature. He said the Golden Gate Audubon Society is a great place to start for up-and-comers, and stressed that the Bay Area is full of rare birds.

"Places like the Farallons, Point Reyes, Bodega...There are these areas regarded as migrant traps, and the birds who are about to go to the ocean stop here. You can see some pretty rare stuff in a concentrated area here," he said.
AMHERST, Mass. (AP)  Amherst College will no longer give admissions preference to the children of alumni, the school announced Wednesday, ending a practice that has been criticized for giving an additional advantage to students from wealthier families.

The liberal arts college said its dropping legacy admissions to create a fairer admissions system and to promote diversity on campus. In the past, children of alumni have made up 11% of incoming students at the college of 1,700 students. Going forward, family status will not be considered in admission decisions.

Amherst President Biddy Martin said the shift will make the school accessible to more students, regardless of their financial background or family connections.

Now is the time to end this historic program that inadvertently limits educational opportunity by granting a preference to those whose parents are graduates of the college, Martin said in a statement.

At selective colleges across the nation, its common for children of alumni to be given an edge in the application process. Colleges defend the practice by saying it it encourages alumni to donate and is only used as a tiebreaker in close decisions.

But activists have called on colleges to end the practice in recent years, saying it reinforces class and racial inequities and creates an uneven playing field.

Amherst was among more than 30 schools targeted by a recent nationwide campaign to boycott donations from alumni until their schools end legacy admissions. Others targeted include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown and Stanford universities.

In making the change, Amherst joins a small but growing number of colleges that have dropped the practice. Last year, Johns Hopkins University announced it had ended the policy, and Colorado lawmakers banned it at public universities this year. Some prestigious schools say they have never given legacy preference, including at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Amherst said its also expanding its financial aid to help more students from lower- and middle-income families. About 60% of students are expected to get financial help, the college said, with the average household aid package estimated at $63,000.

The annual cost to attend the college is estimated at about $85,000, including tuition and other fees.

Matthew McGann, the schools dean of admission and financial aid, said he hopes more students will see Amherst as an option going forward. By dropping legacy admissions and boosting financial aid, he said, the college is confident it will see an increase in diversity among its applicants and ultimately on campus.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP)  A federal judge on Friday dismissed a lawsuit filed by Audubon of Kansas over water rights at the Quivira Wildlife Refuge in central Kansas.

Audubon sued the U.S. Department of Interior and other federal and state agencies in January, alleging they had not protected senior water rights at the 22,135-acre refuge near the town of Stafford.
MAPLE GROVE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP)  Authorities found human remains in a mid-Michigan soybean field Wednesday.

Barry County deputies said they found the remains in Maple Grove Township near a missing womans car.

Deputies aided by a Michigan State Police helicopter found the car, and police dogs subsequently found the remains.

The remains had not been identified by Wednesday afternoon, police said.

The Barry County Sheriffs Office has been searching for Rachel Lynn Hazen, 41, since she was last seen July 21. A friend reported her missing five days later.

Maple Grove Township is about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northwest of Flint.
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP)  A base in interior Alaska has been chosen by the U.S. Air Force to receive its first nuclear microreactor.

Eielson Air Force Base was selected in a project that began in 2019, when a National Defense Authorization Act requirement to identify potential sites for development and operation of a microreactor by 2027 began, Fairbanks television station KTVF reported.
NEW YORK (AP)  The two men running to become New York City's next mayor offered starkly different visions Wednesday about how to lead the nation's largest city out of the pandemic, improve public safety and gird the city of 8.8 million people for more powerful storms driven by climate change.

Democrat Eric Adams and Republican Curtis Sliwa also sparred over personal and character issues, with Adams lambasting Sliwa for having admitted in the past to making up crimes and for buffoonery.

Sliwa, the founder of the 1970s-era Guardian Angels anti-crime patrol, insisted he's the candidate more in-touch with regular New Yorkers. He said he feels they accept his apology for having falsely claimed he was kidnapped decades ago and boasting of faked exploits from his unarmed patrols.

Adams, the Brooklyn Borough president and a former New York City police captain, is widely expected to win the Nov. 2 election.

He's the Democratic candidate in a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans 7-to-1, having campaigned as a moderate choice in a crowded primary field. Adams would be the city's second Black mayor and as a candidate, he has spoken personally about policing through the lens of having been a cop, a critic of his own department and a young Black man who experienced police brutality.

Sliwa has been a longtime media fixture in New York, first from his days as the founder of the red-beret wearing Guardian Angels and later as a radio commenter with a penchant for attracting news cameras and staging stunts. As a mayoral candidate, he latched on to reports questioning whether Adams really lives at his Brooklyn brownstone and walked around New York with a milk carton featuring a picture of missing Adams.

Adams has repeatedly dismissed Sliwa during the campaign and continued to do so during the debate, refusing the opportunity to respond to an extended, rapid-fire critique from his opponent.

Im speaking to New Yorkers. Im not speaking to buffoonery," he said.

Sliwa sought to portray Adams as an out-of-touch elitist for having reportedly vacationed in Monaco and meeting with donors in elite enclaves like the Hamptons.

Just follow me in the streets and subways. I'm there. I'm the people's choice. Eric Adams is with the elites in the suites," Sliwa said. Come on, Eric. Come back. Come back to the streets and the subways. Be with the real peeps.

Adams said he agreed with outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio's decision announced Wednesday to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for all city workers, including police officers. Sliwa said he opposed the mandate, saying the city doesn't have enough police officers as is and can't afford to lose more to a vaccine mandate.

To revive the citys empty commercial office space after the pandemic drove workers to stay home, Adams said hed seek to make the city more business-friendly and mold it into a destination for industries like cybersecurity, biotechnology and drone development.

Sliwa said many people will never come back to in-person work and the city should instead convert empty offices and commercial real estate into affordable housing.

Adams said he'd allow restaurants to keep their pop-up structures on the city's streets and sidewalks that have served as outdoor dining rooms during the pandemic. Sliwa said the structures are taking up space needed for bicyclists, pedestrians and cars and need to be scaled back.

Sliwa and Adams have both spoken on the campaign trail about combatting violent crime and clashed Wednesday over how to address it. Sliwa called for hiring 3,000 police officers and claimed Adams had shown no interest in using federal resources to put more cops on the streets. He also called for ending the city's status as a sanctuary city, where local law enforcement does not cooperate with stepped-up immigration enforcement from federal officials.

Adams said he would continue the city's so-called sanctuary status and knocked Sliwa for fabricating crimes and playing cop while Adams was in uniform on the police force.

Both candidates were asked how they'd prepare for bigger and more devastating storms fueled by climate change after Hurricane Ida dropped a deadly deluge of rain on the city in September, killing 13 New York City residents.

Adams called for a three-step forecast system warning residents and city agencies of the threat and a plan to more quickly warn those living in flood-prone basement apartments, particularly illegal cellar apartments without ample exits.

Sliwa called for building seawalls to prevent against coastal flooding as seen after Superstorm Sandy nearly a decade ago, along with better cleaning of drains and basins.

Tuesday's hourlong debate was the first of two face-to-face meetings before the Nov. 2 election. The second debate will be Oct. 26.
MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP)  A Seminole man who was a member of a Native American prison gang pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges connected to separate homicides, federal prosecutors announced.

Matthew Onesimo Armstrong, 32, a member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and to using a firearm during a crime of violence in connection with the May 2015 killing of Scotty Candler. Another man, John Douglas Knight, has been charged with killing Candler, and a jury trial in that case is set for January.

Armstrong also pleaded guilty to murder in Indian Country and kidnapping in connection to the April 2017 killing of Nicole Owl near Armstrong's home in Seminole, Oklahoma, prosecutors said. According to an FBI agent's affidavit in the case, Armstrong believed Owl stole money and drugs from him, tied her to a tree, shot her twice and then helped bury her in a shallow grave.

Messages seeking comment from Armstrong's attorneys weren't immediately returned on Wednesday.

Prosecutors say Armstrong admitted in a plea agreement that he was a member of the Indian Brotherhood, a prison gang active in Oklahoma.

Armstrong faces up to life in prison when he's sentenced in a few months.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)  A Florida battalion chief has been fired for refusing to discipline workers who hadn't gotten a COVID-19 vaccine in violation of a requirement for county employees.

Orange County Fire Rescue battalion chief Stephen Davis was fired Tuesday for failure to follow a direct order and issue disciplinary actions earlier this month, said Lisa McDonald, a spokeswoman for the fire department in metro Orlando.

But a union representing firefighters told WFTV that Davis didn't write up the disciplines because the workers on his list were mistakenly identified as unvaccinated or hadn't gotten their requests for religious exemptions in on time.

He didnt do what he was asked to do because he realized some people on the spreadsheet that he received were fully vaccinated and had religious exemptions at the time and he knew it was unlawful and violating state law, firefighter Jason Wheat told the Orlando television station.

Orange County employees were required to show proof by the end of September that they'd received a shot of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine or the first dose of the double-shot Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines. Employees must be fully vaccinated by the end of October unless they request a religious or medical exemption, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Almost four dozen Orange County Fire Rescue employees, including Davis, according to WFTV, have sued the county over its vaccine mandate, calling it unlawful, unconstitutional and highly invasive."

When issuing the order, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings initially said county employees who refused to get vaccinated could be terminated, but he later backed down and capped discipline at written reprimands.

Orange County also has been threatened with fines by Gov. Ron DeSantis administration over its employee vaccine mandate, but Demings said the county would fight any efforts by state officials to impose penalties.

Davis had been with the fire department since 2007.
Human remains have been found at Florida nature preserve that may be connected to the death of Gabby Petito and the disappearance of Brian Laundrie.

The partial remains were uncovered in an area that had previously been underwater.

The remains were found near a backpack consistent with items Laundrie may have had when he disappeared in September, according to NBC News.

Further forensic analysis will be conducted to identify the remains, a law enforcement official said.

Hours earlier, the FBI located a number of Laundries items on a trail in Florida after the his family told law enforcement about an outdoor spot he frequented.

According to multiple reports, a coroner was at the scene.

Laundrie, 23, is considered a person of interest in the homicide of his fiancee Petito, 22, who a Wyoming medical examiner ruled last week died by strangulation after going missing last summer. After Petitos family reported her missing, Laundrie himself went missing after refusing to cooperate with investigators.

Chris and Roberta Laundrie, Brians parents, informed authorities they were headed to Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in North Port, Florida, to search for their son, family attorney Steven Bertolino said. The FBI and local police went along and quickly uncovered evidence he had been there. No information regarding the contents of the discovery were released.

Shortly after the items were located, the Sarasota County medical examiner and a Pasco County Sheriffs office cadaver dog and multiple spotters were called to the scene.


BOISE, Idaho (AP)  Some 645,000 income tax rebates totaling $169 million have been sent out so far this year, an Idaho official said Wednesday.

Idaho Division of Financial Management Administrator Alex Adams told lawmakers on a finance committee that the average rebate has been $248.

The rebates are part of tax relief legislation passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Republican Gov. Brad Little earlier this year.

With your help, we did pass the largest tax relief package in the history of the state, said Adams, Little's budget chief, during his presentation to the Legislature's Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.

The legislation passed the House and Senate with no support from Democrats, who said it mainly benefitted the wealthy.

The legislation included $220 million in one-time income tax rebates and $163 million in ongoing income tax relief. Part of the ongoing income tax relief comes from reducing the number of tax brackets from seven to five and lowering the top bracket from 6.925% to 6.5%.

Little, when he signed the legislation into law in May, said cutting the number of tax brackets and reducing the top rate would make the state more competitive in keeping businesses and attracting businesses from other states.

The one-time rebates are going to 2020 personal income tax filers for taxes paid in 2019. The minimum amount is $50 for each taxpayer and dependent or 9% of income taxes paid.

Adams said the rebates are currently paused while the Idaho State Tax Commission works on income tax returns coming in later due to an extended filing deadline. He said the commission will return to processing rebates on Nov. 1.

Only one Idahoan has chosen to return their rebate to the state treasury, Adams told lawmakers.

He also said $890,000 of tax rebate money went to other state agencies rather than the taxpayer to take care of debt, primarily for child support.

I think that's always something that is forgotten about when you talk about tax relief, he said.

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee has been meeting this week at the Statehouse as it prepares for the legislative session that starts in January.

Budget analysts on Tuesday told lawmakers the state has a $1.45 billion budget surplus, a record-setting amount.
CHICAGO (AP)  Illinois Democrats are getting pushback on new congressional district boundaries they proposed last week, and not just from Republicans who stand to lose U.S. House seats under the plan.

Voters from Chicago's southwest side, who were drawn out of the district currently held by Democratic Rep. Marie Newman, told lawmakers Wednesday that the newly released maps would dilute their representation in Washington by putting their blue-collar, industrial neighborhoods in districts with miles and miles of farmland."

Another witness criticized the way districts held by Black members of Illinois' congressional delegation were hacked up, in what Rep. Bobby Rush, who is Black, called a horrendous map. And the Princeton Gerrymandering Project, a nonpartisan group that studies redistricting, gave Illinois proposed map an F for fairness.

The Democrats, who control state government and redistricting in Illinois, are expected to approve new maps as soon as next week. Although it's possible they will make changes to the draft they released Friday, the maps are expected to maintain the party's partisan advantage and eliminate at least one Republican-held district.

Illinois currently has 18 seats in the U.S. House, with Democrats holding 13 and Republicans the other five. The state is losing a congressional seat because of population loss, most of which occurred in heavily Republican areas of central and southern Illinois, according to the 2020 census.

The Democrats' new map is intended to elect 14 Democrats and three Republicans. It would dismantle the district currently held by GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a critic of former President Donald Trump who was one of 10 House Republicans to vote for Trump's impeachment.

Instead, Kinzinger was drawn into the district held by Newman, which would stretch from Chicago's southwest suburbs and west along Interstate 80 to the La Salle area. Kinzinger said Friday that he and his staff were looking over the maps and that he is "reviewing all of the options, including those outside the House.

Former Rep. Dan Lipinski, who represented the 3rd District for more than a decade before losing to Newman in the 2020 Democratic primary, told Crain's Chicago Business that he is considering challenging Newman for the seat.

Illinois is one of the few states where Democrats control redistricting, and the party nationally is looking to the state for help in 2022. Democrats control the U.S. House by a thin margin, and Republicans are in charge of redistricting in more states than Democrats, which could give the GOP an advantage in next year's midterm elections.

On Tuesday, the National Republican Redistricting Trust blasted Illinois' proposed maps, with former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie saying a federal court ruling this week in a lawsuit over newly approved state legislative maps should be a warning sign to Illinois' Democratic governor, J.B. Pritzker.

The court ruled that maps Democrats passed this spring based on population estimates rather than census data were unconstitutional. Democrats have since passed new state legislative maps using census data, though they are being challenged in court by Republicans and the Mexican American Legal and Educational Defense Fund.

The judges denied a request for a legislative redistricting commission made up of Republicans and Democrats to draft new maps, but said MALDEF, Republicans and Democrats may all submit new proposals for the court to consider.

I hope that what the governor sees is, you can't get away with it, Christie said.
RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP)  A western South Dakota inmate who walked away from a minimum-security facility was arrested Wednesday, corrections officials said.

Inmate Timothy Mitchell had been on escape status since Oct. 6, after he failed to return to the Rapid City Community Work Center following a shift on work release.

Mitchell is currently being held at the Meade County Jail. He faces a charge of second-degree escape, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Mitchell is serving two sentences for possession of a controlled substance from Butte County.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  An Iowa State Patrol trooper died Wednesday, nearly a week after he was injured in a car crash in northeast Iowa that happened while he was rushing to assist another agency.

Trooper Ted Benda, 37, was hurt Oct. 14 in a single-vehicle crash while en route to help the Clayton County Sheriff's Office with a wanted suspect, according to the Department of Public Safety. He died of those injuries Wednesday.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP)  Kentucky reported nearly 1,900 new COVID-19 cases and 52 more virus-related deaths Wednesday, even as the rate of residents testing positive for the coronavirus dropped below 7%.

The latest deaths to be announced included a 35-year-old Kentuckian, Gov. Andy Beshear said. The state's death toll from the virus has reached at least 9,477, according to state statistics.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  Utah lawmakers are proposing legislation that would ensure that Native American students are allowed to wear tribal regalia during their high school graduation ceremonies.

Rep. Angela Romero, the bill's sponsor, told an interim committee hearing Monday that the bill was inspired by the story of a Native student last year who was asked to remove her graduation cap that she had decorated with bead work and an eagle feather to symbolize her heritage.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  Two new lawsuits claim hundreds of children have been exposed to dangerous lead levels through the drinking water in Mississippi's capital city, which has been facing water system problems for years.

One lawsuit represents one child, while the other has hundreds of children as plaintiffs. The suits, filed Tuesday in federal court in Jackson, say the city of Jackson and the state Health Department have made conscience-shocking decisions and have shown deliberate indifference that have led to Plaintiffs' exposure to toxic lead in Jackson's drinking water.

Access to clean drinking water should be a fundamental right in this country, one of the attorneys who filed the lawsuits, Corey M. Stern, said in a news release. Stern is based in New York and has represented people who sued over tainted water in Flint, Michigan.

Attorneys for Jackson are reviewing the lawsuits and the city will eventually have a response," city spokesman Justin Vicory said Wednesday.

The lawsuits seek unspecified amounts of money for punitive damages and compensatory damages, plus attorneys' fees and "other relief the Court deems appropriate.

Jackson has about 160,000 residents, and the city has longstanding problems with water quality and distribution.

Since July 1, Jackson has been under a safe drinking water consent order with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which sets a schedule for work on water treatment facilities and delivery systems.

The EPA examined Jacksons water treatment plants in February 2020 at the request of the state Health Department. The agency found conditions presented an imminent and substantial endangerment to the persons served by the system.

The EPA sent the city an emergency order over the water system in March 2020, along with notices of noncompliance in May 2020 and April of this year. The consent order requires Jackson to determine the number of lead service distribution lines in its system and to develop a plan for gradually replacing them.

When a severe cold snap hit large parts of the South early this year, parts of Jacksons water system froze. That left thousands of customers without running water for weeks, forcing some businesses to close. Once service was restored, some customers still had to boil water for a month.

___

This story has been corrected to remove a reference to one of the lawsuits seeking class-action status. It does not seek that status.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP)  A Providence man has agreed to stop sending mail-order sweepstakes solicitations over accusations that he scammed $10 million from vulnerable people.

Michael Shine, a resident of Warwick, made a deal with prosecutors prohibiting him from participating in mailing solicitations and advertisements, The Providence Journal reported.
BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP)  A 41-year-old man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a charge of first-degree murder in the shooting death of his wife while the two were visiting Vermont for their first wedding anniversary.

Joseph Ferlazzo told detectives he shot and killed his wife Emily Ferlazzo, 22, inside their vehicle Saturday after arriving in Bolton late Friday, and he later dismembered her body, police said.

Joseph Ferlazzo was ordered held without bail pending a hearing. He appeared in court via video conference from the state prison in St. Albans. The plea was entered on Ferlazzo's behalf by his defense attorney, William Kidney, during the brief arraignment in Vermont Superior Court in Burlington.

There was a history of domestic violence within the relationship and Emily has been seen with scratches and bruises, police said.

Juanita Schwarz, Emily Ferlazzo's grandmother, said she met Joseph Ferlazzo once. When she heard her granddaughter had gone missing, she feared the worst.

When I heard about it, I had that feeling. I know she is dead and they will never find her alive, she told The Associated Press.

Schwarz described Emily Ferlazzo as someone who grew up playing sports and had a love for music, always singing country songs. She was a fun a person and caring, she said. She was just full of life.

An affidavit of probable cause was filed in court Wednesday to support the charge. It said the couple had been living in a converted bus on her parents' property in New Hampshire. Relatives told investigators the Ferlazzos traveled to Vermont on Friday.

Joseph Ferlazzo told investigators he and his wife had been arguing inside their camper and it turned into a physical altercation. A few minutes later, he retrieved a handgun and shot her twice in the head, according to the affidavit.

On Saturday morning, Joseph Ferlazzo said he took the camper from Bolton to a friend's house in St. Albans, according to police. About 12 to 15 hours after the shooting, he dismembered Emily Ferlazzo and placed her remains in garbage bags, which stayed in the camper and were found by police.

The autopsy on Wednesday ruled her death a homicide and confirmed she died of gunshot wounds, state police said.

Police began searching for Emily Ferlazzo on Monday after her family reported her missing.

Joseph Ferlazzo was located by police at a St. Albans convenience store on Tuesday.

The remains were sent to the office of the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner for autopsy. Police also located the weapons believed to have been used in the killing.
HELENA, Mont. (AP)  Members of the Montana media are appealing a state judge's ruling in a lawsuit over whether Republican members of a legislative committee legally held a secret meeting before voting on bills involving abortion and transgender health care.

The media groups, including The Associated Press, argued the meeting of nine of 12 Republican lawmakers on the 19-member House Judiciary Committee should have been open to the public.

State Rep. Barry Usher of Billings, the committee chairman, said he intentionally limited the February meeting to nine Republicans so he could close it because the group did not include a majority of the members of the entire committee.

District Court Judge Mike Menahan agreed, ruling in July that he was unwilling to say that when most of the majority partys committee members meet, it constitutes a quorum whose discussions must be open to the public.

The media organizations, in an appeal filed with the Montana Supreme Court on Monday, argued that Menahan only ruled based on the definition of meeting in state law and did not address whether the closed meeting violated Montana's Constitutional right-to-know provision.

Montana's Constitution guarantees the public the right to observe the deliberations of public bodies or agencies of state government and its subdivisions, unless the demand of individual privacy outweighs the merits of disclosure.

The media groups pointed to a 2004 Montana Supreme Court ruling that found the then-commissioner of higher education's closed meetings with upper-level employees of the university system were subject to the state's open meeting laws, even if the committee didn't have a set number of members or take votes.

Usher said he supports the public's right to observe what its government is doing.

Montanas Constitution and state law spell out what is and isnt a meeting thats open to the public, he said in a statement. "I was glad to see the District Court agree with the very clear fact that a fraction of a quorum is not a quorum and the members of my committee talking together followed Montana law. Im hopeful the Montana Supreme Court will uphold that common sense ruling.

The Montana Attorney General's Office is defending Usher in the lawsuit.

In addition to The Associated Press, the lawsuit was filed on behalf of all five Montana newspapers owned by Lee Enterprises as well as the Montana State News Bureau; the Bozeman Daily Chronicle; the Montana Free Press; the Daily Inter Lake and other papers owned by Hagadone Media Montana; the Montana Broadcasters Association; and the Montana Newspaper Association.
GULF SHORES, Ala. (AP)  The latest batch of police recruits in an Alabama beach town faced an interview board that included law enforcement experts and a civilian who was recognizable by his voice if not by his face: Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman.

Freeman, a Mississippi native who owns property in Gulf Shores and spends time in the town of 12,000, was part of a seven-member panel that interviewed nine potential officers for the Gulf Shores Police Department last week, Deputy Chief Dan Netemeyer said Wednesday.

The department sometimes asks residents to participate in such screening committees, Netemeyer said. Freeman knows some people who have helped and volunteered to serve.

It was kind of a last minute thing, but he was an active participant," Netemeyer said.

Known for roles in movies including The Shawshank Redemption, Driving Miss Daisy, Unforgiven, and Million Dollar Baby, Freeman sat at a table asking questions with other interviewers including Netemeyer, the police chief, a criminal justice professor and others.

He had a hat on, and he was kind of sitting back. When he introduced himself it was almost like an old Candid Camera scene, Netemeyer said.

Even if someone did not recognize Freeman's face, he said, there was no mistake once he spoke. It was that voice, the same one you hear in the movies, he said.

The hiring process is not complete, Netemeyer said, but at least some of the recruits likely will be offered jobs.

Freeman and Linda Keena, a University of Mississippi professor who also lives in Gulf Shores and helped with the interviews, recently donated $1 million to establish the Center of Evidence-Based Policing and Reform at the university.
NEW YORK (AP)  A neurologist already facing charges that he raped patients in New York and New Jersey was arrested on new federal charges Wednesday alleging that he was a serial, sexual abuser of women who went to him for help with debilitating chronic pain.

An indictment said Dr. Ricardo Cruciani, who specialized in rare pain syndromes, abused multiple patients over 15 years at his offices in New York City, Philadelphia and Hopewell, New Jersey.

It described the doctor, now 63, grooming patients who were dependent on him for care and prescriptions to addictive opioids, turning back rubs and hugs into gradually more invasive physical attacks and sexual demands.

If certain victims refused to engage in sex acts, he retaliated by referring them to another medical provider that would not prescribe the same combinations or quantities of narcotics, the indictment said.

The alleged pattern of abuse in this case is outrageous, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a news release. Doctors like the defendant take an oath to do no harm. It is difficult to imagine conduct more anathema to that oath than exploiting patients vulnerability in order to sexually abuse them.

A lawyer for Cruciani didn't immediately reply to a message seeking comment. Cruciani, who lives in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, was arrested Wednesday morning in Pocono Pines, Pennsylvania, and made an initial appearance Wednesday before a magistrate judge. He was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday.

He was under a number of conditions, including being on house detention with location monitoring, surrendering travel documents, and faced a bail amount of $2 million.

The federal charges follow years of public complaints by Cruciani's accusers that authorities in some places weren't taking his crimes seriously, particularly in Philadelphia, where he pleaded guilty to relatively minor misdemeanor groping counts involving seven patients.

Attorney Jeff Fritz, who represents accusers in lawsuits against Cruciani, released statements from two accusers: Hillary Tullin and Tanisha Johnson.

Tullin, who saw Cruciani for years and said she was sexually assaulted repeatedly, said she was deeply grateful to federal prosecutors, who she said had heard the victims and refuse to look the other way as so many others in this case have."

I have longed for the day he would be held accountable for these heinous crimes, said Tullin. It has been nearly four years since state charges were brought against him, yet there is no trial date in sight. It has been a living hell.

Johnson called the federal charges a relief but said that the hospitals which employed Cruciani are equally if not more responsible than him.

The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault unless they grant permission, as Tullin and Johnson have done.

Cruciani was charged with five counts of enticing and inducing individuals to travel interstate to engage in illegal sexual activity. Each count carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

The Ivy League-trained neurologist has been free on $1 million bail set in pending state criminal cases in New York and New Jersey.

Manhattan prosecutors charged him in May 2018 with 35 felony counts, including rape and aggravated sexual abuse. The cases have faced a series of continuances and delays. His next court appearance in Manhattan was scheduled for Dec. 9.

According to the federal indictment, Cruciani met with victims alone in an examination room, sometimes behind a locked door, in hospital rooms, a hotel or an apartment.

At times, he conducted purported breast examinations and vaginal exams of certain victims even though he was not a practicing obstetrician or gynecologist, the indictment said.

___

Associated Press Writers Michael R. Sisak contributed to this report. Rubinkam reported from northeastern Pennsylvania.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  Legislators are drafting a plan to ease restrictions against retired police officers coming back to work, in an effort to add law enforcement officers across New Mexico in the midst of a labor shortage.

At a legislative committee hearing Tuesday, retired police officer and state Rep. Bill Rehm of Albuquerque outlined a proposal for changes to retirement provisions for police that would incentivize a return to work. He said officers might continue to draw pension benefits while working and contributing to the pension fund, or delay retirement benefits for a bigger payout later.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is calling for the deployment of 1,000 additional police officers across the state amid public frustration with crime. She says she will ask lawmakers for $100 million to underwrite the initiative.

Lujan Grisham spokeswoman Nora Meyers Sackett declined to say whether the governor supports return-to-work incentives for retired police.

New Mexico amended rules at the Public Employees Retirement Association in 2010 to halt so-called double-dipping in response to concerns about fairness and the long-term solvency of the public pension fund for state and local government employees.

Opponents of retired police rehiring plans say it can hurt morale by limiting career advancement opportunities for ambitious younger officers and threaten efforts to modernize law enforcement agencies.

Albuquerques police force is in the midst of sweeping reforms aimed at reining in police brutality with guidance from the U.S. Department of Justice and court oversight.

An actuary to the Public Employees Retirement Association said that return-to-work systems can undermine pension solvency if they provide an incentive for many or most employees to retire early and begin drawing on retirement benefits.

One compromise solution is a buffer period of six months or longer after retirement before an officer can return to the job.

In 2016, a bill to ease retirement restrictions for police won approval of the state House of Representatives. But it advanced no further.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP)  The state attorney generals office said it was investigating the death of a woman shot by police Wednesday as she charged at officers with a knife.

Syracuse Police Department officers responded to reports of a woman brandishing a knife at a city residence early Wednesday morning. After they began talking to her, she allegedly set a fire and charged at officers with a knife. At least one department member shot her, according to a release from the attorney general's office.
BISMARCK, N.D, (AP)  North Dakota can continue to pursue reimbursement from the federal government of the millions of dollars spent policing protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline, a judge has ruled.

U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Traynor on Tuesday denied the federal governments motion to dismiss North Dakotas attempt to recover more than $38 million from the monthslong pipeline protests five years ago.

The federal government argued North Dakotas emergency response expenses are not money damages for injury or loss of property.

Traynor, who is based in Bismarck and nominated for the judgeship by former President Donald Trump, ruled the states claim of damages is permissible.

The state filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2019. North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has long argued that the Corps allowed and sometimes encouraged protesters to illegally camp without a federal permit. The Corps has said protesters werent evicted due to free speech reasons.

The $3.8 billion pipeline has been moving oil from the Dakotas through Iowa to Illinois since 2017. Thousands of opponents gathered in southern North Dakota in 2016 and early 2017, camping on federal land and often clashing with police. Hundreds were arrested over six months.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe opposed the pipeline built by Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners over fears it would harm cultural sites and the tribes Missouri River water supply  claims rejected by the company and the state.

Trump in 2018 denied a state-requested disaster declaration to cover the states costs. The Justice Department later gave the state a $10 million grant for policing-related bills. The pipeline developer gave the state $15 million to help with the costs that were funded from loans from the state-owned Bank of North Dakota.

Stenehjem has argued the reimbursements dont get the Corps off the hook for the states $38 million total cost of policing.

Traynor last year issued a ruling allowing North Dakota to proceed in its effort to recoup money the state spent on policing protests against the pipeline.

The Army Corps of Engineers then recommended Department of Justice to negotiate a settlement with North Dakota.

Stenehjem said Wednesday settlement talks are ongoing. If no settlement can be reached, a trial is set for May 1, 2023.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Louisiana's Supreme Court is now faced with the question of whether a police officer  seriously injured by an unknown assailant in a 2016 demonstration against police brutality  has grounds to pursue a lawsuit against the high-profile protest organizer under state law.

It's an unusual position for the state's seven high court justices. The lawsuit against Black Lives Matter activist DeRay McKesson was filed in federal court and appeals reached the U.S. Supreme Court before federal judges asked the state's highest court to weigh in.

The lawsuit says the Baton Rouge police officer, identified as John Doe, suffered serious brain and facial injuries when he was hit by a rock or some other projectile in a protest after the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling in 2016.

A federal district judge threw out the lawsuit. It was revived by a divided panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. McKesson went to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Although the case involves arguments on who is liable for damages that occur during activities protected by the First Amendment, the U.S. Supreme Court sidestepped a constitutional ruling in November, saying matters of state law need to be settled first.

The 5th Circuit then asked the Louisiana Supreme Court to review the case, emphasizing two key questions: Did McKesson have a duty not to negligently precipitate a crime by someone else at the protest? Also, are professional rescuers," such as firefighters or police officers, barred from collecting damages for injuries suffered while performing their risky duties?

The Louisiana justices heard arguments Wednesday afternoon.

Attorney Donna Grodner, representing the officer, said McKesson and other protesters were inviting confrontation when they marched on a highway in front of Baton Rouge police headquarters and that violence should have been expected.

The confrontation was planned, orchestrated and that's what they wanted, she said.

Representing McKesson, attorney David Goldberg said there is nothing in the record to indicate McKesson wanted violence and nothing in state law to make him responsible for the act of a third party. Knowing there would be a confrontation is different from knowing there will be violence, Goldberg argued.

If you intend violence to occur, the way to do that is encourage people to commit violence, he said.

Grodner cited a court precedent in which a retailer was found liable when someone attacked a customer in its parking lot and stole jewelry. Goldberg argued that a protest on public property is different and holding a protest organizer liable for an unknown protester's actions could chill protest activities protected by the First Amendment.

The justices gave no indication when they would rule.
A Pennsylvania appeals court heard arguments Wednesday on whether the Wolf administration had the legal right to impose a mask mandate on K-12 schools and child care facilities to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The state's acting health secretary ordered students, teachers and staff to wear face coverings when inside, reversing course after Gov. Tom Wolf had earlier pledged that masking in schools would remain a local decision. The Aug. 31 order, issued as the highly contagious delta variant was driving a statewide surge in cases and hospitalizations, has sparked fierce opposition among some school board members and parents.

Commonwealth Court is deciding a pair of lawsuits filed by parents who contend that masks interfere with their children's breathing and cause other problems. The plaintiffs include the GOP leader of the state Senate, Jake Corman, R-Centre.

Plaintiffs' lawyers contend, among other things, that Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam exceeded her authority under the Disease Control and Prevention Law of 1955 and the department's own regulations, neither of which specifies masking as a public health tool.

They argued that Beam's mask mandate amounted to a new regulation that should have been subject to a lengthy regulatory review process, and because it wasn't, is neither valid nor enforceable.

This is not a case about the appropriateness of wearing masks, or the seriousness of COVID. This is purely a legal issue on whether the secretary of health has the authority to issue the order," said attorney Tom Breth, representing Corman, other parents and schools.

Some of the judges seemed open to the argument, aggressively questioning the Wolf administration on whether Beams masking order complied with the letter of the law.

Chief Deputy Attorney General Karen Romano, representing Beam, said the plaintiffs were construing the health secretary's authority too narrowly. She pointed to another law, from 1929, that says the health secretary has a duty to employ the most efficient and practical means for the prevention and suppression of disease.

And thats what shes done here, Romano told the judges.

Other federal and state courts had rejected various challenges to Wolfs authority to impose public health orders in response to the pandemic.

Lawyers challenging the masking order pointed out that Pennsylvania voters have since constrained a governors emergency powers, and the state's COVID-19 disaster declaration is no longer in effect.

The court did not rule.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  A former teacher in Pleasant Hill has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for engaging in sex acts with a student, federal prosecutors said.

Abraham Christopher Smith, 39, was sentenced Tuesday for enticement of a minor. He pleaded guilty to the charge in June.
FALMOUTH, Maine (AP)  Two police officers in Maine responding to a report of a man armed with a knife in an intersection fatally shot the man during a confrontation, police said.

Both officers discharged their weapons multiple times and one of the officers hurt his arm when he fell down Tuesday evening, Falmouth Police Chief John Kilbride told reporters.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The senator leading a probe of Facebooks Instagram and its impact on young people is asking Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to testify before the panel that has heard far-reaching criticisms from a former employee of the company.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who heads the Senate Commerce subcommittee on consumer protection, called in a sharply worded letter Wednesday for the Facebook founder to testify on Instagrams effects on children.

Parents across America are deeply disturbed by ongoing reports that Facebook knows that Instagram can cause destructive and lasting harms to many teens and children, especially to their mental health and wellbeing, Blumenthal said in the letter addressed to Zuckerberg. Those parents, and the twenty million teens that use your app, have a right to know the truth about the safety of Instagram.

In the wake of former Facebook product manager Frances Haugens testimony early this month, Blumenthal told Zuckerberg, Facebook representatives, including yourself, have doubled down on evasive answers, keeping hidden several reports on teen health, offering noncommittal and vague plans for action at an unspecified time down the road, and even turning to personal attacks on Ms. Haugen.

Blumenthal did offer, however, that either Zuckerberg or the head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, could appear before his committee.

It is urgent and necessary for you or Mr. Adam Mosseri to testify to set the record straight and provide members of Congress and parents with a plan on how you are going to protect our kids," he told Zuckerberg.

A spokesman for Facebook, based in Menlo Park, California, confirmed receipt of Blumenthal's letter but declined any comment.

As public discomfort and scrutiny of the social network giant has grown in recent weeks, the focus has homed in on Zuckerberg, who controls more than 50% of Facebooks voting shares.

Haugen, who buttressed her statements with tens of thousands of pages of internal research documents she secretly copied before leaving her job in the companys civic integrity unit, accused Facebook of prioritizing profit over safety and being dishonest in its public fight against hate and misinformation.

In the end, the buck stops with Mark, Haugen said in her testimony. There is no one currently holding Mark accountable but himself.

On Tuesday, the attorney general of the District of Columbia added Zuckerberg as a defendant in a 2018 lawsuit he filed against Facebook on the privacy of users' personal data. The action by Attorney General Karl Racine seeks to hold Zuckerberg personally liable in addition to Facebook in the case involving data-mining firm Cambridge Analytica, which gathered details on as many as 87 million Facebook users without their permission.

The Facebook users' data is alleged to have been used to manipulate the 2016 presidential election.

These allegations are as meritless today as they were more than three years ago, when the District filed its complaint. We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously and focus on the facts," Facebook spokesman Andy Stone said.

Racine's office said it was the first time a U.S. regulator specifically named Zuckerberg in a legal action. He and the company could face millions of dollars in penalties if violations of law were found.

The Federal Trade Commission has filed a major antitrust lawsuit against Facebook, and various state attorneys general also have taken legal action against the company.

Based on the evidence we gathered in this case over the past two years ... its clear Mr. Zuckerberg knowingly and actively participated in each decision that led to Cambridge Analyticas mass collection of Facebook user data, and Facebooks misrepresentations to users about how secure their data was," Racine said in a statement. The evidence further demonstrates that Mr. Zuckerberg also participated in misleading the public and government officials about Facebooks role."
An Army reservist charged in the Justice Department's sweeping investigation of the U.S. Capitol riot was demoted and discharged earlier this year, becoming the first known service member to be forced out of the military after officials learned of an alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection, according to personnel records reviewed by The Washington Post and the former soldier's attorney.

Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, 31, was working part-time as an Army Reserve sergeant in human resources. In May, he was demoted to private - the enlisted force's lowest rank - and given an other-than-honorable discharge the next month, terminating a 12-year military career, said his attorney Jonathan Crisp.

Federal authorities have accused Hale-Cusanelli of illegally entering the Capitol, using hand and arm signals to advance rioters forward, and harassing police officers.

Crisp called the punitive discharge, which severely limits benefits and resources otherwise available to military veterans, "improper" because, he said, it was delivered while Hale-Cusanelli was incarcerated and because any comments made in the former soldier's defense could violate his 5th Amendment rights in the federal case. Typically, commanders wait until criminal cases are finished before making discharge decisions, Crisp said.

"This was a knee-jerk reaction to the charges," the attorney said, adding that he intends to help Hale-Cusanelli fight the Army's decision and have him reinstated.

Army officials declined to comment on Hale-Cusanelli's discharge, citing privacy laws.

Hale-Cusanelli is one of at least six service members charged in connection with the riot. Another, Marine Corps Maj. Christopher Warnagiris, also faced a military administrative proceeding recently, the outcome of which is pending, officials said. Authorities have accused Warnagiris of assaulting police and leading rioters into the Capitol building. His attorney did not return a request for comment.

Both men have pleaded not guilty.

At the time of his arrest, Hale-Cusanelli, who remains in federal custody, according to the Justice Department, was employed as a civilian security contractor at Naval Weapons Station Earle in New Jersey and held a secret security clearance, prosecutors said in a March court filing. Navy investigators interviewed 44 of his colleagues, including Navy personnel and fellow security contractors, about his behavior at work. All but 10 described Hale-Cusanelli as "having extremist or radical views pertaining to the Jewish people, minorities and women," prosecutors said.

Several colleagues told investigators about his wearing of a "Hitler mustache" while at work, court papers show. Among them was a supervisor, who said Hale-Cusanelli was admonished because of it. One sailor told investigators that he heard Hale-Cusanelli say that if he were a Nazi, "he would kill all the Jews and eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and he wouldn't need to season them because the salt from their tears would make it flavorful enough," according to the court filing.

Crisp declined to address the accusations before his client's trial, which is scheduled for May, he said.

Hale-Cusanelli's colleagues avoided reporting his conduct because they were afraid of how he may react, prosecutors said.

His employer at the time, HBC Management, could not be reached for comment about his employment status. Court documents say he lost access to the Navy base.

Commanders can administratively discharge troops without a court-martial if they are deemed unfit for duty, including for inappropriate or illegal conduct outside of military settings. But officials have said previously that the services are reluctant to swiftly pursue action against military personnel accused of wrongdoing on Jan. 6 because the Defense Department does not want to impede the Justice Department's work.

Among the other service members facing charges in connection with the Capitol riot are two soldiers in the Army National Guard, Abram Markofski and Jacob Fracker, and Army Reserve officer Mark Sahady. All three remain in uniform, according to service records and military officials.

One man, who authorities say pepper-sprayed police, enlisted in the Army months after the FBI interviewed him about his presence at the Capitol. Authorities charged James Mault earlier this month with assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon or inflicting bodily injury, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and civil disorder, according to court documents.

Lt. Col. Simon Flake, a spokesman for the Army Reserve, said military leaders "are monitoring the ongoing civilian proceedings" involving Sahady and "will make further decisions at the appropriate time."

"The Army Reserve remains committed to holding personnel accountable for conduct that does not align with the Army Values," Flake said in a statement. " . . . Extremist ideologies and activities directly oppose our values and beliefs and those who subscribe to extremism have no place in our ranks."

The riot was perpetrated by supporters of former president Donald Trump who marched on the Capitol, clashed with police and attempted to disrupt lawmakers as they tallied electoral college results affirming Joe Biden's victory in the November election. More than 600 people have been charged in connection with the violence.

The incident prompted the Defense Department to screen for potential extremists in uniform, a process that has included military-wide "stand downs" for leaders to discuss with personnel what kinds of behavior and group membership are inappropriate. Far-right and extremist groups prize military experience because of the weapons and leadership training service members receive, along with the perceived social capital veterans can bring to their causes.

Such groups can also exploit veterans searching for community and a sense of purpose after leaving the military, experts have said. At least 53 military veterans have been charged in connection with the Capitol riot, according to arrest and service records reviewed by The Post.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Showers drifted across the drought-stricken and fire-scarred landscape of Northern California on Wednesday, trailed by a series of progressively stronger storms that are expected to bring significant rain and snow into next week, forecasters said.

The shift to wet weather comes amid historic dryness that led Gov. Gavin Newsom late Tuesday to expand an emergency drought declaration to the entire state, including major population centers, giving water officials authority to enact mandatory water restrictions.

The National Weather Service said there was high confidence in the forecast for the arrival Sunday of an atmospheric river  a long and wide plume of moisture pulled in from the Pacific Ocean. That storm is also expected to affect Southern California.

Water experts say the big rainmaker wont be enough to end the drought but it could be enough to lessen some water restrictions imposed on farmers earlier this year.

Precipitation began arriving late Sunday and dropped enough snow in the Sierra Nevada to temporarily shut down highways in high-elevation passes.

The rain and snow also have helped quiet some of the wildfires still burning since summer but in some cases the precipitation also made it difficult to use heavy equipment, according to daily situation reports.

At the KNP Complex fire in Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, the big storm forecast led to an increased emphasis on repairs to prevent damage caused by runoff.

Without vegetation to naturally slow water movement produced by the storm, flash flooding and heavy debris flow could be possible, bringing logs, limbs, rocks and sediment down slopes, across roads and into streams and culverts, the KNP update said Wednesday.
LONDON (AP)  Under pressure from rising infections and worried health experts, the British government on Wednesday urged millions of people to get booster vaccine shots but resisted calls to reimpose coronavirus restrictions such as mandatory mask-wearing.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the government would stay vigilant, preparing for all eventualities, but would not trigger its Plan B of bringing back restrictions on daily life.

Britain is relying heavily on vaccines to keep the virus at bay during the fall and winter months. Almost 80% of people 12 and over in the U.K. have received two vaccine doses and millions are being offered a booster shot, including everyone over 50.

But critics say the booster campaign is moving more slowly than the virus. The U.K. recorded 49,139 new infections on Wednesday, by far the highest total in Europe, and cases are averaging more than 45,000 a day, up 17% from a week earlier. Hospitalizations and deaths are also rising, though both remain far lower than before vaccination was widespread.

Javid said cases could go as high as 100,000 a day, but insisted it was not yet time to reverse course.

None of us want to go backwards now," he said at a televised news conference, adding that the government did not think the health system was under unsustainable pressure.

But Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the health care group the NHS Confederation, said Britain's health service risked being overwhelmed unless more measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 were introduced.

It is time for the government to enact Plan B of its strategy without delay, because without preemptive action, we risk stumbling into a winter crisis, he said.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Conservative government lifted domestic coronavirus restrictions in July, including mandatory face coverings and social distancing. Nightclubs and other crowded venues were allowed to open at full capacity and people were no longer advised to work from home.

Infections remained stubbornly high after the reopening and recently have begun to increase  especially among children, who largely remain unvaccinated.

Hospitalizations and deaths are gradually rising, with deaths averaging 136 a day over the past week. Britain has recorded more than 138,000 coronavirus deaths, the highest total in Europe after Russia.

Against that backdrop, some feel that Britons have been too quick to return to pre-pandemic behavior. Masks and social distancing have all but vanished in most settings in England, although Scotland and other parts of the U.K. remain more strict. Even in shops, where masks are recommended, and on the London transit network, where they are mandatory, adherence is patchy.

A plan to require proof of vaccination to attend nightclubs, concerts and other mass events in England was dropped amid opposition from lawmakers, though Scotland introduced a vaccine pass program this month.

Critics say the vaccination program  among the worlds speediest earlier this year  is moving too slowly. More than 4 million people in Britain have had a booster, although about half of those eligible have yet to receive their shot.

The U.K. also waited longer than the U.S. and other European nations to vaccinate children from 12-15, and only about 15% in that age group in England have had a shot.

The government says it will act to boost vaccination rates, with a new ad campaign and more sites where kids can receive their shots.

Weve got plenty of vaccines and we just need people to come forward and play their part," Javid said.

He also said the government had bought two antiviral drugs to prevent coronavirus infections or lesson the severity of disease  one by Pfizer and the other by Merck Sharp & Dohme. Neither has yet been approved by Britains medicines regulator, but Javid said he hoped they would be in use by the winter.

Javid renewed calls for people to wear masks in crowded places and keep their distance from others, although critics say such calls need to be backed by law.

The Unite union, which represents workers in areas including hospitality and transport, said customers are becoming increasingly abusive when asked to don masks.

The government can no longer pretend that COVID-19 is not a risk, and needs to take immediate action to protect key workers and passengers," said the union's national officer for passenger transport, Bobby Morton.

The reintroduction of mask-wearing must go hand-in-hand with the proper enforcement of such rules," he said.

___

Follow APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
WASHINGTON (AP)  The U.S. government ordered a halt Wednesday to imports of disposable gloves from a Malaysian company and its subsidiaries after determining they rely on forced labor.

Customs and Border Protection issued an order to stop any inbound shipments from Supermax Corporation Berhad and three subsidiaries.

CBP said its investigation of the company found 10 indications of forced labor, which typically include such things as intimidation, threats and withholding of wages, under international standards.

The agency identified the subsidiaries as Maxter Glove Manufacturing, Maxwell Glove Manufacturing and Supermax Glove Manufacturing.

Until the manufacturers can prove their manufacturing processes are free of forced labor, their goods are not welcome here," AnnMarie Highsmith, executive assistant commissioner of the Office of Trade, said in announcing the order.

Malaysian rubber glove makers have come under scrutiny over abusive practices, and the U.S. this year downgraded Malaysia to the worst level in an annual report on human trafficking. In response, Malaysias government pledged to take steps to eliminate forced labor.

The U.S. lifted a similar order against another Malaysian glove manufacturer, Top Glove Corporation Berhad, after the company addressed indicators of forced labor at its manufacturing facilities.

Supermax Corporation, which says it sells its products in 165 countries, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP)  A Wisconsin man was charged with murder Wednesday in what authorities believe was a random knife attack that killed a motorist and injured another after they had stopped at a travel plaza on the Ohio Turnpike.

The victims, who were not traveling together, were attacked Tuesday in the plaza's parking lot, investigators said.

A sheriffs deputy shot the suspect, 51-year-old Thomas Conner of Beloit, Wisconsin, after trying to stop him by firing non-lethal rubber balls and telling him several times to drop the knife, said Sandusky County Sheriff Chris Hilton.

The deputy shot Conner twice after he came at him, hitting him near the hip and waist, Hilton said. Conner was being treated in a Toledo hospital and will eventually be transferred to the county jail, the sheriff said.

Video from a bystander showed the suspect repeatedly moving toward the deputy while holding the knife outside the busy travel plaza near Fremont.

Investigators said they have found no evidence that Conner knew either of the victims and don't know what led to the stabbings.

David Diederich, 66 of La Porte, Indiana, was in the parking lot when he was stabbed and died at the scene, according to the State Highway Patrol.

A second man, Alan Austin, 53, of Delavan, Wisconsin, was eating in his truck when Conner approached the vehicle, reached through an open window and stabbed him, Hinton said.

Austin, who was treated at a hospital and released, told investigators he had no idea who the suspect was or why he attacked him, Hinton said.

A customer at the plaza, Wayne Howell, of Syracuse, Indiana, told the Fremont News-Messenger that the suspect was saying things that didnt make sense and became agitated when people walked away from him.

A day before the stabbings, Conner was at a travel plaza near Cleveland where he complained about back or stomach pain, said Lt. Richard Reeder of the state patrol. He was treated at a hospital and then continued on his way, Reeder said.

Those who dealt with Conner said he was polite and didn't notice anything unusual, Reeder said.

The deputy who shot Conner has been placed on administrative leave, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations is investigating the use of force.

Both Hinton and Reeder said they think the deputy saved the lives of others by drawing the suspect away from people in the parking lot and stopping the attack.
By Eli Walsh

Bay City News Foundation

Sonoma County could soon join a handful of other Bay Area counties in allowing fully vaccinated residents to forego a mask in some settings, the county's public health officer said Tuesday.

Dr. Sundari Mase told the county's Board of Supervisors that the county is considering tweaking its indoor mask requirements for small settings in which the host or organizer can verify all attendees' full vaccination status.

The changes to the county's current mask order -- which applies to all public indoor spaces -- would apply to settings like offices, gyms and fitness centers, employee commuter vehicles, religious gatherings and college classes.

"What this will do, basically, is add an exemption to the face covering requirements in certain indoor settings that have stable groups of people, stable cohorts of fully vaccinated individuals," Mase said.

San Francisco, Marin and Contra Costa counties have already enacted or announce plans to implement similar changes to their indoor masking orders, citing the safety of fully vaccinated settings and the region's declining COVID-19 case and hospitalization data.

The county would still require the use of masks and other face coverings, regardless of vaccination status, in larger indoor settings like grocery stores and bars.

In addition, unvaccinated residents would still be required to wear a mask indoors in any public space.

Sonoma County jointly announced eight other Bay Area jurisdictions earlier this month in announcing criteria to fully lift indoor requirements, which include 80 percent of a county's total population being fully vaccinated and reaching the moderate or yellow tier of COVID-19 transmission as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of Tuesday, 68.6 percent of the county's entire population has been fully vaccinated.

According to county epidemiologist Kate Peck, roughly 56,000 more county residents will need to get vaccinated to reach 80 percent. Once children ages 5-11 become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, the county's vaccine-eligible population will increase by 37,185, Peck said.

In any case, Peck and other Bay Area health officials have argued that fully lifting the region's mask requirements is unlikely prior to New Year's.

Meanwhile, nearly 16,000 county residents age 18 and older have received a booster vaccine dose as of Sunday, according to county officials, equal to roughly one quarter of those who are eligible for a third dose.

Booster vaccine doses are available and recommended for adults age 65 and up and younger adults with underlying health conditions like obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

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.
San Francisco's Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved reversing an ordinance that prohibits the city's Department of Human Resources from collecting data about employee's sexual orientation.

Back in 1985, the city enacted an administrative code under the City Employee's Sexual Privacy Ordinance, prohibiting the city from gathering such information as a way to curb discrimination against LGBTQ people at the height of the HIV-AIDS epidemic.

Back in June, however, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman and Mayor London Breed jointly introduced an ordinance to amend the administrative code so that the city can begin collecting the voluntary data with the intention of ensuring visibility and representation for the LGBTQ community among the city's workforce, which is about 37,000 employees strong.

Gov. Gavin Newsom today declared a drought emergency for the entire state of California, as conservation efforts continue to fall far short of state targets.

Newsom also authorized California's water regulators to ban wasteful water use, such as spraying down public sidewalks, and directed his Office of Emergency Services to fund drinking water as needed. But he stopped short of issuing any statewide conservation mandates.

Today's announcement extends drought emergencies, already declared in 50 counties, to the eight remaining counties where conditions had thus far not been deemed severe enough: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Imperial, San Francisco and Ventura.

Sonoma County could soon join a handful of other Bay Area counties in allowing fully vaccinated residents to forego a mask in some settings, the county's public health officer said Tuesday.

Dr. Sundari Mase told the county's Board of Supervisors that the county is considering tweaking its indoor mask requirements for small settings in which the host or organizer can verify all attendees' full vaccination status.

The changes to the county's current mask order -- which applies to all public indoor spaces -- would apply to settings like offices, gyms and fitness centers, employee commuter vehicles, religious gatherings and college classes.

Police are investigating the discovery of a shooting victim's body in the Oakland hills Tuesday morning, police said.

The body was found at 9:14 a.m. in the 7800 block of Redwood Road near Pinehurst Road. The female victim was located with at least one bullet wound and pronounced dead there, according to police.

The victim's name was not available Tuesday afternoon from police or the Alameda County coroner's bureau.

A suspect in a car theft shot by police Friday in Milpitas died of his injuries Tuesday at a local hospital, according to police.

Michael Edward Nelson Jr. was shot Friday afternoon by Milpitas police after he was approached in the Milpitas Square Shopping Center by detectives who had identified his car as one reported stolen Oct. 11 in San Jose.

When Nelson initially got out of the vehicle, he looked at the officers and then got back in the car, according police accounts in a news release issued Tuesday night by the Milpitas Police Department.

Police said Nelson then began firing a gun at detectives and a prolonged exchange of gunfire ensued. Nelson was eventually injured and taken to a local hospital, where he died four days later. No other injuries were reported.

Two small quakes hit the same area five minutes apart early Wednesday in the Gabilan Mountains east of Salinas, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The first was reported at 1:52 a.m. with a magnitude of 2.8 in a remote area of San Benito County that lies along the San Andreas Fault zone west of State Route 25, roughly 19 miles east of Salinas.

Five minutes later, a magnitude 3.8 quake hit in the same location.

The San Francisco Police Department said on Tuesday authorities arrested 18 people and seized a cache of weapons and drugs - breaking up a massive drug dealing ring allegedly happening between the East Bay and San Francisco.

According to police, officers as well as agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms served search warrants at nine different locations last week, mostly throughout the East Bay.

During the operation, authorities arrested a total of 18 people, seized a total of 17 pounds of drugs, 12.5 pounds of which were fentanyl, and also seized three guns and two 30-round high-capacity magazines. Authorities also seized $27,000 in cash.

The East Bay Regional Park District will host a virtual public workshop at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to discuss its Jewel Lake study, an examination of long-term strategies to maintain public enjoyment of the area in Tilden Park while protecting and enhancing its habitat.

Park officials will present the project, including the site's history, four development plans aimed at meeting the project's goals, and other work already completed for the study. There will be opportunities for the public to ask questions

Jewel Lake was constructed in 1921 with an earthen dam across Wildcat Creek, which traps large quantities of sentiment and affects wildlife and public enjoyment of the lake. The dam also prevents native rainbow trout from migrating up the stream.

A new privately funded program in San Francisco will provide cash rewards for tipsters who give police information about car burglaries leading to an arrest and conviction, city officials said Tuesday.

The new program hopes to deter vehicle smash and grab burglaries, which have become a common occurrence for residents and tourists in the city in recent years.

The cash rewards will be funded by private donors in the hospitality and tourism industry, city officials said.

Tipsters who provide information that leads to the arrest and conviction of someone involved in a criminal fencing operation could be paid up to $100,000, according to city officials.

Living on a hill near a gravel pit in Draper, Utah, Adrian Dybwad can see the dust rise from the pit when a strong wind blows.

His curiosity led him to create air quality sensors and the website PurpleAir, which shows air quality at the neighborhood level. The sensors will measure and report particulate matter from, among other things, wildfire smoke.

PurpleAir has about 500 sensors in Oakland and nearby areas like Piedmont and Emeryville, compared to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, which has three of what it calls monitors in Oakland and seven monitors in total in Alameda County.

Five people were hospitalized with carbon monoxide poisoning after being rescued by fire crews in Daly City on Tuesday morning, according to the North County Fire Authority.

Firefighters and paramedics responded at 10:35 a.m. to a medical emergency reported in the area of San Diego Avenue and De Long Street and the first crews arriving used a detector to determine elevated levels of carbon monoxide, fire officials said.

Paramedics stabilized the five people and took them to a hospital for treatment, and the North County Fire Authority, which serves the cities of Daly City, Pacifica and Brisbane, did not immediately provide an update on their condition.

Just 46 minutes after first tweeting a request for help finding a missing at-risk man, Hayward police report that he was found safe late Tuesday.

The department tweeted the following at 11:47 p.m.: "We are grateful to advise Thomas has been found and is safe. We thank our community for all your help in finding him!"

The man was reported missing Tuesday night and was described as having dementia, a history of seizures and uses a walker.

The National Weather Service forecast for the greater San Francisco Bay Area calls for the parade of storms and breezy conditions to march on through the weekend. Wednesday's daytime highs will range from the upper 50s along the coast to the 60s around the Bay and in the interior valleys. Overnight lows will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s.

A wind advisory for most of the Bay Area that began Tuesday night is still in effect through 4 a.m. Wednesday and includes the following areas: San Francisco, the North Bay (including Point Reyes National Seashore and interior valleys), the entire shoreline of San Francisco Bay and down the peninsula. South winds of 15 to 25 miles per hour are expected, along with gusts of 30-45 mph.

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.
Californians know a thing or two about fire. We know how it can build and bend and rip through a canyon faster than you might be able to pack a bag. We know how it often destroys anything in its path. We also know that, in recent years, fires have raged more frequently and covered more ground than decades past.

But only some Californians know that there are ways, architecturally speaking, to prevent some of the catastrophes that often come with fire.

Brandon Jorgensen, an architectural designer, is one of them. Since he started his company, Atelier Jrgensen, he has used defensible space, well water, sustainable materials and fire-resistant methods to mitigate the risk of a home catching fire. He said more California architects have started to shift toward building defensively in the last decade.

Five of the 10 largest wildfires in California history occurred in 2020 alone. Laws have changed the frequency of prescribed burns over the last few decades, and while wildfires rage more consistently due to climate change, towns continue to commission builders, many from out of state, that build the same wood-based houses as before  a recipe to repeat history. Jorgensen said his clients know all this. They keep coming to him with the same request: How do we make sure this doesnt happen again? And how can they reduce the chance of their homes catching fire in the first place?

While he cant help them eliminate all fire risks, he does know how to make a property more resilient. First, you have to consider the property and ask questions like, where do the winds come from? Are there topographical features that are naturally occurring that can create increased fire risk? It just has to do with a holistic approach, Jorgensen said. I mean, there's really no kind of bullet point list or checklist.

We look at the strengths and the weaknesses of a site. Defensible space is always a must. Then we try to use what I call ember walls. He explained that the term originated in the outback of Australia, where farmers use either concrete walls filled with stone or corrugated steel, which act as wind blocks.

The embers in a fire, he explained, typically move along the ground and these walls in the landscape will stop the embers. It'll collect the wet embers, the embers will go out and that'll be that. In a way, it's like a fire moat. It's like a fire break, right?

Technical Imagery Studios

Its easy to understand why fire-resistant architecture is trending, especially when many of the designs are modern and eye-catching. But whats surprising is that the price of a rebuild can be within the boundaries of the insured home that burned down. Meaning, if your house was insured, Jorgensen and his team can essentially design and build a fire-resistant home in your ballpark range. After the Tubbs Fire burned down entire neighborhoods, they were able to rebuild a family home for $1.1 million, which is the average price of a Santa Rosa home. Other houses can be as expensive as $6 million, but, as with any rebuild, it depends on the client and situation.

Sara Woodfield Harrison is an architect operating in Wine Country who has advocated for innovative and preventative design since she started in 1991. Why rebuild the same house over and over again if you could build it right just once, she says. Woodfield favors noncombustible materials like RSG-3D, a fire-mitigating foam panel smashed between concrete and wire mesh. She also recommends using sprinkler systems on the exteriors of homes, though these systems can cost anywhere from $75,000 to $500,000.

It is important to me personally to build wisely, to build well and to create beautiful homes for people, said Woodfield. We have complex environmental issues facing us, and we can help our human cause by not being wasteful of materials and not being vulnerable to what will be ongoing fire events in the American West.

Woodfield also noted that in many places around the world, fire-resistant design is already mainstream. Its more cost-efficient because it lasts longer, and it uses fewer natural resources.

Other architecture and construction companies from all over the state are now pushing fire-resistant design, including Yuhu Builders in Morgan Hill, Frederick Fisher and Partners in Los Angeles, Sweiskloss in Santa Monica, and the Q Cabin Kits in Santa Rosa, among others.

Vern Sneed, architect of the Q Cabin Kits, aims to provide fire-resilient homes made out of steel and aluminum in the Napa and Chico areas for an affordable price. The steel exterior and roof leaves nowhere for fire to cling to on the structure.

Sneed started designing houses with non-combustible materials simply because he liked the look and the sustainable materials were actually more affordable and lasted longer. To him, it was a no brainer. They use a structural sheathing thats insulated and non-combustible from a company called Rok-On, metal studs and aluminum window frames. The house itself is supposed to act as a fire buffer instead of extra kindling. Metal is just much cleaner, much easier, lighter, faster, stiffer, said Sneed.

One of the biggest drivers of home loss in the Camp Fire was the heat radiating from the number of structures that burned, according to the University of California Cooperative Extension. They noted that more than 73% of homes destroyed in Paradise had a structure burn within 59 feet.

If homes are built with materials less likely to catch fire, it immediately slows the spread of fire through the entire neighborhood. Architects and homeowners alike hope that, in the years to come, more houses will stand tall among the rubble.

Molly Wilcox is a freelance writer, an editorial intern at Cultured Magazine and a graduate journalism student at New York University.
There's always fear around becoming the victim of crime. We worry for our physical safety, and we worry for the safety of those nearest and dearest to us. It's a primal fear firmly rooted in the lizard brain depths of every human who's ever lived.

But as much as we fear the thought of physical harm coming to us or those we love in the form of an assault or robbery, there's a new fear that's become almost as horrifying and debilitating: What if someone steals my identity and literally ruins me digitally?

In 2020, the Federal Trade Commission reported more than 2.1 million Americans were impacted by identity theft and fraud, a crime that cost those victims more than $3.3 billion. And that doesn't even factor in the countless hours spent tackling the aftermath of such an attack as well as the emotional turmoil caused by that massive violation.

Considering the incalculable overall damage that can be done to you, your family, and your sensitive information, doesn't it make sense to add identity theft protection?

Just in case you're still on the fence, here are 5 major reasons everyone needs staunch data protection online.

1. To monitor your credit report

If you're going to fall prey to compromised data and cybercrime, your credit report is often one of the first indications that something has gone terribly wrong. Lines of credit in your name for car loans, mortgages, and personal loans that you didn't sign up for can hit your credit report like a freight train. Of course, if you aren't monitoring that critical financial snapshot regularly, you may not realize you've been victimized until days, weeks, or even months after the fact.

With proper identity theft coverage, your protection service can keep an unblinking eye on your credit files at all times, ready to give members a heads up at the sign of any unusual activity.

2. To alert you to problems

Of course, a credit report isn't the only place where your personal information can be used and abused by criminals. If an identity thief steals your Social Security number, they can open bank accounts and run up debts in your name. If they use your SSN to get employed, the taxes that person accrues on their wages could end up in a big IRS bill for you.

Top-notch identity theft protection will send you near real-time alerts when your data is used on applications or to open online accounts, so you'll quickly know if your information has been compromised.

3. To help recover any losses

In the event that your data was used and money was stolen, you aren't just interested in protection anymore. You're also interested in recovering and fixing that damage. Many identity theft protection services will offer up to $1 million in insurance to help cover losses and fees incurred if you become the victim of identity theft.

4. To protect the children and seniors you love

Your 5-year-old doesn't have a credit report. Or at least, they shouldn't. Unfortunately, all a crook needs to do is steal a child's Social Security Number to start establishing accounts, opening lines of credit, and start running up bills in their name, putting the victim behind the financial 8-ball before they're old enough to even know what money is.

On the other end of the spectrum, seniors are often especially vulnerable to scams that can expose their sensitive data. Whether it's phishing schemes in their email or just an old-fashioned scammer calling on the phone, seniors are not only more susceptible to falling into a cybercrook's clutches, but it can often take longer to spot that trouble once it's happened.

Several of the top identity theft protection outfits offer family plans to extend protection over yourself as well as those closest to you.

5. To protect you from yourself

If we're being honest, the biggest vulnerability in your data protection shield could well be you. That starts with basics like not establishing staunch passwords attached to all of your accounts. "12345", "qwerty" or the ever-popular "password" are practically open doors for an enterprising cybercriminal to crack your accounts and start draining your resources.

It also extends to those without proper home data security defenses, including adequate home network firewalls as well as using a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt and safeguard your activities on the web.

A service like Aura Identity Theft Protection can help protect you from all of those pitfalls  even if that pitfall is you. Their all-in-one protection covers all of those potential trouble spots, shielding your identity, finances, home, and devices.

Trusted by over 1 million customers, Aura is the umbrella that helps protect your sensitive information online. It monitors your credit files reports for potential signs of odd activity. It keeps an eye on your Social Security Number and other sensitive data to stave off bank fraud, unauthorized wire transfers, and more. They're also watching to see if any of your personal accounts, passwords, or other identifying data have been compromised around the web.

In the event any of your information is spotted in any of those arenas, Aura will alert you immediately so you can take steps to stop the activity. They also offer $1 million* in identity theft insurance to help recoup losses if you ever become a victim. Aura also has a U.S.-based customer support team available 24/7/365, an experienced crew of operatives with an average of 7 years on the beat resolving more than 150,000 fraud cases.

Thanks to their simple transparent pricing structure, you can secure Aura protection in a matter of minutes at a simple fee, ranging from $7 to $20 a month. And, you can secure up to 50 percent off that price with this offer from Aura right now.

Prices subject to change

* Identity Theft Insurance underwritten by insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group Inc. or Assurant. The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms conditions and exclusions of the policies described. Please refer to the actual policies for terms conditions and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions.
On the outskirts of San Luis Obispo, the midpoint between the Bay Area and LA on Highway 101, the Madonna Inn is beloved for its kitschy charms, retro cafe, and themed rooms. Impossible to miss from the road, the mid-century hotel is perched on a hillside like a powder pink birthday cake, beckoning Americana-loving roadtrippers and, on a recent evening, thieves.

Most people are drawn to the Madonna for an overnight (its over-the-top rooms start at $219) or a curlicue-crowned slice of Pink Champagne Cake at the Copper Cafe and Bakery. But on Saturday, September 25, as the hotel's ornate Gold Rush Steak House was winding down its dinner service at 10:40 p.m., two men entered the restaurant's lobby, cased its gift shop, and scurried away with a pink-and-brown greeting rug emblazoned with the hotel's distinctive logo. Madonnas general manager, Connie Pearce, posted about the incident on the online forum Nextdoor, along with surveillance video footage and a description of robbers.

Courtesy of Connie Pearce via Facebook

The rug is only worth about $250, according to a report in the San Luis Obispo Tribune, and the stills of the video seem to depict college-aged men. That led Pearce to speculate that the theft may have been some kind of stunt. But Pearce was not amused. Reached for comment via Nextdoor on Monday afternoon, she said the rug had not been returned and the thieves have not yet been identified.

She does, however, have one clue: We know the sweatshirt he was wearing is the logo for a motorcycle repair shop in Campbell, CA.

Anne Cusack/Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag

Tiny North Coast town gets huge props from Michelin

For elite chefs and the people who patronize their restaurants, the Michelin awards are perhaps the most sought-after status symbol in the world. Despite their modest origin as the road guide for a tire company, earning  or, tragically, losing  a Michelin star is a career-defining event. And for the tiny but powerful subset of food-lovers who take Michelin awards as gospel, these stars influence not only day-to-day dining choices, but also travel decisions.

So when the 2021 Michelin awards dropped late last month, it was big news in the California food scene. Among the 90 starred restaurants in the state, 27 were new or upgraded this year. And of those to newly attain two stars, the coveted Excellent cooking, worth a detour! designation, only one was outside the Bay Area: The Harbor House Inn in the tiny hamlet of Elk, California, three-and-a-half hours north of San Francisco, where rising star chef Matthew Kammerer is cooking food thats highly original, driven by impeccable technique and devotion to sustainability, according to the Michelin gods.

Nicholas Motto/Getty Images/iStockphoto

The Harbor House isnt the only hotel restaurant to earn a Michelin star or two  Healdsburgs Singlethread has three. But for a community as small, remote and tourism-dependent as the Mendocino Coast, the rise of this three-year-old inn as a major culinary destination is no small deal.

Everyones betting big on Vegas

Like other Las Vegas casinos, The Palms  once one of the hottest new spots in Vegas  was forced to close in March of 2020. Unlike most of them, it never reopened. Then, in May, it was sold to Californias San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The tribe, which operates the Yaamava Resort an hour east of Los Angeles in Southern California, has now announced its plan to reopen the Palms in the first half of 2022, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal.

Unlike the Palms, which will reportedly seek to attract gamblers wanting to avoid the Strip, the Majestic Las Vegas Resort wont have a casino (or smoking) at all. The five-star hotel complex is the big bet of Vegas hotel scion Lorenzo Doumani, whose family developed the Paul Revere Williams-designed El Morocco and La Concha Motels. Designed by architect Paul Steelman, construction on the suite-only tower will begin early next year to be completed by 2024, according to new details on the resorts website.

Krubner/ClassicStock/Getty Images/ClassicStock

And, if you need more evidence that the pandemic hasnt sapped Vegass boomtown vibes, MGM Resorts International bought The Cosmopolitan in September for $5.65 billion, according to Marketplace. When it last changed hands, just seven years ago, it went for $1.7 billion.

Last, but certainly not least, is the news that the Canadian hotel company Moon World Resorts is planning a 4,000-room, $5 billion resort on the Las Vegas strip with a 1/75,000-scale moon replica as its main attraction. The massive 5.5-million-square-foot hotel project is in talks with five-star operators, according to the Points Guy.

Inside the moon itself? A 10-acre faux lunar colony with craters, moon buggies and a $500 for 90-minutes ticket price. Granted, its far less than a Space X flight.
Sharon, PA (16146)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 26F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 26F. Winds light and variable.
3 1 of 3 Contributed photo Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Contributed photo Show More Show Less 3 of 3





SHELTON  The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club is once again joining forces with Rotary clubs throughout the state and Liberty Bank to put a Thanksgiving feast on the table of those in need this coming holiday.

The bank offers a 25 percent match to monetary contributions in the annual drive. The partnership has raised more than $2 million since it began in 2004. This years drive began on Oct. 12.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The U.S. House is expected to hold Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress. It's up to the Justice Department, and the courts, to determine what happens next.

As lawmakers ready a Thursday vote to send a contempt referral to the U.S. attorneys office in Washington, theres considerable uncertainty about whether the Justice Department will prosecute Bannon for refusing to cooperate with the investigation into the Jan. 6 insurrection, despite Democratic demands for action.

The outcome could determine not only the effectiveness of the House investigation, but the strength of Congress power to call witnesses and demand information  factors that will certainly be weighing on Justice officials as they determine whether to move forward. While the department has historically been reticent to use its prosecution power against witnesses found in contempt of Congress, the circumstances are exceptional as lawmakers investigate the worst attack on the U.S. Capitol in two centuries.

If Congress cant perform its oversight job, the message sent to the general public is these subpoenas are a joke, said Stephen Saltzburg, a George Washington University law professor and former Justice Department official. He said if Attorney General Merrick Garland, a former federal judge whom Saltzburg regards as one of the most nonpartisan people I know, doesn't authorize a prosecution, hes going to be letting the Constitution, it seems to me, be placed in jeopardy. And its way too important for him to let that happen.

Democrats are pressuring Justice to take the case, arguing that nothing less than democracy is at stake.

The stakes are enormous, said Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, a member of the panel. The Congress of the United States under Article One has the power to investigate in order to inform our deliberations about how to legislate going forward. Thats what this is about.

Still, prosecution is not a given. Assuming his post after a turbulent Trump era, Garland has prioritized restoring what he has called the norms of the department. On his first day, he told rank-and-file prosecutors that they should be focused on equal justice and not feel pressure to protect the presidents allies or to attack his enemies. He has repeatedly said political considerations shouldn't play a role in any decisions.

And his deputies pushed back  hard  when President Joe Biden suggested to reporters last week that Bannon should be prosecuted for contempt.

The Department of Justice will make its own independent decisions in all prosecutions based solely on the facts and the law. Period. Full stop, Garlands spokesman, Anthony Coley, said on Friday, in response to the presidents comments.

The Jan. 6 panel voted Tuesday evening to recommend the contempt charges against Bannon, citing reports that he spoke with Trump before the insurrection, promoted the protests that day and predicted there would be unrest. Members said Bannon was alone in completely defying his subpoena, while more than a dozen other witnesses were at least speaking to the panel.

If the full House votes to hold Bannon in contempt on Thursday, as expected, the matter will be referred to the U.S. attorneys office in Washington. It would then be up to prosecutors in that office whether to present the case to a grand jury for possible criminal charges. The office is run by Channing Phillips, an acting U.S. attorney who had previously served in the position in the Obama administration. Another attorney, Matt Graves, has been nominated for the post, but his nomination is pending in the Senate.

If the House of Representatives certifies a criminal contempt citation, the Department of Justice, as with all criminal referrals, will evaluate the matter based on the facts and the law, consistent with the Principles of Federal Prosecution, said Bill Miller, a spokesman for the U.S. attorneys office in Washington.

The Justice Department has in the past been wary of prosecuting congressional contempt cases, especially when the White House and the House of Representatives are controlled by opposing political parties.

The department in the Obama administration declined to prosecute then-Attorney General Eric Holder and former IRS official Lois Lerner following contempt referrals from the Republican-led House, while George W. Bushs Justice Department declined to charge Harriet Miers after the former White House counsel defied a subpoena in a Democratic investigation into the mass firings of United States attorneys.

In addition, the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel has said in multiple opinions  including one from the 1980s involving Anne Gorsuch, the mother of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, who refused to turn over documents in her capacity as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency  that the Justice Department has discretion on when to prosecute for contempt, even when receiving a referral from the House.

Still, the Bannon case is different, as Democrats hold both Congress and the White House  and because the committee is investigating a violent insurrection of Trumps supporters who beat law enforcement officers, broke into the Capitol and interrupted the certification of Bidens victory.

What were talking about is this massive, violent assault on American democracy," Raskin said.

Thomas Spulak, a former Democratic counsel to the House, said there are arguments that could be made for and against a Justice Department prosecution. On one hand, he said, Some have suggested that perhaps this Justice Department doesnt want to get caught up in a continuation in the saga that went on in the last administration over subpoenas with the House.

But, given the severity and historic nature of Jan. 6, This is a significant matter for the House and the House is going to press this very hard  and it might be difficult for the administration to not act on it.

Even if the department does decide to prosecute, the case could take years to play out  potentially pushing past the 2022 election when Republicans could win control of the House and end the investigation.

And if they dont prosecute, then the House will likely find another route. A House-authorized civil lawsuit could also take years, but force Bannon and any other witnesses to defend themselves in court.

Another option available to Congress would be to try to imprison witnesses who defy them  an unlikely, if not outlandish, scenario. Called inherent contempt, the process was used in the countrys early years but hasnt been employed in almost a century.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, another member of the panel, says if Justice prosecutes the case it will have a vigorous effect in terms of other potential witnesses' willingness to cooperate or face consequences.

I think the criminal justice system, when it has a mind to, can move very quickly, Schiff said. And we hope that it will.
Earlier this month, an opinion piece ran from the National Education Policy Center in Colorado that sought to cast doubt on the public nature of charter schools. But it seems that the author is not very familiar with charter schools in Connecticut.

What does it mean for a school to be a public school? As a former public school superintendent and an early advocate for charter schools, Ive given a lot of thought to this question over the years.

First, a school is public if it is created by an act of state government. The public district schools that were all accustomed to are authorized under Connecticuts 1965 Constitution, which provides that there shall always be free public elementary and secondary schools in the state as established by legislation. Consistent with that provision, Connecticuts charter schools were authorized by an act of the General Assembly in 1996.

Second, public schools are funded by tax dollars as a reflection of our belief that the entire community benefits from an educated citizenry. There are no tuition charges for district or charter public schools.

Third, public schools must be open to all children. Public school districts are required to accept any age-appropriate child who resides within their borders. Public charter schools are required to enroll any age-appropriate child who applies  by random lottery if the number of applicants exceeds available seats. No cherry-picking or discrimination allowed.

Fourth, in Connecticut, teachers in both district and charter public schools are public employees. That means they participate in the state teacher retirement system and they have the right to unionize for collective bargaining purposes if they choose to do so.

Finally, both district and charter public schools are subject to regulation and oversight by the state. This includes required participation in the states student performance measurement program, known as the Smarter Balanced Assessment. In all of these ways, Connecticuts charter schools are every bit as public as any district school.

The big difference is that, like magnet schools, children are enrolled in charter schools not because they happen to live in a particular attendance zone, but because their parents want them there.

Around our state, charter schools have proven so popular that thousands of students are currently on waiting lists hoping for a seat. Likewise, thousands of Danbury parents have expressed their support for the creation of a charter school in this city. These parents are trying to tell us something. Its time for educators and public officials to listen.

Stephen Tracy served as a high school history teacher in New York and as superintendent of schools in New Milford and Derby prior to his retirement. He is a member of the Planning Team for the Danbury Charter School.
(BPT) - Tis the season to go shopping. Whether online or in stores, you probably have a list and are checking it twice as you cross off to-do
A 57-year-old woman has died after being struck by a vehicle on Oct. 10 in Ludington, according to a press release from Police Chief Tim Kozal.

Gloria Trent, of Grand Rapids, passed away on Monday from injuries sustained during the crash. She was one of three pedestrians, all from Grand Rapids, injured during the incident.

In the release, Kozal stated that the Ludington police and fire departments responded to a personal-injury crash at approximately 7:52 p.m. at the intersection of James and Loomis streets.

During the subsequent investigation, it was determined that a 2013 GMC Terrain was traveling south on James Street when it struck the three pedestrians.

The two other pedestrians were transported to Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital, while Trent was air-lifted to a Spectrum Health facility in Grand Rapids in critical condition.

The driver of the vehicle, a 75-year-old woman from Emery, South Dakota, was uninjured.

The case remains under investigation. Kozal said it does not appear alcohol or drugs were a factor in the accident.

The Mason County Sheriffs Office assisted at the scene.

Kozal stated the Ludington Police Department wishes to extend condolences to the Trent family.
 Convenient home delivery

 Unlimited website access 24/7

 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7

 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more!

Get the Ludington Daily News delivered straight to your door and receive unlimited access to our website and e-Edition when you purchase a Print + Digital Subscription.
New Delhi [India], October 20 (ANI): The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has started the training of the first batch of operations and maintenance staff of Bangladesh's Dhaka Metro at its training academy at Shastri Park Depot.



DMRC, in a press release on Tuesday, said that once sent for training in Hong Kong before the inauguration of Metro services in Delhi in 2002, it has reached a 'historical milestone by commencing the training of the first batch of operations and maintenance staff' of Dhaka Metro.

"The training of the first batch of Dhaka Metro core staff and officers, comprising of 19 Operations and 17 Rolling Stock officials, by DMRC officials, commenced at the Delhi Metro Rail Academy from October 14, 2021," DMRC informed.

The training is a part of an agreement signed between DMRC and NKDM Association, a consortium of foreign and Bangladeshi companies looking after the implementation of the Dhaka MRTS project in Bangladesh, under which 163 officials of Dhaka Metro will be undergoing training at DMRA.

As per DMRC, the training duration of the courses will vary from 24 days to 156 days as per the job profile of the participants. The training module includes interactive classroom sessions, demonstrations, simulators, practical, on-job training, etc.

Dhaka Metro will soon be beginning their Metro journey with the opening of their first line known as 'MRT Line-6' comprising of 20.1 km, informed DMRC. (ANI)
Sri Lanka's Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said the inter-provincial travel ban had been extended on the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in order to prevent the movement of people from one province to another, Xinhua news agency reported.

Colombo, Oct 20 (IANS) Sri Lankan authorities on Wednesday extended an inter-province travel ban till October 31 to prevent further spread of the Covid pandemic.

"Public behaviour is vital to prevent the spread of Covid-19 but some people are behaving in an irresponsible manner and the decision to further extend the travel restrictions was taken considering the situation," Silva said.

Sri Lankan authorities earlier this week said they had tightened the travel ban to prevent people from crossing the provinces especially as the country commemorates two religious holidays this week.

According to the President's Media Division, Rajapaksa had issued instructions to the security forces to closely and strictly monitor vehicular movement at all provincial borders.

Therefore, security had been tightened at all provincial borders, police said.

Sri Lanka earlier this month lifted a 42-day nationwide lockdown as the country faced a third wave of the coronavirus caused by the highly contagious Delta variant.

Health experts said the spread had now reduced drastically but the provincial ban would remain.

To date, Sri Lanka has recorded 532,766 positive patients while 13,525 deaths have been reported since March last year.

--IANS

int/skp/
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.

We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.

A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Days after China snuffed out the biggest initial public offering in history, Ant Group gathered its investment bankers at a Hong Kong convention centre overlooking Victoria Harbour.

Even though staffers from Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley had just watched the deal of a lifetime vaporise -- along with $US400 million in fees -- Ants team had a hopeful message: Dont lose faith. Emblazoned on a big screen were the words: Start from the Heart.

A year later, with the registration for Ants $US35 billion ($46.8 billion) IPO set to officially expire on Wednesday, the optimism from that gathering has faded away. Bankers say theyve stopped getting regular communication from the firm, and some are doubtful that it will return to market before 2023. Lofty valuation estimates that once reached $US300 billion have been cut by as much as two-thirds.

Rockstar entrepreneur Jack Ma has gone quiet after the Communist Party blocked Ant Groups IPO late last year. Credit:Bloomberg

More broadly, the crackdown that started with Jack Mas fintech giant has snowballed into an assault on every corner of Chinas technosphere as Beijing seeks to end the domination of a few heavy weights and create common prosperity. The question on everyones mind: when does it stop? If Ant is any indication, not for a while.
The federal government could take a package of sweeping reforms of Australias booming cryptocurrency industry to the next election following the release of a new parliamentary report into the sector.

On Wednesday, the Select Committee on Financial Technology and Regulatory Technology - led by Liberal senator Andrew Bragg - tabled its final report into the regulation of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and Ethereum in Australia after six months of hearings and submissions on the topic.

Industry participants have long been calling on the government to develop stronger and more comprehensive regulations for the cryptocurrency space Credit:AP

The 143-page report includes 12 recommendations focused on bringing crypto and broader fintech regulatory framework in line with the industrys rapid growth and development. Industry participants have long been calling on the government to develop stronger and more comprehensive regulations for the cryptocurrency space, which has previously been woefully under-regulated and at significant risk of exploitation.

For example, a major Australian cryptocurrency exchange, which might process billions in transactions each year, is currently bound by only the most rudimentary compliance measures: collecting customer data for financial intelligence watchdog AUSTRAC and the general laws of the Corporations Act.
The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the politics of immigration around 180 degrees: Governments, which only two years ago wanted to slow down the flow of migrants, are now talking about how to increase it.

Loading

In the lead-up to the 2019 NSW and federal elections then-premier Gladys Berejiklian and Prime Minister Scott Morrison both called for reductions in immigration to ease the pressure on big cities and bust congestion.

The federal government reduced the annual cap for permanent residency visas which is one of the main levers to control migration.

Yet the pandemic closure of the nations borders last year, both to permanent migrants and to non-permanent migrants such as international students and short-term skilled workers, has changed everything.
Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes and wife Annie have pledged to donate and invest $1.5 billion on climate projects by 2030 to reinforce the COP26 goal of spurring global action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.

The couple will spend $1 billion on investments in green technology businesses and another $500 million on donations towards philanthropic organisations, think tanks, institutes and civil society organisations working on the climate crisis, he told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

Mike Cannon-Brookes, Atlassian co-founder and chief executive, pledges to keep spending on climate initiatives. Credit:

He said Atlassian would also bring forward its net zero goal from 2050 to 2040.

Mr Cannon-Brooks said he believed that the 2050 net zero target locked in by most developed economies and preferred by the Australian government was already a done deal, and that ambitious 2030 targets were now far more important.
Get involved in anything and everything you can with the people who live there, she says. Its going to sound a bit hippy, but youve just got to get a sense of the vibe. Youve got to go along to open days, barbecues, happy hours.

You get the good oil at happy hour. Thats where you get the real lowdown.

Aveo, which operates more than 90 communities across Australia, offers different opportunities to try out community living depending on what people want to experience  from attending social events to spending time in their potential new property.

Do your sums

While some financial aspects of downsizing are pretty straightforward, its not all so clear-cut.

Its pretty obvious what your purchase price is going to be, Lane says. The monthly or weekly fee is normally pretty obvious too. But exit fees can be a little bit complicated to work out.

As well as getting to grips with exit fees, you should also work out what your living expenses are likely to be compared with now, how the move will affect your pension, and whether youll be entitled to rent assistance in your retirement village.

And its no good guessing. You really need to crunch the numbers, Lane says.

Aveo believes in being transparent about costs, says National Sales Innovation Manager Marilyn Graham. We provide as much information as we can up front, to give people the time to go and seek professional advice, she says.

Understand your retirement village contract

Your contract has wide-ranging implications on the sums mentioned above. Its important to understand it, Lane says.

Fundamentally, your retirement village contract boils down to a balance of three things: its your rights, your responsibilities, and your costs, she says. You need to look at a contract through all three lenses.

It is imperative to understand your retirement village contract. Credit:Getty

Retirement living contracts tend to be complicated. Aveo is working to change that. Graham says: We have done a lot of work to simplify our contracts so that theyre easier to understand.

Aveo contracts include a money-back guarantee if you change your mind in the first six months, and a guaranteed repayment time frame when you leave the village.

Look for flexible payment options

Traditionally, people moving into retirement communities havent exactly been spoilt for choice when it comes to payment options, Lane says.

Retirement villages, up until recently, have had a fairly stock-standard kind of offering, she says. Most of them charge an exit fee. And its really been a take-it-or-leave-it kind of proposition.

But thats changing, with Aveo offering options that allow you to vary how much you pay up front, and how much on exit.

Aveo offers three types of payment options: you can defer your management fee until when you leave the village (the traditional model), you can choose a discounted management fee option (by paying up front), or a no-management fee option (by paying a refundable premium entry payment and a non-refundable establishment fee on entry).

Think about your future care needs

A lot of people moving into retirement villages dont want to think about a time when they might not be able to do everything for themselves, Lane says.

But its important to ask the question: what happens if I need care?

The answer to that question can be anything on the spectrum from were a care-free community so if you need care you have to leave, through to we have care on site 24 hours a day. Its really not about ones right, ones wrong; its about what your expectation is.

Aveo offers tailored home care services at most of its communities, and can help residents transfer to other communities if needed.

Be sure about your retirement living contract with Aveo. Aveo now offers the choice you want and the assurance you need. Take the first step today and talk to one of their friendly team on 13 28 36 or visit www.aveo.com.au/contracts.
General practitioners are bracing themselves to manage the bulk of coronavirus patients into next year, calling for a major funding overhaul to cope with demand on primary care as more people catch milder cases of the virus and need treatment for long COVID.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Health of the Nation report, released on Thursday, reveals GPs struggled to manage patient expectations during the pandemic, with three out of five doctors saying changes to vaccine eligibility requirements left people confused and frustrated.

RACGP president Karen Price says general practice could alleviate the squeeze on emergency departments and hospitals. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Unfortunately, it has not been an easy experience for many practices. The repeated changes in the vaccine rollout left patients disgruntled and some took this out on practice staff, RACGP president Karen Price said.

The report comes as state health departments seek more cash for hospitals, anticipating pressure on the health system as restrictions ease and COVID-19 infections spike.
One in two women are turned away, on average, from shelters in NSW. Thats one in every two brave women who have mustered the courage to pack up their lives  and often their children  to finally leave a violent relationship, only to learn she has nowhere to go except to live in her car, turn to the streets, or go back to her abuser.

This week, however, the NSW government announced the largest investment in the states history to address domestic violence  a $484.3 million commitment to build 75 new refuges and refurbish existing ones, and a boost of 200 social housing dwellings. It will also cover a trial in two districts to provide dedicated support for children and young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

These reforms, at last, have the potential to save lives.

Delia Donovan, chief executive officer of Domestic Violence NSW.

And it is powerful because it acknowledges the need for domestic violence specialists to meet the needs of victim-survivors. As the renowned Canadian family therapist Dr Allan Wade says: You wouldnt have just anyone perform a life-saving heart surgery; youd employ a trained specialist.
Sydney Airport will match the $60 million NSW aviation attraction fund dollar-for-dollar, linking arms with the state government as it seeks to entice international airlines back to Australian soil.

The move has been welcomed by major international airlines, with Qantas saying it is in discussions with the state government to open up new routes.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has announced a new aviation support package to lure back international airlines. Credit:Renee Nowytarger

Premier Dominic Perrottet announced the airline funding on Wednesday as part of a $500 million support package for the tourism sector. The aviation fund will include flight subsidies, such as for empty seats, and marketing campaign opportunities for airlines in partnership with the state government and Destination NSW.

Sydney Airport chief executive Geoff Culbert said by matching the governments aviation fund there would be a $120 million war chest aimed at turbocharging the return of international airlines to the state and to compete against other destinations during their economic recovery from COVID-19.
An 18-year-old shot dead in Sydneys west on Wednesday morning was aware he was heading down a troubled path before he and his father became the latest fatalities of intractable gangland conflict, his lawyer says.

Homicide squad detectives are leading an investigation into the drive-by shooting in suburban Guildford of Salim Hamze and Toufik Hamze, 64, which police have linked to tensions between rival crime networks across south-west Sydney.

Salim Hamze, 18, and his father were killed in a shooting on Wednesday morning, thought to be linked to an ongoing gangland conflict.

Emergency services were called about 8.55am and found the men with catastrophic wounds inside a ute on suburban Osgood Street.

Salim Hamze was declared dead at the scene while his father was rushed by paramedics to Westmead Hospital, where he died, police said in a statement.
NSW Police will not take any action against disgraced former NRL player Sam Burgess, whose ex-wife levelled accusations of domestic violence and drug abuse against him.

Phoebe Burgess has alleged that the former South Sydney skipper forcefully grabbed her in a drug-fuelled episode while she was eight months pregnant with their son in 2018.

Phoebe Burgess and her former husband Sam Burgess. Credit:Kate Geraghty

The social media influencer told The Australian newspaper that her then-husband crushed her in an embrace inside the couples home as she screamed, after he admitted taking cocaine.

Police also investigated claims that Burgess was injected with a liquid tranquilliser prescribed in the name of Phoebes father, Mitch Hooke.
The discovery of almost 300 kilograms of methylamphetamine concealed inside an excavator shipped from Hong Kong has led to three arrests in Sydney.

The Australian Federal Police launched an investigation in late July following the arrival at Port Botany of the heavy construction equipment and detection of the illicit cargo, estimated to be worth $184 million when sold as ice in its crystal form.

Three men have been arrested following an Australian Federal Police investigation into the alleged importation of 295 kilograms of methylamphetamine hidden inside an excavator sent from Hong Kong. Credit:Australian Federal Police

The drugs were cleverly concealed in layers of concrete, steel and lead inside the excavators counterweight, police said, but were found and examined by AFP and Australian Border Force officers.

Officers removed the 295 kilogram haul and sent the excavator  a Chinese model that sells for around $100,000  on to its intended destination, a business in Penrith, in early August.
A pivot by mining giant Adani to fund a climate change project by the Science Museum in Britain has received backlash.

The Science Museum late on Tuesday announced a landmark new gallery examining how the world could undergo the fastest energy transition in history to curb climate change.

Four Extinction Rebellion protesters were arrested on Tuesday in Brisbanes Queen St Mall.

The project, Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery, would be funded by Adani Green Energy, as title funder.

Adani rebranded its Australian operations to Bravus Mining and Resources last year.
Brisbane beef processor Australian Country Choices licence to export to China has been suspended after the company failed a random test for tainted meat.

Chief executive Anthony Lee said the federal government notified the company on Wednesday that its licence had been suspended from Monday, October 18.

Queensland beef processor Australian Country Choice will focus on alternative markets after China suspended its licence.

The reasons provided to the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment from Chinese authorities was for [a] frozen product received in China that failed a random sampling test for [the antibiotic] chloramphenicol on beef products inspected at the entry port of Ningbo, he said.

But Mr Lee said the failed beef was not an ACC product and was instead processed on behalf of a branded non-packer export customer and exported under ACCs licence.
Former Brisbane Broncos five-eighth Anthony Milford will fight some of the three assault charges and one count of wilful damage against him, according to his lawyer.

The 27-year-old, who will join the South Sydney Rabbitohs next year, fronted a Brisbane court for the first time on Wednesday since his arrest last month.

Former Brisbane Broncos player Anthony Milford leaves Brisbane Arrests Court on Wednesday morning. Credit:Toby Crockford

Milford was arrested by police at 2am on Monday, September 20, after police responded to reports of a disturbance in Brisbanes Fortitude Valley nightlife precinct.

His case was briefly mentioned in the Brisbane Arrests Court on Wednesday morning where it was adjourned to November and Milford had his bail conditions changed.
Attorney-General John Quigley has again dodged questions in Parliament over who first nominated Perth Casino Royal Commission lead commissioner Neville Owen for the role.

Mr Owen, a decorated former judge and former head of the HIH Royal Commission, is a close friend and business associate of media mogul Kerry Stokes.

WA Attorney-General John Quigley has dodged further questions about the appointment of Neville Owen to the Perth Casino Royal Commission. Credit:Philip Gostelow

He has made three declarations about this relationship with the billionaire during the commission, as two Crown casino witnesses also worked at the highest levels of the Stokes empire.

Mr Quigley continues to publicly support Mr Owens appointment, but privately has said he was unaware of the relationship before the commissioners appointment, telling Nine News Perths Gary Adshead it wouldnt have happened had he known.
Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has rejected forecasts for big renewable energy projects to create thousands of jobs in a shift away from fossil fuels, putting him at odds with his state colleagues as he holds out on a federal deal to cut carbon emissions to net zero by 2050.

Mr Joyce dismissed a $12.7 billion renewable energy plan in NSW by declaring it would not create the thousands of jobs it promised, amid growing frustration among Liberals at the damage to the federal government from days of delay on climate policy.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison watches Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce during Question Time. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Labor leader Anthony Albanese attacked the embarrassing claims from Mr Joyce in a third day of debate in Parliament over the divisions within the government on the net zero target while the Nationals try to decide their position.

Mr Joyce declared the Nationals party room would be the final arbiter of its position but Prime Minister Scott Morrison told Parliament for the second consecutive day that the net zero target was a decision for federal cabinet.
For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here.

Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size You probably know theres been a virus in the world that causes COVID-19 disease. It has been around for nearly two years now and it can make people sick. You probably also know people who have had a COVID-19 vaccine. Your mum or dad might have had one (or two doses), and your grandparents may have been vaccinated a while ago. Maybe even some of your older friends have had it. The vaccine helps protect you so that if you catch the virus you get less sick, and it makes it harder for people to catch the virus and spread it to other people. Soon its likely youll be able to get one too. You might have lots of questions about it, questions like, whats it made of and does it hurt? Weve gathered some terrific questions from lots of young people like you, and weve had a chat with an expert who has helped us find these answers for you. Illustration by Jude, 7 How is the vaccine made? Ollie, 5, and Xavier, 7 When a virus gets inside your body, you have a first line of defence called the immune system which finds things that dont belong in your body and creates antibodies to attack the invader and throw it out.

Advertisement

Some viruses are very strong or work in tricky ways. What vaccines do is teach your immune system about the virus, so if it does enter your body, your immune system knows exactly what to do. If the real thing comes along, and you come in contact with the virus, your immune system knows exactly what to do. Associate Professor Nicholas Wood, who is a vaccine expert and childrens doctor, says the vaccines being used in Australia give the cells in your body the recipe to make a bit of the virus called the spike protein. Once it has this recipe, your body pumps out a lot of the spike protein then your immune system makes antibodies to the spike protein. These antibodies are what our body uses to protect us if we get infected and they attack the virus. So if the real thing comes along, and you come in contact with the virus, your immune system knows exactly what to do. The body says, Well, if a spike protein is the bit that the virus uses to attack us, Id better make antibodies to the spike protein to stop it infecting, he says. The vaccine has given your immune system some practice in fighting off the virus. But it is practice that is safe for you. Illustration by Flora, 11

Advertisement

Why cant the vaccine just be a tablet, why does it have to be in a needle? Saskia, 10 Thats because the vaccine recipe is actually a genetic code, and we eat food with bits of genetic code every day in things like eggs or milk. If we took the vaccine as a tablet, the acids in our stomachs would do their normal work and digest it, which would destroy that genetic code. Loading For the genetic code to work, the recipe has to get inside our cells, that is where we make the spike protein, Professor Wood says. The best way for that to work for now is by getting the vaccine as an injection. Does it hurt? Theo, 6 It will feel like any other needle you may have had before. That means it might sting a little when you get it, and you might get a sore arm over the next day or so, but it will go back to normal quickly.

Advertisement

Can the vaccine make you sick? Rafael, aged 7 (but nearly 8). Will kids have the same kinds of reactions to the vaccine as adults? Because my daddy had a fever Rosalind, 8 In order to make the antibody, your immune system needs to get to work. Some peoples immune systems do this work quietly, which means they wont feel many side effects after a vaccine. But other peoples immune systems like to make a big fuss as they do their job. You might know a grown-up who had symptoms like fever, headache, sore muscles, or some redness and swelling in the spot where they had the needle. Children can get these symptoms too, so you might feel like you have a bit of a cold after you get your vaccine, but this normally only lasts for a day or two, Professor Wood says. Your family will keep an eye on you and watch out for any symptoms after youve had your vaccine. Illustration by Isabelle, 8 How can I be sure the vaccine wont cause me problems in the long term? Lucy, 13 The first people to get coronavirus vaccines had them about a year ago in special tests to make sure the vaccines were safe and that they worked. Scientists are checking to see how those people are going now. They are asking them questions about their health as well as testing their blood to see how much protection they still have against the virus.

Advertisement

While we dont have years and years of data on these new coronavirus vaccines, its good to remember that weve been using vaccinations for a long, long time (the first vaccines were invented more than 100 years ago) and scientists have not found any problems linked to vaccines in the years after people have their shots. For most of the vaccines around the world that we have been using for decades, theres no evidence of long-term side effects, Professor Wood says. Watch: How do you feel about getting the vaccine? My mum says that if I get the vaccine when Im 11 it will be a third of a dose (or a reduced dose). Will it be as effective as if I waited till 12 and get a full dose? Bradley, 11 Your mum is right. Children aged 11 and younger will get a dose thats a third of the size of the one given to older people. But that doesnt mean its a third as effective. Scientists tested different-sized doses in small children, and picked the best dose that doesnt cause lots of side effects and gives children the same amount of protection against the virus. The vaccine company discovered that a third of the grown-up dose was best in five to 11-year-olds. But theres nothing magic that happens when you turn 12, and Professor Wood says more testing might show that older children only need smaller doses for booster shots too.

Advertisement
Frances ambassador has called on the federal government to greater climate action and to match the commitments of NSW and Victoria, declaring global warming a moral responsibility for national leaders at the United Nations climate summit in Glasgow next month.

Jean-Pierre Thebault said countries must not only commit to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, but to set strong near-term targets to swiftly reduce the build up of carbon in the atmosphere and avoid the most damaging impacts of global warming.

French ambassdor to Australia Jean-Pierre Thebault. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen.

Australia signed up with the United States for submarine supply and ditched a $90 billion contract with France earlier this month. Mr Thebault deemed the move a stab in the back, labelled the federal government childish and questioned if the two nations could repair their damaged relationship.

He told the Smart Energy Councils Global Race to Zero summit on Wednesday that global leaders who failed to act beyond mere national interest or short term gains risked the success of the Conference of the Parties summit (COP26).
If ever theres a time for Premier Dominic Perrottet to keep crossbench MPs on side, it is now. Instead, as his 10-year-old government faces a host of byelections, the two kingmaker independents are ropeable.

Sydney MP Alex Greenwich and Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper hold the stability of the Coalition government in their hands. Greenwich and Piper are also fiercely committed to legalising voluntary assisted dying.

New Premier Dominic Perrottet could face destabilising forces from the crossbench. Credit:Renee Nowytarger

Greenwich last week introduced his bill to allow assisted dying in NSW. His plan was always to pursue euthanasia in this term of Parliament, and foreshadowed to all MPs last December that his legislation was in the works. NSW is the only state in Australia yet to give terminally ill adults the right to choose when they die and Greenwich, with the support of Piper, wanted the bill to pass this year.

But that plan hit a significant hurdle on Tuesday, throwing Greenwich and Piper off guard and potentially leaving Perrottets minority government in an even more precarious position. Without consultation with Greenwich, his bill was referred to an upper house inquiry which will keep it in limbo until next year.
London: Fading vaccine immunity is fuelling a spike in coronavirus cases in Britain, with the countrys early rollout success now working against it.

Weeks from the onset of winter, infection and hospitalisation rates in the United Kingdom are more than six times higher than large nations in Europe, while the death rate is three times greater.

The unusual and slightly worrying situation, as described by Health Security Agency head Jenny Harries on Wednesday, looms as a test of the governments determination to live with the virus and keep its economy and society functioning as normal. It will also be closely monitored by other countries that started their inoculation programs much later than the UK and might soon encounter their own waning immunity complications.

Masks are not mandatory in England except for in the London Underground, which suffers from low compliance. Credit:AP

New cases hit 44,000 on Wednesday  up 16 per cent on the previous week. Most were detected in children and younger adults.
Washington: One of Americas most prominent environmentalists, Bill McKibben, says he feels increasingly pessimistic about the prospects of a breakthrough at the Glasgow climate summit because of US President Joe Bidens struggle to pass climate legislation through Congress.

McKibben, a founder of the 350.org climate action group, also said that a commitment by the Morrison government to reach net zero emissions by 2050 would fall far short of the ambition required to prevent catastrophic climate change.

Bidens plans to pass a set of massive spending bills through Congress, which include significant climate initiatives, before the COP26 summit have run into a roadblock because of opposition from Joe Manchin, a conservative Democratic senator from the coal-producing state of West Virginia.

Environmentalist Bill McKibben says he fears US climate envoy John Kerry will be sent naked to the Glasgow summit if Democrats dont pass climate legislation through Congress. Credit:Nancie Battaglia

The seeming breakdown of negotiations in the US Senate around parts of Bidens plan seem to me to be a gift to delayers around the world, McKibben said in an interview with this masthead.
Accused shooter Nikolas Cruz has pleaded guilty to 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder in the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the deadliest ever at a US high school.

Cruz, 23, stood hunched over and entered one guilty plea at a time as the judge read off the charges at the hearing on Wednesday, local time. His lawyer, David Wheeler, Broward Countys chief assistant public defender, said last week that Cruz intended to plead guilty in the Valentines Day attack.

Nikolas Cruz apologised to his victims after pleading guilty. Credit:AP

Cruz was a 19-year-old expelled student with a history of mental health and behavioural issues at the time of the cold, calculated and premeditated killings, Broward Countys States Attorney Office said in court documents.

After the pleas were entered, Cruz removed his COVID-19 mask and apologised to his victims.
Australia is undoubtedly a worse offender. In 2018, it emitted about twice as much per person as New Zealand did. We are yet to see a prime minister fall because they tried to do something on climate change. While New Zealand mines coal, it does not do it at anywhere near the scale that Australia does. Our electricity market is almost all renewable thanks to our giant hydro dams; Australias is almost all fossil-fuel based. And we do have a way of pricing carbon emissions - a complex cap and trade scheme, rather than a straight carbon tax.

Probably the most appealing thing a Kiwi politician could be caught doing is waiting in line at the post office.

Yet, the country has been resting on its laurels, allowing emissions to creep up over the years. Without huge bushfires, climate change still feels like something that happens to other countries, even as farmers battle the recent droughts. The hydro dams - largely built long before climate change was a political issue - give us a useful leg-up in power generation, but we havent built a new one in decades, while wind and solar are unlikely to be able to power all the new-generation electric cars we will need.

Then theres our largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions: agriculture. Decades after we got rid of subsidies for this most stereotypical of Kiwi industries, the sector enjoys an effective subsidy on climate change. All other emitters are part of the Emissions Trading Scheme, agriculture is not. Dairy farmers, who are generally the newest on the scene and also the most indebted, retain a large amount of political sway.
Brasilia: A Brazilian Senate report recommended on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT) pursuing crimes against humanity and other charges against President Jair Bolsonaro for allegedly bungling Brazils response to COVID-19 and contributing to the country having the worlds second-highest pandemic death toll.

Senator Renan Calheiros presented the proposal to a committee of colleagues that has spent six months investigating the Brazilian governments management of the pandemic. The decision on whether to file most of the charges would be up to Brazils prosecutor-general, a Bolsonaro appointee and ally.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Credit:AP

Bolsonaro has consistently downplayed the threat of the coronavirus and touted misinformation and unproven COVID-19 treatments while ignoring international health guidelines on mask use and public activity. The 11-member Senate panel examined whether his actions caused many of Brazils more than 600,000 COVID-19 deaths.

In a nearly 1200-page report based on the committees work, Calheiros called for Bolsonaros indictment on charges ranging from charlatanism and inciting crime to misuse of public funds and crimes against humanity.
Panama City:--- On Saturday, October 16, 2021, the President of Parliament, Mr. Rolando Brison, attended the Board of Directors meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (Parlatino) at the Parlatino Headquarters in Panama City, Panama. The Board of Directors is made up of the full Board of Directors and as many Vice-Presidencies as member congresses, of which the Parliament of Sint Maarten, represented by the Chairperson is a member (Vice President).

Generally, the Board of Directors meets at least twice a year; however, extraordinary meetings can also be held by decision of the Board of Directors. As this was the first time the Board of Directors met in person since January 2020, many presents expressed that Members are much more effective in their work in person considering that virtual discussions cannot be had that fully flesh out the topics, especially topics related to draft legislation. The Board of Directors agreed that as of the next General Assembly the Parlatino Committee meetings will also resume in person. The Committee Parlatino Matters of the Parliament of Sint Maarten will be requested to make a recommendation regarding a preferred date for the General Assembly that will be held in the first quarter of 2022 in Panama City.

Some members of the Board of Directors took the opportunity during this meeting to give their colleagues updates regarding the COVID-19 situation in their country. Many explained the different decisions that needed to be made with regards to vaccination, mandates, and states of emergency.

The President of Parliament of Sint Maarten also made a suggestion to create an easier way for Members to find draft legislation. This would also include legislation that has not yet been approved. His suggestion will be taken up with the secretariat of Parlatino and will be handled at the next Board of Directors meeting.

The Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (Parlatino) is a regional, permanent and unicameral organization, comprising of delegates of the national Parliaments of Latin America and the Caribbean.
PHILIPSBURG:---The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on October 20, 2021.

This Central Committee meeting, which was adjourned on October 7, 2021, will be reconvened on Wednesday at 11.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of General Affairs and representatives of Winair will be present.

The agenda point is:

The (financial) status of Windward Islands Airways (IS/1135/2019-2020 dated August 18, 2020 and IS/ 169/2020-2021 dated November 16, 2020)

This meeting was requested by MP S.A. Wescot-Williams, MP M.D. Gumbs, MP C.A. Buncamper and MP G.S. Heyliger-Marten

On Wednesday the Minister of General Affairs, Ms. Silveria Jacobs and representatives of Winair will return to Parliament to answer questions posed by Members of Parliament in the second round..

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on St. Maarten Cable TV Channel 115, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, and www.pearlfmradio.sx
PHILIPSBURG:--- It is truly remarkable how the people of St. Maarten had to be subjected to media reports of another groundbreaking ceremony at the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) without a single mention of US Pre-Clearance, remarked Stuart Johnson former Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication (TEATT).

When last has the committee for US Pre-Clearance had a meeting? What is the vision and position of the NA/UP Coalition Government regarding US Pre-Clearance? Have the collective individual positions of the various supporting Members of Parliament (MPs) changed or what is their view now? Have there been any developments regarding the completion of US Pre-Clearance since 2019? Johnson questioned.

I reiterate my original stance that US Pre-Clearance must be a part of the overall Airport restoration as without it our country will miss a golden opportunity for an economic boost.

Johnson also questioned, What is the status of the bilateral agreement?

The Final Draft of the Bilateral Agreement will pave the way for US Pre-Clearance however it requires approval by (1) the Parliament of St. Maarten, (2) the Parliament of the Netherlands, and (3) the construction of a new Pre-Clearance Facility at our Airport.

Take a look around the region and if we continue on this current trajectory we will lose our hub-function forever along with making a huge error by not advancing US Pre-Clearance. Direct flights to Anguilla and Dominica from the United States of America take away passengers which would have likely connected via our airport, remarked Johnson. Has any impact analysis taken place regarding the potential loss of passengers and revenue?

The various marketing Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) signed especially with our French-Side Counterparts have been totally ignored it seems for over two years. Since 2019, we have apparently moved away from a vision of one island, one people, one marketing approach, and the unifying of all stakeholders in tourism. It is obvious without a vision, a well-executed marketing plan and our airport lagging behind our competitors create a formula for harder economic challenges ahead, Johnson added.

During my tenure as former TEATT Minister, an economic impact study was done by the Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten (CBCS) on February 25, 2019, which it highly recommended Pre-Clearance as it advised that it would help to increase US Visitor arrivals to Pre-Hurricane Irma numbers.

The report also mentioned the Improved security and strengthened relations, Improved travel experience for passengers, Improved operations for carriers and airports, Spin-Off Benefits such as Increased spending in host country, Increased Foreign Direct Investments, and Increased tourism.

On August 19th, 2019, Johnson as former Minister of TEATT submitted correspondence and documentation to the Council of Ministers (COM) relating to the US Pre-Clearance Facility at PJIAE NV which included associated cost. Johnson queried, In the past two years has the Parliament of St. Maarten held any Public Meeting, Central Committee, TEATT Committee, or any meeting at all about US Pre-Clearance?

Pre-Clearance refers to a process in which Customs, Immigration and other border functions of a foreign country (e.g. United States) take place within the host country (e.g. St. Maarten). This potentially can provide economic and social benefits for governments, users, and carriers. St. Maarten embarked on a mission to attract US Pre-Clearance to the island first in 2012 and later in 2015 when the Council of Ministers formally submitted an Application of Interest to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

In November 2016, the US Department of Homeland announced that it had selected Princess Juliana International, hereinafter referred to as SXM Airport, as one of the eleven (11) new foreign airports located in nine (9) countries, The other ten (10) locations prioritized for preclearance included: Brussels Airport, Belgium, Punta Cana Airport, Dominican Republic, Narita International Airport, Japan; Amsterdam International Airport, Netherlands; Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Turkey; Oslo Airport, Norway; Madrid  Barajas Airport, Spain and London Heathrow and Manchester Airport, United Kingdom.
PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of Labor Omar Ottley did not mix words on Wednesday when he said that he is willing to do whatever it takes to safeguard St. Maartens economy while ensuring there are more jobs for its people.

Ottley was responding to questions about some disgruntled club and restaurant owners that have been complaining about the measures put in place for them during the curfew. Ottley said that just recently government extended the curfew hours to 1 am while the measures are to be put in place, thus he does not know what the complaining is about.

Ottley said the only measure that is in place both for daytime and nightlife is zero-tolerance when three ministries came together to put in place a ministerial decree which reduced the active cases of COVID-19 from 349 cases to 157 cases in two weeks, two weeks later there are 47 active cases. The Minister said some of the decisions made by him or the government may upset some business owners however, as long as these business people could reflect and say they understood his actions then he could live with his decisions knowing that no one can satisfy everyone.

The Minister made clear that there will be measures in place to ensure a safe reopening one being advertising that St. Maarten is open for the fully vaccinated. He said that there are pending discussions with the COM on another extension as of November 1st because the economy on St. Maarten must survive.

The Minister of Labor said almost every week the Prime Minister and Minister of finance have been announcing new stipulations and requirements even though the money St. Maarten got from the Netherlands is not a grant but a loan. He made clear that he is also the Minister of labor along with health and has done everything necessary to safeguard the health of the people, however, it is time that he places focus on the labor aspect since this season will be a busy season for St. Maarten.

Ottley further made clear that St. Maarten needs to reopen and it will reopen in a manner that will avoid them shutting down ever again, therefore it takes some people being upset because of the measures in place then so be it since he is able to see the bigger picture. That bigger picture he said is having an amazing season, with five new flights and Air France promising to land on St. Maarten 10 times weekly, five new cruise vessels on board for the upcoming season.
HID Global hails the renewed promise of mobile access

Its been almost exactly a decade since HID Global launched the world's first university pilot of smartphones carrying secure mobile IDs. A lot has changed in the following 10 years. Todays technology has matured, advanced, and proliferated across a variety of high-value use cases. To catch up on the latest developments in mobile access, we contacted Luc Merredew, Product Marketing Director, Physical Access Control, at HID Global. Q: What has changed since the first pilot implementation of smartphones used for secure mobile identification? Merredew: One of the biggest milestones several years ago was when mobile access solutions achieved certification to the ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management System (ISMS) standard. With increasing awareness of cloud-based security threats and resulting high expectations from a solution, todays system owners, operators, and users insist on companies being able to demonstrate that they have had their services vetted by independent laboratories and/or agencies. When adopting mobile access solutions that maximise convenience and efficiency, and deliver dramatically improved user experiences, it is neither necessary nor acceptable to compromise security in either the physical or digital domains. Q: Do universities continue to be the biggest users? Mobile IDs on devices eliminate person-to-person credentials when accessing secured areas Merredew: The use cases have grown dramatically, spread evenly across all types of organisations in locations ranging from high-rise buildings to multi-campus global enterprises. But yes, universities continue to be big adopters, and they were among those most eager to leverage the technology so they could bring people back to campus in person during the pandemic. In this environment, mobile IDs on smartphones and other devices eliminate person-to-person credential (e.g., badge or ID card) issuance or revocation, as well as the need to physically touch cards, readers, or keypads when accessing secured areas. Q: How were mobile IDs employed by your customers as they brought people back to physical locations after the pandemic shutdown? Merredew: One example is Vanderbilt University, where the challenges of COVID-19 brought renewed attention to the importance of a modern system for identity management and access control that was compatible with Near Field Communication (NFC) and Bluetooth technologies. Members of the campus community could more conveniently access buildings and services with their mobile devices, and the university could efficiently provision and de-provision credentials remotely without person-to-person contact. More recently, Vanderbilt leveraged HID Mobile Access to deploy campus IDs on iPhone and Apple Watch through Apple Wallet. Q: Is there another example outside the university vertical? Merredew: Another example is the iconic tower Arcos Bosques Torre 1 in Mexico City, where the owners and tenants enjoy the simplicity of using their trusted mobile devices to seamlessly access their spaces. As with the Vanderbilt deployment, the drive for operational efficiency and convenience in the tower was combined with a desire to minimise the need for users to come in physical contact with the system. Having a solution like HID Mobile Access that delivers touchless entry and increased safety and security is important. Q: What have been the biggest mobile access advancements? The mobile credential provides contactless, seamless access to a wide range of devices and services Merredew: One of the most important advancements was simplifying upgrade paths to mobile access. In the Vanderbilt example, our HID Reader Manager was used to upgrade the firmware on the universitys physical access control readers and extend support for NFC-based credentials in Apple Wallet. The university uses the HID Origo Mobile Identities API integrated with CS Gold, a higher education transaction system from CBORD, for credential lifecycle management. Another significant enhancement has been the expanded range of uses cases for the mobile credential, going beyond simply opening doors to include providing contactless, seamless access to a wide range of devices and services such as time-and-attendance terminals, cashless vending machines, printers, computers, workstations, and many other applications. Q: Wearables are also having an impact. Merredew: Contactless mobile experiences are also delivered through wearable wristbands. One example is the Nymi band which, once authenticated, continuously authenticates the identity of the user until its removed from the wrist. This delivers zero-trust security principles and access control using convenient fingerprint and heartbeat biometrics to users seeking touchless authentication. Q: What is the impact of the cloud? Merredew: The move to a cloud-based system to issue and manage mobile identity credentials has unified, automated, and simplified identity issuance at a single facility or across any number of distributed office or remote work locations. Q: What should end users look for in a mobile access solution? Look for solutions that use a secure element in the reader as well as cloud certificates, to ensure security and data privacy Merredew: Solutions should support the largest possible number of popular mobile devices  in HIDs case, this includes more than 250. Look for solutions that use a secure element in the reader, and a secure key management process, as well as cloud certificates, to ensure both security and data privacy. Make sure the solution supports Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Near Field Communication (NFC), and both iOS and Android operating systems. Solutions that provide Application Programming Interface (API) and Software Development Kit (SDK) support offer direct access to the solutions access control hardware, speeding deployment while enabling integration partners to continue innovating products that deliver even better user experiences. Q: Wonder what this market will look like in 10 more years. Whats next for mobile access? Merredew: Future innovations are on the horizon with technologies such as Ultra-Wideband (UWB) wireless connectivity, which HID expects will become ubiquitous on mobile devices. It provides unprecedented accuracy and security when measuring the distance or determining the relative position of a target. It is not HIDs expectation that UWB will replace Near Field Communication (NFC) or Bluetooth, but rather supplement Bluetooth and other technologies to provide the assurance, reliability, and granularity of device position that enables truly seamless experiences.
OTHER PROJECTS

Projects MnDOT District 6 has scheduled in the next two years:

2022

 Lighting projects on Hwy. 3 from the north side of Northfield to central Dundas, on the northern edge of Faribault and central Faribault.

 Resurfacing of Hwy. 21 from Hwy. 99 west.

 Construct roundabout at Hwy. 3 and 30th Street in Faribault.

2023

 Resurface all I-35 lanes from County Road 48 to Hwy. 21

 Concrete repaving of I-35 northbound from County Road 9 to the Heath Creek rest area.
On American Housewife, most of the Ottos contend with various relationship issues, while Greg sets out to secure his victory in the election.





Greg and Lonnie meet, and Lonnie warns Greg's in 4th place in the polls (despite there only being three candidates!) Never fear though - Lonnie's got a plan. He bribed a source for information on Greg's opponent Steve Hobart. Apparently, he goes for a foot massage every week, and after getting relaxed and uninhibited, he goes on and on about how he hates Westport and is only running for city council as a stepping stone for Congress. Greg resolves to secretly record Steve.





Meanwhile, Oliver mopes around about his kind-of ex-girlfriend Lindsey. He believes love is dead. Anna-Kat is busy preparing for her and Franklin's anniversary (of the first time they shared a piece of gum!). Taylor, on the other hand, is trying to figure out where she stands with Trip. They meet and mutually decide they want to take some space to see if they're really meant to be together. Taylor goes on another date with Andre but finds herself not quite ready to move on to another relationship.





Katie forces Oliver along to Stewart and Kingston's, where one of his classmates, Audra, is a waitress. She flirts with him, but Oliver could care less. Katie's not happy about Oliver's constant moping, so she, Tami, JD, and Walker decide to take action through some good old-fashioned cat-fishing. They log into Oliver's Instagram and start sending Audra messages as Oliver.





At home, Anna-Kat gives Franklin his anniversary present (a licorice cake!). And in return...Franklin performs a rap he wrote about his mother's minivan to her! Anna-Kat's definitely not impressed with her gift, and when she tells Franklin, he runs out. Katie advises Anna-Kat that she's gotten plenty of terrible gifts from Greg over the years too, but like Franklin, even his terrible gift-giving skills can't erase all the good things about him.





Greg commences his stealth operation to record Steve and dresses up as a mail carrier before heading down for a foot massage. Unfortunately for Greg, Steve isn't too interested in making new friends with a creepy mail carrier (or really talking at all), so it seems like the operation is a bust. But things turn around when Steve hands the masseuse (a dressed-in drag Lonnie) his work credit card to pay. Greg now has Steve misusing town funds for personal gain on video!





Taylor confides in Katie that she doesn't know why she was hesitant with Andre. Katie suggests Taylor focus on herself for a while since she's been in a relationship for so long. Taylor takes her advice and ends up...running into Trip at their favorite taco truck. Taylor admits that she's realized Trip is the only person she really wants to be with and she wants their time apart to be over. Trip agrees he's ready for the break to be over (only after finishing his drink that is!)





Katie finally tells Oliver what she and her friends did, and he's furious. But it's too late for Oliver to back on, as Katie invited Audra over and she's already at the door. The two hang out, but Katie, Tami, JD, and Walker are having to relay to Oliver everything they said to Audra over Instagram. When Katie tries to send Oliver a message, she accidentally messages Audra - from Oliver's account...while Oliver is sitting right in front of her. Oliver fesses up to Katie's schemes and insists it wasn't his idea, but that he's nevertheless happy he got to know Audra more. Although she's mad at first, Audra admits she can relate, her own mother is currently parked outside not so discreetly stalking the date! Oliver and Audra decide that despite their strange start, they want to continue getting to know each other.





Anna-Kat goes to see Franklin, who's been in the hospital - from an allergic reaction to licorice! He admits he knew he was allergic to it, but didn't want Anna-Kat's feeling to be hurt, so he ate it anyway, and then ran off when his tongue started to swell up! Franklin also tells Anna-Kat that the reason he wrote the song about the mini-van for her is that it's where they first shared a piece of gum. (Ew!...but also...Aw!)





Finally, Greg starts to get hesitant about releasing the secret video, but then he finds out Steve has already dropped out. Turns out, Lonnie went ahead and confronted him with the video, and he chose to drop out rather than have it released to the public!





Random thoughts:

-Franklin rapping was hilarious!





-The best quotes go to Katie when talking to Oliver about his lack of relationships - "You need a social life...a social life with boobs!" and Greg, when getting ready to conduct his "sting operation" on Steve - "I, Randall Stockton, mail carrier, am about to ruin a man's life!'
Update 4:37 P.M.: In a press conference held in Florida, the FBI confirmed that there were in fact human remains found in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park on Wednesday morning.

It was also confirmed that Brian Laundrie's backpack and notebook were found in the same area.

The FBI explained that the area had been, up until this point, underwater, and said that the evidence response teams and forensic specialists would "likely be unseen for days" as they attempt to search and investigate the area and the evidence.

Portions of both the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park and the Carlton Reserve remain closed to the public.

"This is an active and ongoing investigation," the FBI maintained. "We have no additional comment related to todays activities."

--

A new development in the search for missing fugitive Brian Laundrie as items that reportedly belonged to the 23-year-old were found in the park where authorities have been searching for him.

Chris and Roberta Laundrie joined North Port Police and the FBI at Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in North Port, Florida on Wednesday morning to search for their son after articles were found that belonged to Brian, per the familys lawyer.

Fox News reported that in a video showing the Laundrie parents meeting with law enforcement, an officer can be heard saying I think we might have found something.

The Laundries have maintained since the beginning of their sons disappearance that they last saw him on September 13 when he said he was going for a walk in Myakkahatchee Creek Park.

Related: Users Notice Unusual Activity on Brian Laundrie's Spotify and Instagram Profiles

Steven Bertolino, lawyer for the Laundrie family, said that a more thorough search of the park area is now being conducted, the park now being closed to the public.

"Some articles belonging to Brian were found," Bertolino said.

It was later reported that the Sarasota County Medical Examiners Office was called to the park though no further information has been provided.

Related: The Gabby Petito Case: How Social Media Completely Changed the Crime-Solving Landscape

Laundrie is currently the sole person of interest in the case of his deceased ex-girlfriend, 22-year-old Gabby Petito.

Petito went missing after the couple went on a cross-country camping and hiking trip and was later found dead in Wyoming.

Laundrie is also wanted on debit card fraud after making unauthorized charges on Petitos card after her disappearance.

The manhunt for Laundrie per that arrest warrant has been active since September 23.

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
STAMFORD  Bobby Valentine announced that the union for Stamfords teachers has endorsed him in his campaign for mayor.

As mayor, I will be a strong and passionate voice as a non-voting member of Stamfords Board of Education, on behalf of our teachers, parents and students, Valentine, who is running unaffiliated, said in a statement Wednesday. We are at a critical moment, challenged by COVID, emerging technologies, and social pressures.

The president of the Stamford Education Association, Diane Phanos, said to the best of her knowledge, its the first time the union has endorsed a mayoral candidate.

Affiliated with the Connecticut Education Association, the SEA has always endorsed Board of Education candidates, Phanos said, but this year, the unions executive board decided to endorse a candidate for mayor as well.

When the executive board met this summer ... what they brought up was the 20 months of stress and being overworked and dealing with the COVID pandemic and all of the safety issues and unhealthy working conditions that Stamford teachers have been going through that has led to low morale, Phanos said. So the executive board felt, at that point, we needed to get more involved in politics.

Valentine and Democratic candidate Caroline Simmons, a current state representative, met with members of the unions PAC this summer, Phanos said. The PAC recommended that the endorsement go to Valentine. SEAs executive board concurred with the PAC, and its faculty representative council concurred with the executive board.

Phanos said that in conversations with the union, Valentine expressed support for having more teacher involvement in decision making as well as hiring and retaining quality educators.

Simmons announced Wednesday that the Connecticut Employees Union Independent, which represents maintenance and service workers, had endorsed her.

They join many other unions representing working families in our city who are supporting my campaign because they understand whats at stake in this election and the important choice that Stamford voters face on Nov. 2, Simmons said in a statement.

Simmons has also been endorsed by the Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Association, while Valentine has been endorsed by the Stamford Police Association.

The Stamford mayoral election is Nov. 2.
STAMFORD  Democratic state Rep. Caroline Simmons went on the offensive during Tuesday nights mayoral debate, taking shots at unaffiliated candidate Bobby Valentines tenure as Stamfords public safety director during the Michael Pavia administration.

Asked during the debate, which was hosted by the Prometheum Foundation, about handling the COVID-19 pandemic, Simmons brought up Valentines stint as the citys director of public safety in 2011, asserting that he abandoned the people of Stamford when Tropical Storm Irene struck. Valentine, an analyst for ESPN at the time, was in Texas for a baseball game that weekend.

Its important that voters understand the track record of our mayoral candidates, and I have 12 years of federal and state experience showing up for the people of Connecticut, for the people of Stamford, and I will be a mayor whos ready on day one to keep you safe and to make courageous and tough decisions to protect the public safety of our community, said Simmons, who worked at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security before becoming a state representative.

Valentine shot back that if Simmons had been here in town during the storm, she would know that that was one of the most safe situations that ever occurred. Simmons moved to Stamford in 2013.

As a leader, I prepared for my absence, like all leaders do, with all of the heads of the departments in the city so that they knew exactly what they needed to do, Valentine said.

Valentine said he dealt with a number of other major situations as public safety director as well, including a sewage spill in Wallacks Point. He said he also worked hand in hand with then-Chief Robert Nivakoff, the state police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration to coordinate a raid targeting members of the Latin Kings.

Another line of attack from Simmons was that Valentine knew there was mold in Stamfords schools when he was director of public safety yet did nothing about it.

Mold was found in 11 of the citys school buildings in 2018. During a 2009 study of school facilities, consultants had recommended that mold assessments be performed in at least seven buildings.

Id like to ask my opponent how many times he ever came to testify before education, how many bonding dollars he secured for our schools, any schools that he rebuilt, Simmons said. Im proud of the work that we did as a Stamford delegation and will continue to be a leader on this.

Valentine said he has given a lot of money to all of our schools and all of our charities over the years.

Besides the physical infrastructure of the citys schools, the candidates were also asked whether they believe systemic racism exists in the school system  something the candidates for Board of Education discussed at a debate.

No question  theres racism, there is inequality, there is racial injustice happening in our schools and across our city, Simmons said, pointing to the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on the Black community and the disproportionate rate at which Black students are suspended.

As part of addressing the issue, Simmons said she wants to advance universal Pre-K and make sure that were recruiting a more diverse workforce in our schools.

Valentine said he will have to do some more research and talking to teachers and students to find out the answer to that very difficult question.

If there is, theres no place for it in Stamford or any other school around the country or for that matter around the world  that our students need to be treated equitably and treated fairly when they get there until the time they leave there, Valentine said.

He added that school administrators and teachers have told him that a key issue is making sure third-graders are able to read at a third-grade level.

We havent done a good job at that, and that is one of the main reasons that so many of our students are left behind  that their reading level isnt where it needs to be, Valentine said.

Simmons seized on Valentines response, which she called troubling.

Its not surprising that my opponent doesnt understand this because he continuously tries to divide us by saying that if you dont own in Stamford, you dont care, that if youre renting in the city, you dont care, that if you werent born in the city, then youre not worthy, said Simmons, who noted that some of Valentines campaign mailers have highlighted her Greenwich roots. I think this type of mindset reflects the values that he would bring as mayor, and its offensive.

Simmons was referring to a 28-second video clip, obtained by a Hearst Connecticut Media columnist, in which Valentine said that if youre not owning, youre not caring.

Of course we want to help individuals transition to homeownership if they want to, but why would we demonize half of our city who are renting, who cant afford a home? Simmons said. That is unacceptable, and those are not the values that I will bring as mayor. I will be a leader who welcomes everyone to our city. Whether youre renting or youre owning, you have a place here.

In response to Simmons, Valentine said his campaign manager, Dan Miller, has lived in Stamford for about 20 years as a renter, and Valentine said he has never found a person who cares more about this city than Dan Miller.

Valentine added that at the event where he made the comment, he was trying to make the point that we need more housing thats not only affordable but thats livable, and we also need to tell our contractors and find a way to (incentivize) them to build things that you can own.

As for Simmons claim that Valentine continuously tries to divide us, he argued that it is Simmons who has been dividing.

He noted that Simmons is both the Democratic and Independent Party-endorsed candidate for mayor. Valentines campaign literature has referred to Simmons Independent Party line on the November ballot as an attempt to fool voters.

The reason that Im running unaffiliated from all parties, without any favors, without any money, without any hackers that come from their political party, theyre not with me, and I want to set the right example, not the wrong one, he said.

The debate was held hours after Valentine announced on his social media pages that he and Simmons had signed a pledge promising to run a positive political campaign.

The Stamford mayoral election is Nov. 2.
STAMFORD  Justice appears to have caught up to a Norwalk man who has been on the run for nearly two decades after he was charged with sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in 2002.

Abraham Lucero, 47, pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual assault of a victim aged 13 to 15, risk of injury to a minor, second-degree forgery and first-degree failure to appear on Wednesday in Superior Court in Stamford as a part of plea agreement with state prosecutors.

The plea came more than 17 years after Lucero had originally agreed to a separate plea deal but fled the state before accepting his sentence, Assistant States Attorney Maureen Ornousky said.

Attorney Alex J. Martinez, who represents Lucero, declined to comment Wednesday.

He had eluded authorities by living under an assumed name for nearly 17 years before he was captured by Stamford police in February 2020.

Under the plea deal, Lucero will be sentenced to seven years in prison, after which he will serve 13 years of special probation. The prison sentence carries a mandatory minimum of nine months that he must serve before he can qualify for parole.

He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

Lucero was first arrested by police in 2002 on charges of having sex with a 15-year-old girl on three separate occasions.

At the time, police said Lucero had coerced the girl into sex, telling her if she did not have sex with him he would kill her and himself.

Lucero was charged with second-degree sexual assault of a victim aged 13 to 15, three counts of illegal sexual contact, and two counts of first-degree sexual assault by use of force.

In 2003, he accepted a plea bargain from state prosecutors, but he never appeared in court for his planned hearing and sentencing.

In late 2019, Stamford police said they received a tip that Lucero had moved back into the area under an assumed identity.

When officers finally located Lucero, who was living in Norwalk at the time, police said he presented them with a Maryland drivers license in the name of Guillermo Juarez-Ramos.

Police arrested Lucero after this incident and charged him with first-degree failure to appear and second-degree forgery.

Lucero is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 20.
Amy Goodman is the host of Democracy Now!, a daily international TV/radio news hour airing on more than 1,400 stations. She is the co-author, with Denis Moynihan and David Goodman, of the New York Times best-seller Democracy Now!: 20 Years Covering the Movements Changing America.
Ashtabula, OH (44004)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low near 30F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low near 30F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Blog Archive Apr 2010 (22) May 2010 (25) Jun 2010 (8) Jul 2010 (12) Aug 2010 (18) Sep 2010 (19) Oct 2010 (29) Nov 2010 (30) Dec 2010 (18) Jan 2011 (13) Feb 2011 (21) Mar 2011 (23) Apr 2011 (19) May 2011 (31) Jun 2011 (36) Jul 2011 (46) Aug 2011 (26) Sep 2011 (12) Oct 2011 (15) Nov 2011 (17) Dec 2011 (7) Jan 2012 (18) Feb 2012 (4) Mar 2012 (12) Apr 2012 (18) May 2012 (10) Jun 2012 (21) Jul 2012 (8) Aug 2012 (15) Sep 2012 (7) Oct 2012 (17) Nov 2012 (20) Dec 2012 (10) Jan 2013 (58) Feb 2013 (59) Mar 2013 (60) Apr 2013 (98) May 2013 (135) Jun 2013 (204) Jul 2013 (293) Aug 2013 (351) Sep 2013 (363) Oct 2013 (348) Nov 2013 (374) Dec 2013 (442) Jan 2014 (547) Feb 2014 (476) Mar 2014 (526) Apr 2014 (527) May 2014 (469) Jun 2014 (408) Jul 2014 (472) Aug 2014 (522) Sep 2014 (443) Oct 2014 (472) Nov 2014 (497) Dec 2014 (536) Jan 2015 (539) Feb 2015 (520) Mar 2015 (582) Apr 2015 (658) May 2015 (679) Jun 2015 (673) Jul 2015 (728) Aug 2015 (803) Sep 2015 (923) Oct 2015 (924) Nov 2015 (802) Dec 2015 (791) Jan 2016 (782) Feb 2016 (835) Mar 2016 (929) Apr 2016 (866) May 2016 (947) Jun 2016 (1044) Jul 2016 (882) Aug 2016 (1035) Sep 2016 (967) Oct 2016 (918) Nov 2016 (854) Dec 2016 (885) Jan 2017 (879) Feb 2017 (777) Mar 2017 (896) Apr 2017 (872) May 2017 (850) Jun 2017 (851) Jul 2017 (971) Aug 2017 (1040) Sep 2017 (998) Oct 2017 (1144) Nov 2017 (1046) Dec 2017 (838) Jan 2018 (873) Feb 2018 (769) Mar 2018 (885) Apr 2018 (809) May 2018 (827) Jun 2018 (820) Jul 2018 (840) Aug 2018 (854) Sep 2018 (844) Oct 2018 (851) Nov 2018 (870) Dec 2018 (912) Jan 2019 (919) Feb 2019 (827) Mar 2019 (957) Apr 2019 (913) May 2019 (1007) Jun 2019 (935) Jul 2019 (950) Aug 2019 (936) Sep 2019 (910) Oct 2019 (920) Nov 2019 (874) Dec 2019 (908) Jan 2020 (941) Feb 2020 (849) Mar 2020 (898) Apr 2020 (848) May 2020 (822) Jun 2020 (789) Jul 2020 (819) Aug 2020 (858) Sep 2020 (841) Oct 2020 (873) Nov 2020 (812) Dec 2020 (780) Jan 2021 (765) Feb 2021 (716) Mar 2021 (819) Apr 2021 (805) May 2021 (815) Jun 2021 (824) Jul 2021 (830) Aug 2021 (832) Sep 2021 (791) Oct 2021 (754) Nov 2021 (429)
Approximately 89,300 people, Romanian and foreign citizens, with over 33,000 means of transportation (of which 15,000 trucks) have carried out the verification formalities at the border crossing points nationwide, in the last 24 hours, the IGPF (General Inspectorate of the Border Police) informed on Wednesday.

Approximately 42,700 people were at the entry points, with 15,400 means of transportation, and for the exit points there were 46,600 people with 17,600 means of transportation, according to a press release sent to AGERPRES.

According to the quoted source, the Hungarian border was crossed by approximately 27,800 people and 15,500 means of transportation (6,900 trucks), of which for the exit points there were approximately 15,200 people with 8,800 means of transportation.Regarding specific activities, in areas of competence - crossing points and "green frontier" - in the last 24 hours the border police have identified 44 illegal acts (25 infractions and 19 misdemeanors) committed by both Romanian and foreign citizens.There were discovered, independently or in collaboration with other institutions, undeclared goods (which were about to be brought into the country illegally), that went over the admitted border threshold or were suspected of being counterfeit, with a total value of approximately 256,300 lei.The value of applied fines goes to over 55,000 lei.17 foreign citizens were denied entry into Romania in the last 24 hours, for not fulfilling the legal conditions, and also 5 Romanian citizens were denied exit due to various legal reasons.
The Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) will go for Thursday's consultations at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace with a clear mandate that the country must emerge from the current crisis with a prime minister who is a political outsider, AUR co-chair George Simion said on Wednesday.

"We will be there at Cotroceni tomorrow with a clear mandate: the country must get out of the current crisis. We have already decided and we are going with the same mandate to the consultations: an independent prime minister for the next six months, a prime minister who is a political outsider, a prime minister like Calin Georgescu," Simion told AGERPRES on Wednesday.

He added that the AUR team will also include Senator Claudiu Tarziu, AUR co-chair, deputy chairs Marius Lulea and Mihai Negoescu, and MP Geanina Serban, Agerpres informs.

On Thursday, President Iohannis will hold consultations with parliamentary parties and formations to designate a new prime minister after the cabinet chosen by current Prime Minister-designate Dacian Ciolos has failed Parliament's vote of confidence.
Deputy George Simion, co-chairman of AUR (The Alliance for the Union of Romanians) declared on Wednesday that he will not speak during his party's allocated time to to the swearing in of the Government proposed by Dacian Ciolos, because he noticed that USR (Save Romania Union) only speaks with PNL (National Liberal Party) and UDMR (Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania), "while PSD (Social Democratic Party) and AUR are outside the calculations", agerpres reports.

"USR, during talks, said that it will only speak with PNL and UDMR, PSD and AUR are outside the calculations. I can wait, we will wait, I am looking at my colleagues from USR PLUS

(Save Romania Union - Party of Liberty, Unity and Solidarity alliance), they also know that this Government will not pass. But still, if you want to talk, we will talk," Simion said at the presentation of the government programme and the Cabinet list.In context, the Senate chair, Anca Dragu, told the leader of AUR to talk, because there is an established order for this session.
The Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) on Wednesday rejected the notification of Senate President Anca Dragu on solving of a legal conflict between the Government and PM Florin Citu, on the one hand, and Parliament, on the other hand, in respect to of ministers, Agerpres informs.
The talks held on Wednesday by the interim Minister of National Defence, Nicolae Ciuca, with the U.S. Secretary of Defence, Lloyd J. Austin III, currently visiting Bucharest, focused on NATO priorities in the perspective of the meeting that starts on Thursday in Brussels, bilateral relations and military acquisitions, informed the Ministry of National Defence (MApN).

Minister Ciuca welcomed the receipt by Romania of the Dependable Undertaking status, which facilitates access to the latest American technology, highlighting the development of significant projects for the endowment of the Romanian Army in relation to the USA, based on the relevant budget allocations of 2% of GDP: ground-to-air missiles (PATRIOT), the multi-shot missile launcher system (HIMARS), the F16 multi-role aircraft, the Piranha 5 armored personnel carriers and the mobile anti-ship missile launcher system, a press release of the MApN issued for AGERPRES informs.

Ciuca expressed appreciation for the significant American investments at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base and Campia Turzii, as well as to the Cincu and Babadag Shooting Grounds, worth over 225 million dollars, Agerpres informs.

The two officials also addressed current issues on the Allied agenda, which will be discussed at a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.

"The Alliance is preparing for the Madrid Summit at the end of June 2022, with a view to defending common positions on adapting the Alliance, through what is known as the NATO 2030 process, and on strengthening a position of deterrence and defence effective in countering threats to Allied security, regardless of their origin," said Minister Ciuca.

He reiterated the importance Romania attaches to strengthening Allied cohesion and the transatlantic relationship: "We want the Alliance to remain strong and able to protect all its members and respond to their concerns. That is why for Romania, the transatlantic relationship is an important pillar of our defence policy".

In turn, Lloyd J. Austin III characterized the U.S.-Romania relationship as one based on trust and mutual respect and the political will to promote common goals in the field of defence, the MApN said.

The U.S. Secretary of Defence thanked Romania for its support and commitment to host, on a rotating basis, a significant number of U.S. troops, emphasizing Romania's leading role in the region in ensuring its essential infrastructure against adverse actions.
A number of 16,168 preschoolers and pupils and 5,590 education employees were confirmed to be infected with COVID-19, the Ministry of Education informed on Wednesday.

According to the same source, following the centralization of the reports from the pre-university education units, on Wednesday, the epidemiological situation is the following:

* Preschoolers/students confirmed to be infected with COVID-19: 16,168, Agerpres informs.

* Education employees confirmed to be infected with COVID-19: 5,590 people;

* Units with face-to-face activity suspended in full as a result of the application of art. 3 paragraph 2 of the joint order (request from the unit and approval of the ISJ/ISMB): 563;

* Education units teaching exclusively in online system following the application of art. 6 paragraph 2 of the joint order (at least 50pct of the number of suspended classes): 123;

* Education units teaching exclusively in online system following the application of art. 6 paragraph 9 of the joint order (DSP investigation, CJSU decision): 202;

* Education units teaching face-to-face, but which have at least one class/group with teaching in the online system: 3,958;

* Number of children/pupils studying online - regardless of the cause: 587,434 (approximately 20pct of the total number of students and preschoolers in the education system.
Minister of Education Sorin Cimpeanu informs that the institution he leads supports the adjustment of the school year structure to the "extremely serious" epidemiological situation in order to protect the right to health of students and teachers.

"All options are open in the context in which we do not understand to get vaccinated! In the situation where other activities are suspended, in the interest of protecting the right to health of students and teachers, we support the adjustment of the school year structure to the extremely serious epidemiological situation we are facing," said the Minister on Wednesday, when talking about the possibility of students having a one-month holiday, in the current pandemic context, to avoid online schooling.

On Tuesday, Romania hit record numbers of COVID-19 infections, and also in the number of deaths recorded among the SARS-CoV-2 patients, Agerpres informs.
The Ministry of Health informs that 4,175 vials of Tocilizumab of different sizes will be distributed to the public health directorates, under the agreement concluded with the producing company.

According to the Ministry, the distribution will be conducted at county level, depending on the number of COVID-19 infected patients reported by the hospitals and who are found in the ICUs on October 20, the patients confirmed to be invasively or non-invasively ventilated, the patients who need to be connected to oxygen, as well as depending on the existing stock of Tocilizumab at hospital level, according to the recommendations of the infectious diseases committee.

"The medicines will be collected from the public health directorates by the UNIFARM SA company, which will distribute them further to the hospitals, according to the existing procedures," reads the press release of the Ministry of Health, Agerpres informs.

Tocilizumab is a drug used to treat patients who develop severe forms of COVID-19 and an aggressive inflammatory response to the virus known as a "cytokine storm."
Police issued in the past 24 hours 2,343 fines worth a combined of nearly 400,000 lei, following 100,215 spot checks on the observance of Covid prevention measures and restrictions. Law enforcement also opened four criminal cases for thwarting the combat of the spread of disease, the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police (IGPR) informs in a release on Wednesday, agerpres reports.

Police, together with gendarmes, border police, personnel of the Emergency Situations Inspectorate, local police, representatives of the National Veterinary and Food Safety Authority, the Health Ministry, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the Transport Ministry and local authorities conducted 509 actions nationwide to check on compliance with the health protection measures, the cited release states.
Romania's only nuclear energy producer, the National Company Nuclearelectrica SA (SNN), is the first Romanian company to join the World Economic Forum, SNN announced today in a statement to the Bucharest Stock Exchange.

SNN will be a WEF member in two strategic areas, specifically the Platform for Shaping the Future of Energy, Materials and Infrastructure, and the Partnering Against Corruption Initiative, which support the company's strategic vision of building a sustainable future for tomorrow's generation, providing clean energy at the highest standards of excellence.

"We greatly appreciate the partnership with the World Economic Forum and look forward to a beneficial and fruitful cooperation. SNN aims to develop its integrated core expertise, to become an active part in capturing and generating development initiatives with a significant economic, social and organisational impact, in order to assess new opportunities for cooperation, expansion and development. Having in view our major investment projects, we are also looking for resilience and stronger economic and financial know-how. As both the World Economic Forum and SNN are interested in promoting carbon emission reduction programs, we are committed to capitalizing on the innovation trend and clean energy solutions," said Nuclearelectrica CEO Cosmin Ghita.

25 years after the commissioning of Romania's first nuclear reactor, Nuclearelectrica covers approximately 20 percent of the domestic consumption demand and 33 percent of the country's clean energy output. Nuclearelectrica supplied over 200 million MWh into the national grid at a capacity factor of over 90%, preventing the release into the atmosphere of over 170 million tons of CO2, the cited release states.

SN Nuclearelectrica SA is under the coordination of the Energy Ministry. As of 2013, the company is listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, having the Romanian state as main shareholder with 82.49 percent of the stake, while other shareholders control 17.50 percent thereof. SNN has two branches: the Cernavoda nuclear power plant, which operates Units 1 and 2, and the Pitesti Nuclear Fuel Plant, Agerpres informs.
The Chamber of Deputies and the Senate meet on Wednesday for the vote of investiture of the government proposed by Prime Minister-designate Dacian Ciolos.

The meeting is scheduled to kick off at 10:00.

According to the timetable, Prime Minister-designate Dacian Ciolos will present the government programme and the government's list. There will be debates followed by the vote on the request to grant the Parliament's confidence over the Programme and the entire list of the Government, agerpres reports.The list of ministers and the government programme were submitted to Parliament on Monday.The candidates proposed by prime minister-designate Dacian Ciolos are: Dan Barna - Minister of Foreign Affairs; Nicu Falcoi - Minister of National Defense; Alin Stoica - Minister of Internal Affairs; Stelian Ion - Minister of Justice; Dragos Pislaru - Minister of Finance; Catalin Drula - Minister of Transport and Infrastructure; Cristina Pruna - Minister of Energy; Claudiu Nasui - Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism; George Catean - Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Mihai Gotiu - Minister of Environment, Water and Forests; Cristian Ghinea - Minister of Investments and European Projects; Ioana Mihaila - Minister of Health; Ionut Mosteanu - Minister of Development, Public Works and Administration; Oana Toiu - Minister of Labour and Social Protection; Corina Atanasiu - Minister of Education; Monica Berescu - Minister of Research, Innovation and Digitization; Iulia Popovici - Minister of Culture; Tudor Pop - Minister of Youth and Sports.On Tuesday, the ministers proposed in the Ciolos Cabinet were heard in the select committees of the Parliament, all, with the exception of the proposed Minister of Transport, Catalin Drula, receiving negative opinions. Drula received a favourable opinion due to procedural error, after the committees did not obtain the necessary votes for an unfavourable opinion.The opinion of the committees when hearing the proposed ministers is advisory.According to the Constitution and regulations, the Parliament trusts the Government with the vote of the majority of deputies and senators. The vote is secret, with balls. At least one half plus one of the members of the two Chambers of Parliament must be present.To be sworn in, the Ciolos Cabinet needs the favourable vote of 234 MPs. The Save Romania Union (USR) which he is heading has 80 deputies and senators and no other parliamentary political party has announced that it supports the Cabinet proposed by Dacian Ciolos.The National Liberal Party (PNL)'s president Florin Citu said that liberal MPs will participate in the meeting, but will not vote, noting that it is the responsibility of the prime minister designate to make a majority.The Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) has made a decision similar to that of the liberals, meaning that the MPs of the UDMR will be present for the joint session to invest the Ciolos gov't, but will not cast their vote, the leader of the UDMR's Deputies Csoma Botond, said.The Social Democratic Party (PSD) will make a final decision on how the social-democratic MPs will behave in the vote in a meeting of the party leadership held one hour before the meeting of the reunited plenum, but the PSD leaders have stated, on several occasions, that they will not vote for a Government proposed by Dacian Ciolos.The Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) representatives also announced that they will not support a Government proposed by Dacian Ciolos.The leader of the national minorities, others than the Hungarian one, Varujan Pambuccian, said in his turn that he would not support the idea of a minority government, noting that the group he leads will always have a balanced attitude.Prime Minister-designate Dacian Ciolos on Tuesday appealed to lawmakers to go over political egos and vote in favour of the Cabinet he proposed, noting that it provides solutions.In case of non-granting of the vote of confidence, the Parliament, under the signature of the presidents of the two Chambers, shall at first bring this situation to the knowledge of the President of Romania, in order for him to designate another candidate for the position of Prime Minister.In case of adoption, the Parliament's decision on the granting of the vote of confidence shall also be submitted to the President so that he proceed with the appointment of the Government.
The chairman of PSD (Social Democratic Party) Marcel Ciolacu made an appeal on Wednesday towards all parliamentary party leaders to immediately meet and find a solution for pulling Romania out of the crisis.

"It is clear that this Government cannot pass. Even mister Ciolos knows, everyone knows. It is a mockery for Romanians, we cannot accept a Minister of Health who partook in this health disaster. But we must put urgently something instead. That is why I am making an appeal to all the party leaders in this room: I am asking to meet immediately and to find a solution together for pulling Romania out of this crisis. No more politics! This cannot go on. We must do something else, politicians must take a step back and to bring specialists and health experts that can urgently come with a project through which we can reduce our death toll. We have very good doctors even here, in Parliament. The sinister show must stop. I am asking you, now, at the last minute to be men of state. I am asking you to be alongside the Romanians in this war against death. I am asking you not to remain a black and ugly stain on the history of this country," Ciolacu said, in the reunited plenum of Parliament, during the session where the vote for the Ciolos Cabinet is being requested.

He added that while politicians have stood in Parliament to make more politics, "another few dozen Romanians lost their lives, Agerpres informs.
The chairman of PSD (Social Democratic Party) Marcel Ciolacu, said on Tuesday evening for the private broadcaster Prima TV that president Klaus Iohannis should be impeached, agerpres reports.

As a reply to a comment regarding the emerged ideas, according to which he is "guided" from outside the party and that he is "in the president's pocket", Marcel Ciolacu declared that he does not understand how he could be in the president's pocket and that, in his opinion, Iohannis should be impeached.

"Firstly, I do not understand how am I in his pocket, it is the first conspiracy of this evening, Iohannis asked me to bring down Citu, if he is guiding me. My opinion is that the president should be impeached. Don't we need a Government yet? I am not a man who thinks in extremes, I am a calm person and I make decisions within the party. If we look at the electoral scores, it means that things in PSD are working. At the last two elections, which we won, for both local and parliamentary," Marcel Ciolacu said.The PSD leader reaffirmed that social-democrats support the organization of early parliamentary elections and mentioned that if taking place, the party's list of candidates would remain unmodified."We have a clear decision. At this moment we went with this option (early elections, ed. n) because we don't see how they could be rewritten. The lists remain unmodified. We changed 75% of the parliamentary lists, I believe it is enough," Marcel Ciolacu specified.
Security and stability in the Black Sea region are in the national interest of the United States and are critical in terms of the security of the Eastern Flank, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said on Wednesday in a press conference with his Romanian counterpart Nicolae Ciuca, agerpres reports.

He said that "it is obvious that the region is vulnerable to Russian aggression and we have seen this from the actions taking place in eastern Ukraine, the occupation of several parts of Georgia, the militarization of the Black Sea and the provocative actions in the air and at sea."

I'd go on to say that the destabilising activities in the Black Sea area reflect (Russia's, ed. n.) ambitions to regain a dominant position in the region and to stop the creation of a Europe that is whole, free and at peace. Again, the Black Sea region is part of the US national interest and we will be focused on it and we will continue to work with our partners in the region, the US Secretary of Defense added.Lloyd J. Austin III will be welcomed by President Klaus Iohannis at Cotroceni Palace.Subsequently, he will go visit the southeastern military base at Mihail Kogalniceanu.The US Secretary of Defense's visit to Romania is part of a tour that also includes Georgia and Ukraine, before attending the NATO meeting in Brussels, which begins on Thursday.
An odd quirk of federal law is that you must take an RMD from each 401(k) you own. But if you have multiple IRA accounts, you have the option to add up all the RMDs you owe across all your accounts and then take the money from just one IRA.

Rollovers can save you money

Unless your entire career was spent hopping from one Fortune 500 company to another, its likely your old 401(k)s are costing you too much.

A 401(k) from a smaller employer typically offers mutual funds with annual expense ratios that are more than what you would pay if you rolled the money into an IRA at a brokerage.

Expense ratios are an annual fee a fund or exchange traded fund (ETF) charges.

All the big discount brokerages offer low-cost index mutual funds and ETFs with very low expense ratios below 0.10% or so. The funds offered in smaller workplace plans can charge expense ratios of 0.50% to 1.00% or more. That difference may seem like small potatoes, but low-cost investing can add thousands of dollars to your retirement stash over time.

How to roll over
On the other hand, vaccinations may increase in the coming months, if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows the shots for children between the ages of 5 and 11. And though the current vaccination rates are still well below the levels experts would like to see, more people are immunized now, and therefore have some protection from the virus.

And for many people, some precautions have become ingrained, said Dr. Elvin Geng, a professor of infectious diseases at Washington University. Gathering outdoors, and wearing a mask indoors, has become habitual. And most people are much less cavalier about going out in public or going to work when they are sick.

The seven-day average of new COVID-19 admissions fell below 40 on Saturday  a number task force officials have called a threshold for concern.

St. Louis Director of Health Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis said the health department is working to prepare for the winter  both for COVID-19, and for other respiratory illnesses. Through town halls and other community events, she plans to work to build confidence and access, to both the COVID-19 vaccines and the flu vaccine.

We need to make sure folks have access to both of these, especially in vulnerable communities, Hlatshwayo Davis said. Access is the biggest area of concern for me.

Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Patients have become very cynical about Medicaid expansion, she said. The patients that most desperately need it were really not well-informed about what was going on and had become, through the years, maybe a little leery of the fact that Medicaid expansion would ever go through.

Health advocates across Missouri celebrated a long-awaited victory this month when the Department of Social Services began processing applications for the expanded Medicaid program and enrolling those who qualify. It came after numerous hurdles to the plans implementation and nearly a decade of Republican opposition to the policy that was part of the Affordable Care Act.

Expanded eligibility means as many as 275,000 low-income Missourians can get on the program. For years, advocates have pointed to it as one way to improve primary care and the states bottom-of-the-nation health outcomes. As of early October, about 17,000 have applied and 4,300 applications have been processed.

Now, more than a year after the ballot measure expanding the program passed by a statewide vote, and more than three months after the courts ordered it implemented, the work connecting the uninsured to Medicaid falls to frontline staff like Noble in clinics like Good Samaritan.
Charter schools enroll close to 12,000 students in the city, while St. Louis Public Schools enrollment dropped below 20,000 last year. The district has lost more than 50% of its enrollment since the first charters opened in 2000.

Charter schools receive public funding but are operated independently of the school district. They can operate in St. Louis and Kansas City, and in other school districts that persistently fail to meet state accreditation standards. At least seven new charter schools are in the pipeline to open in St. Louis in the next few years.

The average annual performance score for local charter schools, which includes factors such as attendance, academic achievement, and high school or college preparedness, was 80% in 2018, the most recent figures available. St. Louis Public Schools scored 79%, according to state data.

Of the 30-plus charter schools that have opened in St. Louis since 2000, about half have been shut down for academic or financial failure. Carondelet Leadership Academy was the latest to shutter in June 2020, displacing 400 students and 50 staff members.
He resigned in June 2018 and avoided prosecution.

As for Schmitt, Hartzler takes on his prominent role in the 2011 debate over a failed $360 million air cargo hub in St. Louis that could have served as a gateway for goods and products from China.

By contrast, she said she was sanctioned by China for her role on the House Armed Services Committee, which has investigated military and economic threats by China.

I dont do their bidding, Hartzler says in the ad.

Hartzler campaign spokesman Mike Hafner said the ad is designed to set Hartzler apart from others in the race at an early stage of the election.

Were the first one out of the gate on TV. Our campaign is in a strong position, Hafner told the Post-Dispatch Wednesday.

The ad is running statewide on TV, including in the St. Louis area for the next week, he said.

This is a heavyweight U.S. Senate race and this ad shows Vicky Hartzler is not afraid to take on Eric Greitens, Hafner said.

It comes just days after the candidates reported their fundraising numbers for the third quarter heading toward the August 2022 primary election.
Webb said she expected her Republican colleagues would respect what the rule is.

Webb, who in July had joined Days and the Republicans in rescinding a previous county mask mandate before joining other Democrats in supporting the current order, called the Republicans resistance theater.

Over these eight weeks, were still in the same situation where this is going to be just theater for everyone, she said.

We as leaders said we would respect the law, whether we agree with it or not.

The debate was punctured by protesters jeering at Clancy and other Democrats and applauding Days and the Republicans.

After both votes, Days, in a lengthy retort, said she had asked Page to issue an order clarifying the rule for council chambers. She said the vote on masks was an effort to embarrass the council, claiming she did not want to order officers to remove anyone and put them in jeopardy.

This was an exercise to embarrass this council, it was an exercise to embarrass me as the chair, Days said. You ask me to put these officers in jeopardy for an issue that they do not control. I am not going to do that.
On Tuesday, Webb appeared to have been convinced by Trakas argument that the council had no authority to vote to open the record.

Webb asked Trakas to elaborate.

The Chasnoff decision, Trakas said, concerned whether police were required to release their investigative documents. But the Khan report, Trakas argued, belonged to Pages office.

We didnt conduct the investigation, we didnt create that report in question, Trakas said. That was created by the administration. And the Sunshine Law, in my opinion, is clear that we are not the governmental body authorized to release that document.

Fitch said the council vote was just meant to formalize his position that the Khan report is subject to open records requests.

He urged news organizations or members of the public to request the Khan report and sue if denied.

Clearly this is already an open record, I was just trying to formalize it with this vote and obviously that failed but that does not mean it remains a closed record, Fitch said. That will be up to a court to decide.

Right to privacy?
Asked on Tuesday why DESE blamed a reporter for the security issue, Vandeven said, I would ask you to do your research on  on where and who is responsible for those data security issues before you make that accusation.

In response to a question about the description of hacking, DESE spokeswoman Mallory McGowin said, those are phrases and words that are included in an Office of Administration press release.

During the state board meeting, Vandeven gave a short statement, saying I cannot stress enough that our agency is taking this issue very seriously and that the security of our data is of the utmost importance to us  as we are under an investigation, we are limited in the types of information we can provide.

Board President Shields said many organizations have experienced challenges with data security, including Truman Medical Centers where he is president and CEO.

We will continue to have to devote more and more resources to build that firewall against the challenges that are coming from the outside, he said.

$50 million
But defendants in the case  who included House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch, Senate President Don Harmon, the Illinois State Board of Elections and its individual members  argued that because lawmakers had come back in the summer to pass a second set of maps, any challenge to the first set should be considered moot.

The court, however, rejected that argument, noting that even though lawmakers had passed a second set of maps, they never specifically repealed the first set.

But it also rejected the Republicans request to order formation of a bipartisan commission, calling that implausible, given the limited time remaining before the 2022 primaries.

The judges also rejected the notion that legislative maps could be held unconstitutional simply because they were drawn to protect the majority party.

But the court also had some harsh criticisms for the process used to pass the second set of maps, including the fact that the public was given only a few hours to review those maps before they were voted on in the House and Senate.
Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money.

Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists.
After years of sales efforts, and a growing reputation for state-of-the art, combat tested weapons, Israel is selling more and more to NATO nations, which have long considered themselves the best alternative for American high-tech equipment. Since 2018 Israel has been the tenth largest arms exporter and has been closing in on 9 th place Spain and 8 th place Britain. Israel has often surpassed European and American offerings and one of the latest examples is the Czech Republic purchase of four batteries of the Israeli Spyder (Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby) air defense systems for $630 million. It is a SHORAD (Short Range Air Defense) system to protect key industrial and government facilities as well as nuclear power plants and airports. This is the first time Israel has made such a major air-defense sale to a NATO country. Israel has a complete range of air defense systems, most of them combat tested. Other NATO nations have long provided a variety of air defense systems and this is the first time a major competitor from outside NATO has established a foothold. Russia and China have tried, but are faced with security risks as both countries are hostile to NATO.

Each Spyder battery is mobile with everything mounted on trucks. A battery consists of a system control vehicle, a radar vehicle, a resupply vehicle and six missile launcher vehicles each with four missiles. If trucks are used, all vehicles can use transport aircraft like the C-130 for rapid movement.

In 2016 Rafael, the manufacturer of the Spyder, introduced an even more mobile version that uses tracked vehicles instead of wheeled ones. The tracked vehicle carries four missiles, the radar and fire control system. This version is meant to accompany fast moving combat units.

Spyder has been around since 2005. Spyder is still available in the original, truck mounted version and that continues to be the most popular version. While a Spyder launcher can carry both heat seeking (Spyder SR) and radar homing (Spyder MR) missiles, customers can save some money by purchasing batteries that just use Spyder SR, which uses a less expensive radar.

Spyder launchers can carry the Python 5 heat seeking missile (3.2 meters/ten feet long, 105 kg/231 pounds, with a range of 15 kilometers) or the Derby radar guided missile (3.6 meter/11.2 feet long, 121.4 kg/267 pounds, with a range of 30 kilometers). The Derby is a larger Python, with more fuel and a radar-controlled guidance system. Python has an 11 kg (23 pound) warhead while the one on Derby is 23 kg (51 pound). The Spyder MR radar system has a maximum range of 100 kilometers. The missiles can hit targets as high as 9,000 meters (28,000 feet) and as low as 20 meters (63 feet). At least one Spyder battery was purchased by the Israeli military but most have been exported to at least eight customers.

Inspirations for Spyder were earlier systems using air-to-air missiles as SAMs (Surface to Air Missile). Israel, a small country which already developed and used several of its own air defense systems, had little need for Spyder. Israeli firms noted that some of their export customers were interested in a new air defense system using the American AMRAAM radar guided missile. Rafael investigated that and realized they could create a more flexible and cheaper competitor. Spyder was a success but that did not seem to hurt an earlier competing Norwegian system.

In the 1990s a Norwegian firm developed the NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) anti-aircraft system using AMRAAM as a SHORAD SAM. NASAMS uses the American AMRAMM radar guided air-to-air missiles but fired from a six-missile container instead of an aircraft. This ground based AMRAAM weighs 159 kg (350 pounds) and has a range of 30 kilometers while it's radar can see out 50-70 kilometers. The missile can hit targets as high as 21 kilometers (65,000 feet). A NASAMS battery consists of 12 launcher vehicles (each carrying six missiles), eight radar vehicles, one fire control center, and one tactical control vehicle.

What makes the AMRAMM so effective as a SAM is the capabilities of its guidance system, which is about two thirds of the $400,000 missile's cost. Testing also revealed that AMRAAM could be used to shoot down cruise missiles. Norway believed that the combat proven AMRAAM used by NASAMS was a good long-term choice for air defense because the United States is constantly updating the missile.

Norway pioneered the use of AMRAAM as a surface-to-air missile and other systems have been developed using AMRAAM. But the Norwegian version is seen as the best of the lot. Norway uses it as do at least a dozen nations that have purchased it.

Much earlier, in the late 1960s the U.S. Army developed the Chaparral System, using an earlier model of the Sidewinder heat seeking air-to-air missile. Four ready to fire Sidewinder missiles were mounted on a tracked vehicle along with eight missile reloads. Each had a range of six, later nine kilometers and could hit targets as high as 3,000 meters (10,000 feet). There was no radar, just an optical sight modeled on what a fighter pilot would use for this short- range missile. In the 1980s a FLIR (heat sensing) sighting unit was added. Chaparral remained in U.S. service into the 1990s and was exported as well.
FILE PHOTO: Cabins at a vaccination centre, temporarily set up in the Erika-Hess ice stadium to fight the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic are seen in Berlin, Germany, January 14, 2021. Kay Nietfeld/Pool via REUTERS

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany may miss its target to donate 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses this year due to conditions imposed by manufacturers and delivery shortfalls, a health ministry official said in a letter to Brussels seen by Reuters.

The 100 million doses account for half the total promised by European Union member states to poorer countries this year, according to the European Commission.

The German foreign office said on Oct. 19 that Germany had only donated just over 17% of that amount.

In a letter on Monday to the European Commission's Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), health ministry state secretary Thomas Steffen said there were "ongoing bureaucratic, logistical and legal problems" imposed by vaccine makers on EU countries wanting to donate surplus shots.

Steffen said these factors made "a quick response to international requests for help almost impossible."

The letter is the strongest sign yet of the tensions between governments and drugmakers over donations.

The EU and rich countries, most of whose most vulnerable citizens have been vaccinated, are under pressure from the World Health Organization to deliver more doses to poorer nations, many of which have inoculated only a fraction of their people.

"With vaccine surpluses in many member states increasing at present, we will soon be facing a situation of global allocation emergency," Steffen wrote. "Some countries could be forced to waste large volumes of valuable vaccines urgently needed in other parts of the world."

He said obstacles included minimum sales prices, onerous compensation payments required of recipient countries and restrictions on distributing to international organisations.

Changes in expected delivery volumes and expiration dates of vaccine doses also made planning more difficult, he added.

Steffen said AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson could together only deliver up to 50 million doses of their COVID-19 vaccines this year, meaning Germany would also have to donate Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna shots that are the mainstays of its vaccination drive.

In response, Johnson & Johnson said it would help countries with surplus doses to donate them to other countries, especially using the international COVAX facility, as long as the countries met safety, legal, regulatory and logistical requirements.

AstraZeneca said it was supporting donations in addition to regular supply agreements with individual countries and COVAX, and said it had helped with about 85% of all donations in Germany so far.

"The donation of vaccines is a complex administrative process with long lead times that are outside vaccine manufacturers' control," it added.

Other manufacturers could not immediately be reached for comment.

EU countries have mostly promised to donate AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Many have restricted the use of these vaccines due to very rare cases of blood clotting.

Any shortfall in donations is likely to heighten criticism of richer nations, which are rolling out boosters and inoculating teenagers considered a low-risk from COVID-19, while the pandemic rages elsewhere.

(Reporting by Andreas Rinke Writing by Zuzanna Szymanska; Editing by Mark Potter and Edmund Blair)
Air Force Capt. Orr Genish, 37th Bomb Squadron weapons systems officer, watches a B-1B Lancer bomber land at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia, Oct. 17, 2021. (Hannah Malone/U.S. Air Force)

B-1B bombers and about 200 airmen deployed recently to the island of Diego Garcia in the center of the Indian Ocean, the first time Lancers have operated there in over 15 years, the Air Force said Tuesday.

The bombers arrived late last week to support Pacific Air Forces continuing Bomber Task Force mission, the service said in a news release Tuesday.

Lancers of the 28th Bomb Wing flew from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., to Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia, the Air Force said.

Citing operational security, Pacific Air Forces declined to specify the number of bombers sent to Diego Garcia, which is a territory of Great Britain, or how long the deployment would last.

Airfields in Diego Garcia and Andersen Air Force Base on Guam are key hubs in the Air Forces effort to maintain a bomber presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

The bomber missions demonstrate Americas commitment to allies and partners through the employment of military force, the Air Force said.

Sorties flown during the deployment support differing objectives of geographic combatant command and training requirements.

The task force missions are an opportunity to showcase the unmatched range, speed and lethality of the B-1, Lt. Col. Ross Hobbs, 37th Bomb Squadron director of operations, said in the news release.

Its been over 15 years since B-1s have operated out of this location and the 37th Bomb Squadron is beyond proud to be back, he said. We are extremely grateful for the opportunity and well prepared to meet our nations call.

Great Britain forcibly expelled the native inhabitants from Diego Garcia beginning in the late 1960s to establish a military base on the island for British and American forces.

Former inhabitants have sought to regain control of their former home, and in 2019 the International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled that the U.K. had not legally separated Diego Garcia from Mauritius in 1965.

The U.N. General Assembly subsequently ordered the U.K. to help resettle Mauritian nationals to the island.
A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refuels a B-1B Lancer in flight over the Black Sea, Oct. 19, 2021. This still image from video was recorded by Russian crew members aboard a Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet, which mobilized in response to the U.S. flights over international waters. (Russian Defense Ministry)

A pair of Russian fighter jets intercepted four U.S. military planes in international airspace over the Black Sea, the Kremlin said Wednesday.

Two U.S. B-1 bombers and two KC-135 tanker refueling planes were intercepted Tuesday, Russian officials said.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the two Su-30 fighters had been scrambled to prevent a violation of Russias state border.

The encounter, which appears to have occurred without incident, happened amid NATOs annual deterrence exercise Steadfast Noon, taking place this week all across southern Europe.

Aircraft from 14 NATO countries, including the U.S., are taking part in the drill. The U.S. B-1B Lancers operating in the Black Sea are from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas and have been carrying out missions across Europe as part of a bomber task force rotation.

The U.S. military regularly flies in international airspace over the Black Sea, and encounters with Russian aircraft have become commonplace.

While most intercepts occur without incident, the U.S. has cited instances in recent years of Russian planes flying too close to American aircraft or buzzing Navy ships on patrol.

The Black Sea has been a focal point this week for the Pentagon. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is touring the region, making stops in Georgia, Ukraine and Romania.

On Thursday, Austin will attend a NATO defense ministers meeting at alliance headquarters in Brussels.

John Vandiver
Combat firearms instructor James Hansen fires his weapon in the new Small-Arms Indoor range at Westover Air Reserve Base. Officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new facility. (Don Treeger, The Republican/TNS)

CHICOPEE, Mass. (Tribune News Service)  More than $57 million in improvements will move hundreds of Westover Air Reserve Base employees out of the cold, rain, snow or blazing sun and allow them to do many of their jobs more efficiently and comfortably.

Military officers joined with federal and local officials Tuesday to break ground on a hangar designed for the inspections base personnel perform on the countrys fleet of C-5M Super Galaxy cargo jets. They then took a short walk to celebrate the opening of the bases indoor firing range.

To have the opportunity to have this brand new maintenance hangar speaks volumes of what this instillation means and provides, not only for the nations defense and the United States Air Force but also for this community, said Col. Joseph Janik, commander of the 439th Airlift Wing at Westover.

The $46.4 million hangar will be designed for the Regionalized Isochronal Inspection program, which requires every piece of every C-5 jet in the Air Force fleet to be inspected every 14 months. Since 2006, Westover has been one of just two bases that conduct the inspections.

Combat firearms instructor James Hansen fires his weapon in the new Small-Arms Indoor range at Westover Air Reserve Base. Officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new facility. (Don Treeger, The Republican/TNS) A groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new Regional ISO Maintenance Hangar at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee. This is a rendering of the building. (Don Treeger, The Republican/TNS) Chicopee Mayor John Vieau looks through a night vision scope in the new Small-Arms Indoor range at Westover Air Reserve Base. Officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new facility. (Don Treeger, The Republican/TNS) Congressman Richard Neal (L) talks with Colonel Joseph Janik, commander of the 439th Airlift Wing, Westover Air Reserve Base, before a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Regional ISO Maintenance Hangar on the base. (Don Treeger, The Republican/TNS) Officials shovel some dirt at Westover Air Reserve Base during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Regional ISO Maintenance Hangar on the base. (Don Treeger, The Republican/TNS)

The problem is Westover never had a hangar large enough to fit a whole C-5. At 247 feet long, the C-5 is the worlds second-largest aircraft.

Over the years Westover created doors that could close around the rear of the plane to keep the existing hangars warmer or cooler inside. But the huge tail of the jet still stuck out, forcing mechanics to work outside in any weather.

No matter what, Westover men and women get the job done and get the planes back in the sky, Janik said, but it isnt ideal.

Now with the brand new hangar it is going to be actually fully enclosed for the aircraft. Go figure. It is a great opportunity for the men and women to get the mission accomplished, he said.

The hangar was designed by Burns and McDonnell, an engineering and architecture firm in Kansas City, Mo. It is expected to take three years to build and will be located at the end of the bases existing row of hangars. An obsolete and little-used facility called Building 2426 will be torn down to make room for the new structure.

It will measure more than 100,000 square feet and will include a sheet metal shop, offices and other features needed for inspection operations.

U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal announced in December that the project had been approved and the money had been allocated. During Tuesdays ceremony, he detailed the step-by-step process, which started with a former base commander approaching him to explain the need for a new hangar. It then went through a complex series of authorizations and approvals by multiple legislative committees and the Department of Defense.

This process began a long, long time ago, Neal said. It was more than 10 years ago.

Two decades ago, Department of Defense officials were questioning if Westover, which is the largest employer in Chicopee, would even continue to exist. While enumerating some of the recent projects on the base, including runway improvements, a new air traffic control center and the firing range, Neal said it is clear Westover today is thriving.

An honor guard arrives at Westover Air Reserve Base during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Regional ISO Maintenance Hangar on the base. (Don Treeger, The Republican/TNS) Colonel Joseph Janik, commander of the 439th Airlift Wing, Westover Air Reserve Base, speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Regional ISO Maintenance Hangar on the base. (Don Treeger, The Republican/TNS) Congressman Richard Neal speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Regional ISO Maintenance Hangar at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee. (Don Treeger, The Republican/TNS) A laser sight pierces the darkness in the new Small-Arms Indoor Range at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee. Officials held a ribbon cutting for the new facility. (Don Treeger, The Republican/TNS) Tech Sgt. Bobby Trevino gives a demonstration of the new Small-Arms Indoor range at Westover Air Reserve Base. Officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new facility. (Don Treeger, The Republican/TNS) This is the new Small-Arms Indoor range at Westover Air Reserve Base. Officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new facility. (Don Treeger, The Republican/TNS)

I daresay it was operation Desert Storm that demonstrated the value of Westover in Americas national defense challenge at that time, Neal said, referring to the Gulf War of 1991. Since then the base has proved invaluable as a strategic staging area ferrying equipment and personnel overseas.

Neal also talked about the more than 5,000 military and civilian jobs Westover provides and the more than $190 million it puts into the Western Massachusetts economy every year.

Janik talked about the valuable backing Westover has received from everyone from city officials, state legislators and Neal to local businesses that hire part-time reservists and support them when they are deployed overseas.

The event brought out dozens of distinguished guests including Brig. Gen. William Kountz, director of logistics, engineering and force protection for the Air Force Reserve Command; retired Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, of Southampton, former director of the Air National Guard; a representative from U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warrens office; multiple leaders of the 439th Airlift Wing; and Chicopee officials Mayor John L. Vieau, school superintendent Lynn A. Clark, Treasurer Marie Laflamme and police chief William R. Jebb.

When cutting the ribbon at the nearby firing range, Janik said he expects the high-tech facility to serve Air Force reservists as well as U.S. Marine Corps and Army units on base, local police departments in places like Chicopee, Springfield, Ludlow and Granby, and the three-letter federal agencies operating in Western Massachusetts.

Westover will keep its outdoor range for a variety of purposes, including training with some of the most powerful weapons. Having the indoor range will make it easier and more efficient to ensure everyone on base who needs to be qualified on different weapons can do so, said David Morin, the civil engineer for Westover.

While this facility may not be the most attractive from the outside ... its whats inside that really matters, Morin said.

What is inside is 28 firing lanes, so more people can practice or qualify at the same time; adjustable lighting, so those who need to qualify for night shooting do not have to wait until dark; sound barriers; and a high-tech ventilation system.

We can train the maximum and be supportive of our greater community, Morin said.

In a tour of the range, Master Sgt. Adam Tremblay, a firearms instructor, demonstrated an M249 squad auto machine gun and M4 and M4A1 carbine rifles. Multiple other guns can also be used in the facility, he said.

The new range is also saving members of the 439th time. Before it was constructed, they had to travel more than three hours to Camp Ethan Allen in Jericho, Vt., to qualify on certain tests, he said.

2021 Advance Local Media LLC.

Visit masslive.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A soldier receives a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan at Fort Bragg, N.C., on Oct. 18, 2021. The scan/study is part of a comprehensive body composition study examining the association between body composition and a soldiers physical performance and the Armys efforts to optimize holistic health and fitness and improve soldier readiness. (Lilliana Fraser/U.S. Army)

The Armys decades-old tape test used to determine whether soldiers meet body fat standards could be on its way out when the service gets the results of a new body composition study launched Monday at Fort Bragg, N.C., Army officials said.

The study will compare data gleaned from the roughly 30-year-old tape test  officially known as manual circumference measurements  with information provided by three new technology-driven measurement techniques in an effort to understand the relationship between soldiers size and composition and their health, service officials said. The Armys Center for Initial Military Training and its Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, known as USARIEM, are leading the study that will gather data from about 1,500 soldiers at Fort Bragg through Oct. 29.

The [study] really came from an outpouring of soldiers at just about every stop Ive had who want to know about the [Army Combat Fitness Test] and then they want to know if were going to do something about height and weight standards, said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston, the Armys top enlisted soldier who visited Fort Bragg on Tuesday to observe the study. The rationale was  it was time to look at it, and [consider] ... what technology do we have today that didn't exist 30 years ago? Theres a lot of new technology . but, is it better or worse than what we're doing?

Volunteer soldiers participating in the study each go through all four body composition assessments. This includes the traditional tape test, which uses a regular measuring tape to calculate body fat percentages based on Army height and weight tables. It measures neck and abdomen circumference in men and neck, waist and hips circumference in women.

The other three tests use machines to gather masses of data about an individuals body. They are:

 Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, or DXA, which is considered the medical industrys gold standard body composition assessment, using low-energy x-ray photos to determine the amount of muscle, fat and bone within a human, according to the Army.

 Bioelectrical impedance analysis, or BIA, which uses low-level electrical currents flowing at different rates through the body to produce body composition and body water level data based on a persons size in a 60-second scan.

 Three-dimensional body scan, which examines a persons entire body surface using infrared technology to collect some 2 million pieces of data, including the amount of muscle and fat a person has within their body.

Grinston said Tuesday that it was much too soon to make any real guess if Army leaders will decide to adopt any of the technology-driven techniques or kill the tape test. He defended the test as cost-effective and generally accurate for measuring a persons body fat percentage.

Is this going to change anything? I have no idea. Stay tuned, he said. Were literally on the second day  [and] the ultimate goal is to make us more healthy as individual soldiers, so well let the science do the talking.

The study is meant to gather data to be used to determine much more than whether to keep the tape test, said Holly L. McClung, a nutritional physiologist with USARIEM helping lead the study. The data gathered from soldiers via the four tests  along with their scores for Army fitness tests and other health information  will help scientists better understand the relationship between body makeup, health and performance, she said. It comes as the Army works to shift the service toward a culture focused on holistic health, which encompasses mental health, nutrition and other wellness factors along with physical training.

McClung said the study would sample soldiers of all shapes and sizes, races and ethnicities and it would include at least one-third women among those tested. She said she hopes it will provide Army leaders with new insights into the relationship between body composition and certain injuries such as knee and back problems so pervasive among service members. It also could provide new data about the recovery needed among postpartum mothers.

Were really interested in looking at what the time for recovery impacts on their body composition, and does it have any link to their birthing method, McClung said.

The study began at Fort Bragg, and McClung expects to gather most of the data needed from soldiers at the North Carolina post. It will include assessment of active-duty, National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers, she said. The study might add additional stops later to collect further information, McClung said.

Officials hope to gather preliminary data by December, but they acknowledged it could be six to nine months before their study is completed and senior leaders can decide what, if any, decisions to make across the force.

Grinston said soldiers participating in the study told him Tuesday that they appreciated the Army looking at body composition, even if the service does not make major changes to its policies.

They said, Even if you dont change it, at least you're looking at it, youve heard us. Its something were concerned about, he said. Were talking about the health of our soldiers here. And their height, their weight and how healthy and physically fit they are matter for them as individuals and for their units.
Two helicopter mechanics carry a rotor blade to mount on an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter at Coast Guard Air Station Detroit, Michigan. (Harry C. Craft III/U.S. Coast Guard)

(Tribune News Service)  Michigan has been chosen as the site of a new Coast Guard National Center of Expertise that will study the impact of freshwater oil spills with the aim of improving effective emergency responses.

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters announced that the center will be located at two sites within Michigan: Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, where its supervisor would be located, and another site at the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor.

Peters worked to designate $4.5 million in federal funding, including $3 million in the year-end spending package last year for the center after getting a bill passed to establish it. Former President Donald Trump signed the legislation in 2018.

The legislation followed a hearing in 2017 where the then-commandant of the Coast Guard told Peters that the agency was not prepared for an oil spill in the Great Lakes, as existing technologies for responding to oil spills are designed for salt-water environments.

Peters legislative language directed the center to be located at an institution that has aquatic research facilities and expertise in Great Lakes ecology. It also had to be near critical crude oil pipeline infrastructure on and connecting the Great Lakes such as submerged pipelines.

The center is expected to focus on scientific or technological gaps in responses to past freshwater oil spills and will be tasked with testing, developing and researching equipment and techniques for responding to oil spills in the Great Lakes and training first responders.

An oil spill in the Great Lakes would be catastrophic for Michigan and the country  thats why we must do everything possible to protect them for future generations and improve our preparedness, said Peters, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

I worked to establish the Center of Expertise to better prepare against any potential oil spill in freshwater environments, and Im pleased that it will be based in Michigan.

Lake Superior State University President Rodney Hanley said the designation of the university as the centers new hub will provide real-world, hands-on teaching and learning for students, faculty, and staff and will underwrite several research positions at the $14 million Richard and Theresa Barch Center for Freshwater Research and Education facility, which is set to open by the end of the year.

(c)2021 The Detroit News

Visit The Detroit News at www.detnews.com
Sgt. Tyler Andrews, the Folsom, Calif., native and Marine who was injured in a suicide bomber attack in Afghanistan, spoke out for the first time on social media. (Facebook)

(Tribune News Service)  Sgt. Tyler Andrews, the Folsom, Calif., native and Marine who was injured in a suicide bomber attack in Afghanistan, spoke out for the first time on social media.

"Let me start by saying that these past almost 2 months have indeed been hard," he said in a social media post. "I have been trying to figure out what I want to say and how to say it. The outpouring of support from friends, family, organizations, and even just complete strangers has been unreal. I won't ever be able to thank everyone enough, but still, thank you."

Andrews, 23, underwent 25 surgeries for severe injuries he suffered from the blast, including a leg amputation, full hip disarticulation and right arm amputation, said Warfighter Overwatch, a veteran and first-responder support group.

After two months of treatment, Andrews was moved out of ICU in stable condition on Oct. 14.

"I hate the way I look right now and I'm working mentally on coming to terms with loss of my right arm and my left leg," Andrews said. His statement was accompanied by a photo of him sitting up in a hospital bed.

"Every day I am working toward my recovery," he added. "Some days are better than others, but you best believe I will still strive to be the best version of myself regardless of these injuries. I just have new challenges now and physically am a different person, but I'll see how far I can go with this new body haha. Thank you again to everyone, you have my love and my family's."

Andrews was among 18 American service members who survived the bombing as they were working to evacuate Afghan refugees and Americans. Of those injured, Andrews suffered the most catastrophic injuries, Warfighter Overwatch said at the time.

Following the attack, Andrews was transported to Germany for medical treatment. His mother, Tiffany Andrews, an attorney in Folsom, joined her son there and has been at his side every step of the way, Warfighter Overwatch said.

Andrews was transferred to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., earlier this month after his injuries stabilized.

As of Sept. 1, 14 other Marines were being treated at Walter Reed, with three in serious condition and 11 in stable condition, according to the Marine Corps Times. By mid-September, seven Marines were still at Walter Reed.

The Folsom community has rallied around Andrews and his family, providing meals, raising money and tying yellow ribbons around the city.

A GoFundMe fundraiser seeking to raise money for Andrews' long-term care had raised over $350,000 as of Wednesday. Warfighter Overwatch is collecting donations on their website for Andrews, his mother and his two younger siblings. Donations are also being accepted by First Northern Bank in Roseville.

(c)2021 The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, Calif.)

Visit The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, Calif.) at www.sacbee.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A tunnel inside of the Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii is shown in this undated file photo. (Shannon Haney/U.S. Navy)

(Tribune News Service)  A dozen state lawmakers are asking a top U.S. Navy official to support an independent investigation into whether people under his command sought to hide details about a fuel leak into the waters of Pearl Harbor from state health officials and the public out of concern it could jeopardize the Navy's permit to continue operating its Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.

A Navy pipeline failed two leak detection tests in January, just prior to the start of a contentious contested case hearing before the state Department of Health over the Navy's Red Hill permit. Navy officials didn't report the failures to state health officials for another three months, according to a June letter from the Health Department to the Navy.

Citing local news reports that the Navy had delayed reporting the pipeline failures due to "optics" and "politics," which the Navy denies, lawmakers Tuesday asked Capt. Darren Guenther, chief of staff for Navy Region Hawaii, to look into the matter.

"If true, we ask that violating U.S. Navy officials be held accountable for their failure to be completely truthful with regulators and the residents of O'ahu," according to the letter sent to Guenther and signed by state Reps. Sonny Ganadan, Jeanne Kapela, Matthew LoPresti, Takashi Ohno, Jackson Sayama, David Tarnas, Bertrand Kobayashi, Lisa Marten, Amy Perruso, Adrian Tam and Tina Wildberger. State Sen. Stanley Chang also signed the letter.

Earlier this month Honolulu Civil Beat obtained copies of emails and other documents from a Navy employee that indicated the active leak. Among the documents was a Jan. 21 email from an unidentified Navy captain who warned that "activist organizations will use (the active leak) to advance their anti-Red Hill narrative ... at a sensitive time as the contested case hearing begins and (the) legislative season starts."

The lawmakers are also asking the Navy to investigate the causes and extent of the fuel leak, how the leak was reported to regulators, whether all of the fuel was cleaned up and whether the Navy was fined for the leak or suffered any other enforcement actions.

Lydia Robertson, a Navy spokeswoman, said that it was not true that Navy officials hid evidence of the leak out of concern that it could jeopardize the Red Hill permit. She told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that officials had immediately notified the state Department of Health in March 2020 that fuel had been spotted in the harbor, and the Navy has since been working closely with the Health Department and U.S. Coast Guard "to identify the source of the release, stop it, and clean the area affected by the release."

The Navy's response did not address the alleged three-month delay this year in reporting the pipeline failures. Those failures, combined with the visual evidence spotted in 2020, was confirmation that there had been a fuel release from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, according to the letter that the Health Department sent to the Navy in June.

The Navy said approximately 7,100 gallons of fuel was recovered from the site, which likely includes a mixture from older sources. The fuel was recovered from the harbor and the soil.

The Navy said that the pipeline is used to transfer fuel from ships at Hotel Pier to a fuel facility for disposal and is not part of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. The pipeline was out of service for more than 20 years but was repurposed to collect discharges from pressure relief valves, according to the Navy, which said the pipeline ends at an above-ground storage tank and is about 4 miles away from the Red Hill facility.

"It is not connected to Red Hill, " said Robertson.

The state Department of Health declined to comment on the fuel leak and whether officials believe it is connected to the Red Hill fuel facility, citing the contested case and potential for enforcement action.

The Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility has been under intense scrutiny from environmentalists and government regulators since 27,000 gallons of fuel leaked from one of its massive underground tanks in 2014. Subsequent news reports revealed a long history of leaks at the aging facility. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply and Hawaii Sierra Club have expressed alarm over the years that the facility, which includes 18 active, underground tanks, could contaminate an underground aquifer that serves as a major source of drinking water for Oahu. Each of the tanks can hold up to 12.5 million gallons of fuel, and they sit just 100 feet above the aquifer.

As part of contested case proceedings before the Department of Health, the Hawaii Sierra Club and Honolulu Board of Water Supply have argued that regulators should impose stringent controls over the tanks or fast-track their relocation.

The permit proceedings have now been delayed, and the Hawaii Sierra Club is pushing for the scope of the hearings to include the failed pipeline, said Wayne Tanaka, executive director of the Hawaii Sierra Club.

Ganadan, who announced the letter to the Navy during a Tuesday news conference, said lawmakers are seeking to ensure the integrity of the contested case hearing process.

"The consequences of getting this wrong are dire if the Department of Health doesn't have all the information it needs to come to an appropriate conclusion " on the permit, said Ganadan.

(c)2021 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Visit The Honolulu Star-Advertiser at www.staradvertiser.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
TThe capture and burning of Washington on Aug. 24, 1814, during the War of 1812. This is a wood engraving published in 1876. The depiction is not accurate because the Capitol had no center building in 1814. (Library of Congress)

On Sept. 23, 1814, Rep. Richard Mentor Johnson of Kentucky, "covered with wounds and resting on crutches," rose to propose a special House committee to investigate the attack on the U.S. Capitol by the British, according to an 1849 account by a colleague, Rep. Charles Ingersoll of Pennsylvania.

The 33-year-old Johnson, a military hero in the ongoing War of 1812, sought an inquiry into the federal government's failure to prevent the burning of the Capitol and other Washington buildings by British troops on Aug. 24 and 25, 1814  just as a select House committee now is probing the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by backers of former president Donald Trump. That committee has issued subpoenas to top Trump administration officials to testify and said it will seek to hold those who refuse to comply in criminal contempt.

If history is any guide, accountability is far from ensured.

The 1814 investigation began with promise. The House, temporarily meeting at Blodgett's Hotel in Washington, approved a special committee of three Federalists and three Democratic-Republicans, with Johnson as chairman. (Johnson would later become vice president under Martin Van Buren and attract controversy for his relationship with his common-law wife, Julia Chinn, an enslaved African American at his Kentucky plantation.)

The House gave the committee "the power to send for persons and papers." The panel gathered written statements from more than two dozen people, plus scores of documents.

President James Madison was exempted out of deference to his office. The highest-ranking official to testify was the secretary of state and future president, James Monroe.

Cabinet and military officials said that on July 1, 1814, Madison had ordered military preparations for a possible attack on Washington, then a modest town of about 8,000 people. Secretary of War John Armstrong Jr. insisted Baltimore would be the more likely target. Armstrong, one general told the committee, treated "with indifference if not with levity, the idea of an attack by the enemy" on the capital.

On Aug. 19, British ships moored on the Patuxent River in Southern Maryland. Intelligence reports showed British troops were heading to Washington via Bladensburg, Md., about six miles northeast of the Capitol. Gen. William Henry Winder, who headed Washington's defense, said he sent "the whole" of his troops out of the capital to meet the enemy. Most were militia volunteers from the District of Columbia and three neighboring states.

Winder said Maryland and Pennsylvania failed to provide the promised number of militia soldiers. Virginia's militia, he said, didn't reach the battlefield in time after being delayed getting arms and ammunition by a bureaucratic Army clerk who demanded signed receipts for every item. The committee report termed the mustering of forces "a great and manifest failure."

On the morning of Aug. 24, the 63-year-old Madison rode his horse to Bladensburg. Joining him were Monroe, Armstrong and Attorney General Richard Rush. William Simmons, a Bladensburg resident, later told the committee he had been scouting the area when by chance he ran into the president and the three Cabinet members as they were about to ride into the town.

Simmons said when he warned them the British were already there, Madison "exclaimed with surprise, 'The enemy in Bladensburg!' and at the same moment they all turned their horses and rode towards our troops with considerable speed." Madison moved to the back of the U.S. forces and observed the start of the Battle of Bladensburg just after noon, before riding back to Washington.

The British troops soon sent Winder's raw forces into a chaotic retreat. Winder told the committee he directed some retreating troops to rally at the Capitol, but "when I arrived at the Capitol, I found not a man had passed that way."

Winder stated that after Monroe and Armstrong rode up, the three men agreed that rather than have the "reduced and exhausted" troops defend the Capitol, it would be more strategic to send them to the heights overlooking Georgetown. The D.C. militia's general strongly disagreed. "It is impossible to do justice to the anguish evinced by the troops" on receiving the order to move on, he told the committee.

The Capitol was left undefended when British forces arrived that evening. British Adm. George Cockburn ordered his men to fire musket volleys into the Capitol, which was unoccupied because Congress wasn't in session.

Then troops rushed in and began ransacking the building. "They are in possession of the very Capitol, rioting and reveling in the sacred halls of American legislation, without fear or without danger," the United States Gazette reported.

Ingersoll wrote later that Cockburn, "in a strain of coarse levity," was rumored to have sat in the House Speaker's chair and put the question to his troops, "Shall this harbor of Yankee democracy be burned? All for it will say aye." The question "carried unanimously." The troops piled up furniture, and Cockburn set it ablaze.

The British moved on to set fire to the empty president's mansion, which would later become widely known as the White House, and the Treasury building. The next morning, troops burned the War and State departments' building. After a tornado-like storm swept through Washington that day, the British headed back to their ships.

Even before the House investigation began, critics were pointing fingers. "Oh! But for a scapegoat," one newspaper said.

Armstrong resigned as secretary of war under pressure from Madison, who moved Monroe to the post. Winder was a top target. The record is clear that "the general is unfit for any important command and that to him, principally, the Enemy is indebted for his success that day," wrote the Baltimore American.

Rep. Zebulon Shipherd, a Federalist from New York, charged that "the Chief Magistrate in particular is responsible for this shameful transaction. He, his Secretary of War were on the field of battle, or rather of flight. Was it then by their orders or the order of either of them, that the metropolis was cowardly given up to be sacked by the enemy?"

Some critics accused sympathizers of the British in Washington of privately supporting the attackers. "The British faction, the Tories, the moral traitors, what are they doing?" asked the United States Gazette.

The committee completed its investigation in just over two months, delivering a 370-page report to the House on Nov. 29. To the surprise of many observers, the report avoided any conclusions or blame. Johnson "said the committee had reported all the material facts  but had left the House and the country to decide upon the whole matter," the Hartford Courant reported.

Rep. Daniel Webster, a Federalist from New Hampshire, objected that rather than "clearing up the causes of the failure of our arms at this place," the voluminous report "was calculated (though not intended) to cover up ... what he considered to be a most disgraceful transaction," the Courant said, and "served in no degree to lead the public sentiment in respect to this disaster."

On Feb. 4, 1815, the House voted unanimously to table the report indefinitely. Then came news that Gen. Andrew Jackson had defeated the British at New Orleans, followed by mail receipt of a previously signed peace treaty, the Treaty of Ghent, ending the war.

Congress never voted on the report on the burning of the Capitol. Lawmakers shied away from "implicating so many marked personages," Ingersoll wrote in 1849. "The fall of Washington was put to rest as one of those overwhelming and incurable evils which cannot be redressed, explained or dwelt upon, but must be consigned to contemptuous amnesty or merciful oblivion."
People walk along a deserted street in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021. (RICHARD PIERRIN, AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Wearing the required white suit and black tie of Haitian leaders, Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier, a former cop turned wanted gang leader, walked up Sunday to the monument commemorating the assassination of the founding father of the nation, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, and placed the traditional wreath at its feet before giving a military salute.

Playing the official role of a head of state and brazenly showing his power, Cherizier showed up accompanied by cameras, a crowd and his own delegation  heavily armed, hooded gang members dressed in T-shirts marked Justice for Jovenel.

Hours earlier, armed gunmen had blocked access to the historic site by the countrys acting prime minister, Ariel Henry. Forced to flee the area under a hail of gang gunfire, Henry, also dressed in the customary white suit, had to settle for laying the traditional wreath at the altar of a museum in downtown Port-au-Prince where Dessalines remains are kept.

Gangs have become so powerful in a chronically unstable and volatile Haiti that a simple time-honored tradition like the public commemoration of the Oct. 17, 1806, death of Dessalines, carried out by Haitian leaders over the years, is now being held hostage by the countrys criminal gangs.

Since 2018, when President Jovenel Moise and another one of his prime ministers, Jean-Henry Ceant, were chased from Pont-Rouge, the site north of the capital where Dessalines was killed and the monument is located, no Haitian leader has been able to set foot in the area.

The incident unfolded while 16 Americans and a Canadian were being held captive by another notorious gang leader on the eastern outskirts of the capital. It illustrates how the state authorities in Haiti have been made completely irrelevant by gangs who tax citizens, dictate when they can or cant take to the streets and even block government officials from fulfilling their obligations.

They are the government, Gedeon Jean, a human-rights activist who monitors Haitis kidnappings, said about the armed groups that now encircle almost every section of the capital and other key cities in the Caribbean nation. They are the ones who decide to kill someone if someone has done something to you; they decide whether and when to tax you.

What is developing here is some sort of quasi-state, the same like you have with ISIS in Syria, added Jean, who runs the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights in Port-au-Prince. They are not there yet, but all of the conditions are ripe for them to go this route and you will see they have developed a certain autonomy.

Haiti has no shortage of problems. There is the still unsolved July assassination of its president, Moise, in his private residence above the capital; the deepening humanitarian crisis triggered by the deadly Aug. 14 earthquake and the tropical storm two days later in the southern peninsula; a crumbling economy and worsening political volatility, all of which are stoking a new migration crisis.

But the No. 1 problem that needs to be resolved, Jean and others say, is the question of criminality, kidnapping and insecurity that is driving instability.

If we dont resolve this, we wont be able to do elections, we wont be able to do anything, he said.

The notorious gang 400 Mawozo that is behind the kidnapping of the Christian missionaries began its criminal run by first stealing cattle, then cars before moving into abducting entire busloads of individuals while also extorting businesses located in the vast, mostly rural territory it controls.

Last month, word circulated among business people in Ganthier and parts of the Croix-des-Bouquets area where the gang operates that it had now formalized its extortions by listing the required taxes. Everyone from the owner of a beauty salon to a charcoal merchant would be required to pay every week  or in the case of goat merchants, per goat, according to the list. In some cases, entrepreneurs were personally called up and informed of their tax bill. In other cases, it was delivered anonymously.

If you are going to start up a business, you have to negotiate with the gang, Jean said. For years now, they have controlled the market, have had the [water distribution], the electricity in their hands. But today it is systematic.... If 400 Mawozo tells people in Croix-des-Bouquets not to go out, people dont go.

The gangs name loosely translates into 400 Simpletons in Creole. Though one of its key leaders is jailed in the National Penitentiary, others have managed to escape arrest thanks to motorcycle drivers, merchants and even cops who warn of pending police operations. Its base, located not far from where the missionaries vehicle was hijacked at gunpoint, is hard to reach and shrouded by spiny fuelwood and impassable dirt roads.

As the missionaries marked their third day in captivity Tuesday, Haitian officials said the gang had asked for $1 million for each of the hostages, the youngest of which is an 8-month-old baby. Though gangs usually start by seeking high ransom amounts, the request immediately set off alarms about whether the gang was trying to raise money toward a potential election war chest.

Last year, two separate human rights organizations in Haiti, the National Human Rights Defense Network/Reseau National de Defense des Droits Humains (RNDDH) and Fondayson Je Klere, concluded that criminal gangs, already linked to multiple massacres, rapes and for-ransom kidnappings, were becoming guns for hire for Haitis political forces. At the time of the reports, Haiti was in the midst of an electoral debate and Fondasyon Je Klere estimated that there were at least 150 criminal gangs operating throughout the country. Today, some estimate the number is as high as 200.

The reports were issued days after dozens of houses in Pont Rouge and the nearby communities of Chancerelles, La Saline, Tokyo and Fort-Dimanche were set ablaze, and people were burned and shot to death.

That same month, Cherizier, who has been implicated in several massacres including the 2018 brutal killing of dozens of people, including women and children, in Port-au-Princes La Saline neighborhood, announced the creation of a new gang federation he called G-9 and Family and Allies.

While Cherizier, promoting himself as the savior of the Haitian people, has said he doesnt participate in kidnappings, members of his deadly alliance have been linked to mass kidnappings, gang violence, extortions and the trafficking of arms and ammunition, as well as drugs. They also serve as the muscle for members of the business elite and politicians.

To understand how Haiti, a country where kidnapping was a foreign concept just a few years ago, got here, one only has to look at the countrys policies that have promoted an environment where health, education and other basic services are primarily fulfilled by nongovernmental, charitable organizations and the daily struggle for subsistence is fueled by extreme economic scarcity, said Robert Fatton, a Haiti expert at the University of Virginia.

Those policies have weakened the Haitian state to the point that it can no longer perform its basic functions, exemplified by the neighborhoods gang leaders come from and where they keep hostages: ramshackle, concrete maze-like slums where sewage runs down streets and pigs feed off corpses.

Supplanted by an NGO republic, the Haitian state has become an empty shell incapable of providing minimal services to its citizenry, Fatton said. Criminality has acquired dimensions that threaten the very survival of the state.

The disintegration of the Haitian state, which has been failing for years, has generated political decay, alarming levels of insecurity and a severe erosion of the sense of civic obligation. The realities of acute deprivations have compounded the crisis of the state by nurturing opportunistic strategies of survival based on corrupt forms of patronage, and criminal combinations, Fatton added.

Most of the people in gangs are young, and come from deprived neighborhoods where the state is absent and social services are non-existent. Some gang leaders like Cherizier try to bill themselves as modern-day Robin Hoods, seeking to rescue the poor. But a drive through the neighborhoods they control shows no signs of improvement from the ransoms they have collected except in the heavy arms and ammunition gang leaders often show off in viral videos and staged press conferences.

I think youve got a situation in Haiti where the government has ceded almost everything to the gangs; [the government] kind of functions in name and on paper only, said Keith Mines, director of the Latin America program at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington. The only thing that I can think of thats like this was Somalia in 1992 where, in that case, the government had completely dissolved.

Without some kind of intervention, Mines fears, Haiti could find itself as a place where some of these gangs just kind of emerge as the leader of the country and the next thing you know, you literally could have a gang-led coup.

Like others, he asks: What is ultimately the goal of the gangs?

Im seeing that some of these guys, Barbecue being the obvious example, got national-level aspirations. So I wouldnt write off the idea that some of these guys or one of these guys will try to take power, Mines said. Thats where it gets a little bit dangerous, because then you will just get a completely rogue government that has no interest or ability to govern.

2021 Miami Herald.

Visit at miamiherald.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
WASHINGTON  China is in the midst of a rapid expansion of its strategic and nuclear weapons systems, and its progress has alarmed U.S. national security officials.

Most recently, in August, China tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic vehicle that partially orbited the globe before hurtling toward earth. It also has constructed hundreds of new missile silos. And it is building a new generation of strategic ballistic missile submarines.

The buildup, described by U.S. officials and analysts, is shrouded in secrecy against a backdrop of worsening U.S.-China relations marked by little communication between Beijing and Washington  the perfect recipe for a destabilizing arms race, analysts say.

The August test was confirmed by four individuals familiar with the matter, who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence.

Chinas demonstration of hypersonic and orbital capabilities, first reported by The Financial Times, was shocking less for the technology, which its military has been developing for years, than for the fact that Beijing decided to test it at all, analysts say.

These technologies enable states to deliver weapons, potentially with a nuclear warhead, against a target in a way that is difficult to track - unlike intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Its amazingly provocative, said Mark Lewis, former deputy undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, who left in January, commenting on media reports of the test which sources said involved launching a hypersonic vehicle into orbit before it descended into the atmosphere toward its target.

The question, analysts said, is what is China trying to accomplish with the test and its larger nuclear buildup?

This was a political decision to do this test now, said Rebeccah Heinrichs, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, who serves on the advisory group to U.S. Strategic Command. This is clearly the Chinese government flexing its muscles. How is the U.S. government going to respond?

Some, like Heinrichs, say the Biden administration needs to make really big changes that show were serious about deterring Chinese aggression in the IndoPacific.

Former presidential envoy for arms control Marshall Billingslea said the United States must not only continue to modernize its nuclear deterrent but also pursue critical new capabilities such as a nuclear sea-launched cruise missile as well as nonnuclear medium range ballistic systems.

But others, like Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Program at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey, Calif., said: The correct answer is, do nothing, he said. We dont have to participate in an arms race.

Beijing on Monday disputed the report of a hypersonic test, with Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Zhao Lijian saying the test involved a regular spacecraft, some parts of which got detached before reentering the earths atmosphere, and burnt up over the east China Sea. He said the test was for peaceful uses of outer space.

Zhao Tong, a Beijing-based senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said Chinas lack of transparency about its program means such tests risk being read in Washington as a fundamental shift toward an offensive nuclear posture. China never declares where it is going to stop, Zhao said. It appears to the United States as an open-ended nuclear buildup.

Zhao added that he believes Beijing is convinced that the United States is bent on containing Chinas rise. China perceives much more strategic hostility from the U.S., which increases the perception that the U.S. will more easily escalate conflict to a nuclear level, he said.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, like spokespeople at the White House and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, declined to confirm the hypersonic test. But, Kirby said, we have made clear our concerns about the military capabilities China continues to pursue, capabilities that only increase tensions in the region and beyond.

The U.S. intelligence community in its annual threat assessment this year stated that Beijing will continue the most rapid expansion and platform diversification of its nuclear arsenal in its history. China intends to at least double the size of its nuclear stockpile during the next decade and to field a nuclear triad, referring to air-, sea- and land-based weapons systems, the ODNI said.

Beijing is not interested in arms control agreements that restrict its modernization plans and will not agree to substantive negotiations that lock in U.S. or Russian nuclear advantages, ODNI said. China is building a larger and increasingly capable nuclear missile force that is more survivable, more diverse, and on higher alert than in the past, including systems designed to ensure an intercontinental second-strike capability.

The head of U.S. Strategic Command, which is responsible the militarys nuclear weapons mission, declined to confirm the Financial Times report. But, Adm. Charles Richard told Stars and Stripes, the breathtaking expansion of strategic and nuclear capabilities means that China can now execute any possible nuclear employment strategy.

Richards has referred to Chinas military advances as a strategic breakout.

Although China is unlikely to reach nuclear parity with the United States and Russia in the foreseeable future, the buildup of silos is significant by Chinese standards, as well as in international historical context, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists said in a report last month.

The number of apparent missile silos under construction is similar to the total number of nuclear warheads in the current Chinese stockpile; it exceeds the number of missile silos operated by Russia; it is approaching the number of silos operated by the United States; and it constitutes the largest silo construction since the United States and Russia established their ICBM forces during the Cold War, the report said.

China has also tested a new submarine-launched ballistic missile for a quieter class of nuclear submarines it is planning to build. It is developing a strategic stealth bomber, antisatellite weapons, and lasers that can blind U.S. reconnaissance satellites, according to Dean Cheng, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation.

Chinas strategic weapons buildup has occurred in the midst of a broader investment in military modernization that dates to the beginning of the 21st century, and has accelerated in the last decade or so, according to Tai Ming Cheung, director of the University of California at San Diegos Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation.

By 2035, China wants to reach near parity with the U.S. military, he said. In the most recent five-year plan, Beijing has said it wants to speed up select parts of the modernization program for completion by 2027. By 2049, the centenary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China, they want to challenge the United States for global leadership, he said.

In some areas, parity has already been reached.

The scary thing is not only how quickly the Chinese have been able to catch up with us in hypersonics, but also in some cases to exceed our capabilities, said Lewis, the former Pentagon official, who is now executive director of the emerging technologies institute at the National Defense Industrial Association.

He said it was his fear that the United States was falling behind in hypersonics that led him to return to the Pentagon in 2019. That was the year that the Chinese in a military parade showed off a hypersonic boost vehicle attached to a missile. The United States has yet to field such a weapon, he said, adding that the Army hopes to deploy its first system in 2023.

The Washington Post in April reported that China was using sophisticated American software to design semiconductors for supercomputers that enable hypersonic weapons advances. The Biden administration applied export controls to a Chinese firm that designs those chips, Phytium. But a Taiwanese company reported this year that it was still able to use American software to help Phytium make the chips in a Taiwanese foundry full of American equipment  apparently taking advantage of loopholes in the export control rules.

The big takeaway, said Taylor Fravel, Director of the Security Studies Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is U.S.-China dialogue about strategic stability is incredibly urgent. Developments are accelerating rapidly, he said, and there just isnt much communication about them between the U.S. and China.

- - -

The Washington Posts Christian Shepherd, Lily Kuo and Pei lin Wu in Taipei and Paul Sonne and Alex Horton in Washington contributed to this report.

The United States flag and Chinese flag are displayed at a meeting between officials in Beijing, China, on Feb. 21, 2014. (Mikki L. Sprenkle/U.S. Army)
The 187 Chinese aircraft that approached Japanese airspace between July 1 and Sept. 30, 2021, are represented by red lines, according to this graphic from Japan's Joint Staff. (Japan Ministry of Defense)

The number of fighter jets Japan scrambled to intercept Chinese aircraft approaching its airspace rose sharply over the summer, reversing months of declines, according to Japans Ministry of Defense.

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force launched fighters 187 times between July 1 and Sept. 30, the second quarter of the current fiscal year, to intercept approaching Chinese drones, fighters, bombers and surveillance planes, according to statistics released Friday by the ministry.

Thats nearly twice as many as the 94 sorties flown in the first quarter, between April 1 and June 30. A sortie is a single mission by a single plane.

Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi told reporters Friday that China was expanding its reach not only above the East China Sea but also above the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Japan.

Chinese aircraft continue to be active, he said. Long hours and long-distance flights were also confirmed.

Japans Joint Staff could not be reached for comment this week, but security expert Toshiyuki Shikata, a former lieutenant general for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, said the rise in sorties is alarming.

China is trying to show that they have power over the sea, he told Stars and Stripes by phone Tuesday. The increase in Chinese aircraft approaching Japanese airspace probably has something to do with Taiwan, he said.

Taiwanese forces were on alert early this month after 149 Chinese warplanes entered its airspace over a four-day period beginning Oct. 1. Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said the self-ruled island, claimed by China, was preparing to defend itself against invasion.

The increasing flights may be a response to recent joint exercises between Japan, the U.S., the U.K. and the Netherlands, Shikata said. The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth visited Japan in September, which rattled Beijing.

Both sides are demonstrating and showing off power to each other, he said.

Through the first six months of this fiscal year, Japanese pilots responded more than twice as frequently to approaching Chinese aircraft, 281 times, than they did to approaching Russian aircraft, 102 times, according to the ministrys statistics.

During the same period in 2020, Japan launched 234 flights to counter Chinese aircraft and 134 for Russian aircraft.

While those numbers continue to climb, theyre short of fiscal 2016, the peak year for Japanese intercepts. Japan logged 1,168 intercepts that year, the most in a single fiscal year since 1958, according to ministry statistics. Of those, 851 were flown against Chinese aircraft.

Numbers fluctuated in the intervening years from 500 in 2017 to 458 in fiscal 2020. Sortie numbers ticked up in fiscal 2018 and 2019 to 638 and 675, respectively.

Shikata believes the recent increase in Chinese flights challenging Japanese pilots may be the start of a new cycle of one-upmanship. Japan will have to increase sorties accordingly, he said.

I think China will increase their activities in the region especially after the 2022 Olympics, Shikata said. China wants to successfully host the Olympics, so they are not going to actually do anything apart from demonstrating their power, but China will be tougher on Taiwan after the Olympics.
Images released by the Korean Central News Agency show a submarine-launched ballistic missile test by North Korea, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. (KCNA)

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  North Korea confirmed Wednesday it has tested a new type of submarine-launched ballistic missile, its fifth weapons test in recent weeks, as U.S. intelligence leaders began meeting with their South Korean and Japanese counterparts.

The missile was successfully launched from an older submarine Tuesday and included lots of advanced control guidance technologies, the state-run Korean Central News Agency said in a statement.

The missile will greatly contribute to putting the defense technology of the country on a high level and to enhancing the underwater operational capability of our navy, the statement said.

South Korean military officials on Tuesday said they tracked a short-range ballistic missile that flew 279 miles at a maximum altitude of 37 miles. The 10:17 a.m. launch from North Koreas eastern coast was also confirmed by the Japan Coast Guard. No injuries or damages were reported.

Initial estimates indicate the missile flew the same distance but at a lower altitude than North Koreas SLBM launch in 2019, when a Pukguksong-3 SLBM flew 279 miles at a maximum altitude of 565 miles.

The military officials also noted that the missile appeared to have been fired from Sinpo, where a North Korean shipyard is believed to be working on a new ballistic missile submarine.

North Korea launched its 2019 SLBM test from an underwater platform, rather than a newly developed, operational submarine.

North Korea claims its weapons program is purely a defense against international aggression. The communist regime cites annual U.S.-South Korean military drills, which it views as a precursor to a full-scale invasion, and the numerous sanctions against its country to justify its program.

The U.N. Security Council sanctioned North Korea because of its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile tests.

Experts question North Koreas self-defense claims, as an SLBM is typically viewed as a retaliatory, second-strike weapon.

The significance of this capability is that the North Koreans continue to invest in their sea-based missile program, Ankit Panda, a North Korea analyst and Stanton senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told Stars and Stripes by phone Wednesday. They see that as necessary, even if North Korean submarines are going to be very vulnerable to the U.S. and allies in submarine warfare attacks.

Panda added that sea-based missiles are more survivable and more difficult to destroy through pre-emptive attack than land-based systems.

North Koreas latest test comes one month after Seoul announced it had successfully test-fired its own SLBM from a submarine. South Korea joins only a handful of nations to successfully develop an SLBM but is the first without a nuclear weapon to do so.

Meanwhile, U.S. intelligence officials, including director of national intelligence Avril Haines, are scheduled to meet with their South Korean and Japanese counterparts in Seoul to discuss North Korean matters this week.

The U.S. special representative for North Korea, Sung Kim, will also be traveling to Seoul and meet with Ambassador Noh Kyu-duk, the South Korean special representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs.
More than 85% of U.S. Forces Korea's population has been vaccinated against COVID-19, the command announced on Facebook, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. (Betty Chevalier/U.S. Air Force)

U.S. Forces Korea put four districts in Seoul and three in adjacent Gyeonggi province off-limits following a rise in COVID-19 cases there, according to an announcement Wednesday.

Only mission-essential visits are permitted to the Jongno, Yeongdeungpo, Guro and Geumcheon districts in Seoul and the Gwacheon, Dongducheon and Ansan districts in Gyeonggi, according to USFKs weekly travel restrictions update. The command placed 10 districts off-limits Wednesday.

The Jongno district includes the U.S. Embassy, Seoul City Hall and the presidential Blue House. Camp Humphreys, the headquarters for USFK and the U.N. Command, and Osan Air Base are in Gyeonggi province.

Individuals who live in so-called red districts may conduct routine business but should minimize their activities to avoid contracting or spreading the virus, according to USFK.

Of 1,556 new COVID-19 cases in South Korea on Tuesday, Seoul accounted for 501, an increase of about 200 over previous days, according to the Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention Agency update Wednesday. Gyeonggi reported 582.

Also Wednesday, USFK reported 32 locally generated cases of COVID-19 in the week ending Oct. 16, according to a news release.

Nineteen people developed symptoms of the coronavirus respiratory disease before testing positive for the virus: 10 service members, three Defense Department civilian employees, one contractor and two family members at Camp Humphreys; two service members at Osan Air Base; and one South Korean civilian employee at Yongsan Garrison in Seoul.

Contact tracing turned up another 10: four service members, two family members and two South Korean contractors at Humphreys; and one DOD employee and a family member at Daegu Garrison.

Surveillance testing discovered two on Oct. 14: a service member at Humphreys and a contractor at Yongsan.

Finally, a service member at Humphreys tested positive Oct. 12 before departing the peninsula on an international flight.

KDCA reported that 79% of South Koreas population has received the first of a two-shot dose of a COVID-19 vaccine; 66.7% are fully vaccinated.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, seen here in an undated file photo, announced Oct. 20, 2021, in Brussels that the organization will unveil its first strategy for the use of artificial intelligence. (NIDS/NATO Multimedia Library)

NATO will adopt its first strategy on artificial intelligence and launch an innovation fund this week with the aim of investing $1 billion to futureproof the 30-nation security pact, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday.

We see authoritarian regimes racing to develop new technologies, from artificial intelligence to autonomous systems, Stoltenberg said at a news conference at the alliances Brussels headquarters.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will join his NATO member counterparts Thursday in Brussels to formally approve the plans during two days of talks.

Stoltenberg said he expects the new NATO fund to invest in emerging and disruptive technologies. New headquarters and test centers will be set up in both Europe and North America to support the effort, he said.

We must keep our technological edge, Stoltenberg said. Future conflicts will be fought not just with bullets and bombs but also with bytes and big data.

The alliances artificial intelligence strategy will integrate areas such as data analysis, imagery and cyberdefense, he said.

During the past couple of years, NATO has expanded beyond its traditional focus of land, sea and air operations to adapt to a more complicated security environment.

Last year, it established a new center at Ramstein Air Bases Allied Air Command to coordinate efforts in space, which was declared a new domain of military operation for the alliance. And in 2017, allies also added cyber as a military domain.

In Brussels, ministers also will discuss military efforts to deter potential Russian aggression as well as the overall state of relations with Moscow, which Stoltenberg said are at their lowest point since the Cold War.

Earlier this week, Russia announced it was closing its diplomatic mission to NATO in retaliation for the expulsion of eight members of that entourage who NATO accused of being intelligence operatives.

Still, Stoltenberg said, NATO remains open to the possibility of dialogue with Moscow.

Calling Russia NATOs biggest neighbor, Stoltenberg said there is no way you cannot talk to them.

John Vandiver
The National Guard in Philadelphia on June 2, 2020 during protests. A day after five shootings claimed the lives of two men and injured seven people, the founder of two anticrime community organizations called on Philadelphia officials to request that the National Guard be dispatched to the city. (Robert Bulmahn/Wikimedia Commons)

The Army National Guards top general said Wednesday that he would not lobby to expand the size of the increasingly busy force, but if top Army officials proposed adding new troops he would accept that mission immediately.

I don't advocate for growing the Army Guard because I'm part of the Army team, and I understand the budget constraints that we have inside the Army right now, Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen told an audience at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank. But, if [Army] Secretary [Christine Wormuth] and Chief [of Staff Gen. James McConville] felt they needed some more capability in the Reserve component, yes, Id accept that.

The Army National Guard makes up about two-thirds of the total National Guard force, with more than 337,000 soldiers as of Sept. 30, according to the Army. The rest of the National Guards about 108,000 troops serve in the Air Force National Guard. Jensen said Wednesday that he could envision growing the Army Guard to about 350,000 troops in several years. He said the added soldiers could help considering the incredible demand placed on Guard troops during the last two years.

Since March 2020, National Guard troops have set records for the number of missions that they have been called to support  including coronavirus-related missions, riot control during the summer 2020 demonstrations against racism, border operations along the southwest U.S., and relief efforts for natural disasters including hurricanes and wildfires. Guard members logged a record 8.4 million duty days in 2020, and they set a record that June with more than 120,000 on duty across the world, including supporting operations in combat zones, officials said.

Given the unprecedented demand for the National Guard, dozens of lawmakers have called for boosting the size of the Guard in their home states and the overall force size. Among those advocating for a larger force were lawmakers from the nations three most populous states. In advocating earlier this year to grow the Guard, the lawmakers in a bipartisan letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pointed to the increase in hurricanes in Florida, flooding in Texas and wildfires in California, in addition to other operations in recent years to which Guard forces have responded.

Army officials, including Jensen, have acknowledged the pace of operations for the National Guard since March 2020 has been hard on troops and their families and difficult for some employers who have hired Guard members for civilian jobs.

Its obviously a very stressful period of time for our whole country, not just our Guardsmen, Jensen said. And then, for the National Guard, its been a stressful time -- dealing with a pandemic, lots of other things, and economic uncertainty in many cases. But, the National Guard  our soldiers and airmen, you know, they have responded remarkably.

Jensen has led the Army National Guard since August 2020 after previously serving as the Minnesota National Guards adjutant general. His predecessor as the Army Guards top general, Gen. Daniel Hokanson, is now the general in charge of the entire National Guard and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Earlier this year, he said he backed boosting the size of the Guard, given the increasing demands on the force.

But, the size of the force is a decision for Congress, which sets the end strength for each service and their components each year in the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act, which sets Pentagon spending and policy priorities. Congress has yet to pass an NDAA for fiscal 2022, which started Oct. 1. The Pentagon is operating under a continuing resolution, which funds operations at fiscal 2021 amounts.

Jensen said he expected Guard forces would remain in demand for the foreseeable future. Despite the domestic operations Army Guard forces have been supporting, he said they must still prepare for war.

By preparing for major combat operations, the general said, Guard members learn the skills that they need no matter what mission they are asked to accomplish, even in the United States.

Our role domestically is a very important mission task which we take very, very seriously, Jensen said. Do we think that that those requirements are going to increase over the course of time? Were not really sure yet, but were committed to being prepared and being ready for those missions.

We believe that the best way to be ready and prepared for those missions is by preparing for the most complex mission  our go-to-war mission. And, that allows us to be incredibly adaptable here domestically.
Migrants cross back and forth between the United States and Mexico at the Rio Grande in Ciudad Acuna, Mexico. (Sergio Flores/For The Washington Post)

U.S. authorities detained more than 1.7 million migrants along the Mexico border during the 2021 fiscal year that ended in September, and arrests by the Border Patrol soared to the highest levels ever recorded, according to unpublished U.S. Customs and Border Protection data obtained by The Washington Post.

Illegal crossings began rising last year but skyrocketed in the months after President Joe Biden took office. As CBP arrests increased this past spring, Biden described the rise as consistent with historic seasonal norms. But the busiest months came during the sweltering heat of July and August, when more than 200,000 migrants were taken into custody.

During a confirmation hearing Tuesday for Chris Magnus, the Tucson police chief Biden has nominated to lead CBP, Republican senators pressed him to characterize the surge as a crisis.

Magnus called it a significant challenge, echoing the Biden administrations preferred term, adding that the numbers are very high. CBP is expected to release the 2021 fiscal year data later this week.

Border enforcement has become a major political liability for Biden, and the presidents handling of immigration remains his worst-polling issue. He promised on the campaign trail to make the United States more welcoming to immigrants, in contrast to former president Donald Trump, whose zero-tolerance family separations generated widespread outrage in 2018.

During the transition, Biden said he wanted to move cautiously on immigration policy and avoid ending up with 2 million people on our border.

Once in office, Biden quickly halted construction on the border wall, ended the Remain in Mexico policy, reversed key asylum restrictions and announced a 100-day pause on most deportations and enforcement by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Biden officials initially blamed the previous administrations policies for the increase in border crossings and said migration pressures intensified as a result of the pandemics economic fallout. Many migrants have told reporters they opted to make the risky journey north, at great cost and considerable danger, with the belief that Biden would allow them to stay. A tight U.S. labor market became another pull.

Earlier this year, Biden directed Vice President Harris to address the root causes of migration from Central Americas Northern Triangle nations - Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. But the strategy has had little to no measurable effect, and Harris has distanced herself from the border and immigration issues generally.

The latest CBP data indicates that the administrations challenges extend far beyond Central America. Mexico was the single largest source of illegal migration during the 2021 fiscal year, as the Border Patrol arrested more than 608,000 Mexican nationals. That leaves the Biden administration in an awkward place, as it increasingly relies on Mexico to tighten enforcement and block caravan groups heading north.

Biden officials are in negotiations with Mexico to comply with federal court orders to restart the Remain in Mexico policy requiring asylum seekers to wait outside U.S. territory while their cases are processed.

The second-largest grouping was composed of migrants from outside Mexico and Central America whom CBP categorized as other, including Haitians, Venezuelans, Ecuadorans, Cubans, Brazilians and migrants from dozens of other nations. They accounted for 367,000 arrests.

They were followed by migrants from Honduras (309,000), Guatemala (279,000) and El Salvador (96,000).

More than 1.3 million migrants have been taken into custody along the southern border in the nine months since Biden took office, including 192,000 last month, the latest CBP figures show.

In the fiscal years between 2012 and 2020, border arrests averaged about 540,000. The 2021 figure was more than three times that amount and the second-highest annual total ever recorded.

The extraordinary influx has produced a series of crises for the administration, starting this spring with record numbers of unaccompanied minors crossing without parents who were crowded shoulder to shoulder into Border Patrol tents.

Crossings by Central American family groups overwhelmed U.S. agents this summer, and in September, the sudden arrival of 15,000 mostly Haitian migrants to a crude camp in Del Rio, Texas, produced politically damaging scenes of chaos and harsh enforcement tactics by Border Patrol agents on horseback.

Immigrant advocates who backed Bidens candidacy have soured on his presidency lately, with several staging a virtual walkout last weekend during a meeting with White House policy advisers. Bidens proposals for a major immigration overhaul are stalled in Congress, and Republicans are planning to use his border record as a cudgel in next years midterm elections.

The Biden administration has responded to criticism of the arrest numbers by noting that it continues to use the Title 42 public health policy to rapidly expel most adult border crossers to Mexico or their home countries.

Of the 1.7 million detained during the 2021 fiscal year, 61 percent were expelled under Title 42, the CBP data shows.

The expulsions have led to a significant increase in repeat crossing attempts by migrants who are turned back, so the number of distinct individuals taken into custody is lower than the number of arrests recorded. Recidivism rates have exceeded 25 percent in recent months, twice as high as in previous years, according to CBP figures.

The 1.7 million figure includes migrants arrested between ports of entry by the Border Patrol as well as those who attempted to enter the United States without authorization through official ports of entry who were detained by blue-uniformed CBP officers.

During the 2021 fiscal year, agents apprehended 1.66 million along the Mexico border only, the latest figures show.

CBPs Rio Grande Valley sector was the busiest last year, with 549,000 Border Patrol apprehensions, followed by the Del Rio sector, with 259,000, which eclipsed historically busier sectors such as El Paso and Tucson.

The CBP figures show declines last year in seizures of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. Analysts attribute the decrease to diminished vehicle traffic through ports of entry as a result of pandemic-related travel restrictions, as well as fewer interdictions by overstretched border agents.
In a 2017 photo, a Vietnam War veteran is shown in his tent on South Beaudry Avenue in Los Angeles. (Francine Orr, Los Angeles Times/TNS)

WASHINGTON  Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough vowed Wednesday to get all homeless veterans living in the area known as veterans row in Los Angeles into housing by Nov. 1.

About 40 people live along veterans row, a homeless encampment just outside the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. McDonough visited the facility two weeks ago and spoke to veterans living there.

I think this is a question of rolling up our sleeves and getting to work and getting it done, he said. Thats what I pledged to the veterans I spoke with on veterans row that day and what the country expects us to do.

The VA assigned a social worker and an employee who specializes in homelessness resources to speak with the veterans and help get them into housing, McDonough said. The goal is to find them temporary housing by November  less than two weeks away.

When McDonough was asked why the resources werent previously expended toward veterans row, he said: I cant comment as to why it didnt happen before.

Veterans experience homelessness at a disproportionately high rate compared to the rest of the U.S. population, and there are more homeless veterans in Los Angeles County than anywhere else in the country.

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 37,252 veterans were experiencing homelessness in January 2020. Of those veterans, 3,681, or about 10%, lived in Los Angeles.

Veteran homelessness increased slightly from 2019, stoking concerns among advocates that the effects of the coronavirus pandemic could add to an already regressive trend. Veteran homelessness increased in 19 states and Washington, D.C., between 2019 and 2020, with the biggest increases in California, Nevada and Delaware. California accounted for 31% of all homeless veterans in the country.

In addition to the goal of eliminating the veterans row encampment by November, McDonough announced Wednesday that the VA would house another 500 homeless veterans in Los Angeles by the end of 2021.

Our efforts are continuing all across the country, but there are more homeless veterans in Los Angeles than anywhere in America, he said. As we solve the problem there, it will give momentum to our efforts across the country.

Several democratic lawmakers from California applauded McDonoughs goals Wednesday.

What the secretary is announcing today is ambitious, but the exact kind of leadership needed to get folks in homes, said Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif. Addressing this crisis cannot wait.

Earlier this year, McDonough promised he would renew the departments focus on a major project to house homeless veterans in Los Angeles. For about five years, the VA has been working on a plan to build 1,200 subsidized apartments for homeless veterans on the campus of the West Los Angeles VA hospital. As of June, only 54 units had been finished.

McDonough vowed during the summer to give his approval on a master plan for the project by the end of the year. A new draft plan was posted to the Federal Register on Monday. Members of the public have until Dec. 17 to provide feedback on the plan, which is more than 200 pages.

The plan states 800 units are expected to be under development at the campus by 2023. The full plan can be viewed at westladraftmasterplan.org.
(Tribune News Service) The story of Army Cpl. Robert C. Agard Jr.'s loss and recovery covers more than 70 years.

It moves from South Korea to Hawaii, and from those who handle disinterment to the eyes of experts in science.

But for Agard, who was 19 when he died in the Korean War, the fate of his life and his remains are now certain.

"There's a saying in the military that you never leave a fallen comrade," said Sean P. Everette, at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. "It is still our sacred duty to go and find these people."

Agard, who had been serving with the Army's 2nd Platoon, 24th Reconnaissance Company, 24th Infantry Division when he died in July 1950, was identified more than a year ago, on Sept. 29, 2020. His identification was announced Tuesday by the military after his family had recently been fully briefed on his identification.

Dene Kimball of Longmeadow , Mass., a cousin of Agard, said he never dreamed the corporal's remains would be found.

"My first reaction was to put my hand on my heart and say, 'Be still,' " Kimball said in a telephone interview with The News on Tuesday.

He and the man he called Bobby were six years apart in age. Kimball was born in 1936 and Agard, an only child, was born in 1930. Kimball, who was a young teenager when Agard was first reported missing in action, said he looked up to his cousin as an older brother.

" Bobby Jr. was a very happy young man, and I can remember him having a good sense of humor," Kimball said.

Government scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA analysis to help make the match. The investigation also included anthropological and dental analysis.

Kimball said for nearly 70 years, unknown to him and his family, Agard's unidentified remains were tagged with the number X-311.

"And, maybe five or six years ago, two of my cousins were asked to submit DNA swabs, which they did, and about six months ago I got a phone call saying we have found your cousin's remains," Kimball said.

Agard's body was one of more than 600 Korean War remains disinterred from unknown graves in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii as part of a Korean War Identification Project. Agard's remains were disinterred in June 2019, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said.

Services for Agard will be held in Elmira on May 30.

"We could have had Bobby buried in Arlington, in D.C., but we've already got a plot for him near my parents and my grandparents and Bobby's mother. They're all buried in a cemetery outside of Elmira, N.Y.," Kimball said.

Agard was on night patrol in July 1950 when he went missing in action, around Taejon, South Korea, the agency said. In 1956, Agard had been "declared non-recoverable."

In December 1950, a set of remains was located that were ultimately identified as Agard, Everette said.

"Six months after he went missing, the remains were found," he said.

But it took more than 70 years for scientists to connect the body to Agard.

"They didn't even know what DNA was back then," Everette said.

While Agard was listed as having been from Buffalo, news accounts of his disappearance in Korea in 1950 noted that his family lived in Ithaca and Penn Yan.

In some ways, Everette said, the case of Agard and his loss and later identification is not all that unusual.

"Every missing service member, they have a story," Everette said.

Kimball said that, on behalf of his close-knit family, he is very grateful for the efforts of the government.

"I'm so proud of our country for doing this. They never gave up. They never stopped trying to find out who was whom," Kimball said.

___

(c)2021 The Buffalo News (Buffalo, N.Y.)

Visit The Buffalo News (Buffalo, N.Y.) at www.buffalonews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Wanda J. Dillard was one of several central Ohioans inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus. She is an Army veteran and was the first Black woman to command a medical unit in the Ohio National Guard. (Barbara J. Perenic, The Columbus Dispatch/TNS)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Tribune News Service)  On the afternoon of the death of Colin Powell, Wanda Dillard couldn't help but reflect on the impact the four-star general and first Black secretary of state had on her life.

Dillard, an Army veteran and the first Black woman to command a medical unit in the Ohio National Guard, said she had many African American soldiers and veterans to thank for paving the way for her success in the military and beyond.

"When you think of the courageous people who came before you ... I cherish the fact that I've had the opportunity to stand on their shoulders and go through the doors they've opened," said Dillard, an East Side resident who also served as a medic and respiratory therapist and was a member of the U.S. Women's Army Corps. "They've helped you open doors even further for others."

Dillard, who retired as a major in the National Guard, was one of 12 veterans inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame 2021 Class during a ceremony at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum on Monday. Several elected officials, including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, attended the event.

Eight other honorees will join them during two other induction events being held in other parts of the state later this year. (This year's celebration events for the 20 veterans were spread out due to the pandemic.)

The hall of fame honor, which began in 1992, is awarded to Ohio servicemen and women for the tremendous work  both professionally and philanthropically  they accomplish following their military careers, said Deborah Ashenhurst, director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services.

"Their service in the military is just the beginning of the qualifications (for this honor)," Ashenhurst said. "This is for all they've done since they hung up their military uniform."

For example, the military helped Dillard begin a career in health care, working to break down barriers to accessing care and combat systemic racism within medicine.

Twelve Ohioans were inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus. (Barbara J. Perenic, The Columbus Dispatch/TNS) Ohio Department of Veterans Services Director Deborah Ashenhurst holds up the medal for Harry N. Walters (U.S. Army/USAR), who was posthumously inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus. (Barbara J. Perenic, The Columbus Dispatch/TNS)

She currently works as the director of community development at Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center, where she oversees three free health care clinics that serve marginalized communities.

The 68-year-old became emotional when talking about all the hard work that has gone into her careers in the military and health care and being recognized for it alongside so many other exceptional veterans.

"It makes you wonder what the military instills in you," Dillard said. "It makes you want to give back and take care of those less fortunate than you. In the military community, you never leave a soldier behind. That comes into mind when you think about community service."

Although all very service-oriented, the veterans' stories varied greatly.

Joining Dillard in this year's class were attorneys, educators, physicians and 95-year-old Army veteran John Joseph Callarik, who still runs his own excavating company in Belmont County.

The 20 honorees, who join 915 other Ohio veterans enshrined in the hall of fame located in the Riffe Center, represent all branches of the military and hail from 13 different counties in the state. They range in age from 25 to 95, with five being given the award posthumously. Three inductees are women, including Dillard.

Three other veterans have Franklin County connections.

Ted Barrows, a Franklin County Municipal Court judge since 2003, joined the Army right out of high school as a second-generation member of the 82nd Airborne Division.

Like many of his fellow hall of fame class members, Barrows, who was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant, has had a passion for helping other veterans. The Hilliard resident has done this through his work as an attorney and judge, including efforts to rehabilitate at-risk, justice-involved former service members.

U.S Navy veteran Nickolas Sunday, 71, has served more than 3,000 veterans since 2014, helping them find employment and setting them up with services to help with food or utility bills. The Reynoldsburg resident attained the rank of 2nd Class petty officer.

Twelve Ohioans, including Roger R. Neff retired from the U.S. Marine Corps, were inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus. (Barbara J. Perenic, The Columbus Dispatch/TNS)

The final local veteran honored, Michael Ferriter, is more used to doling out the veteran awards than receiving them. The Army veteran is the founding chief executive officer and president of the museum where the hall of fame induction was held.

Ferriter, a 35-year soldier who obtained the rank of lieutenant general, said he subscribes to the philosophy that if one can help, he or she should. But the 64-year-old, of Harrison West, also was quick to point out that the support of others is what allowed him to be honored Monday.

"Everything I accomplished is the result of the fantastic people in this museum," Ferriter said. "It's the young men and women, who get it done no matter what, through personal hardship and sacrifice."

Besides the four from Franklin County, here are the other eight veterans honored in Monday's ceremony:

 John Joseph Callarik, Army, Belmont County

 Linda Strite Murnane, Air Force, Greene County

 Roger R. Neff, Marine Corps, Hancock County

 Joe M. Nishimoto, Army, Marion County (posthumous)

 Harry N. Walters, Army, Hamilton County (posthumous)

 Dr. George F. White, Navy, Scioto County

 Jo N. Wildman, Navy/Coast Guard, Greene County

 Paul R. Zumfelde, Army, Fulton County

2021 www.dispatch.com.

Visit dispatch.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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.
Bay healthcare officials are heralding the record-breaking success of last weekends Super Saturday event as the summer vaccination campaign continues.

Super Saturday was the regions most successful single day for Covid-19 vaccination uptake in the region.

The result is vaccination coverage in the district increasing to more than 80 per cent of BOPDHB residents having received at least one dose of the Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine.

The previous highest number of vaccinations administered in one day across the region was 4,144 but that record was smashed on Super Saturday with 6,337 doses of the vaccine administered.

Kawerau District, for example, had the greatest daily percentage increase for first doses throughout the country, according to Ministry of Health data, with a 270 per cent increase in first doses administered in one day as a percentage of the population.

The Bay of Plenty District Health Board organised and supported more than 20 events throughout the district on Saturday to support the national push for vaccination uptake.

Incentives ranged from free ice-cream to hangi to encourage people to grab a jab, says BOPDHB Covid-19 senior responsible officer Brent Gilbert-De Rios.

Were thrilled for our community with the results of Super Saturday, says Brent.

It was a positive, fun-filled day which improved our communitys protection against Covid-19.

The BOPDHB organised community vaccination events in Katikati, Mount Maunganui, Whakatane, Kawerau and Murupara, and supported vaccination providers and community organisations to hold events at marae, community centres, pharmacies, and health providers throughout the region.

Bay of Plenty DHB Mount Maunganui Covid-19 vaccination centre staff on Super Shot Saturday. Supplied photo.

BOPDHB Board chair Sharon Shea thanks everyone who participated in Saturdays event.

On behalf of the BOPDHB Board of Trustees and Runanga, thank you, Bay of Plenty, for making Saturday so super, she says.

We are grateful for your mahi and commitment to protect the things we love.

Super Saturday was a success due to the mahi tahi of the community, Maori and iwi hauora, the health sector, local government support, and the Bay of Plenty DHB staff. Thank you all.

Te Runanga Hauora Maori o te Moana a Toi chairperson Linda Steel says Saturdays vaccination uptake was a result of a lot of community engagement.

We know our people will protect their whakapapa, and this was shown on Super Saturday when our people took massive action, says Linda.

Our kaimahi have been working incredibly hard for months having important korero with whanau, listening and showing up week after week, and this commitment to their hapori and tikanga is paying off with whanau feeling more comfortable to get vaccinated. Karawhuia whanau, kia kaha ra!

Bay of Plenty residents who have not already had both doses of the vaccine are encouraged to do so.

Summer is just seven weeks away; lets enjoy everything summer in the Bay has to offer by protecting ourselves against Covid-19, says Brent.

Walk-in Covid-19 vaccinations are available throughout the district and can be found at www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19-vaccination/bay-of-plenty

Nearly 300,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered to Bay of Plenty residents, according to the Ministry of Health data to October, 18 2021.
An incident where low dose Covid-19 vaccines were given in the Bay of Plenty is being looked into by the Ministry of Health.

Covid-19 Vaccination and Immunisation Programme national director Jo Gibbs says six people received a low dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in the Bay of Plenty.

Gibbs says there was also an incident where a small number of people received expired vaccines in Wellington.

Those in the Bay of Plenty who were affected have been contacted and offered vaccination.

The clinical processes and systems around the administration of the vaccination are being reviewed and the District Health Board (DHB) is working with the provider to strengthen these to prevent an incident like this from happening again.

Gibbs also reported an incident at a vaccination site in Wellington last week where around 15 people received a Covid-19 vaccination 24 hours after it expired.

"No one has been harmed from receiving the expired doses.

Gibbs says Capital & Coast District Health Board has contacted the affected people and is encouraging them to get vaccinated again.

The Ministry apologises for what has happened and reassures the public that such incidents are not common.

Questions about the Wellington incident to the CCDHB which is working directly with the Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) and those affected.
Scandal in Sedella: Mayor reports ex-priest after 'priceless' jewellery and cash go missing from the church Disappointed with the lack of response from the Malaga bishopric the councillor threatened to go to the ecclesiastical authorities in Madrid or the Vatican if necessary

Most of the residents of Sedella, a small town of barely 700 inhabitants in the Axarquia, profess an enormous faith in their patron saint, the Virgen de la Esperanza. That is why they used to make "generous offerings, even in times of hardship" - said its mayor, Francisco Abolafio Rodriguez - which they deposited in a safe at the foot of the image. Until, to his surprise, the box disappeared and, with it, the money and jewels with which they adorned the Virgen in processions.

The mayor was forced to take action and report the events to the church authorities as the finger was pointed at the ex-priest. However, the mayor, disappointed with the response from the Malaga bishopric threatened to take to case to the ecclesiastical authorities in Madrid or the Vatican, if necessary.

Twelve pieces of 'priceless' gold jewellery

It all came to light on 10 October, after a new priest replaced the old one. The parishioners went to the church to remove the Virgen's jewels from the safe and prepare for a procession on the 12th. It was then that they found that the locked box, which had a small slot for the offerings, had disappeared and the hole where it used to be - at the foot of the image - had been covered up. "As if nothing had ever been there," adds the mayor.

There were 12 pieces of gold jewellery inside that are priceless to us, especially sentimental and symbolic," explains Rodriguez.

He asked parishioners for an inventory and sent a letter to the bishopric detailing the situation and giving 72 hours to provide a response. The next day they told me that they had no record of anything and that they would investigate. I gave them three days, but on the fourth I reported it to the Guardia Civil.

Witnesses

Francisco Abolafio Rodriguez said: I called the previous parish priest in front of five witnesses, among them the new priest, my second deputy mayor and a parishioner. He told me that in six years he had never had keys to that locked box and that he threw it away. I did not want to enter into controversy and when the conversation became heated I told him that we would meet in the courts.

The mayor sent another letter requesting a meeting with the Bishop while warning that, if he did not get a response, they would go to the ecclesiastical authorities in Madrid. We were thinking of going to the Vatican if necessary, " he adds.

Christian community

When the bishopric responded it informed Rodriguez that the jewels had reappeared.

"We believe that at least two pieces are missing, although not of much value." Rodriguez clarifies: We have had a fairly long meeting. I know that the previous priest has returned them. They have not clarified what will happen to him. I am outraged that this man is representing us as members of the Christian community. I say it as a mayor, neighbour and believer.

600 euros missing

The money, on the other hand, has not appeared. According to the sources it is believed there was around 600 euros in the locked box.

Francisco Rodriguez Abolafio was not convinced by the response from Malaga and asked residents if he should go ahead with the complaint in the courts. Most have decided yes. I am at the service of my people, and we will continue with the judicial process. As I said in the meeting, 'we have run into the church, but the church has also run into Sedella' ".
El Corte Ingles stores lit in pink in support of World Breast Cancer Day It is estimated that more than 1,000 women in Malaga province will be diagnosed with the disease this year

El Corte Ingles lit its Malaga stores in pink on Tuesday evening, 19 October, in support of World Breast Cancer Day.

The Spanish department store chain showed its commitment to breast tumour research with various actions including pink ribbons for employees, special lighting on the facades of shopping centres, prevention talks for employees, and so on.

Advances

Some 1,100 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer throughout this year in Malaga province. Almost 90 per cent will be able to overcome it thanks to advances in research and treatments.

Added to the problem of being diagnosed with a tumour, research has shown that one third of women with breast cancer lose their jobs as a result of the disease.
Motorist faces charges for reckless driving with a youth on the roof of his car Local Police in Malaga identified the 20-year-old motorist after videos of the incident were uploaded to Instagram

Cybercrime police officers in Malaga have helped track down the driver of vehicle that was captured carrying a young person on the roof of a car in videos that were uploaded to a social media network.

In the video (below) you can clearly see how the young person clings to the sides of the car to avoid falling off.

At the wheel was a 20-year-old from Malaga who drove through different city streets carrying the minor perched on the roof of the vehicle, and who decided to share his recklessness on Instagram.

The video reached the cybercrime group of the citys Local Police which has managed to identify the driver and sent a file to the Prosecutor's Office alleging various road safety offences.

Serious danger to life

Local Police analysed a total of four videos. In three of them the car was seen driving through several Malaga streets of Malaga with a person on the roof, where there was a serious danger to his life in the event of a fall caused by an accident due to loss of control of the vehicle or the need to brake in an emergency.

In the fourth video, the same driver is captured driving on a two-lane road, with a warning sign for roadworks visible, before reaching a speed of 187 kilometres per hour.
Atlantic, IA (50022)

Today

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 31F. SSW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 31F. SSW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.
Do you already have a paid subscription to any of the SWNewsMedia newspapers? If so, you can Activate your Premium online account by clicking here. Activation will allow you to view unlimited online articles each month. To activate your Premium online account, the email address and phone number provided with your paid newspaper subscription needs to match the information you use in setting up your online user account. If you are having trouble or want to confirm what email address and phone number is listed on your subscription account, please call 952-345-6682 or email circulation@swpub.com and we'll be happy to assist.
Patrick Jones is branch manager for the Chanhassen and Victoria libraries. For questions about services, contact staff at www.carverlib.org/about-us/contact-us or reach out to Jones directly at 952-227-1504 or pjones@co.carver.mn.us. For more info, visit www.carverlib.org.
Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription.

Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service.
Chris Core is a former Washington, D.C. radio and television personality who now lives in Pass-a-Grille. He is a winner of the Edward R. Murrow Award for outstanding achievement in broadcast journalism.
U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist represents St. Petersburg, Clearwater and most of Pinellas County. He served as governor from 2007 to 2011 as a Republican, and he is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor in 2022.
I am a third-year majoring in Biological Sciences and this is my third year at Technician. While I currently work as Opinion Editor, I started off writing for Opinion, News and also worked as a copy editor!

Follow Shilpa Giri 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
Correspondent

My name is Olivia Hille (she/her) and I intend to graduate in spring of 2022 in Political Science. I intend to shed light on issues in our community and it is important to me that everyone's voice is heard.
The full version string for this update release is 11.0.13+10 (where "+" means "build"). The version number is 11.0.13.

Complete release notes for Java 11 can be found here.

IANA Data 2020a

JDK 11.0.13 contains IANA time zone data 2021a. For more information, refer to Timezone Data Versions in the JRE Software.

Security Baselines

The security baselines for the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) at the time of the release of JDK 11.0.13 are specified in the following table:

JRE Family Version = JRE Security Baseline (Full Version String)

11 = 11.0.13+10

8 = 8u311-b11

7 = 7u321-b08

Keeping the JDK up to Date

Oracle recommends that the JDK is updated with each Critical Patch Update. In order to determine if a release is the latest, the Security Baseline page can be used to determine which is the latest version for each release family.

Critical patch updates, which contain security vulnerability fixes, are announced one year in advance on Critical Patch Updates, Security Alerts and Bulletins. It is not recommended that this JDK (version 11.0.13) be used after the next critical patch update scheduled for January 18, 2022.

What's New:

security-libs/org.ietf.jgss:krb5

 Support cross-realm MSSFU

The support for the Kerberos MSSFU extensions [1] is now extended to cross-realm environments.

By leveraging the Kerberos cross-realm referrals enhancement introduced in the context of JDK-8215032, the 'S4U2Self' and 'S4U2Proxy' extensions may be used to impersonate user and service principals located on different realms.

security-libs/java.security

 Customizing PKCS12 keystore Generation

New system and security properties have been added to enable users to customize the generation of PKCS #12 keystores. This includes algorithms and parameters for key protection, certificate protection, and MacData. The detailed explanation and possible values for these properties can be found in the "PKCS12 KeyStore properties" section of the java.security file.

Also, support for the following SHA-2 based HmacPBE algorithms has been added to the SunJCE provider: HmacPBESHA224, HmacPBESHA256, HmacPBESHA384, HmacPBESHA512, HmacPBESHA512/224, HmacPBESHA512/256

Removed Features and Options

security-libs/java.security

 Removed Root Certificates with 1024-bit Keys

The following root certificates with weak 1024-bit RSA public keys have been removed from the cacerts keystore:

+ alias name "thawtepremiumserverca [jdk]" Distinguished Name: EMAILADDRESS=premium-server@thawte.com, CN=Thawte Premium Server CA, OU=Certification Services Division, O=Thawte Consulting cc, L=Cape Town, ST=Western Cape, C=ZA + alias name "verisignclass2g2ca [jdk]" Distinguished Name: OU=VeriSign Trust Network, OU="(c) 1998 VeriSign, Inc. - For authorized use only", OU=Class 2 Public Primary Certification Authority - G2, O="VeriSign, Inc.", C=US + alias name "verisignclass3ca [jdk]" Distinguished Name: OU=Class 3 Public Primary Certification Authority, O="VeriSign, Inc.", C=US + alias name "verisignclass3g2ca [jdk]" Distinguished Name: OU=VeriSign Trust Network, OU="(c) 1998 VeriSign, Inc. - For authorized use only", OU=Class 3 Public Primary Certification Authority - G2, O="VeriSign, Inc.", C=US + alias name "verisigntsaca [jdk]" Distinguished Name: CN=Thawte Timestamping CA, OU=Thawte Certification, O=Thawte, L=Durbanville, ST=Western Cape, C=ZA

Previous release notes

security-libs/java.security

 -groupname Option Added to keytool Key Pair Generation

A new -groupname option has been added to keytool -genkeypair so that a user can specify a named group when generating a key pair. For example, keytool -genkeypair -keyalg EC -groupname secp384r1 will generate an EC key pair by using the secp384r1 curve. Because there might be multiple curves with the same size, using the -groupname option is preferred over the -keysize option.

security-libs/javax.net.ssl

 Support for certificate_authorities Extension

The "certificate_authorities" extension is an optional extension introduced in TLS 1.3. It is used to indicate the certificate authorities (CAs) that an endpoint supports and should be used by the receiving endpoint to guide certificate selection.

With this JDK release, the "certificate_authorities" extension is supported for TLS 1.3 in both the client and the server sides. This extension is always present for client certificate selection, while it is optional for server certificate selection.

Applications can enable this extension for server certificate selection by setting the jdk.tls.client.enableCAExtension system property to true. The default value of the property is false.

Note that if the client trusts more CAs than the size limit of the extension (less than 2^16 bytes), the extension is not enabled. Also, some server implementations do not allow handshake messages to exceed 2^14 bytes. Consequently, there may be interoperability issues when jdk.tls.client.enableCAExtension is set to true and the client trusts more CAs than the server implementation limit.

core-libs/java.lang

 POSIX_SPAWN Option on Linux

As an additional way to launch processes on Linux, the jdk.lang.Process.launchMechanism property can be set to POSIX_SPAWN. This option has been available for a long time on other *nix platforms. The default launch mechanism (VFORK) on Linux is unchanged, so this additional option does not affect existing installations.

POSIX_SPAWN mitigates rare pathological cases when spawning child processes, but it has not yet been excessively tested. Prudence is advised when using POSIX_SPAWN in productive installations.

security-libs/javax.net.ssl

 Support for X25519 and X448 in TLS

The named elliptic curve groups x25519 and x448 are now available for JSSE key agreement in TLS versions 1.0 to 1.3, with x25519 being the most preferred of the default enabled named groups. The default ordered list is now:

x25519, secp256r1, secp384r1, secp521r1, x448, ffdhe2048, ffdhe3072, ffdhe4096, ffdhe6144, ffdhe8192

The default list can be overridden by using the system property jdk.tls.namedGroups.

security-libs/java.security

 jarsigner Preserves POSIX File Permission and symlink Attributes

When signing a file that contains POSIX file permission or symlink attributes, jarsigner now preserves these attributes in the newly signed file but warns that these attributes are unsigned and not protected by the signature. The same warning is printed during the jarsigner -verify operation for such files.

Note that the jar tool does not read/write these attributes. This change is more visible to tools like unzip where these attributes are preserved.

client-libs/2d

 Oracle JDK11u for Solaris Now Requires harfbuzz to be Installed

Oracle JDK-11.0.10 and later for Solaris 11 requires that the OS provide the package library/desktop/harfbuzz as part of the system installation. This package is provided for Solaris 11.3 and later.

$ pkg info harfbuzz Name: library/desktop/harfbuzz Summary: HarfBuzz is an OpenType text shaping engine Description: HarfBuzz is a library for text shaping, which converts unicode text to glyph indices and positions. HarfBuzz is used directly by libraries such as Pango, and the layout engines in firefox. Category: Desktop (GNOME)/Libraries State: Installed Publisher: solaris

This is a desktop library, but the font processing it does is part of some common backend server workloads. It should always be considered as required.

If this library is missing, then the pkg mechanism will require it during installation of the JDK. If installing the JDK by using a tar.gz bundle (for example) and the library/desktop/harfbuzz package is missing, a runtime link failure will occur when this package is needed.

JDK-8251907 (not public)

core-libs/java.time

 JDK time-zone data upgraded to tzdata2020d

The JDK update incorporates tzdata2020d. The main change is

Palestine ends DST earlier than predicted, on 2020-10-24.

Please refer to https://mm.icann.org/pipermail/tz-announce/2020-October/000062.html for more information.

core-libs/java.time

 JDK time-zone data upgraded to tzdata2020c

The JDK update incorporates tzdata2020c. The main change is

Fiji starts DST later than usual, on 2020-12-20.

Please refer to https://mm.icann.org/pipermail/tz-announce/2020-October/000060.html for more information.

core-libs/java.time

 US/Pacific-New Zone Name Removed as Part of tzdata2020b

Following the JDK's update to tzdata2020b, the long-obsolete files named pacificnew and systemv have been removed. As a result, the "US/Pacific-New" Zone name declared in the pacificnew data file is no longer available for use.

Information regarding this update can be viewed at https://mm.icann.org/pipermail/tz-announce/2020-October/000059.html.

Bug Fixes

This release also contains fixes for security vulnerabilities described in the Oracle Critical Patch Update. For a more complete list of the bug fixes included in this release, see the JDK 11.0.10 Bug Fixes page.

security-libs/java.security

 Weak Named Curves in TLS, CertPath, and Signed JAR Disabled by Default

Weak named curves are disabled by default by adding them to the following disabledAlgorithms security properties: jdk.tls.disabledAlgorithms, jdk.certpath.disabledAlgorithms, and jdk.jar.disabledAlgorithms. The named curves are listed below.

With 47 weak named curves to be disabled, adding individual named curves to each disabledAlgorithms property would be overwhelming. To relieve this, a new security property, jdk.disabled.namedCurves, is implemented that can list the named curves common to all of the disabledAlgorithms properties. To use the new property in the disabledAlgorithms properties, precede the full property name with the keyword include. Users can still add individual named curves to disabledAlgorithms properties separate from this new property. No other properties can be included in the disabledAlgorithms properties.

To restore the named curves, remove the include jdk.disabled.namedCurves either from specific or from all disabledAlgorithms security properties. To restore one or more curves, remove the specific named curve(s) from the jdk.disabled.namedCurves property.

Curves that are disabled through jdk.disabled.namedCurves include the following: secp112r1, secp112r2, secp128r1, secp128r2, secp160k1, secp160r1, secp160r2, secp192k1, secp192r1, secp224k1, secp224r1, secp256k1, sect113r1, sect113r2, sect131r1, sect131r2, sect163k1, sect163r1, sect163r2, sect193r1, sect193r2, sect233k1, sect233r1, sect239k1, sect283k1, sect283r1, sect409k1, sect409r1, sect571k1, sect571r1, X9.62 c2tnb191v1, X9.62 c2tnb191v2, X9.62 c2tnb191v3, X9.62 c2tnb239v1, X9.62 c2tnb239v2, X9.62 c2tnb239v3, X9.62 c2tnb359v1, X9.62 c2tnb431r1, X9.62 prime192v2, X9.62 prime192v3, X9.62 prime239v1, X9.62 prime239v2, X9.62 prime239v3, brainpoolP256r1, brainpoolP320r1, brainpoolP384r1, brainpoolP512r1

Curves that remain enabled are: secp256r1, secp384r1, secp521r1, X25519, X448. See JDK-8233228

security-libs/org.ietf.jgss:krb5

 Support for Kerberos Cross-Realm Referrals (RFC 6806)

The Kerberos client has been enhanced with the support of principal name canonicalization and cross-realm referrals, as defined by the RFC 6806 protocol extension.

As a result of this new feature, the Kerberos client can take advantage of more dynamic environment configurations and does not necessarily need to know (in advance) how to reach the realm of a target principal (user or service).

Support is enabled by default and 5 is the maximum number of referral hops allowed. To turn it off, set the sun.security.krb5.disableReferrals security or system property to false. To configure a custom maximum number of referral hops, set the sun.security.krb5.maxReferrals security or system property to any positive value.

Previous versions:
Cyber crime has become ever-present. Millions of computer users suffer due to fraudulent online activities. Every time you connect to the internet without the right protection, you too can be attacked by cyber criminals. Be it swindling money from your bank account, misusing your credit card, crashing your computer or even splashing your children's pictures all over internet, they can attack without a warning.

Introducing K7 Total Security - the most comprehensive and affordable protection for home PCs. Recognized by industry insiders all over the world, it provides complete security against cyber criminals and other evolving cyber threats. Install K7 Total Security today and protect yourself from becoming the next victim.

Comprehensive Device control

Set read/write/execute access to external devices.

Scans USB disks as soon as they are plugged in.

Prevents malicious autoruns when any external device is plugged in.

Vaccinates USB drive from getting infected.

Carnivore - Zero day threat blocking

Detects & Blocks PDF based exploits

Carnivore - Drive-by-download blocking

Detects and blocks browser exploits

Detects and malware based on its behavior.

Vulnerability Scanner

Detects and informs the user about vulnerable applications that can be exploited to infect the computer.

Enhanced Scan Engine

Enhanced detection capability for Flash and PDF based malware.

Enhanced Real Time Scanner

Smart file scanning algorithm to have zero load on your system.

Capability to detect exploits in any file type

K7 Bootable Rescue CD

Use the product CD as a bootable rescue disc, scan your system and remove the viruses [only for offline purchase]

Web Protection

Safe Search - Cloud based annotation for every URL in search results and special annotation for VeriSign Certified Sites.

Safe Surf - Cloud based website verification and blocking of Phishing and Unsafe sites.

Identity Protection - Automatic security alert when Passwords are entered into non-secure sites.

Internet Security

Stealth mode keeps the system invisible while it is connected to internet

Improved network connection identification while connecting to any new network.

No prompts, automatic decision making when any trusted application connects to the internet.

Smart IDS to stop network based attacks.

Fine grained configuration for security savvy users.

Privacy

Provides option to protect your confidential data from being sent on the internet without your knowledge.

Parental Control

Helps user to block or allow websites

Block third party browsers from accessing the Internet

Control the programs or games your kids can use

Nano Secure Technology

Nano Secure Technology is the next generation Security Software CORE

Enables prudent security solutions at multiple layers analysing & collating Various events to detect and block threats

Bonus Tools
In a nutshell: The UK's coin-producing Royal Mint will soon recycle discarded phones and laptops to extract gold, silver, and other precious metals from the devices using a "revolutionary" world-first technology.

The Royal Mint has partnered with Canadian start-up Excir to use the extraction tech, which is able to recover 99% of the metals found in electronic waste. It said the chemistry selectively targets and extracts precious metals from circuit boards in seconds. The gold can then be melted into ingots and used for Royal Mint products.

The Royal Mint plans to recover the precious metals at room temperature at its main site in Wales, instead of the e-waste piling up in landfills or being sent outside the UK to be processed at high temperatures in smelters. Initial use of the technology has already yielded gold with a purity of 999.9. When fully scaled up, it could potentially recover palladium, silver, and copper, too.

Excir says the process is "an extremely mild and eco-friendly solution that can be recycled with negligible environmental impact." The company recently received about $4.3 million in financial support from a Canadian government-affiliated foundation that funds clean technology, writes the Washington Post.

The Global E-Waste Monitor 2020 shows that consumers discarded 53.6 million tonnes worth of electronics in 2019 globally, a 20% increase compared to five years ago, and it's estimated to reach 74 million tonnes by 2030. The value of raw materials in global e-waste generated in 2019 is equal to approximately $57 billion, more than the GDP of most countries in the world, and less than 20% is currently recycled.

The mint's chief executive, Anne Jessopp, said the new technology would help to "make a genuine impact on one of the world's greatest environmental challenges."

Companies such as Apple and Samsung ship their new handsets without chargers and earphones as a way of reducing e-waste, though some question why their phones haven't dropped in price as a result.
In brief: After leaving behind its 3D XPoint venture with Intel, memory maker Micron is looking to expand its manufacturing capacity in Japan. The company is also considering the US for a DRAM factory, but that will depend on whether or not the US Congress can offer enough support in the form of tax incentives and subsidies.

Memory maker Micron Technology has announced plans to build a new manufacturing plant that will be located in the Hiroshima prefecture in western Japan. The new chip fab will produce advanced DRAM for the data center, as the company is shifting focus away from the consumer market after selling its 3D XPoint fab to Texas Instruments.

According to the Nikkan Kogyo newspaper, the project will cost around 800 billion yen (approximately $7 billion), and Micron is currently in the process of buying land near its existing campus in Hiroshima. Details are scarce at the time of this writing, but we do know the company is in talks with Japanese officials to secure subsidies, and those discussions are progressing well. If all goes to plan, the new facility will start operating in 2024.

At the same time, Micron is considering building a memory factory in the US. This will be a more challenging endeavor, as the cost of setting up a chip fab in North America is around 45 percent higher than doing the same in Asia. The Boise, Idaho-based company currently has a pilot production line in Virginia for less advanced memory chips that go into cars, but cutting-edge memory chips used in consumer devices and data centers are still manufactured at its other facilities in Singapore, Japan, and Taiwan.

Sumit Sadana, who is Microns executive vice president and chief business officer, believes more memory chips should be made in the US as they represent around 30 percent of the global semiconductor market. As of writing, only two percent of all memory chips are manufactured in the US, and Sadana says improving this number is a matter of both national security and supply chain resiliency.

Like other companies in the semiconductor space, Micron is planning to invest up to $150 billion into research and development as well as expanding its manufacturing capacity over the next decade. However, the company warns that considerable bipartisan support is needed to make that happen. The US Congress is still debating over subsidies for building factories and investment tax credits for the expensive machines that will populate them.
What just happened? Facebook has been fined $70 million (50.5 million) for refusing to cooperate with UK competition regulators after being asked for information regarding its acquisition of the gif-sharing platform Giphy. The fine was only issued after several warnings from the UKs Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Facebook acquired Giphy over a year ago for an undisclosed sum, but some reports claim the deal was valued at around $400 million. Soon after the takeover, the UK antitrust watchdog opened an investigation concerning the merger due to how it could affect competition in various markets. At the start of the investigation, the CMA also issued an initial enforcement order (IEO), preventing the transfer of assets and staff between the companies, and Giphy's integration on any Facebook product.

To ensure that Facebook complied with the IEO, UK regulators demanded that Facebook present them with regular updates. As it seems, Facebook didn't, despite the CMA issuing multiple warnings. Facebook's actions led the UK watchdog to consider that the tech giant "consciously [refused] to report all the required information" and that its "failure to comply was deliberate", leading it to issue a $70 million fine.

"We warned Facebook that its refusal to provide us with important information was a breach of the order but, even after losing its appeal in two separate courts, Facebook continued to disregard its legal obligations," says Joel Bamford, senior director of mergers at CMA.

Besides the $70 million fine, the UK competition watchdog also fined Facebook $690,000 (500,000) for changing its Chief Compliance Officer twice, without approval. Moreover, Facebook is the first company to be found by the UK competition watchdog for breaching an IEO by not providing the requested information.

Over a year after the investigation started, the UK regulators deemed Giphy's acquisition a threat to the social media market, raising the possibility of blocking the deal if necessary. However, it looks like Facebook will only get two fines, at least for now.
In context: Recent antitrust lawsuits and investigations from various agencies in multiple countries have pushed numerous companies' anticompetitive behavior to the forefront. So it's not surprising that the US Congress has been pursuing several legislative measures to address issues exposed by these cases. The latest hopes to ban companies from favoring their own goods and services.

On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of US senators introduced a bill that would prohibit Big Tech firms from favoring their own products. It is one of several motions in Congress to address various antitrust concerns that have sprouted up with several tech giants, including Apple, Facebook, Google, and Amazon.

The legislation sponsored by Amy Klobuchar and Chuck Grassley looks to ban companies operating large platforms from locking their clients into using their goods and services. For example, the law would prohibit Facebook from requiring advertisers to use its Audience Networkit would have to let them use third-party ad solutions if they wish. It could also potentially apply to the use of payment platforms that is at the heart of the Epic v Apple antitrust battle.

I think small businesses in America should have a shot to compete online. Thats the bottom line of our new legislation: to make sure Big Tech companies cant use their dominance to push out the competition.  Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) October 20, 2021

Reuters notes that the bill also prohibits companies from tuning their search algorithms to favor their own products. This second part of the legislation seems to be directly related to the recent discovery that Amazon India has been fixing search results to funnel users to its own knock-off products versus its competitors.

Unsurprisingly, Amazon, Facebook, and Google oppose the measure, saying it could have "unintended consequences."

"[This legislation] would harm consumers and the more than 500,000 US small and medium-sized businesses that sell in the Amazon store, and it would put at risk the more than 1 million jobs created by those businesses," Amazon said in a statement.

Big tech companies shouldnt be able to use the information they collect on small businesses that sell on their platforms to create copy cat products and box out competition. This hurts our economy and raises prices for YOU.



Now is the time for Congress to act. https://t.co/ft2YWgy6Y9  Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) October 19, 2021

Facebook defended itself, saying that it competes with several social media platforms, including TikTok and Twitter. It contends the bill would "dismantle" its integrated products and services in a way that would harm its customer base.

A Google spokesperson told Reuters that if the bill were to become law, companies would have a hard time offering free services such as search and maps. The company also feels that such a law would lead to those free services becoming "less safe, less private and less secure."

Not all tech companies are against the bill. Senator Klobuchar's office said that Spotify, Roku, Match Group, and DuckDuckGo support the legislation.

The House Judiciary Committee has already approved the bill, but it still has to be passed by both branches of Congress before being sent to President Joe Biden for his signature or veto.

Image credit: UpstateNYer (CC BY-SA 3.0)
(Photo : Image from Ford Website) Ford Mustang Mach-E EV from the China Assembly Line Roll Out Ahead of Deliveries

Ford has now just successfully rolled out the first ever models of its very own Mustang Mach-E off of its assembly line in China. This is ahead of deliveries to local customers to be made later this year.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

The brand new EVs are expected to be sold in China through Ford's very own direct sales network and will reportedly be manufactured at the Changan Ford's manufacturing plant located in Chongqing. Per Electrek, Ford's very own all-electric Mustang Mach-E initially debuted towards the end of 2019 which was then followed by certain deliveries that were made in the US the following December.

As of the moment, the Mach-E reportedly sits alone as the only fully electric passenger vehicle that is offered by Ford. This is although it will soon be joined by yet another F-150 Lightning in 2022 as well as an European EV set that is set to arrive in 2023.

China Ford Models Pre-Order

In April 2020, Ford noted that it would start taking in pre-orders in Chian for four different variations of the Mach-E. The pre-orders will reportedly start at a price of 265,000 Yuan or about $40,830 USD for the Standard Range RWD.

This was then followed by yet another announcement in July that Ford would then be offering another RWD called the "SE" version of the Mustang Mach-E. This would then qualify for EV subsidies in China alongside Ford's Standard Range version. Gruber Motors, a shop that is working on Tesla vehicles, caught fire once again which results in the second time a fire has happened in four years.

Pre-Order Starts for the Mach-E

Electrek reported that customers in China would be able to pre-order the said Mach-E this fall before the deliveries start during the end of 2021. The time to order has also now arrived as Changan Ford, a certain joint venture made between Changan Automobile as well as Ford Motor Company, has officially started producing Mustang Mach-E's for China.

In a press release out of Chongqing, Ford announced that the initial Mustang Mach-E manufactured in China had finally rolled off the assembly line. This is reportedly a pivotal step that moves toward delivering the first customer models to Chinese reservation holders before the end of 2021. As of the moment, Tesla is also starting its deliveries for the revised Model X EVs as pictures on Twitter confirms owners receiving them.

Read Also: Tesla FSD, Autopilot to Work Even Without Internet Connection? Elon Musk Says It's a Must

Ford Selection

Ford has also officially opened a list of models for the Mustang Mach-E preorders in China. Buyers from the area can reportedly choose from the following options:

Standard Range RWD

SE RWD (long range)

Premium RWD (long range)

Premium AWD (long range)

GT First Edition AWD

Ford notes that customers in China who pay the deposit and choose to sign and purchase the contract before December 31, 2021 will be able to qualify for helpful benefits. These benefits include vehicle and battery system warranty, a referral bonus, and roadside assistance.

Related Article: Tesla Model Y Shipping Schedule in US, UK Unveiled! Cybertruck Details Deleted From Website?

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Urian B.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Hair Botox is something that is new to the ears and somehow raises an eyebrow with regards to its applications and treatment as the word "botox" already has a connotation for skin use. However, this is a different treatment, and it would help the hair grow stronger and younger, despite the later age of the users.

Anti-aging products are a massive thing, particularly because they bring the promises and takes on a sensitive topic for people, which is their age and the inevitable happening of growing old. That being said, there are a lot of products that focus on this already.

However, health care is not just about looks and appearances. It is also about fitness and maintaining good mental health to be able to carry on and follow through for the future.

Hair Botox: What is It?

Hair Botox is a proprietary treatment that was debuted by the Nicky Clarke Salon in Mayfair, London, United Kingdom, which is popular for its services with regards to hair care needs. While it offers a lot of treatment to enhance hair products, one of its highlights is the "Hair Botox" which promises to make hair younger-looking and feeling.

Botox or "Botulinum toxin" is a drug that can paralyze the muscles and in small doses, is used by dermatologists and other doctors to smooth out wrinkles and avoid the aging process of the skin. It can also cure severe underarm sweating, but is known for its poisonous effect when consumed with a condition called "botulism."

However, it would not use the said toxin or Botox in the case of the hair treatment, and it would use a better approach compared to other hair straightening procedures like keratin and hot oil. Moreover, it would help to bring back life to a hair, in a more natural look that would not require more hair care products.

Read Also: Open-Source Cane Borrows Autonomous Vehicle Tech for Visually-Impaired and Costs $400 to Build

Nicky Clarke Salon's Hair Botox

Ondine Cowley from Nicky Clarke Mayfair first introduced this treatment and pioneered this in the U.K. She said that she originally got it from Spain, and was adopted to the way hair care works in England, which was a total hit.

Cowley said that it focuses more on treatment rather than injecting toxins into the hair, and it would feel more natural than other treatments present. Moreover, the Nicky Clarke Salon offers this treatment for as much as 350 British Pounds, which is a little pricey for hair treatment.

Nevertheless, the treatment was said to be effective and good for the head's crowning glory.

Is it Effective, Safe?

The main ingredient is hyaluronic acid, and it is a known anti-aging product that can help in keeping the skin hydrated and healthy. Other ingredients include shea butter, seed oil, pracaxi oil, and tannin. These products here are known to be used in usual hair products to straighten hair and make it feel healthier.

Moreover, Cowley said that treatment would vary for how a person wants their hair to be straightened out using the treatment before rinsing.

The salon ensures that it is safe and effective, particularly as it uses the usual treatment for hair care and not the legitimate "botox." It was only called "Hair Botox" because it brings a promise to healthy and younger-looking hair.

Related Article: AI for Breast Cancer: UK's Shortage of Radiologists to Be Answered by Tech to Detect the Condition

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Image from Unsplash Website) Chrome OS Could Allow Users to Run Android Apps | 'Android Push'

Chrome OS could now allow users to run Android apps through what's called the "Android Push." Google has practically two major computing platforms or three if considered the Web and it was noted that once upon a time, the two did not meet.

Chrome OS and Connected Android Phone

According to SlashGear, Chrome OS could almost be considered the actual one Google OS to rule everything and its integration along with Android is now only about to get even deeper. There could have been development afoot in a much wider bridge made between Chrome OS as well as a connected Android phone.

Tomorrow, users might see a new feature that will then finally let users mirror their Android phone apps through using their Chromebook. It was noted that it is almost embarrassing that Windows PCs already had the ability for much longer compared to Google's very own operating system. Google is reportedly claiming that the Chrome OS is capable of combating ransomware better than Windows or MacOS.

Samsung and Microsoft

This could best be exemplified with the partnership made between Samsung and Microsoft that would even allow certain apps from Galaxy phones to run in its very own window as if it were said to be a native Windows app. While the Chrome OS already has long had the ability to be able to install and run Android apps from Google Play Store.

The upcoming feature would then actually pull the apps that have already been installed and configured in their smartphone. Chrome OS users and fans could be familiar with such functionality that has supposedly been rumored for a few months.

Read Also: Google Fuchsia First Beta to Replace Android, Chrome OS: How to Download?

Android Push for Chromebook

This is believed to be called the "Android Push" and the feature would utilize the exact same WebRTC technology that is used by certain web-based video chats in order to stream a Pixel phone's screen to the supposed Chromebook. The brand new feature was reportedly discovered by XDA's very own Mishaal Rahman, however, it has quite a bit more nuances and might be probably more limited.

The tech journalist notes that the feature would be falling under the existing Phone Hub would then allow users to temporarily be able to access their phone's apps from their own Chromebook. The theory is reportedly that when a certain notification from the phone is received, users will then be able to click on the notification. ChromeOS was found to beat macOS as the world's 2nd most popular computer OS.

The appropriate app for it would then be launched without needing to install it on the Chromebook. Not like phone mirroring, however, this still sounds like yet a brief interaction only which was hinted by the word "temporarily" inside the description. The feature is apparently already in Chrome OS but remains not live as of the moment.

Related Article: Chrome OS 91 Encounters Many Performance Issues After the Update--Here's Why You Should Not Install it

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Urian B.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
NASA's new invisible laser beams are expected to enhance space communication once reaching outer space. The new LCRD (Laser Communications Relay Demonstration) arrived in Florida last May.

Related Article: One of the Lucy Spacecraft's Solar Arrays "May Not be Fully Latched"

As of the moment, this space laser technology is already fully integrated into the host spacecraft. This means that it is finally ready for its last test, which would allow the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to check if LCRD can survive once it is sent off into space.

"NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) is gearing up for launch this fall, no earlier than Nov. 22," said the giant agency via its official blog post.

However, the exact date for LCRD's launch is not yet confirmed. This would still depend on the output of NASA's last test run.

NASA's Invisible Laser Beams To Enhance Space Communication

According to SlashGear's latest report, the upcoming demonstration of NASA for its new LCRD technology would offer more insights on how laser beams could enhance the current space communication.

Also Read: NASA Tracks Multiple Asteroids Passing By Earth, One Nearly the Size of Empire State Building-Are They Safe?

The advanced Laser Communications Relay Demonstration is expected to reduce the power requirements of a communications system aboard spacecraft.

Aside from this, NASA's new LCRD could also reduce a communications system's weight and size. It would work by extracting the full potential of infrared light's power.

After that, LCRD would send and receive information encoded into the invisible laser beams from various locations. NASA is also working on other space missions right now. These include the new NASA Lucy asteroid mission.

Meanwhile, NASA Hubble Space Telescope was able to capture water vapor in one of Jupiter's moons.

Other Activities of NASA

NASA also confirmed that it would use a gamma-ray telescope to map the Milky Way Galaxy.

The giant space agency would specifically rely on COSI (Compton Spectrometer and Imager) to study various space activities in the solar system's host galaxy. These include stars' deaths, chemical elements' formations, and more.

It is expected to be launched this coming 2025.

For more news updates about NASA and its upcoming space missions, 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.
Google Pixel 6's Android updates support will only be until 3 years or October 2024, the search engine giant confirmed. On top of that, the Android system requirements have also been unveiled, excluding tons of mobile phones.

As per The Verge, the upcoming flagship smartphone of Google, the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro will release alongside the introduction of the Google-designed chip, which powers the new devices.

However, the Android update support for the said smartphones will not get an OS update similar to what Apple provides for its flagships, which could last up to 6 years. In fact, the Cupertino giant still provides updates for its six-year-old device, the iPhone 6s, which was still included in the rollout of the iOS 15.

Google Pixel 6's Android Support Will Only Last 3 Years

On the other hand, Google confirmed on its support page that it could only offer updates to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro for 3 years.

The tech giant further told The Verge in an interview that when the Android updates stop rolling out to the said smartphones, the Pixel 6 series will still get security updates to ensure that it will "stay up-to-date and secure."

Google went on to add that the release of the extended updates after the Android support will still depend on the capacity of the Pixel 6 phones, as well as their needs.

Read Also: Google Android 12.1 Leak: A Foldable Phone Might Arrive This Year Together With an Upcoming Software Update

Android 12 System Requirements

Speaking of Android, Google recently released the system requirements of its upcoming major update for its mobile operating system.

The technical details of the Android 12 were seen as Google released a Compatibility Definition Document for the said mobile OS.

Android 12 will be subscribing to a standard called Performance Class that determines which devices are compatible with the latest version of the OS.

However, it is worth noting that the Android 12 system requirements only mean that the smartphone will get "the most premium experience" of the major update. That said, devices that do not meet these technical specs could still run the OS with some compromises.

Here are the minimum requirements for Android 12.

Minimum of 6GB of RAM

At least a 12-megapixel rear camera with support for 4K30 video recording

a 1080p display with 400 PPI or higher

Sequential read performance of at least 250 MB/s

Random read performance of at least 40 MB/s

Sequential write performance of at least 120 MB/s.

Random write performance of at least 10 MB/s

With these specs in mind, it is unfortunate that most budget phones are expected not to get Android 12 updates, which seems to kicks out a huge chunk of the smartphone market.

Related Article: Google Pixel 6 Pro Leaks Surprisingly Comes From Actual Developer, But Deletes Post After-What Details Were Revealed?

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Teejay Boris

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Google's Pixel 6 was unveiled earlier today, and it brings the two variants of the latest smartphone from the internet company that presents a new device to battle against smartphone giants in the industry. Completing the Pixel experience would not be full if not for its accessories, and it has an accompaniment of noteworthy ones that people need.

Google Pixel 6 Accessories

The Pixel 6 is a device that can stand alone, but these accessories may be just what a person needs for their Google experience.

Google Pixel Stand

The Pixel Stand has been around for a long time now, especially as it introduced a hassle-free and cable-free charging experience for Google. The plugging and unplugging on its USB-C port are known to reduce its functions with regards to data transfer, plus cables are known to get broken for its usage (wear and tear).

Google has taken this opportunity to update its Pixel Stand to Generation 2, and it comes with 23W of wireless charging to be supported by the new Pixel 6 phones.

The Pixel Stand 2 is fairly affordable at an introductory price of $79, but Google said that it is coming soon, and the public may have to wait for its release in the coming months.

Read Also: How to Screenshot on Chromebook and Saving the Copy

Google Pixel Buds

Another affordable and bang for the buck accessory for the Pixel 6 is the 2021 wireless earphones from Google, and it is the Pixel Buds A-Series. It is one device that can enhance the Google Pixel experience, and it comes at a price that is reasonable for in-ear Bluetooth earphones from Google.

Its price is $99, and it comes in different colors that can be matched to one's new device.

The sound profile of the device is enough to complete the Pixel experience, without the hassle of being charged for more or expensively for its quality.

The Pixel 6 from Google

The Pixel 6 is the first one that has the public release of the Android 12, courtesy of its parent company, Google, which would also rollout its updates for other Pixels soon. The device has been highly awaited by the public, especially as it promises to be the most powerful device on the current lineup, and would expand more with its latest offerings.

Moreover, the Pixel 6 variants both have the custom-built silicon-based system-on-chip (SoC) by the company called the Tensor chips, and it is Google's first take on this. It was said to be giving the Apple and Qualcomm SoC a run for its money, and one of Google's first version of the chip to fight against those that have been in the industry for so long.

The accessories for the Pixel 6 like the Pixel Stand and the Pixel Buds are here to complete the experience of the new device from Google.

It is a powerful smartphone, no doubt, and it brings a lot to the table. The accessories of the phone would only enhance the device to achieve some of its full capabilities and complement usage.

Related Article: Google Pixel 6 Wireless Charging to Have 23W of Power, Larger than the iPhone 12 Magsafe

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Image from Unsplash Website) US Air Force Could Use First Fossil-Free Jet Fuel Made of CO2 Viable

Berkeley, a certain California-based carbon transformation company called Twelve, as well as the Tulsa-based Emerging Fuels Technology have just announced that they are able to produce the very first fossil-free jet fuel made by carbon dioxide through an electrochemical process. The project even received funding coming from the US Air Force.

E-Jet Biofuel for Commercial and Military Aviation

According to Engadget, the new biofuel is reportedly called E-Jet and is designed to be usable for both commercial and military aviation. Biofuels, although good, are known to be extremely expensive as per biofuel-news.

Where a number of processes have been able to prove the ability to yield a whopping 65% of jet fuel from initial stock, ETF notes that its process is able to yield over 80%! ETF has also reportedly signed a licensing agreement along with a Norwegian company known as Nordic Electrofuel, which is also in the business of making fossil-replacement fuels.

Twelve and ETF on Fossil-Free Jet Fuel

Both Twelve and ETF note that fossil-free jet fuel E-Jet is said to be a drop-in replacement for certain petrochemical-based alternatives. It was also noted that no changes are required to the existing plane design or even commercial regulations. Aside from biofuel, Rolls-Royce developed an electric airplane and the goal is to beat 300Mph.

Twelve provides a summary on how E-Jet is made through its website noting that it is made through the company's carbon transformation technology. It is described as a new electrochemical reactor and proprietary catalyst that works by electrifying CO2 and water. This in turn creates synthetic gas or CO + H2, which can then be refined into carbon neutral jet fuel. An Oil Rig resort is being built in Saudi called The Rig but environmental concerns are now putting up red flags.

E-Jet has Over 90% Lower Life Cycle Emissions

E-Jet is reportedly drop-in ready and certified along with the same quality and performance but actually has over 90% lower life cycle emissions. This is due to the company sourcing the carbon in their fuel from the air itself instead of from the ground. It was also noted that because it has some fewer contaminants compared to petroleum-based fuels, it is able to burn cleaner.

In the summer of 2021, the US Air Force even tested and qualified the company's E-Jet product. Both Twelve and ETF reportedly worked in partnership along with the US Air Force's very own Operational Energy office through a joint contract along with AFWEX.

Read Also: AI Study on Climate Change Reports How Massive the Environment Problem Is Now

Air Force on E-Jet

AFWERX is a program office at the Air Force Research Laboratory as well as the Small Business Innovation Research or SBIR program. The Air Force's deputy assistant secretary for Operational Energy, Robert Guerrero, gave a statement.

According to Guerrero, one of their main goals with the project is to be able to create a clean jet fuel that is capable of enhancing security and energy independence even without sacrificing operational readiness. It was noted that the successful completion of the project only proves the efficiency as well as environmental responsibility are not really mutually exclusive.

Related Article: IBM AI Service Now Helps Companies with Climate Change Analysis Combining Weather Data, Risk Analysis, and More

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Urian B.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been told by the Senate to pick a second company to build the moon lander that will be used for the space agency's Artemis program.

NASA initially decided to award the contract only to SpaceX despite being expected to pick out two of the three companies that were in the running.

The two other companies, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Dynetics, both filed formal complaints as a result of NASA's decision to only pick SpaceX.

NASA Told to Pick Second Company

NASA has been told by the Senate to choose a second company to build the lunar lander that will be used for the Artemis Program, according to a report by Space.

This comes after the space agency announced a few months back that only SpaceX was awarded the contract to build the moon lander. NASA was expected to pick two out of the three companies that were in the running. The two other companies are Blue Origin and Dynetics.

Both Blue Origin and Dynetics have filed formal complaints against NASA's decision to award the contract only to SpaceX. In fact, Jeff Bezos' space company filed a federal lawsuit against NASA over it.

Related Article: NASA, Elon Musk's SpaceX Moon Lander Halt Again Due to Lawsuit by Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin

NASA's Claims of Lack of Funding "Rings Hollow"

The Senate Appropriations Committee has released a total of nine appropriation bills for the next fiscal year, which includes funding for NASA.

According to the report by Space, the committee's report states that NASA's Human Landing Systems (HLS) program "is not underfunded, despite the agency's previous claims to the contrary."

"NASA's rhetoric of blaming Congress and this Committee for the lack of resources needed to support two HLS teams rings hollow," the Senate Appropriations Committee's report states.

Per Space, NASA will receive $24.83 billion in funding, which includes a $100 million increase in the funding for the HLS program.

The Senate Appropriations Committee's report also instructs NASA to provide Congress with a plan on how it will bring in a second company to build a lunar lander.

The Artemis Program

NASA's Artemis Program has a goal of bringing humans back to the moon. That, however, is not the only agenda on the list of the Artemis Program.

The space agency is planning on using whatever is learned from bringing humans back to the moon in NASA's quest to bring Astronauts to Mars.

To achieve its goal, NASA is planning on building a base camp on the surface of the moon along with a lunar space station called Gateway.

In June, NASA received the support of Brazil for its Artemis Program. Brazil is the first South American country to do so and joins the likes of Japan, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom in the list of countries that are supporting the program of the space agency.

Also Read: Artemis Accords Receives First South American Support for Moon Exploration

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isabella James

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Unsplash/ Christian Wiediger) Call of Duty game

Activision Blizzard took action on the sexual harassment allegations made by several employees in the workplace. This led to the dismissal of 20 developers and workers, while 20 others are currently facing disciplinary action.

Activision Blizzard Fires 20 Employees

Frances Townsend, the studio's executive vice president for corporate affairs, decided to fire the employees involved in the harassment allegations.

According to Reuters, the 20 others are facing other types of disciplinary action, but he did not go into detail about it.

The studio's announcement came as part of a larger update in which Townsend outlined the response to the numerous sexual harassment allegations that have plagued the company since early 2021.

The response included adding three positions to its Ethics team, and the studio will add 19 more in the near future. The studio also promised that it would invest more into its training resources.

Also Read: Activision Blizzard is Looking to Make a Massive "Financial" Change by Next Year: New Big Games Expected?

However, it is not clear if the studio's list includes company veterans Jesse McCree, Luis Barringa, and Jonathan LeCraft, who were dismissed in August, according to Financial Times.

Townsend's message was sent to employees via email and posted on Activision Blizzard's official website. It was released on the same day that the company asked courts to halt the proceedings in the meantime.

The proceedings are regarding the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing or DFEH's lawsuit following allegations that the agency had violated its rules.

Activision Blizzard also wants to have the case moved to a court that specializes in litigation with the hopes of stalling or even dismissing the case. The studio had settled with the US Equal Opportunity Commission for a total of $18 million.

Townsend has also been criticized because of the case. In August, she stepped down as the ABK Women's Network sponsor after she issued a statement saying that the allegations surrounding the company were not true and distorted.

Activision Blizzard was also accused of withholding evidence in a harassment lawsuit in the same month.

Sexual Harassment

The allegations of sexual harassment, abuse of women, and workplace discrimination have surrounded the studio since the lawsuit made headlines earlier this year.

The walkout forced Activision Blizzard to reckon with a pattern of bad behavior spanning more than ten years. The company's former president J. Allen Brack was dismissed because of it.

Activision Blizzard has since promised the public and its employees that it will address its toxic internal culture while settling all affected employees.

In the meantime, the studio continues to suffer due to talent drain. The studio is also addressing the "frat boy" culture of its male employees. The employees would drink alcohol and engage in inappropriate behavior toward female employees.

An incident cited in the lawsuit involves a female employee committing suicide after an inappropriate encounter with a male supervisor on a work trip.

A source who told IGN about what happened in the studio recalled a story about how the breastfeeding room did not have locks and men would just walk in them freely. The men would stare at female employees as they pumped.

Related Article: Blizzard HR Head Jesse Meschuk Leaves Company, After Employees Blame the Department for Issues

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Unsplash/ Christian Wiediger) facebook app

Facebook has been fined $70 million or 50.5 million for breaching an order given by the competition regulator in the United Kingdom. The said breach was in regards to the social media giant's acquisition of GIF platform Giphy.

Facebook Fined for Breach

On Oct. 20, the Competition and Markets Authority or CMA handed out the penalty and issued Facebook an initial enforcement order as it started to investigate the company's acquisition of Giphy, according to The Verge.

The order was created to ensure that companies continue to compete fairly without a merger, preventing them from integrating.

Facebook is required by law to give the CMA regular updates to show that it complies with the order.

However, the CMA stated that the company limited the scope of the updates despite sending them warnings.

Also Read: U.K.'s New Tech Regulator Plans to Limit Google and Facebook, Enforcing New Codes of Practice

CMA also stated that this is the first time a company has refused to report all needed information. The regulator added that the social media giant's failure to comply was deliberate and that they've sent multiple warnings to no avail.

A spokesperson for Facebook told CNBC that the company disagrees with the fine and called the whole thing unfair.

The spokesperson added that the social media company would review the decision and continue to consider other options.

The senior director of mergers at the CMA, Joel Bamford, said that initial enforcement orders are the main part of the U.K.'s voluntary merger control regime.

Bamford added that companies are not required to seek approval from CMA before they complete an acquisition, but if they decide to push through with the merger, they can stop the companies from integrating further if they think consumers might be affected and an investigation is needed.

Bamford added that they warned Facebook that its refusal to give them all the important information was a breach of the order, but even after losing its appeal in two different courts, Facebook disregarded its legal obligations. He said it should serve as a warning to any company that thinks it is above the law.

In August, the CMA stated it had found Facebook's purchase of Giphy as harmful to its competition, especially between other social media platforms, and removed a challenger in the advertising market.

The CMA stated that it might require Facebook to unwind the deal worth $400 million and sell Giphy if its competition concerns are confirmed.

In March, the CMA announced that they launched an antitrust investigation on Facebook due to its misleading guidelines.

DPC Fine and Facebook Rebrand

Aside from the CMA of the U.K., other European officials are also preparing to fine Facebook. Last week, Ireland's Data Protection Commission or DPC planned to fine Facebook up to 36 million or $40 million for lack of transparency over what the company does to their users' data.

However, for privacy campaigners and officials at other watchdogs, Ireland's decision gives Facebook leeway to collect data on users without obtaining their content to do so, according to Politico.

The argument over the limits of Europe's data protection law is expected to heat up in the next few weeks as data protection watchdogs from 27 European countries are invited to weigh in on Ireland's draft Facebook decision before a final decision is made.

Despite all of the issues with international watchdogs, Facebook is still planning on rebranding the platform in hopes of giving it a fresh start.

Related Article: Facebook Antitrust Law Complaints Thrown Out by US Judge - What Happens Next?

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Right now, the U.S. and other parts of the globe are facing fraudsters, hackers, and other malicious actors that pose severe security threats.

Cybercriminals usually target big companies and agencies, leaking sensitive consumer databases to generate revenue through ransoms or bank hacking activities. But, some not-so-serious malicious campaigns are also targeting small businesses.

These include click fraud. Although this issue is not an international security threat, it still has been pestering small businesses and exhausting their advertising budgets, affecting their revenues.

Click fraud involves a computer program, an automated script (to act like a real user), or just an individual hired by a malicious group targeting certain businesses. The issue starts when fraudsters start clicking the so-called PPC (Pay-Per-Click) ads.

They intentionally click PPC advertisements without planning to buy the featured products, which would definitely force companies to pay advertisers more than they should. But, there are various click fraud software services that are specifically designed to protect businesses from these fake PPC clicks. Here are the top 5 best click fraud software services you can rely on:

#1 Fraud Blocker

Fraud Blocker is currently one of the leading click fraud protection software services for marketing professionals. It can easily detect fake ad clicks conducted by bots or online criminals. Additionally, it automatically blocks bad traffic sources affecting your company or business. These are possible with the use of proprietary algorithms to detect malicious practices.

Fraud Blocker is fully developed in the U.S. by a team of former marketing executives and other specialists. The leading industry company has been operating since 2019, helping various clients in the U.S. to save their ad budgets against click fraudsters.

To let the clients know how efficient Fraud Blocker's click fraud software really is, the company offers a free 30-day trial, which doesn't require any contract or credit card. Thanks to this effort, more businesses can try the advanced anti-click system for free without worrying about unsuspected charges.

Fraud Blocker's Core Features

Fraud Blocker's click fraud software has advanced core features that protect businesses and companies from click farms, bots, and malicious publishers, which intentionally click your ads without purchasing any product.

In addition, it prevents competitors, which also tend to click your paid advertisements to drain your budget and gain some advantage.

Aside from these culprits, Fraud Blocker also focuses on preventing vengeful customers, who would leave bad reviews and click PPC ads without any reason, as well as accident clicks from regular consumers.

To give you more idea, here are the core capabilities offered by the Fraud Blocker's advanced click fraud software:

Best-in-class click fraud detection includes device fingerprinting, IP monitoring, VPN (Virtual Private Network) detection, and other advanced features.

Automatic IP blocking is integrated with Google Ads, which automatically sends your malicious IP addresses to your Google Ads exclusion list.

Team management enables you to invite your colleagues to monitor your account.

Proprietary fraud scoring allows you to quickly identify the threat level of malicious activity on your site.

Customizable detection rules allow you to adjust the aggressiveness of the fraud detection, such as avoiding VPNs or limiting the frequency of your ads shown to users.

One-click subscription management lets you upgrade or downgrade your plan quickly and easily.

Why Fraud Blocker?

Fraud Blocker offers a budget-friendly click fraud software with a monthly fee starting at $25 that allows you to prevent ad budget losses through various advanced capabilities specifically designed and enhanced by marketing experts and other advertising professionals.

One of the best features of this U.S.-based click fraud software provider is its "network effect." This capability can help your company block fraud proactively by detecting fraudulent IP addresses and devices found on other clients' websites on Fraud Blocker's platform and then blocking those visitors to your website as well.

Fraud Blocker can be installed on any website such as those built with the following:

WordPress

Wix

Joomla

Magento

Shopify

PageWiz

SITE123

Weebly

Drupal

Webflow

Fraud Blocker's website also provides a knowledge base with comprehensive articles about click fraud, including details on the most common types of fraud, marketing research, eBooks, reviews on PPC tools, and more.

Aside from Fraud Blocker, you can also try the following click fraud software services. Here are the specific features:

#2 ClixTell

ClixTell is a click fraud detector that can reveal the complete marketing picture for various digital marketing agencies and other companies. It also allows you to track your business' calls and conversions.

On the other hand, it can also help increase your sales, profit, ROI, as well as protect and optimize your campaigns. Right now, it already sees massive growth in its click software service. This was shown after it received the Quality Choice Award. Just like Fraud Blocker, it also allows new consumers to try its service for free.

It is currently used by various giant websites, such as WordPress, Google Sites, Weebly, Shopify, PageWiz, Yola, Squarespace, Wix.Com, Webs, and Joomla. Trustpilot, a famous Danish consumer review website, already provided a 5-star rating for this click fraud detector when it comes to security.

2-Factor Authentication

A/B Testing

Analytics

Conversion Tracking

Data Export

Google Apps Integration

Link Tracking

Marketing Automation

Task Scheduling/Tracking

Third-Party Plugins/Add-Ons

Call Monitoring

24/7 Fraud Detection

Campaign Management

If you want to try ClixTell, you can even visit its website and request a demo. The software provider will entertain you so that you can be assisted properly. However, you need to remember that this would still depend on the availability. Right now, you can install the app version of ClixTell via Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

#3 ClickGuard

Another click fraud software you should try is ClickGuard, an online tool that would save you from unwanted costs on PPC ads. As of the moment, PPC ads are estimated to waste $1 out of $3.

Many businesses also find that 95% of these paid clicks are really not converted into purchases. But, with the use of ClickGuard, these annoying revenue-draining ad clicks could be prevented.

ClickGuard is designed for Google Ads PPC advertisers and client managers looking to maximize their PPC ROI. The click fraud software service can do this by removing fraudulent, illegitimate, money-wasting clicks from campaigns.

With the advanced features of ClickGuard, you can automatically detect and take action against fraudulent activities on PPC ads, allowing you to prevent any unnecessary advertisement budget loss.

Powerful Relational Analytics with Click Forensic Insight

Fully Automated Advanced Click Fraud Protection Rules

Fast & Easy Integration for Complete Protection

24/7 Real-Time Monitoring & Threat Identification

Highly Customizable to Your Specific Needs

Unparalleled Industry Leading Advantage & Controls

Dedicated Service & Support

Password & Access Management

Third-Party Plugins/Add-Ons

Data Visualization

Right now, ClickGuard is one of the Google Verified software services. This means that it can use MCC or Google OAuth verified secure application access, allowing it to further protect your account.

#4 PPC Protect

PPC Protect is an online tool that excludes, prevents, and identifies click fraud activities, as well as invalid traffic across PPC ads of various businesses.

Right now, it is trusted by giant companies, such as McDonald's, Nike, Hugo Boss, Norwegian Airlines, Europcar, and more. It enables you to leverage data analytics and advanced cybersecurity principles to identify and exclude fraudulent and invalid click sources on your PPC campaigns.

PPC Protect offers a 14-day free trial for new users without the need to provide a credit or debit card. It has already received various awards, such as Quality Choice Award, Happiest Users Award, and Trusted Vendor Award. On the other hand, here are its specific offered services:

Automatically eliminates invalid users across the whole PPC funnel

Tracks users that look risky without over-blocking

Tracks genuine, engaged user activity and use it to optimize automated bidding and targeting

PPC Protect currently aims to help companies see what they are spending on ads, as well as offer them a tool that could protect their data from malicious activities.

You can definitely rely on PPC Protect for reliable click fraud software since its team is composed of marketing specialists and technologists dedicated to providing advertisers with a true picture of what they're paying for.

#5 DNSFilter

If you are looking for an AI-driven, cloud-based click fraud tool, your best option is DNSfilter. This online tool is a content filtering service that offers real-time solutions against phishing campaigns. Its machine learning technology could also protect your business from C2 callbacks, ransomware, malware, and other malicious activities.

DNSFilter can do this by analyzing your website before your consumers even visit it. Right now, Lenovo, The Salvation Army, Newegg, Nvidia, the U.S. Army, PSB, KinderCare, Boy Scouts of America, and other giant companies and agencies are already using DNSFilter to protect their official pages. As of the moment, DNSFilter is trusted by more than 15,000 brands across the globe.

Stops end-users from visiting malicious and inappropriate sites

Backed by the largest global DNS network in the industry

Deploys in minutes, and you can be filtering internet traffic

Protects your users from phishing, malware, ransomware, and more using our cloud-based DNS service

Stops your users from viewing inappropriate or undesirable content, such as adult websites and streaming media

Ensures low latency and 100% uptime

Offers real-time domain analysis, meaning they protect you from more threats

Compatible with Android, iOS, macOS, ChromeOS, as well as Windows

Fake click ads and other similar malicious online activities could affect small businesses, especially right now, since most companies rely on the internet to stay afloat and keep earning. But, you can prevent unwanted revenue losses by using one of the click software tools mentioned above.

All of them are different from one another: Some offer malware and other malicious campaign protections, while others focus on ad trafficking and preventing bad ad clicks. This is why it is important to check their services carefully when using their free trial versions to know if their services can fit your daily needs.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Google Chrome users are currently at risk of new high-level hacks, as the search engine giant confirmed. Because of this, the tech developer issued a warning to a total of 2.65 billion consumers across the globe, saying that they discovered new malicious campaigns in the browser.



This is the third time that Google has issued a high alert level warning for its Chrome users. The company also published a new blog post that to specify the high-level and medium-level vulnerabilities.

Also Read: Google Chat 'Mark as Unread' Feature Rolls Out To Spaces, Direct Messages | Mobile, Desktop Compatibility and More

The giant tech firm confirmed a total of five severe flaws in its popular Chrome browser:

High - CVE-2021-37985 : Use after free in V8. Reported by Yangkang (@dnpushme) of 360 ATA on 2021-08-20

High - CVE-2021-37981 : Heap buffer overflow in Skia. Reported by Yangkang (@dnpushme) of 360 ATA on 2021-09-04

High - CVE-2021-37984 : Heap buffer overflow in PDFium. Reported by Antti Levomaki, Joonas Pihlaja and Christian Jalio from Forcepoint on 2021-09-27

High - CVE-2021-37982 : Use after free in Incognito. Reported by Weipeng Jiang (@Krace) from Codesafe Team of Legendsec at Qi'anxin Group on 2021-09-11

High - CVE-2021-37983 : Use after free in Dev Tools. Reported by Zhihua Yao of KunLun Lab on 2021-09-15

Billions of Google Chrome Users Now At Risk

According to Google's official blog post, the company's security team discovered a total of five high-level browser flaws, eight medium-level vulnerabilities, as well as two low-level issues.

On the other hand, Forbes reported that Chrome was also affected by UAF (Use-After-Free) exploits more than ten times back in September. Aside from this, Google also suffered from a zero-day UAF exploit during that period.

Google is just one of the companies that are currently targeted by cybercriminals. Recently, it was reported that Twitch hackers targeted the popular streaming platform for hours.

On the other hand, an SMS routing company was also hacked. Experts said that the malicious campaign against Syniverse lasted for five years.

How Can Chromes Users Protect Themselves?

Since Chrome users are facing severe browser flaws, Google decided to release a critical update. The new Chrome version 95.0.4638.54 is expected to prevent and fix the mentioned vulnerabilities in the company's popular browser service.

To check the update, you need to visit your Chrome's Settings. After that, go to the Help section and choose the "About Google Chrome" option. More details will be provided once you are there.

For more news updates about Google Chrome and other popular browsing services, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Global YouTube Crypto Livestream Scam Involves 1,000 Malicious Domains | Other Things Google Discovers

This article is owned by TechTimes

Written by: Griffin Davis

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
This weeks county COVID-19 trends were discussed at Wednesdays San Miguel Board of County Commissioners meeting. (Screenshot by Suzanne Cheavens/Telluride Daily Planet)
STONEWALL [ndash] Funeral services for Maple Hamilton, 78, of Stonewall, OK will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, at the Stonewall First Baptist Church with the Apostle Gary Bruner officiating. Interment will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Stonewall, OK. Mrs. Hamilton passed away in a Deni
Youngsville native Olivia Savoies love of history, storytelling and the rich lives of the elderly has blossomed into Raconteur Story Writing Services, a life story writing business where clients become like family and everyones story is worth telling.

In 2016, barely six months from graduating from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Savoie had the idea for a new career path.

Since childhood, Savoie said shed been drawn to history, biographical works and the experiences of the elderly and older adults. She was closely bonded with her two grandmothers, spent high school afternoons visiting residents at nursing homes and even, for her ninth birthday, extended her single sleepover invitation to her fathers 60-year-old secretary. Something about their experiences and the ability to connect with people across generations resonated with her, she said.

+6 New Iberia sixth-grader features great grandfathers civil rights legacy in award winning documentary An 11-year-old New Iberia girls passion for her great grandfathers civil rights legacy translated into $1,000 and the top elementary level p

What if she could combine those interests into a career writing the stories of peoples lives?

Savoie tested her concept on her grandmothers, interviewing them and producing books cataloguing their lives, while fine-tuning the process, the production and her marketing. By December, Savoie walked out of a final exam and went straight to her first professional appointment with M.P. Dumesnil, a Lafayette contractor and missionary.

Raconteur Story Writing Services was born.

Ive always loved reading biographies in particular and I think its relating to someone else even if they lived at a different time in history. Now, I love knowing that every word I write helps a lot of grandchildren relate to their grandparents who did live in another time in history.Its neat to help them connect with each other and relate to each other through their life story, Savoie said.

+22 A kitten treehouse? Here's how a Lafayette family got creative to foster homeless pets There are six tiny kittens in a Lafayette tree that aren't awaiting firefighter rescue. Instead, their shrill meows are asking for a different

Her business has grown into a multi-person team, with Savoie, two additional writers, an editor, proofreader, two designers and her husband, Joshua, acting as project manager. They write three styles of books: life stories focused on a single, living subject, a couples life story focused on long married spouses, and tribute books focused on a deceased subject.

Developing the products sometimes meant going out on a limb and trusting their instincts, Savoie said.

Theres no Googleable answer, theres no direction, theres no mentor, but we just try our best and keep developing what weve already developed and get better and better all the time, she said.

+13 Lafayette cemetery tour to provide deep look at Catholic burial traditions Lafayettes oldest cemetery will host a night tour on All Saints Day, a ready opportunity for people to learn about the ancient grounds and Ca

For a typical life story book, the 26-year-old or another writer will meet with the subject for roughly five 3-hour sessions, where theyll ask about 300 questions that help reveal the persons memories and experiences. Then, they sort through family photos to include in the book and scan the images at the individuals home. Next is the writing process, which takes one to two months, followed by editing and proofreading. Then the book is published, Savoie said.

While Raconteur is listed on the book, no individual writer is credited as the author. The goal is for the book to feel as if it were written by the subject; the writers pay special attention to the subjects word choices, tone and speaking style during interviews, then replicate that when writing the book, she said.

My work is so fulfilling and so meaningful to me. I see this stress relieved from the people I work with. My favorite person Ive worked with was a WWII soldier who was 95, and he just passed away. He always, for 40 years, had tried to write his stories down because he knew they mattered to his family but he didnt know how to execute it. For me to be able to go in there three years ago and help him, within two months, complete something hed been trying to do for 40 years, it was so rewarding, she said.

To know Im helping to make their dreams come true, to know Im helping them not have to worry about being forgotten, to help them to not worry about their most precious photos being lost or disappearing over the years, just to know that their story is going to be remembered  that is really fulfilling to me, Savoie said.

The team has completed over 50 books, averaging 10 per year, for clients across southeast Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, and as far as Colorado, Illinois and Pennsylvania. Their subjects cover the gamut  housewives, oilfield executives, oilfield cooks and laborers, schoolteachers, business owners, lawyers.

Everyone has a story to tell, Savoie said.

A big thing Ive learned is that anyone and everyone has enough memories to make a book their family would treasure forever...The years keep proving that it doesnt matter what someone did, their family cares deeply just the same about documenting their memories, she said.

Not all families know how to unearth those memories themselves, or take the time to do so.

Savoie said while Louisiana has a heavily family-centered culture, shes heard many people share their regret over not asking enough questions while their loved one was alive. It can be easy to put older family members in a box and forget theyve had a lifetime of rich experiences everyone can relate to, she said.

The hope is that their books become family heirlooms handed down for generations.

Once the projects are complete, most client relationships dont end there, Savoie said. The 26-year-old expectant mother takes day trips with clients, goes on lunch dates with them and their families, pops in on holidays, attends funerals for former subjects and even had clients attend her recent baby shower.

When you work so closely with someone, that youre stepping into their shoes and writing their story from their own point of view, theres no way for you not to love each other in the end and for the writer not to deeply care about the subject of the book. For me, I feel like I have so many adopted grandparents and Im very blessed by that, she said.

Ronnie Hebert and his mother, Myrle Rivault Hebert Ostergren, are an example of those lasting relationships.

Hebert commissioned a book about his mother, now 106, and said he now considers Savoie and her husband dear friends. One Christmas, while she was making a delivery near their home in Plaquemine, Hebert recalled how Savoie, a harpist, made a surprise visit with her instrument to play for his mother.

+18 Biologist, artist captures haunting reality of Gulf of Mexico in new AcA exhibit A Gulf of Mexico exhibition that is equal parts artistic and educational has finally arrived in Louisiana after touring the nation for nearly 

Ive got to believe that my life has been much better by me knowing them and by doing this, Hebert said.

Even being a close knit family, with Myrle at the center as their queen, Hebert said he learned new things about his mother through the experience, and what it was like in Addis and Brusly when she was young. Myrle was valedictorian of her high school class and attended LSU before forgoing courses to work during the Great Depression to help her family, he said.

It made me get to know my mama more...Im just so tickled to death, he said.

Truman Early Childhood to get new facility thanks to $26.5 million in COVID relief funds Truman Early Childhood Education Center is on its way to a full physical overhaul after the Lafayette Parish School Board voted unanimously We

Shes always been a character, with a sharp mind and personality that draws in friends. A longtime card player, she was once a state bridge champion. All those details and more are captured in her book, Hebert said.

Every family member received a copy and additional copies have been set aside for future generations. Seeing her descendants interested in her story has been a thrill, he said.

I wanted to make sure that everybody that mama brought into this world or who is in this world because of her knows who she is and how good of a woman she was, he said.
Megan Boudreaux was sad and a bit frustrated to learn of the 17 American and Canadian missionaries kidnapped by a gang in Haiti over the weekend.

The Lafayette native said she and her family would love nothing more than to return to their home in Haiti, where they run a nonprofit organization that encourages, educates and empowers children.

"It's just not a safe place for Americans to be right now," Boudreaux said. "It's very hard to be sympathetic  obviously we are because they're humans, and we want them to be OK  but it's hard to be sympathetic when the U.S. government's saying 'Do not travel to Haiti.'"

+5 Organizers cautiously plan Festival International return 'in all its glory' for April 2022 After two years of virtual events, it looks like Festival International de Louisiane will return in person for 2022.

Boudreaux had no idea when she left Haiti in March 2020 that she would end up living in Lafayette long term with her husband, their two biological children and three adopted Haitian children. The family had packed just a week's worth of clothing for the trip, which was planned around a Lafayette fundraiser for Respire Haiti, the nonprofit Boudreaux started in 2011.

Initially, they were trapped in Lafayette because the coronavirus closed airports. As air travel resumed, however, they chose to remain in Louisiana because of the civil unrest unfolding in Haiti.

"We're grateful because our kids are able to go to school and be safe and get some healing and kind of figure things out," Boudreaux said. "But it's really challenging because we feel like we kind of were just forced out, forced to make the decision to stay in the States for a while. It's really confusing. My kids are just so heartbroken because they'll say, 'Oh, I need this,' but it's in Haiti. It's just really difficult."

Boudreaux said her family has felt hopeless in recent months. Gang violence has become even more prevalent in Haiti since July, when the country's president, Jovenel Moise, was assassinated.

Saturday's kidnapping of 16 American citizens and one Canadian by the 400 Mawozo gang is the latest in a wave of indiscriminate abductions as Haiti suffers from political instability and civil unrest. The gang is demanding $1 million for each of the kidnapped missionaries, which include five men, seven women and five children. The children's ages range from 8 months to 15 years old, according to the Ohio-based group Christian Aid Ministries that's affiliated with the missionaries.

"Obviously we feel for them and it's really sad, but they brought children," Boudreaux said. "And it's crazy because everyone's saying 'Don't travel,' and you've got these people that think they're immune to having something happen and then, of course, something happens. It's just kind of hard because obviously we want them to be safe, but hopefully their organization will learn from this because they've been nonchalant. They don't think anything's ever going to happen."

+18 Biologist, artist captures haunting reality of Gulf of Mexico in new AcA exhibit A Gulf of Mexico exhibition that is equal parts artistic and educational has finally arrived in Louisiana after touring the nation for nearly 

Although Boudreaux has returned to Haiti a few times as pandemic precautions eased, she hasn't been back since June because of the risk. Her family canceled a planned trip to Haiti for this month because of the current climate.

The Boudreauxs are still largely living out of the suitcases they packed for a weeklong trip last year. Most of their belongings  including their two dogs, a black lab named Reve and a white mutt named Snowy  remain at their Haiti home. Boudreaux's nonprofit continues to operate, relying solely on the Haitian employees as the American employees have sought refuge outside of the country. A neighbor is caring for their dogs.

Boudreaux first went to Haiti in 2010 while working for Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. She said initially she was volun-told to go to Haiti because, at 24, she was the youngest person in the office at the time.

Top stories in Acadiana in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Less than a year later, Boudreaux moved to Haiti and started Respire Haiti.

Boudreauxs nonprofit now employs 140 people full time between Haiti and the United States. Respire Haiti has had a direct impact of $8.5 million in the community of Gressier, Haiti, according to a 10-year impact report by the organization. The nonprofit has served 2.16 million meals, has taught 1,200 adults English, has built 22 classrooms and boasts a 100% passing rate for students on their state exams.

Lafayette students have also been involved in the Haitian nonprofit and school through fundraisers, book drives and shoe donations.

Saint Thomas More Catholic High School students helped build and maintain a computer lab through the Haitian nonprofit with help from the schools help desk director, Robin Herrington.

"Its such a small, happy country," Herrington said. "And theyre just trying to get out of the hole.

Herrington has taken a team of recent STM graduates to Haiti each summer from 2016 through 2019.

The June 2019 trip was pushed back to August 2019 because of the countrys civil unrest. Just four people made the journey that year instead of the usual 15.

The 2020 trip was canceled altogether, in part because of the pandemic but mostly due to the escalating violence. This year's trip was also canceled.

We were making so much progress for it to be hindered by this, Herrington said. But I mean, obviously, our safety is our No. 1 concern."

The fundraiser originally set to happen in March 2020 has been rescheduled for Oct. 27 at City Club in River Ranch. Together Again in Lafayette, which will benefit Respire Haiti, will serve as a 10-year anniversary of the organization with inspirational speakers, a silent auction, dinner and cocktails.

Learn more at facebook.com/respirehaiti.
A group of parents protested at the Ascension Parish School Board meeting Tuesday night, holding up signs criticizing a policy requiring masks indoors for students ages five and up.

Some of the messages on the signs said: "My children will not be an experiment to make you feel safe;" "If a stadium full of people can be maskless, so can our children in classrooms!" and "Unmask our kids!"

The school board is following Gov. John Bel Edward's statewide indoor mask mandate, which includes K-12 schools and colleges. It went into effect on Aug. 2 and has been extended twice, the first time to Sept. 1 and the second time to Oct. 27.

Those protesting the mandate at the School Board's meeting at Central Middle School stood at the back of the cafeteria where the meeting was held, but did not speak at the meeting.

The board's policy for public comment is that a request for public comment can be made before the meeting, but must be in regards to an item on the agenda. The mask policy wasn't on the meeting agenda Tuesday.

Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

After the meeting, those protesting the mask mandate for students declined to comment on the record to The Advocate.

The protesters gave out handouts to School Board members and others with a message from "We the People of Louisiana" that was directed to the governor and other state officials, legislators, mayors, city councils, parish councils, school boards and sheriffs.

The handout criticized various coronavirus-related safety measures.

"You stood by while tyrants attacked our most basic rights to live and work freely, using fear and tyranny to lock us in our homes and attack our rights to bodily autonomy," the flier said. "You stood by while our kids were deprived of their education, were muzzled by political pseudo-science and school board meetings were cut short because parents came in protest of mask mandates."

The board meeting continued without interruption on Tuesday, covering all agenda items and adjourning in the usual way.
Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission
Facebook may be preparing a fresh coat of paint for itself. A report in technology news site The Verge, citing a source with direct knowledge, says that the company is planning to change its name next week to reflect its new focus on building the metaverse  a new digital network for connecting to others through augmented reality and virtual reality, whose future success is by no means a given.

Facebook has not commented on the story, but if its true, it would be the kind of pivot that public relations managers dream about, deflecting attention away from a series of damning exposes about human harm caused on the social media network. Rebranding after a series of missteps or bad press can be a Hail Mary attempt to change public perceptions.

A rebranding could work in Facebooks favour if it involves some kind of structural change, and isnt like the brandwashing attempted by Philip Morris and Blackwater. Credit:AP

You do this as a last resort. Cigarette-maker Philip Morris Companies rebranded as Altria Group in 2003 and private military company Blackwater USA renamed itself as Xe Services and then Academi Training Centre. Both firms engaged in unhealthy things, and both attempted to use anodyne names to shift attention from their darker pasts.

Another classic example is BP. After damaging safety reports in 2001, the company took on the name Beyond Petroleum and a new logo resembling the open petals of a flower  a world away from the dangerous and polluting business of oil extraction. British American Tobacco meanwhile created a new tagline, a better tomorrow, which looks like a subtle rebrand of its abbreviated name.
The Australian share market finished Thursday flat as AGM and quarterly reports lifted the lid on post-COVID outlooks for corporate Australia.

After posting gains throughout the day, The ASX200 took a sudden dive just before the close to end just 1.7 points higher to 7,415.4. Energy, health and consumer staples stocks lagged throughout the session.

Retailers continued to set their coronavirus vaccine policies ahead of lockdown lifting in Victoria, with Coles, Woolworths and Aldi all confirming vaccine mandates for their staff. Coles finished the session down 0.3 per cent to $17.83, while Woolworths dropped 0.9 per cent to $39.64 ahead of eased restrictions.

CIMIC, which is building some of Australias biggest infrastructure projects, Posted big gains after firming up its outlook for the year. Credit:Wolter Peters

A quarterly update from Santos revealed the company hit a record $1.5 billion in revenues for the three months to September off the back of soaring commodity prices, though the stock finished down 1.1 per cent to $7.20.

Crown Resorts also dropped after its annual general meeting, where 31 per cent of investors voted against the casino giants remuneration report and its $10 million worth of golden parachutes to executives who have left the troubled company this year. Shares ended the day 0.5 per cent lower to $9.47.

Meanwhile, healthcare operators on the front line predicted Deltas impact will live on well after economies reopen. Pathology tester Healius revealed a 44 per cent jump in revenues for the quarter and said it was doubling down on technology to process COVID tests. Shares jumped 4.4 per cent to $4.75.

Victoria hit its primary goal of 70 per cent of over 16s vaccinated against COVID-19, while the nation is sitting at 70.8 per cent. Ratings agency Fitch said the countrys strong vaccination rates and economic reopening is likely to help boost the Aussie dollar.

Fitch also warned that the dollar is likely to remain under pressure because of economic uncertainty in China, however.

Over the longer-term horizon, the AUD may continue to face headwinds not least because we expect China to continue to slow but also because the Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to maintain a loose monetary policy stance for longer, the group said in an update on Thursday.

Cimic was one of the major gainers for the session, up 5.6 per cent to $21.88 after the company gave an update revealing revenues were 9.2 per cent higher for the first nine months of 2021 compared with last year.
Children attending early learning centres and kindergartens do not drive the transmission of COVID-19 through the community, even though the Delta variant is five times more infectious among the young than previous strains.

Analysis of coronavirus cases in schools and early learning centres by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute has found the Delta variant has mostly spread from adult to adult, less frequently from adult to child and is only rarely transmitted between children.

Prep students Aeyana, 6, and Nancy, 5, on their first day back at Resurrection Catholic Primary School in Kings Park on Monday. Credit:Penny Stephens

The institutes finding is based on analysis of COVID-19 cases in 51 schools and early learning centres in NSW between June 16 and July 31, a period when daily infections surged from as few as one a day to about 200.

Childcare remained open during all of NSWs lockdown, while schools switched to remote learning for part of the period analysed. Cases in childcare settings have declined in recent weeks.
Former premier Mike Baird came neither to praise nor bury his successor, Gladys Berejiklian, when he appeared before the Independent Commission Against Corruption on Wednesday.

What he did do was demolish any remaining shred of an argument that shed never needed to declare the romantic relationship shed had with disgraced former MP Daryl Maguire while she was treasurer and premier herself.

Former NSW Premier Mike Baird after giving evidence at ICAC in Sydney on Wednesday. Credit:Brook Mitchell

Speaking in uncharacteristically terse fashion, a grim-faced Baird told the ICAC he was incredulous when he first heard a year ago that Berejiklian had been in a close personal relationship with Maguire, then the MP for Wagga Wagga, since 2015.

It should have been disclosed to him while he was premier, he said, and if it had been, it could have impacted how he and the government dealt with what had become one of Maguires obsessions in 2016 and 2017: obtaining funds for a $5.5 million upgrade to the shooting facilities and clubhouse at the Australian Clay Target Association (ACTA) in Maguires electorate.
Multi-millionaire businessman and thoroughbred breeder Sean Buckley has been charged with 12 offences, including two counts of making threats to kill and recklessly causing injury to his former partner.

The owner of the Ultra Tune auto-repair empire was also charged with four counts of stalking, maintaining a listening device and installing an optical device, according to a statement from Victoria Police.

Ultra Tune founder Sean Buckley and his former partner Jennifer Cole.

Mr Buckley, who bred champion sprinter Nature Strip which won The Everest in Sydney last Saturday, is due to face the Melbourne Magistrates Court on November 16.

Two other men have been charged over the alleged stalking of Mr Buckleys former partner, Jennifer Cole, at an apartment in Exhibition Street in Melbournes CBD.
The long corridors at Melbourne Airport have been mostly empty for the past six months.

But on Wednesday morning, the halls filled with euphoria as friends and family arrived from NSW after eased border restrictions meant fully vaccinated interstate travellers could enter Victoria without any quarantine or testing requirements.

Melanie Brisbane-Schilling is reunited with her six-year-old daughter Maddie at Melbourne Airport on Wednesday morning. Credit:Eddie Jim

Six-year-old Maddie paced around the baggage claim in the Qantas terminal, waiting for her mother, Melanie Brisbane-Schilling, to appear from the 10.45am flight from Sydney.

Im going to give her a great big hug, she said.
A police car sits outside of the Menzies Building where the shootings took place. Credit:Wayne Hawkins

Two students are dead and another was fighting for his life in hospital last night after a gunman opened fire on his own tutorial class at Monash University yesterday.

First published in The Age on October 22, 2002

The man walked into an econometrics tutorial about 11.20am, carrying at least two small handguns. He opened fire, instantly killing two students aged in their 20s and injuring five others, including his lecturer, Lee Gordon-Brown.

Police and ambulance officers praised the courage of Dr Gordon-Brown and fellow academic Brett Inder, who helped overpower the gunman and avert what one policeman said could have been a major disaster.

Dr Gordon-Brown was shot at least once as he and several students wrestled the gunman to the ground.

Dr Inder, an associate professor of economics, rushed into the tutorial room from a nearby room and helped to disarm the man, who had up to four guns. Dr Inder also helped to treat the wounded while they waited for paramedics.

University sources last night identified a man detained over the shooting as Huan Yun Xiang, a fourth-year commerce honours student.
A good Samaritan has returned a lost World War I medal to the family of its owner 63 years after it was lost, after a sleuthing mission that uncovered a story of courage and resilience from more than 100 years ago.

Eltham man Jeff Welsh found the medal earlier this month among relics of his own World War I veteran grandfather and a historian friend, Ray Jelley, traced its origins.

I couldnt thank him enough: Steven Sole, left, holding his grandfather Tom Jewells WWI medal, with its finder, Jeff Welsh. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui

The grandson of its original owner, Steven Sole, says he is over the moon that the 1914-15 Star medal has been found, 63 years after his grandfather Tom Jewell lost it at a 1958 Anzac Day march.

Mr Welsh, 72, a Vietnam War veteran, said, of Private Jewells war experience: He did it pretty tough.
As Melbourne prepares to reopen from its sixth lockdown, Jackie Middleton, co-owner of Earl Canteen sandwich chain, is backing the citys resurgence by launching an all-day coffee, food and cocktail venue on Collins street.

Ms Middleton has signed a lease to open Dame in December at the entry to Collins Place in a shopfront that was sitting empty since renovations in 2019.

Jackie Middleton, the co-founder of the Earl Canteen group, is set to open a new venue, Dame, on Collins Street. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui

One of the drawcards for us ... is that its such an amazing site. We just couldnt say no to it, Ms Middleton said. We really feel that 2022 in the city is going to be a really exciting place, and thats why were backing ourselves in doing another site; something thats new and exciting  a fresh concept and very high-profile.

Entrepreneurs, such as Ms Middleton, have been able to scoop up good deals because one in five shopfronts are vacant.
As Australia looks to open its international borders again, the federal government, quite rightly, is reassessing the size and mix of the nations migration program.

The pandemic has caused almost unprecedented disruption to the flow of people into, and out of, the country. Last financial year, a net 96,600 people left  the biggest exodus from Australia since World War I. Net overseas migration is expected this year to be minus 77,400.

Immigration is an important part of Australia's social fabric. Credit:Peter Rae

This week, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the record low population growth would leave the nation far behind its pre-pandemic growth projections. As the person in charge of the nations finances, he would view this as a worst-case scenario. The effort to contain COVID-19 and to help people through has led to eye-watering debt levels, and Australias ability to repair its finances will very much depend on how well the economy, and therefore the tax take, rebounds once restrictions are eased.

While high savings rates and pent-up demand are expected to help jolt the economy back to life, there are concerns that shortages of goods, and also workers, could hinder the rebound. In the United States, which is further down the track of opening up, there are 5 million fewer people working than before the pandemic, slowing its recovery considerably.
Christian Porters use of a blind trust to pay for legal fees has escaped examination over whether it breaches Parliaments rules despite Speaker Tony Smith saying there was a case to be investigated.

In an unprecedented move, the government opposed a motion to refer Mr Porter to the lower houses privileges committee after Mr Smith ruled there was a prima facie case for the referral.

Parliaments privileges committee will not investigate whether Christian Porter correctly declared the anonymous donations he received for legal fees in his defamation case against the ABC. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

In September, Mr Porter revealed part of his legal fees for the defamation action he took against the ABC had been paid from a blind trust known as the Legal Services Trust and that he did not know who had contributed to it. Mr Porter resigned from cabinet after Prime Minister Scott Morrison sought advice over whether the move also breached ministerial standards.

The Speaker examined the former attorney-generals declaration of interests, the rules about pecuniary interests and the purpose register to put on the public record members interests that may conflict or may be seen to conflict with their public duty.
Australias wages watchdog recouped almost $150 million for workers in the last financial year, a record figure five times greater than the $30 million it recovered three years earlier and an indication employees are being underpaid on a grand scale.

The Fair Work Ombudsmans annual report published on Wednesday presents a roll call of companies that underpaid staff, from large publicly listed corporations such as Woolworths to cleaning firms, fruit and vegetable farms and cafes.

Ombudsman Sandra Parker is grappling with a wave of underpayments. Credit:Jason South

Ten universities are under investigation for potentially underpaying workers too, with the higher education sector now the focus of a new strategy to address pay problems after issues at institutions such as the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne.

In a speech delivered a week before the publication of the report, Ombudsman Sandra Parker acknowledged pay laws can be complex to navigate. However, our experience is that underpayments are avoidable when companies invest and prioritise compliance with workplace laws, as they do with other aspects of their business, Ms Parker said.
The coal miners union has gone to the national industrial commission in an attempt to force one of the countrys largest companies to withdraw its vaccination mandate for workers at a Hunter Valley coal mine.

It is the first time a mainstream trade union has publicly launched a legal challenge to a vaccine mandate during the coronavirus pandemic, following several failed challenges by individuals and an effort by some anti-vaccination groups to get unions to take a stronger line against jab mandates.

BHP has told workers at its huge Mt Arthur mine in the Hunter they will have to be vaccinated. Credit:Janie Barrett

The union, which is a division of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union, supports vaccination but is against BHPs decision to require workers at its Mt Arthur coal mine to have their first jab by November 10 and a second by January 31 in the absence of a public health order.

BHPs approach at Mt Arthur is heavy-handed and counter-productive, said the unions district president, Peter Jordan. High rates of COVID vaccination among mine workers would be better achieved through education, access and incentives rather than threatening peoples livelihoods.
London: Britains Queen Elizabeth, the worlds longest-reigning monarch, cancelled a planned visit to Northern Ireland on Wednesday and accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days, Buckingham Palace said.

The Queen, 95, has reigned for almost seven decades. She was just 25 when she became Queen Elizabeth II on Feb. 6, 1952 on the death of her father.

Queen Elizabeth II has cancelled a trip to Northern Ireland. Credit:Getty Images

The Queen has reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days, the palace said.

Her Majesty is in good spirits and is disappointed that she will no longer be able to visit Northern Ireland, where she had been due to undertake a series of engagements today and tomorrow.
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Review By Larry Nutson

Breaking new ground

By Larry Nutson

Executive Editor and Bureau Chief

Chicago Bureau

The Auto Channel

As things would have it my expected drive of the all-new 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz went awry. On the invite of Hyundai I was to travel to San Francisco and then on to Palo Alto. Well, my direct airline flight got canceled. Then on my rescheduled new route involving a connection one of those flights got canceled.

Needless to say, instead of me driving the new Santa Cruz in and around Santa Cruz, California I waited a week to have my first drive experience in the Chicago suburbs.

Hyundai first hinted at its aspirations for a pickup-like vehicle with its HCD-15 Concept introduced at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Now here in 2021 we have in the flesh the all-new 2022 Santa Cruz. The worlds first sport adventure vehicle.

The 5-passenger Santa Cruz with its open cargo bed is designed to appeal to utility vehicle owners. That was the priority in the design. The Santa Cruz is not intended to appeal to the traditional pickup truck buyer.

A utility vehicle has a balance of attributes to provide for transporting people and things over sometimes varying road conditions. The Santa Cruz extends that balance to still transport people as well as things with its open bed and underfloor storage---a trunk in the bed. The in-bed trunk has a drain plug that allows for cleaning and draining.

The cargo bed is secure. A sliding lockable bed cover that is strong and durable secures cargo. The urban adventurer who wants the versatility of a truck with the footprint of a small SUV will appreciate the Santa Cruz.

The unibody Santa Cruz shares its architecture with the Hyundai Tucson but rides on a longer 118.3 inch wheelbase. Overall length is 195.7 inches. Theres 8.6 inches of ground clearance.

Santa Cruz is front-wheel drive with available all-wheel drive. It uses a multi-link rear suspension which is self-leveling.

Available trim levels are SE, SEL, SEL Activity, SEL Premium and Limited.

SE, SEL and SEL Activity trim levels have a 191-hp 2.5-L engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and are available in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. EPA fuel economy ratings are 23 mpg combined with 21 city mpg and 27 highway mpg. Tow rating is 3,500 lb. for a braked trailer.

SEL Premium and Limited trims come with a 281-hp turbocharged 2.5-L paired with an 8-speed wet dual-clutch transmission and are equipped only with AWD. EPA fuel economy ratings are 22 mpg combined with 19 city mpg and 27 highway mpg. Tow rating is 5,000 lb. for a braked trailer.

The cargo bed is 52.1 inches long and 53.9 inches wide. With the tailgate open you have 74.8 inches of length. Total payload ranges from 1,520 to 1,753 lbs. depending on model. The bed has attachment points to secure cargo and a couple storage bins.

Santa Cruz offers excellent safety and convenience features, with an array of Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) safety technologies as part of the Hyundai SmartSense feature suite.

The interior is rugged and yet refined. Ingress and egress is easy and the layout of switches and controls is ergonomically comfortable. The center stack display features an edgeless 10-inch infotainment screen. An optional center digital cluster display also measures 10 inches. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as well as wireless device charging are provided. The 60/40 split rear seat flips up for convenient, in-cabin storage. An available Bose audio system delivers premium sound for music listening.

Santa Cruz pricing starts with the SE at $23,990. SEL is $27,190, SEL with Activity Package is $30,460, SEL Premium is $35,680, and Limited is $39,720. All-wheel drive is an additional $1,500 on SE, SEL, and SEL Activity models. In addition theres the $1,185 destination charge.

My Chicago-suburbs drive came about through the Midwest Automotive Media Association Summer Drive program. Im a member of MAMA, as its known, and I drove a Santa Cruz with the 281-hp engine and all-wheel drive. This powertrain combination delivers plenty of satisfying performance. The DCT combined with the turbo engine is nicely responsive.

I didnt drive the lower output engine. If shopping for a Santa Cruz, drive both engines to be sure you get what is really needed to suit the load you would usually be carrying and the terrain in which you routinely drive.

The interior is well appointed and finished very much like Hyundais other utility vehicle in their lineup. The Santa Cruz is quiet, has good road manners and provides a comfortable ride. It drives very much like a compact utility vehicle.

The Santa Cruz is arriving at dealers now. More information and details on the new Santa Cruz can be found at www.hyundaiusa.com.

Hyundai describes the typical Santa Cruz buyer as a tech-savvy single male in the age range of 35 to 45 years. I think well see younger buyers, males and females alike, liken the Santa Cruz. The new Santa Cruz could just be the ute to have for those high school upperclass years.

Happy motoring, or should I say adventuring.

 2021 Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy
Foxconn EV production plan back in motion







Foxconn EV production plan back in motion with Lordstown Motors Ohio plant acquisition, says GlobalData

Following the news that Taiwanese iPhone maker Foxconn acquires Lordstown Motors Ohio electric vehicle (EV) factory for $230m;

Bakar Sadik Agwan, Senior Automotive Consulting Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view:

The acquisition is a milestone for Foxconns US EV ambition which came to a standstill with uncertainty looming over the companys Wisconsins manufacturing plant. The purchase of Lordstown Motors manufacturing site, which was a GM plant till 2019, will be a turnkey solution for Foxconns EV manufacturing that will give it hand-off experience in the area. It indicates that a ready plant will garner quick learning with less investments. The GM plant had a capacity to turn around up to 300K units annually, thus provide significant room for Foxconn to expand its capacity in the future.

The deal is a win-win situation for both the parties. Lordstown Motors, which was in deep financial crunch and legal scrutiny recently, will revive with the fresh cash inflow from Foxconn. Lordstown Motors will leverage Foxconns technology, manufacturing and supply chain expertise to manufacture its Endurance pick-up truck for the US market.

As per GlobalData Automotive Intelligence Centre, the ex-GM plant had logged a production capacity of 58K units in 2019. Foxconn may aim 50K annual production  similar to what it committed in its Thailand plant  and expand in later years.

With the deal, Foxconn may lead ahead of its schedule to manufacture EVs in the US by 2023-end. Foxconn has been negating complexity in EV manufacturing and supply with its partnerships and vertical integration across the value chain. However, it will have to compete with the likes of Tesla, GM and Ford in the US which aims front row in the domestic EV market.
Van Buren, AR (72956)

Today

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 39F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 39F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.
Up for debate:

Live legislation tracker

Check out the latest developments on bills pending before state lawmakers in four key topics.
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.
Protesters clash with authorities Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, before successfully breaching the Capitol building during a riot on the grounds in Washington.
Staff Reporter

Nyamekye Daniel has been a journalist for five years. She was the managing editor for the South Florida Media Network and a staff writer for The Miami Times. Daniel's work has also appeared in the Sun-Sentinel, Miami Herald and The New York Times.
Raheem Williams is the director of the Kevin Kane Center for Opportunity Policy at the Pelican Institute.
One man holds the door for another as they arrive at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Auburn Mall, Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Auburn, Maine.
New Mexico Hospital association CEO: 'We have beds, but we don't have staff to cover those beds'
Building on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia
A Texas Department of Public Safety officer directs a group of migrants who crossed the border and turned themselves in, Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Del Rio, Texas.
A vial of vaccine diluent, left, is sits on a table next to a vial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department nurse Valencia Bautista, left, prepares to administer Wyoming's first shot of COVID-19 vaccine to Terry Thayn, who is also a nurse for the department, on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, in Cheyenne, Wyo.
News Updates

Would you like to receive our newsletter? Get local, Wyoming, and national news, the weather forecast, and more, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up today!
The attorneys for the grandson of Walt Disney will argue their case to block the sale of his familys ranch in Teton County until his appeal of a lower courts decision on the issue can be heard in front of the Wyoming Supreme Court on Wednesday.

The case involves Bradford Disney Lunds appeal of a lower courts decision in January to dismiss his lawsuit challenging the sale of the ranch near Wilson he owns with his sister. The ranch has been in the family since Lunds father, William Lund, purchased it more than 40 years ago.

Jackson attorney Chris Hawks told Cowboy State Daily on Tuesday that the legal team expected to hear a decision from the Wyoming Supreme Court within six months of the hearing, but that timeline could change.

Were arguing that Bradford Lund is one of the beneficial owners of the ranch, Lund attorney Sandra Slaton told Cowboy State Daily. He has a vested interest in that ranch. The trust legally owns the ranch, but the trustees are supposed to do what is in the beneficiarys best interest.

This appeal is the latest in Lunds attempt to keep trustees from selling the 110-acre Eagle South Fork ranch near Wilson against his will.

The ranch has remained in residuary trusts for Lund and his sister following the death of their mother, Sharon Disney Lund.

To keep the ranch means a lot to me, Lund told Cowboy State Daily on Tuesday. It would be a very big loss for the family history to sell that ranch.

The trustees include L. Andrew Gifford, Robert L. Wilson, Douglas Strode, and the financial trustee bank, the First Republic Trust Co.

Lund is challenging efforts by the trustees to sell the ranch to a third party, saying it would be a violation of his mothers wishes that the ranch remain available for the use of her children.

Lund filed a lawsuit in state district court in Teton County to stop the trustees from selling the ranch and seeking a court order to make trustees comply with an earlier agreement to have the trust set up for Lunds benefit pay $9.79 million to buy the half of the ranch held in the trust set up for his sister. The purchase would make Lund sole owner of the ranch.

The trustees then moved to dismiss the case to California instead of Wyoming because they claimed it was more convenient. The court granted that motion and dismissed the case.

Immediately after the decision was announced in January, the trustees announced they had an offer from a third party to buy the ranch. If the ranch is sold, the trustees will each get a 2% commission, nearly $700,000, from the sale.

Lund is appealing the state district courts decision, saying the judge abused his discretion when it found that the private- and public-interest factors strongly outweighed the deference owed to (Lunds) choice of forum, according to a brief filed with the Supreme Court.

In his appeal Lund insists that the decision on the sale of Eagle South Fork be determined by Wyomingites that are close to the property and understand its true value and worth.

The legal action is one of several involving Lund and the trustees. He is suing in California courts over their management of five separate trusts established for his benefit.
Instant unlimited access to all of our E-Editions and content on thechronicleonline.com.

The Chronicle E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street!

This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers.

(The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement)
New Castle, IN (47362)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low near 30F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low near 30F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Towanda, PA (18848)

Today

Snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low 28F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%..

Tonight

Snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low 28F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%.
Oneonta, NY (13820)

Today

Snow showers this evening. Becoming partly cloudy later. Low 26F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 60%..

Tonight

Snow showers this evening. Becoming partly cloudy later. Low 26F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 60%.
Oneonta, NY (13820)

Today

Snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low 24F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 60%..

Tonight

Snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low 24F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 60%.
Click the image to the left and log in to get your exclusive reader perks.
Melanie joined The Daily Times in the early 90s and has served as the Life section editor since 1993. A William Blount and UT alum, Melanie is generally the early arriver who turns on the lights in the newsroom.

Follow Melanie Tucker 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
Jeff Robbins, a former assistant U.S. attorney and delegate to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, was chief counsel for the minority of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. An attorney specializing in the First Amendment, he is a longtime columnist for the Boston Herald, writing on politics, national security, human rights and the Middle East.
Meet Banjo! She's a fun and loving rescue kitten who brings smiles to everyone's face! Banjo's favorite thing to do is cuddle up to you for he
$1.5 M Awarded to Westminster to Finish Civil Rights Park

A $1.5 million check was given to the city of Westminster, California, on Oct. 19 by state Sen. Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) Oct. 19 that will allow for the completion of the Mendez Freedom Trail in honor of a 1940s civil rights case that desegregated California public schools.

In the 1940s, Gonzalo and Felicitas Mendez attempted to send their children to 17th Street School, which was designated for white children. The Mendez familywho were U.S. citizens and Westminster residents but were of Hispanic descentwere denied entry and instructed to send their children to Hoover Elementary instead.

The denial of the Mendezes into the white-only school prompted them and other families of Mexican descent to challenge the segregation in courtwhere a U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the families in 1947with the decision helping to end the segregation of California schools.

The win paved the way for the more well-known 1954 Brown v. Board of Education, which made it federally illegal to segregate people by race.

In attendance at the conference was Sylvia Mendez, one of the children represented in the case, who is now a civil rights activist.

I want to thank the Mendez family for their dedication, for their fighting for justice, for their fighting for equal rights, equal opportunity for many generations who couldnt have the same equal opportunity to participate in a public school, Westminster Mayor Tri Ta said at an Oct. 19 press conference at the Mendez Tribute Monument Park in Westminster.

The money will help the Mendez Freedom Trail and the Mendez Tribute Monument Parkhonoring the legacy of the segregated children and the successful court case.

The park will feature statues of children holding books in an effort to symbolize the 5,000 children represented in the class-action lawsuit, and will also have statues of Gonzalo and Felicitas Mendez.

Additionally, the walls in the park will be interactive for children and come to life with a smartphone or computer and teach about the history of the case, a first of its kind for a community park.

A $1.5 million check was given to the City of Westminster, Calif., on Oct. 19. (Drew Van Voorhis/The Epoch Times)

Its an important project, not just for today, but for a long long time in the future, Umberg said. Its important because we want to make sure that young people know what courage it took by the Mendez family to right a wrong. Its so important in our history that our young people understand the mistakes weve made.

Talking to Sylvia, Umberg said, Your parents recognized this mistake and they had the courage to correct that mistake. Its another lesson for young people that when you see a wrong, its your responsibility to correct that wrong, and they did that.

Former Westminster Councilman Sergio Contreras, who originally brought the project to the councils attention in 2017, said he wanted people, and especially children, to learn about the groundbreaking case, due to him not knowing about it for many years despite growing up in Westminster.

I grew up here, went to school here. Why didnt I learn about it? And I asked myself how can we change that. So thankfully with the help of the council we want to make sure that every student learns about it while theyre still in elementary school, and use it as a story to empower themselves about whats possible when you come together and believe in equity, equality, and its really exciting to have students learn about it at an early age, Contreras said.
21 Chicago Officers Placed on No-pay Leave for Defying Citys Vaccine Reporting Mandate

Twenty-one officers with the Chicago Police Department have been placed on no-pay leave for refusing to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status, as required by a city mandate, according to an official.

Chicago Police Superintendent David O. Brown confirmed the figure during a press conference on Tuesday, a day after Mayor Lori Lightfoot said that a very small number of officers had been put on no-pay status for refusing to comply with the mandate after being given several opportunities to do so.

Brown told reporters that 67.7 percent of the departments 12,770 employees had so far complied with a city requirement to report their COVID-19 vaccination status. The department has the lowest compliance rate with the citys mandate of any city department, the Chicago Sun Times reported.

This process has been obviously very emotional, Brown said on Tuesday. We have given them the time and given them the explanation as best we can on the serious nature of violating the vaccine mandate.

Brown said that the 21 officers still have the option to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status.

It comes after the head of the Chicago police officers union on Oct. 12 called on its members to refuse to comply with the citys COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which took effect on Friday.

Do not fill out the portal information, Chicago Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara said in a video to officers posted on YouTube last week. 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.

The police union head in his video instructed members to file for exemptions to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine but to not enter that information into the citys vaccine portal. According to Catanzara, the police union is preparing a lawsuit against the city over the mandate.

I can guarantee you that no-pay status will not last more than 30 days, Catanzara added. Theres no way theyre going to be able to sustain a police department workforce at 50 percent capacity or less for more than seven days without something budging.

A judge ruled on Friday that Catanzara could no longer publicly push members to defy the mandate.

Separately on Sunday, the CPD sent a memo to officers warning that those who opt to retire rather than follow the mandate may be denied retirement credentials, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The Epoch Times has contacted Lightfoots office and the CPD for comment.
The logo of 3M at the 3M Tilloy plant in Tilloy-Lez-Cambrai, France, on Aug. 18, 2019. (Pascal Rossignol/Reuters)

3M to Pay $98 Million to Settle Claims It Contaminated Tennessee River With Toxic Chemicals

Industrial conglomerate 3M said on Oct. 19 that it has agreed to pay $98.4 million to resolve suits over forever chemicals, or chemicals resistant to breaking down in the environment.

The U.S. company agreed to the payout to settle claims that it had contaminated the Tennessee River in north Alabama with the toxic chemicals, known as perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.

It agreed to resolve a lawsuit by environmental group Tennessee Riverkeeper and a separate class action by residents of Alabamas Morgan County. The company also negotiated a private settlement with Morgan County; the city of Decatur, where its local facility is based; and Decaturs utility provider.

All three involved the companys manufacturing and disposal of PFAS at its Decatur industrial site in Morgan County.

3M has reached a collaborative agreement to resolve ongoing litigation and negotiations related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) near 3Ms Decatur, Alabama facility, the company said in a statement, adding that the agreements are subject to final approval.

The company, which hasnt admitted to any wrongdoing, offered no additional comment when contacted by The Epoch Times.

The news came a day after the Environmental Protection Agency said it would set limits on PFAS, some of which have been linked to cancer, liver damage, low birth weight, and an array of other health problems.

The chemicals have been used for decades in household products such as nonstick cookware, stain- and water-resistant fabrics and carpets, cleaning products, paints, water repellents, and fire-fighting foams. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health and Sciences, PFAS chemicals gradually accumulate and generally remain in a body over time due to more intake than excretion of the chemicals.

A study published in June in the journal of Environmental Science and Technology Letters found that the toxic chemicals have been detected in more than half of commonly used cosmetics sold in the United States and Canada. Researchers from the University of Notre Dame analyzed more than 230 commonly used cosmetics. Some of the highest levels of the man-made forever chemicals were detected in waterproof mascara, at 82 percent, and long-lasting lipstick, at 62 percent.

PFAS is a persistent chemicalwhen it gets into the bloodstream, it stays there and accumulates, lead researcher Graham Peaslee, professor of physics at Notre Dame, said. Theres also the additional risk of environmental contamination associated with the manufacture and disposal of these products, which could affect many more people.

Responding to 3Ms announcement, Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling said in a statement that the settlements will fund improvements that will make the environment in Decatur and Morgan County healthier.

We appreciate the importance of our relationship with our neighbors in Decatur. Through this agreement, we can resolve these matters and take action that will strengthen Decatur for the futurea great thing for 3M and this community, Michelle Howell, Decatur site director, said in a statement. We will continue to take collaborative action for communities where we live and work, our employees, and their friends and families.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Emergency workers at the scene of a suspected gas explosion, in which a young child was killed and two people were seriously injured, on Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham, UK, on May 16, 2021. (Danny Lawson/PA)

4 Arrested Over Lancashire House Explosion in Which Young Child Died

Four people have been arrested in connection with an explosion at a house in Heysham, Lancashire, in which a young child died.

Emergency services were called to the scene on Mallowdale Avenue in the early hours of May 16, and found two houses had collapsed with a third seriously damaged.

Two-year-old George Arthur Hinds died as a result of the blast, while his parents and another man and woman required hospital treatment, Lancashire Constabulary said in a statement.

The force said a criminal investigation assisted by gas experts had identified the cause of the blast as a gas pipe which had been cut inside 20 Mallowdale Avenue.

Emergency workers at the scene of a suspected gas explosion, in which a young child was killed and two people were seriously injured, on Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham, UK, on May 16, 2021. (Danny Lawson/PA)

A 44-year-old man and 51-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and have been released on bail pending further inquiries, police said.

A 54-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft, criminal damage, and abstracting electricity, while a 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods. Both have been released under investigation.

With investigations continuing, police are also still hoping to speak to anyone who may have attended 20 Mallowdale Avenue in the days prior to the explosion.

Undated handout family photo issued by Lancashire Police of 2-year-old George Arthur Hinds, who died in a suspected gas explosion on Mallowdale Avenue in Heysham, Lancashire, UK. (Lancashire Police/PA)

Detective Chief Inspector Jane Webb, of Lancashire Constabularys Force Major Investigation Team, said: These arrests mark a significant point in our investigation, however our enquiries are still ongoing.

I would appeal to anyone who has any information that they think could assist with our investigation to please get in touch with us, specifically anyone who may have attended 20 Mallowdale in the days prior to the explosion.

Georges parents have been devastated by his death and the community of Heysham have been significantly affected by the incident. I would like to thank the community for their help throughout this investigation as well as those that have already come forward with information.

Our focus remains on getting justice for Georges family and loved ones, as well as those others affected by this incident. We will be pursuing all lines of enquiry to ensure we get the right outcome for those affected.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 0180 of May 16. They can also contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

By Trevor Marshallsea
Israel's alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid gives a press conference at the new Israeli consulate in the Gulf Emirate of Dubai on June 30, 2021, following the signing of the Abraham Accords, the first normalization of relations between Israel and an Arab nation. (Karim Sahib/AFP via Getty Images)

A Middle East Quad Begins to Develop

NEW DELHIFirst, there was a quadrilateral security alliance or quad between the United States, India, Japan, and Australia in the Indo-Pacific. Now, a Middle Eastern quad between the United States, India, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates may be developing.

What has been described as a preliminary meeting between the four nations foreign ministers was held on Oct. 18, partly in-person and partly virtually, with the aim of enhancing political and economic cooperation on issues in the Middle East and Asia.

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who was on his first trip to Israel, wrote on Twitter that the forum will work on economic growth and global issues and said therell be an expeditious follow-up. He and Israeli Foreign Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid joined the forum in person, while U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed attended virtually.

The U.S. State Department said in an Oct. 18 statement that the four foreign ministers discussed political and economic cooperation on issues pertaining to trade, the global pandemic response, climate change, energy and technology cooperation, and maritime security.

Middle East analyst Seth J. Frantzman said that the emerging close ties between the four nations as a group or quad are important because they cements together key relationships of countries that share interests and which span a vast area of the world.

This can be through technology and trade, but also could relate to security and other interests, he told The Epoch Times via email. Because these countries are also in other partnerships regionally, they can help influence a larger network of partnered countries from the East Med to Australia and Asia.

Secretary Blinken spoke with Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Israeli Foreign Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Oct. 18, 2021, in a meeting thats now being widely termed as an informal Middle East Quad. (Courtesy Indian External Affairs Ministry)

Abraham Accords

The Oct. 18 forum follows the signing of the 2020 Abraham Accords that marked the first public normalization of relations between any Arab nation and Israel.

The Abraham Accords are a joint statement between the United States, UAE, and Israel signed on Aug. 30, 2020, under U.S. President Donald Trump. Its now an umbrella term for the IsraelUAE normalization agreement and IsraelBahrain normalization agreement.

The U.S. State Department said that during the forum, Blinken reiterated the Biden Administrations support for the Abraham Accords and normalization agreements and discussed future opportunities for collaboration in the region and globally.

Esra Sarim, a France-based international security analyst, said that after the Abraham Accords were signed, the UAE, as a key energy supplier, became a reliable partner for both the United States and Israel.

India and Israel have already had a close relationship for years. They have robust cooperation in the defense industry and this close relationship is always encouraged by the U.S. government as well as Israels relations with the UAE, Sarim told The Epoch Times via email.

Hamid Bahrami, a Glasgow-based Middle East analyst, told The Epoch Times that the United States wants to use the forum to transfer its security role to an ArabIsraeli bloc.

The threat is currently from the Iranian regime and the growth of Islamism, which threatens Arab states. The significance is that both Israel and Arabs have found common interests, as well as the same enemy, he said.

The Iranian regime views [the Abraham Accords] as a military alliance against itself. The mullahs regime has today been isolated, and it seems it seeks to go closer to China and Russia.

However, Frantzman said while the four nations share broader interests in regional stability, he doesnt believe that the group shares common interests regarding Iran.

Israel is concerned about Irans drive for a nuclear weapon and its destabilizing role in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. India doesnt appear to have any qualms with Iran, and the UAE prefers stability over confrontation, he said.

Israels Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid gives a press conference at the new Israeli consulate in the Gulf Emirate of Dubai, on June 30, 2021. Israels top diplomat opened the Jewish states first embassy in the Gulf during a trip to the United Arab Emirates, nine months after they signed a normalization deal. (Karim Sahib/AFP via Getty Images)

New Quad and China

Experts said the new alliance will help to maintain the U.S. presence in the Middle East and South Asia after the withdrawal from Afghanistan and will also help to create a regional balance against China and Russia.

The Oct. 18 forum comes after the first trilateral partnership between India, UAE, and Israel, formed early this year. That agreement is about Israel producing a robotic solar cleaning technology in India for a project in the UAE.

This formation was specially made just after the AUKUS defense agreement between Australia, Britain, and the United States, Sarim said. Through these agreements/alliances, the U.S. administration that had to leave Afghanistan aims to strengthen its axis and adopt a strong approach towards both Russia and China in order to maintain its position/presence in the Middle East and Southern Asia.

AUKUS is widely seen as a pact to counter China and involves Australia building nuclear-powered submarines for the first time in the countrys history, with technology provided by the United States.

Were taking another historic step to deepen and formalize cooperation among all three of our nations because we all recognize the imperative of ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific over the long term, U.S. President Joe Biden said after the creation of AUKUS.

Bahrami said the new quad is part of a larger Western strategy to form a wide and united camp against China.

In an earlier analysis for the Jerusalem Post, Frantzman added Greece, France, Cyprus, Bahrain, Egypt, and Jordan to the list of like-minded countries as an extension of the new quad.

Greece and Cyprus have no negative issues with China. On the other hand, Greece and Cyprus are increasingly close to Israel on many interests and also working closely with the U.S. Greece and Cyprus likely share concerns about Turkeys aggressive behavior. There are good reasons for Greece and Cyprus to want to be linked to India and they already have close ties to the UAE, he told The Epoch Times.

Bahrami said Frantzman is right about the reach, and it can be expanded to other countries that have the same interests.

However, all these countries will finally need to choose which sides they are going to stand on in the new international division in the coming years, Bahrami said. For instance, the U.S. will need to make clear for Pakistan which side Islamabad wants to stand on. If Pakistan still provides China with a route reaching the Indian Ocean, that means Pakistan is in Chinas (asymmetric camp). Or if Israel still wants to have a normal relationship with China, it threatens the U.S. plan.

Sarim said that in response to these agreements, its likely that Iran, Pakistan, Russia, China, and even Afghanistan will make multiple economic and security deals in the near future.
Dr. David Fowler, a retired forensic pathologist and former chief medical examiner for the state of Maryland, testifies in the trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minn., on April 14, 2021. (Court TV via AP, Pool)

A Quiet Attack on American Principles Is Going Unnoticed

An underreported result of the trial of police officer Derek Chauvin is upending American ideals of justice

Commentary

The sanctity of American justice is predicated on the right to a fair trial. Trial by jury was one of the most important American principles at its founding, guaranteed in the body of the Constitution in Article III, Section 2, and in the Sixth Amendment. It was instituted as a protection of individuals against abuses by the government.

Earlier this year, police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of the murder of George Floyd. Chauvins attorneys had hired highly experienced and respected retired forensic pathologist Dr. David Fowler as an expert witness. Fowler testified that Floyd died of a sudden cardiac arrhythmia due to his [underlying] heart disease  during his restraint and subdual by the police and not because of lack of oxygen. Despite Fowlers testimony, the jury convicted Chauvin of murder.

Many trials end in decisions that seem wrong, and you may or may not agree with the conviction of Chauvin. But whether we agree with any particular decision or not, the American system of justice requires us to abide by it. Otherwise, the system falls apart.

The whittling away of the American justice system in this instance is not the governments attempt to change a jurys verdict; the government got the conviction that it wanted. In a dangerous precedent, the government is now attempting to ensure that future cases are more likely to result in the verdict it wants by making it clear that witnesses with whom it disagrees will be punished, ostracized, and have their careers destroyed.

Fowler, Chauvins expert witness, was Marylands chief medical examiner from 2002 to 2019. According to his resume on the website of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (pdf), Fowler was trained in forensic pathology at the University of Cape Town. He was an adjunct associate professor at the University of Maryland in the departments of pediatrics and pathology, and on the faculty at the National Study Center for Trauma and Emergency Medical Systems. Fowler is a past president of the National Association of Medical Examiners. He has authored numerous book chapters, scientific journal articles, and formal presentations. He currently serves as the National Association of Medical Examiners representative to the Forensic Science Standards Board.

Shortly after the trial, Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh received a letter from D.C.s former chief medical examiner Roger Mitchell, and signed by 431 doctors from around the country, saying Fowlers conclusions were so far outside the bounds of accepted forensic practice that all his previous work could come into question, according to the Associated Press. Within 24 hours, Frosch, in consultation with Maryland Gov. Larry Hogans chief legal counsel, announced an investigation into Fowlers prior in-custody death examinations (pdf). In September, Frosch announced the members of the audit design team (pdf). This development is very troubling.

I work as an expert witness in technology cases. Ive participated in over 240 cases over 25 years. Ive seen unethical behavior by expert witnesses, a small number of whom can be paid to say almost anything to support their clients position. Ive written about this unethical behavior and about the need to set stricter standards for expert testimony and more significant consequences for those who purposely misrepresent facts, use unaccepted processes, change testimony, or participate in other unscrupulous behavior. The key, though, is that I challenge expert results in court after Ive seen all the evidence, produced my own rigorous analysis, and come to my own conclusions. Many times, another expert will examine the same evidence, produce an analysis, and come to different conclusions. Theres no crime in being wrong. The jury listens to the experts, guided by the lawyers, weighs the evidence, and comes to a decision. Our justice system is far from perfect, but for the system to work and be as fair as possible, we all must abide by the judicial outcomes.

If any of the armchair medical experts in the world are allowed to bring down the career of Fowler, then few people will ever have the courage to testify contrary to the governments case or the publics desires. There may be no stronger or more serious undermining of the American justice system than this one. For the American justice system to survive, people must be free to testify honestly and without outside pressure.

For the sake of basic American principles of justice, honest expert opinions must be given openly, without coercion, and without the belief that the government could destroy your reputation and career if you testify the wrong way. This is one more move by those on the left who are working against American principles and attempting to destroy the very basis of our society. We must all work to stop it, especially in its most subtle forms.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A woman crosses a road in front of a public housing high-rise in Melbourne, Australia, on Aug. 23, 2021. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)

Anti-Corruption Inquiry Reveals Community Leader Pocketed $75,000 of Taxpayer Funds

Factional leaders deflect reporters with accusations of racism

An ongoing inquiry into the misuse of public funds by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) in Victoria has heard how an African community leader in Melbourne pocketed around $75,000 in taxpayer funds through the manipulation of a grants program.

The Somali Australian Council of Victoria (SACOV) allegedly received the funds after the mayor of Banyule City Council, Rick Garotti, lobbied the state gaming minister, Marlene Kairouza fellow ALP factional allyfor a $100,000 grant under the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation.

SACOV received $75,000, which IBAC Counsel Chris Carr S.C. claimed was almost entirely pocketed by the head of the organisation, Dr. Hussein Haraco.

Financial records obtained by IBAC revealed that the funds were supposed to be split between $50,000 for wages and salaries, $7,000 to video, $6,000 to admin, and $4,200 to training.

Carr told the inquiry that Haraco pocketed all but $6,000 for admin. The doctor was supposed to front the inquiry but provided medical documentation excusing him from testifying.

The counsel also revealed that SACOV had engaged in a practice called double counting, which would see the group claim the same funds twice from different government departments.

Rick Garroti, mayor of Banyule Council and former staffer in the Australian Labor Party testifying to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) on Oct. 19, 2021. (Screenshot)

For example, SACOV would receive $2,000 for a computer from both the Council and the Victorian state government, totalling $4,000. The group would send the same invoice to both departments and then pocket the excess funds.

Garotti, who was testifying at the inquiry conceded that he was surprised to learn of the double-dipping.

Im gobsmacked by it, and it clearly shows an overall governance issue between state and local levels of funding going to agencies, he told IBAC on Oct. 19.

It is alleged that over the years, SACOV also received around $430,000 in grants from the Banyule City Council, of which $100,000 was supposedly siphoned off via double counting.

The revelations come as part of a wide-ranging investigation by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) into serious corrupt conduct and the misuse of public money for party-political work or other improper purposes.

Currently, it is focused on whether public funds have been used for activities such as branch stacking or factional work.

Branch stackingor the practice of recruiting members to a political party (sometimes by paying them)is designed to influence the outcome of preselecting candidates.

Adem Somyurek, Victorian state member of Parliament, seen outside his home in Melbourne, Australia, on June 16, 2020. (AAP Image/Daniel Pockett)

One of the primary motivations for doing so is the competition for influence between rival factions in a political partyin this case, the Moderate and Socialist Left factions of the ALP in Victoria.

State Premier Dan Andrews triggered the IBAC investigation after a special report by media outlets, 60 Minutes and The Age, exposed the extent of the practice.

Haraco was an ally of the Victorian Moderate faction and, together with Garotti, paid the membership fees of around 300 associates at the Heidelberg branch of the partyoccurring over a decade.

Garroti has admitted to the inquiry that a third of the members were non-genuine.

Further, in the lead-up to the investigation by media outlets, Garotti and the leader of the Moderate faction, Adem Somyurek, a state MP who resigned from Cabinet following the revelations over branch stacking, used claims of racism as cover for their activities.

A secret recording was played, which saw them discuss leveraging issues such as Black Lives Matter to divert the attention of journalists.

The duo also drafted an email response to inquiries on behalf of Haraco, which read, The Somali community is sick of journalists such as yourself accusing us of branch stacking  is it because we are black?

Garotti admitted his behaviour was wrong and he hoped the IBAC investigation could change the culture of the ALP.

Im not excusing my behaviour in the party, but hopefully for a young person coming through the ranks in the future, its a better culture, and they dont get caught up, he said, adding that the culture was symptomatic of all factions in the ALP.
Australian State Announces $50 Vouchers for Millions of Residents to Help Tourism Recovery

The premier of the Australia state of New South Wales (NSW), Dominic Perrottet, has announced that his state government will give $50 tourism vouchers to millions residents for accommodation at hotel, motels, and caravan parks.

The move will be piloted at the end of the year and comes as part of a $530 million bid to revive events across the state and support tourism to get back on track as part of the states COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

The NSW government will also invest $60 million in an Aviation Attraction Fund to incentivise international airlines to recommence flights to Sydney.

The move also comes after the state government announced last week that it would scrap quarantine for fully vaccinated international arrivals from Nov. 1.

Millions of people around the world dream of visiting Sydney and our regional areas. This package not only ensures they can, but that theyll experience the very best of what we have to offer, Perrottet said in a statement on Wednesday.

Importantly, more than 300,000 people rely on our tourism industry and our aim is to reclaim our position as one of the worlds favourite destinations.

Taking to Twitter, Perrottet wrote that his government was spreading the love statewide to help the states economic recovery.

NSW Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said the investment will help revive shuttered businesses.

This was a one in one-hundred-year event which severely damaged our tourism industry, operators barely hung in there as they lost bookings, customers and staff, now as we rebuild we can do so with confidence, Ayres said.

For our visitor economy to reach its full potential we need event owners to dream big, airlines to fly in and for locals and visitors to embrace our world class venues and hospitality with enthusiasm once again.

The tourism and events recovery package includes:
Austrian Police Find 2 Dead Men in Minibus Full of Migrants

BERLINAustrian media reported Tuesday that the bodies of two men were found in a minibus carrying dozens of migrants near the border with Hungary.

Public broadcaster ORF reported that authorities stopped the vehicle and found 28 people crammed inside, two of them dead.

Police were searching the area around Siegendorf, a village 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of Vienna, for the driver of the minibus, ORF reported.

It quoted police as saying that the two men who died were likely to have been between 25 and 30 years old and in poor physical condition.

According to authorities, the migrants were all Syrians or Kurds.

In 2015, Austrian authorities found the bodies of 71 suffocated migrants in the back of an abandoned truck. The incident drew international consternation at a time when hundreds of thousands of people were making their way to Europe seeking refuge from war and poverty.
Autistic Artist Creates 3D Embroideries That Look Like Aerial, Textile Snapshots of England

Inspired by views as seen from above, a textile artist is crafting colorful 3D embroideries of the picturesque English countryside in which she lives. Her detailed compositions depict green fields laced with blue threads of water, some with teeny tiny houses and people, others with trees and hills rendered in tactile dimensions.

Victoria Rose Richards, 23, of South-West Devon, England, lives and works in the landscape she loves. She was diagnosed with autism at 14, later endometriosis, but finds comfort and happiness in her craft.

Victoria first picked up embroidery in the fall of 2018, progressing into 3D landscapes and aerial embroidery the following summer. The color green soon emerged as her favorite.

I had been creating a color series where I did a landscape each in just shades of one color of the color wheel, and got stuck on green, Victoria told The Epoch Times. As I was looking out my window at the fields and woods opposite, I realized they would be all green from an aerial view, and created my first aerial field landscape. I loved it.

Victorias embroidered over the rainbow. (Courtesy of Victoria Rose Richards)

Over time, Victoriawho has a degree in ecological and marine biologytaught herself a variety of stitches to achieve realistic-looking textures. Explaining her creative process in detail, she says that after making her basic outline on a sheet of felt, she embroiders clusters of French knots for trees and shrubbery, while long, straight stitches represent ploughed fields and lakes.

In newer works, Victoria has even included tiny cars, livestock, hikers, wildflowers, countryside cottages, and swimmers off the Devon coast with single, looped stitches.

I am surrounded by rivers, fields, woodland, and moorland, and love to look around me for things to include in my pieces, she explained.

An embroidery of a splendid day out in the countryside. (Courtesy of Victoria Rose Richards)

The landscapes that inspire Victoria are also appealing to the people who buy her work. Many customers have commented on the nostalgic and homely feel of her work, she says. Some say they remind them of their grandparents farm, or somewhere they used to go camping with friends or family, and it makes them happy to look at them.

Embroidery has become an outlet for the artist, who struggled to fit in after she received her autism diagnosis at the age of 14.

An embroidery of a walk for today. (Courtesy of Victoria Rose Richards)

Victoria suspected she may be on the autistic spectrum after noticing similarities between herself and a friends sibling, who had autism, yet she struggled with self-doubt and shame when more normal aspects of teen life proved difficult, like socializing, and the noise and interactions of the school classroom.

Victoria, who was good at all her subjects, earned a place at Exeter University where she thrived living independently on campus for the next three years. Enjoying her newfound independence, she overcame her obstacles and did things she thought she couldnt.

Autumn is calling, an embroidery by Victoria. (Courtesy of Victoria Rose Richards)

I got more and more comfortable in my autism, and stopped seeing it as a hindrance like I had learned to at school, she explained. I think that the self-doubts and disappointment you may have in yourself due to your condition may not always be due to the condition itself, but rather your environments influence on it.

My autism hasnt gone, or changed, she reasoned. My sensory sensitivity hasnt decreased. Im just in a different environment that doesnt purposefully test my boundaries, and I feel I can act more myself without judgment. Or, at least, without caring about the judgment!

An embroidery that depicts, take a drive on a sunny day. (Courtesy of Victoria Rose Richards)

Victoria considers herself a full-time artist, yet hopes to embark on a career in marine biology in the future. For now, she is absorbed in the process of finessing her craft; noticing the little mistakes of the past, she said, is simply a good sign that she has learned and improved.

Dont let your lack of teaching stop you! Victoria implores others. When I started, I knew nothing about embroidery or stitches, but I naturally learned through trial and error as I went along.

Americana, a landscape embroidery inspired by the American landscape agriculture. (Courtesy of Victoria Rose Richards)

She reflected: My art makes me genuinely happy, and if I had decided not to jump in since I knew nothing on it, I would have missed out on this experience. I firmly believe my life would be less colorful for it.

Victoria shares her work, and sells her art, through Instagram, Etsy, and her website.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Epoch Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
Back to the Future, the Chinese Lead the Re-birth of Hypersonic Missiles

Commentary

In a dramatic turn of events, while General Milley is concerned with understanding white rage, the Chinese conduct a startling test of a hypersonic missile.

This missile, with a more technical name of a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) is boosted to low earth orbit and then conducts a hypersonic flight around the world, dipping into the atmosphere and then skimming back up into low space before diving down at its target. The HGV approach offers unique attributes that makes it a desired capability in the strategic weapons quiver.

Legacy intercontinental ballistic missiles have a higher, more predictable arc through space which makes shooting them down a relatively easier math and operational problem set. HGVs are harder to track, detect, and engage.

They also proffer the capability for multiple bomb drops (Fractional Orbital BombardmentFOB) before they finish their flight. This is not a new missile or capability; this is a re-discovering of the lost arts of the missile duel of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The Original Hypersonic Weapons System

A forgotten part of Cold War History is the Boeing X-20 DynaSoar (Dynamic Soaring Vehicle). The X-20 is still shrouded in semi-secrecy (it has been substantively de-classified) and perhaps intentional obfuscation.

It has been described as a research vehicle, orbital bomber, reconnaissance craft, maintenance cart, and a re-supply vehicle to the emerging Air Force Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) which is another mystery-shrouded program in itself.

These two efforts were really led by the CIA, back during a time when the CIA pushed the envelope to protect America instead of working to topple a president.

The X-20 was big, it was bold, it personified the boundless vision of the Kennedy administration, and it was an incredible leap forward in technologies. It doubled down U.S. strategic superiority over the Soviets. Yet the X-20 is most often referenced as a failed program. It is a forgotten asterisk in Cold War history.

Not so fast, I would assert the X-20 was as much an information operation as it was a revolutionary HGV. It did represent an advanced operational capability which would have given the United States a decisive advantage over the Soviets. It freaked out the Soviets who were beside themselves in trying to match this capability.

It essentially stared down the Soviets into signing the Space Treaty in 1967, which limited HGVs, FOBs (fractional orbital bombardment system), and so on. The Space Treaty ostensibly, de-militarized space. Mission accomplishedthe Soviets signed the treaty, and the X-20 was no longer needed.

China is a signatory nation of the Space Treaty, as is the country of Taiwan. But with the flight of the Chinese HGV and the obvious next logical step of arming the HG-17 with a warhead (or warheads), the effectiveness and enforceability of the Space Treaty is in question.

Yes, perhaps the Chinese HGV missed its target by roughly 20 miles, but that can be refined. And when asked by reporters about the Chinese HGV test, the White House press secretary gave the incredulous response of welcoming, stiff competition from the Chinese. What planet are we on? A more re-assuring statement of American resolve to deter and defeat these capabilities is in order.

Welcoming the Chinese Missile?

At this point, it is a statement of the obvious that the agonizing contortions of the Biden administration public policy statements are so overwrought as to be nothing but a signal to Strategic Competitors that the Administration is intellectually brilliant, but incapable of articulating the simple concept of resolve and deterrence, much less a tangible statement on anything.

This is a failure of not only the Administration but the entire national security apparatus of the swamp that has become gargantuan, overfed, and glacial in its ability to pivot to the threat.

Dwight D. Eisenhower warned us of the Military-Industrial complex (which includes the Intelligence Community). He was right, it is here, it is the Swamp and Biden is President of the Swamp, not the American people.

The Chinese just demonstrated a capability and sent us a strategic signalthey intend to defeat our missile defense systems and destroy American cities. Missing by 20 miles is irrelevant if you place a five megaton (MT) warhead on the HGV. That is a big warhead in power, but small in the physical size on the HGV.

Deterring Competitors

Im a positive person who feels well win this struggle with the Chinese regime, but realistically, the American Military-Industrial complex is currently out of position and in an improper stance.

The American national security apparatus needs to rapidly re-balance from a War on Terror organization and special operations high art form back into a military with the best strategic arms capability in the world, while retaining decisive conventional and special operations capability.

A National Training Center-Pacific would manifest this American resolve in the Indo-Pacific Theater while American and Strategic Partner forces train to deter the CCP. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force (and Coast Guard) need to pivot fast and dispense with the drag co-efficient of Critical Race Theory and forced vaccinations.

In my almost 40 years of service, Ive had to pivot from conventional to special operations to cyber. The American national security apparatus found themselves out of position with the Soviet Sputnik in 1957, but rapidly re-focused and within a few years produced the X-20 and many other strategic systems which intimidated and deterred the Soviets. With the right president, we can do this again.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Benton Harbor Declares Emergency in Michigan Over High Levels of Lead as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Visits

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer visited Benton Harbor in Berrien County on Oct. 19 and met with residents and local leaders who have been urged to use bottled water due to high levels of lead in their tap water.

Benton Harbor, a predominantly black, mostly low-income community of 9,700, is in southwestern Michigan, 100 miles from Chicago.

Lead levels in water have exceeded the federal threshold of 15 parts per billion for three years, and the state subsequently issued a recommendation on Oct. 6 encouraging residents to use bottled water for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, rinsing foods, and mixing powdered infant formula.

The reason for the high levels of lead contamination is unknown, but some experts believe a drop in water volume due to fewer customers may have contributed.

The Michigan Human Department of Health and Human Services stated in its recommendation that it had already delivered more than 4,500 cases of bottled water to the city of Benton Harbor through a local-state partnership, and another 15,500 cases were on the way.

Every Michigander deserves safe drinking water, Whitmer said in an Oct. 19 statement. Today, I visited Benton Harbor to hear from community leaders doing the work on the ground and residents living through water challenges every day.

I called on the legislature to fully fund lead service line replacement with an additional $11.4 million investment, helping us meet our expedited timeline to replace 100 [percent] of lead service lines in 18 months. Our work will build on the Executive Directive I signed last week to pursue an all-hands-on-deck approach to protect access to safe drinking water right now and make lasting investments in water infrastructure.

I cannot imagine the stress that moms and dads in Benton Harbor are under as they emerge from a pandemic, work hard to put food on the table, pay the bills, and face a threat to the health of their children. Thats why we will not rest until every parent feels confident to give their kid a glass of water knowing that it is safe.

The visit came just days after Whitmer signed an executive directive (pdf) to coordinate all available state resources to deliver safe drinking water to residents in Benton Harbor in a bid to tackle the elevated levels of lead within 18 months and replace the lead pipes throughout the city.

Whitmore said the directive implements an all-hands-on-deck, whole-of-government approach to move forward with urgency and ensure that every parent can give their kid a glass of water with confidence.

The estimated cost to replace 100 percent of lead service lines in Benton Harbor is $30 million. The state has so far delivered $18.6 million with $10 million in the recently signed FY 2022 budget, $3 million from the MI Clean Water plan, and a $5.6 million Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act grant from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The governor has called on the Republican-controlled legislature to fully fund the remaining cost of replacement with an additional $11.4 million investment.

In children, even low levels of lead exposure can damage the nervous system, the formation and function of blood cells, and can lead to learning disabilities and impaired hearing, among other things. Young children, infants, and fetuses are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lead exposure, but it can also increase the risk of high blood pressure and kidney damage in adults, according to The World Health Organization (WHO).

Whitmers visit came hours after the Benton Harbor City Commission unanimously declared a state of emergency and empowered Mayor Marcus Muhammad to lead Benton Harbors response.

The emergency authorizes Muhammad to work full time to lead the city during the crisis while working directly with state and federal officials and establishing a community response team that will meet once a week, the Herald Palladium reported.

In times of public danger or emergency, he may with the consent of the commission take command of the police and such other departments and subordinates of the city as deemed necessary by the commission and maintain order and enforce laws, Muhammad said in a prepared statement on Oct. 19.

Muhammad also said city officials will travel to Lansing on Oct. 21 to speak with the state House Oversight Committee, which meets at 10:30 a.m.

We will be part of the discussion as it relates to clean and safe drinking water in the city of Benton Harbor, he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, part of the Naval Support Activity Bethesda, is seen in a file photo. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo)

Bomb Threat Prompts Lockdown of Navy Building Near Walter Reed Medical Center

A military base in Bethesda, Maryland, was placed on lockdown due to a bomb threat, said the base on Wednesday morning. Hours later, the base lifted its shelter in place order.

The base is on lockdown, Naval Support Activity Bethesda wrote in several Twitter posts. All personnel should shelter in place. All gates are closed to non-emergency traffic. The public is asked to avoid the area.

Naval Support Activity Bethesda includes a number of facilities, including the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

The base added on Twitter that it received an anonymous phone call at around 8:45 a.m. ET about a bomb in one of the buildings.

1/2  1000, 20OCT21: UPDATE: At this time, there is no indication of an active shooter on the installation. A bomb threat is still under investigation. A lockdown remains in place.  Naval Support Activity Bethesda (@nsabethesda) October 20, 2021

Earlier, the base said that it was investigating an active shooter threat. Later, it said there is no signs of a shooter on the premises.

At this time, there is no indication of an active shooter on the installation, Naval Support Activity Bethesda wrote. A bomb threat is still under investigation. A lockdown remains in place.

An official all clear directive will be sent out by the base on its social media and other official channels when it is appropriate, it said.

Other than Walter Reed, Naval Support Activity Bethesda houses the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Naval Medical Leader and Professional Development Command, and Soldier Recovery Brigade, among others.

Walter Reed on Wednesday confirmed that all patient appointments have been canceled.

Go indoors into the nearest building and shelter in place. All commands initiate building emergency plans to shelter in place, Walter Reed also wrote on Twitter.
Police unions say the Chicago Police Department has been pressuring officers into complying with the city's vaccine mandate. The star is on the wall of police headquarters in Chicago. Photo taken May 26, 2021. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Chicago Police Accused of Pressure Tactics to Get Officers to Vaccinate

The Chicago Police Department ordered a number of police officers to go through a three-step, high-pressure procedure to force vaccine compliance, according to Mike Mette, first vice president of Chicagos largest police union.

Under Chicagos vaccine mandate, all city workers had to report their vaccination status through an online portal by Oct. 15, and get fully vaccinated by Dec. 31 (except for those who obtained medical or religious exemptions.) Any city employee who fails to meet the deadlines will be put on a no-pay status.

With only 64 percent (pdf) responding, the police department has the lowest vaccination-mandate response rate among 35 city departments. Its employees, numbering around 12,600, account for more than a third of the citys workforce. The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 (FOP) represents around 11,000 rank-and-file officers.

Mette said that as part of the procedure, ordered Oct. 18, police officers were first brought to a room at headquarters, where two supervisors talked about the importance of complying with the vaccine mandate and asked if the officers would fill out the portal.

For officers who refused to comply, they were sent to the Human Resources division, where they were asked again if they would comply, he said. Some said no and were immediately asked to turn in their badges and ID. They were told that they were now stripped of police powers and put on a no-pay status.

The process didnt end there for noncompliant officers, Mette said. They were then asked to see high-ranking department members in another room, who stressed that the cost of noncompliance could be termination, and asked once again if they would comply.

Those who complied were put back on a paid status and given back police powers. Those who refused were sent home.

On Oct. 18, at least 40 police officers went through the procedure, and 18 refused to comply at the third step, according to Mette. The Epoch Times cannot independently verify the accuracy of the information.

CPD Superintendent David Brown said on Oct. 19 that 21 police officers had been placed on no-pay status for not complying with the vaccine mandate.

For those going through the procedure who finally entered their information into the portal, they were asked by the union to sign a letter declaring they were being forced to act under duress and threats of termination.

More police officers were asked to go through the same procedure on Oct. 19, and others in coming days, according to Mette.

The union says it thinks the vaccine mandate wasnt fairly negotiated between itself and the city and is thus invalid. It intends to file a class-action grievance to recover officers wages, time, and benefits, according to its website.

A Chicago police officer told The Epoch Times that he refuses to comply because he wants to protect officers collective-bargaining rights under the contract with the city. He has worked with the CPD for more than 20 years. He refused to disclose his name for fear of repercussions.

The vaccine mandate has greatly affected police morale, which is the lowest he has ever seen, he said.

[Officers] have mortgages, they have car payments, they have tuition bills, which are just going to be wiped clean because of a wave of a hand, because the mayor [Mayor Lori Lightfoot] said so.

All we are asking is the mayor negotiate in good faith. Just go to the union president and say lets figure this out as rational adults. You are both smart, and you both have the backing of the people who work for you.

Another officer said that some veteran officers have decided to not work voluntary overtime this week as a silent protest against the mandate. He also declined to disclose his name for fear of retaliation.

The police department has about 1,000 vacancies to fill, Brown said at the October city council budget hearing. The manpower shortage is caused by waves of retirements and fewer new applicants, according to previous reports by The Epoch Times.

On Aug. 25, Lightfoot announced her vaccine mandate for city workers. It was clear: All employees had to be 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: those of Chicago police sergeants, lieutenants, and captains.

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.

According to union President John Catanzara, the city only accepted the last one, changed it to twice-weekly testing, and attached a sunset clause to it. Then the mayor closed the door for negotiation, he said.

On Oct. 14, FOP and three other law-enforcement unions sued Lightfoot to assert their collective-bargaining rights. This came hours after the city sued FOP, alleging an illegal strike over the vaccine mandate.
Chinese hackers hacked the new iPhone 13 Pro in just one second, allowing them access to the phones system. And they won prize money for it$300,000.

Chinas food supply may be at risk. But authorities are responding to the crisis with easeand changing course within a month.

Beijing condemned the United States and Canada after both countries each sent a warship through the Taiwan Strait.

An American toymaker is working desperately to get its products in for the holiday season. Boxes of toys are currently stuck in Chinese warehouses.

A Canadian publisher is accusing Twitter of censorship. Twitter recently suspended his accounts promoting books critical of Beijing.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more first-hand news from China.

For more news and videos, please visit our website and Twitter.
A perimeter fence is constructed around what's officially known as a vocational skills education center in Dabancheng, Xinjiang, China, on Sept. 4, 2018. (Thomas Peter/Reuters)

High-Ranking Chinese Official Sanctioned by the West Promoted by the CCP

Beijing has promoted a senior official in Chinas far-western Xinjiang region whose name has appeared on multiple Western sanction lists for his role in suppressing Uyghur communities, which several countries have labeled as genocide.

Wang Junzheng, 58, has been placed in the top Chinese Communist Party (CCP) post in Tibet after serving as the Party boss of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), a paramilitary group in Xinjiang accused of serious human rights violations.

His promotion was announced on Chinese state media on Oct. 19, along with the installations of six other regional chiefs. The promotion comes as the CCP gears up for the 20th National Party Congress next year, which will mark its largest leadership reshuffle in five years.

Wang was one of four Chinese officials sanctioned by the United States, Canada, the UK, and the EU earlier in 2021, making him one of the regimes highest-ranking figures to be hit with such punitive measures.

He told state media at the time that the sanctions were a piece of waste paper, saying he had no interest in traveling to those countries and not a penny in their banks.

Workers walk by the perimeter fence of a labor camp in Xinjiang, China, on Sept. 4, 2018. (Thomas Peter/Reuters)

In 2019, Wang became the head of the regional Political and Legal Affairs Commission in Xinjiang, a powerful political organ responsible for law enforcement and public security. He also assumed the role of deputy security chief at the regions Party committee in 2020 and became the political commissar at the XPCC, which has also been sanctioned by the United States.

Wang will be taking over the post from the retiring official Wu Yingjie, who, in an Oct. 19 speech, characterized the personnel changes as Chinese leader Xi Jinpings thorough affirmation to their handling of Tibet. At the same conference, attended by all major officials in Tibet, Wang vowed to devote himself to the Party and to build a loyal, clean, and responsible cadre team.

Beijing took over Tibet in 1951 after promising the regions people the right to exercise autonomy. Over the years, however, the regime has continued to intensify its control over the local population, forcing monks and nuns to resume secular life and promoting Mandarin Chinese over the Tibetan language.

In August, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang told Tibetans to accept the Partys leadership, claiming it to be the only way for Tibet to prosper.
China, Russia Among Those Not Attending G20 Summit in Italy

Russia, China, Japan, and Mexico have confirmed that they will not be attending the G20 meeting held this month in Rome which Italian officials hope will be an in-person event.

While Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will be taking part via video link, Mexico will be sending Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard in place of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

United States President Joe Biden has confirmed his presence at the Oct. 30-31 meeting along with leaders from Germany, France, Britain, Canada, Australia, India, Turkey, Argentina, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Indonesia, and the European Union.

Obrador has generally avoided traveling outside Mexico since taking office in 2018. He did not attend the G20 summit in 2019 before the pandemic went global.

According to RIA, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin was avoiding the trip because of the recent upsurge in daily new COVID-19 infections in Russia. There were 33,434 cases registered on Oct. 18, while there were 19,999 cases on Sept. 18, an increase of almost 68 percent.

Putin had to self-isolate last month when several members of his entourage were tested positive for COVID-19. During recent conferences with Russian officials, Putin had been seen repeatedly coughing. He reassured officials that everything was fine when they voiced concern.

There has been no formal announcement regarding the presence of Xi Jinping but Chinese diplomats have told G20 envoys that Xi is not expected to attend. The reason given, according to people familiar with the matter, was the strict quarantine protocols to be followed by anyone entering China.

It is not yet clear whether he would attend via video. Xi did not attend a virtual G20 meeting regarding Afghanistan held earlier this month.

The new Japanese Prime Minister Kishida will be unable to attend the event because there is a general election in the country on Oct. 30.

There is also uncertainty regarding the attendance of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Two cabinet ministers and Bolsonaros son were diagnosed with COVID-19 last month.

There is a United Nations COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland following the G20 event. The position of the G20, which contributes to almost 80 percent of global emissions, will be critical to the UN meeting.

Xi is not expected to attend COP26 either. As China is responsible for around 30 percent of global carbon emissions, his stance is considered decisive.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping applauds during the opening session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 4, 202. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Chinese Communist Party to Hold Historical Meeting Early November

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will have its sixth plenum in early November amid heightened concerns about its troubled economy and foreign relations. One analyst has further said the meeting comes amidst increased infighting and purges.

On Oct. 18, the CCPs Politburo announced the sixth plenum of its 19th Central Committee would convene between Nov. 8-11 in Beijing, according to state media outlets. The date clarification came after a rare, unexplained delay compared to the previous meeting dates, usually in September or October.

China commentator Li Yanming told The Epoch Times in September that the official rhetoric was seeking a basis for further strengthening the position of leader Xi Jinping, a necessary ingredient in maintaining his core leadership within the Party system. He said the plenum will allow for key personnel promotions to thus secure Xis re-election in the CCPs coming 20th national congress in the autumn of 2022.

Additionally, Li believed the delay of the conference pointed to the severity of infighting between Xi and other CCP elites.

There have been signs of internal disharmony between Xi and his political rivals, including ex-head of state Jiang Zemin, ex-Vice Chairman Zeng Qinghong, and his former ally Wang Qishan, who had helped him with anti-graft operations during his first tenure from 2013 to 2018.

Xi began to estrange and discourage Wang by purging his trusted aide Dong Hong and his outspoken friend and property tycoon Ren Zhiqiang. Dong was placed under investigation for rare charges of disloyalty and dishonesty to the Party in April 2021. Ren was sentenced to 18 years in prison for a controversial graft case in September 2020.

High-profile reports in state media outlets from early September claimed that a third historical resolution would come out of the 4-day Party conference in November, a term that has historically only been used in the context of former Party leader Mao Zedong.

As early as Aug. 31, Chinese authorities said that the coming November conference would focus on the CCPs major achievements and historical experiences over the past 100 years since its formation in 1921.

Historical resolution is a rare, top-tier CCP term, meaning a decision that has produced a large impact on the Party.

In April 1945, the then-opposition CCP passed its first historical resolution in the northwestern region of Yanan and finalized the absolute leadership of Mao within the Party.

Four years later, the CCP won the civil war in mainland China and founded a new countrythe Peoples Republic of China (PRC)despite the presence of the Chiang Kai-shek-led Republic of China in Taiwan.

In 1981, the ruling CCP approved a second historical resolution as China abandoned the Mao-led Cultural Revolution. The document denounced the 10-year destructive nationwide campaign as a serious civil strife and condemned the late Mao for his political fallacies as well as his cult of personality. However, the CCP elites chose to continue to respect him as a great proletarian revolutionary and to toe Marxism and Maoism as their guidelines.
A man uses his smartphone flashlight to light up his bowl of noodles as he eats his breakfast at a restaurant during a blackout in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China, on Sept. 29, 2021. (Olivia Zhang/AP Photo)

The Chinese Power Cut and Washingtons Political Correctness

Commentary

A sudden nationwide power cut in China in late September is creating tremendous pressure for manufacturing industries and has been inconvenient for people in the affected area.

Chinese authorities claim that an electricity shortage was the cause of the power cut. But through analysis, I believe the power cut was nothing but a political undertaking enforced by the regime. The purpose is to bring down carbon emissions.

This national restriction on fossil fuels is simply part of a political duet between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping. It will help to boost Bidens image in Washington and help Xi to regain his confidence by getting China off of trade sanctions.

Is Chinas Fossil Fuel Power in Big Trouble?

Coal-fueled power, supplying 71 percent of Chinas electricity, is the main power supply in the eastern developed region of China.

There are two reasons for a power shortage: a sudden increase in power consumption or the sudden shutdown of a power plant. In the latter case, it would be an accident at the facility. In a large and populous nation, an accident in one or two power plants shouldnt affect the power supply of the entire nation. If incidents took place in multiple power plants at the same time, its unlikely that it would be an accident. There also wasnt any major power plant-related incident reported in China. Could it be that all of Chinas power grids collapsed at the same time? That would be inconceivable.

More than 20 years ago, China built power grids covering northeastern, northwestern, northern, eastern, and southern China.

Provinces in the coastal and border areas of China, such as Shandong, Fujian, Hainan, Xinjiang, Tibet, and even the landlocked province of Sichuan, have independent power grids that arent connected to neighboring provinces. After some construction of networking among power grids more recently, power can be adjusted across the network.

Considering that eastern China relies heavily on fossil fuel power, its affected by coal supply and coal prices. The coal shortage seems to justify the wide power cut.

Was there a sudden shortage of coal in August, due to a decline in domestic production, a drop in the import volume, or an unexpectedly skyrocketing coal prices?

If this is the case, these arent state secrets and there should have been news if such developments took place.

Moreover, coal shortages and high coal prices arent as unpredictable as earthquakes and epidemics. There should have been signs, right? At least in August, one month before the large-scale blackout, it should have been known that there may be insufficient power supply in September. The strange thing is that even one week before the nationwide power cut, the relevant information was still OK.

The sun sets behind electricity power pylons in Beijing on Sept. 28, 2021. (Leo Ramirez/AFP via Getty Images)

On Sept. 10, the China Coal Transportation and Distribution Association (CCTDA) routinely published the trend of the domestic coal market up to August.

First, a series of measures to increase coal inventory took effect in August to enhance the annual coal production to an additional 70-plus million tons. Second, coal imports in August increased by 36 percent year-over-year. Third, the industrial recovery momentum weakened in August, the peak season for power consumption in the summertime is coming to an end, and the coal consumption rate has dropped significantly. Fourth, the rise of coal prices slowed at the end of August, and the Shanxi coal price fell by 8 percent from July.

The only negative is that, due to the epidemic, coal inventory in power plants at the end of August dropped by 26 percent year-over-year.

Based on that information, CCTDA made this forecast of coal consumption for power generation in September: There will be a steady increase in coal production and supply; coal imports will continue to recover; in September and October, the off-season for coal consumption, a significant drop in the coal consumption level of power plants will occur as the temperature cools down; the meteorological department predicts that there will be more precipitation in many parts of the country in September; hydropower output is expected to increase, and hydropower will gradually replace coal power.

The Power Cut Is the CCPs Administrative Order

This nationwide power cut is, in fact, an order from the regimes central headquarters, Zhongnanhai. To put it simply, it was a man-made decision, not a supply shortage.

On Sept. 11, the National Development and Reform Commission issued the document (2021) No. 1310, which was distributed to all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, and ministries, commissions, and agencies directly under the State Council. This document sets a strict limit of power consumption for each province and city based on the data of electricity consumption in the jurisdictions of various local governments.

It took a week to ration the annual power consumption indicators for local governments. By Sept. 16, the order was allocated to all levels through the grassroots effort.

This is a mandatory administrative task; Local governments are obliged to meet the national goal set by Zhongnanhai. Subsequently, the movement of shutdowns and outages took place.

This document wasnt confidential, and it was also reported by the Chinese media. But no one dares to hold Zhongnanhai accountable for the power cut.

CCP Shifts From Resistance to Changing Carbon Emissions to Enforcing Reduction

In early September, when Bidens climate envoy John Kerry visited China, the communist regime was clear: China wont reduce its carbon emissions.

Biden differs from former President Donald Trump, in that he doesnt appear to care about the serious damage to the United States caused by the trade deficit and technology theft. The military threat from the Beijing regime of using U.S. technology against the United States and East Asia also poses no concern to Biden.

The climate issue tops the Biden administrations political correctness priority list; thats how the position of climate envoy was created. Kerry has visited China twice with the hope of fulfilling his mission: reducing carbon emissions.

U.S. President Joe Biden (C) delivers remarks as U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and former Secretary of State John Kerry listen during day two of the virtual Leaders Summit on Climate at the East Room of the White House on April 23, 2021. (Anna Moneymaker/Pool/Getty Images)

However, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi shut the door of cooperation on climate issues during a Sept. 1 meeting in Tianjin, China. Wang told Kerry that in order to have ChinaU.S. cooperation on climate change, the United States should take actions to bring ChinaU.S. relations back on track. That means theres no cooperation on climate if Biden keeps Trumps sanctions and bans on technology trade.

The Chinese regime leveraged climate issues to force Biden to make a concession on Trumps unilateral trade sanctions on China. The CCP had no intention of reducing carbon emissions. However, three weeks later, China took a drastic turn. The entire nation engaged in reducing carbon emissions with a cap on power consumption.

The power cut is a big move. It brought production in many industries to a halt. Why did the regime suddenly initiate this economically suicidal policy to help Biden realize his dream of reducing carbon emissions?

What Happened in 20 Days Leading Up to the Shift?

From refusing to reduce carbon emissions to its sudden power cut, this drastic change took place in 20 days. Lets take a look at the series of events that occurred in those 20 days.

On Sept. 1, Wang told Kerry clearly that China wouldnt deal with Bidens climate policy without the United States revoking Trumps sanctions.

On Sept. 9, Biden suddenly called Xi. The content of the call wasnt made public until Sept. 27, when White House press secretary Jen Psaki mentioned part of it when she answered questions regarding the link between the release of Huaweis Meng Wanzhou and Chinas release of two Canadians.

China issued the aforementioned document (2021) No. 1310 on Sept. 11, a plan for Improving the Dual Control System of Energy Consumption Intensity and Total Volume.

This planto meet Bidens need in climate policy and reach the goal of reducing carbon emissionsshows that Xi was prepared to strike hard to reduce fossil fuel use at the expense of the economy and manufacturing.

Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou receives flowers after she arrives following her release, in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China, in a screenshot from video released on Sept. 25, 2021, by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. (AFP via Getty Images)

This relatively technical document, which would take time to prepare, was sent out on Sept. 11. It demonstrated that Beijingafter Kerrys visit and before Biden and Xis phone callwas aware that Biden would make concessions in economics and trade. Obviously, the document was drafted much earlier as a quid pro quo.

Local implementation of the policy didnt take place until nearly two weeks later.

The so-called domestic reasons for this are at the technical level. Once the total volume of carbon reduction is determined, it needs to be broken down to all provinces and cities.

The power outages will surely hit the economy. No province or city will do it voluntarily. Therefore, there were negotiations and bargaining between the central and the local governments, followed by negotiations and bargaining between the provincial and the prefecture-level cities.

It would take time to negotiate and the policy was kept temporarily secret. Until it was formally effective, the industries took the shock without any warning.

There are also reasons from the U.S. side for the delay of the policy implementationbecause it took time to release Meng. She wasnt released until Sept. 24, when U.S.China negotiations on the release were finalized.

Mengs case was important in U.S.China relations. The regime claims that its a victory for them, but its actually a secret deal between Xi and Biden.

The day before Mengs release, Chinas plan to reduce carbon emissions had been broken down to the county and city level, so the CCP immediately ordered the implementation of its Dual Control System, followed by a nationwide blackout. The power rationing immediately brought overseas media attention and analysis.

But no one paid attention to the direct linkage between the release of Meng and the power rationing in China.

Did Biden Arrange for Republicans, Democrats to Accept the CCPs United Front?

In addition to taking the initiative for a private call to Xi, Biden also arranged an incredibly political act to show that U.S.China relations were back on trackbilateral cooperation.

On Sept. 13, the ChinaU.S. Political Party Leaders Dialogue took place through video. Song Tao, head of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee; Howard Dean, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee; and Carla Hills, a former U.S. trade representative who attended on behalf of the Republican Party, took part in the dialogue.

The U.S. media made no mention of this dialogue, nor did the two U.S. political parties. It was only reported by the CCPs state media. Biden kept this matter completely hidden from Americans.

Although this dialogue is only a formality, its very important to Xi. Since the CCP ignited the SinoU.S. cold war in the first half of 2020, Bidens concession gives Xi the confidence to tell high-level CCP officials that Biden has cooperated and accepted the CCPs united front. In other words, despite the CCPs open military threat to the United States, its evident that the two parties continue to support the CCP by sending representatives in accordance with the arrangements of the CCPs important foreign united front organization.

Then-U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and then-Chinese Vice Chair Xi Jinping display shirts with a message given to them by students at the International Studies Learning School in Southgate, Calif., near Los Angeles on Feb. 17, 2012. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

The mission of the CCPs International Department is to carry out a united front against all communist parties and foreign leftist parties, and those foreign parties that directly interact with it are mostly minor parties and are basically Marxists. Those who accept the arrangement of the CCPs International Department ideologically identify with the totalitarianism of the CCP.

The U.S. Democratic Party has long been holding high the ideological banner of political correctness, and is becoming more and more Marxist. Many of its policies have increasingly shown signs of political arbitrariness. Its not surprising that the Democratic Party and the CCP have sat on the same bench.

But after the CCP began to directly threaten U.S. national security, is it not surprising that the Republican Party took the initiative to accept the CCPs United Front? This shows that pro-communist forces, although deceptive in appearance, are also present in the Republican Party.

The Democratic Party bluntly sells Marxist ideas in schools and publicly implements Marxist anti-capitalist propositions in policy, while the pro-communist forces within the Republican Party pretend to adhere to the traditional values of the United States, while in fact, theyre in line with the Democratic Partys Marxist ideology and political views.

Biden frames his China policy as competing with the CCP. Does that also imply that its a competition in promoting Marxist ideology?

If this isnt the case, arent the traditional U.S. values and the CCPs ideology always going against each other and opposing each other? How can they compete?

How Long Will the Duet Play?

But China wouldnt undergo the huge economic cost of the power cut just for a person such as Meng Wanzhou; this Biden and Xi duet was to reverse Trumps economic sanctions and political strikes against the CCP.

The CCPs power curb is actually a political show: Biden and the U.S. Democratic elite are its audience.

This show brought confidence for Biden: The CCP collaborated on the politically correct policy of reducing carbon emissions. The true reason behind Chinas power cut is the political need for the CCPs diplomacy.

As for the Democrats, it will help the Democratic Party retain the majority of seats in the House of Representatives during midterm elections in 2022.

The Biden administration immediately responded to Chinas political show of cutting power with what Xi has long been waiting for. On Sept. 24, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo told The Wall Street Journal that she seeks to improve U.S. business ties with China and that she plans to lead delegations of U.S. chief executives to China. This is an economic olive branch that the Biden administration has extended to the CCP.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated on July 16 that the tariffs imposed by Trump on China have harmed U.S. consumers. What Raimondo is going to discuss with the CCP should be in line with what Yellen announcedand also what the CCPs long-waited forcanceling the tariffs.

On Oct. 4, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai spoke at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), outlining the BidenHarris administrations new approach to the U.S.China bilateral trade relationship.

The approach includes four points. First, review the Phase One Agreement signed during Trumps presidency and require China to abide by its commitments. Second, start a targeted tariff exclusion process. Third, the administration will soon have video talks with Vice Premier Liu He to negotiate the details of that tariff exclusion. Fourth, Bidens trade policy toward China will be adjusted at any time in accordance with Chinas response to U.S. policy.

Tai acted quickly. On Oct. 8, she had a virtual meeting with Liu He.

The United States and China began to discuss how the United States could remove the tariffs on Chinese goods.

Chinas power cut, a carbon emission reduction political show, can obviously end at any time. The challenge for Biden is that the CCP is continuing its military threats against the United States by stepping up its military coercion against Taiwan. Bidens China economic and trade policy is therefore tied to military issues. On Oct. 6, Biden sent national security adviser Jake Sullivan to meet with Yang Jiechi, Chinas top ambassador, in Switzerland. A large part of the six-hour talk regarded the issue of military confrontation.

Between Biden and Xi, the economic issues are no longer purely of economic concerns. Political calculations are manipulating economic policies and economic and political needs are manifesting as military confrontations.

As the situation continues to evolve, the political show of the blackout may soon come to an end or quietly disappear.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Conservative MP Blake Richards rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on May 27, 2021 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Conservatives Push Back Against Parliaments Mandatory Vaccine Requirement for MPs

The Conservative Party is protesting a new mandatory vaccination policy that would ban members of parliament who arent fully vaccinated from entering the House of Commons precinct when Parliament resumes on Nov. 22.

The federal Conservatives voiced their protest in a statement after the House of Commons governing body announced the new rules on Oct. 19, requiring MPs and their staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to be allowed into the chambers. Individuals with medical exemptions who cannot receive a COVID-19 vaccine can instead provide proof of a recent negative COVID-19 rapid test result.

While we encourage everyone who can be vaccinated to get vaccinated, we cannot agree to seven MPs, meeting in secret, deciding which of the 338 MPs, just elected by Canadians, can enter the House of Commons to represent their constituents, Conservative MP Blake Richards said in the Oct. 20 statement.

Richards is one of the two Conservative members on the Board of Internal Economy, which issued the statement declaring the new mandatory vaccine policy after a closed-door meeting on Oct. 19. The board also includes four Liberal MPs, one Bloc Quebecois MP, and one NDP MP.

This [vaccination] requirement will apply to any person who wishes to enter the House of Commons Precinct, including members and their staff, political research office employees, administration employees, members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, parliamentary business visitors, contractors and consultants, the boards statement said.

The Conservatives also raised objections to more virtual chamber meetings in the new parliamentary session.

Canadians deserve a government that is accountable to its constituents and thats why under no circumstances will Conservatives support virtual Parliament, the partys statement said.

The Board of Internal Economys new measure comes as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau consults with opposition leaders on the return of the Parliament.

The Liberal Party and the NDP required their candidates to be vaccinated against COVID-19 during the 2021 federal election campaign, though the restriction was not applied to staff members.
Court Rules in Favor of Republicans in Dispute Over Illinois Redistricting Maps

A federal court has ruled in favor of Illinois Republicans over a lawsuit filed in June disputing a legislative redistricting plan by Democrats in the General Assembly.

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin and Illinois Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie filed the lawsuit to challenge legislative maps drawn by Democrats and signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker.

The Court declares that the June Redistricting Plan, Public Act 102-0010, violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the court ruling stated.

The Republicans lawsuit asserted that that because the legislative maps were drawn using American Community Survey (ACS) population estimates, rather than the final 2020 census enumeration data, the maps cannot ensure the populations are equal as required by the 14th Amendments Equal Protection Clause and its one person, one vote rule.

Redistricting is the process of redrawing state legislative and congressional district boundaries following the decennial U.S. Census, which happens every 10 years. The Illinois maps were drawn in June by a Democrat majority committee made up of state legislators. Governor J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, signed the new maps into law on Sept. 24.

Adam Kincaid, the executive director at National Republican Redistricting Trust (NRRT) said in a recent interview that Pritzker should not have approved the maps in the first place.

Number one, it didnt use real data; number two, it was clearly partisan; and number three, he promised a veto it, right? He said that he wanted the commission to draw the map. Governor Pritzkers veto would have forced an (independent) commission to draw the maps, said Kincaid. But what did he do? He signed it anyway.

Pritzkers office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the courts ruling.

Illinois is just one of the states where the redistricting process is heated and the new maps are being contested. Oregon, Texas, Colorado, Virginia, Wisconsin, Alabama, South Carolina, Louisiana, Ohio, and Arkansas are some of the other states in redistricting disputes.

All of these lawsuits whether filed by Democrats or Republicans are in an effort to define congressional districts that will best facilitate each party gaining an advantage to win the majority in the 2022 elections.

In the House, Democrats have a slim advantage over Republicans. Historically, the party of the president generally loses seats in the House and Senate during the next midterms. After former President Donald Trumps 2016 victory, Republicans lost their House majority in 2018.

The House GOP needs to pick up five seats to secure a House majority, and they need just one seat to take the Senate.

House leaders of both parties, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) have recently said they feel confident that they will win/keep the majority after the 2022 mid-terms.
Deliveroo Upgrades Full-Year Forecast After Strong Third Quarter

LONDONFood delivery company Deliveroo upgraded its full-year growth forecast on Wednesday after the gross value of its orders in the third quarter increased 58 percent year-on-year, despite lockdown measures easing in most of its markets.

The British company, which had performed strongly during lockdowns, said it expected its gross transactional value to rise by 6070 percent this year, up from its previous forecast of 5060 percent.

Founder and chief executive Will Shu said Deliveroo made good progress in the quarter, including launching a new rapid grocery delivery service called Deliveroo Hop.

While we are mindful of current and potential macroeconomic disruptions and uncertainties, we expect further strong performance in the remainder of the year and we are increasing our full year GTV growth guidance, he said.

The value of Deliveroos orders in the quarter increased to 1.59 billion pounds, with the number of orders increasing 64 percent to 74.6 million.

The average size of each order declined by 4 percent to 21.4 pounds, Deliveroo said.
President Donald Trump, right, and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden take part in the first presidential debate at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sept. 29, 2020. (Olivier Douliery/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Democracy Demands Serious Debates

Commentary

Accelerating cultural mutations in the West are casting troubling shadows over the future of consensual democracy.

In the United States and Canada, entrenched majorities presently support nanny state management, excessive government spending, upwardly shifting debt ceilings, high taxes, mass immigration, unsustainable entitlements, job-killing climate change obsessions, media censorship, limitations on free speech, a China-centric global order, and draconian pandemic measures.

Tragically, the more social and economic decline incurred by the middle and working classes, the less interest there is in openly debating the merits of progressive government policies.

The Value of Opposition

Adversarial debate, in both legislative bodies and the public square, was once considered a foundational principle of democracy.

A willingness to engage in ordered discourse led citizens to consider different points of view and arrive at well-informed conclusions.

The main role of a political opposition was to question the government of the day and hold it accountable to the public.

This permitted a ruling party to correct policy courses taken in the heat of exceptional circumstances.

The term loyal opposition allowed minority parties to oppose those in power while remaining faithful to the constitutional legitimacy of a sitting government.

The opposition was considered equally responsible for upholding the best interests of the people and not pursuing debate entirely for political gain.

A Combination of Loyalty and Opposition

As Michael Ignatieff, a former opposition leader in the Canadian House of Commons, said in a 2012 address at Stanford University:

The opposition performs an adversarial function critical to democracy itself. And governments have no business questioning the loyalty of those who oppose them.

This combination of loyalty to the nation with the duty to question the incumbent government is intended to make room for alternative policy development and peaceful transitions of power. The concept of a loyal opposition permits the informed dissent necessary for a democracy to function.

A decade ago, Ignatieff spoke as a Liberal, but recent trends are leading our body politic in another direction.

Today, what Ignatieff called an adversarial function critical to democracy itself is rapidly being replaced by what Polish political scholar Ryszard Legutko has called totalitarian temptations in free societies.

In the United States and Canada, we are returning to the pre-democratic notion that there can be only one Kings Party and to oppose it is an act of treason.

The Art of Debate

For political debates to be productive, effective ground rules have to be established.

In an 1858 campaign for an Illinois congressional seat, a series of debates were arranged between the incumbent Stephen A. Douglas and his challenger Abraham Lincoln.

In each of seven debates, one candidate would start by giving an hour-long speech. The other would follow with an hour-and-a-half speech. The first was then given 30 minutes of rebuttal time. As the incumbent, Douglas was permitted to go first four times.

The topic chosen by the candidates was pivotal for the future of the nation. Lincoln argued against the spread of slavery, while Douglas maintained that each territory should have the right to decide whether it would become free or allow slavery.

Although Lincoln lost this election, the debates gave his case national prominence, which eventually led to his election as president, followed by a civil war, and the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation that ended slavery in America.

LincolnDouglas-style debating survived as a one-on-one contest practiced to this day in American high schools. Its sometimes also called a values debate, because the format generally places an emphasis on the logic, ethical values, and philosophy of the individual debaters.

Formats Designed to Fail

Fast-forward to the second decade of the 21st century, where any semblance of logic, value, philosophy, or fairness appears to have been scrubbed from the practice of debating.

If the purpose of a debate is to inform voters, our contemporary formats have been designed to fail.

For example, the Commission on Presidential Debates, which organized the 2020 contests in the United States, boasted a bipartisan mix of Republicans and Democrats. A Daily Caller News Foundation review found that most were longstanding members of the political establishment who were generally critical of President Donald Trump.

Debate commissioners and media referees control the format of the debates and the topics to be discussed.

Chris Wallace of Fox News, who adjudicated the opening presidential debate in 2020, began the event with the following declaration: The Commission has designed the format, six roughly 15 minute segments with two minute answers from each candidate to the first question, then open discussion for the rest of each segment.

He then added, For the record, I decided the topics and the questions in each topic.

So, the format was designed by a commission unfriendly to Trump, while the topics and questions were assembled by a media host with a reputation for being equally contemptuous of the president.

A Candidate and a Journalist Gun for a President

What transpired that night is history. Readers can judge for themselves by accessing the transcript of the debate at Rev.com.

The evening opened with aggressive questioning about the presidents decision to name a new Supreme Court justice during an election year.

Wallace began a discussion about the pandemic by asking the president why the American people should trust him with public health after there had been 200,000 deaths attributed to the virus. Joe Biden said Trump had no plan for dealing with COVID-19 and suggested that no one should trust a Trump vaccine.

What was supposed to be a discussion about the economy quickly pivoted to specious allegations about Trumps tax returns.

Biden was given an opening to blame job losses on Trump rather than the pandemic.

Youre the worst president America has ever had. Come on, shouted the challenger.

On the topic of race relations, Wallace asked why federal agencies had been directed to end racial sensitivity training that addresses white privilege or critical race theory.

I ended it because its racist, said Trump. A radical revolution that was taking place in our military, the president added.

Wallace shot back, What is radical about racial sensitivity training?

Hes the racist, declared Biden.

Ultimately, the debate moderator assumed the role of prosecutor, and it was abundantly clear which candidate was on the docket. Trump was accused of being a science denier, a racist, and a proponent of right-wing violence. Bidens assertion that Antifa is an idea, not an organization went unexamined.

The final topic election integrity was clearly intended to assert the position that the Trump campaign had no right to challenge mail-in election results, no matter how corrupted the final vote might appear to be.

The Need to Restore Substance Over Circus

In America today, the value of free and open debate is deliberately discounted. Even parents expressing objections to controversial education policies at local school board meetings have been portrayed as domestic terrorists by the U.S. Department of Justice.

In a functional democracy, candidates for high office have an obligation to clearly and coherently present a vision for the nation, principles to be respected, challenges to be faced, plans to be developed, and past mistakes to be overcome.

These obligations cant be fulfilled in two-minute responses to tendentious questions followed up on by hectoring journalists with their own partisan dogs in the fight.

Responsible citizens dont tune in to important political debates to watch a media circus. Voters require a full account of the issues from the candidates themselves.

Unlike the mid-19th century debates that led to the abolition of slavery and a better path for America, 21st century TV events have become a triumph of confusion over claritydeception over discoveryand style over substance.

The Debate That Matters

The woke imperative to prepare minds for a new cultural status quo has replaced the idea that free and open debate produces better policy options and superior leadership.

The principle of tolerance toward peaceful political opposition is in danger of extinction. Half of America seeks to silence the other.

Much like the procedures we depend on to arrive at just decisions in courts of law, democracy demands orderly debate in the public square.

Candidates should be given sufficient time and freedom to put an uninterrupted case before the people. Theres plenty of time for carping and raising questions after a formal debate has been fairly concluded.

Today, the debate that matters is between those who seek to return to Americas founding principles and the neo-Marxist social justice warriors who presently set the tone in the nations formative institutions.

For the survival of the American republic, a second look at the LincolnDouglas format might well be worth considering.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) speaks as House Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) listens during a news conference after a caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 9, 2019. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Democratic Leaders Unconcerned About Lingering Climate Policy Divisions

Now months off-schedule for a vote on President Joe Bidens legislative agendacomprised of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill and the $3.5 trillion budget billDemocratic leaders downplayed ongoing divisions in their caucus over climate policy.

Ideological disagreements among members have plagued Democratic efforts for months. Most notably, splits among congressional moderates and progressives rage on as both threaten to tank the others agenda.

Despite very little appearance of change, Democratic leaders insisted at a Wednesday press conference that the caucus stands largely united on key issues in the landmark Democratic budget.

This comes after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced Tuesday that Democrats hope to have reached an agreement on the budget bill by the end of the week, kindling hopes among some senators that Democrats may be finally be moving toward an end point after months of fruitless negotiation and a plethora of missed deadlines.

Leaders Claim Unity Amid Continued Intraparty Squabbles

Significant progress has been made [in] getting the build back better agenda over the finish line, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said.

Our mission is to build back better for the people, Jeffries continued before listing a slew of policy priorities for Democrats. We will crush the virus, we will create millions of good-paying jobs, we will fix our crumbling infrastructure, we will cut taxes for working and low-income families, we will lower costs in childcare, healthcare, and education for everyday Americans, and we will confront the climate crisis with the urgency of now, because there is no planet B.

Jeffries said that Every single one of those issues unites Democrats in the House, in the Senate, and of course, President Biden and Vice President Harris.

In fact, disagreements on climate policy have been especially pronounced within the caucus over the past week.

Ultimately, the fate of the bill relies on the support of all 50 Senate Democrats, who cannot afford a single defection from their one-vote majority to pass the bill. Efforts to appease Manchin and other moderates have consumed the energies of Biden and other Democratic leaders, but continued squabbles over specifics persist.

A key goal for progressives in the Democratic caucus has been the creation of policies that will help to meet Bidens goal of reducing U.S. emissions by 50 percent by 2030. But while this may indeed be a shared aspiration within the caucus, specifics have been divisive.

When progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who drafted the original budget framework, introduced the bill on the Senate floor, he promised an extremely aggressive  [transformation of the U.S.] energy system away from fossil fuels. Sanders budget framework allocated over $250 billion to the measure.

One proposed measure to achieve this extremely aggressive transformation has been a carbon tax.

But on Tuesday, moderate Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) came out against including the measure in the final cut of the budget bill. For Democrats who have marketed the bill as a panacea to the alleged climate crisis, a carbon tax or other similar measures are of crucial importance.

But Manchin told reporters that in his mind, the carbon tax is not on the board at all right now.

Tester told reporters, Im not a big fan of the carbon tax. I just dont think it works the way it was explained to me.

Manchin, the crucial swing-voter, has been hesitant towards other climate policies for some time. Representing the coal-reliant state of West Virginia, Manchin has spoken out against providing benefits to electric companies who switch their power supply to clean energy sources.

Manchin criticized the policies during a CNN appearance in September when he told reporters that companies were already switching to clean energy on their own where possible.

Now [Democrats are] wanting to pay companies to do what theyre already doing, he said. Makes no sense to me at all for us to take billions of dollars and pay utilities for what theyre going to do as the market transitions.

Progressives in the party shot back, criticizing moderates for their position on what progressives consider crucial climate policy.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), a proponent of the controversial Green New Deal, blasted Manchin for his opposition to the climate provisions.

On Twitter, Ocasio-Cortez wrote: We cannot advance legislation that makes the climate crisis worse  clean energy [provisions] in [the budget bill]  lets us tackle the climate crisis. We cannot afford to gut it. 

Any negotiations on climate need to ensure that we will come out climate positive. And that emissions math cannot be informed by fossil fuel lobbyists, who dont even count methane.

Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said that she was open to negotiations over climate provisions, but demanded that the budget meaningfully address climate change. On Twitter, she wrote: Im open to different approaches, but I cannot support a bill that wont get us where we need to be on emissions.

Still, Assistant Speaker of the House Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), was hopeful.

We are excited about the momentum and the progress that were seeing this week, Clark reported.

Jeffries added that leadership was not worried about the time table for getting the bill done. Were not on a timeline, were just working to arrive at the consensus that is clearly moving in an incredibly positive direction, Jeffries said.

He emphasized again that There is no hard timeline. Were just working to get this done and we will.

Jeffries said that he was unconcerned about lingering climate disputes as well. He judged: Theres a coming together around the need to deal with the climate crisis with the fierce urgency of now. I do believe well be able to come together on the issue, that was the mood of the caucus today.
Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso addresses the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters in New York, on Sept. 21, 2021. (Mary Altaffer/Pool via Reuters)

Ecuadors President Declares 60-day State of Emergency Over Rising Crime

QUITOEcuadorean President Guillermo Lasso late on Monday declared a state of emergency in the Andean country as part of a crackdown on the consumption and trafficking of drugs.

Lasso, a conservative who took office in May, said the move was a response to rising homicide figures nationwide and other crimes related to narcotic seizures, which total 147 tonnes so far this year.

In the streets of Ecuador there is only one enemy: drug trafficking, Lasso said in a television broadcast. When drug trafficking grows so do assassinations and homicides, robberies of homes, vehicles, goods and people.

Our military and police forces will be felt strongly in the streets, he said.

The 60-day state of emergency will allow the military to join drug and arms confiscation operations in nine of the countrys 24 provinces, including Guayas, home to major city Guayaquil, Lasso said. Patrols will take place 24 hours a day.

In the rest of the country, police will increase patrols and control efforts in public places.

More than 70 percent of violent deaths in the province of Guayas are in some way related to drug trafficking, Lasso said.

Violent deaths have also risen within prisons. Last month 119 people were killed in disturbances in a prison in Guayaquil, which the government has blamed on fighting between drug gangs.

Lasso said he would sponsor legislation to support security forces in efforts to combat crime and create an entity to defend officers prosecuted for simply doing their duty.

This government will pardon all those who have been unjustly convicted for doing their job, the president said, asking judges to guarantee peace and order, not impunity and crime.

By Alexandra Valencia
Elon Musk Says Cybertruck Mirrors Required by Law, but Will Be Easy to Remove

Tesla Inc.s hotly anticipated Cybertruck will begin production in Gigafactory Texas in late 2022 according to the company. It is racing to market to meet other electric pickup rivals such as the Ford Motor Company Electric F-150 or the General Motors Company Hummer EV.

But after a video earlier today showed a Cybertruck prototype with side rear-view mirrors, some fans complained because the original, iconic look had a distinct lack of them.

Tesla CEO Elon Musks responded on Twitter to the complaints.

Theyre required by law, but designed to be easy to remove by owners  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 19, 2021

The hope is that regulation can catch up and allow the mirrors to be replaced by cameras, which would improve drag and extend electric range, or assist in off-road driving scenarios where the mirrors would risk breaking off.

Despite this, the mirrors will be easily removable by owners of the Cybertruck.

Fans are hopeful Musk will reveal more information soon. Ever since reveal, no new pictures or information has been released from Tesla, even after the company modified the Cybertruck website, removing all available options.

By Benzinga EV Insights
European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni delivers his speech at the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, France, on Oct. 6, 2021. (Jean-Francois Badias/Pool via Reuters)

EU Starts Debate on Budget Rules Amid High Debt, Investment Needs

BRUSSELSThe European Commission opened a debate on Tuesday on how to reform the European Unions fiscal rules to deal with a pandemic-induced surge in public debt.

We are relaunching this review of our economic governance against a backdrop of enormous investment needs, European Economic Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said.

At the same time, the powerful fiscal support provided during the pandemic has led to higher debt levels. These challenges make it all the more essential to have a transparent and effective fiscal framework, he said.

The debate is to produce a fourth reform of the rules since they were established in 1997 to limit government borrowing to safeguard the value of the EUs currencythe euro. Revised in 2005, 2011, and 2013, the so-called Stability and Growth Pact is now so complex that few people fully understand it.

High public debt is the main headache now because public support to European economies during the pandemic boosted average debt in the euro zone to around 100 percent of national output from 6070 percent in the early 1990s when the rules were drafted.

Annual debt reductions required by the current rules are simply not realistic for countries with debts of 160 percent of GDP like Italy or more than 200 percent like Greece.

But while many EU finance ministers see the debt reduction requirements as too strict, there is no agreement yet on how to deal with itwhether through the interpretation of existing laws or through the more difficult changes to legal texts.

The other big challenge is to make sure that the rules do not tie governments hands at a time when the 27-nation EU is required to mobilize hundreds of billions of euros for its attempts to bring net CO2 emissions to zero by 2050.

An analysis by the Bruegel think tank for EU finance ministers in September showed additional public investment to meet the EUs climate goals will have to be 0.5 percent1.0 percent of GDP annually during this decade alone. Bruegel proposed exempting investment to fight climate change from EU deficit calculations.

The idea has the general backing of Spain, Italy, France, and others, but officials also point out the difficulty in defining what is and what is not a green investment.

The Commission said that after gathering all the views on what should be done during the debate, it would provide guidance in the first quarter of 2022 for fiscal policy for the period ahead so that governments know what rules to stick to when preparing long-term fiscal plans.

By Jan Strupczewsk
An elderly woman sits at home with her hands on her lap in Surrey, England, on Feb. 17, 2010. (Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

Euthanasia Looks to Conquer Final Frontier in Australia

Commentary

Supporters of voluntary assisted dying (VAD) are keen to push New South Wales (NSW) across the final frontier of euthanasia legalisation as quickly as possible.

Currently, NSW is the only jurisdiction in Australia that has not yet passed a law granting the so-called right to die, but hopes that the VAD bill promoted by Independent MP Alex Greenwich would quickly turn into law have stalled.

Earlier this week, the bill presented by Greenwich was referred to an upper house committee. Even though the bill is still likely to be debated in the lower house soonif the government allocates the time to do sonothing much more can happen until the upper house committee reports back in early February next year.

Voluntary assisted dying is, in effect, physician-assisted suicide, but proponents dislike the use of the word suicide.

A VAD law makes it lawful for someone, such as a physician, to assist another person to commit suicide. In NSW and the territories, where voluntary assisted dying remains illegal, assisting suicide can attract serious criminal charges.

VAD laws are already operating in Victoriathe first state to legalise euthanasiaand Western Australia. It will become available next year in Tasmania and South Australia, and on Jan. 1, 2023 in Queensland.

The laws were passed comfortably in each of those state parliaments after long and emotional campaigns that focused on suffering.

Now NSW is the hold out state.

Advocates of VAD remember how a previous attempt at legalisation in 2017 failed by one vote. This time, Greenwich and his supporters hope that by evoking the spectre of unendurable suffering and torment at the end of life, the parliament of the nations oldest state will relent.

And they are hopeful of success, arguing that VAD is popular with voters in NSW. According to 2019 Vote Compass data, 77 percent of people surveyed agreed that terminally ill patients should be able to end their own lives with medical assistanceregardless, apparently, of whether or not such a patient was actually in untreatable pain.

Nor did survey respondents appear to have been asked whether the better provision of palliative care services capable of alleviating such pain would have altered their views about euthanasia.

Yet in his second reading speech, Greenwich cited evidence that between 4 to 20 percent of terminally ill patients are beyond the help of palliative care.

Advocates of VAD like to present it as something like the medical treatment of last resort used only when every other option has been exhausted.

One element of their strategy is to argue that only a very small number of patients would ever avail themselves of this treatment and that the circumstances would have to be quite exceptional.

Another element is to play on fear and to emphasise what Greenwich refers to as peoples cruel pain.

Gruesome accounts of suffering when a patient has apparently reached the point of untreatable pain are presented in such a way as to suggest that only a most inhumane and callous person could possibly be opposed to euthanasia.

But while it is certainly true that death marks the end of every form of human experience, making it lawful for doctors to kill patients can hardly be considered an acceptable or humane form of pain palliation for a personno matter how many safeguards against abuse are purportedly built in to a VAD scheme.

If the proposed legislation really does aim to provide only for a very small number of people facing exceptional circumstance, NSW legislators ought surely to devote less time to making it lawful for doctors to kill, and much more time to securing adequate standards of palliative care throughout the state for all residents.

VAD legislation purports to address the problem of unendurable pain caused by terminal illness. However, one of the dangers such laws presentand one vigorously denied by VAD advocatesis that the measure of unendurable pain is, in the end, totally subjective. Furthermore, once it includes physical pain, there is no reason it cant eventually include mental pain.

In other words, the categories of eligibility can, and almost certainly will, expand to embrace more than what the legislation was originally intended to assist.

This has already occurred in Belgium which legalised euthanasia in 2002. However, in 2014, the Belgian Parliament extended the VAD scheme to include terminally ill children of any age.

Starting with Victoria in 2017, Australia has only recently started to legalise euthanasia. Now it is doing so steadily, state by state.

Proponents of VAD insist that safeguards are cast in iron. However, we will discover soon enough what countries such as Belgium already know: once the final frontier of physician-assisted suicide has been crossed, there is no going back.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A Facebook logo is displayed on a smartphone in this illustration taken on Jan. 6, 2020. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters)

Facebook to Pay up to $14.25 Million to Settle Employment Discrimination Claims

WASHINGTONFacebook has agreed to pay up to $14.25 million to settle civil claims by the federal government that the social media company discriminated against American workers and violated federal recruitment rules, officials said on Tuesday.

The two related settlements were announced by the Justice Department and Labor Department and confirmed by Facebook. The Justice Department last December filed a lawsuit accusing Facebook of giving hiring preferences to temporary workers including those who hold H-1B visas that let companies temporarily employ foreign workers in certain specialty occupations. Such visas are widely used by tech companies.

Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general for the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division, called the agreement with Facebook historic.

It represents by far the largest civil penalty the Civil Rights Division has ever recovered in the 35-year history of the Immigration and Nationality Acts anti-discrimination provision, Clarke said in a call with reporters, referring to a key U.S. immigration law that bars discrimination against workers because of their citizenship or immigration status.

The case centered on Facebooks use of the so-called permanent labor certification, called the PERM program.

The government said that Facebook refused to recruit or hire American workers for jobs that had been reserved for temporary visa holders under the PERM program. It also accused Facebook of potential regulatory recruitment violations.

Facebook will pay a civil penalty under the settlement of $4.75 million, plus up to $9.5 million to eligible victims of what the government called discriminatory hiring practices.

While we strongly believe we met the federal governments standards in our permanent labor certification (PERM) practices, weve reached agreements to end the ongoing litigation and move forward with our PERM program, a Facebook spokesperson said, adding that the company intends to continue our focus on hiring the best builders from both the U.S. and around the world.

The settlements come at a time when Facebook is facing increasing government scrutiny over other business practices.

Facebook this month faced anger from lawmakers after former company employee and whistleblower Frances Haugen accused it of pushing for higher profits while being cavalier about user safety. Haugen has turned over thousands of documents to congressional investigators amid concerns that Facebook has harmed childrens mental health and has stoked societal divisions.

The company has denied any wrongdoing.

In Tuesdays settlements, the Justice Department said that Facebook used recruitment practices designed to deter U.S. workers such as requiring applications to be submitted only by mail, refusing to consider American workers who applied for positions and hiring only temporary visa holders.

The Labor Department this year conducted audits of Facebooks pending PERM applications and uncovered other concerns about the companys recruitment efforts.

Facebook is not above the law, Solicitor of Labor Seema Nanda told reporters, adding that the Labor Department is committed to ensuring that the PERM process is not misused by employersregardless of their size and reach.

By Sarah N. Lynch
Top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci responds to accusations by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., as he testifies before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, on July 20, 2021. (J. Scott Applewhite/Pool/AP Photo)

Fauci, Washingtons Highest-Paid Fed, Got Big Break Under George W. Bush

Dr. Anthony Fauci drew a salary of $434,312 in 2020, making him the federal governments highest-paid employee for the second year in a row, and the top earner among dozens of medical officers receiving high salaries throughout the executive branch.

Fauci, director of the National Institutes of Healths (NIH) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and current chief medical adviser to the president, was paid $417,608 in 2019.

Thats according to federal compensation data compiled and published by Open The Books, an Illinois-based nonprofit that compiles and publishes millions of salary, pension, and other spending data for the federal and state governments, as well as the nations largest cities. The federal salary database can be found here.

Fauci is paid more than the president of the United States, the vice president, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and all nine Supreme Court justices.

Fauci, at $399,625, was the third-highest-paid federal employee in 2018, exceeded only by Robert J. Wylie, a medical officer colleague at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The second highest that year was another HHS medical officer, Rachel Sherman, at $399,750.

Fauci received $384,625 in 2017 and 2016. A spokesman for Faucis agency didnt immediately respond to The Epoch Times request for comment.

Documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and made public on Oct. 20 by Open The Books reveal that Faucis inclusion in the highest-paid ranks of the federal government came under President George W. Bush.

The justification for Faucis huge pay increaseto $335,000 from $200,000, a 68 percent increase from 2004 to 2006was the launching of a counter-bioterrorism research program at NIAID in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C., and the Sept. 18, 2001, anthrax attack on Congress that followed a week later.

Fauci oversaw the research and writing of a 15-page documentthe NIAID Strategic Plan for Biodefense Researchthat described the proposed programs goals and needed resources.

The permanent pay raise was in order to appropriately compensate him for the level of responsibility in his current position of Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), especially as it relates to his work on biodefense research activities, according to a December 2004 letter released by Open The Books.

Fauci was described in that letter as leading the development of a series of research initiatives, has coordinated fast-track initiatives for academia and industry participation in biodefense-related research, and is responsible for the development of future intermediate and long-range research plans and policies for a sustained and committed biomedical research response to bioterrorism threats. During FY2004, under Dr. Faucis leadership, NIAID significantly expanded, intensified, and accelerated its research programs in biodefense.

A major goal of the biodefense research is to help prevent pandemics in the United States caused by terrorist groups or by one or more of the countrys national adversaries, including especially Russia and communist China.

Since then, Fauci has overseen the awarding of billions of dollars worth of research grants to academic, corporate, and institutional researchers in biodefense.

Included was a grant initiated in 2014 and renewed annually thereafter entitled Understanding the Risk of Bat Coronavirus Emergence. The initial grant was awarded by Faucis agency to the EcoHealth Alliance, the New York-based nonprofit that has been involved in research with the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China.

Many U.S. experts and government officials suspect the CCP virus that has killed more than 725,000 Americans since early 2020 either accidentally leaked or was purposely released from the Wuhan facility.

Most emerging human viruses come from wildlife, and these represent a significant threat to global public health and biosecurityas demonstrated by the SARS coronavirus pandemic of 2002-03 and an ongoing SARS-like epidemic in the Middle East, according to the grant award, which was initially for more than $660,000.

This project seeks to understand what factors allow animal Coronaviruses to evolve and jump into the human population by studying virus diversity in a critical group of animals (bats), a site of high risk for emergence (wildlife markets) in an emerging disease hotspot (China).

The EcoHealth grants have been controversial from the outset because of their connection with gain-of-function research. Such research seeks to develop ways of strengthening the effects of viruses such as the coronavirus. While President Barack Obama directed a pause in U.S. funding of such research in 2014, Fauci renamed the research and resumed the grants in 2017, in a move that reportedly surprised many in the biodefense and medical research communities.
A federal agent stands in front of a home of Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, in Washington, on Oct. 19, 2021. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo)

FBI at Properties Tied to Russian Oleg Deripaska for Law Enforcement Actions

FBI agents on Tuesday were at a home in Washington, D.C., and a townhouse in New York City, both connected to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, to carry out law enforcement actions.

FBI officials would not provide any additional information about the circumstances surrounding their presence at either property or any information about potential investigations involving Deripaska.

A representative for Deripaska told reporters that the searches were connected to U.S. sanctions and were carried out on the basis of two court warrants, adding that the two properties didnt belong to Derispaska but belonged to relatives.

Deripaska was one of seven Russian oligarchs sanctioned by the Treasury under the Trump administration in April 2018. The sanctions prevent Deripaska from doing business or owning property in the United States.

Russian metals magnate Oleg Deripaska in Moscow, Russia, on July 2, 2015. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP Photo)

Then-secretary Steven Mnuchin cited Russias engagement in a range of malign activity around the world as reason for the sanctions. Russian oligarchs and elites who profit from this corrupt system will no longer be insulated from the consequences of their governments destabilizing activities, Mnuchin said at the time.

The Treasury Department said in 2018 in imposing sanctions on Deripaska that he has been investigated for money laundering, and has been accused of threatening the lives of business rivals, illegally wiretapping a government official, and taking part in extortion and racketeering.

There are also allegations that Deripaska bribed a government official, ordered the murder of a businessman, and had links to a Russian organized crime group, the department said.

In June, Deripaska lost a lawsuit to overturn the sanctions.

An FBI spokesperson said agents were carrying out court-authorized law enforcement activity at a multimillion-dollar mansion in Washington, D.C.

In New York City, an FBI spokesperson said agents were carrying out a law enforcement operation related to an ongoing investigation in Manhattans Greenwich Village neighborhood at a three-story townhouse connected to Deripaska.

Federal agents stand in front of property related to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska as members of the NYPD patrol the area, in New York, on Oct. 19, 2021. (John Minchillo/AP Photo)

Deripaska owns part of the giant aluminum producer Rusal, via his stake in its parent company En+ Group. The Trump administration previously dropped sanctions against both companies but kept them on Deripaska. The Treasury said at the time that the companies have committed to significantly diminish Deripaskas ownership and sever his control.

The Epoch Times previously published a lengthy news analysis in November 2018 outlining Deripaskas links to multiple FBI figures, as well as former British spy Christopher Steele, and former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, in the context of the FBIs and Robert Muellers probe into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Protesters gather during clashes with police at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), in Hong Kong on Nov. 12, 2019. (Dale De La Rey/AFP via Getty Images)

5 Hong Kong Students Get Nearly 5 Years in Jail Over 2019 Protest

Five Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) students were sentenced to up to 4 years and 11 months in prison for taking part in protests. The charges included rioting and breaching a mask-ban on the campus two years ago.

In mid-2019, tens of thousands took to the streets to protest the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) erosion of Hong Kongs freedoms. The campus of CUHK also became a major flashpoint on Nov. 11, 2019, when protesters threw petrol bombs at police officers on a bridge, who fired back with rubber bullets and tear gas.

Later in the afternoon, anti-riot police arrested the five students near CUHKs Postgraduate Hall, a location close to the bridge. They seized a metal hammerhead from Foo Hoi-ching and a spanner from Hui Yi-chuen.

Despite the lack of evidence of the students specific involvement in the riots, deputy district judge Kathie Cheung said the defendants must have intended to participate in the violence or encouraged others to take part in it, local media Standnews reported on Oct. 19.

The five were dressed similarly to other protesters who were on the scene, and they must have heard about the protests from media reports, according to the report, citing Cheungs words at the West Kowloon Court on Oct. 19.

The four male defendants were sentenced to jail for 4 years and 9 months. The only female defendant, Foo Hoi-ching, received an extra two months. Foo was prosecuted while on bail from another case.

During the mitigation pleas on Oct. 19, Foo said she didnt regret what she had done, saying the court disregarded the reason behind the riots.

In my eyes, the authoritarian doesnt represent correctness, Foo said before the court, according to the report.

The law under the authoritarian regime is nothing but a nonviolent approach to control peoples behavior, and the court is not a place to deliver justice.

Here is just a place to express concerns about the social orders on the surface level, instead of focusing on the fundamental reasons for the social unrest.

Mass protests were triggered in mid-2019 after the city government announced plans to allow extradition to mainland China. The protests later morphed into a broader movement demanding greater democracy and freedoms in the face of the CCPs growing control over Hong Kong. Over several months, millions of people protested; they were often met with riot police who fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse them.

As of February, police officers have arrested more than 10,000 people related to the anti-extradition protests, according to the Hong Kong Department of Justice. More than 2,600 are currently or have finished going through the judicial process.

The city also reported fatalities connected to police actions in the continuing pro-democracy movement in 2019. A 22-year-old student died from his injuries after falling one story from a parking garage where police had fired tear gas to disperse protesters, in November 2019.
A health worker shows a box containing a bottle of ivermectin in Cali, Colombia, on July 21, 2020. (Luis Robayo/AFP via Getty Images)

Florida Doctor Stands Firm Against State and National Medical Boards Condemnation of COVID-19 Therapeutics

State and national medical boards, pharmaceutical lobbyist associations, and federal consumer agencies continue to strive to single out COVID-19 vaccines as the only safe and effective remedy to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

Leland Stillman, a physician at Integrative Medicine in Florida who prescribes ivermectin, told The Epoch Times in September that he has seen the warnings from the state medical boards.

They are saying that if you spread disinformation or misinformation about COVID-19, they will take disciplinary action, but they havent provided us with any specifics on what constitutes disinformation or misinformation, Stillman said.

Many doctors, he said, are keeping silent because they are afraid of losing their license.

We are really being told by the government and our professional organizations like the state medical boards that we are not allowed to have a therapeutic opinion that deviates from the federal governments, Stillman said.

Most recently, the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners (TBME) has adopted the national non-profit Federation of State Medical Boards policy on bringing disciplinary action to physicians who disseminate what the board classifies as misinformation or disinformation around COVID-19.

In its Sept. 21 meeting, the Tennessee board discussed three categories of physicians who the board said are falsifying information: the vaccine-hesitant physicians who share their opinion with patients, physicians who make up facts about the vaccine, and physicians who are advising multiple patients not to get the vaccine.

After one board member asked who will determine what constitutes misinformation, a staff member referred to an investigative process that would require the doctor to show proof from recognized academic and medical journals that support the doctors opinion, with the state having the burden of proof.

The American Pharmacists Association and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists are among the organizations that join the American Medical Association in its condemnation of the use of medical treatments outside of the three vaccines.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has gone so far as to threaten medical practices with a fine of $43,792 per violation for recommending treatments other than the vaccines, such as vitamin D and ivermectin.

In April, the FTC said that almost 400 sellers and marketers who received the FTC warning letters have pulled unsubstantiated claims in the last year.

A Second Opinion

Stillman began prescribing ivermectin when he saw it being used successfully with COVID-19 patients by other physicians, he said.

Everything but ivermectin being recommended by anybody to treat or prevent COVID is more expensive, and in many cases, less practical than ivermectin, Stillman said. There is substantial literature to support that, but it doesnt make money for the drug companies, so you can count on the FTA and the NIH (National Institute of Health) coming down on it like a sledgehammer, he said.

Ivermectin in the Limelight

CNN chastised podcaster Joe Rogan after Rogan said he had treated the virus with ivermectin, among other treatments, under counsel from his doctor.

The media outlet accused him of taking the veterinary horse de-wormer form of ivermectin.

At the time, Rolling Stone sourced a local media outlet that cited Oklahoma physician Jason McElyea who claimed that people overdosing on farm-grade ivermectin were causing emergency rooms to fill up, leaving no room for gunshot victims.

Rolling Stone updated its article after a spokesperson at Northeastern Health System Sequoyahwhere McElyea said the overcrowding was taking placesaid McElyea hadnt worked at that location in over two months, and that the hospital hadnt treated any patients experiencing complications from ivermectin.

Shameless Water Carriers

I would say that the media are shameless water carriers for the pharmaceutical industry because they rely on its advertising dollars to pay its bills, Leland said, adding that, despite the controversy, hes found no data on whether animal ivermectin is less safe or effective than human ivermectin.

Though he said he wouldnt endorse it, hes seen patients who have used horse ivermectin with positive results, Stillman said, adding that theres hysteria around the drug that has generated its own misinformation.

Has anyone in the U.S. ever died from taking an animal form of ivermectin? Ive looked, Ive not been able to find a single case, Stillman said.

First Amendment Rights

Despite the fear of losing his license, Stillman said hes more afraid of losing his First Amendment rights.

What kind of coward worries about his livelihood when his basic fundamental human rights are under threat? Stillman asked. This is one of the things that really bothers me about my profession right now. A lot of doctors dont seem to care about defending our freedoms.
A medical worker prepares the COVID-19 vaccination at the University of CaliforniaIrvine Medical Center, in Orange, Calif., on Dec. 16, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Flu Vaccine Mandate Leaves University of California Students and Staff With Mixed Feelings

The University of California (UC) is requiring its students, faculty, and staff to receive a flu vaccine by mid-November as part of its COVID-19 response, following a recent executive order.

The mandate applies to individuals who learn, live, or work on a UC campus for the duration of the 202122 flu season, according to UC spokeswoman Heather Harper.

Michael Drake, president of the University of California, wrote in the Oct. 8 executive order that the impetus for the mandate was to reduce the likelihood of severe disease  and in turn to reduce the likelihood that our health systems will be overwhelmed.

Harper told The Epoch Times that opportunities for the influenza virus to spread will significantly increase as many people return to pre-pandemic activities during flu season with less adherence to face coverings and physical distancing.

Last year, the UC executive board issued a similar flu vaccine mandate to all students and employees as a condition for accessing UC locations. That mandate expired during the 202021 school year.

Individuals can opt out of the flu vaccine by the Nov. 19 deadline. But they may be subject to a mask mandate, and/or routine testing, according to the executive order.

Like the COVID-19 vaccine mandate issued by UC earlier this year, people hold different opinions about the flu vaccine mandate.

Maybe this a little too forceful, Arman Danesh, a sophomore studying chemical engineering at the University of CaliforniaIrvine, told The Epoch Times.

Danesh said he had already planned to get the flu shot soon but was surprised to find out its now mandatory.

They are just trying to follow up the COVID momentum. However, [a flu shot] shouldnt be mandatory because it was not mandatory in the past.

Kevin Huie, an academic counselor who has been working at UC Irvine for 13 years, said he believes the mandate by his employer is a positive.

I wouldnt be surprised if people look at UCs as a standard to do new things. We dont want to overflood the health care system, Huie told The Epoch Times.

Wanru Dong, a clinical research assistant at the University of CaliforniaSan Diego, said, I feel like the administration is pushing their agenda.

Dong likened the UCs mandate to a communist tactic. She was born and raised in communist China before immigrating to the U.S. in 1997.

Its starting to look like theyre using science as an excuse to take away human rights, Dong said.

Iris Liu, a junior at the University of CaliforniaLos Angeles, said the mandate would put others at ease.

I feel like everybody would feel safer this way because [fewer] people will have symptoms [that are] similar to COVID, Liu told The Epoch Times.

Jacob Sayono, a junior studying mechanical engineering at UCLA, said he has never gotten a flu shot before.

I would opt out, but if I dont have a choice, I probably would get the flu shot because I have to take classes.

A research associate of a neuroscience laboratory at UCSD, Ameen Khan, said, I think its better to be safe than sorry.

As long as the flu shot doesnt cause long-term harm or illness to anyone, I think its a good idea.

Phillip Zhu, a first-year chemistry Ph.D. student at UCSD, told The Epoch Times, Im fine with the flu shot, but its annoying that I dont get to choose to take it or not.
French fishermen empty their boat at the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, northern France, on Oct. 15, 2021. (Christophe Ena/AP Photo)

France to Announce Sanctions Amid Fishing Dispute With UK

PARISFrance will announce potential sanctions over energy prices and trade by the end of the week in its fishing dispute with the United Kingdom, the government spokesman said Wednesday.

France vehemently protested the decision last month by the UK and the Channel Island of Jersey to refuse dozens of French fishing boats a license to operate in their territorial waters. Paris called the move unacceptable.

France considers the restrictions as contrary to the post-Brexit agreement that the British government signed when it left the European Union.

We are obviously in a position to take sanctions if the agreement is not respected, French government spokesperson Gabriel Attal said. There are several types of sanctions that are possible: energy prices, access to [French] ports, tariffs issues.

Fishing vessels are seen at sea off the coast of Jersey, on May 6, 2021. (Oliver Pinel via AP)

Jersey, which is only 14 miles (22 kilometers) off the French coast, is a British Crown dependency outside of the UK. As such, it has its own powers with regard to who is allowed to fish in its territorial waters.

Attal said the sanctions would take effect in November if no deal is reached with the UK and Jersey.

France has asked its European Union partners to act as one in the dispute, urging the 27-nation bloc to prepare retaliation measures.

A top French official declined Wednesday to say whether French President Emmanuel Macron will discuss the issue with his counterparts at an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday. He spoke anonymously in accordance with the French presidencys customary practices.

Earlier this month, France and 10 other EU nations issued a joint declaration denouncing UKs attitude over fishing licenses.

By Sylvie Corbet
Garcetti: LA Employees Not Vaxxed by Dec. 18 Should Be Prepared to Lose Jobs

LOS ANGELESMayor Eric Garcetti said Oct. 20 that any city employee who refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by Dec. 18 should be prepared to lose their job.

The deadline was initially Oct. 20 for Los Angeles mandate that all city employees be vaccinated. However, under a proposal submitted Oct. 19 by the city administrative officer, pending city council approval, workers would have until Dec. 18 to show proof of vaccination.

As of the morning of Oct. 20, a date had not yet been set for the city council to officially approve the plan, according to Council President Nury Martinezs office, but Garcetti released a statement that morning saying employees had until Dec. 18 to be vaccinated.

The citys employee vaccine mandate is critical to protecting the health and safety of our workforce and the Angelenos we serve, the mayor said. Employees must be vaccinated by December 18, and we are putting a rigorous testing program into place in the meantime. Let me be clear: Any employee who refuses to be vaccinated by this date should be prepared to lose their job.

Until Dec. 18, according to the proposal, unvaccinated employees would have to submit to two COVID-19 tests per week, and $65 per test would be deducted from their paychecks.

Employees would have to get tested during their free time, and testing would have to be conducted by the city or a vendor of the citys choosing.

Third-party tests wouldnt be allowed.

According to data from the mayors office on Oct. 19, 72.8 percent of city employees reported being fully or partially vaccinated, 17.9 percent either declined to state or didnt report their status and 9.2 percent reported they were not vaccinated.

Those seeking religious or medical exemptions would also be required to take two tests per week at the employees expense while the city processes the exemption request. If an exemption is approved, the employee would be reimbursed for testing costs and going forward would be required to test for COVID-19 once per week, but the city would pay for it.

If an exemption request is denied, the employee would have five business days to file an appeal. If they dont appeal the decision, they would be issued a notice that they must submit proof of vaccination. Failure to do so would result in corrective action, but details were not released.

The proposal also states that the employee would be able to either resign or retire all in good standing in lieu of discipline if they didnt comply with the vaccination mandate.

Exemption requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. People can qualify for an exemption if they have a medical condition or sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances that prevent them from receiving the vaccine.

How can we ask Angelenos to be vaccinated if we are not doing it ourselves? We need to set a strong example for our communities. The vaccines are available, theyre effective, and theyre keeping people out of the hospital and off ventilators, Martinez said when the ordinance was approved in August.

Many workers who dont want the vaccines say its an issue of personal freedom.
A pedestrian walks by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, Wash., on May 4, 2021. (David Ryder/Getty Images)

Gates Foundation to Fund $120 Million to Increase Oral COVID-19 Drug Distribution to Poor Nations

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in its COVID-19 response, will fund up to $120 million to ensure access in lower-income countries to Merck & Co.s experimental oral drug, the foundation announced on Oct. 19.

The funding will support efforts to develop and produce generic versions of what could become the first oral antiviral medication for the disease if it wins regulatory approval, according to a statement from the foundation.

Merck has taken important steps to make this drug available as a COVID-19 therapy, including negotiating licenses with generics manufacturers to increase supply. We are pleased to work alongside these efforts to ensure affordability and availability in lower-income countries, said Bill Gates, co-chair of the foundation.

The tablet medicine, dubbed molnupiravir, is being developed by pharmaceutical company Merck and is meant to combat cases of mild or moderate CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19.

Earlier this month, an interim analysis of its phase 3 trial studying the drug showed it was effective in cutting the risk of hospitalization or death in half for adults who were deemed at risk but not hospitalized, according to a summary released by Merck.

Mercks antiviral oral drug against COVID-19 is seen in an undated image. (Merck & Co. via AP)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently reviewing the medication for approval in the United States as the decision on whether to authorize the drug for use sits with national regulatory agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO).

The final test results of the experimental medication havent yet been published, and some experts have said theyre worried about how the pill attacks the virus.

There is a concern that this will cause long-term mutation effects, even cancer, Dr. Shuntai Zhou, a scientist at the Swanstrom Lab at the University of North Carolina, told Barrons.

Dr. Michael Carome, director of Public Citizens Health Research Group, told The Epoch Times that the concern is theoretical for now and that its likely that signaling of rare adverse events would only be possible with long-term trials, because premarket trials typically only involve several thousand participants.

Molnupiravir embeds itself in the viruss genetic material and causes a high number of mutations, ultimately overwhelming it to extinction, a process known as lethal mutagenesis.

Launched in 2000, the nonprofit Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the United States largest private philanthropic foundation and one of the worlds biggest, pouring about $1.9 billion into the fight against the pandemic since 2020.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.

From NTD News
An AR-15 assault rifle at FT3 tactical shooting range in Stanton, Calif., on May 3, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Ghost Guns Are an Epidemic in Los Angeles: LAPD Report

Counties in Southern California have been cracking down on ghost guns, with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) calling their prevalence an epidemic, according to a recent LAPD report.

The report, which was presented to the LAPD Board of Commissioners on Oct. 19, said the use of ghost guns in the city has increased by nearly 400 percent since 2017.

Their use is dramatically going up, and it is going to eclipse last years totals, potentially by 1,000-plus guns, LAPD Deputy Chief Kris Pitcher told the commission during the meeting.

Ghost guns, also known as kit guns, are sold partially assembled and can be completed using purchased parts. The LAPDs report noted that 3-D printing makes obtaining parts especially convenient. The unfinished parts are not legally required to have serial numbers or a background check to purchase and are often sold at gun shows or online.

When sold without background checks, [the ghost guns] end up in the possession of felons, LA Councilman Paul Krekorian said in August. In Los Angeles, ghost guns were a factor in the sharp rise in homicides in 2020. This motion enables the city to move aggressively to significantly reduce the number of non-serialized firearms in our communities.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors also on Oct. 19 voted 32 to draft an ordinance within 90 days banning possession or distribution of ghost guns and non-serial-numbered parts used to build firearms.

Some, such as San Diego Supervisor Shaun Frederickson, oppose the ghost gun ban, arguing they are a non-issue since California already has strict gun laws and a registry.

Others argue that the LAPDs numbers have been taken out of context in an effort to scare people into demanding more regulations on guns.

It seems like the bigger issue is how little Californias gun control laws have done to keep conventional firearms out of the hands of criminals, which account for 90 percent or more of the gun crime in Los Angeles, Tom Knighton wrote of the LAPDs report in the Bearing Arms website.

For ghost guns to be a real epidemic, it would seem that theyd have to account for more than just a small percentage of the weapons used in Los Angeles growing violent crime problem.

In 2002 the LAPD recovered 813 ghost guns, while 863 ghost guns were recovered in the first half of 2021.

To date in 2021, 1,445 ghost guns have been recovered this year, a 202 percent increase over last year, according to the report.

LAPD Deputy Chief Kris Pitcher said that ghost guns are being recovered more frequently, and drew a connection between their increase and an increase in shootings and homicides.

In 2021, the city has experienced 320 homicidesa 16 percent increaseand 1,165 shootings, which is an increase of 20 percent, Pitcher said. So I want to make the connectivity there, as ghost guns are being recovered more frequently.

Orange County has also seen a recent proliferation of ghost guns.

According to the Santa Ana Police Department, seizures of ghost guns have risen dramatically in the last year compared to regular firearm seizures.

In 2021, almost 120 ghost guns have been seized in Santa Ana compared to 50 last year, nearly a 140 percent increase over 2020.

Compared to regular gun seizures, the Santa Ana Police Department seized over 290 firearms so far this year. Over the same period last year, the department seized over 220 firearmsalmost a 30 percent increase.

The LAPDs report comes after the LA City Council directed the LAPD to report on the impact of ghost guns in the city, resulting in the report presented to the police commission on Oct. 19.

The council also ordered the city attorneys office to draft an ordinance banning the possession, purchase, sale, receipt, and transportation of ghost guns in the city on Aug. 31.

Drew Van Voorhis contributed to this report.
U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Nebr.) walks through the Capitol Building in Washington, on Oct. 15, 2013. (Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

GOP Rep. Jeff Fortenberry Indicted, Accused of Hiding Info, Lying to FBI Over Campaign Contributions

Congressman denies any wrongdoing

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) was indicted on Tuesday, accused of concealing information and making false statements to federal authorities who were investigating illegal contributions to his 2016 campaign, the Justice Department announced.

A federal grand jury indicted Fortenberry, who has served in Congress since 2005, on one count of scheming to falsify and conceal material facts and two counts of making false statements to federal investigators looking into illegal contributions.

If found guilty, the three felony charges carry a statutory maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.

The indictment alleges that the 60-year-old Republican repeatedly lied to federal agents and misled them during an investigation into illegal contributions made to his re-election campaign by a foreign billionaire, Gilbert Chagoury.

Under federal law, a foreign national is prohibited from contributing to any U.S. elections.

According to the indictment, Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire Chagoury arranged for $30,000 of his money to be contributed through other individuals to Fortenberrys campaign during a fundraiser held in Los Angeles, which is also illegal under federal law.

Chagoury entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorneys Office in 2019 and the billionaire admitted to providing approximately $180,000 in illegal contributions to four different political candidates in U.S. elections between June 2012 and March 2016. He also agreed to pay a $1.8 million fine and cooperate with federal authorities.

Meanwhile, the co-host of Fortenberrys 2016 fundraiser in LAreferred to in the indictment as Individual H also began cooperating with federal authorities in September 2016. Individual H told special agents with the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation about the illegal contributions, the indictment states.

Investigators thus began to look into potential illegal contributions to Fortenberrys campaign, and whether he knew about them at the fundraiser in question as well as whether or not he knew specifically of the illegal contribution from billionaire Chagoury.

Federal agents also looked into whether or not Fortenberry had any direct or indirect communications with Chagoury in relation to the contributions.

Despite Individual H repeatedly telling the congressman that Chagoury associate Toufic Joseph Baaklini had provided $30,000 in cash to route to Fortenberry for the 2016 fundraiser through numerous individuals so as to avoid individual donor limits and that it probably did came from Chagoury, Fortenberry did not file an amended report with the Federal Election Commission.

Instead, the indictment alleges Fortenberry knowingly and willfully falsified, concealed, and covered up by trick, scheme, and device material facts.

Baaklini also entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with prosecutors.

The indictment says Fortenberry allegedly made false and misleading statements regarding the illegal contributions during a March 23, 2019, interview with investigators. He also allegedly told investigators that he was not aware of Baaklini ever being involved in illegal campaign contributions, nor was he aware of any contributions to his campaign from a foreign national.

In second interview with federal investigators and prosecutors on July 18, 2019, Fortenberry allegedly made more false statements, including denying that he was aware of any illegal donations made at the 2016 fundraiser and denying that Individual H had told him Baaklini had provided the $30,000 cash at the 2016 fundraiser.

He allegedly told officers that he would have been horrified to learn about the illegal conduit contributions, according to the indictment.

At that same interview, the Congressman told investigators that he had ended the June 2018 call with Individual H after they made a concerning comment, but had in actual fact continued to ask Individual H to host another fundraiser for his campaign, the indictment states.

We Will Fight These Charges

Fortenberry has denied any wrongdoing. In a video posted to Youtube on Oct. 19, titled, I wanted you to hear from me first, the congressman said he feels personally betrayed by the charges and allegations, and reiterated that he was unaware of the illegal donations.

We will fight these charges. I did not lie to them, Fortenberry said in the video filmed from his car alongside his wife Celeste Fortenberry. This is wrong on so many levels.

Meanwhile, Former President Donald Trump defended Fortenberry in a statement issued on Tuesday night while also taking a swipe at Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg

Isnt it terrible that a Republican Congressman from Nebraska just got indicted for possibly telling some lies to investigators about campaign contributions, when half of the United States Congress lied about made up scams, Trump said in his statement.

And when Mark Zuckerberg, in my opinion a criminal, is allowed to spend $500 million and therefore able to change the course of a Presidential election, and nothing happens to them, Trump added.
Gov. Newsom Extends Drought Emergency Across California, Urges State to Step Up Water Conservation Efforts

California Gov. Gavin Newsom extended a drought emergency declaration across the entire state on Oct. 19, following the second-driest year on record as the state battles with record-low storage in its largest reservoirs.

The emergency declaration comes as nearly 88 percent of California and much of the American West are experiencing an extreme or exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

In a statement on Oct. 19, Newsom, a Democrat, urged Californians to step up their water conservation efforts as the Western United States faces a potential third dry year. He said the state is experiencing its worst drought since the late 1800s, as measured by both the lack of precipitation and soaring temperatures.

The emergency declaration allows the State Water Resources Control Board to ban wasteful water practices, such as using water to wash sidewalks and driveways, buildings, and other hard-surfaced areas, except in cases when health and safety are at risk, among others.

It also adds eight counties that werent previously included in the drought state of emergency: Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, and Ventura.

Fifty counties were already under the drought state of emergency.

Newsom issued an executive order in July calling on Californians to voluntarily reduce water use by 15 percent compared to 2020 to protect water reserves and complement local conservation mandates.

The governors extension of the drought emergency comes after figures show that California reduced water use by just 5 percent in August compared to 2020, 10 percent off the 15 percent goal.

As the Western U.S. faces a potential third year of drought, its critical that Californians across the state redouble our efforts to save water in every way possible, Newsom said. With historic investments and urgent action, the state is moving to protect our communities, businesses, and ecosystems from the immediate impacts of the drought emergency while building long-term water resilience to help the state meet the challenge of climate change impacts making droughts more common and more severe.

The extended drought emergency also requires local water suppliers to implement water shortage contingency plans that are responsive to local conditions and prepare for the possibility of a third dry year.

August 2021 was the driest and hottest August on record since reporting began, and the water year that ended last month was the second driest on record, Newsom said.

The proclamation also authorizes the Governors Office of Emergency Services to provide assistance and funding under the California Disaster Assistance Act to support the emergency response and delivery of drinking water and water for public health and safety.

The proclamation stopped short of issuing any statewide conservation mandates.

Houseboats sit in a narrow section of water in a depleted Lake Oroville in Oroville, Calif., on Sept. 5, 2021. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images)

We think well be able to manage through this year, David Pettijohn, director of water resources at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, told CalMatters. Next year is the issue. And we dont know what the water year is going to look like. Nobody can predict the weather.

However, some experts believe mandates would produce better outcomes than voluntary calls across the state.

We know mandates are more effective than voluntary calls, said Heather Cooley, director of research at the Pacific Institute, a global water think tank. It takes time to ramp up, and because of the delay in asking Californians to save water this spring, we are further behind than we should be.

In September, Newsom signed a giant $15 billion climate package that will direct money to an array of climate impacts facing the state.

The package is the largest such investment in state history and includes 24 bills covering everything from tackling wildfire and drought challenges, building climate resilience in communities, promoting sustainable agriculture, and advancing the climate agenda.

It also includes a $1.5 billion Wildfire and Forest Resilience Package that builds on a $536 million early action package from April, ahead of peak fire season. The package also adds an additional $988 million in 202122 that will be used to fund projects to reduce wildfire risk and improve the health of forests and wildlands, such as fuel reduction projects and fuel breaks.

The largest amount of funding$5.2 billionis being directed toward the Water and Drought Resilience package, which will be used to support immediate drought response and long-term water resilience over three years. This will be done via drought relief projects to secure and expand water supplies, among other things, and the focus will be on small and disadvantaged communities.

California has seen a string of blazes that have burned across the state this summer, exacerbated by worsening drought conditions.
In this screenshot from a police camera video, Brian Laundrie talks to a police officer after police pulled over the van he was traveling in with his girlfriend, Gabrielle Gabby Petito, near the entrance to Arches National Park, Utah, on Aug. 12, 2021. (The Moab Police Department via AP)

FBI: Items Linked to Brian Laundrie, Possible Human Remains Found in Florida Park

The FBI on Wednesday said that what appears to be human remains were discovered in the same area as a backpack and notebook belonging to Brian Laundrie in a Florida wildlife reserve area that was previously underwater.

A backpack and notebook belonging to Laundrie were discovered, FBI officials said in a brief news conference. An FBI response team will be on the scene for several days in a bid to obtain more evidence, adding that the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park and nearby Carlton Reserve will be closed during the investigation.

The Sarasota County Medical Examiners Office was also called to the preserve, said a coroners office representative to Fox59.

After a brief search off a trail that Brian frequented some articles belonging to Brian were found, said Laundrie family attorney Steven Bertolino in a statement to several news outlets.

Laundries parents, Chris and Roberta, went to the park on Wednesday to search for Brian, Bertolino also said. The FBI and [North Port Police Department] were informed last night of Brians parents intentions and they met Chris and Roberta there this morning, he added. As of now, law enforcement is conducting a more thorough investigation of that area.

Gabrielle Gabby Petito. (Courtesy of FBI Denver via AP)

Neither the North Port Police Department nor FBI issued public comments about the matter.

Last month, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Laundrie on bank fraud charges. A Wyoming coroner confirmed earlier this month that Petito was killed via strangulation, ruling her manner of death as a homicide.

It alleges Laundrie used a Capital One bank card and someones personal identification number to make unauthorized withdrawals or charges worth more than $1,000. It does not say to whom the card belonged or what type of charges were made.

Petito and Laundrie had set off on a cross-country trip throughout the United States and documented their travels on social media. Officials said Laundrie returned to North Port without Petito in early September, and Petitos family later reported her missing on Sept. 11.

The couple was stopped on Aug. 12 by police in Moab, Utah, after they had a physical altercation, but no charges were filed. A police bodycamera video showed the officer responding to the scene, interviewing both Laundrie and Petito.

Days later, Laundries parents said he went on a hike on Sept. 13 and never returned.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist and former executive chairman of Breitbart News, at his home in Washington on Aug. 23, 2019. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Jan. 6 Committee Votes to Hold Bannon in Contempt

The Democratic-led House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol breach voted on Oct. 19 to hold conservative podcast host and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena for documents and testimony.

The resolution will now move for a vote by the full House, where Democrats hold a slim majority and will likely approve the measure. Should the House approve the contempt resolution, the Department of Justice will decide whether to pursue charges.

Bannon played a major role in Donald Trumps 2016 presidential campaign and took a post as a White House aide before leaving to headline a popular conservative podcast. He didnt respond to a request for comment on the contempt vote.

The contempt resolution argues that Bannon has no legal standing to defy the subpoena. Trumps attorney argued that Bannon shouldnt comply because the requested information is protected by the former presidents executive privilege.

The committee says it wants Bannons documents and testimony because he was in touch with Trump before the Jan. 6 incident, because he tried to get Trump to focus on the congressional certification of the election results, and because he said on Jan. 5 that all hell is going to break loose the next day.

Bannon appears to have had multiple roles relevant to this investigation, including his role in constructing and participating in the stop the steal public relations effort that motivated the attack and his efforts to plan political and other activity in advance of Jan. 6, the committee alleged in the resolution.

Ahead of the Oct. 19 contempt vote, Trump filed a lawsuit seeking to block the panel from obtaining White House records.

President Joe Biden last week said the Department of Justice should prosecute those who defy the committees subpoenas; the DOJ responded by saying it will make its own decisions.

If the House of Representatives certifies a criminal contempt citation, the Department of Justice, as with all criminal referrals, will evaluate the matter based on the facts and the law, consistent with the Principles of Federal Prosecution, a DOJ spokesperson told news outlets in a statement.

While Bannon has said he needs a court order before complying with the subpoena, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and former White House and Pentagon aide Kash Patel have been negotiating with the committee. The panel has also subpoenaed more than a dozen people who helped plan Trump rallies ahead of Jan. 6, and some of them are already turning over documents and giving testimony.

Trump was exonerated of impeachment charges tied to the events of Jan. 6 by the then-Republican-majority Senate.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid speaking to MPs in the House of Commons in London on July 6, 2021. (House of Commons via PA)

Medical Professions Write to UK Minister Opposing Assisted Dying Bill

Almost 1,700 health care professionals signed a letter to the UKs Health Secretary Sajid Javid to voice their opposition against a new law legalising assisted suicide, a campaign group said on Wednesday.

An open letter with 1,689 signatories, including current and retired doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and medical students, said the shift from preserving life to taking life is enormous and should not be minimised.

The signatories said they would not take patients lives, and called on the government to not change the law.

The Assisted Dying Bill, which would allow terminally ill adults to legally seek assistance to end their lives, will have its second reading in Parliament on Friday.

If passed, it will enable adults who are of sound mind and are expected to have six months or less to live to be provided with life-ending medication with the approval of two doctors and a High Court judge.

Supporters say it will give people with terminal illnesses greater choice and control over how and when they die, with safeguards in place to protect them and their loved ones.

But opponents say it will put pressure on people to end their lives.

Any change [to the current law] would threaten societys ability to safeguard vulnerable patients from abuse, the letter reads.

It would undermine the trust the public places in physicians, and it would send a clear message to our frail, elderly, and disabled patients about the value that society places on them as people.

The campaign group, Our duty of care UK, said the legislation is a slippery slope, citing the example from Canada.

Canada legalised assisted suicide for the terminally ill in 2016. The law has now been expanded to include people with a serious illness, disease, or disability which is deemed irreversible. Mental illnesses will be included from March 17, 2023.

The group also cited a Belgian study, saying a quarter of physician-assisted deaths in the Flanders region in 2013 occurred without patients consent.

The letter came as three faith leaders expressed their profound disquiet over the Bill.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Roman Catholic Cardinal Vincent Nichols, and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis have written to Javid, warning him of the real-life practical inadequacies of the proposed safeguards.

The faith leaders said they believe the aim of a compassionate society should be assisted living rather than an acceptance of assisted suicide.

The campaign group Dignity In Dying said assisted dying is an issue for those whose time has come, and claimed the majority of the public support a law change.

Tom Davies, British Medical Associations director of campaigns and communications, said doctors opposing assisted dying wont be forced to participate and they should not stand in the way of giving dying people choice over their deaths.

Sherrie Deacon, a 29-year-old who has been living with terminal cancer for two years, told the BBC that she wants to live, but doesnt want to go through the later stages because she feels she will lose her dignity.

But Nikki Kenward, a mother who became paralysed by Guillain-Barre Syndrome 30 years ago, told the broadcaster that before she got ill, she thought she wouldnt want to live if anything like that happens to her.

Boy, did I have a lesson to learn! she said.

Kenward said assisted dying isnt just about the individuals who wish to die, it is about the door that will open for other people who are seen as less worthy, she said.

It stops you [from] mattering because you can just be got [sic] rid of. And then that will change the way we see each other. Its too dangerous, she added.

Katherine Sleeman, professor of Palliative Care at King College London, told the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Dying Wella cross-party group of lawmakers opposing assisted dyingthat its not even possible to determine a six-month prognosis as doctors often disagree on clinical assessments.

The Ministry of Justice said any law change in an area of such sensitivity and importance is for lawmakers rather than the government to decide.

PA contributed to this report.
Michigan and Virginia Parents Sue AG Garland Over Order to Investigate Violent Threats Against Teachers, School Boards

A group of parents from Michigan and Virginia has sued Attorney General Merrick Garland, alleging his recent order on investigating threats against educators misuses his offices powers.

Garland, a Biden nominee, on Oct. 4 in a memorandum directed the FBI and U.S. attorneys to draw up plans to target parents who threaten violence or attempt to intimidate educators.

The order came after the National School Boards Association (NSBA) asked the Biden administration to respond due to what it described as acts of domestic terrorism against school boards, referring to protests during school board meetings over contentious teachings.

The new suit (pdf) says Garland is effectively wielding federal law enforcement resources to silence parents and other private citizens who publicly object to and oppose the divisive, harmful, immoral, and racist policies of the progressive left that are being implemented by school boards and school officials in public school districts throughout the United States.

The parents are based in Saline, Michigan, and Loudoun County, Virginia, two areas that have seen heightened backlash in recent months. In Virginia, for instance, many parents opposed a rule that teachers must use a persons preferred pronouns or face discipline.

Youve got the attorney general whos weaponizing his power, his office to suppress the speech of concerned citizensparents who are speaking out at public school boards about some of these inane policies like promotion of critical race theory ideology, which teaches the kids to be racist, Robert Muise, an attorney with the American Freedom Law Center, which is representing the parents, told The Epoch Times.

The Department of Justice has not responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit or criticism of the order, which has led to over a dozen state school boards removing themselves or mulling withdrawal from the NSBA.

Lisa Monaco, the departments second-in-command, defended the policy before Congress earlier this month, asserting it was aimed at making sure law enforcement from the local to federal level was aware of how to report threats and in communication on how to address threats and violence.

While spirited debate about policy matters is protected under our Constitution, that protection does not extend to threats of violence or efforts to intimidate individuals based on their views, Garland wrote in his order.

The plaintiff parents, though, say the policy amounts to a direct threat and warning to parents and private citizens across the United States, including Plaintiffs, that the Department of Justice and its FBI will be investigating you and monitoring what you say at these school board meetings so be careful about what you say and how you say it, thereby chilling such expression.

That violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, they argue.

The suit also noted that there are accusations of a conflict of interest because Garlands son-in-law, Alexander Tanner, is the co-founder and president of Panorama Education, which sells materials and conducts surveys for school districts across the country, including some that appear to have elements of critical race theory.

Hes got a stake in this, a personal stake in this, through his family members, Muise said.

Panorama Education declined to comment beyond pointing The Epoch Times to its website, where it disputes allegations its linked to critical race theory.

The suit was filed in federal court in Washington. It asks the court to permanently enjoin Garlands order.
US Military Needs More Might to Fight 2 Major Conflicts: Heritage Foundation

The U.S. military is in need of more resources if its to continue the goal of being capable of fighting two major conflicts simultaneously, according to The Heritage Foundations 2022 Index of U.S. Military Strength.

The Heritage Foundations annual military index, which was first released in 2015, provides a sweeping overview of U.S. national security issues, as well as the militarys capacity to meet those challenges. The indexs benchmark is the forces required for the United States to be able to fight two major wars simultaneouslya strategy held by successive administrations for decades.

Heritage estimates that to meet this continued mandate, a fully equipped military would include an Army with 50 brigade combat teams, a Navy with 400 battle force ships and 624 strike aircraft, an Air Force with 1,200 fighter/ground-attack aircraft, and a Marine Corps with 30 battalionsas well as a Space Force with satellite platforms, ground stations, and personnel sufficient to support warfighting requirements.

In this context, the military is weakening in multiple areas, according to the think tanks latest index, released Oct. 20.

For instance, the index downgraded the Air Force to weak from marginal, even though this branch has nearly all the physical equipment recommended for a two-front warfighting capability.

A score of weak in this area is the result of a shortage of pilots and flying time that implies a lack of effort or focused intent given the general reduction in operational deployments as U.S. actions overseas have ebbed, Heritage said.

The index also rated the Navy as marginal, trending toward weak due to its aging fleet of 296 ships.

It desperately needs a larger fleet of 400 ships, but current and forecasted levels of funding will prevent this from occurring for the foreseeable future, the index said. This has the unhappy effect of causing the service to age more rapidly than it can replace older ships, thus making it easier for major competitors to achieve technological parity.

Another area trending downward is the militarys nuclear capability, which Heritage said is strong, but trending towards marginal or even weak.

Current forces are assessed as reliable today, but nearly all components of the nuclear enterprise are at a tipping point with respect to replacement or modernization and have no margin left for delays in schedule, the think tank said. Failure of on-time appropriations and lack of administration support for nuclear modernization could lead to a rapid decline in this portfolio to weak in future editions.

One force to receive an upgrade is the Marine Corps, which Heritage bumped to strong from marginal for two main reasons: Unlike other forces, the Marines only have a one-war mandate; and because the Corps is undergoing a major modernization effort by replacing old equipment with new warfighting tools.

Meanwhile, the Army remains marginal, while Heritage provided its first ranking, weak, to the nascent Space Force.

The service has done quite well in transitioning missions from the other services without interruption in support, but it does not have enough assets to track and manage the explosive growth in commercial and competitor-country systems being placed into orbit, Heritage said of the Space Force. The majority of its platforms have exceeded their planned life span, and modernization efforts to replace them are slow and incremental.

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), the ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, spoke at an Oct. 20 Heritage event that released the index. According to Rogers, the index is more evidence that Congress needs to boost the military budget by 3 to 5 percent annually, indefinitely.

One of the reasons why the National Defense Strategy Commission recommended 3 to 5 percent increases for the foreseeable future, is because youre looking at least a decade for us to be able to not only repair and replace, but modernize and prepare for the wars of the future, he said.

Others have questioned the long-term feasibility of such spending increases. National Taxpayers Union (NTU) analyst Andrew Lautz has pointed out that 5 percent annual increases would result in an additional $1.2 trillion in military spending above current projections over 10 years.

A Congressional Budget Office (CBO) study from earlier this month suggested alternative proposals that could save about $1 trillion over a decade. The CBO said the government could slightly downsize its active-duty military while relying more on alliances to ensure global stability.

The 5 percent increase is incorporated in the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act passed last month by the House.
Minnesota Gov. Walz Offers Gift Cards, $100,000 Scholarships as Vaccine Incentives for Teens

Gov. Tim Walz announced a new vaccine incentive program for young Minnesotans on Oct. 18 in an effort to get them fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Kids Deserve a Shot vaccine incentive program will reward a $200 Visa gift card to 12-to-17-year-olds who both start and complete their vaccine series between Oct. 18 and Nov. 30. In order to be eligible for the program, they must receive their first dose between Oct. 18 and Nov. 9 and receive their second dose by the end of November.

It will also offer those who have completed their vaccination a chance at winning one of five $100,000 scholarships to attend any public or private nonprofit higher education institution in the state of Minnesota. The scholarship is available for all Minnesotans aged 12 to 17 who have completed their COVID-19 vaccine series at any point.

Minnesotans who enter the $100,000 Minnesota College Scholarship Drawings will also be entered to win other fun Minnesota experiences. The five drawings will be conducted weekly starting on Nov. 15.

Our administration is dedicated to doing everything we can to keep our kids safe during this pandemicand that includes working to get as many Minnesotans vaccinated as possible, Walz said in an Oct. 18 statement. Were launching this program to help reward teens for doing their part by getting fully vaccinated and keeping our schools, community, and state safe.

To keep our schools safe for kids of all ages, we need our teens who are eligible now to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan said. Our children deserve a shot of protection from these safe, effective vaccines, and kids deserve a shot at these amazing rewards.

Walz authorized $12.2 million in federal COVID-19 relief money for the latest incentive program, which is one of several that the WalzFlanagan administration has launched to encourage Minnesotans to get a COVID-19 vaccine, such as a September program offering $100 on-site incentives for COVID-19 vaccines at community vaccination clinics around the state.

In total, President Joe Bidens American Rescue Plan has provided $8.5 billion to Minnesota to support COVID-19 recovery efforts.

Minnesota is currently trying to ramp up its vaccination efforts across the state, particularly among young adolescents, who are the least-vaccinated yet eligible for vaccination. Currently, 50 percent of Minnesotans aged 12 to 15 and less than 60 percent of Minnesotans aged 16 to 17 are fully vaccinated, the lowest vaccination rates of all eligible age groups.

As of Oct. 17, 54 percent of kids aged 12 to 15 had received at least one vaccine dose, which amounts to 167,616 children, while 152,018 have had their full series, according to state data.

Parents who want their children to be eligible for the incentive must register online by filling out a form and uploading proof of their childs vaccination status.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) stated that it accesses the information solely for the purpose of the drawing and it remains private under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.

MDH will use the information you provide to verify your childs eligibility for the drawing and to contact you in the event your child is a prize winner. You are not legally required to provide your childs information, but if you do not provide the required information (shown by a * symbol next to those items), your child will not be entered into the drawings, the entry form reads.

But the latest incentive has been criticized by some lawmakers, including Minnesota state Rep. Jeremy Munson, a Republican, who accused Walz of bribing children into taking a shot.

Gov. Walz is bribing children into taking a shot while incentivizing parents with a ridiculous chance of a lottery scholarship so they sign the permission slip, Munson told local Minneapolis media outlet Alpha News.

Congress has granted pharmaceutical manufacturers complete civil and criminal immunity from vaccine injuries and deaths. Nevertheless, Gov. Walz is trying to trick kids into getting a shot that President Biden has admitted could be harmful.
People gather for a special service of prayer and reflection at St. James Church in Sydney, Australia on December 19, 2014. (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

More Australians Now Regularly Attending Places of Worship

More Australians are now likely to regularly attend their place of worship compared to just prior to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to market researcher Roy Morgan.

The biggest increases come from millennials, with over 21 percent now reporting that they regularly go to church or my place of worship, up from 5.8 percent before the pandemic.

Millennials are now second only to Pre-Boomers (people aged over 75) for their regular attendance at church or a place of worship, Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine said. For many millennials, the pandemic has meant extended periods of working from home at the same time as taking care of primary school-aged children engaged in remote learning. This has clearly been a very challenging period for many young parents.

In contrast to millennials, the elderly aged over 75 reported a decline in regular church attendance, the only generation to reportedly do so.

Furthermore, there is now little difference between the number of men and women who regularly attend church, at 19 percent and 19.1 percent, respectively. Women saw a greater increase, up 4.1 percentage points during the pandemic, compared to men, up 1.2 percentage points.

Roy Morgan also found a significant difference in the church attendance changes between capital cities and regional areas.

Attendance at church and places of worship remain unchanged in country areas (15.5 percent). But it increased by 4 percent in capital cities to 21 percent, where the majority of extended lockdowns have occurred.

The states of New South Wales, Western Australia, and Tasmania saw the biggest increase, with Victoria the only state where regular attendance has decreased.

Although lockdowns have driven attendance in other states and capital cities, the extent of the lockdowns in Victoria, and especially the long second lockdown in late 2020, have prevented the rise in attendance seen elsewhere, Levine said.

Catholic Church spokesman for the Archdiocese of the Sydney, Michael Kenny, told The Epoch Times that while their churches were closed during the extended lockdown, they have seen very large numbers of people watching live-streamed masses.

Last Sunday, approximately 6,100 people watched the 10:30 a.m. mass, live-streamed from Sydneys St Marys Cathedral. The cathedral has a capacity of 1,200 people, so this may give you a sense of the higher numbers engaging with worship during the COVID-19 lockdown, Kenny said.

Levine said it would be interesting to see whether the attendance trends continue to increase or return to their previous levels.

The data is from Roy Morgans Single Source, an ongoing research program into consumer behaviour and attitudes that is conducted year-round, with interviews from over 50,000 people a year.
People stand along the banks of flooded Karnali river following heavy rains in Rajapur village of Bardiya district in Nepal on Oct. 20, 2021. (Krishna Adhikari/AFP via Getty Images)

More Than 100 Killed as Floods, Landslides Devastate Nepal, India

Post-monsoon rainfall has triggered landslides and flash floods in Nepal, killing at least 77 people over the last few days as rescuers on Wednesday recovered more than 30 bodies, authorities said.

Twenty-four deaths have been reported in the Panchthar district of east Nepal bordering India, 13 in neighboring, and 12 in Doti in west Nepal, interior ministry official Dil Kumar Tamang said.

Heavy rain has triggered flash floods and landslides in Nepal and neighboring India since earlier this week, leaving thousands of people displaced while damaging crops and properties. Excessive rain has caused a lot of damage in India, killing at least 46 people, officials said on Wednesday.

Commuters stand on a flyover on a flooded national highway after river Kosi overflowed following heavy rains near Rampur in Indias Uttar Pradesh state on Oct. 20, 2021. (AFP via Getty Images)

On Tuesday, 60 people in a landslide-hit village in the Baitadi district in west Nepal had been marooned by floods for two days, waiting to be airlifted.

About 60 people are awaiting rescue in Sigas Village Councils Dhungad village, we couldnt rescue them on Tuesday, said Mohan Adhikari, the districts chief officer, India TV-News reported.

The Nepal Army chopper couldnt carry out the rescue operation and the whole village, which has been surrounded by water from every side, has now turned into an island, the administrative officer explained.

A number of additional casualties were reported in multiple other regions of Nepal, including three people in Baitadi and two people in the Salyan district. The ministry said that 22 people have been wounded so far, and 26 remain missing.

Aircraft stand on the tarmac of a flooded domestic airport after heavy rains in Biratnagar, Nepal, on Oct. 20, 2021. (Lila Ballav Ghimire/AFP via Getty Images)

A man wades through the flooded entrance of a domestic airport after heavy rains in Biratnagar, Nepal, on Oct. 20, 2021. (Lila Ballav Ghimire/AFP via Getty Images)

Humkala Pandey, an official with Nepals disasters management division, said it is possible for the death toll to increase further in the coming days as it is still raining in many places.

Authorities said the government would provide $1,700 as a relief to the families of each dead victim and free treatment for the injured.

Television footage showed rice paddy crops submerged or washed away, and rivers sweeping away bridges, roads, houses, and the runway of an airport in the city of Biratnagar.

There are chances of heavy rainfall in some places and light to moderate snowfall in the eastern mountainous areas, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said in a forecast for the next two days.

Flash floods and landslides are common in Nepal and India during the monsoon season from mid-June through September.

Reuters contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Popcorn and Inspiration: Life of Pi: The Forging of Faith

September 28, 2012 | PG | 2h 7min

Life of Pi, director Ang Lees 3-D film from the same-titled 2001 best-selling novel, is a sort of mash-up of We Bought a Zoo, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Castaway, and Meet the Patels. Life of Pi is an enchanting coming-of-age story.

What Goes On

Theres an Indian boy named Piscine Patel. His family owns a zoo. His first name means swimming pool, in French, which naturally serves up a lot of teasing at school, so he changes it to Pi, and memorizes that entire famous mathematical number to prove it. But the other kids, of course, refuse to relinquish Piscine; its just too much fun to say, especially when you replace the e with a g at the end of it. Children are cruel.

Piscine Pi Patel (Ayush Tandon) explains his name to classmates in Life of Pi. (Rhythm & Hues/Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation)

Pi is a very earnest boy. A seeker. His father advises that he start with science, but Pis not having any of that. He experiments with Christianity, Buddhism, prays to Mecca, and so on. His family members chuckle at his existential queries on an ongoing basis.

(LR) Gita (Tabu), Ravi (Vibish Sivakumar), Santosh (Adil Hussain), and Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma) in Life of Pi. (Rhythm & Hues/Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation)

The family zoo has an adult Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Richard Parker? Yes. How can one not love a movie where the tiger is named Richard Parker?

One day, Pis dad feeds Richard Parker a live goat in an attempt to wake up his young, idealistic, pacifist son to the fact that not everything is peace and loveand that a tiger such as Richard Parker is not a friend of humans. Nature is cruel.

From India to Canada

Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma) and his girlfriend Anandi (Shravanthi Sainath) in Life of Pi. (Rhythm & Hues/Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation)

Pi loves a pretty girl. The family decides to ship from India to Canada. Pi is brokenhearted. Destiny is cruel. And then, as if Pi didnt have enough problems, the Japanese freighter with the family zoo on board capsizes in a storm. The only one surviving, in a lifeboat, is the 16-year-old formerly known as Piscine, along with a zebra, a hyena, an orangutanand Richard Parker.

The hyena that ate the zebra that later got eaten by Richard Parker the tiger in Life of Pi. (Rhythm & Hues/ Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation)

Pis Ark

And here, on Pis Ark, as he calls it, is where the fun begins. All of the above is quaint, cute, very whimsical, and a little bit magical. Let it be noted, however, that the whole opening credit montage, accompanied by shots of the familys zoo animals, is unfortunately accompanied by such cloyingly cutesy music that it nearly sinks the whole movie in sentimental treacle.

Richard Parker the Bengal Tiger would like to have Pi Patel for lunch, in Life of Pi. (Rhythm & Hues/ Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation)

Treacle notwithstanding, the entire midsection of the movie is brilliant. On the surface of it its a survival story of a boy and a tiger on a lifeboat, but ultimately, its an oceanic vision quest.

Whats a vision quest? Its the traditional boyhood-to-manhood rite of passage for most of the native tribes of the Americas. A boy at age 13 goes out into the wilderness or desert, alone, draws a 10-foot circle on the ground, and stays inside that circle (except for a latrine dug a ways off) for four days and four nights. Usually hes naked.

For modern folks who are now bringing this powerful life-tool back, naked just means: no phone, and therefore also no texting, talking on the phone, social media, YouTube, Google, music. No journals and writing utensils. No books. No tent, even. No food. Water. Gotta have a gallon a day of water. No distractions whatsover. But thats it. Just the quester and his/her inner demons and fears and addictions, sitting around having a chat for four days. Of course, some of todays starved-for-meaningful-experiences young gen Z-ers get out there and get naked for real.

Whats the ultimate purpose of a quest? Aside from toughening up from having to endure hunger, sleeping in the dirt with bugs crawling around in the night (and snakes) and inclement weather with no tent, the purpose of the quest is that it creates such a powerful alternative reality due to fasting and lack of creature comforts, that it can bring vivid dreams and hallucinations. Visions. These visions will enlighten the quest-er to what his or her lifes purpose and raison detre as an adult will be.

Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma) constructs a home away from home, in Life of Pi. (Rhythm & Hues/ Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation)

The Castaway Portion

This is the Castaway section, wherein Pi tinkers with a survival manual. He jury-rigs a second life raft out of lashed-together life jackets and spare oars so he can avoid Richard Parker. He rigs a sail and a sunhat. He learns to fish.

Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma) nets a fish for dinner in Life of Pi. (Rhythm & Hues/ Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation)

The thing of it is, hes got to feed Richard Parker. Tigers are powerful swimmers, and if Richard Parker gets hungry enough, hell leave the life boat and come for Pi on the raft, and Pi will immediately become like that other famous oceanic vision-quester, Jonah, except not in the belly of a whale. The constant vigilance is a blessing in disguise. As Pi wryly notes, Richard Parker keeps me alive.

Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma) and a fierce Bengal tiger named Richard Parker rely on each other for survival during their epic journey in the comedy/drama Life of Pi. (Rhythm & Hues/Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation)

The ocean set piece is breathtakingly beautiful. We see the moods of the ocean, from stormy ferocity to tranquil glassiness. We experience oceanic wonderment as the camera (and topnotch CGI) dip beneath the surface and show the marine life beneath the boat and raft.

Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma) reveling in the beauty of nature, in Life of Pi. (Rhythm & Hues/ Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation)

We experience flying fish, otherworldly phosphorescence, a lifeboat-dwarfing shark, and an unexpected, gargantuan, nighttime whale breaching. This is movie-making at its best; we are transported to another world.

Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma) on his hand-made life raft at night, in Life of Pi. (Rhythm & Hues/Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation)

Two Problems

One of the best things about Life of Pi is that its a powerful coming-of-age story. It demonstrates exactly how overcoming a life-threatening ordeal forges true manhood. The worst thing about the movie is that we dont get to see the finished product; we needed to witness that transformation and see the emerged man, with a face set in stone, with all traces of the boy gone forever.

But here, the sensitive boy remains in the end. Thats unsatisfying. However, he does leave us with a powerful messagethe vision of his quest: The act of life is about letting go, the former Piscine at one point says. When we can truly do that, God will save us from sharks, storms, tigers, a lack of potable water, and harm from any bugs crawling in our sleeping bags. That letting go includes letting go of fear. It is the forging of faith.

The second problem is the surprising question at the end about which story we prefer (the mention of which may be a bit of a spoiler). However, it must be said that if your answer is that you prefer the first story, because stories are always better with God in them, then this is suggesting that God is just a story that we prefer, and I personally have a problem with that. You may not.

Of course, it could also mean that we like it better because it is truer, but truth doesnt seem to be what the book and movie are about, and this results in an endingagain, for somethats as sour as the beginning of the movie is treacely sweet. All in all, though, Life of Pi comes down more heavily on the inspiring side.



Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma) doing a Buddhist mudra in Life of Pi. (Rhythm & Hues/Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation)

Life of Pi

Director: Ang Lee

Starring: Suraj Sharma, Adil Hussain, Irrfan Kahn, Tabu, Rafe Spall, Gerard Depardieu

Running Time: 2 hours, 7 minutes

MPAA Rating: PG

Release Date: Sept. 28, 2012

Rating 3.5 out of 5 stars
Navy Probe Finds Major Failures in Fire That Destroyed Ship

WASHINGTONA Navy report has concluded there were sweeping failures by commanders, crew members, and others that fueled the July 2020 arson fire that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard, calling the massive five-day blaze in San Diego preventable and unacceptable.

While one sailor has been charged with setting the fire, the more than 400-page report, obtained by The Associated Press, lists three dozen officers and sailors whose failings either directly led to the ships loss or contributed to it. The findings detailed widespread lapses in training, coordination, communication, fire preparedness, equipment maintenance, and overall command and control.

Although the fire was started by an act of arson, the ship was lost due to an inability to extinguish the fire, the report said, concluding that repeated failures by an inadequately prepared crew delivered an ineffective fire response.

It slammed commanders of the amphibious assault ship for poor oversight, and said the main firefighting foam system wasnt used because it hadnt been maintained properly and the crew didnt know how to use it.

The report describes a ship in disarray, with combustible materials stacked, scattered, and stored improperly. It said maintenance reports were falsified, and that 87 percent of the fire stations on board had equipment problems or had not been inspected.

It also found that crew members did not ring the bells and alert sailors that there was a fire until a full 10 minutes after it was discovered. Those crucial minutes, the report said, caused delays in crews putting on fire gear, assembling hose teams, and responding to the fire.

Sailors also failed to push the button that would have activated the firefighting foam system, even though it was accessible and could have slowed the progress of the fire. No member of the crew interviewed considered this action or had specific knowledge as to the location of the button or its function, the report said.

The report spreads blame across a wide range of ranks and responsibilities, from the now-retired three-star admiral who headed Naval Surface Force Pacific FleetVice Adm. Richard Brownto senior commanders, petty officers, lieutenants, and civilian program managers. A total of 17 were cited for failures that directly led to the loss of the ship, while 17 others contributed to the loss of the ship. Two other sailors were faulted for not effectively helping the fire response.

Adm. William Lescher, the vice chief of naval operations, has designated the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet to handle any disciplinary actions for military members. Its not clear if any have yet been relieved of command or removed from jobs as a result of the fire.

Sailors and Federal Firefighters combat a fire onboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on July 12, 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christina Ross/Getty Image)

But the report said failures of Brown; Rear Adm. Scott Brown, the fleet maintenance officer for the Pacific Fleet; Rear Adm. William Greene, the fleet maintenance officer for U.S. Fleet Forces Command; Rear. Adm. Eric Ver Hage, commander of the regional maintenance center; Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar, commander of Navy Region Southwest; Capt. Mark Nieswiadomy, commander of Naval Base San Diego; and Capt. Tony Rodriguez, commander of Amphibious Squadron 5, all contributed to the loss of the ship.

The report also specifically faults the ships three top officersCapt. Gregory Thoroman, the commanding officer; Capt. Michael Ray, the executive officer; and Command Master Chief Jose Hernandezfor not effectively ensuring the readiness and condition of the ship.

The execution of his duties created an environment of poor training, maintenance, and operational standards that directly led to the loss of the ship, the report said of Thoroman. And it said Ray, Hernandez, and Capt. David Hart, commander of the Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, also failed in their responsibilities, which directly led to the loss of the ship.

The report only provides names for senior naval officers. Others were described only by their job or rank.

More broadly, the crew was slammed for a pattern of failed drills, minimal crew participation, an absence of basic knowledge on firefighting and an inability to coordinate with civilian firefighters.

The ship was undergoing a two-year $250 million upgrade pierside in San Diego when the fire broke out. About 138 sailors were on board, and nearly 60 were treated for heat exhaustion, smoke inhalation, and minor injuries. The failure to extinguish or contain the fire led to temperatures exceeding 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas, melting sections of the ship into molten metal that flowed into other parts of the ship.

Due to the damage, the Navy decommissioned the ship in April. In August, Seaman Apprentice Ryan Mays was charged with aggravated arson and the willful hazarding of a vessel. He has denied setting the fire.

The blaze began in the lower storage area, which Mays duty station had access to, according to a court document. Investigators found three of four fire stations on the ship had evidence of tampering, including disconnected fire hoses, and highly flammable liquid was found near the ignition site.

Efforts to put out the fire were hampered because the ships crew and other outside fire response departments and organizations were not coordinated, couldnt communicate effectively, hadnt exercised together, and werent well trained, the report said.

The report was submitted by Vice Adm. Scott Conn to Lescher, who endorsed a number of recommended changes and improvements. The Navy set up a new fire safety assessment program that conducts random inspections, and has taken steps to increase training.

In addition, the Navy conducted a historical study into Navy ship fires. It found recurring trends associated with 15 shipboard fires over 12 years, including failures to comply with fire prevention, detection, and response policies. As a result, Navy leaders have taken other steps to increase safety.

By Lolita C. Baldor
Sailors stand on the deck of the new type 055 guide missile destroyer Nanchang of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy as it participates in a naval parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of China's PLA Navy in the sea near Qingdao, Shandong Province, China, on April 23, 2019. (Mark Schiefelbein/AFP via Getty Images)

New Index Highlights Chinas Expanding Military Capabilities, US Decline

The Heritage Foundation released its 2022 Index of U.S. Military Strength on Oct. 20, which found that the United States military was declining in its ability to perform its missions, largely due to aging resources and a lack of investment. It also found that China presented a major challenge to the continued military effectiveness of the United States.

China is the most comprehensive threat the U.S. faces, the report reads.

As currently postured, the U.S. military continues to be only marginally able to meet the demands of defending Americas vital national interests.

The document is the eighth edition of the annual index, which is designed to provide policymakers with an authoritative measure of the ability of the U.S. military to perform its missions, as well as to assess changes in the condition of the military year by year.

The Dragon Ascending

The index ranked China as a formidable threat, the highest of five possible values, and found that U.S. armed forces required more hard assets to successfully carry out their missions in the event of a war.

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, discussed the condition of the U.S. military and the rapid ascent of Chinas military at a launch event for the Index hosted by the Heritage Foundation, a Washington-based think tank.

Weve been through two decades of war, and weve worn everything weve got out, including manpower, Rogers said. China is in the middle of an unprecedented military modernization. I fear theyll leapfrog us in many advanced technologies like AI and quantum computing.

We know theyve done so with hypersonics.

Rogers noted the importance of Chinas reported test of a nuclear-capable hypersonic glide vehicle in August, apparently carried out unbeknownst to the U.S. intelligence community, and he said Chinas rush to reach nuclear parity with the United States could undercut security efforts globally.

We know the CCP is constantly studying our actions and looking for weaknesses, Rogers said. As the worlds sole superpower, we have to get in the race or we will lose the race.

Rogers further expressed a commitment to pursue funding for space-based platforms, unmanned assets, and a more distributed defense architecture, all of which would be necessary to confront the Chinese regime in a future conflict.

He said China was set to ascend from its position as a near-peer in space technologies to a full peer, capable of directly confronting the United States.

A Growing Threat at Sea

Chinas ambitions for space and its nuclear arsenal werent the only subjects raising concerns, however. The growing importance of U.S. naval capabilities was discussed at some length.

Dakota Wood, a senior fellow for defense programs at the Heritage Foundation and 20-year U.S. Marine veteran, underscored that Chinas naval forces now number about 360 vessels, significantly more than the U.S. Navys 297.

Wood, who edited the 2022 Index, also said that the growing threat of the Chinese navy was often obscured by a tendency to overemphasize U.S. big-ticket resources, such as its 20 aircraft carriers.

That tendency, according to Wood, was a mistake.

Oftentimes youll hear comparisons that the U.S. Navy has as many carriers as the next [so-many] countries combined, but only a percentage of that naval capability is available on any one day, and you have to take that and project that abroad, Wood said.

He noted that, though the United States has nearly 300 warships, only about a third of that force might be immediately available on any given day and that third is further spread across the entire globe.

In all, only about 60 U.S. warships are deployed in the Indo-Pacific region.

The majority of the Chinese fleet, meanwhile, is stationed within 300 miles of the country, and that number rises to more than 600 vessels if the Chinese coast guard and maritime militia forces are counted.

This means that, should a war break out in the Indo-Pacific, the United States would be starting at a sizeable disadvantage.

If our navy goes against Russia or China, its only a small percentage of ours against the totality of theirs, Wood said.

Youre at a six-to-one disadvantage before a conflict would even start. Is that reassuring allies? Is that deterring bad behavior from competitors who are looking at the aggression of Russia and China? Perhaps not so much.

Compounding this issue are two further variables: the age of the U.S. fleet and the geography of the Pacific region.

The index found that more than half of the ships in the U.S. Navy were over 20 years old and that current funding and building initiatives mean there likely wont be significant growth in the fleet for another 15 to 20 years.

In terms of geography, the United States also has to contend with difficulties posed by the tyranny of distance in the Indo-Pacific region, the index noted.

This predicament refers to the placement of Chinese and U.S. military resources in the region, which means that, in the event of war, China would be able to quickly amass a far larger force and provide that force with ground-based elements such as artillery or missile support. The U.S. Navy would lack this capability unless it were near an allied nation.
New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a press conference in New York City on June 11, 2019. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

New York Asks Court to Overturn Order Blocking COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Health Care Workers

New Yorks attorney general this week asked a federal appeals court to overturn an order thats blocking the states COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers.

U.S. District Judge David Hurd, a Clinton nominee, blocked the statewide mandate last week, ruling that the state officials named as defendants did not adequately explain why workers were denied religious exemptions.

The order in its original form said both medical and religious exemptions would be granted but the Public Health and Health Planning Councils adoption removed the latter form in its emergency rule that superseded a previous vaccination mandate.

This intentional change in language is the kind of religious gerrymander that triggers heightened scrutiny, Hurd wrote, granting a request from plaintiffs, 17 health care workers who sued over the order, to impose a preliminary injunction against it.

But New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, argued in the new filing that the emergency vaccination order barely recognized medical exemptions and is thus similar to pre-existing rules that require health care workers be vaccinated against measles and rubella.

The rule contains only a single exception to its requirements: a narrow medical exemption that is strictly limited in duration and scope, James wrote in the 137-page appeal.

That means the rule should be upheld under judicial precedence that recognizes religious exemptions are not required by the U.S. Constitution, James asserted.

Hurd cited a 2020 Supreme Court ruling that struck down a New York order limiting attendance at houses of worship in finding defendants did not explain why they removed the religious exemption piece between the original health order and the emergency rule but James said that doesnt apply because broad medical exemptions arent being allowed.

Contrary to the district courts conclusion, the presence of a narrow medical exemption does not preclude the emergency rule from being generally applicable for purposes of a Free Exercise claim. A policys provision of a secular but not religious exemption triggers heightened scrutiny only (a) when the secular exemption would undermine the purpose of the underlying policy to at least the same degree as any religious exemption, or (b) when a government decisionmaker has broad discretion to extend an individualized exemption to claims of religious hardship but chooses not to, James wrote to the appeals court.

Neither circumstance applies here.

Attorneys representing the plaintiffs declined to respond. A spokesman told The Epoch Times in an email theyre preparing a reply brief.

Oral arguments in the case are expected to take place on Oct. 27, according to the court docket.

Hurds order remains in effect, pending a ruling from the appeals court. Hurd wrote in his order that he recognized he may not have the final word in the case.

Because the issues in dispute are of exceptional importance to the health and the religious freedoms of our citizens, an appeal may very well be appropriate, he said.
Houseboats sit in a narrow section of water in a depleted Lake Oroville in Oroville, California, on Sept. 5, 2021. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images)

Newsom Extends Drought Emergency to Entire State of California

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation Tuesday to expand the states drought emergency to include the entire state following the second-driest year on record.

The proclamation (pdf) added the eight counties of Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, and Ventura to include all remaining counties in the state.

As the western U.S. faces a potential third year of drought, its critical that Californians across the state redouble our efforts to save water in every way possible, Newsom said in a statement.

With historic investments and urgent action, the state is moving to protect our communities, businesses and ecosystems from the immediate impacts of the drought emergency while building long-term water resilience to help the state meet the challenge of climate change impacts making droughts more common and more severe.

The governors press release noted August 2021 was the driest August on record, ending the past 12 months (recorded from Oct. 1 to Sept 30) as the second driest in the states recorded history.

The new order authorizes the states Office of Emergency Services to provide assistance and funding under the California Disaster Assistance Act to support the emergency response and delivery of drinking water and water for public health and safety.

Newsoms press release also noted his states Comeback Plan includes $5.2 billion over three years to support drought response and water supply assistance. The package includes $815 million for emergency drought relief projects.

The proclamation follows a July executive order by Newsom calling Californians to voluntarily reduce water usage by 15 percent from the previous year to protect water reserves.

The entire state is in a drought today, and to meet this urgent challenge we must all pull together and do our part to reduce water use as California continues to build a more climate resilient water system to safeguard the future of our state, Newsom said.

Were proud of the tremendous strides made to use water more efficiently and reduce water waste, but we can all find opportunities this summer to keep more water in reserve as this drought could stretch into next year and beyond, the governor added.

Newsom also expanded the drought state of emergency in July to include the nine counties of Inyo, Marin, Mono, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz. The move brought 50 of the states counties into the drought emergency order.

In May, Newsom expanded the previous drought proclamation to include Klamath River, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and Tulare Lake Watershed counties, moving the total to 41 counties under the emergency order.
Anchored ships wait to have their cargo unloaded at the Port of Los Angeles on Jan. 12, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Newsom Signs Executive Order Aimed at Alleviating Port Congestion

As Californias shipping ports congestion persists, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on Oct. 20 intended to alleviate the crisis.

The executive order aims to find state-owned land and various other areas to temporarily store goods once they are removed from the port. It also removes weight limits on trucking freight routes to transport more goods.

Californias ports are critical to our local, state and national economies and the state is taking action to support goods movement in the face of global disruptions, Newsom said in a statement on Wednesday. My administration will continue to work with federal, state, labor and industry partners on innovative solutions to tackle immediate challenges while also bringing our distribution processes into the 21st century.

As this executive order is effective immediately, a United States Merchant Marine Academy adjunct professor questions the efficiency of the governors plan and its long-term impacts.

We put off a lot of long-term improvements, and thats why we find ourselves in this situation now, Dr. Sal Mercogliano, told The Epoch Times. Theyre desperate to alleviate this but I dont know if its going to be alleviated.

While the state seeks to exempt weight limits for trucks to carry more items at a faster rate, Mercogliano foresees damaged roads from carrying heavy containers.

With the search for land to store goods in the short-term, finding open space in Los Angeles County becomes increasingly difficult, Mercogliano said.

Cargo that is temporarily stored on land must be in controlled environments where facilities are constantly working to move goods, according to Mercogliano.

As the executive order attempts to address the congestion by loosening restrictions, Mercogliano urged that even more must be considered.

California needs to lessen their restrictions, he said. Strict controls in those ports are diminishing the number of goods that are coming in. You have terminals in LA right now that cant bring any ships in because theres no room to put any containers on the ground.

The Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach is the entrance point for 40 percent of all the containers coming into the United States.
A new submarine-launched ballistic missile is seen during a test in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Oct. 19, 2021. (KCNA via Reuters)

North Korea Confirms Ballistic Missile Launch From Submarine: State Media

North Korea test-launched a new type of ballistic missile from a submarine off its eastern coast into the Sea of Japan on Tuesday, according to state media.

The state media report came a day after South Korean and Japanese officials said they believed Pyongyang had fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) at about 10:17 a.m. local time from the vicinity of Sinpowhere North Korea keeps submarines and equipment for test-launching the missiles.

The news prompted the White House to warn North Korea to refrain from further provocations. Press secretary Jen Psaki said on Tuesday that the United States remained open to engaging diplomatically with North Korea over its weapons programs.

Pyongyang so far has rejected those overtures, accusing the United States and South Korea of talking diplomacy while ratcheting up tensions with their own military activities.

According to the state media report from the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea test-fired a new, smaller type of SLBM from a submarine that was also used to test-launch another SLBM in 2016. The state news agency said the new missile had lots of advanced control guidance technologies.

KCNA released several photos showing a thinner, smaller missile than previously seen in the countrys SLBM designs. It featured advanced control guidance technologies including flank mobility and gliding skip mobility, the news agency said.

Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said initial analysis suggested that two ballistic missiles were fired. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that it was very regrettable that North Korea has carried out a flurry of missile tests in the past month.

[The SLBM] will greatly contribute to putting the defense technology of the country on a high level and to enhancing the underwater operational capability of our navy, KCNA added.

A source familiar with the matter told Agence France-Presse that the SLBM traveled around 590 km (365 miles) at a maximum altitude of about 60km.

Some of the weapons tests carried out by North Korea violate international sanctions. The United Nations prohibits North Korea from testing ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons, while North Korea says it needs to defend itself against possible invasion by the United States.

KCNA didnt specify whether North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended Tuesdays weapons test.

North Korea has a large fleet of aging submarines, but has yet to deploy operational ballistic missile submarines beyond the experimental Gorae-class boat used in the tests.

Diplomats told AFP that an emergency closed-door meeting will be held on Wednesday afternoon by the U.N. Security Council on North Korea, at the request of the United States and the United Kingdom.

Reuters contributed to this report.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks in Brooklyn, New York, on March 14, 2021. (Kevin Hagen/AFP via Getty Images)

NYC Expands Vaccine Mandate to All Public Workers, Ends Testing Option

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Wednesday that the city is expanding its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all city workers.

Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi plans to sign a Commissioners Order Wednesday to make the mandate official for the citys approximately 160,500 City workers.

De Blasio shared the details concerning the new vaccine mandate requirement during a press conference Wednesday morning.

He announced that city employees will receive an extra $500 in their paycheck after receiving their first vaccination shot.

Unvaccinated city employees will be placed on unpaid leave until showing proof of vaccination.

The mayor also confirmed in an interview with MSNBC that he will be ending the weekly testing option.

The deadline for the new mandate is Oct. 29 and includes all police, fire, and sanitation employees.

A reported 71 percent of New Yorks city workers have already received at least one shot, with 69 percent of police officers and 59 percent of firefighters.

Unions representing police officers said Wednesday they will sue to block the mandate.

New York Citys largest police union, the Police Benevolent Association, said getting vaccinated is a personal medical decision that officers should make in consultation with their doctors. The union represents police personnel with the rank of officerabout 23,000 people on active duty with the department.

Now that the city has moved to unilaterally impose a mandate, we will proceed with legal action to protect our members rights, PBA president, Pat Lynch, said in a statement.

The NYPD has about 34,500 uniformed personnel and about 17,700 people in non-uniformed support positions.

Many New Yorkers have protested the vaccine mandates. Opponents gathered at Foley Square in Manhattan to protest the requirement for New York teachers and other Department of Education staffers last month.

The mandate for city teachers was supposed to take effect on Sept. 27, but was temporarily blocked by a federal judge on Sept. 24. However, a federal appeals panel ruled in favor of the mandate hours before it was scheduled to begin.

The Epoch Times talked to some of the organizers of the protest.

The movement is growing, my numbers of followers keep going up and I have more people contacting me, asking me for help, said Jo Rose, co-organizer.

Its gonna continue to grow because there are people that are willing to lose their livelihood in order to keep their freedom.

Enrico Trigoso and AP contributed to this report.
Michael Molinaro is arrested by NYPD in lower Manhattan, New York, on Oct. 19, 2021 (Enrico Trigoso/The Epoch Times)

NYC Vaccine Mandate Leads to Arrest in Starbucks

MANHATTAN, New YorkA group of about 20 people gathered at Union Square on Oct. 19 and went to a nearby Starbucks to protest against the vaccine mandate imposed by Mayor Bill de Blasio, which requires restaurants to demand COVID-19 vaccination proof for customers who are to dine indoors.

The group was led by Matthew Grace, director of Medical Freedom Alliance, and Anthony Koz, who is the organizer of the groups sit-ins. They gather regularly at Union Square to protest at different restaurants and cafes, asserting that the mandates are causing segregation and that people should have the right to opt out of the shots from Big Pharma.

Some members of the group told The Epoch Times that their religion doesnt allow them to take the vaccine, others say they want their medical data to remain private, one objects to the use of animals for testing and/or production, and some believe there is a nefarious agenda to expand globalism behind the mandates.

At about 7 p.m., the protesters then went to a nearby Starbucks, ordered some food and drinks, and were turned down when they said they wanted to consume these indoors and were unable to show vaccination proof.

The group refused to leave and started chanting were not leaving without seating! and coffee on a Tuesday night has to be a civil right!

Anthony Koz leads vaccine mandates protesters at a Starbucks in lower Manhattan, on Oct. 19, 2021. (Enrico Trigoso/The Epoch Times)

Starbucks staff then notified police, of which at least five promptly came and started asking the protesters to leave.

Koz and Grace then talked to the officers, who clarified to them that they were not being kicked out due to the vaccine mandate, but rather because Starbucks was asking them to leave.

After being asked numerous times to leave, most of the protesters had walked out after about 8 minutes.

Matthew Grace talks to the NYPD during a vaccine mandates protest at a Starbucks in lower Manhattan, on Oct. 19, 2021. (Enrico Trigoso/The Epoch Times)

One of the remaining protesters, Michael Molinaro, 39, said, What about the 14th Amendment? I just want to read the 14th Amendment.

As he held a small copy of the United States Constitution and refused to leave, a police officer took him by the arm and started moving him toward the door.

As Molinaro was being pushed out by another officer, he fell to the floor.

He resumed reading the 14th Amendment, attempting to quote the passage, No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.

The police told him that if he refused to stand up and leave, they would arrest him.

When Molinaro resumed reading, one of the officers told him put everything down, youre under arrest! as the officers took the Constitution out of his hands and attempted to handcuff him.

Michael Molinaro reading the 14th Amendment while he is being arrested by NYPD in lower Manhattan, New York, on Oct. 19, 2021. (Arian Pasdar/NTD News)

Youre ripping the Constitution, Molinaro said, as one officer replied, Yes, I am.

Molinaro then struggled to pick up the Constitution and hold on to it while being cuffed, and held on to it after being handcuffed.

As he was taken to a police car, some protesters chanted Shame on you! and Hitler would be proud!

The Epoch Times reached out to the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information, and a spokesperson for the police sent the following statement:

A 37-year-old male complainant reported that the individual refused to leave the location. Officers ordered the crowd to disperse several times. A 39-year-old male refused to leave the location by laying on the ground and refusing to exit. While attempting to place the individual under arrest he refused to be handcuffed by placing his arms under his body.

Molinaro was charged with obstructing governmental administration, criminal trespass, and disorderly conduct.

The Starbucks manager declined to comment.

Michael Molinaro is arrested by NYPD in lower Manhattan, New York, on Oct. 19, 2021. (Enrico Trigoso/The Epoch Times)

Koz told The Epoch Times that they plan to continue the protests and that there will be a rally at 1 p.m. on Oct. 23, named We The People Will Not Comply in front of City Hall.

The mandates are not standing as long as we are here, Koz said.
Oil Drops as China Considers Intervention to Ease Coal Crunch

LONDONOil prices fell on Wednesday after the Chinese regime stepped up efforts to tame record high coal prices and ensure coal mines operate at full capacity as Beijing moved to ease a power shortage.

Brent crude futures dropped 73 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $84.35 a barrel at 10:03 GMT, paring a 75 cent rise in the previous session, but still lingering close to multi-year highs.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for November, which expires on Wednesday, fell 68 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $82.28 a barrel. The more active WTI contract for December was down 80 cents, or 1 percent, to $81.64 a barrel.

China is planning to take steps to combat the steep rises in the domestic coal market  which could put considerable pressure on the coal price there and reverse the fuel switch to oil, Commerzbank said.

Prices for Chinese coal and other commodities slumped in early trade, which in turn pulled oil down from an uptick earlier in the day.

The Chinese regimes National Development and Reform Commission said on Tuesday it would bring coal prices back to a reasonable range and clamp down on what it called irregularities that disturb market order or speculation on thermal coal futures.

Oil markets in general remain supported on the back of a global coal and gas crunch, which has driven a switch to diesel and fuel oil for power generation.

But the market on Wednesday was also pressured by data from the American Petroleum Institute industry group which showed U.S. crude stocks rose by 3.3 million barrels for the week ended Oct. 15, according to market sources.

That was well above nine analysts forecasts for a rise of 1.9 million barrels in crude stocks, in a Reuters poll.

However, U.S. gasoline and distillate inventories, which include diesel, heating oil, and jet fuel, fell much more than analysts had expected, pointing to strong demand.

Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration is due later on Wednesday.

By Ahmad Ghaddar
Clean up efforts are underway in Huntington Beach, Calif., to clean a massive oil spill the struck the coastline on Oct. 3, 2021. Oct. 5, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

OC Supervisors Continue Local Emergency Amid Oil Spill Cleanup Efforts

Orange County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 19 unanimously approved a continuation of the local emergency regarding the recent oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach, California.

The response to the coastal oil spill in Orange and San Diego County proceeds as the amount of estimated oil leakage dropped from 127,000 gallons to around 25,000 gallons.

Michelle Anderson, county director and emergency manager, stated at an Oct. 19 board meeting that over 5,500 gallons had been gathered off the coast along with 13.6 barrels of tar (571.2 gallons), and 475,000 pounds of oil debris.

At this point in time, we do recommend continuing the local emergency proclamation, Anderson said.

Anderson further advised the county to reach three benchmarks in its cleanup efforts before terminating the local emergency.

The first benchmark is included within the California Emergency Services Act regarding an ongoing availability of external resources responding to the oil spill. Since the spill occurred on Oct. 2, about 1,800 responders have provided assistance.

The second benchmark addresses the status of fisheries impacted by the spill, as they continue to remain closed until further notice.

Under the third benchmark, the Unified Command Incident Management Team will establish shore cleanup assessments, monitor local beaches, and note potential impacts of the spill. Long-term monitoring plans will be developed in the instance more oil washes ashore.

Anderson said businesses whose operations were impacted by the spill may be eligible to receive an economic injury loan through the Small Business Administration. However, the decision to provide aid to those businesses is still pending.

Supervisors Katrina Foley and Lisa Bartlett voiced their concerns regarding fisheries and impacted businesses, saying the livelihood of workers has been threatened.

Ive been concerned about our fisheries and our businesses that really rely on fishing, Foley said. Its lobster season; thats pretty much going to be wiped out for the most part.

As sampling proceeds up the coast to ensure sea life is safe amid a potential rise in toxin levels, Bartlett is optimistic fishermen will be back at work soon.

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, fishermen may receive clearance in the coastal area as soon as mid-November, Bartlett said.

Its affecting the lives of so many families out there that depend on their livelihood of being able to get out there and fish and catch the lobsters, Bartlett said. When things like this happen along the coast with the oil spill, its not just the impact of the cleanup and off of the mess that occurs, but also impacting peoples businesses and their daily lives.

Additionally, Foley requested a monthly tar report be submitted to assist the county in keeping track of the cleanup efforts.
Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz is shown in court at the defense table with his defense attorneys, Gabe Ermine, left, and David Wheeler at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Oct. 15, 2021. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel via AP)

Parkland School Shooting Suspect Nikolas Cruz Pleads Guilty to All Murder Charges

Nikolas Cruz, the accused shooter in the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, pleaded guilty Wednesday in a Broward County court.

Cruz pleaded guilty to 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder as a 19-year-old former student involved in the nations deadliest school shooting.

The accused shooter reportedly apologized after his pleas were entered.

I am very sorry for what I did and I have to live with it every day, Cruz said. And that if I were to get a second chance I will do everything in my power to try to help others  I have to live with this every day, and it brings me nightmares that I cant live with myself sometimes.

Prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty in the case. Under Florida law, cases involving the death penalty must be decided by a jury. Information regarding the upcoming penalty phase of the case has not yet been determined.

The mass shooting took place on Feb. 14, 2018, when Cruz returned to his former campus with an AR-15 rifle that ended in the deaths of 17 people before he was apprehended by law enforcement officials.

Reports later revealed Cruz legally purchased the rifle at the age of 18, then legal under state law. Shortly after the Parkland shooting, then-Florida Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican, signed legislation that raised the minimum age to purchase long guns to 21, along with additional safeguards to help prevent future shootings.

In a separate criminal case heard by the judge on Friday, Cruz pleaded guilty to all four charges of assault and battery on a law enforcement officer.

The alleged assault occurred during a jail attack on Broward County Sheriffs Sgt. Raymond Beltran in November 2018. The incident reportedly involved Cruz kicking and hitting the officer, as well as trying to take his stun gun.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-Fla.) has proposed a new bill this month in an effort to prevent school shootings called the School Shooting Safety and Preparedness Act. The legislation seeks to create a better definition of what qualifies as a school shooting, in order to increase research regarding school safety.

This bill would require the Department of Education to publish an annual report on indicators of school crime and safety.

The annual report would also collect specified information, including the number of school shootings that have taken place nationwide, the number that were mass shootings, the number and type of firearms and ammunition used in each shooting, and the response time of law enforcement, among other requirements.
The House of Commons in Ottawa on April 8, 202. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

Parliament Requires MPs to Be Vaccinated to Enter House of Commons

When the Parliament resumes on Nov. 22, only those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to enter the House of Commons precinct, the Parliaments Board of Internal Economy has decided.

Exceptions will be allowed for those with valid medical reasons, but they have to present proof of a recent negative COVID-19 antigen test result.

The restriction applies to members of Parliament, their staff, political research office employees, administration employees, journalists, parliamentary business visitors, contractors, and consultants.

The Board of Internal Economy is the governing body of the House of Commons and decides on administrative matters for the House. The board consists of nine MPs from all parties with official status, including five Liberal MPs, two Conservative MPs, one Bloc Quebecois MP, and one NDP MP.

The precinct will remain closed to the public, and those entering need to wear a mask, unless they are at a work station that allows for two-metres of physical distance.

Parliament is set to resume on Nov. 22, just over two months following the Sept. 20 election that gave the Liberals a second consecutive minority government.

With files from The Canadian Press
Peak Body Wants Queensland Businesses to Choose If They Refuse Entry to Unvaccinated

The peak industry body in the Australian state of Queensland has said that small businesses should be able to decide if its in their best interests to refuse entry to unvaccinated customers and staff.

This comes after the Queensland government outlined its plan to lift COVID-19 border restrictions incrementally for fully vaccinated residents once 70, 80, and 90 percent of the states population has been vaccinated.

It is expected that Queenslands border restrictions will begin to lift from Dec. 17.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) Policy and Advocacy Manager Cherie Josephson said it was important that businesses were able to choose to implement any new government measures and are not forced to comply with even more rules.

Businesses need to be empowered to plan their long-term recovery from the financial and emotional impacts of COVID and they dont need ambiguous rules to follow, especially if its not clear how it helps them or the wider economys recovery, Josephson said in a statement on Tuesday.

If refusing entry to unvaccinated customers is the right thing to do for the business and the wider economys COVID recovery, they need to be given resources to implement that change. But if its not in their best interests, they should be able to continue running their business.

Josephson wants the Queensland government to make it clear to businesses how they will support them if they choose to refuse entry to unvaccinated customers and staff in a bid to comply with COVID-19 safety plans.

This detail needs to be communicated clearly and effectively, and with clear guidelines outlining business rights, she said.

CCIQ has called on the government to provide incentives and support to businesses to comply with any new COVID-19 safety rules that might impact staff, customers, and the businesses bottom line.

Changes to rules and abilities mean different things to the hundreds of thousands of small businesses in Queensland still focused on making the day-to-day decisions to keep their business open in the short term, Josephson said.

These small businesses need the resources to make a decision now about what these new abilities mean for them so they can focus on getting back to business.

Meanwhile, Josephson said that hundreds of thousands of small businesses in Queensland are preparing for the Dec. 17 border opening date, calling it a light at the end of the tunnel.
SEPTA General Manager Leslie Richards speaks during a news conference as SEPTA Transit Police Chief Thomas Nestel III stands behind her on an El platform at the 69th Street Transportation Center in Philadelphia, Pa., on Oct. 18, 2021. (Tom Gralish/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

Philadelphia Subway Riders Witnessed Rape but Did Nothing, Police Say

The rape of a woman aboard a Philadelphia subway witnessed by as many as 10 passengers, some of whom appeared to film the attack, could have been stopped quickly if one had called 911, police said on Tuesday.

The woman was raped shortly after 9 p.m. on Oct. 13 on a train run by Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), which provides public transportation in Philadelphia, SEPTA Transit Police Chief Thomas Nestel III said.

As many as 10 people actually saw some part of the attack on this rider, Nestel said on Philadelphia radio station WPHT.

Describing police review of surveillance video, Nestel said, We were watching to see if somebody put a phone up to their ear indicating they might be calling 911. Instead, what we saw was people holding their phone up as if they were recording or taking pictures.

SEPTA issued a statement calling it a horrendous criminal act and urged anyone witnessing such a thing to report it to authorities by calling 911, pressing an emergency button on every train car, or using the authorities emergency safety app.

It may have been stopped sooner if a rider called 911, SEPTA spokesman John Golden said in a statement.

SEPTA and the Upper Darby Police Department, which is investigating the incident, did not immediately confirm other details of the incident reported by local media.

Surveillance video from the train car showed the woman attempted to rebuff her attacker, repeatedly pushing him away as he initially groped her and ultimately sexually assaulted her, local media reported.

One person finally alerted 911. It was that call by an off-duty SEPTA employee that quickly brought transit police onboard, allowing them to stop the assault and arrest the alleged rapist, SEPTA police said.

He was on top of our victim and committing the assault when they entered the train, Nestel said.

Fiston Ngoy, 35, faces charges of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, and other offenses, local media reported. Ngoy, who listed his address as a homeless shelter in Philadelphia, was held on $18,000 bail and was scheduled for an Oct. 25 court hearing, local media reported.

Ngoy claims the encounter was consensual, but the woman denies that, local media reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
Former Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, speaks at an event sponsored by the Hong Kong Freedom Beacon on Oct. 17, 2021 in San Jose, Calif. (Cynthia Cai/The Epoch Times)

Pompeo Calls for Hong Kongs Freedom, Criticizing the Chinese Communist Party

SAN JOSE, Calif.Hong Kong Freedom Beacon invited former Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, and senior policy advisor, Miles Yu, for an event at the Calvary Chapel to discuss the liberation of Hong Kong and call for an end to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

During the event, Pompeo said the CCPs Marxist ideologies are contrary to Chinese traditions. This is totally alien to historical Chinese culture. In fact, the Chinese Communist Party is not only the greatest foreign threat to America, it is the greatest threat to the 1.4 billion still living on the mainland there, he said.

He and other event speakers called out the CCPs strict internet firewall, lack of transparency, and encroachment on Hong Kongs autonomy.

The central thesis of the policy that we developed in the Trump administration was the recognition that the Chinese Communist Party does not represent those 1.4 billion people, stated Pompeo.

Senior policy advisor, Miles Yu, said, We had a China policy with an American attitude, based on American values.

Miles Yu, who served as senior policy advisor to Mike Pompeo, explained the threat of the CCP at an event in San Jose, Calif. (Cynthia Cai/The Epoch Times)

Yu explained that the United States needs moral clarity and to defend every human beings unalienable rights in order to address the threat of the CCP and its influence.

He described that, for the Chinese people living under the CCPs influence, freedom and justice do not exist.

Events Leading to the 2019 Hong Kong Protests

Hong Kong, a former British colony, has experienced multiple protests since the region was returned to China on July 1, 1997. After the handover, the United Kingdom and China signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which granted Hong Kong self-governance and a degree of autonomy for 50 years after the transition.

However, since the handover, the CCP has reportedly violated the Sino-British Joint Declaration on multiple occasions, leading to democracy protests over the years.

The most recent protest was in 2019. Hong Kong residents took to the streets to call on leaders to withdraw an extradition bill that would have allowed Hong Kong to transfer criminal suspects to not only Taiwan but also China to be tried for crimes. The proposed bill emerged from a murder case in 2018.

On Feb. 8, 2018, a young Hong Kong couple, Chan Tong-kai and Poon Hiu-wing, traveled to Taiwan for a vacation. On Feb. 17, 2018, Chan returned home alone. He later admitted to murdering Poon, his then-pregnant girlfriend, in Taiwan.

Because the murder took place in Taiwan, and Hong Kong and Taiwan lack an extradition agreement, Hong Kong authorities could not charge Chan with a crime. In May 2019, Hong Kongs government proposed the 2019 Extradition Bill, which sparked a series of protests across the region.

While protests are not new, the 2019 protests were the first time lawyers joined Hong Kong youth to speak out against the CCPs actions. Hongkongers say the bill would have increased the CCPs control over the region. Under the CCP, Chinas opaque court system has a 99-percent conviction rate.

The bill was eventually withdrawn on Oct. 23, 2019, but protests continued until Nov. 2020.

Founding of Hong Kong Freedom Beacon

The Hong Kong Freedom Beacon was founded by Elmer Yuen, a businessman from Hong Kong now living as a fugitive activist in the United States. Yuen understood the CCPs oppression after a meeting with a CCP official in 2019, during the height of the Hong Kong protests.

I was in Beijing exactly two years ago, and some official invited me to a barbecue in the suburbs of Beijing, explained Yuen. This official [was] from the Reform and Development Commission And he asked me, Whats happening in Hong Kong? What do the young people want? And I, of course, told him, freedom, rule of law, and democracy. Then he said, This is not real.

Yuen said that this was the moment he understood the CCPs oppression. I suddenly woke up. None of these communist people understand what [freedom] is, Yuen said.

Attendees at an event at the Calvary Chapel in San Jose, Calif. call for Hong Kongs freedom from the influence of the CCP. (Cynthia Cai/The Epoch Times)

He described that under the CCP, the idea of freedom is not taught in schools or discussed in society. Yuen said, The entire communist leadership, and the normal people, because they brainwash everybody, these universal rights does not exist.

Yuen worked as a successful businessman in Hong Kong for many years; however, after realizing the CCPs true nature, he began speaking out and defending Hong Kongs fight for freedom. He eventually moved to the United States to continue raising awareness of the situation in China.

I came to this country a year and a half ago, and I proposed to the U.S. Congress, to several congressmen. I said, These guys are criminals. For the last 70-some years, theyre criminals, because they dont have to follow the law. They use influence, they use money, and they can overcome everything.

Yuen explained that the concept of freedom does not exist under the CCP. There is no law. This whole thing about law is nonsense. There is no law; this whole thing is for show.

He said that many people have never experienced what freedom and rights are while under the CCP.

The speakers at the San Jose event encouraged countries to decouple with the CCP. They said people should be aware that protecting Hong Kongs freedom means protecting the freedom of people worldwide.
People stand for the national anthem at the end of a ceremony paying homage to Aristides de Sousa Mendes, at the National Pantheon in Lisbon, Portugal, on Oct. 19, 2021. (Armando Franca/AP Photo)

Portugal Honors Diplomat Who Saved Thousands From Nazis

LISBON, PortugalPortugal paid official homage Tuesday to Aristides de Sousa Mendes, a Portuguese diplomat who during World War II helped save thousands of people from Nazi persecution, by placing a tomb with his name in the countrys National Pantheon.

Leading Portuguese politicians and public figures attended the formal televised ceremony as the tomb was placed alongside other celebrated figures from Portuguese history at the landmark Lisbon building.

The speaker of the Portuguese Parliament, Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, said Sousa Mendes conduct lent prestige to Portugal.

People who at the decisive moment put their and their familys safety at risk for the greater good are rare. Sousa Mendes was one of those people, Ferro Rodrigues said in a speech.

The ceremony marked the completion of Sousa Mendes 80-year journey from ostracized Portuguese civil servant to honored international personage.

Perhaps Portugals most famous 20th-century diplomat, Sousa Mendes defied his superiors, including dictator Antonio Salazar, when as consul in Bordeaux, France, in 1940 he handed out visas to many people who feared being hunted down by the Nazis.

The Portuguese visas allowed people, including Jews, fleeing the Holocaust, to escape through neutral Portugal by air and sea to the United States and elsewhere.

The Portuguese diplomatic service was supposed to ask for the Lisbon governments specific consent to grant visas to certain categories of applicants, as the country trod a careful path of neutrality, but Sousa Mendes gave out visas on his own initiative.

Leah Sills, a board director of the Sousa Mendes Foundation in the United States, said she flew in for the ceremony to be able to honor the man that rescued my father and my grandparents on May 24, 1940.

Its been just a beautiful experience, she said.

Alvaro Sousa Mendes, a grandson of Aristides Sousa Mendes, said his family had seen an ambition fulfilled.

Alvaro de Sousa Mendes holds the Portuguese flag presented to him next to the plaque honoring his grandfather, Aristides de Sousa Mendes, at the National Pantheon in Lisbon, Portugal, on Oct. 19, 2021. (Armando Franca/AP Photo)

This was a ceremony we had been requesting for a long time, he said. Finally he was recognized  with National Pantheon honors.

Breaking the rules got Sousa Mendes fired from the diplomatic service, with public shame attaching to his family at the time. He died in poverty in 1954.

Decades later, he won recognition for his key role in saving people from the Nazis.

In 1966, Israels national Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem, recognized Sousa Mendes as a Righteous among the Nations.

Last year, he drew praise from Pope Francis, and last March the U.S. Senate in a motion saluted the humanitarian and principled work of Sousa Mendes.

It wasnt until the late 1980s that he earned recognition in Portugal, with authorities posthumously granting him accolades.

In 2017, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa bestowed Portugals highest honor, the Grand Cross of the Order of Liberty, on Sousa Mendes.

Last year, the Portuguese parliament voted to honor the former diplomat at the National Pantheon by placing there a plaque and a tomb without his body. Sousa Mendes wanted to be buried at his birthplace near Viseu, in northern Portugal.

Of the 19 historical figures entombed at the National Pantheon, 12 contain the persons remains.
Rare White Albino Wallaby Baby Peeks Head Out of Moms Pouch for First Time at Manhattan Zoo

Zookeepers in Manhattan got a surprise this summer when a white baby wallaby popped its head out of its mothers pouch for the first time ever.

Wallabies, a species of miniature kangaroo, are typically grey-brownish but are sometimes born with a condition called albinismwhich causes a melanin pigment deficiency, leaving their fur white and eyes pink.

Sunset Zoo staff decided to name the joey Bruny, after an island off Tasmania Down Under, where a family of 200 white wallabies flourish. Typically, albino wallabies have a tougher time surviving in the wild, as their pale color makes them more noticeable to predators. The island of Bruny, however, is free of such predators, allowing the marsupials to live in peace.

Bruny the albino wallaby joey at Sunset Zoo in Manhattan, New York. (Courtesy of Amelia Jerome/Sunset Zoo)

Head keeper Savannah Brethauer said staff believe Bruny was born in December 2020 and started peeking out of the pouch in Julyafter the other, normal-colored joey Arlo emerged.

Although its common for zoos in Australia to intentionally breed for the recessive trait in wallabies, purposefully breeding albinos is not permitted by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in the United States, including Sunset Zoo in Manhattan, said Rob Vernon, AZA senior vice president for communications and strategy. Sunset Zoos albino is an accident of nature.

(Illustration  Thomas Marx/Shutterstock)

Its really nice getting to see their personalities now that they are fully out of the pouch, their Keeper Amelia Jerome said. We have never had two joeys at the same time so it will be fun to see them play and interact with each other.

Its not yet known whether Bruny is a male or female, but the joey has been nursing occasionally from its mom while nibbling on leaves, kangaroo chow, sweet potatoes, apples, and lettuce.

Bruny and Arlo are kept company in the zoos Walkabout exhibit by three adult wallabies, including its mom, Jeri, Arlos mom, Dolly, and dad, Irwin.

(Illustration  Thomas Marx/Shutterstock)

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Epoch Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
Outspoken political commentator Ezra Levant arrives at the Law Society of Alberta in Calgary, Alta., on March 2, 2016. (The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh)

Rebel News Asks Court to Quash Fines for Violating Election Law on Third Party Ads

Rebel News Network is asking a court to quash $3,000 worth of fines levied against the right-wing media outlet by the commissioner of elections.

The fines were imposed earlier this year after an investigation by the commissioners office into thousands of lawn signs erected by Rebel News during the 2019 federal election campaign ostensibly to promote a new book by Rebel founder Ezra Levant.

The signs urged people to buy the book, entitled The Libranos: What the media wont tell you about Justin Trudeaus corruption.

The signs featured the books cover arta drawing of Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, surrounded by some ministers and top advisers, that was made to resemble promotional art for The Sopranos, the popular early-2000s television show about the mafia.

Elections commissioner Yves Cote concluded that the lawn signs constituted election advertising since they were clearly intended to oppose a registered party and its leader in the midst of the campaign.

Consequently, Rebel was fined $1,500 for failing to register as a third party during the campaign and another $1,500 for failing to include a legally required tag line on the lawn signs to identify who was behind them.

However, in an application to the Federal Court for judicial review of the fines, Rebel News Network argues that Cote has incorrectly applied the law regarding third-party advertising, which specifically exempts the promotion of a book that was planned to be made available to the public regardless of whether there was to be an election.

Moreover, it argues that the book exemption itself is vague, ambiguous, and overbroad and imposes an unconstitutional limit on free speech guarantees in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

By suppressing and chilling legitimate expression, the book exemption undermines the democratic election process in the name of protecting it, Rebel says in the application.

Censoring political debate by intruding into a protected sphere of expression in the name of electoral integrity undermines the freedoms of belief, opinion, and expression without practical benefit.

According to the application, a report last January by the elections commissioners compliance unit concluded that the book exemption did not apply in this case because it seems clear the entire project was planned and executed in order to coincide with the 43rd general election.

The report noted that Rebel News had promoted distribution of the lawn signs on Twitter using the hashtag #elxn43 and had also referenced them in a video outlining the outlets plans for the federal election campaign.

Finally, lawn signs are not a usual method of promoting a book. They are, however, a staple of election campaigns, the report said.

In a subsequent notice of violation sent to the outlet in January, the commissioners office also said that Rebel News director admitted that the books launch had been timed to coincide with the general election.

It also said investigators found that thousands of lawn signs had been distributed and that Rebel had solicited donations to cover $15,000 in production costs and another $25,000 for salary and travel expenses for two individuals hired to drive across the country to distribute them.

Under law, a third party is required to register immediately after incurring $500 in election-related expenses.

Rebel News argues in the application that the promotion of Levants book fell squarely under the book exemption, that the book was planned well before a fixed election date and would be released whether there would be (an) election or not.

It contends that Cote misapplied the law, focusing on whether the book launch was timed to coincide with the election, not whether it would have been published regardless of the election.

The outlet further argues that Cote failed to exercise his discretion in balancing the application of the law with the need to protect fundamental rights and freedoms.

In any event, it maintains the book exemption is unconstitutional, empowering the state to punish individuals for exercising their freedom to express and share information, opinions, and beliefs during federal election campaigns.

Timing a book for an election-cycle release is standard marketing strategy in the publishing industry, the application argues.

Whether it would have been released regardless of an election is, in practice, unknowable, it adds.

No court date has been scheduled to hear Rebels application.

A lawyer for Rebel News referred to the court documents.

In the meantime, Veronique Aupry, spokeswoman for Cotes office, said the commissioner is not requiring Rebel News to pay the fines because the decision is under review before the Federal Court.
Senate Minority Leader McConnell (R-Ky.), center, speaks to reporters as other senators stand by, in Washington on Sept. 22, 2021. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Republicans Filibuster Democrats Election Bill

Republicans successfully filibustered the Democrats Freedom to Vote election bill Wednesday, denying the legislation the 60 votes needed to move on to floor debate.

The bill would have created new requirements for groups to disclose information about their donors, named Election Day a national holiday, and created federal standards for voting by mail, early voting, and voter ID.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) criticized the Republican vote, saying I wanna be clear about what just happened. Every single Republican senator just blocked this chamber from having a debate on Americans rights to free and fair elections.

The results of the vote are unsurprising, as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) made clear that his caucus would not support the bill. The Kentucky Republican on Tuesday reported his hope and anticipation that the bill, which he decried as an effort to have the federal government take over how elections are conducted all over America, would fail to win Republican support.

Since they took control of the government, Democrats have insisted that voting rights are under assault across the nation as states strengthen their voting laws. These critics claim that laws to bolster voter ID requirements or to limit absentee voting disproportionately affect minorities, an argument that the Supreme Court rejected in 2021 (pdf).

Republicans, for their part, have expressed concerns about the threat of election fraud after inconsistencies in the 2020 election left many skeptical. Others, like McConnell and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), have emphasized the importance of allowing states to control their own elections rather than the federal government intervening.

This bill, the latest among a wave of election bills proposed by the Democrats since January, was crafted as a compromise election bill led by moderate Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).

However, Senate Republicans have long made clear that they are unanimously opposed to federal election reform. Despite some hopes that Manchins compromise bill could draw the 10 needed Republicans across the aisle, Republicans unanimously united against the bill.

Schumer and other Democrats applauded the bill.

On Twitter, Schumer wrote that the bill would fortify our democracy, protect the vote, and renew the American peoples trust in our elections.

Democrats are ready to have this debate right now, Schumer told reporters Tuesday. The legislation is a bill that every Senate Democrat is united behind, enthusiastically.

Before the vote, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) asked Republicans to at least consider the motion and not to use the filibuster, which he called the weapon of Jim Crow.

The failure of this compromise bill is likely to rekindle cries among Democrats to change or abolish the filibuster. These cries have echoed across the Democratic caucus since taking the majority.

Durbins association of the filibuster with Jim Crow has been often restated by his colleagues, who have demanded an end to the process.

In an interview, Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) said that election bills deal with constitutional rights and should not be subjected to a filibuster. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), who introduced a separate election bill earlier this year warned in an interview with CBS that it would be election Armageddon if the rules about the filibuster are not changed. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) voiced support for changing or removing the filibuster, saying that at some point you gotta get things done.

However, others in the caucus, including the bills prime negotiator, Manchin are opposed to this course.

Manchin has in the past promised to defend the filibuster, rejecting efforts by his party to eliminate or neuter the parliamentary process. Another key moderate, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) has said much the same, calling the filibuster a tool that is key for protecting the rights of the minority party in the deliberative upper chamber.

While he has championed his partys election bills, President Joe Biden has also rejected any effort to eliminate the filibuster, but he has shown himself open to reforming the process.
Ridley-Thomas Suspended From Los Angeles City Council

LOS ANGELESCity Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas was suspended from office by a divided Los Angeles City Council on Oct. 20, shortly before hes scheduled to be arraigned on federal bribery and conspiracy charges stemming from his time serving on the county Board of Supervisors.

Councilmen Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Curren Price, and Mike Bonin opposed the suspension. Bonin urged the council to not consider the suspension on Oct. 20, saying it was too early and that the council hadnt considered the full range of options, as the indictment is only a week old.

Having read this indictment, having known Mr. Ridley-Thomas for 30 years, I think it is important to give him the benefit of the doubt and the opportunity to defend himself before we rush to judgment, Bonin said. For me, that 30-year career certainly justifies giving Mr. Ridley-Thomas the benefit of the doubt, hearing his defense and letting this be adjudicated before we rush to judgment and conduct what really is a political conviction.

Bonin added that the suspension would be disenfranchising the 10th district, which voted Ridley-Thomas into office last year. Harris-Dawson added that many constituents already knew about the allegations against Ridley-Thomas and voted for him anyway, as did members of the LA City Council, many of whom endorsed Ridley-Thomas.

Price said before the vote that his office has been inundated with calls of support for Ridley-Thomas from South LA residents.

I choose to operate from a position of fairness, respect, and decency, and I refuse to slaughter the reputation of someone whos got a 40-year track record of dedicated public service, Price said.

He added that the charges dont involve Ridley-Thomass work for the city.

The motion to suspend Ridley-Thomas was introduced on Oct. 19 by Council President Nury Martinez and seconded by Councilman Mitch OFarrell, the council president pro team.

The trial on the indictment has yet to take place and a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty; however, a council member who has been charged with public corruption cannot continue to exercise the powers of city office and preserve public trust, the motion stated.

Ridley-Thomass lawyer Michael Proctor told City Attorney Mike Feuer in a letter that theres no legal basis for suspending the councilman, and he would explore any and all legal action challenging a suspension.

Simply put, there are no allegations that involve Council member Ridley-Thomass work as a city official, Proctor wrote in the letter. The charges against Ridley-Thomas stem from his time on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Los Angeles City Hall on Nov. 17, 2018. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Ridley-Thomas said in a statement after his suspension that he was humbled by the support of my colleagues who did not rush to judgment and disappointed in those who did.

He accused the other 11 council members of stripping his constituents of their representation, of their voice and of their right to the services that they deserve.

He also reiterated that he would fight the charges and clear his name.

LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva claimed that Ridley-Thomass indictment was further confirmation of the LA Board of Supervisors corruption in his weekly social media livestream on Oct. 20.

They say this famous phrase, fish rots from the head down, and Ive said that the LA County Board of Supervisors is the most corrupt government, local government entity in the entire nation, Villanueva said. And I stand by that as the assessment. This only is a further confirmation of that.

Villanueva said in the sheriffs department, employees suspected of a crime are typically relieved of duty while that crime is being investigated.

You dont get to continue doing your job, he said. You get indicted, then youre relieved of duty without pay.

The West Area Neighborhood Development Council, which is part of Ridley-Thomass district, declined to give an official statement on the matter.

However, community activist Gina Fields, who is chair of the West Area Neighborhood Development Council, said individually that she thought Ridley-Thomas shouldnt be suspended from his position before hes found guilty.

Fields said that in the last nine months, Ridley-Thomas has worked with District 10 to house dozens, especially in impacted areas such as Leimert Park and Crenshaw Manor.

[The district] has been very responsive, weve been doing monthly meetings with Ridley-Thomas and his team to try to assist the unhoused to try to improve the businesses that are in the area, to give them a boost economically post-COVID. Theres been so much great and positive activity, Fields said.

She said that removing Ridley-Thomas from office before anything has been resolved poses a challenge to the community because we dont want the good work to stop. We need to keep moving on and especially during this time of the redistricting, and all the challenges with that, we need a councilmember who could still speak on our behalf and work on our behalf.

Im not here to say whether hes innocent or guilty, Fields said. I dont know. But I think just like everyone else deserves their day in court, he deserves due process, and no judgment should be made, his job should not be taken, his health care and pension should not be taken, his salary should not be taken until, or if, theres a conviction, then those decisions can be made. But [not] right now, while hes stating his innocence and fighting this mighty battle.

Los Angeles City Hall on March 24, 2018. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Los Angeles Controller Ron Galperin said on Oct. 19 that pending the councilmans suspension, he will cut off Ridley-Thomass salary and benefits.

Ridley-Thomas announced on Oct. 18 that while he refuses to resign his seat, he was stepping back from his council duties and would not be attending full council or committee meetings.

Ridley-Thomas is scheduled to be arraigned on Oct. 20, although hes expected to attend the downtown federal court hearing virtually.

Ridley-Thomas, along with a former University of Southern California (USC) dean, was indicted on 20 counts of bribery and fraud on Oct. 13.

In 2018, Ridley-Thomas, 66, who then served on the LA County Board of Supervisors, allegedly conspired with Marilyn Flynn, 83, former dean of the USC School of Social Work, to provide Ridley-Thomas son, Sebastian, 34, with graduate school admission, a full-tuition scholarship, a paid professorship, and a mechanism to funnel Ridley-Thomas campaign funds through the university to a non-profit to be operated by the relative, according to a statement by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Central District of California.

In exchange for his sons admission, Ridley-Thomas, in his role as a county supervisor, allegedly steered new contracts that would generate millions in new revenue for the school, according to the U.S. Attorney statement.

While Mark Ridley-Thomas is scheduled to be arraigned on Oct. 20, Flynn is not set to be arraigned until Oct. 25.

City News Service contributed to this report.
A voter signs-in to cast his ballot at the San Diego County Registrar of Voters in San Diego on Oct. 5, 2020. (Sandy Huffaker/AFP via Getty Images)

San Diego County Supervisors Adopt Regional Voting Model

The San Diego Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a regional model Oct. 19 that will allow residents to receive a vote-by-mail ballot, and replace traditional polling locations with regional vote centers.

Board Chairman Nathan Fletcher made the proposal for the regional model, which is outlined in the California Voters Choice Act (CVA). He thanked his colleagues for their support.

Our democracy is stronger when more people participate in our elections, and todays action helps us drive closer to achieving that goal, Fletcher said. Establishing regional vote centers and expanding the use of mail-in ballots will remove barriers to voting, make voting more convenient and ensure all voters can participate in fair, accurate, and transparent elections.

The changes will be in effect for the June 2022 gubernatorial primary election. All active voters will receive a ballot with pre-paid postage, which can be returned by mail, at drop-off locations or the vote center. Vote centers will be open for four days including Election Day, and some vote centers will be open up to 10 days prior to Election Day.

Vote centers can also offer replacement ballots, language assistance, and same-day voter registration.

Supervisor Jim Desmondwho said he previously suggested vote centers, especially for unincorporated areassaid that because everyone receives mail-in ballots, the proposal was kind of moot at this point.

Desmond said he hopes there will be enough voter center locations to benefit everyone, and added that community outreach is needed to address the concerns of skeptical residents.

Everybody needs to figure out how this is going to work, Desmond said.

Fifteen California counties, representing nearly 50 percent of California votersincluding Los Angeles County and Orange Countyhave already moved to the vote center model.

The Secretary of State has confirmed 10 additional counties that will transition to VCA in 2022. These include Alameda, Kings, Marin, Merced, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Ventura, and Yolo counties.

The 25 counties that have already transitioned or will transition to the VCA in 2022 represent a total of 13,604,289 registered voters, or nearly 62 percent of California voters, as of Aug. 31.

During Tuesdays meeting, Fletcher and other supervisors said there must be robust public outreach so residents understand exactly how the regional model works.

Supervisor Nora Vargas said that the last two electionsin which many voted by mail due to the COVID-19 pandemicshowed the regional method was successful.

Other counties that switched also saw higher rates of voter participation by all groups, said Vargas, who said the regional method was also a racial justice and civil rights issue.

In the coming months, the county Registrar of Voters will hold public meetings and workshops to educate residents.

Helen Robbins-Meyer, chief administrative officer, said it was very important that public outreach also include redistricting mapswhich are being redrawn in conjunction with the 2020 U.S. Censusso people understand who their new representatives are.
San Diego County Updates Policy For Placement Of Sexually Violent Predators

SAN DIEGOThe Board of Supervisors unanimously approved strengthening the county policy on the placement of sexually violent predators by verifying state compliance and a better communication system on Oct. 19.

Based on a proposal by Supervisors Joel Anderson and Jim Desmond, the board:

Directed county departments to review and verify that the Department of State Hospitalsand its conditional release program contractorcomply with all applicable state and local laws, and other requirements when searching for and securing housing for sexually violent predators conditionally released into the county; and

Directed Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer to develop a communications plan so county staff have a transparent notification process for, and receive public feedback on, any proposed placements of sexually violent predators.

Earlier this month, supervisors unanimously voted to oppose any further placements of sexually violent predators until local jurisdictions are able to fully participate in the placement process, including having full veto authority.

Supervisors also asked Robbins-Meyer to send a letter communicating the countys position to the California Department of State Hospitals and other relevant agencies.

The boards actions follow a since-withdrawn proposal to release sexually violent predator Douglas Badger to a home in the Rancho Bernardo neighborhood, a move strongly opposed by area residents.

After Tuesdays vote, Anderson said he was grateful to his colleagues for helping me ensure county staff plays an active role in holding the Department of State Hospitals and its agents accountable, and ensure no corners are being cut during this process.
Alec Murdaugh awaits the beginning of his bond hearing in the Richland Judicial Center in Columbia, S.C., on Oct. 19, 2021. (Lewis M. Levine/AP Photo)

SC Attorney Alex Murdaugh Denied Bond on $3 Million Theft Charges

COLUMBIA, S.C.A judge denied bond Tuesday for a prominent South Carolina attorney who has become embroiled in two multimillion-dollar insurance fraud cases months after he found his wife and son dead in their home.

The judge said Alex Murdaughs considerable financial resources and mental instability appear for now to make it too risky to allow him to await trial outside of jail on charges he stole $3.4 million in insurance money meant for the sons of his housekeeper.

The ruling means weeks, if not months in jail for the 53-year-old man who inherited part of a legal operation in tiny Hampton County, South Carolina. Murdaughs father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all elected prosecutors. The familys law firm, located in the most impressive building in town after the courthouse, has spent a century winning multimillion-dollar verdicts.

Still unsolved is what started the legal problems and at least six state investigations into Murdaugh and his family back in June: the deaths of his wife and son, who were found shot multiple times outside their home.

Defense attorneys asked Circuit Judge Clifton Newman to release Murdaugh on his own recognizance, as a different judge had in September on charges that he tried to arrange his own death to obtain a $10 million insurance policy. Prosecutors asked for a $200,000 bond and GPS monitoring for the latest charges, obtaining property by false pretenses.

Im not satisfied as to his mental condition, Newman said, adding that he needed more information. He said he would reconsider his decision after receiving it.

One of Murdaughs attorneys, Dick Harpootlian, said after the hearing that therapists at the drug rehab centers in Georgia and Florida where Murdaugh spent the past six weeks will send their records to a local psychiatrist, who will prepare a report for the judge, hopefully within a week.

We understand the judges concerns about Alexs mental condition. Were more than happy to comply with his request, Harpootlian said, adding of Murdaugh, He seemed much more clearheaded today than Ive ever seen him.

Harpootlian and Murdaughs other attorney, Jim Griffin have said he is dealing with crushing grief and guilt after finding his wife and sons bodies. Murdaugh has adamantly denied having anything to do with their deaths and no one has been charged.

The latest charges against Murdaugh involve insurance payments that were supposed to go to the sons of his longtime housekeeper Gloria Satterfield, who died in 2018 a few weeks after falling at the familys home, investigators said.

No autopsy was performed, and a coroner said her death was improperly described as natural on her death certificate. State police said Tuesday in court that they are still investigating the circumstances of her death. Murdaugh denies having anything to do with her death, Harpootlian said after the hearing.

Murdaugh told Satterfields sons he would help them get insurance settlements for her death, recommending they hire attorney Cory Fleming without telling them Fleming was a family friend, according to a lawsuit filed by the sons.

Murdaugh negotiated more than $4 million in payments, then had the checksminus fees and attorney paymentssent to a fraudulent bank account, investigators said.

A lawyer for the sons said they havent seen any money from the settlements.

He stole. He is a liar and a cheat, attorney Eric Bland told the judge Tuesday.

South Carolina Assistant Attorney General Creighton Waters said Murdaugh quickly took the money and put it in his personal accounts.

He had been carrying a $100,000 credit card balance for months, Waters said. That gets paid off. He writes 300 and some odd grand to his father. He writes a check for 610 grand to himself. He writes a check for 125 grand to himself. Not a dime goes to this family.

Waters asked for a $200,000 bond and GPS monitoring, saying, A man who is a danger to himself is a danger to others.

Harpootlian and Griffin said Murdaugh needs more treatment for an opioid addiction that has lasted for more than a decade.

Hes not going to run, Harpootlian said. Thats not where he is now.

Griffin argued that the Alex Murdaugh who is not hooked on drugs has lived a good, fruitful lifea law-abiding life.

Only when he got hooked on opioids did things turn south and he truly regrets his conduct, Griffin said.

Murdaugh has been in jail since his arrest Thursday at a drug rehab center near Orlando, Florida.

The housekeepers insurance isnt the only six-figure case being investigated by state police. Murdaughs former law firmfounded by his great-grandfather a century agohas accused him of stealing possibly millions of dollars.

Prosecutors hinted at Tuesdays hearing that Murdaugh has turned over all his affairs to his surviving son and in recent weeks sold a boat and property in Beaufort County in what they said might be an attempt to hide money from at least three ongoing lawsuits.

Each charge of obtaining property by false pretenses carries a sentence of up to 10 years. The three felony charges from the botched attempt to arrange his own death could bring up to 20 years in prison if hes convicted.

Murdaugh continues to insist he had nothing to do with the June deaths of his wife, Maggie, 52, and their son Paul, 22. Murdaugh said he returned to their rural Colleton County home to find them shot to death. Tight-lipped state police have neither named any suspects nor ruled anyone out.

In addition to all of the other cases, state police are looking into whether Murdaugh has connections to a 2015 hit-and-run death and whether he or other family members tried to obstruct the investigation into a boat crash involving Paul Murdaugh that killed a 19-year-old woman in 2019. Murdaugh also denies any wrongdoing in these cases, Harpootlian said Tuesday.

The Murdaugh family has dominated the legal community in Hampton County for nearly the past century. Murdaughs father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were elected prosecutors and their prestigious law firm became known for suing railroads.

By Jeffrey Collins
School Board Meetings Show Only That Freedom Is Messy

Commentary

PITTSBURGHTwenty years ago, Paul Carson said he never would have hesitated to speak out at a school board meeting about any issue affecting his childrens education.

But one day, that changed. I just dont do it, Carson told me. A physician who practices medicine in an urban Pittsburgh hospital, Carson said it has nothing to do with his being 20 years older. It has everything to do with the culture we are navigating.

Anyone, he said, can take a video of what you say, edit it to his or her advantage, then post it on social media. Or they can just simply claim on social media that you are racist or extremist because you express an opinion outside the sensitivities of the cultural curators who define what is acceptable and what is not in our country.

When Carson used a media platform in discussions about school district issues, as he did last year when the children in the Pittsburgh public schools went for months without in-person education, he said he had to be profoundly cautious in expressing his views.

School board meetings have been around forever, and they have always had the potential to become raucous. I remember attending them with my mother as a teenager, then as a mother myself when my children were young. I also had to attend a few as a reporter for the local newspaper I worked for at the time. Emotions often ran high, as they should when childrens welfare is involved. Good parents never lose sight of the fact that the people who educate their children spend more of the day with them in a classroom setting than parents themselves do. Emotions also ran high when new buildings were proposed, which always eventually meant higher taxes.

I have often told young reporters that if they want to see firsthand the most important political process in the U.S. system, they should turn off cable news, get off the iPhone, turn their eyes away from Washington and cover a local school board meeting.

No one should accept threats or physical violence at a school board meeting or anywhere else. But such conduct is fortunately rare. The question today is, can we trust our government to distinguish between the actual threat of violence and the passionate expression of viewpoints by parents?

That question became a reality this week when Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a memo suggesting a nationwide federal crackdown on parents at school board meetings. And the answer from parents like Carson is, Absolutely not.

Garland made his decision under pressure from the National School Boards Association. Its interim director responded by saying Garlands memo sends a strong message to individuals with violent intent who are focused on causing chaos, disrupting our public schools, and driving wedges between school boards and the parents, students, and communities they serve.

Freedom is messy. Our discussions about things that matter to us, such as our children, are chaotic, disruptive and, yes, divisive. They drive wedgesthats a feature, not a bug.

In the past few months, parents across the country have become frustrated with extremist curriculum choices that their school boards are making. In response, they have done what Americans have done for generationsshow up at school board meetings to voice their concerns.

In many cases, their concerns cross traditional political, racial, and socioeconomic lines and are at odds with the Biden administration.

Garland is now using the FBI against parents on the grounds that school board members feel threatened. But what does threatened look like? Is it someone yelling at you? Disagreeing with you? Holding an opposing opinion? Who is defining those threats?

This memo wasnt just designed to target those who would commit violence. It was also clearly designed to stop regular people with real concerns from voicing those concerns because of the fear anything they say will deem them a domestic terrorist, which would destroy their personal, community, and professional lives.

It is downright chilling to think that there are parents out there who are worried that they are going to end up on a government list or under some type of government scrutiny if they decide to go into a school board meeting to give a public comment on an issue.

Eighty years ago, dairy farmer Jim Edgerton stood up at a town hall meeting in his hometown of Arlington, Vermont, to voice his disagreement with the town councilors decision to build a new school. Edgerton was the only person at the meeting or in town who objected to the proposed building.

His opposition was mostly unremarkable, but he held his ground, nonetheless. No one would have known about it had not Norman Rockwell, a newcomer in town, been there.

As he watched Edgerton exercise his freedom of speech, the famous illustrator of Americana could not stop thinking about the State of the Union address President Franklin D. Roosevelt had delivered on Jan. 6, 1941, in which he warned that the values and liberties the public took for granted were under attack. Rockwell would go on to illustrate that moment, making Roosevelts words relatable by depicting them in use in small-town America.

It is inconceivable that the federal government today wants to squash that freedom through vague rules and intimidation. Garland seems to be making the calculation that the Jim Edgertons of this world will cower under the concern the government is watching them.

In the beginning, maybe they will. But in the long run, the air of intimidation probably wont last. There comes a point when those feeling the threat go from being on the fringe of society to being the majority.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Bales of illicit cocaine and marijuana aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James. (Screenshot/U.S. Coast Guard)

Senegal Seizes Record 2 Tons of Cocaine Off Atlantic Coast

DAKARSenegal seized more than two tons of pure cocaine from a ship off its Atlantic coast, the navy said on Tuesday, in the West African countrys largest ever cocaine bust.

The 2,026 kg of cocaine was found on a ship 226 miles off the coast by naval forces backed by air support from the French air force, the navy said in a statement.

The ship had five crew members aboard, it added.

Drug smugglers typically use West Africa as a transshipment point for cocaine en route from South America to Europe.

In January, authorities in neighboring Gambia seized nearly three tons of cocaine from a shipment of industrial salt originating in Ecuador.

Morocco police on Monday seized one ton and 335 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a container ship in Tangier Med Port.

By Diadie Ba
Two police officers talk with a detective as they investigate a shooting, in Chicago on Aug. 20, 2021. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Several Sheriffs Wont Send Deputies to Chicago Amid Vaccine-Related Police Staffing Shortage

Several suburban Chicago sheriffs announced they will not send deputies to Chicago to deal with possible staffing shortages over vaccine mandates.

Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain, a Democrat, told The Chicago Tribune that he doesnt feel like the onus is on us to go in there in an emergency situation that was created by poor government and a lack of support the officers receive.

A statewide law enforcement coalition sent a notice, known as the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS), to its members, encompassing a number of different statewide law enforcement agencies, said ILEAS Executive Director James Page in an interview with Officer.com

But the ILEAS typically responds to emergency situations where there is no opportunity for planning, Hain said Tuesday. This situation to me is much different.

Kendall County Sheriff Dwight Baird, a Republican, issued a similar comment to the newspaper, saying Democrat Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot created a self-induced emergency by issuing vaccine mandates for the Chicago Police Department and other city workers.

And DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick said that potentially replacing unvaccinated Chicago officers with unvaccinated deputies from nearby counties makes little sense.

It doesnt make sense to say I only want my residents touching vaccinated people, but Im going to send all these potentially unvaccinated people from other municipalities to replace them, Mendrick told the outlet.

Its like a preplanned police shortage, he also said, adding that the lack of logic is the thing that astounds me.

And Hain also told other media outlets that he doesnt want to send his deputies to Chicago who will potentially have to use force in the city under the prosecutorial jurisdiction of the Cook County states attorney.

It just seems to be a wild card without a clear understanding of what is reality and what is not, Hain remarked. I have a great deal of faith in our states attorney here and I understand how she would review a case, but in Cook County, how does Jussie Smollett get so much attention and get released, but a police officer gets charged with excessive use of force and aggravated battery?

Amid an escalating war of words with Chicagos police unions, Lightfoot has said that officers who do not submit to the citys vaccination mandate for its staff, including officers, can be terminated. The deadline for vaccination was Oct. 15, and officials told local media that only about 64 percent of Chicago police had reported their vaccination status.

What weve seen from the Fraternal Order of Police, in particular leadership, is a lot of misinformation, a lot of half-truths, Lightfoot told reporters on Monday, claiming the union is attempting to trigger an illegal work stoppage.

During a news briefing Monday, Democrat Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker told reporters that the state police could be requested if needed, adding that he could deploy the National Guard if a serious emergency arises over a lack of policing.

The Chicago mayors office and police department have not returned requests for comment.
Shipping containers wait to be transferred from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on Oct. 14, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Shipping Containers From Stranded Ships Abandoned in California Neighborhoods

Shipping containers stranded for weeks at sea are now reportedly being abandoned in California neighborhoods.

Anaheim Street in Los Angeles has become one of the locations where an overflow of empty containers now line local streets, as nearby UCTI Trucking deals with more than they can handle under the local ports 24/7 operations.

Its a bunch of neighbors that are very upset because its a non-stop issue, local resident Sonia Cervantes told CBSLA. Cervantes also said a container had blocked her car at one point.

UCTI Trucking owner Frank Arrieran addressed the situation, as the company experiences massive overflow to its usual 65 container spaces.

Right now with the ports and everything thats going on over there were stuck with the containers, having to bring them all to the yard, and we only have so much space, Arrieran told CBSLA.

Arrieran hopes to strike a deal with local officials to access more space to meet the growth in operations.

As of Tuesday, 100 container ships were reportedly waiting to unload in the Los Angeles Port. Industry leaders claim the backlogs are partly due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The growing supply chain issues have led some to label it a crisis. Republicans have spoken out for more from the Department of Transportation, while President Joe Biden addressed plans to improve shipping.

Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) said there is more that the Department of Transportation can and should be doing to help address ongoing supply chain issues related to the pandemic, in a statement to the Washington Examiner last week.

The supply chain crisis led Biden to make new announcements last week to address congestion at some of Americas ports.

After weeks of negotiation and working with my team and with the major union and retailers and freight movers, the Ports of Los Angelesthe Port of Los Angeles announced today that its going to bebegin operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Biden announced.

This follows the Port of Long Beachs commitment to 24/7 that it announced just weeks ago, he added.

Biden called the effort a first key step to improving the nations supply chain.

The presidents speech also announced the expansion of shipping companies to meet the growing demands.

Additionally, FedEx and UPS, two of our nations biggest freight movers, are committing today to significantly increase the amount of goods they are moving at night. FedEx and UPS are the shippers for some of our nations largest stores, but they also ship for tens of thousands of small businesses all across America, he added.
Dozens of parents and students rally in response to the statewide school walkout to protest Californias COVID-19 vaccine mandate for schools in front of the Bonita Unified School District building in San Dimas on Oct. 18, 2021. (Linda Jiang/The Epoch Times)

Southern Californians Join Statewide Walkout to Protest School Vaccine Mandate

In response to a statewide school walkout to protest Californias COVID-19 vaccine mandate for schools, dozens of parents and students in Southern California rallied in front of the Bonita Unified School District building in San Dimas on Oct. 18.

Despite the rain, parents arrived as early as 8 a.m., holding up signs with slogans such as My Child My Choice, My kids wont be part of your science experiment, and Dont mandate uncertainty.

As parents, we are concerned, we dont want that to go now to the childrens level, Alayna Nord, a mother in La Verne, told The Epoch Times.

Were really concerned about the legitimacy of this vaccine and it has not been tested, she said. These kids are still getting the other mandated vaccines that are part of the process. What does that do to what your immune system normally does? How does it interact with these other vaccines? All those things take time. I dont want my kids to be experimental test tubes.

On Oct. 1, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California students in public and private schools will be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to attend in-person classes when the vaccine receives full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for grades 7 to 12, making California the first state in the nation to announce such a measure.

Freedom of Choice

Nord, who brought her two children with her, said she believes in freedom of choice and treatment based on each persons individual scenario. Parents are not stupid, they take the advice of their personal medical physicians that know their childrens bodies inside and out, she said.

She strongly disagrees with those who claim unvaccinated kids pose danger to vaccinated ones.

If youre vaccinated, arent you protected? Isnt that the point of a vaccine? You could still spread it even if youre vaccinated, so I dont see the logic behind the foundation because it doesnt make sense, Nord said.

Safety Concerns

Robyn Walker, another parent, shared his concerns about safety, citing CDCs data on deaths and serious adverse effects from the vaccine.

So why would we want to experiment with this on our children? he asked.

From Dec. 14, 2020 to Oct. 6, 2021, CDCs Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) received 8,638 reports of death among people who received a COVID-19 vaccine.

High school teacher Alicia Campopiano said she defies the mandate because many teenagers developed rare heart problems after receiving vaccination. According to the CDC website, as of Oct. 6, VAERS has received 1,640 reports of myocarditis or pericarditis among vaccinated persons aged 30 and under, mostly in male adolescents and young adults.

So I would definitely not allow my children to receive a vaccine that could damage their heart for a long term, Campopiano said.

The vaccine mandate makes it very difficult for children with chronic medical conditions.

Aaron, who will soon turn 12, told The Epoch Times, I have a heart condition, and I want to live. If I take the vaccine, I will have side effects and then I will be very sick.

Patricia Antunez, Aarons guardian, said that this is why she and Aaron both oppose Californias mandatory vaccination order. He doesnt want to go to home school, he wants to go to school. Thats just not fair to the kids who have problems, she said.

Bonita Unified School District did not respond to The Epoch Times request to comment by press time.

Several parents at the rally told The Epoch Times that they had contacted the districts Board of Education to voice their concerns, but the response they received was disheartening.

According to Campopiano, the Board of Education said the situation may get worse if students do not comply.

Parents indicate that they will continue to attend school district meetings and make appeals.

If theres one thing we can all unite and stand together on is protecting children, Nord said.

The statewide school walkout on Monday was so far the largest protest in the state after Newson announced the vaccine mandate.
The Spotify logo is displayed on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York on April 3, 2018. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters)

Spotify to Hire Hundreds to Drive Ad Sales in Europe, Australia, Canada

STOCKHOLMSpotify is planning to hire hundreds of staff to boost its advertising sales in Europe and elsewhere, as the music streaming service looks to increase revenue from customers who dont pay a monthly fee but make up the bulk of its user base.

We are increasing our ads business marketing workforce by over 70 percent in Europe, Australia, and Canada  and thats off a pretty sizable base, Lee Brown, Spotifys head of advertising business, said in an interview.

Were investing in our advertising business. As far as a long-term strategy, I think gone are the days of advertising being less than 10 percent of our overall revenue.

Spotify has also hired an ad industry executive with 25 years of international experience to lead international sales, Brown said, though he did not give a name.

The company, which earns income from paid subscriptions and by disseminating ads to non-paying users, saw its advertising business return to growth this year after being hit by the pandemic.

Of its 365 million monthly active users, 210 million are ad-supported, bringing in about 12 percent of its total revenue.

An ad not only creates revenue for the firm, but it also lowers costs, as it leads to fewer songs being played and, in turn, modestly lower royalties to be paid, Morningstar analysts said.

A surge in podcast contentSpotify carried 2.9 million podcasts as of the second quarter, up nearly 12 percent from the previous three monthshas helped boost ad revenue, as podcasts pull in more users and, being longer, allow more time for ads.

The company is looking to add more tools for advertisers, and will make its podcast advertising and publishing platform Megaphone available in Germany, France, Spain, and Italy.

Megaphone, bought by Spotify last year, offers tools for podcasters to create ads for their own programs, for which they receive income, and to measure their reach. It currently hosts about a third of the top 200 shows on Spotify and Apple.

Spotify has been spending hundreds of millions to beef up its podcast business. Its competition with Apple has intensified after both launched paid subscription platforms for podcasters earlier this year.

The Swedish company is expected to overtake Apple in podcast listeners for the first time this year, according to research firm eMarketer.

By Supantha Mukherjee
Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Double Jeopardy Rule From Indian Country in Colorado

The Supreme Court has agreed to consider whether the Constitutions ban on double jeopardy bars the prosecution of a defendant in federal district court after he has been convicted in a Court of Indian Offenses.

In the case Denezpi v. U.S., Merle Denezpi first received a prison term of less than 5 months, but was later given a 360-month sentence for the same criminal act. The unsigned order, dated Oct. 18, didnt provide reasons for the decision, consistent with Supreme Court customs.

Courts of Indian Offenses are courts created by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, to administer criminal justice for those tribes that lack their own criminal courts.

The Double Jeopardy Clause in the Constitution forbids subsequent prosecutions in federal district court arising from the same set of facts. But under the dual sovereignty doctrine, which has been upheld by the Supreme Court, a second prosecution is allowed if the defendant was tried first in a state or tribal court.

The case goes back four years, when a BIA police officer arrested Denezpi and filed a criminal complaint with the Court of Indian Offenses of the Ute Mountain Ute Agency.

The charges against Denezpi, of Shiprock, New Mexico, resulted from a sexual encounter with a fellow member of the Navajo Nation that took place in July 2017 on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation in Towaoc, Colorado. Denezpi claimed that the encounter was consensual, but the female victim asserted that it wasnt. He reportedly threatened the victims life if she reported the assault.

He was charged in the local Court of Indian Offenses with making terroristic threats, false imprisonment, and assault and battery, in violation of the Ute Mountain Ute Code. In December 2017, he entered a so-called Alford plea in which he pled guilty to the assault and battery charge, but maintained his innocence. In exchange, the prosecutor dropped the other two charges. The court sentenced Denezpi to 140 days behind bars.

Based on the same underlying facts, Denezpi was then indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2018 on one count of aggravated sexual assault under 18 U.S. Code Section 2241. He was convicted in federal court and sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment in March 2019.

Then-U.S. Attorney Jason R. Dunn said at the time that justice was done.

Our office is committed to vigorously prosecuting crimes committed on the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation, Dunn said in a statement. Mr. Denezpi wrongly believed that he could commit a violent assault, silence the victim with threats, and lie his way out of accountability. Thanks to the work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, he was proven wrong.

But Denezpi is arguing that the Court of Indian Offenses, sometimes called the CFR court after the Code of Federal Regulations, is part of the U.S. government and that the double jeopardy rule precludes a second prosecution.

The charges Mr. Denezpi faced in the CFR courtcoupled with the manner in which those charges were resolvedfurther support a finding that the CFR court is a quasi-federal court for Double Jeopardy purposes, he argued in his petition to the Supreme Court.

The caption on the pleadings in the CFR Court, in this case, United States of America v. Merle Denezpi, supports the conclusion that the CFR Court is a federal court for purposes of double jeopardy analysis, the petition states.

All criminal complaints in CFR Court, including the one filed against Denezpi, are captioned United States of America v. [Name of Defendant].

Denezpi was twice prosecuted in the name of the United States of America for unitary conduct. The second prosecution should have been dismissed and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit erred in affirming that ruling, the petition states.

The Biden administration opposed Denezpis petition to the high court.

Petitioner does not dispute that if he had been prosecuted in a tribal court, there would be no double jeopardy concerns, the government stated in its brief in opposition. And his efforts to distinguish the prosecution here lack merit.

Acting U.S. Solicitor General Brian Fletcher didnt respond to a request for comment by press time.
Sydney Rail Workers Strike as People Return to Work and School

The Sydney rail network has been forced to run at 30 percent capacity after rail worker strikes caused disruptions to commuters travelling to work and school as lockdowns lift around the Australian city.

The Rail, Tram, and Bus Union (RTBU) scheduled the industrial action for Oct. 20 after senior management at New South Wales (NSW) Trains, and Sydney Trains continued to refuse negotiation meetings for wages and conditions.

We dont want to have to take any action, but rail workers have absolutely no choice but to try to make management listen to them, and industrial action is the only tool they have, RTBU NSW secretary Alex Claassens said.

Last month, rail workers were forced to take the step of stopping our train network for the first time in decades, out of sheer desperation at the complete silence and disrespect from the NSW government. Unbelievably, the silence and disrespect has continued.

Claassens said an increasing amount of the states public transport jobs were being privatised and axed. Members are refusing to work in any privately built trains on the network as a result.

All rail workers are asking for is safety and security for themselves and the travelling public, and for a halt to the silent sell-off of our rail network, he said.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet addresses media during a press conference in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 20, 2021. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

Premier Dominic Perrottet said he was disappointed by todays industrial action and the inconvenience it has caused for many people going back to work.

We believe that our wages policy here in NSW is fair and reasonable, Perrottet told reporters. This is at a time when over the last few months, weve had 250,000 people in NSW lose their job and not get paid at all.

Perrottet said after the difficult decision to pause pay last year, this years budget brought the public sector wage increase back to 2.5 percent, well above the private sector.

I ask all members of the public service to consider the fact they have secure work at a time when many people have lost their job, he said.

Sydney Trains CEO Matt Longland said he would be going back to the meeting table with unions.

The objective is to avoid further impacts of customers and get this negotiation back on track, Longland told Nine News.

NSW Transport has warned that running trains will stop at all stops, causing longer journey times. A limited number of busses will also replace trains on the Bankstown line and assist trains between Macarthur and Campbelltown.
Teaching Children to Recognize Propaganda

Commentary

When the pandemic hit, school went online and learning seemed to be thrown to the wind. As the pandemic stretched on, many teachers were loath to return to the classroom because of apparent COVID fears. Parents began to question whether teachers were really concerned about or eager to foster their childrens learning, especially as they could see the learning loss that was happening  or rather, the learning that often wasnt happening at all.

Such fears were groundless, according to Cecily Myart-Cruz, head of the powerful United Teachers Los Angeles union. Myart-Cruz scoffed at the idea of learning loss in a recent interview with Los Angeles Magazine, claiming: Its OK that our babies may not have learned all their times tables. They learned resilience. They learned survival. They learned critical-thinking skills. They know the difference between a riot and a protest. They know the words insurrection and coup.

To the discerning reader, its apparent that Myart-Cruz could have stated the above much more succinctly by saying, Our babies learned propaganda.

And in fact, they have been learning that propaganda for many years. Unfortunately, we looked away, convincing ourselves that such propaganda was only in big districts such as Los Angeles, or New York, or Chicago, not in our own local, Middle American neighborhoods. For years we kept our children in those schools, convincing ourselves they were safe, that their teachers and the curriculum they were studying were teaching them good things. That those good things would prepare them for living in the free world, able to embrace truth and recognize error immediately.

Given the accelerated rate of deception in society, it now seems clear that schools indeed didnt prepare children to recognize propaganda; instead, they were the ones that fed propaganda to children hook, line, and sinker.

The late author and historian Richard Weaver observed this phenomenon in a 1955 essay entitled Propaganda. Its tempting to say that the only final protection against propaganda is education, Weaver said. But the remark must be severely qualified because there is a kind of education which makes people more rather than less gullible.

Most modern education induces people to accept too many assumptions. On these the propagandist can play even more readily than on the supposed prejudices of the uneducated. It is the independent, reflective intelligence which critically rejects and accepts the ideas competing in the market place. Education to think rather than mere literacy should be the prime object of those seeking to combat propaganda.

Teach kids about logical fallacies and see how they you can spotwhether on television or in the classroom. (Halfpoint/Shutterstock)

Regardless of whether our children go to public, private, or homeschool, they will inevitably be exposed to propaganda. So how do we educate our childrenand our own selves in the processto think and wield the sword against this enemy? A few ideas come to mind.

First, train yourself and your children to explore both sides of an argument. For example, if you think the election was stolen, examine the arguments of those who agree with you, but also look at sources claiming to debunk such alleged conspiracy theories. Likewise, if you think the COVID vaccine is perfectly safe and cant understand why people wont take it, dig into some of the scientific studies and testimonies of those who have a wary view of it. Knowing what the opposition is saying will strengthen your own arguments and make it more difficult for people to accuse you or your children of being narrow-minded.

Second, look for logical fallacies in the information coming out of the television, the classroom, and the internet. The Fallacy Detective by Nathaniel and Hans Bluedorn is a fun way to introduce children to this subject. Once these fallacies are learned and digested, create a game by seeing how many fallacies your family can spot in a news report or a politicians speech.

Finally, expose children to the wisdom of the past. Just as those trained to detect counterfeit never accept fake money, but only the real thing, so we must only give our children good, high-quality reading material. Many of the books written today are filled with fluffy, politically correct drivel, but often books written in past decades are filled with messages promoting traditional values and solid character. Place these latter books in the hands of your children, and theyll soon sniff out and reject woke material.

Most modern education induces people to accept too many assumptions, Weaver said. Buck the trend and actively ensure your children reject the propagandistic assumptions they are taught at school and in society.
Tesla Cybertruck Prototype Spied With Side Mirrors, Possible Rear Wheel Steering

The Tesla Cybertruck is one of the most hotly anticipated electric pickups coming to market. And although deliveries have been delayed until 2022, there is still not much competition against Teslas uniquely designed vehicle.

When first unveiled, a few strange things were noted beside the odd shape. One of the most talked-about features was the lack of side rearview mirrors.

Now a video shared by Drive Tesla Canada shows a Cybertruck spotted in Atwater, California, about a two-hour drive from the Fremont factory. The truck is seen from a distance doing some driving in a parking lot. This Cybertruck has some never-before-seen features including side mirrors. The prototype version of the Cybertruck had side cameras in place of mirrors.

Another feature that seems to be visible is rear-wheel steering, which CEO Elon Musk said would be coming to the final production version of the Cybertruck. This will allow tighter turns for the large vehicle.

By Benzinga EV Insights

 2021 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
The CCPs Influence in Elite British Schools Is a Threat to Democracy

Britain and allies should legislate against schools selling out to China

News Analysis

Chinese affiliates of British schools are not upholding values such as democracy and human rights. They likely influence British classrooms more than the opposite.

With the worlds attention riveted on Chinas recent hypersonic missile test, a less dramatic but perhaps more consequential shift toward Beijings power is flying under the publics radar. In an article appearing in the Times of London titled, Top English private schools put Chinese communists on boards, investigative journalists Jacob Dirnhuber and Ben Ellery detailed the shocking extent to which individuals and organizations with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have infiltrated the worlds most elite schools, on the back of tens of million of dollars paid or loaned in licensing fees.

Elite primary and secondary schools attract pupils from around the world and include its wealthiest and most politically-influential families, which network and engage in business throughout the educational experience, producing friendships that last lifetimes. Their students are then tracked into top universities that provide onramps to influence leading governments and corporations globally.

Harrow School, which educated boys who became British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and King Hussein of Jordan, has a franchise in Hong Kong with a board that includes four senior CCP members, according to Dirnhuber and Ellery.

That Harrow educates impressionable children ages 11 to 18. The school accepts CCP members into its educational leadershipthis is unethical. But perhaps that was the Faustian bargain they made to get an interest-free loan of 22.5 million (about $31 million) for their Hong Kong campus.

In exchange for a 19 million ($26 million) donation, according to the authors, a Cayman-based company formed by the Chinese billionaire Daniel Chiu and Ian Taylor, a deceased Tory [conservative] politician, licensed the Harrow name. According to the Times, the independent governors include chairman of the One Country Two Systems Research Institute, a Communist Party-affiliated think tank that campaigns for closer ties between Beijing and Hong Kong, and Johnny Mok, a barrister who defended Hong Kong police against accusations of brutality in 2016.

CCP influence goes well beyond Harrow, according to the Times. Dulwich College, which educates children ages 0 to 18, has nine associated Chinese campuses, where it lists policies and procedures for turning children into party members.

A CCP party secretary and a businessman who provides Beijing with advice on Tibet are founding members of Westminster Schools primary Chinese campus. Westminster school in London likely dates to 960 A.D., and educates children ages 7 to 18.

The Shanghai affiliate of Shropshires Concord College is partnered with a businessman who has ownership in a supplier to the Chinese military, according to the Times. He is a commissioner of the All-China Youth Federation, which compels members to promote the reunification of the Motherland and hold aloft the banners of patriotism and socialism. Concord College educates children ages 13 to 18.

One might argue that these British schools are a positive influence on China, bringing much needed notions of democracy and free markets to its highly-censored educational system.

However, the idea is risible that a few British schools could make much ideological headway in China against the fully-entrenched and enforced principles of the CCP. Especially since Beijings new national security law, it is a criminal offense to be critical of China. Elite British school teachers are unlikely to risk their liberty by criticizing the Party in their Chinese or Hong Kong classrooms.

More likely, the CCP uses elite British schools to provide a patina of respectability and normality to its totalitarian worldview, and to socialize the children of elite Party cadre for politically delicate careers abroad.

The chair of Harrow International School of Hong Kong, for example, outlines on the schools website his philosophy to instill Hong Kong youth with a strong commitment, unity, and a sense of belongingness towards the Motherland.

The website of the main Dulwich-affiliated Dehong campus lists policies and procedures for turning children into members of the Chinese Communist Party, alongside articles announcing elections for a party branch secretary and propaganda committee member, according to the Times. Dehong claims that its Dulwich partnership will help students access top universities around the world, including the Ivy League, Cambridge, and Oxford, according to the authors.

Lang Shengs education arm runs Shanghai Concord while acting as an overseas admissions office for eight British independent schools, they wrote. Its website claims to have [sent] hundreds of outstanding students to prestigious private high schools in Britain and the US.

A teacher and her students in a class in England on Sept. 12, 2018. (Ben Birchall/PA)

To maintain revenues in China, British primary and secondary schools with lucrative Chinese affiliates will discourage critical voices of the CCP not only in China and Hong Kong, but in their British classrooms back home. The financial incentives to do so are powerful.

In total, Dirnhuber and Ellery tally 20 British schools that established international franchises, mostly in China, from which they garnered 67 million ($92 million) over 15 years. Thats a lot of money for cash-strapped schools, and a big feather in the cap of their principals who in large part justify their own high salaries by how much they can obtain in donations and outside revenues.

China is unlikely to continue lucrative relationships with British schools that lean forward to educate their students, even those back in Britain, on sensitive topics such as the Tiananmen massacre, the frequent Chinese military threat of a Taiwan invasion, or genocide against Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Falun Gong practitioners. Yet with the growing power of China, these issues are increasingly important to British citizens, and the citizens of Britains allies, including the United States and Australia.

The United States, Britain, Australia, and our allies around the world should immediately legislate against CCP influence in primary and secondary schools, remove the CCP-linked funding found there, and replace it with other private or state funding as necessary. While the extra funds are substantial to a handful of primary and secondary schools, they are pennies in our government budgets, and pennies well spent.

That our democratically-elected governments have not already taken stronger measures to protect our children, and children in China and its territories, from CCP influence under the name of elite British schools is unconscionable, and a dereliction of our collective duty to protect our democracies and fully present our democratic values to the next generation.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A medical assistant prepares to test a patient for the novel coronavirus in Woodbridge, Va., on April 15, 2020. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Three GOP-States May Lose Ability To Oversee Workplace Safety Regulations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said Tuesday three GOP-led states may lose the authority to oversee workplace safety, citing failures to adopt federal emergency standards for COVID-19.

OSHA, a regulatory agency within the United States Department of Labor, listed Arizona, Utah, and South Carolina as three states that have not accepted federal emergency temporary standards as a safeguard for COVID-19 or provided a sufficient alternative.

Of the 28 states or territories with OSHA-approved state plans, only three states have been notified of failure.

OSHA has worked in good faith to help these three state plans come into compliance, OSHA acting assistant secretary Jim Frederick told reporters. But their continued refusal is a failure to maintain their state plan commitment to thousands of workers in their state.

Emily H. Farr, South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation director, expressed disappointment in the news, according to the New York Times.

Farr said that the states regulations had proven effective as South Carolina has consistently had one of the lowest injury and illness rates in the nation.

In an Oct. 19 statement, Arizona governor Doug Ducey said that the move was nothing short of a political stunt and a desperate power grab.

Furthermore, Ducey said that the state had notified OSHA as early as July 16 that certain Arizona laws already complied with the ETS [Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard] only to receive a notification of failure two months later.

After informing OSHA that Arizona would promptly begin a rulemaking process to review the mandate, Ducey said OSHA is disregarding Arizonas commitment to allowing a public input process.

In a recent statement, Gov. Spencer J. Cox of Utah expressed disappointment in OSHA and its assertion that Utahs State Plan is less effective than the federal program.

The Healthcare ETS would place an unfair burden on the healthcare industry, added Cox. Our states do not have regulatory authority to require employers to pay their employees sick leave.

OSHAs announcement of compliance failures followed Bidens Oct. 12 submission of the vaccine mandate, which demands private companies with 100 employees or more to show proof of vaccination from each worker or make them get tested for COVID-19 once a week.

Just last week a Department of Labor spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email that OSHA had been working expeditiously to develop the mandate, which it described as an emergency temporary standard.

Since then several Republican attorneys general have threatened to take legal action against the COVID-19 vaccine mandate enforced upon the private sector.
Passengers alight the train at Wynyard station on May 25, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. Additional security and marshalling staff will be on hand at major Sydney transport hubs as schools return to regular full-time lessons and business reopen as New South Wales continues to relax COVID-19 restrictions. (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Train Derails in Australia After Collison, Four Injured

Four people have been injured after an early morning commuter passenger train derailed after crashing into an abandoned car on the tracks on the NSW South Coast line.

The crash happened on the same day the NSW rail network is already crippled by a strike affecting up to 70 percent of the citys trains.

Police said the crash happened just after 4 a.m. on Wednesday at West Dapto Road at Kembla Grange.

The train struck the unoccupied car that was on the tracks, which sent the first carriage catapulting off the tracks.

It landed on the side behind the Kembla Grange railway station.

NSW Ambulance said four crews were dispatched to the scene to attend to 11 people on board at the time of the derailmentnine passengers, the driver and a guard.

The train driver was trapped for a short period and was among four people who were taken to Wollongong Hospital with minor injuries and in a stable condition

A man called Nick who was on the train on his way to Sydney has told radio 2GB he was lucky not to have been injured.

It was like being on a trampoline. (We were) just bouncing up and down, he said.

Police established a crime scene and are investigating, with help from Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink.

We are working closely with NSW Police who have established a crime scene, and emergency services who are on-site, a spokesman said.

Thankfully there havent been any serious injuries but two customers and two crew have been taken to hospital with minor injuries.

We would like to thank the first responders for their assistance responding to this incident and helping our customers and staff.

The crash has inflicted substantial damage to the overhead wiring and associated infrastructure, which is likely to have impacts on services for the day.

Buses are replacing trains between Albion Park and Wollongong in both directions, and a shuttle train service is operating between Albion Park and Kiama.

Commuters are advised to change trains at Wollongong or Albion Park to complete their journey.
Transit Strike Could Force Philadelphia Schools Back to Remote Learning, District Official Warns

The School District of Philadelphia is warning parents that it might be forced to revert back to 100 percent virtual learning if workers providing transportation for students and teachers go on strike.

In a letter sent to parents Monday, Superintendent William Hite said that Transit Workers Union Local 234 has voted to authorize a strike. The unions contract with Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will expire on Oct. 31, meaning that a strike could occur on Nov. 1, if a new contract agreement cant be reached by then.

Some 60,000 Philadelphia students rely on SEPTA for daily commute, as do many teachers and staff members, Hite said, adding that a nationwide driver shortage is already disrupting his districts operations.

The School District of Philadelphia is not directly involved in these contract negotiations, he said. However, it is clear that a SEPTA strike would have a devastating impact on the operation of our School District and our ability to sustain in-person learning five days a week for all studentssomething we all worked extremely hard to make happen for all students this school year.

Hite then called on SEPTA and its labor union to reach a non-strike resolution to keep the schools open.

While I respect the right of any union member to advocate for themselves, it is my greatest hope that this strike can be avoided so that we can continue to keep our schools open and best support the social, emotional, and academic needs of our students without additional disruption, he said.

In a statement released last week, Local 234 condemned SEPTAs latest four-year contract offer as an insult to our intelligence. Specifically, the union accused SEPTA of offering no guaranteed wage increases, turning seniority into a good attendance award, replacing operators with autonomous vehicles, removing current no lay-off clause, and refusing to bargain on parental leave.

The union also expressed frustrations with the Democratic majority on the SEPTA board, saying that the Democrats are not delivering their promises to the workers who helped them get elected. This is unfortunate, it said.

Meanwhile, SEPTA said it has offered a short-term deal that includes pay increases and other benefits, as well as a long-term proposal that would address future uncertainties.

We have to find a way to provide fair wages and benefits to employees, while also facing the challenges ahead, SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch told local NPR station WHYY, adding that the agency is relying on federal aid money to stabilize operations.

SEPTA continues to lose approximately $1 million a day in revenues due to sharp declines in ridership, and with more employers embracing telework as we move into recovery, we know that ridership will not return to where it was in February 2020, he said.
Kwasi Kwarteng, Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy, holds a discussion with Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen on the second day of the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, on Oct. 4, 2021. (Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)

UK Government Rejects Calls to Reintroduce COVID-19 Restrictions

The UK government has rejected calls for COVID-19 restrictions to be reintroduced, saying that the number of hospital admissions and deaths are much lower than they were at the beginning of the year.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the National Health Service Confederation, which represents the entire health care system in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, urged the government on Oct. 19 to implement the so-called Plan B, a backup strategy that involves measures such as vaccine passports and mandatory face coverings in public places.

It is time for the government to enact Plan B of its strategy without delay, because without preemptive action, we risk stumbling into a winter crisis, he said. Also, health leaders need to understand what a Plan C would entail if these measures are insufficient.

But business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng told BBC Breakfast on Oct. 20 that the return to normal life had been very hard-won and that the government doesnt feel that its the time for Plan B right now. He told Sky News that discussions of more lockdowns or restrictions on holidays are completely unhelpful.

Despite apparently rising case numbers in the country, he said the critical thing is about hospitalizations and deaths.

Thank God, those figures are much, much lower than they were, certainly, at the beginning of the year, Kwarteng said.

Professor Stephen Reicher, a member of the Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours, which feeds into the governments Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), said the prospect of further lockdowns couldnt be discounted.

But Kwarteng told Sky News that he would rule out a further lockdown.

Throughout this process, thereve been people saying the lockdown was unnecessary. There have been other people saying we should continue the lockdown, he said, stating that the UK government had plotted a path between those two extremes.

Kwarteng said the UK has got the fastest-growing economy in the G-7, because of the governments success in rolling out the COVID-19 vaccines and reopening the economy.

Downing Street said on Oct. 19 that the government had no plans to use the contingency measures set out in its strategy to contain the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus during the winter season.

There are a number of different factors that would play into that decision, Prime Minister Boris Johnsons official spokesman said.

Largely, it would be required when there was a significant risk of the NHS being overwhelmed. We are not at that point.

PA contributed to this report.
Union Pacific Sued by Unions Over COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

Union Pacific and rail union members are suing each other in court over how the company should implement a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for its 31,000 employees.

Union Pacifics unions argue that the railroad giant needed to first negotiate with them before it announced earlier this month it would require all its workers to get the vaccine. In a lawsuit of its own, filed last week, Union Pacific said that it has the authority to mandate the shots.

The railroad said that it would mandate all its workers to get the vaccine by Dec. 8 to comply with President Joe Bidens Sept. 9 announcement requiring all federal contractors to get the vaccine. Meanwhile, it is simultaneously offering $300 bonuses if employees get the vaccine.

This action is necessary to prevent any disruption of the national rail network and to avoid any impact on Americas supply chain, as it continues to recover from the pandemic, the firm said in a statement on Monday. We continue to work with our employees and their union representatives as we comply with the law. We look forward to the courts help in that effort.

Union Pacific filed its lawsuit against the unions in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on Friday to prevent them from going on strike or taking other actions to affect the companys operations.

The railroad, in the suit, said that it has an implied right to set fitness for duty standards includes the right to require employees to comply with the requirements of the mandate. Union Pacifics position is supported by decades of past practice, and is, at a minimum, not frivolous or obviously insubstantial, it said.

It came as the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD) filed a suit in the Illinois court.

We generally support our members getting the vaccine. However, we have several objections to UPs unilateral implementation of their policies mandating them and illegally dealing directly with its represented employees. The members of our Unionsincluding members who already are vaccinatedare irate over UPs outrageous conduct, said SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) in a statement announcing the suit.

The union contends that federal law prohibits railroads from changing their rates of pay and working conditions during negotiations with unions. It said that contract discussions have been ongoing between the unions and Union Pacific since November 2019.

Over the past two weeks, the Union Pacific Railroad seems to have forgotten that it is not Walmart. The railroad has unilaterally changed pay provisions for vaccinated employees who experience a breakthrough COVID infection due to workplace exposure, they stated.
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 07: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) leaves a lunch meeting with Senate Democrats at the U.S. Capitol October 7, 2021 in Washington, DC. Senate Democrats and Republicans are nearing a deal that will temporarily raise the debt ceiling through early December. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Universal Agreement That Reconciliation Compromise Is Necessary: Schumer

After Democrats gathered at a Tuesday lunch to discuss their long-delayed reconciliation bill, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) reported that there was universal agreement that a compromise must be reached as divisions in the party continue to hold up the legislative process.

Democrats are now months off schedule in passing their reconciliation bill, as internal party divisions have pushed leadership past deadline after deadline with no vote.

These divisions, despite months of negotiations, continue, with many moderates still rejecting their partys bill in whole or in part.

Disregarding these setbacks, Schumer was optimistic after Democrats Tuesday lunch. He said that there is universal agreement in the room that we have to come to an agreement on the reconciliation bill.

He said that Democrats hope to reach a framework agreement by the end of the week.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) showed the same optimism.

Speaking to reporters after the lunch, she said that holdouts in the party are walking through what they support [and] what they dont support.

Were seeing a path, Stabenow said.

Disagreements on specific political and legal issues have plagued Democrats for months.

Initially, Democratic leaders hoped to have the bill written and passed by the end of September.

The first hint of these challenges came in August, when moderates threatened to derail the budget bill. After weeks of tension between progressives and moderates in the lower chamber, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) resolved the splits well enough to advance the landmark multi-trillion dollar budget to committee for drafting.

However, once lawmakers began to draft the bills that would be included in the omnibus reconciliation package, continued splits among Democrats became obvious. Even after months of negotiations, moderates and progressives in both chambers have been at each others throats.

The situation grew so difficult that President Joe Biden, who is a huge proponent of the legislation, made a rare visit to the U.S. Capitol to meet with the House in a closed-door meeting.

Divisions among Senate Democrats have been especially important. With Democrats slim one vote-majority in the upper chamber and a plethora of moderates, Democrats have worked frantically to draft a bill that can meet with moderate approval.

Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) have made the headlines and remained there for their clearly-stated opposition to the bill. Both publicly rejected giving their vote to such an expensive bill.

Biden, who has remained deeply involved in the legislative process, has extensively negotiated with the two for months, but to little avail. The two remain adamant that they will not support a $3.5 trillion bill, forcing Democratic leaders to admit that the original price tag cannot be achieved.

Leaders Aim For Oct. 31 Deadline

Now, Democrats continue to shoot for an end of October deadline, when they hope that these disagreements may be finally resolved.

Biden has said that he is not concerned about the ever-extending time table. The president told reporters, It doesnt matter whether its in six minutes, six days, or six weeks, were going to get it done.

Pelosi said much the same. We will and must pass both bills soon, Pelosi said.

Schumer in a statement 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.

This will require sacrifice, he said, adding that not every member will get what he or she wanted.

Despite these divisions, Schumer said, we will pass legislation that will dramatically improve the lives of the American people. I believe we are going to do just that in the month of October.

However, divisions on policy issues continue.

On Tuesday, Manchin and Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) weighed in on one of the many Democratic aspirations in the bill: a carbon tax. For Democrats who have marketed the bill as a panacea to the alleged climate crisis, a carbon tax or other similar measures are of crucial importance.

But Manchin told reporters that in his mind, the carbon tax is not on the board at all right now.

Tester told reporters, Im not a big fan of the carbon tax. I just dont think it works the way it was explained to me.

As Democratic leaders approach another predetermined deadline at the end of October, time is running out to resolve the partys many differences.
Fully vaccinated people from the Greater Sydney region can now enter Victoria without quarantine (Loren Elliott/Reuters)

Victoria Eases Border Restrictions With New South Wales

Fully vaccinated people from the Greater Sydney region can now enter Victoria without quarantine or a COVID-19 test.

The news of the relaxation of border restrictions comes as the first flight from Sydney to Melbourne landed on Wednesday morning, according to 9 News.

The Victorian Chief Health Officer said on Tuesday that the Victorian government would no longer regard New South Wales as having red zones under the states traffic light travel permit system.

The Greater Sydney region (including Central Coast, Wollongong, Shellharbour, and the Blue Mountains) has also become an orange zone from 11:59 p.m., Oct. 19.

This means after 11:59 p.m. tonight, if you have had two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and you have been in the Sydney area  you can enter Victoria on an orange zone permit without any quarantine or testing requirements, the update said.

People who are not fully vaccinated still need to isolate on arrival, get tested within 72 hours, and quarantine before receiving a negative result.

Children under 12 who are not eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine can travel under a parents permit. However, if the parent or guardian they travel with is not fully vaccinated, they must follow the requirements applying to the parent or guardian.

Other Local Government Areas (LGA) in regional NSW, plus Jervis Bay Territory, will become green zones. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) remains an orange zone. Travellers entering the state still need a permit from Services Victoria.

Broken Hill in NSW and Shepparton in Victoria will also rejoin the cross-border community area, which means that residents will not need a permit to cross the border.

NSW recorded 273 new locally acquired cases and four deaths in the 24 hours to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Victoria has recorded 1841 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths on Tuesday, with 22,598 cases remaining active.

Additionally, 78,928 tests were processed, and 38,881 COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered at state-run hubs.

The toll of the current outbreak has been taken to 175.

The state is getting closer to the 70 percent vaccination reopening target, with 68 percent of residents over 16 having been fully vaccinated.
Members of the public wait to be vaccinated at a COVID-19 mass vaccination clinic in Midland, an eastern suburb of Perth, Australia on Sep. 9, 2021. Western Australia currently has the lowest percentage of people double-vaccinated in the country. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)

Businesses Face $100,000 Fines in Western Australia Amid Vaccine Mandates

Over a million West Australians will need to be fully vaccinated by the end of January, with sweeping new mandates encircling approximately three-quarters of the states workforce.

The new directives from Western Australia (WA) government stand out as one of the most all-encompassing and ambitious of any Australian state, with previously announced mandates for health and mining sectors accounting for less than 10 percent of all workers.

Individuals refusing to comply will be slapped with a fine of up to $20,000, and required businesses with unvaccinated staff will face penalties of up to $100,000.

The new requirements (pdf) will include almost all industries with a risk of community transmissionincluding, but not limited to:

Supermarkets, grocery, bakery

Restaurant, pub, bar or cafe

Construction

Freight, public and private transport

Schools, Child Care

Petrol stations

Financial institutions

Hotel, motel, accommodation

Post Offices

Hardware store

Critical infrastructure (e.g. utilities)

Other sectors will be required to be fully vaccinated to work during lockdowns, including government and media.

The time is now, WA Premier Mark McGowan said in a media release.

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan receives an AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at Claremont Showgrounds in Perth, Australia, on May 3, 2021. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

I want to make it abundantly clear that everyone who is eligible should get the COVID-19 vaccine now as we all need to be prepared for the event of community transmission or a lockdown, McGowan said.

Dont wait for the deadly Delta variant to enter before you consider getting the vaccine. Instead, get the COVID-19 vaccine now.

This comes as the state has trailed behind on vaccination uptake compared with other jurisdictions, with McGowan and WA Vaccine Commander and Police Chief Chris Dawson expressing frustration over some West Australians refusal to vaccinate.

Currently, 73.6 percent of 12-and-overs have received at least one jab, with 55.5 percent fully vaccinatedfalling short of the governments target of reaching 80 percent fully vaccinated by the end of the year.

The McGowan government has also received criticism by some for refusing to give a deadline for reopening interstate borders and promising continued lockdowns in the event of community transmission even when 80 percent of the eligible population becomes fully vaccinated.

West Australians have also turned up in the thousands over the last several monthsincluding three times in the last month aloneto protest against the vaccine mandates, with many instead choosing to lose their livelihoods.

Thousands of protesters in an anti-mandatory vaccination rally in central Perth, Australia, on Oct. 16, 2021. (The Epoch Times)

It is currently unclear how the WA government plans on supporting the health industry once staff leave, particularly given the existing healthcare staff shortage crisis.

Some have also expressed discontent towards McGowans leadership decisionsincluding his statement that protestors should grow a brain.

Experts globally have recommended against instilling vaccination mandates, including Harvard epidemiologist Martin Kulldorf who has suggested that forcing individuals would result in a loss of public confidence.

Right now, with these vaccine mandates, and vaccine passports, this coercive thing is turning a lot of people away from vaccines and not trusting them for very understandable reasons, Kulldorff told The Epoch Times. Why do you have to force somebody to take the vaccine, if its so beneficial to you? Thats one rationale.
White House Confirms Overnight Flights of Unaccompanied Children From Southern Border to NY

White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed Tuesday that the Biden administration has been flying unaccompanied children from the southern border to New York in the middle of the night.

According to the New York Post, about 2,000 underage illegal immigrants from Texas allegedly have arrived at the Westchester County Airport on 21 flights since Aug. 8, before they were being bused to the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, upstate Newburgh, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Some of the fights landed between midnight and 6:30 a.m. when a voluntary curfew was enacted by the airport. The news outlet witnessed last week two flights landing at the airport at 9:52 p.m. and 10:49 p.m. respectively, and most of the passengers who got off appeared to be children and teens, with a small portion appearing to be men in their 20s.

Well, here we are talking about early flightsearlier than you might like to take a flight, Psaki responded to a question during her Tuesday briefing. It is our legal responsibility to safely care for unaccompanied children until they can be swiftly unified with a parent or a vetted sponsor. And thats something we take seriously. We have a moral obligation to come to do that and deliver on that.

Psaki confirmed that the unaccompanied kids are not only being transported to New York but other parts of the country as well.

As a part of the unification process, our Office of Refugee Resettlement facilitates travel for children in its custody to their families or sponsors across the country, Psaki continued. So, in recent weeks, unaccompanied children passed through the Westchester airport, which I think is what youre referring to, en route to their final destination to be unified with their parents or a vetted sponsor.

The Biden administration has faced growing criticism for the southern border crisisU.S. Customers and Border Protection (CBP) reported over 1.5 million encounters at the southern border during the fiscal year 2021, even without Septembers data. Among them, over 130,000 are unaccompanied minors.

The Biden administration has been struggling to accommodate the explosion of unaccompanied childrenexpanding current facilities, renting hotels, and busing them to different states.

Weve done our best to get the information from the government but weve really been stonewalled, Miranda Devine, one of the reporters of the New York Posts story, told Fox News Tucker Carlson Tonight. Weve referred to the Health and Human Services (HHS) and all they will say or the White House will say is thatthey have an obligation to look after unaccompanied children. And thats what theyre doing. But they dont explain why theyre doing it in the dead of night. Why is this such a secret operation? Why is no one talking about it?

The flights are carried out in secret, in the dead of night, because they know their clandestine alien smuggling operation is wildly indefensible, Stephen Miller, former adviser to President Donald Trump, wrote on Twitter Tuesday.

HHS hasnt immediately responded to a request from The Epoch Times for comment.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki holds a press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 20, 2021. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

White House: Serious Progress Made in Supply Chain Crunch Amid Record Backlog at California Ports

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that there is serious progress being made in dealing with supply chain bottlenecks at two major ports in California as they moved to 24/7 operations.

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said that we have already cut in half the amount of cargo that is sitting on the docks for 13 days or longer, Psaki told reporters. That is serious progress, and this commitment from the railroad is just the latest step toward a 24/7 supply chain, and the result of important partnerships between business, labor, and the port leadership.

Psaki also said that Union Pacific Railroad, the second-largest railroad operator in the United States, would serve the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach with 24/7 service.

Were going to continue to evaluate steps that need to be taken in order to move toward a 24/7 global supply chain, Psaki said, saying the White House will continue to push to expedite the moving of goods across the United States.

Data from the Marine Exchange, however, shows that about 157 ships were waiting off the two ports in Southern California as of Monday. It shows that 100 ships were at anchor and 57 were at berths.

Ship report 10/18: 157 total ships inport LA/LB includes 100 at anchor or holding areas & 57 at berths. Of the 157, 97 are container ships including 70 at anchor or in holding areas & 27 at berth. 43 vessels in holding areas; 33 container ships, 3 tankers, 5 bulk, 2 general cargo pic.twitter.com/12tmrFy5yU  Marine Exchange (@MXSOCAL) October 18, 2021

Psaki again repeated a claim from other Biden administration officials that there has been so much traffic in a lot of these ports is because there are more goods that are being ordered by people across the country, asserting the phenomenon is, in part, due to the economy.

Psaki also did not touch on reports of surges of panic-buying and panic-ordering by both retailers and customers, which might be driving up demand for goods.

Suddenly retailers and manufacturers are overordering because of these supply chain issues, and thats just leading to essentially an even worse scenario, Jonathan Savoir, CEO of supply chain technology firm Quincus, told CNBC this week.

In recent weeks, some retailers and analysts have issued warnings to Americans that they might not be able to purchase their Christmas goods or that their items wont arrive on time.

However, alleviating pressure on the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles is just one facet of the U.S. supply chain. Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, told CNN on Tuesday that the trucking industry is short about 80,000 drivers.

Describing the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach moving to 24/7 operations as an improvement, Spear warned that it doesnt matter if its a port in LA or Long Beach, or the last mile of delivery from a train to a warehouse in Wichita. Youre going to have to have a driver and a truck move that freight.

I think that clearly is the most impactful thing that could be done right now to alleviate this problem. So next year, [we] are not going to be having this conversation because it will alleviate itself because were investing, he said.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden's pick for ambassador to Beijing told lawmakers considering his nomination on Wednesday that Americans should "have confidence in our strength when dealing with the rise of China, a nation he said the U.S. and its allies could manage.

Nicholas Burns, a former senior State Department official and diplomat with decades of experience in Washington and overseas, testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at a time when the Biden administration is trying to swing U.S. focus overseas to managing competition with China. The post of China ambassador stands to be one of the most important for U.S. foreign policy.

China's assertiveness militarily, diplomatically and economically in the region and beyond under its ambitious president, Xi Jinping, increasingly has given rise to warnings of a new Cold War. This includes hawkish talk of an arms race with warnings of China threatening to overtake the U.S. in high tech, trade, military technology and other arenas while challenging the U.S. for world influence.

In his testimony Wednesday, Burns had a calmer take, framing the U.S. relationship with China as manageable.

China is not an Olympian power, Burns said. While a country of extraordinary strength, it also has substantial weaknesses and challenges politically, economically and demographically.

We should have confidence in our strength, American strengths, confidence in our business community, in our innovation community, in our universities, in our ability to attract the best students from around the world, confidence in our unmatched military. In our first rate Foreign Service and civil service, confidence in our values that stand in brilliant opposition to Chinas authoritarian regime.

"We will succeed if we build this American strength around our diplomacy, he said.

He emphasized building alliances in the Indo-Pacific as essential to countering China. That included praising the defense alliance Biden announced last month with Australia and the United Kingdom as potentially transformational." Domestically, the defense pact is best known for triggering French pique, when Australia broke off a deal for French-made submarines in favor of subs with U.S. nuclear power.

Burns also gave what would be a rare bit of credit from the Biden administration to its predecessor, praising President Donald Trump and his last secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, for reinvigorating a bloc with Australia, India and Japan.

He echoed the Biden administration's stand on cooperating with China where possible but condemning many of its actions, calling China's treatment of its largely Muslim Uyghur minority genocide" and its trade practices unacceptable. He aligned with U.S. support for Taiwan and Hong Kong in the face of China's military and political actions there.

As the No. 3 State Department official in the George W. Bush administration, Burns led negotiations to control Iran's nuclear program and to close a nuclear deal with India, which some have criticized as weakening longstanding policy on nuclear nonproliferation. His work since leaving the foreign service includes teaching diplomacy at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Burns' status as a senior statesman under Republican and Democratic administrations is likely to win his nomination broad support in a Senate vote. However, two Republican senators, Ted Cruz of Texas and Josh Hawley of Missouri, are pledging to block Biden's nominees over unrelated disputes, creating what the Biden administration says is a critical shortfall in U.S. diplomatic representation abroad.
PHOENIX (AP)  Maricopa County has become the first local government in Arizona to sign onto a massive settlement agreement with pharmaceutical companies over the nation's opioid epidemic.

The county Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Wednesday to approve the settlement, which is expected to bring the county about $80 million of Arizona's anticipated allocation, which could reach $550 million or more.
NEW CANAAN  After the Board of Finance approved $413,000 in total for bonuses for teachers as an acknowledgement of their performance during the coronavirus pandemic, Police Chief Leon Krolikowski said Tuesday that his department and other first responders should be considered as well.

He would like the money to come out of the American Rescue Plan Act funds to be used to award 47 sworn officers and nine civilian employees under his auspices.

We owe them all our continued gratitude and unwavering support, Krolikowski said.

The Board of Finance agreed unanimously last week on a special appropriation for $413,000 to give district teachers each up to $1,000 in bonuses. That money will not come out of the ARPA funds, but rather the board agreed to have the money come out of the general fund. That allotment would go to 427 certified New Canaan Public Schools staff, which includes teachers, counselors and psychologists.

I support using the funds to recognize how well our teachers performed during the pandemic, Krolikowski said. I urge our town to approve the same recognition for our towns first responders, our health department and our human services department.

He said their work responding to medical emergencies and crisis situations, as well as assisting in COVID-19 testing and vaccination measures, in addition to just consistently showing up to work every day while most of the world worked from home must not go unrecognized, the chief said.

To date, the town has received $2.8 million and expects almost $3.2 million more by June 2022 from the federal program providing $350 billion in emergency funding for state and local governments.

A pre-written motion in the finance board agenda said bonuses for the teachers would come out of the American Rescue Plan Act funds. Chairman Todd Lavieri called the gesture a thank you bonus and took responsibility for the confusion on where the money would come from, as it is indeed coming from the general fund. The town has yet to determine how to use the ARPA funds, he said.

The council held a public hearing Oct. 5 to discuss possible uses for the funds and members agreed that a subcommittee should develop parameters for how ARPA money is spent. The subcommittee is made up of both the Board of Finance and Town Council members. Councilman Mark Gryzmski agreed to write a draft of parameters.

The chairman did not want to wait for ARPA funds; instead he wanted to move the process along so the bonuses could make it to the teachers by their December paychecks, he said.

The chief wants all first responders recognized. Most certainly, our first responders with the volunteer ambulance corps, fire department and police department, as well as our health department and human services department, deserve special recognition for the way they all so selflessly served our town during the pandemic, Krolikowski said.

During the finance board meeting, members raised concerns over other town workers being left out and that they should be rewarded as well. Lavieri recognized that police, fire and other employees may be considered for bonuses in the future.

I think we are all certainly supportive of having that conversation, and it is something we should evaluate and consider 100 percent, Lavieri said.

Collectively, it is my opinion that our town handled the COVID-19 pandemic exceptionally well, the chief said.

Several organizations would stand to benefit from a portion of the ARPA funds. During the Town Council hearing, representatives from the YMCA and nature centers asked for money to increase child care in town. Patricia Spugani asked for nearly $1 million of ARPA funds to expand the Powerhouse Theater. Chairman of Town Conservation Commission Chris Schipper asked that one-third of the funds be used for sustainability and John McClain, on behalf of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 653, asked for $12,000 for wreaths to be put on graves of veterans.

In September, First Selectman Kevin Moynihan had a list of nearly a dozen items that totaled $3.5 million at the selectmens meeting. He also suggested $1 million to be given to the Community Foundation to be spread out among nonprofits. The list also included such improvements as more child care, mental health help for those without insurance, money for the skating rink at Waveny Park, upgrading the playhouse, a walkway around Memorial Mead Park pond and improving overall telehealth capabilities.
NEW CANAAN -- Selectman Kathleen Corbet said Tuesday that she found the anonymous letter that was left on stoops around town offensive. She was the only member to comment on it during the Board of Selectman meeting, as First Selectman Kevin Moynihan and Selectman Nick Williams did not expound on her sentiments.

The letter primarily targets two women of color who are Democratic Board of Education candidates, Fatou Niang, a Black woman who started Stand Together Against Racism and Janet Leung Fonss, who is of Chinese descent.

I find it offensive, Corbet said of the letter she thought everybody has seen. It is completely vile and inappropriate in our town with too much racially charged innuendo there.

The school board is one of only two contested town races on Election Day, Nov. 2, with nine candidates running for six seats of the nine-person board. We will be glad when election time is over, Corbet, who is running unopposed for selectman, said. It is a tough time and I wish everybody well.

After Niang saw the letter last week, she told Hearst on Thursday that: I am sad, hurt and, frankly, angry that yesterday, under the veil of anonymity and the cover of night, concerned parents dropped racist letters about me and what I stand for on doorsteps across town.

Niang has said she hopes to help the school board achieve the diversity, equity and inclusion goals and create an environment where all students are not only welcome, but belong.

The writers, who referred to themselves as very concerned parents, wrote that while we agree our children should learn about slavery, Jim Crow and segregation, the Democratic candidates want to take things too far.

The writers claimed that Niang said she hopes to see 25 percent of faculty of color employed in academic disciplines by 2025. The letter states that, in order to achieve this goal, 89 of the current 417 white teachers in our schools would need to be replaced with non-white teachers.

I never said that, Niang said. That is in the letter the alumni group sent to the school way before they got involved with S.T.A.R. and they never asked for any teacher to be fired or replaced with a teacher of color. They would like the administration to cast a wider net when recruiting for the teachers positions.

Police Chief Krolikowski told Hearst that he had not yet seen the letter and I would need to review to see if it requires police involvement. Hearst has since sent him a copy of the letter.

The letter is unfortunately anonymous, Corbet said.

The letters have been distributed around the South School district, according to resident Alyssa MacKenzie and other sources.

Fonss was upset by the letter that targets her support of S.T.A.R. and Niang.

To be singled out as someone to be feared  someone dangerous  is to label me an outsider who does not belong, and reading those words brought back the childhood trauma of being called racial slurs by hateful people who inexplicably felt threatened by my very existence, she said.

We have to question why anyone might be against ensuring all families feel like they belong, Democratic Town Committee Chair Lisa Hannich said in a statement from the group, which denounced the letters Thursday.

This is not the first time during this election season that concerns regarding race have been raised. Queries were made when the Republican caucus ousted the Chairman Katrina Parkhill and Secretary Jennifer Richardson, during a pre-caucus debate there was mention of the critical race theory and recently when the board removed cultural humility from its goals.

Last August, students and alumni, including Broadway star Jelani Alladin, told the board they felt the district did not adequately incorporate teachings on race. The students argued the history curriculum was incomplete and the district needed a more diverse staff. They argued they felt having mostly white teachers shortchanged their education when they entered a diverse workforce.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Wednesday he did nothing improper but still fell short in his handling of the fatal police shooting of a Black teenager in the city seven years ago, a dark moment in his tenure looming large now as he hopes to win Senate confirmation as President Joe Bidens ambassador to Japan.

Several liberal House lawmakers and activists have urged the Senate to reject Emanuel's nomination because of his handling of the death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, who was shot 16 times as he he moved away from police on a Chicago street. Emanuel's hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee came on the seventh anniversary of McDonald's killing.

Emanuel's critics argue that his nomination is out of sync with the values of an administration that says comprehensive and meaningful police reform" is a priority.

But Emanuel, whose administration refused to make public the police dash cam video of the killing for more than a year and only did so after being compelled by a state court, said his hands were tied at the time by outdated rules that governed the release of police video.

A grave tragedy occurred seven years ago, to this day, on the streets of the city of Chicago, and that tragedy sits with me, as it has every day and every week for the last seven years, Emanuel said.

Emanuels reputation for sharp elbows  developed over his decades in national politics as an Illinois congressman and top adviser to Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama  also is part of the backdrop as he tries to demonstrate that he has the temperament for international diplomacy, particularly in protocol-conscious Japan. .

If confirmed, Emanuel will be Biden's chief envoy to Japan at a moment when the two nations are looking to strengthen ties as their common adversary, China, has strengthened its position as an economic and national security competitor in the Pacific.

My top priority will be to deepen these ties while we confront our common challenges," Emanuel told the committee. China aims to conquer through division. Americas strategy is security through unity. That regional unity is built on the U.S.-Japan alliance."

No Democratic senator has publicly stated he or she would vote against Emanuel. The White House expects he will win support from several Republicans, including Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, who was President Donald Trump's ambassador to Japan.

Among the Democrats most critical of Emanuel's nomination are Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who called the pick deeply shameful," and Cori Bush of Missouri, who has called on the Senate to do the right thing and block his nomination."

Hagerty and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., formally introduced Emanuel at the hearing. Hagerty said while there were many issues on which he disagrees with Emanuel, he was certain the nominee shares his unwavering conviction that the U.S.-Japan relationship is the cornerstone for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

The release of the McDonald video led Chicago to make a series of changes in policies on police cameras, the use of force and training. Months before the video's release, the city agreed to pay a $5 million settlement to McDonald's family.

Jason Van Dyke, the officer who shot McDonald 16 times. was convicted of second-degree murder, 16 counts of aggravated assault and sentenced to six years and nine months in prison. The episode strained Emanuel's relationship with the city's sizable Black community.

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said the committee should weigh Emanuels handling of the McDonald killing and that Emanuel has a story to tell about the changes made in Chicago after the video was released. But the senator raised concern about several aspects of the case, including the fact that Emanuel did not view footage of the shooting until shortly before it was made public and months after a large settlement was paid out to McDonald's family.

Emanuel said he kept a distance so federal, state and police oversight investigations could proceed without political interference.

Eight Black members of Chicago's City Council who were allies of Emanuel during his tenure praised Emanuel, in a letter to the Senate committee, for lengthening the day for the city's public schools and taking other steps that benefited long-neglected Black neighborhoods.

Rev. Martin Hunter, the great uncle of McDonald, also wrote on Emanuel's behalf, arguing that Emanuel had inherited a deeply flawed system" on police investigations that tied his hands. Emanuel told the committee that he and Hunter have prayed together about the incident and wished they had a magic wand to fix whats broken in the criminal justice system.

Hunter wrote in his letter to the committee: There is more to this individual than the caricature that is presented in the public."
Elizabethtown, KY (42701)

Today

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 29F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 29F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
Instant unlimited access to all of our content on thenewsguard.com.

The News Guard E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street!

This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers.

(The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement)


Military giving protesters latitude, but not rioters

BANGKOK: Soldiers will only step in to handle political protests when the situation is considered a rebellion or a riot, Defence Forces chief Gen Chalermpol Srisawat said yesterday (Oct 19).

militarypolicepolitics

By Bangkok Post

Wednesday 20 October 2021, 10:02AM

Pro-democracy protesters clash with police during a demonstration in Bangkok in August. Photo: AFP

He said the announcement by the Thalu Gas group, now renamed the Peoples Revolutionary Alliance (PRA), about aiming to overthrow the constitutional monarchy was a lawful expression of the groups opinion, reports the Bangkok Post.

The responsibility of the police is to ensure law and order, he noted. So if the group were to act in any way that threatens Thailands sovereignty, it would then be time for the military to take action, he added.

In the event of a small-scale riot erupting, the military can only play a minor role in supporting the polices efforts to contain it, he said.

Pol Gen Suwat Jangyodsuk, the national police chief, insisted the situation was under control and said no riots are anticipated. He said the police have been operating efficiently, as reflected in the declining number of people at street protests, as well as a rise in arrests.

As our law-enforcement efforts continue, were are seeing more legal action against those who continue to break the law, he said. So please think twice before instigating violence among young protesters.

Although the police are satisfied with their crowd control operations and do not expect any escalation, he said there was no room for complacency.

The situation will not become serious enough to impact the plan to reopen the country on Nov 1, Pol Gen Suwat said.

However, he admitted it might not be possible to completely suppress the protests.

Meanwhile, the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau has been asked to investigate a new Facebook page operated by the Thalu Gas group over content related to the monarchy, said Pol Maj Gen Jirasan Kaewsaeng-ek, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB).

The page, Phakhi Patiwat Prachachon Thai (Alliance of Thai People for Reform), said its goal is to overthrow what it described as a royalist dictatorship.
Mamta Popat/AP

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP)  The man who died in an gunfight in Tucson with law enforcement officers this month after fatally shooting a federal agent inside an Amtrak train faced multiple criminal charges in California, two Arizona newspapers reported.

Darrion Taylor, 26, had been released on bond from a jail in California's Alameda County, sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Raymond Kelly told the Arizona Daily Star and the Arizona Republic.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP)  Efforts to win the return of 17 members of a U.S.-based missionary group and a local driver stretched into a fourth day Wednesday, with a violent gang demanding $1 million ransom per person.

The group seized includes five children aged from 8 months to 15 years, although authorities were not clear whether the ransom demand included them, a top Haitian official said Tuesday. Sixteen of the abductees are Americans and one Canadian.

The Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries said it would hold a day of fasting and prayer for its missionaries Thursday.

We, along with government authorities, continue to work hard to bring them home safely, the group said. This time of difficulty reminds us of the ongoing suffering of millions of Haitians. While our workers chose to serve in Haiti, our Haitian friends endure crisis after crisis, continual violence, and economic hardship.

The FBI and other U.S. agencies were part of a coordinated U.S. government effort to free the missionaries, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday, though officials from Haiti, the U.S. and the church group involved were silent about sensitive details.

A wave of kidnappings has added to the other miseries besetting the Caribbean nation. At least 119 people were kidnapped in Haiti for the first half of October, according to the Center of Analysis and Research of Human Rights, a local nonprofit group.

It said that in addition to the 17 members of the missionary group, a Haitian driver was abducted along with them, bringing the total to 18.

The Haitian official, who was not authorized to speak to the press, told The Associated Press that someone from the 400 Mawozo gang made the ransom demand Saturday in a call to a leader of the Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries shortly after the abduction.

This group of workers has been committed to minister throughout poverty-stricken Haiti, the Ohio group said Tuesday, adding that the missionaries worked most recently on a project to help rebuild homes lost in a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck southwestern Haiti on Aug. 14.

The group was returning from visiting an orphanage when it was abducted, the organization said.

The rash of kidnappings led to a strike Monday that shuttered businesses, schools and public transportation  a new blow to Haitis anemic economy.

Life was largely back to normal on Wednesday, but unions and other groups vowed to organize another strike next week, and sporadic protests erupted Wednesday in Port-au-Prince over the lack of fuel, with gangs blamed for blocking gas distribution terminals.

Dozens of moto taxi drivers zoomed around one Delmas neighborhood, setting barricades of tires on fire and throwing rocks across roads to block them.

We want gas for work! If we don't find gas, were going to shut down the country completely! they yelled. (Prime Minister) Ariel Henry, if he cannot run the country, he must go!

Similar protests erupted the day before.

In a more peaceful demonstration Tuesday north of Port-au-Prince, dozens of people walked through the streets of Titanyen demanding the release of the missionaries. Some carried signs that read Free the Americans and No to Kidnapping! and explained that the missionaries helped pay bills and build roads and schools.

They do a lot for us, said Beatrice Jean.

One protest took place near the prime ministers residence, where police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd demanding fuel.

The kidnapping was the largest of its kind reported in recent years. Haitian gangs have grown more brazen as the country tries to recover from the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise and the earthquake that killed more than 2,200 people.

Christian Aid Ministries said the kidnapped group included six women, six men and five children. A sign on the door at the organizations headquarters in Berlin, Ohio, said it was closed due to the kidnapping situation.

News of the kidnappings spread swiftly in and around Holmes County, Ohio, hub of one of the largest populations of Amish and conservative Mennonites in the United States, said Marcus Yoder, executive director of the Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center in nearby Millersburg, Ohio.

Christian Aid Ministries, is supported by conservative Mennonite, Amish and related groups that are part of the Anabaptist tradition.

The organization was founded in the early 1980s and began working in Haiti later that decade, said Steven Nolt, professor of history and Anabaptist studies at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania. The group has year-round mission staff in Haiti and several countries, he said, and it ships religious, school and medical supplies throughout the world.

___

Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Associated Press journalists Matias Delacroix in Port-au-Prince, Matthew Lee in Washington, Pete Smith in Pittsburgh, John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio, and Julie Carr Smyth in Berlin, Ohio, contributed to this report.
From the voting booth to Town Hall, the Womens Suffrage Centennial will be honored in Ridgefield next year.

The Board of Selectman approved the Women of Town Hall portrait project presented by local artist Suzanne Benton at its Oct. 2 meeting.

We have one aim and that aim is to join the very timely 2020 Womens Suffrage Centennial celebration here in town and honor the unsung women who work here in town hall, Benton told the board. All their work is crucial to the underpinnings of society and this 2020 project offers them the recognition they deserve.

The 24 portraits that will be displayed at Keeler Tavern at a gala next year before being moved back to town hall where they will be hung, Benton explained.

They will form a grid that depicts universality of womens life in America, she said.

The first portrait of suffragette Alice Paul is done, Benton said, and the rest of the portraits will depict current members in Ridgefields town hall.

Ive done Alice Paul, she said. The first one is done. Ive gathered 23 other artists to do the other portraits. The artists range from a Ridgefield High senior to myself. ... Im definitely the eldest.

Benton said the goal was to set up a studio in town hall and have a drawing table and a stool. Over the next several months, the workers will meet with the artists to have their portrait drawn.

The original title of the project was Portrait of Progress: From the Voting Booth to Town Hall. The selectmen settled for a shorter moniker  the Women of Town Hall portrait project

Were a new organization, we started this back in April, Benton said. ... Our request is simple: We want to become members of the Friends of Ridgefield. ... We have 100 percent support from the women in town hall.

Experience and costs

Benton has already created a similar project down in St. Petersburg, Fla., where she spends her winters.

We did 36 women in Florida, she said, we got a grant from the state which helped immensely with the costs.

She said she wasnt able to secure such a grant from the state of Connecticut.

I guess its because were not diverse enough, Benton said.

She sought nonprofit status on the Friends of Ridgefield umbrella so she could apply for local grants from the Lewis Fund, the Ridgefield Thrift Shop and the Ridgefield Rotary Club.

We cant apply for these if were not recognized as a nonprofit, she said. Grants and fundraising will be much easier if we say its deductible. ... Our status as a nonprofit can end when we mount it in town hall in October 2020.

As for costs, Benton said the panel boards and the mounting would be the biggest expenses. She also planned to give the artists a little something as well as provide coffee and some light snacks for them and their subjects during the portrait process.

Its about community. Its about getting to know these people, she said. These women are delighted by the attention. Theyre thrilled.

The time is now

Benton urged the projects timeliness.

This is the 100th anniversary, its the right, she said. Time will pass so now is the time to recognize these individuals and what they represent. Ridgefield has a real history of feminist activity and we should honor it and bring awareness to it.

If enough money is raised, then Portrait of Progress could become more than just drawings hung up in Ridgefields town hall, according to Benton.

Wed like to do a catalog or something thats long-lasting that can go around. ... We have a high school student whos interested in doing video for us and maybe it will become a template for a similar project elsewhere in the state, she said. ... But all were asking for tonight is to to become Friends of Ridgefield so we can fundraise here in town and get this project off the ground here. ... We have a better chance of covering costs if were under your umbrella.

Longevity

While the selectmen were eager to approve the project and the nonprofit status, the talks did hit a short snag over where and for how long the 12-by-10 inch portraits would be hung.

Where are these going to be hung? Is it permanent? asked Pond Road resident Ed Tyrrell resident from the crowd.

Benton said that her plan was to have them hung in town hall near the tax collectors office.

Up in Keeler Tavern first for the exhibit and then install them in town hall, she said. The idea is it for it to be permanent.

Permanent? balked First Selectman Rudy Marconi. ... I dont think weve ever hung anything forever. Theres nothing permanent in this building other than the tribute to World War I and World War II veterans.

Thats prime real estate, Selectman Bob Hebert added. Im not so sure.

Benton replied that the idea was to have that prime real estate to showcase the women and the artists work.

Its a beautiful wall, she said.

Selectwoman Barbara Manners offered the project one year on the wall  from 2020 to 2021.

Well keep it there for a year and then find another location, Marconi agreed. At the library or the town hall annex or maybe even up at the high school.

It has to be an accessible place, Benton countered. The one down in Florida is at a college  somewhere that has a lot of foot traffic like that.

The selectmen ultimately agreed to OK the artwork and the temporary mounting in town hall, and Marconi told Benton they would get the approval from town counsel to have the Women of Town Hall project fall under the Friends of Ridgefield umbrella.

This holds as much water as other things weve covered in the past, said Selectman Steve Zemo, who seconded Heberts motion to approve.

Its very worthwhile, Selectwoman Maureen Kozlark agreed. And it is a short-term program. Its not an open-ended timeline. Were talking about fundraising and artwork that will be done within the year. All the work will be over by next October.

For updated activities and information about this project search Ridgefield Suffrage Centennial on Facebook or email Alice Hayes at alicehayes.43@gmail.com.
Jack Greer, CEO of 307 Horse Racing, speaks to the Sheridan County Commission during their meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. 307 Horse Racing, which currently offers betting on both live and simulcast horse races in Gillette, is expanding its operations into Sheridan where they will be based out of the Little Goose Liquors building.
Like our work? Dont steal it! Share the link orfor information on how to get permission to use our content.

Click here to report an accessibility issue.
City_news

West end traffic solutions urgently needed: Leckner

Cote St. Luc District 3 incumbent Dida Berku in a video regarding the planned Cavendish extension. Rick Leckner One of three Cavendish link road configurations proposed by CSL, TMR and St. Laurent.

Short and medium-term solutions are urgently needed for the area of Decarie Boulevard and Jean Talon, Vezina, Plamondon and Van Horne as a Cavendish link will take years to complete, traffic expert Rick Leckner says.

Leckner was part of a well-attended municipal forum on traffic hosted on Zoom by CSL councillor Dida Berku, which featured Mayors Mitchell Brownstein of Cote St. Luc and Alan DeSousa of St. Laurent whose municipalities are most affected by the Cavendish Link issue.

Leckner, now a CSL resident, said the Cavendish link has been discussed for decades, and while progress has been made in terms of planning and process, my concern is no matter whats envisaged, its going to take time.

In the meantime, on a daily basis, people are hostages within Cote St. Luc and Hampstead, he said. Its great at election time to have all these ideas, and yes, theres been progress, but we need an immediate Plan B. We cant wait for all of these things to happen  youre talking years from now. By the time BAPE (environmental) hearings [next year] are fixed, by the time the planning is completed and the construction starts and ends, I estimate easily five years.

Leckner added that there is unbelievable development happening or planned in the area, including the Westbury project, a potential Decarie Square redevelopment, and the planned Hippodrome housing and mega Royalmount projects. The Cite Midtown project in St. Laurent, near Decarie, is well underway.

Were just adding thousands and thousands and thousands of people without any overall plan, Leckner emphasized. There has been such an irresponsible approach to this thing, its not to be believed. We have problems getting emergency vehicles through. We have problems at Vezina, Plamondon and Van Horne, but it stems, in part, from whats going on at the northbound Decarie service road at Jean Talon. The city needs to come up with some kind of configuration. I have some ideas, but we need to have things done on a trial basis to see what may work.

The other political reality is the problems are within Cote St. Luc and Hampstead, and the solution lies within the City of Montreal. We need everybody to come together with some interim solutions. Otherwise, were destined to sit in growing traffic for the next many years. This should be done on a parallel basis with the planning of Cavendish  short and mid-term solutions to the current problems.

Leckner sent proposed solutions to Cote des Neiges-NDG and Mayor Valerie Plantes office. They include:

 Prohibit parking and stopping on the south sides of Vezina and Plamondon heading east to Decarie, Monday to Friday 7 to 9:30 a.m.

 Expand the agreement to allow area residents with stickers on their cars to park overnight at Decarie Square.

 Avoid all roadwork, unless it is urgent, in the area between 7 and 9:30 am. and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

 Increase the time of the priority green light, now only eight seconds, at eastbound Vezina turning left onto the northbound Decarie service road.

 Prohibit left turns from the exit of Decarie Square at Vezina and Coolbrook from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

During the Cavendish link-themed election forum, it was also revealed that CSL, St. Laurent and Town of Mount Royal have proposed alternatives to Montreals plan for the link area to Royalmount in TMR, two lanes of vehicle traffic going north and south as opposed to Montreals proposed one lane for cars going each way. The suburbs and Montreals plans for the link area also include rapid transit lanes, sidewalks for pedestrians, bicycle paths and grenspaces. joel@thesuburban.com
Montreal, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Light snow this evening followed by clearing late. Low 3C. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%..

Tonight

Light snow this evening followed by clearing late. Low -3C. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%.
Powell betrayed his values once. Today's Republicans no longer have values to betray
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Authorities in Belarus on Wednesday raided the offices of the country's top independent newspaper and took two of its journalists for questioning.

Belarusian authorities searched the offices of the Novy Chas (New Time) newspaper in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, and confiscated its computers and other office equipment.

They also raided the apartments of newspaper editor Aksana Kolb and reporter Siarhei Pulsha, and took them for questioning that lasted for most of the day. No charges were immediately announced.

The newspaper extensively covered massive protests that erupted after President Alexander Lukashenko's re-election to a sixth term in an August 2020 presidential vote that was denounced as rigged by the opposition and the West.

The Belarusian authorities have responded with a sweeping crackdown that saw more than 35,000 people arrested and thousands beaten by police.

One of Novy Chas' journalists, Dzianis Ivashyn, has been in custody since his arrest in March following a series of investigative articles about the authorities' clampdown on protests. He faces up to three years in prison if convicted on charges of interference with police action.

Overall, 28 Belarusian journalists are in custody, serving their sentences or awaiting trial.

They include Hienadz Mazheyka, a Belarusian journalist for the popular Russian daily Komsomolskaya Pravda, who was arrested earlier this month after writing about an apartment shootout in Minsk that killed two people  an opposition supporter and an officer of the KGB, Belarus state security service.

Mazheykas report about the shootings in Minsk quoted a friend describing the dead opposition supporter in a positive light. The journalist faces up to 12 years in prison on charges of inciting social strife and insulting authorities.

Komsomolskaya Pravda responded to Mazheykas arrest by shutting down its branch in Belarus. Russian officials have voiced regret about the situation, but stopped short of criticizing authorities in Belarus, which has close political, economic and military ties with Russia.

In the center of Europe, the authorities here are staging a dark experiment, trying to deprive citizens of access to any independent information, said Andrei Bastunets, the head of the Belarusian Association of Journalists. The independent media in Belarus can still exist thanks to the internet, but the authorities have clearly taken North Korea as a model.
BERLIN (AP)  Center-left lawmaker Baerbel Bas is set to become the new speaker of Germany's parliament, replacing conservative veteran and former Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble in one of the country's most prominent positions.

Leaders of the parliamentary group of the Social Democrats, who emerged from Germany's Sept. 26 election as the strongest party, endorsed Bas on Wednesday. That paves the way for the new 736-member lower house of parliament, or Bundestag, to elect her when it holds its first meeting next Tuesday.
On Wednesday, as part of Americas Safe Schools Week, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is announcing the launch of a new statewide school safety initiative called Safe2Help Illinois.

"I directed my administration to launch a statewide school violence prevention helpline because our kids are safer when they have a confidential avenue to speak up for the mental health of their peers and themselves," Pritzker said in a statement. "By encouraging kids to seek help before harm, were making it so school officials, mental health professionals, and area law enforcement are better equipped to help prevent suicides, bullying, school violence or other threats to school and student safety. Its another way we can bring mental health struggles out of the shadows and ensure our schools are places where students can be nurtured and thrive."

Safe2Help Illinois is available 24/7, and involves no cost for all school districts in the state. In the absence of a trusted adult, students can use a free app, text/phone, or the website to share school safety issues in a confidential environment. Information obtained by Safe2Help Illinois will remain confidential to ensure student privacy and to protect the integrity of the program. This program is not intended to suspend, expel or punish students; rather, the goal is to encourage students to "Seek Help Before Harm."

Once vetted, the information will be shared immediately with local school officials, mental health professionals and/or local law enforcement, depending on the nature of the information. The program also will help local officials by connecting them with mental health resources or other appropriate tools to intervene and help students before they harm themselves or others.

The state said in a news release that this is a long-term initiative to change the school culture in Illinois. Safe2Help Illinois also provides free educational resources to schools that can be introduced into their existing curriculum for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade.

"Through the Safe2Help Illinois initiative, our administration is empowering young people to care for themselves while also looking after their community at schools," Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said. "As rates of anxiety, depression and other mental disorders in children continue to increase across the country, it is important we give young people the resources they need to reach emotional wellness. That is a major part of our mission to make Illinois the best state to raise our children."

Safe2Help Illinois is a free, voluntary program offered to public and private schools (grades K-12) in Illinois. Regardless of whether a school district is enrolled in the program, Safe2Help staff will vet all information received and forward to the appropriate local contact whether or not they elect to formally participate in the program. Calls that reference immediate threats would be routed to 9-1-1 for immediate assistance.

During the 2020-2021 school year, 19 schools participated in a Safe2Help Illinois pilot program. Of those schools, while serving in different capacities of remote learning and in-person learning, the pilot program saw the following calls for assistance: suicidal ideation, bullying/harassment, fighting, self-harm and sex assault.

To date, more than 31 schools are registered with the program, resulting in more than 130 interactions with the public over the last 11 months. Educators enrolled in the program have credited the program with the successful intervention of potential suicides and sexual assaults.

"Mental health is even more of a priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some students have experienced feelings of isolation, the loss of family income, or the death of a loved one, and I am thankful that Safe2Help Illinois will provide an additional layer of support as students return to in-person learning this fall," State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala said. "The program connects students with a trusted and trained adult, and the educational resources help remove the stigma associated with mental health issues and foster kindness among students' peers."



Safe2Help Illinois is a product of a statewide school safety capability assessment, following the 2018 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The Illinois Terrorism Task Force convened a School Safety Working Group made up of state and local law enforcement professionals, representatives from statewide education associations, emergency management and mental health professionals to identify school safety issues and come up with practical recommendations to improve student safety. Safe2Help Illinois is the cornerstone of that group's school safety recommendations.

Although the origins of the workgroup recommendations intended to address the threat of school violence, the program evolved to provide resources to support a students social, behavioral and mental health needs, the state said. Prior to COVID-19, similar school safety initiatives throughout the nation found the two most common issues of concern have been threats of suicide and bullying.
MOSCOW (AP)  Russia's defense chief on Wednesday voiced concern about a buildup of NATO forces near the country's borders, and called for stronger defense ties with neighboring Belarus.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu noted recent efforts to boost military cooperation between the two allies, including modernization of military infrastructure for shared use.

After a meeting of the two countries' military top brass, Shoigu said he and his Belarusian counterpart extended agreements on two Russian military facilities in Belarus  an early warning radar in the Brest region near Poland and a naval communications center in Vileyka near the Belarusian capital of Minsk. He didn't specify for how long they were extended.

Russia and Belarus have a union agreement envisaging close political, economic and military ties. Moscow has staunchly backed Belarus' authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko amid Western sanctions triggered by Belarusian authorities' crackdown on protests following his re-election to a sixth term in an August 2020. Belarus' opposition and the West rejected the election as a sham.

In a bid to secure more Kremlin support, Lukashenko has repeatedly described Belarus as a bulwark against the West and called for boosting defense ties with Russia.

Russia's relations with the U.S. and its NATO allies have sunk to post-Cold War lows after Moscow's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and support for a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine.

Earlier this month, NATO withdrew the accreditation of eight Russian officials to its Brussels headquarters, saying it believed they had been secretly working for Russian intelligence. Russia responded Monday by suspending its mission at NATO and ordering the closure of the alliances office in Moscow.

Moscow has repeatedly voiced concerns over the deployment of NATO forces near Russian borders, describing it as a threat to its security. Russia and the alliance also have blamed each other for conducting destabilizing military exercises near the borders.

Shoigu charged Wednesday that dozens of NATO drills near Russia's borders have been used to rehearse scenarios of military confrontation with Russia. He specifically voiced concern about a buildup of NATO troops in Poland and the Baltics, the deployment of U.S. missile defense facilities in Romania and Poland and the modernization of tactical nuclear weapons in Europe.

The Russian defense minister emphasized that NATO's activities make a coordinated defense policy, cooperation in the development of armed forces, an increase in coordination and combat training and a shared use of military infrastructure particularly acute for Russia and Belarus.
EDWARDSVILLE  Three people were charged with burglary after allegedly breaking into a motor vehicle on Interstate 255 Oct. 16.

Terry D. Eastman, 29, of Belleville; Bradley J. Temple, 29 of Lebanon; and Bridget Madgett, of the 4200 block of Main Street, Alhambra, were each charged Oct. 18 with burglary and criminal damage to property over $500, all Class 4 felonies.

The case was presented by the Illinois State Police.

According to court documents, on Oct. 16 the three entered a 2012 Kia Sorento at northbound Interstate 255 at milepost 27 in Granite City, to commit theft, and damaged the vehicle.

Bail was set at $40,000 each.

Other felony cases filed Oct. 18 by the Madison County States Attorneys Office include:

 John A. Bone, 53, of the 100 block of Abbott, Venice, was charged with criminal damage to government supported property, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Illinois State Police. According to court documents, on Oct. 15 Bone damaged a light pole at the Interstate 270 and Illinois Route 3 interchange, causing more than $500 damage. Bail was set at $25,000.

 Robert L. Shanks, 49, of the first block of W. Beach Street, Wood River, was charged Sept. 23 with driving while license revoked (third subsequent offense), a Class 4 felony. The charges were ordered sealed at that time, and released Oct. 18. The case was presented by the Wood River Police Department. According to court documents, on Aug. 12, Shanks was found to be driving on West Beach Street with a revoked license. It was noted his license was revoked due to a 2013 DUI conviction, and he has prior convictions f for driving while license revoked in 1998 and 2000. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Kenneth W. Green, 64, of the 5200 block of Pine Ridge Drive, Godfrey, was charged Oct. 8 with disorderly conduct, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. According to court documents, on Oct. 17 Green made a false report of a theft to a Madison County deputy. Bail was set at $10,000.
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
SAM MONTALTO, Stonington, Boys Soccer, Senior; Montalto scored three goals including the 100th of his career in the Bears 4-0 victory over Plainville in the Class M state tournament. Montalto, who missed the first three games of the season, has 32 goals and nine assists this season.

GIRLS & BOYS Soccer Team, Chariho; It wouldnt be fair to single out a player from either team, both of which captured Division II titles over the weekend of Nov. 12. The girls tied their game with Prout with 1:02 left in regulation and prevailed in penalty kicks. The boys scored the winning goal in the final two minutes of the second overtime to beat North Smithfield.

ZACK TUCK, Westerly, Football; Tuck rushed for 150 yards on 29 carries in a loss to unbeaten St. Raphael in the Division II semifinals. Tuck has rushed for 1,533 yards and scored 19 touchdowns this season for the 7-3 Bulldogs.

Vote

View Results
Instant unlimited access to all of our content on tillamookheadlightherald.com.

The Headlight Herald E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street!

This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers.

(The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement)


remaining of

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
The latest in New York politics This article was featured in the Capitol Confidential newsletter. Sign up here to get it each morning.

A strong majority of New York ethics commissioners present for a vote on Tuesday favored revoking approval of former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's lucrative book deal. Yet the motion still went down by one vote because so many other commissioners had departed the meeting by the time the vote occurred. (TU)

In an hypothetical primary race between Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Attorney General Letitia James, Democratic voters would select Hochul over James by 16 percentage points  with 17 percent of voters uncertain, according to a Siena College poll. (TU)
PALENVILLE  State Sen. Michelle Hinchey is calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign a bill lowering the number of years a forest ranger must serve before being eligible to get their pension in an attempt to attract job-seekers to the understaffed agency, which is under the umbrella of the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

There are currently 93 non-supervisory rangers to cover about 5.2 million acres of forested DEC-managed land, with 14 positions vacant. This comes at a time when visits to state parkland have increased dramatically with the pandemic.

Hinchey said she believed the numbers of visitors to the Catskills would continue to stay elevated from pre-pandemic levels. Though she embraced the higher numbers as an economic driver for her district, as well as a chance for all New Yorkers to see the splendor of the Catskills, she worried about the safety of visitors with so few rangers, as well as the potential for "degradation of land and water quality" without rangers being present to guide the often-new visitors.

We have under-invested in [the Catskills'] protection, in terms of people, for a really long time, Hinchey said.

Rangers, who are uniformed police officers, may currently receive their pensions after 25 years of employment. State troopers and nearly all sheriff's deputies and municipal police are able to receive their pensions after 20 years.

State Sen. Andrew Gounardes is sponsoring the bill that would allow rangers  as well as DEC officers, regional state park police and SUNY police  to be eligible for their pensions after 20 years of service. The bill passed both the Assembly and the Senate unanimously and now is waiting on Hochul's signature.

Hinchey, a co-sponsor of the bill, said it would introduce "parity" between police agencies in the state.

Lt. David Pachan of the forest rangers, also the associate director of the Police Benevolent Association of New York State (PBA), said the rangers were at "critically low" staffing levels.

The number of visitors had fallen since 2020 but is still high compared to 2019, he said.

"We cannot sustain that type of activity with the current staffing levels, Pachan said.

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos approved a larger class of ranger cadets this year, with room for 40 people, but Pachan said it was difficult to attract cadets when job-seekers could make more at other police agencies and retire 5 years earlier.

Currently, there are 124 forest rangers, including supervisors, according to Pachan, or about 1 for every 56,000 acres of parkland. Pachan wants to increase the number of rangers to 170 so that each field ranger patrols 30,000 acres of parkland.

Downtime is the best time Make the most of your Hudson Valley weekend, every week with our newsletter.

Though the current state budget included $100,000 for stewards from the Catskill Center and Catskill Mountainkeeper, these people do not have the authority to write tickets and cannot undertake the forest ranger's most important function: rescuing people.

The number of rescue missions has increased dramatically since the beginning of the pandemic. In one of the latest, rangers had to simultaneously rescue three groups of hikers in the Catskills who were stranded after dark without flashlights.

Rangers completed 492 search and rescue missions across the state last year, 151 more than in 2019, according to Pachan.

PBA President Ryan Law said ranger recruitment began to become an issue a few years ago, and his union was negotiating with the state for better pay, but he urged Gov. Hochul to sign the pension bill.

"We're hoping for a fresh start," he said. "We have a new governor, and I know she wants to get a lot done, so we're hoping this is one of these issues that she can take care of for us.

Hinchey said the bill could be "transformative" to the rangers and could attract more local residents to work for them, residents who grew up in the Catskills and know them well.

"These are incredible job opportunities for people, but they're only job opportunities if we're investing in them in the level we need to be," she said.
Author Phil Klay grew up in a family of civic-minded individuals. His grandfather was a career diplomat. His father was in the Peace Corps as a young man, and his mother worked in the field of international medical aid for many years. So its not a surprise that as a young boy he expected to do something similar.

I was always interested in American foreign policy, and when I was in high school I thought Id eventually join the foreign service and become a diplomat, but my freshman year at Dartmouth College was September 2001, and very quickly we were a nation at war, he said.

Klay figured the most logical way to serve the country was to join the armed service. My older brother was a Marine, and it kind of put that in my head as something that might be good to do.

While in college, Klay attended officer candidate school, and upon graduation joined the Marines from 2005-2009, spending 13 months in Iraqs Anbar Province during the U.S. troop surge (2007-2008). His time as a Marine led to his first book Redeployment, which won the National Book Award in 2014. The book is a collection of short stories about enlisted men, officers, grunts, chaplains and veterans returning home.

It will always be an honor to have been an officer in the Marine Corps. I was a public affairs officer working primarily with the media, but I always thought I really worked for the American people. They deserved to know what we were doing in Iraq, Klay said.

His time in Iraq wasnt necessarily easy, and what he learned was how difficult it is to stage a modern war. People say the war in Afghanistan is over. But we can still use our over the horizon capabilities and launch drones from the safety of our country and kill many people there, and with no troops on the ground what kind of information will the American public receive?

These are some of the themes in his first novel Missionaries (2020), which has just been released in paperback. The book explores Americas involvement in Colombias civil wars, and was named as one of Barack Obamas favorite books of 2020. Klay will be presenting on the book for the New York State Writers Institute in two separate talks Thursday, Oct. 28.

Missionaries is about the unexpected consequences of the use of lethal force in regions we dont fully understand, Klay said. What has happened in Colombia also happened in Afghanistan and Iraq. The American military sweeps in and destroys one deadly power structure, a power vacuum springs up and new players, sometimes even more lethal, come in.

Klay has been interested in Colombia for a long time. Partly its because my wife is Colombian-American, but the country has also been the largest recipient of U.S. aid in the Western Hemisphere since the Clinton administration. Most Americans have no idea about that, and its extremely important to know how we use our American power around the world. Its also a country where we first learned how to do targeted assassinations, which weve since used in other countries.

In both of Klay's books, the struggles veterans or people who work in war zones have when they return home is a a recurring theme. As a public affairs officer, I didnt have the difficult deployment so many others had, and yet it felt alienating to return home. A war zone is so intense and strange, and then you come back to this society that sent you there. How do you make sense of yourself and your relationship with your country after that?

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

When Klay returned from Iraq he was extremely confident about what had been achieved. I was there during the surge, and I saw the level of violence decrease. I saw things get better, but then I saw the rise of ISIS and it all sort of unraveled. The gains seemed much more illusory. Im still proud of my service, and yet I know how much it shattered that country.

Klay has also written extensively the last few years about wars, the military and the affairs of our veterans for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic and the New Yorker. I support our withdrawal from Afghanistan, but what frustrates me and so many veterans was the total failure of our government to adequately prepare a solution to get our allies out of the country.

He said a big part of the problem was when the Trump administration signed an accord with the Taliban and how former President Donald Trump and his allies were opposed to the resettlement of Afghan refugees of any kind including those who saved the lives of American soldiers. Those disastrous photos and videos of Afghans trying to flee the country and clutching on to the airplanes didnt have to happen. I encourage people to help these refugees and there are a variety of organizations doing just that like Hearts and Homes for Refugees.

Klay considers best-selling author Colum McCann a mentor. He was a great teacher of mine when I returned from Iraq and enrolled in a writing program at Hunter College. He gave me a kick in the pants and called me out when my writing wasnt what it should be. He wasnt going to defer to my experience as a veteran. He demanded the highest standards from me.

For the last two years Klay has been teaching writing at Fairfield University. As a writer of fiction Ive learned to grapple with the big questions that involve morality and spirituality. I explore these questions because theyre important to me. Writing allows me to drill down to the very core of what it means to be a human being, and by asking these big questions it has also reawakened my own spiritual faith once again.

Jack Rightmyer is an adjunct English teacher at Siena College and a freelance writer.
The real-life rivalry between Oscar-winning actresses Bette Davis and Joan Crawford bled over into the making of their second and final film together (they both appeared as themselves in the 1944 revue, Hollywood Canteen), the 1962 thriller What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

The resulting film about two sisters, both former actresses, tormenting each other while living together in a crumbling mansion, became a cult classic beloved by fans of camp, drag performers and Bette Davis impressionists (But'cha ahr, Blanche! Ya ahr in that chair!), while also earning its place as a critically acclaimed Oscar winner.

Over the years, its remained a fount of inspiration for horror movies, LGBTQIA+ culture and aspiring filmmakers. And in 2010, inspiration turned into tangible reality for one group of folks with the release of their feature film Baby Jane? an impressively detailed spoof that stars men in drag in all the adult female roles.

On Sunday, Oct. 24, the Pine Hills Film Series will host a special screening of Baby Jane? at the Madison Theatre in Albany, along with a meet-and-greet and Q&A session with the films writer-director, Emmy nominee William Clift, set decorator and executive producer Roger K. Reid, and cast member Ron Prince Herman Symansky.

And you can thank Reid and Loudonville native Symansky for the opportunity to see the drag parody on a local big screen. The married couple transplanted from their decades-long home of San Francisco to Albanys Pine Hills section to take care of Symanskys mother and restore the family home around five years ago.

That is an ongoing art project all on its own. Symansky's grandfather built many homes in the city and they are now restoring this one from basement to attic, with meticulous adherence to period detail, eye-popping colors and design, and paintings  Symansky is an artist and graphic designer  lining the walls and various surfaces. But the home is the best of both worlds, though; the techie side of the pair has hidden beneath its appropriate-for-the-time trappings a fully functioning smart house, with device-controlled lighting, air conditioning, audio system and more.

Since then, Reid, a designer by trade, continued his business, Roger K. Reid Interior Design, and along with artist and performer Symansky, became heavily involved with the Vanguard Designer Showhouse as well as transforming the Executive House Apartments on South Swan Street, Albanys only co-op, and doing the interior design remodel of the Damien Center.

We just have our fingers in a lot of pies, Reid says. You can do that here.

But the hope of bringing Baby Jane? to Albany was always on their minds.

Ive wanted to bring this here and screen it, says Reid, but I didnt want to do it without having either some of the talent come out (to Albany) or Billy, the director.

Connections with the Pine Hills Film Series and the Madison Theatre, and everyones eventual availability, allowed Reid and Symansky to make their dream come true.

Baby Jane? was followed five years later by Hush Up Sweet Charlotte, a takeoff of 1964s Hush  Hush, Sweet Charlotte, a follow-up and spiritual sequel to "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" with much of the same cast and filmmakers, but Crawford being replaced soon after filming began with Olivia de Havilland. Reid is interested in someday bringing the second film to Albany as well.

We did both of those films with 10 or 12-day shoots. So, its super intense getting the filming, and then Billy is absolutely brilliant about editing. In fact, I think thats his biggest skill.

The two movies were filmed in San Francisco, utilizing existing locations and employing well-known drag performers and actors like Heklina and Matthew Martin, who has channeled Bette Davis onstage for years, letting the people and places dictate the narrative flow. Charlotte even scored Jon Waters regular Mink Stole for a role. Symansky notes that many in the cast have also been featured on "RuPaul's Drag Race."

Reid and Symansky were in pre-production with Clift and much of the same filmmakers on their next film, Dead, Dead, Dead Ringer, a satiric take on 1964s evil twin drama Dead Ringer, starring, yes, Bette Davis, along with Karl Malden and Peter Lawford. Then their plans to be temporarily bicoastal while making the movie were scuttled by the Covid pandemic. The movie is still very much a go for some future date, and they expect to follow that with an homage to All About Eve.

Reid, a native of Utah (I was raised in Salt Lake City  and got out of there as fast as I could and went to San Francisco!), was a theater major in college and worked on student films, so he wasnt coming in with just his interior design experience when he took on the roles of set decorator and production designer for Jane and Charlotte. Still, there was a learning curve.

Really its all about those dailies, looking through the lens to see what the camera is seeing and adjusting it from there, and there was a lot of that, Reid says. Cause you think you have it set up, but the camera sees something different and you have to angle things around.

One thing that hasnt required much adjustment, other than the weather-related difference between the west and east coasts, is living in Albany.

We have just been amazed at the fundraising successes here. Reid says from his time as a board member of an organization in San Francisco, they were lucky to raise $20,000 a year, while here groups sometimes bring double that for a single event.

Its amazing to me how truly community-oriented everyone seems to be, and thats really great. That just speaks volumes about Albany and how easy it is to live here.

If you go "Baby Jane?" screening with the filmmakers When: 7 p.m. Sunday Where: The Madison Theatre, 1036 Madison Theatre, Albany Admission: $10 Info: 518-621-7122; themadisontheatre.com See More Collapse

And it allows for things like a screening of a low budget, drag performer parody of a Bette Davis movie to be shown here to enthusiastic audiences, so they can applaud their fellow residents, even if theyve only been neighbors for five years.

Reid has one more story to tell, though, and it might show how he was fated to be where he is today, more so than being a theater major and interior designer, or befriending filmmakers and drag artists in San Francisco.

When four-time Oscar-winning film director John Ford was shooting his classic Westerns in Monument Valley, Reids mother was an extra in several of them.

He gave my mother a lapel pin thats a watch because he liked how she danced at the wrap-up parties, which I think is the most adorable story he says, adding, Theres a famous scene where my uncle is shot on the steps of the county courthouse and thats in the local film museum. He would supply all the cattle and horses to those Westerns.

So, if anyone asks, What ever happened to Roger K. Reid, the answer is, he just followed in the family tradition of making movies, in one way or another. And now hes bringing his adopted city of Albany along for the ride.

Were happy to be here, were thrilled to be screening the film that we put so much work into at the time. We just want to keep getting more and more people involved in the arts in Albany.
After a six-year process, his feature flick The Last Frankenstein will be unveiled to the public. First, theres a Saturday night premiere screening at Proctors. It will be immediately followed by a two-week run at the Johnstown Movieplex.

Having the chance to see his first full-length film play on a big screen at a storied local venue is an eagerly anticipated experience for the lifelong Amsterdam resident.

I love that its at Proctors, he said. Ive been going to events there since I was a kid.

Getting to see it on a big screen, with high-end sound equipment, is unnerving in a good way, Weaver continued. Obviously the pandemic had thrown a question mark into whether or not it would be possible. But the experience of seeing it in this environment, after all the time editing and watching it on a computer, makes me reconnect with it more.

Weavers been fascinated by film since childhood and made it his academic and professional pursuit. After wrapping up his studies at Fulton-Montgomery Community College, SUNY Purchase and New York Film Academy, Weaver worked on his own short films and as a production hand on larger features.

Then much like Henry (or Victor, if youre a Hammer horror films enthusiast) Frankensteins creation came to life, inspiration struck Weaver like a bolt of lightning back in 2015.

It just started as the words The Last Frankenstein, and I wondered, What would that entail, Weaver said. From there the story started developing itself.

The story is of Jason Frankenstein, the last descendant of the infamous family. Mired in ennui, he becomes obsessed with completing the project his ancestors failed to bring to fruition. In the way that things seem to happen when trying to raise the dead, carnage ensues.

To take his motion picture monster from concept to reality, Weaver got creative. He decided to use his Amsterdam community as the films backdrop and sought production help from the 518 film community. Producer Jay Leonard was brought on board to assist with managing locations, transportation and accommodations for the actors. For financing, Weaver and Leonard went to Kickstarter, where they raised $13,500.

Weaver utilized 40 actors and 25 locations in Amsterdam and outlying areas in the production of The Last Frankenstein. It was huge in scope on a very restricted budget. Luckily, Weavers natural aesthetic of 70s and 80s grindhouse cinema lent itself well to his budgetary constraints.

Id rather shoot in Amsterdam and on our budget, it made sense, Weaver said. Working on a smaller, local level, you can open a lot of doors for locations because people know you and the regulatory process is similar, you just call the police chief and let him know youre filming on the street.

(As a filmmaker), the period Im most at home in is that late 1950s to early 80s look, he added. Im not even trying to force that look; its just the language I speak. Its how I think, I love the colors, the style of camera work.

Filming on The Last Frankenstein was completed in 2016 and due to the aforementioned budget, post-production was a two-year process. Weaver noted that since hes very particular to a fault, each phase, from self-editing to sound and color mixing, was done piece-by-piece.

For two of the most crucial aspects of the film, Weaver sought out local talent. Jared Balog, an artist whos lent his talents to high-profile projects for Marvels Netflix productions and the HBO adaptation of The Plot Against America, was responsible for the makeup and visual effects. The score was composed by Steve Noir, a Canajoharie resident. Their contributions were crucial in turning The Last Frankenstein into a cohesive, throwback horror flick.

Even on a low budget, you cant let the production look low budget, Weaver said. Jared Balog did all the makeup special effects. Theres two monsters in the movie and he had to design and construct the latex and effects for. He killed it, no pun intended.

The score was local and completely unexpected, he continued. Steve Noir presented us with this song and when I listened to it, it sounded like one of those 80s rock ballads that play at the end of a horror movie. We met for months and went scene-by-scene and he put together this great synth score.

The Last Frankenstein was officially completed in March 2021. Weaver has spent the bulk of his time this year marketing the movie via social media and the sizable on-line horror community. He always planned to self-distribute it, whether that meant making his own physical media or taking The Last Frankenstein out on tour.

Hes also finding success on the film festival circuit. In September it ran at Dublin, Irelands Underground Cinema Film Festival. Its also been selected to screen at five more festivals in the coming weeks: the American Horrors Film Festival in Lake Geneva, WI; Tucson Terrorfest in Tucson, AZ; the Scarefest Horror and Paranormal Film Festival and Convention in Lexington, KY; Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival in Buffalo, NY and New Filmmakers NY in New York City.

Its an encouraging sign for Weaver, who hopes to use this as a springboard to his next film. He already has an idea for it. Lets just say that The Last Frankenstein isnt the final word on the Frankenstein family mythos.

Itd be great if we got picked up by Shudder or a boutique like Scream Factory, he said. But long-term, the goal is to make just enough money to keep making the next movie and find a way to make a living (as a director).

If you go The Last Frankenstein

When: 7 p.m., Saturday, October 23 (Proctors), October 24-November 7 (Johnstown Movieplex)

Where: Proctors, 432 State St., Schenectady; Johnstown Movieplex, 236 N Comrie Ave., Johnstown

Tickets: $20-$179.50

For more info: www.proctors.org

www.facebook.com/JohnstownMovieplex

www.gila-film.com See More Collapse

Ive already started writing the next one, Weaver continued. I thought this would be one story and done, but an idea for a sequel came to me in editing. I cant wait to take what I learned from the last one and apply it to this, so it only takes one year instead of five.
Two weeks before the clocks turn back, there is another numerical change that will need resetting in our region.

As of Sunday, October 24, seven-digit dialing will no longer be an option for local calls made within the 845 and 914 area codes, a region that spans from Warwick and Yonkers in the south to Margaretville and Germantown to the north, and to the Connecticut-Dutchess County border in the east. Going forward, people must dial area codes as well to complete their calls.

Given the change, residents and businesses are encouraged to reprogram all services and automatic dialing equipment that are currently programmed to use seven-digit dialing.

A total of 82 area codes in 35 states and one U.S. territory will be impacted by this change. The 845 and 914 area codes are two in our region; other area codes in New York that will be affected include 516, 607, and 716. The Capital Region, which uses the 518 and 838 area codes, had already moved to 10-digit dialing in 2017.

If callers do dial using just seven digits after Sunday, the call will not be completed, forcing callers to redial with the area code. Callers will not need to dial 1 first, and their actual phone numbers will not change.

Why the switch? To make room for a three-digit suicide prevention lifeline: 988. The Federal Communications Commission stated that to prepare for a quick way of dialing the lifeline, 82 area codes must transition to 10-digit dialing.

I think its a huge benefit to have a three-digit number to call for suicide prevention and crisis intervention as compared to trying to remember a 10-digit number, said Dutchess County Emergency Response Commissioner Dana Smith. Its a great benefit for the public, especially those in crisis.

The reprogramming could be lifesaving for another reason.

Services and devices that need to be reset to accommodate the 10-digit requirement include life safety systems  like fire alarm and prevention alert systems  and medical monitoring devices, private phone exchange systems, fax machines, internet dial-up numbers, fire or burglar alarm systems, other security systems or gates, call forwarding settings, and more.

Its very important if [people are] dependent on these life safety systems or alarm systems to notify their alarm company or emergency services, said Smith. A seven-digit call will not go through.

Additionally, residents and businesses are encouraged to update website information, personal and business stationery, advertising materials, checks and personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

Dutchess Countys Emergency Response Center has switched all their programming to 10-digit dialing, and the county has informed its residents through press releases and social media to make the switch as well.

The county took additional steps to inform the elderly population, who might need assistance to reprogram devices. The information was shared through newspaper columns, a mailed senior spotlight newsletter, and a weekly Golden Living email blast and at senior centers.

The suicide prevention lifeline, which is currently reachable at 1-800-273-8255, will be accessible by dialing 988 after the three-digit service is implemented on July 16, 2022. 911 will also remain a three-digit call.

This is an important change that will make it easier for callers nationwide to contact the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline and get the assistance they need, said Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro in a press release. The simple addition of three digits to local phone calls can help save a life.

Orange County 911 also informed residents of the switch. On Facebook it stated that the emergency service center is prepared for the change and encouraged others to prepare as well.
ALBANY - With shorter days, state forest rangers are starting to rescue hikers caught in the woods after dark without headlamps or flashlights.

Thats what happened at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9 when Greene County 911 contacted forest rangers for assistance with two lost hikers from Brooklyn at Kaaterskill High Peak.

The hikers were on an ambitious day hike covering 12 miles, leaving them without headlamps after dark. As the rangers hiked in, they received calls about two other hiking groups needing assistance on the Becker Hollow trail at Hunter Mountain and on the Long Path near Platte Clove Road, also due to darkness and lack of flashlights or headlamps.

One group of rangers started to bushwhack, or go off trail, to locate the Brooklyn hikers about a mile in on the trail.

One ranger brought the group out while another went to the other hiking groups. One group found on the Long Path hiked out with the use of cellphone lights. As other rangers headed toward Becker Hollow those lost hikers emerged from the woods. All three searches ended at 9:15 p.m.

Also in Greene County at 6:10 p.m. Oct. 10, dispatchers requested assistance at Kaaterskill Falls for a report of a 40-year-old hiker with a head injury. A ranger located the hiker, provided first aid and assisted the person to the trailhead. The hiker refused additional medical care.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

At 4:20 p.m. Oct. 11, hikers called Greene County 911 to request medical assistance for a 70-year-old hiker with a heart-related problem 2 miles in on the Huckleberry Point Trail.

Rangers and rescue teams reached the hiker, who walked out to a utility vehicle. The hiker declined further medical attention.

A group of boaters in Webb, Herkimer County, also had difficulty navigating without proper lights.

On Oct. 9, the Department of Environmental Conservations Ray Brook dispatch office was contacted shortly after 8 p.m. by the Big Moose Fire Department requesting assistance with a stranded boat on the Stillwater Reservoir. Two Oneida County boaters were reportedly in good health, but stranded north of Beaver River.

Rescuers took a boat about 7 miles down the reservoir toward Beaver River Station. At 10 p.m., the stranded boat was spotted near shoals. The two boaters were unfamiliar with the reservoir and were having trouble navigating, using only a cellphone flashlight. They were able to follow the rescue boat back to the boat launch area by 11:30 p.m.
RENSSELAER  Michael S. Barone, a former Albany police lieutenant and candidate for city court judge, was charged with attempted murder after he allegedly shot another man at a home in Rensselaer on Tuesday and then drove the victim to the hospital.

Police charged Barone, 55, with attempted second-degree murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon after the shooting at 61 Washington Avenue.

Barone is retired from the Albany Police Department where he rose to lieutenant during a career of more than 20 years.

Albany police detained Barone at the hospital and took a firearm from him. The case is being handled by Rensselaer police.

Barone is a onetime Army paratrooper who joined the Albany police force after attending the University at Albany. He is also a lawyer who in 2017 ran unsuccessfully for Albany City Court judge.

He also worked as a law guardian and served on the executive committee of the criminal justice section of the New York State Bar Association.

Rensselaer police said the victim was shot in the leg. Barone brought him to Albany Medical Center Hospital where the victim was treated. Barone was arraigned in North Greenbush Town Court and sent to the Rensselaer County jail without bail. He could not be reached for comment.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

Barone is scheduled to make an appearance in Rensselaer City Court Friday.

In his unsuccessful bid for City Court judge, Barone was one of seven candidates vying to fill three court vacancies in a Democratic primary.

Kenneth C. Crowe II contributed to this article.
ALBANY  Two members of the Albany County Planning Board were suddenly dismissed from their positions earlier this month, leading to speculation over whether it is related to the board previously recommending against a Costco being built in the Pine Bush.

Dominic Rigosu, the planning board chair and a member for 13 years, and Enzo Sofia found out that the Albany County Legislature was moving to dismiss them from their positions at the end of last month. Some residents and the now-former board members are speculating that the dismissal may be retaliation for their strong opposition to the planned development of a 160,000-square-foot Costco in the historically Black Rapp Road neighborhood.

My take of why myself and Enzo were let go is because of the Costco case. Theres monetary value with the Costco case, Rigosu said. The Costco case had a long history in the county, it was in front of us for two months, and during that time I received numerous calls from county legislators regarding this case.

The Costco project, introduced by Pyramid, Inc., in 2019, was debated in Guilderland, as well as before the Albany County Planning Board, with citizens and nearby businesses filing a lawsuit against the project proposal. State Supreme Court Judge Peter Lynch ruled in favor of the citizens last November, criticizing Pyramid and noting multiple problems with the way the town planning board followed the state Environmental Quality Review Act, which requires local and state governments to consider the environmental impacts of development proposals.

However, Pyramid (which owns nearby Crossgates Mall) and the town of Guilderland won an appeal over the summer that ruled the town planning board's review was adequate and overturned Lynch's decision. The national warehouse chain still must get zoning and planning board final approvals from Guilderland to proceed.

Rigosu said that the day after the 5-0 county planning board vote recommending against the project in May 2019, which he and Sofia pushed, all the board members received an email from the legislatures office asking for their names, addresses and when they were appointed to the board. Rigosu said that hasnt happened after a vote before.

At that point we were all under the assumption that we were getting kicked off because of our decision on the Costco case, he said.

Sofia said he doesnt think the Costco vote is the only reason they were dismissed, pointing out that the other members who voted against the project have not been dismissed. There is also the fact that the Costco vote happened more than two years before they found out about their dismissals.

I dont know what happened, said Sofia, who is a civil structural engineer. Were more technical people, were not looking at the political side. Theyre trying to replace us with the people more politically minded to say, Yes, sir.

The pair learned of their imminent dismissal when they received a call from County Legislator Mark Grimm, who was confused when he saw the plan in an agenda item ahead of a September meeting.

It wasnt handled properly, no reason has been given, and thats what I think is inappropriate, Grimm said.

Upon hearing the news from Grimm, Rigosu and Sofia decided to resign from their positions instead, reasoning that it was more ethical, Rigosu said.

Albany County Legislature Chairman Andrew Joyce says that the Costco vote has nothing to do with the decision to remove Rigosu and Sofia from the board.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

Theres a mistaken impression out there that were replacing these two guys because of the (Costco) vote that they did in 2019, which could not be any farther from the truth, Joyce told the Times Union. There have been issues with some of the decisions theyve made over the course of several years  and kind of acted on their own accord.

Joyce brought up Rigosu and Sofia's opposition to a proposed yearlong moratorium on development in Bethlehem, which Joyce supported. Rigosu said they opposed the moratorium because it would have halted an affordable housing project that had been in the works in Bethlehem (as well as any other affordable housing project).

Legislator Matt Peter also alleged in a meeting that hes received complaints from constituents about the pair but did not offer details.

Grimm was one of numerous political players across both aisles, as well as residents, who have been vocal in County Legislature meetings this month about their concerns regarding the decision, and wanting clarification over what happened.

What they did is they held the principle of protecting the Pine Bush, Lynne Jackson, a longtime volunteer with Save the Pine Bush, said during a County Legislature meeting last week. People should not be replaced on the planning board because of their vote.

After numerous complaints from meeting attendees, Joyce agreed to take the issue to the legislature's personnel committee. The meeting is scheduled for Oct. 28.

As a county planning board, we only provide recommendations to the local municipality, Rigosu said. If they dont like our recommendations  they could easily override us. Its sad that it would come down to this.
ALBANY  Under a policy adopted earlier this year, county governments will no longer routinely weigh in on whether state reports reviewing child deaths in New York should be publicly released.

In a memo to county governments in May, Lisa Ghartey Ogundimu, deputy commissioner at the state Office of Children and Family Services, wrote that counties  which are responsible for operating Child Protective Services agencies  would no longer be required to issue memos recommending whether the OCFS reviews should be publicly released or suppressed.

The Times Union reported last year that over the course of a decade 725 reports had been suppressed by the state agency's commissioner. The state has often suppressed the documents upon the recommendations of county governments, whose employees' actions are critiqued in the same reports.

The reports include sections reviewing whether county Child Protective Services workers followed protocols before child deaths  including homicides in which abuse had previously been reported.

Since 2008, OCFS had required county social services agencies to recommend in writing whether releasing a given report was in the best interests of surviving siblings of the deceased child, the sole exemption allowing the state commissioner to suppress a reports release. But in certain circumstances, counties also may have had other motivations for seeing a report suppressed, including avoiding negative publicity, or the prospect of a negligence lawsuit from a childs grieving family.

The new policy "places the best interests determination process, and the decision to publicly release a child fatality report, solely with

OCFS," Ogundimu wrote.

In the memo, the deputy commissioner also wrote that OCFS is now posting past publicly issued child fatality reviews on its website, and will proactively post new reviews going forward if the commissioner determines a report should be released.

Ogundimu wrote that the posting of these reports ... not only supports government transparency but, more importantly, provides a mechanism for the public to have insight, if not a role, in the goal to reduce the number of preventable child fatalities in the state of New York.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

The Times Union learned about the policies when OCFS rejected the newspapers request for a fatality review report. The newspaper sought the agency's review of the death of a 4-year-old boy in Schenectady who was allegedly murdered by his foster father last December.

The Times Union's request sought only information about the conduct of Child Protective Services workers, and specifically excluded information about surviving siblings. While noting the decision was now borne entirely by OCFS, records access officer Tracy Swanson did not explain why suppressing the report was in the best interests of the boy's surviving siblings.

Schenectady County, Albany County and others are facing a lawsuit over social services workers' alleged mishandling of the deceased childs case. On Tuesday, at the request of defendants, the case was moved from state Supreme Court in Albany to U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.
ALBANY  The attorney for former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Wednesday accused state Attorney General Letitia James of political bias and of improperly interfering with the independent investigation overseen by her office that produced a scathing report that led to Cuomo's resignation on Aug. 10.

"She had a motive to draw every possible inference against the governor, who was a political rival and who planned to run for a fourth term," said Rita Glavin, Cuomo's attorney, who characterized the attorney general's investigation as an "ambush" that destroyed Cuomo's reputation.

Glavin said James' alleged bias is, in part, based on the fact she has not "disavowed" running for governor next year. Cuomo has millions of dollars in his campaign account, she said, and though his spokespeople have indicated he has no interest in running for public office, Cuomo has not publicly ruled out seeking an elected office.

"The obvious conflict would be for Attorney General James is that ... if it is in her mind that he might run, and its no secret what his campaign war chest is, it is entirely inconsistent with  the appearance of impartiality and independence for her to be conducting that investigation when the governor hasnt publicly come out and answered the question," Glavin said. "She certainly has an appearance of not having a favorable impression of the governor and Im going to leave it at that."

Fabien Levy, a spokesman for the attorney general's office, called Glavin's presentation on behalf of Cuomo "another baseless attack by the former governor who resigned so he didnt have to participate in an impeachment hearing."

"The most concerning part of todays charade was the former governors attempt to stifle a legal criminal investigation into allegations that he used state resources for a book deal and personal profit," Levy's statement continued. "This is not the Moreland Commission, and we will not be bullied into shutting down this investigation like the former governor did with that commission."

Glavin said their 150-page "application" demands that the attorney general "amend, correct and supplement" the Aug. 3 report that found Cuomo had sexually harassed, touched, groped or behaved inappropriately with multiple women. She added the report, which she characterized as flawed, may also be relied on by the state Assembly's Judiciary Committee as it prepares to issue its own report on the sexual harassment allegations leveled against Cuomo by multiple women.

In addition, the report could be used in any future litigation against the governor and may also influence an ongoing investigation of the governor by the Joint Commission on Public Ethics, she said.

But Glavin's "application" to the attorney general has no legal weight and the office is not compelled under law to even consider the demands.

Glavin also called on James to appoint an "independent reviewer" to examine the governor's application, which includes hundreds of pages of exhibits.

"It has to be amended, and corrected, it misled the public," Glavin said. "It is our position that the attorney general cannot be the person to consider our application to amend, correct and supplement the report because the governor's March 1 ... referral was not for the attorney general to oversee an investigation  or to be involved in any investigation of the allegations against the governor."

Glavin noted that although James hired outside attorneys to lead the investigation, she put her name at the top of the report and made remarks at a recent political event that indicated she was intimately involved in the matter. James also took the lead at the Aug. 3 press conference announcing the conclusions of the investigators, embracing the findings as her own.

Glavin additionally leveled accusations of bias at state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, asserting that political motives prompted him to send a letter to the attorney general in April calling for an investigation into allegations that Cuomo may have misused state resources to publish a book last year about his handling of the pandemic. She said at the time DiNapoli had considered whether to run for governor.

"The comptroller has full confidence in the independence and integrity of the attorney general and her investigation," said Matthew Sweeney, a spokesman for DiNapoli's office. "He stands by his referral and believes the question of whether state resources were used on the book merits review."

The attorney general's report that led to Cuomo's resignation followed a four-month investigation that included interviews with the women who accused Cuomo of conduct ranging from making sexually charged remarks to grooming and groping at least one female executive assistant. The investigation was headed by Joon H. Kim, a former acting U.S. attorney for New York's Southern District in Manhattan, and Anne L. Clark, who specializes in labor law and sexual harassment cases.

Cuomo has denied kissing a former aide, Lindsey Boylan, and denied groping another female aide, Brittany Commisso, at the Executive Mansion last year. The latter allegation is the most incendiary to be leveled against Cuomo, who has dismissed his workplace behavior as "playful" and an attempt to "make jokes that I think are funny."

Other women also came forward and recounted similar unsettling encounters with the governor, including a woman who was photographed at the wedding of one of Cuomo's top aides as the governor held her face and asked to kiss her.

The submission released by Glavin on Wednesday devotes dozens of pages to disputing the allegations of four of the women who accused Cuomo of misconduct, including a female trooper who said the governor touched her, commented on her choice of clothing and spoke to her inappropriately about sexually charged topics.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

Last year, Cuomo's office vehemently denied that the governor had any role in the female trooper's appointment to his Protective Services Unit in 2018. Now, the governor admits that he did ask for her to be offered a job  the attorney general's report cited electronic communications confirming that  but Cuomo contends that he was only seeking to increase diversity on the unit and that it had nothing to do with the female trooper's physical appearance.

Her assignment to the detail came after the governor met the now-30-year-old trooper during a ceremony at the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge in New York City in November 2017. The governor, according to the state attorney general's office, directed that the trooper be offered the job and subsequently sexually harassed her after she was assigned to his protective detail two months later.

Glavin's application to the attorney general's office also defended Cuomo's practice of kissing people on the cheek, including the female trooper, saying it was not "gender-based" because he kissed males on the cheek as well.

The governor stated earlier this year that he "never inappropriately touched anybody and I never propositioned anybody and I never intended to make anyone feel uncomfortable, but these are allegations that New Yorkers deserve answers to."

In the wake of the earliest allegations  before the groping allegations were first reported by the Times Union  Cuomo had authorized James to commence a "review" of the complaints. But that directive did not authorize the attorney general to conduct a criminal investigation or to subpoena witnesses before a grand jury. That authority would have needed to be given to James under a separate provision in Executive Law.

The groping allegations are the subject of ongoing investigations by the Albany County Sheriff's Office and the Albany County district attorney's office. Commisso filed a formal complaint with the sheriff's office in August.

The Times Union reported in March that Cuomo still faced the possibility of a misdemeanor sexual abuse charge or a non-criminal harassment violation.

Glavin on Wednesday again pushed back on Commisso's groping allegation, seizing on the fact that Commisso could not remember whether the alleged incident had occurred in November or December. In a previous interview with the Times Union, Commisso had said the incident may have occurred in late November, but she could not recall the exact date. Her attorney has said she told him that it was in November or December.

On Oct. 11, the Times Union reported that electronic records gathered by investigators for the state Assembly's Judiciary Committee, which is expected to issue a report on their investigation that began as an impeachment proceeding, showed Commisso was at the governor's mansion with Cuomo on Dec. 7.

Glavin on Wednesday did not dispute that the aide was alone with Cuomo on the second floor of the mansion on Dec. 7. But she questioned why, roughly four months after what would have been a traumatic encounter, Commisso could not pinpoint the exact day it occurred.

"He didnt grope Ms. Commisso on that day or on any other day," Glavin said.
Michael P. Farrell

Remember the time a local salon owner got kicked out of a Latham restaurant on its opening night because the co-owner didn't want to offend her landlord, who owned a rival salon? About 550 Table Hopping readers had something to say about it.

Or the time the then-owner of Bombers Burrito Bar took out a billboard on I-787 urging a local state senator to vote in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage? That stirred up 376 comments.
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.
October 19, 2021





The term entrepreneur has been around for a long time, says Abeir Haddad, entrepreneur, and investor from West Vancouver, BC, and many people have misconceptions about being one. For example, some believe that entrepreneurs are always rich and famous. This is not true; there are plenty of successful entrepreneurs who live modest lives with few possessions.







Others think the only way to be an entrepreneur is through owning your own company or starting your own business from scratch. Again, this isn't accurate as some become entrepreneurs by working at a company they helped start or buy out later on in their career. Some people even work as freelance entrepreneurs, where they take on jobs based on the needs of different companies and clients rather than owning their enterprise outright (or hiring employees).

Several different factors could potentially make a person want to run their own business, for example:

You don't like working under other people

You identify as an innovator/think outside of the box

You have a lot of great ideas but don't know what else to do with them

Everyone always says, "follow your dreams," says Abeir Haddad, but how many people consider this? If you're worried about not being able to pay rent, then, of course, you're not going to want to run your own business. You need to be confident and have the drive to get ahead in life, and if running a business is what will do that for you, then go for it.

Let take a look at a few of the most common things that make people want to be entrepreneurs.

Passionate Creators

Some people want to create, period. They don't necessarily need to be paid for it or see a return on their work; they love the process and creative expression that comes with creating something new.

If you're one of these types of people, then entrepreneurship might be perfect for you. It will allow you to take your ideas and turn them into something tangible that delivers value to customers/users in some way, shape, or form.

To do this successfully, though, you'll have to put in the hard hours required by any entrepreneur (there is no easy button when it comes to working from home). You'll also need an idea for a product or service that solves a problem other people have while being innovative enough to stand out from the crowd.

Productivity Experts

For many people, what matters most is their output and responsibilities at work. They feel like, says Abeir Haddad, they don't have much control over what they can accomplish or how quickly it gets done, so they want to take a more proactive approach by becoming entrepreneurs.

When you're an entrepreneur running your own business, you get to decide exactly how you use your time each day while still bringing value to others in some way. You may not control everything that happens around you, but if you're committed and persistent, things will eventually run more smoothly for you.

You also get to prioritize working on tasks that interest/excite you the most rather than doing whatever your boss tells you to do, which can be a nice change of pace for someone who's worked in the same job for several years.

Freedom Seekers

The freedom to make your schedule, work/life balance, etc., are probably the biggest perks of entrepreneurship. However, there can also be some drawbacks if you're not ready or willing to take on certain responsibilities (e.g., managing employees).

Abeir Haddad believes that it's important to note that while most entrepreneurs do love the freedom they get from running a business, they still have to put in a lot of effort. You won't solely rely on the company you start for money, and there are also lots of risks involved.

Legacy Builders

Some people want to leave a legacy behind when they die, and entrepreneurship is one way to do this. They may not be able to open up a museum or something as large as what Bill Gates (News - Alert) donated to charity, but they can impact the business they start/expand over time.

This category is more common among those who become successful entrepreneurs. They're going to have a lot of great ideas throughout their lifetimes, and they want to do something bigger with them than think about it. If you have a passion for entrepreneurship, this might appeal to you, but keep in mind that this is probably the hardest category out of all of these.

Struggling survivors

Lastly, some people are just struggling financially or in their current jobs/careers. They want to get ahead at work by becoming entrepreneurs, but there's also a desire for independence and control that drives them.

They may not have any problem with the idea of working long hours or taking on extra responsibilities, but they do need money to get started. That's why entrepreneurship can be a great option if you have a business idea and some capital to get your company up and running, but it may not be the best choice for people who lack these things.

Final Thoughts

Because of the possible downsides, people who aren't prepared for the responsibility may choose to remain within their current job position until they feel confident enough about starting their own business. For example, someone might work as an editor at a large company because it's stable and safe but secretly wants to become an entrepreneur. Hence, they use their spare time trying out different ideas related to content creation until one works out in the long run.

People who want to run their own business and aren't afraid to take risks will generally try out different ideas on the side before eventually deciding which ones are worth pursuing. They'll likely start as freelancers or independent contractors first if they can afford it because those positions allow them to test the waters without too much risk involved quickly. Once they establish themselves as experts in their respective field(s) and begin growing a fanbase/client base, they might feel confident enough to start their own company.
[October 20, 2021] Advanced Data Analytics Solution from X1 and CDS Selected as One of Four Winners in the 2021 Georgetown Law Advanced eDiscovery Institute Judge Tank

X1 and Complete Discovery Source (CDS) announced today that their joint submission of an advanced, in-place data analytics workflow is one of the four winners selected to present during the 2021 Georgetown Global Advanced eDiscovery Institute's Judge Tank session in November. The Judge Tank session will feature a panel of distinguished sitting federal judges that will be presented with the four winning entrepreneurial ideas from technology firms, service providers and corporate counsel. During the panel, the four winners will pitch their novel and creative ideas about eDiscovery, privacy, and Big Data to the judges, similar to the popular TV program "Shark Tank." This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005359/en/ The X1 and CDS submission envisions a game-changing technical integration and workflow utilizing advanced analytics on data in-place for eDiscovery and compliance use cases prior to data collection. This solution enables a far more efficient, targeted, and proportional electronically stored information (ESI (News - Alert)) collection process, while also powering data privacy compliance audits across enterprises at a massive scale. This proposal will be presented live by X1 and CDS executives to the judges' panel on November 19. John Patzakis, Chief Legal Officer and Executive Chairman of X1 commented, "It is a great honor to be selected as one of the winners of the competition among such a deep collection of compelling submissions. X1 is all about roviding cutting edge innovation in eDiscovery and Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) so it's very gratifying to be recognized for novel approaches to major issues eDiscovery and GRC practitioners face every day. We can't thank Georgetown Law and the judges enough for this great opportunity."



The judges comprising the panel are: Hon. J. Michelle Childs, District Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina

Hon. Kristen L. Mix, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado

Hon. Xavier Rodriguez, District Judge, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

Hon. Anthony E. Porcelli, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Hon. Zia Faruqui, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia "Whether we're exploring new applications for existing tools or developing purpose-built products and solutions, CDS is always looking to advance the practice of eDiscovery. As data volumes grow ever larger and data formats become increasingly complex, it's never been more critical to think outside the box," said Nyi Htwe, Chief Technology Officer, CDS. "We appreciate Georgetown Law's commitment to spotlighting innovation and encouraging dialogue and debate about the tools practitioners need to meet the future of data."

The Discovery Judge Tank will be featured in this year's Global Advanced eDiscovery Institute (AEDI) conference to be held in person on November 18 and 19 in Washington, D.C. Scott Milner, Partner at Morgan Lewis & Bockius, will moderate the panel. Managing Director William Wallace Belt, Jr., Esq. will present on behalf of CDS, while X1 will be represented by their Chief Legal Officer John Patzakis. About X1 X1 is the global leader in remote preservation and collection software. With more than 600,000 users in 20,000 different organizations globally, X1 solutions address our clients' and users' mission-critical needs every day. Please contact X1 at [email protected] or visit www.x1.com for more information. About Complete Discovery Source (News - Alert) Complete Discovery Source, Inc. (CDS) is a leading eDiscovery company, providing litigation technology, advisory services, and data management solutions to corporations, law firms and government agencies. Headquartered in New York with offices in Chicago, Washington DC, San Francisco, London, and Zurich, CDS maintains highly secure data centers around the world. For more information, contact CDS at [email protected] or visit www.cdslegal.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005359/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] AM Best Upgrades Issuer Credit Rating for Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Michigan

AM Best has upgraded the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) to "b+" (Marginal) from "b" (Marginal) and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of C++ (Marginal) of Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Michigan (FMIC) (Coldwater, MI). The outlook of the Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect FMIC's balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as adequate, as well as its marginal operating performance, very limited business profile and marginal enterprise risk management. The Long-Term ICR upgrade reflects a trend of improved operating performance metrics compared with prior periods, and a reduction in underwriting performance volatility relative to historical levels. FMIC's balance sheet strength is assessed as adequate due to strong risk-adjusted capitalization, elevated reinsurance dependence metrics and limited financial flexibility and scale of operations. FMIC's business profile is assessed as very limited due to its business concentration in Michigan and highly competitive marketplace with low barriers to entry for competitors in its primary lines of business. FMIC's ERM is assessed as marginal due to an evolving risk management framework. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release ad pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings & Assessments.



AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright  2021 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005747/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] AmMax Bio Announces Positive Interim Phase 2 Results of AMB-05X for the Treatment of Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor (TGCT)

Intra-articular (IA) Delivery of AMB-05X Demonstrates Proof-of-Concept in TGCT With A Rapid Onset of Tumor Reduction in All Patients Within Six Weeks

Interim AMB-05X Data Support Potential for Best-in-Class Therapy for Treatment of TGCT REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AmMax Bio, Inc. (AmMax), a private clinical-stage biotech company developing novel treatments with AMB-05X, its proprietary anti-CSF1R monoclonal antibody platform, today announced positive interim data from a Phase 2 study of AMB-05X for the treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT). We are very excited to report these positive interim results of AMB-05X for the treatment of TGCT, said Larry Hsu, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of AmMax Bio. We have sought to match our highly potent and selective monoclonal antibody with an optimal local delivery route for superior efficacy and safety, that delivers best-in-class clinical benefits for patients suffering from TGCT. What we have seen so far supports that AMB-05X could dramatically impact the current treatment paradigm, with an unparalleled fast onset of response after only 6 weeks and no significant adverse events. We are working closely with our investigators in Europe and the U.S. to complete our Phase 2 program and prepare for a pivotal trial. The Phase 2 trial is designed as a 12-week adaptive, multi-center, open-label, proof-of-concept study to evaluate the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of intra-articular injections of AMB-05X in patients with TGCT of the knee  the predominant joint affected by this sarcoma. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04731675). Key study outcomes include overall response rate (ORR) via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), improvements in pain, stiffness, range-of-motion, quality-of-life, pharmacokinetics measures and safety. Interim (6-Week) Results At Week 6 (after 3 doses), a preliminary analysis showed that all 5 enrolled patients exhibited early evidence of clinical benefit, including tumor reduction based o RECIST criteria and improvements across clinically meaningful patient-reported functional outcomes including reduction of pain and stiffness, improvements in quality-of-life measures, and increased range-of-motion of the affected joint. Patient tolerability data for AMB-05X was favorable with no serious adverse events (AEs) and few non-serious Grade 1 or 2 AEs. Detailed data from the study will be presented at a future scientific conference.



These interim data are very positive and align with the favorable patient responses weve observed during study visits, stated Hans Gelderblom, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of Medical Oncology at the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands and Principal Investigator of the study. Improvements in both clinical and radiologic outcomes, coupled with reduced systemic safety risks, suggest that AMB-05X could emerge as an important new therapy for this indication. While surgery is the primary option for most patients with TGCT, the challenges associated with tumor recurrence, post-op recovery, and pain management could be better served by adding optimal pharmacologic options to the treatment mix, said Michiel van de Sande, M.D., Professor of Orthopedic Oncology, at the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands. As a locally-administered, non-surgical treatment, AMB-05X could offer an optimal balance of safety and efficacy as a meaningful treatment option.

About TGCT Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor (TGCT), with a worldwide incidence of over 300,000, is a serious and debilitating locally aggressive tumor in which patients can experience severe pain, disability, and diminished quality of life. Surgical resection is the primary standard of care for TGCT, but carries significant risk to patients, including complications, prolonged postoperative care, infections, and frequent relapse. A safe and efficacious pharmacological therapy remains a significant unmet need. AmMax is uniquely positioned to address this need in treating TGCT by leveraging the target selectivity of AMB-05X and its enhanced safety profile, while creating a sizable commercial opportunity from improved patient care. About AMB-05X A potent monoclonal antibody against CSF1R, AMB-05X represents a therapeutic platform targeting serious macrophage-driven inflammatory, fibrotic and neovascular diseases. CSF1R, via its binding to two regulatory cytokines, CSF1 and IL-34, is critically involved in the regulation of macrophages and related cells in multiple biological processes across many organ systems, making it an attractive target with broad therapeutic applications. About AmMax Bio Inc. AmMax was founded in March 2020 to develop therapies under an exclusive worldwide license from Amgen, Inc. that leverages the diverse and critical roles played by the colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) signaling pathway for macrophage-driven diseases in multiple organ systems. AmMax is enrolling patients in Phase 2 clinical programs for tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) and has achieved nonclinical proof-of-concept in both neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). For more information, please visit the companys website at www.AmMaxBio.com . Contact AmMax Bio, Inc.

Andrew Sauter, CFO

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 650-787-3777



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Blueberries Medical Corp Announces that its subsidiary Blueberries SAS has obtained the qualification as Breeding Unit and Exporter of Selected Seeds

TORONTO, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blueberries Medical Corp. (CSE: BBM) (OTC: BBRRF) (FRA: 1OA) (the "Company" or "Blueberries"), a licensed Latin American producer of medical Cannabis and Cannabis-derived products, today announces that its wholly owned subsidiary Blueberries S.A.S. in Bogota, Colombia, obtained the registration of its agronomic operation area as a plant breeding unit and exporter of selected seeds.

This authorization by the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA), the authority responsible for the surveillance and control of the agricultural sector in Colombia, allows the company to consolidate its research and development activity around new cultivars with integral improvements from three points of view: increase performance and yield, extend cannabinoids and terpenes profiles, and simply agronomic management to improve the cost-effectiveness of the operation. In addition, the registration as an exporter of selected seeds will allow the company to address emerging markets in Latin America and other regions, providing cuttings and seeds with the performance, adaptability, and consistency necessary to guarantee the operational standards of its strategic allies. The new capabilities of improving genetics and exporting seeds and cuttings are directly related with income generation and will help us to extend our sales streams internationally. We have been successful in selling our cultivars in Colombia, and more recently B2B services and extracts, so we are eager to start also commercializing our genetics in the global market. Indeed, there are some exercises with potential buyers in Argentina and Uruguay that we hope to announce soon, said Jose Maria Forero, President of the operations in Latin America. Facundo Garreton, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, added that, The access to superior genetics is a determinant factor to thrive in the industry, so we are very pleased that Blueberries has now the possibility to upgrade its genetic bank and to export seeds and clones of these strains to the international markets. It is also a great achievement that brings multiple possibilities and synergies with other companies of the Terraflos group, primarily with the plans that YVY is executing in Uruguay and Argentina. About Blueberries Medical Corp. Blueberries is a Latin American licensed producer of naturally grown premium quality cannabis with its primary operations ideally located in the Bogota Savannah of central Colombia. The Company is led by a specialized team with proprietary expertise in agriculture, genetics, extraction, medicine, pharmacology and marketing, Blueberries is fully licensed for the cultivation, production, domestic distribution, and international export of CBD and THC-based medical cannabis in Colombia. Blueberries combination of leading scientific expertise, agricultural advantages and distribtion arrangements has positioned the Company to become a leading international supplier of naturally grown, processed, and standardized medicinal-grade cannabis oil extracts and related products.



Additional information about the Company is available at www.blueberriesmed.com For more information, please contact: Jose Forero, President, Latin American Operations

[email protected]

Tel: +57 310 345 8808

Guillermo Rodriguez, Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

Tel: +54 9 11 6015 2227 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as expects, or does not expect, is expected, anticipates or does not anticipate, plans, budget, scheduled, forecasts, estimates, believes or intends or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results may or could, would, might or will be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward looking statements relate, among other things, to: commencement of commercial production of CBD-dominant oils and products, successful implementation of full GMP standards at its extraction facility to allow for additional export potential to international markets, achieving additional milestones is contemplated, or at all, ability to expand distribution networks, ability to expand and upgrade the Companys cultivation facilities in Colombia, internal expectations, expectations regarding the ability of the Company to access new Latin American and international markets, the ability to attract and retain new customers, and future expansion plans including development of the cultivation, production, industrialization and marketing of cannabis for commercial and scientific purposes.



These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; expectations regarding the size of the Colombian and international medical cannabis market and changing consumer habits; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; plans for expansion; political and social uncertainties; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; and the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on cultivation, production, distribution and sale of cannabis and cannabis related products in Colombia, Argentina and elsewhere; and employee relations. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.



Additional information regarding the Company, and other risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's business are contained under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Listing Statement dated January 31, 2019 and such other risk factors included in the managements discussion and analysis of the Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2020, each filed on its issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.



No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation Diversity in Clinical Trials Career Development Program Announces First Group of Physicians to be Trained

The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMSF), together with its partners, National Medical Fellowships (NMF) and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), today announced the first group of 52 physicians selected for its Diversity in Clinical Trials Career Development Program (BMSF DCTCDP). The 52 early-stage investigators are the first of 250 community-oriented clinical trialists who will be trained through the program by 2027. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005111/en/ The 52 physicians selected by an independent selection committee are an accomplished group working at a broad range of healthcare institutions in 22 states across the U.S. The physicians include 34 women and 18 men who represent a diverse cross section of races and ethnicities and bring a widely varied perspective and range of experiences to the program, as well as to their therapeutic focus areas of cancer (hematologic or solid tumors), immunologic disorders and cardiovascular diseases. "I'm awed by this inaugural group of clinicians, who have demonstrated their passion for and dedication to addressing the disparities in clinical research through community engagement," said Robert A. Winn, M.D., Director, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Chair of the National Advisory Committee of the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation Diversity in Clinical Trials Career Development Program. "And, I'm confident that when they complete this program, these scholars will have the skills not only to conduct high impact clinical trials, but also to work within communities to build trust with at-risk populations, getting past the fear and skepticism that can often exist, to give the underserved better access to this important tool in healthcare research." The BMSF DCTCDP was launched as one of a number of different health equity and diversity and inclusion commitments made last year by the Foundation and its donor, Bristol Myers Squibb. Building on the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation's legacy of promoting health equity and improving the health outcomes of populations disproportionately affected by serious diseases, the BMSF DCTCDP was launched to address the lack of diversity in clinical trials in the U.S. In fact, evidence shows that nearly 80% of patients taking part in clinical trials are white.1 Through the BMSF DCTCDP, participants will be trained as world-class clinical research scientists with additional knowledge, skills and competencies in effective community outreach and engagement. This new generation of physician investigators will have the potential to transform the clinical research landscape by conducting clinical trials designed with the goal of increasing the diversity of their participants. A Unique Program Focused on Long-term Outcomes "The ultimate aim of this program is to improve public health through the development of therapeutics for all populations," said Michellene Davis, Esq., President and CEO of NMF. "To truly bring about the change we want and need, we must accept the clarion call to eliminate systemic and structural racism that contribute to racial disparities in healthcare. ?NMF is proud to serve as implementation partner and one of the curriculum partners in this transformative initiative, contributing substantially to its concept, design, development, and management. Community-oriented, equity-minded health professionals are needed more than ever to address the historical causes of mistrust in healthcare systems and increase the engagement and participation of underserved populations." The multi-dimensional program is uniquely designed to foster clinical and translational research that is community-informed, designed and conducted. Participants receive training in evidence-based methods of community outreach and engagement. They participate in a multi-level mentorship model with established community-based Principal Investigators and with medical students through a major component of the program called the Clinical Investigator Pipeline Program (CIPP). The CIPP is an intensive summer service-learning externship that exposes promising rising second year medical students who are underrepresented in medicine to the basics of clinical trials and to working in underserved community health settings to provide outreach, education and engagement on clinical trials. "Many aspects of the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation Diversity in Clinical Trials Career Development Program make it unique," said Eliseo J. Perez-Stable, M.D., Director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health. "Its focus on helping clinical trialists become experienced in community engagement research methods is key to develoing the trust necessary to realize an increase in clinical trial participation by people of color, yet we have not seen this in any other program of this kind. The program is also designed for long-term impact -- engaging both practicing clinical trial physicians and diverse medical students, developing mentoring relationships that will build a pipeline of clinicians that are skilled in clinical trial diversity. All of these elements are rarely found."



John Damonti, president, Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, said that the response to the BMSF DCTCDP has been overwhelming. "The number of applicants exceeded our expectations, as did the stellar credentials of the physicians who applied. In fact, we expanded the cohort to include as many of these exceptional candidates as possible." He added that the BMSF DCTCDP is a significant priority for the Foundation, which has been working for decades to improve health equity in the United States and around the world. "I could not be more pleased that we are realizing our vision for this program." "We are thrilled to contribute in a major way to this extraordinary program," said Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), Chief Executive Officer of the AACR. "This educational workshop will provide these early-career physicians with the remarkable opportunity to interact with and be mentored by leading clinical investigators, as well as leading biostatisticians and community engagement experts to learn the principles of excellent clinical trial design, and to develop the skill sets needed for building community networks. This program, along with the long-term mentorship offered to the participants, will prepare them to become independent clinical trialists and have the overarching benefit of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion."

The first cohort of scholars will begin their two-year participation in October 2021 with a program orientation, followed in early November by a six-day intensive educational workshop on clinical research, called BMSF-AACR Design and Implementation of Clinical Trials Workshop. Applications for Future Participants - Cohort II Physicians and Cohort I Medical Students Letters of intent are being accepted now through January 14, 2022 for the second cohort of clinical trial physicians. For medical students, the application period for the CIPP will open on November 15, 2021, and close on January 28, 2022. Interested applicants can learn more and apply by visiting the program website at www.diversityinclinicaltrials.org. About the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, an independent charitable organization, focuses on communities most at risk of suffering the impacts of serious diseases in regions of the world that are hardest hit. It empowers partners to develop and test innovative solutions to advance health equity and improve access to quality healthcare for patients. Grant making focuses on cancer, cardiovascular disease, and immunologic disease, as well as clinical trial diversity in the United States, and prevalent cancers in nine African countries, Brazil and China. The mission of the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation is to promote health equity and improve the health outcomes of populations disproportionately affected by serious diseases by strengthening healthcare worker capacity, integrating medical care and community-based supportive services and mobilizing communities in the fight against disease. For more information, visit Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (bms.com). About National Medical Fellowships Seeking to empower and support aspiring physicians and health professionals underrepresented in medicine to contribute to the health of our nation, National Medical Fellowships' mission is to provide scholarships and support for students underrepresented in medicine and the health professions. Founded in 1946, NMF is one of America's first diversity organizations. Today, as the only national organization solely dedicated to providing scholarships to medical and health professions students in all groups underrepresented in healthcare, NMF is reducing healthcare disparities by creating new generations of clinicians and healthcare leaders who are dedicated to realizing health equity. NMF is supported by a national network of more than 32,000 Alumni who serve tens of millions of patients annually. Together we continue to move health equity forward as we build the next generation of diverse healthcare leaders. About the American Association for Cancer Research Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the world's first and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure cancer. AACR membership includes 49,000 laboratory, translational, and clinical researchers; population scientists; other health care professionals; and patient advocates residing in 128 countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise of the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer by annually convening more than 30 conferences and educational workshops-the largest of which is the AACR Annual Meeting, with more than 74,000 attendees for the 2020 virtual meetings and more than 22,500 attendees for past in-person meetings. In addition, the AACR publishes nine prestigious, peer-reviewed scientific journals and a magazine for cancer survivors, patients, and their caregivers. The AACR funds meritorious research directly as well as in cooperation with numerous cancer organizations. As the Scientific Partner of Stand Up To Cancer, the AACR provides expert peer review, grants administration, and scientific oversight of team science and individual investigator grants in cancer research that have the potential for near-term patient benefit. The AACR actively communicates with legislators and other policymakers about the value of cancer research and related biomedical science in saving lives from cancer. For more information about the AACR, visit www.AACR.org. Footnote https://www.fda.gov/media/143592/download About Bristol Myers Squibb Company Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. philanthropy-news View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005111/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Building an Open and Diverse Application Ecosystem, PlatON's Online Hackathon Rounded off

SINGAPORE, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, the PlatON Grant Hackathon hosted by the privacy-preserving AI network PlatON has come to an end on DoraHacks' developer platform HackerLink. As the network's first hackathon event since the launch of its mainnet, the PlatON Grant Hackathon represents PlatON's first attempt to pursue its vision of gathering global developers and building an open technology ecosystem. As PlatON started the application process of the event, we have felt the great enthusiasm of community developers for technology and applications. To demonstrate their technical prowess, nearly a hundred tech teams from Asia, Europe, North America, Africa, and Oceania applied for the PlatON Grant Hackathon. The most exciting part of this hackathon is not only the number of participating teams, but also the quality of the projects. We have been repeatedly amazed by the constant inspirations from developers and the new value they created for the digital world. Apart from the close connection with PlatON's underlying technologies, these outstanding teams and projects have also developed a profound friendship with the PlatON team. Growing on the PlatON privacy-preserving network, developers around the world launched their projects and bore fruits. By integrating their applications with PlatON's underlying technologies, developers have brought more diversity to the application ecosystem of PlatON and its meta network Alaya, thereby facilitating the thriving, sound, and secure growth of its tech ecosystem. At the sametime, the participating teams also received different rewards from the hackathon. The 31 participating teams from around the world submitted project applications through DoraHacks' open source developer platform HackerLink and received a total ATP funding of $71,200, including the $17,800 ATP quadratic prize pool, the $35,600 judge prize pool, and ATP community donations of $17,800. In addition, eight outstanding projects qualified in the screening process and received votes from the judges.



The top three projects ranked by judge voting are: First place winners (tied): Itheum, ShowMe;

Second place winners (tied): Dante, Privacy-preserving Recommender System, PlatON Studio Integrated Development Environment;

Third place winners (tied): S-world Metaverse Game, Pumo Finance, LionSwap;

The top 5 projects ranked by popularity (HackerLink community votes) are: Pumo Finance, Pumo Finance, PlatON Studio Integrated Development Environment, PlatEye Explorer, and PIX. The details of all the participating teams are available on DoraHacks' open source developer platform HackerLink: https://hackerlink.io/grant/Alaya/1/buidl During the hackathon, the tech team of PlatON designed a series of workshops, covering practical tutorials that introduce how developers can get started with development on PlatON. In addition, many participating projects did live project demos through DoraHacks' bilibili channel, the recordings of which are available on bilibili: https://space.bilibili.com/445312136/video About PlatON Started and promoted by the LatticeX Foundation, PlatON is a blockchain project backed by a privacy-preserving computation network. It offers the next-generation Internet base protocol featuring the core function of "computational interoperability". PlatON has built a computation system that combines cryptographic algorithms and blockchain technologies such as verifiable computation, secure multi-party computation, zero-knowledge proof, and homomorphic encryption, offering a public infrastructure with an open source architecture for global AI, developers of distributed applications, and data providers, as well as institutions, communities, and individuals with computation demands. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/building-an-open-and-diverse-application-ecosystem-platons-online-hackathon-rounded-off-301404451.html SOURCE LatticeX Foundation

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] CGI acquires Cognicase Management Consulting (CMC), a leading IT and business consulting services firm

Stock Market Symbols

GIB.A (TSX)

GIB (NYSE) cgi.com/newsroom MADRID, Oct. 20, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) announces today that it is acquiring Cognicase Management Consulting (CMC), a leading provider of technology and management consulting services and solutions for over 25 years, primarily in the Spanish market. The acquisition will deepen CGI's footprint in Spain and will strengthen the company's client-proximity model. CMC will bring CGI increased capacity to better serve its clients and help them accelerate their digitization. CMC's proven industry expertise and solutions complement CGI's end-to-end services, ranging from comprehensive consulting capabilities to systems integration and managed IT services. Founded in 1993, CMC delivers high-value digital services to a majority of the IBEX 35's companies and serves large clients across all industries. With approximately 1,500 highly skilled professionals, CMC operates through a strong metro market footprint supported by delivery centers serving clients in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Colombia and Mexico. Over the years, CMC has served as a digital partner of choice through its end-to-end services portfolio and its solid ecosystem of technology partners. "We are looking forward to joining forces with CMC in helping our clients accelerate their digitization and driving even greater business value from our united end-to-end capabilities," said George D. Schindler, President and Chief Executive Officer at CGI. "CMC's services, solutions and highly skilled employees will enable us to significantly strengthen our services portfolio and capabilities in Spain." "CMC and CGI share a common corporate culture and core values, including a strong commitment to talent and innovation, and to excellence in execution," said Jean-Michel Baticle, President and Chief Operating Officer at CGI. " I want to warmly welcome CMC's consultants and other professionals to the CGI community." "CMC is tremendously proud to have been chosen by such a renowned industry leader as CGI to continue to grow its business," said Jaime Hortelano, Chairman of CMC. "By joining forces, CGI becomes one of the strongest players within our markets, with an excellent, highly competitive team that will continue to provide distinctive value to our clients. I am excited to be part of CGI's leadership team." Foreign investment approval by the Spanish authorities has been received for the acquisition and the transaction is on track to formally close by the end of the month. About CGI

Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 78,000 consultants and other professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business proess services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. CGI Fiscal 2020 reported revenue is C$12.16 billion and CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com.



Forward-looking information and statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable United States safe harbours. All such forward-looking information and statements are made and disclosed in reliance upon the safe harbour provisions of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws. Forward-looking information and statements include all information and statements regarding CGI's intentions, plans, expectations, beliefs, objectives, future performance, and strategy, as well as any other information or statements that relate to future events or circumstances and which do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts. Forward-looking information and statements often but not always use words such as "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "foresee", "plan", "predict", "project", "aim", "seek", "strive", "potential", "continue", "target", "may", "might", "could", "should", and similar expressions and variations thereof. These information and statements are based on our perception of historic trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other assumptions, both general and specific, that we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. Such information and statements are, however, by their very nature, subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, of which many are beyond the control of CGI, and which give rise to the possibility that actual results could differ materially from our expectations expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not restricted to: risks related to the market such as the level of business activity of our clients, which is affected by economic and political conditions, external risks (such as pandemics) and our ability to negotiate new contracts; risks related to our industry such as competition and our ability to attract and retain qualified employees, to develop and expand our services, to penetrate new markets, and to protect our intellectual property rights; risks related to our business such as risks associated with our growth strategy, including the integration of new operations, financial and operational risks inherent in worldwide operations, foreign exchange risks, income tax laws, our ability to negotiate favourable contractual terms, to deliver our services and to collect receivables, and the reputational and financial risks attendant to cybersecurity breaches and other incidents; as well as other risks identified or incorporated by reference in this press release, in CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A and in other documents that we make public, including our filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators (on SEDAR at www.sedar.com) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (on EDGAR at www.sec.gov). For a discussion of risks in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, see Pandemic Risks in section 10.1.1. of our annual and quarterly MD&A. Unless otherwise stated, the forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and CGI disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. While we believe that our assumptions on which these forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are based were reasonable as at the date of this press release, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking information or statements. Furthermore, readers are reminded that forward-looking information and statements are presented for the sole purpose of assisting investors and others in understanding our objectives, strategic priorities and business outlook as well as our anticipated operating environment. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Further information on the risks that could cause our actual results to differ significantly from our current expectations may be found in the section titled "Risk Environment" of CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A, which is incorporated by reference in this cautionary statement. We also caution readers that the above-mentioned risks and the risks disclosed in CGI's annual and quarterly MD&A and other documents and filings are not the only ones that could affect us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial could also have a material adverse effect on our financial position, financial performance, cash flows, business or reputation. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cgi-acquires-cognicase-management-consulting-cmc-a-leading-it-and-business-consulting-services-firm-301404374.html

SOURCE CGI Inc.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Clarus Wealth Advisors Launches New Website and Investment Adviser Representative (IAR) Support Program

Clarus Wealth Advisors LLC ("Clarus"), a family-owned, dually registered SEC (News - Alert) Registered Investment Advisor headquartered in Peoria, Arizona, announced today the launch of a new website as part of the firm's planned offering geared to Investment Adviser Representatives (IARs).

Clarus's new website, www.claruswealthadvisors.com, further streamlines the client experience with easy access to a secure, mobile Client Login portal and Site Map. Visitors looking for more information on investment and wealth management services will find information on retirement planning, business succession, and charitable giving. In addition, the site provides additional resources such as articles, calculators, and a video library with content geared to financial literacy.

In addition to its optimized user experience, the website also provides prospective IARs with information on their fully customizable support program. Some of the benefits include:

Portfolio Management - Full-service, in-house portfolio management team with over 75 years of combined experience as a trusted fiduciary partner.

echnology Tools - Dedicated Chief Technology Officer and full-suite of integrated, best-in-breed, fintech solutions to support daily operations and compliance.

Operational Support - In-house Chief Compliance Officer and department to support a seamless transition.







For more information about Clarus Wealth Advisors, please visit www.claruswealthadvisors.com.

About Clarus Wealth Advisors LLC

Clarus Wealth Advisors, LLC (Clarus) is a Peoria, AZ-based registered investment advisory firm specializing in financial and retirement planning, portfolio management, insurance, business succession planning, and charitable giving. Our experienced team serves as true and transparent partners to our multi-generational clients and financial professionals seeking comprehensive business support.

Investment advisory services offered through Clarus Wealth Advisors LLC a SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered through Crown Capital Securities LP member FINRA & SIPC. Clarus Wealth Advisors LLC and Crown Capital Securities LP are unaffiliated companies.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005298/en/
[October 20, 2021] CSI Launches Free Webinar Series to Support Canada's National Financial Literacy Month

The Canadian Securities Institute (CSI (News - Alert)), a Moody's Analytics company, is proud to extend its support of Financial Literacy Month with dedicated resources free to all Canadians. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005217/en/ In partnership with leading financial services providers, CSI will host a series of webinars to share best practices for achieving financial goals. Topics will include Baby Boomers, Millennials, and Wealth Transfer: What You Need to Know (October 27), Newcomers: Fast Track Your Financial Career in Canada (November 3), Investors' Guide to Digital Assets (November 10), and A Woman's Guide to Personal Finance (November 17). "Through our series of four free webinars, we are helping Canadians achieve greater financial resilience and navigate the evolving financial landscape with confidence," said Marie Muldowney, Managing Director at CSI. "Retiring Canadians have worked a lifetime to build their net worth, and some are set to be part of the largest wealth transfer in our history," said Julie Seberras, Senior Manager, Wealth Planning Support at TD Wealth and wealth transfer webinar panelist. "You want to protect what matters most and leave a legacy that reflects your unique circumstances and values." Reflecting on women's finances, Neela White, Portfolio Manager at Raymond James and a webinar panelist, said, "While women are taking care of everyone else, I'm concerned about them planning for their own financial longevity and vitality. Women need to take control of their financial security now." Register for the free webinars. A replay link will be available after each webinar.



More information on other events and resources is available on the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada and CSI's Financial Literacy Month resources website. About CSI

The Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) is Canada's leading provider of financial services education and credentials. CSI offers more than 170 courses, such as the well-known Canadian Securities Course (CSC (News - Alert)), 12 certificate programs, five renowned and specialized financial designations, the PFP, CIM, CIWM, MTI (News - Alert), and the Fellow of CSI (FCSI). CSI is the primary provider of regulatory courses and examinations for the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) and is accredited by several Canadian securities and insurance regulators. CSI operates as a Moody's Analytics company. For more information about CSI, visit our website or connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

About Moody's Analytics

Moody's Analytics provides financial intelligence and analytical tools to help business leaders make better, faster decisions. Our deep risk expertise, expansive information resources, and innovative application of technology help our clients confidently navigate an evolving marketplace. We are known for our industry-leading and award-winning solutions, made up of research, data, software, and professional services, assembled to deliver a seamless customer experience. We create confidence in thousands of organizations worldwide, with our commitment to excellence, open mindset approach, and focus on meeting customer needs. For more information about Moody's Analytics, visit our website or connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Moody's Analytics, Inc. is a subsidiary of Moody's Corporation (NYSE:MCO). Moody's Corporation reported revenue of $5.4 billion in 2020, employs approximately 11,500 people worldwide and maintains a presence in 40 countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005217/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] CytoDyn Announces Delaware Court Has Denied Activist Group's Motion to Prevent Annual Meeting from Taking Place

CytoDyn Inc. (OTCQB: CYDY) ("CytoDyn" or the "Company"), a late-stage biotechnology company developing leronlimab, a CCR5 antagonist with the potential for multiple therapeutic indications, today announced the Delaware Court of Chancery has denied a motion by the activist group led by Paul Rosenbaum (News - Alert) and Bruce Patterson (the "Activist Group") to prevent the Company's 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") from taking place as scheduled on October 28, 2021. In its order, the Court wrote: "[T]o deny CytoDyn the benefit of its advance notice bylaw by forcing a delay of its annual meeting, particularly after it prevailed at trial, would cause harm to the Company." "Inexplicably, no appeal has been filed, and no expedited treatment has been sought While I recognize that prohibiting a stockholder from exercising her franchise rights can amount to irreparable harm, in this case, any such harm is, in large measure, self-inflicted." "All steps necessary to conduct that meeting have been taken. Cancelling it a week before it is to go forward would result in substantial costs and serious confusion." "Plaintiffs failed to prove any basis to invoke equity to force CytoDyn's board of directors to accept a facially deficient nomination notice.." "This case was decided on the facts" The Annual Meeting will take place as scheduled on October 28, 2021. Shareholders of record, as of September 1, 2021, are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The Company urges all shareholders to vote their shares immediately on the Company's BLUE proxy card upon receipt of proxy material to ensure their votes count in time for the Annual Meeting. Shareholders should expect to be contacted by the Company's proxy solicitor, Morrow Sodali, to provide personalized assistance for voting. In light of the Court's two recent rulings, the Company will disregard the Activist Group's director nominations, and no proxies or votes in favor of the activists' nominees will be recognized or tabulated at the Annual Meeting, absent judicial intervention requiring otherwise. If you have any questions or require any assistance in voting your shares, please contact our proxy solicitor: Morrow Sodali LLC

Stockholders Call Toll Free: (800) 662-5200

Banks, Brokers, Trustees and Other Nominees Call Collect: (203) 658-9400

Email: [email protected] About CytoDyn CytoDyn is a late-stage biotechnology company developing innovative treatments for multiple therapeutic indications using leronlimab, a novel humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the CCR5 receptor. CCR5 plays a critical role in the ability of HIV to enter and infect healthy T-cells and appears to be implicated in tumor metastasis and immune-mediated illnesses, such as NASH. CytoDyn successfully completed a Phase 3 pivotal trial using leronlimab combined with standard antiretroviral therapies in HIV-infected patients who were heavily treatment-experienced individuals with limited treatment options. CytoDyn is working diligently to resubmit its BLA for this HIV combination therapy since receiving a Refusal to File in July 200. In July 2021, CytoDyn announced that it had submitted a dose justification report to the FDA, an integral step in the resubmission process for its BLA, which it expects to complete by the first quarter of calendar 2022. CytoDyn also completed a Phase 2b/3 investigative trial with leronlimab used as a once-weekly monotherapy for HIV-infected patients. CytoDyn plans to initiate a registration-directed study of leronlimab monotherapy indication. If successful, it could support a label expansion approval. Clinical results to date from two trials have shown that leronlimab can maintain a suppressed viral load in a sub-population of R5 HIV patients who chose to switch from their daily pills regimen to once-a-week subcutaneous dose of leronlimab. Several patients on leronlimab's Phase 2b extension arm have remained virally suppressed for almost 7 years and many patients in our Phase 2b/3 investigative trial are passing two and some four years of monotherapy with suppressed viral load.



CytoDyn recently completed a Phase 2 clinical trial with leronlimab in mTNBC and a Phase 2 basket trial in solid tumor cancers (22 different cancer indications) A Phase 2 investigative trial for post-acute sequelae of SARS COV-2, also known as COVID-19 long-hauler's, and a Phase 2 clinical trial for NASH are continuing. CytoDyn has already completed a Phase 2 and Phase 3 trial for mild-to-moderate and severe-to-critical COVID-19 patients, respectively, for which CytoDyn did not meet its primary or secondary endpoints, except for the secondary endpoint in the critically ill subpopulation. More information is at www.cytodyn.com. Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Words and expressions reflecting optimism, satisfaction or disappointment with current prospects, as well as words such as "believes," "hopes," "intends," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "plans," "anticipates" and variations thereof, or the use of future tense, identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements specifically include statements about leronlimab, its ability to provide positive health outcomes, the possible results of clinical trials, studies or other programs or ability to continue those programs, the ability to obtain regulatory approval for commercial sales, and the market for actual commercial sales. The Company's forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance, and actual results could vary materially from those contained in or expressed by such statements due to risks and uncertainties including: (i) the regulatory determinations of leronlimab's efficacy to treat human immunodeficiency virus ("HIV") patients with multiple resistance to current standard of care, COVID-19 patients, and metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer ("mTNBC"), among other indications, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and various drug regulatory agencies in other countries; (ii) the Company's ability to raise additional capital to fund its operations; (iii) the Company's ability to meet its debt obligations; (iv) the Company's ability to enter into partnership or licensing arrangements with third-parties; (v) the Company's ability to identify patients to enroll in its clinical trials in a timely fashion; (vi) the Company's ability to achieve approval of a marketable product; (vii) the design, implementation and conduct of the Company's clinical trials; (viii) the results of the Company's clinical trials, including the possibility of unfavorable clinical trial results; (ix) the market for, and marketability of, any product that is approved; (x) the existence or development of vaccines, drugs, or other treatments that are viewed by medical professionals or patients as superior to the Company's products; (xi) regulatory initiatives, compliance with governmental regulations and the regulatory approval process; (xii) legal proceedings, investigations or inquiries affecting the Company or its products; (xiii) general economic and business conditions; (xiv) changes in foreign, political, and social conditions; (xv) stockholder actions or proposals with regard to the Company, its management, or its board of directors; and (xvi) various other matters, many of which are beyond the Company's control. The Company urges investors to consider specifically the various risk factors identified in its most recent Form 10-K, and any risk factors or cautionary statements included in any subsequent Form 10-Q or Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any responsibility to update any forward-looking statements to take into account events or circumstances that occur after the date of this press release. Important Information CytoDyn has filed with the SEC (News - Alert) a definitive proxy statement and associated BLUE proxy card in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Company's 2021 Annual Meeting. Details concerning the nominees of the Company's Board of Directors for election at the 2021 Annual Meeting are included in the proxy statement. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE URGED TO READ ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH OR FURNISHED TO THE SEC, INCLUDING THE COMPANY'S DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY SUPPLEMENTS THERETO, BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and stockholders are able to obtain a copy of the definitive proxy statement and other documents filed by the Company free of charge from the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. The Company's stockholders are also able to obtain, without charge, a copy of the definitive proxy statement and other relevant filed documents by directing a request by mail to CytoDyn Inc. at 1111 Main Street, Suite 660, Vancouver, Washington 98660. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020006073/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Data-Driven Grant Management Technology Leader Fluxx Announces Acquisition by Metamorph Partners and ABS Capital Partners

Fluxx, the leading collaborative grantmaking platform for private and public organizations that amplifies impact in global communities, today announced the completion of its acquisition by a syndicate led by Metamorph Partners, an operator-led private equity firm that specializes in B2B SaaS businesses. Co-investor ABS (News - Alert) Capital Partners is a growth equity firm that has been investing in leading software and tech-enabled services businesses for more than 30 years. The acquisition has closed and terms of the deal were not disclosed. Today, Fluxx serves 10 of the 20 largest foundations in the U.S., including the MacArthur Foundation, and the Ford (News - Alert) Foundation and helps more than 300 foundations and government organizations track and evaluate more than $13 billion in grants each year. Charitable giving encompassed an impressive 2.3 percent of the total 2020 U.S. GDP, mobilizing more than 1.5 million nonprofit and funder organizations and $471 billion of investments in the social sector. "Fluxx has long been the leader in cloud-based grants management software. Their vision and execution around data-driven decisions, as well as their strong product, industry expertise and loyal customer base makes Fluxx a true differentiator in the market," said Metamorph Managing Partner Bob Tinker. "We believe the acquisition of market-leading Fluxx combined with our operational know-how will be the key to unlock the next phase of growth and further Fluxx's strategy to drive global impact." "We are thrilled to join Metamorph to invest in Fluxx," said ABS Capital General Partner Paul Mariani. "Fluxx has a compelling value proposition for foundations and other grantmaking institutions, and we are committed to helping them scale and expand their product offering under the leadership of CEO Kristy Gannon." Kristy Gannon took over as the company's chiefexecutive officer in 2020, but she is not new to Fluxx. Gannon joined the Fluxx team as the vice president of product in 2012, then quickly transitioned to the role of chief product officer and chief operating officer prior to stepping into the role of CEO. With the acquisition, Gannon joins the company's Board of Directors, along with Tinker, who was named executive chair, and Mariani. Former Fluxx CEO Madeline Duva also retains a seat as a director on the board. A leader in its commitment to foster diversity and inclusion in the workplace, Fluxx boasts gender board parity.



"This acquisition reinforces Fluxx as a true global leader in the data-driven grantmaking community, as Metamorph and ABS bring deep deep expertise in the SaaS (News - Alert) market and valued guidance for our growth strategies," said Fluxx's Gannon. Grantmakers, Traditionally Under Budget Pressures, Migrate From Incumbent Platforms to Fluxx and Pay No Annual Fee Until Current Contract Ends

Fueling this growth is Fluxx's track record of easily and quickly transitioning new customers from incumbent platforms to Fluxx at no cost to the grantmaker. Utilizing a proprietary data migration tool, Fluxx has already moved more than 100 customers away from competing products, and they have done so without budget pressure as new customers do not pay any subscription fees until their legacy contract has expired. Fluxx Customers Breaking Records with Grantmaker Data Core The United Way of Greater Atlanta switched to Fluxx during the recent pandemic. With a newly remote environment and a larger workload, they worried how they would meet the increasing community demands for support. The efficiencies created with Fluxx allowed them to complete a record-breaking 15 grant cycles in 18 months and increase annual giving by 33%, from $60 million to $80 million. "Fluxx is the central repository for all our programmatic data and has become the engine that drives reporting to our donor community. Fluxx is foundational to how United Way of Greater Atlanta pursues our Child Well-Being goals," says Tim Pakenham, Chief Operating Officer. Fluxx differentiates itself from competitors with its ability to capture, structure, and connect data. "A central component of our cloud-based architecture is the Grantmaker Data Core that allows our customers to improve decisions and maximize impact while also touching every part of the Fluxx platform," continued Gannon. "Fluxx was built by grantmakers for grantmaking, and it's one of the biggest reasons our customers experience success." Additionally, despite the economic downturn that plagued most markets over the past year and a half, Fluxx grew both their revenue and customer base, with new customers including the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, John A. Hartford Foundation, The United Way of Greater Atlanta and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. About Fluxx Fluxx is the industry-leading cloud-first grantmaking solution. Purpose-built by grantmakers for grantmaking, Fluxx is women-led, a DEI champion, and a Pledge 1% member organization. More than 300 world-class foundations and government organizations use Fluxx, including 10 of the top 20 foundations, granting more than $13 billion annually and impacting more than 150,000 non-profits. Find out more at www.fluxx.io and follow @fluxxlabs on Twitter (News - Alert). About Metamorph Partners Metamorph Partners is an operator-led private equity for B2B SaaS businesses. Metamorph is led by two experienced operators: Bob Tinker, former founding CEO of MobileIron - from $0 to $150M in revenue and IPO, and David Hersh, former founding CEO of Jive Software (News - Alert) - from $0 to $100M and IPO. About ABS Capital For over 30 years, ABS Capital Partners has been investing in emerging growth companies, helping CEOs capitalize on new opportunities and navigate unforeseen obstacles - while never losing sight of the ultimate goal of achieving lasting excellence. Our partners have decades of experience as C-level executives, investment bankers, and investors in the industries in which we invest. By helping to transform over 130 companies through their most crucial stage of development, ABS continues to help unleash the potential for lasting growth. Visit www.abscapital.com for more information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005559/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Dayton Seniors Can Navigate Medicare Options From Home: Free Online Webinars Offered by PriMED Physicians

DAYTON, Ohio, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Baby boomers who are aging in to Medicare or want to explore their options can attend a virtual seminar from the comfort of their own home. PriMED Physicians is offering a Virtual Medicare Shop & Compare Expo, 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 22. The webinar is a great opportunity for seniors to learn more about the differences in Medicare and Medicare Advantage and the many plan options available to them. To register: GreaterDaytonSeniorCareAdvantage.com The webinar will include several sessions, including a physician panel entitled: "Understanding Value-Based Healtcare"; Medicare 101 sessions; insurance company and broker presentations; and inspirational comments from Dayton 60 Strong Ambassadors, who have overcome health obstacles and other challenges and will offer encouraging words about living life to its fullest.



Don't worry if you miss the webinar. From October 22 until December 7, you can still log on to GreaterDaytonSeniorCareAdvantage.com to listen to the online Medicare information program. PriMED Physicians is hosting the event and will have representatives available to answer questions about their Greater Dayton Senior Care Advantage program, which expands the cooperation and coordination between PriMED and the health insurance plans providing coverage for their senior patients. Greater Dayton Senior Care Advantage is not a new Medicare Advantage plan -- rather it is a new approach to care delivery. Under this program, patients have more flexibility, but still have access to the quality care provided by their physicians at PriMED.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dayton-seniors-can-navigate-medicare-options-from-home-free-online-webinars-offered-by-primed-physicians-301404855.html SOURCE PriMED Physicians

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
EC Infosystems Announces February 2022 for Revised User Conference Date

EC Infosystems, a leader in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Billing/Customer Information Solutions (CIS) for companies in the deregulated energy industry, announced their annual user conference has been moved to February 2-4, 2022 and will remain at The Four Seasons Resort and Spa in Orlando, Florida.

In facing the difficult decision to push the event scheduled for November 2021, EC Infosystems will offer a half-day virtual session on November 11, 2021. The virtual gathering will feature an abbreviated version of the original agenda, with a full agenda for the in-person event to be released in the coming months. Virtual registration is open currently.







Located conveniently in the Walt Disney (News - Alert) hotel district and just three miles from the legendary theme parks, the user conference will be held at the sprawling Four Seasons Resort and Spa at 10100 Dream Tree Boulevard LAKE BUENA VISTA, Orlando, FL 32836.

"The continued health of our clients, employees, and communities are a top priority, and we made the tough choice to push our event to February when we believe the pandemic will be in a safer state for both Florida and in the pandemic as a whole," says EC Infosystems' President and CEO, Mohan Wanchoo.

The 2022 event will focus on "Driving Growth." Retailers can expect to collaborate, learn, and strategize significant growth opportunities leveraging EC Infosystems' industry leading technology and tools.

"We look forward to welcoming our clients into a safe environment in February," says Ananda Goswami, EC Infosystems' Chief Revenue Officer.

User conference registration is complimentary and open for registration only to EC Infosystems' EDI and Billing clients. Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of the extremely discounted lodging options at The Four Seasons Orlando early. EC Infosystems will also be offering a limited number of sponsorship opportunities for any energy industry companies looking to partner with their expansive customer base. To learn more or register, please visit the EC Infosystems' website and reserve your spot today.

About EC Infosystems

EC Infosystems is a market-leading Software as a Service provider (SaaS (News - Alert)) of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and UtiliBill (Billing/Customer Information Solutions (CIS)), serving more than 300 clients in the deregulated energy industry across the United States. The company's sophisticated software platform is user friendly, improves efficiency and operating performance, and provides clients with a strong competitive advantage. For more information, visit www.ecinfosystems.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005323/en/
[October 20, 2021] Electrolux Powers a More Sustainable Future with Singapore's First Appliance-as-a-Service Subscription Program

SINGAPORE and KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Electrolux, a progressive and premium Swedish home life brand, is boldly shaping the future of home appliance consumption and use with the launch of Singapore's first Appliance-as-a-service (AaaS) subscription program. The first of its kind service in Singapore is a significant milestone in its 2030 vision and targets to shape living for the better globally and aims to meet the changing living habits of millennials and Gen Z Singaporeans while simultaneously reducing waste. Under the scheme, Singaporeans can browse Electrolux appliances on offer through Electrolux's official website, Electrolux Life app or Instagram. Once they find an item they like, consumers are directed to partner sites to sign up and confirm their monthly subscriptions before having their appliances delivered to their doors. The pilot is currently offered through Singapore Furniture Rental, Expats Partner and Cove, who received their first six UltimateCare washer dryers this week. "Cove is delighted to be partnering with Electrolux to provide our tenants with the latest in innovative smart-home technologies at competitive prices. By offering quality and thoughtful appliances in our home rentals, we hope to encourage tenants to minimise waste and foster an environmentally conscious mindset. We're excited to be working together on various pioneering appliance subsciption and pay-per-use models that allow us to jointly promote more sustainable urban living," said Sophie Jokelson, Cove Co-founder and CMO.



Each appliance comes with a warranty service that covers the duration of the subscription, and consumers may access paperless instructions and care manuals through the Electrolux Life app. When the subscription ends, the appliances are picked up and made available for other consumers or, if it is beyond re-use, upcycled and recycled according to Singapore E-waste regulations. With no upfront deposits and affordable monthly payments, the first AaaS in Singapore is designed for young people, new homeowners, landlords and expats who need temporary and affordable appliances but worry about an outright purchase which contributes to global waste.

The leasing program covers most common appliances, including washer-dryers, refrigerators and wine cabinets. For example, wine lovers can subscribe to a 30-bottle, 3+1 shelf wine cabinet at Expats Partner for just SGD 40 per month for 13 months or longer. Creating a better, more sustainable future for young Singaporeans Traditionally, young people in Singapore live at home with their parents until they are married and move into their own spaces. However, amid lockdowns and the COVID-19 situation, more of such young people are choosing to move out to achieve greater flexibility and privacy. Between 1990 and 2020, the number of young people under 35 who lived alone or with non-family members surged from 33,400 to 51,300  although Singaporeans do not become eligible for subsidised public housing until they marry or turn 35. "The needs of Singaporeans are evolving, as are those of people around the world. Young people seek greater independence and move out earlier whilst also looking for ways to reduce their environmental footprints. With the launch of our first Appliance-as-Service subscription program, Electrolux is taking the lead on energy- and resource-efficient solutions as part of our Better Living Program objectives," said Douglas Chua, General Manager of Electrolux Singapore. From moving in with friends to sharing co-living and co-working spaces or moving overseas, this cohort is willing to make financial sacrifices for individual growth and freedom. With many not having enough funds early on in their careers to furnish their new spaces, Electrolux's pilot subscription program is the ideal solution to address financial concerns and alleviate sustainability concerns generated by moving from home to home. Together with modern property businesses like Cove, Electrolux and its partners are shaping the future of appliance manufacturing and sale  making it easier for young people to rent sustainably in the 21st century. If you are a furniture, appliance rental company or a co-living, working space that would like to join Electrolux create a sustainable ecosystem, enabling subscription of appliances, you can contact our team via "[email protected]" About Electrolux Electrolux is a leading global appliance company that has shaped living for the better for more than 100 years. We reinvent taste, care and wellbeing experiences for millions of people, always striving to be at the forefront of sustainability in society through our solutions and operations. Under our brands, including Electrolux, AEG and Frigidaire, we sell approximately 60 million household products in approximately 120 markets every year. In 2020 Electrolux had sales of SEK 116 billion and employed 48,000 people around the world. For more information go to www.electroluxgroup.com. SOURCE Electrolux

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Elevandi Appoints Board Of Directors

SINGAPORE, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Elevandi, a new Company Limited by Guarantee (GLC) created by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to take over the Singapore FinTech Festival, and bring together the global financial and FinTech communities, has appointed an international board of directors to oversee its mission and work. Sopnendu Mohanty, MAS Chief FinTech Officer, will serve as the Chairman of the Elevandi Board. The directors will bring diverse perspectives and insights on innovations driving the financial sector. The board of directors include: Jo Ann Barefoot , CEO and Co-founder of Alliance for Innovative Regulation and Co-founder of Hummingbird Regtech. Jo Ann is a globally well-regarded policymaker with over 35 years of experience and was the first woman Deputy Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Jo Ann is based in the U.S.

, CEO and Co-founder of Alliance for Innovative Regulation and Co-founder of Hummingbird Regtech. Jo Ann is a globally well-regarded policymaker with over 35 years of experience and was the first woman Deputy Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Jo Ann is based in the U.S. Neil Parekh , Partner and Head of Asia , Australia and New Zealand at Tikehau Capital. Neil is an accomplished Singaporean banker with over 30 years of global experience in financial services including the APAC region, Europe and the U.S.

, Partner and Head of , and at Tikehau Capital. Neil is an accomplished Singaporean banker with over 30 years of global experience in financial services including the APAC region, and the U.S. Pieter Franken , Global FinTech Pioneer and Passionate Innovator, is based in Japan . Pieter has a career spanning 30 years in Financial Services, specialising in management, FinTech, innovation and large-scale digital transformations.

, Global FinTech Pioneer and Passionate Innovator, is based in . Pieter has a career spanning 30 years in Financial Services, specialising in management, FinTech, innovation and large-scale digital transformations. Matthias Kroner, Founder & Managing Director of Tradelite Solutions, is based in Germany . Formerly, Matthias served as Founder and CEO of Fidor Bank and DAB Bank; has over 25 years in financial services, with unparalleled insight into corporate strategy, innovation-leadership and M&A through the most transformative period in the history of the banking industry.

. Formerly, Matthias served as Founder and CEO of Fidor Bank and DAB Bank; has over 25 years in financial services, with unparalleled insight into corporate strategy, innovation-leadership and M&A through the most transformative period in the history of the banking industry. Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief FinTech Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore . Sopnendu is a well-known Singaporean FinTech Professional with over 25 years of global experience in the Financial Sector covering financial services, technology and innovation. Strengthening Elevandi's mission Today's appointment of the board is key to fulfilling Elevandi's mission of fostering a dialogue between the public and private sectrs to catalyse for the growth and positive impact of FinTech in the new digital economy. Elevandi's General Manager, Pat Patel, states:



"I am delighted to welcome our new board of directors who will help us drive our mission in the coming years. Importantly our diverse mix of directors will provide sound guidance to help us capture expanding FinTech opportunities around the world. We look forward to announcing new directors over the coming months." The Singapore FinTech Festival

Appointment of the board members comes just a few weeks prior to the start of the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF), 8th-12th November, co-organised by MAS and Elevandi, in partnership with The Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) and in collaboration with Constellar Exhibitions. The SFF 2021 programme will place special focus on Web 3.0 and features a Web 3.0 Knowledge Certificate in Financial Services issued by The Asian Institute of Digital Finance, National University of Singapore (NUS). This certificate can be earned through listening to speaker presentations throughout the week-long programme. The Web 3.0 Knowledge Certificate in Financial Services is built around three modules: Designing Financial Services on Web 3.0 Building Financial Services on Web 3.0 Sustainable Financial Services on Web 3.0. The three modules are spread over 45 SFF sessions, and the pass mark has been set at 60%. Over 10,000 companies have already registered to attend this year's SFF. Global leaders such as, Ben Horowitz, Co-Founder & General Partner, Andreesen Horowitz, Michael Miebach, Chief Executive Officer, Mastercard, Divya Suryadevara, Chief Financial Officer, Stripe, Dan Schulman, President & Chief Executive Officer, PayPal, Sabrina Peng, VP, Ant Group, President Social Good and Green Development, Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum Founder, Ethereum Foundation and many more will join our speaker line up. About Elevandi Elevandi, which means literally 'to lift or raise up' is building a global knowledge and collaboration platform aimed at bringing together the global financial and FinTech communities to address pain points in the financial system, and harness financial technology and innovation to improve the lives of individuals, economies and societies. To drive its next phase of growth, Elevandi is expanding its activities beyond the SFF to a broader range of engagement platforms to drive greater collaboration in the global FinTech community. These include: Green Shoots Series, monthly meetups for the global FinTech community to discuss critical topics trending in FinTech and the digital economy;

Deal Fridays, monthly events between investors and start-ups to drive deal-making opportunities;

Oxygen by APIX, an upskilling platform for financial institutions, FinTechs and tech enthusiasts with carefully curated masterclasses, panels, podcasts and research content from industry experts dedicated to promoting worldwide knowledge sharing;

Elevandi Forum, purpose-driven roundtables aimed at bringing the public and private sectors together to advance developments and issues within the FinTech industry;

Elevandi FinTech Insider Report, an annual report on digital advancements for the global FinTech industry. More about Elevandi: https://www.fintechfestival.sg/about-us/ About The Singapore FinTech Festival Co-organised by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and Elevandi, the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) is on its 6th edition. Last year's annual event brought together 60,000 participants from 160 countries  both virtually and in-person  for the development of financial services, public policy and technology. SFF is delivered in partnership with The Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) and in collaboration with Constellar Exhibitions. The theme for 2021 is the impact of Web 3.0 on financial services. Over three days, we will bring together knowledge from leading academics, practitioners and thought leaders across 45 sessions that cover designing, building and ensuring sustainable financial services for Web 3.0. More about the Singapore FinTech Festival: https://www.fintechfestival.sg/ * Press Release for Elevandi, August 2021 PR Newswire is the Supporting Media Partner of Singapore FinTech Festival 2021. SOURCE Elevandi

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Introhive Named one of 2021 Best Workplaces for Today's Youth by Great Place to Work Canada

Fastest growing B2B revenue acceleration company earns workplace recognition after thorough and independent analysis FREDERICTON, NB, Oct. 20, 2021 /CNW/ -- Introhive, the fastest-growing AI-powered sales and revenue acceleration platform, today announced the company has been named to the 2021 list of Best Workplaces for Today's Youth by Great Place to Work in Canada . The recognition is based on direct feedback from employees of the hundreds of organizations that were surveyed by Great Place to Work. To be eligible for this list, organizations must be Great Place to Work-Certified in the past year and at least 30% of their employees must fit the millennial or younger demographics and they must have a minimum of 90% positive response to the statement "I am treated fairly regardless of my age". Great Place to Work determined the best companies based on the overall Trust Index score from the youth working in the organization. Founded in 2012, Introhive is one of the fastest-growing companies in Canada, recenty listed a Top Growing Companies in Canada finalist by the Report on Business, and a two-time Deloitte Technology Fast 50 company. The company's artificial intelligence-powered revenue acceleration platform is trusted by some of the biggest brands in the world, including PwC, Grant Thornton, Colliers International, and Hitachi Solutions.



"As a fast-growing company, it's exciting to be recognized for our commitment to creating a workplace that new graduates and young professionals enjoy working and feel supported in," said Trish Rueda, Director of People and Culture at Introhive. "With more than half of our organization under the age of 34 (52% globally), this award is all the more meaningful. We are proud to help guide all of our employees throughout their careers at Introhive, providing them with opportunities to grow and the tools they need to expand their skill sets." So far in 2021, Introhive has onboarded 170 employees. The company is currently hiring for a number of positions across Canada, the United States and Europe. Learn more by visiting the company's Careers page .

About Great Place to Work Great Place to Work is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through proprietary assessment tools, advisory services, and certification programs, GPTW recognizes the world's Best Workplaces in a series of national lists including those published by The Globe & Mail (Canada) and Fortune magazine (USA). Great Place to Work provides the benchmarks, framework, and expertise needed to create, sustain, and recognize outstanding workplace cultures. Visit us at www.greatplacetowork.ca or find us on Twitter at @GPTW_Canada. About Introhive Introhive is the fastest-growing AI-powered sales and relationship intelligence platforms, with the single largest revenue acceleration deployment in the world with customer PwC. Trusted by some of the world's most recognizable brands, including PwC, Clark Nexsen, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Colliers International, and Plante Moran, the company has been recognized with 2019 and 2020 Deloitte Technology Fast 50 and Fast 500 Awards, 2020 and 2021 MarTech Breakthrough Awards, and is Great Place to Work certified in Canada. Introhive's AI-powered SaaS platform seeks to enable organizations to realize the full value of their relationships across the business and to leverage untapped data to drive revenues and increase productivity while simultaneously improving the customer experience. Learn more at introhive.ai . Media Inquiries: Renee Maler

Philosophy PR + Marketing

510.499.9746

[email protected] SOURCE Introhive

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Market Outlook and Production Plan Update for AptameX

After receiving product and registration approval from Indonesias Ministry of Health in August, Achiko is positioned to produce up to a million AptameX test kits in Q4 2021, and more if the supply chain allows.

AptameX and Teman Sehat also well-positioned in the long term to profit greatly from expected frequent testing of large populations in the post Covid-19 world due to its superior differentiated chemistry and better and lower cost service delivery model.

Achiko is expecting to receive additional approval for its optimized second generation AptameX test kit in November.

Achiko is adapting a soft-drink production model for AptameX, with mass scale of key materials consolidated to Taiwan and plastics, assembly and distribution centralized in Indonesia. Upon CE mark approval, the production model will be replicated in other countries with a pathway to scale production to tens or possibly hundreds of millions of tests per month. ZURICH, Switzerland, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR  Achiko AG (SWX: ACHI, ISIN CH0522213468) (Achiko, the Company) provided an update on its production and capacity plans for AptameX, its proprietary, low-cost rapid Covid-19 diagnostic test that is integrated into its platform, Teman Sehat (Health Buddy). The Company, following product approval in August, is moving towards sales and production in the final quarter of 2021. Key materials are sourced from Taiwan including the aptamer and colloidal gold solution, referred to as reagent, and a succession of UV-visible Spectrophotometers (UVS). Plastics, dilutants and assembly will be centralized to Indonesia. As Achiko responds to demand from other countries, the current business model will be replicated with localized plastics and assembly whilst maintaining reagent production in Taiwan. The initial product utilizes commodity plastics and will follow shortly after with an improved version using customized plastics. As the Company expects to receive a CE mark shortly and gain market entry to other countries, a scalable and replicable production model is emerging. An application for approval of an optimized AptameX test kit was filed on October 18th and the Company expects to receive approval in November 2021. We recognize that the world is moving towards living with Covid-19, and to do that it requires infrastructure beyond mass vaccination and booster shots, said Steven Goh, CEO of Achiko. This applies especially to lower-to-middle income countries where vaccination rates continue to struggle to get to vaccination levels above fifty percent. Mass testing solutions may be needed to secure key industries such as food, manufacturing, transport and healthcare among many others. Often, PCR testing is not a practical solution, and many rapid tests are not sensitive enough. With differentiated chemistry to nearly all other rapid tests and outperforming them in both sensitivity and speed, a combination of AptameX and Teman Sehat may offer a better price and performance solution for the post Covid-19 world. Product and Production

The Companys first-generation product is manufactured using commodity plastic components from China with automated pre-filling of its ApameX reagent in Singapore and with its local joint venture partner, PT Achiko Medika Indonesia. Final assembly is then handled in Indonesia by PT Indofarma TBK (Indofarma). For the first generation of production, the AptameX reagent is produced in Spain where production capacity is up to a possible 400 Litres per month and each test kit requires 360 L in a commodity semi-micro cuvette. Plastics for the first 150,000 test kits are expected to arrive in Indonesia shortly.



The UVS reader is manufactured in Taiwan and may cost several hundred dollars (USD) per device. Each UVS may process a result in under a minute, and each device is expected to process around 1,000 tests per day. A batch of 60 UVS have just arrived in Indonesia and are currently being distributed. The choice of the current range of Spectrometers is on the basis of taking a conservative stance. The Company expects the costs per UVS to fall substantially as it achieves scale. The second-generation test kits use a simpler supply and manufacturing chain. The reagent and bespoke plastics for the cuvette are produced in Taiwan and collection tubes and packaging in Indonesia. With an optimized cuvette, the Company expects to use around 110ul per test kit, for a cost of under USD$0.12 per kit. Bespoke plastics and localized production are expected to be able to be manufactured for under USD$0.50 per test kit. This combination can be likened to the soft-drink model with key components such as the reagent and cuvettes manufactured and assembled in optimum locations, and mass market plastics and distribution implemented closer to the end customer.

The Company is currently sourcing plastic moulding and looking at initial production for this second-generation version to also commence in Q4 with up to one million kits being produced. Successful production may lead to scale. Manufacturing with robotics and supply for the reagent in Taiwan may ramp up to several hundred times the scale of the European manufacturer with substantially less costs. The localized plastics manufacturer in Indonesia is a former soft drink manufacturer. The sum of which is that production capacity may be in the order of tens or hundreds of millions of test kits per month, and with costs below USD$0.50 and falling to possibly under USD$0.30 with scale and further optimizations. Distribution

Service delivery involves distributing plastics and sampling into the field for collection and then localized UVS processing. Teman Sehat is the software platform that connects the two and handles billing and test certification. The combination of the two lowers the cost of testing with the exact cost subject to the pilot programs currently being conducted in Indonesia. The Company expects to be able to profitably deliver an unsubsidized test for as little as USD$2.50 per test or less. The Company has recently hired a head of sales and is building out a field sales and support team in Indonesia. As the Company scales, the price of production is expected to come down even further. Achiko is in the process of completing a CE mark registration later this year with a view of sales in Europe and securing an OEM manufacturer in Taiwan for the second-generation format. With each additional country, the Company will start with centralized production out of Taiwan but move quickly to replicate the soft-drink model implemented in Indonesia. Were excited about bringing the product finally to market, added Steven Goh. Weve previously given a guidance that we intend to deliver assurance services to about 2% of the population or over five million people. We remain confident that we can have that reach and more, and are slowed only by manufacturing constraints, financing, and logistics. Well be rolling the services out as fast as possible and with the progress were making in CE marking, looking forward to replicating the business in other markets as we come into the new year. ABOUT ACHIKO AG

Achiko creates and develops new innovations in healthcare technology through its biotechnology division, AptameX, and its sister digital mobile health technology division, Teman Sehat. The Company has created a unique healthtech capability that provides user-friendly diagnostic testing integrated with a digital passport solution for the management of Covid-19. AptameX comprises of DNA aptamer-based technology that is cost-effective, chemically synthesized and widely applicable to the evolving diagnostic field of healthcare. Together with the digital mobile health app Teman Sehat, Achiko is developing potential technologies that seek to deliver rapid, affordable diagnostic testing for a range of pathogenic diseases and therapeutic indications. The AptameX technology is licensed from Regenacellx.sl and Achiko has exclusive commercialisation rights. Headquartered in Zurich, Achiko has offices in Hong Kong, Jakarta, Seoul, and Singapore. Further information can be found at www.achiko.com . Media contacts: ACHIKO AG

Investor Relations

E: [email protected] Switzerland & Global

Marcus Balogh

Farner Consulting Ltd.

E: [email protected]

T: +41 44 266 67 67 U.S. & Global

Jeanene Timberlake

RooneyPartners

E: [email protected]

T: +1 646 770 8858 Disclaimer

This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Achiko AG and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance, or achievements of Achiko AG to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Achiko AG is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] SEA Electric Excels with Order for 1,150 New Trucks

- The largest order in the history of SEA Electric - The company's technical leadership is translating into sales success - Worldwide, SEA Electric is at the forefront of EV transport solutions, with operations ongoing across five continents TORRENCE, Calif., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global transport innovator SEA Electric has taken a significant step forward in the USA, with confirmation of an order for over 1,000 SEA Hino M5 EVs, the single largest order in the company's history. Set to be delivered to GATR EV (a division of GATR Truck Centers), the zero-emissions trucks will feature the patented SEA-Drive(R) Power System, which offers market-leading performance and range potential. The SEA Electric offering of pure-electric systems is adaptable to most OEM glider chassis platforms, from Class 3 to Class 8. Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, SEA Electric has been making major waves in the North American market over the past 18 months, establishing a nationwide network of technology partners, plus collaborations with leading OEMs. The SEA M5 EV model featured at the recent ACT Expo in Long Beach, CA, complete with the SEA-Drive(R) 120a Power System, which is specified for truck platforms with a GVWR of 13,000lbs to 19,500lbs (Class 3-5). The package features a 1,106lb-ft electric motor in combination with a 138 kWh battery pack. "This deal is the culmination of years of research, development and growth, and proves that SEA Electric is on track to be number one when it comes to electrifying fleets across the world," said Mike Menyhart, SEA Electric President - Americas and Chief Strategy Officer. "The market is looking for a proven EV solution, and with SEA Electric, we bring that to the industry technology which has been verified with millions of miles of real-world use. "Furthermore, this announcement reaffirms our commitment to continue our rapid expansion within the North American market, and sets the scene for an exciting 2022." For SEA Electric, the milestone far exceeds the previous benchmark order for the company. "This is our first four-digit order, and it comes in a non-incentive state, which proves that commercial EV solutions can expand in areas with no incentives, while all corners of the market are seeking premium EV solutions," said Nick Casas, SEA Electric Vice President of Sales & Marketing. p>"GATR should be congratulated for being at the forefront of EV supply and being capable of servicing the needs of large fleets immediately.



"GATR has a partnership with Merchants Fleet, which will benefit the end-user, who will not only be able to access an electric solution straight away, but will be able to transact with one of the most respected leasing companies in the USA." The deal enhances Merchants" robust commitment to the acceleration of fleet electrification throughout North America. As the nation's fastest growing fleet management company, Merchants Fleet has committed more than $2B toward having 50% of its mobility fleet electric by 2025 and 50% of its clients' fleet electric by 2030. The company has also launched an innovative Adopt EV program, designed to help guide businesses through each step of the fleet electrification process-from assessing needs, to purchasing the right vehicles, to charging options and infrastructure support.

GATR Truck Center, which features five dealerships throughout Iowa and Minnesota, currently has an e-commerce system in development to sell purely electric vehicles. The first 40 vehicles are expected to be delivered by the end of December 2021, with the remaining vehicles to be delivered throughout 2022. "GATR EV is excited to be at the forefront of launching electric vehicles into the transportation industry," said Jay Klemp, Director of Sales at GATR EV ( a division of GATR Truck Centers). "Because of this strategic partnership, we can build enough quantity of these Hino trucks to provide demonstration vehicles, and also solutions to our future fleet partners." For further details on SEA Electric and the SEA-Drive(R) Power-System, visit www.sea-electric.com To learn more about GATR EV, visit Gatr.net To access high resolution images: https://bit.ly/3ATYS6A About SEA Electric Global automotive technology company SEA Electric was founded in Australia in 2012, creating its proprietary electric power-system technology (known as SEA-Drive(R)) for the world's urban delivery and distribution fleets, as well as front powered school bus applications. Widely recognized as a market leader in the electrification of commercial vehicles on a global basis, SEA Electric commands a global presence, deploying product in six countries including USA, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Indonesia, and South Africa with collectively more than one million miles of independently OEM-tested and in-service international operation. The company's global sales, after-sales and engineering are represented in all subsidiaries, whilst North America, home to the company's headquarters, has the largest upfitting capacity for SEA Electric at 60,000 units per year. About Merchants Fleet Merchants Fleet is the nation's fastest growing fleet management company, providing flexible funding and service options for organizations that leverage vehicles to run their operations, serving as a single source for all vehicle needs, including electric vehicles. From financing and charging to maintenance and remarketing, Merchants has collaborated with dozens of OEMs, charging, data and upfit partners to ensure every client is connected to the service, technology platforms, and products that will support their fleet in making the transition to EV. Merchants Fleet is headquartered in Hooksett, New Hampshire, and its Innovation Center is located in the Chicago, Illinois area. Visit www.merchantsfleet.com for information. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sea-electric-excels-with-order-for-1-150-new-trucks-301405199.html SOURCE SEA Electric

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Somatus Becomes Only Value-based Kidney Care Management Provider to Receive NCQA Accreditation for Both Population Health and Case Management

Somatus, the nation's leading provider of value-based kidney care, today announced its kidney care management program has been awarded the National Committee for Quality Assurance's (NCQA) Population Health Program (PHP) and Case Management (CM) Accreditations. Somatus is the only value-based kidney care management provider to receive simultaneous NCQA accreditation for both PHP and CM. Since its launch in 2016, Somatus' high-touch, in-home care delivery model for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) has become the national standard, serving more than 150,000 patients nationwide. Achieving NCQA accreditation for PHP and CM substantiates Somatus' commitment to quality-focused, whole-person-centered care designed to delay kidney disease progression, improve lives, and prevent avoidable hospitalizations and other complications. "My goal for Somatus has always been to create a healthcare model that could be delivered to large populations of people in a way that was creative, innovative, and scalable," said Dr. Ikenna Okezie, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Somatus. "Receiving NCQA accreditation for both our population health model and our case management approach is validation that Somatus has developed a healthcare solution that achieves those very goals and is making a significant impact on improving the lives of patients with kidney disease." NCQA, a private, nonprofit organization, accredits and certifies a wide range of healthcare organizations and recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA standards for accreditation in PHP and CM are developed with input from various stakeholders and resources andare purposely set high to encourage organizations to establish environments of superior performance and continuous quality improvement.



"Case Management and Population Health Management accreditation move us closer to measuring quality and the increased focus on person-centered care across population health initiatives," said Margaret E. O'Kane, President, NCQA. "Not only do they add value to existing quality improvement efforts; they also demonstrate an organization's highest level of commitment to improving the quality of care that meets people's needs." Somatus received NCQA PHP and CM accreditation following an extensive review of its operational and clinical processes, data management integrity and integration, case-management model, practitioner collaboration, and quality-improvement processes.

"It is extremely rewarding to receive NCQA accreditation for both our population health and case management work," said Dr. Abi Sundaramoorthy, Somatus Executive Vice President of Clinical Enterprise. "We are honored that NCQA has recognized Somatus' commitment to delivering the most comprehensive clinical and logistical support to our patients and ensuring they have prompt and personalized access to the full-service support they need to manage their kidney health." About Somatus Somatus partners with leading health plans, health systems, and nephrology and primary care groups to provide integrated care for patients with or at risk of developing kidney disease. As the market leader in value-based kidney care, Somatus' vertically integrated clinical services and technology delay or prevent disease progression, improve quality and care coordination, and increase the use of home dialysis modalities and rates of kidney transplantation. The company is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, and founded by a team of world-class healthcare operators, successful entrepreneurs, and leading clinicians treating kidney disease. For more information, please visit www.somatus.com. About NCQA NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of healthcare organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA's Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in healthcare. NCQA's website (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers, and others make more informed healthcare choices. NCQA can be found online at ncqa.org, on Twitter @ncqa, on Facebook at facebook.com/ncqa.org and on LinkedIn (News - Alert) at linkedin.com/company/ncqa. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005710/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Stord Opens Warehouse in Las Vegas, Adding Supply Chain Capacity Ahead of Busy Holiday Season

ATLANTA, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stord, the cloud supply chain leader, announced the opening of a new warehouse in Las Vegas. The 177,238-square-foot facility will serve Stord customers in the Southwest and across Northern California and is set to bring hundreds of jobs to Nevada over the coming years. "We are laser-focused on making the supply chain a competitive advantage for every one of our customers by combining end-to-end logistics with integrated technology and cloud-like speed and flexibility," said Sean Henry, CEO and co-founder of Stord. "Our Las Vegas facility will add much-needed warehouse capacity heading into what is widely expected to be the biggest e-commerce season ever. We are building out a hybrid logistics network to help brands of all sizes operate their supply chains with world-class efficiency." The new Las Vegas warehouse continues recent company momentum, and in the last two months Stord has: Announced $90 million in Series D funding, to bring total financing to $205 million

in Series D funding, to bring total financing to Achieved a valuation of $1.1 billion

Surpassed $100 million in revenue, on track to deliver its fourth consecutive year of 300%+ growth

in revenue, on track to deliver its fourth consecutive year of 300%+ growth Acquired Fulfillment Works, a leading DTC fulfillment provider

Opened a new fulfillment center and innovation hub in



Las Vegas will be Stord's fourth first-party facility, complemented by a partner network of more than 500 warehouses to serve specialized customer needs such as one-day or same-day shipping in niche markets. Stord already has first-party warehouses in Atlanta, GA , North Haven, CT , and Reno, NV. Brands are under immense pressure to operate efficient supply chains this holiday season with e-commerce sales expected to hit $218 billion, growing 11% to 15% over 2020's record sales. Consumer expectations, meanwhile, are at an all-time high: two out of five U.S. online customers are much more likely to buy when they know delivery dates in advance, while 70% are less likely to shop again with a retailer if they are not informed about delivery delays.

Organizations are stuck trying to meet that increased e-commerce demand through a patchwork of disconnected 3PLs that function as an inflexible, opaque and expensive logistics network. Stord helps leading brands including Advance Auto Parts, BodyArmor and Dollar General deliver cost-effective, world-class logistics with a scalable cloud supply chain. Stord connects warehousing, freight and fulfillment with intelligent supply chain software to ensure orders are delivered on time to the right location. Like its Atlanta facility, Stord's Las Vegas warehouse plans to deploy the latest warehouse innovations, including robotics and other forms of automation, and share best practices across its entire partner network. Stord is actively hiring for several positions in the new facility, with expectations to bring hundreds of jobs across Nevada in the coming years. The Las Vegas warehouse will officially open on November 1. To learn more about Stord's Cloud Supply Chain, visit stord.com. About Stord

Stord is the cloud supply chain enabling companies to compete and grow with world-class logistics  including warehousing, freight and fulfillment  in a single, integrated platform that's available exactly when and where they need it. Hundreds of B2B and B2C companies like BodyArmor, Advance Auto Parts and Dollar General use Stord to make their supply chains perform with the speed, flexibility and ease of the cloud. Led by former operators from Amazon, XPO and Manhattan Associates, Stord is headquartered in Atlanta and backed by Kleiner Perkins, BOND, Founders Fund, Lux Capital, D1 Capital, Palm Tree Crew, Salesforce Ventures, Susa Ventures and Lineage Logistics. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stord-opens-warehouse-in-las-vegas-adding-supply-chain-capacity-ahead-of-busy-holiday-season-301404557.html SOURCE Stord

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Toshiba Helps Traxion Deliver Premium Customer Satisfaction

Toshiba America Business Solutions printer technology is assisting Mexico's leading logistics company, Traxion, to complete accurate, on-time and secure door-to-door deliveries through its subsidiary Redpack. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005018/en/ Traxion is ensuring Redpack customer satisfaction by deploying Toshiba's (News - Alert) diverse range of award-winning mobile and desktop labels and barcode printers across 200+ Mexico locations. Nearly 500 Toshiba printers are assisting more than 800 Traxion employees to create barcode labels and receipts to precisely deliver millions of parcels 24/7/365. Helping Ensure Traxion Deliveries at Any Time or Place Toshiba's desktop printer line (the BA410 and B-FV4D series systems) produces the initial barcode labels which provide essential information on package contents and final destination. Toshiba's precise, high-quality labels help Redpack's retail store, warehouse personnel and drivers pinpoint and track parcels from anywhere in the world at any given moment. Toshiba's label accuracy and quality further assist to ensure timely and accurate hand-offs across the supply chain - from shipper drop-off to recipient's doorstep - which is critical to meeting shipping deadlines and achieving high customer satisfaction. Toshiba's mobile devices (the B-FP3 series) further improve the Traxion customer experience by generating speedy receipts - up to six inches per second - detailing a parcel's content to consumers. Beyond expediting shipments, Toshiba's industry-recognized mobile printers safeguard deliveries by accurately identifying shipment contents and the consumers themselves. It alsohelps streamline Redpack's supply chain operations by allowing personnel to access receipts from any location, without the need to be at a workstation with a power cord.



"Traxion works closely with its partners to accelerate and improve its digital transformation through cutting-edge technology to optimize both operational performance and installed capacity utilization, thus supporting a much more asset-light business model. Today, we are one of the most relevant logistics and mobility providers in Mexico, capable of coordinating ongoing services across the supply chain, and into the United States," says Traxion Vice President of Investor Relations Antonio Tejedo. "We are proud to have formed this strategic alliance with Toshiba. By combining the capabilities, footprint and experience of both companies, we will have the ability to offer better and more efficient logistics solutions." Ruggedized Toshiba Printers Withstand Rough & Tumble Use

Traxion personnel also appreciate the printers' ruggedized elements. Metal frames and sturdy components underscore the durability and value of Toshiba's industrial desktop printers. Toshiba's mobile printers blend a stout design with Ingress Protection 54 (IP54) dust and moisture protection with proven five-foot drop resistance facilitating continuous operation while accompanying Traxion drivers. Traxion leadership and staff further welcome the printers' industry elite mean time between failures (MTBF), which highlights the systems' high reliability. "Toshiba embraces Traxion's mission of delivering accurate and on-time shipments to its customers across Mexico," says Toshiba America Business Solutions Vice President of Marketing Bill Melo. "We are dedicated to outfitting Traxion with industry-best labeling technology to help ensure they maintain their reputation for sterling customer service." Click-to-Tweet: Toshiba Helps Traxion Deliver Premium Customer Satisfaction About Traxion TRAXION is the leading logistics, transportation, and mobility company in Mexico founded in 2011. It offers the broadest integrated solutions portfolio across the supply chain and personnel mobility services. The company operates three principal business segments: Logistics & Technology, Mobility of Cargo, and Mobility of Personnel. As an institutional enterprise, the aim is to consolidate a sector mainly dominated by family-owned companies and integrate the broadest service portfolio of transportation and logistics. As of 2Q21, the company operates a fleet of more than 8,700 units, more than 600,000 sqm of 3PL logistics warehouse area (~6.5 million sq. ft.) and employs more than 16,500 team members. The most significant competitive advantages of the company are state-of-the-art technology, a disruptive development approach, a seasoned and entrepreneurial management team, and large-scale operations. TRAXION has a robust ESG strategy in place, which reiterates its leadership and commitment with employees, suppliers, customers, and the communities where it operates. Visit: https://traxion.global/ About Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc. Toshiba America Business Solutions (TABS) is a workplace solutions provider delivering an extensive portfolio of industry-recognized workflow and document management products for businesses of all sizes across the United States, Mexico, and Central and South America. TABS supports the diverse needs of today's professionals through award-winning e-STUDIO multifunction printers, label and receipt printers, digital signage, managed print services, and cloud solutions. Toshiba continuously focuses on the clients and communities it serves, is committed to sustainability and is recognized as a Wall Street Journal Top 100 Sustainable Company. To learn more, please visit business.toshiba.com. Follow TABS on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005018/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] UL Officially Opens a New Cables Fire Safety Laboratory in Abu Dhabi

The new laboratory is among the first of its kind in the Middle East to help wire and cable customers meet regulatory standards and destination market regulatory compliance. ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- UL, the global safety science leader, today announced that it officially opened a cables fire safety and performance laboratory. The facility, located in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), allows manufacturers, brands and suppliers of electrical and optical cables and busways from throughout the Middle East to access a local laboratory for fire safety. Staffed with UL's industry-leading experts and designed to test flame retardant and fire-resistant cables, fire alarm cables, building wires with fire resistance ratings, fiber optic component cables with fire resistance ratings and busways, the new fire safety laboratory will accommodate tests to multiple standards for flame retardant and fire resistance properties. When cables burn, they may produce significant volumes of heat, smoke, toxic or corrosive fumes, and falling flaming materials, known as burning droplets. UL's new laboratory provides tests to measure how a cable reacts when exposed to fire and to assess acid gas emission and smokegeneration. In addition, UL now has the capability to evaluate cables' circuit integrity during a fire. This includes tests for fire alone, fire with water, fire with mechanical shock, and fire with both mechanical shock and water to demonstrate various real-life scenarios.



"Driven by growing customer expectations and UL's deep understanding of wire and cable industry needs and requirements, the opening of our location here in Abu Dhabi will further support manufacturers, especially those here in the region, and provide convenience and capability throughout every step of the go-to-market process," said Hamid Syed, vice president and general manager for UL in the Middle East. "With this in mind, the laboratory was developed to provide key customer benefits including faster turnaround times, logistics and shipping costs reductions, and overall product safety." The Middle East has seen increased regulation around the fire safety of cables. The new laboratory is prepared to help meet these regulations including local civil defense code requirements to comply to fire resistance for cables and the Civil Defense Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for cables requiring test reports and certificates. The facility is also equipped to address compliance to consultant specifications for construction projects in the Middle East and to meet export requirements to the EU, U.K., U.S. and Africa.

"A local presence with global expertise will help reduce logistics and shipping costs to the EU and Asia markets. And most importantly, the new laboratory will help drive overall safety as we are able to test locally to meet more stringent regulations for fire resistant cables in our region," Syed said. UL offers its customers testing services to help them meet and exceed fire safety requirements. Research testing services for manufacturers can help customers design cables that comply to the necessary fire resistance/fire reactance standards. UL can also produce a Type testing report and Type examination certificate based on IEC/EN/BS standards. Learn more about UL fire safety capabilities in the Middle East. About UL

UL is the global safety science leader. We deliver testing, inspection and certification (TIC), training and advisory services, risk management solutions and essential business insights to help our customers, based in more than 100 countries, achieve their safety, security and sustainability goals. Our deep knowledge of products and intelligence across supply chains make us the partner of choice for customers with complex challenges. Discover more at UL.com. For information about Standards development and other nonprofit activities, visit UL.org. Press contacts:

Steven Brewster

UL

[email protected]

+1.847.664.8425 Christina Bostock

IHC

[email protected]

971.55.887.3054 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1665807/20210921_UL_Lab_041.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/325015/ul_enterprise_logo.jpg

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] UnitedHealthcare and UWH of North Carolina to Address Maternal Health Needs With Group Prenatal Care Initiative

UnitedHealthcare and UWH of North Carolina, an affiliated medical practice of Unified Women's Healthcare, today announced an initiative using the group prenatal care model, CenteringPregnancy, to improve outcomes and reduce racial and social disparities among mothers in North Carolina by providing access to quality maternal care. With $175,000 in support from UnitedHealthcare, the collaboration with UWH of North Carolina will launch the CenteringPregnancy initiative at Laurel OB-GYN in Asheville; Catawba Women's Center in Hickory; Carteret OB-GYN and Associates in Morehead City; and Wayne Women's Clinic in Goldsboro. These locations were identified in collaboration with local health care providers as practices that may benefit from the introduction of CenteringPregnancy. CenteringPregnancy is an evidence-based model of group prenatal care shown to improve a wide range of birth outcomes including lowering the risk of preterm births, reducing low birth weights, increasing rates of breastfeeding, increasing postpartum depression screenings and promoting healthier pregnancy spacing. The initiative brings together up to 12 people with similar due dates, their partners, support people and health care team to meet for 10 prenatal visits. Participants engage in their care by measuring their weight and blood pressure, recording their health data and meeting privately with their provider for the clinical assessment. The funding will also provide support to sustain four current CenteringPregnancy sites at Chapel Hill OB-GYN in Chapel Hill; Triangle Physicians for Women in Cary; Durham Women's Clinic in Durham; and Lyndhurst OB-GYN in Winston-Salem. "We recognize that poor maternal health outcomes remain high among women in North Carolina, and that Black women and infants represent a disproportionate share of adverse outcomes," said Anita Bachmann, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of North Carolina. "Access to quality prenatal health care will help close the gap on health inequity. We are proud to partner with UWH of North Carolina to address disparities and improve maternal health outcomes in North Carolina." "Addressing maternal and prenatal health inequity means challenging the status quo to transform health care in North Carolina," said Dr. Barrett Gunter, OB-GYN at Durham Women's Clinic and Unified Women's Healthcare medical director. "We applaud UnitedHealthcare for recognizing the importance of maternal and child health in improving care for all pregnancies across the state." According to March of Dimes, North Carolina ranks higher in the preterm birth rate compared to the national average, and the preterm birth rate among Black women is 46% higher than all other women. North Carolina also has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting 808 infant deaths since 2019. Overall, Black women have at least twice the rate of severe maternal morbidity and are at least three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related complications, compared to white women.



The CenteringPregnancy initiative is one of several that UnitedHealthcare, along with its parent company UnitedHealth Group, is launching to address maternal health outcomes throughout the United States. Recent initiatives include nearly $14 million in philanthropic grants to support maternal health, and $2.85 million in support to March of Dimes for a public-private partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services that aims to reduce the Black-white disparity gap and improve maternal health outcomes. About UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making the health system work better for everyone by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. In the United States, UnitedHealthcare offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 1.3 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,500 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. The company also provides health benefits and delivers care to people through owned and operated health care facilities in South America. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified health care company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @UHC on Twitter (News - Alert). About UWH of North Carolina UWH of North Carolina is comprised of 51 practice offices in North Carolina and South Carolina with more than 50 individual practice offices and more than 200 highly trained, dedicated physicians. The group joined the affiliated medical network of Unified Women's Healthcare (www.unifiedhc.com) in 2014, covering 12 counties in North Carolina and two counties in South Carolina. All offices feature the latest in technological advances along with the personal touch that is so important in achieving quality outcomes for the patients' health and well-being. The group also maintains an in-house laboratory, mammography services, nutritional counseling, and midwifery services. North Carolina is also home to Unified Women's Clinical Research, which maintains its headquarters in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This group collaborates among four sites across the state that are involved in conducting and partnering on clinical trials and studies involving investigational medications, devices, gene therapy and vaccines. About Unified Women's Healthcare Unified Women's Healthcare is a diversified women's health company focused on providing a better experience for patients, for the people who care for them and for the people and organizations who pay for that care. To support its vision of providing women with the best healthcare in the world, Unified provides innovative business support and technology to over 2,500 providers across North America. Unified has expanded beyond its leading OB-GYN management services platform to include reproductive healthcare services through its strategic partnership with CCRM Fertility, and the advancement of high-risk maternity care management services, with its acquisition of Lucina. As a physician-led company, Unified seeks innovative ways to preserve clinical autonomy, alleviate business and regulatory burdens of running a practice, and empower physicians to make the greatest impact on transforming women's healthcare for their patients. To learn more, please visit unifiedhc.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005147/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] WebFX Announces Strategic Investment from Trilantic North America

WebFX, the leading tech-enabled digital services provider for premium SMBs, announced today a capital investment from Trilantic North America. This partnership furthers the mission of WebFX to provide Digital Marketing That Drives Revenue  for companies around North America. WebFX partners with businesses looking to earn more website traffic, drive more qualified leads, and increase revenue growth through revenue maximization services. The capital partnership between WebFX and Trilantic North America's Fund VI will assist future growth for the Pennsylvania-based company, supporting expansion in talent, new services, geographic offices, technology, data analytics, and AI. WebFX plans to create 300 additional jobs over the next 5 years. Founded in 1995, WebFX helps businesses achieve growth goals through digital services like SEO, PPC management, digital advertising, web design, marketing automation, and more. WebFX attracts top digital talent from around the globe and is #1 Best Place to Work in Pennsylvania for six years running. The company is a Google (News - Alert) Premier Partner, Facebook Partner, Amazon Partner, and Shopify Partner. Named the 2020 Horizon Interactive Best Agency of the Year, WebFX's POSITIVE Code and FXBuilds program help fuel WebFX's goal to help more than 10,000 people around the world through projects like building schools and providing access to clean water. "We're thrilled to have Trilantic North America as a key partner in the next chapter of WebFX," said company co-founder and CEO Bill Craig. "Trilantic North America's partnership will help us accelerate our unique offering of technology-powered digital services, skilled team, and remrkable ability to drive meaningful results for businesses. Trilantic North America's impressive track record and a shared vision for the future of WebFX make them an ideal partner."



"Trilantic North America represents a wonderful fit for the unique culture we've built at WebFX," said Katie Kelly, COO of WebFX. "Trilantic North America's experience and knowledge will be a wonderful asset as we further our mission to drive revenue growth for current and future customers." "We believe the WebFX culture of collaboration and continuous improvement fits well with our ethos at Trilantic North America and we look forward to supporting the WebFX team in their mission of helping premium SMBs and giving back to the community in Southeastern Pennsylvania as well as globally," said Daniel Siegman, Managing Director at Trilantic North America.

Trilantic North America's Daniel Siegman and Jeremy Lynch will join the WebFX board. Investment bank Canaccord Genuity advised WebFX on this transaction. Winston & Strawn LLP served as legal counsel to WebFX, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to Trilantic North America. About WebFX WebFX was founded in 1995 and has generated over $2.4 billion in revenue for clients over the last 5 years through services including SEO, PPC management, Amazon marketing, social media, martech integrations, website design, and more. The company's award-winning MarketingCloudFX platform and experienced team of marketing experts power campaigns for over 1,000 customers. Moreover, WebFX's FXBuilds program, established in 2014, has impacted over 5,000 lives around the globe through projects including building schools in Ghana and Guatemala and building wells and sand dams in Kenya. Learn more about WebFX services at https://www.webfx.com and career opportunities at https://www.webfx.com/careers/ About Trilantic North America Trilantic Capital Management L.P. ("Trilantic North America") is a leading, growth-focused middle market private equity firm focused on control and significant minority investments in North America. Trilantic North America's primary investment focus is in the business services, consumer, and energy sectors. Trilantic North America has managed six private equity fund families with aggregate capital commitments of $9.7 billion. Trilantic North America has been recognized by Inc. Magazine's 2021 list of Top Founder-Friendly Investors and has been named one of Growthcap's 2021 Top 25 Private Equity Firms for Growth Companies. For more information, visit www.trilanticnorthamerica.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005349/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Wolters Kluwer ELM Solutions Shares Market-Leading Legal Expertise at ELM Amplify 2021

Wolters Kluwer ELM Solutions will host its virtual premier user conference, ELM Amplify 2021, between October 26th and 28th, bringing together industry leaders, business executives, thought leaders and solution experts in a travel-free, interactive digital event. ELM Solutions is the market-leading global provider of enterprise legal spend and matter management, contract lifecycle management and legal analytics solutions.

This year's conference, that encourages delegates to be "Be Boundless" when it comes to legal technology innovation, will feature insights from leading financial services firms including CIBC, Gallagher Bassett and Westfield Insurance. Other companies sharing their views in panel debates and presentations include Phillips 66 and PNC (News - Alert).

Thought leadership and panel sessions at the event are designed to encourage debate around how legal operations can thrive. Digital transformation, how to define law firm value and the importance of diversity are just some of the topics up for debate. Training sessions are also planned, revealing how clients can get the most from Passport, one of the highest rated ELM solutions in the latest Hyperion MarketView Legal Market Intelligence Report, and TyMetrix 360, the industry's leading SaaS (News - Alert)-based e-billng and matter management solution. A keynote address will be delivered by business growth expert Jeff Havens.







During the conference ELM Solutions will also reveal the winners of its fifth annual Legal Innovator Awards, designed to celebrate clients who have transformed legal operations through their innovative use of technology.

ELM Solutions, part of Wolters Kluwer's Governance, Risk & Compliance division, provides a comprehensive suite of tools that address the growing needs of corporate legal operations departments to increase operational efficiency and reduce costs. Corporate legal and insurance claims departments trust its innovative technology and end-to-end customer experience to drive world-class business outcomes. The other legal solutions business of Wolters Kluwer GRC is CT Corporation.

Wolters Kluwer ELM Solutions was named a leader in both the IDC (News - Alert) MarketScape: Worldwide Enterprise Legal Spend Management 2020 Vendor Assessment and IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Enterprise Matter Management 2020 Vendor Assessment. The company's award-winning products include Passport and TyMetrix 360. CLM Matrix, meanwhile, was named a "strong performer" in The Forrester (News - Alert) Wave: Contract Lifecycle Management For All Contracts, Q1 2021 report. ELM Solutions' LegalVIEW portfolio of legal analytics solutions is based upon the industry's largest and most comprehensive legal spend database, with more than $140 billion in invoices.

About Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk & Compliance

Governance, Risk & Compliance is a division of Wolters Kluwer, which provides legal and banking professionals with solutions to help ensure compliance with ever-changing regulatory and legal obligations, manage risk, increase efficiency, and produce better business outcomes. GRC offers a portfolio of technology-enabled expert services and solutions focused on legal entity compliance, legal operations management, banking product compliance, and banking regulatory compliance.

Wolters Kluwer (AEX: WKL) is a global leader in information services and solutions for professionals in the health, tax and accounting, risk and compliance, finance and legal sectors. Wolters Kluwer reported 2020 annual revenues of 4.6 billion. The company, headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands, serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries and employs 19,200 people worldwide.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005090/en/
[October 19, 2021] VerticalScope Provides Business and Acquisitions Update

VerticalScope Holdings Inc. ("VerticalScope" or the "Company") (TSX: FORA) is pleased to provide an update today on its recent acquisition activity, M&A pipeline and business outlook. Year to date, VerticalScope has completed eleven acquisitions for total cash consideration of approximately $10 million (including approximately $5.6 million thus far in October 2021). Management expects that these acquisitions will add approximately $1.5 million of Adjusted EBITDA in 2022 before revenue or cost synergies. The acquisitions completed thus far in 2021 are intended to address two primary areas of focus for the Company - overall expansion of its user base and the addition of new solutions to engage with its existing and potential future users. To highlight one such acquisition, VerticalScope acquired ProBoards.com and its related assets in October 2021. ProBoards, founded by California-based technology entrepreneur Patrick Clinger, is a platform that allows users to create and operate their own online communities for free. The platform now supports hundreds of individual communities covering a wide range of subjects and represents an exciting new growth driver for VerticalScope. Clinger and the ProBoards team have joined VerticalScope and will continue to develop the platform in collaboration with our team. "The ProBoards platform brings an exciting new capability and growth driver to VerticalScope. By allowing our users and the broader creator community to launch new forums, we expect to add a new dimension to our organic growth playbook. We are very excited to have Patrick and his team of community experts join VerticalScope," said Rob Laidlaw, Founder and CEO. In addition to ProBoards, VerticalScope's other 2021 acquisitions include communities covering interests ranging from outdoor activities, sports, automotive and fashion. "We are very excited about the progress we have made with our acquisition pipeline and the quality of the communities we have acquired and plan to acquire in Q4. We expect to meet or exceed our goals for capital deployment by year end," said Chris Goodridge, President and COO. Laidlaw also provided an update on the business, "As we reported in our Q2 earnings, the business continues to perform well, in spite of ongoing challenges with the overall global supply chain and inventory shortages that are affecting both our Advertising and Commerce revenue. We are seeing continued strength in monthly active users (MAU), with Q3 growth of 8.5% versus the same period last year, including 12.1% year over year growth from communities on the Fora platform. Our strong M&A pipeline is continuing to advance, andwe expect to announce additional transactions in November that we believe will be highly accretive to EBITDA. In addition, we are evaluating a few opportunities that could take us to a higher than anticipated level of capital deployment if they come to fruition."



About VerticalScope Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, VerticalScope is a technology company that has built and operates a cloud-based digital platform for online enthusiast communities in high-consumer spending categories. VerticalScope's mission is to enable people with common interests to connect, explore their passions and share knowledge about the things they love. Through targeted acquisitions and development, VerticalScope has built a portfolio of over 1,200 online communities and more than 100 million monthly active users. VerticalScope is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: FORA).

Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation that reflects the Company's current expectations regarding future events. Forward-looking information, including statements relating to capital deployment, statements relating to future acquisitions, and statements relating to the anticipated impact of acquisitions on the Company's growth, Adjusted EBITDA, and user base, is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the outcome of negotiations regarding potential acquisitions, the successful integration and performance of the acquired assets and businesses post-acquisition, and the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the supplemented PREP prospectus dated June 14, 2021, which is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. When used in this news release, words such as "should", "could", "intended", "expect", "plan" or "believe" and similar expressions indicate forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that its expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and no assurances can be given that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date that the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected herein. VerticalScope does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable securities laws. Non-IFRS Measures This news release references certain non-IFRS measures. These measures are not recognized measures under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these measures are provided as additional information to complement those IFRS measures by providing further understanding of the Company's results of operations from management's perspective. Accordingly, these measures should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of the Company's financial information reported under IFRS. The Company uses non-IFRS measures including "Adjusted EBITDA" and "MAU". "Adjusted EBITDA" is calculated as net income (loss) excluding interest, income tax expense (recovery), and depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, adjusted for share-based compensation, unrealized gains or losses from changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments, severance, contingent consideration liabilities measured at fair value through profit and loss, gain on sale of assets, gain on sale of investments, foreign exchange loss (gain), and other charges that include direct and incremental business acquisition related costs and costs directly incurred in connection with the Company's initial public offering that are not deducted from the equity proceeds. "MAU" is the number of individuals who have visited our communities within a calendar month, based on data as measured by Google (News - Alert) Analytics. It is calculated as the sum of the monthly users of each of our communities. To calculate average MAU in a given period, we sum the total MAU for each month in that period, divided by the number of months in that period. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211019006238/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 19, 2021] Statement from Diem Networks US Regarding Congressional Interest in Project

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- "Diem welcomes the opportunity to engage with members of Congress on the robust controls we have spent two years building into our payment system. Unfortunately, today's letter from lawmakers to Facebook misunderstands the relationship between Diem and Facebook. Diem is not Facebook. We are an independent organization, and Facebook's Novi is just one of more than two dozen members of the Diem Association. Novi's pilot with Paxos is unrelated to Diem. Diem's blockchain-based payment system has been purpose-built for payments, and that is why we have prioritized consumer safety, financial stability, and combating financial crime. Furthermore, our independence is designed to foster competition and interoperability in payments. The letter suggests that there has not been 'a satisfactory explanation for how Diem will prevent illiit financial flows and other criminal activity.' To the contrary, the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has provided positive feedback on Diem's financial crime compliance framework, and we believe we have the most robust controls in the industry. Unique in the industry, that includes not allowing anonymous transactions with unhosted wallets, until the illicit finance risks they entail can be adequately addressed.



Beyond financial crime compliance, we engaged extensively with an interagency regulatory team about the design of the project. As part of that review, we made adjustments to reflect feedback we received, and we were informed by a senior regulator that Diem is the best-designed stablecoin project that the U.S. government had seen. When Diem comes to market we will do so having reflected the feedback of regulators from around the world and with confidence that Diem's payment system is secure, will protect consumers, and will combat financial crime."

About Diem The Diem Association is a member-based association dedicated to building a blockchain-based payment system that supports financial innovation, inclusion, and integrity. Its more than two dozen members include merchants, payment service providers, social impact partners, and other entities. Diem Networks US is Diem's primary operating entity. The Diem Payment Network offers a faster, lower cost way to make payments with robust controls to protect consumers and fight financial crime. It is designed to enable interoperability between network participants, which will drive competition and benefit consumers, and to complement public sector infrastructure and integrate with central bank digital currencies if they become available. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/statement-from-diem-networks-us-regarding-congressional-interest-in-project-301404075.html SOURCE Diem Association

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 19, 2021] LeoLabs Commits to Australia as Strategic Site for Next Space Radar

MENLO PARK, Calif., Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- LeoLabs, Inc., the world's leading commercial provider of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and Space Traffic Management (STM) services for low Earth Orbit, today announced Australia as the site for its next space radar. The West Australian Space Radar represents a critical addition to LeoLabs growing global constellation of S-band, phased-array sensors. When completed in 2022, it will expand LeoLabs' total number of radar sites to six, and total number of space radars to ten. "There is no location on the planet more strategic than Australia for monitoring the unprecedented growth of activity in low Earth orbit (LEO)," said Dan Ceperley, CEO and Co-Founder of LeoLabs. "On one hand, the West Australian Space Radar is perfectly positioned to expand LeoLabs capacity for tracking satellites and debris, improving the timeliness of all our spatial data and mapping services. On the other hand, this radar will join our global constellation of radars, improving our ability to monitor critical risks and events in space. It further cements our lead as the only organization deploying extensive space coverage in the southern hemisphere. These capabilities constitute unique opportunities, in Australia and globally, for new products and services. LeoLabs is pleased to support these directions." "The West Australian Space Radar is just one element of LeoLabs' strategic vision for investing long term in Australia," continued Ceperley. "That vision extends to recruiting and growing a world-class team that is an integral contributor to the Australian space community and drives LeoLabs' activities globally. In that regard, I'm pleased to report that the leadership of our Australian team is already in place and is looking to aggressively expand, especially into software and other technical areas. Our radar is a multi-decade investment, and so will be our commitment to investing in Australian space expertise for the new space economy. "We are pleased to welcome LeoLabs to Australia," said James Brown, CEO of Space Industry Association of Australia, "and appreciate their strong alignment with our mission of growing Australia's space industrial base. Australa clearly has an opportunity to become a space surveillance superpower and a leader in global space governance, and LeoLabs can certainly play a role in supporting and informing that mission. We recognize that the LeoLabs West Australian Space Radar is just the beginning."



"I could not be more optimistic about the future of the Australian space sector, and the contribution LeoLabs will make to build that future," said LeoLabs Australia Managing Director, Terry van Haren. "The commercialization of LEO and the involvement of state actors in LEO continues to accelerate, and as we expand our capabilities here, LeoLabs is poised to support Australia's national interests in preserving transparency, deterrence, safety of flight and sustainability. LeoLabs global radar network already produces the world's largest number of LEO observations," added van Haren, "and the West Australian Space Radar will solidify and extend that lead. Today our catalogue tracks approximately 17,000 objects in low Earth orbit; in the near future that will grow to a massive 250,000 objects. The West Australian Space Radar also adds more timely updates on critical events in LEO, including collisions, breakups, maneuvers, new launches, and re-entries." LeoLabs is today the only end-to-end supplier of radar infrastructure and SDA services to support the mission of keeping the emerging LEO economy open, secure, and ensuring its sustainability for future generations. Backgrounder: LEO Opportunities, Risks, and the "Data Deficit"

Low Earth Orbit is rapidly emerging as the commercial frontier in space. Rapid deployment of new satellite constellations, the demand for innovative services from imaging to broadband to IoT (internet of things), and the billions of dollars of new investment in space-based infrastructure are redefining a domain shared by governments, space agencies, regulators, commercial operators, and space insurance. Against this backdrop of unprecedented opportunity are two challenges critical to investment and the long-term viability of LEO. The first is the need to develop LEO sustainably by addressing the threat posed by space debris. Approximately 250,000 dangerous pieces of orbital debris have gone untracked by government legacy systems that can no longer keep pace with increasing risks to satellite constellations. Sustainability is not just an arena for operators to address, but also for regulators to establish international best practices, set standards, and define rules of behavior. A second challenge critical to the long-term viability of LEO is keeping it open and secure. As the number of private space enterprises and space-faring nations continue to grow, so does the need to track and make transparent the full range of events that threaten an open space environment. "The single greatest challenge to both the sustainability and security threats in LEO is solving the "data deficit," said Dan Ceperley, LeoLabs CEO. "The number of assets in LEO doubled last year, will double again this year, and is expected to grow 25x in the next five years. LeoLabs is already the largest provider of data for LEO today, and this lead will expand rapidly as we execute on our constellation of radars." Ceperley continued, "The legacy government-built SSA infrastructures of the past simply cannot scale to track the new levels of LEO activity, and they have no path to get there. Our commercially driven infrastructure is the only viable and scalable way to address this "data deficit". The West Australian Space Radar will make a critical contribution to solving these challenges. Because of its strategic Asia Pacific location, the radar complements other LeoLabs radar sites, and will increase the frequency of observations LeoLabs collects on each satellite and orbital debris. This improves response times, and supports effective tracking and safety of flight. Second, the additional two S-band radars in the southern hemisphere adds critical resiliency to the global network, improving operational service levels and persistent tracking. And third, the West Australian Space Radar accelerates LeoLabs ability to discover, track and catalogue the objects never before tracked, those under 10 centimeters. About LeoLabs Founded in 2016 as a venture-funded spinout of Silicon Valley research pioneer, SRI International, LeoLabs provides access to critical mapping and SSA data for low Earth orbit. LeoLabs' services include collision prevention, risk assessment, constellation monitoring, and commercial SSA. LeoLabs today serves regulatory and space agencies, commercial satellite operators, defense, and scientific/academic organizations that are driving generational change in LEO. LeoLabs' core technology includes a patent-pending global phased-array radar network which tracks debris and satellites in LEO. Observations generated from this network are the foundation of the LeoLabs mapping and SDA/SSA software platform, providing timely and accurate orbital and situational data. Further infrmation, visit LeoLabs at www.leolabs.space, or LinkedIn, Twitter . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leolabs-commits-to-australia-as-strategic-site-for-next-space-radar-301403932.html SOURCE LeoLabs, Inc.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 19, 2021] Sichuan Ziyang: Connecting Chengdu and Chongqing, Sharing Future Development Opportunities

ZIYANG, China, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 19-20, 2021, the 2nd Chengdu-Chongqing Double-City Economic Circle Chamber of Commerce Cooperation Summit, organized by the Ziyang Municipal Party Committee, was held in Ziyang. Ziyang, located in the center of Sichuan, connects the two national-center cites of Chengdu and Chongqing. Situated in the middle of the Chengdu-Chongqing double-city economic circle, it is an important part of the Chengdu and Chengdu metropolitan areas' economic region. Additionally, Ziyang has a strong human atmosphere with a long history. About 35,000 years ago, the ancient people inand around modern Ziyang began Sichuan's history of human civilization. Currently, more than 100,000 exquisite ancient Anyue stone carvings from this era still exist today. And the Anyue gas field has been proven to have a reserve of 1.1 trillion cubic meters. The Anyue lemon makes up 80% of the domestic lemon industry, in terms of both scale and market. Ziyang, as the hometown of the famous and respected modern politician Chen Yi, is making numerous efforts to build itself up to be a national 5A scenic spot. Moreover, beyond this modern acclaim as Chen Yi's hometown, this city has the honor of being the place of origin of the Shu people, as well as being a city of centenarians, stone carvings, and lemons.



In June of this year, Tianfu International Airport, only 18 kilometers away from the main urban area of Ziyang, was completed and opened its doors. In addition, the construction of a three-dimensional integrated transportation network with "8 highways, 11 railways, and 16 fast tracks" has been accelerated. This network realizes a vision of "providing each county with 3 highways and 2 railways", and has already meant that it takes Ziyang people just 10 minutes to arrive at Tianfu International Airport, 30 minutes to reach the main urban area of Chengdu, and an hour to travel to the main urban area of Chongqing. It is reported that in recent years, Ziyang has continued to strengthen its economic and trade exchanges with South Korea, Singapore, Germany, and other countries. It has successively signed contracts with and introduced 58 different Top 500 enterprises (Fortune 500 enterprises, top 500 Chinese enterprises, and China's top 500 private enterprises), as well as 98 investment cooperation projects. Those enterprises include 25 "Global 500" enterprises, such as South Korea's Hyundai, Budweiser, Crown Holdings, and Germany's KaVo.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1664055/349c4747be25d69ee71100ee92282bc.jpg

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 19, 2021] LiveTiles launches LiveTiles Soundbites - an Enterprise audio communications solution

MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- LiveTiles is pleased to announce the launch of LiveTiles Soundbites. LiveTiles has been working in partnership with Texas-based Soundbite.ai for 12 months for the planned release of a secure, Enterprise Audio solution to drive stronger employee engagement in the modern workplace. Over the past two years, consumer audio adoption has skyrocketed, highlighted by the global growth of consumer audio apps like Clubhouse and the very recently announced beta social audio products from Twitter, Facebook, and Spotify. This consumer trend will make secure enterprise products like LiveTiles Soundbites an expectation within organisations over the next 12-36 months. In August 2021, LiveTiles announced its strategic goals to the market, sharing one of its ambitions to be recognised as the global leader in Employee Experience by 2024. The Employee Experience market is a significantly larger total addressable market than where LiveTiles has previously come from, presenting great opportunities for growth. The LiveTiles strategy requires new types of R&D and product innovation to service the entire Employee Experience market. The release of LiveTiles Soundbites is a strong step forward to deliver a more holistic set of Employee Experience capabilities to the market. The problem that exists with communications in the enterprise There has been significant in-depth research into the overall employee experience since the beginning of the pandemic, with a big focus on the effectiveness of communications and how people feel about their employer and workplace. The research shows: Only 44% of people read a single email for more than 9 seconds. [1]

Only 7% of the effectiveness of messages are derived from the words alone, with the vast majority of the effectiveness coming from tone and body language. [2]

70% of a communicators' time is spent creating content that 90% of people will essentially ignore.

53% of employees feel disengaged.

27% of employees waste 1-2 days per week on emails and meetings. All of this leads to the obvious conclusion that communications in the workplace need to change quickly to ensure companies retain top talent and connect employees to their mission, so that companies are highly productive and perform to expectations. The changes to the work environment and the rapid digitisation of the employee experience that the Covid-19 pandemic has driven means there are now more employees than ever requiring effective communication and engagement from their employers. The LiveTiles Soundbites solution explained LiveTiles Soundbites combines the best capabilities of LiveTiles & Soundbite.ai by seamlessly integrating them into an experience where employees can collaborate using both longer form written methods and audio Soundbites. LiveTiles Soundbites provides a scalable, modern way for organisations to engage their workforce across any device. The ability to communicate through voice is the next step in truly engaging people in the workplace. Some key details about LiveTiles Soundbites: It integrates key capabilities of Soundbite.ai into the LiveTiles Reach and LiveTiles Intranet experience.

It allows any user to simply click and record short-form audio communications for sharing corporate news, updates, policies, tasks, or whatever is on their mind.

Audio communications are able to be securely targeted across an organisation using the existing communication channels that LiveTiles Reach and LiveTiles Intranet delivers.

It is available both as a mobile app, and in desktop form.

It has been designed and further developed to ensure that the User Experience feels very natural between classic communications and audio communications.

It has been successfully piloted in companies across APAC & USA . LiveTiles enters the high-growth short-form audio market The last two years have seen phenomenal growth in the consumer market of social short-form audio apps. Clubhouse[3] is arguably the fastest growing and most talked about product in this space right now. Clubhouse launched in March 2020, as of December 2020 it had 600,000 weekly users, and it now has in excess of 10 million weekly users. This extraordinary growth is a strong indication of the demand for the capabilities of short-form audio. Clubhouse currently has a valuation of ~$4 billion USD. In January 2021, Clubhouse went from 2 million users to over 10 million users within the month. This success has seen other leading consumer platforms announce similar features including Twitter and Spotify. This growth has happened because audio is an agile, scalable, and engaging medium for authentic storytelling and communication. Users can consume on the go, such as catching up on the latest announcements from the CEO while driving or cooking dinner. LiveTiles and Soundbite.ai have been working closely together since the start of 2021 defining the future of audio in the employee experience. Soundbite's mission to provide the world's most comprehensive audio platform for the enterprise aligns perfectly with LiveTiles vision for the modern employee experience platform. The immediate market opportunity With the explosion in short-form audio for communications, LiveTiles will enter the market with proven capabilities and unique differentiation, delivered through a single application experience. The planned go-to-market will aim to attract new customers, along with providing existing customers the ability to extend their current LiveTiles subscription to include the new LiveTiles Soundbites capabilities. LiveTiles will execute a go-to-market strategy to drive the success of this product in market and is expecting strong demand to drive key revenue and licensing goals in CY2022. LiveTiles Soundbites will be available to select customers before the end of CY2021, with general availability by early 2022. Simon Tyrrell, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, said: "Audio is exploding. The reasons for this are clear; audio is easy to create, easy to consume from anywhere, and engages people in ways that written or video communications don't. LiveTiles is now able to deliver the breadth of communication methods through a single cohesive experience allowing our customers to ensure they engage their entire workforce and deliver a truly modern employee experience." Mike Lantzy, Co-founder of Soundbite.ai, said: "We are incredibly excited and confident that our LiveTiles Soundbites solution will grab the attention of key decision makers in the market. We've been working with some of the largest companies in 2021, and the timing for this solution could not be any better. The communications problem trends are very clear and well understood, and we have the solution to resolve this now." About LiveTiles LiveTiles is a global leader in the employee experience market creating software to enhance employee collaboration and communication. LiveTiles is delivering solutions that drive human connection, employee engagement, well-being and productivity in the modern workplace. LiveTiles have operations spanning North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, and services over 1,000 customers. LiveTiles is a leading player in the Employee Experience Platform Industry and has been acknowledged prominently by Forrester and Gartner. About Soundbite.ai Founded in early 2020, Soundbite.ai has quickly become the global leader in secure enterprise audio for business communications teams. Soundbite.ai customers streamline communications processes by creating and sharing engaging Soundbites and Podcasts that yield a happier, healthier, and more engaged workforce. Media Contact

Alex Liddington-Cox

+61 (0) 474 701 469

[email protected]









[1] https://cdn.ragan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Internal-Email-Benchmark-Report-2021-ContactMonkey-1.pdf [2] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/unconscious-branding/201407/why-email-is-only-7-percent-effective-talking [3] https://in.pcmag.com/mobile-apps/140707/what-is-clubhouse-the-invite-only-chat-app-explained

SOURCE LiveTiles

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 19, 2021] Tredence Achieves Snowflake's Elite Services Partner Status by Aiding Global Enterprises in Turning Data into a Strategic Asset

The partnership will help enterprises accelerate migration to the cloud while reducing costs and maintaining agility BENGALURU, India, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tredence Inc. , a leading data science and AI engineering company, today announced the company has achieved Elite partnership status, the highest level of partnership, in the Snowflake Partner Network. The combination of Tredence's advanced data science capabilities and Snowflake's Data Cloud enables enterprises to transform data into a strategic asset for critical decision-making. Snowflake's platform delivers significant benefits to enterprises by improving data accessibility, offering near-zero maintenance, and providing insights into operational initiatives. Tredence's Elite Partnership harnesses its Snowflake Center of Excellence (CoE) where breakthrough advanced analytics, machine learning and AI capabilities combine with proprietary industry solution accelerators to solve critical industry challenges. In addition to scaling data platforms rapidly, this enabes enterprises to become insights-driven organizations by reducing costs, improving manageability and reducing deployment risks.



The partnership between Tredence and Snowflake provides enterprises with a robust strategy for data, analytics and platform modernization. Clients can leverage these joint efforts to define a strategy and manage execution via actionable roadmaps while developing playbooks to reduce execution risk and platform migration and enablement capabilities at scale. Taking advantage of its Snowflake CoE capabilities, Tredence delivers industry solutions that run on Snowflake for clients, including Revenue Generation Management (RGM) for consumer-packaged goods firms, customer genome for retail organizations and a supply chain control tower for manufacturing enterprises.

"Achieving Elite status is a testament to Tredence's dedication to our Snowflake relationship, data platform innovation and success on the platform as a certified managed services partner," said Rich Williams, Vice President of Data Engineering, Tredence Inc. "Our Snowflake CoE, with over 150 cloud engineers and Snowflake certified architects, is capable of delivering full-spectrum services, including cloud data warehousing, data cataloging, governance, migration and curation services, across major industries like retail, consumer goods, industrials, TMT and healthcare. Enterprise customers turn to Tredence to de-risk their Snowflake deployments while accelerating time to deploy and value for their data platform investments." "Snowflake is dedicated to supporting businesses throughout their Data Cloud transformation journey," said Colleen Kapase, Snowflake SVP of Worldwide Partners & Alliances. "Combining Tredence's Elite Partner status with Snowflake CoE led solution accelerators provides businesses with prescriptive, actionable roadmaps, playbooks across major industries that can successfully accelerate Time to Value for their data assets at scale, unlocking informed and productive business strategies." More information about the Snowflake Partner Network and Tredence Snowflake CoE can be found at: tredence.com/snowflake . About Tredence Inc. Tredence is a data science and AI engineering company focused on solving the last mile problem in analytics. The 'last mile' is defined as the gap between insight creation and value realization. Tredence is 1,000-plus employees strong with offices in Foster City, Chicago, London, Toronto and Bangalore, with the largest companies in retail, CPG, hi-tech, telecom, travel and industrials as clients. Media Contact: Sivaram Kanthimathinathan

Head of Marketing, Tredence Inc.

[email protected] Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1664378/Tredence_Snowflake.jpg

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] As Great Resignation Draws On, Smaller Teams and Larger Workloads, Concerns Over Retention Top of Mind for Leaders

On the heels of the latest labor turnover survey from the U.S. government, ExecOnline, the pioneer of online leadership development for enterprises, released new survey findings that highlight the top challenges leaders say affect them most today. Results from the survey, which polled thousands of senior level executives participating in ExecOnline leadership development programs, reveal that in addition to issues related to a burned out and depleted workforce, managers are also struggling with today's post-remote, hybrid work environment. As the Great Resignation draws on with record numbers of workers quitting their jobs, the company's latest survey found that 52 percent of leaders said managing workloads with smaller teams is now their top challenge, up from 38 percent who said so one year ago. The results also revealed fewer leaders now feel that supporting their teams' well-being is a top challenge, a trend likely tied to the installment of new HR programs and benefits for employees working from home and dealing with changes in their personal and professional lives. Specifically, 61 percent of leaders in Q2 2020 - the beginning of the pandemic - said that supporting their teams' well-being was their top challenge, but in Q3 2021 that number dropped to 41 percent. Even with this decrease, retention and burnout still rank high when thinking about their organization's post-pandemic plans. Specifically, 56 percent of respondents said they are "moderately concerned," or "extremely concerned," about burnout - a figure that has remained relatively unchanged over the past year - and 43 percent are concerned about retention. "Burnout and fatigue are not issues that are going away, and in part are fueling what's behind the Great Resignation," said ExecOnline Co-Founder and CEO Stephen Bailey. "Now is not the time for leaders to simply 'check the box' when it comes to offering wellness support. As we return to the workplace and continue to embrace flexible work, organizations must prioritize developing leaders who can effectively and empathetically manage their teams' well-being and the challenges that are preventing them from performing at their very best." Leadership Capabilitis Decrease as Return to Work Plans Accelerate



Marrying with the downward trend of leaders who say supporting their teams' well-being is a top challenge, many leadership capabilities are seemingly on the downswing according to their employees. On average, critical capabilities, such as change leadership, strategic leadership and team leadership, were at an all-time high (67%) in Q1 2021; however, by Q3, confidence in those capabilities decreased to 61 percent - the lowest reported in a year. Interestingly, leadership capabilities were on the rise through Q1 2021 as the workforce acclimated to remote work, but declined as part of the global workforce began returning to the office and as leaders began navigating new challenges related to a post-remote work environment. "Today's leaders have the added responsibility of ensuring their teams are adequately prepared for and able to thrive in a post-remote work environment, a role that also now requires skills and capabilities that foster a deep knowledge of communication, empathy, and connectivity," continued Bailey. "This is a critical moment for companies to invest in developing senior leaders with these capabilities or risk an even greater fallout from the impact of the pandemic and the Great Resignation."

Post-Pandemic Work Environments Will Require Clear Communication, Empathy, Inclusive Leadership Abilities The pandemic and ensuing shift to a work-from-home model changed the basic structure and needs of workforces. Similarly as more employees are returning to the workplace, they are looking for different capabilities and skills from their managers that will help them better navigate a future hybrid work environment. For future hybrid work success, 51 percent said their leaders will need to be able to demonstrate empathy to support workers' needs; 44 percent want leaders to have skills that foster the concept of inclusivity; and 32 percent feel leaders will need skills that show an understanding of diversity and equity issues. ExecOnline's survey did uncover good news on the diversity, equity and inclusion front: 69 percent of survey respondents said their senior leadership exhibits capabilities that match "diversity leadership," up from the 65 percent who said this one year ago and the only leadership capability to see an increase. "The future of work is less about where we work and more about how we work. Now more than ever, it's important for teams to see their managers and senior leaders addressing topics and issues related to the challenges of today's business environment," added Bailey. ExecOnline polls thousands of its program participants five times a year to gauge top trends in leadership development, culture, and barriers to effective work. About ExecOnline As the pioneer of online leadership development for enterprises, ExecOnline has delivered transformational learning experiences to corporate leaders at over 500 global organizations since 2012. Through partnerships with elite business schools such as Berkeley Haas, Chicago Booth, Columbia, UVA Darden School of Business, Tuck at Dartmouth, Duke CE, IMD, Ivey, MIT (News - Alert)-Sloan, Stanford GSB, Wharton and Yale, ExecOnline consistently provides top-tier leadership courses. As a Forbes "Technology Company to Watch," our proprietary online ecosystem combines the engagement of on-campus study with the convenience of online education, through dynamic, high-impact experiences tailored to the unique strategic, innovation and operational concerns of corporate executives. Follow ExecOnline on LinkedIn and Twitter. Visit execonline.com to learn more. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211019006205/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Sartorius grows dynamically and profitably - Substantial double-digit increases in sales and earnings

GOTTINGEN, Germany, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The life science group Sartorius has continued to grow dynamically and profitably. For the nine-month reporting period of 2021, the company listed on the DAX since September recorded significant doubledigit growth rates in sales and earnings. "In the first nine months of the year, high demand for innovative technologies for efficient development and production of biopharmaceuticals has led to the expected very dynamic development of our business. Additional momentum related to the manufacture of coronavirus vaccines and test kits was significant, but not dominant. We expanded our product portfolio for use in the production of cell and gene therapeutics as well as vaccines by taking over a majority stake in CellGenix and acquiring the cell culture media specialist Xell," said Joachim Kreuzburg, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO. In addition, he confirmed the forecast for the current year. "We are optimistic about the further development of our business, are driving our extensive capacity expansion and recruitment programs full steam ahead, and confirm our fullyear forecast," emphasized Kreuzburg. Business development of the Group Group sales revenue surged by 53.9 percent to around 2,527 million euros in constant currencies (reported: +50.4 percent). The majority of this growth was attributable to strong organic expansion of the core businesses of both divisions and in all regions. Acquisitions2 added around 6 percentage points to the increase in sales revenue, and growth related to the development and production of coronavirus vaccines and test kits was about 21 percentage points. Order intake1 grew even more dynamically, up 72.3 percent in constant currencies to 3,286 million euros (of which around 20 percentage points were attributable to the coronavirus pandemic and around 8 percentage points to acquisitions; reported: +68,0 percent). Between January and September 2021, underlying EBITDA1 grew strongly by 77.3 percent to 866 million euros while the corresponding margin rose to 34.3 percent (9M 2020: 29.1 percent). This increase was influenced by economies of scale and by partially deferred cost development, for example, as a result of the low number of business trips and underproportionate new hires in non-production areas due to the pandemic. These trends have started to abate as the coronavirus-related restrictions have progressively eased. Relevant net profit1 for the Sartorius Group surged by 92.7 percent to 407 million euros; earnings per ordinary share were 5.94 euros (9M 2020: 3.08 euros) and per preference share, 5.95 euros (9M 2020: 3.09 euros). Business development of the divisions The Bioprocess Solutions Division, which offers a wide array of innovative technologies for manufacturing biopharmaceuticals, grew its sales in the first nine months of the year by 57.9 percent to 1,987 million euros in constant currencies (reported: 54.3 percent). In particular, its business with manufacturers of biopharmaceutical medications performed very well. Beyond this, the ramp-up in coronavirus vaccine production by many customers added around 25 percentage points to growth in sales revenue. Nonorganic growth contributed by the acquisitions2 was a good 5 percentage points. Expanded production capacities at several company sites and overall stable, yet strained, supply chains supported this development. The division's order intake increased even more strongly than its sales revenue, surging 81.4 percent in constant currencies to 2,733 million euros (reported: +76,7 percent). Part of this higher order intake is due to the changed ordering patterns of some customers who, in the current situation, have been placing their orders further in advance than usual. Underlying EBITDA1 of the Bioprocess Solutions Division rose by 76.5 percent to 724 million euros and thus at a significantly overproportionate rate in relation to sales. The division's respective margin climbed year over year from 31.9 percent to 36.5 percent. Economies of scale as well as a cost base that grew only slowly in some areas due to the pandemic contributed to this rise in profitability. The Lab Products & Services Division, which specializes in equipment and technologies for life science research and pharmaceutical laboratories, also saw sales revenue grow strongly by 40.8 percent in constant currencies to 539 million euros (reported: +37.6 percent) compared to the prior-year period dampened by the pandemic. At 32 percentage points, the major part of this increase in sales revenue was organic, with components used in coronavirus test kits accounting for close to 7 percentage points. Development was especially dynamic in the strategic growth area of bioanalytics, which Sartorius had built up over the past years by making three acquisitions in total. Order intake grew at a similarly strong pace as sales revenue, up 38.3 percent in constant currencies to 553 million euros (reported: +35.0 percent). Underlying EBITDA1 of the Lab Products & Services Division rose sharply in the first nine months of 2021 by 81.4 percent to 142 million euros while the corresponding margin reached 26.3 percent (9M 2020: 20.0 percent). This margin expansion was based on economies of scale, a positive product mix, and cost development that was underproportionate in some areas due to the pandemic. Business development in the regions Sartorius increased its revenues significantly in all three business regions. Sales revenue in the EMEA3 region that contributes the highest share of around 41 percent to total Group revenue amounted to 1,039 million euros, up 54.8 percent in constant currencies (reported: +54.5 percent). The Americas region accounted for about 33 percent of total Group sales. Here, business grew by 49.7 percent to 825 million euros in constant currencies (reported: +40.9 percent). Sales in the Asia | Pacific region likewise saw dynamic growth, up 58.5 percent in constant currencies to 663 million euros (reported: +57.2 percent). As a result, this region's share of total Group revenue was 26 percent. Key financial indicators The Sartorius Group has a very sound balance sheet and financial base. As of September 30, 2021, its equity ratio stood at 30.2 percent (December 31, 2020: 29.9 percent). Net debt to underlying EBITDA1 was 1.6 on the reporting date as a result of strong net cash flow and the increase in earnings, relative to 2.6 at yearend 2020. The ratio of capital expenditures (CAPEX) to sales was 9.6 percent for the nine-month period relative to 8.0 percent in the prior-year period. Overall, cash flow from investing activities rose in the reporting period by 80.8 percent, amounting to -253.9 million euros. Increase in the number of employees to around 13,000 As of September 30, 2021, Sartorius employed a total of 12,952 people worldwide. Compared with December 31, 2020, headcount thus rose by 2,315 or around 21.8 percent. The accelerated increase in the number of employees compared with previous years resulted from the expansion of production capacities that was moved ahead of schedule to some extent. However, due to the pandemic, buildup of the workforce was underproportionate on the whole compared with the company's business development. This trend particularly affected the non-production departments, such as sales and marketing functions, and has begun to subside as a result of additional hires. Forecast for 2021 confirmed Management confirms its growth forecast, last raised in July, for the full year of 2021. Accordingly, the Sartorius Group projects consolidated sales growth of around 45 percent and an underlying EBITDA margin1 of about 34 percent. For the Bioprocess Solutions Division, sales are anticipated to increase by about 50 percent, and the underlying EBITDA margin1 is projected at around 36 percent. Sales growth for the Lab Products & Services Division is expected to be around 30 percent at an underlying EBITDA margin1 of about 26 percent. The investment program for 2021 is to remain unchanged at around 400 million euros, and the corresponding CAPEX ratio for the Group is projected at about 12 percent. The focus of these substantial investments is on the partly extended and accelerated expansion of production capacities, primarily at sites in Germany, Puerto Rico, China, and South Korea. Net debt to underlying EBITDA1 is expected to be slightly below 2.0 at year-end. Possible acquisitions are not included in these projections. Mid-range targets updated in January 2021 remain unchanged and assume that for 2025, consolidated sales revenue will increase to about 5 billion euros at an underlying EBITDA margin of around 32 percent. All forecasts are based on constant currencies as in the past years. In addition, the company assumes that the global economy will increasingly recover, the supply of raw materials and primary products will continue at a good level and that supply chains will remain stable as the current year progresses. Financial indicators of the comparative period partly restated due to the finalized purchase price allocation for acquisitions made in 2020. 1 Sartorius publishes alternative performance measures that are not defined by international accounting standards. These are determined with the aim of improving the comparability of business performance over time and within the industry. Order intake: all customer orders contractually concluded and booked during the respective reporting period

Underlying EBITDA: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and adjusted for extraordinary items

Relevant net profit: profit for the period after non-controlling interest, adjusted for extraordinary items and non-cash amortization, as well as based on the normalized financial result and the normalized tax rate

Ratio of net debt to underlying EBITDA: quotient of net debt and underlying EBITDA over the past 12 months, including the pro forma amount contributed by acquisitions for this period 2 Acquisitions of the following entities: selected life science businesses from Danaher; BIA Separations; WaterSep BioSeparations; CellGenix; and Xell 3 EMEA = Europe, Middle East, Africa This press release contains forward-looking statements about the future development of the Sartorius Group. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Sartorius assumes no liability for updating such statements in light of new information or future events. This is a translation of the original German-language press release. Sartorius shall not assume any liability for the correctness of this translation. The original German press release is the legally binding version. Follow Sartorius on Twitter @Sartorius_Group and on LinkedIn. Conference call Joachim Kreuzburg, CEO and Executive Board Chairman of Sartorius AG, and Rainer Lehmann, CFO and a member of the Executive Board, will discuss the company's business results with analysts and investors on October 20, 2021, at 3:30 p.m. Central European Summer Time (CEST) in a teleconference. You may register by clicking on the following link: https://services.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=P22ZUZu2 The presentation will be available on the same day starting at 2:30 p.m. CEST, for viewing on our website at: https://www.sartorius.com/en/company/investor-relations/sartorius-ag-investor-relations/presentations Current image files http://www.sartorius.com/en/company/newsroom/downloads-publications Key performance indicators for nine months 2021









Sartorius Group1 Bioprocess Solutions1 Lab Products & Services1  in millions (unless otherwise specified) 9-mo. 9-mo. ? in % ? in % 9-mo. 9-mo. ? in % ? in % 9-mo. 9-mo. ? in % ? in % 2021 2020 Reported cc2 2021 2020 Reported cc2 2021 2020 Reported cc2 Order Intake and Sales Revenue Order intake 3,286.20 1,956.50 68 72.3 2,733.00 1,546.80 76.7 81.4 553.2 409.7 35 38.3 Sales revenue 2,526.90 1,680.00 50.4 53.9 1,987.40 1,288.10 54.3 57.9 539.4 391.9 37.6 40.8 - EMEA3 1,038.80 672.6 54.5 54.8 829.6 506.4 63.8 64.1 209.2 166.2 25.9 26.3 - Americas3 825.4 586 40.9 49.7 654.1 470.7 39 47.6 171.3 115.3 48.5 58.1 - Asia | Pacific3 662.7 421.5 57.2 58.5 503.8 311.1 62 63.2 158.9 110.4 43.9 45.1 Earnings EBITDA4 866.4 488.7 77.3

724.4 410.5 76.5

141.9 78.2 81.4

EBITDA margin4in % 34.3 29.1



36.5 31.9



26.3 20



Net profit for the 406.9 211.2 92.7

















period5 Financial Data per Share Earnings per 5.94 3.08 92.7

















ordinary share5in  Earnings per preference share5in  5.95 3.09 92.4



















1 The previous year's figures have been restated due to finalization of the purchase price allocations for the acquisitions of 2020 2 In constant currencies 3 According to customers' location 4 Adjusted for extraordinary items 5 After non-controlling interest, adjusted for extraordinary items and non-cash amortization, as well as based on the normalized financial result and the normalized tax rate

A profile of Sartorius The Sartorius Group is a leading international partner of life science research and the biopharmaceutical industry. With innovative laboratory instruments and consumables, the Group's Lab Products & Services Division concentrates on serving the needs of laboratories performing research and quality control at pharma and biopharma companies and those of academic research institutes. The Bioprocess Solutions Division with its broad product portfolio focusing on single-use solutions helps customers to manufacture biotech medications and vaccines safely and efficiently. The Group has been annually growing by double digits on average and has been regularly expanding its portfolio by acquisitions of complementary technologies. In fiscal 2020, the company earned sales revenue of some 2.34 billion euros. At the end of 2020, nearly 11,000 people were employed at the Group's approximately 60 manufacturing and sales sites, serving customers around the globe. Contact Petra Kirchhoff

Head of Corporate Communications& Investor Relations

+49 (0)551 308 1686

[email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sartorius-grows-dynamically-and-profitably--substantial-double-digit-increases-in-sales-and-earnings-301404213.html SOURCE Sartorius AG

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Action for bone health is needed now more than ever, urges IOF

NYON, Switzerland, Oct. 20, 2021 /CNW/ -- A backlog in osteoporosis assessments, treatment delays, and sedentary indoor lifestyles: these are just several ways in which the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted bone health and disrupted global osteoporosis care. Osteoporosis is a common bone disorder that leads to weak and fragile bones which fracture easily. An osteoporotic fracture typically occurs as a result of a minor fall from standing height, or even from bending to pick up a grocery bag. Worldwide, osteoporosis-related fractures affect up to one in three women and one in five men aged 50 years and over. Approximately 9 million fractures occur annually, with an enormous impact on patients and their families as well as on healthcare systems. Among the major osteoporotic fractures, spine and hip fractures have the most severe consequences and result in enormous long-term medical costs. Because of the disability and loss of function following a hip fracture, 33% of hip fracture patients are totally dependent or in a nursing home in the year following the fracture. IOF President Professor Cyrus Cooper noted: "The pandemic's continuing toll on bone health and the timely delivery of osteoporosis assessment and care is of global concern. Given this backdrop, it is more important than ever to be proactive on behalf of bone health. Osteoporosis-related fractures are a major cause of pain, disability, and loss of independence in older adults. Such life-changing injuries can be prevented with life-long attention to bone ealth, and early diagnosis and appropriate treatment for those at risk."



"Nevertheless, despite the immense burden of fragility fractures, osteoporosis remains vastly under-diagnosed and under-treated. Even after an osteoporotic fracture, approximately 80% of patients are not assessed or treated for the underlying cause. This is inexcusable  and in stark contrast to cardiovascular disease prevention, where patients are routinely treated for high blood pressure or cholesterol to avoid potential strokes or heart attacks." On World Osteoporosis Day, IOF and its global membership of more than 265 national patient and medical societies, call on individuals and health care authorities alike to prioritize bone health and the prevention of fractures. IOF urges all older adults to ensure they are exercising regularly, getting enough vitamin D through exposure to sunshine or supplements, and eating bone-healthy foods that contain calcium, protein, and other important nutrients. The IOF Osteoporosis Risk Check, an online questionnaire, is a simple way to be alerted to any key personal risk factors for the disease.

"If you're at risk, reach out to your doctor to ask for an assessment and timely treatment. This is particularly important if you've already broken a bone after the age of fifty, have noticed height loss or a stooped back, or have a family history of osteoporosis," cautions the IOF President. Without protective treatment, a first broken bone doubles the risk of further, potentially life-threatening fractures. It is essential that anyone who has sustained a fragility fracture gets post-fracture care for the prevention of recurrent fractures. A global map of hospitals with Fracture Liaison Services is available at www.capturethefracture.org World Osteoporosis Day (WOD), held on October 20, calls for global action to fight osteoporosis and related fractures. www.worldosteoporosisday.org WOD Partners: Sunsweet, UCB, Amgen, Sandoz, Theramex The International Osteoporosis Foundation is the world's largest non-governmental organization dedicated to osteoporosis and fracture prevention. www.osteoporosis.foundation IOF Osteoporosis Risk Check: https://riskcheck.osteoporosis.foundation/ Media contact: L.Misteli, IOF [email protected] SOURCE The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF)

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] EQT launches impact-driven longer-hold fund

STOCKHOLM, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on three decades of future-proofing companies, EQT now strengthens its platform-wide commitment to make a positive impact by launching the EQT Future fund. EQT Future is an impact-driven longer-hold fund which will apply EQT's active ownership model to accelerate sustainable transformation of companies alongside creating attractive risk adjusted returns. The launch of EQT Future comes just days after the announcement of EQT as the first private markets firm globally to formalize science based targets through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). EQT will address climate change by defining ambitious greenhouse gas emission ("GHG") reduction targets, for both its own and the portfolio companies' operations. The EQT Future fund will invest in mature, high-quality companies with market-shaping impact potential and where transformation requires a longer ownership horizon. Investments will be made in line with three key objectives i) Planet (safeguard resources and protect our climate), ii) People (improve mental and physical health), and iii) Prosperity (create equality of opportunity). Every investment that EQT Future makes needs a clear impact thesis and the fund will deploy an Impact Acceleration Plan for all its portfolio companies to achieve the ambitious asset-specific and portfolio-level KPIs. These are, namely, i) reduction of GHG emissions using the Science Based Targets, ii) improved employee wellbeing through industry top-quartile eNPS (Net Promoter Score), iii) and increased gender diversity where progress will be tracked towards a 50 percent split within the top 20 percent of earners in each company. Up to 20 percent of EQT Future's total carried interest will be linked to achieving the portfolio-level KPIs. EQT Future will be supported by a Mission Board that will provide strategic direction and impact-focused advice. The Mission Board will be co-chaired by Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever, UN Sustainability Ambassador, and co-founder of IMAGINE, a social enterprise focused on sustainable transformation, and Jacob Wallenberg, Chairperson of Investor AB and vice Chairperson of ABB and Ericsson. Additional members of the Mission Board are expected to be announced in Q4 2021. Paul Polman, Co-chair of EQT Future's Mission Board, said, "There is an enormous opportunity to invest in businesses that give back more than they take and I am a firm believer that success will come to those who focus on solving the world's problems. I share this mindset with EQT and I am therefore excited to join the EQT Future Mission Board to support a strategy clearly geared towards investing in companies that are, or have the potential to, change industries for the better. As Co-chair, I will focus on the purpose and impact thesis of EQT Future's investments and leverage my network to connect the team with the right skills and people." Christian Sinding, CEO and Managing Partner of EQT, said, "EQT Future is an important strategic move for EQT as a firm. Together with our Science Based Targets and EQT Future's impact-driven investment thesis, we are raising the bar for EQT and all our investment strategies. By combining EQT Future with our firm-wide approach to embed positive impact into every investment, we have the best possible foundation to grasp the most exciting opportunity, and responsibility, of our time - to support businesses that can accelerate transformational change for the benefit of the environment and society at large." The EQT Future team will be empowered and work fully integrated with the firm's entire platform. This includes 140 Private Equity Investment Advisory Professionals, and access to EQT's in-house sustainability and digitalization capabilities, the global sector teams, and EQT's extensive advisory network. EQT Future's Advisory Team will initially consist of ten dedicated Investment Professionals, including four Partners, led by Anders Misund, and Andreas Aschenbrenner, Deputy Head. Anders Misund, Partner and Head of EQT Future's Advisory Team, said, "With EQT Future, we will leverage EQT's proven responsible ownership philosophy and challenge ourselves and portfolio companies to further elevate our ambitions for driving tangible and measurable impact. The fund's longer-term ownership horizon will unlock new opportunities that historically have fallen outside the investment mandate of EQT's Private Equity funds." The EQT Future fund will have a target fund size of EUR 4 billion. No hard cap has been set to date and the actual fund size is dependent on the outcome of the fundraising process and may ultimately be higher or lower than the target fund size. Management fees for the EQT Future fund will be charged on invested capital during its full term. This means that management fees will be charged only as and when investments are made by the fund. Contact EQT Press Office, [email protected], +46 8 506 55 334 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/eqt/r/eqt-launches-impact-driven-longer-hold-fund,c3436319 The following files are available for download:







https://mb.cision.com/Main/87/3436319/1483316.pdf Press release EQT AB EQT Future 211020 https://news.cision.com/eqt/i/eqt-future,c2969649 EQT Future

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eqt-launches-impact-driven-longer-hold-fund-301404235.html SOURCE EQT

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] GLOBIS USA Launches Website to Bring MBA, VC, Online Learning, and Corporate Education to America

TOKYO, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 15, 2021, GLOBIS USA launched its official website ( https://glob.is/USAlaunch ). Headquartered in San Francisco, GLOBIS USA (launched in April) is the first American subsidiary of Tokyo-based GLOBIS Corporation ( https://www.globis.co.jp/en/ ). The subsidiary will serve as a portal to bring Japan's leading MBA and GLOBIS Unlimited online learning to an American audience. It will also help support portfolio companies of GLOBIS Capital Partners, widening their reach as global ventures. Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M106860/202110151711/_prw_PI2fl_27jgkwlQ.png Image: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M106860/202110151711/_prw_PI1fl_Qs60BF2w.jpg Future business leaders will need diverse expert knowledge to harness the power of technology and innovate in a new era of globalization -- the era of Technovate. As such, GLOBIS USA will initially serve as a hub for corporate training programs and GLOBIS Unlimited. Eventually, pre-MBA courses will also be offered both online and in person. The San Francisco location will also help support portfolio companies of GLOBIS Capital Partners, widening their reach as global ventures. Serving as president of GLOBIS USA wll be Tomoya Nakamura, former dean of GLOBIS University in Japan. The Board of Directors will include GLOBIS Corporation Managing Director Tomoko Kimijima and GLOBIS Digital Platform Director Alex Scharf.



GLOBIS USA marks an important step forward in the GLOBIS mission to support ecosystems of people, capital, and knowledge for a positive impact on the future of business. To date, over 170,000 students have completed GLOBIS courses, and over 1,120,000 have received corporate training. GLOBIS Capital Partners is a leading venture capital fund in Japan with a total AUM of over $1 billion. The next chapter in this legacy brings GLOBIS into a key market on the global stage. On January 13, 2022, GLOBIS USA will host Creative Confidence for Startups, an online launch event featuring guest speaker Mr. Tom Kelley. As a partner at IDEO and founder and chairman at D4V, Mr. Kelley is a respected global authority on critical business skills such as storytelling and design thinking. In addition to a keynote speech, he will join GLOBIS USA President Tomoya Nakamura in a dialogue and address the audience in a Q&A session. Details and sign-up information will be announced on GLOBIS USA's official website nearer to the event.

For more information about GLOBIS USA, see below: https://glob.is/USAlaunch About GLOBIS Since its foundation in 1992, GLOBIS has fostered a vision to create and innovate societies by fostering management ecosystems of people, capital, and knowledge. Today, the company is involved in a range of activities, from higher education and corporate training to venture capital. GLOBIS also operates the G1 Institute and the KIBOW Foundation, both nonprofit organizations to promote creativity and innovation in society. The GLOBIS MBA and corporate training programs are offered both online and in person across Japan, Shanghai, Singapore, and Thailand. GLOBIS University is the proud home of Japan's leading MBA and is rapidly growing to claim this title for all of Asia. GLOBIS Group: GLOBIS University English (Part-time MBA, Online MBA, and Full-time MBA)

Japanese (Part-time MBA and Online MBA) GLOBIS Corporation GLOBIS Executive School

GLOBIS Management School

Corporate Training

GLOBIS Insights

GLOBIS Unlimited GLOBIS Capital Partners

GLOBIS China

GLOBIS Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.

GLOBIS Thailand Co., Ltd.

GLOBIS USA, Inc. Other activities: G1 Institute

KIBOW Foundation View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/globis-usa-launches-website-to-bring-mba-vc-online-learning-and-corporate-education-to-america-301404226.html SOURCE GLOBIS Corporation

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Lleida.net signs with Proteccion S.A., Colombia's second largest fund manager, and will channel 10,000 transactions per month

BOGOTA, Colombia and MADRID, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Colombian financial company Proteccion S.A., the second largest pensions fund administrator in Colombia, has chosen Lleida.net (BME: LLN) (EPA: ALLLN) (OTCQX: LLEIF) as its main provider of registered electronic signature, notification and contracting services. From now on, the Spanish listed company will channel 10,000 transactions per month, in 20 different categories, in an agreement that will allow the company to automate Proteccion S.A.'s processes. The Colombian financial company has more than 2.5 million members, and also manages unemployment insurance, voluntary pensions and mandatory pensions. Lleida.net's Click&Sign service will be the basis of the service, which will be used to process membership signatures, pension bonds, legal services, and even contracts with suppliers. "That a company of the caliber of Proteccion S.A. has chosen Lleida.net as a trusted service provider is another example of the enormous level of presence we are achieving in Colombia, one of our company's main international markets," explained Sisco Sapena, CEO and founder of the company.



The Latin American nation is a key market in the company's international strategy. Just two weeks ago, Colombia's national postal service, 4-72, announced the renewal and extension of its contract with Lleida.net. 4-72 uses its entire catalog of electronic notification, signature and contracting products to serve the country's citizens. In Colombia, where the Spanish listed company has been operating since 2014, it has three patents and more than 200 customers.

Lleida.net is the European leader in the registered electronic signature, notification and contracting industry. With more than 200 patents received from more than 60 countries internationally, Lleida.net has one of the strongest intellectual property portfolios in the field. In a statement released last week, the company announced that in the first three quarters of 2021 it has already produced more SaaS services than during the whole of 2020. Lleida.net's services are used by companies in more than 50 countries. The listed company's technology is proprietary, and has received more than 200 patents in 63 countries on five continents. Its shares are traded on the OTCQX index in New York, on Euronext Growth in Paris and on BME Growth in Madrid. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lleidanet-signs-with-proteccion-sa-colombias-second-largest-fund-manager-and-will-channel-10-000-transactions-per-month-301404281.html SOURCE Lleida.net

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] New Research Reveals Europe's Largest Companies are Ignoring Candidates

PARIS, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite talent shortages in a labor market where the competition for talent has never been fiercer, companies are still lagging in innovation and failing to prioritize the candidate experience. Although there is AI-powered technology specifically designed to provide a seamless job search, 91% of European companies don't offer a digital assistant on the career site for immediate assistance, according to research released today from iCIMS, the talent cloud company. Additionally, more than 50% of the largest European companies do not reply to a candidate within two weeks of receiving an application and the majority of responses are from a generic email address. This leaves candidates unsure of where they stand, while companies are missing out on opportunities to personalize the experience. iCIMS' Candidate Experience Report explores the journey candidates go through at the largest European companies. iCIMS' new Candidate Experience Report explores the journey people go through as they search for and apply to jobs at the largest European companies. The findings confirm that many companies are not providing a 21st-century experience fit for virtual hiring needs, despite innovative technologies and process advancements that are available. The report will help employers to evaluate, compare, and improve aplication processes and talent experiences through the career site and other engagement technologies so they can effectively attract top talent in this competitive labor market.



"It is anything but 'business as usual' as talent shortages impact businesses worldwide and leaders are challenged to transform their approach and technologies to be successful in this new world of work," said Mickael Cabrol, managing director, EMEA, iCIMS. "Our research shows companies may want to reconsider how their recruiting programs and content represent their brand as a whole. Tomorrow, we will be hosting our first virtual INSPIRE European Summit to connect the European talent community, share talent strategies that work, and empower leaders to innovate and embrace future workforce needs." Key findings include:

More than half of employers seemingly ignore candidates and fail to prioritize the candidate experience. The majority of employers in this research did not update candidates on the status of their application within two weeks, and 6% of employers do not even have an automatic reply to confirm the application was received. The companies that responded to candidates replied within just over six days, on average. By not responding or providing updates, companies risk losing quality candidates, many of whom may assume they've been rejected.

The majority of employers in this research did not update candidates on the status of their application within two weeks, and 6% of employers do not even have an automatic reply to confirm the application was received. The companies that responded to candidates replied within just over six days, on average. By not responding or providing updates, companies risk losing quality candidates, many of whom may assume they've been rejected. Modern engagement tools are underutilized. More than 90% of companies in this study are not using a digital assistant on their recruitment sites. Digital assistants can provide 24/7 support, nurture candidates, answer questions, collect information, automatically screen candidates, schedule interviews and convert online visitors to qualified candidates. The study also revealed the opportunity for employers to adopt text recruiting and engagement software to accelerate communication, improve the experience and reduce manual efforts.

More than 90% of companies in this study are not using a digital assistant on their recruitment sites. Digital assistants can provide 24/7 support, nurture candidates, answer questions, collect information, automatically screen candidates, schedule interviews and convert online visitors to qualified candidates. The study also revealed the opportunity for employers to adopt text recruiting and engagement software to accelerate communication, improve the experience and reduce manual efforts. Most European employers are using videos but aren't using them as a strategic advantage . The study found that 74% of companies are featuring videos on career sites, but only a few use this technology to enhance job postings or feature user-generated video content of current employees. User-generated videos are a powerful way to share details on specific jobs and projects, by real employees, to create meaningful connections and help attract the right people for the right roles. In fact, separate data from the iCIMS platform revealed that job seekers spend up to 37% more time on career sites and applications increase up to 34% when video testimonials are present.

. The study found that 74% of companies are featuring videos on career sites, but only a few use this technology to enhance job postings or feature user-generated video content of current employees. User-generated videos are a powerful way to share details on specific jobs and projects, by real employees, to create meaningful connections and help attract the right people for the right roles. In fact, separate data from the iCIMS platform revealed that job seekers spend up to 37% more time on career sites and applications increase up to 34% when video testimonials are present. Overall candidate impression of the companies' career sites is good, not great. The 133 largest European companies received an average score of 3.1 out of 5 for the design of their recruitment sites. Overall, candidates were satisfied with the design of the interface when they applied, but 54% of the companies scored between a 1-3 on a five-point scale. Career sites for the companies in the consumer goods, insurance and retail sectors scored the highest.

The 133 largest European companies received an average score of 3.1 out of 5 for the design of their recruitment sites. Overall, candidates were satisfied with the design of the interface when they applied, but 54% of the companies scored between a 1-3 on a five-point scale. Career sites for the companies in the consumer goods, insurance and retail sectors scored the highest. The application process is getting faster and simpler. On average, it takes candidates 6 minutes and 11 seconds to apply to a job at the largest companies in Europe . Only three companies required lengthier applications of more than 15 minutes to apply. It took an average of 27 clicks to apply to a job, compared to 41 clicks in 2019, and 47% of companies offer an easy apply option through integrated social media platforms or job boards, compared to only 18% in 2019. The research was conducted in partnership with HEC Junior Conseil, the Junior Enterprise of HEC, the number one business school in Europe, according to the Financial Times. This study evaluated the user design and experience on career sites, the number of clicks required to find a relevant job, application complexity, speed of response from the employer, the usage of modern engagement tools and more. European-based leaders looking to build strong, diverse teams are also encouraged to register for the free, virtual INSPIRE European Summit on Oct. 21. The event will be hosted by iCIMS and UNLEASH and will feature talent transformation stories from some of the most innovative companies in Europe. About iCIMS, Inc.

iCIMS is the talent cloud company that empowers organizations to attract, engage, hire, and advance the right talent that builds a diverse, winning workforce. iCIMS accelerates transformation for a community of more than 4,000 customers, including 40% of the Fortune 100. For more information, visit www.icims.com. Media Contact: Carlee Pett, [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-research-reveals-europes-largest-companies-are-ignoring-candidates-301404243.html SOURCE iCIMS, Inc.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021]

Xinhua Silk Road: 7th China (Lianyungang) Silk Road International Logistics Expo kicks off on Mon. in China's Lianyungang

BEIJING, Oct. 19, 2021 /CNW/ -- The 7th China (Lianyungang) Silk Road International Logistics Expo was held on Monday in Lianyungang, a port city in east China's Jiangsu province.

As a landmark expo aimed at boosting investment and trade cooperation in the Belt and Road countries, China (Lianyungang) Silk Road International Logistics Expo haspromoted logistics development, cooperation and exchanges among more than 100 countries and regions, 348 overseas organizations, and over 2,240 exhibitors.







The event features one opening ceremony, seven professional forums and a series of activities.

Lianyungang is willing to work with friends from all walks of life to take international logistics as the link to jointly push forward the development of key fields such as infrastructure interconnection, regional coordination, international production capacity cooperation, etc., so as to gather high-quality elements, amplify resource effects, and spur market vitality, said Fang Wei, Secretary of the CPC Lianyungang Municipal Committee at the opening ceremony of the expo.

According to preliminary statistics, about 36 projects worth 40.2 billion yuan were signed at the expo, covering various industries such as logistics, new materials, and high-end equipment, noted Gao Meifeng, Deputy Mayor of Lianyungang.

Located in northeastern Jiangsu Province, Lianyungang is the start point of the new Eurasian land bridge in the East and takes an important strategic position on the new Asia-Europe land-sea intermodal transport channel.

Data showed that China-Kazakhstan logistics base, which is situated in Lianyungang, dispatched a total of 228 China-Europe freight trains, carrying 79,100 TEU containers of goods from January to May this year, maintaining the robust growth momentum of last year

Original Link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/324367.html

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xinhua-silk-road-7th-china-lianyungang-silk-road-international-logistics-expo-kicks-off-on-mon-in-chinas-lianyungang-301404297.html

SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road
[October 20, 2021]

Ekinops strengthens UK presence and signs Exertis as Local Distributor for its OneAccess brand

PARIS, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ekinops (Euronext Paris - FR0011466069  EKI), a leading network access and virtualization specialist, has strengthened its UK presence; expanding its sales team and signing a distribution agreement for its OneAccess-branded portfolio with Exertis, one of the country's largest and fastest growing technology distributors.

Market-proven by service providers globally, Ekinops' OneAccess portfolio provides a wide choice of innovative physical and virtualized solutions for enterprise network services. OneAccess-branded routers are deployed with OneOS6 built-in services, which means network functions such as SD-WAN can be activated on demand. This enables flexible, futureproof network management capabilities and accommodates diversifying and growing connectivity demands.

"As one of the UK's largest and most trusted technolgy distributors, we pride ourselves on our strong vendor partnerships to deliver quality, cost-effective solutions for our customers," says Tom Cox, Commercial Director Enterprise Division at Exertis. "Ekinops and its OneAccess portfolio embody these values. As a widely trusted, reliable and mature technology brand, we look forward to offering the OneAccess portfolio to our customers and facilitating truly next-gen network solutions."







Alongside its latest distribution agreement, Ekinops has also grown its UK and Ireland sales team.

"An agile, partnership-driven approach is at the heart of Ekinops' offering," commented Frank Dedobbeleer, Group Vice President Sales EMEA & APAC at Ekinops. "To deliver this, it is vital that alongside a skilled regional sales presence, we have a distribution partner who shares our values."

"We pride ourselves on a strong global presence. In 2020, 63% of our total revenue came from international markets, an upward trend we intend to continue," added Frank Dedobbeleer. "The UK and Irish telecoms sector is undergoing a period of exciting growth and transformation, and enhancing our established presence and investments is key".

For more information about Ekinops OneAccess solutions, please visit: https://www.ekinops.com/solutions/

Contact: For further media information, or to schedule an interview with Ekinops, please contact Fraser Kay, iseepr +44(0) 113 350 1922 / [email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ekinops-strengthens-uk-presence-and-signs-exertis-as-local-distributor-for-its-oneaccess-brand-301404002.html

SOURCE Ekinops
[October 20, 2021] Microsoft powers the future of mobility - Unveils the latest cloud & IoT innovations for electric vehicles in Taiwan

TAIPEI, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft unveils the latest cloud and IoT innovative technology at the inaugural 2035 E-Mobility Taiwan Exhibition on Wednesday October 20th, 2021, further unlocking potential of cloud computing for smart mobility industry. The latest reveal highlights Microsoft's partnership with MIH Consortium (MIH), global manufacturing leader Foxconn's electric vehicle (EV) software and hardware open platform. Leveraging the power of Microsoft's cloud service Azure, the partnership delivers secure and innovative cloud-native solutions, accelerates the transformation of automobile industry, while reduces carbon emission for the planet. Microsoft's latest innovative cloud computing supports MIH Marketplace's in four major categories  V2G (vehicle to grid) in support of energy management, pipeline management, dataset management, and in dashboard service - Driver Viewer. Azure IoT Central enables enterprises to collect real-time images, optimizing performance, and improving development agility and efficiency with machine learning modules, container registry, and DevOps. Jack Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of MIH said, "In the next generation of mobility, user-centricit is key. To enable developers to innovate and create great user experience and applications, we must work towards a Software-Defined Vehicles future by realizing the Open EV Platform vision. The MIH partnership with Microsoft Azure is a great example of connecting and enabling players in the ecosystem to launch new applications and accelerate innovation."



The automotive industry has shifted from individual hardware manufacturing to software solutions collaboration, critically for electric vehicles. Cathy Yeh, Principal PM Group Manager at Industry Clouds and Solutions, Microsoft Corp, commented on the significance of the partnership for the industry, "As the global energy industry steps into a new era of digital transformation, Microsoft has partnered with Taiwan Power Company and YES Energy Service Co., LTD to bring Vehicle to Grid (V2G) solutions on the MIH EV Open Platform, allowing electric vehicle to be part of ancillary services for grid stabilization, creating a new milestone for smart mobility industry. Microsoft will continue to support MIH and its ecosystem development with cloud-based solutions to unlock new innovations for a booming EV industry." With smart mobility industry growing at rapid pace, it is imperative to closely manage, monitor, and optimize grid stability, energy supply, and charging sessions to maximize efficiency. Chong-liang Chang, Vice President and Chief Digital Officer at Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) added, "The exponential growth of the electric vehicle industry presents both a challenge and an opportunity in Taiwan for power consumption and distribution. Taipower is thrilled to collaborate with MIH and Microsoft on innovative applications in V2G, allowing services for electric vehicles to be agile and user-centric. Leveraging Taipower's energy trading platform, together we are working towards a vision for Taiwan's carbon neutrality and industry electrification."

Cybersecurity is an integral part of the electric vehicle ecosystem. Microsoft Azure provides multi-layered, built-in security controls and threat intelligence to protect drivers, and passengers' personal data. Azure Active Directory is an identity service that manages and secures identities during each of electric vehicle's development phase. Azure's high-performance computing (HPC) enables MIH to build algorithms and simulation-driven Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), enabling digital transformation of the ecosystem research & development and collaboration among consortium members. William Wei, Chief Technology Officer of MIH said, "Microsoft Azure empowers MIH to accelerate the development of Open EV Platform. Its flexibility and cloud services provide stable development environment to enable cloud-based automotive software ecosystem and global deployment of applications to Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV) in the future." Sustainability is a shared priority for Microsoft and MIH. The partnership allows the ecosystem to transform mobility industry to create a safer, and cleaner planet for all. Sean Pien, Enterprise Commercial Lead of Microsoft Taiwan reiterated the company's commitment to sustainability, "To achieve our goal of carbon negative by 2030, Microsoft continues to collaborate with ecosystem partners to fulfill our sustainability commitment. Microsoft's cloud solutions for the EV industry will drive sustainability development for a greener future." SOURCE Microsoft Taiwan

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] French Sunday Restaurant Payment Solution Acquires Montreal Startup CHK PLZ

MONTREAL, Oct. 20, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Sunday, the fastest restaurant payment solution co-founded in April 2021 by Victor Lugger and Tigrane Seydoux, the French entrepreneurs behind The Big Mamma restaurant Group, and Christine de Wendel, a tech leader and e-commerce veteran, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Montreal-based CHK PLZ. The CHK PLZ acquisition expands sunday's stronghold in the Canadian market and aligns both companies' vision on collaboration efforts around making technological solutions accessible to all establishments, thereby empowering restaurant owners in increasing efficiency, driving up sales and improving the overall dining experience with less staff than they had pre-pandemic. All this is possible thanks, among other things, to the contactless payment system at the table using your mobile device. "Sunday and CHK PLZ both share the same passion for local restaurants and operate on the same basic principle of supporting local restaurants to survive in a post-pandemic world", explained sunday cofounder Victor Lugger. "The acquisition was a natural fit." "We are thrilled to be joining the sunday journey to better support restaurants and bars across the country", said Roberto Casoli, co-founder and CEO at CHK PLZ. "We firmly believe that technology will be the saving grace during these times of uncertainty. Together, CHK PLZ and sunday can usher in real change to introduce the Canadian market to the future of hospitality." Roberto Casoli will become General Manager for Canada at sunday, while Eric Haniak and Olivier Eydt, respectively CHK PLZ co-founde & head of Sales and CHK PLZ cofounder & CTO, will remain within the company in their current roles, specific to the Canadian market.



CHK PLZ to the rescue of restaurant owners during the pandemic

CHK PLZ started as an idea conceptualized by three engineering students from McGill University in 2018. With decades-old technology still dominating the market, they wanted to usher in the next evolution. Upon their graduation in 2019 and throughout a pandemic that forced change amongst restaurateurs, the team at CHK PLZ was steadfast in supporting the industry by expanding their product offering from QR-based payments to on-table ordering and online ordering and delivery. Their business grew to working with over 300 establishments across Quebec, among them some of the top restaurants in Canada.

"The CHK PLZ team supported the industry throughout the pandemic, explained Joe Beef chef-owner David McMilan. "As we were going through one of the most difficult periods for restaurateurs, CHK PLZ helped in making things easier for both our clients and our staff. We are thrilled to be a part of their new journey with sunday and are ready to join the payment revolution!"

A dazzling worldwide growth for sunday in the space of a few months

From April 2021 to September 2021, the introduction of sunday to restaurants around the globe has been extremely well received by both consumers and restaurateurs:

More than 1,500 restaurants signed, which represents an annual transaction volume of $2 billion CAD

CAD Over 1,1 million end users have paid with sunday

Over $1,2 million CAD in tips have been given with sunday (tips 18% higher in Canada with CHK PLZ)

CAD in tips have been given with sunday (tips 18% higher in with CHK PLZ) 12% higher basket spent per table

10% faster table turnover The CHK PLZ acquisition follows sunday's Series A fundraising of $100M USD last September and is foresight into future market demand. "The way people pay in restaurants is changing for good", added Victor Lugger. "The intuition our team had five months ago is testament to a global trend supporting restaurant owners, their staff and their clients, from quick service to Michelin-star restaurants." Roberto Casoli met Victor Lugger & Christine de Wendel while CHK PLZ was looking for venture capital to expand outside of Quebec. The original CHK PLZ team will play a key role in the future technological development of the sunday solution with a new head of Engineering for North America coming on board shortly. In the short term, Canadian users can continue to use the CHK PLZ solutions. It will be integrated into the sunday universe in the coming weeks. About sunday

Sunday is a restaurant payment solution designed to facilitate transactions between clients and restaurateurs. With the help a QR code, the customers can split the bill, tip and pay in as little as 10 seconds. In 2020, tested across Big Mamma's restaurants in London, Paris and Madrid, sunday proved its worth and exceeded industry expectations. sunday has since signed some of the biggest names in the industry and are revolutionizing restaurant payments as we know it. Out with the old, in with the new  sunday is here to stay. For more information, visit www.sundayapp.com For more information, visit www.sundayapp.com SOURCE sunday

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Buildings IOT Implements Smart Building Management System for Thor Equities' 800 Fulton Market Development in Chicago

CONCORD, Calif., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As pressure mounts for building owners to provide safe and healthy spaces for tenants and their employees and customers, Thor Equities Group partnered with Buildings IOT to ensure optimal building health for its new-construction property located at 800 West Fulton Street in Chicago, Illinois. As the Master Systems Integrator for the project, Buildings IOT implemented its onPoint Enterprise platform to deliver an advanced building management solution for 800 Fulton that monitors, reports, analyzes, and provides command-and-control functionality across the property's disparate building systems. "We are positioning 800 Fulton Market as a technology-first new building offering unique amenities, beyond the norm, to tenants of all types," explained Peter McEneaney, Senior Vice President of Development and Construction at Thor Equities. "We chose to work with Buildings IOT based on their understanding of data from multiple systems including but not limited to HVAC and lighting. The advanced analytics capabilities inherent in Buildings IOT's solutions allow us to easily view building health holistically and make modifications as needed, increasing our tenants' comfort and better serving their needs while also conserving energy and expanding the lifespan of our equipment assets." The onPoint Enterprise platform from Buildings IOT is a cloud application that addresses several use cases at once for commercial office buildings of all sizes. Within the eighteen-story 800 Fulton building, onPoint links 12 different building systems and integrates more than 8,000 data points from operational equipment and IoT sensors present in every part of the 500,000 square foot space. That data is then analyzed and presented through a singe pane of glass to help operators identify issues and implement remediation actions where necessary to keep the building running as designed throughout its life.



"800 Fulton is a visionary project, as the building incorporates several systems that we don't typically see integrated into a building management solution," explained Brian Turner, CEO of Buildings IOT. "It is still relatively rare for buildings to install and integrate indoor environmental and occupancy sensors beyond those that typically come in lighting systems. Our system affords Thor's tenants and their employees and customers a safer, healthier, and more comfortable in-building experience." With building sensors strategically installed throughout the building and API integrations via onPoint's data translation engine IOT Jetstream, owners and operators can monitor the health of their building and use that information to make strategic decisions backed by current and historical data from a variety of systems. Innovative smart building design features present at 800 Fulton include: smart restroom technology for touchless fixtures and up-to-the-minute reporting on the status of supplies; indoor environmental quality monitoring for common area and amenity spaces; occupancy sensing for high traffic areas; and state-of-the-art mechanical equipment calibrated to prioritize fresh air throughout the building.

800 Fulton is LEED Platinum Certified and WELL Certified , two designations that mark the development as one of the leaders in advancing the efficiency and health of the built environment. In addition to helping provide healthier indoor environments, smart building systems from Buildings IOT help reduce operating costs, increase the lifespan of building assets, and decrease energy waste and carbon emissions from buildings. About Buildings IOT

Buildings IOT simplifies smart buildings with software, services, and solutions for every aspect of building management. Command-and-control from a single pane of glass, analytics enhanced by machine learning, and a building-domain-centric data management platform, Buildings IOT delivers smart buildings that live up to the hype. We also design and install building controls and automation systems, offer IT-managed services and device testing for cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and provide data-driven maintenance to some of the world's largest building portfolios. For more information, visit https://www.buildingsIOT.com .

About Thor Equities Group

Thor Equities is a leader in the development, leasing and management of office, industrial, laboratory, residential, hotel and mixed-use assets in premier urban locations worldwide. The company operates in major cities around the globe and has a property portfolio totaling $20 billion with a development pipeline in excess of 50 million square feet. Thor has a strong presence on three continents and in addition to its US holdings, the company has assets in European gateway cities including London, Paris, Madrid, and Milan, and is the largest developer in Mexico through its Latin American division with a development pipeline of over 18 million square feet. Thor maximizes returns for institutional investors by recognizing a property's potential, reducing operating expenses, increasing tenant satisfaction, leveraging market trends to maintain a long-term competitive edge. For more information, visit www.thorequities.com . Media Contact: Technica Communications for Buildings IOT

Sarah Malpeli

Ph. 408-806-9626 Ext. 6840

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/buildings-iot-implements-smart-building-management-system-for-thor-equities-800-fulton-market-development-in-chicago-301404089.html SOURCE Buildings IOT

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Hexaware is proud to be a trusted technology partner for insurance companies and a Gold Sponsor for Guidewire Connections Reimagined 2021

MUMBAI, India, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hexaware Technologies, a leading global IT consulting and digital solutions company, works towards empowering businesses worldwide to realize digital transformation at scale and speed. Our fastest-growing insurance technology domain specializes in providing Guidewire services for its Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance customers. Hexaware strives to continuously improve in the insurance domain and share its experiences and learnings with the industry. The IT consulting company is glad to be part of Guidewire Connections, that will take place from November 1 to 4, 2021. At the event, Hexaware will be co-presenting its perspective on the insurance digital transformation journey with a UK-based leading insurance provider, Admiral Insurance. Dan Lewis, Head of IT  Digital, and Kevin Foley, Head of Technology  Digital at Admiral along with Vijay Raghavan, Head of Cloud Business  Hexaware Europe, will share their views on Admiral's journey with Guidwire - from living up to initial Admiral business expectations and then to partnering with Hexaware; from defining key success parameters and driving program success to successfully delivering one of the most complex digital programs in the UK P&C market.



Kevin Foley, Head of Technology  Digital, Admiral Group, said, "The main driver for the upgrade was due to end-of-life support and we required a solution to complete the upgrade of our Guidewire application from V8 to V10 with minimal disruption to our busy change agenda." He added, "Following a competitive tender process, Hexaware was chosen to partner with us on this journey given their previous experience in supporting Guidewire in the move from Angular to React. Overall, the upgrade was a success and we also provided added value to the business by incorporating new changes for the business whilst upgrading at the same time. During this time, the teams from both Admiral and Hexaware worked as one to help achieve a smooth transition onto the new platform." "Hexaware is proud to partner with Admiral on their digital journey. The route to success for our team of experts on Guidewire implementation at our customers has always been automation-led, and we will continue to evolve with each successful customer implementation," says Vijay Raghavan, Head, Insurance Europe, Hexaware.

About Hexaware Hexaware is a global IT services company empowering businesses worldwide to realize digital transformation at scale and speed. Learn more at http://www.hexaware.com.Take an immersive 360 virtual tour of our campuses worldwide at https://www.hexawareimmersive.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hexaware-is-proud-to-be-a-trusted-technology-partner-for-insurance-companies-and-a-gold-sponsor-for-guidewire-connections-reimagined-2021-301404352.html SOURCE Hexaware Technologies Ltd.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] DSS Provides Update on its Liquid Value Asset Management Subsidiary

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DSS, Inc. (DSS or the Company) (NYSE American: DSS), a multinational company operating business segments in blockchain security, direct marketing, healthcare, consumer packaging, real estate, renewable energy, and securitized digital assets, today announced an update on the launch and funding of Liquid Value Asset Management Limited (LVAM), a Hong Kong-based investment management company engaging in proprietary algorithmic trading and majority owned by the Companys wholly owned DSS Financial Management, Inc. (DFMI) subsidiary. Under the terms of a shareholders agreement between DFMI and HR1 Holdings Limited (HR1), DFMI owns 60% of the shares of LVAM and has appointed three of the five directors of LVAM. The remaining two directors have been appointed by HR1, which owns the other 40% of LVAM. DFMI has provided a $1 million working capital loan facility to accelerate the launch of LVAM, which will begin proprietary trading with $9 million before the establishment of an investment fund. The $9 million in capital is being provided through loans of $3 million each from DFMI, BMI Capital Partners International Limited, and Wilson Lee, principal of HR1. In addition, DFMI has agreed to provide $3 million in seed capital upon establishment of the fund to begin trading operations. HR1, through its principal, Wilson Lee, will also contribute $3 million in capital upon the establishment of the fund and will seek to attract third-party investments of $2 million, which DFMI has agreed to match dollar-for-dollar. Wilson Lee, former co-head of Societe Generales equity derivatives in Asia, has been named CEO of LVAM. Lee is joined by Jackson Kwan, a former portfolio manager at Citadel in Chicago, as well as a dedicated team of eight experienced staff members. LVAM has an exclusive license to HR1s ATS Commander software, an automated stock trading program that aims to increase trading efficiency through faster execution and management of trading strategies for algorithm-based trading. LVAM will use privately developed algorithms expected to generate consistent 20% per annum returns with a Sharpe ratio over 2.0. We areexcited to move this project forward as a cornerstone of our growing DSS Securities segment, stated Frank D. Heuszel, CEO of DSS. LVAMs highly liquid trading program is immediately scalable up to $250 million, and as that milestone is achieved, it will look to expand its strategies to reach more than $1 billion in assets under management.



The aim of LVAMs algorithmic trading will be to include short- and long-term trades while offering the unique attribute of being able to liquidate the portfolio into cash within 5 to 10 minutes under normal market conditions. Together with the strong performance track record of the team, these attributes position LVAM as a prime vehicle for private and institutional investors seeking a highly liquid investment fund with extremely attractive risk adjusted returns relative to the volatility and unpredictability of the markets. About DSS, Inc.

DSS is a multinational company operating business segments in blockchain security, direct marketing, healthcare, consumer packaging, real estate, renewable energy, and securitized digital assets. Its business model is based on a distribution sharing system in which shareholders will receive shares in its subsidiaries as DSS strategically spins them out into IPOs. Its historic business revolves around counterfeit deterrent and authentication technologies, smart packaging, and consumer product engagement. DSS is led by its Chairman, Heng Fai Chan, a highly successful global business veteran of more than 40 years specializing in corporate transformation while managing risk. He has successfully restructured more than 35 corporations with a combined value of $25 billion. For more information on DSS visit http://www.dsssecure.com. Investor Contact: Dave Gentry, CEO

RedChip Companies Inc.

407-491-4498

[email protected] Safe Harbor Disclosure This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to the Company's intended use of proceeds and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those projected. These risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, include: risks relating to our growth strategy; our ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; risks relating to the results of development activities; our ability to attract, integrate and retain key personnel; our need for substantial additional funds; patent and intellectual property matters; competition; as well as other risks described in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the prospectus and in our other filings with the SEC, including, without limitation, our reports on Forms 8-K and 10-Q, all of which can be obtained on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made and reflect management's current estimates, projections, expectations and beliefs. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] New BoardEx Report Reveals the Importance of Law Firm Alumni in Fortune 1000 M&A Deals

NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BoardEx, the leading provider of executive intelligence and relationship mapping, has released a new report Alumni Networks: Spotlight on the Legal Sector 2021, which uncovers unique intelligence on the general counsels (GCs) of Fortune 10001 companies. Access insight into the characteristics of leading GCs, their networks and their connections to influential leaders. Law firms have long recognized the value of maintaining strong relationships with former employees, particularly to facilitate future business development. As firms navigate the complex and ever-changing markets in which they compete, these insights are critical to building and nurturing powerful alumni networks. Key findings revealed in BoardEx's Alumni Networks: Spotlight on the Legal Sector 2021 include: General Counsels have more than 480,000 connections to inividuals in leadership positions

General Counsels have more than 480,000 connections to inividuals in leadership positions Alumni networks fuel hiring decisions for M&A advisory work

Alumni networks fuel hiring decisions for M&A advisory work Excluding law firms, the US Department of Justice boasts the largest number of current Fortune 1000 GC alumni

Excluding law firms, the US Department of Justice boasts the largest number of current Fortune 1000 GC alumni US law firms Latham & Watkins and Jones Day have the most current Fortune 1000 GCs in their alumni network

US law firms Latham & have the most current Fortune 1000 GCs in their alumni network Renowned universities top the list in producing future Fortune 1000 GCs, including Harvard , Georgetown , Columbia , and the University of Pennsylvania .

Renowned universities top the list in producing future Fortune 1000 GCs, including , , , and the . Upon assuming the role, the average Fortune 1000 GC had a combined 23.2 years of professional experience  6.3 years at a law firm and a more substantial 16.9 years in the corporate or government sector



Alumni Networks: Spotlight on the Legal Sector 2021 offers unmatched insight into the characteristics of leading GCs, their networks and their connections to those with influential positions at major companies, making it an essential read for firms looking to make the most of their alumni networks.

Access the complete findings and download BoardEx's Alumni Networks: Spotlight on the Legal Sector 2021 to learn more. About BoardEx BoardEx is the leading provider of executive intelligence and relationship mapping solutions. Organizations trust BoardEx to identify, qualify and map connection paths to 2 million organizations and the 1.5 million people who lead them. BoardEx is a part of Euromoney People Intelligence, a division of Euromoney PLC which provides organizations with unique data intelligence that connects them with the individuals who will have the greatest impact on their goals. Euromoney People Intelligence is comprised of four unique brands: BoardEx, RelSci, WealthEngine, and Wealth-X. We empower our clients to build greater relationships, obtain and manage their best talent and reduce commercial risk. Learn more at boardex.com 1 The Fortune 1000 companies are the 1,000 largest US-incorporated companies and companies authorized to conduct business in the US by revenue and for which data is publicly available, published annually by Fortune magazine. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-boardex-report-reveals-the-importance-of-law-firm-alumni-in-fortune-1000-ma-deals-301404056.html SOURCE BoardEx

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] ARK Multicasting Builds Nationwide Broadcast Internet Network in the USA with Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE: HPE) today announced that ARK Multicasting, a leading television broadcaster, has selected HPE to power its next generation ATSC 3.0 broadcast internet network. ARK is leveraging edge-to-cloud infrastructure, software and services from HPE to move its broadcast stations from a physical environment to a virtualized one, which enables ARK to move data at high speeds to the consumer edge. ARK's new network delivers television pictures and data files using internet protocol (IP) and ATSC 3.0 broadcast technology to help to bridge the connectivity gap in the rural United States. Traditional linear broadcasters have faced a major challenge from the growth of streaming services. The new ATSC 3.0 TV standard enables broadcasters like ARK the opportunity to convert traditional television signals into wirelessly delivered IP content. This enables ARK to transform from a TV broadcaster to a wireless data delivery platform that can offer connected car services, streaming services, distance learning, gaming, and cloud services. To take advantage of the new standards, ARK needed to transform from traditional proprietary broadcast appliances to a cloud-based architecture that enables dynamic spectrum management and the creation of new channels in minutes, rather than days. For the first time, ARK now has a full production environment that's capable of serving all kinds of broadcast internet services. HPE software solutions enable ARK to manage the entire end-to-end environment, including HPE Service Director, HPE Virtual Headend Manager and HPE Media Workflow Master. HPE has provided ARK with an edge-to-cloud architecture where HPE software running on HPE infrastructure at traditional edge locations is centrally orchestrated by HPE Service Director. It orchestrates complex infrastructure and services in a simple, codeless way to optimize operational processes across connectivity, compute, application and network functions. HPE Service Director enables ARK to onboard new customers and dynamically manage the spectrum allocation between multiple customers ensuring the maximum utilization of spectrum possible. It also enables the creation of new channels in minutes and for ARK admins to fully monitor activity across all customers, while customers get the ability to monitor their usage, billing, and charges in near real time. "Last mile connectivity remains a big problem, but by leveraging HPE ARK can fix the connectivity gap and bridge the broadband divide," said Josh Weiss, CEO, ARK Multicasting. "The power of datacasting can close the connectivity gap significantly faster and in a cost-efficient way. HPE helps us stay nimble and agile so we are open to any customer who wants to get their data from one source to many end users employing the largest unencumbered network in the country. For example, ARK can facilitate distance learning, where even students without any connectivity can connect and receive content. This will also be a tremendous augmentation to 5G networks providing broad coverage low-latency connectivity for autonomous vehicles."



"Tackling digital inclusion and connectivity is one of HPE's corporate objectives, so we are delighted that ARK Multicasting chose HPE to help them bridge the digital divide in the USA," said Luke McDonald, VP Americas at HPE Communications Technology Group. "This is a full service engagement for HPE Communications Technology Group involving infrastructure, software and services and is a great demonstration of our ability to deliver next generation edge-to-cloud platforms. ARK is a pioneer in the broadcast internet business and is a great showcase for HPE's technology portfolio which, together, moves the edge even further to the consumer edge." At broadcast sites, HPE Virtual Headend Manager and HPE Media Workflow Master run on HPE Edgeline EL8000 Converged Edge Systems, a rugged and versatile edge compute platform which is perfectly suited to ARK's rural base stations and towers. HPE's comprehensive infrastructure portfolio for communications service providers also includes the HPE ProLiant DL110 Gen10 (News - Alert) Plus server. The Edgeline EL8000 family of rugged multi-blade servers offer a large-accelerator capability and can also accommodate a variety of vRAN scenarios, as well as non-RAN workload such as multi-access edge compute (MEC). HPE Virtual Headend Manager gives ARK the ability to quickly turn up and down new channels, manage the entire lifecycle from end-to-end of the media with integrated transcoders, schedulers, packagers, and push media out to the exciter. Media Workflow Master was selected for the capability to manage large volume of media and data assets.

HPE Communications Technology Group provides support services for the entire solution stack, including third party technologies. About ARK Multicasting, Inc. ARK Multicasting, a leading-edge Next Gen TV company is based in Dallas. ARK is leveraging the power of TV broadcasting adding an IP multicast extension to the unicast Internet. ARK is on the forefront of Broadcast Internet Service development with solutions to relieve congestion for Internet Service Providers and provide datacasting services for many verticals including distance learning, the connected car market, smart agriculture, telehealth, and over the top video streaming providers. ARK's footprint of ~300 broadcast assets covering 1/3rd of the United States and ~100 million people is leading the industry in Next Gen TV ATSC 3.0. Further information visit www.ARKMulticasting.com. About Hewlett Packard Enterprise Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE: HPE) is the global edge-to-cloud company that helps organizations accelerate outcomes by unlocking value from all of their data, everywhere. Built on decades of reimagining the future and innovating to advance the way people live and work, HPE delivers unique, open and intelligent technology solutions delivered as a service - spanning Compute, Storage, Software, Intelligent Edge, High Performance Computing and Mission Critical Solutions - with a consistent experience across all clouds and edges, designed to help customers develop new business models, engage in new ways, and increase operational performance. For more information, visit: www.hpe.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005049/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Fortune and Great Place to Work name Teleperformance one of the 25 World's Best Workplaces in 2021

Regulatory News: Teleperformance (News - Alert) (Paris:TEP), a leading global group in digitally integrated business services, announced today it has been recognized as one of the World's Best Workplaces, by Great Place to Work and Fortune Magazine. Only 25 companies in the world attained this exclusive employer distinction for 2021. The selected 25 companies represent the top achievers of many organizations and industries from around the world that participated in Great Place to Work's employee survey process, representing the voices of more than 20 million employees worldwide. The 25 World's Best Workplaces  stood out for creating globally exceptional employee experiences, high-trust relationships, and workplaces that are fair and equal for all. "The World's Best Workplaces are the most sweeping and consistent examples of globally inclusive company cultures we've ever known," said Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work. "In the past year, over 183,000 of our employees from all over the world participated in independent employee trust surveys to confidentially rate us on the job we are doing as an employer. The high scores reflect well on fairness, inclusion, equality, trust and teamwork in an incredibly diverse Group comprised of 100 different nationalities," said Teleperformance Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Julien. "We are grateful for this exceptional recognition and, especially to our employees, who have made Teleperformance one of the 25 World's Best Workplaces. We respect each individual at Teleperformance, we value what our people bring to our business and we thank them for all they do to make a positive difference for our global family everyday." The World's Best Workplaces list is highly competitive. Great Place to Work Institute, the global authority on wokplace culture, selected the list using rigorous analytics and confidential employee feedback across multiple evaluative criteria and incorporating strict, third-party validation.



Great Place to Work is the only company culture award in the world that selects winners based on how fairly employees are treated. Companies are assessed on how well they are creating a great employee experience that cuts across race, gender, age, disability status, or any aspect of who employees are or what their role is. "In a global workforce, alignment is everything, and these companies are fortifying their culture around the world - a nearly impossible feat," Bush continued. "Even when tested by the pandemic, these companies recognize sub-communities in each region and their leaders carry an equitable employee experience across cultures. A huge congratulations to the World's Best Workplaces for 2021."

In 2021, Teleperformance also ranked as one of the 25 Best Workplaces in Europe in the Multinationals category, a Top Five Best Multinational Workplace in Latin America, and a Great Place to Work in 60 countries across all world regions. This represents more than 90% of the entire Teleperformance workforce worldwide. ABOUT TELEPERFORMANCE GROUP Teleperformance (TEP - ISIN: FR0000051807 - Reuters: TEPRF.PA - Bloomberg (News - Alert): TEP FP), a leading global group in digitally integrated business services, serves as a strategic partner to the world's largest companies in many industries. It offers a One Office support services model combining three wide, high-value solution families: customer experience management, back-office services and business process knowledge services. These end-to-end digital solutions guarantee successful customer interaction and optimized business processes, anchored in a unique, comprehensive high tech, high touch approach. The Group's 380,000+ employees, based in 83 countries, support billions of connections every year in over 265 languages and over 170 markets, in a shared commitment to excellence as part of the "Simpler, Faster, Safer" process. This mission is supported by the use of reliable, flexible, intelligent technological solutions and compliance with the industry's highest security and quality standards, based on Corporate Social Responsibility excellence. In 2020, Teleperformance reported consolidated revenue of 5,732 million (US$6.5 billion, based on 1 = $1.14) and net profit of 324 million. Teleperformance shares are traded on the Euronext Paris market, Compartment A, and are eligible for the deferred settlement service. They are included in the following indices: CAC 40, CAC Support Services, STOXX 600, S&P Europe 350 and MSCI Global Standard. In the area of corporate social responsibility, Teleperformance shares are included in the Euronext Vigeo Eurozone 120 index, the FTSE4Good index and the Solactive Europe Corporate Social Responsibility index (formerly Ethibel Sustainability Excellence Europe index). For more information: www.teleperformance.com Follow us on Twitter (News - Alert): @teleperformance View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005476/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Envistacom Selected for GSA ASTRO IDIQ Contract

Envistacom, LLC, a leading technology provider of advanced communications, cyber, and other related technologies, solutions, and services to the aerospace, defense, and intelligence communities, today announced it has been selected for two prime pool awards on the General Service Administration's (GSA (News - Alert)) ASTRO indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide mission support for the Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal agencies. Designed to meet DoD Combatant Command mission requirements, ASTRO is a multi-agency, multiple award IDIQ contract vehicle that includes research, development, maintenance, support, and operations services related to manned, unmanned, and optionally manned platforms and robotics. ASTRO includes ten pools, each representing functional domain areas including data operations, mission operations, aviation, ground, space, maritime, development/systems integration, research, supprt, and training.



Envistacom received two prime awards for the Development/Systems Integration and Research & Development pools. These awards will enable the provision of services through the GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FEDSIM) over a 10-year period of performance (PoP) with a five-year base and five-year optional extension. "Through the new GSA ASTRO program, Envistacom will provide the Department of Defense with innovative technologies and services that deliver new capabilities to our nation's warfighters, ensuring the success of future missions," said Alan Carson, President of Envistacom. "Our company has an excellent track record of providing systems integration and R&D solutions and services, and we look forward to working with GSA FEDSIM on this contract."

About Envistacom LLC Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Envistacom provides communications, cyber, and intelligence solutions, support services and technology to the U.S. DoD and coalition partners in aerospace, defense, and intelligence communities. Customers rely on Envistacom for rapid-response, secure technology solutions and subject-matter expertise to support mission critical operations. With an elite team of former military leaders and domain experts located around the world, and multiple indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicles worth over $62B, Envistacom is a trusted partner in protecting military, civilians, and critical infrastructure around the world. Envistacom is a Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (DWOSB). For more information on solutions or contract vehicles, please visit www.envistacom.com, and follow @Envistacom on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube (News - Alert). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005071/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] 2021 Psychedelic Investor Guide Released

MIAMI, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ehave, Inc., (OTC Pink: EHVVF) (the Company), a provider of digital therapeutics for the psychedelic and mental health sectors, announced today its wholly owned KetaDASH will be one of the sponsors of the 2021 Psychedelic Investor Guide. KetaDASH is an Intravenous (IV) based, home delivery platform for patients who have been prescribed Ketamine.

Sponsoring the Psychedelic Investor Guide is a great opportunity for Ehave as we roll out our KetaDASH platform and home infusion service, said Ben Kaplan, CEO of Ehave. We want to let the psychedelic industry know more about KetaDASH, which additionally is a HIPAA compliant, cloud-based patient monitoring platform that will be early to market as one of the first home healthcare providers offering IV based infusion therapy of ketamine. Using the intuitive HIPAA compliant KetaDash cloud-based app, patients can find the best facilities to have treatment prescribed, and once prescribed check the availability of nurses. During and after treatment, the app can monitor the treatment allowing patients and medical professionals to view detailed reports on the ketamine therapys progress. Institutional Analyst Inc. announced the release of the 2021 Psychedelic Investor Guide on Monday, October 18th. The Psychedelic Investor Guide is the most comprehensive and easy to use guide covering the rapidly growing Psychedelic investment landscape. Forty-six of the leading companies in the sector are listed. Each Profile Contains: Stock chart

Financial information

Business description

Six of the most recent headlines, with links to company press releases. Additionally included are direct links to each Companys investor relations page and a direct link to their SEC or SEDAR filings pages. The Guide provides everything an investor needs, to get acquainted with the emerging leaders. The Guide Features: Large cap companies over $500 million such as Atai Life Sciences $ATAI ($2 billion), Compass Pathways $CMPS ($1.3 billion) and Mind Medicine $MNMD ($870 million). 7 mid-cap companies valued over $100 million. 29 small-cap companies valued under $100 million such as Bright Minds Biosciences $BMBIF ($88 million), Small Pharma $DMTTF ($70 million) and Mydecine Group $MYCOF ($66 million). 12 micro-cap companies under $25 million such as Wesana Health $WSNAF ($25 million), BetterLife Pharma BETR ($20 million) and Delic Holding $DELCF ($11 million).



We created the Guide in a readable PDF format which provides an easy and quick way for investors to literally flip page after page, looking for investment opportunities, stated Roland Rick Perry, editor of the Psychedelic Stock Review. If an investor is seriously hunting for new ideas, this can save hours and hours of tedious research work. It took our team weeks to gather the data and present it in the easiest and most readable format available, in magazine style - which can be printed. Everything an investor needs to get started, is right at the touch of their fingertips. Reviewing the Guide is less time consuming than clicking on site after site, and webpage after webpage in the research gathering process.

The guide will be updated monthly, and the company list updated weekly on our website under the A-Z Universe section of the website. The Guide will be renamed the 2022 Investor Guide on January 4th. Additions and deletions to the list will occur as warranted by its research staff. To receive your free copy of the 2021 Psychedelic Investor guide visit http://psychedelicstockreview.com/2021-psychedelic-investor-guide/ The Guide will be delivered directly to the 20,000 subscribers of the Biotech Stock Review, with no need to resubscribe. Copies will additionally be printed and mailed to Analysts and Investment Bankers providing psychedelic sector coverage at Aegis, Baader Bank, Berenberg Capital, Bloom Burton, Canaccord, Cantor Fitzgerald, CITI Investment Research, Clarus, Cowen, Credit Suisse, Dejardins Securities, HC Wainwright, Maxim, RBC Capital, Roth Capital, Stifel GMP and Think Equity. As well as to our proprietary database of small-cap Biotech Investment Bankers and Biotech Hedge Funds. About Institutional Analyst Institutional Analyst was launched in 1995 as an independent research and investor-relations-consulting firm that publishes investment grade research reports on independently selected companies. Institutional Analyst Inc., manages several industry specific websites and newsletters including the Internet Stock Review, the Biotech Stock Review, the Marijuana Stock Review and Beverage Start Up News. The firm is additionally retained to create broad-based industry guides, by professional investors such as hedge funds, for newly emerging sectors including the Psychedelic sector. For further information, publicly traded Companies can contact Roland Perry at 310-594-8062 or [email protected] About Ehave, Inc. Qualified patients, doctors, and clinics are invited to visit http://www.KetaDash.com/sign-up for more information. Ehave, Inc. (EHVVF) is a leader of digital therapeutics delivering evidence-based therapeutic interventions to patients. Our primary focus is on improving the standard care in therapeutics to prevent or treat brain disorders or diseases through the use of digital therapeutics, independently or together, with medications, devices, and other therapies to optimize patient care and health outcomes. Our main product is the Ehave Telemetry Portal, which is a mental health informatics platform that allows clinicians to make objective and intelligent decisions through data insights. The Ehave Infinity Portal offers a powerful machine learning and artificial intelligence platform with a growing set of advanced tools and applications developed by Ehave and its leading partners. This empowers patients, healthcare providers, and payers to address a wide range of conditions through high quality, safe, and effective data-driven involvement with intelligent and accessible tools. Additional information on Ehave can be found on the Companys website at: www.ehave.com. Additional Sponsors New to the Street TV The 2021 Guide is sponsored in part by New to the Street, which since 2009 produces biographical investment related interviews, across major U.S. Television networks. The TV platforms include NewsMax, reaches over 540 million homes in aggregate every Sunday. New to the Street will publicize the Guides availability to this audience. Companies interested in appearing in our upcoming Psychedelic Investor TV episode are invited to visit http://psychedelicstockreview.com/psychedelic-investor-tv/ or call Roland Perry at 310-594-8062



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Mangrove Management Partners Closes Series B Equity Financing Round

Mangrove Management Partners (Mangrove), a platform management company focused on optimizing the delivery of vascular care, today announced it has closed a Series B equity financing round led by Wells Fargo Strategic Capital (WFSC), along with NewSpring Capital ("NewSpring") and Dr. Robert Bessler, the founder and CEO of Sound Physicians. Proceeds will fuel Mangrove's expansion throughout the Northeast as the rapidly growing epidemic of peripheral artery disease continues to drive demand for high-quality vascular care. "Mangrove partners with leading physicians to change the paradigm of the delivery of vascular care with the aim of improving clinical outcomes and patient experiences at a lower cost of care," said Mark Rowe, CEO of Mangrove. "With a rapidly changing healthcare environment and a growing epidemic of vascular disease, we align interests among physicians and all stakeholders with the best interests of patients as our guiding principle. With our new investment partners, we are eager to continue to drive innovation and to expand our reach." Mangrove's innovative practice management model brings together state-of-the-art technology, data analytics, and highly skilled personnel to support physicians and to help develop leading private surgical practices. In doing so, the company optimizes the delivery of vascular care in ways that provide access to these critical, life-saving services to vulnerable patient populations. Mangrove's affiliated physician practices collaborate with health systems and hospitals in order to support local vascular services, particularly at community-based hospitals outside of major metropolitan areas. "As a practicing physician and healthcare investor, I recognize the challenges faced by patients, doctors, hospitals, and payers in delivering quality care for patients at sustinable costs," said Dr. Rodney Altman, Managing Director for Wells Fargo (News - Alert) Strategic Capital. "Mangrove's unique model optimizes the value in vascular care while prioritizing patient outcomes and creating a fundamentally better experience. We are excited to play a role in this paradigm shift and look forward to seeing the many healthcare stakeholders that will benefit from Mangrove's platform."



Mangrove's strategic relationships extend to both hospitals and physician practices in order to benefit all stakeholders in the healthcare system and fundamentally change the quality, safety, and experience of care. By aligning long-term interests, the company aims to improve patient outcomes, patient experiences, and the quality of life of physicians while lowering the costs of care for payers. "Mangrove has redesigned innovative pathways to optimize patient care, cost, and access with respect to critical vascular procedures. This constructive dislocation of the current system seeks to bend the cost curve with new business models in traditional segments of healthcare, a key tenet to NewSpring Healthcare's investment thesis," said Brian G. Murphy, NewSpring General Partner. "The model also seeks to create a more clinically exciting and dynamic workplace for vascular surgeons as office-based labs continue to be a preferred site for selected procedures."

Dr. Rodney Altman and John Ryan of WFSC, Brian Murphy of NewSpring, and Dr. Rob Bessler will be joining the Mangrove Board of Managers, which also includes John Kingston of OQ Partners, Dr. Daniel Gorin, Dr. Stephen Hoenig, Dr. Christopher Kwolek, Dr. Paul Gagne, and Mark Rowe. About Mangrove Management Partners Vascular Management and Innovations Group, LLC, doing business as Mangrove Management Partners, is a healthcare practice management and technology platform company focused on changing the paradigm of the delivery of care with a specialized focus on the treatment of vascular disease. We form long-term affiliations with vascular providers through a unique model that aligns interests with physicians, management, and the hospitals we serve-in order to optimize the delivery of care and to deliver value: better clinical outcomes at a lower cost. Mangrove is relentlessly focused on safety, compliance, innovation, and best practices across the spectrum of clinical care and business management, and our affiliated physicians are committed to serving the communities in which they live and work. To learn more, visit www.mangrovemp.com. About NewSpring NewSpring partners with the innovators, makers, and operators of high-performing companies in dynamic industries to catalyze new growth and seize compelling opportunities. The Firm manages over $2.5 billion across five distinct strategies covering the spectrum from growth equity and control buyouts to mezzanine debt. Having invested in over 185 companies, NewSpring brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and resources to take growing companies to the next level and beyond. Partnering with management teams to help develop their businesses into market leaders, NewSpring identifies opportunities and builds relationships using its network of industry leaders and influencers across a wide array of operational areas and industries. To learn more, visit www.newspringcapital.com. About Wells Fargo Strategic Capital Wells Fargo Strategic Capital, a subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, provides long term capital in the form of equity and/or debt to current and prospective business customers, commercial partners of Wells Fargo, as well as approved Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) funds. Wells Fargo Strategic Capital's Merchant Banking team focuses primarily on private companies across a wide range of industries, providing creative financing solutions that fund growth and other capital needs. Wells Fargo Strategic Capital has approximately 45 team members across the United States and holds over 180 portfolio investments. For more information, visit https://www.wellsfargo.com/com/financing/strategic-capital/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005211/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Parexel and Kyoto University Hospital Announce Strategic Alliance

BOSTON and DURHAM, N.C., Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Parexel, a leading global clinical research organization (CRO) focused on development and delivery of innovative new therapies to advance patient health, and Kyoto University Hospital today announced a strategic alliance aimed at providing more opportunities for clinical research and producing efficient and productive ways of supporting clinical studies. As part of Parexels Alliance Site network  consisting of more than 500 sites and over 17,000 investigators across the globe accelerating access to and enrollment of patient populations for clinical trials  Kyoto University Hospital will share their therapeutic expertise and opportunities to contribute to specific areas of research.

Were excited about this collaboration and our ability to help drive clinical trial innovation, said Clare Grace, Ph.D., Chief Patient Officer at Parexel. Our organizations share a passion and commitment to conduct cutting-edge clinical research to advance the future of medicine and help patients in need. Parexels clinical and operational scale dates back more than 20 years in the Asia/Pacific region, said Shigehiro Miki, Japan General Manager at Parexel. This collaboration will help us further our efforts to bring new and innovative medicines to market. Kyoto University Hospital established Ki-CONNECT, which is dedicated to early-phase clinical trials. Started in April 2020, Ki-CONNECT conducts clinical trials for cancer, intractable diseases and regenerative therapies using iPS cells in addition to Phase I trials with healthy volunteers. It is my great pleasure that we have signed an alliance agreement with Parexel, said Manabu Muto, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Ki-CONNECT, Professor, Department of Therapeutic Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University. We expect that this will be an advantage not only for Ki-CONNECT but also for various other developers. I sincerel hope that many innovative medical treatments will reach the clinical stage based on this alliance.



Parexels collaboration with Ki-CONNECT is an extension of the companys deep commitment to put patients at the heart of everything we do, help identify barriers to clinical trial participation and improve study start-up timelines and recruitment metrics. About Parexel

Parexel supports the development of innovative new medicines to improve the health of patients. We provide services to help life sciences and biopharmaceutical clients everywhere transform scientific discoveries into new treatments. From decentralized clinical trials to regulatory consulting services to leveraging real world insights, our therapeutic, technical, and functional ability is underpinned by a deep conviction in what we do. Parexel was named Best Contract Research Organization in December 2020 by an independent panel for Informa Pharma Intelligence. For more information, visit parexel.com and follow us on LinkedIn , Twitter , and Instagram .

About Kyoto University Hospital

Kyoto University Hospital was established in 1899, we have a history of over 120 years. We are committed to providing safe, relief medical care based on this three-basic philosophy, (1) Providing safe and high-quality medical care as a patient-centered hospital (2) Contributing to society through the development and practice of new treatments (3) Fostering medical professionals with a sense of mission, responsibility as well as compassion. Conducting research on new medicine and developing new medical technologies is an important mission of Kyoto University Hospital as a core clinical research hospital. We are working with the Center for iPS Research and Application of Kyoto University to develop new treatment methods for intractable diseases, such as transplanting neurons produced from iPS cells into patients with Parkinsons disease and drug discovery based on research using disease-specific iPS cells.



We established Clinical Bio-Resource Center in 2017, to collect, manage and utilize human biological sample (clinical bio-resource) efficiently from patients and healthy persons at preclinical phase. In 2020, Kyoto Innovation Center for Next-Generation Clinical Trials and iPS Cell Therapies (Ki-CONNENT) was established and is dedicated to early clinical development. Media Contact: Christine Rogers

Vice President, Corporate Communications

984-900-6485

[email protected]



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Government of Canada Awards Innovation Contract to Zighra to pilot Continuous Authentication for Remote Access using Patented Next Generation AI Technology

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Zighra, today, announced that it was awarded a contract through which the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is to pilot its FIDO-certified continuous behavioral authentication solution. The pilot will enable employees to access mission-critical IT systems using a passwordless silent authentication solution that utilizes Zighra's decentralized AI-powered platform. "Zighra is excited to work with RCN on this innovative pilot, bringing passwordless access to mission-critical IT systems using continuous authentication, FIDO, and on-device artificial intelligence. This effort is not only a significant milestone for the Digital Navy initiative but also for other providers of mission-critical services whose users require secure access and authentication to applications, without distracting those users from focusing on their immediate mission during these times", said Deepak Dutt, CEO of Zighra Inc. Enterprises have used passwords and static rules for decades as the means to authenticate users and grant access to mission-critical IT systems. As their places of work transformed into distributed organizations overnight, security teams urgently needed to look at new solutions that enable continuous protection of systems and users against increased cyber threats. RCN aims to transform its approach to identity and authentication by providing users with passwordless authentication using next-generation cognitive capabilities on mobile devices. RCN sees a strong advatage in Zighra's N-Dimensional approach over traditional approaches and plans to leverage Zighra's foundational patents in continuous authentication, biometrics, and decentralized identification technologies to demonstrate usage of FIDO-anchored (Fast Identity Online) device attestation and continuous multifactor authentication capabilities for this pilot.



Participants in the RCN pilot will be able to log onto their IT systems and access information, leveraging behavioral intelligence to attest the identity of the mobile device, and use a combination of soft and hard biometric factors that are unique to the user to continuously attest to the user's identity, with reduced interruption and without the need for complex passwords. Zighra's solution utilizes advanced behavioral intelligence, machine learning, edge computing capabilities, and analytics along with the secure execution environment of the mobile device and operates continuously and transparently to the user. Through this pilot, RCN is leading the way by showcasing how intelligent identity solutions can bring transformative silent user experiences to critical IT systems.

For more information, visit https://zighra.com or follow us @zighra on Twitter. About Zighra Zighra provides the identity infrastructure for modern applications. It is the first FIDO-Certified continuous behavioural authentication platform. Our fast, efficient, and accurate user-device AI models learn on-device maintaining user privacy. With Zighra, users and devices are continuously verified and protected, creating a secure identity architecture for organizations. Press Contact: Vipin Menon

6136639090

https://www.zighra.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/government-of-canada-awards-innovation-contract-to-zighra-to-pilot-continuous-authentication-for-remote-access-using-patented-next-generation-ai-technology-301404246.html SOURCE Zighra

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] iN2L announces new VP of Sales for next-level growth

DENVER, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- iN2L , the leading provider of personalized digital engagement solutions for senior living, is proud to announce the addition of Tim Jones as its new VP of Sales. In his role, Jones will report to Lisa Taylor , CEO of iN2L, to drive the organization's growth-oriented sales strategy and help convey its long-term value proposition to the broader senior living market. "We are excited to welcome Tim to the team as we further our mission to improve on the aging experience," said Taylor. "As the market leader in senior living engagement solutions, we need a dynamic and visionary sales leader like Tim to launch us into our next phase of growth. His deep expertise in operationalizing strategic sales methodologies will be invaluable to iN2L." Tim brings over 20 years of experience in healthcare technology sales to iN2L. His expansive sales strategy focuses equally on driving explosive new business growth, while develoing active account management and client retention programs. Most recently, as VP of Enterprise Sales at Relias, Tim oversaw long-term business development planning and strategy.



"Partly due to the pandemic, partly due to changing sensibilities, the senior living market is in an incredible period of innovation and flux," said Jones. "There is so much potential for growth  especially as driven by the way digital engagement solutions can foster greater levels of connection, satisfaction, and well-being among community residents. I am honored to help grow iN2L's reach as they innovate new ways to nurture meaningful relationships and personal fulfillment among our senior population." With an emphasis on true value creation, Jones' sales philosophy is rooted in delivering continuous implementation, process, and engagement improvements. His approach centers on investing in strong personal relationships, especially between the client point of contact, customer success, and sales.

"Tim sets the bar high. His strength lies in lifting his own team to even higher levels of success," said Taylor. "We are eager to see how his unique leadership skills enhance our ability to deliver new levels of customer experience." To learn more about iN2L, its executive leadership team, and its industry-leading person-centered digital engagement solutions , visit iN2L.com . About iN2L

As the market leader in content-driven engagement for seniors, iN2L has been creating possibilities, enjoyment, and connection for older adults since 1999. iN2L's expansive content library promotes wellness, empowerment, and engagement among older adults and is the foundation for activities that facilitate social interaction, cognitive and physical exercise and therapy, education, reminiscing, areas of interest, and memory support engagement. iN2L's touch screen engagement technology is a critical part of the experience in more than 3,700 nursing homes, assisted and independent living communities, memory care settings, CCRCs, life plan communities, and adult day programs and for older adults living at home. For more information, visit iN2L.com . Media Contact

John Gonda

(616) 309-4888

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/in2l-announces-new-vp-of-sales-for-next-level-growth-301404429.html SOURCE iN2L

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] VTech Communications, Inc. Expands Family of Baby Monitors with First-Ever LeapFrog Line

TIGARD, Ore., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today VTech Communications, Inc., a leading manufacturer of award-winning baby monitors, announced its first-ever line of LeapFrog Baby Monitors. Now the beloved brand parents know and trust to provide delightful toys for their little ones will offer premium baby monitors delivering sought-after features such as adaptive, dimmable night light, high-definition video, high-definition color LCD screens, color night vision and 360-degree pan, tilt camera with zoom. The introductory line is launching with the LeapFrog LF920HD, which is available now. "We are so excited to expand our monitor family and introduce new LeapFrog Baby Monitors," said Brad Pittmon, Vice President of Product Marketing, VTech Communications, Inc. "We know how much parents love LeapFrog toys and we look forward to being a part of their family's journey even earlier." The LF920HD lets parents watch over their little ones at home on a 7-inch, 720p high-definition LCD parent unit display. They can view rooms from top to bottom with the 80-degree vertical tilt angle and from side to side with the 360-degree horizontal viewing capability. Parents can also magnify details up to eight times their original size with the crisp digital zoom range and monitor room temperature and humidity levels directly from the parent unit display. Plus, the monitor allows parents to see baby as clear as day, even in ultralow light, thanks to the advanced color night vision technology. Other features include sound-activated soothing that turns on a night light and soothing sounds when crying is detected, and a two-way, talk-back intercom that lets parents speak t baby through the parent unit.



The LF920HD is available now and retails for $179.95. Additional models will be rolled out in the upcoming months. For more information, visit www.leapfrog.com/en-us/products/baby-care. About VTech

VTech is a leading manufacturer of award-winning baby monitors that help parents and families stay connected to baby from any room. VTech offers a range of monitors for every need, whether parents are looking for a budget-friendly audio monitor or a multi-camera HD video monitor with remote access. With intuitive operation and state-of-the-art technology, VTech baby monitors provide a modern convenience that helps give parents peace of mind.

Founded in 1976, VTech is the largest manufacturer of residential phones in the US and the global leader in electronic learning products from infancy through toddler and preschool. It also provides highly sought-after contract manufacturing services. VTech's mission is to integrate economic growth, environmental protection and social responsibility in its business strategies to design, manufacture and supply innovative and high quality products for the wellbeing of people and benefits of society, aiming to drive sustainable value for its stakeholders and the communities. For more information, please visit www.vtechphones.com. About LeapFrog

LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc., the leader in innovative learning toys for children that encourage a child's curiosity and love of learning throughout their early developmental journey, now offers high-quality baby monitors to provide parents with the support they need right from the start, with essential technology for all ages and stages. For more than 25 years, LeapFrog has helped children expand their knowledge and imagination through award-winning products that combine state-of-the-art educational expertise led by the LeapFrog Learning Team, innovative technology, and engaging play  turning playtime into quality time that helps children leap ahead. LeapFrog's proprietary learning tablets and ground-breaking developmental games, learn to read and write systems, interactive learning toys and more are designed to create personalized experiences that encourage, excite and build confidence in children. LeapFrog is a subsidiary of VTech Holdings Limited, which is based in Hong Kong. LeapFrog was founded in 1995 by a father who revolutionized technology-based learning solutions to help his child learn how to read. Learn more at www.leapfrog.com. Media Contact:

Lauren Lorenzo

Coyne Public Relations

973-588-2000

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vtech-communications-inc-expands-family-of-baby-monitors-with-first-ever-leapfrog-line-301404609.html SOURCE VTech Communications

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] AstraZeneca Announces Winners and Recognizes Oncology Change Makers in Third Annual Cancer Community Awards

AstraZeneca, in partnership with Scientific American Custom Media, today announced the winners of the third annual Cancer Community Awards (or C2 Awards). A part of the AstraZeneca YOUR Cancer program, the C2 Awards celebrate diverse individuals and organizations creating meaningful change in the lives of people with cancer and their loved ones across five unique categories. This year, a new Catalyst for Equity Award category was introduced to recognize those determined to overcome historical racial and ethnic disparities so that all patients who stand to benefit can have access to the latest advancements in oncology practice and quality care. "As we commemorate 50 years since the National Cancer Act was signed and reflect upon the extraordinary progress made in treating this disease, we are inspired by this year's winners and finalists," said Chatrick Paul, Head of US Oncology, AstraZeneca. "Though we still have more to do toward one day eliminating cancer mortality, especially amid a pandemic that has laid bare the disparities disproportionately faced by disadvantaged communities, these unsung heroes, through their selfless dedication, demonstrate what we can accomplish as one oncology community determined to create meaningful change for people with cancer." "For scientific progress to be of true service to humanity, it must be accessible and available to all," notes Jeremy Abbate, VP & Publisher of Scientific American. "We are so proud to play a role in the C2 Awards as it is a program steadfastly dedicated to rewarding those making enormous impacts on people's health." More than 100 award nominations were submitted from 28 states and the District of Columbia. The winners, selected by a third-party judging panel of leaders in the cancer community, were recognized this week during a virtual ceremony. As part of their award, winners receive a $50,000 donation to give to a non-profit organization serving the cancer community. The 2021 winners and finalists across all five award categories include the following: The 2021 Cancer Community Awards Recipients The C2 Catalyst for Equity award recognizes those who have worked to overcome longstanding racial and ethnic disparities in cancer care so that all patients have equitable access to quality cancer care. This year's winner is Equal Hope, represented by Anne Marie Murphy, PhD . Equal Hope (formerly the Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force) works to save lives by eliminating health disparities across women's cancers in Illinois.

. Equal Hope (formerly the Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force) works to save lives by eliminating health disparities across women's cancers in Illinois. Finalists included Carmen Ortiz, PhD, of Circulo de Vida, for her work to provide psycho-oncology support for Spanish-speaking cancer patients and their families; and Beulah Brent of Sisters Working It Out who improves health equity for African American and Latina women in and around Chicago. The C2 Catalyst for Change award celebrates those who significantly improve access to cancer care for underserved populations. This year's winner is Tomma Hargraves, a volunteer with the Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina . Hargraves developed the Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina's Access to Care Gas Card program that helps patients travel to their treatment.

. Hargraves developed the Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina's Access to Care Gas Card program that helps patients travel to their treatment. Finalists included Stacie Lindsey of the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, who provides education, connection, and support for families affected by the rare cancer cholangiocarcinoma; and Stephenie Kennedy-Rea, EdD, of the West Virginia University Cancer Institute who works to reduce cancer in Appalachian communities through evidence-based early detection, outreach, and education. The C2 Catalys for Care award recognizes those who enhance the experience of care for patients during their cancer treatment.



This year's winner is Unite for HER, represented by founder Susan Weldon . Unite for HER provides integrative therapies to breast and ovarian cancer patients to help them mitigate and ease side effects and symptoms during and after treatments.

. Unite for HER provides integrative therapies to breast and ovarian cancer patients to help them mitigate and ease side effects and symptoms during and after treatments. Finalists included Andrea McConnell of the Fairy Godmother Project, a pediatric cancer organization that focuses on supporting caregivers; and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Patient Services, represented by President and CEO Julie Fleshman, which provides patients and caregivers affected by pancreatic cancer with personalized, one-on-one support, including disease information, treatment options, clinical trials, and more. The C2 Catalyst for Precision Medicine award honors those who improve personalized treatment for cancer patients. This year's winner is Colin Pritchard, MD, PhD, of the University of Washington . Dr Pritchard is focusing on turning next-generation genetic sequencing into a cancer risk assessment and patient-therapy matching tool, thereby leading to better targeted treatments for patients.

. Dr Pritchard is focusing on turning next-generation genetic sequencing into a cancer risk assessment and patient-therapy matching tool, thereby leading to better targeted treatments for patients. Finalists included Jonathan Simons, MD, of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, who guided the Prostate Cancer Foundation in supporting the development of advanced imaging and precision therapeutic agents that improve the treatment of prostate cancer; and Alana Welm, PhD, of the Huntsman Cancer Institute, who developed a method to grow patient-derived xenografts, in mice and in specialized cultures, which can be used to develop personalized treatments and identify those with a high risk of recurrence. The President's Award, selected by AstraZeneca, honors those who make a tangible and inspiring difference for patients and their loved ones.

This year's President's Award winner is Margaret Stauffer of the Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area, who for more than 30 years has worked to help people affected by cancer alleviate that distress and has developed psychosocial support programs in both English and Spanish. Nominations were evaluated by an esteemed panel of multidisciplinary community leaders, including Jill Kincaid, 2020 C2 Catalyst for Care Winner and Founder and CEO of Chemo Buddies; Lincoln Nadauld, MD, PhD, 2020 Catalyst for Precision Medicine Winner and Vice President and Chief of Precision Health and Academics, Intermountain Healthcare; Lynette Bonar, RN, BSN, MBA, FACHE, 2020 Catalyst for Change Winner and CEO of Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation; Richard Dean, PhD, 2020 President's Award Winner and Volunteer with Johns Hopkins Hospital; John DiPersio, MD, PhD, Chief of the Division of Oncology and Deputy Director of the Siteman Cancer Center; Carolyn Aldige, Founder and CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation; Jamie Bearse, President and CEO of ZERO/The End of Prostate Cancer; Ysabel Duron, President/Executive Director of The Latino Cancer Institute; and Mitch Stoller, Chief Philanthropic Officer and VP of Development of the American Association for Cancer Research. More details on finalists and winners can be found at YourCancer.org/c2-awards-2021. Notes About YOUR Cancer

The C2 Awards are part of the YOUR Cancer Program, a broader initiative launched by AstraZeneca to spotlight those at the forefront of cancer research and patient support who are contributing toward eliminating cancer as a cause of death. YOUR Cancer aims to convene, engage, and highlight the full breadth of the oncology community, utilizing four pillars: a digital partnership hub profiling community resources and perspectives, an awards program recognizing the unsung heroes of oncology, state-level roundtables with local policymakers and advocates, and media and speaking engagements profiling community oncology leaders. About AstraZeneca in oncology

AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients. The Company's focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyze changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience. AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death. About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries, and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.astrazeneca-us.com and follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) @AstraZenecaUS. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005098/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] PAOG Reveals CBD Products Under Development For $100 Billion Pet Market

Sandusky, OH, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PAO Group, Inc. (OTC Pink: PAOG) today revealed the company has been working on the development of CBD products for pets and could have its first product ready to introduce before the end of the year. The pet products market is estimated at over $100 billion per year . Last year, the company acquired intellectual property derived through research into CBD extracted in association with a patented extraction method (U.S. Patent No. 9,199,960). PAOG is developing both pharmaceutical and nutraceutical treatments for humans based on this intellectual property. Today, for the first time, the company revealed it is also developing CBD products for pets. On Monday of this week, PAOG announced the launch of its first CBD nutraceutical product, RelaxRX CBD , a sleep aid.



The company plans to launch its second CBD nutraceutical product on Thursday this week, October 21st, 2021. PAOG is on track to realize its first revenue this year, starting in Q4 2021, since acquiring the extraction technology.

PAOG has confirmed shipping its first and second CBD nutraceutical product to its distribution partner, North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc. (OTC Pink: USMJ). The product will soon be for sale online at www.USMJ.com PAOG expects revenue to grow rapidly following its first and second CBD nutraceutical product launches as the company has follow on products lined up to follow these products adding to overall sales potential. Learn more about USMJs ecommerce site at www.usmj.com . Learn more about PAOG at www.paogroupinc.com . Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications, which may arise, could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The Company undertakes no duty to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. CONTACT INFORMATION

Contact Us:

Jim DiPrima

(888) 979-2675

[email protected]



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Assurant Appoints Sanida Bratt Senior Vice President of Emerging Solutions for Connected Living

Assurant (NYSE: AIZ), a leading global provider of lifestyle and housing solutions that support, protect and connect major consumer purchases, today announced the appointment of Sanida Bratt as senior vice president of Emerging Solutions for its Connected Living business. Bratt will report directly to Biju Nair (News - Alert), president, Global Connected Living. Bratt brings a unique combination of entrepreneurial and corporate experience in product management, product strategy and product marketing, including product P&L management across global programs. She will focus on execution of new products and services that will differentiate and grow Assurant's portfolio of solutions for both enterprise and consumer segments and leverage her product marketing expertise to enhance the articulation of Assurant's unique value propositions. "Sanida brings a wealth of experience defining and bringing to market innovative products that enhance customer experiences and improve environmental outcomes," said Biju Nair, president of Global Connected Living at Assurant. "She will be a valuable asset to our business as we continue to bring new solutions to our clients that create opportunities for increased revenue and customer loyalty." Bratt previously held similar roles at leading companies in the wireless domain including Motorola Solutions and NAVTEQ (later acquired by Nokia (News - Alert)), where she successfuly created integrated solutions portfolios for vertical markets. Bratt also served as senior vice president of product innovation at HYLA Mobile, which Assurant acquired in 2020, where she focused on digital transformation through analytics and machine learning. She also has served as vice president of product management at Synchronoss and was co-founder of Sapience Knowledge Systems, a VC-backed mobile analytics company driving mobile usage optimization. Connected World Magazine recognized Bratt on its top Women of Machine-to-Machine (M2M) list in 2014.



"I'm excited to reunite with Biju Nair and join an organization with a remarkable track record of delivering innovative solutions that focus on the customer experience," said Bratt. "I'm looking forward to leveraging Assurant's consumer insights and digital technologies to give clients even more value and competitive advantages." About Assurant

Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ) is a leading global provider of lifestyle and housing solutions that support, protect and connect major consumer purchases. Anticipating the evolving needs of consumers, Assurant partners with the world's leading brands to develop innovative products and services and to deliver an enhanced customer experience. A Fortune 500 company with a presence in 21 countries, Assurant offers mobile device solutions; extended service contracts; vehicle protection services; renters insurance; lender-placed insurance products; and other specialty products. The Assurant Foundation strengthens communities by supporting charitable partners that help protect where people live and can thrive, connect with local resources, inspire inclusion and prepare leaders of the future. Learn more at assurant.com or on Twitter (News - Alert) @AssurantNews. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005091/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] GWM Displays Technological Innovations at 2021 China International Digital Economy Expo

BAODING, China, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 6, GWM attended the 2021 China International Digital Economy Expo (CIDEE) with multiple models and intelligent products to show achievements in the scientific and intelligent technology area to the global users. At the expo, GWM designed two exhibition areas, namely the intelligent and digital exhibition area and the intelligent driving experience area. In particular, the Alcolock technology of GWM displayed in the intelligence and digitisation exhibition area has attracted much attention. This technology enables the monitoring of a driver's alcohol concentration through the use of the "Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device". If the driver is over the legal drink-driving limit, this unique device will stop the car from starting. This user-friendly intelligent technology ensures users' driving safety in a much more comprehensive way. GWM also unveiled the DV02 Multifunctional Unmanned Vehicle, which was the world's first low-speed, multifunctional driverless car adoping an L4 Autonomous Driving System. In such environments as smart communities and industrial parks, this product can be used to provide users with intelligent delivery services. Moreover, GWM showed the "Follower 150 Loaded Robot", which was capable of automatic following, providing intelligent voice prompts and avoiding obstacles. This kind of robot can be used in homes, hotels, office buildings and other scenarios to help users handle the transportation of heavy goods via its powerful self-driving, lifting and transportation functions.



In addition to the outstanding products in the intelligence and digitisation exhibition area, GWM also showcased its autopilot technology in the intelligent driving experience area. ORA HAOMAO(for Chinese Market)displayed the latest L4 Autonomous Driving System for the users. In the simulated continuous curve driving scenario, when the user activated the autopilot function, the vehicle automatically turned the steering wheel to adjust the direction and speed in real-time according to the curve's shape. Surprisingly, the driver can control the car without holding the steering wheel and stepping on the accelerator pedal or brake during the entire demonstration process. These details may reflect GWM's outstanding strength in autonomous driving area.

Automatic parking demonstrated by the model WEY Mocha (for Chinese Market) was also a highlight in the intelligent driving experience area. When the driver activates this function, the vehicle can automatically recognize the parking space line and complete steering, gear-shifting and braking operations. After being parked in the garage, the vehicle will automatically be turned off, switched to the parking gear, and activated the electronic parking brake. These convenient functions help users solve several tough problems such as parallel parking and reverse parking. During the entire display period, GWM's two exhibition areas attracted thousands of visitors. They actively participated in on-site interaction events and enjoyed the convenient experience brought by GWM's intelligent products. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gwm-displays-technological-innovations-at-2021-china-international-digital-economy-expo-301404750.html SOURCE GWM

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] ObjectFrontier (OFS) CEO Rich Napoli is Retiring at the End of 2021 After a Successful 12-Year CEO Stint

ATLANTA, Oct. 20, 2021 /CNW/ -- ObjectFrontier, Inc. (OFS) announced today that Rich Napoli , Chief Executive Officer, will be retiring at the end of 2021 and Dominic Savio , President, OFS will succeed him as CEO. On behalf of the company, we want to thank Rich for his leadership over the past decade - Dominic Savio Napoli retires after 43 years in the software industry. He joined OFS as CEO in 2010 and helped OFS grow from 200+ associates to 1,200+ and establish itself as a credible technology partner. "On behalf of the company, the management team, and ObjectFrontier's associates, we want to thank Rich for his leadership over the past decade," said Savio. "An inspirational and customer-focused leader, Rich has played a sigificant role in growing OFS and bringing in repeat business from our clients. We are sincerely grateful to him for his dedication and wish him a fun-filled retirement. He has been working with me and the leadership team at OFS these past two years to prepare for this transition. Aaron Videtto coming on board as Chief Customer Officer is a reflection of our continued customer-centric focus at OFS."



"I feel very confident that ObjectFrontier is in great hands and is prepared to scale even greater heights with Dominic's leadership," said Napoli. "I am grateful to our customers for sticking with us as well as our associates and their hard work, which has made this company what it is today. I am particularly grateful to the founder brothers, Dominic Savio and James Walter, for trusting me and treating me like family." Rich will continue to be involved with OFS in 2022 as an advisor to the executive team to ensure a smooth transition.

Please watch the exclusive video coverage of the fireside chat between Dominic, Rich and Aaron here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMS7qviQL5s About ObjectFrontier, Inc.

ObjectFrontier, Inc. is a leading technology service provider delivering software product and platform engineering services. We help solve technology challenges for our B2B and B2C clients, making them more engaging, insightful, predictive, and efficient. For over 24 years, we have helped enterprises in the finance, healthcare, insurance, media, telecom, retail, and technology sectors experience digital at scale. Visit: https://www.objectfrontier.com/ View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/objectfrontier-ofs-ceo-rich-napoli-is-retiring-at-the-end-of-2021-after-a-successful-12-year-ceo-stint-301404755.html SOURCE ObjectFrontier

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Valmet has signed a EUR 300 million syndicated revolving credit facility with a margin linked to its climate targets

HELSINKI, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Valmet has signed a EUR 300 million syndicated revolving credit facility with a margin linked to its climate targets Valmet Oyj's press release on October 20, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. EEST Valmet has signed a new EUR 300 million sustainability-linked syndicated revolving credit facility (RCF) agreement. The new RCF refinances an existing EUR 200 million credit facility and will be used for general corporate purposes. The facility has a tenor of 3 years with two 1-year extension options dependent on the approval of the banks concerned. The margin under the RCF will be partly adjusted based on Valmet's progress in meeting its Climate program targets. Valmets Climate Program  Forward to a carbon neutral future - includes ambitious CO2 emission reduction targets and concrete actions for the whole value chain,?including the supply chain, Valmet's own operations, and customers' use of Valmet's technologies. The Climate Program's targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative.?The program is fully aligned with the Paris Climate Agreements 1.5-degree pathway and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Danske Bank A/S and Nordea Bank Abp acted as Coordinating Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners as well as Sustainability Coordinators for the facility while Bank of America, BNP Paribas, Citi, Credit Agricole Corporate amp; Investment Bank, OP Corporate Bank, SEB and Standard Chartered acted as Mandated Lead Arrangers. Danske Bank A/S is acting as Agent.



Further information, please contact:

Reetta Antila, Vice President, Treasury, tel. +358 50 599 3114 VALMET

Corporate Communications

Valmet is the leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers. Valmet's strong technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper production lines, as well as power plants for bioenergy production. Our advanced services and automation solutions improve the reliability and performance of our customers' processes and enhance the effective utilization of raw materials and energy. Valmet's net sales in 2020 were approximately EUR 3.7 billion. Our 14,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward - every day. Valmet's head office is in Espoo, Finland and its shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki. Read more www.valmet.com, www.twitter.com/valmetglobal Processing of personal data This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/valmet-oyj/r/valmet-has-signed-a-eur-300-million-syndicated-revolving-credit-facility-with-a-margin-linked-to-its,c3436870

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Jackson Public Schools Taps Analytics, School Design Partner to Design State's First Virtual High School, Reimagine the Student Experience in Wake of Coronavirus

JACKSON, Miss., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jackson Public Schools district leadership team, under the direction of Superintendent Dr. Errick L. Greene, today announced the launch of a collaborative process designed to reimagine and reshape the student experience for the district's middle and high schools. The ambitious new initiative, which will draw on insights from district leaders, parents, community stakeholders, and national experts, reflects District leaders' belief that the pandemic has created an opportunity to reimagine, and boost equity, across its eight middle and high schools. Increasing access to courses that prepare students for success in postsecondary education is among the most significant priorities of the effort. "This work is about ensuring that every student in our district has access to the courses and academic opportunities proven to lead to success in career and college," said Dr. Phelton Cortez Moss, the district's newly hired Executive Director of Innovative Strategy, who will lead the design and implementation of the first virtual high school in Mississippi. "It is grounded in a belief that educational equity is tightly linked with operational decision making." Dr. Cortez Moss' role and the design of the Virtual High School is funded through a grant from the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation. Core to the design process is a collaboration with Abl , a nationally recognized school design partner and pioneer in the application of advaced analytics to help districts understand student pathways and identify opportunities to improve equity and outcomes.



Grounded in the Jackson Public Schools' strategic plan vision for a 21st-century high school experience, the school design effort will be focused on: Community-Centered Design: District leaders will spend the upcoming academic year engaging parents, students, teachers, and business leaders in the design process for the new Virtual High School. The Abl team will partner with Jackson district leaders to develop a series of school models and scenarios with stakeholder input at their core.

district leaders to develop a series of school models and scenarios with stakeholder input at their core. Reimagine the Student Journey: The transformation of the district high schools will ensure that all students have access to a world-class education that puts them on the path to post-secondary success. In collaboration with Abl, district leaders, school site administrators, and teachers will undertake a comprehensive analysis of district course offerings in order to create new, research backed course progressions that are directly tied to post-secondary success.

In collaboration with Abl, district leaders, school site administrators, and teachers will undertake a comprehensive analysis of district course offerings in order to create new, research backed course progressions that are directly tied to post-secondary success. Operationalize for Equity: District leaders will learn and implement operations, strategies, and methods to align the student journey more closely with college and career preparation. In addition, the partnership with Abl will allow district leaders to make strategic and data-informed decisions about the efficient and effective allocation of precious district resources.

District leaders will learn and implement operations, strategies, and methods to align the student journey more closely with college and career preparation. In addition, the partnership with Abl will allow district leaders to make strategic and data-informed decisions about the efficient and effective allocation of precious district resources. School Schedule as Lever For Change: The school schedule is a dynamic and underutilized tool for school transformation. The school schedule will be student-first and student-centered. Abl's team of veteran educators and school scheduling specialists will work with Jackson's district leaders to leverage the district's school schedules and course catalog offerings to expand access to the academic preparation necessary for college and career opportunities.

The school schedule is a dynamic and underutilized tool for school transformation. The school schedule will be student-first and student-centered. Abl's team of veteran educators and school scheduling specialists will work with district leaders to leverage the district's school schedules and course catalog offerings to expand access to the academic preparation necessary for college and career opportunities. Innovative and Expanded Course Offerings: The District will expand course offerings, especially for college preparation and career exploration courses, so all students have equitable access to the academic pathways and specialty courses that lead to postsecondary success and meaningful life choices.

Continuous Cycle of Transformation: The Jackson Public School partnership is informed by an ongoing cycle of evaluation and measurement of the impact on students district-wide. The design of the Virtual High School will be part of the overall planning process for the redesign of all district high schools, rooted in the district's strategic goals. The district will continuously evaluate the relationship between the Virtual High School and the brick and mortar district schools. The school design, implementation, and evaluation will be a 3-year cycle. "Equitable school design is about having the time and space to make well-informed decisions, setting up schools and schedules in ways that best fit the district's goals," says Natalie Nichols, Abl Head of Strategic Consulting. "Our goal is to help Jackson Public Schools implement structural changes that empower students to be college and career ready, allowing them to have the freedom to build their own future paths."

About Abl

Abl empowers districts to fulfill the promise of education by simplifying complex operational processes. We expose and disrupt ineffective and inequitable pathways through data analysis and intelligent tools so districts can intentionally design flexible and responsive schools that allow students to own their futures. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jackson-public-schools-taps-analytics-school-design-partner-to-design-states-first-virtual-high-school-reimagine-the-student-experience-in-wake-of-coronavirus-301404763.html SOURCE Abl

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] New Analysis from Global Industry Analysts Reveals Exciting Growth for LiDAR, with the Market to Reach $2.4 Billion Worldwide by 2026

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new market study published by Global Industry Analysts Inc., (GIA) the premier market research company, today released its report titled "LiDAR - Global Market Trajectory & Analytics". The report presents fresh perspectives on opportunities and challenges in a significantly transformed post COVID-19 marketplace.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Edition: 6; Released: April 2021

Executive Pool: 401

Companies: 131 - Players covered include Beijing Surestar Technology Co. Ltd.; FARO Technologies, Inc.; Geokno India Pvt. Ltd.; Leica Geosystems AG; Quantum Spatial, Inc.; RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH; SICK AG; Teledyne Optech; Trimble, Inc.; Velodyne Lidar, Inc. and Others.

Coverage: All major geographies and key segments

Segments: Application (Corridor Mapping, ADAS & Driverless Car, Engineering, Environment, Exploration, Other Applications); Installation (Airborne, Ground-Based); Type (Mechanical LiDAR, Solid-State LiDAR)

Geographies: World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific; Rest of World.

Complimentary Project Preview - This is an ongoing global program. Preview our research program before you make a purchase decision. We are offering a complimentary access to qualified executives driving strategy, business development, sales & marketing, and product management roles at featured companies. Previews provide deep insider access to business trends; competitive brands; domain expert profiles; and market data templates and much more. You may also build your own bespoke report using our MarketGlass Platform which offers thousands of data bytes without an obligation to purchase our report. Preview Registry

ABSTRACT-

Global LiDAR Market to Reach $2.4 Billion by 2026

Amid the OVID-19 crisis, the global market for LiDAR estimated at US$939.2 Million in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$2.4 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 16.8% over the analysis period. Mechanical LiDAR, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to record a 16.4% CAGR and reach US$2 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Solid-State LiDAR segment is readjusted to a revised 17.8% CAGR for the next 7-year period.





The U.S. Market is Estimated at $331.7 Million in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $419.9 Million by 2026

The LiDAR market in the U.S. is estimated at US$331.7 Million in the year 2021. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$419.9 Million by the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 16.2% over the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 15.1% and 14.4% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 12.3% CAGR. More



MarketGlass Platform

Our MarketGlass Platform is a free full-stack knowledge center that is custom configurable to today`s busy business executive`s intelligence needs! This influencer driven interactive research platform is at the core of our primary research engagements and draws from unique perspectives of participating executives worldwide. Features include - enterprise-wide peer-to-peer collaborations; research program previews relevant to your company; 3.4 million domain expert profiles; competitive company profiles; interactive research modules; bespoke report generation; monitor market trends; competitive brands; create & publish blogs & podcasts using our primary and secondary content; track domain events worldwide; and much more. Client companies will have complete insider access to the project data stacks. Currently in use by 67,000+ domain experts worldwide.

Our platform is free for qualified executives and is accessible from our website www.StrategyR.com or via our just released mobile application on iOS or Android

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc. & StrategyR

Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (www.strategyr.com) is a renowned market research publisher the world`s only influencer driven market research company. Proudly serving more than 42,000 clients from 36 countries, GIA is recognized for accurate forecasting of markets and industries for over 33 years.

CONTACTS:

Zak Ali

Director, Corporate Communications

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Phone: 1-408-528-9966

www.StrategyR.com

Email: [email protected]

LINKS

Join Our Expert Panel

https://www.strategyr.com/Panelist.asp

Connect With Us on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-industry-analysts-inc./

Follow Us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/marketbytes

Journalists & Media

[email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-analysis-from-global-industry-analysts-reveals-exciting-growth-for-lidar-with-the-market-to-reach-2-4-billion-worldwide-by-2026--301403038.html SOURCE Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] UPDATE -- The Cannabis Sector's Leading Regulatory and Operational Compliance Software Company Expands Footprint with Launch of Simplifya Market Guide

DENVER, Oct. 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Simplifya (Simplifya or the Company), the leading regulatory and operational compliance company servicing the cannabis ecosystem through advanced software and technologies, announced it has expanded its suite of regulatory and compliance tools with the launch of Simplifya Market Guide. The new platform arms cannabis and cannabis-related businesses with comprehensive user-friendly state regulatory summaries for all 50 states, covering regulatory requirement overviews such as: Governing Law Counts of Licenses by Type Governing Authority Equity Licensing Structures Local Opt-Out Option/Authority Insurance Policy Movement Background Checks Banking Guidance Permissible Products Tax Structure & Rates Potency Restrictions Basic Ownership Requirements Supply Chain Dynamics Ownership by Public Companies Franchising/IP Restrictions License Types and Structure Marketing & Advertising Restrictions License Caps Market Type Licensing Rounds, Past and Future Market Population Limitations on Integration Additional Investor Requirements



Simplifya CEO and Co-Founder Marion Mariathasan . Regulations are constantly changing, making it even more challenging for not only owners and operators, but also banks, financial institutions, insurers, law firms and other ancillary businesses, to stay on top of the latest regulatory requirements. With many of these entrepreneurs conducting business in numerous states, having a real time, comprehensive and easy-to-use snapshot like Simplifya Market Guide at their fingertips alleviates these headaches while also saving clients time and money, so they can remain focused on their core business. As we continue to expand our portfolio of regulatory and compliance services, we remain committed to innovating tools that simplify compliance issues and deliver added value to our clients while helping them to streamline their operations.



Simplifya Market Guide is continuously updated with the latest content in real time by dedicated Simplifya regulatory experts and software engineers, who monitor state regulatory changes and requirements. Users are able to access state regulatory snapshots, and get alerted to any new regulatory changes or updates. Simplifya Market Guides content also includes archived information presented in a digestible format. Simplifya Market Guide is priced as a monthly subscription with the final cost based on the number of state profiles a user wants to access, with discounts for those needing multi-state and national feeds.

Simplifya Market Guide was originally developed with the expertise of Vicente Sederberg , the cannabis law firm widely recognized as the author of Colorados Amendment 64. As Simplifya expands the platforms offerings, the Company also plans to partner with additional regulatory, tax, legal and D&O topic experts such as: Hub International , Burns & Levinson and CohnReznick .



About Simplifya

Simplifya is the cannabis industrys leading regulatory and operational compliance software platform; our suite of products takes the guesswork out of confusing and continually changing state and local regulations. Featuring SOPs, badge tracking, document storage, tailored reporting, and employee accountability features, our Custom Audit software can reduce the time you spend on compliance by 45 percent. For more information, visit www.simplifya.com .



Media Contact:

Max Borchardt

914-382-0085

[email protected] Michela Proto

914-907-3670

[email protected]



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Chariton Valley Cuts Network Alarms 98 Percent and Slashes Subscriber Turnup Time 80 Percent, Wins Calix 2021 Innovations in Network Operations Award

Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) today announced that Chariton Valley is the recipient of the 2021 Innovations in Network Operations award. Calix (News - Alert) presented the honor at Calix ConneXions 2021 in Las Vegas. This award recognizes a broadband service provider (BSP) that is achieving breakthrough simplification of network operations to reduce operations and customer support costs and grow profitability. Chariton Valley has done so by embracing the cloud solutions that form the core of the end-to-end Calix platforms-Intelligent Access EDGE and Revenue EDGE. As a result, Chariton Valley has cut overall alarms by 98.1 percent, slashed truck rolls by nearly 40 percent, and reduced subscriber turnup time by 80 percent. To build on these impressive results, Chariton Valley is embracing the newest cloud offering, Calix Operations Cloud (Operations Cloud) which integrates network data into Calix Cloud so BSPs can gain unprecedented visibility into subscriber behavior and automate service provisioning.

A Calix customer since 2011, the Missouri-based Chariton Valley has had a long-term focus on simplifying network operations. They're using the following Calix offerings to achieve their goals.







"We're excited to recognize Chariton Valley for its innovations in network operations," said Shane Eleniak, executive vice president of products for Calix. "The success of Chariton Valley shows what is possible when broadband service providers embrace end-to-end Calix solutions that span the access network to the subscriber edge. We are proud to help Chariton Valley simplify its operations and help its communities in rural Missouri thrive for years to come."

Register for the ConneXions 2021 Learning Experience, which takes place virtually November 16-18 at Calix.com.

About Calix

Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) - Calix cloud and software platforms enable service providers of all types and sizes to innovate and transform. Our customers utilize the real-time data and insights from Calix platforms to simplify their businesses and deliver experiences that excite their subscribers. The resulting growth in subscriber acquisition, loyalty, and revenue creates more value for their businesses and communities. This is the Calix mission; to enable broadband service providers of all sizes to simplify, excite, and grow.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are based upon management's current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this release, and we assume no obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statement to reflect any event or circumstance after the date of this release, except as required by law. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from current expectations based on risks and uncertainties affecting Calix's business. The reader is cautioned not to rely on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Additional information on potential factors that could affect Calix's results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC (News - Alert) and available at www.sec.gov.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005115/en/
[October 20, 2021] Atlantic Broadband Drives Massive Growth With a 10G Intelligent Access EDGE XGS Network and Wins the 2021 Calix Innovations in Network Engineering Award

Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) today announced Atlantic Broadband-the eighth-largest cable operator in the U.S.-captured the 2021 Innovations in Network Engineering Award, presented by Calix (News - Alert) at its ConneXions conference in Las Vegas. The Massachusetts-based broadband service provider (BSP) was recognized as one of the first large cable operators to successfully upgrade in scale from a coaxial-cable plant to a software defined 10G XGS-PON fiber network. The upgrade enabled Atlantic Broadband to increase new subscriber daily turnups, dramatically reduce operational costs, and offer high-speed broadband tiers to its subscribers to grow profitability. Atlantic Broadband leveraged Calix Intelligent Access EDGE, including the AXOS E3-2 Intelligent PON Node and AXOS DPx software connector, to deploy the lowest possible cost-per-bit-per-mile network. Thanks to the flexibility of the Intelligent Access EDGE platform, Atlantic Broadband significantly reduced back-office integration effort while maintaining its existing DOCSIS inrastructure to minimize both operating and capital expenditure.



Atlantic Broadband is a subsidiary of Cogeco Communications Inc. (TSX: CCA) and provides its residential and business customers with internet, TV, and phone services. The broadband service provider-which serves over 1.6 million subscribers in 12 states-is working to extend fiber services to all its markets with the Intelligent Access EDGE platform. Replacing coaxial-cable with a software defined 10G XGS-PON fiber network is enabling Atlantic Broadband to offer its subscribers a new generation of high-speed services that support bandwidth-hungry applications such as online gaming, and video streaming and conferencing. A Calix customer since 2018, Atlantic Broadband has:

Deployed a fiber-based 10G XGS-PON overlay network in record time. The Calix AXOS E3-2 Intelligent PON Node simplifies the upgrade path to 10G XGS-PON-as individual PON modules are upgraded without impacting neighboring services.

The Calix AXOS E3-2 Intelligent PON Node simplifies the upgrade path to 10G XGS-PON-as individual PON modules are upgraded without impacting neighboring services. Significantly reduced back-office integration costs. Cable operators have traditionally faced significant time and expense associated with deploying middleware between their DOCSIS environment and PON platforms. The AXOS DPx software connector enables cable operators to quickly introduce high-speed broadband services to subscribers without middleware-and with only minimal disruptions to existing business processes.

Cable operators have traditionally faced significant time and expense associated with deploying middleware between their DOCSIS environment and PON platforms. The AXOS DPx software connector enables cable operators to quickly introduce high-speed broadband services to subscribers without middleware-and with only minimal disruptions to existing business processes. Rapidly turned up subscribers. The AXOS DPx software connector automates delivery of Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet high speed data, RF video, IPTV (News - Alert) video, and packet cable voice over IP services without changing back-office integration or operational procedures. "Calix Intelligent Access Edge XGS-PON has allowed us to launch product innovations and speed enhancements that will meet customer needs for best-in-class connectivity," said Jeremy McMasters, director of engineering at Atlantic Broadband. "Calix ensured seamless back-office integration when we transitioned from coaxial-cable plant to an all-fiber network. This move saved us hundreds of thousands of dollars in integration costs and enabled us to quickly go to market. We have increased our daily subscriber turnups and are now offering high-speed symmetric services across our footprint over a high-bandwidth, future proof network." "We're excited to recognize Atlantic Broadband for its innovations in network engineering," said Michel Langlois, CTO at Calix. "The success of Atlantic Broadband shows what is possible when cable operators leverage Intelligent Access EDGE to upgrade coaxial-cable plants to a future proof 10G capable network. They are a true trendsetter, and they are showing the way for all BSPs who want to bring the most advance services to their subscribers and markets. Taking the leap from legacy network technology to a truly next generation of infrastructure can be a daunting task. We are proud to help Atlantic Broadband make the seamless transition to fiber and deliver the high-speed symmetric services required to meet the needs of subscribers today and tomorrow." Register for the ConneXions 2021 Learning Experience, which takes place virtually November 16-18 at Calix.com. About Calix Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) - Calix cloud and software platforms enable service providers of all types and sizes to innovate and transform. Our customers utilize the real-time data and insights from Calix platforms to simplify their businesses and deliver experiences that excite their subscribers. The resulting growth in subscriber acquisition, loyalty, and revenue creates more value for their businesses and communities. This is the Calix mission; to enable broadband service providers of all sizes to simplify, excite, and grow. This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are based upon management's current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this release, and we assume no obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statement to reflect any event or circumstance after the date of this release, except as required by law. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from current expectations based on risks and uncertainties affecting Calix's business. The reader is cautioned not to rely on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Additional information on potential factors that could affect Calix's results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC (News - Alert) and available at www.sec.gov. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005136/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Blue Canyon Technologies Delivers the First of Four CubeSats to NASA's Ames Research Center for Starling Technology Demonstration

Small satellite manufacturer and mission services provider Blue Canyon Technologies LLC ("BCT" or "Blue Canyon"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Raytheon (News - Alert) Technologies, delivered the first of four 6U CubeSats to NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley. The CubeSats will support a technology demonstration called Starling (News - Alert). NASA's Small Spacecraft Technology program within the agency's Space Technology Mission Directorate funds the demonstration. Under the current contract agreement, in addition to designing and manufacturing the spacecraft buses, BCT will also provide engineering and support to Starling mission operations for the four flight-qualified 6U CubeSats. "The delivery of CubeSats will allow Ames to continue with payload integration and testing of the integrated flight unit," said Stephanee Borck, senior program manager at Blue Canyon Technologies. "A lot of hard work from both teams has gone into making it thus far in the project. We look forward to delivering the next three CubeSats and seeing what the technology demonstration can do on-orbit." Starling's goal is to demonstrate technologies that enable cooperative groups of spacecraft to operate in an autonomous, synchronous manner in low-Earth orbit, or LEO. The starling bird is famous for flying in a synchronous or "swarm" formation. Starling is expected to launch in mid-2022. Blue Canyon's diverse spacecraft platform has the proven capability to enable a broad range of missions and technological advances for the New Space economy, further reducing the barriers of space entry. About Blue Canyon Technologies Blue Canyon Technologies (BCT), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies, offers a diverse portfolio of innovative, reliable and affordable spacecraft that enable a broad range of misions and technological advancements. BCT's mission is to enable space missions to expand the frontiers of science and defense. BCT is currently supporting nearly 50 unique missions with over 90 spacecraft, all in production or recently delivered at their newly developed 80,000-square-foot facility in Lafayette, Colorado.



BCT has supported missions for the U.S. Air Force, NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and provided the Attitude Control Systems for the first interplanetary CubeSats, which successfully traveled to Mars. The company has been recognized with awards from Inc. Magazine's 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies, the 2020 Best in Biz Award and the 2020 Tibbetts Award. For the latest news on Blue Canyon Technologies and for other company information, please visit www.bluecanyontech.com. You can follow the company on Instagram here or Twitter (News - Alert) here.

About Raytheon Intelligence & Space Raytheon Intelligence & Space delivers the disruptive technologies our customers need to succeed in any domain, against any challenge. A developer of advanced sensors, training, and cyber and software solutions, Raytheon Intelligence & Space provides a decisive advantage to civil, military and commercial customers in more than 46 countries around the world. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the business generated $15 billion in pro forma annual revenue in 2020 and has 37,000 employees worldwide. Raytheon Intelligence & Space is one of four businesses that form Raytheon Technologies Corporation. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005137/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] HG Insights Recognized in 2021 Gartner Market Guide for Revenue Data Solutions

HG Insights, the global leader in market intelligence for technology vendors, announced today it has been included as a "Representative Vendor" in the September 2021 Gartner (News - Alert) "Market Guide for Revenue Data Solutions." 1 The guide focuses on "Revenue Data Solutions (RDS) that provide essential insights for a data-driven commercial team to target prospects and customers with a demonstrated or predicted propensity to buy using actionable context, prioritization, and guidance." 2 HG Insights provides a data-driven approach to help strategy, sales, and marketing teams perfect their Go-To-Market through fact-based technology insights essential for accelerating growth. By leveraging advanced technology installation insights, contract and spend analysis, and Contextual IntentTM data, HG Insights provides account-level IT intelligence to size global markets, support territory planning, and target segments with the greatest propensity to buy. "HG has over 10 years' experience helping our customers accelerate revenue by answering the toughest question facing any business today, 'Where should I allocate my scarce resources for the greatest return?' Customers routinely tell us how they are accelerating growth and gaining competitive advantage with our insights. ROIs such as cutting cost per leads in half at Alfresco and quadrupling conversion rates at Citrix (News - Alert) prove the point," said HG Insights' CEO Elizabeth Cholawsky. "We believe our recognition as a Representative Vendor in this Gartner report further reinforces the unique value of our solutions in the marketplace." Among its key findings, the guide notes that "by 204, early adoption of RDS will propel progressive B2B organizations to achieve growth at three times that of those who delay."3



The Market Guide for Revenue Data Solutions is available to Gartner subscribers. To learn more about HG Insights, visit hginsights.com.

Gartner Disclaimer Gartner is a registered trademark and service mark for Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. About HG Insights HG Insights, global provider of data-driven insights to 8/10 Fortune 100 B2B tech companies, is your Go-To-Market intelligence partner. We use advanced insights into technology installations, spend, and contract details to provide B2B companies a better way to analyze markets and target prospects. Our customers achieve unprecedented results in their marketing and sales programs thanks to the most comprehensive technology installation insights in the industry, which index billions of unstructured documents each day to produce a detailed census of the technologies companies use to run their businesses. HG Insights is a registered trademark and service mark for HG Insights, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved. More information on HG Insights is available here. 1 Gartner, Market Guide for Revenue Data Solutions 2021, Tom Cosgrove, Jeff Cohen, September 2021.

2 Cosgrove, Cohen (2021).

3 Cosgrove, Cohen (2021). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005887/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] CEO Transfers 100% Ownership of Company to Employees Through ESOP

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ROI Communication Inc. has announced that its employees are now the owners of the award-winning consulting firm through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The transition to employee ownership by the 20-year-old San Francisco Bay Area agency reflects company leaders' confidence in the team while further enhancing ROI's reputation as employee focused at a time when many organizations are challenged with retention and engagement. A recent survey conducted on behalf of the Employee-owned S Corporations of America demonstrated that ESOPs help their employees avoid many of the financial hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results show that ESOP employees experienced increased financial security and that employee retention was six times the rate of peer companies without ESOPs. "At a time when millions of people across the country are searching for greater purpose in their work and so many companies are struggling to retain employees, our team's commitment to a shared future is stronger than ever. Our transition to employee ownership is a natural evolution. We believe in  and practice in our own company the power of employee engagement to drive extraordinary business results," said company founder and CEO Barbara Fagan-Smith.



Beginning with a single client and a team of four in 2001, ROI has partnered with a diverse slate of over 200 companies, including 25% on the Fortune 100, to develop innovative employee communication and engagement strategies, and transform companies into communities. The company's employees have always worked remotely or on client sites, a model that has proven especially valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic. "From the beginning, ROI has been at the forefront of change. We were one of the first companies to provide our people with wide-ranging job flexibility, and now we're one of the few agencies in the United States to be 100% employee owned," Sheryl Lewis said.

Lewis  an executive vice president on ROI's team since 2002  was promoted to president in concert with the ESOP, the company announced. "Ultimately, strong performance depends on employees who believe their work has greater purpose  and believe in each other. Our company is no exception," Lewis added. "And now that we own the company, our commitment is deeper than ever." About Employee Stock Ownership Plans According to the National Center for Employee Ownership, there are approximately 6,500 ESOPs in the United States holding total assets of over $1.4 trillion and covering over 14 million participants. An ESOP is a type of retirement plan that was made possible by Congress in 1974 under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the same act that governs 401(k) plans. The plan sets up a trust to hold company stock for employees. It is not to be confused with either a stock option plan or a stock purchase plan. ESOPs are almost always funded by the company, not by employee contributions, and that will be the case for ROI. About ROI ROI Communication is an internal communication and employee engagement agency based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with roughly 100 employees located across North America and Europe. Founded in 2001 by CEO Barbara Fagan-Smith, we specialize in helping large, global, Fortune 500 companies achieve their greatest success through inspired communication and engagement. Our clients come from every industry, including tech, retail, energy, biomedicine, manufacturing, consumer packaged goods and agriculture, and our work includes everything from business transformation to leadership changes, mergers and acquisitions, culture change, employee engagement and more. In 2021, following our 20th year in business, we became a 100% employee-owned company, one of few like it in the United States. We have been ranked by the San Francisco Business Times as one of the best places to work in the Bay Area, and our team has regularly been recognized with industry awards and accolades. For more information, go to www.roico.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ceo-transfers-100-ownership-of-company-to-employees-through-esop-301404976.html SOURCE ROI Communication

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] Piper Sandler Companies to Hold Management Conference Call to Discuss Third Quarter 2021 Results

Piper Sandler Companies (NYSE: PIPR), a leading investment bank, will release its third quarter 2021 financial results prior to the opening of the market on Friday, October 29, 2021. The earnings release will be available at the company's website at www.pipersandler.com. The company will hold a conference call at 10 a.m. ET (9 a.m. CT) that same day to discuss the financial results. Chad Abraham, chairman and chief executive officer; Debbra Schoneman, president; and Tim Carter, chief financial officer, will host the call.



Participants can access the call by dialing 888-810-0209 (domestic) or 706-902-1361 (international) and referencing reservation number: 3064159. Callers should dial in at least 15 minutes prior to the call time. A live audio webcast of the call will be available through the company's website at www.pipersandler.com. A recording of the conference call will be available for replay approximately three hours following the completion of the live call. Participants can listen to the recording by dialing 855-859-2056 and referencing reservation number: 3064159. A replay of the audio webcast will also be available through the company's website referenced above.

ABOUT PIPER SANDLER Piper Sandler Companies (NYSE: PIPR) is a leading investment bank driven to help clients Realize the Power of Partnership. Securities brokerage and investment banking services are offered in the U.S. through Piper Sandler & Co., member SIPC and NYSE; in Europe through Piper Sandler Ltd., authorized and regulated by the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority; and in Hong Kong through Piper Sandler Hong Kong Limited, authorized and regulated by the Securities and Futures Commission. Alternative asset management and fixed income advisory services are offered through separately registered advisory affiliates. Follow Piper Sandler: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter  2021. Since 1895. Piper Sandler Companies. 800 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-7036 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020005987/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021]

Gannan video series 3 -- Xiahe Thangka: Ancient craft becomes a modern treasure

BEIJING, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A video released by China.org.cn shows how Thangka, a type of traditional Tibetan scrolling painting which has been passed down for over 1,300 years, helps Xiahe thrive and prosper.

A video series covering best poverty alleviation and rural development practices known as "Building a Better Life: Best Practices from China's Gannan" was unveiled at the 2021 International Seminar on Global Poverty Reduction Partnerships in Beijing on Oct. 19. The three videos cover topics including the yak husbandry industry, formerly impoverished Gaxiu village's path out of poverty, and Xiahe county's Thangka [a type of traditional Tibetan scrolling painting] town, from spcific and professional angles, and demonstrate the historical achievements that China has made as it builds a moderately prosperous society in all respects.







The videos were co-produced by the Information Office of Gansu Provincial People's Government and the Global Center on Development Knowledge Sharing  a newly established thinktank that operates under the supervision of the China International Publishing Group (CIPG).

This video shows that Thangka, a type of traditional Tibetan scrolling painting, has been passed down for over 1,300 years, incorporating religion, history, culture, architecture, astronomy, and other subjects. Modern systematic teaching and research methods are conducive to the inheritance and cross-border innovation of Thangka theories and techniques. Thangka has been nourishing the people in Xiahe for more than a thousand years. It is a precious treasure that helps Xiahe thrive and prosper.

Xiahe Thangka: Ancient craft becomes a modern treasure

http://p.china.org.cn/2021-10/19/content_77819514.htm



View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gannan-video-series-3----xiahe-thangka-ancient-craft-becomes-a-modern-treasure-301404503.html

SOURCE China.org.cn
[October 20, 2021] AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Humana Inc. and Its Health Insurance Subsidiaries

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of "a-" (Excellent) for the majority of the health and dental insurance subsidiaries of Humana Inc. (Humana) (headquartered in Louisville, KY) [NYSE: HUM]. These subsidiaries collectively are referred to as Humana Health Group. Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of "bbb-" (Good) and the Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IRs) of Humana Inc. AM Best also has affirmed the Short-Term Issue Credit Rating (Short-Term IR) of AMB-2 (Satisfactory) for Humana Inc. Additionally, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term ICR of "bbb" (Good) of the following Humana subsidiaries: Humana Insurance of Puerto Rico, Inc. and Humana Health Plans of Puerto Rico, Inc. These companies are domiciled in Puerto Rico and collectively are referred to as Humana Health of Puerto Rico Group. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (rating) is stable. (See below for a detailed listing of Humana Health Group members and Long-Term IRs.) The affirmation of the ratings of Humana Health Group reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). Humana Health Group has an adequate level of risk-adjusted capital, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), primarily supported by solid earnings. Humana has managed to maintain adequate levels of risk-adjusted capital while still paying sizable annual dividends in excess of $1 billion to the holding company. Invested assets for Humana Health Group are composed primarily of high quality fixed-income securities. Liquidity measures remain high and provide flexibility to adjust asset allocation. Strong cash flow from operations are supplemented by the parent's ample liquidity to support its legal entities. Humana Health Group has reported solid earnings for the past five years, with net income exceeding $1.5 billion in each of the past four years, and underwriting income exceeding $1 billion in three of the past five years. Earnings strengthening in 2020 was driven primarily by the decline in the utilization and deferral of care due to the COVID-19 pandemic; earnings are expected to temper in 2021. However, return on revenue has been in the 3% range for the past few years. Given that a large percentage of Humana's revenues and earnings are derived from Medicare Advantage, which is government-funded business, the ability to achieve and sustain a higher level of margins is unlikely given the minimum loss ratio requirements on the Medicare Advantage segment. The five-year compounded average growth rate for premium was 4.6%, reflecting increased new business and top-line scale, in which the Medicare Advantage segment has been leading that growth. Humana Health Group has a favorable business profile driven by its competitive market position in the Medicare Advantage segment as one of the nation's leading writers. Furthermore, Humana offers a variety of product offerings through its Retail, Group and Specialty and Healthcare Services segments. Additionally, AM Best notes that the earnings from the Healthcare Services segment is non-regulated. The Healthcare Services segment provides pharmacy solutions, provider services and clinical programs to internal and external customers. Humana Inc. has good financial flexibility through its dividends from its regulated insurance entities, and earnings from its non-regulated entities, which comprise nearly 37% of Humana Inc.'s consolidated revenue from operations. In addition, Humana Inc. has a $4 billion, five-year credit facility, commercial paper program and cash at the parent company. Financial leverage is expected to be above 40%, as caculated by AM Best, when Humana reports its third-quarter financials, which would exceed the company's targeted range. The increase follows the completion of the acquisition of the remaining interest of Kindred at Home, which was funded with debt issuance of $3 billion in August 2021. Humana plans to divest its majority stake in Kindred At Home's hospice and personal care services through an IPO. Humana is expected to delever over the near to medium term utilizing the proceeds of the IPO in combination with continued favorable earnings.



Humana's earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) interest coverage remains strong, at over 10 times EBIT at year-end 2020, based on solid earnings from operations. Furthermore, Humana's goodwill and intangibles to equity remained below 40%, but increased significantly following the Kindred At Home acquisition. The ratings of Humana Health of Puerto Rico Group reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as adequate, as well as its marginal operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate ERM. The stable outlooks reflect Humana Health of Puerto Rico Group's very strong assessment of risk-adjusted capital, as measured by BCAR. The improvement in risk-adjusted capitalization in 2020 was driven primarily by higher net income at both companies, which was retained in Humana Health of Puerto Rico Group. Following a few years of earnings volatility, the group reported improved underwriting and net income in 2020, mainly due to lower utilization resulting from the deferral of elective procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first half of 2021, the companies in the group remained profitable, albeit at lower levels due to continued premium decline in the Medicare Advantage line of business. Humana Health of Puerto Rico Group is integrated fully into the company's overall strategy and continues to receive support from the parent. Furthermore, Humana Inc. has provided a parental guarantee to Humana Health Plan of Puerto Rico to provide capital as needed to remain in compliance with regulatory capital requirements.

The FSR of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of "a-" (Excellent) have been affirmed with stable outlooks for the following health and dental insurance subsidiaries of Humana Inc.: Humana Insurance Company

Humana Medical Plan, Inc.

Humana Health Plan, Inc.

Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc.

Humana Health Plan of Texas, Inc.

Humana Health Insurance Company of Florida, Inc.

Humana Benefit Plan of Illinois, Inc.

Humana Health Plan of Ohio, Inc.

Humana Employers Health Plan of Georgia, Inc.

Humana Insurance Company of New York

Humana Wisconsin Health Organization Insurance Corporation

Humana Insurance Company of Kentucky

Cariten Health Plan Inc.

CarePlus Health Plans, Inc.

HumanaDental Insurance Company

CompBenefits Insurance Company

CompBenefits Company

CompBenefits Dental, Inc.

The Dental Concern, Inc.

DentiCare, Inc. The following Long-Term IRs have been affirmed with stable outlooks: Humana Inc.-

-- "bbb-"(Good) on $600 million 3.15% senior unsecured notes, due 2022

-- "bbb-" (Good) on $400 million 2.9% senior unsecured notes, due 2022

-- "bbb-" (Good) on $1.5 billion 0.65% senior unsecured notes, due 2023

-- "bbb-" (Good) on $600 million 3.85% senior unsecured notes, due 2024

-- "bbb-" (Good) on $600 million 4.5% senior unsecured notes, due 2025

-- "bbb-" (Good) on $750 million 1.35% senior unsecured notes, due 2027

-- "bbb-" (Good) on $600 million 3.95% senior unsecured notes, due 2027

-- "bbb-" (Good) on $500 million 3.125% senior unsecured notes, due 2029

-- "bbb-" (Good) on $500 million 4.875% senior unsecured notes, due 2030

-- "bbb-" (Good) on $750 million 2.15% senior unsecured notes, due 2032

-- "bbb-" (Good) on $250 million 8.15% senior unsecured notes, due 2038

-- "bbb-" (Good) on $400 million 4.625% senior unsecured notes, due 2042

-- "bbb-" (Good) on $750 million 4.95% senior unsecured notes, due 2044

-- "bbb-" (Good) on $400 million 4.8% senior unsecured notes, due 2047

-- "bbb-" (Good) on $500 million 3.95% senior unsecured notes, due 2049 The following indicative Long-Term IRs have been affirmed with stable outlooks for the shelf registration: Humana Inc.-

-- "bbb-" (Good) on senior unsecured debt securities

-- "bb+" (Fair) on subordinated debt securities

-- "bb" (Fair) on preferred shares This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings & Assessments. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright  2021 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020006024/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[October 20, 2021] TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. to Announce 2021 Third Quarter Financial Results on Wednesday, November 3, 2021

TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. (NYSE: TPVG) (the "Company"), the leading financing provider to venture growth stage companies backed by a select group of venture capital firms in the technology, life sciences and other high growth industries, today announced it will release its financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2021 after market-close on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. James P. Labe, chief executive officer and chairman of the board, Sajal K. Srivastava, president and chief investment officer, and Christopher M. Mathieu, chief financial officer, will host a conference call that same day at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time to discuss the Company's financial results. To listen to the call, investors and analysts should dial (844) 826-3038 (domestic) or +1 (412) 317-5184 (international) and ask to join the TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. call. Please dial in at least five minutes before the scheduled start time. A replay of the call will be available through December 3, 2021, by dialing (877) 344-7529 (domestic) or +1 (412) 317-0088 (international) and entering conference ID 10161329. The conference call also will be available via a live audio webcast in the investor relations section of the Company's website, http://www.tpvg.com. An online archive of the webcast will be available on the Company's website for 30 days after the call.



ABOUT TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. is an externally-managed business development company focused on providing customized debt financing with warrants and direct equity investments to venture growth stage companies in technology and other high growth industries backed by a select group of venture capital firms. The Company's sponsor, TriplePoint Capital, is a Sand Hill Road-based global investment platform which provides customized debt financing, leasing, direct equity investments and other complementary solutions to venture capital-backed companies in technology and other high growth industries at every stage of their development with unparalleled levels of creativity, flexibility and service. For more information about TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp., visit https://www.tpvg.com. For more information about the TriplePoint Capital, visit https://www.triplepointcapital.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Statements included herein may constitute "forward-looking statements," which relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, condition or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results and conditions may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in our filings with the SEC (News - Alert). The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made herein. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211020006112/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Today a group of rich white lades and a few biz leaders have sparked Kansas City chattering classes into a furious and contradictory discussion.



Here's the upshot TKC quote from a lesser blog . . .



Disbanding the unit is cast as a detriment to police presence and service in the downtown area. It asks for a meeting with the chief to discuss the concerns.



Disturbingly, this information has spread throughout the business and residential communities, causing people great concern for their safety and property. The Foot Patrol Unit has been part of the downtown area for over 60 years. Now that downtown is thriving with strong businesses and over 20,000 residents, it is the wrong time to disband this unit, the letter says . . .

We fully support you and the KCPD, and we understand the current challenges, the letter says. However, we feel its imperative not to close the Foot Patrol Unit, and other stakeholders feel the same way.



The letter was signed by Julia Kauffman of the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation, Shirley Helzberg of the Chierley and Barnett Helzberg Foundation, Vince Dasta of MC Realty and Jonathan Kemper of Commerce Bank, and Michael and Edward Merriman of Financial Holding Corporation among others.



TKC takeaway . . .

DOWNTOWN SUPPORT FOR KCPD IS FUNNY GIVEN MANY RESIDENTS WERE SILENT AMID RACIALLY CHARGED DEFUND POLICE DRAMA!!!

I bet they didn't even sign one of those silly petitions.

Even better . . .



Pete Mundo is SERIOUSLY KICKING ASS on this topic this morning . . .



A quote (paraphrase) from his morning rant . . .

"Where were these leaders a year ago? Did they believe the lies that were told about all police based on one horrible incident? Did they buy into thinking that all police were evil? Did they stay silent, did they go along with that kind of thinking? It has taken quite a while for them to speak up . . . Maybe they had a change of heart. But if they did support so many lies against police . . . Then you know what?

"You reap what you sow."



From another perspective . . .



This morning here's the response and a bit of deflecting from Mayor Q . . .

"With Mayor/Council-approved dollars for 200 additional officers in the adopted budget, KCPD should not disband community prevention policing efforts like the Downtown neighborhood foot patrol, which has kept our residents and visitors safer for generations . . ."

However . . .

Police supporters note that they've warned about KCPD attrition and record low numbers throughout the year.



Clarification . . .



Police claim that Mayor Q reduced the KCPD budget by 12 MILLION even before the slap fight over the 42-MILLION defund slush fund.



Here's what we know for sure . . .

KCPD numbers are taking an EPIC hit and city leaders haven't fulfilled a manpower promise made back in 1968.



Sadly . . .

All that we're likely to get from this debate is reactionary discussion and NOBODY in Kansas City has the power to form consensus and improve this dangerous situation.

Developing . . .


Sadly, amid holiday cheer, bright lights and a return to normal as the pandemic fades . . . Kansas City remains a rather violent place.



Remember . . .

Locals don't like admitting that this town ACTUALLY gets a lot more dangerous during the 4th quarter of the year given that holiday season pressure brings the worst out in everybody.

Accordingly, here's a www.TonysKansasCity.com collection of local news on the topic of more shooting and sadness throughout the metro . . .



New nonprofit group in Kansas City seeks to address violence in the city There's a new nonprofit in Kansas City and its goal is to target and lower the rate of violence in the city. Tonight, KC Common Good says its main tenant is working to find common good in each other and create solutions before violence occurs.

Chillicothe mother warns of counterfeit pills after recent overdoses In Chillicothe, a 17-year-old girl died after taking counterfeit prescription pills. A 23-year-old woman and 33-year-old man are in custody. Kathy Brauch lives in Chillicothe and lost her daughter to counterfeit pills in May. "This does kill people and it could kill you.

Man crashes car after being shot Tuesday night in Kansas City, Missouri KANSAS CITY, Mo. - One man was wounded in a shooting Tuesday night in south Kansas City, Missouri. Police said it happened around 8:30 p.m. at East 90th Street and Loma Vista Drive. Callers told police dispatchers they heard gunshots and saw a car hit a street sign, according to KCMO police.

Feds seize property of Kansas City companies accused of COVID relief fraud The federal government has seized two vehicles, and is threatening to seize a lake house, allegedly purchased illegally with COVID-19 relief money by a Kansas City-area businessman.The property was seized from several real estate companies incorporated in Kansas by Joseph Campbell, with most operati...

Data on gun shot victims reflect important disparities in Jackson County KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Jackson County Prosecutor's Office analyzes data that comes in every week from the Kansas City Police Department on shootings to learn about gun violence. It's compiled based on income, race, and what happened in the case. It has reflected some important disparities Kansas City.

Overland Park man sentenced for robbing multiple phone stores in metro KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- An Overland Park man has been sentenced for multiple robberies that happened in the KC metro in 2018. Today, a U.S. District Judge sentenced 28-year-old Joshua A. West to 19 years in federal prison without parole.

Family of Kansas City murder victim outraged after suspect takes plea deal KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A local murder victim's family is outraged, saying right before the trial, the suspect took a plea deal. Prosecutors said Thorne McKendrick was only 19 when he shot and killed Michael Brown, a Kansas City dad, who confronted him during an alleged car burglary.

29 days of terror: The hunt for the I-70 killer leads police to release age-enhanced sketch of suspect ST. CHARLES, Mo. (KMOV.com) -- His crimes stretched across the Midwest, now the I-70/35 killer is back under the microscope as police release new information on the cold case. Inside the St. Charles Police Department, there is a room full of thousands of files related to the man known as the I-70/35 serial killer.

Lenexa police looking for driver who intentionally rammed vehicle at College & Pflumm LENEXA, KS (KCTV) -- The Lenexa Police Department is trying to identify a driver in connection with a road rage investigation. According to the police, someone driving the white Jeep pictured intentionally rammed another vehicle in a parking lot at College Boulevard and Pflumm Road.

CASA expanding to serve more abused, neglected children in Jackson County KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An increase in abused and neglected children in Jackson County is prompting the nonprofit Court Appointed Special Advocates to expand. CASA hopes to serve 1,500 abused and neglected kids each year by 2023, thanks to a new expansion. Right now, CASA serves only about half of the children under court protection in Jackson County.

Developing . . .
In a move that will likely alienate a vast majority of Kansas City metro voters and even cause a few cringe-y moments amongst progressives . . . It seems like talk of "reparations" is taking hold even as the so-called "cultural shift" following BLM riots has slowly started to fade.



Check the money line . . .



"St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas are among a dozen U.S. mayors calling for local reparations to address the racial wealth gap by ending racist policies."

Nevertheless . . .

There's no denying this effort has support even if it's unlikely in red state flyover country.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . .

Kansas City and St. Louis mayors pledged reparations to end the racial wealth gap. Now what? The first 10 years of Vivian Gibson's childhood are marked by the memories of her home in Mill Creek Valley, a community of 20,000 Black residents that stretched from midtown St. Louis to downtown. Gibson has written in depth about her experience there in the home she lived in with her seven siblings, parents and grandmother.

40 acres and a mule won't cut it anymore. What the fight for reparations looks like in 2021. After decades of work from activists pushing the issue, presidential candidates, Congress members, local governments and private institutions have debated whether and how the federal government should issue reparations for Black Americans who are descendants of slaves. As the Biden administration promises to confront structural racism and inequality, a growing number of Democratic lawmakers have given their support to H.R.

Reparations draw UN scrutiny, but those who'd pay say little More than a year after Black Lives Matter protests launched a worldwide reckoning about the centuries of racism that Black people continue to face, the question of reparations emerged - unevenly - as a high-profile issue at this year's largest gathering of world leaders.

Developing . . .
The rules of this political game are sketchy and very often they're decided by a judge.



Still . . .

The greatest fear seems to be that Missouri Republicans will discount population gains from the urban core.

Here's the word . . .



The two sessions, three hours apiece, allowed the public to appeal to commissioners who could change which politicians represents which people next year.



Missouri State Rep. Emily Weber said a change is pretty much a given for a portion of her constituents.



"My district is the Midtown/Downtown area of Kansas City and it did grow. And so my district did grow a lot so we know that my district is going to get cut and it's going to get condensed down," Weber said.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . .

Redistricting hearings in Kansas City raise concerns on 'who counts' in population KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Another decade has passed and that means another round of redistricting in Missouri. On Tuesday the commissioners in charge of drawing the new lines for Missouri state Senate and House districts held hearings in Kansas City, Missouri. Those commissioner must agree to a final map by December 31.

Kansas City voters ask lawmakers for fair voter redistricting at a public hearing Some Kansas City voters are urging the state of Missouri to draw new political maps that are inclusive and fair. It's a logical request, but one that can quickly get complicated and political.Where you vote depends on where you live. Missouri's State House, the lower chamber of the legislature, has 163 voter districts.

Developing . . .
The COVID plague exacerbated the great divide betwixt small biz and local government officials.



By most accounts . . . Kansas City metro politicos didn't really offer much consideration to small time operators whilst the box stores and corporate food chains were able to devise their own rules.

Accordingly . . .



TKC TOLD YOU SO: RAE'S CAFE BOLDLY ABANDONS BLUE SPRINGS AFTER COVID COURT FIGHT!!!



As TKC readers point out . . . They'd still be in Jackson County . . .

However the article notes . . .

"The owner did not want to disclose the exact location, but did say the location would be near Missouri 291. Independence has its own health department and does not have a mask requirement."



Nevertheless . . .



The very BEST & BRIGHTEST TKC TIPSTERS signaled this move back in early October and today the announcement is official.



Skeptics might argue that a small restaurant leaving town isn't a big deal . . . But the smell of blood and money travels far . . .

The reality is that the courthouse made an example out of these biz owners and their overt submission was required to make a living. Reality check: Most Americans don't like to be ordered to work on their knees and now that the mask protocols are expiring soon . . . All that's left is hard feelings.

Worse still . . .

The restaurant COVID orders were always questionable . . . Nobody ever explained to us how people couldn't get COVID while they were sitting down and eating but the second customers stood up . . . They needed to mask and keep their distance. Any "science" behind this charade is questionable and what's more likely is that silly restaurant etiquette was devised on a whim like most rules governing the public. Don't get it twisted . . . COVID likely remains a danger for restaurant patrons & workers and that's why a great many people still choose to avoid public dining rooms.



Again . . .

The important part of this story is that the divide betwixt small biz & local government officials has worsened and won't likely recover any time soon.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . .

Rae's Cafe owner moving restaurant to Independence KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Rae's Cafe, whose owner has been back-and-forth with Jackson County, Missouri, officials over complying with COVID-19 public health orders, is relocating to Independence. Amanda Wohletz, owner of the cafe, confirmed to KSHB 41 News that the restaurant is moving from Blue Springs to Independence.

Rae's Cafe moving to Independence after forced to close for violating mask mandate INDEPDNENCE, Mo. - After being forced to close last month for violating Jackson County's indoor mask policy, a former Blue Springs restaurant will soon have a new home in Independence. Independence Councilman Mike Huff confirmed to FOX4 Tuesday the restaurant was relocating to a new location at 291 Highway and 23rd Street and will possibly be opening the second week of November.

Developing . . .
Wins the most number of awards amongst serviced residence players with 17 accolades across the regions



(TRAVPR.COM) SINGAPORE - October 19th, 2021 - CapitaLand Investments wholly owned lodging business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott) has received the top honour of Leading Serviced Apartment Brand in Asia, Middle East and Oceania at the prestigious World Travel Awards 2021. Ascott is the biggest winner with a total of 17[1] accolades across the regions, the most number of awards amongst serviced apartment companies. Ascott achieved these top recognitions in Asia and Middle East for the sixth straight year and in Oceania for the second consecutive year.

In addition to the regional tier awards, Ascott was also voted Leading Serviced Apartment Brand in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Voted by tourism professionals and business and leisure travellers worldwide, winners of the annual World Travel Awards are globally recognised as hallmarks of industry excellence.

Ms Tan Bee Leng, Ascotts Managing Director for Brand & Marketing, said: To continue winning these top honours even during such extraordinary times is a strong validation of Ascotts quality properties and world-class customer service. Amidst the pandemic, it became ever more important for Ascott to step up the engagement with our guests and members of our loyalty programme Ascott Star Rewards (ASR). As we look forward to the travel industry's recovery, Ascott will continue to transform our lodging offerings to enable our guests to live, work and play with greater flexibility. Ascott remains committed to deliver the highest hospitality standards and we stand ready to welcome guests at our properties across over 200 cities worldwide.

Ascott is the first hospitality company to partner with International SOS to offer free global telehealth, telecounselling and travel security advisory to guests. It launched its global online travel booking platform discoverasr.com with 14 brands onboard, and enhanced ASR as well as the Discover ASR mobile app to provide greater value to guests.

First hospitality company in the world to offer guests complimentary global access to a comprehensive suite of telehealth, telecounselling and travel security advisory services

Launched in May 2021, Ascotts partnership with International SOS allows guests to have greater peace of mind and feel safe with on-demand quality care from medical and security experts. The complimentary services are part of Ascotts enhanced Ascott Cares commitment to provide stringent hygiene and safety standards, wellness support and implement sustainable practices.

Ascott unifies 14 lodging brands on one global online travel booking platform with launch of discoverasr.com

Ascott launched discoverasr.com in July 2021, unifying Ascotts award-winning lodging brands on a single global online travel booking platform. discoverasr.com provides guests with one-stop access to Ascotts more than 400 serviced apartments, coliving spaces and hotels with a total of about 71,000 units in over 30 countries. This includes more than 10,000 units across 62 properties under TAUZIA Hotel Management, which are available for the first time on Ascotts online booking platform.

Greater value and flexibility for Ascott Star Rewards members

In addition to the integration of TAUZIAs hotels onto discoverasr.com, the My TAUZIA Privilege (MTP) loyalty programme will also be part of ASR. Existing MTP members can sign up for an ASR membership to receive extra privileges and bonus points. Their membership tier would also be matched accordingly within the ASR.

Despite COVID-19, ASR members continue to enjoy a slew of perks, from the ASR points purchase feature and promotions where members can purchase ASR points and be rewarded with bonus points; to the ASR Elite Status Match and CapitaStar-ASR Points Exchange programmes that allow ASR members to gain more perks or upgrade their membership tier.

With the launch of the Discover ASR mobile app in October 2020, ASR members can enjoy greater conveniences and flexibility. The app has received over 203,000 downloads to date. It provides ASR members with contactless services where they can search for deals, manage their membership, purchase and redeem ASR points, perform mobile check-in and check-out, and make contactless payment.

Discover ASRs latest features include allowing guests to customise their stay by sharing their prearrival and in-stay requests; earn ASR points if they opt out of housekeeping service as part of Ascotts Go Green initiative; and share feedback on their stay through a pulse survey in the mobile app. Guests staying with Ascott can access the in-app social wall and private messaging features which allow them to interact with fellow guests or communicate privately with the serviced residences front desk. Guests will soon be able to purchase vouchers via the app for their next stay.

Note:

[1] For more information on the 17 awards conferred to Ascott at the 2021 World Travel Awards for Asia, Middle East and Oceania, please see Annex

Annex

Ascott and its properties were conferred the following awards for Middle East, as well as Asia and Oceania at the Winners Day ceremonies held virtually on 17 and 19 October 2021 respectively:

World Travel Awards Middle East 2021

Middle East's Leading Serviced Apartment Brand 2021 : The Ascott Limited

: The Ascott Limited Dubai's Leading Serviced Apartments 2021 : Citadines Metro Central Dubai

: Citadines Metro Central Dubai Saudi Arabia's Leading Serviced Apartment Brand 2021 : The Ascott Limited

: The Ascott Limited Saudi Arabia's Leading Serviced Apartments 2021 : Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh

: Ascott Rafal Olaya Riyadh United Arab Emirates' Leading Serviced Apartments 2021: Ascott Park Place Dubai

World Travel Awards Asia 2021

Asia's Leading Serviced Apartment Brand 2021 : The Ascott Limited

: The Ascott Limited China's Leading Serviced Apartment Brand 2021 : The Ascott Limited

: The Ascott Limited China's Leading Serviced Apartments 2021 : Ascott Raffles City Chengdu

: Ascott Raffles City Chengdu Hong Kong's Leading Serviced Apartment Brand 2021 : The Ascott Limited

: The Ascott Limited Malaysia's Leading Serviced Apartment Brand 2021 : The Ascott Limited

: The Ascott Limited Philippines' Leading Serviced Apartment Brand 2021 : Ascott The Residence

: Ascott The Residence Singapore's Leading Serviced Apartment Brand 2021 : The Ascott Limited

: The Ascott Limited Thailand's Leading Serviced Apartment Brand 2021 : Ascott The Residence

: Ascott The Residence Vietnam's Leading Serviced Apartment Brand 2021 : The Ascott Limited

: The Ascott Limited Vietnam's Leading Serviced Apartments 2021: Somerset Grand Hanoi

World Travel Awards Oceania 2021

Oceania's Leading Serviced Apartment Brand 2021 : Quest Apartment Hotels

: Quest Apartment Hotels Oceania's Leading Serviced Apartments 2021: Quest NewQuay Docklands

###
Veda Yowell, 90, of Clinton, passed away on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, at IU West Hospital in Avon, surrounded by her loving family. Veda was born in Parke County on August 30, 1931, to Harry and Angeline Ladiha Crossley. She married her husband, Fred, on July 22, 1949, and together, they
Police in Missouri have released a new age-progressed sketch of the man who went on a killing spree across the Midwest almost three decades ago and is believed to be the suspect in two Terre Haute homicides.

St. Joseph Police released the new sketches of the so-called I-70 Serial Killer on Wednesday.

One Terre Haute victim is believed to be 40-year-old Michael Mick McCown, 40.

McCown was stocking shelves at his mothers store, Sylvias Ceramic Shop, when the suspected killer entered the store and shot McCown in April 1992.

The same suspect is also believed to have shot Billy Brossman, a clerk at the 7th & 70 Liquor Store on Prairieton Road almost 10 years later on Nov. 30, 2001.

Retired Terre Haute Police Department Capt. Ed Tompkins said Wednesday he has revisited the Brossman and McCown homicide case over the years, and he has met with police in Missouri who agree their suspected shooter in all of the cases is the same man.

A 30-day shooting spree in Indiana, Kansas and Missouri in April and May 1992 was connected by ballistics to the Interstate 70 corridor, police believe.

Another homicide in Texas has also been connected to the suspect, Lt. Tom Wilkison of the St. Charles Police said Wednesday.

The release of the age-progressed photo is an attempt to generate new leads in the case, Wilkison said.

Tomkins said the suspect is believed to have lived and worked in the Terre Haute area for a brief time prior to the Brossman shooting.

Wilkison said a multijurisdictional meeting is planned in November for agencies with connections to the case to get together to review facts of their homicides.

Investigators developed a sketch of the suspect several years ago. He is described as a white male who was 22 to 40 years old at the time, 57 to 59 tall, weighing 140 to 160 pounds. He had sandy blond hair with a red tint.

Almost 10 years later, Brossmans killer was described as a white man about 5-feet-8 to 6-feet tall, medium build with thinning hair.

Authorities said based on ballistics and witness accounts, an Erma Werke ET22 was the most probable weapon used, but the Intratec Tec 22  also called the Scorpion or Sport-22  could not be eliminated as a potential murder weapon.

In most of the cases, the suspect targeted women working by themselves at businesses without much money on hand.

20 years later, new information in I-70 killings Twenty years after a series of murders by the so-called I-70 killer, police in one western St. Louis suburb are releasing new information in

Police believe the killer mistook McCown, who had long hair and his back turned to the killer, for a woman.

A $25,000 reward is offered in the case. Anyone with information should call 800-800-3510.

Lisa Trigg can be reached at 812-231-4254 or at lisa.trigg@tribstar.com. Follow her on Twitter at TribStarLisa.
BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP)  Teachers, auto mechanics and retirees summoned to jury duty in the slaying of Ahmaud Arbery are being questioned about their thoughts on racism, their social media habits and whether they own guns, while hundreds more await their turn.

Finding an impartial jury won't be quick or easy in this coastal community of 85,000 people. The 25-year-old Black man was chased by three white men and fatally shot on Feb. 23, 2020, as he ran in their neighborhood. His death stunned people across the U.S. after graphic cellphone video of the killing leaked online two months later. The shooting dominated local news, social media feeds and workplace chatter.

When court adjourned Wednesday, the third day of jury selection at the Glynn County courthouse, a total of 15 prospective jurors had been deemed qualified to advance to the group from which a final jury will be chosen. Dozens more will be needed before the murder trial of defendants Greg and Travis McMichael and William Roddie Bryan gets underway.

HOW DO PEOPLE END UP ON A JURY?

Jury selection is essentially a process of elimination. In Georgia, court clerks use lists of licensed drivers and registered voters to randomly send jury duty notices. In this case, notices were mailed to 1,000 people. Ultimately, the court needs only 16  a main jury of 12, plus four alternates in case any jurors get sick or are otherwise dismissed before the trial ends.

People can be excused automatically if they're 70 or older, full-time caregivers of young children or full-time students. The judge can dismiss others for hardships such as illness or disability or the need to care for an ailing relative or to run a business with a shortage of workers.

Attorneys may also persuade the judge to dismiss pool members whose answers to questions indicate they've formed opinions about the case that could prevent them from rendering a fair verdict.

HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK IN THIS CASE?

Potential jurors are being questioned in three phases. Jury duty notices included a three-page questionnaire to be filled out before coming to court. People were asked what they already know about the case, which news sources or social media platforms they use and whether they have seen the cellphone video of the shooting.

The first 600 prospective jurors are being summoned to the courthouse in groups of 20, with the remainder on deck for next week if needed. Prosecutors and defense lawyers first question them in groups, asking for a show of hands to answer yes-or-no questions such as whether anyone knows the three men on trial or already has negative impressions of them.

After that, jury pool members are being brought into court one at time for more probing questions. How many times have they watched the video? Do they feel racism was a motivating factor? The attorneys want to find out who has fixed opinions on the case.

One man Wednesday acknowledged writing on his questionnaire: Guilty. They killed him. He told the lawyers and judge he was referring to all three of them. They did it as a team. The judge dismissed the man after defense attorneys reported seeing him give a thumbs-up to Arbery's father in the courtroom gallery.

IS SOMEONE DISQUALIFIED IF THEY ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THE CASE?

No. As one potential juror told the lawyers, almost everyone in Glynn County knows something about the killing.

Prospective jurors can be qualified to serve if they are deemed capable of weighing the courtroom evidence fairly, despite what they've already read or heard. Superior Court Judge Timothy Walmsley has been fairly lenient in that regard.

Two panelists who said their fathers were friends of either Greg McMichael or Bryan were allowed to remain in the jury pool. Another was deemed qualified after saying he had actively researched the case using Google and concluded: Someone was murdered. Thats all I know.

There's no question Travis McMichael shot Arbery three times with a shotgun. The key issue is whether the shooting amounted to murder. Defense attorneys contend the defendants legally pursued Arbery because they suspected he was a criminal, and that the shooting was in self-defense.

WHY WASN'T THE CASE MOVED BECAUSE OF PRETRIAL PUBLICITY?

The intense pretrial publicity about Arbery's slaying would likely qualify the trial to be moved to another Georgia county. But defense lawyers have said they prefer to try the case in Glynn County, where all three residents are longtime residents and are not known solely for Arbery's death.

If defense attorneys don't like the way the jury pool is shaping up, they could still ask the judge to move the case.

HOW DOES THE COURT ARRIVE AT A FINAL JURY?

Before a final jury is seated, attorneys get to take turns eliminating a significant number of prospective jurors from the final pool, for virtually any reason. There is one major exception  the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that it's unconstitutional to cut potential jurors solely based on race.

Youre trying to get rid of the people you think would be worst for your case, either because of their background or opinions, said Page Pate, a Brunswick defense attorney whos not involved in the case.

So far, the judge has granted 12 such peremptory challenges, or strikes, to prosecutors and 24 total to defense attorneys. He will likely grant additional strikes for choosing the four alternate jurors.

Mathematically, that means 60 or more qualified jury pool members will probably be needed for attorneys to exercise their strikes and still have enough people left to form the final jury.
Images

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular images.
VinFast has officially become the first Vietnamese automaker to unveil a vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show. This week, the new global brand revealed two electric SUVsthe VF e35 and VF e36as part of a planned expansion to the United States, Canada, and Europe before the end of 2022.
Special Representative of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on Eastern Europe Daniela De Ridder (Germany) said that undue restrictions on the freedom of movement of the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine are a troubling development that must be reversed.

Thats according to De Ridders statement released Tuesday, October 19.

The Special Monitoring Mission is not only the OSCEs biggest and highest profile operation, but also one of its most vital, De Ridder said.

Mandated since 2014 to observe and report impartially on the situation in Ukraine, it has been an invaluable tool in documenting ceasefire violations, providing essential data to policymakers, and facilitating dialogue among belligerents, she added.

De Ridder reminded all parties to the conflict that the SMM is authorized by consensus decisions of all 57 OSCE participating States, and that its freedom of movement must be unconditionally respected.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on October 17, militants with the Russian occupation forces blocked the exit from the OSCE SMM patrol base in the temporarily occupied Horlivka, prohibiting the monitors from leaving the hotel premises. The monitors were told they were not allowed to leave until Ukraine releases a member of one of the illegal armed groups, detained near Zolote on October 13.

On that day, Russian occupation forces resorted to a gross provocation as an armed group sporting armbands of the Joint Center for Ceasefire Control and Coordination were caught red-handed on a reconnaissance mission under the guise of a demining effort near the abandoned positions of Ukraines Joint Forces.

One of the group members, Russian national Andrey Kosyak, was detained on the spot.

On Monday afternoon, the OSCE SMM reported that the Mission had resumed its work in Horlivka.

From January 1, 2022, Poland will be chairing the OSCE. Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau has recently stated that one of Warsaw's priorities during its presidency will be to resolve crisis in eastern Ukraine.

im
On October 19, Russian occupation forces eight times violated the ceasefire in eastern, while a Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in one of the enemy attacks.

Thats according to the press service of the Joint Forces Operation Headquarters, Ukrinform reports.

Toward Avdiyivka, Russian mercenaries fired automatic grenade launchers, while anti-tank grenade launchers and small arms were fired at Zaitseve.

The enemy employed 120 mm mortars, attacking the Ukrainian positions outside Hranitne and Lopaskyne.

Near Katerynivka, Russian armed groups opened fire twice, using 120 mm mortars, grenade launchers of various systems, large-caliber machine guns, and small arms.

Not far from Vodiane, in the Sea of Azov littoral, mercenaries engaged Ukrainian troops with 82 mm mortars.

The positions of Ukrainian soldiers near Verkhniotoretske came under automatic fire and were shelled with anti-tank grenades.

Using weapons that are not proscribed by the Minsk agreements, Ukrainian defenders are reported to have returned fire to the enemy's armed provocations.

As of 7:00 Kyiv time on October 20, another ceasefire violation was recorded near Berezove where the enemy used small arms.

A Ukrainian soldier was wounded in the attack. He is now in satisfactory condition after being evacuated to a medical facility.

im
Russia may resort to new provocations against representatives of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has reported on Facebook.

According to Ukraine's military intelligence, the Russian leadership may continue the operation to discredit the Mission.

"The incident related to blocking the work of the OSCE Mission and taking international observers hostage has once again demonstrated the Russian authorities' disregard for all norms of international law and their inability to comply with their commitments," the report said.

The Main Intelligence Directorate has repeatedly recorded provocations and information and psychological operations being carried out by Russia ahead of high-level international meetings.

Read also: OSCE SMM resumes patrolling from its base in Horlivka

According to the report, the objective of the Russian occupation administrations is to create artificial problems for the work of the Mission's observers on the eve of talks between the foreign ministers of the Normandy Four countries, which are to be held in the near future.

"Ukraine will use all diplomatic opportunities to resume the work of observers in the temporarily occupied territories," the statement said.

On October 17, Russian-backed forces blocked the exit from the OSCE SMM's forward patrol base in the temporarily occupied city of Horlivka. Observers were also not allowed to leave the hotel.

op
The Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group has said that the Russian Foreign Ministry has officially recognized the participation of Russian citizens in the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine.

According to Ukrinform, the Ukrainian delegation reported this in a statement on its Facebook page.

"We congratulate Russian representatives on this courageous step: it is difficult to acknowledge the reality after eight years of consistent lies," the Ukrainian delegation said.

"We wish Russian diplomats strength and inspiration in overcoming the next barrier: official recognition of the full responsibility of the Russian leadership for starting and continuing the international armed conflict in eastern Ukraine. This is the main guarantee of the real peaceful resolution," the Ukrainian delegation said.

According to the authors of the statement, "we once again congratulate the Russian Foreign Ministry and support its leadership in their bold steps in favor of ending Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. Hold on, we know how difficult it is for you now."

The post also gives a link to a comment by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova "in connection with the detention of Russian citizen A. V. Kosyak in Ukraine."

On October 17, Russian-backed forces blocked the exit from the OSCE SMM's forward patrol base in the temporarily occupied city of Horlivka. Observers were also not allowed to leave the hotel. OSCE monitors were told that "they were not allowed to leave the hotel premises until the member of the armed formations reportedly detained by the Ukrainian Armed Forces inside the disengagement area near Zolote on 13 October had been released."

On October 13, Russian occupation forces resorted to a gross provocation as an armed group wearing armbands of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination were caught red-handed on a reconnaissance mission under the guise of a demining effort near the abandoned positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. One of the group members, Russian national Andrey Kosyak born in 1978, was detained on the spot. Weapons and ammunition were seized from him. Ukraine's law enforcement agencies suspect the man of committing a serious crime in 2010 in accordance with Article 115 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine

The OSCE SMM reported on October 18 that the Mission had resumed its work in Horlivka.

op
The European Commission has announced an additional 3.5 million in humanitarian aid to support vulnerable people affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the EU Delegation of Ukraine notes, the newly allocated 3.5 million will help the most vulnerable people, including elderly and people with disabilities, meet their basic needs. It will also address access to health services, as well as psycho-social and mental health support. The aid will reach vulnerable people living on both sides of the contact line.

People in eastern Ukraine continue to live in fear and struggle to meet their basic needs... This additional funding will help them access healthcare and essentials, and prepare for the upcoming winter. The EU will support people in eastern Ukraine for as long as needed, but only permanent peace can bring a real solution, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic said.

It is underscored that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the humanitarian situation, resulting in even more instability and vulnerability.

The European Union stands by the people of Ukraine, including the most vulnerable ones, in the face of the conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic. Humanitarian assistance is a key element of our support, said EU Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore during his visit to Kramatorsk.

The EU Delegation of Ukraine notes that the European Commission has allocated 29 million in humanitarian aid for eastern Ukraine in 2021. Since the start of the conflict, the EU has provided 194 million to help people in Ukraine.

As reported, the European Union has provided Ukraine with a total of 190 million in aid to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and a 1.2 billion macro-financial assistance program.

ol
Russian-backed forces continue to block the hotel in occupied Donetsk where OSCE observers reside, according to daily report 245/2021 published by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine on October 19, 2021.

"The SMM continued to observe a gathering in front of the hotel where Mission members reside in the central part of non-government-controlled Donetsk city. There was no patrol movement in and out of its premises in Donetsk city on 18 October," the report reads.

It says that throughout the day, around the hotel, the SMM observed a gathering of between 20 and 60 people (mixed genders and ages). At the same time, the "protesters" were playing extremely loud music over a speaker. The SMM measured that sound levels reached up to 110 decibels.

"[The SMM] observed that some of them communicated with handheld radios and that they placed wooden pallets on the driveway of the hotel, which could hamper vehicle access to the hotel entrance," the OSCE Mission said.

The report also states that observers saw "several protesters arriving during the morning of 18 October examining, exchanging, and signing papers with what appeared to contain lists of names."

"In the morning of 18 October, three Mission members exited the hotel to perform vehicle checks in the parking lot of the hotel. Ten participants of the gathering (men in their twenties and thirties) in civilian clothes allowed the Mission members to approach the SMM vehicles only after about 2-3 minutes, and one of them (a man in his thirties), informed the Mission members that they would monitor the SMM's maintenance activities," the report said.

At the same time, several of the participants used their mobile devices to record these activities of Mission members. After checking the vehicles, the Mission members returned to the hotel.

"On several occasions during the reporting period, the SMM observed different vehicles blocking the gate leading to the parking lot at the rear of the hotel and the presence of members of the armed formations around the hotel, some of whom were visibly armed)," the report said.

It also notes that due to the situation, the SMM was not able to conduct the regular COVID-19 tests for its staff because of dwindling stocks in addition to not conducting patrols.

According to the report, the gathering near the hotel in Donetsk continued on October 19.

On October 17, via CCTV cameras, the SMM saw two civilians (a woman and a man, in their thirties) attaching a hand-written cardboard poster to the fence of the Mission's office premises in Luhansk city with a message critical of the Mission's activities. The SMM removed the poster.

On October 13, Russian occupation forces resorted to a gross provocation as an armed group wearing armbands of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination were caught red-handed on a reconnaissance mission under the guise of a demining effort near the abandoned positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. One of the group members, Russian national Andrey Kosyak born in 1978, was detained on the spot. Weapons and ammunition were seized from him. Ukraine's law enforcement agencies suspect the man of committing a serious crime in 2010 in accordance with Article 115 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine

After that, on October 15, the Russian occupation administration in Donetsk staged a "protest" in front of the hotel where OSCE SMM members reside, criticizing the SMM's activities and specifically events that occurred inside the disengagement area near Zolote on October 13, when a member of the armed formations was reportedly detained by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

On October 17, Russian-backed forces blocked the exit from the OSCE SMM's forward patrol base in the temporarily occupied city of Horlivka. Observers were also not allowed to leave the hotel. OSCE monitors were told that "they were not allowed to leave the hotel premises until the member of the armed formations reportedly detained by the Ukrainian Armed Forces inside the disengagement area near Zolote on 13 October had been released."

The OSCE SMM resumed patrolling from its base in Horlivka in the afternoon on October 18.

op
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom to Ukraine Melinda Simmons, who is on a working visit to Ternopil region, praised the partnership between the two countries.

"I am very glad to be in Ternopil region for the first time. I am most proud of the fact that there is a truly bilateral partnership between Ukraine and the United Kingdom. With colleagues from the G7, our work this year has been aimed at advancing reforms. We constantly meet with ministers and officials, and this trip to Ternopil region is our first opportunity to travel together outside the capital and see how the reforms we support are implemented locally and how they influence the lives of people in the regions," Simmons said, Ukrinform reports with reference to the press service of the Ternopil Regional Council.

Mykhailo Holovko, Chairman of the Ternopil Regional Council, noted that the region was interested in investments.

"We are interested in establishing close economic ties with the UK and attracting investment to our region. The projects of interest to investors include the construction of industrial parks and the resumption of the airport operation. Agriculture is also one of the key industries," said Holovko during a conversation with Ambassador Simmons.

As reported, over the past year, Ternopil region has increased the volumes of processing vegetables and oilseeds with Britain more than 1.5-fold. One of the largest agricultural companies in the region is the Continental Farmers Group, a company with Saudi-British capital. The region is ready to increase bilateral trade, including with the support of the UK's Export Credits Guarantee Department.

Earlier, Wendy Morton, the Minister for Europe and Americas at the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, announced the establishment of the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine which will begin its work by December 2021 and aims to attract up to $35 million from donors within three years.

Photo credit: te-rada.org

ol
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted a package of laws on the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), which is fundamentally important for further cooperation between Ukraine and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, MPs supported bill No.5850 "On Amendments to some Laws of Ukraine concerning certain issues of activities of the National Bank of Ukraine". A total of 255 MPs supported the document at its second reading. In particular, the bill envisages amendments in part of regulating the issues of internal management in the National Bank.

The Verkhovna Rada also passed a law that would allow the National Bank to purchase legal services to represent its interests in foreign jurisdictions. Some 268 MPs voted for the relevant bill at its second reading, No.5852, "On amendments to Article 3 of the Law of Ukraine On public procurement concerning the procurement of legal services by the National Bank of Ukraine".

In addition, the Verkhovna Rada approved amendments to the Budget Code to clarify the information provided by the National Bank for the preparations of the Budget Declaration. The relevant bill, No.5853, "On Amendments to Article 33 of the Budget Code of Ukraine to clarify the information provided by the National Bank of Ukraine for the preparations of the Budget Declaration" was supported at second reading and in its entirety by 267 MPs.

As a reminder, strengthening the independence of the National Bank was one of the key conditions for providing Ukraine with the next tranche of the IMF.

iy
Between January and September 2021, more than 1.1 million tourists from Ukraine visited Antalya Province.

Ukrinform reports this with a reference to data published by Antalya Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism.

"Between January and September 2021, 1,108,486 tourists from Ukraine visited Antalya Province, which is 16.39% of the total number of guests from foreign countries," the report says.

In the same period last year, 448,189 tourists from Ukraine visited Antalya, which accounted for 18.54% of all foreign tourists.

This year, the tourist flow from Ukraine rose by 147.33%. Ukraine ranks second in the number of tourists who visited Antalya.

It is noted that the share of tourists from Ukraine was 8.01% (663,061) in 2017, 6.07% (650,582) in 2018, and 5.81% (726,602) in 2019.

iy
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hopes for further growth of Saudi investments in promising sectors of Ukraine's economy.

As the Ministrys press service reports, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (CDTO) Dmytro Senik met with Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Ukraine Mohammed Al-Mashar on Tuesday, October 19.

The diplomats discussed the intensification of high-level bilateral political contacts, including the preparation for a regular meeting of the Intergovernmental UkraineSaudi Arabia Commission on Trade, Economic, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation.

Senik praised the growth of trade between Ukraine and Saudi Arabia, the unprecedented increase in tourist flow facilitated by the visa liberalization and the launch of direct flights between the two countries in 2021.

The parties also exchanged views on regional security on the Arabian Peninsula.

According to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, about 30,000 Saudi tourists visited Ukraine in May-July 2021, showing an eight-fold increase compared to the same period in 2019.

In October 2020, Ukraine and Saudi Arabia resumed the practice of holding political consultations between the ministries of foreign affairs after more than a 10-year break.

ol
The competent authorities of Ukraine and Georgia have agreed on the form of a certificate for the exports of poultry meat, offal and other poultry products from Ukraine to Georgia, Ukrinform reports, referring to the Ukrainian Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

We are creating new opportunities for Ukrainian companies to earn more money abroad. This means more currency earnings to Ukraine, strengthening of the hryvnia, taxes paid to the budget and new jobs. This week, Ukrainian poultry companies received new opportunities of exports to Georgia," Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba has said.

According to him, relevant authorities create needed conditions for expanding Ukrainian goods to foreign markets.

In turn, Head of the State Service on Food Safety and Consumer Protection Vladyslava Mahaletska said that Georgia is an important trade partner of Ukraine.

Currently, Ukrainian poultry farmers have been given additional opportunities of exports to this country. I am confident that bilateral trade relations between the countries will only grow in the future," she said.

As Ukrinform reported, on October 19, the competent authorities of Ukraine and Libya agreed on a bilateral form of a veterinary certificate for the exports of breeding cattle from Ukraine to Libya.

iy
In September 2021, Ukraines electricity exports decreased by 11.5%, to 304.3 million kWh compared with August 2021, imports dropped by 966 times, to 0.028 million kWh, Ukrinform reports, referring to the press service of NEC Ukrenergo.

In September 2021, imports amounted to 0.006% of the total electricity consumption within the trade zone of the Burshtyn TPP Energy Island. Imports were carried out only to the Burshtyn TPP Energy Island from Romania for two hours - from 04:00 to 06:00 on September 21. Compared to August 2021, the total volume of imports decreased 966 times, from 27.1 to 0.028 million kWh, the report says.

In September 2021, electricity exports decreased by 11.5% to 304.3 million kWh due to a significant decrease in exports from the trade zone of Ukraines integrated energy system. Thus, compared to August 2021, exports from Ukraines integrated energy system decreased by 43.3% - to 85.13 million kWh. At the same time, exports from the Burshtyn Island TPP increased by 13.1%, compared to August, to 219.2 million kWh. This was due to a significant increase in exports to Slovakia - 3.8 times. In addition, exports to Hungary increased by 6.6%, whereas exports to Romania decreased by 9%.

In January-September 2021, Ukraines electricity exports exceeded imports by more than 2.7 times - 2,779 million kWh against 1,014 million kWh. The largest volumes were exported to Hungary - 1,235 million kWh (44.4% of the total) and Poland - 725 million kWh (26.1%). Another 470 million kWh were exported to Romania (16.9%). As to electricity imports, the largest volumes were imported from Belarus - 522.6 million kWh (51.5% of the total) and Slovakia - 285.4 million kWh (28.1%).

As reported, in August 2021, compared to the previous month, Ukraines electricity exports decreased by 6.1% (to 344.1 million kWh) and imports grew 21.9 times (to 27.1 million kWh).

iy
Ukraine is fully prepared for the beginning of the heating season, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said.

He said this at a government meeting on Wednesday, October 20, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Ukraine is absolutely ready for the heating season and the whole country will have the heat this winter," Shmyhal said.

He noted that the declaration of a state of emergency in the regions, which took place last week, allowed Naftogaz of Ukraine to speed up the conclusion of gas supply agreements with budget-sustained organizations. Shmyhal called such decisions technical.

He also said that there would be enough gas in underground storage facilities for the heating season.

Naftogaz earlier set the price of natural gas in the current heating season at UAH 7.96 per 1,000 cubic meters (not including transportation) for households and at UAH 13.7 per 1,000 cubic meters (not including VAT and transportation) budget-sustained organizations.

op
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Edgar Rinkevics reveals comprehensive support for Ukraine from international partners. In particular, a special package of documents is being prepared for the Eastern Partnership Summit scheduled for December 15 in Brussels.

We are currently getting ready for the Eastern Partnership Summit scheduled for December 15. It is necessary to prepare a package of documents for it, to outline how the cooperation between the European Union and the EaP countries, especially with Ukraine, will be strengthened, Rinkevics said in an interview with Ukrinform.

According to Rinkevics, the issue of assistance to Ukraine was also discussed during his meetings within the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, as well as at the talks of the foreign ministers of the three Baltic states with UKs Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Elizabeth Truss last week.

The Latvian minister also stressed that the international partners would like to see the dynamic progress of reforms in the development of the state in Ukraine. However, we hope that domestic political issues will not interfere with the overall reformist mood," Rinkevics summed up.

Read the full Ukrinforms interview with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Edgar Rinkevics soon.

ol
The Latvian Foreign Minister has spent a long time in office. The accumulated experience allows him to see more deeply the landscape of the existing problems in various areas of international life.

We spoke with Edgars Rinkevics at the Riga Conference 2021's annual foreign policy and security forum, which took place on October 15-16.

GAS CRISIS TO BE DISCUSSED AT EU SUMMIT

- Now Europe is experiencing a large-scale energy and gas crisis. Is there an understanding in the EU and NATO of the measures, most likely joint ones, that need to be taken in the short and long term?

- These issues are also being discussed within the Alliance, but, of course, the issue of energy policy is more of the issue related to the European Union. The EU is now considering ways to address the current situation, especially rising prices. On October 13, the European Commission made specific proposals, both short-term and strategic, to avoid such crises. In the short term, for example, it has been proposed to reduce energy taxes, including VAT. These issues will also be discussed very soon, at the EU summit (in Brussels on October 21, - ed.). And then decisions will be made.

- Many experts talk about the special role Gazprom and Russia played in provoking the latest crisis.

- As for Russia's role in the current situation, the issue is also being analyzed. But so far there is no clear evidence that this is provoked by the Russian Federation. At this stage of the study, it would be hasty for me to draw conclusions and issue any loud statements.

- A week ago, the diplomacy chiefs of the United Kingdom and the three Baltic States met at a residence in Kent. What can you tell us about the meeting?

- It was a good meeting, already our second one. Let me remind you that the first meeting took place in March 2021, when Mr. Raab was UK Foreign Secretary (Dominique Raab held the position from July 24, 2019, to September 15, 2021, - ed.). Now we have continued our communication with Elizabeth Truss. The agenda was really extensive, starting with bilateral and regional relations, as well as security issues. We discussed our common policy towards Russia and China. And we agreed on a more specific elaboration of possible cooperation in countering the "hybrid war" that is currently being waged by the Belarusian authorities against Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland (the migration crisis provoked by the Lukashenko regime, - ed.).

We also talked about the ways to provide more assistance to Ukraine. Yes, the United Kingdom is no longer a member of the EU, while remaining engaged in a pro-active policy towards the Eastern Partnership countries, especially Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia.

And we went beyond regional issues, discussing security in Europe and NATO in general. I repeat, it was a very productive meeting that will yield further discussion.

NON-RECOGNITION OF CRIMEA OCCUPATION SHOULD BE A FACT

- How is cooperation developing in the Ukrainian direction?

- First of all, Id like to remind you that this year, in April, we had a very important visit to Ukraine by three foreign ministers of the Baltic States.

- Yes, we remember this and are grateful for this. Then there was a difficult situation with the amassing of Russian troops on our border.

- That visit of ours was important as a symbolic step, a sign of support ... Later, in August, the President of Latvia, Mr. Levits, attended the Crimea Platform, participating in its work. Now we have specific ideas for the development of the Crimea Platform. The initiator is President of the Republic of Latvia. He is an extremely qualified lawyer, a former judge of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights. Mr. Levits would like to uphold the focus set by the Crimea Platform within the UN. We need to constantly highlight the importance of the policy of non-recognition of the occupation.

- In this sense, the Baltic States have their own experience, sad in some ways, but in some ways positive. I mean a half-century-long occupation by the Soviet Union.

- Yes, when the time came to restore independence, this policy did work out. It was easier to pursue this process as almost the entire international community did not recognize the fact of occupation of our countries ... Similarly, we must ensure that non-recognition of the Crimea occupation becomes a legal and political fact. It is necessary to speak about it, to remind about it within the framework of the UN, OSCE, and other regional organizations.

We are also currently preparing for the Eastern Partnership Summit to be held on December 15 (in Brussels, - ed.). It is necessary to draft a package of documents for it, to outline how the cooperation between the European Union and the Partnership countries, especially with Ukraine, will be strengthened. I can also say that the issue of assistance to Ukraine was also discussed during the meetings I had within the framework of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. There are also some ideas to this end

But, on principle, we would like to see that reforms toward Ukraines development continue dynamically, so to speak. And it is to be hoped that at the same time, domestic political issues wont hinder the general reformist mood.

- What working contacts are in plans with the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Dmytro Kuleba?

- I wish to believe that COVID-19 and all related problems will not prevent us from fulfilling all that is planned (after the interview it became known that the government of Latvia made the decision to introduce lockdown for the period from October 21 to November 15, - ed.). In particular, it is expected that Mr. Kuleba will visit Riga soon.

NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS TO MEET IN RIGA

- When the new administration took over the White House, it seemed that mutual understanding with European allies began to strengthen, but there was a crisis in relations with France. How strong was this shock? Have its implications been tackled?

- I'll start from afar. On October 25, I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary in my current post.

- My congratulations to you, in advance!

- Well, theres the thing, for some it's a holiday, for others it's not. Seriously, without any sarcasm, over the years Ive faced various situations, including sort of similar ones. Sometimes, a common language between allies is quite easy and fast to find. Sometimes, there are quite tough debates, and not only in a closed-doors format as some things make it into the public domain and receive wide coverage in the press. This happened, for instance, when the American military campaign in Iraq began, while Germany and France opposed it. There were other episodes like this. But this is a normal thing for NATO, an organization with 30 Allies on board.

The key point we would like to see in the first place is that such issues be discussed and resolved without affecting the Alliances general policy and general direction. And it better be done bilaterally. By the way, we also discussed the issue at a meeting with the British foreign secretary on October 11.

It is important that a NATO foreign ministerial will be held in Riga from November 30 to December 1, where we will develop a new strategic concept. It is expected to be approved by the Heads of State and Government at the NATO Summit in Madrid (June 29-30, 2022 - ed.). Our task is to find ways to strengthen the Alliance. We will also discuss what needs to be taken into account in the future given the Afghanistan experience and the withdrawal of troops from there. Remember, immediately after this event, in the first two to three weeks, many claimed thats it, the Alliance is finished, everythings falling apart, complete horror. Now its been largely forgotten. Whatever you do, there are ups and downs in the life of any organization. Such cases shouldnt be dramatized. So we will get through this one, too.

Summing up, of course, we would like our good friends, allies, both France, the United States, and the United Kingdom, to address problems that have arisen and to be able to continue working on issues that are important to all of us. At the global level, its about climate change, global stability, and human rights. At the regional level, its about opposing forces that seek to destroy the balance of stability and the European security system. We do have things to discuss and accomplish. This unites us more than some episodic differences that weve had, still have, and will have from time to time. I would not want to make a drama or tragedy out of it.

NEW SANCTIONS ON MINSK ARE POSSIBLE

- You have already mentioned the negative impact on the security situation on the part of the incumbent regime in Minsk. Could you dwell on the issue?

- Earlier, the European Union made great efforts toward cooperation with this country. At the same time, speaking with Belarusian diplomats, we noted that, if the situation with political freedoms and human rights deteriorates sharply, this will, of course, affect relations between Belarus and the EU. This happened after the August 2020 elections, which we did not recognize due to a lack of transparency. Besides, the grounding of a Ryanair passenger jet flying over the countrys territory is something from the Middle Ages. What were seeing now  elements of a hybrid war through exploiting individuals, migrants  took the situation to another level. Indeed, we would really like to help people facing repression in Belarus, wed like to see some things get better, but so far the only thing were seeing is deterioration. This means both with regard to the hybrid war thats being against us and with regard to the situation of political rights and freedoms of Belarus citizens, a very possible option is to impose another package of sanctions.

Oleg Kudrin, Riga
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba says the words of the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, about the Normandy Four foreign ministerial are "spit in the faces" of France and Germany.

The comment came during Kulebas online briefing on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The head of Ukrainian diplomacy noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin during the latest talks with the French president and the German chancellor vowed a meeting of foreign ministers in the Normandy format.

"The German minister is ready. I am also ready for the meeting. We are constructive. But Sergei Lavrov shows its not for a constructive conversation between ministers that hes set up but rather for a wordplay competition with his own spokeswoman. That is why Lavrov's words are just a spit in the faces of France and Germany, Kuleba said.

As reported, Lavrov commented on Kyiv's statements about the meetings, saying even fiction is not enough to cover all this. They fantasize everywhere and every day.

The Russian top diplomat also branded Ukraine's initiatives to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian armed conflict "a stream of consciousness."

The head of Ukrainian diplomacy stressed an agreement clearly reached by the Normandy Four leaders that a ministerial must take place, to prepare the ground for a summit.

"At the same time, we havent yet received any signals from Russia that they are ready to hold it. Sergei Lavrov's latest statement undermines the peace process and runs counter to the agreements reached by the leaders of the Normandy format. I urge my Russian counterpart to agree to hold ministerial meetings within the Normandy Four and sit down at the negotiating table, Kuleba said.

As reported, on October 11, Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron.

On October 15, Zelenskys Press Secretary Serhiy Nykyforov said Russia showed no readiness to meet within the Normandy format at the level of the top diplomats.

im
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine makes efforts to hold a meeting of the Lublin Triangle interparliamentary assembly in Warsaw in December.

We are actively developing the Lublin Triangle with Poland and Lithuania. The initiative of Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal to hold a meeting at the level of the Lublin Triangle Heads of Government is on the agenda now. We also make efforts to hold a meeting of the Lublin Triangle interparliamentary assembly in Warsaw in December this year with the participation of parliamentarians from Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said at an online briefing on Wednesday, October 20, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

He noted that the activities of the Lublin Triangle went far beyond the foreign ministries of the participating states. According to him, other government agencies ask Ukrainian diplomats to organize meetings in the Lublin Triangle format. In this context, he cited as an example the initiative of the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine to hold a trilateral meeting with Lithuanian and Polish colleagues.

"We gladly took this request and work towards its implementation," the minister assured.

Kuleba also informed that the Ministry would welcome on October 27 the members of the national youth councils of Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania who would sign a memorandum on the establishment of the Youth Lublin Triangle as an international platform for youth cooperation in culture and public diplomacy.

The minister summed up that the Lublin Triangle actively developed and covered all new areas of cooperation between the three countries at all levels: heads of governments, parliaments, civil society.

The Lublin Triangle is a trilateral platform for political, economic, cultural, and social cooperation between Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine, aimed in particular at strengthening dialogue between the countries, supporting Ukraine's integration into the European Union and NATO, and jointly countering Russian aggression.

ol
Vaccination compliance is high at Providence St. Mary Medical Center, officials said Tuesday, Oct. 19, and the state mandate isnt expected to have a significant impact on operations.

Providence officials, who released the agencys employee COVID-19 vaccination numbers Tuesday, said they knew the community had concerns about the impact of Washington states mandate on the Walla Walla hospital and wanted to give residents current information regarding its more than 1,100 employees.

Five troopers serving Walla Walla-area Washington State Patrol district fired over vaccine mandate SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE: Is the mandate helping or hurting attitudes about vaccination in the Valley? What does the mandate mean for hospitals, police agencies and other institutions locally? Find out as we investigate these questions throughout the week.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced in August that all state health care workers had to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 18, along with state employees and long-term care workers.

As of this morning, Providence in Walla Walla, including Providence St. Mary Medical Center and Providence Medical Group, has a compliance rate of 98% with the COVID-19 state vaccination mandate, a news release said.

That means Providences staff members have either been vaccinated or received a medical or religious exemption, officials said.

We are grateful that the vast majority of our caregivers have received their vaccinations  an essential step toward keeping our patients and caregivers safe. The remaining caregivers who did not submit proof of vaccination or submit an exemption request were placed on leave, and we are working with each individual to help them come into compliance.

The high vaccination rate means hospital operations will not be significantly affected by staff losses associated with the states vaccination rule, but one of the smallest programs, cardiac rehabilitation, is being paused for four to six weeks.

Providence patient and U.S. military veteran Tom Carter has been worried about this moment.

Carter, 76, initially feared the cardiac rehab program would close altogether, which would be a tremendous loss for the community, he said.

I just got a double stent six weeks ago in Spokane, and rehab is a very important key to my recovery.

That he was carrying around a completely blocked vein came as a shock to the retiree, who called the situation a widow maker.

With its discovery, he dodged a bullet and got it fixed, Carter said.

Since the surgery, he has been attending sessions at Providence twice a week. With the program closing temporarily, Carter is being directed to go to Tri-Cities for his rehabilitation work.

Thats not happening, he said.

Thats two times a week, 120 miles each time. I am not going to do this.

Carter said he feels fortunate to be healthy again and capable of doing just about anything, including fence building and wheelbarrow pushing. But many of his fellow patients are older and in visibly declining health, he said.

Im not so concerned for myself, but for other people in there. Shutting the program down is really going to affect other peoples health.

Providence recognizes that cardiac rehabilitation is important for some patients, spokeswoman Kathleen Obenland said.

Thats why we have invested in the program by hiring additional staff.

The temporary halt to the service will give those new employees, hired to enhance cardiac care, time to get familiar with the program here, Obenland said.
Debra-Lynn B. Hook: Who really needs self-help? Clutter freaks, or minimalists obsessing over clutter freaks?
Columbia resident Shawn Matthews snapped this photo of the Aug. 26 Washington Fire from North Shepherd Street between Elkin and Dodge streets.
Mrs. Evelyn Holland Reddick Dixon, 81, passed away on Nov. 14, 2021. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, at 11 a.m. in the Williams Funeral Home Chapel in Milledgeville. A burial service will be held at 2 p.m. in the Alligood Cemetery in Laurens County. The family wil
Union Springs, AL (36089)

Today

Clear skies. Low near 40F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low near 40F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 20th Oct, 2021) Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) has organised a business meeting with a joint delegation from Estonia, Latvia and Sweden.

The meeting was attended by Saeed Ghumran Al Rumeithi, BoD Deputy Treasurer of ADCCI; Mohamed Helal Al Mheiri, Director General of ADCCI; as well as Jaan Reinhold, Ambassador of Estonia to the UAE; Atis Sjanits, Ambassador of Latvia to the UAE; and a large number of representatives of businesses operating in the ICT sector from Abu Dhabi and the participating countries.

"The UAE enjoys distinguished relations with each of Sweden, Estonia and Latvia," Al Rumeithi said, adding that the total trade with these countries has been steadily growing over the last few years, exceeding a total of $1.3 billion in 2019.

He pointed out that the UAE has investments in the three countries in the fields of finance, insurance, real estate, wholesale, retail trade, and construction. "Moreover, the UAE outward investment in your countries has been in diverse sectors as porcelain, ceramics, air transport, shipping, storage and wholesale among others," he added.

Some of the UAEs main investors include Abu Dhabi Investment Company, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, RAK Ceramics, and Emirates Airways.

Over the last few decades, the UAE has worked hard to set up an advanced infrastructure that would enable it to provide an excellent quality of life, as well as accommodate advanced technologies. This includes artificial intelligence and the internet of Things, said Al Rumeithi.

He emphasised on the Chambers readiness to extend its full support to businesses investing in Abu Dhabi in this strategic sector, and to provide all the necessary facilities to help make their investments successful.

Meanwhile, ambassadors of the participating countries expressed their appreciation for the Chambers efforts in serving the business community in Abu Dhabi, saying that Abu Dhabi has become the perfect destination to start businesses and enter Asian and African markets to explore further opportunities.

They stressed that Expo 2020 Dubai which the UAE is hosting will bring together the business community around the world.

The potential of the UAE market is great and that is something that frankly all should be exploring, they said.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Washington, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Oct, 2021 ) :The US group 3M, which among other things manufactures anti-Covid protective face masks, said Tuesday it will pay $99 million to settle complaints related to health and the environment.

"3M has reached a collaborative agreement to resolve ongoing litigation and negotiations related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) near 3M's Decatur, Alabama facility," the company said in a statement.

Lawsuits had been filed against 3M in three US states - Alabama, Illinois and Minnesota - as well as in Germany and Belgium, charging that its products contain potentially harmful chemicals known as PFAS which are present in wide variety of products such as Teflon, paints, packaging or textiles.

The agreement was signed with the city of Decatur, Morgan County, plaintiffs from Saint John, and the Tennessee Riverkeeper organization, said the manufacturer of post-it notes, adhesive tape and Covid face masks.

"Through these agreements, subject to final approval, 3M will support activities to address PFAS that 3M manufactured or disposed of, as well as to enhance the quality of life for Decatur residents," the group said.

3M said in April 2019 that it had set aside $548 million to settle the dispute, as well as another dealing with complaints against its coal mines in Kentucky and West Virginia.
Washington, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Oct, 2021 ) :A US Supreme Court justice on Tuesday rejected a request by health workers in Maine to block a statewide vaccine mandate, while their wider legal challenge against the measure proceeds.

All healthcare workers in the state will have to be fully vaccinated under the mandate, which comes into force on October 29.

Several unnamed health workers and one health provider insist the decree violates their constitutional right to freedom of religion, citing conscientious objections to the vaccine.

They brought the case against Maine Governor Janet Mills and other officials, and have asked the courts to put a preliminary block on the mandate while their case is heard.

On Tuesday, Justice Stephen Breyer -- who responds to emergency applications from Maine -- denied their petition for a preliminary injunction, which had already been rejected by a district court.

He said they were free to apply again, "after the Court of Appeals issues a decision on the merits of the appeal." Later on Tuesday, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed the lower court's refusal to block the requirement.

Last week, the Federal District Court in Maine ruled that the requirement did not violate the workers' First Amendment right to freedom of religion.

The court said they could not prove they had "been prevented from staying true to their professed religious beliefs which, they claim, compel them to refuse to be vaccinated against Covid-19."
(@FahadShabbir)

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill on Wednesday said incompetent courtiers were making failed attempt to make the accountability process controversial

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Oct, 2021 ) :Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill on Wednesday said incompetent courtiers were making failed attempt to make the accountability process controversial.

In response to the statement of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Ahsan Iqbal, he said the PML-N leaders were making efforts to prove themselves innocent in media instead of being accountable.

He said corruption and mafia could be eradicated only through justice in the new Pakistan.

Pakistan placed in the Global Hunger Index was at 106 during PML-N tenure, which has come down at 92 despite coronavirus pandemic, he added.

Gill said incompetent courtiers were suffering the most from the state of Madinah. However, there was no room for looters and plunderers like Sharif family in the welfare state, he added.
(@FahadShabbir)

Begum Samina Alvi, wife of President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday said every eighth woman in Pakistan was at the risk of suffering from breast cancer and stressed the need for an urgent plan of action to reduce the growing number of such patients

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Oct, 2021 ) :Begum Samina Alvi, wife of President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday said every eighth woman in Pakistan was at the risk of suffering from breast cancer and stressed the need for an urgent plan of action to reduce the growing number of such patients.

Addressing at an awareness walk on breast cancer held here at the National Institute of Health (NIH), she said establishing a national cancer registry was need of the hour to formulate effective policies in line with the accurate database on the disease, including breast cancer.

Begum Alvi said early diagnosis was the best way to check breast cancer instead of the expensive and painful treatment at later stages of the disease.

She said in Pakistan with 0.1 million new cancer patients every year, breast cancer among topped the list of various forms of the disease.

She emphasized on raising mass awareness in the society to shun taboos affiliated with breast cancer.

Begum Alvi said a healthy woman could positively contribute to the society and advised the women to practice self-diagnosis, which could save precious lives.

She said though October was marked across the country as the breast cancer awareness month, however stressed that the message needed to be spread persistently throughout the year.

She urged the women parliamentarians to play a strong role in highlighting the issue in their Constituencies and sensitize the people.

Samina Alvi said she would visit all provinces in the current month to raise awareness among girls and women at schools and colleges about the breast cancer.

Dr Faisal Sultan, Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Health said the government was making efforts to strengthen the Primary care centres to treat cancers of different kinds including breast cancer.

Dr Nosheen Hamid, Parliamentary Secretary on Health said lack of awareness was the main reason behind the alarming death rate of 98 percent in patients with breast cancer in the country.

Later, Begum Alvi led the awareness walk along with Executive Director NIH Major General Aamer Ikram, Parliamentart Secretary for Foreign Affairs Andleeb Abbas, doctors, researchers and women from all walks of life including the breast cancer patients.
Parliamentary Secretary for Water Resources Saleh Muhammad Wednesday informed the National Assembly that the total land required for construction of the Dasu Hydropower Project would be acquired by December 31, this year

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Oct, 2021 ) :Parliamentary Secretary for Water Resources Saleh Muhammad Wednesday informed the National Assembly that the total land required for construction of the Dasu Hydropower Project would be acquired by December 31, this year.

Responding to a question during the 'Question Hour', he said, "The total land required is 5,051 acre, out of which 4,244-acre land have been acquired so far while the remaining 807 acres will be acquired by December 31, 2021."Work on two Diversion Tunnels, Underground Power House, Transformer Cavern, and Traffic Tunnel was in progress, he added.

About Electro-Mechanical Works, he said contract (EM-01) amounting to Rs52 billion had been commenced since November 11, 2019, while equipment design work was in progress.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th October, 2021) Facebook plans to change its company name next week, US tech blog The Verge reported, citing a source.

The possible name change is designed to reflect the company's "focus on building the metaverse," and to signal the tech giant's "ambition to be known for more than social media and all the ills that entail.

"

After the rebranding, the blue Facebook app would likely be positioned as one of many products among others, like Instagram and WhatsApp, under a parent company.

A Facebook spokesperson refused to comment, the US technology blog said.
ROME (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th October, 2021) The Senate leadership of the Italian parliament has banned senators from working without a green pass - the COVID-19 vaccination certificate - after a lawmaker refused to present her COVID-19 certificate, the Italian media reported on Tuesday.

Earlier on Tuesday, member of parliament Laura Granato refused to show the green pass at the entrance to the parliament building and went to a meeting of the Commission on Constitutional Affairs.

After the leadership of the Senate was informed about the situation, the speaker of the upper house of parliament, Elisabetta Casellati, confirmed at a general meeting that the rules for presenting a green pass when coming to work also apply to the members of parliament.

Granato, who was then sanctioned with a ban on participation in parliamentary activities for 10 days, called the decision a "unilateral government action" and "distortion" of the regulatory principles.

From 15 October, all workers in Italy must present the so-called green pass - electronic COVID-19 vaccination certificate - to access their workplaces. Opponents of these measures held a series of demonstrations, the largest of which took place in Milan, Rome and the port of Trieste.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

A coalition said Wednesday it killed more than 82 Huthi rebels in air strikes on two districts near Yemen's strategic city of Marib, during a second week of intense fighting

Riyadh, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Oct, 2021 ) :A coalition said Wednesday it killed more than 82 Huthi rebels in air strikes on two districts near Yemen's strategic city of Marib, during a second week of intense fighting.

"Operations targeted 11 military vehicles and killed more than 82 terrorist elements" in the past 24 hours in the districts of Al-Jawba and Al-Kassara, the coalition fighting in Yemen said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.
Australia-based mining giant Rio Tinto on Wednesday announced plans to cut direct carbon emissions 50 percent by 2030, ramping up previous targets as the firm tries to green its highly polluting operations

Sydney, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Oct, 2021 ) :Australia-based mining giant Rio Tinto on Wednesday announced plans to cut direct carbon emissions 50 percent by 2030, ramping up previous targets as the firm tries to green its highly polluting operations.

Rio Tinto said it would spend around $7.5 billion from now until the end of the decade to cut so-called scope one and two emissions -- from mining operations and power consumption.

"Governments are setting more ambitious targets and accelerating actions on climate change," a statement said, stressing the firm's need to "stay relevant".

"Society at large is also demanding companies take more action to decarbonise." The mining titan has faced criticism for years over the pollution generated by its operations, including poisonous waste at a mine in Papua New Guinea.

Consultants at McKinsey have estimated that mining accounts for around four to seven percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

But the figure rises to almost one third of the global total when indirect emissions -- which are not included in Rio Tinto's target -- are taken into account.

They include emissions from others burning the mines' coal or using its iron ore to make steel.

Rio Tinto's pledge comes just weeks before a major international climate summit in Glasgow, aimed at decarbonising much of the world by 2050.

The 2030 target, which Rio Tinto said was a tripling of its previous aim, will heap pressure on Australia's government to follow suit.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has reluctantly embraced a 2050 carbon-neutral target after years of foot-dragging, and under diplomatic pressure from the United States and other allies.

But he is also under pressure from coal-loving coalition partners, and has so far recoiled from setting a new 2030 target.

Morrison has a minuscule parliamentary majority and faces a tough reelection battle, meaning he is unlikely to go to Glasgow with a meaningful short-term target in his pocket.

Critics say that raises the prospect of the issue being kicked to the next generation of Australian leaders and making the 2050 target less likely to be met.

Australia is one of the world's largest coal and gas exporters and its economy is highly reliant on the mining sector.

Greenpeace Australia-Pacific praised Rio Tinto's decision "as an indicator of rapidly building corporate momentum on emissions reduction".

"We're now seeing one of the biggest polluters in the country outstripping the Federal government in its climate commitment," Greenpeace said.

"Scott Morrison's weak climate targets aren't fit for purpose as the business energy transition leaves them in the dust."
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Russia regrets US absence at the Moscow-format negotiations on Afghanistan and hopes that Washington remains committed to cooperate, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th October, 2021) Russia regrets US absence at the Moscow-format negotiations on Afghanistan and hopes that Washington remains committed to cooperate, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday.

"We express regret over the fact that our US colleagues do not participate in this meeting.

We have noticed that the US avoids the Extended Troika meeting for the second time in a row ... I hope this is not explained by some serious problems," Lavrov said.

"I hope that the US remains ready to actively engage in the effort on Afghanistan and the new special representative will join further steps, including following this round of talks in the Moscow format," the foreign minister added.
DAMASCUS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th October, 2021) Terrorists planted three explosive devices in a Syrian military bus and then detonated them in the center of Damascus, close to the Damarose Hotel, but one bomb was not activated, a source in a security service told Sputnik on Wednesday.

Fourteen servicemen were killed in the explosion, according to preliminary information.

"The explosive devices were planted in the bus. Two of them exploded, and the third did not work, it was defused by mine pickers," the source explained.
(@FahadShabbir)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th October, 2021) Three people were killed and two severely injured in a shooting in the United States city of Kenosha in the state of Wisconsin, Kenosha Police Department (KPD) said Wednesday.

"KPD is on the scene of a shooting near the 600 of 40th place. We can confirm that three are deceased.

Two more victims were transported to hospitals, one via Flight For Life. Both are critical. KPD believes this to be an isolated incident with no threat to our community," the KPD said on Twitter.

The KPD noted that police officers were not involved in the shooting and are yet to pursue any suspects.

A further investigation into the events of the shooting is in progress.
The members of the UN Security Council will travel to Mali and Niger later at the end of October to meet with the leaders of the two countries, the United Nations spokesperson's office said in a statement on Wednesday

UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th October, 2021) The members of the UN Security Council will travel to Mali and Niger later at the end of October to meet with the leaders of the two countries, the United Nations spokesperson's office said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The UN Security Council will be embarking on a scheduled trip to Mali and Niger from 22 to 26 October 2021. During the trip, Council members will meet various leaders from the two countries, as well as civil society," the statement said.

The UN Security Council aims to ensure that Mali's transition to civilian rule carries on as planned, the statement said. The representatives will also engage in talks on the issues of terrorism and climate change in the Sahel and examine how the UN Security Council can support the region.

In August 2020, a group of Malian soldiers started a mutiny at the Kati military base near the capital city of Bamako.

Insurgents kidnapped several ministers and high-ranking military officials, including former President Ibrahim Boubakar Keita, who later dissolved the government and parliament.

Last September, the parties agreed on a transition period that would last for 18 months and lead to holding parliamentary elections. Bah N'Daw, a former defense minister, was appointed as interim president. However, in late May, Mali saw its second coup as Col. Assimi Goita ousted the new president and prime minister for allegedly violating the transitional charter.

The country's constitutional court has appointed Goita as interim president.

Mali is simultaneously facing an insurgency by various armed groups, especially in the northern areas bordering Burkina Faso and Niger.
(@FahadShabbir)

MEXICO CITY (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th October, 2021) The Venezuelan government intends to expand investment cooperation with Syria, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"Vice Minister for Asia, the middle East and Oceania Capaya Rodriguez held an important working meeting with Ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic Khalil Bitar designed to increase and encourage foreign investment in the two countries," the ministry said on Twitter.

The last high-level meeting between then Foreign Minister of Venezuela Jorge Arreaza and Syrian top diplomat Faisal Mekdad took place in March 2021. At the meeting, the sides discussed the US government's actions against their countries.
BUENOS AIRES (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th October, 2021) Venezuela will begin using booster doses of coronavirus vaccines in January 2022, President Nicolas Maduro said.

"In January, we will begin using booster doses to vaccinate the population, starting with the health care and education sectors," Maduro said during a meeting on education, which was broadcast on Twitter.

Venezuela has the Sputnik V, Sinopharm and Abdala vaccines. In addition, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said that in the near future deliveries of the Russian vaccine EpiVacCorona to Venezuela are expected to start.
New Orleans, LA  U.S. Marshals Service Eastern District of Louisiana New Orleans Task Force (USMS)-led, operations Missing Child Unit (MCU) Return of the School Year and Sex Offender Investigations Branch (SOIB) NO Saints and Sinners 2021 conducted in the New Orleans, Louisiana metro area ran from August 01st until September 30, 2021, resulting in the rescue or recovery of 8 missing/endangered children. An additional 3 children self-returned during the operation and 3 more were located. MCU Investigations led to recoveries in Phoenix, Arizona where a female teen was in route to Las Vegas, NV to meet up with an older adult male she met on the internet. Two recoveries were made in a rural area of southern Mississippi. One arrest was made in St. Bernard Parish involving an adult family member of the missing/endangered teen. A rifle stolen out of New Orleans was recovered in Tangipahoa Parish on August 27th during one of the MCU investigations that also involves possible gang activity. Investigations as part of the two-month MCU operation also uncovered allegations of human sex trafficking of minors during several of the cases.



The USMS SOIB Operation NO Saints and Sinners 2021, a sex offender enforcement and compliance check operation resulted in the arrests of 18 sex offenders for sex offender registration violations. 46 sex offender compliance checks were done during the operation with 33 verified compliant, 3 verified as being noncompliant, and 10 needing further investigation. These checks were done in both Jefferson and Orleans Parishes. One sex offender, Joseph Edward Cantrell, who had been in violation of his registration in Georgia since at least 2017 and having three prior convictions involving children was located living in the Central Business District of New Orleans and was arrested on a LA State Police felony warrant for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. Another lifetime registration sex offender from Delaware, Roman E. Byler, having two prior felony sex-based convictions with juveniles was located unregistered and living in New Orleans on August 23 in a high drug trafficking area walking with another male with a history of criminal activities. Byler was wanted out of Delaware on an August 2021 felony warrant related to cutting off his Electronic Monitor (EM) and fleeing his Delaware Probation based on a prior DE conviction for Rape 4th Degree Sexual Penetration of a Victim less than 16 years of age. Fugitive Tier 3 sex offender, Gerald Dominick, whos original sex-based conviction involved a female teenage victim was wanted on a LA State Police warrant for felony Failure to Register as a Sex Offender issued in July 2020. Dominick was residing in Westwego, LA and attempted to hide in a bedroom prior to his arrest by LA State Police. Information developed by the USMS Sex Offender Targeting Team assisted LA State Police in locating him. Additionally, the SOIB operation resulted in the arrest of six (6) additional fugitives to include an adult male wanted by New Orleans Police on a September 2021 warrant for Sexual Battery on a 7 year old victim, another adult male on a New Orleans Police Department warrant for 2 counts of Production of Child Porn on a 14 year old female victim that was related to a prior USMS MCU case, and an adult male on a July 2021 Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Capias based on a Grand Jury Indictment for Aggravated Rape and Aggravated Kidnapping that occurred in 1989 but the suspect was recently identified via a DNA hit. That fugitive had recently been released from prison and was already considered a habitual offender and lifetime sex offender registration (Tier 3) based on a prior Forcible Rape and Burglary conviction.



New Orleans was one of the original U.S. cities to begin a USMS pilot program for the Missing Child Unit in 2016, and U.S. Marshals Service Eastern District of Louisiana Deputy U.S. Marshals have provided instruction to other USMS districts and state agencies on how to coordinate their MCU operations, which have gained national news attention within the last two years.



The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 enhanced USMS authority to assist federal, state, and local law enforcement with the recovery of missing, endangered or abducted children, regardless of whether a fugitive or sex offender was involved. The USMS established its Missing Child Unit to oversee and manage the implementation of its enhanced authority under the act. In fiscal year (FY) 2021, the USMS New Orleans Task Force recovered 43 missing/endangered children or family abductions. An additional 16 children self-returned during the investigation and 5 children were recovered via other efforts.



This was another example of the results that can be accomplished with continuing law enforcement teamwork, and I am very proud of the long-term partnerships created by our USMS New Orleans Task Force with other local, state and federal agencies in combating violent crime and recovering missing/endangered children, said U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Louisiana Scott Illing. Much of this work was also accomplished while dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in the New Orleans metro area.



Participants in the two Operations: Return of the School Year and NO Saints and Sinners 2021 included: U.S. Marshals Service New Orleans Task Force

U.S. Marshals Service Districts of Southern Mississippi and Arizona

New Orleans Police Department

Slidell Police Department

Covington Police Department

Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office

St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office

Louisiana State Police

FBI New Orleans Field Office

Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services Any information about missing/endangered children should be reported to your local police department and or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-The-Lost. Information about violent fugitives can be provided to the U.S. Marshals Service at (504) 589-6872, via email at usms.wanted@usdoj.gov, or with the USMS tips app. Crimestoppers GNO may also be contacted with tips at (504) 822-1111. Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov. ####



Americas First Federal Law Enforcement Agency


For current and former students at the Gregorian Universitys Faculty of Social Sciences, Rome, the death of the Faculty Dean at only 49 years has been both shocking and painful.

Vatican News English Africa Service.

The Jesuit priest, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Romes Gregorian University, Father Jacquineau Azetsop, who died on 13 October 2021 in Rome, was put to rest on Saturday 16 October. The funeral Mass was at the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola in the Campus Martius area.

Fr Azetsops funeral was celebrated together with that of another Gregorian University lecturer, Fr Linus Kujur S.J, a professor in the Faculty of Missiology, who also died last week.

According to a news release of the Gregorian University, Father Azetsop had just recovered from Covid-19 in September when he underwent a delicate emergency operation following a cerebral thrombosis. He succumbed to the illness last week,

A deep commitment and responsibility

In a letter to the Gregorian University community, the Rector, Father Nuno da Silva Goncalves S.J., described Fr Azetsop as a dedicated and generous academician.

We have all witnessed the generosity with which Fr Azetsop led the Faculty of Social Sciences, without measuring energy or time in this mission that he lived with deep commitment and a great sense of responsibility, said Fr Goncalves. He added, At this sad time, my heartfelt condolences go out to the professors, lecturers and students of the Faculty of Social Sciences and to his family, as well as to all those who knew him and have a living memory of him. We entrust Fr Azetsop to the Lord, as an expression of our gratitude for his creative service to the Church and for his teaching in our University and in various institutions around the world, he said.

Biography

Father Jacquineau Azetsop, S.J. was born in Douala, Cameroon, in 1972 and was ordained a priest on the 21 June 2003. In 1997, he obtained a licentiate in philosophy at the Faculte de Philosophie Saint Pierre Canisius, Kinshasa (DRC). In 2002 a licentiate in theology at Hekima University College in Nairobi (Kenya), then a licentiate in theology at the Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge (USA). In 2007, he obtained his doctorate in social and religious ethics from the Boston College School of Arts and Sciences (USA) with a thesis entitled, Structural violence, population health and health equity in Africa, published in 2010.

Several students expressed sadness at the demise of the Jesuit priest and professor.
SANDRA ESPARZA is a News and Features Reporter for The Vidette. Esparza can be contacted at smespa1@ilstu.edu. Follow Esparza on Twitter at @esparzasandra21

IF YOU SUPPORT THE VIDETTE MISSION of providing a training laboratory for Illinois State University student journalists to learn and sharpen viable, valuable and marketable skills in all phases of digital media, please contribute to this most important cause. Thank you.
Sewer backups are not an Act of God. Sewage doesnt fall out of the sky; rain falls out of the sky. The damage that occurred to most of these homes was not damage from flood water. This was a sewer backup event.

-Will Mahrt, Mahrt Law Office Lawyer representing Bloomington homeowners

Pull Quote
Vietnam employs a unified set of accounting and bookkeeping standards known as Vietnamese Accounting Standards (VAS).

Understanding regulations related to accounting and bookkeeping are important cost considerations for investors.

Investors should prepare for the future as Vietnam looks to implement IFRS  the most common accounting language globally  by 2025.

For companies choosing to invest in foreign jurisdictions, taxes and other payments to governing authorities are among the most important cost considerations  issues that are of no exception in Vietnam. Understanding the regulation of accounting and bookkeeping can go a long way towards developing an efficient business strategy that minimizes costs and ensures compliance.

Vietnam employs a unified set of accounting and bookkeeping standards that guide how expenses and revenues of companies operating within its borders must be recorded. These generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), known within the country as Vietnamese Accounting Standards (VAS), act as the primary set of guidelines on the manner in which accounts and books are prepared and recorded.

Framework for Vietnam Accounting Standards

Local and foreign-invested companies doing business in the country are required by law to comply with Vietnam Accounting Standard (VAS) when recording their financial transactions. Foreign companies may choose to manage two accounting records; one based on the VAS and another compiled specifically for the overseas head office.

In practice, many foreign companies maintain an accounting system according to VAS and only covert financial statements into the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on a quarterly basis for the foreign parent companys reference.

Any business operating in Vietnam, whether foreign-invested or local, which mainly conduct transactions (including sales, purchase, and provision of goods and services) with foreign currencies are permitted to choose a monetary unit in accounting and must notify relevant tax authorities of their choice.

Once a foreign currency is selected as an accounting currency unit, an enterprise cannot change it except for special circumstances, such as when there are significant alterations in the companys transactions. It is also important to be aware that besides preparing a financial statement in the selected foreign currency, an enterprise must convert the statement into Vietnamese dong before publishing and submitting it to appropriate regulatory authorities.

In a nutshell, the VAS requires that accounting records:

Are in the Vietnamese language, or can be combined with a commonly used foreign language;

Use Vietnamese Dong (VND) as the accounting currency, but foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) are allowed to select a foreign currency as their accounting currency;

Comply with the Vietnam chart of accounts; and

Include numerous reports specified by VAS regulations, printed on a monthly basis and signed by the General Director and affixed with the company seal.

Accounting period timeline

An accounting period in Vietnam is generally determined according to the calendar year, i.e. January 1 to December 31. However, a 12-month period beginning the first day of each quarter, e.g. April 1 to March 31 of the following year; July 1 to June 30 of the following year; or October 1 to September 30 of the following year, can also be adopted after registering with the Tax Department.

Compliance is crucial

Companies are advised to double-check their accounting system, taking care to spot possible VAS non-compliance issues. There have been recent reports that some provincial tax authorities cite VAS non-compliance as a basis for collecting additional tax and recovering paid VAT refunds. In addition, tax authorities can penalize companies for VAS non-compliance through the disallowance of input VAT credits and withdrawal of CIT incentives.

All foreign-invested entities are required to have their annual financial statements audited by an independent auditing firm. Statutory audits in Vietnam are performed in accordance with the Vietnam Standards on Auditing.

Foreign companies need to be aware of a new Decree 05/2019/ND-CP on internal audit in Vietnam that went into effect on April 1. The new decree applies to state-owned authorities, public service organizations as well as private listed companies to implement and adopt internal audit (IA) practices.

Organizations are required to have a Chief Accountant. Annual financial statements must be approved by the chief accountant and the legal representative.

Audited financial statements and tax finalization filing must be done within 90 days from the end of each financial year. After fulfilling these obligations and giving notice to local managing tax offices at least seven working days in advance, foreign investors may remit profits abroad.

Move towards IFRS by 2025  plan ahead

The Vietnamese government is further moving towards adopting the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which will replace VAS. The government hopes to implement IFRS by 2025, which has been a demand from listed companies and FDI firms. The move is significant as this is in line with international best practices, enhancing transparency and effectiveness in corporate governance.
Corporate budgets are designed to help a business achieve its strategic goals in a measurable way. Vietnam Briefing highlights the methods and tips for corporate budgeting in the context of the Vietnamese market.

Corporate budgets are an important tool that help an enterprise transform their strategy into action. It is also estimated that up to 60 percent of businesses do not link their corporate strategy into their budgets. While 2020 disrupted corporate budgets significantly, it is of utmost importance to develop a sound corporate budget plan for 2021 given the pandemic this year.

As the world sets into a new normal, businesses will need to plan all aspects of their operations and budgets including staff, contracts, technology, work from home arrangements, supply chains, and possibly travel.

What is a corporate budget?

Definitions vary, but a budget is a way to allocate funds for financial, physical, and human resources to achieve a companys goals. Corporate budgets help companies monitor progress towards their goals, control spending, and foresee cash flow and profit. Businesses face difficulties in predicting the future and thus planning for a budget is difficult but an important task. A perfect example is this year, when the pandemic hit, disrupting budgets in a way no one could have predicted.

What is involved in budgeting?

Company managers have to plan for a budget for the upcoming year. This planning involves financial objectives and what needs to done to accomplish the objectives. The budgeting process also involves management control. This involves performance benchmarking and holding managers responsible for keeping action plans on schedule to achieve the desired objectives. It is important to align your companys budget to your strategic plan. This may involve goals aligned with your companys HQ, which may be based in another location.

Another tip would be to reforecast. A budget may become obsolete in the next month or year, and especially in the context of COVID-19. By amending the budget, it can be updated throughout the year and even every month. This way the budget will remain relevant and updated regardless of exigencies and diverse circumstances.

A common complaint is that budgeting requires a significant amount of time. A way to alleviate this is by automating reports, databases, and charts in an online capacity. This can be done using existing IT infrastructure with tools such as SharePoint and Microsoft Teams. Businesses can improve access to existing corporate information hubs and promptly create new corporate channels for information exchange. In light of the pandemic, access via Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)  which encrypts data in transmission can also be considered. This saves tremendous time for different business departments and allows for interactive meetings.

What aspects need to be taken into account for budget planning?

There is no one size fits all. Depending on the industry, businesses will need to tailor and plan budgets according to their requirements and strategic goals. In Vietnams context, Dezan Shiras Senior Business Advisory Manager Filippo Bortoletti notes, Firms should conduct a legal review of commercial contracts or take into account costs associated with legal advisory if they plan a new venture or a new business line.

For human resource functions, it is important to take into account the new labor code, which will come into effect in January 2021. While the government is expected to issue guiding documents, HR departments should study the new law on how it may impact HR functions from the new year.

Another important aspect is tax. Businesses should prepare for any changes as per new rules according to the recently issued law on tax administration. In addition, with low tax collection due to the pandemic this year, the tax authorities will likely be more aggressive in tax audits. Businesses should take stock and assess their liabilities and plan for the next year. For businesses with overseas operations, new transfer pricing regulations which will come into effect on December 20, 2020, will also need to be taken into account.

Filippo further states, firms need to take the following factors into account when planning their budgets for next year:

Estimate revenue and revenue sources;

How to generate revenues (staff planning, source of materials, partnerships, and outsourcing);

How to improve the current business model (structure, internal policies etc) and how regulatory changes can impact the aforementioned points; and

Assess tax impact and net takeaway for shareholders.

Businesses also need to consider staff expenses, raw materials, inputs in general, compliance costs, and recurring and new IT infrastructure costs.

Planning ahead will help business decisions

Corporate budgets are a necessity in most organizations despite the time and resources it can consume. If done the right way, organizations can benefit and achieve their goals efficiently through careful planning. Budgets that accommodate change and make use of technology can act fast and decisively if additional resources become available or if a situation changes drastically.

This year has probably been the biggest learning experience for businesses grappling with the effects of the pandemic. Nevertheless, it allows them to plan better and have a diverse set of simulations when planning for their budgets in the coming year.
You must be logged in to react.

Click any reaction to login.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Radio reporter Khut Sokun says he is doing less reporting this year. The reason: fear of Cambodia's national internet gateway, which he and others say allows the government to monitor all online activity.

Internet service providers in Cambodia have until February 2022 to redirect all their traffic through a regulatory body, or gateway, known as the NIG.

But since Prime Minister Hun Sen's government issued a regulation, known in Cambodia as a sub-decree, earlier this year, Sokun says he has adopted a "more cautious approach" to his reporting and comments posted online.

Sokun is not alone. Other journalists and rights groups who spoke with VOA say the regulation, which allows for punishment "in accordance with relevant laws," has increased the fear of arrest among media, critics and ordinary citizens.

In a country with limited media freedom, the broad powers outlined in the NIG, including the power to monitor activity and block or disconnect the internet, are seen by many as another tool to suppress voices and increase fear.

Some have highlighted privacy concerns and the possibility of surveillance. Under the decree, operators must store data, share status reports and request that users verify their identities.

For Sokun, who reports for Voice of Democracy, one of Cambodia's few remaining independent broadcasters, the regulation has had a direct impact on how he works.

He has avoided reporting on protests and other events, saying, "The NIG did not help with my professional work; instead, it made it harder for me to report."

The journalist says his online activity and communications with sources risk being monitored and his reporting has angered authorities.

Local officials threaten him while he is working, Sokun said, and authorities have confiscated his equipment and taken his photo as he covers news events.

"I'm concerned about my personal safety and rather scared," Sokun told VOA in a phone interview. "If we express something (online), the government knows everything."

Suppression and eavesdropping

Cambodia has taken action against critical or independent reporting, including revoking the licenses of media organizations, arresting journalists for online reporting and ordering the blocking of content on news websites.

The government suppressed critical reporting in the run-up to the 2018 elections and during the coronavirus pandemic.

During the pandemic, Sovann Rithy, founder of the Facebook-based outlet TVFB, was charged with incitement after reporting on comments made by Prime Minister Hun Sen. Rithy was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

The prime minister himself recently entered a Zoom video call uninvited during a meeting of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party. Hun Sen said at a later event shared on Facebook that he had listened in on about 20 opposition calls without revealing himself, The Associated Press reported.

The incident has added to fears over internet privacy.

In an already controlled environment "the fear has risen," Robin Ramcharan, executive director of Asia Centre, told VOA in an interview about the internet gateway. "The capacity for internet control has increased dramatically, and it might be possible for the government, when it wishes, to simply turn off the switch."

"People are reluctant to speak openly and to express themselves now openly on the internet platforms, on the social media," Ramcharan said.

His Bangkok-based think tank found in August that critics and human rights defenders have "retreated into self-censorship and withdrawal from political engagement to ensure their survival."

Chhan Sokunthea, media development director of The Cambodian Center for Independent Media, parent organization of the Voice of Democracy, shared a similar view.

"Since the sub-decree on the NIG came out, social media users have been more fearful; they are more cautious when they use the internet," she told VOA.

Cybercrime protection

The Cambodian government has defended the need for the gateway, saying it will help manage cybercrime and make it easier to collect revenue.

"This is every government's obligation; which country does not control the internet or online (space)?" government spokesperson Phay Siphan asked VOA, adding that authorities have "no intention" of using the gateway to restrict rights or freedom.

But media and digital rights analysts are not convinced. Under the regulation, officials can limit, suspend, and revoke the licenses of internet operators and service providers and "prevent and cut off all connections affecting security, social order, morality, culture, tradition, and custom."

"The sub-decree allows government officials to surveil and monitor and even to shut down (the internet) when they see or suspect that the internet is being used in a way they deem inappropriate or affecting national security," said Nop Vy, executive director of Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association, an independent media organization based in Phnom Penh.

Ngeth Moses, a Phnom Penh-based freelance internet security consultant, said although part of the NIG was aimed at collecting national revenue lost to tax evasion, some clauses restricted people's rights and freedom, especially their online privacy.

"The government should ensure the application of the new regulation not cause fear to the internet and social media users so that journalists and the general public can get back to their active roles in performing their duties and free expression in political and social matters," he said.

Cambodia has around 8.8 million internet uses among its population of 16 million, according to Statista.

And surpassing the country's population are its 17 million mobile internet subscribers, according to statistics from the government's Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia. The difference is attributed to some people owning more than one phone.

Despite wide internet use, rights groups, including Freedom House, have said that digital freedom in Cambodia remains under threat.

The country is listed as only partly free in the rights group's Freedom on the Net report, scoring 43 out of a possible 100. The group cited the internet gateway and other legislation that limits access to information online as reasons for the poor score.


On this edition of Straight Talk Africa, host Hayde Adams takes a look at the effect of the #MeToo social movement on women in Africa. Our guests include Audrey Kawire Wabwire, media manager at Human Rights Watch, Naasu Fofanah, an author and womens rights activist and Rosebell Kagumire, editor of AfricanFeminism.com
Among all the challenges facing Afghanistan, the most enduring is its position as the worlds leading producer of opium. Growing, cultivating, and selling the by-products of the indigenous poppy plant is entwined into Afghanistans economy & culture. And it has created an opium addiction crisis in Afghanistan. Before the U.S. military left the country, VOAs Afghan Service traveled from the mountains to the cities, documenting the depth of the situation. Heres part one in our series Afghanistans Addiction Crisis, narrated by Anne Ball.
Former Afghan prosecutors at the Bagram prison's legal and justice center - where thousands of Taliban and other militants were detained - say they are now in danger. VOA's Waheed Faizi has the story.




Laborers from Kenya say they have endured abuse in the Middle East, often at the hands of their employers. But an aid agency is offering them a chance to rebuild their lives in Kenya. Hundreds of survivors of forced labor are now able to access support offered by a group that offers a soft landing for those in need.

Faith Murungas store on the outskirts of Kenyas capital is open for business. It has been barely six months old in operation, helping her put food on her familys table.

It isnt what she had anticipated when she left Kenya in 2019 for work in Saudi Arabia, a popular work destination for those unable to find jobs in Kenya. She says what she was promised as she emigrated and what she found there were worlds apart.

She says, the boss came and told me that as long as I agreed to travel to their country, I must do each and every chore. He said, I would not have the right to complain. They had paid a lot of money to buy me. I was therefore their property, Murunga said.

During her two years of service in Saudi Arabia, Murunga suffered both emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her employer, until a good Samaritan came to her aid and facilitated her return to Kenya.

Back home, she received help from Haart Kenya, an organization that fights human trafficking and helps people like Faith.

Since Haart Kenya was formed in 2010, the organization has helped more than 700 survivors of forced labor who have come home scarred.

Mercy Atieno, the organizations outreach manager, says the survivors, 80% of them women, have varying degrees of trauma when they seek help.

When a survivor comes to us, they are distressed. Some of them appear abused. They dont know what to do next and you find someone who does not know where to start, they do not have a house, they dont want to go back home because everyone knows they went abroad, so they are expecting they will come with something, Atieno said.

The organization takes in survivors of forced labor and other work-related abuses and helps them rebuild their lives through counseling, training, and supporting their ability to make a living. Mercy Atieno explains.

This process is a very participatory process, where together with the case worker and the survivor, charting ways through which they are going to work together for proper rehabilitation, so the survivor has a voice and they actually say no to a service, because our services are individualized, and they are survivor-centered, Atieno said.



The Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers, or KUDHEIHA, the union that fights for the rights of workers, says the migration of workers to the Middle East is likely to continue as long as Kenyas 10% unemployment rate stays as high as it is.

Albert Njeru, the unions general secretary, advises those seeking work as unskilled labor abroad to be extra vigilant.

Seek for proper information, consult widely, and before you go get it right, dont go where you can see black spots, Njeru said.

Haart Kenyas leadership says it is ready to handle cases like Faiths as they appear. For now, Faith says she is grateful for another chance at life, away from the abuse she suffered in a foreign land.
Australias national science agency has developed a surveillance system to analyze wastewater samples to detect COVID-19 on long haul flights.

Researchers in Australia say wastewater testing is another line of defense against COVID-19. The country closed its borders to most foreign nationals in March 2020, and restricted entry and departure to Australian citizens to curb the spread of the virus. However, restrictions will begin to ease in November. As global travel returns, the governments science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, or the CSIRO, believes sewage testing on incoming flights can be an effective way to screen passengers for COVID-19.

CSIROs Land and Water science director, Dr. Paul Bertsch, says the test is not time consuming.

We can turn samples around in as little as four hours. But one of the things that we are working on are much more rapid methods so that we could turn around samples even faster than that. So that the analyses could actually be done while passengers are going through customs and picking up their luggage et cetera, Bertsch said.

The study analyzed wastewater samples from lavatories of 37 Australian government repatriation flights from countries authorities categorized as COVID-hotspots, including India, France, Britain, South Africa, Canada and Germany landing at Darwin International Airport between December 2020 and March this year.

The research found that 65% of flights showed a positive signal for the virus that causes COVID-19 despite all passengers, except children under five, testing negative to the virus 48 hours before boarding.

Dr. Bertsch believes the system could be valuable.

The WHO (World Health Organization) continues to suggest to us that we need to be prepared for variants that perhaps are going to be even more challenging than the delta variant. We can actually detect variants in the wastewater as well, so that would also provide us a signal of when a specific variant if it does emerge somewhere in the world actually is entering Australia, Bertsch said.

The delta variant was first identified in India and is one of several variants of concern, health experts say. The WHO uses terms such as variants of concern or variants of interest to warn against strains that might easily spread.

Australias health experts hope to be able to detect the virus with the study published in the scientific journal, Environmental International. The study is a collaboration between the CSIRO, Australias national airline Qantas and the University of Queensland.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Democratic lawmakers are edging toward a deal on the scope of their cornerstone economic revival package and hope to reach a compromise as soon as this week, people briefed on the negotiations said Tuesday.

Scrambling to broker an agreement, Biden met with 19 lawmakers on Tuesday in an unusually busy day of legislative negotiations. He aimed to secure what may be the signature effort of his administration, a multitrillion-dollar, two-bill legislative package that expands social safety net programs and infrastructure spending.

One source said a deal could be announced midweek if things go well; two others said the White House was hoping for an announcement in coming days.

"After a day of constructive meetings, the President is more confident this evening about the path forward to delivering for the American people on strong, sustained economic growth that benefits everyone," White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a written statement issued Tuesday evening.

The talks centered on a "shared commitment to the care economy, ensuring working families have more breathing room, addressing the climate crisis, and investing in industries of the future so that we can compete globally," Psaki said.

"There was broad agreement that there is urgency in moving forward over the next several days and that the window for finalizing a package is closing," she said.

A spending package that was originally estimated at $3.5 trillion over a decade could be reduced to $1.9 trillion to $2.2 trillion, said Representative Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Progressive Caucus in the House of Representatives, after meeting with Biden.

Biden told Democrats in a private meeting that he believed a deal could be reached between $1.75 trillion and $1.9 trillion, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday evening.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also said Democrats aim to reach a framework deal this week. Speaking to reporters following a closed-door lunch with fellow Democrats, he said: "There was universal agreement in that room that we have to come to an agreement, and we want to get it done this week."

A deal is likely to be far less ambitious than Biden's original plan. Initiatives in that proposal that may see cuts include $322 billion for affordable housing, money for paid family leave and some $400 billion earmarked to increase home-based care for the elderly and disabled, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Biden has told lawmakers that a program providing free community college is on the chopping block and a child tax credit may be extended for fewer years than planned, according to people familiar with the discussions.

All of the people who spoke to Reuters warned that negotiations were fragile, still under way and that a deal could still collapse.

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has set October 31 as the deadline for the House to pass a $1.2 trillion infrastructure deal that the Senate has already approved and has broad bipartisan support.

Biden met on Tuesday with House progressives, who have been unwilling to pass the infrastructure bill unless it is coupled with the larger budget bill that would fund Biden's campaign pledges on climate, inequality and social programs.

"We all feel still even more optimistic about getting to an agreement," to get a large measure of what they wanted months ago, Jayapal said.

She said there still weren't "final" details on major portions of the initiative, including on climate change. Another progressive, Representative Ro Khanna, said Biden's plan for universal preschool remained a priority.

The president also met Tuesday with moderate Democratic senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, who have voiced concern about the size of the bill and pushed Biden to reduce the original cost. They have a virtual veto over his agenda because both chambers of Congress are controlled only narrowly by Democrats. Republicans largely oppose the larger social-spending bill.

Asked about the size of the spending bill, Manchin yelled, "I'm at $1.5" trillion to reporters in Congress on Tuesday evening.

Democratic Senator Jon Tester, who attended a White House meeting with another group of moderates, said afterward, "I think we're making really good progress, better progress than I ever thought we were making."

One of Biden's major selling points in last year's presidential campaign was his ability to find a middle ground at a time of deep political polarization, touting his 36 years as a moderate Democratic U.S. senator from Delaware.

Weeks of negotiations nonetheless failed to bridge the gap on the spending bill. Biden said on October 1 that he would find an agreement "whether it's in six minutes, six days or in six weeks," but White House officials were increasingly concerned as the weeks ticked by.
President Joe Biden returned Wednesday to his birthplace of Scranton, Pennsylvania, using the once-thriving, now-struggling town to argue that Americas global competitiveness hinges on his embattled infrastructure and social spending bills.

The bills are stalled in Congress because of disagreement among lawmakers in his Democratic Party.

What are we doing? a clearly frustrated Biden said. He spoke at Scrantons Electric City Trolley Museum after several days of closed-door meetings at the White House with holdouts in his party. This is the United States of America, damn it.

Scranton earned its Electric City" nickname as the home of one of the countrys first electric trolley lines in the late 1880s. But the city went into severe industrial decline after World War II, a trajectory that Biden said might also be Americas future.

For most of the 20th century, we led the world by a significant margin, Biden said. Because we invested in our people, we invested in ourselves, not only in our roads and our highways and bridges but in our people and our families. We didn't just build an interstate highway system  we built a highway to the sky, to outer space.

Competitive edge

While both are domestic legislative priorities, Biden often touts the infrastructure and the social spending bills, which include provisions for climate change mitigation, in the context of maintaining Americas global competitive edge. He focused on how provisions in the legislation would allow the country to better compete with China, which already has at least 35,405 kilometers of high-speed rail and is planning to double that by 2035.

You realize the Chinese are now building another high-speed rail line that will go up to 300 miles per hour, Biden said. You say, What difference does that make, Biden? Well, guess what? If you can get into a train and go from here to Washington much faster than to go in an automobile, you take a train. ... We will take literally millions of automobiles off the road, saving tens of millions of barrels of oil.

Jason Grumet, president of the Bipartisan Policy Center, a research institution in Washington, noted that these bills, which proponents say are meant to directly benefit Americans, are also necessary if the United States wants to maintain its global edge. According to the World Economic Forum, the U.S. trails Brazil, China, India and Mexico on clean energy and advanced communications infrastructure.

The bipartisan infrastructure plan creates the foundation needed for the U.S. to achieve its economic and environmental goals, Grumet said. We simply cant build a clean modern economy on top of outdated and degraded systems. ... Put simply, modern infrastructure is the key to confronting climate change and strengthening the U.S. economy.

During a visit to Hartford, Connecticut, last week, Biden pushed for his social spending bill, which includes more government investment in child care.

"How can we compete in the world if millions of American parents, especially moms, can't be part of the work force because they can't afford the cost of child care or elder care?" he asked at a child development center.

Lower price tag

On Tuesday, in hopes of reaching a compromise, Biden hosted moderate and progressive members of his party at the White House. To secure the support of moderate Democrats, the bills top line is likely to end up between $1.9 trillion and $2.2 trillion, down from Bidens original $3.5 trillion plan strongly supported by progressives.

Biden needs the votes of all 50 Democrats to pass the bill in the Senate in a budget procedure known as reconciliation, but moderate Democratic senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema say the price tag is too high.

This was the first time Biden had returned to Scranton since taking office. As a presidential candidate he chose his hometown of 550,000 to advance the idea of Scranton vs. Wall Street, pledging that his administration would shift the economic advantage from wealthy investors back to average Americans.

Some information for this report came from Reuters.
The United States is asking countries in the Western Hemisphere to step up pledges to tackle the immediate challenges of irregular migration as it expands eligibility for legal migration to the U.S.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks Wednesday with more than a dozen officials from Latin America at a regional migration ministerial in Bogota, Colombia. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas joined the gathering virtually.

The U.S. discussed options, including assisting with voluntary returns for migrants who do not have valid asylum claims to return their home countries.

"We increase law enforcement cooperation against the smugglers and traffickers.  We improve protection, screening, referrals along the way that we strengthen asylum processing  and maybe more than medium term, expanding legal pathways to migration, existing ones and new ones as well," Blinken said during a joint press conference with Colombian President Ivan Duque.

Duque confirmed that his government had received resources from the U.S. to tackle what he called "the most complicated migration crisis in the world": the Venezuelan migration crisis.

"We have seen more than 5 million people leaving the country with frozen bones, without access to food or medicine, that have moved to different countries, looking for opportunities. We have received in Colombia almost 1.8 million Venezuelan migrants. And we have created a policy framework to address this very complicated circumstance," Duque said.

Protecting the displaced

Refugees International, a Washington-based advocacy group, said U.S, leadership is critically needed to enhance protection of displaced people as Venezuelans and Haitians flee their homes.

"Secretary Blinken should use this week's ministerial conference in Bogota to engage with leaders on a myriad of policy opportunities, including creating a plan for addressing Venezuelan displacement in the region," said Rachel Schmidtke, Refugees International's advocate for Latin America.

"Secretary Blinken should also focus on supporting Colombia's new efforts to offer regularized status to people seeking safety. This move and those like it are offering much-needed hope and stability for displaced people and their hosts alike."

COVID-19 has hit Colombia hard. The country has seen a 7% drop in gross domestic product in 2020, leading to large-scale protests over issues such as socioeconomic inequality and trade relations with the U.S., according to Keith Mines, director of the Latin America program at the United States Institute of Peace.

Duque, who has come under fire by U.S. Democratic Party progressives over a crackdown on protests, said that his government has a zero-tolerance policy concerning human rights abuses and that reforms are being made within Colombia's national police.

Blinken said the U.S. is donating 6 million safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine doses to Colombia and more than $80 million to support the country's COVID-19 response.

Challenges to democracy

In a speech earlier Wednesday in Ecuador, Blinken outlined several challenges that democracies face in the Western Hemisphere. He said he was optimistic they could be overcome and noted that the survival of a democracy driven by ordinary people was vital to the shared future of the region.

Those challenges include corruption, civilian security, and the economic and social well-being of the people.

"The reality is, we've often put more energy into strengthening civil and political rights, as vital and important as they are  free and fair elections, the rule of law, freedom of speech and assembly  and less into strengthening people's economic and social rights, like bolstering labor standards, expanding access to adequate education and health, providing more inclusive opportunities. People across our hemisphere are demanding that we do both," Blinken said Wednesday in a speech at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito.

The United States has for the first time designated fighting corruption as a core U.S. national security interest, Blinken noted, as Washington cracks down on illicit financing and seizes and freezes stolen assets.

Since 2020, the U.S. has invested more than $10 billion in Latin America and the Caribbean through the International Development Finance Corporation. In Ecuador, the U.S. is working with the Banco de la Produccion to provide $150 million in loans this year to small businesses, especially those owned by women.

Blinken said these investments are done in a "transparent" manner and treat local communities as "partners," as he drew a stark contrast with the authoritarian governments that mire countries in the region "in a pernicious cycle of debt."

Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso declared a surprise state of emergency to combat violence late Monday, saying he would send troops to the streets to combat drug trafficking.

"The security forces to carry out these measures must abide by international standards and be held accountable when they are not doing so," Blinken emphasized during his Wednesday speech.

Chris Hannas contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday hailed Ecuador as a sign of democracy's success, just as the country's new leader declared a surprise state of emergency to combat violence.

Hours after President Guillermo Lasso said he was sending troops to the streets to combat drug trafficking, Blinken saluted him as a Latin American good-news story on a two-nation trip meant to highlight democracy.

"We appreciate very much that you are demonstrating convincingly that democracy can deliver real results for our people," Blinken said as he met Lasso at Quito's Carondelet Palace, where the top U.S. diplomat was welcomed by the trumpets of guards in royal blue uniforms and guitarists strumming behind them.

Blinken pointed to Ecuador's vaccination rate of more than 50%, a feat achieved since Lasso, a businessman, had been unexpectedly elected as the country's first right-leaning leader in more than a decade earlier this year.

"We applaud the work that you're doing to combat corruption to pursue reform that benefits people throughout Ecuador in an equitable way, and the work that we're doing together to combat narcotrafficking and to preserve our environment and climate," Blinken said.

Just as Blinken was departing Washington, Lasso said he was sending the armed forces and police to the streets across Ecuador in a 60-day emergency to fight drug trafficking.

Lasso told Blinken he was looking for broad cooperation with the United States.

"More than ever, Ecuador today shares the values that have guided the United States to prosperity since its founding," Lasso said.

Blinken will deliver a speech on democracy Wednesday from Quito that will likely focus on criticism of leftist leaders in Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua.

He will then head to Colombia, also led by an assertive right-wing president, Ivan Duque, a close ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Duque has come under fire from progressives in President Joe Biden's Democratic Party over a crackdown on protests. Biden has yet to meet Duque, but his administration has largely kept up support, seeing Colombia as another democracy in a region of growing political turbulence.

New type of relationship

Blinken will meet with human rights groups in both countries and address two key issues for the Biden administration: climate change and migration.

"It's a big democracy trip for Secretary Blinken, but it's also a realignment of the relationship with democratic Latin America beyond the traditional issues that have dominated the conversation for many years," said Muni Jensen, a former Colombian diplomat who is now a senior adviser at the Albright Stonebridge Group in Washington.

Colombia has pleased the Biden administration by adopting some of Latin America's most ambitious targets on climate change ahead of next month's high-stakes United Nations summit on climate, while Ecuador is especially sensitive as home of the Galapagos Islands.

In Bogota, officials said Blinken would meet with ministers from around the region on a humane migration policy amid a spike of desperate Haitians seeking to make the long trek to the United States from Colombia.

Kevin Whitaker, a former U.S. ambassador to Colombia, said that a strong message from Blinken on democracy  and on issues broader than just security cooperation  could have a significant impact at a time when U.S. competitor China is making inroads in Latin America.

"Democracy is on somewhat shaky legs in the hemisphere. We've seen authoritarian populism rise," Whitaker said.

The Trump era and the January 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters "served to discredit the model of American democracy for certain elites," he said.

Friction with Venezuela

Biden's worldwide push toward democracy and away from Trump's embrace of autocrats has proved subtle in Latin America.

Seeking progress on climate, the Biden administration has stepped up talks with Latin America's most populous nation, Brazil, whose far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, has mused about rejecting next year's election outcome.

Biden has also kept up the pressure on autocratic leftist leaders, after Trump's hard line was seen as paying political dividends in the key state of Florida.

Blinken's trip comes days after one of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro's close aides, Alex Saab, was extradited to the U.S. to face money-laundering charges.

He is accused of siphoning millions of dollars meant for food aid in the poverty-stricken country.
At least 14 people were killed Wednesday when two bombs exploded that were attached to a Syrian army bus in Damascus, state media reported

The attack was one of the deadliest in the Syrian capital since President Bashar al-Assad's troops forced opposition fighters from the capital's outskirts in 2018. A decade of fighting continues between the Syrian government and insurgents in other parts of the country.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred near a bus transfer point where commuters and schoolchildren usually converge.

State media quoted a military source as saying the two bombs had been attached to the bus before it began transporting army personnel and that the army had defused a third device

One of the last large explosions in Damascus occurred in 2017, when suicide bombers killed nearly 60 people in an attack on a judicial office building and a restaurant. The attacks were claimed by the Islamic State militant group, which has not held territory in Syria since 2019 but continues to pose a threat with sleeper cells hiding primarily in Syrias desert.

Shortly before the Damascus bombing, the Syrian army shelled a town in the last rebel enclave in northwestern Syria, killing at least 10 people, including four children and a woman.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the attack on the town of Ariha resulted in the highest civilian death toll in the Idlib area since March 2020, when a truce in the northwest was negotiated by Syrian allies Turkey and Russia. The truce has been repeatedly violated.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, AFP and Reuters.
Botswana wildlife authorities have refuted reports the country's rhinoceros population is on the verge of extinction due to poaching. The southern African country has battled a rise in poaching, with more than 60 animals killed in the last two years.

Department of Wildlife and National Parks Director Kabelo Senyatso said both rhinoceros and elephant poaching remain under control.

In a statement addressing poaching concerns, Senyatso said the government is committed to protecting the key species.

He added that, while isolated reports of poaching both the rhino and elephant continue to be reported, the government's anti-poaching efforts are making progress.

But conservationist Neil Fitt said poaching incidents could have dropped due to the decrease in the number of rhinoceroses in the Okavango Delta.

"Rhino poaching could have subsided only because there is lot less numbers there," Fitt said. "Elephant poaching is still happening, but we are getting very little reports because the government is not saying what is happening."

In a bid to stem the poaching tide, government security forces have killed more than 20 poachers in the last two years as part of a zero-tolerance campaign that Botswana has enforced since 2013.

Fitt said a multi-stakeholder approach to fighting poaching is key.

"The best that we can do is we all work together - the government, the private sector and NGOs. Sometimes you need to put your hand up and say we have got a problem, we need to solve it, and we need everyone to help, and we are open to all ideas, not just ideas that we like," he said.

Map Ives, former director at Rhino Conservation Botswana, said there is a need for an intelligence-based approach to counter poaching.

"That intelligence comes in several layers," Ives said. "You need local intelligence within the Okavango Delta. You need local plus intelligence, which is surrounding the Okavango Delta, and then you need regional intelligence that is from countries surrounding Botswana, including Namibia, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe. And then you need international intelligence. This sort of intelligence requires a high level of trust, not only government but between the private sector and NGOs."

According to a 2021 International Rhino Foundation status report released last month, the rhino population faces a significant poaching threat in Botswana.

But, the report notes, the government is taking steps to address the issue, including dehorning the rhinos to make them less attractive to poachers and relocating the animals to safer places.


A report by a special Brazilian Senate committee recommended Wednesday that President Jair Bolosonaro face criminal charges for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 600,000 people, the worlds second-highest death toll after the United States.

Senator Renan Calheiros prepared the nearly 1,200-page report, which accuses Bolsonaro of pushing the use of unproven remedies such as hydroxychloroquine even after they were shown to be ineffective, and delaying the purchase of vaccines.

The report calls for Bolsonaro to be indicted on multiple charges, including crimes against humanity, charlatanism and inciting crime.

The committee dropped a recommendation in their draft report to charge him with genocide and homicide. These charges were dropped due to opposition from committee members and concern that accusations perceived as excessive could undermine the report's credibility.

The report can still be changed prior to a committee vote on October 26, and the decision to file most of the charges rests with Brazil's prosecutor-general, a presidential appointee.

The report concludes that Bolsonaro believed that allowing the ailment to spread across Brazil would lead to herd immunity, when enough of the population becomes immune through previous infection. The coronavirus causes the COVID-19 disease.

The report also recommends that charges be brought against dozens of former and current government officials and allies of the president, including three of his sons, one of them a prominent senator.

The report went to the full 11-person panel Wednesday. The move follows a six-month investigation into Bolsonaros response to the pandemic, which he has dismissed as a joke and politically motivated.

Critics have denounced Bolsonaro for downplaying the severity of the pandemic by discouraging such mitigation efforts as mask-wearing, lockdowns and vaccinations.

The full committee is expected to approve the report next week and forward it to the presidents hand-picked prosecutor-general, making it unlikely Bolsonaro will be formally prosecuted.

Some information for this report came from the Associated Press and Reuters.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, who died Monday, is being remembered in Africa for peacemaking, supporting the fight against AIDS and sounding the alarm against war abuses.

Cameron Hudson, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Africa Center, recalled that Powell was the first U.S. official to declare genocide in the Sudanese region of Darfur and was deeply involved in the peace agreement ending Sudan's longest-running civil war, which paved the way for South Sudan independence.

In 2004, Powell testified before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee about the violence in Darfur, an area plagued by deadly clashes for decades, and used the term, "genocide."

"That was the first time that word had been used in that conflict, and it really became a rallying cry around the world and certainly within U.S. activist communities. And you saw the United States get even deeper involved in the conflict there," Hudson told VOA on Monday.

Powell also played a leading role in negotiations that ended the civil war in Sudan that lasted more than two decades.

"You saw the creation of a Sudan office in the State Department under Colin Powell," Hudson said. "You saw his personal involvement in the negotiations culminating in the 2005 signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Nairobi (Kenya), which Colin Powell traveled to and bore witness to as guarantor of that."

And while Powell's legacy is often intertwined with his promotion of the war in Iraq, Hudson said he is remembered in Africa differently.

"I think that Colin Powell reflects that there was a very, very strong peacemaking element within, certainly, his State Department at the time," he said.

"If  you look at what happened with the Bush administration when they came to office, there were civil wars going on in Liberia, in Sierra Leone, in Congo, in Angola and in Sudan," Hudson said. "And by the end of that first term in government, all of those civil wars had some sort of peace agreement. That wasn't by accident."

Powell traveled to Africa in 2001  stopping in Mali, South Africa, Kenya and Uganda  on a mission the State Department described as the "engagement of this administration and the secretary personally in Africa and Africa policy."

The visit drew media criticism accusing Powell of ceremoniously lecturing Africans on democracy and transparency.

But many African leaders had a different view.

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo told the Nigerian newspaper Punch that Powell embodied Black culture across the Atlantic.



"He was not just an African American. He was an African American who understood Africa," Obasanjo said.



Under Powell, the Bush administration put into place several aid programs to fight diseases and help build economies. Many of those programs remain.

Since 2003, the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has distributed more than $85 billion globally for HIV/AIDS assistance, with most of the aid distributed in Africa.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation, created by the U.S. Congress in 2004, is an independent U.S. foreign assistance agency aimed at fighting global poverty. Much of its work is done in Africa.

Niger political analyst Moustapha Abdoulaye described Powell's death as a major loss, not just for the United States but for the world, because of his personal and professional qualities.

Brook Hailu Beshah, a former Ethiopian diplomat and currently a political science professor at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, recalled personal encounters with Powell.

Powell was a "person who put America before self, open and respectful to opinions of others, humble and reasonable," Beshah said.

VOA's Hausa and Horn of Africa services contributed to this report.


U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due to give an address Wednesday in Ecuador about what the State Department calls the challenges facing democracies in the region, before traveling on to neighboring Colombia for talks with leaders there.

The State Department said Blinkens speech will highlight how inclusive and responsive democratic institutions can implement economic policies that emphasize inclusive growth and environmental protection.

In addition to democratic and human rights issues, another major focus of Blinkens trip is migration, and in Bogota he will co-lead a meeting with foreign ministers from the region about a humane migration policy.

Speaking Tuesday alongside Ecuadors foreign minister, Mauricio Montalvo, Blinken said migration is challenging everyone in the hemisphere, including in Ecuador, where thousands of Venezuelans have settled in recent years.

The foreign minister and I tomorrow will be in Colombia, where were together with most of our colleagues in the hemisphere, to talk about what is so necessary right now, and that is a truly regional, coordinated approach of shared responsibility, Blinken told reporters.

As Blinken was heading to Ecuador, President Guillermo Lasso declared a 60-day state of emergency to crack down on drug crime.

The two met Tuesday, and Blinken said Lasso assured him Ecuadors government would uphold democratic values such as acting in accordance with the countrys constitution.

We talked as well about the exceptional measures that have been taken here in Ecuador to deal with the narcotrafficking challenge and the violence and crime that is attendant with that, Blinken told reporters. And we know that in democracies there are times when, with exceptional circumstances, measures are necessary to deal with urgencies and urgent situations like the one Ecuador is experiencing now.

Blinken also praised Ecuador for its vaccination campaign against COVID-19.

Some information for this report came from the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
The European Unions national heads of government are readying for a fiery summit meeting Thursday which will be dominated by a clash among them over a recent ruling by Polands Constitutional Tribunal that declared Polands constitution has primacy over the blocs laws.



A preview of the fundamental legal and political issues that will be at stake Thursday  and the anger involved  was seen Tuesday when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki confronted each other in the European Parliament.



Von der Leyen threatened Poland with suspension of EU voting rights and cuts to EU funding. She warned that the Polish courts position of national law superseding European law undermines the cornerstone of EU treaties.



Poland has received $227 billion in EU funds since it joined the bloc in 2004 and has paid $72 billion into the EU.



I am deeply concerned, von der Leyen told MEPs in an ill-tempered debate alongside Morawiecki. This ruling calls into question the foundations of the European Union. It is a direct challenge to the unity of the European legal order, she said. She added: This is the first time ever that a court of a member state finds that the EU treaties are incompatible with the national constitution.

Morawiecki remained defiant, accusing the EU of trying to change the constitutional balance of the bloc by presumption and blackmail. It is unacceptable to talk about penalties, he said. I reject the language of threats and fait accompli. Blackmail must not be the method of policy, he added.



He added: If you want a sovereign European State, why not ask and get consent? No sovereign state will ever consent to this. The EU would cease to be an association of sovereign states.



Deepening rift



Warsaw has infuriated the EU by refusing to disband Polands Constitutional Tribunal, which it says is packed with political allies of the countrys ruling populist Law and Justice party, PiS, and is therefore illegitimate. The legal supremacy dispute has been intensifying for five years, since the PiS started to enact judicial reforms which Brussels and Western EU member states say are undermining the independence of Polands courts and subjugating them to the government.



The ruling this month that the Polish constitution takes precedence over decisions by the European Court of Justice, and in effect over the blocs treaties, has escalated Polands fight with Brussels into a full-scale confrontation and is threatening to become the worst EU crisis since Britons voted for Brexit in 2016. It is deepening an alarming rift between the blocs Western and Central European members.



Some of the PiS critics accuse the Polish populists of seeking to put Poland on course to follow Britain out of the EU, dubbed a Polexit. The Polish People dont want to be pushed outside the EU by their government. So, my wish, Prime Minister, is for you to come back on these fateful decisions and end this march of folly, tweeted Guy Verhofstadt, a former Belgian prime minister and now an EU lawmaker.



He says that the Polish top court's ruling touched on the very same sovereignty issues Brexiters cited when campaigning for Britain to exit the EU. The PiS government is taking Poles out of Europe step by irreversible step, he argued Tuesday in the European Parliament.



Polish leaders reject the accusation that they want to follow Britains example.



In a letter Monday to EU leaders, Morawiecki said Poland remained a loyal member of the bloc but warned that the EU was turning itself stealthily into an undemocratic federal superstate which was increasingly trampling on the national sovereign rights of member states.



We ought to be anxious about the gradual transformation of the union into an entity that would cease to be an alliance of free, equal and sovereign states and instead become a single, centrally managed organism, run by institutions deprived of democratic control by the citizens, he said in his missive.



A poll this week for Polands Rzeczpospolita newspaper found that 43% of Poles believe there should be a referendum on EU membership to settle the legal dispute. Of those who say there should be a plebiscite 63% said they would vote to retain EU membership.



Morawiecki and other Central European populist leaders compare the Polish legal position to a ruling last year by Germanys top court which contradicted a previous decision by the European Court of Justice on the legality of the European Central Bank engaging in a multi-trillion-euro bond-buying program.



The German court said the program was not permitted under the EU founding treaties, while the ECJ said it was. Brussels has been pursuing a legal case against Germany over what it sees as a breach of the principle of the primacy of EU law.



EU officials dismiss the comparison, saying the Polish action is far broader and risks demolishing the blocs legal order.



But some independent experts say the two rulings, Polish and German, have exposed something much more fundamental that is playing out than divisions between populists and their foes. Both the German and Polish cases illustrate some of the basic conflicts within the EUs legal system, according to Britains Chatham House.



What is being challenged increasingly openly  even since the UK left the EU  is the idea of the EU as a de facto federation in which non-majoritarian institutions such as the ECJ have final say about the quality of democracy in member states, Stefan Auer, Pepijn Bergsen and Hans Kundnani say in a commentary for Chatham House



Right across Europe, courts and politicians are increasingly challenging the ECJ and questioning the supremacy of EU law, they add.



Among them is Michel Barnier, a former top EU official who is now running for the French presidency.

Earlier this year Barnier, who was the blocs top Brexit negotiator, said France should no longer be subject to the judgments of the ECJ and must regain its legal sovereignty.
Residents of Titanyen, a village north of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, took to the streets Tuesday to demand the release of 17 missionaries kidnapped by the 400 Mawozo gang on Saturday.

Protesters, including children, held posters and tree branches as they marched down the main road of the village.

"Without these missionaries, a lot of the old people you see out here would not have been able to send their children to school. Without these missionaries, a lot of these people would have lost their homes to floods. Without these missionaries, our damaged homes would never have been repaired," a protester who declined to give his name told VOA. "It's they who built a road that we can travel on today."

The man said he could not remain indifferent.

Another protester, who identified himself as Robert, said the missionaries had been a lifeline to the community.

"They asphalted our roads; they helped us protect our homes from landslides and floods. We are asking for their freedom right away. And we are asking the kidnappers to let us live in peace," he said. Robert told VOA that the rampant kidnappings had forced him to quit his university studies out of fear he might be abducted on his way to school.

Protesters told VOA that they intended to remain in the streets until the missionaries were freed.

Sixteen U.S. missionaries and one Canadian associated with Christian Aid Ministries were kidnapped October 16 after visiting an orphanage in Ganthier, a commune in Croix-des-Bouquets, east of the capital.

The gang is demanding a $1 million ransom for each person abducted, Haitian Justice Minister Liszt Quitel told The Wall Street Journal earlier Tuesday.



The Haitian National Police has not responded to VOA Creole's request for comment.

400 Mawozo is one of Haiti's most violent gangs. In April, it kidnapped Catholic priests and nuns at gunpoint in the Croix-des-Bouquets neighborhood. They were later released.

In Washington, the FBI confirmed to VOA via email that it is participating in a joint operation to free the missionaries.

"The FBI is part of a coordinated U.S. government effort to get the Americans involved to safety. Due to operational considerations, no further information is available at this time," the FBI told VOA.

At the daily White House news conference, press secretary Jen Psaki explained why details of the operation were being held back.

"Well, the reason we don't get into operational details is because our objective is to bring them home, and it is typically not advantageous to get into more specific details publicly during that process," Psaki said.

She added that "the U.S. embassy in Port-au-Prince is coordinating with authorities and providing assistance to families to resolve the situation."

Addressing the security situation in Haiti on Monday, United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the uptick in kidnappings was affecting humanitarian aid efforts.

"Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Fernando Hiraldo says that violence, looting, road blockades and the persistent presence of armed gangs all pose obstacles to humanitarian access," Dujarric said. He also called on the Haitian government to take action.

"It's incumbent on the government of Haiti to focus on the security challenges, including redoubling the efforts to reform and strengthen the national police capacity to address public safety, and all these crimes must be investigated," he said.

Tuesday's protest in Titanyen follows a general strike observed Monday in Port-au-Prince and other Haitian cities against insecurity and the rash of kidnappings.



The U.S. State Department has raised its travel advisory for Haiti to Level 4: Do Not Travel.

Anita Powell and Margaret Besheer contributed to this report.


American-born entrepreneur Danny Levinson estimates half of his LinkedIn connections come from inside China. He has been using the social media platform for four years and is involved in several China-based businesses that use LinkedIn as one of their primary communication channels.

"On the business side, it's been a critical way to expand visibility," said Levinson, 47, a Beijing-based head of technology at the seed investment firm, Matoka Capital.

But the China tech scene veteran was not surprised when LinkedIn's parent company, Microsoft, announced last week it would pull the professional networking service out of China, citing the Communist government's increased oversight of its content.

The decision makes LinkedIn the latest foreign internet giant and the last major American social media platform to lose parts of the giant market, following blocks on the content of Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

"What maybe was a surprise was how long it took them to make the decision [to leave]," Levinson said. "They probably had more to lose by staying than leaving."

LinkedIn landed in China in 2014 and attracted 44 million Chinese users to its network, according to the Statista database. The focus on job connections and the backing of Microsoft, which had done two decades of research and development in China, helped LinkedIn hang on longer than other American internet giants, analysts say.

"There have been a number of occasions previously where I have thought it's interesting that LinkedIn has made it this long in China, and ultimately whenever I've thought that I've reminded myself it's about posting resumes and posting recruitment notices largely, and those things are not particularly problematic in China in terms of content," said Mark Natkin, managing director with Beijing-based market research firm Marbridge Consulting.

"And it sounds from [LinkedIn's] statement that where things have become problematic is exactly the type of content that is basically beyond that basic kind of core function," he said, referring to LinkedIn's social feed and content such as redistributed news articles.

Decision to pull out

Microsoft said last week it would close LinkedIn in China later this year. The professional networking site had faced a "significantly more challenging operating environment and greater compliance requirements," it said in an October 14 blog post.

"Given this, we've made the decision to sunset the current localized version of LinkedIn, which is how people in China access LinkedIn's global social media platform, later this year," said the blog post.

LinkedIn also says it will focus on helping professionals find jobs in China  and help Chinese companies with recruitment  by starting a service called InJobs. InJobs, however, won't have a social feed or functions for sharing or posting content.

China has monitored the internet for two decades, from blocking websites to filtering social feeds, with the goal of intercepting antigovernment material. Its latest effort, the Data Security Law, restricts outflows of sensitive data from China and requires internet operators to give their internal data to law enforcement agencies, according to the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai.

Every multinational internet company doing business in China ultimately runs the "significant risk" of hitting a censorship barrier, said Natkin of Marbridge Consulting. Firms that do comply with China's rules may sometimes face criticism from rights groups, shareholders and users in other parts of the world.

LinkedIn is not immune. Last month, the platform made the controversial move to block several journalists' profiles from its China-based site because of "prohibited content."

Behind in 'every metric'

"It's difficult to know who's left in China to leave," said Zennon Kapron, founder and director of Kapronasia, a Shanghai-based financial industry research firm. "I think when you look at Google, Facebook  and Google's properties like YouTube and Twitter  all these platforms are either blocked or have a lessened presence in China."

But Levinson, like the Chinese nationals who work around him, said LinkedIn was never his primay means of everyday communication. WeChat is the dominant chat platform in China.

In the job search space, China's homegrown Maimai.cn, with a $1 billion valuation, vies heavily with LinkedIn, said Ma Rui, founder of the U.S.-based consulting firm TechBuzzChina. It's unclear, she said, whether InJobs will absorb existing China-based LinkedIn profiles.

LinkedIn ultimately did not have "the right product for the China market." Ma added, "given all the heat it's attracting for trying to adhere to Chinese rules, it was just, like, unnecessary."


A federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted U.S. Representative Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska, accusing him of lying to the FBI and concealing information from federal agents who were investigating campaign contributions funneled to him from a Nigerian billionaire.

The U.S. attorney's office announced that the grand jury in Los Angeles had indicted the nine-term Republican on one charge of scheming to falsify and conceal material facts and two counts of making false statements to federal investigators. Fortenberry is expected to appear for an arraignment Wednesday afternoon in federal court in Los Angeles.

The indictment stems from an FBI investigation into $180,000 in illegal campaign contributions from Gilbert Chagoury, a Nigerian billionaire of Lebanese descent.

The contributions were funneled through a group of Californians from 2012 through 2016 and went to four U.S. politicians, including $30,200 to Fortenberry in 2016. Using an analysis of federal election records, Politico has identified the other three Republican recipients as former U.S. Representative Lee Terry of Nebraska in 2014; Representative Darrell Issa of California in 2014; and Senator Mitt Romney during his 2012 presidential campaign.

Federal authorities haven't alleged that any of the other three campaigns or candidates were aware that the donations originated with Chagoury.

Allegations

Chagoury, who lives in Paris, admitted to the crime in 2019, agreed to pay a $1.8 million fine and is cooperating with federal authorities. Prosecutors have said Chagoury made some of the illegal contributions to politicians from smaller states because he thought the amounts would be more noticeable and give him better access. He also drew attention years ago for giving more than $1 million to the Clinton Foundation.

The indictment alleges that a co-host of the 2016 fundraiser in Los Angeles told Fortenberry that the donations probably did come from Chagoury, but Fortenberry never filed an amended campaign report with the Federal Election Commission as required. It says he later "made false and misleading statements" to federal investigators during a March 23, 2019, interview at his home in Lincoln.

According to the indictment, Fortenberry falsely told investigators he wasn't aware of an associate of Chagoury being involved in illegal contributions. He also allegedly said that his donors were publicly disclosed, and he wasn't aware of any contributions from a foreign national, which is illegal.

In a second interview in Washington in July 2019, the indictment says Fortenberry denied that he was aware of any illicit donation made during the 2016 fundraiser.

'Shocked' and 'stunned'

In a YouTube video posted Monday night, Fortenberry said he was "shocked" and "stunned" by the allegations and asked his supporters to rally behind him. Knowingly making false statements to a federal agent is a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.

"We will fight these charges," he said in the video, filmed inside a 1963 pickup truck with his wife, Celeste, and their dog, against a backdrop of corn. "I did not lie to them. I told them what I knew. But we need your help."

Fortenberry's campaign has insisted that he didn't know the donations, which the campaign received during a fundraiser in Los Angeles, originated with Chagoury.

Fortenberry said FBI agents from California came to his home after he had been out dealing with a major storm that had just hit Nebraska. He said they questioned him about the contributions then and in a follow-up interview.

"I told them what I knew and what I understood," he said.

Fortenberry represents the state's 1st Congressional District, a heavily Republican area that includes Lincoln and parts of several Omaha suburbs, as well as surrounding farmland and small towns in eastern Nebraska.

According to the Nebraska secretary of state's office, no other Nebraska congressman or U.S. senator has been indicted since at least 1901.

Fortenberry was first elected to the seat in 2004. He won his last election in 2020 with 60% of the vote and has generally defeated Democratic challengers by lopsided margins.

His statement that he expected to be indicted was first reported by the Omaha World-Herald.

Celeste Fortenberry said her husband spoke with the agents voluntarily, without a lawyer, because he was under the impression that the agents needed his help to get to the bottom of the case.

She said he later called his friend, attorney and former congressman Trey Gowdy, for legal representation. She said her husband sat for another interview with agents in Washington and was repeatedly assured that he was not a target of the investigation.


The European Parliament has awarded the European Union's highest human rights prize to imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny for challenging President Vladimir Putins rule over the country.

Lawmakers Wednesday announced on Twitter that Navalny is the recipient of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The award is named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov.

In the announcement, legislators openly criticized Putin and called for Navalny to be freed from prison.

Mr. Putin, free Alexey Navalny. Europe calls for  his and all other political prisoners  freedom, the tweet said.

Navalny, 45, is currently serving a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence. Authorities say Navalny violated parole terms stemming from a prior 2014 conviction he says was politically motivated. A court said he did not alert authorities as to his whereabouts when he was flown to Germany for medical treatment. He spent five months in Germany recovering from a near-fatal poisoning.

Navalny was arrested this past January, when he returned to Russia. European medical experts say he was poisoned with Novichok, a Soviet era nerve agent.

The EU has imposed sanctions on Russian leaders over Navalnys poisoning and imprisonment. The Kremlin has continued to deny any role in the poisoning and criticized the EU, saying the bloc is interfering in Russias domestic affairs.

The $59,000 Sakharov Prize will be awarded during a ceremony in France in December. In the past, South African President Nelson Mandela, Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai and Venezuelas democratic opposition have won the prize.

This year, candidates included a group of Afghan women and imprisoned Bolivian politician and former interim President Jeanine Anez.

Some information for this story comes from the Associated Press and Reuters.
Residents of Halabja, a Kurdish city where thousands died in 1988 from a chemical weapons attack launched by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, are mourning the death of Colin Powell  the former American general and secretary of state. Gas attack survivors credit Powell with being instrumental in ousting the Iraqi regime and recall his 2003 visit to the city. VOAs Farhan Hamaxan filed this report narrated by Rikar Hussein.
This week, Americans and others around the world are reflecting on the life and legacy of Colin Powell, the four-star general and first Black U.S. secretary of state who died Monday at age 84. Powells family said he died of complications due to COVID-19. He was fully vaccinated against the disease but had been battling multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells that suppresses the immune system.

In addition to being a statesman, he also was a great friend, people close to him said. Retired Army Colonel Joe Schwars friendship with Powell spanned six decades.

They met in early 1959, when both were brand-new Army second lieutenants stationed in Germany.

"He was a bachelor. I was married. He knew basically where to get a free meal," Schwar said through a chuckle. "So, the three of us became very good friends during the two years we served together."

Schwars next assignment was at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Schwar, a white man from Pennsylvania who admitted that Powell was one of the first Black men he ever knew, wasnt too familiar with the racial policies in the segregated South, which often mandated separate facilities for Blacks and whites until the mid-1960s.

He had been on the base in North Carolina about a year when he heard an unexpected knock on his door.

"Open it up and there was Colin Powell," Schwar told VOA.

'Stay with us'

Powell was distraught because he couldnt find a place that he considered satisfactory for his new bride, Alma Powell.

"I believe it was the Jim Crow [laws] at work there. I guess my wife and I looked at each other and without blinking an eye basically said, Stay with us, " he recalled.

Powell and Alma, the Schwars, and their young kids shared the three-bedroom apartment for six weeks until Powell finished his training to deploy to Vietnam. Alma went to live with her family during his deployment.

As long as the couples were on the base, Schwar said, they could "go anywhere together." But on a couple of instances, when his wife and Alma went into the city of Fayetteville, where the base is located, Alma had to basically "educate" his wife on what they could and could not do together, he said.

"My wife had a little rebellious spirit, and she could not understand why Alma allowed this to happen," Schwar said.

In fact, the prejudice Alma Powell saw growing up in the South perhaps led to her caution years later when her husband was considering a run for president. She was concerned about his physical security should he decide to run, and Schwar said he believed she had talked him out of it.

"My wife and I were at the head of the line to work on his campaign," Schwar told VOA, "[but] I supported her [Almas] decision at the time, and I told Colin, Well, you just, you just lost two campaign workers when you decided not to run. And he sort of laughed about that."

Returning the favor

After their deployment to Germany in 1959, Schwar and Powell continued to cross paths. They fought just a few kilometers apart in Vietnam and studied together at Fort Benning in the U.S. state of Georgia. In the mid-1970s, Schwar was assigned to the Pentagon, where Powell was already stationed.

As can happen in the militarys permanent change-of-station process, Schwars house wasnt ready when he arrived in the Washington area.

When the Powells found out, Schwar recalled, "Colin says, Alma, start doubling up the kids in the rooms. The Schwars are moving in with us. "

It was a full-circle moment for their friendship, and Schwar said that attitude and action were clear examples of why Powell was "one of the most unforgettable people" he'd ever served alongside.

"He was never pretentious. He was a man of his word. What you see is what you get," Schwar said.

What the nation got from Powell was decade upon decade of steadfast service. The former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff-turned-secretary of state will be remembered at the Pentagon as one of the greats, following in the footsteps of George Marshall, a general who became secretary of defense and secretary of state, and paving the way for generals such as former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and current Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

But Powells kindness and his dedication to country, family and friends are what Schwar wants the world to remember.
Russia has lauded the efforts of Afghanistans Taliban government to improve the national security and political situation but stressed the need for the Islamist group to ensure inclusivity in its governance to achieve a stable peace in the war-torn country.



Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made the remarks Wednesday while opening a Moscow-hosted international meeting to discuss the Afghan crisis with Taliban leaders and delegates from 10 countries, including China, Pakistan, Iran and India.



A new administration is in power [in Kabul]. We note the efforts they take to stabilize the military and political situation and set up work for the state apparatus," Lavrov said.



[However], we see the formula for its successful solution mainly in the formation of a truly inclusive government, which should fully reflect the interests of all, not only ethnic, but also political forces of the country, said the Russian chief diplomat.



Lavrov said Moscow believes its time to mobilize global efforts to provide Kabul with effective financial, economic and humanitarian assistance to help prevent a humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan.



Taliban Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi, while addressing the meeting, renewed a call for the global community to recognize the new government in Kabul and again demanded the United States unfreeze about $10 billon in Afghan central bank in foreign reserves.



The senior Taliban leader defended his interim government as "already inclusive and said they would not accept any deal under pressure, according to the text of the speech Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid shared with media.



Lavrov had made it clear in the run-up to the Moscow meeting that the discussions would not cover the issue of granting recognition to the Taliban, stressing the need for the group to live up to "expectations" on human rights.

Hanafis speech to the meeting in the Russian capital came a day after Deputy U.S. Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said he sees no situation where the Taliban would be allowed access to the countys reserves.



We believe that it's essential that we maintain our sanctions against the Taliban but at the same time find ways for legitimate humanitarian assistance to get to the Afghan people. That's exactly what we're doing," Adeyemo told the Senate Banking Committee.



The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August after the United States and Western countries withdrew all their troops almost 20 years after the Islamist group was removed from power by the U.S.-led military invasion for harboring al-Qaida planners of terrorist attacks on America.



The U.S. and other Western countries are working out how to engage with the Taliban without giving them the legitimacy they seek, while facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid to Afghans.



Adeyemo said the Treasury was taking every step it could within its sanctions program to make clear to humanitarian groups that Washington wants to facilitate the flow of aid into Afghanistan.



Chinese officials at Wednesdays meeting renewed their resolve to work with the Taliban to help them deal with the economic and humanitarian challenges facing the country.



Washington also was invited to the talks in Moscow, but U.S. officials cited logistical reasons for not attending them.



The Taliban are under fire at home and internationally for reneging on some of their pledges to protect the rights of women and minorities.



The hardline group is also being accused of persecuting members of the ousted Afghan government, charges Taliban officials reject as unfounded and politically motivated propaganda.



Russia says its diplomatic offensive to garner support for Kabul stems from concerns continued instability would encourage terrorist groups to threaten security of Afghanistans neighbors and the wider region.



Lavrov highlighted those fears while addressing Wednesdays gathering in Moscow and urged the Taliban to deliver on their pledges of preventing terrorist groups from threatening Russias friends and allies.

The Afghan branch of Islamist State, known as IS-Khorasan, has in recent weeks carried out dozens of bomb attacks, killing and injuring hundreds of people across Afghanistan, most of them civilians. The violence is of major concern to neighboring countries and is raising questions about the Talibans ability to counter the growing terror threat.



Reuters contributed some information for this report.
Ethiopian forces have carried out another airstrike on the capital city of the northern Tigray region Wednesday, two days after an airstrike killed three children there.



United Nations spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters Tuesday that one other person was killed in the airstrike on the outskirts of Mekelle. Haq said nine people were reportedly injured in a second airstrike in Mekelle later that day that also damaged a number of houses and a nearby hotel.

The spokesman said the U.N.s colleagues are alarmed at the intensification of the conflict and once again remind all parties to the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.



The Ethiopian government initially denied launching Mondays attacks, but the state-run Ethiopian Press Agency later acknowledged the airstrikes and said they targeted communications infrastructure.



Action [was taken] against media and equipment used by the TPLF [Tigray Peoples Liberation Front] terrorists in Mekelle, the press statement said. The TPLF is a former member of the coalition that ruled Ethiopia for more than 30 years. In May, Ethiopia designated the group a terrorist organization.

Getachew Reda, a TPLF spokesperson, accused Ethiopias prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, of being unwilling to end the conflict. He has never been for peace, only the appropriate use of sticks can prod him into considering such a path. The #AirStrikeonCivilians in #Mekelle is proof positive that he will do everything to terrorize our people, especially when his forces are losing on the battlefield, he said in a Twitter post Tuesday. If people had illusions he could keep his promise to resolve the conflict peacefully, yesterdays attack should make it clear that only sticks are effective.



The Ethiopian federal government has been engaged in an armed conflict with fighters from the northern Tigray region for nearly a year.



Mekelle has not seen large-scale fighting since June, when Ethiopian forces withdrew from the area and Tigray forces retook control of most of the region. Following that, the conflict continued to spill into the neighboring regions of Amhara and Afar.

Last week, Tigray forces said the Ethiopian military had launched a ground offensive to push them out of Amhara.

VOAs Margaret Besheer contributed to the report from the United Nations. Some information for this report came from the Associated Press and Reuters.
An international Russia-hosted meeting Wednesday pressed the Taliban to form a truly inclusive government in Afghanistan and called for the United Nations to convene a donor conference as soon as possible to help avert a humanitarian catastrophe facing the war-torn country.

The huddle, known as the Moscow format consultations on Afghanistan, was held with the participation of leaders of the interim Taliban government and senior officials from Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, India, as well as five formerly Soviet Central Asian states.

Participating countries call on the current Afghan leadership to take further steps to improve governance and to form a truly inclusive government that adequately reflects the interests of all major ethno-political forces in the country, said a post-meeting joint statement.

The delegates expressed deep concern over the deteriorating economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, stressing the need for the international community to mobilize efforts to provide assistance to the Afghan people.

Participants proposed to convene the U.N.-led donor conference certainly with the understanding that the core burden of post-conflict economic and financial reconstruction and development of Afghanistan must be shouldered by troop-based actors which were in the country for the past 20 years.

The statement pointedly referred to the United States and Western allied troops, whose abrupt withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years paved the way for the Taliban to regain control of the country in August.

Washington also was invited to the Moscow talks, but U.S. officials cited technical reasons for not attending, though they promised to join future rounds.

While the West and world in general have refused to give official recognition to the Taliban government, Wednesdays joint statement recognized the new reality of the fundamentalist groups return to power in Kabul.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov while opening the meeting lauded the Taliban governments efforts to improve the security and political situation.

[However], we see the formula for its successful solution mainly in the formation of a truly inclusive government, which should fully reflect the interests of all, not only ethnic, but also political forces of the country, Lavrov said.

The head of the Taliban delegation, Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi, while addressing the meeting, renewed a call for the global community to recognize the new government in Kabul and again demanded the United States unfreeze about $10 billon in Afghan central bank in foreign reserves.

Hanafi defended his interim government as "already inclusive and said they would not accept any deal under pressure and cautioned against isolating Afghanistan.

The Talibans return to power has raised concerns whether they will protect human rights of Afghans and whether they will prevent the country from becoming a terror sanctuary. The worries stem from the Islamist movements rule in the 1990s, when it hosted leaders of the al-Qaida network and barred women from public life and girls from receiving an education.

The Taliban have dismissed those fears, saying they have opened government offices for both male and female staff to return to work and girls are gradually being allowed to resume education activities.

But the hardline group is already under fire for reneging on some of its pledges to protect human rights and is being accused of persecuting members of the ousted Afghan government.

I would like to remind you all that the people of Afghanistan have no intention of harming any country or nation in the world, Hanafi assured Wednesdays meeting. He said the Taliban government stands ready to address all the concerns of the international community with complete clarity, transparency and openness.

Hanafis speech to the meeting in the Russian capital came a day after Deputy U.S. Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said he sees no situation where the Taliban would be allowed access to its funds in the U.S. reserves.

We believe that it's essential that we maintain our sanctions against the Taliban but at the same time find ways for legitimate humanitarian assistance to get to the Afghan people. That's exactly what we're doing," Adeyemo told the Senate Banking Committee.

The U.S. and other Western countries are working out how to engage with the Taliban without giving them the legitimacy they seek, while facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid to Afghans.

Adeyemo said the Treasury was taking every step it could within its sanctions program to make clear to humanitarian groups that Washington wants to facilitate the flow of aid into Afghanistan.

Russia says its diplomatic offensive to garner support for Kabul stems from concerns that continued instability would encourage terrorist groups to threaten the security of Afghanistans neighbors and the wider region.

Lavrov highlighted those fears while opening Wednesdays meeting and urged the Taliban to deliver on their pledge to prevent terrorist groups from threatening Russias friends and allies.

The Afghan branch of Islamist State, known as IS-Khorasan, has in recent weeks carried out dozens of bomb attacks, killing and injuring hundreds of people across Afghanistan, most of them civilians.

The violence is of major concern to neighboring countries and is raising questions about the Talibans ability to counter the growing terror threat.
Spanish government geologists on Wednesday said the Cumbre Vieja on the Spanish island of La Palma is continuing to violently erupt with no signs of stopping or even slowing down.

The geologist took video of huge pyroclastic blocks floating along a river of lava flowing from the volcano's northern zone. Meanwhile, video filmed by the Volcanology Institute of the Canaries (INVOLCAN) showed the lava flows moving into the town of La Laguna approaching a gas station.

Officials say the station had been emptied of fuel and water in recent days in advance of the approaching flow.

Streams of red-hot lava have engulfed almost 800 hectares of land, destroying about 2,000 buildings and many banana plantations.

The volcano on one of the Canary Islands off northwest Africa has so far destroyed more than 1,800 buildings, mostly homes. Some 7,000 people have had to leave their homes.

The prompt evacuations have helped avoid casualties on the island of some 85,000 people. Scientists have seen no indication that the eruption is slowing, as rivers of lava continue flowing toward the sea.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press and Reuters.
A prominent professor studying communication in Namibia says member countries in the 16-nation Southern African Development Community, or SADC, have enacted and drafted cybersecurity laws which infringe on citizens freedom of expression. Zimbabwe is one of the southern African nations that critics say has drafted strict cybersecurity laws in the region  awaiting President Emmerson Mnangagwas signature.

A professor in Namibia said most cybersecurity laws in the region infringe on the right to privacy and freedom of expression and are in need of revision.

Admire Mare is a professor of communication, journalism and media technology at Namibia University of Science. This week, he published a report examining how basic freedoms should be at the core of policies lawmakers should consider when drafting laws.

Human rights should be at the center of policy making and drafting of legislation. If you miss that out you may actually end up infringing, curtailing the exercise of some of the basic rights that human beings must be able to [enjoy], he said.

The report titled Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Laws in the SADC Region: Implications on Human Rights, looks at several countries in the region. However, Mare singles out South Africa as one of the few 16-nation member countries with laws taking citizens freedoms into account.

Tabani Moyo is the director of the Harare-based Media Institute of Southern Africa, or MISA, an organization with SADC member representatives, where the report was launched. He called on President Mnangagwa to rethink Zimbabwes Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill and reverse course from signing the bill into law. The bill was recently passed by parliament and critics say it punishes social media users for minor infractions.

Moyo said the bill, if signed as is, only empowers few people.

It fails to provide protection for a whistleblower in a comprehensive manner. Secondly, it provides the security forces the power to snoop into our communication through the Cyber Security Center [Zimbabwes cybersecurity agency]. Thirdly, it is just impossible to define interference with personal data without [providing] legal oversight from the judiciary, he said.

Moyo said the bill creates loopholes for authorities to abuse citizens similar to what is happening in Lesotho, Tanzania and Zambia.

Human rights advocates say authorities in these countries have routinely used laws to arrest opposition members and curtail their activities. But the bill has some supporters.

Lawyer and information and communications technology expert, Jacob Mutevedzi, praised Zimbabwes parliament for passing what he calls a progressive and commendable cyber statute.

Prior to this law [bill awaiting signature to be implemented] the legal framework for cyber security and data protection in Zimbabwe was incoherent and half baked. The country lacked a comprehensive legal framework for the regulation of cybersecurity and data protection. The consolidation of cyber related offences and regulation of data protection under the current statute within a single framework is a welcome development which accords with regional practices, said Mutevedzi.

Professor Mare, however, said it is also the responsibility of rights organizations like MISA to take action against the cyberlaws endangering journalists and citizens rights.

Strategic litigation  we have seen in different countries  can be an opportunity that can be harnessed. Make use of public interest lawyers and to test the constitutionality of some of these proposed and enacted laws, said Mare.

Zimbabwes government has for long insisted that it needs a tight cyberlaw to deal with what it calls falsehoods peddled especially on social media.
Here's a look at what U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other top diplomats have been doing this week:

US-South America

Promoting democracy and managing migration are the focus of Blinkens first trip to Ecuador and Colombia from October 19 to 21 as top U.S. diplomat. During a speech Wednesday in Quito, Blinken outlined challenges facing democracies in the Western Hemisphere but said he was optimistic they could be overcome.

Venezuela also looms large as the U.S. calls for political talks to resume between the Venezuelan government and the country's opposition. U.S. officials this week discussed ways to tackle irregular migration, as Colombia hosts nearly 2 million Venezuelan migrants, and Ecuador also hosts a large number of migrants from Venezuela.

China also came up during Blinkens South American trip. Ecuadorian officials described Beijing as a commercial partner, with Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso saying he wanted to secure a trade deal with China. Blinken told his Ecuadorian counterpart the U.S. was not asking countries to choose between Washington and Beijing, but he warned of risks of doing business with Chinese companies, saying there really is no division between purportedly private enterprises and the state.

US One China Policy

Nicholas Burns, President Joe Biden's nominee to be the next U.S. ambassador to China, took a tough line on dealings with China during his Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday. Burns said the U.S. was right to continue its one-China policy but that Washington was also right to oppose Chinas unilateral actions that undermine the status quo and undermine the stability of the region. Noticeably, Burns used the wordings of Washington's so-called one-China policy, which is different from Beijing's one-China "principle. The U.S. has "acknowledged" but has never endorsed the Chinese Communist Party's claim of sovereignty over Taiwan.

Colin Powells legacy

Colin Powell, the first Black U.S. secretary of state and a top military officer, died Monday at age 84 from complications due to COVID-19 while battling multiple myeloma.

He is being remembered by America's foreign service work force, who say Powell was devoted to ensuring the State Department was properly resourced, consulted and respected.

Powell, who shaped lasting U.S. policies toward Africa, also is being remembered on the continent for peacemaking, supporting the fight against AIDS and sounding the alarm against war abuses.

US-Haiti

Haitian protesters took to the streets this week to demand the release of 17 missionaries  16 Americans and 1 Canadian  kidnapped on October 16 by the 400 Mawozo gang. An interagency team dispatched by the U.S. government is working closely with Haitian authorities to try to recover the missionaries. The State Department has raised its travel advisory for Haiti to Level 4: Do Not Travel.

Top US envoy to afghanistan steps down

The U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, stepped down from his post this week, less than two months after the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Blinken announced Khalilzad's departure in a statement Monday, saying the envoy would be replaced by his deputy, Thomas West. Talk of Khalilzads resignation had emerged since August after the Afghan Security Forces collapsed and the Taliban rapidly took control over the war-torn country.

Tigray violence

The U.S. remains gravely concerned by escalating violence in Tigray.

Forces in Ethiopia's Tigray region said Monday that the Ethiopian government had launched airstrikes on the regional capital, Mekelle. The United States also was looking into the reported attack, with State Department spokesperson Ned Price saying the U.S. remained gravely concerned by what has been escalating violence in Tigray for some time.

China missile test

Top U.S. officials said Washington was paying close attention to Chinas efforts to build up its military arsenal, amid reports Beijing took a major step forward two months ago by testing a hypersonic missile. Monday, the State Department said the U.S. was deeply concerned about the rapid expansion of China's nuclear capabilities, which is deviating from Beijings decades-long nuclear strategy based on minimum deterrence.

Iran nuclear deal

Efforts to get Tehran to return to the terms of the Iran nuclear deal are in danger of falling short, forcing the United States and its allies to consider nondiplomatic options to contain the threat, according to top U.S. officials.

Jerusalem consulate

The United States will move ahead with its plan to reopen the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem as Washington restores ties with the Palestinians and commits to a two-state solution. "As I said in May, we'll be moving forward with the process of opening a consulate as part of deepening those ties with the Palestinians," Blinken said during a Wednesday press conference. But he stopped short of providing a timeline.
Journalist Jineth Bedoya, who was kidnapped, raped and tortured by paramilitaries 21 years ago, on Tuesday applauded the "historic" decision by a regional rights court to hold the Colombian state responsible for her violent assault.

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled Monday that the acts against Bedoya "could not have been carried out without the consent and collaboration of the [Colombian] State, or at least with its tolerance."

Bedoya, now 47, was working for the El Espectador newspaper investigating a weapons smuggling ring when she was abducted and attacked by far-right militia members in 2000.

"It's a historic sentence. The court's decisions as reparations  are public policy, but also jurisprudence for the entire hemisphere, not just Colombia," Bedoya, fighting back tears, told reporters in the capital Bogota.

"And that is where the triumph is of all these years seeking justice."

The court is an autonomous part of the Organization of American States (OAS) and its decisions are definitive and unappealable.

Bedoya was seized by a paramilitary group from outside a Bogota prison and then raped and tortured for 16 hours before being abandoned on a roadside.

She had been investigating an arms trafficking network operating out of La Modelo prison and claimed the state, including an "influential" police chief, was complicit in her abduction.

The paramilitaries, some of whom have already been convicted for the crimes committed against Bedoya, were right-wing militias that fought left-wing guerrillas during Colombia's bloody 60-year conflict. They were dissolved in 2006.

The Colombian state was guilty of "failing to investigate the threats that had been received" by Bedoya, according to a statement released by the judicial wing of the OAS, headquartered in Costa Rica.

The failure to investigate violated Bedoya's "rights to judicial guarantees, judicial protection and equality before the law," the court ruled.

President Ivan Duque said Colombia "fully accepts the decision" and that it should be used "to prevent anything like this from happening again."

Bedoya criticized the last four governments for giving her nothing more than "pats on the back."

And she blasted the "silence" and lack of solidarity of female government officials, including Vice-President Martha Lucia Ramirez.

The Colombian state had apologized to the journalist before the same court in March, when it also ordered the government to ensure the safety of Bedoya and her mother, who had both been victims of earlier threats and an attack that went uninvestigated.

The court ordered Colombia to "punish those remaining responsible for the acts of violence," and called for other measures including training for security forces focused on violence against women.

"Perhaps I will never be able to see behind bars the general who ordered my kidnapping, nor the men who supported him," said Bedoya. "But this will remain in the conscience of the state."


The U.N. refugee agency reports weeks of unrelenting rain and heavy flooding in South Sudan have washed away whole communities and wiped out the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people.

Floods are not new to South Sudan. What is new is the frequency and intensity of the flooding. UNHCR representative in South Sudan, Arafat Jamal, describes the current flooding, which has affected more than 700,000 people, as being of near biblical proportions.

People have lived with flooding for millennia, but they have been able to cope. They have been able to move to higher ground when the floods are there, and then come down when they recede. But when you have a high-level flooding year after year, that destroys the crops and does not allow you to replant. That is when you have got an erosion (in) peoples ability to survive, Jamal expressed.

He points out the present floods have hit at a time when people in South Sudan are facing the triple threat of conflict, COVID-19, and hunger. He says the devastating flooding is expected to continue as the climate crisis intensifies.

He notes Jonglei, Unity, Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Upper Nile are the worst affected states. I have seen people stranded on islands. I have heard from people who have had to survive by eating grass and roots. And we have also heard of people who have had to walk for 10 days to access dry land. It is also hugely destructive in terms of assets. This is an agricultural country and a country that depends upon its herds of cattle, Jamal says.

Cattle have also been affected. They are stranded and drowning, mired in the mud and unable to survive. And whole fields of sorghum, mangoes, and millet are destroyed by flooding, he says.

He says the UNHCR together with South Sudans government are delivering urgently needed aid to the most vulnerable. That aid includes hygiene items, food, emergency shelter and solar lanterns to provide light.

However, he adds much more assistance is needed and is appealing to the international community to help rebuild the affected communities and restore peoples lives and livelihoods.
The U.S. Secret Service said in a statement Wednesday that an investigation it conducted with the FBI has led to federal charges related to internet scams against seven leaders of the Cape Town Zone of the Neo Black Movement of Africa, also known as "Black Axe."

An eighth man, who allegedly conspired with the leader of the group, was also charged with federal crimes linked to internet scams stemming from South Africa, the Secret Service said.

The Secret Service statement said the following people were charged wire fraud, money laundering and other crimes in connection with perpetrating romance scams and other illegal schemes perpetrated on victims in the U.S. and other countries between 2011 and 2021 using the internet:



 Perry Osagiede, 52, aka "Lord Sutan Abubakar de 1st," aka "Rob Nicolella," aka "Alan Salomon."

 Enorense Izevbigie, 45, aka "Richy Izevbigie," aka "Lord Samuel S Nujoma."

 Franklyn Edosa Osagiede, 37, aka "Lord Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela," aka "Edosa Franklyn Osagiede," aka "Dave Hewitt," aka "Bruce Dupont."

 Osariemen Eric Clement, 35, aka "Lord Adekunle Ajasi," aka "Aiden Wilson."

 Egbe Tony Iyamu, 35, aka "Lord Aminu Kano," aka "Richard Amall."

 Collins Owhofasa Otughwor, 37, aka "Lord Jesse Makoko," aka "Philip Coughlan."

 Musa Mudashiru, 33, aka "Lord Oba Akenzua."

All originally from Nigeria, the suspects are charged by superseding indictment with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy spanning from 2011 to 2021. Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede, Clement, Izevbigie, and Iyamu are also charged with wire fraud. Perry Osagiede, Franklyn Osagiede, Iyamu and Otughwor are charged with aggravated identity theft.

Toritseju Gabriel Otubu, 41, also known as "Andy Richards" and "Ann Petersen" and also originally from Nigeria, was charged in a separate indictment with wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering conspiracy, spanning from 2016 to 2021."

Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig said in the statement that "Americans are too often victimized by criminal organizations located abroad that use the internet to deceive those victims, defraud them of money, and, many times, persuade their victims to wittingly or unwittingly assist in perpetuating the fraudulent schemes."

"The public should be on guard against schemes like these," she added. "And, more importantly, anyone thinking of engaging in this kind of criminal conduct should understand that the U.S. Attorney's Office and our partners will find them and bring them to justice, no matter where they are."

The statement said: "The wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud charges each carry a maximum term of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. The money laundering conspiracy charge carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greatest. The aggravated identity theft charges carry a mandatory term of two years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed on a defendant."
The opposition Movement for Democratic Alliance says suspected Zanu PF activists have again blocked party leader Nelson Chamisa and his entourage from visiting some parts of Manicaland.

In a tweet, MDC Alliance national spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere, said, President Nelson Chamisa and his convoy have been blockaded again by violent Zanu PF thugs as he travels in Manicaland.

In a video posted on her Twitter page, some people said to be Zanu PF activists are seen blocking Chamisas convoy at an unidentified place in Manicaland province.

Mahere said Chamisa, who allegedly escaped an assassination attempt in the same province yesterday, is safe.

The party claims that Zanu PF activists shot at Chamisas vehicle on Tuesday and a bullet narrowly missed him.

At the same time, the partys vice president, Tendai Biti, has appealed for urgent intervention by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Chamisas assassination attempts.

Biti said time has come for SADC to reign in the regime of impunity.

Zanu PF claims that Chamisas party is dramatizing some of these events in order to catch the eye of United Nations Special Rappatoir, Elana Douhan, who is currently in Zimbabwe assessing the impact of targeted sanctions imposed on Zanu PF officials.

Police have not yet arrested anyone in connection with the violent attacks on Chamisa in Manicaland and Masvingo provinces.

Some Zanu PF activists allegedly stoned Chamisas advance party in Masvingo last week and blocked him from addressing meetings and rallies in the province.

Meanwhile, MDC Alliance sympathizers have raised US$19,331 on the crowdfunding application, GoFundMe, for purchasing of a bulletproof vehicle for the party leader.

The fundraising campaign was set up a few days ago.
Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM

News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.



Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.

Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria.

Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens.
Contribute:

Leave a comment if you find a particular report interesting or want to add to it.

Flag as inappropriate.

Mark as helpful or interesting.

Send your own user report!

Translate

Kato Gouves, Heraklion, Crete (16.5 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) I woke up,I felt shaking and the furniture was creaking | 6 users found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Chersonissos (17.3 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Das Bett hat vibriert und dadurch wurde ich geweckt. Dann haben die Schrankturen geknarrt wie beim Offnen und Schlieen. | 4 users found this interesting.

Analipsis (18.1 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s : Das Bett hat ganz schon geschaukelt | 3 users found this interesting.

Lyttos Beach (18.1 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Bed rocking | 2 users found this interesting.

Limenea Chersonisos (18.3 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Slightly more than light shaking, am on 2nd floor and felt building shaking, loud rumbles | 2 users found this interesting.

Hotel Lyttos Mare / not felt / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : Strong shaking, awake from sleep. Heard furniture and building working. Lots of hotel guests woke up. | One user found this interesting.

Kato Vathia, Anopolis (4.6 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : I woke up with a moderate shake of the bed and medium noise. Nothing fell or broke this time inside the house.

Chrissie amoudia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Stalida, Heraklion, Crete (17.4 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Woke up due to light shaking and sound of glases standing next to each other on a table. Basically the same like the description "light shaking". Thought it was the baby shaking the bed. Then realised it was an earthquake. Light sleeper so it woke me up. / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Gouves / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Light shaking,bed was vibrating,woke up from sleeping | 2 users found this interesting.

Chersonisos / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake It wake me up from sleeping. By instinct, I recognized it as earthquake. But it's a short shake, so I diregarded it. (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake

Gazi / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : War kurz vorher wach geworden, dann schaukelte einmal das Bett und es hat in den Schranken und der Wand geknackt.

Koutouloufari / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : For 5-10 secs my bed was shaking and a cabin in the corner of the bedroom was making a small squeeqing noise as it was shaking against the wall.

Hersonissos (19.1 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : Enough to wake us up and look at the sea to know if we had to evacuate to higher ground or not (possibility of a tsunami). We have never felt a quake before so very unprepared!

Gouves Crete Greece / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 5-10 s : Most post I read say side to side shaking but it was definitely up and down where I am my head board was banging, need to stay in chania really as I've been suffering bad all night, I have vertigo really bad and this just mimics my symptoms

Stalida / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s | One user found this interesting.

Gouves / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / very short : Were woken up by shake, heard creaking in wooden wand decoration | One user found this interesting.

Im Bett / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 5-10 s : Kurzes kraftiges rutteln | One user found this interesting.

Gouves / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Rumbling like heavy machinery working | One user found this interesting.

Stalis / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Wir sind durch ein starkes vibrieren aus dem Schlaf geholt worden. | One user found this interesting.

Stalida / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : The bed was horizontally shaking a bit. | One user found this interesting.

Gouves crete / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s : Woken up by the noise, room and bed shaking | One user found this interesting.

hotel eurpa beach (17.9 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Stalida Hotel Cactus Beach (17.2 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : The bed was shaking 5 seconds

Hersonissos (18 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / very short : I was in my bed and I felt the bed moving 2-3 times laterally

Heraklion, Crete (20.1 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s

Cassonisos (17.5 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Kastelli, Heraklion, Crete (4.5 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : Bed was rocking in our hotel room

Kastelli, Heraklion, Crete (4.5 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : Bed was rocking in our hotel room

Analipsi (18 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Woken up by fixtures vibrating

Hersonissos (18 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / very short : I was in my bed and I felt the bed moving 2-3 times laterally

Malia (18.4 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s

Hersonissos (15.6 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Kato Gouves, Heraklion, Crete (16.9 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Hersonissos (17.3 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Wurde im Hotel aus dem Schlaf geweckt.

Limenas Hersonissou, Heraklion, Crete (18.3 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

Gouves (19 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Felt the earthquake for the first time in my life

Gouves (17.6 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : I felt the earth moved. I even woke up from my dreams and immediately knew that it was shaking.

Lyttos Beach (18.1 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Bed rocking

Golden Bee Hotel Stalida (16.9 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Mein Sohn und ich sind gleichzeitig vom Beben aufgewacht. Wir haben einen festen Schlaf

Gouves (17.8 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Stalida, Heraklion, Crete (18.1 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

 1, Iraklio, 713 05, Griechenland (2.5 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s : Weak shaking

Malia (20.5 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt

Hersonissos (17.4 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake

Kato Gouves, Heraklion, Crete (18.2 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt

Malia (19.1 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Bett

Heraklion (17.2 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Kato Gouves, Heraklion, Crete (18 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Limenas Hersonissou, Heraklion, Crete (18.3 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : was rolling in bed from left to right and heard the door shake

Stalida (17.3 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : 5 seconds of shaking

Gouves (17.6 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : I felt the earth moved. I even woke up from my dreams and immediately knew that it was shaking.

 1, Iraklio, 713 05, Griechenland (2.5 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s : Weak shaking

Kato Gouves, Heraklion, Crete (17.7 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Bett und Wand haben gewackelt

Limenas Hersonissou, Heraklion, Crete (17.8 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

Heraklion, Crete (23.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 30-60 s

Kardamaina Kos (242.4 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt

Thrapsanon, Heraklion, Crete (0.4 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Shaking

Malia, Heraklion, Kreta (18.5 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Anissaras (18.3 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s

Athanatoi (22.9 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Body was lightly vibrating

Limenas Hersonissou, Heraklion, Crete (17.1 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Lyttos Mare, / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Woke up, then everything was moving from side to side

Hotel (19.5 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Panik

Gouves (17.6 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : I felt the earth moved. I even woke up from my dreams and immediately knew that it was shaking.

Hersonissos (17.1 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging : It woke me up at 5:44 am. I felt my bed shaking 3 seconds after I woke up.

Stadtlohn, Regierungsbezirk Munster, North Rhine-Westphalia (2372.5 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt

Sisi, Lasithi, Crete (27.2 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt

Kokkini Hani (18.2 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Malia, Heraklion, Kreta (17.7 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / rattling, vibrating / very short

Malia / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s

Malia, Heraklion, Kreta (18.5 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Hersonissos / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Malia (18.6 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Limenas Hersonissou, Heraklion, Crete (17.9 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

near Gazi, Heraklion, Crete (37.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Hersonissos (17.2 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Belvedere hotel (16.7 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : The bed was vibrating

Kato Gouves (17.4 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s

Limenas Hersonissou, Heraklion, Crete (17.2 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Thrapsanon, Heraklion, Crete (9.2 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s : Short but intensive shaking.

Ano Archanes Iraklio Crete (15.2 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Amoudara, Kreta (29.2 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s : Like sitting in A Train. Lightly shaking

Limenas Hersonissou, Heraklion, Crete (17.1 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Malia, Heraklion, Kreta (17.7 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s : Je dormais et mon lit a ete secoue. Cela m'a reveillee alors que je n'ai pas un sommeil leger.

Limenas Hersonissou, Heraklion, Crete (18.3 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

Archanes / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Moderate / till strong shaking. Dogs start jelling I had problems to walk, but I woke up from sleeping. Perhaps a bit sleepdrunk too

18.3 km NNE of epicenter [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : My hotel bed made a lot of noise scratching on the floor.

13.3 km ENE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s

Gazi, Heraklion, Crete (28.2 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 5-10 s

Gazi, Heraklion, Crete (29.2 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Aposelemis (17.9 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Kokkini Chani, Heraklion, Crete (16.8 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

Kato Gouves, Heraklion, Crete (16.9 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Heraklion, Crete (24.3 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Limenas Hersonissou, Heraklion, Crete (17.1 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating

Kato Gouves, Heraklion, Crete (17 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 5-10 s

Hersonisos (18 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : Weak shaking

Hersonissos (16.3 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 10-15 s

Heraklion / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Crete / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Heraklion / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Serita beach hotel / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

lyttos beach / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s

Malia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Malia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Stalida (16.8 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : We were sleeping when woke us up noises and we felt shaking the bed / building. It lasted a few seconds but we were scared.

Gouves / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : Pas de peur mais je me demandais ce que c'etait

Heraklion / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Milatos (27.5 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / very short

Gouves crete / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s : Woken up by the noise, room and bed shaking

Gouves, Marina Zeus hotel (17.6 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Woke up while sleeping as the bed was shaking. 6 other my relatives felt it as well. It was about 5sec duaration

Ierapetra, Hotel Astron / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s : the doors in the buildings woobled

4.5 km ESE of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : Bed was rocking in our hotel room

malia / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Wake Up bed was shaking

Gouves / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Gouves crete / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s : Woken up by the noise, room and bed shaking

Keratokampos / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / very short : I was sleeping and woke up Because my bed was sharing whereas I dont wake up easily.

Malia auf Kreta / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s

Crete / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Amoudara / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Leichte Erschutterung des Bettes

Agios Nikolaos / not felt

Heraklion (24.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating

Gouves crete / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s : Woken up by the noise, room and bed shaking

Gouves crete / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s : Woken up by the noise, room and bed shaking

Chersonissos / Light shaking (MMI IV) : shaking of the bed

Malia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s : light shaking, woke up but nothing broke

Elounda / not felt

See map (17.7 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Very Werk shaking

Home / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / very short

Malia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s : light shaking, woke up but nothing broke

Hersonissos / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s

Ierapetra hospital (45 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Heraklion (26.9 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s

Kokkini hani / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Keratokampos / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / very short : I was sleeping and woke up Because my bed was sharing whereas I dont wake up easily.

Stalis / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Kato Gouves / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s

Stalida / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vibration and rolling / 15-20 s

Stalis / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 5-10 s

Gouves bay / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : Two sismes tree and three seconds

koutouloufari / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Agios Nikolaos / not felt

TRAGAKI / not felt

Anissaras / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 2-5 s

Analipsis / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : Das Bett hat wahrend des Schlafes gewackelt.

Cactus Beach resort / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Village Heights Golf Resort Ano Hersonissos (2 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s

Hotel Akasha Hersonissos / Weak shaking (MMI III) / very short

Hotel Akasha Hersonissos / Weak shaking (MMI III) / very short

Kourna / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vertical swinging (up and down) (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vertical swinging (up and down)

Village heights resorts / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Awake from rattling.

Bristol / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 20-30 s : Horny

Hotel Lyttos Mare / not felt / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : Strong shaking, awake from sleep. Heard furniture and building working. Lots of hotel guests woke up.

Analipsi (18 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : The bed was shaking and woke us up

Malia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : Felt my bed shaking

Gouves / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s

Ammoudara, Crete / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Gouves / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s

Heraklion / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Gournes / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s : I come out the house, way to work, the street was moving

Hereklion / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

lyttos beach hotel / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s

Gouves / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : A bit of a wobble

Crete / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Malia, greece / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Heraklion / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Lyttos beach, crete / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 5-10 s

Old Hersonisos / Light shaking (MMI IV) : A short shake and it was over

Gouves / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : The bed shook for a few seconds

Lavris / not felt

Gournes, crete (16.9 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Chersonioss / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Waking up

Heraklion / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Stalida / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 20-30 s

Chersonissos / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Stalida, golden bee Hotel / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

koutsounari / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / very short

Gouves / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 20-30 s

Malia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Bed shaking woke me up

Heraklion / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s

Koutouloufari / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Koutouloufari / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Gouves bay hotel gouves crete / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Chersonisou / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Kokkini Hani (17.1 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s : The whole room was shaking and vibrating. Our bodies were vibrating in bed

Anissaras / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

xerokampos / not felt

Heraklion / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Ikaros Beach resort / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Archanes / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

hersonissos, kreta / not felt : I was awake at the time thecearthquake happened.

Aldemar Knossos royal hotel / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Bed shook sideways

Malia Park / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Gouves (19 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Felt the earthquake for the first time in my life

Limin Khersonisou / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s : Shaking woke me

Cherossinos / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Hotel crissai Amoudia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating : Vibrations des portes et du lit tres bien ressentie

Chersonisou / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Agios Nicolaos / not felt

Heraklion (27.2 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 20-30 s

Anissaras / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s

Anissaras / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Malia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s : light shaking, woke up but nothing broke

Piskipiano / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

gazi (28.1 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : A roar with rattling.

Hersonnisos / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : Felt vibration for about five seconds

Stalida / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s

Malia, Kreta / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s : we woke up shortly before and our bed shook

Heraklion / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / rattling, vibrating / 30-60 s

Anissaras / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s

Malia, Crete / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Hersonisoss / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 20-30 s

17.4 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s

Mithi / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : It woke me

Chersonnissos / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s : J'ai ressenti les vibrations dans mon lit

Heraclion / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s

Aix en provence France / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / vibration and rolling / 15-20 s : Reveillee par sensation etrange vibration legere

amirandes hotel / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s : weak shaking

Anemomilos near hersonissos / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : The bed shook sideways motion 2/3 seconds

Kokkini Hani / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Heraklion / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Lying in bed and the room lightly shaked, I was woken from sleeping

Chania / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Crete / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating

Gouves Kreta (17.3 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Chersonissos / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / very short

Kato Gouves / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s

Analipsi / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : Bett hat gewackelt

Gournes / not felt / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : Bed was moving from side to side

Limenas Chersonisou / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : light shaking. Objects rattling

Heronissos crete / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 5-10 s

Chersonisos / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s : Light shaking felt whilst in bed, door rattled only for 1-2 seconds

Tertsa (28.7 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : I woke up from the shaking of my bed and the rattling noise in the house. Quite intense for a short moment at the culmination point.

Tsoutsouros / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s : ..

Agios nikolaos (36.9 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Stalis / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / very short

Heraklion / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Heraklion / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

Anissaras / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / very short : J ai ete reveille comme si quelqu'un secouait mon lit

Analipsi / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : Kurzes Wackeln des Bettes, dadurch aufgewacht.

Gouves / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

Gouves / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Kalo horio / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating

Ierapetra / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Gouves / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Chersonisos / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Heraklion (18.4 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s : Felt bed shake and heard bottles vibrate

Elounda / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Felt it lying In bed. something in the weather woke me then I felt the shake.

Archanes / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Rumbling, shaking like passing traffic. Woke us up. Dogs in village started barking

Hersonissos / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s

Gouves / not felt : We was asleep

Malia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Gouves / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s

Heraklion / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Atlantica caldera palace in bed / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Heraklion (21.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Light? M first quake ever so cant tell but definitely felt it

Gouves (17.8 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Stalida / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Gefuhl wie vorbeifahrender LKW, Grollen, vibrieren

Gazi / not felt

Avdou / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Chersonissos / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s

Amoudara / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Stalis / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Gouves / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Bed shook and woke us up. Lasted a few seconds

Allsun zorbas village anissaras / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s

Analipsi / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Hersonninos / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Hersonninos / Light shaking (MMI IV)

stalida / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Hersonissos / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging : I was woke at 5.44 feeling like I was being rocked/shaken, lasted maybe a couple of seconds after waking and wondered at the time if it was an earthquake. (I was still have asleep)

Pelekita / Weak shaking (MMI III) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 10-15 s

malia (18.6 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s

Analipsi / Weak shaking (MMI III) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s

Lygaria / not felt

Kalo Horio / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Bed shook, doors and pictures rattled

Chersonissos / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating : I woke up because of the shaking. Never felt un Earthquake so was weird to feel it.

Gouves / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Shaking lasted about 5 seconds

Analipsi / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Shaking of hotel bedroom

Malia / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Bin aufgewacht, vibrieren des Zimmers

Anissrras, Crete / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Ierapetra / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s

Gouves / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

Anissaras / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s

Kreta / Light shaking (MMI IV)

18 km N of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Chersonissos / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s

Limenas Chersonisou / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : Light shaking

Gouves (15.9 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Stalis Crete / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Floor and doors rattled, bed shook

Analipsi / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : The bed moved strong on the 3.floor

Analipsi (18 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s : Very weak shaking

Analipsi / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 15-20 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 15-20 s

Malia / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s Enough to wake up, but was over very quick again (reported through (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Stalida / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / very short

Heraklion / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Light shaking

Malia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Stalida, golden bee Hotel / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Ikaros Beach resort / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Gouves, Crete / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s

Heraklion / Light shaking (MMI IV) : I felt the aftershocks from the previous earthquake many times in a day, so I cant tell the duration and how heavy it was. The whole night I couldnt sleep. I felt vibration once a while. The sound of it is always scary.

Malia kyknoss beach hotel / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s

Chersonnisos / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Anissaras / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Stalida / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Woke up because of shaking

Chersonisos / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / very short

Ammoudara / Weak shaking (MMI III) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 5-10 s : Felt light shaking as laying in hotel bedroom . Atlantica Akti Zeus

Milatos (27.5 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / very short

Hersonisos / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s

Hersonissos / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Malia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Royal Heights Resort / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / very short

Gouves / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Koutouloufari / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s

Crete / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : Mild movement

Heraklion / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Light shaking

Analipsi / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / very short

Stalis / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / very short

Analipsi / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s Light shaking. (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s

Hersonissos / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : Weak but noticible vibration

Malia Crete / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Stalis / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 5-10 s

Gouves / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Rethymno / not felt

Malia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : I woke up because of the shaking

Hersonissos / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Ammoudara / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Gouves / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : Shaking

Gouves (17.3 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Heraklion / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Bed shaking - gently, but enough to wake me up.

Koutouloufari / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Hersonissos / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : Light shaking

Chersonisou (7.6 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Malia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

Malia, Crete / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Shaking and kitchen cabinet creaked

Malia / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s

Pano Hersonissos / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s

Kokkini / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

iraklion / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 5-10 s : i wake up becaude of the quake

Anissaras / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Mirtos ierapetra / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / very short

Malia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s : Woke me Up from sleeping

Amoudara / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vibration and rolling / 2-5 s

Gouves / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : I woke up from the weak shaking of my bed on the ground floor.

Gouves (17.2 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Iraklion Crete / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating

Analipsi / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Woke me up shaking/ rattling room

Stalins / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s

Vienna / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating

Hersonisos / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Elounda / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Felt it lying In bed. something in the weather woke me then I felt the shake.

Elysium Boutique Hotel / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Griechenland (16.9 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 5-10 s : My bed are not still . And i have sleep and am wake up for this Is ist 6 a clock

malia crete / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s : Short shaking of building. mindestens intense

Heraklion / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

kastri / Weak shaking (MMI III) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 5-10 s

Anissaras / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Kreta, Malia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Wakes me up. The Bed was shaking.

Steironas arkalahori creta / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Heraklion / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Knossos / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Small tremor, made church bell ring once

anissaras / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Kokkini hani / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 2-5 s

Avdou / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Stalis / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating

Limenas Chersonisou / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 2-5 s

Solomou street 19 / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Malia / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Heraklio / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Tzzzz

Heraklion / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s

Hersonissos / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Woke up from rattling closet doors und vibrating bed

Malia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

Avdou / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s

Hersonissos / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Heraklion / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s

Karo Gouves (17.2 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Sgourokefali / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Malia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

Analipsi / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Stalis crete (15.3 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : Was, enough to wake me felt Bed shudder heard thud and rattling of handrails

Stalis / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s : Ok

Kokkini Hani (18.3 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Ammoudara / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Hersonissos, Crete / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Kokkini Hani / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / very short

Heraklio / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

Herakleion / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 5-10 s

Stalis / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s

Ierapetra / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / very short

Anopoli, crete (15 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Iraklio / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s

Vamos / not felt

Cactus beach (17.2 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

Malia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Anissaras / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s

Ierapetra / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Anissaras / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

Ierapetra / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Shake the bed (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

GR-Ano Gouves / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Stalida Hotel Cactus Beach (17.2 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : The bed was shaking 5 seconds

Milatos / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Grand Hotel Holiday Resort / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Gouves Crete / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Agriana / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s

28.6 km W of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s Woke me up. (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s

Anissaras Crete / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

In bed / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating

Analipsi / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s

Hotel Lyttos Beach Kreta / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Malia / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s
On 8 October 2021 during an interview with Russian news agency RIA-Novosti (photo), Malian Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga accused France of training the terrorists it claims to be fighting [1].

We have proof of this. In our language there is a saying that when youre searching for a needle in your room and the person supposedly helping you to look for it is sitting on it, you will never be able to find it. This is the current situation in Mali, and we do not intend to put up with it, he added.

The Prime Minister then pointed out that the French troops deployed in his country have consistently prevented the Malian army from entering the Kidal enclave, a stronghold of the Tuareg rebellion where French officers are allegedly training jihadists of the Ansar el-Din front, an offshoot of al-Qaeda.

At the beginning of its intervention in Mali, in 2013, France restrained the advance of its own troops to allow time for the Qatari handlers of the Islamist militants to clear out.

Today, France asserts that the aim of its mission is to forestall the sprouting of an Islamic Emirate in the Sahel. However, Mali is inhabited in the North by Arab nomadic tribes and in the South by Black sedentary populations. Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi was the only one committed to reconciling Arabs and Blacks, after ten centuries of slavery. The overthrow of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya at the hands of NATO and the jihadists rekindled the animosity between those two populations, plunging Mali in particular into war [2]. Indeed, the framing of the French military mission in Mali leaves the door open for the possibility of supporting nomadic jihadists.

In the past, the French soldiers who supervised jihadist militants in Qatar and Libya, and who continue to do so in Syria, did not answer to the army general staff. They were attached to the Elysee and received orders only from the President of the Republic. The current status of this category of staff is not known.

According to media outlet Algeria Part, Algeria would be prepared to finance part of the security agreement, involvng a thousand Russian mercenaries, that Mali is currently negotiating with Dmitry Utkin and Yevgeny Prigozhin [3]. The latter two run the Wagner Group, a private military contracting agency, which according to Reuters is asking 9.15 million euros per month to train the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) and to ensure the protection of certain senior Malian leaders; a mission comparable to that which it is already carrying out in the Central African Republic [4].

Should this information be confirmed, it would explain the sharper tone between Paris and Algiers and the rumors of US disengagement in this region of Africa.

On his part, on 17 October Choguel Kokalla Maiga denied that Mali was negotiating with the Wagner Group, but admitted discussing with Russia regarding the training of the Malian Armed Forces and the protection of certain senior Malian leaders [5]
The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii is demanding policy changes after a 10-year-old Black girl was arrested at school over a drawing linked to a "run of the mill" dispute among children.

In response to the incident, the ACLU sent a letter Monday to the Honolulu Police Department, the state Department of Education and the state attorney general's office asking them to adopt policy changes, expunge all records of the arrest, and to pay $500,000 in damages for "harm and suffering" caused by their agencies.

In January 2020, a parent called the Honowai Elementary School in Honolulu to complain about the drawing made by the girl and demanded the staff call police, the ACLU said.

When police arrived, the girl, who was only identified as "N.B," was "handcuffed with excessive force and taken to the police station," the ACLU said.

The girl's mother, Tamara Taylor, said she was called to the school, but she was not allowed to see her daughter or informed that the girl was "handcuffed in front of staff and her peers, placed into a squad car and taken away."

"I was stripped of my rights as a parent and my daughter was stripped of her right to protection and representation as a minor. There was no understanding of diversity, African-American culture and the history of police involvement with African-American youth. My daughter and I are traumatized from these events and I'm disheartened to know that this day will live with my daughter forever," Taylor said in a statement shared by the ACLU on her behalf.

The Honolulu Police Department told CNN on Tuesday it was "reviewing the letter and will be working with Corporation Counsel to address these allegations."

A spokesperson for the Hawaii DOE said the agency did not have a comment at this time.

In the letter, the ACLU said the girl had "allegedly participated in drawing an offensive sketch of a student in response to that student bullying her."

In the days after her arrest, the girl told her mother that she drew the picture but several other students were involved in coloring and writing on it, the group says in the letter.

The girl said "she did not want the drawing delivered but one of the other students snatched it from her hands and delivered it anyways," the ACLU said in the letter.

A copy of the drawing or further details about what it depicted were not disclosed. CNN reached out to Honowai Elementary School and the ACLU to determine what the drawing depicted but did not immediately hear back.

The ACLU is giving the school and the police until November 8 to respond.

Black girls are often treated like adults, advocates say

The ACLU and a family attorney have described the actions by school staff and police in Hawaii as "extreme and disproportionate" and said they suggest the girl and her mother were singled out and discriminated against on account of their race.

Mateo Caballero, an attorney representing the family, the way his clients were treated is "too common and entirely preventable."

Researchers and advocates have said Black girls are often perceived and treated like adults, making them targets of harsh treatment by police and severe disciplinary action at school. A 2017 study conducted by the Georgetown Law Center on Poverty and Inequality found that Black girls as young as 5 years old are viewed as needing less protection and nurturing than White girls.

Earlier this year, a school resource officer in Florida body slammed a 16-year-old Black girl before handcuffing her. The girl's family said she suffered memory loss and headaches from the incident. In recent years, police in New Jersey came under fire for handcuffing a 10-year-old girl during a traffic stop, officers in officers in North Carolina were accused of body slamming boys and girls, holding them in a chokehold, and officers in Orlando, Florida, arrested 6-year-old girls for reportedly having a tantrum.

During the 2017-2018 school year, over 229,470 students were referred to law enforcement agencies or arrested, according to the US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Black students represented 15% of the student body, nearly 29% of referrals to law enforcement and 31% of all students arrested at school or during a school-related activity.

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
Police have recovered apparent human remains that have not been identified in the search for Brian Laundrie, the FBI said Wednesday.

Authorities also found items belonging to Laundrie, like a backpack and notebook, officials said.

Items found in the area had been underwater until recently.

Articles belonging to Laundrie were found Wednesday by his parents, said Stephen Bertolino, an attorney for Laundrie's family.

Bertolino said the articles were found while his parents searched off a trail that Laundrie frequented in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in North Port, Florida, a nature park that's been the center of the search for Laundrie.

Law enforcement is now searching the area, Bertolino said.

The medical examiners office in Sarasota has been called to the preserve, a spokesperson for the office told ABC News.

A massive search for Laundrie, the boyfriend of Gabby Petito, the 22-year-old woman who went missing on a cross-country trip and who authorities confirmed as the body discovered in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming, has been ongoing.

Read more from ABC News HERE
UPDATE: The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office said Nov. 5 that Ethan Rogers had been arrested and charged with third-degree burglary.

The DeKalb County Sheriffs Office is looking for a man believed to be involved in thefts.

The office is asking the public to help it find Ethan Rogers, 32, of Fort Payne.

We believe that Mr. Rogers is responsible for several thefts in our area, and locating him may also help recover stolen items so that they may be returned to their rightful owners. If you have seen this subject or think you may know where we might find him, give our office a call at 256-845-3801. Your tip will be kept anonymous, said Sheriff Nick Welden.

On Tuesday, investigators went to a Fruit Farm Road residence in Fort Payne attempting to recover stolen property, according to a news release.

The office said Rogers ran away, leading deputies on a foot chase. Mentone Police and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency joined the search, but Rogers never was found.

One person at the residence was arrested. Karen Henderson, 55, of Fort Payne was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A Jackson County man has been sentenced to 320 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges involving child pornography.

Stephen Frederick Ott, 51, on Wednesday was sentenced to 3,840 months in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release.

In August, Ott pleaded guilty to 10 counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

Hell also have to register as a sex offender.

The sentence handed down today ensures that this man, who stole the innocence of a young girl, can no longer take advantage of her or any other child, U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona said in a news release. Children are the most vulnerable victims, and our investigators and prosecutors will remain vigilant in pursuing justice for them.

More from the release:

Ott is a predator that repeatedly victimized an innocent minor and created horrific images of the abuse, but thankfully he is being held accountable for his crimes, said Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. Cases like this demonstrate the power of everyone being vigilant and reporting anything that doesnt seem right, because this predator might have been able to continue his cycle of abuse had someone not come forward.

According to the facts presented at Otts plea hearing, in December 2019, the Jackson County Sheriffs Office received a call from the victims father regarding the molestation of his child. The victims father was alerted by a former roommate of Otts that he had seen photos of the minor victim in sexual acts with Ott on an SD card. When the roommate moved out, he mistakenly took the SD card that he thought was his. Several months later, he discovered the illicit photos. A forensic examination of the SD card belonging to Ott had approximately 165 images of the minor victim. The images were produced by Ott between December 2017 and February 2018. Similar images of the minor victim were also located on Otts cell phone.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case, along with the Jackson County Sheriffs Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Leann White prosecuted the case.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Kids from 511 years old could soon be eligible to get the Covid-19 vaccine, and officials hope to learn even more about the situation in the next couple of weeks.

Madison Countys health officer, Dr. Karen Landers, joined local health officials this week to give an update on the Covid-19 situation in Huntsville and Madison County. Landers said theyre doing a lot of education on the topic of children and vaccines.

She said when the pediatric product is approved, the handling of the vaccine will be extremely important. From the time officials receive the shipment until the product is administered to the patient, it is necessary that all of the guidelines are followed.

Landers said the next couple of weeks will be exciting, but they'll also be weeks filled with ongoing discussion with local providers to ensure they are ready to roll out this vaccine in Alabama.

"We look back at our data, even in the summer, (and) we're almost double what we were in pediatric cases," Landers said. "Keep in mind, Covid has found a place, and it's the pediatric population."

As cases surged this summer due to the delta variant, North Alabama had up to 50 children hospitalized with the virus and nine on ventilators. That number statewide is now below 10.

Landers stressed that receiving this vaccine is the way to get children's lives back to normal.
Italy sees arrival of Aedes koreicus, a species of mosquito unafraid of the cold.

The warmer months in Italy are associated with sun, sea and - for many people - mosquitoes.

Depending on how mild the temperatures are, the mosquito season in Italy generally lasts from spring until late autumn.

Not for much longer, according to a recent study by the University of Milan, published in Parasites & Vectors.

The study reveals a hardy "alien species" of mosquito that "tolerates low temperatures and prefers mountain regions" has made its home in the plains and foothills of Italy's northern Lombardy region.

The Aedes koreicus, native to east Asia, was first detected in the northeast of Italy in 2011 and is now spreading towards the southwest of the country.

In the summer of 2020 researchers from the University of Milan carried out studies on new invasive mosquitoes in Lombardy, with a particular focus on the provinces of Bergamo and Brescia.

Of the approximately 6,000 mosquito larvae collected, they discovered that about 50 individuals belonged to Aedes koreicus.

This confirmed the spread of the species in the north of Italy, according to the researchers who said it also "raised concerns about its possible role as a vector of diseases in the Alpine area."

Alien species

The accidental introduction by man of alien species of animals and plants, outside their territory of origin, is a phenomenon on the rise thanks to changes in climate and the movement of goods and people.

Examples in Italy include the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), originally from Asia and now widespread throughout Europe, and the pine tortoise scale insect (Toumeyella parvicornis) originally from North America and spreading rapidly along Italy's Mediterranean coast.

"The Korean mosquito is endemic in Japan, northern China, South Korea and some areas of Russia. It was first reported in Italy in 2011 in the province of Belluno, at altitudes and climatic conditions unsuitable for the survival of most mosquito species", researcher co-ordinator Prof. Sara Epis told state broadcaster RAI.

"Since then the reports in northern Italy have increased" - said Epis - "We emphasise that this mosquito, unlike the known "sisters" of the Aedes genus, such as the tiger mosquito, tolerates low temperatures very well, so much so that it has already colonised a large hilly-mountainous area of Veneto and Trentino."

How did the Korean mosquito arrive in Italy?

Paolo Gabrielli, a researcher in same the biosciences department as Epis, says: "Its presence in the foothills of the province of Bergamo leads us to think that the international airport of Orio al Serio could be a possible route of introduction."

However he says the pest could also have been introduced to Bergamo "from other infested areas of Italy or Switzerland", stating that further genetic studies are required.

"Apparently, the Korean mosquito is spreading from the original infested area to southern and western Italy" - Gabrielli told RAI - "probably in relation to the intense transport of goods and the availability of suitable habitats in other areas."

Researchers conclude that their report "further emphasises the urgent need for coordinated efforts for the monitoring of invasive mosquitoes in Italy, to prevent the spread of vectors of emerging pathogens."
This content is expired!

Unfortunely this content is expired and cannot be viewed anymore; if You are the owner of this content please login to our Website, go to our access panel and enable this content again.
The British Consulate in Milan, represented by Catriona Graham, hosted a Q&A event in Milan for UK Nationals to discuss and provide clarity about their rights in Italy after Brexit.

How does the UKs withdrawal from the EU affect the status of UK citizens living in Italy?

In an interview with Wanted in Rome the Consul General answered the most frequently asked questions from a series of in - person and online meetings, and underlined the importance of requesting the new residency card.If you were lawfully living in Italy before 1 January 2021, your rights are automatically protected under the Withdrawal Agreement. You continue to have broadly the same rights to live, work, study and access benefits and services as you had before Brexit. And your close family members can join you in Italy at any time in the future.

You have these rights even if you do not hold the new carta di soggiorno elettronica (biometric residency card) issued by Italy under the Withdrawal Agreement. But we still recommend you ask for the carta di soggiorno elettronica, because it provides the clearest evidence of your rights.

What do UK nationals living in Italy need to do?

Italy implements the Withdrawal Agreement through a declaratory system. This means that if you were lawfully living in Italy before 1 January 2021, you automatically have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

You and your family members have the right to request a new residence document, the carta di soggiorno elettronica. and we strongly recommend that you do so. This card is a separate document to the biometric identity card (carta didentita), and is the best evidence you can obtain to show that you have the rights defined in the Withdrawal Agreement. It shows your right to enter Italy and exempts you from European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and visa requirements.

You should also check you are correctly registered for healthcare if you are eligible. And you should obtain an Italian driving licence if you are a resident in Italy.

Ph: Consul General in Milan, Catriona Graham

Who can apply for residency status?

If you were settled in Italy before 1 January 2021 your rights are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. You should now obtain the new carta di soggiorno elettronica from your local questura. If you are already registered as a resident with your town hall (comune) you dont need to do anything further with the town hall unless you move your primary address.

If you are a UK national wishing to settle in Italy after 1 January 2021 you may well need a visa to move here. On arrival in Italy you will then need to request a non-EU national residency permit (permesso di soggiorno) within 8 days of arriving. You can request this from your local questura (immigration office). Once you have the permesso or a receipt of application you can use this to register your residency with your local town hall.

You can find more information on how to apply for a non-EU national visa on the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website here.

I am a UK national married to an EU citizen. Do I need to hold residency status?

Everyone intending to settle in Italy for longer than 90 days needs to register their residency with the local town hall including UK nationals married to an EU citizen.

If you were registered as a resident before 1 January 2021 you should now obtain the new carta di soggiorno elettronica from your local questura. This is issued under the Withdrawal Agreement and is evidence of your rights under the Agreement. You should request this even if you are married to an Italian national, for example.

You should ensure you are correctly registered as a resident in Italy if you are settled here.

How do the changes affect UK nationals right to healthcare?

If you were living in Italy before 1 January 2021 you retain your rights to healthcare here as long as you remain covered by the Withdrawal Agreement . You can read further guidance in our Living in Italy guide

. It includes detailed information on how to register for healthcare in Italy.

UK nationals living in Italy usually access the Italian health system in one of these ways:

registering to use the Italian state health system

using a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for temporary stays

registering a UK-issued S1 form with the Italian health system

As for all Italians, you have to pay to use parts of the healthcare system, although some parts are free.

Under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement if you move to or travel to Italy after 1 January this year your UK issued S1 or GHIC/EHIC remains valid if you are eligible for one.

Can UK nationals use their drivers licence in Italy?

You can use your valid UK licence until 31 December 2021. If you moved to Italy after 1 January 2021, you can use your valid UK licence for 12 months from the date you became resident

If you live in Italy you should obtain an Italian licence. You will need to take a driving test. If you started exchanging your UK licence before 1 January 2021, you do not need to take a driving test.

We continue to negotiate with the Italian government on the right to exchange a UK licence for an Italian one without the need to re-take a driving test.

It is our priority to reach an agreement before the end of the grace period  31 December this year.

Please continue to check our Living in Guide and our social media channels for updates and be sure to sign up for alerts to keep up to date.

What do UK nationals need to know about visas for visiting Italy? What is the visa process for UK students studying in Italy?

You are likely to need a visa if you are coming to Italy for longer than 90 days. You should check the information available on the Italian governments website here

It has a dropdown menu so you can choose under which category you are planning to travel to Italy (employed, self-employed, student etc). The website provides information on what type of visa you need to apply for as well as a link to the application form.

For example for postgraduate students the website details what criteria will need to be met including evidence of accommodation in Italy, financial self-sufficiency, some form of health insurance and evidence of enrolment in an authorised postgraduate course.

You should also contact your local Italian Consulate for more information.

Are there any other important issues you are aware of for British nationals that have not already been mentioned?

If you are a UK national covered by the Withdrawal Agreement you should always carry with you your new carta di soggiorno elettronica or other residency documentation when travelling. Thats because as someone who benefits from the Withdrawal Agreement you shouldnt have your passport stamped when entering or exiting Italy. Our advice is to show border control your residency document even before you show them your identity document (i.e British passport). If your passport is stamped in error it will have no impact on your rights in Italy. Your residency document negates the stamp and you should show evidence of your residency next time you travel.

The Embassy team have been running a programme of events for UK nationals such as campaigns across TV and printed media, a series of How-to videos on social media and we continue to hold monthly online Q&A sessions as well as residency roadshows targeting different areas of Italy. These are announced on all our social media channels (Facebook) and on gov.uk and via the Embassys mailing list. You can sign up to our mailing list via our Living in Italy guide.

Our Living in Italy guide on GOV.UK provides further information and all other essential information for UK nationals in Italy.

For questions concerning your rights as a British citizen in Italy you can contact us also via our Living in Italy guide.

And you can check the Living in Europe page on gov.uk for more information about your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
Rome G20 summit comes just before COP26 climate talks.

Rome will host the Group of 20 Leaders Summit on 30-31 October, the culmination of a series of high-level international talks held during Italy's presidency of the G20.

Italian premier Mario Draghi said on Wednesday that the heads of the world's wealthiest nations would meet in Rome to discuss climate change, covid-19 and the post-pandemic global recovery.

The Rome summit is viewed as critically important as it comes just before the United Nations COP26 climate change conference being held in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November.

The high-level Rome event will take place amid tight security at the Nuvola Congress Centre, in the EUR district, with the press based at the nearby Palazzo dei Congressi.

Reuters reported on Tuesday that Russian president Vladimir Putin and Japanese premier Fumio Kishida will not be attending, but would follow proceedings by video link.

Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will also be absent but will be represented by his foreign minister, according to Reuters.

There is reportedly a question mark over the attendance of Chinese president Xi Jinping and Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro.

US president Joe Biden has confirmed his presence in Rome, where he will meet Pope Francis at the Vatican ahead of the summit, before travelling for the COP26 talks.

The leaders of Argentina, Australia, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, South Korea, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the European Union are also expected to attend in person, according to Reuters.

Along with representatives of some of the main international and regional organisations, the finance ministers of the G20 countries traditionally attend the Leaders' Summit.
Given that we already have a fully approved vaccine in the U.S. from Pfizer-BioNTech, and Valnevas vaccine was only compared with Astras vaccine, which is not yet approved in the U.S., regulatory filing there based on the current data is out of the question for now. Filing in U.K. and Europe and wherever else the AstraZeneca vaccine is approved is possible, however, so long as the company solves its final assay required by all regulators. Every batch of any drug needs to be tested to make sure its what the manufacturer says it is  this is much tougher for vaccines where you are putting a whole load of dead virus in and dont really know what part of the virus is doing the key job, and whether the same amount is in each batch.
The U.S. is set to reopen its borders on Nov. 8 to vaccinated foreign nationals from Europe, ending a ban that had dragged on far too long (more than 18 months) and looked increasingly arbitrary. No similar U.S. blockade applied to foreign arrivals from certain Caribbean countries or Argentina, despite higher case counts in the former at times and slower vaccination progress in the latter. And the U.S. kept its restrictions in place over the summer even as Europe allowed entry to Americans. So there was a collective sigh of relief from separated families and airlines when the U.S. finally seemed willing to let science guide its Covid-19 travel rules. International demand for Delta Air Lines Inc. flights to America jumped tenfold on the news that the U.S. would ease up.
One of the biggest economic development arms races in decades is beginning to take shape. A flurry of multi-billion dollar investment decisions from major automakers has combined with growth in consumer sales to make 2021 feel like the inflection point for electric vehicle adoption. And while automakers and governments are setting targets for EVs future market share  as much as 50% of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2030  where all of these vehicles will be produced remains an open question. For states in the Southeast and Southwest, its an opportunity to wrest control of the automobile industry from its historical home in the Midwest.
It began when 30 armed men attacked three police stations in the port of Mocimboa da Praia in October 2017, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. That followed the arrest of local conservative religious leaders for allegedly inciting civil disobedience. The UN office said the violence seems to be rooted in the radicalization of marginalized youth, who rejected poverty and social exclusion and started to reject traditional forms of Islam. After the rebels aligned with Islamic State, the larger group implicitly threatened to target the gas installations. The sophistication, scale and frequency of incursions increased in 2020, with the attackers using rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons seized from the military. While violence abated during the rainy season at the start of 2021, it escalated in March when at least 100 militants attacked Palma, less than 8 kilometers (5 miles) from a site being developed by Frances Total SE, killing dozens.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, the former Navy Reserve lieutenant, Rhodes scholar and jazz pianist who is in the fourth year of his second term, follows shipping the same way he reads music. Here, one out of nine jobs in the region, one out of 50 in the country  its 2%  can be linked to the port, he said last month during an interview in his City Hall office. One of the most exciting things that I always do is Ill sit down with a member of Congress from Maine, Florida or Alaska and let them know how many jobs come through the Port of L.A. that they depend on.
Meanwhile, billions of dollars are still being invested in projects that wont be economically viable if governments implement the Paris Agreement to limit global warming. The International Energy Agency said in May that averting a climate crisis would require new oil and gas projects to cease immediately, along with new coal-fired plants that dont capture their emissions. Yet exploration continues even in high-cost areas such as the Barents Sea. Carbon Tracker, a think tank, says that existing projects are sufficient for future liquefied natural gas trade in a scenario that keeps warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Approved supply exceeds demand by some 25%, leaving even greenlighted projects at risk.
More than 2,600 organizations support the global Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures(2), with more than 1,000 joining in the past year. The TFCD, which aims to standardize the metrics companies provide on their environmental impact, said in its annual report earlier this month that more than half of the 1,650 firms it surveyed now disclose climate-related risks to their businesses. Those efforts, combined with the work of the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation, which governs global accounting rules, mean the corporate world is moving toward a unified standard of reporting requirements.
The first vehicles will likely roll off a production line in Ohio, thanks to its recent deal to buy a factory from Lordstown. Meanwhile, the batteries, including the cells and component chemicals, are developed and assembled in Taiwan. Both those elements, which are among the most expensive steps in building an EV, are likely to be replicated in Europe, India and Southeast Asia. By contrast, sporadic attempts to internationalize iPhone production  in Brazil and India  have done little to reduce reliance on manufacturing centers in Chinas Shenzhen and Zhengzhou cities.It may be the case that Foxconns quick entry into EVs, and early proof of delivery, has put the Taiwanese giant on track to secure yet another coveted order from Cupertino. However, landing a future Apple car shouldnt be seen as a badge of success, but a sign of failure.
Who will succeed him at the Bundesbank? Such decisions are in the hands of the next German government, which is still in the creative stage. A replacement hawk for hawk is less likely than a more consensual candidate. Claudia Buch is Weidmanns deputy but she is a perceived Christian Democrat party (CDU) appointee. It is more likely Isabel Schnabel would step up as the next head, and she is a key ally of Lagarde. Although she has not had a major role with the Bundesbank, Schnabel was appointed to her ECB executive board role in 2020 by Social Democratic Party (SPD) leader Olaf Scholz, who is still finance minister. He is most likely to become Germanys next chancellor. Schnabel would be a very pro-EU appointment.
But that faith in Londons role is now giving way to fear. Foreign direct investment into the U.K. has fallen off a cliff since 2016, with finance and other professional services leading the decline. The government is also getting antsy about bankers moving to Paris and Frankfurt, where they are better positioned to serve clients they can no longer satisfy from London. According to research firm New Financial, about 550 billion euros (about $640 billion) of bank assets have already been moved out of the U.K. into the EU to comply with regulators wishes there.
Why is it, though, that fantasies about the afterlife so often mix pathos and humor? Take Malzbergs four stories set in Writers heaven. As narrated by Damon Runyon in his signature Guys and Dolls style, they describe the tiffs and rivalries among the habitues of a celestial saloon. Big Ernie (Hemingway)  insecurely obsessed with the literary pecking order  breaks down before the disdain of the Royal Russian (Nabokov); Ring Lardner wanders over from the brothel next door in need of a drink; Dashiell Hammett glories in never having to write again; and Carson McCullers and Flannery OConnor bicker about their reputations. The stories are funny and bitter: We are all what we once were here in writers heaven except that we are more of the same.
Dear Heloise: I like to make far more food than I know we'll eat, because I always freeze the leftovers. I usually prepare a huge dinner on Sunday using chili, stew or a homemade soup and freeze whatever is left. This allows my husband to thaw a meal in the microwave and heat up a home-cooked meal instead of eating dinner at a fast-food place (where the salt and fat content is high) on those evenings when I have to work late or am out of town.
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune later reported that the MPR staffer at the center of the original complaint had complained about Keillors advances to managers and colleagues at his production company on five occasions starting in 2011; she also reported three instances of unwanted physical contact. Among them was an allegation that Keillor had placed his hand on her leg during a 2015 car ride, and that in 2011 he had trailed his fingers up and down her left thigh in the shows production office. No remedial action was ever taken by the company, the paper reported.
Say an airline quotes a misleading airfare on its site or is slow to issue refunds. What if instead of threatening it with a fine, the government takes away its ability to take off or land at certain airports? Landing slots, which are permission to operate flights at specific times at busy airports, are worth tens  and sometimes hundreds  of millions of dollars. Losing one could have a meaningful effect on an airlines operation. And the possibility of losing one would provide a powerful incentive to take care of customers.
A visual inspection of the timepiece brought on fears that it might be a time bomb, wrote Malcolm, who lives in Fairfax Station, Va. Why a terrorist would go to that level of complication when a simple push of a button would do the job as well, I have never fathomed. An inspection of the inner works of the clock through its rear door was, in this case, sufficient to soothe the troubled breast of officialdom.
The vast majority of children in the Washington region are back in classrooms this fall, some for the first time in a year and a half. Children learning in-person have faced a raft of safety measures, including mask requirements and, for student-athletes, vaccine mandates. The precautions appear to be working: The only school closure reported so far in the D.C. area this academic year came in Prince William County Public Schools this month, when the Northern Virginia system was forced to make an elementary school online only for about a week because of a coronavirus outbreak.
Todays Headlines

The most important news stories of the day, curated by Post editors and delivered every morning.

Email address

By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Contee said it appears from an initial viewing of the video that while Johnson may have reached for the officers firearm, it does not conclusively show him pulling it from the holster. He said that the body camera worn by the officer who fired went out, then came back on, during the encounter and that video from two other officers cameras does not clearly capture all aspects of the struggle.
These were among reports received by the Calvert County Sheriffs Office and the Maryland State Police. Anyone with information is asked to call 410-535-2800 or 301-855-1194 or use the Submit a Tip feature on the mobile app. Call the Crime Solvers line at 410-535-2880 or the state police Prince Frederick Barrack at 410-535-1400.
Every single individual who has been trained and employed by Fairfax County has a taxpayer investment on them, he said. And that taxpayer investment walks out the door if we lose our ability to retain our good employees because were not competitive with the marketplace.
The rationale is these are items that can be misused to abuse human rights, to track and identify dissidents or disrupt networks or communications, but they also have very legitimate cybersecurity uses, said one senior official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the agency. So what the rule does is restrict these exports to the problematic countries.
You cant be a mayor, especially in a city like Chicago, without picking up some scar tissue on the way, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said. Your description of what you learned along the way . . . those lessons were challenging and painful for you during your entire tenure, but you served in an admirable way.
When agents searched the couples home, they found what Olinits called a go bag with a computer, a pair of latex gloves, and a USB drive. They also found $11,300 in cash, Olinits said. The agent described numerous surveillance photos taken of the couple, saying they show the Toebbes going to dead drop locations, at which Diana stands close to her husband as he is leaving behind hidden data cards for his contact; sometimes, Olinits said, she would take pictures with her camera.
Migration to the U.S.-Mexico border is now truly global, said Cris Ramon, an independent immigration consultant in Washington. The implications for immigration policy require a far more comprehensive approach because its not enough to say you have to deter migration from Mexico or Central America. This has become a far more complex problem for the administration to deal with.
Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) has expressed fierce opposition to the Biden administrations Clean Electricity Performance Program. This program would go a long way toward achieving President Bidens goals on climate change. Mr. Manchins hypocrisy is now exposed. For months, he has put on the mantle of a moderate Democrat who opposed the $3.5 trillion price of the current administrations Build Back Better agenda. However, it is now plain for all to see he wants to protect the coal industry in his state, despite that coal is the dinosaur of the fossil fuel industry.
That has nothing to do with a political party, Thompson said. That has nothing to do with anything, other than the fact that you should be committed like we are as a select committee to coming up with a product that we can present to Congress that, if adopted, [such an attack] will never, ever happen again.
I told them what I knew and what I understood, Fortenberry said in the video. Theyve accused me of lying to them and are charging me with this. Were shocked. Were stunned. I feel so personally betrayed. We thought we were trying to help. And so now, we will have to fight.
Joe Manchin has been given all summer to both draft and negotiate this bill, said Meagan Hatcher-Mays, director of democracy for the Indivisible network of liberal activists. He is the one who holds the key as to whether or not this bill will actually pass. So the question for Joe Manchin [on Wednesday] is, are you going to show more loyalty to our democracy and our country? Or are you going to show more loyalty to an arcane Senate rule that is arbitrarily blocking your own legislation from being passed?
They appreciate the houses layout, in which the main living areas and primary bedroom are on one level. The outdoor patio looks out onto a wooded area, and their street adjoins the rest of the neighborhood by green space and a footpath. The roomy basement and loft areas are accessible each by two short staircases of six steps and a landing, rather than one long staircase, a plus for aging knees and hips. The couple says that visitors first response is often, wow, this is bigger than it looks.
Since May 2020, the Guru Nanak Foundation of America has held a food drive every Sunday in Silver Spring. (GNFA Food Drive Team)

Although demand has dipped since 2020, it remains higher than pre-pandemic levels. And new economic pressures  such as inflation and gas costs  are again squeezing families.
I feel so hopeless, said Ali, who spoke on the condition that only his first name be used out of concern for his safety. An engineer for a construction company that had contracts with the U.S. military, he said he had lost his job and was worried that the Taliban would come after him. I have no income, I am afraid for my safety, and I cannot even give my son something that Islam requires me to do for him.
Its short range suggests the missile could target South Korea and Japan. It did not fly very high, so ground-based radars may not be able to track it until it is on its way down. Missiles fired from a submarine are already harder to detect, and to make matters more concerning, South Koreas radars currently point upward  not out to the sea, analysts said.
Mr. Putins decision not to travel to Glasgow does not indicate anything definitive about Russias intended policies, Jonathan Elkind, a senior research scholar at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy, who worked on international climate issues at the Energy Department during the Obama administration, said in an email Wednesday. But it certainly does signal that Mr. Putin does not intend to invest himself personally in the success of an event focused on what is perhaps the greatest challenge of our day  even though the impacts of a changing climate are already bringing significant harm to Russian industry, cities, infrastructure, forests, and other natural ecosystems.
Tices parents, Marc and Debra Tice, welcomed the reports of discussions between U.S. and Syrian officials. For years we have pushed for engagement between the US and Syrian governments to help bring our son safely home, so we hope recent reports are accurate. We are deeply grateful to everyone working for Austins safe return, and his continued absence shows there is more to be done, the Tices said in a statement Monday.
The Jerusalem District Court ruled Monday the books were treasures of the Jewish people that had historic, religious and national importance and must be preserved. The best way to do so would be to keep them at the National Library under a public trust, it ruled.
Washington, IN (47501)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low near 30F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low near 30F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Trusted local news has never been more important, but providing the information you need, information that can change sometimes minute-by-minute, requires a partnership with you, our readers. Please consider making a contribution today to support this vital resource that you and countless others depend on.
Not five minutes into Dave Chappelles Netflix special, The Closer, hes insulted child sex abuse survivors and starting on everyone else.

Chappelle, who is black, talks about watching videos of blacks beating up Asian people during the pandemic, while he was quarantining. He likens the beatings to his bodys efforts to beat the virus, implying the coronavirus is Asian.

Dave Chappelle on stage performing his Netflix special, The Closer. Credit:Mathieu Bitton / Netflix

He floats an idea for a film; Space Jews, a story about aliens, originally from Earth, and things go terrible for them on the other planet, so thousands of years later they return and decide that they want to claim the Earth for their very own.

Is this joke an allegory about Israels establishment? About world Jewish domination? Or anti-Semitic Holocaust inversion, as one critic claims?
Synergy has awarded a $155 million contract to Italian firm New Horizons Ahead to have a giant lithium-ion battery operating in Kwinana by the end of 2022.

The battery, first announced in October 2020, will store excess power from solar panels in the middle of the day and deliver it back to the grid in the early evening.

Synergys Kwinana battery will be bigger than the Tesla big battery in South Australia. Credit: Neoen

This flattening of demand fluctuation will allow Synergy, the state-owned energy generator and retailer, to operate its two coal-fired power stations in Collie more steadily and use less generation in the evening.

One in three WA households have solar panels and this is expected to rise to 50 per cent by 2050.
An ex-political staffer who had worked for both Gladys Berejiklian and Daryl Maguire told the corruption watchdog he was so shocked upon learning the pair were in a romantic relationship that he literally spat out his water.

Zach Bentley worked for Ms Berejiklian when she was NSW transport minister, treasurer and later premier, and earlier in 2013 worked as an intern for then-government whip Mr Maguire.

An ex-staffer who worked for both Daryl Maguire, left, and Gladys Berejiklian, right, said he had no idea about their romantic relationship. Credit:Rhett Wymann, Brook Mitchell

Mr Bentley, who claims to be one of only two people to have worked for both Ms Berejiklian and Mr Maguire, told the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in April he always knew the pair had an old relationship as colleagues, but never suspected they were romantically involved.

I literally spat my water out, Mr Bentley said, upon learning last year about the secret five-year relationship between Ms Berejiklian and the disgraced former member for Wagga Wagga.
London: Billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest is urging China to come to the Glasgow climate summit, arguing the worlds largest polluter should show off its potential to achieve net zero emissions much sooner than its goal of 2060.

In an interview ahead of next months talks, Australias richest man also warned against including nuclear energy in any new federal government climate policy and accused politicians of perpetrating a cruel hoax on voters by resisting an impending tsunami of clean energy projects.

Dont overplay your time in the limelight, Forrest told Nationals MPs opposed to a package of measures being debated by Prime Minister Scott Morrisons cabinet.

Fortescue Metals Group chairman Andrew Forrest in London ahead of the COP26 summit. Credit:Domenico Pugliese

It is time to allow your electors a choice. Denying them a choice between a green future, as opposed to an old, polluting one, will be seen for what it is: grandstanding.
London: Car manufacturers will be financially punished unless they sell a minimum number of electric vehicles each year under fresh plans to drive down prices and speed up Britains transition to a net zero economy.

However, government analysis concedes the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 will saddle taxpayers with bigger bills and warns a huge hole will be blown in the budget as revenue from fuel consumption plummets.

The United Kingdom will ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030 - one of the worlds most ambitious targets. With pure electric cars accounting for 15 per cent of new car registrations last month, the UK needs to rapidly stimulate uptake to meet the end-of-decade goal.

The United Kingdom wants to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. Credit:Bloomberg

Shunning the approach of Norway, which has become the world leader in electric vehicles by offering buyers a suite of tax breaks, the United Kingdom will instead impose a new scheme on the car industry.
Washington: FBI agents raided homes in Washington and New York City linked to Oleg Deripaska, a Russian billionaire with ties to the Kremlin and to Paul Manafort, the onetime chairman of Donald Trumps 2016 US presidential campaign.

The agents carried boxes out of a mansion in one of Washingtons wealthiest neighbourhoods, with yellow CRIME SCENE DO NOT ENTER tape across the front yard and towed away a vehicle.

A federal agent walks boxes to a home of Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska in Washington, DC. Credit:AP

A spokesperson for the US Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT) the agency was conducting a court-authorised law enforcement activity at the home, which the Washington Post has previously reported was linked to the Russian oligarch.

The specific reason for sealing off and searching the Washington mansion was not immediately clear, and the FBI spokesperson did not provide details.
Photos provided to FBI investigators of Dalton Ray Crase, left, and Troy Dylan Williams, right, show the men at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington D.C. (Courtesy of FBI criminal complaint)
Oct. 19, 2021 vigil for Thomas "Lofton" Hazelwood, a University of Kentucky student who was pronounced dead after being found unresponsive at a fraternity house. (Source: LEX 18)
Reporter

I cover a range of stories for WDRB, but really enjoy tracking what's going on at our State Capitol. I grew up on military bases all over the world, but am a Kentuckian at heart. I'm an EKU alum, and have lived in Louisville for 30 years.
Lawmakers working on plan to crack down on human trafficking in Kentucky
In this photo provided by North Port Police Department, law enforcement officials conduct a search of the vast Carlton Reserve in the Sarasota, Fla., area for Brian Laundrie on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. Laundrie is a person of interest in the disappearance of his girlfriend, Gabrielle Gabby Petito. (North Port Police Department via AP)


remaining of

Thank you for Reading!

On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
Changing hearts and minds with Genevieve Clay-Smith

Genevieve Clay-Smith was just 18 when she committed to shaking up the film industry. Now, the director advocates for people with disabilities through her award-winning films.

Genevieve Clay-Smith spent her childhood ensconced in the creative world of Young Peoples Theatre in her home town of Cardiff, Newcastle. When she wasnt improvising with her theatre buddies, she was spending lunch breaks immersed in writing stories  more compelled by the worlds she was creating on the page than the kids playing outside.

Set on making it as an actor, Clay-Smith delved into a Media Arts and Production degree at the University of Technology in Sydney, drawn by the idea that she could better herself as an actor from behind the camera  it didnt take long for her to realise that was where she belonged.

Stars aligned

In 2008, Clay-Smith was contracted to make a documentary for Down Syndrome NSW. She was to follow six people with trisomy 21 (the preferred term for people with Down syndrome) as they pursued their job of choice. During the 18-month-long project, Clay-Smith witnessed the many barriers to employment for people with trisomy 21 and the people willing to help them along the way.

I started to get this sense of social justice; that you can really make a difference with what you have in your hands, she says. People were volunteering their time to teach someone how to cook or to advocate for someone in their workplace so they could get a job. They were really changing lives. That was really impacting for me.

During her final year of university, Clay-Smith decided to put her growing ideas about social justice into practice using the tools she had at her disposal: a university education, access to camera equipment and a love of storytelling.

Film and television offer a unique opportunity to change hearts and minds. For Clay-Smith, film-making is intrinsically linked to human rights.

The stars aligned. Actor Gerard ODwyer had joined the documentary for Down Syndrome NSW late in the program. The first time Clay-Smith met ODwyer, he launched into a soliloquy from Romeo and Juliet. Clay-Smith was captivated; she invited ODwyer to make a film with her alongside six crew members with disabilities. The result, Be My Brother, won best film at Tropfest in 2009 and ODwyer won best actor. The films success had a huge impact on ODwyer and boosted Clay-Smiths drive to bring more diversity to mainstream screens.

[ODwyer] had been told awful things through his childhood and young adulthood. You wouldnt think it now, but he suffered from a lack of confidence on the set of Be My Brother, she says. That was a defining moment for him in his life. And I thought I could do that again and again and again. And how wonderful would that be? To use my passion and transform lives and hopefully, at some point, the film industry as well.

I felt this real pang of injustice because I began to have my eyes opened to some of the problems with our film industry, she says. Everybodys stories should be told and told authentically, not for the sake of benefiting one film-maker at the top of the hierarchy. It needed to be equitable, and I realised how it was very exclusive.

Fork in the road

Winning Tropfest was the beginning of a tumultuous year for Clay-Smith. It began with a prestigious award and a good job at the ABC, but by the end of the year she was employed as a waitress and struggling to find work in film.

It was at this time Clay-Smith met one of Australias best agents. Her advice? Drop the ambition for making inclusive films. She looked at me like I had two heads. She said that I would never have a career in the film industry, that it just sounded like some nice Community Arts program, says Clay-Smith. She basically said Id be pigeonholed as the girl who only ever makes films about Down syndrome, that Id never get a gig because people dont want to see those films. I was so shocked and hurt by that perception, I had a real fork in the road moment.

Clay-Smith toyed with the idea of taking a more traditional path to becoming a director, but her success with Be My Brother and her work with Down Syndrome NSW lingered. It gave me more purpose in my film-making career, it started to be more than just me wanting to be a famous film director, she says. I could see that I could actually make a real difference in peoples lives through my passion for film-making. And that was something I couldnt ignore.

A unique opportunity

The problem with mainstream film and TV, says Clay-Smith, is that its too homogenous. If were only seeing white people on television, the message to people that are not white is that you dont matter enough to be on our screens and your stories dont matter. Its very damaging. Film-making is the industry of storytelling and everybody needs to be heard, because different people need to feel validated.

Film and television offer a unique opportunity to change hearts and minds. For Clay-Smith, film-making is intrinsically linked to human rights: You get to be in a skin of someone else for an hour when youre watching a film, she says. You get to experience first-hand what they go through. How can you then ignore the opportunity or invitation to be an ally to that community and raise your voice when the vote comes?

I learned a lot about being vulnerable with people. Having mentors and being very honest and open about what was going on and not trying to be a lone soldier.

If she was going to shake up the industry, Clay-Smith knew she had to change the way she approached not just the story, but the process of production itself. Instead of a hierarchical structure where the director is king, she envisioned a more equitable approach where the director is open to ideas from a diverse crew. Its a really different measure of success. It measures success from a human perspective, and how people are treated, how people are included, and how people can progress their own career pathways through being involved and mentored, she says. I always argue that you can get a great film, an incredible award-winning film, and you can treat people well and include people at the same time, its possible to do both.

Fuelled by the success of Be My Brother, Clay-Smith and her producer on the film Eleanor Winkler co-founded Bus Stop Films. The company was to reimagine the talents of people with disabilities within the mainstream. One of the greatest stigmas that stopped people with disability achieving in life is other peoples low expectations of them, she says. When we have low expectations of people with disability, we rob them of their opportunity to reach their full potential. Ive always said at Bus Stop Films, I have high expectations of everybody.

The world stage

One of Bus Stop Films major supporters and member of the Arts Council of Mongolia, Roger Perry OAM, encouraged Clay-Smith to take the company overseas. Keen for adventure, Clay-Smith flew to Mongolia to better understand how the program at Bus Stop Films could translate into Mongolian culture.

It was clear Mongolia was 40 years behind the Disability Rights Movement; there was a cultural belief that parents with children born with a disability had done something wrong in a past life. I learned that [Bus Stop Films] could really help not only people with disability to reach their full potential and tell their stories, but the story in and of itself could help to impact society and what they think of disabilities, says Clay-Smith.

The program was a success and ultimately led to more opportunities overseas. Clay-Smiths other company Taste Creative won a contract with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to make a tourism film and Clay-Smith put forward the idea to make an inclusive film.

Shakespeare in Tokyo follows a young man with trisomy 21 (played by Gerard ODwyer) as he escapes his brother to explore Tokyo on his own. The challenging part of the project, says Clay-Smith, was convincing the client they could make a film with an inclusive crew: I needed to convince them that it wasnt going to compromise production. Once Id shown them the evidence that it was possible, they were good with it.

Staying afloat

Bus Stop Films was in the swing of creating beautiful, poignant films that were shaking up the industry, but the business was built on an entirely unsustainable, not-for-profit model; the duo didnt even have a business plan in place. Clay-Smiths vision had got the company this far, but now they had to fight to keep Bus Stop Films afloat.

I cant tell you the amount of tears Ive cried over Bus Stop, says Clay-Smith. My biggest fear was that Bus Stop would live and die with me. Finding a way to make it sustainable was the biggest pressure I had for nine years, because I knew I couldnt keep doing it forever. And if Im the only one doing it, then how can we expand the reach of the work?

There were endless meetings with philanthropists and research into ways to make the business sustainable. And, among them, many dark nights of the soul, where Clay-Smith questioned what it would mean if she just stopped doing the work. I learned a lot about being vulnerable with people. Having mentors and being very honest and open about what was going on and not trying to be a lone soldier. I learned that sharing the burden was really important, she says.

In the end, the National Disability Insurance Scheme that began its roll-out in 2016 saved the company. It meant students could pay for their classes at Bus Stop Films. After 10 years of running the company, Clay-Smith was able to step aside and pass on the reigns to a new CEO while remaining on the board.

After all, there is so much more for her to accomplish. My philosophy is that were not just here to have a career, she says. Were here to interact with other people and help make the world as good as it can be for others in our sphere.

Clay-Smith continues to be involved with Bus Stop Films and is currently planning long-form content with the company. But her true legacy are the lives she has transformed on her journey of bringing more diversity to our screens.
If you want to conduct an experiment in the sociology of pandemic behavior, try a quick jaunt to Las Vegas. Always a petri dish for freaks, Sin City has gotten stranger in these strange times since it continues to have a mask mandate for everyone, vaccinated or not, gathered indoors.
The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV.
Thank you for reading the Herald-Whig

You have reached our free-content limit. If you are a current subscriber, please log in to continue viewing content or purchase a subscription by clicking the Subscribe button below. Thank you for supporting independent Journalism.
Three Ways Technology Can Make The Hybrid Environment Work For Your Organization
Consultancy - E-Learning Programme Effectiveness, New York

Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Childrens Fund

Country: United States

City: New York

Office: UNICEF New York

Closing date: Friday, 22 October 2021

Consultancy - E-Learning, Programme Effectiveness , DAPM, NYHQ (remote based)

Job no: 545244

Position type: Consultancy

Location: United States Division/Equivalent: Programme

School/Unit: Division of Analysis, Planning & Monitor

Department/Office: DAPM - Learning & Knowledge Exchange

Categories: Knowledge Management

Consultancy: E-Learning Consultant to develop a set of self-paced e-learning modules on Measuring Child Poverty

Section/Division/Duty Station: Learning and Knowledge Exchange, DAPM, NYHQ - remote-based

Duration: 7 months

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the worlds leading childrens rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote childrens survival, protection and development. The worlds largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

For every child, Hope

UNICEF is the lead agency in monitoring the wellbeing of children, with a mandate to support countries in collecting reliable data on children, as well as to track progress against internationally agreed targets including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Child Poverty and Gender Equality team within the Data Analysis and Innovation Unit covers a range of topics, including child poverty measurement, which is the topical focus of this consultancy. Further to UNICEFs role, in collaboration with the World Bank and UNDP, supporting countries to monitor progress towards SDG target 1.2.2 on multidimensional poverty, in particular child poverty.

As part of the support to countries, online training will be developed for staff of National Statistical Offices. The trainings will combine live format with packaged sessions stand-alone/self-paced e-learning. The latter will provide the background knowledge, conceptual framework, definitions, etc as well as instructions for practical exercise to be carried out by participants using their own national datasets (learning by doing). In addition to the e-learning, participants could receive one-on-one support or an opportunity to participate as part of a group format via videoconference or live Zoom workshops, which will allow them to engage in hands-on learning with their own datasets and will receive practical live support from a team of specialists helping through calculations, syntax writing, estimation, graphical presentation, and analysis of results.

An online self-paced training package was produced by UNICEF and ECLAC in 2011/12. It is available in Spanish and English. However, it needs updating. Also, the content has already been used in several countries and regional training workshops (live, using Powerpoint slides, and via videoconference) throughout the world.

How can you make a difference?

Very few countries are currently reporting on SDG 1.2.2 (multidimensional poverty) and even a smaller number report child poverty (which both the text of the SDG and the reporting platform constructed by the World Bank, UNDP, and UNICEF explicitly mention child poverty, i.e. distinct from a mere disaggregation by age of household poverty). By training staff of National Statistical Offices it is expected countries will have knowledge and capacity to estimate and report on child poverty.

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the development of a self-paced e-learning package intended for staff at National Statistical Offices (NSOs). The objective is to support NSOs in order for them to be able to periodically calculate, analyse, report, and use their own child poverty estimates. The Consultant may be asked to advise on structure and activities for implementing live trainings via videoconference and make recommendations on incorporating appropriate practical activities/case studies into the agenda for use in the virtual trainings.

The e-learning package on Measuring Child Poverty will consist of 5 modules, estimated at 1 hour each on various topics, developed on UNICEFs Learning Management System (a Totara/Moodle platform) using a combination of tools such as Articulate Storyline/Rise and the Learning Management System (LMS) functionalities. Each module will go in depth on Measuring Child Poverty contents and could comprise various methodologies such as gamification, recorded lessons, assignments, quizzes, tests at the end of each module and final action learning projects. The content will be provided by the Subject Matter Experts in the form of PowerPoints, documentation, links to documents, reports, etc.

The Consultant will be responsible for reviewing the existing content, set clear and realistic objectives, finalize and adapt the learning content for e-learning purposes, select the right authoring tool and design, develop and produce the e-learning package. The exact modules title and content will be discussed with the Subject Matter Expert, but the provisionally they are: Module 1: Introduction to Measuring Child Poverty (General overview)

Module 2. Poverty, conceptual definitions and measurement issues Module 3. From individual deprivations to child poverty: Choosing dimensions, indicators, and thresholds

Module 4. Further analysis: Describing and disaggregating child poverty.

Module 5. Sensitivity Analysis

Terms of Reference / Deliverables

Scope of Work: Under the overall direction of the Senior Adviser Statistics and Monitoring and the Learning and Development Specialist, the Consultant, in close collaboration with the colleagues in Programme Group - Social Policy, will be responsible for the design, development, and implementation of four modules on Measuring Child Poverty that will be different in their objectives and content, but similar in their features and the user-experience. The e-learning modules will be hosted on UNICEFs Learning Management System - AGORA.

Specific Tasks:

Evaluate the existing content developed by the Subject Matter Experts (in DAPM, Programme Group - Social Policy, Regional Offices and external experts) in the format of PPT presentations, agendas, links to internal material and other formats by regularly meeting and discussing the content development and incorporate initial instructional strategies into the materials provided by the Subject Matter Experts. Prepare a detailed project plan with expected review timeframe for the Subject Matter Expert (s) considering the deadline of each deliverable listed in the contract and planning on what aspects could be developed in parallel.

Liaise with DAPM LKE learning team to get oriented and familiarize with UNICEFs best practice strategies for online learning development, including an orientation to UNICEFs Learning Management System (LMS) and to ensure adequate methodologies and tools for online engagement are developed.

Develop a Detailed Design Document (DDD)/Macro design document: a MS Word document describing the design, development and steps to integrate/produce the content that is, the lessons or modules and all the deliverables necessary, including suggestions for authoring tools and/or platforms used to produce the modules.

Prepare and design content into scripts/storyboards for each module by incorporating instructional design to develop the online learning package (e.g. propose micro-learning assets, short videos or video tutorials, animations, games, quizzes, simulation exercises, incorporation of practical activities and case studies, etc.)

Once the content is finalized and shaped for e-learning purposes, move to production and implementation of the scoped e-learning modules (exact number to be defined at the beginning of the project upon consultation with the SMEs). This may include producing the modules as SCORM based packages in Articulate Storyline 360, creating short videos, or using UNICEFs LMS features to create and set up of the online learning programme on the Learning Management System using the LMS capabilities (e.g. H5P, quizzes, discussion forums, assignments, integration of videos, links to documents, case studies, assessment methods, feedback evaluation, etc.) and incorporate various other activities and resources.

When requested, provide advice on structure and activities for implementing live trainings via videoconference and make recommendations on incorporating appropriate practical activities/case studies into the agenda for use in the virtual training.

Ensure monitoring and evaluation methods.

Ensure frequent coordination between DAPM/D&A and Programme Group - Social Policy, and organise continuous feedback by PG-Social Policy colleagues on proposed content.

Work Assignment Overview

eTasks/Milestone: Deliverables/Outputs: 1.1. Evaluate the existing content developed by the Subject Matter Experts (in DAPM, Programme Group - Social Policy, and external experts) in the format of PPT presentations, agendas, links to internal material and other formats by regularly meeting and discussing the content development.

Prepare a detailed project plan with expected review timeframe for the Subject Matter Expert (s) considering the deadline of each deliverables listed in the contract and planning on what aspects could be developed in parallel.

1.2 Develop a Detailed Design Document (DDD)/Macro design document

1.1 Ensure that the draft content prepared by the Subject Matter Expert is fit for e-learning purposes and/or make direct changes to reflect this. Incorporate initial instructional strategies into the materials provided by the Subject Matter Experts.

1.2 The high level design document or the micro-design document should outline goals, the number of modules to be produced and draft learning objectives for each with initial ideas for instructional design approach. It should describe the design, development and steps to integrate/produce the content that is, the lessons or modules and all the deliverables necessary, including suggestions for authoring tools and/or platforms used to produce the modules.

2. Develop scripts/storyboards for all modules including prototyping for modules 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

2. The storyboards/scrips for each module could be in the form of PPT or MS Word document detailing description of onscreen content (text and images), audio narration script, activities and production notes which will be submitted to UNICEFs SME for validation and sign off. The storyboards/scripts should also include a brief introduction to the modules, goals, learning objectives for each module, steps to reach the objective and methodology to be included for delivering it, modules length, identification of activities, interactions, links and structure of content. Following sign off on the scripts/storyboards, the Consultant will start the course production.

For the prototyping, overall look and feel for the course, Page types, portions of the graphic approach (colours) and mechanics (interactivity) should be proposed. Utilize tools such as Articulate Storyline or Rise, H5P, or a combination of features and tools and use UNICEFs Learning Management System (LMS) - a Totara based platform to host the course modules.

3. 1. Develop and produce Alpha working version of all modules. Use UNICEFs LMS as a platform to host the e-modules. Implement feedback from reviewers.

3. 2 Ad-hoc advise on structure and activities for implementing live trainings via videoconference and make recommendations on incorporating appropriate practical activities/case studies into the agenda for use in the virtual training.

3.1 This may include producing the modules as SCORM based packages in Articulate Storyline 360 or using a combination of tools to develop micro-learning assets and utilize UNICEFs LMS features such as H5P to create and set up the online learning modules on the Learning Management System using the LMS capabilities (e.g. H5P, quizzes, discussion forums, assignments, integration of videos, links to documents, case studies, assessment methods, feedback evaluation, etc.) and incorporate various other activities and resources. Implement evaluation and feedback mechanisms. The alpha version should also include design elements, activities, narration and synchronized text and interactivities. This version will be submitted to UNICEF for review and sign off before the Consultant proceeds with the finalization of the course.

3.2 Provide ad-hoc advise on structure and activities for implementing the live trainings via videoconference if/when requested. Advice on drafting a facilitators agenda outlining activities for use in the virtual training.

4.1. Final Production and implementation of all modules. Use UNICEFs LMS as a platform to host the e-modules. Identify end users to test the pilot.

4.1 Produce final version of the course modules (1-5) with all feedback implemented. At this stage, the modules should be fully integrated and set up on the LMS. A group of pilot users should be identified to test the course for completion tracking.

Qualifications

1) Education

University degree (Masters) preferably in instructional design, adult learning, or online and distance education desirable. Social science, design/media or management degree (project management, human resources, business administration, international relations, psychology, etc.) possible if complemented with relevant on the job experience. Additional professional training an advantage.

2) Work experience

At least 5 years experience working on the development and implementation of online and/or blended learning programmes. Experience in working with learning management systems as a solution to deliver e-learning programmes is mandatory, preferably experience of Totara and/or Moodle.

Proven professional experience in instructional design and the use of learning technologies for distance and blended training purposes.

3) Competencies

Exposure to international professional contexts and/or multicultural environments within the United Nations Systems, preferably in UNICEF.

Prior experience in the design and development of online learning activities and resources for adults.

Prior hands-on experience in innovating and using modern technologies and methodologies to support UNICEFs learning initiatives is desirable.

Advanced knowledge and understanding of Totara LMS or Moodle LMS environments - in particular regarding content development and set up. cwMl8ii Dh7qKS

Knowledge and experience with Articulate Storyline, Rise, iSpring, Camtasia or similar, modern authoring tools.

Strong pedagogical skills, capacity to develop self-paced e-learning courses.

Good understanding of graphic design for learning principles.

Knowledge and understanding of content management platforms and knowledge sharing tools highly desirable.

Attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, ability to work well with others.

Ability to work with virtual teams

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Fluency in English is required. Fluency in another UN language is an asset.

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEFs e-Recruitment system and provide Personal History Form (P11) Upload copy of academic credentials

Financial proposal that will include:

Overall estimated amount of funds to complete all the deliverables

An estimate amount of funds for each deliverable

Kindly provide a breakdown in terms of days needed for each deliverable with a daily rate

Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.

At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultants household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEFs core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, and Accountability.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered "staff members" under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEFs policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

Advertised: Oct 07 2021 Eastern Daylight Time Application close: Oct 21 2021 Eastern Daylight Time

Link to the organizations job offer: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1634567339238
Communication Associate (Digital Media), Tbilisi, Georgia

Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Childrens Fund

Country: Georgia

City: Tbilisi

Office: UNICEF Tbilisi, Georgia

Closing date: Thursday, 28 October 2021

Communication Associate (Digital Media) Fixed-term, (GS6), Tbilisi, Georgia #115070

Job no: 545383

Position type: Fixed Term Appointment

Location: Georgia Division/Equivalent: CEE/CIS

School/Unit: Georgia

Department/Office: Tblisi, Georgia

Categories: Communication / External Relations

UNICEF works in some of the worlds toughest places, to reach the worlds most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, education

Strategic Office Context and purpose for the job

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to childrens rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a societys most disadvantaged citizens addressing inequity not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Strategic office context : UNICEF Strategic Plan, 2018-2021 outlines eight Change Strategies for achieving UNICEF goals: 1) programming excellence at scale; 2) gender-responsive programming; 3) winning support for the cause of children from decision makers and the wider public; 4) developing and leveraging resources and partnerships; 5) leveraging the power of business and markets; 6) United Nations organizations working together; 7) fostering innovation; and 8) using the power of evidence.

With change Strategy 3, for the first time, UNICEF identifies communication and advocacy as essential for achieving programmatic goals. The next programme of cooperation 2021-2025 will use communication and advocacy to win support for the cause of children from decision-makers and wider public, place the rights and well-being of the most vulnerable children of Georgia at the heart of the social, political and economic agendas, and foster greater social engagement for children. UNICEF will become stronger voice, advocacy, campaigning, fundraising and communications force for children, engaging partners to build alliances and movements for change. UNICEF communication and advocacy will reach more people with evidence-based messages, stimulating both a national debate on child rights and engaging partners in supporting and taking specific actions for children. UNICEF will engage young people as advocates and campaigners and ensure their voices are an integral part of our communications and advocacy.

Communication Associate (Digital Media) will contribute to the implementation of the UNICEF Communication and Advocacy strategy.

Purpose for the job:

Assists in planning, designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating digital communication initiatives to support the advocacy and communication strategy, including in management of social and digital media platforms. The purpose is to get childrens and womens issues into the public domain, strengthen political will in support of UNICEFs mission and objectives in the country, and enhance the organizations credibility and brand.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

KEY END-RESULTS

Web management: Manage UNICEF Georgias web platform through web-based content management system (drupal) on a daily basis; Plan and gather editorial content for the website to support country office communication strategy, regional and global campaigns and priorities.

Social Media: Develop and manage social media accounts of UNICEF Georgia on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and any other emerging platform, in line with the purpose of the position. Create visual content for social media platforms - posters, factographs, photo-stories. Develop networks with social media influencers to position childrens issues and UNICEF at the centre of social media discourse in the country.

Monitoring and evaluation: Timely monitoring and evaluation of activities of social media platforms, website traffic and trends are undertaken according to the expected goals to ensure quality, effectiveness and relevance of UNICEF Georgias digital communication efforts.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS

Web management

Manage UNICEF Georgias web platform through web-based content management system (drupal) on a daily basis; Plan and gather editorial content for the website to support country office communication strategy, regional and global campaigns and priorities.

Duties & Tasks

Development of the UNICEF Georgias online strategy and website content plan as per country offices communication strategy, priorities and workplans.

Collect relevant information related to programme priorities, activities and results to develop content for posting on digital and social media.

Manage office website through web-based content management system (drupal) on a daily basis.

Maintain a web and social media calendar of content themes and all upcoming coverage schedules according to the calendar.

Social Media.

Develop and manage social media accounts of UNICEF Georgia on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and any other emerging platform, in line with the purpose of the position. Create visual content for social media platforms - posters, factographs, photo-stories.

Develop networks with social media influencers to position childrens issues and UNICEF at the centre of social media discourse in the country

Duties & Tasks

Maintain all social media accounts of UNICEF Georgia with compelling content, to ensure that reach and engagement is continuously enhanced.

In line with the evolving world of social media, keep abreast with new developments. Advise where relevant, about the need to engage with emerging social media platforms.

Maintain and update list of social media influencers, bloggers and advocates who can be engaged to amplify UNICEFs messages. Assist in developing and maintaining close relationships with these influencers.

Maintain a library of pictures, infographics, videos etc in an easy to find and use manner.

Ensure digital content is uploaded to the global platforms through weshare and other sharing mechanisms.

Conduct trainings and provide support to other sections in understanding better how digital and social media plays a role in the context of the office.

Prepare social media packs and materials for briefings and visits of high-level dignitaries, donors and other special interest groups. The task includes preparing social media kits with messages and assisting in the planning and implementing arrangements.

Monitoring and evaluation

Timely monitoring and evaluation of activities of social media platforms, website traffic and trends are undertaken according to the expected goals to ensure quality, effectiveness and relevance of UNICEF Georgias digital communication efforts. Monthly reports or the thematic ones pertaining to specific campaigns developed.

Duties & Tasks

Generate and analyse reports on web traffic using Google Analytics and other social media focused analytics channels.

Collecting data and information on key indicators that are relevant to digital communication of UNICEF Georgia.

Monitor and evaluate the reach and engagement of UNICEFs social media posts and website visitors. Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials. Recommend appropriate and timely action for course correction or for reporting. Maintain a library of coverage (clippings, coverage etc.) cwN5LTI Dh7qKS

Monitor the public perception of UNICEF on social media and online platforms and recommend appropriate action to maintain a positive image for the organization.

Assist in providing inputs/feedback to RO/DOC on the use and appropriateness of global communication materials such as campaign assets, publications, images and multimedia products. Creating reports on reach and engagement of digital media for.

RO/DOC, as requested.

Ensure good quality data collection, analysis and evaluation and reporting to ensure effective digital communication strategies, planning and effective and efficient advocacy.

Undertake lessons learned review of successful and unsuccessful social media and online communication experiences as directed by supervisor.

Undertake media monitoring to provide quantitative and qualitative analysis of the media content.

Monitor and analyze stories and conversations that relate to UNICEF, its work and its reputation

Impact of Results

The efficient and effective digital engagement support provided to the development and implementation of the Strategic and Integrated Communication and Advocacy strategy directly impact on the ability of UNICEF to win support for the cause of children from decision-makers and wider public, place the rights and well-being of the most vulnerable children of Georgia at the heart of the social, political and economic agendas, and foster greater social engagement for children. This in turn contributes to enhancing the ability of UNICEF to fulfill its mission to achieve sustainable, locally-owned and concrete results in improving the survival, development and wellbeing of children in the country.

Competencies and level of proficiency required

Core Values attributes

Care

Respect

Integrity

Trust

Accountability

Core competencies skills

Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)

Works Collaboratively with others (1)

Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)

Innovates and Embraces Change (1)

Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)

Drive to achieve impactful results (1)

Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

Functional Competencies

Formulating Strategies and Concepts [ I ]

Relating and Networking [ I ]

Persuading and Influencing [ I ]

Applying Technical Expertise [ I ]

Learning and Researching [ II ]

Planning and Organizing [ II ]

Technical Knowledge

Common Technical Knowledge Required

General knowledge of:

Social media practices and trends.

Fundamentals of managing websites.

Organization of special events.

Gender equality and diversity awareness

Recruitment Qualifications

Education: Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, marketing and related field.

Experience: Six-year practical professional work experience in communication, managing web platforms, social media.

Experience in content generation for social media and websites is critical. Background/familiarity with content management system for website is also required. Knowledge of Drupal will be crucial.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Georgian languages.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEFs values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEFs values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Advertised: Oct 14 2021 Georgian Standard Time Application close: Oct 28 2021 Georgian Standard Time

Link to the organizations job offer: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1634586692822
Willmar, MN (56201)

Today

Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 28F. S winds shifting to W at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 28F. S winds shifting to W at 10 to 15 mph.
LONDON (AP)  The World Health Organization said there was a 7% rise in new coronavirus cases across Europe last week, the only region in the world where cases increased, and said uneven vaccine uptake posed a threat to the continent.

In its weekly assessment of the pandemic, the U.N. health agency said there were about 2.7 million new COVID-19 cases and more than 46,000 deaths last week worldwide, similar to the numbers reported the previous week.

WHO said the two regions with the highest rates of COVID-19 incidence were Europe and the Americas. Globally, the U.S. reported the biggest number of new cases, more than 580,000, which still represented a 11% decline.

Britain, Russia and Turkey accounted for the most cases in Europe.

The biggest drop in COVID-19 cases were seen in Africa and the Western Pacific, where infections fell by about 18% and 16%, respectively. The number of deaths in Africa also declined by about a quarter, despite the dire shortage of vaccines on the continent.

But for the third consecutive week, coronavirus cases have jumped in Europe, with about 1.3 million new cases. More than half of countries in the region reported a rise in their COVID-19 numbers, WHO said. Britain and Russia each reported about a 15% increase in new cases.

In a statement Wednesday, WHO's Europe office said 1 billion coronavirus vaccines have now been administered across the continent and described uneven vaccine uptake as the region's biggest enemy in the fight against COVID-19.

In the past week, Russia has repeatedly broken new daily records for COVID-19 cases and the number of infections in the U.K. has surged to levels not seen since mid-July.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday backed a Cabinet proposal to keep Russian workers home for a week in an effort to stem the spread of the virus.

Russian officials have struggled to vaccinate the population but due to vaccine skepticism, only about 32% of people have been immunized despite the availability of its Sputnik V vaccine. It has by far the largest virus death toll in Europe, with more than 225,000 deaths.

Although the head of Britain's National Health Service has urged the government to introduce stricter COVID-19 protocols including mask-wearing and the faster vaccination of children, politicians have so far demurred.

___

Follow all AP stories on the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic.
Winchester, VA (22601)

Today

A few clouds. Low 24F. WNW winds at 10 to 15 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 24F. WNW winds at 10 to 15 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph.
OTTAWA - The federal government is sending more help to the Northwest Territories to deal with a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Liberal candidate for Scarborough Southwest Bill Blair speaks during a campaign event in Ottawa, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. Blair says Ottawa has approved a request from the Northwest Territories to provide "surge capacity support" for infection prevention and control, contact tracing and testing amid a spike of COVID-19 cases. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

OTTAWA - The federal government is sending more help to the Northwest Territories to deal with a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says Ottawa has approved a request from the territory to provide "surge capacity support" for infection prevention and control, contact tracing and testing.

The support  10 specialists from the Canadian Red Cross  will be effective until Nov. 14, with the possibility of a two-week extension.

That's on top of previous help provided through the Public Health Agency of Canada and Statistics Canada for infection control and contact tracing.

After months of zero new cases of COVID-19, the territory began seeing a spike in cases in mid-August.

As of Monday, there were 263 active cases in the Northwest Territories, which last week extended a territory-wide public health emergency until Oct. 26.

The NWT government earlier on Monday announced that as of November 30th, all of its employees will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Previously, the policy only applied to government employees working with vulnerable populations.

The territory's finance minister, Caroline Wawzonek, explained in a news release that the change was necessary because of the impact the outbreak has had since the policy was initially considered.

The release noted that accommodations to the policy will be considered on a case-by-case basis for medical reasons or based on protected grounds under the Human Rights Act.

It also noted that unions, Indigenous governments and others were consulted in the drafting of the policy.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 18, 2021.
OTTAWA - Conservatives say they disagree with a committee of MPs deciding that only fully vaccinated MPs, staff and visitors can enter the House of Commons.

The Peace tower is seen in Ottawa, on Monday, Oct. 18. 2021. Conservatives say they disagree with a committee of federal representatives deciding who is allowed to enter the House of Commons based on their vaccination status against COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA - Conservatives say they disagree with a committee of MPs deciding that only fully vaccinated MPs, staff and visitors can enter the House of Commons.

Their objection represents the first challenge to Tuesday's ruling by the all-party board of internal economy  the governing body of the Commons  that only people who are double vaccinated will be allowed to enter the precinct.

The Liberals, NDP and Bloc Quebecois agree that members of Parliament should be fully vaccinated to take their seat, making it a rule for their candidates who ran in the recent federal election.

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole did not, saying that while he encourages vaccinations, he respects people's individual health choices.

In a statement, Conservative whip Blake Richards said the Tories believe that a negative result from a rapid COVID-19 test can assure that a workplace is safe.

Richards is one of two Tory MPs who sit on the nine-member board of internal economy. He said he couldnt discuss what happened behind closed doors, but his statement suggested both Conservative MPs opposed the measure.

"While we encourage everyone who can be vaccinated to get vaccinated, we cannot agree to seven MPs, meeting in secret, deciding which of the 338 MPs, just elected by Canadians, can enter the House of Commons to represent their constituents," he said Wednesday.

O'Toole, who is vaccinated, has yet to say how many of his 118 elected members are fully immunized against COVID-19.

An analysis by The Canadian Press shows at least 79 Tory MPs are vaccinated, with two MPs saying they cannot due to medical reasons and a third who reported being partially vaccinated with the intention to book a second shot.

Re-elected Conservative MP Rachael Harder from Alberta posted a photo of Canada's Parliament building on Instagram on Wednesday with text saying freedom is . the ability to hold one's own beliefs without damnation."

The cross-party board of internal economy has the authority to make decisions about the administration of the House of Commons, even when Parliament is not sitting, under the Parliament of Canada Act.

Heather Bradley, director of communications for the Commons Speaker, said the board has full authority and a mandate to make such decisions.

The issue was front and centre Wednesday as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continued consulting with opposition leaders about how the House of Commons should resume work and what the priorities should be once it is back in operation.

He spoke separately with O'Toole, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and the parliamentary leader of the Greens, Elizabeth May, after speaking with Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet on Tuesday.

In a readout provided by the Conservatives, OToole said he asked Trudeau during their call to "stop using vaccines as a political wedge tool and to prioritize addressing the issue of vaccine hesitancy in Canada."

He said he told Trudeau the Conservatives would put forward ideas to reduce and address vaccine hesitancy in the coming weeks.

He asked the prime minister to recall Parliament immediately, and to end the Canada recovery benefit, set up to help people during the pandemic, on Nov. 20. The readout said Trudeau did not answer.

In its own statement about the call, Trudeau's office said the prime minister stressed the need for all MPs to be fully vaccinated in the House of Commons.

Following his conversation with Trudeau, Singh said "there's no question" requiring MPs to be fully vaccinated to be in the Commons is "the right decision."

"It is an important measure to keep everyone safe," he told a virtual news conference.

As for Conservative MPs who have not been fully vaccinated or refuse to disclose their vaccination status, Singh said that's why his party supports the continuation of the hybrid format, in which MPs can participate in parliamentary proceedings virtually from their homes or offices.

"I feel the hybrid model is a way to make sure people participate and can voice the concerns of their community without putting people at risk," he said.

"There's really no question, as elected officials, we need to be showing leadership and getting vaccinated is an important step to fight this pandemic."

The Liberals also support resuming hybrid sittings but the Conservatives and Bloc are opposed.

Singh said "it doesn't make a lot of sense" that Conservatives are opposed to the mandatory vaccination policy for the House of Commons precinct even as they are pushing for a full return to normal in-person sittings.

But Tory whip Richards said in a statement: Canadians deserve a government that is accountable to its constituents and thats why under no circumstances will Conservatives support virtual Parliament.

During his call with Trudeau, Singh said he laid out the priorities that New Democrats want to see action on as a sign that the Liberals are willing to work with other parties to make the minority Parliament work.

Among other things, the NDP wants the government to immediately extend various pandemic support benefits for individuals and businesses, provide funding to bolster the ranks of frontline health-care workers and drop its court fight against compensation for Indigenous children hurt by the child welfare system.

The NDP is the minority government's most likely dance partner to avoid being defeated but Singh warned that Liberals should not take New Democrat support for granted.

"Absolutely, we're prepared to vote against the government if they make the wrong decision, if they do something that hurts Canadians, and we will also be prepared to withhold our support," he said, adding that he's not laying down "any firm lines in the sand."

"Our goal is to make Parliament work for people ... Our support will be there if it's to help people."

Trudeau's office said he would work with parliamentarians across parties to ensure that Canadians and businesses received the support they need, in an apparent reference to emergency COVID-19 benefits.

His office also released a brief readout of his conversation with May, saying Trudeau stressed his priorities include tackling climate change, reducing emissions and protecting Canada's Arctic.

Next week, the parties will begin formal talks on the shape of the new Parliament, and whether MPs will attend in person, or continue with a hybrid format, with some participating virtually.

NDP House leader Peter Julian said the Conservative concern about ministers not being present in sufficient numbers in the last Parliament was "valid." But he said this could be resolved in talks, with reassurances from the government that ministers would be present to be questioned.

He warned that having all 338 MPs "crowded into a small room" risked turning MPs into "vectors" spreading COVID-19 around the country.

"Having 338 MPs in the House of Commons with the fourth wave, with cases rising in some parts of the country  you can imagine somebody from one of the areas where cases are increasing coming to Ottawa and transmitting COVID and then other MPs catching it and taking it back to their end of the country where there is a lower transmission rate," he said.

Fully vaccinated people can still contract COVID-19 and potentially spread the virus to others, although at much lower rates than unvaccinated people.

NDP deputy House leader Lindsay Mathyssen said a virtual Parliament would also make the House more "equitable, allowing parents with young children who might be sick to fully participate in proceedings.

The board of internal economys decision to require vaccination applies to all MPs, their staff, political research office staff, administration employees, journalists, business visitors, contracts and consultants.

Anyone with a medically valid reason for not getting vaccinated will have the option to show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test result.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2021.

 With files from Joan Bryden

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version incorrectly reported that the board of internal economy has eight members. In fact, it has nine.
MONTREAL - CGI Inc. says it has signed a deal to acquire Spanish company Cognicase Management Consulting (CMC).

The CGI headquarter is seen Thursday, May 31, 2012 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

MONTREAL - CGI Inc. says it has signed a deal to acquire Spanish company Cognicase Management Consulting (CMC).

Financial terms of the deal were not immediately available.

CMC was founded in 1993.

It provides technology and management consulting services to clients in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Colombia and Mexico.

CGI CEO George Schindler says the addition of CMC will allow the company to significantly strengthen its services portfolio and capabilities in Spain.

Montreal-based CGI says it has received foreign investment approval from the Spanish authorities and the deal is expected to close by the end of the month.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2021.

Companies in this story: (TSX:GIB.A)
WASHINGTON (AP)  U.S. regulators on Wednesday signed off on extending COVID-19 boosters to Americans who got the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine and said anyone eligible for an extra dose can get a brand different from the one they received initially.

FILE - This Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020 file photo shows a vial of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in the first round of staff vaccinations at a hospital in Denver. U.S. health advisers are debating if millions of Americans who received Moderna vaccinations should get a booster shot -- this time, using half the original dose. Already millions who got their initial Pfizer shots at least six months ago are getting a booster of that brand. On Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, advisers to the Food and Drug Administration evaluated the evidence that Moderna boosters should be offered, too -- and on Friday, theyll tackle the same question for those who got Johnson & Johnsons vaccine. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  U.S. regulators on Wednesday signed off on extending COVID-19 boosters to Americans who got the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine and said anyone eligible for an extra dose can get a brand different from the one they received initially.

The Food and Drug Administrations decisions mark a big step toward expanding the U.S. booster campaign, which began with extra doses of the Pfizer vaccine last month. But before more people roll up their sleeves, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will consult an expert panel Thursday before finalizing official recommendations for who should get boosters and when.

The latest moves would expand by tens of millions the number of Americans eligible for boosters and formally allow mixing and matching of shots  making it simpler to get another dose, especially for people who had a side effect from one brand but still want the proven protection of vaccination.

Specifically, the FDA authorized a third Moderna shot for seniors and others at high risk from COVID-19 because of their health problems, jobs or living conditions  six months after their last shot. One big change: Modernas booster will be half the dose thats used for the first two shots, based on company data showing that was plenty to rev up immunity again.

For J&Js single-shot vaccine, the FDA said all U.S. recipients, no matter their age, could get a second dose at least two months following their initial vaccination.

The FDA rulings differ because the vaccines are made differently, with different dosing schedules  and the J&J vaccine has consistently shown a lower level of effectiveness than either of the two-shot Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

As for mixing and matching, the FDA said it's OK to use any brand for the booster regardless of which vaccination people got first. The interchangeability of the shots is expected to speed the booster campaign, particularly in nursing homes and other institutional settings where residents have received different shots over time.

FDA officials said they wanted to make the booster guidance as flexible as possible, given that many people don't remember which brand of vaccine they received.

Being able to interchange these vaccines is a good thing  its like what we do with flu vaccines," FDA's Dr. Peter Marks told reporters Wednesday evening. Most people dont know what brand of flu vaccine they received.

Still, he added that many people will decide to get a booster from the same company as their initial vaccination.

The agency's mix-and-match decision was based on preliminary results from a government study of different booster combinations that showed an extra dose of any type revs up levels of virus-fighting antibodies. That study also showed recipients of the single-dose J&J vaccination had a far bigger response if they got a full-strength Moderna booster or a Pfizer booster rather than a second J&J shot. The study didn't test the half-dose Moderna booster.

Health authorities stress that the priority still is getting first shots to about 65 million eligible Americans who remain unvaccinated. But the booster campaign is meant to shore up protection against the virus amid signs that vaccine effectiveness is waning against mild infections, even though all three brands continue to protect against hospitalization and death.

Today the currently available data suggest waning immunity in some populations of fully vaccinated people, said FDA's acting commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock. The availability of these authorized boosters is important for continued protection against COVID-19 disease.

The Moderna booster decision essentially matches FDAs ruling that high-risk groups are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, which is made with the same technology.

FDA recommended that everyone whod gotten the single-shot J&J vaccine get a booster since it has consistently shown lower protection than its two-shot rivals. And several independent FDA advisers who backed the booster decision suggested J&Js vaccine should have originally been designed to require two doses.

Experts continue to debate the rationale of the booster campaign. Some warn that the U.S. government hasnt clearly articulated the goals of boosters given that the shots continue to head off the worst effects of COVID-19, and wonder if the aim is to tamp down on virus spread by curbing, at least temporarily, milder infections.

FDA regulators said they would move quickly to expand boosters to lower age groups, such as people in their 40s and 50s, if warranted.

"We are watching this very closely and will take action as appropriate to make sure that the maximum protection is provided to the population, said Marks, the FDA's top vaccine official.

In August, the Biden administration announced plans for an across-the-board booster campaign aimed at all U.S. adults, but outside experts have repeatedly argued against such a sweeping effort.

On Thursday an influential panel convened by the CDC is expected to offer more specifics on who should get boosters and when. Their recommendations are subject to approval by the CDC director.

The vast majority of the nearly 190 million Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have received the Pfizer or Moderna options, while about 15 million have received the J&J vaccine.

___

Associated Press writer Mike Stobbe contributed to this story from New York.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
In the midst of a global supply chain mess and with carbon emission restrictions becoming a near-term imperative, the Manitoba trucking industry is looking for more help and better planning from government to engage in the costly transition away from fossil fuels.

In the midst of a global supply chain mess and with carbon emission restrictions becoming a near-term imperative, the Manitoba trucking industry is looking for more help and better planning from government to engage in the costly transition away from fossil fuels.

In that context, Winnipeg-based Gardewine, a subsidiary of Calgary-based Mullen Group, is trying to do what it can.

The company has long dominated the northern Manitoba and Northern Ontario hauling market and just took receipt of the provinces first battery-electric shunt truck, a low-gear heavy duty tractor that moves trailers around a trucking yard.

Along with a number of electric Ford courier vans on order, the company is trying to set an example.

"We felt it was imperative. Someone needs to go out and lead this charge," said Gardewine president Darin Downey. "Our view on this is that industry needs to lead and government needs to support."

Downey was thankful to receive provincial government support of $150,000 from the provinces $1-million Conservation and Climate Fund for the $250,000 vehicle.

But industry officials do not believe the time-sensitive fund  it has already been fully subscribed and there is no guarantee it will be included in next years budget  is a tool that industry players can count on to make their capital investment plans.

While provinces such as Alberta, B.C. and Quebec are spending millions on support for the transportation industry to transition, Manitobas support, while appreciated by the industry, is timid in comparison.

And while many in the industry understand the need for change, the commercial and competitive realities continue to make it a difficult investment.

Terry Shaw, the executive director of the Manitoba Trucking Association, said. "We all know the supply chain challenges we are living in right now. If a company went to its shippers and receivers and told them they are going to raise rates because theyre utilizing experimental technology they will say they are not OK with that."

Downey said the actual capital investment, even for something like a retrofitted shunt truck  and the charging infrastructure that is required  does not make economic sense right now,

"The numbers are not feasible today," he said. "But it does not mean they wont be in the future."

Meanwhile, deadlines to reduce emissions are looming.

"We need our government partners to help offset the costs so we can figure out how and where these things work without negatively impacting the supply chain," said Shaw.

The trucking industry actually has support from some environmental activists on this matter.

Both Shaw and Curt Hull, the project director of Climate Change Connection, say there are economic opportunities they feel Manitoba is not fully embracing.

There are about 60,000 heavy diesel trucks licensed in Manitoba and the transportation industry is responsible for about 40 per cent of the provinces greenhouse gas emissions.

Shaw said, "If we can electrify two per cent or five per cent of them not only will that have a massive environmental impact higher than anything in the provinces Climate and Green Plan, but what would that mean to Hydro revenues?"

For some time now the Manitoba Trucking Association has been pleading with government to re-invest the carbon tax into incentives or subsidies to allow the industry to invest in new technologies.

The transition to electric will eventually become a new revenue stream for Manitoba Hydro, something that both Shaw and Hull believe is not being factored in to Manitoba Hydros own planning

Hull has been advocating for a review of Efficiency Manitobas mandate, which calls for a reduction in electrical consumption by 1.5 per cent per year and natural gas consumption by 0.75 per cent per year.

"What we are suggesting is to re-direct a good portion of the carbon tax to Efficiency Manitoba and change its mandate to promote the efficient use of electricity for replacing fossil fuels," Hull said.

Gardewine has committed to spending $1.1 million on electrification this year. In 2019, it replaced 14 propane-powered forklift trucks with electric ones.

"That saves 220 tonnes of CO2 per year from our carbon footprint," Downey said. "In the last the last 60 days Ford announced it was investing billions of dollars into its own battery manufacturing factories.

"These prices will start to come down," he said. "We want to be on the cutting edge."

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
TORONTO - Some of the most active companies traded Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange:

Toronto Stock Exchange (21,188.19, up 101.20 points.)

The Royal Bank of Canada. (TSX:RY). Financials. Up 58 cents, or 0.44 per cent, to $132.14 on 12.1 million shares.

Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU). Energy. Down 15 cents, or 0.52 per cent, to $28.53 on 8.2 million shares.

Baytex Energy Corp. (TSX:BTE). Energy. Up 18 cents, or 4.52 per cent, to $4.16 on 6.7 million shares

Hexo Corp. (TSX:HEXO). Health care. Down 16 cents, or 6.67 per cent, to $2.24 on six million shares.

B2Gold Corp. (TSX:BTO). Materials. Up 12 cents, or 2.35 per cent, to $5.23 on 5.7 million shares.

Silver Elephant Mining Corp. (TSX:ELEF). Materials. Up 6.5 cents, or 24.53 per cent, to 33 cents on five million shares.

Companies in the news:

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. (TSX:CP). Up $1.23 or 1.4 per cent to $92.05. Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. lowered its volume outlook for the year as a weak grain crop and supply chain challenges weighed on its third-quarter results. The company said Wednesday that it now expects low single-digit volume growth this year, as measured in revenue ton-miles, compared with last year, while in July CP said it expected high single-digit growth. However, the railway says it remains confident that it will deliver full-year double-digit adjusted diluted earnings per share growth. Grain revenue was down 21 per cent compared with a year earlier as the crop is expected to be 40 per cent smaller than last year because of dry conditions on the Prairies. Overall, the increase in some segments helped push CP revenue to $1.94 billion for the quarter, up from $1.86 billion in the same quarter last year. Earnings came in at $472 million or 70 cents per diluted share for the quarter ending Sept. 30, down from $598 million or 88 cents per diluted share a year ago as the company's operating ratio worsened from last year. On an adjusted basis, CP says it earned 88 cents per diluted share in the quarter, up from an adjusted profit of 82 cents per diluted share a year ago.

Hexo Corp.  Hexo Corp. has named Scott Cooper as the cannabis company's new president and chief executive, effective immediately. Cooper is president and CEO of Truss Beverages, a joint venture between Hexo and Molson-Coors. Hexo says Cooper will head both companies for an interim period of up to six months to ensure a smooth transition. The appointment comes as Hexo completes a strategic reorganization that saw co-founder Sebastien St-Louis, who was also CEO, leave the company this week. Hexo also announced the resignation of chief operating officer Donald Courtney on Monday, though he is expected to remain until a replacement is found. The company has made several acquisitions this year, including deals to buy cannabis producer Redecan, 48North Cannabis Corp. and Zenabis Global Inc.

Noront Resources Ltd. (TSX:NOT). Up four cents or 5.1 per cent to 82 cents. The board of Noront Resources Ltd. is backing a sweetened takeover offer from BHP, which raised its bid for the company after it was set to accept a rival offer from Wyloo Metals Pty Ltd. BHP raised its offer to 75 cents per share from an earlier proposal of 55 cents after Noront ruled Wyloo's bid of 70 cents per share was a superior proposal. However, Noront now says it believes the increased BHP offer provides shareholders with the value inherent in its portfolio without the long-term risks associated with the development and execution of those projects. Noront is developing several projects in the Ring of Fire region in northern Ontario. The company says at least 50 per cent of shares not owned by BHP must be tendered to the offer, adding that if shareholders other than Wyloo tender their shares the offer will succeed. Wyloo, which owns a 37.25 per cent stake in Noront, had rejected BHPs earlier offer.

A&W Revenue Royalties Income Fund. (TSX:AW.UN). Up 49 cents or 1.3 per cent to $39.36. A&W Revenue Royalties Income Fund says its same-store sales grew nearly 17 per cent in its latest quarter as COVID-19 public health restrictions eased, allowing the fast-food chain to reopen more restaurants and serve more customers. The Vancouver-based company's gross sales in the royalty pool totalled $409.5 million for the three months ended Sept. 12, up from $340.6 million in the same quarter of 2020. The company reported net income excluding non-cash items of $9.2 million for the third quarter, up from $7.7 million in the same period the previous year. It says there were 994 open restaurants in the royalty pool at the end of the quarter, compared to 971 in 2020. The company says its monthly distribution rate will increase to 15.5 cents per unit, up from 15 cents per unit, beginning with its October 2021 distribution payable Nov. 30. A&W Revenue Royalties Income Fund owns the A&W trademarks used in the A&W quick service restaurant business in Canada.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2021.
Scientists temporarily attached a pigs kidney to a human body and watched it begin to work, a small step in the decades-long quest to one day use animal organs for life-saving transplants.

In this September 2021 photo provided by NYU Langone Health, a surgical team at the hospital in New York examines a pig kidney attached to the body of a deceased recipient for any signs of rejection. From left are Drs. Zoe A. Stewart-Lewis, Robert A. Montgomery, Bonnie E. Lonze and Jeffrey Stern. The test was a step in the decades-long quest to one day use animal organs for life-saving transplants. (Joe Carrotta/NYU Langone Health via AP)

Scientists temporarily attached a pigs kidney to a human body and watched it begin to work, a small step in the decades-long quest to one day use animal organs for life-saving transplants.

Pigs have been the most recent research focus to address the organ shortage, but among the hurdles: A sugar in pig cells, foreign to the human body, causes immediate organ rejection. The kidney for this experiment came from a gene-edited animal, engineered to eliminate that sugar and avoid an immune system attack.

Surgeons attached the pig kidney to a pair of large blood vessels outside the body of a deceased recipient so they could observe it for two days. The kidney did what it was supposed to do  filter waste and produce urine  and didn't trigger rejection.

It had absolutely normal function, said Dr. Robert Montgomery, who led the surgical team last month at NYU Langone Health. It didnt have this immediate rejection that we have worried about.

In this September 2021 photo provided by NYU Langone Health, a surgical team at the hospital in New York examines a pig kidney attached to the body of a deceased recipient for any signs of rejection. The test was a step in the decades-long quest to one day use animal organs for life-saving transplants. (Joe Carrotta/NYU Langone Health via AP)

This research is a significant step, said Dr. Andrew Adams of the University of Minnesota Medical School, who was not part of the work. It will reassure patients, researchers and regulators that were moving in the right direction.

The dream of animal-to-human transplants  or xenotransplantation  goes back to the 17th century with stumbling attempts to use animal blood for transfusions. By the 20th century, surgeons were attempting transplants of organs from baboons into humans, notably Baby Fae, a dying infant, who lived 21 days with a baboon heart.

With no lasting success and much public uproar, scientists turned from primates to pigs, tinkering with their genes to bridge the species gap.

Pigs have advantages over monkeys and apes. They are produced for food, so using them for organs raises fewer ethical concerns. Pigs have large litters, short gestation periods and organs comparable to humans.

Pig heart valves also have been used successfully for decades in humans. The blood thinner heparin is derived from pig intestines. Pig skin grafts are used on burns and Chinese surgeons have used pig corneas to restore sight.

FILE - This undated photo provided by Revivicor in December 2020 shows a "GalSafe" pig which was genetically engineered to eliminate a sugar in pig cells, foreign to the human body, which causes immediate organ rejection. Scientists temporarily attached kidney from one of these pigs to a human body and watched it begin to work, a small step in the decades-long quest to one day use animal organs for life-saving transplants. (Revivicor via AP)

In the NYU case, researchers kept a deceased woman's body going on a ventilator after her family agreed to the experiment. The woman had wished to donate her organs, but they werent suitable for traditional donation.

The family felt there was a possibility that some good could come from this gift, Montgomery said.

Montgomery himself received a transplant three years ago, a human heart from a donor with hepatitis C because he was willing to take any organ. I was one of those people lying in an ICU waiting and not knowing whether an organ was going to come in time, he said.

Several biotech companies are in the running to develop suitable pig organs for transplant to help ease the human organ shortage. More than 90,000 people in the U.S. are in line for a kidney transplant. Every day, 12 die while waiting.

The advance is a win for Revivicor, a subsidiary of United Therapeutics, the company that engineered the pig and its cousins, a herd of 100 raised in tightly controlled conditions at a facility in Iowa.

The pigs lack a gene that produces alpha-gal, the sugar that provokes an immediate attack from the human immune system.

In December, the Food and Drug Administration approved the gene alteration in the Revivicor pigs as safe for human food consumption and medicine.

But the FDA said developers would need to submit more paperwork before pig organs could be transplanted into living humans.

This is an important step forward in realizing the promise of xenotransplantation, which will save thousands of lives each year in the not-too-distant future, said United Therapeutics CEO Martine Rothblatt in a statement.

Experts say tests on nonhuman primates and last months experiment with a human body pave the way for the first experimental pig kidney or heart transplants in living people in the next several years.

Raising pigs to be organ donors feels wrong to some people, but it may grow more acceptable if concerns about animal welfare can be addressed, said Karen Maschke, a research scholar at the Hastings Center, who will help develop ethics and policy recommendations for the first clinical trials under a grant from the National Institutes of Health.

The other issue is going to be: Should we be doing this just because we can? Maschke said.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
MOSCOW (AP)  President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday ordered most Russians to stay off work for a week starting later this month amid rising COVID-19 infections and deaths, and he strongly urged reluctant citizens to get vaccinated.

Medics wearing special suits to protect against coronavirus treat a patient with coronavirus, left, as others prepare a patent to move at an ICU at the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Russia hit another daily record of coronavirus deaths Tuesday as rapidly surging infection rates raised pressure on the country's health care system and prompted the government to suggest declaring a nonworking week. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

MOSCOW (AP)  President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday ordered most Russians to stay off work for a week starting later this month amid rising COVID-19 infections and deaths, and he strongly urged reluctant citizens to get vaccinated.

The government coronavirus task force reported 1,028 deaths in the past 24 hours, the highest number since the start of the pandemic. That brought Russia's death toll to 226,353, by far the highest in Europe.

Putin said he supports the Cabinets proposal to introduce a nonworking period starting Oct. 30 and extending through the following week, when four of seven days are already non-working, including a two-day state holiday. In some regions where the situation is the most threatening, he said the nonworking period could start as early as Saturday and be extended past Nov. 7.

Our task today is to protect life and health of our citizens and minimize the consequences of the dangerous infection, Putin said in a video call with top officials. To achieve that, it's necessary to first of all slow the pace of contagion and mobilize additional reserves of the health care system, which is currently working under a high strain.

Russias daily coronavirus mortality numbers have been surging for weeks and topped 1,000 for the first time over the weekend amid sluggish vaccination rates, lax public attitudes toward taking precautions and the governments reluctance to toughen restrictions. Only about 45 million Russians  roughly a third of its nearly 146 million people  are fully vaccinated.

Medics wearing special suits to protect against coronavirus treat a patient with coronavirus at an ICU at the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Russia hit another daily record of coronavirus deaths Tuesday as rapidly surging infection rates raised pressure on the country's health care system and prompted the government to suggest declaring a nonworking week.(AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

The nonworking period should help limit the spread by keeping people out of offices and off crowded public transportation, but Moscow and many other cities havent curbed access to restaurants, cafes, bars, theaters and gyms.

When the Cabinet proposed the measure Tuesday, many Russians rushed to book flights to Black Sea resorts to take advantage of the break.

Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, who leads the task force, emphasized that the nonworking week should imply limiting access to restaurants, theaters and other entertainment venues, adding that regional authorities will be expected to impose restrictions.

She particularly urged Russians to refrain from traveling to other regions during the period and emphasized the need for relatives of those infected to stay home.

It wasnt immediately clear what private businesses would be required to stop working in line with Putins decree, in addition to state workers and employees of state-owned companies. During a similar measure early in the pandemic, many private and state-owned companies in vital economic sectors were allowed to keep operating.

The Cabinet has drafted measures on compensation to businesses to help absorb the economic blow, including one-time payments equivalent to a minimum monthly pay per worker and low-interest credits.

Medics wearing special suits to protect against coronavirus make a briefing as they come to treat a patient with coronavirus at an ICU at the Moscow City Clinical Hospital 52, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Russia hit another daily record of coronavirus deaths Tuesday as rapidly surging infection rates raised pressure on the country's health care system and prompted the government to suggest declaring a nonworking week.(AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

In urging Russians to get the shots, Putin said it's a matter of your life and security and the health of your dear ones.

There are only two ways to get over this period  to get sick or to receive a vaccine, he said. "It's better to get the vaccine. Why wait for the illness and its grave consequences? Please be responsible and take the necessary measures to protect yourself, your health and your close ones.

The Russian leader, who got the domestically developed Sputnik V vaccine earlier this year, said he's puzzled by the vaccine hesitancy, even among his close friends, who told him they would get the shot after he does and then kept delaying it.

I can't understand what's going on, Putin said. We have a reliable and efficient vaccine. The vaccine really reduces the risks of illness, grave complications and death.

He approved a Cabinet proposal giving two days of paid leave to those getting the shot to help encourage vaccination.

Even though Russia in August 2020 became the first country in the world to authorize a coronavirus vaccine and has plentiful supplies, there has been reluctance among its citizens to get the shots, a skepticism blamed on conflicting signals from authorities.

FILE - In this Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting on energy sector development at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia. Putin has ordered the country's workers to stay off work for a week starting later this month amid rising coronavirus infection and death numbers. Putin has also strongly urged reluctant citizens to get vaccinated. The government task force on Wednesday, Oct. 20 reported 1,028 coronavirus deaths over the past 24 hours. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)

While extolling Sputnik V and three other domestic vaccines, state-controlled media often criticized Western-made shots, a message that many saw as feeding doubts about vaccines in general.

Golikova emphasized that most of those who have died recently were unvaccinated. She said 87% of hospital beds allocated for COVID-19 patients are filled, with the number reaching 95% in some provinces.

Rising infections forced some regional authorities to suspend certain medical services as health care facilities were focusing on coronavirus patients. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted the situation is very sad, noting that the level of vaccination in those regions was particularly low.

Putin warned regional leaders against trying to embellish statistics, saying a high number of new infections doesn't mean poor work" by the authorities. It shows the efficiency of regional teams, not the other way round," he said.

Until now, the Kremlin ruled out a nationwide lockdown like the one early in the pandemic that dealt a heavy blow to the economy and sapped Putins popularity, instead empowering regional authorities to decide on local restrictions.

Many of Russias 85 regions already have restricted attendance at large public events and introduced digital codes proving vaccination or past illness for access to restaurants, theaters and other venues. Some have made vaccinations compulsory for certain public servants and people over 60.

In Moscow, however, life has continued as usual, with restaurants and movie theaters brimming with people, crowds swarming nightclubs and karaoke bars, and commuters widely ignoring mask mandates on public transportation even as ICUs have filled.

Medical workers expressed bewilderment over the vaccine skepticism and lax attitude to precautions. I think about sleepless nights when we get a huge number of patients who didnt even bother to use banal protective means, said Dr. Natavan Ibragimova of Moscow's Hospital No. 52, where an ICU was filled to capacity.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said unvaccinated people over 60 will be required to stay home. He also told businesses to keep at least a third of their employees working remotely for three months starting Oct. 25.

Dr. Catherine Smallwood, the COVID-19 incident manager at the World Health Organizations European branch, said vaccination levels at or below 30% in Russia and eastern European countries like Bulgaria and Romania were particularly concerning.

Its very clear that in countries that have lower vaccine uptake, thats where were seeing the serious pandemic effects at the moment in terms of deaths and people ending up in hospital, she said.

The government task force has registered more than 8 million total infections and its official COVID-19 death toll ranks Russia as having the fifth-most pandemic deaths in the world, behind the United States, Brazil, India and Mexico.

However, state statistics agency Rosstat, which also counts deaths in which the virus wasnt considered the main cause, has reported a much higher death toll  about 418,000 as of August.

___

Associated Press writers Jamey Keaten in Geneva and Kostya Manenkov in Moscow contributed.

___

Follow APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
OTTAWA - Business groups in Canada are warning that ending federal pandemic-relief programs too soon could send shock waves through the economy.

Business groups are warning that the looming end of pandemic-relief programs in Canada could send shockwaves through the economy. Space available signs are shown on storefronts on Queen Street in Toronto on Thursday, April 16, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

OTTAWA - Business groups in Canada are warning that ending federal pandemic-relief programs too soon could send shock waves through the economy.

Cutting off wage and rent subsidies as planned on Saturday will force many businesses to reduce their hours, lay off staff or shut down for good, they say.

"It would be absolutely devastating," said Bruce Miller, president and CEO at The Works Gourmet Burger Bistro Inc.

"We're just starting to pay back the mountain of debt that we all have. Now is not the time to walk away from us."

The federal government introduced the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy to help businesses cope with pandemic restrictions, rehire workers and resume normal operations.

Business groups say cutting off the financial aid amid an unpredictable fourth wave, growing labour shortages and ongoing restrictions such as capacity limits and proof-of-vaccination rules could trigger an economic crash.

"We'll see restaurants close across Canada and fewer people working if the subsidies end," Miller said.

Restaurants Canada said 80 per cent of restaurants are operating at a loss or barely scraping by.

Without subsidies, the industry group said many won't survive the fall and winter.

Most have been losing money or barely breaking even since coming out of initial lockdown last year, and at least 10,000 establishments have already closed," Restaurants Canada president and CEO Todd Barclay said in a statement earlier this month.

The rest need government support to help them survive the fall and winter so they can continue feeding our recovery.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business said only 40 per cent of businesses are back to normal sales as the deadline for financial aid programs approaches.

The group said only businesses with significant ongoing losses are continuing to receive the subsidies. Without the pandemic support, the group warned that there could be another wave of business closures.

Corinne Pohlmann, senior vice-president of national affairs and partnerships with CFIB, said the emergency pandemic support has been a lifeline for many businesses.

Ending the subsidies at such a critical time in the country's economic recovery would hurt both businesses and workers, she said.

"It would be a huge misstep," Pohlmann said. "Businesses need certainty. So many are still dodging constant curveballs."

The CFIB is also asking Ottawa to scale back the Canada Recovery Benefit, an income support program for workers who do not receive employment insurance benefits.

The business group said the program is contributing to the labour shortage by creating a disincentive for some part-time employees to work.

Pohlmann said that's because unlike the employment insurance program, which is a percentage of previous earnings, the income benefit for workers is a flat amount.

"For people who normally worked 10 to 15 hours a week, they can actually earn more by remaining on the benefit," she said. "We need to change the program to ensure it doesn't incentivize workers to stay home."

However, a recent report by the Business Development Bank of Canada suggests the phaseout of CERB and programs like it won't fix the issue of labour scarcity.

BDB's report said that while sectors like accommodation and food services, retail, and manufacturing have lost thousands of jobs during the pandemic, professional and business services, education, public administration, and health care actually gained workers. In fact, a full 20 per cent of workers who lost their jobs during the pandemic are now working in an entirely different field.

 With files from Amanda Stephenson

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2021.
LONDON (AP)  The world needs to cut by more than half its production of coal, oil and gas in the coming decade to maintain a chance of keeping global warming from reaching dangerous levels, according to a U.N.-backed study released Wednesday.

FILE- In this Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015 file photo, an oil pump works at sunset in the desert oil fields of Sakhir, Bahrain. A U.N.-backed study has found that the world needs to cut by more than half its production of coal, oil and gas in the coming decade to maintain a chance of keeping global warming from reaching dangerous levels. The report published Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021 by the U.N. Environment Program noted that many governments have made ambitious pledges to curb greenhouse gas emissions. But it found they are still planning to extract double the amount of fossil fuels in 2030 than what would be consistent with the goal of keeping global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit). (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali, file)

LONDON (AP)  The world needs to cut by more than half its production of coal, oil and gas in the coming decade to maintain a chance of keeping global warming from reaching dangerous levels, according to a U.N.-backed study released Wednesday.

The report published by the U.N. Environment Program found that while governments have made ambitious pledges to curb greenhouse gas emissions, they are still planning to extract double the amount of fossil fuels in 2030 than what would be consistent with the 2015 Paris climate accords goal of keeping the global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).

Even the less ambitious goal of capping global warming at 2 degrees C (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) by the end of the century compared to pre-industrial times would be overshot, it said.

Climate experts say the world must stop adding to the total amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere by 2050, and that can only be done by drastically reducing the burning of fossil fuels as soon as possible, among other measures.

The report, which was released days before a U.N. climate summit begins Oct. 31 in Glasgow, found most major oil and gas producers  and even some major coal producers  are planning on increasing production until 2030 or even beyond.

It also concluded that the group of 20 major industrialized and emerging economies have invested more into new fossil fuel projects than into clean energy since the start of 2020.

The disparity between climate goals and fossil fuel extraction plans  termed the production gap  will widen until at least 2040, the report found.

This would require increasingly steep and extreme measures to meet the Paris emissions goal, UNEP said.

There is still time to limit long term warming to 1.5C, but this window of opportunity is rapidly closing, said the agency's executive director, Inger Andersen, adding that governments should commit to closing the gap at the Glasgow climate summit.

The report, which had more than 40 researchers contributing, examine 15 major fossil fuel-producing countries.

For the United States, they found that government projections show oil and gas production increasing to 17% and 12%, respectively, by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. Much of that would be exported, meaning the emissions from burning those fossil fuels would not show up in the U.S. inventory although they would add to the global total.

U.S. coal production is projected to decline by 30% over the coming decade compared to 2019.

Costa Rica's environment and energy minister said the report shows the need to stop extracting fossil fuels to meet the Paris goals.

We must cut with both hands of the scissors, addressing demand and supply of fossil fuels simultaneously, Andrea Meza said.

Costa Rica and Denmark are planning to launch a new group at the Glasgow summit, the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, to promote that effort.

___

Follow AP's climate coverage at http://apnews.com/hub/climate
LONDON (AP)  Under pressure from rising infections and worried health experts, the British government on Wednesday urged millions of people to get booster vaccine shots but resisted calls to reimpose coronavirus restrictions such as mandatory mask-wearing.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street to attend the weekly Prime Minister's Questions at the Houses of Parliament, in London, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

LONDON (AP)  Under pressure from rising infections and worried health experts, the British government on Wednesday urged millions of people to get booster vaccine shots but resisted calls to reimpose coronavirus restrictions such as mandatory mask-wearing.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the government would stay vigilant, preparing for all eventualities, but would not trigger its Plan B of bringing back restrictions on daily life.

Britain is relying heavily on vaccines to keep the virus at bay during the fall and winter months. Almost 80% of people 12 and over in the U.K. have received two vaccine doses and millions are being offered a booster shot, including everyone over 50.

But critics say the booster campaign is moving more slowly than the virus. The U.K. recorded 49,139 new infections on Wednesday, by far the highest total in Europe, and cases are averaging more than 45,000 a day, up 17% from a week earlier. Hospitalizations and deaths are also rising, though both remain far lower than before vaccination was widespread.

Javid said cases could go as high as 100,000 a day, but insisted it was not yet time to reverse course.

People wearing face masks walk along the Oxford Street shopping area of central London, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. The World Health Organization said there was a 7% rise in new coronavirus cases across Europe last week, the only region in the world where cases increased. Britain, Russia and Turkey accounted for the most cases in Europe. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

None of us want to go backwards now," he said at a televised news conference, adding that the government did not think the health system was under unsustainable pressure.

But Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the health care group the NHS Confederation, said Britain's health service risked being overwhelmed unless more measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 were introduced.

It is time for the government to enact Plan B of its strategy without delay, because without preemptive action, we risk stumbling into a winter crisis, he said.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Conservative government lifted domestic coronavirus restrictions in July, including mandatory face coverings and social distancing. Nightclubs and other crowded venues were allowed to open at full capacity and people were no longer advised to work from home.

Infections remained stubbornly high after the reopening and recently have begun to increase  especially among children, who largely remain unvaccinated.

Hospitalizations and deaths are gradually rising, with deaths averaging 136 a day over the past week. Britain has recorded more than 138,000 coronavirus deaths, the highest total in Europe after Russia.

A man walks past a social distancing sign in the area of Covent Garden, in London, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Many scientists are pressing the British government to re-impose social restrictions and speed up booster vaccinations as coronavirus infection rates, already Europe's highest, rise once more. The U.K. recorded 49,156 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, Oct. 18, the largest number since mid-July. New infections averaged 43,000 a day over the past week, a 15% increase on the week before.(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Against that backdrop, some feel that Britons have been too quick to return to pre-pandemic behavior. Masks and social distancing have all but vanished in most settings in England, although Scotland and other parts of the U.K. remain more strict. Even in shops, where masks are recommended, and on the London transit network, where they are mandatory, adherence is patchy.

A plan to require proof of vaccination to attend nightclubs, concerts and other mass events in England was dropped amid opposition from lawmakers, though Scotland introduced a vaccine pass program this month.

Critics say the vaccination program  among the worlds speediest earlier this year  is moving too slowly. More than 4 million people in Britain have had a booster, although about half of those eligible have yet to receive their shot.

The U.K. also waited longer than the U.S. and other European nations to vaccinate children from 12-15, and only about 15% in that age group in England have had a shot.

The government says it will act to boost vaccination rates, with a new ad campaign and more sites where kids can receive their shots.

Weve got plenty of vaccines and we just need people to come forward and play their part," Javid said.

He also said the government had bought two antiviral drugs to prevent coronavirus infections or lesson the severity of disease  one by Pfizer and the other by Merck Sharp & Dohme. Neither has yet been approved by Britains medicines regulator, but Javid said he hoped they would be in use by the winter.

Javid renewed calls for people to wear masks in crowded places and keep their distance from others, although critics say such calls need to be backed by law.

The Unite union, which represents workers in areas including hospitality and transport, said customers are becoming increasingly abusive when asked to don masks.

The government can no longer pretend that COVID-19 is not a risk, and needs to take immediate action to protect key workers and passengers," said the union's national officer for passenger transport, Bobby Morton.

The reintroduction of mask-wearing must go hand-in-hand with the proper enforcement of such rules," he said.

___

Follow APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
Defence lawyers for a former Canadian Armed Forces reservist from Manitoba argue he never intended to promote terrorism in the United States and should be sentenced to 33 months behind bars.

Defence lawyers for a former Canadian Armed Forces reservist from Manitoba argue he never intended to promote terrorism in the United States and should be sentenced to 33 months behind bars.

Patrik Mathews, 28, pleaded guilty earlier this year to four charges, including illegally transporting a firearm and obstruction of justice.

This undated photo provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police shows Patrik Mathews. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

"Mathews vehemently rejects the accusation that he ever intended to promote a federal crime of terrorism," defence lawyers wrote in documents filed last week in Maryland District Court.

Prosecutors are seeking what's called a "terrorism enhancement" that would significantly increase his prison term. They are recommending Mathews be sentenced to 25 years.

Mathews has been in U.S. custody since he and two Americans were arrested by the FBI last year. It's alleged all three were members of the white supremacist group, The Base, and had been planning violence at a Virginia gun rights rally in 2020.

U.S. army veteran Brian Mark Lemley Jr. also pleaded guilty to weapons charges and is to be sentenced along with Mathews on Oct. 28. William Bilbrough IV was earlier sentenced to five years in prison for his role in bringing Mathews into the U.S.

Defence documents said Mathews, a former combat engineer from Beausejour, Man., was humiliated after 2019 media reports said he was a recruiter for The Base so he fled to the U.S., where he was picked up by Lemley and Bilbrough.

Prosecutors allege that once he was in the U.S., Mathews began building a functioning assault rifle, took part in military training exercises, screened new members for The Base and made numerous videos espousing violent, anti-Semitic and racist language.

In the documents, prosecutors said law enforcement gathered information about Mathews and his co-accused through a "sneak-and-peek" warrant, video surveillance and undercover agents. A large portion of recordings "involved violence in furtherance of white nationalism and the downfall of the American state," they said.

Prosecutors said Mathews and other members of The Base thought the "boogaloo movement," which white supremacists believe will be a violent uprising starting a civil war, would begin at the Virginia gun rally.

Defence lawyers argue the hate speech and references to violence in the secret recordings of Mathews and his co-accused are protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

"The conversations reflected the defendant's beliefs and advocacy of ideas that many would find repugnant," the defence documents said.

"Discussion of such ideas, especially within one's own home, do not establish the intent to commit crimes of terrorism."

The defence also said people who have been sentenced in relation to the attack on Capitol Hill earlier this year did not receive a terrorism enhancement.

Over punishing people can exacerbate existing political and social tensions, the lawyers said.

"(Mathews and his co-defendant) deserve a second chance to return to their families and resume their lives, as society continues to heal from the political tension and division that ensued during the Trump presidency," said the defence documents.

"The government's recommended sentence serves no purpose than to utterly destroy the defendants' lives."

Prosecutors said the First Amendment cannot save Mathews from his own words. In documents filed this week, they argue Mathews clearly had a plan.

He didn't cross over the border or build a rifle on a whim, they said.

"The defendants' beliefs and intentions  their desire to subjugate and kill minorities, to violently establish a white nation, to demote women to a lesser class  were the sole bases, or at least the primary bases, for committing their crimes of conviction, and are the reasons the defendants intended to promote federal crimes of terrorism."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2021.
A day after he pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, a Winnipeg man admitted to fatally shooting another man in the face.

A day after he pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, a Winnipeg man admitted to fatally shooting another man in the face.

Christian Bruce will be sentenced to life in prison, after Crown prosecutors accepted his guilty plea to the lesser charge of second-degree murder Tuesday, the second day of his trial.

Christian Bruce admitted killing 24-year-old Vincent (Vinny) Ross inside Ross's apartment. (Jesse Boily / Winnipeg Free Press files)

He admitted killing 24-year-old Vincent (Vinny) Ross inside Ross's apartment in the 500 Block of College Avenue on March 16, 2020. The residence is a known street-gang hangout where methamphetamine is sold, court was told, and both men were gang associates who knew each other.

Bruce wiped away tears as he sat in the prisoner's box in a Winnipeg courtroom Tuesday afternoon to enter his guilty plea.

He admitted to shooting Ross but claimed he didn't intend to kill him. He confronted the man about a previous incident that Ross denied, and then fired one shot from about two metres away.

SUPPLIED Christian James Bruce.

According to the facts of the case as agreed upon by Crown and defence lawyers, "Bruce did not intend to kill the victim, however, he was reckless as to whether death or grievous bodily harm would result."

When his trial began Monday, Bruce pleaded not guilty and listened to testimony from police officers who responded to the homicide scene.

One of the Crown's key witnesses, Ralph Zebrasky, testified Monday he saw the shooting happen. He was present with several other people in the College Avenue home when Bruce walked in, pulled out a sawed-off .22-calibre gun, and shot Ross as the man and his girlfriend were sitting in the living room.

Investigators investigate a homicide at the 500 block of the College Avenue, where a male described as in his 20's was found suffering a gun shot wound. He was later pronounced deceased. (Jesse Boily / Winnipeg Free Press files)

Zebrasky testified Bruce "shot him right there in front of us."

Ross's girlfriend, Shaylene Williams, was subpoenaed to testify as a material witness for the Crown, but didn't show up. A warrant was issued for her arrest and Crown prosecutors indicated Tuesday they intend to ask a judge to find her in contempt of court.

The trial was interrupted Monday when one of the spectators used her cellphone in court, in violation of the Law Courts policy, and appeared to film Bruce walking to the courtroom with sheriff's officers. Court of Queen's Bench Justice Anne Turner ordered the woman to delete the videos and confiscated her phone for the remainder of the afternoon court session.

Bruce was 28 when he was charged in March 2020. He is expected to be sentenced in February.

Second-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence with a minimum of 10 years served before being allowed to apply for parole.

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @thatkatiemay
A privacy officer at a Manitoba health-care facility faces three charges for disclosing personal health information.

In a news release Wednesday, the provincial ombudsman said its office received complaint from a man who alleged a health-care employee breached privacy by accessing his personal data.

The office also received report from the employer  a trustee under the Personal Health Information Act  that the worker reportedly viewed an individuals personal health information, allegedly for purposes unrelated to her job.

After an investigation, and with consent from the man whose information was accessed, the ombudsman charged the employee with deliberately accessing and disclosing another persons health information without authority under the act.

"Personal health information is considered by many to be the most sensitive type of information about individuals. Manitobans trust that employees of health-care facilities will respect their privacy and only use their personal health information as authorized under the law," Manitoba ombudsman Jill Perron said in the release.

"Abusing that trust by intentionally violating someones privacy is wrong and has serious consequences."

It marks the second charge for "snooping" the ombudsman has laid since the act was amended to bar such privacy violations in December 2013, the release stated. The charges carry a maximum penalty of $50,000 for each violation.

Court dates have not yet been set for the matter. The ombudsman will not release further information until the court process is complete, its office said.
A Winkler farmer looking out from his 10th-floor downtown Winnipeg hotel room window saw something he didn't expect: a man scaling the roof of a nearby building.

A Winkler farmer looking out from his 10th-floor downtown Winnipeg hotel room window saw something he didn't expect: a man scaling the roof of a nearby building.

Toban Dyck said he was on a weekend getaway at the Fairmont, when he threw open the curtains Sunday morning to take in the view.

That's when he saw a man, holding what looked to be a flag, scaling the metal roof of the former Bank of Montreal building at the intersection of Portage Avenue and Main Street.

"It was just very alarming," said Dyck, who used his cellphone to record the man's activity.

"It didn't look like it was sanctioned or for a charity. He was just out there going up the roof."

Dyck said the man reached the top, but once there, and appearing not to see where he could plant the flag, he made his way back down.

"I think his intention was to plant the flag up there, but once he got there it was either too scary or too windy," Dyck said. "He then shimmied down.

"I called the front desk about it. Then, when I was checking out, I saw police in the lobby and I asked them about it. They didn't tell me what the man had been doing but they were surprised by it."

He sent city police a copy of the video; an officer later texted back saying the man had been charged.

Winnipeg police said this week they couldn't find any information about the roof climber in their records for Sunday without an incident number.

The historic bank building, which has stood on the southeast corner of Portage and Main since 1910, is currently under renovation to become the country's first Metis-owned heritage centre. It is expected to open in fall 2022.

Manitoba Metis Federation president David Chartrand said last May the iconic intersection, where major trade lines on the Red River Cart trails once ran and which was the centre of the Red River Settlement, is the ideal location for the organization's heritage centre.

A MMF spokeswoman said Tuesday a person was able to get into the building Sunday by breaking in through a window.

"He triggered a motion detector and the alarm company was notified and they called the property manager," the spokeswoman said.

"By the time they got to the building, the police were there and the homeless man was already in the front foyer. We are thankful he was not injured. People should not be doing this. It was not a wise choice and I hope no one makes that choice again."

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Doctors who have only seen patients by phone or in a zoom meeting through the COVID-19 pandemic will now have to mix in in-person visits.

Doctors who have only seen patients by phone or in a zoom meeting through the COVID-19 pandemic will now have to mix in in-person visits.

The College and Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba has updated its standard of practice for virtual medicine. It now says, 20 months into the pandemic, "practicing solely virtual medicine is not an acceptable standard of care."

The new standard takes effect Nov. 1.

Dr. Ainslie Mihalchuk, assistant registrar, said good medical care includes seeing a patient in person when it is clinically necessary or is asked for by the patient.

"In-person care should be the standard, with virtual medicine complementing in-person visits," Mihalchuk said Tuesday.

"When the pandemic first began, many physicians shifted to virtual medicine practically overnight. Virtual medicine is beneficial for many reasons, but it has also highlighted the importance of in-person care."

The college says it has been advised by many specialists that family doctors were referring patients they had not seen in person. One ear, nose and throat specialist complained they had seen several patients for earaches, but if the family doctor hadnt relied solely on virtual medicine and had looked in the patients ears, they could have treated the condition themselves.

Mihalchuk said the shortage of personal protective equipment at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, which sparked a lot of the need for virtual medicine, whether by telephone, video, email or text, is no longer an issue, while the current provincial vaccination rate of 82.5 per cent also makes it safe to begin more in-person care.

The public does want to see some virtual medicine continue in the post-pandemic future, Mihalchuk added.

"This summer, we asked the public to share their experience with virtual medicine through an online survey as part of the public consultation for the standard (of care)" she said.

"The feedback we received from the public indicated that a majority had good experiences and wanted virtual medicine to continue after the pandemic."

Mihalchuk said patents can ask for in-person care, and get seen "in a timely manner."

She said there are some exceptions, including doctors treating people in distant rural and remote communities, in Manitoba CancerCare, and some specialist referrals.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
The number of health-care workers unwilling to provide proof of vaccination or refusing regular COVID-19 tests has grown since new public-health orders went into effect.

The number of health-care workers unwilling to provide proof of vaccination or refusing regular COVID-19 tests has grown since new public-health orders went into effect.

The rules for people who work directly with vulnerable populations in Manitoba took effect Monday; Shared Health reported that, by midday, just 30  out of about 42,000  refused to comply.

But that number rose to 85 after later shifts were taken into account, a spokesman said Tuesday, adding the unpaid leaves have not caused any major issues.

"As part of contingency planning, coverage for absent staff have come from a number of areas including the redeployment of staff, volunteers from our COVID casual pool, staff who are willing to travel to provide support at other sites and managers," he said in an email.

Shared Health would not disclose the jobs the 85 workers are now absent from or the health region in which they work.

"These staff are located throughout the province and represent a variety of professions," the spokesman said.

The Manitoba Nurses Union, Doctors Manitoba and the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals said Tuesday they weren't aware of any of their members refusing to be vaccinated or tested.

"The College of Physicians and Surgeons, responsible for licensing doctors, has made it a requirement for all physicians to be vaccinated or tested," Doctors Manitoba spokesman Keir Johnson said. "Physicians are highly supportive of this requirement," he said in an email.

In parts of the Southern Health region, where the vaccination rate is low and opposition to pandemic-response restrictions is high, two personal-care homes in Winkler and Morden sent letters to families of residents last week letting them know there could be staffing shortages. As of Tuesday, there had been no significant disruptions, Shared Health said.

A concern about a lack of home-care workers in Southern Health has also been allayed, said Darrin Cook, CUPE representative for the area. The situation "turned out to be way better than originally feared," with very small numbers of workers choosing unpaid leave, said Cook.

There was no reason to put Manitobans in a state of anxiety over whether there would be health-care staffing shortages beginning Monday, NDP health critic Uzoma Asagwara said.

"I found it highly unusual that we were all sort of holding our breath and waiting for this countdown to conclude before we would know what our health-care system is going to look like in terms of staffing," said Asagwara, whose background is in nursing. The province could have required proof of vaccination or a promise from workers to get tested weeks before Monday's orders took effect, the MLA for Union Station said.

"It doesn't make any sense that they couldn't have had a plan several weeks ago enacted so that they could mitigate having to scramble at the last second to address the staffing issues," Asagwara said, adding it would have been better for overall mental health.

"Haven't Manitobans been through enough? Haven't residents in long-term care been through (enough)? At what point does the government decide to be proactive if, for nothing else, than to bring down the stress levels and reduce the anxiety levels that Manitobans have had to endure during this pandemic."

The new public-health orders apply to employees across the provincial civil service, from health-care aides to those who work in education, child welfare and corrections.

About 1,800 health-care workers and another 3,700 people who work in education are undergoing regular rapid COVID-19 tests.

The province would not say how many employees who received rapid COVID-19 tests Monday got a positive result and were now off work waiting for confirmation from the more accurate PCR test.

The Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union, which represents 32,000 government and Crown corporation employees, along with some employees at universities and colleges, health-care facilities, social service agencies and arts and cultural organizations said there have been "a few instances" where members have been placed on unpaid leave.

"The MGEU encourages all members to be immunized," president Michelle Gawronsky said in a prepared statement. "When combined with appropriate PPE and workplace-safety protocols, immunization is known to be one of the most powerful tools we have to keep people safe."

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
The three-year anniversary of the legalization of recreational, or non-medical, cannabis in Canada arrived on Oct. 17. It also marked the start of the government of Canadas mandated review of its health impacts.

Opinion

The three-year anniversary of the legalization of recreational, or non-medical, cannabis in Canada arrived on Oct. 17. It also marked the start of the government of Canadas mandated review of its health impacts.

Unfortunately, the slow rollout of Canadas cannabis retail market, combined with the glacial speed of academic research, means everything you and the government will be hearing about the health effects of legalization is based on outdated and often irrelevant data.

There are three key limitations of our understanding of legalizations health impact.

First, almost all studies to date examining the impact of legalization on cannabis use and harms have only looked at changes during the first year following legalization.

Yes, these results are reassuring: small increases in cannabis use across Canada, and modest or no increases in ER visits or hospitalizations due to cannabis in Ontario, Alberta and Quebec. However, we need to keep in mind that the transition from cannabis being illegal to being widely available for legal purchase and use is not a switch that was flipped overnight.

Remember, Ontario did not have a single legal cannabis store for the first six months after legalization, Quebec had just 14 and the rest of the country didnt do much better. The limited stores that were open often didnt have much cannabis to sell due to major product shortages.

But the cannabis retail market looks very different today. I lead a team that has tracked the enormous growth in the number of cannabis stores since legalization. Our current data show more than a tenfold increase in stores between November 2018 and April 2021 (from 158 to 1,792).

During the same time, Canadians increased the amount they spend a month on legal cannabis by 428 per cent, to $9.50 per person aged 15 and older from $1.80. Ontario currently has so many authorized cannabis stores  1,175 of them  that experts predict major store closures.

Data from Statistics Canada suggest that the maturing market may be starting to impact overall cannabis use. For the first year and half post-legalization, the legal market expansion essentially matched illegal market contraction. However, since early 2020, increases in legal sales have dramatically outpaced decreases in illegal sales, resulting in increased overall spending.

Second, many types of cannabis products, including commercially produced edibles such as THC-containing candies, desserts and drinks, only became available for sale in January 2020. These types of products have been implicated in large increases in cannabis poisonings in young children in the United States. One study in Alberta reported increases in cannabis poisonings in children following legalization. However, the study did not examine the time period after commercial edibles were introduced  the exact time we would expect the biggest increases, based on the U.S. experience.

So while current studies support that there was no increase in harms in the initial months of a heavily restricted and limited retail market, we have almost no data on the health impacts of our current, far more mature, cannabis market.

The little we know is concerning. While the number of people who use cannabis almost every day in Canada didnt increase much immediately after legalization, by late 2020 it was up 46 per cent (5.4 per cent in early 2018, 6.1 per cent in early 2019, and 7.9 per cent in late 2020).

An estimated 16.3 per cent of Canadians aged 18-24 years now report near-daily cannabis use, an increase of 65 per cent since legalization. Emergency department visits and hospitalizations due to cannabis in Canada are also up eight per cent and five per cent respectively, between 2019 and 2020.

Which brings us to the third limitation. For anyone thinking, "Hold on, what about the COVID-19 pandemic?" youre right, its a major problem. Over half of the time since legalization has been during the pandemic.

There is no easy way to separate the effects of the pandemic versus a maturing cannabis market on the recent increases in cannabis use. More data is coming  the federal government has invested millions of dollars in research  but we will need to wait to see those results.

The legalization of recreational cannabis, which has resulted in major reductions in social harms such as heavily discriminatory police charges for cannabis offences, has had major public health benefits.

My concern is that an increasingly commercialized cannabis market may lead to increases in cannabis use and harms. Groups with financial interests in selling cannabis are already claiming that current regulations such as cannabis taxes, child-resistant packaging and restrictions on cannabis advertising including on social media, are restricting innovation. They argue these must be updated  meaning removed or reduced  to compete with the illicit market.

During the upcoming regulatory review we need to remember these regulations were thoughtfully put in place. Decades of alcohol and tobacco research, and emerging cannabis-specific evidence, suggest these measures are highly effective at reducing cannabis use in youth and young adults.

The federal government recommends that people start low and go slow to avoid potential adverse effects from cannabis. The rapid expansion of the cannabis retail market over the last year is the regulatory equivalent of our country having ingested a very large cannabis edible for the first time. We have no idea how high we are about to get. While we wait to find out it probably is not a great idea to have another edible.

My advice to the government during the upcoming review is to listen to their own recommendations and go slow on any changes in cannabis regulations.

Daniel Myran is a public health physician and Canadian Institutes of Health Research fellow at the University of Ottawa.

This article was first published at The Conversation Canada: theconversation.com/ca.
If accounts of people relating the agony of opioid addiction dont prompt the provincial government to boost the capacity of treatment services, perhaps the financial bottom line will.

If accounts of people relating the agony of opioid addiction dont prompt the provincial government to boost the capacity of treatment services, perhaps the financial bottom line will.

Addiction treatments save money. The funds required to extend hours at Manitobas Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM) walk-in clinics would be a wise investment that pays off considerably by reducing addiction-related costs.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Access to RAAM clinics is currently very limited.

The consequences of opioid addiction cost Manitoba $221 million in 2017, according to statistics compiled by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addictions. The bill includes $149 million in lost productivity, $40 million in the criminal justice system, and $15 million in health care.

Obviously, saving the province money was not a front-of-mind motivation for the 20 or so opioid-addicted people lined up outside a RAAM clinic in Winnipeg when a journalist visited recently. They were understandably preoccupied with torturous withdrawal symptoms that resulted from staying sober for the 48 hours necessary to get treatment if they were fortunate enough to enter the clinic.

Most werent so lucky. A few were granted entry and received medication such as suboxone or methadone to help them begin the process of kicking their habits. The rest were turned away, because Winnipegs two RAAM clinics are allotted funding so pathetically parsimonious that their doors must be closed most of the time to patients looking for new appointments.

The clinic at 817 Bannatyne Ave. is open three days a week for two hours a day. One at 146 Magnus Ave. is two days a week, two hours a day.

When not allowed into the clinics, addicted people typically remain in the hellish hold of opioid reliance, at great cost to their health. An increasing number die. Statistics released last April show Manitoba recorded 372 drug-overdose deaths last year, an 87 per cent increase from the previous year. Most fatalities, 254, involved opioids, with fentanyl linked to 196.

Not only the opioid users are victims. Their relationships with family, friends and employers are often destroyed. Crimes against random members of the public are committed by addicted people whose better judgment is impaired by opioids and the need to finance an unending supply of street drugs such as heroin and fentanyl, as well as prescription painkillers.

JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES When not allowed into the clinics, addicted people typically remain in the hellish hold of opioid reliance, at great cost to their health.

The arithmetic is clear. The money saved by opening the clinics for only a few hours a week is overshadowed by the medical costs of treating people for overdoses, and the criminal costs of police, law courts and incarceration. The annual cost of incarcerating a single prisoner in Manitoba ranges from $47,370 to $92,000, according to Statistics Canada figures for 2016-17.

The government was accused in the legislature last week of acting as if people who use drug have a "moral failing." The NDP noted the PC government also short-changes other harm-reduction fields and hedges about providing safe consumption sites, which addictions experts say are an avenue for getting drug users connected with people who can guide them to treatment.

Perhaps the governments inadequate support of drug-treatment options will change after the retirement of former premier Brian Pallister. The new leader, to be decided on Oct. 30, has a fresh opportunity to move beyond political and philosophical differences about treatment for drug addiction, and instead focus on the large financial costs of untreated addiction.

A government that prides itself on responsible stewardship of the provinces finances would grant the RAAM clinics adequate resources. When addicts are lined up to get clean, its in the best interest of Manitoba to help them.
DESPITE desperate pleas to be at her husbands bedside during his 18-hour stay at the Health Sciences Centre emergency department, Theresa Jobse was only granted a few, fleeting hours with her partner of 46 years before he died.

DESPITE desperate pleas to be at her husbands bedside during his 18-hour stay at the Health Sciences Centre emergency department, Theresa Jobse was only granted a few, fleeting hours with her partner of 46 years before he died.

The grieving family is calling for changes to hospital visitation policy so other patients do not have to suffer without the support and comfort of loved ones.

Alfred Jobse, 70, was taken by ambulance to HSC on Sept. 2, after he collapsed at home.

JESSICA LEE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Alicia Thwaites (left) and Cindy McKague (right) sit with their mother Theresa Jobse.

The Stage 3 cancer patient spent a total of 13 hours in the downtown hospital without a single visitor  despite his entire family being fully vaccinated against COVID-19  due to pandemic infection prevention protocols that restrict emergency department patients from having a support person at their bedside, unless they are nearing death.

"I would have done anything to be with him," Theresa Jobse said while holding back tears. "I would have gone in there with full gear on, masks, everything, if they would have just let me in to be with him."

When he was able, Alicia Thwaites said her father tried to reassure them via text messages, as they waited desperately for hours outside the hospital for an update.

"He didnt want us to worry. Thats just the type of person he was. He also knew that we were phoning the ER for regular updates," Thwaites said. "And he asked us to leave the ER staff alone because theyre doing their best."

ALICIA THWAITES.PHOTO Alfred and Theresa Jobse were together 46 years.

However, her fathers condition was deteriorating, and by 9 p.m., staff informed the family Jobse had undergone a procedure and had internal bleeding in his esophagus. Still, he was not permitted to have a visitor, Thwaites said.

"There are options to allow care partners to be there safely," she said. "My mom should have been beside him that whole time."

At midnight, the family received another call, this time asking about Jobses end-of-life wishes.

"We had no idea before then that the situation was this dire because there wasnt enough people working to be able to tell us that," Thwaites said. "We had no idea that this was even a possibility."

JESSICA LEE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Cindy comforts her mother Theresa Jobse.

Thwaites said her father was no longer fully coherent by the time family were permitted in, but he was able to speak with them for about a half-hour before slipping out of consciousness.

Jobse died the morning of Sept. 3, while being transported to a palliative care bed at St. Boniface Hospital. After initially being refused, his wife was permitted to be in the transport vehicle, following advocacy by the family.

Thwaites said the experience has been devastating and traumatizing, especially knowing the little time they had left with their loved one was restricted. She wants to see other families spared from the same trauma.

"Its horrendous having to relive this over and over again, but we made the decision to come forward, because if nobody says anything, nothing will change."

ALICIA THWAITES.PHOTO Alfred Jobse spent a total of 13 hours in the downtown hospital without a single visitor.

The family wrote Manitoba Health Minister Audrey Gordon last week, detailing its experience and asking for concrete action to improve conditions in the acute care system, including recruiting more staff to respond to mounting pressures.

"I want to see the government re-evaluate the visitor policies in the emergency room, at least the visitor policies that are communicated to the staff on the ground," Thwaites said.

A Free Press request for an interview with Gordon was not accommodated Tuesday.

In a statement, Gordons press secretary said visitation policies are determined by Shared Health, and specific incidents cannot be discussed by Manitoba Health and Seniors Care.

JESSICA LEE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS "I would have done anything to be with him," Theresa Jobse said.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Shared Health defended its policy, stating visitor access to emergency departments is subject to "space, activity and the patients need." Visitation is also at the discretion of the facility, the statement said.

A request for an interview was not accommodated.

"Shared Health is reviewing the specifics of this incident and our patient relations team has reached out to the family and will remain a resource and contact for them for any questions or concerns related to their loved ones care," a spokesperson said.

Shared Health also acknowledged acute care patients are generally sicker and staying in hospital for longer periods of time, possibly due to delayed care related to the pandemic.

As a result, patient flow is being interrupted and impacting the ability to move patients out of the emergency department and into other areas of the hospital where visitation policies are relaxed.

"Significant efforts are being made to ensure appropriate and stabilized staffing levels in all our emergency departments," the spokesperson said. "We anticipate the overall vacancy rate to be reduced from 20 per cent to approximately 14 per cent, as recent graduates join the department this month."

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca
Turns out, there was no need for Manitoba politicians to apologize for being maskless in photos taken at a Winnipeg Art Gallery gala on the weekend.

Manitoba's chief provincial public health officer, Dr. Brent Roussin, speaks at a news conference at the Manitoba Legislative Building in Winnipeg on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski

Turns out, there was no need for Manitoba politicians to apologize for being maskless in photos taken at a Winnipeg Art Gallery gala on the weekend.

Chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said while he doesn't know details of what happened, people are allowed to remove their masks briefly to take photos.

Manitoba requires mask use in all indoor public places under its COVID-19 public health orders.

The orders include some exemptions, such as temporarily removing a mask to eat or drink, to give a speech or to receive a service that requires the mask to be off.

Last weekend, three Manitoba cabinet ministers, including the health minister, and a Winnipeg city councillor were photographed without masks and standing alongside other people at the art gallery. The images were shared on social media.

They later said they were sorry.

"For the most part, that mask should be on. There are brief periods where it's reasonable for it to come off," Roussin said Wednesday.

"If it was simply to remove a mask for the purposes of getting a photograph, and then you put it back on, then... that's in keeping with advice we've provided."

Health Minister Audrey Gordon said she removed her mask while sitting down to eat and stood up briefly to pose for the pictures.

Families Minister Rochelle Squires and Culture Minister Cathy Cox were also photographed maskless while standing.

City Coun. Markus Chambers said Wednesday he removed his mask at the photographer's request. In other photos from the same event, Chambers was wearing a mask.

"I apologize if the perception was created that I wasnt abiding by the public health orders I understand the frustration that some people might have around this, with respect to us as elected officials walking the walk as opposed to just talking the talk." said Chambers.

"To be very clear, I wore my mask 99 per cent of the time that I was in attendance at that gala dinner."

Public health will review events on a case-by-case basis to confirm if special accommodations to the health orders need to be in place, a spokesperson for the province added.

Roussin said an example of public health providing accommodation would be to allow people to take their mask off while taking photos with Santa at an indoor public place.

 With files from Winnipeg Free Press staff
When Dr. Darrell Newton was named Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Winona State University in the spring of 2020, he looked forward to sharing his experiences and passion with the university community, to gathering feedback on the future of WSU, to supporting faculty and others on campus in creating change for the better.

Enter COVID-19.

Much of Newtons first year at WSU was spent in his home office, beaming in over Zoom with colleagues he had yet to meet in person, and approving COVID-safe academic plans and pandemic mitigation strategies. The focus was on survival in the momentnot the lofty ideals of collaborating, brainstorming, and making a difference that he had envisioned.

However, Newton quickly began developing a parallel strategy to align COVID response with the forward movement he had been so eager to enact in his new role, and in fall 2020, Winona State launched its first-ever Winter Session.

Winter Session is a mini-semester between Fall and Spring semesters that helps students catch up, keep up or get ahead in their studies.

COVID-19 amplified many of the unique challenges our students are experiencing, said Newton. Todays college students typically have more on their plates than past generations. Many are working and helping to support themselves and others. Theres also a higher prevalence of struggles with mental and emotional well-being.

The pandemic also had an impact on some students degree pathsfrom limited course availabilities to personal circumstances affecting students ability to be fully enrolled. WSU faculty and administrators quickly recognized that these students would potentially have ongoing needs to get back on track successfully. Offering a Winter Session was a quick way for students to make up missing credits and relieve some of the stress around future course loads and time to degree completion.

Courses included in Winter Session are carefully selected. Some have been identified by departments as being common barriers to forward progress. Other represent opportunities for acceleration toward graduation. Some higher-level courses are offered with the intent of providing students better flexibility and time management throughout the year.

Additionally, the accelerated format of the courses can allow students the opportunity to take a deep exploration of a subject outside of their normal course of study.

Dr. Kara Lindaman, Professor of Political Science/Public Administration, is excited that she will be teaching her politics and policy course to students from a variety of programs in the coming Winter Session.

(Winter Session) truly brings the contextual learning environment to learn across disciplines and perspectives, she said. This would not be a possibility during this academic year, and that would be an opportunity missed.

The accelerated format allows for faculty like me to focus specifically and passionately on a particular policy area, Lindaman added. Our students, now more than ever, are excited to learn and make a difference for positive change in our communities. Thus, this Winter Session course helps me refocus these passions into a course on Health Care Policy & Politics, which is highly salient in the minds of our students and the American people.

Other Winter Session 2021 courses include: Sociology of Families, Motivational Interviewing, Organizational Dynamics, and Corporate Finance, with additional courses offerings in Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, English, Legal Studies, and Undergraduate Nursing.

Winona States Winter Session could also serve as a resource for students from other colleges looking to catch up, keep up or get ahead over the winter semester break. For those working toward degrees at other Minnesota State colleges and universities, WSU Winter Session offers the same basic benefits to students, with the added promise of predictable transferability through the shared Minnesota State eServices portal and Transferology.com. Regional students from outside of the Minnesota State System may also reap these benefits, but it is important they verify with their home institutions that credits will transfer as they intend.

While WSUs Winter Session may trace its origin to COVID, the benefits to students will be long-lasting.

Enrolling in 15 credits per semester and graduating within four years is no longer the typical journey of most college students, said Newton. If we are going to best serve our studentshelp them earn their degrees in a reasonable amount of time, reduce overall college debt, ensure theres room for flexibilitywe need to adapt to the future: give students more options, offer them opportunities like Winter Session, and ultimately meet them where theyre at.

To learn more about Winter Session visit wsu.mn/wintersession.

Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
With breakthrough cases becoming a focus as more and more people become vaccinated, Winona County Health and Human Services has shared that breakthrough data specifically about the county is not currently available.

The Minnesota Department of Health does share statewide breakthrough data, though.

As of MDH data updated on Monday, of the 3,180,723 people that had been fully vaccinated as of Sept. 25, 1.441% had experienced a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.

Additionally, 0.068% of the 3,180,723 have been hospitalized due to COVID-19 and 0.008% have died due to COVID-19.

Individuals included in this data had not had COVID-19 previously.

Vaccinations continue to increase across the state, as 61.9% of Minnesotans as of Sunday have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

In total, 58.9% of Minnesotans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Locally, 52% of Winona County residents have received at least one dose, and 50.3% have received a full vaccine series.

As for neighboring counties in Minnesota, Houston County is at 57.4%, Fillmore County is at 53.7%, Olmsted County is at 70.4%, and Wabasha County is at 56.4% with at least one dose.

For situation updates every business day, visit the Minnesota Department of Healths website at health.state.mn.us.

Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Winona, MN (55987)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 33F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 33F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
JUNEAU  A 42-year-old Nashotah woman was found guilty of driving intoxicated when she injured a passenger during a 2020 crash.

Erin Jurich entered a guilty plea to a felony count of injury by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle.

Jurich appeared before Dodge County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Sciascia who found Jurich guilty. Her sentence was withheld, and she was placed on probation for 24 months. As conditions of her probation, she must serve 120 days in jail. She must pay fines and court costs. Her drivers license is revoked for 24 months, and she must have an ignition interlock on any vehicle she owns or operates for 24 months. She must undergo an AODA assessment and maintain absolute sobriety. She may not enter any establishment whose primary business activity involves the sale of alcohol.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

Restitution in the case is to be held open. According to the criminal complaint, Jurich was driving a car on Highway O on Feb. 27, 2020, when she ran the stop sign at the intersection with Highway P and crashed into a second car. A witness checked on the vehicles and contacted 911.

A Dodge County Sheriffs deputy responded to the crash at 8:15 p.m. The victim was extricated from the vehicle and had a broken ankle, dislocated ankle, broken forearm and three fractured ribs.
Two student organizations at Beaver Dam High School have joined together to bring a hypnotist to the school for a fundraiser.

Health Occupation Students of America and Key Club will hold the fundraiser at 7 p.m. Oct. 28.

The Osborn Experience is a comedy hypnotist show. The 30 minute show will also be performed for the student body during the school day on Oct. 28.

Tickets are $10 at the door or $8 if purchased before the show. Tickets are available at Recheks Food Pride, Beaver Dam Piggly Wiggly, HOSA and Key Club members or at the Beaver Dam High School during the lunch hour Monday through Thursday next week. Beaver Dam High School has three lunch hours between 11:13 a.m. to 1:27 p.m.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

Beaver Dam High School student Paige Posthuma said masks will be required due to the event being held in Beaver Dam High School.

This is one of the first fundraisers at the school since COVID-19 began, I believe, Posthuma said.

Posthuma is part of HOSA and she said that the club is for future health care workers and broadens students perspective about the world of health care.

We do a lot of different fundraisers, Posthuma said.
The number of cases in juveniles is up compared to August through Oct. 7 last year, with three cases in juveniles age 0-9 in the same months in 2020 compared to 65 in juveniles age 0-9 in 2021. For ages 10-19 there were 29 cases in 2020 over those months and 124 in 2021.

Dederich said there were 290 total cases last year between Aug. 1 and Oct. 7, and juveniles age 0-9 made up about one percent of cases while age 10-19 made up 10 percent of cases. In 2021 those numbers have increased to 9.7 percent of cases occurring in those ages 0-9 and 18 percent in ages 10-19.

The rate of difference is 157 percent higher during this same time frame in 0-19 (juveniles), Dederich said. In 0-9 (juveniles), 870 percent higher.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

The county is working to vaccinate as many people as possible according to Dederich, and has begun co-administering the vaccine and booster shots for eligible residents with the flu shot. Dederich said the county is also continuing to perform testing with the Wisconsin National Guard.

Although the vaccine is not currently available for children under 12, the FDA is scheduled to meet at the end of October to discuss vaccine eligibility for children age 5-11 and the CDC is set to meet in early November. Eligibility for the vaccine for children age 12-16 in Wisconsin was opened May 12.
Asked for his license and proof of insurance, the driver stated he did not have a license and the license was suspended for an OWI. Platt observed the drivers eyes were red and glassy, and there were several cases of hard tea on the back passenger side floor.

Platt identified the driver by a Wisconsin I.D. card as Aaron Laborde. While speaking with Laborde Platt could smell an odor of intoxicating beverage from Labordes breath once the cigarette smell disappeared.

Asked how much he had to drink, Laborde stated two beers. Laborde was asked to step out of his vehicle and a records check confirmed Laborde had prior OWI convictions and was held to an ignition interlock device and a 0.02 blood alcohol content.

Laborde stated he knew he had warrants and was required to have an ignition interlock device and a less than 0.02 blood alcohol content. Laborde said he should not be over the limit, as he had two beers.

During standard field sobriety tests Platt observed 12 out of 18 possible clues indicating Laborde was intoxicated. A preliminary breath test gave a reading of 0.179. Laborde was transported to the Juneau County Jail without incident.

Laborde is scheduled for a plea hearing Dec. 29 at the Juneau County Justice Center. Laborde also has a hearing Dec. 9 at the Monroe County Justice Center for a fourth OWI charge out of Monroe County filed in November 2018, and a return date of Feb. 3, 2022 at the Columbia County Courthouse for a fourth OWI charge out of Columbia County filed in October 2020. Both previous OWI cases are open and have not been resolved.

Reach Christopher Jardine on Twitter @ChrisJJardine or contact him at 608-432-6591.

Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Platt made contact with the driver at the right rear window. Because of the window tint Platt was unable to see inside, and had to tell the driver multiple times to roll the window down. After confirming the driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle Platt moved to the front drivers side window.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

As he stood at the window Platt could smell an odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Platt observed numerous food wrappers, clothing, bags and miscellaneous items in the vehicle, and a plethora of air fresheners. Underneath the radio controls Platt observed eye drops, and on top of the front passenger seat was a two pack of cigars that Platt knew from training, education and experience that marijuana users would often fill cigars with marijuana to smoke.

The driver stated he did not have a reason for his speed, but was on the way to California from New York. In the drivers lap Platt observed several I.D. cards, a medical marijuana card, a drivers license, credit cards and a knife holster. Asked if he had a knife or multi-tool on his lap, the driver mumbled and pulled at the holster. Despite being told to stop moving the driver pulled out a butterfly knife. After being told to put down the knife the driver placed the knife in the driver side door storage area.
A $25 million settlement has been reached between the Broward County School Board and 52 victims of the February 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in South Florida, according to an attorney for some of the victims.

Attorney David Brill said the settlement of the lawsuit includes all of the families of the 17 who died, 16 of 17 victims who were shot but survived, and 19 victims who suffer from PTSD or other ailments.

Asked about Broward County Public Schools comment the matter is still pending litigation, Brill said the parties are finalizing documentation of the settlement of the lawsuit, which accused the board of negligence.

School system officials said they do not comment on pending litigation.

The agreement will not include any admission of wrongdoing by the school board, Brill said.

"This settlement provides a measure of justice and accountability to them and the other families and victims," he said. "The settlement is fair and frankly remarkable," he said.

Brill represents the parents of four students who were killed and a fifth student who was survived multiple gunshot wounds.

Brill told CNN the final steps of the settlement are expected to conclude within two weeks.

The agreement comes as Nikolas Cruz is set to plead guilty Wednesday for the Valentine's Day 2018 shooting, according to his attorney.

Cruz is charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder and 17 counts of attempted murder in the shooting at the school in the city of Parkland, the deadliest high school shooting in US history.

If accepted, the plea would start to wrap up a legal chapter in a massacre which scarred a community and spawned a massive national protest movement against gun violence in American schools.

Cruz's defense team had long ago offered a guilty plea in exchange for life in prison without the possibility of parole, but only if prosecutors took the death penalty off the table. Prosecutors had rejected it, saying they were seeking the death penalty.

Last week, the Broward State Attorney's Office released a statement saying "there have been no plea negotiations with the prosecution," and "if he pleads guilty, there would still be a penalty phase."

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
Booster protection could soon expand to a much broader population, as a source says the US government likely will soon recommend additional doses to people as young as 40 who received a Moderna or Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.

"I believe it will happen," the source familiar with the plan told CNN's Elizabeth Cohen. There is "growing concern within the FDA" that US data is beginning to show more hospitalizations among people under age 65 who have been fully vaccinated, the source said.

Still, Americans who haven't been vaccinated are 18 times more likely to end up hospitalized with Covid-19 than those who are vaccinated, said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Unvaccinated people are also 11 times more likely to die from Covid-19 compared to vaccinated people, Walensky said Wednesday. They were also six times more likely to test positive for Covid-19.

"In August, as we were experiencing the peak of the Delta surge, 16 jurisdictions provided data on cases and deaths stratified by vaccination status. Unvaccinated people had 6.1 times greater risk of testing positive for Covid-19," the CDC director said.

Roughly 57.1% of the US population is fully vaccinated, according to CDC data published Wednesday. Booster shots account for about 40% of doses administered nationwide daily, according to the data, with about 1.3 times as many boosters administered each day than first shots.

FDA authorizes more boosters

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday authorized booster doses of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines and said any of the three authorized vaccines could be used as a booster in a "mix and match approach" for eligible individuals.

The agency gave emergency use authorization for boosters of Moderna's vaccine for people fully vaccinated at least six months ago who are also at least 65, or who are at least 18 and are high risk of severe Covid-19, or have frequent exposure to the virus.

Meanwhile, a booster for the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine can be administered at least two months after the initial shot to anyone 18 and older, the FDA said.

"The available data suggest waning immunity in some populations who are fully vaccinated," FDA Acting Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock said in a statement. "The availability of these authorized boosters is important for continued protection against COVID-19 disease."

Last month, the FDA authorized Pfizer booster shots for people in certain high-risk groups who got their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago. That includes people age 65 and older; adults with health conditions that put them at high risk for severe Covid-19; and adults who live or work in places that put them at high risk of contracting Covid-19.

The FDA would consider lowering the age range on its emergency use authorizations for booster shots once more safety data comes in, officials told reporters on Wednesday.

"It's a matter of having the data," said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA's vaccine arm. "We want to make sure that if we deploy the boosters in all of the age ranges, that we truly are making a benefit outweigh any risk."

Getting younger kids vaccinated will 'play a major role' in slowing Covid-19 spread, Fauci says

About 28 million children ages 5 to 11 might soon be able to get pediatric doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine if the US Food and Drug Administration authorizes shots for that age group and if the CDC recommends it.

Getting most children vaccinated against Covid-19 will "play a major role" in slowing the spread of disease, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Wednesday.

"In the era of Delta, children get infected as readily as adults do. And they transmit the infection as readily as adults do," said Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

"If we can get the overwhelming majority of those 28 million children vaccinated, I think that would play a major role in diminishing the spread of infection," Fauci said at a White House Covid-19 briefing.

"That's one of the reasons why we want to do as best as we can to get those children from 5 to 11 vaccinated."

Schools try testing instead of isolating exposed students

While some schools have enforced strict quarantine and isolation policies for children who are exposed to the virus, the CDC is working with select school districts to evaluate test-to-stay programs.

Such programs first involve testing -- not quarantining -- students who may have been exposed to Covid-19 at school.

If the exposed students test negative and have no symptoms, they can continue going to school in person. If they test positive, they must isolate at home.

"In Marietta, we have been tracking students who are testing positive through test-to-stay, and it's 3%," Grant Rivera, superintendent of Marietta City Schools in Georgia, told CNN this week.

"Three percent of our students who participate in test-to-stay test positive, which means we can keep 97% of them in class," Rivera said. "That is a measure of success."

Under a traditional quarantine program, the 97% of students who tested negative would still stay at home from school.

"I think for the foreseeable future, we will be out here every morning on a school day making sure that our kids have this option," Rivera said about test-to-stay.

The CDC notes on its website that test-to-stay may be a practice comprised of regular testing and contact tracing, but that's also while "maintaining other layered prevention strategies, such as universal masking, to reduce the spread of Covid-19."

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
Its been 70 years since the class of 1951 graduated from Frankfort High School, and Tuesday they gathered for a breakfast to celebrate their 70th-year reunion.

These reunions tend to get smaller every time they meet. Class of 51's Anthony Palumbo talked about how sometimes getting together can be a difficult thing.

"We had one last year. We had one the year before. I dont know ifwe had one guyhe may die before the week's out," he said.

Margaret Marge Zizzi Hughes, talked about how these things just become a part of life.

"The first thing you do in the morning is look at the obituaries in the paper. If youre not there then you know youve got another day coming," said Hughes.

Life for these classmates can get to be a bit routine, but they still enjoy each others company even if there are fewer of them to share their stories with.

"You know after 50 years things change. Maybe there were 15 or 20 of us, but its going downhill now," he said.

Frank Terras says the group tends to talk about doctors visits and what medications theyre on, but there are also some good laughs, and time to reflect on those who have passed.

"Our last reunion was 3 years ago, and weve lost a couple since. Its sad.but we persist," said Terras.

The majority of the class is close to 90 years old, and are starting to wonder how many more reunions are left.

"I think this might be the last one, but we said that 10 years ago, so I dont know," he said.

What does seem to matter to all of them is having the ability to see each other. Steve Salamone says even if its only once and a while.

"Were down to a handful of people now, and I dont care if its just like 10 years from now, 20Im exaggerating 20 years fromand its just you and I, Id still be happy to do it," said Salamone.

The Class of 51 is planning another reunion. It may be in one year, it may be in 5 years, and who knows it may be another 20.
Governor Kathy Hochul passed a legislative packaged aimed at combating the opioid crisis. Some, who've spent their entire careers in the trenches of the war on drugs, say it will might actually make things worse.

"Making it easier to do drugs does not help," says Boonville Police Officer-in-Charge, Fred Robenski, who is also a Camden Police Officer. Robenski spent most of his career fighting the war on drugs; 23 years as a Rome Police Officer, 12 years assigned to the Oneida County Drug Task Force, Madison County Sheriff's Department drug unit, and the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) Task Force for the Northern District of New York, where he worked with the FBI and federal organized crime drug enforcement task forces. He's referring to the recent decriminalization of the possession and sale of hypodermic needles.

Treatment experts call it "harm reduction", and some acknowledge it presents some unsavory choices.

"It seems like a very odd thing to say, 'I'm gonna give somebody a positive, healthier choice to use drugs,'" says Cassandra Sheets, CEO of The Center for Family Life and Recovery. "If we can help them stay alive, we've got a good chance at getting them to a place where they can be healthier."

Robenski says what's intended to be a tool, feels more like a hindrance.

"It seems every year there's more and more stumbling blocks put in our way. Our hands are tied. We're chained to a pole. It's becoming impossible to fight the war on drugs," says the veteran officer, who, in 2019, was finding discarded hypodermic needles very frequently in the village of Camden-a problem he thinks will be made worse by decriminalization.

"They're going to be found everywhere," says Robenski. "They'll be discarded everywhere. You'll find them in parks like this, you'll find them everywhere."

The Oneida County District Attorney's Office doesn't expect the new law will have much effect on what they do.

"In 2018 in the city of Utica, there were 11 arrests for possession of a hypodermic instrument. In 2019, there were 14 arrests for hypodermic instrument charge, in 2020, there was zero, in 2021, there was one," says Prosecutor, Grant Garramone.

As someone who's spent his professional career pulling people back from the clutches of addiction, Officer Robenski can't get his mind around it, on principle, or, in practice.

"Legalizing the very implements that are used to ingest the drugs. Common sense would dictate that we are not going in the right direction," says Officer Robenski.

CEO, Sheets, says it's not always a straightforward battle, but a twisting and turning path, which she hopes will ultimately lead to the desired goal.

"If you look at harm reduction in its truest form, you're really meeting the person where they're at, completely where they're at, even in their addiction, and if there's a way to put some form of positive, healthier choices at that moment there, helps you to be able to maybe get more give them maybe more empowerment to be making those positive choices," says Sheets.
NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. -- A New Hartford man was charged with driving while intoxicated after police say he crashed into poles, signs and a dumpster early Monday morning.

Officers were called to the scene of a crash at the corner of Campion Road and Genesee Street just after midnight.

Police say 45-year-old Thomas J. Williams was driving a 2014 Chevy pickup truck north on Oxford Road when he went through the intersection and left the roadway, ending up on the side of Campion Road. Williams vehicle hit a light post, two highway signposts and a dumpster before coming to a stop in the Sammys Cafe parking lot, according to police.

Williams ran from the scene but officers later found him walking on Oxford Road.

Williams was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated and multiple vehicle and traffic violations.

He was arraigned and released with an appearance ticket returnable to New Hartford Town Court.
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)  Four people have been charged in connection with last week's police chase through Lafayette. Prosecutors said it started with an investigation into drug trafficking at the Tippecanoe County Jail.

The investigation involved a jail trustee and his brother. Jail administrators learned of a trafficking operation by listening to jail phone calls that were made by Bradley Fisher. The 49-year-old was a Trustee inmate at the time.

According to investigators, Fisher was talking to his 51-year-old brother, Thomas Fisher, who was enrolled in Community Corrections. The two were discussing ways to make money by selling drugs to other inmates in the jail.

According to prosecutors, Thomas Fisher told his brother that he'd dropped a package for his brother by the jail's dumpster. Bradley Fisher said he found the package the next day and took it inside the jail.

According to prosecutors, the two discussed another "drop" scheduled for October 12.

On the 12, jail staff watched a tan vehicle pull into the jail's parking lot and throw something from the passenger side towards the dumpster. Then they watched as Bradley Fisher left the jail with bags of trash, pick up the package, and put it down the front of his pants. He was searched on his way back in.

According to prosecutors, they found two bags containing about 13 grams of methamphetamine.

Meantime, deputies followed the tan vehicle out of the jail's parking lot. That turned into a lengthy chase that ended in a crash on 18th Street. The driver, 47-year-old Curtis Ricks, and passenger, 39-year-old Christopher Chadwell were both arrested.

On Tuesday, prosecutors filed a variety of felony charges against all four.

Each had a lengthy criminal record, and they're all charged with being Habitual Offenders.

Bradley Fisher:

conspiracy to commit dealing in methamphetamine (Level 2 Felony)

dealing in methamphetamine (Level 2 Felony)

possession of methamphetamine (Level 3 Felony)

trafficking with an inmate (Level 5 Felony)

habitual offender

Thomas Fisher:

conspiracy to commit dealing in methamphetamine (Level 2 Felony)

habitual offender

Curtis Ricks:

conspiracy to commit dealing in methamphetamine (Level 2 Felony)

dealing in methamphetamine (Level 2 Felony)

possession of methamphetamine (Level 3 Felony)

trafficking with an inmate (Level 5 Felony)

resisting law enforcement Level 6 Felony)

habitual offender

Christopher Chadwell:
HAMMOND, Ind. (AP)  A Gary man is suing northwest Indiana police more than a year after he alleged that officers sprayed him with pepper spray and knelt on him when they encountered him near a protest over George Floyds death.

Randall Smith's lawsuit, filed Sept. 21 in U.S. District Court in Hammond, names Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez and county police officer Jay Cruz as defendants and seeks damages for deprivation of his civil rights.

The federal lawsuit comes more than a year after Smith filed a tort claim notice in July 2020 seeking $700,000 in damages from the Lake County Sheriffs Department and the county's commissioners.

That claim, a precursor to a possible lawsuit, said Smith was watching a protest on May 31, 2020, near Southlake Mall in Merrillville that was spurred by George Floyds death in Minneapolis police custody when some officers forced demonstrators from a parking lot.

Smiths attorney, James Hortsman, said Smith did not participate in the protest.

An officer then aggressively approached Smith and got in his face telling him to leave," the tort claim states. But as Smith turned to leave, the same officer pushed him from behind, and several officers took him to the ground, leaving him with a chipped tooth and other injuries, it alleges.

Officers were kneeling on Smith and Maced him, despite the fact that (Smith) was not resisting," the tort claim states.

Smith's lawsuit states that Cruz came into contact with Smith and physically assaulted him, but does not name any of the other officers involved.

Hortsman said there is video evidence that Smith was following police directives before he was sprayed with pepper spray.

We have video showing he complied, Hortsman told the Post-Tribune of Merrillville.

Smith alleges he was told he was being detained for disorderly conduct, but he ultimately was not arrested.

Martinez's spokeswoman, Pam Jones, said in an email that the department is aware of the lawsuit" but that it does not comment on pending litigation.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI)Local leaders are protesting Duke Energy. They say it's time for the utility company to invest in renewable energy.

Right now the company burns coal to provide service to more than 7 million people in Indiana. West Lafayette City Councillor Kathy Parker said the City of West Lafayette is working towards clean energy.

She said it only makes sense that Indiana's largest electric company join the movement to cut down on the risk of polluted air and contaminated water.

"They are including solar and wind in their planning process but they are not doing as much as other utilities are doing and what we want to see is greater efforts to convert faster to renewable energies," said Parker.

News 18 has reached out to Duke Energy for comment and have not heard back. Parker said other states such as Virginia have put pressure on the company. She said Greater Lafayette needs to continue doing the same thing.
Bettina Lerman was on a ventilator for weeks after getting COVID-19 and hadn't responded to doctors' efforts to wake her from a coma when her family made the difficult decision to take her off of life support.
Photo shows Yu Donghong, who has returned to her hometown to start her own business in Qingliangfeng Township, Lin'an District, Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. [Xinhua/Xu Yu]

In recent years, China has seen an increasing number of people who have returned or moved to the countryside to start their own businesses or make innovations, thanks to the efforts of local governments to create a better business environment for countryside-based entrepreneurs, including offering favorable policies.

The size of this group reached a record high number of 10.1 million people last year, an increase of 19 percent from that in 2019. This marks the largest and fastest growth in the number of people moving back to the countryside to start their own businesses or pursue innovations in China. Statistics showed that each project initiated by people who returned or moved to the country's rural areas to start their own businesses or make innovations could provide stable employment for 6.3 people and flexible employment for 17.3 people on average.

One typical example is Zhao Shan, a man born in Zheng'an County, Zunyi City, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Zhao returned to his hometown and founded his own company, Guizhou Baikal Musical Instrument Co. Ltd., in the county's international guitar industrial park in 2016. Before that, he worked in the IT industry in Guiyang, the capital city of the province.

Zhao said he came up with the idea of the business when he learned that the local government was determined to develop the guitar industry.

"Although it was something I had never touched upon, I was confident about the online sales of guitars due to the personal experience in e-commerce that I gained in my previous job," he noted.

Compared to other guitar producers in the industrial park, Zhao has put more effort into selling guitars on e-commerce platforms, a move that is now paying off. Last year, Baikal's sales revenue stood at nearly 100 million yuan (about $15.58 million). The company's success has also attracted many young local people to join the company's e-commerce department, helping them find jobs in their hometown.

Another example is Li Weihu, an ex-serviceman who was born in Heze City in east China's Shandong Province. Originally, Li set up his business in Changzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province. After Li learned about Heze's efforts to attract investment in 2016, he decided to establish an entrepreneurship incubation base in his hometown. However, Li's partners doubted the idea, pointing out that Li didn't know much about his hometown as he had left for several years and might lack the resources necessary to start a successful business.

Fortunately, the local government lent a helping hand to Li by providing him with 20,000 square meters of space free of charge, preferential tax incentives, and subsidies for the business to attract talents, among other favorable policies. Thanks to the support from the local government, Li's base has now expanded to about 30,000 square meters.

Heze has built 73 entrepreneurial parks (bases), where entrepreneurs can enjoy some of the most preferential policies, according to Zhen Junhua, an official.

Furthermore, governments across China have also introduced new credit policies to provide financing support for people who returned or moved to rural areas to start their own businesses. For example, central China's Henan Province has set up a 10-billion-yuan fund to encourage migrant workers to move back to the countryside to start their own businesses.

(Source: People's Daily Online)
Easyconnect is a Closed Transfer System that makes filling the sprayer faster, easier and safer than conventional methods. easyconnect is supported by a large number of crop protection manufacturers. (File Photo)

LIMBURGERHOF, GERMANY: UPL Europe has joined the easyconnect Working Group (ECWG) committed to bring the easyconnect Closed Transfer System (CTS) to the European market. With this new member, all leading ag-industry players in Europe are now striving to get their product portfolio to be compatible with the easyconnect CTS.

The first market launch of the easyconnect CTS is expected in Denmark and the Netherlands in 2022, followed by France, Germany and the United Kingdom in 2023. Other countries are likely to follow.

The easyconnect system is an open technology that is available to all interested agricultural parties. Further industry players in the agrochemical sector, equipment manufacturers or any other parties interested in joining the launch of easyconnect are encouraged to contact any of the member companies.

This unique cross-industry effort of the Working Group companies  ADAMA, BASF, Bayer, Belchim Crop Protection, Certis Europe, Corteva Agriscience, FMC Corporation, Nufarm, Rovensa Group, Syngenta and UPL Europe  will provide farmers in Europe with a new generation of filling methods that improves safety for operators and the environment while allowing for fast and easy handling.

CropLife Europe welcomes this very positive development. With UPL Europe joining, there is a full representation of our corporate members in the easyconnect Working Group. Closed transfer systems are vital technologies that can play a key role in increasing the safety for operators and reducing the potential for environmental exposure from crop protection products.

Through the promotion and distribution of these technologies, our industry has therefore committed to making these technologies available to all farmers by 2030, said Olivier de Matos,director general, CropLife Europe.

With UPL Europe on board we are paving the way for a broad use of CTS in Europe. This is great news for farmers as products from multiple manufacturers will be compatible with the same CTS, which is easyconnect, making farm operations easier, said Micha Mosco, packaging project manager, global operations, ADAMA, and chair of the easyconnect Working Group steering committee.

We are very proud to be part of such a great project that fits perfectly with our OpenAg concept, creating a strong network that changes the way a whole industry thinks and works, opening it all up to new ideas, new ways, new answers in a more sustainable way, said Olivier Bocquet, head supply chain & manufacturing, UPL Europe. We believe that the implementation of CTS benefits both operator safety and environmental sustainability and will have long-lasting beneficial effects. It also offers our valued UPL customers greater security engagement via industry-wide collaboration. That is why we are supporting the development of CTS, including easyconnect.

 Worldofchemicals News
Jamarcus Glover is seen in a photo from the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department.
Lung condition prevents local girl from visiting Disney World, so sister and friends bring Disney to her
UNITED STATES - FEBRUARY 15: U.S. Capitol Police Officer Michael Riley poses for a picture outside of headquarters on D St., NE. Riley was selected Officer of the Month for February 2011 by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. (Photo By Tom Williams/Roll Call)
Assignment Editor/Producer

A recent graduate of NIU, I joined WREX as an Assignment Editor/Producer for the 5 pm show. With a passion for journalism, I am empowered to help our audiences stay connected and informed with the need to know.
First Minister challenged again over lack of Wales-only COVID inquiry

The first minister has faced further challenge after failing to commit to a Wales only inquiry into the Welsh Governments handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

The UK Government also already confirmed it will hold a UK-wide inquiry and in August Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed an independent inquiry into the Scottish Government covid response would begin by the end of the year.

However First Minister Mark Drakeford has continually ruled out holding a Wales only inquiry, despite being pressed on why decisions that have affected Welsh lives and livelihoods wont be scrutinised in Wales.

Instead Mr Drakeford said provided there is a specific Welsh focus in the UK-wide inquiry, he believes that is the best way to move ahead.

On Monday the first minister confirmed that he had received a guarantee from Prime Minister Boris Johnson that the UK inquiry would have a Welsh focus.

Mr Drakeford tweeted: Today I pressed the prime minister for a guarantee the UK covid inquiry would properly examine the actions of Welsh Government and experiences of the people of Wales.

The prime minister confirmed there will be a proper Welsh dimension to the inquiry and spoke of its importance to the whole of the UK.

However during Tuesdays FMQs (First Ministers Questions), Mr Drakeford faced renewed calls to commit to a Wales only inqury.

Acting Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Paul Davies MS challenged the First Minister on the topic at First Minister Questions, saying: First Minister, yesterday you made it clear that you were seeking reassurances from the UK Government that a UK-wide COVID inquiry will have a sufficient focus on decisions made here in Wales.

If youre so concerned that a UK-wide inquiry wont probe the Welsh Government enough, then why dont you commit to an independent Welsh inquiry?

Mr Drakeford replied: Well, for the many reasons that Ive previously explained. I had an opportunity yesterday to meet with the Prime Minister. It was a wide-ranging meeting, but I had two issues in particular that I wanted to make sure I put directly to the Prime Minister in that meeting.

One was the issue of coal tip safety and its importance here in Wales, and the other was to follow up the meeting that I had held with bereaved families here in Wales and to put some of the points that they put to me to the Prime Minister.

What I put to the Prime Minister was that for Wales to be part of the UK inquiry that he had proposed and in the way that he has asked us to be involved, I needed to be able to provide assurances to others that Wales would not be, in the term that is sometimes used, a footnote in a UK inquiry, that the inquiry would provide a specific focus on the Welsh experience and it would go about its inquiries in a way that provided ample opportunity for people in Wales to be directly involved in it, and that, when it came to reporting, that there would be material in the report that was directly focused on the way in which decisions had been made here in Wales.

The Prime Minister gave positive replies to all of that, recognising the points that were made and reaffirming his wish that the Welsh dimension, as he put it, of the coronavirus experience, would be properly investigated and then reported within the wider context without which you cannot make proper sense of what happened in Wales or provide the answers that people, quite rightly, will look to the inquiry to provide.

Mr Davies came back: There is no reason why the Welsh Government cant take part in a UK-wide inquiry and a Welsh inquiry. An open and transparent Government must be accountable to the people it serves, and the people of Wales deserve answers. Responsible, but not held responsible seems to be the mantra of this Welsh Labour Government.

A Welsh inquiry is a necessary part in helping the country understand how decisions were made and whether lessons have indeed been learnt. Therefore, do you accept that refusing a Welsh inquiry is not just insulting to those campaigners who are tirelessly fighting for answers, but it also undermines Waless ability to mitigate against future threats, if we cant understand the process of decision making throughout the pandemic?

The First Minister said: I do not come to my conclusions on the basis of wishing to insult anybody; I come to my conclusions because I believe the answers that people in Wales need will be better provided, they will get better answers, if there is a Welsh focus within a UK inquiry. Because I dont believe that you can make proper sense of the many decisions that were made here in Wales without understanding the relationship between those decisions and the wider context within which they were made.

Our position remains as it has been for many weeks. Provided we get the assurances that we are looking for from the UK Government that there will be that focus on decisions here in Wales, that people in Wales will have answers to their questions within the UK inquiry, then I think that will give them better answers. If we dont get those assurances, if were not certain that we will get the focus on the Welsh experience that we need, then that will give us pause to think again.

Mr Davies reiterated his points and asked again: If you dont commit to a specific Wales inquiry, people will think that your Government is evading scrutiny and refusing to make itself accountable to its people. While the UK-wide inquiry will rightly consider inter-governmental decision making, a Welsh inquiry could solely focus on your Governments handling of the pandemic.

Let us not forget that it was the Welsh Government that was responsible for people not being tested prior to being discharged from hospital, therefore allowing the virus to enter Waless care settings. In fact, after England introduced mass testing in care homes during the first wave in 2020, you said that you could see no value in introducing tests across Welsh care homes.

And let us not forget that it was the Welsh Government that was responsible for failing to get a grip on hospital-acquired infections. In fact, after reports of hospital-acquired infections rising 50 per cent in a week, the health Minister at the time said that he didnt think it was out of control, but that it was a real risk. And let us not forget that it was the Welsh Government that was responsible for failing to send more than 13,000 shielding letters to the right addresses in April and May last year.

So, First Minister, the list goes on and on and on. So, why wont you give the families of those who lost their lives during the pandemic the answers they need and the peace that they deserve? And why wont you accept both a UK-wide inquiry and, indeed, a Welsh inquiry, so that your Governments handling of the pandemic can be fully scrutinised and your Ministers held to account? The Welsh people deserve that.

The debate wrapped up with a final response from Mr Drakeford, Im completely committed to there being proper scrutiny of decisions that were made here in Wales; an inquiry into them and accountability as a result.

Im not persuaded that overlapping in completing inquiries will give the best answers for people who need those answers. While the Prime Ministerwhile his Prime Ministercontinues to offer me the assurances that experiences here in Wales will get the attention they need and deserve and will do so within the wider context that only a UK inquiry can investigate, then, Im prepared to continue with the agreement that I struck with the Prime Minister at the outset.

There are still some important tests for the UK Government, and theyre coming in the short term. The Prime Minister has said to bereaved families that he will appoint a chair of that inquiry this side of Christmas. I expect First Ministers of other UK nations to be involved in that appointment.

If I read about it in a press release, or Im told about it half an hour before it is issued, then the sense of genuine involvement and a genuine opportunity to have the Welsh dimension scrutinised, as it needs to be in that inquiry, will inevitably be under question.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister assured me that devolved Governments would be properly engaged and involved in that appointment, in the terms of reference and in the working practices of the UK inquiry and I look forward to that being borne out in practice.
Wrexham care home staff urge people to take up the flu jab this winter

Staff at a care home in Wrexham have urged people to protect themselves against the flu this winter.

Thousands of frontline care workers are protecting themselves against the virus thanks to an innovative vaccination partnership with community pharmacies.

Every care home in North Wales has been paired with a local pharmacy to make it easier for their staff to get vaccinated this winter.

Flu jabs are being offered to care workers across the region at a time and place to suit them  at their workplace, before or during shift changes, or at special clinics with reserved appointments.

The initiative, led by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, follows a successful pilot scheme which more than tripled the number of care workers receiving the flu vaccine last year.

Practitioners from the Pendine Park care organisations homes in Wrexham say getting the vaccine is crucial to protecting their health, and the health of the older people they care for.

So far uptake there has been very high, with two clinics for staff held over the last few weeks.

Pendine activities coordinator Chris Lewis, 61, from Wrexham, said her first concern was the risk flu presents to others who are more vulnerable.

She said: Ive had the flu before and its really not a nice thing if you get it.

I would advise anyone who works in care to have it  for their safety and for the safety of their residents.

Alex Lee (21), from Wrexham, said it was easy and convenient to get the vaccine at work.

Its so important to keep everybody safe, he said.

If you get everyone vaccinated then it reduces the risk for other, more vulnerable people. Its to make people safer, so why wouldnt you?

28-year-old Ashley Carr, also from Wrexham, overcame a phobia of needles to get her flu vaccine.

You have to get the flu jab in this line of work, because you have to protect the patients as much as you can, she said.

If you can, it is best to try and take it up. Its the extra bit of protection for the residents and for you and your family.

Care workers and carers are priority groups for the flu vaccine. Others include everyone aged 50 or over, toddlers aged two and three, and anyone with an underlying health condition.

Care home residents routinely receive their annual flu vaccine from the homes registered GP.

With a lack of flu circulating in 2020 due to coronavirus restrictions also stopping the spread of the virus, there is concern that this year could see a rise in the number of people falling ill due to people mixing more and a lack of immunity from last year.

Dhimant Patel, from The Pharmacy in Coedpoeth, delivered flu vaccinations at Pendine Park and will visit a number of other care homes in the Wrexham area this autumn.

He and his colleagues are working early mornings, late nights and at weekends to vaccinate workers at a time and in a place which suits them.

Its great that were able to come out to the homes to see staff, and administer the vaccine for them in their own setting, he said.

It means they can feel comfortable, they can ask any questions or for more information, and I can take the time to speak with them.

The feedback weve been getting is that its great for the staff because they dont have to arrange an appointment around their work  and uptake has gone up quite considerably compared to previous years.

Betsi Cadwaladr immunisations coordinator Leigh Pusey said care staff and carers were amongst the most important groups for vaccination this winter.

Were pleased to have made accessing flu vaccination easier for care workers through this innovative partnership between local community pharmacies and care homes, she said.

We would urge any care workers or carers who have not yet received their flu jab to speak to their employer about arrangements, take up an appointment at their GP surgery, or arrange a visit to one of the dozens of community pharmacies offering flu vaccinations this autumn.

The flu virus can be deadly and typically results in dozens of admissions to critical care units across North Wales each year.

The flu vaccine can be delivered at any time, without the need for delay between it and the COVID-19 booster. Appointments for the booster are being sent directly to eligible groups.
Nikolas Cruz (center) pleaded guilty on October 20 to 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder for the February 2018 fatal shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
In a unanimous vote Tuesday evening, the House Select Committee investigating former President Donald Trumps January 6 coup attempt voted to refer former Trump White House Special Advisor Stephen Bannon to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for prosecution for defying a congressional subpoena from the committee.

We believe Mr. Bannon has information relevant to our probe, and well use the tools at our disposal to get that information, said Chairman Bennie Thompson (Democrat from Mississippi). Thompson added that while Bannon is willing to be a martyr to the disgraceful cause of whitewashing what happened on January 6, the committee wont be deterred. We wont be distracted. And we wont be delayed.

Steve Bannon at the "Take Back Virginia" rally in Richmond, Virginia, October 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Bannon has thus far refused to provide any documentation or appear before the committee. Through his lawyer, Robert Costello, Bannon has claimed that Trump is invoking executive privilege on any communications or documents sought by the committee, preventing him from cooperating with its investigation.

In her remarks Tuesday night, the vice chair of the committee, Wyoming Republican Liz Cheney, reviewed Bannons substantial advance knowledge of the plans for January 6. She said Bannon likely had an important role in formulating those plans. While Thompson failed even to utter the name of the former president, it was left to the right-wing war hawk and daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney to point to the direct collaboration between Bannon and Trump in the lead-up to the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Mr. Bannon was in the war room at the Willard [Hotel] on January 6, said Cheney. He also appears to have detailed knowledge regarding the presidents efforts to sell millions of Americans the fraud that the election was stolen. In the words of many who participated in the January 6 attack, the violence that day was in direct response to President Trumps repeated claimsfrom election night through January 6that he had won the election.

Commenting on Bannons and Trumps attempts to invoke executive privilege to prevent Bannon from testifying, Cheney said, Mr. Bannons and Mr. Trumps privilege arguments do appear to reveal one thing, however: They suggest that President Trump was personally involved in the planning and execution of January 6. And we will get to the bottom of that.

On Monday, Trump filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. against the House Select Committee and the head of the National Archives, making a sweeping executive privilege claim and declaring the committees investigation to be illegitimate.

Following the filing of the lawsuit, Trump spokesperson Taylor Budowich told Politico that the lawsuit was in defense of the Constitution, the Office of the President, and the future of our nation, all of which the sham Unselect Committee is trying to destroy.

The fact is America is under assault by Pelosis Communist-style attempt to silence and destroy America First patriots through this hyper-partisan and illegitimate investigation.

The fascistic language of Budowichs statement underscores Trumps rejection of the constitutional framework of American bourgeois democracyor what remains of itand the authoritarian aims that underlay his attempt to overthrow the election and seize dictatorial power on January 6. Nine months later, the failure of the Biden administration and the Democrats to prosecute Trump or any of his co-conspirators, including virtually the entire Republican Party apparatus, has enabled Trump to strengthen his hold on the party and continue his drive to build a fascist movement.

His response to the committee and its subpoenas is to double down on his lie of a stolen election and exploit the fecklessness of the Democrats to step up his fascistic incitement. Fear within the ruling elite of the growth of working-class strikes and protests in rebellion against the pro-corporate trade unions drives the ruling class ever further in the direction of dictatorship.

On Tuesday morning, the Select Committee released a 26-page resolution outlining the committees attempts to get Bannon to cooperate, his refusal to do so, and its call for criminal contempt against him. In the resolution, the committee noted Bannons advance knowledge of the coup attempt, citing a passage from his January 5 War Room podcast:

All hell is going to break loose tomorrow.  So many people said, Man, if I was in a revolution, I would be in Washington. Well, this is your time in history. Its all converging, and now were on the point of attack tomorrow. Its not going to happen like you think its going to happen. Its going to be extraordinarily different. And all I can say is: Strap in.

The resolution demolishes Bannons claim that he is unable to cooperate with the committee due to Trumps invocation of executive privilege. It notes that Trump has yet to communicate with the committee and had not officially informed it that he was invoking executive privilege when Bannon failed to submit documents on October 7 or appear before the committee on October 14, as stipulated in the subpoena the committee served on him.

The resolution explains that Bannon was not a government official in the period leading up to and following the January 6 fascist attack on the Capitol, having been fired from his White House post by Trump in August of 2017. Executive privilege applies only to interactions between the president and White House aides or government officials carried out in the course of official government business. Traditionally, moreover, it can be legally evoked only by a sitting president, not a former president. President Joe Biden has refused to support Trumps executive privilege claim.

In addition, many of the documents requested by the committee have nothing to do with Bannons interactions with Trump. They concern rather Bannons interactions with forces that assisted, organized and participated in the coup.

These include the Women for America First political group, which organized the fascist rally outside the White House on January 6; Republican strategist, attorney and frequent guest on Bannons podcast Boris Epshteyn; members of the group who attended the January 5 planning meeting at the Willard Hotel (including Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, Roger Stone and Trump campaign spokesman Jason Miller); and other Trump officials, such as Kash Patel, former chief-of-staff to acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller, and Ezra Cohen-Watnick, another Trump loyalist who was appointed to a high-level position in the Department of Defense following the firing of Defense Secretary Mark Esper after Trumps electoral defeat.

The committee is also seeking communications between Bannon and Republican lawmakers who supported Trumps efforts to overturn the election results.

Three other former Trump officials subpoenaed by the committeeTrump White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, Dan Scavino and Kash Patelsimilarly failed to submit documents or appear before the committee by last weeks prescribed deadlines. The committee has not, however, called for contempt orders against them, amidst vague statements that the three are in communication with the committee.

Now that the Select Committee has recommended prosecuting Bannon, the Democratic-controlled House is expected to take up and pass the measure on Thursday. The resolution would then be sent to the Department of Justice (DOJ), which would have to convene a grand jury to decide whether to pursue criminal charges against Bannon.

Should the DOJ decide to pursue charges and if Bannon is found guilty, the maximum penalty for criminal contempt of Congress, a misdemeanor, is one year in jail and a fine of up to $100,000.

However, there is no guarantee that Attorney General Merrick Garland will decide to prosecute Bannon. Last Friday, President Biden expressed his support for prosecuting those like Bannon who refuse subpoenas, telling CNN, I hope that the committee goes after them and holds them accountable.

That same day, DOJ spokesman Anthony Cole said the Department of Justice will make its own independent decision in all prosecutions based solely on the facts and the law. Period. Full Stop.

While it remains to be seen exactly how this will play out, the most likely scenario is that Trump and his co-conspirators will be able to tie up any criminal referrals in the courts and delay any resolution of subpoena requests until after the 2022 midterm elections. Meanwhile, Committee Chairman Thompson has indicated that he hopes to have the committees work wrapped up by next spring.

In the acute and unprecedented crisis of the entire capitalist political system, the Democrats are driven above all by their fear of a revolutionary movement from below. While attempting to provide an appearance of holding Trump and his fascistic co-plotters accountable, they work to cover up the scale and significance of the events of January 6 and suppress the mounting resistance of the working class.
As Western Canada reels under the fourth wave of the pandemic, a macabre picture of death and suffering is being vividly painted for the entire country to see. Collapsing health care systems, the denial of care to those least likely to survive under triage protocols, and morgues that are filled to the brim are terrifying and angering working people. This reality is contrasted by the callous indifference, ignorance and malign neglect of big business and its political representatives, ranging from the hard-right United Conservative Party (UCP) government in Alberta to the nominally left, trade union-backed New Democrats (NDP) in British Columbia.

The World Socialist Web Site recently interviewed Malcolm, an educator from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, who is outraged by the NDP governments open schools/open economy policy.

Recent protest against the BC NDP government's unsafe school reopening policy. (BC Safe Schools)

Like many teachers, Malcolm was drawn to the profession by a desire to help young people. I was passionate in helping young people who are dealing with childhood trauma, he explained, adding, Part of what drew me to education was the desire to have a nice middle-class life.

The pandemic has changed all that. I got nothing left, he remarked. Im just punching the clock. I want to get out of there as fast as possible.

Malcolm continued, When the first wave hit, we went online, but when we came back in June (2020), I remember wearing a mask at school and I was the only staff member that did. In September (2020), the government did not mandate masks. Instead, they said that they would allow us to wear masks. More teachers began to wear them, but it just became a culture warnot only between teachers and the community, but between teachers themselves.

Malcolm explained that right-wing forces in his local community have been emboldened by the ruling elites prioritization of corporate profits over human lives, and consequent refusal to adopt a science-based response to the pandemic. Instead, Canadas governments, including BCs, have downplayed the threat COVID represents, especially to children, and the role that schools have played as vectors of transmission in the countrys recurring devastating waves of infection and death. To this day, BC officials largely ignore the threat of airborne transmission of the virus.

The community (where I teach), said Malcolm, is very conservative, and they view any public health measure as an attack on their freedoms. Many refuse to wear a mask or be vaccinated. Not pleasant.

When asked how the school administration handled the COVID-19 threat, Malcolm answered, The school began to segregate students into cohorts and taking incremental public health measures. But even these minimal measures were fought every step of the way. Every single measure was challenged and fought, and the admin just gave in. For example, when a mask mandate was instituted, most of the students would simply refuse to wear masks. The response from the admin was okay, well we cant make you wear themdo as you please. Then the cohort system began to break down.

Its been exhausting knowing that the limited health measures that were put into place to protect us were not being followed and are nonexistent in my school. Going into that every day really took its toll. Its gotten a little better this year because I am vaccinated, but this will be my last year, I have had enough.

Malcom continued, I dont think they (the school administration) cares about the staffI mean now with the fourth wave and the Delta variant kids are at a huge risk.  The admin loves to talk about how this is all about the kids, but I dont see it in their actions. All they want to do is keep the school open.

He drew attention to the concern felt by teachers about how the NDP governments reckless reopening policies are exposing children and young people to a high risk of COVID-19 infection. Some of us are very concerned about basic public health measures that are not being followed, he said. Many of us are angry, and everyone is scared. Anger and fear are pervasive.

Malcolm detailed how the BC Teachers Federation (BCTF) has bitterly resisted any effort by educators to fight for safer working conditions. When there was a bad outbreak going on in the community and people were going to the hospital, some teachers began to talk about the possibility of job action. Then the union caught wind of this and ruled out our doing anything.

The unions have talked about masks a lot, and theyve brought those in, but thats about the only thing that they have done. When it comes to implementing safety protocols like reduced class sizes, mask mandates for all staff and students, social distancing measures, the union says that there is nothing we can do about it. We must follow the public health guidelines.

In fact, the BCTF has loyally enforced the NDP provincial and federal Liberal governments murderous profits before life strategy, ensuring that schools have remained open throughout most of the pandemic. This is so that parents can be compelled to keep working and producing profits for big business.

In contrast to this criminal policy, Malcolm advocates a strategy to eliminate the virus. I think the union should be demanding that everything go online until community transmission is zero, he said. That would be a policy that values peoples health and safety. We have seen it in other countries, so we know it can be done. But instead, we are told to just live with an acceptable amount of death and disease. An amount that wont crash the health care system. Anything less than that is fine. But our health care system has already crashed and were all pretending that everything is fine.

He added, Thats why I have gotten involved with the CERSC (Cross-Canada Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee) and Im trying to organize colleagues and activate them. I see how closely aligned my union is with the BC NDP government, and I must assume thats part of the reason for their inertia. These are not safe working conditions for staff or students and all the union seems to do is just shrug their shoulders.

The disastrous levels of infections and deaths in BC presided over by a nominally left government has led Malcolm to draw important political conclusions. Asked if he thought there was any difference between the pandemic response of the NDP and Alberta Premier Jason Kenneys hard-right government UCP, he responded, There is no difference. None. In fact, BCs pandemic response lines up perfectly with the Trumpist Republican response. In BC we have the lowest testing rates in the country and have kept the economy open the entire pandemic. We have prioritized rapid testing for the film industry, but nothing for long-term-care homes. This is a government that totally values profits over lives. There is no difference between BCs NDP government and, say, a conservative government from the prairies. The only difference is that the liberal media has decided to give (BC Premier John) Horgan a free pass and focus all their fire on Albertas Jason Kenney. Canada stops existing at the Rocky Mountains when it comes to COVID responses.

Among teachers, there is a lot of anger and a feeling of betrayal. The BC NDP had said they were the teachers friend, but during this pandemic they have not only taken the bus and driven over us, they also put it in reverse and ran over us again. I think its really telling that over the summer there were protests in Alberta against Kenney when he said they were going to abandon all safety measures with the reopening of the economy. Those protests were spearheaded by health care workers. But in BC the protests were not led by nurses, they were led by teachers. All I can tell you is that from what I see teachers are revolutionary in our grievances.

We asked Malcolm if he agreed with the CERSCs fight for teachers to organize themselves independently of and in opposition to the unions. He answered, A thousand percent, 19 months into the pandemic and this is the thing that I am most sure of. Its the only way that teachers are going to protect themselvesby building a grassroots, independent popular organization with members safety as the paramount concern. Its up to workers to organize.

Due to the fact that schools are major vectors of transmission, the CERSC calls for them to be closed for in-person learning. Full support must be provided to families to shelter in place until the pandemic is brought under control as part of a zero-COVID, eradication strategy. Malcolm commented on the CERSCs program, The pandemic has really brought out the inequality in society. I realize how unimportant I am and how little the government values my personal safety. I always naively believed before the pandemic that my government cared about my well-being at some level. I now know thats not true. They dont care if I live or die. It makes no difference to them, so long as the economy keeps functioning.

There are two outcomes as far as I can see. There is an endless cycle where capitalism has had almost 20 months to figure out how to end this pandemic and were in worse shape now than we were when it started, or there is socialist revolution where the pandemic response is guided by values of social justice, international solidarity, and the idea that nobody is safe unless we are all safe. Thats whats going to get us out of this pandemic.

Malcolm has signed up to participate in the October 24 webinar,  How to end the pandemic: The case for eradication. He encourages all educators and their supporters to do the same. Now is the time for the international working class to take up the banner of zero COVID and usher in a new era of struggle against this disease.
As schools reopen around the world, their role as vectors for the spread of the novel coronavirus is becoming increasingly clear, with growing numbers of children infected and dying.

In the United States, after schools reopened, the first week of September registered a 240 percent increase in cases in children compared to the end of July. In the last two months, 164 children died from COVID-19 in the US, an average of almost three deaths per day.

In Brazil, children and young people up to the age of 19 accounted for 2.5 percent of cases and 0.6 percent of COVID-19 deaths in December 2020. At the end of August of this year, one month after the largest school reopenings since the pandemic began, these numbers increased to 17 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively. Brazil has recorded the deaths of 2,398 children and young people up to the age of 19 from COVID-19, the highest number in the world.

Cemetery workers place crosses over a common grave after burying five people at the Nossa Senhora Aparecida cemetery in Manaus, Brazil. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

This is occurring despite several studies published in the worlds leading scientific journals having warned about the role of schools and children as vectors for the transmission of the virus. This criminal experiment with human life  particularly that of children, the most vulnerable sector of society, which should be best protected amid a pandemic that is still out of control  is a condemnation of the entire world ruling elite. It has refused to implement measures widely known to science in order to secure its profit interests.

A study published in the Journal of Public Health Policy at the end of August shed further light on the role of schools in the dynamics of the pandemic. Led by researcher Lucas Ferrante, from the renowned National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA), the study How Brazils President turned the country into a global epicenter of COVID-19 showed that the reopening of schools in Manaus, capital of the state of Amazonas, in September of last year gave rise to the more contagious Gamma variant, which triggered the second wave in March-April of this year and has been responsible for two-thirds of the more than 600,000 recorded COVID-19 deaths in Brazil.

Manaus can be considered the worlds largest open-air laboratory for the novel coronavirus. On two occasions, the city was the symbol of the negligent and criminal response of the Brazilian ruling elite to the pandemic, expressed most viciously by fascistic President Jair Bolsonaro and his local ally, Governor Wilson Lima.

In the first wave, in April-May 2020, Manaus shocked the world after being the first Brazilian city to start burying COVID-19 dead in mass graves. In the second wave, in January of this year, the world watched in horror as patients died from lack of oxygen , while the federal government pressured the city to use hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin on COVID-19 patients, two medicines that science had already exposed as useless.

Urban mobility in Manaus (Credit: Nota tecnica: Reavaliacao da pandemia de COVID-19 em Manaus e necessidade de medidas restritivas para conter terceira onda)

According to the article, the return to in-person classes on 24 September 2020 can be considered to have been one of the triggers of the second wave. Three weeks later, a period corresponding to the viral cycle, the number of hospitalizations doubled, followed by a more gradual increase since the December 2020 health collapse.

In a Technical Note referenced in the article, in which the epidemiological model that supports their findings is presented in detail, the authors show that the mobility of public transportation in Manaus right after the return to school increased by 20 percent. By mid-December, when the school year ended, increases of over 40 percent were registered in urban mobility in Manaus.

Based on the SEIRS model (Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered and again Susceptible), which is widely used by epidemiologists around the world, the article states that, besides the reopening of schools provoking the second wave in Manaus, it also led to the emergence of the Gamma variant that potentiated the crisis and quickly spread throughout Brazil.

The SEIRS model considers various parameters to understand the dynamics of the pandemic and make predictions. Among these parameters are, as the name implies, the number of people who may be infected, the number known to have been infected and the number who recovered, as well as urban mobility, the time that the infected person can transmit the virus, and the viral reproduction rate.

This predictive model, however, can also be used retrospectively, by changing its parameters to see what determined the current pandemic situation. This is what the study did. As the graph below shows, the number of daily hospitalizations in Manaus (yellow) is better estimated when the circulation of a variant that is twice as infectious (blue line), such as the Gamma variant, is considered than the original variant (green line), responsible for the first wave. Thus, according to the study, it is possible to verify that the date of the emergence of the Gamma variant coincides with the increase in urban mobility caused by the reopening of schools.

Daily COVID-19 hospitalizations registered in Manaus (yellow); daily COVID-19 hospitalizations estimated by the SEIRS model (black line); hospitalizations by the original strain estimated by the SEIRS model (green line); hospitalizations by the P.1 (Gamma) strain estimated by the SEIRS model (blue line) (Credit: Nota tecnica: Reavaliacao da pandemia de COVID-19 em Manaus e necessidade de medidas restritivas para conter terceira onda)

The Technical Note says that this finding is supported by phylogenetic analyses from the leading Brazilian epidemiological institute, FIOCRUZ. According to it, no cases of the Gamma variant were detected in Manaus in November 2020, while in December the predominance of the variant in the city was 51 percent. At the end of January this year, at the peak of the second wave, this number reached 91 percent. With this, the researchers were able to rule out the possibility that the gamma variant was generated either by the November 2020 elections or by New Years Eve parties, events that only increased community transmission.

The SEIRS model, the Technical Note concludes, showed that the second wave had already begun in October, and was fueled by the emergence of the P.1 [Gamma] variant in November. Therefore, the cause of both this second wave and the emergence of the P.1 [Gamma] variant by mutations due to the increased viral circulation ... with the increased urban circulation that took place in Manaus from September 24, 2020 [was] the return to in-person classes.

The studys findings also strengthen the understanding of the active role of children in the spread of the virus. In fact, a February study published in Scientific Reports showed that viral loads in children do not differ significantly from those in adults , while another study by researchers at Montreal University and George Washington University found that infections among children preceded that of adults, indicating that they were infecting their parents.

In a political condemnation of the federal and local governments, the article states, the emergence of the gamma variant in Manaus occurred due to the  governments strategy of encouraging the contagion of children with the return of in-person classes so that the population would reach herd immunity.

Recently, this was also substantiated by the revelations of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) in the Brazilian Senate investigating the federal governments response to the pandemic. The CPI report, which will be voted on next week, charges Bolsonaro with 11 crimes, including quackery in promoting medicines with no efficacy against COVID-19, epidemic with resultant death, crime against humanity, and crime of commission by omission.

The basis for the charges is the deliberate action by Bolsonaro in letting the virus spread so that the population would gain herd immunity by infection, something that science long ago ruled out with a disease as infectious and lethal as COVID-19. In Brazil, according to a study conducted by epidemiologist Pedro Hallal, from the Federal University of Pelotas, this led to 400,000 deaths that could have been avoided if social isolation measures had been implemented and vaccines had been acquired earlier.

The Brazilian governments herd immunity policy, according to the article on Manaus, has also threatened the world, jeopardizing the pandemics control on a global scale because, if variants resistant to vaccines were to emerge in Brazil it would put other countries vaccination programs in check. It concludes: This is not a purely hypothetical scenario, as only in the last two months three new variants have been identified in Brazil, which currently has at least 92 strains in circulation and can be considered to be a hotbed of new SARS-CoV-2 variants.

The actions of Bolsonaro, who most nakedly represents all the barbarism of a system that puts profit above human life, have clear historical references. During the pandemic, the worlds ruling elite have resurrected the worst and most reactionary anti-scientific ideologies that justified imperialist wars and fascist dictatorships  from Malthusianism to Social Darwinism to Eugenics  in order to normalize mass deaths. The article firmly places Bolsonaros actions in this tradition, quoting legal expert Pedro Serrano, from the Pontifical Catholic University of Sao Paulo, as saying, In the field of political and moral philosophy ... Auschwitz was for the exercise of political power in times of war as Manaus is for the exercise of political power in health issues.

On the other hand, all the scientific effort mobilized globally to fight the deadly virus and save lives throughout the pandemic has revealed the whole progressive character of science, which has converged with the interests of the vast majority of the world population.

It is on this scientific basis that the World Socialist Web Site and the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), of which the Rank-and-File Committee for Safe Education in Brazil is a part, have advocated school closures as part of a global eradication strategy through the independent mobilization of the international working class. To take this struggle forward, we call on everyone to participate in the October 24 online event How to end the pandemic: The case for eradication.
Nearly 400 workers at two Cadbury chocolate factories in Melbourne took 24-hour strike action last month and 300 stopped work again on October 8 as part of a dispute over a new enterprise agreement. Workers are demanding higher wage rates and opposing the companys refusal to transition longstanding casual workers to permanent status.

The first stoppage, on September 17, took place at the companys Ringwood and Scoresby factories, both in Melbournes eastern suburbs. According to the Australian, the second strike involved only Ringwood workers. The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), which covers the sites, has said there will be more action taken at the plants in the coming weeks.

Mondelez International Scoresby (Photo: mondelezinternational.com)

One of the strikers, Sabina, who has worked at Cadbury for 25 years as a bagging operator, explained that production has been ramped up during the COVID-19 pandemic. Were being asked to do more work than ever, she said. I dont feel like I am being recognised and the pressure is at boiling point. Its gut-wrenching, its the pits and its not what we signed up for People are so stressed at the moment and the company are not taking that seriously.

Sabina (Photo: Facebook / AMWU)

These comments were featured on the Facebook page of the AMWU. The union added: Many of the workers who make your favourite Cadbury treats are being forced to remain in insecure work. Some of them have been casuals for up to ten years and Cadbury are refusing to make them permanent.

These complaints aim at covering up the unions responsibility for the conditions at Cadbury. The previous enterprise agreement, negotiated between corporate management and the AMWU bureaucracy in 2018, expired last March. This saw an 8 percent wage increase over three years, or just under 2.7 percent per year.

The companys latest offer, which was rejected by 80 percent of the workers, is for a 3 percent raise in the first year of the agreement and then 2 percent in each of the next two years. That is a total of just 7 percent, averaging 2.3 percent per year. This is even less than Cadburys original offer of just under 2.5 percent a year over a four-year agreement, and is significantly below the rising costs of living affecting workers. The union is asking for an only marginally higher raise of nine percent over three years.

In the face of corporate intransigence on both wages and secure employment rights, the AMWU is now working on behalf of the company to diffuse tensions among workers.

The bureaucracy has complained: Workers shouldnt have to take strike action to get secure jobs. While that is the unions position, Cadbury workers voted 94 percent in favour of an unlimited number of indefinite stoppages. The AMWU, however, is currently restricting action to 24-hour strikes, which the company insists have done nothing to disrupt production and supplies.

There were, however, reports that Cadbury deployed office staff to run the lines during last months strike, resulting in clogged chocolate machinery that took workers days to rectify on their return. This only demonstrates the enormously strong position that the Cadbury workers are in, and the potential impact of an ongoing strike unshackled by the AMWU bureaucracy.

The Australian reported there was a COVID-19 positive case on night shift and that Cadbury were pleased that there were just three close contacts A deep clean was undertaken and production has recommenced. In other words, there was minimal disruption to production, and the AMWU initiated no industrial action to ensure workers safety.

To win this industrial struggle, Cadbury workers need to prepare to take on their own union as well as the company. They need to look at the bitter experiences and learn the lessons of other disputes the unions have sold out.

Cadbury in Australia was originally established more than a century ago as a subsidiary of the British chocolate giant. In 2010, US transnational Kraft Foods bought Cadbury and then, in 2012, spun off Mondelez International as their global confectionery business. The company has annual revenue of $26 billion and operations in 160 countries. In addition to the two Melbourne plants, the company has a factory in Claremont, Tasmania.

Mondelez International has been working to cut the Cadbury workforce and streamline operations. It has eliminated one-third of the Tasmanian workforce since 2015, now down to 360 jobs.

Chocolate sales and Cadbury profits have soared during the pandemic. Old Gold, which is one of Cadburys original brands, increased sales by 35 percent over the first 18 months of the pandemic as consumers turned to comfort foods during lockdowns.

The existing agreement has flexible categories of employment to assist Cadbury to maximise profits, with seasonal production variations like Easter eggs. Cadbury claims that 30 percent of its production at its Ringwood factory is seasonal. Flexible Permanent Part-time Employees, Mondelez Contractors and Agency Casuals are categories enshrined in the agreement that AMWU helped enact. Cadbury has unlimited flexibility to grow and shrink its workforce as it pleases.

Cadbury workers need to review the lessons of recent strikes at similar transnational food companies, McCormick Foods Australia and General Mills. In both cases, despite workers determination, the unions negotiated deals that fell far short of workers demands.

At the McCormick Foods plant in Clayton, Victoria, 100 workers struck for six weeks after 5 years without a pay rise as the company deliberately stalled negotiations on a new agreement. The United Workers Union (UWU) claimed a victory when workers got a 9 percent pay increase over three years but this was after losing at least 10 percent in real wages over the previous five years.

At General Mills, in the Sydney suburb of Rooty Hill, the union abruptly ended a strike by 80 workers after three weeks. The union rammed through a sell-out deal that delivered a pay rise of less than the meagre 3 percent per annum demanded and did nothing to address the other key issues in the disputejob security and rampant casualisation.

In each case, workers needs for substantial pay increases, improved working conditions and secure jobs rather than casual positions were not met. Despite the willingness of workers to take action in the face of concerted hostility from their employer and under conditions of a global pandemic where workers risk infection every time they leave home to go to work, the main factor holding back workers is the unions.

These sell-out deals are not simply an Australian phenomenon. On the same day that Cadbury workers were on strike last month, the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) shut down a six week strike of over 1,000 Nabisco workers across the USA. Nabisco is a subsidiary of Mondelez International, Cadburys parent company.

The BCTGM forced Nabisco workers to vote on a deal without having any time to study or discuss it. The WSWS reported that workers in Portland and Chicago expressed their disgust at the deal. One worker told the World Socialist Web Site, Its not a good pay schedule as far as I can see We have been on strike, at this point, for nothing. To accept the contract as written makes our sacrifice a joke. We didnt win. The opportunity to advance our strength, as a whole, was wasted.

Cadbury workers can only win improved wages and an end to long-term insecure casual employment by taking matters into their own hands. A rank-and-file committee must be built at Cadburys factories to organise this campaign. They must join with similar committees that are being developed in workplaces and schools around the world. The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) initiated by the World Socialist Web Site bases this struggle on a socialist perspective and offers the only way forward for Cadbury workers.
Socialist Equality Party (SEP) electoral members have spoken on the relationship between anti-democratic electoral laws, aimed at deregistering minor parties, and the ruling class program of forcing the population to live with the virus.

The legislation passed by Labor and the Liberal-National government in August, compels parties without parliamentary representation to submit a list of 1,500 members, treble the previous number, by December 2.

Cheryl Crisp addressing an SEP public meeting in Sydney, 2015 [Credit: WSWS Media]

The laws were rushed through parliament amid the countrys worst COVID surge. With the Delta variant resulting in 2,000 infections in Victoria, and still circulating widely in NSW, state and federal governments are lifting all lockdown and safety measures to ensure full corporate profit-making activities can resume, whatever the consequences in illness and deaths.

The legislation is an attempt to prevent the widespread opposition to this homicidal program among teachers, health staff, students and the working class more broadly, from finding any political expression. The unions, along with Labor, the Liberal-Nationals and all of the parliamentary parties, support the subordination of health and safety to profit.

On Sunday, October 31, the SEP will hold an online public meeting to explain its COVID-19 eradication policies and their crucial connection to the campaign to defeat the electoral laws. Click here to register. To join the SEP campaign against the legislation, sign-up as an electoral member today.

****

Daniel Bugitti, a 50-year-old glass blower from Nabiac in northern NSW, became an electoral member this year. He found the WSWS two years ago and has been a regular reader. The first article he read was an analysis of the US-backed coup attempt in Venezuela.

We need fundamental change, its as simple as that. he said, This is why they are trying to stop the minority parties like the SEP from gaining traction. The preferential system is terrible anyway, but now they are killing democracy.

Bugitti spoke of his history with the union movement and why workers need to turn to a socialist perspective. I used to be a delegate of the Australian Workers Union (AWU) for BHP at Rooty Hill in the 90s. Australias Weakest Union is what we called them he said. We got mediocre gains for massive losses. At the end of the day, unions know where they get their bread buttered.

I noticed that the [union] leaders would come out to the boys and talk tough, but behind the scenes the company just said to them: You can do what you like but well just sack you and get new workers. So, we would get pay rises like 9 percent over three years, but at the same time we were making huge productivity gains; he stated.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) used to pester us to swap sides as well, it was one big cat fight amongst unions.

Bugitti spoke about the unions role in the pandemic: From the outset, Sally McManus [secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions], Christian Porter [former industrial relations minister] and big business have been in a sort of love triangle. Workers are now being forced to die for the economy. Health and safety must come first. But this can only come from the workforce, not the corporations.

When I heard recently that the Melbourne construction industry had to pause, I thought, wait a minute, the hospitality industry has been shut down for months. Youre only pausing work now? It shows that unions dont care about members' safety.

He referred to the recent far right, anti-vax demonstrations held in Melbourne in late September targeting the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) offices. Half of those protesters were a bit dodgy; I dont think they were construction workers. When it comes to vaccines though its simple; everything should be done to keep employees as safe as possible. I used to work for the council, and we had to get hepatitis vaccines. Getting vaccinated was important for my own safety and for others as well.

John Ritchie, a 58-year-old from the regional town of Wagga Wagga who is studying a degree of Computer Science, has been an electoral member since 2015.

John Ritchie

Can you imagine the hysteria in Canberra if the SEP gained a parliamentary seat? Not only would the SEP be demanding the nationalisation of banks etc. but also the war plans against China would be undermined. There would be a very insecure reaction from the ruling class. The way its going they may even move to scrapping proportional representation.

John took note of the increasingly explosive political conditions on an international scale: I think what is happening in Australia is part of a general breakdown, particularly in The West. Ultimately, they are losing control of the situation and are now running out of safety valves. In the UK, America, it is the same thing; they have their own interpretation of this breakdown, but the same principles apply.

They are worried they are running out of lackeys such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) from the US for example. She was going to come along and go green and all the rest of it, but when it finally came down to it, she became part of some Democratic committee, and abstained from voting on important issues.

In Australia, the Greens are no longer able to fulfill this anodyne form of opposition and voters are increasingly dissatisfied with Laborthey need the semblance of opposition and to divert the working class vote somehow. They need someone who can make all the right noises but wont actually fight for it.

Asked what he thought was causing this breakdown he said, I think the capitalist system itself is causing it. Its reaching its used by date. The geopolitical situation has changed; the west is running out of new markets to break into, and China is emerging as the worlds largest economy. In response the US is pushing the envelope and entering into dangerous territory.
After one and a half years of the pandemic, the worlds people are suffering a daily toll of nearly half a million COVID-19 cases and almost 6,000 deaths. The actual numbers of infections and deaths are known to be much higher than the official statistics, but even according to the under-estimated government data, nearly 5 million people have died from the virus.

By placing profit above lives, the capitalist ruling classes around the world have allowed the pandemic to reach catastrophic levels. The virus is now ravaging children in shocking numbers, fuelled by the reopening of schools, with unknown long-term consequences for an entire generation.

Sri Lankan health workers protesting last month in Jaffna (Credit: WSWS)

The World Socialist Web Site and the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees are holding an online global webinar this Sunday, October 24, with the participation of distinguished scientists and epidemiologists, to explain the case for the eradication of COVID-19.

This event is a significant part of the work of the International Committee of the Fourth International in building a global movement, led by the working class, to protect lives and end the pandemic.

The Sri Lankan government of President Gotabhaya Rajapakse is prematurely fully reopening the country, including schools this week, while refusing to improve the countrys health system to deal with a new wave of COVID-19 that could erupt as a result.

Facing these conditions, Sri Lankan workers, including professionals from different fields, and students who are going to attend Sundays webinar, discussed its importance with the WSWS.

Dr. Missaka Hettairachchi, a consulting environmental engineer, said: The governments worldwide are in an effort to push the COVID-19 pandemic into the background and bring economic activities to full throttle, at the expense of health and human lives. Public funding cuts, using the pandemic as an excuse, have made the health services in countries worldwide worse off than ever before.

Months of economic hardship, isolation, psychological stress and lack of nutrition have significantly increased the disease vulnerability of poorer populations globally. This makes the risks of future outbreaks of COVID-19 and other highly infectious diseases far greater.

It is now obvious that vaccination alone will not eradicate the dangers of the pandemic. This risk can be eradicated only with a truly integrated approach, engaging a multitude of effective methods, with global coordination and the fullest participation of the masses.

I welcome the WSWS initiative to organise a meeting on How to end the pandemic at this critical juncture, on October 24 and encourage my colleagues in the scientific community to do so also.

Mahesh Ekanayake, an educator from the Teachers-Students-Parents Safety Committee, commented: The ruling class has concealed the scientific reality that the pandemic can be ended. As genuine scientists explain, it could have been eradicated within two weeks if necessary measures had been taken [at the very beginning]. So why didnt it happen? Because the capitalist ruling class is not ready to sacrifice its profits for it.

Mahesh

Instead, they are calling for the removal of further health measures. Opening schools is one such criminal act. Alarming numbers of students in countries like the UK and US have already died from COVID-19. We, as teachers, fear such a situation will be created in Sri Lanka after tomorrows school reopening.

True scientific awareness is essential for the working class to fight this reaction. I see the importance of this webinar on October 24 in that context.

Prasantha, a doctor and member of the Health Workers Action Committee, said: Although many doctors and specialists around the world have declared that the pandemic can be eradicated and explained the steps to be taken for it, the capitalist media has blocked them. The Sri Lankan government even summoned doctors who revealed such scientific ideas to the [police] Criminal Investigation Department and conducted investigations against them.

It is in this context that only the WSWS has discussed the possibility of eradicating the pandemic with specialists and shared their scientific knowledge with the working class. This has attracted great concern among health workers, as well as other sections of the working class in Sri Lanka. The working class is now realising that the virus originated naturally but spread because of the deliberate measures taken by capitalist governments around the world to protect capitalist profits over human lives.

The Sri Lankan government has followed the same policy and it has resulted in the loss of thousands of people, including more than 50 children and dozens of health workers. A significant number of children are suffering from multi-system inflammatory syndrome. At present, about 150 such children have been treated at the Lady Ridgeway Childrens Hospital in Colombo and 78 have been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

I also urge all doctors and health experts to promote the genuine scientific knowledge and support the program of eradicating the pandemic by establishing safety committees around the world. I recognise that the event next Sunday will provide scientific as well as political guidance for such a fight.

Jayaratne, a worker from Colombo port, commented: The government policy to live with the pandemic is being implemented in every workplace in Sri Lanka. PCR testing at the port has been fully stopped, and infection is considered normal. Workers must remain on the job until their symptoms worsen. Sick leave is granted only if a person is diagnosed with an infection, at their own expense.

The working class has a burning need for a policy to eradicate the pandemic. The spread of the pandemic in developed countries has clearly proven that no section of the capitalist class is going to take any measures to save lives.

The trade unions at the port, as in every other sector, have not spoken about protecting workers from the pandemic. That is why workers need to intervene independently for their own protection. I am committed to the Socialist Equality Partys efforts to establish a rank-and-file committee in the ports. I am making every effort to involve my co-workers in this webinar and build a basis for that.

Priyashan, a first-year student at the University of Colombo, said: We have lost in-person learning for a whole academic year and we would love to go back to university and study. But we do not want to put the lives of ourselves and our family members in danger.

The government has announced that it would start universities under a bio-bubble system. But as students, we are not sure that the government will allocate funds for such things. University students have not been properly vaccinated yet.

On the other hand, the main thing is, the only sustainable solution is to eradicate the pandemic. How many bogus health measures have been taken by the government? But what happened was that the pandemic spread rapidly.

I had an idea before that proper health policies were being implemented in countries like New Zealand and Australia. But now it is clear to me that there are no such exceptions in the bourgeois ruling class, as the governments in those countries have also abandoned the Zero COVID policy.

Sanduni, a student at the University of Kelaniya, said: The ruling class is responsible for all the lives lost in this pandemic. If governments continue to promote the new normal, more people will die. All the scientific achievements that can be used to eradicate the pandemic are being used today for profit. Thats why this pandemic has been dragging on for two years. We must oppose this. No one can force us to live in the pandemic.

Sanduni

I hope the webinar on October 24 will be widely attended. In the fight against the capitalist policy in the pandemic, the working class must decisively understand the scientific truth.
Students at Howard University in Washington D.C. have staged protests demanding the administration take action to address deplorable living conditions, inadequate representation, lack of student housing and other grievances. Protests began October 12 when student activists occupied the Blackburn University Center after students had invited university officials to a town hall meeting to air their grievances.

The response of the university administration was to send the police to attempt to remove the activists. Not a single administrator showed up even though they were invited multiple times by the [Howard University Student Association] and other student groups.  Instead of meeting our demands, they instead met us with police, student protester Tia-Andrea Scott told WAMU.

Howard University (Photo: Derek E. Morton)

The next day, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the student center, demanding an open town hall meeting with university president Wayne A.I. Frederick. Many of their demands focused on housing. Students spoke of mold growing in their dorms, as well as rat and cockroach infestations. Others say that their buildings are poorly maintained, with leaky plumbing and poor ventilation.

One student posted on Twitter that students have been hospitalized after coming into contact with mold, with one reportedly having coughed up blood. Another student put it succinctly: I paid 40 grand for Howard to make me sick. Students have also expressed concern over the lack of COVID-19 testing on campus.

Aside from the abysmal conditions, another concern is the lack of housing on campus, with dozens of older students reporting that they have been pushed out of the dorms and forced to find expensive off-campus housing due to the administration prioritizing housing for incoming freshmen. Many have expressed anger over the rising tuition costs, which are at more than $28,000 this year, compared to $26,000 in 2020.

Protesters have also demanded that the governing Board of Trustees restore representation to students, faculty and alumni. Last June, the Board voted unanimously to eliminate the student, faculty and alumni positions. To give these proceedings a pretense of democracy, a virtual town hall meeting was held that month.

Associate Professor Marcus Alfred, chair of the faculty senate, gave a sense of the nature of this meeting when he told WAMU, It was a complete surprise to us.  It was a town hall in name only Questions had to be submitted in advance to the board. He went on, Students took over the administrative building decades ago to establish these positions [on the board].  Its hard for us to understand how they would get rid of these affiliate positions when its clear the board needs to dialogue with students and faculty a lot more.

In 2018, students at Howard also occupied several campus structures, protesting against shortages of affordable housing, armed police presence on campus and the administrations policy of providing large grants and tuition waivers to campus employees, in some cases exceeding the cost of tuition.

A private historically black research university (HBCU) which is open to students regardless of race, Howard University bills itself as an academic environment that is oriented toward the needs of African American students in particular. It has been promoted recently in the Democratic Party-aligned press due to several high-profile faculty it has acquired.

The university drew media applause over the summer when it awarded professorships to Nikole Hannah-Jones, the creator and lead author of the New York Times  1619 Project and author Ta-Nehisi Coateswhose works include We Were Eight Years in Power, a tribute to the Obama administration, and an extensive 2014 essay, The Case for Reparations .

In Hannah-Jones case, her position included tenure, which she accepted after very publicly declining an offer of tenure from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Hannah-Jones and Coates announced the founding of the Center for Journalism and Democracy at Howard, financed with $20 million from the Knight Foundation, Ford Foundation and other wealthy donors.

I think this is a renaissance for Black colleges, stated Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund, to the Washington Post in response to the universitys hiring of Hannah-Jones in July. Some on campus say Howard has transformed into the type of school that can attract large donations and, now, famous faculty, says the Post .

But the inhumane on-campus living conditions, lack of any effective student-faculty representation and exploitive working conditions reveal that, despite its racial makeup and high-profile faculty, Howard is not exempt from the class divide that permeates the rest of society.

The lavish treatment of Hannah-Jones and Coatesboth of whom are multi-millionairesby the Howard University administration stands in stark contrast to that given to the rank-and-file faculty.

The majority of Howards 920 teaching faculty are not on track for tenure. Their positions are in a state of precariousness, with seven-year term limits imposed on lecturers. Cyrus Hampton, a Howard English instructor, spoke about this state of affairs to the Washington Post in July: Every year, we really arent told weve been rehired until basically, we start teaching.  The last couple of years, people dont get reappointment letters until the beginning of the semester I just wish that the administration of the university would listen to the people doing a big chunk of the teaching.

According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, the average Howard University lecturer earned $49,879 in 2018-2019. This is well below the median wage for the D.C. metropolitan region. The university administration has cited a lack of funds for the low pay of faculty and the shabby state of affairs on campus. Earlier this year, the administration used the same rationale to justify the liquidation of the Classical Studies Department, despite an outcry of protest from students and faculty.

The alleged lack of funds turns out to be a bald-faced lie when it came to Hannah-Jones, whose primary qualification for a tenured position was authorship of the 1619 Project a racialist falsification of US history that has been thoroughly debunked by leading American historians.

The same goes for university administrators. Howard University received $240 million from Congress in 2020, with $8.72 million in additional CARES Act funding. Thirteen administrators at Howard make more than $200,000 annually. Frederick, Howards president, is the highest-paid university president in the D.C. region, pocketing more than $1 million annually.

The conflict at Howard is a case study in the fundamentally reactionary nature of identity politics: a majority black university, with a black president and mostly black administration, which conceals a highly exploited faculty and impoverished student body. As is the case with the rest of society under capitalism, the resources exist to provide students with decent housing and a quality education, and faculty with decent pay and job security. The problem is not the lack of funds, but rather that those funds are going into the pockets of a narrow, self-serving capitalist elite.
While both federal and state governments in Australia recklessly end COVID lockdowns and quarantine measures, a survey of intensive care units (ICU) in Australia has revealed that the country has lost 200 staffed ICU beds since March 2020. This decline, representing 8 percent of ICU beds nationally, also means a reduced ability to increase capacity during serious coronavirus outbreaks, which will occur as a result of the reopening.

The study, titled Increasing ICU capacity to accommodate higher demand during the COVID-19 pandemic was published in the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) last week and reviewed the existing capacity, staff levels and equipment of the 194 public and private ICUs in Australia. It was conducted by the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) for Australian federal and state health departments.

A nurse holds a phone while a patient affected with COVID-19 speaks with his family from the intensive care unit. (Image Credit: AP/Daniel Cole)

This comes at a time when the Australian Medical Association (AMA) has projected that as many as 50 percent more ICU beds may be required to cope with an increase in hospitalised COVID patients, with up to 124,000 more admissions possible over the next 12 months.

ICUs are crucial to the treatment of severely ill patients, including those with COVID, as they provide essential life support machines such as ventilators, and require highly trained specialist doctors and nurses to staff. Internationally, the exhaustion of ICU capacity in COVID outbreaks has resulted in major increases in the death toll, both from COVID patients unable to receive proper care, and patients with other diseases or traumatic injuries unable to access an ICU bed.

In comments to the Guardian Australia, the reports lead author Professor Edward Litton identified the loss of available workers due to the stresses of COVID, particularly ICU nurses, as the main cause for the lack of beds. Due to the physical requirements of maintaining most ICU patients, each bed needs at least one nurse to be present at all times, and at least one ICU doctor is required for 10 patients. It takes at least 12 years to fully train an ICU doctor, and 5 years for an ICU nurse, with their highly skilled roles almost impossible to replace with other health workers.

Losses of ICU beds are far greater than 8 percent in many smaller states and regional/rural areas. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Tasmania both lost one-third of their available ICU beds, with the Northern Territory and South Australia losing 20 percent.

There are significant variations in bed numbers between states. Despite its hospitals being overwhelmed in the current outbreak, New South Wales (NSW), with 10.8 ICU beds per 100,000 people, has the highest ratio in the country, and nearly double that of Western Australia, which has only 6 per 100,000.

Regional and rural areas, taken as a whole nationally, have 18 percent fewer beds available than at the start of the pandemic. These areas have lower vaccination rates due to a lack of available health infrastructure and workers, and their populations are on average older and less healthy, guaranteeing that they sustain a greater burden of severe COVID cases. Private hospitals have seen similar reductions, as healthcare corporations cut staffing levels to maximize profits during the pandemic.

Despite their awareness of these conditions, Australian governments are rapidly dispensing with lockdowns and travel quarantines as they declare that the population must live with the virus. Inoculation levels are being presented as a silver bullet, even though epidemiologists and medical experts have warned that vaccines alone without public health measures are not sufficient to eliminate COVID outbreaks.

The necessary public health policies, including lockdowns, have been dismissed by the ruling elite as an intolerable roadblock to re-opening the economy, by which they mean the ability of the major corporations to ruthlessly exploit workers.

Acutely aware of the disastrous consequences of their policies, and fearful of opposition from within the working class, who have borne the brunt of death and disability from COVID, governments and the corporate media have launched a propaganda offensive. They claim that a highly vaccinated population, combined with an increase in hospital and ICU capacity, will be sufficient to prevent the hospital system from being overwhelmed. In NSW and Victoria, the two states most affected by COVID, these claims have been used to justify ending safety measures while still reporting hundreds to thousands of cases per day.

Former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and her successor Dominic Perrottet have consistently asserted that the state hospital system will be able to cope with increased COVID cases.

In August, state deputy chief health officer Marianne Gale claimed that there has been a lot of work across our system since the beginning of the epidemic to ensure our workforce is well equipped, well-trained, well up-to-date across the state our intensive care network is very well-connected, there is a lot of capacity across the state in terms of ICU beds, and our services are well equipped to care for anybody who may need those services.

The NSW government has asserted that the state can increase its ICU beds by 2,000. NSW presently has 884 ICU beds, having cut 45 in the past year.

Similarly, the Victorian Labor government of Daniel Andrews claimed last year that it would provide a surge capacity of 4,000 additional ICU beds to cope with COVID outbreaks, a pledge it has subsequently ditched. Victoria only has 476 ICU beds, a reduction of 40 from March 2020.

The ANZICS report makes clear that all of these promises are empty lies, and that the likely effect of unrestricted COVID outbreaks will be a further, more severe erosion of ICU capacity, as staff are unable to cope with the increased workload, or are diverted from their existing roles to meet other responsibilities within overwhelmed hospitals.

Far from being able to raise thousands more ICU beds in a crisis surge, the report found that there were only enough staff to operate an additional 383 ICU beds across the entire country, and this under conditions of short-staffing and immense stress placed on existing health workers.

Blame for this dire situation lies with federal and state governments, Liberal, National and Labor alike, which have systematically gutted the already underfunded public healthcare system for decades.

In 2012, the Rudd-Gillard federal Labor government imposed activity-based funding, which allocates resources to hospitals based on a set and inadequate price for current procedures, not projected need. This was then followed by caps imposed by the 2016 Turnbull Liberal-National government on funding increases. The result is a public hospital system unable to cope with major increases in hospital admissions, including to ICUs.

The crisis with ICU beds is only one particularly sharp indication of a public hospital system on the verge of collapse. Even in states with no significant COVID outbreaks, hospitals increasingly are overwhelmed by existing patient numbers, with ambulance ramping and blow outs in waitlist times for elective surgeries.

In recent comments to the Australian newspaper, AMA President Dr Omar Khorsid stated since the early phase of the pandemic theres been a real surge in demand and that has led to the hospitals just being unable to cope in most states and territories, completely separate to Covid and simply as result of a longstanding lack of funding.

The federal and state governments of Australia, both Labor and Liberal-National, are aware of crumbling hospital capacity but still intend to expose the population to a massive surge in COVID cases, in the interests of big business. Only the working class can take up the fight to eliminate COVID and defend the right to universal high-quality healthcare, on the basis of a socialist program that prioritises human life over profit.
Tens of thousands of people took part in a protest in Rome last Saturday to oppose the fascist riot last week that saw the attempted invasion of parliament and the trashing of a national trade union office by bands of far-right thugs.

The trade unions, which called Saturdays protest, estimated that 100,000 people protested in Rome in opposition to the far right. Other estimates put the number at 50,000 to 60,000. Demonstrators carried signs including, We stopped talking with fascists on April 25, 1945, and si, vax! The latter slogan is a response to the campaign against mandatory vaccination by the far right.

St. John Lateran square in Rome, Italy on Saturday, October 16, 2021 (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

On October 9, several thousand people took part in a right-wing protest against the introduction of the expanded Green card in Italy. The Green card consists of a proof of complete coronavirus vaccination, a negative COVID test within the last 48 hours, or proof of having recently recovered from the virus. Beginning last Friday, workers in both the public and private sector are obliged to scan a QR code of their Green card in order to enter their workplace. The requirement had already been enforced in bars, cafes and other public places.

In the course of the demonstration, a smaller group of several hundred people, led by two top members the small fascist Forza Nuova party, broke away and went to the parliament, where they tried to break in. After this attempt was repelled by police, the rioters went to the headquarters of the CGIL, the oldest trade union federation in the countrys history.

The assault on the parliament and trade union building were a premeditated plan, modelled on the January 6 assault on the US capitol building instigated by Donald Trump as part of his attempted coup detat.

Seventy-five minutes before the siege of the General Confederation of Italian Labor (CGIL) headquarters, Forza Nuova leader Giuliano Castellino shouted from the stage of the protest in the Peoples Square, Were all off to CGIL, inciting the crowd. Do you know who allowed the Green pass to become law and the fact that millions of our compatriots are living under blackmail and at risk of unemployment? They have specific names: CGIL, CISL and UIL. Do you know what free citizens do? They go to besiege the CGIL Lets go and get everything that is ours.

Live videos taken on mobile phones by the rioters and posted to social media showed them trashing the union offices and chanting liberty. Only after a long delay did police intervene to force them out of the building, though the assault had been publicly announced at a rally of thousands of people more than an hour earlier by a leading fascist. Only 12 people were subsequently arrested, including Forza Nuova leaders Castellino and Roberto Fiore.

The targeting of the CGIL offices is a conscious political decision aimed at invoking the history of Italian fascism. Mussolinis fascist gangs carried out such attacks on trade unions a century ago, in the early 1920s. While the trade unions today are very different organisations than in that period, lacking a broad working class base and collaborating with employers and the state against the workers, the real target of the fascist mobs attack nevertheless is the working class.

Other small far-right protests have also taken place nationally over the past weeks. On Monday, police deployed water cannon to disperse a sit-in at a port in Trieste that had closed the port. The protest has involved local far-right activists in the region including Stefano Puzzer, a former member of the Christian-Democatic Italian Confederation of Workers Unions (CISL) who votes for the far-right Lega party.

The demonstration last Saturday against the fascists, which outnumbered the rioters from a week earlier by a factor of well more than ten to one, shows that the far right is a small minority that does not enjoy mass support in the working class or the youth.

The Italian working class is likewise overwhelmingly in favour of mass vaccination and opposed to the fascists claim that mandatory vaccines are an infringement on their personal freedoms. Italy has one of the highest vaccination rates in Europe. Around 80 percent of the eligible adult population is fully vaccinated. The Teneo research company estimated that somewhere between 20.5 and 20.8 million of Italys 23 million workers are vaccinated, varying by region and industry.

To the extent that the fascists are able to win support, it is a result of the bankruptcy of the official left parties and trade unions, and the fact that the far-right is backed and promoted from above by the corporate media and the capitalist political establishment.

Moreover, the fascists campaign against even the most limited mitigation measures against the virus has been strengthened by the policy of the entire Italian political establishment. It has declared that there would be no more lockdowns as part of its drive to reopen the economy and ensure that corporate profits would continue, regardless on the spread of the virus and ensuing deaths.

The proclamations by representatives of these same parties that they are outraged at the fascist assault on October 9 are hypocritical and empty. President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Mario Draghi sent formal statements of support to the head of the CGIL, Maurizio Landini.

Democratic Party deputy Emanuele Fiano announced that his party would present an urgent parliamentary motion to call for the dissolution of Forza Nuova and the other openly fascist movements. Former Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte, the leader the Five Star movement, also visited the CGIL offices and declared that the conditions are in place for the disbanding of Forza Nuova.

No one should place the slightest faith in any of these parties to fight against the danger of fascism. Their declarations are particularly absurd, given that all of them are now ruling together in a united coalition government together with the Northern League, led by the fascistic Matteo Salvini. As interior minister, Salvini gave speeches on Mussolinis favourite balcony and continuously issued proclamations against immigrants and refugees aimed at whipping up fascistic sentiment. Salvini also issued a pro forma statement condemning the recent attack on the CGIL.

The formation of a coalition government also elevated the Fratelli dItalia, a neo-fascist party, as the official parliamentary opposition. Fratelli dItalia leader Giorgia Meloni criticised the October 9 protest, which she refused to characterise as fascist, claiming she opposes all violence. Meloni has previously stated that she has an 'easygoing relationship with fascism. (See:  Neo-fascist Meloni under discussion as Italian head of government )

The events of the past two weeks demonstrate that the tasks of fighting against the threat of fascist dictatorship and of ending the coronavirus pandemic fall to the working class. A policy of mass vaccination combined with lockdown and social distancing measures, with full wages paid to affected workers and small businesses, must be implemented with the aim of eliminating the virus internationally and putting an end to the pandemic.

It was the spontaneous strike action of workers in Italy which forced governments to temporarily implement lockdown measures in March 2020. The eradication of the pandemic is intimately connected with the mobilisation of the working class for workers governments and the reorganisation of social life on the basis of social need and the protection of human life, not the profit interests of the financial elite.
Contrary to the claims of the corporate media and governments worldwide that the COVID-19 pandemic is nearing its end, the grim statistics strongly indicate that the global health crisis is escalating. Many scientists and infectious disease specialists are fearful that the challenging winter environment will result in yet another devastating surge.

In the past week, roughly 2.8 million people were officially infected with COVID-19, and 45,256 people died from the virus worldwide. By the end of the month, the official global death toll will likely surpass 5 million, while estimates of excess deaths place the true death toll at above 15 million.

Marilyn Mar, right, and Nai-Hua Jeng process upper respiratory samples from patients suspected of having COVID-19 at the Stanford Clinical Virology Laboratory on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Palo Alto, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

The danger has been intensified by governments abandonment of any strategy to end the pandemic. Instead, prioritizing corporate-financial interests over the protection of life, they are displaying a staggering degree of indifference to the ongoing wave of death. The media swings between giddy optimism and apathetic claims that there is no alternative to stoically waiting for COVID-19 to fade away.

In the meantime, the reckless reopening of schools across the United States has driven a surge in pediatric infections, hospitalizations and deaths, with nearly 2 million children infected, 6,523 hospitalized and exactly 200 killed by the virus since July 29, according to data from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Similar harrowing figures exist in the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil and throughout the world.

Preliminary studies on booster shots appear promising, with mRNA vaccines in particular providing very high levels of antibodies after a third shot. However, due to the profit imperatives of the pharmaceutical monopolies and the absence of a well-funded global vaccination program, only 36 percent of the worlds population is fully vaccinated, including just 5 percent of all Africans. Simultaneous with vaccinations, a process of viral evolution is taking place that threatens to create more infectious and potentially vaccine-resistant variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Within this context, it is essential that scientists and workers adopt and fight for a correct policy towards the pandemic. Developing the active collaboration between scientists and an informed public is the most critical task facing humanity today and has the potential to put an end to the needless suffering and deaths of millions of people worldwide. This is the purpose of the upcoming October 24 webinar hosted by the World Socialist Web Site and the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) titled, How to end the pandemic: The case for eradication.

In the course of building for this event, important issues of policy have emerged. Given the enormous global interest in the webinar, attempts have been made to discredit it on social media, with some scientists who have opposed the elimination and eradication of COVID-19 claiming that the central focus of the event on stopping the pandemic is irresponsible. In doing so, they have harped on the word eradication, claiming with absolute certainty that this is scientifically impossible.

Arguing in bad faith, those who oppose the upcoming webinar have attempted to generate confusion over the scientific distinctions between eliminationending human-to-human transmission of a viral pathogen in a specific geographic regionand eradicationthe global extirpation of the virus in nature, including in animal reservoirs.

The WSWS has used both termselimination and eradicationin its fight against the irresponsible and even homicidal policies of governments. We have viewed these terms as denoting interconnected elements of a scientifically grounded anti-COVID-19 strategy. The elimination of new cases of COVID-19 in ever-broader geographic regions would end the pandemic worldwidethat is, it would bring infections and deaths to zero. For all practical purposes, COVID-19 would cease to be a direct and immediate threat to human life. This staggering achievement could lead ultimately, at a later point in time, to the eradication of the virus, i.e., its existence on the planet.

There is a debate among scientists about whether eradicationgiven the existence of animal reservoirs of COVID-19 among mink, deer, cats, dogs and other speciesis a practically attainable goal, at least in the near term. Under normal conditions, this debate would be of an essentially theoretical character, with little if any impact on public policy.

However, scientists engaged in the fight to end the pandemic have reported to the WSWS that unprincipled defenders of official policy have sought to discredit the fight of scientists and anti-COVID-19 activists by generating and exploiting confusion about the distinction between elimination and eradication.

They speciously argue that inasmuch as it may be impossible to eradicate COVID-19, the fight for its elimination is a useless waste of time and resources. For example, Dr. Helen Jenkinsan advocate of school reopenings at any costhas recently tweeted messages aimed at discrediting the upcoming October 24 webinar of the World Socialist Web Site. Attacking the event, she tweeted on October 17, This is immensely irresponsible. Leading the general public to believe that covid eradication is possible at this point is spreading misinformation.

This attack is in bad faith. Jenkins presumably knows that the challenges confronting efforts to achieve total eradication do not in the least undermine the feasibility of policies aimed at eliminating the virus. Given that animal-to-human transmission is incredibly rare, the global elimination of COVID-19 among humanseffectively stopping the pandemicremains an entirely attainable goal, provided the necessary public health policies are implemented worldwide.

The fundamental measures necessary for the global elimination of COVID-19 remain the same as those advocated by the WSWS throughout the pandemic: the ending of vaccine intellectual property rights and the establishment of a globally-coordinated program to rapidly vaccinate the worlds population; mass testing, contact tracing, quarantining of exposed people, and the safe isolation of infected patients to identify and cut off the chain of transmission; the temporary closure of schools and nonessential workplaces combined with financial and social supports for all affected workers and small business people; strict travel restrictions and border management; universal masking, improved ventilation and all other measures necessary to minimize infections in essential workplaces.

These simple and highly effective public health measures led to the elimination of COVID-19 in China, New Zealand, Singapore, and a host of other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as Atlantic Canada and other regions, in March-April 2020 and thereafter, all before the development of vaccines. If coordinated on a world scale, the implementation of an elimination strategy in every country could end human-to-human transmission of COVID-19 worldwide within a matter of two to three months.

Under enormous pressure from Wall Street and the global financial oligarchy, combined with the spread of the more transmissible Delta variant that has made containment measures more difficult, almost all countries have ended the elimination strategy, with the most notable exception being China. The fact that China, a mass society of roughly 1.4 billion people, has maintained an elimination strategy for over one year with all outbreaks quickly contained, definitively proves the viability of the elimination strategy in every country.

The debate between eliminationists and eradicationistsstaunch allies in the fight to stop the pandemicmust continue and will only be resolved in practice, as public health measures respond to advances in scientific research. Among serious scientists, however, there is no debate about the urgent need to eliminate COVID-19 and stop the pandemic.

Not only would global elimination among humans be a gigantic step forward in saving millions of lives, but it could also lay the foundations for the eradication of COVID-19, a host of other diseases that currently exist and future pathogens that emerge. Any attempt to oppose or vilify such efforts will cultivate the right-wing atmosphere and leave global society even more unprepared for new pandemics, which scientists warn will occur with ever greater frequency unless climate change is halted and reversed.

In the final analysis, the combined efforts of scientists working in the field of epidemiology, virology and related fields of public health and supported by the vigilance of an informed public will determine whether COVID-19 can be eradicated. But the effort to eliminate the coronavirus is not at all incompatible with, and does not require abandoning, the long-term goal of eradication.

The concept of eradication is important and should be the goal for as many infectious diseases as possible. In an influential 2013 article titled Disease Eradication, Donald R. Hopkins emphasized the galvanizing impact of adopting a strategy to eradicate a particular pathogen. If a global elimination strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic is advanced by scientists and an informed public, these same effects would be felt worldwide:

The inherent risks of failure to achieve eradication are offset by the benefits that accrue indefinitely from a successful eradication campaign. The unique power of eradication campaigns derives from their supreme clarity of purpose, their unparalleled ability to inspire dedication and sacrifice among health workers, and their attractiveness to donors, all of which are needed to overcome the barriers to successful eradication. Evidence that disease incidence and intervention coverage are being monitored closely and that progress is being made toward eradication can help secure the resources needed for these demanding campaigns.

The struggle to end the pandemic will not be achieved solely through the efforts of scientists working diligently in fields of epidemiology, virology and other disciplines related to public health. Their noble efforts require mass support, particularly in a period when reactionary forces shamelessly propagate ignorance, confusion and superstition.

The October 24 webinar sponsored by the WSWS will bring together scientists, public health specialists, and working people who are all engaged in the struggle to save lives. The discussion will be aimed at educating, clarifying and laying the basis for effective mass action to end the pandemic.

We urge all of our readers internationally to register today, invite your coworkers, friends and family and promote the event as widely as possible on social media this week.
Every year, Spain holds the National Day or the Day of Hispanicity on October 12, commemorating its imperialist legacy, especially in South and Central America. Formerly known as the Day of the [Spanish] Race under the fascist dictatorship of General Francisco Franco (1939 -1978), the celebration is an unabashed exaltation of Spanish chauvinism, nationalism, militarism and the monarchy.

This year, the celebration was held amid a right-wing campaign to defend the legacy of Spanish imperialism. On the eve of the national holiday marking Christopher Columbus's 1492 arrival in the New World, the leader of the right-wing Popular Party (PP), Pablo Casado, described Spain's violent colonial expansion to the Americas as the most important event in history after the Roman empire.

Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias, January 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Casado added on Twitter: Does the kingdom of Spain have to apologise because five centuries ago it discovered the New World, respected those who were there, created universities, created prosperity, built entire cities? I don't think so.

The leader of the fascistic Vox party, Santiago Abascal, denounced US President Joe Bidens Columbus Day address. Biden, posturing as a critic of the brutality of Spanish colonialism, said the arrival of Columbus led to a wave of devastation for Native Americans. Abascal described Biden as the lamentable president of the United States, adding, He has just attacked the great masterpiece of the Spanish conquest: the evangelisation. How proud we can feel about what our ancestors did, he said, describing the Spanish colonies as the empire of human rights.

Amid this hysterical defence of Spains barbaric record in its colonies by the ruling elite and media, the Left Populist Podemos party, the Socialist Partys (PSOE) the coalition partner in government, sent its largest delegation to date to attend the October 12 military parade in Madrid. It was a signal of its readiness to defend past and future crimes of Spanish imperialism. Four Podemos ministers and a number of lawmakers shared a guest box with Abascal and Casado, as 2,656 troops marched down Castellana boulevard, followed by 115 vehicles and 68 aircraft overhead.

After the event, Podemos ministers attended the reception King Felipe VI grants to Spain's top civil and military leaders along with prominent members of the ruling class.

Podemos new leader, the Labour Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz, tweeted in support of the Spanish army, Today our armed forces march and I want to show them respect and gratitude. A new country advances: one that protects, is plural and looks to the future.

Podemos unabashed militarism confirms the WSWS characterisation of these forces as pseudo-left. Podemos, like its sister parties internationallythe Democratic Socialists of America in the US, the Left Party in Germany, the New Anti-Capitalist Party in France and Syriza in Greecearticulate the interests of privileged sections of the upper middle class and defend capitalism against socialist revolution. These politically reactionary tendencies are pro-imperialist, supporting neo-colonialist wars and mounting imperialist provocations against nuclear-armed Russia and China.

Founded in 2014, boasting it had entered Spanish politics to democratise the post-Franco regime and re-distribute wealth towards the poorest, Podemos has instead channelled growing social opposition to capitalism back into the PSOE, the ruling classes 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.

Before getting into power, Podemos repeatedly promoted Spanish nationalism. It recruited leading members of the army, including former Air Force General and Chief of the Defence Staff Julio Rodriguez, the man who led the Spanish armys participation in the US-led neo-colonial wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and who played a major role in the 2011 NATO war on Libya. This resulted in over 30,000 deaths, a country in ruins and an ongoing civil war between the competing Islamist factions that NATO had supported.

Once in power in 2019, Podemos ceaselessly covered up coup threats within the army. It has attempted to lull workers to sleep, claiming the individuals involved were old and drunk, when former high-ranking officers declared their loyalty to Franco and called to kill 26 million left-wing voters and their families, including all Podemos voters. These officers were then publicly praised by the far-right Vox party.

Podemos then-General Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, Pablo Iglesias, gave a prime-time television speech dismissing the threats, saying, What these gentlemen say, at their age and already retired, in a chat with a few too many drinks, does not pose any threat.

Once leaked videos revealed active-duty officers defending the former Francoite officers, soldiers dancing to neo-Nazi songs and making the fascist saluteexposing Iglesias claims that there was no threatPodemos pledged to call for an investigation. Two weeks ago, Podemos acquiesced to the Ministry of Defences refusal to make these investigations results public. In reality, Podemos is colluding with pro-fascist forces in the army to cover up the extent of far-right networks in the armed forces. Its aim is to lull workers to sleep as to the real threat they face.

The Spanish army is also set to receive its full funding in the latest PSOE-Podemos austerity budget being negotiated in parliament. According to a study by pacifist organisation Centre Delas dEstudis per la Pau, total military spending has increased by 9.4 percent this year, beating its earlier record rise from 19.7 billion in 2020 to 21.6 billion in 2021. This contrasts with what will be spent this year on fundamental social issues such as promoting employment (7.4 billion), social services (5.2 billion) or housing (2.2 billion).

All these figures show how Podemos not only protects but strengthens the military establishment. They expose claims that during a COVID-19 pandemic, there is no money to implement an eradication strategy and implement policies like shelter-at-home, stopping non-essential work and subsidising small businesses. Instead, the PSOE-Podemos opted for prioritising profits over lives, which has led to over 100,000 deaths. As the economy has now fully reopened, thousands of people are still becoming infected daily; weekly deaths are still over 100.

At the same time, even as COVID-19 continues to rage throughout the world, the PSOE-Podemos continues to invest more in weapons. In 2021, 2.3 billion will be spent, 177 million more than the year before, thus making sure its national arms manufacturers cash in on the global tinder box, as all the imperialist powers rearm and prepare for new great-power conflicts.

There is deep, historically rooted opposition in the working class in Spain and internationally to militarism and nationalism. However, middle-class groups like Podemos are hostile to this opposition to militarism and are neither willing nor able to mobilize the vast opposition that exists. The role of Podemos is a warning: the only way for workers and youth to oppose the drive towards disease, repression and war is to build Trotskyist parties, sections of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), in opposition to the pseudo-left.
November 1 marks the 50th anniversary of the release of Theres a Riot Goin On by the American band Sly and the Family Stone. The album was a commercial success and, despite an initially mixed reception, came to be hailed as one of the all-time great albums of popular music. It marked an artistic turning point for the band and reflected a souring in the countercultures romance with drugs and free love. It is well worth taking this occasion to examine the album anew.

Sly and the Family Stone was formed in the San Francisco area in 1966. It was founded by siblings Sylvester, Freddie and Rose Stewart, who had been encouraged as children to sing and play music. They took the stage name Stone on forming the band. In addition to Sly on organ, Freddie on guitar and Rose on keyboards, the band included trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, saxophonist Jerry Martini, bassist Larry Graham and drummer Greg Errico. It included black, white, male and female musiciansa template later copied by Prince and the Revolution.

There's a Riot Goin' On (1971)

The bands music combined rock, gospel and funk, also jazz, with a few psychedelic touches and even a bit of surf music. They crossed racial and musical lines, in fact, rejecting those lines altogether. Their first success came in 1968 with their exuberant single Dance to the Music. Later that year, they released one of their best-known songs, Everyday People, a good-natured rejection of bigotry that became a number one hit. Their album Stand! followed in 1969 and became an artistic and commercial high point for the band.

Embodying optimism, humor and unity, Stand! reflected the desire for a new society that was widely shared in the late 1960s. The very titles of songs like I Want to Take You Higher and You Can Make It If You Try suggest idealism and hope. The album has a dense, full sound propelled by funk rhythms. Almost the entire band sings together, and front man Sly emerges as the first among equals. One critic observes that it was a music of endless humor and delight, like a fantasy of freedom.

Unfortunately, the band did not respond well to the pressures of its newfound success, like many American performers before (and after) them. Speaking of Sly, another critic notes that the temptations and contradictions [of success] ate him up. Tensions arose between the band members, who began heavily using cocaine. Sly became moody, unpredictable and distant. He hired bodyguards to protect him, even from his bandmates. The Black Panther Party heightened tensions by demanding the replacement of the bands white members with black musicians. The group released no new music throughout 1970.

The year was not merely a fallow period for Sly and the Family Stone; it also brought a series of traumas to the world of popular music. In the spring, the Beatles announced their breakup. During the fall, the drug-related deaths of Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin occurred within about two weeks of each other. These shocks heralded the end of flower power and may have contributed, along with his personal situation, to the curdling of Slys optimism.

Everyday People (1968)

More generally, the gravity of the unraveling of the postwar economic boom and the deepening crisis of American society was making itself felt. Political assassinations had helped move official politics to the right, leading to the election of Richard Nixon as US president in November 1968. Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and Fred Hampton, among others, had been gunned down. Riots had erupted in every major American city. The war in Vietnam dragged on, at a staggering cost in death and destruction. The relatively playful and light-hearted mood of the mid-1960s was giving way to something else. The working class was undertaking major strikes and struggles and would continue to do so throughout the decade, but the artistic-musical elements were largely removed from that. Their bohemianism, aided by the flood of drug taking, isolated them from the lives of the oppressed to a considerable extent.

This was the context for the release of Theres a Riot GoinOn, recorded in anarchic, druggy torpor over a year, or was it two, as a critic commented acerbically. The albums working title, Africa Talks to You, was changed in response to Marvin Gayes Whats Going On, which had been released several months earlier. Despite its title, the album does not explicitly address the urban riots or other social developments of the time. In fact, the title track has a running time of zero.

In contrast with the ebullience of Stand!, Riot conveys enervation. Lyrics and melodies, which were prominent on previous albums, now take a back seat to groove and momentum.

The sound quality, too, is markedly different from that on Stand! If that album was in Technicolor, this album is in faded black and white. Tape hiss is audible, and fidelity has been lost because of repeated erasing and overdubbing (i.e., adding tracks to a previous recording). On many of the songs, Sly played most of the instruments himself, and the consequent lack of interplay between individual musicians is noticeable. Nevertheless, the songs are marked by invention and drive.

The title of the opening song, Luv N Haight, refers to the Haight-Ashbury area of San Francisco, which was a hippie Mecca. The song begins with women who sing rising chords that seem to signal impending danger. Suddenly, Sly sings, Feel so good inside myself, / dont want to move. This declaration jars against the songs sinister introduction. It establishes the indolence and inward turn that characterize the album. Call-and-response gospel vocals and piano soften the mood, yet the song remains somewhat forbidding.

Family Affair, the albums first single, became a number one hit. It begins with a percolating rhythm from a drum machinea first for the band. Roses vocals are muffled, as though she is singing from behind a thick wall of Styrofoam. The spare arrangement includes electric piano (played by Billy Preston), bass and electric guitar. Sly recorded his vocals while lying in bed, and his performance splits the difference between seductive and lazy. The lyrics describe a young married couple grappling with infidelity, stuck in an apparently insoluble situation. Slys singing is arresting, running the gamut from a low mumble to a feline shriek. The song is intimate, catchy and funky, yet shadowed by pessimism and futility. It encapsulates the albums contradictions.

Stand! (1969)

The melody and arrangement of You Caught Me Smilin are comparatively lush. The relaxing, mid-tempo song lightens the albums mood. Yet Slys cries, which punctuate the song, have a plaintive quality that they didnt have on Stand! Spaced Cowboy, in which Sly alternates between mumbled asides and mock-heroic yodeling, provides another light moment.

Like some of the bands earlier songs, the jazzy Runnin Away is partly inspired by schoolyard chants. Yet the mood is not lighthearted. Where the band previously sang, The higher the price, the nicer the nice, they now observe, The deeper in debt, the harder you bet. Despite the sing-song vocals and interjections of ha ha, the song projects not insouciance, but worldliness.

Both halves of the album end with extended funk vamps: Africa Talks to You and Thank You for Talkin to Me, Africa. Clearly performed by the whole band, these songs have more warmth than some of the others. The former features rhythmic interplay, complementary guitar improvisations, incantatory vocals and apparent calls for deliverance.

The latter is a reprise of Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), which was the last single that the band released before its hiatus. Compared with the original, it is slower, more deliberate. Its funky strut conveys determination. While the other members singing is subdued, Sly lets loose with gospel shouts and keening. As elsewhere on the album, his performance is powerful and inspired, but with a tinge of sadness.

Theres a Riot Goin On is a fascinating and contradictory album. Its low fidelity, recumbent vocals and comparatively bleak outlook reflect the end of the Summer of Love and of the bands utopianism. Yet the bands humor and togetherness, though shaken, endure, even if in a different form. On Riot, joy has given way to grit, even defiance. The element of soul in the bands sound has deepened. The funk is less celebratory and more pointed.

Theres a Riot Goin On presents a band beset by difficulties that have changed its sound and its perspective, but not dimmed its talent. Though the lyrics express skepticism, the musical performances are inspiredthe album was not made by rote. Although it is markedly different from the work that first brought Sly and the Family Stone popularity, the album is a serious and enjoyable artistic effort that has remained relevant over time.
As schools are being reopened throughout the European Union, a deadly surge is devastating Eastern European countries, including Romania, Bulgaria and the Baltic States.

Romania, like many other Eastern European countries, has already been hit hard by the pandemic. Previous waves officially claimed more than 39.000 lives. However, this number is a gross understatement.

In April, an official inquiry into unreported coronavirus deaths led to the dismissal of the countrys health minister who initiated it. Even though it was a whitewash exercise, the report showed significant gaps in the reporting of COVID-19 deaths, with thousands of people missing. According to health experts, death data for the second part of 2020 show a sobering 42,252 excess deaths, compared to the official 19,659 COVID-19 deaths for the same time period.

Emergency University Hospital in Bucharest

From the beginning of the pandemic, the entire political establishment pushed for herd immunity policies and the removal of the limited health measures implemented in the first half of 2020. In 2021, the country had one of the highest rates of economic growth in the EU, fueled by the bipartisan drive to eliminate any restrictions. One of the chief priorities has been the opening of schools, which had mostly remained closed over the previous period.

The reopening of the schools began on September 14, as the fourth wave of COVID-19 was mounting. One month later the situation is catastrophic. Community transmission has skyrocketed, with the seven-day average of over 14,000 cases, the highest ever during the pandemic. The highest number of deaths was recorded on October 19, when 574 people lost their lives. Seven-day average deaths stand at 345 deaths.

Pediatric cases have also exploded. Over 2,000 cases are reported each day among people under age 20. On October 18 over 450 children were in hospital and 36 in ICUs. At least 10 childrens lives were lost.

The countrys health system is collapsing under the weight of the pandemic. ICU beds are completely full and hospitals are increasingly running short on medical oxygen, which is vital for COVID patients. In the meantime, patients are admitted and treated in emergency rooms and makeshift tents in front of hospitals.

On-the-ground reports paint a horrid picture, already so painfully familiar in many places of the world: medical personnel completely overwhelmed, patients dying in wheelchairs and ambulances parked outside full hospitals, the selection of patients for available ICU beds or beds with an oxygen supply.

On October 1 a fire broke out in the ICU ward of Constantas county hospital, killing seven patients. It was the tenth such hospital fire in the country in less than a year. In January, four people died in a fire in the ICU of Matei Bals Institute in the capital Bucharest and 10 patients lost their lives in an ICU fire in November at Piatra Neamt County hospital. Three patients died in April in a mobile ICU unit when the oxygen supply system broke down.

While none of the official investigations returned any conclusions, these terrible accidents are undoubtedly the product of a decrepit health system stretched to its limit. The official response of government officials during the summer was that they were preparing for the fourth wave by opening hundreds of new ICU units. Most of these units, however, were barely worth the name, with many only hastily repurposed clinical beds. Most hospitals function in old and unventilated buildings full of bacterial infection.

In these dramatic circumstances, there is no explanation for the governments reckless actions other than intentional infection of the population. Prior to October 1, as the scale of the incoming disaster was more than obvious, the government decided to cancel its own previous provision that schools would move to online learning when the incidence level exceeds six cases per 1,000.

A flurry of haphazard expert consultations and decisions over several days completely disconnected schools from local or national disease activity records. In a series of self-damning declarations, the education minister said in the same breath that expert medical advice will determine the outcome and that the previous provisions were never meant to be applied.

The same level of expertise is used to argue that childrens well-being is protected inside schools and that schools are controlled environments. This while students and parents are subjected to a plethora of confusing half measures, with classes often switching between online and offline, inadequate testing, obfuscation by local health authorities and, increasingly, the traumatizing experience of seeing relatives, teachers and colleagues fall ill or die.

The callousness and cynicism of the herd immunity precepts being followed by governments around the world were accurately captured in the declaration of the Romanian health minister, speaking on October 7, a day when 282 lives were lost in the country: Vaccination or natural infection are the two options through which we will get immunity. If we will not choose the former, some say we will get immunity anyway by the latter, which is more difficult. Some get through it more easily, others with great difficulty and others still dont make it.

There is growing opposition to these murderous policies, with parents voicing their concern and outrage on social media and keeping their children at home.

Official unions are complicit in the governments policies. Teachers unions have remained silent on school reopening, insisting on measly mitigation measures. They have also launched right-wing attacks on teacher vaccination drives and the introduction of green-light passes in schools.

Faced with a massive loss of life and the collapse of the health care system threatening even more lives, the authorities will only allow for the most token mitigation measures. Economic life is unaffected and even large public and religious gatherings are allowed.

This is what living with the virus looks like: destructive waves that take thousands of lives each week, alternating with periods of lower transmission when mere hundreds die.

Romania has the second lowest vaccination rate in the EU, with just under 30 percent of the population having received two doses. Government figures and the media have focused solely on this aspect to shift the blame for the tragedy on the victims of the disease.

While it is true that mortality is heavily concentrated in the unvaccinated population, vaccines alone would not have prevented the surge. Large cities, where transmission is highest, have higher vaccination rates of over 50 percent. But breakthrough cases, waning immunity and unvaccinated youth and children mean that the virus can transmit freely in the absence of any public health measures.

In part the low vaccination rate is caused by the incessant promotion of individualism and the lowest social instincts by the bourgeoisie over the last 30 years of capitalist restoration. On the other hand, the normalization of right-wing views on the pandemic by the official establishment and the repeated government claims that the pandemic had been beaten have contributed to the low vaccination rates.

As the ruling elites attempt to normalize mass death, immense social pressures are building up. The answer of the bourgeoisie throughout the world has been to promote fascistic movements.

In Romania, the fascist AUR (Alliance for the unity of Romanians) party was conjured up out of the anti-lockdown movement and propelled into parliament in November 2020. There, far from being marginalized as many pundits assured it would be, it has been transformed into a kingmaker.

On October 5 the ruling coalition of the conservative National Liberals (PNL) and free-market Save Romania Union (USR) broke down, and the government lost a no-confidence vote. In the process, AUR not only determined the arithmetic of the vote, but was also promoted as an anti-establishment force. It was subsequently invited to talks with the countrys president, along with the other major parties.

But the fascists main focus is to terrorize the streets in preparation for the developing working-class opposition. In the spring, when the third wave was raging, the fascists were allowed to mobilize lumpen and criminal elements and patrol the streets of cities, blocking hospitals and ambulances and attacking journalists and paramedics.

This constitutes a warning to workers who must develop their own counterstrategy. The fight against fascism, and the fight against the pandemic, requires the building of an independent socialist movement in the working class.

We call upon all our readers in Romania to attend the October 24 webinar sponsored by the WSWS and the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC). This webinar will explain the case for eradication and provide the public with the critical knowledge necessary to develop a broad-based and international movement to end the pandemic and reclaim the future.
The state Labor government in Victoria last week announced that it was accelerating its scheduled reopening of schools in Melbourne, despite continued record high COVID-19 infections.

Around 2,000 daily cases are being reported in Victoria, which is the highest total of any state in Australia and represents the most serious spread of infection in the country since the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020.

Schools are being reopened in these dangerous conditions despite there being less than seven weeks to go in the final term of the year, before the extended summer break. Any rational, scientifically-based public policy would involve maintaining online learning at least until the end of the term, in order to prevent needless infections, illnesses, and potentially deaths.

By the time the next term begins, in late January and early February 2022, every eligible student (currently those aged 12 and over) could be fully vaccinated, and schools could be equipped with the necessary safety measures, including high quality air filtration systems for every classroom. It is also likely that by early next year, vaccines for younger children will be approved and rolled out. At that point, leading epidemiologists and medical experts could make an objective assessment as to when and how schools could be safely opened.

The state government is now rushing ahead with its reopening plan because it is being guided not by public health calculations but by class calculations.

Throughout Australia, as internationally, the vaccine rollout is being used as the pretext to junk nearly all health restrictions that impinge on the operations of big business. At the behest of the major corporations and finance capital, lockdowns are being permanently ruled out as an emergency health response, and workers are being herded back into their workplaces. The necessary corollary to this is that children are forced back into the schools, so that their parents are not required to stay at home and look after them during working hours.

The Victorian Labor governments measures have a criminally reckless character.

International experience has exposed the numerous lies recycled by the corporate media about COVID and young peoplethat children are not infected as easily, that they do not spread the virus like adults do, and they are not at risk of serious illness and death. In reality, in every country where schools have been opened amid widespread community transmission of the virus they have functioned as vectors. Children are at risk of serious illnesssome studies have reported that long COVID affects as many as 10 percent of children who contract the virusas well as death, including from the horrific Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).

In the United States, to take just one international experience with children and the virus, more than 5,000 children have developed MIS-C, which causes severe and painful multiple organ swelling and inflammation, sometimes requiring the amputation of limbs. An average of three children are dying in America every day of COVID.

Year 12 students in Melbourne returned to classrooms more than two weeks ago. Joining them this week are students in Years Prep, 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, and 11, with other grade levels joining the staggered return from next week. All students return on a full-time basis from November 5.

Even before these hundreds of thousands of students return, numerous schools have been affected by infection cases. As of last Monday, a total of 134 schools in Melbourne were closed in the previous two weeks. This is due to infections of Year 12 students, children of essential workers for whom the schools were open, and the minimal staff kept on site. Another 216 early childhood centres were non-operational as of Monday due to COVID.

These figures are not publicised by either the government or the media. Members of the Committee for Public Education have been tracking the closures by collating hard-to-access public health data.

Every effort is being made by the ruling elite to present the schools reopening as a joyous occasion for children, families, and teachersthis is aimed at isolating and intimidating those fearful of the health consequences.

In the meantime, basic safety mechanisms are being junked. At least one teacher and several students at Northcote High School, in Melbournes inner northern suburbs, were close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case in another student, yet were issued an official exemption from self-quarantine so they could continue to attend school. The staff and students were legally obligated not to leave their homes for two weeks for any reasonexcept to continue going to school, thereby potentially infecting other people. This represents the sharpest expression of the governments push to normalise coronavirus transmission in the schools.

The government last week also announced that Year 12 students will be made to sit their end of year exams even if they are a primary close contact of a positive COVID case. The only minimal precautions are that such potential infection spreaders will be seated in a separate room, and supervised by school staff wearing face shields and healthcare level personal protective equipment.

The government has ordered 50,000 air purifiers for schools. This is far short of the number required and does not even come close to supplying a purifier for each classroom. In addition, only a fraction of the purifiers ordered have actually been delivered, with numerous schools now opening up without a single air purifier or air quality testing device.

The Australian Education Union (AEU) is playing a critical role. It supports the schools reopening and is actively working to block any move by teachers and school workers to take action in defence of their safety and that of their students. Consistent with its role throughout the pandemic, the union forwards on to teacher-members the latest government edicts to be obeyed, without making any assessment of their potential impact on the health of teachers and students. The AEU is attempting to avoid any discussion on what is unfolding; its social media accounts are filled with posts about competition giveaways, climate change protests, and federal election campaigningbut nothing about this weeks schools reopening.

To the limited extent that the AEU even acknowledges that COVID-19 may be an issue, it presents the pandemic as an occupational health and safety (OHS) matter that is to be addressed by each individual schools union sub-branch and OHS representative.

This is a means of blocking any collective response by the tens of thousands of school workers in the public education system. Instead schools are being left to fend for themselves.

The only meeting organised by the union on the latest COVID-19 surge was a webinar on October 12 for OHS and sub-branch representatives. Taking as a given that the reopening was proceeding, the invitation to the meeting raised the questions: What covid safety protections are required and how will they apply in schools? What are the challenges in this next stage? How can you and the sub-branch work collectively for highest safety?

The meeting itself involved the bureaucracy selecting a series of questions to answer on the specifics of school and classroom functioninghow to handle student refusal to wear masks, what type of masks can be accepted, students use of toilets during the exam period, crowding around staff room microwaves, etc. The union organised the meeting on anti-democratic linesthe more than 300 participants could not communicate with one another via the Zoom chat function because this was disabled, and questions could be directed to union officials only. Critical questions were ignored, and therefore kept secret from meeting participants. Several teachers who indicated that they wished to speak were ignored throughout the entire meeting.

Among the questions that were censored were several from members of the Committee for Public Education (CFPE). One teacher wrote, The union has insisted that COVID is an occupational health and safety (OHS) issue, to be addressed by school union branches and local health and safety representatives, and even on a classroom by classroom basis. It is being left to teachers in each school to fend for themselves. Why is the AEU washing its hands of any responsibility for the ensuing cases and casualties?

Another unanswered question was: The Age reported last month that Victorias Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton recommended that schools only reopen once the rate of double dose vaccination for those eligible reaches 80 percent, forecast for November. This rate hasnt been reached. Why hasnt the AEU said anything about this reported health advice?

The CFPE is the only organisation opposing the complicity of the union bureaucracy, and its pseudo-left accomplices, with the state governments dangerous reopening drive. We have called on schools to remain closed wherever there is COVID-19 community transmission, as part of a scientifically based strategy aimed at the elimination of the virus.

Teachers, school workers, students, and working families should contact and join the CFPE. The building of rank and file safety committees in every school, independent of the AEU, is now an urgent task. These committees will develop the widest discussion among educators and within the working class on the dangerous implications of the reopening drive, circulate accurate and up to date information on the spread of infections within the schools, and fight for the necessary actions, including industrial action, against the profit-driven termination of online learning. This is above all a political struggle, directed against both the Liberal-National federal government and the state Labor government.

Contact the CFPE here:

Email: cfpe.aus@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/commforpubliceducation

Twitter: @CFPE_Australia
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) The Wendy's Wonderful Kids program works to find children and teens a permanent family. It's funded by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Now, the program is expanding by way of a partnership with the Department of Child Services (DCS) and the Villages of Indiana. So far the program has found homes for 160 kids in Indiana.

There are currently only three adoption recruiters in the program. The expansion will allow for more recruiters to be hired so the adoption process can be sped up. The number of recruiters will increase to thirty. Families who are looking to adopt and kids in need of a family will all benefit from the expansion. The Director of Foster Care and Adoption Service for the Villages of Indiana, Nicole Schultz, shares the impact the increase in recruiters will have on local families.

"But obviously with three recruiters, they're spread thin. But, if we can expand that to thirty we can be in the thousands for adoptions in Indiana" says Schultz.

Melissa Crace and her husband Ryan adopted their son Shane in 2019. They went through the Wendy's Wonderful Kids program to adopt their son. Crace says the process was made simple thanks to the support and guidance from a recruiter. Crace faced fertility issues and turned to adoption to make her dream of becoming a mother a reality.

"Shane's only been in our family for four years, but it feels like he's always been there. And even on the hard days because of autism and just life in general, I don't know where our lives would be without him" says Crace.

Crace is thankful for the program and recommends it to anyone looking to adopt.

"I don't know what I'd do without Shane. I'm so thankful for him and for God placing him in our lives.

To find the link to the Wendy's Wonderful Kids program click here.
(CNN) -- 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.

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  A national advocacy group for women on Monday blasted the sentencing of a 21-year-old Oklahoma woman to prison for a manslaughter conviction after she suffered a miscarriage while using methamphetamine.

Brittney Poolaw, of Lawton, was sentenced to four years in prison this month after a jury convicted her of first-degree manslaughter.

An autopsy of Poolaws fetus showed it tested positive for methamphetamine. But there was no evidence that her meth use caused the miscarriage, which the autopsy indicated could have been caused by factors including a congenital abnormality and placental abruption, a complication in which the placenta detaches from the womb, said Lynn Paltrow, executive director of the National Advocates for Pregnant Women.

According to the medical examiners report, the fetus was between 15 and 17 weeks old, which means it wouldnt have been able to viably survive outside the womb yet.

This prosecution went forward against somebody who had a pregnancy loss before the fetus was considered viable, Paltrow said. In this case, you not only have a miscarriage rather than a stillbirth early in pregnancy, but the medical examiners report doesnt even claim that methamphetamine was the cause.

Comanche County District Attorney Kyle Cabelka and Poolaws court-appointed trial attorney, Larry Corrales, didnt immediately reply to messages seeking comment. The National Advocates for Pregnant Women said it helped retain another attorney, John Coyle, to assist with an appeal.

Such prosecutions of women who lose their pregnancies have become more common in recent years. According to a study commissioned by the NAPW, there were 413 such criminal prosecutions from 1973 to 2005. Data from 2006 to 2020 shows there were about 1,250 such criminal cases, said Dana Sussman, NAPWs deputy executive director.

So were looking at three times as many cases in less than half the period of time as this first study, Sussman said. This is far more common than I think most people would ever believe or understand.

There were at least two dozen such cases in Oklahoma, Sussman said, most involving pregnant mothers who used drugs, although in most cases women were charged with child abuse or neglect.

Just last year, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals ruled that embryos and fetuses are included in the definition of a child for the purposes of prosecuting child neglect cases.
PARKE COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - A Parke County sheriff's deputy involved in a shooting back in August was cleared by the prosecutor - and then resigned.

Indiana State Police says former Parke County Deputy Darian Lewellen shot and killed 35-year-old Chad Fiscus while responding to a domestic dispute call.

Police said Fiscus fired a rifle at officers.

LINK | Police identify Parke County Deputy involved in fatal shooting of suspect

Lewellen went to Union Hospital in Terre Haute after the incident, where he was treated and released.

On Wednesday, Parke County Sheriff Justin Cole told News 10 the prosecutor's office finished their investigation and cleared Lewellen of any wrongdoing.

Cole told us after Lewellen was cleared, he tendered his resignation to pursue a different line of work.
VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - Sometimes all it takes is a little spark to get an idea rolling.

For some people that could be owning their very own thriving business.

That's where one program steps in to help.

The SPARK revolving loan program was created by THRIVE West Central Indiana.

SPARK project manager Heather Ireland says the strength of a community is reflected in how many small businesses you have that are succeeding.

"Really if you think about it small businesses are the lifeblood of any community -- your cafe that you go to breakfast, the person who walks your dogs, the person who takes care of your kids."

Ireland tells News 10 that this new revolving loan has big plans of helping small business owners.

Especially, those who can't get traditional funding from institutions...

"To be able to do things like buy equipment or enhance their facilities or create another job position."

That's exactly what one Sullivan cafe -- "Petty Pit Stop" plans to do upon receiving the funding.

Petty Pit Stop owner Jen Petty tells News 10 quote: "We would certainly be looking into it to purchase equipment for a new juice bar that we are hoping to open next year. It would be integral in speeding up our timeline and reduce costs on maintenance and equipment rentals."

To find out if you're eligible to apply for the SPARK program click here.

It's important to note that applications are due this Friday, October 22nd.
VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - Vigo County schools could soon see some major improvements.

Superintendent Roh Haworth said all three Vigo County high schools are due for some upgrades. Those schools are Terre Haute North Vigo, South Vigo, and West Vigo.

There were three options laid out on Tuesday afternoon by Haworth. All three options would see the increased tax rate in 2024.

OPTION 1

New academic spaces at North, South, and West

Renovated co-curricular spaces at North, South, and West

$160m referendum for new spaces

$100m for renovation projects over time

Additional $0.0865 tax impact over current rate

OPTION 2

New academic spaces at North, South, and West

Renovated co-curricular spaces at North, South, and West

$260m referendum for new spaces and renovation projects at

one time

Additional $0.2484 tax impact over current rate

OPTION 3

New construction on current sites at North, South, and West

$333m referendum for new schools

Additional $0.3604 tax impact over current rate

Haworth told us these improvements to schools are necessary. He said teachers are facing issues that could make learning harder for students.

"When a teacher is having to work through issues in order to deliver instruction, really what you're doing is hurting their performance," Haworth said.
If you're planning to travel to the Maldives here's what you'll need to know and expect if you want to visit during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The basics

The Maldives reopened borders to all travelers from all countries on July 15, 2020. The primary exception to this is the tightly packed capital city of Male, which is off-limits to visitors as it has been the source of the majority of the country's coronavirus cases.

What's on offer

This is the couples' destination to end all others -- luxury hotels set on private islands, with rooms cantilevered over the water, just in case a walk to the beach is too much effort.

Who can go

At present, the Maldives is open to visitors from all destinations, as long as they have proof of a negative Covid test taken no more than four days prior to their arrival.

A temporary ban on travelers from South Asia was lifted on July 15.

The Maldives was one of the rare travel successes of 2020, and it looks like that trend is continuing for 2021, despite some setbacks.

The destination has launched a loyalty program that rewards regular visitors with points based on the frequency and duration of their trips. Those who rack up lots of points will be bumped up to various elite status levels that offer advantages including hotel discounts.

What are the restrictions?

All travelers must present a certificate of a negative PCR test carried out within the 96 hours prior to departure, clearly showing the name and address of the laboratory, as well as the date of the sample taken, regardless of their vaccination status.

The result needs to be attached to the Traveler Health Declaration form, which must be submitted online within the 24 hours prior to arrival. Visitors are asked to download the national contact tracing app, TraceEkee, and use it during their journey.

These restrictions were temporarily dropped for fully vaccinated travelers earlier in the year, but have since been reintroduced.

All non-tourist arrivals from the UK, including transiting passengers, must undergo a quarantine of either seven days for those who are vaccinated, or 14 days for non-vaccinated travelers.

However, these requirements do not apply to tourists and the Maldives has been removed from the UK red list as of September 22.

Visitors are allowed to split stays between hotels. However, if you spend more than 48 hours in the Greater Male area, you must take another PCR test before moving elsewhere.

Those who are not fully vaccinated are permitted to stay in guest accommodation in local islands provided that 60% of the population, including 90% of over-65s and 95% of tourism staff, are fully vaccinated.

What's the Covid situation?

The Maldives has reported a total of over 85,348 coronavirus cases and 232 deaths as of October 8.

While the figures remain relatively low for the most part, Covid-19 cases jumped from around 100 to over 1,500 in the space of a month, prompting a short-term ban on visitors from South Asia on May 13.

Although a record 2,194 cases were reported on May 20, the numbers have since decreased significantly, with 20 cases recorded on October 7.

The country began its roll-out of the India-made AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine on February 1. Hospitality workers were included in the first round of citizens to get vaccinated.

Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, the Maldivian Minister of Tourism, previously confirmed that the Maldives is developing a "Visit, Vaccinate and Vacation" scheme named "3V" that would allow visitors to receive a Covid-19 vaccine on arrival.

The program won't go ahead until the country's entire population, estimated at just under 550,000, has been fully vaccinated.

As of October 8, just under 350,000 people in the Maldives had been administered with a full dose of a Covid-19 vaccination.

What can visitors expect?

The Maldives are selling themselves as a destination offering a "normal" vacation, thanks to the isolation of most hotels and the fact that the vast majority of visitors stay in-resort rather than venture out.

This means that while locals are subject to restrictions, those going to and from the airport are exempt. Split stays between different hotels are allowed, if the hotels meet government requirements. Requests for split stays must be made to the Ministry of Tourism at least 48 hours before travel.

Expect also for your resort to have some rules -- especially a temperature check on arrival, and masks to be worn indoors. As most items in shops must be shipped to the Maldives, some things can get pricey -- you should bring things like masks and hand sanitizer with you to avoid spending while on the island chain.

Useful links:

imuga.immigration.gov.mv

Tourist board Covid-19 updates

Ministry of Health latest figures

Our recent coverage

Learn how wealthy Indians have been shut out of the Maldives due to the temporary ban on South Asian travelers, and why the destination is hoping to lure travelers with vaccines on arrival.

Wondering what it's like to visit right now? Read this piece, which details the pandemic vacation experience.

If you're planning your trip, check out our list of the best dining experiences. And meet the Maldives' "barefoot pilots." And if a travel bubble is what you want, you're in luck -- the Waldorf Astoria Maldives has just revealed its latest property, a Maldivian private island called Ithaafushi, available for a cool $80,000 a night.

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
Mitch McConnell's entire being is -- and always has been -- focused on winning elections. Every move he makes and every thing he says is part of a broader effort to ensure that his side winds up with more seats -- and therefore more control -- than the other guys.

And, on Tuesday, McConnell made clear that he believes former President Donald Trump's ongoing focus on the 2020 election is decidedly detrimental to the GOP's chances in the upcoming midterm elections.

Asked by CNN's Manu Raju whether he was comfortable with candidates embracing Trump, McConnell said this:

"I do think we need to be thinking about the future and not the past. I think the American people are focusing on this administration, what it's doing to the country, and it's my hope the '22 election will be a referendum on the performance of the current administration, not a rehash of suggestions about what may have happened in 2020."

That's about as close as McConnell will get to outright refutation of Trump and the strategy, such as it is, that the former president is peddling -- a hard focus on trying to prove (nonexistent) voter fraud in the 2020 election.

While Trump's continued attempts to re-litigate the 2020 election have been ongoing for months, that effort went to another level in the last week when Trump suggested that unless the last election was overturned, future elections would be pointless.

"If we don't solve the Presidential Election Fraud of 2020 (which we have thoroughly and conclusively documented), Republicans will not be voting in '22 or '24," Trump said in a statement via his Save America PAC. "It is the single most important thing for Republicans to do."

That statement brought back bad memories for Republicans who lost not one but two Senate seats in Georgia earlier this year as Trump (and several of his closest allies) were focused almost entirely on the 2020 election -- to the detriment of those two runoffs which turned McConnell from Senate majority leader to Senate minority leader.

McConnell's warning comes just days after Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said much the same thing, insisting that "re-litigating 2020 is a recipe for disaster in 2022."

Which is, of course, true. Midterm elections in a president's first term have been disastrous for his party -- largely because they function as a referendum on the first two years of the term. Trump lost 40 Republican seats -- and the majority -- in 2018. Barack Obama lost 63 seats -- and the majority in 2010.

Trump's ongoing rhetoric about the 2020 election complicates the desire of McConnell (and other party strategists) to make the 2022 midterms solely about Joe Biden's and his performance in office. Which is dumb given that Biden's job approval is stuck in the low to mid 40s -- a danger zone for Democrats hoping to win election or reelection next November.

The problem for McConnell (and all those Republicans) is that Trump has shown zero willingness to do what is good for the party as opposed to what he believes is good for him. He has also repeatedly attacked McConnell, calling him the "most overrated man in politics," among other things.

Given that -- and Trump's continued popularity among the base of the party -- it is no simple thing for McConnell to wrench the GOP and its candidates toward a focus on the future rather than staying mired in the past.

Much depends on Trump and his whims. And if past is prologue, that's bad news for McConnell.

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
What appears to be human remains and items belonging to Brian Laundrie, including a backpack, have been found in the Carlton Reserve in North Port, Florida, according to FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael McPherson.

Another one of the items found was a notebook belonging to Laundrie, who McPherson said was "a person of interest in the murder of Gabby Petito."

The apparent remains were found in an area that has been under water until recently, he said.

A source close to the investigation told CNN that the apparent human remains "appear to have been there a while."

The source said "based on the condition of the remains, it may take some time to officially identify. It is going to be a very thorough process with the medical examiner."

North Port police spokesperson Josh Taylor said the remains were found "about 2 to 3 miles inside the Carlton Reserve, or about a 45-minute walk" from the entrance at Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park.

Family attorney Steve Bertolino told CNN's Chris Cuomo that the Laundrie parents -- making their first visit to the park since its reopening -- helped with the discovery. "As happenstance was, they stumbled upon these items," he said.

The area where the discovery of remains was made was the "very area of the park that we initially informed law enforcement on," Bertolino said, referring to a meeting with law enforcement on September 17.

Laundrie's parents had informed the FBI and the North Port Police Department on Tuesday night that they intended to come to the park on Wednesday morning to search for him, Bertolino said. Law enforcement met them there Wednesday morning, he said.

The parents walked the trail followed closely by law enforcement personnel, "certainly within eye shot," the attorney said.

"As they went further in, Chris ventured off the trail into the woods. He was zigzagging in different areas, law enforcement was doing the same thing. And Roberta Laundrie was walking down the trail," Bertolino said. "At some point, Chris locates what's called a dry bag. The dry bag is a white bag, laying in the woods, say 20 feet or so off the trail."

Bertolino said, according to Chris Laundrie, the dry bag was in some brambles and he didn't want to pick up the bag, because he wanted his law enforcement to see it. However, Bertolino said Laundrie "couldn't find the law enforcement," because they were then out of sight and didn't want to leave the bag there with a news reporter standing nearby, so he picked it up.

"He did meet up shortly with law enforcement, they looked at the contents of the bag. At that time, law enforcement officers showed him a picture on the phone of a backpack that law enforcement had located also nearby and also some distance off the trail," Bertolino told CNN.

"At that point, the Laundries were notified there was also remains near the backpack, and they were asked to leave the preserve."

Bertolino called the suggestion that Chris Laundrie had planted the dry bag "hogwash."

The attorney said the family was heartbroken by the discoveries today.

FBI processing scene

The FBI Tampa's Evidence Response Team is on the scene using "all available forensic resources" to process the area. According to McPherson, it's likely the team will be on the scene for several days.

"I know you have a lot of questions, but we don't have all the answers yet," he said reading a statement for the media.

The discovery comes 37 days after Laundrie, the fiance of Petito, was reportedly last seen by his parents.

Earlier, the Sarasota County medical examiner and a cadaver dog were called to the park and aerial footage showed activity in the Carlton Reserve near the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park where Laundrie's car was found parked in September.

The Sarasota County Medical Examiner was called to the scene, and the Pasco County Sheriff's office said a cadaver dog and two spotters were also on site. The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Emergency Response Team and the Lee County Sheriff's Office were also now on scene along with a mobile unit.

The discovery comes amid an exhaustive search for Laundrie that has now stretched over a month and as authorities try to piece together what happened to Petito.

The Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park is on 160 acres of heavily wooded land in North Port, with trails and a camping area. The park connects to the Carlton Reserve, a 25,000-acre nature reserve that has been the primary search location for investigators.

Searchers had previously used swamp buggies, divers and airboats to scour the swampy terrain, but the area has dried out recently due to clearer weather.

How we got here

Petito, 22, and Laundrie, 23, traveled around the western US in a white van this summer, all while regularly posting photos and stories to their social media pages. Those posts abruptly stopped in late August, though, and Laundrie then returned by himself to their home in North Port, where they lived with his parents, on September 1.

Petito's family, unable to get in contact with her, reported her missing 10 days later, launching a national search. Laundrie declined to cooperate with the investigation into her whereabouts, and soon after, he also went missing. His family told investigators they believed he had gone to a sprawling nature reserve nearby.

Petito's remains were found in a national forest in Wyoming on September 19 near where the couple had last been seen together. Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue ruled her death a homicide and said that she died by manual strangulation.

"We believe this was strangling by a human being," Blue told CNN's Anderson Cooper.

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
BELDEN, Miss. (WTVA) - As area businesses struggle with staffing problems during the pandemic, Itawamba Community College wants to help people start new careers that will help them earn livable, family-sustaining wages.

The college will spend this week informing under-skilled residents how they can earn college credits and earn a specialized

certification all at once.

Its a part of the Mississippi Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training program, also called MiBEST Week" by ICC.

Participants gathered on campus and learned about academic success and financial-aid among other things.

Folks have the chance to be certified in HVAC, welding or become a nursing assistant  a career that Adult Education Director Linzy Patterson said has changed over the years.

"CNA used to be one of those jobs that you thought of as extremely entry level to where you might be earning 9 or 10 dollars an hours. Since Covid and the healthcare crisis, youre looking at a family sustaining wage," said Patterson.

MiBEST Week started on Monday and will end Saturday.
BOONEVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) - Someone stole $10,000 worth of lawn equipment in Prentiss County.

According to the Prentiss County Sheriffs Department, the theft happened Sept. 4-7 on County Road 7060 in the Blackland community.

The thieves stole a Bad Boy-branded lawnmower, a Stihl-branded string trimmer, a chainsaw, a leaf blower and other items.

The mower is missing its side chute.

Crime Stoppers provided the images shown above. Can you identify the truck or the people shown in the images?

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi at 1-800-773-8477 or leave an anonymous tip using the P3 Tips app.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 in cash for a tip that leads to an arrest.
Oct. 19A Westmoreland County Children's Bureau caseworker is charged with illegally accessing privileged information from the state's anonymous child abuse hotline and providing the identity of a tipster to one of her relatives in Indiana County.

County Detective Ray Dupilka on Tuesday obtained an arrest warrant for the worker Rebecca D. Walker, 39, of Aultman, Indiana County.

Walker is accused of accessing a privileged ChildLine record in August that alleged an Indiana County couple had smoked marijuana in the presence of an infant child. A state human services official in Harrisburg reported Walker to authorities on Aug. 30, according to court documents.

The report Walker accessed was part of an investigation in Indiana, according to court papers.

"Walker had no authority or reason to review the case as all the individuals involved and the allegations occurred in Indiana County," the state official told Dupilka.

The report referenced a relative of Walker and she is accused of telling the relative the identity of the person who made the ChildLine report, officials told Dupilka.

One of the suspects in the investigation admitted that "had Walker not looked up the information for (the couple), they would have had no way to identifying the referral source on their complaint," Dupilka said.

Walker is charged with two felony counts of unlawful use of a computer and single counts of unauthorized release of information and unlawfully accessing state information for an unauthorized use.

Walker, who did not have an attorney listed in court documents, could not be reached for comment.

Westmoreland County Children's Bureau officials referred inquiries on Walker's employment status to the county department of human resources. An employee in that office said no information on Walker could be released because it "is an ongoing investigation."

Paul Peirce is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Paul at 724-850-2860, ppeirce@triblive.com or via Twitter .
How to process the thousands of migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border each day while preventing further spread of the coronavirus has been one of the more hotly-debated issues facing President Joe Biden's immigration strategy.

On Tuesday, Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus, Biden's pick for U.S. Customs and Border Protection commissioner, waded into the debate when he told a room full of senators he supported Title 42, the Trump administration-era policy invoked last year by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, and carried over by Biden.

The rule allows border agents to expel asylum-seekers to Mexico without due process to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Magnus, who was speaking at a confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Finance Committee, also said he would support testing and vaccinating migrants in custody against the deadly virus.

"It's absolutely imperative we do everything possible to stop the spread of COVID-19," Magnus said in response to a question by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. "Title 42 is a CDC authority and I think it helps with this."

Immigrant advocates have argued that if the government creates a system to safely test and vaccinate migrants it shouldn't also be expelling them under Title 42. Since initiating the policy in March 2020, U.S. Border Patrol agents have expelled more than 1 million migrants under Title 42, according to CBP statistics.

Biden, who campaigned against many of Trump's immigration policies, has used Title 42 as an immigration enforcement tool rather than a public health policy, said Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project and lead litigator in a federal lawsuit to block the policy.

Migrants from Mexico and some Central American countries expelled under Title 42 wind up in dangerous northern Mexico border towns, where criminal gangs prey on them, advocates said. Haitian immigrants under the policy are flown back to Haiti, which has roiled with violence since its president was assassinated in July.

Story continues

"Theyre sending people back to extreme danger under the claim that they cant be safely processed," Gelernt said. "Theyve dedicated their lives to public health yet theyre sending these families into extreme danger."

A Guatemalan family waits with fellow immigrants to board a U.S. Customs and Border Protection bus to a processing center after crossing the border from Mexico on April 13 in La Joya, Texas. Many of the migrants entering the United States seeking asylum are being expelled into Mexico under Title 42, though unaccompanied children and some families are exempt from the policy.

Magnus has been widely seen as a progressive choice to lead CBP, the largest law enforcement agency in the country. If confirmed, he will play a pivotal role in deciding whether to continue using Title 42. At Tuesday's hearing, he mostly voiced support for the policy.

"CBP certainly has a responsibility with implementing this policy," he said. "I will always comply with the law, even as it changes perhaps regarding Title 42, no matter what it is that the courts decide."

The CDC under the Trump administration invoked Title 42 of the federal Public Health Service Act, allowing U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials to expel undocumented migrants to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in holding facilities. Children and some families are exempt from the policy.

The Biden administration left the policy in place and in August the CDC indefinitely extended it, saying it "shall remain in effect until the CDC Director determines that the danger of further introduction of COVID-19 into the United States from covered noncitizens has ceased to be a serious danger to the public health."

A federal judge last month blocked the government from expelling asylum-seeking families under Title 42 but a federal appeals court later allowed the government to continue with the policy while an appeal moves through the court.

In a meeting with the USA TODAY editorial board and reporters earlier this month, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stressed that his department views Title 42 as a health policy, not an immigration enforcement tool -- and an important weapon in combating the coronavirus. Without Title 42, groups of migrants crammed into Border Patrol stations would put agents at risk and result in more infections, he said.

CBP agents this fiscal year have encountered more than 1.74 million migrants at the border, the highest number in two decades, according to agency statistics.

"We have seen the potential for the spread of the virus and it is something that endangers the migrants themselves, our personnel, local communities and the American public," Mayorkas said

Since the coronavirus battered Latin America and Mexico with ferocity, many of the migrants arriving at the border could be carrying the virus, making Title 42 an important public health tool, said Randy Capps, director of research for U.S. programs at the Migration Policy Institute.

"There's still a clear public health rationale" to keep Title 42, he said, "if we were past the pandemic here and in Latin America, there might not be."

Immigrant advocates, however, point to objections to Title 42 by health experts, such as a June report by Physicians for Human Rights criticizing the policy, and a letter last month signed by leading U.S. epidemiologists and public health experts calling on the Biden administration to rescind Title 42.

"With every day that goes by, the application of Title 42 exacts a terrible toll on the lives and well-being of asylum seekers turned away from the U.S. border and denied their right to seek asylum  a right that is enshrined in both domestic and international law," the letter read.

Critics of Title 42 appeared to get a boost this month from Dr. Anthony Fauci, Biden's top medical advisor, who, in an interview with CNN, said immigrants can get infected but "they're not the driving force" of the virus' spread in the U.S.

"Focusing on immigrants, expelling them ... is not the solution to an outbreak," he said.

Also this month, a senior State Department official and Biden advisor quit and sent a scathing internal memo criticizing the president's use of Title 42, calling the policy illegal, inhumane and not worthy of this Administration that I so strongly support, according to POLITICO, which obtained the memo.

With much of the workforce at border stations now vaccinated and the federal government creating more infrastructure to process migrants, the "close-quarters" argument begins to fall apart, said Adam Isacson, a border security researcher at the Washington Office on Latin America, a research advocacy group.

Federal officials should find ways to safely process migrants rather than expel them into dangerous Mexican border towns and deny them the right to seek asylum in the United States, he said.

Title 42 "doesn't trump the right to ask for asylum," Isacson said. "If the alternative is to send someone to a situation where they might actually get killed, you have to let them in."

Gelernt, the ACLU attorney, said CDC officials should stop giving "political cover" to the Biden administration by continuing to endorse the policy.

"Public health experts will not judge them kindly in the future if they discard their public health mission in favor of the administrations political aims," he said.

Follow Jervis on Twitter: @MrRJervis.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Title 42 denies right of asylum. Biden administration plans to keep it
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, second from left, talks with reporters outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, following a meeting with President Joe Biden. She is joined by, from left, Katherine Clark, D-Mass., Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., partially hidden,Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., right. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) ORG XMIT: DCSW108

Good afternoon, OnPolitics readers.

Senate Republicans blocked a vote today to advance Democrats' latest voting rights and election reform legislation.

The bill  the Freedom to Vote Act  is more scaled back than previous pieces of voting rights legislation, like the For the People Act, but would establish some federally mandated election rules.

What is in the revised voting act? The Freedom to Vote Act would create a federal standard for voting by mail and drop boxes  means of voting that Trump and some Republican lawmakers attacked during the 2020 election. The legislation would also expand early voting options and access to mail-in ballots, battle dark money in elections and allow for same day registration on Election Day.

The bill comes after months of Democrats haggling on the issue and as former President Donald Trump and Republican state lawmakers continue to push "the big lie," advancing baseless conspiracy theories to falsely argue the 2020 election was stolen.

But nine months into President Joe Biden's term, Democrats have not been able to advance any legislation due to Republican filibustering.

It's Amy and Mabinty with today's top stories.

Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Sign up for OnPolitics newsletter here.

Biden looks to scale back social spending bill to $2.2 trillion or less

The leader of progressive House Democrats said Tuesday her members had a "really good, productive meeting" with President Joe Biden as the president works to get separate wings of his party to agree to a legislative package between $1.9 trillion to $2.2 trillion for his climate and social safety-net agenda.

"We all still feel even more optimistic about getting to an agreement on a really transformational bill that will fundamentally lift people up," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., chair of the House Progressive Caucus.

Jayapal said Biden is sticking to a topline number between $1.9 trillion and $2.2 trillion, down from his original $3.5 trillion Build Back Better proposal, in a push to gain the support of moderate Democrats.

Story continues

"Look, it's not the number that we want. We have consistently tried to make it as high as possible," Jayapal said, but added progressive Democrats are now focused on getting the bill's social and climate programs jump-started.

Two out of 50: Biden needs the votes of all 50 Democratic members to pass the bill in the Senate in a procedure known as reconciliation, but Manchin and Sinema have balked at the price tag. Manchin has said his limit is $1.5 trillion.

House progressives have said they won't take up another piece of Biden's domestic agenda  a $1 trillion infrastructure bill that passed in the Senate in August  unless the more expansive reconciliation package advances.

What does the package provide? Biden's social safety-net agenda seeks to transform the economy. But many of the proposals  higher taxes on high-income earners and corporations to pay for free community college, universal prekindergarten, subsidized child care, national paid leave, Medicare expansion and other liberal priorities  are still being debated on and could get cut from the final deal.

Real quick: Stories youll want to read

Haiti's 'descent into hell': The world now knows the 400 Mawozo gang, after it kidnapped a Haitian driver and one Canadian and 16 American missionaries. But at the commune of Croix-des-Bouquets bandits terrorizing the population have become part of daily life.

A new tactic to handle migrants: The Biden administration is stepping up drone surveillance and communications with other countries to help prepare for migrant groups that could come to the United States southern border.

The culture wars over education: Besieged by parent complaints about everything from critical race theory to questions about sexuality, boards are undoing efforts schools have made to include children of color and LGBTQ students and to teach about the full spectrum of the American experience.

The fight over vaccine mandates: The Supreme Court declined to hear an emergency appeal challenging a vaccine requirement imposed on Maine health care workers, the latest defeat for opponents of vaccine mandates.

The unlikely place COVID rescue funds are going: Housing

From Austin to Indianapolis, Minneapolis to Seattle and San Diego, mayors are steering substantial portions of their rescue funds to one of their most elusive challenges: housing. Plans include building affordable housing for low-income residents, bolstering housing trust funds to provide gap-financing to developers, expanding rental vouchers and  like Austin  securing housing for those who lack a permanent home.

A USA TODAY review of plans submitted by U.S. cities to the Treasury Department found replacing lost revenue to avoid budget cuts is the most common use of COVID-19 rescue funds. But when it comes to new investments, no area has seemingly gotten more attention than affordable housing and programs for the homeless.

A few examples: Seattle plans to spend $49 million in COVID-19 rescue funds on homelessness and affordable housing that includes the addition of 400 new affordably priced units. San Diego County signed off on $85 million for homeless services and $15 million more for other housing priorities. Milwaukee will spend $30 million on housing initiatives including gap-financing to support 326 mixed-income affordable housing units. Los Angeles County is devoting $400 million to house the homeless.

Today is Vice President Kamala Harris's birthday  Amy and Mabinty

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden and Dems to scale back social spending bill to $2.2T or less
There are growing reports of spiking by injection across the UK (Getty Images)

Plain-clothes police could be deployed into nightclubs after reports of spiking by injection, a police chief has said.

Sarah Crew, lead for rape and adult sexual offences at the National Police Chiefs' Council, said forces would employ "proactive" measures if they believe these crimes are being carried out.

She told MPs on the home affairs select committee: "If we proactively think there are perpetrators, and we've had this recently, using that [knowledge] we will be targeting them.

"So, that might be plain-clothes police in those premises, looking for those perpetrators and that behaviour, to be able to apprehend them and to be able to capture evidence."

Read more:

'Terrified' women describe blackouts and sickness after suspected spiked needle attacks

Police investigate reports of spiking by injection at venues in Scotland

Student fears she was injected with needle on night out as spiking reports rise

The comments come after home secretary Priti Patel urgently asked police for an update on spiking amid reports of spiking incidents involving syringes in nightclubs across the UK.

While Crew, who is also temporary chief constable for Avon and Somerset police, said she had not been aware of reports of injection spiking until the morning of the committee, she said she had plans to investigate it further.

"In terms of the injection spiking, I only became aware of that this morning, so I know about the reports," she said.

"From the reports that I've seen, at the moment, I can see there are number of police forces are investigating them; they haven't been raised to me, I think there's a fair assumption there may be a sexual motive in those, but there isn't an indication.

"What I have been able to do this morning is speak to the National Crime Agency, who do look at trends that are moving across the system so that we can pick up on it very quickly."

Story continues

The lead for rape and adult sexual offences at the National Police Chiefs' Council suggested plain-clothes police officers could be used to tackle spiking in nightclubs (parliamentlive.tv)

Groups from more than 30 universities around the UK have joined an online campaign calling for the boycott of nightclubs over women's safety.

They are campaigning for "tangible" changes, like better staff training or more rigorous searching of clubbers, to make nightclubs safer for women.

Other suggestions include covers or stoppers for drinks.

A petition launched last week to make clubs legally obligated to search guests thoroughly on entry has already gained more than 120,000 signatures.

Zara Owen, 19, from Surrey told BBC Breakfast about her experiences.

"I know I didnt drink as much as I usually would on a night-out this night, and the fact that I dont remember anything is terrifying for me because this is something that is a very rare occasion to me," she said.

Chair of the home affairs select committee, Yvette Cooper, described reports of spiking by injection as "vile, criminal acts" (parliamentlive.uk)

Ive never suffered with memory loss and then the next morning  I woke up with a really painful leg.

I found a pin prick in my leg which was the epicentre of all pain. It made me unable to walk and I was limping around.

As a young person whos at university, Im hearing stories of people who have been to nightclubs and they have been injected.

"I have heard stories of someone having it through their hand or through their back, so this kind of gave me an idea this had happened to me."

Drink spiking in England and Wales has doubled in the last three years, with a Freedom of Information Act survey revealing up to 25 people are spiked each week, according to The Mirror.

Side-effects of being spiked include memory loss, blackouts, or an inability to walk.

Watch: Student says she feels 'violated' after suspected spiking injection
If you watch enough old movies, you know that there are two types of bank robberies. The fir
Chanel Davis is the current editor of YES! Weekly and graduated from N.C. A&T S.U. in 2011 with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. Shes worked at daily and weekly newspapers in the Triad region.
Ian McDowell is the author of two published novels, numerous anthologized short stories, and a whole lot of nonfiction and journalism, some of which hes proud of and none of which hes ashamed of.
Jim Longworth is the host of Triad Today, airing on Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. on ABC45 (cable channel 7) and Sundays at 11 a.m. on WMYV (cable channel 15).
Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business.
But Jane Kleeb, who chairs the Nebraska Democratic Party, said that the "reported lies violate the trust of Nebraskans, only confirming that the swamp (Donald) Trump promised to drain is actually the Republican Party.

Serving 16 years in Congress has tainted Fortenberry, who cares more about political donations than serving the people of our state, Kleeb said.

The reputational hit could open up the possibility of a challenge from another Republican in the 2022 primary, according to several political observers.

The anticipated indictment grew out of an FBI investigation, launched in California during the Trump administration, regarding $180,000 in illegal conduit campaign contributions from Gilbert Chagoury, a Nigerian billionaire of Lebanese descent.

The contributions, funneled through a group of Californians from 2012 through 2016, went to four U.S. politicians, including $30,200 to Fortenberry in 2016 and $10,000 to then-Rep. Lee Terry, who represented the Omaha area, in 2014.
Two state senators have been circulating a petition asking lawmakers to call a special session to consider legislation prohibiting businesses from requiring employees get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The special session, proposed by Sens. Ben Hansen of Blair and Rob Clements of Elmwood, would also consider prohibiting governments and schools from mandating COVID vaccines, according to an email shared with the Journal Star.

The move from state lawmakers comes a week after Gov. Pete Ricketts, who said he opposes vaccine mandates, said he would not call lawmakers back to Lincoln for a second special session this year.

The Legislature met in September to redraw political boundaries as part of the decennial redistricting process.

According to Hansens email, more than 10 senators have already signed the petition outlining the purpose of the special session to Secretary of State Bob Evnen.

Hansen said he planned to submit the petition at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

Under state law, 10 senators can ask the secretary of state to poll the Legislature on whether or not to convene to consider legislation outside of the normal lawmaking session.
She said during that earlier interview that one of her philosophies is to marry the way people farmed decades ago with current technology, all the while maintaining organic status.

There is a renewed focus on agronomy as soil health is our number one defense to fight the challenges of the season, she said.

She added that organic farming offers significant challenges. Its a humbling way to farm. Not everything works the way we want it to; youve got to make a Plan A, Plan B, Plan C. There isnt a road map for what we do and there is definitely not an easy button because the solutions are very different. It requires very detailed plans, management and record keeping, but it has allowed for my husband and I and our team to dive deeper into soil balancing, applying new technology and expand our team to allow additional opportunities for those interested in ag to get involved.

Bruch has traveled to South America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, where she said she was fascinated by many different types of agriculture.

There is a common thread that allows for benchmarking, innovation and support, she said, regarding the universal art of farming.

This is a life, not a career, she added in that interview.

The Organic Trade Association is a business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. The association represents over 9,500 organic businesses across 50 states.
During the month of October, Americans from across the country come together to raise awareness about a disease that will affect one in eight U.S. women at some point in their lives: breast cancer.

This year alone, nearly 300,000 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Its the most common form of cancer among American women, with a new diagnosis turning a familys life upside down once every two minutes. Because it touches the lives of so many women, chances are you know someone who has been diagnosed.

But for all the worrying facts surrounding breast cancer, there is hope, too. More than 3.8 million women living in the U.S. today fought breast cancer and won the battle. Many of these courageous survivors caught their cancer early, through regular screenings like mammograms or ultrasounds. It is important to encourage as many women as possible to take advantage of these opportunities.

This is why I am always so inspired to see the many ways Nebraskans support cancer patients, survivors, and research during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Community gatherings, fundraisers, and other events are a great way to show these Nebraskans that they have the support of an entire state  and here in the Good Life, you dont have to look far to find ways to join in.
New Delhi: Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said that the government will ask all vehicle manufacturers to make flex-fuel engines under the Euro VI emission norms in the next six-eight months.

Flex-fuel, or flexible fuel, is an alternative fuel made of a combination of gasoline and methanol or ethanol.

Addressing an event, Gadkari further said in the next 15 years, Indian automobile industry will be worth Rs 15 lakh crore.

"We were planning to submit an affidavit in the Supreme Court to allow manufacturing of flex-fuel engines under the Euro IV emission norms...But now I feel that we will ask all vehicle manufacturers to make flex-fuel engines (that can run on more than one fuel) under the Euro VI emission norms in the next 6-8 months," he said.

Gadkari claimed that the cost of vehicles won't rise after making it mandatory for all vehicle manufacturers to make flex-fuel engines.

The minister predicted that in the coming days, India will be able to export green hydrogen.

The government in January, 2016 has decided to leapfrog directly from Euro IV emission norms for petrol and diesel to Euro VI standards.

An inter-ministerial group headed by Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on January 6, 2016 had taken the decision to advance the date by four years to April 1, 2020 for implementation of Bharat Stage VI (equivalent to Euro VI norms followed globally) for supply of cleaner auto fuel, by altogether skipping the Euro V grade norms.
New Delhi: The big daddy of all reality shows, Bigg Boss 15 is currently making news for its contestants turning violent during tasks and not following the rules. Well amid all of this, TV actor and host Karan Kundrra has been trending all over social media for mastermind thinking and strategies inside the house.

But, outside the Bigg Boss 15 world, the buzz is strong that Karan Kundrra's former girlfriend, VJ Anusha Dandekar might be stepping inside the reality show as a wild card. However, ending days of speculation over her entry, Anusha took to Instagram and in a longish post brushed away all of these reports as baseless.

She wrote: I am just trying to live my Best life Arent we all?

I have a new skin range dropping so soon for my company @brownskinbeautyofficial that Im insanely proud of and cant wait to share with the world.

I have some of the Best friends in Life, who I can share all my experiences with, no judgement.

I have the most amazing family, no matter what we go through, we always grow through. And that every morning we start the day with a smile.

I have the two most beautiful, loving babies in the universe and I still dont know how I even deserve them.

Supermodel is showing beauty and inclusiveness in such a strong way. Im so proud of that.

I am so grateful for my health and the last few days I laughed more than I have in a long time, I received so much love, happiness, warmth and kindness. I was in beautiful locations and got to shoot my new campaign there aswell (cant wait for you to see!) The weather was perfect, I tried some of the yummiest food, I danced, I swam, I shopped and woke up to the peaceful ocean and the Burj! The perfect combo for me, a beach baby and a city girl! And I was with two of my best girlfriends.

This is my life, my home is where i am happy. If someone or something isnt making me happy, I walk away. It takes me a lot but Im getting better at doing it faster. I used to do it expressing so much to the person, now I have learnt to leave most of it in silence. But if I dont know you or Ive realised you werent who you said you were, its better to leave it & carry on with my journey.

So again this is my life, my happy place. And for the love of god please stop this nonsense about me going on Bigg Boss to fill some page in an article, to stir up some more drama, which Im not even a part of. I told you my truth, every quote or picture I post now is not about my past, its about MY growth! This is about ME! Stop undermining my achievements as a self made woman. I am the Boss of my own life, I dont need to be in any house to prove it. So sleep easy the people that are so unhealthily obsessed with it. Thankyou to all of you who just let me live and spread happiness.

In January this year, Anusha Dandekar had taken to Instagram to share a cryptic post on which spoke about her love and lover that lied and cheated on her.

Karan and Anusha had dated for over three years and hosted the MTV reality TV show together titled 'Love School'.
New Delhi: This year we saw a host of celebrities visiting the famous North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal and amongst them the regular was Kajol and family. She stunned in traditional looks and even posed for paps. A video from Durga Puja 2021 has gone viral where Kajol and sister Tanishaa Mukerji just had a real sibling moment.

In the viral video shared on Reddit, Kajol can be seen telling Tanishaa to 'shut up' as they argue in a funny banter which every sibling. While the sisters have their moment, mother and veteran actress Tanuja looks on and tries to pacify the two. Watch the fun video here:

The light-eyed beauty also got emotional meeting her uncle Deb Mukherjee along with another relative. Kajol got all teary-eyed as she greeted her relatives and probably met them after long as the COVID-19 pandemic did change life for everyone around.

At the Sarbonjanin Durga Puja 2021, Kajol's cousins including Sharbani Mukherjee was also spotted and the two sisters posed for clicks as well. Every year, the Mukherjees play an active role during Pujo festivity without a fail.

The Kapil Sharma Show actress Sumona Chakravarti was also clicked at the Durga Puja 2021 festivity looking graceful in a saree.

The most auspicious Durga Puja festivity began this year on October 11 with Shashthi. The 5-day festivity is a major Bengali festival celebrated with utmost gusto and zeal. Durga Pujo, as Bengalis call it, coincides with the 9-day Navratri festival.

It is believed that goddess Durga arrives on earth on the day of Mahalaya to kill the demon Mahishasura. The 5-day Durga Puja festivity, widely celebrated across the globe, is a major festival of Bengalis.
New Delhi: The Ghaziabad Police on Tuesday (October 19, 2021) informed that the National Highway 9 (NH 9) will remain closed for over 20 days starting Wednesday. The highway will remain closed between October 20 and November 10 due to the Ganga water pipeline repair works, the police said.

The repair work would be carried out by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) between the Tigri cut underpass and Rahul Vihar underpass.

In view of this, the Ghaziabad Police has also issued a traffic advisory.

ALSO READ | Water supply in 19 UP districts likely to be affected till November 5

Live TV
New Delhi: After battling COVID-19 for months, Delhi is now fighting Dengue. As per official records, the national capital witnessed more cases of vector-borne disease than the COVID-19 infections in the last one week.

While the city reported around 190 cases of coronavirus in the last one week, the dengue infections were recorded at 243. Delhi also saw its first death due to Dengue this year on Monday (October 18, 2021).

Not just this, from January to October 16 this year, a total of 723 dengue cases have been reported in Delhi, while there were 622 infections during the same time period in 2020. It, notably, is also the highest case count since 2018 for that duration.

According to a doctor at a hospital in Delhi, this year the dengue has majorly infected the children. More than half of the total dengue patients coming to the hospital are kids. Due to record-breaking dengue cases amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenge has also increased for the doctors as both diseases have the same symptoms of high fever which make it difficult to detect.

Experts have advised Delhiites to keep clean water in their homes in an air-tight vessel. They have also asked to not let clean water accumulate in an open vessel. Water should also be changed every week and kids should wear full-sleeved clothes.

AAP and BJP spar over rise in dengue cases in Delhi

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over a rise in dengue cases in Delhi, alleging that municipal corporations did not take timely preventive measures. Holding the BJP-ruled civic bodies responsible for the surge in cases, AAP MLA Atishi claimed that preventive measures like fogging and door-to-door checking for breeding of mosquitoes in stagnant water were not started in advance.

"BJP-ruled MCDs have not taken even a single step in time to prevent dengue in Delhi.... You will not find a single person whose house the MCD workers have visited to check for the breeding of mosquitoes this season. At this time, very little fogging is happening all over Delhi," Atishi alleged.

She claimed that while municipal corporations do not have "adequate" fogging machines, anti-dengue medications for fogging have also not been bought "even till this month".

"BJP's MCD is playing with the lives of Delhiites. BJP leaders have put the budget of dealing with dengue-malaria in their own pockets instead of spending them on machines and medications," she stated.

ALSO READ | From banning coolers to fogging, how Indian states are trying to battle dengue



Hitting back at Atishi, Delhi BJP dubbed her allegations as "shameful" and clarified that all three municipal corporations are running awareness campaigns, carrying out fogging and trying to curb the spread of dengue by regular check of homes.

Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said that nothing can be "more shameful" than MLA Atishi's statement that municipal corporations are not doing anything to check the spread of dengue and malaria in Delhi.

"The MCDs are running awareness campaigns, doing fogging and checking the spread of dengue-malaria by regular check of homes especially coolers through DB workers while Atishi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is wasting crores of rupees on hoarding campaigns," he said.

Kapoor asked Atishi to ask the Delhi chief minister to stop wasting money on advertising and help municipal corporations financially to better control the spread of dengue-malaria.

(With agency inputs)

Live TV
Nuapada (Odisha): In mid-September this year (2021), a group of women from Dharambandha village, situated in the Sadar block of Odisha's Nuapada district, went for a bath in the village canal. Nearby, a shop was serving and selling liquor to some men. Soon, under the influence of alcohol, these men proceeded to molest the women. When the women protested, the drunkards started abusing them.

Although no official complaint was registered with the police, the village's youth decided to eradicate this problem from its roots. They started an alcohol de-addiction campaign in Dharambandha.

"I was present during the (molestation) incident that took place near the canal. I had been protesting against the sale of liquor there. However, no one agreed. But after the incident, a meeting was held in which all the women of the village participated, and the decision to ban liquor was taken," said villager Padma Dewangan.

In several Indian states, the demand for liquor prohibition has been raised from time to time. Complete liquor prohibition is in force in Gujarat, Bihar, Mizoram and Nagaland. However, it's no secret that alcohol consumption continues to plague many places in these states through the black market or illicit liquor production. Andhra Pradesh and Haryana were the states that completely prohibit alcohol in the mid-90s but it was restored in 1997 and 1998, respectively. In Chhattisgarh, the Congress government's promise to ban liquor remains unfulfilled even after two and a half years.

In Odisha, following the May 1992 event in Cuttack in which more than 200 people died and 600 people were hospitalised after drinking spurious liquor, the state imposed a ban on alcohol in 1994. However, the Congress government that came to power in 1995 lifted the prohibition on the grounds that it was causing huge losses in revenue.

A study by AIIMS Delhi stated that "Nearly one in five alcohol users suffers from dependence and needs urgent treatment. Among the 5.7 crore people considered alcohol addicts in India, the number of people who need urgent treatment is pegged to be 3.2 crores." The consumption of alcohol has also been directly linked to crimes against women.

Also read: Neena Gupta reveals she was molested at young age by her doctor, says 'I didn't tell my mother'

Confronting this reality, the youth of Dharambandha village decided to take matters into their own hands. They initiated an alcohol de-addiction campaign with the cooperation of the village Sarpanch. As a result, on September 21, the sarpanch called the gram sabha meeting, where the decision to prohibit liquor in the village was passed with mutual consensus.

Plan for the ban

Located 20 km from district headquarters, Dharambandha has a population of about 6,000. Here, selling, buying and making any kind of liquor is now prohibited. No one can open a liquor shop or a furnace to brew liquor. If someone is caught selling liquor, they will be fined Rs 51,000 and forced to parade around the village wearing a garland of shoes and slippers. The person caught buying alcohol will be fined Rs 5,100.

An action committee consisting of 25 men and 25 women from Dharambandha has been formed to enforce the prohibition. Five senior members supervise them. The committee's job is to conduct raids on places selling liquor based on the information received. A day after the prohibition, the action committee had raided a place after receiving information about continuing liquor sales. However, no alcohol was found.

An active member of the alcohol de-addiction campaign, Ankit Jain told 101Reporters that villagers also wrote a letter to Dharambandha Police Station, the SP Office and the Excise Department informing them about the campaign. "We got assurance of cooperation from them," Jain added.

No more 'bad water'

The ban on alcohol in Dharambandha was not just welcome but also seemed necessary. According to Ramesh Sahu of the village, "People's health deteriorated due to excessive consumption. Most of the deaths in the village were due to sharab." (Sharab is an Arabic word derived from the combination of Shar meaning 'bad' and Aab meaning 'water')

Liquor was being sold in the streets, and the villagers had started depleting their savings to buy it. Some villagers suggested that cases of atrocities on women and domestic violence had also increased. Even the village children started drinking alcohol with the money they got for chocolates or ice cream.

Sadanand Majhi, the president of the de-addiction campaign, suggested that crime has reduced in the village after the ban. Earlier, there used to be eight to ten incidents of abuse and assault in the village. However, no such cases have come to light recently. "Now that liquor is not being sold; the focus is on development and cleanliness of the village. Children and youth are concentrating on studies and sports," he told 101Reporters.

The former Sarpanch of Dharambandha, Kusum Sahu resonated with Majhi's statement. She said, "Earlier, it was difficult for women to leave the house. But ever since the ban, the women have been feeling safe. Not only Dharmabandha, but the entire country should also be alcohol-free."

The slogan of prohibition gets its strength from women. Today, all the women of Dharambandha are unitedly involved in the drug de-addiction campaign. However, while women of the village are happy, liquor traders and wine lovers are disappointed with this decision.

Harinder Singh, manager of one of the liquor shops in the village, had opposed the ban, but this had no effect. He said, "With the mutual consent of the villagers, the sale of liquor is prohibited in the village. At present, liquor is not being sold, and everyone is following the rules. Let's see what happens next."

Post the ban, there have been no cases of selling liquor in Dharmabandha. "The campaign is going well so far. However, if we don't get continued cooperation, then we are prepared to go directly to the Excise SP and Collector," said Omprakash Kalar, the village sarpanch. This has also created fear among the liquor traders of the surrounding areas.

Nuapada MLA Rajendra Dholakia told 101Reporters, "The people of Dharambandha have taken a historic decision. This step is welcome. I hope their campaign is successful."

Live TV
New Delhi: In a major relief for class 10th and 12th students who would take the CBSE Term-1 Exams in the coming months, the Board on Wednesday (October 20) said that it will open a brief window to allow students to make changes in the examination centres.

The decision was taken considering that several students are not in the city of their schools and are residing somewhere else owing to the limitations created by COVID-19 pandemic.

Central Board of Secondary Education has announced the date-sheet of Class-X & XII for the Term-1 examinations. It has come to the notice of the Board that some students are still not in the city of their school where they had taken admission and are residing somewhere else, CBSE said in a statement.

In view of the above, at an appropriate time, CBSE will inform the students to make a request to their respective schools to change the city of examination centre. Schools will follow the instructions given by CBSE to forward the request to CBSE in an online system, it added.

The Board requested the students and schools to remain in touch with the CBSE's website.

As soon as the students are informed in this regard they can make the request to their school within the schedule which will be of short duration, said CBSE.

No requests after the schedule will be accepted by the Board for change of examination centre city, it added.

Earlier on Monday, CBSE released the date sheet for Class 10, 12 term-1 exams.

Term 1 exams will take place in November-December. For class 10, exams will take place from November 30 to December 11 and for Class 12, the exams will be held from December 1 to December 22. The duration of each paper of a major subject will be 90 minutes.

Live TV
Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress on Wednesday mocked the Congress over its decision to field 40 per cent women candidates in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, and hoped that the move to emulate the ruling party in West Bengal is not mere tokenism.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had on Tuesday announced that the party will give 40 per cent tickets to women, who constitute roughly half of the electorate, for the UP Assembly polls.

"Under the visionary leadership of @MamataOfficial, AITC has shown the way to ensure increased participation of women in politics in this country. We're the first party to give 40 per cent seats to women in LS elections!" the TMC said in a tweet.

Under the visionary leadership of @MamataOfficial, AITC has shown the way to ensure increased participation of women in politics, in this country. We're the first party to give 40% seats to women in LS elections! (1/2)  All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) October 20, 2021

"Amid such dire times, @INCIndia is understandably trying to emulate, and one can only hope that this is genuine and not tokenism. If they are to be taken seriously, they must give 40 per cent seats to women in states other than UP as well," it added in a series of tweets.

Amid such dire times, @INCIndia is understandably trying to emulate and one can only hope that this is genuine and not tokenism. If they are to be taken seriously, they must give 40% seats to women in states other than UP as well. (2/2)  All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) October 20, 2021

The dig from the Mamata Banerjee led-party comes at a time when both the Congress and the TMC are striving to lead the opposition front against the BJP.

Reacting to the remarks, senior Congress leader Pradip Bhattacharya said the grand old party does not need lessons from the TMC on political empowerment of women. "It is the Trinamool Congress that is trying to emulate the Congress and poach on our leaders," he asserted.

Earlier this month, the relationship between the two parties hit a new low after the TMC took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi's defeat from Amethi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, wondering whether the Congress would look at erasing the loss through a Twitter trend.

The TMC has been up in arms against the party over its alleged failure to put up a fight against the BJP.

TMC mouthpiece Jago Bangla' had also recently claimed that its supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and not Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, has emerged as the face of the opposition against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Live TV
Goa wants "richest tourists" and not the ones who "consume drugs" and the ones who "cook food in the buses", said state Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar on Tuesday.

"We don't want tourists who consume drugs and who spoil Goa. We don't want tourists who come to Goa and cook food inside a bus. We want the richest tourists," Ajgaonkar told ANI on asked about the revival of the tourism industry after the COVID-19 lockdown.

"We welcome all tourists but they should enjoy themselves while respecting Goa's culture," he added.

The Minister said the BJP-led government in Goa is "completely against drugs".

Goa is considered to be the countr's most popular tourist destination.

On January 31, 2019, the Goa Assembly amended the state tourism law and made cooking and drinking alcohol in public places, including beaches and breaking of glass bottles in public, a criminal offence with fines of Rs 2,000.

The tourism industry in Goa is expected to witness a boost after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) earlier this month, announced that granting of fresh tourist visas for foreigners coming to India through chartered flights will commence from October 15.

Foreign tourists entering India by flights other than chartered aircraft would be able to do so only with effect from November 15 on fresh tourist visas. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all visas granted to foreigners were suspended last year.

Live TV
Lucknow: The falling COVID-19 cases across the state means no night curfew in Noida, Ghaziabad and the rest of Uttar Pradesh. On Wednesday (October 20), in view of the improved COVID-19 situation in Uttar Pradesh, the state government lifted night restrictions between 11 PM to 6 AM, a senior official said in the state capital, Lucknow.

"On directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, corona curfew between 11 PM to 6 AM is being lifted in the state," Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Awanish Kumar Awasthi said. The order in this regard has been issued to all the officers concerned.

The state reported 11 fresh cases on Wednesday and there are 112 active cases, a senior health official said, adding that 16,87,048 patients have recovered from the virus till now. After the lifting of COVID-19 lockdown, the state was continuing with night restrictions which it called 'Corona curfew'.

(With PTI inputs)

Live TV
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Uttar Pradesh's CM Yogi Adityanath, inaugurated the much-awaited Kushinagar International Airport on Wednesday (October 20), giving impetus to trade and tourism in the region. Kushinagar is among one of the most revered religious sites in the state with huge significance to Buddhist pilgrims around the world.

"Kushinagar International Airport is the result of decades of hopes and expectations. My happiness is two-fold today. As curious about the spiritual journey, I have a sense of satisfaction. As a representative of the Purvanchal area, it is time for the fulfillment of a commitment," PM Modi said during his inaugural speech.

Here's an understanding of what exactly is Kushinagar Airport, its specifications, and why it holds so much importance for Buddhists.

Location

The Kushinagar International Airport is strategically located in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, and is located 47 kilometers from Gorakhpur. Gorakhpur, a major town in East UP borders Nepal adding to the strategic importance of the airport.

Significance

The Kushinagar International Airport has been touted as a major development project that will push tourism in the state. The Airport is located near an important Buddhist pilgrimage site where Gautama Buddha attained Parinirvana after his death. It is also located in the vicinity of several Buddhist Cultural Sites like Sravasti, Kapilvastu, Lumbini.

This will help religious tourists, more especially Buddhists to visit the site from all over the world including countries like Japan, Thailand, Vietnam among many in eastern Asia.

Not only that, PM Modi, while inaugurating the airport, said, "The Kushinagar Airport won't just be a mode of air connectivity. Be it farmers, animal keepers, shopkeepers, workers, local industrialists -it'll benefit all. It'll create an ecosystem of business. Tourism will get maximum benefit, it'll generate employment for youth here".

Specification

The Kushinagar Airport has been built at an estimated cost of Rs 260 crore and was given International Airport status in June 2020. The airport gets a single runway which is 3.2 km (10,000 ft) long and 45 m (148 ft) wide. The apron area of the airport can accommodate 5 Boeing 737 type of aircraft.

Destinations

At the inauguration of the Kushinagar International Airport, a flight from Colombo, Sri Lanka, carrying a Sri Lankan delegation of over 100 Buddhist monks and dignitaries including the 12-member holy relic entourage bringing the holy Buddha relics for exposition landed, marking the beginning of flight services from the South Asian island nation.

Apart from Sri Lanka, there's a huge Buddhist population in many southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Japan, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore among more. Flight services to these countries are expected once the airport is fully operational. Apart from that, Domestic flights to Delhi and Mumbai are already announced and it is expected that the airport will also connect other regional airports in UP including Lucknow, Hindon among others.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (October 20) quoted Lord Buddha's teaching, 'Appa Deepo Bhava', meaning 'be your own light' and said it is the motivation for India to become self-reliant. The Prime Minister's remarks came during his address at an event organised to mark Abhidhamma Day at the Mahaparinirvana Temple in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar today.

"Lord Buddha said 'Appa Deepo Bhava', meaning 'be your own light'. When a person is self-illuminated, he lights up the world as well. This is the motivation for India to become self-reliant. This is the inspiration that gives us the strength to participate in the progress of every country in the world," stated PM Modi. He also remarked that Lord Buddha`s teachings are being taken forward by India in the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas.'

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Ministers including G Kishan Reddy, Kiren Rijiju, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Cabinet Minister in Sri Lankan Government, Namal Rajapaksa, Buddhist delegation from Sri Lanka, diplomats from Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Lao PDR, Bhutan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Japan, Singapore, Nepal, among others were present on the occasion.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister noted the auspicious occasion of Ashwin Poornima and the presence of holy relics of Lord Buddha. Welcoming the delegation of Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister recalled the connections between India and Sri Lanka and talked about emperor Ashoka's son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra taking the message of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. He added that it is believed that on this day, 'Arhat Mahinda' came back and told his father that Sri Lanka had accepted the Buddha`s message with so much energy. "This news had increased the belief that Buddha's message is for the whole world, Buddha's Dharma (teachings) is for humanity," the Prime Minister said.

Lauding the role of the International Buddhist Confederation in spreading the message of Lord Buddha, the Prime Minister remembered Shakti Sinha for his contribution as DG of the International Buddhist Confederation. Sinha passed away recently.The Prime Minister remarked that today is another auspicious occasion - Lord Buddha`s coming back to earth from Tushita heaven. "That is why, on Ashwin Purnima today, the monks also complete their three-month 'Varshavas'. Today I too have had the privilege of 'chiver daan' to the Sangh monks after the Varshavas," PM Modi said.

Modi also said that Lord Buddha is universal because he said to start from within and Buddha's Buddhatva is a sense of ultimate responsibility. He added that today when the world talks about environmental protection, expresses its concern about climate change, then many questions arise with it. "But, if we adopt the message of Buddha, then instead of asking 'who will do', 'what is to be done', (we will see that a) path starts showing itself," he said. The Prime Minister said that Buddha resides in the "soul of humanity" and is connecting different cultures and countries.

"India never believed in restricting the knowledge, great messages or the thoughts of great souls. Whatever was ours was shared with the entire humanity. That is why, human values like non-violence and compassion are settled in the heart of India so naturally," he stated.

Prime Minister today visited the Mahaparinirvana temple and offered 'Archana' (prayer) and 'Chivar' to the reclining statue of Lord Buddha and also planted a Bodhi tree sapling in an event to mark Abhidhamma Day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being felicitated with a statue of Buddha by Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia at the inauguration of the Kushinagar International Airport (Pic: ANI)

Abhidhamma Day symbolises the end of a three-month rainy retreat - Varshavaas or Vassa - for the Buddhist Monks, during which they stay at one place in the vihara and monastery and pray. The event was also attended by eminent monks from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, South Korea, Nepal, Bhutan and Cambodia, as well as Ambassadors of various countries. An inaugural flight from Colombo, carrying the Sri Lankan delegation of over a hundred Buddhist Monks and dignitaries including the 12-member Holy Relic entourage bringing the Holy Buddha Relics for Exposition, arrived in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar airport earlier today.

PM Modi said that Buddha, even today, is the inspiration of the Constitution of India, Buddha's Dharma Chakra is sitting on the tricolour of India and giving us momentum. "Even today, if someone goes to the Parliament of India, then this mantra is definitely seen - Dharma Chakra Pravartanaya," noted the Prime Minister.

Live TV
In the words of Julius Nyerere, Education is not a way of escaping poverty, it is a way of fighting it. These wise words stand true even to this day. Poverty and unemployment are two of the most common and dreadful problems existing in our country to this day. Despite being home to such a large population, not many are willing to come forward and help the underprivileged. Mukesh Tandi is one of the few who stepped up and took part in developing his village. It is rare to see a political figure who is genuinely interested in the well-being of their locality.

Mukesh Tandi is immensely aware of his surroundings and the way the nation works. He explains that the literacy rate is inversely proportional to the poverty rate. As more people will become educated citizens, the poverty rate will start declining. On the other hand, education and employment go hand in hand as their growth is parallel. Education will create more employment opportunities. Mukesh Tandi understands this concept very well.

He believes in the quote by George HW Bush, Education is the key to opportunity. Its a ticket out of poverty. As the first step to creating this opportunity, he has established a high-tech library in the village. The library is equipped with a large collection of books of different genres. Additionally, the library also gives the students access to the Digital Space. They now have the luxury to access the Internet and gain more knowledge. Mukesh understands the importance of education and strives to spread awareness amongst the villagers about the elementary and higher level of education and employment.

Mukesh is aware of the fact that many people come to his region to visit the ancient site of Shiv Temple. Hence, he has improved the path leading to the temple. All the amenities have attracted more and more visitors and pilgrims, thus creating employment opportunities and revenue to fund further developments in the village. Also, he is an active participant in the Gram Panchayat to discuss the impending problems to figure out a solution for the issues. Moreover, he plans to help people develop their overall personality and in-demand skills to increase the chances of them getting hired in areas in and around the city.

Mukesh Tandis commendable acts are an inspiration to others, especially those serving in the political sector. He has set the bar high with the advancements and improvements he has brought in his area.

(Brand Desk Content)
Lucknow: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Wednesday (October 20) was stopped by Uttar Pradesh police on her way to Agra where she wanted to meet the family of the sanitation worker who died in police custody.

Her convoy was stopped at the Lucknow-Agra expressway. You don't have permission, we can't allow you, said the police.

Gandhi shot back asking why the UP police stop her wherever she goes.

They say I can't go to Agra. They stop me wherever I go. Should I keep sitting in restaurants? Just because it is politically convenient for them? I want to meet them, what is the big deal? Gandhi was quoted as saying by ANI.

The deceased sanitation worker, Arun, was arrested by police yesterday in connection with a theft of Rs 25 lakh from a warehouse on October 17.

He died in police custody after his health deteriorated during interrogation, officials said.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Agra Muniraj G said he suddenly fell sick on Tuesday night while a raid was being carried out at his house to recover the stolen money.

He was taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead, he said.

Arun was accused of stealing the money on Saturday night from the "maalkhaana (a storage house where items confiscated by police are kept)" of the police station where he worked as a cleaner.

Following the theft, six police personnel, including the station house officer, had been suspended by the additional director general (ADG) of Agra zone.

During an investigation, police rounded up several suspects. Arun was one of them as he had access to the "maalkhaana".

During questioning he confessed to the crime. Police recovered Rs 15 Lakhs from his home, during recovery he fell ill. Police & his family rushed him to hospital. Doctor declared him brought dead. FIR registered, further action will be taken as per PM report, said SSP Agra, Muniraj G.

Our officers are in contact with his family. They're cooperating. Action will be taken if there was any negligence. The family has filed a complaint, they suspect that he was beaten up by police following which he died. FIR registered, matter it will be probed, said ADG Agra, Rajiv Krishna.

Live TV
New Delhi: Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up the Uttar Pradesh government for delay in recording statements of witnesses before a judicial magistrate in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case, where eight persons were killed, and also told the state government to dispel the impression that it is dragging its feet in the matter.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli told the Uttar Pradesh government counsel, "You are dragging your feet. Please dispel that impression".

Senior advocate Harish Salve, representing the Uttar Pradesh government, submitted that a report on the incident has been filed in a sealed cover.

The bench replied, "No, that was not required and we have just received it now...we waited till 1 a.m. last night for any filing. But we received nothing".

Justice Kant added that the court never said anything about the sealed cover. Salve informed the bench that four out of 44 witnesses in the matter have recorded their statements under section 164 (before a judicial magistrate), and 10 accused have been arrested so far.

Salve said there are two crimes: one where the car was driven into farmers and the other one was in connection with the lynching.

The bench shot back at the Uttar Pradesh government counsel, "Why haven`t other witnesses recorded their statements?"

Salve replied that it is going on and added that out of the ten accused, four were in police custody.

The bench queried what happened to the other six accused. It added, "You did not seek custody so they were sent to judicial custody. What is the situation in this case?"

Salve submitted that the statements of other witnesses were being recorded, but the courts were shut.

The bench queried further, "Criminal courts closed for Dussehra vacation?"

The chief justice observed, "This should not be an unending story, this is all we want".

Salve sought time in the matter. After hearing arguments, the bench posted the matter for further hearing on October 26.

The top court had registered a petition on the basis of a letter by two lawyers seeking a probe by the CBI in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.



Live TV
Srinagar: Two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists who are said to be involved in the recent civilian killings were gunned down by security forces in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmirs Kulgam district on Wednesday (October 20).

The officials said that the two were involved in the killing of two migrant workers from Bihar on October 17.

One of the slain terrorists was identified as LeT district commander Gulzar Ahmad Reshi.

Police and Army neutralised LeT district commander (Gulzar Ahmad Reshi) of Kulgam and one other, who were involved in killings of two poor labourers from Bihar on October 17 at Wanpoh, police tweeted quoting IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar.

Earlier today, the security forces gunned down two LeT terrorists, including the one who killed a poor carpenter from the Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmirs Shopian.

Three security personnel were also injured in the Shopian encounter, the officials said.

Confirming the development, J&K Police in a tweet said, One of the two terrorists killed in the encounter has been identified as Adil Ah Wani. He has been active since July 2020. He was involved in the killing of one poor labourer at Litter, Pulwama.

Live TV
New Delhi: A total of 17 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are conducting rescue and relief operations amid heavy rains in Uttarakhand, said NDRF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mohsen Shahedi on Wednesday (October 20).

Talking to ANI, Shahed informed that as many as 1,300 people had been evacuated and taken to safe places acorss the state, while 46 people have lost their lives.

"A total of 17 teams of NDRF are carrying out rescue and relief operations in Uttarakhand, which includes teams from Delhi, Dehradun, two teams from Uttar Pradesh and six teams which were already deployed in the state as a part of pre-Monsoon deployment. 1,300 people have been evacuated and carried to safer places," said Shahedi while talking to ANI.

As per the NDRF DIG, Nainital, Almora, Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar are the most affected districts by heavy rains in the state.

"As per information from the state, 46 people have lost their lives so far, 15 people have been injured will nine are still missing. About 20-25 houses have been completely damaged," added the DIG.

The continuous rainfall in the hilly state has witnessed flooded roads, buildings and an overflowing lake leaving people stranded in all sorts of locations.

The death toll in rain-battered Uttarakhand has mounted to 46 following several incidents of flash floods and landslides in the past few days.

He said that the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local forces are cooperating with NDRF and the Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters are also being utilised in rescue and relief operations.

Speaking about the rescue and relief operations in Kerala, Shahedi said that 11 teams of NDRF are also on-ground in the rain-affected state for relief and rescue operations.

"Situation is normal in Kerala, but damage was caused in Kottayam and Idukki districts and 23 people lost their lives in these districts. Trapped people have been evacuated. NDRF is in the state as a precautionary measure as water is being released from dams at some places. In case of any calamity, the situation will be monitored," he added.

India Meteorological Department on Wednesday (October 20) continued its orange alert warning following heavy rains in Kerala.

According to official estimates, heavy rains in Kerala have claimed the lives of 27 people. Of these, 14 deaths were reported in the Kottayam district, 10 in the Idukki district, and one each in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Kozhikode districts.

Live TV
New Delhi: The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) will hold a nationwide protest on Wednesday against the growing attack on Hindus and vandalisation of temples and Durga puja marquees in Bangladesh.

In the national capital, the protest will be held in front of the Bangladesh High Commission, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) joint general secretary Surendra Jain had said at a press conference on Tuesday.

"The incidents of violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh have broken all records. While thousands of Hindus have been injured, 10 Hindus have been reported dead till now. The Hindu society will not tolerate these inhuman atrocities, he said.

"A massive protest and demonstration will be held on October 20 in front of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi at 11 am. Along with this, protests and demonstrations will be held in every district across the country," he said.

Attacks on Hindu temples have intensified in Bangladesh since last Wednesday after an alleged blasphemous post surfaced on social media during Durga puja celebrations.

On late Sunday night, a mob damaged 66 houses and set at least 20 homes of Hindus ablaze in Bangladesh. Condemning the violence, the VHP reiterated its demand that the Bangladeshi government must stop the violence against Hindus and ensure their safety.

It also appealed to the United Nations to play "a proactive role" and send a peacekeeping force to Bangladesh "to prevent atrocities on Hindu minorities" in the country.

"Extremists will have to be dealt with in the same manner as was done in 1971. If needed, the government of Bangladesh should take the help of the government of India," Jain said.

"The VHP appeals to the government of India to exert adequate pressure on the government of Bangladesh so that the latter fulfils its obligation to ensure the safety and security of its indigenous minority Hindu population," he added.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina instructed her home minister on Tuesday to initiate immediate action against those who incited violence using religion as she asked people not to trust anything on social media without fact-checking.

Live TV
Chennai: The Madras High Court raised serious questions before the Tamil Nadu Police department while hearing an alleged sexual harassment complaint against a Special DGP rank officer.

While the victim, a woman IPS officer was on her way to file a complaint against her superior, a Superintendent of Police (SP) had blocked her car and made attempts to dissuade her from complaining.

The Superintendent, a co-accused in the case had approached the court to drop his name from the case as he claimed to be acting only under instructions from his superior, the Special DGP.

However, Justice Velmurugan refused to accept this version of the suspended cop and asked him if he would murder someone if asked to do so by a superior. The judge also added that only lawful instruction could be followed.

The judge went on to ask how the common public would have faith in the police department when senior officers face such allegations.

He observed that only 10% of the police officers were discharging their duties as per their conscience and that such incidents were a shame to the department.

As the court did not entertain the plea to discharge him from the case, the suspended SP withdrew his case.

Live TV
SRINAGAR: The security forces on Wednesday gunned down two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, including the one who killed a poor carpenter from the Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmirs Shopian.

Three security personnel were also injured in the Shopian encounter, the officials said.

Confirming the development, J&K Police in a tweet said, One of the two terrorists killed in the encounter has been identified as Adil Ah Wani. He has been active since July 2020. He was involved in the killing of one poor labourer at Litter, Pulwama.

Search operation is underway, the J&K Police added. So far, 15 terrorists have been neutralised in the past two weeks, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said while addressing a press conference.

#ShopianEncounterUpdate: One of the killed #terrorists has been #identified as Adil Ah Wani, active since 7/2020. He was #involved in #killing of one poor labourer at Litter #Pulwama. So far, 15 terrorists have been #neutralised in 2 weeks: IGP Kashmir@JmuKmrPolice  Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) October 20, 2021

IGP Vijay Kumar also informed that Adil Wani was district commander (Shopian) of proscribed terror outfit LeT. The security forces had earlier launched a cordon and search operation in Dragad area of Shopian district following information about the presence of some terrorists.

Giving details of the encounter, officials said security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Dragad area of Shopian district following information about the presence of some terrorists there. The search operation turned into an encounter after the terrorists opened fire on the security forces which retaliated.

The officials said two ultras of The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow outfit of Lashkar-e-Taiba, have been killed while three security force personnel sustained injuries in the operation.

In a tweet, IGP, Kashmir zone, Vijay Kumar, said, One of the killed #terrorists has been #identified as Adil Ah Wani, active since 7/2020 So far, 15 terrorists have been #neutralised in 2 weeks.

Killed #terrorist Adil Wani was #involved in #killing of a poor carpenter namely Sakir Ah Wani S/O Gulam Kadir Wani R/O Saharanpur UP. Adil Wani was District Commander Shopian of proscribed #terror outfit LeT(TRF), Kumar tweeted.

However, in another tweet, the Kashmir Zone Police clarified that the name of the carpenter was Sageer Ahmad Ansari. "Kindly read, Sageer Ahmad Ansari S/O Bindo Hussain Ansari R/O Saharanpur, UP. Inconvenience regretted.@JmuKmrPolice," it said in the tweet.

Ansari was gunned down on Saturday in a south Kashmir village where he had been working as a carpenter for the last couple of years. Kashmir has witnessed a spate of targeted civilian killings that has triggered an exodus of migrant labourers who are queuing up outside bus and train stations to return home.

Live TV
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has banned individuals, political leaders, celebrities, bureaucrats and government staff from celebrating their birthdays with the children at child care homes. The ban came into effect from October 16.

According to the state government, if outsiders are allowed to celebrate birthdays at child care institutions, it will have a negative impact on the mindset of these children.

However, the government move has evoked a mixed response in the state.

Some experts opined that the government should focus on more serious issues like malnutrition, malnourishment and school education as attending birthday parties or exchanging gifts are not traumatic for children.

However, some experts believe that although outsiders come with good intentions to celebrate their birthdays in child care homes, the children living there have a difficult time being a part of such celebrations.

People from smaller institutions feel that after the nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19, the orphan children faced great difficulty in coping with the situation. Birthday celebrations help them to some extent and make them happy.

Psychologist Dr Sridhara told IANS, "I do not see any rationale behind the government`s decision. Life of an orphan child in a child care home in India is harsher than it is in other countries."

"After all the traumatic experiences they have had, the celebrations will help them accept reality. They will also have a few happy days as they get gifts and good food," he added.



Live TV
MUMBAI: A special court in Mumbai on Wednesday refused to grant bail to Aryan, son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, and two others in connection with the seizure of banned drugs.

Aryan, 23, was arrested on October 3 with seven others when the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) busted a drugs party onboard a cruise ship. He is currently in Arthur Road prison. A number of social media users voiced their opinions on the matter and called the order 'harassment'.

Take a look at some of the posts below:

"He is paying the price of being a star kid."

"Iske toh piche hi paddd gye sbh."

"Really sad.. hopefully high court will pass the positive order."

"Had ho rhi hai yeh toh galat baat hai usko torture kr rhe hai bail kio reject kr rhe hai had ho gyi."

"God tests those whom he love the most . He tests their patience and turns their hardships into loads of happiness and succes !!"

"My fullest sympathies. Feeling sorrowful of Mr. Sharukh Khan's fame, publicity and his compassion."

"This is too much now. Rapists and murders get bail on bail and the court does this to someone who is arrested based on his watsapp chats?"

"Phle bar etna ghuma rahe ha esko ye game kuch or to nhi chl rhe."

Since Aryan's arrest, many Bollywood celebrities have come out in support of Shah Rukh on social media including superstar Hrithik Roshan, filmmakers Zoya Akhtar, Farah Khan, Hansal Mehta, comedian Johnny Lever, Raveena Tandon, Pooja Bhatt, Vivek Vaswani, Suchitra Krishnamoorthi and Sussanne Khan among others.

Shah Rukh's close friend and superstar Salman Khan, who stays a few minutes away from his residence Mannat in suburban Bandra, has visited him quite a few times since the arrest of Aryan Khan.

Many ardent fans of Shah Rukh have often been photographed outside his residence and the court extending their solidarity with the family with banners.
MUMBAI: The special Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) court in Mumbai will on Wednesday pass its order on the bail plea of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan, who was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in the Mumbai cruise ship drugs case earlier this month.

During a hearing on October 14, the court of Additional Session Judge VV Patil reserved its order on Aryan Khan's bail plea. The court had scheduled the pronouncement of the order on October 20 due to Dussehra festival and the weekend.

Aryan Khan is currently lodged in Arthur Road jail following his alleged involvement in illegal drugs purchase and consumption case. Besides Khan, the bail application of other accused Nupur Satija and Munmun Dhamecha will also be heard by the court today.

The case will be heard in courtroom number 44 of Mumbai city civil and sessions court. An NCB team busted an alleged drugs party on a cruise ship that was on its way to Goa at mid-sea on October 2.

23-year-old Aryan Khan was arrested by the NCB along with several others during the central agency's raid at a rave party on the cruise ship off the Mumbai coast on October 3.

A total of 20 people, including two Nigerian nationals, have been arrested so far in the case related to the seizure of drugs. On October 7, Aryan Khan was sent to 14-day judicial custody.

Seven others were arrested with Aryan Khan, namely Munmun Dhamecha, Arbaaz Merchant, Ismeet Singh, Mohak Jaswal, Gomit Chopra, Nupur Satija, and Vikrant Chhokar.

NCB sleuths claimed that they seized 13 grams of cocaine, 5 grams of MD, 21 grams of charas, 22 pills of MDMA (ecstasy) and Rs 1.33 lakh in cash during the raid. However, no drugs were found on Aryan Khan, as per an NCB official.
NEW DELHI: The special NDPS court on Wednesday (October 20) delivered its verdict and denied bail to Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan in the drug seizure case. After the court's order, Aryan Khan will have to stay in the Arthur Road jail for some days more. This is the fourth time that Aryan's bail plea in connection with the cruise ship drug bust base.

The court denied bail to Aryan, observing that 'on the face of it', he was indulging in 'illicit drug activities on a regular basis'. His WhatsApp chats also showed, prima facie, that he was in touch with drug peddlers, the court noted.

Aryan (23), was arrested with a few others on October 3 after the NCB raided a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast and claimed to have seized drugs including charas, has now moved the Bombay High Court. VV Patil, special judge for the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act cases, rejected the bail pleas of Aryan, his friend Arbaaz Merchant (26) and fashion model Munmun Dhamecha (28).

The lawyers of Aryan and Munmun moved the High Court seeking bail soon thereafter. The matter is likely to be mentioned on Thursday before Justice NW Sambre seeking urgent hearing, legal sources said.

The special NDPS Act court in its 21-page order noted that WhatsApp chats of Aryan Khan prima facie revealed that he was 'dealing in illicit drug activities on a regular basis' and therefore it cannot be said that he was not likely to commit a similar offence if released on bail.

It also held that Aryan knew that his friend and co-accused Arbaaz was in possession of drugs, and hence there was conscious possession even though the NCB had not found any drugs on Aryan himself. "Considering the prima facie involvement of the applicants/accused No 1 to 3 (Aryan Khan, Merchant and Dhamecha) in commission of grave and serious offence, this is not a fit case for granting bail," the judge said in the order.

The material placed before it by the NCB showed on the face of it that section 29 of the NDPS Act, pertaining to conspiracy, was applicable, said the court. "Therefore, it is not possible to record a satisfaction at this stage that the applicants have not committed any offence under the NDPS Act," the order said.

"These things go to show that accused No 1 (Aryan) was having knowledge of the contraband concealed by accused No 2 (Merchant) in his shoes," it said.

"Although no contraband is found in the possession of accused No 1, six grams of charas was found in possession of accused No 2 of which accused No 1 (Aryan) was having knowledge and thus it can be said that it was in conscious possession of both the accused," the court added.

In Aryan's WhatsApp chats, there is reference to 'bulk quantity and hard drugs' and 'there is prima facie material showing that accused No 1 was in contact with persons dealing in prohibited narcotic substances," the order said.
New Delhi: Bollywood actor Yuvika Chaudhary who recently got arrested for allegedly using a casteist slur on the social media platform, was later granted interim bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Reacting on the matter she told ETimes, Yuvika shared that she was in Pune shooting for a project when she got to know that a case has been filed against her and so she had to leave everything in between and go for the investigation. She also went on to say that she had to pay the price of being a public figure.

Elaborating further on the matter, she stated, I didn't know until a few days ago that a case had been filed against me. When I got a notice, I was in Pune shooting for a project. I had to leave everything and go for the investigations. As a law-abiding citizen of India, law comes above everything else for me and hence I travelled immediately to Haryana. There the police asked me several questions and they even have the phone through which the video was uploaded. I am back in Mumbai now but I hope everything gets sorted soon."

She continued saying, Six months ago too I had said that I didnt use the word for anyone and I didnt even know the meaning of it. I can never do such a thing. But now since it has happened, I can only apologise as much as I can."

For the unversed, a few months ago, Yuvikas video went viral where she could be heard using a word that is derogatory to a certain section of the society. After her video sparked an uproar, Chaudhary took to Twitter to issue an apology and said that she did not know the meaning of the said word.

"Hi guys I didn`t know the meaning of that word wt I used in my last vlog I didn`t mean to hurt anyone and I can never do that to hurt someone I apologise to each n everyone I hope you understand the love you all," she had tweeted.

Earlier to this, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah's Munmun Dutta aka Babita Iyer also faced the wrath for using a casteist slur in her video.
New Delhi: Retirement fund body EPFO net added 14.81 lakh subscribers in August 2021, reflecting a growing trend in net payroll for the first five months of this fiscal. The provisional payroll data of Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) released on Wednesday highlights that it added around 14.81 lakh net subscribers during the month of August 2021, a labour ministry statement said.

The data reflects a growing trend in net payroll for the first five months of the current financial year, it added.

For the month of August, the net subscriber addition increased by 12.61 per cent as compared to the previous month of July 2021. Of the total 14.81 lakh net subscribers, around 9.19 lakh members have come under the social security ambit of EPFO for the first time.

Around 5.62 lakh net subscribers exited but rejoined EPFO by changing jobs within the establishments covered under the purview of the EPF & MP Act, 1952.

The subscribers opted to continue their membership with EPFO by transferring their funds from previous job to the current PF account instead of applying for final withdrawal.

Age-wise comparison of payroll data shows that the age group of 22-25 years registered highest number of net enrolments with 4.03 lakh additions during August. This was followed by the 18-21 years group with around 3.25 lakh net enrolments. This indicates that many first-time job seekers are joining organised sector workforce in large numbers and have contributed around 49.18 per cent of total net subscriber additions in August, it stated.

As per state-wise comparison of payroll figures, establishments covered in the states of Maharashtra, Haryana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were in lead by adding approximately 8.95 lakh subscribers, or around 60.45 per cent of the total net payroll addition across all age groups.

Gender-wise analysis shows that the share of female enrolment was around 20 per cent of the total net subscriber addition during the month.

The net addition of female subscribers has increased by roughly 10.18 per cent during August, as compared to July 2021. This is largely due to lower female member exits during the month, it said.

Industry-wise payroll data indicates that the 'expert services' category (consisting of manpower agencies, private security agencies, small contractors etc) constituted 39.91 per cent of total subscriber addition during the month.

Apart from this, growing trend in net payroll additions has been noted in industries like trading-commercial establishments, engineering products, building and construction, textiles, garment making, hospitals and financing establishments.

The payroll data is provisional since the data generation is a continuous exercise, as updation of employee records is a continuous process. The previous data hence gets updated every month.

Since May 2018, EPFO has been releasing payroll data covering the period September 2017 onwards.

EPFO is the country's principal organisation responsible for providing social security benefits to the organised/semi-organised sector workforce covered under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. Also Read: RBI slaps Rs 1 crore penalty on Paytm Payments Bank, heres why

EPFO provides provident fund and pension benefits to the members on their retirement, and family pension and insurance benefits to their families in case of untimely death of the member. Also Read: Facebook fined Rs 520 crore by UK regulator for violating order in Giphy acquisition
New Delhi: IndusInd Bank has launched Equated Monthly Instalments (EMI) facility on debit cards amid the ongoing festive season to add to the festivities. Using the new facility, customers can convert their high-value transactions debit card purchases into EMI.

Customers can use the new facility by swiping or tapping their debit cards at the point of sale (PoS) machines. Customers can use also use the debit card EMI feature on online purchases as well.

Charu Mathur, Chief Digital Officer & Head-Business Strategy, IndusInd Bank, said that the company is confident that debit card EMI will add to the customers celebration, and propel their purchase decisions.

IndusInd Bank has always been at the forefront at driving customer convenience by introducing products that bring unparalleled value to their banking experience. We are delighted to launch an EMI facility for our debit cardholders that will enable them to purchase products of their choice from a wide array of categories, and also give them the flexibility of making payments in easy instalments over a period of time, he added.

IndusInd Bank has partnered with more than 60,000 offline merchant outlets. These merchants include large format retailers, hypermarkets, multi-brand and stand-alone retail points.

Such retail stores range from consumer durables, electronics, apparel, automobiles, home decor, and hospitals, among others. The bank said that itll be partnering with several leading ecommerce platforms. Also Read: OMG! Rs 10 crore upon selling an old Re 1 coin, are you in possession of one?

Customers can use the debit card EMI facility to convert their purchases with tenure from three months to 24 months. IndusInd Bank customers can check if they are eligible for the offer or not by sending an SMS. You can send an SMS MYOFR and send it to 5676757 to check your eligibility. Also Read: PolicyBazaar IPO: Insurtech firm receives SEBIs nod to raise Rs 6,017 crore

Live TV

#mute
New Delhi: Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who recently announced her separation from Akkineni Naga Chaitanya, stood up for herself in these tough situations. She has now filed defamation cases against some YouTube channels for streaming malignant content about her.

Suman TV, Telugu Popular TV, and a few more YouTube channels will receive legal notices from Samantha, for defaming her image on their respective channels. Also, Samantha has apparently filed a legal notice against an advocate named Venkat Rao, who had allegedly spoken about Samantha's marital life and had alleged that she had affairs.

Post her divorce from Naga Chaitanya, Samantha has been the talk of the town, while she is being targeted by internet bullies.

In the wake of all the negativity, Samantha had released a personal note asking others stay away from her as she is not going to allow any kind of negativity to break her. Apparently, neither her ex-husband Naga Chaitanya, nor his father Nagarjuna stood by her in these struggles.

On the work front, Samantha has a couple of interesting subjects she would start shooting for soon, while she is also taking her personal space to cope with the recent tumult in her life.
New Delhi: Google, on Tuesday (October 19), finally launched two new smartphones in its Pixel lineup: the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Both the smartphones are aimed at taking on iPhone 13 lineup and Samsungs latest offerings. While customers around the world are waiting to get their hands on Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, Indians may have to wait for more than a little. The reason: India launch of Google 6 and Google 6 Pro isnt happening anytime soon.

The new Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are powered by the new Tensor chip that improves the smartphones performance manifold, making them one of the best Android devices in the market.

The new cameras and improved AI and ML features make them more desirable. But Indians will have to wait for Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, as a Google spokesperson has finally confirmed the delay in the smartphones launch.

The spokesperson told Gadgets360 that due to a variety of factors including global demand-supply issues, the company isnt able to make our products available in all markets.

We remain committed to our current Pixel phones and look forward to bringing future Pixel devices to more countries in the future, the spokesperson added. However, the spokesperson didnt clarify that whether the company is delaying with the chip shortage or other components.

Moreover, this isnt the first time when Google is delaying the launch of its flagship Pixel smartphones in India. The tech giant had last launched the Google Pixel 4 in 2019 in the country.

The supply of Google Pixel smartphones has remained low since then even after the company rolled out Pixel 5 and Pixel 5 a globally. One of the major reasons why Google doesnt launch its smartphones in India is the pricing. Also Read: Facebook fined Rs 520 crore by UK regulator for violating order in Giphy acquisition

In the Indian smartphone market, Google faces tough competition from cheaper smartphone brands such as Realme, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo, among others. Also Read: EPFO adds 14.81 lakh net subscribers in August, 12.61% increase over July data
New Delhi: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Wednesday the matter pertaining to the October 3 violence in Lakhimpur Kheri in which eight persons, including four farmers, were killed during a farmers' protest.

A bench comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli, which had on October 8 expressed dissatisfaction over the steps taken by the Uttar Pradesh government in the brutal murder of eight persons, would hear the matter.

Ten people, including Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra's son Ashish Mishra, have been arrested so far in connection with the case. The top court is hearing the matter after two lawyers had written a letter to the CJI seeking a high-level judicial inquiry, also involving the CBI, into the incident.

Four farmers were mowed down by an SUV in Lakhimpur Kheri when a group agitating against the Centre's three new farm laws was holding a demonstration against the visit of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on October 3.

Two BJP workers and a driver were beaten to death allegedly by the angry protesters, while a local journalist was also killed in the violence.

Several farmer organisations are protesting against the passage of three laws -- The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 and Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 since last November.

The apex court had stayed the implementation of these laws in January. Initially, the protests started from Punjab in November last year and later spread to Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

While hearing the matter on October 8, the apex court had questioned the Uttar Pradesh government over the non-arrest of all the accused and had directed preservation of evidence.

The bench had said, the law must take its course against all accused and the government has to take all remedial steps in this regard to inspire confidence in the investigation of the brutal murder of eight persons.

The counsel appearing for the state government had assured the top court on October 8 that all appropriate action would be taken in the case.

Live TV
NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit the rain-battered state of Uttarakhand and review the situation there. According to reports, Shah will arrive in the state this evening. The Home Minister will hold review meetings and take stock of the situation there with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

He will also conduct an aerial survey of the rain-affected Uttarakhand where several people have died due to incessant rains. Shah spoke to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister on Monday to enquire about the situation in the hill state amid heavy rains.

During the telephonic conversation, Amit Shah sought details about the precautionary steps being taken by the state government in view of the heavy rain alert. He also assured CM Dhami of all possible help from the central government.

Due to the heavy downpour since Sunday, state authorities had temporarily suspended the Char Dham Yatra and advised the pilgrims not to proceed to the Himalayan temples till the weather improves.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed condolences over the loss of lives due to incessant rain in Uttarakhand and said the rescue operations are underway to help those affected.

"I am anguished by the loss of lives due to heavy rainfall in parts of Uttarakhand. May the injured recover soon. Rescue operations are underway to help those affected. I pray for everyone`s safety and well-being," the Prime Minister said in a tweet.

Thirty-four people have lost their lives and five are missing due to incessant rains in the state.

Live TV
London: A new mutation of the Delta variant of COVID-19 is expanding in England and is being monitored and assessed, according to official UK health data reported on Tuesday.

AY.4.2, which is being dubbed as "Delta Plus" in some quarters, contains mutations that might give the coronavirus which causes COVID-19 a greater survival advantage.

The "sublineage" is increasing in frequency but experts do not believe it is responsible for the continued high number of daily coronavirus infections in the country, which hit 49,156 cases on Monday, the highest figure since July.

"New sublineages of Delta are regularly identified and designated. One recently designated sublineage is AY.4.2," notes the UK Health Security Agency (HSA) in its latest technical briefing document.

"A Delta sublineage newly designated as AY.4.2 is noted to be expanding in England. It is now a signal in monitoring, and assessment has commenced; there are also small numbers of new cases of Delta with E484K and Delta with E484Q," it adds.

The new mutation is not yet considered a variant of concern, or a variant under investigation, the categories assigned to variants and the level of risk associated with them.

It was first noticed in July 2021 and since then this offshoot or sublineage of Delta has been slowly increasing. It includes some new mutations affecting the spike protein, which the virus uses to penetrate our cells.

"It is potentially a marginally more infectious strain," Professor Francois Balloux, director of University College London's Genetics Institute, told the BBC.

"It's nothing compared with what we saw with Alpha and Delta, which were something like 50 to 60 per cent more transmissible. So we are talking about something quite subtle here and that is currently under investigation. It is likely to be up to 10 per cent more transmissible. It's good that we are aware," he said.

It comes as Downing Street said on Tuesday that it is keeping a "very close eye" on the rising number of daily coronavirus cases in the UK.

"We have seen case rates rising, we've started to see some indications that hospitalisations and death rates are increasing also," the spokesperson for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.

"Clearly we're keeping a very close eye on rising case rates, the most important message for the public to understand is the vital importance of the booster programme and indeed for those children who are eligible to come forward and get our jab," the spokesperson said.

However, it said new infections were roughly in line with predictions and that the vaccine programme had "substantially" broken the link between cases, hospitalisations, and deaths.

On Monday, Britain reported 49,156 new COVID-19 cases and 45 more deaths within 28 days of a positive test, according to official data. This figure signifies a consistent 40,000 plus daily case numbers in the last week, with some experts warning a new peak of the disease may be around the corner in the country.

Live TV
Kabul: The Taliban have promised plots of land to relatives of suicide bombers who attacked the US and Afghan soldiers, in a provocative gesture that seems to run counter to their efforts to court international support.

The Taliban's acting interior minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, offered the reward to dozens of family members of bombers gathered at a Kabul hotel, Interior Ministry spokesman Saeed Khosty tweeted on Tuesday.

Addressing the gathering Monday evening, Haqqani praised the sacrifices of 'martyrs and fedayeen', referring to fighters killed in suicide attacks, Khosty tweeted.

Haqqani called them 'heroes of Islam and the country,' according to the spokesman. At the end of the meeting, he distributed 10,000 afghanis (USD 112) per family and promised each a plot of land.

Khosty posted photos of Haqqani, his face blurred, embracing the relatives in a packed auditorium.

Live TV

The event comes as the Taliban attempt to open diplomatic channels with an international community largely reluctant to formally recognise their rule in Afghanistan. High-profile Taliban meetings with foreign officials have focused on obtaining aid to impoverished Afghans as the U.N. Predicts virtually the entire population will slide into poverty because of a severe economic crisis.

The promise of rewards for suicide bombings signals conflicting approaches within the Taliban leadership. They are trying to position themselves as responsible rulers, who promise security for all and have condemned suicide attacks by their rivals, the militant Islamic State group. On the other hand, they praise such tactics when it comes to their followers.

The Taliban cannot afford to alienate the US, which froze billions of dollars in Afghan assets in US accounts in line with international sanctions protocols. International monetary organizations paused disbursements, equivalent to 75% of the previous government's expenditure.

At the same time, the Taliban cannot afford to lose their hard-line base, especially in the wake of a growing IS threat.

Suicide bombings and roadside explosives were tactics used by the Taliban to wear down Afghan and US forces throughout their 20-year insurgency.

The international community has greeted the Taliban's request for recognition with conditions, especially with respect to the treatment of women and girls.